Commercial Research Articles

Fear responses and postmortem muscle characteristics of turkeys of two genetic lines

Commercial turkey production has increased greatly in recent decades. Along with increased production, problems with turkey meat quality have also increased. Research with other species has demonstrated that differences in meat quality exist among pigs and cattle differing in characteristics such as fearfulness. However, associations between fear responses and postmortem (PM) muscle characteristics related to the meat quality of turkeys have not been examined. This study evaluated the test–retest repeatability of responses of male commercial (COMM) and randombred (RB) turkeys in an open field (OF) test, which is used to assess fear and activity levels of poultry. Another objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between behavioral OF responses and PM breast muscle characteristics (pH and R-value) that are related to meat quality. Thirdly, this study evaluated differences in pH and R-value between the turkey lines. Male COMM and RB turkeys were each housed in groups in 4 pens. Turkeys were individually tested in an OF (2.74 × 2.74 m, divided into 81 squares) at 1, 4, and 11 wk (COMM N = 27; RB N = 33). Turkeys were then grouped into clusters based on a cluster analysis of OF behavior. Turkeys were processed and meat quality characteristics were evaluated at 15–17 wk for COMM and 20–21 wk for RB turkeys. Results were analyzed using a mixed model (SAS 9.4). Breast muscle pH and R-value did not differ between genetic lines, and there were no differences in pH and R-value among clusters within genetic lines. These findings suggest that OF responses measured during rearing are not related to PM breast muscle pH and R-value, which ultimately affect meat quality. Further research is needed to assess whether other types of fear responses are associated with meat quality and whether differences in R-value between genetic lines are associated with differences in other meat quality characteristics.

Asbestos Lung Burden in Necroscopic Samples from the General Population of Milan, Italy.

The present study analysed the asbestos lung burden in necroscopic samples from 55 subjects free from asbestos-related diseases, collected between 2009 and 2011 in Milan, Italy. Multiple lung samples were analysed by light microscopy (asbestos bodies, AB) and EDXA-scanning electron microscopy (asbestos fibres and other inorganic fibres). Asbestos fibres were detected in 35 (63.6%) subjects, with a higher frequency for amphiboles than for chrysotile. Commercial (CA) and non-commercial amphiboles (NCA) were found in roughly similar frequencies. The estimated median value was 0.11 million fibres per gram of dry lung tissue (mf g(-1)) for all asbestos, 0.09 mf g(-1) for amphiboles. In 44 (80.0%) subjects no chrysotile fibres were detected. A negative relationship between asbestos mass-weighted fibre count and year of birth (and a corresponding positive increase with age) was observed for amphiboles [-4.15%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -5.89 to -2.37], talc (-2.12%, 95% CI = -3.94 to -0.28), and Ti-rich fibres (-3.10%, 95% CI = -5.54 to -0.60), but not for chrysotile (-2.84%, 95% CI = -7.69 to 2.27). Residential district, birthplace, and smoking habit did not affect the lung burden of asbestos or inorganic fibres. Females showed higher burden only for amphiboles (0.12 versus 0.03 mf g(-1) in males, P = 0.07) and talc fibres (0.14 versus 0 mf g(-1) in males, P = 0.03). Chrysotile fibres were shorter and thinner than amphibole fibres and NCA fibres were thicker than CA ones. The AB prevalence was 16.4% (nine subjects) with concentrations ranging from 10 to 110 AB g(-1) dry, well below the 1000 AB g(-1) threshold for establishing occupational exposure. No AB were found in subjects younger than 30 years. Our study demonstrated detectable levels of asbestos fibres in a sample taken from the general population. The significant increase with age confirmed that amphibole fibres are the most representative of cumulative exposure.

Development of a new technique for the efficient delivery of aerosolized medications to infants on mechanical ventilation.

To evaluate the efficiency of a new technique for delivering aerosols to intubated infants that employs a new Y-connector, access port administration of a dry powder, and excipient enhanced growth (EEG) formulation particles that change size in the airways. A previously developed CFD model combined with algebraic correlations were used to predict delivery system and lung deposition of typical nebulized droplets (MMAD = 4.9μm) and EEG dry powder aerosols. The delivery system consisted of a Y-connector [commercial (CM); streamlined (SL); or streamlined with access port (SL-port)] attached to a 4-mm diameter endotracheal tube leading to the airways of a 6-month-old infant. Compared to the CM device and nebulized aerosol, the EEG approach with an initial 0.9μm aerosol combined with the SL and SL-port geometries reduced device depositional losses by factors of 3-fold and >10-fold, respectively. With EEG powder aerosols, the SL geometry provided the maximum tracheobronchial deposition fraction (55.7%), whereas the SL-port geometry provided the maximum alveolar (67.6%) and total lung (95.7%) deposition fractions, respectively. Provided the aerosol can be administered in the first portion of the inspiration cycle, the proposed new method can significantly improve the deposition of pharmaceutical aerosols in the lungs of intubated infants.

Monitoring a toxic bloom of Alexandrium minutum using novel microarray and multiplex surface plasmon resonance biosensor technology

Blooms of Alexandrium occur annually during the summer months in the North Channel of Cork Harbour on the south coast of Ireland. This study monitored an extensive bloom of the toxin producing Alexandrium minutum during the summer of 2011 with the use of the MIDTAL (Microarrays for the Detection of Toxic Algae) microarray and a prototype multiplex surface plasmon resonance (multi SPR) biosensor. Microarray signal intensities and toxin results from three testing platforms of the prototype multi SPR biosensor, commercial (CER) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were compared against light microscopy counts. The main aim was to demonstrate the use of these methodologies to support national monitoring agencies by providing a faster and more accurate means of identifying and quantifying the harmful phytoplankton community and their toxins in natural water samples. Both the microarray signals and multi SPR biosensor results followed a significant trend with light microscopy results and both techniques indicated detection limits of <4000 cells of A. minutum in natural seawater samples.

Complex chromosomal rearrangements in a patient with oligozoospermia and Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease

Complex chromosomal rearrangements in a patient with oligozoospermia and Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease

Are There Differences in Patient Characteristics, Treatment Patterns and Costs by Treatment Setting?

AbstractAbstract 4259 Background:Few studies have examined whether differences in treatment and outcomes exist among cancer patients by the setting where care is delivered. This study investigates differences in treatment patterns, health care resource use and costs among non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) patients receiving rituximab (R) or R+ chemotherapy based on site of care: office/clinic (OC) vs. hospital outpatient (HOSP). Methods:Patients ≥18 years with evidence of NHL or CLL diagnoses codes at least 30 days apart and received ≥2 R claims from Jan 2007 to Mar 2011 were identified from a large US commercial insurance claims database. Patients were required to be enrolled in the health plan for at least 6 months before and after the index date (date of first R claim). The follow-up period was the date of the first infusion to 30 days after the last infusion prior to a gap of ≥7 months. Patients with evidence of multiple cancers or receipt of R at both sites of care were excluded. Cohorts were created based on site of care where R was administered and type of insurance, commercial (COM) vs. Medicare Advantage (MA). Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine differences in treatment patterns and per-patient per-month (PPPM) health care costs. Multivariate analyses adjusting for age, gender, baseline Charlson index score and receipt of monotherapy was also conducted to examine differences in PPPM health care costs. Results:A total of 2,594 OC and 286 HOSP patients were identified. A higher percentage of Medicare Advantage patients (27% of 878 patients, n=236) received Rituxan therapy in the HOSP setting compared to commercially insured patients (2% of 2002 patients, n=50).Among the Medicare Advantage patients, age, gender, and baseline Charlson comorbidity index were not significantly different by cohort. The mean length of the episode of care was not significantly different by site of service but the number of Rituxan infusions (5.4 vs. 6.8, p<0.01) and infusions/mth (0.99 vs. 1.27, p<0.01) were significantly less in the HOSP compared to the OC. Incidence rates of ER visits (0.11 vs. 0.08, p=0.02), but not hospitalizations were higher among the HOSP cohort. Unadjusted infusion day costs were higher among the HOSP compared to the OC ($6,479 vs. $4,998, p<0.01) but total PPPM costs were not significantly different by cohort ($9,323 vs. $10,051, p>0.05). In multivariate analyses, total PPPM costs were slightly less among the HOSP cohort (cost ratio=0.92, p<0.01).Among the commercially insured population, gender and baseline Charlson comorbidity index were not significantly different by cohort though patients in the HOSP were slightly younger than those in the OC (55 years vs. 59 years). The mean length of the episode of care was not significantly different by site of service but compared to the OC the number of Rituxan infusions (5.52 vs. 7.56, p<0.01) and infusions per month (1.05 vs. 1.17, p>0.05) were less in the HOSP though the difference in infusions/month was not significant. Incidence rates of ER visits and hospitalizations were also not significantly different. Unadjusted infusion day costs were higher among the HOSP cohort compared to the OC cohort ($10,939 vs. $5,464, p<0.01) as well as total PPPM costs ($17,230 vs. $11,549, p=0.01). In multivariate analyses, total PPPM costs remained significantly higher among the HOSP cohort (cost ratio=1.40, p<0.01). Conclusions:A lower percentage of COM patients receive Rituxan infusions in the HOSP setting compared to MA patients. However, regardless of insurance type, patients in the HOSP cohort incurred greater costs on the day of Rituxan infusion compared to the OC cohort. Among MA patients, although costs incurred on the day of infusions were significantly higher in the HOSP cohort, patients treated in the HOSP setting had slightly lower total PPPM costs likely due to fewer administrations per month of Rituxan during an episode of care. Among COM patients, higher infusion day costs contributed to higher total overall costs among the HOSP cohort. These results warrant further investigation to assess the impact of these differences on clinical outcomes by site of care. Disclosures:Dacosta Byfield:OptumInsight: Employment, OptumInsight received payment from Genentech to conduct the study described in the abstract Other. Reyes:Genentech, Inc.: Employment, Roche Stock Other. Becker:OptumInsight: Employment, OptumInsight received payment from Genentech to conduct the study described in the abstract Other. Small:Genentech, Inc: Employment, Roche stock Other.

Comparative Bioavailability of Propafenone after Administration of a Magistral Suspension vs. Commercial Tablets in Healthy Volunteers

Propafenone (CAS 34183-22-7) is an effective antiarrhythmic drug used in children, although in some countries no specific pediatric formulation is available. The aim of this study is to compare the relative bioavailability of a magistral (MAG) preparation of propafenone versus its commercial (COM) presentation in a group of 16 Mexican healthy volunteers. Bioavailability was determined after crossover administration of the drugs, through a randomized two-phase trial. All volunteers had normal hepatic and renal functions, determined clinically at the beginning of the study, and received 150 mg of either COM (tablets) or MAG (suspension). Blood samples were drawn for a 24-h post-dose analysis by HPLC to measure plasma levels of propafenone. Subjects (mean 25.9 +/- 5.3 years and 66.1 +/- 12.4 kg) had the following pharmacokinetic parameters: Cmax 189.9 +/- 20.92 ng/mL, Tmax 1.5 h, AUC 322.4 +/- 36.28 ng x ml(-1) x h for COM. Values for MAG were Cmax 225.8 +/- 24.38 ng/mL, Tmax 1.7 h and AUC 359.3 +/- 27.90 ng x ml(-1) x h. These values yielded a relative bioavailability of 111.42% for MAG compared with COM. No electrocardiographic changes were recorded in any subject with respect to the baseline value, in both treatment schemes. Therefore, propafenone suspension prepared as a magistral formulation may be used as an alternative drug in pediatric patients.

Cost of fractures commonly associated with osteoporosis in a managed-care population

Objective: To examine direct costs of hip, vertebral, and non-hip non-vertebral (NHNV) fractures, and to estimate the rate of osteoporosis (OA) diagnosis and treatment in the fracture population.Methods: Subjects ≥ 45 years with a new hip, vertebral, or NHNV fragility (closed) fracture between June 30, 2002 and June 30, 2006 were studied retrospectively. All-cause and fracture-specific medical costs were calculated from medical claims in the 12-month baseline and follow-up periods. Total healthcare costs included pharmacy and medical costs. Diagnosis for OA and OA treatment were identified in both the baseline and follow-up period from diagnosis codes on medical claims for OA, and from pharmacy claims for treatment. Analyses were performed separately for commercial (COM) and Medicare Advantage (MA) populations and stratified by fracture type. Generalized linear models were estimated for total follow-up healthcare cost.Results: The study sample included 36,521 COM and 10,160 MA subjects. Hip fracture subjects had the highest follow-up medical costs in unadjusted and adjusted analyses (COM: mean $35,898; median $22,945; MA: mean $32,919; median $26,047). Follow-up costs were much higher than baseline costs. Fracture-related costs accounted for a large proportion of follow-up medical costs. Although rates of osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment increased from baseline to follow-up, the majority of both COM and MA subjects had no evidence of osteoporosis diagnosis or treatment in either period.Conclusions: Despite limitations of this study, including conventional generalizability issues, and sensitivity and specificity of claims-based diagnoses, results are consistent with other research and provide compelling results of substantial cost burden of fractures related to osteoporosis. Low rates of osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment among patients with costly fragility fractures underscore the opportunity for managed care organizations to initiate comprehensive disease management programs in osteoporosis.

Dynamic Spectrum Access to the Combined Resource of Commercial and Public Safety Bands Based on a WCDMA Shared Network

The public safety spectrum is generally under-utilized due to the unique traffic characteristics of bursty and mission critical. This letter considers the application of dynamic spectrum access (DSA) to the combined spectrum of public safety (PS) and commercial (CMR) users in a common shared network that can provide both PS and CMR services. Our scenario includes the 700 MHz Public/Private Partnership which was recently issued by the Federal Communications Commission. We first propose an efficient DSA mechanism to coordinate the combined spectrum, and then establish a call admission control that reflects the proposed DSA in a wideband code division multiple access based network. The essentials of our proposed DSA are opportunistic access to the public safety spectrum and priority access to the commercial spectrum. Simulation results show that these schemes are well harmonized in various network environments.

Release of Available Nitrogen after Incorporation of a Legume Cover Crop in Concord Grape

Legume cover crops can be used to provide nitrogen (N) to organically produced Concord (Vitis labruscana Bailey) grape. The cover crop must be incorporated at a time such that subsequent N mineralization is synchronous with plant demand to maximize the amount of N available to the grape plant. The objectives of this research were to 1) evaluate the effectiveness of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa subsp. villosa L.) and yellow sweet clover [Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam.] in providing N to organically grown Concord grape, 2) examine the synchronization of N release from mineralization after incorporation of cover crops with plant N demand, and 3) compare soluble, more readily available sources of N to legume cover crops in providing N to grape. This work was conducted on two Concord vineyards, one commercial (COM) and one research (RES) vineyard. Both vineyards were overhead sprinkler-irrigated and plots were established in a Latin square design with four or six replicates of each treatment. Treatments consisted of hairy vetch and yellow sweet clover planted in either the spring or fall, 112 kg·ha−1 N added as either urea or blood meal, and a 0 kg·ha−1 N control. Soils were sampled weekly (0 to 30 cm) from budbreak to cover crop plot treatment establishment and were analyzed for soluble (NO3-N and NH4-N) N. Soluble N release in the plots was monitored with ion exchange membranes (plant root simulators). Grapes were harvested and evaluated for yield and °Brix. Legume and fertilizer treatments resulted in increased N availability from grape bloom until veraison. As a result of rapid nitrification, NH4-N was less useful than NO3-N in determining N mineralization patterns. Available N peaks as high as 40 mg·kg−1 NO3-N were well timed with the critical N demand period for Concord grape. Soluble N sources (urea and blood meal) peaked higher than plant sources. No differences were detected between legume treatments. Legume covers did, however, supply more available N per unit of biomass to the soil than a small grain cover. Yield and oBrix varied by year but not by treatment, suggesting that the cover crop or plant and soil N reserves provided sufficient available N to the grape through the study period.

A Cu/Zn/Al/Zr Fibrous Catalyst that is an Improved CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol Catalyst

A series of Cu/Zn/Al/Zr CO2 hydrogenation to methanol catalysts containing different ratios of Al/Zr were prepared using a co-precipitation procedure. SEM, TEM, and XRD characterization showed that all the catalysts comprised crystallites in a fibrous structure and their Cu/Zn crystallite dispersions were better than that of a commercial (COM) catalyst. It is suggested that the high dispersion and stability of the Cu/Zn crystallites due to the fibrous structure enhanced CO2 hydrogenation, and the added Zr component further improved the catalyst. A 5% Zr addition gave a methanol space time yield 80% higher than that on the COM catalyst.

Influence of ration level on the growth performance and body composition of non-transgenic and growth-hormone-transgenic coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Duplicate groups of size-matched (range in initial mean weight, 23.5–27.2 g) growth-hormone-transgenic (T; construct OnMTGH1) and non-transgenic (NT) juvenile coho salmon from wild (W) and commercial (COM) sources, were fed a high nutritive value steam pelleted dry diet by hand four times daily for 63 days to maximum ration (R) viz., T-R T, NT-W-R W, and NT-COM-R COM, or they were pair-fed the maximum ration ingested by NT-W fish (NT-COM-R W and T-R W) or that consumed by NT-COM fish (T-R COM). The pair-fed rations were below the maximum rations of NT-COM and T fish. All groups were provided with running (6–8 L/min), aerated (dissolved oxygen, 6.8–10.3 mg/L), 10.5–11.0 °C well water and a natural photoperiod during the study. T-R T coho had significantly higher growth rates (1.9 fold) and dry feed (2.2 fold) and digestible protein and energy intakes (1.7 fold) than noted for NT-W-R W and NT-COM-R COM fish. Moreover T-R T coho, unlike pair-fed T coho and all NT groups, did not show a body weight or seasonal decline in growth rate during the study. Feed and protein utilization, but not energy utilization, were enhanced significantly in T fish relative to NT-COM fish regardless of ration level. NT-W fish were not included in the two-way ANOVA of the performance results where genotype and ration level were the factors. Nevertheless, randomized block ANOVA of performance parameters for all treatment groups followed by Tukey's test with P = 0.05 indicated that NT-W-R W and NT-COM-R COM fish generally performed similarly. NT-W-R W, T-R W and T-R COM groups had lowest condition factors whereas those for NT-COM-R COM and NT-COM-R W were highest. Viscera-somatic indices were significantly enhanced in T fish relative to NT-COM fish (data analyzed by two-way ANOVA). Fish size-corrected terminal whole body proximate compositions were uninfluenced by treatment even though the initial moisture and lipid concentrations in T fish were respectively lower and higher than noted in NT fish. Fish mortality was uninfluenced by treatment. It is concluded that dramatic growth enhancement in T coho is mainly due to enhanced dietary intakes of protein and energy and to a small (∼ 17%) but nevertheless significant improvement in utilization of dietary protein for body protein synthesis. The latter occurred at high and reduced rations and may have been due to high and unregulated plasma growth hormone levels accompanied by increased titres of insulin-like growth factor (found elevated in this transgenic strain in other studies) and 3, 5, 3′ triiodo- l-thyronine. Collectively, these hormones likely directly stimulated tissue protein synthesis. Also, the former two hormones probably spared protein (amino acids) for growth by promoting fatty acid catabolism for energy. The latter effect, in turn, probably played a major role in appetite stimulation of T-R T fish while simultaneously protecting their tissues from excessive lipid deposition.

Microsatellite Marker-Based Genetic Analysis of Relatedness Between Commercial and Heritage Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

The turkey is second only to the chicken in importance as an agriculturally important poultry species. Unlike the chicken, however, genetic studies of the turkey continue to be limited. For example, to date, many genomic investigations have been conducted to characterize genetic relationships between commercial (CO) and non-CO chicken breeds, whereas the nature of the genetic relatedness between CO and heritage turkeys remains unknown. The objective of the current research was to use microsatellites to analyze the genetic relatedness between CO and heritage domestic turkeys including Narragansett, Bourbon Red, Blue Slate, Spanish Black, and Royal Palm. Primer pairs specific for 10 previously described turkey microsatellite markers were used. The phylogenetic analysis showed that the Blue Slate, Bourbon Red, and Narragansett were genetically closely related to the CO strain, with a Nei distance of 0.30, and the Royal Palm and Spanish Black were the least related to the CO strain, with Nei distances of 0.41 and 0.40, respectively. The present work provides a foundation for the basis of using heritage turkeys to genetically improve CO populations by introgression.

Effect of an Acidifying Diet Combined with Zeolite and Slight Protein Reduction on Air Emissions from Laying Hens of Different Ages

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effectiveness of a reduced-emission (RE) diet containing 6.9% of a CaSO(4)-zeolite mixture and slightly reduced CP to 21-, 38-, and 59-wk-old Hy-Line W-36 hens (trials 1, 2, and 3, respectively) on egg production and emissions of NH(3), H(2)S, NO, NO(2), CO(2), CH(4), and non-CH(4) total hydrocarbons as compared with feeding a commercial (CM) diet. At each age, 640 hens were allocated, randomly to 8 environmental chambers for a 3-wk period. On an analyzed basis, the CM diet contained 18.0, 17.0, and 16.2% CP and 0.25, 0.18, and 0.20% S in trials 1, 2, and 3, and the RE diet contained 17.0, 15.5, and 15.6% CP and 0.99, 1.20, and 1.10% S in trials 1, 2, and 3. Diets were formulated to contain similar Ca and P contents. Average daily egg weight (56.3 g), average daily egg production (81%), average daily feed intake (92.4 g), and BW change (23.5 g), across ages, were unaffected by diet (P > 0.05) over the study period. Age effects were observed for all performance variables and NH(3) emissions (P < 0.05). In trials 1, 2, and 3, daily NH(3) emissions from hens fed the RE diets (185.5, 312.2, and 333.5 mg/bird) were less than emissions from hens fed the CM diet (255.1, 560.6, and 616.3 mg/bird; P < 0.01). Daily emissions of H(2)S across trials from hens fed the RE diet were 4.08 mg/bird compared with 1.32 mg/bird from hens fed the CM diet (P < 0.01). Diet (P < 0.05) and age (P < 0.05) affected emissions of CO(2) and CH(4). A diet effect (P < 0.01) on NO emissions was observed. No diet or age effects (P > 0.05) were observed for NO(2) or non-CH(4) total hydrocarbons. Results demonstrated that diet and layer age influence air emissions from poultry operations.

Gas-Phase Hydrodechlorination of Dichloromethane at Low Concentrations with Palladium/Carbon Catalysts

The behavior of a commercial (CE) and homemade (CH) palladium/carbon catalyst in the gas-phase hydrodechlorination of dichloromethane (DCM) has been investigated, at low concentration, in a fixed-bed microreactor, with a view of application to the treatment of residual gas streams. The influence of space time (1.0−6.6 kg h mol-1), reaction temperature (423−623 K), and H2/DCM molar ratio (50−400) was investigated. The catalysts showed high performance, with DCM conversions up to 97% and selectivities to nonchlorinated products of ∼80%. Modification of the operating conditions highly affects the activity of the catalyst while also showing scarce influence on the selectivity. At equal palladium loadings, the CH catalyst showed higher activity than the CE catalyst; however, the product distribution was fairly similar. This was attributed to a different dispersion and distribution of palladium particles, but a similarity in the nature of the palladium species involved in both types of catalysts.

Formulation and testing of a whey-based kid goat's milk replacer

A milk replacer using 29% whey and vegetable oils was formulated for kid goats in order to reduce costs of kid goat feeding. This new milk replacer (FCA) was compared with a commercial (COM) calf milk replacer, generally used by farmers in the rearing of young goats. Twenty-six Saanen-Criollo kids were fed from 6 to 57 days of age with these two replacers ad libitum. The replacers were given warm (37 °C) and at an approximate concentration of 17% DM. Differences of growth were found between treatments ( P < 0.05), being the daily gain average 120.6 and 132.3 g/day for FCA and COM, respectively. The DM conversion index was 1.4 kg DM replacer/kg weight gain in FCA treatment and 1.64 in COM. The total costs of the milk replacers were 12.22 and 31.11 US$ per animal for FCA and COM, respectively. Muscular and perirenal fat contents were higher in FCA goats. Fatty acid composition of perirenal fat showed differences in 9 fatty acids; in the case of FCA, 1.48:1 ratio of Omega 6:Omega 3, less than 7.19:1 of COM; and unsaturated/saturated ratio of 1.22 in FCA, more than 0.92 in COM. The ratios are more beneficial for human nutrition in kid goats fed FCA replacer. A meat acceptability trial was done, and no differences were found between treatments ( P > 0.05). It can be concluded that in spite of the lower intake and growth obtained with FCA, its better DM conversion index and lower cost, make its use economically feasible, besides, that carcass more suitable for consumers was obtained.

Polyphenol oxidase activity, color changes, and dehydration in table grape rachis during development and storage as affected by n-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-n-phenylurea.

Flame Seedless grapes were sprayed with N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N-phenylurea (CPPU) at 0, 2.5, and 5.0 ppm to develop rachis resistant to browning and dehydration. Rachis polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity was determined during cluster development. Cluster components were weighed at commercial (CM), and physiological maturity (PM). PPO activity, rachis color changes (L and a), and cluster weight loss were evaluated at 0 degrees C for 8, 16, 32, and 56 days. CPPU-treated rachis had a decrease of 36% in PPO activity and a week delay in peak activity. At PM, dry weight of CPPU-treated rachis increased by 3 g. Postharvest rachis PPO activity declined with CPPU application, and color changes followed the same pattern for CM and PM. After 32 days of storage, L and a in lateral branches were significantly superior in CPPU treatments. Weight losses below 2.1% were significantly lowest in CPPU-treated clusters for 16 days of storage regardless of cluster maturity.