Proteomics analysis of egg white proteins from different egg varieties

The market of specialty eggs, such as omega-3-enriched eggs, organic eggs, and free-range eggs, is continuously growing. The nutritional composition of egg yolk can be manipulated by feed diet; however, it is not known if there is any difference in the composition of egg white proteins among different egg varieties. The purpose of the study was to compare the egg white proteins among six different egg varieties using proteomics analysis. Egg white proteins were analyzed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), and 89 protein spots were subjected to LC-MS/MS. A total of 23 proteins, belonging to Gallus gallus , were identified from 72 detected protein spots. A quiescence-specific protein precursor in egg white was identified for the first time in this study. Significant differences in the abundant levels of 19 proteins (from 65 protein spots) were observed among six egg varieties. Four proteins, ovalbumin-related protein Y, cystatin, avidin, and albumin precursor, were not different among these six egg varieties. These findings suggest that the abundance, but not the composition, of egg white proteins varied among the egg varieties.     

Analysis of tidal breathing flow volume loop in dogs with tracheal masses

Objectives To investigate whether there are any changes in the tidal breathing flow volume loop (TBFVL) in calm, non-dyspnoeic dogs with intratracheal masses. Methods We compared 4 dogs with intratracheal masses (group 1) with 10 healthy dogs (group 2). Routine clinical and laboratory examinations of the dogs were unremarkable, except for episodic upper respiratory obstructive signs in the dogs in group 1. Lateral radiography of the neck and thorax showed that group 1 dogs had masses that appeared to protrude into the tracheal lumen. Tracheoscopy and surgery or necropsy was performed to confirm the presence of the mass. Arterial blood gas and TBFVL analysis was carried out in all dogs to assess respiratory status. Results The shape of the TBFVL for dogs in group 1 was narrower and ovoid compared with that for the group 2 dogs. Tidal volume and expiratory and inspiratory times were significantly reduced, whereas the respiratory rate was increased for dogs in group 1 compared with dogs in group 2. Arterial blood gas analysis was unremarkable for all dogs. Conclusions TBFVL is a non-invasive technique that is easy to perform and well tolerated by dogs. In the absence of abnormalities detected by routine diagnostic evaluations and arterial blood gas analysis in dogs with intratracheal masses, the TBFVL contributes to the definition of the physiologic status of the airways at the time of testing, and results suggests that these dogs breathe quite normally when they are calm and non-dyspnoeic.     

Quantification,Morphology and Ultrastructure of Preantral Follicles of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Foetuses

The objective of this study was to determine the number, morphology and ultrastructure of preantral ovarian follicles of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) foetuses at different ages. Quantification revealed number of primordial, primary and secondary follicles of 48 857 ± 17 506, 26 000 ± 20 452, 18 428 ± 10 875 and 18 375 ± 19 690, 225 ± 349, 326 ± 288 at 12–34 cm and 35–60 cm crown rump length (CRL), respectively. Follicular diameter values were 28.9 (±3.4), 34.7 (±5.9) and 59.4 (±12.6) μm; oocyte diameters were 21.7 (±2.8), 24.3 (±3.4) and 33.0 (±7.7) μm, and the numbers of follicular cells in the follicle equatorial section were 7.1 (±1.4), 12.0 (±2.4) and 13.8 (±2.4) for primordial, primary and secondary follicles, respectively. The primordial follicle consisted of an oocyte surrounded by a layer of flattened follicular cells with a normally eccentric oocyte nucleus. Dispersed Golgi complex, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, rounded mitochondria and several lipid vesicles were observed in the cytoplasm and cell junctions between the follicle cell membranes and the oocyte. This work describes the number, morphometry and ultrastructure of preantral follicles of buffalo foetuses, concluding that folliculogenesis is established between 8 and 34 cm CRL and that follicle number varies individually and according to age and that further studies are needed in this species.     

An outbreak of malignant catarrhal fever in young rusa deer (Cervus timorensis)

On the basis of clinical signs and histological findings eight 9-month-old male rusa deer ( Cervus timorensis ) were diagnosed with sheep associated-malignant catarrhal fever. Following a variable course involving rectal temperatures around 40.5°C, depression, inappetence, diarrhoea, corneal opacity and hypopyon all animals died or were euthanased over a 5-week period. Severe multifocal vasculitis, mainly periglomerular and in the arcuate vessels were consistent histological findings which in the past have been adequate to confirm clinical diagnosis of sheep associated-malignant catarrhal fever. A nested poly-merase chain reaction test has been used to detect a sheep associated-malignant catarrhal fever PRC product, 238 base-pairs in size, in DNA extracted from lymphocyte preparations. The result supported the diagnosis of sheep associated-malignant catarrhal fever in these deer.     

Detection of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum using a monomeric and dimeric single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibody

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is a phytopathogenic fungus capable of causing significant yield losses in numerous crops, including canola, in which the fungus causes sclerotinia stem rot. Immunological detection methods to rapidly determine the presence of S. sclerotiorum on plants may provide growers with a viable diagnostic tool to aid with fungicide use decisions. This paper discusses the generation of a monomeric and dimeric single-chain, variable fragment (scFv) antibody with affinity for S. sclerotiorum using phage display technology. The bacterially expressed and purified scFv is shown to bind S. sclerotiorum with some cross-reactivity with the closely related phytopathogen Botrytis cinerea (Pers.:Fr.). The dimeric scFv displayed improved binding to the fungus as compared to the monomer and could detect the presence of mycelia in inoculated canola petals. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a scFv dimer with affinity for S. sclerotiorum that has the potential for use in the development of a new diagnostic test.     

Proteome changes in leaves of Brassica napus L. as a result of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum challenge

Sclerotinia stem rot, caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a serious disease of canola (Brassica napus L.). To increase the understanding of the B. napus- S. sclerotiorum interaction, proteins potentially involved in mediating this interaction were identified and characterized. Upon infection of canola leaves by S. sclerotiorum, necrosis of host leaves was observed by 12 h and rapidly progressed during the later time points. These morphological observations were supported by microscopic study performed at different time points after pathogen challenge. Leaf proteins were extracted and analyzed by 2-DE, which revealed the modulation of 32 proteins (12 down- and 20 up-regulated). The identities of these proteins were established by ESI-q-TOF MS/MS and included proteins involved in photosynthesis and metabolic pathways, protein folding and modifications, hormone signaling, and antioxidant defense. Gene expression analysis of selected genes was performed by qRT-PCR, whereas the elevated levels of the antioxidant enzymes peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were validated by enzyme assays. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first proteomics-based investigation of B. napus-S. sclerotiorum interaction, and the roles of many of the proteins identified are discussed within the context of this pathosystem.     

Attitudes and practices of Queensland dairy farmers to the control of the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus

Objective To determine practices for the control of cattle ticks on dairy farms in Queensland, the attitudes of farmers to tick infestations and to identify opportunities for and barriers against the introduction of non-chemical methods of tick control.
Design A survey of 199 dairy farmers from tick-infested parts of Queensland was undertaken by 20 dairy advisers and stock inspectors from October 1996 to June 1997. The sample was a proportional, random selection of dairy farms from four regions. A personal interview was conducted with each farmer and answers to 134 questions were obtained.
Results and conclusions Most farmers were not concerned by cattle ticks on their own farms, although they believed that ticks are important to the dairy industry. They were most concerned about the development of chemical resistance by cattle ticks. Inadequate facilities and lack of motivation appeared to be the factors most limiting to improving the methods of control. Most farmers claimed to have only small numbers of ticks at worst. Although a control program recom mended by the Queensland Dairyfarmers' Organisation was well regarded by farmers, few had adopted it. Many farmers saw no need to implement a strategic control program.     

Ultraslow electron spin dynamics in GaAs quantum wells probed by optically pumped NMR

Optically pumped nuclear magnetic resonance (OPNMR) measurements were performed in two different electron-doped multiple quantum well samples near the fractional quantum Hall effect ground state nu = 13. Below 0.5 kelvin, the spectra provide evidence that spin-reversed charged excitations of the nu = 13 ground state are localized over the NMR time scale of about 40 microseconds. Furthermore, by varying NMR pulse parameters, the electron spin temperature (as measured by the Knight shift) could be driven above the lattice temperature, which shows that the value of the electron spin-lattice relaxation time tau1s is between 100 microseconds and 500 milliseconds at nu = 13.     

Fluoride in Tea and Its Risk Assessment

Tea plant absorbs from soil a large amount of fluorine （F） which is accumulated in leaf,resulting in elevated F concentration in tea.It is a controversial topic whether the fluoride in tea is associated with fluorosis.The research advances in F variation of various kinds of tea,factors influencing F level in tea and the associated health risk assessment were reviewed in the present paper.The F level in tea increases with the maturity of the tea leaf.Brick tea had a high F content because it was prepared using mature shoots and old tea leaves as raw material.Some low grade UK supermarket economy teas contained elevated F comparable to the Chinese brick tea.Tea F level is also affected by tea cultivar,soil condition,tea processing method and tea infusion preparation method.