Morphological characterization of the IVIA persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) germplasm collection by multivariate analysis

Diospyros kaki Thunb. originated in Eastern Asia, as evidenced of its culture in China as early as several centuries B.C. In the seventh century, persimmon was introduced to Japan and later, in the fourteenth century to Korea. There is no information about persimmon culture in Europe until the seventeenth century, with the spread over the world occurring in the eighteenth century. The genus Diospyros contains more than 400 species, with levels of ploidy ranging from diploid (2n = 2x = 30) up to nonaploid (2n = 9x = 135). The primary economic crop species is Diospyros kaki Thunb., which is mainly hexaploid (2n = 6x = 90) and includes hundreds of cultivars. Although a relatively recent introduction in Europe, the species has adapted well, and the genetic diversity have been expanded with culture and selection for the past 200 years in the Mediterranean basin. These locally adapted cultivars were evaluated with cultivars from Asian origin in a germplasm collection established at IVIA in Valencia, Spain. In this paper 27 cultivars from the IVIA collection were studied by multivariate analysis, and 37 variables were analyzed using a Principal Components Analysis and cluster analysis following the method UPGMA. Studies on correlations and significance among variables identified the most relevant ones, and thus provided information for a future core collection.     

Thin layer-chromatographic separation of fat soluble and water soluble food dyes

Summary The use of fat soluble and water soluble food dyes in food technology requires reliable proofs and precise identification of these substances in foodstuffs. This problematic has been studied more detailed in our Institute. During these studies some suitable procedures for thin layer chromatographic separation of these substances have been developed.For the separation of fat soluble food dyes the chromatography on thin layers of aluminium oxide and the chromatography on thin layers of starch with reversed phases were used. In the first case good separation was achieved with a solvent system containing petroleum ether and carbon tetrachlorid and their mixtures. In the second case the starch plates were impregnated with paraffin or vegetable oil, and as mobile phases a solvent system containing methanol-water-acetic adic (16 : 3 : 1) and others solvent mixtures currently used in paper chromatography were used.Water soluble food dyes were separated on thin layers of polyamide powder, which was used also for their quantitative isolation from foodstuffs. The best results were achieved with basic solvent system, for example, with a mixture containing ammonia-methanol water (5 : 15 : 80).The developed analytical procedures are suitable for the proof and the separation of fat soluble and water soluble food dyes in all foodstuffs.

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Zusammenfassung Die Verwendung von wasser- und fettlöslichen Lebensmittelfarben erfordert verläßlichen Nachweis und genaue Identifikation dieser Stoffe in den Lebensmitteln. Wir haben diese Problematik in unserem Institut eingehend studiert und einige Verfahren der chromatographischen Trennung dieser Stoffe mittels DC erarbeitet.Zur Trennung der fettlöslichen Farbstoffe verwendeten wir einerseits DC-Platten mit Aluminiumoxid, andererseits führten wir die Trennung dieser Stoffe auf einer dünnen Stärkeschicht mit umgekehrter Phase durch. Im ersten Falle wurde eine gute Trennung mit Laufmitteln erreicht, die Petroläther und Tetrachlormethan und deren Gemische enthalten. Im zweiten Falle wurde als stationäre Phase Paraffinöl, als mobile Phase eine Gemisch von Methanol, Wasser und Essigsäure im Verhältnis 16 : 3 : 1 und andere Gemische in gleichen Verhältnissen verwendet, die sich bei der Papier-Verteilungschromatographie bewährt haben.Wasserlösliche Farbstoffe wurden auf einer dünnen Schicht von Polyamidpulver getrennt, das auch zu deren quantitativer Isolation aus den Lebensmitteln verwendet wurde. Die besten Ergebnisse wurden mit alkalischen Laufmitteln erzielt, z.B. mit dem Gemisch von Ammoniak, Methanol und Wasser im Verhältnis 5 : 15 : 80.Die erarbeiteten analytischen Verfahren für Nachweis und Trennung fett- und wasserlöslicher Lebensmittelfarben bewährten sich für alle Lebensmitteltypen.

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Résumé L'utilisation des colorants alimentaires solubles dans l'eau et dans la graisse exige des preuves sûres et l'identification exacte de ces substances dans les aliments. Nous avons étudié ces problèmes en détail à notre institut et élaboré quelques procédés de séparation chromatographique de ces substances par chromatographie sur couche mince.A la séparation des colorants solubles dans la graisse, nous avons utilisé d'une part des couches versées sur l'alumine, d'autre part la séparation de ces substances sur une couche mince de fécule à phase inverse. Au premier cas une bonne séparation fut atteinte aux systèmes comprenant l'éther de pétrole et le tétrachlore carbonique, ou leurs mélanges. A l'autre cas on applique, comme une phase ancrée, de l'huile paraffinique, comme une phase mobile, du mélange de méthanol, d'eau et d'acide acétique en proportion 16 : 3 : 1 et d'autres en mêmes proportions qui avaient fait leurs preuves à la chromatographie de séparation sur le papier.Les colorants solubles dans l'eau furent séparés sur une couche mince de poudre polyamidé qui avait été de même appliqué à leur isolement quantitatif de l'aliment. Les meilleurs résultats furent atteints avec les systèmes alcalins p.e. avec le mélange de méthanol, d'ammoniac et d'eau en proportions 5 : 15 : 80.Les procédés analytiques élaborés pour des preuves et les séparations des colorants solubles dans la graisse et dans l'eau prouvèrent leur attestation avec tous les types de matières alimentaires.

     

Theoretical and Empirical Relationships Between Oat Test Weight and Groat Proportion

Test weight and groat proportion are two very important quality characteristics of oat grain. In this study, we pose the hypothesis that these two characteristics are related through characteristics of grain density. Test weight is defined as the product of kernel density and packing proportion. Groat proportion, in theory, is the ratio of the groat mass to the kernel mass. We present two theoretical constructions expressing test weight in terms of groat proportion, packing proportion and kernel density components. To test these, we have applied measurements of test weight, groat proportion, kernel density components, and packing proportion of 18 oat cultivars grown at six environments. Whereas the groat proportion alone accounted for only 34% of the variation in test weight, our theoretical constructions that included groat proportion could account for ≤82% of variation in test weight. Also, we present previously undescribed variation in oat kernel density components across genotypes and environments. Although the kernel density alone could account for most of the variation in test weight across genotypes, packing proportion appeared to be more important in describing variation in test weight of a genotype across different environments. We observed significant variation in both groat and hull density which, together with groat proportion, described most of the variation in kernel density.     

Assessment of the IgG index in dogs by indirect immunoenzimatic assays as diagnostic tool for inflammatory diseases of central nervous system

The IgG index measures the intrathecal immunoglobulin production and it is a useful tool for diagnosis of inflammatory diseases involving the central nervous system. This index is based on the precise quantification of albumin and IgG in canine cerebrospinal fluid and serum. Here, we report the development of an indirect competitive ELISAs for the detection of both antigens. Thirty-two dogs were included in this study, divided into three experimental groups. Group A was composed of 22 healthy animals, as determined by standard clinical examination. In group B, six animals, presented neurological pathologies associated with endogenous IgG production and, in group C four animals presented neurological diseases or symptoms not associated with intrathecal IgG production. Cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples were obtained from these animals. As expected, by using the indirect ELISAs proposed here, the IgG indexes obtained in healthy animals (A) were 0.371+/-0.252 (SD). In B and C, the values (3.002+/-1.897; 0.36+/-0.306, respectively), were in agreement with the pathologic conditions of the individuals in each group. Thus, the immunometric competition ELISA methods proposed here allow the discrimination of abnormal intrathecal IgG production, in a variety of inflammatory pathologic conditions of the central nervous system.     

Meperidine prolongs lidocaine caudal epidural anaesthesia in the horse

The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the effects of caudal epidural administration of meperidine (MP), lidocaine (LD), and a combination of the two (MPLD) in six mature saddle horses. Horses were randomly assigned to receive three treatments (MP 0.3 mg/kg; LD 0.2 mg/kg; and MPLD: MP 0.3 mg/kg and LD 0.2 mg/kg), with at least 1 week between treatments. Drugs were injected into the epidural space between the first and second coccygeal areas in conscious standing horses. Analgesia, ataxia, sedation, cardiovascular and respiratory effects, and rectal temperature were recorded at different intervals before (baseline) and after administration. Epidural administration of MPLD resulted in a longer duration of analgesia of the tail, perineum, and upper hind limb regions than did administration of MP or LD alone.     

Leukocytic responses and intestinal mucin dynamics of broilers protected with Enterococcus faecium EF55 and challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis

The protective effect of Enterococcus faecium EF55 in chickens challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis phage type 4 (SE PT4) was assessed. The antibacterial effect on the bacterial microflora in the small intestine in relation to white blood cell count, phenotyping of peripheral blood and intestinal lymphocytes, functional activity of lymphocytes and phagocytes and mucin quantitation were investigated. Day-old chicks (85) were randomly divided into four groups. The probiotic group (EF) and Salmonella + probiotic group (EFSE) received E. faecium EF55 (10⁹ CFU – 3 g/group/day) for 21 days. The Salmonella group (SE) and EFSE group were infected with Salmonella Enteritidis (10⁸ CFU in 0.2 ml PBS) in a single dose per os on day four of the experiment. The control group chicks (C) were fed a commercial diet without added bacteria. Supplementation of EF55 in the diet of the chickens in the EFSE group, challenged with S. Enteritidis, caused the density of the intestinal mucin layer to increase significantly in non-specific regions (duodenum and jejunum), but decrease significantly in target regions (caeca) for S. Enteritidis. Probiotic treatment also appeared to result in a significantly higher number of lymphocytes in peripheral blood and a tendency to increase CD3, CD4, CD8, and IgM positive cells 3 days post-infection with S. Enteritidis. The results demonstrated an antibacterial effect and suggested that EF55 had a moderating effect on intestinal mucin production and leukocytic response in the early phase of S. Enteritidis infection.     

Treatment of experimental ureteral strictures by endourological ureterotomy and implantation of stents in the porcine animal model

The objective of this study is to evaluate the dilation of the ureter using endoureterotomy and an expanding-sheath double pigtail ureteral stent in the treatment of experimentally induced ureteral strictures in the porcine animal model. This is a new treatment in the ureteral strictures resolution in Veterinary Urology, although it is not a common affection, it usually appears as a consequence of ureteritis and in the iatrogenic female genital surgery. The experimental study is design in three phases: induction of experimental stricture, diagnosis and treatment of the stricture and follow-up. We have used 10 healthy Large White female pigs. The internal ureteral diameter was measured prior to laparoscopic ligature stricture induction using retrograde ureteropyelography (RUPG). Experimental stricture was diagnosed 4 weeks after intervention, using RUPG and ultrasound, and treated by endoureterotomy and subsequent placement of a double pigtail ureteral stent, which was removed 6 weeks later. The study finished 4 weeks later with measurement of ureteral diameters using RPUG and ultrasound evaluation. Except in one case, all ureters displayed permanent dilation of the strictured area for 10 weeks after treatment (6 weeks with ureteral stent and 4 more weeks without stent). Finally, this technique proved to be effective in cases of short-length and short-living ureteral strictures, and represents a viable alternative to conventional surgery in animals.     

Use of whole blood for spectrophotometric determination of cholinesterase activity in dogs

Whole blood has been compared with erythrocytes and plasma for spectrophotometric cholinesterase determination in the dog. Cholinesterase activity was characterized using two substrates: acetylthiocholine and butyrylthiocholine. Acetylcholinesterase was the only form of cholinesterase present on erythrocytes and hydrolysed only acetylthiocholine. Butyrylcholinesterase (pseudocholinesterase) was predominant in plasma, hydrolysing mainly butyrylthiocholine. Based on these results, a method based on the use of two substrates (acetylthiocholine for monitoring acetylcholinesterase and butyrylthiocholine for determining butyrylcholinesterase) in the same whole blood sample is recommended for canine cholinesterase analysis. This way of monitoring both enzymes can be easily automated, yielding good within (CVs < 5%) and between-run (CVs < 7%) precision.