Lactational performance of dairy cows in response to supplementing N-acetyl-l-methionine as source of rumen-protected methionine.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of supplementing a rumen-protected source of Met, N-acetyl-l-methionine (NALM), on lactational performance and nitrogen metabolism in early- to mid-lactation dairy cows. Sixty multiparous Holstein dairy cows in early lactation (27 ± 4.3 d in milk, SD) were assigned to 4 treatments in a randomized complete block design. Cows were blocked by actual milk yield. Treatments were as follows: (1) no NALM (control); (2) 15 g/d of NALM (NALM15); (3) 30 g/d of NALM (NALM30); and (4) 45 g/d of NALM (NALM45). Diets were formulated using a Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) v.6.5 model software to meet or exceed nutritional requirements of lactating dairy cows producing 42 kg/d of milk and to undersupply metabolizable Met (control) or supply incremental amounts of NALM. The digestible Met (dMet) supply for control, NALM15, NALM30, and NALM45 were 54.7, 59.8, 64.7, and 72.2 g/d, respectively. The supply of dMet was 88, 94, 104, and 115% of dMet requirement for control, NALM15, NALM30, and NALM45, respectively. Milk yield data were collected, dry matter intake (DMI) was measured daily, and milk samples were collected twice per week for 22 wk. Blood, ruminal fluid, urine, and fecal samples were collected during the covariate period and during wk 4, 8, and 16. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS Institute) using covariates in the model for all variables except body weight. Linear, quadratic, and cubic contrasts were also tested. Treatments did not affect DMI, milk yield, and milk component concentration and yield; however, feed efficiency expressed as milk yield per DMI and 3.5% fat-corrected milk per DMI were quadratically affected, with greater response observed for NALM15 and NALM30 compared with control. Acetate proportion linearly increased, whereas propionate proportion linearly decreased with NALM supplementation. Blood urea nitrogen linearly decreased with NALM supplementation. Total plasma essential AA concentrations were quadratically affected, as greater values were observed for control and NALM45 than other treatments. Plasma Met concentration was quadratically affected as lower levels were observed with NALM15, whereas Met concentrations increased with NALM45 compared with control. Nitrogen utilization efficiency and apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility were not affected by treatment. Supplementation of NALM at 15 or 30 g/head per day resulted in the greatest improvements in feed efficiency without affecting N metabolism of early- to mid-lactation dairy cows.

Multiresidue analysis and evaluation of the matrix effect on 20 pesticides in Brazilian maize (Zea mays L.) flour.

Maize consists of a cereal widely used in the preparation of different food products. Brazil is one of the world's largest maize producers. Several types of pesticides have been applied in maize crop, which can lead to the contamination of the derived products. The present work aims at the validation of multiresidue method to analyze the matrix effect and level of pesticides in maize flour. Twenty residues were investigated in samples commercialized in the state of Ceará, Brazil. The method was satisfactorily validated, according to parameters recommended by European Union. About 55% of the pesticides had an intense negative matrix effect. Multiresidue analyzes showed the presence of traces of fenitrotion in 20% of maize flour samples. Detected levels were below maximum residue limits recommended for maize. The results indicate that maize products need continuous monitoring to ensure food security.

Effects of lactic acid bacteria with bacteriocinogenic potential on the fermentation profile and chemical composition of alfalfa silage in tropical conditions.

The fermentation profile, chemical composition, and microbial populations of alfalfa silages treated with microbial inoculants (MI) at different fermentation periods (T) were evaluated in tropical conditions. A 4×6 factorial arrangement was used in a randomized design with 3 replicates. Fresh alfalfa was treated with (1) no treatment (CTRL), (2) commercial inoculant (CIN), (3) Pediococcus acidilactici (strain 10.6, S1), and (4) Pediococcus pentosaceus (strain 6.16, S2). An inoculant application rate of 10(6) cfu/g of fresh forage was used. The fermentation periods were 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 56 d. Alfalfa was harvested 82 d after sowing at the early flowering stage, chopped into 1.5-cm particle size, and ensiled in 25 × 35 cm vacuum-sealed plastic bags. The numbers of lactic acid bacteria, enterobacteria, mold, and yeast in alfalfa before ensiling were 5.42, 5.58, 4.82, and 4.8 log cfu/g, respectively. Silage chemical composition was evaluated only at 56 d. All parameters were affected by the interaction MI × T, except the concentrations of lactic and propionic acids. Alfalfa silage treated with S1 or S2 had lower pH values than CTRL from the first day until 28 d. However, the inoculants resulted in similar pH after 56 d, and these values were lower than the CTRL. The highest concentration of lactic acid was observed in the silage treated with S1 and S2 at 7 and 14 d of ensiling. The concentration of acetic acid was lower in the silages treated with S1 and S2 than the CTRL and CIN at 3 and 28 d of fermentation. There was no effect of MI or MI × T interaction on the microbial populations. However, the number of enterobacteria decreased over the fermentation period until 14 d and increased slightly after this time point. The chemical composition of alfalfa silage was not affected by MI at 56 d of ensiling. The strain P. pentosaceus 6.16 was the most efficient in dominating the fermentation process by decreasing the pH more quickly and increasing the concentration of lactic acid, suggesting its potential use as a silage inoculant.

The impact of dietary protein levels on nutrient digestibility and water and nitrogen balances in eventing horses.

This study was performed to evaluate the impact of dietary protein levels on nutrient digestibility and water and nitrogen balances in conditioning eventing horses. Twenty-four Brazilian Sport Horses, male and female (8.0 to 15.0 yr; 488 ± 32 kg BW), were used in a randomized design with 4 levels of CP diets: 7.5%, 9.0%, 11.0%, and 13.0%. A digestion assay was performed with partial feces collection over 4 d, followed by 1 d of total urine collection. Data were submitted to regression analysis and adjusted to linear and quadratic models (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the intake of DM, OM, EE, ADF, and NDF as a function of dietary protein levels. Dry matter intake average was 1.7% of BW. CP and N intake showed a linear increase as a function of increasing protein level in diets. A quadratic response (P < 0.05) was observed on the CP and NDF digestibility coefficients, with the maximum estimated level of digestibility at 11.6% and 11.4% CP in the diet, respectively. There was a linear effect on ADF digestibility coefficients, digestible DM and protein intake, and CP/DE ratio according to dietary protein levels. There was no impact of dietary protein levels on daily water intake, total water intake, or fecal water excretion. Urinary excretion values showed a linear increase in response to increased dietary protein levels, but no impact was observed on water balance, with an average of 8.4 L/d. Nitrogen intake (NI), N absorption (NA), and urinary N increased linearly as a function of increasing dietary protein levels. There was no impact of dietary protein levels on N retention (NR), with an average of 7.5 g N/d. Nitrogen retention as a percentage of NI or NA showed no significant changes in the function of dietary protein levels. There was an impact of dietary protein levels on the digestibility coefficient of CP, NDF, ADF, and digestible protein intake on conditioning eventing horses. The 11.6% CP level in the diet provided an intake of 2.25 g CP/kg BW and 0.37 g N/kg BW, and this intake was the most appropriate for the conditioning of intensely exercised horses, considering the responses related to NI, NA, and the estimated NR to NA ratio. The NDF and ADF responses indicated that dietary fiber was more digested with an increased amount of N in the digestive tract.

Estudo de indicadores de prescrição, interações medicamentosas e classificação de risco ao feto em prescrições de gestantes da cidade de Mirassol - São Paulo. / Study of indicators of prescription, drug interactions and classification of risk to the fetus in pregnant requirements of the city of Mirassol - Sao Paulo

O uso racional de medicamentos é indispensável para garantir a qualidade e eficácia de um tratamento medicamentoso. Diante disto, a utilização de medicamentos durante a gestação deve ser analisada e acompanhada minuciosamente para minimizar os riscos e possíveis conseqüências ao feto e à gestante. Foram analisadas 100 receitas medicamentosas para gestantes, internadas no Hospital e Maternidade Mãe do Divino Amor na Providência de Deus do município de Mirassol, SP, utilizando os indicadores de prescrição propostos pela OMS, análise de interação medicamentosa por programas informatizados e pela literatura, classificação dos medicamentos encontrados segundo a classificação da segurança do fármaco durante a gravidez prescrita pelo Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a Relação Nacional de Medicamentos Essenciais (RENAME) e a Classificação Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC). Na análise dos indicadores de prescrição, nas 100 receitas avaliadas, encontrou-se a média de 2,6 medicamentos por prescrição; 21,5% de medicamentos prescritos pelo nome genérico; 40% delas contendo antibiótico; 59,4% com pelo menos um medicamento injetável e 58 % de medicamentos prescritos, presentes na Lista de Medicamentos Padronizados. Quanto à análise de interações medicamentosas, observa-se a prescrição do antibiótico cefalexina com o antiinflamatório cetoprofeno. Portanto, considerando-se os resultados obtidos no estudo e na revisão da literatura, sugere-se que as prescrições de medicamentos neste hospital para gestantes sejam melhor avaliadas segundo risco benefício, visando à minimização dos efeitos adversos desnecessários, tanto maternos como fetais.

The racional usage of medicines is indispensable to warrant the quality and efficacy of a medical treatment. Considering this, the use of remedies during pregnancy must be examined and followed in details to minimize the risks to the fetus and to the pregnant. A hundred of prescriptions to pregnant women interned at the Hospital Mãe do Divino Amor na Providência de Deus, in Mirassol city, São Paulo State, were analysed and compared with the prescription index designated by the WHO (World Health Organization). This work shows too the analysis of medicines interaction by softwares and literature and the classification of remedies by FDA (Food and Drug Administration) risk to the fetus, Rename (National List of Essential Medicines) and ATC (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical). In one hundred of prescriptions analysed, there is a average of 2,6 medicines per precept, 21,5% of remedies prescribed by the generic name, 40% of indications of antibiotics, 59,4% of instructions with at least one medicine ministered by injection and 58 % of substances quoted in Remune (Municipal List of Essential Medicines). There was find only one interaction between the medicines: an antibiotic that belongs to the group of celafosporin and non-steroidal antiinflamatory. Thus, considering the results of the study and literature review, is suggested that the prescription of drugs in this hospital to betaken by the pregnantes be better assessed for risks and benefits, to minimize unnecessaru harm to the mother and the fetus.

Vertical stratification and development aspects of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in an area of Atlantic Forest tree species in a metropolitan region in northeastern Brazil.

In the state of Rio Grande do Norte in northeast Brazil, cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) occur mainly in the periurban areas of the city of Natal. Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Neiva 1912 (Diptera: Psychodidae), a vector of Leishmania chagasi (Protozoa: Trypanosomatidae) to humans, is found throughout the state. Flora and fauna influence the distribution of sand fly species, whose horizontal or vertical stratification can be used as a parameter for identifying potential vectors, considering the presence of vertebrate hosts in the area. The purpose of this study was to obtain information about the vertical stratification of phlebotomine sand flies in an endemic area of leishmaniasis in Rio Grande do Norte, and associate it with the presence of other animals in the peridomiciliary environment as well as to analyze, under laboratory conditions, aspects of L. longipalpis reproduction in wild females. The sand flies were captured with light traps hung at different heights in species of Atlantic Forest trees and in a peridomiciliary environment in animal shelters. The traps were placed between 17:30 and 6:00 of the following day, in a peridomiciliary and extradomiciliary area of a forest fragment in both dry and rainy months. In the extradomiciliary environment, the traps were installed at 1, 3 and 5 m above the ground. The biological cycle of L. longipalpis was followed from the eggs of 200 wild females. Specimens of L. lenti, L. walkeri, and L. migonei were captured. The comparison and statistical analysis showed that L. longipalpis is more abundant at a height of 3 m and L. evandroi at 1 m. In the animal shelters (chickens, horses, and armadillos), we captured mainly specimens of L. longipalpis and L. evandroi. The duration of the biological cycle of L. longipalpis was approximately 38 days at a temperature of 28 degrees C.

[Health profile of children cared for in nurseries and the prevention of communication disorders]. / Caracterização da saúde de crianças atendidas em creches e prevenção dos distúrbios de comunicação.

For the purpose of characterizing the health of the population assisted by the Nursery Program (Programa Creche) at the three units financed by the city authorities of S. Paulo, Brazil, an enquiry was undertaken. A questionnaire consisting of both open and closed question concerning personal identification, personal antecedents, development and health was prepared and 133 of them were applied. Results indicated that children whose living conditions were unsatisfactory (humid and overcrowded housing) have presented respiratory infections and otitis in greater numbers. Most of the children were breast-fed at first but started being nursed artificially when two months old. Salty and varied texture foods were introduced at the appropriate ages and well accepted. Language delay is related predominantly to ages 3 to 7. Parents act properly lin communication situations. It is considered that the systematic use of the questionnaire proposed will permit not only better knowledge of the health of the children, benefitting the multidisciplinary attendance and integration of the child, as also the improvement of preventive practices and make the surveillance of difficulties in communication possible.