Effects of Cocoa-Derived Polyphenols on Cognitive Function in Humans. Systematic Review and Analysis of Methodological Aspects

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - The effects of cocoa-derived polyphenols on cognitive functions have been analyzed through numerous studies using different interventions (doses, vehicles, time...     

Histopathological findings in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) naturally infected with 3 different Aeromonas species

This study describes the macroscopic and microscopic lesions in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) naturally infected with genetically identified Aeromonas salmonicida, A. hydrophila, and A. veronii species. The genus Aeromonas includes bacteria that naturally inhabit both waterways and organisms. At least 27 Aeromonas species have been identified to date, some of which can cause significant economic losses in aquaculture. As up to 68.8% of Aeromonas isolates may be misidentified in routine biochemical and phenotypic tests, however, reported cases of Aeromonas infection in fish may be wrongly identified. Our findings confirmed that the 3 Aeromonas species studied are associated with septicemia and dermal lesions in rainbow trout.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus halepensis</Emphasis> somatic embryogenesis is affected by the physical and chemical conditions at the initial stages of the process

Pinus halepensis has been described as a drought-tolerant species with high plasticity to growth in different environments. Its eco-physiological characteristics could facilitate the use of this species in large afforestations in the future scenery of climate change. Somatic embryogenesis is a biotechnological tool with potential for large-scale clonal propagation. In order to establish an improved regeneration protocol for Pinus halepensis, the effects of different temperatures (18, 23, and 28 °C) and water availability conditions (2, 3, and 4 g L^?1 Gelrite^®), during initiation of embryonal masses on the rate of initiation, proliferation, maturation, and the number of embryos developed, were evaluated. It was found that environmental conditions during the initiation stage of Pinus halepensis somatic embryogenesis influence the success of initiation and proliferation. In contrast, there was no effect of these conditions on the maturation rates and the number of somatic embryos. Somatic embryos were obtained in all treatments tested, indicating that plants can be produced from extreme conditions of induction, such as high temperatures (28 °C) and low water availability conditions (4 g L^?1).     

Truffle aroma analysis by headspace solid phase microextraction

An experimental design has been used to optimize the extraction of volatile compounds from summer truffle aroma (Tuber aestivum) by using headspace solid phase microextraction. The extracted compounds have been analyzed by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In an attempt to develop an objective method to fully characterize truffle aroma, a fiber of medium polarity (for flavors) was used to avoid discrimination toward very nonpolar and polar volatile compounds. To optimize the extraction conditions, a response surface experimental design was applied considering three factors such as extraction temperature, equilibrium time, and extraction time. From the statistical analysis of the experimental design, it was possible to determine that the most important factor influencing the abundance of aroma compounds was the extraction temperature. Optimal extraction temperature was established at approximately 50 degrees C. By using GC-MS, it was possible to identify 37 compounds, most of them previously described as responsible for truffle aroma.     

Relationships between agronomic factors and epidemics of Phytophthora branch canker of citrus in southwestern Spain

Phytophthora branch canker, caused by Phytophthora citrophthora, has been an increasing problem in clementine (Citrus reticulata) production in Spain during last years. The disease was particularly severe in the new citrus-growing areas of the southwestern coastal areas in Huelva Province. Recent studies revealed that disease emergence was not related to either genetic drift or host specificity changes in P. citrophthora population. Therefore, the possible association of agronomic factors with the disease was investigated. A total of 110 orchards were selected arbitrarily from the main citrus-growing areas in Huelva Province. The presence of branch cankers together with agronomic factors including soils, cultivars, rootstocks, irrigation, pruning, techniques to improve fruit production, fungicide treatments, presence of brown rot of fruit and frost damage were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to detect correlations between the agronomic factors studied and disease prevalence. Phytophthora branch canker was significantly associated with mature clementine orchards. Sweet orange and hybrid cultivars as well as young clementine orchards were less affected by the disease. Although disease was less frequent in Salorthid soils, alternative high resolution procedures are required to draw conclusions about the effect of soil properties on disease prevalence. As in other Phytophthora-induced diseases, soil flooding during the rainy season was correlated positively with the prevalence of branch cankers. Improving fruit production by branch scoring showed a strong positive correlation with Phytophthora branch canker. This is the first time that girdling has been associated with Phytophthora disease epidemics on a fruit tree crop, but further research is needed to determine the cause of this relationship. Cultural practices including pruning, regulated deficit irrigation, additional phosphonate sprays, and abiotic and disease factors such as frost damage and presence of brown rot of fruit were not significantly correlated with disease prevalence.     

Ecdysteroid receptor docking suggests that dibenzoylhydrazine-based insecticides are devoid of any deleterious effect on the parasitic wasp Psyttalia concolor (Hym. Braconidae)

BACKGROUND: The moulting accelerating compounds (MACs) or ecdysteroid agonists represent a selective group of insecticides acting upon binding to the ecdysteroid receptor (EcR) and leading to lethal premature moulting in larval stages and aborted reproduction in adults. Psyttalia concolor Szèpl. is a useful parasitic wasp attacking important tephritid pests such as the medfly and olive fruit fly. RESULTS: Contact and oral exposure in the laboratory of female parasitic wasps to the dibenzoylhydrazine‐based methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide and RH‐5849 did not provoke negative effects. No mortality and no reduction in beneficial capacity were observed. The ligand‐binding domain (LBD) of the EcR of P. concolor was sequenced, and a homology protein model was constructed which confirmed a cavity structure with 12 α‐helices, harbouring the natural insect moulting hormone 20‐hydroxyecdysone. However, a steric clash occurred for the MAC insecticides owing to a restricted extent of the ligand‐binding cavity of the PcLBD‐EcR, while they did dock well in that of susceptible insects. CONCLUSIONS: The insect toxicity assays demonstrated that MACs are selective for P. concolor. The modelling/docking experiments are indications that these insecticides do not bind with the LBD‐EcR of P. concolor and support the theory that they show no biological effects in the parasitic wasp. These data may help in explaining the compatible use of MACs together with parasitic wasps in IPM programmes. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Expression of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in porcine leukocyte subsets and tissues

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are a group of pattern recognition molecules that play a crucial role in innate immunity. TLR2 recognises a variety of microbial components leading to the development of inflammatory and immune responses. To characterise the expression and functional properties of porcine TLR2 (pTLR2), we have raised a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against this molecule. Mouse 3T3 cell transfectants expressing pTLR2 were used for immunisation of mice. The specificity of these antibodies was confirmed by their reactivity with CHO cells transfected with pTLR2 but not with pTLR4 or with non-transfected cells. Using one of these mAbs, named 1H11, pTLR2 was found on cells of the innate immune system, including monocytes, macrophages, and granulocytes, but not on peripheral blood lymphocytes. Staining of tissue sections showed that pTLR2 is also expressed on epithelial cells lining the tracheobronchial and intestinal tracts, bile ducts in the liver and renal tubules, and on the basal layer of the epidermis. This distribution is consistent with a surveillance function at entry sites, allowing for early detection of microbial invasion.     

Influence of storage time and processing on chemical composition and in vitro ruminal fermentation of olive cake

Olive oil extraction generates olive cake (OC) that could be used in ruminant feeding. However, the chemical composition of OC is affected by multiple factors, being therefore highly variable. The objective of this study was to analyse the influence of storage time and further processing: crude, exhausted (subjected to a second oil extraction) and cyclone (obtained from a cyclone separator) on nutritive value of OC samples. Twelve samples (six crude and six exhausted) were obtained monthly from the same pond from 1 to 6 storage months, and nine samples (three crude, three exhausted and three cyclone) were obtained monthly from a different pond from 6 to 9 months storage. Chemical composition was analysed, and OC samples were fermented in vitro with sheep rumen fluid. Increasing storage time up to 6 months decreased sugars and total soluble polyphenols content but increased fibre content in OC. Dry matter effective degradability (DMED) decreased linearly (p < 0.001) by 35.9 and 45.5% as storage time augmented from 1 to 6 months for crude and exhausted OC, respectively. Crude OC had lower DMED values than exhausted OC (averaged values 0.255 and 0.294 g/g, respectively). Both potential production and rate of gas production were lower (p ≤ 0.018) in crude compared with exhausted OC, which was attributed to the high fat content of crude OC (≥86 g/kg dry matter). For samples stored longer than 6 months, cyclone had greater (p < 0.05) DMED than crude and exhausted OC (averaged values 0.207, 0.164 and 0.164 g/g, respectively). The results indicate that ruminal degradability of OC is reduced with advancing storage time, but only subtle changes were observed during the first two months. Cyclone showed greater degradability than crude and exhausted OC, but differences between crude and exhausted OC became negligible after five storage months.