Metabolizable energy and metabolizability coefficients of moringa and bocaiuva for slow-growing broilers at different ages.

This study aimed to determine nutrient metabolizability coefficients and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and nitrogen-corrected AME (AMEn) values of moringa leaf meal and bocaiuva pulp for slow-growing broilers. Three hundred and fifty 1-day-old chicks of the Red Naked Neck line were allocated to five treatments in a completely randomized design with seven replicates of 10 birds. Treatments consisted of a control diet and four test diets. The proportion of ingredients evaluated in the test diets was 20% moringa leaf meal and bocaiuva pulp and 40% corn and soybean meal. The total excreta collection method was applied with 1% ferric oxide included in the diets as a marker of start and end of collection, in the starter, grower and finisher phases. The metabolizability coefficients of dry matter, crude protein and ether extract and the AME and AMEn values of moringa leaf meal, bocaiuva pulp, corn and soybean meal were determined. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey?s test at the 5% probability level. The protein from moringa leaf meal and the fat from bocaiuva pulp are highly metabolizable by birds at different ages. The AME and AMEn values of moringa leaf meal ranged from 2557 to 2868 Kcal/kg and 2205 to 2479 Kcal/kg, respectively. In bocaiuva pulp, AME and AMen ranged between 2680 and 3119 Kcal/kg and 2483 and 2490 Kcal/kg, respectively. Therefore, the alternative ingredients can be used in the formulation of diets for slow-growing broilers to partially replace corn and soybean meal

Manual de produção de uvas viníferas de alta qualidade.

bitstream/item/129038/1/MANUAL-de-PRODUCAO-de-UVAS-VINIFERAS-de-ALTA-QUALIDADE-2015-Revisado-em-31-08-15.pd

Determinantes Nacionais e Setoriais da Estrutura de Capital na América Latina

This study identified the role of the national environment (the Macroeconomy, Financial Development and Institutional Quality) and industry characteristics (Munificence, Dynamism, Concentration, Life Cycle, Technological Efficiency Dispersion, Product Quality Dispersion, Customer Bargaining Power and Supplier Bargaining Power) on debt of 612 listed companies from 7 Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela). For comparison purposes, the analysis is also extended to 847 U.S. companies. The period of study is 1996-2009 and the analysis employed a Hierarchical Linear Model, which controls the effects according to the level of the variables (country, industry, time and firm). The results suggest that Financial Development eases access to external funds and Institutional Quality is negatively related to firm Leverage. The research also finds evidence that institutional quality can promote asymmetrical development between stock markets and credit markets

Heavy Metals Concentrations in Fish from Sicily (Mediterranean Sea) and Evaluation of Possible Health Risks to Consumers

Cadmium, lead, mercury and chromium concentrations in fish muscle tissue taken from various Sicilian areas were detected. Fish caught in Siracusa, nearby a petrochemical industrial area, were more contaminated by cadmium, lead and chromium (respectively 0.366, 0.32, 0.72 μg/g) than those from the other sites. In the Sicily Channel, we found the highest bioaccumulation of mercury (0.31 μg/g). Although some metals concentrations exceed the limits set by the European regulation, the estimated weekly intake was below the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake established by the European Food and Safety Authority, and the Target Hazard Quotient values indicate that there is no carcinogenic risk for humans

Egg quality of laying hens fed with cassava (Manihot esculenta), moringa (Moringa oleifera) and bocaiuva (Acrocomia aculeata) in semi-intensive rearing system.

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the introduction of cassava flour, moringa leaf meal and bocaiuva pulp in laying hens? diets on egg quality. Nine hundred eggs from Dekalb® White laying hens between 34 and 54 weeks of age rearing in semi-intensive system were used in the experiment. The laying hens were submitted to the following diets: 1 - diet control: maize and soybean meal base diet; 2 - diet with inclusion of 18% of cassava root meal+4% moringa leaf meal+4% of bocaiuva pulp; 3 - diet with the inclusion of 24% of cassava root meal+6% of moringa leaf meal+6% of bocaiuva pulp; 4 - diet with the inclusion of 30% of cassava root meal+8% of moringa leaf meal+8% bocaiuva pulp. The inclusion of higher levels of alternative ingredients intensified yolk color; it improved the percentage of albumen, yolk index, specific gravity and reduced yolk percentage. The association of 30% de cassava root meal+8% de moringa leaf meal+8% de bocaiuva pulp does not decrease the egg quality; it gives the yolk an orange yellow tone and it can be used in diets of laying hens with 34 and 54 weeks of age in semi-intensive systems. Resumo: O estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a inclusão de farelo de mandioca, farinha de folhas de moringa e polpa de bocaiuva em dietas de galinhas poedeiras sobre a qualidade dos ovos. Novecentos ovos de galinhas poedeiras Dekalb® White entre 34 e 54 semanas de idade criadas em sistema semi-intensivo foram utilizados no experimento. As galinhas poedeiras foram submetidas às seguintes dietas: 1 ? dieta à base de milho e farelo de soja; 2 - dieta com inclusão de 18% de farelo de mandioca + 4% de farinha de folhas de moringa + 4% de polpa de bocaiuva; 3 - dieta com inclusão de 24% de farelo de mandioca + 6% de farinha de folhas de moringa + 6% de polpa de bocaiuva; 4 - dieta com inclusão de 30% de farelo de mandioca + 8% de farelo de moringa + 8% de polpa de bocaiuva. A inclusão de níveis mais altos de ingredientes alternativos intensificou a cor da gema; melhorou a porcentagem de albúmen, índice de gema, gravidade específica e reduziu a porcentagem de gema. A associação de 30% de farelo de mandioca + 8% de farinha de folhas de moringa + 8% de polpa de bocaiuva não diminui a qualidade dos ovos, resulta na produção de ovos com gema de cor com tom amarelo alaranjado e pode ser usado em dietas de galinhas poedeiras com 34 e 54 semanas de idade criadas em sistemas semi-intensivos

Sometimes Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus) Cannot Find Their Way Back to the High Seas: A Multidisciplinary Study on a Mass Stranding

BACKGROUND: Mass strandings of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) remain peculiar and rather unexplained events, which rarely occur in the Mediterranean Sea. Solar cycles and related changes in the geomagnetic field, variations in water temperature and weather conditions, coast geographical features and human activities have been proposed as possible causes. In December 2009, a pod of seven male sperm whales stranded along the Adriatic coast of Southern Italy. This is the sixth instance from 1555 in this basin. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Complete necropsies were performed on three whales whose bodies were in good condition, carrying out on sampled tissues histopathology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology, and screening of veins looking for gas emboli. Furthermore, samples for age determination, genetic studies, gastric content evaluation, stable isotopes and toxicology were taken from all the seven specimens. The animals were part of the same group and determined by genetic and photo-identification to be part of the Mediterranean population. Causes of death did not include biological agents, or the "gas and fat embolic syndrome", associated with direct sonar exposure. Environmental pollutant tissue concentrations were relatively high, in particular organochlorinated xenobiotics. Gastric content and morphologic tissue examinations showed a prolonged starvation, which likely caused, at its turn, the mobilization of lipophilic contaminants from the adipose tissue. Chemical compounds subsequently entered the blood circulation and may have impaired immune and nervous functions. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: A multi-factorial cause underlying this sperm whales' mass stranding is proposed herein based upon the results of postmortem investigations as well as of the detailed analyses of the geographical and historical background. The seven sperm whales took the same "wrong way" into the Adriatic Sea, a potentially dangerous trap for Mediterranean sperm whales. Seismic surveys should be also regarded as potential co-factors, even if no evidence of direct impact has been detected

Is the consumption of sweets a risk factor for thyroid cancer?

Abstract Background Several studies have investigated the role of diet as a risk and/or protective factor on the development of the thyroid cancer but the results are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of eating habits on the risk of thyroid cancer. Methods We carried out a hospital-based case-control study. The eating habits of the participants were investigated through a validated Lifestyles Questionnaire. The frequency of consumption of the different types of food was reported on a 4-level scale (never, 1 time per week, 2-3 times a week, 6 times a week). Logistic regression models were used to estimate the ORs and their 95% confidence intervals adjusted for age, gender and BMI. Statistical data analysis was conducted using the IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 program. Results One hundred and six cases (91.2% CA papillary type) and 217 controls were recruited. A positive association was observed for BMI (OR: 1.085; IC95% = 1.022-1.152), consumption of complex carbohydrates (OR: 2,324; IC95%: 1,364-3,960) and a low consumption of legumes, cereals, potatoes, fruit and vegetables (OR: 2.285, 95% CI: 1.330-3.926). The consumption of sweets decreased with age (Rho: -0.445, N = 318, p = 0.000), but at the same age the cases had a higher consumption than controls. In particular, the consumption of sweets was higher in the age group between 39 and 52 years old. Conclusions Our study adds new and relevant information to support the hypothesis that a sugar rich diet may increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer. Funding This research was funded by Intradepartmental Research Plan 2016/2018 of Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, grant number: 5C722012104. Key messages Future studies need to clarify the mechanisms that associate the diet with the risk of thyroid cancer. More research is also needed to explain the differences in thyroid cancer among women and men

Mercury and selenium intake by seafood from the Ionian Sea: A risk evaluation.

The subject of the present study is the evaluation of the concentrations of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) in fish and shellfish from the Gulf of Catania (Ionian Sea) and the assessment of related risk-based consumption limits per single contaminant in adults and children. In contrast to the potential harm from Hg, Se is an essential element that is normally found in high levels in seafood. If the amount of Hg is high enough, it could bind Se and irreversibly inhibit selenium-dependent enzymes. Thus, adequate levels of Se need to be available to replace the amount of Se lost to Hg sequestration, thereby maintaining normal selenoprotein synthesis. Hg analysis was conducted using a flow injection analysis system coupled with an atomic adsorption spectrometer, and Se analysis was conducted using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Of the trace elements investigated, only Hg has a limit set by the European Community for human consumption, and this was never exceeded. Nevertheless, based on Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) over 1, and on the Estimated Daily Intake per meal (EDIm) higher than the Provisional Tolerable Intake (PTI) suggested by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additive (JECFA), Hg oral exposure derived from consumption of the benthonic fish and of the bigger pelagic fish species analyzed, could follow the occurrence of systemic effects. Se was found always in molar excess respect to Hg in all pelagic fish and in the shellfish, nearly equimolar in the benthonic fish. Determining the evidence that foods, such as pelagic fish, with high molar excess of Se, could contribute to replace the amount of Se bound to Hg and thereby maintaining normal selenoprotein synthesis, is useful for a better understanding of the seafood safety

Mercury Enrichment in Sediments of the Coastal Area of Northern Latium, Italy

This is the accepted manuscript of the paper "Mercury Enrichment in Sediments of the Coastal Area of Northern Latium, Italy", published as final paper in "Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 03/2016; 96(4); DOI: 10.1007/s00128-016-1776-9" Scanu S, Piazzolla D, Manfredi Frattarelli F, Mancini E, Tiralongo F, Brundo MV, Tibullo D, Pecoraro R, Copat C, Ferrante M, Marcelli M. “Mercury Enrichment in Sediments of the Coastal Area of Northern Latium, Italy”. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 03/2016; 96(4) DOI 10.1007/s00128-016-1776-9. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent of the Hg geochemical anomaly arising in the Amiata and Tolfa complex to the coastal area of northern Latium and to examine the possible influence on this area by the Mignone River, and by the small coastal basins, which are characterized by both previous mining activities and decades of past industrial impact. The results confirm the extension of the anomaly of concentrations of Hg in the coastal area of northern Latium, with the northern sector influenced by the contributions of the Fiora and Mignone Rivers and the southern sector influenced by the contributions of minor basins. The results show high values of the Adverse Effect Index throughout the considered area and highlight the need for further investigation in order to assess the impact of human activities on the present and past values of Hg in marine sediments

Trace-Metal Enrichment and Pollution in coastal Sediments in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy

This is the accepted manuscript of the paper " Trace-Metal Enrichment and Pollution in coastal Sediments in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy", published as final paper in " Archives of Environmental Contamination Toxicology, vol. 68, number 4, may 2015, ISSN 0090-4341, DOI 10.1007/s00244-015-0166-3.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-015-0166-3" Piazzolla, D., Scanu, S., Frattarelli, F.M. et al. Trace-Metal Enrichment and Pollution in Coastal Sediments in the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 69, 470–481 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-015-0166-3 This study evaluated the distribution pattern and pollution of chromium, arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), nickel, lead, and copper in surface sediments along the northern Latium coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea in Italy. The enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, and potential toxicity response index were used to evaluate the degree of contamination. These results show As and Mn contamination. The high enrichment and contamination levels of As and Mn are located in two hot spots. These elevations are due to naturally high levels of As and Mn in the Mignone River and the Marangone Stream as well as the intense human activity in the area including the largest energy production site in Europe (Torrevaldaliga Nord coal-fired power plant) and of one of the most important ports for cruise traffic in the Mediterranean Sea