Inverse effect of chronically elevated blood flow on atherogenesis in miniature swine

The effect of chronically elevated blood flow on the development of atherosclerosis in miniature swine was studied. Fistulas connecting the right external iliac artery and vein were surgically created in four swine, while three were not fistulated. Pulsed Doppler velocity detection cuffs placed around the abdominal aorta and both iliac arteries of all pigs permitted chronic measurements of blood velocity, blood velocity distributions, and blood flow. All swine were fed an atherogenic diet consisting of 20% beef tallow, 3% cholesterol, and 5% cholic acid for 6 months. This diet elevated the serum cholesterol to values exceeding 500 mg/100 ml. Creation of the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) markedly elevated blood velocity and flow in the abdominal aorta and in the shunted iliac artery. In the shunted animals the aortic blood flow was 42.1 +/- 2.0 ml/sec compared with 17.3 +/- 1.4 ml/sec in the unshunted swine. The velocity distribution pattern across the vessel was also indicative of an elevated wall shear stress. After 6 months, the animals were killed and the arterial vessels examined macroscopically and microscopically for the presence of atherosclerotic lesions. In the shunted pigs, 17 +/- 15% of the lumenal surface was occupied by sudanophilic lesions, whereas 80 +/- 8% of the surface was covered by lesions in the unshunted (control) pigs. From these studies, it is apparent that mechanical factors related to blood flow rates can influence the development of atherosclerotic lesions in swine.     

Sapindaceae,cyanolipids, and bugs

Scentless plant bugs (Heteroptera: Rhopalidae) are so named because adults of the Serinethinae have vestigial metathoracic scent glands. Serinethines are seed predators of Sapindales, especially Sapindaceae that produce toxic cyanolipids. In two serinethine species whose ranges extend into the southern United States,Jadera haematoloma andJ. sanguinolenta, sequestration of host cyanolipids as glucosides renders these gregarious, aposematic insects unpalatable to a variety of predators. The blood glucoside profile and cyanogenesis ofJadera varies depending on the cyanolipid chemistry of hosts, and adults and larvae fed golden rain tree seeds (Koelreuteria paniculata) excrete the volatile lactone, 4-methyl-2(5H)-furanone, to which they are attracted.Jadera fed balloon vine seeds (Cardiospermum spp.) do not excrete the attractive lactone. Loss of the usual heteropteran defensive glands in serinethines may have coevolved with host specificity on toxic plants, and the orientation ofJadera to a volatile excretory product could be an adaptive response to save time.Mention of a commercial product does not consititute an endorsement by the USDA.     

Effects of including corn distillers dried grains with solubles in dairy calf feeds

A series of 5 trials was conducted to determine the effect of distillers dried grains with solubles (DG) in calf diets. Trial 1 compared 0 or 49% DG in 18% crude protein (CP) starters (as-fed basis) fed to calves initially 2 to 3 d old for 56 d. Digestibility was estimated during d 52 to 56 using chromic oxide. Trial 2 compared 0 or 39% DG in 16% CP growers fed to calves from 8 to 12 wk of age from 28 d. Trial 3 compared 0, 10, or 20% DG in 18% CP starters fed to calves initially 2 to 3 d old for 56 d. Trial 4 compared 0 or 20% DG in 16% CP growers fed to calves from 8 to 12 wk of age from 28 d. As DG increased in all diets, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and fat increased and calculated metabolizable energy was similar but not equalized. In trials 1 and 3, calves (n = 48/trial) housed in individual pens were fed 26% CP, 17% fat milk replacer powder and weaned at 28 d. Trials 2 and 4 used calves (n = 48/trial) housed in group pens (6 calves/pen) that had been weaned for 28 d before the trials’ start. Trial 5 (n = 18 calves) had the same starter treatments as trial 3 fed in combination with high or low milk replacer intake, with calves killed at 35 d to determine effects of DG and milk replacer intake on rumen development. In trial 1, average daily gain (ADG) was 6% greater and dry matter digestibility was 10% greater for calves fed 0% versus 49% DG. In trial 2, ADG (9%), feed efficiency (10%), and hip width change (19%) were greater for calves fed 0% versus 39% DG. Performance measures did not differ among starter treatments in Trials 3 and 5. In trial 4, ADG (4%), feed efficiency (5%), and hip width change (19%) were greater for calves fed 0% versus 20% DG. In trial 5, rumen development was not affected by DG inclusion, but was greater for calves fed milk replacer at 630 versus 940 g/d, which had greater starter intake. Overall, we conclude that high levels of distillers in calf starters and growers decrease growth of calves; however, starters with ≤20% DG allow for normal growth rates and rumen development.     

Cultivar choice provides options for local production of organic and conventionally produced tomatoes with higher quality and antioxidant content

BACKGROUND: Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are widely consumed and well known for their health benefits, many of which have been associated with the high levels of antioxidants present in tomatoes. With a growing interest in local and organic foods, it would be helpful to determine whether farmers could naturally improve the quality and antioxidant content of tomatoes for sale in local markets. This study evaluated antioxidant properties, quality attributes, and yield for 10 tomato cultivars grown for 2 years using certified organic and conventional practices. RESULTS: Cultivar and year effects impacted (P < 0.05) all tests conducted, while growing method influenced (P < 0.05) yield, soluble solids content, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant radical scavenging capacity. Even when accounting for year‐to‐year variability, cultivars in the highest groups had 1.35‐ to 1.67‐fold higher antioxidant levels than cultivars in the lowest groups. ‘New Girl’, ‘Jet Star’, ‘Fantastic’, and ‘First Lady’ were always in the highest groups, while ‘Roma’ and ‘Early Girl’ consistently had the lowest antioxidant content. CONCLUSION: Compared to production practices and environmental effects of years that are generally beyond the control of small‐scale producers, choice of cultivar provides the simplest and most effective means of increasing antioxidant properties. Knowledge of tomato cultivars with naturally higher antioxidant levels could assist smaller‐scale producers to grow fruit that may provide a competitive advantage and the opportunity to capitalize on the increasing popularity of locally grown, high‐quality fresh produce. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry