Different Citrus rootstocks present high dissimilarities in their antioxidant activity and vitamins content according to the ripening stage

“Lane Late” sweet orange grafted on six different citrus rootstocks and grown in the Guadalquivir valley (Seville, Spain) were picked at different ripening stages in two consecutive seasons to characterize their antioxidant activity (free radicals scavenging activity, reducing power and lipid peroxidation inhibition) and quantify their main antioxidant compounds (vitamin E and vitamin C). Linear discriminant analysis and 2-way ANOVA were applied to compare the effects induced by citrus rootstock and ripening stage. The results showed that differences in antioxidant activity and related compounds are mainly dependent on the citrus rootstock, despite ripening stage had also some particular effects. Changes observed in 2012 showed less marked differences among the citrus rootstock. Nevertheless, Cleopatra rootstock showed the highest antioxidant activity in both years, indicating that an increase in its cultivation might be a good solution to sweet orange farmers. Concerning the ripening stage, samples collected in January presented higher vitamin contents, while those collected in April showed higher antioxidant activity. This result allows deciding the harvesting period according to the desired effect.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support to the research center CIMO (strategic project PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2011), J.C.M. Barreira grant (SFRH/BPD/72802/2010) and L. Barros researcher contract under “Programa Compromisso com Ciência - 2008”. And Vanessa Cardeñosa is grateful to IFAPA for the fellowship obtained for the development of her PhD thesis

CARACTERÍSTICAS TECNOLÓGICAS DAS MADEIRAS DE Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden E Eucalyptus cloeziana F. Muell VISANDO AO SEU APROVEITAMENTO NA INDÚSTRIA MOVELEIRA

Este trabalho se desenvolveu na Universidade de Brasília e no Laboratório de Produtos Florestais (IBAMA), Brasília, DF. Foram estudadas duas espécies de eucalipto (Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden e Eucalyptus cloeziana) para confecção de peças mobiliárias. A madeira de E. grandis apresenta propriedades físicas (densidade e retratibilidade) e mecânicas (flexão estática e dureza) extremamente positivas para a indústria moveleira, sendo complementado por seu bom desempenho perante equipamentos e máquinas, além de receber bem produtos de acabamento. A cor da madeira e o seu desenho levaram os consumidores a mostrar ótima aceitação do móvel fabricado com a espécie. A madeira de Eucalyptus cloeziana, apesar de mostrar propriedades físicas e mecânicas com valores mais elevados que as do Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden, apresenta características desejadas para indústria moveleira. A sua coloração cinza oliva é uma opção para o consumidor. Alguns cuidados especiais com essa espécie deverão ser tomados durante operações com máquinas e equipamentos. Os valores da propriedade dureza apresentados por essa madeira a indicam para fabricação de piso

Erectile dysfunction in systemic sclerosis

The aim of this report is to analyze the incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and the usefulness of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) on the investigation of ED in men with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Fifteen male SSc patients were asked about the presence of ED symptoms and were submitted to the IIEF questionnaire, after obtaining informed consent. Their medical data were reviewed in the search of other possible causes of ED. The studied patients were predominantly Caucasian and had diffuse SSc. ED was referred by 67% of them, and it was first noted after an average of 29 months of SSc onset; four patients referred concomitant onset of ED and SSc. All men with ED detected by IIEF questionnaire also reported ED when directly asked, and all men who affirmed having ED were also identified by IIEF. There were no clear association between ED and extent of cutaneous involvement, visceral involvement, drugs, total skin score and disease duration. Five patients with ED also had other causes of impotence. ED affects a high percentage of male SSc patients, and the IIEF may be a valid instrument in its evaluation. The high incidence of ED in young SSc patients and the occasional concomitance of the onset of SSc and ED warrants further evaluation of a causal association.O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a prevalência da disfunção erétil (DE) e a utilidade do Índice Internacional de Função Erétil (IIFE) na investigação da DE em pacientes com esclerose sistêmica (ES). Quinze homens com ES foram questionados acerca dos sintomas da DE e submetidos ao questionário de IIFE. Seus prontuários foram revisados para identificar outras possíveis causas da DE. Os pacientes estudados eram predominantemente caucasóides e tinham ES difusa. DE foi referida por 67% dos pacientes, iniciando-se, em média, 29 meses após o início da ES; quatro pacientes relataram início concomitante da DE e da ES. O diagnóstico da DE pelo IIFE e por interrogação direta foi concordante em todos os pacientes. Não foi encontrada associação nítida entre DE e extensão do envolvimento cutâneo, envolvimento visceral, drogas, escore cutâneo total e duração da doença. Cinco pacientes com DE também tinham outras causas de impotência. A DE afeta um grande porcentual de homens acometidos por esclerose sistêmica e o IIFE pode ser um instrumento válido em sua avaliação. A alta incidência da DE em jovens com ES e a eventual concomitância do início da ES e da DE enfatizam a necessidade de estudos posteriores sobre uma provável relação causal.949

Učinci ekstrakta Cytinus hypocistis (L.) L. u životinjskom modelu neoplazije inducirane papiloma virusom

Infections with certain types of papillomavirus, such as the human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16), are associated with the development of preneoplastic lesions and cancers of the anogenital, and head and neck regions. Cytinus hypocistis (L.) L. extracts are composed of substances presenting antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which might be promising as new therapeutic compounds. This study analysed the influence of topical application of an extract obtained from C. hypocistis (CH) on K14-HPV16 and FVB/n mice to evaluate its therapeutic and toxicological properties. To achieve the study goals, 30 female mice, 33–37 weeks old, were divided into six groups (n=5/group): I (HPV+CH3.1); II (HPV+CH6.2); III (HPV+CH12.4); IV (FVB/n+CH12.4); V (HPV+control) and VI (FVB/n+-control). CH was applied topically to both ears for 28 days. After this period, all animals were sacrificed for samples collection. Skin lesions were classified histologically. Toxicological parameters included haematological and biochemical blood markers, and hepatic oxidative stress analysis. Transgenic animals showed a decrease in mean body weight regardless of the concentration of extract applied. The extract had no influence on physiological parameters, organ weight, or biochemical and oxidative stress parameters. Histology demonstrated the presence of proliferative epithelial lesions in the skin and oral mucosa of K14-HPV16 mice, with no association with the application of this extract. Overall, the application of CH extract had no influence on the skin lesions and was well tolerated by the animals in these concentrations.Infekcije određenim vrstama papiloma virusa, poput humanog papiloma virusa 16 (HPV16), povezane su s razvojem preneoplastičnih lezija i karcinoma anogenitalnog područja i područja glave i vrata. Ekstrakti Cytinus hypocistis (CH) sadrže tvari koje pokazuju antiproliferativna, antioksidativna, protuupalna i antibakterijska svojstva te bi stoga mogle predstavljati nove, obećavajuće terapijske spojeve. Cilj je ovog rada bio analizirati utjecaj topikalne primjene ekstrakta dobivenog iz C. hypocistis (L.) L. na K14-HPV16 i FVB/n miševima za procjenu njegovih terapijskih i toksikoloških svojstava. Za postizanje ciljeva istraživanja, trideset ženki miševa starosti 33-37 tjedana podijeljeno je u šest skupina (n=5/ skupini): I (HPV+CH3,1); II (HPV+CH6,2); III (HPV+CH12,4); IV (FVB/n+CH12,4); V (HPV+kontrola) i VI (FVB/n+kontrola). CH je tijekom 28 dana topikalno primijenjen na oba uha. Nakon tog razdoblja sve životinje su žrtvovane u svrhu prikupljanja rezulata. Lezije kože su histološki klasificirane. Toksikološki parametri uključivali su hematološke i biokemijske markere krvi te analizu oksidativnog stresa jetre. Transgenične životinje pokazale su smanjenje srednje tjelesne mase, bez obzira na primijenjenu koncentraciju ekstrakta. Ekstrakt nije utjecao na fiziološke parametre, masu organa ili parametre biokemijskog i oksidativnog stresa. Histološki je dokazana prisutnost proliferativnih epitelnih lezija na koži i oralnoj sluznici K14-HPV16 miševa, bez povezanosti s primjenom ovog ekstrakta. Općenito, primjena CH ekstrakta nije utjecala na lezije kože te su ga životinje dobro podnosile u primijenjenim koncentracijama

Castanea sativa mill. flowers as potential chemopreventive agent against rat prostate cancer model

Introduction: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancer among men, having a huge impact in their health [1]. This work aimed to evaluate the influence of a decoction extract obtained from C. sativa flowers (CF) on chemically and hormonally induced rat prostate cancer animal model. Material & Methods: All the animal experiments were approved by the Institutional Animals Ethics Committee and by Portuguese national authorities (DGAV no 021326). Forty male Wistar Unilever rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (n=10), induced group (n=15), CF control group (n=5) and CF induced group (n=10). Animals from induced groups received a multistep induction protocol, which consisted of sequential administration of flutamide, testosterone propionate, the carcinogenic agent MNU and crystalline testosterone. The CF extract, rich in ellagitannins especially trigalloy-HHDP- glucose, was administered in the drinking water (3 mg/animal/day) for 49 weeks. Animals were sacrificed at 61 weeks of age and organs were collected, weighed and processed for light microscopy. Data were analysed using SPSS and GraphPad Prism software. Results: There were no significant differences in relative mean liver weight among groups exposed and not exposed to the CF extract and no animals developed severe hepatic changes. Animals from CF induced group developed less prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia than induced group. Also, animals exposed to the CF extract did not present areas of inflammation of the dorsolateral prostate lobe greater than 50% unlike the groups not exposed (p<0.05). The administration of CF in induced animals was able to decrease the activity of CAT and GST by 36% and 20%, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that CF extract was well tolerate by the animals and did not cause severe hepatic and renal toxicity. C. sativa flowers extract may be used as chemopreventive agent against prostate cancer and seems to have an antioxidant role

Technological characteristics of the wood of Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden and Eucalyptus cloeziana F. Muell, as a supply for the furniture industry

Este trabalho se desenvolveu na Universidade de Brasília e no Laboratório de Produtos Florestais (IBAMA), Brasília, DF. Foram estudadas duas espécies de eucalipto (Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden e Eucalyptus cloeziana) para confecção de peças mobiliárias. A madeira de E. grandis apresenta propriedades físicas (densidade e retratibilidade) e mecânicas (flexão estática e dureza) extremamente positivas para a indústria moveleira, sendo complementado por seu bom desempenho perante equipamentos e máquinas, além de receber bem produtos de acabamento. A cor da madeira e o seu desenho levaram os consumidores a mostrar ótima aceitação do móvel fabricado com a espécie. A madeira de Eucalyptus cloeziana, apesar de mostrar propriedades físicas e mecânicas com valores mais elevados que as do Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden, apresenta características desejadas para indústria moveleira. A sua coloração cinza oliva é uma opção para o consumidor. Alguns cuidados especiais com essa espécie deverão ser tomados durante operações com máquinas e equipamentos. Os valores da propriedade dureza apresentados por essa madeira a indicam para fabricação de piso.This work was carried out at Universidade de Brasília at the Wood Products of Forestry Laboratory (IBAMA, Brasília, DF, Brazil). Two species of eucalypt wood (Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden and Eucalyptus cloeziana) were studied to supply the furniture making industry. The wood of Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden shows physical properties (density and retractibility) and mechanical properties (static bending and hardness) very suitable for the industry of wood furniture. Such characteristics are complemented by its excellent behaviour in machining and also good finishing with varnishes. The colour and patterns the wood bring to the consumers a good feeling as well as for the furnitures built with such a species. The wood of Eucalyptus cloeziana, in spite of its mechanical and physical properties higher than those of Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden, presents good characteristics for the manufacture of furniture. Its grey-olive colouring is consistent with a good choice and taste for the consumers. However, some precaution must be observed during the machining of the wood. This wood’s hardness makes it suitable for parquetry

Evaluation of male fertility-associated loci in a european population of patients with severe spermatogenic impairment

Funding: This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the Spanish State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation (ref. SAF2016-78722-R), the “Ramón y Cajal” program (ref. RYC-2014-16458), and the “Juan de la Cierva Incorporación” program (ref. IJC2018-038026-I), which include FEDER funds. SLa received support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (grants FIS-ISCIII DTS18/00101, co-funded by FEDER funds/European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)-a way to build Europe-), and from Generalitat de Catalunya (grant 2017SGR191). AG-J was recipient of a grant from the “Plan Propio” program of the University of Granada (“Becas de Iniciación a la Investigación para estudiantes de Grado”, conv.2019). SLa is sponsored by the “Researchers Consolidation Program” from the SNS-Dpt. Salut Generalitat de Catalunya (Exp. CES09/020). JG was partially funded by FCT/MCTES, through national funds attributed to Center for Toxicogenomics and Human Health—ToxOmics (UIDB/00009/2020). PIM is supported by the FCT post-doctoral fellowship (SFRH/BPD/120777/2016), financed from the Portuguese State Budget of the Ministry for Science, Technology and High Education and from the European Social Fund, available through the Programa Operacional do Capital Humano. AML is funded by the Portuguese Government through FCT (IF/01262/2014). IPATIMUP integrates the i3S Research Unit, which is partially supported by FCT in the framework of the project “Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences” (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274).Infertility is a growing concern in developed societies. Two extreme phenotypes of male infertility are non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and severe oligospermia (SO), which are characterized by severe spermatogenic failure (SpF). We designed a genetic association study comprising 725 Iberian infertile men as a consequence of SpF and 1058 unaffected controls to evaluate whether five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), previously associated with reduced fertility in Hutterites, are also involved in the genetic susceptibility to idiopathic SpF and specific clinical entities. A significant difference in the allele frequencies of USP8-rs7174015 was observed under the recessive model between the NOA group and both the control group (p = 0.0226, OR = 1.33) and the SO group (p = 0.0048, OR = 1.78). Other genetic associations for EPSTI1-rs12870438 and PSAT1-rs7867029 with SO and between TUSC1-rs10966811 and testicular sperm extraction (TESE) success in the context of NOA were observed. In silico analysis of functional annotations demonstrated cis-eQTL effects of such SNPs likely due to the modification of binding motif sites for relevant transcription factors of the spermatogenic process. The findings reported here shed light on the molecular mechanisms leading to severe phenotypes of idiopathic male infertility, and may help to better understand the contribution of the common genetic variation to the development of these conditions.publishersversionpublishe

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio