Brazilian Journal of Science
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Allelopathy of the essential oil of Fortunella margarita (Lour.) Swingle) in the germination on Helianthus annuus L. and Hordeum vulgare L.
No full textFortunella margarita known as ‘Kin-Kan or kumquat orange’ is a citrus species cultivated in South America with excellent adaptation to different climates, especially tropical. The fruits of F. margarita have a spectacular essential oil content. This study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic action of essential oil from ripe fruits of F. margarita in different concentrations on two large crops, sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) in vitro. Ripe fruits of F. margarita were collected from an orchard in Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil in January 2024. The skin of the fruits was removed and crushed to obtain the essential oil by Clevenger. The essential oil content obtained was expressed as a percentage (%). For the chemical profile, gas chromatography with sequential mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used. For the allelopathic assay, varying concentrations of essential oil were produced. The allelopathic test was carried out in acrylic germination boxes and kept in a D.B.O. vegetation chamber. The results were expressed as percentage of germination µL mL-1. The radicle length was determined using a digital caliper and expressed in centimeters (cm). Seven major volatile compounds were obtained (D-Limonene 22%, β-Phellandrene 12%, β-Pinene 11%, Germacrene D 9%, Bicyclosexquiphellandrene 8%, Trans-Arbuscolene and α-Guaiene both with 5%). The essential oil demonstrated strong allelopathic activity on sunflower germination rates, especially for concentrations greater than 12.5-100 µL mL-1, between 54.40 and 12.80%. Barley seeds demonstrated resistance and a rate greater than 50% at the highest concentration (100 µL mL-1). Radicle length also showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in all essential oil concentrations. Again, sunflower was strongly affected, with average primary roots between 0.98 and 0.11 cm and between 2.77 and 0.11 cm for barley. The essential oil from the ripe fruits of Fortunella margarita has an allelopathic action on germination and a toxic effect on the development of primary roots in sunflower and barley seeds
Adaptability and stability of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] strains in Central-West Brazil
No full textSoybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril) is one of the most important seed legumes in the world due to its high protein and vegetable oil content, being widely used in the food industry and animal feed. However, environmental changes, especially those related to rising global temperatures due to CO2 emissions, are impacting plant productivity, including soybeans. In this context, genetic improvement programs have been fundamental to develop cultivars that are more resistant to abiotic stresses, such as droughts and intense rains. To evaluate the adaptability and stability of soybean genotypes in different environments, statistical methods such as AMMI (Multiplicative Model of Interpretation and Intersection) and BLUP (Best Linear Unbased Prediction) have been widely used. The AMMI model is used to analyze the interaction between genotype and environment, while the BULP considers random genetic effects, providing a more accurate estimate of genetic value. Furthermore, the weighting between stability (WAASBY) (Weighted Average WAASB) index has been used to identify stable, high-performance genotypes, combining stability and yield characteristics. In the research carried out, eleven improved soybean lines were evaluated in five municipalities in the central-western region of Brazil. Data were analyzed using statistical techniques such as linear mixed model, GGE biplot and AMMI and BLUP models. The results indicated that soybean lines showed significant variations in productivity in different environments, highlighting specific genotypes for each location. The productivity prediction analysis showed that the BLUP model was more accurate compared to the AMMI model. Furthermore, the GGE biplot identified the most suitable genotypes for each environment, considering both average performance and stability. Finally, the combination of characteristics from the AMMI and BLUP techniques, using the WAASBY index, made it possible to identify genotypes with high potential for yield and stability. In summary, the results of this research contribute to the development of soybean cultivars more adapted to variable environmental conditions, providing valuable information for genetic improvement programs and agricultural practices in the central-western region of Brazil. The integration of different statistical methods and evaluation indices has been fundamental to improving the selection of genotypes with high performance and stability, contributing to food security and the sustainability of agricultural production
Therapeutic and developmental benefits of fairy tales in early childhood: A mini-review
No full textThe role of fairy tales in preschool-aged children's emotional and cognitive development is discussed. Separating good from evil makes it easier for children to cope with conflicting emotions. This encourages creative thinking and personality growth as representations of conscious and unconscious motifs in stories guide children through their thoughts. Fairy tales even provide secure, comforting, and supporting feelings though they relate to conflicts or endangerment themes, fostering positive self-image and emotional intelligence in kids. It was found that a happy ending to a fairy tale lessens tension, alleviates anxiety arising from developmental fears, and meets the need for justice among kids. Representation of negative characters in these stories contributes positively to emotional development. In Australia, research has shown that talking about fairy tales helps a child meet emotional needs, especially when told in groups with accompanying acting out. In addition, the article examines how therapeutic fairy tales can decrease fearfulness while dealing with actual life problems throughout this period. Moreover, the paper explores how fairy tales might be used as therapy to address anxiety as well as real-life conflicts during emotional development. Essential for appreciating children’s fantasies that can lead to internal conflicts because of their inability to express themselves in any other manner, it is pertinent for parents and their kids to have storytelling sessions where they can talk about anything. Lastly, fairy tales are sources of inspiration; they teach morals and values; tools necessary for mental growth, cognitive advancement, moral maturity, and creativity, making people think critically and interrogatively
Evaluation of electrical and electronic waste potential within the framework of sustainable development (Bitlis province example)
No full textRapid developments in technology and increasing consumer demand in the last century have revealed the problem of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste). Today; with rapid industrialization, urbanization, population growth, and economic developments, this problem has grown even more and become a global environmental problem. The amount of e-waste per person in Türkiye is around 7-8 kg. It is thought that e-waste, which is tried to be destroyed by incineration due to its heavy metal content, will reach 640 thousand tons in 2024. In this case, it causes serious negative effects on human and environmental health in the world and Turkey. At this point, decision-making mechanisms need to ensure e-waste management in a way that causes the least harm to the environment by creating effective waste management strategies for the recovery of e-waste. In this context, the study aims to examine the electrical and electronic waste potential in Bitlis, which was selected as a pilot province within the framework of sustainable development, and to present suggestions for the environmental and economic evaluation of these wastes. In addition, the study tried to reveal the benefits to be provided by electrical and electronic recycling in the context of the economic and environmental effects of sustainable development
Impact of Cordyline fruticosa leaf meal supplemented diet on growth performance, egg production, egg quality, and some heamatological indices of laying hen
No full textAt Sumitra Research Institute in Gujarat, India, research was carried out to ascertain the impact of Cordyline fruticosa on the growth performance, egg quality, production, and some heamatological indices of laying hens. 500 – 35 weeks Lohmann brown birds with an initial weight of 1717 grams were randomly distributed into five treatments with five replicates (20 hens per replicate). The basal diet was formulated according to the requirements of the birds. Hens in treatment 1 (control group) were fed basal diet only. The other experimental groups were fed the same diet with the addition of C. fruticosa meal at 10, 20, 30, and 40 g respectively in treatments 2, 3, 4, and 5. Birds were given free access to feed and clean water and a completely randomized design was adopted throughout the 90-day experimental period. Results showed that average weight gains and average daily feed intake followed a similar trend, birds fed C. fruticosa meal had higher body weight compared to the control in this order treatment 5 (T5) (1270.0 g), 4 (1263.0 g), 3 (1233.6 g), 2 (1230.0 g) and 1 (983.1 g) (p < 0.05) respectively. The treatment influenced the average daily feed intake, feed conversion, and mortality rate (p < 0.05). Hen day egg production and hen house egg production were higher in T5 (72.98%, 65.90%), T4 (72.72%, 69.85%), T3 (72.88%, 69.83%), intermediate in T2 (60.09%, 51.00%) and lower in T1 (51.19%, 41.85%). Eggshell strength, eggshell thickness, egg weight, albumen weight, yolk weight, yolk index, and haugh unit were significantly (p < 0.05) different among the treatments. Pack cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell, white blood cell, heterophil, and lymphocyte count were influenced by the treatment. However, values fall within the established range for healthy laying hen. It was concluded that Cordyline fruticosa meal can be fed to laying hens up to 40 g kg-1 diet without having any negative effect on their performance and health status
Molecular docking, dynamics, and drug-likeness studies of alprazolam derivatives as a potent anxiolytic drug against GABAA receptors
No full textGABAA receptors exhibit permeability to the chloride ion-gated channel, and an increase in excitability disrupts the ion gradients, hence contributing to the development of anxiety-related disorders. This study aims to repurpose potent inhibitors of alprazolam analogs, which were obtained from the PubChem database. These ligands are being investigated for their binding ability to the GABAA receptor. We employed molecular docking through Autodock vina V.4.2 software. The Swiss ADME server was utilized to assess the drug-likeness of the ligands. MDS was conducted using the iMODS platform. Compounds A3, A8, and A9 exhibited a notable binding score range of -8.0 to -8.4 kcal/mol-1 with GABAA protein. The drug-likeness analysis revealed that 3 ligands had compliance with Lipinski's RO5. Moreover, the A8 compound can traverse the BBB. In contrast, the A3 and A9 ligands remain localized in the GI region. The MDS of the GABAA receptor with the A8 molecule exhibited higher stability than alprazolam. The current investigation unveiled a highly effective antagonist of GABAA receptors, specifically A8 - 8-chloro-1,4-dimethyl-6-phenyl-4H- [1,2,4] triazolo [4,3-a] [1,4] benzodiazepine. This compound holds potential for future wet-lab experiments, perhaps leading to its utilization in therapeutic applications as an anxiolytic medication
Forage cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller) f. Cactaceae as an alternative for ruminant feeding
No full textThe objective of this review was to compile information regarding cacti as an alternative to ruminant feeding. Forage cactus adapts well to soils with low nutrient content, as long as the soil is not acidic, in addition to being tolerant to long periods of drought, since their metabolism is based on crassulacean acids (CAM), thus favoring the use of water and providing high dry mass productivity. Studies have been developed to include cactus in the diet of ruminants, in an attempt to improve consumption by avoiding the occurrence of metabolic disorders in animals. In addition, forage cactus contributes to the intake of colloidal water due to its composition of around 90% water. For forage cactus to be used to feed ruminants, it must be associated with some source of neutral detergent fiber, leading to greater chewing and, consequently, longer rumination time, to guarantee the normal functioning of the rumen, demonstrating improvement in water consumption, digestibility, and animal performance
Occupational therapy for individuals with chronic kidney disease undergoing renal rehabilitation: A literature review
No full textChronic kidney disease is a life-changing condition affecting 10% of the global population, leading to significant health challenges in a person’s daily life. It is considered a worldwide health crisis due to its increasing prevalence in the general population and the development of complicated clinical symptoms if left untreated. Hemodialysis is a treatment procedure that helps substitute renal function, which is vital for the individual's health. Most health-related scientific literature focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of the disease, advancing hemodialysis treatment, and minimizing adverse side effects. Meanwhile, another scientific direction aims to evaluate the functioning and quality of life of these individuals, who can, in some cases, become extremely debilitated. People with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis often experience a significant disruption in their ability and efficiency to perform meaningful tasks and established routines independently. Occupational therapy can help empower individuals with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis, enabling life participation while minimizing the burden and health-related consequences of the disease
Baía dos Tigres - The dynamic of the process
No full textBaía dos Tigres is a well-known sandbank in Angola, referred to since the 15th century when the Portuguese navigators passed there in 1488, on the voyage that allowed them to round the Cape of Good Hope, in southern Africa. It is a phenomenon of a sedimentary nature and therefore it is linked to the availability of solid flow carried by the drift current coming from the South. However, several changes in its condition have been recorded over the centuries. It has shifted from being a sandbank (restinga) and an island, this latter occurring when the isthmus that connects it to the mainland broke, becoming a restinga again when it reestablisheb itself. In March 1962, a huge storm at sea destroyed the fragile structure connecting the land to the coast and since then, precisely 60 years ago, Baía dos Tigres became an island, being separated from the coast in a way that seemed definitive. The observation and analysis of the satellite images used in this work seem to suggest that a setback is beginning to appear, since Baía dos Tigres may be starting to reconnect to the mainland. If this occurs, there is the possibility for Angola to have again a true fish hatchery where countless varieties of fishes and molluscs find unique conditions for spawning. Those partially closed conditions, with waters sufficiently oxygenated to generate excellent biological environment for spawning, are of great importance for the future of fish industry in the country. If those conditions are restored, the zone will be protected from the direct action of storms and the speed of currents, covering an area of more than 250 km2. This article makes an up-date of the situation, based on the analysis of satellite images currently available
The effects of incorporating dried cashew apple in the diet of broiler chickens on growth performance, total tract digestibility, and gut health
No full textA total of two hundred and ten one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were utilized in this study to investigate the effects of incorporating Dried Cashew Apples (DCA) in the diet of broiler chickens on growth performance, total tract digestibility, and gut health. The birds were weighed and randomly allotted to seven treatment groups with three replicates, each having 10 birds. The experimental design was a (2 X 3) + 1 augmented factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. Diet D1 (control diet) was a maize-soybean meal-based; diets D2, D3, and D4 comprised 10, 20, and 30% DCA without exogenous enzyme supplementation, whereas diets D5, D6, and D7 included 10, 20, and 30% DCA treated with exogenous enzyme. Data were collected on growth performance, total tract digestibility, and gut morphology. Collected data were analyzed using SAS (2002) and separation of means was done using Duncan’s Multiple Range Tests of the same statistical software. The difference was set at p < 0.05. The study found that birds fed diets containing 10% DCA, with or without enzyme supplementation (D2 and D5), had a significantly higher Average Daily Gain (ADG) compared to those fed the control diet (D1). The ADG of birds fed diets D3 and D6 was similar to that of birds fed the control diet (D1). However, a significant decrease in ADG was observed as the dietary inclusion level of DCA increased to 30%, as seen in birds offered diets D4 and D7. In addition, a significant linear rise (p < 0.05) in Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI) was seen when DCA was included in the diet. In addition, birds that were given diets containing DCA showed significantly higher nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05) compared to birds that were given the control diet (D1), except for birds that were given a diet containing 30% DCA without enzyme supplementation (D4), which showed significantly lower nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05) compared to birds that were given the control diet (D1). Ultimately, birds that were given meals containing DCA exhibited a significant enhancement in GIT development compared to birds on the control diet. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that including DCA in the diet of broiler chickens at a level of up to 20% does not have any detrimental effects on their performance