Expression of Cadherin Superfamily Genes during Ferret Brain Development

Cadherins are a superfamily of Ca2+-dependent cell adhesion molecules with more than 100 members (Redies et al., 2005). They are multifunctional transmembrane glycoproteins found in several kinds of cell-cell contact, including adherens junctions. They regulate a wide variety of crucial developmental mechanisms, including cell proliferation, cell differentiation, cell-cell recognition, neurite outgrowth, synaptogenesis and angiogenesis. In this study, I cloned eighteen novel members of the classic cadherin and delta-protocadherin subgroups and investigated their expression patterns by in situ hybridization from the brain of ferret, an animal model suitable for visual cortical and cerebrovascular research. I also showed seven members of the cadherin superfamily and an intracellular binding partner of delta-protocadherins, protein phosphatase 1alpha as novel markers for developing blood vessels in the ferret brain. Some of the cadherin molecules are restricted to specific brain regions or a subset of blood vessels. The expression levels show a peak during perinatal vascular development. My results suggest that multiple cadherins, which are also involved in neurogenesis, are regulators of angiogenesis in developing vertebrate brain, supporting the idea of a common mechanism behind "neuroangiogenesis"

Single Screw Extrusion Processing of Soy White Flakes Based Catla Feed

An initial investigation into the inclusion of soy white flakes (SWF) and high protein distillers dried grains (HP-DDG) in catla (Catla catla) diet, belonging to the family Cyprinidae, was conducted using a single screw extruder. Three isocaloric (302 kcal/100 g) ingredient blends containing graded levels of SWF in combination with HP-DDG and other required ingredients were formulated to contain a net protein content of 31.5% (wet basis). Extrusion processing was then performed using three levels each of SWF content, moisture content, and temperature gradient keeping a constant screw speed and die diameter. Effects of these variables on extrudate physical properties including: color, pellet durability index, bulk density, water absorption index, water solubility index, unit density and expansion ratio were extensively analyzed. Increasing the level of SWF resulted in increase in water absorption index and unit density but decrease in expansion ratio. The interaction effect of SWF content, moisture content and temperature were significant for color, pellet durability index, bulk density and expansion ratio. All the extrudates showed relatively high pellet durability and inclusion of SWF produced less expanded and more compact textured extrudates

Effect of Different Extrusion Processing Parameters on Physical Properties of Soy White Flakes and High Protein Distillers Dried Grains-Based Extruded Aquafeeds

Nutritionally balanced ingredient blends for catla (Catla catla), belonging to the family Cyprinidae, were extruded using single screw extruder. The extrusion was carried out at five levels of soy white flakes content (21%, 29%, 40%, 52%, and 59% db), five levels of moisture content (15, 19, 25, 31, and 35% db) and five levels of barrel temperature (100, 110, 125, 140, and 150 ºC) using three different die nozzles (having L/D ratios 3.33, 5.83, and 7.25). Blends with net protein content of 32.5% contains soy white flakes, along with high protein distillers dried grains (HP-DDG), corn flour, corn gluten meal, fish meal, vitamin, and mineral mix. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) and response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the significance of independent and interaction effects of the extrusion process variables on the extrudates physical properties namely pellet durability index, bulk density, water absorption and solubility indices and expansion ratio. Quadratic polynomial regression equations were developed to correlate the product responses and process variables as well as to obtain the response surfaces plots. The independent variables had significant (P \u3c 0.05) effects on physical properties of extrudates: (i) higher soy white flakes content increased the pellet durability index and water absorption index, but decreased the water solubility index, (ii) higher temperature decreased pellet durability index, bulk density and water solubility index, (iii) increased L/D ratio from 3.33 to 7.25 increased the pellet durability index, expansion ratio but decreased the bulk density of the extrudates

Twin-screw Extrusion Processing of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) feeds using Graded Levels of High Protein Corn-based Distillers Dried Grains (HP-DDG) and Conventional Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS)

Twin-screw extrusion cooking trials were performed to investigate the differential effects of conventional DDGS (DDGS) and HP-DDG inclusion, as fishmeal replacers, on physical properties (moisture content, water activity, thermal properties, expansion ratio, unit density, bulk density, water absorption, solubility and pellet durability indices, and color) of Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) feed. Four ingredient blends were formulated with 20 and 40% C- DDGS, and 20 and 40% HP-DDG, along with other required dietary ingredients. Each diet was extruded using two replications; a fishmeal based diet acted as the control diet. The highest and the lowest extrudate moisture content and water activity were observed for the diets containing 20% DDGS and 40% HP-DDG, respectively. Compared to the control diet, increasing HP-DDG content from 20 to 40% had no effect on the bulk density of the products, while increasing DDGS content from 20-40% led to a considerable rise in bulk density of the extrudates by 14.2 and 6%, respectively. Also, extrudates with the lowest brightness, greenness, and yellowness values were obtained from the diet containing 20% DDGS, whereas the most color intensity values were observed for the diets containing 40% DDGS and 20% HP-DDG. Increasing DDGS and HP-DDG from 0-40% caused a remarkable increase in water absorption index, by 72 and 30%, respectively. Likewise, the water solubility index increased, but in a considerably lesser order of magnitude. High pellet durability index of more than 99% was achieved with inclusion of either DDGS or HP-DDG. None of the diets impacted the thermal properties of the extrudates. Inclusion of 20 and 40% DDGS resulted in the extrudates with the largest and the smallest unit density values of nearly 887 and 750 kg/m3, respectively. As was expected, expansion ratio decreased with increasing unit density. Increasing inclusion levels of HP-DDG did not show any effect on unit density or expansion ratio of the products. Future research should concentrate on investigating the effects of both extrusion processing and graded levels of different types of DDGS on Rainbow trout feeds

Twin-screw Extrusion Processing of Vegetable-Based Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Feeds Using Graded Levels of High Protein Fermented Soybean Meal (FSBM)

Fast-paced growth in global aquaculture has elevated concerns about the high costs of aquafarm production and potential water pollution. Thus, finding eco-friendly and more sustainable alternative protein sources for fish diets is of vital importance to the industry. A twin-screw extrusion processing study was performed using three ingredient blends formulated with graded levels of FSBM (0, 80% and 100% db) as the fishmeal replacer, in combination with appropriate amounts of other required ingredients for rainbow trout diets. Increasing the FSBM content from 0% to 100% resulted in a substantial increase in brightness, greenness, and yellowness, and a decrease in bulk density, water absorption index, and unit density (UD) values of the extrudates by 12.5%, 73%, 30%, 7.3%, 27.5%, and 10%, respectively. Compared to the control diet (100% fishmeal-based), extrudate moisture contents increased by 15.2% and 22% for the diets containing 80 and 100% FSBM, respectively; although no change was observed by increasing FSBM from 80 to 100%. The highest water solubility index (WSI) was obtained for 80% FSBM; however, further increasing FSBM did not influence the WSI significantly. All extrudates exhibited low water activity and high pellet durability values (less than 0.5 and more than 99.5%, respectively). The most buoyant extrudates were obtained using total FSBM inclusion, with UD and expansion ratio values of nearly 660 kg/m3 and 1.3, respectively. Overall, results indicated that FSBM can be a promising alternative protein in rainbow trout feed production

Pyrolysis of Distillers Grains

As the quantity of ethanol produced in the U.S. continues to expand, so too does the need for value-added applications for the resulting coproducts. Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), corn gluten meal (CGM), and corn gluten feed (CGF) are the primary coproducts of ethanol manufacturing (which includes dry grind processing and wet milling). The main consumer of these coproducts is the livestock industry, which utilizes these materials as animal feed and ingredients due to their high nutrient contents, good palatability and digestibility, and relatively low cost; however, new value added uses are starting to arise. This study will examine the pyrolysis of DDGS and CGM. Extensive characterization of the resulting bio-oil included mass density, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, apparent viscosity, and energy content. Potential opportunities for extracting value from these materials will also be explored and discussed

Effects of varying condensed distillers solubles, drying, and cooling temperatures on glass transition temperature of distillers dried grains

Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a coproduct of ethanol fuel production, is used as an animal feed and often must be transported long distances. DDGS flowability problems often create nuisance in storage and transportation. Materials above the glass transition temperature (Tg) can exist in a “rubbery state,”’ which is often responsible for particle agglomeration and caking. This study investigated the effects of varying condensed distillers solubles (CDS) (10, 15, and 20%, wb), drying (100, 200, and 300°C), and cooling temperature (–12 and 35°C) levels on the Tg of DDGS. Tg ranged from 34 to 58°C and 41 to 59°C for cooling temperatures of –12°C and 35°C, respectively. Tg data were used to develop an overall regression model, which yielded a predictive model with R² of 0.74 and SEM of 3.16. Using this model, optimum drying and cooling temperatures were determined. These conditions may be used to reduce flow problems

Twin-screw Extrusion Processing of Vegetable-Based Protein Feeds for Yellow Perch ( Perca flavescens) Containing Distillers Dried Grains (DDG), Soy Protein Concentrate (SPC), and Fermented High Protein Soybean Meal (FSBM)

Changing to alternative protein sources supports production of more economic aquafeeds. Two isocaloric (3.06 kcal/g) and isonitrogenous (40% db) experimental feeds for juvenile yellow perch were formulated with incorporation of FSBM and SPC, each of which were at two levels (0 and 20% db), along with constant amounts of high protein DDG (~30% db), and appropriate amounts of other ingredients. Using a pilot scale twin-screw extruder, feed production was performed in two replications for each diet at conditioner steam levels of 0.11 to 0.16 kg/min, extruder water of 0.11 to 0.19 kg/min, and screw speeds of 230 to 300 rpm. The effects of SPC and FSBM inclusions on extrudate physical properties were compared with those of a control diet (which contained 20% fishmeal and ~30% DDG). Inclusion of 20% FSBM and 20%SPC resulted in a substantial decrease in unit density by 9.2 and 24%, but an increase in lightness, greenness, yellowness, and expansion ratio of the extrudates by 7, 27, 14, 7, 17, 34, 15, and 16.5%, respectively. SPC inclusion led to a considerable increase in water absorption, thermal resistivity, and thermal diffusivity by 17.5, 6.3, and 17.6%, respectively, whereas no significant change was observed for these properties with incorporation of 20% FSBM. Additionally, all extruded products had high durability. Taken together, using ~30% DDG with 20% FSBM or 20% SPC as alternative protein sources resulted in viable extrudates with properties appropriate for yellow perch production. A future study investigating the effect of extrusion processing conditions on the production of complete vegetable-based protein feeds for yellow perch species would be appropriate