Agronomic Characteristics of Lettuce Grown with Monoammonium Phosphate in Sandy Soil

Information related to phosphate fertilization and coated phosphate fertilizer in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is scarce. Thus, this study was carried out to evaluate the agronomic efficiency, production, and nutritional characteristics of coated monoammonium phosphate (MAP) in two subsequent crops with lettuce cv. Solaris. The experimental design was completely randomized (2 x 5 factorial experiment): two sources of phosphorus (P) (MAP and coated MAP), five applications (0; 75; 150; 300; and 600 mg phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) kg^?1) with four replications. In the first crop, there was a greater accumulation of P in plants shoot with the application of coated MAP until 150 mg P₂O₅ kg^?1 dose, surpassed by MAP after this dose. On the second crop, fresh mass and the accumulation of P in the leaves were higher than the uncoated MAP. In both crops, the agronomic efficiency of P fertilization decreased with increase in the amount of phosphorus applied in lettuce cultivation.     

The Proper Supply of S Increases Amino Acid Synthesis and Antioxidant Enzyme Activity in Tanzania Guinea Grass Used for Cd Phytoextraction

Increased Cd concentrations in the environment impair plant growth, but plants properly supplied with S may develop greater tolerance to the damage caused by Cd and be used in the remediation of contaminated environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Cd-phytoextraction potential of Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania grown with S rates and to identify alterations in the concentrations of nutrients and amino acids and in the activity of some antioxidant enzymes under Cd stress conditions. Combinations of five S rates (0.1, 1.0, 1.9, 2.8, and 3.7 mmol L^?1) and five Cd rates (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mmol L^?1) in a nutrient solution were provided in two plant growth periods. Concentrations of N, P, and Zn increased, while K, Fe, and Mn decreased with exposure to Cd. The concentration of Ca decreased as the S supply was increased. Isoleucine, leucine, proline, and valine concentrations increased with exposure to Cd and with higher levels of S. The APX activity was higher at the highest Cd exposure level. Activity and number of SOD and GR isoforms in the roots and of CAT in the shoots of the regrown plant decreased at the highest level of contamination by Cd, which was lessened by the supply of greater S rates. Tanzania guinea grass grown with an adequate supply of S has the potential for phytoextraction of Cd-contaminated environments.     

Peptides from Chia Present Antibacterial Activity and Inhibit Cholesterol Synthesis

In previous studies, it has not been reported that protein isolated from chia interferes favorably with antibacterial activity, and reduces cholesterol synthesis. The objective of this study was to determine whether commonly used commercial microbial proteases can be utilized to generate chia protein-based antibacterial and hypocholesterolemic hydrolysates/peptides, considering the effects of protein extraction method. Alcalase, Flavourzyme and sequential Alcalase-Flavourzyme were used to produce hydrolysates from chia protein (CF), protein-rich fraction (PRF) and chia protein concentrates (CPC1 and CPC2). These hydrolysates were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (G⁺) and Gram-negative (G^?) microorganisms. The protein hydrolysates were purified by ultrafiltration through a membrane with 3 kDa nominal molecular weight, for evaluation of hypocholesterolemic activity. An inhibition zone was observed when the hydrolysate was tested against S. aureus, and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were obtained. Peptides from chia protein with molecular mass lower than 3 kDa reduced up to 80.7% of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) enzymatic reaction velocity. It was also observed that, independent of the method used to obtain chia proteins, the fractions showed relevant bioactivity. Moreover, the intensity of the bioactivity varied with the method for obtaining the protein and with the enzyme used in the hydrolysis process. This is the first report to demonstrate that chia peptides are able to inhibit cholesterol homeostasis.     

Oocyte viability and cortical activation under different salt solutions in Prochilodus lineatus (Teleostei: Prochilodontidae)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of five salt solutions in the maintenance of morphological features of cortical alveolus, hydration and fertilization capacity of Prochilodus lineatus oocytes. For this purpose, five saline solutions were tested: Ringer's solution, Ringer's lactate solution, Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS), Hank's balanced salt solution without calcium (HBSS without calcium) and solution for salmonid eggs. Oocytes were maintained for 2 hr in saline solution with controlled temperature subsequently evaluated for hydration, cortical activation and fertilization ability. In the evaluation of the fertilization ability, two controls were used: C1—fertilized oocytes after extrusion—and C2—oocytes kept in ovarian fluid and fertilized after 2 hr. There was a significant reduction in the viability of oocytes C2 (28.8% ± 12.9%) compared to C1 (65.3% ± 26.7%), and no significant differences were found between treatments HBSS and HBSS without calcium and C2. Only HBSS and HBSS without calcium maintained the non‐activated state of the gametes, with a fertilization rate of 16.4% ± 6.7% and 5.6% ± 2.3%, respectively; however, they did not extend the viability of oocytes, such that they continued to undergo degradation during the storage period, similar to oocytes retained only in ovarian fluid.     

Fatty acid influence on Prochilodus lineatus (Characiformes,Prochilodontidae) embryo cryopreservation parameters.

This study aimed to evaluate the vitellogenic transference and incorporation of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC‐PUFA) into the membranes of Prochilodus lineatus embryos, aiming to increase the permeability to cryoprotectants and resistance to electric fields. One hundred thirty broodstock of P. lineatus were fed with control (C) or fish oil‐supplemented diets (FO) for 12 months. The fatty acid (FA) profle was determined using gas chromatography. For the neutral fraction, the FO group had a decrease in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and an increase in n3PUFA and, n6PUFA. To test for cryoprotectant toxicity, embryos were exposed for 20 min to a cryoprotectant solution of 1,2‐Propanediol (Prop) at a concentration of 5 or 6 molar (M). For FO, a reduction in survival of 33.1% was observed in 5 M, and no survival was observed at 6 M. Embryo samples were exposed the six polarized electric fields (3.4–51.6 joules), and with 11.2 J of energy, the control group exhibited reduced survival in 98.3% of the fish, whereas the FO presented superior resistance, exhibiting a survival similar to that of the OJ up to 40.2 J. We conclude that FA were transferred between P. lineatus broodstock to the embryos, with an increase in LC‐PUFA resulting in lower survival rates in the cryoprotectant test in the FO group and a greater physical plasticity of FO embryos to electrical field tests.     

Determination of serum insulin concentration during intravenous glucose tolerance testing of healthy bulls

OBJECTIVE: To determine the insulin response curve during IV glucose tolerance testing of mature Holstein bulls. ANIMALS: 8 Holstein bulls between 5 and 8 years old and weighing between 911.5 and 1035.5 kg. PROCEDURE: A 50% glucose solution was rapidly administered IV so that each bull received a mean dose of 258 mg of glucose/kg of body weight. Serum glucose and insulin concentrations were determined before and 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes after glucose infusion. RESULTS: Serum glucose concentrations 30 and 60 minutes after infusion were significantly greater than baseline concentration. Concentrations returned to baseline values 120 minutes after infusion. Serum insulin concentration was significantly greater 30 minutes after glucose administration, compared with baseline and 240-minute concentrations. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intravenous glucose tolerance testing of mature Holstein bulls resulted in a characteristic insulin response curve. Baseline and peak insulin concentrations were higher in these bulls, compared with values reported for mature Norwegian Red cows.     

Carcass,meat quality traits,and economic analysis of Nellore bulls fed with finishing feedlot diets containing mechanically processed corn silage

In the livestock sector, strategies are available to mitigate gas emissions, such as methane, one of the alternatives that have shown potential correspondence to changes in the composition of the diet. The main aim of this study was to analyze the influence of methane emissions with data on enteric fermentation obtained from the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) database and based on forecasts of methane emissions by enteric fermentation with an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model and the application of statistical tests to identify the association between methane emissions from enteric fermentation and the variables of the chemical composition and nutritional value of forage resources in Colombia. The results reported positive correlations between methane emissions and the variables ash content, ethereal extract, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) and negative correlations between methane emissions and the variables percentage of unstructured carbohydrates, total digestible nutrients (TDN), digestibility of dry matter, metabolizable energy (MERuminants), net maintenance energy (NEm), net energy gain (NEg), and net lactation energy (NEI). The variables with the most significant influence on the reduction of methane emissions by enteric fermentation are the percentage of unstructured carbohydrates and the percentage of starch. In conclusion, the analysis of variance and the correlations between the chemical composition and the nutritive value of forage resources in Colombia help to understand the influence of diet variables on methane emissions of a particular family and with it in the application of strategies of mitigation.

     

Prevalence of crown trauma in free-ranging maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) in central Brazil

Nineteen free-ranging maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) were captured in central Brazil from April through November 2003. Oral cavity examination revealed 34 teeth with crown trauma in twelve animals. Canine teeth were most commonly affected (44.2%), followed by premolar (29.4%) and incisor teeth (26.5%). Trauma to maxillary teeth (67.7%) was more frequent compared with mandibular teeth (32.3 %). The majority of dental fractures were located at the cuspid portion of the crown (56.0%). Slab fractures were the most frequent type (37.0%), followed by horizontal (24.0%), oblique (24.0%) and longitudinal fractures (15.0%). Complicated crown fracture (pulp exposure) was diagnosed in 13 (38.2%) of these teeth while pulpitis noted by tooth discoloration was diagnosed in 8 (23.5%) teeth.     

Defence responses in flag leaves and spikes of common wheat Triticum aestivum cultivars with contrasting levels of basal resistance to blast caused by Pyricularia oryzae

Wheat blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, can cause large yield losses in crops. This study aimed to investigate defence responses in flag leaves and spikes of wheat cultivars BR-18 (moderately resistant) and BRS-Guamirim (susceptible), which differ in their levels of basal resistance. In contrast to cultivar BRS-Guamirim, infected plants of cultivar BR-18 showed more pronounced increases in activities of β-1,3-glucanase and chitinase as well as higher concentrations of lignin-thioglycolic acid derivatives in the flag leaves and total soluble phenolics in the spikes. Polyphenoloxidase activity increased in both flag leaves and spikes in response to fungal infection, regardless of cultivar. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity increased in infected flag leaves of both cultivars, especially in BR-18. PAL activity was lower in spikes of infected compared to noninfected plants of both cultivars, although to a lesser extent in BR-18. Compared to BRS-Guamirim, the antioxidative system in both flag leaves and spikes of BR-18 was more efficient in removing reactive oxygen species, reducing cellular damage caused by fungal infection. The lower catalase and peroxidase activities, associated with high superoxide dismutase activity, in flag leaves and spikes of infected BR-18 culminated in a high hydrogen peroxide concentration. The increase in ascorbate peroxidase activity was higher in both flag leaves and spikes of infected plants of BR-18 than in infected BRS-Guamirim. It was concluded that wheat resistance to blast depended on the basal level of resistance of the cultivar, which was mainly associated with the activities of defence enzymes and a more effective antioxidative system.     

Application of Tamarind Waste Extracts to Improve the Antioxidant Properties of Tamarind Nectars

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Tamarind fruits are consumed worldwide and their seeds have an underexploited potential. We assessed the effect of the addition of a freeze-dried aqueous of...