Pectic polysaccharides from the infusions of P. tridentatum, F. angustifolia and M. suaveolens: structural characterization and modulation of the inflammatory activity

In Trás-os-Montes region (Portugal), the small shrub (Pterospartum tridentatum), the narrow-leafed ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), and the apple mint (Mentha suaveolens) are vegetable species used in the preparation of infusions for medicinal purposes, such as protection against diabetes, hypertension, high levels of cholesterol and uric acid [1]. These infusions contain several types of polysaccharides, such as pectic polysaccharides and galactomannans (GM´s), often reported as immunomodulators [2, 3]. Pectic polysaccharides are structurally complex polymers, exhibiting different polymeric building blocks: homogalacturonans (HG), type I rhamnogalacturonans (RG-I), type II rhamnogalacturonans (RG-II) and xylogalacturonans (XG) [4]. The backbone of RG-I can be partly substituted with, among others, type-II arabinogalactans (AG-I ) that form ramified regions responsible for the modulation of the immune response [2]. For GM´s, factors like chain length, degree of branching and degree of acetylation seem to influence their immunomodulating activity [3].Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal), European Union, QREN, FEDER, and COMPETE for funding the QOPNA (project PEst-C/QUI/UI0062/2013; FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-037296) and CIMO research unit

Is Cytisus multiflorus an antiinflamatory plant?

Cytisus multiflorus is a leguminous shrub native from Iberian Peninsula that is distributed in the south-west Mediterranean region. This plant is used in folk medicine and it is claimed to have various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties[1]. Yet, the anti-inflammatory usage of C. multiflorus is totally based on the available ethnopharmacological information while no scientific data on this capacity and on molecular targets has been reported for the plant. Hence, the present work aims to clarify the possible anti-inflammatory mechanisms of C. multiflorus. A purified ethanolic extract was prepared and its high antioxidant capacity was confirmed though the DPPH radical scavenging [2] and reducing power [3] assays (EC50 values 13.4±1.0 and 11.4±2.1 μg/mL, respectively). Moreover, anti-inflammatory properties of the C. multiflorus extract were tested on a lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages model. In order to accomplish that, nitric oxide (NO) production, scavenging activity and cytotoxicity of the extract were assessed. Furthermore, the effects on two proteins that are potential targets to prevent or treat chronic inflammation, namely cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS), were estimated by Western Blot analysis. The obtained results showed that C. multiflorus extract was able to significantly inhibit the production of NO for non-toxic concentrations. The treatment of this cell line with 161 µg/mL and 325 µg/mL of the purified extract induced a decrease in the levels of NO of 24% and 32%, respectively. Furthermore, despite no changes on COX-2 levels were observed, iNOS expression was significantly diminished by the treatment with the highest concentration of the extract. Overall, the present results suggest that C. multiflorus actually exerts an anti-inflammatory action which is, at least partially, mediated through the inhibition of iNOS expression

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of cytisus multiflorus

Cytisus multiflorus(white spanish broom) is a plant used in folk medicine in the Iberian Peninsula, where it is claimed to have various health benefits. However, the usage is totally based on the available ethnopharmacological information, as no scientific data regarding its biological effects has been delivered. In this sense, is the aim of this work to contribute to the scientific knowledge of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of C. multiflorus. The extract was rich in phenolic compounds mainly chrysin-7-O-glycopyranoside and a dihydroxyflavone isomer of chrysin which accounted for 49.4±7.3 mg/g and 21.8±3.8 mg/g, respectively. The low EC50 values, determined by DPPH and reducing power assays, indicated that the C. multiflorus purified ethanolic extract has a high antioxidant capacity. Moreover, the extract did not cause cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 macrophages for high concentrations and the treatment of this cell line with purified extract induced a significant decrease in the levels of NO. Overall, the gathered data suggests that C. multiflorus is in fact a good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant, as believed by the folk knowledge

Tiller Population Stability of Aruana Guineagrass Subjected to Cutting Severities and Fertilized with Nitrogen

Tiller appearance, death and survival rates determine the persistency of each grass species and their herbage accumulation. The balance between these factors may vary with frequency and intensity of grazing and nitrogen (N) fertilization. Separated analysis of data on tiller appearance and survival or death may not indicate if tiller population is stable in a given time, that is, if tiller appearance in relation to tiller survival is large enough to maintain tiller population stable. In order to avoid that, an integrated analysis of tiller appearance and death was used, the tiller population stability index (SI), as defined by Bahmani et al. (2003). Aruana Guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacques cv. Aruana) is widely used as pasture for sheep, which are extremely susceptible to infestation by larvae of gastrointestinal parasites in tropical pasture-based systems. One way to mitigate this problem, reducing the need for the use of anthelmintics, is by managing pastures with post-grazing height low enough to favor the incidence of sunlight at the base of tussocks, killing and controlling larval development, without jeopardizing canopy regrowth and persistence. Sward targets for grazing Aruana Guineagrass correspond to a pre-grazing height of 30 cm, equivalent to 95% canopy light interception during regrowth, and a post-grazing height of 15 cm (Zanini et al. 2012). The objective of this experiment was to evaluate tiller population stability of Aruana Guineagrass subjected to cutting severities and N fertilization using the stability index

Type I Interferon Transcriptional Signature in Neutrophils and Low-Density Granulocytes Are Associated with Tissue Damage in Malaria

Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocyte population in the bloodstream, the primary compartment of Plasmodium sp. infection. However, the role of these polymorphonuclear cells in mediating either the resistance or the pathogenesis of malaria is poorly understood. We report that circulating neutrophils from malaria patients are highly activated, as indicated by a strong type I interferon transcriptional signature, increased expression of surface activation markers, enhanced release of reactive oxygen species and myeloperoxidase, and a high frequency of low-density granulocytes. The activation of neutrophils was associated with increased levels of serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, indicating liver damage. In a rodent malaria model, we observed intense recruitment of neutrophils to liver sinusoids. Neutrophil migration and IL-1beta and chemokine expression as well as liver damage were all dependent on type I interferon signaling. The data suggest that type I interferon signaling has a central role in neutrophil activation and malaria pathogenesis

MINEO Southern Europe environment test site : contamination impact mapping and modelling : final Report

Relatório final do projeto MINEO: Assessing and monitoring the environmental impact of mining activities in Europe using advanced Earth Observation techniques. Project funded by the European Community under the “Information Society Technology” Programme (1998-2002)ABSTRACT: Under the framework of the MINEO project, the abandoned S.Domingos mining area as been selected as representative of Southern Europe Environment to test methods and tools for assessing and monitoring the environmental impact of mining activities using hyperspectral data and other relevant data sets. The S.Domingos mining area, is characterised by a long-term mining activity, since pre-roman times till the 1960’s, and is included in the group of Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide deposits of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. The orebody contained Cu, and also Zn and Pb. Several facilities were developed for mining works and ore transportation, covering an area of 50km2, facilitating dispersion of related pollutants. The main environmental problems can be summarised as related to waste material and their pollutant content (Zn, Pb, Sb, Cu, As, Hg and Cd), acid waters (minimum pH value of 1.7) and associated dispersion, as well as landscape disruption. Hyperspectral images were able to identify mineralogical/chemical dispersion of waste material related to Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) following two approaches: one related to AMD waste material field spectra and the other based on AMD minerals, using standard spectral libraries. The processing techniques used were mainly based on the Spectral Angle Mapper classifier and Mixture Tunned Matched Filtering. Globally, both mapping results obtained, either in AMD waste material either in AMD minerals, were able to detect mineralogical/chemical characteristics of imaged ground data, which were validated by field data. The GIS geochemical modelling allowed the determination of effective AMD area of influence, based in water pH values, using geostatistical methods. The Indicator “Collocate-Cokriging” of the water pH using the distance to the highest correlated AMD waste material (mixed sulphur materials from hyperspectral classification) predicts the AMD dispersion in the area related to that material. This methodology achieved good results and could be applied in new areas using waste material hyperspectral image classification for AMD delimitation area.N/

Pectic polysaccharides from the infusions of P. tridentatum, F. angustifolia and M. suaveolens: structural characterization and inflammatory influence evaluation

In Tras-os-Montes region (Portugal), the small shrub (Pterospartum tridentatum) , the narrow-leafed ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), and the apple mint (Mentha suaveolens) are vegetable species frequently used in the preparation of infusions for medicinal purposes. According to the popular tradition, the infusions prepared from P. tridentatum, F. angustifolia and M. suaveolens protect against diabetes, hypertension, high levels of cholesterol and uric acid

Iron absorption from infant formula and iron-fortified cow's milk: experimental model in weanling rats

OBJECTIVE: To compare iron absorption from infant formula and iron-fortified cow's milk. METHODS: Twenty-four weanling Wistar rats were maintained in metabolic cages during the whole experiment (10 days). On the first day, the animals were divided into three similar groups according to their weight, length, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels: 1) infant formula; 2) powdered whole cow's milk fortified with iron in the same quantity and type as the formula; 3) control - powdered whole cow's milk not fortified with iron. Deionized water and diet were offered ad libitum, and the volume consumed was measured. Weight, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels were measured on the fifth and 10th days when length, fecal occult blood, and hepatic iron levels were also analyzed. RESULTS: Group 1 consumed less diet (450.5±26.50 mL) than group 2 (658.8±53.73 mL) and control group (532.7±19.06 mL, p < 0.001). Hemoglobin levels were higher (p < 0.001) in group 1 (12.1±1.13 g/dL) than in group 2 (9.6±1.59 g/dL) and in control group (6.2±0.97 g/dL). Hepatic iron level showed the same pattern as hemoglobin (p < 0.001). There was no difference in weight and length between the three groups (p = 0.342). There was no fecal occult blood in the any of the animals. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the lower volume consumed, the group that received formula presented higher iron absorption and hemoglobin levels than the group fed with fortified whole cow's milk. Growth was similar in the three groups.OBJETIVO: Comparar a absorção do ferro da fórmula de partida e do leite de vaca integral fortificado. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 24 ratos machos Wistar recém-desmamados, mantidos em gaiolas metabólicas durante todo o período do experimento (10 dias). No primeiro dia, os animais foram distribuídos em três grupos semelhantes quanto ao peso, comprimento, hematócrito e hemoglobina: 1) fórmula de partida para lactentes; 2) leite de vaca integral em pó fortificado com a mesma quantidade e tipo de sal de ferro da fórmula; e 3) controle - leite de vaca integral em pó não fortificado com ferro. Água e dieta foram oferecidas ad libitum com mensuração do volume consumido. Peso, hematócrito e hemoglobina foram mensurados no quinto e no 10º dia do experimento, quando foram analisados também comprimento, sangue oculto nas fezes e teor de ferro hepático. RESULTADOS: O grupo 1 ingeriu menor volume de dieta (450,5±26,50 mL) que os grupos 2 (658,8±53,73 mL) e controle (532,7±19,06 mL; p < 0,001). As concentrações de hemoglobina foram maiores (p < 0,001) no grupo 1 (12,1±1,13 g/dL) que nos grupos 2 (9,6±1,59 g/dL) e controle (6,2±0,97 g/dL). O teor de ferro hepático apresentou o mesmo comportamento da hemoglobina (p < 0,001). Não foi observada diferença de peso e comprimento nos três grupos (p = 0,342). Não foi detectado sangue oculto nas fezes de nenhum dos animais. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar do menor volume ingerido, o grupo que recebeu fórmula apresentou maior absorção de ferro e concentração de hemoglobina que o grupo que recebeu leite de vaca integral fortificado. O crescimento foi semelhante nos três grupos.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)UNIFESP Departamento de PediatriaUNIFESP Departamento de Medicina PreventivaUNIFESP Departamento de Fisiologia Setor de TermometabologiaUNIFESP Departamento de FisiologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de PediatriaUNIFESP, Depto. de Medicina PreventivaUNIFESP, Depto. de Fisiologia Setor de TermometabologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de FisiologiaSciEL

Production of Aruana Guinea Grass Submitted to Cutting Severities and Nitrogen Fertilization

Aruana Guineagrass (Panicum maximum Jacques cv. Aruana) is widely used as pasture for sheep, which are extremely susceptible to infestation by larvae of gastrointestinal parasites in tropical pasture-based systems (Zanini et al. 2012) A way to mitigate this problem, and consequently reduce the need for use of anthelmintics, is by managing pastures with post-grazing height low enough to favor the incidence of sunlight at the base of tussocks that will kill and control larval development, without jeopardizing canopy regrowth and persistence. The pre-grazing sward height recommended for Aruana Guineagrass is 30 cm, when the canopy intercepts 95% of the incident light, and a 15 cm post-grazing height (Zanini et al. 2012). As cutting severity and nitrogen (N) fertilization cause morphological and physiological adaptations in individual plants - altering the production of forage grasses - the objective of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of morphological components of Aruana Guineagrass subjected to cutting severities and N fertilization

Cartografia do retardo estatural em escolares do Estado da Paraíba, Brasil

OBJECTIVE: The study is part of a project financed by the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Education of Brazil (Fundação de Assistência ao Escolar) which intends to evaluate the nutritional status of public schools students in order to estimate, giving emphasis to geographical aspects, the magnitude and distribution of statural deficit of this population in the Paraíba State, Northeastern Brazil. METHODS: Schoolchildren, aged 6-9 years and enrolled in the first grade inall municipalities of Paraíba state went through a height survey. We consider as statural deficit values below -2 standard deviations according to the anthropometric pattern of National Center of Health Statistics. RESULTS: A frequency of 14.5% of statural deficit was found in the whole state , as well as 18.7% in the semidesertic region (sertão), 13.8% in Agreste area, 11.9% in Borborema region and 10.9% in Mata zone. In rural area, the prevalence of statural deficit was higher (17.8%) than for those living in urban area (11.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The results reveal a process of inlanding of statural deficit, which contrasts with historical descriptions of the geographical distribution of this problem in the Northeastern region of Brazil.OBJETIVO: Parte de um projeto promovido pelas Nações Unidas (FAO) e pelo Ministério da Educação do Brasil (Fundação de Assistência ao Escolar) para estudar a condição nutricional de alunos de educandários públicos, visa a avaliar, com um enfoque cartográfico, a magnitude e a distribuição espacial do déficit estatural de alunos de escolas públicas do Estado da Paraíba. MÉTODOS: Fez-se levantamento de caráter censitário da estatura de 50.144 escolares com idade de 6 a 9 anos, matriculados na primeira série do primeiro grau de todos municípios do Estado da Paraíba, considerando-se como déficit estatural os valores classificados abaixo de -2 "scores" z do padrão do National Center of Health Statistics. RESULTADOS: Em todo o Estado, 14,5% dos escolares foram considerados casos de nanismo, com uma distribuição heterogênea para as quatro mesorregiões fisiográficas estudadas: 18,7% no Sertão, 13,8% no Agreste, 11,9% na Borborema e 10,9% na Zona da Mata. Nas escolas da área rural, 17,8% dos alunos apresentavam déficit estatural, enquanto no meio urbano a prevalência de nanismo foi de 11,8%. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados encontrados são indicativos de um processo de interiorização da desnutrição, contrastando substancialmente com as descrições históricas sobre a cartografia do problema na região