Chocolate is a powerful ex vivo and in vivo antioxidant, an antiatherosclerotic agent in an animal model, and a significant contributor to antioxidants in the European and American Diets

Chocolate today is often viewed as a food or snack with little nutritional value. The high saturated fat content of chocolate has also contributed to the belief that its consumption increases the risk of heart disease. However, recent human studies have proven that chocolate has beneficial effects on some pathogenic mechanisms of heart disease such as endothelial function and blood pressure. Although the antioxidant properties of chocolate have been known for some time, there has been no examination of its place in the U.S. diet as a source of antioxidants. This paper demonstrates that chocolate makes a significant contribution to U.S. per capita dietary antioxidants and by inference the European Community's. In the U.S. diet chocolate is the third highest daily per capita antioxidant source. An ex vivo study shows that epicatechin, a major polyphenol in chocolate and chocolate extracts, is a powerful inhibitor of plasma lipid oxidation due to polyphenols' ability to bind to lower density lipoproteins. Conversely, the fat from chocolate alone is a pro-oxidant in this model. This is also demonstrated in an in vivo human study. After consumption of dark chocolate and cocoa powder, the lower density lipoproteins isolated from plasma were protected from oxidation compared to the lipoproteins isolated after cocoa butter consumption, which were put under oxidative stress. In an animal model of atherosclerosis, cocoa powder at a human dose equivalent of two dark chocolate bars per day significantly inhibited atherosclerosis, lowered cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides, raised high-density lipoprotein, and protected the lower density lipoproteins from oxidation. Chocolate has thus been shown to have potential beneficial effects with respect to heart disease.     

Early resynchronization protocols for goats: Progestogens can be used prior to an early pregnancy diagnosis without affecting corpus luteum functionality

This study aimed to evaluate the exogenous progesterone (P4) effect on the luteal function from Day 16 to Day 21 of the oestrous cycle in inseminated goats with unknown pregnancy status. A total of 54 does passed through a short progestin-based synchronization protocol and, on Day 16 of the following oestrous cycle, 27 does received a new P4 device which was retained until Day 21. Blood samples were collected daily from all does during this period, as well as on Day 24. Pregnancy diagnoses were performed on Day 30. Serum P4 values from 26 animals (G_NPSP: Group of non-pregnant does with second sponge: n = 8; G_NPNSP: Group of non-pregnant does without second sponge: n = 6; G_PSP: Group of pregnant does with second sponge: n = 5; G_PNSP: Group of pregnant does without second sponge: n = 7) were determined by radioimmunoassay commercial kits. No P4 differences were found between groups (G_NPSP: 3.1 ± 2.8; 1.7 ± 1.8; 0.4 ± 1.0; and 0.0 ± 0.0 vs. G_NPNSP: 4.4 ± 1.8; 3.0 ± 2.2; 0.8 ± 0.8; and 0.0 ± 0.0 or G_PSP: 4.2 ± 1.0; 3.4 ± 0.6; 3.3 ± 1.6; 3.2 ± 0.9; 3.6 ± 1.2; 3.5 ± 1.3; 2.7 ± 1.3 vs. G_PNSP: 4.4 ± 1.6; 3.6 ± 1.5; 3.7 ± 1.5; 3.8 ± 1.4; 3.2 ± 1.2; 3.1 ± 1.2; 3.6 ± 1.1; D16, D17, D18, D19, D20, D21, D24, respectively) or for the interaction of group and time. In conclusion, a second progestogen device had no effect on luteolysis or early pregnancy in the following oestrous cycle.     

Small Area Estimation of Proportions with Constraint for National Resources Inventory Survey

Motivated by the need to produce small area estimates for the National Resources Inventory survey, we develop a spatial hierarchical model based on the generalized Dirichlet distribution to construct small area estimators of compositional proportions in several mutually exclusive and exhaustive landcover categories. At the observation level, the standard design-based estimators of the proportions are assumed to follow the generalized Dirichlet distribution. After proper transformation of the design-based estimators, beta regression is applicable. We consider a logit mixed model for the expectation of the beta distribution, which incorporates covariates through fixed effects and spatial effect through a conditionally autoregressive process. In a design-based evaluation study, the proposed model-based estimators are shown to have smaller root-mean-square error and relative root-mean-square error than design-based estimators and multinomial model-based estimators. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online.     

Autochthonous probiotic as growth promoter and immunomodulator for Astyanax bimaculatus cultured in water recirculation system

This work aimed to evaluate the probiotic Lactobacillus spp. in the microbiota of Astyanax bimaculatus reared in a water recirculation system. The experiment was randomized, using 800 postlarvae distributed into eight polyethylene containers, separated into two treatments, in quadruplicate: supplementation with Lactobacillus spp. (Probiotic) and no supplementation (Control). After 90 days of culture, 13 fish per container were anaesthetized. Three of these underwent microbiological evaluation, and haematological analyses were carried out on five. Immunological assessment was performed on another five fish. Zootechnical parameters were evaluated for all animals. In the microbiological evaluation, the probiotic group presented higher counts of lactic acid bacteria, but lower counts of Vibrio spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Staphylococcus spp., when compared with control. After haematological analysis, the supplemented group presented low haematimetric indices of Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCHC and MCH, respectively) and higher amounts of total leucocytes, thrombocytes and circulating monocytes when compared with control. The immunological profile did not differ between treatments. In the zootechnical performance, probiotic group presented higher productivity, survival and apparent food efficiency when compared with control. Therefore, when Lactobacillus spp. was supplemented in the diet of A. bimaculatus, immunocompetence and the zootechnical performance of animals increased.     

Overall development of a bioprocess for the outdoor production of Nannochloropsis gaditana for aquaculture

In this paper, a systematic methodology is shown for the scaling‐up of Nannochloropsis gaditana production for aquaculture uses. First, an adequate culture medium was developed, prepared using fertilizers instead of pure chemicals. Subsequently, the performance of N. gaditana was modelled as a function of average irradiance; this model being validated in continuous culture experiments. The model was used to determine the optimal dilution rate as well as the expected biomass concentration and productivity at optimal conditions. Finally, outdoor experiments were performed to confirm the model's validity and to determine optimal conditions at real production step. Biomass productivity values of up to 0.08 g L^?1 day^?1 were obtained at an optimal dilution rate of 0.25 per day in 0.2 m wide flat‐panel reactors using culture medium containing 0.4 g/L NO^?₃ and 0.034 g/L·PO₄^?3. Fish trials with Atlantic Salmon demonstrated that the inclusion of produced biomass into fed increase the final weight up to 5%, thus confirming the adequacy of the biomass produced for aquaculture uses. The growth model and the scaling‐up strategy proposed here are necessary to develop real industrial‐scale processes capable of supplying microalgal biomass to the aquaculture markets, which in turn require a guaranteed supply and quality of the raw materials provided.     

Growth,morphology and gas exchange responses of two-year-old Quercus castaneifolia seedlings to flooding stress

Tolerance to flooding is crucial when thinking in promissory species for restoration of ecosystems prone to suffer soil water excess. In this study, we tested the flooding tolerance of two-years-old seedlings of Chestnut-leaved oak (Quercus castaneifolia C.A.Mey.) to determine whether it can be recommended for use in wetland restoration programs. Seedlings of Q. castaneifolia were subjected to three treatments: (1) control (C), (2) flooding for 60 days followed by a 42-day recovery period (F?+?R) and (3) continuous flooding for 102 days (F). Physiological performance, plant morphological changes and biomass accumulation were assessed. Results showed that, although net photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance and transpiration decreased with prolonged flooding, when flood waters were removed, plants were able to recover their physiological activity (49–80% compared to controls). By contrast, when plants were continually flooded, their physiological activity decreased as well as the leaves experienced precocious senescence and wilting. Biomass responses paralleled physiological responses: leaf and root biomass were 42–49% higher under F?+?R treatment than under continuous flooding, and all plants under the F?+?R survived. Therefore, Q. castaneifolia appears as a promising species to be further studied when thinking re-vegetation of riverine areas and other temporarily flooded wetlands.     

New organic substrates and boron fertilizing for production of yellow passion fruit seedlings

The identification of alternative substrates suitable for seedling production is very important, while boron nutrition is also relevant due to plant requirement and its difficult management. Thus, four experiments were carried out from October 2012 to April 2013 to evaluate the effect of substrates using decomposed buriti (Mauritia vinifera Mart.) stem (DBS) and boron fertilizing for seedling production of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims). The experimental design was completely randomized in factorial scheme 6 × 2 + 1, referring to the substrates [S1: DBS, S2: soil and sand 1:1 (20%) + DBS (80%), S3: soil and sand 1:1 (40%) + DBS (60%), S4: soil and sand 1:1 (60%) + DBS (40%), S5: soil and sand 1:1 (80%) + DBS (20%), S6: commercial substrate (additional treatment) and S7: soil, sand and manure 1:1:2] with and without boron. The seedling emergence, emergence rate, plant height, stem diameter, root length, root volume and dry mass of roots and shoots were recorded. The substrates S2 (without B fertilizing) and S4 (B fertilized with 0.5 mg dm^?3) produced seedlings with more than 3.0 g of shoot dry mass and at least 30 cm in height, and can be used for production of high-quality yellow passion fruit seedlings.     

Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis: incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle in a German shepherd dog

Clinical signs, radiological, arthroscopic findings and magnetic resonance imaging features of a male German shepherd dog with incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle are described. The dog showed recurrent left forelimb lameness and pain on elbow palpation. In routine radiographs, the lesion was obscured. In oblique radiographs, a radiolucent line was detected, and magnetic resonance imaging clearly demonstrated a defect in the humeral condyle. However, arthroscopy showed no changes or discontinuity of the humeral cartilage. Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle may be underrepresented in conventional, routine studies because if there is concurrent additional elbow pathology (for example fragmented coronoid process), treatment may lead to clinical improvement and further diagnostic techniques may not be performed. The benefit of magnetic resonance imaging in this case is demonstrated.     

Evaluation of endocytic capacity and NADPH-oxidase activity from armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) eosinophils infected with microfilariae

Endocytic activity of phagocytic cells from armadillos infected with viruses, parasites or bacteria is unknown. This report shows that eosinophils from armadillos infected with microfilaria act against these helmintic parasites but have deficiencies in their oxygen-dependent bacteriocidal mechanisms and also in endocytic capacity against yeast.     

The power of discourse: Hard lessons for traditional forest communities in the Amazon

In the contemporary Amazon, ‘discourse’ is increasingly a new means of exercising power, influencing local society and the ways in which natural resources are managed. As society becomes ever more complex, direct means of exercising power no longer enjoy the same legitimacy and efficacy. Discourses are instead now assuming a dominant role in defining governance regimes; the sense of what is correct and socially acceptable, and what is not. This is particularly relevant for the rapidly advancing development frontiers in the Amazon region, where local communities are coming into contact with external players highly interested in their forest resources. This study focuses on understanding how external discourses can restrict the Amazonian communities' options for using their forests, but also how communities can harness these discourses to achieve their own claims and objectives. Empirical evidence from four study areas in the Bolivian, Brazilian and Peruvian Amazon regions is used to show how discourses on sustainable forest management are moulding forestry governance. The conclusion shows that while the discourses used by loggers and development organisations are strongly influencing the way communities manage their forests, some communities are also successfully using these discourses in alliances with environmental organisations to achieve acknowledgment of their demands.