Ground red peppers: capsaicinoids content,Scoville scores,and discrimination by an electronic nose

High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and total capsaicinoids levels of different ground red pepper samples obtained from local retail markets in Izmir, Turkey. Scoville scores were determined using sensory tests. An electronic nose (EN) was used to discriminate ground red pepper samples by headspace volatiles. EN data were analyzed using discriminant function analysis (DFA). An overall correct classification rate of pepper varieties by EN of 91% was obtained. A linear correlation between capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and total capsaicinoids and Scoville scores was also observed, and R (2) values of 0.89, 0.85, and 0.91 were obtained, respectively.     

Histo-anatomical studies on the accessory reproductive glands of the Anatolian souslik (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) (Mammalia: Sciuridae)

In this study, the histo-anatomy of the accessory reproductive glands of the Anatolian souslik (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) is investigated, using 102 males of the vouchers which were captured from central Anatolia and eastern Mediterranean regions. Averages of measurements taken from each part of the accessory reproductive glands were as follows: length of vesicular gland [right: 3.96 (+/-0.48) mm; left: 3.70 (+/-0.55) mm]; prostate gland [length: 2.55 (+/-0.38) mm; width: 2.63 (+/-0.45) mm]; length of bulbourethral gland [right: 2.32 (+/-0.33) mm; left: 2.37 (+/-0.39) mm], and the length of the pars pelvina of the urethra was 12.31 (+/-0.76) mm. Histological sections showed that vesicular gland was composed of typically branched tubulo-alveolar glands. As the fibrous connective tissue that was found among alveoles in the prostate was dense and relatively common, only few tubulo-alveolar glands occurred. The bulbourethral gland (Cowper's gland) was a tubulo-alveolar gland with a large and serrated lumen and septa between the alveoles consisted of dense fibro-muscular fibres.     

Field evaluation of a PCR for the diagnosis of chlamydial abortion in sheep

A total of 94 vaginal swab samples and 195 serum samples collected from aborted ewes in 15 flocks were examined by pcr and a complement fixation test, respectively. In addition, 172 samples of stomach contents from fetuses from different flocks submitted for the diagnosis of abortion during the four lambing periods between 2000 and 2004 were tested by pcr. Chlamydial dna was detected in seven vaginal swabs obtained from five of the 15 flocks and in six samples of fetal stomach contents. The results of pcr and flock serology for Chlamydia were positive in five of the 15 flocks and negative in eight.     

赤霉酸·6-BA 3.6%液剂高效液相色谱分析方法研究

本文采用高效液相色谱法,以甲醇＋甲酸水溶液为流动相,使用ODSC18、51μm为填料的不锈钢柱和二极管阵列检测器。在210nm波长下对赤霉酸·6-BA进行分离和定量分析。结果表明,该分析方法的线性相关系数赤霉酸为O．9999;6-BA为0．998;标准偏差赤霉酸为0．01;6-BA为0．02;变异系数赤霉酸为0．46％;6-BA为0．30％;赤霉酸平均回收率为97．7％;6-BA平均回收率为98．7％。     

First genetic characterization of equine adenovirus type 1 (EAdV-1) in Turkey

Equine adenovirus type 1 (EAdV-1) is a cause of repiratory tract infection in equids. In present study for the first time in Turkey, the prevalence of EAdV-1 in nasal swab samples obtained from horses showing respiratory symptoms was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and molecular characterization of the hexon gene detected in the Turkish (TR) strain was performed. Overall, the prevalence of EAdV-1 was found low (1.4%) as indicated by a positive PCR reaction from the nasal swab extracts tested. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial sequences of the hexon gene of a TR-EAdV-1 strain with those of previously isolated AdVs from different mammals and an EAdV-1 M1 strain showed that the EAdV-1 strains were placed into a unique cluster. Although the TR-EAdV-1 strain was closely related to CAV-1, CAV-2 and bat adenovirus reference strains, larger-scale studies are necessary to better understand the molecular epidemiology and population structure of EAdV-1 in Turkey.     

Detection of porcine circovirus genotypes 2a and 2b in aborted foetuses from infected swine herds in the State of S?o Paulo,Brazil

Background

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has been associated with several disease complexes, including reproductive failure. The aim of this study was to identify the subtypes of PCV2 that are associated with reproductive failure in pigs from the State of São Paulo, Brazil and to investigate co-infections with other infectious organisms.

Findings

Samples of 168 aborted foetuses or mummified foetuses from five farrow-to-finish swine farms known to be infected with PCV2 and located in the State of São Paulo were tested for PCV2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Positive samples were additionally tested for porcine parvovirus (PPV), Leptospira spp. and Brucella spp. by PCR. PCV2 was detected in 18 of the samples (10.7%). PPV, Brucella spp. and Leptospira spp were found in 2, 10 and 0 cases, respectively. Eleven PCV2 strains were sequenced and determined to be either genotype 2a (n = 1) or 2b (n = 10).

Conclusions

The findings indicate that the frequency of PCV2 infections in aborted porcine foetuses from the State of São Paulo is rather low (10.7%) and that co-infection with other pathogens is common and may be involved in PCV2 associated reproductive failure. No repeatable, characteristic amino acid motifs for regions of the PCV2 capsid protein seemed to be associated with abortion in sows.     

Effects of α-lipoic acid, vitamins E and C upon the heat stress in Japanese quails

Antioxidant vitamins are commonly used as colorant, preventive, sweetener, nutritive and antioxidant materials in food industry. Thus, many studies have been conducted in recent years. We have performed the present study to understand the effects of α-lipoic acid (ALA), vitamin C and E, added into rations of Japanese quails, on chronic heat stress. This study was carried out in five groups as: control, stress, ALA, vitamin E and vitamin C groups. Heat stress is applied to all groups except the control group. Superficial pectoral muscles tissues were used for biochemical determinations. During the research, it is found that heat stress exerted undesired effects such as increasing lipid peroxidation (LPO) level indicating oxidative stress in Japanese quails. In addition, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities and glutathione (GSH) amounts were studied to understand the behaviour of defence mechanism. While stress increased LPO ratio, it was determined that all antioxidant added into the ration decreases LPO significantly (p < 0.05). In addition, it was determined that all of antioxidants added into ration effectively restored SOD activity and LPO ratio which heat stress affected negatively. Interestingly, vitamin C did not adjust GSH ratio in contrast to vitamin E and ALA, where vitamin E and C did not perform any positive effect on heat stress decreased CAT activity. Finally, it can be thought that antioxidant vitamins relatively ameliorated these undesired affects caused by stress factors given.     

Armillaria ostoyae associated with dying 60‐year‐old Scots pines in northern Turkey

We investigated an Armillaria root disease centre in a 60‐year‐old, naturally regenerated Pinus sylvestris stand located at 1250 m altitude in Sinop province in northern Turkey. Based on sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region of the rDNA, the mycelial fans sampled from the infected trees were Armillaria ostoyae. Multilocus genotyping indicated that the fans belonged to a single genet, at least 0.2 ha in size. Drought as a predisposing factor is discussed. The study area received 50–70 and 25–50% of the normal precipitation in May, June and August in 2009 and in August and September in 2010, respectively. Moreover, earlier excavation work to prepare a forest road had probably disrupted the water table in the affected stand.