Tissue composition, quality traits and fatty acid profile of longissimus muscle of lambs fed increasing levels of crude glycerin / Composição tecidual, características qualitativas e perfil de ácidos graxos do músculo Longissimus de cordeiros alimentados com teores crescentes de glicerina bruta

The objective of this study was to evaluate the tissue composition, quality traits and fatty acid profile of longissimus muscle of lambs fed increasing levels of crude glycerin. Twenty-four intact male lambs were allocated in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replicates. The treatments consisted of the replacement of corn with 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% crude glycerin (dry matter basis) in the diet. The animals were slaughtered when they reached a body condition score of 2.5 to 3.0. After cooling the carcasses, the meat was removed for the determination of tissue composition and longissimus muscle for the evaluation of quality characteristics. The different crude glycerin levels did not affect tissue weight or yield, or the qualitative characteristics of longissimus muscle. An increasing linear effect was observed for ether extract. There was a quadratic effect on C17:0 fatty acids, and C18:1 n-9c and C18:3 n-3 fatty acids decreased linearly. A quadratic effect was observed for total unsaturated fatty acids and a linear decreasing effect for n-3 fatty acids. The unsaturated:saturated fatty acid ratio decreased linearly and there was an increasing linear effect on the n6:n3 ratio. Crude glycerin can replace corn without compromising tissue composition and quality traits of longissimus muscle. The inclusion of up to 7.5% crude glycerin (dry matter basis) in the diet for Pantaneiro lambs improves the nutritional aspects of fat...(AU)

O objetivo foi avaliar a composição tecidual, as características qualitativas e o perfil de ácidos graxos do Longissimus de cordeiro alimentados com teores crescentes de glicerina bruta (GB) na dieta. Foram utilizados 24 cordeiros machos, não castrados, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. Os tratamentos testados foram 0; 2,5; 5,0 e 7,5% de inclusão de GB na matéria seca da dieta em substituição ao milho. Os animais foram abatidos quando atingiram escore de condição corporal entre 2,5 e 3,0. Após o resfriamento das carcaças, o lombo foi retirado e utilizado para a determinação da composição tecidual, e o músculo Longissimus utilizado para determinação das características qualitativas. Os diferentes teores de glicerina bruta não influenciaram os pesos e rendimentos dos tecidos, e as características qualitativas do Longissimus. O teor de extrato etéreo apresentou efeito linear crescente. Houve efeito quadrático para o ácido graxo C17:0. O ácido graxo C18:1 n-9c e C18:3 n-3 diminuiu linearmente. Houve efeito quadrático para o total de ácidos graxos insaturados e efeito linear decrescente para os ácidos graxos n-3. A relação ácidos graxos insaturados:saturados apresentou efeito linear decrescente e houve efeito linear crescente para a relação n6:n3. A glicerina bruta pode ser utilizada em substituição ao milho na dieta de cordeiros sem ocasionar prejuízos na composição tecidual e características qualitativas do Longissimus. A inclusão de glicerina bruta até 7,5% da matéria seca na dieta para cordeiros Pantaneiros melhora os aspectos nutricionais de gordura...(AU)

Tissue composition, quality traits and fatty acid profile of longissimus muscle of lambs fed increasing levels of crude glycerin / Composição tecidual, características qualitativas e perfil de ácidos graxos do músculo Longissimus de cordeiros alimentados com teores crescentes de glicerina bruta

The objective of this study was to evaluate the tissue composition, quality traits and fatty acid profile of longissimus muscle of lambs fed increasing levels of crude glycerin. Twenty-four intact male lambs were allocated in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replicates. The treatments consisted of the replacement of corn with 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% crude glycerin (dry matter basis) in the diet. The animals were slaughtered when they reached a body condition score of 2.5 to 3.0. After cooling the carcasses, the meat was removed for the determination of tissue composition and longissimus muscle for the evaluation of quality characteristics. The different crude glycerin levels did not affect tissue weight or yield, or the qualitative characteristics of longissimus muscle. An increasing linear effect was observed for ether extract. There was a quadratic effect on C17:0 fatty acids, and C18:1 n-9c and C18:3 n-3 fatty acids decreased linearly. A quadratic effect was observed for total unsaturated fatty acids and a linear decreasing effect for n-3 fatty acids. The unsaturated:saturated fatty acid ratio decreased linearly and there was an increasing linear effect on the n6:n3 ratio. Crude glycerin can replace corn without compromising tissue composition and quality traits of longissimus muscle. The inclusion of up to 7.5% crude glycerin (dry matter basis) in the diet for Pantaneiro lambs improves the nutritional aspects of fat...

O objetivo foi avaliar a composição tecidual, as características qualitativas e o perfil de ácidos graxos do Longissimus de cordeiro alimentados com teores crescentes de glicerina bruta (GB) na dieta. Foram utilizados 24 cordeiros machos, não castrados, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. Os tratamentos testados foram 0; 2,5; 5,0 e 7,5% de inclusão de GB na matéria seca da dieta em substituição ao milho. Os animais foram abatidos quando atingiram escore de condição corporal entre 2,5 e 3,0. Após o resfriamento das carcaças, o lombo foi retirado e utilizado para a determinação da composição tecidual, e o músculo Longissimus utilizado para determinação das características qualitativas. Os diferentes teores de glicerina bruta não influenciaram os pesos e rendimentos dos tecidos, e as características qualitativas do Longissimus. O teor de extrato etéreo apresentou efeito linear crescente. Houve efeito quadrático para o ácido graxo C17:0. O ácido graxo C18:1 n-9c e C18:3 n-3 diminuiu linearmente. Houve efeito quadrático para o total de ácidos graxos insaturados e efeito linear decrescente para os ácidos graxos n-3. A relação ácidos graxos insaturados:saturados apresentou efeito linear decrescente e houve efeito linear crescente para a relação n6:n3. A glicerina bruta pode ser utilizada em substituição ao milho na dieta de cordeiros sem ocasionar prejuízos na composição tecidual e características qualitativas do Longissimus. A inclusão de glicerina bruta até 7,5% da matéria seca na dieta para cordeiros Pantaneiros melhora os aspectos nutricionais de gordura...

Analogies Between the Cracking Noise of Ethanol-Dampened Charcoal and Earthquakes.

We report on an extensive characterization of the cracking noise produced by charcoal samples when dampened with ethanol. We argue that the evaporation of ethanol causes transient and irregularly distributed internal stresses that promote the fragmentation of the samples and mimic some situations found in mining processes. The results show that, in general, the most fundamental seismic laws ruling earthquakes (the Gutenberg-Richter law, the unified scaling law for the recurrence times, Omori's law, the productivity law, and Båth's law) hold under the conditions of the experiment. Some discrepancies were also identified (a smaller exponent in the Gutenberg-Richter law, a stationary behavior in the aftershock rates for long times, and a double power-law relationship in the productivity law) and are related to the different loading conditions. Our results thus corroborate and elucidate the parallel between the seismic laws and fracture experiments caused by a more complex loading condition that also occurs in natural and induced seismicity (such as long-term fluid injection and gas-rock outbursts in mining processes).

Desempenho, características das carcaças e da carne de cordeiros alimentados com dietas contendo gordura protegida / Performance and carcass and meat traits of lambs fed diets containing protected fat

Objetivou-se avaliar desempenho, características das carcaças e qualidade da carne de cordeiros mestiços Suffolk, alimentados com dietas contendo gordura protegida. Foram utilizados 18 cordeiros machos, não castrados, com 18,8 ± 2,1 kg e média de idade de 70 dias. Os animais permaneceram confinados por 63 dias recebendo dietas contendo 0%, 4,2% e 5,8% de gordura protegida e foram abatidos com 34,8 ± 5,2 kg. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualisado e os resultados foram analisados por regressão. Observou-se efeito quadrático do teor de gordura protegida na dieta para ganho de peso médio diário e ingestão de proteína bruta, com o ponto de máximo para o teor de 4,2%. Houve efeito linear crescente para ingestão de extrato etéreo. Não houve efeito do teor de gordura protegida nas dietas sobre as características de carcaça. Houve efeito quadrático para força de cisalhamento, com maior valor (3,75 kg) para a carne dos animais que receberam teor de 5,8 % de gordura protegida na dieta. O teor de extrato etéreo da carne também aumentou conforme a adição de gordura na dieta. Com base nos resultados, não se recomenda a utilização de gordura protegida em dietas com elevada proporção de concentrado para terminação de cordeiros em confinamento...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and carcass and meat quality traits of crossbred Suffolk lambs fed diets containing protected fat. Eighteen uncastrated male lambs with a mean age of 70 days and weighing 18.8 ± 2.1 kg were used. The animals were kept in feedlots for 63 diets where they received diets containing 0%, 4.2% and 5.8% protected fat, and were slaughtered at 34.8 ± 5.2 kg. A completely randomized experimental design was used and the results were analyzed by regression. There was a quadratic effect of dietary protected fat content on average daily weight gain and crude protein intake, with a peak at a fat content of 4.2%. A linear increase was observed for ether extract intake. Dietary protected fat content had no effect on carcass traits. There was a quadratic effect on shear strength, with the highest value (3.75 kg) being observed for meat of animals fed the diet with 5.8% protected fat. The ether extract content of meat also increased with the addition of fat to the diet. On the basis of the results, we do not recommend the use of protected fat in diets containing a high proportion of concentrate for feedlot finishing of lambs...

Desempenho, características das carcaças e da carne de cordeiros alimentados com dietas contendo gordura protegida / Performance and carcass and meat traits of lambs fed diets containing protected fat

Objetivou-se avaliar desempenho, características das carcaças e qualidade da carne de cordeiros mestiços Suffolk, alimentados com dietas contendo gordura protegida. Foram utilizados 18 cordeiros machos, não castrados, com 18,8 ± 2,1 kg e média de idade de 70 dias. Os animais permaneceram confinados por 63 dias recebendo dietas contendo 0%, 4,2% e 5,8% de gordura protegida e foram abatidos com 34,8 ± 5,2 kg. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualisado e os resultados foram analisados por regressão. Observou-se efeito quadrático do teor de gordura protegida na dieta para ganho de peso médio diário e ingestão de proteína bruta, com o ponto de máximo para o teor de 4,2%. Houve efeito linear crescente para ingestão de extrato etéreo. Não houve efeito do teor de gordura protegida nas dietas sobre as características de carcaça. Houve efeito quadrático para força de cisalhamento, com maior valor (3,75 kg) para a carne dos animais que receberam teor de 5,8 % de gordura protegida na dieta. O teor de extrato etéreo da carne também aumentou conforme a adição de gordura na dieta. Com base nos resultados, não se recomenda a utilização de gordura protegida em dietas com elevada proporção de concentrado para terminação de cordeiros em confinamento...(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and carcass and meat quality traits of crossbred Suffolk lambs fed diets containing protected fat. Eighteen uncastrated male lambs with a mean age of 70 days and weighing 18.8 ± 2.1 kg were used. The animals were kept in feedlots for 63 diets where they received diets containing 0%, 4.2% and 5.8% protected fat, and were slaughtered at 34.8 ± 5.2 kg. A completely randomized experimental design was used and the results were analyzed by regression. There was a quadratic effect of dietary protected fat content on average daily weight gain and crude protein intake, with a peak at a fat content of 4.2%. A linear increase was observed for ether extract intake. Dietary protected fat content had no effect on carcass traits. There was a quadratic effect on shear strength, with the highest value (3.75 kg) being observed for meat of animals fed the diet with 5.8% protected fat. The ether extract content of meat also increased with the addition of fat to the diet. On the basis of the results, we do not recommend the use of protected fat in diets containing a high proportion of concentrate for feedlot finishing of lambs...(AU)

A novel real-time PCR method for KIR genotyping.

Genes encoding killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are variable among individuals. Sequence-specific primer-directed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification (PCR-SSP) and sequence-specific oligonucleotide hybridization of the PCR-amplified products (PCR-SSO) are the methods currently used to characterize the diversity of KIR gene content. Both these methods include time-consuming post-PCR analyses. Here, we developed a real-time PCR method that identifies the presence or absence of 16 KIR genes during PCR and avoids post-PCR analyses. This method is specific, sensitive, shortens the turnaround time compared with the conventional PCR-SSP and PCR-SSO methods, and it can be easily adapted for automation.

Partial characterization and anticoagulant activity of a heterofucan from the brown seaweed Padina gymnospora.

The brown algae Padina gymnospora contain different fucans. Powdered algae were submitted to proteolysis with the proteolytic enzyme maxataze. The first extract of the algae was constituted of polysaccharides contaminated with lipids, phenols, etc. Fractionation of the fucans with increasing concentrations of acetone produced fractions with different proportions of fucose, xylose, uronic acid, galactose, and sulfate. One of the fractions, precipitated with 50% acetone (v/v), contained an 18-kDa heterofucan (PF1), which was further purified by gel-permeation chromatography on Sephadex G-75 using 0.2 M acetic acid as eluent and characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis in 0.05 M 1,3 diaminopropane/acetate buffer at pH 9.0, methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Structural analysis indicates that this fucan has a central core consisting mainly of 3-beta-D-glucuronic acid 1-> or 4-beta-D-glucuronic acid 1 ->, substituted at C-2 with alpha-L-fucose or beta-D-xylose. Sulfate groups were only detected at C-3 of 4-alpha-L-fucose 1-> units. The anticoagulant activity of the PF1 (only 2.5-fold lesser than low molecular weight heparin) estimated by activated partial thromboplastin time was completely abolished upon desulfation by solvolysis in dimethyl sulfoxide, indicating that 3-O-sulfation at C-3 of 4-alpha-L-fucose 1-> units is responsible for the anticoagulant activity of the polymer.

Partial characterization and anticoagulant activity of a heterofucan from the brown seaweed Padina gymnospora

The brown algae Padina gymnospora contain different fucans. Powdered algae were submitted to proteolysis with the proteolytic enzyme maxataze. The first extract of the algae was constituted of polysaccharides contaminated with lipids, phenols, etc. Fractionation of the fucans with increasing concentrations of acetone produced fractions with different proportions of fucose, xylose, uronic acid, galactose, and sulfate. One of the fractions, precipitated with 50 percent acetone (v/v), contained an 18-kDa heterofucan (PF1), which was further purified by gel-permeation chromatography on Sephadex G-75 using 0.2 M acetic acid as eluent and characterized by agarose gel electrophoresis in 0.05 M 1,3 diaminopropane/acetate buffer at pH 9.0, methylation and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Structural analysis indicates that this fucan has a central core consisting mainly of 3-ß-D-glucuronic acid 1-> or 4-ß-D-glucuronic acid 1 ->, substituted at C-2 with alpha-L-fucose or ß-D-xylose. Sulfate groups were only detected at C-3 of 4-alpha-L-fucose 1-> units. The anticoagulant activity of the PF1 (only 2.5-fold lesser than low molecular weight heparin) estimated by activated partial thromboplastin time was completely abolished upon desulfation by solvolysis in dimethyl sulfoxide, indicating that 3-O-sulfation at C-3 of 4-alpha-L-fucose 1-> units is responsible for the anticoagulant activity of the polymer.

Heterofucans from Dictyota menstrualis have anticoagulant activity.

Fucan is a term used to denote a family of sulfated L-fucose-rich polysaccharides which are present in the extracellular matrix of brown seaweed and in the egg jelly coat of sea urchins. Plant fucans have several biological activities, including anticoagulant and antithrombotic, related to the structural and chemical composition of polysaccharides. We have extracted sulfated polysaccharides from the brown seaweed Dictyota menstrualis by proteolytic digestion, followed by separation into 5 fractions by sequential acetone precipitation. Gel electrophoresis using 0.05 M 1,3-diaminopropane-acetate buffer, pH 9.0, stained with 0.1% toluidine blue, showed the presence of sulfated polysaccharides in all fractions. The chemical analyses demonstrated that all fractions are composed mainly of fucose, xylose, galactose, uronic acid, and sulfate. The anticoagulant activity of these heterofucans was determined by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) using citrate normal human plasma. Only the fucans F1.0v and F1.5v showed anticoagulant activity. To prolong the coagulation time to double the baseline value in the APTT, the required concentration of fucan F1.0v (20 g/ml) was only 4.88-fold higher than that of the low molecular weight heparin Clexane (4.1 g/ml), whereas 80 g/ml fucan 1.5 was needed to obtain the same effect. For both fucans this effect was abolished by desulfation. These polymers are composed of fucose, xylose, uronic acid, galactose, and sulfate at molar ratios of 1.0:0.8:0.7:0.8:0.4 and 1.0:0.3:0.4:1.5:1.3, respectively. This is the fist report indicating the presence of a heterofucan with higher anticoagulant activity from brown seaweed.

Heterofucans from Dictyota menstrualis have anticoagulant activity

Fucan is a term used to denote a family of sulfated L-fucose-rich polysaccharides which are present in the extracellular matrix of brown seaweed and in the egg jelly coat of sea urchins. Plant fucans have several biological activities, including anticoagulant and antithrombotic, related to the structural and chemical composition of polysaccharides. We have extracted sulfated polysaccharides from the brown seaweed Dictyota menstrualis by proteolytic digestion, followed by separation into 5 fractions by sequential acetone precipitation. Gel electrophoresis using 0.05 M 1,3-diaminopropane-acetate buffer, pH 9.0, stained with 0.1 percent toluidine blue, showed the presence of sulfated polysaccharides in all fractions. The chemical analyses demonstrated that all fractions are composed mainly of fucose, xylose, galactose, uronic acid, and sulfate. The anticoagulant activity of these heterofucans was determined by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) using citrate normal human plasma. Only the fucans F1.0v and F1.5v showed anticoagulant activity. To prolong the coagulation time to double the baseline value in the APTT, the required concentration of fucan F1.0v (20 æg/ml) was only 4.88-fold higher than that of the low molecular weight heparin Clexane® (4.1 æg/ml), whereas 80 æg/ml fucan 1.5 was needed to obtain the same effect. For both fucans this effect was abolished by desulfation. These polymers are composed of fucose, xylose, uronic acid, galactose, and sulfate at molar ratios of 1.0:0.8:0.7:0.8:0.4 and 1.0:0.3:0.4:1.5:1.3, respectively. This is the fist report indicating the presence of a heterofucan with higher anticoagulant activity from brown seaweed.

Serum electrolytes in hospitalized pellagra alcoholics.

BACKGROUND: Owing to high diarrhoea and protein malnutrition frequencies in pellagra, we hypothesised that pellagra patients would have higher electrolyte disturbances than non-pellagra alcoholics. OBJECTIVE: To compare serum electrolytes of hospitalised alcoholics with or without pellagra. DESIGN: Retrospective and descriptive case-control study. SETTING: Internal Medicine wards at a University Hospital, Medical School of Uberaba, Brazil. SUBJECTS: Medical records were reviewed to obtain relevant clinical details, main diagnosis and laboratory data, including serum electrolytes on hospital admission of pellagra patients (n=33) and a randomly chosen control group of alcoholics (n=37), matched in age, gender and socio-economic status. Anaemia was ascertained by haemoglobin <12.5 g/dl (men) and 1.5 g/dl (women), and hypoalbuminemia by serum albumin <3.3 g/dl. RESULTS: Pellagra and controls showed similar age (39.4+/-13.1 vs 45.0+/-11.4 years) and a male predominance of gender (69.7 vs 78.4%), and similar associated diagnoses, including high blood pressure (21.2 vs 16.2%), peripheral neuropathy (12.1 vs 13. 5%), and pneumonia (9.1 vs 13.5%). Despite displaying similar serum sodium (136.6+/-6.1 vs 137.8+/-5.7 mEq/I), magnesium (1.72+/-0.74 vs 1.62+/-0.34 mg/dl), phosphorus (3.79+/-0.87 vs 3.87+/-0.78 mEq/1) than controls,in addition to higher hypoalbuminemia (76.2 vs 33%) and anaemia (60.6 vs 35.1%) frequencies. CONCLUSIONS: Higher anaemia and hypoalbuminemia frequencies associated with lower serum potassium levels suggest increased protein malnutrition prevalence among pellagrins.