Effects of Prepartum Ingestion of Ipomoea carnea on Postpartum Maternal and Neonate Behavior in Goats

Ipomoea carnea is a toxic plant that grows in tropical areas, and is readily consumed by grazing goats. The plant contains the alkaloids swainsonine and calystegines, which inhibit cellular enzymes and cause systematic cell death. This study evaluated the behavioral effects on dams and kids of prenatal ingestion of this plant. Freshly harvested leaves of I. carnea (10 g/kg body weight) were fed daily to nine pregnant goats from the fifth to the 16th week of gestation; five pregnant goats were controls. Dam and kid behavior were evaluated during 2-hr postpartum. Further evaluation of the offspring was performed using various tests after birth: (1) reaching and discriminating their dam from an alien doe (two tests at 12-hr postpartum), and (2) navigating a progressive maze (2, 4, and 6 days postpartum). Postnatal (n=2) and fetal (n=2) mortality were observed in the treated group. Intoxicated kids had difficulty in standing at birth, and only one was able to suckle within 2 hr of birth. Treated kids were slower than controls to arrive at their dam in the discrimination test; treated kids often (seven of nine completed tests) incorrectly chose the alien dam (controls: 0/10 tests). During some runs on days 2, 4, and 6 postpartum, treated kids were slower to leave the starting point of the maze, and were slower to arrive at the dam on all test days. This study suggests that the offspring of pregnant goats given I. carnea during gestation have significant behavioral alterations and developmental delays. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 92:131-138, 2011. (C) 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Effect of processing induced particle alignment on the fracture toughness and fracture behavior of multiphase dental ceramics

Objective. To investigate the processing induced particle alignment on fracture behavior of four multiphase dental ceramics (one porcelain, two glass-ceramics and a glass-infiltrated-alumina composite). Methods. Disks (empty set12mm x 1.1 mm-thick) and bars (3 mm x 4 mm x 20 mm) of each material were processed according to manufacturer instructions, machined and polished. Fracture toughness (K(IC)) was determined by the indentation strength method using 3-point bending and biaxial flexure fixtures for the fracture of bars and disks, respectively. Microstructural and fractographic analyses were performed with scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Results. The isotropic microstructure of the porcelain and the leucite-based glass-ceramic resulted in similar fracture toughness values regardless of the specimen geometry. On the other hand, materials containing second-phase particles with high aspect ratio (lithium disilicate glass-ceramic and glass-infiltrated-alumina composite) showed lower fracture toughness for disk specimens compared to bars. For the lithium disilicate glass-ceramic disks, it was demonstrated that the occurrence of particle alignment during the heat-pressing procedure resulted in an unfavorable pattern that created weak microstructural paths during the biaxial test. For the glass-infiltrated-alumina composite, the microstructural analysis showed that the large alumina platelets tended to align their large surfaces perpendicularly to the direction of particle deposition during slip casting of green preforms. Significance. The fracture toughness of dental ceramics with anisotropic microstructure should be determined by means of biaxial testing, since it results in lower values. (C) 2009 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Temporal lobe epilepsy and social behavior: An animal model

Social behavior depends on the integrity of social brain circuitry. The temporal lobe is an important part of the social brain, and manifests morphological and functional alterations in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Rats with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), induced with pilocarpine, were subjected to a social discrimination test that has been used to investigate potential animal models of ASD, and the results were compared with those for the control group. Rats with TLE exhibited fewer social behaviors than controls. No differences were observed in nonsocial behavior between groups. The results suggest an important role for the temporal lobe in regulating social behaviors. This animal model might be used to explore some questions about ASD pathophysiology. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ontogenetic Changes in the Bell Morphology and Kinematics and Swimming Behavior of Rowing Medusae: the Special Case of the Limnomedusa Liriope tetraphylla

Swimming animals may experience significant changes in the Reynolds number (Re) of their surrounding fluid flows throughout ontogeny. Many medusae experience Re environments with significant viscous forces as small juveniles but inertially dominated Re environments as adults. These different environments may affect their propulsive strategies. In particular, rowing, a propulsive strategy with ecological advantages for large adults, may be constrained by viscosity for small juvenile medusae. We examined changes in the bell morphology and swimming kinematics of the limnomedusa Liriope tetraphylla at different stages of development. L. tetraphylla maintained an oblate bell (fineness ratio approximate to 0.5-0.6), large velar aperture ratio (R(v) approximate to 0.5-0.8), and rapid bell kinematics throughout development. These traits enabled it to use rowing propulsion at all stages except the very smallest sizes observed (diameter = 0.14 cm). During the juvenile stage, very rapid bell kinematics served to increase Re sufficiently for rowing propulsion. Other taxa that use rowing propulsion as adults, such as leptomedusae and scyphomedusae, typically utilize different propulsive strategies as small juveniles to function in low Re environments. We compared the performance values of the different propulsive modes observed among juvenile medusae.

High specific surface area LaFeCo perovskites-Synthesis by nanocasting and catalytic behavior in the reduction of NO with CO

LaFe(1-x)CO(x)O(3) perovskites were conventionally or nanocasting synthesized. The nanocasting involved the preparation of a micro-mesoporous carbon mould using a Silica Aerosil 200 and a carbon source. Then, perovskites were carbon cast at 800 degrees C. The solids were characterized by XRD, N(2) sorption, FTIR, TGA/DTG, SEM and TEM. N(2) sorption evidenced that the nanocast perovskites did not show significant intraparticle porosity in despite of their enhanced (30-50 m(2)/g) specific surface area (SSA). Nevertheless, TEM images, XRD and Rietveld refinement data showed that the solids are constituted at least by 97 wt% of perovskite phase and by agglomerates smaller than 100 nm constituted by crystallites of about 6 nm. TGA/DTG results demonstrated carbon oxidation during the perovskite formation, thus eliminating the template effect and facilitating the occurrence of sintering, which limited the SSA increase. The nanocast perovskites were more active in the reduction of NO than the uncast ones, behavior that was attributed to the increase in their SSA that allows the exposure of a higher number of accessible active sites. However, the perovskite composition and the presence of impurities can reduce the effect of the improvement of the textural properties. The nanocast perovskites also showed high thermal and catalytic stability, corroborating their potential as catalysts for the studied reaction. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Crystal structures and thermal behavior of alkaline earth tricyanomethanides

The alkaline earth tricyanomethanides Mg(tcm)(2) center dot 2H(2)O, Ca(tcm)(2), Sr(tcm)(2) - H2O and Ba(tcm)(2) center dot 2H(2)O were prepared from aqueous solutions of the respective chlorides and silver tricyanomethanide. Their IR spectra and thermal behavior are described. The crystal structures of Ca(tcm)(2) and Ba(tcm)(2) center dot 2H(2)O were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of Ca(tcm)(2) is of the type found for several transition metal tricyanomethanides [1], containing two independent interpenetrating networks. Ba(tcm)(2) center dot 2H(2)O has a unique crystal structure corresponding to a three-dimensional coordination polymer with nine fold coordinated Ba atoms connected by water molecules and tricyanomethanide anions.

Identification of genes associated with local aggressiveness and metastatic behavior in soft tissue tumors

Soft tissue tumors represent a group of neoplasia with different histologic and biological presentations varying from benign, locally confined to very aggressive and metastatic tumors. The molecular mechanisms responsible for such differences are still unknown. The understanding of these molecular alterations mechanism will be critical to discriminate patients who need systemic treatment from those that can be treated only locally and could also guide the development of new drugs` against this tumors. Using 102 tumor samples representing a large spectrum of these tumors, we performed expression profiling and defined differentially expression genes that are likely to be involved in tumors that are locally aggressive and in tumors with metastatic potential. We described a set of 12 genes (SNRPD3, MEGF9, SPTAN-1, AFAP1L2, ENDOD1, SERPIN5, ZWINTAS, TOP2A, UBE2C, ABCF1, MCM2, and ARL6IP5) showing opposite expression when these two conditions were compared. These genes are mainly related to cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions and cell proliferation and might represent helpful tools for a more precise classification and diagnosis as well as potential drug targets.

Effects of inhaled Linalool in anxiety, social interaction and aggressive behavior in mice

Aromatherapy uses essential oils (EOs) for several medical purposes, including relaxation. The association between the use of aromas and a decrease in anxiety could be a valuable instrument in managing anxiety in an ever increasing anxiogenic daily life style. Linalool is a monoterpene commonly found as the major volatile component of EOs in several aromatic plant species. Adding to previously reported sedative effects of inhaled linalool, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inhaled linalool on anxiety, aggressiveness and social interaction in mice. Additionally, we investigated the effects of inhaled linalool on the acquisition phase of a step-down memory task in mice. Inhaled linalool showed anxiolytic properties in the light/dark test, increased social interaction and decreased aggressive behavior; impaired memory was only seen the higher dose of linalool. These results strengthen the suggestion that inhaling linalool rich essential oils can be useful as a mean to attain relaxation and counteract anxiety. (C) 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

V(2)O(5) nanoparticles obtained from a synthetic bariandite-like vanadium oxide: Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical behavior in an ionic liquid

Highly stable and crystalline V(2)O(5) nanoparticles with an average diameter of 15 nm have been easily prepared by thermal treatment of a bariandite-like vanadium oxide, V(10)O(24)center dot 9H(2)O. Their characterization was carried out by powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopies, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The fibrous and nanostructured film obtained by electrophoretic deposition of the V(2)O(5) nanoparticles showed good electroactivity when submitted to cyclic voltammetry in an ionic liquid-based electrolyte. The use of this film for the preparation of a nanostructured electrode led to an improvement of about 50% in discharge capacity values when compared with similar electrodes obtained by casting of a V(2)O(5) xerogel. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Thin films of carbohydrate based surfactants and carboxymethylcellulose acetate butyrate mixtures: Morphology and thermal behavior

Thin films of mixtures containing carboxymethylcellulose acetate butyrate (CMCAB) and carbohydrate based surfactant, namely, sorbitan monopalmitate (Span 40) or poly(oxyethylene) sorbitan monopalmitate (Tween 40) were spin-coated onto silicon wafers. The effect of surfactant concentration on resulting film morphology and surface toughness Was Studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Upon increasing the concentration of Span 40 in the mixture, films became rougher and more heterogeneous, indicating surface enrichment by Span 40 molecules. In the case of mixtures composed by CMCAB and Tween 40, the increase of Tween 40 in the mixture led to smoother and more homogeneous films, indicating compatibility between both components. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that Span 40 and Tween 40 act as plasticizers for CMCAB, leading to dramatic reduction of glass transition temperature of CMCAB, namely, Delta T(g) = -158 degrees C and Delta T(g)=-179 degrees C. respectively. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of intramolecular energy transfer process in the lanthanide(III) bis- and tris-(TTA) complexes: Photoluminescent and triboluminescent behavior

This work reports the energy transfer mechanism process of [Eu(TTA)(2)(NO(3))(TPPO)(2)] (bis-TTA complex) and [Eu(TTA)(3)(TPPO)(2)] (tris-TTA complex) based on experimental and theoretical spectroscopic properties, where TTA = 2-thienoyltrifluoroacetone and TPPO = triphenylphosphine oxide. These complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy and thermogavimetric analysis. The theoretical complexes geometry data by using Sparkle model for the calculation of lanthanide complexes (SMLC) is in agreement with the crystalline structure determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The emission spectra for [Gd(TTA)(3)(TPPO)(2)] and [Gd(TTA)(2) (NO(3))(TPPO)(2)] complexes are associated to T -> S(0) transitions centered on coordinated TTA ligands. Experimental luminescent properties of the bis-TTA complex have been quantified through emission intensity parameters Omega(lambda)(lambda = 2 and 4), spontaneous emission rates (A(rad)), luminescence lifetime (tau), emission quantum efficiency (eta) and emission quantum yield (q), which were compared with those for tris-TTA complex. The experimental data showed that the intensity parameter value for bis-TTA complex is twice smaller than the one for tris-TTA complex, indicating the less polarizable chemical environment in the system containing nitrate ion. A good agreement between the theoretical and experimental quantum yields for both Eu(Ill) complexes was obtained. The triboluminescence (TL) of the [Eu(TTA)(2)(NO(3))(TPPO)(2)] complexes are discussed in terms of ligand-to-metal energy transfer. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All fights reserved.

The effect of calcium salts on the viscosity and adsorption behavior of xanthan

The effect of CaCl(2), Ca(NO(3))(2), CaSO(4), CaCO(3) and Ca(3)(PO(4))(2) on the flow behavior of xanthan gum solutions was investigated. Regardless the concentration and type of calcium salt used, xanthan solutions presented pseudoplastic behavior. The soluble salts (CaCl(2) and Ca(NO(3))(2)) induced the disordered state in the xanthan chains at concentration of 1.0 g/L or 10 g/L, decreasing the flow consistency index (K) values. At 100 g/L soluble salts K values were similar to those found for pure xanthan solutions, whereas at the same concentration of insoluble particles the K values increased 20%. The adsorption of xanthan gum onto Si/SiO(2) surfaces in the presence of calcium salts was investigated by ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The adsorbed layer of xanthan onto Si/SiO(2) consisted of two regions: (i) a thin acid resistant sublayer, where xanthan chains were like highly entangled fibers and (ii) a thick upperlayer, whose morphology was calcium salt dependent. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The rheological behavior and surface charging of gelcasting alumina suspensions

Aim of this work is to investigate the effect of monomers containing either carboxylate (ammonium acrylate) or acrylamide (hydroxymethylacrylamide) functional groups on the surface charging and theological behavior of alumina suspensions. The rheological behavior was investigated by changing the concentrations of dispersant (ammonium polyacrylate) and monomers in the suspensions. The zeta potential of alumina suspensions containing each of the different monomers was measured as a function of dispersant additions. The suspension theological behavior varied significantly depending on the monomer type, which could be explained in terms of repulsive forces, pH changes and additive interactions. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Milk yield, milk composition, eating behavior, and lamb performance of ewes fed diets containing soybean hulls replacing coastcross (Cynodon species) hay

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of replacing coastcross hay NDF by soybean hull (SH) NDF on the lactation performance and eating behavior of ewes and also on the performance of their lambs. Fifty-six Santa Ines lactating ewes (56.1 +/- 6.8 kg of initial BW; mean +/- SD) were penned individually and used in a randomized complete block design with 14 blocks and 4 treatments. Diets were formulated to provide similar concentrations of NDF (56%) and CP (16%). The SH NDF replaced 33 (SH33), 67 (SH67), or 100% (SH100) of the NDF contributed by coastcross hay in a 70% forage-based diet (SH0), resulting in SH inclusion rates of 0, 25, 54, and 85% of the dietary DM. Once a week, from the second to the eighth week of lactation (weaning time), ewes were separated from their lambs, stimulated by a 6-IU i.v. oxytocin injection, and hand milked to empty the udder. After 3 h, milk production was obtained after the same procedure. Quadratic effect for milk production (142.4, 179.8, 212.6, and 202.9 g/3 h) and cubic effect for DMI (2.27, 2.69, 3.25, and 3.00 kg/d) were observed as SH inclusion increased from 0 to 85% of the dietary DM. Milk fat (7.59, 7.86, 7.59, and 7.74%), protein (4.53, 4.43, 4.40, and 4.55%), and total solids (18.24, 18.54, 18.39, and 18.64%) did not differ among the 70% forage-based diet and diets with SH NDF replacing 33, 67, or 100% of the NDF. A linear increase in lactose concentration was observed with SH inclusion. Ewe BW gain during the trial showed a cubic response (0.37, 0.03, 4.80, and 2.80 kg) with SH inclusion. The preweaning ADG of lambs increased linearly, and ADG of lambs after weaning decreased linearly with SH inclusion. Final BW of lambs (2 wk after weaning) did not differ among treatments. Eating behavior observations were conducted with 44 ewes. The same facilities, experimental design, dietary treatments, and feeding management were used. Observations were visually recorded every 5 min for a 24-h period when ewes were 46 +/- 6.8 d in milk. Eating time (min/d, min/g of DMI, and min/g of NDF intake) and time expended in rumination and chewing activities (min/g of DMI and min/g of NDF intake) decreased linearly with the addition of SH in the diets. The inclusion of SH improved DMI and milk production, also reflecting on the BW of lambs at weaning. Milk performance was not affected when SH NDF replaced 100% of hay NDF.

Agonistic behavior and environmental enrichment of cats communally housed in a shelter

Objective-To evaluate the presence of a dominance rank in a group of cats and the relation between agonistic behavior and the use of resources, including environmental enrichment, in these cats. Design-Observational analytic study. Animals-27 neutered cats in a shelter in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Procedures-The cats were video recorded for 4 consecutive days to obtain baseline data. Subsequently, a puzzle feeder was added as an enrichment device every other day over 8 days, for a total of 4 days with enrichment. Cats were also video recorded on these days. All pretreatment and posttreatment agonistic behaviors and interactions with the puzzle feeder were recorded by reviewing the videotapes. Results-143 agonistic encounters were recorded, of which 44 were related to resources and 99 were not. There were insufficient agonistic interactions to determine a dominance rank. Presence or absence of the puzzle feeder did not affect the rate of aggression. There was no significant effect of weight, sex, or coat color on the rate of aggression, and aggressive behavior did not correlate with time spent with the puzzle feeder. Twenty-three of the 27 cats interacted with the puzzle feeder. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-In a stable group of communally housed cats, environmental enrichment did not cause increased aggression as a result of competition for the source of enrichment. Because environmental enrichment increases the opportunity to perform exploratory behaviors, it may improve the welfare of groups of cats maintained long-term in shelters, sanctuaries, or multicat households. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2011239:796-802)