Larvicidal activity of diterpenes from St. Hilaire & Tulasne (Annonaceae) against linn. (diptera: culicidae).

Mosquitoes of the genus are responsible for transmitting many vector-borne viral diseases worldwide. Hundreds of thousands of people die annually from vector-borne diseases, including West Nile fever, dengue, tick-borne diseases, yellow fever, chikungunya, Rift Valley fever, and Zika. Billions of people are at the risk of infection on all continents, which is a cause of international concern.

Antibacterial action and target mechanisms of zinc oxide nanoparticles against bacterial pathogens.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are one of the most widely used nanoparticulate materials due to their antimicrobial properties, but their main mechanism of action (MOA) has not been fully elucidated. This study characterized ZnO NPs by using X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Antimicrobial activity of ZnO NPs against the clinically relevant bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the Gram-positive model Bacillus subtilis was evaluated by performing resazurin microtiter assay (REMA) after exposure to the ZnO NPs at concentrations ranging from 0.

Production and assessment of the biodegradation and ecotoxicity of xylan- and starch-based bioplastics.

Developing novel renewable (and preferably biodegradable) materials has become recurrent due to the growing concerns with environmental impacts of high volumes of plastic waste produced from oil-based sources over the past decades. This study aimed at developing bioplastics from a mixture of starch and xylan in variable ratios, and the combined effect of α-cellulose and holocellulose extracted from sugarcane bagasse added to the process. The disintegration of bioplastics was evaluated in both soil and composting.

Evaluating the potential of electrolysed water for the disinfection of citrus fruit in packinghouses.

Background: The largest and most profitable market for citrus is the production of fresh fruit. Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri is a Gram-negative plant pathogen and the etiological agent of citrus canker, one of the major threats to citrus production worldwide.

Background concentrations and quality reference values for some potentially toxic elements in soils of São Paulo State, Brazil.

Quality reference values (QRV) for potentially toxic elements (PTE) in soils are established as a tool for prevention and monitoring of soil pollution. These values should be periodically revised in order to ensure soil safety for agricultural purposes. Brazil is market leader for several commodities; therefore, the safety of Brazilian soils is of worldwide strategic importance.

Use of neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium bromide for intubation in cats.

Objective: To determine whether neuromuscular blockade with rocuronium bromide (RB) would improve endotracheal intubation (EI) conditions in comparison with topical lidocaine hydrochloride (LH).

Study Design: Randomized prospective study.

Animals: Forty seven healthy cats of unspecified breed, aged 17 ± 11 months and weighing 2.

Effects of aflatoxin chronic intoxication in renal function of laying hens.

Aflatoxins (AF) have a high impact in both human and animal health, causing significant economic losses in the poultry industry, especially by diminution of avian growth, feed efficiency, and product quality. Aflatoxins affect the whole organism, particularly liver and kidney. The objective of this study was to evaluate renal function alterations in laying hens during chronic AF ingestion.

Evaluation of survival of Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium botulinum in charqui meats.

Charqui meats were prepared in laboratory conditions in order to carry out experiments to observe the possibility of development of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium botulinum proteolytic type B spores and their toxins. Results demonstrated that the harsh processing conditions, high salt concentration, relative high temperature, a(w) values, inhibited the growth of both bacteria. Under our experimental conditions, S.

Efficacy of N-acetylcysteine to reduce the effects of aflatoxin B1 intoxication in broiler chickens.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been used safely in humans and in other mammals as an antidote against several toxic and carcinogenic agents, including aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of dietary supplementation with NAC to ameliorate the effects of subacute intoxication with AFB1 in broiler chickens. One hundred twenty male Hubbard 1-d-old chickens were allocated into one of four dietary treatments: 1) control group without treatment, 2) purified AFB1 added to diet (3 mg/kg of feed) for 21 d, 3) NAC (800 mg/kg BW, daily), or 4) AFB1 plus NAC at the same doses as Groups 2 and 3.