Association of (3H) DNA with fowl spermatozoa and their in vitro fertilisation of hamster ova.

1. Fowl spermatozoa incubated with DNA were used for the fertilisation of zona-free hamster oocytes. 2. Two categories of spermatozoa were detected: those which were not labelled and those which showed a very high degree of labelling (19 +/- 2% of the whole population). 3. In the hamster oocytes exposed to treated spermatozoa the labelled sperm heads were identified.     

The relationship between the Physicochemical properties of pyrethroid insecticides and their speed of neurotoxic action

The rate of onset of pyrethroid-induced depolarisations of the nerve cell membrane in isolated ganglia of the leech Hirudo medicinalis was measured using intracellular recordings. The speed of neurotoxicity of a series of substituted benzyl (1RS)-trans-cyclopropane-1-carboxylates was related to the size of the groups at C3 and C4 of the benzyl ring, the ability of the ring substituents to donate electrons, and the nature of the substituents at the two terminal positions of the vinyl group subtended by the cyclopropane ring. The speed of action was also related to the electronic environment of the protons subtended by the geminal methyl group held trans to the carboxyl group. Compounds, the partition properties of which were sensitive to interactions between the pyrethroid and solvent molecules, tended to act rapidly. There was no simple relationship between the speed of neurotoxic action in isolated leech ganglia and the knockdown potency to mustard beetles.     

Uterine horn torsion in a non-gravid cat

An 11-year-old female domestic shorthair cat with a previous history of having been spayed, presented with signs of abdominal distension, lethargy and anorexia of 1 week's duration. On the basis of radiological and ultrasonographic findings a tentative diagnosis of pyometra was made. Exploratory coeliotomy revealed a 900 degrees left horn uterine torsion along the longitudinal axis. Ovariohysterectomy was performed without correction of the torsion. To the authors' knowledge this is the first case report of uterine torsion in a non-gravid cat.     

Land Use Effects on Mangrove Nutrient Status in Phang Nga Bay,Thailand

Tropical mangrove forests can play an important role in the functioning of adjacent marine ecosystems, by protecting them from an excess in land‐derived sediment and nutrients. The strength of this interaction may however depend on the nutrient status of the mangrove forest. This study related the nutrient status of eight mangrove forests in Phang Nga Bay (Thailand) to the land‐cover distributions in the upstream catchment areas. Nutrient status was assessed using indicators integrating over short (porewater and sediment nutrient composition) and long timespans (mangrove leaves and sesarmid crab tissue characteristics). Using multivariate statistics (PCA analysis), these nutrient status data were then related to the land cover data, which were obtained through the analysis of satellite imagery. Nutrient availability was lowest for mangroves in catchments with large natural vegetation cover and was elevated in catchments with increasing levels of anthropogenic influence. Furthermore, nutrient availability was significantly correlated with several forms of land use, including natural forest, rice paddies, cleared ground and urban areas. While all indicators supported these results, relationships were strongest for long‐term indicators. Information on the relationship between land use in the catchment area and mangrove nutrient status may be important for the effective management of this habitat, as well as adjacent marine systems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

At-line near-infrared spectroscopy for prediction of the solid fat content of milk fat from New Zealand butter

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy calibrations that will allow prediction of the solid fat content (SFC) of milk fat extracted from butter by one measurement during manufacture were developed. SFC is a measure of the amount of the solid fraction of fat crystallized at a temperature expressed as a percentage (w/w). At-line SFC determinations are currently performed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, which involves a 16 h delay period for tempering of the milk fat at 0 degrees C prior to the SFC measurements, from 0 to 35 degrees C in a series of 5 degrees C increments. The NIR spectra (400-2500 nm) were obtained using a sample holder maintained at 60 degrees C. Accurate predictions for the SFC (%) were developed by principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least-squares (PLS) regression models to relate the NIR spectra to the corresponding NMR values. The independent validation samples (N = 22) had a standard error of prediction (SEP) of 0.385-0.762% for SFC between 0 and 25 degrees C, with SFC reference values ranging between 70.42 and 8.96% with a standard deviation range of 3.36-1.47. The low bias (from -0.351 to -0.025), the slopes (0.935-1.077), and the excellent predictive ability (R2; 0.923-0.978) supported the validity of these calibrations.     

Impact of mirid (Creontiades spp.) (Hemiptera: Miridae) pest management on Helicoverpa spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) outbreaks: the case for conserving natural enemies

Creontiades spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) are sucking pests that attack buds, flowers and young pods in mungbeans, Vigna radiata (L.), causing these structures subsequently to abort. If left uncontrolled, mirids can cause 25-50% yield loss. Traditional industry practice has involved prophylactic applications of dimethoate to control mirids at budding and again a week later. The present trial was initiated to highlight the dangers of such a practice, in particular the risk of a subsequent Helicoverpa spp. lepidopteran pest outbreak. A single application of dimethoate halved the population of important natural enemies of Helicoverpa spp., and caused an above-threshold outbreak of Helicoverpa spp. within 11 days. This shows that even a moderate (e.g. 50%) reduction in natural enemies may be sufficient to increase Helicoverpa spp. populations in mungbeans. As a result, prophylactic sprays should not be used for the control of mirids in mungbeans, and dimethoate should be applied only when mirids are above the economic threshold. Indoxacarb was also tested to establish its effect on Helicoverpa spp., mirids and natural enemies. Indoxacarb showed potential for Helicoverpa spp. control and suppression of mirids and had little impact on natural enemies.     

Structuring and functionalization of dispersions containing egg yolk, plasma and granules induced by mechanical treatments

In this study, the impact of mechanical treatments on the physicochemical and emulsifying properties of hen egg yolk and its fractions plasma and granules has been assessed. Yolk, plasma, and granule dispersions at pH 4.0 and 0.75 M NaCl were subjected to rotor-stator and high-pressure pretreatments at different dynamic pressure levels: 30, 100, and 200 bar at 20 degrees C. Physicochemical characteristics (protein solubility, rheological behavior, and micro- and ultra-structures) and emulsifying properties (oil/water 60:40 emulsions: droplet size and flocculation, protein adsorption) of control dispersions and dispersions subjected to mechanical pretreatments (rotor-stator or high pressure) were compared. Homogenization at high pressures (100 and 200 bar) led to a decreased protein solubility and to an increase in apparent viscosity of yolk and plasma dispersions. These pressures certainly disrupted low-density lipoproteins (LDL) particles and generated aggregates of proteins liberated from LDL and livetins in the plasma fraction, and led to a moderated reorganization of the microstructure of granules. Despite the modifications observed in the pretreated plasma and granules dispersions, the oil droplet diameter and the bridging flocculation obtained in emulsions made with these dispersions were similar to that obtained with untreated dispersions. Results concerning interfacial protein adsorption suggested that preformed or natural aggregates at least partially persist at the oil-water interface.     

Effects of solid-state yeast treatment on the antioxidant properties and protein and fiber compositions of common hard wheat bran

The bran fraction of wheat grain is known to contain significant quantities of bioactive components. This study evaluated the potential of solid-state yeast fermentation to improve the health beneficial properties of wheat bran, including extractable antioxidant properties, protein contents, and soluble and insoluble fiber compositions. Three commercial food grade yeast preparations were evaluated in the study along with the effects of yeast dose, treatment time, and their interaction with the beneficial components. Solid-state yeast treatments were able to significantly increase releasable antioxidant properties ranging from 28 to 65, from 0 to 20, from 13 to 19, from 0 to 25, from 50 to 100, and from 3 to 333% for scavenging capacities against peroxyl (ORAC), ABTS cation, DPPH and hydroxyl radicals, total phenolic contents (TPC), and phenolic acids, respectively. Yeast treatment increased protein content 11-12% but did not significantly alter the fiber composition of wheat bran. Effects of solid-state yeast treatment on both ORAC and TPC of wheat bran were altered by yeast dose, treatment time, and their interaction. Results suggest that solid-state yeast treatment may be a commercially viable postharvest procedure for improving the health beneficial properties of wheat bran and other wheat-based food ingredients.     

Color and albedo heterogeneity of Vesta from Dawn

Multispectral images (0.44 to 0.98 μm) of asteroid (4) Vesta obtained by the Dawn Framing Cameras reveal global color variations that uncover and help understand the north-south hemispherical dichotomy. The signature of deep lithologies excavated during the formation of the Rheasilvia basin on the south pole has been preserved on the surface. Color variations (band depth, spectral slope, and eucrite-diogenite abundance) clearly correlate with distinct compositional units. Vesta displays the greatest variation of geometric albedo (0.10 to 0.67) of any asteroid yet observed. Four distinct color units are recognized that chronicle processes--including impact excavation, mass wasting, and space weathering--that shaped the asteroid's surface. Vesta's color and photometric diversity are indicative of its status as a preserved, differentiated protoplanet.