Mucocutaneous diseases with manifestations in the head and neck region: 24 years of experience in a Dermatology service.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological features of mucocutaneous diseases with manifestation in the head and neck region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a dermatology reference center database was carried out. Over 24 years. Clinicopathological data were collected from medical records and the data was analyzed by descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 11.538 medical records were analyzed, being 152 cases of mucocutaneous diseases with manifestations in the head and neck region. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus was the most prevalent diagnosis (66.4%). Face (44.1%), females (79.6%), and patients with 45 years mean age were the most common features. In the oral cavity, the most affected region was the buccal mucosa (37.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Mucocutaneous diseases with head and neck manifestation were rare in the sample analyzed (1.3%), with cutaneous lupus erythematosus and lichen planus being the most common lesions in this region.

COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS in a cohort study in Sao Paulo, Brazil: outcomes and disparities by race and schooling.

Studies describing characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 among people living with HIV are currently limited, lacking detailed evaluation of the interplay among demographics, HIV-related variables, and comorbidities on COVID-19 outcomes. This retrospective cohort study describes mortality rates overall and according to demographic characteristics and explores predictors of admission to intensive care unit and death among 255 persons living with HIV with severe acute respiratory syndrome and confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. We found that the overall mortality rate was 4.1/1,000 person-days, with a case-fatality of 34%. Higher rates occurred among older adults, Black/Mixed skin color/race patients, and those with lower schooling. In a multivariable analysis adjusted for age, sex, CD4 count, viral load and number of comorbidities, skin color/race, and schooling remained significantly associated with higher mortality. Although tenofovir use was more frequent among survivors in the univariable analysis, we failed to find a statistically significant association between tenofovir use and survival in the multivariable analysis. Our findings suggest that social vulnerabilities related to both HIV and COVID-19 significantly impact the risk of death, overtaking traditional risk factors such as age, sex, CD4 count, and comorbidities.

Occurrence of Meloidogyne Arenaria in Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum L.) in the Extreme South of the State of Bahia, Brazil.

Samples of black pepper root with the presence of galls from the most southern region of the State of Bahia, Brazil, were characterized biochemically and morphologically using three criteria: i) observation of the anterior region of the males; ii) analysis of female perineal configuration and iii) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique. Meloidogyne arenaria was found. This is the first report of this pathosystem in the State.

On-farm welfare assessment in dairy goats in the Brazilian Northeast / [Avaliação do bem-estar de cabras leiteiras em fazendas no nordeste brasileiro]

The objective of this study was to apply a modified AWIN Goat protocol to evaluate and compare the welfare of adult lactating and non-lactating dairy goats at pen and individual levels on small farms located in Ceará, Northeast, Brazil, and to take into consideration the application of this protocol on Brazilian Northeast goat farms. Five farms with Lactating goats (L) and five farms with non-lactating goats (NL) were evaluated. At the first level of welfare assessment, animals were evaluated in the pen and during the second level of welfare assessment, animals were evaluated in the pen and individually. Indicators assessed were animal and resource-based indicators. Significant difference between L and NL on farms was set at P<0.05. Only queuing at feeding indicator showed significant difference (P=0.027) between groups in pens at the first level welfare assessment. On individual assessments, there was significant difference between L and NL regarding body condition score (P=0.003), overgrown claws (P=0.001) and udder asymmetry (P=0.001). The application of a modified AWIN Goat protocol on farms in Ceará was considered positive. In general, these results demonstrated that both groups are submitted to welfare problems in Ceará, although lactating goats present more challenges to cope.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi aplicar o protocolo AWIN de Cabras modificado para avaliar e comparar o bem-estar de cabras adultas lactantes e não lactantes em termos de baia e individualmente, em pequenas propriedades localizadas no Ceará, nordeste, Brasil, e levar em consideração a aplicação desse protocolo em fazendas caprinas do nordeste brasileiro. Cinco fazendas com cabras lactantes (L) e cinco fazendas com cabras não lactantes (NL) foram avaliadas. No primeiro nível de bem-estar, os animais foram avaliados nas baias e, durante o segundo nível de bem-estar, os animais foram avaliados na baia e individualmente. Os indicadores avaliados foram baseados em animais e recursos. Diferença significativa entre L e NL nas fazendas foi estabelecida em P<0,05. Apenas o indicador na fila na alimentação mostrou diferença significativa (P=0,027) entre os grupos na baia no primeiro nível de bem-estar. Nas avaliações individuais, houve diferença significativa entre L e NL com relação ao escore de condição corporal (P=0,003), sobrecrescimento das unhas (P=0,001) e assimetria do úbere (P=0,001). A aplicação do protocolo AWIN de cabras modificado em fazendas no Ceará foi considerada positiva. De modo geral, esses resultados demonstraram que ambos os grupos estão submetidos a problemas de bem-estar no Ceará, embora cabras em lactação apresentem mais desafios para enfrentar.(AU)

Family health and conditional cash transfer in Brazil and its effect on tuberculosis mortality.

BACKGROUND: Social protection can reduce poverty and act on the determinants of tuberculosis (TB). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) and the Bolsa Família Programme on TB-related mortality in Brazil. METHODS: This was an ecological study in which the units of analysis were Brazilian municipalities between 2001 and 2012. The principal independent variables were the levels of coverage of the primary health care system and the conditional cash transfer programme. The dependent variable was TB mortality rate (obtained from national databases). Descriptive analysis and negative binomial regression based on panel data using fixed-effects models were performed. Crude and adjusted estimates were calculated for continuous and categorical variables. RESULTS: A high FHS coverage was significantly associated with a reduction in the TB mortality rate (RR 0.80, 95%CI 0.72-0.89). An increase in the coverage of the Brazilian cash transfer programme was significantly associated with a reduction in the TB mortality rate (RR 0.87, 95%CI 0.81-0.96). CONCLUSION: FHS and the Bolsa Família conditional cash transfer programme had a positive impact on the TB mortality rate in Brazil. Public policies should include economic support combined with health promotion.

Biomass burning and carbon monoxide patterns in Brazil during the extreme drought years of 2005, 2010, and 2015.

In the 21st century, severe droughts associated with climate change will increase biomass burning (BB) in Brazil caused by the human activities. Recent droughts, especially in 2005, 2010, and 2015, caused strong socioeconomic and environmental impacts. The 2015 drought considered the most severe since 1901, surpassed the 2005 and 2010 events in respect to area and duration. Herein, based on satellite data, the 2005, 2010 and 2015 drought impacts on wildfire episodes and carbon monoxide (CO) variability during the dry and the dry-to-wet transition seasons were examined. The BB occurrences in the dry season were fewer during 2015 than during 2005 (-44%) and 2010 (-47%). Contrasting, the BB events in the dry-to-wet transition season, were higher during 2015 than during 2005 (+192%) and 2010 (+332%). The BB outbreaks were concentrated in the southern and southwestern Amazon during 2005, in the Cerrado region during 2010, and mainly in the central and northern Amazon during 2015, an area normally with few fires. The CO concentration showed positive variations (up to +30%) occurred in the southern Amazon and central Brazil during the 2005 and 2010 dry seasons, and north of 20 °S during the 2015-2016 dry-to-wet transition season. The BB outbreaks and the CO emissions showed a considerable spatiotemporal variability among the droughts of 2005, 2010, and 2016, first of them driven by local conditions in the tropical North Atlantic (TNA), characterized by warm than normal sea surface waters and the other two by the El Niño occurrences.

Circulating levels of adiponectin and extent of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography

Adiponectin (APN), an adipose tissue-released adipokine with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties, is encoded by a gene whose polymorphisms are associated with presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Serum APN levels are inversely related with presence and complexity of CAD. Within this context, we sought to compare levels of total APN and its high molecular weight form (HMW APN) according to clinical presentation and extent of CAD in patients undergoing elective cardiac catheterization. From March 2008 to June 2010, clinical data and blood samples for APN and HMW APN measurements were collected from 415 subjects undergoing cardiac catheterization at two tertiary centers. CAD extent was estimated by the number of coronary arteries with significant stenosis (≥70% obstruction in a major coronary artery) and by Duke Jeopardy Score (DJS). Serum APN levels were similar between groups with stable or unstable CAD (APN 9.20±5.88 vs 9.47±6.23 μg/mL, P=0.738, and HMW APN 5.31±3.72 vs 5.91±4.16 μg/mL, P=0.255), even after stratification by the number of arteries involved (single-vessel vs multivessel disease: APN 9.39±5.76 vs 9.26±6.27 μg/mL, P=0.871; HMW APN 5.29±3.79 vs 5.83±4.04 μg/mL, P=0.306) and DJS score (APN, P=0.718; HMW APN, P=0.276). We conclude that APN and HMW APN serum levels are similar across clinical presentations and different extents of CAD, despite being significantly lower in the presence of obstructive CAD.

Circulating levels of adiponectin and extent of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography.

Adiponectin (APN), an adipose tissue-released adipokine with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties, is encoded by a gene whose polymorphisms are associated with presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Serum APN levels are inversely related with presence and complexity of CAD. Within this context, we sought to compare levels of total APN and its high molecular weight form (HMW APN) according to clinical presentation and extent of CAD in patients undergoing elective cardiac catheterization. From March 2008 to June 2010, clinical data and blood samples for APN and HMW APN measurements were collected from 415 subjects undergoing cardiac catheterization at two tertiary centers. CAD extent was estimated by the number of coronary arteries with significant stenosis (≥70% obstruction in a major coronary artery) and by Duke Jeopardy Score (DJS). Serum APN levels were similar between groups with stable or unstable CAD (APN 9.20±5.88 vs 9.47±6.23 µg/mL, P=0.738, and HMW APN 5.31±3.72 vs 5.91±4.16 µg/mL, P=0.255), even after stratification by the number of arteries involved (single-vessel vs multivessel disease: APN 9.39±5.76 vs 9.26±6.27 µg/mL, P=0.871; HMW APN 5.29±3.79 vs 5.83±4.04 µg/mL, P=0.306) and DJS score (APN, P=0.718; HMW APN, P=0.276). We conclude that APN and HMW APN serum levels are similar across clinical presentations and different extents of CAD, despite being significantly lower in the presence of obstructive CAD.

Physical and chemical characteristics of meat from broilers raised in 4 different rearing systems, stored under freezing for up to 12 months.

This study evaluated the effects of freezing (-18°C) for 12 mo on attributes related to the texture of breast, drumstick, and thigh from broilers raised in 4 different rearing systems. Five-hundred carcasses of male broilers raised in 4 rearing systems (Antibiotic-free, Cobb 500, n = 125; Free-range, Hubbard ISA, n = 125; Conventional, Cobb 500, n = 125; Organic, Cobb 500, n = 125) were divided into breast, drumstick, and thigh and stored under freezing (-18°C) for 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Breast, drumstick, and thigh meat from broilers raised in all studied rearing systems showed reduction (P < 0.001) of water-holding capacity (WHC) during freezing for up 12 months. It was observed an increase (P < 0.001) of cooking loss in breast samples from antibiotic-free, conventional, and organic broilers, and in thigh samples from broilers raised in all rearing systems studied. Breast meat from alternative broilers showed an increase in shear force values, while breast meat from conventional broilers became tenderer during the freezing storage. In general, alternative broilers had harder thigh meat than conventional broilers. A reduction (P < 0.001) in myofibrillar fragmentation index and total collagen concentration was verified in breast, drumstick, and thigh samples throughout the experiment. The freezing for up to 12 mo affects characteristics related to the succulence of chicken meat. Freezing chicken meat cuts for long periods, regardless of the rearing system, may interfere with the meat texture during preparation and consumption and, consequently, influence the consumer decision in a next purchase.

Variables Associated with Infections of Cattle by Brucella abortus., Leptospira spp. and Neospora spp. in Amazon Region in Brazil.

The frequency of Neospora spp., Leptospira spp. and Brucella abortus infections in adult cattle was determined in herds of the State of Pará, Brazil, which is an important region for cattle production located in the Amazon region. A total of 3466 adult female cattle from 176 herds were tested, leading to a frequency of seropositive animals of 14.7%, 3.7% and 65.5% and a herd positivity of 87.4%, 41.3% and 98.8% for infections caused by Neospora spp., B. abortus and Leptospira spp., respectively. The five most frequently diagnosed serologic responses to Leptospira spp. were those against serovars hardjo, wolfii, grippotyphosa, hebdomadis and shermani. The following associations were found: practice of artificial insemination, large farm size, large herd size, large number of dogs and high number of total abortions per year with the presence of antibodies against serovar hardjo; positive results to serovar grippotyphosa with the presence of dogs; inappropriate disposal of aborted foetuses with positivity to serovar hebdomadis. Serovar grippotyphosa was also associated with number of episodes of abortions. Neospora spp. positive herds were associated with episodes of abortion and B. abortus infection with the disposal of dead animals and aborted foetuses on pastures and with the use of artificial insemination. In conclusion, the high frequency of brucellosis, leptospirosis and neosporosis in the region may be a consequence of social, natural and raising conditions as: (i) climate conditions that favour the survival and spread of pathogens in the environment; (ii) farms located in regions bordering forest areas; (iii) farms in areas of difficult access to the veterinary service; (iv) extensive beef herds raised at pastures with different age and productive groups inter-mingled; and (v) minimal concerns regarding hygiene practices and disease prevention measures.

Identification and antifungal susceptibility of fungi isolated from dermatomycoses.

BACKGROUND: Dermatomycoses are superficial fungal infections of the skin, hair and nails that affect more than 20-25% of the people worldwide. These infections can be caused by yeasts, dermatophytes and non-dermatophyte filamentous fungi (NDFF) and are considered a public health problem. Despite this, few studies have investigated the prevalence and antifungal susceptibility of causative agents of dermatomycoses in the developing world. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to identify and determine the antifungal susceptibility profile of yeast and filamentous fungi isolated from dermatomycoses in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: Specimens were obtained from patients with clinically diagnosed and laboratory confirmed dermatomycosis between July 2009 and July 2011. Fungal identification was based on classical methods and antifungal susceptibility testing was performed by broth microdilution method. RESULTS: Of the 216 fungal isolates, 116 (53.8%) were yeasts, 70 (32.4%) dermatophytes and 30 (13.8%) NDFF. Onychomycosis was the most common clinical condition. Candida parapsilosis (24.1%) and Trichophyton rubrum (17.1%) were the fungi most frequently isolated. Voriconazole, ketoconazole and itraconazole were the most potent antifungal agents against yeast, whereas terbinafine, voriconazole and itraconazole had a high in vitro activity against dermatophytes. Overall, the antifungal agents had little or no activity against NDFF and the highest minimum inhibitory concentrations were those against Fusarium spp. CONCLUSION: Yeasts, particularly C. parapsilosis, play an important role as causative agents of dermatomycosis in our region. Our results suggest that the antifungal susceptibility testing coupled with proper identification of the fungi may be useful to assist clinicians in determining the appropriate therapy for dermatomycoses.

Molecular typing of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis strains isolated from livestock in Brazil.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis can infect a broad range of animals. In Brazil, this bacterium has been isolated from healthy and sick animals from sporadic cases and outbreaks of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis among livestock. However, the molecular diversity of these isolates is little understood. In this study, we used multilocus sequence typing, enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to genotype 40 Y. pseudotuberculosis strains belonging to bio-serogroups 1/O:1a and 2/O:3 isolated between 1982 and 1990 in the southern region of Brazil. All three methodologies clustered the strains into two main clusters according to their bio-serogroups. Good correlations were observed between the clusters and the pathogenic potential of the strains. No correlation among the strains was observed according to geographical origin, host, place, or year of isolation. The grouping of the Y. pseudotuberculosis isolated in Brazil determined by these assays leads us to suggest that Brazilian livestock harbor two subpopulations of Y. pseudotuberculosis.

Consumo, digestibilidade aparente de nutrientes e balanços de nitrogênio e hídrico de ovinos alimentados com silagens de cultivares de capim-búfel / Intake, apparent digestibility of nutrients and nitrogen and water balances of sheep fed with buffel grass cultivars silages

Objetivou-se no presente estudo determinar o consumo, digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca e nutrientes, além dos balanços de nitrogênio (BN) e hídrico (BH), de ovinos alimentados com silagens de capim-búfel. As silagens das cultivares de capim-búfel avaliadas foram Tanzânia, Buchuma e Biloela. Utilizaram-se 21 ovinos, machos, castrados, mestiços Santa Inês x Sem Padrão de Raça Definido, com peso corporal médio inicial de 31,8±3,16kg, mantidos em gaiolas metabólicas. Foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com sete repetições. Não foram observadas diferenças nos consumos de MS em g/dia (919,2) e porcentagem do peso corporal (2,9). De modo geral, os coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria seca variaram de 37,7% a 60,0%. Os BN e BH foram positivos, sendo observados maiores valores de BN para os ovinos alimentados com silagens de capim-búfel dos cultivares Tanzânia (5,1g/dia) e Biloela (3,9g/dia), e maiores BH para os animais alimentados com silagens de capim-búfel dos cultivares Buchuma (1,38kg/animal/dia) e Biloela (1,42kg/animal/dia). Os cultivares de capim-búfel Tanzânia, Buchuma e Biloela apresentaram bom valor nutritivo, sendo que o capim-búfel na forma de silagem promoveu 60% do consumo total de água diário do animal.

The objective of this present experiment was to determine intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, nitrogen (NB) and water balances (WB) of sheep fed with buffel grass silages. The buffel grass cultivars used were Tanzania, Buchuma and Biloela. 21 male, castrated, crossbred Santa Ines x Non defined genotype sheep, with initial body weight of 31.8±3.16kg were used, kept in metabolic cages. The experimental design was completely randomized with seven replicates. No differences were observed in dry matter intake in g/day (919.2) and % of body weight (2.9). In general, digestibility coefficients of dry matter varied from 37.7% to 60.0%. The NB and WB were positive, with higher NB values in sheep fed with Tanzania (5.1g/day) and Biloela (3.9g/day) and higher WB in animals fed with Buchuma (1.38kg/animal/day) and Biloela (1.42kg/animal/day). All cultivars of buffel grass evaluated (Tanzania, Buchuma and Biloela) presented adequate chemical composition, where the silage of buffel grass used corresponded to 60% of the total daily water intake by sheep.

Consumo, digestibilidade aparente de nutrientes e balanços de nitrogênio e hídrico de ovinos alimentados com silagens de cultivares de capim-búfel / Intake, apparent digestibility of nutrients and nitrogen and water balances of sheep fed with buffel grass cultivars silages

Objetivou-se no presente estudo determinar o consumo, digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca e nutrientes, além dos balanços de nitrogênio (BN) e hídrico (BH), de ovinos alimentados com silagens de capim-búfel. As silagens das cultivares de capim-búfel avaliadas foram Tanzânia, Buchuma e Biloela. Utilizaram-se 21 ovinos, machos, castrados, mestiços Santa Inês x Sem Padrão de Raça Definido, com peso corporal médio inicial de 31,8±3,16kg, mantidos em gaiolas metabólicas. Foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com sete repetições. Não foram observadas diferenças nos consumos de MS em g/dia (919,2) e porcentagem do peso corporal (2,9). De modo geral, os coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria seca variaram de 37,7% a 60,0%. Os BN e BH foram positivos, sendo observados maiores valores de BN para os ovinos alimentados com silagens de capim-búfel dos cultivares Tanzânia (5,1g/dia) e Biloela (3,9g/dia), e maiores BH para os animais alimentados com silagens de capim-búfel dos cultivares Buchuma (1,38kg/animal/dia) e Biloela (1,42kg/animal/dia). Os cultivares de capim-búfel Tanzânia, Buchuma e Biloela apresentaram bom valor nutritivo, sendo que o capim-búfel na forma de silagem promoveu 60% do consumo total de água diário do animal.(AU)

The objective of this present experiment was to determine intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, nitrogen (NB) and water balances (WB) of sheep fed with buffel grass silages. The buffel grass cultivars used were Tanzania, Buchuma and Biloela. 21 male, castrated, crossbred Santa Ines x Non defined genotype sheep, with initial body weight of 31.8±3.16kg were used, kept in metabolic cages. The experimental design was completely randomized with seven replicates. No differences were observed in dry matter intake in g/day (919.2) and % of body weight (2.9). In general, digestibility coefficients of dry matter varied from 37.7% to 60.0%. The NB and WB were positive, with higher NB values in sheep fed with Tanzania (5.1g/day) and Biloela (3.9g/day) and higher WB in animals fed with Buchuma (1.38kg/animal/day) and Biloela (1.42kg/animal/day). All cultivars of buffel grass evaluated (Tanzania, Buchuma and Biloela) presented adequate chemical composition, where the silage of buffel grass used corresponded to 60% of the total daily water intake by sheep.(AU)

Consumo e desempenho produtivo de ovinos alimentados com dietas que continham coprodutos do desfibramento do sisal / Intake and productive performance of sheep fed sisal coproducts based diets

Avaliaram-se o desempenho produtivo e o consumo de nutrientes e frações fibrosas em ovinos alimentados com dietas contendo coprodutos do desfibramento do sisal, Agave sisalana. Foram utilizados 24 ovinos, machos, alojados em baias individuais. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em quatro dietas isoproteicas, em que: i) dieta padrão, contendo 38 por cento de volumoso (silagem de milheto) e 62 por cento de concentrado (milho, farelo de soja e ureia); ii) inclusão de 20 por cento da silagem de mucilagem do sisal em substituição à silagem de milheto; iii) inclusão de 20 por cento da silagem de mucilagem associada ao pó da batedeira como aditivo em substituição à silagem de milheto; iv) inclusão de 20 por cento do feno da mucilagem em substituição à silagem de milheto. O peso corporal final, os ganhos médio diário e total e a conversão alimentar dos ovinos não foram influenciados pelas dietas avaliadas (P>0,05). Os consumos dos nutrientes, em g/dia e em por centoPC e g/kg0,75, não sofreram influência das dietas. Os resultados indicam que as dietas à base de coprodutos do sisal podem ser utilizadas como alternativa volumosa, além de possibilitar o aumento da rentabilidade da atividade na região semiárida brasileira.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performanceand mean daily intake of nutrients in sheep fed diets containing sisal, Agave sisalana, and co-products. Twenty-four male sheep were used in individual stalls. A completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and six replications. The treatments consisted of four isonitrogenous, in which: i) standard diet containing 38 percent forage (millet silage) and 62 percent concentrate (corn, soybean meal and urea), ii) inclusion 20 percent agave mucilage silage to replace millet silage in the standard diet, iii) inclusion of 20 percent agave mucilage silage associated with agave powder as additive to replace millet silage in the standard diet, iv) inclusion of 20 percent agave mucilage hay in substitution of millet silage. The final body weight, average daily gain, the total weight gain and feed conversion of sheep was not affected by the diets tested (P>0.05). Similarly, the intake of nutrients in g/day, percent BW and g/kg0,75 were not affected by the diets. The results indicate that the experimental diets based on the agave co-products can be used as alternative roughage in the semiarid region of Brazil, as well as help increase the profitability of cattle ranching in the region.(AU)

Consumo e desempenho produtivo de ovinos alimentados com dietas que continham coprodutos do desfibramento do sisal / Intake and productive performance of sheep fed sisal coproducts based diets

Avaliaram-se o desempenho produtivo e o consumo de nutrientes e frações fibrosas em ovinos alimentados com dietas contendo coprodutos do desfibramento do sisal, Agave sisalana. Foram utilizados 24 ovinos, machos, alojados em baias individuais. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em quatro dietas isoproteicas, em que: i) dieta padrão, contendo 38 por cento de volumoso (silagem de milheto) e 62 por cento de concentrado (milho, farelo de soja e ureia); ii) inclusão de 20 por cento da silagem de mucilagem do sisal em substituição à silagem de milheto; iii) inclusão de 20 por cento da silagem de mucilagem associada ao pó da batedeira como aditivo em substituição à silagem de milheto; iv) inclusão de 20 por cento do feno da mucilagem em substituição à silagem de milheto. O peso corporal final, os ganhos médio diário e total e a conversão alimentar dos ovinos não foram influenciados pelas dietas avaliadas (P>0,05). Os consumos dos nutrientes, em g/dia e em por centoPC e g/kg0,75, não sofreram influência das dietas. Os resultados indicam que as dietas à base de coprodutos do sisal podem ser utilizadas como alternativa volumosa, além de possibilitar o aumento da rentabilidade da atividade na região semiárida brasileira.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performanceand mean daily intake of nutrients in sheep fed diets containing sisal, Agave sisalana, and co-products. Twenty-four male sheep were used in individual stalls. A completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and six replications. The treatments consisted of four isonitrogenous, in which: i) standard diet containing 38 percent forage (millet silage) and 62 percent concentrate (corn, soybean meal and urea), ii) inclusion 20 percent agave mucilage silage to replace millet silage in the standard diet, iii) inclusion of 20 percent agave mucilage silage associated with agave powder as additive to replace millet silage in the standard diet, iv) inclusion of 20 percent agave mucilage hay in substitution of millet silage. The final body weight, average daily gain, the total weight gain and feed conversion of sheep was not affected by the diets tested (P>0.05). Similarly, the intake of nutrients in g/day, percent BW and g/kg0,75 were not affected by the diets. The results indicate that the experimental diets based on the agave co-products can be used as alternative roughage in the semiarid region of Brazil, as well as help increase the profitability of cattle ranching in the region.

Reduction of aflatoxin B1 in stored peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) using Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Aflatoxin B(1) is a toxigenic and carcinogenic compound produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. To inhibit aflatoxin contamination of peanuts, seeds of two peanut breeds, IAC Caiapó and IAC Runner 886, were inoculated with A. parasiticus (1.0 × 10(6) spores per ml) and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (3.2 × 10(7) cells per ml) and incubated at 25°C for 7 and 15 days. Two experiments were conducted for each incubation period separately. The treatments were completely randomized, with three replications per treatment. Treatments included the two cultivars and three types of inoculation (pathogen alone, yeast and pathogen, and yeast 3 h before pathogen). Aflatoxin B(1) was quantified with a densitometer at 366 nm after thin layer chromatography. Aflatoxin B(1) contamination in peanuts was reduced after the addition of S. cerevisiae. The concentration of aflatoxin B(1) decreased by 74.4 and 55.9% after 7 and 15 days, respectively. The greatest aflatoxin reduction was observed when S. cerevisiae was inoculated 3 h before the pathogen in IAC Caiapó seeds and incubated for 7 days at 25°C. The use of S. cerevisiae is a promising strategy for biological control of aflatoxin contamination in peanuts.

Consumo e desempenho produtivo de ovinos alimentados com dietas que continham coprodutos do desfibramento do sisal

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performanceand mean daily intake of nutrients in sheep fed diets containing sisal, Agave sisalana, and co-products. Twenty-four male sheep were used in individual stalls. A completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and six replications. The treatments consisted of four isonitrogenous, in which: i) standard diet containing 38% forage (millet silage) and 62% concentrate (corn, soybean meal and urea), ii) inclusion 20% agave mucilage silage to replace millet silage in the standard diet, iii) inclusion of 20% agave mucilage silage associated with agave powder as additive to replace millet silage in the standard diet, iv) inclusion of 20% agave mucilage hay in substitution of millet silage. The final body weight, average daily gain, the total weight gain and feed conversion of sheep was not affected by the diets tested (P>0.05). Similarly, the intake of nutrients in g/day, % BW and g/kg0,75 were not affected by the diets. The results indicate that the experimental diets based on the agave co-products can be used as alternative roughage in the semiarid region of Brazil, as well as help increase the profitability of cattle ranching in the region.

Avaliaram-se o desempenho produtivo e o consumo de nutrientes e frações fibrosas em ovinos alimentados com dietas contendo coprodutos do desfibramento do sisal, Agave sisalana. Foram utilizados 24 ovinos, machos, alojados em baias individuais. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em quatro dietas isoproteicas, em que: i) dieta padrão, contendo 38% de volumoso (silagem de milheto) e 62% de concentrado (milho, farelo de soja e ureia); ii) inclusão de 20% da silagem de mucilagem do sisal em substituição à silagem de milheto; iii) inclusão de 20% da silagem de mucilagem associada ao pó da batedeira como aditivo em substituição à silagem de milheto; iv) inclusão de 20% do feno da mucilagem em substituição à silagem de milheto. O peso corporal final, os ganhos médio diário e total e a conversão alimentar dos ovinos não foram influenciados pelas dietas avaliadas (P>0,05). Os consumos dos nutrientes, em g/dia e em %PC e g/kg0,75, não sofreram influência das dietas. Os resultados indicam que as dietas à base de coprodutos do sisal podem ser utilizadas como alternativa volumosa, além de possibilitar o aumento da rentabilidade da atividade na região semiárida brasileira.

Acute hepatotoxicity of Crotalus durissus terrificus (South American rattlesnake) venom in rats

Venom of the South American rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus terrificus (Cdt), presents myotoxic and neurotoxic outcomes, but reports on its effects on the liver are scarce. This study examined the hepatotoxicity resulting from Cdt venom administration (100, 200 and 300 miug/kg) in male Wistar rats. Animais were studies at 3, 9 and 12 hours after venom injection. The hepatotoxicity was assessed through serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), bilirrubin and also by histopathological evaluation. All the different concentrations of Cdt venom resulted in increased levels of hepatic enzymes, when compared with the control group, except for the 100 miug/kg dose, which presented normal levels at 9 and 12 hours after venom administration. Bilirrubin levels remained unchanged by Cdt venom. Histological analysis revealed endothelial damage, inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as sinusoidal and portal congestion. Based on these observations, we may conclude that Cdt venom causes dose- and time-dependent hepatic damage in rats, characterized by elevated hepatic enzyme levels and histological alterations