From wine to pepper: rotundone, an obscure sesquiterpene, is a potent spicy aroma compound

An obscure sesquiterpene, rotundone, has been identified as a hitherto unrecognized important aroma impact compound with a strong spicy, peppercorn aroma. Excellent correlations were observed between the concentration of rotundone and the mean 'black pepper' aroma intensity rated by sensory panels for both grape and wine samples, indicating that rotundone is a major contributor to peppery characters in Shiraz grapes and wine (and to a lesser extent in wine of other varieties). Approximately 80% of a sensory panel were very sensitive to the aroma of rotundone (aroma detection threshold levels of 16 ng/L in red wine and 8 ng/L in water). Above these concentrations, these panelists described the spiked samples as more 'peppery' and 'spicy'. However, approximately 20% of panelists could not detect this compound at the highest concentration tested (4000 ng/L), even in water. Thus, the sensory experiences of two consumers enjoying the same glass of Shiraz wine might be very different. Rotundone was found in much higher amounts in other common herbs and spices, especially black and white peppercorns, where it was present at approximately 10000 times the level found in very 'peppery' wine. Rotundone is the first compound found in black or white peppercorns that has a distinctive peppery aroma. Rotundone has an odor activity value in pepper on the order of 50000-250000 and is, on this criterion, by far the most powerful aroma compound yet found in that most important spice.     

Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in serum and synovial fluid after regional intravenous perfusion in the distal portion of the hind limb of adult cows

OBJECTIVE: To define the pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in synovial fluid (SYNF) and serum from central venous (CV) and digital venous (DV) blood samples following regional IV perfusion (RIVP) of the distal portion of the hind limb in cows. ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult cows. PROCEDURES: In each cow, IV catheters were placed in the dorsal common digital vein (DCDV) and the plantar vein of the lateral digit, and an indwelling catheter was placed in the metatarsophalangeal joint of the left hind limb. A pneumatic tourniquet was applied to the midmetatarsal region. Florfenicol (2.2 mg/kg) was administered into the DCDV. Samples of DV blood, SYNF, and CV (jugular) blood were collected after 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 hours, and the tourniquet was removed; additional samples were collected at intervals for 24 hours after infusion. Florfenicol analysis was performed via high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: In DV blood, CV blood, and SYNF, mean +/- SD maximum florfenicol concentration was 714.79 +/- 301.93 microg/mL, 5.90 +/- 1.37 microg/mL, and 39.19 +/- 29.42 microg/mL, respectively; area under the concentration versus time curve was 488.14 +/- 272.53 h*microg*mL(1), 23.10 +/- 6.91 h*microg*mL(1), and 113.82 +/- 54.71 h*microg*mL(1), respectively; and half-life was 4.09 +/- 1.93 hours, 4.77 +/- 0.67 hours, and 3.81 +/- 0.81 hours, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Following RIVP, high florfenicol concentrations were achieved in DV blood and SYNF, whereas the CV blood concentration remained low. In cattle, RIVP of florfenicol may be useful in the treatment of infectious processes involving the distal portion of limbs.     

Comparative genome and proteome analysis of Anopheles gambiae and Drosophila melanogaster

Comparison of the genomes and proteomes of the two diptera Anopheles gambiae and Drosophila melanogaster, which diverged about 250 million years ago, reveals considerable similarities. However, numerous differences are also observed; some of these must reflect the selection and subsequent adaptation associated with different ecologies and life strategies. Almost half of the genes in both genomes are interpreted as orthologs and show an average sequence identity of about 56%, which is slightly lower than that observed between the orthologs of the pufferfish and human (diverged about 450 million years ago). This indicates that these two insects diverged considerably faster than vertebrates. Aligned sequences reveal that orthologous genes have retained only half of their intron/exon structure, indicating that intron gains or losses have occurred at a rate of about one per gene per 125 million years. Chromosomal arms exhibit significant remnants of homology between the two species, although only 34% of the genes colocalize in small "microsyntenic" clusters, and major interarm transfers as well as intra-arm shuffling of gene order are detected.     

Detection of water in the LCROSS ejecta plume

Several remote observations have indicated that water ice may be presented in permanently shadowed craters of the Moon. The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission was designed to provide direct evidence. On 9 October 2009, a spent Centaur rocket struck the persistently shadowed region within the lunar south pole crater Cabeus, ejecting debris, dust, and vapor. This material was observed by a second "shepherding" spacecraft, which carried nine instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and a radiometer. Near-infrared absorbance attributed to water vapor and ice and ultraviolet emissions attributable to hydroxyl radicals support the presence of water in the debris. The maximum total water vapor and water ice within the instrument field of view was 155 ± 12 kilograms. Given the estimated total excavated mass of regolith that reached sunlight, and hence was observable, the concentration of water ice in the regolith at the LCROSS impact site is estimated to be 5.6 ± 2.9% by mass. In addition to water, spectral bands of a number of other volatile compounds were observed, including light hydrocarbons, sulfur-bearing species, and carbon dioxide.     

Effects of caloric restriction and a moderate or intense physiotherapy program for treatment of lameness in overweight dogs with osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a weight reduction program combined with a basic or more complex physical therapy program including transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation on lameness in overweight dogs with osteoarthritis. DESIGN: Nonblinded prospective randomized clinical trial. Animals-29 adult overweight or obese dogs with a body condition score of 4/5 or 5/5 and clinical and radiographic signs of osteoarthritis. PROCEDURES: A weight-loss program was initiated for all dogs. One group received caloric restriction and a home-based physical therapy program. The other group received the identical dietetic protocol and an intensive physical therapy program including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Lameness was assessed clinically and by kinetic gait analysis on a treadmill with 4 force plates to measure symmetry of ground reaction forces (GRFs) of the affected and contralateral limbs in bimonthly intervals for 6 months. RESULTS: Significant weight loss was achieved in both groups; however, greater weight reduction was attained by dogs treated with caloric restriction and intensive physiotherapy. Mobility and symmetry indices of GRFs were improved after 6 months; the best outcome was detected in the group receiving energy restriction combined with intensive physical therapy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Caloric restriction combined with intensive physical therapy improved mobility and facilitated weight loss in overweight dogs. The combination of dietetic and physical therapy may help to improve the health status more efficiently than dietetic treatment alone.     

Reproducibility of bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP) via the application of colostrum

A haemorrhagic diathesis has been observed in young calves since 2007 which is described as bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP) and presents a completely new disease. The objectives of our investigation were to test if BNP could be reproduced using colostrum of cows with a BNP history and pre-colostral calves from farms where BNP has not been observed. In the present experiment, 22 German Holstein calves from BNP-free farms were fed four to six hours after birth 2.5 l colostrum from cows which had been reported to have had at least one calf with BNP in the last lactation. We distinguished three different experimental groups according to the composition of the colostrum. In experimental group I, each of the six calves received colostrum of a single cow, in experimental group II all six calves received colostrum from the same cow and in experimental group III each of the ten calves received a colostrum mix from ten different cows. Clinical signs of BNP were observed in 50% of the calves in experimental group I, 67% of the calves in experimental group II and all calves in experimental group III. The lethality in the three experimental groups was significantly different with rates of 16.7%, 66.7% and 80%, respectively. Calves fed with a colostrum-mix in experimental group III had the highest lethality. Neither the farm nor the amount of the colostrum fed had a significant effect on the occurrence and course of BNP. The profiles for thrombocytes, leucocytes and erythrocytes significantly differed in dependence of the severity of BNP signs. Calves with non-lethal BNP showed thrombocytopenia with values below 100 G/l on the 1th to 3rd and the 7th to 11th day of life. In calves with lethal BNP, thrombocytes decreased under 50 G/l from day 5. In calves with non-lethal BNP, a decrease of the leucocytes under the threshold was present only for a short period of time. In calves with lethal BNP, leucocytes decreased in the first 5 days after birth continuously and increased on the 6th to the 8th day to normal values and then a rapid decrease occurred. Erythrocytes decreased under the normal threshold just in the last two days before the calves died or were euthanized. Thus, the present experiments showed that colostrum of cows with a BNP-history and vaccination with PregSure BVD from Pfizer caused lethal BNP. We can assume that the different reactions of the calves are due to immunogenetic reactions to colostral alloreactive antibodies. The reaction spectrum of calves depends on the presence of antigens which can react with these colostral antibodies. The experimental results can explain the different incidences of BNP within and among farms as well as between breeds.