Electrochemical Degradation of a Real Pharmaceutical Effluent

In this work, the electrochemical treatment of an effluent from the pharmaceutical industry with boron-doped diamond electrodes was investigated. The electrolyses were carried out in a discontinuous operation mode under galvanostatic conditions, using a bench-scale plant equipped with a single-compartment electrochemical flow cell. The effect of operating conditions, such as current density (from 25.7 to 179.4?mA?cm²) and flow rate (from 104.8 to 564.7?cm³?min^?1), at residence times between 0 and 570?min, was studied. Design of experiments was used for optimizing the process. The global contribution of operative parameters and evolution of the residence time in TOC removal was studied, and a time of 77?min was obtained in order to evaluate the highest influence of the operative parameters. For this time, ANOVA test reported significance for four of the five involved variables. The current density was found to have a considerable positive effect on TOC removal, whereas the flow rate was found to have a moderate negative effect on target variable.     

Source/sink ratio and the relationship between maximum water content,maximum volume,and final dry weight of maize kernels

Final kernel weight (KW) is closely related to maximum kernel volume (KV) and maximum kernel water content (KWC). It is not clear, however, how changes in the reproductive sink capacity, assimilate availability during grain filling and physical restriction to kernel expansion affect the relationship between KW and KWC or between KW and KV. Three experiments were conducted at Balcarce, Argentina and Ames, USA. Defoliation, thinning, plant density, restricted pollination and volume restriction treatments were imposed to manipulate KV, sink and source capacity. KW varied from 111 to 436 mg across all hybrid–treatments combinations and was related to the source/sink ratio during grain filling (r² = 0.85). Treatment variation in KW was related primarily to changes in kernel growth rate, except for the complete defoliated treatment, which also shortened the duration of grain filling. KW was correlated with maximum KWC (r² = 0.77, p < 0.001) and with maximum KV (r² = 0.91, p < 0.001). The developmental patterns for KW, KWC and KV during grain filling were not affected by the source/sink manipulations, except for severe defoliation. In the latter case, maximum KWC was not a good estimate of final KW. KV, however, was sensitive to reductions in carbohydrate supply during grain filling and was closely correlated to KW. Physical restriction to kernel expansion reduced kernel weight 13% relative to its control (p < 0.01). But restricting kernel expansion did not alter the general relationships between KW and KWC or between KW and KV, because kernel density was not affected.     

Genotyping of potentially zoonotic Giardia duodenalis from exotic and wild animals kept in captivity in Brazil

We have studied the variability of glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and small subunit ribosomal (SSU) rRNA coding genes of Giardia species in fecal samples isolated from wild and exotic animals in Brazil, and compared with homologous sequences of isolates from human and domestic animals characterized in previous studies. Cysts of Giardia duodenalis were obtained from feces of naturally infected monkeys (Alouatta fusca) (n=20), chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) (n=3), ostriches (Struthio camelus) (n=2) and jaguar (Panthera onca) (n=1). Assemblage AI was assigned to the unique isolate of jaguar. All the samples from monkeys, chinchillas, and ostriches were assigned to Assemblage B. There was little evolutionary divergence between the referred isolates and isolates described elsewhere. The Assemblage B isolates identified in this study were closely related to Assemblage BIV isolated from humans. The molecular identification of Assemblages A and B of G. duodenalis isolates from exotic and wild animals demonstrates that such hosts may be a potential reservoir for zoonotic transmission of G. duodenalis.     

Clinical value of carcinoembryonic antigen in mammary neoplasms of bitches

This study aimed at evaluating the behaviour and understanding the diagnostic value of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in bitches with mammary carcinoma as a tool for monitoring and prognosis of canine cancer patients. Serum samples from 77 bitches were divided into four groups, G1 (n = 21), control group (healthy/neoplasia free bitches); G2 (n = 31), bitches with non‐metastatic mammary carcinoma less than 3 cm; G3 (n = 12), bitches with non‐metastatic mammary carcinoma greater than 3 cm; and, G4 (n = 13) bitches with mammary carcinoma and lymph node metastasis. The marker was dosed once in G1, whereas in G2, G3 and G4, CEA levels were determined before (M0) and 15 days after (M1) mastectomy, using the ELISA kit for humans while reading used ELISYS ONE human. A group of 11 bitches was followed up 45 days after mastectomy (M2). The results for the concentration of markers in blood serum samples at the evaluated times and their relationship with neoplasia biological behaviour and observed clinicopathological changes were evaluated by the Tukey test at 5% significance. The ROC curve was established to find the cut‐off value and calculate the test sensitivity and specificity, the multivariate matching analysis was performed to confirm the association between CEA values and clinicopathological variables. CEA values increased significantly in bitches with mammary carcinoma, metastatic tumours with a diameter larger than 3.0 cm and high grade, compared with healthy ones. In addition, mastectomy reduced the CEA concentration in the blood (P < .05) whereas high CEA levels were associated with unfavourable prognostic factors (P < .05). The biomarker presented good diagnostic value, especially for more aggressive tumours. In conclusion, CEA serum concentrations allowed to follow efficiently the evolution of mammary tumours in bitches, since CEA values increased in bitches with mammary gland tumour and decreased after mastectomy while correlating with prognostic factors such as tumour size, nodal metastasis and histological grade. Further studies are still needed to confirm its diagnostic value for follow‐up of relapse and early metastasis.     

Breeding objectives of Brangus cattle in Brazil

Our goal was to define a breeding objective for Brangus beef cattle in Brazil. Bioeconomic models were produced and used to estimate economic values (EVs). The scenarios simulated were typical full-cycle beef production systems that are used in tropical and subtropical regions. The breeding objective contained pregnancy rate (PR), warm carcass weight (WCW), mature cow weight (MCW), number of nematode eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) and tick count (TICK). Two models were used in series to estimate the EV. A deterministic model was used to simulate effects of PR, WCW and MCW on profitability with a constant parasite load. Subsequently, stochastic models were used to estimate economic values for TICK and EPG as consequences of their environmental effects on weight gains, mortality and health costs. The EV of PR, WCW, MCW, EPG and TICK, was US$1.59, US$2.11, −US$0.24, −US$5.35 and −US$20.88, respectively. Results indicate positive emphasis should be placed on PR (12.49%) and WCW (65.07%) with negative emphasis on MCW (13.92%), EPG (2.77%) and TICK (5.75%). In comparison with the indexes usually used, these results suggest a reformulation in the selection indexes of the beef production system in tropical and subtropical regions in order to obtain greater profitability.     

Dual-purpose Guzerá cattle exhibit high dairy performance under heat stress

The present study evaluated the heat stress response pattern of dual-purpose Guzerá cattle for test-day (TD) milk yield records of first lactation and estimated genetic parameters and trends related to heat stress. A total of 31,435 TD records from 4,486 first lactations of Guzerá cows, collected between 1986 and 2012, were analysed. Two random regression models considered days in milk (DIM) and/or temperature × humidity-dependent (THI) covariate. Impacts of −0.037, −0.019 and −0.006 kg/day/THI for initial and intermediate stages of lactation were observed when considering the mean maximum daily temperature and humidity to calculate THI. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.16 to 0.35 throughout lactation and THI values, suggesting the possibility to expect gains from selection for such trait. The variable trajectory of breeding values for dual-purpose Guzerá sires in response to changes in THI values confirms that the genotype × environment interaction due to heat stress can have some effect on TD milk yield. Despite the high dairy performance of Guzerá cattle under heat stress, estimated genetic trends showed a progressive reduction in heat tolerance. Therefore, new strategies should be adopted to prevent negative impacts of heat stress over milk production in Guzerá animals in future.     

Analysis of testicular variables,semen motility and kinematics-derived indexes in boar using a CASA-Mot system

The present study aimed to evaluate differences in area, volume and testicular weight among groups related to breed and age of boar and establish associations between testicular parameters and seminal characteristics. Seminal quality has been studied using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) systems that reduce the subjectivity of kinematic parameters. Based on the data obtained through this system, sperm quality indexes and their derived parameters have been assessed to identify a better estimator for determining movement and velocity parameters. We also established indexes of velocity and sperm movement for boar semen. To this end, we evaluated 191 ejaculate samples from 63 boars. Differences related to the effects of season and age on quality boar semen were found (p ≤ .05) in the animal groups. Indexes were established for velocity and sperm movement based on CASA-Mot, and we proposed a sperm movement index (SMI) and sperm velocity index (SVI) with the CASA-Mot variables. Correlations were found (p < .05) among sperm indexes and CASA-Mot variables. Boar characteristics were found to be associated with some CASA-Mot variables, and the estimated SMI and SVI indexes predicted a greater variation in kinematic characteristics compared to the parameters evaluated separately using the CASA-Mot system.     

Calcium salts of fatty acids with varying fatty acid profiles in diets of feedlot-finished Bos indicus bulls: impacts on intake,digestibility, performance,and carcass and meat characteristics

We hypothesized that the inclusion of calcium salts of fatty acid (CSFA) into the diets and the fatty acid (FA) profile of the supplements would impact performance and meat characteristics of Bos indicus bulls. Hence, the objective was to evaluate the effects of CSFA profiles on intake, body weight (BW), carcass, and meat characteristics of feedlot-finished B indicus bulls. Fifty-three Nellore bulls [initial BW 315 ± 5.9 kg and 20 ± 2 mo] were used. At the beginning, 6 bulls were randomly chosen and slaughtered for determination of their BW composition, and the remaining 47 bulls were evaluated during a 140-d experimental period. The bulls were placed in individual pens, blocked according to initial BW and randomly allocated to 1 of the 3 following treatments: (1) control diet containing sugarcane bagasse, ground corn, citrus pulp, peanut meal, and mineral–vitamin mix (CON), (2) CON with the addition of 3.3% of CSFA from soybean oil (CSO), or (3) CON with the addition of a mixture of 3.3% of CSFA from palm, soybean, and cottonseed oils (CPSCO). Diets were offered ad libitum and formulated to be isonitrogenous. Bulls supplemented with CSFA had a greater (P < 0.01) final BW, dry matter intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (FE), and FA intake vs. CON. Among carcass parameters, CSFA-supplemented bulls had greater (P < 0.01) carcass ether extract concentration vs. CON bulls. When the CSFA profile was evaluated (CSO vs. CPSCO), CPSCO bulls had a better (P ≤ 0.03) FE, carcass ADG, and hot carcass weight (HCW) vs. CSO bulls. The FA intakes differed among CSFA treatments, as the total saturated, palmitic, and oleic FA intakes were greater for CPSCO (P < 0.01), whereas lower intakes of total unsaturated and polyunsaturated FA (P < 0.01) were observed for CPSCO vs. CSO. Samples from the Longissimus muscle contained greater palmitoleic (P = 0.01) and reduced linoleic (P = 0.02) FA concentrations in CSFA-supplemented bulls vs. CON bulls. In agreement with the FA intakes, CPSCO-supplemented bulls had a greater (P ≤ 0.05) unsaturated FA concentration vs. CSO in Longissimus muscle. In summary, CSFA supplementation improved the performance of finishing B. indicus bulls vs. CON. Moreover, the inclusion of CSFA from palm, soybean, and cottonseed oil benefited the FE, carcass ADG, and HCW compared with the inclusion of CSFA from soybean oil, demonstrating the potential of specific FA for improving the performance and meat quality of B. indicus bulls.     

Genome Mining for Antimicrobial Compounds in Wild Marine Animals-Associated Enterococci

New ecosystems are being actively mined for new bioactive compounds. Because of the large amount of unexplored biodiversity, bacteria from marine environments are especially promising. Further, host-associated microbes are of special interest because of their low toxicity and compatibility with host health. Here, we identified and characterized biosynthetic gene clusters encoding antimicrobial compounds in host-associated enterococci recovered from fecal samples of wild marine animals remote from human-affected ecosystems. Putative biosynthetic gene clusters in the genomes of 22 Enterococcus strains of marine origin were predicted using antiSMASH5 and Bagel4 bioinformatic software. At least one gene cluster encoding a putative bioactive compound precursor was identified in each genome. Collectively, 73 putative antimicrobial compounds were identified, including 61 bacteriocins (83.56%), 10 terpenes (13.70%), and 2 (2.74%) related to putative nonribosomal peptides (NRPs). Two of the species studied, Enterococcus avium and Enterococcus mundtti, are rare causes of human disease and were found to lack any known pathogenic determinants but yet possessed bacteriocin biosynthetic genes, suggesting possible additional utility as probiotics. Wild marine animal-associated enterococci from human-remote ecosystems provide a potentially rich source for new antimicrobial compounds of therapeutic and industrial value and potential probiotic application.