Analysis of Alkylresorcinols in Wheat Germ Oil and Barley Germ Oil via HPLC and Fluorescence Detection: Cochromatography with Tocols

Alkylresorcinols are long‐chain phenolic compounds that have been reported to be localized in the outer layers of the kernels of wheat, rye, barley, and other grains. A sensitive HPLC method with fluorescence detection was recently reported for the quantitative analysis of alkylresorcinols in cereal grains and products. Using this new HPLC method we report for the first time that wheat germ oil contains moderate levels of alkylresorcinols, approximately 800–1,500 µg per gram of oil. We also found that commercial wheat germ oil and some experimental samples of wheat germ oil and barley germ oil also contained three unknown peaks. Upon further evaluation of these peaks it was found that the peaks appeared to be tocopherols (one peak of α‐tocopherol, one peak of δ‐tocopherol, and a peak with the combination of β‐ and γ‐tocopherol), even though the excitation and emission wavelengths for alkylresorcinols (excitation 274 nm and emission 300 nm) are different than those for tocols (excitation 294 nm and emission 326 nm). We also found that with this HPLC system one alkylresorcinol, AR17, had the same retention time (7.6 min) as δ‐tocotrienol and that another alkylresorcinol, AR19, had the same retention time (10.8 min) as α‐tocotrienol.     

Illumina sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region 16S rRNA gene reveals extensive changes in bacterial communities in the cecum following carbohydrate oral infusion and development of early-stage acute laminitis in the horse

In the equine carbohydrate overload model of acute laminitis, disease progression is associated with changes in bacteria found in the cecum. To date, research has focused on changes in specific Gram-positive bacteria in this portion of the intestinal tract. Metagenomic methods are now available making it possible to interrogate microbial communities using animal protocols that sufficiently power a study. In this study, the microbiota in cecal fluid collected from control, non-laminitic horses (n = 8) and from horses with early-stage acute laminitis induced with either oligofructan (n = 6) or cornstarch (n = 6) were profiled. The microbiota were identified based on sequencing the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. The results of the study show that the relative abundance of Lactobacillus sp. and Streptococcus sp. increased significantly (p < 0.05) following OF and CS infusion. Other significant changes included an increase (p < 0.05) in relative abundance of Veillonella sp. and Serratia sp., two potentially pathogenic, Gram-negative bacteria. Significant decreases in the relative abundance of presumptive normal flora were detected as well. Although changes in cecal microbiota described in this communication are from a pilot study, it is hypothesized that an overgrowth of pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria develops and contributes to enterocolitis, pyrexia and lameness in the carbohydrate overload model of acute laminitis.     

Isolation and characterization of Babesia pecorum sp. nov. from farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus)

The diversity of Babesia species infecting cervids in parts of central and southern Spain was analyzed by collecting blood from farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus). Babesia sp. was isolated in vitro from two red deer herds in Cádiz and Ciudad Real. The number of Babesia sp. carriers differed between the two herds: 36/77 in Cádiz and 1/35 in Ciudad Real. Hyalomma lusitanicum was the most prevalent tick species identified on the Cádiz farm vegetation and on sampled animals, and is therefore a candidate vector. The molecular characteristics of 21 isolates were determined by complete (8 isolates) or partial (13 isolates) 18S rRNA gene sequencing. The sequences were highly similar (over 99.4% identity) and 6 sequence types were identified at the level of one herd only, demonstrating a rather high genetic diversity. They formed a monophyletic clade, and members of the three main sequence types shared a similar morphology and the same erythrocyte susceptibility pattern. This clade also included Babesia sp. Xinjiang isolated from sheep in China and Babesia sp. identified in giraffe in South Africa, with identities higher than 98.3% and statistically relevant phylogenetic support. None of the biological properties analyzed for both Babesia from red deer and Babesia sp. Xinjiang allowed their differentiation (ability to develop in vitro in erythrocytes from cattle and sheep, as well as in erythrocytes from different cervids, unsuccessful infection of calves). We propose the Babesia isolated from red deer as a new species named B. pecorum. Whether Babesia sp. Xinjiang and the Babesia characterized in South Africa belong to the same species is debated.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13567-014-0078-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Lymphatic metastasis in the absence of functional intratumor lymphatics

Lymphatic metastasis contributes to mortality from solid tumors. Whether metastasizing cancer cells reach lymph nodes via intratumor lymphatic vessels is unknown. Here, we examine functional lymphatics associated with mouse tumors expressing normal or elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), a molecule that stimulates lymphangiogenesis. Although VEGF-C overexpression increased lymphatic surface area in the tumor margin and lymphatic metastasis, these tumors contained no functional lymphatics, as assessed by four independent functional assays and immunohistochemical staining. These findings suggest that the functional lymphatics in the tumor margin alone are sufficient for lymphatic metastasis and should be targeted therapeutically.     

免疫印迹分析试验感染肝片吸虫和大片吸虫绵羊的IgG应答

免疫印迹(Westernblot)分析试验感染肝片吸虫和大片吸虫绵羊的抗片形吸虫分泌捧泄产物(FhESP和FgESP)IgG应答，结果表明，FhESP中分子质量在17．1～21．6ku之间的4条主要蛋白带仅被肝片吸虫感染以后(0WPI以后)的血清识别且不被对照组血清识别；FgESP中分子质量在19．0～71．1ku之间的6条主要蛋白带仅被大片吸虫感染以后(0WPI以后)的血清识别且不被对照组血清识别。     

Introduction and present status of exotic carp in Africa

This paper presents a review of all introductions of various carp species: Common carp, Cyprinus carpio (L.), but also major Chinese and Indian carp into Africa. The historical background of the present situation of carp culture is provided for 16 African countries. This contribution shows that, despite important efforts at aquaculture and fisheries development, carp production remains at a very low level except in Egypt. Various consequences of carp introductions are also discussed.     

Plant species extinction debt in a temperate biodiversity hotspot: Community, species and functional traits approaches

Destruction and fragmentation of (semi-) natural habitats are considered the main causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. Plant species may exhibit a slow response to fragmentation, resulting in the development of an extinction debt in fragmented plant communities. The detection of extinction debt is of primary importance in habitat conservation strategies. We applied two different approaches proposed in the literature to identify extinction debt in South-East Belgium calcareous grasslands. The first method compared species richness between stable and fragmented habitat patches. The second explored correlations between current species richness and current and past landscape configurations using multiple regression analyses. We subsequently examined results generated by both methods. In addition, we proposed techniques to identify species that are more likely to support extinction debt and associated functional traits. We estimated a respective extinction debt of approximately 28% and 35% of the total and specialist species richness. Similar results were obtained from both methods. We identified 15 threatened specialist species under the current landscape configuration. It is likely the landscape configuration no longer supports the species habitat requirements. We demonstrated that non-clonal species are most threatened, as well as taxa that cannot persist in degraded habitats and form only sparsely distributed populations. We discussed our results in light of other studies in similar habitats, and the overall implications for habitat conservation.     

Ethylene in a compacted field soil and its effect on growth,tuber quality,and yield of potatoes

Ethylene (C₂H₄) produced by soil microorganisms at concentrations sufficient to affect root development has previously been identified in the gas phase of anaerobic or partially anaerobic soils. This research was initiated to establish the existence of and to determine concentrations of C₂H₄ in soil in relation to matric potential, oxygen (O₂) and compaction, and effects on growth and tuber yield of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). Ethylene initially appeared at the 10-cm depth after 2.5-cm/day increments of water were applied by furrow irrigation for 3 days. Levels of C₂H₄ increased to 18.4 ppm and O₂ decreased to 8% after 12.5 cm of water had been applied in 2.5-cm increments for 5 days. Ethylene was found in two partially compacted plots. High C₂H₄ concentrations and low O₂ levels in the soil atmosphere were associated with reduced top growth, leaf injury, lower tuber quality, and a 20% decrease in potato yields. Since C₂H₄ and low O₂ levels occur simultaneously in soil, further research is needed to identify their individual effects on root and tuber development.