Nutritional values and antioxidative activities of whole peanuts and peanut skins for ruminant feeds.

This study was conducted to investigate the nutritive values of two peanut by-products, nonstandardized whole peanuts and peanut skins, along with their effects on microbial growth and fermentation in the rumen, their roughage values, and their antioxidative activities by a digestion trial using four goats. The experimental rations were alfalfa haycube (basal ration), 85% alfalfa with 15% whole peanuts, and 70% alfalfa with 15% whole peanuts and 15% peanut skins. The ether extracts and crude protein in whole peanuts were 47% and 27% on a dry matter basis (DM) both with over 90% of digestibilities, resulting in total digestive nutrients (TDN) of 140%. Peanut skins also had a high energy value with 91% of TDN. Ruminal concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and acetic acid decreased in the rations containing the peanut by-products, but the NDF digestibility and ruminal microbial protein estimated from urinary purines was not altered by feeding the peanut by-products. Plasma oxidative stress maker, malondialdehyde, tended to be lower when peanut skins were supplemented. Whole peanuts and peanut skins could be used as high-energy and high-protein diets for ruminants, and peanut skins would be expected as a feed having antioxidant functions.

Open-stent grafting with a GORE TAG thoracic endoprosthesis for an extended severely atheromatous thoracic aortic aneurysm: report of a case.

An 82-year-old man with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease experienced sudden back pain. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) 63 mm in maximum diameter, with severe atheromas, representing "shaggy aorta", extending down to the level of the ninth thoracic vertebra. Emergency surgery was necessitated by the impending rupture of the aneurysm. The patient underwent successful total arch replacement with open-stent grafting using a GORE(®) TAG(®) thoracic endoprosthesis. His postoperative course was uneventful and there were no neurological complications. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using the GORE TAG system for an open-stent graft.

Mechanism for the phase transition of a genetically engineered elastin model peptide (VPGIG)40 in aqueous solution.

The concentration dependence of the pressure- and temperature-induced cloud point transition (Pc and Tc, respectively) of aqueous solutions of an elastin-like polypeptide with a repeating pentapeptide Val-Pro-Gly-Ile-Gly sequence (MGLDGSMG(VPGIG)40VPLE) was investigated by using apparent light scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, and circular dichroism methods. In addition, the effects of salts and surfactants on these properties were investigated. The Pc and Tc of the present peptide in aqueous solution were strongly concentration dependent. The calorimetric measurements showed that the enthalpy of transitions was 300-400 kJ/mol, i.e., 7-10 kJ/mol per VPGIG pentamer. The Tc of the (VPGIG)40 solution was highly affected by the addition of inert salts or SDS. The effects of salts were consistent with those observed in the lyotropic series or Hoffmeister series. The CD spectrum at low peptide concentrations indicated that the present peptide forms type II beta-turn-like structure(s) at higher temperatures, but the temperature dependence of random coil diminishment (195 nm) and beta-turn formation (210 nm) were not exactly coincident. A hypothetical mechanism of the (VPGIG)40 phase transition that could account for these observations was postulated. Observations suggest that the temperature-responsive properties of the elastin model peptides occur via a mechanism involving conformational change-association-aggregation and that the first two are strongly interactive.