Acerola: importance, culture conditions, production and biochemical aspects

Origin and importance. Acerola, or Malpighia emarginata D. C., is native to the Caribbean islands, Central America and the Amazonian region. More recently, it has been introduced in subtropical areas (Asia, India and South America). The vitamin C produced by acerola is better absorbed by the human organism than synthetic ascorbic acid. Exportation of acerola crops is a potential alternative source of income in agricultural businesses. In Brazil, the commercial farming of acerola is quite recent. Climatic conditions. Acerola is a rustic plant. It can resist temperatures close to 0 degrees C, but it is well adapted to temperatures around 26 degrees C with rainfall between (1200 and 1600) mm per year. Fruit characteristics. Acerola fruit is drupaceous, whose form can vary from round to conic. When ripe, it can be red, purple or yellow. The fruit weight varies between (3 and 16) g. Maturation. Acerola fruit presents fast metabolic activity and its maturation occurs rapidly. When commercialised in ambient conditions, it requires fast transportation or the use of refrigerated containers to retard its respiration and metabolism partially. Production and productivity. Flowering and fruiting are typically in cycles associated with rain. Usually, they take place in 25-day cycles, up to 8 times per year. The plant can be propagated by cuttings, grafting or seedlings. Harvest. Fruits produced for markets needs to be harvested at its optimal maturation stage. For distant markets, they need to be packed in boxes and piled up in low layers; transportation should be done in refrigerated trucks in relatively high humid conditions. Biochemical constituents. Acerola is the most important natural source of vitamin C [(1000 to 4500) mg.100(-1) g of pulp], but it is also rich in pectin and pectolytic enzymes, carotenoids, plant fibre, vitamin B, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, proteins and mineral salts. It has also shown active anti-fungal properties. Products and market. Acerola is used in the production of juice, soft drinks, gums and liqueurs. The USA and Europe are great potential markets. In Europe, acerola extracts are used to enrich pear or apple juices. In the USA, they are used in the pharmaceutical industry. Conclusions. The demand for acerola has increased significantly in recent years because of the relevance of vitamin C in human health, coupled with the use of ascorbic acid as an antioxidant in food and feed. Acerola fruit contains other significant components, which are likely to lead to a further increase in its production and trade all over the world.

MORPHOMETRIC AND BIOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF RAT PROSTATE AND SEMINAL-VESICLE FOLLOWING CHEMICAL SYMPATHECTOMY WITH GUANETHIDINE

Selective chemical sympathectomy of the internal genital organs of adult male rats was undertaken by chronic treatment with low doses of guanethidine. Biochemical and morphometric methods revealed that removal of sympathetic innervation prevents fructose secretion in the prostate and seminal vesicle, in addition to promoting reduced efficiency of delivery by the latter.

Amniocentesis and biochemical evaluation of amniotic fluid in ewes at 70, 100 and 145 days of pregnancy

The objectives of this study were to determine the technical viability of amniocentesis in sheep and to observe biochemical changes in the amniotic fluid components. Amniotic fluid samples were collected by puncture in the greatest curvature of the uterine hum at days 70, 100, and 145 of pregnancy. The surgical procedure for collection of amniotic fluid samples was safe and efficient. For three stages of pregnancy, the following results were obtained: pH values 8.36, 7.34 and 7.37; glucose concentrations, 16.06. 8.58, and 3.79 g/dl; urea values, 42.68, 33.53, and 25.49 mg/dl; creatinine, 0.85, 5.04, and 11.25 g/dl; Gama-GT enzyme, 12.58, 14.20, and 12.30 UI/l; sodium concentrations, 146.60, 129.42, and 103.8 mmol/l: potassium concentrations, 9.79, 6.15, and 8.65 mmol/l; chloride, 96.59, 85.28, and 65.35 mmol/l; total protein, 0.14, 0.23, and 0.24 g/dl, respectively. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecular and biochemical characterization of the Neurospora crassa glycogen synthase encoded by the gsn cDNA

Glycogen synthases catalyze the transfer of a glucosyl moiety from a nucleotide phosphosugar to a nascent glycogen chain via an alpha1-->4 linkage. Although many genes coding for glycogen synthases have been described, the enzymes from rabbit and yeast are the best characterized. The fungus Neurospora crassa accumulates glycogen during exponential growth, and mobilizes it at the onset of stationary phase, or when placed at high temperature or starved for carbon. Through a PCR methodology, the gsn cDNA coding for the N. crassa glycogen synthase was isolated, and the amino acid sequence of the protein was deduced. The product of the cDNA seems to be the only glycogen synthase present in N. crassa. Characterization of the gsn cDNA revealed that it codes for a 706-amino acids protein, which is very similar to mammalian and yeast glycogen synthases. Gene expression increased during exponential growth, reaching its maximal level at the end of the exponential growth phase, which is consistent with the pattern of glycogen synthase activity and glycogen level. Expression of the gsn is highly regulated at the transcriptional level. Under culture conditions that induce heat shock, conidiation, and carbon starvation, expression of the gsn gene was decreased, and glycogen synthase activity and glycogen content behaved similarly.

Purification and biochemical characterization of an endoxylanase from Aspergillus versicolor

An endoxylanase (beta-1,4-xylan xylanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.8) was purified from the culture filtrate of a strain of Aspergillus versicolor grown on oat wheat. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-75. The purified enzyme was a monomer of molecular mass estimated to be 19 kDa by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration. The enzyme was glycoprotein with 71% carbohydrate content and exhibited a pI of 5.4. The purified xylanase was specific for xylan hydrolysis. The enzyme had a K-m of 6.5 mg ml(-1) and a V-max of 1440 U (mg protein)(-1). (C) 1998 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Biological and biochemical properties of the Brazilian Potamotrygon stingrays : Potamotrygon cf. scobina and Potamotrygon gr. orbignyi

Stingrays of the family Potamotrygonidae are widespread throughout river systems of South America that drain into the Atlantic Ocean. Some species are endemic to the most extreme freshwater environment of the Brazil and cause frequent accidents to humans. The envenomation causes immediate, local, and intense pain, soft tissue edema, and a variable extent of bleeding. The present study was carried out in order to describe the principal biological and some biochemical properties of the Brazilian Potamotrygon fish venoms (Potamotrygon cf. scobina and P. gr. orbignyi). Both stingray venoms induced significant edematogenic and nociceptive responses in mice. Edematogenic and nociceptive responses were reduced when the venom was incubated at 37 or 56 degrees C. The results showed striking augments of leukocytes rolling and adherent cells to the endothelium of cremaster mice induced by both venoms. The data also presented that injection of both venoms induced necrosis, low level of proteolytic activity, without inducing haemorrhage. But when the venoms of both stingray species were injected together with their mucus secretion, the necrotizing activity was more vigorous. The present study provided in vivo evidence of toxic effects for P. cf. scobina and P. gr. orbignyi venoms. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All fights reserved.

Does alveolar soft-part sarcoma exhibit skeletal muscle differentiation? An immunocytochemical and biochemical study of myogenic regulatory protein expression

There has been persistent controversy regarding the nature of cell differentiation in alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS) since its first description in 1952. Some studies suggest that ASPS might represent an unusual variant of skeletal muscle tumor, Given the availability of new monoclonal antibodies to probe for skeletal muscle differentiation and the rapid advance in immunocytochemical techniques for deparaffinized, formalin-fixed tissue sections, we wished to test the proposed hypothesis that ASPS might represent a new type of rhabdomyosarcoma Twelve archival samples of ASPS were retrieved, and we investigated the expression of two myogenic regulatory proteins, MyoD1 and myogenin, as rvell as other muscle-associated proteins, using sensitive immunocytochemical techniques. Despite the presence of desmin immunostaining in six ASPSs, no tumors were positive for either muscle actin or myoglobin Most importantly, no specimen showed nuclear expression of MyoD1 or myogenin, In 11 tumors, however, there was considerable granular immunostaining in the tumor cell cytoplasm with the anti-MyoD1 monoclonal antibody 5.8A, a phenomenon observed in various nonmuscle normal and neoplastic tissues with this antibody, To analyze the exact nature of immunostaining of MyoD1 and desmin in ASPS, biochemical analyses using available fresh frozen tumor tissue were performed, Although a 53-kDa band was noted with antidesmin antibody on Western blot analysis, no specific protein band that corresponds to the 45-kDa MyoD1 was detected with antibody 5.8A. These results confirm the presence of desmin in ASPS but argue against authentic expression of MyoD1, They also suggest that the cytoplasmic immunostaining observed with anti-MyoD1 antibody 5.8A most likely represents a nonspecific cross-reaction with an unknown cytoplasmic antigen, Considering the master role that MyoD1 and myogenin play in skeletal muscle commitment and differentiation and the lack of expression of these two proteins in ASPS as determined immunocytochemically and biochemically, we think that the histogenesis of ASPS remains unknown.

Perioperative administration of vedaprofen, tramadol or their combination does not interfere with platelet aggregation, bleeding time and biochemical variables in cats

A randomized double blind and placebo controlled design was used to investigate the hemostatic, biochemical, gastrointestinal and behavioral effects of pre- and postoperative administration of vedaprofen 0.5 mg/kg PO (V), tramadol 2 mg/kg SC (T), their association (VT) or placebo (P) in 40 adult female cats (3.0 +/- 0.32 kg; 1.8 +/- 0.7 years) distributed in groups of 10. Platelet aggregation and bleeding time were measured before and 52 11 after ovariohysterectomy. Serum urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase concentrations were measured before and 7 days postoperatively. The occurrence of vomiting, frequency and consistency of feces, and behavior were observed for 7 days postoperatively. Morphine (0.5 mg/kg, IM) was used as rescue analgesic. Laboratory variables did not change. Vomiting was observed only after morphine administration. Mild euphoria was observed in T and VT. The perioperative use of vedaprofen and/or tramadol did not modify the hemostatic, biochemical and gastrointestinal function in cats. (C) 2009 ESFM and AAFP. published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis antigen batches from the same isolate show immunological and biochemical differences

We investigated the occurrence of antigenic and biochemical variability among Paracoccidioides brasiliensis antigen batches prepared according to the same protocol. Initially (experiment 1), we analyzed two antigen lots of two human isolates (Bt1 and Bt2), cultured in two media (PYG: bactopeptone, yeast extract, glucose; MMM: McVeigh and Morton medium) in SDS-PAGE and in two immunological tests (immunodiffusion-ID and footpad swelling test-FPT). Afterwards (experiment 2), we compared the antigenic profile of three antigen hatches from three human isolates (Bt1, Bt2 and Bt3) by two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis (2 D-IEP) against a reference system for P. brasiliensis antigens. In experiment 1, there were important intra- and inter-strain antigenic differences between batches of the fungal isolates cultured on both media. The block titration of the antigen batches for the immunological tests revealed correlation between protein concentration and biological activity in ID and no correlation in FPT. In experiment 2, the reference system for P brasiliensis showed 26 antigen peaks. There were important differences between batches prepared from the same isolate and between batches from different isolates. Our data suggested the occurrence of instability in the synthesis of antigenic components by a same P. brasiliensis isolate, under controlled incubation conditions.

Haematological and biochemical alterations in leprosy patients already treated with dapsone and MDT

Dapsone (DDS) is useful in the treatment of a number of inflammatory conditions which are characterized by neutrophil infiltration. It is the drug of choice for the treatment of leprosy and prophylaxis of malaria. Haematological side effects of methaemoglobinaemia and haemolysis have been long recognized. However, the frequency and severity of these side effects in patients already treated with DDS as a single drug or as part of a multidrug therapy (MDT) have not been well documented. We report herein an investigation of the effect of dapsone long-term treatment on the haematological and biochemical alterations in leprosy patients undergoing dapsone as a single drug (DDS group) or as part of a multidrug therapy in combination with rifampin and clofazimine (MDT group). Methaemoglobinaemia and haemolytic anaemia were the principal side effects observed. Reticulocytes were found to be elevated (> 1.5%) in 90% of the patients. Heinz bodies were also detected (6.6% of the patients). The osmotic fragility test showed a reduction in cell resistance and in the evaluation of white cells a severe eosinophilia was found. Hepatic, pancreatic and renal evaluation by the determination of biochemical parameters showed rare and occasional changes of no apparent clinical significance. We conclude that haematological side effects of dapsone are significant even at doses currently used to treat leprosy (100 mg/day) and that rifampin and clofazimine do not increase the incidence of these effects during long-term treatment.

Anatomical and biochemical characterization of the calcium effect on eucalyptus urophylla callus morphogenesis in vitro

Calcium chloride concentrations from 0.0 to 12.12 mM were added to the culture medium and calcium content in calluses were determined directly by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, a non-destructive method, allowing the processing of the same tissue for histological analysis. A multivariate statistical analysis (PCA - Principal Components Analysis) grouped the treatments into 5 blocks and indicated the most responsive group. Lack of calcium supply caused a complete absence of a morphogenic process and tissue collapse. An increase in calcium concentration gave higher total protein and sugar contents, an increase in peroxidase specific activity and changes in the histological characteristics. It was possible to verify that calcium stimulated globular somatic embryo formation at concentration of 6.62 mM.

Effects of food quality on growth and biochemical composition of a calanoid copepod, Argyrodiaptomus furcatus, and its importance as a natural food source for larvae of two tropical fishes

Growth, reproduction and biochemical composition were analyzed for the copepod Argyrodiaptomus furcatus fed on the alga Ankistrodesmus gracilis grown in different media. The ingestion of this copepod by larvae of two species of tropical fishes was also evaluated. The mean peak density of the copepod population was 1369 individuals 1-1 for all four diets used, and the highest was 1387 individuals 1-1 on diet ARV (algae + ration + vitamins). A small copepod, A. furcatus tends to have a short life span. The smallest females did not attain maturity in the shortest time on all diets used. Food quality may play a major role in the dynamics of the biochemical composition of this copepod. Argyrodiaptomus furcatus was a more important food item for larvae of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) than of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). However, it made up a large part of the gut contents of larvae of both species.