Study of Organic Matter Evolution in Citrus Compost by Isoelectrofocusing Technique

Three composts from citrus-processing industry wastes, sampled at prefixed times during the composting process, were studied with the aim to follow the organic matter evolution by using the isoelectrofocusing (IEF) technique. Results indicated that IEF qualitative analyses allowed evaluation of the organic matter transformation during composting process, showing a decrease of IEF peaks focused at lower values of pH (less stabilized organic matter) and a corresponding increase of peaks focused at higher value of pH (more humified material). The parameter A %, defined as the areas sum of IEF peaks focused at pH>4.7, could be considered particularly effective as a “threshold value” to evaluate the level of organic matter evolution for the considered composts.     

Biocontrol potential of essential oil from Moroccan Ridolfia segetum (L.) Moris

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The present study characterized and evaluated the antifungal, nematicidal, acaricidal and repellent activities of Ridolfia segetum essential oil (EO),...     

The Effects of the Decaffeination of Coffee Samples on Platelet Aggregation in Hyperlipidemic Rats

The effect of coffee on cardiovascular diseases is still controversial. It is known that the process of decaffeination may influence the chemical constitution and, therefore, the biological effects of coffee. This study thus evaluated the effects of decaffeination on the levels of total phenols and chlorogenic acids in Coffea arabica L. samples, as well as the effects of ingesting both integral and decaffeinated coffee on the lipid profile and hemostatic and hematological parameters in normal and hyperlipidemic rats. Samples of integral and decaffeinated lyophilized coffee (Coffea arabica L., planted in Brazil) were used for chemical analysis (total phenols, chlorogenic acid and caffeine contents). For the bioassays, coffee beverages were prepared with non-lyophilized samples (10 % w/v) and were filtered and administered to animals by gavage (7.2 mL/kg/day) over 30 days. On the 31st day after beginning the treatment with coffee beverages, hyperlipidemia was induced to the animals by administering Triton WR-1339 (300 mg/kg body weight). On day 32, blood was taken to determine the lipid profile, platelet aggregation, prothrombin time, partially activated thromboplastin time and hemogram. The contents of both phenolic compounds and chlorogenic acid in the integral coffee beverage were significantly lower than those in the decaffeinated coffee beverage. The animals treated with Triton WR-1339 presented a mixed hyperlipidemia. Although the decaffeination process caused a relative increase in total phenols and chlorogenic acids, the coffee drinks were unable to change the lipid profile or the hemostatic and hematological parameters in the studied animals.     

Effect of Astaxanthin on Human Sperm Capacitation

In order to be able to fertilize oocytes, human sperm must undergo a series of morphological and structural alterations, known as capacitation. It has been shown that the production of endogenous sperm reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a key role in causing cells to undergo a massive acrosome reaction (AR). Astaxanthin (Asta), a photo-protective red pigment belonging to the carotenoid family, is recognized as having anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties and is present in many dietary supplements. This study evaluates the effect of Asta in a capacitating buffer which induces low ROS production and low percentages of acrosome-reacted cells (ARC). Sperm cells were incubated in the presence or absence of increasing concentrations of Asta or diamide (Diam) and analyzed for their ROS production, Tyr-phosphorylation (Tyr-P) pattern and percentages of ARC and non-viable cells (NVC). Results show that Asta ameliorated both sperm head Tyr-P and ARC values without affecting the ROS generation curve, whereas Diam succeeded in enhancing the Tyr-P level but only of the flagellum without increasing ARC values. It is suggested that Asta can be inserted in the membrane and therefore create capacitation-like membrane alteration which allow Tyr-P of the head. Once this has occurred, AR can take place and involves a higher numbers of cells.     

Variation of Antioxidant Activity in Dreissena polymorpha Specimens Exposed to 2,2′,4,4′,5,6′-Hexa BDE (BDE-154)

We evaluated the imbalance of the oxidative status in zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) specimens exposed for 96?h to environmentally relevant concentrations (0.1, 0.5, and 1???g/L) of the 2,2??,4,4??,5,6??-hexa BDE (BDE-154). The activities of three antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the phase II detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST), were measured in the cytosolic fraction from a pool of zebra mussels. Significant variations in the activity of each single enzyme were noticed at each treatment, indicating that exposure to BDE-154 was able to impair the oxidative status of treated bivalves through the increase of reactive oxygen species. In detail, SOD and GPx were significantly induced, while CAT and GST were depressed with respect to the baseline levels. These data have confirmed that the raise of oxidative stress is the main cause of the BDE-154-induced genetic damage observed in a previous study on the zebra mussel.     

Conyza sumatrensis: A new weed species resistant to glyphosate in the Americas

Recent reports of weed‐control failures after the use of glyphosate led to suspicion about the selection of resistant biotypes of Conyza at locations in west and north Paraná, Brazil. Plants were collected, identified as Conyza sumatrensis and subsequently evaluated for possible resistance to glyphosate in four stages of weed development. The experiments were carried out in a greenhouse by combining biotypes, stages of development and a range of glyphosate doses. All the suspected biotypes were collected from locations in Cascavel, Toledo, Assis Chateaubriand, Tupãssi and Campo Mourão with a history of glyphosate use in burndown and in glyphosate‐resistant soybean for at least the four previous years and were compared to a susceptible biotype (São Jorge do Ivaí) with no previous history of herbicide use. The doses of glyphosate ranged from 0 to 5760 g ae ha^?1. The biotypes were considered as resistant if two combined criteria were present (resistance factor > 1 and the rate required to achieve 80% control is >720 g ha^?1). The results provided evidence that there is a marked difference in the level of control of older plants and also confirmed the presence of some resistant biotypes. For applications at the first stage of development, two biotypes that were resistant to glyphosate were identified (Cascavel‐1 and Tupãssi‐6). For applications in the second stage of development, beyond the biotypes that were found in the first stage, three other biotypes were considered as resistant: Toledo‐5, Assis Chateaubriand‐7 and Floresta‐10. However, for applications at the third and fourth stages, all the biotypes were considered as resistant.     

Counteraction of adriamycin-induced oxidative damage in rat heart by selenium dietary supplementation

Many reports indicate that dietary selenium, potentially increasing the activity of glutathione peroxidase, could offer protection against free-radical-induced damage. The effects of diets moderately enriched in selenium, as sodium selenite or as a lyophilized selenium-rich food, were studied in rats. Adriamycin, an anticancer drug causing a free-radical-mediated cardiotoxicity, was administered intraperitoneally to some rats. The onset of an oxidative damage was indicated by the increase in the plasma level of reactive oxygen metabolites coupled to a decrease in the total antioxidant activity but without modification of glutathione peroxidase activity, which were observed in all rats, independent of the dietary treatment. On the contrary, in the heart, selenium supplementation caused an increase in the total antioxidant activity, glutathione concentration, and glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities leading to a decreased generation of reactive oxygen metabolites. These results clearly indicate that a moderate Se dietary supplementation counteracts adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity by preservation of endogenous antioxidants.     

Continuous extradural analgesia in a cow with complex regional pain syndrome

A chronic pain syndrome, similar to the complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) described in human beings, was diagnosed in a cow with persisting severe pelvic limb lameness. Diagnosis was based on the disproportionate relationship between the severity and duration of pain and the lesion, the failure of conventional analgesic and surgical therapy and the presence of characteristic clinical features. Multimodal therapy, i.e. a mixture of methadone, ketamine and bupivacaine was administered continuously for 17 days via an extradural catheter to counteract nociceptive hypersensitization. Doses were adjusted daily after assessing the effect, using a composite pain score. Physiotherapy was also performed. The diagnosis of CRPS in cattle is unusual. In this case, treatment was successful and the cow was discharged mildly lame and in improving physical condition. Long-term extradural analgesia proved to be safe and effective in the treatment of this syndrome, which was nonresponsive to conventional therapy.