Expression and Localization of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and its Receptors in the Corpus Luteum During Oestrous Cycle in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The aim of this study was to document the expression and localization of VEGF system comprising of VEGF isoforms (VEGF 120, VEGF 164 and VEGF 188) and their receptors (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2) in buffalo corpus luteum (CL) obtained from different stages of the oestrous cycle. Real‐time RT‐PCR (qPCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry were applied to investigate mRNA expression, protein expression and localization of examined factors. In general, all the components of VEGF system (the VEGF isoforms and their receptors) were found in the water buffalo CL during the oestrous cycle. The mRNA as well as protein expression of VEGF system was highest during the early and mid‐luteal phase, which later steadily decreased (p < 0.05) after day 10 to reach the lowest level in regressed CL. As demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, VEGF protein was localized predominantly in luteal cells; however, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were localized in luteal cells as well as in endothelial cells. In conclusion, the dynamics of expression and localization of VEGF system in buffalo corpora lutea during the luteal phase were demonstrated in this study, indicating the possible role of VEGF system in the regulation of luteal angiogenesis and proliferation of luteal as well as endothelial cells through their non‐angiogenic function.     

Assessment of postoperative pain after unilateral mastectomy using two different surgical techniques in dogs

Background

There are few studies reporting pain and postoperative analgesia associated with mastectomy in dogs. The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative pain after unilateral mastectomy using two different surgical techniques in the dog.

Findings

Twenty female dogs were assigned (n=10/group) to undergo unilateral mastectomy using either the combination of sharp and blunt dissection (SBD) or the modified SBD (mSBD) technique, in which the mammary chain is separated from the abdominal wall entirely by blunt (hand and finger) dissection except for a small area cranial to the first gland, in a prospective, randomized, clinical trial. All dogs were premedicated with intramuscular acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg) and morphine (0.3 mg/kg). Anesthesia was induced with intravenous ketamine (5 mg/kg) and diazepam (0.25 mg/kg), and maintained with isoflurane. Subcutaneous meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) was administered before surgery. Postoperative pain was evaluated according to the University of Melbourne pain scale (UMPS) by an observer who was blinded to the surgical technique.. Rescue analgesia was provided by the administration of intramuscular morphine (0.5 mg/kg) if pain scores were >14 according to the UMPS. Data were analyzed using t-tests and ANOVA (P>0.05). There were no significant differences between the groups for age, weight, extubation time, and duration of surgery and anesthesia (P>0.05). There were no significant differences for postoperative pain scores between groups. Rescue analgesia was required in one dog in each group.

Conclusions

The two surgical techniques produced similar surgical times, incidence of perioperative complications and postoperative pain. Multimodal analgesia is recommended for treatment of postoperative pain in dogs undergoing unilateral mastectomy.     

Composition and properties of purified phenolics preparations obtained from an extract of industrial blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) pomace

Summary

An extract obtained from industrial blackcurrant pomace was purified and fractionated on an RP C18 column, resulting in three phenolics preparations of different composition. The phenolics in the preparations were quantified by HPLC, their anti-oxidant capacity was determined, and the preparations were subjected to HPLC-MS analysis in order to identify the bioactive compounds present. The purified preparations selected for study were an anthocyanin-rich preparation, a myricetin and quercetin glycosides-containing preparation, and an aglycon-containing preparation. All three preparations were characterised by having a high content of polyphenols. The anthocyanin-rich preparation was the most concentrated in polyphenols [> 50% (w/w)], followed by the aglycon-containing preparation [> 20% (w/w)], and finally the glycosides-containing preparation [> 9% (w/w)]. The preparations were also characterised by their high anti-oxidant capacity, which was > 3,100 µM TEAC g^?1 (TEAC = Trolox Equivalent Anti-oxidant Capacity) for all preparations. The HPLC-MS study confirmed that the anthocyanin-rich preparation was composed of the following anthocyanins: delphinidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin-3-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-rutinoside. The aglycon preparation contained four aglycons, of which myricetin and quercetin were predominant, and kaempferol and isorhamnetin were present in lower amounts. The glycosides-containing preparation was found to be the most interesting, since it contained myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin glycosides. Myricetin and quercetin galactosides were also detected in blackcurrant extract for the first time. Moreover, the presence of nitrile-containing compounds, two acylated anthocyanins, and one auron-type compound was detected.     

Chemical composition of French and Polish cloudy apple juices

Summary

Cloudy juices from six apple cultivars from Poland (‘Ariwa’, ‘Gold Milenium’, ‘Florina’, ‘Melfree’, ‘Novamac’, and ‘Rajka’) and four French cultivars (‘Ariane’, ‘Chanteline’, ‘Judeline’, and ‘Judor’) were produced and chemically characterised. The analyses encompassed 23 chemical parameters and phenolics profiles. The most important parameter, differentiating cloudy juice from clear juice, was turbidity. Cloudy juices were characterised by having an average total turbidity of 1,210 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) and a stability of turbidity of 42%. Some of the results deviated from the accepted ranges given in reference values for apple juices in the Code of Practice of the European Fruit Juice Association. This occurred in the cases of simple sugars and saccharose contents of the Polish apple juices (e.g., up to 56.9 mg l^–1 of saccharose vs. a maximum value of 30 mg l^?1), and for some mineral compounds in the French apple juices (e.g., sodium values up to 10 mg l^?1). Large variations were found in case of important healthconferring components. Water-soluble pectin contents varied from 205 mg l^?1 for ‘Chanteline’, to 1,289 mg l^?1 for ‘Gold Milenium’; while, in the case of phenolic compounds, the range was from 85.7 mg l^?1 for ‘Novamac’, to 524.8 mg l^?1 for ‘Melfree’.     

Adipose tissue and muscle fatty acid profiles of steers fed red clover silage with and without flaxseed

The current study examined the effects of inclusion of flaxseed in a red clover silage diet on growth, carcass quality, adipose tissue and muscle fatty acid (FA) profiles of beef steers. Twelve British×Continental crossbred steers (363±26.5 kg) were randomly assigned to two pens and fed diets containing 70% red clover silage, 15% steam rolled barley/vitamin–mineral supplement and either additional 15% steam rolled barley or 15% triple rolled flaxseed (all DM basis) for 215 d. Diet had no effect (P>0.05) on average daily gain or carcass quality atributes. Overall, FA profiles in all tissues followed similar trends when flaxseed was added to the diet but intramuscular fat had the highest proportions of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) while subcutaneous fat had largest proportions of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and perirenal fat had the highest proportions of trans-18:1 isomers, particularly vaccenic acid (VA). Feeding flaxseed increased (P<0.05) percentages of α-linolenic acid (ALA; 1.1–1.6% of total FA), total n-3 PUFA, conjugated linolenic acids, non-conjugated linoleic acids (mostly t11,c15-18:2), and led to unprecedented increases in CLA (mainly rumenic acid, RA; 1.1–2.9%), and trans-18:1 isomers (chiefly VA; 5.9–9.5%) in muscle and adipose tissues. Flaxseed also reduced individual and total n-6 PUFA, cis-monounsaturated FA, branched-chain FA and saturated FA (mainly 16:0) in beef lipids. Overall, feeding flaxseed in a red clover silage diet enhanced the levels of FA with a positive health image (ALA, 2-fold; RA, 3 to 4-fold and VA, 4 to 5-fold) and reduced the levels of less desirable FA (n-6 PUFA; 14:0, 16:0) in muscle and adipose tissues without adverse effects on growth and carcass quality. Differences in tissue FA composition were also noted, and high levels of VA in perirenal fat in particular have potential for use in testing for health effects and development of value added beef and other food products.     

Influence of Dietary Lipid and Protein Sources on the Sensory Quality of Organic Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) After Ice Storage

The influence of dietary protein and lipid sources on the quality of organic rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was studied. The protein and oil sources were fishmeal, fish oil, and organic vegetable protein and oils. Sensory profiling was performed during 3 to 14 days of ice storage along with lipid analyses of the fillet. Overall, the results showed that the sensory characteristics of the trout were affected in different ways during ice storage. The source of lipid seemed to affect the sensory quality at the beginning of the storage period, while the protein source seemed to have a more pronounced impact at the end of the storage period.     

Continuous cultures of phytoplankton

The development of cultures of phytoplankton adapting throughout several days in an axenic, continuous-flow chemostat to yield a steady kinetic state of competing species is described mathematically. The adaptation of the growth rate to the chemostat environment inhibits integration of the equation of conservation of phytoplankton populations, though eventually when a steady state is reached the growth rate becomes equal to the rate of flow through the chemostat. Representation of species growth rates by a Verhuls formulation utilising experimentally determinable intra- and interspecies interaction constants permits the rapid prediction of the adaptation and alteration in the populations of competing phytoplankton species with changes in the chemostat environment. Illustrations of the behaviour of two and three competing species are extended to consideration of the stabilities of cultures of many competing species. Stable steady states of phytoplankton in a continuous-flow chemostat comprise a classic thermodynamic system and consequently the utilisation of light energy by the cells varies inversely with their growth rate. It is probable that when growth is nutrient limited, intra-and interspecies interaction parameters diminish as the demands of consumption are more nearly matched by the ratios of the limiting nutrients.