Enhancement of plant essential oils' aqueous solubility and stability using alpha and beta cyclodextrin

Sodium benzoate has been shown to produce benzene in combination with ascorbic acid. This has led to research for safe alternatives from plant essential oils and parabens that have shown some antimicrobial activity, but many of these compounds exhibit poor solubility in aqueous solutions. Cyclodextrins can increase the solubility of many compounds. This work aimed to investigate the solubility of 23 plant essential oils and 4 parabens in water and an apple juice medium. Four of these compounds were chosen for their low aqueous solubility to determine if complexing the compound with α- and β-cyclodextrin would increase solubility. Three of the complexes were dissolved in an acidified aqueous solution and then studied in glass and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to determine if storage material would affect the stability. Solubility of the 27 compounds in distilled water ranged from 1.6 mg/L to 2460.6 mg/L and the solubility of 18 of the compounds decreased from 2.5 to 84.7% in apple juice medium (pH = 3.4, 12-13 °Brix). Complexation with cyclodextrin dramatically increased the solubility of the compounds, up to 10-fold. Packaging material had no effect on concentration of compounds present over 7 days. Cyclodextrins were able to increase solubility of these compounds to more suitable concentrations, and may lead to viable natural alternatives to sodium benzoate.     

Cancer chemopreventive and antioxidant activities of pterostilbene,a naturally occurring analogue of resveratrol

Pterostilbene, a natural methoxylated analogue of resveratrol, was evaluated for antioxidative potential. The peroxyl-radical scavenging activity of pterostilbene was the same as that of resveratrol, having total reactive antioxidant potentials of 237 +/- 58 and 253 +/- 53 microM, respectively. Both compounds were found to be more effective than Trolox as free radical scavengers. Using a plant system, pterostilbene also was shown to be as effective as resveratrol in inhibiting electrolyte leakage caused by herbicide-induced oxidative damage, and both compounds had the same activity as alpha-tocopherol. Pterostilbene showed moderate inhibition (IC50 = 19.8 microM) of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, and was weakly active (IC50 = 83.9 microM) against COX-2, whereas resveratrol strongly inhibited both isoforms of the enzyme with IC50 values of approximately 1 microM. Using a mouse mammary organ culture model, carcinogen-induced preneoplastic lesions were, similarly to resveratrol, significantly inhibited by pterostilbene (ED50 = 4.8 microM), suggesting antioxidant activity plays an important role in this process.     

Quantitative assessment of rill and interrill soil erosion in Romania

Soil erosion is an important geomorphological process with potential negative consequences especially on land agricultural potential. Unsuitable agricultural practices may increase soil erosion, leading to rapid loss of soil fertility and decrease of crop production. It is therefore important to correctly quantify soil erosion rates in order to adapt agricultural practices and implement proper conservation measures. This study attempts to assess the rill and interrill erosion in Romania, using the Romanian soil erosion model and GIS techniques. The database includes the digital terrain model, the soil map of Romania, the land use map of Romania and the rainfall erosivity regions. The results show that the high and very high erosion risk classes include 4.1% of the Romanian territory (9,627 km²). Most of this land is present in the hilly and plateau areas (Subcarpathians, Moldavian Plateau, Getic Plateau, Western Hills, Dobrogea Plateau). The model was validated by comparison of its predictions with long‐term erosion measurements from different locations in the country. Comparison with previous non‐GIS assessments of soil erosion at national level shows that the total estimated rill and interrill erosion in our study was very close to previous estimates. Comparison with the RUSLE 2015 model computed for Europe as a whole reveals that the two models assign almost 54% of their shared area to the same erosion class, while for 39% of the territory there is one class difference between the models. The results can be used for evaluations of erosion risk at national and regional scales.     

Glandular structures in the major interlobular and extrapancreatic ducts in the guinea pig

The morphology of the pancreatic duct system did not receive much attention as compared to the microanatomy of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas. The histological peculiarities of the excretory duct system are of major importance especially in laboratory animals like guinea pigs. The paper describes the histological peculiarities of the major interlobular and extrapancreatic ducts in guinea pigs. The pancreatic tissue samples were collected from five guinea pigs. For histological investigation, several pancreatic fragments underwent fixation in 10% buffered formalin and were later processed by the standard paraffin technique. Subsequentially, tissue sections were stained by Goldner's trichrome staining. The mucous substances were assessed by Alcian blue and Periodic acid–Schiff staining methods. The interlobular and main pancreatic ducts in the guinea pig present a simple columnar epithelium surrounded by a thick layer of dense connective tissue. The aforementioned epithelium of the main pancreatic ducts includes principal cells, goblet cells and basal cells. Additionally, the ductal epithelium presents occasional unicellular multiloculated intraepithelial mucous glands and prominent extraepithelial glands. The latter adopts a simple or compound tubular feature. The mucus elaborated by the three glandular types is mostly neutral in goblet cells, predominantly acidic in extraepithelial ductal glands, and a similar amount of acidic and neutral mucin in intraepithelial glands. In conclusion, the epithelium-associated mucous glands in the interlobular and main pancreatic ducts in the guinea pig are restricted not only to goblet cells. A substantial mucous discharge probably with a protecting role against irritative pancreatic juice derives from the main ductal intraepithelial and extraepithelial glands.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—SPINAL EPIDURAL HEMANGIOSARCOMA IN A DOG

An 8‐year‐old, male Boxer was examined for an acute onset of ambulatory paraparesis. Neurologic examination was consistent with a T3‐L3 myelopathy. Myelography revealed an extradural spinal cord compression in the region of the T10‐T13 vertebrae. On magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, a well‐defined epidural mass lesion was detected. The mass was mildly hyperintense on T1‐weighted, hyperintense on T2‐weighted and STIR images compared to normal spinal cord and enhanced strongly and homogenously. Postmortem examination confirmed a primary epidural hemangiosarcoma. Findings indicated that the MRI characteristics of spinal epidural hemangiosarcoma may mimic other lesions including meningioma and epidural hemorrhages/hematomas of non‐neoplastic etiology.     

Soilless systems as an alternative to wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) traditional open-field cultivation in marginal lands of the Tuscan Apennines to enhance crop yield and producers’ income

Yield and quality of wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca L.) cultivars ‘Regina delle Valli’ and ‘Alpine’ cultivated in soil, as the traditional production system, and in soilless (both in open air and protected environments), as an innovative and sustainable production system, were investigated in a marginal and inner area of the Pistoiese Apennine Mountains during two production seasons. An earlier marketable production was obtained in soilless culture, but total marketable yield was higher from plants grown in a traditional open-field environment. Fruits obtained from the protected soilless system were larger, but developed some mildew, had some visual defects, and revealed a reduced skin chroma index, flesh firmness, and total soluble solids content compared to fruits harvested from plants grown under direct sunlight, while no significant differences were observed in total titratable acidity and pH between growing systems. ‘Alpine’ was more suited to soilless protected cultivation, with a much higher yield compared to ‘Regina delle Valli’. Physicochemical properties of berries were not affected by the cultivar, but fruit quality changed with plant age and seasonal crop cycle. ‘Alpine’ fruits gained a greater sensorial preference, both in traditional soil and soilless culture.     

The potential of school green areas to improve urban green connectivity and multifunctionality

Urban green infrastructure supports resilience in cities and promotes sustainable resource management. Small green areas, including school green areas (SGAs), are an important component of urban green infrastructure, playing a key role in supplying cities with educational services. This article describes how SGAs can amplify an urban green area's connectivity and multifunctionality. The analysis was performed in Bucharest as a case study. A survey based on questionnaires was used to obtain data regarding green spaces within public schools. A total of 411 administrators from 461 public schools participated in the survey for a response rate of 89.1%. Information from the questionnaires was augmented with spatial data of SGAs and public green spaces, i.e., parks and city gardens. Using parametric and nonparametric statistical analysis, we first identified the variables that determine an SGA's presence and size. Potential connectivity assessment results showed that most of the schools that lack or have small-sized SGAs have the possibility to cover their green space deficit by developing activities within nearby public green spaces. A structural connectivity assessment of SGAs toward other public urban green areas revealed that SGAs are an important element of the urban environment by serving as stepping stones to species flow. The multifunctionality of the SGAs was emphasized through the educational services they provide, being involved in pupils’ daily activities. The increased connectivity and multifunctionality of urban green infrastructure through small, specialized green areas, such as SGAs, is an indicator of the fact that such areas can be used to ameliorate the deficit of green space in major urban areas.     

Root System Distribution of Highbush Blueberry Crops of Various Ages in Medium-Textured Soils

The paper deals with the spatial distribution of root density in highbush blueberry plantations of various ages for a proper planting distance recommendation and a better irrigation and fertilization management. The environmental conditions consist of sandy-loamy soils and a continental temperate climate. Two highbush blueberry cultivars were studied, ‘Bluecrop’ and ‘Blueray’. Root density (RD) and density of root cross-sectional area (RCSA) were investigated for various root diameters. It was found that the prevalent type of roots in highbush blueberry crops is the hair type, with root diameters less than 0.1?mm. Both RD and RCSA decreased with distance from plant and with soil depth; the 38-year-old crop showed a more developed root system versus the 8?year-old crop. In both cases the roots did not grow more than 0.6?m laterally and more than 0.7?m deep. According to these results, the planting distances in highbush blueberry could be reduced to substantially increase the number of plants/ha and fruit yield. Irrigation application should be carried out to wet a proper soil volume, about 0.6–0.7?m deep for older crops, and about 0.5?m deep for younger crops.     

Impact of land-use change on biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Chilean temperate forests

Context

Land-use change impacts biodiversity and ecosystem services, which are intrinsically related. There is a serious lack of knowledge concerning on how land-use change affects this relationship at landscape level, where the greatest impacts have been reported. A proper knowledge of that relationship would provide crucial information for planning conservation strategies. The forest landscape of southern Chile, which includes Valdivian Temperate Forest, has been designated as a hotspot for biodiversity conservation. However, this landscape has been transformed by land-use change.

Objective

We evaluated the impact of land-use change on the spatial patterns of the diversity of native forest habitat and the influence of these impacts on the provision of the ecosystem services water supply, erosion control, and organic matter accumulation from 1986 to 2011.

Methods

The evaluation, at the landscape level, was carried out using satellite images, landscape metrics, spatially explicit models and generalized linear models. Results: We found that the area loss of native forest habitat was 12%, the number patches of native forest habitat increased more than 150% and the Shannon diversity index decreased by 0.20. The largest decrease in the provision of services was recorded for erosion control (346%), and the smallest for water supply (11%).

Conclusions

The loss of provision of the ecosystem services can be explained by the interaction between the area loss, increase in the number patches and diversity loss. We recommend that the conservation planning strategies should consider the current landscape configuration, complemented with land-use planning.

     

Effects of clinical mastitis and puerperal diseases on reproductive efficiency of dairy cows

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of clinical mastitis (CM) occurring before or after the first AI postpartum, and puerperal diseases...