Assessment on Proximate Composition,Dietary Fiber,Phytic Acid and Protein Hydrolysis of Germinated Ecuatorian Brown Rice

Germinated brown rice (GBR) is considered healthier than brown rice (BR) but its nutritive value has been hardly studied. Since nutritive quality of GBR depends on genetic diversity and germination conditions, six Ecuadorian BR varieties were germinated at 28 and 34?ºC for 48 and 96 h in darkness and proximate composition, dietary fiber fractions, phytic acid content as well as degree of protein hydrolysis and peptide content were studied. Protein, lipids, ash and available carbohydrate ranged 7.3–10.4 %, 2.0–4.0 %, 0.8–1.5 % and 71.6 to 84.0 %, respectively, in GBR seedlings. Total dietary fiber increased during germination (6.1–13.6 %), with a large proportion of insoluble fraction, while phytic acid was reduced noticeably. In general, protein hydrolysis occurred during germination was more accused at 28?ºC for 48 h. These results suggest that GBR can be consumed directly as nutritive staple food for a large population worldwide contributing to their nutritional requirements.     

High doses of methylprednisolone are required for the treatment of collagenase-induced intracerebral hemorrhage in rats

Methylprednisolone (MP) was evaluated for the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage in a Sprague-Dawley rat model of cerebral hematoma induced by subcortical injection of collagenase. At 1 and 24 h after the injection, MP was administered intraperitoneally (IP) at a concentration of 10, 35, or 100 mg/kg. Control groups received saline IP at 1 and 24 h after the intracerebral injection of collagenase (positive controls) or saline (negative controls). Motor behaviour 24 h before and 24 h and 48 h after the intracerebral injection was evaluated by means of a neurologic exam and a rotarod treadmill test. The animals were euthanized at 48 h; brain water content was determined in half of the rats, and histopathological studies were done in the other half. Compared with the positive controls, the animals with collagenase-induced hematoma performed significantly better on the neurologic exam after treatment with 100 mg/kg of MP and on the rotarod test after treatment with 35 or 100 mg/kg of MP. The hematoma volume was significantly smaller (P < 0.002) after all doses of MP; however, the smallest volume was seen with 100 mg/kg. There were significantly fewer neutrophils (P < 0.01) within the hematoma in the MP-treated animals (maximum reduction with 100 mg/kg) than in the positive controls, but the numbers of reactive astrocytes did not differ significantly between the treatment groups. The number of necrotic neurons in the penumbra did not differ between the treatment groups; however, there were significantly fewer (P < 0.005) in the cerebral cortex in the group treated with 100 mg/kg of MP compared with the positive controls. These results suggest that high doses of MP administered shortly after occurrence of a cerebral hematoma are beneficial for the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage.     

Effect of cold storage and packaging material on the major aroma components of sweet cream butter

The major aroma compounds of commercial sweet cream AA butter quarters were analyzed by GC-olfactometry and GC-MS combined with dynamic headspace analysis (DHA) and solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE). In addition, the effect of long-term storage (0, 6, and 12 months) and type of wrapping material (wax parchment paper vs foil) on the aroma components and sensory properties of these butters kept under refrigerated (4 degrees C) and frozen (-20 degrees C) storage was evaluated. The most intense compounds in the aroma of pasteurized AA butter were butanoic acid, delta-octalactone, delta-decalactone, 1-octen-3-one, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, dimethyl trisulfide, and diacetyl. The intensities of lipid oxidation volatiles and methyl ketones increased as a function of storage time. Refrigerated storage caused greater flavor deterioration compared with frozen storage. The intensity and relative abundance of styrene increased as a function of time of storage at refrigeration temperature. Butter kept frozen for 12 months exhibited lower styrene levels and a flavor profile more similar to that of fresh butter compared to butter refrigerated for 12 months. Foil wrapping material performed better than wax parchment paper in preventing styrene migration into butter and in minimizing the formation of lipid oxidation and hydroxyl acid products that contribute to the loss of fresh butter flavor.     

Estimation of genetic parameters and prediction of breeding values in an autotetraploid blueberry breeding population with extensive pedigree data

The strategy for breeding blueberries has been based on phenotypic selection without accounting for pedigree correlation information. A central premise of classical quantitative genetics is that through knowledge of the relationships among individuals in a population, we can make inferences about breeding values (BVs), estimate genetic parameters, and support phenotypic selection. Genetic evaluations using best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) and restricted maximum likelihood (REML) are founded on pedigree information and have been the standard method used in livestock and forest breeding. Despite theoretical and practical benefits, their application in blueberry breeding programs remains unexploited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of REML/BLUP in the University of Florida blueberry breeding program in order to estimate genetic parameters and predict BVs of primary selection traits. To do this, we collected phenotypic data for eight selectable traits (yield, flower bud density, fruit weight, fruit firmness, fruit diameter, fruit soluble solids, fruit pH, and fruit scar diameter) from 1996 individuals. The highest narrow-sense heritabilities were found for fruit weight, scar diameter, and yield. The majority of genetic correlations between traits were under 0.20. The largest genetic gain was achieved when selections from early stages were used as parents and the top 5% of the population was selected. Compared to traditional phenotypic selection, our results are evidencing of the importance of implementing REML/BLUP to estimate genetic parameters that help and support the breeding strategy and maximize genetic gains.     

Twenty-five essential research questions to inform the protection and restoration of freshwater biodiversity

1. Freshwater biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate. Freshwater conservationists and environmental managers have enough evidence to demonstrate that action must not be delayed but have insufficient evidence to identify those actions that will be most effective in reversing the current trend.
2. Here, the focus is on identifying essential research topics that, if addressed, will contribute directly to restoring freshwater biodiversity through supporting ‘bending the curve’ actions (i.e. those actions leading to the recovery of freshwater biodiversity, not simply deceleration of the current downward trend).
3. The global freshwater research and management community was asked to identify unanswered research questions that could address knowledge gaps and barriers associated with ‘bending the curve’ actions. The resulting list was refined into six themes and 25 questions.
4. Although context-dependent and potentially limited in global reach, six overarching themes were identified: (i) learning from successes and failures; (ii) improving current practices; (iii) balancing resource needs; (iv) rethinking built environments; (v) reforming policy and investments; and (vi) enabling transformative change.
5. Bold, efficient, science-based actions are necessary to reverse biodiversity loss. We believe that conservation actions will be most effective when supported by sound evidence, and that research and action must complement one another. These questions are intended to guide global freshwater researchers and conservation practitioners, identify key projects and signal research needs to funders and governments. Our questions can act as springboards for multidisciplinary and multisectoral collaborations that will improve the management and restoration of freshwater biodiversity.

     

The Alliance for Freshwater Life: A global call to unite efforts for freshwater biodiversity science and conservation

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Responses to short-term waterlogging during grain filling in sunflower

Higher than normal rainfall during grain filling of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has been shown to be associated with reductions in grain yield. This yield loss has been variously attributed to low radiation (cloudy weather) or to the increased incidence of diseases. Impaired physiological processes directly linked to transient waterlogging arising from excess rainfall could also reduce yield. The aim of this work was to evaluate the existence and nature of physiological responses to waterlogging in sunflower.     

Effects of astaxanthin supplementation on chemically induced tumorigenesis in Wistar rats

Background

Astaxanthin (ASTA) is a fat-soluble xanthophyll with powerful antioxidant functions. It is extracted from e.g. salmon, an important food source for certain human populations known to have a reduced risk of tumor development. It is possible that ASTA plays a role in cancer chemoprevention in such populations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary ASTA on chemically induced mammary tumorigenesis using N-methyl-N-nitroso-urea (MNU) in immature Wistar rats.

Methods

Thirty-six 37 days old juvenile female Wistar rats were at random allocated to 4 groups of which Groups 1 and 2 received a single dose of 55 mg MNU/kg body weight. The effects of ASTA was evaluated by giving rats of Groups 2 and 4 a dose of 50 mg ASTA/kg/day for the entire duration of the study. Group 3 rats received feed added alimentary oil.Necropsy and histopathological examinations were carried out on each rat 14 months after the administration of MNU. Haematological values and antioxidative status were determined. Oxidative stress was evaluated by monitoring superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in hepatic tissue. Lipid peroxidation and carbonylation of proteins was determined in protein extracts from the liver.

Results

Tumor development occurred only in rats of Groups 1 and 2, i.e. MNU exposed animals. Frequency of tumor development in general and average number of tumors per animal were insignificant between these two groups. Mammary gland tumors developed in equal frequencies in Group 1 and 2 rats, respectively. Although only rather few tumors were found in the mammary glands, a substantial number of other tumors were found in Group 1 and 2 rats, but at equal rates.Biochemical analyses showed significant higher levels of GPx, malondialdehyde and dinitrophenylhydrazine in Group 1 rats that for rats in all other groups thus indicating protective effects of ASTA on MNU induced hepatic oxidative stress.

Conclusions

Supplementation with ASTA did not reduce tumorigenesis induced by MNU in Wistar rats. However, supplementation with ASTA seemed to have anti-inflammatory effects.     

Assessment of the effect of grape seed cake inclusion in the diet of healthy fattening‐finishing pigs

Modulatory capacity of bioactive compounds from different wastes has been scarcely investigated in pigs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of grape seed cakes (GS diet) on performance and plasma biochemistry parameters as health indicators, as well as on several markers related to inflammation and antioxidant defence in the liver of fattening‐finishing pigs. Twelve cross‐bred pigs (TOPIG ) were randomly assigned to one of two experimental diets: control and 5% grape seed cake diet during finishing period (24 days). No effect of GS diet on pig performance and blood biochemistry was observed. However, GS diet decreased significantly (?9.05%, p  <  .05) the cholesterol concentration (85.71 ± 0.94 mg/dl vs 94.24 ± 2.16 mg/dl) and increased IgA level (+49.90%, p  <  .05) in plasma (5.04 ± 0.5 mg/ml vs 3.36 ± 0.7 mg/ml). GS cakes decreased the inflammatory response in the liver of pigs fed with GS diet by lowering the Gene expression and protein concentration of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL ‐1β , IL ‐8, TNF ‐α and IFN ‐γ ) as well as the mRNA abundances of NF ‐κ B signalling molecules. The antioxidant status was not increased by GS diet. The gene expression and activity of catalase decreased significantly. The gene expression of Nrf2, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and heat‐shock protein decreased, and no effect on their activity was observed with the exception of catalase activity which decreased. However, TBARS was reduced significantly. GS diet showed a modulatory effect on antioxidative status as well as anti‐inflammatory and hypocholesterolic properties without effect on pig performance.