Inheritance of heading time in spring barley evaluated in multiple environments

The inheritance of heading time of spring barley was studied in three extremely early genotypes IB, RL and ‘Mona’ (M), which is homozygous recessive for the early maturity ea8 (=ea_k) gene conferring extreme earliness under short daylengths and is relatively photoperiod insensitive, and five (GP, MA, PS, NU and BA) spring genotypes that are early to intermediate for heading time. Frequency distributions of F₂ generations grown at Ouled Gnaou, Morocco (32°15′ N), an environment which maximizes differences between photoperiod‐insensitive and photoperiod‐sensitive genotypes, indicated that across populations many loci were segregating in a complex Mendelian manner. IB and RL were both homozygous recessive for the ea8 gene, which conferred an early heading time. RL had partially dominant alleles at second locus (Enea8), which enhanced its earliness. Recovery of only progeny within the parental range of genotypes for heading time from the crosses of RL/M and IB/M suggests that numerous loci remained suppressed, perhaps latent, given their diverse parentage. The ea8 recessive homozygote in RL suppressed another unidentified locus which, when homozygous recessive in the absence of the ea8 recessive homozygote, conferred extreme earliness in one short daylength environment (Ouled Gnaou, Morocco) but was undetected in another environment (Davis, CA, USA). Epistatic gene action and genotype × environment effects strongly influenced heading time. In addition to a genetic system consisting of single‐locus recessive homozygotes conferring photoperiod insensitivity, a second genetic system, based on dominant alleles at one or a few loci, derived from the early heading Finnish landrace ‘Olli’, also confers extremely early heading time under short daylengths and relative photoperiod insensitivity in the genotype GP.     

Genetic parameters for nut and kernel traits in macadamia

Data from a trial of 40 cultivars clonallyreplicated over five locations were used to estimatebroad-sense heritability and genetic and phenotypiccorrelations for important nut and kernel traits inmacadamia (Macadamia integrifolia and M.tetraphylla). Location averages for each cultivarwere available from 4 to 10 years after planting fornut mass, kernel mass, kernel recovery, percentage1^st grade kernels and percentage whole kernels,with individual tree measurements only available forone year. Heritability estimated from locationaverages was inflated for all traits due tounderestimation of the phenotypic variance. Un-confounded estimates of individual broad-senseheritability, obtained by combining information fromboth data sources, was high (H = 0.63) fornut and kernel mass, and kernel recovery, moderatefor percentage whole kernels (H 0.30) and low for percentage 1^stgrade kernel (H 0.20). There waslittle interaction between cultivar and location orage; however, for percentage 1^st grade and wholekernels, there were large 3-way and 4-wayinteractions. The only strong genetic correlation wasbetween nut and kernel mass (r _g = 0.80). Theimplications of the results for cultivar selection andbreeding programs are discussed.     

USE OF ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC MONITORING FOR QUANTIFICATION OF OPIOID OR BENZODIAZEPINE ANTAGONISM IN ANAESTHETIZED DOGS

Quantitative EEG monitoring is useful for objectively measuring CNS responses to agonist-antagonist adjuncts or responses to noxious stimuli in anaesthetized dogs.     

Seasonal Variations in Fatty Acids of Striped Bass Morone saxatilis

The polyunsaturated fatty acids of the n-3 family associated with fish and fish oils have been shown to have beneficial effects on prevention of heart disease in humans. However, in considering the potential health benefits of fish oil in human health, it is important to realize that the fatty acid composition and total lipid content of fish vary greatly. These variations may be due to species differences or variations within a species due to temperature, diet, developmental stage, sex or seasonal differences. The purpose of the study described here was to determine the effects of season, size class, and sex on the Occurrence of individual fatty acids in striped bass (Morone saxrrtilis). Fish were collected in June, July, August, September, and October. Filets with skin were analyzed for total lipid content. Methyl esters of fatty acids were separated and identified using capillary gas chromatography. Total mean lipid varied from as low as 12% to as high as 30%. There were no significant changes in total crude lipid content due to month collected or sex. However, total lipid content of filets increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) as size increased. The fatty acids 18:1n–9 and 16:0 made up the majority (62%) of the fatty acids present in any season, size class, or sex. The monounsaturated fatty acids dominated in all fish. There were no significant differences in individual fatty acids due to sex. However, fish size had a significant influence on fatty acid composition. Overall, saturated fatty acids decreased as size increased, while polyunsaturated fatty acids increased or remained constant. There were no significant changes in mean percent saturated or monounsaturated fatty acids with respect to month when controlling for size. However, total percent polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased significantly in October compared to August and September. This overall decrease was due mainly to a decrease in 22:6n–3. Conversely there was a significant increase in 16:11n–9 in October. All other fatty acids remained constant. When data from this study were compared to fatty acid data from the literature, striped bass was not as good a source of 20:5n–3 and 22:61n–3 as sardines, anchovies or mackerel.     

Ultrastructure and chemical composition of calcite urinary calculi in Chinese swamp buffalo

Four urinary calculi, derived from Chinese swamp buffalo, were studied by using qualitative chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and qualitative energy dispersive (electron probe) microanalysis. Qualitative chemical analysis showed that the predominant ions were calcium and carbonate with small amounts of magnesium and ammonium. X-ray diffraction confirmed that the calculi were primarily composed of calcium carbonate (calcite). On ultrastructural examination, three apparently distinct structural regions were identified in the calculi: outer large laminations; cavities containing variable numbers of small spheres and rods; and large spheres. There did not appear to be material that acted as a nidus and all regions, on qualitative electron probe analysis, contained primarily calcium with trace amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and chloride. It was concluded that calcite calculi in Chinese swamp buffalo are probably formed through a process of asynchronous layering and that nidus formation may not be necessary. Moreover, the ultrastructure of the calcite calculi is similar to that reported for siliceous calculi in ruminants and this suggests that similar factors may be involved in their formation.     

Heart health peptides from macroalgae and their potential use in functional foods

Macroalgae have for centuries been consumed whole among the East Asian populations of China, Korea, and Japan. Due to the environment in which they grow, macroalgae produce unique and interesting biologically active compounds. Protein can account for up to 47% of the dry weight of macroalgae depending on species and time of cultivation and harvest. Peptides derived from marcoalgae are proven to have hypotensive effects in the human circulatory system. Hypertension is one of the major, yet controllable, risk factors in cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is the main cause of death in Europe, accounting for over 4.3 million deaths each year. In the United States it affects one in three individuals. Hypotensive peptides derived from marine and other sources have already been incorporated into functional foods such as beverages and soups. The purpose of this review is to highlight the potential of heart health peptides from macroalgae and to discuss the feasibility of expanding the variety of foods these peptides may be used in.