Diversas características interferem na aceitabilidade de variedades de feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) no mercado consumidor, como o brilho do tegumento. Geralmente, o feijão com brilho é rejeitado para consumo, pois apresenta difícil cozimento. No entanto, o brilho pode conferir resistência ao ataque de insetos e patógenos à semente, podendo constituir uma vantagem para o melhoramento do feijão. A presença de brilho é devida à expressão do gene Asp (Asper) na forma alélica dominante. Genótipos aspasp, portanto, apresentam tegumento opaco. Outro gene, J (Joker), interfere na expressão da característica, de modo que o alelo recessivo j diminui a intensidade do brilho e altera a coloração do tegumento. J é considerado o precursor de polifenois denominados pró-antocianidinas. Na presença j estes compostos não são sintetizados. No presente trabalho foram genotipadas variedades de feijoeiro crioulas [Serro Azul Brilhante (SAB - tegumento brilhante) e Fosco (SAF - tegumento opaco) e Puebla-152 (P-152 - brilhante)] e a cultivar Diamante Negro (DN - opaco), contrastantes para o brilho do tegumento. Análises fenotípicas, morfológicas e bioquímicas permitiram inferir os genótipos das variedades e avaliar a segregação do brilho em populações derivadas de cruzamentos entre contrastantes: SAF x SAB e P-152 x DN. Os resultados mostraram que as variedades não variam para J, apenas para Asp, sendo que SAB e P-152 carregam Asp e SAF e DN o alelo asp. Em todos os cruzamentos a segregação foi de três brilhantes (Asp) para um opaco (asp) na geração F2 e de cinco brilhantes para três opacos em F3. A partir dos resultados, as variedades foram contrastadas por meio de marcadores de AFLP, analisando-se a similaridade genética e identificando-se bandas diferenciadoras entre as mesmas. A partir disso, foi empregada a metodologia de Bulk Segregant Analysis na população F2 de P-152 x DN, para encontrar marcadores AFLP candidatos ao mapeamento do brilho. Foram encontrados marcadores associados que, no entanto, revelaram serem falsos positivos. Análises utilizando marcadores microssatélites ou análises bioinformáticas de sintenia com a soja poderiam ser realizadas, visando detectar marcadores precisamente ligados à característica / Several characteristics interfere in acceptability of common bean varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) by consumers, like seed coat shininess. Generally, varieties with shiny seed coat are rejected by consumers due to their difficult cooking. However, shininess could confer resistance to insects attak and also pathogens to the seed, giving an advantage for this trait in common bean breeding. The presence of shininess is due the expression of the Asp (Asper) gene in the dominant allelic form. Other gene, J (Joker), interferes on the expression of this characteristic, with j conditioning a less shiny seed coat and changing seed coat color. J is considered the precursor of a class of polyfenols called pro-anthocyanidins. In the presence of j these compounds are not synthesized. In the present work we genotyped common bean landraces [Shiny Serro Azul (SAB shiny seed coat) and Dull Serro Azul (SAF dull seed coat) and Puebla-152 (P-152 shiny)] and the cultivar Diamante Negro (DN dull), contrasting for seed coat shininess. Phenotypic, morphological and biochemical analyses allowed to genotype all varieties and evaluate the segregation of shinines in populations derived from crosses between contrasting genotypes: SAF x SAB and P-152 x DN. Results showed that varieties do not vary for J, only for Asp. SAB and P-152 carry Asp and SAF and DN carry asp. In all crosses segregation was of three shiny (Asp) for one opaque (asp) in F2 and of five shiny for three dull in F3. Based on the results, all varities were contrasted by AFLP markers, analyzing genetic similarity and identifying differencial bands among all of them. Further it was used the Bulk Segregant Analysis method in population F2 of the cross P-152 x DN, aiming to find candidate AFLP markers for shininess mapping. We found markers associated but they revealed to be false positives. Further analyses using microsatellite markers or sinteny comparisons with soybean genome could be done, aiming to find specific markers linked to this trait

Antalet anhörigvårdare i Sverige är många. För att de anhöriga ska orka vårda sina närstående 24 timmar om dygnet, sju dagar i veckan behöver det finnas ett stöd. De anhörigstöd som finns varierar från kommun till kommun. Ett anhörigstöd som har utarbetats för att underlätta insatsbehovet är COAT- Carers Outcome Agreement Tool som syftar till att kartlägga anhörigas behov, planera och följa upp anhörigstöd. COAT har en grund i partnerskapsmodellen och i modellen ses den anhörige som experten på situationen runt den närstående. De studier som är gjorda med anhöriga har mycket positiva resultat. Det är få studier gjorda utifrån personalperspektivet därför avsåg vi att undersöka deras individuella erfarenheter utav att använda COAT. Tio stycken kvalitativa intervjuer med personal är utförda i studien och analyserades med hjälp av en innehållsanalys. Fem kategorier trädde fram i analysen och presenteras i resultatet. I kategorierna beskriver vi det som personalen berättat i intervjuerna. Personalen är uteslutande positiva till instrumentet och de anser att det bör användas i större utsträckning. Diskussionen är formad utifrån våra forskningsfrågor och diskuteras med stöd av tidigare forskning. Vi diskuterar olika begrepp och relaterar dem ur personalens synvinkel gentemot den anhörige och dennes familj. / Program: Specialistsjuksköterskeutbildning med inriktning mot distriktssköterska

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-02-14Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:09:12Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 toledo_mz_me_botfca.pdf: 358575 bytes, checksum: a95d94e1cdb8e2dd3bddb93f71fb91ab (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Sementes de algumas cultivares de soja, produzidas em determinadas regiões, podem apresentar baixa germinação quando avaliadas pelo teste de germinação em papel, em decorrência de altos índices de plântulas anormais, caracterizando os danos por embebição. A absorção demasiadamente rápida de água pelas sementes é a principal causa da ocorrência deste tipo de dano e é influenciada pelo teor de água da semente no momento da instalação do teste e pelas características químicas e físicas das sementes. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito do teor de água inicial de sementes de soja de diferentes cultivares e locais de produção na ocorrência dos danos por embebição. As sementes de quatro cultivares de soja de ciclo semi-precoce (Embrapa 48, BRS 184, BRS 232 e BRS 245RR), produzidas e beneficiadas em quatro diferentes localidades (Ponta Grossa-PR, Londrina-PR, Mauá da Serra-PR e Orlândia-SP), foram analisadas mediante avaliações de teor de água, massa de cem sementes, dano mecânico (hipoclorito de sódio), viabilidade, germinação, germinação em areia, envelhecimento acelerado, condutividade elétrica, comprimento e massa de matéria seca de plântulas, emergência de plântulas em campo, índice de velocidade de emergência, velocidade de emergência, índice de velocidade de hidratação e teor de proteína. Também determinou-se o teor de lignina e as espessuras da camada paliçádica, da hipoderme, do parênquima lacunoso e total do tegumento das sementes; quanto à velocidade de hidratação, avaliou-se o teor de água absorvido em cada hora e o comportamento das cultivares em função do tempo, para cada localidade. Para a avaliação do dano por embebição, foram ajustados teores de 9%, 11%, 13%, 15% e 17% de água das sementes para, então, analisar-se a porcentagem de plântulas normais e anormais resultantes do teste de germinação... / Seeds of some soybean cultivars, produced in certain regions, can show low germination when evaluated by the paper towel germination test, due to production of high percentages of abnormal seedlings, typical of imbibition damage. The fast water uptake by seeds is the main cause for the occurrence of this kind of damage and it is influenced by seed moisture content at the time of the installation of the test and by chemical and physical characteristics of the seeds. The present research had the objective of evaluating the effect of the initial seed moisture content from different soybean cultivars and location of production on the expression of the imbibition damage. Seeds from four soybean cultivars (Embrapa 48, BRS 184, BRS 232 and BRS 245RR), produced and processed in four different locations (Ponta Grossa-PR, Londrina-PR, Mauá da Serra-PR and Orlândia-SP), were evaluated by the following tests: seed moisture content, weight of 100 seeds, mechanical damage (sodium hypochlorite), viability, germination, germination in sand, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, seedling length and dry mass, seedling field emergence, speed of emergence-index, speed of emergence, speed of hydration-index and seed protein content. Seed coat lignin content and the palisade layer, hypodermic layer, lacunary parenchyma and total seed coat thickness were also determined; for the speed of hydration, seed moisture uptake in each hour was evaluated and the behavior of the cultivars was analyzed as a function of the time, for each location. For the evaluation of the imbibition damage, seed moistures of 9%, 11%, 13%, 15% and 17% were adjusted; then, the percentage of normal and abnormal seedlings in the germination test was analyzed in comparison to seeds with the original moisture. The experimental design used was the completely randomized, with two replications for seed moisture...(Complete abstract, click electronic access below)

Diversas características interferem na aceitabilidade de variedades de feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) no mercado consumidor, como o brilho do tegumento. Geralmente, o feijão com brilho é rejeitado para consumo, pois apresenta difícil cozimento. No entanto, o brilho pode conferir resistência ao ataque de insetos e patógenos à semente, podendo constituir uma vantagem para o melhoramento do feijão. A presença de brilho é devida à expressão do gene Asp (Asper) na forma alélica dominante. Genótipos aspasp, portanto, apresentam tegumento opaco. Outro gene, J (Joker), interfere na expressão da característica, de modo que o alelo recessivo j diminui a intensidade do brilho e altera a coloração do tegumento. J é considerado o precursor de polifenois denominados pró-antocianidinas. Na presença j estes compostos não são sintetizados. No presente trabalho foram genotipadas variedades de feijoeiro crioulas [Serro Azul Brilhante (SAB - tegumento brilhante) e Fosco (SAF - tegumento opaco) e Puebla-152 (P-152 - brilhante)] e a cultivar Diamante Negro (DN - opaco), contrastantes para o brilho do tegumento. Análises fenotípicas, morfológicas e bioquímicas permitiram inferir os genótipos das variedades e avaliar a segregação do brilho em populações derivadas de cruzamentos entre contrastantes: SAF x SAB e P-152 x DN. Os resultados mostraram que as variedades não variam para J, apenas para Asp, sendo que SAB e P-152 carregam Asp e SAF e DN o alelo asp. Em todos os cruzamentos a segregação foi de três brilhantes (Asp) para um opaco (asp) na geração F2 e de cinco brilhantes para três opacos em F3. A partir dos resultados, as variedades foram contrastadas por meio de marcadores de AFLP, analisando-se a similaridade genética e identificando-se bandas diferenciadoras entre as mesmas. A partir disso, foi empregada a metodologia de Bulk Segregant Analysis na população F2 de P-152 x DN, para encontrar marcadores AFLP candidatos ao mapeamento do brilho. Foram encontrados marcadores associados que, no entanto, revelaram serem falsos positivos. Análises utilizando marcadores microssatélites ou análises bioinformáticas de sintenia com a soja poderiam ser realizadas, visando detectar marcadores precisamente ligados à característica / Several characteristics interfere in acceptability of common bean varieties (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) by consumers, like seed coat shininess. Generally, varieties with shiny seed coat are rejected by consumers due to their difficult cooking. However, shininess could confer resistance to insects attak and also pathogens to the seed, giving an advantage for this trait in common bean breeding. The presence of shininess is due the expression of the Asp (Asper) gene in the dominant allelic form. Other gene, J (Joker), interferes on the expression of this characteristic, with j conditioning a less shiny seed coat and changing seed coat color. J is considered the precursor of a class of polyfenols called pro-anthocyanidins. In the presence of j these compounds are not synthesized. In the present work we genotyped common bean landraces [Shiny Serro Azul (SAB shiny seed coat) and Dull Serro Azul (SAF dull seed coat) and Puebla-152 (P-152 shiny)] and the cultivar Diamante Negro (DN dull), contrasting for seed coat shininess. Phenotypic, morphological and biochemical analyses allowed to genotype all varieties and evaluate the segregation of shinines in populations derived from crosses between contrasting genotypes: SAF x SAB and P-152 x DN. Results showed that varieties do not vary for J, only for Asp. SAB and P-152 carry Asp and SAF and DN carry asp. In all crosses segregation was of three shiny (Asp) for one opaque (asp) in F2 and of five shiny for three dull in F3. Based on the results, all varities were contrasted by AFLP markers, analyzing genetic similarity and identifying differencial bands among all of them. Further it was used the Bulk Segregant Analysis method in population F2 of the cross P-152 x DN, aiming to find candidate AFLP markers for shininess mapping. We found markers associated but they revealed to be false positives. Further analyses using microsatellite markers or sinteny comparisons with soybean genome could be done, aiming to find specific markers linked to this trait

The chicken eggshell possesses physical and chemical barriers to protect the embryo from pathogens. The avian eggshell cuticle is the outmost layer of the eggshell whose protein constituents remain largely unknown. Since eggs with incomplete or absent cuticle are more susceptible to bacterial contamination, we hypothesize that cuticle protein components play an important role in microbial resistance. In our study, at least 47 proteins were identified by LC/MS/MS in the non-calcified cuticle layer. Similar to Kunitz-like protease inhibitor (also annotated as ovocalyxin-25, OCX-25) and ovocalyxin-32 (OCX-32) were two of most abundant proteins of the cuticle proteins. Some proteins that have antimicrobial activity were also detected in the proteomic results, such as lysozyme C, ovotransferrin, ovocalyxin-32, cystatin, ovoinhibitor. This study represents the first comprehensive report of the cuticle proteome. Since the sequence similarity of the kunitz motif in OCX-25 is similar to that of BPTI, it is predicted that it will have the same trypsin inhibitory and antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and/or Gram-negative bacteria. In order to test the antimicrobial property and trypsin inhibitor activity of OCX-25, cuticle proteins were extracted by 1N HCl. Antimicrobial activity was monitored using the Bioscreen C instrument; and antimicrobial activity was identified primarily against Staphylococcus aureus. Trypsin inhibitor activity was studied by using a specific trypsin assay, and the assay indicated that the cuticle proteins could inhibit the reaction of trypsin and substrate. Therefore, the current research has provided some insight into the antimicrobial and enzymatic aspects of the cuticle proteins, and its function for egg protection. Eggshell membranes are another important component of the chicken eggshell.Due to its insoluble and stable properties, there are still many questions regarding formation and constituents of the eggshell membranes. The purpose of our study was to identify eggshell membrane proteins, particularly these responsible for its structural features, by examining the transcriptome of the white isthmus during its formation. Bioinformatics tools were applied to analyze the differentially expressed genes as well as their encoded proteins. Some interesting proteins were encoded by the over-expressed genes in the white isthmus during the formation of eggshell membranes, such as Collagen X, and similar to spore coat protein SP75. These proteins may have potential applications. Our study provides a detailed description of the chicken white isthmus transcriptome during formation of the eggshell membranes; it could lead to develop the strategies to improve food safety of the table egg.

Poor seed coat colour desirability in green lentil (<i>Lens culinaris</i>) costs lentil producers millions of dollars each year. The monetary value that Canadian lentil producers receive for their crop is based on the visual characteristics of the seed coat, mainly the colour. Higher value is given for samples described to have more desirable green seed coat colour. A breeding line, 1294M-23, has been noticed to consistently produce more desirable green lentil samples.<p>A cross was made between 1294M-23 and a less desirable breeding line 1048-8R with the goal of studying the heritability of green seed coat desirability measured by the Acurum® machine. The resulting progeny were taken to F7 by single seed descent. In 2005 and 2006 the recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were seeded in a randomized complete block design at three sites in the current main lentil growing region of Saskatchewan. To measure the seed coat colour of the samples, the Acurum® machine, which is a colour analyzing machine developed for grain crops, was used to consistently compare the samples. The study illustrated that the trait has large environmental effects and is quantitative with a high broad sense heritability of 0.82, using this specific cross and environments. Transgressive segregation occurred for RILs that had more desirable green seed coats and lower index scores than the desirable parent, 1294M-23. A tester that included all registered green lentil cultivars set was grown with the RILs in all environments. The seed coat colour index scores of the tester set fit into a small section of the range of index scores. They all had relatively high mean index scores, meaning less desirable, showing little genetic variation for the trait in current Canadian green lentil cultivars. <p>Chlorophyll was extracted from seed coats of some of the RILs. The amount of total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b was compared to the Acurum® scores using regression analysis. The study found that there was significant relationship between chlorophyll a and b content and the index score, explaining 32 and 37 percent of the variation, respectively. <p>Another portion of the study was to determine if preharvest treatment of the green lentil crop has an effect on the green seed coat colour of the sample. A set of genotypes consisting of all registered green seed coat cultivars was grown at two locations in Saskatchewan in both 2005 and 2006. Prior to harvest a plot of each genotype was swathed, and a second plot was desiccated with diquat. After harvest the samples were analyzed for green seed coat colour using the Acurum® machine. In general, across most genotypes, sites, and years, swathing produced a significantly more desirable green lentil sample. The desirable green parent from the RILs, 1294M-23 produced the most desirable green lentil sample in this study. When the maturity rating was correlated to the Acurum® score a significant positive relationship was found in 2005 but not in 2006. This showed that lines with later maturity could be associated with more desirable green seed coat colour in some environments. Thus caution must be taken when selecting for more desirable phenotypes that genetic gains are being made rather than indirect selection for longer maturity.

Molecular markers for seed quality traits including erucic acid content genes, seed coat color genes in Brassica napus and seed coat color genes in B. rapa were developed. A single base change in the Bn-FAE1.1 gene in the A genome and a two-base deletion in the Bn-FAE1.2 gene in the C genome produce the nearly zero content of erucic acid observed in canola. The single base change was detected as single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) marker with an ABI SNaPshot kit. A multiplexing primer set was designed by adding a polyT to the 5´ primer end to increase SNP detection throughput through sample pooling. The two-base deletion in the C genome gene was detected as a sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker in an ABI 3100 Genetic analyzer. To increase the throughput, one genome specific primer was labeled with four fluorescence dyes and combined with 20 different primers to produce PCR products with different fragment sizes. These multiplexed high throughput molecular markers have been successfully implemented in our canola/rapeseed breeding programs. Trigenic inheritance was observed for seed coat color in B. napus. Three Sequenced Related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) markers very closely linked to the three different seed coat color genes were developed. Chromosome-walking technology was used to convert the SRAP marker into a SCAR marker and a SNP marker. Subsequently, the first seed coat color gene (Bn1) marker was converted into a SCAR marker, and the second seed coat color gene (Bn2) marker was converted into a SNP marker. Digenic inheritance was observed for seed coat color genes in B. rapa. A SRAP marker was identified as being tightly linked to the major seed coat color gene (Br1). The SRAP marker was sequenced and extended sequences were obtained using chromosome-walking technology. The flanking sequences of the SRAP marker contained 24 SNPs and a 12-bp deletion position that allowed the marker to be converted into a co-dominant SNP marker and a co-dominant SCAR marker, respectively. The SCAR marker was detected in the ABI 3100 genetic analyzer with four fluorescently labeled M13 primers integrated with different SCAR primers, which permitted pooling of PCR samples for high throughput detection. / October 2007

Poor seed coat colour desirability in green lentil (<i>Lens culinaris</i>) costs lentil producers millions of dollars each year. The monetary value that Canadian lentil producers receive for their crop is based on the visual characteristics of the seed coat, mainly the colour. Higher value is given for samples described to have more desirable green seed coat colour. A breeding line, 1294M-23, has been noticed to consistently produce more desirable green lentil samples.<p>A cross was made between 1294M-23 and a less desirable breeding line 1048-8R with the goal of studying the heritability of green seed coat desirability measured by the Acurum® machine. The resulting progeny were taken to F7 by single seed descent. In 2005 and 2006 the recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were seeded in a randomized complete block design at three sites in the current main lentil growing region of Saskatchewan. To measure the seed coat colour of the samples, the Acurum® machine, which is a colour analyzing machine developed for grain crops, was used to consistently compare the samples. The study illustrated that the trait has large environmental effects and is quantitative with a high broad sense heritability of 0.82, using this specific cross and environments. Transgressive segregation occurred for RILs that had more desirable green seed coats and lower index scores than the desirable parent, 1294M-23. A tester that included all registered green lentil cultivars set was grown with the RILs in all environments. The seed coat colour index scores of the tester set fit into a small section of the range of index scores. They all had relatively high mean index scores, meaning less desirable, showing little genetic variation for the trait in current Canadian green lentil cultivars. <p>Chlorophyll was extracted from seed coats of some of the RILs. The amount of total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b was compared to the Acurum® scores using regression analysis. The study found that there was significant relationship between chlorophyll a and b content and the index score, explaining 32 and 37 percent of the variation, respectively. <p>Another portion of the study was to determine if preharvest treatment of the green lentil crop has an effect on the green seed coat colour of the sample. A set of genotypes consisting of all registered green seed coat cultivars was grown at two locations in Saskatchewan in both 2005 and 2006. Prior to harvest a plot of each genotype was swathed, and a second plot was desiccated with diquat. After harvest the samples were analyzed for green seed coat colour using the Acurum® machine. In general, across most genotypes, sites, and years, swathing produced a significantly more desirable green lentil sample. The desirable green parent from the RILs, 1294M-23 produced the most desirable green lentil sample in this study. When the maturity rating was correlated to the Acurum® score a significant positive relationship was found in 2005 but not in 2006. This showed that lines with later maturity could be associated with more desirable green seed coat colour in some environments. Thus caution must be taken when selecting for more desirable phenotypes that genetic gains are being made rather than indirect selection for longer maturity.

The compatibility properties of some contemporary finish coats together with their complementary layers used in insulated exterior walls were examined in terms of water vapour permeability and modulus of elasticity. Basic physical and mechanical properties of some synthetic-, cement- and polymer-based external finish coats were analyzed in laboratory. Some additional samples, complementing the wall section, were also examined for their water vapour permeability. Results showed that the finish coats were high vapour permeable although they had high resistance to water vapour permeation, which was achieved by their application in thin layers. Cement-based undercoats were found to be medium permeable. The application of primer and/or paint was found to decrease the permeability of finish coats in different ranges. Thermal insulation layer was found to interrupt water vapour flow considerably. Among polystyrene- and mineral-wool-based thermal insulation boards, rockwool was recommended as the insulation layer due to its medium vapour permeability. In conclusion, walls insulated externally with rockwool boards and plastered with polymer-based finish coat, FC8ACB or synthetic-based finish coat FC3SB were found to be the most proper combination in terms of breathing and thermal resistance capabilities. All finish coats seemed to have sufficient strength and except the synthetic-based finish coat, FC2SB, they seemed to be compatible with each other and with the masonry in terms of their Emod values. Further studies were recommended on some other compatibility properties of finishing systems, such as thermal and moisture dilatation properties, and on the relation between the resistance to water vapour permeation and water permeability.

A study was performed to investigate the effect of diet modifications on skin and hair coat condition in canines. The study included 24 normal adult dogs fed a baseline diet (Ol'Roy[trademark]), during an acclimation period of 12 wk (Phase I). Nine female Beagles and 15 male Hound mix-breed dogs were used. For the next 12 wk (Phase II) the dogs were divided into three groups and fed one of three specially formulated diets. They contained similar ingredients and had similar nutrient profiles except for the following differences: Diet A contained lower but adequate amounts of dietary zinc and linoleic acid than diet B. Diet C was similar to B with respect to zinc and linoleic acid but contained more α-linolenic acid. An evaluation panel conducted skin and hair coat condition scoring on wk 0, 4, 7, and 12 (Phase I) and wk 14, 16, 19, and 24 (Phase II). The panel evaluated the dogs for glossiness, softness, scale, greasiness, and overall condition. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin hydration (HYDR) assessments were determined on wk 3, 7, and 11 (Phase I) and wk 11, 12, 15, 19, and 23 (Phase II) using a Tewameter[trademark] and Corneometer[trademark] respectively. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 5, 8, 16, 28, 56, and 84. Profiles of plasma phospholipid fatty acids were determined at each collection period. Serum zinc concentrations were analyzed on wk 12, 14, and 24. The hypothesis was that a diet containing increased LA, ALA, and zinc concentrations (diet C) would show improvements of skin and hair coat condition in dogs compared to the other diets. All three test diets caused significant improvements compared to Ol'Roy[trademark]. Diet B caused more improvement than diet A in both subjective and objective assessments of skin and hair coat. Based on mean values diet B is better to be fed to dogs that need to improve skin hydration and diet C should be fed to dogs that need to decrease TEWL. Diet C not only led to improvements in skin and hair coat condition, but also provided additional benefit by producing less pro-inflammatory conditions in the skin.