Human-edible protein contribution of tropical beef cattle production systems at different levels of intensification.

Sustainable intensification of tropical grasslands has been identified by researchers and stakeholders as a solution to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. However, there are concerns about food security and the role of livestock in feed-food competition between animals and humans involving land and other resources. We aimed to determine the net protein contribution (NPC), a feed-food competitiveness index, of tropical beef cattle raised on extensive systems or finished in pastures or conventional feedlots, under different levels of intensification. We modelled five scenarios, from cow-calf to slaughter, based on common beef cattle practices in Brazil, whose main production system is grazing. Scenario 1 represented the lowest level of intensification and the most extensive system. Scenario 2 represented a moderately extensive system. Scenarios 3, 4, and 5 represented different degrees and practices of intensification, with animals in cow-calf and stocker phases raised solely on well-managed permanent pastures. In Scenario 3, the animals were finished in a feedlot. In Scenarios 4 and 5, all animals in the stocker phase received a protein-energy supplement, but in Scenario 4, animals were finished in a permanent pasture with high-concentrate intake. In Scenario 5, animals were finished in a feedlot. The human-edible protein (heP) conversion efficiency (hePCE) was calculated as the ratio of heP produced (meat) to heP consumed as feed, and the NPC was the product of hePCE using the protein quality ratio, accounting for the digestible indispensable amino acid score content. An hePCE > 1 indicated that meat production did not compete with humans for food, and an NPC > 1 indicated that it contributed positively to meet human requirements. Meat production and heP intake consistently increased with intensification. The greatest hePCE values were from Scenarios 1 (9.2), 2 (2.2), and 3 (1.2), which were essentially pasture-fed systems, compared to Scenarios 4 and 5 (average of 1.0). The NPC varied from 24.1 (Scenario 1) to 2.6 (Scenario 5). The area required to produce 1 kg of carcass decreased from 147 to 45 m2, and the slaughter age decreased from 36 to 21 months from the most extensive to intensive systems. Brazilian beef cattle production contributes positively to the protein requirements of humans without limiting human food supplies. The intensification of tropical grazing beef systems is a key strategy to save land and produce more meat without limiting food for humans, playing an important role in the food security agenda.

Effects of supplementation with corn distillers' dried grains on animal performance, nitrogen balance, and enteric CH4 emissions of young Nellore bulls fed a high-tropical forage diet.

The inclusion of corn-dried distillers' grains (DDG) could be an alternative supplement to increase animal performance, nitrogen efficiency usage (NEU), and decrease enteric methane (CH4) emissions. Our goal was to determine whether DDG could replace a traditional supplement (cottonseed meal) without affecting animal performance, N balance, and CH4 emissions. The experiment was conducted during the forage growing season (December to April), with 15 d adaptation, and a 112 d experimental period. The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments: a mineral supplement (MS), cottonseed meal supplement (CS), 50% replacement of CS by DDG (50DDG), and 100% replacement of CS by DDG (100DDG). Cottonseed meal and DDG were used as protein supplement. A total of 12 paddocks, 3 per treatment, were used to measure forage mass: morphological and chemical composition of forage, forage allowance, and animal performance. Six animals per treatment were used to evaluate DM intake, digestibility, CH4 emissions, microbial protein production (MCP), and NEU of each treatment. Eighty-one Young Nellore bulls (48 testers, 12 per treatments and 33 adjusters) with initial BW of 255 ±â€¯5 kg (10-12 months old) were supplemented with each supplement type at a level of 0.3% of BW. Pasture management was continuous stocking with a variable stocking rate (put-and-take). Enteric CH4 was measured using the gas tracer technique. The MCP was quantified using purine derivatives and the NEU mass balance. No differences were found in nutrient intake (P > 0.228). Individual animal performance and gain per area were higher in the treatments with concentrates compared with that of MS; however, there was no difference among treatments CS, 50DDG, and 100DDG. The ADG was 0.83 for MS and 1.08 kg/animal/d when supplemented (P < 0.05). Gain per hectare was 709 kg/ha for MS and 915 kg/ha when supplemented with concentrates (P < 0.05). There was no difference in CH4 production among treatments that average 180 g/animal/d; however, CH4 per kg of gain was reduced with CS. The CH4 conversion factor averaged 5.91%. There was no difference in the synthesis of MCP and NEU. Corn DDG can replace 100% of cottonseed meal as a protein source for supplementation of young Nellore bulls grazing in tropical pastures without affecting animal performance, NEU, MCP, and CH4 emissions.

Hyperbaric oxygen for radiation-induced cystitis: A long-term follow-up. / Oxígeno hiperbárico para la cistitis inducida por radioterapia: un seguimiento a largo plazo.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Bladder complications may be seen in up to 12% of patients treated with pelvic irradiation. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an option for the management of radiation-induced hemorrhagic cystitis (RIHC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of HBOT in radiation cystitis and to identify the predictive factors for a successful outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 105 patients diagnosed with RIHC which were treated with HBOT between 2007 and 2016 in our institution. Patients received 100% oxygen in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber at 2.4atm for 80minutes. All patients fulfilled a questionnaire documenting symptom severity pre-HBOT and at the end of the follow-up period. RESULTS: After a median of 40 HBOT sessions, there was success rate of 92,4% in the control of hematuria. During our follow-up period (median of 63 months) 24,7% patients presented with recurrence of hematuria. The mean score of the questionnaire-assessed variables: dysuria, urinary frequency and hematuria, was significantly lower after the follow-up period (P<.05). Our data shows that the sooner HBOT is delivered after the first episode of hematuria, better response rates are achieved and lower recurrences concerning hematuria were registered (P<.05). No serious complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the safety and long-term benefits of HBOT on RIHC and other distressful bladder symptoms, which represents an expected improvement of quality of life in our patients.

Injuries to the Stomatognathic System in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Athletes.

As a contact sport, Brazilian jiu-jitsu requires the fighter to expose his/her stomatognathic system to the adversary, making him/her more susceptible to oral and maxillofacial injuries and disorders. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of injuries and disorders of the stomatognathic system and associated factors among practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. A total of 179 athletes were interviewed and submitted to a physical examination. The majority was male, in the beginner category and had participated in competitions. Athletes with more experience had a higher frequency of orofacial injuries (PR = 1.77; 95% CI: 1.01-1.38), such as oral mucous lacerations and skin abrasions in the facial region, which mainly occurred during training sessions. A mouthguard is not mandatory for the sport and many athletes (both beginners and more experienced athletes) do not use one due to difficulty breathing with the device. A prefabricated (type II) mouthguard was the most common among the athletes who used this equipment, although it does not offer adequate protection. Athletes on more advanced levels wore mouthguards significantly more often (PR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.11-2.45). In conclusion, more experienced jiu-jitsu athletes had a higher frequency of orofacial injuries, such as lacerations and abrasions, and are more likely to wear a mouthguard. However, longitudinal studies are needed in order to assess the possible causes and risks.

First Report of Rhizoctonia solani AG-1-IB Causing Leaf Blight of Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) in Brazil.

Rumex acetosa L., common name sorrel (in Brazil, azedinha), is an herb from Europe and Asia commonly used either as a vegetable or a medicinal plant (1). No pathogen has been recorded on this plant species in Brazil, where it has been promoted as an alternative vegetable crop. During a routine inspection of a vegetable garden in the campus of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Viçosa, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil) in July 2011, a group of sorrel plants were found bearing blight symptoms. Infected leaves had laminae with soaked irregular necrotic areas and infected petioles had reddish lesions. Healthy leaves touched by neighboring blighted leaves became diseased. A mycelial web was always associated with necrotic tissues. A representative specimen was collected, dried in a plant press, and deposited in the local herbarium (VIC 39063). Pure cultures were obtained through direct transfer of mycelium to PDA plates and deposited in the culture collection at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa - Coleção Oswaldo Almeida Drummond (COAD 1265). Slides containing fungal structures were mounted in lactophenol and observed under a microscope (Olympus BX 51). The fungus had the following morphology: mycelium superficial, either filiform or monilioid and constricted at septae, 6 to 10 µm diameter, often branching at right angles or nearly so, typically bearing a septum at branches near the branching point. Additionally, large, poorly differentiated, dirty white sclerotia were formed in older cultures. When mounted in DAPI, 7-day-old mycelium was seen to bear 5 to 13 nuclei per cell. These characteristics suggested that the fungus was Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn (RS). Anastomosis group (AG) was determined by sequencing the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region using primers ITS5 and ITS4 (4). A BLAST search revealed that the sequence (GenBank Accession No. KC887353) had 96% sequence identity with RS AG-1-IB GenBank accessions JN426850.1, GU596491.1, JQ692292.1, and JQ692291.1. Pathogenicity of the isolate obtained from sorrel was tested by inoculating four healthy individuals with culture plugs taken from the margin of actively growing cultures on V8 juice agar. Inoculated plants were placed in a dew chamber for 48 h and later transferred to the bench of a greenhouse. Necrosis appeared on all inoculated plants 2 days after inoculation, developing into severe blight after 7 days. RS was isolated from infected tissues. RS AG-1-IB is known as a broad host-range plant pathogen (3). This is its first report as a pathogen of sorrel in Brazil. The sole other published record of this disease on sorrel is from the United States (2). References: (1) N. R. Madeira et al. Hortic. Brasil. 26:428, 2008. (2) G. L. Peltier. Parasitic rhizoctonias in America. University of Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station, 1915. (3) B. Sneh, L. Burpee, and A. Ogoshi. Identification of Rhizoctonia species. APS Press, St Paul, MN, 1991. (4) T. J. White et al. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. M. A. Innis et al., eds. Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1990.

Atividade antibacteriana de Óleos Essenciais sobre Streptococcus mutans e Staphylococcus aureus / Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oils against Strains of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a ação antimicrobiana in vitro dos óleos essenciais de Ocimum basilicum (Manjericão Exótico), Thymus vulgaris (Tomilho Branco), e de Cinnamomum cassia (Canela da China) sobre cepas bacterianas de Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175) e Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923). A atividade antibacteriana dos óleos essenciais foi determinada pela Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) e a Concentração Bactericida Mínima (CBM) através da técnica de microdiluição e do esgotamento. Para a CIM, foram utilizadas placas de 96 poços e inseriu-se 100µL de caldo BHI, 100µL da diluição dos óleos essenciais no primeiro poço e 10µL da suspensão bacteriana (1,5x10(6) microrganismos/mL). Realizou-se a diluição seriada partindo-se da concentração inicial de 8% até 0,0625%. A CIM correspondeu à última diluição na qual não foi verificada a presença de bactérias. Para obter a CBM, realizou-se a semeadura em Ágar Miller-Hinton das diluições correspondentes a CIM, 2CIM e 4CIM. As placas foram incubadas a 37º C em estufa bacteriológica por 24 horas. Os testes foram realizados em triplicata tendo a clorexidina como controle positivo. Para S. aureus (ATCC 25923) a CIM e CBM dos óleos essenciais de C. cassia, O. basilicum e T. vulgaris foram 0,0625%, 4% e 0,0625%, respectivamente. Para S. mutans a CIM e a CBM dos óleos essenciais de C. cassia e T. vulgaris foram 0,125% e 0,25%, respectivamente. Já a CIM do O. basilicum foi 4% e não apresentou ação bactericida. Conclui-se que os óleos essenciais avaliados apresentaram ação antibacteriana frente a cepas de S. mutans e S. aureus, sendo que os menores valores de CIM e de CBM foram provenientes dos óleos de C. cassia e T. vulgaris.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Ocimum basilicum (basil), Thymus vulgaris (thyme) and Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cinnamon) against strains of Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923). The antibacterial activity of the essential oils was determined by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). The MIC was obtained by the microdilution technique using 96-well microplates, in which we inserted: 100µL of Brain Heart Infusion broth at double concentration, 100µL of the dilution of the essential oils and 10µL of bacterial suspension (1.5 x 10(6) organisms / mL). The products were diluted from the initial concentration of 8% up to 0.0625%. The MIC corresponded to the last dilution in which there was no presence of bacteria or turbidity in the culture medium. The MBC was obtained by seeding, in Mueller-Hinton agar, 10µL aliquots of dilutions corresponding to the MIC and the two immediately preceding ones (2MIC and 4MIC). The plates were incubated at 37°C in a bacteriological incubator for 24 hours. The tests were performed in triplicate, and 2% Chlorhexidine Digluconate was the control product. For S. aureus, the MIC and MBC of the essential oils of C. cassia, O. basilicum and T. vulgaris were 0.0625%, 0.0625% and 4%, respectively. For S. mutans, the MIC and MBC of the essential oils of C. cassia and T. vulgaris were 0.125% and 0.25%, respectively. The MIC of O. basilicum against S. mutans was 4% and the essential oil showed no bactericidal action. Chlorhexidine Digluconate presented antibacterial activity against all organisms. The evaluated essential oils presented antibacterial activity against the strains of S. mutans and S. aureus, and we highlight the essential oils from C. cassia and T. vulgaris with the lowest MIC and MBC.

Prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex in schizophrenia remains stable with short-term quetiapine.

PURPOSE: To study the short-term effect of treatment with quetiapine on prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficits of the startle reflex in schizophrenia patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using PPI, we studied a group of 21 schizophrenia patients and 16 controls. Seventeen of the patients were re-tested with PPI after 21 days of treatment with quetiapine. RESULTS: At baseline, an almost significant decrease in PPI was found in the patients as compared to the controls. PPI measurements did not change in the patients after 21 days of treatment with quetiapine, despite their clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that short-term quetiapine treatment may not modify PPI measures in schizophrenia patients.

Representing nursing knowledge on maternal and neonatal health: a study on the cultural suitability of ICNP®.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the representation of knowledge among nurses and midwives in a maternal and obstetrics setting, in a hospital in northern Portugal. The research had two main objectives: to contribute to the identification and definition of concepts that represent nursing knowledge in obstetrics and to participate in the validation of the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP)®. METHODS: Using a qualitative approach, the study was designed in three phases. The first phase aimed to identify the terms and expressions used by nurses in nursing documentation and oral report, using document analysis, observation and interview as data collection methods. The second phase intended to determine which terms and expressions corresponded to ICNP® concepts. The third phase aimed to analyse the definition of some ICNP® concepts. In both the second and third phases, a consensus approach was used based on the Delphi Technique. ICNP® concepts were identified from the words and expressions used by nurses and midwives to describe their practice. RESULTS: The results of this study suggested modifications on some ICNP® concept definitions, namely burping, bonding, mother-child attachment, infant sucking, false labour pain, aborting, and uterine contraction; and the inclusion of specific characteristics in others, i.e. uterine expulsion, breast engorgement, colic, and hunger. New ICNP® concepts were also suggested, specifically mother-foetal attachment, uterine contraction after labour, pain after labour and foetal well-being. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed that ICNP® is an important instrument to identify the concepts needed to describe mother and child needs during the perinatal period.

Adoptive T-cell therapy for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: preclinical studies.

We have previously shown that leukemia-specific cytotoxic T cells (CTL) can be generated from the bone marrow of most patients with B-cell precursor acute leukemias. If these antileukemia CTL are to be used for adoptive immunotherapy, they must have the capability to circulate, migrate through endothelium, home to the bone marrow, and, most importantly, lyse the leukemic cells in a leukemia-permissive bone marrow microenvironment. We demonstrate here that such antileukemia T-cell lines are overwhelmingly CD8(+) and exhibit an activated phenotype. Using a transendothelial chemotaxis assay with human endothelial cells, we observed that these T cells can be recruited and transmigrate through vascular and bone marrow endothelium and that these transmigrated cells preserve their capacity to lyse leukemic cells. Additionally, these antileukemia T-cell lines are capable of adhering to autologous stromal cell layers. Finally, autologous antileukemia CTL specifically lyse leukemic cells even in the presence of autologous marrow stroma. Importantly, these antileukemia T-cell lines do not lyse autologous stromal cells. Thus, the capacity to generate anti-leukemia-specific T-cell lines coupled with the present findings that such cells can migrate, adhere, and function in the presence of the marrow microenvironment enable the development of clinical studies of adoptive transfer of antileukemia CTL for the treatment of ALL.

Galactomannan from the seeds of Mimosa scabrella: a scale-up process.

In view of the wide industrial applications of galactomannans as a thickening agent, those of Mimosa scabrella (bracatinga), a leguminous tree abundant in Southern Brazil, are under investigation. Seeds of bracatinga were processed on a pilot plant scale in order to obtain its galactomannan. The process consisted of successive milling, enzyme inactivation, aqueous extraction, precipitation of polysaccharide, and drying and milling. The product was obtained in 20% yield, with characteristics similar to those obtained on the laboratory scale, namely mannose:galactose ratio (M:G) 1.1:1.0 and intrinsic viscosity. Considering the seed availability in the metropolitan regions of Curitiba, it should be possible to obtain 3000 ton/year of this polysaccharide.

Ciprofloxacina em exacerbaçoes da doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica-estudo multicêntrico / Ciprofloxacin in exarcebations of chronic obstrutive pulmonary disease(COPD)

O efeito da ciprofloxacina em pacientes com exacerbaçaoda doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) foi estudado num ensaio aberto, prospectivo, conduzido em oito centros do Brasil. Setenta e seis pacientes com exacerbaçao aguda purulenta, associada a piora da dispnéia, foram tratados com ciprofloxacina 500 mg, duas vezes ao dia, por sete a dez dias(x=8,2). O VEF1 era de 1,20 / + - 0,50 /. O escarro de 51 pacientes revelou um número significativo de bactérias e polimorfonucleares. Pelo gram, os patógenos predominantes sugeridos foram S.pneumoniae(33 por cento), bacilos gram negativos(22 por cento), M. catarrhalis(18 por cento) e H. influenzae(16 por cento). Avaliaçao clínica e bacteriológica foi repetidaapós 7, 10 e 21 dias da avaliaçao inicial. Sucesso clínico (desaparecimento ou melhora acentuada dos sintomas e sinais) foi observada em 80 por cento dos pacientes. O número de bactérias foi reduzido no escarro em 86 por cento dos casos. Efeitos adversos relacionados ao tratamento foram relatados por 17 por cento dos pacientes. A ciprofloxacina oral é um tratamento efetivo para exacerbaçoes agudasde DPOC.

Disturbios hidreletroliticos agudos em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Casuistica e protocolo terapeutico. / Acute water-electrolyte disorders in Intensive Care Unit. Case study and therapeutic record

Os autores apresentam a casuistica e o protocolo terapeutico adotado na UTI do Pronto-Socorro Infantil Sabara, frente aos disturbios hidreletroliticos agudos. Sao ressaltados os passos fundamentais da correcao desses disturbios e a importancia da utilizacao correta do protocolo terapeutico