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This work uses parametric and semiparametric panel data analysis methodologies to test the hypothesis of the environmental Kuznets curve, in 186 countries in the period 1960-2019. The main results reveal the acceptance of this hypothesis in the relationships of CO2 emissions (kt) and economic growth (GDP) and urbanization (% population) in the parametric models. Using semiparametric methods, the polynomial relations of fourth degree between CO2 emissions and GDP and of third degree between it and urbanization are verified. The economic policy implications derived from these results seem to indicate the need to continue making efforts in the reduction of CO2 emissions, through greater efforts in innovation and research and development, in search of clean and less polluting energies. The relationship between CO2 and economic growth is a major challenge, in terms of achieving a flattening of this relationship.

The study was designed to assess the effect of several Fe amounts and sources on haematological parameters, DNA, lipid and protein oxidative damage during the course of Fe-deficiency anaemia recovery. Peripheral DNA damage was assessed using an alkaline comet assay. The brain, liver, erythrocyte and duodenal mucosa lipid peroxidation and protein damage were assessed in control and anaemic rats after Fe repletion with three different sources (FeSO4, haem Fe, and FeSO4 + haem Fe) and amounts (45, 12, and 31 mg Fe/kg diet) of Fe: F diet, H diet or C diet, respectively. After supplying the diets, the haematological parameters studied were recovered; being remarkable is the haemoglobin increase. The DNA damage was lower in rats with the H diet, as revealed by the percentage of DNA in head, tail and Olive tail moment compared in rats with the F (P

Strenuous exercise induces muscle damage due to a highly increased generation of free radicals and inflammatory response and therefore, in this type of exercise, it is important to reduce both oxidative stress and inflammation, at least their negative aspects. The purpose of this study was investigate, for the first time, whether a purified, standard water-soluble fraction obtained from Phlebodium decamanum could reduce the over-expression of inflammation and oxidative stress induced by strenuous exercise. The physical test consisted of a constant run that combined several degrees of high effort (mountain run and ultra-endurance), in permanent climbing. Biochemical parameters, oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators were assessed. The results showed that oral supplementation of P. decumanum during high-intensity exercise effectively reduces the degree of oxidative stress (decreased 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and isoprostanes generation, increased antioxidant enzyme activities in erythrocyte and total antioxidant status in plasma). The data obtained also indicate that this supplementation is efficient in reducing the inflammatory response through the decrease of TNF-α and increase of sTNF-RII, but kept the levels of IL-6 and IL-1ra. In conclusion, oral supplementation of P. decamanum extract during high-intensity exercise effectively reduces the degree of oxidative stress and has anti-inflammatory protective effects, preventing the over-expression of TNF-α but keeping the levels and effects of IL-6. These findings provide a basis for similar Phlebodium supplementation for both professional and amateur athletes performing strenuous exercise in order to reduce the undesirable effects of the oxidative stress and inflammation signalling elicited during high-intensity exercise.

The role of iron (Fe) in bone formation and disease have not received much attention, a fact that is interesting given the known biochemical role that this mineral has upon collagen maturation together with the high prevalence of Fe-deficiency anaemia worldwide.To investigate the changes in bone formation, resorption and mineral content in developing rats with induced nutritional Fe-deficiency anaemia.Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into two groups, a control group receiving AIN-93G diet with normal-Fe content and an anaemic group receiving AIN-93G diet with low-Fe content for 40 days. Both diets were prepared with an adequate calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) content. The most representative serum bone turnover biomarkers and femur and sternum calcium and phosphorus content, together with sternum Fe content were determined in both experimental groups.In anaemic rats, bone matrix formation diminished as revealed by the lower amount of procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide. Bone resorption process increased in Fe deficiency as shown by the increase of serum parathyroid hormone, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and levels of degradation products from C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen released to the serum. In addition, mineralization process was affected by Fe deficiency, because Ca and P content in femur decreased markedly.Fe-deficiency anaemia had a significant impact upon bone, affecting bone mineralization, decreasing the matrix formation and increasing bone resorption, therefore it is of great interest to assess bone status in situation of Fe-deficiency anaemia.

As Cu is a mineral involved in the hematopoietic system whose deficiency is associated with anemia due to its requirement for efficient Fe utilization, the objective of the present study was to assess the effect of fortifying Ca in goat’s milk, in comparison to similarly fortified cow’s milk. This was performed to check whether Ca-fortified goat’s milk minimizes Ca–Cu interactions which would favor Cu bioavailability in experimentally induced iron-deficient (ID) rats. Currently, Ca-enriched dairy products are consumed despite the possibility of mineral interactions such as Ca–Cu. Previous studies have shown that consuming goat’s milk improves Cu bioavailability by minimizing Cu–Fe interactions. In the present study, Ca-fortified goat’s milk (2× Ca requirement), compared to fortified cow’s milk, increased the digestive and metabolic utilization of Cu (P < 0.001) and Cu content in target organs involved in erythropoiesis (sternum) in ID rats (P < 0.001). We conclude that goat’s milk, even fortified with Ca, could be beneficial for the recovery from iron-deficient anemia by increasing the Cu bioavailability, an essential mineral for erythropoiesis.

The objective of this paper is to review the beneficial effects of the dietary inclusion of goat milk on the utilization of protein, fat and minerals (Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn and Se), which affect malabsorption syndrome caused by resection of the intestine. The consumption of a goat milk-based diet, compared to bovine milk, has shown a higher protein efficiency ratio, protein digestibility, nitrogen balance and food conversion ratio in rats with resection of the distal small intestine. Goat milk diet also improves digestive utilization of fat, reduces fecal losses and decreases plasma triglycerides. Goat milk diet increases the biliary secretion of cholesterol and causes a decrease in plasma cholesterol levels, whereas the levels of bile phospholipids, biliary acid and lithogenic index remain normal. In relation to mineral bioavailability, apparent digestibility coefficients and the balance of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc are higher after the consumption of a goat milk diet compared to bovine milk diet in resected rats, despite the intestinal absorptive surface being reduced by 50% due to intestinal resection. Based on the particular biological, nutritional and metabolic characteristics, these reports suggest that goat milk can be an excellent natural food in cases of malabsorption syndrome, as an alternative to bovine milk.