Encapsulation of polyketide colorants in chitosan and maltodextrin microparticles.

This study aimed to encapsulate Talaromyces amestolkiae colorants in maltodextrin and chitosan microparticles using the spraydrying technique and to evaluate the biopolymers' capacities to protect the fungal colorant against temperature (65 °C) and extreme pH (2.0 and 13.0). The compact microparticles exhibited smooth or indented surfaces with internal diameters ranging between 2.58-4.69 µm and ζ ~ -26 mV. The encapsulation efficiencies were 86 % and 56 % for chitosan and maltodextrin microparticles, respectively. The shifted endothermic peaks of the free colorants indicated their physical stabilization into microparticles. The encapsulated colorants retained most of their absorbance (compared to the 0 h) even after 25 days at 65 °C. Contrary, the free colorant presented almost no absorbance after 1 day under the same conditions. Colorants in chitosan and maltodextrin matrices also partially maintained their colorimetric and fluorometric properties at acidic pH. However, only maltodextrin improved the resistance of the red colorant to alkaline environments. For the first time, the potential of polysaccharide-based microparticles to preserve polyketide colorants was demonstrated using 3D fluorescence. Therefore, this study demonstrated an alternative in developing functional products with natural color additives.

Lippia sidoides essential oil at concentration of 0.25% provided improvements in microbiota and intestine integrity of Danio rerio.

The study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with Lippia sidoides essential oil on the microbiota and intestinal morphology of Danio rerio. For this, 448 fish were randomly distributed in 28 tanks divided into a control group fed a commercial diet without supplementation, a group fed a commercial diet containing grain alcohol and five groups fed a commercial diet containing essential oil of L. sidoides (LSEO) at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.25%. After the period of dietary supplementation, biological materials were collected for microbiological and histological analyses. There were no significant differences regarding the microbiological count between the groups. Diversity of the microbiome was higher in 0.25% group than in control group. LSEO inhibited the growth of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Fish fed LSEO0.25% showed greater intestinal histomorphometric indices. The inclusion of LSEO at 0.25% in the diet of D. rerio provided improvements in fish microbiota and intestine integrity.

O estudo avaliou os efeitos da suplementação dietária com óleo essencial de Lippia sidoides sobre a microbiota e a morfologia intestinal de Danio rerio. Para isso, 448 peixes foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em 28 tanques divididos em grupo controle alimentado com dieta comercial sem suplementação, grupo alimentado com dieta comercial contendo álcool de cereais e cinco grupos alimentados com dieta comercial contendo óleo essencial de L. sidoides (LSEO) em concentrações de 0,25%, 0,50%, 0,75%, 1,00% e 1,25%. Após o período de suplementação alimentar, foram coletadas amostras biológicas para análises microbiológicas e histológicas. Não houve diferenças significativas quanto à contagem microbiológica entre os grupos. A diversidade do microbioma foi maior no grupo de 0,25% do que no grupo controle. LSEO inibiu o crescimento de bactérias potencialmente patogênicas. Peixes alimentados com LSEO 0,25% apresentaram maiores índices histomorfométricos intestinais. A inclusão de LSEO a 0,25% na dieta de D. rerio proporcionou melhorias na microbiota e na integridade intestinal dos peixes.

Dietary supplementation with Lippia sidoides essential oil improves organ integrity but the specific activity of antioxidant enzymes is dose-dependent in Danio rerio.

The nutritional quality of food can affect the health of animals. This study examined the effects of dietary supplementation with Lippia sidoides essential oil (LSEO) on the physiology of Danio rerio. Four hundred fourty-eight fish were divided into 28 tanks and subjected to different dietary treatments: a control group with no supplementation, a group with grain alcohol supplementation and five groups with LSEO at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.25%. After 15 days, histological and enzymatic analyses were conducted. The 0.25% LSEO group exhibited lower glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity compared to the 1.00% group. Additionally, fish in the 0.25% LSEO group showed improved liver, kidney and splenic integrity indices. These findings support the inclusion of 0.25% LSEO in the diet of D. rerio, suggesting potential benefits for fish physiology and encouraging further research on phytotherapeutics in fish diets.

Insect residues as an alternative and promising source for the extraction of chitin and chitosan.

This work aimed to obtain and characterize chitin and chitosan extracted from the rearing residues of Tenebrio molitor, Zophobas morio, and Blaptica dubia insects in different growth stages in the same rearing cycles chitin and chitosan yielded 11.21 %-20.89 % and 6.26 %-7.07 %, respectively. The deacetylation degrees of chitosan ranged from 75.75 %-89.21 %, and the solubilities from 69.88 %-94.39 %. Infrared spectroscopy corroborated the acquisition of chitin and chitosan and can be used as a semi-quantitative technique for determining the degree of chitosan deacetylation. The X-ray diffraction profiles revealed the presence of α-chitin, and the relative crystalline indices ranged from 65.9 %-89.2 %. Typical TG profiles with two thermal events are observed for chitin and chitosan samples with different residue contents from the extraction procedure. The chitosan solutions exhibited pseudoplastic behavior, with apparent viscosities ranging from 195.96 to 249.86 mPa.s. The characterization results of the biopolymers extracted from insect residues were similar to those obtained from conventional sources. The growth stage influenced the chitin yield and crystallinity index. The results of this study reinforce the feasibility of using alternative sources of chitin and chitosan, providing the use of waste from insect farms and contributing to sustainability and a circular economy.

Towards Visual-Tactile Integration of Shoulder and Hand Using Immersive Virtual Reality.

Shoulder-controlled hand neuroprostheses are wearable devices designed to assist hand function in people with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). They use preserved shoulder movements to control artificial actuators. Due to the concurrent afferent (i.e., shoulder proprioception) and visual (i.e., hand response) feedback, these wearables may affect the user's body somatosensory representation. To investigate this effect, we propose an experimental paradigm that uses immersive virtual reality (VR) environment to emulate the use of a shoulder-controlled hand neuroprostheses and an adapted version of a visual-tactile integration task (i.e., Crossmodal Congruency Task) as an assessment tool. Data from seven non-disabled participants validates the experimental setup, with preliminary statistical analysis revealing no significant difference across the means of VR and visual-tactile integration tasks. The results serve as a proof-of-concept for the proposed paradigm, paving the way for further research with improvements in the experimental design and a larger sample size.

Analysis of Motor Control and Learning in Human-Robot Interaction during Game Guided Movements.

Robotic devices can be used in upper limb rehabilitation in order to help the total or partial functional recovery. Robots can perform repetitive activities for a long period of time, which may be beneficial for rehabilitation processes. In this context, this study uses a bi-manual robotic device to investigate motor learning and control for the upper limbs among different game guided tasks, and inspect the user's grip force exerted in response to perturbations. The robotic device resembles a bicycle handlebar, instrumented with load cells to measure torques and grip forces. It is equipped with a DC motor to apply external torques to the guiding system. A game was developed containing in-game and physical perturbations to the natural movement of the handlebar. Tests were carried out with 16 healthy subjects that were instructed to move the handlebar guiding a character displayed on the screen with the objective of collecting tokens to get the higher score in the game. During the trials, corresponding data from the game and the load cells were collected and used to infer the learning process, the mean error in the trajectory and the variations in the force applied to the handles of the handlebar. Analyses showed that there was learning in the first repetitions, and the learning was retained further. The higher values of the grip force occurred when there was a physical perturbation to the handlebar's natural movement. The larger errors in the trajectories occurred immediately after the perturbations ended. In conclusion, there was a performance improvement, probably related to learning. The increase of the mean error at the transitions of the perturbations indicates the need for adaptation to the new conditions of the task.

Polyp detection in the cecum and ascending colon by dye based chromoendoscopy - Is its routine use justified?

INTRODUCTION: colonoscopy is the best method for detecting polyps, with a reduction in colorectal cancer mortality of 29% and reaching 47% for distal tumors. However, it fails to demonstrate a significant reduction in proximal colon cancer mortality, and is the most common segment with interval neoplasm. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact on detection of polyps of a second sequential evaluation of cecum and ascending colon, with or without the use of indigo carmine chromoendoscopy. METHODS: prospective, non-randomized clinical trial. Patients were divided into two groups. The first (G1) underwent a routine colonoscopy, followed by a second endoscopy assessment of ascending colon and cecum. The second group (G2) underwent a routine colonoscopy, followed by a second assessment of the ascending colon and cecum with indigo carmine chromoendoscopy. RESULTS: In total, 203 patients were analyzed, 101 in the G1 and 102 in the G2. Newer polyps were identified in both groups after the second assessment with a significantly higher number of polyps detected in the patients in the G2 (p=0.0001). The number of patients who had at least one polyp in the two endoscopic assessments was significantly higher in the G2 (53 or 52% vs 27 or 26.7%, p=0.0002). In the second endoscopic assessment, the number of polyps found was also significantly higher in the G2 (50 or 76.9%) compared to the G1 (15 or 23.1%), p<0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: the second assessment with dye-based chromoendoscopy increases the detection of polyps in the ascending colon and cecum.

The quest for the reliability of machine learning models in binary classification on tabular data.

In this paper we explore the reliability of contexts of machine learning (ML) models. There are several evaluation procedures commonly used to validate a model (precision, F1 Score and others); However, these procedures are not linked to the evaluation of learning itself, but only to the number of correct answers presented by the model. This characteristic makes it impossible to assess whether a model was able to learn through elements that make sense of the context in which it is inserted. Therefore, the model could achieves good results in the training stage but poor results when the model needs to be generalized. When there are many different models that achieve similar performance, the model that presented the highest number of hits in training does not mean that this model is the best. Therefore, we created a methodology based on Item Response Theory that allows us to identify whether an ML context is unreliable, providing an extra and different validation for ML models.

Cardiovascular Prognosis of Subclinical Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worsens prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the cardiovascular prognosis in patients with stable or mildly symptomatic COPD remains unclear. Here, we sought to determine the long-term cardiovascular events in patients with subclinical or early-stage COPD with concomitant CAD. Methods: This was a longitudinal analytical study involving 117 patients with suspected or established CAD who underwent assessment of pulmonary function by spirometry and who were followed up for six years (March 2015-January 2021). The patients were divided into two groups, one comprising COPD (n=44) and the other non-COPD (n=73) patients. Cox regression was used to evaluate the association between COPD and cardiovascular events, with adjustment for the established CAD risk factors, and the effect size was measured by the Cohen test. Results: COPD patients were older (p=0.028), had a greater frequency of diabetes (p=0.026), were more likely to be smokers (p<0.001), and had higher modified Medical Research Council scores (p<0.001). There was no difference between the groups regarding gender, body mass index, hypertension, dyslipidemia, family history of CAD, and type of angina. CAD frequency and the proportion of patients with severe and multivessel CAD were significantly higher among COPD than among non-COPD patients (all p<0.001). At six-year follow-up, patients with COPD were more likely to have experienced adverse cardiovascular events than those without COPD (p<0.001; effect size, 0.720). After adjusting for established CAD risk factors, COPD occurrence remained an independent predictor for long-term adverse cardiovascular events (OR: 5.13; 95% CI: 2.29-11.50; p<0.0001). Conclusion: COPD was associated with increased severity of coronary lesions and a greater number of adverse cardiovascular events in patients with suspected or confirmed CAD. COPD remained a predictor of long-term cardiovascular events in stable patients with subclinical or early-stage of COPD, independently of the established CAD risk factors.

Maternal chronic caffeine intake impairs fertility, placental vascularization and fetal development in mice.

Caffeine is commonly consumed by pregnant women to avoid fatigue or as a habit. However, it is not clearly determined its side effects to the conceptuses. This study evaluated placental morphofunctional alterations after maternal chronic caffeine intake and the effects on fetal growth. Female Swiss mice received, via gavage, caffeine doses (either 60, 120 or 240 mg/kg/day) seven days before mating until gestational days-(GD) 11.5 or 17.5. Fetal biometrical parameters were assessed, and placentae were either submitted to histomorphometrical or molecular evaluation of angiogenesis (placental growth factor-1[PlGF-1]), apoptosis (Caspase-3) and proliferation (Ki-67) markers (evaluated in Swiss dams) and to intravital microscopy (evaluated in C57BL/6 dams). Caffeine exposed fetuses exhibited intrauterine growth restriction in a sex-dependent manner, with greater commitment of female fetuses (P < 0.05). In addition, placentae from dams that received 120 mg/kg/day showed less irrigation by maternal blood and greater development of fetal vasculature, characterized by higher number of larger vessels (P < 0.05). Although no effects on apoptosis (Caspase-3) and angiogenesis (PlGF-1) were observed, dams treated with 60 mg/kg/day showed greater placental cell proliferation (Ki-67 staining) at GD 11.5 (P < 0.05). The group treated with 240 mg/kg/day exhibited only one pregnant dam for each gestational age, suggesting that this high caffeine consumption may compromise fertility. Taken together, even in the doses currently ingested by many pregnant women, caffeine has detrimental effects on placental vasculature and fetal development in mice. Therefore, our results strongly suggest that caffeine consumption in human pregnancies greater than the recommended doses should be avoided.

Machine learning for predicting survival of colorectal cancer patients.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most incident types of cancer in the world, with almost 2 million new cases annually. In Brazil, the scenery is the same, around 41 thousand new cases were estimated in the last 3 years. This increase in cases further intensifies the interest and importance of studies related to the topic, especially using new approaches. The use of machine learning algorithms for cancer studies has grown in recent years, and they can provide important information to medicine, in addition to making predictions based on the data. In this study, five different classifications were performed, considering patients' survival. Data were extracted from Hospital Based Cancer Registries of São Paulo, which is coordinated by Fundação Oncocentro de São Paulo, containing patients with colorectal cancer from São Paulo state, Brazil, treated between 2000 and 2021. The machine learning models used provided us the predictions and the most important features for each one of the algorithms of the studies. Using part of the dataset to validate our models, the results of the predictors were around 77% of accuracy, with AUC close to 0.86, and the most important column was the clinical staging in all of them.

Polyp detection in the cecum and ascending colon by dye based chromoendoscopy - Is its routine use justified? / Uso de cromoscopia com corante para detecção de pólipos em ceco e cólon ascendente - Deve ser utilizado de rotina?

ABSTRACT Introduction: colonoscopy is the best method for detecting polyps, with a reduction in colorectal cancer mortality of 29% and reaching 47% for distal tumors. However, it fails to demonstrate a significant reduction in proximal colon cancer mortality, and is the most common segment with interval neoplasm. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact on detection of polyps of a second sequential evaluation of cecum and ascending colon, with or without the use of indigo carmine chromoendoscopy. Methods: prospective, non-randomized clinical trial. Patients were divided into two groups. The first (G1) underwent a routine colonoscopy, followed by a second endoscopy assessment of ascending colon and cecum. The second group (G2) underwent a routine colonoscopy, followed by a second assessment of the ascending colon and cecum with indigo carmine chromoendoscopy. Results: In total, 203 patients were analyzed, 101 in the G1 and 102 in the G2. Newer polyps were identified in both groups after the second assessment with a significantly higher number of polyps detected in the patients in the G2 (p=0.0001). The number of patients who had at least one polyp in the two endoscopic assessments was significantly higher in the G2 (53 or 52% vs 27 or 26.7%, p=0.0002). In the second endoscopic assessment, the number of polyps found was also significantly higher in the G2 (50 or 76.9%) compared to the G1 (15 or 23.1%), p<0.0001. Conclusions: the second assessment with dye-based chromoendoscopy increases the detection of polyps in the ascending colon and cecum.

RESUMO Introdução: a colonoscopia é o melhor método para detecção de pólipos, com redução da mortalidade por câncer colorretal de 29% e chegando até 47% para tumores distais. No entanto, existe falha em demonstrar redução significativa na mortalidade no cólon proximal sendo o segmento mais comum de neoplasia de intervalo. O presente estudo avaliou o impacto na detecção de pólipos em uma segunda avaliação sequencial do ceco e cólon ascendente, com ou sem o uso de cromoendoscopia com Indigo carmim. Métodos: estudo prospectivo, não randomizado. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos. O primeiro (G1) foi submetido à colonoscopia de rotina, seguida de segunda avaliação endoscópica do cólon ascendente e ceco. O segundo grupo (G2) foi submetido à colonoscopia de rotina, seguida de segunda avaliação do cólon ascendente e ceco com cromoendoscopia com índigo carmim. Resultados: no total, foram analisados 203 pacientes, sendo 101 do G1 e 102 do G2. Novos pólipos foram identificados em ambos os grupos após a segunda avaliação com número significativamente maior de pólipos detectados nos pacientes do G2 (p=0,0001). O número de pacientes que apresentaram pelo menos um pólipo nas duas avaliações endoscópicas foi significativamente maior no G2 (53 ou 52% vs 27 ou 26,7%, p=0,0002). Na segunda avaliação endoscópica, o número de pólipos encontrados também foi significativamente maior no G2 (50 ou 76,9%) em relação ao G1 (15 ou 23,1%), p<0,000. Conclusão: a segunda avaliação com cromoendoscopia com índigo carmim aumenta a detecção de pólipos no cólon ascendente e no ceco.

Development and characterization of antioxidant and antimicrobial poly (butylene adipate-co-terephtalate) (PBAT) film incorporated with oregano essential oil and applied in sliced mozzarella cheese.

The objective was to develop and characterize biodegradable films with antimicrobial and antioxidant action, using poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) incorporated with OEO - essential oil (Origanum vulgare). The degradation temperature of the OEO increased after incorporation into the PBAT matrix, however, the degradation of the matrix did not undergo considerable changes. The films showed increase in elongation and modulus of elasticity with presence of OEO, however, it reduced the maximum tension. The permeability of the films was reduced with OEO presence. The spectra (FTIR) showed the presence of the functional groups attributed to the bioactive compounds (Carvacrol) of OEO. The films presented high antioxidant activity and effective antimicrobial action, reducing Staphylococcus aureus in 53 days and psychrotrophic microorganisms in up to 28 days of storage. The films showed to be efficient with antioxidant activity and antimicrobial action with indication to be used as packaging of sliced mozzarella cheese.

Effects of moderate-continuous and high-intensity interval aerobic training on cardiac function of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The aim of this study was to verify the effects of moderate-intensity continuous (MICT) and high-intensity interval (HIIT) aerobic training on cardiac morphology and function and the mechanical properties of single cardiomyocytes in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in the compensated phase of hypertension. Sixteen-week-old male SHR and normotensive Wistar (WIS) rats were allocated to six groups of six animals each: SHR CONT or WIS CONT (control); SHR MICT or WIS MICT (underwent MICT, 30 min/day, five days per week for eight weeks); and SHR HIIT or WIS HIIT (underwent HIIT, 30 min/day, five days per week for eight weeks). Total exercise time until fatigue and maximum running speed were determined using a maximal running test before and after the experimental period. Systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP), and mean (MAP) blood pressures were measured using tail plethysmography before and after the experimental period. Echocardiographic evaluations were performed at the end of the experimental period. The rats were euthanized after in vivo assessments, and left ventricular myocytes were isolated to evaluate global intracellular Ca2+ transient ([Ca2+]i) and contractile function. Cellular measurements were performed at basal temperature (~37°C) at 3, 5, and 7 Hz. The results showed that both training programs increased total exercise time until fatigue and, consequently, maximum running speed. In hypertensive rats, MICT decreased SAP, DAP, MAP, interventricular septal thickness during systole and diastole, and the contraction amplitude at 5 Hz. HIIT increased heart weight and left ventricular wall thickness during systole and diastole and reduced SAP, MAP, and the time to peak [Ca2+]i at all pacing frequencies. In conclusion, both aerobic training protocols promoted beneficial adaptations to cardiac morphology, function, and mechanical properties of single cardiomyocytes in SHR.

Soft robotics and functional electrical stimulation advances for restoring hand function in people with SCI: a narrative review, clinical guidelines and future directions.

BACKGROUND: Recovery of hand function is crucial for the independence of people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Wearable devices based on soft robotics (SR) or functional electrical stimulation (FES) have been employed to assist the recovery of hand function both during activities of daily living (ADLs) and during therapy. However, the implementation of these wearable devices has not been compiled in a review focusing on the functional outcomes they can activate/elicit/stimulate/potentiate. This narrative review aims at providing a guide both for engineers to help in the development of new technologies and for clinicians to serve as clinical guidelines based on the available technology in order to assist and/or recover hand function in people with SCI. METHODS: A literature search was performed in Scopus, Pubmed and IEEE Xplore for articles involving SR devices or FES systems designed for hand therapy or assistance, published since 2010. Only studies that reported functional outcomes from individuals with SCI were selected. The final collections of both groups (SR and FES) were analysed based on the technical aspects and reported functional outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 37 out of 1101 articles were selected, 12 regarding SR and 25 involving FES devices. Most studies were limited to research prototypes, designed either for assistance or therapy. From an engineering perspective, technological improvements for home-based use such as portability, donning/doffing and the time spent with calibration were identified. From the clinician point of view, the most suitable technical features (e.g., user intent detection) and assessment tools should be determined according to the particular patient condition. A wide range of functional assessment tests were adopted, moreover, most studies used non-standardized tests. CONCLUSION: SR and FES wearable devices are promising technologies to support hand function recovery in subjects with SCI. Technical improvements in aspects such as the user intent detection, portability or calibration as well as consistent assessment of functional outcomes were the main identified limitations. These limitations seem to be be preventing the translation into clinical practice of these technological devices created in the laboratory.

Nonatherosclerotic Giant Right Coronary Artery Aneurysm.

We present an unusual case of a 67-year-old woman with an incidental finding of a cardiac mass on a chest computed tomography. Coronary angiotomography confirmed the diagnosis of right coronary artery aneurysm, with 5.7×5.7 cm. The patient underwent aneurysm resection and coronary bypass surgery, with subsequent histologic study suggestive of arteritis sequelae. Giant coronary artery aneurysms have a high risk of complications and aneurysm exclusion must be beneficial. This is a rare condition that can also be part of a systemic inflammatory disease.

Nonatherosclerotic Giant Right Coronary Artery Aneurysm

Abstract We present an unusual case of a 67-year-old woman with an incidental finding of a cardiac mass on a chest computed tomography. Coronary angiotomography confirmed the diagnosis of right coronary artery aneurysm, with 5.7×5.7 cm. The patient underwent aneurysm resection and coronary bypass surgery, with subsequent histologic study suggestive of arteritis sequelae. Giant coronary artery aneurysms have a high risk of complications and aneurysm exclusion must be beneficial. This is a rare condition that can also be part of a systemic inflammatory disease.

Performance of lactating cows fed sugarcane silage treated with microbial additives

Background: No studies have been conducted evaluating sugarcane silage associated with both Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus for lactating dairy cows. Objective: To evaluate diets containing different roughages with and without microbial inoculants on intake, digestibility and milk yield of medium-producing cows. Methods: A total of 15 Holstein cows distributed into a randomized block design were used. Dietary treatments were: 1) a corn silage-based diet (CS), 2) a fresh sugarcane-based diet (SC), 3) a sugarcane silage ensiled without inoculant (SS), 4) sugarcane silage ensiled with Lactobacillus buchneri (SSLB), and 5) sugarcane silage ensiled with Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus (SSLP). Results: Digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) was lower (p<0.05) in cows fed SSLB (9.77 kg day-1) when compared with cows fed CS (13.29 kg day-1) and SSLP (12.42 kg day-1). Ensiling of sugarcane increased intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) compared to SC (mean of 6.00 kg day-1 versus 4.97 kg day-1; p<0.05). Dry matter digestibility was greater (p<0.05) in CS (77.80%) compared with diets based on sugarcane silage, whereas NDF digestibility was lower for treatments with sugarcane (p<0.05). Milk yield was similar among CS (27.99 kg), SC (25.59 kg), and silages with additives (25.47 and 27.07 for SSLB and SSLP, respectively). Cows fed CS produced more fat-corrected milk (25.89 kg) than those fed sugarcane-based diets (p<0.05). Conclusions: Fresh sugarcane or sugarcane silage with additives can be used as a roughage source for dairy cows producing up to 23.43 kg d-1 fat-corrected milk, considering the total diet is properly balanced.

Antecedentes: No existen estudios que evalúen la adición de Lactobacillus plantarum y Pediococcus pentosaceus en el ensilaje de caña de azúcar para vacas lactantes. Objetivo: Evaluar dietas con diferentes forrajes y ensilajes con y sin inoculantes microbianos sobre el consumo, digestibilidad y producción lactea de vacas de mediana producción. Metodología: Quince vacas Holstein se distribuyeron en un diseño de bloques al azar. Los tratamientos fueron: 1) dieta con ensilaje de maíz (CS), 2) dieta con caña de azúcar fresca (SC), 3) dieta con ensilaje de caña sin inoculantes (SS), 4) dieta con ensilaje de caña de azúcar ensilada con Lactobacillus buchneri (SSLB), y 5) dieta con ensilaje de caña de azúcar ensilada con Lactobacillus plantarum y Pediococcus pentosaceus (SSLP). Resultados: El consumo de materia orgánica digestible fue menor (p<0,05) en la dieta SSLB (9,77 kg day-1) en comparación con CS (13,29 kg dia-1) y SSLP (12,42 kg dia-1). El ensilaje de caña de azúcar promovió un mayor consumo de fibra detergente neutra (NDF) en comparación con SC (promedio de 6,00 kg dia-1 versus 4,97 kg dia-1; p<0,05). La digestibilidad de la materia seca fue mayor (p<0,05) para la dieta CS (77,80%) en comparación con las dietas con ensilaje de caña de azúcar, mientras que la digestibilidad de la NDF fue menor para las dietas a base de caña de azúcar (p<0,05). La producción de leche fue similar entre CS (27,99 kg), SC (25,59 kg) y ensilajes con aditivos (25,47 y 27,07 para SSLB y SSLP, respectivamente). Las vacas alimentadas con ensilaje de maíz produjeron más leche corregida por grasa (25,89 kg) que las alimentadas con dietas a base de caña de azúcar (p<0,05). Conclusión: La caña de azúcar fresca o ensilada con aditivos se puede utilizar como fuente de forraje para vacas que producen hasta 23,43 kg d-1 leche corregida por grasa, siempre que la dieta total esté equilibrada adecuadamente.

Antecedentes: Há carência de estudos avaliando a adição de Lactobacillus plantarum e Pediococcus pentosaceus na silagem de cana-de-açúcar para vacas em lactação. Objetivo: Avaliar dietas contendo diferentes forragens e silagens com e sem inoculantes microbianos sobre o consumo, digestibilidade e produção de leite de vacas de média produção de leite. Métodos: Quinze vacas Holandesas foram distribuídas em um delineamento em blocos casualizados. Os tratamentos foram: 1) dieta com silagem de milho (CS), 2) dieta com cana-de-açúcar fresca (SC), 3) dieta com silagem de cana ensilada sem inoculantes (SS), 4) dieta com silagem de cana-de-açúcar ensilada com Lactobacillus buchneri (SSLB), ou 5) dieta com silagem de cana- de-açúcar ensilada com Lactobacillus plantarum, and Pediococcus pentosaceus (SSLP). Resultados: O consumo de matéria orgânica digestível foi menor (p<0,05) na dieta SSLB (9,77 kg day-1) comparada com CS (13,29 kg dia-1) e SSLP (12,42 kg dia-1). A ensilagem da cana-de-açúcar promoveu maior consumo de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) em comparação com SC (média de 6,00 kg dia-1 versus 4.97 kg dia-1; p<0.05). A digestibilidade da matéria seca foi maior (p<0,05) para a dieta CS (77,80%) comparada com as dietas com silagem de cana-de-açúcar, enquanto que a digestibilidade da FDN foi menor para as dietas baseadas em cana-de-açúcar (p<0,05). A produção de leite foi similar entre CS (27,99 kg), SC (25,59 kg) e silagens com aditivos (25,47 e 27,07 para SSLB e SSLP, respectivamente). Vacas alimentadas com silagem de milho produziram mais leite corrigido para gordura (25,89 kg) que aquelas alimentadas com dietas baseadas em cana-de-açúcar (p<0,05). Conclusão: A cana-de-açúcar fresca ou ensilada com aditivos pode ser utilizada como fonte volumosa para vacas produzindo até 23,43 kg d-1 leite corrigido para gordura, desde que a dieta total esteja apropriadamente balanceada.

Bioprospecting and selection of tolerant strains and productive analyses of microalgae grown in vinasse.

In order to contribute to the biotechnology of microalgae cultivated in vinasse, we carried out the bioprospection of tolerant species and synthesized biomolecules of the total biomass (microalgae and bacteria), recovered from cultures. To use vinasse as a culture medium for the microalgae, waste was centrifuged and used in concentrations from 5 to 50%. Daily cell densities, growth rates, and EC50 values were obtained. After defining the best pair of vinasse concentration/microalgae strain, dry biomass, and composition (proteins and carbohydrates) were determined in 96 h cultures, considering the associated community (bacteria and yeast). The microalgae tested were Chlamydomonas sp., Chlorella sorokiniana, Chlorella vulgaris, Desmodesmus spinosus, Haematococcus pluvialis, Monoraphidium sp., Scenedesmus quadricauda, and Tetraselmis gracilis. The results showed that although the microalgal growth rates in vinasse were similar to controls in BG11, the cells in vinasse had higher biovolumes, dry biomass, and total proteins. The species H. pluvialis, S. quadricauda, and T. gracilis showed the best productivity parameters in vinasse, despite lower growth rates than the other species. Using low concentrations of centrifuged vinasse as a culture medium, only 22% of biological contaminants were present, thus most of the processed biomass was mainly composed of microalgae. Thus, Chlamydomonas sp., D. spinosus, S. quadricauda, and H. pluvialis microalgae have attributes such as resistance and biomolecules that make them candidates for further optimization in production systems, combining the environmental benefits of using waste with the production of biomolecules and/or biomass of commercial interest.