Ion - mobility spectrometry based electronic nose - a promising tool for the evaluation of metabolic status of dairy cows

Ketosis is a cattle illness caused by the lack of energy and can be mostly found around peak lactation. Ketosis causes economic losses due to decreased milk production, impaired fertility and increased risk of displaced abomasums. Ketosis is classified clinically and sub-clinically. Sub-clinical ketosis is more deleterious than clinical ketosis. Ketosis is clinically diagnosed if the milk acetone level in milk sample is more than 50 mg/L. When the acetone level in milk is between 25 - 50 mg/L or the blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) is over 1200 micromol/L ketosis status is sub-clinical. However, due to the losses in the milk production, acetone concentration of 14,5 mg/L has been suggested as a threshold value for sub-clinical ketosis (Geishauer et al. 2001). The status of ketosis can be tested in milk by the methods based on the colour changes but they are not precise enough in the case of sub-clinical ketosis. Ion mobility based spectrometry was applied for the assessment of cow's metabolic status by using the MGD-1 gas detector as an electronic nose. Expiration air and milk samples of those cows preliminarily scored as having clinical or sub-clinical ketosis were measured. Measurings were conducted at MTT Agrifood Research Finland, North-Savo, Maaninka. Five cows calved at the turn of the year were chosen for measuring and treated with nutrition imbalance. Also five reference cows were used for measuring. Measuring was carried out during morning feeding, when cows were given concentrated feed. The cow was tied to the feeding station in a way that it could not remove its head from the feeding station. Each cow was measured for approximately one minute and measuring data was collected to a file. Milk and blood samples were collected from the same cows. Milk samples were analysed with the measuring equipment. Ketone concentration was determined as a reference measuring at the Valio milk laboratory. BHBA and acetoacetate were analysed from the blood samples. The control cows showed no signs of ketosis. The scoring was made on the basis of milk acetone measurements. The milk samples measured with MGD-1 gas detector based electronic nose can separate the control cows from the cows with ketosis or sub-clinical ketosis (P<0,01, Mann-Whitney U-Test). This indicates that ion mobility technique used in MGD-1 detector provides a basis for a quality control tool for milk production chain. However, much more research and technical development is needed for the development of commercial system suitable for on-line measurement of ketosis from milk of individual cows

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of exhaled breath compounds after whole grain diets

Exhaled breath is a potential noninvasive matrix to give new information about metabolic effects of diets. In this pilot study, non-targeted analysis of exhaled breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was made by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GCxGC-MS) to explore compounds relating to whole grain (WG) diets. Nine healthy subjects participated in the dietary intervention with parallel crossover design, consisting of two high-fiber diets containing whole grain rye bread (WGR) or whole grain wheat bread (WGW) and 1-week control diets with refined wheat bread (WW) before both diet periods. Large interindividual differences were detected in the VOC composition. About 260 VOCs were detected from exhaled breath samples, in which 40 of the compounds were present in more than half of the samples. Various derivatives of benzoic acid and phenolic compounds, as well as some furanones existed in exhaled breath samples only after the WG diets, making them interesting compounds to study further.</p

Extractives of Stemwood and Sawmill Residues of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) for Biorefining in Four Climatic Regions in Finland—Phenolic and Resin Acid Compounds

This study aimed to identify and quantify phenolic and resin acid extractive compounds in Scots pine stemwood and sawmill residues in four climatic regions of Finland to evaluate their most optimal sources for bio-based chemical biorefining and bioenergy products. The sample consisted of 140 trees from 28 stands, and sawdust lots from 11 log stands. NMR for the overall extractive analysis and HPLC for the quantitative estimation of phenolic and resin acid compounds were employed. Correlation analysis, multivariate factor analysis, principle component analysis and multiple linear regression modelling were applied for statistical analysis. HPLC identified 12 extractive compounds and NMR five more resin acids. Pinosylvin (PS), pinosylvin monomethyl ether (PSMME), and partly neolignans/lignans occurred in the largest concentrations. Wood type caused the most variation, heartwood having larger concentrations than sapwood (sawdust between them). Regional differences in the concentrations were smaller, but factor analysis distinguished the northern and the southern regions into their own groups. The results indicated higher concentrations of PS, PSMME, and vanillic acid in southern regions and those of, e.g., PSMME glycoside, lignan 2, and neolignan 1 in northern regions. The rather low concentrations of extractives in stemwood and sawdust imply value-added products, efficient sorting and/or large raw material volumes

Extractives of Stemwood and Sawmill Residues of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) for Biorefining in Four Climatic Regions in Finland—Phenolic and Resin Acid Compounds

This study aimed to identify and quantify phenolic and resin acid extractive compounds in Scots pine stemwood and sawmill residues in four climatic regions of Finland to evaluate their most optimal sources for bio-based chemical biorefining and bioenergy products. The sample consisted of 140 trees from 28 stands, and sawdust lots from 11 log stands. NMR for the overall extractive analysis and HPLC for the quantitative estimation of phenolic and resin acid compounds were employed. Correlation analysis, multivariate factor analysis, principle component analysis and multiple linear regression modelling were applied for statistical analysis. HPLC identified 12 extractive compounds and NMR five more resin acids. Pinosylvin (PS), pinosylvin monomethyl ether (PSMME), and partly neolignans/lignans occurred in the largest concentrations. Wood type caused the most variation, heartwood having larger concentrations than sapwood (sawdust between them). Regional differences in the concentrations were smaller, but factor analysis distinguished the northern and the southern regions into their own groups. The results indicated higher concentrations of PS, PSMME, and vanillic acid in southern regions and those of, e.g., PSMME glycoside, lignan 2, and neolignan 1 in northern regions. The rather low concentrations of extractives in stemwood and sawdust imply value-added products, efficient sorting and/or large raw material volumes

Innovative treatment modalities for urinary incontinence: a European survey identifying experience and attitude of healthcare providers

Introduction and hypothesis Urinary incontinence is a common condition in women, with a reported prevalence ranging from 25% to 51%. Of these women, an estimated 38% suffer from stress urinary incontinence (SUI). A European research consortium is investigating an innovative system based on information and communication technology for the conservative treatment of women with SUI. When introducing a new intervention, implementation barriers arise and need to be identified. Therefore, we investigated healthcare providers’ experience with and attitude towards innovative care options. Methods We performed an online survey to assess (1) the characteristics and practice of healthcare providers, (2) current protocols for SUI, (3) current use of biofeedback, and (4) knowledge about serious gaming. The survey was sent to members of professional societies in Europe (EUGA), UK (BSUG) and The Netherlands (DPFS). Results Of 341 questionnaires analyzed (response rate between 18% and 30%), 64% of the respondents had access to a protocol for the treatment of SUI, and 31% used biofeedback when treating patients with SUI. However, 92% considered that biofeedback has a clear or probable added value, and 97% of those who did not use biofeedback would change their practice if research evidence supported its use. Finally, 89% of respondents indicated that they had no experience of serious gaming, but 92% considered that it could be useful. Conclusions Although inexperienced, European urogynecologists and physical therapists welcome innovative treatment options for the conservative treatment of SUI such as portable wireless biofeedback and serious gaming. Scientific evidence is considered a prerequisite to incorporate such innovations into clinical practice.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Contarinia kanervoi Barnes (Dipt., Itonididae), bionomics, damage and control

vokKirjasto Aj-kTimoteisääsken bionomiasta, vioituksesta ja torjunnast

Polyene production of antagonistic Streptomyces species isolated from Sphagnum peat

Several isolates of Streptomyces species, suppressive against fungal growth and obtained from light-coloured Sphagnum peat, produced polyene antibiotics. The mechanism of growth suppression by these isolates is probably partially explained by antibiosis, since there was a significant difference in the antibiotic production by suppressive vs. non-suppressive isolates. The antibiotic consists of several individual components, which form an aromatic heptaene complex of the candicidin type containing p-aminoacetophenone and mycosamine moieties. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the antibiotic against yeasts and fungi was the same as that of candicidin