Preparation of Extruded Snacks with Flavored Flour Obtained from the Carcasses of Nile Tilapia: Physicochemical,Sensory, and Microbiological Analysis

This study aimed to develop extruded snacks including flour obtained from Nile tilápia carcasses, and then evaluate the chemical composition, colorimetry, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and microbiology. There was a significant increase in the levels of crude protein, ether extract, ash, and minerals, as well as a reduction in carbohydrates as more flour was included in the snacks. Increased levels of flavored flour caused reduction in the brightness of snacks. Oxidative rancidity was not detected in snacks. The inclusion of flour improved the nutritional value of extruded snacks without changing sensory characteristics. Microbiologically, the snacks are suitable for human consumption.     

Changes in green coffee protein profiles during roasting

To reveal its flavor, coffee has to be roasted. In fact, the green coffee bean contains all ingredients necessary for the later development of coffee flavor. It is now widely accepted that free amino acids and peptides are required for the generation of coffee aroma. However, the mechanisms leading to defined mixtures of free amino acids and peptides remain unknown. Information pertaining to the identification of precursor proteins is also lacking. To answer some of these questions, two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) was used to follow the fate of green coffee proteins. Two conditions were considered: roasting and incubation of green coffee suspensions at 37 degrees C. Coffee beans were observed to acquire the potential to spontaneously release H(2)O(2) upon polymerization of their proteins during roasting. Fragmentation of proteins was also observed. Conversely, H(2)O(2) was found to control polymerization and fragmentation of green coffee proteins in solution at 37 degrees C. Polymerization and fragmentation patterns under the two conditions were comparable. These observations suggest that the two conditions under study triggered, at least to some extent, similar biochemical mechanisms involving autoxidation. Throughout this study, a unique fragmentation cascade involving the 11S coffee storage protein was identified. Generated fragments shared an atypical staining behavior linked to their sensitivity to redox conditions.     

The Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Caulerpin,a Bisindole Alkaloid Isolated from Seaweeds of the Genus Caulerpa

The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of caulerpin was investigated. This bisindole alkaloid was isolated from the lipoid extract of Caulerpa racemosa and its structure was identified by spectroscopic methods, including IR and NMR techniques. The pharmacological assays used were the writhing and the hot plate tests, the formalin-induced pain, the capsaicin-induced ear edema and the carrageenan-induced peritonitis. Caulerpin was given orally at a concentration of 100 μmol/kg. In the abdominal constriction test caulerpin showed reduction in the acetic acid-induced nociception at 0.0945 μmol (0.0103–1.0984) and for dypirone it was 0.0426 μmol (0.0092–0.1972). In the hot plate test in vivo the inhibition of nociception by caulerpin (100 μmol/kg, p.o.) was also favorable. This result suggests that this compound exhibits a central activity, without changing the motor activity (seen in the rotarod test). Caulerpin (100 μmol/kg, p.o.) reduced the formalin effects in both phases by 35.4% and 45.6%, respectively. The possible anti-inflammatory activity observed in the second phase in the formalin test of caulerpin (100 μmol/kg, p.o.) was confirmed on the capsaicin-induced ear edema model, where an inhibition of 55.8% was presented. Indeed, it was also observed in the carrageenan-induced peritonitis that caulerpin (100 μmol/kg, p.o.) exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, reducing significantly the number of recruit cells by 48.3%. Pharmacological studies are continuing in order to characterize the mechanism(s) responsible for the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions and also to identify other active principles present in Caulerpa racemosa.     

Identification of phytotoxins from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Botryosphaeria obtusa</Emphasis>, a pathogen of black dead arm disease of grapevine

A bioassay-guided fractionation of a culture filtrate of Botryosphaeria obtusa led to the isolation of four dihydroisocoumarins, named mellein 1, 4-hydroxymellein 2, 7-hydroxymellein 3 and the new 4,7-dihydroxymellein 4. LC-UV-DAD-MS analysis of vine wood infected by B. obtusa revealed the presence of mellein (1). Botryosphaeria obtusa was also able to oxidise wood δ -resveratrol into the dimer delta-viniferin. The structures of isolated phytotoxins were established on the basis of IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR.     

The use of some agricultural fertilizers for the mass production of marine algae

Three Brazilian and 9 French agricultural fertilizers were compared with Conway mixture, as nutrient enrichment for supporting the growth of 16 marine algae. Fertilizers containing only nitrogen and phosphorus appeared to be suitable. However, a few algae grew better in all-nutrient-enriched Conway medium. Addition of chelators did not generate better growth. Matrix-free fertilizers were found more convenient in use. A table is given to show the cheapest and/or best nutrient enrichment for each algal strain tested.     

Genome-wide association study for age at puberty in young Nelore bulls

Selection for bulls that would reach puberty early reduces the generation interval and increases fertility and herd productivity. Despite its economic importance, there are few QTL associated with age at puberty described in the literature. In this study, a weighted single-step genome-wide association study was performed to detect genomic regions and putative candidate genes related to age at puberty in young Nelore bulls. Several protein-coding genes related to spermatogenesis functions were identified within the genomic regions that explain more than 0.5% of the additive genetic variance for age at puberty in Nelore bulls, such as ADAM11, BRCA1, CSNK2A, CREBBP, MEIOC, NDRG2, NECTIN3, PARP2, PARP9, PRSS21, RAD51C, RNASE4, SLX4, SPA17, TEX14, TIMP2 and TRIP13 gene. Enrichment analysis by DAVID also revealed several GO terms related to spermatogenesis such as DNA replication (GO:0006260), male meiosis I (GO:0007141), double-strand break repair (GO:0006302), base excision repair (GO:0006284), apoptotic process (GO:0006915), cell–cell adhesion (GO: 0098609) and focal adhesion (GO:0005925). The heritability for age at puberty shows that this trait can be improved based on traditional EBV selection. Adding genomic information to the system helps to elucidate genes and molecular mechanisms controlling the sexual precocity and could help to predict sexual precocity in Nelore bulls with greater accuracy at younger age, which would speed up the breeding programme for this breed.     

Rehabilitation methods in small animal neurology]

Rehabilitation is an important part of the treatment of neurological diseases. The primary goal of these methods is an optimal functional restoring of the neuro-muscular system. Massages, thermo-, hydro- and electrotherapy, as well as therapy of movement are different treatment possibilities with their own indication, which are combined in a physiotherapy program. It follows an overview of the different physiotherapeutic methods and their application in some of the most common neurological diseases, as for example intervertebral disc problems or degenerative myelopathy.