Isoflavone characterization and antioxidant activity of ohio soybeans

Seventeen Ohio soybeans were screened for isoflavone content and antioxidant activity. Isoflavone content was determined by C(18) reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector. Antioxidant activities of soybean extracts were measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and photochemiluminescence (PCL) methods. The highest and lowest total isoflavone contents were 11.75 and 4.20 micromol/g soy, respectively, while the average was 7.12 micromol/g soy. Antioxidant activities of soybean extracts ranged from 7.51 to 12.18 micromol butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) equivalent/g soy using the DPPH method. Lipid and water soluble antioxidant activities of soybean extracts ranged from 2.40 to 4.44 micromol Trolox equivalent/g soy and from 174.24 to 430.86 micromol ascorbic acid equivalent/g soy, respectively, using the PCL method.     

Thymoma removal in a cat with acquired myasthenia gravis: a case report and literature review of anesthetic techniques

History and presentation A 12 year old, 4.2 kg, domestic long hair, castrated male cat was presented with regurgitation, inability to retract the claws, general weakness, cervical ventroflexion and weight loss. A thymic mass was evident on radiographs. Acetylcholine receptor antibody titer was positive for acquired myasthenia gravis (MG). Thymectomy via midline sternotomy was scheduled. Anesthetic management Oxymorphone and atropine were administered subcutaneously as premedication, and anesthesia was induced with etomidate and diazepam given intravenously to effect. The cat’s trachea was intubated and anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen, and continuous infusions of remifentanil and ketamine. Epidural analgesia with preservative‐free morphine was administered prior to surgery. Postoperative analgesia was provided by oxymorphone subcutaneously, interpleural bupivacaine, and fentanyl infusion. Postoperative complications included airway obstruction, hypoxemia and hypercapnia. Follow‐up The cat was discharged 3 days after surgery. Discharge medications included pyridostigmine and prednisone. Nine days after surgery, the cat had a significant increase in its activity level, and medications were discontinued. Histopathologically, the mass was consistent with a thymoma. Approximately 6 weeks later the cat became weak again and pyridostigmine and prednisone administration was resumed. Conclusion The perioperative management of patients with MG for transsternal thymectomy is a complex task. The increased potential for respiratory compromise requires the anesthesiologist to be familiar with the underlying disease state, and the interaction of anesthetic and non‐anesthetic drugs with MG. Careful monitoring of ventilation and oxygenation is indicated postoperatively.     

Introduction of beneficial insects into israel for the control of insect pests

More than 200 shipments of beneficial insects for the biological control of soft scale insects, armoured scale insects, whitefly, aphids, mealybugs and the Mediterranean fruit fly, were imported to Israel during 1976-1987 by the quarantine facility of the Israel Cohen Institute for Biological Control. Laboratory culture was initiated with 89 species of primary parasites and predators; 60 species were successfully cultured. Of these, 56 species were released in the field and 29 were recovered; six are established and have effected successful biological control ofSaissetia oleae (Olivier) andDialeurodes citri (Ashmead).     

Babesia canis canis and Babesia canis vogeli infections in dogs from northern Portugal

Canine babesiosis represents an important veterinary medical problem. This study describes the molecular characterization of babesial parasites detected in eight clinically suspected dogs from northern Portugal, affected by lethargy, muscle tremors, weight loss, pale mucous membranes, hyperthermia or red-coloured urine. Microscopic examination of peripheral blood smears showed large intraerythrocytic piroplasms morphologically compatible with Babesia canis in all eight animals. DNA was extracted from blood on filter paper, and a Babesia spp. infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a 408bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Analysis of PCR-derived sequences revealed that seven dogs were infected with B. canis canis and one with B. canis vogeli. This is the first molecular identification report of both the species B. canis and the subspecies B. canis canis and B. canis vogeli in dogs from Portugal.     

Coinfection with multiple tick-borne and intestinal parasites in a 6-week-old dog

Coinfection with Ehrlichia canis, Babesia canis, Hepatozoon canis, Isospora spp., Giardia spp., and Dipylidium caninum were detected in a 6-week-old dog. The effect of multi-pathogen infection was a fatal combination of gastrointestinal and hematologic abnormalities, including diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, distended painful abdomen, intussusception, severe thrombocytopenia, anemia, and hypoproteinemia.     

Responses of the reproductive vascular system during the egg‐formation cycle of unanaesthetised laying hens

1. Vascular adjustments to the process of egg formation were examined in the unanaesthetised laying hen, by the radioactive microspheres method.

2. Three‐ to four‐fold increases in blood flow were found in segments surrounding the egg during its passage along the oviduct, possibly due to an enhanced metabolic activity in the muscle layer of the oviduct.

3. Shell‐gland blood flow was minimal in the absence of an egg and increased gradually to a maximum (5‐fold) about 5 h after entrance of the egg into the shell gland. This parallels the rate of calcification of the egg shell.

4. Changes in blood flow in the ovarian follicles and other parts of the oviduct were small while the egg was in the shell gland. This might be typical for the reproductive system of the fowl, which undergoes little structural alteration during egg formation.     

Constitutive expression of feedback-insensitive cystathionine γ-synthase increases methionine levels in soybean leaves and seeds

Soybean(Glycine max(L.) Merr.) is a major crop that provides plant-origin protein and oil for humans and livestock.Although the soybean vegetative tissues and seeds provide a major source of high-quality protein,they suffer from low concentration of an essential sulfur-containing amino acid,methionine,which significantly limits their nutritional quality.The level of methionine is mainly controlled by the first unique enzyme of methionine synthesis,cystathione γ-synthase(CGS).Aiming to elevate methionine level in vegetative tissues and seeds,we constitutively over-expressed a feedback-insensitive Arabidopsis CGS(At D-CGS) in soybean cultivars,Zigongdongdou(ZD) and Jilinxiaoli 1(JX).The levels of soluble methionine increased remarkably in leaves of transgenic soybeans compared to wild-type plants(6.6-and 7.3-fold in two transgenic ZD lines,and 3.7-fold in one transgenic JX line).Furthermore,the total methionine contents were significantly increased in seeds of the transgenic ZD lines(1.5-to 4.8-fold increase) and the transgenic JX lines(1.3-to 2.3-fold increase) than in the wild type.The protein contents of the transgenic soybean seeds were significantly elevated compared to the wild type,suggesting that the scarcity of methionine in soybeans may limit protein accumulation in soybean seeds.The increased protein content did not alter the profile of major storage proteins in the seeds.Generally,this study provides a promising strategy to increase the levels of methionine and protein in soybean through the breeding programs.     

Stable Incorporation of Co2+ into Ferrite Structure at Ambient Temperature: Effect of Operational Parameters

Removal of heavy metals (HM) from industrial wastewater is of primary environmental importance. The seeded ambient temperature ferrite process, in which heavy metals are removed from solution by their incorporation into a magnetite structure, is an attractive alternative for both complete metals separation and generation of stable magnetic sludge. Despite its potential, the effects of various operational parameters on the composition and stability of the final product are not fully understood to-date. The current paper addresses the combined effect of selected operational parameters on Co²⁺ incorporation efficiency. Co²⁺, which is used in many industries (e.g., plating, alloys manufacturing, catalytic converters, and paint pigments) and hence may pose a significant environment risk, was shown previously to be incorporated successfully into ferrite structures. Co²⁺-bearing ferrites were synthesized from Fe(II) solutions at ambient temperature (20 and 30°C), applying slow oxidation, pH 10.5, 20 g (as Fe) l^?1 ferrite seed, and different Fe²⁺ to Co²⁺ influent ratios. Pure magnetite was used as an initial seed, which was gradually exchanged, as the reaction proceeded, by the Co²⁺-bearing ferrite generated within the reactor (until full exchange at steady state). Under all conditions investigated >99% of the Co²⁺ was removed from solution (yielding Co²⁺ levels below 20 μg/l in the effluent) while the generated precipitates were composed predominately of magnetite/ferrite (based on XRD analysis). Favorable results in terms of Co²⁺ incorporation efficiency and sludge stability were obtained when the following operational conditions were applied: 1:10 Co²⁺:Fe²⁺ molar influent ratio, 30°C, 1,500 mgFe²⁺ l^?1 metal intermediate concentration, and 16 h aging period (pH 10.5).     

Molecular detection of Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis in dogs from the North of Portugal

Tick-transmitted rickettsial pathogens belonging to the Ehrlichia and Anaplasma genera can infect dogs and humans. In this study, four dogs from the North of Portugal, in which an ehrlichial disease was suspected clinically, were tested by molecular methods. After DNA extraction from blood on filter paper, a 345 bp fragment of the Ehrlichia/Anaplasma 16S rRNA gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sequence analysis of PCR products revealed one dog infected with Ehrlichia canis and three with Anaplasma platys. One of these latter animals was co-infected with Babesia canis subspecies vogeli. This is the first report of the genetic characterisation of both A. platys and E. canis in naturally infected dogs from the North of Portugal.