Correction: Normative reference values of handgrip strength for Brazilian older people aged 65 to 90 years: Evidence from the multicenter Fibra­BR study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250925.].

Metabolic Profile Changes in Mangalarga Marchador Horses Subjected to A Hypercaloric Diet Evaluated by Proton NMR Spectroscopy.

The incidence of equine metabolic syndrome, a condition that results in endocrinopathic laminitis, is increasing worldwide. Although it is well known that the development of this syndrome depends on imbalances in energy metabolism and genetic traits, its pathophysiology remains unclear. Hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) is a powerful tool used to compare metabolic profiles and to discriminate metabolites in living beings. The aim was to apply this technology to detect blood biomarkers candidates in horses that were previously demonstrated to developed metabolic changes when subjected to induced obesity. Nine Mangalarga Marchador horses received a hypercaloric diet for 5 months and serum metabolomic analysis was performed before, during, and after the diet period. The 1H NMR results were subjected to multivariate analysis and NMR analysis allowed to identify six compounds (alanine, threonine, choline, α-glucose, ß-glucose, and creatinine), and observe the increasing choline level over the assessment period in four animals. A hypercaloric diet altered the metabolic profile of horses, with an individual bias in the time at which these changes occurred. This study is the first to describe metabolomic compounds in Mangalarga Marchador horses subjected to a hypercaloric diet rich in non-structural carbohydrates.

Normative reference values of handgrip strength for Brazilian older people aged 65 to 90 years: Evidence from the multicenter Fibra­BR study.

BACKGROUND: Handgrip strength (HGS) is an indicator of muscle strength, suited for evaluating the aging process. Its use depends on the availability of reliable normative reference values (NRV). The main objective of this study is to provide NRV of HGS for Brazilians aged 65 to 90 years. METHODS: Participants were from the Frailty in Brazilian Older People research. 2,999 successful aging (SA) participants comprised the development sample. HGS was measured using a hydraulic dynamometer. Obtaining NRV involved regressing HGS on age per sex-height strata, fitting separate fractional polynomial (FP) models for the mean and coefficient of variation. Model fit was assessed via standardized residuals, probability/quantile plots, and comparing observed to normal expected percentages of participants falling within specified centile intervals. For validation, the latter procedure was applied to 2,369 unsuccessfully aging (UA) participants. RESULTS: Across strata, the best-fitting models for the means were FP of power 1. FP models for the CV indicated age invariance, entailing steady heteroscedastic age decline in SD since coefficients for the means were negative and SD = CV×mean. All models adjusted well. Centiles distributions for the SA and UA populations showed anticipated patterns, respectively falling on and below the normative expected centile references. Results (NRV) are presented in tables and centile charts. Equations are also provided. CONCLUSION: NRV/charts may be endorsed for routine use, while still tested further. They would aid professionals caring for older people, not only to identify those at risk and eligible for immediate provisions, but also in planning prevention and rehabilitation measures.

Bem-estar em equinos de policiamento em Curitiba/PR: indicadores clínicos, etológicos e ritmo circadiano do cortisol / Welfare in police horses from Curitiba/PR, Brazil: clinical and behavior indicators and circadian cortisol rhythm.

A avaliação científica do bem-estar tem sido importante para detectar animais não adaptados às condições de criação que lhes são impostas, situação que afeta o potencial produtivo e os coloca em maior risco de enfermidades. Com esse objetivo, foram avaliados 30 equinos da Cavalaria da Polícia Militar do Paraná, considerando-se indicadores clínicos, etológicos e hormonais. Na avaliação clínica, além da determinação do escore corporal e exame físico, verificou-se o histórico de ocorrência de cólica nos últimos doze meses. Comportamentos anormais foram pesquisados por observação etológica e a taxa do ritmo circadiano do cortisol (RCC) foi determinada por meio de duas colheitas de sangue, às 08 e às 17 horas. Apesar da significativa ocorrência de comportamentos anormais (26,7%), os achados clínicos foram normais e houve ausência de relato de cólica nos últimos 12 meses precedentes ao estudo. As médias dos resultados das análises de cortisol estiveram dentro da normalidade, nos dados absolutos e na variação do RCC, entretanto, 42% dos animais analisados apresentaram RCC alterado. Apesar da expressiva incidência de comportamentos anormais e de animais com alteração no ritmo circadiano de cortisol, sinais indicadores de estresse crônico, considerou-se que os equinos deste estudo apresentaram boas condições de bem-estar em relação àquelas relatadas por estudos nacionais prévios.

The scientific assessment of welfare has been important to detect animals non adapted to their management conditions, which can interfere with their productive potential and put them at increased risk of illness. With this objective, 30 horses from the Military Police of Paraná were evaluated, considering clinical, ethological and hormonal indicators of equine welfare. In the clinical evaluation, horses were assessed by physical examination and their body score conditions and the history of colic incidence in the last twelve months were determined. Abnormal behavior incidence were studied by ethological observation and the individual rate of circadian rhythm of cortisol (RCC) was calculated based on cortisol concentration changes in two blood samples taken at 08:00 am and 5:00pm. Despite significant incidence of abnormal behaviors (26.7%), clinical findings were normal and there were no reports of colic episodes in the last 12 months preceding the study. The mean blood cortisol concentrations and the mean RCC rate were within the normal range. However, 42% of the studied horses had abnormal RCC rates. Despite the significant incidences of abnormal behavior and abnormal RCC rates (indicators of chronic stress), these horses were considered in good welfare when compared to ones previously reported in other national studies.

Deposição óssea de cálcio e fósforo, densidade radiográfica e desenvolvimento corporal em potros alimentados com minerais orgânicos / Bone deposition of calcium and phosphorus, radiographic density and body development in foals fed with organic minerals

Foi avaliado o efeito da inclusão de minerais orgânicos na alimentação de potros sobre a concentração ossea de cálcio e fósforo, densitometria óssea e variáveis de desempenho de desenvolvimento e crescimento corporal. Foram utilizados dez potros com peso de 240,7 +- 30,2 kg e idade de 10 de 10 +- 0,15 meses, distribuidos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em dois tratamentos: dieta formulada com fonte de minerais na forma orgânica ou inorgânica. A dieta foi composta de 40% de volumoso e 60% de concentrado, à qual foi adicionada mistura mineral na forma orgânica ou inorgãnica na quantidade de 3% do concentrado.Não foi observado efeito das fontes minerais orgãnicas durante 90 dias, quando comparada aos potros alimentados com minerais em forma. Os animais alimentados com minerais organicos aprosentaram maior ganho de peso médio e diario em relação aos animais alimentados com com minerais inorgânicos. O uso de minerais em forma orgânico aumenta a densidade e o ganho de peso dos potrosem fase de crescimento.

This study examined the effect of organic minerals in foals diet evaluating the concentration of bone calcium and phosphorus, bone densitometry and growth and development performance variables. Ten horses weighing 240.7 ± 30.2 kg and 10 ± 0.15 months were used in the study, with two treatments: basal diet with minerals in organic or inorganic forms. The diet was composed of 40% forage and 60% concentrate, which was added as mineral mixture in organic or inorganic quantity of 3% of the concentrate. No effect of mineral sources was observed on bone deposition of calcium and phosphorus. At 90 days, the bone density of foals fed with minerals in organic form was higher than that observed in animals fed with minerals in the inorganic form. Animals fed with organic minerals showed greater weight increase compared to animals fed ino.