Preweaning performance and body composition of calves from straightbred Nellore and Bos taurus x Nellore crosses

The objectives were to evaluate preweaning performance, body composition, and efficiency of calves representing straightbred Nellore (NL), F(1), and 3-breed-cross systems. Energy requirements, milk production, and efficiency of 39 cow-calf pairs were recorded from straightbred NL calves from NL cows (10), crossbred (Angus-sired) calves from NL cows (ANL: 9), and crossbred calves (CC; Canchim-sired: 5/8 Charolais, 3/8 Zebu) from ANL (10) and Simmental x NL (10) cows. Cows and their respective calves were individually fed from birth to weaning (17 to 190 d postpartum). At 38 d of age, corn silage (7.8% CP, 2.19 Mcal of ME/kg of DM) was available to calves ad libitum. Milk production at 42, 98, 126, and 180 d postpartum was recorded by weighing calves before and after suckling. The ratio between GE and ME of milk was considered 1:0.93. Calves were slaughtered at weaning and the 9th-, 10th-, and 11th-rib section was removed for body composition estimation. The ANL calves were lighter (P < 0.01) at birth than the CC calves; the NL calves were intermediate. At weaning, the CC calves were heavier (P = 0.04) than the NL and ANL calves (230 +/- 5.5 vs. 172 +/- 8.1 and 209 +/- 8.6 kg, respectively). The ANL calves had greater (371 +/- 27 Mcal; P = 0.01) silage intake than the NL (270 +/- 25 Mcal) and CC (279 +/- 17 Mcal) calves. Milk energy intake was greater for the CC calves (970 +/- 38 Mcal of ME; P = 0.005) than the NL (670 +/- 57 Mcal of ME) and ANL (743 +/- 61 Mcal of ME) calves. The ANL calves compensated for the reduced milk production of the NL cows, which supplied less of their energy requirement for growth by increased silage intake. Calves from crossbred cows received a greater proportion of their total energy intake from milk. Crossbred calves had greater (P < 0.03) retained energy (retained energy = weaning body energy - birth body energy) than the NL calves (388 +/- 23 for ANL, and 438 +/- 15 for CC vs. 312 +/- 22 Mcal for NL calves). Percentages of water (P = 0.74) and chemical fat (P = 0.51) were similar among groups (63.7 +/- 0.6 and 14.3 +/- 0.7% for ANL calves, 63.1 +/- 0.4 and 14.7 +/- 0.5% for CC calves, and 63.3 +/- 0.6 and 13.7 +/- 0.7% of empty BW for water and chemical fat, respectively, for NL calves). Energetic efficiency (kcal of retained energy/Mcal of ME intake) was similar (P = 0.52) among groups (358 +/- 22 for ANL calves, 355 +/- 14 for CC calves, and 327 +/- 22 for NL calves). The greater BW gains and the differences in empty body composition at weaning were not enough to compensate for the greater ME intake of crossbreds. In this study, the crossbreeding systems evaluated increased preweaning calf performance but did not affect gross or energetic calf efficiency.

Evaluation of carcass characteristics of Bos indicus and tropically adapted Bos taurus breeds selected for postweaning weight

Data from 9 studies were compiled to evaluate the effects of 20 yr of selection for postweaning weight (PWW) on carcass characteristics and meat quality in experimental herds of control Nellore (NeC) and selected Nellore (NeS), Caracu (CaS), Guzerah (GuS), and Gir (GiS) breeds. These studies were conducted with animals from a genetic selection program at the Experimental Station of Sertaozinho, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. After the performance test (168 d postweaning), bulls (n = 490) from the calf crops born between 1992 and 2000 were finished and slaughtered to evaluate carcass traits and meat quality. Treatments were different across studies. A meta-analysis was conducted with a random coefficients model in which herd was considered a fixed effect and treatments within year and year were considered as random effects. Either calculated maturity degree or initial BW was used interchangeably as the covariate, and least squares means were used in the multiple-comparison analysis. The CaS and NeS had heavier (P = 0.002) carcasses than the NeC and GiS; GuS were intermediate. The CaS had the longest carcass (P < 0.001) and heaviest spare ribs (P < 0.001), striploin (P < 0.001), and beef plate (P = 0.013). Although the body, carcass, and quarter weights of NeS were similar to those of CaS, NeS had more edible meat in the leg region than did CaS bulls. Selection for PWW increased rib-eye area in Nellore bulls. Selected Caracu had the lowest (most favorable) shear force values compared with the NeS (P = 0.003), NeC (P = 0.005), GuS (P = 0.003), and GiS (P = 0.008). Selection for PWW increased body, carcass, and meat retail weights in the Nellore without altering dressing percentage and body fat percentage.

Large-scale ecological restoration of high-diversity tropical forests in SE Brazil

The complex interactions among endangered ecosystems, landowners` interests, and different models of land tenure and use, constitute an important series of challenges for those seeking to maintain and restore biodiversity and augment the flow of ecosystem services. Over the past 10 years, we have developed a data-based approach to address these challenges and to achieve medium and large-scale ecological restoration of riparian areas on private lands in the state of Sao Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Given varying motivations for ecological restoration, the location of riparian areas within landholdings, environmental zoning of different riparian areas, and best-practice restoration methods were developed for each situation. A total of 32 ongoing projects, covering 527,982 ha, were evaluated in large sugarcane farms and small mixed farms, and six different restoration techniques have been developed to help upscale the effort. Small mixed farms had higher portions of land requiring protection as riparian areas (13.3%), and lower forest cover of riparian areas (18.3%), than large sugarcane farms (10.0% and 36.9%, respectively for riparian areas and forest cover values). In both types of farms, forest fragments required some degree of restoration. Historical anthropogenic degradation has compromised forest ecosystem structure and functioning, despite their high-diversity of native tree and shrub species. Notably, land use patterns in riparian areas differed markedly. Large sugarcane farms had higher portions of riparian areas occupied by highly mechanized agriculture, abandoned fields, and anthropogenic wet fields created by siltation in water courses. In contrast, in small mixed crop farms, low or non-mechanized agriculture and pasturelands were predominant. Despite these differences, plantations of native tree species covering the entire area was by far the main restoration method needed both by large sugarcane farms (76.0%) and small mixed farms (92.4%), in view of the low resilience of target sites, reduced forest cover, and high fragmentation, all of which limit the potential for autogenic restoration. We propose that plantations should be carried out with a high-diversity of native species in order to create biologically viable restored forests, and to assist long-term biodiversity persistence at the landscape scale. Finally, we propose strategies to integrate the political, socio-economic and methodological aspects needed to upscale restoration efforts in tropical forest regions throughout Latin America and elsewhere. (C) 2010 Elsevier BA/. All rights reserved.

Stone fruit injuries and damage at the wholesale market of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Mechanical injuries and diseases in stone fruit are important causes for market rejection. The objectives of this research were to quantify and characterize the mechanical injuries and diseases in peaches, nectarines and plums at Sao Paulo`s wholesale market, the largest in Brazil. Incidence of injuries was assessed weekly in 1 % of the marketed fruit (2973 fruit/week), from September to December in 2003 and 2004. Mechanical injuries were the most frequent injuries in both years, ranging from 8.73% (plum) to 44.5% (nectarine) of injured fruit. There was a significant positive correlation between the incidence of postharvest mechanical injuries and postharvest diseases. Incidence of postharvest diseases varied from 2.5% to 6.6%. Cladosporium rot (Cladosporium sp.) and brown rot (Monilinia fructicola) were the most frequent diseases, and were mostly detected in the apexes of nectarines and peaches. Aurora (peach), Sunraycer (nectarine) and Gulfblaze (plum) varieties were the most susceptible to injuries and diseases. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Associations between glutathione peroxidase-1 Pro198Leu polymorphism, selenium status, and DNA damage levels in obese women after consumption of Brazil nuts

Objective: Alterations in selenium (Se) status may result in suboptimal amounts of selenoproteins, which have been associated with increased oxidative stress levels. The Pro198Leu polymorphism at the glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx1) gene is supposed to be functional. The response of Se status, GPx activity, and levels of DNA damage to a Se supplementation trial between the genotypes related to that polymorphism was investigated. Methods: A randomized trial was conducted with 37 morbidly obese women. Participants consumed one Brazil nut, which provided approximately 290 mu g of Se a day, for 8 wk. Blood Se concentrations, erythrocyte GPx activity, and DNA damage levels were measured at baseline and at 8 wk. The results were compared by genotypes. Results: The genotype frequencies were 0.487, 0.378, and 0.135 for Pro/Pro (the wild-type genotype), Pro/Leu, and Leu/Leu, respectively. At baseline, 100% of the subjects were Se deficient, and after the supplementation, there was an improvement in plasma Se (P < 0.001 for Pro/Pro and Pro/Leu, P < 0.05 for Leu/Leu), erythrocyte Se (P = 0.00 for Pro/Pro and Pro/Leu, P < 0.05 for Leu/Leu), and GPx activity (P = 0.00 for Pro/Pro, P < 0.00001 for Pro/Leu, P < 0.001 for Leu/Leu). In addition, the Pro/Pro group showed a decrease in DNA damage after Brazil nut consumption compared with baseline (P < 0.005), and those levels were higher in Leu/Leu subjects compared with those with the wild-type genotype (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Consumption of one unit of Brazil nuts daily effectively increases Se status and increases GPx activity in obese women, regardless of GPx1 Pro198Leu polymorphism. However, the evaluated biomarkers showed distinct results in response to the supplementation when the polymorphism was considered. (c) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Acceptability of minimally processed and irradiated pineapple and watermelon among Brazilian consumers

This study aimed at evaluating the acceptance of MP watermelon and pineapple exposed to 1.0 and 2.5kGy compared to non-irradiated samples. No significant differences were observed in liking between irradiated and non-irradiated samples, and also between doses of 1.0 and 2.5 kGy. significant differences in sourness (pineapple) or sweetness (watermelon) and between intention of purchase of irradiated and non-irradiated fruits were riot observed as well. Results showed that MP watermelon and pineapple could be irradiated with doses up to 2.5 kGy without significant changes in acceptability. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Restoration of Pattern Recognition Receptor Costimulation to Treat Chromoblastomycosis, a Chronic Fungal Infection of the Skin

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic skin infection caused by the fungus Fonsecaea pedrosoi. Exploring the reasons underlying the chronic nature of F. pedrosoi infection in a murine model of chromoblastomycosis, we find that chronicity develops due to a lack of pattern recognition receptor (PRR) costimulation. F. pedrosoi was recognized primarily by C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), but not by Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which resulted in the defective induction of proinflammatory cytokines. Inflammatory responses to F. pedrosoi could be reinstated by TLR costimulation, but also required the CLR Mincle and signaling via the Syk/CARD9 pathway. Importantly, exogenously administering TLR ligands helped clear F. pedrosoi infection in vivo. These results demonstrate how a failure in innate recognition can result in chronic infection, highlight the importance of coordinated PRR signaling, and provide proof of the principle that exogenously applied PRR agonists can be used therapeutically.

Glutamine in vitro supplementation partly reverses impaired macrophage function resulting from early weaning in mice

Objective: Glutamine is one of the most abundant amino acids found in maternal milk, and its concentration increases throughout lactation. Because glutamine is essential for macrophage functionality, it is hereby suggested that early weaning in conjunction with the absence of glutamine consumption impairs the functioning of macrophages, which could in turn be reversed with an in vitro supplementation with glutamine. Methods: Swiss Webster mice were early weaned at 14 d of age (EW group) or at 21 d of age (control group, n = 8 per group). The EW group was fed a glutamine-free diet from days 14 to 21 of life. Results: Mice in the EW group presented a significant decrease in plasma and muscle concentrations of glutamine and an increase in the activity of glutamine synthetase in the muscle. Peritoneal macrophages obtained from animals in the EW group presented a significant increase in the production of interleukin (IL)-10 and a significant decrease in the synthesis of IL-1 beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-a, nitric oxide, and hydrogen peroxide and in their ability to adhere, spread, phagocytize, and kill fungi. Glutamine in vitro supplementation reversed the decrease in IL-6, nitric oxide, and hydrogen peroxide synthesis and the decrease in the capacity to adhere, spread, and phagocytize in animals of the EW group. Conclusion: These new. data may imply that a lack of glutamine intake in early weaned mice hampers the functioning of peritoneal macrophages. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Abnormal Neurovascular Control in Anabolic Androgenic Steroids Users

NUNES ALVES, M. J. N., M. R. DOS SANTOS, R. G. DIAS, C. A. AKIHO, M. C. LATERZA, M. U. P. B. RONDON, R. L. DE MORAES MOREAU, and C. E. NEGRAO. Abnormal Neurovascular Control in Anabolic Androgenic Steroids Users. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 42, No. 5, pp. 865-871, 2010. Purpose: Previous studies showed that anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) increase vascular resistance and blood pressure (BP) in humans. In this study, we tested the hypotheses 1) that AAS users would have increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and reduced forearm blood flow (FBF) compared with AAS nonusers and 2) that there would be an association between MSNA and 24-h BP. Methods: Twelve AAS users aged 31 +/- 2 yr (means +/- SE) and nine age-matched AAS nonusers aged 29 T 2 yr participated in the study. All individuals were involved in strength training for at least 2 yr. AAS was determined by urine test (chromatography-mass spectrometry). MSNA was directly measured by microneurography technique. FBF was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. BP monitoring consisted of measures of BP for 24 h. Results: MSNA was significantly higher in AAS users than that in AAS nonusers (29 +/- 3 vs 20 +/- 1 bursts per minute, P = 0.01). FBF (1.92 +/- 0.17 vs 2.77 +/- 0.24 mL.min(-1).100 mL(-1), P = 0.01) and forearm vascular conductance (2.01 +/- 0.17 vs 2.86 +/- 0.31 U, P = 0.02) were significantly lower in AAS users than that in AAS nonusers. Systolic (131 +/- 4 vs 120 +/- 3 mm Hg, P = 0.001), diastolic (74 +/- 4 vs 68 +/- 3 mm Hg, P = 0.02), and mean BP (93 +/- 4 vs 86 +/- 3 mm Hg, P = 0.005) and heart rate (74 +/- 3 vs 68 +/- 3 bpm, P = 0.02) were significantly higher in AAS users when compared with AAS nonusers. Further analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between MSNA and 24-h mean BP (r = 0.75, P = 0.002). Conclusions: AAS increases MSNA and reduces muscle blood flow in young individuals. In addition, the increase in BP levels in AAS users is associated with augmented sympathetic outflow. These findings suggest that AAS increases the susceptibility for cardiovascular disease in humans.

Effect of inulin as prebiotic and synbiotic interactions between probiotics to improve fermented milk firmness

Inulin behaved as a prebiotic to improve firmness of skim milk fermented by (a) pure cultures of Lactobacillus acidophilus (La), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lr), Lactobacillus bulgaricus (Lb) and Bifidobacterium lactis (Bl), (b) binary co-cultures of them with Streptococcus thermophilus (St), or (c) a cocktail containing all them. Inulin addition to co-cultures and cocktail enhanced products firmness, either after 1 day (D1) or 7 days (D7) of cold storage, likely due to the increase in microbial growth induced by metabolic interactions among lactic acid bacteria and partial inulin metabolization. Co-culture firmness did in fact range from 0.33 N without inulin (St-Lb) after D1 and 0.55 N with inulin (St-Lr) after D7. Also cocktail cultures exhibited high values of firmness, ranging, as an average, from 0.43 N (D1) to 0.46 N (D7), which suggests that they could have been potentiated by the reciprocal synergistic effects of microorganisms in complex mixture. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Kinetic and thermodynamic investigation on clavulanic acid formation and degradation during glycerol fermentation by Streptomyces DAUFPE 3060

Clavulanic acid (CA) is a potent inhibitor of beta-lactamases, produced by some resistant pathogenic microorganisms, which allows efficient treatment of infectious diseases. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of CA production by a new isolate of Streptomyces DAUFPE 3060 and its degradation were evaluated. The effect of temperature on the system was investigated in the range 24-40 degrees C adopting an overall model accounting for (a) the Arrhenius-type formation of CA by fermentation, (b) the hypothetical reversible unfolding of the enzyme limiting the overall metabolism, and (c) the irreversible first-order degradation of CA. The higher rates of CA formation (k(CA) = 0,107 h(-1)) and degradation (k(d) = 0.062 h(-1)) were observed at 32 and 40 degrees C, respectively. The main thermodynamic parameters of the three above hypothesized events were estimated. In particular, the activation parameters of degradation (activation energy = 39.0 kJ/mol; Delta H(d)* = 36.5 kJ/mol; Delta S(d)* = -219.7 J/(mol K); Delta G(d)* = 103.5 kJ/mol) compare reasonably well with those reported in the literature for similar system without taking into account the other two events. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Contribution of peripheral vanilloid receptor to the nociception induced by injection of spermine in mice

Polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) are important endogenous regulators of ion channels, such as vanilloid (TRPV1), glutamatergic (NMDA or AMPA/kainate) and acid-sensitive (ASIC) receptors. In the present study, we have investigated the possible nociceptive effect induced by polyamines and the mechanisms involved in this nociception in vivo. The subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of capsaicin (as positive control), spermine, spermidine or putrescine produced nociception with ED(50) of 0.16 (0.07-0.39) nmol/paw, 0.4 (0.2-0.7) mu mol/paw, 0.3 (0.1-0.9) mu mol/paw and 3.2 (0.9-11.5) mu mol/paw, respectively. The antagonists of NMDA (MK801, 1 nmol/paw), AMPA/kainate (DNQX, 1 nmol/paw) or ASIC receptors (amiloride, 100 nmol/paw) failed to reduce the spermine-trigged nociception. However, the TRPV1 antagonists capsazepine or SB366791 (1 nmol/paw) reduced spermine-induced nociception, with inhibition of 81 +/- 10 and 68 +/- 9%, respectively. The previous desensitization with resiniferatoxin (RTX) largely reduced the spermine-induced nociception and TRPV1 expression in the sciatic nerve, with reductions of 82 +/- 9% and 67 +/- 11%, respectively. Furthermore, the combination of spermine (100 nmol/paw) and RTX (0.005 fmol/paw), in doses which alone were not capable of inducing nociception, produced nociceptive behaviors. Moreover, different concentrations of spermine (3-300 mu M) enhanced the specific binding of [(3)H](center dot)-RTX to TRPV1 receptor. Altogether, polyamines produce spontaneous nociceptive effect through the stimulation of TRPV1, but not of ionotropic glutamate or ASIC receptors. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Environmentally friendly sonocatalysis promoted preparation of 1-thiocarbamoyl-3,5-diaryl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles

An efficient and green synthesis of thiocarbamoyl-3,5-diaryl-4,5-dihydro-1 H-pyrazoles via the condensation of chalcones with thiosemicarbazide in ethanol and KOH under ultrasound irradiation is reported. The products were isolated in good yields after short reaction times. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Application of thermal sums concept to estimate the time to harvest new banana hybrids for export

Application of the thermal sum concept was developed to determine the optimal harvesting stage of new banana hybrids to be grown for export. It was tested on two triploid hybrid bananas, FlhorBan 916 (F916) and FlhorBan 918 (F918), created by CIRAD`s banana breeding programme, using two different approaches. The first approach was used with F916 and involved calculating the base temperature of bunches sampled at two sites at the ripening stage, and then determining the thermal sum at which the stage of maturity would be identical to that of the control Cavendish export banana. The second approach was used to assess the harvest stage of F918 and involved calculating the two thermal parameters directly, but using more plants and a longer period. Using the linear regression model, the estimated thermal parameters were a thermal sum of 680 degree-days (dd) at a base temperature of 17.0 degrees C for cv. F916, and 970 dd at 13.9 degrees C for cv. F918. This easy-to-use method provides quick and reliable calculations of the two thermal parameters required at a specific harvesting stage for a given banana variety in tropical climate conditions. Determining these two values is an essential step for gaining insight into the agronomic features of a new variety and its potential for export. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Liquid-liquid extraction of commercial and biosynthesized nisin by aqueous two-phase micellar systems

Nisin is a natural additive for conservation of food, and can also be used as a therapeutic agent. Nisin inhibits the outgrowth of spores, the growth of a variety of Gram-positive and Grain-negative bacteria. In this paper we present a potentially scalable and cost-effective way to purify commercial and biosynthesized in bioreactor nisin, including simultaneously removal of impurities and contaminants, increasing nisin activity. Aqueous two-phase micellar systems (ATPMS) are considered promising for bioseparation and purification purposes. Triton X-114 was chosen as the as phase-forming surfactant because it is relatively mild to proteins and it also forms two coexisting phases within a convenient temperature range. Nisin activity was determined by the agar diffusion assay utilizing Lactobacillus sake as a sensitive indicator microorganism. Results indicated that nisin partitions preferentially to the micelle rich-phase, despite the surfactant concentration tested, and its antimicrobial activity increases. The successful implementation of this peptide partitioning, from a suspension containing other compounds, represents an important step towards developing a separation method for nisin, and more generally, for other biomolecules of interest. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.