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The objective was to evaluate whether space allowance during pre-slaughter transport of European breeding quail affects welfare, carcass traits and meat quality. A total of 248 quails (body weight = 344.90 ± 2.09 g) were used. During pre-transport, the quails were fasted for 5 hours and 30 minutes. The poultry were caught and placed in plastic transport crates with an area of 0.40 m2. The treatments consisted of a different space allowance in each crate: 22, 28, 34 or 40 quails per crate. Immediately upon arrival at the slaughterhouse, the quails were stunned. During bleeding, blood samples were collected. The carcasses were individually weighed. The meat quality was measured. Data were analysed using the effects of space allowance during transport of quails and pickup truck as dependent variables. Death on arrival increased as the space allowance in transport crates decreased (p=0.08). Glucose and uric acid levels were not significantly different between groups (p≥0.14). The cold carcass weight presented the maximum value when the crates contained 31 quails (p=0.03). The meat pH, intensity of red, intensity of yellow and cooking losses were not different between groups (p≥0.12). The meat lightness value presented the maximum value when the crates contained 31 quails (p=0.04). In view of the above, the number of European breeding quails transported in crates must not exceed 30 animals.(AU)

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Cosmetics, personal care and biomedical products obtained by bio-based polymers and natural bioactive compounds are a new growing market. The ecological awareness is changing consumers' demands, causing consumers to look for more sustainable options, with a reduced environmental impact. The innovation of this work was to develop a natural polymer matrix (chitosan) entrapping antioxidant actives compounds such as annatto (Bixa Orellana L.) and vitamin C with potential application as sustainable anti-aging skin mask treatment. Films of chitosan (Ch) and reacetylated chitosan (RCh), exhibiting different degrees of acetylation (DA = 13.3 and 33.9%, respectively), were produced. The formulations of active films of chitosan (BCh) and reacetylated chitosan (BRCh) were 1% (w/w) of chitosan, 1% (w/w) of annatto powder, 5% (w/w) of vitamin C and 1% (w/w) of glycerol (as plasticizer). Reacetylated chitosan films (DA = 33.9%) presented higher water affinity than chitosan films (DA = 13.3%). The elongation of RCh and BRCh increased and the resistance decreased, as compared to Ch and BCh. The antioxidants compounds (annatto and vitamin C) of BRCh films released faster than BCh films. Thus, the BRCh films showed potential application as an anti-aging skin mask.

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ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire (Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae), popularly known in Brazil as "caneleiro", is widely used in folk medicine against gastrointestinal diseases. In previous studies, the ethanol extract of leaves from Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire had shown antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant and antiulcerogenic activities. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to assess the gastroprotective effect of the hydroalcoholic fraction of leaves of Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. var. acuminata Teles Freire (Cm-FHA), as well as to elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were used for the evaluation of the acute toxicity, and mice and rats to study the gastroprotective activity. The potential gastroprotective of Cm-FHA was assessed on different gastric ulcer models in rodents, such as absolute ethanol, HCl/ethanol, ischemia-reperfusion, cold restraint stress and indomethacin. The participation of prostaglandins, NO-synthase pathway and ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) in gastroprotective activity of Cm-FHA were evaluated after treatment with a cyclooxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin), a NO-synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) and a KATP channel blocker (glibenclamide 5mg/kg), respectively. Likewise, the catalase activity was determinated in order to assess the possible participation of antioxidant mechanisms. RESULTS: No signs of acute toxicity was observed after oral acute administration of Cm-FHA, considering the analyzed parameters. Likewise, Cm-FHA promoted a protective effect against gastric ulcers induced by absolute ethanol (lesion inhibition by 40% at both 100 and 200mg/kg), HCl/ethanol (lesion inhibition by 50 or 48% at 100 or 200mg/kg, respectively), ischemia-reperfusion (lesion inhibition by 49 or 90% at 100 or 200mg/kg, respectively) and cold restraint stress (lesion inhibition by 63 or 76% at 100 or 200mg/kg, respectively), as well as a increase of catalase activity was observed. Otherwise, Cm-FHA was not able to protect gastric mucosa against indomethacin-induced lesions. Nitric oxide release, the of KATP channels opening and antioxidant activity are the possibly involved in the Cm-FHA-induced gastroprotective activity. CONCLUSION: This study corroborates the folk medicine use of Cenostigma macrophyllum for treatment of gastric ulcers, as well as reinforces this species as a valuable source of promising natural drugs with gastroprotective activity.

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The aim of this work was to characterize rhizobia isolated from the root nodules of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) plants cultivated in Amazon soils samples by means of ARDRA (Amplified rDNA Restriction Analysis) and sequencing analysis, to know their phylogenetic relationships. The 16S rRNA gene of rhizobia was amplified by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) using universal primers Y1 and Y3. The amplification products were analyzed by the restriction enzymes HinfI, MspI and DdeI and also sequenced with Y1, Y3 and six intermediate primers. The clustering analysis based on ARDRA profiles separated the Amazon isolates in three subgroups, which formed a group apart from the reference isolates of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium elkanii. The clustering analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the fast-growing isolates had similarity with Enterobacter, Rhizobium, Klebsiella and Bradyrhizobium and all the slow-growing clustered close to Bradyrhizobium.

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The aim of this work was to characterize rhizobia isolated from the root nodules of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) plants cultivated in Amazon soils samples by means of ARDRA (Amplified rDNA Restriction Analysis) and sequencing analysis, to know their phylogenetic relationships. The 16S rRNA gene of rhizobia was amplified by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) using universal primers Y1 and Y3. The amplification products were analyzed by the restriction enzymes HinfI, MspI and DdeI and also sequenced with Y1, Y3 and six intermediate primers. The clustering analysis based on ARDRA profiles separated the Amazon isolates in three subgroups, which formed a group apart from the reference isolates of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium elkanii. The clustering analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the fast-growing isolates had similarity with Enterobacter, Rhizobium, Klebsiella and Bradyrhizobium and all the slow-growing clustered close to Bradyrhizobium.

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The aim of this work was to characterize rhizobia isolated from the root nodules of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) plants cultivated in Amazon soils samples by means of ARDRA (Amplified rDNA Restriction Analysis) and sequencing analysis, to know their phylogenetic relationships. The 16S rRNA gene of rhizobia was amplified by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) using universal primers Y1 and Y3. The amplification products were analyzed by the restriction enzymes HinfI, MspI and DdeI and also sequenced with Y1, Y3 and six intermediate primers. The clustering analysis based on ARDRA profiles separated the Amazon isolates in three subgroups, which formed a group apart from the reference isolates of Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium elkanii. The clustering analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the fast-growing isolates had similarity with Enterobacter, Rhizobium, Klebsiella and Bradyrhizobium and all the slow-growing clustered close to Bradyrhizobium.

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This paper focuses on the development of intelligent controllers for use in a process of enzyme recovery from pineapple rind. The proteolytic enzyme bromelain (EC 3.4.22.4) is precipitated with alcohol at low temperature in a fed-batch jacketed tank. Temperature control is crucial to avoid irreversible protein denaturation. Fuzzy or neural controllers offer a way of implementing solutions that cover dynamic and nonlinear processes. The design methodology and a comparative study on the performance of fuzzy-PI, neurofuzzy, and neural network intelligent controllers are presented. To tune the fuzzy PI Mamdani controller, various universes of discourse, rule bases, and membership function support sets were tested. A neurofuzzy inference system (ANFIS), based on Takagi-Sugeno rules, and a model predictive controller, based on neural modeling, were developed and tested as well. Using a Fieldbus network architecture, a coolant variable speed pump was driven by the controllers. The experimental results show the effectiveness of fuzzy controllers in comparison to the neural predictive control. The fuzzy PI controller exhibited a reduced error parameter (ITAE), lower power consumption, and better recovery of enzyme activity.

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Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) hepatic enzymes, hematological values, and total plasmatic proteins (TPP) of 12 Wistar rats with systemic experimental sporotrichosis were evaluated. Inoculation was performed at 2x10³ cells of S. schenckii/ml. The values ranged from 35 to 48UI/l for ALT and 67 to 251.3UI/l for AP. Fifty percent of the AP values were above the physiological limits. TPP was elevated in 66.7 percent (8/12) of the rats with values varying from 7.9 to 8.5g percent. In 75 percent (9/12) of the animals, it was observed that hemoglobin and red blood cells count were below the physiologic limits, and 8.3 percent (1/12) of the animals showed anemia masked by dehydration. At the necropsy, it was observed local and/or disseminated nodular lesions. At the histological analysis, cells compatible to S. schenckii were found. The observed alterations are aggravating factors for the recurrence and treatment of the mycosis.(AU)

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Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) hepatic enzymes, hematological values, and total plasmatic proteins (TPP) of 12 Wistar rats with systemic experimental sporotrichosis were evaluated. Inoculation was performed at 2x10³ cells of S. schenckii/ml. The values ranged from 35 to 48UI/l for ALT and 67 to 251.3UI/l for AP. Fifty percent of the AP values were above the physiological limits. TPP was elevated in 66.7 percent (8/12) of the rats with values varying from 7.9 to 8.5g percent. In 75 percent (9/12) of the animals, it was observed that hemoglobin and red blood cells count were below the physiologic limits, and 8.3 percent (1/12) of the animals showed anemia masked by dehydration. At the necropsy, it was observed local and/or disseminated nodular lesions. At the histological analysis, cells compatible to S. schenckii were found. The observed alterations are aggravating factors for the recurrence and treatment of the mycosis.

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A sequential injection system was proposed to accomplish the potentiometric determination of urea. This procedure used an ammonium tubular selective electrode to assess ammonium concentration produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of urea from Jack bean meal (Canavalia ensiformis DC) crude extract. A gaseous diffusion device was coupled to the flow set-up allowing on-line sampling and suitable selectivity for determinations. A detection limit of 6.0x10(-4) mol urea l(-1), a relative standard deviation of 1.9% (n=10) and a sampling rate of 20 samples h(-1) were observed when 172 Sumner units (SU) of urease and 900 mul of sample were used. Results agreeing with a comparative method were obtained by the proposed procedure and the use of the crude extract solution combined with the sequential injection approach improved the performance, producing reproducible results and low costs in comparison with procedures using commercial enzymes.