Rumen-protected fat (RPF) was produced in the 1st experimental stage through melt-emulsification technique using buriti oil (BO) as core, at concentrations of 10% (BO10), 20% (BO20), and 30% (BO30) ...(w/w), and carnauba wax (CW) as encapsulant material. After obtention and characterization, protected fat microspheres were tested in a 2nd experimental stage on the sheep’ diet using six castrated 2-year-old male Santa Ines with initial weight 48.9 ± 5.23 kg, fistulated in rumen and distributed in a double Latin square design with 3 treatments × 3 periods, to evaluate rumen pH, temperature, protozoal count, and blood parameters. There was no difference (
P
> 0.05) among RPF microspheres for microencapsulation yield. However, microencapsulation efficiency increased (
P
< 0.05) with BO addition ranging from 36 to 61.3% for BO10 and BO30, respectively. The inclusion of BO10 in the sheep’s diet did not affect the ruminal dry matter degradability (DMD) of BO over time (
P
> 0.05); however, BO20 and BO30 had higher (
P
< 0.05) DMD values than BO10. No significant differences were observed among RPF for rumen pH and temperature (
P
> 0.05). There was an increase (
P
< 0.05) in the protozoal population in the rumen environment due to the microencapsulated BO30 inclusion. There was also increase (
P
< 0.05) in serum albumin, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and a reduction (
P
< 0.05) in serum triglycerides of the sheep when RPF microspheres increased in the diet. Melt-emulsification proved to be a good technique for microencapsulation of buriti oil into the carnauba wax matrix. RPF from buriti oil protected into carnauba wax is recommended for sheep diet because it increases energy density, without adverse effects on the protozoal populations and blood serum metabolites from the bypass effect in the rumen.
Objectives
To compare the values obtained from maximum respiratory pressures (MRP) between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic elderly; to verify the association of maximum respiratory pressures with ...sarcopenia and its indicators; and to establish cut-off points for MRP as a discriminator of sarcopenia.
Design
Cross-sectional study.
Location
Macapá, Brazil.
Participants
Community-dwelling elderly ≥ 60 years old, both sexes.
Measures
Evaluation of respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure - MIP and maximal expiratory pressure - MEP) and sarcopenia, according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), in which the diagnosis of this condition considered the reduction of muscle mass (muscle mass index - MMI) associated with muscle strength reduction (hand grip strength - HGS) and / or impairment in physical performance (gait speed - GS).
Results
The sample consisted of 383 elderly individuals, with a mean age of 70.02 ± 7.3 years and a prevalence of sarcopenia of 12.53% (n = 48). Sarcopenic individuals presented significantly lower (obtained, obtained versus predicted) mean values for the maximal respiratory pressures compared to the non-sarcopenic elderly, and these were inversely associated with sarcopenia (an increase by 1 cmH2O in MIP and MEP reduced by 5% and 3%, respectively, the probability of sarcopenia). In relation to the association with the sarcopenia indicators, the increase by 1 cmH2O in MIP and MEP decreased, respectively, the probability of decreasing muscle strength (3% and 2%), GS (3% and 4%) and MMI (3 % - MIP). Cut-off points ≤60 cmH2O and ≤50 cmH2O for MEP and ≤55 cmH2O and ≤45 cmH2O for MEP, respectively for elderly men and women, served as a discriminant criterion for the presence of sarcopenia (area under the ROC curve superior to 0.70).
Conclusions
Elderly patients with sarcopenia had lower MIP and MEP values when compared to non-sarcopenic individuals, and respiratory muscle strength was inversely associated with the diagnosis of sarcopenia and its indicators (HGS, gait speed and MMI). Furthermore, cut-off points for MIP and MEP can be used in clinical practice as discriminators of sarcopenia in community-dwelling elderly.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic modality that has shown effectiveness in the inactivation of cancer cell lines and microorganisms. Treatment consists of activating the photosensitizer ...(PS) upon light irradiation of adequate wavelength. After reaching the excited state, the PS can handle the intersystem conversion through energy transfer to the molecular oxygen, generating reactive oxygen species. This especially applies to singlet oxygen (1O2), which is responsible for the selective destruction of the sick tissue. Photosensitizing compounds (chlorophylls and derivatives) existing in the spinach extract have applicability for PDT. This study aimed to develop and characterize the thermoresponsive bioadhesive system composed of Pluronic F127 20.0%- and Carbopol 934P 0.2% (w/w) (FC)-containing chlorophyll-based extract 0.5% (w/w) (FC-Chl). Mechanical and rheological properties, in vitro release, sol–gel transition temperature, and ex vivo permeability of the spinach extract PS components (through pig ear skin) were investigated. Furthermore, photodynamic activity of the system was accessed through uric acid and time-solved measurements. The sol–gel transition temperature obtained for the FC-Chl system was 28.8 ± 0.3 °C. Rheological and texture properties of the platform were suitable for use as a dermatological system, exhibiting easy application and good characteristics of retention in the place of administration. In vitro release studies showed the presence of two distinct mechanisms that reasonably obey the zero-order and first-order kinetics models. PS components presented skin permeability and reached a permeation depth of 830 μm (between the epidermis and dermis). The photodynamic evaluation of the FC-Chl system was effective in the degradation of uric acid. The quantum yield (ΦΔ 1O2) and life time (τ1O2) of singlet oxygen showed similar values for the spinach extract and the isolated chlorophyll a species in ethanol. These results allowed for the classification of the FC-Chl platform as potentially useful for the delivery of the chlorophyll-based extract in the topic PDT, suggesting that it is worthy for in vivo evaluation.
Aim
The increase in the number of fungal infections worldwide, coupled with the limitations of current antifungal chemotherapy, demand the development of safe and effective new antifungals. Here, we ...presented the synthesis of a novel acridone (M14) and its antifungal properties against Candida and dermatophytes species.
Methods and Results
A series of 17 acridones was designed, synthesized and tested for its antifungal activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the broth microdilution method. Only the acridone M14 showed growth‐inhibitory activity against reference strains and clinical isolates of Candida and dermatophytes, with MIC range of 7·81–31·25 µg ml−1. Moreover, M14 exhibited fungicidal activity and prevented biofilm formation by C. albicans as well as reduced the viability of preformed biofilms, even at sub‐MICs. The confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis revealed that C. albicans hyphal growth was completely inhibited in the presence of M14. Similarly, there was a severe inhibition on hyphal growth of Trichophyton rubrum. We also found that M14 has relatively low toxicity to human fibroblasts.
Conclusions
The new acridone M14 has antifungal properties against Candida spp. and dermatophytes, and antibiofilm activity against C. albicans. In addition, M14 is relatively selective to fungal cells compared to human normal cells.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Because of its in vitro antifungal activity, anti‐Candida biofilm effect and moderate cytotoxicity towards normal human cell, M14 may serve as a valuable lead compound to develop a new antifungal agent.
Phthalocyanine aluminum chloride (Pc) is a clinically viable photosensitizer (PS) to treat skin lesions worsened by microbial infections. However, this molecule presents a high self-aggregation ...tendency in the biological fluid, which is an in vivo direct administration obstacle. This study proposed the use of bioadhesive and thermoresponsive hydrogels comprising triblock-type Pluronic F127 and Carbopol 934P (FCarb) as drug delivery platforms of Pc (FCarbPc)-targeting topical administration. Carbopol 934P was used to increase the F127 hydrogel adhesion on the skin. Rheological analyses showed that the Pc presented a low effect on the hydrogel matrix, changing the gelation temperature from 27.2 ± 0.1 to 28.5 ± 0.9 °C once the Pc concentration increases from zero to 1 mmol L–1. The dermatological platform showed matrix erosion effects with the release of loaded Pc micelles. The permeation studies showed the excellent potential of the FCarb platform, which allowed the partition of the PS into deeper layers of the skin. The applicability of this dermatological platform in photodynamic therapy was evaluated by the generation of reactive species which was demonstrated by chemical photodynamic efficiency assays. The low effect on cell viability and proliferation in the dark was demonstrated by in vitro assays using L929 fibroblasts. The FCarbPc fostered the inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus strain, therefore demonstrating the platform’s potential in the treatment of dermatological infections of microbial nature.
The cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus is a hematophagous ectoparasite that causes important economic losses in livestock. Different species of ticks harbor a symbiont bacterium of the genus ...Coxiella. It was showed that a Coxiella endosymbiont from R. microplus (CERM) is a vertically transmitted mutualist symbiont, comprising 98% of the 16S rRNA sequences in both eggs and larvae. Sequencing of the bacterial genome revealed genes for biosynthetic pathways for several vitamins and key metabolic cofactors that may provide a nutritional complement to the tick host. The CERM was abundant in ovary and Malpighian tubule of fully engorged female. Tetracycline treatment of either the tick or the vertebrate host reduced levels of bacteria in progeny in 74% for eggs and 90% for larvae without major impact neither on the reproductive fitness of the adult female or on embryo development. However, CERM proved to be essential for the tick to reach the adult life stage, as under antibiotic treatment no tick was able to progress beyond the metanymph stage. Data presented here suggest that interference in the symbiotic CERM-R. microplus relationship may be useful to the development of alternative control methods, highlighting the interdependence between ticks and their endosymbionts.
This study reports curcumin as an efficient photolarvicide against Aedes aegypti larvae under natural light illumination. Larval mortality and pupal formation were monitored daily for 21 days under ...simulated field conditions. In a sucrose-containing formulation, a lethal time 50 (LT50) of 3 days was found using curcumin at 4.6 mg L−1. This formulation promoted no larval toxicity in the absence of illumination, and sucrose alone did not induce larval phototoxicity. The photodegradation byproducts (intermediates) of curcumin were determined and the photodegradation mechanisms proposed. Intermediates with m/z 194, 278, and 370 were found and characterized using LC-MS. The ecotoxicity of the byproducts on non-target organisms (Daphnia, fish, and green algae) indicates that the intermediates do not exhibit any destructive potential for aquatic organisms. The results of photodegradation and ecotoxicity suggest that curcumin is environmentally safe for non-target organisms and, therefore, can be considered for population control of Ae. aegypti.
The current manuscript describes the role and importance of catalysis and solvent effects for the Biginelli multicomponent reaction. The overwhelming number of new catalysts and conditions recently ...published for the Biginelli synthesis, including in some manuscripts entitled “catalyst-free” and/or “solvent-free” have incentivized controversies and hot debates regarding the importance of developing new catalysts and reaction conditions to perform this very important multicomponent reaction. These so-called “catalyst-free” reports have generated much confusion in the field, requiring urgent elucidations. In this manuscript, we exemplify, demystify, and discuss the crucial role of catalysis, solvent effects, mechanisms, kinetics, facts, presumptions, and myths associated with the Biginelli reaction aiming to avoid current and future confusion and to stimulate new approaches.
The extraction of sulphur produces a hematite-rich waste, known as roasted pyrite ash, which contains significant amounts of environmentally sensitive elements in variable concentrations and modes of ...occurrence. Whilst the mineralogy of roasted pyrite ash associated with iron or copper mining has been studied, as this is the main source of sulphur worldwide, the mineralogy, and more importantly, the characterization of submicron, ultrafine and nanoparticles, in coal-derived roasted pyrite ash remain to be resolved. In this work we provide essential data on the chemical composition and nanomineralogical assemblage of roasted pyrite ash. XRD, HR-TEM and FE-SEM were used to identify a large variety of minerals of anthropogenic origin. These phases result from highly complex chemical reactions occurring during the processing of coal pyrite of southern Brazil for sulphur extraction and further manufacture of sulphuric acid. Iron-rich submicron, ultrafine and nanoparticles within the ash may contain high proportions of toxic elements such as As, Se, U, among others. A number of elements, such as As, Cr, Cu, Co, La, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Ti, Zn, and Zr, were found to be present in individual nanoparticles and submicron, ultrafine and nanominerals (e.g. oxides, sulphates, clays) in concentrations of up to 5%. The study of nanominerals in roasted pyrite ash from coal rejects is important to develop an understanding on the nature of this by-product, and to assess the interaction between emitted nanominerals, ultra-fine particles, and atmospheric gases, rain or body fluids, and thus to evaluate the environmental and health impacts of pyrite ash materials.
► We examine changes in the level of ultrafine and nanoparticles about coal–pyrite quality. ► Increasing information will increase human health quality in this area. ► Welfare effects depend on ex-ante or ex-post assumptions about quality information.
Supplementation with epigallocatechin-3-gallate has been determined to aid in the prevention of obesity. Decaffeinated green tea extract appears to restore a normal hepatic metabolic profile and ...attenuate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced effects, thereby preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice. Mice were maintained on either a control diet (CD) or HFD for 16 weeks and supplemented with either water or green tea extract (50 mg/kg/day). The body mass increase, serum adiponectin level, and lipid profile were measured over the course of the treatment. Furthermore, the AMPK pathway protein expression in the liver was measured. From the fourth week, the weight gain in the CD + green tea extract (CE) group was lower than that in the CD + water (CW) group. From the eighth week, the weight gain in the HFD + water (HFW) group was found to be higher than that in the CW group. Moreover, the weight gain in the HFD + green tea extract (HFE) group was found to be lower than that in the HFW group. Carcass lipid content was found to be higher in the HFW group than that in the CW and HFE groups. Serum analysis showed reduced non-esterified fatty acid level in the CE and HFE groups as compared with their corresponding placebo groups. Increased adiponectin level was observed in the same groups. Increased VLDL-TG secretion was observed in the HFW group as compared with the CW and HFE groups. Increased protein expression of AdipoR2, SIRT1, pLKB1, and pAMPK was observed in the HFE group, which explained the reduced expression of ACC, FAS, SREBP-1, and ChREBP in this group. These results indicate that the effects of decaffeinated green tea extract may be related to the activation of AMPK via LKB1 in the liver of HFD-fed mice.
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