Sperm characteristics of cryopreserved Prochilodus lineatus semen after adding cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin.

The experiment evaluated the effect of adding cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) to Prochilodus lineatus fish (Curimata) semen on post-thaw sperm quality. Twelve adult fish were used for sperm collection after induced spermiation with carp pituitary gland. The semen was diluted and treated with CLC in concentrations of 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 mg for 120 × 106 spermatozoa/ml, loaded in 0.5 ml straws, packaged and placed in dry vapor vessel cylinders for 24 h before being submerged in liquid nitrogen for storage. The samples were thawed in a water bath at 60 °C for 8 s, and the sperm parameters evaluated were motility, activation duration, longevity, plasma membrane integrity, and morphology. Data were tested for normal distribution and ANOVA, followed by Friedman test (P < 0.05). Spermatozoa treated with CLC displayed higher motility than the control (P < 0.05). The duration of sperm activation was longer in sperm treated with 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg of CLC than in control (P < 0.05). The membrane integrity was higher in sperm treated with 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mg of CLC than in control and four mg-treated samples (P < 0.05). The sperm longevity and morphology alterations did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). Adding 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg of CLC in Prochilodus lineatus semen before cryopreservation improves sperm motility and membrane integrity.

Electron correlation effects in boron clusters BQn (for Q = -1, 0, 1 and n ≤ 13) based on quantum Monte Carlo simulations.

We present all-electron quantum Monte Carlo simulations on the anionic, neutral, and cationic boron clusters BQn with up to 13 atoms (Q = -1, 0, +1 and n ≤ 13). Accurate total energies of these clusters are obtained and an excellent agreement is reached with available experimental results for adiabatic and vertical detachment energies. We also perform very accurate Hartree-Fock calculations in the complete-basis-set limit where electron correlation is absent. In combination with the FN-DMC and HF-CBS results, we quantify the correlation effects and present the first attempt for a systematic investigation on the electron correlation effects in boron clusters. The obtained results show that, in general, electron correlation may contribute significantly to both the atomic and electronic structures of the boron clusters, manifested in the quantities such as the average binding energies of the clusters, atomic dissociation energies, detachment energies, and ionization potentials. For instance, the calculations indicate that the electron correlation maintains the bound state of cationic cluster B2+ and it also contributes 99% of the detachment energy of the anionic cluster B5-.

Quantum Monte Carlo study of the electron binding energies and aromaticity of small neutral and charged boron clusters.

The valence electron binding energies and the aromaticity of neutral and charged small boron clusters with three and four atoms are investigated using a combination of the fixed-node diffusion quantum Monte Carlo (FN-DMC) method, the density functional theory, and the Hartree-Fock approximation. The obtained electron binding energies such as the adiabatic detachment energy, vertical detachment energy, adiabatic ionization potential, and the vertical ionization potential are in excellent agreement with available experimental measurements. Their decomposition into three physical components such as the electrostatic potential and exchange interaction, the relaxation energy, and the electronic correlation effects has allowed us to determine that the neutral boron clusters are stabilized by the electrostatic and exchange interactions, while the anionic ones are stabilized by the relaxation and correlation effects. The aromaticity is studied based on electronic structure principles descriptor and on the resonance energy. The FN-DMC results from the electronic structure principles of the energy, hardness, and eletrophilicity have supported the aromaticity of B 3 - , B 4 - , and B4 and partially supported the aromaticity of the clusters B3, B 3 + , and B 4 + . The obtained values for the resonance energy of the clusters B 3 - , B3, B 3 + , B4, B 4 + , and B 4 - are 55.1(7), 54.2(8), 33.9(7), 84(1), 67(1), and 58(1) kcal/mol, respectively. Therefore, the order of decreasing stability of the trimer is B 3 - > B 3 > B 3 + , while for the tetramer it is B 4 > B 4 + > B 4 - , which is in agreement with the results from the molecular orbital analysis.

The effect of mango waste meal in the protein: carbohydrate ratio on performance and body composition of pacamã fish (Lophiosilurus alexandri) / Efeito do farelo residual da manga na relação proteína: carboidrato sobre o desempenho e a composição corporal do pacamã Lophiosilurus alexandri

We evaluated the inclusion of peeled-mango waste meal as a source of carbohydrate in the protein:carbohydrate ratio (CP:CH) on performance and chemical composition of pacamã (Lophiosilurus alexandri) juveniles. One hundred and fifty fish (11.31±0.96g) were stocked in sixteen 500 L tanks, fed three times daily (10% of live weight), in a system with water recirculation with biofilter. The treatments consisted of four experimental diets with decreasing levels of the ratio between crude protein and carbohydrate (1.40, 0.94, 0.56 and 0.29), with four replications per treatment. At the end of 60 days, we evaluated animal performance (final average weight gain, specific growth rate, total apparent feed intake, carcass yield, survival) and physicochemical composition of the carcass. The protein:carbohydrate ratios affected all performance variables (P<0.05), except for survival (P>0.05). The carcass chemical composition variables were modified, except for mineral matter, pH and moisture. Mango meal can be used at the proportion of up to 15% in the diet for pacamã, establishing a CP:CHO ratio of 1.40 without impairing animal performance and the carcass chemical composition.(AU).

Avaliou-se a inclusão do farelo residual de manga sem casca como fonte de carboidrato na relação proteína:carboidrato (PB:CHO) sobre o desempenho e a composição química da carcaça em juvenis de pacamãs. Foram utilizados 150 peixes (11,31±0,96g) estocados em 16 caixas de 500L, alimentados três vezes ao dia (10% peso vivo), em um sistema de recirculação de água com biofiltro. Os tratamentos consistiram em quatro dietas experimentais com níveis decrescentes da relação entre proteína bruta e carboidrato (1,40; 0,94; 0,56 e 0,29), com quatro repetições cada tratamento. Ao final de 60 dias, foram avaliados o desempenho zootécnico (ganho de peso médio final, taxa de crescimento específico, consumo total de ração aparente, conversão alimentar aparente, rendimento de carcaça, sobrevivência) e a composição físico-química da carcaça. As relações de proteína:carboidrato afetaram todas as variáveis de desempenho (P<0,05), com exceção da sobrevivência (P>0,05). Os valores da composição química da carcaça foram alterados, com exceção da matéria mineral, do pH e da umidade. A farinha de manga pode ser utilizada na proporção de até 15% na ração de pacamã, estabelecendo uma relação 1,40 PB:CHO, sem prejudicar o desempenho zootécnico e a composição química da carcaça.(AU)

Avaliação da resposta ao tratamento combinado em pacientes com Hepatite Crônica C / Assessing response to combined treatment in patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Atualmente, a terapêutica da Hepatite Crônica C (HCV) baseia-se na combinação de interferon peguilado e ribavirina. O sucesso terapêutico é alcançado em cerca de 40 a 80 %, a depender de fatores do hospedeiro e virais (AU)

Melhor escore de avaliação para hepatocarcinoma / Best score for the evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma

O hepatocarcinoma é uma das complicações mais freqüente e temida da cirrose hepática, independentemente da etiologia. O tratamento requer escolha cuidadosa, uma vez que a função hepática na cirrose encontra-se prejudicada. É o 4º câncer mais prevalente no mundo e possui alta morbidade e mortalidade (AU)

Avaliação da resposta ao tratamento combinado em pacientes com Hepatite Crônica C

Atualmente, a terapêutica da Hepatite Crônica C (HCV) baseia-se na combinação de interferon peguilado e ribavirina. O sucesso terapêutico é alcançado em cerca de 40 a 80 %, a depender de fatores do hospedeiro e virais

Melhor escore de avaliação para hepatocarcinoma

O hepatocarcinoma é uma das complicações mais freqüente e temida da cirrose hepática, independentemente da etiologia. O tratamento requer escolha cuidadosa, uma vez que a função hepática na cirrose encontra-se prejudicada. É o 4º câncer mais prevalente no mundo e possui alta morbidade e mortalidade