Effects of a dairy product fortified with multiple micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids on birth weight and gestation duration in pregnant Chilean women

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that maternal food fortification with omega-3 fatty acids and multiple micronutrients increases birth weight and gestation duration, as primary outcomes. DESIGN: Non-blinded, randomised controlled study. SETTING: Pregnant women received powdered milk during their health check-ups at 19 antenatal clinics and delivered at two maternity hospitals in Santiago, Chile. SUBJECT: Pregnant women were assigned to receive regular powdered milk (n = 477) or a milk product fortified with multiple micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids (n = 495). RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis showed that mean birth weight was higher in the intervention group than in controls (65.4 g difference, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5-126 g; P = 0.03) and the incidence of very preterm birth (0.80 just for mean birth weight and birth length in the on-treatment analysis; birth length in that analysis had a difference of 0.57 cm (95% CI 0.19-0.96 cm; P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The new intervention resulted in increased mean birth weight. Associations with gestation duration and most secondary outcomes need a larger sample size for confirmation.     

Bacterial community structures in rhizosphere microsites of ryegrass (Lolium perenne var. Nui) as revealed by pyrosequencing

Management of soils to facilitate plant beneficial microbial interactions requires basic knowledge of the species composition and microbial community structures in the plant rhizosphere. Here, we examined composition of bacterial communities associated with rhizosphere microsites located at the root tips and mature root zones of Lolium perenne when grown in Chilean ash-derived volcanic soils (Andisols: Freire and Piedras Negras soil series). Community structures were analyzed by pyrosequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes followed by in silico analysis for phylogenetic assignments (MOTHUR and Visualization tool for Taxonomic Compositions of Microbial Community (VITCOMIC)). Analysis of the community structure revealed significant differences in community structures in relation to the soil series, which differed particularly in the relative abundance of Cyanobacteria and Firmicutes. However, no significant differences were observed with respect to root microsite location in the same Andisol series. Predominant taxa included members of the Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria. Analysis by VITCOMIC showed that dominant bacterial groups comprised only 5 to 10 % of the total bacterial community and the remaining majority of bacteria included low-abundant taxa (Fusobacteria, Thermotogae, Lentisphaerae, Tenericutes, Deferribacteres Spirochaetes, Planctomycetes, Thermotogae, and Deinococcus-Thermus), most of which have not been previously reported or associated with the plant rhizosphere according to GenBank database. The results indicate that most of bacteria in the Chilean Andisols have not been described to the rhizosphere plants and their functional traits are still largely unknown.     

Surface physicochemical properties of globulin-P amaranth protein

Globulin-P, the polymerized 11S amaranth globulin, is composed of 280 kDa unitary molecules (UM, 23%) and aggregates larger than 500 kDa (A, 70%). Antibodies against these proteins were prepared to study their surface characteristics and to assess their homology with other storage proteins. Results showed that globulin-P unitary molecules and aggregates had similar reactive surfaces. A polypeptide of 56 kDa was found to be the most reactive to the antibodies assayed, followed by the acidic polypeptides. Such results support previous information, according to which these polypeptides appeared to be the most exposed on the molecule surface. Globulin-P fraction presented cross-reactivity with the remaining amaranth protein fractions: 11S-globulin, glutelins, and albumins. Globulin-P and 11S-globulin showed similar reactive surfaces whereas glutelin and albumins presented a lower cross-reactivity. The reactivity of the glutelin fraction depended on its sequence. Globulin-P fraction presented cross-reactivity with quinoa globulins, and to a lesser extent with globulins of sunflower and rice. Moreover, the anti-Gp serum was unable to detect either conformational or sequence epitopes in globulins of soybean, wheat, buckwheat, rice, and rye.     

Expected consequences of including methane footprint into the breeding goals in beef cattle. A Spanish Blonde d'Aquitaine population as a case of study

This study evaluates two potential scenarios for including methane (CH₄) emissions in the breeding objectives of beef cattle, using the Spanish population of Blonde d′Aquitaine as a case of study. First, CH₄ emissions were included as a cost using a shadow carbon price of 1.22€/CH₄ kg (0.044€/CO₂ kg) (carbon tax scenario). In the other scenario, a CH₄ quota was applied, optimizing emissions per unit of product. The current production system was used as benchmark scenario (Scenario 1). The economic value of CH₄ was calculated under all scenarios using a bioeconomic model that translated the production system into a mathematical function. Then, CH₄ emissions were included with proper relative weight in the selection index under each scenario. The economic value of CH₄ production from cows was ?0.54€/year and ?0.16€/year in a carbon tax and in a CH₄ quota scenario, respectively. Economic values for CH₄ production from fattening calves were ?1.22€/year and ?0.34€/year in a carbon tax and a quota scenario, respectively. The relative weights of total CH₄ traits in the indices were 4.9% and 1.8% in a carbon tax and quota scenario. The carbon tax scenario led to smaller cows (?7.59 kg of mature weight) and a decrease in carcass weight gain of calves (?4.78 g/day) involving a reduction in emissions in comparison with Scenario 1 (?0.76 CH₄ kg/slaughtered calf/year). However, it also led to a lower expected gain in profit per unit of product (?7.86 €/slaughtered calf/year). A carbon quota scenario would select slightly smaller cows (?0.48 kg) with similar responses in maternal abilities (age at first calving, calving interval, maternal weaning weight, and calving ease) and growth, and lower emissions (?0.22 CH₄ kg/slaughtered calf/year) regarding the benchmark scenario. Profit per cow would increase by +1.52€/slaughtered calf/year although this scenario implies a reduction in the number of cows per herd. In a carbon tax scenario, higher reduction in emissions implied a reduction of profitability per animal.     

Improving bivalve fishery management: The development of a tool to forecast bivalve reproductive season based on environmental data from satellite remote sensing observations

Donax trunculus is a much‐appreciated commercial clam whose natural populations have been overexploited in southern–western Spain during the last decades. In order to control the decrease of natural beds, local governments establish annual closed seasons based on socioeconomic reasons, such as economic necessity or tourism interest. The objective of this study was to develop an efficient tool for predicting gonadal stages based on environmental condition data. This tool will allow for an improvement in fishery management since in this manner the closed season can be based on the reproductive cycle. The natural population's reproductive cycle was studied for more than 2 years. The obtained gonadal and condition indexes (GI and CI) values were statistically related to environmental conditions, specifically surface seawater temperature (SST) and chlorophyll‐a (Chlo‐a) levels with these data being provided from satellite remote sensing observations (SRS). The best statistical relationship was obtained between GI and the SST registered 60 days before bivalve sampling (SST‐60). The regression equation allows for an estimate of GI value based on the SST‐60 and, as each value is related with one gonadal stage (resting, maturation, ripe), for prediction of the reproductive cycle. Therefore, the closed season can be established when most of the population is in the ripe stage and can be adjusted taking into account the possible temperature variations across the years. For ease of use, GI values estimated with this tool have also been converted using different colours onto a map of wedge clam reproductive stages in its natural beds.     

Platelet‐Rich Fibrin Constructs Elute Higher Concentrations of Transforming Growth Factor‐β1 and Increase Tendon Cell Proliferation Over Time when Compared to Blood Clots: A Comparative In Vitro Analysis

Objective: To compare the concentration of a representative growth factor (transforming growth factor‐beta [TGF‐β]1) eluted from a platelet‐rich fibrin matrix (PRFMatrix), a platelet‐rich fibrin membrane (PRFMembrane), and a whole blood clot (BC) over time, and to compare the mitogenic effect of the eluents from each construct. Study Design: In vitro study. Sample Population: PRFMatrix, PRFMembrane, and BC (n=4/construct/time point). Methods: Each construct was placed in tissue culture wells containing media for 7 days. The media was collected and replenished on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 and the concentration of eluted TGF‐β1 was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Canine tendon cells were subjected to additional aliquots of the conditioned media and the amount of cell proliferation compared. Results: The media from both PRFM (PRFMatrix and PRFMembrane) constructs contained significantly more (P≤.026) TGF‐β1 at days 1 and 3 and produced a significant increase (P≤.044) in cell proliferation at all time points compared with the BC. The PRFMembrane media contained significantly more (P≤.05) TGF‐β1 at days 1 and 3 and produced a significant increase (P≤.002) in cell proliferation at all time points compared with the PRFMatrix. Conclusions: Both PRFM constructs are comprised of a dense fibrin scaffold that contains increased concentrations of TGF‐β1 and are capable of increasing tendon cell proliferation over time when compared with a BC. Clinical Relevance: The sustained increase in growth factor availability in PRFM constructs may be beneficial in the healing of biologically compromised tissues.     

A Profound Effect of Hyperthermia on Survival of Litopenaeus vannamei Juveniles Infected with White Spot Syndrome Virus

This study was conducted to examine the effect of increasing seawater temperature on White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) infection in juvenile Pacific White shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei ). Infection by WSSV was achieved using two methods, intramuscular injection and per os (oral) administration. Forty injected and 20 per os infected animals were kept in heated tanks at 32.3 ± 0.8 C, and the same number of WSSV infected animals were maintained in tanks at ambient temperature (25.8 ± 0.7 C). Despite the route of exposure, there were no survivors among the animals kept at ambient temperature; whereas, in heated tanks the survival of the WSSV infected juvenile shrimp was always above 80%, suggesting the existence of a beneficial effect from hyperthermia that mitigated the progression of WSSV disease. Moreover, this beneficial effect was not attributable to viral inactivation. Infected animals kept at 32 C had histologically detectable lymphoid organ spheroids suggestive of a chronic viral infection but were PCR negative (hemolymph) for WSSV. These findings might be related to low viral replication in WSSV-infected shrimp held at the higher environmental temperature. When the WSSV-infected shrimp were transferred from 32 C to ambient temperature, the mortality from WSSV ensued and was always 100%. Although the mechanism related to the beneficial effect of heating was not determined, our results indicate that increasing the water temperature modifies dramatically the natural history of the WSSV disease and the survival curves of WSSV-infected juvenile Pacific White shrimp.     

Bio-efficacy of the Essential Oil of Oregano (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Origanum vulgare</Emphasis> Lamiaceae. Ssp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hirtum</Emphasis>)

The aim of this study was to investigate the bioactivity of the essential oil isolated from Origanum vulgare L. (EOv). We analyzed the in vivo anti-inflammatory properties in a mouse-airway inflammation model and the in vitro antimicrobial activity, genotoxicity over the anaphase-telophase with the Allium cepa strain and its cytotoxicity/viability in A549 culture cells. In vivo, EOv modified the levels of tumor necrosis factor -α and viable activated macrophages and was capable to mitigate the effects of degradation of conjugated dienes. In vitro, EOv reduced the viability of cultured A549 cells as well as the mitotic index and a number of chromosomal aberrations; however, it did not change the number of phases. We found that EOv presents antimicrobial activity against different Gram (?) and (+) strains, measured by disc-diffusion test and confirmed with a more accurate method, the AutoCad software. We postulate that EOv presents antibacterial, antioxidant and chemopreventive properties and could be play an important role as bioprotector agent.     

Effect of diet on the lipid composition of the commercial clam Donax trunculus (Mollusca: bivalvia): sex‐related differences

This paper describes the lipid composition of the commercial bivalve Donax trunculus and the differences originated when the animals were fed with two phytoplankton species (Tetraselmis suecica and Chaetoceros sp.) in a hatchery. We also analysed sex‐related differences in lipid classes and fatty acid profile. Total lipids were higher in females than in males. Triglycerides and phospholipids were the major lipid components, and the former dominated in females and the latter in males. The main fatty acids in both sexes were 16:0, 20:5n‐3 (eicosapentaenoic acid) and 22:6n‐3 (docosahexaenoic acid). Females showed higher percentages of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids than males. Significant differences in total lipid, lipid classes and fatty acid profiles were also found due to diet. Docosahexaenoic acid decreased and total lipids, free fatty acids, arachidonic acid and EPA increased in both sexes. Despite these differences, the condition of the species was maintained and the broodstock even maturated.