CONTEÚDO DE PROTEÍNA, CINZAS E SAIS MINERAIS DE PLANTAS HERBÁCEAS UTILIZADAS COMO FORRAGEIRAS EM TANQUES DE PISCICULTURA (VITÓRIA DO MEARIM, MA)

Quatro espécies de plantas herbáceas (Brachiaria mutica, Hymenachne amplexicaulis, Echinochloa sp e Eichhornia crassipes) foram coletadas aleatoriamente em viveiros de piscicultura com carpa capim, próximos ao igarapé do Meio, no município de Vitória do Mearim (MA), no dia 17.10.2002. Foi feita uma avaliação de matéria seca para planta inteira, nitrogênio, proteína bruta, fósforo, cinzas, cálcio, potássio e sódio (em % do peso seco), com vistas à sua utilização como forrageiras. As plantas que melhor se apresentaram para a alimentação da carpa capim foram B. mutica e H. amplexicaulis.   ABSTRACT Protein, ash and mineral content of herbaceous plants used for food in fishponds (Vitória do Mearim, MA) Four species of herbaceous plants (Brachiaria mutica, Hymenachne amplexicaulis, Echinochloa sp e Eichhornia crassipes) were collected casually in fishponds with grass carp, near Igarapé do Meio - Vitória do Mearim (MA), in 10.17.2002. An evaluation of dry matter for whole plant, nitrogen, crude protein, phosphorus, ash, calcium, potassium and sodium (in % of dry weght) was made in order to use them for fish feeding. The plants with better conditions for grass carp feeding were B. mutica e H. amplexicaulis.   Keywords: fishponds, grass carp, feeding.

LOW-COST AUTOMATION OF FERTIGATION WITH PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER AND GAS-FILLED SENSORS

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a low-cost automation system for management of different fertigation regimes in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown in a protected environment. The system consisted of an irrigation controller coupled to substrate moisture sensors and to a programmable logic controller (PLC). Four water regimes and nutrient supply levels were considered during evaluations. While developing, functional tests were performed to the automation system. Moreover, a cost-benefit analysis for the assembling of the system was carried out. As result, we noted that the automation system was efficient for controlling fertigation. It showed no problems regarding malfunction, still presenting a lower cost if compared to commercial controllers

Red propolis and its dyslipidemic regulator formononetin: evaluation of antioxidant activity and gastroprotective effects in rat model of gastric ulcer

Propolis has various pharmacological properties of clinical interest, and is also considered a functional food. In particular, hydroalcoholic extracts of red propolis (HERP), together with its isoflavonoid formononetin, have recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, with known added value against dyslipidemia. In this study, we report the gastroprotective effects of HERP (50–500 mg/kg, p.o.) and formononetin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) in ethanol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced models of rat ulcer. The volume, pH, and total acidity were the evaluated gastric secretion parameters using the pylorus ligature model, together with the assessment of gastric mucus contents. The anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of HERP were evaluated using the agar-well diffusion method. In our experiments, HERP (250 and 500 mg/kg) and formononetin (10 mg/kg) reduced (p < 0.001) total lesion areas in the ethanol-induced rat ulcer model, and reduced (p < 0.05) ulcer indices in the indomethacin-induced rat ulcer model. Administration of HERP and formononetin to pylorus ligature models significantly decreased (p < 0.01) gastric secretion volumes and increased (p < 0.05) mucus production. We have also shown the antioxidant and anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of HERP. The obtained results indicate that HERP and formononetin are gastroprotective in acute ulcer models, suggesting a prominent role of formononetin in the effects of HERP.This work has been funded by the Fundação de ApoioàPesquisa eàInovação Tecnológica do Estadode Sergipe (FAPITEC/SE), by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).R.L.C.d.A.-J., S.M.T., and J.C.C. received CNPq productivity grants. E.B.S. acknowledges the sponsorship of theproject UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund), from the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation, Ministry ofScience and Education (FCT/MEC) through national funds, and was co-financed by FEDER, under the PartnershipAgreement PT2020. E.N. and A.S. acknowledge the support of the research project: Nutraceutica come supporto nutrizionale nel paziente oncologico, CUP: B83D1800014000info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Morphology and biomass of sunflower plants grown under water deficits in different development stages

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the morphology, biomass production and biomass partition of sunflower (Multissol cultivar) when subjected to water deficit at Pentecoste, CE - Brazil. An experimental design in randomized blocks was used as split plots in time (8 x 3) with four replications, with the treatments defined by the development stage for application of water deficit vegetative, flowering and formation of production stages corresponding to the occurrence of water deficit at stages 1, 2 or 3 and three evaluation periods at 52, 68 and 110 days after sowing. The plant height, number of leaves and stem diameter were negatively influenced by the isolated effects of the water deficits and evaluation periods. The water deficits and evaluation periods interacted and affected the leaf area, dry mass of leaves, petiole, stem, head and total. The best response in terms of growth and biomass production occurred in the treatment presenting no water deficit throughout the cycle. The irrigation deficits did not change the biomass partition. The irrigation level equivalent to 50% of the ETo compromised morphology and biomass production, when applied at any development stage.Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar a morfologia, a produção e a partição de fitomassa do girassol cv. Multissol quando submetido a déficits de irrigação em Pentecoste, CE. Utilizou-se o delineamento estatístico em blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas no tempo (8 x 3), com quatro repetições, sendo os tratamentos definidos em função da época de indução do déficit de irrigação nos estádios vegetativo, floração e formação da produção, correspondendo à ocorrência de déficit hídrico em 1, 2 ou 3 estádios e três épocas de avaliação (aos 52, 68 e 110º dia após a semeadura). A altura da planta, o número de folhas e o diâmetro do caule foram negativamente afetados pelos efeitos isolados dos déficits de irrigação e das épocas de avaliação. Os déficits de irrigação e as épocas de avaliação interagiram e afetaram a área foliar, a massa seca da folha, do pecíolo, do caule, do capítulo e total. A melhor resposta em ganhos de crescimento e de produção de fitomassa deu-se no tratamento sem déficit de irrigação, em todo o ciclo. Os déficits de irrigação não modificaram a partição de fitomassa. O nível de irrigação equivalente a 50% da ETo comprometeu a morfologia e a produção de fitomassa quando aplicado em qualquer estádio de desenvolvimento.95996

Mycobacterium leprae Recombinant Antigen Induces High Expression of Multifunction T Lymphocytes and Is Promising as a Specific Vaccine for Leprosy

Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by M. leprae infection that can cause severe neurological complications and physical disabilities. A leprosy-specific vaccine would be an important component within control programs but is still lacking. Given that multifunctional CD4 T cells [i.e., those capable of simultaneously secreting combinations of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)] have now been implicated in the protective response to several infections, we tested the hypothesis if a recombinant M. leprae antigen-specific multifunctional T cells differed between leprosy patients and their healthy contacts. We used whole blood assays and peripheral blood mononuclear cells to characterize the antigen-specific T cell responses of 39 paucibacillary (PB) and 17 multibacillary (MB) leprosy patients and 31 healthy household contacts (HHC). Cells were incubated with either crude mycobacterial extracts (M. leprae cell sonicate–MLCS) and purified protein derivative (PPD) or recombinant ML2028 protein, the homolog of M. tuberculosis Ag85B. Multiplex assay revealed antigen-specific production of IFN-γ and IL-2 from cells of HHC and PB, confirming a Th1 bias within these individuals. Multiparameter flow cytometry then revealed that the population of multifunctional ML2028-specific T cells observed in HHC was larger than that observed in PB patients. Taken together, our data suggest that these multifunctional antigen-specific T cells provide a more effective response against M. leprae infection that prevents the development of leprosy. These data further our understanding of M. leprae infection/leprosy and are instructive for vaccine development

Bone Morphogenetic Protein-6 (BMP-6) induces atresia in goat primordial follicles cultured in vitro

This study investigated the effects of bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP-6) on in vitro primordial follicle development in goats. Samples of goat ovarian cortex were cultured in vitro for 1 or 7 days in Minimum Essential Medium (control medium) supplemented with different concentrations of BMP-6. Follicle survival, activation and growth were evaluated through histology and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). After 7 days of culture, histological analysis demonstrated that BMP-6 enhanced the percentages of atretic primordial follicles when compared to fresh control (day 0). Nevertheless, BMP-6 increased follicular and oocyte diameter during both culture periods. As the culture period progressed from day 1 to day 7, a significant increase in follicle diameter was observed with 1 or 50ng/ml BMP-6. However, on the contrary to that observed with the control medium TEM revealed that follicles cultured for up to 7 days with 1 or 50ng/ml BMP-6 had evident signs of atresia. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that BMP-6 negatively affects the survival and ultrastructure of goat primordial follicles.O presente estudo investigou os efeitos da proteína morfogenética óssea-6 (BMP-6) no desenvolvimento in vitro de folículos primordiais caprinos. Amostras de córtex ovariano de cabras foram cultivados por 1 ou 7 dias em Meio Essencial Mínimo (meio controle) suplementado com diferentes concentrações de BMP-6. As taxas de sobrevivência, ativação e crescimento foram avaliadas por histologia clássica e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET). Após 7 dias de cultivo, a análise histológica demonstrou que a BMP-6 aumentou o percentual de folículos primordiais degenerados no dia 7 quando comparados ao controle fresco (D0). Além disso, houve um aumento significativo do diâmetro folicular e oocitário em ambos os períodos de cultivo em todos os tratamentos na presença de BMP-6. Com a progressão do cultivo do dia 1 para o dia 7, nos tratamentos com 1 ou 50ng/ml de BMP-6, foi observado um aumento significativo no diâmetro folicular. Entretanto, contrário ao observado no meio controle, a MET revelou que os folículos cultivados nesses tratamentos apresentavam sinais evidentes de atresia. Em conclusão, esse estudo demonstrou que a BMP-6 afeta negativamente a sobrevivência e a ultra-estrutura de folículos primordiais caprinos

The Prevalence of Adenoid Hypertrophy among Children with Zika Related Microcephaly.

Upper respiratory obstruction is a common sequela in children with Zika-related microcephaly (ZRM). As a cross-sectional analysis nested in a cohort study, this study aims to investigate the prevalence of adenoid hypertrophy (AH) in children with ZRM and symptoms of respiratory obstruction. The data were collected in the first three years of life from children with ZRM who were followed in two reference centers for otorhinolaryngological care of patients with congenital Zika syndrome. Out of 92 children with confirmed ZRM, 57 were evaluated by nasopharyngoscopy after presenting with upper respiratory obstruction symptoms. In this study, 31 of the 57 (54%) children with ZRM who were evaluated had obstructive AH. Thirteen children with obstructive AH were submitted to surgery, which resulted in the complete resolution of symptoms for 11, partial resolution in 1, and no improvement in 1. No evidence of direct involvement by Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in the adenoid tissues was demonstrated by histology or immunohistochemistry. Our results suggest that there is a high prevalence and early presentation of AH in children with ZRM, with consequent upper airway obstruction causing upper airway obstructive disorder, secretory otitis media, and dysphagia