Perfil de ácidos graxos do leite de vacas Holandês x Gir alimentadas com silagem de milho e concentrado contendo ou não glicerina bruta / Milk fatty acid profile from Holstein x Gyr cows fed corn silage and concentrate containing or not crude glycerin

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil de ácidos graxos (AG) do leite de vacas alimentadas com dietas à base de silagem de milho contendo 0% e 8,9% de glicerina bruta (GB) na matéria seca (MS). Foram utilizadas 18 vacas Holandês x Gir com 48±18 dias em lactação, produzindo 19,8±4,9kg/dia de leite. Utilizou-se delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com nove vacas/tratamento e duas medidas repetidas no tempo, com os resultados analisados por modelos mistos. A inclusão de GB na dieta não alterou a ingestão de MS, mas reduziu os consumos dos AG oleico, linoleico e α-linolênico. Os teores dos AG mirístico, palmítico, rumênico, vacênico, esteárico, oleico, linoleico, α-linolênico e CLA trans-10 cis-12 na gordura do leite foram semelhantes entre dietas. A inclusão de GB reduziu os teores dos AG elaídico e C18:1 trans-10 e aumentou os teores dos AG de cadeia ímpar linear e do ácido láurico. Não houve efeito da inclusão da GB sobre os índices de aterogenicidade e trombogenicidade da gordura do leite. Concluiu-se que a inclusão de glicerina bruta em dieta à base de silagem de milho não afetou a qualidade nutricional da gordura do leite de vacas Holandês x Gir.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the milk fatty acid (FA) composition of cows fed corn silage-based diets containing 0% and 8.9% of crude glycerin (GB) on a dry matter (DM) basis. Eighteen Holstein x Gyr cows with 48±18 days in milk and producing 19.8±4.9kg milk/day were used in the study. The experimental design was a randomized block with nine cows per treatment and two repeated measures. Results were analyzed using mixed models. The milk fat contents of myristic, palmitic, rumenic, vaccenic, estearic, oleic, linoleic, α-linolenic, and trans-10 cis-12 CLA were similar between diets. Dietary inclusion of GB decreased elaidic and trans-10 C18:1, and increased lauric acid and odd linear-chain FA contents in milk fat. Both atherogenicity and trombogenicity indices were unaffected by GB inclusion. It was concluded that GB inclusion in corn silage-based diets had no effect on the nutritional quality of milk fat from Holstein x Gyr dairy cows.(AU)

Contribution of lung function in predicting distance covered in the 6-min walk test in obese Brazilian women

Obesity affects the respiratory system through various mechanisms, including systemic inflammation and direct mechanical hindrance due to fat deposition in the chest and abdomen. In addition, changes in the neural control of respiration and increases in thoracic blood volume can promote abnormalities in lung function. Thus, determining relationships between the distance covered in the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and demographic and lung function variables may help us better understand the mechanisms involved in reduced functional exercise capacity in obesity. To explore the determinants of the 6-min walking distance (6MWD) and evaluate the influence of lung function on the distance covered, 263 obese Brazilian women performed the 6MWT and underwent spirometry and respiratory muscle strength measurement. The mean age was 41.8±11.1 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 45±8 kg/m2. The 6MWD showed correlations with height (r=0.319), age (r=-0.281), weight (r=-0.370), BMI (r=-0.561), forced vital capacity (FVC, r=0.443), expiratory peak flow (r=0.278), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP, r=0.326), and maximal expiratory pressure (r=0.259), all with P<0.0001. In the stepwise forward regression analysis, BMI, FVC, age, and MIP were the independent predictive variables for 6MWD, explaining 41% of its variability. The reference equation including lung function was as follows: 6MWD (m) = 513.6 - (4.439 × BMIkg/m2) + (1.136 × FVC%predicted) - (1.048 × ageyrs) + (0.544 × MIP%predicted). Thus, the inclusion of lung function in a reference equation for 6MWD contributes to a better prediction of the distance covered in this population.

Composição centesimal e de ácidos graxos do músculo Longíssimus de cordeiros confinados, alimentados com dietas contendo casca de mandioca / Centesimal and fatty acid composition of the longissimus muscle of confined lambs fed diets containing cassava peels

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de inclusão da casca da mandioca (CM) sobre a composição centesimal e de ácidos graxos do músculo Longíssimus de cordeiros. Foram utilizados 32 cordeiros mestiços Santa Inês, machos não castrados, peso corporal médio de 21 ± 1,5kg. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso aos animais, cujo os níveis de inclusão da CM foram (0, 10, 20, 30%) baseado na matéria seca da dieta. Utilizou-se como volumoso o feno da parte aérea de mandioca, e a relação volumoso:concentrado foi de 48:52. O experimento teve duração de 70 dias. Logo após, os cordeiros passaram por um jejum sólido de 16h e, depois, foram abatidos. A carcaça foi conduzida à câmara fria, permanecendo por 24h, a uma temperatura de 4°C. Na carcaça fria, foi retirada uma amostra do músculo Longíssimus, a qual foi congelada (4°C), até o início das análises. Os resultados de umidade, cinzas e proteína não foram influenciados pela CM, observando-se efeito linear decrescente para os teores de lipídeos. Com relação à composição de ácidos graxos, houve efeito linear para o C15:0 e efeito quadrático para C14:0, C18:0 e C22:0. Nos monoinsaturados, observou-se efeito linear para C16:1, C18:1-9c e C22:1-9c e efeito quadrático para C15:1, C17:1 e C20:1; já nos poli-insaturados, foi observado efeito linear para CLA, C20:3n-6, C20:4n-6, C20:5n-3 e C22:6n-3, e quadrático para C20:2 e C18:3n-6. Assim, conclui-se que a composição centesimal e de ácidos graxos apresenta variações em razão da inclusão da CM, porém não compromete a qualidade da carne.(AU)

This study sought to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of cassava peel on the centesimal composition and fatty acids of the Longissimus muscle of lambs. We used 32 uncastrated crossbred Santa Inês lambs, with average body weight of 21 ± 1.5 kg. Treatments were in a completely randomized design, with the inclusion of cassava peel (0, 10, 20, 30%) in the diet dry matter. Hay from the cassava shoot has been used as forage and the forage:concentrate ratio was 48:52. The experiment lasted 70 days and then the lambs underwent a fast for 16 hours, were slaughtered, and their carcasses remained at a temperature of 4°C for 24 hours. In cold carcass the Longissimus muscle were taken and frozen (4°C) until the analysis. The results for moisture, ashes and protein were not influenced by cassava peel, and a decreasing linear effect was observed for the lipids levels. In composition of unsaturated fatty acids, there was a linear effect for C15:0 and a quadratic effect for C14:0, C18:0 and C22:0. Regarding the monounsaturated fatty acids, a linear effect has been observed for C16:1, C18:1-9c and C22:1-9c, and a quadratic effect for C15:1, C17:1 and C20:1. With the polyunsaturated fatty acids, a linear effect was observed for CLA, C20:3n-6, C20:4n-6, C20:5n-3 and C22:6n-3, and a quadratic effect was seen for C20:2 and C18:3n-6. Thus, it is concluded that the centesimal and fatty acid composition varies depending on the inclusion of cassava peel, however, it does not compromise the quality of the meat.(AU)

Chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of sugar cane silage enriched with detoxified castor bean meal / Composição químico-bromatológica e características fermentativas de cana-de-açúcar ensilada com farelo de mamona destoxificado

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of detoxified castor bean meal (CM) content on the chemical-bromatological composition, as well as the fermentation characteristics and dry matter losses of sugarcane silage. The treatments consisted of four levels (0, 7, 14 and 21% natural matter) of addition of castor bean meal. The design was completely randomized, with five replicates. The material was ensiled in PVC silos of 50-cm in height and 10-cm in diameter, which were opened after 60 days. The density of fodder maintained in the silos was equal to 750kg of natural matter/m3. In order to quantify the gas and effluent losses, the silos were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. The addition of castor bean meal has increased the levels of DM and crude protein and reduced the levels of neutral detergent fiber, N-NH3, ethanol, and gas and effluent losses from silages, but did not affect pH values. During ensiling, alcoholic fermentation was controlled with the inclusion of the additive.

O experimento foi desenvolvido para avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de níveis de farelo de mamona destoxificado sobre a composição químico-bromatológica, as características fermentativas e as perdas de matéria seca da silagem de cana-de-açúcar. Os tratamentos consistiam em quatro níveis (0, 7, 14 e 21% da matéria natural) de inclusão do farelo de mamona. O delineamento foi inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco repetições. Foram usados silos de PVC, com 50cm de altura e 10cm de diâmetro, para a produção das silagens, que foram abertos após 60 dias. A densidade de forragem nos silos foi correspondente a 750kg de matéria natural/m3. Os silos foram pesados no início e ao final do período experimental para quantificar as perdas por gases e efluentes. A inclusão de farelo de mamona elevou os teores de MS e proteína bruta e reduziu os teores de fibra em detergente neutro, N-NH3, etanol e as perdas por gases e efluentes das silagens, não ocasionando efeito nos valores de pH. A fermentação alcoólica durante a ensilagem foi controlada com a inclusão do aditivo.

Degradabilidade ruminal in situ do sorgo grão em diferentes formas de reconstituição / In situ ruminal degradability of sorghum grain in different forms of reconstruction

Foram utilizadas três vacas não lactantes fistuladas no rúmen com o objetivo de determinar os parâmetros de degradação ruminal in situ da matéria seca (MS) e do amido de grãos de sorgo sob diferentes formas de processamento: 1) Seco e moído (2mm); 2) Seco, moído (3mm), reidratado com aspersão de água sobre o material, e imediatamente ensilado por 30 dias; 3) Seco, inteiro, reidratado por três dias em tubo PVC e, em seguida, moído a 5mm; 4) Seco, inteiro, reidratado por três dias em tubo PVC com aplicação de ar comprimido e, em seguida, moído a 5mm; 5) Seco, inteiro, reidratado por três dias em tubo PVC e, em seguida, moído a 5mm, e ensilado por 30 dias; 6) Seco, inteiro, reidratado por três dias em tubo PVC com aplicação de ar comprimido, moído a 5mm e ensilado por 30 dias. Os teores de proteína bruta, amido, e fibra em detergente neutro (% da MS) variaram de 9,8 a 10,8%; 59,5 a 67,5%; e de 16,1 a 19,3%, respectivamente. Os teores de umidade nos grãos que foram reidratados variaram de 35,8 a 43,9% da MS. A taxa e a extensão de degradação do amido e a degradabilidade potencial da MS foram semelhantes (P>0,05) entre tratamentos. Os grãos de sorgo reidratados com aplicação de ar comprimido, moídos e ensilados (tratamento 6) apresentaram degradabilidade efetiva (DE) da MS e DE do amido sob taxa de passagem ruminal de 2%/h, semelhantes (P>0,05) às observadas para o tratamento 5 (sem aplicação de ar comprimido), e superiores (P<0,05) às dos demais processamentos. Sob taxas de passagem no rúmen de 5 e 8%/h, as DE do amido estimadas para os grãos processados no tratamento 6 foram superiores (P<0,05) às obtidas para os demais tratamentos. O processamento de reidratação por três dias com aplicação de ar comprimido e ensilagem por trinta dias aumentou a degradabilidade efetiva da matéria seca e do amido dos grãos de sorgo, e sua utilização pode ser recomendada para animais em níveis intermediário e elevado de desempenho...

Used three non-lactating cows fistulated in the rumen in order to determine the parameters of in situ ruminal degradation of dry matter (DM) and starch grain sorghum under different forms of processing: 1) Dried and ground (2mm); 2) Dry, crushed (3mm), rehydrated with water spray on the material and immediately ensiled for 30 days, 3) Dry, round, rehydrated for three days in PVC pipe and then crushed to 5mm, 4 ) Dry, full-rehydrated for three days in PVC tube with application of compressed air and then ground to 5mm; 5) Dry, full-rehydrated for three days in PVC pipe and then ground to 5mm, and ensiled for 30 days; 6) Dry, full-rehydrated for three days in PVC tube with application of compressed air, ground to 5mm and ensiled for 30 days. The crude protein, starch, and neutral detergent fiber (% of DM) ranged from 9.8 to 10.8%, 59.5 to 67.5%, and 16.1 to 19.3%, respectively. The moisture in the grains that were rehydrated ranged from 35.8 to 43.9% DM. The rate and extent of starch degradation and the degradability of MS were similar (P>0.05) between treatments. The grain sorghum rehydrated with application of compressed air, ground and ensiled (treatment 6), showed effective degradability (ED) of DM, and DE starch under ruminal passage rate of 2%/h, similar (P>0.05 ) those observed for treating 5 (without application of compressed air) and higher (P<0.05) to the other processing. Under rumen passage rates of 5 and 8%/h, the estimated NDs starch for processed grains in treatment 6 were higher (P<0.05) than those obtained for the other treatments. Processing rehydration for three days with compressed air application and silage for thirty days increased the effective degradability of dry matter and starch grain sorghum, and its use can be recommended for animals in intermediate and high performance...

Contribution of the Ogawa-Kudoh swab culture method to the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the contribution of the Ogawa-Kudoh (O-K) swab culture method to the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in four different regions of Brazil. DESIGN: This study was carried out in two phases. Phase 1 was designed to compare the direct swab culture method (O-K) with the culture concentrated method (N-acetyl-L-cysteine-sodium hydroxide [NALC-NaOH]); for this purpose, 569 sputum samples were cultured by both methods. Phase 2 was carried out to assess the contribution of the O-K method to the diagnosis of PTB in four different regions in Brazil, based on the evaluation of 19,163 sputum samples. RESULTS: In the first phase of the study, O-K culture had a sensitivity of 94.8% and specificity of 99.8% in cases confirmed by NALC-NaOH/Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) culture. In the second phase of the study, the overall contribution of O-K culture compared to acid-fast bacilli (AFB) examination (AFB-/culture+) to the diagnosis of PTB was 29.8%. CONCLUSION: O-K culture contributes significantly to the diagnosis of smear-negative PTB. Importantly, this method allows the recovery of clinical isolates in areas where use of the standard culture centrifuge is impossible, indicating that the O-K swab culture method should become a standard method for TB diagnosis in these regions.

Comportamento ingestivo de vacas em lactação alimentadas com cana-de-açúcar ou feno da parte aérea da mandioca / Ingestive behavior of dairy cows fed sugar cane or cassava aerial portion hay

Avaliou-se o efeito de dietas com cana-de-açúcar ou diferentes porcentagens de inclusão de feno da parte aérea da mandioca (FPAM) sobre o comportamento ingestivo de vacas leiteiras. Utilizaram-se 16 vacas, sendo 12 em lactação e quatro secas, fistuladas, distribuídas em quatro quadrados latinos 4x4. As dietas foram formuladas na tentativa de serem isoenergéticas, com quatro porcentagens de FPAM na dieta 0, 33, 67 e 100% da MS total da dieta, em substituição à cana-de-açúcar tratada com 1% de uma mistura de ureia e sulfato de amônio (9:1 partes). O comportamento ingestivo foi avaliado durante 24 horas consecutivas, sendo as observações efetuadas em intervalos de cinco minutos. Foi observado efeito quadrático (P<0,05) sobre os consumos de matéria seca e fibra em detergente neutro, por dia e por período de alimentação, sobre as atividades de alimentação, ruminação, mastigação e ócio, bem como sobre as eficiências de alimentação e ruminação. Não foi apresentada diferença (P>0,05) para os números e períodos de alimentação e ruminação. A avaliação do comportamento ingestivo constitui ferramenta de mensuração da quantidade e qualidade das dietas consumidas, uma vez que demonstra a resposta ingestiva dos bovinos à dieta fornecida.

The effect of diets containing sugar cane or different percentages of cassava aerial portion hay (FPAM) inclusion on dairy cows ingestion behavior was evaluated. Sixteen cows were used, including twelve lactating and four dry, which were fistulated and divided into four 4 x 4 Latin squares. Diets were formulated in an attempt to be isoenergetic, with four percentages of FPAM in the diet (0, 33, 67 and 100% of diet total DM), replacing the sugar cane treated with 1% of a mixture of urea and ammonium sulfate (9:1 parts). The ingestion behavior was evaluated for 24 consecutive hours, with observations at five minute intervals. A quadratic effect (P<0.05) on dry matter and neutral detergent fiber intake, per day and feeding period, on feeding, ruminating, chewing and idle activities, as well as on feeding and ruminating efficiencies, with no difference (P>0,05) for numbers and periods of feeding and rumination was observed. The ingestion behavior evaluation constitutes a tool for measuring the amount and quality of diets consumed, since it demonstrates their ingestion response by cattle diet provided.

Prognosis of mucinous histology for patients with radically resected stage II and III colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies investigating the prognostic role of mucinous histology of colorectal cancer produced conflicting results. This retrospective analysis was carried out in order to explore whether mucinous adenocarcinoma (MC) is associated with a comparatively worse prognosis than that of nonmucinous adenocarcinoma (NMC) for patients undergoing curative resection for stage II and III colon cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study involved 1025 unselected patients who underwent curative surgery for sporadic colon cancer and follow-up procedures at six different oncology departments. RESULTS: MCs accounted for 17.4% (n=178) of tumours. Patients with MC had 5- and 8-year overall survival rates of 78.6% and 68.8%, respectively, compared with 72.3% and 63.8%, respectively, for patients with nonmucinous tumours. Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model showed that the clinically significant prognostic factors were stage of disease and adjuvant chemotherapy. No statistically significant interaction between mucinous histology and adjuvant chemotherapy was found. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with stage II and III colon cancer who underwent curative surgery, mucinous histology has no significant correlation with prognosis compared with NMC. This retrospective analysis suggests a comparable benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy for MC compared with NMC.

Retreatment with trastuzumab-based therapy after disease progression following lapatinib in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical data suggest that treatment with lapatinib reinduces sensitivity to trastuzumab in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-positive breast cancer cells. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2007 and November 2010, 179 HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients were treated with lapatinib and capecitabine at nine Italian institutions. We evaluated the clinical outcome of 69 patients (38.5%) retreated with trastuzumab after lapatinib progression. RESULTS: Visceral metastases were identified in 51 (74%) and brain metastases in 16 patients (23%). All patients were pretreated with both trastuzumab- and lapatinib-based therapy. We observed with retreatment with trastuzumab-based therapy: 1 complete remission (2%), 18 partial remission (29%) and 10 stable disease ≥6 months (14%) and 47% of clinical benefit (CB). Median duration of response was 8.1 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.5-10.7]. No unexpected toxic effects occurred. At a median follow-up of 13 months, median progression-free survival was 4.9 months (95% CI 4.2-5.6) and overall survival (OS) 19.4 months (95% CI 14.0-25.0). Median OS was longer for patients experiencing CB (not reached versus 13.4 months for patients without CB, P = 0.002). Brain involvement was associated with lower median OS (17.3 versus 23.3 months for patients without brain disease; P = 0.021). CONCLUSION: Retreatment with trastuzumab-based therapy showed CB in 47% of patients progressing during lapatinib-based therapy, leading to a prolonged OS.

Valor nutritivo da cana-de-açúcar adicionada com óxido de cálcio para novilhas Holandês x Zebu / Nutritive value of sugarcane added with calcium oxide in Holstein-Zebu heifers

Foram avaliados os consumos e as digestibilidades aparentes da matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica, proteína bruta e os consumos da matéria seca digestível e dos nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT), em 18 novilhas Holandês x Zebu, distribuídas em blocos ao acaso, alimentadas com cana-de-açúcar acrescida ou não a 1 por cento de óxido de cálcio - na matéria natural - após 24 horas de hidrólise, com diferentes tempos de administração da mistura de ureia e sulfato de amônio - zero e 24 horas antes do fornecimento aos animais. As diferenças entre as médias foram avaliadas por contrastes ortogonais, a 1 por cento de significância. Houve efeito negativo (P<0,01) da adição do óxido de cálcio no consumo de NDT, na digestibilidade aparente da matéria orgânica e na eficiência da utilização do nitrogênio. A administração de ureia no momento da hidrólise causou diminuição no consumo e na digestibilidade aparente da PB. Não houve benefício tanto da inclusão de óxido de cálcio quanto da adição de ureia 24 horas antes do fornecimento aos animais.

We evaluated the intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and intakes of digestible dry matter and total digestible nutrients (TDN) in 18 Holstein-Zebu heifers divided into blocks, fed with diets of sugarcane treated or not with 1 percent in the natural matter of calcium oxide (CaO), after 24 hours of hydrolysis, at different times of administration of the mixture of urea and ammonium sulfate (zero and 24 hours). Differences between means were evaluated by orthogonal contrasts at 1 percent significance. There was a negative effect (P<0.01) to the addition of calcium oxide in TDN intake, apparent digestibility of organic matter and the efficiency of nitrogen utilization. The administration of a mixture of urea and ammonium sulfate at the time of hydrolysis caused a decrease in consumption and apparent digestibility of crude protein. There was no benefit in the inclusion of calcium oxide nor the addition of urea 24 hours before the animal feeding.

Genotoxicity in Oreochromis niloticus (Cichlidae) induced by Microcystis spp bloom extract containing microcystins.

Studies of genotoxicity in fish caused by cyanobacterial extracts containing microcystins (MCs) can be useful in determining their carcinogenic risk due to a genotoxic mechanism. An extract of cyanobacterial Microcystis ssp, containing MC-LR and -LA from a bloom collected in a eutrophic lake, showed genotoxicity to Oreochromis niloticus. DNA damage (comet assay) was significantly induced in peripheral erythrocytes with both tested concentrations of 6.90 µg kg(-1) bw and 13.80 µg kg(-1) bw through intraperitoneal injection (ip). There was no micronucleus induction after ip injection at concentrations of 6.90 µg kg(-1) bw and 13.80 µg kg(-1) bw. Body exposure resulted in micronucleus induction and DNA damage only at the highest tested concentrations of 103.72 µg L(-1). Thus, comet assay and ip injection revealed the highest levels of the genotoxicity of MCs. Apoptosis-necrosis test carried out at concentrations of 6.90 µg kg(-1) bw and 13.80 µg kg(-1) bw revealed that at low concentrations more apoptosis than necrosis occurred. At higher concentrations more necrosis than apoptosis occurred.

Mucinous histology predicts for poor response rate and overall survival of patients with colorectal cancer and treated with first-line oxaliplatin- and/or irinotecan-based chemotherapy.

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of first-line chemotherapy containing irinotecan and/or oxaliplatin in patients with advanced mucinous colorectal cancer. Prognostic factors associated with response rate and survival were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic and/or Cox proportional hazards analyses. The population included 255 patients, of whom 49 (19%) had mucinous and 206 (81%) had non-mucinous colorectal cancer. The overall response rates for mucinous and non-mucinous tumours were 18.4 (95% CI, 7.5-29.2%) and 49% (95% CI, 42.2-55.8%), respectively (P=0.0002). After a median follow-up of 45 months, median overall survival for the mucinous patients was 14.0 months compared with 23.4 months for the non-mucinous group (hazard ratio (HR), 1.74; CI 95%, 1.27-3.31; P=0.0034). After adjustment for significant features by multivariate Cox regression analysis, mucinous histology was associated with poor overall survival (HR, 1.593, 95% CI, 1.05-2.40; P=0.0267), together with performance status ECOG 2, number of metastatic sites > or =2, and peritoneal metastases. This retrospective analysis shows that patients with mucinous colorectal cancer have poor responsiveness to oxaliplatin/irinotecan-based first-line combination chemotherapy and an unfavourable prognosis compared with non-mucinous colorectal cancer patients.

Estimativa de consumo de matéria seca e de fibra em detergente neutro por vacas leiteiras sob pastejo, suplementadas com diferentes quantidades de alimento concentrado / Estimation of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber intake by grazing dairy cows supplemented with different amounts of concentrate

Estimou-se o consumo de matéria seca e de fibra em detergente neutro por vacas leiteiras mestiças em pastejo de gramíneas do gênero Brachiaria. Foram utilizadas 24 vacas em lactação, distribuídas em três tratamentos com oito vacas cada, suplementadas com 4, 6 ou 8kg de matéria natural de alimento concentrado/vaca/dia, no momento da ordenha, duas vezes ao dia. O delineamento utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, sendo oito blocos com três vacas em cada um, cada vaca sendo alimentada com um dos três tratamentos. O consumo de fibra em detergente neutro da gramínea foi de 1,1, 1,0 e 1,2 por cento/peso vivo naquelas vacas suplementadas com 4, 6 e 8kg/vaca/dia, respectivamente, sendo o tratamento com a maior quantidade de suplemento diferente dos demais (P<0,05). O aumento na quantidade da suplementação concentrada também aumentou (P<0,05) o consumo total de matéria seca do alimento volumoso para o maior nível de suplementação, sendo 1,8, 1,8 e 2,0 por cento/peso vivo para 4, 6 e 8kg concentrado/vaca/dia, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que a oferta de quantidades crescentes de alimento concentrado para vacas lactantes em regime de pastejo aumentou o consumo voluntário de matéria seca total e da fibra em detergente neutro do alimento volumoso pastejado.

The intakes of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) by crossbred lactating cows were estimated under Brachiaria grazing. Twenty-four cows were allotted in three treatments in order to receive 4, 6, or 8kg of concentrate twice a day, during the milking. The experiment was designed in randomized blocks, being eight blocks with three cows in each. The intake of NDF was 1.1, 1.0, and 1.2 of live weight for cows fed 4, 6, and 8kg of concentrate per day, respectively. The 8kg concentrate treatment produced different results (P<0.05) from the others. The increase of concentrate supply also increased (P<0.05) the total consumption of pasture dry matter, which were 1.8, 1.8, and 2.0 percent of live weight for cows supplemented with 4, 6, and 8kg of concentrate per day, respectively. It was concluded that high level of concentrate offered to lactating cows under tropical grazing induced a greater intake of total pasture dry matter and NDF, regarding the live weight.

Reproductive cycle of Macrobrachium amazonicum females (Crustacea, Palaemonidae)

Macrobrachium amazonicum is considered a favorite Brazilian species of freshwater prawn for cultivation as a result of its quick development and because it is easy to maintain in captivity. The aim of this work is to describe the sexual cycle stages and determine maturation age of the female M. amazonicum, which was collected monthly from June, 2002 to May, 2003 in the Jaguaribe River, Itaiçaba, Ceará. A monthly sample of water was also collected to determine the following parameters: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and salinity. A monthly sample of females was selected among the individuals caught, to determine the total weight (W T), carapace length (L C) and abdomen+telson length (L A+T) and to register the number of non-ovigerous females (NOF) and ovigerous females (OF). Determining ovarian maturation stages of M. amazonicum was done in a laboratory by observing macroscopic characters such as coloring, size, location and appearance of ovarians examined by transparent carapace. The first maturation age was determined from the relative frequency of the total length (L T) of young and adult females. The environmental parameters of the Jaguaribe River did not hold any influence in the number of individuals collected. A total of 1,337 prawns were sampled, 513 males (38.4 percent) and 824 females (61.6 percent). The proportion between males and females in the studied population was of 1:1.6. Among the collected females, 492 (50.7 percent) did not carry eggs in their abdomens (NOF) and 332 (40.3 percent) carried eggs in their abdomens (OF). There was no record of intact females. Non-ovigerous females with mature ovaries were recorded throughout all the months of collection. The female ovaries were classified as immature (IM), rudimentary (RU), intermediary (IN) and mature (M). M. amazonicum females reach their first sexual maturity between 4.5 and 5.5 cm of total length.

Das espécies de camarão de água doce brasileiras, Macrobrachium amazonicum é a preferida para cultivo, devido ao seu rápido desenvolvimento e fácil manutenção em cativeiro. Este trabalho teve como objetivos caracterizar as fases do ciclo sexual e determinar a idade da primeira maturação de fêmeas de M. amazonicum, coletadas mensalmente, de junho de 2002 a maio de 2003, no Rio Jaguaribe, Itaiçaba, Ceará. Uma amostra de água do local foi coletada mensalmente para determinação dos seguintes parâmetros: temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, pH e salinidade. Do total de indivíduos capturados mensalmente, uma amostra de fêmeas foi selecionada para determinação do peso total (W T), do comprimento do cefalotórax (L C) e do abdômen+telson (L A+T), e para registro de fêmeas não ovígeras (FNO) e ovígeras (FO). A determinação macroscópica dos estágios de maturação ovariana de M. amazonicum foi realizada pela observação da coloração, do tamanho, da posição e da aparência dos ovários observados por transparência da carapaça. A idade da primeira maturação foi determinada a partir da freqüência relativa de comprimento total (L T) de fêmeas jovens e adultas. Os parâmetros ambientais do Rio Jaguaribe não influenciaram no número de indivíduos coletados. Foram amostrados um total de 1.337 camarões, sendo 513 machos (38,4 por cento) e 824 fêmeas (61,6 por cento). A proporção entre machos e fêmeas na população foi de 1:1,6. Entre as fêmeas coletadas, 492 (50,7 por cento) não carregavam ovos no abdômen e 332 (40,3 por cento) carregavam ovos no abdômen. Não foram observadas fêmeas intactas. Foram registradas fêmeas não ovígeras com ovários maduros durante todo o período de coleta. Os ovários das fêmeas foram classificados como: imaturo (IM), rudimentar (RU), intermediário (IN) e maduro (M). Fêmeas de M. amazonicum atingem a primeira maturação sexual com comprimento total variando entre 4,5 e 5,5 cm.

Canopy phenology of a dry forest in western Brazil

Dry forests are common, although highly threatened in the Neotropics. Their ecological processes are mostly influenced by rainfall pattern, hence their cycles exhibit contrasting phases. We studied the phenology of canopy trees in a primary dry forest in Western Brazil in the foothills of the Urucum mountain chain, in order to improve our knowledge on the functioning of these poorly-known forests. Leaf shedding started in the early dry season and was massive in the latter part of this period. Most leaf loss occurred in dry hills, while wet valleys remained evergreen. Anemochorich and autochorich species predominated in dry hills, presumably due to their tolerance to dry conditions and enhanced exposition to winds, which favour diaspores removal and dispersal. Conversely, zoochorich species dominated the wet valleys. Flowering was intense in the late dry season, the driest period of the year, while fruiting was massive just after the onset of rains, as well as flushing. Therefore, most flowering was unrelated to wet conditions, although such an abiotic factor, potentially, triggered the major fruiting episode, widely comprised by zoochorich species. Anemochorich and autochorich species flowered and fruited in the course of the long dry season. The contrasting environmental conditions present in the hills and valleys determine the arrangement of a mosaic in which patches of zoochorich and evergreen trees alternate with patches of non zoochorich and highly deciduous species. Consequently, species with such syndromes exhibited marked flowering and fruiting patterns, accordingly to the pronounced seasonality.

Matas secas neotropicais estão amplamente distribuídas, porém sob elevado risco de desmatamento. Os processos ecológicos nesses ambientes são fortemente influenciados pelo clima, sobretudo o padrão de chuvas, de tal forma que seus ciclos apresentam fases muito contrastantes. Nesse estudo, avaliamos a produção de folhas, flores e frutos em uma mata seca do oeste brasileiro situada no sopé do maciço do Urucum. A perda de folhas teve início no começo da estação seca, mas foi massiva ao final desse período, o mais seco do ano. Espécies decíduas predominaram nas escarpas secas, enquanto as perenifólias foram comuns nos vales úmidos. Nas escarpas, espécies anemo e autocóricas eram muito comuns, potencialmente, por serem mais tolerantes à baixa umidade, bem como favorecidas por ventos mais fortes. Porém, eram raras ou mesmo ausentes nos vales úmidos dominados por espécies zoocóricas. A floração foi intensa, exibindo um pico acentuado ao final da estação seca, seguida de um pronunciado pico de frutificação e produção de folhas com o início das chuvas. Dessa forma, enquanto a floração massiva não foi influenciada pelas chuvas, a frutificação e produção de novas folhas estiveram fortemente relacionadas a esse fator abiótico. As espécies anemo e autocóricas floresceram e frutificaram durante a prolongada estação seca, ao contrário da maioria das zoocóricas. As condições ambientais contrastantes dos vales e escarpas, potencialmente determinam um mosaico em que porções altamente decíduas de mata, com predomínio de espécies anemo e autocóricas, se alternam com outras sempre verdes, dominadas por espécies zoocóricas. Além disso, a forte sazonalidade influencia diferentemente espécies com síndromes de dispersão distintas.

Bagaço de mandioca na ensilagem do capim-elefante: qualidade das silagens e digestibilidade dos nutrientes / Cassava bagasse in elephant grass ensilage: quality of the silage and digestibility of the nutrients

Utilizaram-se 16 novilhas ¾ Holandês-Zebu com idade média de 15 meses e peso médio inicial de 144kg, para avaliar o efeito da adição de diferentes níveis (5; 10; 15 e 20 por cento) de bagaço de mandioca na ensilagem do capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum) sobre a qualidade e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes da dieta. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro dietas contendo, como volumoso, silagem de capim-elefante com quatro diferentes níveis de bagaço de mandioca, mais concentrado balanceado, com quatro repetições por tratamento. Avaliou-se a qualidade das silagens, os consumos de nutrientes das dietas e as digestibilidades dos nutrientes das silagens e das dietas totais. O bagaço de mandioca elevou o teor de matéria seca (MS) da silagem, preservando-a com o pH que variou de 3,85 a 4,07 e a relação N-NH3/NT de 6,2 a 7,85. Os consumos médios diários de MS e proteína bruta (PB) não diferiram entre os tratamentos (P>0,05). Os consumos médios de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) apresentaram comportamento linear decrescente (P<0,05) com o aumento dos níveis de bagaço de mandioca. Não foi detectada diferença entre os tratamentos (P>0,05) na digestibilidade da MS (DMS), da FDN (DFDN) e da FDA (DFDA) das silagens. Os nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) das silagens foram semelhantes em todos os tratamentos. A digestibilidade da PB (DPB), do extrato etéreo (DEE) e dos carboidratos não-fibrosos (DCNF) das silagens decresceu linearmente (P<0,05) com o aumento do nível do bagaço de mandioca nas silagens. Constatou-se que não houve diferença (P>0,05) na DMS, DPB, DFDN, DFDA, DEE, DCNF e NDT entre as dietas experimentais. O nível de adição de 5 por cento de bagaço de mandioca à silagem de capim-elefante é satisfatório para sua preservação, propiciando boa digestibilidade.

Sixteen ¾ Holstein-Zebu heifers aging 15 month-old averaging 144kg were used to evaluate the effect of the additions of different levels of cassava bagasse (5; 10; 15 and 20 percent) to elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum) ensilage on the diet quality and nutrients digestibility. The treatments consisted of four diets containing, as roughage, elephant grass silage with four different levels of cassava bagasse plus balanced concentrate, with four repetitions per treatment. Silages quality, diet nutrients intake and nutrients digestibility of the silages and total diets were evaluated. Cassava bagasse increased the dry matter (DM) content, of the silages preserving them with a pH varying from 3.85 to 4.07 and N-NH3/NT ratio from 6.2 to 7.85. Daily dry matter and crude protein (CP) mean intakes did not differ among the treatments (P>0.05). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) mean intakes showed a decreasing linear behavior (P<0.05) with the increase of cassava bagasse levels. There was no detected difference among the treatments (P>0.05) for DM (DMD), NDF (NDFD) and ADF digestibility (ADFD). The total digestible nutrients (TDN) of the silages were similar in all the treatments. The CP (CPD), ether extract (EED) and non-fiber carbohydrates digestibility (NFCD) of the silages decreased linearly (P<0.05) with the increase of cassava bagasse levels. There was no difference (P>0.05) in DMD, CPD, NDFD, ADFD, EED, NFCD and TDN among the experimental diets. The 5 percent cassava bagasse addition to its elephant grass silage was satisfactory to preservation resulting in good digestibility of the elephant grass silage.

Degradabilidade ruminal da fibra das frações do resíduo industrial de tomate / Ruminal degradability of fiber of tomato industrial residues fractions

Avaliou-se a degradabilidade in situ da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e da fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) das cascas e das sementes inteiras ou moídas (peneira de 2mm) do resíduo industrial de tomate (RIT). Foram utilizados três bovinos adultos, machos, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso com parcelas subdivididas. A solubilidade da FDN apresentou baixos valores para todas as frações estudadas, sendo semelhante entre cascas (3 por cento), sementes inteiras (5 por cento) e resíduo (7 por cento). Sementes moídas apresentaram maior solubilidade da FDN (20 por cento). Os potenciais de degradação da FDN para sementes moídas, RIT, cascas e sementes inteiras foram de 78, 64, 36 e 33 por cento, respectivamente. As taxas de degradação da FDN variaram de 4,4 a 14,8 por cento/h para as diferentes frações do RIT, sendo de 9 por cento/h para o resíduo integral. Os parâmetros de degradação da FDA seguiram a mesma tendência da FDN. Concluiu-se que, apesar de a FDN e a FDA do RIT terem apresentado altas taxas de degradação, o potencial de degradação dessas frações depende do processamento, pois sementes inteiras apresentaram degradabilidades muito inferiores às das sementes moídas.

The in situ procedure was used to evaluate the disappearance of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of skins and whole or grounded (sieve of 2mm) seeds of tomato by-product (TBP). Three steers were used in a split-plot block design. The solubility of NDF showed low values for all the evaluated fractions, been similar among skins (3 percent), whole seeds (5 percent) and total TBP (7 percent). Grounded seeds showed higher NDF solubility (20 percent). The NDF potential degradability for grounded seeds, TBP, skins and whole seed were 78, 64, 63 and 33 percent, respectively. NDF degradability rates varied from 4.4 to 14.8 percent/h for all TBP fractions, been 9 percent/h for total TBP. The ADF parameters followed the same trend as NDF. TBP NDF and ADF showed good degradability rates, but the potential degradability of these fractions depends on the showed processing, since whole seeds NDF and ADF showed degradability much lower than grounded seeds.