Antinecrotic and Antiapoptotic Effects of Different Concentrations of Copaiferalangsdorffii Essential Oil in Macrophages and Lymphocytes of Mice

Purpose： to evaluate the in vitro influence of Copaiferalangsdorffii essential oil on the antinecrotic activity in macrophages, and on the antiapoptotic activity in macrophages and lymphocytes of Swiss mice. Methods： lymphocytes and macrophages were obtained from ten 60-day-old male mice weighing 42-45 g, and then cultured in 24-well plates. Cells were treated with concentrations of 2%, 5%, 10% and 20% of oil from Copaiferalangsdorffii before or after induction of apoptosis with ultraviolet light. We used positive and negative controls. Hoechst staining was performed, and then images of cells under fluorescence microscope were captured and digitalized. We used Image J_1.46o to quantify the fluorescence intensity/brightness of condensation of the chromatin ofapoptotic cells. We used one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni＇s and Tukey＇s multiple comparison tests. Results are expressed as the means of relative densities after adjustment and 95% confidence intervals; P 〈 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results： oil from Copaiferalangsdorffii at different concentrations has decreased necrosis and apoptosis of both lymphocytes and macrophages from mice, when compared to C＋ （all P 〈 0.05）. Discussion： Copaiferalangsdorffii is typically Brazilian and found in the Amazon region, with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antineoplastic effects due to its oil compounds, such as xyloglucans and kaurenoic acid. Its potential therapeutical usage was demonstrated in a national study. The present study showed that its oil has significant in vitro antiapoptotic and antinecrotic activity and it should be tested experimentally in vivo.     

Soil health: model programs in the USA

Population growth, increasing drought, and natural resources degradation are significant global issues. Fortunately, management practices to improve soil health can address many of these issues in ways that are both good for the farmer and the environment. In 2012, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service initiated its “Unlock the Secrets in the Soil” campaign to assist farmers and ranchers with adopting soil health systems. Other notable efforts at the federal level include research and education projects by USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. The importance of improving soil health is also recognized far beyond federal government programs. The Soil Health Institute, a nonprofit charity, was established to safeguard and enhance the vitality and productivity of soil through scientific research and adoption. Crop commodity organizations are promoting soil health, such as the Soil Health Partnership. The Nature Conservancy is helping companies and private landowners incorporate soil health into their sustainability efforts. Such efforts are supported by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, as well as by some of the leading global food companies such as General Mills. These are just a few of the many efforts to improve soil health in the USA. The significance of the expanding global population, natural resource challenges, and responsibilities to current and future generations truly make enhancing soil health a global imperative.     

Presumptive hepatotoxicity and rhabdomyolysis secondary to phenazopyridine toxicity in a dog

Objective – To describe a rare, but potential clinical manifestation of phenazopyridine (PAP) toxicity in a dog. Case Summary – A 6‐year‐old spayed female Chihuahua was evaluated for ataxia and dysphagia after ingestion of 200 mg (66 mg/kg) of PAP hydrochloride. The dog was presented to the hospital with shifting leg lameness involving all 4 limbs, which progressed to reluctance to walk and severe diffuse muscle hyperesthesia. Clinical laboratory abnormalities included marked increases in serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, mild increases in alkaline phosphatase, and increased c‐Tnl‐troponin concentration. Treatment included administration of intravenous fluids, muscle relaxants, pain medications, and hepatoprotectants for 5 days in the hospital, and medical management at home for an additional 5 days. Follow‐up examinations performed 1 and 6 months after initial presentation revealed the dog to be clinically healthy with serum biochemical profiles within reference intervals. New or Unique Information Provided – The purpose of this report is to describe an unusual manifestation of PAP toxicosis in a dog, which has not been previously reported in the literature. A review of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center database revealed 347 cases of PAP exposure in dogs during 2000–2009 underscoring the importance of being aware of this toxicity in the dog.     

Biogenic Amines and the Antioxidant Capacity of Juice and Wine from Brazilian Hybrid Grapevines

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Some biogenic amines (BAs) are used as quality markers in grape-derived products. The prolife of 9 BAs was determined in juices and wines elaborated from hybrid...     

Salt stress alters the morphoanatomy and primary and secondary metabolites of the leaves and rhizomes of Curcuma longa L.

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - During cultivation, environmental factors can cause changes in the metabolism of Curcuma longa L. that limit its development. This study evaluated the...     

Spatial variation of fiber quality and associated loan rate in a dryland cotton field

A field study was conducted in 2006 in a dryland cotton field in Texas, USA, to explore the spatial variation of cotton fiber quality and the loan rate associated with it. A total of 66 cotton samples were hand-harvested, and the fiber quality properties investigated included the High Volume Instrument measurements of micronaire, length, uniformity, strength, elongation, reflectance (Rd) and yellowness (+b). Conventional statistics showed a generally low level of variation in fiber quality with coefficients of variation <10%. Variogram analysis showed that all fiber quality properties were spatially correlated. Contour maps of individual fiber quality properties were produced from block kriged estimates. Fiber length, uniformity, strength and Rd were positively correlated, and all of these were negatively correlated with +b. The spatial distribution of most fiber quality properties was similar to that of soil apparent electrical conductivity, suggesting that water holding capacity could be a limiting factor for cotton fiber quality. Maps of individual fiber quality properties were combined with the United State Department of Agriculture—Commodity Credit Corporation Loan Schedule for Upland Cotton to create a loan rate map that is associated with fiber quality. A loan rate difference of 20 cents kg^–1 was observed within the field. This level of difference indicated that fiber quality at the field level can have a large impact on producers’ revenue. A site-specific management system encompassing both lint yields and fiber quality is strongly recommended for cotton production.     

Indirect haemagglutination reaction with antigen of Sarcocystis gigantea (Railliet, 1886) Ashford, 1977

The water extract from cryolyzed whole muscle cysts of Sarcocystis gigantea from sheep, in spite of the high lectin content, is a suitable antigen for the detection of specific antibodies by means of indirect haemagglutination reaction (IHA). The agglutinating effect of lectin from parasitic cysts can be eliminated with a 0.5% concentration of lactose dissolved in all solutions used for IHA. In sera of slaughterhouse sheep, positive titres ranging from 1:80 to 1:1 280 were registered. Positive reactions in lower titres were observed also with antibodies against S. dispersa, S. cuniculi and Sarcocystis sp. from pigs. Sensibilized erythrocytes can be stored in refrigerator at least for 1 week.     

Food safety in raw milk production: risk factors associated to bacterial DNA contamination

While human illness from milkborne pathogens may be linked to contamination of the product after pasteurization or improper pasteurization, such diseases are usually associated with consumption of raw milk or its by-products. Molecular biology tools were applied to investigate contamination by Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., some pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter jejuni in 548 raw milk samples from 125 dairy farms established in two regions from southern Brazil. Moreover, 15 variables were evaluated for their association with raw milk contamination levels, and the risk factors were determined by multiple regression analysis. Salmonella spp. were more frequently detected, followed by pathogenic E. coli. There was difference in contamination index between the regions, in which risk factors such as temporary cattle confinement, low milk production, low milking machine cleaning frequency, and milk storage area without tile walls were identified. The risk factors were specific to each region studied. Nevertheless, the data can be used to improve milk quality of dairy farms/herds with similar management practices.