Effect of stocking density and group size on growth performance,carcass traits and meat quality of outdoor-reared rabbits

The effect of stocking density (16 rabbits/m², 5 rabbits/m², 2.5 rabbits/m², n = 60, Experiment 1) and group size (4 rabbits/cage, 8 rabbits/cage, 16 rabbits/cage, n = 88, Experiment 2) on productive performance, carcass and meat quality of a slow-growing rabbit population reared outdoors was investigated in two experiments. The highest stocking density induced the highest skin percentage. Lower stocking densities showed lower lightness of Biceps femoris and higher redness of Longissimus lumborum muscles. Four rabbits/cage group (Experiment 2) showed the highest daily weight gain and slaughter weight and the lowest skin percentage. The muscles of 16 rabbits/cage showed significantly higher pHu than 8 and 4 rabbits/cage. BF of 16 and 4 rabbits/cage showed higher L* value. Productive performance and meat quality of rabbits reared outdoors improved in low group size while stocking density needs more experiments. The best combination of density, group size and total available surface that showed the best production and carcass traits was of 5 rabbits/m², 4 rabbits/cage, and 0.8 m².     

Novel Putative Transposable Element Associated with the Subtype E5 Botulinum Toxin Gene Cluster of Neurotoxigenic Clostridium butyricum Type E Strains from China

Previously, a whole-genome comparison of three Clostridium butyricum type E strains from Italy and the United States with different C. botulinum type E strains indicated that the bont/e gene might be transferred between the two clostridia species through transposition. However, transposable elements (TEs) have never been identified close to the bont/e gene. Herein, we report the whole genome sequences for four neurotoxigenic C. butyricum type E strains that originated in China. An analysis of the obtained genome sequences revealed the presence of a novel putative TE upstream of the bont/e gene in the genome of all four strains. Two strains of environmental origin possessed an additional copy of the putative TE in their megaplasmid. Similar putative TEs were found in the megaplasmids and, less frequently, in the chromosomes of several C. butyricum strains, of which two were neurotoxigenic C. butyricum type E strains, and in the chromosome of a single C. botulinum type E strain. We speculate that the putative TE might potentially transpose the bont/e gene at the intracellular and inter-cellular levels. However, the occasional TE occurrence in the clostridia genomes might reflect rare transposition events.     

The effect of mechanical recycling on the microstructure and properties of PA66 composites reinforced with carbon fibers

This article aims to prepare by injection molding recycled polymeric composites based on PA66 reinforced with short carbon fibers after artificial aging for applications in the automotive field. The aging cycles involves the combined action of UV radiation, moisture, and temperature in order to simulate the common outdoor conditions. The 100% recycled composites are obtained by the regranulation of the aged specimens followed by the remelting and re‐injection molding. The study is focused on the comparison between the mechanical behavior and the microstructure of the composites before and after mechanical recycling. The results of mechanical, thermal, and morphological investigations reveal that the recycling process had no significant effect on the final properties and microstructure of the recycled composites. Therefore the recycled PA66CF30 composites could be successfully used for structural or semi‐structural automotive applications guaranteeing good final performances and advantages from the environmental point of view. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42275.     

Exploitation of Polyphenolic Extracts from Grape Marc as Natural Antioxidants by Encapsulation in Lipid-Based Nanodelivery Systems

Phenolic compounds were extracted from grape marc by means of high pressure and temperature extraction. In order to increase their dispersability in the aqueous phase, the polyphenolic extracts were encapsulated at a final concentration of 0.1 % (w/w) in nanoemulsion-based delivery systems, which were formulated with natural ingredients, using either a liquid (sunflower oil) or a solid (palm oil) lipid phase, as well as the combination of a hydrophilic and hydrophobic emulsifier, and were produced by high-pressure homogenization. The delivery systems were characterized in terms of physicochemical stability under accelerated ageing (storage at 4 °C, 30 °C, and 55 °C for 14 days), by recording the evolution of the mean droplet size, the creaming index as well as the UV–vis absorption spectra of the encapsulated polyphenols. The antioxidant activity of the encapsulated extracts was measured with two different chemical assays (FRAP and ORAC) and a cellular antioxidant assay. Sunflower oil-based nanoemulsions resulted to be the most physically and chemically stable, with no significant variation of the mean droplet size and no degradation of the encapsulated compounds under the different conditions tested. The FRAP and ORAC assays showed that the antioxidant compounds, when encapsulated, are as available as unencapsulated polyphenols in scavenging the peroxyl radicals (ORAC), but are less available in reducing the ferric tripyridyltriazine complexes (FRAP). Remarkably, the cellular antioxidant activity was significantly higher for the encapsulated grape marc polyphenols than for the unencapsulated ones, suggesting the fundamental role of the nanoemulsions in favoring the delivery through the biological membranes.     

Resveratrol Prevents Cytoarchitectural and Interneuronal Alterations in the Valproic Acid Rat Model of Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by several alterations, including disorganized brain cytoarchitecture and excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) imbalance. We aimed to analyze aspects associated with the inhibitory components in ASD, using bioinformatics to develop notions about embryonic life and tissue analysis for postnatal life. We analyzed microarray and RNAseq datasets of embryos from different ASD models, demonstrating that regions involved in neuronal development are affected. We evaluated the effect of prenatal treatment with resveratrol (RSV) on the neuronal organization and quantity of parvalbumin-positive (PV+), somatostatin-positive (SOM+), and calbindin-positive (CB+) GABAergic interneurons, besides the levels of synaptic proteins and GABA receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus (HC) of the ASD model induced by valproic acid (VPA). VPA increased the total number of neurons in the mPFC, while it reduced the number of SOM+ neurons, as well as the proportion of SOM+, PV+, and CB+ neurons (subregion-specific manner), with preventive effects of RSV. In summary, metabolic alterations or gene expression impairments could be induced by VPA, leading to extensive damage in the late developmental stages. By contrast, due to its antioxidant, neuroprotective, and opposite action on histone properties, RSV may avoid damages induced by VPA.     

Effective components of TORDIA cognitive–behavioral therapy for adolescent depression: Preliminary findings.

In this report, we conducted a secondary analysis of the Treatment of SSRI-Resistant Depression in Adolescents (TORDIA) study to explore the impact of specific cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment components on outcome. In TORDIA, 334 youths (ages 12 to 18 years) with major depressive disorder who had failed to respond to an adequate course of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medication were randomized to a medication switch (either to an alternative SSRI or venlafaxine) with or without 12 weeks of adjunctive CBT. Participants who had more than 9 CBT sessions were 2.5 times more likely to have adequate treatment response than those who had 9 or fewer sessions. CBT participants who received problem-solving and social skills treatment components, controlling for number of sessions and other confounding variables, were 2.3 and 2.6 times, respectively, more likely to have a positive response. These preliminary findings underscore the importance of receiving an adequate number of sessions to attain an adequate clinical response. Finally, social skills and problem solving may be active elements in CBT for adolescent depression and should be considered in treatment by those working with seriously depressed youths. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Microdroplet-based multiplex PCR on chip to detect foodborne bacteria producing biogenic amines

The development of fast, reliable and culture-independent molecular tools to detect bacteria producing biogenic amines deserves the attention of research and ultimately of the food industry in order to protect consumers' health. Here we present the application of a simple, low-cost, fast and sensitive method to perform microdroplet-based multiplex PCR, directly on a food matrix, for the simultaneous detection of bacterial genes involved in biogenic amine biosynthesis. After inoculating wine with Lactobacillus brevis IOEB 9809, cell lysis and DNA amplification are performed in one single step, without preliminary nucleic acid extraction or purification treatments. The assay is performed in about 30 min, requiring 150 nL of starting sample and it enables the detection of down to 15 bacterial cells. With respect to traditional culture techniques, the speed, the simplicity and the cheapness of this procedure allow an effective monitoring of microbial cells during food-making and processing.     

Identification of naturally isolated Southern Louisiana's algal strains and the effect of higher CO2 content on fatty acid profiles for biodiesel production

BACKGROUND: Microalgae, with both high biomass productivity and oil content, are regarded as attractive candidates for the production of alternative biodiesel as well as for CO₂ biofixation. In the present study, four microalgal strains native to southeastern Louisiana's waters were isolated and identified to evaluate their potential for the production of biodiesel. Selected strains were identified through genomic DNA in sequencing of either 16S rRNA or 18S rRNA genes followed by lipid and fatty acid content characterization and quantification. RESULTS: High correlation was found with known nucleotide sequence identities at 98% with Sellaphora pupula, and 99% with Synechococcus sp., Chlorella sorokiniana, Scenedesmus abundans, and Chlorella vulgaris (control). The fatty acid profiles of these organisms changed when using 5% CO₂ aeration. Total fatty acids (TFA) decreased from 20.63 to 17.62, 54.83 to 24.4, and 29.82 to 23.99 g kg^?1 in Synechococcus sp., Sellaphora pupula and Chlorella sorokiniana, respectively. TFA increased from 14.14 to 31.49 and 15.14 to 47.52 g kg^?1 dry biomass in Scenedesmus abundans and Chlorella vulgaris (control), respectively. CONCLUSION: Chlorella sorokiniana, with a lower C18:3 and the highest biomass yield at 5% CO₂ aeration, was found to be the best candidate for biodiesel production. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry