EFFECT OF DIFFERENT STORAGE CONDITIONS ON NUTRITIONAL AND QUALITY PARAMETERS OF 'SWEETHEART' CHERRY.

Abstract The sweet cherry ‘Sweetheart’, although having a short shelf life, is highly appreciated by consumers due to its organoleptic characteristics. Different storage methods were tested to study the maintenance of quality during a period of 27 days: 1) cold (air at 1°C and 95% relative humidity) (CC), 2) cold and polypropylene film bags (1°C and 95% relative humidity) (MA) and 3) cold and controlled atmosphere (1°C, 95% RH, 10% CO2 and 8% O2) (CA). Quality parameters tested included external colour (L*, a*, b*), total soluble solids (TSS), and titratable acidity (TA). To evaluate nutritional quality anthocyanins, total antioxidant activity, and total phenolics were measured. Results allow us to say that phenolic compounds were relatively stable and similar during storage in CC and MA. Cherries stored under CA conditions presented lowest concentrations of phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds, total anthocyanins and antioxidant activity were inversely correlated with values of colour coordinates. Considering all the evaluations done during this work it is unquestionable that fruits stored in controlled atmosphere conditions had significantly different quality

Pinging the brain with visual impulses reveals electrically active, not activity-silent, working memories

Persistently active neurons during mnemonic periods have been regarded as the mechanism underlying working memory maintenance. Alternatively, neuronal networks could instead store memories in fast synaptic changes, thus avoiding the biological cost of maintaining an active code through persistent neuronal firing. Such "activity-silent" codes have been proposed for specific conditions in which memories are maintained in a nonprioritized state, as for unattended but still relevant short-term memories. A hallmark of this "activity-silent" code is that these memories can be reactivated from silent, synaptic traces. Evidence for "activity-silent" working memory storage has come from human electroencephalography (EEG), in particular from the emergence of decodability (EEG reactivations) induced by visual impulses (termed pinging) during otherwise "silent" periods. Here, we reanalyze EEG data from such pinging studies. We find that the originally reported absence of memory decoding reflects weak statistical power, as decoding is possible based on more powered analyses or reanalysis using alpha power instead of raw voltage. This reveals that visual pinging EEG "reactivations" occur in the presence of an electrically active, not silent, code for unattended memories in these data. This crucial change in the evidence provided by this dataset prompts a reinterpretation of the mechanisms of EEG reactivations. We provide 2 possible explanations backed by computational models, and we discuss the relationship with TMS-induced EEG reactivations

Biocontrol of Avian Gastrointestinal Parasites Using Predatory Fungi: Current Status, Challenges, and Opportunities

This review describes the current research status regarding the implementation of predatory fungi in the biological control approach of bird gastrointestinal (GI) parasitosis. The main GI parasites of Galliformes (e.g., broilers, layers, peacocks, pheasants) and Ratites (e.g., ostriches, emus, rheas) are addressed, as well as their impact on farms, zoos, and private collections. The main characteristics regarding biocontrol with predatory fungi are briefly described, such as their mode of action and efficacy against GI parasites of different animal hosts. The state of the art regarding the use of predatory fungi in birds is reviewed here by describing all associated articles already published in the main databases, techniques, and their main findings. Ovicidal fungi such as Pochonia chlamydosporia, Metarhizium spp. and Acremonium spp., and larvicidal fungi, namely Duddingtonia flagrans, Arthrobotrys spp. and Monacrosporium thaumasium, have shown promising predacious activity against ascarid eggs and nematode larvae from chickens and ostriches, both in vitro and in vivo, also revealing tolerance to the GI passage in chickens and maintenance of predacious capacity. Further studies are needed to understand the fungi–parasite–host gut microbiota interactions and target other avian GI parasitic species, such as nematodes, coccidia, cestodes, and trematodes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Markedly divergent tree assemblage responses to tropical forest loss and fragmentation across a strong seasonality gradient

We examine the effects of forest fragmentation on the structure and composition of tree assemblages within three seasonal and aseasonal forest types of southern Brazil, including evergreen, Araucaria, and deciduous forests. We sampled three southernmost Atlantic Forest landscapes, including the largest continuous forest protected areas within each forest type. Tree assemblages in each forest type were sampled within 10 plots of 0.1 ha in both continuous forests and 10 adjacent forest fragments. All trees within each plot were assigned to trait categories describing their regeneration strategy, vertical stratification, seed-dispersal mode, seed size, and wood density. We detected differences among both forest types and landscape contexts in terms of overall tree species richness, and the density and species richness of different functional groups in terms of regeneration strategy, seed dispersal mode and woody density. Overall, evergreen forest fragments exhibited the largest deviations from continuous forest plots in assemblage structure. Evergreen, Araucaria and deciduous forests diverge in the functional composition of tree floras, particularly in relation to regeneration strategy and stress tolerance. By supporting a more diversified light-demanding and stress-tolerant flora with reduced richness and abundance of shadetolerant, old-growth species, both deciduous and Araucaria forest tree assemblages are more intrinsically resilient to contemporary human-disturbances, including fragmentationinduced edge effects, in terms of species erosion and functional shifts. We suggest that these intrinsic differences in the direction and magnitude of responses to changes in landscape structure between forest types should guide a wide range of conservation strategies in restoring fragmented tropical forest landscapes worldwide

Isolation of saprophytic filamentous fungi from avian fecal samples and assessment of its predatory activity on coccidian oocysts

Research Areas: Science & Technology, Other TopicsFungal strains used in the biocontrol of animal gastrointestinal parasites have been mainly isolated from pasture soil, decaying organic matter, and feces from herbivores and carnivores. However, their isolation from birds and assessment of predatory activity against avian GI parasites has been scarce thus far. This research aimed to isolate flamentous fungi from avian fecal samples and evaluate their predatory activity against coccidia. A pool of 58 fecal samples from chickens, laying hens, and peacocks, previously collected between July 2020-April 2021, were used for isolation of flamentous fungi and assessment of their in vitro predatory activity against coccidian oocysts, using Water-Agar medium and coprocultures. The Willis-fotation technique was also performed to obtain concentrated suspensions of oocysts. A total of seven Mucor isolates was obtained, being the only fungal taxa identifed, and all presented lytic activity against coccidia. Isolates FR3, QP2 and SJ1 had signifcant coccidiostatic efcacies (inhibition of sporulation) higher than 70%, while isolates FR1, QP2 and QP1 had coccidicidal efcacies (destruction of the oocysts) of 22%, 14% and 8%, respectively, after 14 days of incubation, being a gradual and time-dependent process. To our knowledge, this is the frst report regarding the isolation of native predatory fungi from avian feces and demonstration of their lytic activity against coccidiainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Excited states of bromopyrimidines probed by vuv photoabsorption spectroscopy and theoretical calculations

Funding Information: Funding: J.P.‐d.‐S. acknowledges the Portuguese National Funding Agency FCT‐MCTES through PhD grant PD/BD/142768/2018, together with R.R., J.A., M.M. and F.F.d.S. through the researcher grant PTDC/FIS‐AQM/31215/2017 and AIL through the researcher grant PTDC/FIS‐ AQM/31281/2017. This work was also supported by Radiation Biology and Biophysics Doctoral Training Programme (RaBBiT, PD/00193/2012); UIDB/04378/2020 (UCIBIO); and UIDB/00068/2020 (CEFITEC). The research leading to this result has been supported by the project CALIPSOplus under the Grant Agreement 730872 from the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation HORIZON 2020.We report absolute photoabsorption cross sections for gas‐phase 2‐ and 5‐ bromopyrimidine in the 3.7–10.8 eV energy range, in a joint theoretical and experimental study. The measurements were carried out using high‐resolution vacuum ultraviolet synchrotron radiation, with quantum chemical calculations performed through the nuclear ensemble approach in combination with time‐dependent density functional theory, along with additional Franck–Condon Herzberg–Teller calculations for the first absorption band (3.7–4.6 eV). The cross sections of both bromopyrimidines are very similar below 7.3 eV, deviating more substantially from each other at higher energies. In the 7.3–9.0 eV range where the maximum cross‐section is found, a single and broad band is observed for 5‐bromopyrimidine, while more discernible features appear in the case of 2‐bromopyrimidine. Several π* ← π transitions account for the most intense bands, while weaker ones are assigned to transitions involving the nitrogen and bromine lone pairs, the antibonding σ*Br orbital, and the lower‐lying Rydberg states. A detailed comparison with the available photo‐absorption data of bromobenzene is also reported. We have found significant differences regarding the main absorption band, which is more peaked in bromobenzene, becoming broader and shifting to higher energies in both bromopyrimidines. In addition, there is a significant suppression of vibrational structures and of Rydberg states in the pair of isomers, most noticeably for 2‐bromopyrimidine.publishersversionpublishe

Parasitas gastrointestinais em produção de frango ao ar livre

A investigação em sanidade animal realizada a nível nacional em sistemas extensivos de produção de frango é essencial, atendendo à frequente longa exposição dos animais ao ambiente exterior e aos parasitas que o contaminam. Estudos parasitológicos são extremamente relevantes de forma a conhecer quais as espécies parasitárias mais prevalentes e ajudar os produtores a definirem melhores medidas profiláticas. Esta pesquisa procurou identificar os parasitas gastrointestinais associados a este tipo de produção aviária e ocorreu numa exploração agropecuária localizada na extremidade noroeste do distrito de Lisboa, onde foram avaliados Frangos do Campo através de amostragem fecal aos 75 e 85 dias de idade. O parasitismo gastrointestinal foi analisado através de métodos coprológicos qualitativos, quantitativos e coproculturas para obtenção de oocistos esporulados e larvas L3 de nematodes estrongilídeos. Na 1ª amostragem, a prevalência de Eimeria spp. totalizou 40,0%, sendo Eimeria mitis (13,3%) e E. maxima (11,7%) as mais prevalentes, tendo-se identificado também ovos de Capillaria sp., (1,7 % de prevalência). Nas coproculturas de oocistos, esporularam as seguintes espécies: E. necatrix, E. mitis, E. praecox, E. maxima, E. acervulina e E. tenella. Na 2ª amostragem, as coccídeas continuaram a ser o grupo mais prevalente, 90,0% de amostras positivas com oito espécies identificadas, sendo de novo E. mitis a espécie mais frequente (41,7%), seguida por E. acervulina (26,7%) e E. tenella (25%). Foram também observados ovos de Heterakis sp. (3,33%) e novamente de Capillaria sp. (10,0%) A carga parasitária fecal de oocistos na 1ª e 2ª amostragens foi de 370,8 ± 2055,3 OoPG e 599,2 ± 1289,2 OoPG, respetivamente, verificando-se um aumento superior a 60% do valor médio deste parâmetro parasitológico da 1ª para a 2ª colheita. O crescimento da erva, a idade e densidade animal, bem como o tempo de exposição a parasitas com períodos pré-patentes curtos, constituíram fatores chave para o aumento da prevalência de oocistos de Eimeria spp. e ovos de helmintes entre as duas amostragens, em particular de espécies com reconhecida patogenicidade. Isto permite-nos concluir que no final da fase de engorda, as cargas parasitárias são as mais elevadas detetadas neste sistema de produção de Frango do Campo, podendo desencadear patologia associada e interferir com a sua performance produtiva.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Implementation of Mini-FLOTAC in routine diagnosis of Coccidia and Helminth infections in domestic and exotic birds

Mini-FLOTAC (MF) has recently been proposed for the fecal quantification of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in birds due to its higher sensitivity and precision in comparison with the McMaster method. The current research aimed to test the use of MF in routine diagnosis of coccidia and helminth infections in several domestic and exotic bird collections in Portugal. Between July 2020 and April 2021, a total of 142 fecal samples from organic layers, peacocks and ratites were collected in four Portuguese bird collections and processed using MF and fecal cultures to identify and calculate GI parasite shedding and prevalence. The McMaster method was also used to compare the shedding levels obtained for both quantitative techniques. MF’s relative sensitivity and specificity were also assessed, using McMaster as the reference technique. The implementation of MF resulted in an average Eimeria spp. shedding higher in peacocks from bird collection 2 (502 OPG), followed by peacocks from collection 1 (107 OPG) and organic layers (24 OPG) and peacocks from collection 3 (9 OPG). Peacocks were also positive for Capillaria spp., Trichostrongylus tenuis and Strongyloides pavonis, whereas ostriches and emus were infected by L. douglassii. The MF protocol for exotic animals and the McMaster method did not differ significantly for each parasitic agent and bird species, and MF achieved relative sensitivities and specificities higher than 70% for Galliform Eimeria spp., peacock helminths and ratites’ L. douglassii infections. Higher L. douglassii EPG values were identified using the MF protocol for exotic species (2 g of feces/38 mL of sucrose solution), followed by McMaster 2/28, MF 5/45 and MF 2/18. The use of MF allowed for obtaining different intestinal parasitic populations in several bird species and locations, and MF 2/38 is globally proposed as the most suitable protocol for bird fecal samples as an alternative to the McMaster method in the diagnosis of avian intestinal parasitic infections.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Changes in water quality of the river das Antas as it passes through rural and urban areas

The catchment area of River das Antas (Irati, Paraná, Brazil) is of high importance both for human consumption and irrigation. Within Irati, this river passes through a rural area and through the city of Irati, crossing both poor and rich neighbourhoods. We selected three study areas downstream (a rural area, poor community, and rich neighbourhood) in which we measured turbidity, the concentration of sediments and pH during rainy days. Our results showed downstream trends of increasing turbidity and concentrations of sediments with decreasing pH. The values of turbidity and of concentration of sediments were significantly different in the rural area, while the pH values were significantly different between the three study areas. These findings highlight the effect of agricultural activities in the generation of sediments and turbidity. The—presumably expected—effects of organic urban waste from the poor neighbourhood were also detected in the pH values. We conclude that efforts should be made to ensure that land planning and training/education programmes on sustainable farming practices are undertaken by the authorities to reduce water pollution and its effects on water bodies during rainfall events, since paving streets is not a feasible option in the short term due to the high costs associated with this measur

Prognostic value of immunoexpression of CCR4, CCR5, CCR7 and CXCR4 in squamous cell carcinoma of tongue and floor of the mouth

Diverse studies have evidenced that chemokines can play a critical role in pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The main chemokines involved in oral carcinogenesis, tumor invasion and metastasis are CCR4, CCR5, CCR7 and CXCR4, and our aim was to evaluate the prognostic value of the immunoexpression of these chemokines in SCC of tongue and floor of the mouth. A retrospective descriptive study of the immunohistochemical expression of CCR4, CCR5, CCR7 and CXCR4 in paraffin-embedded samples of 124 patients with SCC of the tongue and floor of the mouth was performed, considering 98 cases from Brazil and 26 cases from Chile. Associations between variables were analyzed using chi-square test. Survival curves were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with long-rank test. For multivariate survival analysis, the Cox hazard model was established. The level of significance established was p?0.05. The statistical analysis showed that samples with well or moderate WHO model differentiation (p=0.001) and a high expression of CCR5 (p=0.05) were significantly associated with a higher disease specific survival, which were also observed in Cox´s multivariate analysis (p=0.01). A higher expression of CCR7 (p=0.01) interfered significantly in disease-free survival in univariate analysis and in Cox´s multivariate analysis (p=0.05). These results support additional evidence, showing that chemokine receptors CCR5 and CCR7 are helpful as biomarkers of poor prognosis in patients with SCC of the tongue and floor of the mouth