Influence of wine turbidity on the accumulation of volatile compounds from the oak barrel

In this work the influence of the turbidity of a red wine aged in oak barrels on the accumulation of volatile compounds has been studied. From the results obtained, it may be concluded that the wine turbidity had an effect on the concentration of many of the oak volatile compounds, especially furanic and phenolic compounds. In all cases the concentrations of furanic aldehydes and vanillin were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the filtered wine than in the unfiltered wine. However, in the unfiltered wine the concentrations of gamma-butyrolactone and eugenol were higher. This difference in the concentrations would be due to the different compositions of the wines and the binding of compounds to some components of the lees. Likewise, it has been observed that the composition of the lees is fundamental in the binding of volatile compounds to the lees as the fermentative lees behave differently from the lees from the wine aging in barrels.     

Endoscopic observations on laryngeal symmetry and movements in young racing horses

An endoscopic survey of young race horses was performed to examine the prevalence and character of laryngeal movements during quiet respiration. The main aim was to determine whether those arytenoid movements which could possibly reflect the efficiency of left dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle function changed over a period of time. Of the 452 horses examined, 439 were Thoroughbreds and 23 were Standardbreds, 250 were less than 2 years of age (6-21 months), and 202 were 2 years old. One hundred and nine of these horses were examined again 16 months later. Arytenoid movements were given one of four grades. Grades 1 and 2 were considered normal and unlikely to be the result of abnormal left dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle function, whilst grades 3 and 4 were considered likely, or almost certainly, the result of abnormal left dorsal cricoarytenoid muscle function. The percutaneous prominence of the muscular process of left and right arytenoid cartilages, endoscopic arytenoid movement on left and right sides, age, sex and breed was recorded. Chi squared analysis was used to determine the association between age, breed, sex and the other recorded variables, and the presence or absence of abnormal laryngeal movements. At the first examination, 48% of the horses had grade 1, 37% grade 2, 15% grade 3 and 0.2% grade 4 left laryngeal movements. Of the horses examined I6 months later, 52% had grade 1, 33% grade 2, 14% grade 3 and 1% grade 4 left laryngeal movements. Fifteen percent of horses with grade 1 and 9% with grade 2 initially were found to be grade 3 at the subsequent examination. Conversely, 53% of horses with grade 3 initially were found to be grade 1 and 21% grade 2 at the subsequent examination. One horse that was grade 3 at the initial examination was grade 4 at the subsequent examination. Overall, 43% of horses were graded the same, 29% were given a better grade and 28% were given a worse grade. Age and sex were not associated with abnormal left laryngeal movements. The presence of abnormal arytenoid movements was significantly less in Standardbreds, but significantly higher in those horses that had a more prominent muscular process of the left arytenoid cartilage. The number of grade 2 and 3 laryngeal movements recorded on the left side was significantly higher than the right. It was concluded that asymmetrical laryngeal movements are common in young race horses; at this age laryngeal movements may interchange between what is considered normal and abnormal; the proportion of young horses with normal or minor variations in their left arytenoid movements that develop more obvious degrees of asynchrony is low (12%); and the proportion of horses considered to have endoscopic evidence of deficient left abductor muscle function that eventually develop laryngeal hemiplegia is also low (5%).     

Biology of Cryptosporidium parvum in pigs: from weaning to market

Cryptosporidium parvum is commonly identified as infecting domestic livestock and humans. Prevalence of C. parvum in pigs has been reported, however, the duration and infection pattern of naturally acquired Cryptosporidium infections in pigs has not been reported. This study was undertaken to investigate the age of oocyst shedding and duration of natural Cryptosporidium parvum infections in pigs from weaning to market weight. Fecal samples were collected from weaned Yorkshire-Landrace piglets (n=33) twice per week until Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected. Upon oocyst detection, fecal samples were collected three times per week and pigs were monitored throughout the study for diarrhea and examined after concentration and immunofluroescent staining. Cryptosporidium isolates were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction to amplify the HSP70 gene which was subsequently sequence analyzed. All 33 pigs shed oocysts some time during the study. The mean age of initial oocyst detection was 45.2 days post-weaning with the mean duration of infection 28.7 days. Mean number of Cryptosporidium oocysts was low and declined to zero prior to study completion. Episodes of diarrhea were not associated with oocyst excretion. Genetic sequences were obtained for 10 of the pigs. All of the 10 isolates aligned as the Cryptosporidium parvum 'pig' genotype. This study demonstrates that the age and duration of oocyst shedding in pigs infected with C. parvum porcine genotype is different from other livestock species.