Effect of fertilization and variety on the beta-glucan content in the grain of oats

The object of the study was to investigate the influence fertilization on the β-glucan content of the common oats varieties (Vendelin, Zvolen) and the naked oats varieties (Detvan, Avenuda). The trial was established in the years 2007 and 2008 in the potato growing area in the centre of Slovakia in VígľašPstruša. The field treatments were realized in natural conditions without irrigation with four variants of fertilization. Nitrogen fertilization was applied before sowing and foliar application of selenium together with nitrogen was done in the growth phase at the end of stooling (BBCH 29). The amount of β-glucan in the samples was determined by using the β-glucan assay kit (Megazyme, Ldt. Ireland). The total average of β-glucan content in the experiment was 4.08 %. The naked oats varieties reached higher content of β-glucan, when we compare it with the common oats. The variety Avenuda reached highest of β-glucan content (5.20 %). The nitrogen fertilization together with selenium fertilization statistically significantly increased the content of this polysaccharides. The influence of a particular year was statistically significant in β-glucan content

Sympathetic nerve tissue in milky spots of the human greater omentum

Omental milky spots (OMSs), small lymphoid structures positioned in the greater omentum, are involved in peritoneal immune homeostasis and the formation of omental metastases. Sympathetic nerve activity is known to regulate immune function in other lymphoid organs (e.g. spleen and lymph nodes) and to create a favourable microenvironment for various tumour types. However, it is still unknown whether OMSs receive sympathetic innervation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish whether OMSs of the adult human greater omentum receive sympathetic innervation. A total of 18 OMSs were isolated from five omenta, which were removed from 3% formaldehyde-perfused cadavers (with a median age of 84 years, ranging from 64 to 94). OMSs were embedded in paraffin, cut and stained with a general (PGP9.5) and sympathetic nerve marker (TH and DBH), and evaluated by bright field microscopy. A T-cell, B-cell, and macrophage staining was performed to confirm OMS identity. In 50% of the studied OMSs, sympathetic nerve fibres were observed at multiple levels of the same OMS. Nerve fibres were represented as dots or elongated structures and often observed in relation to small vessels and occasionally as individual structures residing between lymphoid cells. The current study shows that 50% of the investigated OMSs contain sympathetic nerve fibres. These findings may contribute to our understanding of neural regulation of peritoneal immune response and the involvement of OMSs in omental metastases

Experimental Paper. The effect of colour grading of milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) seeds on their quality for sowing

Introduction: Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) is a medicinal plant belonging to Asteraceae family. Extract from milk thistle achenes (termed in practice as seeds) contains sylimarin, which protects liver cells against inorganic and organic toxic compounds. Objective: The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of colour grading on the quality of milk thistle seeds. Methods: Seeds were graded manually by colour according to the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, issued in Great Britain. In three samples two fractions of seeds were separated: beige and brown, whereas seeds of the fourth sample were graded into three fractions: yellow, beige and brown. The 1000-seed weight and germination of graded and non-graded seeds were evaluated. Infestation of graded seeds with fungi was assessed. Results: Brown seeds had a higher 1000-seed weight than beige or yellow ones. Germination at the final count of beige seeds did not differ as compared to that of brown seeds or was even better. Milk thistle seeds were infested with numerous fungi, however Alternaria alternata and Ulocladium consortiale predominated. Conclusions: Less mature beige seeds can be used as sowing material because their germination at the final count did not differ as compared to that of fully mature brown seeds or was even better. Infestation of these seeds with some of the fungi was lower than brown seeds.Ostropest plamisty (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.) jest rośliną leczniczą należącą do rodziny Asteraceae. Wyciąg z niełupek ostropestu (w praktyce zwanych nasionami) zawiera sylimarynę, która chroni komórki wątroby przed szkodliwym działaniem substancji organicznych i nieorganicznych. Cel: Celem badań było określenie wpływu frakcjonowania nasion pod względem barwy na ich jakość. Metody: Nasiona podzielono ręcznie na frakcje różniące się barwą na podstawie katalogu barw wydanego przez Królewskie Towarzystwo Ogrodnicze w Wielkiej Brytanii. W trzech próbach wydzielono dwie frakcje nasion: beżowe i brązowe, natomiast nasiona próby czwartej podzielono na trzy frakcje: żółte, beżowe i brązowe. Oceniono masę 1000 nasion oraz kiełkowanie nasion frakcjonowanych i niefrakcjonowanych. Określono też występowanie grzybów na nasionach frakcjonowanych. Wyniki: Nasiona brązowe charakteryzowały się większą masą 1000 nasion niż beżowe lub żółte. Zdolność kiełkowania nasion beżowych nie różniła się lub była lepsza od zdolności kiełkowania nasion brązowych. Nasiona ostropestu były zasiedlone przez liczne grzyby, jednak dominowały Alternaria alternata i Ulocladium consortiale. Wnioski: Nasiona beżowe, mniej dojrzałe, mogą być wykorzystane jako materiał siewny, ponieważ ich zdolność kiełkowania nie różniła się lub była nawet lepsza od zdolności kiełkowania w pełni dojrzałych nasion brązowych. Zasiedlenie tych nasion przez niektóre grzyby było mniejsze niż nasion brązowych

Formulation Optimization of Gluten-Free Functional Spaghetti Based on Maize Flour and Oat Bran Enriched in b-Glucans

The aim of this work concerns the manufacturing process of gluten-free functional spaghetti based on maize flour and oat bran, enriched with b-glucans (22%). More specifically, the goal of the study was to obtain oat bran-loaded maize spaghetti with sensory properties close to unloaded pasta. To this aim, the study has been organized in two subsequent trials. In the first one, the oat bran amount added to spaghetti was continuously increased until the overall sensory quality of pasta reached the set sensory threshold (oat bran concentration = 20%). The second experimental step was aimed to improve the overall sensory quality of oat bran loaded maize spaghetti. In particular, an attempt was made to increase the sensory quality of spaghetti added with 20% oat bran by means of structuring agents. To this aim, the effects of different kinds of some hydrocolloids and egg white powder on the rheological properties of dough, as well as on quality attributes of pasta were examined. The rheological analysis showed that the addition of hydrocolloids and white egg to the dough enriched with 20% oat bran did not cause any substantial difference in the viscoelastic properties, compared to samples without any structuring agents. The best overall quality for both fresh and dry spaghetti was obtained by the addition of carboxymethylcellulose and chitosan at a concentration of 2%