Effect of Spirulina platensis Supplementation on Carcass Characteristics, Fatty Acid Profile, and Meat Quality of Omani Goats.

In a 70-day study, 36 Jabbali and Sahrawi bucks, aged 11 months, were utilized to evaluate the effects of different levels of spirulina dietary supplement (SP) on carcass characteristics, fatty acid profile, and meat quality traits in Omani goat breeds. The goats were put into six groups of six bucks, each at random. The diet consisted of a conventional concentrate feed ration (CFR) without spirulina (CON), and the CFR diet supplemented with spirulina at the levels of 2 g/head daily (T1) and 4 g/head daily (T2). In general, Sahrawi bucks showed a highly significant response to SP feeding compared with Jabbali bucks. The treatment groups, especially T1, showed a significant increase in average daily gain and carcass traits (body length, leg length, and the rack weight) compared with the CON group of Sahrawi bucks. The weights of omental and kidney fat were also significantly higher in T1 compared with CON and T2 groups of Sahrawi goats, while they were significantly higher in T2 compared with CON and T1 groups of Jabbali goats. Carcass profile and meat quality, including ultimate ph and meat color lightness (L*) were increased significantly with dietary spirulina in both LD and SM muscles of Sahrawi goats. Most of the Sfa, Mufa, Pufa, Pufa n-6, Pufa n-3, and n-6/n-3 ratios of the LD showed significant differences in diets supplemented with SP compared with CON for Sahrawi bucks, while some of them were significant in Jabbali bucks. The LD muscle of Sahrawi goats fed diets supplemented with SP of the T1 group significantly decreased in the amounts of pentadecanoic and margaric acids compared with the T2 and CON groups. The study concluded that incorporating SP (2 g and 4 g/head daily) into the diet of Omani goats, especially Sahrawi goats, can increase growth performance, as well as improve fatty acid composition and meat quality.

Integrating data types to estimate spatial patterns of avian migration across the Western Hemisphere.

For many avian species, spatial migration patterns remain largely undescribed, especially across hemispheric extents. Recent advancements in tracking technologies and high-resolution species distribution models (i.e., eBird Status and Trends products) provide new insights into migratory bird movements and offer a promising opportunity for integrating independent data sources to describe avian migration. Here, we present a three-stage modeling framework for estimating spatial patterns of avian migration. First, we integrate tracking and band re-encounter data to quantify migratory connectivity, defined as the relative proportions of individuals migrating between breeding and nonbreeding regions. Next, we use estimated connectivity proportions along with eBird occurrence probabilities to produce probabilistic least-cost path (LCP) indices. In a final step, we use generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) both to evaluate the ability of LCP indices to accurately predict (i.e., as a covariate) observed locations derived from tracking and band re-encounter data sets versus pseudo-absence locations during migratory periods and to create a fully integrated (i.e., eBird occurrence, LCP, and tracking/band re-encounter data) spatial prediction index for mapping species-specific seasonal migrations. To illustrate this approach, we apply this framework to describe seasonal migrations of 12 bird species across the Western Hemisphere during pre- and postbreeding migratory periods (i.e., spring and fall, respectively). We found that including LCP indices with eBird occurrence in GAMMs generally improved the ability to accurately predict observed migratory locations compared to models with eBird occurrence alone. Using three performance metrics, the eBird + LCP model demonstrated equivalent or superior fit relative to the eBird-only model for 22 of 24 species-season GAMMs. In particular, the integrated index filled in spatial gaps for species with over-water movements and those that migrated over land where there were few eBird sightings and, thus, low predictive ability of eBird occurrence probabilities (e.g., Amazonian rainforest in South America). This methodology of combining individual-based seasonal movement data with temporally dynamic species distribution models provides a comprehensive approach to integrating multiple data types to describe broad-scale spatial patterns of animal movement. Further development and customization of this approach will continue to advance knowledge about the full annual cycle and conservation of migratory birds.

Meat of South American camelids - Sensory quality and nutritional composition.

Meat contains a range of nutrients in a highly bioavailable form and when meat is excluded from the diet, without being replaced with suitable alternatives, nutrient deficiencies may occur. For this reason, it is very important to extend our knowledge of nutrients in alternative red meats, such as that provided from the South American camelids- llama and alpaca. This review summarises the current information on the nutritional and sensory parameters of llama and alpaca meat and factors affecting quality. South American camelids produce lean carcases, with an uneven fat distribution across the carcase. Llama and alpaca meat quality traits are mostly influenced by animal nutrition, animal age and processing methods. A feeding strategy based on pasture and hay supplement of barley and alfalfa, and processing younger animals (18 months) has improved the fatty acid composition respectively in llama and alpaca meat, whereas meat colour and tenderness are influenced by processing treatments including electrical stimulation, tenderstretching and enzymatic infusion.

The effect of whole carcase medium voltage electrical stimulation, tenderstretching and longissimus infusion with actinidin on alpaca meat quality.

The effect on alpaca meat quality from applying medium voltage electrical stimulation (ES) in combination with tenderstretching (TS; pubic symphysis suspended) to whole carcases was investigated, along with the effect of actinidin infusion on alpaca longissimus (LTL) quality. Carcases (n = 36) were allocated to either no ES + achilles hung; or ES + TS. The left- and right-hand side LTL of each carcase was allocated to one of three infusion treatments; no infusion (control), infusion with water or infusion with enzyme. Processing treatments reduced LTL and semimembranosus shear force without negatively impacting colour or oxidation traits. Infusion with enzyme reduced LTL shear force relative to control and water treatments but resulted in reduced consumer acceptance. The use of TS with ES in commercial alpaca processing is supported. There was no advantage to infusing alpaca LTL with actinidin as results indicate a net negative effect on consumer acceptance of this novel meat.

The effects of season and post-transport rest on alpaca (Vicunga pacos) meat quality.

The effects of season (summer, autumn, winter and spring) and post-transportation rest on alpaca meat quality were investigated in 160 castrated male alpacas (23 ±â€¯1 month of age) over a 12 month period. Twice per season, animals were randomly allocated to consignment groups of 20, transported 4 h to slaughter and allocated to either of two treatment groups: (1) overnight lairage pre slaughter (Direct) and (2) seven day rest period with access to feed pre slaughter (Rested). At slaughter, blood was collected for the analysis of plasma cortisol and a longissimus core sample obtain pre rigor for glycogen content determination. Alpaca muscle moisture loss increased through summer and spring in the longissimus thoracics. Seasonal differences did not reflect pasture seasonality or muscle glycogen content. Resting alpacas for 7 days pre-slaughter reduced muscle glycogen content and tenderness. Drip loss and purge was greater for rested animals indicating that resting alpacas post transport is not advantageous to alpaca meat quality.

The effect of electrical stimulation and tenderstretching on colour and oxidation traits of alpaca (Vicunga pacos) meat.

The effects of tenderstretching (TS; carcase suspension by the pelvic bone) combined with medium voltage electrical stimulation (ES) on alpaca colour and oxidative traits was investigated. Castrated huacya alpacas were processed and treatments applied to the 36 split carcases, in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (Achilles hung; AH/TS and ES/non-ES). After 24 h chilling, colour stability analysis and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances evaluation (TBARS) was conducted on samples of longissimus and adductor femoris. An additional 30 cm of longissimus was prepared for TBARS evaluation and sensory assessment using an untrained consumer panel. Electrical stimulation increased lipid oxidation within the longissimus. However, overall oxidation levels were extremely low and as a result ES effects on oxidation were not detected at the consumer level. Therefore, the combined processing treatments did not dramatically impact alpaca meat eating quality or colour stability. Results also indicate that alpaca displays advantageous colour and oxidation traits when compared to other red meats.

An assessment of climate change vulnerability for Important Bird Areas in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Arc.

Recently available downscaled ocean climate models for the Bering Sea and Aleutian Arc offer the opportunity to assess climate vulnerability for upper trophic level consumers such as marine birds. We analyzed seasonal and annual spatial projections from three climate models for two physical climate variables (seawater temperature and sea ice) and three forage variables (large copepods, euphausiids, and benthic infauna), comparing projected conditions from a recent time period (2003-2012) to a future time period (2030-2039). We focused the analyses on core areas within globally significant Important Bird Areas, and developed indices of the magnitude of projected change and vulnerability agreement among models. All three climate models indicated a high degree of change for seawater temperature warming (highest in the central and eastern Aleutian Islands) and ice loss (most significant in the eastern Bering Sea) across scales, and we found those changes to be significant for every species and virtually every core area assessed. There was low model agreement for the forage variables; while the majority of core areas were identified as climate vulnerable by one or more models (72% for large copepods, 73% for euphausiids, and 94% for benthic infauna), very few were agreed upon by all three models (only 6% of euphausiid-forager core areas). Based on the magnitude-agreement score, euphausiid biomass decline affected core areas for fulmars, gulls, and auklets, especially along the outer shelf and Aleutian Islands. Benthic biomass decline affected eiders along the inner shelf, and large copepod decline was significant for storm-petrels and auklets in the western Aleutians. Overall, 12% of core areas indicated climate vulnerability for all variables assessed. Modeling and interpreting biological parameters to project future dynamics remains complex; the strong signal for projected physical changes raised concerns about lagged responses such as distribution shifts, breeding failures, mortality events, and population declines.

Vitamin E concentration in alpaca meat and its impact on oxidative traits during retail display.

The longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LL), and adductor femoris (AF) muscles from 39 castrated, 23 (±1) month old huacaya alpacas were used to determine vitamin E content and the impact on lipid oxidation levels. At 24 h post death the LL and AF muscles were removed and sampled for meat quality analysis and subjected to simulated retail display. Vitamin E content of either muscle had no significant impact on colour stability or oxidation traits during retail display. This is thought to be due to the high levels of vitamin E (>5.4 mg/kg) in both muscles. Lipid oxidation levels were 0.2 mg MDA/kg higher in both muscles post retail display. However, overall differences in TBARS levels detected pre and post display were very low (<1.19 mg MDA/kg) and well below sheep threshold values of >3 mg MDA/kg. The mechanism behind why alpaca meat has such high vitamin E levels compared to other species requires further investigation.

Measurement of drip loss in alpaca (Vicugna pacos) meat using different techniques and sample weights.

Drip loss is an indicator of water holding capacity in fresh meat that can be measured using the bag method and the newer EZ method. However, to our knowledge, no previous study has investigated the application of these methods to assess drip loss of fresh alpaca meat. Over a year, 160 alpaca (Vicugna pacos) loins were sampled using the two different drip loss methods. There was no difference (P = 0.490) in drip loss percentage between the bag (3.39 ±â€¯0.24%) and EZ method (3.16 ±â€¯0.22%). The 24 h pH had a significant (P = 0.03) impact on drip loss percentages, such that as pH increased the drip loss percentage decreased. A greater (P < 0.001) drip loss was found using the bag method if the sample weighed 80 g (4.04 ±â€¯0.15%) compared to 60 g (3.38 ±â€¯0.12%).

The effect of combining tenderstretching and electrical stimulation on alpaca (Vicugna pacos) meat tenderness and eating quality.

The effect of combining tenderstretching (TS; carcase suspension by the pelvic bone) with medium voltage electrical stimulation (ES) during processing on the tenderness of alpaca muscles was investigated. Thirty-six split alpaca carcases were randomly allocated to treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (Achilles hung/TS and ES/non-ES). Samples were collected from the m. longissimus thoracis (LT), m. adductor femoris (AF), m. semimembranosus (SM), m. semitendinosus (ST) and m. psoas major (TL) at 24 h post slaughter for shear force, sarcomere length, collagen and myofibre (particle size) measurement. Additional samples were taken from the m. longissimus lumborum (LL) for sensory assessment using an untrained consumer panel. Tenderstretching reduced shear force and variability within the alpaca AF, without negatively affecting the TL, while ES significantly improved TL and LT tenderness. Consumers were able to detect ES treated LL, rating ES samples higher for all sensory traits. Combining ES and TS maximizes alpaca carcase tenderness when considered on a multiple muscle basis.

Summer resource selection and identification of important habitat prior to industrial development for the Teshekpuk Caribou Herd in northern Alaska.

Many caribou (Rangifer tarandus) populations are declining worldwide in part due to disturbance from human development. Prior to human development, important areas of habitat should be identified to help managers minimize adverse effects. Resource selection functions can help identify these areas by providing a link between space use and landscape attributes. We estimated resource selection during five summer periods at two spatial scales for the Teshekpuk Caribou Herd in northern Alaska prior to industrial development to identify areas of high predicted use for the herd. Additionally, given the strong influence parturition and insect harassment have on space use, we determined how selection differed between parturient and non-parturient females, and between periods with and without insect harassment. We used location data acquired between 2004-2010 for 41 female caribou to estimate resource selection functions. Patterns of selection varied through summer but caribou consistently avoided patches of flooded vegetation and selected areas with a high density of sedge-grass meadow. Predicted use by parturient females during calving was almost entirely restricted to the area surrounding Teshekpuk Lake presumably due to high concentration of sedge-grass meadows, whereas selection for this area by non-parturient females was less strong. When insect harassment was low, caribou primarily selected the areas around Teshekpuk Lake but when it was high, caribou used areas having climates where insect abundance would be lower (i.e., coastal margins, gravel bars). Areas with a high probability of use were predominately restricted to the area surrounding Teshekpuk Lake except during late summer when high use areas were less aggregated because of more general patterns of resource selection. Planning is currently underway for establishing where oil and gas development can occur in the herd's range, so our results provide land managers with information that can help predict and minimize impacts of development on the herd.

Transforming growth factor-beta is activated by plasmin and inhibits smooth muscle cell death in human saphenous vein.

BACKGROUND: The effect of activation of endogenous transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) on smooth muscle cell apoptosis was assessed in human saphenous vein. METHODS: Segments of human saphenous vein, obtained at the time of bypass graft surgery, were cultured for 14 days. During this time, smooth muscle cells accumulated in the intima as a result of proliferation and migration, partly counterbalanced by apoptotic cell death. RESULTS: Addition of exogenous TGF-beta(1) had no effect on smooth muscle cell proliferation or apoptosis. However, antibody neutralization of endogenous TGF-beta(1) caused significant increases in smooth muscle cell death in the media and intima without any change in proliferation. A plasmin inhibitor (alpha-N-acetyl-L-lysine methyl ester), a specific urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) inhibitor (amiloride) and an anti-catalytic anti-uPA antibody all caused decreases in the tissue content of active TGF-beta and increases in smooth muscle cell death in the media and intima. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the amount of TGF-beta in human saphenous vein is sufficient, when in the active form, to protect smooth muscle cells against apoptosis. Adding exogenous TGF-beta(1) has no beneficial effect, but decreasing the amount of active TGF-beta causes smooth muscle cells to undergo apoptosis. Plasmin, generated by uPA, appears to be an important activator of endogenous latent TGF-beta.

Interactions between centromere complexes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have purified two new complexes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, one containing the centromere component Mtw1p together with Nnf1p, Nsl1p, and Dsn1p, which we call the Mtw1p complex, and the other containing Spc105p and Ydr532p, which we call the Spc105p complex. Further purifications using Dsn1p tagged with protein A show, in addition to the other components of the Mtw1p complex, the two components of the Spc105p complex and the four components of the previously described Ndc80p complex, suggesting that all three complexes are closely associated. Fluorescence microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy show that Nnf1p, Nsl1p, Dsn1p, Spc105p, and Ydr532p all localize to the nuclear side of the spindle pole body and along short spindles. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays show that all five proteins are associated with centromere DNA. Homologues of Nsl1p and Spc105p in Schizosaccharomyces pombe also localize to the centromere. Temperature-sensitive mutations of Nsl1p, Dsn1p, and Spc105p all cause defects in chromosome segregation. Synthetic-lethal interactions are found between temperature-sensitive mutations in proteins from all three complexes, in agreement with their close physical association. These results show an increasingly complex structure for the S. cerevisiae centromere and a probable conservation of structure between parts of the centromeres of S. cerevisiae and S. pombe.