Mena, a relative of VASP and Drosophila Enabled, is implicated in the control of microfilament dynamics

This paper examines the effects of exposure to mass media messages promoting family planning on the reproductive behaviour of married women in Nigeria using cross-sectional data. Longitudinal data are also used to ensure that exposure to media messages pre-dates the indicators of reproductive behaviour. Cross-sectional analysis suggests that: (1) contraceptive use and intention are positively associated with exposure to mass media messages, and (2) women who are exposed to media messages are more likely to desire fewer children than those who are not exposed to such messages. Similarly, analysis of the longitudinal data shows that exposure to mass media messages is a significant predictor of contraceptive use. Thus, exposure to mass media messages about family planning may be a powerful tool for influencing reproductive behaviour in Nigeria.     

Laser Doppler velocimetry with polarization-bistable VCSELs

We present a rate equation model of a single mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) with two states of linear polarization, subject to Doppler-shifted optical feedback. Recent experimental work has shown that the polarization bistability often observed in VCSELs can be exploited to enhance the responsivity of these semiconductor lasers in speed-sensing applications. We review these experimental results briefly and use the rate equation model to explain the increased signal-to-noise ratio.     

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Derived from Alzheimer’s Disease Mice Worsens Brain Trauma Outcomes in Wild-Type Controls

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, both of which increase the risk and accelerate the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The gut microbiome is an essential modulator of the immune system, impacting the brain. AD has been related with reduced diversity and alterations in the community composition of the gut microbiota. This study aimed to determine whether the gut microbiota from AD mice exacerbates neurological deficits after TBI in control mice. We prepared fecal microbiota transplants from 18 to 24 month old 3×Tg-AD (FMT-AD) and from healthy control (FMT-young) mice. FMTs were administered orally to young control C57BL/6 (wild-type, WT) mice after they underwent controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury, as a model of TBI. Then, we characterized the microbiota composition of the fecal samples by full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. We collected the blood, brain, and gut tissues for protein and immunohistochemical analysis. Our results showed that FMT-AD administration stimulates a higher relative abundance of the genus Muribaculum and a decrease in Lactobacillus johnsonii compared to FMT-young in WT mice. Furthermore, WT mice exhibited larger lesion, increased activated microglia/macrophages, and reduced motor recovery after FMT-AD compared to FMT-young one day after TBI. In summary, we observed gut microbiota from AD mice to have a detrimental effect and aggravate the neuroinflammatory response and neurological outcomes after TBI in young WT mice.     

The effect of environmental conditions on nutritional quality of cherry tomato fruits: evaluation of two experimental Mediterranean greenhouses

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine how different environmental factors (temperature, solar radiation, and vapour‐pressure deficit [VPD]) influenced nutritional quality and flavour of cherry tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Naomi) grown in two types of experimental Mediterranean greenhouses: parral (low technology) and multispan (high technology). RESULTS: Fruits were sampled three times during 3 years (2004, 2005 and 2006): at the beginning, middle and end of the fruit production period. Values for temperature, solar radiation, and VPD peaked in the third sampling in both greenhouses; values were higher in the parral‐type greenhouse, triggering abiotic stress. This stress reduced the accumulation of lycopene and essential elements, augmenting the phytonutrient content and the antioxidant capacity of tomatoes. During the third sampling, sugars were increased while organic acid content diminished, producing tomatoes with a sweeter‐milder flavour. The parral greenhouse produced tomatoes with higher phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid contents, together with a greater antioxidant capacity, without showing differences in flavour parameters. CONCLUSION: The higher phytonutrients content and antioxidant activity during the environmental stress, more pronounced in parral than multispan greenhouse, together with the sweeter‐milder flavour, conferred a notable nutritional benefit, which considerably improved the nutritional and organoleptic quality of these tomatoes. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dietary intake of ochratoxin A from conventional and organic bread

Ochratoxin A (OTA) was extracted from 100 bread samples by using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and analyzed with liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection. The presence of OTA was confirmed by methyl-ester derivatization. Bread samples were bought from different bakeries and supermarkets, 74 of non-organic and 26 of organic bread. The incidence of OTA varied between 20.3% and 23.0% for non-organic and organic bread, respectively. The highest values were obtained with non-organic versus organic products, five samples exceeded the European maximum permitted limit of OTA (3 ng/g) for this product. Estimated daily intake of OTA in this study was 1.6 ng/kg b.w./day. This value represents 32% and 10% of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) according to the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Commission and the FAO/WHO Committee of Experts on Food Additives, respectively. The daily intake estimated from this study reflects the necessity to take a vigilant attitude to guarantee food safety.     

Pig sire type and sex effects on carcass traits,meat quality and physicochemical and sensory characteristics of Serrano dry‐cured ham

This study demonstrates that improvements in animal line selection by breeding enterprises exert a strong effect on carcass traits, meat quality and sensory characteristics of Serrano dry‐cured ham. A total of 461 pigs from the offspring of a Duroc (DU) × Landrace (LD) sow mated with two DU boars and a DU × Large White (LW) boar from three breeding enterprises were evaluated. The two DU terminal sires were significantly different (P < 0.05) in carcass conformation, backfat thickness, ham and loin yields, raw ham traits, myoglobin concentration and total pigments formed during the curing process; in addition, the two lines provided different percentages of hams (54 vs 91%) with sufficient subcutaneous fat and weight to manufacture dry‐cured Serrano hams using a slow ripening process (11 months). The DU × LW sire had the best carcass and ham traits from an economic standpoint and obtained highest scores for sensory characteristics of Serrano ham evaluated by a trained panel test; furthermore, this line provided 84% of total hams suitable for manufacturing Serrano hams by a slow process. When the sex effect was analysed, carcass and ham traits of females were more favourable, but females presented a higher incidence of pale, soft and exudative (PSE) meat and a lower percentage of hams with sufficient subcutaneous fat and weight to produce Serrano hams using a slow ripening process (61% for females and 91% for castrates). On the other hand, castrates provided Serrano hams cured by a slow procedure with better organoleptic characteristics than females. Right and left hams were similar. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Occurrence of fumonisins in foods

Fumonisins (FB) are synthesized mainly by different species of the genus Fusarium and FB1 is the predominating fumonisin isolated in foods. FB1 shows different toxicological effects in humans and animals and has been associated with esophageal cancer in different countries. This review presents an overview of the worldwide occurrence of fumonisins in crops and human foods being corn and corn meal the most contaminated foods, and reviews variations of the presence of these mycotoxins in foods and in agricultural crops. In foods, these variations are due to the alkaline solutions, water and temperature. For agricultural crops, the role of climatic conditions and latitude, genotypes, spoilage and other fungal diseases is reviewed.     

Intensity of estrus following an estradiol-progesterone-based ovulation synchronization protocol influences fertility outcomes

The objective of this study was to examine the association between increased physical activity at the moment of timed artificial insemination (AI), detected by an automated activity monitor (AAM), and fertility outcomes. This paper also investigated factors affecting estrous expression in general. A total of 1,411 AI events from 1,040 lactating Holstein cows were recorded, averaging 1.3 ± 0.6 (±standard deviation) events per cow. Activity (measured as steps/h) was monitored continuously by a leg-mounted AAM located on the rear leg of the cow. Ovulation was synchronized by a timed AI protocol based on estradiol and progesterone. Ovarian ultrasonography was performed in all cows on d ?11 (AI = d 0) and in a subset of cows on d 0 (n = 588) and d 7 (n = 819) to determine the presence of a corpus luteum and follicles. The body condition score (1 to 5 scale) was assessed on d 0 and a blood sample was collected for progesterone measurement on d 7. Using the AAM, an estrus event was determined when the relative increase (RI) in physical activity of the cow exceeded 100% of the baseline activity. The physical activity was classified as strong RI (≥300% RI), moderate RI (100–300% RI), or no estrus (<100% RI). Milk production was measured daily and averaged between d ?11 and 0. Pregnancy was diagnosed at 32 and 60 d post-AI and pregnancy losses were calculated. The mean RI at estrus was 328.3 ± 132.1%. Cows with strong RI had greater pregnancy per AI than those with moderate RI and those that did not express estrus (35.1 vs. 27.3 vs. 6.2%). When including only cows that successfully ovulated after timed AI, those that displayed strong intensity RI still had greater pregnancy per AI than those with moderate intensity RI or those that did not express estrus (45.1 vs. 34.8 vs. 6.2%). Cows expressing strong RI at timed AI had greater ovulation rates compared with moderate RI and cows that did not express estrus (94.9 vs. 88.2 vs. 49.5%). Furthermore, pregnancy losses were reduced in cows with strong RI compared with cows expressing moderate RI (13.9 vs. 21.7%). Cows with a strong RI at estrus were more likely to have a corpus luteum at the beginning of the protocol and had greater concentration of progesterone 7 d post-AI. Multiparous cows expressed lower RI compared with primiparous cows. Cows with lower body condition score tended to have decreased RI at estrus. No correlation between estrous expression and pre-ovulatory follicle diameter was observed. Also, no correlation was observed between milk production at AI and RI. In conclusion, strong intensity RI of estrus events at timed AI was associated with improved ovulation rates and pregnancy per AI, and reduced pregnancy losses. These results provide further evidence that measurements of estrous expression can be used to predict fertility at the time of AI and possibly be used as a tool to assist decision making strategies of reproduction programs.     

Phenomenon of phase inversion in high impact polystyrene: Physico‐chemical,rheological and morphological study in the presence of chain transfer agent and using different tapered block copolymers as the precursor rubber

Different high impact polystyrenes were synthesized using styrene/butadiene copolymers (SB) with PS/PB composition: 30/70 and 20/80 as the precursor rubber, benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as the initiator, and ter‐dodecyl mercaptane (TDM) as the chain transfer agent. During the polymerization, several samples were taken and analyzed under different techniques to evaluate the phase inversion (PI) phenomenon. The PI was determined through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and through dynamic oscillatory behavior, where the PI takes places when the relaxation process presents the lower value of activation energy. Finally, the Choi and Schowalter emulsion model was employed to elucidate the PI, and relevant information was revealed about the interfacial tension in the PI. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers