Design of a custom-made device for real-time optical measurement of differential mineral concentrations in three-dimensional scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Monitoring bone tissue engineered (TEed) constructs during their maturation is important to ensure the quality of applied protocols. Several destructive, mainly histochemical, methods are conventionally used to this aim, requiring the sacrifice of the investigated samples. This implies (i) to plan several scaffold replicates, (ii) expensive and time consuming procedures and (iii) to infer the maturity level of a given tissue construct from a cognate replica. To solve these issues, non-destructive techniques such as light spectroscopy-based methods have been reported to be useful. Here, a miniaturized and inexpensive custom-made spectrometer device is proposed to enable the non-destructive analysis of hydrogel scaffolds. Testing involved samples with a differential amount of calcium salt. When compared to a reference standard device, this custom-made spectrometer demonstrates the ability to perform measurements without requiring elaborate sample preparation and/or a complex instrumentation. This preliminary study shows the feasibility of light spectroscopy-based methods as useful for the non-destructive analysis of TEed constructs. Based on these results, this custom-made spectrometer device appears as a useful option to perform real-time/in-line analysis. Finally, this device can be considered as a component that can be easily integrated on board of recently prototyped bioreactor systems, for the monitoring of TEed constructs during their conditioning.

Evolution of Salt Tolerance in Arabidopsis Thaliana on Siliceous Soils Does Not Convey Tolerance to Saline Calcareous Soils

Purpose Alkaline salinity constrains crop yield. Previously, we found local adaptation of Arabidopsis thaliana demes to saline-siliceous soils (pH≤7) and to non-saline carbonate soils. However, any natural population of A. thaliana was localized on saline-alkaline soils. This suggests that salinity tolerance evolved on saline-siliceous soils may not confer tolerance to alkaline salinity. This hypothesis was explored by addressing physiological and molecular responses to saline-alkaline conditions of A. thaliana demes differing in salinity and carbonate tolerance.Methods A. thaliana native to saline-siliceous soils (G3), to non-saline carbonate soils (G1), or to soils with intermediate levels of these factors (G2) were cultivated in common gardens on saline-siliceous or saline-calcareous substrate. Hydroponics and irrigation experiments confirmed the phenotypes. Growth, mineral concentrations, genome differences, and expression of candidate genes were assessed in the different groups.Results G3 performed best on saline-siliceous soil and in hydroponics with salinity (pH 5.9). However, G3 was more sensitive to saline-alkaline conditions than G1 and G2. Fitness under saline-alkaline conditions was G2 > G1>G3 and G2 best maintained ion homeostasis under alkaline salinity. Whole genome scan did not differentiate among the groups, while distinctive patterns for FRO2, NINJA, and CCB4 were found and confirmed by qPCR.Conclusion In A. thaliana, salinity tolerance evolved on saline-siliceous soils does not provide tolerance to alkaline salinity. Plants from soils with intermediate conditions (G2) have more plasticity to adapt to alkaline salinity than those locally adapted to these individual stress factors. Higher expression of NINJA and CCB4 may contribute to this better adaptation.

Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis Jacq.) Genetic Differences in Mineral Nutrition (Part III): Specific Leaflet Mineral Concentrations of High-Yielding Oil Palm Progenies and their Implications for Managing K And Mg Nutrition

Background and aims: In oil palm, similar fertilization treatments can result in leaflet potassium and magnesium concentrations that vary significantly from one progeny to another. This hinders the development of standardized fertilizer recommendations for this crop, as they are usually calculated based on optimum leaflet nutrient concentrations.Methods: 4-high-yielding oil palm progenies with contrasting leaflet K and Mg concentrations (C1, C2, and C3 of Deli x La Mé origin and C4 of Deli x Yangambi origin) were treated with combinations of 3-levels of KCl and MgSO4, in a completely randomized split-plot factorial design with 6-replicates, where progenies were a sub-factor.Results: For a given level of KCl or MgSO4, different leaflet K and Mg concentrations were found between progenies (p < 0.0001). Leaflet K concentration and yield response to KCl applications revealed that the four oil palm progenies have different optimum leaflet K concentrations. In our study period (5-8 YAP), progenies C1 and C3 showed their highest fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yields (13.62 and 16.54 t ha-1 year-1, respectively) at K2, whereas progenies C2 and C4 showed their highest yields (14.62 and 12.39 t ha-1 year-1, respectively) at K1. Conclusion: Our study highlighted specific optimum leaflet K and Mg concentrations for different oil palm progenies in a given environment. It paves the way for adopting K and Mg fertilizer application rates adapted to specific requirements of each type of oil palm planting material.

ANÁLISIS DE MINERALES SÉRICOS DE CERDAS EN LACTACIÓN EN DOS GRANJAS COMERCIALES

Mineral nutrition is essential for profitable production. Health affected is not provided proper levels minerals. Objective of the present work was to analyze mineral profile in serum of sows in lactation, province Santa Fe (A), Entre Rios (B) and fed with diets minerals of inorganic origin. Blood serum samples 68 sows, Farm A (in field) and Farm B (in stabled form) were analyzed. Mineral concentrations were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry; ANOVA was applied to these data. Mean values and their standard deviations obtained are: Calcium (Ca) (mg/dL): 8,61±3,44/ 8,11± 1,73; Phosphorus (P) (mg/dL): 2,66a±0,90/ 3,53b± 1,16; Magnesium (Mg) (mg/dL): 2,25a±0,30/ 1,89b±0,35; Sodium (Na) (mEq/L): 160,98a±15,47/ 138,53b±9,48; Potassium (K) (mEq/L): 3,42±0,24/ 3,58±0,33; Iron (Fe) (µg/dL): 62,74a±6,07/ 94,82b±19,19; Copper (Cu) (ppm): 1,63a±0,35/ 1,01b±0,32; Zinc (Zn) (ppm): 1,82a±0,5/ 1,50b±0,42, for farms A and B respectively. Na and Zn averages were observed slightly above upper limit of normal range. Copper in farm B was observed below normal range. Significant difference (“a” and “b” P <0.05) in P, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu and Zn was observed between two farms, this is due to difference in gestation system. Cu concentration tended to be less. Is that subject should continue to be studied.

Compositional aspects and bacteriological quality of camel milk from Tunisian oasis

This study was planned to investigate the raw milk characteristics and quality aspects and to evaluate the impact of nongenetic factors on physicochemical composition and microbial quality of milk from local Maghrebi camels (Camelus dromedarius) kept under a traditional system in oasis areas, southern west, Tunisia. Forty-nine individual milk samples were collected from lactating Negga over two periods of the year (winter and summer). Animals belonging to private flocks were between 5 and 17.5 years of age, with parity numbers ranging from first to sixth. Samples were analyzed for physical parameters, chemical composition, mineral concentrations, and microbiological features according to standard methods. The overall means of physical characteristics were 6.63 ± 0.22, 1030.63 ± 2.54, and 19.11 ± 4.08 for pH, density, and acidity, respectively. No significant association (P > 0.05) between physical characteristics and nongenetic factors has been observed. The average results of chemical composition for dry matter, protein, fat, casein, lactose, ash, and casein/protein ratio were 115.24±15.67g/L, 30.98±6.40 g/L, 32.84±4.88 g/L, 22.77±4.27 g/L, 37.21±4.64 g/L, 6.87±1.59 g/L, and 0.74±0.06 g/L respectively. Season, parity, and age were confirmed to impinge significantly on chemical components, except for lactose. The maximum contents of total solids, protein, casein, and fat content were observed during winter. The third lactation was characterized with the highest content of total solids, protein, casein, and lactose; while the highest fat content was recorded in the second lactation. Lactose content was stable throughout all the studied age classes (P > 0.05), whereas the other chemical constituents, showed an obvious superiority in the age class of 7≤ age ≤ 9 years. Season, parity, and age of the animal exerted a significant effect on all minerals. The highest levels of Ca, P, and K were recorded in the winter (P<0.01) whereas Na showed an opposite pattern and was higher in the summer (P<0.01). All major minerals were higher in milk from multiparous than primiparous camels, with maximum concentrations at the fourth lactation. The uppermost levels of mineral concentrations were recorded in the age class of 7≤ age ≤ 9 years. The lowest ones were those of animals over 12 years old. The microbial analysis of raw milk which is affected by season, parity, and age showed higher overall contamination levels in all studied bacterial counts. The highest levels were observed in winter, among the multiparous and oldest Negga. The results highlighted the complete absence of the two dangerous pathogens Salmonella and CSR in all analyzed samples.

Effect of zinc source and implant strategy on performance, carcass characteristics, and trace mineral concentrations in finishing feedlot steers

Seventy-two Angus-crossbred steers (411 ± 16 kg) were assigned to a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments to examine the effects of blended Zn source supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics, and trace mineral parameters of steers administered no implant or a two-implant program. Factors included implant (IMP) strategies and Zn supplementation. During the 126-d study steers were either not implanted (NoIMP) or implanted (IS/200; Elanco, Greenfield, IN) on d 0 (Component TE-IS; 80 mg trenbolone acetate + 16 mg estradiol) and 57 (Component TE-200; 200 mg trenbolone acetate + 20 mg estradiol). All steers were fed 70 mg Zn/kg on a dry matter (DM) basis from ZnSO4 + 30 mg Zn/kg DM from either basic ZnCl (Vistore Zn, Phibro Animal Health, Teaneck, NJ), Zn glycinate (Gemstone Zn, Phibro Animal Health), or ZnSO4 (ZnB, ZnG, or ZnS, respectively). Steers were blocked by weight into pens of 6 and fed a dry rolled corn-based diet via GrowSafe bunks (GrowSafe Systems Ltd.; Airdrie, AB, Canada). Data were analyzed using the Mixed Procedure of SAS, with fixed effects of Zn, IMP, and the interaction. Steer was the experimental unit (n = 12 steers/treatment). Liver and muscle collected on d -5, 14, 71, and 120 were analyzed for Zn concentration, and data were analyzed as repeated measures (repeated effect = Day). An IMP × Zn tendency (P = 0.07) was observed for d 126 body weight with no effects of Zn within NoIMP while ZnS tended to be heavier than ZnB with ZnG intermediate within IS/200. Carcass-adjusted overall feed efficiency (G:F) was greatest for ZnS (Zn; P = 0.02). Implanted cattle had greater DM intake, G:F, and carcass-adjusted performance (P ≤ 0.01). Liver Zn concentrations were greater for IS/200 by d 120 (IMP × Day; P = 0.02). Within IS/200, ZnG tended to have greater muscle Zn than ZnS while ZnB was intermediate (Zn × IMP; P = 0.09). No Zn or IMP × Zn (P ≥ 0.12) effects were observed for carcass data. However, IS/200 had greater hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and ribeye area than NoIMP (P ≤ 0.001). These data suggest implants improve growth and influence Zn metabolism. Future work should examine Zn sources and supplementation alongside implant strategies.

Mineral Concentrations in Bovine Milk from Farms with Contrasting Grazing Management

Thirty conventional and twenty-four organic dairy farms were divided into equal numbers within system groups: high-pasture, standard-pasture, and low-pasture groups. Milk samples were collected monthly for 12 consecutive months. Milk from high-pasture organic farms contained less fat and protein than standard- and low-pasture organic farms, but more lactose than low-pasture organic farms. Grazing, concentrate feed intake and the contribution of non-Holstein breeds were the key drivers for these changes. Milk Ca and P concentrations were lower in standard-pasture conventional farms than the other conventional groups. Milk from low-pasture organic farms contained less Ca than high- and standard-pasture organic farms, while high-pasture organic farms produced milk with the highest Sn concentration. Differences in mineral concentrations were driven by the contribution of non-Holstein breeds, feeding practices, and grazing activity; but due to their relatively low numerical differences between groups, the subsequent impact on consumers’ dietary mineral intakes would be minor.

Impact of the Hydroponic Cropping System on Growth, Yield, and Nutrition of a Greek Sweet Onion (Allium cepa L.) Landrace

Nerokremmydo of Zakynthos, a Greek landrace of sweet onion producing a large bulb, was experimentally cultivated in a glasshouse using aeroponic, floating, nutrient film technique, and aggregate systems, i.e., AER, FL, NFT, and AG, respectively. The aim of the experiment was to compare the effects of these soilless culture systems (SCSs) on plant characteristics, including fresh and dry weight, bulb geometry, water use efficiency, tissue macronutrient concentrations, and uptake concentrations (UC), i.e., uptake ratios between macronutrients and water, during the main growth, bulbing, and maturation stages, i.e., 31, 62, and 95 days after transplanting. The plants grown in FL and AG yielded 7.87 and 7.57 kg m−2, respectively, followed by those grown in AER (6.22 kg m−2), while those grown in NFT produced the lowest yield (5.20 kg m−2). The volume of nutrient solution (NS) consumed per plant averaged 16.87 L, with NFT plants recording the least consumption. The SCS affected growth rate of new roots and “root mat” density that led to corresponding nutrient uptake differences. In NFT, reduced nutrient uptake was accompanied by reduced water consumption. The SCS and growth stage strongly affected tissue N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S mineral concentrations and the respective UC. The UC of N and Κ followed a decreasing trend, while that of Mg decreased only until bulbing, and the UC of the remainder of the macronutrients increased slightly during the cropping period. The UC can be used as a sound basis to establish NS recommendations for cultivation of this sweet onion variety in closed SCSs.