Coccidiosis infection and growth performance of broilers in experimental trials: insights from a meta-analysis including modulating factors.

An infection by protozoa Eimeria spp. can cause coccidiosis, which negatively affects broiler chicken performance and causes economic and production losses. To understand the effect of coccidiosis on broilers' performance, we evaluated the independent variables and their interactions on the severity of coccidiosis in broilers that cause variation (Δ) of average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and gain per feed (G:F) of broiler chicks using a meta-analysis approach. A database of 55 papers describing 63 experiments was gathered; broilers were challenged by Eimeria species (E. acervulina, E. maxima, E. tenella, and mixed) and at least 2 variables among ADFI, ADG, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were studied. The variation induced by the challenge was calculated relative to the control group of each experiment. The indirect factors evaluated were days postinfection (DPI), Eimeria type and dose, infection age (IA), bird's mean age in the analyzed period, genetic line, sex, and whether they were raised in a cage or a pen. Graphical, correlation, and variance analyses were performed to evaluate the form of the responses. Then, a linear plateau model was adjusted for each response variable as a function of DPI to determine the consequences of the disease on the variation of performance over time after infection. The impact of the infection challenge on the variation of performance vs. nonchallenge broilers was only impacted by DPI (P < 0.05). The adjustment of the data with the linear plateau model allows us to determine the host response to the coccidiosis disease at different stages. At 5 DPI (acute phase), ΔADFI, ΔADG, ΔG:F were of -19.0; -39.8, and -25.5, respectively. After almost 13 DPI birds achieved the recovery phase for all variables with Δ varying from -19 to -3.75% for ADFI, from -39.8 to -10.5% for ADG, and from -25.5 to -7.24% for G:F. The Eimeria impact was higher in ADG than ADFI in all periods due to Eimeria aggressive action form causing lesions in gut epithelial reducing the use of nutrients and energy. The results can be used as a quantitative approach to determine the consequences of Eimeria spp. on broiler performance.

Responses of broilers challenged by Eimeria maxima fed with different levels of dietary balanced protein.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different dietary balanced protein (BP) levels on the gut health, amino acid apparent ileal digestibility (AID), footpad dermatitis lesions, and litter quality in broiler chicks infected with Eimeria maxima. A total of 2400 male 14-day-old Cobb500 broilers were randomly allotted into 10 treatments with six replications containing 40 birds each in a factorial design of 5 × 2. The treatments consisted of five levels of BP (6.66%, 13.32%, 19.98%, 26.64%, and 33.3%), and broilers unchallenged (NCH) or challenged (CH). Broilers in the CH group received 1 mL of Eimeria maxima inoculum (7 × 103 sporulated oocysts/mL). Oocyst count in excreta, visual intestinal modifications score, morphology, and morphometrics of the ileum were used to determine gut health status. Additionally, amino acids and CP AID, litter quality, and footpad dermatitis were evaluated. An ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by post-hoc tests were performed. The oocyst count in the CH group increased with an increase in dieatary BP (P = 0.08). The incidence of intestinal modifications was higher in the CH group (P < 0.05) and increased with increasing dietary BP (P < 0.05). Morphometrics were impaired by the challenge (P < 0.05), and by the two highest BP levels (P < 0.05). Amino acids AID (methionine, methionine + cystine, arginine, and serine) were reduced by E. maxima challenge. An increase in dietary BP resulted in poor litter quality and high prevalence of of footpad dermatitis (P < 0.05). The E. maxima challenge and increased BP decreased gut health, litter quality, and cause a high incidence of footpad dermatitis.

A novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant improves the responses of laying hens fed an inorganic phosphorus-free diet with reduced energy and nutrients from 23 to 72 wk of age.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant (PhyG) on egg productivity, eggshell quality, and body composition of laying hens fed inorganic phosphate-free diets with reduced energy and nutrients from 23 to 72 wk of age. Five treatments were randomly assigned, performing 28 replicates per treatment with 4 hens each, totaling 560 Hy-Line W80 birds. A positive control (PC) feed was formulated to contain adequate levels of energy and nutrients. A negative control (NC) feed was formulated without added inorganic phosphate (0.12% nonphytic phosphorus [nPP]) and reduced in Ca, Na, dig AA, and metabolizable energy in comparison with PC feed. Phytase was supplemented in the NC feed at 0, 300, 600, and 900 FTU/kg of feed. The responses evaluated were performance, egg quality, economic analysis, body composition, and tibia composition. Data were analyzed by a 2-factor (diet and age) repeated measure analysis. Overall, the feed intake, hen-day egg production, egg mass, and egg revenue were reduced by the complete removal of dicalcium phosphate (DCP) (P < 0.05). Supplement phytase in the NC diet elicits a positive response on each one of those variables. Laying hens consuming the NC feed with 900 FTU/kg of phytase produced more eggs per hen-housed compared with the phytase dosages of 300 and 600 FTU/kg. Body composition was not affected by dietary nPP, Ca, Na, dig AA, and energy reductions (P > 0.05). At 72-wk-old, tibia ash was reduced in hens consuming the NC diet vs. PC (P < 0.05) and no difference was observed between hens supplemented with phytase and the PC feed. Margin over feeding cost increased in a dose-dependent manner with phytase supplementation. Supplementation with 900 FTU/kg of phytase is recommended to improve the number of eggs produced per hen-housed and the number of marketable eggs produced through 23 to 72 wk of age, under this dietary setting.

The Response to Dietary Leucine in Laying Lens.

This study aimed to estimate the standardized ileal digestible leucine intake (SID-Leui, mg) in laying hens for maintenance, and to describe the response in laying hens to SID-Leui, thereby providing the information required to determine the optimum economic intake of SID-Leu for laying hens. Two nitrogen balance series, one balanced and the other unbalanced with respect to leucine (Leu), were used to estimate the SID-Leu requirement for maintenance using 36 roosters per series. The roosters were randomly distributed among the six levels of Leu with each level being replicated six times. The six diets were formulated to contain 0.0, 3.5, 6.9, 10.4, 13.9, or 17.4 g/kg of SID-Leu for the unbalanced series and 0.0, 4.0, 8.0, 12.0, 16.0, or 20.0 g/kg of SID-Leu for the balanced series. The SID-Leui maintenance requirement was calculated as 144 mg/bird d, 66 mg/kg d, 74 mg/kg0.75d or 395 mg/BPm0.73d. For the response trial, 120 individually caged laying hens (63 weeks old) were randomly distributed among eight treatments with 15 replicates. To estimate the SID-Leui for the population of hens, the Reading Model was fitted to the data using body weight (BW, kg), SID-Leui and egg output (EO, g). The Reading Model calculated the mg SID-Leui = 11.6 EOmax + 43.4 BW. The efficiency of SID-Leu utilization for laying hens was estimated to be 79%.

Influence of Pre-Milling of Cr3C2-25 NiCr Spray Powder on the Fatigue Life of HVOF-Sprayed Coating on ASTM A516 Steel Substrate.

The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the influence of the powder size of Cr3C2-25NiCr spraying powder on the fatigue behavior of HVOF-sprayed coating on the ASTM A516 steel substrate. Conventional commercial Cr3C2-25NiCr spraying powder was previously treated through high-energy milling. The crystallite sizes of milled powders were measured by X-ray diffraction and transmission electronic microscopy. Three different powder formats of the same Cr3C2-25NiCr composite were subjected to HVOF spraying to produce (i) a Milled-Coating (from high-energy milled spray powder), (ii) an Original-Coating (from conventional commercial spray powder), and (iii) a 50%-50% mixture of both (Milled + Original-Coating). The same spraying conditions were adopted for all the assessed cases. The sprayed coatings were investigated through the Knoop hardness test and SEM-EDS analysis. In addition, 3-point bending fatigue tests were conducted at different stress levels up to 107 cycles. The coating morphology and roughness effects on fatigue behavior were analyzed. The Cr3C2-25NiCr milled coating presented a lower fatigue life above the fatigue limit and a higher fatigue limit than other coatings; this outcome could be attributed to its lower surface roughness and finer grain size microstructure.

Dynamic of heat production partitioning in rooster by indirect calorimetry.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe a methodological procedure to quantify the heat production (HP) partitioning in basal metabolism or fasting heat production (FHP), heat production due to physical activity (HPA), and the thermic effect of feeding (TEF) in roosters. METHODS: Eighteen 54-wk-old Hy Line Brown roosters (2.916±0.15 kg) were allocated in an open-circuit chamber of respirometry for O2 consumption (VO2), CO2 production (VCO2), and physical activity (PA) measurements, under environmental comfort conditions, following the protocol: adaptation (3 d), ad libitum feeding (1 d), and fasting conditions (1 d). The Brouwer equation was used to calculate the HP from VO2 and VCO2. The plateau-FHP (parameter L) was estimated through the broken line model: HP = U×(R-t)×I+L; I = 1 if tR; Where the broken-point (R) was assigned as the time (t) that defined the difference between a short and long fasting period, I is conditional, and U is the decreasing rate after the feed was withdrawn. The HP components description was characterized by three events: ad libitum feeding and short and long fasting periods. Linear regression was adjusted between physical activity (PA) and HP to determine the HPA and to estimate the standardized FHP (st-FHP) as the intercept of PA = 0. RESULTS: The time when plateau-FHP was reached at 11.7 h after withdrawal feed, with a mean value of 386 kJ/kg0.75/d, differing in 32 kJ from st-FHP (354 kJ/kg0.75/d). The slope of HP per unit of PA was 4.52 kJ/mV. The total HP in roosters partitioned into the st-FHP, termal effect of feeding (TEF), and HPA was 56.6%, 25.7%, and 17.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The FHP represents the largest fraction of energy expenditure in roosters, followed by the TEF. Furthermore, the PA increased the variation of HP measurements.

Phosphorus release capacity in different dietary commercial phytases through performance and bone characteristics assessment of broiler chickens.

A trial was conducted to evaluate phosphorus release capacity in different commercial phytases throught performance and bone characteristics of broilers. A total of 2,400-day-old male Cobb 500® chicks were assigned in a completely randomized design with 12 dietary treatments ((1 to 5: with increasing levels of non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) (0.20; 0.25; 0.30; 0.35 and 0.40%) without phytase); and 6 to 12: with 0.20% supplemented with different commercial phytases), 8 replicates and 25 birds per pen. There was a linear increase (P<0.05) in the feed intake and body weight gain and a linear improvement (P<0.05) in the feed conversion ratio of broilers fed increasing NPP. The tested phytases did not release similar amounts of phytic phosphorus. Based on body weight gain response, 500 FTU/kg of diet releases a minimum and maximum of 0.074 to 0.152%, 0.062 to 0.157 and 0.059 to 0.169% of PP among the studied phytases in the periods from 1 to 21, 1 to 35 and 1 to 42 days, respectively. In conclusion, the commercial phytases released different concentrations of phytate phosphorus from the diets. Thus, is necessary to have a better method to evaluate phytase activity in order to avoid subnormal levels of available P in diets.

Complications of Extended Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection in Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Radical Prostatectomy: Analysis and Risk Factors.

Background: The knowledge of risk factors and complications related to extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) during radical prostatectomy can help selecting patients who will benefit the most with lymph node dissection concomitant to radical prostatectomy. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort evaluating 135 patients with PC, with a high risk for lymph node metastasis, submitted to ePLND by a single surgeon between 2013 and 2019, performed either by the laparoscopic or laparoscopic robot-assisted approach. Data related to complications were properly recorded using the Martin's criteria and were classified by the Satava and Clavien-Dindo-Strasberg methods. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of complications related to ePLND. Results: The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 10.2 ± 4.9, and in 28.2%, they were positive for metastasis. There were five intraoperative complications (4%), all in patients operated by laparoscopic approach. There were nine severe postoperative complications (7.3%), four of which occurred after postoperative day 30. Three patients (2.4%) had thromboembolic complications and five patients (4.0%) had lymphocele that required treatment. There was a correlation between the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification and postoperative complications (p=0.06), but it was not possible to identify statistically significant predictors. Conclusion: ePLND during radical prostatectomy has a low rate of intraoperative complications and may change prostate cancer staging. Postoperative complications, especially venous thromboembolism and lymphocele, need to be monitored even in the late postoperative period.

Response of Laying Hens to Repletion and Depletion in Dietary Balanced Protein.

This study was carried out to investigate the response of laying hens given a repletion or depletion in dietary balanced protein (BP) during the laying phase period. At the beginning of the rearing period (eight w-old), four-hundred pullets were equally distributed and received one of two experimental feeds: 1-Low BP (L) and 2-High BP (H). For the laying period (19 to 102 w-old), four feeding programs were designed based on the same treatments for rearing phases (LL, HH, LH, HL), where subsequent letters indicate the feed received during the rearing and laying period, respectively. The performance responses, egg quality, and body composition were periodically collected during the laying period. Two-way ANOVA repeated measures analysis was applied to evaluate the data. Nonlinear regression models with groups were used to compare treatments in the laying phase, with the treatments being the group evaluated. All performance traits were somehow influenced by the level of BP in the feed (p < 0.050). Hens subjected to the repletion treatment (LH) demonstrated a recovery in performance after 38 w-old. The opposite result was observed for hens on the depletion treatment (HL). All egg components were affected by dietary BP (p < 0.050). Laying hens demonstrated a limited capacity to overcome a reduction in dietary BP during production, but they were able to recover from a previous deficient feed once they were given an opportunity to do so.

Dynamics of Growth and Egg Traits in Three Dietary Balanced Protein Scenarios Applied for Laying Hens.

The objective of this study was to evaluate laying hens from 8 to 102 weeks old, regarding their changes in performance, body composition, and egg components produced in three scenarios of nutrition. Three treatments designed to contain different levels of balanced protein (BP) were randomly assigned to the experimental units, performing ten replicates per treatment with 20 birds each. A standard feed was formulated to meet hen requirements and the ideal ratio between essential amino acids. Then, two experimental feeds were formulated to contain 20% above or below the dietary BP used in the standard feed. The responses evaluated were cumulated feed intake (g), daily feed intake (g/day), body weight (g), body composition (g of protein, fat, and ash), hen-housed egg production (%/hen-housed), egg production (%), egg weight (g), egg mass (g), and egg components (percentages of yolk, albumen, and eggshell). The dietary BP influenced the body composition, egg production, egg weight, and egg mass of white laying hens. The increase in dietary BP was related to an increase in body contents and egg weight, whereas hens consuming the low dietary balanced protein presented a lower body weight, leaner, and produced smaller eggs.

Light availability in the cultivation environment and the action of glyphosate on Digitaria insularis: physiological aspects and herbicide root exudation.

The root exudation decreases the susceptibility of some species to herbicides, which is still little studied in Digitaria insularis, popularly known as sourgrass, one of the main weeds of annual crops in the world. Thus, we sought to identify whether there is an occurrence of root exudation of glyphosate in D. insularis and the influence of this herbicide on physiological and control parameters of this species when cultivated under different light conditions. The experimental design was 2 x 5, with the first factor represented by environments: full sun and artificial shading. The second factor was represented by doses 0, 370, 740, 1110, and 1480 g ha-1 of glyphosate. The plants grown in shading showed more significant injury in the initial phase. The increase in the glyphosate doses reduced the photochemical efficiency of the photosystem II (ФPSII), electron transport rate (ETR), photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency of D. insularis regardless of the cultivation environment. The light restriction increased the ФPSII in D. insularis at three days after applying the herbicide (DAH); at 6 DAH, the shaded plants showed a more pronounced reduction in ФPSII. D. insularis did not show root exudation of glyphosate, and shading did not influence this process.

Hummingbird-plant networks in rupestrian fields and riparian forests in altitudinal areas of the Serra da Canastra National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil / Redes de beija-flor-planta em campos rupestres e florestas ripárias em áreas de altitude do Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Abstract: Hummingbirds are specialized in consumption of nectar and play an important role in Neotropical plant communities acting as pollinator organisms. Despite the importance of this mutualistic interaction, studies about hummingbird-plant relationships remain scarce regarding the Cerrado domain (Brazilian savanna). In this study, we aimed to describe the interaction network between hummingbirds and plants in rupestrian fields and riparian forests located in altitudinal areas of the Serra da Canastra National Park. We established two transects in each phytophysiognomy, that were sampled monthly for four days, from November 2018 to October 2019. Flowering plants in each transect were observed each survey, and all the visiting hummingbirds were recorded. Networks were constructed using the R bipartite package, considering each phytophysiognomy type, and grouping data of both environments. From these three network arrangements, we extracted complementary metrics at the community level (modularity, nestedness, and network specialization index), and at the species level (species specialization index and species strength in the network). We recorded 647 interactions between 10 hummingbird species and 23 flowering plant species. The hummingbird Colibri serrirostris was responsible for most of observed bird-plant interactions and the plant Qualea cordata was the most visited. The general network was significantly modular, comprising four modules, and showed considerable high specialization and low nestedness. The interaction network in the rupestrian field showed a higher specialization, nestedness, and modularity index when compared to riparian forests, while the metrics of this ecosystem did not differ from those of the general network. However, the metrics at hummingbird species level did not differ significantly between phytophysiognomies. This study corroborated some findings about hummingbird-plant networks in other areas of the Cerrado domain, but also pointed idiosyncrasies in networks of the investigated phytophysiognomies, especially the rupestrian fields.

Resumo: Beija-flores são especializados no consumo de néctar e desempenham um papel importante em comunidades de plantas Neotropicais, agindo como organismos polinizadores. Apesar da importância dessa relação mutualística, estudos sobre a relação de plantas e beija-flores ainda são escassos no Cerrado. Neste estudo, objetivamos descrever a rede de interações entre beija-flores e plantas em campos rupestres e matas ripárias localizadas em áreas de altitude do Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra. Estabelecemos dois transectos em cada fitofisionomia, os quais foram amostrados mensalmente durante quatro dias, de novembro de 2018 a outubro de 2019. Plantas em floração em cada transecto foram observadas em cada amostragem, e todos os beija-flores visitantes foram registrados. As redes de interação foram construídas utilizando o pacote bipartite do R, considerando cada fitofisionomia e agrupando os dados de ambos os ambientes. Destes três arranjos de rede, extraímos métricas complementares no nível de comunidade (modularidade, aninhamento e índice de especialização de rede) e no nível de espécies (índice de especialização da espécie e força da espécie na rede). Registramos 647 interações entre 10 espécies de beija-flores e 23 espécies de plantas. O beija-flor Colibri serrirostris foi o responsável pela maior parte das interações ave-planta observadas e a planta Qualea cordata foi a mais visitada. A rede geral foi significativamente modular com quatro módulos e apresentou considerável especialização e baixo aninhamento. A rede de interações no campo rupestre apresentou maior especialização, aninhamento e índice de modularidade quando comparada à mata ripária, enquanto as métricas deste ecossistema não foram diferentes da rede geral. Entretanto, as métricas no nível de espécies de beija-flores não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre as fitofisionomias. Este estudo corrobora alguns resultados de redes de beija-flores-plantas em outras áreas do domínio do Cerrado, mas também aponta idiossincrasias nas redes das fitofisionomias investigadas, especialmente os campos rupestres.

Light restriction associated with halosulfuron methyl application efficiently reduces the number and mass of tubers of Cyperus rotundus L.

This study evaluated the effect of light availability in the culture environment and the application of a post emergence herbicide, halosulfuron methyl, on the management of Cyperus rotundus. The experiment was arranged in a 2 × 6 factorial design; the first factor was two levels of light availability: photosynthetically active radiation at 1180.4 and 411.6 µmols m-2 s-1, and the second factor was halosulfuron methyl doses from 28.13 to 140.62 g ha-1. Photosynthetic efficiency, biomass allocation, accumulation of starch in tubers, and percentage control of C. rotundus were evaluated from 7 to 28 days after herbicide application. Doses greater than 70.30 g ha-1 of halosulfuron methyl were efficient to control C. rotundus, regardless of light availability. However, C. rotundus was managed faster under full sunlight than under shading. The efficiency of the photosystem, starch accumulation, and biomass formation decreased with increasing doses of halosulfuron methyl. In a shaded environment, a dose of 28.13 g ha-1 was sufficient to reduce 96.74% of the dry mass and 91.33% of the number of C. rotundus tubers. The decrease in light intensity associated with the use of halosulfuron methyl represents a promising practice for the control of C. rotundus.

Modelling Broiler Requirements for Lysine and Arginine.

Six assays were conducted to investigate male and female broiler responses to standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (Lys) and arginine (Arg). Response data were modeled to estimate the efficiency of utilization (k) of both amino acids and adjust factorial models to predict bird intake for SID Lys and SID Arg. In each assay, 1280 Cobb 500® broilers (640 male and 640 female) were randomly assigned to one of sixteen dietary treatments with four replicates of 20 birds. Dietary treatments consisted of crescent levels of SID Lys or SID Arg based on the dilution technique. The values of k determined for each phase (1- to 14-, 15- to 28-, and 29- to 42-d-old) and sex were contrasted using linear regression with groups (sex and phase). The estimated efficiencies were 0.79 for Lys and 0.62 for Arg, which were unaffected by phase or sex. Factorial models based on body weight and weight gain (M1) and on body and feather protein weight and deposition (M2) were applied to estimate the SID Lys and Arg intake for growth. The amino acid intake based on M2 had a lower error of prediction. Broiler chickens require 94.9 and 92.9 mg/d of SID Lys and SID Arg to deposit 1 g of body protein.

Threonine incorporation in tissues of growing broiler chickens using L-[15 N] threonine.

Most amino acid requirement trials appear for whole-body responses, but there is little information concerning amino acid incorporation in individual tissues, which may vary according to the age. L-[15 N] threonine was used to evaluate its incorporation rate and distribution among broiler tissues in different ages. Seventy-two male broiler chickens were distributed into three different phases: starter (4 to 9 days old), grower (18 to 23 days old) and finisher phase (32 to 37 days old). L-[15 N] threonine was added on balanced diets, and birds were fed for five days in each phase. Enriched samples of breast muscle, feathers, liver, jejunum and plasma were collected at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hr after fed birds with the tracer in each phase. In the tissues were analysed dry matter, nitrogen and stable nitrogen. The 15 N isotope abundance according to the time was fitted into exponential or linear equations using a same intercept. The ratio of the steepness or slope coefficients was determined to compare the L-[15 N] threonine incorporation according to the age. In addition, L-[15 N] threonine mass balances were performed to assess the L-[15 N] threonine distribution among the evaluated tissues. Except for feathers, the L-[15 N] threonine incorporation rate decreased with ageing. Taking into account the L-[15 N] threonine distribution in the tissues, only in the jejunum was not observed an increase as the broiler grew. The L-[15 N] incorporation varied in each tissue and according to the age of the broiler chickens. These outcomes could be useful to comprehend changes in amino acid requirements tissue-specific according to age.

Response of broilers to digestible sulfur amino acids and threonine intake: Maximum economic return / Respuesta de pollos de engorde a la ingesta de aminoácidos azufrados y treonina digestibles: máximo retorno económico / Resposta de frangos de corte ao consumo de aminoácidos sulfurados e treonina digestíveis: máximo retorno econômico

Abstract Background: The determination of amino acid supplements for broiler chicken requirements based on performance does not always reflect maximum profitability. Objective: To estimate the optimal levels of digestible threonine (Thr) and sulfur amino acids (SAA) in diets for broilers based on an economic analysis. Methods: Two dose-response assays were conducted, and each assay was divided into three phases: initial (1-14 days), grower (15-28 days), and finisher (29-42 days). Five hundred and sixty male Cobb 500® broilers were randomly distributed to seven treatments with increasing levels of the amino acid (SAA or Thr), with four replicates and 20 birds each. Bodyweight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were used to fit a segmented model. Gross income (GI), total feed costs (TFC) and gross margin (GM) were calculated based on local values. Results: Increasing levels of amino acid elicited a response in BWG and FI for all evaluated phases. The estimates for maximum profit based on GI and TFC were 223, 504, and 975 mg SAA/bird/d, and 236, 696, and 1,042 mg Thr/bird/d in starter, grower and finisher phases, respectively. Conclusion: Varying the AA prices affected only slightly the economic optimal intake of Thr and sulfur amino acids. Despite market fluctuations, the economic approach presented in this study demonstrates to be a helpful tool to choose the ideal inclusion level of amino acids in the feed.

Resumen Antecedentes: La determinación de la suplementación de aminoácidos en las dietas de pollos de engorde, basados solamente en el desempeño productivo no siempre refleja la máxima rentabilidad. Objetivo: Estimar los niveles óptimos de treonina (Thr) y aminoácidos azufrados (SAA) en dietas para pollos de engorde basados en un análisis económico. Métodos: Se realizaron dos ensayos tipo dosis-respuesta divididos en tres fases cada uno: inicio (1-14 días), crecimiento (15-28 días) y finalización (29-42 días). Quinientos sesenta pollos de engorde machos Cobb 500® se distribuyeron aleatoriamente en siete tratamientos con niveles crecientes de aminoácidos (SAA o Thr) y cuatro repeticiones de 20 aves cada uno. La ganancia de peso (BWG) y el consumo de alimento (FI) fueron utilizados para ajustar un modelo segmentado. El ingreso bruto (GI), costo total de la ración (TFC) y el margen bruto (GM) se calcularon tomando como referencia valores locales. Resultados: Los niveles crecientes de aminoácidos influyeron en la respuesta de BWG y FI en todas las fases evaluadas. Los estimados para maximizar la rentabilidad según GI y TFC fueron 223, 504 y 975 mg SAA/ave/día, y 236, 696 y 1,042 mg Thr/ave/día para las fases de inicio, crecimiento y finalización, respectivamente. Conclusión: La variación de los precios de los AA tuvo solo un ligero efecto sobre el consumo óptimo de Thr y aminoácidos azufrados. A pesar de las fluctuaciones del mercado, el enfoque económico aquí expuesto demuestra ser una herramienta útil para la elección del nivel ideal de inclusión de aminoácidos en la formulación.

Resumo Antecedentes: A determinação da suplementação de aminoácidos em frangos de corte baseados somente no desempenho produtivo nem sempre reflete a rentabilidade máxima. Objetivo: Estimar os níveis ótimos de treonina (Thr) e aminoácidos sulfurados (SAA) em dietas para frangos de corte com base em uma análise econômica. Métodos: Foram realizados dois ensaios dose-resposta, divididos em três fases cada: inicial (1-14 dias), crescimento (15-28 dias) e final (29-42 dias). Quinhentos e sessenta frangos de corte machos Cobb 500® foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em sete tratamentos, representados por níveis crescentes de aminoácidos (SAA ou Thr), com quatro repetições de 20 aves cada. O ganho de peso (BWG) e o consumo de ração (FI) foram utilizados para ajustar um modelo segmentado. A receita bruta (GI), os custos totais de alimentação (TFC) e a margem bruta (GM) foram calculados com base nos custos locais. Resultados: Os níveis dos aminoácidos influenciaram as respostas de BWG e FI para todas as fases avaliadas. A estimativa para máximo lucro com base em GI e TFC para os ensaios com SAA foram 223, 504 e 975 mg/ave/d; para Thr foram 236, 696 e 1,042 mg/ave/d para as fases inicial, crescimento e final, respectivamente. Conclusão: A variação dos preços dos AA teve pouca influência sobre a ingestão econômica dos aminoácidos sulfurados e da Thr. Apesar do dinamismo de mercado, a abordagem econômica apresentada neste estudo demonstra ser uma ferramenta útil para a escolha do nível de inclusão ideal do aminoácido na ração.

Shared Binding Mode of Perrottetinene and Tetrahydrocannabinol Diastereomers inside the CB1 Receptor May Incentivize Novel Medicinal Drug Design: Findings from an in Silico Assay.

In recent years, therapeutic compounds derived from phytocannabinoids have brought renewed attention to the benefits they offer to ameliorate chronic disease symptoms. Among cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a well-known component of the Cannabis plant, whose active principles have been studied through the years. Another psychoactive phytocannabinoid, derived from liverworts Radula, perrottetinene (PET), has created interest, especially as a pharmaceutical product and for its legal recreational use. Unfortunately, so far, the interaction mode of these compounds at the type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R) binding site remains unknown, and no experimental three-dimensional structure in complex with THC or PET is available in the Protein Data Bank. Today, many computational methodologies can assist in this crusade and help unveil how these molecules bind, based on the already known pose of a structurally similar compound. In this work, we aim to elucidate the binding mode of THC and PET molecules in both cis and trans conformers, using a combination of several computational methodologies, including molecular docking, molecular dynamics, free energy calculations, and protein-energy network studies. We found that THC and PET interact similarly with the CB1R, in a different conformation depending on the considered diastereomer. We have observed that cis ligands adopted a half-chair conformation of the cycle ring containing the dimethyl group, assuming an axial or equatorial conformation producing a different induced fitting of the surrounding residues compared with trans ligands, with higher interaction energy than the trans conformer. For PET, we have seen that Trp-279 and Trp-356 have a marked influence on the binding. After binding, Trp-279 accommodates its side chain to better interact with the PET's terminal phenyl group, disturbing CB1R residues communication. The interaction with Trp-356 might impair the activation of CB1R and can influence the binding of PET as a partial agonist. Understanding the PET association with CB1R from a molecular perspective can offer a glimpse of preventing potential toxicological or recreational effects since it is an attractive lead for drug development with fewer side effects than trans-THC.

Bellwether Procedures for Monitoring Subnational Variation of All-cause Perioperative Mortality in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: All-cause perioperative mortality rate (POMR) is a commonly reported metric to assess surgical quality. Benchmarking POMR remains difficult due to differences in surgical volume and case mix combined with the burden of reporting and leveraging this complex and high-volume data. We seek to determine whether the pooled and individual procedure POMR of each bellwether (cesarean section, laparotomy, management of open fracture) correlate with state-level all-cause POMR in the interest of identifying benchmark procedures that can be used to make standardized regional comparisons of surgical quality. METHODS: The Brazilian National Healthcare Database (DATASUS) was queried to identify unadjusted all-cause POMR for all patient admissions among public hospitals in Brazil in 2018. Bellwether procedures were identified as any procedure involving laparotomy, cesarean section, or treatment of open long bone fracture and then classified as emergent or elective. The pooled POMR of all bellwether procedures as well as for each individual bellwether procedure was compared with the all-cause POMR in each of the 26 states, and one federal district and correlations were calculated. Funnel plots were used to compare surgical volume to perioperative mortality for each bellwether procedure. RESULTS: 4,756,642 surgical procedures were reported to DATASUS in 2018: 237,727 emergent procedures requiring laparotomy, 852,821 emergent cesarean sections, and 210,657 open, long bone fracture repairs. Pooled perioperative mortality for all of the bellwether procedures was correlated with all-procedure POMR among states (r = 0.77, p < 0.001). POMR for emergency procedures (2.4%) correlated with the all-procedure (emergent and elective) POMR (1.6%, r = 0.93, p < .001), while POMR for elective procedures (0.4%) did not (p = .247). POMR for emergency laparotomy (4.4%) correlated with all-procedure POMR (1.6%, r = 0.52, p = .005), as did the POMR for open, long bone fractures (0.8%, r = 0.61, p < .001). POMR for emergency cesarean section (0.05%) did not correlate with all-procedure POMR (p = 0.400). There was a correlation between surgical volume and emergency laparotomy POMR (r = - 0.53, p = .004), but not for emergency cesarean section or open, long bone fractures POMR. CONCLUSION: Procedure-specific POMR for laparotomy and open long bone fracture correlates modestly with all-procedure POMR among Brazilian states which is primarily driven by emergency procedure POMR. Selective reporting of emergency laparotomy and open fracture POMR may be a useful surrogate to guide subnational surgical policy decisions.

Febre do Nilo Ocidental: uma revisão da literatura / West Nile Fever: a literature review / Fiebre del Nilo Occidental: una revisión de la literatura

A partir de seu primeiro isolamento em Uganda, em 1937, até os dias de hoje, o vírus do Nilo Ocidental (WNV) tornou-se um alarmante agente etiológico em humanos e animais. O WNV é mantido e perpetuado na natureza através de um ciclo enzoótico, entre aves e mosquitos, e ocasionalmente causa surtos epizoóticos em razão de uma doença contagiosa em humanos e cavalos. Este vírus é amplamente difundido no mundo e, embora grande parte das infecções humanas causadas por WNV seja assintomática, a doença pode evoluir para um quadro neurológico grave, resultando em sequelas a longo prazo ou óbito do paciente. Este estudo tem por objetivo analisar a literatura específica sobre o WNV para apresentar uma revisão de artigos científicos, buscando explorar os aspectos mais importantes da doença. Foram realizadas buscas nas bases de dados PubMed e SciELO a partir dos seguintes descritores: "West Nile virus", "epidemiology" e "pathogenesi'". A linha temporal pesquisada abrange de 1998 a 2019, o que permitiu a localização de 293 artigos, dos quais, com base na leitura dos resumos, 88 foram selecionados para realização da leitura completa do artigo. Ao final da leitura dos artigos, 33 foram selecionados na análise final, tendo levado à conclusão de que a vigilância epidemiológica e as medidas preventivas são uma necessidade contínua para reduzir os impactos da doença na saúde pública.

From its first isolation in Uganda, in 1937, up to date, the West Nile virus (WNV) has become a major cause of disease in both humans and animals. Maintained in nature through an enzootic cycle involving birds and mosquitoes, the WNV is liable to occasional epizootic outbreaks, causing diseases in humans and horses. This virus is widely spread in the world and, although most human infections with WNV are asymptomatic, the disease may progress into a severe neurological disorder, resulting in long-term sequelae or death. This study comprises a literature review on scientific articles discussing the theme of WNV. For that, a search was conducted in the databases PubMed and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) for articles published between 1998 and 2019, using the following descriptors: "West Nile virus", "epidemiology", and "pathogenesis". From the 293 articles found, 88 were selected for full-text reading after abstract screening, 33 of which remained in the final analysis. To reduce the impact of the disease on public health, authorities must conduct epidemiological surveillance and develop preventive measures.

Desde su primer aislamiento en Uganda en 1937 hasta la actualidad, el virus del Nilo Occidental (WNV) se ha convertido en un importante agente etiológico en humanos y animales. El WNV es un virus mantenido y perpetuado en la naturaleza a través de un ciclo enzoótico, entre aves y mosquitos, y ocasionalmente ocurren brotes epizoóticos, causando enfermedad en humanos y caballos. Es un virus ampliamente difundido en el mundo, que causa infecciones asintomáticas en humanos en la mayoría de los casos, sin embargo, la enfermedad puede evolucionar a un cuadro neurológico grave, ocasionando secuelas a largo plazo o el óbito del paciente. Este estudio tiene por objetivo analizar la literatura específica sobre el WNV para presentar una revisión de artículos científicos referentes al tema. Se realizaron búsquedas en las bases de datos PubMed y SciELO a partir de los siguientes descriptores: "West Nilo virus", "epidemiology" y "pathogenesi". La línea temporal de estudio abarcaba de 1998 a 2019, en la cual se encontraron 293 artículos y con base en la lectura de los resúmenes se seleccionaron 88 para realizar la lectura completa. Al final de la lectura de los artículos, 33 artículos fueron seleccionados en el análisis final, lo que se concluye que la vigilancia epidemiológica y las medidas preventivas son una necesidad continua a fin de reducir los impactos de esa enfermedad en la salud pública.

Metal Contamination of Water and Sediments of the Vieira River, Montes Claros, Brazil.

Vieira River is the main recipient of domestic and industrial wastewater in the city of Montes Claros, MG, Brazil. Until 2010, domestic sewage was dumped in it without any kind of treatment. Concentrations of arsenic (As), chrome (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were determined in water and sediment samples in eight locations along the Vieira River during the dry season of 2015. Concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Zn detected in the water at some sites along the Vieira River were superior to the reference limits for toxicity. The concentration of Cu and Ni restricts the use of water for irrigation in some sites of the river. The level of sediment contamination was assessed by five approaches, including contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), cluster analysis (CA), and principal component analysis/factor analysis (PCA/FA). The results showed that Cr and the downstream sampling site nearest to the Wastewater Treatment Plant of the city of Montes Claros had the highest values of PLI, Igeo, and CF, which reinforces the influence of domestic and industrial wastewater discharge in pollution of the Vieira River. In addition, CA and PCA/FA reinforced the assumption that Cr comes from anthropogenic pollution sources.