Distribution and organoleptic impact of sotolon enantiomers in dry white wines

The enantiomers of sotolon, a flavor compound typical of oxidized white wines, were separated by preparative HPLC to determine their perception thresholds and distribution in wines. The enantiomeric ratios of chiral sotolon were evaluated in several dry white wines using gas chromatography and a chiral column (beta-cyclodextrin) connected to a 2 m precolumn (BP20). The perception threshold of (S)-sotolon (0.8 microg/L) in model wine solution was 100 times lower than that of the (R) form (89 microg/L), indicating that (S)-sotolon contributes to the characteristic aroma of prematurely aged dry white wines. Both enantiomers are detected in white wines. Analysis of commercial dry white wines from various vintages and origins revealed three types of distribution patterns: the racemic form, an excess of R, and an excess of S. The proportions found in these wines may be partially explained by the slow racemization kinetics (20 months) of optically active sotolon.     

Presence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ureaplasma diversum</Emphasis> in the genital tracts of female dairy cattle in Mato Grosso State,Brazil

Ureaplasma diversum infection in bovine females may result in various reproductive problems, including granular vulvovaginitis, abortion, weak calves, salpingitis, and spontaneous abortion. The presence of U. diversum in a dairy bovine population from midwestern Brazil has not been established. The aim of this study was to determine whether U. diversum was present in dairy cattle from midwestern Brazil using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Vulvovaginal mucus was analyzed from 203 cows located in six municipalities in the north region of Mato Grosso State, Brazil. A total of 25% of dairy cows with vulvovaginitis were positive for U. diversum. The factors evaluated were included in a multivariable logistic regression model with the presence of at least one positive cow in the herd serving as the dependent variable. Three variables were significantly associated with a U. diversum-positive PCR and were included in the final multivariable model: number of parities, vulvar lesions, and reproductive problems. For each new parity, the chance of U. diversum infection decreased 0.03-fold, indicating that cows with the highest number of parities were more protected. The presence of vulvar lesions was increased 17.6-fold in females positive for U. diversum, suggesting that this bacterium could be related to the red granular lesions in the vulvar mucosa, whereas reproductive problems were increased 7.6-fold. However, further investigations should be conducted to ascertain the effects of U. diversum in association with other mycoplasma species in the herds studied.     

Beating heart mitral valve replacement with a bovine pericardial bioprosthesis for treatment of mitral valve dysplasia in a Bull Terrier

OBJECTIVES: To describe an open, beating heart surgical technique and use of a bovine pericardial prosthetic valve for mitral valve replacement (MVR) in the dog. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case report. ANIMALS: Male Bull Terrier (17-month-old, 26 kg) with mitral valve dysplasia and severe regurgitation. METHODS: A bovine pericardial bioprosthesis was used to replace the mitral valve using an open beating heart surgical technique and cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: Successful MVR was achieved using a beating heart technique. Mitral regurgitation resolved and cardiac performances improved (left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased from 57.6 to 48.7 mm, and left atrium/aorta ratio returned to almost normal, from 1.62 to 1.19). Cardiopulmonary by-pass time and total surgical duration were decreased compared with standard cardioplegic techniques. Surgical recovery was uneventful and on echocardiography 6 months later valve function was excellent. CONCLUSION: Considering the technique advantages (no cardiac arrest, ischemic reperfusion injury, and hypothermia, or the need for aortic dissection and cannulation for administration of cardioplegic solution), short-term mortality and morbidity may be reduced compared with standard cardioplegic techniques. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Based on experience in this dog, beating heart mitral valvular replacement is a seemingly safe and viable option for the dog and bovine pericardial prosthesis may provide better long-term survival than mechanical prostheses.