Genetic and environmental factors that affect the best time of Thoroughbred horses in Brazil

On the basis of information provided by the Brazilian Association of Race Horse Breeders, we analysed the racing performance of 947 Thoroughbred horses in races held from 1985 to 1992. The performance was evaluated using the best, time of the animals. The variance component was obtained by the derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood method, and the model used contained fixed effects of the racing month and year, sex, race track, track condition, animal age, number of competitors in race, and distance, and the random animal effect. The low heritability estimate obtained (0.12) indicates that selection based on animal phenotypic value must induce small genetic changes in this trail.

FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE ENZYMATIC DEGRADATION OF NATURAL STARCH GRANULES - EFFECT OF THE SIZE OF THE GRANULES

In this study the relationship between the enzymatic susceptibility and the size of the com and cassava starch granules was studied. The starch granules were separated by size and classified according to their average diameter in: a) larger than 16 mum; b) between 15 and 10 mum and c) smaller than 10 mum. The starch granules of various sizes were hydrolyzed by bacterial alpha-amylase and fungal amyloglucosidase. The results showed a relationship between the enzymatic susceptibility and the size of the starch granules; smaller size of the starch granules resulted in a higher percentage of hydrolysis. A basic difference in the mode of action of enzymes on small and large granules was observed. Enzymatic attack on the large granules was characterized by considerable surface corrosion, mainly at the radial axis. For small granules, the enzymatic action occurred on the surface of the granules and was characterized by an erosion with solubilization of the granules. Chemical and physical analysis of the starches suggested that hydrolysis should occur mainly at the amorphous areas of the granules.

Evaluation of some properties of fermented milk beverages that affect the demineralization of dental enamel

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the erosive capacity of fermented milk beverages, as well as some of their properties that affect the demineralization of dental enamel (pH, buffering capacity, fluoride, calcium and phosphorus contents). Three different batches of 6 commercial brands of fermented milk beverages were analyzed. pH evaluation was accomplished using a potentiometer. The buffering capacity was measured by adding 1 mol L -1 NaOH. Fluoride concentration was assessed by an ion specific electrode after hexamethyldisiloxane-facilitated diffusion, and calcium and phosphorus concentrations were assessed by a colorimetric test using a spectrophotometer. Sixty specimens of bovine enamel were randomly assigned to 6 groups (n = 10). They were exposed to 4 cycles of demineralization in the fermented milk and remineralization in artificial saliva. Enamel mineral loss was determined by surface microhardness (%SMHC) and profilometric tests. The samples' pH ranged from 3.51 to 3.87; the buffering capacity ranged from 470.8 to 804.2 μl of 1 mol L -1 NaOH; the fluoride concentration ranged from 0.027 to 0.958 μgF/g; the calcium concentration ranged from 0.4788 to 0.8175 mgCa/g; and the phosphorus concentration ranged from 0.2662 to 0.5043 mgP/g. The %SMHC ranged from-41.0 to -29.4. The enamel wear ranged from 0.15 μm to 0.18 μm. In this in vitro study, the fermented milk beverages did not promote erosion of the dental enamel, but rather only a superficial mineral loss.

The perception of brazilian researchers concerning the factors that influence the citation of their articles: A study in the field of sustainability

With growing institutional pressure from the Brazilian government to increase the impact of research that it funds, Brazilian researchers are increasingly interested in discovering factors that affect the citation of their articles. The aim of the present article was to assess the perceptions of Brazilian sustainability researchers to identify factors that influence the impacts of their research. A survey was conducted with researchers in the field of sustainability and 89 questionnaires were completed. All of those researchers have articles or research projects in the field of sustainability (mixing environmental, social and/or economical) recorded in the Scielo or Lattes Curriculum Brazilian databases. Results suggest four factors that may explain the impact of article citations: (1) prestige of the author and the research network; (2) prestige of the means of publication and indexing; (3) accessibility and quality characteristics of the article; and (4) international nature of communication and scope of the study. Surprisingly, such factors were not statistically significant in explaining the citations of the participating researchers. These results show the need to consider other factors that can explain the impact of research, discovering the missing links. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Preparação e caracterização estrutural, mecânica e anelástica de ligas do sistema Ti-Ta contendo oxigênio intersticial, para uso biomédico

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação da resistência à Xylella fastidiosa em germoplasma de tangerina e híbridos introduzidos da Itália e Córsega

A Clorose Variegada dos Citros (CVC), causada pela bactéria Xylella fastidiosa, é atualmente uma das doenças que mais afeta a citricultura brasileira, sendo as variedades de laranja-doce as mais afetadas. Ensaio instalado na Estação Experimental de Bebedouro (EECB), em condições de estufa, teve como objetivo avaliar o comportamento em relação à CVC de germoplasma de citros introduzidos pela EECB, Fundecitrus e Cenargen. Os materiais foram multiplicados sobre diversos porta-enxertos e, quando atingiram o tamanho adequado, inoculados por garfagem lateral de ramo doente. Cada variedade constou de quatro plantas, três das quais foram inoculadas, e a outra sem inocular deixada como padrão. As avaliações consistiram na observação de sintomas, teste de ELISA e PCR. Os primeiros sintomas nos materiais contaminados começaram a surgir 7 meses após a inoculação. Encontraram-se 18 variedades positivas no teste de PCR, o que indica sua suscetibilidade à bactéria Xylella fastidiosa. Entretanto, as variedades que foram detectadas pelo teste ELISA e não pelo PCR não foram contadas como suscetíveis e, sim, como falsos positivos.

Genetic relationships among Arachis hypogaea L. (AABB) and diploid Arachis species with AA and BB genomes

The cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an allotetraploid, with two types of genomes, classified as AA and BB, according to cytogenetic characters. Similar genomes to those of A. hypogaea are found in the wild diploid species of section Arachis, which is one of the nine Arachis sections. The wild species have resistances to pests and diseases that affect the cultivated peanut and are a potential source of genes to increase the resistance levels in peanut. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic variability within AA and BB genome species and to evaluate how they are related to each other and to A. hypogaea, using RAPD markers. Eighty-seven polymorphic bands amplified by ten 10-mer primers were analyzed. The species were divided into two major groups, and the AA and the BB genome species were, in general, separated from each other. The results showed that high variation is available within species that have genomes similar to the AA and the BB genomes of A. hypogaea.

Physiologic values of broiler femurs at different growth phases using Bone densitometry and Bone Breaking Strength

The objective of this experiment was to determine the normal values of Bone Radiographic Density (BRD) by using the optical densitometry in radiographic images and the Bone Breaking Strength (BBS) of broiler femurs at different ages (8, 22 and 42 d of age). A total of 60 Cobb male broilers were distributed in three age groups of 20 birds. The BRD and the BBS (maxim force and rigidity) values increased (p<0.01) over the course of ages, presenting greater values at 42 d of age when comparing to 8 and 22 d of age, evidencing a biomechanical adaptation of femur to growth. This experiment offers results that can be used in other experiments of broilers fed with different nutritional levels and they can also be related to pathological values, allowing the diagnosis of diseases that affect the integrity of the poultry leg. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2011.

Avaliação da atividade preventiva da dieta enriquecida com banana verde (banana 'Nanica' Musa sp AAA) e de seus efeitos sinérgicos com a prednisolona no modelo de colite ulcerativa induzida por ácido trinitrobenzenosulfônico em ratos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Micropartículas biodegradáveis para liberação prolongada intraocular de cetorolaco de trometamina obtidas po Spray Drying

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação de progênies interespecíficas de maracujazeiro e estaquia de espécies potenciais como porta-enxerto

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Produção Vegetal) - FCAV

Linfoma cardíaco primário em cão

Lymphomas are malignant neoplasm characterized by proliferation of lymphocytes that originate primarily in lymphoid organ such as lymph nodes, liver, spleen and bone marrow. However the feature of continuous migration of lymphocytes in different organs, this tumor can develop in any organ. Although lymphoma is a very common hematopoietic neoplasm in dogs, cardiac location is rare. The diagnosis of primary cardiac lymphoma may be performed when there is involvement of the heart and/or the pericardium without evidence of involvement in other organs. In veterinary medicine there are few reports on the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of cardiac lymphoma. Therefore, the purpose of this report is to describe a case of cardiac lymphoma in which the patient responded favorably to chemotherapy employee with disease-free interval of 19 months and highlight the importance of including this neoplasm in the differential diagnosis of diseases that affect the cardiovascular system.

Rhizospheric streptomycetes as potential biocontrol agents of Fusarium and Armillaria pine rot and as PGPR for Pinus taeda

Pinus taeda is one of the main timber trees in Brazil, occupying 1.8 million ha with an annual productivity of 25-30 m(3) ha(-1). Another important species is Araucaria angustifolia, belonging to the fragile Rainforest biome, which for decades has been a major source of timber in Brazil. Some diseases that affect the roots and/or the stem of these trees and cause "damping-off" of the seedlings, with economic and environmental losses for the forest sector, are caused by the plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium sp. or Armillaria sp. This research project intended to isolate actinobacteria from the Araucaria rhizosphere, which present an antagonistic effect against these fungi. After the selection of the best pathogen inhibitors, morphologic characteristics, enzyme production, and their effect on the growth of Pinus taeda were studied. The actinobacteria were tested for their antagonistic capacity against Fusarium sp. in Petri plates with PDA as substrate. The inhibition zone was measured after 3, 5, 7, and 10 days. Of all the isolates tested, only two of them maintained inhibition zones up to 4 mm for 10 days. The inhibition of Armillaria sp. was tested in liquid medium and also in Petri dishes through the evaluation of the number of the fungal rhizomorphs in dual culture with the actinobacteria. It was found that all five isolates were able to inhibit the rhizomorph production, with the best performance of the isolate A43, which was capable of inhibiting both fungi, Fusarium and Armillaria. In a greenhouse experiment, the effect of five isolates on the growth of Pinus taeda seedlings was tested. Plant height, stem diameter, root and shoot dry matter were determined. The Streptomyces isolate A43 doubled plant growth. These results may lead to the development of new technologies in the identification of still unknown bacterial metabolites and new management techniques to control forest plant diseases.

Principais aspectos cirúrgicos da urolitíase em cães

Urolithiasis occurs with relatively frequency among the diseases that affect the urinary tract of dogs. It`s fundamental that samples of the uroliths are sent for analysis, because, in agreement with the mineral composition of the urolith and also its location, the choice is made between the surgical treatment or the clinical dissolution. Cystotomy is the surgical technique more accomplished in the bladder of small animals, due to its simplicity, when in comparison with other procedures for removal of calculi. With the aid of lithotripsy and endoscopy, the surgical interventions in the urinary treatment tend to be less and less invasive, minimizing the risks of subsequent complications. Chances of recurrence of the urolithiasis are usually larger in patients submitted to the surgical intervention. Besides, the time elapsed among regressive episodes is larger after the clinical dissolution

Periodontal disease-associated compensatory expression of osteoprotegerin is lost in type 1 diabetes mellitus and correlates with alveolar bone destruction by regulating osteoclastogenesis

Alveolar bone resorption results from the inflammatory response to periodontal pathogens. Systemic diseases that affect the host response, such as type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1), can potentiate the severity of periodontal disease (PD) and accelerate bone resorption. However, the biological mechanisms by which DM1 modulates PD are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of DM1 on alveolar bone resorption and to evaluate the role of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) in osteoclastogenesis in rats. PD was induced by means of ligature in nondiabetic and in streptozotocyn-induced DM1 rats. Morphological and morphometric analyses, stereology and osteoclast counting were performed. RANKL and OPG mRNA levels, protein content, and location were determined. PD caused alveolar bone resorption, increased the number of osteoclasts in the alveolar bone crest and also promoted changes in RANKL/OPG mRNA expression. DM1 alone showed alveolar bone destruction and an increased number of osteoclasts at the periapical and furcal regions. DM1 exacerbated these characteristics, with a greater impact on bone structure, resulting in a low OPG content and a higher RANKL/OPG ratio, which correlated with prominent osteoclastogenesis. This work demonstrates that the effects of PD and DM1 enhance bone destruction, confirms the importance of the RANKL signaling pathway in bone destruction in DM1 in animal models and suggests the existence of alternative mechanisms potentiating bone degradation in PD.