<Emphasis Type="Italic">t</Emphasis>-Resveratrol Protects against Acute High Glucose Damage in Endothelial Cells

Postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Evidence shows that high glucose generates oxidative stress and a pro-inflammatory state promoting the development of cardiovascular diseases. trans-Resveratrol (t-RV) has been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk. To determine whether t-RV acts as a protector against acute high glucose (AHG)-induced damage, two in vitro models, rat aortic rings (RAR) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were used. RAR pretreated with AHG (25 mM D-glucose) for 3 h dramatically decreased the endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) induced by acetylcholine in phenylephrine (PE)-precontracted vessels. However, coincubation with t-RV significantly mitigated the damage induced by AHG on EDR. Pretreatment with AHG did not affect the vasodilation induced by sodium nitroprusside. HUVEC treated with t-RV decreased cytotoxicity and reduced radical oxygen species production induced by AHG. Taken together, these results suggest that t-RV can mitigate the AHG-induced EDR damage through a mechanism involving ROS scavenging and probably an increase in the bioavailability of NO.     

Influence of multiple- and single-species infestations on herbivore-induced cotton volatiles and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anthonomus grandis</Emphasis> behaviour

Plants interact with multiple organisms throughout their life cycle. As a result, they are commonly attacked by multiple species of herbivores, leading to the induction of plant defence systems. Herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) play an important role in the interaction between community members and can be used to manipulate insect pest behaviour, being a valuable tool in integrated pest management strategy. In this study, the interaction of two chewing insects, the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis, and the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, and of one piercing-sucking insect, the Neotropical brown stinkbug, Euschistus heros, was evaluated for the induction of volatile compounds in cotton under single- and multiple-species attacks. As a control, the emissions of undamaged plants were also measured. In addition, the effect of HIPVs on boll weevil behaviour was also assessed. Qualitatively, single- and multiple-species herbivory induced a similar volatile blend. There was, however, a difference in the amount and proportion of compounds emitted. Plants infested with E. heros emitted a blend of volatiles more similar to that of the undamaged control compared to the other herbivore-induced treatments. The plant volatiles emitted due to simultaneous multiple-species herbivory were induced faster than volatiles emitted by sequential herbivory events, indicating different induction mechanisms depending on the attack configuration. In addition, cotton volatiles induced by an individual attack of A. grandis were attractive to conspecifics, as were the volatiles induced by multiple-species herbivory in both simultaneous and sequential attacks. The use of cotton HIPVs, both under multiple- and single-species attack, can be used for the development of alternative methods for semiochemical-based weevil management, e.g., enrichment of aggregation pheromone traps with plant volatiles.     

Effect of the supplementation of live preys enriched in cod liver oil on the survival rate,growth and fatty acid profile of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) larvae

First‐feeding diets employed in the rearing of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) larvae are based on live preys that are commonly enriched to compensate for their deficiency of essential fatty acids. A feeding trial was conducted on meagre larvae (Argyrosomus regius) fed rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis) and Artemia salina enriched in lipids from an emulsion of cod liver oil (CLO) and a commercial product (CP). The effect of both enrichment products was evaluated on the survival rate, size and lipid composition of meagre larvae. The results showed that larvae fed CLO presented significant higher values of survival rate (35.0 ± 3.2%) and larval size (12.06 ± 1.17 mm) at the end of the experiment, compared to the CP diet (26.0 ± 2.5%, 11.41 ± 0.91 mm, respectively). Both zootechnical parameters were related to the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the larvae. Indeed, the larvae fed CLO presented a higher ratio DHA/EPA than those enriched in commercial product (0.82 ± 0.18 and 0.38 ± 0.12 at 26 days after hatching, respectively). Both larval groups presented similar body content of arachidonic acid (1.4 wt.% on average at 26 days after hatching), regardless the enrichment source. From all above, we can conclude that the enrichment of live preys with an emulsion of cod liver oil is an economically viable alternative to commercial products. Indeed, cod liver oil emulsions are able to fully meet the requirements for fatty acids of meagre larvae. Furthermore, cod liver oil is easily available from fish processing facilities.     

In vitro assays predicts mineral retention and apparent protein digestibility of different fish feed measured using a juvenile P. mesopotamicus model

Feed chemical composition only provides information about nutrient content of a diet, but not its bioavailability. The aims were to determine mineral bioaccessibility and protein digestibility of three different fish feed, using in vitro methods and to correlate them with feed mineral retention and apparent protein digestibility measured by juvenile Piaractus mesopotamicus model, considering elliptical joint confidence region (EJCR) of weighted least‐squares analysis. For in vivo assays, juvenile P. mesopotamicus were randomly stocked into conical tanks and fed during 38 days with a commercial diet, an experimental diet, or the same experimental diet added with phytase (0.2 g/kg). Total body mineral retention (mineral bioavailability indicator) and apparent protein digestibility of different diets were measured. For in vitro methods, mineral dialysability (mineral bioaccessibility indicator) and protein digestibility of the same diets were determined. No significant difference in morphometric and haematological markers were detected between diets. For iron, zinc and phosphorous bioavailability, and protein digestibility, weighted least‐squares analysis showed the optimal point (1, 0) was included in EJCR, indicating in vivo and in vitro methods were comparable and correlated satisfactorily. In vitro methods were able to reproduce accurately the results obtained from traditional in vivo assays using juvenile P. mesopotamicus model.     

Multielement analysis of argentinean lemon juices by instrumental neutronic activation analysis and their classification according to geographical origin

Multielement analysis of lemon juices from different Argentinean regions was carried out by instrumental neutronic activation analysis (INAA) with the aim at developing a reliable method in the traceability of the origin of lemon juices. This work presents a characterization of 44 lemon juice samples selected from three different geographical origins in the Northwest region of Argentina. Multivariate chemometric techniques such principal component analysis and lineal discriminant analysis (LDA) were used with the aim of classifying the juices and identifying the most significant parameters. Eleven elements were determined (Br, As, Na, Rb, La, Cr, Sc, Fe, Co, Zn, and Sb). The analytical method was validated by analyzing the standard reference material IAEA V-10 (hay powder); the results are within +/-10% of the reported values for the majority of the elements. Biplots of LDA scores for the INAA data illustrate clear separation between each sample.     

Involvement of Iron and Ferritin in the Potato–Phytophthora infestans Interaction

This work shows that the infection of potato (Solanum tuberosum) detached leaves by the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans, was drastically reduced by adding deferoxamine, an exogenous iron chelator. Reactive oxygen species in leaves inoculated with P. infestans were also reduced after adding deferoxamine. A leaf ferritin cDNA fragment was obtained by PCR and used as probe for screening a tuber cDNA library. A cDNA (named StF1) encoding the iron-storing potato ferritin was cloned. StF1 is 915 bp in length and has an open reading frame of 230 amino acids that contains the information for the mature 28 kDa subunit of potato ferritin. StF1 was used as probe in northern blot hybridizations to analyze expression of the ferritin gene. In leaves, ferritin mRNA accumulated in response to pathogen attack. In tubers, ferritin mRNA increased upon treatment with the elicitor eicosapentaenoic acid. These results suggest that iron plays a role in the potato-P. infestans interaction.     

Homegardens of a humid tropical region in Southeast Mexico: an example of an agroforestry cropping system in a recently established community

The major components of the process of production in the homegardens of a tropical Mexican community are described and analyzed. Specifically, management tasks, means of production, and the amount, quality and temporal distribution of the products are discussed. The ecological, technological and productive advantages generally attributed to this kind of agroforestry cropping system in comparison to monocultures were also found in the homegardens of Balzapote. However, the area presently managed under this system is restricted, and its local and regional impact is thus very limited. Based on the detailed analysis of the functional differences in 8 homegardens and the socioeconomic roles they play in the economic organization of peasant families, the possible expansion of homegardens in the Mexican tropics is discussed.     

Expression of CD34 mRNA and protein in cattle

CD34 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed by hematopoietic progenitors and endothelial cells. It is used widely in the clinic for purification of human hematopoietic stem cells transplants, and as an endothelial marker for several species. The aim of this study was to produce an anti-bovine CD34 antibody and to characterize the expression of CD34 mRNA and protein in cattle tissues. The bovine CD34 cDNA was cloned by RT-PCR, and the expression of bovine CD34 mRNA investigated by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against CD34 polypeptide fragments expressed in Escherichia coli, and affinity purified. Alternative splicing of bovine CD34 mRNA was observed. Both splice variants were readily observed in endothelium, while the variant encoding a truncated cytoplasmic domain was mostly undetectable in bone marrow mononuclear cells. A polyclonal antibody against an extracellular fragment of the CD34 polypeptide was characterized using Western blots, cytocentrifuge preparates, and paraffin sections. CD34 immunoreactivity was enriched in lineage-depleted bone marrow cells. The antibody labelled most blood vessel endothelia in fetal and adult cattle, with highest intensity in capillaries. Newly forming capillaries in granulation tissue were also stained. Lymphatic vessels and the endothelium of liver sinusoids were negative.     

Habitat preferences of striped marlin (Kajikia audax) in the eastern Pacific Ocean

Striped marlin (Kajikia audax) is an epipelagic species distributed in tropical and temperate waters of the Pacific Ocean. In the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, it is captured principally in commercial longline fisheries, and in small artisanal fisheries, however, it is also taken throughout its range in this region as an incidental catch of the tuna purse‐seine fishery. Previous studies suggest that overexploitation and climate change may reduce abundance and cause changes in spatial distributions of marine species. The main objective of this study was to describe the habitat preferences of striped marlin and the changes in its distribution in response to environmental factors. Habitat modeling was conducted using a maximum entropy model. Operational level data for 2003–2014, collected by scientific observers aboard large purse seine vessels, were compiled by the Inter‐American Tropical Tuna Commission and were matched with detailed (4 km) oceanographic data from satellites and general circulation models. Results showed that the spatial distribution of habitat was dynamic, with seasonal shifts between coastal (winter) and oceanic (summer) waters. We found that the preferred habitat is mainly in coastal waters with warm sea surface temperatures and a high chlorophyll‐a concentration.     

Prey Selectivity and Trophic Behavior of the Patagonian Seahorse,Hippocampus patagonicus,in Captivity

This study aims at evaluating the Patagonian seahorse, Hippocampus patagonicus, feeding behavior in captivity with regard to type and size of prey selectivity and time‐investment‐related activities for searching and capture. Experiments in aquaria were carried out under two different treatments, with and without refuge for prey. Different diets composed of amphipods (Melita palmata and Ampithoe valida), juvenile decapods (Neohelice granulata) from natural environments, and artificially cultured Artemia salina. The eaten prey’s size was analyzed and experiments with size‐controlled prey were carried out. There were neither significant differences in the prey quantity ingested between males and females nor between treatments (with or without refuge). However, significant differences were found between the quantities of each prey consumed. Amphipods and A. salina were consumed in greater quantity (P < 0.05) when compared with juvenile decapods. Experiments with A. salina of different sizes did not show significant differences on seahorses’ preference. N. granulata was highly avoided and seahorses had lower capture efficiency over this prey. Behavioral observations showed that more than 50% of the times seahorses were resting and ambushing their prey. In captivity, with optimal conditions for predation, the Patagonian seahorse modifies its opportunistic behavior, feeding selectively, and bases its food preferences on prey size and shape .