Abstract This study was undertaken to investigate the performance, carcass characteristics, and economic viability of diets including pasta waste in meal form (PWM) for quail. A total of 450 unsexed meat quail (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) were distributed into five treatments (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% inclusion of PWM) in a completely randomized design with six replicates, each with 15 birds. The following rearing periods were evaluated: Phase 1 - 1 to 21 days; and period of 1 to 42 days. In Phase 1, the PWM levels did not influence feed intake (FI), and the PWM inclusion levels for optimal weight gain (WG) and feed conversion (FC) were estimated at 20.70% and 22.8%, respectively. In the cumulative period of 1 to 42 days, the PWM levels did not lead to differences in FI, WG, or FC. The yields of carcass and cuts were not influenced by the treatments; however, abdominal fat yield decreased as the PWM levels in the diets were increased. Economic analysis showed a reduction of the feeding cost in the studied phases. Pasta waste meal can be included up to the level of 40% without incurring losses in the performance or carcass yield of meat quail.

RESUMO: Este estudo avaliou a incidência de infecções naturais pelos agentes da tristeza parasitária bovina (TPB), Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bovis e Babesia bigemina, em bezerros nascidos em cinco fazendas do semiárido paraibano. Em cada fazenda, foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 6 a 14 bezerros a cada 14 dias durante os primeiros 12 meses de vida de cada animal. As amostras de sangue foram processadas por microhematócrito e testadas por PCR para detecção de DNA de A. marginale, B. bovis e B. bigemina. Em paralelo, foram quantificadas as infestações por carrapatos nos bovinos nas cinco fazendas, assim como as populações de tabanídeos em três fazendas. De 41 bezerros monitorados durante o primeiro ano de vida, 25 (61,0%) apresentaram PCR positivo para A. marginale, 7 (17,1%) para B. bigemina e 3 (7,3%) para B. bovis. Os valores de incidência da infecção por A. marginale variaram de 83,3% a 100% em quatro fazendas. A infecção por B. bigemina ocorreu em bezerros de apenas duas fazendas (incidências de 12,5% e 85,7%) e a por B. bovis em apenas uma (incidência de 42,8%). Em uma fazenda os 14 bezerros permaneceram negativos para A. marginale, B. bigemina e B. bovis durante os 12 meses de acompanhamento. Os resultados de PCR foram confirmados por sequenciamento de DNA de produtos amplificados. A presença de carrapatos Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus foi verificada somente em duas propriedades, nas quais houve infecção por A. marginale, B. bigemina e B. bovis (este último agente em apenas uma delas). Foram capturados 930 tabanídeos no estudo, a maioria durante os períodos de chuvas na região; 70,7% dos tabanídeos corresponderam a Tabanus claripennis. Houve associação significativa entre PCR positivo para A. marginale ou B. bigemina e menores valores de hematócrito. Este estudo demonstra que, mesmo avaliando apenas cinco propriedades rurais, a incidência dos agentes da TPB ocorreu de forma heterogênea na região, corroborando o status de área de instabilidade enzoótica para TPB previamente relatado para o semiárido paraibano.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the incidence of natural infection by agents of cattle tick fever (CTF), Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in calves born in five farms within the semiarid region of Paraíba state, Brazil. In each farm, blood samples were collected from 6 to 14 calves every 14 days during the first 12 months of life of each animal. Blood samples were processed by microhematocrit and tested by PCR for detection of DNA of A. marginale, B. bovis and B. bigemina. In parallel, the tick infestations on animals were quantified in the five farms, as well as populations in horseflies in three farms. From a total of 41 calves monitored during the first year of life, 25 (61.0%) had positive PCR for A. marginale, 7 (17.1%) for B. bigemina and 3 (7.3%) to B. bovis. Incidence values for A. marginale infection ranged from 83.3% to 100% in four farms. Infection with B. bigemina in calves was detected at only two farms (incidence of 12.5% and 85.7%) and by B. bovis in just one (42.8% incidence). On one farm 14 calves remained negative for A. marginale, B. bigemina and B. bovis during the 12 month follow-up. PCR results were confirmed by DNA sequencing of amplified products. The presence of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was found only in two farms in which there was infection by A. marginale, B. bigemina and B. bovis (the latter agent in only one of them). A total of 930 horseflies were captured in the study, most during periods of rain in the region; 70.7% of horseflies corresponded to Tabanus claripennis. There was significant association between a positive PCR for A. marginale and B. bigemina and lower hematocrit values. This study demonstrates that even evaluating only five rural properties, the incidence of CTF occurred heterogeneously in the region, confirming the status of enzootic instability area for CTF, previously reported for the semiarid region of Paraiba.

In breast cancer patients submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (4 cycles of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, AC), expression of groups of three genes (gene trio signatures) could distinguish responsive from non-responsive tumors, as demonstrated by cDNA microarray profiling in a previous study by our group. In the current study, we determined if the expression of the same genes would retain the predictive strength, when analyzed by a more accessible technique (real-time RT-PCR). We evaluated 28 samples already analyzed by cDNA microarray, as a technical validation procedure, and 14 tumors, as an independent biological validation set. All patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (4 AC). Among five trio combinations previously identified, defined by nine genes individually investigated (BZRP, CLPTM1,MTSS1, NOTCH1, NUP210, PRSS11, RPL37A, SMYD2, and XLHSRF-1), the most accurate were established by RPL37A, XLHSRF-1based trios, with NOTCH1 or NUP210. Both trios correctly separated 86% of tumors (87% sensitivity and 80% specificity for predicting response), according to their response to chemotherapy (82% in a leave-one-out cross-validation method). Using the pre-established features obtained by linear discriminant analysis, 71% samples from the biological validation set were also correctly classified by both trios (72% sensitivity; 66% specificity). Furthermore, we explored other gene combinations to achieve a higher accuracy in the technical validation group (as a training set). A new trio, MTSS1, RPL37 and SMYD2, correctly classified 93% of samples from the technical validation group (95% sensitivity and 80% specificity; 86% accuracy by the cross-validation method) and 79% from the biological validation group (72% sensitivity and 100% specificity). Therefore, the combined expression of MTSS1, RPL37 and SMYD2, as evaluated by real-time RT-PCR, is a potential candidate to predict response to neoadjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in breast cancer patients.

Avaliou-se a digestibilidade aparente de cinco rações isoproteicas e isoenergéticas contendo 0; 0,1; 0,2; 0,3 e 0,4g do complexo enzimático Bioenzimaplus (lipase, protease e carboidrase)/kg de ração na alimentação da tilápia-do-nilo. Foram utilizados 100 peixes distribuídos em cinco aquários de alimentação e cinco aquários de coleta de fezes. Os cinco tratamentos foram arranjados em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso com cinco repetições. Houve efeito linear de tratamento sobre a digestibilidade aparente (CDa) para proteína bruta e extrato etéreo. O CDa da proteína bruta e do extrato etéreo variaram de 81,60% a 84,93% e de 74,19% a 82,69%, respectivamente. Para carboidrato e energia bruta, o maior nível de suplementação resultou em maior CDa, 57,85% e 63,78%, respectivamente( P<0,05). Não foi observada diferença entre tratamentos no CDa da matéria seca, apresentando valores de 49,47% a 58,55%. A inclusão de complexo enzimático - lipase, protease e carboidrase - em dietas para tilápia-do-nilo melhorou a digestibilidade da proteína, do extrato etéreo, do carboidrato e da energia das rações.

Apparent digestibility (ADC) of five isoproteic and isoenergetic diets containing 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4g/kg of enzymatic complex Bioenzimaplus (lipase, protease, and carbohydrase) for Nile tilapia was evaluated. A hundred fish were randomly assigned in five feeding aquaria, and five collecting feces ones. Treatments were composed by five enzymatic complex levels arranged in a completely randomized design in five repetitions. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed with the inclusion of enzymatic complex in the diets for ADC of crude protein and fat (linear effect). ADC of crude protein and fat varied from 81.60% to 84.94% and 74.19% to 85.69%, respectively. The highest enzyme supplementation level showed better digestibility values for carbohydrate and gross energy (57.85% and 63.78%, respectively). No difference was observed for ADC of dry matter showing values between 49.47% and 58.55%. The use of enzymes in Nile tilapia diets improved the digestibilities of protein, fat, carbohydrate, and gross energy digestibility.

Estudou-se a influência do tratamento diário com filtrado aquoso de Agaricus blazei Murrill (ABM) (25mg/ml), via oral, por 17 e 57 dias, em camundongos inoculados com tumor sólido de Ehrlich (TSE) por meio da curva de crescimento tumoral, do peso relativo do tumor, da contagem de regiões organizadoras de nucléolos (AgNORs) e dos padrões histológicos das massas tumorais e linfonodos poplíteos. Os animais que ingeriram o extrato aquoso do ABM por 57 dias apresentaram menor (P<0,05) crescimento do TSE, no segundo e terceiro dias, fase inflamatória do crescimento tumoral. Quanto ao peso relativo das massas tumorais, valores de AgNORs, padrões morfoistopatológicos do TSE e ocorrência de processos metastáticos, não houve alteração significativa (P>0,05) entre os animais tratados e não tratados.

The influence of daily administration of Agaricus blazei Murrill (ABM) aqueous solution (25mg/ml) during 17 and 57 days in mice bearing solid Ehrlich tumor was studied. Tumoral growth, tumoral and spleenic relative weights, nucleoly organization regions AgNORs values and tumor and popliteal lymph nodes histopathology were daily evaluated. The animals that received ABM during 57 days showed lower values (P<0.05) of tumoral growth on second and third days after the period corresponding to the inflammatory phase of tumoral growth. The relative weight of the tumor and AgNORs values were similar (P>0.05) between treated and non-treated animals. No difference in microscopic evaluation of the tumors in treated and non-treated animals was seen and metastasis in popliteal nodes of the tumor occurred in all the animals.

O presente trabalho descreve o isolamento de triterpenos (ácido 3,4-seco-friedelan-3-óico, friedelina e b-amirina) e outros compostos (éster etílico do ácido p-hidroxibenzóico e tetracosano), bem como a avaliação preliminar in vivo da atividade antimalárica de extratos das folhas de Ouratea nitida Aubl. Análise qualitativa através de CG-EM de uma fração apolar do extrato em hexano também foi efetuada. Ésteres metílicos e etílicos dos ácidos laúrico, mirístico, palmítico, esteárico e oléico, metílicos dos ácidos pentadecanóico, heptadecanóico, araquidônico, behênico e lignocérico e o etílico do ácido linoléico foram os componentes majoritários; enquanto que o estearato de n-butila, o tetracosano e a 6,10,14-trimetil-2-pentadecanona foram os minoritários. Os compostos isolados foram identificados com base na análise dos dados espectrais (IV, EM e RMN, incluindo DEPT) e estão sendo descritos pela primeira vez nesta espécie.

This work describes the isolation of triterpenes (3,4-seco-friedelan-3-oic acid, friedelin, and b-amyrin) and other compounds (p-hydroxybenzoic acid ethyl ester and tetracosane) as well as a preliminary evaluation of in vivo antimalarial activity of the extracts from the leaves of Ouratea nitida Aubl. Qualitative analysis by GC-MS of an apolar fraction from the hexane extract was also carried out. Methyl and ethyl esters of lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic and oleic acids, methyl ester of pentadecanoic, heptadecanoic, arachidonic, beenic and lignoceric acids, and ethyl ester of linoleic acid were found to be the main constituents while n-butyl stearate, tetracosane and 6,10,14-trimetthyl-2-pentadecanone were the minor. All isolated compounds were identified on basis of the spectral data (IR, MS and NMR, including DEPT) and are being described for the first time in this specie.

The GLUT4 transporter plays a key role in insulin-induced glucose uptake, which is impaired in insulin resistance. The objective of the present study was to investigate the tissue content and the subcellular distribution of GLUT4 protein in 4- to 12-year-old control, obese and insulin-treated diabetic mongrel female dogs (4 animals per group). The parametrial white adipose tissue was sampled and processed to obtain both plasma membrane and microsome subcellular fractions for GLUT4 analysis by Western blotting. There was no significant difference in glycemia and insulinemia between control and obese animals. Diabetic dogs showed hyperglycemia (369.9 ± 89.9 mg/dl). Compared to control, the plasma membrane GLUT4, reported per g tissue, was reduced by 55% (P < 0.01) in obese dogs, and increased by 30% (P < 0.05) in diabetic dogs, and the microsomal GLUT4 was increased by ~45% (P < 0.001) in both obese and diabetic animals. Considering the sum of GLUT4 measured in plasma membrane and microsome as total cellular GLUT4, percent GLUT4 present in plasma membrane was reduced by ~65% (P < 0.001) in obese compared to control and diabetic animals. Since insulin stimulates GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane, percent GLUT4 in plasma membrane was divided by the insulinemia at the time of tissue removal and was found to be reduced by 75% (P < 0.01) in obese compared to control dogs. We conclude that the insulin-stimulated translocation of GLUT4 to the cell surface is reduced in obese female dogs. This probably contributes to insulin resistance, which plays an important role in glucose homeostasis in dogs.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a utilização do Agaricus blazei nas formas de filtrado e suspensão total aquosa (10mg/animal) na terapêutica de camundongos portadores de tumor de Ehrlich sólido, testando sua atividade anti-neoplásica. Os animais tratados diariamente com A. blazei apresentaram valores maiores dos parâmetros hematológicos (eritrograma e leucograma), e peso relativo final do baço quando comparados com o grupo controle (água destilada), porém sem diferença significativa (P>0,05).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antineoplastic properties of the aqueous suspension and filtrate (10mg/animal), Agaricus blazei on the solid Ehrlich tumor in mice. Groups treated with A. blazei had higher values of eritrogram and leukogram, and higher relative final spleen weight when compared to control (distillated water), but not statistically different (p>0,05).

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a utilização do cogumelo Agaricus blazei Murril (5%) na terapêutica tópica do envenenamento experimental de coelhos por Bothrops alternatus, visando a antagonização dos efeitos locais (edema, hemorragia e necrose) provocados por esse veneno. Os resultados finais mostraram um menor grau de edema e do halo hemorrágico no grupo tratado quando comparados com o grupo controle (salina).

In this contribution, the mushroom Agaricus blazei Murril was investigated for its properties against the local effects of Bothrops alternatus venom in rabbits to antagonize the local effects (edema, hemorrhage and necrosis). The results showed that the group treated with Agaricus blazei had smaller edema and hemorrhage than Control group (saline).

Rats implanted bilaterally with cannulae in the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus or the entorhinal cortex were submitted to either a one-trial inhibitory avoidance task, or to 5 min of habituation to an open field. Immediately after training, they received intrahippocampal or intraentorhinal 0.5-µl infusions of saline, of a vehicle (2% dimethylsulfoxide in saline), of the glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphono pentanoic acid (AP5), of the protein kinase A inhibitor Rp-cAMPs (0.5 µg/side), of the calcium-calmodulin protein kinase II inhibitor KN-62, of the dopaminergic D1 antagonist SCH23390, or of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor PD098059. Animals were tested in each task 24 h after training. Intrahippocampal KN-62 was amnestic for habituation; none of the other treatments had any effect on the retention of this task. In contrast, all of them strongly affected memory of the avoidance task. Intrahippocampal Rp-cAMPs, KN-62 and AP5, and intraentorhinal Rp-cAMPs, KN-62, PD098059 and SCH23390 caused retrograde amnesia. In view of the known actions of the treatments used, the present findings point to important biochemical differences in memory consolidation processes of the two tasks.

A expansão da viticultura e sua difusão em regiões que apresentam diversidade de condições, bem como a possível utilização de cultivares que apresentem diferentes níveis de afinidade, torna indispensável a viabilização de novos porta-enxertos que possam atender a essas finalidades. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar genótipos resultantes de hibridações efetuadas no Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC), quanto à possibilidade de se tornarem novos porta-enxertos para videira. O trabalho foi conduzido na Seção de Viticultura do IAC, localizada no Centro Experimental de Campinas, SP. Foram utilizados 29 genótipos resultantes de cruzamentos realizados entre 1983 e 1985, escolhidos pelo seu vigor e exuberância vegetativa. Estes genótipos foram comparados com quatro porta-enxertos comumente utilizados nas regiões vitícolas do Estado de São Paulo: IAC 766, IAC 572, Ripária do Traviú e Kober 5BB. As estacas foram plantadas, ao ar livre, em sacos de polietileno contendo substrato composto de solo, superfosfato simples e torta de mamona. Foram implantados cinco experimentos e observados os seguintes parâmetros: velocidade de brotação, enraizamento (percentagem de estacas enraizadas, comprimento e peso da matéria seca de raízes) e desenvolvimento vegetativo (peso da matéria seca da parte aérea). Os resultados obtidos permitiram destacar os seguintes grupos de genótipos: a) os que apresentaram maior velocidade de brotação e melhor enraizamento: 183-16 (Black July X IAC 21-14), 204-5 (Niagara Rosada X IAC 544-14) e 202-2 (Niagara Rosada X Vitis rupestris S. George); b) os que apresentaram melhor enraizamento e melhor desenvolvimento vegetativo: 202-21, 202-12 (Niagara Rosada X Vitis rupestris S. George) e 224-10 (Niagara Rosada X IAC 584-53); c) aqueles que demonstraram melhor desempenho nas três características, consideradas conjuntamente: 237-24 (Niagara Rosada X Seibel 1077), 202-6, 202-18, 202-1, 202-10, 202-7 e 202-9 (Niagara Rosada X Vitis rupestris S. George).

Since the identification of phylloxera in Brazil, the search for adequate rootstocks became important in viticultural research activities in the State of São Paulo. Increased actions on breeding and selection, led to a reasonable number of grape rootstocks combining a number of advantageous characteristics. From these, however, only a few are used in the major areas of grape production. The expansion of viticulture to different regions has increased the need of new rootstocks to attend diversification. The aim of this research was to evaluate grapevine hybrids growing at the Centro Experimental de Campinas (Instituto Agronômico - IAC, 23o08'S and 46o55'W), with respect to their potential as new rootstocks. Twenty nine hybrids were selected for vigor and vegetative exuberance. These were compared with four rootstocks commonly used in vineyards of São Paulo: IAC 766, IAC 572, Ripária do Traviú and Kober 5BB. Cuttings were planted in outdoor conditions, in plastic bags with a mixture of soil, superphosphate and castor bean meal. Five trials were carried out to study the initial budding velocity, rooting (percentage of rooted cuttings, root length and dry weight), and vegetative development (shoot dry weight). The following groups of hybrids were selected: a) quick-budding and best rooting: 183-16 (Black July X IAC 21-14), 204-5 (Niagara Rosada X IAC 544-14) and 202-2 (Niagara Rosada X Vitis rupestris S. George); b) best rooting and best vegetative development: 202-21, 202-12 (Niagara Rosada X Vitis rupestris S. George), and 224-10 (Niagara Rosada X IAC 584-53); c) best performance in the three characteristics: 237-24 (Niagara Rosada X Seibel 1077), 202-6, 202-18, 202-1, 202-10, 202-7 e 202-9, (Niagara Rosada X Vitis rupestris S. George).