Effect of glucocorticoid administration on adrenal gland size and sonographic appearance in beagle dogs

Our aim was to evaluate the influence of glucocorticoids on the adrenal gland using ultrasonography. Eleven healthy beagles were used in a prospective placebo-controlled study. All dogs received hydrocortisone at 10 mg/kg twice a day per os for 4 months or a gelatin capsule twice a day per os as a placebo. Clinical and endocrinologic examination of the dogs and ultrasonographic evaluation of adrenal echogenicity, shape, and measurement of the length and height of the cranial and caudal pole were performed at baseline (TO), at 1 (T1) and 4 months (T4) after the beginning of treatment, and 2 months after the end of the treatment including 1 month of tapering and 1 month without treatment (T6). The dogs were assigned randomly to the glucocorticoid (n = 6) and placebo groups (n = 5). At T1, the difference between the two groups for the height of the cranial and caudal pole was not ultrasonographically remarkable despite a statistically significant difference (P = 0.0165 and P = 0.0206). Decreased height and length of entire gland were observed at T4 (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0015, and P = 0.0035, respectively). Percentages of atrophy were variable between dogs. Both adrenal glands regained normal size and shape 1 month after cessation of glucocorticoid administration. As not all dogs developed marked adrenal gland atrophy and the degree of atrophy varied widely between individuals, ultrasonography cannot be the technique of choice to detect iatrogenic hypercortisolism. Ultrasonographic changes are reversible within 1 month after the end of glucocorticoid administration.     

Formation of micella containing solubilized sterols during rehydration of active dry yeasts improves their fermenting capacity

During their rehydration in aqueous media, active dry yeasts (ADY) may be supplemented with inactive yeasts, yeast derivatives, or other optional complementary nutrients to improve their fermentation capacity. We found that yeast sterols solubilized in situ during ADY rehydration were particularly efficient for stimulating the fermenting capacity of ADY. Spontaneous solubilization of sterols during rehydration occurred by the formation of micelles by membrane phospholipids and specific cell wall polysaccharides and sterols, both compounds being provided by inactive dry yeasts (IDY). These micelles contained a specific distribution of the initial sterols from the inactive yeasts. Above a concentration of 100 mg L(-1) in the rehydration medium, these micelles acted as emulsifiers. Their critical micellar concentration (cmc) was found to be about 4 g L(-1). During rehydration, purified micelles, at a concentration near the cmc, were able to interact quickly with yeast cell membranes by modifying the yeast plasma membrane order [monitored by steady-state fluorescence anisotropy of 1-(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene-p-toluenesulfonate (TMA-DPH) probe] and by increasing the sterol contents of ADY. Such an enrichment of ADY by very low concentrations of solubilized sterols was very efficient for the completion of fermentations. This is useful when musts are limited in available phytosterols or when micro-oxygenation is not desirable during fermentation.     

Model studies on the release of aroma compounds from structured and nonstructured oil systems using proton-transfer reaction mass spectrometry

Relative retention, volatility, and temporal release of volatile compounds taken from aldehyde, ester, and alcohol chemical classes were studied at 70 degrees C in model systems using equilibrium static headspace analysis and real time dynamic headspace analysis. These systems were medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), sunflower oil, and two structured systems, i.e., water-in-oil emulsion and L2 phase (water-in-oil microemulsion). Hydrophilic domains of the emulsion type media retained specifically the hydrophilic compounds and alcohols. Four kinetic parameters characterizing the concentration- and time-dependent releases were extracted from the aroma release curves. Most of the kinetic parameter values were higher in structured systems than in oils particularly when using MCT. The oil nature was found to better control the dynamic release profiles than the system structures. The release parameters were well-related (i) to the volatile hydrophobicity as a function of the oil used and (ii) to the retention data in the specific case of the L2 phase due to a specific release behavior of alcohols.     

The scope for manipulating the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of beef: a review

Since 1950, links between intake of saturated fatty acids and heart disease have led to recommendations to limit consumption of saturated fatty acid-rich foods, including beef. Over this time, changes in food consumption patterns in several countries including Canada and the USA have not led to improvements in health. Instead, the incidence of obesity, type II diabetes and associated diseases have reached epidemic proportions owing in part to replacement of dietary fat with refined carbohydrates. Despite the content of saturated fatty acids in beef, it is also rich in heart healthy cis-monounsaturated fatty acids, and can be an important source of long-chain omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids in populations where little or no oily fish is consumed. Beef also contains polyunsaturated fatty acid biohydrogenation products, including vaccenic and rumenic acids, which have been shown to have anticarcinogenic and hypolipidemic properties in cell culture and animal models. Beef can be enriched with these beneficial fatty acids through manipulation of beef cattle diets, which is now more important than ever because of increasing public understanding of the relationships between diet and health. The present review examines recommendations for beef in human diets, the need to recognize the complex nature of beef fat, how cattle diets and management can alter the fatty acid composition of beef, and to what extent content claims are currently possible for beef fatty acids.     

Effect of coffee husk and cocoa pods biochar on phosphorus fixation and release processes in acid soils from West Cameroon

Acid soil in West Cameroon has limited phosphorus (P) availability which limits plant growth. This is mainly because of low pH, high levels of exchangeable aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe) and fixation of P. In this study, acid soils, sampled in Bafang, were amended with biochar produced from coffee husks (CH) and cocoa pod husks (CP) at two different temperatures (350 and 550 °C) in other to evaluate the effect on the physicochemical properties of the acid soil and the effect on P sorption and desorption. The soil was amended with biochar at a rate of 0, 20, 40 and 80 g/kg and incubated for 7 and 60 days. Physicochemical properties of all soil–biochar samples were determined followed by sorption experiments and data fitted in the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models in other to evaluate soil P sorption capacity and its affinity to soil amended with biochar. Moreover, desorption studies were done to evaluate the availability of P in soil amended with biochar after sorption. The outcomes of this study reveal an increase in soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), available P, soil organic carbon and a drastic decrease in exchangeable Al and Fe. The point of zero charge of biochar-amended soil was higher than the control and increased with amendment rate. The experimental data of the sorption of P on soils and soil–biochar samples fits into Langmuir and Freundlich models (R² > 0.9) suggesting that the P adsorption is controlled by both model mechanisms. Soil–biochar mixture results in a decrease in the sorption capacity as compared with the control and the decrease was predominant with increasing amendment rate. At amendment rates of 20, 40 and 80 g/kg after 7 days of incubation, $Q_{\max }$ for SCH350 were 2267, 2048 and 1823 mg/kg which increased to 2407, 2112 and 1990 mg/kg after 60 days of incubation. This tendency was observed for all biochar inputs with respect to the increase in incubation days. Furthermore, desorption of P from soil–biochar mixtures was enhanced with biochar added at greater rate and produced at higher temperature. The desorption percentage was increased by more than around 10% for all biochar types from 20 mg/kg to 80 mg/kg amendment. Thus, biochar addition to acid soils reduces P fixation to acid soil and improves P desorption to soil solution, thereby providing more available P in the soil solution and better conditions for plant growth.