Visible Light-Driven Photocatalysis and Antibacterial Performance of a Cu-TiO Nanocomposite.

A Cu-TiO nanomaterial with unique antibacterial and photocatalytic properties is introduced in this study. Cu-TiO nanocomposites were obtained using an adapted direct current magnetron sputtering apparatus, where TiO anatase nanoparticles (NPs) were used as the substrates and copper as the sputtering target. The obtained powder was characterized by physical and chemical methods.

Estimate of lysine nutritional requirements for Japanese quail breeders.

Background: Japanese quail breeders are the basis for genetic improvement and multiplication for commercial layers, however, there have been no known studies on the optimal lysine level for these birds. Thus, study the egg output response to the lysine (Lys) supply using different e-functions and evaluate the that best fit, have allowed the partition the lysine requirements for maintenance, both weight and egg output maximum.

Methods: The objectives of this study were to identify the responses to various Lys levels, identify the functions related to these responses and determine the ideal Lys intake amount for Japanese quail breeders.

Application of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) posts: evaluation of fracture resistance and stress distribution in the root: in vitro and finite element analyses.

To evaluate the feasibility of using a milled polyetheretherketone (PEEK) post and core in endodontically treated teeth with or without a ferrule. Sixty bovine tooth roots were endodontically treated followed by cementation of intraradicular retainers (IR), according to each experimental group: a) non-ferrule glass fiber post (f0FP); b) 2-mm-ferrule glass fiber post (f2FP); c) non-ferrule resized glass fiber post (f0PR); d) 2-mm-ferrule resized glass fiber post (f2PR); e) non-ferrule PEEK post and core (f0PPC); and f) 2-mm-ferrule PEEK post and core (f2PPC). Metal crowns were made and cemented.

Modeling the response of Japanese quail to arginine intake.

Background: Understanding how Japanese quails respond to arginine intake has been an objective that previous studies have not fulfilled. The main responses to be quantified include the arginine requirement for maintenance (mg/kg) and egg mass production (mg/g). Quantifying maintenance and production relationships are essential steps for predicting animal response.

Determination of the Optimal In-Feed Amino Acid Ratio for Japanese Quail Breeders Based on Utilization Efficiency.

The description of the genetic potential is the first step to estimating amino acid requirements and the ideal amino acid relation (IAAR). The aim of this study was to estimate the parameters that describe the daily maximum theoretical nitrogen retention (NRT, mg/BWkg), daily nitrogen maintenance requirement (NMR, mg/BWkg), protein quality (), dietary efficiency of the limiting amino acid () and determine the lysine requirement and the IAAR for Japanese quail breeders. Two nitrogen balance assays were performed, one assay using 49 quails distributed in seven treatments (protein levels between 70.

An assessment of responses to egg production and liver health of Japanese quails subjected to different levels of metabolizable energy.

Objective: Current quail production is configured as an economic activity in scale. Advancements in quail nutrition have been limited to areas such as breeding and, automation of facilities and ambience. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance responses, liver and oviduct morphometry, and liver histology of Japanese laying quails subjected to different levels of nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (MEn).

Arginine requirement for egg production in Japanese quail.

The objective of this study was to determine the ideal arginine intake for egg production in Japanese quail using the dilution technique. A completely random design was used, with 8 treatments (seven concentrations of arginine plus a control diet) and ten replicates, totaling 80 Japanese quails. The digestible arginine levels included in the study were 0.

Vitamin D deficiency and anemia in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: Epidemiological studies suggest an association between vitamin D deficiency and anemia. Evidence of this relationship in pregnant women, however, is scarce.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency and gestational anemia through observational studies.

Serological prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cats (Belém, Pará, Brazil).

We evaluated the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the serum samples collected from domestic cats in Belém, Pará, Brazil. We also correlated the presence of T. gondii antibodies with environmental variables and cat-owner habits.

Limnological effects of a large Amazonian run-of-river dam on the main river and drowned tributary valleys.

Run-of-river dams are often considered to have lower environmental impacts than storage dams due to their smaller reservoirs and low potential for flow alteration. However, this has been questioned for projects recently built on large rivers around the world. Two of the world's largest run-of-river dams-Santo Antônio and Jirau-were recently constructed on the Madeira River, a major tributary to the Amazon River in Brazil.

Bioactive lipids regulate Trypanosoma cruzi development.

Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiological agent of Chagas disease. These parasites undergo dramatic morphological and physiological changes during their life cycle. The human-infective metacyclic trypomastigotes differentiate from epimastigotes inside the midgut of the Triatominae insect vector.

Bacterial community composition in the salivary glands of triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

Background: Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is transmitted through triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). In the last year, many studies of triatomine gut microbiota have outlined its potential role in modulating vector competence. However, little is known about the microbiota present in the salivary glands of triatomines.

Influence of pre-heating and ceramic thickness on physical properties of luting agents.

Purpose: The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of ceramic thickness and pre-heating of luting agents on their physical properties.

Materials And Methods: The materials RelyX Arc, RelyX Ultimate, RelyX Veneer, and Filtek Z350 Flow were handled at different temperatures (23°C or 54°C), inserted into matrix, and photoactivated through ceramic disks (0.75 mm or 1.

Prevalence and risk factors for bluetongue in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Bluetongue (BT), caused by Bluetongue virus (BTV), is a disease that affects ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats and deer. BTV is transmitted by female midges of the genus Culicoides. In Brazil, information on the prevalence of BTV in cattle is limited, so the objective of this work was to identify BTV serotypes in cattle.

A new lipid carrier protein in the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus.

Tick infestation in cattle reflects the main cause of economic loss to cattle producers. This is due to several reasons but mainly to their ability to feed on blood and generate a huge amount of eggs. Lipid transport in arthropods is achieved by highly specialized hemolymphatic lipoproteins, which resemble those described in vertebrate blood.

Triatoma infestans relies on salivary lysophosphatidylcholine to enhance Trypanosoma cruzi transmission.

Triatoma infestans is a mandatory haematophagous vector of Chagas disease in Brazil. Despite a large number of studies on the anti-haemostatic molecules present in its saliva, the role of its salivary components on parasite transmission is poorly understood. Here, we show that the bioactive lipid molecule, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), is present in the salivary gland of T.

Anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in beef cattle slaughtered in the metropolitan region of Belém, Brazilian Amazon.

The relevance of consuming raw or undercooked beef in the transmission of toxoplasmosis is unclear due to the high resistance of cattle to infection. However, this possibility needs to be considered in endemic areas, such as the Amazon, where the consumption of beef is frequent. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in beef cattle slaughtered in the metropolitan region of Belem, Pará state, Brazil.

Malignant Catarrhal Fever in Brazilian cattle presenting with neurological syndrome.

Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF) was investigated in the central nervous system of cattle with neurological syndrome. Two-hundred-ninety samples were analyzed by histology, and molecular methods to detect ovine herpesvirus type 2 (OvHV-2) were optimized and validated. The qualitative polymerase chain reaction (qualitative PCR) analytical sensitivity was 10DNA copies/μL and found 4.

Selenium and Zinc Status in Chronic Myofascial Pain: Serum and Erythrocyte Concentrations and Food Intake.

Introduction: Nutritional disorders have been reported to be important causal factors that can intensify or cause a painful response in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Aim: To assess the habitual intake of and the serum and erythrocyte levels of selenium and zinc in patients with chronic myofascial pain.

Materials And Methods: A case-control study of 31 patients with chronic myofascial pain (group I) and 31 subjects without pain (group II).