Species identification of blood meals from Culex tarsalis that had fed on passeriform birds

Blood-engorged Culex tarsalis (4,209) collected during 1960 to 1965 in Kern County, California and previously shown to have fed on passeriform birds by the precipitin test were further tested by the more sensitive passive hemagglutination inhibition test (PHI). It was shown that these mosquitoes fed principally on House Finches and House Sparrows, the most common passeriform birds found in the collection areas. These data demonstrate the usefulness of the PHI test for the identification of arthropod blood meals from closely related species.     

A test of the practical value of estimating breath sound intensity. Breath sounds related to measured ventilatory function

An acromegalic patient with galactorrhea-amenorrhea who conceived following long-term 2-bromo-alpha-ergocryptine (CB-154) therapy is described. During CB-154 therapy, determinations of serum prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH)-human chorionic gonadotropin, follicle-stimulating hormone a reduction in PRL level followed by an LH peak, a rise in basal body temperature and menstruation. The patient became pregnant during the next cycle, but therapeutic abortion was performed because of the active acromegaly. These results demonstrate that CB-154 can restore ovulatory function not only to the patient with a hypothalamic disorder but also to the acromegalic patient with an enlarged sella turcica.     

Drying kinetics,physico‐chemical properties,antioxidant activity and phenolic composition of foam‐mat dried germinated rice bean (Vigna umbellata) hydrolysate

This research was aimed to study physico‐chemical properties and antioxidant activities of foam‐mat dried germinated rice bean (Vigna umbellata) hydrolysate. Germination led to an increase in released phenolic content and antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP) of rice bean hydrolysate. The hydrolysate obtained from germinated rice bean (GRB) and non‐germinated rice beans (NGRBs) was foam‐mat dried at 60 and 70 °C. Semi‐theoretical and empirical model could suitably describe the drying characteristic of foamed bean hydrolysate. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activities of foam‐mat dried samples decreased with increasing air‐drying temperature (P ≤ 0.05). Gallic acid, catechol and epicatechin were major phenolic compounds in foam‐mat dried samples prepared from both GRB and NGRB. The higher phenolic content and antioxidant activities were found in foam‐mat dried hydrolysate of GRB. Electron spin resonance spectrometry revealed that foam‐mat dried rice bean hydrolysate showed a strong ability to scavenge free radicals, especially carbon‐centred radicals.     

Future developments in assisted reproduction in humans

The advent of human in vitro fertilization (IVF) over 30 years ago has made the oocyte and preimplantation embryo uniquely accessible. This accessibility has given rise to new micromanipulation techniques, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection for treatment of male infertility, as well as embryo biopsy for preimplantation diagnosis of both genetic disease and aneuploidy, a major cause of early embryo demise and miscarriage. In the UK, average pregnancy rates after IVF and embryo transfer are < 25%, even after transfer of several embryos. Unfortunately, a third of these pregnancies involve multiple gestations. Research is currently focusing on methods to improve IVF success rates while reducing twin and triplet pregnancies and their associated increased morbidity and mortality. One approach is to develop screening methods to identify the most viable embryos, so that transfer of fewer healthy embryos will result in a higher proportion of singleton pregnancies. Screening methods include optimizing culture conditions for prolonged culture and selection of viable blastocysts for transfer, or embryo biopsy and aneuploidy screening. Assisted reproduction is also increasingly important in other branches of medicine: survival rates for cancer sufferers are improving continually and there is now a significant need for approaches to preserve fertility after sterilizing chemo-and radiotherapy treatment. Techniques for cryopreserving male and female gametes or gonadal tissue are being developed, although systems to grow and mature these gametes are in their infancy. Finally, there are also concerns regarding the safety of these new assisted reproductive technologies.     

Interrelationships of breed type, USDA quality grade, cooking method, and degree of doneness on consumer evaluations of beef in Dallas and San Antonio, Texas, USA

The objective of this research was to evaluate the consumer controlled factors of cooking method and degree of doneness on top loin steaks from different USDA quality grades (Low Choice, High Select or Low Select) and breed-types (English, Continental European Cross or Brahman Cross). In addition, cities within the same region were evaluated for differences in consumer controlled factors and palatability responses. The in-home product test was conducted in Dallas and San Antonio, Texas, USA. Consumers (n=173) evaluated steaks for overall like (OSAT), tenderness (TEND), juiciness (JUIC), and flavor (FLAV) using 23-point hedonic scales. Respondents in Dallas cooked their steaks to higher degrees of doneness than did those in San Antonio. Outdoor grilling was the most frequently used method of cookery for steaks in both cities. Generally, consumers in San Antonio gave higher palatability ratings to Choice steaks and Dallas consumers gave higher ratings to Select steaks. The interactions of city×cooking method, breed-type×cooking method, and degree of doneness×cooking method were significant for all palatability attributes. In addition, the interaction of cooking method×quality grade was significant for TEND, JUIC, and FLAV. Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) force was determined on a steak from each strip loin. Steaks from Continental European Cross cattle and Low Choice carcasses had the lowest WBS values. Differences in consumer preparation of beef top loin steaks present very unique challenges for the beef industry. Consumer information programs may serve a valuable role in connecting consumer perceptions with the preparation techniques needed to consistently achieve satisfaction.     

Ohmic cooking of whole turkey meat – Effect of rapid ohmic heating on selected product parameters

Intact turkey meat was cooked using low temperature long time (LTLT) and high temperature short time (HTST) protocols in a combined ohmic/convection system and compared to conventional (CONV) steam cooking. Both ohmic protocols gave a significantly lighter (p < 0.05) and a more uniform colour vs. CONV, while no significant differences (p ? 0.05) were found in texture profile analysis attributes between LTLT and CONV though HTST showed significantly higher attributes (p < 0.05). Cook loss was significantly (p < 0.05) different between treatments (25.2%, 27.9% and 31.3% for LTLT, CONV and HTST). Sensory studies largely confirmed these observations. Cook values (p < 0.05) were lowest for LTLT (4.0) followed by HTST (5.4) and control (8.5). Lipid oxidation and sulphur-flavour-compound development (measured over 7 days) were higher for conventional than ohmic treatments. Overall, these results demonstrate considerable industrial potential for ohmic heating, yielding high quality products with an 8–15-fold reduction in cooking time.     

How effective are common household preparations on removing pesticide residues from fruit and vegetables? A review

Nowadays, the use of pesticides is inevitable for pest control in crops, especially for fruit and vegetables. After the harvest from raw agricultural commodities, the amount of pesticide residues in food is mainly influenced by the storage, handling and processing that follow. If good agricultural and good manufacturing practices are enforced effectively, the amount of pesticide residues would be brought below the corresponding maximum residue level. Thus, the consumption of raw and/or prepared fruit and vegetables would be safe. Nonetheless, reports regarding pesticide residues in fruit or vegetables on mass media have been worrying consumers, who are concerned about the adverse effects of pesticide residues. As a result, consumers perform household processing before consumption to reduce any related risks. However, can these preparations effectively remove pesticide residues? Reviewing the extensive literature, it showed that, in most cases, washing and soaking can only lead to a certain degree of reduction in residue level, while other processing such as peeling, soaking in chemical baths and blanching can reduce pesticide residues more effectively. In general, the behaviour of residues during processing can be rationalised in terms of the physico‐chemical properties of the pesticide and the nature of the process. In contrast, the reported studies are diversified and some areas still lack sufficient studies to draw any remarks. Recommendations are provided with respect to the available information that aims to formulate an environmental friendly, cost‐effective and efficient household processing of fruit and vegetables to reduce pesticide residues. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Emissions of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans and polychlorinated biphenyls from uncontrolled burning of garden and domestic waste (backyard burning)

To assess emissions of dioxins (chlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans) and PCB from uncontrolled domestic combustion of waste ("backyard burning"), test combustions in barrels and open fires were monitored. The waste fuels used were garden waste, paper, paper and plastic packaging, refuse-derived fuel (RDF), PVC, and electronic scrap. Combustions including PVC and electronic scrap emitted several orders of magnitude more dioxins than the other waste fuels. Emissions from the other fuels had considerable variations, but the levels were difficult to relate to waste composition. Emission factors of PCDD/F and PCB from the backyard burning ranged from 2.2 to 13 000 ng (WHO-TEQ)/kg. The levels found in ash usually were less than 5% of the total. For assessment of total emissions of dioxins and PCB from backyard burning of low and moderately contaminated wastes, an emission factor range of 4-72 ng (WHO-TEQ)/kg is suggested. These figures implythat combusting waste in the backyard could contribute substantially to total emissions, even if the amounts of fuel involved are equivalent to just a few tenths of a percent of the amounts combusted in municipal waste incinerators.     

Protection of stored maize from insect pests using a two-component biological control method consisting of a hymenopteran parasitoid, Theocolax elegans, and transgenic avidin maize powder

The hymenopteran parasitoid, Theocolax elegans (Westwood), and transgenic avidin maize powder were tested to determine if their individual or combined use would protect stored grain from infestation by both internal and external insect pests. Small-scale tests were conducted in plastic jars containing 3 kg of non-transgenic maize. We tested treatments of 0.3% powdered avidin maize, the parasitoid wasp, and the combination of the parasitoid plus 0.3% powdered avidin maize. One pair each of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) was added to each jar. After 8 weeks, the entire contents of each jar were examined for adult insects. Control and avidin maize powders had no detrimental effects on the beneficial insect parasitoid T. elegans. The parasitoid suppressed populations of the internal feeder S. zeamais. The avidin maize powder treatment had no effect on S. zeamais because these larvae developed inside the maize kernels where no avidin maize powder was present. For S. zeamais, the combination treatment was not significantly different from the parasitoid treatment. In contrast, populations of the external feeder T. castaneum were not suppressed by the parasitoid but were suppressed by the avidin maize powder treatment. The parasitoid-avidin combination treatment produced the greatest percentage reduction for all three insect species and resulted in 78%, 94%, and 70% reductions in populations of S. zeamais, T. castaneum, and C. ferrugineus, respectively, when compared to the control treatment. The percentage reductions for the parasitoid treatment were 70%, 8%, and 20% for S. zeamais, T. castaneum, and C. ferrugineus, respectively. For the avidin maize powder treatment, populations of S. zeamais, T. castaneum, and C. ferrugineus were reduced by 10%, 85%, and 40%, respectively. The combination treatment of avidin maize powder plus the release of parasitoid wasps was superior to either treatment alone when applied to mixed populations of internal and external feeders.