Evaluation of tibial dyschondroplasia development in broiler chickens fed diets containing 25 hydroxicolecalciferol

This research was carried out to evaluate the development of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) in broilers from 1 to 21 days. Four hundred forty day-old male chickens, from broiler breeders aged 60-62 weeks, were randomly distributed in a 3×3+2 factorial arrangement, resulting in 11 treatments with four replicates of 10 birds each. The factors evaluated were: bird strains (Ross 308, Cobb 500, and Hybro), levels and sources of vitamin D (1250UI D3/kg without 25-(OH)D3; 1250UI D3/kg with 69mg 25-(OH)D3/ton, and 3000UI D3/kg with 69mg 25-(OH)D3/ton), and two control treatments containing calcium and phosphorus levels with 3000UI D3/kg without 25-(OH)D3 and 3000UI D3/kg with 69mg 25- (OH)D3/ton of feed. Bone characteristics were evaluated. From 1 to 21 days, the results showed that bone calcium and phosphorus concentrations were not influenced by the treatments, however, feed intake was higher for factorial than control treatments. Bone breaking resistance was not influenced by the treatments and there were no typical lesions of TD. In conclusion, it was not observed TD development in broilers from 1 to 21 days according to experimental procedures of this research.

Effect of experimental photopolymerized coatings on the hydrophobicity of a denture base acrylic resin and on Candida albicans adhesion

Objective: This study investigated the effect of experimental photopolymerized coatings, containing zwitterionic or hydrophilic monomers, on the hydrophobicity of a denture base acrylic resin and on Candida albicans adhesion. Methods: Acrylic specimens were prepared with rough and smooth surfaces and were either left untreated (control) or coated with one of the following experimental coatings: 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HE); 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HP); and 2-trimethylammonium ethyl methacrylate chloride (T); and sulfobetaine methacrylate (S). The concentrations of these constituent monomers were 25%, 30% or 35%. Half of the specimens in each group (control and experimentals) were coated with saliva and the other half remained uncoated. The surface free energy of all specimens was measured, regardless of the experimental condition. C. albicans adhesion was evaluated for all specimens, both saliva conditioned and unconditioned. The adhesion test was performed by incubating specimens in C. albicans suspensions (1 × 10 7 cell/mL) at 37 °C for 90 min. The number of adhered yeasts were evaluated by XTT (2,3-bis[2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-5-[{phenylamino} carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium-hydroxide) method. Results: For rough surfaces, coatings S (30 or 35%) and HP (30%) resulted in lower absorbance values compared to control. These coatings exhibited more hydrophilic surfaces than the control group. Roughness increased the adhesion only in the control group, and saliva did not influence the adhesion. The photoelectron spectroscopy analysis (XPS) confirmed the chemical changes of the experimental specimens, particularly for HP and S coatings. Conclusions: S and HP coatings reduced significantly the adhesion of C. albicans to the acrylic resin and could be considered as a potential preventive treatment for denture stomatitis. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Study of adsorption and preconcentration by using a new silica organomodified with [3-(2,2′-dipyridylamine)propyl] groups

In this work, a silica surface chemically modified with [3-(2,2′-dipyridylamine)propyl] groups, named [3-(2,2′- dipyridylamine)propyl]silica (Si-Pr-DPA) was prepared, characterized, and evaluated for its heavy metal adsorption characteristics from aqueous solution. To our knowledge, we are the first authors who have reported the present modification. The material was characterized using infrared spectroscopy, SEM, and NMR 29Si and 13C solid state. Batch and column experiments were conducted to investigate for heavy metal removal from dilute aqueous solution by sorption onto Si-Pr-DPA. From a number of studies the affinity of various metal ions for the Si-Pr-DPA sorbent was determined to follow the order Fe(III) > Cr(III) >> Cu(II) > Cd(II) > Pb(II) > Ni(II). Two standard reference materials were used for checking the accuracy and precision of the method. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of environmental samples. This ligand material has great advantage for adsorption of transition-metal ions from aqueous medium due to its high degree of organofunctionalization associated with the large adsorption capacity, reutilization possibility, and rapidity in reaching the equilibrium. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Preconcentration and determination of metal ions from fuel ethanol with a new 2,2'-dipyridylamine bonded silica

A silica surface chemically modified with [3-(2,2'-dipyridylamine) propyl] groups was prepared, characterized, and evaluated for its metal ion preconcentration in fuel ethanol. To our knowledge, we are the first authors who have reported the present modification on silica gel surface. The material was characterized using infrared spectra, scanning electronic microscopy, and 13C and 29Si solid-state NMR spectra. Batch and column experiments were conducted to investigate for metal ion removal from fuel ethanol. The results showed that the Langmuir model describes the sorption equilibrium data of the metal ions in a satisfactory way. From the Langmuir isotherms, the following maximum adsorption capacities (in mmolg -1) were determined: 1.81 for Fe(III), 1.75 for Cr(III), 1.30 for Cu(II), 1.25 for Co(II), 1.15 for Pb(II), 0.95 for Ni(II), and 0.87 for Zn(II). Thermodynamic functions, the change of free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH), and entropy (ΔS) showed that the adsorption of metal ions onto Si-Pr-DPA was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic. The sorption-desorption of the metal ions made possible the development of a preconcentration and quantification method of metal ions in fuel ethanol. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

Adsorption of heavy metal ions and epoxidation catalysis using a new polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

The objective of this research was the preparation of a silsesquioxane functionalized with eight chloropropyl chains (T8-PrCl) and of a new derivative functionalized with a pendant linear chain (2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole - ATD; T8-Pr-ATD). The two nanostructured materials were characterized by 13C and 29Si NMR, FTIR and elemental analysis. The new nanostructured material, octakis[3-(2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole)propyl] octasilsesquioxane (T8-Pr-ATD), was tested as a ligand for transition-metal ions with a special attention to adsorption isotherms. The adsorption was performed using a batchwise process and the organofunctionalized surface showed the ability to adsorb the metal ions Cu (II), Co (II), and Ni (II) from water and ethanol. The adsorption isotherms were fitted by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) model. The kinetics of adsorption of metals were performed using three models such as pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and Elovich. The Langmuir and Elovich models were the most appropriate to describe the adsorption and kinetic data, respectively. Furthermore, the T8-Pr-ATD was successfully applied to the analysis of environmental samples (river and sea water). Subsequently, a new nanomaterial was prepared by functionalization of the T8-Pr-ATD with a Mo (II) organometallic complex (T8-Pr-ATD-Mo). Only a few works in the literature have reported this type of substitution, and none dealt with ATD and Mo (II) complexes. The new Mo-silsesquioxane organometallic nanomaterial was tested as precursor in the epoxidation of cyclooctene and styrene. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Analysis of primary stability of dental implants inserted in different substrates using the pullout test and insertion torque

The aim of the study was to evaluate mechanical behavior of implants inserted in three substrates, by measuring the pullout strength and the relative stiffness. 32 implants (Master Porous-Conexao, cylindrical, external hexagon, and surface treatment) were divided into 4 groups (n = 8): pig rib bone, polyurethane Synbone, polyurethane Nacional 40 PCF, and pinus wood. Implants were installed with the exact distance of 5 mm of another implant. The insertion torque (N·cm) was quantified using the digital Kratos torque meter and the pullout test (N) was performed by an axial traction force toward the long axis of the implant (2 min/mm) through mount implant devices attached to a piece adapted to a load cell of 200 Kg of a universal testing machine (Emic DL10000). Data of insertion torque and maximum pullout force were submitted to one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni tests (α = 0.05). Polyurethane Nacional 40 PCF and pinus wood showed the highest values of insertion torque and pullout force, with significant statistical difference (P < 0.05) with other groups. The analysis showed stiffness materials with the highest values for primary stability. © 2013 Nathalia Ferraz Oliscovicz et al.

Phenotypic and biochemical responses of sugarcane cultivars to glyphosate application

Sugarcane cultivars show varying degrees of herbicide susceptibility, with herbicide effects ranging from no injury to total plant eradication. In this study, phenotypic and biochemical responses to glyphosate were evaluated in three sugarcane cultivars. Herbicide tolerance of the three cultivars (IACSP93-3046, IACSP94-4004 and RB72454) was tested in a greenhouse experiment using a completely randomized design. The experiment consisted of four replications of treatments in a factorial arrangement of 3 cultivars × 6 glyphosate dosages (0, 1,440, 2,160, 2,880, 3,600 and 4,320 g a. e. ha-1). Intoxication symptoms, based on a percentage scale ranging from 0 (no injury) to 100 % (total plant death), and total chlorophyll content were recorded at 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 20 and 34 days after glyphosate application (DAA). Shikimate dehydrogenase and α-esterase isoenzyme assays were performed at 8, 24, 48, 72 and 144 h after application (HAA). Intoxication symptoms observed at 6 DAA ranged from 5 % at the lowest glyphosate dosage (1,440 g a. e. ha-1) to ~30 % at the highest dosage (4,320 g a. e. ha-1) across all cultivars. IACSP94-4004 and IACSP93-3046 were determined to be the most glyphosate-tolerant cultivars. Reduction in chlorophyll content was observed with high dosages of glyphosate at 6 DAA. The shikimate dehydrogenase banding pattern was generally conserved among cultivars and treatments, with the exception of the IACSP94-4004 cultivar, which showed alterations in the banding pattern of α-esterase after glyphosate application. © 2013 Society for Sugar Research & Promotion.

Antimicrobial activity of the synthetic peptide Lys-a1 against oral streptococci

The peptide LYS-[TRP6]-Hy-A1 (Lys-a1) is a synthetic derivative of the peptide Hy-A1, initially isolated from the frog species Hypsiboas albopunctatus. According to previous research, it is a molecule with broad antimicrobial activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the synthetic peptide Lys-a1 (KIFGAIWPLALGALKNLIK- NH2) on the planktonic and biofilm growth of oral bacteria. The methods used to evaluate antimicrobial activity include the following: determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) in microtiter plates for growth in suspension and quantification of biomass by crystal violet staining and counting of colony forming units for biofilm growth. The microorganisms Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus parasanguinis, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were grown in Brain Heart Infusion broth at 37 °C under atmospheric pressure with 10% CO2. The peptide was solubilized in 0.1% acetic acid (v/v) at various concentrations (500-1.9 μg mL-1). Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% was used as the positive control, and BHI culture medium was used as the negative control. The tested peptide demonstrated a remarkable antimicrobial effect, inhibiting the planktonic and biofilm growth of all strains tested, even at low concentrations. Thus, the peptide Lys-a1 is an important source for potential antimicrobial agents, especially for the control and prevention of microbial biofilms, which is one of the most important factors in cariogenic processes. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

Development and evaluation of praziquantel solid dispersions in sodium starch glycolate

Purpose: To develop and characterize solid dispersions of praziquantel (PZQ) with sodium starch glycolate (SSG) for enhanced drug solubility. Methods: PZQ solid dispersion (SD) was prepared using co-precipitation method by solvent evaporation. The ratios of PZQ to SSG were 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 (w/w). PZQ solubility was evaluated in purified water, and PZQ dissolution test was carried out in 0.1N HCl. Structural characterization of the dispersions was accomplished by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) while the external morphology of the SDs, SSG and PZQ were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mucoadhesion properties of the SD (1:3) and SSG, on mucin disks were examined using texture profile analysis. Results: The highest solubility was obtained with 1:3 solid dispersion, with PZQ solubility of 97.31 %, which is 3.65-fold greater than the solubility of pure PZQ and physical misture (PM, 1:3). XRD results indicate a reduction in PZQ crystallinity while infrared spectra showed that the functional groups of PZQ and SSG were preserved. SEM showed that the physical structure of PZQ was modified from crystalline to amorphous. The amount of PZQ in PM and SD (1:3) that dissolved in 60 min was 70 and 88 %, respectively, and these values increased to 76 and 96 %, respectively. The solid dispersion reduced the mucoadhesive property of the glycolate. Conclusion: Solid dispersion formulation using SSG is a good alternative approach for increasing the dissolution rate of PZQ. © Pharmacotherapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, 300001 Nigeria. All rights reserved.

Fontes de carbono de baixo custo para a produção de xilanase termoestável por aspergillus niger

A strain of the flamentous fungus Aspergillus niger was isolated and shown to possess extracellular xylanolytic activity. These enzymes have biotechnological potential and can be employed in various industries. This fungus produced its highest xylanase activity in a medium made up of 0.1% CaCO3, 0.5% NaCl, 0.1% NH4Cl, 0.5% corn steep liquor and 1% carbon source, at pH 8.0. A low-cost hemicellulose residue (powdered corncob) proved to be an excellent inducer of the A. niger xylanolytic complex. Filtration of the crude culture medium with suspended kaolin was ideal for to clarify the extract and led to partial purifcation of the xylanolytic activity. The apparent molecular mass of the xylanase was about 32.3 kDa. Maximum enzyme activity occurred at pH 5.0 and 55-60oC. Apparent Km was 10.41 ± 0.282 mg/mL and Vmax was 3.32 ± 0.053 U/mg protein, with birchwood xylan as the substrate. Activation energy was 4.55 kcal/mol and half-life of the crude enzyme at 60oC was 30 minutes. Addition of 2% glucose to the culture medium supplemented with xylan repressed xylanase production, but in the presence of xylose the enzyme production was not affected.

Interclonal Variations in the Molecular Karyotype of Trypanosoma cruzi: Chromosome Rearrangements in a Single Cell-Derived Clone of the G Strain

Trypanosoma cruzi comprises a pool of populations which are genetically diverse in terms of DNA content, growth and infectivity. Inter- and intra-strain karyotype heterogeneities have been reported, suggesting that chromosomal rearrangements occurred during the evolution of this parasite. Clone D11 is a single-cell-derived clone of the T. cruzi G strain selected by the minimal dilution method and by infecting Vero cells with metacyclic trypomastigotes. Here we report that the karyotype of clone D11 differs from that of the G strain in both number and size of chromosomal bands. Large chromosomal rearrangement was observed in the chromosomes carrying the tubulin loci. However, most of the chromosome length polymorphisms were of small amplitude, and the absence of one band in clone D11 in relation to its reference position in the G strain could be correlated to the presence of a novel band migrating above or below this position. Despite the presence of chromosomal polymorphism, large syntenic groups were conserved between the isolates. The appearance of new chromosomal bands in clone D11 could be explained by chromosome fusion followed by a chromosome break or interchromosomal exchange of large DNA segments. Our results also suggest that telomeric regions are involved in this process. The variant represented by clone D11 could have been induced by the stress of the cloning procedure or could, as has been suggested for Leishmania infantum, have emerged from a multiclonal, mosaic parasite population submitted to frequent DNA amplification/deletion events, leading to a 'mosaic' structure with different individuals having differently sized versions of the same chromosomes. If this is the case, the variant represented by clone D11 would be better adapted to survive the stress induced by cloning, which includes intracellular development in the mammalian cell. Karyotype polymorphism could be part of the T. cruzi arsenal for responding to environmental pressure. © 2013 Lima et al.

Produção de glicose e frutose por invertase de Saccharomyces cerevisiae imobilizada em suporte MANAE-agarose

Invertase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was immobilized on agarose beads, activated with various groups (glyoxyl, MANAE or glutaraldehyde), and on some commercial epoxy supports (Eupergit and Sepabeads). Very active and stable invertase derivatives were produced by the adsorption of the enzyme on MANAE-agarose, MANAE-agarose treated with glutaraldhyde and glutaraldehyde-agarose supports. At pH 5.0, these derivatives retained full activity after 24h at 40°C and 50 °C. When assayed at 40°C and 50°C, with the pH adjusted to 7.0, the invertase-MANAE-agarose derivative treated with glutaraldehyde retained 80% of the initial activity. Recovered activities of the derivatives produced with MANAE, MANAE treated with glutaraldehyde and glutaraldehyde alone were 73.5%, 44.4% and 36.8%, respectively. These three preparations were successfully employed to produce glucose and fructose in 3 cycles of sucrose hydrolysis.

Morphology of the female genital ducts of the blue land crab Cardisoma guanhumi (Crustacea: Brachyura: Gecarcinidae)

This is a histological and histochemical analysis of the terminal portion of the female reproductive system and genital ducts of the blue land crab (Cardisoma guanhumi). Animals were collected in the Jaguaribe estuary (Ceará, Brazil) and dissected. Genital duct fragments were fixed and submitted to different staining techniques. The female reproductive system consists of a pair of ovaries and a pair of genital ducts. In the mid-posterior portion of each lobe, the ovaries communicate with the genital ducts, which are subdivided into oviduct, spermatheca, vagina, and gonopore. Histologically, the spermatheca of C. guanhumi is composed of columnar secretory epithelium and is divided into a dorsal zone and a ventral zone, the latter covered internally by a cuticle layer. Both zones are enveloped by a thin layer of loose connective tissue. Histological cross sections revealed the vagina to be concave, a pattern considered phylogenetically more advanced than the simple, tubular form. Our findings suggest fertilization is internal, favoring sperm from the most recent copulation. © 2012 The Authors. Acta Zoologica © 2012 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Ocorrência de Listeria spp. e de Listeria monocytogenes, em um matadouro-frigorífico de bovinos do estado de São Paulo

We evaluated the presence of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in environmental samples by means of swabs collected the bovine slaughter plant enabled to export, located in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. After the pre-enrichment at 30±1°C for 22 to 26h the samples were analyzed using the BAX System Listeria. Those positive for Listeria spp. were submitted a second PCR reaction to confirm the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. From 411 environmental samples analyzed, 62 (15.1%) were positive for Listeria spp. and 21 (5.1%) for Listeria monocytogenes, which showed their persistence in the slaughter plant. There were no statistical differences between the rainy and dry periods and between areas sampled, although it has been found between sectors. The floor surface and the sector cuts have higher rates of positivity.

Temperature and scarification on seeds germination of copernicia prunifera (Mill) H.E. Moore (Arecaceae)

Copernicia prunifera, known as carnauba, is native to Brazil and presents great potential to be used in gardens and cultivation in pot. Palms species, with relatively few exceptions, can only be propagated by seeds; even so, there are no reports in the literature about the germination of this palm seeds. Several species of the Arecaceae family present seed physical dormancy in varying degrees, demanding treatments to improve germination. The objective of this work was to study the effects of temperature and mechanical scarification on seed germination of C. prunifera. The experimental design was entirely randomized in a factorial arrangement 6 x 2 (six conditions of temperature with or without mechanical scarification) with 4 replications and 25 seeds each. In accordance with the treatment, lateral scarifications were made on the seeds until appearance of the endosperm. Seeds were sown in moist fine vermiculite. Germination (%) and germination rate (GR) were evaluated. Germination data were arcsine (x/100)1/2 transformed before analysis of variance and germination rate data were not transformed. The means of the resulting values were then compared by the Scott-Knott test at 1% confidence level. It was concluded that the biggest germination percentage were obtained at alternated temperature of 25-35°C (92%) and at constant temperature of 25°C (87%). Seeds germinated faster at alternated temperature of 25- 35°C. Germination percentage was similar for the scarified and non-scarified seeds; however, scarified seeds germinated faster.