Cultivation of Gracilaria (Rhodophyta) in shrimp pond effluents in Brazil

Shrimp aquaculture produces a large amount of waste, including nitrogen and phosphorus. To investigate the utilization of those elements as sources of nutrients for the growth of the red seaweed, Gracilaria sp. J. Agardh, an experiment in shrimp pond effluents was carried out over a period of 5 months. The biomass varied significantly (P < 0.01), reaching a maximum of 2540 g m^?2 and a minimum of 380 g m^?2. The mean was 1418 ± 708 g m^?2. The higher biomass values occurred during the first 15 days and sometimes exceeded the initial inoculum by 190%. According to the results, production of 23.93 t ha^?1 year^?1 (dry weight) can be expected. anova showed significant differences in RGR (relative growth rate) values (P < 0.05). RGR varied from 8.8% per day to 1.8% per day. The fluctuation of nutrients was mainly influenced by pond fertilization frequency, with NH₄ being the most abundant nutrient. Correlations between RGR and environmental parameters during the study period were not significant (P > 0.05). We conclude that Gracilaria sp. can be cultivated in shrimp ponds effluents. However, despite this relative success, it is necessary to perform some adjustments regarding the utilized cultivation technique.     

α‐Amylase Inhibitors from Wheat Against Development and Toxigenic Potential of Fusarium verticillioides

Fusarium verticillioides is one of the most important pathogens in maize and is a producer of fumonisin B₁ (FB₁). Although reports of its presence in wheat are scarce, the susceptibility of this cereal to fungus of the same genus motivates interest in investigating compounds present in the grain with inhibitory activity against this species. The aim of this study was to extract α‐amylase inhibitors from wheat and apply them in vitro to evaluate its effect on the development and expression of toxigenic potential of F. verticillioides. The α‐amylase inhibitors, both crude (P₀) and purified (P₁), were applied to in vitro culture containing a pathogen mycelium disc. Mycelial growth of the pathogen, glucosamine content, α‐amylase activity, and production of FB₁ were investigated. All protein extracts of wheat showed the ability to inhibit pathogen growth, especially the extract P₀ from cultivar Quartzo, which resulted in a reduction of glucosamine content (66%) and α‐amylase activity (84%). Furthermore, the protein inhibitors showed antifumonisin effect, reducing by 33 and 47% the mycotoxin production when applied as P₀ and P₁, respectively. These results suggest that α‐amylase inhibitor contributed to resistance against pathogen attack, acting in a diversified manner for each fungal species.     

Flavor composition of cashew (Anacardium occidentale) and marmeleiro (Croton species) honeys

The aim of this work was to characterize the volatile fractions of two Brazilian honeys known as caju and marmeleiro. The volatile components were isolated by a column extraction technique using acetone as the extraction solvent. Totals of 59 and 36 volatile compounds were definitely or tentatively identified in the caju and marmeleiro honeys, respectively, using reference substances, mass spectral libraries, and the odor qualities of the compounds eluted from the GC column. Aroma extraction dilution analysis allowed the tentative identification of furfuryl mercaptan, benzyl alcohol, delta-octalactone, gamma-decalactone, eugenol, benzoic acid, isovaleric acid, phenylethyl alcohol, and 2-methoxyphenol as impact volatile compounds in the caju honey. In the marmeleiro honey, only isovaleric acid, gamma-decalactone, benzoic acid, and vanillin were considered to be potent odorants. This study showed that the medium- to high-boiling volatile compounds are important contributors to the characteristic aroma of these honeys.     

Differential immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 in cow uteri with adenomyosis during follicular phase

The present investigation was intended to show a different immunohistochemical profile of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and Tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2 in bovine uteri with adenomyosis during follicular phase. Uterine samples of 32 cows in reproductive age were taken from the medial third of one of the uterine horns and grouped according to the adenomyosis degree (superficial and deep). Tissue sections (4 μm) were incubated overnight at 4°C with monoclonal antibody for matrix metalloproteinase-2 and Tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2. Staining intensities were evaluated in the luminal epithelium, ectopic and dystopic endometrial tissue (stroma, capillaries and glands), endometrial-myometrial border, myometrium, myometrial vessels (middle tunic and endothelium). The matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression was higher for deep adenomyosis samples, showing a differential mean reactivity in superficial endometrium, myometrial vessels, myometrium adjacent to adenomyotic focus and endometrial-myometrial border (P < 0.05). Moreover, matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression was higher in deep adenomyosis samples than that of Tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2 in almost all uterine structures analyzed (except for the endometrial and myometrial vessels and endometrial-myometrial border). The opposite was observed in the follicular phase, for both normal specimens and with superficial adenomyosis, where Tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2 expression was higher than that of matrix metalloproteinase-2. In conclusion, a differential pattern of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and Tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-2 was observed in cow uteri with adenomyosis.     

Morphology and growth characteristics of cultured Leptomonas ctenocephali from Ctenocephalides felis felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) of dogs in Brazil

To confirm the taxonomic identification of a trypanosomatid found in the hindgut, rectum and Malpighian tubules of dog fleas captured in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, between April and November of 2005, 910 specimens of Ctenocephalides felis felis were removed from street dogs and dissected, and isolates from their digestive tracts were cultivated in NNN-alpha-MEM medium. Four different morphological forms were observed in culture: long, slender, twisted promastigotes with a long flagellum; short, stubby, non-twisted promastigotes; rounded amastigotes; and cyst-like bodies. Twisted and non-twisted promastigotes were frequently seen forming rosettes, and these two forms presented significant differences (P<0.01) in terms of their morphological characteristics. Unlike the promastigote forms observed throughout the culture period, rounded amastigotes were seen only in the lag phase, and the cyst-like bodies were only seen in the decline phase. The trypanosomatid DNA obtained from the culture was analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and found to be negative for Leishmania infantum chagasi. Based on the growth pattern, morphological parameters and molecular analysis, the flagellates were confirmed to be Leptomonas ctenocephali. The significance of this infection for animals is also commented.     

Identification and isolation of psittacid herpesvirus from psittacids in Brazil

Psittacid herpesvirus (PsHV) was isolated from 41 birds kept in captivity in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais/Brazil using chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) cell cultures. For this study, leukocytes or cloacal swabs of live birds were used. Also, portions of liver, spleen or kidney from birds collected at necropsy were utilized for these tests. PCR tests confirmed the presence of PsHV in 100% of samples. Thirty-three of the PCR products were sequenced and the results disclosed a 99% and 100% identity when compared with other sequences PsHV-1 (AY372243.1 and AF261756.1), previously deposited in GenBank. In addition, histopathology was performed and 19 of the 29 birds contained random multifocal lymphoplasmacytic hepatitis with necrotic foci, suggestive of viral infection. Three samples were examined by electron microscopy to visualize the viral particles obtained from cell culture. The viral structures measured 269 nm in average, had envelopes with an icosahedral capsid and tegument, consistent with herpesvirus. Thus, a total of 41 isolates were obtained from PsHV cell cultivation in CEF, confirming the circulation of the virus between parrots kept in captivity in Belo Horizonte, and affirming the importance of further studies in this area.     

Temporal (1958–1995) pattern of change in a cultural landscape of northwestern Portugal: implications for fire occurrence

In this paper we test the hypothesis that landscape changes in a region of Northern Portugal (Minho) in the last 40 years could be predicted from socioeconomic and political history. The major predicted changes were related to agricultural abandonment and afforestation. We further predicted that these changes contributed to increased fire risk. Analysis of aerial photography for the years 1958, 1968, 1983 and 1995 in a study area of 3700 ha revealed a significant decline in agricultural areas and low shrublands and an increase in tall shrublands and forests. This represented a 20–40% increase in fuel accumulation at a landscape level, suggesting that the abandonment of farming activities is a major driving force of increasing fire occurrence in the region. With one exception, all the predictions were partly or totally confirmed. This study confirms that socioeconomic factors might explain a significant part of the variation in landscape composition across time, in the Mediterranean region.     

Evolución morfológica en el epitelio seminífero del Cerdo en diferentes edades (Sus scrofa de la raza Landrace)*

The morphological development of the seminiferous epithelium in the pig at different ages ( Sus scrofa , Landrace breed)
In the Pig, Landrace breed, were observed, at different ages, among 15 to 210–220 days, the morphological patterns of the seminiferous epithelium that lines "cordonal" tubules at 15 to 30 days of postnatal and "luminal" tubules at 120 to 210–220 days of age. Although some morphological events of cellular differentiation were observed at 120 days, and the spermatogenesis process apparently could be observed at 180–190 days, really the overall characteristics of the cellular differentiation in the seminiferous epithelium, with the presence of luminal spermatozoa, were observed at 210–220 days of age. This last stage is considered as the puberal age.