The aim was to compare reproductive outcomes of Nelore heifers submitted to timed AI (TAI) protocols, with 7 or 9 d of permanence of the intravaginal progesterone (P4) device and different times of ...prostaglandin F2α (PGF) administration, for first (n = 935) and second (n = 530) services. On Day −24, heifers without corpus luteum (CL) underwent a protocol for induction of ovulation. On Day 0, heifers received a P4 device (0.5 g) and 1.5 mg estradiol (E2) benzoate. In order for the TAI to be carried out on the same day, these treatments were performed 2 d later on the heifers treated with the 7-d protocol. Additionally, heifers received 0.5 mg PGF at different times, resulting in four experimental groups: 9dP4-PGFd9 (n = 365); 9dP4-PGFd7 (n = 369); 9dP4-PGFd0&9 (n = 364); 7dP4-PGFd0&7 (n = 367). These nomenclatures indicate for how many d the P4 device was kept and the specific day on which PGF was given. At P4 removal, all heifers received 0.5 mg E2 cypionate and 200 IU eCG, and TAI was performed 2 d later. Effects were considered significant when P ≤ 0.05 (superscript letters a,b) whereas a tendency was assumed when 0.05 < P ≤ 0.10. Groups 9dP4-PGFd0&9 and 7dP4-PGFd0&7 had lower percentage of heifers with CL at P4 removal. The diameter (mm) of the dominant follicle (DF) was affected by treatment at P4 removal (9dP4-PGFd9: 11.3 ± 0.3b; 9dP4-PGFd7: 11.8 ± 0.2ab; 9dP4-PGFd0&9: 12.6 ± 0.2a; 7dP4-PGFd0&7: 10.8 ± 0.2c) and at TAI (9dP4-PGFd9: 12.7 ± 0.3ab; 9dP4-PGFd7: 13.2 ± 0.2a; 9dP4-PGFd0&9: 13.4 ± 0.2a; 7dP4-PGFd0&7: 12.4 ± 0.3b). Expression of estrus (%) was affected by treatment (9dP4-PGFd9: 89.6a; 9dP4-PGFd7: 93.5a; 9dP4-PGFd0&9: 88.2ab; 7dP4-PGFd0&7: 85.6b). There were no differences among treatments for P/AI on Day 40 (30–35 d post AI), final P/AI (between Day 70 and parturition) and pregnancy loss (between Day 40 and final P/AI). When the permanence of the P4 device was compared, regardless of PGF treatments, 9-d protocols resulted in greater DF diameter at P4 removal and at TAI, and greater expression of estrus (90.4 vs. 85.6%) than the 7-d protocol. Despite that, the 7-d protocol resulted in greater P/AI on Day 40 (55.3 vs. 49.1%). In addition, there was an interaction between protocol duration and body weight, in which heavier heifers (≥ 307 kg) had greater P/AI when treated with the 7-d protocol, in comparison to 9-d. In conclusion, longer TAI protocols (9 d of P4 device duration) resulted in greater DF diameter and expression of estrus. However, the shorter TAI protocol (7 d of P4 device duration) produced greater P/AI on Day 40, particularly in heavier heifers. Within 9-d protocols, the additional dose of PGF on Day 0 or the anticipation of the PGF to Day 7 did not influence fertility.
•7 or 9 d of permanence of the P4 intravaginal device were evaluated in heifers.•PGF2α was administered at different times in E2/P4-based TAI protocols.•9-d protocols resulted in larger DF and greater expression of estrus.•P/AI 30–35 d post AI was greater in heifers treated with 7-d protocol.•Heavier heifers had greater fertility when treated with the 7-d protocol.
No-tillage (NT) is a major component of conservation agricultural systems. Challenges that have arisen with the adoption of NT include soil compaction, weed management, and stratification of organic ...matter and nutrients. As an attempt to overcome these challenges, occasional tillage (OT) has been used as a soil management practice in NT systems. However, little is known about the impacts of OT on agronomic and environmental factors. For this reason, the objectives of this meta-analysis were: 1) to summarize the effects of OT on crop productivity, soil physical, chemical and biological properties, soil erosion and weed control; 2) to discuss the main aspects of NT management to optimize the use of OT; 3) to point out shortcomings in the diagnosis of soil compaction in NT systems, which may lead to erroneous decision-making processes regarding the use of OT. Overall, OT did not affect crops yields, although increased crop yields were observed in regions under water restriction and in soils with low retention capacity and water availability; OT improved soil physical properties (penetration resistance, soil bulk density, macroporosity, and total porosity), with persistence, generally, greater than 24 months, and decreased the soil aggregates stability; total organic carbon was reduced, particularly when plow/harrow was used and NT was already consolidated, and there was no effect on pH and available P; OT increased microbial biomass carbon, but had no effect on total microbial activity; soil erosion was reduced due to increased soil-water infiltration and reduced runoff, and finally, weed management was also improved by OT. It is suggested that suitable NT implementation and management, with the correct application of NT principles, will overcome problems associated with NT. As soil compaction is the main justification for the use of OT, methods of diagnosis and monitoring of soil compaction should be improved to assist in decision-making.
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•Overall, occasional tillage (OT) has limited effect on crop yields.•Impacts of OT were measured as a function of climate, texture, equipment and duration of no-tillage (NT).•OT reduced soil compaction and improved erosion resistance and weed control.•OT reduced organic C and did not affect pH, P and microbial activity.•In general, beneficial OT occurs in 5–10 yr NT and depends on equipment.
Edema is one of the obvious indicators of inflammation and a crucial factor to take into account when assessing a substance's capacity to reduce inflammation. We aimed to evaluate the ...antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory profile of the hydroethanolic barks extract of Ximenia americana (HEXA). The possible antiedematogenic and anti-inflammatory effect of EHXA (50, 100 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg v.o) was evaluated using the paw edema induced by carrageenan, zymosan, dextran, CFA and by different agents inflammatory (serotonin, histamine, arachidonic acid and PGE2), and pleurisy model induced by carrageenan and its action on IL-1β and TNF-α levels was also evaluated. HEXA demonstrated a significant antiedematogenic effect at concentrations of 50, 100 and 250 mg/kg on paw edema induced by carrageenan, zymosan and dextran. However, the concentration of 50 mg/kg as standard, demonstrating the effect in the subchronic model, induced CFA with inhibition of 59.06 %. In models of histamine-induced paw edema, HEXA showed inhibition of − 30 min: 40.49 %, 60 min: 44.70 % and 90 min: 48.98 %; serotonin inhibition - 30 min: 57.09 %, 60 min: 66.04 % and 90 min: 61.79 %; arachidonic acid inhibition - 15 min: 36.54 %, 30 min: 51.10 %, 45 min: 50.32 % and 60 min: 76.17 %; and PGE2 inhibition - 15 min: 67.78 %, 30 min: 62.30 %, 45 min: 54.25 % and 60 min: 47.92 %. HEXA significantly reduced (p < 0.01) leukocyte migration in the pleurisy model and reduced TNF-α and IL-1β levels in pleural lavage (p < 0.0001). The results showed that HEXA has the potential to have an antiedematogenic impact in both acute and chronic inflammation processes, with a putative mode of action including the suppression or regulation of inflammatory mediators.
Abstract
Silicon (Si) fertilization is widely recognized to improve the development of crops, especially in tropical soils and cultivation under dryland management. Herein, our working hypothesis was ...that Si stoichiometry favors the efficient use of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in sugarcane plants. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out using a 3 × 3 factorial scheme consisting of three cultivars (RB92579, RB021754 and RB036066) and three forms of Si application (control without Si; sodium silicate spray at 40 mmol L
−1
in soil during planting; sodium silicate spray at 40 mmol L
−1
on leaves at 75 days after emergence). All Si fertilizations altered the elemental C and P stoichiometry and sugarcane yield, but silicon-induced responses varied depending on sugarcane cultivar and application method. The most prominent impacts were found in the leaf Si-sprayed RB92579 cultivar, with a significant increase of 7.0% (11 Mg ha
−1
) in stalk yield, 9.0% (12 Mg ha
−1
) in total recoverable sugar, and 20% (4 Mg ha
−1
) in sugar yield compared to the Si-without control. In conclusion, our findings clearly show that silicon soil and foliar fertilization alter C:N:P stoichiometry by enhancing the efficiency of carbon and phosphorus utilization, leading to improved sugarcane production and industrial quality.
The photocatalytic activity of N-doped TiO2 nanoparticles to degrade metoprolol (MET) has been investigated. The materials were synthesized via sol-gel method and characterized using different ...techniques. All materials revealed the formation of anatase phase, with a band gap energy close to 3.12 eV, which suggests that the N doping did not cause substantial variations as compared to pure TiO2. However, the TiO2-5%N photocatalyst exhibited a reduction in nanoparticle size and a surface area 0.4-fold larger than undoped TiO2. The influence of pH, catalyst concentration, and doping percentage was investigated through a Box-Behnken experimental design. Under the best conditions (0.5 g L−1 of TiO2-5%N, solution pH 6.0), 98% MET degradation and 42% mineralization could be achieved, and the process by-products were non-toxic to Artemia salina.
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•Nitrogen doping promoted the formation of oxygen and Ti3+ surface defects in TiO2.•The system exhibited enhanced removal of refractory organic pollutants.•A Box-Behnken factorial design was employed as a statistical tool for metoprolol degradation.•Toxicity assessments with Artemia salina showed a satisfactory response to secondary effluent treatment enriched with MET.
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•Fe3+ was selected as the ideal coagulant due to reduced turbidity compared to treatment with Al3+.•PFL promoted a high DOC removal in coagulated leachate by Fe3+ at laboratory ...scale.•Landfill leachate biodegradability was improved by SPFL at a CPC solar pilot plant.•Leachate treated by SPFL unneeded coagulation-flocculation step.•Acute toxicity of raw and COAG_Fe3+ leachates were efficiently reduced after SPFL.
The effectiveness of using solar photo-Fenton-like processes to degrade sanitary landfill leachates was investigated. Leachate samples exhibited varying composition, owing to a mixture of older and younger effluents from a former dump site subsequently converted into a sanitary landfill. Coagulation assays (jar test) using Al3+, Fe2+, and Fe3+ in the 240–800 mg L–1 range were performed to evaluate optimal coagulant concentration for abatement of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). A high COD (53%) and DOC (72%) removal rates were obtained for Al3+ but there was a very substantial increase in the turbidity. Optimal coagulant concentration was then adopted, and the effluents were subjected to photo-Fenton processes at laboratory scale. At this scale, coagulation by Fe3+ at 240 mg L–1 combined with a photo-Fenton-like method exhibited superior performance, with 66% DOC removal by coagulation and over 70% DOC removal using the photo-Fenton-like process. Solar photodegradation was conducted for 180 min at Fe3+ ≈ 100 mg L–1, pH = 3.0 ± 0.3, and H2O2 = 50–250 mg L–1 at a solar pilot plant. Use of solar photo-Fenton-like processes improved effluent biodegradability, irrespective of coagulation pretreatment, and also reduced leachate toxicity, as shown by acute ecotoxicity tests using Lactuca sativa seeds, Allium cepa bulbs, and Artemia salina, proving to be a promising treatment method in line with the National Solid Waste Policy, which promotes and encourages non-generation, reduction, reuse, recycling, the treatment of solid waste, and the environmentally appropriate final disposal of tailings.
Fifty years of deforestation in the Arc of Deforestation have put at risk species survival, ecosystem services and the stability of biogeochemical cycles in Amazonia, with global repercussions. In ...response, we need to understand the diversity, distribution and abundance of flagship species groups, such as primates, which can serve as umbrella species for broad biodiversity conservation strategies and help mitigate climate change. Here we identify the range, suitable habitat areas and population size of Vieira's titi monkey Plecturocebus vieirai and use it as an emblematic example to discuss biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation in one of the largest deforestation frontiers. Our findings show that deforestation for agriculture and cattle-ranching expansion is the major threat to P. vieirai and is responsible for present (56%) and projected (14%) reductions in habitat area and population size. We also found that human-driven climate change affects the P. vieirai niche negatively, triggering habitat degradation and further population decline even inside protected areas. Primate watching can be a profitable alternative to forest exploitation on private, public or Indigenous lands in the Arc of Deforestation and is a way to shift the traditional, predatory extraction of natural resources from Amazonia towards sustainable land use based on biodiversity conservation at local, regional and global scales, local people's welfare and climate change mitigation. New models of land use and income generation are required to protect the unique natural and human heritages of the Arc of Deforestation and the life-supporting ecosystem services and products provided by Amazonia.
•Optimization of the use of industrial waste of different natures in cementitious mortars.•Artificial neural network together with response surface for dynamic characterization of cementitious ...mortars.•Natural frequency increase in mortars with polyurethane waste.•Foundry sand with polyurethane are able to increase the damping of cementitious mortars.
Although many studies have reported on the application of experimental, statistical, numerical, and computational tools to composite structures, few have focused on the use of analysis of variance (ANOVA) to analyze experimental data and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) as a technique to predict the modal responses of Portland cement mortars. In this study, by means of DOE and ANN the modal responses of portland cement mortars with polyurethane waste and foundation sand from exhaustion were investigated. The tests were performed by means of free vibration and the analyzed responses were natural frequency and damping factor. The experimental results indicated that the combined PU and FES waste can significantly change the natural frequency and damping of the mortars. This change, when compared to the reference samples, can reach an increase of 11.6% or decrease of 21.7%, depending on the percentage of waste used. The ANN trained with the experimental data showed a high correlation to predict the experimental results.
Levetiracetam (LEV) is an anticonvulsant for epilepsy. The toxic effects of this medication in tissues have been associated with redox state imbalance, which can lead to salivary gland dysfunction. ...Therefore, the current work investigated the effects of LEV on the biochemical, functional, and redox parameters of the parotid and submandibular glands in rats. For this, male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 10/group): Control (0.9% saline solution), LEV100 (100 mg/kg), and LEV300 (300 mg/kg). After 21 consecutive days of intragastric gavage treatments, pilocarpine stimulated saliva secretion was collected for salivary biochemical analysis. The extracted salivary glands were utilized for histomorphometry and redox state analyses. Our results showed that LEV300 increased plasma hepatotoxicity markers and reduced salivary amylase activity and the acinar surface area of the parotid gland. Total oxidant capacity and oxidative damage to lipids and proteins were higher in the parotid gland, while total antioxidant capacity and uric acid levels were reduced in the submandibular gland of the LEV100 group compared to Control. On the other hand, total oxidant capacity, oxidative damage to lipids and proteins, total antioxidant capacity, and uric acid levels were lower in both salivary glands of the LEV300 group compared to Control. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were lower in the salivary glands of treated animals compared to Control. In conclusion our data suggest that treatment with LEV represents a potentially toxic agent, that contributes to drug-induced salivary gland dysfunction.
Electro-oxidation with electrogenerated H2O2 (EO-H2O2) was applied to treat acidic aqueous solutions of 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AA), a persistent drug metabolite of dipyrone, in sulfate medium. Trials ...were made using a boron-doped diamond anode in the presence of H2O2 electrogenerated on site. A 24 central composite design (CCD) was employed to evaluate the effect of four independent variables, namely current density (j), pH, 4-AA concentration and electrolysis time, on the percentages of degradation and mineralization, as well as on mineralization current efficiency (MCE). Predicted responses agreed with observed values, showing linear trendlines with good R2 and R2adj values. The degradation was optimum at j=77.5mAcm−2, pH3.5 and 62.5mgL−1 4-AA, leading to 63% and 99% removal after 3 and 7min, respectively. For those solutions, the largest mineralization was found at j=77.5mAcm−2, attaining 45% abatement at 175min. Low MCE values were obtained in all electrolyses. An initial route for 4-AA degradation is proposed based on one dimer and eleven aromatic and aliphatic intermediates detected in the treated solutions at pH3.5 by LC-MS. The initial 62.5mgL−1 solution at pH3.5 presented acute toxicity on Artemia salina larvae, with LC50=13.6mgL−1, being substantially reduced after 3 and 7min of EO-H2O2 at j=77.5mAcm−2 due to the formation of less toxic derivatives.
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•Electro-oxidation of 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AA) optimized by a 24 CCD•Total removal of 62.5mgL−1 4-AA at pH3.5 after 7min at j=77.5mAcm−2•Almost total mineralization with 91% TOC removal after 510min at j=77.5mAcm−2•Hydroxylated derivatives and dimer formed upon attack of BDD(•OH)•Acute toxicity on Artemia salina substantially reduced after 7min of treatment
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