Assessment of grape volatile composition using fluorescence indices of leaves in vineyards affected by iron chlorosis

Multiplex 330 (MX) is a portable, non-invasive fluorescence sensor that provides different multiparametric indices that are sensitive to the concentration of chlorophylls, flavonols, and anthocyanins on the leaf surface. This study investigated the use of these indices to assess the variability on free volatile composition of grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) in the field as well as other components of their quality potential in vineyards affected by iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC). Twenty non-irrigated Tempranillo/110 Richter vineyard subzones from non-affected to moderately affected by IDC were monitored in Ribera del Duero area (Spain) during two seasons. The results indicated that MX can characterize the spatial variation of leaf pigment concentrations, agronomic performance, and grape quality in vineyards affected by IDC. The MX indices measured at the leaf level close to harvest had better predictive values for the concentrations of free alcohols, volatile acids, C13-norisoprenoids, esters and acetates in the must than vine vigor, size or degree of technological maturity of the grapes. Our study demonstrates that the MX indices to estimate leaf pigment concentrations can be helpful to assess the technological maturity and free volatile composition of wine grapes in vineyards affected by IDC; nevertheless, the efficacy of the indexes may vary according to the year season.(AU)

Air-drying temperature changes the content of the phenolic acids and flavonols in white mulberry (Morus alba L. ) leaves / Temperatura de secagem ao ar altera o teor de ácidos fenólicos e flavonóis em folhas de amoreira branca (Morus alba L. )

The white mulberry leaves are typically available on the market in dried or encapsulated form. It was assumed in the study that appropriate drying of leaves of the white mulberry is significant for obtaining intermediate products with high content of compounds having anti-oxidative activity. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of the temperature of mulberry leaves air drying on the content of phenolic acids and flavonols. It has been determined that the content of these compounds in the leaves depended on the drying temperature. Drying at 60 °C favored release of phenolic acids and flavonols from complexes and/or formation of new compounds. Their total content was 22% higher than in leaves dried at 30 °C. Drying at 90 °C reduced the phenolic acid and flavonol content by 24%. The most favorable drying temperature was 60 °C(AU)

As folhas da amoreira branca estão normalmente disponíveis no mercado em forma seca ou encapsulada. Assumiu-se no estudo que a secagem adequada das folhas da amora branca é importante para a obtenção de produtos intermediários com alto teor de compostos com atividade antioxidante. O objetivo do estudo foi determinar a influência da temperatura de secagem de ar de folhas de amoreira sobre o teor de ácidos fenólicos e flavonóis. Foi determinado que o conteúdo destes compostos nas folhas dependia da temperatura de secagem. Secagem a 60 °C favoreceu a liberação de ácidos fenólicos e flavonóis a partir de complexos e / ou formação de novos compostos. Seu teor total foi 22% superior ao das folhas secas a 30 °C. A secagem a 90 °C reduziu o teor de ácido fenólico e flavonol em 24%. A temperatura de secagem mais favorável foi de 60 °C(AU)

Randomized controlled clinical trial of ketoanalogues supplementation in dogs with chronic kidney disease / Estudo clínico randomizado controlado da suplementação de cetoanálogos em cães com doença renal crônica

The objective was to verify the effectiveness of ketoanalogues in dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) stage 3. Controlled randomized clinical trial was performed with twenty dogs with CKD stage 3. Animals were subjected to: Group 1 (control): conventional therapy (CT) for CKD; Group 2: CT and 60mg/kg, OA, q48h of keto-supplementa; Group 3, CT and 60mg/kg, OA, q24h of keto-supplementa; and Group 4, CT and 120mg/kg, OA, q12h of keto-supplementa. All dogs received canine renal diet. Animals were evaluated at the beginning of therapy and after 15 and 30 days. Complete blood count (CBC), serum urea, creatinine, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and sodium and urine protein/creatinine (UPC) ratio were analyzed. The use of ketoanalogues in dogs with CKD stage 3 during the period of 30 days showed no efficacy, in any of the studies dosages, to improve signs and symptoms of the disease, improve the values of CBC, reduce serum urea and creatinine, normalize electrolytes or reduce UPC. It is concluded that the use of ketoanalogues does not impact the clinical outcomes in dogs with CKD stage 3.(AU)

O objetivo foi de verificar a eficácia da suplementação com cetoanálogos em cães com Doença Renal Crônica (DRC) grau 3. Um ensaio clínico controlado e randomizado foi realizado com 20 cães com DRC grau 3. Os animais foram divididos em 4 grupos: grupo 1 (controle): terapia convencional (TC) para DRC; grupo 2: TC e 60mg/kg, VO, q48h de cetoanálogoa; grupo 3: TC e 60mg/kg, VO, q24h de cetoanálogoa; e grupo 4, TC e 120mg/kg, VO, q12h de cetoanálogoa. Todos os cães receberam ração renal para cães. Os animais foram avaliados no início da terapia e após 15 e 30 dias. Hemograma completo, ureia, creatinina, fósforo, cálcio, potássio e sódio séricos e a razão proteína creatinina (RPC) urinária foram analisados. Foi verificado que o uso dos cetoanálogos em cães com DRC grau 3 durante 30 dias não mostrou eficácia, em nenhuma das dosagens utilizadas, em melhorar os sinais clínicos e sintomatologia da doença, os valores do hemograma e ureia e creatinina séricos, normalizar eletrólitos e reduzir RPC. Concluiu-se que o uso de cetoanálogos não impacta na melhora de sintomatologia clínica em cães com CKD grau 3. Como esse parece ser o primeiro ensaio clínico sobre cetoanálogos em cães com CKD, mais estudos podem ser necessários com maior acompanhamento e maiores grupos.(AU)

Randomized controlled clinical trial of ketoanalogues supplementation in dogs with chronic kidney disease / Estudo clínico randomizado controlado da suplementação de cetoanálogos em cães com doença renal crônica

The objective was to verify the effectiveness of ketoanalogues in dogs with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) stage 3. Controlled randomized clinical trial was performed with twenty dogs with CKD stage 3. Animals were subjected to: Group 1 (control): conventional therapy (CT) for CKD; Group 2: CT and 60mg/kg, OA, q48h of keto-supplementa; Group 3, CT and 60mg/kg, OA, q24h of keto-supplementa; and Group 4, CT and 120mg/kg, OA, q12h of keto-supplementa. All dogs received canine renal diet. Animals were evaluated at the beginning of therapy and after 15 and 30 days. Complete blood count (CBC), serum urea, creatinine, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and sodium and urine protein/creatinine (UPC) ratio were analyzed. The use of ketoanalogues in dogs with CKD stage 3 during the period of 30 days showed no efficacy, in any of the studies dosages, to improve signs and symptoms of the disease, improve the values of CBC, reduce serum urea and creatinine, normalize electrolytes or reduce UPC. It is concluded that the use of ketoanalogues does not impact the clinical outcomes in dogs with CKD stage 3.(AU)

O objetivo foi de verificar a eficácia da suplementação com cetoanálogos em cães com Doença Renal Crônica (DRC) grau 3. Um ensaio clínico controlado e randomizado foi realizado com 20 cães com DRC grau 3. Os animais foram divididos em 4 grupos: grupo 1 (controle): terapia convencional (TC) para DRC; grupo 2: TC e 60mg/kg, VO, q48h de cetoanálogoa; grupo 3: TC e 60mg/kg, VO, q24h de cetoanálogoa; e grupo 4, TC e 120mg/kg, VO, q12h de cetoanálogoa. Todos os cães receberam ração renal para cães. Os animais foram avaliados no início da terapia e após 15 e 30 dias. Hemograma completo, ureia, creatinina, fósforo, cálcio, potássio e sódio séricos e a razão proteína creatinina (RPC) urinária foram analisados. Foi verificado que o uso dos cetoanálogos em cães com DRC grau 3 durante 30 dias não mostrou eficácia, em nenhuma das dosagens utilizadas, em melhorar os sinais clínicos e sintomatologia da doença, os valores do hemograma e ureia e creatinina séricos, normalizar eletrólitos e reduzir RPC. Concluiu-se que o uso de cetoanálogos não impacta na melhora de sintomatologia clínica em cães com CKD grau 3. Como esse parece ser o primeiro ensaio clínico sobre cetoanálogos em cães com CKD, mais estudos podem ser necessários com maior acompanhamento e maiores grupos.(AU)

Purification of an L-amino acid oxidase from Bungarus caeruleus (Indian krait) venom

Snake venoms are rich in enzymes such as phospholipase A2, proteolytic enzymes, hyaluronidases and phosphodiesterases, which are well characterized. However, L-amino acid oxidase (LAO EC.1.4.3.2) from snake venoms has not been extensively studied. A novel L-amino acid oxidase from Bungarus caeruleus venom was purified to homogeneity using a combination of ion-exchange by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex® G-100 column. The purified monomer of LAO showed a molecular mass of 55 ±1 kDa estimated by SDS-PAGE. The specific activity of purified LAO was 6,230 ± 178 U/min/mg, versus 230 ± 3.0 U/min/mg for the whole desiccated venom, suggesting a 27-fold purification with a 25% yield. Optimal pH and temperature for maximum purified enzyme activity were 6.5 and 37ºC, respectively. Platelet aggregation studies show that purified LAO inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation dose-dependently at 0.01 to 0.1 µM with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.04 µM, whereas at a 0.08 µM concentration it did not induce appreciable aggregation on normal platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The purified protein catalyzed oxidative deamination of L-amino acids while the most specific substrate was L-leucine. The purified LAO oxidizes only L-forms, but not D-forms of amino acids, to produce H2O2. The enzyme is important for the purification and determination of certain amino acids and for the preparation of α-keto acids.(AU)

Purification of an L-amino acid oxidase from Bungarus caeruleus (Indian krait) venom

Snake venoms are rich in enzymes such as phospholipase A2, proteolytic enzymes, hyaluronidases and phosphodiesterases, which are well characterized. However, L-amino acid oxidase (LAO EC.1.4.3.2) from snake venoms has not been extensively studied. A novel L-amino acid oxidase from Bungarus caeruleus venom was purified to homogeneity using a combination of ion-exchange by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex® G-100 column. The purified monomer of LAO showed a molecular mass of 55 ±1 kDa estimated by SDS-PAGE. The specific activity of purified LAO was 6,230 ± 178 U/min/mg, versus 230 ± 3.0 U/min/mg for the whole desiccated venom, suggesting a 27-fold purification with a 25 percent yield. Optimal pH and temperature for maximum purified enzyme activity were 6.5 and 37ºC, respectively. Platelet aggregation studies show that purified LAO inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation dose-dependently at 0.01 to 0.1 µM with 50 percent inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.04 µM, whereas at a 0.08 µM concentration it did not induce appreciable aggregation on normal platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The purified protein catalyzed oxidative deamination of L-amino acids while the most specific substrate was L-leucine. The purified LAO oxidizes only L-forms, but not D-forms of amino acids, to produce H2O2. The enzyme is important for the purification and determination of certain amino acids and for the preparation of α-keto acids.(AU)

Enzymes of energy metabolism in hatchlings of amazonian freshwater turtles (Testudines, Podocnemididae)

The metabolic profiles of selected tissues were analyzed in hatchlings of the Amazonian freshwater turtles Podocnemis expansa, P. unifilis and P. sextuberculata. Metabolic design in these species was judged based on the key enzymes of energy metabolism, with special emphasis on carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid and ketone body metabolism. All species showed a high glycolytic potential in all sampled tissues. Based on low levels of hexokinase, glycogen may be an important fuel for these species. The high lactate dehydrogenase activity in the liver may play a significant role in carbohydrate catabolism, possibly during diving. Oxidative metabolism in P. sextuberculata appears to be designed for the use of lipids, amino acids and ketone bodies. The maximal activities of 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, glutamine dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase and succinyl-CoA keto transferase display high aerobic potential, especially in muscle and liver tissues of this species. Although amino acids and ketone bodies may be important fuels for oxidative metabolism, carbohydrates and lipids are the major fuels used by P. expansa and P. unifilis. Our results are consistent with the food habits and lifestyle of Amazonian freshwater turtles. The metabolic design, based on enzyme activities, suggests that hatchlings of P. unifilis and P. expansa are predominately herbivorous, whereas P. sextuberculata rely on a mixed diet of animal matter and vegetation.

O perfil metabólico de vários tecidos foi analisado em quelônios aquáticos recém-eclodidos: Podocnemis expansa, P. unifilis e P. sextuberculata. O potencial metabólico dessas espécies foi avaliado por meio das atividades absolutas das enzimas do metabolismo energético com ênfase no metabolismo dos carboidratos, lipídios, aminoácidos e corpos cetônicos. Todas as espécies estudadas apresentaram alto potencial glicolítico em todos os tecidos analisados. Com base nos baixos níveis da enzima hexoquinase, as reservas de glicogênio podem ser importantes substratos energéticos para estas espécies. A alta atividade da lactato desidrogenase no fígado pode indicar que este órgão desempenha um importante papel no metabolismo dos carboidratos, possivelmente relacionado com a resistência ao mergulho prolongado. O perfil metabólico de P. sextuberculata parece organizado para utilizar preferencialmente lipídios, aminoácidos e corpos cetônicos. Os dados das atividades máximas das enzimas 3-hidroxi-acil-Co A desidrogenase, malato desidrogenase e succinil-Co A ceto-transferase, especialmente no músculo branco e no fígado dessa espécie corroboram esta hipótese. Por outro lado, os carboidratos e os lipídios parecem ser os principais substratos metabólicos de P. expansa e P. unifilis, muito embora, os corpos cetônicos e aminoácidos sejam importantes metabólitos para sustentar o potencial oxidativo nessas espécies. Os dados enzimáticos parecem estar correlacionados com o hábito alimentar e o estilo de vida dos quelônios de água doce da Amazônia. O perfil metabólico sugere que os recém-eclodidos de P. unifilis e P. expansa são predominantemente herbívoros, enquanto que P. sextuberculata pode depender de uma dieta mista de material vegetal e proteína animal.

Uso de cetoanálogo na terapia da insuficiência renal canina

The efficacy of keto acids and essential amino acids on a two-year-old female dog, Labrador, suffering from Leishmaniasis and acute renal failure was evaluated by clinical and laboratorial analyses based on urea and creatinine dosages. An improving in the animal general condition and an increasing in the appetite, activity and weight gain, were observed and favorably contributed to the treatment of the primary disease. Ketoanalogueswere oraly administered during 76 days and the levels of urea and creatinine remained within acceptable limits, even after this period of time. Ketoanaloguescontributed positively for the treatment of acute renal failure and appears to be an important alternative for the leishmaniasis treatment.