Preliminary dragonfly (Odonata) species list from the Pampa biome in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, with ecological notes for 19 new records for the State

Abstract An inventory of Odonata was carried out in the southern half of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in the Pampa biome. Originally, this biogeographical region was covered mostly by open fields and grassland, with sections of higher vegetation surrounding water bodies and rocky hills. Today the landscape is fragmented due to agricultural activities, mainly cattle farming, rice crops and forest plantations. Our survey was conducted in three municipalities from this region, between March 2015 and April 2016. Aiming at a general overview of the species composition, our sampling sites were selected on a wide basis, including lakes, bogs, temporary water bodies, small streams and river sections. Eighty two species of Odonata were collected comprising 40 genera and seven families. The dominant families were Libellulidae (56,1%), Coenagrionidae (24,5%) and Aeshnidae (7,3%). We found a diverse odonate assemblage, adding 19 new species records for the state of Rio Grande do Sul

Adoption of voluntary front of package nutrition schemes in UK food innovations

PurposeThis paper aims to determine the response of manufacturers and retailers to voluntary UK front of package (FOP) schemes through food product innovations.Design/methodology/approachA food innovation database (Global New Products Database) was used to track all food products released in the UK from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2008. Meal, bakery and breakfast cereal products were classified into two groups, according to whether the food category was targeted by the Food Standard Agency (FSA) for FOP labelling. Analysis includes descriptive statistics and cross‐tabulations of factors such as product category, type of FOP scheme, company, and year.FindingsPrivate label brands dominate food innovations in the UK. The use of FOP labels is selective among companies and across food categories. Guideline daily allowance (GDA) labelling is more widely adopted than the traffic light labelling system (TLS). Both systems have been more broadly adopted in target food categories when compared to non‐target food categories.Research limitations/implicationsThe database used to conduct this research provides detailed data on food product innovations released in the UK. However, this is not linked to sales data and therefore cannot be used to analyse changes in consumption due to FOP labelling systems. Nevertheless, the response of food manufacturers and retailers in their innovation strategies is a critical piece to understanding how voluntary labelling polices may impact public health.Originality/valueThe paper presents evidence of dynamics of supply‐side responses to increasing consumer demand for healthier foods.</jats:sec

Sensitivity To β-adrenoceptor Agonists Of Adipocytes From Rats Treated With An Aqueous Extract Of Croton Cajucara Benth

Aqueous extracts of Croton cajucara bark are used in folk medicine to treat hepatic and gastrointestinal disorders and as a coadjuvant in weight-loss programs. We examined the effect of treating rats for 15 days with a 5% aqueous extract of C. cajucara on body weight and food intake. The epididymal adipose pads were removed and the lipolytic responses of isolated adipocytes to isoprenaline, nonradrenaline (norepinephrine), BRL37344 and adrenaline (epinephrine) were analysed in the absence or presence of metoprolol or ICI118,551. Treated rats had a significantly lower weight gain than control rats, with no difference in food and liquid intake, epididymal fat-pad weight or basal glycerol release. The sensitivity of the lipolytic response to isoprenaline and adrenaline was significantly higher in adipocytes from treated rats. The sensitivity to noradrenaline or BRL37344 was unaltered. Metoprolol shifted the dose-response curves to noradrenaline to the right in adipocytes from control and treated rats; the dose-response curve to isoprenaline in adipocytes from control rats was also shifted to the right. In adipocytes from treated rats, the dose-response curve to isoprenaline was unaltered by metoprolol but was shifted tot he right by ICI118,551, a β 2-adrenoceptor antagonist. We conclude that in adipocytes from treated rats there is an increase in the lipolytic response to non-selective agonists (isoprenaline and adrenaline) mediated by β 2-adrenoceptors, with no alteration in the responses mediated by β 1-adrenoceptors (noradrenaline) or β 3-adrenoceptors (BRL37344). This effect could increase the role of adrenaline as an endogenous stimulator of lipolysis.552253257Björntorp, P., The regulation of adipose tissue distribution in humans (1996) Int. J. Obesity, 20, pp. 291-302Di Stasi, L.C., Hiruma, C.A., Guimarães, E.M., Santos, C.M., Medicinal plants popularly used in Brazilian Amazon (1994) Fitoterapia LXV, 6, pp. 529-549Dole, V.P., Meinertz, A., Microdetermination of long chain fatty acids in plasma and tissues (1960) J. Biol. Chem., 235, pp. 2595-2599Farias-Silva, E., Grassi-Kassisse, D.M., Wolf-Nunes, V., Spadari-Bratfisch, R., Stress-induced alteration on lipolytic response to β-adrenoceptor agonists in rat while adipocytes (1999) J. Lipid Res., 40, pp. 1719-1727Germack, R., Starzec, A., Vassy, R., Perret, G.Y., β-Adrenoceptor subtype expression and function in rat white adipocytes (1997) Br. J. Pharmacol., 120, pp. 201-210Hiruma-Lima, C.A., Gracioso, J.S., Nunes, D.S., Souza Brito, A.R.M., Effects of an essential oil from the bark of Croton cajucara Benth on experimental gastric ulcer models in rats and mice (1999) J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 51, pp. 341-346Hiruma-Lima, C.A., Spadari-Bratfisch, R.C., Grassi-Kassisse, D.M., Souza-Brito, A.R.M., Antiulcerogenic mechanisms of dehydrocrotonin, a diterpene lactone obtained from Croton cajucara Benth (1999) Planta Med., 65, pp. 325-330Hiruma-Lima, C.A., Gracioso, J.S., Bighetti, E.J.B., Grassi-Kassisse, D.M., Nunes, D.S., Souza Brito, A.R.M., Effect of essencial oil obtained from Croton cajucara Benth. on gastric ulcer healing and protective factors of the gastric mucosa (2002) Phytomedicine, 9, pp. 523-529Kopelman, P.G., Effects of obesity on fat topography: Metabolic and endocrine determinants (1998) Clinical Obesity. 1st edn, pp. 158-175. , In: Kopelman, P. G., Stock, M. J. (eds)Blackwell Science, Oxford, UKLafontan, M., Berlan, M., Fat cell adrenergic receptors and the control of white and brown fat cells function (1993) J. Lipid Res., 34, pp. 1057-1091Lafontan, M., Berlan, M., Fat cell α 2-adrenoceptors: The regulation of fat cell function and lipolysis (1995) Endocr Rev., 16, pp. 716-738Langin, C., Lafontan, M., Adipocyte hormone-sensitive lipase: A major regulator of lipid metabolism (1996) Proc. Nutr. Soc., 55, pp. 93-103Maciel, M.A.M., Pinto, A.C., Brabo, S.N., Silva, M.N., Terpenoids from C. cajucara (1998) Phytochemistry, 49, pp. 823-828Maciel, M.A.M., Pinto, A.C., Arruda, A.C., Pamplona, S.G.S.R., Vanderlinde, F.A., Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology: A successful combination in the study of Croton cajucara (2000) J. Ethnopharm., 70, pp. 41-55Olfert, E.D., Cross, B.M., McWilliam, A.A., (1993) Guide to the Care and Use of Experimental Animals, , Canadian Council on Animal Care 213, Ottawa, OntarioRodbell, M., Metabolism of isolated fat cells. I. Effects of hormones on glucose metabolism and lipolysis (1964) J. Biol. Chem., 239, pp. 375-380Souza Brito, A.R.M., Nunes, D.S., Ethnopharmacology and sustainable development of new plant-derived drugs (1997) Ciênc e Cult., 49, pp. 402-408Souza Brito, A.R.M., Rodríguez, J.A., Hiruma-Lima, C.A., Haun, M., Nunes, D.S., Antiulcerogenic activity of trans-dehydrocrotonin from Croton cajucara (1998) Plant Med., 64, pp. 126-129Weiland, O., Eine enzymatische Methode zur bestimmung von glycerin (1957) Biochem. Z., 239, pp. 313-31