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The phytochemical investigation of Grazielia gaudichaudeana aerial parts yielded 15 compounds, including diterpenes, triterpenes, sterols and flavonoids. With exception to ent-kaurenoic acid diterpenes, the compounds isolated are being described for the first time in this species. Some unusual 1 H-NMR chemical shifts of 18-nor-ent-labdane (7-9) led us carry out a conformational analysis by theoretical calculations in order to support the experimental data. Moreover, due to the limitation of studies focused on pharmacological potential of Grazielia gaudichaudeana, the present study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant, antiproliferative, antiviral, antileishmanial and antimicrobial activities from the extract, fractions and isolated compounds obtained from this species. Ethyl acetate fraction showed significant activity in the antiproliferative assay, with GI 50 range of 3.9 to 27.2 μg mL -1 . Dichloromethane fraction, rich in diterpenoids, inhibited all human tumor cell lines tested, and the nor-labdane 7 showed potent cytotoxic activity against glioma and ovary cancer cell lines., (© 2019 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

The Girolando breed is used in pasture-based dairy production systems in Brazil to associate the high production of Bos taurus to the rusticity and thermal adaptation of Bos indicus. This study was designed to evaluate the physiological response to a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α)-GnRH protocol to synchronize the ovulation in 40 Girolando heifers of a pasture-based dairy production system and its relationships with the temperature and humidity index (THI) during the dry (DS) and rainy season (RS) in the tropical savannah-Brazil's cerrado biome. Responses were characterized by follicular and corpus luteum number and diameter, ovulation (D9), and pregnancy rates after first AI. Total follicle number (8.1 ± 0.3 × 8.8 ± 0.3), D9 ovulatory follicle diameter (11.9 ± 0.4 × 10.1 ± 0.4 mm), corpus luteum diameter (8.6 ± 1.3 × 3.9 ± 1.5 mm), corpus luteum score (3.7 ± 0.8 × 1.8 ± 1.0), corpus luteum diameter after AI (9.6 ± 1.6 × 3.9 ± 1.5 mm), and corpus luteum score after AI (3.2 ± 0.4 × 0.9 ± 0.6) in DS and RS differed (P < 0.01). D9 ovulation rate was 40 % (DS) and 20 % (RS), without differences (P > 0.05). Pregnancy rate was 45 % (DS) and 11 % (RS), with differences (P < 0.01). THI differed between DS and RS (P < 0.01). THI may interfere in the follicular and luteal dynamics and in the response of Girolando heifers to the GnRH-PGF2α protocol in the tropical savannah, thus reducing the chances of pregnancy at the first artificial insemination.

In vitro-produced (IVP) bovine embryos are more sensitive to cryopreservation than their in vivo counterparts due to their higher lipid concentrations, whereas Bos indicus IVP embryos are even more sensitive than Bos taurus IVP embryos. To examine the effects of a lipolytic agent, before vitrification of Bos indicus IVP embryos, on embryo survival, viability, and pregnancy rates, two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, Bos indicus (Nelore) embryos were produced from abattoir-derived ovaries and allocated into two groups. In the treatment group, 10 μM of forskolin was added to the in vitro culture medium on Day 5 and incubated for 48 hours. On Day 7 of culture, IVP-expanded blastocysts from both the control (n = 101) and treatment (n = 112) groups were vitrified with ethylene glycol and DMSO via the Cryotop procedure. Although there was no significant difference between the rates of blastocoel reexpansion and hatching of the embryos exposed to forskolin (87.5% and 70.5%, respectively) compared with the control embryos (79.2% and 63.3%, respectively), the numerically superior rates of the embryos exposed to forskolin led to another experiment. In experiment 2, blastocysts produced from the ovum pick up were exposed or not exposed to the lipolytic agent and vitrified as in experiment 1. Embryos treated with forskolin had higher pregnancy rates than the control group (48.8% vs. 18.5%). In view of these results, 1908 Bos indicus embryos were produced from ovum pick up, exposed to the lipolytic agent, and blastocysts were transferred to recipients, and the pregnancy rates of the embryos of various breeds were compared. The mean pregnancy rate obtained was 43.2%. All data were analyzed by chi-square or by binary logistic regression (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, treatment with forskolin before vitrification improved cryotolerance of Bos indicus IVP embryos, resulting in good post-transfer pregnancy rates., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation offered during the pre- and postpartum periods on serum cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipids of Canchim beef cows and their relationship with folliculogenesis. Thirty cows with predicted calving date between September and October, kept in pastures of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandú together with their calves, were randomly distributed into three experimental groups: the first received only a mineral mixture (Control Group, CG); the second group received a concentrate with 16%crude protein/kg dry matter (DM) and 3000 kcal digestible energy/kg DM offered for 45 days prepartum and 120 days postpartum (PREG); the third group received the concentrate from parturition until the 120th day postpartum (POSG). Consumption was estimated at 1% of body weight, and each cow received approximately 4.0 kg/day (fresh weight) of supplement. Blood samples were taken and an ultrasound examination of the ovaries was performed twice a week until the 60th day postpartum. The body condition score (BCS) and the weight of the cows were recorded at 15-day intervals from calving until the 60th day postpartum. Data are presented as mean+/-SEM. Mean weight and BCS at calving were, respectively, 448+/-54.9 kg and 6.2+/-0.25 (PREG); 432+/-71.1 kg and 5.5+/-0.69 (POSG); and 434+/-66.4 kg and 5.5+/-0.69 (CG). Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TRIG) and total lipids (TLIP) were measured using colorimetry until the 60th day postpartum. TC averages were PREG 186+/-62.6 mg/dL, POSG 159+/-43.1mg/dL and CG 133+/-35.1mg/dL (P<0.05). For TRIG, the means were PREG 29+/-11.3mg/dL (P<0.05), POSG 24+/-8.1mg/dL and CG 26+/-12.1mg/dL (P>0.05). Serum concentrations of TLIP were PREG 588+/-145.6 mg/dL, POSG 512+/-137.6 mg/dL and CG 452+/-122.4 mg/dL (P<0.05). The first dominant follicle (DF) was identified on Day 21+/-10.3 (PREG), 36+/-28.5 (POSG) and 51+/-32.8 (CG) after calving. The difference between PREG and CG was significant (P<0.05). TC was positively correlated with the calving to first estrus interval (P<0.05). Results showed that nutritional supplementation before parturition assured good body condition at calving and suggested that it was effective at increasing cholesterol availability to maintain ovarian follicle function and to favor earlier resumption of ovarian activity., (Copyright (c) 2010. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

In order to determine the role of Mycoplasma spp, Ureaplasma diversum and BHV-1 as causal agents of Granular Vulvovaginitis Syndrome in Nelore heifers raised under tropical conditions and based on the hypothesis that stressful conditions during puberty or breeding season would be a determinant factor for the infection, 340 heifers not vaccinated against BHV-1 were divided in Post-pubertal, in the beginning of the first breeding season, and Pubertal heifers. The vaginal lesion score (VLS) Grade 1 to 4 was giving according to lesion area and severity. Vaginal mucus was used to isolate Mycoplasma spp., Ureaplasma diversum and BHV-1. The predominant VLS was 2. No sample was positive for BHV-1; 48% were positive for Mycoplasma spp., Ureaplasma diversum, or both, with predominance of Ureaplasma diversum. Serum neutralization for BHV-1 showed more positive animals in pubertal group (23%); 3 of the paired sera demonstrated seroconversion. These data indicated that post-pubertal and pubertal Nelore heifers raised under extensive conditions are more susceptible to Mycoplasma spp. and Ureaplasma diversum. The hypothesis that the stress of pubertal period could lead to an acute vaginal infection by HBV-1 was not proofed.

To determine effects of biostimulation (BIO) and dietary supplementation (BIO+S) on pubertal age and pregnancy rates, Nelore heifers (n=392) were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups (n=98/group). All animals were in tropical environmental conditions, in the middle-west region of Brazil, grazing in pastures of Brachiaria brizantha, cv. Marandu; Panicum Maximum, cv. Tanzânia and Brachiaria humidícula. The heifers of the BIO group were kept in the presence of bulls while being maintained on pasture; the animals in the BIO+S group were kept in the presence of bulls while being managed on pasture and were fed a diet with greater energy and protein content to produce 0.49 kg of BW gain/day; the animals in control group (the NBIO) were kept away from bulls and under pasture conditions; and the animals in the NBIO+S group were kept away from bulls, were maintained on pasture, and were fed the same diet as the BIO+S group. Heifers were bred at 22-23 months of age, and pregnancy diagnosis was made 45 days after the end of the breeding season. There were differences (P<0.05) between groups regarding pubertal heifers up to 19 months (NPH), final body weight (FBW) and pregnancy rates (P<0.01), with an advantage for the animals in the BIO and BIO+S groups. Although the effect of a diet with greater protein and energy content was not clear in this experiment, the exposure of heifers to a male during the prepubertal period decreased age at the first breeding season, resulting in a significant reduction in age of first pregnancy in Nelore heifers kept under extensive management systems in a tropical environment.

A novel approach to artificial neural networks is presented. The philosophy of this approach is based on two aspects: the design of task-specific networks, and a new neuron model with multiple synapses. The synapses' connective strengths are modified through selective and cumulative processes conducted by axo-axonic connections from a feedforward circuit. This new concept was applied to the position control of a planar two-link manipulator exhibiting excellent results on learning capability and generalization when compared with a conventional feedforward network. In the present paper, the example shows only a network developed from a neuronal reflexive circuit with some useful artifices, nevertheless without the intention of covering all possibilities devised.