Vitamin D and sterol composition of 10 types of mushrooms from retail suppliers in the United States

Vitamin D(2) (ergocalciferol) and sterols were analyzed in mushrooms sampled nationwide in the United States to update the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Vitamin D(2) was assayed using HPLC with [(3)H]-vitamin D(3) internal standard and sterols by GC-FID mass spectrometric (MS) confirmation. Vitamin D(2) was low (0.1-0.3 μg/100 g) in Agaricus bisporus (white button, crimini, portabella) and enoki, moderate in shiitake and oyster (0.4-0.7 μg/100 g), and high in morel, chanterelle, maitake (5.2-28.1 μg/100 g) and UV-treated portabella (3.4-20.9 μg/100 g), with significant variability among composites for some types. Ergosterol (mg/100 g) was highest in maitake and shiitake (79.2, 84.9) and lowest in morel and enoki (26.3, 35.5); the range was <10 mg/100 g among white button composites but 12-50 mg/100 g among samples of other types. All mushrooms contained ergosta-5,7-dienol (22,23-dihydroergosterol) (3.53-18.0 mg/100 g) and (except morel) ergosta-7-enol. Only morel contained brassicasterol (28.6 mg/100 g) and campesterol (1.23-4.54 mg/100 g) and no ergosta-7,22-dienol. MS was critical in distinguishing campesterol from ergosta-7,22-dienol.     

Deletion analysis of FUM genes involved in tricarballylic ester formation during fumonisin biosynthesis

Fumonisins are carcinogenic mycotoxins produced by the maize ear rot pathogen Gibberella moniliformis (anamorph Fusarium verticillioides). These toxins consist of a linear polyketide-derived backbone substituted at various positions with an amine, one to four hydroxyl, two methyl, and two tricarballylic ester functions. In this study, we generated and characterized deletion mutants of G. moniliformis for five genes, FUM7, FUM10, FUM11, FUM14, and FUM16 in the fumonisin biosynthetic gene cluster. Functional analysis of mutants in four genes, predicted to encode unrelated proteins, affected formation of the tricarballylic esters. FUM7 deletion mutants produced a previously undescribed homologue of fumonisin B1 with an alkene function in both tricarballylic esters, FUM10 and FUM14 deletion mutants produced homologues of fumonisin B3 and fumonisin B4 that lack tricarballylic ester functions, and FUM11 deletion mutants produced fumonisins that lack one of the tricarballylic ester functions. These phenotypes indicated specific roles for FUM7, FUM10, FUM11, and FUM14 in fumonisin biosynthesis that are consistent with the predicted proteins encoded by each gene. Deletion of FUM16 had no apparent effect on fumonisin production. The phenotypes of the deletion mutants provide further insight into the order of steps in fumonisin biosynthesis.     

The nutritional effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Moringa oleifera</Emphasis> fresh leaves as feed supplement on Rhode Island Red hen egg production and quality

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Moringa oleifera fresh leaves (MOL) as feed supplement on the performance and egg quality of Rhode Island Red (RIR) hens under the tropical conditions of Yucatan, Mexico. Forty-eight RIR hens were allocated in 12 floor pen replicates each with four birds. Thereafter, the replicates were divided into three groups which were corresponded to ad libitum feed (control), ad libitum feed supplemented with MOL T1 (AL + MOL) and restricted feed amount (20% lower than control) with MOL T2 (RCD + MOL), respectively. T1 (AL + MOL) had higher egg laying rate (71.4% versus 66.6%), higher daily egg mass production (45.4 versus 41.9 g/day), lower feed intake (121.3 versus 127.5 g/day) and better feed conversion ratio (2.8 versus 3.2 g feed:g egg) versus control. T2 / (RCD + MOL) had lower values of body weight, egg laying rate, egg weight and egg mass, and recorded better feed conversion ratio than the control group. The control group recorded a higher percentage of pecked eggs versus T1 and T2 (6.5% versus 1.2% and 2.0 %). Similar intake of MOL (3.1 and 3.4 g DM/day) was recorded in T1 (AL + MOL) and T2 (RCD + MOL). Yolk color was improved significantly in T1 (AL + MOL) than both control and T2 (RCD + MOL), while T2 (RCD + MOL) had eggs with lower yolk and higher albumen percentages than the other two ad libitum groups. The results suggest that MOL could be used successfully as sustainable tropical feed resource for RIR hens.     

Characterization and quantification of anthocyanins and polyphenolics in bluehHoneysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.)

Anthocyanins and phenolics of 10 blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) genotypes were characterized and quantified by HPLC-DAD. Peak assignments were confirmed by low-resolution electrospray mass spectrometry. Six anthocyanins were detected with the major peak identified as cyanidin 3-glucoside. Five additional anthocyanins were characterized as cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside, cyanidin 3-rutinoside, pelargonidin 3-glucoside, peonidin 3-glucoside, and peonidin 3-rutinoside. Four polyphenolics were identified as chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, quercetin 3-rutinoside, and quercetin 3-glucoside. Two additional unidentified phenolics were characterized as flavonol and hydroxycinnamic derivatives based on UV-vis spectra. Hydroxycinnamate levels ranged from 30.4 to 156.2 mg/100 g, whereas the flavonol content ranged from 12.6 to 32.8 mg/100 g. The L. caerulea subspecies boczkarnikovae contained the highest amounts of hydroxycinnamic derivatives and flavonols.     

Episodic blindness and ataxia in a horse with cholesterinic granulomas

An 11‐year‐old Oldenburg mare presented following three episodes of acute, transient blindness, ataxia, and disorientation within the preceding 7 months. Clinical improvement, including return of vision, occurred within 1 week of initiating corticosteroid therapy for each of the three episodes. However, mild right‐sided miosis was a consistent finding on ophthalmic examinations. Routine clinicopathologic testing revealed no significant abnormalities, and testing of cerebral spinal fluid for selected infectious diseases was unrewarding. Computed tomography of the brain demonstrated a hyperattenuating mass with peripheral mineralization in the rostroventral aspect of each lateral ventricle. The mare was euthanized due to a guarded to poor prognosis. On histopathology, the masses consisted of clusters of cholesterol clefts admixed with leukocytes, mineral deposits, and connective tissue. Cholesterinic granulomas of the lateral ventricles and hydrocephaly were diagnosed. Cholesterinic granulomas should be considered a differential diagnosis in horses presenting for intermittent blindness.     

Recent trends in the acid-base status of surface waters in Maine,USA

Data from the EPA Long Term Monitoring Program lakes at the Tunk Mountain Watershed, Maine, indicate that decreases of ≤1 Μeq L^?1 yr^?1 in SO₄, and increases of ≤2 Μeq L^?1 yr^?1 in ANC occurred in the 1980s. The sum of base cations also increased. These changes in aquatic chemistry were coincident with decreased concentrations of all solutes in precipitation during the 1980s. Other data on lakes and streams in Maine collected between the 1930s and 1990 generally confirm these trends and further indicate that larger increases in ANC may have occurred in some lowland lakes since 1940. Paleolimnologic studies indicate that decreases of 0.1 to 0.5 pH units occurred in a few small mountain lakes during the past 20 to 70 yr. However, ongoing acidification of lakes is indicated based on available data. Only lakes that were already at least marginally acidic (pH ≤5.8, ANC approximately 0) appear to have acidified.     

The transient response of vegetation to climate change: A potential source of CO2 to the atmosphere

Global climate change as currently simulated could result in the broad-scale redistribution of vegetation across the planet. Vegetation change could occur through drought-induced dieback and fire. The direct combustion of vegetation and the decay of dead biomass could result in a release of carbon from the biosphere to the atmosphere over a 50- to 150-year time frame. A simple model that tracks dieback and regrowth of extra-tropical forests is used to estimate the possible magnitude of this carbon pulse to the atmosphere. Depending on the climate scenario and model assumptions, the carbon pulse could range from 0 to 3 Gt of C yr^?1. The wide range of pulse estimates is a function of uncertainties in the rate of future vegetation change and in the values of key model parameters.     

Orthodromic Reciprocating Tachycardia and Heart Failure in a Dog With a Concealed Posteroseptal Accessory Pathway

A 4-month-old male Labrador Retriever was presented for recurrent bouts of pulmonary edema associated with tachycardia. Initial physical examination and echocardiography were unremarkable, and the electrocardiogram revealed only an intraventricular conduction disturbance. Subsequent recordings showed paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) (340 beats/min), which consistently produced pulmonary edema. The supraventricular tachycardia was unresponsive to adenosine, esmolol, and propranolol; was variably and transiently responsive to various vagal maneuvers and precordial thumps; and was always responsive to IV diltiazem. Multiple life-threatening episodes of SVT occurred, however, despite the chronic administration of oral diltiazem, propranolol, and procainamide. Diastolic cardiac dysfunction was documented by Doppler echocardiography and was thought to contribute to the development of pulmonary edema. A subsequent electrophysiologic study confirmed the presence of an atrioventricular posteroseptal accessory pathway that participated in orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia. This pathway was determined to conduct only in the retrograde direction ("concealed accessory pathway"). Intraoperative IV procainamide titration terminated the arrhythmia, which could not be reinduced when procainamide blood concentration approximated 20 μg/dL. Increasing the oral procainamide dose to achieve such plasma concentrations was successful in eliminating orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia, preventing heart failure, and returning Doppler indices of diastolic function to normal.     

Transesterification of epoxidized soybean oil to prepare epoxy methyl esters

Epoxidized methyl esters were prepared by the transesterification of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO). The transesterification was complete in 10 min at 50 °C without loss of the epoxide function. Epoxidized methyl esters represent a renewable substrate that is readily converted into surfactants, fuel additives, and other industrial products. The implementation of this reaction will increase the availability of epoxidized methyl esters and promote the development of new biobased products.