Reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography of vitamin A in margarine, infant formula, and fortified milk

Retinal was determined in margarine (50 mg), infant formula (1 ml), and fortified milk (1 ml) by saponification in centrifuge tubes, extraction of the unsaponifiable lipid with hexane, and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in 90% methanol on a 25 cm x 3.2 mm column containing 10 micrometer LiChrosorb reverse phase. beta-Carotene was determined using the same column and 99% methanol as eluant. The vitamins in the eluate were identified and measured from their absorption at 325 (retinol) and 453 nm (beta-carotene), using a computing integrator. Retinol and carotene were prominent peaks in the chromatograms from properly fortified samples and were satisfactorily separated from other materials. In a survey of 12 different margarines for retinol, the results from liquid chromatography agreed with those of a variety of spectrophotometric and fluorometric procedures but they were obtained with greater ease and they could be interpreted more confidently. The recovery of retinol from oil was better than 99%. The coefficients of variation was 6.8% for 12 replicate analyses of a margarine for retinol and 5.4% for 10 replicate analyses of a margarine for beta-carotene.     

C-kit,flt-3, PDGFR-β, and VEGFR2 expression in canine adrenal tumors and correlation with outcome following adrenalectomy

The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the expression of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) in canine adrenal tumors and correlate this expression with features of tumor aggressiveness and survival in dogs undergoing adrenalectomy.Forty-three canine adrenal tumors were evaluated for expression of c-kit, fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (flt-3), platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) using immunohistochemistry. Tumor RTK staining characteristics were compared to normal adrenals. Medical records were reviewed for data regarding patient outcome and tumor characteristics. Expression of c-kit, flt-3, PDGFR-β, and VEGFR2 was detected in 26.9%, 92.3%, 96.2%, and 61.5% of cortical tumors and 0%, 63.2%, 47.4%, and 15.8% of pheochromocytomas, respectively. Expression of RTKs was not significantly increased when compared to normal adrenals and did not correlate with survival after adrenalectomy. Receptor tyrosine kinases are not overexpressed in canine adrenal tumors compared to normal adrenal tissue. Therapeutic inhibition of these receptors may still represent an effective approach in cases where receptor activation is present.     

Ultrastructural abnormalities in seven-day-old broilers reared at high altitude

Fine structural abnormalities in seven-day-old broilers reared at high altitude are described. Tissue changes were seen in the heart, kidney and lung that resembled those previously reported in four-week-old broilers reared at altitude with an ascitic syndrome. Almost half of the hearts examined had myofibril disorganisation and mitochondrial hyperplasia. Renal changes occurred principally in tubule morphology and the lungs showed capillary congestion as well as engorged parabronchi. Increased levels of cartilaginous and osseous nodules in the lungs of 28-day-old ascitic birds reared at high altitude supported observations from a previous study conducted at low altitude. The observations in this study of seven-day-old chicks, may indicate that the embryo is at greater risk of developing abnormalities following exposure to low oxygen tension.     

Effects of plant population on the performance of seven varieties in the Klamath Basin of Oregon

The effects of seed spacing on the performance of seven potato cultivars grown at the Klamath Experiment Station in Southern Oregon were evaluated from 1987 through 1991. Seed spacings in 81 cm rows included 17, 22, and 30 cm, representing the range of local commercial practice. Most varieties evaluated experienced highly significant increases in tuber size as plant populations were decreased. Atlantic was the only variety that demonstrated reduced total yield or total yield of U.S. No.1’s at low populations. Plant population had limited effects on the incidence of hollow heart and no effect on specific gravity in most varieties. Optimum seed spacing for fresh market or processing crops ranged from 17 cm for Century Russet and Atlantic to 30 cm for Russet Norkotah. Century Russet, Gemchip, and Atlantic produced the highest marketable yields. Russet Norkotah experienced the largest yield variability between years. Atlantic and Gemchip were the most consistent in yield of U.S. No.1’s over years     

The effect on wool production of changes in management designed to increase output of lamb from hill land in the United Kingdom

A system of management designed to increase the economic efficiency of the production of weaned lamb from hill land through the use of pasture improvement and controlled grazing has resulted in considerable increases in the outputs of both lamb and wool. In two examples quoted the weight of weaned lamb produced increased by 51 and 94%; these changes were accompanied by increases in wool output of 31 and 84%, respectively. The additional outputs of both products are attributable to a combination of increased numbers of ewes and higher levels of individual animal performance.The increase in output of wool which may be expected from changes in management directed at increasing lamb production is relatively small, ranging from 4.6 to 6.5 kg per 100 kg increase in weaned lamb in the Scottish Blackface to 11.6 kg per 100 kg increase in weaned lamb in the South Country Cheviot. Evidence is presented to show that the magnitude of the increase in wool production is likely to be determined genetically by the response to improved nutrition of both lamb and wool production.     

Modified staining techniques for avian blood cells.

1. Two routine staining methods for domestic fowl blood cells have been modified with superior results. 2. Type of anticoagulant had a major effect on staining quality: EDTA gave excellent results whereas lithium heparin was unsatisfactory. 3. Unfixed blood smears were preferred to smears fixed in methanol before staining with May Grunwald and Giemsa's stain. Intact heterophil and basophil granules were clearly demonstrated. 4. Staining for 60 min in Natt and Herrick's haemocytometer diluent improved the differentiation between small lymphocytes and thrombocytes.