Hand-held lactate analyzer as a tool for the real-time measurement of physical fatigue before slaughter and pork quality prediction

The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship between blood lactate variation measured at the plant, and pork quality variation on a large sample size and under commercial preslaughter handling conditions. A total of 600 pigs were randomly chosen on arrival at a commercial slaughter plant and blood samples taken from the ear vein at unloading (UN), after lairage (LA), in the restrainer (RE; before stunning) and at exsanguination (EX) were analysed for lactate content using a Lactate Scout Analyzer (LSA). In order to have a large range of measures, pigs were distributed into two groups; one kept in lairage overnight (G1) and the other for 2 to 3 h (G2) before slaughter. Meat quality was assessed in the Longissimus thoracis (LT), Semimembranosus (SM) and Adductor (AD) muscles by measuring the pH 30 min postmortem (pH1) and at 24 h postmortem (pHu), the colour and the drip loss. Blood lactate levels did not differ between G1 and G2 (P>0.05). A reduced muscle lactate and glucose contents (P=0.02 and P=0.004, respectively) resulting in a lower (P<0.001) glycolytic potential (GP) was observed in the LT muscle of G1 pigs when compared with G2 loins. In the LT muscle of G1 pigs, the lower GP resulted in an increased pHu (r=−0.67; P<0.001), decreased drip loss (r=0.57; P<0.001) and darker colour (r=0.50; P<0.001) compared with G2. In both G1 and G2 pigs, the lower GP was correlated to higher pHu value in the SM and AD muscles (r=−0.73; P<0.001). The greatest correlation was observed in G2 between blood lactate levels at LA and pHu value of the SM and AD muscles (r=0.46 and r=0.44, respectively; P<0.001 for both muscles). The second greatest correlation was found between blood lactate levels at EX and pH1 value in the SM muscle in both groups (r=−0.37 and r=−0.41, respectively; P<0.001 for both groups). Based on the results of this study, it appears that blood lactate levels, as measured by the LSA, reliably reflect the physiological response of pigs to perimortem stress and may help explain the variation in pork quality.     

The bracts of the alpine ‘glasshouse’ plant Rheum alexandrae (Polygonaceae) enhance reproductive fitness of its pollinating seed‐consuming mutualist

Environmental conditions are known to affect the reproductive fitness of insects, as do host plants. Although the highly specialized bracts of Himalayan ‘glasshouse’ plants are thought to be an adaptive morphology that allows the plant to reproduce in harsh alpine environments, little information appears to exist concerning the benefit of these bracts for the pollinating insects. In this study, we examine whether the semi‐translucent bracts of Rheum alexandrae, a giant herb endemic to the alpine zone of the Hengduan Mountains in south‐western China, enhance the reproductive fitness of its pollinator. Rheum alexandrae depends mainly on mutualistic seed‐consuming Bradysia flies for pollination. Bracts increased interior temperature on sunny days, acted as a buffer against fluctuating air humidity, greatly decreased the intensities of ultraviolet B/C radiation and provided shelter from strong winds. Bract removal significantly decreased adult oviposition and offspring performance of pollinators during flowering and fruiting, respectively. Our results indicate that the bracts of R. alexandrae enhance the reproductive fitness of its pollinating seed‐consuming mutualist in alpine environments, which may be attributed to the positive effects of the bracts on the interior microenvironment. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 179 , 349–359.     

Technology and ispection of air conditioning systems

Summary A technical approach, in terms of air quality, implies the review of all components within the air conditioning system and the check of their characteristics, as far as contamination sources are concerned. The contribution introduces the parameters to be examined and specifies the importance of validation.     

A new index to sort estuarine sediments according to their contaminant content

When dealing with potentially contaminated regions, simple tools are needed to identify in a fast and first approach the areas of the highest concern. In this work we propose a new, intuitive, easy-to-use and versatile tool to accomplish this task. This tool comprises the calculation of a new cumulative index, the Normalised-and-Weighted Average Concentration (NWAC) and its visualisation on a map of the area investigated using a colour based code. The NWAC is a cumulative index that is calculated for each sample using the concentration of freely selected contaminants present in that sample. The NWACs can be used to sort samples in a scale from 0 to 10 according to their contaminant content. A colour-based visualisation of the NWACs on a map facilitates an easy identification of the areas of higher concern within the studied region. The methodology has been exemplified in a case study, for example, the estuary of the Nerbioi-Ibaizabal River (Bilbao, Basque Country) using a representative set of sediments and their metals and metalloids content. The NWAC values obtained have been compared to the corresponding values of mERMq, another cumulative index of general acceptance and frequently used to estimate the toxicity of sediments, with comparable results.     

The effect of internal capacitance on power quality and energy efficiency in a tubular microbial fuel cell

The pseudo-capacitive behaviour of a high surface area carbon veil electrode in a tubular microbial fuel cell (MFC) was investigated as a mechanism to enhance power quality and energy efficiency. Accumulated charge and energy from the anodic biofilm after prolonged open circuit times (1–120 min) were compared against equivalent periods of steady state loading (R = 100–3000 Ω). A significant difference in the amount of accumulated charge with different loads was observed, resulting in 1.051 C (R = 100 Ω) compared to 0.006 C (R = 3 kΩ). The automated application of short open and closed circuit (0.5–10 s) cycles resulted in an increase of power/current production (closed circuit alone), but presented lower efficiency considering entire open and closed period. The cumulative charge on the carbon veil electrode with biofilm was 39,807 C m⁻² at 100 Ω. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) showed that the Helmholtz layer presented a double layer capacitance of more than ten times the biofilm on electrode. The results indicate that the capacitive behaviour could be utilized to increase the power quality, i.e. its availability/applicability with respect to the operation of low power consuming devices.     

News from the Biological Stain Commission No. 12

Abstract

In this 12^th issue of News from the Biological Stain Commission (BSC) under the heading of Regulatory affairs, the Biological Stain Commission’s International Affairs Committee presents information from the meetings of ISO/TC 212/WG 1 Quality and competence in the medical laboratory and ISO/TC 212/WG 3 In vitro diagnostic products both held on 2 – 3 June 2010, plus information on the second plenary meeting of ISO/TC 212 Clinical laboratory testing and in vitro diagnostic test systems held on 4 June 2010. All meetings took place in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Finally, information is provided concerning the 25^th meeting of CEN/TC 140 In vitro diagnostic medical devices held on 23 June 2010 in Berlin, Germany.     

Morningness–eveningness interferes with perceived health,physical activity,diet and stress levels in working women: A cross-sectional study

Sleep and health are closely interrelated and sleep quality is a well-known contributor to perceived health. However, effects of sleep-timing preference i.e. morningness–eveningness on health has yet to be revealed. In this study, we explored the relationship between morningness–eveningness and perceived health in a sample of female working professionals (N?=?202). Sleep-timing preference was measured using the Composite Scale of Morningness. Perceived health was characterized by Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, WHO Well-Being Scale-5 and Patient Health Questionnaire-15 scores. We also investigated possible mechanisms, including stress and health-impairing behaviours. In accordance with previous data, we found more depressive mood, lower well-being and poorer perceived health among evening types. To assess health-impairing behaviours we collected data on smoking habits, alcohol consumption, physical activity and diet. Among the possible mechanism variables, greater stress, less frequent physical activity and less healthy diet were associated with eveningness. Furthermore, stress diminished the strength of the association between morningness–eveningness and depressed mood. Physical activity attenuated the strength of the association between morningness–eveningness and well-being. No effects of alcohol consumption could be identified. Our data show that evening preference behaves as a health risk in terms of associating with poor perceived health. Our findings also suggest that this effect might be mediated by health behaviours and stress.     

Metal elements associate with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in 195 couples

PurposeEnvironmental factors may affecting reproductive function reduction and embryonic development. Couples who are exposed to heavy metals for a long time may affect the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF). To evaluate the effect of elements on IVF outcomes, a total of 195 couples undergoing IVF were included in this study.MethodsElements including V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Ba, Hg, Tl, Pb were measured in serum and follicular fluid (FF) samples of female and semen samples of male by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Multiple linear regression were applied to evaluate the association between metal elements and semen quality parameters and the number of oocytes in MII stage. Poisson regression and the robust variance estimation of the generalized estimation equation were used to evaluate the association between elements and IVF outcomes.ResultsThe statistical results showed that Cr had a significant negative correlation with total sperm concentration (TSC) and total motile sperm count (TMC), the correlation coefficients were -0.52 (-0.27∼1.43) and -0.4(-1.24, 0.45), respectively. At the same time, Ba was significantly correlated with TSC and TMC, the correlation coefficients were 0.1(-0.15∼0.34) and 0.12(-0.13, 0.36), respectively. Cr, Ba and Pb in follicular fluid (FF) had a significant positive correlation with the number of oocytes in MII stage. The correlation coefficients were 3.15 (0.79, 5.52), 1.54 (-0.27, 3.36), 12.27 (7.49, 17.04). The Tl level of FF was significantly associated with the high probability of blastocyst formation and high-quality blastocysts (RR: 2.83, 95 % CI: 0.92∼7.95; RR: 3.12, 95 % CI: 0.64, 12.84). The Hg level (RR: 3.98, 95 % CI: 0.78∼14.77) and the Ba level in serum (RR: 12.75 95 % CI: 1.31∼89.71) were significantly correlated with high-quality blastocysts. The levels of Ni, Cu, Mo in seminal plasma of men were significantly correlated with blastocyst formation and high-quality blastocysts (RR values were all greater than 1.5). In addition, the level of Ba was significantly correlated with the high probability of blastocyst formation (RR: 1.7, 95 % CI: 1.14∼2.52).ConclusionOur results reveal that Cr, Ba and Pb may affect TSC, TMC and MII oocytes. Moreover, Ba, Cr, As, Hg and Tl in serum and Mo in seminal plasma were related to fertilization results, good embryos, blastocyst formation, high-quality embryos, and pregnancy and live birth rates. Tl in FF may related to the quality of embryonic development, Ba was an important risk factor which closely related to the outcomes of IVF in both male and female. Through our detection and statistical analysis of clinical samples, it is shown that although not all elements will affect the outcome of IVF the key elements we have selected need to arouse our attention, which benifit to the diagnosis and prevention of clinical infertility.