Factors influencing the variability of Mg, Ca and K in waters of a mangrove creek in Bragança, North Brazil

Sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and physicochemical parameters were monitored for one year in a mangrove tidal creek near Bragança, North Brazil, to determine their tidally induced and seasonal variations and the main parameters controlling the concentration of these cations. On a daily basis, cation concentrations showed a strong tidal rhythm due to the mixing of estuarine and mangrove waters. Mean concentrations were highest at the end of the dry season (December 1996) and lowest (April 1997) towards the end of the rainy season. Average values over one year were: Na+ = 329± 118mM, K+ = 6.9±2.5mM, Mg++=37 ±14 mM and Ca++= 6.9±2.4mM. Dissolved oxygen concentration was higher during the dry season due to enhanced aquatic primary production, with a maximum daily average value of 8.5mg/L in July 1996, and a minimum value of 4mg/L in June 1997. Cation concentrations were transformed relating them to the respective average values in standard seawater at salinity 35. Although cation concentrations and salinity tightly correlated, this standardization showed that the concentrations of K+, Ca++ and Mg++ did not depend solely on salinity and reflected the seasonal variation in aquatic primary production. It also allowed the discrimination of their sources (marine, riverine and groundwater). Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations indicate that phytoplankton may be regulating the concentration of these cations in the water column indirectly by inducing precipitation through pH increase and directly through metabolic uptake.     

Statistical characterization of sicilian olive oils from the Peloritana and Maghrebian zones according to the fatty acid profile

This paper deals with the characterization of 475 Sicilian virgin olive oils (VOO) produced in 10 different crop years (from 1993 to 2004), according to the cultivar and the geographical origin by means of multivariate statistical analysis applied to fatty acids. In particular, the studied VOOs came from the Peloritana and Maghrebian geological zones. The fatty acid composition was determined by using the official gas chromatographic method. The results suggest that although the effect of the cultivar is significant in the olive oil classification based on the fatty acid composition, a predominant and well-defined geographic effect is also present. This study demonstrated that it is possible to employ an official and inexpensive analytical method coupled with the statistical analysis to ascertain the geographical origin and the cultivar of an extra virgin olive oil.     

Sweet-like off-flavor in Aglianico del Vulture wine: ethyl phenylacetate as the mainly involved compound

Interest in high-quality and peculiar products is a recent trend in the enological field; for this reason, production of wines from autochthonous vine varieties is requested by consumers. Aglianico wine from the Italian region "Basilicata" is an example of a promising product strictly connected to the territory; nevertheless, it is affected by a frequent sweet-like off-flavor. In this study the compositional cause of this off-flavor was investigated by SPME-GC-olfactometry, SPME-GC-MS, and sensory tests. Ethyl phenylacetate (EPhA) was found to be the compound mainly responsible, and its sensory threshold was determined near 73 microg/L; products with the odorant concentration near and up to these values were always recognized as significantly different from the other wines and were often far from wine technical pleasantness; besides EPhA gave to the wines a strong honey-like character. Some preliminary hypotheses about its mechanism of formation (shikimate pathway) are presented in this study: these hypotheses could explain the correlation between EPhA and volatile phenols that was found by both sensory tests and GC quantitative analysis of wines affected by different levels of defect.     

Modeling the secondary shelf life of ground roasted coffee

This work was addressed to study the secondary shelf life of ground roasted coffee. To this purpose, fresh dark-roasted ground coffee samples were equilibrated at increasing water activity (aw) values up to 0.44 and stored at 30 degrees C for up to 1 month. To simulate home storage conditions, the headspace atmosphere was periodically perturbed by opening for a short time and then closing the packaging. The changes of some chemical and physicochemical indexes of coffee staling were studied, and sensory analysis was carried out to determine the end point of coffee acceptability. The results showed that the volatile compounds in the headspace are representative indexes of the quality depletion of roasted ground coffee during home usage. The sensory and instrumental results were used to develop a mathematical model allowing to simply and quickly calculate the secondary shelf life of coffee on the basis of its aw value at a given temperature.     

Efficacy of albendazole and moxidectin and resistance to ivermectin against Libyostrongylus douglassii and Libyostrongylus dentatus in ostriches

Anthelmintic resistance has emerged globally as a problem amongst nematode of livestock and has been particularly well documented in equine and small ruminants. There are no studies regarding the efficacy of anthelmintics against the hematophagous nematodes in ostriches, Libyostrongylus dentatus; and just a few on L. douglassii. Here the efficacy of albendazole, ivermectin and moxidectin were evaluated against these two species in an ostrich farm in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The feces were collected on the day of treatment and after 13days of an oral dose of albendazole (6mg/kg), or an injected dose (0.2mg/kg) of ivermectin or moxidectin. The fecal egg count reduction test and coprocultures were performed to determine possible resistance against the drugs used. An efficacy of 60% was found for ivermectin, while albendazole and moxidectin were 100% effective. Both worm species appeared to have reduced sensitivity to ivermectin.     

Clinical Course of Acute Canine Polyradiculoneuritis Following Treatment with Human IV Immunoglobulin

Treatment of dogs with acute canine polyradiculoneuritis (ACP) is restricted to physical rehabilitation and supportive care. In humans with Guillain-Barré syndrome, the counterpart of ACP, randomized trials show that IV immunoglobulin (IVIg) speeds recovery. The authors of the current study hypothesized that dogs with ACP would tolerate IVIg well and recover faster than dogs managed with supportive treatment only. Sixteen client-owned dogs with ACP were treated with IVIg, and 14 client-owned dogs served as a retrospective control group. Diagnosis was confirmed using clinical features, electrodiagnostics, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and muscle/nerve biopsies. The duration of the initial progressive phase, the time from IVIg administration until the dogs were ambulating without assistance, and the duration of the complete episode were evaluated. Adverse reactions (anaphylaxis, mild hematuria) were observed in two dogs. Dogs treated with IVIg were ambulating without assistance after a median of 27.5 days (range, 15-127 days) from onset of clinical signs. The control group was ambulatory without assistance at a median of 75.5 days (range, 5-220 days). Even though this result is not statistically significant, there is a clear trend toward faster recovery in dogs treated with IVIg.     

Collection of equine cord blood and placental tissues in 40 Thoroughbred mares

Reasons for performing study: Stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue (UCT) and umbilical cord blood (UCB) in human subjects and horses can be obtained in a minimally invasive fashion with successful propagation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Currently there are no detailed protocols documenting a procedure to harvest UCB and UCT safely for equine stem cell propagation. Hypothesis: UCB and UCT could be collected without harm to mare or foal. Objectives: To develop a standard and safe method for UCB and UCT collection, and prospectively to compare foal and mare health between groups of animals where tissue was and was not collected. Methods: This study was conducted at a Thoroughbred breeding facility in central California in 2008. UCB and UCT were collected from 40 mare and foal pairs. Clinical parameters including time for foal to stand and nurse, time for mare to pass the placenta, and foal haematology data at age 24 h were documented and compared to a control group, consisting of the succeeding 40 mare and foal pairs. Results: UCB was obtained successfully from 36 of 40 (90%) mares and UCT from 38 of 40 (95%) mares. Bacterial contamination was documented in 6 out of 36 (16.6%) UCB samples. There were no significant differences in time to stand or nurse for foals or time to pass the placenta for mares, between the experimental and control groups. There were no clinically relevant differences identified in haematological data obtained from foals with and without UCB collection. Conclusions: UCB and UCT can be harvested safely without harm to mares or foals. Potential relevance: UCB and UCT samples collected in an inherently contaminated environment can be successfully disinfected and transported with minimal bacterial overgrowth for use in cell culture to isolate MSCs.     

Comparison of agar gel immunodiffusion test, rapid slide agglutination test, microbiological culture and PCR for the diagnosis of canine brucellosis

The performance of the rapid slide agglutination test, with and without 2-mercaptoethanol (RSAT and 2ME-RSAT) and agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) was evaluated for the diagnosis of brucellosis in naturally infected dogs. The microbiological culture, PCR and clinical parameters were used as reference. A total of 167 dogs were clinically examined and tested by blood culture, culture of semen/vaginal swab and PCR in blood and semen/vaginal swab. According to the results observed the 167 dogs were divided into three groups: Brucella canis infected dogs (Group 1), B. canis non-infected dogs (Group 2) and dogs with suspected brucellosis (Group 3). The dogs were then tested by RSAT, 2ME-RSAT and AGID. Groups 1 and 2 were used to calculate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the serological tests and the results observed in Group 3 were also discussed. The diagnostic sensitivity of RSAT, 2ME-RSAT and AGID was respectively 70.58%, 31.76%, and 52.94%. The diagnostic specificity of RSAT, 2ME-RSAT and AGID was respectively 83.34%, 100%, and 100%. In dogs with suspected brucellosis 15% were RSAT positive, none was 2ME-RSAT positive and 5% were AGID positive. Although the serological tests are the most commonly used methods for brucellosis diagnosis, a significant proportion of false-negative results were observed highlighting the importance of the direct methods of diagnosis, like blood culture and PCR to improve the diagnosis of canine brucellosis.     

The relationships between motor lateralization,salivary cortisol concentrations and behavior in dogs

The degree of lateralization (LI) indicates both the direction and strength of a paw preference. Here, a positive value is indicative of a right paw bias, and a negative value of a left paw bias. Higher numbers on the positive side of the scale and lower numbers on the negative side of the scale indicate a greater strength of that lateralization. The strength of motor lateralization (|LI|) is the absolute value of the LI. The use of absolute value removes directionality (i.e., does not indicate left or right paw bias) and instead indicates only the strength of the paw preference. Both LI and |LI| have been associated with behavioral differences in a range of species. The assessment of motor lateralization in the dog can be conducted by observing the paw used to perform motor tasks.Elevated cortisol concentrations have been associated with fearfulness in many species. Additionally, fearfulness and boldness can be assessed in response to so-called temperament tests. Consequently, in this study we examine the relationship between lateralization, temperament test results, and cortisol concentrations in 43 potential guide dogs, of which 38 were Labrador retrievers and 5 were golden retrievers.Over a 14-month period, the current study assessed motor lateralization and salivary cortisol concentrations 3 times (approximately 6 months of age, 14 months of age, and after the dogs' performance in the guide dog program had been determined) and behavior twice (approximately 6 and 14 months of age).This study is the first to examine the relationship between behavior, lateralization, and cortisol concentrations in dogs. It implemented an objective and quantifiable assessment of behavior that may be of use to a variety of dog-focused stakeholders.Findings show that during the Juvenile testing period (6 months of age), dogs with higher cortisol concentrations were typically less able to rest when exposed to the unfamiliar testing room. Results from both Juvenile and Adult Test (14 months of age) periods showed that a greater |LI| and LI were associated with more confident and relaxed behavior when dogs were exposed to novel stimuli and unfamiliar environments.Significant elevations of cortisol concentrations were found at the completion of guide dog training when compared with results from the 2 prior test periods. This finding may reflect maturation or the effect of the prolonged kenneling which occurred during this period.