Microtomographic characterization of calcifications in canine mammary tumours

The present work describes the microtomographic characterization of macro‐ and microcalcifications present in excised canine mammary glands. In human breast cancer, microcalcifications are highly relevant for diagnosis and prognosis, often being the sole element determining biopsy. Canine mammary tumours are considered a model for human breast cancer, but the morphological features of calcifications had still to be studied in this species. The objective of this research is to contribute to the characterization of the mineralization features of the canine mammary gland. In the present study, the excised mammary glands of 33 bitches underwent fluoroscopic examination. In 30 of the samples, the presence of calcification was suspected, and multiple biopsies were taken of these areas. Biopsy fragments underwent microtomographic scanning. Microcalcifications were found in non‐neoplastic glandular tissue, benign and malign lesions, as it is known to happen in humans. Qualitative evaluation regarding morphology of the imaged calcifications showed similarities to breast cancer findings, based on the BI‐RADS 2013 classification, such as pleomorphism and shape. No differences in the quantitative morphological parameters of volume, surface, surface/volume, SMI and structure thickness were found when macrocalcifications were considered. However, although significant differences existed in these parameters between microcalcifications from malignant canine mammary tumours and the two other groups, none were found between non‐neoplastic and benign tumours. Findings further support the use of this spontaneous animal model for the study of human breast cancer, considering how clinically relevant microcalcifications are in humans.     

The Bioactive Potential of Trawl Discard: Case Study from a Crinoid Bed Off Blanes (North-Western Mediterranean)

Although knowledge of the bioactive compounds produced by species inhabiting coastal waters is increasing, little is known about the bioactive potential produced by marine species occupying deeper habitats with high biodiversity and productivity. Here, we investigate about the bioactive potential of molecules produced by species that inhabit the crinoid beds, a poorly known essential fish habitat affected by trawling, wherein large amounts of commercial and noncommercial species are discarded. Based on a trawl survey conducted in 2019, 14% of the 64 species discarded on crinoid beds produce molecules with some type of bioactive potential, including; soft corals (Alcyonium palmatum); tunicates (Ascidia mentula); bony fish, such as horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus); European hake (Merluccius merluccius); and chondrichthyans, such as small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula). In addition, 16% of the discarded species had congeneric species that produce compounds with bioactive potential, indicating that such species might also possess similar types of bioactive molecules. Molecules with antioxidant, antitumour, antihypertensive, and antibacterial properties were the most frequent, which could provide the basis for future research aiming to discover new marine-based drugs and compounds for other human uses. Among all species or genera that produce compounds with bioactive potential, 68% presented medium or high vulnerability to trawling. Results show that the discarded catch contains many species, which produce different bioactive compounds that represent an added-value resource. These results highlight the importance of manage properly crinoid beds, to ensure that species that produce molecules with bioactive potential inhabiting these habitats are protected.     

EXPOSURE TO ENVIRONMENTALLY RELEVANT LEVELS OF CADMIUM PRIMARILY IMPACTS TRANSPIRATION IN FIELD-GROWN SOYBEAN

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal released into agricultural settings primarily due to human activities. Cadmium is readily taken up by plants from the soil and has been shown to result in numerous changes to plant growth and physiology. In this study we examined the physiological effect of environmentally relevant levels of cadmium on field-grown soybean (Glycine max). No significant differences in carbon dioxide (CO₂) assimilation response to leaf internal CO₂ concentration, chlorophyll fluorescence, or growth parameters were observed. However, we did observe an increase in sap flow, a real-time measure of transpiration. Consistent with increased sap flow there was a significant increase in total daily sap flow and peak sap flow between the control and cadmium-treated plants. Our results suggest that treatment with environmentally relevant levels of cadmium primarily impacts transpiration.     

Ontogeny and total sugar content of yacon tuberous roots and other three Smallanthus species (Heliantheae,Asteraceae), insights on the development of a semi-domesticated crop

The ontogeny of the tuberous roots of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius), an ancient Andean crop, is described for the first time along with three other wild species of Smallanthus: S. connatus, S. macroscyphus and S. siegesbeckius. Tuberous storage roots are present in the four species. Tuberization results from unusual secondary thickening. A meristematic endodermis maintains the primary cortex by generating cortex cells continuously. Secretory schizogenous canals develop adjacent to the endodermis in opposition to the phloem poles. Phellogen originates in the outer layers of the parenchymatic cortex. The four species develop a parenchymatous pith that stores mainly fructooligosacharides (FOS) and plays an important role in storing water, protecting the plant from drought stress and environmental hazards in the Andean climate. In yacon, domestication has produced a wide pith that stores water, reducing sugars and FOS with low degree of polimerization, that could have eventually made it more palatable as compared to the wild counterparts.     

Survey of Vitamin B<Subscript>6</Subscript> Content in Commercial Presentations of Table Olives

For nutritional purposes, a survey of the vitamin B₆ levels from a variety of commercial presentations of table olives was carried out, taking into account the three main processing types (Spanish-style, directly brined, and ripe olives). The analysis was performed by HPLC, following the official French method for vitamin B₆ determination in foodstuffs. In-house validation data for two commercial table olives showed that the method precision was good (coefficient of variation <6%) and recovery was quantitative (104% on average). There was a wide range of values for vitamin B₆ in table olives (0–69.3 μg/100 g edible portion). The highest mean content was found in directly brined olives (33.9 μg/100 g edible portion) followed by Spanish-style (14.4 μg/100 g) and ripe olives (4.3 μg/100 g). On average, samples of the Gordal and Carrasqueña cultivars showed the highest vitamin B₆ content in the case of Spanish-style olives, but in directly brined olives as well as in ripe olives the effect of cultivar was not statistically significant (p?相似文献   

Effects of the pyrethroids bioallethrin,deltamethrin and RU-15525 on the electrical activity of a cuticular mechanoreceptor of the cockroach Periplaneta americana

A study has been made of the effects of bioallethrin, RU-15525 [5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl (1R)-cis-2,2-dimethyl-3-(tetrahydro-2-oxo-3-thienylidenemethyl)-cyclopropanecarboxylate, ‘Kadethrin’], and deltamethrin on the electrical activity, measured in vivo, of a cuticular mechanoreceptor of Periplaneta americana. The modifications induced by these pyrethroids on the membrane excitability can be classified into two groups: Type I effects (bioallethrin) are characterised by a substantial increase in the number of action potentials triggered at the initiation site by a given mechanical stimulation, by an electrical activity persisting after mechanical stimulus has been stopped (repetitive activity), and possibly, by an inhibition of excitability of the cell membrane. Type II effects (RU-15525 and deltamethrin), are characterised by an inhibition of the excitability of the initiation site. In the case of RU-15525, there was a transient spontaneous electrical activity. Both types of effects have been linked to an action on the sodium channel, particularly at the initiation site. The preparation studied, which possessed no synapses, was shown to be more sensitive to deltamethrin (which is also the most insecticidal of the three pyrethroids) than to either allethrin or RU-15525. These results suggest that it is unnecessary to envisage a main target (sodium channel) that is different for the two types of pyrethroid.     

Intake and Selection of Goats Grazing Heterogeneous Vegetation: Effect of Gastrointestinal Nematodes and Condensed Tannins

Feeding behavior is a multifactorial process with pivotal relevance for the maintenance and survival of ruminants. This study evaluated the effect of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), condensed tannin (CT) content of plants, and their possible interaction on the intake and selection of feed resources by Criollo goats in a heterogeneous vegetation. An 8-wk field experiment was conducted in the tropical deciduous forest (TDF) during the rainy season with adult Criollo goats (35.1 ± 6.7 kg body weight [BW]). Goats were assigned to four groups (n = 6): 1) MOX: suppressive treatment with moxidectin (Cydectin 0.4 mg/kg BW subcutaneous every 4 wk), 2) INF: with natural GIN infection, 3) MOX + PEG: treated with moxidectin and dosed with a CT-neutralizing agent (50 g of polyethylene glycol [PEG] diluted in 50 mL of water, per os), and 4) INF + PEG: with natural GIN infection and PEG dosage. Intake was measured using a direct observation method in a 2.2-ha TDF plot. Plant availability was obtained from 30 exclusion quadrants (2 × 2 m). Selection was estimated with the Cheeson index using the ratio of consumed plants and their availability by grouping plant species as shrubs and herbs (with high CT [> 10%], medium CT [> 3% to < 10%], or low CT [< 3%]), vines, and grasses. Neither GIN infection nor CT neutralization influenced intake or selection of feed resources. All groups showed high selection toward grass species (P < 0.001), which may represent a strategy to reduce intake of crude protein and CT from shrubs and herbs. In conclusion, GIN infection and CT neutralization do not influence intake or selection of goats with browsing experience in the TDF. Selection toward grass suggested a trade-off between nutrient harvest optimization and the health risk of GIN infective larvae consumption. Thus, it is necessary to revalorize the TDF as a sustainable feed resource for goats.     

Promotion and contribution of biota in low water exchange ponds farming blue shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris (Stimpson)

An experimental study was conducted during 20 weeks in Bahia Kino, Sonora, Mexico, in order to evaluate the feasibility of promoting biota in low‐water exchange ponds farming blue shrimp, Litopenaeus stylirostris. The effect of that promotion on the production parameters of cultured shrimp as well as on the water quality parameters was evaluated. Treatments consisted of: (i) ponds fed formulated food (FF), and (ii) ponds fed formulated plus promoted natural food (NFF). Phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos were effectively promoted during some weeks of the culture period. Growth and feed conversion ratio (15.16 g and 1.79 respectively) were significantly better in treatment NFF than in treatment FF (13.89 g and 2.02 respectively). Differences in some of the water quality parameters were observed among treatments. Phosphates (0.15 mg/L versus 0.53 mg/L), and total ammonia‐N (0.09 mg/L versus 0.12 mg/L) presented greater concentrations in treatment FF than in the NFF.