A comparative evaluation of methods for estimating the colostrum quality in sows / Avaliação comparativa de métodos para estimar a qualidade do colostro em porcas

Colostrum is the main source of immunoglobulins (Ig) for neonate piglets and plays a crucial role within the health and growth of the piglet. Currently in pig farming, there are still no widespread practical methods for measuring the Ig concentration in colostrum at herd level. We evaluated sows' colostrum IgG concentration using an optical and a digital Brix refractometer and their performance was correlated to an IgG ELISA test, and flow cytometry. Colostrum concentrations of IgG and IgA averaged 74.05 ± 21.37mg/mL and 20.2 ± 5.32mg/mL respectively. The mean value of the Brix percentages for optical refractometer was 26.32%, and for digital was 28.32%. The Brix refractometer measurements of colostrum samples presented high correlation for IgG content analyzed by ELISA (Optical = 0.74, Digital = 0.87; P <0.001). Considering the immunophenotyping, the values for IgG and IgA lymphoblasts indicated a highly significant relationship to ELISA (IgG=0.77, IgA=0.84; P<0.001). The Brix refractometer can be considered a useful tool to be included in a colostrum monitoring program to improve potentially neonatal health. In addition, we demonstrated that flow cytometry can be an important tool to analyze and characterize the immunological potential of sow colostrum.(AU)

O colostro é a principal fonte de imunoglobulinas (Ig) para leitões recém-nascidos e desempenha um papel crucial na saúde e no crescimento dos leitões. Atualmente, na suinocultura, ainda não existem métodos amplamente utilizados na prática de produção para medir a concentração de imunoglobulinas no colostro suíno. Avaliou-se a concentração de IgG no colostro de porcas usando refratômetros Brix óptico e digital, e o desempenho foi comparado com ELISA e citometria de fluxo. As concentrações de IgG e IgA no colostro foram 74,05 ± 21,37mg/mL e 20,2 ± 5,32mg/mL, respectivamente. A percentagem de Brix média das amostras de colostro para o refratômetro óptico foi 26,32%, e para o digital foi 28,32%. As medições dos refratômetros de Brix apresentaram elevada correlação com a concentrações de IgG medidas por ELISA (óptico=0,74, digital=0,87; P<0,001). Considerando a imunofenotipagem, os valores dos linfoblastos IgG e IgA apresentaram alta correlação com o ELISA (IgG=0,77, IgA=0,84; P<0,001). O refratômetro Brix pode ser considerado uma ferramenta útil para ser incluída em um programa de monitoramento de colostro para melhorar a saúde neonatal. Além disso, foi demonstrado que a citometria de fluxo pode ser uma ferramenta importante para analisar e caracterizar o potencial imunológico do colostro de porcas.(AU)

Electrochemical Synthesis of Polyaniline on Onion-like Carbon Nanoparticles using the Rotating Disk Slurry Electrode Technique.

The main source of energy in the world is fossil fuels, but these can irreparably harm the environment. My research focuses on making a catalyst that is economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly. The oxygen reduction reaction is an important reaction for energy conversion systems, such as fuel cells. Onion-like carbon nanoparticles are used as a catalytic support for fuel cell applications due to its high conductivity and surface-to-volume ratio. The combination of carbon compounds with conductive polymers results in new materials and devices with possible practical applications. In my research we obtain onion-like carbon from nanodiamonds through a pyrolysis process. These particles are then polymerized using the aniline monomer to dope the OLCs with nitrogen. These particles are characterized by different characterization techniques such as Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. After characterizing them, electrochemical experiments were carried out.

Anxiolytic-like effects of standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (SEJP) in mice: Involvement of GABA/benzodiazepine in receptor.

Justicia pectoralis (Acanthaceae) is used as an antiinflammatory, antimicrobial and bronchodilator, and its extract exerts an anxiolytic-like effect profile in animal models. This work presents the behavioral effects of an aqueous standardized extract of Justicia pectoralis (SEJP) in animal models, such as the elevated plus maze (EPM), light/dark, open field, rota rod and pentobarbital sleep time. The extract was administered intragastrically to male mice at single doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, while diazepam 1 or 2 mg/kg was used as a standard drug and flumazenil 2.5 mg/kg was used to evaluate the participation of benzodiazepinic receptors. The results showed that, similar to diazepam (1 mg/kg), SEJP significantly modified all the observed parameters in the EPM test, without altering the general motor activity in the open field, rota rod and pentobarbital sleep time tests. Flumazenil reversed not only the diazepam effect but also the SEJP effect. In the same way, all doses of SEJP increased the time of permanence in the light box in the light/dark test. The results showed that SEJP presented an anxiolytic-like effect, disproving sedative effects.

Effects of levetiracetam in lipid peroxidation level, nitrite-nitrate formation and antioxidant enzymatic activity in mice brain after pilocarpine-induced seizures.

: Oxidative stress has been implicated in a large number of human degenerative diseases, including epilepsy. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a new antiepileptic agent with broad-spectrum effects on seizures and animal models of epilepsy. Recently, it was demonstrated that the mechanism of LEV differs from that of conventional antiepileptic drugs. Objectifying to investigate if LEV mechanism of action involves antioxidant properties, lipid peroxidation levels, nitrite-nitrate formation, catalase activity, and glutathione (GSH) content were measured in adult mice brain. The neurochemical analyses were carried out in hippocampus of animals pretreated with LEV (200 mg/kg, i.p.) 60 min before pilocarpine-induced seizures (400 mg/kg, s.c.). The administration of alone pilocarpine, 400 mg/kg, s.c. (P400) produced a significant increase of lipid peroxidation level in hippocampus. LEV pretreatment was able to counteract this increase, preserving the lipid peroxidation level in normal value. P400 administration also produced increase in the nitrite-nitrate formation and catalase activity in hippocampus, beyond a decrease in GSH levels. LEV administration before P400 prevented the P400-induced alteration in nitrite-nitrate levels and preserved normal values of catalase activity in hippocampus. Moreover, LEV administration prevented the P400-induced loss of GSH in this cerebral area. The present data suggest that the protective effects of LEV against pilocarpine-induced seizures can be mediated, at least in part, by reduction of lipid peroxidation and hippocampal oxidative stress.

Phenylpropanoid derivatives and biflavones at different stages of differentiation and development of Araucaria angustifolia.

Chemical investigations carried out with tissues at different developmental stages of Araucaria angustifolia established the presence of E and Z isomers of octadecyl p-coumarate and octadecyl ferulate in undifferentiated callus; in the seedling stems, the source of explants, three biflavones of the amentoflavone-type were isolated, whereas the diterpene, trans-communic acid, was obtained from the seedling roots. Adult stems accumulated the benzaldehydes, vanillin, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and coniferaldehyde; the lignans, pinoresinol, eudesmin and lariciresinol; and the isoflavones, cabreuvine and irisolidone.