ABSTRACT Based on the temperature and humidity index, for quails from the 3rd to the 5th week of life, in the dry period in Paraíba state, Brazil, the objective was to carry out a bioclimatic zoning, identifying as regions suitable for the reproduction of quails and, when necessary, mitigating measures for greater animal comfort. The bioclimatic zoning was carried out for the mesoregions of the state, the climatic data used are from meteorological stations in the period from 1961 - 2015, from them maps were elaborated with the spatial distribution of the index, identifying as regions with ideal thermal comfort conditions for the animals. For quails in the third week, the Agreste mesoregion presents the best situation in the dry season, not requiring corrective measures to maintain the comfort of these animals. In the fourth week of life of the quails, the mesoregions that would provide THI values within the ZCT in the dry period would be the Zona da Mata paraibana and Sertão, while the ZCT for quails in the fifth week of life, could be found throughout the state of Paraíba.

ABSTRACT. This study aimed to carry out bioclimatic zoning based on the historical series of climatic variables such as air temperature, maximum, minimum and relative humidity collected in six conventional meteorological stations in the state of Paraíba, Brazil and from this to determine whether or not the animals are in thermal comfort by comparing with the results obtained in scientific research in each mesoregion in the rainy and dry periods. Then based on this the comfort conditions for small ruminants in the rainy and dry seasons of the mesoregions of Paraíba were observed using data from the literature, and demonstrated in spatial distribution maps. The variables air temperatures, maximum and minimum and relative humidity varied throughout the state for the rainy season between 22 to 27, 18 to 21, 25 to 31ºC and 64 to 82%, respectively, and in dry season is 23 to 27, 28 to 35, 19 to 23ºC and 49 to 76%, respectively. However, it is concluded that raising sheep and goats is viable in all mesoregions of the state of Paraíba in both periods.

Abstract Background Rabies is an incurable neglected zoonosis with worldwide distribution characterized as a lethal progressive acute encephalitis caused by a lyssavirus. Animal venoms and secretions have long been studied as new bioactive molecular sources, presenting a wide spectrum of biological effects, including new antiviral agents. Bufotenine, for instance, is an alkaloid isolated from the skin secretion of the anuran Rhinella jimi that inhibits cellular penetration by the rabies virus. Antimicrobial peptides, such as ocellatin-P1 and ocellatin-F1, are present in the skin secretion of anurans from the genus Leptodactylus and provide chemical defense against predators and microorganisms. Methods Skin secretion from captive Leptodactylus labyrinthicus was collected by mechanical stimulation, analyzed by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, and assayed for antiviral and cytotoxic activities. Synthetic peptides were obtained using solid phase peptide synthesis, purified by liquid chromatography and structurally characterized by mass spectrometry, and assayed in the same models. Cytotoxicity assays based on changes in cellular morphology were performed using baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells. Fixed Rabies virus (Pasteur Virus – PV) strain was used for virological assays based on rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test. Results Herein, we describe a synergic effect between ocellatin-F1 and bufotenine. This synergism was observed when screening the L. labyrinthicus skin secretion for antiviral activities. The active fraction major component was the antimicrobial peptide ocellatin-F1. Nevertheless, when the pure synthetic peptide was assayed, little antiviral activity was detectable. In-depth analyses of the active fraction revealed the presence of residual alkaloids together with ocellatin-F1. By adding sub-effective doses (e.g. < IC50) of pure bufotenine to synthetic ocellatin-F1, the antiviral effect was regained. Moreover, a tetrapetide derived from ocellatin-F1, based on alignment with the virus’s glycoprotein region inferred as a possible cell ligand, was able to maintain the synergic antiviral activity displayed by the full peptide. Conclusions This novel antiviral synergic effect between a peptide and an alkaloid may present an innovative lead for the study of new antiviral drugs.

Antimicrobial active packaging delays or inhibits microorganism growth in packed products, and it can be used in a variety of food systems. The objective of the present research was to develop packaging incorporated with natural antimicrobial agents (active film). The effects of the active film on the spoilage, pathogenic microorganism counts, pH and color of the refrigerated chicken breast cuts were analyzed. Cellulose acetate-based active films incorporating two concentrations (20% and 50%, v/w) of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oil were manufactured and placed in contact with the chicken breast cuts for six days. An analysis of variance and mean comparison tests (Tukey's test, p<0.05) were performed on the results. The films that contained 20% essential oil and were intercalated with chicken breast samples did not demonstrate significant effects on the control of psychrotrophic or total coliform microorganisms during the storage period; however, the films incorporated with 50% essential oil demonstrated efficacy toward the control of coliforms during the storage of the samples (6 days, 2 ± 2ºC). The pH was related to the psychrotrophic microorganism count and was not influenced by the treatment. The color was not influenced by the time of storage or the treatment. The results demonstrate that active films incorporating 50% rosemary essential oil are effective at controlling certain microorganisms in chicken breast cuts.