Isoflavone profile and biological activity of soy bread

The present study examines the ability of isoflavone extracts from whole soy bread and two soy bread fractions, crumb and crust, to modulate the proliferation of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Total isoflavone content in the two fractions of soy bread were similar (3.17 micromol/g dry basis). However, their conjugate patterns were altered. Both fractions of soy bread contained a similar level of isoflavone aglycones ( approximately 24%). Low concentrations of soy bread extracts increased PC-3 cell proliferation as much as 47% compared to untreated control. This proliferative effect in cell growth was reduced at higher extract concentration. Soy bread crust extract (10 mg/mL) reduced PC-3 cell proliferation by 15% compared to untreated control. Interestingly, wheat bread extracts increased cell proliferation at all concentrations tested. Although extracts from both breads possessed biological activity, only soy bread crust extract reduced PC-3 cell proliferation. This observation may be related to the presence of soy in this bread.     

Legume cover cropping effects on early growth and soil nitrogen supply in eucalypt plantations in south-western India

Growth and soil N supply in young Eucalyptus tereticornis stands at two sites in Kerala, India, were examined in response to cover cropping with three legume species (Pueraria phaseoloides, Stylosanthes hamata, and Mucuna bracteata). The effects of legume residues on soil N supply were investigated in a long-term (392 day) laboratory incubation using leaching micro-lysimeters. Residues from the eucalypt and legume species had different rates of net N release during the laboratory incubation. Net N release was significantly related to residue N concentration (R² =0.94), the C:N ratio (R² =0.91), the lignin:N ratio (R² =0.83), and the (lignin + soluble polyphenol):N ratio (R² =0.95). Nitrogen release rates declined in the order Mucuna > Pueraria > Eucalyptus > Stylosanthes. There was no net N release from Stylosanthes residues during the 392-day laboratory incubation, whereas Mucuna and Pueraria released N throughout the incubation period. Net N release from mixtures of legume and eucalypt residues was not additive in the early phase of the incubation, probably because eucalypt residues initially immobilized a portion of the legume-derived N in addition to the soil-derived N. Legume establishment had no significant effect on tree growth at one site (Kayampoovam), but resulted in depressed tree growth at the lower rainfall site (Punnala) at 18 months. There were no significant treatment effects on growth at Punnala after that time. Cover cropping with legumes during the early phase of forest plantation growth may be a useful mechanism to enhance soil N supply and optimize the synchrony between N supply and tree N uptake. Although these effects did not translate into improved plantation growth in the 3 years of this study, improved soil organic matter and N fertility may help ensure sustainable productivity over several rotations in the future. This study showed that the effect of legumes on N dynamics varies markedly with legume species. This, together with other factors (e.g. competition with trees, N fixation capacity), will be important in selecting suitable species for cover cropping in forest plantations.     

Unravelling pest infestation and biological control in low-input orchards: the case of apple blossom weevil

Low-input farming is an alternative production system that provides a great opportunity to disentangle the natural mechanisms regulating crop pests, since neither pests nor their natural enemies are disrupted by pesticides. Here, we use a key apple pest in Europe, the apple blossom weevil (Anthonomus pomorum), as a model case to unravel the factors driving pest infestation and its biological control in a low-input context, namely the cider apple orchards of NW Spain. We applied a holistic approach based on the complete life cycle of the pest and combined large-scale observation (23 orchards) with small-scale experimental assessment. Weevil attack (0.4–37.4% of flowers) increased with the proportion on apple trees in the immediate orchard neighbourhood and with semi-natural woody habitat in the surrounding landscape and decreased with tree distance to orchard edge and apple bloom level. Thus, the prevalence of the pest depended on the availability of the various resources required for foraging, egg-lying and overwintering. Three types of natural enemies supplied complementary pest control by preying on weevils at different stages in their life cycle: seven parasitoid species attacked immature weevils (6.4–81.5%), while the additive effects of birds and crawling arthropods were evident in terms of the removal of adult weevils (31–44%). We conclude that the effective biological control of A. pomorum can be achieved in low-input systems to maintain the pest at non-harmful levels, through combined management of the pest, its habitat and its natural enemies.     

Closed fluoroscopic-assisted spinal arch external skeletal fixation for the stabilization of vertebral column injuries in five dogs

Objective— To evaluate outcome after closed fluoroscopic-assisted application of spinal arch external skeletal fixators in dogs with vertebral column injuries.
Study Design— Retrospective case series.
Animals— Dogs with traumatic vertebral column injuries (n=5).
Methods— Medical records of dogs with vertebral column fractures and/or luxations stabilized with spinal arch external skeletal fixator frames applied using a closed fluoroscopic-assisted technique were reviewed. Owners were contacted to obtain long-term clinical outcomes.
Results— Five dogs (age range, 6–72 months; weight, 10–54 kg) had traumatic vertebral column injuries stabilized with spinal arch external skeletal fixators applied in closed fashion. Injuries involved vertebral segments of the thoracolumbar junction, lumbar spine, and lumbosacral junction. Immediately postoperatively, 4 dogs had anatomic alignment of their vertebral fracture/luxation; 1 dog had 1 mm of vertebral canal height compromise. Time to fixator removal ranged from 65 to 282 days (141±87 days). All dogs had regained satisfactory neurologic function by 3 months. At long-term follow-up (range, 282–780 days; mean 445±190 days) all dogs were judged to have good to excellent return of function by their owners.
Conclusion— Successful closed fluoroscopic-assisted application of external skeletal fixators using spinal arches provided satisfactory reduction with few complications in 5 dogs. Return to function was judged to be good to excellent in all dogs at long-term evaluation.
Clinical Relevance— Closed fluoroscopic-assisted application of ESF using spinal arches provided satisfactory reduction and effective stabilization of spinal fractures with few complications and should be considered as a treatment approach.     

Vitamin E and selenium concentrations in month-old beef calves.

Three groups of beef cow and calf pairs were studied to determine plasma vitamin E and blood selenium (Se) concentrations of calves at 1 month old. Group 1 was managed on irrigated pasture and calves received no Se/vitamin E injections at birth. Group 2 was managed on irrigated pasture, and the calves were injected with Se/vitamin E at birth. Group 3 was managed on dry foothill grasslands, and these cows were supplemented with 56.3 mg vitamin E and 3 mg Se daily, and the calves received a Se/vitamin E injection at birth. The plasma concentration of vitamin E in group 1 and 2 cows (9.5 +/- 1.24 and 8.43 +/- 1.0 microg/ml, respectively) was significantly higher than that of the group 3 cows (2.28 +/- 0.42 microg/ml; P < 0.05). The blood Se concentrations in group 3 cows (169 +/- 37 ng/ml) were significantly higher than those in group 1 and 2 cows (36.4 +/- 15.9 and 31.1 +/- 12.5 ng/ml, respectively; P < 0.05). Calf Se was highly correlated to cow Se (r = 0.965), and calf vitamin E was moderately correlated to cow vitamin E (r = 0.605). Calf vitamin E concentrations were consistently lower than cow vitamin E concentrations, and many values would be considered deficient.     

Determination of five macrolide antibiotic residues in raw milk using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

A confirmatory method using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for determination of five macrolide antibiotics including spiramycin, tilmicosin, oleandomycin, erythromycin, and tylosin in raw milk is presented. Macrolides were extracted from raw milk by acetonitrile, and sample extracts were further cleaned up using solid-phase extraction cartridges. Data acquisition was achieved using multiple reaction monitoring, that is, two transitions, to provide a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. Matrix-matched standard calibration curves with the use of roxithromycin as an internal standard were utilized to achieve the best accuracy of the method. Both a conventional validation procedure and a designed experiment were applied to study the accuracy and precision of the method. The measurement uncertainty arising from accuracy and precision was estimated. The method accuracy, expressed as a percentage of overall recovery, was approximately 100%, and its intermediate precision was <10%. LC-ESI/MS/MS method detection limits (S/N > or = 3:1) of five macrolides were <0.3 microg/kg.     

Use of pimobendan in 170 cats (2006–2010)

Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo describe the therapeutic use of pimobendan in cats, describe the patient population to which it was administered, document potential side effects and report the clinical course following administration of pimobendan in conjunction with standard heart failure therapy. It is hypothesized that cats with advanced heart disease including congestive heart failure from a variety of causes will tolerate pimobendan with a minimum of side effects when used in treatment in conjunction with a variety of other medications.Animals, materials and methodsOne hundred and seventy client owned cats with naturally occurring heart disease, one hundred and sixty four of which had congestive heart failure. Medical records were reviewed and owners and referring veterinarians were contacted for follow-up data. Data collected included pimobendan dose, other medications administered concurrently, data collected at physical examination, presence or absence of heart failure, adverse effects, classification of heart disease, echocardiographic data and survival time. The data were analyzed for significance between the initial visit and any follow-up visits.ResultsAll cats were treated with pimobendan. The median pimobendan dose was 0.24 mg/kg q 12 h. Pimobendan was used in combination with multiple concurrent medications including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics and anti-thrombotics. Five cats (3.0%) had potential side effects associated with pimobendan. One cat (0.6%) had presumed side effects severe enough to discontinue pimobendan use. Median survival time for 164 cats with congestive heart failure after initiation of pimobendan was 151 days (range 1–870).ConclusionPimobendan appears to be well tolerated in cats with advanced heart disease when used with a variety of concurrent medications. Randomized controlled studies need to be performed to accurately assess whether it is efficacious for treatment of congestive heart failure in cats.     

Unravelling the relationship between a seasonal environment and the dynamics of forage growth in grazed swards

It is well reported in the scientific literature that pastures can have similar net forage accumulation when managed with contrasting structures. However, we hypothesized that the dynamics of forage accumulation in grazed swards is linked to seasonal-environmental conditions. Marandu palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha [Hochst. ex A. Rich.] was used as the forage species model. The experimental treatments were four grazing heights (10, 20, 30 and 40 cm) allocated to experimental units according to a randomized complete block design with four replicates and evaluated throughout four contrasting environmental seasons (summer, autumn, winter–early spring and late spring). Under rainy and warm periods, greater net forage accumulation was observed in pastures maintained taller; on the contrary, during the mild and dry periods, net forage accumulation rate reduced as grazing height increased. Such patterns of responses were related to compensations between tiller population density and tissues flows during summer and late spring and the reduced capacity of taller canopies to compensate lower population with greater growth rates during autumn and winter–early spring. Grazed swards changed their patterns of forage growth as they transitioned from favourable to more abiotic stressful conditions, suggesting that seasonal adjustments in grazing intensities are necessary in order to maximize forage production.     

Watermelon lycopene β-cyclase: promoter characterization leads to the development of a PCR marker for allelic selection

In the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, lycopene β-cyclase (LCYB) catalyzes the cyclization that converts lycopene into β-carotene. Only a single copy of LCYB was identified and was suggested to encode a chromoplast-specific LCYB (CYCB type) in watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.), Matsum & Nakai]. Splicing variants in the 5′-untranslated region were identified, but alternative splicing did not provide an explanation of the regulation of carotenoid accumulation in watermelon flesh. A quantitative assay using real time-PCR showed that differential expression was not detected between red- and canary yellow-fleshed watermelon cultivars. LCYB promoter regions were isolated and characterized, and a sequence difference was identified in the promoter region between red and canary yellow LCYB alleles. This polymorphism did not change the expression of LCYB, but does provide a reliable marker for discriminating LCYB alleles for red and canary yellow flesh. To develop a PCR-based marker to distinguish between the two LCYB alleles, we designed primers flanking the polymorphic region. The newly developed marker, designated Clcyb.600, co-segregated perfectly with flesh color phenotypes and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers developed in our previous study. Moreover, the Clcyb.600 marker offers easier discrimination of LCYB alleles than SNP or cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence markers, as it does not require restriction enzyme digestion for genotyping. Genotyping of LCYB promoter alleles in various commercial cultivars and plant introductions indicated that watermelon cultivars can be classified into two groups, those carrying a red LCYB allele or a canary yellow LCYB allele.     

Genetic variant BDNF (Val66Met) polymorphism alters anxiety-related behavior

A common single-nucleotide polymorphism in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene, a methionine (Met) substitution for valine (Val) at codon 66 (Val66Met), is associated with alterations in brain anatomy and memory, but its relevance to clinical disorders is unclear. We generated a variant BDNF mouse (BDNF(Met/Met)) that reproduces the phenotypic hallmarks in humans with the variant allele. BDNF(Met) was expressed in brain at normal levels, but its secretion from neurons was defective. When placed in stressful settings, BDNF(Met/Met) mice exhibited increased anxiety-related behaviors that were not normalized by the antidepressant, fluoxetine. A variant BDNF may thus play a key role in genetic predispositions to anxiety and depressive disorders.