NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Qualitative phenolic profile (HPLC-DAD-MS) from olive oil mill waste waters at different states of storage and evaluation of hydrolysis process as a pretreatment to recover their antioxidants

Olive oil mill waste water (OOMWW) represents a waste that it is generated during the extraction process of olive oil from olives and it is an important environmental problem because of the huge volume generated in the mills. Nevertheless, it is highlighted in literature the high concentration of antioxidants, especially phenolic compounds, in the OOMWW. Principally, the qualitative phenolic profiles of OOMWW differ depending on the technological process of production of olive oil and the time of storage. The aim of this work was to compare qualitatively the phenolic profile of OOMWW by HPLC-DAD-MS. Glucosilated secoiridoids as oleuropein and ligstroside, their aglycon derivatives and simple phenols were the principal compounds found in these matrixes. Furthermore, different hydrolysis reactions have been studied for the phenolic fraction in the oleuropein standard as well as in the OOMWWsamples.These steps have been evaluated as pretreatment for the selection and a possible subsequent recovery of most interesting phenolic compounds as hydroxytyrosol that has been proved to possess an important antioxidant activit

Phenol content related to antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Passiflora spp. extracts

Methanolic extracts were prepared from different organs of plants from five Passiflora species obtained by zygotic embryo culture and evaluated for their capacity to quench DPPH and ABTS+ radicals in comparison to that of Trolox, a water soluble vitamin-E analogue. Moreover their antimicrobial activity against E. coli was tested by agar diffusion and turbidity assays. P. nitida, P. foetida, and P. palmeri showed antimicrobial activity. P. nitida and P. palmeri also showed high antioxidant activity. P. tenuifila and P. coriacea demonstrated antioxidant power but not antimicrobial activity. The phenolic content of the different extracts was studied and quantified by spectrophotometric methods, HPLC, and mass spectrometry. High antioxidant activity correlated with high amounts of o-diphenol and catechin. An unknown component, tentatively identified as structural isomer of isoschaftoside, appeared to correlate with antimicrobial activity

Cell death and cell proliferation in human spina bifida

Background: Spina bifida is a multifactorial congenital malformation of the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to ascertain the relevance of cell death/proliferation balance in human spina bifida and to assess autophagy distribution and levels during embryo-fetal development in neural tissue. Methods: Five human cases with myelomeningocoele were compared with 10 healthy human controls and LC3 protein expression was also analyzed in mouse embryos. Cell death was evaluated using TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridinetriphosphate nick end-labeling) assay; cell proliferation was studied by counting Ki67-positive cells, and autophagy was assessed by observing the presence of LC3 punctuate dots. Results: Comparing human cases and controls (13 to 21 weeks of gestation), we observed a significant increase in TUNEL-positive cells in human spina bifida associated with a significantly decreased proliferation rate, indicating an alteration of the physiological cell rate homeostasis. LC3 distribution was found to be spatiotemporally regulated in both human and murine embryo-fetuses: in early pregnancy a diffuse and ubiquitous LC3 signal was detected. After neural tube closure, an intense LC3-positive signal, normally associated to extra energy requirement, was confined to the Lissauer's tract, the dorsolateral spinal zone containing centrally projecting axons from dorsal root ganglia, at any medullar levels. LC3 signal disappeared from 12 weeks of gestation. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study confirms the fundamental role of cell death/proliferation balance during central nervous system development and reports the changing expression of LC3 protein in mouse and human neural tube. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:104-113, 2016

Organoleptic evaluation of an artificial syrup containing stevioside as sweetener

Xaropes artificiais contendo edulcorante constituem uma alternativa nos casos onde a sacarose deva ser evitada. O esteviosídio, um glicosídio diterpênico, extraído das folhas de Stevia rebaudiana, possui poder edulcorante trezentas vezes maior do que a sacarose. A aceitação deste adjuvante foi testada em teste duplo cego numa população casual de cem indivíduos contra formulação idêntica contendo sacarina sódica. O xarope contendo esteviosídio foi considerado equivalente ao contendo sacarina. Os fatores sexo, hábito de fumar e horário de experimentação não afetaram as respostas ao teste organolético.Artificial syrup containing sweeteners represents a good way of choice, when sucrose must be avoided. Stevioside, a diterpenic glycoside from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, 300 times more sweet than sucrose, is widely used as sugar substitute in several cases. The acceptance of this adjuvant was tested throughout a double-blind test against sodium saccharin. The results showed equivalent acceptance for the artificial syrup containing stevioside. Smoke habits, individual gender of the proofer and time of experimentation did not affect the Organoleptic evaluation

Organoleptic evaluation of an artificial syrup containing stevioside as sweetener

Xaropes artificiais contendo edulcorante constituem uma alternativa nos casos onde a sacarose deva ser evitada. O esteviosídio, um glicosídio diterpênico, extraído das folhas de Stevia rebaudiana, possui poder edulcorante trezentas vezes maior do que a sacarose. A aceitação deste adjuvante foi testada em teste duplo cego numa população casual de cem indivíduos contra formulação idêntica contendo sacarina sódica. O xarope contendo esteviosídio foi considerado equivalente ao contendo sacarina. Os fatores sexo, hábito de fumar e horário de experimentação não afetaram as respostas ao teste organolético.Artificial syrup containing sweeteners represents a good way of choice, when sucrose must be avoided. Stevioside, a diterpenic glycoside from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, 300 times more sweet than sucrose, is widely used as sugar substitute in several cases. The acceptance of this adjuvant was tested throughout a double-blind test against sodium saccharin. The results showed equivalent acceptance for the artificial syrup containing stevioside. Smoke habits, individual gender of the proofer and time of experimentation did not affect the Organoleptic evaluation