Anxiolytic effect of the homeopathic complex Tepeex®

Aims: Homeopathic complex Tepeex® is a compound of Actaea racemosa 4cH, Natrum muriaticum 2cH, Pulsatilla nigricans 3cH, Chamomilla 3cH and Sepia succus5cH. This study evaluated the effect of Tepeex® in pre-clinical models of depression and anxiety. Methods: the following tests were performed: elevated plus maze test (EPM); forced swimming test (FST); open field test (OFT) and Rotarod test (RRT). Results: In EPM, animals treated with Tepeex® on days 20 and 30 stayed longer in the open arms of the maze than the control group (p < 0.05, Dunnett test). In FST, treatment with Tepeex® did not increase swimming time compared to the control group in any phase of treatment. In OFT, crossing increased significantly with treatment with amfepramone, and also with 30-day treatment with Tepeex® (p < 0.05, Dunnette test). In RRT, treatment with amfepramone significantly reduced latency time. 30-day treatment with Tepeex® did not affect motor coordination when compared to the control group. Conclusion: results suggest that homeopathic complex Tepeex® has anxiolytic properties without affecting motor coordination.

Development of Nutraceutical Ice Creams Using Flour Yellow Worm Larvae (Tenebrio molitor), Chia (Salvia hispanica), and Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa)

Functional ice creams were developed by adding larvae of the insect Tenebrio molitor mixed with a seed (Salvia hispanica) and a pseudocereal (Chenopodium quinoa) to strawberry–cranberry ice cream. The objective was to increase micronutrients, macronutrients, and antioxidants, thus rendering the product a food complement. Four ice cream formulations were manufactured: the control strawberry–cranberry ice cream and three experimental mixtures, one of them with an addition of Tenebrio larvae (HT) and two others with a combination of Tenebrio larvae, chia (HTC), and quinoa (HTQ). The ice creams were submitted to proximate chemical analysis: mineral, fatty acid, vitamin, and one antioxidant (cyanidin 3 glucoside) determination. The strawberry–cranberry ice cream was used as a control formulation to evaluate if there were significant differences among nutrients, to which a Dunnett test with a critical value of α = 0.05% was applied. The three formulations that were studied showed a significant increase in the analyzed micronutrients and macronutrients compared to the control formulation. We observed increases of up to 62% in lipid content in the HTC formulation, while an increase of 41% in the protein content of the HT formulation was observed. We quantified an increase and enrichment of vitamins and minerals in the manufactured products, so that their nutritional value was significantly enhanced. In the determination of cyanidin 3 glucoside, we found that the formulation to which chia had been added showed an increase of 74% as compared to the control ice cream; this is important because anthocyanins are a group of flavonoids that stand out for their antioxidant and antimutagenic capabilities.

Inclusion of milled canola grain in the diet of broilers

The effect of milled canola grain (MCG) in the diet of broiler chickens, from 1 to 42 days old, on performance, organ weight, biochemical profile, and carcass yield was evaluated. A total of 660 one-day-old male Cobb® broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design with six levels of inclusion of MCG in the diet (0; 5; 10; 15; 20, and 25%), totaling six treatments with five replicates of 22 birds. The canola used for the experiment was ground using a hammer mill with a 4.5 mm sieve to obtain a DGM of 955 µm. Performance data, organ index, blood biochemical profile, carcass yields, and cut up weights were evaluated. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), and when there was significance Dunnett’ test was used to compare the inclusion levels the control diet. An effect was seen on mean weights and on feed conversion based on the inclusion level of MCG in the diets. The birds that received 20 and 25% inclusion of canola in the diet presented a worse performance in relation to that of the control. For the other variables analyzed, no effect of the treatments was observed when compared with the control (p > 0.05). It was concluded that the inclusion level of MCG in the diet of up to 15% can be used without losses to the performance of birds and without influencing the metabolism of the birds.

Hemodynamic Impact of Drug Interactions With Epinephrine and Antipsychotics Under General Anesthesia With Propofol

Objective: Antipsychotic drugs exhibit α-1 adrenergic receptor-blocking activity. When epinephrine and antipsychotic drugs are administered in combination, β-2 adrenergic effects are thought to predominate and induce hypotension. This study aimed to assess hemodynamic parameters in patients regularly taking antipsychotics who were administered epinephrine-containing lidocaine under general anesthesia in a dental setting. Methods: Thirty patients taking typical and/or atypical antipsychotics and scheduled for dental procedures under general anesthesia were enrolled. Five minutes after tracheal intubation, baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurements were taken. The SBP, DBP, HR, and SpO2 measurements were repeated 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 minutes after the injection of 1.8 mL of 2% lidocaine (36 mg) with 1:80,000 epinephrine (22.5 mcg) via buccal infiltration. Results: Differences between the baseline measurements and those of each time point were analyzed using Dunnett test, and no statistically significant changes were observed. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that the use of epinephrine at a clinically relevant dose of 22.5 mcg for dental treatment under general anesthesia is unlikely to affect the hemodynamic parameters of patients taking antipsychotic medications.

The effect of population distribution measures on evaluating spatial accessibility of primary health-care institutions: A case study from China

Improvement of the equality of geographical allocation of limited health-care resources requires an accurate evaluation of spatial accessibility of the facilities. The adoption of appropriate population distribution measures is one of the leading factors affecting such an evaluation. Using primary health-care institutions in Hainan, China as an example, this study aimed to explore the disparities embedded in spatial accessibility evaluations based on six common measures of population distribution, namely community/ village population (VillagePop), average population distribution (AveragePop), population distribution by night-time light intensity (NighttimelightPop) together with the public population databases LandScan, WorldPop and PoiPop for construction of the weights. The enhanced two-step floating catchment area method, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Dunnett test, root mean square error and the mean absolute error were employed to assess and compare spatial accessibilities based on these different population distribution measures. The spatial accessibility of primary health-care institutions in Hainan was found to vary when plotted using the various population distribution measures mentioned. As indicated by the statistical outcomes of both ANOVA and the Dunnett test, using the spatial accessibility calculated by VillagePop as reference, those calculated by AveragePop and PoiPop were found to be significantly different. In addition, the spatial accessibilities calculated by AveragePop and PoiPop demonstrated higher error rates in the identification of underserved areas compared with the reference. Considering the limitations of public population databases, the adoption of night-time light data is highly recommended for estimating population distribution in the absence of high-resolution data.

Chitosan and phenolic compounds in the control of anthracnose in mango

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) has great socioeconomic importance to Brazil, but its production is affected by anthracnose. Chitosan films have shown potential in controlling this disease. In this study, the effect of the association of chitosan with phenolic compounds and extracts on the Colletotrichum tropicaledevelopment was evaluated. Phenolic compounds and extracts from mango peel were incorporated into 2.0% chitosan solutions and tested in vitro. In the in vivo experiment, after pathogen inoculation and application of treatments, fruits were evaluated for anthracnose incidence and severity. Controls consisted of the application of water or pure culture medium and fungicide imazalil. The experimental design was completely randomized and data were submitted to analysis of variance. In the in vitro test and in the assessment of disease intensity, means were compared using the Scott-Knott and Tukey tests (p <0.05), respectively. Controls were compared to the other treatments using the Dunnett test (p <0.05). Total growth inhibition, conidia production and C. tropicale germination were verified with the incorporation of citric, pyrocatecoic and transcinamic acids to chitosan, with no significant difference between them and the fungicide. Low anthracnose incidence and severity was observed in mangoes treated with chitosan combined with phenolic compounds.

Comparison of Phakic Intraocular Lens Vault Using Conventional Nomogram and Prediction Formulas

This study aimed to compare the achieved vault using a manufacturer’s nomogram and the predicted vault using the currently available prediction formulas after posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (EVO Implantable Collamer Lens; ICL, STAAR Surgical) implantation. We included 200 eyes of 100 consecutive patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 34.3 ± 7.8 years) undergoing ICL implantation with a central hole. Three months postoperatively, we quantitatively measured the actual vault, and we compared it with the predicted vault using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (CASIA 2, Tomey). The agreement rate of the recommended ICL size using the manufacturer’s nomogram, the NK formula, and the KS formula was 50.0%. The achieved vault was 477.1 ± 263.7 µm, which was significantly smaller than the predicted vaults of 551.2 ± 335.1 and 606.4 ± 212.2 µm, using the NK and KS formulas, respectively (Dunnett test, p = 0.014, p < 0.001). The achieved vault was not significantly different from the predicted vault using the NK or KS formula (p = 0.386, p = 0.157) when selecting a 12.1 mm ICL size. It was not significantly different from the predicted vault using the NK formula (p = 0.962), but it was significantly smaller than that using the KS formula (p = 0.033) when selecting a 12.6 mm size. It was significantly smaller than the predicted vault using the NK and KS formulas (p < 0.001) when selecting 13.2 mm size. The total agreement rate of the recommended ICL size was approximately 50%. The predicted ICL vault tended to overestimate the actual ICL vault, especially when selecting a larger ICL size.

Marcação, dispersão e capacidade de parasitismo de Cotesiaflavipes (CAMERON) (HYMENOPTERA: BRACONIDAE)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the biological aspects of C. flavipesyour markup, and the development of a methodology for adult capture. Sugarcane borers fed on artificial diet containing the dyes SudanRed7B and Solvent Blue 35 in concentrations of 200 and 400 ppm, vegetable oil at 200 and 400 ppm and without oil. Later, the caterpillars were parasitized in the above treatments. We evaluated the period between parasitism and larvae emergence, pupation, weight of the masses and pupae, sex ratio, adult longevity and marking. After the setting of the dye / marker suitable concentration for adult C. flavipes, we evaluated the dispersibility and parasitism of adult females under field conditions. We used the Dunnett test for the variables related to the development of larvae, pupae and adults of C. flavipesand the GLM procedure for analysis of variance and the LSMEANS to fit the media in each factor tested. Set up The SudanRed 7B dye at a concentration of 200 ppm is the best dye / concentration to mark the larval parasitoid C. flavipes after developed the methodology for capturing C. flavipes, which associated with marking, allowed evaluating the flight capacity by distance and capture these individuals accurately. It was defined bottle trap 600 as the best pet for evaluation capture and parasitism. The maximum flight distance field in individuals was 17 meters, and the captured number was increased up to five meters.80% of the traps with captured females were parasitized.

Viability Mimosa bimucronata (DC.) O. Kuntze. seeds by the tetrazolium test and oil content

Maricá (Mimosa bimucronata (D.C.) O. Kuntze.) is a species that presents great importance in reforestation programs, in the recovery of permanent preservation areas, landscaping projects and is considered soil improver, being recommended for erosion and for planting on flooded land. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the viability of the seeds of M. bimucronata by the tetrazolium test and to determine the crude oil content and the percentage composition of fatty acids. The experiments were conducted at the Plant Propagation Laboratory of the Agricultural Sciences Center (CECA) of the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), located in the municipality of Rio Largo, Alagoas, Brazil. The obtained data submitted to the analysis of variance and the comparison between the means of viable seeds for each of the combinations in the tetrazolium test were performed by the Dunnett test at 5%. The concentration of 0.075% tetrazolium salt for two hours at 35 °C is an efficient combination for evaluating the viability of M. bimucronata seeds. The oil content was 2.75%, with unsaturated fatty acids prevailing (63.8%).

Effect of racial crossing on the seminal parameters of rams submitted to heat stress

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of racial crossing on seminal parameters of eight Santa Inês and crossbred (Santa Inês x Dorper) rams submitted to heat stress, and to monitor the return of these parameters to previously reported. Before to place the insulation bags, two collects of semen through electroejaculation were performed. The insulation pouches were made with double-layer plastic, internally lined with cotton, and fixed around the spermatic funiculus and scrotum with adhesive tape and bandage remaining on the testes of the animals for seven days. The first collect was performed on the day that the pouches were taken (day 0) and thereafter, every seven days, totalizing 15 measurements. Data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The analyzed variables were subjected to Dunnett test at 5% probability to compare the values obtained before treatment with those obtained in the following days. In this study it was found that the animals restored normal seminal parameter after the insulation effects, however, the return rate differed slightly among the studied breeds. The crossbred animals restored the seminal patterns, on average, a week before Santa Inês. It is concluded that the racial crossing influences the semen parameters of rams submitted to heat stress. Keywords: motility, scrotal insulation, sperm concentration, sperm quality.