Effect of different levels of whole corn germ on energy values and ileal digestibility in broilers.

This study evaluated the effects of broiler age (A) and levels of replacement (L) of control diet (CD) on the utilization of energy and nutrients of whole corn germ. 720 one-day-old broilers (b) were allocated at completely randomized design to six treatments and six replicates, in three assays: pre-starter (1-8 days, 10 b/cage), starter (15-22 days, 6 b/cage), and grower (28-35 days, 4 b/cage) phases. The treatments were: CD and four test diets (L): 100, 150, 200, 250, or 300 g kg-1 of the CD replaced by WCG levels. The data were adjusted to the response surface model. The stationary points for apparent energy metabolizable (AME) and AME corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) were: 4173 and 3591 kcal kg-1, respectively, and coefficients of gross energy (AMCGE), crude protein (AMCCP), dry matter (AMCDM), and ether extract (AMCEE) were: 49.3, 40.4, 72.6, and 61.3%, respectively; and Ileal digestibility coefficient of crude protein (IDCCP), dry matter (IDCDM), digestibility crude protein values (DCP), and digestibility dry matter value (DDM) were: 78.0, 57.96, 8.50, and 56.17%, respectively. The EP for AMEn was at 18 days of age, 28 g kg-1 WCG. There was a correlation between A and L on digestibility and metabolisability of nutrient's WCG.

Specific antibody production using recombinant proteins to elucidate seed transmission and nuclear localization of Coguvirus citrulli and Coguvirus henanense in radicles of watermelon crop.

Watermelon crinkle leaf-associated virus 1 (WCLaV-1) and WCLaV-2, both belonging to the genus Coguvirus (family Phenuiviridae), have been identified in watermelon plants in Brazil. To study tissue tropism and the potential for seed transmission of these viruses, we initially planned to produce specific antibodies. However, difficulties in isolating and propagating the virus in host plants hindered the purified virus preparations. To overcome this problem, the nucleocapsid (N) proteins of WCLaV-1 and -2 were produced using the pepper ringspot virus vector. The N protein genes and the vector backbone were prepared by (RT-)PCR and ligated by Gibson assembly. The constructs were agro-infiltrated in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The expressed N proteins were purified and used for polyclonal antibody production. The specificity of both antibodies was confirmed by antigen-coating ELISA, tissue-blot immunobinding assay and Western blot. By antigen-coating ELISA demonstrated that WCLaV-1 showed 93.1% of seed-transmission, while WCLaV-2 showed only 17.8%. The N protein of WCLaV-1 was detected in the cytoplasm of the seed tissues. It was also found in the nuclei of the radicle, as confirmed by confocal microscopy. We concluded that the antibodies exhibited both a high titer and sufficient specificity for use in ELISA-based diagnostics and for subcellular localization study.

A Manycore Vision Processor for Real-Time Smart Cameras.

Real-time image processing and computer vision systems are now in the mainstream of technologies enabling applications for cyber-physical systems, Internet of Things, augmented reality, and Industry 4.0. These applications bring the need for Smart Cameras for local real-time processing of images and videos. However, the massive amount of data to be processed within short deadlines cannot be handled by most commercial cameras. In this work, we show the design and implementation of a manycore vision processor architecture to be used in Smart Cameras. With massive parallelism exploration and application-specific characteristics, our architecture is composed of distributed processing elements and memories connected through a Network-on-Chip. The architecture was implemented as an FPGA overlay, focusing on optimized hardware utilization. The parameterized architecture was characterized by its hardware occupation, maximum operating frequency, and processing frame rate. Different configurations ranging from one to eighty-one processing elements were implemented and compared to several works from the literature. Using a System-on-Chip composed of an FPGA integrated into a general-purpose processor, we showcase the flexibility and efficiency of the hardware/software architecture. The results show that the proposed architecture successfully allies programmability and performance, being a suitable alternative for future Smart Cameras.

First record of larvae of Spiroxys (Nematoda: Gnathostomatidae) parasitizing fishes in stream of the Caatinga domain.

The present study is the first report of Spiroxys larvae parasitizing stomach and intestine of three fish species in stream of Caatinga domain, Northeast, Brazil. A total of 120 fish specimens, 40 of Astyanax bimaculatus, 40 of Hoplias malabaricus, and 40 of Hoplosternum littorale were examined for nematodes. A total of 633 specimens of Spiroxys larvae were recovered for the three fish species: 227 in A. bimaculatus (prevalence (%) = 48; mean abundance = 5.78 ± 1.78 (range = 0-70); and mean intensity = 11.95 ± 2.7 (range = 2-70)), 176 in H. malabaricus (prevalence (%) = 42.5; mean abundance = 4.40 ± 1.55 (range = 0-53); and mean intensity = 10.35 ± 2.38 (range = 2-53)) and 230 in H. littorale (prevalence (%) = 42.5; mean abundance = 5.75 ± 1.98 (range = 0-52); and mean intensity = 13.53 ± 3.04 (range = 1-52)). This study expands the range of the geographic distribution of nematodes of the genus Spiroxys and increase the list of hosts, as well as contributing to the knowledge of fish parasites biodiversity in Caatinga domain.

Disentangling the ecotoxicological selectivity of clove essential oil against aphids and non-target ladybeetles.

The plant-based biopesticides have been proposed as insect pest control tools that seem to be safer for the environment and human health when compared to synthetic conventional molecules. However, such assumptions are generally made without considering the absence of detrimental effects on sublethally-exposed non-target organisms or showing the physiological basis of the selective action of such botanical products. Thus, by using in silico-based and in vivo toxicological approaches, the present investigation aimed to disentangle the ecotoxicological selectivity of clove, Syzygium aromaticum, essential oil against the aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis and the non-target ladybeetle, Coleomegilla maculata. We also investigated whether the sublethal exposure to clove essential oil would affect the locomotory and predatory abilities of C. maculata. We found that the clove essential oil concentration estimated to kill 95% (LC95: 0.17 µL/cm2) of the aphids was lethal to <18% of C. maculata. Indeed, our in silico results reinforced such differential susceptibility, as it predicted that eugenol and ß-caryophyllene (i.e., the clove essential oil major components) bound to three potential molecular targets (i.e., transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, octopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors) of the aphids but only to the octopamine receptors of the ladybeetles. Additionally, the ladybeetles that were exposure to the clove essential oil exhibited unaffected abilities to locomote and to prey upon R. maidis aphids when compared to unexposed ladybeetles. Thus, by displaying lower toxicity against the ladybeetles, the clove essential oil represents a safer alternative tool to be integrated into programs aiming to manage aphid infestations.

D-limonene exhibits superior antihyperalgesic effects in a ß-cyclodextrin-complexed form in chronic musculoskeletal pain reducing Fos protein expression on spinal cord in mice.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is one of the main symptoms found in Fibromyalgia with unclear etiology and limited pharmacological treatment. The aim of this study was to complex LIM in ß-cyclodextrin (LIM-ßCD) and then evaluate its antihyperalgesic effect in an animal model of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy was used for the characterization of the inclusion complex. Male Swiss mice were used for experimental procedures where mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia, muscular strength, Fos immunofluorescence was studied after induction of hyperalgesia. Mechanism of action was also investigated through tail flick test and capsaicin-induced nociception. Endothermic events and morphological changes showed that the slurry complex method was the best method for the complexation. After induction of hyperalgesia, the oral administration of LIM-ßCD (50mg/kg) significantly increased the paw withdrawal threshold compared to uncomplexed limonene. Fos immunofluorescence showed that both compounds significantly decreased the number of Fos-positive cells in the dorsal horn. In nociceptive tests, FLU was able to reverse the antinociceptive effect of LIM-ßCD. After intraplantar administration of capsaicin, LIM was able to significantly decrease time to lick. LIM-ßCD has antihyperalgesic action superior to its uncomplexed form, with possible action in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. These results suggest the possible applicability of LIM, uncomplexed or complexed with ßCD, in conditions such as FM and neuropathic pain, for which there are currently only limited pharmacological options.

Enhancement of orofacial antinociceptive effect of carvacrol, a monoterpene present in oregano and thyme oils, by ß-cyclodextrin inclusion complex in mice.

Orofacial pain is associated with diagnosis of chronic pain of head, face, mouth, neck and all the intraoral structures. Carvacrol, a naturally occurring isoprenoid with diverse class of biological activities including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antitumor and antioxidant properties. Now, the antinociceptive effect was studied in mice pretreatment with carvacrol (CARV) and ß-cyclodextrin complex containing carvacrol (CARV-ßCD) in formalin-, capsaicin-, and glutamate- induced orofacial nociception. Mice were pretreated with vehicle (0.9% Nacl, p.o.), CARV (10 and 20mg/kg, p.o.), CARV-ßCD (10 and 20mg/kg, p.o.) or MOR (10mg/kg, i.p.) before the nociceptive behavior induced by subcutaneous injections (s.c.) of formalin (20µl, 2%), capsaicin (20µl, 2.5µg) or glutamate (20µl, 25µM) into the upper lip respectively. The interference on motor coordination was determined using rotarod and grip strength meter apparatus. CARV-ßCD reduced the nociceptive during the two phases of the formalin test, whereas CARV did not produced the reduction in face-rubbing behavior in the initial phase. CARV-ßCD (20mg/kg, p.o.) produced 49.3% behavior pain while CARV alone at 20mg/kg, p.o, produced 28.7% of analgesic inhibition in the second phase of formalin test. CARV, CARV-ßCD and Morphine (MOR) showed a significant reduction against nociception caused by capsaicin or glutamate injection. Thus the encapsulation of carvacrol in ß-cyclodextrin can acts as a considerable therapeutic agent with pharmacological interest for the orofacial pain management.

Improved tribo-mechanical behavior of CaP-containing TiO2 layers produced on titanium by shot blasting and micro-arc oxidation.

The combination of shot blasting (SB) and micro-arc oxidation (or anodic oxidation--AO) in titanium surfaces was shown to provide enhanced conditions for cell differentiation and osseointegration than those provided by SB or AO alone. This study associated both methods aiming to attain titania layers on Ti with adequate tribo-mechanical features for bone implants. SB was performed using alumina particles, and titania layers were grown by AO using a CaP-based electrolyte. Mechanical properties and scratch resistance were characterized at nanoscale by instrumented indentation and nanoscratch, and correlated with morphological and microstructural changes (XRD, SEM, EDS, AFM, and profilometry). Analytical methods were employed to correct roughness and substrate effects on the indentation results. CaP-containing TiO2 layers were produced on AO and SB + AO. The latter presented small pore size and inhomogeneous layer thickness and Ca/P ratios, caused by the non-uniform surface straining by SB that affects the oxide growth kinetics in the electrochemical process. Elastic modulus of SB + AO layer (37 GPa) were lower than the AO one (45 GPa); both of them were smaller than bulk Ti (130 GPa) and close to bone values. The hardness profiles of AO and SB + AO were similar to the substrate ones. Because of the improved load bearing capacity and unique layer features, the critical load to remove the SB + AO titania coating in scratch tests was three times as much or higher than in AO. Results indicate improved mechanical biocompatibility and tribological strength of anodic titania layers grown on sand blasted Ti surfaces.