Use of essential oils from plants of Araripe National Forest against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Aedes aegypti control is achieved with chemical insecticides that can promote insecticide resistance. In the search for new forms of control, the use of botanical products is currently growing and many tests with oils have already been performed. The plant diversity of Araripe National Forest enables the study of several species against this vector. To evaluate the larvicidal effect of essential oils from plants of this forest, we used field rosemary, copaiba, bay leaf, cashew and pequi. The work was divided into three stages: all oils with the same dosage; the best oil at dosages of 0, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 75 µg/mL; and the best dosage at temperatures of 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C. The oils of field rosemary, copaiba, bay leaf, cashew and pequi were good insecticides when used at dosages above 5 µg/mL. The bay leaf oil showed high larvicidal activity at all dosages tested, showing the highest efficiency at 75 µg/mL. Temperatures of 15 and 35 °C increased the susceptibility of the insect to the effect of the bay leaf oil. The essential oils of field rosemary, copaiba, bay leaf, cashew and pequi, from Araripe National Forest, applied at a dosage of 5µg/mL, showed insecticidal action, although with low efficiency.

Increasing the prepartum dose of rumen-protected choline: Effects on milk production and metabolism in high-producing Holstein dairy cows.

Peripartum rumen-protected choline (RPC) supplementation is beneficial for cow health and production, yet the optimal dose is unknown. In vivo and in vitro supplementation of choline modulates hepatic lipid, glucose, and methyl donor metabolism. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of increasing the dose of prepartum RPC supplementation on milk production and blood biomarkers. Pregnant multiparous Holstein cows (n = 116) were randomly assigned to one of 4 prepartum choline treatments that were fed from -21 d relative to calving (DRTC) until calving. From calving until +21 DRTC, cows were fed diets targeting 0 g/d choline ion (control, CTL) or the recommended dose (15 g/d choline ion; RD) of the same RPC product that they were fed prepartum. The resulting treatments targeted: (1) 0 g/d pre- and postpartum [0.0 ± 0.000 choline ion, percent of dry matter (%DM); CTL]; (2) 15 g/d pre- and postpartum of choline ion from an established product (prepartum: 0.10 ± 0.004 choline ion, %DM; postpartum: 0.05 ± 0.004 choline ion, %DM; ReaShure, Balchem Corp.; RPC1RD▸RD); (3) 15 g/d pre- and postpartum of choline ion from a concentrated RPC prototype (prepartum: 0.09 ± 0.004 choline ion, %DM; postpartum: 0.05 ± 0.003 choline ion, %DM; RPC2, Balchem Corp.; RPC2RD▸RD); or (4) 22 g/d prepartum and 15 g/d postpartum from RPC2 [prepartum: 0.13 ± 0.005 choline ion, %DM; postpartum: 0.05 ± 0.003 choline ion, %DM; high prepartum dose (HD), RPC2HD▸RD]. Treatments were mixed into a total mixed ration, and cows had ad libitum access via a roughage intake control system (Hokofarm Group). From calving to +21 DRTC, all cows were fed a common base diet and treatments were mixed into the total mixed ration (supplementation period, SP). Thereafter, all cows were fed a common diet (0 g/d choline ion) until +100 DRTC (postsupplementation period, postSP). Milk yield was recorded daily and composition analyzed weekly. Blood samples were obtained via tail vessel upon enrollment, approximately every other day from -7 to +21 DRTC, and at +56 and +100 DRTC. Feeding any RPC treatment reduced prepartum dry matter intake compared with CTL. During the SP, no evidence for a treatment effect on energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield was found, but during the postSP, RPC1RD▸RD and RPC2RD▸RD treatments tended to increase ECM, protein, and fat yields. During the postSP, the RPC1RD▸RD and RPC2RD▸RD treatments tended to increase, and RPC2HD▸RD increased, the de novo proportion of total milk fatty acids. During the early lactation SP, RPC2HD▸RD tended to increase plasma fatty acids and ß-hydroxybutyrate concentrations, and RPC1RD▸RD and RPC2RD▸RD reduced blood urea nitrogen concentrations compared with CTL. The RPC2HD▸RD treatment reduced early lactation serum lipopolysaccharide binding protein compared with CTL. Overall, peripartum RPC supplementation at the recommended dose tended to increase ECM yield postSP, but no evidence was seen of an additional benefit on milk production with an increased prepartum dose of choline ion. The effects of RPC on metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers support the potential for RPC supplementation to affect transition cow metabolism and health and may support the production gains observed.

Effect of Salivary Flow on Bleached Enamel Roughness and Mineral Content: an In Situ and In Vitro Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of human saliva in vitro and salivary flow in situ on the roughness and mineral content of bleached enamel. Dental specimens were divided into five groups (n=15): not bleached (NB); bleached (35% hydrogen peroxide) and exposed to distilled water (DW); human saliva in vitro (IV); normal salivary flow in situ (NSF); and low salivary flow (LSF) in situ. Enamel roughness (Ra, Rz) and calcium/phosphorus contents were evaluated with laser profilometry and energy-dispersive spectroscopy, respectively, at baseline (T1), after bleaching (T2), and after seven days (T3). Salivary pH and buffer capacity were evaluated with colorimetric strips and salivary calcium and phosphorus with absorbance spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed with non-parametric tests and linear regression (α=0.05). After contact with saliva, Ra and Rz of LSF=DW>IV=NSF=NB was found. For DW and LSF, the roughness of T1

Molecular docking studies and evaluation of the antiretroviral activity and cytotoxicity of the species Lafoensia pacari Saint-Hilaire.

Interest in antiviral plant species has grown exponentially and some have been reported to have anti-HIV properties. This research aims to perform the bio-guided phytochemical fractionation by antiretroviral activity of Lafoensia pacari stem barks. This in vitro experimental study involved the preparation of plant material, obtention of ethanolic extract, fractionation, purification, identification and quantification of fractions, acid-base extraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, HIV-1 RT inhibition test and molecular docking studies. From the bio-guided fractionation by the antiretroviral activity there was a higher activity in the acetanolic subfractions, highlighting the acetate subfraction - neutrals with 60.98% of RT inhibition and ellagic acid with 88.61% of RT inhibition and absence of cytotoxicity. The macrophage lineage cytotoxicity assay showed that the chloroform fraction was more toxic than the acetate fraction. The analysis of the J-resolved spectrum in the aromatic region showed a singlet at 7.48 and 6.93 ppm which was identified as ellagic acid and gallic acid, respectively. The 5TIQ enzyme obtained better affinity parameter with the ellagic acid ligand, which was confirmed by the HSQC-1H-13C spectra. Gallic acid was also favorable to form interaction with the 5TIQ enzyme, being confirmed through the HSQC-1H-13C spectrum. From the PreADMET evaluation it was found that ellagic acid is a promising molecule for its RT inhibition activity and pharmacokinetic and toxicity parameters.

Kahweol, a natural diterpene from coffee, induces peripheral antinociception by endocannabinoid system activation.

Kahweol is a compound derived from coffee with reported antinociceptive effects. Based on the few reports that exist in the literature regarding the mechanisms involved in kahweol-induced peripheral antinociceptive action, this study proposed to investigate the contribution of the endocannabinoid system to the peripheral antinociception induced in rats by kahweol. Hyperalgesia was induced by intraplantar injection of prostaglandin E2(PGE2) and was measured with the paw pressure test. Kahweol and the drugs to test the cannabinoid system were administered locally into the right hind paw. The endocannabinoids were purified by open-bed chromatography on silica and measured by LC-MS. Kahweol (80 µg/paw) induced peripheral antinociception against PGE2-induced hyperalgesia. This effect was reversed by the intraplantar injection of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist AM251 (20, 40, and 80 µg/paw), but not by the CB2 cannabinoid receptor antagonist AM630 (100 µg/paw). Treatment with the endocannabinoid reuptake inhibitor VDM11 (2.5 µg/paw) intensified the peripheral antinociceptive effect induced by low-dose kahweol (40 µg/paw). The monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitor, JZL184 (4 µg/paw), and the dual MAGL/fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor, MAFP (0.5 µg/paw), potentiated the peripheral antinociceptive effect of low-dose kahweol. Furthermore, kahweol increased the levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide, but not of the other endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol nor of anandamide-related N-acylethanolamines, in the plantar surface of the rat paw. Our results suggested that kahweol induced peripheral antinociception via anandamide release and activation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors and this compound could be used to develop new drugs for pain relief.

The influence of Castanea sativa Mill. flower extract on hormonally and chemically induced prostate cancer in a rat model.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in men, with a huge impact on their health. The use of Castanea sativa Mill. flowers (CFs) in beverages has been reported, through ancestral claims, as having health benefits. In vitro research has evidenced the properties of CFs, such as antitumor and antioxidant activities. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of CF extract in an animal model of PCa. Forty male Wistar Unilever rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control, induced, control + CF, and induced + CF groups. Animals from the induced groups were exposed to a multistep protocol for PCa induction. The CF extract, rich in trigalloyl-HHDP-glucoside and obtained via decoction, was administered to the CF groups in drinking water (3 mg per animal per day) for 49 weeks. Animals were sacrificed at 61 weeks of age. Regarding the effects of CFs on dorsolateral prostate tumorigenesis, no significant differences were observed between the induced and induced + CF groups. However, animals exposed to the CF extract showed fewer inflammation areas on the dorsolateral prostate lobe than those not exposed to CF. Moreover, the CF extract alleviated the hepatic oxidative stress associated with the multistep protocol, resulting in lower levels of lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that CF extract has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Anti-inflammatory potential of Portuguese thermal waters.

In light of Medical Hydrology, thermal waters (TW) are all-natural mineral waters that emerge inside a thermal resort and have therapeutic applications. Their beneficial effect has been empirically recognized for centuries, being indicated for symptom alleviation and/or treatment of several diseases, almost all associated with inflammation. Indeed, an anti-inflammatory effect has been attributed to many different Portuguese TW but there is no scientific validation supporting this empiric knowledge. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of 14 TW pertaining to thermal centers located in the Central Region of Portugal, and grouped according to their ionic profile. Mouse macrophage cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a Toll-like receptor 4 agonist, were exposed to culture medium prepared in TW. Metabolism, nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression levels and the scavenging capacity of TW, were investigated in vitro. 11 out of 14 TW reduced NO production and/or iNOS expression, and/or scavenging activity, in macrophages exposed to LPS. The sulphated/calcic TW did not show any effect on at least one of the inflammatory parameters evaluated. Two sulphurous/bicarbonate/sodic TW and the sulphurous/chlorinated/sodic TW promoted an increase in NO production and/or iNOS expression. Our results validate, for the first time, the anti-inflammatory properties of Portuguese TW, supporting their therapeutic use in the treatment of inflammation-related diseases and promoting their putative application in cosmetic products and medical devices.

Mid-term post-fire losses of nitrogen and phosphorus by overland flow in two contrasting eucalypt stands in north-central Portugal.

Wildfires affect vast areas of Mediterranean forests, thereby triggering changes in hydrological and geomorphological processes that can negatively affect both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Although several studies have evaluated the post-fire hydrological and erosive response in burnt forest areas, an important knowledge gap remains with respect to nutrient mobilization by overland flow. To address this gap, a recently burnt area was selected near the Ermida village (north-central Portugal). The study area was instrumented shortly after a wildfire that occurred in July 2010, to evaluate the export of dissolved (nitrate - NO3-N and orthophosphate - PO4-P) and total nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus (TP) forms by overland flow. This was done in two burnt eucalyptus plantations due to their contrasting slope aspects (south-east vs. north-west). Bounded micro-plots were installed in August 2010 and monitored over two years. During this period, overland flow samples were collected on a 1- to 2-weekly basis, depending on the occurrence of rain. Results showed that the north west-facing slope (BE-N) presented higher nutrient losses than the south east-facing slope (BE-S), contradicting the findings of previous studies in the Mediterranean region. A logging operation that had taken place at the BE-N site shortly before the fire might account for these findings, by causing soil compaction and/or reducing the protective vegetation and litter cover. TN and TP exports were particularly pronounced during the first four months following the wildfire. After this initial period, further peaks in TN and TP exports occurred sporadically, mainly associated to intense rainfall events. The observed mid-term post-fire nutrient losses not only suggested a threat to the soil nutrient balance of Mediterranean eucalypt forests but also a potential risk of eutrophication of downstream water bodies.

Oral antioxidant therapy for prevention and treatment of preeclampsia: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

AIMS: To determine whether oral antioxidant therapies, of various types and doses, are able to prevent or treat women with preeclampsia. DATA SYNTHESIS: The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, CENTRAL, LILACS, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria were: a) randomized clinical trials; b) oral antioxidant supplementation; c) study in pregnant women; d) control group, treated or not with placebo. Papers were excluded if they evaluated antioxidant nutrient supplementation associated with other non-antioxidant therapies. Data were extracted and the risk of bias of each study was assessed. Heterogeneity was analyzed using the Cochran Q test, and I2 statistics and pre-specified sensitivity analyses were performed. Meta-analyses were conducted on prevention and treatment studies, separately. The primary outcome was the incidence of preeclampsia in prevention trials, and of perinatal death in treatment trials. Twenty-nine studies were included in the analysis, 19 for prevention and 10 for treatment. The antioxidants used in these studies were vitamins C and E, selenium, l-arginine, allicin, lycopene and coenzyme Q10, none of which showed beneficial effects on the prevention of preeclampsia (RR: 0.89, CI 95%: [0.79-1.02], P = 0.09; I2 = 39%, P = 0.04) and other outcomes. The antioxidants used in the treatment studies were vitamins C and E, N-acetylcysteine, l-arginine, and resveratrol. A beneficial effect was found in intrauterine growth restriction. CONCLUSIONS: Antioxidant therapy had no effects in the prevention of preeclampsia but did show beneficial effects in intrauterine growth restriction, when used in the treatment of this condition.

The impact of laboratory chow for rats in the experiments: Chemical and biological evaluation of nine grain-based diet options.

Cereal-based diets formulated as semi-purified diets can provide flexibility for researchers, enabling open controlled formulas, besides being cheaper than purified diets. Seeking to widen the researchers' options in their experimental design developments, we aimed at assaying the chemical score, growth performance and protein utilization of nine semi-purified experimental chows. These diets were formulated at 17.8%, 12% and 8% protein contents, using three variations of ingredients for each one, as follows: casein (C), casein+soybean meal (C+S, 1:1 w/w protein) and casein+soybean meal+corn gluten meal (C+S+G, 1:1:1 w/w protein), without cysteine supplementation and setting casein 17.8% (AIN-93G) as reference diet. The diets C and C+S (17.8%) had the Cys as the limiting amino acid once the addition of gluten turns the Lys as second limiting. All diets had the potential for promoting growth with body mass gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR; chow consumed per body weight gain, average 3.12) and feed efficiency ratio (FER; body weight gain per chow consumed, average 0.3), except for C+S+G 8% (FCR = 6 g; FER = 0.13). These variations were mainly due to the protein amounts independently from the protein ingredient used and could characterize the C+S+G 8% as unable to support growth. For the other parameters (digestibility, net protein ratio, net protein utilization and protein efficiency ratio), there were no relevant differences between the diets. We can conclude that 17.8%, 12% and 8% chows (C and C+S) allowed a proper combination of ingredients from the point of view of palatability, nutrient availability/utilization, metabolic processes, growth performance and feed utilization parameters.

Fertility restoration locus and cytoplasm types in onion.

The objective of this study was the identification of the cytoplasmic types and the genotyping for the fertility restoration nuclear locus (Ms) in 59 onion accessions, aiming at the selection of 'A' and 'B' lines essential for the obtainment of hybrids. Three markers were used to identify the cytoplasm 5' cob, orfA501, and orf725, and two were used for the Ms locus (AcSKP1 and AcPMS1). The two types of male-sterile cytoplasm ('S' and 'T'), as well as fertile cytoplasm ('N'), and the Ms and ms alleles in both homozygosity and heterozygosity were detected in the 59 genotypes evaluated in the experiment. The frequencies of the 5' cob/orfA501 and orf725 markers, as well as of the markers AcSKP1 and AcPMS1, were close in the onion accessions evaluated in this study. In the Brazilian germplasm, the frequencies of the 'N', 'S', and 'T' cytoplasm were approximately 0.47, 0.28, and 0.25, respectively, whereas the allele frequencies of Ms and ms were 0.52 and 0.48, respectively. The accessions Régia, EHCEB 20146, EHCEB 201427, Alvorada, Serrana, Crioula Mercosul, EHCEB 20142, BRS 367, Rainha, Juporanga, and Alfa SF C-XI have potential for the identification of 'A' and 'B' lines, since they presented mixtures of cytoplasm and different allele frequencies for Ms. All the plants of the accessions EHCEB 20142040/EHCEB 20141040, EHCEB 20142028/EHCEB 20141028, and EHCEB 20112006/EHCEB 20111006 were in the Nmsms and Smsms conditions, and have the potential for 'B' and 'A' lines, respectively, for the CMS-S system. All the plants of the accessions EHCEB 20142027/EHCEB 20141027, EHCEB 20102019/EHCEB 20101019, and Alfa SF 'B'/Alfa SF 'A' were in Nmsms and Tmsms conditions, and have the potential for 'B' and 'A' lines, respectively, for the CMS-T system.

Purification of plant complex protein extracts in non-denaturing conditions by in-solution isoelectric focusing.

An alternative approach for plant complex protein extracts pre-purification by in-solution isoelectric focusing in non-denaturing conditions is presented. The separation of biologically active proteins, in narrow ranges of isoelectric point (pI) was obtained by a modified OFFGEL electrophoresis. Two different water-soluble protein extracts from Phragmites leaves were fractionated into 24 fractions within a 3-10 pI range at 10 °C in the absence of denaturing/reducing agents. One-dimensional electrophoretic analysis revealed different protein distribution patterns and the effective fractionation of both protein extracts. Peroxidase activity of each fraction confirmed that proteins remained active and pre-purification occurred. Biological triplicates assured the needed reproducibility.

Transcriptional regulation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase α isoforms in dairy ewes during conjugated linoleic acid induced milk fat depression.

Feeding trans-10, cis-12 CLA to lactating ewes reduces milk fat by down-regulating expression of enzymes involved in lipid synthesis in the mammary gland and increases adipose tissue lipogenesis. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase α (ACC-α) is a key regulated enzyme in de novo fatty acid synthesis and is decreased by CLA. In the ovine, the ACC-α gene is expressed from three tissue-specific promoters (PI, PII and PIII). This study evaluated promoter-specific ACC-α expression in mammary and adipose tissue of lactating cross-bred Lacaune/Texel ewes during milk fat depression induced by rumen-unprotected trans-10, cis-12 CLA supplement. In all, 12 ewes arranged in a completely randomized design were fed during early, mid and late lactation one of the following treatments for 14 days: Control (forage+0.9 kg of concentrate on a dry matter basis) and CLA (forage+0.9 kg of concentrate+27 g/day of CLA (29.9% trans-10, cis-12)). Mammary gland and adipose tissue biopsies were taken on day 14 for gene expression analysis by real-time PCR. Milk fat yield and concentration were reduced with CLA supplementation by 27%, 21% and 35% and 28%, 26% and 42% during early, mid and late lactation, respectively. Overall, our results suggest that trans-10, cis-12 CLA down-regulates mammary ACC-α gene expression by decreasing expression from PII and PIII in mammary gland and up-regulates adipose ACC-α gene expression by increasing expression from PI.

Behaviour of confined sheep fed with different concentrate sources / Comportamento ingestivo de ovinos confinados alimentados com diferentes fontes de concentrado

In this study we examined the effects of different feed concentrates on sheep behaviour. Our hypothesis was that citric pulp would stimulate rumination and be capable of replacing other concentrates traditionally used for feeding in confinement, to reduce the risk of urolithiasis. Ten adult Santa Inês sheep were distributed in a Latin square with five different diets, one control diet with 80 percent hay and 20 percent commercial feed and four diets containing 30 percent coast-cross hay and 70 percent of the following concentrates: pelleted citrus pulp, citrus pulp meal, cornmeal or wheat bran. After 21d of adaptation to each one of the five diets, the sheep were visually monitored for 24 h at 3 min intervals to record the time spent ruminating, time spent eating and time spent resting; the animals' positions (standing or lying down) were also noted. Daytime was considered to be from 06:00h to 18:00h. The data were evaluated using ANOVA, with Tukey post-hoc test or throughout Two-sample T test for circadian and position assessment. Citrus pulp diets resulted in time spent ruminating similar to the control diet (601, 590 and 669 min, respectively), but greater (P<0.05) than the cornmeal group (421min), which showed that citrus pulp generated effective rumination. The estimated saliva production in the control diet (26L) was greater than in the other groups, and was greater in the citrus pulp groups (24L/d) than cornmeal (21L/d). Feeding with cornmeal led to shorter time spent eating and time spent ruminating than all other diets. The sheep had higher time spent resting at night when fed concentrates (P<0.05). For all diets, about 90 percent of the time spent ruminating occurred with the animals lying down. Pelleted citrus pulp, citrus pulp meal and to a lesser degree wheat bran, led to adequate time spent ruminating. The use of citrus pulp can act as a preventive management measure to reduce the incidence of urolithiasis in sheep flocks...

No presente estudo, avaliaram-se os efeitos da alimentação de diferentes concentrados sobre o comportamento de ovinos. A hipótese é a de que a polpa cítrica estimularia a ruminação e reduziria o risco de ocorrência de urolitíase, podendo substituir outros concentrados. Dez ovinos adultos, mestiços da raça Santa Inês, foram distribuídos em um quadrado latino com cinco tratamentos, sendo quatro destes contendo dietas com 30 por cento de feno de capim coast-cross e 70 por cento dos seguintes concentrados: polpa cítrica peletizada, polpa cítrica farelada, fubá de milho e farelo de trigo, e uma dieta controle com 80 por cento de feno e 20 por cento de ração comercial peletizada. [...] A posição dos animais (em pé ou deitados) também foi observada. O período diurno foi considerado entre seis e 18 horas. Para comparação entre os tratamentos, os dados foram avaliados por meio de ANOVA e do teste de Tukey. Para a avaliação circadiana e entre as posições, foi utilizado o teste t de Student. Dietas com polpa cítrica promoveram tempo de ruminação semelhante aos do grupo de controle (601, 590 e 669 min, respectivamente), mas superior ao grupo alimentado com fubá de milho (421min). A produção de saliva estimada no grupo controle (26L/d) foi maior do que nos demais grupos, e os grupos com polpa cítrica tiveram maior produção de saliva do que o grupo com fubá de milho (21L/d). Ovinos em dietas ricas em concentrados descansam mais durante a noite. Em todas as dietas, cerca de 90 por cento da ruminação ocorreu com os animais deitados. A polpa cítrica peletizada e a farelada, e em menor grau o farelo de trigo, promoveram adequadamente a ruminação. Este concentrado pode ser utilizado como medida preventiva visando diminuir a incidência de urolitíase em rebanhos ovinos...

High-frequency electroacupuncture versus carprofen in an incisional pain model in rats

The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and carprofen (CP) on postoperative incisional pain using the plantar incision (PI) model in rats. A 1-cm longitudinal incision was made through skin, fascia and muscles of a hind paw of male Wistar rats and the development of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity was determined over 4 days using the von Frey and Hargreaves methods, respectively. Based on the experimental treatments received on the third postoperative day, the animals were divided into the following groups: PI+CP (CP, 2 mg/kg, po); PI+EAST36 (100-Hz EA applied bilaterally at the Zusanli point (ST36)); PI+EANP (EA applied to a non-acupoint region); PI+IMMO (immobilization only); PI (vehicle). In the von Frey test, the PI+EAST36 group had higher withdrawal force thresholds in response to mechanical stimuli than the PI, PI+IMMO and PI+EANP groups at several times studied. Furthermore, the PI+EAST36 group showed paw withdrawal thresholds in response to mechanical stimuli that were similar to those of the PI+CP group. In the Hargreaves test, all groups had latencies higher than those observed with PI. The PI+EAST36 group was similar to the PI+IMMO, PI+EANP and PI+CP groups. We conclude that 100-Hz EA at the ST36 point, but not at non-acupoints, can reduce mechanical nociception in the rat model of incisional pain, and its effectiveness is comparable to that of carprofen.

High-frequency electroacupuncture versus carprofen in an incisional pain model in rats.

The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and carprofen (CP) on postoperative incisional pain using the plantar incision (PI) model in rats. A 1-cm longitudinal incision was made through skin, fascia and muscles of a hind paw of male Wistar rats and the development of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity was determined over 4 days using the von Frey and Hargreaves methods, respectively. Based on the experimental treatments received on the third postoperative day, the animals were divided into the following groups: PI+CP (CP, 2 mg/kg, po); PI+EAST36 (100-Hz EA applied bilaterally at the Zusanli point (ST36)); PI+EANP (EA applied to a non-acupoint region); PI+IMMO (immobilization only); PI (vehicle). In the von Frey test, the PI+EAST36 group had higher withdrawal force thresholds in response to mechanical stimuli than the PI, PI+IMMO and PI+EANP groups at several times studied. Furthermore, the PI+EAST36 group showed paw withdrawal thresholds in response to mechanical stimuli that were similar to those of the PI+CP group. In the Hargreaves test, all groups had latencies higher than those observed with PI. The PI+EAST36 group was similar to the PI+IMMO, PI+EANP and PI+CP groups. We conclude that 100-Hz EA at the ST36 point, but not at non-acupoints, can reduce mechanical nociception in the rat model of incisional pain, and its effectiveness is comparable to that of carprofen.

Balanço eletrolítico da dieta e desempenho de frangos em condições naturais de estresse calórico / Electrolyte balance of diets under performance of broiler in naturals conditions of heat stress

Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação de eletrólitos sobre o desempenho de frangos, utilizando bicarbonato de sódio (NaHCO3) e cloreto de potássio (KCl) para ajuste do balanço eletrolítico da dieta (BED) com duas porcentagens de proteína bruta (PB). Utilizaram-se 800 frangos machos, alojados em 20 boxes, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos, cinco repetições e 40 aves por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos foram: dieta basal; dieta sem redução de PB suplementada com eletrólitos para ajuste do BED para 250mEq/kg; dieta com redução de PB, sem suplementação de eletrólitos; e dieta com redução de PB, com eletrólitos para ajuste do BED para 250mEq/kg. Foram avaliados: consumo da dieta, peso final, ganho de peso, ganho de peso médio diário, conversão alimentar e calórica e eficiência de utilização de nitrogênio e lisina nas fases de sete a 21 e de sete a 42 dias. Não se observaram diferenças (P>0,05) no consumo da dieta. A correção do BED com menor teor de PB melhorou (P<0,05) o peso final, na fase inicial. Houve piora (P<0,05) no ganho de peso e na conversão alimentar nas duas fases. A redução de três pontos percentuais na PB da dieta piorou o desempenho dos frangos.

The effect of the supplementation of electrolytes on de performance of broilers using sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and potassium chloride (KC1) to adjust the electrolytic balance of the diet (BED) with two percentages of raw protein (PB) was studied. 800 male broiler chickens, housed in 20 boxes, distributed in random lineation, with four treatments, five repetitions and 40 birds per experimental unit were used. The treatments were: base diet; diet with no reduction of PB supplemented with electrolytes to adjust BED to 250mEq/kg; diet with a reduction of PB, with no electrolyte supplementation; and diet with the reduction of PB, with electrolytes to adjust the BED to 250mEq/kg. What was evaluated was: diet consumption, final weight, weight gain, average daily weight gain, food conversion and caloric efficiency of the use of nitrogen and lysine in phases from 7 to 21 and 7 to 42 days. No differences were observed (P>0.05) in diet consumption. The correlation of BED with the lower percentage of PB improved (P<0.05) the final weight in the initial phase. Weight gain and food conversion worsened (P<0.05) in both phases. The reduction of three percentage points in the PB in the diet worsened the broiler chicken's performance.

Effect of dietary organic zinc, manganese, copper, and cobalt supplementation on milk production, follicular growth, embryo quality, and tissue mineral concentrations in dairy cows.

This study evaluated potential effects of organic trace mineral supplementation on reproductive measures in lactating dairy cows. Cows were blocked by breed and randomly assigned at dry-off to receive inorganic trace mineral supplementation (control; n = 32) or to have a portion of supplemental inorganic Zn, Cu, Mn, and Co replaced with an equivalent amount of the organic forms of these minerals (treatment; n = 31). Trace minerals were provided through control or treatment premixes fed at 100 g·cow(-1)·d(-1). Premixes were fed to dry cows (range = 40 to 72 d before calving) in 1.8 kg·cow(-1)·d(-1) concentrate pellets through a computer feeder to provide 40, 26, 70, and 100% of supplemented Zn, Mn, Cu, and Co, respectively, and to lactating cows (range = 69 to 116 d after calving) in a total mixed ration to provide 22, 14, 40, and 100% of supplemented Zn, Mn, Cu, and Co, respectively. Treatment increased milk production at wk 14 (P = 0.047) postcalving, milk urea N content (P = 0.039), and BW loss from calving to 1 mo postcalving (P = 0.040), and decreased milk fat percentage (P = 0.045) and BCS (P = 0.048). Treatment tended to increase milk production at wk 13 (P = 0.089) postcalving and endometrial tissue concentrations of Fe (P = 0.070), BW at mo 1 (P = 0.056), and milk protein percentage (P = 0.064). Treatment did not affect (P > 0.1) DMI, health events, first-wave follicular dynamics, first cycle luteal measures, embryo quality, liver trace mineral concentrations, or luteal trace mineral concentrations. Cows with a rectal temperature ≥39°C at the time of AI had a smaller percentage of fertilized entities (P < 0.001). However, of the entities that were fertilized, the percentage of viable embryos, embryo quality, accessory sperm number, and embryo cell number were not affected (P > 0.1) by treatment. We conclude that replacing a portion of inorganic supplemental trace minerals with an equivalent amount of these organic trace minerals (Zn, Mn, Cu, and Co) increased milk production in mid-lactation, but did not affect postpartum follicular dynamics, embryo quality, or liver and luteal trace mineral concentrations.

Antidepressant-like effect of Lafoensia pacari A. St.-Hil. ethanolic extract and fractions in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lafoensia pacari A. St.-Hil. (Lythraceae) has been referred in Brazilian traditional medicine for the treatment of different diseases, among them depression. Nevertheless, there are not studies about this possible effect on the central nervous system (CNS). AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of the ethanolic extract of Lafoensia pacari (PEtExt) and its fractions on the performance of male mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antidepressant activity was studied using forced swimming (FST) and tail suspension (TST) tests, and motor activity in the open-field test. The ethanolic extract of Lafoensia pacari (PEtExt) were administered acutely (1.0 g/kg, p.o.), for 21 days (100, 300 mg, and 1.0 g/(kg day), p.o.), three administration in a 24-h period (1.0 g/kg, p.o.), and the fractions for 21 days. Imipramine (15 mg/(kg day), p.o.) was used as the control positive. RESULTS: The PEtExt significantly reduced immobility time in FST and TST, without affecting the motor activity. Only the chloroformic fraction (50 mg/(kg day), p.o.) increase the latency to immobility and decrease the immobility time in the FST. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the extract of Lafoensia pacari A. St.-Hil. possesses antidepressant-like properties in mice.