Unit and Internal Chain Profile of Millet Amylopectin

The unit chain compositions of debranched foxtail, proso, pearl, and finger millet amylopectins and their ϕ,β‐limit dextrins were analyzed by high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography. The ϕ,β‐limit dextrins reflected amylopectin internal chain profiles. The amylopectins had average chain lengths ranging from 17.94 to 18.12. The ranges of external chain length, internal chain length, and total internal chain length of the millet amylopectins were 11.85–12.33, 4.75–5.09, and 11.64–12.28, respectively. The relative molar concentration of B‐chains in the amylopectins was close to 50% in all samples. Significant differences were, however, observed in the proportions of very short “fingerprint” B‐chains (B_fp, degree of polymerization 3–7) and the major group of short B‐chains (BS_major): foxtail and proso millets possessed high amounts of B_fp‐chains, whereas finger and pearl millets had higher amounts of BS_major‐chains, suggesting possible differences in the fine structure of the clusters and building blocks of the amylopectins. Millet amylopectin can be classified structurally as type 2.     

Effect of chelating and antioxidant agents on morphology and DNA methylation in freeze-drying rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) spermatozoa

Freeze-drying (FD) has been exhaustively tried in several mammalian species as an alternative technique to sperm cryopreservation, but few studies have been done in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The main objective of this study was to compare the protective effect of various antioxidants added to EDTA medium on structural and functional components of FD rabbit spermatozoa and on their status of global DNA methylation. FD media used were composed of basic FD medium (10 mM Tris-HCl buffer and 50 mM NaCl) supplemented with either 50 mM EDTA alone (EDTA) or added with 105 µM of rosmarinic acid (RA, EDTA-RA) or 10 µM of melatonin (MLT, EDTA-MLT). The effect of each medium on the preservation of FD spermatozoon structure was evaluated with light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Global DNA methylation was quantified in all FD sperm samples as well as in fresh spermatozoa. Morphologically, fracture points were evidenced in the neck, mid and principal piece of the spermatozoon tail. No differences in spermatozoon fracture points were evidenced among FD treatments: intact spermatozoa were the largest (p < .01) category, whereas the most frequent (p < .01) injury was the neck fracture, resulting in tailless heads. At SEM, the head of spermatozoa showed a well-conserved shape and intact membrane in all treatments. DNA methylation status was the same in all FD treatments. In conclusion, supplementation of EDTA, EDTA-RA and EDTA-MLT during FD preserved rabbit sperm morphological integrity and methylation status as well. Therefore, the difficulty of getting viable offspring using FD semen is likely unrelated to the impact of the lyophilization process on DNA methylation and morphology of lyophilized spermatozoa.     

Accumulation and distribution pattern of macro- and microelements and trace elements in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Chardonnay berries

This paper describes the accumulation pattern of 42 mineral elements in Vitis vinifera L. berries during development and ripening and their distribution in berry skin, seeds, and flesh around harvest time. Grape berries were sampled in two different vineyards with alkaline soil and analyzed using a ICP-MS. Although elemental amounts were significantly different in the grapes from the two vineyards, the accumulation pattern and percentage distribution in different parts of the berries were generally quite similar. Ba, Eu, Sr, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn accumulate prior to veraison. Al, Ce, Dy, Er, Ga, Gd, Ho, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, Sn, Zr, Th, Tm, U, Y, and Yb accumulate mainly prior to veraison but also during ripening. Ag, As, B, Cd, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ge, Hg, K, Li, Na, P, Rb, Sb, Se, and Tl accumulate progressively during growth and ripening. With regard to distribution, Ba, Ca, Eu, Fe, Mn, P, Sr, and Zn accumulate mainly in the seeds, Al, B, Ga, Sn, and the rare earths analyzed, except for Eu, accumulate mainly in the skin, and Ag, As, Cd, Cs, Cu, Ge, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Na, Rb, Sb, Se, Th, Tl, U, and Zr accumulate mainly in the flesh. A joint representation of the accumulation and distribution patterns for the elements in the berry is also given.     

Image-guided interventional procedures in the dog and cat

Medical imaging is essential for the diagnostic workup of many soft tissue and bone lesions in dogs and cats, but imaging modalities do not always allow the clinician to differentiate inflammatory or infectious conditions from neoplastic disorders. This review describes interventional procedures in dogs and cats for collection of samples for cytological or histopathological examinations under imaging guidance. It describes the indications and procedures for imaging-guided sampling, including ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging and fluoroscopy. US and CT are currently the modalities of choice in interventional imaging.     

Amaranth as a rich dietary source of β-sitosterol and other phytosterols

The analysis of 4 commonly available amaranth varieties (Amaranthus K343, RRC1011, K433, K432) revealed the presence of all three major phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmas-terol) with a total sterol content being several fold higher than those found in other studied plants. Substantial differences in total phytosterol content and beta-sitosterol content were found between the amaranth varieties. The most commonly cultivated amaranth variety in the United States, i.e., Amaranthus K343 was found to possess the highest levels of phytosterols of the varieties tested. The possibility of screening for superior amaranth varieties with various health properties is outlined.     

A framework for the integrated assessment and management of dredged materials in Italy: a case study based on the application of Local Sediment Quality Guidelines

Purpose

In order to assess sediment quality and to account for the great geochemical heterogeneity of Italian coasts, Local Sediment Quality Guidelines (LSQGs) have to be defined for specific portions of the coastline based on the approach developed by ICRAM–APAT (2007). This paper describes the application of LSQGs to the harbour of Fiumicino (Rome, Italy). The aims were to evaluate the quality of dredging sediments through an integrated chemical–ecotoxicological approach and to define suitable management options.

Materials and methods

Thirty-eight sediment cores, covering the planned dredging depth, were collected in the study area and sliced into 92 sediment samples. Chemical analyses, including inorganic and organic contaminants as well as microbiological parameters, were carried out for all the samples. A bioassay battery composed by the bacterium Vibrio fischeri, the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus and the alga Dunaliella tertiolecta was applied on one third of the samples. LSQGs were derived from chemical and ecotoxicological data of the harbour area, and were integrated with those from the identified dumping site. The Baseline Chemical Level, corresponding to an absent or unlikely ecotoxicological hazard, and the Limit Chemical Level, corresponding to a probable ecotoxicological hazard, were the LSQGs derived for each chemical.

Results and discussion

A gradient of increasing contamination, moving inland due to urban and agricultural effluents, was observed. Ecotoxicological analyses, similar to microbiological ones, confirmed the poor sediment quality, with the exception of a sample located at the port entrance, where hydrodynamics flush sediment away from the site. Principal component analysis allowed a clear discrimination of three areas, each affected by a different contamination degree and influenced by many sources related to industrial, commercial and/or urban activities. Using LSQGs and the results of bioassays, it was possible to classify the sediment quality of the whole harbour area and to define the most suitable management options. It was found that Fiumicino harbour sediment was not suitable for either beach nourishment or for offshore dumping, with the exception of a negligible amount located at the port entrance. In turn, most sediment seemed to be suitable for disposal in a properly sealed confined disposal facility or for mechanical/chemical treatment.

Conclusions

This case study provided useful insights for implementing the development of LSQGs for more realistic sediment management and will assist in promoting its application to harbour dredging at the local level.     

Private sector involvement in the control of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in the Kazungula district of Zambia benefitted the community and the control strategy

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a disease of economic importance that is widely distributed in sub-Saharan African and contributes significantly to cattle morbidity and mortality. Lack of resources to implement eradication measures has led to the disease becoming endemic in most areas in sub-Saharan Africa where governments have little resources and the majority of the people are poor. Usually, control and eradication of such diseases as CBPP is treated as a public good by governments and to achieve this, governments are usually assisted by nongovernment organisations, bilateral government programmes and international donors. The private sector, which usually is companies that run businesses to make profit, although not very well established in sub-Saharan Africa could play a big role in the eradication of CBPP in the region. This could play a dual role of promoting investment and also eradicate livestock diseases which have proved a menace in the livestock sector. This paper highlights the role played by the private sector in the control of CBPP in Zambia.