Notable fibrolytic enzyme production by Aspergillus spp. isolates from the gastrointestinal tract of beef cattle fed in lignified pastures.

Fungi have the ability to degrade vegetal cell wall carbohydrates, and their presence in the digestive tract of ruminants can minimize the effects of lignified forage on ruminal fermentation. Here, we evaluated enzyme production by Aspergillus spp. isolates from the digestive tracts of cattle grazed in tropical pastures during the dry season. Filamentous fungi were isolated from rumen and feces by culture in cellulose-based medium. Ninety fungal strains were isolated and identified by rDNA sequence analysis, microculture, or both. Aspergillus terreus was the most frequently isolated species, followed by Aspergillus fumigatus. The isolates were characterized with respect to their cellulolytic, xylanolytic, and lignolytic activity through qualitative evaluation in culture medium containing a specific corresponding carbon source. Carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) activity was quantified by the reducing sugar method. In the avicel and xilan degradation test, the enzyme activity (EA) at 48 h was significantly higher other periods (P < 0.05). Intra- and inter-specific differences in EA were verified, and high levels of phenoloxidases, which are crucial for lignin degradation, were observed in 28.9% of the isolates. Aspergillus terreus showed significantly higher EA for avicelase (3.96 ±1.77) and xylanase (3.13 ±.091) than the other Aspergillus species at 48 h of incubation. Isolates AT13 and AF69 showed the highest CMCase specific activity (54.84 and 33.03 U mg-1 protein, respectively). Selected Aspergillus spp. isolates produced remarkable levels of enzymes involved in vegetal cell wall degradation, suggesting their potential as antimicrobial additives or probiotics in ruminant diets.

Avaliação radiológica da osteoartrose de joelhos: vista póstero-anterior do túnel ou ântero-posterior com carga em extensão? / Radiological evaluation of osteoarthrosis of the knee: weight bearing posteroanterior tunnel view or weight bearing anteroposterior view in extension?

Objetivo: Verificar se há diferença entre as medidas da fenda articular do joelho nas incidências radiográficas em ântero-posterior (AP), com carga e o joelho totalmente estendido, e a vista póstero-anterior do túnel (VPAT), com carga e joelho flexionado cerca de 30 graus. Materiais e métodos: Foram avaliados radiologicamente 50 pacientes do sexo feminino, acima de 40 anos, com sintomas clínicos e sinais radiológicos de osteoartrose (OA) nos joelhos, enquadradas nos graus II e III, de acordo com a classificação de Kellgren e Lawrence. As medidas foram feitas por dois ortopedistas cegos entre si que utilizaram um paquímetro digital. Os pontos da fenda articular determinados para medida foram a 10 mm da borda e no ponto médio dos compartimentos medial e lateral. As medidas em ambas as técnicas foram comparadas segundo teste t Student. Resultados: O método AP com carga apresentou médias maiores para as medidas realizadas nos pontos médios do compartimento lateral em ambos os lados. Para todos os demais pontos de medidas, as médias foram inferiores às observadas na incidência vista póstero-anterior do túnel. Conclusões: Não houve diferença estatística nas medições do espaço articular do joelho nas duas incidências, AP e VPAT.