Group-type and fingerprint analysis of roasted food matrices (coffee and hazelnut samples) by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography

The present study is focused on the volatile fraction of roasted hazelnut and coffee samples, differing in botanical origins, morphological characteristics, and roasting treatments, selected as challenging matrices. Volatile components, sampled by headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME), were analyzed by GC x GC-qMS, and separation results were adopted to classify, correlate, and/or compare samples and evaluate processing effects. The high-complexity sample profiles were interpreted through different methods: a group-type characterization, a direct fingerprint comparison, and a template matching to extract useful and consistent information, and advantages and limits of each specific approach were critically evaluated. The group-type analysis, focused on several known botanical and technological markers, enabled sample comparison and characterization based on their quali-quantitative distribution; it is highly reliable, because of the authentic standard confirmation, and extends the comparative procedure to trace and minor components. Fingerprint approaches (i.e., direct fingerprint comparison and template matching), on the other hand, extended sample comparisons and correlations to the whole volatiles offering an increased discrimination potential and improved sensitivity due to the wider analyte pattern considered. This study demonstrates the ability of comprehensive GC to further explore the complexity of roasted samples and emphasizes the advantages of, and the need for, a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to interpret the increased level of information provided by GC x GC separation in its full complexity.     

Pig slurry treatment modifies slurry composition,N2O,and CO2 emissions after soil incorporation

The treatment of manures may improve their agricultural value and environmental quality, for instance with regards to greenhouse gases mitigation and enhancement of carbon (C) sequestration. The present study verified whether different pig slurry treatments (i.e. solid/liquid separation and anaerobic digestion) changed slurry composition. The effect of the slurry composition on N₂O and CO₂ emissions, denitrification and soil mineral nitrogen (N), after soil incorporation, was also examined during a 58-day mesocosm study. The treatments included a non-treated pig slurry (NT), the solid fraction (SF), and the liquid fraction (LF) of a pig slurry and the anaerobically digested liquid fraction (DG). Finally, a non-fertilized (N0) and a treatment with urea (UR) were also present.The N₂O emissions measured represented 4.8%, 2.6%, 1.8%, 1.0% and 0.9% of N supplied with slurry/fertilizer for NT, LF, DG, SF and UR, respectively. Cumulative CO₂ emissions ranged from 0.40 g CO₂-C kg^?1 soil (0.38 Mg CO₂-C ha^?1) to 0.80 g CO₂-C kg^?1 soil (0.75 Mg CO₂-C ha^?1). They were highest for SF (56% of C applied), followed by NT (189% of C applied), LF (337% of C applied) and DG (321% of C applied). Ammonium was detected in the soil for all treatments only at day one, while nitrate concentration increased linearly from day 15 to day 58, at a rate independent of the type of slurry/fertilizer applied. The nitrate recovery at day 58 was 39% of the N applied for NT, 19% for SF, 52% for LF, 67% for DG, and 41% for UR. The solid fraction generally produced higher potential denitrification fluxes (75.3 for SF, 56.7 for NT, 53.6 for LF, 47.7 for DG and 39.7 mg N₂O + N₂-N kg^?1 soil for UR). The high variability of actual denitrification results obfuscated any treatment effect.We conclude that treatment strongly affects slurry composition (mainly its C, fibre and NH₄⁺ content), and hence N₂O and CO₂ emission patterns as well as denitrification processes and nitrate availability. In particular, the solid fraction obtained after mechanical separation produced the most pronounced difference, while the liquid fraction and the anaerobically digested liquid fraction did not show significant difference with respect to the original slurry for any of the measured parameters. Combining data from the different fractions we showed that separation of slurry leads to reduced N₂O emissions, irrespective of whether the liquid fraction is digested or not. Furthermore, our results suggested that the default emission factor for N₂O emissions inventory is too low for both the non-treated pig slurry and its liquid fraction (digested or not), and too high for the separated solid fraction and urea.     

Aqualase®, a yeast‐based in‐feed probiotic,modulates intestinal microbiota,immunity and growth of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

Yeast probiotics have great promise, yet they received little attention in fish. This study investigated the influence of Aqualase^®, a yeast‐based commercial probiotic composed of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces elipsoedas, on health and performance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Probiotics were incorporated in the diets at three different inclusion levels (1%, 1.5% and 2%) and administered to the fish for a period of 8 weeks. After the feeding trial, intestinal total viable aerobic bacterial count was significantly higher in fish group that received 2% in‐feed probiotics. In addition, a significant increase in at least 11% in intestinal lactic acid bacteria population was observed in all probiotic‐fed groups. Total protein level and lysozyme activity in skin mucus were significantly elevated following probiotic feeding. Inhibitory potential of skin mucus against fish pathogens was significantly enhanced by at least 50% in probiotic‐fed groups. Humoral and cellular immune parameters were influenced by probiotic feeding and the effects were dependent on inclusion level. Digestive physiology was affected by in‐feed probiotics through improvement of intestinal enzyme activities. All growth performance parameters were significantly improved following probiotic administration specifically at inclusion rate 1.5% and above. Taken together, the results revealed that Aqualase^® is a promising yeast‐based probiotic for rainbow trout with the capability of modulating the intestinal microbiota, immunity and growth.     

A retrospective study of 60 cases of eccentrocytosis in the dog

BACKGROUND: Eccentrocytes are RBCs that appear in a peripheral blood smear to have their hemoglobin shifted to one side of the cell. This abnormality, which is confined to the RBC membrane and cytoskeleton, is induced by oxidative damage. Eccentrocytes have been reported rarely in dogs and are associated with onion and garlic ingestion and the administration of oxidant drugs. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the occurrence and severity of eccentrocytosis in dogs and the diseases or disorders associated with eccentrocytes. METHODS: Detailed history, and results of physical examination, CBC, biochemical and coagulation profiles, and urinalysis from all canine patients admitted during a 2.5-year period were evaluated. Eccentrocytes, when observed, were graded 1+ (few) to 4+ (many). The severity of eccentrocytosis was compared with that of anemia and reticulocytosis. RESULTS: Eccentrocytes were found in blood smears from 60 of 4251 dogs (1.4%) and were associated with mild to moderate anemia in 40 (66.6%) of the cases. Eccentrocytosis was found in 16 (26.6%) dogs with drug administration, 11 (18.3%) with presumptive onion and garlic ingestion, 8 (13.3%) with vitamin K antagonist intoxication, 7 (11.6%) with ketoacidotic diabetes, 5 (8.3%) with T-cell lymphoma, 4 (6.6%) with severe infections, 1 (1.6%) with compensated diabetes mellitus, and 8 (13.3%) with other conditions. Certain dog breeds, such as Whippet, Boxer, and English Setter, and young dogs seemed to be overrepresented. CONCLUSIONS: We describe, for the first time, associations between eccentrocytes and diabetes mellitus, T-cell lymphoma and vitamin K antagonist intoxication in dogs. The significance of eccentrocytes should not be underestimated, because they can be a signal of an oxidative process.     

Effect of Combined Treatment of Pasteurisation and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coniothyrium minitans</Emphasis> on Sclerotia of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sclerotinia sclerotiorum</Emphasis> in Soil

Integrated control of soil-borne plant pathogens such as Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is becoming more important as the soil fumigant methyl bromide is being phased out of use. Two alternative methods of control that have been found to reduce viability of sclerotia are steam sterilisation (pasteurisation) of soil or the application of the mycoparasite Coniothyrium minitans. This work investigated the possibility of integrating these two control measures. Soil was pasteurised in an autoclave, using a temperature of 80 °C for 3 min to simulate the possible temperatures reached by soil steaming machines for field use. Coniothyrium minitans was subsequently applied to the pasteurised soil to assess the effects of the combination of control measures in reducing sclerotial viability of S. sclerotiorum. Similar results were found in two soil types. Either method used individually was effective in decreasing the number of viable sclerotia, but no further reduction in sclerotial viability was seen when the two methods were combined. Coniothyrium minitans was found to colonise pasteurised sclerotia significantly quicker than untreated sclerotia, and it was seen that there was an increase in number of C. minitans in pasteurised soil in the presence of sclerotia. Experiments were also conducted to investigate the effect of application timing of the biocontrol agent to soil following pasteurisation, in relation to sclerotial infection. Here, two different isolates of S. sclerotiorum were used, with similar results. Application of C. minitans to soil immediately following pasteurisation resulted in sclerotial infection by the mycoparasite, but application 7 days or more after soil pasteurisation resulted in low recovery of the biocontrol agent from sclerotia, possibly due to the mycoparasite being masked by the presence of other fungi which colonised the sclerotia first.     

Influence of weight bearing and hoof position on Doppler evaluation of lateral palmar digital arteries in healthy horses

OBJECTIVE: To describe the pulsed-wave Doppler tracing of the equine lateral palmar digital artery and its modification in relation to standardized changes in posture. ANIMALS: 17 healthy Saddlebred horses. PROCEDURES: Pulsed-wave Doppler examinations of left and right lateral palmar digital arteries of the horses were performed. The baseline examination was performed on each forelimb while horses were standing squarely with the body weight equally distributed among the 4 limbs (BED position). For each forelimb, the examination was repeated during 3 standardized modifications of the horse's posture (non-weight-bearing [NWB] position, full weight-bearing [FWB] position, and a position involving hyperextension of the distal interphalangeal joint [HE position]). In each position, mean values of systolic peak velocity, first and second diastolic peak velocity, end-diastolic velocity, mean velocity, and resistive index were calculated. Data obtained in each different posture were compared statistically. RESULTS: No significant differences in blood flow variables were detected between the left and right forelimbs. However, significant differences were detected in values of first diastolic velocity, second diastolic velocity, mean velocity, and resistive index between the NWB position and FWB position. Also, end-diastolic velocity in the NWB position was significantly different from that recorded in the HE position. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The pulsed-wave Doppler tracing of the equine lateral palmar digital artery was modified considerably with changes in posture. This suggests that the use of a precisely standardized posture for horses is required to obtain repeatable data.     

Pharmacokinetics of albendazole sulfoxide enantiomers administered in racemic form and separately in rats

The pharmacokinetic behaviour of albendazole sulfoxide (ABZSO) enantiomers was studied in rats after the oral administration of 10 mg/kg of rac-ABZSO, 5 mg/kg of (-)-ABZSO or 5 mg/kg of (+)-ABZSO. The disposition profiles of ABZSO enantiomers were similar in all treatments, but the calculated area under the curve for the (-)-ABZSO was higher in all cases compared with (+)-ABZSO. The results suggest that there is no chiral inversion of ABZSO enantiomers. After the administration of rac-ABZSO, 17.2% of the total dose was recovered in urine as albendazole ABZ (0.1%), albendazole sulfone ABZSO(2) (0.3%), albendazole 2-aminosulfone (ABZ-SO(2)NH(2)) (3.1%) and ABZSO (13.7%). The ratio (+) to (-) was similar in urine (1.6) and blood (1.7).     

Dynamics of infection and immunity in a dairy cattle population undergoing an eradication programme for Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)

Several countries within the European Union (EU) have successfully eradicated Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), while others (e.g. Germany) are making efforts to achieve IBR-free status. EU member states IBR eradication programmes must meet Community legislation requirements that ban breeding farms from purchasing positive animals, from using whole-virus IBR vaccines, and from inseminating cows with semen from positive bulls. A follow-up study from 2002 to 2005 was carried out in the province of Trento (Italy), where a compulsory programme for IBR eradication was started in 1998. IBR outbreaks (identified on the basis of seroconversion of sentinel animals) were concentrated in larger positive herds. A higher incidence was recorded between 2003 and 2004. An association between markedly high temperatures in the summer of 2003 and virus reactivation has been suggested but is yet to be confirmed. The practice of driving cattle to common alpine pastures for the summer season did not play a significant epidemiological role in IBR transmission. Premising that only seronegative animals are allowed to enter dairy farms, animal movement increases the infection risk to a moderate extent. The long-term persistence of IBR antibodies was more pronounced in animals positive for antibodies to the glycoprotein E (gE). Scattered seroconversions, occurring mostly in positive herds, require careful interpretation in order to avoid overestimating the incidence of the infection at herd level.     

Copper sulphate forms in piglet diets: Microbiota,intestinal morphology and enteric nervous system glial cells

The objective of this study was to evaluate dietary supplementation with different copper sulphate (CuSO₄) forms on small intestine microanatomy and large intestine microbiota. Ninety weaned piglets were divided into three experimental groups: control diet (CTR), with no added CuSO₄ and diets supplemented with 150 ppm of CuSO₄ in protected (150P) and unprotected form (150UP). After 18 days of dietary treatment, six piglets per treatment were randomly selected and sacrificed. Duodenum villi length and crypt depths were higher (P < 0.001) in the animals fed 150UP than other groups. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker for enteric glial cells, was unaffected by dietary treatments. The total bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae bacteria counts were lower (P < 0.05) in cecum of animals fed 150P in comparison with the other two groups. In the colon the Streptococci spp were lower (P < 0.001) in both CuSO₄ supplemented groups than controls. The obtained results revealed a modulation of intestinal structure and microbiota exerted by the studied CuSO₄ dietary supplementation. The present data show that dietary supplementation with 150UP in the first period post‐weaning may assist in restoring the gut morphology, improving duodenal structure.     

Genome scan for the possibility of identifying candidate resistance genes for goat lentiviral infections in the Italian Garfagnina goat breed

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) are a heterogeneous group of viruses of sheep, goat, and wild ruminants responsible of lifelong persistent infection...