Blood-to-saliva glucose time lag in sedated healthy dogs

The management of diabetes mellitus mandates measurement of blood glucose. Saliva offers an alternative to blood sampling, but measurement of the salivary glucose concentration is difficult, and the blood-to-saliva glucose time lag is uncertain. We aimed to determine the serum–saliva glucose time lag in the saliva of healthy dogs. The combined duct of the mandibular and sublingual salivary glands of 6 dogs was cannulated to collect saliva and prevent glucose degradation by oral bacteria. Following a 0.25 g/kg IV bolus of dextrose, paired serum–saliva samples were collected at baseline and in twelve 5-min blocks over 60 min. Serum and salivary glucose levels were analyzed with a linear mixed model for repeated measures with a compound symmetry error structure. Mean (±SD) saliva production was 10.3 ± 2.9 µL/kg/min, and the area under the curve (AUC_glucose)_saliva/serum ratio was 0.006, which highlights the magnitude of the large difference in glucose concentration between the 2 compartments. The serum–saliva glucose time lag was 30–40 min.     

Preparation and characterization of the foam-stabilizing properties of cellulose-ethyl cellulose complexes for use in foods

Surface active cellulose particles have been prepared for use as foam stabilizing agents in foods. Various sources of cellulose were broken down by combinations of milling, acid dissolution and treatment with cellulase. The most efficient and simple method was hammer and freezer milling of dry crystalline α-cellulose (Tencel). The resultant Tencel particles were made partially hydrophobic through precipitation of ethyl cellulose (EC) onto them in acetone-water dispersions. The optimum ratio of EC to cellulose and the optimum solids concentration (C(x)) at which to form the complexes were 1:1 and C(x) ≈ 1 wt %, respectively. Complexes combined at low concentrations (e.g., C(x) ≈ 0.1 wt %) with caseins or whey proteins gave significant improvements in stability of foams and bubbles to coalescence and disproportionation compared to either component alone. As such, the complexes could be a useful ingredient in improving the quality of various food foams.     

Radiographic evaluation of cardiac size in flying fox species (Pteropus rodricensis, P. hypomelanus, and P. vampyrus).

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a relatively common pathology in captive flying foxes (Pteropus spp.). The goal of this study was to establish quantitative reference range measurements that could be used to support a diagnosis of cardiac disease in these animals. Lateral and ventrodorsal thoracic radiographs from apparently healthy flying foxes (n = 66) of three species (Rodriguez island flying fox, P. rodricensis, n = 18; small island flying fox, P. hypomelanus, n = 16; and Malaysian flying fox, P. vampyrus, n = 32) were evaluated objectively to describe the cardiac appearance. Absolute and relative cardiac dimensions also were measured. The same methods were used to evaluate radiographs from flying foxes (n = 9) with known dilated or acute cardiomyopathy. The following ratios were most appropriate for categorizing normal cardiac silhouette size. In the ventrodorsal projection, heart width to thoracic width and heart width to clavicle length were the preferred measurements. In the lateral projection, heart width compared with thoracic height was the preferred measurement. From radiographs of the bats with known dilated and acute cardiomyopathy, the apicobasilar heart length compared with thoracic height and heart width compared with thoracic height on lateral films were the most sensitive ratios for diagnosing cardiomegaly.     

Comparative performance of the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on different plant diets

Tribolium castaneum is a pest of stored foods that causes serious economic losses. Understanding insect nutritional requirements and the effects of different diets on insect development can provide tools for developing strategies to control insect and integrated pest management systems. In this work we studied the performance of the T. castaneum on different plant diets composed of Vigna unguiculata, Phaseolus vulgaris and wheat flours. The diets interfered differentially with development and insect survival. Larvae size was reduced about 60 % in larvae fed with V. unguiculata flour. A delay in pupae formation was also observed. The larval mortality of 100 % was observed in the P. vulgaris diet. Carbohydrate and triglyceride showed variations during development and with different diets. Larvae fed with wheat diets showed a high concentration of carbohydrates 21 days after hatching (DAH) and triglyceride at 15 and 21 DAH. Larvae fed with wheat diets showed α-amylase activity during development. At 15 DAH the activity of larvae fed with V. unguiculata increased about 50 %. Cysteine protease activity in larvae fed with wheat remained high throughout development. Serine protease activity also varied according to diets. These results show that the nutritional state of developing larvae varies greatly with respect to triglycerides, carbohydrate and digestive enzymes depending on the diet and larval stage. Altogether, these results show that changes in dietary nutrients can interfere with insect physiology. Therefore changes in diet composition that may deprive insects of essential nutrients or include toxic compounds might be a good control strategy for stored product pests.     

Notes on some endangered species of Spanish herpetofauna: I. Podarcis pityusensis Boscá

The status of the populations of Podarcis pityusensis on about 70 islets and small islands around Ibiza and Formentera (Balearic Islands) is examined, using data from our own observations, and, to a lesser amount, other publications. Lizard populations were found on 43 islets, but data are lacking for another 13. Only 10 sites (18%) have abundant and well-maintained populations. In 13 localities (23%), there is no geographic isolation between the populations, or this isolation is very poor and incomplete. The high probability of populations mixing, or actual observation of this mixing, in 19 islands (34%) is indicated. Human pressure on lizard populations is strong in 14 cases (25%). And finally, 18 populations (about one third) may be considered highly endangered or already extinct by elimination or genetic mixing with other populations. Among the subspecies which became extinct through mixing are P.p. miguelensis, P.p. subformenterae, P.p. algae, P.p. sabinae and P.p. grueni. The need for adequate protective measures aimed at the conservation of the remaining populations is emphasized.     

Activity of extracts from wild edible herbs against postharvest fungal diseases of fruit and vegetables

The use of plant extracts could be a useful alternative to synthetic fungicides in the management of rot fungi during postharvest handling of fruit and vegetables. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro and in vivo activity of extracts obtained from nine wild edible herbaceous species (Borago officinalis, Orobanche crenata, Plantago coronopus, P. lanceolata, Sanguisorba minor, Silene vulgaris, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, and Taraxacum officinale) against some important postharvest pathogens, i.e. Botrytis cinerea, Monilinia laxa, Penicillium digitatum, P. expansum, P. italicum, Aspergillus carbonarius, and A. niger. Phenolic composition of all extracts was evaluated by HPLC. Several derivatives of caffeic acid, of the flavones apigenin and luteolin, and of the flavonols kaempferol and quercetin, were identified. Extracts from S. minor and O. crenata showed the highest efficacy in all the trials. In particular, S. minor completely inhibited in vitro the conidial germination of M. laxa, P. digitatum, P. italicum, and A. niger and strongly reduced those of B. cinerea; O. crenata extract showed a lower but still significant reduction of conidial germination on all the tested fungi. Moreover, the extracts from both species were effective in reducing the germ tube elongation also when a slight inhibition of conidial germination was observed. In many cases, a dose effect was observed, with an increase of antifungal activity as the phenolic concentration increased. In trials performed on wounded fruit, S. minor extract completely inhibited brown rot on apricots and nectarines; O. crenata extract strongly reduced grey mould, brown rot, and green mould on table grapes, apricots and nectarines, and oranges, respectively. The inhibition efficacy of extracts was ascribed to the presence of some caffeic acid derivatives and/or flavonoids. HPLC phenolic analyses provided useful information to identify the possible active compounds.     

Evaluation of antioxidant capacity of cereal brans

Several oat brans (crunchy oat bran, oat bran alone, and oat breakfast cereal) and wheat brans (wheat bran alone, wheat bran powder, wheat bran with malt flavor, bran breakfast cereal, tablet of bran, and tablet of bran with cellulose) used as dietary fiber supplements by consumers were evaluated as alternative antioxidant sources (i) in the normal human consumer, preventing disease and promoting health, and (ii) in food processing, preserving oxidative alterations. Products containing wheat bran exhibited higher peroxyl radical scavenging effectiveness than those with oat bran. Wheat bran powder was the best hydroxyl radical (OH*) scavenger. In terms of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging, wheat bran alone was the most effective, while crunchy oat bran, oat bran alone, and oat breakfast cereal did not scavenge H2O2. The shelf life of fats (obtained by the Rancimat method for butter) increased most in the presence of crunchy oat bran. When the antioxidant activity during 28 days of storage was measured by the linoleic acid assay, all of the oat and wheat bran samples analyzed showed very good antioxidant activities. The Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay was used to provide a ranking order of antioxidant activity. The wheat bran results for TEAC (6 min), in decreasing order, were wheat bran powder > wheat bran with malt flavor > or = wheat bran alone > or = bran breakfast cereal > tablet of bran > tablet of bran with cellulose. The products made with oat bran showed lower TEAC values. In general, avenanthramide showed a higher antioxidant level than each of the following typical cereal components: ferulic acid, gentisic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid, vanillin, and phytic acid.     

Partitioning of olive oil antioxidants between oil and water phases.

The partition coefficient (K(p)) of the natural phenolic antioxidant compounds in the olive fruit between aqueous and olive oil phases was determined. The antioxidants of olive oil are either present in the olive fruit or formed during the olive oil extraction process. The antioxidants impart stability to and determine properties of the oil and are valuable from the nutritional point of view. The olive oil antioxidants are amphiphilic in nature and are more soluble in the water than in the oil phase. Consequently, a large amount of the antioxidants is lost with the wastewater during processing. The determination of antioxidants was performed using HPLC, and the K(p) was estimated to be from as low as 0.0006 for oleuropein to a maximum of 1.5 for 3,4-DHPEA-EA (di-hydroxy-phenyl-ethanol-elenolic acid, oleuropein aglycon). Henry's law fitted very well to the experimental data. The partition coefficients were also estimated by applying the activity coefficients of the antioxidants in the two phases using a predictive group contribution method, the UNIFAC equation. The K(p) values estimated with UNIFAC method were of the same order of magnitude but varied from the experimental values. Nevertheless, this method may be a rough predictive tool for process optimization or design. Because the K(p) values were very low, some changes in the process are recommended in order to achieve a higher concentration of antioxidants in the oil. A temperature increase may lead to increasing the partition coefficient. Also, limiting the quantity of water during oil extraction could be a basis for designing alternative processes for increasing the antioxidant concentration in the olive oil.