Over the past 20 years, the use of center-pivot irrigation has increased tomato (
L.) yields in Brazil from 42 Mg ha
to more than 80 Mg ha
. In the absence of field trials to support fertilizer ...recommendations, substantial amounts of phosphorus (P) have been applied to crops. Additional P dosing has been based on an equilibrated nutrient P budget adjusted for low-P fertilizer-use efficiency in high-P fixing tropical soils. To document nutrient requirements and prevent over-fertilization, tissue samples and crop yield data can be acquired through crop surveys and fertilizer trials. Nevertheless, most tissue diagnostic methods pose numerical difficulties that can be avoided by using the nutrient balance concept. The objectives of this study were to model the response of irrigated tomato crops to P fertilization in low- and high-P soils and to provide tissue diagnostic models for high crop yield. Three P trials, arranged in a randomized block design with six P treatments (0-437 kg P ha
) and three or four replications, were established on a low-P soil in 2013 and high-P soils in 2013 and 2014, totaling 66 plots in all. Together with crop yield data, 65 tissue samples were collected from tomato farms. We found no significant yield response to P fertilization, despite large differences in soil-test P (coefficient of variation, 24%). High- and low-yield classes (cutoff: 91 Mg fruits ha
) were classified by balance models with 78-81% accuracy using logit and Cate-Nelson partitioning models. The critical Mahalanobis distance for the partition was 5.31. Tomato yields were apparently not limited by P but were limited by calcium. There was no evidence that P fertilization should differ between center-pivot-irrigated and rain-fed crops. Use of the P budget method to arrive at the P requirement for tomato crops proved to be fallacious, as several nutrients should be rebalanced in Brazilian tomato cropping systems.
Atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) has become progressively more frequent in Corte de Pedra, Northeast Brazil. Herein we characterize clinical presentation, antimony response, cytokine production ...and parasite strains prevailing in ACL.
Between 2005 and 2012, 51 ACL (cases) and 51 temporally matched cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) subjects (controls) were enrolled and followed over time in Corte de Pedra. Clinical and therapeutic data were recorded for all subjects. Cytokine secretion by patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with soluble parasite antigen in vitro, and genotypes in a 600 base-pair locus in chromosome 28 (CHR28/425451) of the infecting L. (V.) braziliensis were compared between the two groups. ACL presented significantly more lesions in head and neck, and higher rate of antimony failure than CL. Cytosine-Adenine substitutions at CHR28/425451 positions 254 and 321 were highly associated with ACL (p<0.0001). In vitro stimulated ACL PBMCs produced lower levels of IFN-γ (p = 0.0002) and TNF (p <0.0001), and higher levels of IL-10 (p = 0.0006) and IL-17 (p = 0.0008) than CL PBMCs.
ACL found in Northeast Brazil is caused by distinct genotypes of L. (V.) braziliensis and presents a cytokine profile that departs from that in classical CL patients. We think that differences in antigenic contents among parasites may be in part responsible for the variation in cytokine responses and possibly immunopathology between CL and ACL.
Background and Purpose
Metabolic and vascular dysfunction are common features of obesity. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) regulates lipid metabolism and vascular homeostasis, but whether vascular AhR ...are activated in obesity or have a protective and/or harmful effects on vascular function in obesity are unknown. Our study addresses whether AhR activation contributes to obesity‐associated vascular dysfunction and the mechanisms involved in these AhR effects.
Experimental Approach
Male AhR KO (Ahr−/−) and WT mice were fed either control or a HF (high‐fat) diet for 10 weeks. Metabolic and inflammatory parameters were measured in serum and adipose tissue. Vascular reactivity (isometric force) was evaluated using a myography. Endothelial NOS (eNOS) and AhR protein expression was determined by western blot, Cyp1A1 and Nos3 gene expression by RT‐PCR and.NO production was quantified by DAF fluorescence.
Key Results
HF diet increased total serum HDL and LDL, as well as vascular AhR protein expression and proinflammatory cytokines in the adipose tissue. HF diet decreased endothelium‐dependent vasodilation. AhR deletion protected mice from HF diet‐induced dyslipidaemia, weight gain and inflammatory processes. HF diet‐induced endothelial dysfunction was attenuated in Ahr−/− mice. Vessels from Ahr−/− mice exhibited a greater NO reserve. In cultured endothelial cells, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) a major component of LDL and oxidized LDL oxLDL) reduced Nos3 gene expression and NO production. Antagonism of the AhR inhibited LPC effects on endothelial cells and induced decreased endothelium‐dependent vasodilation.
Conclusion and Implications
AhR deletion attenuates HF diet‐induced dyslipidaemia and vascular dysfunction by improving eNOS/NO signalling. Targeting AhRs may prevent obesity‐associated vascular dysfunction.
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Epoxidation of castor oil in synthetic and enzymatic routes was carried out in order to promote a system with less environmental impact. The epoxidation reactions of castor oil compounds upon ...addition of lipase enzyme with and without acrylic immobilization and with reaction times of 24 and 6 h, as well as the synthetic compounds upon addition of Amberlite resin and formic acid, were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance in hydrogen molecules (
H-NMR). The analysis indicated that the enzymatic reactions (6 h) and synthetic reactions provided a conversion from 50 to 96% and epoxidation from 25 to 48%, resulting from peak stretching and signal disintegration in the hydroxyl region due to the appearance of H
O in the interaction of peracid with catalyst. In systems without toluene, a dehydration event with a peak absorbance of 0.02 AU, indicating a possible vinyl group at 2355 cm
in enzymatic reactions without acrylic immobilization, was observed and resulted in a selectivity of 2%. In the absence of a solid catalyst, an unsaturation conversion of castor oil above 90% was achieved; however, this catalyst is necessary for the epoxidation to take place, whereas the lipase enzyme becomes able of epoxidizing and dehydrating the castor oil upon changing the time or reaction system. The conversation from 28 to 48% of solid catalysts (Amberlite and lipase enzyme) displays their importance to the instauration conversion of castor oil into oxirane rings.
We examined the relationships between three eating behaviors and nine motives underlying food choices made by Brazilian adults. Using participant responses to the short version of the Three-Factor ...Eating Questionnaire and the Food Choice Questionnaire, we investigated eating behaviors (cognitive restriction, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating) and motives for food choices (health, mood, convenience, sensory appeal, natural content, price, weight control, familiarity, and ethical concern). We used a structural equation model to test relationship pathways (β), with eating behaviors as independent variables and motives for food choices as dependent variables. Participants were 1297 individuals (69.5% female) with a mean age of 25.0 years (SD = 5.8). We confirmed the validity and reliability of the questionnaires in this sample. Restrictive eating behavior was significantly related to motives of health (β = .415), mood (β = .127), natural content (β = .364), weight control (β = .681), and ethical concern (β = .161). Emotional eating behavior was related to motives of mood (β = .277), health (β = −.137), and natural content (β = −.136). Uncontrolled eating behavior was related to motives of convenience (β = .226), sensory appeal (β = .121), price (β = .153), and familiarity (β = .090). We believe these findings can now help design future research and clinical interventions for managing people’s risky eating behaviors and promoting beneficial food choices.
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► Simultaneous extraction of oil and antioxidant compounds from oil palm fruit. ► Pectinase and cellulase increased carotenes and oil recovery. ► Tannase improved the extraction of ...polyphenols, resulting in higher antioxidant activity.
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) fruit was treated with enzymes to facilitate simultaneous recovery of oil and bioactive compounds. Tannase from Paecilomyces variotii, cellulase and pectinase were evaluated for their influence on oil recovery and antioxidant capacity (DPPH), oxidative stability (Rancimat), fatty acid profile, total phenols, total carotenoids and tocols of the oil. Maximum oil recovery (90–93% total oil) was obtained with central composite design using 4% of enzyme preparation (w/w) as 80U of tannase, 240U of cellulase and 178U of pectinase, pH 4, ratio of solution to pulp of 2:1 and 30min of incubation at 50°C. Tannase improved the phenolic compounds extraction by 51% and pectinase plus cellulase improved carotene extraction by 153%. Samples treated with tannase showed a 27% and 53% higher antioxidant capacity for the lipophilic and hydrophilic fractions.
Blood tissue has been used to assess animal health and the environment in which they live. This tissue is easily acquired and has the ability to respond to various adverse conditions. Several ...techniques have been employed in the detection of xenobiotic-induced cell damage in blood cells. In general, traditionally used technologies, such as cellular analysis in blood smears, are time-consuming and require great analytical capacity. The present study proposes flow cytometry as a method to detect changes in blood cell populations. Tilapia (
Oreochromis niloticus
) was selected as a model for plotting the profile of fish blood cell populations after exposure to xenobiotics without euthanizing animals or using cell markers. Populations of erythrocytes and lymphocytes were detected only by combining the techniques of FACSAria cell sorting and light microscopy. Systemic deleterious effects were found through blood analysis, such as an increased lymphocyte-rich population at 48 h of exposure followed by a subsequent decrease. Moreover, the time-dependent expression of Nrf2 suggests its participation in increased membrane disruption, indicating it has a central role in erythrocyte lifespan. The present results shed light on the viability of using flow cytometry for blood analysis of living fish.
•Estuaries and mangrove forests are rarely studied for marine plastic debris loads.•Types of plastic items and mangrove forest habitats determine the potential of debris retention.•Mangrove habitats ...are temporary sinks of plastic debris from river and marine origins.•Plastics rapidly accumulate in mangrove forest, but are exported slowly.•Fauna and fishers using mangrove forest habitats are at risk of interaction with plastic debris.
An experiment observed the behavior of selected tagged plastic items deliberately released in different habitats of a tropical mangrove forest in NE Brazil in late rainy (September) and late dry (March) seasons. Significant differences were not reported among seasons. However, marine debris retention varied among habitats, according to characteristics such as hydrodynamic (i.e., flow rates and volume transported) and relative vegetation (Rhizophora mangle) height and density. The highest grounds retained significantly more items when compared to the borders of the river and the tidal creek. Among the used tagged items, PET bottles were more observed and margarine tubs were less observed, being easily transported to adjacent habitats. Plastic bags were the items most retained near the releasing site. The balance between items retained and items lost was positive, demonstrating that mangrove forests tend to retain plastic marine debris for long periods (months-years).
•A protease, named CpCP3, was purified and characterized from C. procera latex.•It hydrolyzed κ-casein and induced casein micelle aggregation similarly to chymosin.•It made cheeses with yield, ...protein, fat and ash contents equivalent to chymosin.•It had a very low allergenic and toxic potential.•The sensory analysis showed that cheeses made with CpCP3 had high acceptance index.
This article reports the characterization and evaluation of the biotechnological potential of a cysteine protease purified from Calotropis procera (CpCP3). This enzyme was highly stable to different metal ions and was able to hydrolyze κ-casein similarly to bovine chymosin. Atomic force microscopy showed that the process of casein micelle aggregation induced by CpCP3 was similar to that caused by chymosin. The cheeses made using CpCP3 showed higher moisture content than those made with chymosin, but protein, fat, and ash were similar. The sensory analysis showed that cheeses made with CpCP3 had high acceptance index (>80%). In silico analysis predicted the presence of only two short allergenic peptides on the surface of CpCP3, which was highly susceptible to digestive enzymes and did not alter zebrafish embryos’ morphology and development. Moreover, recombinant CpCP3 was expressed in Escherichia coli. All results support the biotechnological potential of CpCP3 as an alternative enzyme to chymosin.
Several photocatalysts have been developed for applications in reduction reactions, including tin oxide‐based semiconductors. Although its band structure is unfavorable for CO2 reduction reactions, ...strategies to modify its surface properties directly impacted its activity and selectivity during these reactions. Here, we analyze the influence of heat treatment and decoration of SnO2 with gold nanoparticles on the gas phase CO2 photoreduction process. In both cases, a deleterious effect was observed during reactions under UV radiation (with a drop of 59.81 % and 51.45 % in CH4 production for SnO2_150 °C and SnO2/Au_cop, respectively, compared to SnO2_cop), which is directly related to the availability of surface hydroxyl groups that play a crucial role in CO2 adsorption. Under visible radiation, the gold plasmonic resonance took place in the production of methane (0.33 μmol g−1 for SnO2/Au_cop and 0.29 μmol g−1 for SnO2/Au_150 °C), with small amounts of carbon monoxide (0.06 μmol g−1 for SnO2/Au_cop and 0.03 μmol g−1 for SnO2/Au_150 °C). These results demonstrate that, though the SnO2 band structure does not indicate a good semiconductor for CO2 reduction, its surface characteristics are responsible for its catalytic activity.
CO2 photoreduction using SnO2 under UV radiation lead to CO, C2H4, and C2H6, with higher selectivity for CH4. The same reaction under visible light using Au‐decorated SnO2 produces CH4 and a smaller amount of CO but in much lower yields. Although the SnO2 band structure does not indicate a good semiconductor for CO2 reduction, its surface characteristics are responsible for its catalytic activity, and it does not act as a simple support for other catalysts, as plasmonic metals.
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