Taguchi method for the optimization of three loop mediated isothermal amplification procedures for Tritrichomonas foetus detection

Fil: Ramirez, Maria Rosana. Instituto Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud. Fundación Barceló; Argentina.Taguchi method was used to optimize loop mediated isothermal amplification tests aimed to amplify segments of the elongation factor 1a1 (tf-ef1a1), the 5,8 ribosomal gene (tf-5,8 r) or the beta tubulin 2 (tf-btub2) from the protozoan parasite Tritrichomonas foetus. L9 orthogonal array and quadratic loss functions that penalize deviations from prediction values revealed the effect of amplification reaction components. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) decomposed the contribution of individual factors to a small Ct. Confirmation experiments established that optimum conditions were predictable, verifiable and reproducible. Primers concentration conditioned the non-specific amplification of tf-ef1a1 while betaine and magnesium concentration contributed to accelerate the time to reach a positive threshold in tf-ef1a1, tf-5,8 r and tf-btub2. The general strategy of simple and robust experimental design holds potential as a general optimization protocol for LAMP tests in every diagnostic laboratory

Effect of Processing on the Nutritional Quality of Ilex paraguariensis

Fil: Ramirez, Maria Rosana. Instituto Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud. Fundación Barceló; Argentina.Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil. (IP) is a South American plant. IP-dried leaves have been consumed in the form of infusion by indigenous peoples since pre-Hispanic times. In recent years, IP has gained many beverage markets and new ways of consumption, reaching the category of a global consumer product. A side consequence is the increase in IP crops for the specification of human consumption. This situation is the driving force for the investigation of new uses of IP, including feed supplements for livestock and functional food for human consumption. A deep understanding of the influence of processing on the nutritional value of IP is crucial for the development of these alternative products. It is known that the quality and quantity of nutritional compounds occurring in IP depend on the origin, plant condition, and harvest time. However, the effects of the drying method of the leaves and the ageing time of dried leaves on the final IP products deserve further investigation. The present work presents the variation of the nutritional, digestibility, energy, and mineral assets of IP submitted to three different processes: open-air dried and crushed; dried under direct fire and grounded; and dried under direct fire, grounded, and aged for 6 months under controlled conditions. The presence of agrochemical residues and antinutritional factors were also studied. Processing widely influenced the nutritional and digestibility assets of IP leaves. The inorganic content (K, Mg, Ca, P, Zn, B and Fe) significantly varied among leaves treated using different processes. IP samples dried in open air resulted in the highest % of crude protein, Mg, K, S, and Mn. IP samples dried under direct fire resulted in the highest % of carbohydrates and Fe. IP samples dried under direct fire and aged for 6 months resulted in the highest % of digestible matter, Ca, P, Zn, and B. The results also showed quality protein levels between 10.03 and 19.06% of dry matter. The digestibility values showed that IP leaves are suitable for human functional foods and for enriched supplements for livestock feeds. No traces of agrochemicals or antinutritional factors were found

Phenolic composition, antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities of Cucurbitaceae fruits

Fruits have been known as great source of bioactive natural compounds with potential biological effects. The objective of this work was to perform digestive enzyme inhibition assays with methanolic extracts of six fruits from the family Cucurbitaceas. The extracts were also analyzed for antioxidant capacity (DPPH·), qualitative and quantitative composition of chemical compounds and nutrients. The fruit extracts showed similar antioxidant activities and had substantially different total polyphenolic contents. In addition, the six fruit extracts examined, at a concentration of 100 μg/mL, significantly inhibited β glucosidase and lipase activity, in vitro. These results may be related to the profile of polyphenolic compounds. In conclusion, it can be said that cucurbits fruits are a valuable horticultural product, based on their rich and beneficial chemical composition.Fil: Ramirez, Maria Rosana. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Oyhenart, Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa; Argentin

Effect of Processing on the Nutritional Quality of Ilex paraguariensis

Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil. (IP) is a South American plant. IP-dried leaves have been consumed in the form of infusion by indigenous peoples since pre-Hispanic times. In recent years, IP has gained many beverage markets and new ways of consumption, reaching the category of a global consumer product. A side consequence is the increase in IP crops for the specification of human consumption. This situation is the driving force for the investigation of new uses of IP, including feed supplements for livestock and functional food for human consumption. A deep understanding of the influence of processing on the nutritional value of IP is crucial for the development of these alternative products. It is known that the quality and quantity of nutritional compounds occurring in IP depend on the origin, plant condition, and harvest time. However, the effects of the drying method of the leaves and the ageing time of dried leaves on the final IP products deserve further investigation. The present work presents the variation of the nutritional, digestibility, energy, and mineral assets of IP submitted to three different processes: open-air dried and crushed; dried under direct fire and grounded; and dried under direct fire, grounded, and aged for 6 months under controlled conditions. The presence of agrochemical residues and antinutritional factors were also studied. Processing widely influenced the nutritional and digestibility assets of IP leaves. The inorganic content (K, Mg, Ca, P, Zn, B and Fe) significantly varied among leaves treated using different processes. IP samples dried in open air resulted in the highest % of crude protein, Mg, K, S, and Mn. IP samples dried under direct fire resulted in the highest % of carbohydrates and Fe. IP samples dried under direct fire and aged for 6 months resulted in the highest % of digestible matter, Ca, P, Zn, and B. The results also showed quality protein levels between 10.03 and 19.06% of dry matter. The digestibility values showed that IP leaves are suitable for human functional foods and for enriched supplements for livestock feeds. No traces of agrochemicals or antinutritional factors were found.Fil: Ramirez, Maria Rosana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Mohamad, Leandro. No especifíca;Fil: Alarcon Segovia, Lilian Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral; ArgentinaFil: Rintoul, Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; Argentin

PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF THE HEMAGGLUTINATING ACTIVITY OF SEED EXTRACTS OF THE AMARANTH GENUS

In this study, seed extracts of cultivated Amaranthus species were tested for haemagglutinating activity. The extracts were prepared from the seeds of 7 Amaranthus cultivars and analyzed against samples from human, rat and dog erythrocytes. To detect haemoagglutination, 5% suspensions of human blood samples of the types A, B and O were prepared. The presence of polyphenols and saponins were determined in the extracts, yielding positive results for polyphenolics compounds. In order to characterize the proteins present in the amaranth extracts, the protein gel electrophoresis technique was applied. All extracts analyzed showed protein activity, and similar protein profile. The extracts reacted strongly with red blood cells (RBCs) from human ABO blood groups. It also reacted with rat and dog RBCs. The hemagglutinating activity was exhibited by the all extracts and the precipitated lectins from all species tested, however, hemolytic activity was not observed. The results obtained from the Amaranthus extracts indicate that it is non-specific for glycosylated antigens of the ABO system. The findings provide essential information for their use as potential hemoclasification reagents in the immunohematology laboratory.Fil: Dandeu, Leonardo Néstor Rubén. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Repollo, Rodolfo. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Oyhenart, Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa; ArgentinaFil: Ramirez, Maria Rosana. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentin

Perfil de fosfolipídeos em hipocampos de ratos após um episódio de hipóxia/isquemia neonatal

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Avaliação dos conteúdos de colesterol e fosfolipídios em fígado de ratos adultos tratados com o fungicida MANEB

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O fungicida MANEB reduz o conteúdo de lipídios em cerebelo de ratos

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Anthocyanins content and chemical composition of the essential oil of three blackberry cultivars from southern Brazil

In this work, fruits of three cultivars, Caingangue, Cherokee and Guarani, originated from collections from Embrapa, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, were analyzed concerning the anthocyanin content and the essential oils composition. The anthocyanin content were determined by spectrophotometry, resulting in 0.606 ± 0.018 g/ 100 g, 0.728 ± 0.020 g/100 g and 0.854 ± 0.065 g/ 100 g expressed as cyanidin-3- glucoside, for the three cultivars, respectively. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus and the chemical characterization was performed by GC-FID and GCMS. The oil composition of Caingangue cultivar presented predominance of monoterpenes, especially piperitone (50.5%) and camphor (15.5%). The oil fractions of Cherokee and Guarani cvs. were characterized by sesquiterpenes. Cherokee fruits presented high amount of β-caryophyllene (29.6%) followed by the hexadecanoic acid (11.7%), whereas in Guarani fruits spathulenol (22.4%), globulol (16.9%), epi-globulol (11.3%), δ-cadinene (10.0%) and α-cadinene (10.0%) were the main constituents.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe