Marine ornamentals trade in the Philippines and options for its poor stakeholders

The objective of this project in the Philippines is to promote the development of policy changes and other actions related to the trade in ornamental fish with Europe which support poor people’s livelihoods. [PDF contains 118 pages.

Impact of dried brewers’ grains supplementation on performance, metabolism and meat quality of broiler chickens

The objective was to evaluate increasing levels of dried brewers’ grains (DBG) in feed for broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days old and their effect on performance, blood parameters, intestinal morphometry, carcass characteristics and meat quality. The design was completely randomized with six treatments, which consisted of various levels of DBG inclusion, namely 0 (no inclusion), 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 g/kg with seven replications and 17 animals per experimental unit, totalling 714 male broilers. Performance parameters, blood biochemical profile, morphology of the intestinal epithelium (duodenum), and carcass yield and composition were evaluated. Feed intake was not changed by DBG inclusion levels. Nor were weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Serum cholesterol levels were not influenced, and there were no effects on triglyceride, uric acid and creatinine levels. Enzyme aspartate aminotransferase showed a quadratic effect, as did alanine aminotransferase, with higher values at 79.5 and 63.9 g/kg DBG inclusion, respectively. No changes in carcass yield and relative organ weight were observed. The composition of the carcass in ether extract showed a quadratic effect, as fat deposition rate, with lowest values at 62.8 and 62.4 g/kg of DBG inclusion levels, respectively. Crude protein levels in carcass reduced linearly, as did fat deposition rate. The parameters of intestinal morphology and meat quality were not changed. Dried brewers’ grains can be included in broiler diet from 1 to 21 days at levels up to 100 g/kg without influencing the metabolic parameters and broiler performance. Keywords: alternative feed, blood, by-product, intestinal villi, performanc

Influence of phytate and phytase on performance, bone, and blood parameters of broilers at 42 days old

The objective was to evaluate the effect of diets containing various levels of phytate and phytase on broilers from 1 to 42 days old. The treatments consisted of a combination of diets containing high (HP), medium (MP) and low (LP) phytate with positive control diet (PC) and a negative control diet (NC) that was similar to the PC in energy and protein but with less calcium and phosphorus. Three additional diets, based on the NC were supplemented with 500, 1000, or 1500 FTU kg-1 of phytase. Broilers that received the NC diet exhibited the lowest weight gain (WG), whereas those supplemented with 1000 FTU kg-1 obtained 2.84% higher WG compared with PC. Broilers that received NC had the lowest breaking strength and dry matter. Birds fed HP diets that received NC and NC + 500 FTU kg-1 had a higher concentration of serum Ca and P than birds fed LP diets. Broilers fed the NC and NC + 500 and 1000 FTU kg−1 had lower tibia Ca levels compared with birds fed the PC. Broilers fed HP diets had higher tibia Ca content than MP. Phytase supplementation had a positive response in diets with reduced Ca and P. Based on regression analysis the optimum inclusion of phytase to improve broiler performance parameters was calculated as 952 FTU kg-1

Sipha maydis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the humid subtropical region of Brazil: distribution, seasonality and biology.

Abstract: Sipha maydis (Passerini) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a pest of cultivated cereals and wild grasses introduced into America and first reported in South America at Argentina in 2002. In Brazil, this aphid was detected first in wheat in Oct 2006 at Rio Grande do Sul State. Between 2007 and 2013 the aphid was reported in several localities in the humid subtropical region of Brazil (southern states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and Paraná) on different plant species including Triticum aestivum L., Avena strigosa Schreb., Lolium multiflorum Lam., Hordeum vulgare L., Zea mays L. (all Poaceae) and uncultivated grasses. Sipha maydis also has been captured in yellow tray traps. Peak flight activity for S. maydis occurred in the spring-summer transition and was apparently correlated with average air temperature. Sipha maydis was able to complete its life cycle on A. strigosa, L. multiflorum, H. vulgare, Z. mays, and T. aestivum. During the nymphal phase the best hosts were A. strigosa, L. multiflorum, H. vulgare, and T. aestivum. Hordeum vulgare and T. aestivum were the best for the reproductive period and longevity. The intrinsic rate of increase was greatest on A. strigosa, L. multiflorum, and T. aestivum. Generation time was longer on H. vulgare, Z. mays, and T. aestivum. Net rate reproduction was greater in H. vulgare and T. aestivum, and the finite rate of increase was greatest on A. strigosa, L. multiflorum, H. vulgare, and T. aestivum. Although the distribution of S. maydis is expanding and covering the main wheat-growing region of Brazil, and despite the wide range of hosts and the direct damage it causes to local foraging sites, aphid populations are low and their economic importance is limited. However, it reveals that S. maydis has the potential to colonize subtropical regions. Resumo: Sipha maydis (Passerini) é uma praga de cereais cultivados e gramíneas silvestres introduzida na América e relatada pela primeira vez na América do Sul na Argentina em 2002. No Brasil, o pulgão-preto-dos-cereais foi detectado pela primeira vez em Triticum aestivum L. em outubro de 2006 no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Entre 2007 e 2013, o pulgão foi relatado em várias localidades da região subtropical húmida do Brasil (Estados da Região Sul: Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina e Paraná) em diferentes espécies de plantas como T. aestivum, Avena strigosa Schreb., Lolium multiflorum Lam., Hordeum vulgare L., Zea mays L. (todas Poaceae), e gramíneas não cultivadas. Sipha maydis também foi capturado em armadilhas do tipo bandeja amarela para pulgões alados. O pico de ocorrência das formas aladas na transição primavera-verão é aparentemente correlacionado com a temperatura média do ar. S. maydis foi capaz de completar o ciclo de vida em A. strigosa, L. multiflorum, H. vulgare, Z. mays, e T. aestivum. Durante a fase de ninfa, os melhores hospedeiros foram A. strigosa, L. multiflorum, H. vulgare, e T. aestivum. A H. vulgare e o T. aestivum foram os melhores para o período reprodutivo e longevidade. A taxa intrínseca de aumento foi grande em A. strigosa, L. multiflorum, e T. aestivum; o tempo de uma geração foi mais longo em H. vulgare, Z. mays, e T. aestivum; a taxa líquida de reprodução foi ótima em H. vulgare e em T. aestivum e a taxa de aumento finito foi grande em A. strigosa, L. multiflorum, H. vulgare, e T. aestivum. Embora a distribuição de S. maydis esteja se expandindo e cobrindo a principal região tritícola do Brasil, e a despeito da ampla gama de hospedeiros e dos danos diretos que causa aos sítios de alimentação, as populações de pulgões são baixas e sua importância econômica ainda é limitada. No entanto, revela que S. maydis tem potencial para colonizar regiões subtropicais

Resveratrol and Endometrium: A Closer Look at an Active Ingredient of Red Wine Using In Vivo and In Vitro Models

Resveratrol is a natural phytoestrogen with antiproliferative properties present in red wine, grapes, and berries. Published reports on the effects of resveratrol in human endometrial function are limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of estrogen receptor α (ESR1), Ki-67 (a proliferative marker), aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and members of the cytochrome P450 superfamily of enzymes (CYP1A1 and CYP1B1) in an in vitro and vivo assay. Alkaline phosphatase assay of estrogenicity was used to compare estrogen activity of different concentrations of resveratrol to estradiol (E2) and diethylstilbestrol (DES), using Ishikawa cell culture. Immunohistochemical expression of ESR1 and Ki67, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction of AhR, CYP1A1, and CYP1B1 were analyzed from xenograft implants of human endometrial tissue in ovariectomized immunodeficient RAG-2-γ(c) mice, after 30 days of treatment with subcutaneous pellets of E2, E2 plus progesterone (P4), or E2 plus resveratrol (6, 30, or 60 mg) for 30 days. Compared to E2, resveratrol acted as an agonist and antagonist of estrogen in low and high concentrations, respectively, when combined with E2. Xenografts of human endometrial tissues in RAG-2 mice exhibited reduced expression of ESR1 and proliferative activity (Ki67) with 60 mg of resveratrol. This study suggests that resveratrol, at high doses, has the potential benefit to reduce proliferation of human endometrium through ESR1

Ectopic Pregnancy as a Model to Identify Endometrial Genes and Signaling Pathways Important in Decidualization and Regulated by Local Trophoblast

The endometrium in early pregnancy undergoes decidualization and functional changes induced by local trophoblast, which are not fully understood. We hypothesized that endometrium from tubal ectopic pregnancy (EP) could be interrogated to identify novel genes and pathways involved in these processes. Gestation-matched endometrium was collected from women with EP (n = 11) and intrauterine pregnancies (IUP) (n = 13). RNA was extracted from the tissue. In addition, tissues were prepared for histological analysis for degree of decidualization. We compared a) the samples from EP that were decidualized (n = 6) with non-decidualized samples (n = 5), and b) the decidualized EP (n = 6) with decidualization-matched IUP (n = 6) samples using an Affymetrix gene array platform, with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, combined with quantitative RT-PCR. Expression of PRL and IGFBP1 was used to confirm the degree of decidualization in each group. There were no differences in PRL or IGFBP1 expression in the decidualization-matched samples but a marked reduction (P<0.001) in the non-decidualized samples. Decidualization was associated with increased expression of 428 genes including SCARA5 (181-fold), DKK1 (71-fold) and PROK1 (32-fold), and decreased expression of 230 genes including MMP-7 (35-fold) and SFRP4 (21-fold). The top canonical pathways associated with these differentially expressed genes were Natural Killer Cell and Wnt/b-Catenin signaling. Local trophoblast was associated with much less alteration of endometrial gene expression with an increase in 56 genes, including CSH1 (8-fold), and a reduction in 29 genes including CRISP3 (8-fold). The top associated canonical pathway was Antigen Presentation. The study of endometrium from tubal EP may promote novel insights into genes involved in decidualization and those influenced by factors from neighboring trophoblast. This has afforded unique information not highlighted by previous studies and adds to our understanding of the endometrium in early pregnancy

Postoperative intravenously administered iron sucrose versus postoperative orally administered iron to treat post-bariatric abdominoplasty anaemia (ISAPA): the study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Anaemia and iron deficiency are common complications following post-bariatric abdominoplasty. Given the low oral absorbability of iron resulting from bariatric surgery, it has been hypothesised that postoperative intravenously administered iron supplementation could be used to treat anaemia and to prevent the development of iron deficiency in these patients. METHODS/DESIGN: In this multicentre open-label randomised clinical trial, 56 adult women undergoing post-bariatric anchor-line abdominoplasty will be allocated at a ratio of 1:1 for postoperative supplementation with two intravenously administered applications of 200 mg of iron saccharate or postoperative supplementation with 100 mg of iron polymaltose complex administered orally, twice a day for 8 weeks. The primary outcome is the difference in mean haemoglobin levels between the two groups at eight postoperative weeks. Secondary outcomes evaluated at one, four and eight postoperative weeks include iron profile, reticulocyte count, overall quality of life measured using the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire, fatigue measured using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue (FACIT-F), adverse effects and postoperative complications. DISCUSSION: This randomised clinical trial aims to evaluate the haematopoietic effectiveness of intravenously administered iron supplementation in patients undergoing post-bariatric abdominoplasty. A more effective recovery of haemoglobin levels could help improve the patients’ quality of life and could provide an improved haematological status in preparation for the subsequent and frequent plastic surgeries these patients undergo. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01857011 (8 May 2013), Universal Trial Number U111-1169-6223, Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC): RBR-2JGRKQ

12,500+ and counting: biodiversity of the Brazilian Pampa.

Knowledge on biodiversity is fundamental for conservation strategies. The Brazilian Pampa region, located in subtropical southern Brazil, is neglected in terms of conservation, and knowledge of its biodiversity is fragmented. We aim to answer the question: how many, and which, species occur in the Brazilian Pampa? In a collaborative effort, we built species lists for plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi that occur in the Brazilian Pampa. We included information on distribution patterns, main habitat types, and conservation status. Our study resulted in referenced lists totaling 12,503 species (12,854 taxa, when considering infraspecific taxonomic categories [or units]). Vascular plants amount to 3,642 species (including 165 Pteridophytes), while algae have 2,046 species (2,378 taxa) and bryophytes 316 species (318 taxa). Fungi (incl. lichenized fungi) contains 1,141 species (1,144 taxa). Animals total 5,358 species (5,372 taxa). Among the latter, vertebrates comprise 1,136 species, while invertebrates are represented by 4,222 species. Our data indicate that, according to current knowledge, the Pampa holds approximately 9% of the Brazilian biodiversity in an area of little more than 2% of Brazil’s total land. The proportion of species restricted to the Brazilian Pampa is low (with few groups as exceptions), as it is part of a larger grassland ecoregion and in a transitional climatic setting. Our study yielded considerably higher species numbers than previously known for many species groups; for some, it provides the first published compilation. Further efforts are needed to increase knowledge in the Pampa and other regions of Brazil. Considering the strategic importance of biodiversity and its conservation, appropriate government policies are needed to fund studies on biodiversity, create accessible and constantly updated biodiversity databases, and consider biodiversity in school curricula and other outreach activities