Ethanol/Water extraction combined with solid-phase extraction and solid-phase microextraction concentration for the determination of chlorophenols in cork stoppers

The appearance of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) in cork stoppers is of great concern because it can cause off-flavors in bottled wine. To prevent this sensorial defect, there should not be any traces of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (TeCP), or pentachlorophenol (PCP) in the finished corks, because they are the direct precursors of TCA. In the course of this study two methodologies based upon an extraction with ethanol/water mixtures to determine the chlorophenolic content in cork matrices were developed. The cork extract is preconcentrated using both solid-phase extraction and solid-phase microextraction methodologies. The latter was optimized by applying a full two-level factorial design. Finally, spiked ground corks at nanogram per gram levels of each chlorophenol were analyzed under optimal conditions and by applying both procedures. The obtained results demonstrate that chlorophenols can be detected in corks contaminated at the nanogram per gram level and, thus, these approaches can be successfully applied as quality control measures in the cork industry.     

Isoflavone levels in five soybean (Glycine max) genotypes are altered by phytochrome-mediated light treatments

The objective of the present study was to determine whether concentrations of different isoflavones (puerarin, genistein, genistin, daidzein, and daidzin) in shoots and roots of five selected soybean genotypes would respond the same or differently to red (650 nm peak transmittance) and far-red (750 nm peak transmittance) light treatments given under controlled environments. Levels of isoflavones (mg g(-1) dry weight biomass) present in seeds, control roots, and shoots and 10 day light-treated seedlings (light, dark, red, and far-red wavelengths) of soybean (Glycine max) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis in comparison with known isoflavone standards. Seeds of the five soybean genotypes studied consistently stored most of their isoflavones as glucosyl conjugates (e.g., daidzin, genistin, and puerarin). For the five soybean genotypes, isoflavone levels were lower in the seeds as compared with roots plus shoots of control, time zero (first true leaf stage) seedlings. Following 10 days of the respective light treatments, we found that (i) isoflavone levels were enhanced in dark-grown plants over light-grown plants for three of the five genotypes (a new finding) and the reverse occurred for a single genotype (a typical response of legumes) and (ii) generally, far-red end of day (EOD) light treatment enhanced total isoflavone levels in roots plus shoots over red EOD light treatment. Results from the present study show that phytochrome does appear to play a role in regulating isoflavone levels in developing soybean seedlings and that this influence by red/far-red-mediated phytochrome reactions is strongly dependent on the genotypes selected for study.     

The Effect of Aerosolized and Intravenously Administered Clenbuterol and Aerosolized Fluticasone Propionate on Horses Challenged with Aspergillus fumigatus Antigen

β-Agonists have been shown to display anti-inflammatory properties in several experimental models. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of clenbuterol (CB), administered either intravenously or by aerosol, in comparison with fluticasone propionate (FP) in recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)-susceptible horses. Eight horses, of which five were known to be susceptible to RAO, underwent an inhalation challenge with Aspergillus fumigatus (AF) antigen and were treated with CB intravenously, CB by aerosol, or FP by aerosol. Twenty-four hours after the challenge, bronchoalveolar lavage was performed, the total and differential cell counts were assessed, and cytokines were measured in isolated alveolar macrophages. After challenge with AF, RAO-susceptible horses showed an increase in total cell count, based on an increase in macrophages and lymphocytes, which was inhibited by treatment with intravenous CB, aerosolized CB and aerosolized FP. Neutrophil ratios were decreased when treated with aerosolized CB and FP. Expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL −8 was significantly increased after AF challenge .Interleukin −1β was significantly decreased following treatment with intravenous CB, aerosolized CB and aerosolized FP, whereas only FP decreased the expression of IL-8. These data suggest that the anti-inflammatory property of CB provide new opportunities in the therapeutic intervention of early inflammation in RAO.     

Cellulose content as a selection trait in breeding for kraft pulp yield in Eucalyptus urophylla

? The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using cellulose content, measured by the diglyme-HCl method, as a selection trait in breeding programs for kraft pulp yield in Eucalyptus urophylla.

? A total of 275 trees from sixty-two families were sampled from a thinned progeny trial of E. urophylla in northern Vietnam to evaluate cellulose content from breast-height increment cores. Among those, twenty unrelated trees were felled to evaluate cellulose content and pulp yield from breast-height disk samples.

? The regression of pulp yield of disk samples on cellulose content was strong either from disks (R ² = 0.83) or increment cores (R ² = 0.69). There was no significant difference in cellulose content between the provenances. The narrow-sense within-provenance heritability of cellulose content was 0.50 and the coefficient of additive genetic variation was 3.9%. Genetic correlations between cellulose content and growth (0.28–0.45) or wood basic density (?0.02) were not significantly different from zero.

? Breast-height increment core cellulose content measured by diglyme-HCl method is under strong genetic control and can be used to rank trees for pulp yield in E. urophylla plantations. Selection for increased cellulose content would have only minor effects on growth and wood basic density.

     

Efficacy of five selected acaricides against Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and their side effects on relevant natural enemies occurring in citrus orchards

BACKGROUND: Three groups of natural enemies are fundamental in citrus IPM in Spain: coccinellid and phytoseiid predators and hymenopteran parasitoids. Tetranychus urticae Koch is an important pest affecting citrus, for which biological control has not yet been achieved; therefore, acaricides are commonly used to control it. The goal of this study was to measure the efficacy of different acaricides on this mite and their side effects on three natural enemies relevant for citrus (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, Neoseiulus californicus McGregor and Aphidius colemani Viereck).RESULTS: Some products proved highly effective against T. urticae and harmless to A. colemani (mineral oil, tebufenpyrad, clofentezine and fenazaquin). However, almost all products tested were slightly harmful for both the predators considered. Fenazaquin was even moderately harmful for N. californicus. CONCLUSION: Further studies, like that presented here, are necessary to gain a better understanding of integrating biological and chemical controls. When considering both efficacy and side effects on beneficial arthropods, the best options would seem to be mineral oil, tebufenpyrad and clofentezine. However, it is urgent to complete testing of the side effects of the acaricides used in citrus. This question is crucial if the fact that two recently introduced Tetranychidae are being controlled in citrus by chemical means exclusively is considered.     

Clover cover crops under-sown in winter wheat increase yield of subsequent spring barley—Effect of N dose and companion grass

Four two-year field trials, arranged in randomised split-plots, were carried out in southern Sweden with the aim of determining whether reduced N fertiliser dose in winter wheat production with spring under-sown clover cover crops, with or without perennial ryegrass in the seed mixture, would increase the clover biomass and hence the benefits of the cover crops in terms of the effect on the wheat crop, on a subsequent barley crop and on the risk of N leaching. Four doses of nitrogen (0, 60, 120 or 180 kg N ha⁻¹) constituted the main plots and six cover crop treatments the sub-plots. The cover crop treatments were red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in pure stands and in mixtures. The winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was harvested in August and the cover crops were ploughed under in November. The risk of N leaching was assessed in November by measuring the content of mineral N in the soil profile (0–30, 30–90 cm). In the following year, the residual effects of the cover crops were investigated in spring barley (Hordeum distichon L.) without additional N. Under-sowing of cover crops did not influence wheat yield, while reduced N fertiliser dose decreased yield and increased the clover content of the cover crops. When N was applied, the mixed cover crops were as effective in depleting soil mineral nitrogen as a pure ryegrass cover crop, while pure clover was less efficient. The clover content at wheat harvest as well as the amount of N incorporated with the cover crops had a positive correlation with barley yield. Spring barley in the unfertilised treatments yielded, on average, 1.9–2.4 Mg DM ha⁻¹ more in treatments with clover cover crops than in the treatment without cover crops. However, this positive effect decreased as the N dose to the preceding wheat crop increased, particularly when the clover was mixed with grass.     

Kinetics of Competitive Fixation of Potassium and Ammonium Ions by Silt Component of Soils from Different Agro-Climatic Regions

Potassium (K⁺) and nitrogen [N, as the form of ammonium (NH₄⁺)] are major nutrients for plant growth. Although there have been a number of studies on the kinetic fixation of potassium and ammonium ions in soils and clays, however, investigations on the kinetics of competitive fixation of these ions have been few, if any, especially by taking into account silt component of the soils. In this study, the kinetics of potassium and ammonium fixation were examined in the silt components of several soil samples. The results revealed that considerable amounts of K⁺ and in lesser amounts, NH₄⁺ ions were fixed by silt components of the soils. Potassium fixation was strongly preferred over ammonium. To describe the fixation kinetics, seven mathematically models were evaluated. A comparison of the models showed that pseudo-second-order equation properly described the fixation of these ions by the silt components.     

Nutrients balance for improvement of phytoremediation ability of teak seedlings (Tectona grandis)

As a green technique, plant-based remediation systems can be used to remove nitrogen (N) pollutants from N-rich wastewaters. However, the excess amount of N and shortage of other nutrients in this system limits the plant growth and affects the plant remediation efficiency. In this study, the effect of adding phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to the N-enriched wastewater on growth and N-removal efficiency of teak seedlings (Tectona grandis) was evaluated. Twelve ratios of N:P:K were applied to teak seedlings and the related effects were compared with those in control solution containing only N. The results indicated that a ratio of 1N:0.5P:1K increased dry matter accumulation in teak seedlings by improving the balance of nutrients in plants. Teak seedlings grown in nutritionally-improved system eliminated 33.8% N more than those grown in only N solution. The water loss through plant uptake was also enhanced in the improved system up to 56%.     

Efficacy of statistical process control procedures to identify deviations in continuously measured physiological and behavioral variables in beef heifers resulting from an experimentally combined viral–bacterial challenge

The objective of this experiment was to determine if statistical process control (SPC) procedures coupled with remote continuous data collection could accurately differentiate between animals experimentally inoculated with a viral–bacterial (VB) challenge or phosphate buffer solution (PBS). Crossbred heifers (N = 38; BW = 230 ± 16.4 kg) were randomly assigned to treatments by initial weight, average daily gain (ADG), bovine herpes virus 1, and Mannheimia haemolytica serum titers. Feeding behavior, dry matter intake (DMI), animal activity, and rumen temperature were continuously monitored remotely prior to and following VB challenge. VB-challenged heifers exhibited decreased (P < 0.01) ADG and DMI, as well as increased (P < 0.01) neutrophils and rumen temperature consistent with a bovine respiratory disease (BRD) infection. However, none of the heifers displayed overt clinical signs of disease. Shewhart and cumulative summation (CUSUM) charts were evaluated, with sensitivity and specificity computed on the VB-challenged heifers (n = 19) and PBS-challenged heifers (n = 19), respectively, and the accuracy was determined as the average of sensitivity and specificity. To address the diurnal nature of rumen temperature responses, summary statistics (mean, minimum, and maximum) were computed for daily quartiles (6-h intervals), and these quartile temperature models were evaluated separately. In the Shewhart analysis, DMI was the most accurate (95%) at deciphering between PBS- and VB-challenged heifers, followed by rumen temperature (94%) collected in the 2nd and 3rd quartiles. Rest was most the accurate accelerometer-based traits (89%), and meal duration (87%) and bunk visit (BV) frequency (82%) were the most accurate feeding behavior traits. Rumen temperature collected in the 3rd quartile signaled the earliest (2.5 d) of all the variables monitored with the Shewhart, followed by BV frequency (2.8 d), meal duration (2.8 d), DMI (3.0 d), and rest (4.0 d). Rumen temperature and DMI remained the most accurate variables in the CUSUM at 80% and 79%, respectively. Meal duration (58%), BV frequency (71%), and rest (74%) were less accurate when monitored with the CUSUM analysis. Furthermore, signal day was greater for DMI, rumen temperature, and meal duration (4.4, 5.0, and 3.7 d, respectively) in the CUSUM compared to Shewhart analysis. These results indicate that Shewhart and CUSUM charts can effectively identify deviations in feeding behavior, activity, and rumen temperature patterns for the purpose of detecting sub-clinical BRD in beef cattle.