RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de diferentes planos nutricionais sobre as características produtivas, fisiológicas e metabólicas de vacas F1 ½ Holandês x ½ Zebu. Foram utilizadas 60 vacas em lactação, seguindo-se o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 5 x 3, com cinco níveis de oferta de dieta e três períodos de lactação. À medida que se aumentou 1% na restrição da oferta da dieta, houve redução linear de 5,69kg no consumo de matéria seca pelos animais, 2,41kg na produção de leite, bem como de 10,36bat/min (manhã) e 10,25 bat/min (tarde) na frequência cardíaca dos animais. Não houve diferença para a concentração de glicose, proteínas totais, albumina, colesterol e NEFA com a restrição na oferta da dieta dos animais, sendo a média de 95,25, 7,98, 2,95, 121,68 e 0,45mg/dL, respectivamente. Recomenda-se a restrição de até 2,50% de peso corporal como estratégia de redução dos custos em todos os estágios em lactação, visando não alterar, economicamente, a produção de leite.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different nutritional plans on the productive, physiological and metabolic parameters of F1 ½ Holstein x ½ Zebu cows in different stages of lactation. Sixty lactating cows were allotted to a completely randomized 5 x 3 factorial design with five feed allowances and three lactation periods. The dry matter intake, milk yield and heart rate were reduced by 5.69kg, 2.41kg and 10.36 beats/min (morning) and 10.25 beats/min (afternoon) for each 1% feed restriction, respectively. There was no difference in the concentration of glucose, total protein, albumin, cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids for cows subjected to different feed allowances, with means of 95.25, 7.98, 2.95, 121.68 and 0.45mg/dL, respectively. Feed restriction of up to 2.50% BW is a cost reduction strategy that does not alter milk yield, regardless of the stage of lactation.

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to determine the persistence of auxinic herbicides applied on tropical pasture and toxicity for succeeding crops. The herbicides were applied in an area of dystrophic red‒yellow latosol with pasture infested of weeds. At 40, 80, and 280 days after application of herbicide, the soil samples were collected at depths of 0 to 20 cm. Soil with residues of 2,4-D, 2,4-D + picloram, triclopyr, and a soil without herbicide application were analyzed with six replicates. Seven crops were cultivated in these soils: cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), velvet bean [Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.], pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.], alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), lablab bean [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet], corn (Zea mays L.), and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. The plants of cucumber, pigeon pea, and alfalfa were the most susceptible to the auxinic herbicide residues. However, the lablab bean was the only one among the dicot evaluated that showed tolerance to the 2,4-D + picloram residual when cultivated in soils at 280 days after application of herbicide. Corn and sorghum showed lower chlorophyll content in soils with 2,4-D + picloram residual up to 80 days after application of herbicide.

High peak demand is often a challenge to the grid and could result into measures such as procurement of additional plants to meet the peak demand, higher tariffs for consumers, undesirable load shedding or even black-outs. However, these issues can be mitigated by introducing Demand Side Management (DSM) techniques for effective energy management of consumers' peak demand. In this paper, an enhanced Device Operation Knowledge - Electricity Usage Plan (DOK-EUP) is proposed, which applies time independencies of selected smart home appliances for peak demand reduction based on their operation principles and for consumer's benefit. The proposed DOK-EUP technique was tested with the surveyed demand profile of a Time-of-Use (TOU) consumer and results showed lower morning and evening peak demands, lower peak-to-peak difference, shift in peak period to traditional off-peak periods, financial savings for the consumers and utility provider, and a cleaner environment.

ABSTRACT Prosopis juliflora is a shrub that has been used to feed animals and humans. However, a synergistic action of piperidine alkaloids has been suggested to be responsible for neurotoxic damage observed in animals. We investigated the involvement of programmed cell death (PCD) and autophagy on the mechanism of cell death induced by a total extract (TAE) of alkaloids and fraction (F32) from P. juliflora leaves composed majoritary of juliprosopine in a model of neuron/glial cell co-culture. We saw that TAE (30 µg/mL) and F32 (7.5 µg/mL) induced reduction in ATP levels and changes in mitochondrial membrane potential at 12 h exposure. Moreover, TAE and F32 induced caspase-9 activation, nuclear condensation and neuronal death at 16 h exposure. After 4 h, they induced autophagy characterized by decreases of P62 protein level, increase of LC3II expression and increase in number of GFP-LC3 cells. Interestingly, we demonstrated that inhibition of autophagy by bafilomycin and vinblastine increased the cell death induced by TAE and autophagy induced by serum deprivation and rapamycin reduced cell death induced by F32 at 24 h. These results indicate that the mechanism neural cell death induced by these alkaloids involves PCD via caspase-9 activation and autophagy, which seems to be an important protective mechanism.

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a conversão alimentar (CA) por meio da inferência bayesiana considerando-se análises bivariadas. Foram utilizadas diferentes espécies animais de experimentos conduzidos na Universidade Federal de Viçosa, no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. O modelo proposto mostrou ser apropriado, uma vez que possibilitou a detecção de diferenças significativas entre níveis de fatores não detectados por procedimentos frequentistas em ANOVA tradicional, principalmente em pequenas amostras. No experimento com codornas, evidenciou-se que aves cujos níveis de proteína bruta eram de 23% e 29%, respectivamente, para machos e fêmeas, apresentaram uma melhor CA, de 2,83±0,03 e 2,66±0,03, respectivamente. No experimento com frangos, no grupo sem o aditivo antibiótico, a inclusão de 0,02% de extrato de ésteres naturais foi o que promoveu a melhor CA (1,72±0,01), e, de modo geral, o uso de antibiótico e a ausência de ésteres naturais promoveram CA de 1,63±0,02. Em caprinos, verificou-se que o aleitamento, seja com leite de cabra ou de vaca, promove igualmente uma melhor CA, respectivamente, no grupo de 60 e 90 dias, de 1,29±0,14 e 1,79±0,11, sugerindo que o aleitamento seja feito até os 60 dias. Em suínos, a dieta com maior nível de energia metabolizável e aminoácidos foi a que promoveu a melhor CA (2,86±0,07), quando comparada a uma dieta com nível nutricional mais baixo. Já o uso de enzimas na dieta com menor nível energético e de aminoácidos proporcionou resultado intermediário (2,90±007). Em bovinos, observou-se que o uso de 1% de concentrado na dieta promoveria uma melhor CA estimada de 7,33±0,35 entre os Nelores e que essa promoção seria de 7,40±0,58 entre os cruzados com o uso de 2% de concentrado na dieta.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feed conversion (CA) by Bayesian inference in bivariate considering analyzes in real and simulated data. Different animal species experiments conducted at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil are used. The proposed model proved to be appropriate once it enabled the detection of significant differences between levels of factors not detected by frequentist procedures with traditional ANOVA, especially in small samples. In the experiment with quails, it became clear that the birds' brute protein levels were 23% and 29%, respectively, for males and females, which presented better CA, 2.83±0.03 and 2.66±0.03, respectively. In the experiment with chickens, the group without additive antibiotic, including 0.02% extract natural esters promoted the best CA (1.72±0.01) and in general antibiotic absence of esters natural promoted 1.63±0.02 of the CA. In goats, it has been found that feeding milk from cows or goats also promotes better CA, respectively, in groups milked up to 60 and 90 days, being 1.29±0.14 and 1.79±0.11, suggesting that suckling done until 60 days. Pigs fed the highest level of metabolizable energy and aminoacids promoted the best CA (2.86±0.07) compared to a diet with lower nutritional level. But the use of enzymes in the diet with lower energy level and amino acid provided intermediate result (2.90±007). In cattle, it was observed that the use of 1% concentrate diet, CA, promotes a better estimate of 7.33±0.35 between Nellore and this promotion would be 7.40±0.58 between the cross breeds using 2% concentrate diet.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of pellets from the end of the pelletizer machine until the end of the line feed plate, using two methods of analysis: pellet durability index (PDI) and EMBRAPA pelletizing method (MEP). Furthermore, the effect of the discharging methods at the broiler farm on the physical quality of pellets using MEP as a method of analysis was evaluated. The first phase of the experiment was a randomized block with six treatments: A - pellets at the end of the pelletizer machine; B - pellets inside the truck; C - truck's discharging at the feed silo; D - place inside the warehouse after the feed silo; E - the middle of the feed plate line and F - the end of the feed plate line. The experiment was carried out in seven replicates (blocks). The second phase of the experiment was a randomized block with two treatments: A - smaller discharge opening (for pellets feed); B - bigger discharge opening (for mashed feed). The experiment was performed with twelve replicates (blocks). The discharge of the pellets feed at broilers farm is the point that worsens the pellets quality. The discharge of pellets feed by the truck should be done with the bigger discharge opening. Moreover, MEP showed to be a better method than PDI to evaluate the integrity of the pellets for broiler chickens.

Neste estudo, fibras de coco verde foram incorporadas em uma matriz composta de glúten de milho (GM) e poli(hidroxibutirato-co-valerato) (PHBV). As composições foram processadas por extrusão, onde o teor máximo de glúten adicionado à matriz para obter misturas com viscosidade suficientemente baixa para o processamento foi de 50% (em peso) em relação ao teor de PHBV. O teor de fibras nos compósitos variou de 5 a 20% por peso em relação ao peso total dos polímeros. Os plastificantes usados foram acetil tributil citrato (ATBC) e glicerol. Os materiais extrudados foram moldados por compressão a quente para obtenção de corpos de prova para a caracterização das propriedades de absorção de água, solubilidade em água, resistência mecânica, além de propriedades termo-dinâmico-mecânicas (DMTA) e morfológicas. Foi observado que as matrizes apresentaram duas transições vítreas (Tg's) uma para cada componente, indicando que as mesmas são compostas de duas fases (GM) e PHBV. A adição do PHBV ao glúten favoreceu ao aumento da rigidez e houve diminuições significativas na absorção de água e na solubilidade em água, enquanto a presença das fibras provocou, em algumas composições, um aumento no módulo de elasticidade e na resistência à tração.

Green coconut fibers were added as reinforcement in polymer matrices comprised of corn gluten meal (GM) and PHBV. The composites were processed by extrusion. The maximum gluten content added in the matrix to obtain mixtures with low enough viscosity for the extrusion process was 50% (by weight) in relation to PHBV content. The content of fibers used in the composites varied from 5% to 20% (by weight) of the total polymers weight (GM and PHBV). Glycerol and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) were used as plasticizers. The matrices and composites obtained were molded by heat compression and further characterized. Water absorption at equilibrium and water solubility decreased as the PHBV content increased. The Young's modulus and ultimate tensile strength increased with fiber content in the matrix for some compositions. GM/PHBV matrices exhibited two distinct glass transitions, one for each component, indicating a two-phase system. DMTA results and the morphology of the composites analyzed under the scanning electron suggested that the reinforcing effect of the green coconut fibers in GM/PHBV matrices was not homogeneous.

Foram avaliadas a ingestão e a digestibilidade aparente de silagens de capim, utilizando-se 20 ovinos adultos, sem raça definida, castrados, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos: silagem de capim-elefante; silagem de capim-elefante inoculada com 10(6)UFC/g de()estirpes de Enterococcus faecium; silagem de capim-elefante inoculada com 10(6)UFC/g de estirpes de Streptococcus bovis JB1; e silagem de capim-elefante inoculada com 10(6)UFC/g de()estirpes de S. bovis HC5, e cinco repetições por tratamento. O período de avaliação foi de 21 dias, sendo 15 para adaptação e seis para as coletas. Observou-se diferença (P<0,05) entre o consumo de matéria seca, sendo a silagem-controle a que apresentou os valores mais baixos - 1,43%PV ou 42,79g/kg PV0,75/dia -, enquanto a silagem inoculada com S. bovis HC5 apresentou o melhor consumo de matéria seca, 2,3% PV ou 56,10g/kg PV0,75/dia. Menores valores de digestibilidade da matéria seca ocorreram na silagem-controle, 42,8% da MS, seguida pela silagem de capim-elefante inoculada com E. faecium e S. bovis JB1. Para a digestibilidade aparente da fibra em detergente neutro, houve efeito dos inoculantes (P<0,05) com valores acima de cinco pontos percentuais em relação à silagem inoculada, 54,7%.

The intake and digestibility were evaluated in grass silage, using 20 adult sheep, mixed breed, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments: elephant grass silage without inoculant, elephant grass silage inoculated with 10(6)FCU/g of strains of Enterococcus faecium, elephant grass silage inoculated with 10(6)FCU/g strains of Streptococcus bovis JB1, elephant grass silage inoculated with 10(6)FCU/g of strains of S. bovis HC5 and five replicates per treatment. The evaluation period lasted 21 days being 15 for diet adaptation and six for the collections. There was a statistical difference (P<0.05) between the intake of dry matter of the silages assessed, and the highest values were recorded in the silages inoculated with microbial inoculants. Silage without inoculation had the lowest values (P<0.05) of dry matter intake (1.43% BW or 42.79g/kg BW0,75/day) and silage inoculated with Streptococcus bovis HC5 showed higher dry matter intake (2.3% or 56.10BW g/kg BW0,75/day). The lowest digestibility of dry matter occurred in the control silage (42.8% DM) followed by elephant grass silage inoculated with E. faecium and S. bovis JB1, respectively. The apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber was affected by inoculation (P<0.05) with values higher than five percentage points compared to elephant grass silage without inoculant (54.7%).

A reciclagem do resíduo da serragem do granito como matéria-prima alternativa em formulações cerâmicas vem sendo muito estudada nos últimos anos. Por outro lado, o uso de ferramentas matemáticas para otimizar o comportamento mecânico de corpos cerâmicos contendo resíduos também vem sendo muito aplicado. Deste modo, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo utilizar técnicas estatísticas aliadas à metodologia de delineamento de mistura para analisar a resistência à flexão de corpos cerâmicos contendo resíduo de granito. Foram estabelecidas composições utilizando um planejamento em rede simplex e foram conformados corpos-de-prova por prensagem uniaxial a 25MPa. Em seguida os corpos de prova foram queimados a 1.000, 1.100 e 1.150 ºC. Foi determinado o módulo de ruptura à flexão dos corpos de prova em ensaio de três pontos. Com base nos resultados pode-se concluir que a metodologia de planejamento experimental associada à superfície de resposta é uma ferramenta que possibilita analisar o módulo de ruptura dos corpos cerâmicos frente a adição de resíduo de granito e por conseguinte desenvolver composições com elevados teores de resíduos sem perdas no seu módulo de ruptura.

Granite sawing waste recycling as alternative raw material for ceramic formulations has been very much studied in the last years, however it was not observed the use of mathematical tools to understand the mechanical behavior of the ceramic bodies containing waste. Thus, this work used statistical tools associated with the mixture design methodology to model the flexural strength of the ceramic bodies containing granite waste. Compositions were developed using a simplex-lattice design and test samples were obtained by uniaxial pressing. The test samples were fired at 1.000, 1.100 and 1.150ºC and their modulus of rupture was determined in a three point bend test. The results indicated that the statistical design of mixture experiments associated with the response surface is a tool that permits to model the modulus of rupture of the ceramic bodies in relation to the amount of incorporated waste and, consequently, to develop formulations containing high amounts of wastes without the decrease of the modulus of rupture.

Ventilatory differences between rat strains and genders have been described but the morphology of the phrenic nerve has not been investigated in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. A descriptive and morphometric study of the phrenic nerves of male (N = 8) and female (N = 9) SHR, and male (N = 5) and female (N = 6) WKY is presented. After arterial pressure and heart rate recordings, the phrenic nerves of 20-week-old animals were prepared for epoxy resin embedding and light microscopy. Morphometric analysis performed with the aid of computer software that took into consideration the fascicle area and diameter, as well as myelinated fiber profile and Schwann cell nucleus number per area. Phrenic nerves were generally larger in males than in females on both strains but larger in WKY compared to SHR for both genders. Myelinated fiber numbers (male SHR = 228 ± 13; female SHR = 258 ± 4; male WKY = 382 ± 23; female WKY = 442 ± 11 for proximal right segments) and density (N/mm²; male SHR = 7048 ± 537; female SHR = 10355 ± 359; male WKY = 9457 ± 1437; female WKY = 14351 ± 1448) for proximal right segments) were significantly larger in females of both groups and remarkably larger in WKY than SHR for both genders. Strain and gender differences in phrenic nerve myelinated fiber number are described for the first time in this experimental model of hypertension, indicating the need for thorough functional studies of this nerve in male and female SHR.

Pradarias de fanerógamas são utilizadas pela ictiofauna, de maneira geral como ambiente de berçário, abrigo contra predadores, diminuição de competição em aior disponibilidade de recursos alimentares, estabelecendo uma relação de conectividade com demais ecossistemas costeiros. No presente estudo foi avaliada a estrutura da ictiofauna associada às pradarias de fanerógamas do estuário do Rio Formoso no litoral de Pernambuco durante o inverno de 2008. Foram realizados no total 27 arrastos manuais (15 diurnos e 12 noturnos), nos quais foram amostrados 358 peixes pertencentes a 18 famílias, 21 gêneros e 25 espécies. A Captura por unidade de esforço (CPUE) média por arrasto foi de 13,5 indivíduos e 4,95 espécies por arrasto. As famílias mais abundantes foram Scaridae (n = 111), Tetraodontidae (n = 63), Lutjanidae (n = 56), Mullidae (n = 39) e Engraulidae (n = 19). Analisando os índices ecológicos, observou-se que os mesmos foram sempre maiores para o período da noite, confirmando o fato do uso de tais áreas pela ictiofauna de forma mais intensa neste período. A necessidade de medidas para proteção destas áreas é evidente na região devido a sua importância e vulnerabilidade a impactos antrópicos.

Seagrass beds are used by juvenile fishes in different ways, generally as nursery sites, shelter from predators, reducing competition and increasing availability of food resources, thus establishing a relationship of connectivity with other ecosystems. In the present study, the community structure of the ichthyofauna associated with seagrass beds on the Formoso River (Pernambuco - Brazil) was evaluated during the winter of 2008. Twenty-seven manual trawls (15 daytime and 12 nighttime) were performed, and a total of 358 fishes belonging to 18 families, 21 genus and 25 species were collected. The Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) by trawling average was 13.5 and 4.95 individuals per species per trawl. The most abundant families were Scaridae (n = 111), Tetraodontidae (n = 63), Lutjanidae (n = 56), Mullidae (n = 39) and Engraulidae (n = 19). Ecological indices for dial changes were always higher for the night period, confirming that such areas are used more frequently during this period. The need for measures to conserve these areas is emphasized, by its importance and vulnerability to human impacts.

Os depósitos de bentonita da Paraíba constituem um dos mais importantes do país. Essas argilas são empregadas, dentre outras aplicações, como viscosificante em fluidos de perfuração. Contudo, atualmente, alguns tipos de argila encontradas nesses depósitos não apresentam os parâmetros exigidos pela PETROBRAS e a aditivação polimérica surge como alternativa para adequar essas propriedades. Sendo assim, este trabalho objetiva o desenvolvimento de compostos bentonita/polímeros para uso em fluidos de perfuração à base de água. Para tanto, foram estudadas uma amostra de argila bentonítica sódica industrializada da Paraíba, Brasil, duas amostras de carboximetilcelulose (CMC) e uma amostra de poliacrilamida (PAM). O dimensionamento do composto polimérico (misturas de dois e três polímeros) foi elaborado por meio do planejamento experimental, sendo estudadas dez diferentes composições. Os compostos poliméricos, em três diferentes concentrações, foram misturados à argila seca. Em seguida, foram preparados os fluidos de perfuração e determinadas as viscosidades aparente e plástica, o limite de escoamento e o volume de filtrado de acordo com as normas da PETROBRAS. Os resultados das análises mostraram que a aditivação da bentonita com o composto polimérico permite obter uma mistura com melhores propriedades reológicas e de filtração. Finalmente, esse procedimento permite o uso de argilas bentoníticas de qualidade inferior em fluidos de perfuração de poços de petróleo.

The most important bentonite clays sources are placed at Paraíba state, Brazil. These clays are largely used as viscosity agent in drilling fluids. Unfortunately for some kinds of available clay their parameters are far from PETROBRAS standard. Treatments based on polymeric addition consist on method to improve such parameters. In order to improve these parameters, this work proposes a methodology to develop bentonite/polymers compound for use in water based drilling fluids. Besides the raw clay others samples have been evaluated: i) one sample of a commercial bentonite; ii) two samples of carboximethyl cellullose (CMC) and iii) one sample of partially-hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PAM). Based on experimental planning, ten compositions of polymeric compound (mix of two and three polymers) have been evaluated. For each composition of polymeric compound three different concentrations was added to clay. All experimental fluids have been evaluated accordingly with PETROBRAS standard to determine apparent and plastic viscosity, yield stress, and water loss. The results of the analysis show that by polymeric treatment of bentonite clay with compound polymeric allow to obtain a mixture with improved rheologic properties. Finally, this procedure allows to use low quality bentonite clays for drilling fluids application.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência de uma barra de pulverização com um protetor contra deriva de um pulverizador de transporte animal, para aplicação de herbicida não-seletivo, em lavouras de café em formação. Foram utilizados bicos de pulverização de jato plano e distribuição uniforme do tipo 80-EF-015, três volumes de calda e duas doses de glyphosate. Os ensaios foram conduzidos em uma lavoura de café com 18 meses de plantio. Todos os tratamentos apresentaram valores de eficácia de controle de plantas daninhas, na entrelinha, superiores a 98%. O equipamento proporcionou proteção total contra a deriva, não sendo observado nenhum sinal de impacto de gotas da calda na cultura, bem como não foi observado nenhum sinal de toxicidade do herbicida até 30 dias após as aplicações.

This work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of a sprayer boom with a drift protector of an animal powered sprayer for non-selective herbicide applications in young coffee crops. Flat fan type 80-EF-015 nozzles with uniform distribution were used to apply three application volumes and two glyphosate doses. The experiments were conducted in an 18-month-old coffee crop. All treatments showed efficacy values higher than 98% for weed control within the row. The equipment offered total protection against drift, as no signs of drop impact on the crop and of herbicide toxicity for up to 30 days after applications were observed.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of converting enzyme inhibition by captopril on ECG parameters in aged rats. Four-month-old male rats received captopril dissolved in tap water (0.5 mg/l) or tap water for 2 or 20 months. At the end of treatment, under anesthesia, RR and PR interval, P wave and QRS duration, QT and corrected QT interval were measured in all animals. On the following day, chronic ECG (lead II) recordings were performed to quantify supraventricular (SVPB) or ventricular premature beats (VPB). After sacrifice, the hearts were removed and weighed. RR interval was similar in young and untreated aged rats, but significantly larger in aged rats treated with captopril. P wave and QRS length did not differ among groups. PR interval was significantly larger in old than in young rats and was not affected by captopril. Corrected QT interval was larger in aged than in young rats (117 ± 4 vs 64 ± 6 ms, P<0.05) and was reduced by captopril (71 ± 6 ms, P<0.05). VPB were absent in young rats and highly frequent in untreated old animals (8.4 ± 3.0/30 min). Captopril significantly reduced VPB in old rats (0.3 ± 0.1/30 min, P<0.05). The cardiac hypertrophy found in untreated aged rats was prevented by captopril (3.44 ± 0.14 vs 3.07 ± 0.10 mg/g, P<0.05). The beneficial effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition on the rat heart during the aging process are remarkable.

Injection of an Ascaris suum extract (Asc) affects both the humoral and cellular immune responses to unrelated antigens when it is co-administered with these antigens. In the present study we evaluated the effect of Asc on macrophage activation in the early phase of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (Pasteur strain TMCC 1173) infection in C57Bl/6 mice. C57Bl/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with 0.1 mg BCG (BCG group) or BCG plus 1 mg Asc (BCG + Asc group). The peritoneal exudates were obtained at 2, 7 and 14 days after infection. The numbers of IFN-<FONT FACE="Symbol">g</FONT>-secreting cells were assessed by the ELISPOT assay. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by the Griess method and by the evaluation of NADPH diaphorase activity in the peritoneal exudates. The administration of Asc extract increased NADPH diaphorase activity (2 days: control = 0, BCG = 7%, BCG + Asc = 13%, and Asc = 4%; 7 days: control = 4, BCG = 13%, BCG + Asc = 21%, and Asc = 4.5%) and TNF-<FONT FACE="Symbol">a</FONT> levels (mean ± SD; 2 days: control = 0, BCG = 169 ± 13, BCG + Asc = 202 ± 37, and Asc = 0; 7 days: control = 0, BCG = 545 ± 15.5, BCG + Asc = 2206 ± 160.6, and Asc = 126 ± 26; 14 days: control = 10 ± 1.45, BCG = 9 ± 1.15, BCG + Asc = 126 ± 18, and Asc = 880 ± 47.67 pg/ml) in the early phase of BCG infection. Low levels of NO production were detected at 2 and 7 days after BCG infection, increasing at 14 days (mean ± SD; 2 days: control = 0, BCG = 3.7 ± 1.59, BCG + Asc = 0.82 ± 0.005, Asc = 0.48 ± 0.33; 7 days: control = 0, BCG = 2.78 ± 1.54, BCG + Asc = 3.07 ± 1.05, Asc = 0; 14 days: control = 0, BCG = 9.05 ± 0.53, BCG + Asc = 9.61 ± 0.81, Asc = 10.5 ± 0.2 (2 x 106) cells/ml). Furthermore, we also observed that Asc co-injection induced a decrease of BCG-colony-forming units (CFU) in the spleens of BCG-infected mice during the first week of infection (mean ± SD; 2 days: BCG = 1.13 ± 0.07 and BCG + Asc = 0.798 ± 0.305; 7 days: BCG = 1.375 ± 0.194 and BCG + Asc = 0.548 ± 0.0226; 14 days: BCG = 0.473 ± 0.184 and BCG + Asc = 0.675 ± 0.065 (x 102) CFU). The present data suggest that Asc induces the enhancement of the immune response in the early phase of BCG infection.