Effect of the inoculation of sugarcane silage with Lactobacillus hilgardii and Lactobacillus buchneri on feeding behavior and milk yield of dairy cows.

Despite its low NDF digestibility, sugarcane is an option for feeding dairy cattle in tropical regions. We evaluated the effect of sugarcane silages inoculated with CCMA 0170 (LH; an epiphytic bacteria isolated from sugarcane) or with NCIMB 40788 (LB; a commercial strain isolated from temperate grasses) on dairy cow performance and feeding behavior. The microbial inoculums were previously grown in the laboratory to obtain 5 log cfu/g of fresh forage. Nine tons of each inoculated silage and a noninoculated control silage (CON) were harvested from the same field and stored for at least 35 d in experimental 20 × 2.1 × 0.4 m bunker silos. Fifteen Holstein cows in late lactation (336 ± 175 days in milk at the start of the experiment) received the treatments in five 3 × 3 Latin squares with 21-d periods. The diets contained 20% of DM of sugarcane silage and 41% of DM of corn silage. Milk yield was increased from 18.0 kg/d for CON to18.8 kg/d for LH, but LB did not elicit a detectable increase in milk yield (18.1 kg/d). The daily yields of fat, protein, lactose, and total solids were increased by LH. Daily DMI and total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients did not differ among treatments. Both inoculated silages reduced acetate and increased butyrate proportions in ruminal VFA, but only LH silage reduced the acetate to propionate ratio (3.0 vs 3.3). First meal duration was shorter for CON compared to LH and LB. The proportion of daily intake between 0700 and 1300 h tended to be increased, and the proportion between 1900 and 0700 h was reduced by LH. The inoculation of sugarcane silage with affected rumen fermentation profile and feeding behavior of late lactation dairy cows, increasing the yield of milk solids.

Corn silage from corn treated with foliar fungicide and performance of Holstein cows.

Foliar fungicide application to corn plants is used in corn aimed for corn silage in the dairy industry, but questions regarding frequency of application and its effect on corn silage quality and feed conversion when fed to dairy cows remain prevalent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of various foliar fungicide applications to corn on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, and milk composition when fed to dairy cows. Sixty-four Holstein cows with parity 2.5±1.5, 653±80kg of body weight, and 161±51d in milk were blocked and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 corn silage treatments (total mixed ration with 35% of the dry matter as corn silage). Treatments were as follows: control (CON), corn silage with no applications of foliar fungicide; treatment 1 (1X), corn silage from corn that received 1 application of pyraclostrobin (PYR) foliar fungicide (Headline; BASF Corp.) at corn vegetative stage 5; treatment 2 (2X), corn silage from corn that received the same application as 1X plus another application of a mixture of PYR and metconazole (Headline AMP; BASF Corp.) at corn reproductive stage 1 ("silking"); and treatment 3 (3X), corn silage from corn that received the same applications as 2X as well as a third application of PYR and metconazole at reproductive stage 3 ("milky kernel"). Corn was harvested at about 32% dry matter and 3/4 milk line stage of kernel development and ensiled for 200d. Treatments were fed to cows for 5wk, with the last week being used for statistical inferences. Week -1 was used as a covariate in the statistical analysis. Dry matter intake tended to be lower for cows fed corn silage treated with fungicide than CON (23.8, 23.0, 19.5, and 21.3kg for CON, 1X, 2X, and 3X, respectively). A linear treatment effect for DMI was observed, with DMI decreasing as foliar fungicide applications increased. Treatments CON, 1X, 2X, and 3X did not differ for milk yield (34.5, 34.5, 34.2, and 34.4kg/d, respectively); however, a trend for increased feed conversion represented by fat-corrected milk/DMI (1.65 vs. 1.47) and energy-corrected milk/DMI (1.60 vs. 1.43) was noted for cows fed corn silage with fungicide compared with CON. In conclusion, cows receiving corn silage treated with foliar fungicide had better conversion of feed dry matter to milk than those receiving CON silage.

Despalha da cana-de-açúcar e desempenho de novilhas e vacas leiteiras / Deleafed sugarcane and performance of heifers and dairy cows

Dois experimentos avaliaram a resposta em ganho de peso de novilhas e a produção de leite de vacas à remoção de folhas apicais e laterais da cana-de-açúcar. Em ambos, os animais foram alimentados individualmente em confinamento total. No Experimento 1, 32 novilhas Girolando (295±45kg de peso vivo) foram blocadas em pares e alocadas a um tratamento por 42 dias, após um período de padronização de 14 dias. Os tratamentos foram: cana integral ou despalhada. O peso vivo e o consumo foram mensurados ao longo do tempo. Os teores de ingredientes e nutrientes na matéria seca (MS) das dietas foram 77,1% de cana, 19,2% de farelo de soja, 1% de ureia, 14,1% de proteína bruta (PB) e 38,8% de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) na cana despalhada, e 78,6%, 17,9%, 0,9%, 13,7% e 45,3% na cana integral, respectivamente. O ganho diário de peso foi 1,395kg na cana despalhada e 1,125kg na integral (P=0,05). Não houve efeito de tratamento sobre o consumo de MS (P=0,78). A despalha aumentou a taxa de ingestão de alimento (P=0,04) e o consumo diário de matéria orgânica não FDN digestível (P=0,03). No Experimento 2, 14 vacas Holandesas (256±124 dias em lactação) foram blocadas em pares e alocadas a uma sequência dos dois tratamentos em delineamento de reversão simples, com períodos de 21 dias e mensuração da resposta na terceira semana. A dieta com cana despalhada teve 18,4% de cana na MS, 37,6% de silagem de milho, 44% de concentrado baseado em milho, polpa cítrica e farelo de soja, 17,3% de PB e 32,9% de FDN, enquanto a dieta com cana integral teve 18,2%, 37,7%, 44,1%, 16,6% e 34,7%, respectivamente. A despalha tendeu a aumentar a digestibilidade da MS (P=0,06) e o consumo diário de matéria orgânica digestível (P=0,10), sem afetar a produção de leite (18,4kg, P=0,65)....

Two experiments evaluated the responses in weight gain of heifers and milk yield of cows to the removal of the apical and lateral leaves of sugarcane. In both the animals were individually fed in total confinement. In Experiment 1, 32 Holstein x Gir heifers (295±45kg of body weight) were paired, blocked and allocated to a treatment for 42 days, following a 14-day standardization period. Treatments were whole or deleafed sugarcane. Body weight and intake were measured over time. The content of ingredients and nutrients in diets dry matter (DM) were 77.1% sugarcane, 19.2% soybean meal, 1% urea, 14.1% crude protein (CP), and 38.8% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) for deleafed sugarcane, and 78.6%, 17.9%, 0.9%, 13.7%, and 45.3% for whole sugarcane, respectively. Daily weight gain was 1.395kg for deleafed and 1.125kg for whole sugarcane (P=0.05). There was no treatment effect on DM intake (P=0.78). Leaf removal increased the rate of feed intake (P=0.04) and the daily intake of digestible non-NDF organic matter (P=0.03). In Experiment 2, 14 Holsteins (256±124 days of lactation) were paired blocked and allocated to a sequence of two treatments in a cross - over design, with 21 - day periods, and measurement of the response on the third week. The deleafed sugarcane diet had 18.4% sugarcane in DM, 37.6% corn silage, 44% corn, citrus pulp, soybean meal based concentrate, 17.3% CP, and 32.9% NDF, while the whole sugarcane diet had 18.2%, 37.7%, 44.1%, 16.6%, and 34.7%, respectivel y. Deleafing tended to increase DM digestibility (P=0.06) and the daily intake of digestible organic matter (P=0.10), without affecting milk yield (18.4kg, P=0.65). Deleafing s ugarcane increased the weight gain of heifers consuming a high proportion of sug arcane in the diet, but this practice did not induce a positive performance response in late lactating cows consuming 18% sugarcane in the diet.

Use of rhBMP-2 to reconstruct a severely atrophic mandible: a modified approach.

This study reports the case of a patient with a severely resorbed mandible who was treated without a bone graft, using short implants, internal rigid fixation, rhBMP-2 and ß-tricalcium phosphate. A 76-year-old woman, with a severely resorbed mandible (less than 3mm), reported a history of nearly 25 years of complete edentulism and consecutive treatment failures, with total bilateral exposed inferior alveolar nerves and complete bone resorption of the inferior border in some areas. The treatment of choice was the placement of a 2.0mm thick unilock bone plate (MatrixMandible, Synthes Maxillofacial, Paoli, PA, USA), to reinforce the mandible. Eight short implants with a regular platform (Nobel Biocare, Goteborg, Sweden) were placed: three on the external oblique line on both sides and two on the symphysis. In order to augment mandible height and coat the exposed thread of the anterior implants, rhBMP-2 (Infuse Bone, Meditronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN, USA) and ß-tricalcium phosphate (Cerasorb; Curasan, Kleinostheim, Germany) were used. Four 1.3 mmL miniplates were placed to support the graft. 14 months after surgery, the patient was satisfied and had excellent function without complications.

Resposta de vacas leiteiras à substituição parcial de farelo de soja por ureia encapsulada / Response of lactating cows to the partial replacement of soybean meal by encapsulated urea

Avaliou-se a substituição parcial de farelo de soja na dieta-controle por ureia encapsulada ou por ureia, ambos acrescidos de polpa cítrica. Dezoito vacas foram alocadas a uma sequência de três tratamentos, em seis quadrados latinos 3x3, com períodos de 21 dias. O teor de proteína bruta nas dietas foi 15,5 por cento, cerca de 1,5 por cento oriundo de nitrogênio não proteico (NNP). O uso de NNP reduziu o consumo diário de matéria seca em 0,8kg (P=0,04), sem influenciar a produção de leite (31,5kg, P=0,98). A conversão do alimento em leite foi menor na dieta-controle (P<0,09). As fontes de NNP aumentaram o teor de N-ureico no plasma (NUP) duas horas após a alimentação da manhã (P=0,06). A frequência de NUP acima de 22,0mg/dL foi maior com ureia (P<0,01), similarmente ao observado para o teor e a secreção diária de N-ureico no leite (P<0,01). A substituição de farelo de soja por NNP e polpa cítrica melhorou a eficiência alimentar, sem afetar o balanço de nitrogênio.

The partial replacement of the soybean meal in the control diet for encapsulated urea or urea, both with added citrus pulp was evaluated. Eighteen Holstein cows were allocated to a sequence of the three treatments, in six 3x3 latin squares, with 21-day periods. The dietary level of crude protein was 15.5 percent, around 1.5 percent from non-protein nitrogen (NPN). The use of NPN reduced 0.8kg of daily dry matter intake (P=0.04), without affecting milk yield (31.5kg, P=0.98). The conversion of feed into milk decreased for the control diet (P<0.09). The NPN sources increased plasma urea-N (PUN) two hours after the morning feeding (P=0.06). The frequency of PUN above 22.0mg/dL was increased by urea (P<0.01), similarly to the observed for milk urea-N content and daily secretion (P<0.01). The replacement of soybean meal for NPN and citrus pulp improved feed efficiency, without affecting the nitrogen balance.

Assessment of microtubule stabilizers by semiautomated in vitro microtubule protein polymerization and mitotic block assays.

Paclitaxel (Taxol) a clinically active anticancer agent, exerts its cytotoxicity by inducing tubulin polymerization, leading to cellular mitotic block. In contrast, other antimitotic drugs, such as colchicine, podophyllotoxin, and vinblastine, act by depolymerizing microtubules. We report here (a) a semiautomated assay which measures the tubulin-polymerizing activity of paclitaxel analogs and (b) a cellular assay to measure the potential of these compounds to block cells in mitosis. The microtubule-polymerizing assay measured the turbidity of bovine brain microtubule protein (MTP) polymerized by the test compound in a 96-well plate. We maximized the sensitivity of this assay by conducting the polymerization reaction at 20 degrees C, at which temperature the baseline reaction, i.e. the basic ability of the untreated MTP control to polymerize, was minimal. At 20 degrees C, the effect of 0.05 microg/ml of paclitaxel on MTP could be detected, whereas at 37 degrees C, > 1 microg/ml of paclitaxel was required to detect a significant effect relative to untreated MTP. We describe the analysis of the complex curves of MTP polymerization with varying concentrations of test compounds. The polymerization of microtubules leads to cells being blocked in mitosis. This mitotic blocking effect in intact cells was determined using a cell settling chamber which allowed eight samples to be deposited on a slide. This method required a smaller number of cells (10(3) - 10[5]), maintained cell morphology, and allowed for rapid screening of samples. The activity of several new paclitaxel analogs is reported.

Cell kill kinetics and cell cycle effects of taxol on human and hamster ovarian cell lines.

Taxol is a clinically active anticancer drug, which exerts its cytotoxicity by the unique mechanism of polymerizing tubulin monomers into microtubules and stabilizing microtubules. Our studies with ovarian (hamster CHO and human A2780) cells showed that taxol is a phase-specific agent that is much more cytotoxic to mitotic cells than interphase cells. First, the dose-survival pattern of taxol resembled that of other phase-specific agents, in which cell-kill reached a plateau at a certain concentration. This suggests that the asynchronous cell population consists of a taxol-sensitive (presumably mitotic) fraction and a taxol-resistant fraction. Second, the cells were more responsive to increased exposure time than to increased dose above the plateau concentration. Third, in both asynchronous and synchronous cultures taxol was much more cytotoxic to mitotic than interphase (G1, S and G2) cells. Fourth, the taxol concentration needed to kill cells corresponded to the dose needed to block cells in mitosis. Although taxol blocked cells in mitosis, the mitotic block was of short duration. Cells escaped the mitotic block, without cytokinesis, and entered the next round of DNA synthesis to form multinucleated polyploid cells. Taxol was 15- to 25-fold more toxic to A2780 (human ovarian carcinoma) cells compared to CHO cells. This difference in sensitivity correlated with a higher intracellular taxol concentration in A2780 as compared to CHO as determined by either an ELISA assay or by [H3]-taxol uptake.

Compression of thoracic nerve root by a facet joint synovial cyst: case report.

Synovial cysts are not an uncommon feature in the mobile spinal segments. The lack of reports at the thoracic level has stimulated us to present this patient with compression of the 10th dorsal root.

[Pituitary adenomas: immunohistochemical study of 167 cases]. / Adenomas da hipófise: estudo imuno-histoquímico de 167 casos.

One hundred and sixty seven cases of pituitary adenoma were analysed using the immunocytochemical method of the Avidin-Biotin Complex (ABC), described by Hsu et al. (1981). Six pituitary anti-hormones were utilized: anti-prolactin (aPRL) at a 1:1,500 dilution; anti-growth hormone (aHGH) at a 1:4,000 dilution: anti-adrenocorticotrophic hormone (aACTH) at a 1:3,000 dilution; anti-thyrothrophic hormone (aTSH) at a 1:3,000 dilution; anti-luteinizing hormone (aLH) at a 1:1,000 dilution; and a anti-follicle-stimulating hormone (aFSH) at a 1:300 dilution. Incubation period was 14 to 16 hours at 4 degrees C. The survey of clinical, laboratory and radiological data of cases of pituitary adenomas was performed after reading the stained slides using the immunocytochemical method. Of the 167 cases of pituitary adenomas, 136 (81.4%) disclosed a positive immunoreaction to one or more anti-hormones, and the positivity index of neoplastic cells varied from 1 to 90%. The immunoreaction was positive exclusively to one anti-hormone in 80 cases (58.8%) and to two or more anti-hormones in 56 cases, and the association most frequently found was between both aPRL and aHGH. The positivity to the immunoreaction was distributed as follows: -100 cases were positive for aPRL, exclusively in 4 cases; -65 cases were positive for aHGH, exclusively in 22 cases; -31 cases were positive for aACTH, exclusively in 8 cases; -5 cases were positive for aTSH, exclusively in one case; -one patient presented an adenoma positive to aLH and another patient to aFSH.

Adenomas da hipófise: estudo imuno-histoquímico de 167 casos / Pituitary adenomas: immunohistochemical study of 167 cases

Foram analisados 167 casos de adenomas da hipófise pelo método imuno-histoquímico utilizando o Complexo da Avidina Biotina (ABC) descrito por HSU e col. (1981). Foram usados 6 anti-hormônios hipofisários: anti-prolactina (aPRL), na diluiçäo de 1:1.500, anti-hormônio do crescimento (aHGH), na diluiçäo de 1:4.000, anti-hormônio adrenocorticotrófico (aACTH), na diluiçäo de 1:3.000, anti-hormônio tireotrófico (aTSH), na diluiçäo de trófico (aACTH), na diluiçäo de 1:3.000, anti-hormônio tireotrófico (aTSH), na diluiçäo de 1:3.000, anti-hormônio luteinizante (aLH), na diluiçäo de 1:1.000, anti-hormônio folículo estimulante (a(FSH), na diluiçäo de 1;3.000. O período de incubaçäo foi de 14 a 16 horas a 4-C. Foi realizada também a coloraçäo pelo Orange G-PAS. O levantamento dos dados clínicos, laboratoriais, e radiológicos dos casos de adenomas de hipófise foi realizado após leitura das lâminas pelo método imuno-histoquímico. Dos 167 casos de adenomas da hipófise, 136 (81,4%) mostraram imuno-reaçäo positiva a um ou mais anti-hormônios, variando o índice de positividade entre 1 e 90% das células neoplásicas. A imuno-reaçäo foi positiva exclusivamente a um anti-hormônio em 80 casos (58,8%) e para dois ou mais anti-hormônios nos 56 casos restantes (41,2%), sendo a associaçäo mais freqüentemente encontrada aquela em que a positividade ocorreu para o aPRL e o aHGH. A positividade a reaçäo imuno-histoquímica distribuiu-se da seguinte forma: 100 casos foram positivos para o aPRL, em 49 pacientes de forma isolada; 65 casos foram positivos para o aHGH, em 22 pacientes de forma isolada; 31 casos foram positivos para o aACTH, em 8 pacientes de forma isolada; 5 casos foram positivos ao aTSH, em um paciente de forma isolada; um paciente apresentou adenoma positivo ao aLH; um caso foi positivo ao aFSH