A new technique for repeated biopsies of the mammary gland in dairy cows allotted to Latin-square design studies.

The objective of this study was to develop a technique for carrying out repeated biopsies of the mammary gland of lactating dairy cows that provides enough material to monitor enzyme activities and gene expression in mammary secretory tissue. A total of 16 Holstein cows were subjected to 4 mammary biopsies each at 3-week intervals for a total of 64 biopsies. A 0.75-cm incision was made through the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the mammary gland and a trocar and cannula were inserted using a circular motion. The trocar was withdrawn and a syringe was plugged into the base of the cannula to create a vacuum for sampling mammary tissue. To reduce bleeding, hand pressure was put on the surgery site after biopsy and skin closure and ice was applied for at least 2 h after the biopsy using a cow bra. The entire procedure took an average of 25 min. Two attempts were usually enough to obtain 800 mg of tissue. Visual examination of milk samples 10 d after the biopsy indicated no trace of blood, except in samples from 2 cows. All wounds healed without infection and subcutaneous hematomas resorbed within 7 d. There was no incidence of mastitis throughout the lactation. This technique provides a new tool for biopsy of the mammary gland repeated at short intervals with the main effect being a decrease in milk production. Although secondary complications leading to illness or death are always a risk with any procedure, this biopsy technique was carried out without complications to the health of animals and with no incidence of mastitis during the lactation.

Cette étude a été conduite avec l'objectif de décrire une technique pour laquelle les biopsies de la glande mammaire des vaches laitières en lactation sont répétées. Un total de 16 vaches Holstein ont été soumises chacune à 4 biopsies de la glande mammaire à un intervalle de 3 semaines pour un total de 64 biopsies. Une incision de 0,75 cm a été faite à travers la peau et le tissu sous-cutané de la glande mammaire, et un trocart et une canule ont été insérés en utilisant un mouvement circulaire. Le trocart a été retiré et une seringue a été attachée à la base de la canule pour créer un vacuum afin d'échantillonner le tissu mammaire. Afin de réduire le saignement, une pression manuelle a été appliquée sur le site de la chirurgie après la biopsie et la suture de l'incision de la peau, et de la glace a été appliquée pour au moins 2 h après la biopsie en utilisant une brassière pour vache. La procédure entière a exigé une moyenne de 25 min et deux essais ont habituellement été suffisants pour obtenir 800 mg de tissu. Un examen visuel des échantillons de lait n'ont indiqué aucune présence de sang 10 jours après la biopsie sauf pour deux vaches. Les plaies ont toutes guéries sans infection, et les hématomes sous-cutanés se sont résorbés à l'intérieur d'une période de 7 jours. Il n'y a eu aucune incidence de mammite durant la lactation. Cette technique décrit un nouvel outil de biopsie de la glande mammaire répété à de courts intervalles où l'effet principal a été une baisse de la production laitière. Bien que les complications secondaires entrainant la maladie ou la mort soient toujours un risque avec toute procédure, cette technique de biopsie a été faite sans complications pour la santé des animaux et il n'y a eu aucune incidence de mammite durant la lactation.(Traduit par les auteurs).

In vitro acetylcholinesterase activity of peptide derivatives isolated from two species of Leguminosae.

CONTEXT: Cratylia mollis Martius ex Benth. and Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. (Leguminosae) are both endemic Brazilian plants and they are used by the natives as medicinal plants, and the leaves of C. mollis are also employed as forage for cattle during the dry season of region. OBJECTIVE: Isolation of the compounds responsible for the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition from the CHCl3 active extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two peptidic compounds were isolated by chromatographic techniques from the CHCl3 extract of the leaves of C. mollis and C. macrophyllum. They were identified by spectrometric data analysis (MS and NMR) and they were subjected to AChE inhibition employing Ellman's test. RESULTS: The peptides were identified as N-benzoylphenylalaninoyl-phenlyalaninolacetate (aurentiamide acetate) (1) and N-benzoylphenylalaninyl-N-benzoylphenylalaninate (2). Both peptides 1 and 2 exhibit AChE inhibition, with IC50 values equal to 111.34 µM and 137.6 µM, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Compound 1 (aurentiamide acetate) has rarely been isolated from the Leguminosae family, and N-benzoylphenylalaninyl-N-benzoylphenylalaninate (2) is a compound that has never previously been isolated from this family. Compound 1 is shown to be a potent inhibitor of AChE, with IC50 values similar to the physostigmine control (141.51 µM).

Peanut cake concentrations in massai grass silage / La harina de cacahuete en el ensilaje de hierba Massai

Objective. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the best concentration of peanut cake in the ensiling of massai grass of the chemical-bromatological composition, fermentative characteristics, forage value rate, ingestion estimates, and digestibility of dry matter in the silage. Materials and methods. The experiment was carried out at the Experimental Farm of São Gonçalo dos Campos at the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil. The treatments consisted of massai grass that was cut at 40 days and dehydrated, in addition to 0%, 8%, 16%, and 24% peanut cake in the fresh matter and treatment without cake. The material was compressed in experimental silos (7 liter) that were opened after 76 days. Results. The addition of 8-24% peanut cake improved the silage’s chemical-bromatological parameters, increased the dry matter and non-fiber carbohydrates and reduced the fibrous components. There was a linear increase in the estimated values of digestibility and the ingestion of dry matter depending on the levels of peanut cake in the silage. There was an improvement in the fermentative characteristics, with a quadratic effect positive for levels of ammoniacal nitrogen. The forage value rate increased linearly with the inclusion of peanut cake. Conclusions. The inclusion of up to 24% peanut cake during ensiling of massai grass increases the nutritive value of silage and improves fermentation characteristics.

Objetivo. Este experimento se realizó para evaluar el mejor nivel de inclusión de harina de cacahuete en el ensilado de hierba massai a través de la composición química-bromatológica, las características fermentativas, la tasa de valor forrajero, las estimaciones de la ingestión y la digestibilidad de la materia seca. Materiales y métodos. El experimento se llevó a cabo en la Granja Experimental de São Gonçalo dos Campos, en la Universidad Federal de Bahía. Los tratamientos fueron hierba massai cortada a 40 días, deshidratada, además de un 8%, 16% y 24% de harina de maní en la materia fresca, además de tratamiento sin harina de cacahuete. El material se comprimió en silos experimentales que se abrieron después de 76 días. Resultados. La adición de harina de cacahuete 24% mejor que el ensilaje de productos químicos bromatológicos parámetros, el aumento de la materia seca y carbohidratos sin fibra, y la reducción de los componentes fibrosos. Hubo un aumento lineal de los valores estimados de la digestibilidad y la ingestión de materia seca en función de los niveles de harina de cacahuete en el ensilaje. Se observó una mejoría en las características fermentativas, con un efecto de segundo grado para los niveles de nitrógeno amoniacal. La tasa de valor forrajero aumentó linealmente con la inclusión de harina de cacahuete. Conclusiones. La inclusión de hasta un 24% de harina de cacahuete durante el ensilaje de pasto massai aumenta el valor nutritivo del ensilaje y mejora las características de la fermentación.

Bioactive oleanane, lupane and ursane triterpene acid derivatives.

Betulinic, ursolic and oleanolic acids isolated from the aerial parts of Eriope blanchetii (Lamiaceae) were subjected to different esterification reactions, yielding 12 C-3 position ester derivatives. All compounds were identified using spectroscopic techniques, such as IR, 1H-NMR and MS. The derivatives were further investigated for their antioxidant level, Artemia salina lethality and antimicrobial activity.

Sunflower meal concentrations in Massai grass silage / La harina de girasol en el ensilaje de hierba Massai

Objective. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the best sunflower meal concentration in Massai grass silage. Materials and methods. The treatments were composed of 0, 8, 16, and 24% sunflower meal (natural matter basis) during ensiling of Massai grass, with four repetitions. Results. The regression equation showed that the inclusion of sunflower meal between 2.14% and 13.91% obtained a silage dry matter between 25 and 35%, which are the values recommended for the production of high quality silage. The addition of sunflower meal showed a linear increase in crude protein, reaching 18% DM with the highest concentration of sunflower meal. The highest feed value index was obtained with the addition of 24% sunflower meal in the silage. The estimated total digestible nutrient of silage increased linearly with sunflower meal concentration. The silage pH values had a quadratic effect, reaching the lowest value (4.1) with 15% sunflower meal addition. Conclusions. Based on the chemical composition and forage quality, a concentration of 14% sunflower meal should be used for high-quality silage with good nutritional value.

Objetivo. Este trabajo se llevó a cabo para determinar el porcentual adecuado de harina de girasol en ensilaje de hierba Massai. Materiales y métodos. La harina de girasol fue adicionada en 0, 8, 16, y 24% durante el ensilaje de hierba Massai, con cuatro repeticiones por tratamiento. Resultados. La inclusión de la torta de girasol entre 2.14% y 13.91% resultó en porcentuales de materia seca entre 25 y 35%, que son los valores recomendados para la producción de forraje de alta calidad. La adición de harina de girasol proporcionó un aumento lineal de proteína cruda, alcanzando el 18% de MS con la mayor concentración de harina de girasol. El más alto índice de alimentación se obtuvo con la adición de un 24% de harina de girasol. La concentración de harina de girasol también tuvo efecto lineal sobre el total de nutrientes digestibles del ensilado de hierba Massai, mientras el pH del ensilaje tuvo un comportamiento cuadrático, alcanzando el más bajo valor (4.1) con 15% de harina de girasol. Conclusiones. Por fin, este trabajo recomienda 14% de harina de girasol para obtener un ensilado de la Hierba Massai con alta calidad y bueno valor nutricional.

Podophyllotoxin and other aryltetralin lignans from Eriope latifolia and Eriope blanchetii.

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Eriope blanchetii and E. latifolia (Lamiaceae) yielded podophyllotoxin, as well as the aryltetralin lignans α- and ß-peltatin and yatein. Oleanolic, ursolic and epikatonic acids were also isolated. This is the first occurrence of podophyllotoxin in the family.