Effect of growth rates on hormonal and pubertal status in Nellore heifers early weaned.

This study aimed to determine the effect of growth rates on the hormonal status and puberty onset. Forty-eight Nellore heifers were weaned at 3.0 ± 0.1 (means ± standard error of the mean) months old were blocked according to body weight at weaning (84 ± 2 kg) and randomly assigned to treatments. The treatments were arranged in 2 × 2 factorial according to the feeding program. The first program was high (H; 0.79 kg/day) or control (C; 0.45 kg/day) average daily gain (ADG) from 3rd to 7th month of age (growing phase I). The second program was also high (H; 0.70 kg/day) or control (C; 0.50 kg/day) ADG from the 7th month until puberty (growing phase II), resulting in four treatments: HH (n = 13), HC (n = 10), CH (n = 13), and CC (n = 12). To achieve desired gains, heifers in high ADG program were fed ad libitum dry matter intake (DMI), and the control group was offered around 50% of ad libitum DMI of high group. All heifers received a diet with similar composition. Puberty was assessed weekly by ultrasound examination, and the largest follicle diameter was evaluated every month. Blood samples were collected to quantify leptin, insulin growth factor-1 (IGF1) and luteinizing hormone (LH). At 7 months of age, heifers in high ADG were 35 kg heavier than the control. Heifers in the HH had greater DMI compared with CH in phase II. The puberty rate at 19 months old was greater in the HH treatment (84%) than in the CC (23%), but there was no difference between HC (60%) and CH (50%) treatments. Heifers from HH treatment had greater serum leptin concentration than others at 13 months old, and serum leptin was greater in HH compared with CH and CC at 18 months old. High heifers in phase I had greater serum IGF1 concentration than the control. In addition, HH heifers had a greater diameter of the largest follicle than CC. There was no interaction between phases and age in any variable relative to the LH profile. However, the heifers' age was the main factor that increased the frequency of LH pulse. In conclusion, increasing ADG was associated with greater ADG, serum leptin and IGF-1 concentration, and puberty onset; however, LH concentration was affected mainly by age of the animal. The increasing growth rate at younger age made heifers more efficient.

Leaf application of chitosan and physiological evaluation of maize hybrids contrasting for drought tolerance under water restriction / Aplicação foliar de quitosana e avaliação fisiológica de híbridos de milho contrastantes para tolerância à seca sob restrição hídrica

Abstract It is a fact that the regions that cultivate the most maize crop do not have fully adequate technologies to measure productivity losses caused by irregularities in water availability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological characteristics of maize hybrids tolerant (DKB 390) and sensitive (BRS 1030) to drought, at V5 growth stage and under water restriction, in order to understand the mechanisms involved in the induction of tolerance to drought by chitosan in contrasting maize genotypes. Plants were cultivated in pots at a greenhouse, and chitosan 100 ppm was applied by leaf spraying. The water restriction was imposed for 10 days and then leaf gaseous exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence were evaluated. The tolerant hybrid (DKB 390) showed higher photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, carboxylation efficiency, electron transport rate, and non-photochemical quenching when chitosan was used. Plants from tolerant genotype treated with chitosan were more tolerant to water stress because there were more responsive to the biopolymer.

Resumo As regiões que cultivam milho como cultura principal ainda não possuem tecnologias adequadas para mensurar as perdas na produtividade decorrentes na disponibilidade irregular de água. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar as características fisiológicas de híbridos de milho tolerante (DKB 390) e sensível (BRS1030) à seca, no estádio de crescimento V5 e sob restrição hídrica, para compreender os mecanismos envolvidos na indução de tolerância à seca pela quitosana em genótipos contrastantes. As plantas foram cultivadas vasos na casa de vegetação e a quitosana 100 ppm foi aplicada por pulverização foliar. A restrição hídrica durou 10 dias e foram avaliadas as trocas gasosas e a fluorescência da clorofila. O híbrido tolerante (DKB 390) apresentou maior fotossíntese, condutância estomática, eficiência de carboxilação, taxa de transporte de elétrons e quenching não fotoquímico quando aplicada a quitosana. As plantas do genótipo tolerante tratadas com quitosana foram mais tolerantes ao déficit hídrico porque foram mais responsivas ao biopolímero.

Leaf application of chitosan and physiological evaluation of maize hybrids contrasting for drought tolerance under water restriction.

It is a fact that the regions that cultivate the most maize crop do not have fully adequate technologies to measure productivity losses caused by irregularities in water availability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological characteristics of maize hybrids tolerant (DKB 390) and sensitive (BRS 1030) to drought, at V5 growth stage and under water restriction, in order to understand the mechanisms involved in the induction of tolerance to drought by chitosan in contrasting maize genotypes. Plants were cultivated in pots at a greenhouse, and chitosan 100 ppm was applied by leaf spraying. The water restriction was imposed for 10 days and then leaf gaseous exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence were evaluated. The tolerant hybrid (DKB 390) showed higher photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, carboxylation efficiency, electron transport rate, and non-photochemical quenching when chitosan was used. Plants from tolerant genotype treated with chitosan were more tolerant to water stress because there were more responsive to the biopolymer.

Promising synergistic activity of fluconazole with bioactive Guttiferone-A and derivatives against non-albicans Candida species.

Natural products with diverse bioactivities and structures are an important source of novel chemicals with pharmaceutical potentials. Combinations of bioactive compounds with classical antimicrobial agents against drug-resistant or low-susceptible Candida spp. have been studied. Guttiferone-A and its derivatives were combined with fluconazole through the checkerboard method and tested against Candida spp. The results obtained, especially the Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) determined to the combinations, suggests promising results on the treatment of Candida infections, principally for species that present resistance or low antifungal susceptibility. The best result was seen for C. krusei, in which a synergic action of the association between fluconazole and Guttiferone-A resulted in a reduction of more than 100-fold in the alone inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fluconazole. Synergism was also noted in the association of fluconazole with the synthetic derivatives LFQM-79, LFQM-80 and LFQM-81 against C. glabrata, with reduction of up to four times in the alone IC of fluconazole. These results suggest the possibility of combined administration with reduction of doses and side effects of drugs conventionally used against Candida spp. and the promising therapeutic action of Guttiferone-A.

Proteic and phenolics compounds contents in Bacupari callus cultured with glutamine and nitrogen sources / Conteúdo de proteínas e compostos fenólicos em calos de Bacupari cultivados com glutamina e fontes de nitrogênio

Abstract In this study was evaluated the influence of glutamine supplementation on the endogenous content of amino acids, proteins, total phenolics, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins in Bacupari callus. The explants were inoculated in MS medium, MS with half concentration of the nitrogen salts (MS½) and nitrogen-free MS, supplemented with glutamine (5, 10, 30 and 60mM) named as Gln5, Gln10, Gln30 and Gln60. Amino acids and proteins were analyzed after 20, 80 and 140 days and the secondary metabolites on the 140th day. There was no difference in the amino acids on the 20th day. On the 80th day the treatments MS and MS½ presented the lowest levels. On the 140th day MS and MS½ presented the lowest amino acid concentration and Gln10 the highest. Concerning proteins, there was difference only on the 140th day, being the highest concentrations observed in Gln5, and the lowest in MS½ treatment. Total phenolics content was higher in the treatment Gln60 and lowest in MS. Treatments Gln5, Gln10, Gln30 and MS½ were statistically equal. For flavonoids, the highest values occurred in the treatments Gln30, Gln60 and MS½ and the lowest in Gln5, Gln10 and MS. Similarly, for the proanthocyanidins the highest concentrations were observed in treatment Gln60 and the lowest in Gln5 and MS. In conclusion, the treatment with 60mM of glutamine favors the protein accumulation and production of secondary metabolites in Bacupari callus.

Resumo Nesse estudo foi avaliado o efeito da suplementação com glutamina no conteúdo endógeno de aminoácidos, proteínas, fenólicos totais, flavonoides e proantocianidinas em calos de Bacupari. Os explantes foram inoculados em meio MS, meio MS com metade da concentração de dos sais de nitrogênio (MS½) e meio MS sem nitrogênio suplementado com glutamina (5, 10, 30 e 60mM) denominados como Gln5, Gln10, Gln30 e Gln60. Os aminoácidos e as proteínas foram analisados após 20, 80 e 140 dias e os metabólitos secundários no 140° dia. Não houve diferença nos aminoácidos no 20° dia. No 80° dia os tratamentos MS e MS½ apresentaram os menores níveis. No 140° dia, MS e MS½ apresentaram as menores concentrações de aminoácidos e o Gln10 as maiores. A respeito das proteínas, houve diferença apenas no 140° dia, sendo as maiores concentrações observadas nos tratamentos Gln, e as menores no MS½. O conteúdo de fenólicos totais foi maior no tratamento Gln60 e menor no MS. Os tratamentos Gln5, Gln10, Gln30 e MS½ foram estatisticamente iguais. Para os flavonóides, os maiores valores ocorreram nos tratamentos Gln30, Gln60 e MS½ e os menores no Gln5, Gln10 e MS. Da mesma forma, para as proantocianidinas, as maiores concentrações foram observadas no tratamento Gln60 os menores no Gln5 e MS. Em conclusão, o tratamento com 60 mM de glutamina favorece o acúmulo de proteínas e a produção de metabólitos secundários em calos de Bacupari.

Toxic effects of two essential oils and their constituents on the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor.

The study identified insecticidal effects from the cinnamon and clove essential oils in Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90), lethal time, and repellent effect on larvae, pupae, and adults of T. molitor after exposure to six concentrations of each essential oil and toxic compounds were evaluated. The chemical composition of the cinnamon oil was also determined and primary compounds were eugenol (10.19%), trans-3-caren-2-ol (9.92%), benzyl benzoate (9.68%), caryophyllene (9.05%), eugenyl acetate (7.47%), α-phellandrene (7.18%), and α-pinene (6.92%). In clove essential oil, the primary compounds were eugenol (26.64%), caryophyllene (23.73%), caryophyllene oxide (17.74%), 2-propenoic acid (11.84%), α-humulene (10.48%), γ-cadinene (4.85%), and humulene oxide (4.69%). Cinnamon and clove essential oils were toxic to T. molitor. In toxic chemical compounds, eugenol have stronger contact toxicity in larvae, pupae, and adult than caryophyllene oxide, followed by α-pinene, α-phellandrene, and α-humulene. In general, the two essential oils were toxic and repellent to adult T. molitor. Cinnamon and clove essential oils and their compounds caused higher mortality and repellency on T. molitor and, therefore, have the potential for integrated management programs of this insect.

A combination of nutrition and genetics is able to reduce age at puberty in Nelore heifers to below 18 months.

Nelore heifers usually begin their reproductive life at ⩾24 months of age mainly due to suboptimal nutritional conditions and genetics. This study aimed to determine the effect of expected progeny difference (EPD) for age at first calving and average daily gain (ADG) on puberty in Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) heifers. A total of 58 weaned heifers (initial BW=174±6 kg; age=9±1 months) were allocated into 28 feedlot pens. Heifers were born from four sires, of which two had low EPD for age at first calving (L; n=33) and two had high EPD for age at first calving (H; n=25). Then, heifers of each EPD were randomly assigned to high ADG (HG; 0.7 kg) or low ADG (LG; 0.3 kg), resulting in four treatments: heifers from L sires were submitted to either HG (LHG; n=17) or LG (LLG; n=16), and heifers from H sires were submitted to either HG (HHG; n=12), or LG (HLG; n=13). The HG heifers were fed a 75% grain diet, whereas the LG heifers received 93% of forage in their diet. Blood samples were collected at 9, 14, 18, 24 and 28 months of age for IGF1 and leptin determination. There was a treatment effect (P<0.01) on the proportion of heifers that attained puberty by 18 (62%, 0%, 0% and 0%), 24 (100%, 6%, 54% and 0%) or 36 (100%, 100%, 100% and 38%) months of age for LHG, LLG, HHG and HLG treatments, respectively. In addition, mean age at puberty was different across treatments (P<0.01). Heifers from the LHG achieved puberty at the earliest age when compared with cohorts from other treatments (18.1, 28.9, 23.9 and 34.5 months for LHG, LLG, HHG and HLG, respectively). Serum IGF1 concentrations were higher for L heifers compared with H cohorts at 9, 14, 18, 24 and 28 months of age (P<0.01; treatment×age interaction), whereas circulating leptin concentrations were higher (P<0.01; age effect) as heifers became older, regardless of the treatments. In conclusion, only Nelore heifers with favorable genetic merit for age at first calving were able to attain puberty by 18 months of age. In heifers with unfavorable genetic merit for age at first calving, supplementary feeding to achieve high ADG was unable to shift the age at puberty below 24 months.

The natural compound 7-epiclusianone inhibits superoxide dismutase activity in Schistosoma mansoni.

Schistosomiasis - caused by trematodes from the genus Schistosoma - affects more than 200 million people worldwide. Growing resistance to therapy with praziquantel (PZQ) has encouraged the search for novel treatments against this neglected disease. The compound 7-epiclusianone (7-epi) - isolated from 'bacupari' (the fruit of the Gracinia brasiliensis tree) - has promising activity against Schistosoma mansoni in vitro, damaging the parasite's tegument. However, the target and mechanism of action of 7-epi have not been identified. Here, we examined the possibility that 7-epi harms the tegument by inhibiting parasite superoxide dismutase (SOD), which protects the tegument from damage by reactive oxygen species produced by host immune cells. Molecular docking analysis in silico suggested strong interactions between 7-epi and S. mansoni cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SmCtSOD) at allosteric cavities. Schistosoma mansoni couples were cultivated ex vivo with 12.44-198.96 µm 7-epi for 24 h, and then parasite extracts were tested for lipid peroxidation (as a surrogate for oxidative stress), and SOD activity and expression. Lipid peroxidation levels increased after incubation with concentrations ≥99.48 µm 7-epi, and this compound reduced SOD activity at concentrations ≥24.87 µm. However, contact with 7-epi did not alter SOD expression, by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Our results show that the inhibition of SmCtSOD is partly responsible for the tegument detachment observed after incubation with 7-epi, but is not the only cause of the antiparasitic action of this compound in vitro.

Proteic and phenolics compounds contents in Bacupari callus cultured with glutamine and nitrogen sources.

In this study was evaluated the influence of glutamine supplementation on the endogenous content of amino acids, proteins, total phenolics, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins in Bacupari callus. The explants were inoculated in MS medium, MS with half concentration of the nitrogen salts (MS½) and nitrogen-free MS, supplemented with glutamine (5, 10, 30 and 60mM) named as Gln5, Gln10, Gln30 and Gln60. Amino acids and proteins were analyzed after 20, 80 and 140 days and the secondary metabolites on the 140th day. There was no difference in the amino acids on the 20th day. On the 80th day the treatments MS and MS½ presented the lowest levels. On the 140th day MS and MS½ presented the lowest amino acid concentration and Gln10 the highest. Concerning proteins, there was difference only on the 140th day, being the highest concentrations observed in Gln5, and the lowest in MS½ treatment. Total phenolics content was higher in the treatment Gln60 and lowest in MS. Treatments Gln5, Gln10, Gln30 and MS½ were statistically equal. For flavonoids, the highest values occurred in the treatments Gln30, Gln60 and MS½ and the lowest in Gln5, Gln10 and MS. Similarly, for the proanthocyanidins the highest concentrations were observed in treatment Gln60 and the lowest in Gln5 and MS. In conclusion, the treatment with 60mM of glutamine favors the protein accumulation and production of secondary metabolites in Bacupari callus.

Síndrome de Eisenmenger em um gato / Eisenmenger syndrome in cat

A 6-month-old female, 1.0kg, uncastrated female Persian cat was brought to the Veterinary Hospital at State University of Ceara, with a history of dyspnea, prostration, hyporexia and progressive weight loss for a month. On physical examination, systolic cardiac murmur, cyanosis and dyspnea were detected. Unfortunately, the cat died during oxygen therapy. Necropsy examination revealed an increase in cardiac silhouette and ventricular septal defect of 2cm in diameter. Macroscopically the lungs were collapsed, with absent and diffusely reddish blackish crepitus, and the liver with blackish red coalescent multifocal areas, interspersed with lighter areas and lobular pattern with irregular brownish multifocal areas intercepted by brownish areas. Thus, the necropsy results together with the history and physical examination of the animal confirmed the diagnosis of Eisenmenger Syndrome, becoming the report of the first case, in a cat, in Brazil.(AU)

Leaf application of chitosan and physiological evaluation of maize hybrids contrasting for drought tolerance under water restriction

Abstract It is a fact that the regions that cultivate the most maize crop do not have fully adequate technologies to measure productivity losses caused by irregularities in water availability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological characteristics of maize hybrids tolerant (DKB 390) and sensitive (BRS 1030) to drought, at V5 growth stage and under water restriction, in order to understand the mechanisms involved in the induction of tolerance to drought by chitosan in contrasting maize genotypes. Plants were cultivated in pots at a greenhouse, and chitosan 100 ppm was applied by leaf spraying. The water restriction was imposed for 10 days and then leaf gaseous exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence were evaluated. The tolerant hybrid (DKB 390) showed higher photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, carboxylation efficiency, electron transport rate, and non-photochemical quenching when chitosan was used. Plants from tolerant genotype treated with chitosan were more tolerant to water stress because there were more responsive to the biopolymer.

Resumo As regiões que cultivam milho como cultura principal ainda não possuem tecnologias adequadas para mensurar as perdas na produtividade decorrentes na disponibilidade irregular de água. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar as características fisiológicas de híbridos de milho tolerante (DKB 390) e sensível (BRS1030) à seca, no estádio de crescimento V5 e sob restrição hídrica, para compreender os mecanismos envolvidos na indução de tolerância à seca pela quitosana em genótipos contrastantes. As plantas foram cultivadas vasos na casa de vegetação e a quitosana 100 ppm foi aplicada por pulverização foliar. A restrição hídrica durou 10 dias e foram avaliadas as trocas gasosas e a fluorescência da clorofila. O híbrido tolerante (DKB 390) apresentou maior fotossíntese, condutância estomática, eficiência de carboxilação, taxa de transporte de elétrons e quenching não fotoquímico quando aplicada a quitosana. As plantas do genótipo tolerante tratadas com quitosana foram mais tolerantes ao déficit hídrico porque foram mais responsivas ao biopolímero.

Antioedematogenic activity, acetylcholinesterase inhibition and antimicrobial properties of Jacaranda oxyphylla.

Jacaranda oxyphylla Cham. (Bignoniaceae) is a shrub found in the Brazilian cerrado and used in folk medicine to treat microbial infections. The aim of this study was to carry out a phytochemical screening and evaluate antioedematogenic, antimicrobial and antiacetylcholinesterase properties of J. oxyphylla crude extracts. All extracts analysed showed presence of terpenoids, which are potentially active chemical substances. A high AChE inhibitory activity for hexane extract from leaves and for the extracts from twigs was found. Ethanol extract from leaves of J. oxyphylla showed activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. This extract was also effective in inhibiting the stages of inflammation evaluated. Biological investigation and phytochemical screening of J. oxyphylla extracts provided additional evidence of its traditional medicinal value.

Inheritance of resistance to Pepper yellow mosaic virus in Capsicum baccatum var. pendulum.

We investigated inheritance of resistance to Pepper yellow mosaic virus (PepYMV) in Capsicum baccatum var. pendulum accessions UENF 1616 (susceptible) crossed with UENF 1732 (resistant). Plants from generations P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1:1, and BC1:2 were inoculated and the symptoms were evaluated for 25 days. Subsequently, an area under the disease progress curve was calculated and subjected to generation means analysis. Only the average and epistatic effects were significant. The broad and narrow sense heritability estimates were 35.52 and 21.79%, respectively. The estimate of the minimum number of genes that control resistance was 7, indicating that resistance is polygenic and complex. Thus, methods to produce segregant populations that advocate selection in more advanced generations would be the most appropriate to produce chili pepper cultivars resistant to PepYMV.

Estudo farmacobotânico das folhas de Garcinia brasiliensis Mart. (Clusiaceae) / Pharmacobotanical studies of Garcinia brasiliensis Mart. (Clusiaceae) leaves

A espécie Garcinia brasiliensis Mart. (Clusiaceae), nativa da região Amazônica e cultivada em todo o território brasileiro, vem sendo bastante estudada devido seu potencial farmacológico, porém são escassos estudos que tratam da caracterização farmacobotânica desta espécie. Considerando as propriedades terapêuticas para tornar-se um medicamento fitoterápico, o presente trabalho teve como objetivos estudar a anatomia e histoquímica da folha e do pecíolo e elaborar dados macroscópicos e microscópicos que forneçam características marcantes para sua identificação além de dar subsídios para a análise farmacognóstica no controle de qualidade da droga vegetal. O material vegetal foi fixado e submetido às técnicas usuais de microscopia de luz e a testes histoquímicos. As folhas de G. brasiliensis são opostas, simples, descolores, forma elíptica com nervação peninérvia. As células epidérmicas, em vista frontal, apresentam contorno sinuoso e estômatos paracíticos somente na face abaxial. O mesofilo é dorsiventral, a nervura central apresenta contorno biconvexo e feixe vascular em forma de semi-arco fechado envolto por bainha esclerenquimática. Inclusões inorgânicas de cristais na forma de drusas e orgânicas representadas por compostos fenólicos e grãos de amidos estão dispersos ao longo de toda lâmina foliar e pecíolo. Observa-se com frequência a presença de canais secretores preenchidos por um conteúdo lipídico dispersos pelo parênquima fundamental e próximos aos feixes vasculares. Estes dados fornecem subsídios para o controle de qualidade da matéria-prima utilizada para a produção de fitoterápicos.

The Garcinia brasiliensis Mart. (Clusiaceae) species, native of the Amazon region and cultivated throughout the Brazilian territory, has been widely studied due to its pharmacological potential, but there are few studies dealing with the pharmacobotanic characterization of this species. Considering the therapeutic properties in order to become an herbal medicine, the present paper had the purpose of studying the anatomical and histochemical characterization of the leaf and petiole, as well as producing macroscopic and microscopic data that provide important characteristics for its identification, in addition to providing subsidies for the pharmacognostical analysis in order to offer elements for the quality assurance of the drug. The botanical material was prepared through the usual optical and histochemical microtechniques. The leaves of G. brasiliensis are simple, opposed, colorless, and they show an elliptical shape. As seen from the front, the epidermal cells have a sinuous contour, and paracytic stomata occur on the low surface. The leaves are hipostomatic and dorsiventral with heterogeneous mesophile. The mesophile is dorsiventral, the central midrib shows a biconvex contour and vascular system in a semi-closed arch shape surrounded by a sclerenchymatic sheath. Inorganic inclusions of crystals in the shape of druses, and organic inclusions represented by phenolic compounds and starch grains are found throughout the leaf blade and petiole. It is common to find secretory canals filled with a lipid content dispersed throughout the parenchyma and near the vascular bundles. These data support the quality assurance of the elements used to produce herbal medicines.

Pseudopolymorphism in hydroxybenzophenones: the dihydrate of 2,2',4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone.

A dihydrate pseudopolymorph of bis(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methanone, C(13)H(10)O(5)·2H(2)O, (I), was obtained during polymorphism screening of hydroxybenzophenone derivatives. This structure, in which the molecule sits on a twofold axis, was compared with the known anhydrous form of (I) [Schlemper (1982). Acta Cryst. B38, 554-559]. The role of water in the crystal assembly was established on the basis of the known monohydrate pseudopolymorph of 3,4-dihydroxybenzophenone [Landre, Souza, Corrêa, Martins & Doriguetto (2010). Acta Cryst. C66, o463-o465].

Mechanism of the vasodilator effect of Euxanthone in rat small mesenteric arteries.

In the present work we investigated the mechanism involved in the vasodilator effect induced by euxanthone in rat small mesenteric arteries. We observed that euxanthone induced concentration-dependent vasodilatation in arteries by a mechanism independent on the release of endothelial factors, such as nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase-derived factors. In addition our results also suggest that euxanthone induced its vasodilator effect through inhibition of calcium-sensitive mechanisms activated by protein kinase C, rather than by inhibition of contractions dependent on the release of the intracellular calcium stores or by inhibition of voltage-operated calcium channels.

Reliability of ultrasound for early sexing of goat fetuses derived from natural mating and from fresh, frozen and vitrified embryo transfer.

The aim of the present study was to identify the migration period of the genital tubercle and its later differentiation into external genital structures in fetuses derived from natural mating and fetuses from fresh, frozen and vitrified embryo transfer. A transrectal ultrasound with a double-frequency linear transducer (6.0 and 8.0 MHz) was used to monitor 123 goat fetuses, which were allocated to one of four groups: fetuses originating from controlled natural mating (G1, n = 32) and fetuses derived from fresh (G2, n = 34), frozen (G3, n = 30) and vitrified (G4, n = 27) embryo transfer. The transferable embryos were collected 7 days after mating by laparoscopy. Migration of the genital tubercle occurred significantly earlier (P < 0.05) in G1 than in G2, G3 and G4. The visualisation of the scrotum, prepuce and vulva occurred significantly earlier (P < 0.05) in G1 than in G2, G3 and G4. Our results show that fetal sexing is feasible after 55 days for fetuses from natural mating and after 60 days in fetuses from fresh and cryopreserved embryos. Thus, real-time ultrasonography is a reliable tool for fetal sex determination in goats after Day 50 of pregnancy, taking into account both the location of the genital tubercle and the identification of external genital structures.

Leishmanicidal activity of benzophenones and extracts from Garcinia brasiliensis Mart. fruits.

Infections by protozoans of the genus Leishmania are the major worldwide health problem, with high endemicity in developing countries. The drugs of choice for the treatment of leishmaniasis are the pentavalent antimonials, which exert renal and cardiac toxicity. Thus, there is a strong need for safer and more effective treatments against leishmaniasis. The present study was designated to evaluate, by a bioguided assay, the leishmanicidal activity of extracts (hexane, ethyl-acetate and ethanolic) and molecules both obtained by means of extraction from pericarps of Garcinia brasiliensis fruits. The hexane extract presented the best activity on the extracellular (promastigotes) and intracellular (amastigotes) forms of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis, when compared to the other extracts. Based on these findings, this extract was fractionated by silica gel column chromatography, affording nine fractions then resulting in three purified prenylated benzophenones - 7-epi-clusianone (1), garciniaphenone (2) and guttiferone-a (3). They showed significant activity on Leishmania (L.) amazonensis, and little toxicity for mammalian cells. Structure-activity relationships were evaluated showing that the IC(50) value displayed is dependent of prenyl groups and phenolic hydroxyls number, and inversely proportional to the hydrophobicity. Our results are promising, showing that these compounds are biologically active on Leishmania (L.) amazonensis.

Antimicrobial activity of benzophenones and extracts from the fruits of Garcinia brasiliensis.

The pericarp and seeds from fruits of Garcinia brasiliensis were subjected to extraction with hexane and ethanol. The pericarp hexane extract (PHE) and seed ethanol extract (SEE) were purified by silica gel column chromatography, which permitted isolation of the prenylated benzophenones 7-epiclusianone (1) and guttiferone-A (2), respectively. The antimicrobial activity of PHE, SEE, and compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus cultures. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were established. The substances presented activity against S. aureus and B. cereus as follows: PHE, 4.0 microg/mL and 2.4 microg/mL; SEE, 10.0 microg/mL and 12.6 microg/mL; 7-epiclusianone, 1.2 microg/mL and 0.6 microg/mL; and guttiferone-A, 2.4 microg/mL and 2.4 microg/mL, respectively. The direct relationship between the lipophilic character of the structure and activity in Gram-positive bacteria was specifically observed. Therefore these extracts and prenylated benzophenones represent an interesting topic for further studies and open possibilities for an alternative control of diseases associated with Gram-positive bacteria.

Anti-inflammatory and cicatrizing activities of a carbohydrate fraction isolated from sugary kefir.

Kefir is an association of microrganisms generally grown in milk, with known probiotic activities identified from its soured suspensions. Aqueous media are also able to grow kefir, but little is known about the probiotic properties of its fermented products. This work aimed to evaluate some probiotic properties of a carbohydrate fraction isolated from sugary kefir (sugary kefir carbohydrate [SKC]). Anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated fraction of carbohydrate was tested both in vitro (cellular respirometry and macrophage culture) and in vivo (50% effective dose, rat paw edema, vascular permeability, and cicatrizing test). The results indicated no significant difference for oxygen uptake or macrophage culture between control and test groups. Rat paw edema, however, showed a significant inhibitory activity by 30 +/- 4% and 54 +/- 8% (P < .001) for carrageenan and dextran, respectively. In the cicatrizing test, animals treated with SKC cream also presented less trauma after treatments as compared to the negative control group (P < .05). The overall data suggested the SKC as a natural product that could be used as a constituent of an anti-inflammatory compound.