Allele frequencies and genotypes of kappa casein (CSN3) and their association with chemical composition and coagulation properties of milk in Brown cattle

The aim of the present study was to evaluate allele frequencies and genotypes of kappa casein (CSN3) and their association with milk quality and coagulation properties in Brown cattle. Milk proteins’ polymorphism was found out in 155 tissue samples from cows reared at 4 farms. The analysis of milk composition was done in the lab of the Agriculture Institute – Stara Zagora on Lactoscan ultrasound milk analyzer, whereas coagulation properties of individual milk samples were evaluated on a Computerized Renneting Metter – Polo Trade, Italy. Milk samples were obtained by milk meters. The milk was analysed within 3 hours after sample collection. Naturen Plus 215/0.8L chymosin was used, with milk coagulation activity of 215 IMCU/ml. During the study, the following parameters were studied: milk fat and protein contents (%), rennet coagulation time (RCT, min), curd firmness (а30, mm) and curd firming time (k20, min). Kappa casein (CSN3) is characterised by five genotypes – АА, АВ, ВВ, АН and ВН, the frequency of which varied within various ranges. The milk of cows with genotype AB was characterized by the highest content of fat and protein: 4.85% and 5.00%, respectively. The milk of heterozygous cows from genotype AB demonstrated the longest rennet coagulation time – 18.04 min. The animals carrying the H allele produced milk with the highest curd firmness – 37.00 mm.

Environmental Remediation Potential of Ferrous Sulfate Waste as an Eco-Friendly Coagulant for the Removal of NH3-N and COD from the Rubber Processing Effluent

The present study was conducted to determine the potential of utilizing the FeSO4·7H2O waste from the titanium manufacturing industry as an effective coagulant for treating industrial effluent. In this study, the secondary rubber processing effluent (SRPE) was treated using ferrous sulfate (FeSO4·7H2O) waste from the titanium oxide manufacturing industry. The FeSO4·7H2O waste coagulation efficiency was evaluated on the elimination of ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from SRPE. The central composite design (CCD) of experiments was employed to design the coagulation experiments with varying coagulation time, coagulant doses, and temperature. The coagulation experiments were optimized on the optimal elimination of NH3-N and COD using response surface methodology (RSM). Results showed that coagulant doses and temperature significantly influenced NH3-N and COD elimination from SRPE. The highest NH3-N and COD removal obtained were 98.19% and 93.86%, respectively, at the optimized coagulation experimental conditions of coagulation time 70 min, coagulant doses 900 mg/L, and temperature 62 °C. The residual NH3-N and COD in treated SPRE were found below the specified industrial effluent discharge limits set by DoE, Malaysia. Additionally, the sludge generated after coagulation of SRPE contains essential plant nutrients. The present study’s finding showed that FeSO4·7H2O waste generated as an industrial byproduct in a titanium oxide manufacturing industry could be utilized as an eco-friendly coagulant in treating industrial effluent.

Global Thrombosis Test: Occlusion is attributable to shear-induced platelet thrombus formation.

Herein, we set out a rebuttal to the publication by Claveria and co-workers published in TH Open this month entitled “Global Thrombosis Test: Occlusion by Coagulation or SIPA?” We strongly believe that the conclusions of their paper, suggesting that occlusion (OT) in the Global Thrombosis Test (GTT) is due to coagulation, rather than shear-induced platelet thrombus formation, is incorrect and the evidence and arguments they present are fundamentally flawed, with major errors both in the experimental approach and in the interpretations of the results. The evidence which they demonstrate, shows that occlusion in the GTT is, in fact, caused by high shear induced platelet thrombus formations. We set out herein the evidence for that, based on histology of the thrombus from the GTT in earlier work using electron microscopy showing large platelet aggregates, the very brief timescale of OT in the GTT compared to coagulation time and the sensitivity of the OT in the GTT to the effects of heparin, t-PA and P2Y12 inhibitors. In addition, we revisit the known pathomechanism of high shear-mediated platelet aggregation to underpin our rationale and show that the modifications to the instrument proposed by Claveria and co-authors would render the technique unphysiological. We highlight several methodological concerns and apparent misinterpreted of the data obtained. We present evidence predominantly from the authors’ own data, together with our earlier published data and evidence from the literature, showing that occlusion in the GTT occurs do to shear-induced platelet aggregation.

Multifunctional, Robust, and Porous PHBV—GO/MXene Composite Membranes with Good Hydrophilicity, Antibacterial Activity, and Platelet Adsorption Performance

The limitations of hydrophilicity, strength, antibacterial activity adsorption performance of the biobased and biocompatible polymer materials, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), significantly restrict their wider applications especially in medical areas. In this paper, a novel composite membrane with high antibacterial activity and platelet adsorption performance was prepared based on graphene oxide (GO), MXene and 3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV), which are medium-chain-length-copolymers of PHA. The GO/MXene nanosheets can uniformly inset on the surface of PHBV fibre and give the PHBV—GO/MXene composite membranes superior hydrophilicity due to the presence of hydroxyl groups and terminal oxygen on the surface of nanosheets, which further provides the functional site for the free radical polymerization of ester bonds between GO/MXene and PHBV. As a result, the tensile strength, platelet adsorption, and blood coagulation time of the PHBV—GO/MXene composite membranes were remarkably increased compared with those of the pure PHBV membranes. The antibacterial rate of the PHBV—GO/MXene composite membranes against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria can reach 97% due to the antibacterial nature of MXene. The improved strength, hydrophilicity, antibacterial activity and platelet adsorption performance suggest that PHBV—GO/MXene composite membranes might be ideal candidates for multifunctional materials for haemostatic applications.

Prolonged blood coagulation time among occupationally exposed automobile technicians in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Automobile technicians in resource-poor settings often work in poor environments and are exposed to chemicals that put them at risk of ill health and disease. These chemical exposures could affect blood coagulation, leading to bleeding disorders or thrombosis. The present study is aimed at assessing prothrombin test (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin test (aPTT) values, serum zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentrations, and blood lead level (BLL) among occupationally exposed automobile technicians compared to unexposed controls. A total of 140 consenting participants comprising 70 automobile technicians and 70 unexposed controls were recruited for this case–control study. A 6-mL blood sample was drawn from each participant for estimation of BLL, serum Zn and Cu concentrations, and PT and aPTT values. Blood lead level, and serum Zn and Cu concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while PT and aPTT values were determined using Innovin PT and Actin FS Activated PTT reagents on the Sysmex CA-101 coagulation analyser. Data were analysed using t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic and multiple linear regression analyses with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. The mean BLL, serum Zn concentration, and PT and aPTT values were significantly higher in automobile technicians compared to controls. Binary logistic regression showed that automobile technicians had higher odds of elevated PT value (OR = 21.769; p = 0.000), aPTT value (OR = 1.348; p = 0.018), BLL (OR = 1.261; p = 0.000) and serum Zn concentration (OR = 1.063; p = 0.005) than unexposed controls. Linear regression showed significant positive association of PT value with BLL and with serum Zn concentration. Higher PT and aPTT values reflect prolonged blood coagulation time among automobile technicians, which indicates impairment of extrinsic and intrinsic coagulation pathways associated with work-related exposures.

Determination of Ocular Irritancy Potential of Ophthalmic products using HET-CAM Method

Objective: The research is about the stability of ophthalmic products as they start to produce irritancy effects during their shelf life. The aim of the present study is to assess the stability of certain ophthalmic products by the HET-CAM (Hen’s Egg Test-Chorioallatonic membrane) Method. Method: Incubated Eggs were utilized for performing the HET-CAM assay according to the protocol prescribed by ICCVAM (The Inter agency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods). Results: Calculation of various irritancy factors like hemorrhage time, vascular lysis time and coagulation time and to calculate HET-CAM score. Statistical interpretation of the data obtained by one-way ANOVA. Conclusion: Results have shown that the few ophthalmic products are slight and moderate irritants. None of the products are strong irritants. However further studies to be conducted to confirm the potential and safety of the products.

Evaluation of Stabilized Soymilk Prepared from Sprouted Soybean with Orange Flesh Sweet Potato Starch for Ambient Storage

Ambient storage stability is one of the major constrains amidst drudges of homemade soymilk due to absence of stabilizer there by restricting the consumption to the production areas. Homemade stabilizers and stabilization becomes the only available option. Soymilk prepared from 12 h steeped and 72 h sprouted soybeans was subdivided and each batch stabilized with 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 3% levels of orange flesh sweet potato starches (OFSPS). Functional properties of the starches and proximate, vitamins, minerals, anti-nutrient, physicochemical, and sensory properties of stabilized soymilk samples were assessed with standard analytical methods. With increase in fortification levels, there were significant improvement in ash (0.84 to 0.88%), protein (4.14 to 4.24%), fibre (0.31 to 0.39%), fat (3.75 to 4.19%), carbohydrate (4.54 to 5.55%), vitamins B1 (0.29 to 0.4 mg/100g), B2 (0.10 to 0.14 mg/100g), B3 (1.03 to 1.13 mg/100g), C (0.86 to 1.09 mg/100g) and pro-vitamin A (5.75 to 6.14 µg/100g). Also improved are calcium (26.81 to 28.55 mg/100g), potassium (31.54 to 32.95 mg/100g), magnesium (44.40 to 46.82 mg/100g), sodium (32.73 to 33.43 mg/100g), iron (2.82 to 3.71 mg/100g), saponin (0.028 to 0.035 mg/100g), tannin (0.041 to 0.048 mg/100g), flavonoid (0.031 to 0.034 mg/100g), alkaloid (0.025 to 0.034 mg/100g), phenol (0.25 to 0.34 mg/100g), viscosity (4.89 to 5.60 mg/100g) and specific gravity (1.02 to 1.04 mg/100g). There were decrease in moisture (86.39 to 84.86%), pH (5.75 to 5.45), visible coagulation time (VCT) (28 to 14 d), foam stability (0.51 to 0.00) and general acceptability (6.84 to 4.84). Functional properties of the OFSPS flour were reasonably high. Despite the anti-nutrient increase, all the soymilk samples in this study were safe for human consumption and moderately accepted at maximum stabilization level of 1%.

Seasonal variation in the quality parameters of milk from an extensive, small family farm

This research aimed to determine the hygienic quality, physicochemical properties and technological suitability of milk obtained in an extensive, small family farm in western Poland in the spring-summer (grazing) and autumn-winter (indoor) seasons. The farm was operated in the traditional manner where animals spend 7/24 on the pasture in the spring-summer season. The study was performed on forty-eight samples of bulk tank milk collected once a week over one year from 17 cows of the old local Polish black and white lowland breed. Milk was tested for somatic cell count, total bacterial count, basic composition, density, vitamin C content, rennet coagulation time, pH and colour in the CIE L*a*b* system. In the autumn-winter season, a higher somatic cell count, higher protein, fat and lactose levels, longer coagulation time and lower colour parameter a* values were found compared with the spring-summer period. However, no differences as regards the colour parameters L* and b* and vitamin C content were observed between the seasons. Highly significant negative correlations between the colour of the milk and the total bacterial count and somatic cell count were found (P ≤ 0.01). High somatic cells count in studied milk highlights that mastitis and milking hygiene are still a challenging task in small family farms.

Anticoagulant Activity of Dayak Onion Bulb (Eleutherine bulbosa) Extract on Human Blood Samples

Cardiovascular disease can occur due to disruption of the hemostatic system by forming blood clots in blood vessels, or commonly known as deep vein thrombosis. The curative action that has been carried out in the form of heparin anticoagulant administration had many side effects such as bleeding, hematuria, thrombocytopenia, and hypersensitivity; therefore, alternative anticoagulant ingredients such as onion bulbs have emerged. Dayak onion bulb (Eleutherine bulbosa) is known to contain eleutherinol compound, which has anticoagulant activity. This study aims to determine the potential anticoagulant activity of Dayak onion bulbs extract (Eleutherine bulbosa) on human blood samples. This anticoagulant activity test was carried out by observing the length of time for blood clotting in the extract treatment group with several concentrations (0, 10, 12.5, 16, 25, and 50%) by Clotting Time (Lee-White) method. The results showed a significant delay in blood coagulation time in the group treated with Dayak onion bulbs extract as increasing the concentration. About 50% Dayak onion onion bulb extract was showed a twofold increase in blood coagulation time thanthat of no extract administration. So that, Dayak bulb onion has the opportunity to be an alternative natural anticoagulant. Keywords: anticoagulants; Dayak onion bulbs (Eleutherine bulbosa); clotting time

THE STUDY OF HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN THE NIGERIAN LOCAL CHICKEN

An investigation was conducted to study the haematological parameters of the Nigerian local chicken using a total of 100 local chickens out of which 30 were randomly selected for bleeding. The blood samples were subjected to laboratory analysis to identify their haemoglobin contents, fragility and sedimentation rates as well as red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts and coagulation time. The results indicated that haemoglobin content ranged from 63.82 - 78.,43% with a mean of 70,43%, fragility and sedimentation rates ranged from 0.40 - 0.85% osmotic equivalent, coagulation time from 3.82 -6.25 minutes with a mean of 4.61 minutes, the red blood cell counts from 1.93 - 2.96 (x10°/ul) with a mean of 2.5 (x10°/ul) and white blood cell counts from 962 - 1,868 cells/ul with a mean of 1,216 cells/ul. It is believed that the establishment of the normal blood characteristics of the local chicken as done in this study, can be of immense aid in detecting abnormalities in the blood characteristics which can be used in diagnosing certain blood related diseases.