Changes of Ca2＋ activated potassium channels and cellular-proliferation in autogenous vein grafts

AIM: To investigate changes of Ca^2＋ activated potassium channels (K_Ca) in autogenous vein grafts. METHODS: The contraction of venous ring was measured by means of perfusion in vitro. The intimal proliferation and proliferation of cultured smooth muscle cells (vascular smooth muscle cells, VSMCs) were observed by the means of computerised image analysis and MTT method, respectively. Furthermore, whole cell mode of patch clamp was used to record K_Ca of VSMCs isolated from autogenous vein grafts. RESULTS: 1 week after transplantation there were no significant differences of contraction and intimal relative thickness between autogenous vein grafts and control. Contraction and intimal relative thickness of autogenous vein graft were significantly increased 2 weeks after transplantation (P＜0.05, n=8 vs control), and they were more enhanced 4 weeks after vein transplantation (P＜0.01, n=8 vs control). TEA (blocker of Ca^2＋ activated potassium channels) increased MTT A₄₉₀ value of VSMCs from femoral vein in a dose-dependent manner (P＜0.05, n=8). K_Ca current density was significantly attenuated in VSMCs from autogenous vein grafts 1-4 weeks after transplantation (P＜0.05, n=5). CONCLUSION: K_Ca was inhibited in autogenous vein graft, which accounted for vasospasm and intimal proliferation.     

Evaluation of alternative sanitizers to chlorine disinfection for reducing foodborne pathogens in fresh-cut apple

The risk of undesirable by-products from chlorine disinfection in fresh-cut industries, together with its limited efficacy, has led to a search for alternative agents. The aim of this study was to test several alternative putative antimicrobial substances to reduce Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. populations on fresh-cut apple. Carvacrol, vanillin, peroxyacetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, N-acetyl-l-cysteine and Citrox were selected for their results in in vitro assays against E. coli O157:H7 and Listeria spp., to be tested on fresh-cut apple plugs. Apple flesh was inoculated by dipping in a suspension of a mix of the studied pathogens at 10⁶ cfu mL^?1, and then treated with the antimicrobial substances. All treatments were compared to deionized water and a standard sodium hypochlorite treatment (SH, 100 mg L^?1, pH 6.5). Pathogen population on apple plugs was monitored for up to 6 days at 10 °C. Bacterial reductions obtained by peroxyacetic acid (80 and 120 mg L^?1), vanillin (12 g L^?1), hydrogen peroxide (5, 10, 20 mL L^?1) and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (5 and 10 g L^?1) were similar or higher than reduction obtained by SH. In addition, bacterial populations were maintained at low levels throughout storage. No cells of any of the pathogens were detected in the peroxyacetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, Citrox and SH washing solutions after apple treatment. Peroxyacetic acid, hydrogen peroxide and N-acetyl-l-cysteine could be potential disinfectants for the fresh-cut industry as an alternative to chlorine disinfection. However, their effect on sensory quality and effectiveness under commercial processing conditions should be evaluated.     

Early resynchronization protocols for goats: Progestogens can be used prior to an early pregnancy diagnosis without affecting corpus luteum functionality

This study aimed to evaluate the exogenous progesterone (P4) effect on the luteal function from Day 16 to Day 21 of the oestrous cycle in inseminated goats with unknown pregnancy status. A total of 54 does passed through a short progestin-based synchronization protocol and, on Day 16 of the following oestrous cycle, 27 does received a new P4 device which was retained until Day 21. Blood samples were collected daily from all does during this period, as well as on Day 24. Pregnancy diagnoses were performed on Day 30. Serum P4 values from 26 animals (G_NPSP: Group of non-pregnant does with second sponge: n = 8; G_NPNSP: Group of non-pregnant does without second sponge: n = 6; G_PSP: Group of pregnant does with second sponge: n = 5; G_PNSP: Group of pregnant does without second sponge: n = 7) were determined by radioimmunoassay commercial kits. No P4 differences were found between groups (G_NPSP: 3.1 ± 2.8; 1.7 ± 1.8; 0.4 ± 1.0; and 0.0 ± 0.0 vs. G_NPNSP: 4.4 ± 1.8; 3.0 ± 2.2; 0.8 ± 0.8; and 0.0 ± 0.0 or G_PSP: 4.2 ± 1.0; 3.4 ± 0.6; 3.3 ± 1.6; 3.2 ± 0.9; 3.6 ± 1.2; 3.5 ± 1.3; 2.7 ± 1.3 vs. G_PNSP: 4.4 ± 1.6; 3.6 ± 1.5; 3.7 ± 1.5; 3.8 ± 1.4; 3.2 ± 1.2; 3.1 ± 1.2; 3.6 ± 1.1; D16, D17, D18, D19, D20, D21, D24, respectively) or for the interaction of group and time. In conclusion, a second progestogen device had no effect on luteolysis or early pregnancy in the following oestrous cycle.     

Sperm subpopulations influence the pregnancy rates in cattle

This study aimed to study the characteristics and subpopulations of spermatozoa from bulls with low and high reproductive performance based on pregnancy rates. Based on historical records of pregnancy rate from four farms, 24 bulls were selected. Two groups were established, with low pregnancy rates (n = 12; LOW), including bulls that presented pregnancy rates <52.27% (33.33% to 51.81%); and a group with high pregnancy rates (n = 12; HIGH), with pregnancy rates >52.27% (52.27% to 69.64%), after fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). The thawed sperm straws were analysed to sperm kinetics, morphology, plasma membrane integrity and sperm subpopulations. The LOW group exhibited a higher proportion of static cells (p < .05). In contrast, the HIGH group showed greater percentages for membrane integrity and total and progressive motility, and cells with fast and medium velocity (p < .05). In the cluster procedures, four sperm subpopulations were established. The low-fertility bulls presented the highest percentage of subpopulation 2 (41.46%), characterized by slow and progressive spermatozoa. The high-fertility bulls exhibited the highest percentage of subpopulation 3 (37.17%), characterized by fast and nonlinear spermatozoa. Results from this study indicated that bulls with greater percentages of fast and nonlinear spermatozoa seem to have greater fertilization capacity and the subpopulations analysis can be considered a tool to identify ejaculates with high fertility.     

Sorghum Pasta and Noodles: Technological and Nutritional Aspects

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Sorghum is a major cereal crop with various agronomic advantages, contains health-promoting compounds and is gluten-free. There is a growing tendency to use...     

Role of the raw composition of pelagic fish muscle on the development of lipid oxidation and rancidity during storage

The muscle composition of a pelagic fish species, Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), has been studied to determine the relationship with its susceptibility to develop lipid oxidation during chilled storage. For such an aim, the initial concentrations of the major components (water, total lipids, protein, and PUFAs) and minor pro-oxidant and antioxidant components (ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, hemoglobin, total iron, LMW-iron, copper, and zinc) of different batches of mackerel were characterized. For the study, several batches of mackerel were caught during the spring and summer periods. The different batches were subjected to chilled storage, and the onset of lipid oxidation was statistically related with the initial muscle composition. Results showed significant compositional differences among the mackerel lots, especially for the muscle lipid content (2.83-9.50%). In a first step, a Pearson correlation test was used to check the influence of each component on the progress of lipid oxidation. Results showed a significant relationship between shelf life and water and total lipid contents. Multiple regression was performed to reveal the contribution of each component to the susceptibility to lipid oxidation. The model obtained combines the content of PUFAs, total iron, hemoglobin, and ascorbic acid. An accurate prediction of shelf life in terms of rancidity was achieved by the model created (R(2) = 0.9975). These results establish that the levels of endogenous pro-oxidants and antioxidants present in fish muscle together with the polyunsaturated lipids are relevant factors affecting the shelf life of mackerel muscle.     

Effect of fruiting body maturity stage on chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Lactarius sp. mushrooms

The effects of fruiting body maturity on chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the wild mushrooms, Lactarius deliciosus and Lactarius piperatus, were evaluated. Immature and mature samples were analyzed for proximate constituents (moisture, fat, crude protein, ash, carbohydrates), nutritional value, and individual composition in fatty acids and sugars. Protein content, MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids), and PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) percentages increased with the fruiting body maturity stage, while carbohydrate and SFA (saturated fatty acids) content decreased. The maturity stage did not significantly affect the individual sugar profile. The antimicrobial activity of the mushrooms was screened against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and fungi, and correlated to the amounts of phenols, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, and lycopene present in the immature and mature fruiting bodies. Mature fruiting bodies with mature spores presented lower antimicrobial activity, which was in agreement with the bioactive compound content found in those samples.