Whole-plant flint corn silage inclusion in total mixed rations for pre- and postweaning dairy calves.

Assuming that acetic acid plays a minor role in the development of ruminal epithelium of preweaning dairy calves, the fiber supply for growing calves has been neglected. More research has been done on including starch and nonfibrous carbohydrates in solid feed for preweaning calves. Accordingly, the fiber requirement of these calves is not well known, as diet recommendations vary greatly. Hence, elucidating the effects of including fiber from long particle sizes in the diet may be essential for helping calves overcome the transition challenge during weaning. Forty-five Holstein calves were used in a randomized block design, considering sex, birth date, and weight at 28 d of age, when the supply of the total mixed ration (TMR) with the inclusion of corn silage started. Three TMR with increasing whole-plant flint corn silage content (0, 10, or 20% on a dry matter basis) were compared: 0CS, 10CS, or 20CS, respectively. During the first 28 d of life, the calves were managed homogeneously and were fed 6 L/d of whole milk, a commercial calf starter pelleted, and water ad libitum. Next, the solid diet was changed to the respective solid feed treatment. Calves were gradually weaned from 52 to 56 d of age but were evaluated for an additional 14 d postweaning. Feed intake was measured daily, while body weight and metabolic indicators of intermediate metabolism were evaluated weekly. Ruminal fluid was collected at 6, 8, and 10 wk of age. Behavioral analysis was conducted on wk 7 (preweaning) and 10 (postweaning). There was a quadratic effect for dry matter intake from wk 7 to 10, with higher intake for the 10CS diet than the 0CS and 20CS diets. Consequently, the 10CS diet also promoted greater average daily gain at wk 8 and 9 compared with the 0CS and 20CS diets. However, the final body weight was not affected by the different solid diets. Silage inclusion in calves' diet positively affected time spent ruminating and chewing pre- and postweaning. Including 10% of whole-plant flint corn silage in the diets of young dairy calves is a strategy to increase total solid intake and decrease acidosis risk by increasing pH and ruminating activity around weaning.

Predictors of psychotherapy dropout in patients with borderline personality disorder: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a highly debilitating psychiatric condition. Despite the expansion of new BPD specific forms of psychotherapy in the last few decades, high dropout rates have been reported in these treatments. Treatment discontinuation is associated with poor patient outcomes, inefficient resource utilization and the demoralization of healthcare providers. METHODS: In order to identify predictors of psychotherapy dropout among patients with BPD, a systematic search of Medline, the Cochrane Library, PsycInfo and PsycArticles was conducted. Studies included were randomized-controlled trials in which patients diagnosed with BPD were exposed to a therapeutic intervention consisted of an evidence-based psychotherapy. The quality of evidence in the studies was assessed through the use of revised Cochrane risk of bias tool. RESULTS: Six articles, incorporating four types of psychotherapy programmes, were included. Overall, the studies present low risk of attrition and reporting bias and unclear risk of selection, performance and detection bias. Patients with weaker therapeutic alliance scores and higher hostility presented with higher dropout rates. In contrast, better mindfulness skills and greater performance in specific neuropsychological domains, such as memory and executive control, were identified as predictive of lower risk of dropout. Sociodemographic variables and treatment history did not influence treatment retention. CONCLUSIONS: Factors that influence discontinuation should be taken into consideration in future treatment programmes, in an effort to optimize retention. Qualitative assessments of patients' reasons for dropping out may also help guide adjustments.

Whole-flint corn grain or tropical grass hay free choice in the diet of dairy calves.

Tropical grass hay feeding is related to improved ruminal health; however, it may decrease energy intake. On the other hand, whole-flint corn grain may be an alternative fiber source in the diet of dairy calves. Forty-two Holstein calves were used in a randomized block design, considering sex, birth date, and weight at 21 d of age, when the supply of whole-flint corn grain or tropical grass hay started. Three component-fed solid diets were compared: (1) starter concentrate only during the preweaning and starter concentrate with free choice of chopped Tifton-85 hay postweaning (SC), (2) starter concentrate with free choice of chopped Tifton-85 hay pre- and postweaning (SCH), and (3) starter concentrate with free choice of whole-flint corn grain pre- and postweaning (SCW). The animals were evaluated from 21 to 84 d of age. Calves were managed equally during the first 21 d, fed with 6 L/d of whole milk and a commercial starter concentrate (46% nonfiber carbohydrates, small particles, and pelleted) ad libitum. After that, milk feeding was reduced to 4 L/d until gradual weaning at 56 d of age. At 56 d of age, 4 animals per treatment were randomly chosen to be slaughtered for digestive tract weight evaluation and to collect tissue for histological analysis of the ruminal wall, duodenum, and cecum, whereas the other 30 animals were weaned and evaluated for a further 22 d when the SC diet also received hay ad libitum. Feed intake was measured daily. Weight gain and metabolic indicators of intermediate metabolism were evaluated weekly. Ruminal fluid was collected at wk 6, 8, 10, and 12 of age. The SCH diet increased the total and starter dry matter intake, and consequently, the average daily gain and body weight at 56 d of age. The SCW diet promoted an increase in propionate and decreased acetate-to-propionate ratio. Morphometric variables were affected by the SCH diet. The postweaning performance was unaffected by solid diets; however, the SCW diet decreased ruminal and fecal pH. Feeding hay, starting at 21 d of age, can stimulate early solid diet intake, promoting better performance and ruminal and intestinal development, when a highly fermentable and small particle pelleted starter is fed.

Dentinal microcracks on freshly extracted teeth: the impact of the extraction technique.

AIM: To evaluate the incidence of root dentinal microcracks after two extraction techniques through micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) analysis. METHODOLOGY: Thirty pairs of premolars, extracted for orthodontic reasons, were assigned to two experimental groups, following a split-mouth design (n = 30): traumatic technique group (TTG) - teeth extracted following a conventional protocol using forceps, and an atraumatic technique group (ATG) - teeth extracted following an atraumatic technique protocol in which the root was gently detached from the periodontal ligament using a periotome. All teeth were immediately immersed in distilled water and scanned in a micro-CT device within 72 h following the extraction. The assessment of the images was completed on cross-section images by two masked evaluators. The Mann-Whitney test was used to assess the significant differences between the groups regarding the number of cross-sections displaying microcracks whilst the Fischer's exact test was used to assess differences in the frequency of specimens with defects (P < 0.05). RESULTS: A total of 52 750 micro-CT cross-sectional images were evaluated. A total of 352 cross-sections had at least one dentinal defect. Microcracks were observed in five teeth of the TTG group (n = 352 slices) and in two teeth of the ATG group (n = 103 slices). The statistical analysis used was unable to detect a significant difference between the groups in terms of the number of dentinal microcracks (P = 0.233) and in the frequency of teeth displaying microcracks (P = 0.424). CONCLUSION: A small number of sound teeth without endodontic treatment had dentinal microcracks regardless of the extraction technique applied. No difference was noticed between the traumatic and atraumatic techniques in the incidence of microcracks.

Fish diversification at the pace of geomorphological changes: evolutionary history of western Iberian Leuciscinae (Teleostei: Leuciscidae) inferred from multilocus sequence data.

The evolutionary history of western Iberian Leuciscinae, obligatory freshwater fish, is directly linked to the evolution of the hydrographic network of the Iberian Peninsula after its isolation from the rest of Europe, which involved dramatic rearrangements such as the transition from endorheic lakes to open basins draining to the Atlantic. Previous phylogenetic research on western Iberian leuciscines, using mainly mitochondrial DNA and more recently one or two nuclear genes, has found contradictory results and there remain many unresolved issues regarding species relationships, taxonomy, and evolutionary history. Moreover, there is a lack of integration between phylogenetic and divergence time estimates and information on the timing of geomorphological changes and paleobasin rearrangements in the Iberian Peninsula. This study presents the first comprehensive fossil-calibrated multilocus coalescent species tree of western Iberian Leuciscinae (including 14 species of Achondrostoma, Iberochondrostoma, Pseudochondrostoma and Squalius endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, seven of which endemic to Portugal) based on seven nuclear genes, and from which we infer their biogeographic history by comparing divergence time estimates to known dated geological events. The phylogenetic pattern suggests slow-paced evolution of leuciscines during the Early-Middle Miocene endorheic phase of the main Iberian river basins, with the shift to exorheism in the late Neogene-Quaternary allowing westward dispersals that resulted in many cladogenetic events and a high rate of endemism in western Iberia. The results of this study also: (i) confirm the paraphyly of S. pyrenaicus with respect to S. carolitertii, and thus the possible presence of a new taxon in the Portuguese Tagus currently assigned to S. pyrenaicus; (ii) support the taxonomic separation of the Guadiana and Sado populations of S. pyrenaicus; (iii) show the need for further population sampling and taxonomic research to clarify the phylogenetic status of A. arcasii from the Minho basin and of the I. lusitanicum populations in the Sado and Tagus basins; and (iv) indicate that A. occidentale, I. olisiponensis and P. duriensis are the most ancient lineages within their respective genera.

Red propolis as an additive for preweaned dairy calves: Effect on growth performance, health, and selected blood parameters.

Propolis is a natural product produced by bees and sold commercially. It is well known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and the ability to improve immune system functions in humans and animals. Many of its positive effects can contribute positively to animal productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible beneficial effects of red propolis supplementation on growth performance, metabolism, and health status of dairy calves during the preweaning phase. Thirty-two newborn calves were individually housed, with free access to water and concentrate, and fed 6 L/d of whole milk. Animals were distributed in 2 treatments: (1) control and (2) supplementation with 4 mL/d of red propolis ethanolic extract (30%; EEP) in whole milk. Feed consumption and fecal and health scores were monitored daily from 1 d of age to 56 d. Calves were weighed and measured weekly. Blood samples were collected weekly, 2 h after morning milk feeding, for determination of glucose, total serum protein, urea, lactate, ß-hydroxybutyrate, total iron binding capacity, and total leukocytes (white blood cells) and erythrocytes (red blood cells). Starter feed intake, daily weight gain, and body measurements were not affected by the EEP supplementation. Blood parameters were also not affected, with the exception for the red blood cell counts, which were lower in animals supplemented with EEP. Supplementation with EEP significantly decreased fecal score, days with diarrhea, and veterinary treatments of diarrhea. These results indicate that red propolis supplementation has potential to improve calf health and reduce the incidence of diarrhea and, as a consequence, the use of antibiotics in calf rearing systems.

Correction to: Occurrence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in Rhipidomys spp. from a forest fragment of the Brazilian Cerrado.

The original version of this article unfortunately contains an error. Vanessa do Nascimento Ramos was not included in the original article as one of the contributors. The name is now included in the authorgroup.

Effect of re-ensiling on the quality of sorghum silage.

The commercialization of silage in many countries, including Brazil, has increased in recent years. Re-ensiling of previously ensiled forage occurs when silage is relocated from one farm to another, where it will be compacted and sealed again. During this process, silage is exposed to oxygen before being ensiled, which may affect its quality. We exposed sorghum silage to air during the anaerobic storage phase to simulate the transportation of silages between farms. Experimental treatments included silage exposed to air for 0 or 12 h, with or without the use of an inoculant containing a mixture of Lactobacillus plantarum and the propionic bacteria Propionibacterium acidipropionici (1 × 106 cfu/g of forage; Biomax corn, Lallemand, Saint-Simon, France), totaling 4 treatments: conventional silage, conventional silage with inoculant use, re-ensilage after exposure to air, and re-ensilage after exposure to air with use of an inoculant. The sorghum was stored in experimental silos containing about 9.0 kg of fresh forage per replicate. Treatments were tested in a factorial 2 × 2 design with 5 replicates each. Chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility, fermentative characteristics, losses (due to gas, effluents, and total dry matter), microorganism counts, and aerobic stability of sorghum silage were evaluated. Dry matter content of sorghum before ensiling was 273.12 g/kg. The 12-h re-ensiling process increased the effluent loss of the silage when compared with conventional silage (456.42 vs. 201.19 g/kg of FM, respectively). In addition, re-ensiled silages presented lower concentrations of lactic acid and higher concentrations of propionic acid than the silages that had not been opened during storage. The aerobic stability of silage was not affected by the re-ensiling process and the use of inoculant. The use of inoculant increased the pH and loss of dry matter of the silages (4.23 vs. 3.98 and 14.05 vs. 7.82%, respectively) and therefore did not provide any benefits in this study.

Frequency of familial pituitary adenoma syndromes among patients with functioning pituitary adenomas in a reference outpatient clinic.

INTRODUCTION: Pituitary adenomas (PA) occur mainly as sporadic disease, but familial syndromes are found in approximately 5% of cases. Identification of these syndromes is important in order to diagnose individuals at risk at an earlier stage. AIMS: To evaluate the frequency of familial PA in a reference outpatient clinic devoted to PA treatment and to identify family members suspected to have pituitary disease. METHODS: Patients with PA were interviewed with respect to the presence of family members with diagnosis of PA or with signs or symptoms suggestive of them. The family members who had a clinical picture suggestive of pituitary disease were further evaluated in an attempt to identify new PA cases. In families with familial disease, the AIP gene was sequenced. RESULTS: 262 patients were evaluated and familial syndrome was found in 13 (5%). Ten (3.8%) patients had familial isolated PA (FIPA) and three (1.2%) had multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. After evaluation of family members' symptomatology, 110 were considered suspected of having pituitary disease, but only 24 participated in the study. Of these 24, 1 was diagnosed with a corticotropinoma. AIP mutations were found in 20% of FIPA families. CONCLUSION: We found a frequency of familial PA similar to that previously described, as well as a similar frequency of AIP mutations among FIPA families. An active search of the affected family members was able to identify one case of Cushing´s disease. Patients should be aware of pituitary disease's clinical picture to identify possibly affected family members.

Induction of resistance of corn plants to Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by application of silicon and gibberellic acid.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of silicon application and administration of the phytohormone gibberellic acid on resistance of the corn plants to the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, and their vegetative characteristics. We evaluated larval and pupal duration, survival and biomass, and adult longevity, malformation and fecundity of S. frugiperda after feeding on plant matter treated with silicon and/or gibberellic acid. The feeding preference of FAW first-instar larvae, the total leaf area consumed by the insects, and the vegetative parameters of corn plants were also evaluated. No significant differences were observed in the measured parameters of larval and pupal stages of S. frugiperda in response to silicon or gibberellic acid. In adult stage insects, the number of eggs per female was significantly reduced in insects derived from larvae fed plants treated with silicon or gibberellic acid. In a non-preference test, 48 h after release, caterpillars preferred control untreated plants and consumed less matter from plants that had received hormonal treatment (gibberellic acid). Gibberellic acid also altered the vegetative characteristics of plants, by increasing their height, shoot fresh and dry mass, and silicon content. We conclude that gibberellic acid can alter the vegetative characteristics and silicon uptake of corn plants, leading to a reduction in their consumption by S. frugiperda larvae and a decrease in female insect oviposition.

Mechanisms of global diversification in the marine species Madeiran Storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro and Monteiro's Storm-petrel O. monteiroi: Insights from a multi-locus approach.

The evolutionary mechanisms underlying the geographic distribution of gene lineages in the marine environment are not as well understood as those affecting terrestrial groups. The continuous nature of the pelagic marine environment may limit opportunities for divergence to occur and lineages to spatially segregate, particularly in highly mobile species. Here, we studied the phylogeography and historical demography of two tropically distributed, pelagic seabirds, the Madeiran Storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro, sampled in the Azores, Madeira, Galapagos and Japan, and its sister species Monteiro's Storm-petrel O. monteiroi (endemic to the Azores), using a multi-locus dataset consisting of 12 anonymous nuclear loci and the mitochondrial locus control region. Both marker types support the existence of four significantly differentiated genetic clusters, including the sampled O. monteiroi population and three populations within O. castro, although only the mitochondrial locus suggests complete lineage sorting. Multi-locus coalescent analyses suggest that most divergence events occurred within the last 200,000years. The proximity in divergence times precluded robust inferences of the species tree, in particular of the evolutionary relationships of the Pacific populations. Despite the great potential for dispersal, divergence among populations apparently proceeded in the absence of gene flow, emphasizing the effect of non-physical barriers, such as those driven by the paleo-oceanographical environments, philopatry and local adaptation, as important mechanisms of population divergence and speciation in highly mobile marine species. In view of the predicted climate change impacts, future changes in the demography and evolutionary dynamics of marine populations might be expected.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and rodent reservoirs in the savanna-like biome of Brazil's southeastern region.

This paper describes the diversity of rodent fauna in an area endemic for hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) in Brazil, the population dynamics and the relationship of rodents with hantavirus in the Cerrado (savanna-like) biome. Additionally, an analysis is made of the partial S segment sequences of the hantaviruses obtained from serologically confirmed human HCPS cases and from rodent specimens. Rodents were collected during four campaigns. Human serum samples were collected from suspected cases of HCPS at hospitals in the state of Minas Gerais. The samples antibody-reactive by ELISA were processed by RT-PCR. The PCR product was amplified and sequenced. Hantavirus was detected only in Necromys lasiurus, the wild rodent species most prevalent in the Cerrado biome (min-max: 50-83·7%). All the six human serum samples were hantavirus seropositive and five showed amplified PCR products. The analysis of the nucleotide sequences showed the circulation of a single genotype, the Araraquara hantavirus. The environmental changes that have occurred in the Cerrado biome in recent decades have favoured N. lasiurus in interspecific competition of habitats, thus increasing the risk of contact between humans and rodent species infected with hantavirus. Our data corroborate the definition of N. lasiurus as the main hantavirus reservoir in the Cerrado biome.

Adaptability and phenotypic stability of soybean cultivars for grain yield and oil content.

The aim of this study was to verify the adaptability and stability of soybean cultivars with regards to yield and oil content. Data of soybean yield and oil content were used from experiments set up in six environments in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 crop seasons in the municipalities of Patos de Minas, Uberaba, Lavras, and São Gotardo, Minas Gerais, Brazil, testing 36 commercial soybean cultivars of both conventional and transgenic varieties. The Wricke method and GGE biplot analysis were used to evaluate adaptability and stability of these cultivars. Large variations were observed in grain yield in relation to the different environments studied, showing that these materials are adaptable. The cultivars exhibited significant differences in oil content. The cultivars BRSGO204 (Goiânia) and BRSMG (Garantia) exhibited the greatest average grain yield in the different environments studied, and the cultivar BRSMG 760 SRR had the greatest oil content among the cultivars evaluated. Ecovalence was adopted to identify the most stable cultivars, and the estimates were nearly uniform both for grain yield and oil content, showing a variation of 0.07 and 0.01%, respectively. The GGE biplot was efficient at identifying cultivars with high adaptability and phenotype stability.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase activity in erythrocytes from patients with eating disorders.

PURPOSE: Abnormal feeding has been linked to disruptions in brain dopaminergic activity and recent studies have assessed the role of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) in eating disorders. This is the first study to quantify the soluble catechol-O-methyltransferase (S-COMT) activity in erythrocytes from patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge-eating disorder (BED) and the first study at all to evaluate the COMT on patients with BED. METHODS: Forty blood samples from patients with AN, BN and BED and healthy controls were drawn to evaluate S-COMT activity in erythrocytes by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Since several patients were being treated with fluoxetine 20 mg, they were included in a different group (BN MED and BED MED). Liver homogenates from rats were used to evaluate baseline S-COMT activity in the presence of fluoxetine by the same in vitro procedures and assays. RESULTS: Erythrocyte S-COMT activity (pmol/mg prt/h) was significantly increased in patients with BN and BED (41.3 ± 6.8 and 41.4 ± 14, respectively) compared to control group (25.3 ± 9.7). In fluoxetine-treated patients with BN, S-COMT activity (15.9 ± 8.8) was decreased compared to the other BN group; however, in BED group, the difference between BED MED and BED was not observed. In patients with AN, no significant difference was found compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Patients with BN and BED presented higher S-COMT activity in erythrocytes, which is in agreement with previous studies on the literature addressing the high-activity COMT allele, Val158, as risk factor for eating disorders. Although in fluoxetine-treated patients with BN the activity of S-COMT was similar to the controls, this is not explained by a direct interaction between fluoxetine and S-COMT as verified in in vitro assays.