Evaluations hematological and biochemical by the use of sodium diclofenac, meloxicam and firocoxib in rats

This work has evaluated the hematological and biochemical profile by the use of sodium diclofenac, meloxicam and firocoxib in Wistar rats. The rats were distributed in groups: G1 (control), G2 (diclofenac sodium: 15 mg/kg), G3 (meloxicam: 2.0 mg/ kg), G4 (meloxicam: 10.0 mg/ kg), G5 (firocoxib: 5.0 mg/ kg) e G6 (firocoxib: 25.0 mg/ kg). The drugs were administered intragastrically (gavage) once a day, during five days and evaluated in three moments: M1 (48 hours after the beginning of the treatment), M2 (96 hours after the beginning of the treatment) and M3 (72 hours after the ending of the treatment). In each moment of each group, five to seven animals were evaluated and laboratory exams were performed. There were no significant changes observed in the biochemical and hematological parameters by the use of meloxicam and firocoxib. One of the effects of the sodium diclofenac was eritrogram variation as hematocrit, erythrocytes, hemoglobin decrease during the treatment. In addition, the platelets and total white blood cells counts did not change except for basophil. There was no changes in AST, ALP, GGT, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium values. However, the values of protein, globulin and albumin decreased. It was concluded that diclofenac sodium does not provide large variations in the hemogram and biochemical profile than the meloxicam and firocoxib do not provide delletery effects in laboratories tests.

Determination of minimum fluidization velocity for gas-solid beds by experimental data and numerical simulations

The purpose of this work is to predict the minimum fluidization velocity Umf in a gas-solid fluidized bed. The study was carried out with an experimental apparatus for sand particles with diameters between 310μm and 590μm, and density of 2,590kg/m3. The experimental results were compared with numerical simulations developed in MFIX (Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchange) open source code [1], for three different sizes of particles: 310mum, 450μm and 590μm. A homogeneous mixture with the three kinds of particles was also studied. The influence of the particle diameter was presented and discussed. The Ergun equation was also used to describe the minimum fluidization velocity. The experimental data presented a good agreement with Ergun equation and numerical simulations. Copyright © 2011 by ASME.

Processamento da ração no desempenho de juvenis de jundiá (Rhamdia voulezi) cultivados em tanques-rede

The aim of this study was to evaluate the zootechnical performance and chemical composition of jundia juveniles Rhandia voulezi fed with mash, pelletized and extruded diets and cultivated in cages. One hundred and fifty fish were distributed in fifteen cages (0.20 m3), arranged in cages (5m3), in the hydroelectric plant of Governador José Richa, in Iguaçu River (Paraná-Brazil). The fish were fed five times a day, with mash, pelletized and extruded diets, containing 30% of protein and 3250 Kcal/kg of digestible energy/kg. At the end of 60 days, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed on fish performance. The fish that were fed with pelletized diet, presented higher average of final weight (44.08g), final length (16.51cm) and weight gain (36.65g). The different processes did not influence fish survival. The averages of protein and mineral matter of carcass chemical composition did not differ statistically (p<0.05), while the values of humidity and lipideos presented differences among treatments. The highest average of lipideos (8.59%) was observed in peletized diet. The mash diet provided fish with lower lipideo (5.45%) and higher humidity (75.98%) rates. A pelleted diet is most suitable for juvenile catfish R. voulezi cultivation in cages.

Simulação da oferta e demanda de recursos hídricos nas bacias dos rios piracicaba, capivarí e jundiaí: Uma análise em dinâmica de sistemas

A dynamic systems water resources simulation model was developed as a tool to help to analyze water resources management alternatives for the Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí River Water Basins (BH-PCJ). Different politics policy were simulated for 40-year. The model estimates water supply and demand, as well as contamination load from several consumers. Six runs were performed using average precipitation value, changing water supply and demand, and different volumes diverted from BH-PCJ to BH-Alto Tietê For the Business as Usual, the Sustainability Index went from 0.41 in 2010 to 0.22 by 2050; the Water Use Index changed from 80.7% in 2010, to 125.5% by 2050; and the Falkenmark Index changed from 1,302 m 3 person -1 year -1 in 2010 to 774 m 3 P -1 year -1 by 2050. It was noticed that sanitation is one of the biggest concerns in the near future at PCJ River Basin.

Índice de acidez del aceite de pez en la nutrición de alevines de pacú Piaractus mesopotamicus

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fish oil acidity on the growth of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) juveniles. Two hundred juveniles with 10.53±0.65 g of weight and 8.74±0.13 cm of total length, were distributed in a totally randomized design in 20, 0.15 m3 meshmade tanks placed in a 25 m3 holding tank. Extruded commercial diets sprayed with soybean oil (control) with acidity index of 0.24 and fish oil with acidity index of 1.48, 6.40 and 9.85 were used. The fish were fed four times a day until apparent satiety. Productive performance, centesimal composition and blood biochemistry were analysed. At the end of the feeding period none of the analyzed parameters was affected by the use of acidified fish oil. Therefore, fish oil may be supplied to the pacu juveniles regardless of their pH.

Avaliação das emissões superficiais do gás de aterros sanitários de grande porte

The present work showed the results of the biogas surface emissions from two large landfills. The study methodology consisted on escaping biogas analysis on the landfill surface, through the flux box and laboratory analysis. The total average emission of Bandeirantes Landfill was 0.00126 m3.CH4.m-2.h-1 and in Caieiras Landfill it was of 0.01222 m3.CH4.m-2.h-1. Those results were used to determinate the biogas escape both landfills. The total escape in Bandeirantes Landfill biogas accounted for 16% and in Caieiras, 35%. The conclusions demonstrated that there is a significant loss of biogas through the surface in both landfills, thus compromising the efficiency of the capture for using biogas.

Improvement of Matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus, Larviculture by Exposing Eggs to Triiodothyronine

This work evaluated the effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on larviculture of matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus. Oocytes of three females were pooled, fertilized with pooled semen of two males and separated in four batches that were immersed in triiodothyronine solutions as follows: M1 (control - water); M2 (0.01mg/L T3); M3 (0.05mg/L T3); and M4 (0.1mg/L T3). Triiodothyronine did not affect fertilization rate and number of hatched larvae. Weight of hatched larvae was significantly higher in treatments M3 and M4, as well as among larvae sampled at Day 12 in all treatments. After 12d of rearing, biomass gain was higher in the hormone treatments (M1 688±569mg; M2 2436±562mg; M3 3572±569mg; and M4 4129±770mg). In general, coefficients of variation of weight (CVw) and length (CVl) did not differ among treatments and cannibalism was registered between 36 and 72hours post-hatching (h.p.h.) without differences among treatments. Larval survival increased in the hormone treatments (M1 26.5%; M2 37.6%; M3 40.6%; and M4 40.8%). The results indicate that the immersion of matrinxã eggs in triiodothyronine can promote beneficial effects to its larviculture and indicate promising perspectives for culture of this tropical species. © by the World Aquaculture Society 2013.

Comparative analysis of Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation on different substrates

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation on different substrates. Methods: Cell culture plates containing growth medium and E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) were used to grow biofilm on bovine dentin, gutta-percha, hydroxyapatite, or bovine bone. Substrates were incubated at 37°C for 14 or 21 days, and the medium was changed every 48 hours. After the growth induction periods, specimens (n = 5 per group and per induction period) were stained by using Live/Dead, and the images were analyzed under a confocal microscope. The total biovolume (μm3), live bacteria biovolume (μm3), and substrate coverage (%) were quantified by using the BioImage-L software. Results obtained were analyzed by nonparametric tests (P =.05). Results: Biofilm formation was observed in all groups. Gutta-percha had the lowest total biovolume at 14 days (P <.05) and hydroxyapatite the highest at 21 days (P <.05). No significant difference was observed in green biovolume at 14 days. At 21 days, however, hydroxyapatite had the highest volume (P <.05). The percentages of coverage were similar among all substrates at 21 days (P >.05), but at 14 days, bovine bone presented the highest coverage (P <.05). Conclusions: E. faecalis was capable of forming biofilm on all substrates during both growth periods; hydroxyapatite presented the highest rates of biofilm formation. The type of substrate influenced the biofilm characteristics, according to the parameters evaluated. © 2013 American Association of Endodontists.

Toxicogenetic monitoring in urban cities exposed to different airborne contaminants

Microparticles found in the air may be associated with organic matter that contains several compounds, such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitro-PAHs, and may pose a significant risk to human health, possibly leading to DNA mutations and cancers. This study associated genotoxicity assays for evaluating human exposure with the atmospheric air of two urban areas in southern Brazil, that received different atmospheric contributions. Site 1 was under urban-industrial influence and the other was a non-industrial reference, Site 2. Organic extracts from the airborne particulate matter were tested for mutagenicity via the Salmonella/microsome assay and analyzed for PAH composition. Cells samples of people residing in these two cities were evaluated using the comet and micronucleus assay (MN).Concentrations of the individual PAHs ranged from 0.01ng/m3 (benzo[a]anthracene) to 5.08ng/m3 (benzo[ghi]perylene). As to mutagenicity analysis of airborne, Site 1 presented all the mutagenic responses, which varied from 3.2±1.22rev/m3 (TA98 no S9) to 32.6±2.05rev/m3 (TA98, S9), while Site 2 ranged from negative to minimal responses. Site 1 presented a high quantity of nitro and amino derivatives of PAHs, and peaked at 56.0±3.68rev/μg (YG1024 strain). The two groups presented very low DNA damage levels without intergroup difference. Although Site 1 presented high mutagenic responses in the air samples, high PAH levels, healthy people exposed to this environment did not show significative damage in their genetic material. However, the evaluation of different environmental and genetic damage in such population is necessary to monitor possible damages. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Sistemas de manejo e atributos físico-hídricos de um Latossolo Vermelho cultivado com milho

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the hydro-physical attributes of the Red Oxisol cultivated with maize in Jaboticabal, São Paulo State, Brazil, under different systems of use and periods of adoption of managements. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with split-plot arrangement, with six replications and the treatments were: six years of no-tillage system (SPD6), eight years of no-tillage system (SPD8), ten years of no-tillage system (SPD10), conventional tillage system (SPC) and an adjacent area of native forest (NF). The soil penetration resistance (PR), density, macroporosity, microporosity of the soil in layers of 0-0.05; 0.05-0.10 and 0.10-0.20 m, and the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kθ) in 0.15 m depth were evaluated. It was found that the PR conditions were favorable for the cultivation to 0.20 m, indicating a structure preserved even after soil chiseling. Furthermore, the Kθ in the soil showed similar behavior between SPC and periods of SPD, although this was shown in a part of maize cycle, macroporosity values near 0.10 m3 m-3 and soil water tensions near 0.09 MPa.

Resposta da alface à aplicação de biofertilizante sob dois níveis de irrigação

The use of biofertilizers is interesting for agriculture as being an economical alternative as well as it is environmentally friendly by using organic waste and reducing the application of mineral fertilizers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of biofertilizer doses of bovine origin (biodigester effluent) applied on the ground and two levels of irrigation on lettuce. The experiment was conducted under protection of a greenhouse in pots, applying to the soil different doses of biofertilizer of bovine origin obtained from anaerobic reactor (10, 20, 40 and 60 m3 ha-1) and mineral fertilizer as a witness in two irrigation levels calculated at 50 and 100% of reference evapotranspiration. The lettuce plants were analyzed in their: Height, leaves number, crown diameter, fresh weight and dry weight of shoots. The biofertilizer treatments showed better results than the mineral fertilizer and has increased with increasing doses of biofertilizer, the highest dose (60 m3 ha-1) showed the best results in all variables. For dry, mineral fertilization showed higher values. The irrigation levels had no effect on plant growth.

Mannanoligosaccharide (mos) and β-glucan (β-glu) in dietary supplementation for Nile tilapia juveniles dept in cages

This experiment was conducted at an aquicolous enterprise with the objective of evaluating the use of MOS and β-GLU as dietary supplements in an experimental lot in order to follow the zootechnical performance, establishing a relationship with the hematological parameters, the morphological alterations of the intestine, and the enzymatic activity (protease, lipase and amylase), and the water quality of 3,000 tilapia juveniles kept in cages (Wt = 24 ± 0.26g). Nine cages (6.0 m3) were used, with three treatments and three replications. 1: commercial feed without supplementation (control); 2: 0.1% per ton of MOS; 3: 0.03% per ton of purified β-GLU. The feed contained 36% of crude protein (CP) incorporated into the premix MOS and purified β-GLU (BIORIGIN®). The tilapia that had received the diet supplemented with β-GLU in a period of 90 days showed a favorable condition of the immune system, increase in the absorption surface of the front part of the intestine and consequently, growth in the activity of the digestive enzymes, denoting higher efficiency in the use of the nutrients in juveniles, providing satisfactory zootechnical performance in comparison with the other diets. This product may be used as a dietary supplement for this species when kept in cages.

Desempeño de tanques decantadores de sólidos en un sistema de recirculación para producción de tilapia

To compare the removal efficiency of solids, turbidity and apparent color between a conventional and a column settling tanks in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for tilapia farming. Materials and methods. Tilapia with a stocking density between 30 and 33 kg/m3 were cultured in a RAS consisting of a water level control box, PVC piping system, three plastic tanks for culture, conventional horizontal flow settling tank (Con.ST), column vertical flow settling tank (Col.ST), three phase fluidized bed reactor, oxygen transfer reactor, air compressor, air blower, centrifugal pump. The Con.ST operated at a volume of 1.4 m3 and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 2.94 h; and was drained weekly for washing and sludge collection, representing a 55%discharge of system water volume. The Col.ST operated with a volume of 0.30 m3 and HRT of 0.553 h. Three daily partial draining operations were executed, representing a discharge of 50% of the system volume. Results. The mean solids removal efficiencies were: 34.01 and 44.44%for total solids; 64.45 and 71.71% for suspended solids; 21.10 and 45.65% volatile solids; 65.51% and 62.79% for turbidity; and 56.37 and 50.91% for apparent color, respectively for Con.ST and Col.ST. Conclusions. The two settling devices are useful on removal of the studied parameters and presented similar performance on turbidity and apparent color removal; however, the Col.ST was more efficient than Con.ST for solids removal, requires less space, less volume and requires less discharge water volume, displaying feasibility for its use on RAS.

Prospects for the use of municipal tree pruning wastes in particleboard production

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of particleboard made with pruning wastes from Ipê (Tabebuia serratifolia) and Chapéu-de-Sol (Terminalia catappa) trees. Particleboards were prepared with both wood species, using all the material produced by grinding the pruning wastes. The particleboards had dimensions of 45×45 cm, a thickness of approximately 11.5 mm and an average density of 664 kg/m3. A urea-formaldehyde adhesive was used in the proportion of 12% of the dry particle mass. The particleboards were pressed at a temperature of 130 C for 10 mins. The physical and mechanical properties analyzed were density, moisture content, thickness swelling, percentage of lignin and cellulose, modulus of resilience, modulus of elasticity and tensile strength parallel to the grain, accordingly to the standards NBR 14810 and CS 236-66 (1968). The particleboards were considered to be of medium density. The particle size significantly affected the static bending strength and tensile strength parallel to the grain. Ipê presented better results, demonstrating a potential for the production and use of particleboard made from this species. © The Author(s) 2013.

Anaerobic digestion of stillage to produce bioenergy in the sugarcane-to-ethanol industry

Stillage is the main wastewater from ethanol production, containing a high chemical oxygen demand in addition to acidic and corrosive characteristics. Though stillage may be used as a soil fertilizer, its land application may be considered problematic due its high polluting potential. Anaerobic digestion represents an effective alternative treatment to reduce the pollution load of stillage. In addition, the methane gas produced within the process may be converted to energy, which can be directly applied to the treatment plant. The objective of this paper was to investigate the energetic potential of anaerobic digestion applied to stillage in the sugarcane ethanol industry. An overall analysis of the results indicates energy recovery capacity (ERC) values for methane ranging from 3.5% to 10%, respectively, for sugarcane juice and molasses. The processes employed to obtain the fermentable broth, as well as the distillation step, represent the main limiting factors to the energetic potential feasibility. Considering financial aspects the annual savings could reach up to US$ 30 million due to anaerobic digestion of stillage in relatively large-scale distilleries (365,000 m3 of ethanol per year). The best scenarios were verified for the association between anaerobic digestion of stillage and combustion of bagasse. In this case, the fossil fuels consumption in distilleries could be fully ceased, such the ERC of methane could reach values ranging from 140% to 890%. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.