Biotransformed soybean extract induces cell death of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells by modulation of apoptotic proteins

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Association of apolipoprotein B and adiponectin receptor 1 genes with carcass, bone integrity and performance traits in a paternal broiler line

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Accurate adjustment of feed formulation for broiler chickens on performance and lipid composition of meat

Most consumers consider the fat of chicken meat undesirable for a healthy diet, due to the high levels of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the influence of changes in dietary metabolizable energy level, associated with a proportional nutrient density variation, on broiler chickens performance and on the lipid composition of meat. Males and females Cobb 500 broilers were evaluated separately. Performance evaluation followed a completely randomized design with factorial 6x3 arrangement - six energy levels (2,800, 2,900, 3,000, 3,100, 3,200 and 3,300 kcal/kg) and three slaughter ages (42, 49 and 56 days). Response surface methodology was used to establish a mathematical model to explain live weight, feed intake and feed conversion behavior. Total lipids and cholesterol were determined in skinned breast meat and in thigh meat, with and without skin. For lipid composition analysis, a 3x3x2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design - three ration’s metabolizable energy levels (2,800, 3,000 and 3,300 kcal/kg), three slaughter ages (42, 49 and 56 days) and two sexes - was used. The reduction in the diet metabolizable energy up to close to 3,000 kcal/kg did not affect live weight but, below this value, the live weight decreased. Feed intake was lower when the dietary energy level was higher. Feed conversion was favored in a direct proportion to the increase of the energy level of the diet. The performance of all birds was within the range considered appropriate for the lineage. Breast meat had less total lipids and cholesterol than thigh meat. Thigh with skin had more than the double of total lipids of skinned thigh, but the cholesterol content did not differ with the removal of the skin, suggesting that cholesterol content is not associated with the subcutaneous fat. Intramuscular fat content was lower in the meat from birds fed diets with lower energy level. These results may help to define the most appropriate nutritional management. Despite the decrease in bird’s productive performance, the restriction of energy in broiler chickens feed may be a viable alternative, if the consumers are willing to pay more for meat with less fat.

Yeast CA-11 fermentation in musts treated with brown and green propolis

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Acute and subchronic antihyperglycemic activities of bowdichia virgilioides roots in non diabetic and diabetic rats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Vitamin A affects haematology, growth and immune response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, L.), but has no protective effect against bacterial challenge or cold-induced stress

Vitamin A (vitA) is an essential nutrient that acts as an endocrine regulator of several metabolic pathways, modulating normal growth and health status of animals. Although the importance of vitA for normal haematology and immune response is well documented for higher vertebrates, there is limited information on the physiological effects of vitA on fish. Therefore, we designed a 130-day feeding trial to evaluate the effect of vitA supplementation on growth, haematology, immune function and resistance to experimental infection with Aeromonas hydrophila and cold-induced stress. A group of 320 Nile tilapia fingerlings 7.49 ± 0.19 g weight (mean ± SD) were randomly stocked into 40 250 L-aquaria and fed practical diets containing graded levels of vitA (0, 0.06, 0.12, 0.24, 0.48, 0.96, 1.92, 3.84 mg retinol (ROH) kg−1 diet. Growth, haematology, plasma protein profile and immune response were significantly affected by vitA supplementation; however, no clear protective effect of vitA supplementation on disease and cold stress resistance were observed in this study. Clinical signs of vitA deficiency were: resting and abnormal swimming behaviour, exophthalmia, haemorrhages at the base of fins and on skin, serous fluids in abdominal cavity, neutropenia, reduction in red blood cell count, haematocrit and haemoglobin evolving to high mortality rates in a short period of time. A dietary level of vitA around 1.2 mg ROH kg−1 may be required to prevent gross deficiency signs and promote proper growth and health status of Nile tilapia. VitA does not seem to have a pronounced effect on leucocyte differentiation, but clearly plays an important role on maintaining normal erythropoiesis.

T-cell lymphoma in the tongue of a dog with cutaneous and striated forelimb muscle involvement

Background: Primary tongue tumors rarely affect dogs and correspond to 4% of tumors involving the oropharynx. Until now, primary tongue lymphoma had not been reported. However, lymphoma involvement in the skeletal muscle, although quite unusual, was described in the literature in four cases. Cutaneous lymphoma is another rare extranodal manifestation. The objective of this report is to describe a case of T immunophenotype lymphoma occurrence, whose manifestation is atypical, not only because it is situated in the tongue muscle but also because of the subsequent involvement of the striated musculature of the left forelimb and the skin, which showed unfavorable evolution. Case: A female seven-year-old mongrel was seen showing a regular lump in the base of the tongue, 3 cm in diameter, not ulcerated and of fi rm consistency, with halitosis as the only clinical sign of the disease. Incisional biopsy of the lump was performed and histopathology verifi ed that it was large cell lymphoma. The material was sent for immunohistochemical evaluation and was characterized as T immunophenotype lymphoma by positive CD3 and negative CD79a marking. The CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) chemotherapy protocol was established as treatment and after the fi rst chemotherapy session there was partial remission of the mass, measuring 2 cm in diameter. The lump, however, remained stable in the following sessions. Thirty days after the diagnosis of lymphoma, the animal began to show lameness of the left forelimb and swelling near the head of the left humerus. A muscle mass, fi rm in consistency, progressing fast, presented a signifi cant increase, just three weeks after its appearance. Two skin lesions, arcuate, erythematous and pruritic also appeared in the dorsocervical and ventral-abdominal region. Incisional biopsy of these lesions was performed and the histopathological diagnosis confi rmed muscle and cutaneous large cell lymphoma and immunophenotype compatible with T cells (positive CD3 and negative CD79a). Due to disease advance, even during chemotherapy, a rescue protocol of L-asparaginase administration followed by lomustine and prednisone was proposed. Even with the rescue protocol there was no remission of the tumors and the case was classifi ed as progressive. The animal of this report died after completing the fi rst cycle of chemotherapy protocol, with a survival of 92 days. Discussion: Despite the fact that clinical behavior of primary lymphoma in dogs’ skeletal muscle is unknown, it is believed that, as in humans, it can be associated with chronic infl ammation or neoplastic cell invasion by proximity of the tumor or metastasis, which could justify the dissemination of the lymphoma reported here from the tongue to other tissues. However, appearance of concurrent independent lymphomas cannot be ruled out. As observed in the three cases of primary muscular lymphoma, the dog of this report had low response to therapy and short survival. This report presents the fi rst case of lymphoma in tongue with subsequent skin and left forelimb skeletal muscle involvement described in the literature. The clinical outcome corroborates the aggressiveness of muscular lymphoma observed in the other reports and also suggests that both tongue and other skeletal muscle tumors should be included in the differential diagnosis of canine lymphoma.

Qualidade de frutos de cajá-manga armazenados sob diferentes temperaturas

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo determinar o efeito de diferentes temperaturas de armazenamento na qualidade de frutos de cajá-manga. Os frutos de cajá-manga foram obtidos junto ao CEAGESP - Companhia de Entrepostos e Armazéns Gerais de São Paulo, e transportados em caixas isotérmicas para o Laboratório onde foram selecionados quanto à aparência, estádio de maturação, ausência de danos físicos, depois sanitizados em solução de 50 ppm de cloro livre e acondicionados em bandejas de poliestireno expandido, envolto por filme de policloreto de vinila (PVC). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com três tratamentos (4ºC, 8ºC e 25ºC) e 5 épocas de avaliação (0; 3; 6; 9 e 12 dias após a instalação do experimento). em cada coleta, foram avaliadas a firmeza, a acidez titulável, os sólidos solúveis, o teor de ácido ascórbico, a cor da casca e, também, a liberação de CO2 pelos frutos ao longo do tempo. Foi observado que baixas temperaturas prolongam a vida útil dos frutos e que a temperatura de armazenamento influencia nas características avaliadas, sendo a temperatura de 8ºC a mais adequada para o armazenamento dos frutos de cajá-manga.

Desempenho de Lecanicillium lecanii em meios de cultura contendo vitaminas e concentrações de extrato de levedura

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Perdas endógenas e coeficientes de absorção aparente e real do magnésio em caprinos

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar a absorção aparente, estimar as perdas endógenas fecais e a absorção real do Mg e determinar a ingestão ad libitum da água de beber e a concentração de Mg no soro sangüíneo de caprinos da raças Anglonubiana (AN) e Saanen (SN). Foram usados doze caprinos, seis de cada raça, com 19,8 kg PV médio. Dietas semipurificadas (baixo teor de Mg) à base de quirera de arroz, glúten de milho e celulose foram suplementadas com MgO, para se obterem os níveis de 0,05 (sem supplementação) 0,20 e 0,35% Mg (%MS). Os níveis de Mg influenciaram os coeficientes de absorção aparente de Mg e Ca, com valores médios de 57,8; 73,9; e 73,2% para Mg e 55,7; 39,6; e 49,5% para Ca, para dietas com níveis 0,05; 0,20; e 0,35% de Mg, respectivamente. Entretanto, para os coeficientes de absorção aparente de P, Na e K, não houve efeito de níveis de Mg na dieta. Os resultados de absorção real de Mg apresentaram interação de níveis de Mg e raças. A média para raça NA, no nível 0,05% Mg, foi de 61,0% e para os níveis 0,20 e 0,35% Mg, 77,2 e 73,2%, respectivamente. Entretanto, para a raça SN, as médias foram 73,3; 75,5; e 76,0%, para os mesmos níveis, sem diferenças. A digestibilidade de matéria seca, proteína bruta e extrato não-nitrogenado diminuiu com os níveis crescentes de Mg nas dietas. As excreções fecais (7,0; 20,8; e 34,4 mg/kg PV0,75.d) e urinárias (3,9; 30,8; e 44,6 mg/kg PV0,75.d) de Mg elevaram-se com o aumento dos níveis crescentes de Mg nas dietas. Houve, também, influência dos níveis de Mg dietético sobre as concentrações de Mg do soro sangüíneo (1,74; 2,23; e 2,80 mg/dL para níveis de 0,05; 0,20; e 0,35% de Mg, respectivamente).

Transmissão de Radiação Ultravioleta Através do Pelame e da Epiderme de Bovinos

A transmissão de radiação ultravioleta de comprimentos de onda entre 250 e 360 nm através do pelame e da epiderme de bovinos foi determinada em laboratório, usando-se amostras de couro de animais recém-abatidos. A quantidade de radiação transmitida através do pelame depende da coloração e também das características estruturais do pelame (espessura da capa; comprimento, diâmetro, número e inclinação dos pêlos), pelas quais é definido o trajeto médio de um fóton pela massa de pêlos (L). A maior transmissão é proporcionada por pelames brancos com altos valores de L, ao passo que pelames negros em geral apresentam transmissão nula ou muito baixa. Quanto menos pigmentada a epiderme, maior a transmissão de radiação através da sua superfície. A melhor proteção é proporcionada por pelames negros com baixo valor de L sobre epiderme igualmente negra, mas em vista do aquecimento causado pela absorção de radiação térmica (em vacas Holandesas a temperatura das malhas negras atinge 44,1ºC ao mesmo tempo em que a das malhas brancas é 37,7ºC), a combinação ideal para ambientes tropicais é um pelame branco com baixo valor de L sobre epiderme negra, uma combinação dificilmente encontrada em animais de raças européias. Uma alternativa seria um pelame negro com um baixo valor de L. Animais vermelhos apresentam alta transmissão de radiação UV através da epiderme e do pelame, sendo desaconselhados para ambientes tropicais. Entretanto, foi observada uma vaca Holandesa com áreas isoladas de epiderme negra coberta com pelame branco, o que pode trazer perspectivas para uma seleção para combinações mais adequadas de epiderme e pelame em bovinos de raças européias.

Humoral immune response of water buffalo monitored with three different antigens of Toxocara vitulorum

Humoral immune response of water buffalo naturally infected with Toxocara vitulorum was monitored using three different antigens of this parasite in serum and colostrum of buffalo cows and calves. Soluble extract (Ex) and excretory/secretory (ES) larval antigens and perienteric fluid antigen (Pe) of adult T vitulorum were used to measure the antibody levels by an indirect ELISA. Serum of 7-12 buffalo cows for the first 365 days and colostrum of the same number of buffalo cows for the first 60 days of parturition, and serum of 8-10 buffalo calves for the first 365 days afterbirth were assayed. The ELISA detected antibodies against all three T vitulorum antigens in the colostrum and serum of 100% of buffalo cows and calves examined. The highest antibody levels against Ex, ES and Pe antigens were detected in the buffalo cow sera during the perinatal period and were maintained at high levels through 300 days after parturition. on the other hand, colostrum antibody concentrations of all three antigens were highest on the first day post-parturition, but decreased sharply during the first 15 days. Concomitantly to the monitoring of immune response, the parasitic status of the calves was also evaluated. In calves, antibodies passively acquired were at the highest concentrations 24 h after birth and remained at high levels until 45 days coincidentally with the peak of T vitulorum infection. The rejection of the worms by the calves occurred simultaneously with the decline of antibody levels, which reached their lowest levels between 76 and 150 days. Thereafter, probably because of the presence of adults/larvae stimulation, the calves acquired active immunity and the antibodies started to increase slightly in the serum and plateaued between the days 211 and 365. All three antigens were detected by the serum antibodies of buffalo calves; however, the concentration of anti-Pe antibody was higher than anti-EX and anti-ES, particularly after 90 days of age. By conclusion, the buffalo cows develop immunity and keep high levels of antibodies against T vitulorum-Ex, ES and Pe antigens and these antibodies are transferred to their calves through the colostrum. This passively acquired immunity does not protect the calves against the acquisition of the infection, but these antibodies, passively or actively acquired, may have an important role during worm rejection by the calves and prevention of intestinal reinfection. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Guinea Pigs Develop Cutaneous Basophilia after Repeated Infestations by Nymphs of the Tick Amblyomma triste

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Culture of osteogenic cells from human alveolar bone: A useful source of alkaline phosphatase

The aim of this study was to obtain membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase from osteoblastic-like cells of human alveolar bone. Cells were obtained by enzymatic digestion and maintained in primary culture in osteogenic medium until subconfluence. First passage cells were cultured in the same medium and at 7, 14, and 21 days, total protein content, collagen content, and alkaline phosphatase activity were evaluated. Bone-like nodule formation was evaluated at 21 days. Cells in primary culture at day 14 were washed with Tris-HCl buffer, and used to extract the membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase. Cells expressed osteoblastic phenotype. The apparent optimum pH for PNPP hydrolysis by the enzyme was pH 10.0. This enzyme also hydrolyzes ATP, ADP, fructose-1-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate, pyrophosphate and beta-glycerophosphate. PNPPase activity was reduced by typical inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase. SDS-PAGE of membrane fraction showed a single band with activity of similar to 120 kDa that could be solubilized by phospholipase C or Polidocanol. (c) 2007 International Federation for Cell Biology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Controle de Botryosphaeria ribis causador de seca de ponteiro em Corymbia citriodora, com extratos vegetais e fungicidas

A seca de ponteiros é uma doença que vem acarretando danos severos em plantas de eucalipto, causando cancros ao longo do ramo principal. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de fungicidas e extratos vegetais no controle de Botryosphaeria ribis. O teste in vitro dos fungicidas foi inteiramente casualizado com oito tratamentos: carbendazim, clorotalonil, difenoconazole, picoxystrobin + ciproconazole, ciproconazole, azoxystrobin, picoxystrobin e testemunha, quatro doses: 1 µg/mL, 10 µg/mL, 100 µg/mL e 1000 µg/mL; com cinco repetições. Após homogeneização do meio foram vertidas para as placas, repicado um disco de meio de cultura contendo o patógeno para estas placas e mantidas em BOD a 25°C por cinco dias. A avaliação foi feita através de medição diária do crescimento radial do micélio em centímetros. O delineamento experimental do controle químico a campo foi em fatorial 5x3, com cinco fungicidas e três métodos de aplicação (poda, pincelado e pulverizado), com quatro repetições. Foram feitas quatro aplicações, com intervalo de quinze dias. Os tratamentos foram: 1. azoxystrobin, 2. carbendazim, 3. clorotalonil + tiofanato-metílico, 4. difenoconazole e 5. testemunha. Simultaneamente foram feitas avaliações seguindo uma escala de notas de 1 a 6. O delineamento experimental do teste in vitro dos extratos vegetais foi em fatorial 5x4, com três repetições. Os tratamentos avaliados foram os extratos de: mil folhas, melão de são caetano, eucalipto , álcool e testemunha, nas concentrações de 5, 10, 15 e 20%. Os extratos e o álcool foram misturados ao meio de cultura previamente autoclavado, sendo estes colocados em placas de Petri. A avaliação foi feita através de medição diária do crescimento radial do micélio em centímetros. No teste com mudas o delineamento experimental foi em fatorial 2 x 2 x 4, sendo utilizado no experimento de duas procedências, dois modos de tratamento (preventivo e convencional) e quatro produtos para o controle (extrato de melão de são caetano, extrato de Corymbia citriodora, álcool e água). A inoculação do patógeno foi feita no caule das mudas. Foram feitas aplicações dos produtos e avaliações semanais. A avaliação foi feita através da contagem de plantas doentes. O ingrediente ativo carbendazin foi o que mostrou os melhores resultados in vitro diferindo estatísticamente dos outros tratamentos pelo teste Tukey a 1% de probabilidade; seguido pelo clorotalonil e difenoconazole. Todos os ingredientes ativos avaliados mostraram-se superiores a testemunha. A campo, azoxystrobin foi superior aos demais tratamentos e não houve diferença significativa entre os métodos de aplicação. In vitro, os extratos de mil folhas, melão e eucalipto não diferiram entre si pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. O álcool proporcionou a maior inibição do crescimento micelial e diferiu estatisticamente dos outros tratamentos utilizados. As concentrações de 10, 15 e 20% dos extratos não diferiram entre si, mas foram superiores a concentração de 5%. No teste em mudas, a aplicação preventiva mostrou-se superior a aplicação curativa, sendo que o álcool e o extrato de C. citriodora não diferiram entre si, mas foram superiores ao extrato de melão-de-são-caetano. Todos os produtos foram superiores a testemunha.