Comparison of a daily and alternate-day photobiomodulation protocol in the prevention of oral mucositis in patients undergoing radiochemotherapy for oral cancer: a triple-blind, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Preventive Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) significantly reduces oral mucositis (OM) severity in patients undergoing Radiochemotherapy (RCT) for the treatment of oral cancer, but daily applications generate cost, overload the dental team, and reduce the number of patients assisted.To evaluate the effectiveness of two PBMT protocols in preventing OM in patients undergoing RCT for oral cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 16 patients diagnosed with oral cancer undergoing RCT were included, equally divided into two groups: a group treated daily with PBMT, and another group also submitted to daily treatment, however, performing the application of PBMT every three days, interspersed with a simulation of PBMT (placebo). A red laser was used (~660 nm), 0.1W power, 1J of energy applied per point, 9 points per area (labial mucosa, buccal mucosa, lateral borders of the tongue, body of the tongue, and floor of the mouth) from the beginning of RCT until the end of the oncological treatment. Daily assessments were performed regarding OM scores, the World Health Organization (WHO) pain scale, and the visual analog scale (VAS). Weight, salivary flow (SGAPP), OHIP-14, and DMFT were evaluated on the initial and final days of RT. OM incidence and clinical data were compared by Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Pain and other scale scores were compared using the Mann-Whitney and Friedman/Dunn tests (SPSS v20.0 p<0.05). RESULTS: In the group with PBMT on alternate days, there was an increase in the frequency of grade 2 and grade 3 oral mucositis and an increased risk of grade 2 oral mucositis, in addition to higher mean pain scores and greater reduction in salivary flow. CONCLUSIONS: The daily PBMT protocol proved more effective in controlling the frequency and severity of OM, pain, and salivary flow.

Antibiotic consumption is a major driver of antibiotic resistance in calves raised on Italian cow-calf beef farms.

Although its importance, little information is available on antibiotic-resistance in cow-calf beef farms. This study aimed to determine prevalence and risk factors for antibiotic-resistant organisms in this livestock system. Fifty-four farms from Central Italy were included to assess the presence of antibiotic-resistant indicator Escherichia coli and of ESBL and/or AmpC-producing E. coli (ESBL/AmpC-EC) in calves. Antimicrobial usage (AMU) was recorded, and farm-related variables were collected through questionnaires. Potential risk factors were tested using a mixed-effects logistic regression model. The presence of resistant-E. coli was recorded in 75.9% of farms (95% confidence interval [CI]: 62.4-86.5) with resistance to tetracyclines, sulfonamides, penicillins, and fluoroquinolones as the most frequent. The prevalence of farms positive for ESBL/AmpC-EC was 35.2% (95% CI: 22.7-49.4). AMU on the farms originating a resistant-E. coli was higher than that on the farms originating a susceptible-E. coli. The same difference was found for the consumption of beta-lactams (beta-DCD/year) and AMU via the parenteral route, which resulted also associated with the presence of ESBL/AmpC-EC. Farms with higher beta-DCD/year had an increased risk of being positive for resistant-E. coli, whereas farms with higher overall AMU had an increased risk for ESBL/AmpC-EC presence. Among farm-related factors, only farm size was associated with the presence of ESBL/AmpC-EC (odds ratio: 5.8, 95% CI: 1.3-26.3). Our findings highlight a reduction of the risk of ESBL/AmpC-EC in small cow-calf farms, and a strong association between AMU and antibiotic-resistance. Antibiotic stewardship programs are needed to improve the health status of cow-calf farms and ensure their long-term sustainability.

Tranexamic acid in cardiac surgery: Are low doses enough?

OBJECTIVES: Tranexamic acid is used to prevent hyperfibrinolysis and reduce postoperative bleeding and blood transfusions in on-pump cardiac surgery. We evaluate the efficacy of low or high dose tranexamic acid in a prospective cohort study conducted in Valencia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 427 patients were recruited between January 2019 and January 2020, 207 in the Hospital General Universitario (low dose [LD]) and 220 in the Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe (high dose [HD] and intermediate dose [ID]). We recorded the presence of hyperfibrinolysis on rotational thromboelastometry, intra- and postoperative administration of blood products, chest tube output within the first 12 h, and incidence of convulsions. Univariate and multivariate comparisons were performed. Univariate analysis of all categories was performed after propensity score matching between LD and HD and between LD and ID. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in: appearance of hyperfibrinolysis, administration of blood products, postoperative chest tube output within the first 12 h, or occurrence of convulsions. Group LD received less fibrinogen than group HD (P = .014) and ID (P = .040) but more fresh frozen plasma than group ID (P = .0002). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of low-dose tranexamic acid is as effective as higher doses in hyperfibrinolysis prophylaxis and the prevention of postoperative bleeding in cardiac surgery.

Tranexamic acid in cardiac surgery: Are low doses enough? / Ácido tranexámico en cirugía cardíaca: ¿las dosis bajas son suficientes?

OBJECTIVES: Tranexamic acid is used to prevent hyperfibrinolysis and reduce postoperative bleeding and blood transfusions in on-pump cardiac surgery. We evaluate the efficacy of low or high dose tranexamic acid in a prospective cohort study conducted in Valencia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 427 patients were recruited between January 2019 and January 2020, 207 in the Hospital General Universitario (low dose [LD]) and 220 in the Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe (high dose [HD] and intermediate dose [ID]). We recorded the presence of hyperfibrinolysis on rotational thromboelastometry, intra- and postoperative administration of blood products, chest tube output within the first 12h, and incidence of convulsions. Univariate and multivariate comparisons were performed. Univariate analysis of all categories was performed after propensity score matching between LD and HD and between LD and ID. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in: appearance of hyperfibrinolysis, administration of blood products, postoperative chest tube output within the first 12h, or occurrence of convulsions. Group LD received less fibrinogen than group HD (P=.014) and ID (P=.040) but more fresh frozen plasma than group ID (P=.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of low-dose tranexamic acid is as effective as higher doses in hyperfibrinolysis prophylaxis and the prevention of postoperative bleeding in cardiac surgery.

Light quality and dormancy overcoming in seed germination of Echium plantagineum L. (Boraginaceae) / Qualidade da luz e superação de dormência na germinação de sementes de Echium plantagineum L. (Boraginaceae)

Abstract Light is considered a factor that influences the seed germination of many weed species, and it can signal whether the environmental conditions are favorable or are not favorable for germination. We aimed to study if there is an influence of light quality and dormancy overcoming in seed germination of Echium plantagineum L. We carried out a 2 x 6 factorial experiment, with and without dormancy overcoming with potassium nitrate followed by immersion in gibberellic acid; six light qualities, obtained through the light filters: blue, green, red, far-red, white light and absence of light. The evaluations performed were germination speed index (GSI), average germination time (AGT), germination at the four and 14 days after seeding (DAS), accumulated germination and relative frequency of germination. We observed significant interaction among the light qualities and seed dormancy overcoming or not for the studied variables. There was no significant effect of light qualities, in the evaluated variables, when performing dormancy overcoming, presenting germination above 90% in all the light qualities. However, without dormancy overcoming, we observed greater GSI, germination at four and 14 DAS for the red light filter with 5, 4, 29 and 45%, respectively. When the seeds were submitted to the absence of light, and without dormancy overcoming, there was only 7% of germination at 14 DAS. The seeds of E. plantagineum presented greater germination under incidence of red light, without dormancy overcoming, being classified as preferably positively photoblastics, provided that the dormancy is not overcome.

Resumo A luz é considerada um fator que influencia a germinação das sementes de muitas espécies de plantas daninhas, podendo sinalizar se as condições ambientais são favoráveis ou não para a germinação. Objetivou-se estudar se há influência da qualidade da luz e superação de dormência na germinação de sementes de Echium plantagineum L. Realizou-se um experimento fatorial 2 x 6, com e sem superação de dormência com nitrato de potássio seguido pela imersão em ácido giberélico; seis qualidades de luz, obtidas através de filtros de luz: azul, verde, vermelho, vermelho-distante, luz branca e ausência de luz. As avaliações realizadas foram índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG), tempo médio de germinação (TMG), germinação aos quatro e 14 dias após a semeadura (DAS), germinação acumulada e frequência relativa de germinação. Observou-se interação significativa entre as qualidades de luz e a superação ou não de dormência das sementes para as variáveis estudadas. Não houve efeito significativo das qualidades de luz, nas variáveis avaliadas, ao realizar superação de dormência, apresentando germinação acima de 90% em todas as qualidades de luz. Todavia, sem superação de dormência, observou-se maior IVG, germinação aos quatro e 14 DAS para o filtro de luz vermelha com 5,4, 29 e 45%, respectivamente. Quando as sementes foram submetidas à ausência de luz, e sem superação de dormência, houve apenas 7% de germinação aos 14 DAS. As sementes de E. plantagineum apresentam maior germinação sob incidência de luz vermelha, sem superação de dormência, sendo classificadas como fotoblásticas positivas preferenciais, desde que não seja superada a dormência.

Vía clínica de recuperación intensificada en cirugía cardiaca. Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor (SEDAR), la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Cardiovascular y Endovascular (SECCE) y la Asociación Española de Perfusionistas (AEP) / Guidelines for enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery. Consensus document of Spanish Societies of Anesthesia (SEDAR), Cardiovascular Surgery (SECCE) and Perfusionists (AEP)

La vía clínica de recuperación intensificada en cirugía cardiaca (RICC) pretende identificar, difundir y favorecer la implementación de las mejores actuaciones basadas en la evidencia científica para disminuir la variabilidad en la práctica clínica. La puesta en marcha de estas prácticas en el proceso clínico global favorecerá la obtención de mejores resultados, acortamiento de estancias hospitalarias y en la Unidad de Cuidados Críticos, lo que permitirá una reducción de costes y una mayor eficiencia. Tras realizar una revisión sistemática en cada uno de los puntos del proceso perioperatorio en cirugía cardiaca, se han redactado recomendaciones basadas en la mejor evidencia científica disponible en la actualidad con el consenso de las sociedades científicas implicadas.(AU)

The ERAS guidelines are intended to identify, disseminate and promote the implementation of the best, scientific evidence-based actions to decrease variability in clinical practice. The implementation of these practices in the global clinical process will promote better outcomes and the shortening of hospital and critical care unit stays, thereby resulting in a reduction in costs and in greater efficiency. After completing a systematic review at each of the points of the perioperative process in cardiac surgery, recommendations have been developed based on the best scientific evidence currently available with the consensus of the scientific societies involved.(AU)

Guidelines for enhanced recovery after cardiac surgery. Consensus document of Spanish Societies of Anesthesia (SEDAR), Cardiovascular Surgery (SECCE) and Perfusionists (AEP). / Vía clínica de recuperación intensificada en cirugía cardiaca. Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor (SEDAR), la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Cardiovascular y Endovascular (SECCE) y la Asociación Española de Perfusionistas (AEP).

The ERAS guidelines are intended to identify, disseminate and promote the implementation of the best, scientific evidence-based actions to decrease variability in clinical practice. The implementation of these practices in the global clinical process will promote better outcomes and the shortening of hospital and critical care unit stays, thereby resulting in a reduction in costs and in greater efficiency. After completing a systematic review at each of the points of the perioperative process in cardiac surgery, recommendations have been developed based on the best scientific evidence currently available with the consensus of the scientific societies involved.

Light quality and dormancy overcoming in seed germination of Echium plantagineum L. (Boraginaceae).

Light is considered a factor that influences the seed germination of many weed species, and it can signal whether the environmental conditions are favorable or are not favorable for germination. We aimed to study if there is an influence of light quality and dormancy overcoming in seed germination of Echium plantagineum L. We carried out a 2 x 6 factorial experiment, with and without dormancy overcoming with potassium nitrate followed by immersion in gibberellic acid; six light qualities, obtained through the light filters: blue, green, red, far-red, white light and absence of light. The evaluations performed were germination speed index (GSI), average germination time (AGT), germination at the four and 14 days after seeding (DAS), accumulated germination and relative frequency of germination. We observed significant interaction among the light qualities and seed dormancy overcoming or not for the studied variables. There was no significant effect of light qualities, in the evaluated variables, when performing dormancy overcoming, presenting germination above 90% in all the light qualities. However, without dormancy overcoming, we observed greater GSI, germination at four and 14 DAS for the red light filter with 5, 4, 29 and 45%, respectively. When the seeds were submitted to the absence of light, and without dormancy overcoming, there was only 7% of germination at 14 DAS. The seeds of E. plantagineum presented greater germination under incidence of red light, without dormancy overcoming, being classified as preferably positively photoblastics, provided that the dormancy is not overcome.

Multiple effectiveness aspects of tapentadol for moderate-severe cancer-pain treatment: an observational prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown the efficacy of tapentadol (TP) for chronic cancer pain. We evaluated multiple effectiveness aspects of TP prolonged release on moderate-severe cancer-related pain, neuropathic pain (NeP), patient satisfaction, and quality of life. METHODS: An observational prospective study was conducted on 80 cancer patients. Opioid-naïve patients received a starting dose of prolonged-release TP 50 mg twice daily, and opioid-experienced patients were switched to TP, not to exceed 500 mg/day. Treatment response was evaluated at 3, 6, 30-40, and 60-70 days through response rate, numeric rating-scale scoring, survival analysis (time to event for response), pain-intensity difference, TP escalation-index percentage, and effects on NeP. The drug-sparing effect on concomitant therapies was evaluated. RESULTS: Seventy of 80 patients (88%) were responders to treatment (95% CI 78%-94%). Compared to T0, pain-intensity reductions were statistically significant for all intervals (P<0.01), with better results at T3/T4. NeP was significantly reduced at T4 (P<0.01). The probability of response was low at the initial stages and increased during the study. Pain-intensity differences decreased during the study, though without significance. Two patients (2.5%) left the study for TP-induced side effects. A significant improvement in quality of life was observed after 30-40 days (P<0.01). The majority of patients were "satisfied", "very satisfied", or "extremely satisfied" (T3-T4). CONCLUSION: TP was effective in terms of drug-sparing effect, response rate, TP escalation-index percentage, and NeP management. By comparing data from the survival analysis with the response rate and time to response (numeric rating scale from T0 to T4), we found that although TP induced a quick response, a longer period of therapy and higher doses were needed to improve the positive result.

Halobacteriovorax isolated from marine water of the Adriatic sea, Italy, as an effective predator of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, non-O1/O139 V. cholerae, V. vulnificus.

AIM: To detect marine Bdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs) which are able to infect Vibrio parahaemolyticus from seawater of the Adriatic, Italy. To test, prey specificity and predation efficiency of our Halobacteriovorax isolate, named HBXCO1, towards 17 Vibrio and 7 non-Vibrio strains linked to the Adriatic sea, Italy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Double layer agar plating technique was used to enumerate BALOs and to evaluate their prey specificity and predation efficiency. Transmission electron microscopy and 16S rRNA analysis were used to identify them. Means of BALOs counts ranged from 5·0 PFU per ml (March 2017) to 98·6 PFU per ml (August 2016). HBXCO1 had the ability to attack all tested prey strains of V. parahaemolyticus, Vibrio cholerae non-O1/O139 and Vibrio vulnificus, but it did not prey on non-Vibrio strains and V. alginolyticus under the tested conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Bdellovibrio and like organisms capable of infecting pathogenic vibrios are naturally present in seawater of the Adriatic, Italy. Isolate HBXCO1 shows prey specificity preferentially for the Vibrio genus and high predatory efficiency towards a wide range of pathogenic strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The public impact of V. parahaemolyticus, non-O1/O139 V. cholerae and V. vulnificus in bivalves is relevant and current decontamination processes are not always effective. We believe that the predator HBXCO1 represents a potential candidate for the development of strategies of biocontrol of pathogenic vibrios in bivalves from harvesting to trade.

Dietary oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) aqueous extract improves oxidative stability and consumer acceptance of meat enriched with CLA and n-3 PUFA in broilers.

The effect of a dietary oregano aqueous extract on meat fatty acid profile, quality, and consumer acceptance in chickens fed a diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was evaluated in 3 consecutive trials.For each trial, 171 day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly divided in replicates of 19 birds each and assigned to one of 3 experimental diets: 1) basal control diet, 2) basal diet supplemented with 0.2 g/kg of oregano aqueous extract, and 3) basal diet supplemented with 150 ppm of vitamin E (as positive control). To better analyze the antioxidant activity of both oregano and vitamin E, all the experimental diets were enriched with a fatty acid supplement consisting in a mixture of PUFA at the same dose (1.16 %) in both starter and finisher feeds. Oregano supplementation positively influenced (P < 0.05) broiler live performance. No differences were observed in physicochemical or proximal composition or in total fatty acid composition of breast meat. Dietary oregano influenced meat composition in terms of total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, improving meat resistance to oxidation, compared to both other groups. During consumer tests, meat from the 3 dietary groups obtained the same liking score in a blind session. Under informed condition, consumer perception was positively influenced by labeling for all the considered attributes. Furthermore, consumers showed a higher expectation for meat derived from chickens fed the oregano extract when compared to that deriving from the other 2 groups.Results obtained in the present study allow stating that using oregano aqueous extract in diets enriched with PUFA can represent a valid solution to increase live weight of chickens, improve resistance to oxidation of meat, and positively influence consumer perception of poultry meat.

Dietary Lactobacillus acidophilus positively influences growth performance, gut morphology, and gut microbiology in rurally reared chickens.

In a market undergoing constant evolution, the production of chicken meat that consumers would perceive as "natural" and "animal friendly" is crucial. The use of probiotics in rurally reared chickens could represent a major opportunity to achieve mutual benefit for both the industry and consumers. A total of 264 male Kabir chicks were randomly distributed to one of 2 dietary treatments: the L group received a commercial feed supplemented with 2.0 g/100 kg of Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL, while the C group received the same basal diet without the additive. To assess the effects of probiotic supplementation in the chickens' diet, productive performance was evaluated at d 21 and 42, whereas microbiological analyses of the intestinal content and intestinal histology and morphometry were performed at the end of the trial (d 42). At d 21 and 42, L birds showed better (P < 0.001) performance in terms of body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio. Enterococci, staphylococci, and Escherichia coli populations were not influenced by dietary treatment. On the contrary, Lactobacillus population increased (P = 0.032) in the L group. Furthermore, a tendency (P = 0.069) was observed for the coliforms to be influenced by diet, with lower values in the L group in comparison to the C group. Histological techniques revealed that the number of goblet cell containing neutral mucins was lower in the C group. Morphometric evaluations demonstrated that the probiotic supplementation increased the height of the mucosal layer by improving (P = 0.040) villus height, while crypt depth was unaffected. In conclusion, the results obtained in this study demonstrate that it is possible to use Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL (CECT 4529) in rurally reared chicken breeds with positive effects on performance and gut health.

Dietary integration with oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) essential oil improves growth rate and oxidative status in outdoor-reared, but not indoor-reared, pigs.

The effects of a diet supplemented with oregano essential oil on performance, oxidative status, pork quality traits and sensorial properties were evaluated. In two studies, 72 pigs in indoor or outdoor conditions were assigned to either a control diet or an identical diet supplemented with 0.2% oregano essential oil. Pigs reared outdoor showed lower live weight, average daily gain and average gain:feed ratio compared to indoor pigs. The oregano supplementation improved the growth performance of the outdoor- but not the indoor-reared animals. The serum oxidative status was influenced by the diet. A higher oxidative stability was observed in the oregano-supplemented groups. As for the rearing conditions, the data suggest that after an initial adapting period, the free-range farming systems could be better tolerated by pigs. Meat derived from pigs reared outdoor showed higher pH and a* values. Lightness was influenced by both the diet and the rearing conditions. The control group reared indoor showed shear force values higher than both supplemented groups, while no differences were detected with the control group reared outdoor. In the consumer test performed under blind conditions, the oregano groups achieved higher consistency scores compared with the control. Under informed conditions, the meat derived from the oregano-supplemented pigs reared outdoor received the highest scores for consistency and overall liking regardless of the rearing system. The same result for the overall liking score was obtained in the expectation test. The data obtained showed that dietary oregano essential oil can be effective in reducing performance losses due to the outdoor-rearing system, increasing the oxidative status of the animal and oxidative stability of the meat, without modifying the meat quality traits and improving consumer perceptions of the meat quality.

Gut complex carbohydrates and intestinal microflora in broiler chickens fed with oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) aqueous extract and vitamin E.

One hundred and seventy one-day-old female broiler chicks were randomly divided into three groups fed with different dietary treatments: basal control diet (C); C supplemented (2 g/kg) with an oregano aqueous extract (O); C supplemented (150 mg/kg) with vitamin E (E). Growth performance was evaluated at 21 (T1) and 42 days (T2). On the same days, morphological, histochemical and microbiological analyses were performed. The O group showed the highest (p < 0.01) body weight at T1, while no differences were observed at T2. Light microscopic observation and conventional histochemistry showed no differences with regard to the two sampling times, whereas significant differences emerged among the treatments. The O treatment generally enhanced goblet cell reactivity more than both the C and E treatments. Coliform count was lower in the ileum tract of the O group at both T1 and T2 (p < 0.05) and increased with age in all groups. Escherichia coli showed the lowest values in the caecum of the O group (p < 0.001) at both sampling times. Enterococci, lactobacilli and staphylococci populations showed no differences among the different experimental groups in the caecum. In the ileum, the O group did not exhibit the sharp decline (p < 0.001) in the lactic acid bacteria population observed in the other two experimental groups. In conclusion, oregano aqueous extract supplementation seemed to elicit the best response among treatments, enabling better growth performance, enhancing both the quantity and quality of glycoconjugates involved in indirect defence actions and significantly reducing both the coliform and E. coli counts.

Light quality and dormancy overcoming in seed germination of Echium plantagineum L. (Boraginaceae)

Abstract Light is considered a factor that influences the seed germination of many weed species, and it can signal whether the environmental conditions are favorable or are not favorable for germination. We aimed to study if there is an influence of light quality and dormancy overcoming in seed germination of Echium plantagineum L. We carried out a 2 x 6 factorial experiment, with and without dormancy overcoming with potassium nitrate followed by immersion in gibberellic acid; six light qualities, obtained through the light filters: blue, green, red, far-red, white light and absence of light. The evaluations performed were germination speed index (GSI), average germination time (AGT), germination at the four and 14 days after seeding (DAS), accumulated germination and relative frequency of germination. We observed significant interaction among the light qualities and seed dormancy overcoming or not for the studied variables. There was no significant effect of light qualities, in the evaluated variables, when performing dormancy overcoming, presenting germination above 90% in all the light qualities. However, without dormancy overcoming, we observed greater GSI, germination at four and 14 DAS for the red light filter with 5, 4, 29 and 45%, respectively. When the seeds were submitted to the absence of light, and without dormancy overcoming, there was only 7% of germination at 14 DAS. The seeds of E. plantagineum presented greater germination under incidence of red light, without dormancy overcoming, being classified as preferably positively photoblastics, provided that the dormancy is not overcome.

Resumo A luz é considerada um fator que influencia a germinação das sementes de muitas espécies de plantas daninhas, podendo sinalizar se as condições ambientais são favoráveis ou não para a germinação. Objetivou-se estudar se há influência da qualidade da luz e superação de dormência na germinação de sementes de Echium plantagineum L. Realizou-se um experimento fatorial 2 x 6, com e sem superação de dormência com nitrato de potássio seguido pela imersão em ácido giberélico; seis qualidades de luz, obtidas através de filtros de luz: azul, verde, vermelho, vermelho-distante, luz branca e ausência de luz. As avaliações realizadas foram índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG), tempo médio de germinação (TMG), germinação aos quatro e 14 dias após a semeadura (DAS), germinação acumulada e frequência relativa de germinação. Observou-se interação significativa entre as qualidades de luz e a superação ou não de dormência das sementes para as variáveis estudadas. Não houve efeito significativo das qualidades de luz, nas variáveis avaliadas, ao realizar superação de dormência, apresentando germinação acima de 90% em todas as qualidades de luz. Todavia, sem superação de dormência, observou-se maior IVG, germinação aos quatro e 14 DAS para o filtro de luz vermelha com 5,4, 29 e 45%, respectivamente. Quando as sementes foram submetidas à ausência de luz, e sem superação de dormência, houve apenas 7% de germinação aos 14 DAS. As sementes de E. plantagineum apresentam maior germinação sob incidência de luz vermelha, sem superação de dormência, sendo classificadas como fotoblásticas positivas preferenciais, desde que não seja superada a dormência.

Effects of two different probiotics on microflora, morphology, and morphometry of gut in organic laying hens.

The current study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bacillus subtilis, used as probiotics, on the microflora, morphology, and morphometry of the gut in organic laying hens. The birds (180 Hy-Line laying hens) were divided into 3 homogenous groups and received a pre-deposition diet from 16 to 20 wk of age and a deposition diet for the remaining 7 months of the experiment. The control group ( CTR: ) was fed a corn-soybean cake-based diet, the second group ( L: ) received the same diet supplemented with 0.1% of L. acidophilus while in the third group ( B: ) the basal diet was supplemented with 0.05% of B. subtilis At 18 wk of age ( T1: ) and at 5 ( T2: ) and 7 months ( T3: ) from the beginning of deposition, 9 subjects per group were humanely killed for microbiological, morphological and morphometric analyses of the intestinal tract. The 2 probiotic-supplemented diets increased Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. counts compared with the CTR diet. The lowest viable counts of E. coli, coliforms and staphylococci were observed in the L group (P < 0.001). Clostridium spp. decreased (P < 0.001) in both L and B subjects. The probiotic supplementation appeared to affect the intestinal microbial population, promoting the presence of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. and reducing potential harmful bacteria such as E. coli, clostridia and staphylococci. Morphological and morphometric analyses did not reveal substantial differences among groups. At T3, the plasma cell infiltrate in the villi of the CTR hens was more severe than that observed in the L and B groups (P = 0.009).

Effects of dietary Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bacillus subtilis on laying performance, egg quality, blood biochemistry and immune response of organic laying hens.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different probiotic micro-organisms on the performance, egg quality and blood parameters of organically reared hens. A total of 900 16-week-old Hy-Line layer hybrids were randomly assigned to three groups of 300 birds each. The control (CTR) group was fed a corn-soya bean cake-based diet; the L group was fed the same diet supplemented with 0.1% Lactobacillus acidophilus, while the B group was fed the same diet supplemented with 0.05% Bacillus subtilis. Data were recorded at the beginning (weeks 5 and 6: T1) and at the end (weeks 19 and 20: T2) of the experiment, and no differences in hen performance were recorded between dietary groups or sampling times. All of the investigated clinical chemistry parameters, except GGT, were affected by diet (p < 0.05), with the best results recorded for the probiotic-treated groups. The immune-response values showed higher blood bactericidal activity in the B and L groups at T2 (p < 0.05) and a lower lysozime concentration in the B group at T1. Higher antibody production against Newcastle disease virus was observed in the L group compared to the CTR (p = 0.013). No differences in oxidative status were recorded, and no effects of diet on egg quality were observed. Among the physical egg characteristics, only the Roche scale colour was affected by diet (p < 0.05): the egg yolk was paler in the L group. The age of the hen was the most relevant factor affecting physical egg characteristics. The chemical parameters of the egg were almost unaffected by supplementation with probiotics except for the lipid content, which decreased with the L diet (p < 0.05). Both probiotic inclusions had beneficial effects on hen metabolism and welfare, and L. acidophilus induced the best immune response.

Interaction of cisplatin and two potential antitumoral platinum(II) complexes with a model lipid membrane: a combined NMR and MD study.

In this study, the interaction of cisplatin (1) and two potential antitumoral Pt(II) complexes (2 and 3) with a model DMPC bilayer was investigated by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and MD simulations in order to understand its implication for the different antitumoral properties shown by the three complexes. In particular, (31)P, (13)C and (2)H solid state NMR experiments were performed to obtain information on the phase structure, phase transitions and structural and dynamic changes in the phospholipid bilayer upon interaction with the platinum complexes. On the other hand, MD calculations yielded free energy profiles for the different complexes across the bilayer; the results were analysed to obtain MD predictions on complex distribution with respect to the bilayer, as well as to establish their effects on the conformational equilibrium of the DMPC acyl chains. The combination of NMR and MD approaches highlighted that, whereas the more hydrophilic cisplatin tends to remain in the polar head group region causing a decrease in flexibility of the bilayer, the two new complexes enter into the bilayer. In particular, complex 2 is preferentially located relatively close to the surface, only slightly affecting the bilayer structure and mobility, while complex 3 penetrates more deeply, strongly perturbing the bilayer and giving rise to lateral phase separation.