Abstract Introduction The aim of the present study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties of a bioceramic root canal sealer, Endosequence BC Sealer. Radiopacity, pH, release of calcium ions ...(Ca2+ ), and flow were analyzed, and the results were compared with AH Plus cement. Methods Radiopacity and flow were evaluated according to ISO 6876/2001 standards. For the radiopacity analysis, metallic rings with 10-mm diameter and 1-mm thickness were filled with cements. The radiopacity value was determined according to radiographic density (mm Al). The flow test was performed with 0.05 mL of cement placed on a glass plate. A 120-g weight was carefully placed over the cement. The largest and smallest diameters of the disks formed were measured by using a digital caliper. The release of Ca2+ and pH were measured at periods of 3, 24, 72, 168, and 240 hours with spectrophotometer and pH meter, respectively. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey test ( P < .05). Results The bioceramic endodontic cement showed radiopacity (3.84 mm Al) significantly lower than that of AH Plus (6.90 mm Al). The pH analysis showed that Endosequence BC Sealer showed pH and release of Ca2+ greater than those of AH Plus ( P < .05) during the experimental periods. The flow test revealed that BC Sealer and AH Plus presented flow of 26.96 mm and 21.17 mm, respectively ( P < .05). Conclusions Endosequence BC Sealer showed radiopacity and flow according to ISO 6876/2001 recommendations. The other physicochemical properties analyzed demonstrated favorable values for a root canal sealer.
The identification of high-performance indicator taxa that combine practical feasibility and ecological value requires an understanding of the costs and benefits of surveying different taxa. We ...present a generic and novel framework for identifying such taxa, and illustrate our approach using a large-scale assessment of 14 different higher taxa across three forest types in the Brazilian Amazon, estimating both the standardized survey cost and the ecological and biodiversity indicator value for each taxon. Survey costs varied by three orders of magnitude, and dung beetles and birds were identified as especially suitable for evaluating and monitoring the ecological consequences of habitat change in our study region. However, an exclusive focus on such taxa occurs at the expense of understanding patterns of diversity in other groups. To improve the cost-effectiveness of biodiversity research we encourage a combination of clearer research goals and the use of an objective evidence-based approach to selecting study taxa.
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Tithonia diversifolia as a supplementary forage on dairy cow performance and methane production. Nine lactating Holstein × Zebu dairy cows ...(519 ± 53.3 kg of body weight and 66 ± 13.3 d in milk) were paired by milk yield (21.3 ± 2.34 kg/d) and body weight and randomly assigned to three dietary treatments in a Latin square design with 21-d experimental periods (14 d for diet adaptation and 7 d for measurements and sample collection). The dietary treatments included the control diet consisting of fresh sugar cane plus concentrate (44:56, % of diet DM), and two treatment diets containing different levels of fresh T. diversifolia (6.5 and 15.4%, DM basis) which partially replaced both sugarcane and concentrates. Methane production was measured using the sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) technique from d 16 to d 21 of each experimental period. Analysis of the gas samples was performed by gas chromatography. The inclusion of T. diversifolia at 15.4% DM had no effects on DM intake, milk production, nitrogen balance or methane production. There was no effect on the concentrations of total saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in milk fat (P ≥ 0.28), though individual milk fatty acids were affected. Serum concentrations of glucose, urea nitrogen (BUN), triglycerides, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and cholesterol were unaffected by the dietary treatments (P ≥ 0.13). There was a time (2 and 6 h post-feeding) and dietary treatment effect (P < 0.01) on the acetate to propionate ratio in the rumen. A denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of the archaeal community showed distinct clustering of the archaea populations for control and treatment diets. Taken together, our results indicate the potential of T. diversifolia as a supplementary forage for dairy cattle in the tropics.
The genus Elaphe Fitzinger, 1833 includes 17 species of charismatic, large-sized, non-venomous, Eurasian snakes. In the Western Palearctic, the genus is represented by three species from the Elaphe ...quatuorlineata group ranging from the Apennine peninsula to Central Asia. The southernmost population of this group is distributed in the mountains of the Southern Levant, with more than 400 km gap to other Elaphe populations. This population has been known to science for only 50 years and is virtually unstudied due to its extreme rarity. We studied these snakes' morphological and genetic variation from the three countries where they are known to occur, i.e., Israel (Hermon, the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights), Lebanon, and Syria. We used nine mitochondrial and nuclear genes, complete mitogenome sequences, and a comprehensive morphological examination including published data, our own field observations, and museum specimens, to study its relationship to other species in the group. The three currently recognized species of the group (E. quatuorlineata, E. sauromates, E. urartica), and the Levant population, form four deeply divergent, strongly supported clades. Three of these clades correspond to the abovementioned species while the Southern Levant clade, which is genetically and morphologically distinct from all named congeners, is described here as a new species, Elaphe druzei sp. nov. The basal divergence of this group is estimated to be the Late Miocene with subsequent radiation from 5.1 to 3.9 Mya. The revealed biogeography of the E. quatuorlineata group supports the importance of the Levant as a major center of endemism and diversity of biota in Eurasia. The new species is large-sized and is one of the rarest snakes in the Western Palearctic. Because of its small mountain distribution range, in an area affected by land use and climate change, the new Elaphe urgently needs strict protection. Despite political issues, we hope this will be based on the cooperation of all countries where the new species occurs.
Abstract Maintenance of homeostasis in normal or stressful situations depends upon mechanisms controlling autonomic activity. Central requirement for changes in sympathetic output resulting from ...emotional stress must be adjusted to the input signals from visceral sensory afferent (feedback response) for an optimum cardiovascular performance. There is a large body of evidence indicating that emotional stress can lead to cardiovascular disease. Reviewing the descending pathways from dorsomedial hypothalamus, a key region involved in the cardiovascular response to emotional stress, we discuss the interactions between mechanisms controlling the sympathetic output to the cardiovascular system and the possible implications in cardiovascular disease.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the physical form of starter and inclusion of hay in the diet of preweaning dairy calves on performance, digestibility, ruminal development, ...and mRNA expression of genes involved in ruminal metabolism. Holstein x Gyr crossbred male calves (n = 38 1day old) were assigned to 3 treatments for 9 weeks: Control (n = 13; pellet starter with 4 mm diameter and 18 mm length and 4% steam-flaked corn), Ground (n = 12; same starter of the control but ground pass through a 4.0 mm sieve), or Ground plus 5% chopped Tifton hay GH (n = 13). All calves were fed 4 L/d of whole milk up to 63 d of age and were abruptly weaned at 64 d of age. Water and diets were offered ad libitum. Samples of ruminal contents were obtained from all animals at 30, 45, and 60 d of age to evaluate pH, ammonia nitrogen, and volatile fatty acids (VFA). At 55 d of age, an apparent digestibility assay was performed using 18 animals (n = 6/ treatment). At 65 d of age, the 18 animals were euthanized to evaluate the development of the digestive tract. The physical form of starter and the dietary inclusion of hay did not influence starter intake (Control 326 g/d, Ground 314 g/d and GH 365 g/d), daily weight gain (Control 541g/d, Ground 531g/d and GH 606g/d), feed efficiency, apparent nutrient digestibility, energy partitioning, nitrogen balance, ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen concentration, VFA, the development of the digestive tract and the mRNA expression of genes involved in AGV metabolism.
Nicotinic α‐7 acetylcholine receptor (nAChRα7) is a critical regulator of cholinergic anti‐inflammatory actions in several diseases, including acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). Given the ...potential importance of α7nAChR as a therapeutic target, we evaluated whether PNU‐282987, an α7nAChR agonist, is effective in protecting the lung against inflammation. We performed intratracheal instillation of LPS to generate acute lung injury (ALI) in C57BL/6 mice. PNU‐282987 treatment, either before or after ALI induction, reduced neutrophil recruitment and IL‐ 1β, TNF‐α, IL‐6, keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC), and IL‐10 cytokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (P> 0.05). In addition, lung NF‐κB phosphorylation decreased, along with collagen fiber deposition and the number of matrix metalloproteinase‐9+ and −2+ cells, whereas the number of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1+ cells increased (P < 0.05). PNU‐282987 treatment also reduced lung mRNA levels and the frequency of M1 macrophages, whereas cells expressing the M2‐related markers CD206 and IL‐10 increased, suggesting changes in the macrophage profile. Finally, PNU‐282987 improved lung function in LPS‐treated animals. The collective results suggest that PNU‐282987, anagonist of α7nAChR, reducesLPS‐induced experimental ALI, thus supporting the notion that drugs that act on α7nAChRs should be explored for ARDS treatment in humans.—Pinheiro, N. M., Santana, F. P. R., Almeida, R. R., Guerreiro, M., Martins, M.A., Caperuto, L.C., Câmara, N.O.S., Wensing, L.A., Prado, V. F., Tibério, I. F. L. C., Prado, M.A.M., Prado, C. M. Acute lung injury is reduced by the α7nAChR agonist PNU‐282987 through changes in the macrophage profile. FASEB J. 31, 320–332 (2017) www.fasebj.org
We examined the taxonomy of the minute desert geckos of the Tropiocolotes nattereri species complex using the largest morphological sampling, and the first molecular assessment of intraspecific ...diversity within this complex. We examined variation in mitochondrial and nuclear markers (12S, ND2, c‐mos and MC1R) of 30 samples and analyzed the external morphology of 202 specimens, from across the entire distribution range of the complex from Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. We recognize two species under the name T. nattereri. We thus hereby describe a new species, T. yomtovi sp. n., and we redefine and redescribe T. nattereri, for which we designate a neotype. The species diversity in the genus Tropiocolotes increases to 15.
Decent work (DW) is a topic that has only recently attracted the attention of psychology researchers. The Decent Work Scale (DWS) is an instrument developed to assess five dimensions of decent work: ...Safe Working Conditions, Access to Health Care, Adequate Compensation, Free Time and Rest, and Complementary Values. The aims of this study were to understand decent work in a Brazilian context both quantitatively and qualitatively. A total of 307 Brazilian working adults took part in the study. First, we adapted the DWS to Brazilian Portuguese and examined its psychometric properties. Mirroring the results o previous studies, a five-factor bifactor model showed the best fit to the data. Additionally, positive correlations with job satisfaction and work meaning, and negative correlations with withdrawal intentions provided evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. The meaning of decent work was investigated through a qualitative content analysis, which allowed the identification of already known aspects of decent work and a new aspect related to the idea of contributing to the common good. These findings suggest that the decent work construct and DWS are applicable within the Brazilian context, but also that other elements of decent work deserve further investigation.
•The Decent Work Scale (DWS) was adapted to Brazilian Portuguese.•Evidences of validity and reliability were comparable to other studies.•Meaning of decent work was investigated qualitatively.•Common good emerged as an aspect of decent work not previously reported.
Plantation forests and second-growth forests are becoming dominant components of many tropical forest landscapes. Yet there is little information available concerning the consequences of different ...forestry options for biodiversity conservation in the tropics. We sampled the leaf-litter herpetofauna of primary, secondary, and Eucalyptus plantation forests in the Jari River area of northeastern Brazilian Amazonia. We used four complementary sampling techniques, combined samples from 2 consecutive years, and collected 1739 leaf-litter amphibians (23 species) and 1937 lizards (30 species). We analyzed the data for differences among forest types regarding patterns of alpha and beta diversity, species-abundance distributions, and community structure. Primary rainforest harbored significantly more species, but supported a similar abundance of amphibians and lizards compared with adjacent areas of second-growth forest or plantations. Plantation forests were dominated by wide-ranging habitat generalists. Secondary forest faunas contained a number of species characteristic of primary forest habitat. Amphibian communities in secondary forests and Eucalyptus plantations formed a nested subset of primary forest species, whereas the species composition of the lizard community in plantations was distinct, and was dominated by open-area species. Although plantation forests are relatively impoverished, naturally regenerating forests can help mitigate some negative effects of deforestation for herpetofauna. Nevertheless, secondary forest does not provide a substitute for primary forest, and in the absence of further evidence from older successional stands, we caution against the optimistic claim that natural forest regeneration in abandoned lands will provide refuge for the many species that are currently threatened by deforestation.
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