Impact of 48-h water and feed deprivation and hydroxychloride sources of copper and zinc on the metabolism and performance of grazing Nellore cattle during the dry period.

Procedures such as transport and marketing can subject animals to water and feed deprivation and impair animal health and performance. Maintaining the mineral status of animals under these conditions can bring benefits to health and performance. The use of hydroxychloride mineral sources can improve mineral status, nutrient digestibility and performance. Two studies were conducted to investigate how the supplementation of 02 trace mineral sources of Cu and Zn and 48-hour water/feed deprivation would affect the performance and metabolism of grass-fed beef cattle. In the first study, 20 castrated and rumen-canulated Nellore steers (BW = 350 ±â€¯132 kg; 20 m) were distributed in individual pens, in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: supplemental Cu and Zn sources from inorganic vs hydroxychloride (HTM) and 48-hours deprivation (WFD) vs unrestricted (WFU) access to water and feed. The 57d of study was divided into two periods: (1) Adaptation from -21d to -1d and (2) evaluation from 0d to 36d. Interaction between deprivation × period was detected (P < 0.05) for digestibility of DM (DMD), organic matter (OMD), neutral detergent fiber (NDFD), and acid detergent fiber (ADFD). Deprivation increased DMD, OMD, NDFD, and ADFD immediately after the deprivation period (3-5d), but impaired digestibility at longer periods such as 11-13d and 32-34d. DM (DMI) and nutrient intake (P = 0.075), as well as NDFD were higher in HTM. Several ruminal parameters were affected by deprivation: short-chain fatty acids concentration decreased, while rumen pH increased (deprivation × time; P < 0.05); decreased propionate, butyrate and increased isobutyrate, isovalerate, and valerate in WFD (deprivation × time; P < 0.05), respectively. In the second study, eighty-four intact Nellore males (BW = 260 ±â€¯35 kg) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu paddocks for 131d in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Liver Cu was higher in WFU/HTM animals (mineral × deprivation; P < 0.05). Interaction between deprivation × period (P < 0.05) was detected for BW and average daily gain (ADG). On 2d and 12d after deprivation, WFD increased ADG and recovered the BW lost. In conclusion, water and feed deprivation imposed in these trials were able to impact several nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation parameters in short- and long-term. Performance was not affected by the studied factors. Furthermore, supplementation with sources of Cu and Zn hydroxychloride increased Cu in the liver and tended to increase DMI and NDFD.

Alveolar hemorrhage: distinct features of juvenile and adult onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

We compared outcomes of alveolar hemorrhage (AH) in juvenile (JSLE) and adult onset SLE (ASLE). From 263 JSLE and 1522 ASLE, the AH occurred in 13 (4.9%) and 15 (1.0%) patients, respectively (p < .001). Both groups had comparable disease duration (2.6 ± 3.0 vs. 5.6 ± 7.0 years, p = .151) and median SLEDAI scores [17.5 (2 to 32) vs. 17.5 (3 to 28), p = 1.000]. At AH onset, a higher frequency of JSLE were already on a high prednisone dose ( > 0.5 mg/kg/day) compared to ASLE (54% vs. 15%, p = .042). The mean drop of hemoglobin was significantly lower in JSLE (2.9 ± 0.9 vs. 5.5 ± 2.9 g/dL, p = .006). Although treatments with methylprednisolone, plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin and cyclophosphamide were similar in both groups (p > .050), regarding outcomes, there was a trend in high frequency of mechanical ventilation use (85% vs. 47%, p = .055) and also significant mortality (69% vs. 13%, p = .006) in JSLE compared to ASLE. The sepsis frequency was comparable in both groups (50% vs. 27%, p = .433). We have identified that AH in JSLE has a worse outcome most likely related to respiratory failure. The AH onset in JSLE already treated with high-dose steroids raises the concern of inadequate response to this treatment and reinforces the recommendation of early aggressive alternative therapies in this group of patients.

Effects of rumen-protected polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on performance and physiological responses of growing cattle after transportation and feedlot entry.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of rumen-protected PUFA supplementation on performance and inflammation measures in beef calves after truck transportation and feedyard entry. In Exp. 1, 30 weaned Braford steers (BW = 218 ± 4.3 kg) were transported for 1,600 km over a 24-h period in a commercial trailer and delivered to a feedlot (d 0). Upon arrival (d 1), steers were stratified by BW and allocated to receive 1 of 3 treatments (10 steers/treatment), which consisted of grain-based concentrates without supplemental fat (NF), or with the inclusion of a rumen-protected SFA (SF; 2.1% as-fed basis) or PUFA source (PF; 2.5% as-fed basis). Shrunk BW was determined on d 1 and 30 for ADG calculation. Individual DMI was recorded from d 2 to 28. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 1, 4, 8, 15, 22, and 29 for determination of acute-phase protein concentrations. Steers fed PF had decreased (P = 0.04) mean DMI and tended to have reduced ADG (P = 0.07) compared with NF-fed steers (2.32 vs. 2.72% of BW, and 0.78 vs. 1.07 kg/d, respectively). No other treatment effects were detected. In Exp. 2, 48 weaned Brahman-crossbred heifers (BW = 276 ± 4.6 kg) were stratified by initial BW and randomly allocated to 6 pastures (8 heifers/pasture) before transportation (d -30 to 0). Pastures were randomly assigned (3 pastures/treatment) to receive (DM basis) 3.0 kg/heifer daily of NF, or 2.5 kg/heifer daily of a concentrate containing 5.7% (as-fed basis) of a rumen-protected PUFA source (PF). On d 0, heifers were transported as in Exp. 1. Upon arrival (d 1), 24 heifers were randomly selected (12 heifers/treatment), placed into individual feeding pens, and assigned the same pretransport treatment. Shrunk BW was recorded on d -30, 1, and 30 to determine ADG. Individual DMI was recorded daily from d 2 to 28. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 1, 4, 8, 15, 22, and 29 for determination of acute-phase protein concentrations. A treatment × day interaction was detected for haptoglobin (P < 0.01) because PF-fed heifers had decreased haptoglobin concentrations compared with NF-fed heifers on d 1, 4, and 8. No other treatment effects were detected. Data from this study indicate that PUFA reduces haptoglobin concentrations in beef calves after transport and feedlot entry when supplemented before and after transportation. Further, PUFA supplementation during the feedyard only appears to negatively affect cattle performance by decreasing ADG and DMI.

Effect of source of supplemental selenium on uterine health and embryo quality in high-producing dairy cows.

Lactating Holstein cows (n=135) were randomly assigned to one of the two sources of supplemental selenium (Se), sodium selenite (SS) or Se yeast (SY), fed at 0.3mg/kg diet dry matter from 25 d before calving to 70 d in milk (DIM), in diets not suboptimal in basal Se concentrations. Cows were evaluated for health daily in the first 10 DIM, and uterine cytology of the previously gravid uterine horn was assessed at 30 DIM. The Ovsynch protocol was initiated at 42 DIM; ovarian responses to hormonal treatments were evaluated by ultrasonography. The uteri of cows were flushed 6d after timed AI for collection of embryos and oocytes. Plasma concentrations of Se and progesterone were measured throughout the postpartum period and during the reproductive protocol, respectively, and plasma glutathione peroxidase activity was determined 6d after AI. Concentrations of Se in pre- and postpartum diets ranged from 0.43 to 0.56 mg/kg of dry matter. Incidence of retained placenta, fever, ketosis, mastitis, acute puerperal metritis, clinical endometritis, and subclinical endometritis were not significantly different between treatments. There were no differences between groups in concentrations of Se and progesterone or glutathione peroxidase activity in plasma. Treatment did not influence ovarian responses to the synchronization protocol, fertilization rate, number of blastomeres and live blastomeres, or proportions of grades 1 and 2, degenerated, and degenerated-unfertilized embryos/oocytes. Odds of subclinical endometritis on Day 30 postpartum more than doubled in cows with fever of unknown origin or acute puerperal metritis in the first 10 DIM. Fertilization rate tended to be reduced in cows with subclinical endometritis. In summary, replacing SS with an organic source of Se in diets not suboptimal in basal Se concentrations did not improve Se status, uterine health, fertilization, or embryo quality in early lactation dairy cows.

Effects of supplementation frequency on performance, reproductive, and metabolic responses of Brahman-crossbred females.

Two experiments were conducted to compare performance and metabolic responses of beef females consuming low-quality forages and offered an energy supplement based on fibrous byproducts daily (S7) or 3 times per week (S3) at similar weekly rates. In Exp. 1, BW gain, reproductive performance, mRNA expression of hepatic and skeletal muscle genes associated with nutritional metabolism and growth, and concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), plasma glucose, insulin, and IGF-I were assessed in 56 Brahman x Angus heifers supplemented at a daily rate of 1.0% of BW. Mean BW gain was greater (P = 0.03) for S7 compared with S3 heifers. Treatment x sampling day interactions were detected (P < 0.01) for all blood measurements. Heifers provided S7 had less daily variation in concentrations of BUN, glucose, and insulin, and frequently had greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of IGF-I compared with S3 heifers. Expression of liver IGF-I mRNA was greater (P = 0.04) for S7 heifers compared with S3 heifers. Treatment x day interactions were detected (P

Euterpe Olerácea (Açaí) as an alternative oral contrast agent in MRI of the gastrointestinal system: preliminary results.

Using contrast agents is a common practice in medical imaging protocols. Paramagnetic properties of certain compounds present in contrast agents can affect magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signals. For abdominal applications, they are usually injected, but may also be administered orally. However, their use as a routine technique is limited, mainly due to the lack of appropriate oral contrast agents. We herein present the preliminary characterization and results for implementation of Euterpe Olerácea (popularly named Açaí) as a possible clinical oral contrast agent for MRI of the gastrointestinal tract. The pulp of Açaí, a fruit from the Amazon area, presented an increase in T(1)-weighted MRI signal, equivalent to that of gadolinium-diethyltriamine pentaacetic acid, and a decrease in T(2)-weighted images. We looked for intrinsic properties that could be responsible for the T(1) signal enhancement and T(2) opacification. Atomic absorption spectra revealed the presence of Fe, Mn and Cu ions in Açai. The presence of such ions contribute to the susceptometric value found of chi = -4.83 x 10(-6). This finding assents with the hypothesis that image contrast changes were due to the presence of paramagnetic material. The first measurements in vivo demonstrate a clear increase of contrast, in T(1)-weighted images, due to the presence of Açaí. Consistently, the opacification in a T(2)-weighted acquisition was evident, revealing a good contrast on bowel walls of gastric tissues.