Use of sugar cane to feed lactating dairy goats / [Uso da cana-de-açúcar na alimentação de cabras leiteiras em lactação]

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of replacing corn silage with sugarcane in the diet of lactating Saanen goats and to determine their intake and digestibility of nutrients, ingestive behavior, milk yield and composition. The experimental diets were composed of increasing levels (0, 33, 66 and 100%) of substitution in dry matter (DM). Twelve multiparous Saanen goats, with an average body weight of 45.2kg, average milk yield of 3.0kg day-1, distributed in a triple latin square experimental design (4 × 4) were used. The dry matter intake (DMI) and other nutrients were estimated through the difference between the total nutrient in the food offered and its total in the leftovers. The DMI, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and total digestible nutrients were not influenced, but the apparent digestibility of DM and NDF decreased. Feeding time and feeding efficiency were not influenced, the rumination and total chewing times increased, and the leisure time decreased, both linearly. Milk yield was not influenced by substitution levels, but corrected milk yield to 3.5% fat decreased. Sugar cane represents a dietary alternative for goats with medium milk yield in critical periods of forage, since it does not change the consumption of DM and milk yield, even with the apparent declining digestibility of some nutrients, influencing the ingestive behavior of the animals.(AU)

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da substituição da silagem de milho por cana-de-açúcar na dieta de cabras Saanen em lactação e determinar a ingestão e a digestibilidade de nutrientes, o comportamento ingestivo, a produção e a composição do leite. As dietas experimentais foram compostas de níveis crescentes (0, 33, 66 e 100%) de substituição na matéria seca (MS). Doze cabras Saanen multíparas, com peso corporal médio de 45,2kg, produção média de leite de 3,0kg dia-1, foram distribuídas em delineamento experimental triplo quadrado latino (4 × 4). A ingestão de matéria seca (IMS) e de outros nutrientes foi estimada por meio da diferença entre o total de nutrientes nos alimentos oferecidos e o total nas sobras. A IMS, a proteína bruta, a fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e os nutrientes digestíveis totais não foram influenciados, mas a digestibilidade aparente da MS e da FDN diminuiu. A produção de leite não foi influenciada pelos níveis de substituição, mas a produção de leite corrigida para 3,5% de gordura diminuiu. A cana-de-açúcar representa uma alternativa alimentar para cabras com produção média de leite em períodos críticos de forragem, pois não altera o consumo de MS e a produção de leite, mesmo diminuindo a digestibilidade aparente de alguns nutrientes e influenciando o comportamento ingestivo dos animais.(AU)

Effects of 17ß-estradiol on early gonadal development and expression of genes implicated in sexual differentiation of a South American teleost, Astyanax altiparanae.

Gonadal sex differentiation in teleost fish shows greater plasticity as compared to other vertebrates, as it can be influenced by a variety of factors such as exogenous sex steroids. Exogenous estrogens, such as 17ß-estradiol (E2), can induce feminization when administered during early embryonic development. However, the mechanisms underlying the E2-induced feminization are not fully understood, especially in Neotropical species. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of E2 administration on the phenotypic sex characteristics, histological assessment of the gonads, and the expression of selected genes in Astyanax altiparanae exposed to dietary E2 prior to gonadal differentiation. At 4 days post-hatch (dph), groups of 30-40 undifferentiated larvae were fed with a diet containing varying amounts of E2 for 28 days, and fish were sampled at 90 dph. Previous studies revealed that ovary formation in A. altiparanae occurred at 58 dph, whereas the first sign of testis formation was found at 73 dph. In relation to the control, E2 exposure increased the proportion of phenotypic females in 120% and 148.4% for 4 and 6 mg E2/Kg, respectively. However, histological analysis revealed that treatments did not affect gonadal sex ratio between males and females, but induced intersex (testis-ova) in the group treated with 6 mg E2/Kg food. Treatment with E2 also altered gonadal transcript levels of a selected number of genes implicated in sexual differentiation. Males overexpressed dmrt1, sox9 and amh following E2 treatment as compared to control. Females showed increased mRNA levels of dmrt1 and sox9, which might be related to the down-regulation of cyp19a1a after E2 exposure. In summary, E2 exposure during early gonadal development affected male secondary characteristics without changing the gonadal sex ratio, and altered expression of genes implicated in sexual differentiation.

Determination of impurities in (124)I samples by high resolution gamma spectrometry.

(124)I is a radionuclide used in the diagnosis of tumors. The National Health Agency requires identification and activity measurement of impurities. Using gamma spectrometry with an efficiency calibrated high-purity germanium detector, impurities (125)I and (126)I in an (1)(24)I production sample were identified. Activity ratios of (125)I and (126)I to (124)I were approximately 0.5% and 98%, respectively.

Feasibility study of collagen membranes derived from bovine pericardium and intestinal serosa for the repair of cranial defects in ovariectomised rats.

The indication of biomaterials has increased substantially in the regenerative therapy of bone defects. However, in addition to evaluating the physicochemical properties of biomaterials, the quality of the recipient tissue is also essential for the osseointegration of implants, as abnormalities in bone metabolism, such as gonadal hormone deficiency, can influence bone healing. This study evaluated the osteoregenerative capacity of collagen membranes derived from bovine pericardium and intestinal serosa in the repair of cranial defects in ovariectomised rats. Thirty female Wistar rats were submitted to surgical creation of a 5-mm cranial bone defect. The rats were divided into a control group (not ovariectomised) and an ovariectomised group. The non-ovariectomised group was divided into three subgroups: control (G1) in which the defect was not filled with the biomaterial, and two subgroups (G2 and G3) that received the bovine pericardium- and serosa-derived collagen membranes, respectively. The ovariectomised group was divided into the same subgroups (G4, G5, and G6). The animals were sacrificed 8 weeks after surgery. The calvaria were removed for macroscopic and radiographic photodocumentation and processed for histomorphometric analysis of bone healing at the surgical site. Macroscopic, radiological, and microscopic analyses demonstrated the biocompatibility of the implanted collagen membranes, as indicated by the absence of infiltration and signs of inflammation at the surgical site. Histologically, discrete immature bone neoformation projecting from the margins of the defect was observed at the surgical site in ovariectomised groups when compared to the non-ovariectomised groups. The volume of newly formed bone was significantly higher in the non-ovariectomised groups (G1: 7.83%±1.32; G2: 21.33%±1.96; and G3: 22.83%±0.98) compared to the respective ovariectomised subgroups (G4: 3.16%±0.75; G5: 16.83%±0.98; and G6: 16.16%±0.75), thus demonstrating the deleterious effects of ovariectomy on bone homeostasis. Higher volumes of newly formed bone were observed in the groups receiving the membrane grafts (G2, G3, G5, and G6) compared to the control groups (G1 and G4). In conclusion, the bilateral ovariectomy compromises the ability to repair bone lesions grafted with osteoconductive biomaterials as in the case of collagen membranes derived from both bovine pericardium and intestinal serosa.

Atividade fungitóxica in vitro dos óleos essenciais de Lippia sidoides Cham., Cymbopogon citratus(D. C. ) Stapf. e de seus constituintes majoritários no controle de Rhizoctonia solani e Sclerotium rolfsii / Fungitoxicity in vitro of essential oils from Lippia sidoides Cham., Cymbopogon citratus (D. C. ) Stapf. and their major constituents in the control of Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o potencial fungitóxicos dos óleos essenciais de Cymbopogon citratus, Lippia sidoides, e de seus constituintes majoritários, sobre o crescimento micelial dos fitopatógenos Rhizoctonia solani e Sclerotium rolfsii. A caracterização química do óleo de L. sidoides demonstrou a presença do carvacrol (33,27%) e o 1,8-cineol (24,41%) como seus componentes majoritários. Enquanto que o citral (77,6%) foi o constituinte majoritário do óleo essencial de C. citratus. A avaliação do potencial fungitóxico dos óleos essenciais e de seus constituintes majoritários foi realizada por meio de ensaios in vitro, avaliando a inibição do crescimento micelial dos microrganismos. Ambos os óleos essenciais inibiram totalmente o crescimento micelial de R. solani na concentração de 400 µg mL-1. O crescimento micelial de S. rolfsii foi inibido pelo óleo essencial de C. citratus na concentração de 300 µg mL-1 e pelo óleo essencial de L. sidoides na concentração de 400 µg mL-1. Em relação aos constituintes majoritários, o 1,8-cineol não apresentou efeito fungitóxico nas concentrações avaliadas. No entanto, o carvacrol e o citral foram mais efetivos que os óleos essenciais havendo ausência de crescimento micelial de R. solani e de S. rolfsii nas concentrações de 200 µg mL-1 e 225 µg mL-1, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the fungitoxic potentials of the essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus, Lippia sidoides, and of its major constituents, on the mycelial growth of phytopathogens Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii. The chemical characterization of L. sidoides oil showed the presence of carvacrol (33.27%) and of 1,8-cineole (24.41%) as its major components, whereas citral (77.6%) was the major constituent of C. citratus essential oil. The evaluation of the fungitoxic potential of the essential oils and of its major constituents was performed through in vitro assays, the microorganisms mycelial growth inhibition. Both essential oils totally inhibited the mycelial growth of R. solani at 400 µg mL-1. Regarding the major constituents, the 1,8-cineole did not show fungitoxic effect at the concentrations evaluated. However, the carvacrol and the citral were more effective than the essential oils and there was no mycelial growth of R. solani and of S. rolfsii at the concentrations of 200 µg mL-1 and 225 µg mL-1, respectively.

Determination of transit dose profile for a (192)Ir HDR source.

PURPOSE: Several studies have reported methodologies to calculate and correct the transit dose component of the moving radiation source for high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy planning systems. However, most of these works employ the average source speed, which varies significantly with the measurement technique used, and does not represent a realistic speed profile, therefore, providing an inaccurate dose determination. In this work, the authors quantified the transit dose component of a HDR unit based on the measurement of the instantaneous source speed to produce more accurate dose values. METHODS: The Nucletron microSelectron-HDR Ir-192 source was characterized considering the Task Group 43 (TG-43U1) specifications. The transit dose component was considered through the calculation of the dose distribution using a Monte Carlo particle transport code, MCNP5, for each source position and correcting it by the source speed. The instantaneous source speed measurements were performed in a previous work using two optical fibers connected to a photomultiplier and an oscilloscope. Calculated doses were validated by comparing relative dose profiles with those obtained experimentally using radiochromic films. RESULTS: TG-43U1 source parameters were calculated to validate the Monte Carlo simulations. These agreed with the literature, with differences below 1% for the majority of the points. Calculated dose profiles without transit dose were also validated by comparison with ONCENTRA(®) Brachy v. 3.3 dose values, yielding differences within 1.5%. Dose profiles obtained with MCNP5 corrected using the instantaneous source speed profile showed differences near dwell positions of up to 800% in comparison to values corrected using the average source speed, but they are in good agreement with the experimental data, showing a maximum discrepancy of approximately 3% of the maximum dose. Near a dwell position the transit dose is about 22% of the dwell dose delivered by the source dwelling 1 s and reached 104.0 cGy per irradiation in a hypothetical clinical case studied in this work. CONCLUSIONS: The present work demonstrated that the transit dose correction based on average source speed fails to accurately correct the dose, indicating that the correct speed profile should be considered. The impact on total dose due to the transit dose correction near the dwell positions is significant and should be considered more carefully in treatments with high dose rate, several catheters, multiple dwell positions, small dwell times, and several fractions.

Effects of chronic passive smoking on the regeneration of rat femoral defects filled with hydroxyapatite and stimulated by laser therapy.

Defects associated with bone mass loss are frequently treated by autogenous bone grafting. However, synthetic biomaterials such as calcium phosphate ceramics can substitute autologous grafts as long as they are biocompatible with bone tissue. In addition, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is used to enhance bone regeneration by stimulating the local microcirculation and increasing the synthesis of collagen by bone cells. However, bone health is fundamental for osseointegration of the graft and bone repair. In this respect, excessive tobacco consumption can compromise expected outcomes because of its deleterious effects on bone metabolism that predispose to the development of osteoporosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the regeneration of bone defects implanted with biomaterial and stimulated by LLLT in rats submitted to passive cigarette smoking. Porous hydroxyapatite granules were implanted into critical-size defects induced experimentally in the distal epiphysis of the right femur of 20 female Wistar rats submitted to passive smoking for 8 months in a smoking box. The defect site was irradiated with a gallium-arsenide laser at an intensity of 5.0 J/cm2. The animals were divided into four groups: control (non-smoking) rates submitted (G2) or not (G1) to laser irradiation, and smoking rats submitted (G4) or not (G3) to laser irradiation. The animals were sacrificed 8 weeks after biomaterial implantation. The right femurs were removed for photodocumentation, radiographed, and processed for routine histology. The results showed good radiopacity of the implant site and of the hydroxyapatite granules. Histologically, formation of new trabecular bone was observed adjacent to the hydroxyapatite granules in G1 and G2. In G3 and G4, the granules were surrounded mainly by connective tissue. In conclusion, passive smoking compromised bone neoformation in the defects and the LLLT protocol was not adequate to stimulate local osteogenesis.

Study of the comprehension of the scientific method by members of a university health research laboratory

In Brazil, scientific research is carried out mainly at universities, where professors coordinate research projects with the active participation of undergraduate and graduate students. However, there is no formal program for the teaching/learning of the scientific method. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the comprehension of the scientific method by students of health sciences who participate in scientific projects in an academic research laboratory. An observational descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using Edgar Morin complexity as theoretical reference. In a semi-structured interview, students were asked to solve an abstract logical puzzle - TanGram. The collected data were analyzed using the hermeneutic-dialectic analysis method proposed by Minayo and discussed in terms of the theoretical reference of complexity. The students’ concept of the scientific method is limited to participation in projects, stressing the execution of practical procedures as opposed to scientific thinking. The solving of the TanGram puzzle revealed that the students had difficulties in understanding questions and activities focused on subjects and their processes. Objective answers, even when dealing with personal issues, were also reflected on the students’ opinions about the characteristics of a successful researcher. Students’ difficulties concerning these issues may affect their scientific performance and result in poorly designed experiments. This is a preliminary study that should be extended to other centers of scientific research.

Óleos essenciais de plantas medicinais e aromáticas no controle do carrapato rhipicephalus microplus / Essential oils of medicine and aromatic plants not controlled by carrapato rhipicephalus microplus

O carrapato bovino Riphicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) constitui um dos grandes problemas enfrentado pelos pecuaristas de várias partes do mundo. No Brasil este ectoparasita causa grandes prejuízos à bovinocultura devido ao processo de hematofagia e pela transmissão de agentes patogênicos nos animais hospedeiros. Diante dessa situação os produtores normalmente aplicam carrapaticidas organossintéticos de forma indiscriminada. Este método normalmente resulta em: intoxicação dos animais e dos aplicadores, resíduos de carrapaticidas nos produtos de origem animal, resistência dos carrapatos aos carrapaticidas químicos e poluição ambiental. Uma alternativa para diminuir esses problemas é uso de biocarrapaticidas de origem botânica. Os pesticidas botânicos são produtos naturais derivados do metabolismo secundário das plantas. Esse metabolismo produz uma grande diversidade de compostos com ação carrapaticida que podem ser explorados através do uso de óleos essenciais ou como modelo para síntese de pesticidas sintéticos. A necessidade de métodos mais seguros, menos agressivos ao homem e ao meio ambiente, tem estimulado a busca de novos carrapaticidas a partir de produtos vegetais. Assim, acredita-se que o uso de óleos essenciais de plantas medicinais e aromáticas de uma forma isolada ou associada pode reduzir: a velocidade do desenvolvimento da resistência dos carrapatos aos carrapaticidas, os resíduos nos produtos de origem animal e a toxicidade para os animais, aplicadores e meio ambiente.

Controle fitopatológico do Fusarium subglutinans pelo óleo essencial do capim-citronela (Cymbopogon nardus L. ) e do composto citronelal / Fungitoxic activity of essential oil of citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus L. ) and compound citronellal

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito fungitóxico do óleo essencial de capim-citronela e do seu constituinte majoritário citronelal sobre a inibição micelial do fitopatógeno Fusarium subglutinans, agente causal da fusariose da cultura do abacaxi (Ananas comosus). Para avaliar o efeito do óleo essencial no crescimento micelial do fungo, foram utilizadas seis alíquotas (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 e 25 ìL) do óleo e do citronelal que foram distribuídas na superfície do meio BDA (batata-dextrose-ágar) antes da repicagem do fungo. O crescimento micelial foi medido após 48 h de instalação do experimento e em cinco épocas de avaliação (2, 4, 6, 8 e 10 dias após repicagem). Os resultados indicaram que o óleo essencial do capim-citronela demonstrou maior efeito inibitório do crescimento micelial do fungo F. subglutinans do que o composto citronelal. Em todas as alíquotas utilizadas o óleo essencial proporcionou menor taxa de crescimento micelial do que o citronelal.

This study aimed to evaluate the fungitoxic effect of the essential oil of citronella grass and its major constituent citronellal on the inhibition of mycelial pathogen Fusarium subglutinans, the causal agent of Fusarium culture of pineapple (Ananas comosus). To evaluate the effect of essential oil in the mycelial growth of the fungus were used six rates (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mL) of oil that were distributed on the surface of PDA medium (potato dextrose agar) before subculturing of the fungus. Mycelial growth was measured after 48 h of the experiment and five times of assessment (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days after subculturing). The results indicated that the essential oil of citronella grass showed higher inhibitory effect of mycelial growth of the fungus F. subglutinans than compound citronellal. In all rates used of the essential oil gave lower growth rate than the mycelial citronellal.

Estudo da divergência genética por características morfológicas entre acessos de mentrasto (Ageratum conyzoides L. ) coletados no estado do Tocantins em diferentes épocas / Genetic divergence study by morphologic traits among mentrasto (Ageratum conyzoides L. ) accessions collected in the state of Tocantins in different period

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a divergência genética entre nove acessos de mentrasto (Ageratum conyzoides) por métodos multivariados utilizando caracteres morfológicos, em quatro épocas de colheita. Os nove acessos de mentrasto foram obtidos de plantas que ocorrem naturalmente nas cinco regiões climáticas do Estado do Tocantins. Em cada época de colheita foram avaliadas as características como biomassa fresca da parte aérea, biomassa seca, área foliar, número de folhas, floração e altura. Pela análise de agrupamento (método de Tocher) foram formados dois grupos na primeira e quarta épocas de colheita, três grupos na segunda época e quatro grupos na terceira época de colheita. Observou-se variação na constituição dos grupos pelos acessos nas épocas de colheita. A divergência genética entre acessos de mentrasto, avaliada por caracteres morfológicos, foi influenciada pelo estádio de desenvolvimento da espécie. A existência de variabilidade entre os acessos coletados em diferentes localidades fornece subsídio para a coleta sistematizada de germoplasma em A. conyzoides no Estado do Tocantins.

This study aimed to analyze the genetic divergence among nine mentrasto (Ageratum conyzoides) accessions by multivariate methods using morphologic traits for four harvesting periods. The nine accessions of mentrasto were obtained from plants that occur naturally in five climatic regions of the state of Tocantins. At each harvesting period, the following traits were evaluated: fresh biomass of the aerial part, dry biomass, leaf area, number of leaves, flowering and height. The grouping analysis (Tocher's method) identified two groups, in the first and fourth harvest periods, three groups in the second harvest period and four groups in the third harvest period. Variation was observed for the group constitutions among the different harvesting periods. The genetic divergence among mentrasto accessions, evaluated by morphologic traits, was influenced by developmental stage of specie. The existence of genetic variability among accessions from different regions supports the systematic collection of A. conyzoides germplasm in the state of Tocantins.

Anxiety levels observed in candidates for liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Anxiety can be considered an emotional state that does not present itself at the same intensity in all patients, and can be classified into 3 levels: mild, moderate, and severe. The patient, upon entering the waiting list for transplantation, reflects on the decision taken, which leaves him constantly anxious about the idea of possible death. OBJECTIVE: This study had the aim of evaluating the degree of anxiety observed in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) candidates and whether there was a correlation between anxiety and etiologic diagnosis. METHODS: This study was a prospective study where the patients underwent psychological evaluation by Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The anxiety level was minimal, mild, moderate, or severe. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and etiology were recorded. RESULTS: The level of anxiety found were as follows: 55% minimal, 27% mild, 12% moderate, and 7% severe. The correlation between level of anxiety and etiologic diagnosis showed that 71% of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and 60% of those with liver cancer showed a minimal degree of anxiety and 27% of patients with autoimmune cirrhosis had severe anxiety. CONCLUSION: We found that in patients with autoimmune hepatitis, the degree of anxiety was more pronounced. It is believed that the absence of physical symptoms is an important factor when observing anxiety in OLT candidates.

Implantaçäo da produçäo de 123I Ultra-puro no IEN/CNEN-RJ / Implantation of production of ultra-pure 123I in IEN/CNEN-RJ

A produção do (123)I no IEN/CNEN-RJ a partir da reação (124)TeO2(p,2n)(123)I é limitada tanto pelo seu baixa rendimento como pela sua pureza radionuclídica inviabilizando sua expedição para for a do Rio de Janeiro. Com o intuito de se vencer estas limitações é que se decidiu pela implantação da produção de (123)I ultra-puro a partir da reação (124)Xe(p,2n)(123)Cs©(123)Xe©(123)©I, método utilizado pelo FZK com quem se iniciou um intercâmbio para transferência da tecnologia dentro da nossa realidade. Com este método será possível produzir 1,0 Ci/batelada de (123)I ultra-puro.