Goats in a comfortable and stressed environment consuming saline water: performance, digestibility, nitrogen balance, and urinary mineral concentrations / [Caprinos em ambiente de conforto e estresse consumindo água salina: desempenho, digestibilidade, balanço de nitrogênio e concentrações minerais urinárias]

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the effect of water salinity and environmental temperature on the nutrient consumption, digestibility, nitrogen balance, and mineral excretion of creole goats. Thirty-six males with an average age of 5.0±0.6 months and an average weight of 20.0±2.3kg were housed in metabolic cages. They are distributed in a completely randomized design, with a 2×3 type crossover (2 temperatures (T1 = 26±0.6ºC and T2 = 32±1.2ºC) and three levels of salinity (1.0, 6.0, and 12.0 dS m-1). The temperature influenced (P<0.05) the intake of water and ether (EE) extract, the digestibility of EE, organic matter and dry matter, and the concentrations of calcium and potassium in the urine of goats. There was no significant effect (P>0.05) of temperatures or water salinity levels; the animals consumed and retained averages of 10.31 and 4.19 g day-1 of nitrogen in the body, respectively. The different water salinity levels influenced (P<0.05) water intake and increased the excretions of potassium and sodium in urine. Total solids levels ranging from 640 to 9,600mg L-1 in water for goats increase water consumption, as does urine potassium and sodium excretion in urine.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da salinidade da água e da temperatura ambiente sobre o consumo de nutrientes, a digestibilidade, o balanço de nitrogênio e a excreção mineral de caprinos crioulos. Trinta e seis machos, com idade média de 5,0 ± 0,6 meses e peso médio de 20,0±2,3kg, foram alojados em gaiolas metabólicas. O delineamento foi inteiramente ao acaso, com cruzamento do tipo 2 × 3 (duas temperaturas (T1 = 26±0,6ºC e T2 = 32±1,2ºC) e três níveis de salinidade (1,0, 6,0 e 12,0 dS m-1). A temperatura influenciou (P<0,05) a ingestão de água e o extrato etéreo (EE), a digestibilidade de EE, a matéria orgânica e a matéria seca, bem como as concentrações de cálcio e potássio na urina de caprinos. Não houve efeito significativo (P>0,05) das temperaturas ou dos níveis de salinidade da água; os animais consumiram e retiveram médias de 10,31 e 4,19g dia-1 de nitrogênio no corpo, respectivamente. Os diferentes níveis de salinidade da água influenciam (P<0,05) na ingestão de água e aumentam nas excreções urinárias de potássio e sódio; os teores de sólidos totais variando de 640 a 9.600mg L-1 na água para caprinos aumentam o consumo de água, assim como a excreção urinária de potássio e sódio.

Biochemical and hormonal parameters of goats kept in a controlled environment consuming water with different levels of salinity / [Parâmetros bioquímicos e hormonais de caprinos consumindo água com diferentes níveis de salinidade mantidos em ambiente controlado]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the biochemical and hormonal variables of Moxotó and Canindé goats submitted to two temperatures - 26.0±0.6 (thermoneutral) and 32.0±1.2°C (above thermal comfort zone) - and consuming water with three levels of salinity (1.0, 6.0 and 12.0 dSm-1). Thirty-six animals (18 of each breed) were used, with an average age of 5.0±0.6months and an average weight of 20.0±2.3kg, housed in metabolic cages inside a climate chamber. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial scheme (2 breeds, 2 temperatures and 3 levels of salinity) and three replications. The glucose and urea had a significant effect (P>0.05) according to water salinity. Glucose, cholesterol, protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase and hormones (T4, T3 and cortisol) varied according to temperature (P<0.05). There was a significant effect of time on hormonal variables (P<0.05). Biochemical and hormonal variables changed according to temperature and day shift, so that metabolism was reduced in the animals under thermal stress and accelerated when animals were in the thermal comfort zone.(AU)

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as variáveis bioquímicas e hormonais de caprinos das raças Moxotó e Canindé, submetidos a duas temperaturas (26,0±0,6ºC e 32,0±1,2ºC), termoneutra e acima da zona de conforto térmico, respectivamente), consumindo água com três níveis de salinidade (1,0, 6,0 e 12,0dSm-1), utilizando-se 36 animais (18 de cada raça), com idade média de 5,0±0,6 meses e peso médio de 20,0±2,3kg, alojados em gaiolas metabólicas no interior de uma câmara climática. Os animais foram distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com esquema fatorial de 2 x 2 x 3 (2 raças, 2 temperaturas e 3 níveis de salinidade) e três repetições. A glicose e a ureia apresentaram efeito significativo (P<0,05) em função da salinidade da água. Glicose, colesterol, proteína, albumina, globulina, AST e hormônios (T4, T3 e cortisol) variaram conforme as temperaturas (P<0,05). Observou-se efeito significativo do horário sobre as variáveis hormonais (P<0,05). As variáveis bioquímicas e hormonais sofrem alterações em função da temperatura e do turno do dia, de modo que o metabolismo é reduzido em animais sob estresse térmico e acelerado quando os animais encontram-se na zona de conforto térmico.(AU)

Analysis of the population structure of a cattle conservation nucleus Curraleiro Pé Duro / [Análise da estrutura populacional de um núcleo de conservação de bovino Curraleiro Pé Duro]

The objective of this research was to study the population structure of the Cattle Conservation Nucleos Curraleiro Pé Duro of the Instituto Nacional do Semiárido (NCP_INSA) based on pedigree data. Genealogical information from 338 animals registered in the period from 1991 to 2019 was used. The number of founding animals (Nf), the effective number of founders (fe), effective number of ancestors (fa), inbreeding coefficient (F), and average relatedness coefficient (AR), in addition to Fis, Fit and Fst were estimated. It was possible to identify ancestors up to the third generation, with an increase in information over the generations. Of the total pedigree information evaluated, 90.53% had the identification of the father and mother. The effective size of the population was smaller than those proposed by FAO, suggesting the need to redefine the herd management and genetic management plan strategies, promoting gene flow and breed expansion.(AU)

O objetivo com essa pesquisa foi estudar a estrutura populacional do Núcleo de Conservação de Bovinos Curraleiro Pé-Duro (NCP) do Instituto Nacional do Semiárido (INSA), por meio de dados de pedigree. Utilizaram-se informações genealógicas de 338 animais registrados no período de 1991 a 2019. Foi estimado o número de animais fundadores (Nf), o número efetivo de fundadores (fe), o número efetivo de ancestrais (fa), o coeficiente de endogamia (F) e o coeficiente de parentesco médio (AR), além do Fis, Fit e Fst. Foi possível identificar ancestrais até a terceira geração, com aumento crescente das informações ao longo das gerações. Do total de informações avaliadas, 90,53% possuíam identificação do pai e da mãe. O tamanho efetivo da população foi inferior ao mínimo proposto pela FAO, o que sugere a necessidade de redefinir as estratégias do plano de gestão e de manejo genético do rebanho, de modo a promover fluxo gênico e expansão da raça.(AU)

Study of morphometric and ruminal parameters in santa inês sheep fed spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica, MILL) / [Estudo dos parâmetros morfométricos e ruminais em ovinos Santa Inês alimentados com cactus sem espinhos (Opuntia ficus-indica, MILL)]

The present study aimed to morphometrically evaluate the ruminal mucosa and ruminal fluid characteristics of Santa Inês sheep fed different levels of spineless cactus as a replacement for Tifton grass hay. A total of 32 intact male Santa Inês sheep, approximately 180 days old and with a mean weight of 32.0±1.6kg, were studied in a completely randomized design with four treatments and eight replicates. The morphometric measurements evaluated in the ruminal epithelium (papilla height and surface area) were significantly affected (P< 0.05) by supplementation of the diet with spineless cactus, and these effects showed increasing linear trends. Evaluations of the ruminal fluid also showed a significant increasing linear effect (P< 0.05) for ammonia and a quadratic effect for microbial protein. The inclusion of spineless cactus in the sheep diet affects the ruminal epithelium morphology, including the papilla height and surface area, and favors the absorption process in the rumen. The diet containing higher levels of spineless cactus led to maximum microbial protein production. These results characterize spineless cactus as a feasible alternative for feeding sheep during periods of drought, when the typical food source is scarce.(AU)

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar morfometricamente a mucosa ruminal e as características do líquido ruminal de ovinos Santa Inês alimentados com diferentes níveis de palma forrageira como substituta do feno de capim-Tifton. Um total de 32 ovinos, machos inteiros, da raça Santa Inês, com aproximadamente 180 dias de idade e peso médio de 32,0±1,6kg, foi estudado em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e oito repetições. As medidas morfométricas avaliadas no epitélio ruminal (altura e área superficial da papila) foram significativamente afetadas (P<0,05) pela suplementação da dieta com palma forrageira, e esses efeitos mostraram tendências lineares crescentes. As avaliações do fluido ruminal também mostraram um efeito linear crescente significativo (P<0,05) para a amônia e um efeito quadrático para a proteína microbiana. A inclusão de palma forrageira na dieta de ovinos afeta a morfologia do epitélio ruminal, englobando a altura e a área da papila, e favorece o processo de absorção no rúmen. A dieta contendo níveis mais altos de palma forrageira levou à produção máxima de proteína microbiana. Esses resultados caracterizam a palma forrageira como uma alternativa viável para a alimentação de ovelhas durante períodos de seca, quando a fonte típica de alimento é escassa.(AU)

Perfil de desempenho de técnicas coproscópicas Coproplus® e Hoffman, Pons e Janner no diagnóstico de giardíase / Performance profile of coproscopic techniques Coproplus® and Hoffman, Pons and Janner in the diagnosis of giardiasis / Perfil de rendimiento de las técnicas coproscópicas Coproplus® y Hoffman, Pons y Janner en el diagnóstico de giardiasis

Justificativa e Objetivos: Os parasitas intestinais representam um problema de saúde pública no Brasil, e sua identificação é feita rotineiramente, por meio de várias técnicas diagnósticas. Muitas dessas técnicas são criticadas por suas limitações, como a de Hoffman, Pons e Janner. Considerou-se avaliar o grau de sensibilidade diagnóstica dessa técnica em comparação ao método coproscópico de coleta e filtragem Coproplus®, uma vez que esta metodologia também é baseada na concentração de estruturas parasíticas e é uma adaptação prática aos métodos usuais, pois não há documentos diagnósticos de protozoários. Métodos: A análise gráfica pelo método de Bland-Altman mostrou que há concordância entre os dois métodos de identificação dos cistos avaliados, ao traçar as diferenças entre o número de cistos contra as médias de ambos os valores. Resultados: Verificou-se que, para os protozoários, o uso de apenas um método parasitológico de Hoffman, Pons e Janner não é suficiente para identificar todas as amostras. Conclusão: Os métodos têm se mostrado eficazes na identificação de parasitas intestinais, mas nem todos os agentes foram identificados simultaneamente em ambas as técnicas e números de cistos, o que leva à conclusão de que uma técnica pode complementar a outra.(AU)

Background and Objectives: Intestinal parasites are a public health problem in Brazil. The identification of parasites in feces is routinely performed by several diagnostic techniques; many of these methods are still criticized for their limitations such as the Hoffman, Pons, and Janner one. We thus considered valid to evaluate the degree of diagnostic sensitivity of this technique in Coproplus® coproscopic collecting and filtering method, since this methodology is also based on the concentration of parasitic structures, and this is a practical adaptation to the usual methods, since there are diagnosis documents of protozoa. Methods: The graphic analysis by the Bland-Altman method showed that there is agreement between the two methods of identification of cysts evaluated when plotting the differences between the number of cysts against the means of both values. Results: For protozoa, the use of a single parasitological method ­ Hoffman, Pons and Janner ­ is not sufficient to identify all samples. Conclusion: The analyzed methods were effective in identifying intestinal parasites, but not all agents were identified simultaneously in both techniques and numbers of cysts, which leads to the conclusion that the two techniques are complementary.(AU)

Justificación y Objetivos: Los parásitos intestinales son un problema de salud pública en Brasil, y la identificación de parásitos se realiza de forma rutinaria mediante diversas técnicas de diagnóstico. Incluso con la existencia de numerosos métodos de diagnóstico, muchos aún son criticados por sus limitaciones, como el de Hoffman, Pons y Janner. Se consideró oportuno evaluar el grado de sensibilidad diagnóstica de esta técnica en el método de coprofia de recolección y filtro Coproplus®, ya que esta metodología también se basa en la concentración de estructuras parásitas y es una adaptación práctica a los métodos habituales, y no hay documentos de diagnóstico de protozoos. Métodos: El análisis gráfico por el método de Bland-Altman mostró que existe una concordancia entre los dos métodos de identificación de los quistes evaluados al rastrear las diferencias entre el número de quistes y los promedios de ambos valores. Resultados: Se ha encontrado que, para los protozoos, el uso de un solo método parasitológico (Hoffman, Pons y Janner) no es suficiente para identificar todas las muestras. Conclusión: Se ha demostrado que los métodos son eficaces para identificar parásitos intestinales, pero no todos los agentes se han identificado simultáneamente en las técnicas y en el número de quistes, lo que lleva a la conclusión de que una técnica puede complementar a la otra.(AU)

Correlação de parâmetros biométricos e produtivos em colônias de Melipona scutelaris / Correlation of biometric and productive parameters in colonies of Melipona scutelaris

The objective of this research was to estimate the correlations between the biometric and reproductive parameters of Melipona scutelaris. Four collections were performed with 30-day intervals, consisting of the evaluation of each colony, considering the following parameters: honey pot size and volume (HPS and VHP), estimated honey production (EHP), number of combs (NC), mean diameter of the combs (MDC), height of the combs (HC), height of rearing cells (HRC), number of pups (NP) population (POP) and wax envelope in pups. The data were analyzed using the SAS software (2004), and the Pearson correlation coefficient was used for the correlation calculations. The correlations of the studied variables of production and biometrics of Melipona scutellaris colonies made it possible to perceive that the variable number of honey pots (NHP) present a higher correlation with HPS, EPH, DMC, HRC, NP and POP, followed by size of pots of honey (HPS) with: VHP, EHP, MDC, HC and POP. For future studies using the productive and biometric characteristics of the bees Melipona scutellaris can be considered for EPH, VHP, EPH, NC and POP, as variable responses.(AU)

Correlação de parâmetros biométricos e produtivos em colônias de Melipona scutelaris / Correlation of biometric and productive parameters in colonies of Melipona scutelaris

The objective of this research was to estimate the correlations between the biometric and reproductive parameters of Melipona scutelaris. Four collections were performed with 30-day intervals, consisting of the evaluation of each colony, considering the following parameters: honey pot size and volume (HPS and VHP), estimated honey production (EHP), number of combs (NC), mean diameter of the combs (MDC), height of the combs (HC), height of rearing cells (HRC), number of pups (NP) population (POP) and wax envelope in pups. The data were analyzed using the SAS software (2004), and the Pearson correlation coefficient was used for the correlation calculations. The correlations of the studied variables of production and biometrics of Melipona scutellaris colonies made it possible to perceive that the variable number of honey pots (NHP) present a higher correlation with HPS, EPH, DMC, HRC, NP and POP, followed by size of pots of honey (HPS) with: VHP, EHP, MDC, HC and POP. For future studies using the productive and biometric characteristics of the bees Melipona scutellaris can be considered for EPH, VHP, EPH, NC and POP, as variable responses.(AU)

Effects of Lippia sidoides essential oil, thymol, p-cymene, myrcene and caryophyllene on rat sciatic nerve excitability.

Lippia sidoides Cham is a typical herb species of Northeast Brazil with widespread use in folk medicine. The major constituents of the essential oil of L. sidoides (EOLs) are thymol, p-cymene, myrcene, and caryophyllene. Several studies have shown that the EOLs and its constituents have pharmacological effects, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective activity. Therefore, this work aimed to investigate the effects of the EOLs and their main constituents on rat sciatic nerve excitability. The sciatic nerves of adult Wistar rats were dissected and mounted in a moist chamber. Nerves were stimulated by square wave pulses, with an amplitude of 40 V, duration of 100 µs to 0.2 Hz. Both EOLs and thymol inhibited compound action potential (CAP) in a concentration-dependent manner. Half maximal inhibitory concentration for CAP peak-to-peak amplitude blockade were 67.85 and 40 µg/mL for EOLs and thymol, respectively. CAP peak-to-peak amplitude was significantly reduced by concentrations ≥60 µg/mL for EOLs and ≥30 µg/mL for thymol. EOLs and thymol in the concentration of 60 µg/mL significantly increased chronaxie and rheobase. The conduction velocities of 1st and 2nd CAP components were also concentration-dependently reduced by EOLs and thymol in the range of 30-100 µg/mL. Differently from EOLs and thymol, p-cymene, myrcene and caryophyllene did not reduce CAP in the higher concentrations of 10 mM. These data demonstrated that EOLs and thymol inhibited neuronal excitability and were promising agents for the development of new drugs for therapeutic use.

Genetic diversity and selection of common bean lines based on technological quality and biofortification.

The development of common bean cultivars with high technological quality that are biofortified with minerals, is required to meet the demand for food with health benefits. The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether common bean genotypes differ in terms of technological and mineral biofortification traits, to study the correlations between these characters, to analyze the genetic dissimilarity of common bean genotypes, and to select superior lines for these traits. For this, 14 common bean genotypes were evaluated in experiments conducted in three growing seasons in the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. A significant genotype x environment interaction was observed for technological quality (mass of 100 grains and cooking time) and biofortification traits (concentration of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, zinc, and copper). Positive correlation estimates were obtained between phosphorus and potassium (r = 0.575), iron and zinc (r = 0.641), copper and iron (r = 0.729), and copper and phosphorus (r = 0.533). In the main component cluster analysis, four groups of genotypes were formed. The following lines are recommended for selection: LP 11-363 for fast-cooking, CNFC 11 948 for high iron concentration, and LEC 03-14 for high potassium, phosphorus, and calcium concentrations in grains. Common bean lines with high phosphorus and iron concentrations in grains can be indirectly selected based on higher potassium, copper, and zinc concentrations. Controlled crossings between LP 11-363 x CNFC 11 948 and LP 11-363 x LEC 03-14 are recommended to obtain segregating lines that are fast-cooking and biofortified with minerals.

Simultaneous selection in beans for stability and high agronomic performance.

The objective of this study was to select common bean cultivars based on their stability for flowering, cycle, insertion of the first pod, grain yield, and high agronomic performance. Twenty experiments were carried out between 2000 and 2014, during two growing seasons, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The Eberhart and Russel, and Lin and Binns methods, as well as the additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) method, were used to evaluate the stability of flowering, cycle, insertion of the first pod, and grain yield of 10 common cultivars in all experiments. The Eberhart and Russel, Lin and Binns, and AMMI methods identified the Carioca cultivar as the most stable for insertion of the first pod, and the Iraí cultivar as the most instable for flowering and cycle. The Pérola cultivar shows stability for flowering, cycle, and insertion of the first pod, and Guapo Brilhante is stable for grain yield, according to the Lin and Binns method. Controlled crossing between Pérola and Guapo Brilhante is recommended for the development of new common bean cultivars with greater stability for semi-early cycle, architecture of upright plant, and grain yield.

Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain UFMG A-905 in experimental model of inflammatory bowel disease.

In the present study, the protective potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain UFMG A-905 was evaluated in a murine model of acute ulcerative colitis (UC). Six groups of Balb/c mice were used: not treated with yeast and not challenged with dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) (control); treated with S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 (905); treated with the non-probiotic S. cerevisiae W303 (W303); challenged with DSS (DSS); treated with S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 and challenged with DSS (905 + DSS); and treated with S. cerevisiae W303 and challenged with DSS (W303 + DSS). Seven days after induction of UC, mice were euthanised to remove colon for enzymatic, immunological, and histopathological analysis. In vivo intestinal permeability was also evaluated. An improvement of clinical manifestations of experimental UC was observed only in mice of the 905 + DSS group when compared to animals from DSS and W303 + DSS groups. This observation was confirmed by histological and morphometrical data and determination of myeloperoxidase and eosinophil peroxidase activities, intestinal permeability and some pro-inflammatory cytokines. S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 showed to be a potential alternative treatment for UC when used in an experimental animal model of the disease.

Ocorrência do vírus da leucemia felina em Felis cattus em Belo Horizonte / Occurrence of feline leukemia virus in Felis cattus in Belo Horizonte

Blood samples from 1,072 domestic cats of nine administrative regions of Belo Horizonte, MG, were collected and tested using PCR nested for the occurrence of feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Overall occurrence was 47.5 percent (507/1072) being North (68.1 percent) and East (54.4 percent) the most prevalent areas. Epidemiological data showed that FeLV infection was very common among examined cats and breed neither gender nor were predisposing factors for FeLV. The results suggest that the agglomeration of a large number of cats in the same environment can be an important factor for the increase in the rate of transmission of this retrovirus among domestic cats in the studied city.(AU)

Ocorrência do vírus da leucemia felina em Felis cattus em Belo Horizonte / Occurrence of feline leukemia virus in Felis cattus in Belo Horizonte

Blood samples from 1,072 domestic cats of nine administrative regions of Belo Horizonte, MG, were collected and tested using PCR nested for the occurrence of feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Overall occurrence was 47.5 percent (507/1072) being North (68.1 percent) and East (54.4 percent) the most prevalent areas. Epidemiological data showed that FeLV infection was very common among examined cats and breed neither gender nor were predisposing factors for FeLV. The results suggest that the agglomeration of a large number of cats in the same environment can be an important factor for the increase in the rate of transmission of this retrovirus among domestic cats in the studied city.

Influência da adubação e da cobertura morta na produtividade e no teor de flavonóides de Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) / Influence of fertilization and mulching on the productivity and flavonoid content of Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae)

Desenvolveu-se ensaio de cultivo de Calendula officinalis, variando-se os tipos de adubação e utilização de cobertura morta na observação da produção de inflorescências, droga vegetal e quantificação dos flavonóides presentes nestes materiais.O delineamento experimental adotado foi de blocos casualizados com 3 repetições, em arranjo fatorial de 3 x 2, constituído de seis tratamentos, sendo 1. adubação química (100 kg de N ha-1 + 50 kg de P ha-1); 2. adubação química + cobertura morta (grama seca - Paspalum notatum); 3. adubação orgânica (esterco bovino curtido 50 t ha-1); 4. adubação orgânica + cobertura morta; 5. sem adubação química ou orgânica + cobertura morta; 6. sem adubação química ou orgânica e sem cobertura morta (testemunha). Os resultados de número capítulos produzidos, massa seca das inflorescências e massa da droga vegetal foram totalizados após cinco meses do plantio. A quantificação de flavonóides foi realizada através de método espectrofotométrico. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente (ANOVA/Teste Tukey-Kramer-5 por cento) e mostraram diferenças significativas (70 por cento superior) no número de inflorescências, massa seca das inflorescências e massa da droga vegetal entre o tratamento com adubação orgânica (3) e os tratamentos sem adubação química ou orgânica com cobertura morta (5) e o testemunha (6). As demais comparações, inclusive o teor de flavonóides, entre os diversos tratamentos não resultaram em diferenças significativas.

Calendula officinalis was experimentally grown under field conditions with different fertilization types and mulching in order to evaluate inflorescence production, plant drugs and flavonoid levels. Experimental design was in randomized blocks, with 3 replicates, in a 3x2 factorial arrangement, consisting of six treatments, as follows: 1. chemical fertilization (100 kg N ha-1 + 50 kg P ha-1); 2. chemical fertilization + mulch (dry grass - Paspalum notatum); 3. organic fertilization (cured bovine manure 50 t ha-1); 4. organic fertilization + mulch; 5. no chemical or organic fertilization + mulch; 6. no chemical or organic fertilization and no mulch (control). Data regarding number of produced capitula, dry matter of inflorescences and plant drug matter were totaled after five months of planting. Flavonoids were quantified by spectrophotometry. The results were statistically analyzed (ANOVA / Tukey-Kramer test-5 percent) and showed significant differences (70 percent higher) for number of inflorescences, inflorescence dry matter and plant drug matter between the treatment with organic fertilization (3) and treatments with no chemical or organic fertilization with mulching (5) and control (6). The remaining comparisons, including flavonoid content, did not result in significant differences among treatments.

Avaliação da espalhabilidade e do teor de flavonoides em forma farmacêutica semissólida contendo extratos de Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) / Evaluation of spreadability and flavonoid content in semisolid pharmaceutical form containing extracts of Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a característica reológica (espalhabilidade) e quantificar os princípios ativos (flavonoides) de preparações semissólidas (pomadas) contendo extratos de Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae). A partir da droga vegetal dessa espécie, foram obtidos dois tipos de extratos preparados por percolação na proporção de 1:5 utilizando-se mistura hidroalcóolica (etanol:água 62:38) e hidroglicólica (propilenoglicol:água 9:1). As pomadas contendo esses extratos, além de excipientes lanolina e vaselina, foram preparadas por duas técnicas distintas: solução (a quente) e suspensão (a frio). Análises para determinar a espalhabilidade através das relações entre área, esforço limite e teor de flavonoides foram realizadas a partir de amostras das pomadas preparadas. Os resultados demonstraram que as pomadas contendo extratos hidroalcoólicos e hidroglicólicos, preparadas por suspensão (a frio), exibiram as maiores relações entre área e esforço limite (0,34 e 0,33 mm2 g-1, respectivamente). No entanto, as pomadas preparadas com extratos hidroalcoólicos por suspensão resultaram nos maiores valores de flavonoides totais (0,004% m/m calculados como hiperosídeos).

The aim of this study was to assess the rheological properties (spreadability) and assay the active ingredients (flavonoids) in semi-solid preparations (ointments) containing extracts of marigold (Calendula officinalis L. - Asteraceae). The herbal drug from this species was separated from the dried inflorescence and two types of extracts were prepared by percolation at a ratio of 1:5, one with an ethanol:water mixture (62:38) and the other with propylene glycol: water (9:1). Ointments were prepared from these extracts, lanolin and vaseline, by two different techniques: solution (hot) and suspension (cold). Samples of each ointment were analyzed, to determine the spreadability, as the ratio between area of spread and limiting applied weight, and the flavonoid content. The results showed that ointments prepared by cold suspension, containing hydroalcoholic and hydroglycolic extract, exhibited the highest area:limiting weight ratios (0.34 and 0.33 mm2 g-1 , respectively). Secondly, ointments prepared by suspension, with hydroalcoholic extracts, had the highest total flavonoid content (0.004% w/w, calculated as hyperoside).

Retinol-induced elevation of ornithine decarboxylase activity in cultured rat Sertoli cells is attenuated by free radical scavenger and by iron chelator.

We investigated retinol effects in ornithine decarboxylase activity in Sertoli cells. We also tested the hypothesis that free radical scavengers and iron chelators may attenuate the effect of retinol. Sertoli cells isolated from 15-day-old Wistar rats were previously cultured for 48 h and then treated with retinol by 24 h with or without mannitol (1 mM) or 1,10 phenanthroline (100 microM). We measured ornithine decarboxylase and catalase activities and malondialdehyde concentrations in response to retinol treatment. In response to 7 microM retinol treatment ornithine decarboxylase activity increased 30%. Retinol-induced ornithine decarboxylase activity was significantly decreased by addition of free radical scavenger (mannitol) or iron chelator (1,10 phenanthroline). In addition the same effect was observed in catalase increased activity and in malondialdehyde concentrations. These results suggest that retinol treatment induced ornithine decarboxylase and catalase activity and increased malondialdehyde concentration. These effects appear to be mediate by ROS.

Retinol-induced changes in the phosphorylation levels of histones and high mobility group proteins from Sertoli cells.

Chromatin proteins play a role in the organization and functions of DNA. Covalent modifications of nuclear proteins modulate their interactions with DNA sequences and are probably one of the multiple factors involved in the process of switch on/off transcriptionally active regions of DNA. Histones and high mobility group proteins (HMG) are subject to many covalent modifications that may modulate their capacity to bind to DNA. We investigated the changes induced in the phosphorylation pattern of cultured Wistar rat Sertoli cell histones and high mobility group protein subfamilies exposed to 7 microM retinol for up to 48 h. In each experiment, 6 h before the end of the retinol treatment each culture flask received 370 KBq/ml [32P]-phosphate. The histone and HMGs were isolated as previously described [Moreira et al. Medical Science Research (1994) 22: 783-784]. The total protein obtained by either method was quantified and electrophoresed as described by Spiker [Analytical Biochemistry (1980) 108: 263-265]. The gels were stained with Coomassie brilliant blue R-250 and the stained bands were cut and dissolved in 0.5 ml 30% H2O2 at 60oC for 12 h. The vials were chilled and 5.0 ml scintillation liquid was added. The radioactivity in each vial was determined with a liquid scintillation counter. Retinol treatment significantly changed the pattern of each subfamily of histone and high mobility group proteins.

Retinol-induced changes in the phosphorylation levels of histones and high mobility group proteins from Sertoli cells

Chromatin proteins play a role in the organization and functions of DNA. Covalent modifications of nuclear proteins modulate their interactions with DNA sequences and are probably one of the multiple factors involved in the process of switch on/off transcriptionally active regions of DNA. Histones and high mobility group proteins (HMG) are subject to many covalent modifications that may modulate their capacity to bind to DNA. We investigated the changes induced in the phosphorylation pattern of cultured Wistar rat Sertoli cell histones and high mobility group protein subfamilies exposed to 7 µM retinol for up to 48 h. In each experiment, 6 h before the end of the retinol treatment each culture flask received 370 KBq/ml [32P]-phosphate. The histone and HMGs were isolated as previously described [Moreira et al. Medical Science Research (1994) 22: 783-784]. The total protein obtained by either method was quantified and electrophoresed as described by Spiker [Analytical Biochemistry (1980) 108: 263-265]. The gels were stained with Coomassie brilliant blue R-250 and the stained bands were cut and dissolved in 0.5 ml 30 per cent H2O2 at 60oC for 12 h. The vials were chilled and 5.0 ml scintillation liquid was added. The radioactivity in each vial was determined with a liquid scintillation counter. Retinol treatment significantly changed the pattern of each subfamily of histone and high mobility group proteins.