Characterizing functional morphology and trophic niches in a neotropical Characiforms (Actinopterygii: Teleostei) assemblage in middle Munim River basin, Maranhão, Brazil.

Understanding how functionally similar species segregate resources to minimize competition is vital for predicting evolutionary factors and patterns of coexistence. We conducted a study in Mata de Itamacaoca, in the middle Munim River basin, Maranhão, northeastern Brazil, to characterize the functional morphology and trophic niches of five coexisting Characiform species in this area - including a recently described species, and to investigate whether their functional morphology is a key determinant of their trophic niches. Our analysis of functional morphology and diet, employing linear measurements to predict dietary specializations, showed that these species are predominantly generalist insectivores with a significant morphological overlap. This study underscores the influence of species' natural history on their ecological characteristics, contributing to more effective conservation strategies.

Physical and chemical characterization of drill cuttings: A review.

Drill cuttings comprise a mixture of rocks generated during drilling activities of exploration and production of oil and gas. These residues' properties are variable, depending on several drilling parameters and drilled rock composition. Many scientific studies have been published regarding the characterization of these residues. Articles summarizing these residues' characteristics and toxicity data are poorly explored in the literature. This work reviews the principal methods used to characterize drill cuttings and data about these residues' properties. Some authors have reported the large content of Zn in drill cuttings. These cuttings can be associated with base fluids (as olefins, varying from C11 to C18), and some time crude oil (high range of TPH, unresolved complex mixtures, and PAH compounds). Acute and chronic toxicity tests have shown negative impacts of different types of fluids, the components of these fluids, and cuttings on other marine organisms.

Efeito de dois sistemas de resfriamento sobre os hormônios tireoidianos e as variáveis termofisiológicas de matrizes suínas em lactação / Effect of two cooling systems on thyroid hormones and thermophysiological variables of lactating sows

Avaliaram-se os efeitos do sistema de resfriamento evaporativo com pressão negativa (SRE) e aspersão de água sobre o telhado (AAT), as variáveis termofisiológicas, os hormônios tireoidianos e a relação neutrófilo:linfócito (N:L) em porcas. Utilizaram-se 61 fêmeas em lactação, que foram divididas nos dois ambientes térmicos, sendo 30 em SRE e 31 em AAT, no verão. A temperatura e a umidade do ar, a frequência respiratória (FR), as temperaturas de superfície (TS) e retal (TR), a concentração de tiroxina e de tri-iodotironina, o número de neutrófilos e linfócitos e a relação N:L foram determinados. A temperatura ambiente pela manhã foi menor em SRE que em AAT (22,1ºC vs. 23,5ºC) e pela tarde (24,8ºC vs. 28,0ºC). Em ambos os períodos, a FR, a TS e a TR foram menores em SRE (de manhã 49 resp.min-1, 31,1ºC e 38,5ºC, respectivamente, e à tarde 55 resp.min-1, 30,3ºC e 38,8ºC, respectivamente) que em AAT (de manhã 54 resp.min-1, 32,8ºC e 38,6ºC, respectivamente; e à tarde 65 resp.min-1, 31,4ºC e 39,1ºC, respectivamente). Animais sob galpão AAT apresentaram menores concentrações de T4 que animais sob SRE (37,84 vs. 42,22nmol.L-1). Em ambiente tropical, no verão, porcas lactantes de ambos os sistemas mantêm a homeotermia.(AU)

The effects of the evaporative cooling system with negative pressure (ECS) and water spray on the roof (WSR) on physiological variables, thyroid hormones and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (N:L) in lactating sows were evaluated. Sixty-one lactating females were divided in the two thermal environments, being 30 in SRE and 31 in the AAT shed in the summer. The air temperature and humidity, respiratory frequency (RF), surface temperatures (ST) and rectal (RT), serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentration, number of neutrophils and lymphocytes and the N/L ratio were determined. In the afternoon, the matrices in ECS (Tar: 25.0°C and THI: 74.7) and WSR (Tar: 27.6°C and THI: 77.3) were exposed to heat stress. In the morning, RF, ST and RT were lower in ECS (49 breaths.min -1 , 31.1°C and 38.5°C, respectively) than WSR (54 breaths.min -1 , 32.8°C and 38.6°C) and also in the afternoon ECS (55 breaths.min -1 , 30.3°C and 38.8°C, respectively) and WSR (65 breaths.min -1 , 31.4°C and 39.1°C, respectively). Animals under WSR shed presented lower concentrations of T4 than animals under ECS (37.84 vs 42.22nmol.L -1 ). In a tropical environment, in the summer, lactating sows of both systems maintain homeothermia.(AU)

Variações fisiológicas, influência da idade e sexo no perfil bioquímico sanguíneo de aves da linhagem pesada de frango de corte na fase de recria / Physiological variations and influence of age and gender on poultry of heavy lineage of chicken´s biochemical profile during the rearing stage

Este estudo teve o objetivo de comparar o perfil bioquímico sérico de machos e fêmeas da linhagem pesada de frango de corte, nas idades de quatro, 12 e 20 semanas, em uma unidade de produção industrial, no município de Uberlândia-MG. Após a pesagem das aves, foram coletadas amostras de sangue de 15 aves de cada sexo de cada faixa etária. Os soros obtidos foram avaliados em analisador automático para os seguintes parâmetros bioquímicos: proteína total, albumina, globulinas, ácido úrico, colesterol, triglicérides, gamaglutamiltransferase, aspartato aminotransferase, alanina aminotransferase, creatina quinase, fosfatase alcalina, cálcio e fósforo. Imediatamente após a coleta de cada amostra, avaliou-se a glicemia no sangue total, utilizando-se um glicosímetro. As alterações fisiológicas e metabólicas que as aves apresentaram na fase de recria refletiram na variação dos níveis bioquímicos séricos na maioria dos constituintes avaliados, os quais exibiram diferenças significativas (P<0,05), comparando-se sexo e idade.(AU)

This study aimed to compare the levels of glucose in the blood and serum´s metabolites enzymes and minerals of poultry of heavy lineage of chicken at the age of four, twelve and twenty weeks in an industrial production unit in the city of Uberlândia-MG. After weighing the birds, blood samples were collected from 15 birds of each gender in the three ages. The serum obtained was evaluated in an automatic biochemical analyzer for the following parameters: total protein, albumin, globulin, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, calcium and phosphorus. Immediately after the collection of each sample, we evaluated glucose levels by means of a glycosimeter. The physiological and metabolic changes that birds present in the rearing age reflected in the variation of serum biochemical levels in most constituents evaluated, showing significant differences (P< 0.05) comparing age and gender.(AU)

Dados de estação meteorológica oficial subestimam o estresse por calor em bovinos leiteiros criados em ambiente tropical / Official meteorological station data underestimate the heat stress on dairy cattle in a tropical environment

Determinaram-se os valores de temperatura do ar, umidade relativa e índice de temperatura e umidade (ITU) de uma propriedade rural de produção de leite a pasto e da estação meteorológica oficial mais próxima, confrontando-os. Na fazenda, as leituras dos dados foram registradas por uma estação meteorológica automática, a cada cinco minutos, de fevereiro de 2015 a setembro de 2016. Depois, calcularam-se a média por hora e o ITU horário. Selecionaram-se os valores diários mínimo, médio e máximo. O mesmo foi feito com os dados da estação meteorológica oficial, que foram horários. As temperaturas mínima e média na estação meteorológica foram maiores que na fazenda durante todo o período experimental e em 16 meses, respectivamente. A temperatura máxima da propriedade rural foi maior que a da estação em seis meses. Já a umidade relativa mínima, a média e a máxima da estação meteorológica foram inferiores às da fazenda. O ITU mínimo foi maior na estação oficial e o ITU máximo superior na fazenda em todos os meses. Por fim, o número de dias com um ITU máximo igual ou superior ao ITU crítico foi maior na fazenda. Assim, dados da estação meteorológica oficial subestimam o estresse por calor.(AU)

The values of air temperature, relative humidity and Temperature Humidity Index (THI) of one pasture-based milk production farm and from the nearest official weather station were confronted. At the farm, data readings were recorded by an automatic weather station, every five minutes, from February 2015 to September 2016. Then, the hourly average and hourly THI were calculated. The minimum, average, and maximum daily values were selected. The same was done with data from the official hourly weather station data. The minimum and mean temperature in the meteorological station were higher than on the farm throughout the experimental period and in 16 months, respectively. The maximum temperature of the rural property was greater than that of the station in six months. Meanwhile, the minimum, average, and maximum relative humidity of the meteorological station were lower than those of the farm. The minimum THI was higher at the official station and the maximum THI was higher at the farm in every month. Finally, the number of days with a maximum THI equal to or greater than the critical THI was greater on the farm. Thus, official weather station data underestimate the heat stress.(AU)

Efeito de diferentes tempos de exposição ao calor e de linhagens sobre o rendimento de carcaça e a composição química de peito de frangos de corte / Effect of different timing of exposure to heat and strains on the carcass yield and breast chemical composition of broiler

Investigaram-se os efeitos de diferentes tempos de exposição ao calor sobre o rendimento de carcaça, cortes e vísceras comestíveis e a composição química da carne de peito de frangos de corte de duas linhagens. Foram alojados 560 pintos de corte da linhagem Cobb 500 Slow® e 560 da Hubbard Flex® em 32 boxes. A partir do 14º dia, eles foram divididos nos ambientes térmicos: controle, uma hora, duas horas ou três horas diárias de estresse por calor. O rendimento de carcaça, peito sem osso, coxa e sobrecoxa com osso, asas, pés, fígado, moela e coração foi avaliado em seis aves de cada linhagem em cada ambiente térmico. Amostras foram obtidas para analisar matéria seca, extrato etéreo, proteína bruta e matéria mineral. O estresse cíclico por calor por até três horas diárias não influenciou o rendimento de carcaça, de peito sem osso, de coxa e sobrecoxa, de asa, de coração, de moela, de fígado e a composição química do peito. A linhagem Cobb 500 Slow® apresentou maior rendimento de peito. A Hubbard Flex® apresentou peito com maior percentual de matéria mineral e proteína. A linhagem Cobb é mais indicada à produção de peito, e a linhagem Hubbard à produção de frango inteiro.(AU)

The effects of different exposure periods under heat on the carcass yield, cuts and edible organs and breast chemical composition of broilers from two strains were investigated. Five hundred and sixty Cobb 500 Slow® and 560 Hubbard Flex® broiler chicks were housed in 32 pens and from the 14th day on, they were divided in thermal environments: control, 1 hour, 2 hours or 3 hours a day under heat stress. Carcass yield, boneless breast, thigh and drumstick with bone, wings, feet, liver, gizzard and heart were evaluated in six birds of each strain in each thermal environment. Samples were obtained to assess dry matter, ether extract, crude protein and mineral matter. The cyclic heat stress for up to three hours a day did not influence 33 the carcass yield, boneless breast, thigh and drumstick, wing, heart, gizzard, liver, and the breast chemical composition. Cobb 500 Slow® strain had higher breast yield. Hubbard Flex® had breast with higher percentage of mineral matter and protein. Cobb strain is best designed to breast production, and Hubbard is best for whole chicken production.(AU)

Prognostic Value of Occult Isolated Tumour Cells within Regional Lymph Nodes of Dogs with Malignant Mammary Tumours.

Canine mammary tumours (CMTs) are the most common type of neoplasm in bitches. As in women, the presence of metastasis in regional lymph nodes is an important prognostic factor in bitches with mammary carcinomas, but the clinical significance of occult isolated tumour cells (ITCs) within lymph nodes is still undefined in this species. The effectiveness of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in identifying occult ITCs and micrometastasis (MIC) was compared with that of the conventional haematoxylin and eosin staining technique. The relationship between tumour size, histological type, histological grade and the presence of metastasis was evaluated. The overall survival (OS) of female dogs with occult mammary carcinomas and ITCs within lymph nodes was analysed. Fragments of mammary carcinoma and regional lymph nodes of 59 female dogs were also evaluated. Histological sections of mammary carcinoma and lymph node samples were studied for tumour diagnosis and lymph node samples were tested by IHC using a pan-cytokeratin antibody. It was found that 35.2% of occult ITCs and 2.8% of hidden MIC were detected when IHC was used. There was a good correlation between the size of the tumour and metastasis to the lymph nodes (P = 0.77). ITCs were observed more frequently in the medullary region (60.7%) and metastases in the cortical region (44.4%). There was no significant difference in the OS between female dogs with occult ITCs and lymph nodes without ITCs. IHC can detect occult tumour cells in lymph nodes that are negative by histopathological examination. Female dogs with nodal ITCs do not have lower survival.

Systolic cardiac function assessment by feature tracking echocardiography in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate endomyocardial and epimyocardial left ventricular circumferential and longitudinal peak systolic strain and strain rate in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease using two-dimensional feature tracking imaging echocardiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Epimyocardial and endomyocardial global and regional myocardial peak systolic strain and strain rate using two-dimensional feature tracking imaging were evaluated in healthy dogs and those in stages B1, B2 and C of myxomatous mitral valve disease. Strain and strain rate in circumferential and longitudinal aspect were evaluated in 48 small- and medium-sized dogs. RESULTS: Global endomyocardial circumferential strain and global epimyocardial circumferential strain systolic peak were lower in stage C than in stage B2 (P = 0 · 04 and P = 0 · 02) and similar to healthy dogs. Endomyocardial circumferential strain rate in septal and inferior segments were lower in stage C compared to B2 (P = 0 · 0007 and P = 0 · 0056), but not different from healthy dogs. There were no statistical differences in the epimyocardial circumferential strain rate, longitudinal strain and strain rate between healthy and affected dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Two-dimensional feature tracking imaging determination of myocardial deformation in epimyocardial and endomyocardial layers allows detection of increased compensatory circumferential left ventricular myocardial systolic performance due to volume overload and absence of this response as disease advances to congestive heart failure.

Influence of the halothane gene (HAL) on pork quality in two commercial crossbreeds.

We evaluated the effect of the halothane (HAL) gene on the quality of pork in domestic pigs. Half-carcasses from two different commercial pig (Sus domestica) crossbreeds were analyzed, 46 of which were homozygous dominant (HAL(NN)) and 69 of which were heterozygous (HAL(Nn)) for the halothane gene. The measures included backfat thickness, lean meat percentage, carcass weight, pH 24 h after slaughtering, color, and drip loss; DNA was extracted from the haunch muscle. Swine with the HAL(Nn) genotype had less backfat thickness and higher lean meat percentages than swine with the HAL(NN) genotype. Yet, swine with the HAL(Nn) genotype had lower quality meat than those with the HAL(NN) swine. The pH at 24 h was lower in HAL(Nn) swine. The meat color was paler in HAL(Nn) animals, the drip loss was greater in those animals bearing the n allele, and the amount of intramuscular fat was not related to the halothane genotype. We conclude that bearers of the recessive allele of the halothane gene produce more meat, but with quality parameters that are inferior to those sought by consumers and industry.

Prevalência de anticorpos contra os agentes da maedi-visna e clamidofilose em ovinos no município de Uberlândia, MG / Prevalence of antibodies against the agents of maedi-visna and chlamydophilosis in sheep from Uberlândia county, MG, Brazil

Objetivou-se com este estudo realizar o primeiro inquérito soro-epidemiológico para o vírus da maedi-visna e Chlamydophila spp. em 12 rebanhos de ovinos do Município de Uberlândia, MG. Foram utilizadas 334 amostras de soro sanguíneo de ovinos e aplicou-se um inquérito epidemiológico a cada propriedade. Os testes realizados para a pesquisa de anticorpos contra o vírus da maedi-visna e Chlamydophila spp. foram imunodifusão em gel de ágar (IDGA) e reação de fixação do complemento (RFC), respectivamente. Não foram detectados ovinos reagentes para maedi-visna. Verificou-se uma prevalência de 3,3% para Chlamydophila spp., com títulos variando de 32 a 64. Não houve diferença estatística significativa (p > 0,05) para os fatores de risco analisados. Ressalta-se a importância dos sistemas de vigilância epidemiológica para atuar no controle dessas infecções, evitando a introdução do vírus da maedi-visna e uma maior propagação da Chlamydophila spp. neste município.

The aim of this study was to carry out the first investigation into the serological prevalence of maedi-visna virus and Chlamydophila spp. on 12 sheep breeding farms in Uberlândia County, MG, Brazil. A total of 334 blood serum samples were used and an epidemiological survey was completed by each farm. The tests to detect maedi-visna and Chlamydophila spp. antibodies were an agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and a complement fixation test (CFT), respectively. None of the sheep were reactive to maedi-visna. The detection of antibodies against Chlamydophila spp. was 3.3%, with titers varying from 32 to 64. There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in regard to the risk factors analyzed. The importance of epidemiological surveillance systems to aid in the control of these infections is emphasized, in order to avoid the introduction of maedi-visna virus and a wider spread of Chlamydophila spp. in this county.

Influence of Chinese breeds on pork quality of commercial pig lines.

We compared carcass and meat quality of pigs from the same sire line and two different dam lines, one that included Chinese breeds and one that did not. Line A consisted of 1/4 Landrace, 1/2 Large White, 1/8 Chinese breeds (Meishan, Fengjing, Jiaxing), and 1/8 Large White, Duroc and Pietrain, and line B consisted of 1/2 Large White and 1/2 Pietrain. The animals (N = 144) were slaughtered at a live weight of 108 kg. Backfat thickness, percentage of lean meat, pH 24 h after slaughter, meat color, percentage of drip loss, and percentage of intramuscular fat were measured and compared using analysis of variance in a completely randomized design; the BioEstat 5.0 test was applied for the comparison of means at a significance level of 5% for all analyses. Backfat was significantly lower for line A (12.78 mm) than for line B (15.90 mm). The pH measured 24 h after slaughter was significantly lower in line A (5.68) compared to line B (5.84). Percent lean meat was significantly higher for line A (61.21%) compared to line B (59.72%). Percentage drip loss was significantly higher in line A (2.73%) than in line B (2.23%). Percentage intramuscular fat and meat color were not significantly different between the lines. The inclusion of Chinese breeds produced a higher percentage of lean meat and reduced fat thickness, along with increased heterosis, which are important characteristics for breeding programs.

PIT1 gene polymorphism in Pietrain and Large White pigs after divergent selection.

We examined the polymorphisms in the PIT1 gene of 103 pigs and compared their frequencies in the maternal and paternal lineages of the Pietrain and Large White breeds, which have undergone divergent selection for over 30 years. DNA samples extracted from the blood of these animals were amplified by PCR and genotyped by RFLP, using the restriction enzyme RsaI. The data were analyzed with the chi-square test. We found that 57.3% of the animals were genotype AB, among which 26.2% were of the Large White paternal lineage, 18.5% the Pietrain paternal lineage and 12.6% the Pietrain maternal lineage. The AA genotype appeared in 20.4%, of which 7.8% were Large White, 4.8% the Pietrain paternal lineage and 7.8% the Pietrain maternal lineage. BB was observed in 22.3% (6.8% were of the Large White paternal lineage, 9.7% of the Pietrain paternal lineage and 5.8% of the Pietrain maternal lineage). The allele frequencies were 49.0% A and 51.0% B allele. When we examined the Pietrain maternal and paternal lineages, we found that the PIT1 gene had been fixed in the paternal lineage, suggesting that the B allele is associated with low body fat and improved muscle development when compared to the maternal lineage. However, no significant differences were found between the Pietrain and Large White paternal lineages.

Origin and distribution of the femoral nerve in fetuses of zebu-crossed bovines

In this study the femoral nerve origin and distribution was assessed through the dissection of 30 fetuses of zebu-crossed bovines, 20 males and 10 females. These animals samples fixation in 10% formaldehyde aqueous medium occurred either by subcutaneous, intra-muscle, and intra-cavity injections in different sites, or by immersion of the mentioned pieces in vessels containing the same medium. The femoral nerve originated from the forth (L4), fifth (L5), and sixth (L6) spinal lumbar ventral branches in 14 animals (46.7%), from L4 and L5 in 13 samples (43.3%), and L5 and L6 in three cases (10%). In the course of its way, on both antimeres the mentioned nerve was branched to the greater psoas (100%), iliac (100%), pectinal (56.7%), femoral quadriceps (100%), muscles, and gave off saphena nerve, which gave branches for the pectinal (43.3%) and sartorius (100%) muscles and continued distally along the saphena artery to spread on the medial face of the knee and leg medial articulation skin. Statistically, there was no significant difference between the muscle branch frequencies given by the femoral nerve to the right and left antimeres. The obtained results related to the femoral nerve origin and distribution in fetuses of zebu-crossed bovines generally presented common characteristics with the ruminant corresponding data found in the literature, and this information is important as the basis for clinical or surgical approaches involving the studied structures.

Morfometria da mucosa duodenal em frangos de corte submetidos à temperatura ambiente cíclica elevada / Intestinal morphometry of the duodenal mucosa in broiler chickens underwent to high cyclic environment temperature

Os efeitos da temperatura ambiente cíclica elevada sobre a morfometria da mucosa duodenal e o peso corporal em frangos de corte foram avaliados. Setenta pintos de corte, machos, foram alojados em gaiolas e distribuídos em dois grupos. Um grupo foi submetido diariamente, durante uma hora, à temperatura ambiente cíclica elevada do primeiro até o 42º dia de idade (ambiente ST); e outro foi mantido em conforto térmico (ambiente TN). Cinco frangos de cada grupo foram sacrificados, semanalmente, por deslocamento cervical para mensuração da altura de vilosidades (VI), profundidade das criptas (CR) e relação vilo/cripta (VI/CR) duodenal. Dez aves de cada grupo foram pesadas semanalmente em balança digital. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente ao acaso em esquema fatorial 7x2 (sete idades: um, sete, 14, 21, 28, 35 e 42 dias, e dois ambientes: ST e TN). Os ambientes foram comparados pelo teste de Fisher (P<0,05), e, para avaliar o efeito da idade, foi realizada análise de regressão polinomial. As aves do ambiente ST apresentaram menores VI aos 14 e 21 dias, menor CR aos 28 dias e menor VI/CR aos 21 dias de idade do que as aves do ambiente TN. A temperatura ambiente cíclica elevada teve efeito danoso sobre a estrutura da mucosa duodenal de frangos de corte até a quarta semana de idade e sobre o peso corporal ao final do ciclo produtivo.

The effects of high cyclic environment temperature on body weight and morphometry of the duodenal mucosa in broiler chicken were evaluated. Seventy one-day-old male broiler chicks were sheltered in cages and distributed in two groups. One group was daily exposed to high cyclic environment temperature for an hour, from hatching to 42 days of age (group ST), the other one was kept under thermoneutral conditions (group TN). Five chickens of each group were weekly slaughtered by cervical delocation to mesure the villosities height (VI), crypts depth (CR), and villo/crypt ratio (VI/ CR) in the duodenum. Ten chickens of each group were weighted weekly on a digital balance. A completely randomized experimental design in a 7x2 factorial arrangement (hatching, seven, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days of age and two environments: ST and TN). The environments were compared by Fisher test (P<0.05) and the effects of days of life by polynomial regression. The ST group had reduction in VI at 14 and 21 days of age (P<0.01), CR at 28 days of age (P<0.05), and in VI/CR at 21 days of age (P<0.01). Cyclic high environment temperature had harmful effect on intestinal structure of broiler from hatching to four weeks of age and on body weigh at the end of the productive cycle.

Obese gene polymorphism in Pietrain and Large White pigs after a divergent selection.

The aim of the present study was to identify polymorphisms in the leptin gene of 112 pigs and compare the maternal and paternal lineage of Pietrain and Large White breeds that underwent a divergent selection for over 30 years. DNA samples extracted from the blood of these animals were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism using the restriction enzyme HinfI. The data were statistically analyzed by the chi-square test. The results showed that 87.5% of the animals were genotype TT, where 31.25% were Large White paternal lineage, 31.25% were Pietrain paternal lineage and 25% were Pietrain maternal lineage. The TC genotype appeared in 12.5%, where 10% were Large White, 0.5% were Pietrain paternal lineage and 2% were of the same maternal lineage breed; CC was not observed. As for the allele frequency, 93.75% of the T and 6.25% of the C allele were found. In Pietrain maternal and paternal lineages, it could not be determined that the Obese gene had been fixed in the maternal lineage. However, in the Pietrain and Large White paternal lineages there was a statistically significant difference, suggesting that the C allele is associated with growth and daily weight gain and that the low frequency of C in the Pietrain lineage is related to low rate of body fat, a typical feature of this breed.

Avaliação do coeficiente de variação como medida da precisão em experimentos com frangos de corte / Evaluation of the coefficient of variation as a precision measure in experiments with broilers

Estabeleceram-se faixas de coeficientes de variação (CV) que orientem a avaliação de determinadas variáveis em pesquisas futuras. Foram coletados dados de CV de vários trabalhos publicados no Brasil, com ênfase em frangos de corte, abordando: ganho de peso, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar, mortalidade, viabilidade, peso vivo e rendimentos de carcaça, de peito, de pernas, de gordura abdominal, de asas e de dorso. Utilizou-se uma tabela que relaciona mediana (Md) e pseudo-sigma (PS) para estabelecer os intervalos de CV de cada variável. O rendimento de gordura abdominal apresentou faixa de variação com maiores coeficientes de variação; para as demais variáveis, as faixas de classificação dos coeficientes de variação mostraram-se relativamente baixas.

Coefficients of variation (CV) were taken from several researches published in Brazil, with emphasis on broilers performance and their most studied characteristics, such as weight gain, feed consumption, feed:weight gain ratio, mortality, viability, body weight and yields of carcass, breast, legs, abdominal fat, wings and back. The purpose of the study was to establish CV bands which can guide the evaluation of each variable in future experiments. Based on relations between the median (Md) and pseudosigma (PS), a table was created with suggested intervals for the cited parameters. Larger coefficient of variation intervals were observed for abdominal fat yield. The other variables showed relatively low CV interval bands.

Influência da ordem e estádios da lactação no perfil bioquímico sangüíneo de cabras da raça Saanen / Influence of parity and stage of lactation on the blood biochemical profile of Saanen goats

O perfil bioquímico sérico de cabras da raça Saanen lactantes foi investigado com o objetivo de analisar as variações fisiológicas e a influência da ordem e estádio da lactação, em função de possíveis biomarcadores, para monitorar o balanço energético, adequação metabólica durante a lactação. Foram analisadas amostras de sangue de cabras lactantes de primeira, segunda e terceira lactação, colhidas da veia jugular em tubo vacutainer com gel separador para obtenção de soro e determinação das concentrações de proteínas, metabólitos, minerais e enzimas. Observou-se influência da ordem de lactação nos valores das proteínas totais, glicose, triglicérides, cálcio total e ionizado, aspartato aminotransferase (AST), fosfatase alcalina e dos estádios da lactação nas concentrações séricas das proteínas totais, glicose, triglicérides, magnésio, AST e fosfatase alcalina. Conclui-se que glicose, triglicérides, cálcio total, cálcio ionizado, magnésio, AST e fosfatase alcalina são biomarcadores eficazes para detecção de desbalanço energético e mineral em cabras lactantes.

The serum biochemical profile of Saanen dairy goat was investigated with the purpose of analyzing the physiological variations and the influence of lactation order and stage in terms of possible biomarkers to monitor the energetic balance and the metabolic adequacy during lactation. Blood samples were taken from lactating goats at first, second and third lactation. They were collected from the jugular vein in a vacutainer tube with separator gel to obtain sera and to determine protein, metabolite, mineral and enzyme concentrations. The lactation order influence was observed on total protein, glucose, triglycerides, total and ionized calcium, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase values and the lactation stages on serum concentrations of total proteins, glucose, triglycerides and magnesium, AST and alkaline phosphatase. It was inferred that glucose, triglycerides, total calcium, ionized calcium, magnesium, AST and alkaline phosphatase are effective biomarkers to detect the energetic and mineral imbalance in Saanen dairy goats.

Conversao sorologica para toxoplasmose em criancas de um Centro de Saude de Sao Paulo. / Serological conversion for toxoplasmosis in children of a health center of Sao Paulo

Em 450 criancas de 0 a 15 anos, do Centro de Saude Geraldo de Paula Souza da Faculdade de Saude Publica da Universidade de Sao Paulo, em grupos etarios de 30 criancas, obtiveramse 108 positivos (24%) a reacao de SabinFeldman igual-maior 1:16 para anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma. As prevalencias foram: 53,3% no 1o. ano de vida (anticorpos passivos maternos), 0 (zero) nos grupos 1-2 e 2-3 anos e 13,3% no grupo 3-4 anos (conversao sorologica). Houve oscilacoes nas prevalencias dos grupos etarios seguintes, ate 43,3% no grupo 14-15 anos. Deve ser lembrada a existencia de fatores e condicoes "locais" na transmissao da Toxoplasmose adquirida