Impact of new measured Mediterranean mineralization rates on the fate of simulated aquaculture wastes

In order to provide values of key parameters in aquaculture waste degradation modelling specifically for the Mediterranean, sampling campaigns were carried out in 2006. Accurate measurements of particulate carbon input and benthic respiration rates were performed using sediment traps and intact core incubations. The in situ measurements, compared with data from Atlantic salmon production, showed lower carbon flux and oxygen consumption, while a greater degradation capability was observed. Moreover, a temperature dependence of the benthic parameters was highlighted. Successively, the model Finite Organic Accumulation Module was used for an accurate comparison between different parameterizations. Finite Organic Accumulation Module simulates the organic carbon degradation and the net carbon accumulation on the sediment, yielding a benthic state index. In comparison with previous results, there was a decrease in benthic impacts due to minor inputs of carbon and higher mineralization rates. Moreover, a seasonal variation could be observed in the organic carbon concentration. Nevertheless, the new results remain consistent with the old ones on two points: (a) the negligible benthic impact of faeces with respect to uneaten feed and (b) the dependence of that impact on the different feed release conditions.     

Bioactivity Improvement of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Olea europaea</Emphasis> Leaf Extract Biotransformed by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Wickerhamomyces anomalus</Emphasis> Enzymes

Olive leaves represent a quantitatively significant by-product of agroindustry. They are rich in phenols, mainly oleuropein, which can be hydrolyzed into several bioactive compounds, including hydroxytyrosol. In this study, water extract from olive leaves ‘Biancolilla’ was analyzed for polyphenol profile, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and protective effect on differentiated Caco-2 cells. The efficacy of two enzymatic treatments in promoting the release of bioactive phenols was investigated: a) enzymatic extract from Wickerhamomyces anomalus, characterized by β-glucosidase and esterase activities; b) commercial β-glucosidase. Composition and bioactivity of the resulting extracts were compared. The results showed that the yeast-treated extract presented hydroxytyrosol content and DPPH radical scavenging activity comparable to those obtained using commercial β-glucosidase; however, it was showed the additional presence of hydroxycinnamic acids. In experiments on Caco-2 cells, the leaf extracts promoted the recovery of cell membrane barrier at different minimum effective concentrations. The high specificity of W. anomalus enzymatic extract may represent an effective tool for the release of bioactive phenols from olive by-products.     

Influence of Oxidation and Dialysis of Phlorotannins on Bioactivity and Composition of Ultrasound-Assisted Extracts from Ascophyllum nodosum

The isolation and chemical characterization of phlorotannins has gained special attention in recent years due to their specific health-promoting benefits. Flow-cell ultrasound-assisted extraction (90 W/cm² of sonication power, 2 min of retention time and 20 g solvent/g algae of liquid–solid ratio) was carried out by using double-distilled water (WE) and acetone:water mixture (AWE) as extraction solvents. The AWE showed a higher total polyphenols content (TPC), carbohydrates (CHOs) and antioxidant activities than WE. However, when the WE was purified by using Amberlite XAD16 column, the purified WE (PWE) showed similar a TPC, decreased CHOs and increased antioxidant activity compared to WE. The oxidation of the PWE extract was evaluated under natural, forced and severe oxidation condition for 120 h. Only severe oxidation conditions were able to significantly reduce TPC and antioxidant activities. PWE was dialyzed (20, 10, 3.5 and 2 kDa). The main bioactive fraction of phlorotannins was obtained from 10 to 20 kDa. CHOs were distributed in fractions below 20 kDa. MALDI-TOF analysis was performed for PWE, PD20 and PD2 extracts to analyze the degree of polymerization of phlorotannins, which ranged from 4 to 17 phloroglucinol units/molecule. Fragmentation patterns allowed the proximate identification of several phlorotannins in Ascophyllum nodosum extracts.     

Effects of Dermatan Sulfate from Marine Invertebrate Styela plicata in the Wound Healing Pathway: A Natural Resource Applied to Regenerative Therapy

Acute and chronic dermatological injuries need rapid tissue repair due to the susceptibility to infections. To effectively promote cutaneous wound recovery, it is essential to develop safe, low-cost, and affordable regenerative tools. Therefore, we aimed to identify the biological mechanisms involved in the wound healing properties of the glycosaminoglycan dermatan sulfate (DS), obtained from ascidian Styela plicata, a marine invertebrate, which in preliminary work from our group showed no toxicity and promoted a remarkable fibroblast proliferation and migration. In this study, 2,4-DS (50 µg/mL)-treated and control groups had the relative gene expression of 84 genes participating in the healing pathway evaluated. The results showed that 57% of the genes were overexpressed during treatment, 16% were underexpressed, and 9.52% were not detected. In silico analysis of metabolic interactions exhibited overexpression of genes related to: extracellular matrix organization, hemostasis, secretion of inflammatory mediators, and regulation of insulin-like growth factor transport and uptake. Furthermore, in C57BL/6 mice subjected to experimental wounds treated with 0.25% 2,4-DS, the histological parameters demonstrated a great capacity for vascular recovery. Additionally, this study confirmed that DS is a potent inducer of wound-healing cellular pathways and a promoter of neovascularization, being a natural ally in the tissue regeneration strategy.     

The in vitro response of turkey lymphocytes to steroid hormones

The in vitro mitogen response of whole blood turkey lymphocytes to various concentrations of steroid hormones was evaluated. Corticosterone (COS) at concentrations between 1 and 80 ng/ml significantly suppressed the proliferative response (3H-thymidine incorporation) to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (ConA). Non-mitogen-stimulated (NMS) cells were suppressed at concentrations of COS above 5 ng/ml. Progesterone significantly suppressed NMS cells at concentrations of 80 ng/ml, PHA-stimulated cells at concentrations of 500 ng/ml, and ConA-stimulated cells at concentrations of 1000 ng/ml. beta-Estradiol enhanced the response of NMS cells at concentrations of 500 ng/ml, had no effect on PHA-stimulated cells, and suppressed the response of ConA-stimulated cells at concentrations greater than 500 ng/ml. Testosterone affected only the ConA response, causing suppression at concentrations above 2000 ng/ml. Corticosterone and progesterone caused 80 and 95% suppression, respectively, of the proliferative response to ConA when compared with non-hormone-treated cells. The possible implications of steroid hormone-induced immunosuppression in the pathogenesis of aspergillosis is discussed.     

A three-year longitudinal study on the effects of a diet containing genetically modified Bt176 maize on the health status and performance of sheep

This study shows that a diet including insect-resistant Bt176 maize, fed to 53 ewes and their progeny for 3 years, did not have adverse effects on their health or performance and that no horizontal gene transfer to ruminal microorganisms or animal tissues was detected. No differences were observed regarding performance, reproductive traits, haematological parameters, antioxidant defences, lymphocyte proliferative capacity, phagocytosis and intracellular killing of macrophages, and ruminal microbial population characteristics between control and genetically modified (GM) maize-fed animals. Immune response to Salmonella abortus ovis vaccination was more efficient in GM maize fed sheep. No modifications of histological features of tissues were found; however, cytochemical analyses of ruminal epithelium by Ki67 staining provided evidence of proliferative activation of basal cells in all GM maize-fed ewes. Preliminary electron microscopy analyses of the liver and pancreas revealed smaller cell nuclei containing increased amounts of heterochromatin and perichromatin granules in GM maize-fed lambs. Meat protein content and water loss by cooking were slightly affected by the dietary treatment. No transgenic DNA was detected in tissues, blood, and ruminal fluid or ruminal bacteria. Longitudinal studies should be included in evaluation of food safety whenever possible and sheep may be a useful animal model for toxicological assessment.     

Evaluation of the sexual dimorphism in Mangalarga Marchador horses using discriminant analysis

This study used discriminant analysis to evaluate body measures and sexual dimorphism in Mangalarga Marchador horses. Discriminant analysis is a multivariate method that generates functions to classify animals using a prior criterion. In this study a prior criterion is male or female. The study analyzed 25 linear and 11 angular measures obtained from 25 stallions and 56 mares registered with the Mangalarga Marchador Brazilian Breeders Association. Knee girth, cannon girth, chest width, chest girth, back-loin length, hip width, distance from elbow to knee, hind limb hoof length, head width, shoulder length, and body length were found to be linear measures that provided evidence of sexual dimorphism. Angular measures with evidence of sexual dimorphism were shoulder–humerus, metacarpal–phalanx, coxae–femur, and femur–tibial angles. Stallions were larger than mares for almost all linear measures, except for back-loin length, hip width, and distance from elbow to knee. Shoulder–humerus and coxal–femur angles were larger in mares, while metacarpal–phalanx and femur–tibial angles were larger in stallions. Using linear measures, two mares were classified as stallions and three stallions were classified as mares. For angular measures, two other mares were classified as stallions and three other stallions were classified as mares. The discriminant functions can be useful for the selection of horses and to avoid registration of animals not meeting the phenotypic standards of the breed association.     

Primary osseous melanoma in the tibia of a dog

An 18-month-old, female Cane Corso dog was presented with a suspected primary tumor of the tibia. Plain radiographs and computed tomography (CT) of the tibia were highly suggestive of a primary bone neoplasm. A diagnosis of malignant melanoma was made by cytology. Total body survey radiographs, CT scan of the thorax, and abdominal ultrasound excluded the presence of neoplastic lesions other than in the tibia. Limb amputation was performed. Histology and immunohistochemical analysis of the tibial neoplasm confirmed the diagnosis of a melanoma with secondary metastasis to the popliteal lymph node. The dog was alive and in good physical condition 43 months after surgery.     

Local and remote lesions in horses subjected to small colon distension and decompression

The purpose of this study was to observe and characterize colonic and lung lesions in horses subjected to experimental distension and decompression of the small colon. Sixteen healthy adult horses were divided into 2 groups: 9 horses that were subjected to distension of the small colon by means of a latex balloon surgically implanted in the lumen and inflated to a pressure of 40 mm Hg for 4 h, and 7 horses in which the balloon was implanted but not inflated. Colonic biopsy specimens were collected before balloon implantation, at the end of the period of obstruction, and 1.5 and 12 h after decompression and were examined for hemorrhage, edema, and neutrophil infiltration; myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and hemoglobin concentration were measured as well. At the end of the experiment, lung samples were also collected and examined for neutrophil accumulation and MPO activity. The mucosa was not affected by luminal distension; lesions were restricted to the seromuscular layer. Neutrophil accumulation and edema were observed in the samples from both groups of horses but were greater in those from the distension group, in which there was also hemorrhage, fibrin deposition, and increased MPO activity in the seromuscular layer. Similarly, there was greater accumulation of neutrophils in the lung samples from the distension group than in those from the sham-operated group, as determined by histologic evaluation and MPO assay. These findings provide new evidence of reperfusion injury and a systemic inflammatory response, followed by remote lesions, in horses with intestinal obstruction.     

Silages in the form of diet based on spineless cactus and buffelgrass

This study was conducted to evaluate the fermentation pattern and the in situ dry matter degradability of silages in the form of diet. Five diets were formulated based on spineless cactus (Opuntia fícus-indica cv. ‘Gigante’) and buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris). The experimental design was completely randomised, with five treatments and three replicates in which the diets differed in the proportion of buffelgrass (0%, 15%, 25%, 30% and 35%, on a fresh matter basis). There was significant difference (p < 0.05) in the chemical composition of the diets, with all dry matter contents being within the ideal range. Ammonia-nitrogen content was not affected (p > 0.05). There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in dry matter recovery across diets, which ranged from 96.28% to 99.93%. The pH values decreased as the time of opening (days) was extended. Organic acid contents differed across all diets; however, overall, all diets showed satisfactory lactic acid contents. As the proportion of buffelgrass in the diets was increased, the degradability of dry matter decreased. Based on fermentation profile, losses and chemical composition the diet with higher proportion of spineless cactus can be recommended for silage production.