Evaluation of physico-chemical characteristics of fresh, refrigerated and frozen Lacaune ewes' milk / Avaliação das características físico-químicas de leite fresco, resfriado e congelado de ovelhas Lacaune

The production of ewe milk is seasonal and milk yield per animal is low, even in specialized animals. This study aimed to verify the possibility of preserving bulk tank milk for seven days under cooling (5°C) and freezing (-5°C), verify the influence of cooling treatments and of the months of the year on the physical and chemical characteristics of the product. The chemical composition of milk, including the fat, protein, lactose and total solids contents, was not altered by cooling and freezing. Protein and lactose contents varied according to the months of the year. The average percentage and standard deviation of fat, protein, lactose and total solids was 8.10±1.30, 5.22±0.37, 4.43±0.23 and 19.34±1.54, respectively. The density, pH, titratable acidity, as well as alcohol and heat stability tests were significantly influenced by the treatments used (P < 0.05), but no differences were found between fresh and frozen milk. Prolonged refrigeration caused an increase in acidity and decrease in pH, with a consequent reduction in the stability of milk. These results demonstrated that freezing does not affect the chemical composition and physical characteristics of milk in nature and it could be a solution for the producer and the sheep milk industry...

O leite ovino, mesmo no caso de raças especializadas, apresenta sazonalidade de produção e baixa produtividade por fêmea. Em função disso, o objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a possibilidade de conservação do leite fresco, por um período de sete dias, sob refrigeração e congelamento, verificando a influência dos tratamentos aplicados, e dos meses do ano, sobre as características físico-químicas do produto. A composição química, incluindo gordura, proteína, lactose e sólidos totais, não sofreu alterações com o resfriamento e congelamento do leite, contudo os teores de proteína e lactose variaram durante os meses do ano. O percentual médio de gordura, proteína, lactose e sólidos totais foi de 8,10±1,30, 5,22±0,37, 4,43±0,23 e 19,34±1,54, respectivamente. A densidade, o pH, a acidez titulável e as provas de estabilidade ao álcool e ao calor sofreram influência significativa dos tratamentos aplicados (P<0,05), não havendo diferenças entre o leite fresco e o leite congelado. O resfriamento prolongado causou aumento da acidez e diminuição do pH, com a consequente diminuição da estabilidade do leite. Os resultados do presente estudo demonstram que o congelamento não afeta a composição química e as características físicas do leite in natura, podendo ser uma solução para o produtor e para a indústria de leite ovino...

Death of p53-defective cells triggered by forced mitotic entry in the presence of DNA damage is not uniquely dependent on Caspase-2 or the PIDDosome.

Much effort has been put in the discovery of ways to selectively kill p53-deficient tumor cells and targeting cell cycle checkpoint pathways has revealed promising candidates. Studies in zebrafish and human cell lines suggested that the DNA damage response kinase, checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1), not only regulates onset of mitosis but also cell death in response to DNA damage in the absence of p53. This effect reportedly relies on ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-dependent and PIDDosome-mediated activation of Caspase-2. However, we show that genetic ablation of PIDDosome components in mice does not affect cell death in response to γ-irradiation. Furthermore, Chk1 inhibition largely failed to sensitize normal and malignant cells from p53(-/-) mice toward DNA damaging agents, and p53 status did not affect the death-inducing activity of DNA damage after Chk1 inhibition in human cancer cells. These observations argue against cross-species conservation of a Chk1-controlled cell survival pathway demanding further investigation of the molecular machinery responsible for cell death elicited by forced mitotic entry in the presence of DNA damage in different cell types and model organisms.

Parent inclusion in early intensive behavior interventions for young children with ASD: a synthesis of meta-analyses from 2009 to 2011.

This paper presents a comprehensive synthesis of six meta-analyses of early intensive behavioral interventions (EIBI) for young children with autism spectrum disorders published from 2009 to 2011. Analysis was conducted in three steps to account for different formats of treatment delivery and the extent to which parents took part in treatment. The three components of the synthesis were (a) descriptive analysis, (b) effect size analysis, and (c) mediator analysis via partial correlation and linear regressions. We completed the analysis by obtaining standardized mean difference effect sizes for 13 comparative studies ordered by comparison study type and 22 mean change effect sizes ordered by treatment delivery type. Results suggest that EIBI leads generally to positive medium-to-large effects for three available outcome measures: intellectual functioning, language skills and adaptive behaviors. Although favorable effects were apparent across comparative studies, analysis by type of delivery format revealed that EIBI programs that include parents in treatment provision are more effective. Mediator analyses suggest that treatment variables and child characteristics impact program effectiveness when accounting for the extent of parent inclusion. Clinical implications toward individualized treatment tailoring are discussed.

Observation of two new N* resonances in the decay ψ(3686)→ppπ0.

Based on 106×10(6)ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII facility, a partial wave analysis of ψ(3686)→ppπ0 is performed. The branching fraction of this channel has been determined to be B(ψ(3686)→ppπ0)=(1.65±0.03±0.15)×10(-4). In this decay, 7 N* intermediate resonances are observed. Among these, two new resonances, N(2300) and N(2570) are significant, one 1/2+ resonance with a mass of 2300(-30-0)(+40+109) MeV/c2 and width of 340(-30-58)(+30+110) MeV/c2, and one 5/2- resonance with a mass of 2570(-10-10)(+19+34) MeV/c2 and width of 250(-24-21)(+14+69) MeV/c2. For the remaining 5 N* intermediate resonances [N(1440), N(1520), N(1535), N(1650) and N(1720)], the analysis yields mass and width values that are consistent with those from established resonances.

Evidence for the direct two-photon transition from ψ(3686) to J/ψ.

The two-photon transition ψ(3686)→γγJ/ψ is studied in a sample of 1.06×10(8) ψ(3686) decays collected by the BESIII detector. The branching fraction is measured to be (3.1±0.6(stat)(-1.0)(+0.8)(syst))×10(-4) using J/ψ→e(+)e(-) and J/ψ→µ(+)µ(-) decays, and its upper limit is estimated to be 4.5×10(-4) at the 90% confidence level. This work represents the first measurement of a two-photon transition among charmonium states. The orientation of the ψ(3686) decay plane and the J/ψ polarization in this decay are also studied. In addition, the product branching fractions of sequential E1 transitions ψ(3686)→γχ(cJ) and χ(cJ)→γJ/ψ(J=0,1,2) are reported.

First observation of the M1 transition ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S).

Using a sample of 106×10(6) ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring, we have made the first measurement of the M1 transition between the radially excited charmonium S-wave spin-triplet and the radially excited S-wave spin-singlet states: ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S). Analyses of the processes ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S) with η(c)(2S)→K(S)(0)K(±)π(∓) and K(+)K(-)π(0) give an η(c)(2S) signal with a statistical significance of greater than 10 standard deviations under a wide range of assumptions about the signal and background properties. The data are used to obtain measurements of the η(c)(2S) mass (M(η(c)(2S))=3637.6±2.9(stat)±1.6(syst) MeV/c(2)), width (Γ(η(c)(2S))=16.9±6.4(stat)±4.8(syst) MeV), and the product branching-fraction (B(ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S))×B(η(c)(2S)→KKπ)=(1.30±0.20(stat)±0.30(syst))×10(-5)). Combining our result with a BABAR measurement of B(η(c)(2S)→KKπ), we find the branching fraction of the M1 transition to be B(ψ(3686)→γη(c)(2S))=(6.8±1.1(stat)±4.5(syst))×10(-4).

A PolScope evaluation of meiotic spindle dynamics in frozen-thawed oocytes.

In mature human oocytes, the metaphase II (MII) spindle presence and birefringence signal detected through the PolScope may vary before and after freezing. In particular, spindle dynamics during the first few hours after thawing is still under study. In this study, oocytes from stimulated ovaries were cryopreserved in 1.5 mol/l 1,2-propanediol with 0.3 mol/l sucrose using a slow freezing-rapid thawing method. Oocytes were examined with the PolScope for the presence, intensity of signal birefringence and size of the meiotic spindle before freezing and at 0, 1 and 2 h post-thaw (where 0 h = the time of the end of the thawing procedure). Of the 173 surviving oocytes exhibiting a spindle before freezing, 82.7% (143/173) showed spindle birefringence within 1 h of thawing. However, at the end of the thawing procedure the intensity of spindle birefringence (retardance) and the spindle length were smaller in comparison to the pre-freezing condition. These parameters increased after 1 h, although were not restored to the value observed before freezing. No significant changes were observed by extending the culture to 2 h.

Freezing spermatozoa obtained by testicular fine needle aspiration: a new technique.

Testicular fine needle aspiration (TEFNA) of spermatozoa in azoospermic patients in advance of intracytoplasmic sperm injection could be useful to avoid the possibility of no recovery of spermatozoa on the day of oocyte retrieval. The conventional freezing procedure for these spermatozoa is not appropriate because of their very low number and poor in-situ motility. This article presents a new procedure for the freezing of TEFNA-recovered spermatozoa. A total of 1063 spermatozoa (10-340 cells/sample) were frozen by this method for research purposes. Before freezing, 13.7% were motile. The recovery rate after thawing was 100%. After thawing, 3.6% motility was observed. In a separate study group, the total number of frozen spermatozoa was 431 (2-300 cells/sample). Before freezing, the sperm motility rate was 3.5%. After thawing, 100% of the spermatozoa were retrieved with a motility rate of 2.3%. One biochemical pregnancy was obtained. The procedure yielded excellent recovery and good motility rates after thawing. However, because of the low number of cases, any conclusion about the efficiency of the technique is premature.

Sperm DNA fragmentation: paternal effect on early post-implantation embryo development in ART.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between early embryo post-implantation development in couples undergoing assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs) and sperm chromatin alterations has not been satisfactorily explained. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between sperm DNA fragmentation in IVF/ICSI patients, sperm parameters (concentration, motility and morphology) and ART outcome, especially with regard to clinical pregnancy and pregnancy loss (spontaneous miscarriage or biochemical pregnancy). METHODS: DNA fragmentation was evaluated by TUNEL assay, performed on sperm suspensions after density gradient separation, in 132 men undergoing an ART cycle (82 IVF and 50 ICSI) and correlated with sperm parameters and ART outcome. RESULTS: A highly significant negative correlation was found between DNA fragmentation and sperm parameters. There was a close relationship between DNA fragmentation and post-implantation development in ICSI patients: the clinical pregnancy and pregnancy loss rates significantly differed between patients with high and low sperm DNA fragmentation (P = 0.007 and P = 0.009, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Sperm DNA fragmentation seems to affect embryo post-implantation development in ICSI procedures: high sperm DNA fragmentation can compromise 'embryo viability', resulting in pregnancy loss.

Meiotic spindle imaging in human oocytes frozen with a slow freezing procedure involving high sucrose concentration.

BACKGROUND: One of the major concerns derived from the cryopreservation of meiotically mature oocytes is possible damage to the cytoskeletal apparatus, and in particular the meiotic spindle. METHODS: One hundred fresh oocytes showing the polar body I and high meiotic spindle birefringence (maximum retardance+/-1.5 mol/l SD = 2.58+/-0.1 nm), assessed through analysis, were included in this study. Oocytes were cryopreserved with a 1.5 mol/l 1,2-propanediol +0.3 mol/l sucrose solution. After thawing, spindles were imaged at 0, 3 and 5 h. Spindle birefringence was quantified by measuring microtubule maximum retardance. Signals of thawed oocytes were classified as absent (non-detectable), weak (1.55+/-0.3 nm) or high (2.50+/-0.2 nm). RESULTS: Immediately after thawing, only 22.9% of oocytes showed a weak birefringence signal, while only 1.2% of oocytes displayed a high signal. Three hours after thawing, the proportion of oocytes exhibiting a weak or high intensity signal was 49.4% and 18.1%, respectively. Finally, after culture for 5 h following thawing, a weak birefringence signal was detected in 51.8% of oocytes, while 24.1% showed a high signal. There was a statistically significant increase in signal restoration after 3 h of culture (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that in mature oocytes stored via slow freezing, the meiotic spindle undergoes transient disappearance immediately after thawing but is reorganized in the majority of oocytes, at least to some extent, after 3-5 h of culture.

Degradation and leaching of the herbicides metolachlor and diuron: a case study in an area of Northern Italy.

In this work the degradation of the herbicides metolachlor, diuron, monuron and of the metabolites 2-ethyl-6-methylaniline (EMA), and 3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA) was assessed in laboratory experiments on microbiologically active and sterilized soils. Their leaching potentials were calculated, using Gustafson's equation, by determining their mobility (as Koc) and persistence (expressed as DT50). Lysimeter experiments were also conducted to assess the actual leaching of the studied herbicides in a cereal crop tillage area vulnerable to groundwater contamination. The data obtained from the field were compared to the laboratory results. Moreover, some compounds of particular concern were searched for in the groundwater located near the experimental area in order to evaluate actual contamination and to test the reliability of the leaching potential. The GUS index, computed on data from microbiologically active soil, shows monuron as a leacher compound, EMA and DCA as non-leachers, metolachlor and diuron as transient ones. The presence of metolachlor in the groundwater monitored, even at concentrations up to 0.1 mug/l, confirms the possibility that transient compounds can be leached if microbial activity has not completely occurred in active surface soil.

Susceptibilities of Enterococcus faecalis biofilms to some antimicrobial medications.

Enterococcus faecalis has been suggested to be an important etiological agent in endodontic failures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chlorhexidine- or antibiotics-based medications in eliminating E. faecalis biofilms. One-day and three-day biofilms of E. faecalis were induced on cellulose nitrate membrane filters. Each biofilm-containing membrane was thoroughly covered with 1 ml of the test medications and incubated for 1 day at 37 degrees C. Treated biofilms were then aseptically transferred to vials containing a neutralizing agent in saline solution and vortexed. Suspensions were 10-fold diluted, seeded onto Mitis salivarius agar plates, and the colony-forming units counted after 48 h of incubation. There were significant differences between the formulations tested. The association of clindamycin with metronidazole significantly reduced the number of cells in 1-day biofilms. However of all medications tested, only 2% chlorhexidine-containing medications were able to thoroughly eliminate most of both 1-day and 3-day E. faecalis biofilms.

Calcium hydroxide in endodontic retreatment after two nonsurgical and two surgical failures: report of a case.

AIM: To describe the role of calcium hydroxide in infection control during complex endodontic retreatment. SUMMARY: A case is presented in which two conventional endodontic treatments and two surgical interventions failed to bring periapical healing. Despite this history, a further conventional treatment augmented by long-term disinfection with calcium hydroxide finally delivered a successful outcome. KEY LEARNING POINTS: Periapical healing follows proper intracanal infection control. Despite repeated surgical and nonsurgical intervention, careful retreatment can often bring healing. Calcium hydroxide has long-acting antimicrobial and soft-tissue dissolving activity. It is a helpful adjunct in endodontic retreatment.

Assessment of leaching potential of aldicarb and its metabolites using laboratory studies.

The metabolites of pesticides can contaminate groundwater and pose a risk to human health when this water is used for drinking. This paper reports the results of a laboratory study on aldicarb and its main metabolites, aldicarb sulfone and aldicarb sulfoxide. Aldicarb and its metabolites showed Koc values (6-31) which were lower than that of atrazine (55), indicating that they are very mobile in soil. They are less persistent than atrazine (DT50 = 25 days), with DT50 values from less than 1 day and up to 12 days. Aldicarb behaved as a non-leacher, whereas its metabolites clearly showed the characteristics of leachers. Aged residue leaching experiments showed that aldicarb can occur at high concentrations in the leachate, together with its two metabolites. The leachate composition depends on the incubation time of the parent compound. Aldicarb and its metabolites can form various mixtures in groundwater on the basis of the time elapsing between the application of the insecticide and the first significant rainfall. This study confirms the characteristics of contaminants of aldicarb and especially its metabolites, as reported in the literature.

Root canal treatment in an unusual maxillary first molar: a case report.

AIM: The aim of this clinical article is to describe the unusual anatomy that was detected in a maxillary first molar during routine endodontic treatment. SUMMARY: Success in root canal treatment is achieved after thorough cleaning and shaping followed by the complete obturation of the root canal system. Such treatment may be performed in root canal systems that do not comply with the normal anatomical features described in standard textbooks. The present case describes root canal treatment in a maxillary first molar with two roots and a type IV canal configuration in the buccal root. KEY LEARNING POINTS Careful examination of radiographs and the internal anatomy of teeth is essential. Root canal treatment is likely to fail if the entire system is not debrided and filled. Anatomic variations can occur in any tooth.

Leaching properties of some degradation products of alachlor and metolachlor.

Once in soil, pesticides undergo degradation processes that give rise to a complex pattern of metabolites. Those presenting a significant percentage of formation, genotoxic and leaching properties may pose a threat to human health associated with the consumption of drinking water. The aim of this study is to assess the hazard potential of some metabolites that may occur in ground water. 2,6-diethylaniline, 2-chloro-2',6'-diethylacetanilide, 2-hydroxy-2',6'-diethylacetanilide, metabolites of alachlor and 2-ethyl-6-methylaniline, metabolite of metolachlor, were chosen for their genotoxic properties. Under laboratory conditions, these metabolites showed DT50 = 1-5 days and Koc = 45-357. Their leaching potential, calculated according to Gustafson, is very low and, therefore, they should not be regarded as contaminants of ground waters. Aged residue leaching studies as well as preliminary studies on well waters seem to confirm these findings.

Four second molars with single roots and single canals in the same patient.

CASE REPORT: Studies on canal configuration have demonstrated a substantial variation in the number of roots and root canals in different teeth. Maxillary and mandibular molars may have three and two roots, respectively, and generally present with three of four root canals. This case describes the presence of one single root and one root canal in all second molars of the same patient.

Calcium hydroxide pastes: classification and clinical indications.

REVIEW ARTICLE: Calcium hydroxide has been used in endodontology for many years. The aim of this paper is to review the various formulations of calcium hydroxide that have been described, with specific reference to the vehicle used to carry the compound. The requirements for a vehicle are described, and ex vivo and in vivo studies reviewed. Vehicles can be classified into aqueous, viscous and oily, the clinical properties of calcium hydroxide changing depending on the vehicle. The review also describes the use of various active components that have been added to calcium hydroxide, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents. This review will help clinicians to make informed judgements about which formulations of calcium hydroxide should be used for specific endodontic procedures.