Chemical composition and tenderness of longissimus dorsi muscle from non- castrated Murrah buffaloes slaughtered at different weights

Buffalo meat production has been arising interest breeder and emerges as alternative to consumer, more and more demanding of the quality products. Thus, this research was conducted to study the chemical composition and tenderness of Longissimus dorsi muscle from 10 non-castrated Murrah buffaloes slaughtered at different weights. The research was carried in feedlot of School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. Animals were divided in two groups, received diet ad libitum and slaughtered when reached 450 and 500 kg of live weight. The experiment design was completely randomized, with five repetitions to each treatment. Meat sample from Longissimus dorsi muscle, taken between 12(th) and 13(th) ribs, were carried analysis of moisture, crude protein, fat, ash, Longissimus muscle area (LMA), fat thickness (FT), marbling, calorie and tenderness. It did not have significant difference between the groups. Average values at of 76.0; 20.7; 2.1 and 1.2 of moisture, crude protein, fat and ash respectively, were obtained. Calorie, tenderness, LMA, FT and marbling were obtained at average values of 132 kca1/100g; 3.94 kgf; 34.2 cm(2); 5.9 mm and 2 points, respectively. Values obtained for tenderness are similar in the literature and has been proving that buffalo meat is tender (< 5kgf). Positive correlation was observed between the protein percentage and the shear force of the meat. The buffalo meat is excellent alternative source of red protein of high biological value to feeding of Brazilian consumers.

Effect of chronic treatment with Clomipramine on food intake, macronutrient selection and body weight gain in rats

Long-term treatment with clomipramine (CMI), a tricyclic antidepressant, induces food craving and body weight gain in patients. The present study investigated the effects of chronic treatment with CMI on total food intake, macronutrient selection, and body weight gain in rats. Male Wistar rats were maintained on a dietary self-selection regime with separate sources of protein, fat and carbohydrate. Animals received i.p. injections of CMI (0, 3, 10, 30 mg/kg) during 27 consecutive days. Food consumption and body weight were recorded daily and results were calculated as average of three consecutive days, namely during pre-treatment (3 d before pharmacological treatment), treatment (7th-9th; l6th-l8th and 25th-27th days), and post-treatment (28th-33rd days). Results showed that CMI (30 mg/kg) significantly decreased energy intake during all treatment period, an effect that was related to a decrease in both carbohydrate-rich diet intake and body weight gain. At dose of 3 mg/kg CMI increased the total energy intake in the 16th-18th days, suggesting an apparent biphasic effect of chronic treatment with CMI on caloric intake. Chronic administration with CMI (27 d) did not alter protein-rich or fat-rich diet consumption. The main result of this study indicated that chronic treatment with CMI decreases rather than increase food consumption and body weight gain in rats exposed to a macronutrient self-selection procedure.

New concepts of the power received by ideal energy storage elements: the instantaneous complex power approach

This paper presents some definitions and concepts of the Instantaneous Complex Power Theory [1] which is a new approach for the Akagi's Instantaneous Reactive Power Theory [2].The powers received by an ideal inductor are interpreted and the knowledge of the actual nature of these powers may lead to changes of the conventional electrical power concepts.

Synthesis and characterization of cellulose acetate produced from recycled newspaper

In this work, the viability of recycling newspaper for producing cellulose acetate was tested. Newspaper recycling is extremely important not only for the environment preservation, but also from the economical point of view of aggregating value to this residue. Cellulose acetate was produced from a homogeneous acetylation, and then characterized by FTIR, DSC and TGA. Acetylation times were 48 h for as received newspaper (CA48) and 24 h for delignified newspaper (CA24), resulting in cellulose diacetate (DS = 1.98 +/- 0.22) for CA48 and cellulose triacetate (DS = 2.79 +/- 0.02) for CA24, respectively. Membranes of these materials were produced and characterized according to the previously mentioned techniques and by measurements of water vapor flux, which were compared to membranes of nanofiltration SG from Osmonix (R). Results showed that independently of a purification step, it is possible to produce cellulose acetate membranes through the chemical recycling of newspaper and that membrane CA24 presents thermal stability comparable to membranes produced of commercial cellulose acetate. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The influence of zero-value subtraction on the performance of two laser fluorescence devices for detecting occlusal caries in

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of zero-value subtraction on the performance of two laser fluorescence (LF) devices developed to 'detect occlusal caries.Methods. The authors selected 119 permanent molars. Two examiners assessed three areas (cuspal, middle and cervical) of both mesial and distal portions of the buccal surface and one occlusal site using an LF device and an LF pen. For each tooth, the authors subtracted the value measured in the cuspal, middle and cervical areas in the buccal surface from the value measured in the respective occlusal site.Results. The authors observed differences among the readings for both devices in the cuspal, middle and cervical areas in the buccal surface as well as differences for both devices with and without the zero-value subtraction in the occlusal surface. When the authors did not perform the zero-value subtraction, they found statistically significant differences for sensitivity and accuracy far the LF device. When this was done with the LF pen, specificity increased and sensitivity decreased significantly.Conclusions. For the LF device, the zero-value subtraction decreased the sensitivity. For this reason, the authors concluded that clinicians can obtain measures with the LF device effectively without using zero-value subtraction. For the LF pen, however, the absence of the zero-value subtraction changed both the Sensitivity and specificity, and so the authors concluded that clinicians should not eliminate this step from the procedure.Clinical Implications. When using the LF device, clinicians might not need to perform the zero-value subtraction; however, for the LF pen, clinicians should do so.

Anticoccidial effects of coumestans from Eclipta alba for sustainable control of Eimeria tenella parasitosis in poultry production

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anticoccidial efficacy of a product containing coumestans from Eclipta alba. Experimental conditions were set up as to reproduce the environment conditions for husbandry adopted in commercial broiler farms. Broilers were raised in broiler chicken shed provided with feeders, drinkers, illumination and temperature control systems and floor covering to afford an adequate nourishing environment. Male Cobb broilers (240) were assigned to four experimental groups being each experimental group set apart in rice straw-covered shed isolated with wire mesh. One-day-old broilers were reared in a coccidian-free environment with ad libitum supply of filtered water and freely available standard feed, from the 1st to the 35th day of life. The T1 group received standard feed (negative control); T2 was treated with standard feed supplemented with 66 ppm of salinomycin (positive control); groups T3 and T4 had standard feed supplemented with the ethyl acetate fraction from methanolic extract of E. alba aerial parts, which contains the coumestans WL and DWL (120 and 180 ppm, respectively). The chicken broilers were individually infected with 2 x 104 oocysts of Eimeria tenella when they were 14 days old and were monitored weekly to evaluate zootechnical parameters such as weight gain and food conversion ratio. Counting of coccidial oocyst in chiken feces was assessed from random samples, from the 21st to 28th days of life, which corresponded to 7-14 days after the infection. Five chickens selected at random from each experimental group were subsequently euthanized at 21, 28 or 35 days of life to determine the lesion score in the cecal region and to excise a cecum portion for histopathological evaluation. The group treated with coumestans from E. alba presented an average weight gain and food conversion ratio higher than the negative control group and similar to the mean value of the positive control group. Coumestan-treated groups showed a significant decrease in the oocyst counting since the 21th day of life and displayed a reduced number of macroscopic lesions. Histopathological evaluations of cecum fragments showed that both treatments induced the migration of defense cells at the site of infection. A severe destruction of the cecal lining was found in the intestinal tract of broilers fed with a coumestans dose of 180 ppm. Overall, our results validate the use of a phytotherapy containing E. alba coumestans at a dose of 120 ppm as a therapeutic or prophylactic agent against avian coccidiosis. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mudança de concepção das políticas públicas para o campo brasileiro: o Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos, PAA

In the 90, the public politics for the Brazilian rural way incorporated the territorial perspective, besides they motivate the participation and the beneficiaries collective organization. In 2003 the Food Acquisition Program (FAP) was created with the intention of guaranteeing the feeding of people in social vulnerability situation or alimentary insecurity and of providing work and income in the field through the direct buying of the agriculturists foods. In a research made in two São Paulo State's towns: Tupi Paulista and Dracena, it was verified that the price paid to the farmers is higher to the regional average and because of this fact the participants have interest in enlarging the cultivated area and/or in diversifying the cultivations. Though, two problems were detected: 1) the reduced number of beneficiated producers; and, ii) the furtherance of the producers relatives already registered that try to increase their quota of products and the value to be received.

Effect of caloric restriction on myenteric neuroplasticity in the rat duodenum during aging

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of caloric restriction (CR) on myenteric neurons in the duodenum of Wistar rats during aging. Thirty rats were divided into three groups: the C group (six-month-old animals that were fed a normal diet from weaning until six months of age), the SR group (18-month-old animals that were fed a normal diet from weaning until 18 months of age) and the CR group (18-month-old animals that were fed a 30% CR diet after six months of age). After 12 months, the animals were euthanized. Whole-mount preparations of the duodenums were either stained with Giemsa or underwent NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry to determine the general myenteric neuron population and the nitrergic neuron subpopulation (NADPH-d +), respectively. The NADPH-d-negative (NADPH-d -) neuron population was estimated based on the difference between the Giemsa-stained and NADPH-d + neurons. The neurons were counted, and the cell body areas were measured. Aging was associated with neuronal loss in the SR group, which was minimized by caloric restriction in the CR group. The density (mm(2)) of the Giemsa-stained neurons was higher in the SR group (79.09 +/- 6.25) than in the CR (92.37 +/- 11.6) and C (111.68 +/- 15.26) groups. The density of the NADPH-d + neurons was higher in the SR group (44.90 +/- 5.88) than in the C (35.75 +/- 1.6) and RC (39.14 +/- 7.02) groups. The density of NADPH-d - neurons was higher in the CR (49.73 +/- 12.08) and C (75.64 +/- 17.05) groups than in the SR group (33.82 +/- 4.5). In the C group, 32% and 68% of the Giemsa-stained myenteric neurons were NADPH-d + or NADPH-d -, respectively. With aging (SR group), the percentage of nitrergic neurons (56.77%) increased, whereas the percentage of NADPH-d - neurons (43.22%) decreased. In the CR group, the change in the percentage of nitrergic (42.37%) and NADPH-d - (57.62%) neurons was lower. As NADPH-d - neurons will be mostly cholinergic neurons, CR appears to reduce the loss of cholinergic neurons during aging. The cell body dimensions (mu m(2)) were not altered by aging or CR. Thus. CR had a protective effect on myenteric neurons during aging. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Phase Transformation in Titania Nanocrystals by the Oriented Attachment Mechanism: The Role of the pH Value

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

The correlation between subordinate fish eye colour and received attacks: a negative social feedback mechanism for the reduction of aggression during the formation of dominance hierarchies

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The ribs of Eupatorieae (Asteraceae): of wide taxonomic value or reliable characters only among certain groups?

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)