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Background/Aim: Dental trauma is a highly prevalent problem worldwide. The aim of this study was to describe characteristics of trauma to anterior primary teeth and its sequelae for primary and successor teeth over a 10-year period of assistance at the paediatric dental traumatology clinic in the State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Materials and methods: The data were obtained from the dental records of children assisted from 2006 to 2016. Inclusion criteria were trauma to anterior primary teeth; aged <1 to 9 years at the time of trauma; and at least one follow-up appointment. The data concerning traumatized teeth, child’s age, soft tissue injuries, types of traumatic dental injuries and sequelae in both dentitions were collected. Results: Of the 1230 dental records, 483 (39.3%) were eligible, consisting of 815 teeth. The mean age at the time of trauma was 37.4 months (239 males and 244 females). The most important characteristics were: tooth 51 was most affected; falls, at home, on a ceramic floor, were the main cause; gingival laceration, enamel fracture and intrusive luxation were the most frequent types of trauma; premature tooth loss of primary teeth and enamel discoloration in their successor were the most frequent sequelae; and injuries in the periodontal tissue were demonstrated as the highest risk for sequelae in successors (OR, 3.798; p< 0.001). Conclusions: Most traumatic injuries occur in young children, in their home environment. Consequences for the primary teeth were more frequent compared to the permanent successor tooth. Traumatized primary teeth involving periodontal tissue have more chances to result in sequelae to their successor teeth.

Omalizumab is present in international guidelines for the control of severe asthma, but data on the long-term effects in children are limited. Our objective was to perform a ‘real-life’ long-term trial of omalizumab in children with allergic asthma.

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings show strident properties such as high wear resistance and ultra-low friction. However, a widespread use regarding energy efficiency issues is neglected due to the poor adhesion. Silicon adhesion interlayers (SiCx:H) were deposited at different temperatures from 50 to 500°C with hexamethyldisiloxane followed by DLC. The microstructure was analysed by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The chemical depth profiling and chemical mapping were performed by glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy, respectively. Hardness and critical loads were analysed by nanoindentation tests. At higher deposition temperatures the Si-containing interlayers show lower relative content of H, O and Si and higher relative content of C, allowing the formation of more C–C chemical bonds at the outermost DLC/SiCx:H interface, which is correlated to better adhesion. Finally, an atomistic model is proposed in order to explain the DLC debonding and bonding mechanisms.

The sensitisation profile at molecular level in plant-food allergy is complex. Several allergens may be involved, with different potential for severe reactions. lipid transfer proteins (LTP) are considered the most relevant plant-food allergens in adults in Mediterranean countries, but less is known in children.

Stryphnodendron obovatumBenth is a Brazilian Cerrado tree, which is rich in catechin derivatives, being therefore widely used in folk medicine. Its seeds, beans and bark have been used for various medicinal purposes, but few reports have tried to correlate their biological activity with their chemical composition. In this study, we have profiled the main phenolic constituents of S. obovatumleaf extracts by ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS), and tried to establish a correlation of metabolites and antioxidant and in vitroantiproliferative activities. In the methanolic extract flavonoid derivatives were detected and they presented the most promising scavenging activities for methanolic extracts (EC500.86 ± 0.01 μg mL−1), being slightly more active than Trolox (EC501.13 ± 0.09 μg mL−1). In the hydroethanolic extract, catechin derivatives as well as protocatechuic acid-glucoside were detected and found to be a little less active than the control (EC501.39 ± 0.01 μg mL−1). The best performance in terms of antiproliferative activity was found for the methanolic extract for renal cell lines (TGI 40.6 g mL−1).

The article presents a study which assessed temperament traits of white-lipped (Tayassu pecari) and collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) during handling in a farmed environment. Topics discussed include the introduction of using an emotional indicator and a new selection of criterion for peccary farms, the use of principal components analysis for the qualitative behavioral assessment data to define a temperament index, and the potential of using temperament as a selection criterion in breeding.

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of 4 temperament indicator traits for Nellore cattle and evaluate the possibility of using such traits as selection criteria in breeding programs. Temperament was assessed for 23,420 male and female animals at 550 d of age, which were born between 2002 and 2009. A temperament score (TS) was used, which is based on a scale from 1 to 5 and considers the reaction of animals after exiting the crush. Moreover, 9,150 individuals born in 2008 and 2009 were measured for these characteristics: movement score (MOV), where animals were scored from 1 to 5 according to their movement inside the crush; crush score (CS), which assigns scores from 1 to 4 for the general reactivity inside the crush; and flight speed (FS), which is a recording of the speed (m/s) at which animals exit the crush after being weighed. The weaning weight (WW) was included in the multitrait analysis to reduce the effect of the selection performed at weaning. Bayesian inference using Gibbs sampling was applied to estimate (co)variance components and breeding values of the animals. The model included random direct additive genetic and residual effects, fixed effects of contemporary groups, age of the dam (classes), and age of the animal as covariate (linear and quadratic effects for WW and TS, and only linear effects for the other traits). A linear model was applied to WW and FS, whereas a threshold model was used for TS, CS, and MOV. Heritability estimates for FS, TS, CS, and MOV were 0.35, 0.15, 0.19, and 0.18, respectively. The genetic correlation estimates of FS with TS (0.85), CS (0.85), and MOV (0.76) were high, although the phenotypic correlations were low (between 0.18 and 0.25). For CS and MOV, the genetic and phenotypic correlation estimates were high (0.99 and 0.71, respectively). We concluded that all of the temperament indicator traits addressed in this study presented enough genetic variability to respond to selection; however, the use of FS would result in a faster genetic gain. With regard to the practical applicability in breeding programs, the use of FS is also favorable because it produces data on a continuous scale, allows for recording of the data electronically, and requires low investment.

The aim of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for flight speed and its association with growth traits in Nellore beef cattle. The flight speed (FS) of 7,402 yearling animals was measured, using a device composed of a pair of photoelectric cells. Time interval data (s) were converted to speed (m/s) and faster animals were regarded as more reactive. The growth traits analyzed were weaning weight (WW), ADG from weaning to yearling age, and yearling scrotal circumference (SC). The (co)variance components were estimated using REML in a multitrait analysis applying an animal model. The model included random direct additive genetic and residual effects, fixed effects of contemporary groups, age of dam (classes), and age of animal as covariable. For WW, the model also included maternal genetic and permanent environmental random effects. The direct heritability estimate for FS was 0.26 ± 0.05 and direct heritability estimates for WW, SC, and ADG were 0.30 ± 0.01, 0.48 ± 0.02, and 0.19 ± 0.01, respectively. Estimates of the genetic correlation between FS and the growth traits were -0.12 ± 0.07 (WW), –0.13 ± 0.08 (ADG), and –0.11 ± 0.07 (SC). Although the values were low, these correlations showed that animals with better temperaments (slower FS) tended to present better performance. It is possible to infer that longterm selection for weight and scrotal circumference can promote a positive genetic response in the temperament of animals. Nevertheless, to obtain faster genetic progress in temperament, it would be necessary to perform direct selection for such trait. Flight speed is an easily measured indicator of temperament and can be included as a selection criterion in breeding programs for Nellore cattle.

We have synthesized boron-doped single wall carbon nanotubes in a high vacuum chemical vapor deposition (CVD) system using a new boron precursor. Transmission electron microscopy was used in order to confirm the presence of single wall carbon nanotubes and field emission scanning electron microscopy to allow a qualitative characterization of the produced tubes. To estimate the doping level, we compared the Raman spectra with pure single wall carbon nanotubes and we found an upshifted G band as an evidence of doping. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and ab initio electronic structure calculations reveals the presence of substitutional boron atoms incorporated on the tubes. We have also developed a simple method to determine quantitatively in which temperature range the carbon nanotubes are produced more efficiently by high vacuum CVD.

Bitumen ageing stands for a number of physico-chemical modifications that occur in bitumen as a response to environmental conditions. Several tests have been proposed to simulate bitumen ageing. Two of the most common ones are: a) the Rolling Thin Film Oven Test (RTFOT), which simulates short term ageing; b) the Pressure Ageing Vessel (PAV) test, which accounts for long-term ageing and it is usually performed on the RTFOT residue. A study of the physico-chemical modifications of a 50/70 pavement grade bitumen caused by ageing is presented. Both RTFOT and PAV tests were used. A follow-up of bitumen modifications due to ageing was done by several methods. In particular: 1) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), to follow bitumen oxidation by the increase of oxygenated functional groups, which were quantified by taking appropriate structural indices; 2) Iatroscan thin layer chromatography (TLC), to follow bitumen composition expressed by the generic SARA fractions (saturates, aromatics, resins and asphaltenes); 3) Gel permeation chromatography (GPC), under “ultra-fast” conditions, to follow the colloidal structure of bitumen; and 4) Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), to evaluate the changes of the crystallized fractions (%FC) and the glass relaxation temperature (Tg). The results show that the PAV test causes more severe changes in bitumen than the RTFOT test. In particular, the evolution of the oxidation processes could be quantified by taking carbonyl and sulfoxide structural indices. Ageing also modified the SARA profile, namely, the relative contribution of aromatics, resins and asphaltenes fractions. On the other hand, DSC data remained almost unaffected after ageing tests, which may be indicative of the survival of most of the phases of the bitumen after these tests. Finally, a comparative analysis of the sensitivity and performance of all these methods is presented.

Apples (Malus domesticaBorkh cv Bravo de Esmolfe) were coated with a polysaccharide-based or a protein-based coating. Alginate and gelatine coatings at different concentrations, plasticized with glycerol and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) plus sucroesters coatings plasticized with mono/diglycerides were tested. The effects of those coatings on the storage stability were followed by measurements of peel and pulp firmness, external L* a* and b* colour values, solid soluble content and weight loss during storage at 20 °C for three months. The 2 wt% alginate and 5 wt% gelatine coatings significantly reduced weight loss, thus maintaining fruit firmness and thereby preserving fruit freshness. The effects of those coatings also include the improvement of appearance and imparted an attractive natural-looking sheen to the fruit.Apples (Malus domesticaBorkh cv Bravo de Esmolfe) were coated with a polysaccharide-based or a protein-based coating. Alginate and gelatine coatings at different concentrations, plasticized with glycerol and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) plus sucroesters coatings plasticized with mono/diglycerides were tested. The effects of those coatings on the storage stability were followed by measurements of peel and pulp firmness, external L* a* and b* colour values, solid soluble content and weight loss during storage at 20 °C for three months. The 2 wt% alginate and 5 wt% gelatine coatings significantly reduced weight loss, thus maintaining fruit firmness and thereby preserving fruit freshness. The effects of those coatings also include the improvement of appearance and imparted an attractive natural-looking sheen to the fruit.

Les personnes transgenres sont très vulnérables vis-à-vis de l’infection à VIH et des autres IST, du fait de facteurs comportementaux, économiques, sociaux et biologiques. Ce travail a pour objectif de décrire les transgenres découvrant leur séropositivité VIH.

The seasonal variation in the yield and composition of the essential oil from collective samples of Thymus zygisL. collected in North Portugal is reported. Essential oil was obtained by steam distillation and by distillation in a modified Clevenger apparatus. Analysis was performed by GC and GC–MS. The yield in essential oil showed a maximum at the flowering stage (0.9–1.4%) and a minimum during the dormancy period (about 0.15%). The composition also showed different patterns at different phases of the vegetative cycle. At the flowering period the essential oil is rich in thymol and geraniol. p‐Cymene showed a variation presenting a maximum at the minimum of thymol (post‐flowering period). Aiming the use of the essential oil as a food ingredient, the most interesting stage is the post‐flowering period, the essential oil at this time being rich in thymol (about 21%), geranyl acetate (about 17%) and geraniol (about 13%), with p‐cymene presenting lower levels. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The biosynthetic reaction scheme for the compatible solute mannosylglycerate in Rhodothermus marinus is proposed based on measurements of the relevant enzymatic activities in cell-free extracts and in vivo (13)C labeling experiments. The synthesis of mannosylglycerate proceeded via two alternative pathways; in one of them, GDP mannose was condensed with D-glycerate to produce mannosylglycerate in a single reaction catalyzed by mannosylglycerate synthase, in the other pathway, a mannosyl-3-phosphoglycerate synthase catalyzed the conversion of GDP mannose and D-3-phosphoglycerate into a phosphorylated intermediate, which was subsequently converted to mannosylglycerate by the action of a phosphatase. The enzyme activities committed to the synthesis of mannosylglycerate were not influenced by the NaCl concentration in the growth medium. However, the combined mannosyl-3-phosphoglycerate synthase/phosphatase system required the addition of NaCl or KCl to the assay mixture for optimal activity. The mannosylglycerate synthase enzyme was purified and characterized. Based on partial sequence information, the corresponding mgs gene was identified from a genomic library of R. marinus. In addition, the mgs gene was overexpressed in Escherichia coli with a high yield. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 46,125 Da, and was specific for GDP mannose and D-glycerate. This is the first report of the characterization of a mannosylglycerate synthase.

Low temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy is used to investigate the composition and the iron distribution in the M1 and M2 crystallographic sites of a fayalitic olivine in an H-type chondrite.

Metallic coupons are placed in strategical points of an oil refining plant in order to control the amount of corrosion produced by amine stripping of H2S from liquefied oil and combustible gases. This paper reports some of the results obtained by CEMS and transmission Mössbauer spectroscopy for the corrosion products formed on such coupons.

Missense mutations in the prion protein (PrP) gene, overexpression of the cellular isoform of PrP (PrPC), and infection with prions containing the scrapie isoform of PrP (PrPSc) all cause neurodegenerative disease. To understand better the physiology and expression of PrPC, we retrieved mouse PrP gene (Prn-p) yeast artificial chromosome (YAC), cosmid, phage, and cDNA clones. Physical mapping positions Prn-p approximately 300 kb from ecotropic virus integration site number 4 (Evi-4), compatible with failure to detect recombination between Prn-p and Evi-4 in genetic crosses. The Prn-pa allele encompasses three exons, with exons 1 and 2 encoding the mRNA 5' untranslated region. Exon 2 has no equivalent in the Syrian hamster and human PrP genes. The Prn-pb gene shares this intron/exon structure but harbors an approximately 6-kb deletion within intron 2. While the Prn-pb open reading frame encodes two amino acid substitutions linked to prolonged scrapie incubation periods, a deletion of intron 2 sequences also characterizes inbred strains such as RIII/S and MOLF/Ei with shorter incubation periods, making a relationship between intron 2 size and scrapie pathogenesis unlikely. The promoter regions of a and b Prn-p alleles include consensus Sp1 and AP-1 sites, as well as other conserved motifs which may represent binding sites for as yet unidentified transcription factors.

Abstract: An extracellular α-amylase produced by the thermophilic bacterium Thermus filiformis Ork A2 was purified from cell-free culture supernatant by ion exchange chromatography. The molecular mass was estimated to be 60 000 Da by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme was rich in both basic and hydrophobic amino acids, presenting the following NH2-terminal amino acid sequence: Thr-Ala-Asp-Leu-Ile-Val-Lys-Ile-Asn-Phe. Amylolytic activity on soluble starch was optimal at pH 5.5–6.0 and 95°C, and the enzyme was stable in the pH range of 4.0–8.0. Calcium enhanced thermostability at temperatures above 80°C, increasing the half-life of activity to more than 8 h at 85°C, 80 min at 90°C, and 19 min at 95°C. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) inhibited amylase activity, the inhibition being reversed by the addition of calcium or strontium ions. The α-amylase was also inhibited by copper and mercuric ions, and p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, the latter being reversed in the presence of dithiothreitol. Dithiothreitol and β-mercaptoethanol activated the enzyme. The α-amylase exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics for starch, with a K m of 5.0 mg·ml−1 and k cat/K m of 5.2 × 105 ml·mg−1 s−1. Similar values were obtained for amylose, amylopectin, and glycogen. The hydrolysis pattern was similar for maltooligosaccharides and polysaccharides, with maltose being the major hydrolysis product. Glucose and maltotriose were generated as secondary products, although glucose was produced in high levels after a 6-h digestion. To our knowledge this is the first report of the characterization of an α-amylase from a strain of the genus Thermus.

Salicylate (1-5 mM) had no effect on the peak amplitude (Pt) of twitches elicited at 0.05 to 0.05 Hz, but depressed the Pt in frog and toad "toe" muscles stimulated at 5 to 10 Hz. The maximal tetanic tension (Po) was not reduced significantly by salicylate, but the time to reach Po was increased to several seconds. K-induced contractures were reduced by ca 40 and 50%, respectively, in the presence of 5 and 10 mM salicylate. Pretreatment with salicylate (5 mM) reduced the twitch potentiation by quinine, shortened the duration of twitches in caffeine-treated muscles and inhibited the caffeine- and the quinine-induced contractures. Muscles in contracture because of a previous exposure to quinine relaxed promptly upon addition of salicylate to the bathing medium. The inhibitory effects of salicylate on Pt, on Po and on K- or drug-induced contractures were reversible and were not affected by changes in pH between 7.5 and 6.5. Salicylate depressed the caffeine-rapid cooling contractures (RCC). In toad muscles, this effect was affected markedly by the order in which caffeine and salicylate were applied. Blockade of the caffeine-RCC by salicylate was enhanced by lowering the pH of the medium. Salicylamide (1-5 mM) reproduced the effects of salicylate on the caffeine- and the quinine-induced contractures and the caffeine-RCC. In addition, salicylamide reduced the twitch tension. It is proposed that salicylate and salicylamide affect Casequestration by the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Abstract: The kaolin deposits of the Amazon region of Brazil are of lateritic origin, modified by subsequent reduced lacustrine and/or swamp environment. They are contemporaneous with lateritic bauxites found in the same region, all formed from aluminium silicate rocks. These are principally sedimentary rocks from the Cretaceous period (Itapecuru and Alter do Ch�o), but also include metamorphic and felsic volcanic rocks. After erosion of the upper part of these profiles they became locally a substratum for swampy and/or lacustrine environments mostly developed over the clayey saprolitic horizon where kaolin occurs. The saprolitic horizon is made up mainly of iron-mottled kaolinite which has been subject to an intense deferrification, which has increased the kaolin brightness and thickness. The kaolins are basically made up of well-crystallized kaolinite, quartz, sometimes illite-muscovite, anatase and hematite. In certain locations, crandallite-goyazite is also present. The deposits studied differ from each other in the mineral content levels, concentration of principal elements and in trace element distribution. The greatest quantity of quartz and, consequently SiO2, is intrinsically related to the type of parent rock. Small sedimentary deposits occur in alluvial flood plains located not very far from the lateritic source.

Abstract: Some preliminary Mssbauer effect results for a pleistocenic bone fossilized by mineralization process are presented. The presence of some iron-sulphur compounds permits to infer a correlation between the oxidation state of iron and the environmental conditions of fossilization.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to study the 7S and 11S globulin fractions extracted from lupin seed (Lupinus luteus) flour. In agreement with previous work on other lupin species, the isolate showed three denaturation peaks compared to the two observed with soy. By comparison with the isolated globulin fractions, the denaturation peaks at the two higher temperatures in the lupin isolate were assigned to the 11S and 7S globulins. The denaturation temperature of the lupin 7S globulin was about 10 K higher than that for the corresponding soy globulin, whereas the values for the 11S globulin were similar. All globulins displayed increasing thermal stability with decreasing moisture contents. Possible reasons for the differences in behaviour of soy and lupin protein isolates are discussed.

A membrane-associated folate binding protein (FBP) and a soluble FBP, which is released into the culture medium, have been purified from human KB cells using affinity chromatography. By NaDodSO4/PAGE, both proteins have an apparent Mr of approximately 42,000. However, in the presence of Triton X-100, the soluble FBP eluted from a Sephadex G-150 column with an apparent Mr of approximately 40,000 (similar to NaDodSO4/PAGE) but the membrane-associated FBP eluted with an apparent Mr of approximately 160,000, indicating that this species contains a hydrophobic domain that interacts with the detergent micelles. The amino acid compositions of both forms of FBP were similar, especially with respect to the apolar amino acids. In addition, the 18 amino acids at the amino termini of both proteins were identical. The membrane FBP, following delipidation with chloroform/methanol, contained 7.1 mol of fatty acid per mol of protein, of which 4.7 mol was amide-linked and 2.4 mol was ester-linked. The soluble FBP contained only 0.05 mol of fatty acid per mol of protein. These studies indicate that the membrane FBP of KB cells contains covalently bound fatty acids that may serve to anchor the protein in the cell membrane.

Previous studies have demonstrated that some chronic myelogenous leukemia cells contain a macromolecular binding factor for folic acid. This binder, which previously was believed to be a single factor, has now been resolved into two distinct binding proteins. Separation of each binder was obtained by DEAE chromatography of the partially purified lysate of chronic myelogenous leukemia cells. One binder has a molecular weight of 30;000–35,000, and the second binder has a molecular weight of 40,000-45,000. Both proteins bind the mono-, di-, and triglutamates of folic acid, N10-methyl-folate, dihydro-folate, and N5-methyltetrahydrofolate. Neither binder has determinants for N5- formyltetrahydrofolate or methotrexate. The preferred substrates for both binders appear to be the fully oxidized and partially reduced folates rather than the fully reduced folates. The lower-molecular- weight folate binding protein shows reversible binding with partially and fully reduced folates but irreversible binding with oxidized folates. This property suggests that this binder may have some function in the transport and storage of folate. The higher-molecular-weight folate binding protein, however, has only slight reversibility of binding with the partially and fully reduced folates, and it is therefore more difficult to postulate a physiologic function for this binding factor.

The complex [ReBr2(NNPh)2(PPh3)2]Br 1, prepared by bromination of [ReCl(NNPh)2(PPh3)2], was reduced, in thf or acetone, to the paramagnetic phenyldiazenido-complex [ReBr2(NNPh)2(PPh3)2] 2 and its acetone solvate 2·Me2CO (formed in the presence of HSC6H2Pri3-2,4,6 or CNMe), and converted spontaneously (via a conceivable nucleophilic displacement at phenyldiazenide) into [ReBr3(NNPh)(PPh3)2] 3 from which 2 can also be derived. The molecular structure of 2 has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis which indicates that one of the diazenide ligands is doubly bent and the other singly bent, each being trans to a bromide ligand and exerting a significant trans influence. Complexes 1–3 react with isocyanides to give the reduced mixed diazenido–isocyanide complexes [ReBr2(NNPh)(CNR)(PPh3)2] (R 4;= 4;Me 4 or C6H4Cl-4 5), [ReBr2(NNPh)(CNMe)2(PPh3)] 6 or [ReBr(NNPh)(CNMe)2(PPh3)2] 7.

Salmonellais an important foodborne pathogen, recognized globally, which can be introduced to humans through poultry products. Producers of poultry meat and eggs mitigate this threat through several means including vaccination. SalmonellaInfantis has received recent attention due to outbreaks and contamination of processing facilities. Three floor pen experiments evaluated the efficacy of a modified live Salmonella typhimuriumvaccine against SalmonellaInfantis. In all experiments, chicks were vaccinated at placement and revaccinated on day 14. The first 2 experiments evaluated ceca enumeration and internal organ prevalence in broilers with and without vaccination at different SalmonellaInfantis doses (106and 109). In the third experiment, some broilers in each pen received 1.0 mL of 1.0 × 108 CFU/bird of SalmonellaInfantis in a horizontal exposure model. Liver or spleen, ceca, and feathers on rinse samples were collected at processing. The challenge dose administered in experiment 1 (106) did not effectively colonize internal organs, while the 109dose in experiment 2 overwhelmed defenses. In experiment 3, ceca prevalence and enumeration as well as feathers on bird rinse enumeration were not different between vaccinated and unvaccinated broilers (P > 0.05). Salmonellaprevalence in liver or spleen was lower in the vaccinated group (83.3%) compared to the control group (96.3%) (P < 0.05). Liver or spleen enumeration (log10most probable number/g) was lower in vaccinated broilers compared to the unvaccinated control, 1.93 and 2.91, respectively (P < 0.05). The modified live vaccine promoted broiler resistance to SalmonellaInfantis colonization in internal organs; however, this protection is not complete and requires additional measures to alleviate the risk of Salmonella.

Identification of potential predictive factors for keratoconus progression after treatment by accelerated Cross-linking (A-CXL)

Abstract The in vitro antimicrobial activity of a new series of synthetic fluorine-substituted triaryl alcohols against the human pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans was studied with the aim of overcoming multiple drug resistance and improving the clinical usefulness of antimicrobial drugs. The nature and positions of substituents attached to aromatic rings, as well as their electronegativities and sizes, seem to affect the preferred molecular conformations and, hence, the binding of the compounds to the corresponding cell receptors.

The conformation of the hooves of nine heifers obtained from an abattoir was measured and their coefficient of static friction (p) was determined for movement in forward, backward and sideways directions. The hooves were trimmed by the Dutch method and their conformation and p were measured again. Trimming increased pl, and decreased the length of the digit and the angle between it and the floor. The value of p was considerably greater for movement in a forward or backwards direction than sideways. The relationship between the value of p for sideways movement and hoof conformation was examined by using 52 lower limbs from a variety of cattle breeds. Although p was greater for Belgian blue than other cattle breeds, there were no relationships between p and hoof conformation, including a measure of the roughness of the sole.

In this study we have carried out haplotype analysis on the ß-globin gene cluster and characterized the ß-thalassemia mutation by oligonucleotide hybridization in 14 patients with thalassemia major and 5 with sickle cell/ß-thalassemia originating from southern Portugal. We found that three mutations, namely the ß°-39, ß° IVS-1 nt 1 and ß+ IVS-1 nt 110 are prevalent accounting for 53%, 32% and 10% of the ß-thalassemia chromosomes respectively. In general each mutation was associated with a specific chromosomal haplotype; the ß° mutation, however, was linked to three different haplotypes. These results indicate that three oligo-probes complementary to the most common mutations allow prenatal diagnosis by oligonucleotide analysis in 96% of the couples at risk of having offspring with thalassemia major in southern Portugal.

Two experiments were conducted to assess the effects of incubation temperature profiles, breeder feed restriction programs, and litter conditions on progeny feather follicle (FF) density and skin layer thickness. In the first experiment, Cobb 500 fast feathering breeders were subjected to 2 feed restriction programs during rearing: skip-a-day (SAD) and every-day feeding (EDF). Eggs from each group were incubated according to 2 incubation temperature profiles: standard (S) and early-low late-high (LH). A total of 72 chicks per treatment combination were placed in Petersime cages (6/cage) and sampled for skin in the breast, dorsum, and thigh areas at 22 d. Additional samples were collected from the thigh and measured for epidermal and dermal thickness. For the second experiment, 2,475 eggs from a commercial flock of Cobb 500 fast feathering breeders were subjected to 3 incubation temperature profiles: S, LH, and standard-high (SH). At hatch, 1,260 chickens were placed in floor pens (14/pen) that contained either used litter or new wood shavings. At 28 d of age, 2 chickens per pen were sampled for skin in the breast, dorsum, and thigh areas. In both experiments, FF were counted in 4.5 cm2. It was concluded that incubation temperature affected feathering development in both experiments, especially in the breast. This effect may be stronger in progeny from breeders restricted under SAD programs. Moreover, litter conditions impacted FF numbers. These findings may be applied to minimize carcass scratches and improve broiler welfare.

Footpad dermatitis (FPD) and walking ability are both parameters used on poultry welfare audits. One survey was conducted to determine the correlation between FPD severity, gait score (GS), BW, and litter condition on turkeys at market age. A total of 41 commercial tom flocks of 16 to 19 wk of age were evaluated. On each visit, 50 toms were selected, weighed, and evaluated for GS and FPD. Litter score (LS) was also recorded according to moisture content and caking. Data analyses consisted of pairwise correlations and 3 separate multiple linear regression models using FPD, GS, and BW as response variables. Fixed effects included LS, season, FPD, GS, and BW. Based on pairwise correlations, FPD was correlated with LS, BW, GS, and age. Gait score was correlated with LS, BW, and age. Body weight was correlated with LS. With multiple linear regression analysis it was observed that LS and BW were the parameters that were associated the most with FPD severity and GS. As litter condition worsened and BW increased, FPD and GS worsened. Moreover, a seasonal effect was observed on both FPD and GS. Colder seasons, winter and autumn, were associated with increased FPD severity and GS. A negative effect of FPD and GS was observed on BW. In conclusion, FPD and GS are correlated with BW at market age and litter condition is a major factor in FPD development and walking ability in turkeys.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.

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Recent activity in the SIMPLE dark matter search program is described, to include the recent development of a “heavy” detector for application in spin-independent searches. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]