Effect of Solvent System on Extractability of Lipidic Components of Scenedesmus obliquus (M2-1) and Gloeothece sp. on Antioxidant Scavenging Capacity Thereof

Microalgae are well known for their biotechnological potential, namely with regard to bioactive lipidic components—especially carotenoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), well-known for therapeutic applications based on their antioxidant capacity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of four distinct food-grade solvents upon extractability of specific lipidic components, and on the antioxidant capacity exhibited against both synthetic (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^•) and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS^+•)) and biological reactive species (O₂^•− and ^•NO⁻). A eukaryotic microalga (Scenedesmus obliquus (M2-1)) and a prokaryotic one (Gloeothece sp.) were used as case studies. Concerning total antioxidant capacity, the hexane:isopropanol (3:2) and acetone extracts of Sc. obliquus (M2-1) were the most effective against DPPH^• and ABTS^+•, respectively. Gloeothece sp. ethanol extracts were the most interesting scavengers of O₂^•−, probably due the high content of linolenic acid. On the other hand, acetone and hexane:isopropanol (3:2) extracts were the most interesting ones in ^•NO⁻ assay. Acetone extract exhibited the best results for the ABTS assay, likely associated to its content of carotenoids, in both microalgae. Otherwise, ethanol stood out in PUFA extraction. Therefore, profiles of lipidic components extracted are critical for evaluating the antioxidant performance—which appears to hinge, in particular, on the balance between carotenoids and PUFAs.     

Selecting terrestrial arthropods as indicators of small-scale disturbance: A first approach in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

The growing pressure placed by human development on natural resources creates a need for quick and precise answers about the state of conservation of different areas. Thus, identifying and making use of ecological indicators becomes an essential task in the conservation of tropical systems. Here we assess the effects of small-scale disturbance on terrestrial arthropods and select groups that could be used as ecological indicators in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Arthropods were sampled within a continuous forest in the Serra do Mar State Park, southeastern Brazil, both in disturbed and undisturbed areas of the reserve. The abundance of exotic species was higher in the disturbed site, and this pattern seems to be an adequate indicator of anthropogenic disturbance. Species richness of Araneae, Carabidae, Scarabaeidae, Staphylinidae, and epigaeic Coleoptera (pooled) was higher in the undisturbed site, while that of fruit-feeding butterflies was higher in the disturbed site. Species richness was not significantly correlated between any pair of taxa. In contrast, species composition was significantly correlated among most groups, and clearly discriminates the disturbed from the undisturbed site. Moreover, fruit-feeding butterflies and epigaeic Coleoptera composition discriminated disturbed and undisturbed sites even when species were grouped into higher taxonomic levels, which may be a way of overcoming the difficulty of identifying arthropod species from poorly studied, species-rich ecosystems. Potential applications for these indicators include the choice and evaluation of sites for the establishment of natural reserves, elaboration of management plans, and the assessment of ecological impacts due to human activities, either for the purposes of licensing or legal compensation.     

Bilateral sinus cysts in a filly treated by endoscopic sinus surgery

Bilateral cysts in the frontal and caudal maxillary sinuses in a filly treated by endoscopic sinus surgery (sinoscopy) and triangulation technique are described. Sinoscopy has the advantage of being a minimally invasive technique and permits a complete inspection of the frontal and maxillary sinuses, which is not possible through flap sinusotomy.     

Collection Rates and Morphology of Equine Oocytes Obtained from Immature Follicles after Treatment with Equine Pituitary Extract (EPE) and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

This study examined the effect of treating mares with equine pituitary extract (EPE) in combination with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; EPE/hCG) on the recovery rate of immature oocytes by ovum pick-up (OPU) and on oocyte morphology. Ten mares were subjected to each of two treatments in a random sequence: superstimulated with EPE (25 mg, twice daily) and treated with hCG (2,500 IU) or control (no exogenous treatment). The cytoplasmic morphology of oocytes recovered was evaluated through transmission electron microscopy. Follicular fluid was collected at aspiration for progesterone analysis, which was performed by radioimmunoassay. The EPE/hCG did not increase the oocyte recovery rate from immature follicles when compared with the controls (15.5% and 16.7%, respectively). A significantly higher oocyte recovery rate per mare was observed (70% versus 50%). However, precocious granulosa cell expansion was observed with EPE/hCG treatment in contrast to the control (64.4% and 33% of follicles with expanded cumulus, respectively), and increased intrafollicular progesterone concentration was also seen (158.80 ng/mL versus 82.05 ng/mL). The ultrastructural analysis of oocytes from both groups showed morphologic features related to immaturity. Numerous vesicles containing cortical granules were found, distributed in clusters into the cytoplasm, and junctional complexes were still seen between oocyte and granulosa cells. In conclusion, EPE/hCG treatment induced some follicular modifications, but the recovery rate was not increased. All oocytes examined presented signs of immaturity.     

Effect of floor cooling and dietary amino acids content on performance and behaviour of lactating primiparous sows during summer

Fifty nine primiparous sows PIC Camborough 23 were distributed in a completely randomized 2 × 2 (with and without floor cooling × two dietary treatments) factorial design with 16 sows/treatment, each sow being considered as an experimental unit. Four replicates of sixteen sows each were used during the trial with the objective of evaluating the effects of floor cooling and the use of dietary amino acid contents on their performance and behaviour during summer. The sows were distributed among the treatments according to body weight and backfat thickness after farrowing. The sows were maintained in the experiment until weaning at 21 days of lactation. The two experimental diets supplied the same levels of crude protein (22%), metabolizable energy (ME; 14.65 MJ/kg) and levels of essential digestible AA relative to digestive lysine and differed according to the digestible lysine to ME ratio (0.75 vs. 0.82 g/MJ of ME). The temperature of the water circulating in the cooled floor was maintained at about 17 °C. Based on the average minimum and maximum temperatures (21.5 and 29.5 °C) obtained during the experimental trial, it can be assumed that the sows were exposed to periods of heat stress. The replicate and the interaction between replicate and treatment effects on all the measurements were not significant. Similarly, no effect of diet or interaction between diet and floor cooling system was found for all criteria measured. An effect (P < 0.05) of floor cooling on average daily feed intake was observed and floor cooling sows showed a higher average (P < 0.05) digestible lysine (61.5 vs. 51.8 g/d) and ME (78.2 vs. 65.9 MJ/d) intakes. The sows submitted to floor cooling showed, consistently, higher absolute values for average weight (+ 8.5 kg) and backfat (+ 0.75 mm) at weaning, compared with the control sows. The sows submitted to the cooled floor showed a shorter (P < 0.01) weaning-to-oestrus interval. The piglet and litter's daily weight gain (DWG), average weight at weaning (AWW) and total weight gain during lactation (TWG) were higher (P < 0.01) for the floor cooling sows. The floor cooling sows showed a higher (P < 0.01) daily milk production. The respiratory rate and rectal temperature values were lower (P < 0.01) for the floor cooling sows. There were differences (P < 0.01) on the cutaneous temperatures measured on the different parts of the sow's body, with the animals submitted to the cooled floor having lower values. The sows submitted to floor cooling spent less (P < 0.01) time in lateral recumbency inactive, more time nursing (P < 0.05) and more time feeding (P < 0.01) compared with control sows. The floor cooling under the sows increased daily feed intake and lysine intake, leading to a lower body weight loss, a lower weaning-to-oestrus interval and also improved nursing behaviour of the sows, leading to a higher milk production and, consequently, higher weight gains of piglets and litter during the lactation period.     

Post mortem parasitological evaluation of dogs seroreactive for Leishmania from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

A parasitological study was conducted on 66 dogs seroreactive for Leishmania captured as a control measure of visceral leishmaniasis in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Biological samples from different anatomical sites were collected during autopsy of the animals and cultured on biphasic medium (NNN/Schneider). The Leishmania isolates were characterized by isoenzyme electrophoresis. Leishmania was isolated from 80.3% of the animals: 12 animals with Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis isolated exclusively from cutaneous lesions, 39 with L. (L.) chagasi isolated from different sites in the same animal, and 2 with simultaneous isolation of L. (V.) braziliensis from cutaneous lesions and L. (L.) chagasi from different sites. Isolation in culture revealed the absence of Leishmania parasites in 13 animals. The results obtained confirm the existence of mixed infections in dogs in Rio de Janeiro and indicate the need to complement the investigation of seroreactive dogs using methods for the parasitological diagnosis and identification of Leishmania species.     

Effect of light,temperature and diet on the fatty acid profile of the tropical sea anemone Aiptasia pallida

Sea anemones of the genus Aiptasia are used as biological models for research and as a prey for the culture of the highly priced ornamental nudibranch Aeolidiella stephanieae. Symbiotic Aiptasia display a remarkable trophic plasticity, being able to fulfil their energetic demands heterotrophically and autotrophically. Consequently, they display a highly variable fatty acid (FA) profile. The objective of the present study was to analyse how light regime (12 h light : 12 h dark versus 24 h darkness), water temperature (22 versus 26 °C) and diet (Artemia nauplii versus enriched Artemia metanauplii) affect the FA composition of A. pallida. The FA profile of wild specimens was also analysed. The dominant FAs of cultured A. pallida were 16:0, 18:1n‐9 and 22:6n‐3. Higher FA levels were recorded when anemones were exposed to light, with this factor explaining the largest amount of variation in the composition of FA profiles. Cultured A. pallida that best mimicked wild anemones were obtained when using a regular light regime, Artemia metanauplii and 22 °C water temperature. Higher FA levels were obtained at a higher temperature and by providing nauplii to cultured anemones. The present study also indicated that A. pallida has the potential to recycle nutrients in marine aquacultures.     

AHI POKE (RAW TUNA SALAD) CONSUMPTION AND CONSUMER CHARACTERISTICS IN HAWAII

Ahi poke (raw tuna salad) has a significant role in Hawaiian culture and economy. A consumer survey in Hawaii was used to examine consumers’ purchasing intentions for ahi poke. A censored regression analysis was conducted to analyze these purchases and connect with various consumer characteristics. Results show that many consumers eat ahi poke frequently and different consumer profiles will lead to large differences in the quantity consumed. Information obtained in this study may help producers and retailers to better target their marketing strategies and increase sales.