Uncommon oral manifestation of lichen sclerosus: critical analysis of cases reported from 1957 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: Lichen sclerosus is a mucocutaneous autoimmune disease which might be initiated by infectious pathogens as Borrelia Bugrdorferi and HPV. This disease shows destructive potential and is rarely diagnosed in oral mucosa. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the characteristics of cases described in literature from 1957 to 2016, looking to provide valuable evidence about clinicopathologic features of this disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A MedLine search was performed aiming to find oral lichen sclerosus cases in literature and discuss its demographical and pathological characteristics as well as treatment methods performed for these cases. RESULTS: 34 oral lichen sclerosus cases with histological confirmation and one clinicopathologic study linked with this disease were found in literature. Oral lichen sclerosus affected most commonly female patients, were asymptomatic and not associated to skin or genital lesions. Furthermore, affected patients in a range of 7 - 70-years old (Average age = 31.81). CONCLUSIONS: Oral lichen sclerosus is a rare pathologic process with slight predilection for prepubertal girls, for which topical corticosterois have demonstrated satisfactory therapeutic value.

Evaluation of body weight and visual scores for genetic improvement of Nelore cattle.

The aims of our study were to estimate genetic parameters for body weight and visual scores and to evaluate their inclusion as selection criteria in the Nelore breeding program in Brazil. The traits studied were the body weight adjusted to 210 (W210) and to 450 (W450) days of age and visual scores for body structure, finishing precocity, and muscling evaluated at weaning (BSW, FPW, and MSW) and yearling (BSY, FPY, and MSY) ages. A total of 33,242, 26,259, 23,075, and 26,057 observations were considered to analyze W210, W450, and visual scores at weaning and yearling. The significant (P < 0.05) fixed effects for all traits were farm, birth season, birth year, sex, and management group. Single-trait analyses were performed to define the most fitting model to our data using the average information restricted maximum likelihood algorithm, for weaning traits. Subsequently, these models were used in single- and two-trait analyses considering the Bayesian inference algorithm. Two-trait Bayesian analyses resulted in average direct heritability estimates for BSW, FPW, MSW, W210, BSY, FPY, MSY, and W450 of 0.28, 0.30, 0.27, 0.28, 0.40, 0.44, 0.39, and 0.50, respectively. Genetic correlations varied from 0.40 to 0.96. Benefits to animal performance can best be achieved by considering body structure, finishing precocity, and muscling as selection criteria in the Nelore breeding programs. The decision to use visual scores measured at weaning should be considered in order to decrease generation interval and assist pre-selecting individuals, expecting carcass improvements in the future progeny.

Body condition score of Nellore beef cows: a heritable measure to improve the selection of reproductive and maternal traits.

Despite the economic importance of beef cattle production in Brazil, female reproductive performance, which is strongly associated with production efficiency, is not included in the selection index of most breeding programmes due to low heritability and difficulty in measure. The body condition score (BCS) could be used as an indicator of these traits. However, so far little is known about the feasibility of using BCS as a selection tool for reproductive performance in beef cattle. In this study, we investigated the sources of variation in the BCS of Nellore beef cows, quantified its association with reproductive and maternal traits and estimated its heritability. BCS was analysed using a logistic model that included the following effects: contemporary group at weaning, cow weight and hip height, calving order, reconception together with the weight and scores of conformation and early finishing assigned to calves at weaning. In the genetic analysis, variance components of BCS were estimated through Bayesian inference by fitting an animal model that also included the aforementioned effects. The results showed that BCS was significantly associated with all of the reproductive and maternal variables analysed. The estimated posterior mean of heritability of BCS was 0.24 (highest posterior density interval at 95%: 0.093 to 0.385), indicating an involvement of additive gene action in its determination. The present findings show that BCS can be used as a selection criterion for Nellore females.

Genetic analysis of the temperament of Nellore cattle using linear and threshold models.

Temperament is an important trait for the management and welfare of animals and for reducing accidents involving people who work with cattle. The present study aimed to estimate the genetic parameters related to the temperament score (T) and weaning weight (WW) of Nellore cattle, reared in a beef cattle breeding program in Brazil. Data were analyzed using two different two-trait statistical models, both considering WW and T: (1) a linear-linear model in which variance components (VCs) were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood; and (2) a linear-threshold model in which VCs were estimated via Bayesian inference. WW was included in the analyses of T to minimize any possible effects of sequential selection and to allow for estimation of the genetic correlation between these two traits. The heritability estimates for T were 0.21 ± 0.003 (model 1) and 0.26 (model 2, with a 95% credibility interval (95% CI) of 0.21 to 0.32). The estimated genetic correlations between WW and T were of a moderate magnitude (-0.33 ± 0.01 (model 1) and -0.34 (95% CI: -0.40, -0.28, model 2). The genetic correlations between the estimated breeding values (EBVs) obtained for the animals based on the two models were high (>0.92). The use of different models had little influence on the classification of animals based on EBVs or the accuracy of the EBVs.

Genetic relationship among reproductive traits in Nellore cattle.

In order to achieve improvements in production efficiency in livestock, herds of high sexual precocity and good fertility are needed. These traits increase the availability of animals in herd, either for sale or selection, allowing both greater selective intensity and greater genetic progress. This study aimed at estimating genetic parameters for reproductive traits measured directly in females in order to verify whether they could be used as selection criteria for genetic improvement in Nellore cows, as well as estimating the genetic relationship among these traits and scrotal circumference (SC), the traditional selection criterion for sexual precocity in cattle. In addition to SC, stayability (STAY), number of calvings at 53 months (NC53) and heifers rebreeding (HR) were studied. The (co)variances and genetic parameters were estimated using Bayesian inference. STAY, NC53 and HR were analyzed assuming a threshold model, whereas SC was analyzed with a linear model. Heritability estimated for NC53 was 0.22, and this trait was strongly and positively correlated with STAY, meaning selection for NC53 would improve productive longevity of Nellore cows. Correlations estimated between HR and STAY (≈0.97) and between HR and NC53 (≈0.99) allow an improvement on HR rates if selection was applied to traits related to longevity. Genetic correlations among SC and female reproductive traits were positive but weak, suggesting the need to use reproductive traits directly measured in females in order to obtain greater improvements in sexual precocity and longevity.

Genetic parameter estimates and principal component analysis of breeding values of reproduction and growth traits in female Canchim cattle.

Phenotypic data from female Canchim beef cattle were used to obtain estimates of genetic parameters for reproduction and growth traits using a linear animal mixed model. In addition, relationships among animal estimated breeding values (EBVs) for these traits were explored using principal component analysis. The traits studied in female Canchim cattle were age at first calving (AFC), age at second calving (ASC), calving interval (CI), and bodyweight at 420 days of age (BW420). The heritability estimates for AFC, ASC, CI and BW420 were 0.03±0.01, 0.07±0.01, 0.06±0.02, and 0.24±0.02, respectively. The genetic correlations for AFC with ASC, AFC with CI, AFC with BW420, ASC with CI, ASC with BW420, and CI with BW420 were 0.87±0.07, 0.23±0.02, -0.15±0.01, 0.67±0.13, -0.07±0.13, and 0.02±0.14, respectively. Standardised EBVs for AFC, ASC and CI exhibited a high association with the first principal component, whereas the standardised EBV for BW420 was closely associated with the second principal component. The heritability estimates for AFC, ASC and CI suggest that these traits would respond slowly to selection. However, selection response could be enhanced by constructing selection indices based on the principal components.

Genetic parameters for an alternative criterion to improve productive longevity of Nellore cows.

Number of calvings at 53 mo (NC53) was proposed as an alternative selection criterion to improve productive longevity of Nellore cows. This study was carried out to estimate variance components for NC53 by assuming different models, so that the potential for using this selection criterion to improve fertility of Nellore cows could be assessed. Genetic correlations between NC53, number of calvings at 89 mo (NC89), and 2 selection indexes used in this breed were also estimated. The NC53 trait is moderately heritable (posterior mean heritability ≈ 0.17) and selecting for this criterion could improve productive longevity of Nellore cows. Greater response to selection is expected by fitting a threshold animal model for this trait, rather than a linear animal model. Greater accuracy of prediction for this criterion could be achieved by fitting a threshold-linear model, considering this trait and a selection index composed by traits evaluated at weaning and long-yearling.

Genetic parameters and environmental effects on temperament score and reproductive traits of Nellore cattle.

Animal temperament is a trait of economic relevance and its use as a selection criterion requires the identification of environmental factors that influence this trait, as well as the estimation of its genetic variability and interrelationship with other traits. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of the covariates dam age at calving (ADC), long yearling age (YA) and long yearling weight (YW) on temperament score (T) and to estimate genetic parameters for T, scrotal circumference (SC) at long YA and age at first calving (AFC) in Nellore cattle participating in a selection program. The traits were analyzed by the restricted maximum likelihood method under a multiple-trait animal model. For all traits, contemporary group was included as a fixed effect and additive genetic and residual as random effects. In addition to these effects, YA, YW and ADC were considered for analyzing T. In the case of SC and AFC, the effect of long YW was included as a covariate. Genetic parameters were estimated for and between traits. The three covariates significantly influenced T. The heritability estimates for T, SC and AFC were 0.18 ± 0.02, 0.53 ± 0.04 and 0.23 ± 0.08, respectively. The genetic correlations between T and SC, and T and AFC were -0.07 ± 0.17 and -0.06 ± 0.19, respectively. The genetic correlation estimated between SC and AFC was -0.57 ± 0.16. In conclusion, a response to selection for T, SC and AFC is expected and selection for T does not imply correlated responses with the other traits.

Suplementação da dieta de codornas com minerais nas formas orgânicas sobre o desempenho e a qualidade dos ovos / Supplementation in quail diet with organic minerals on performance and egg quality

Foram realizados três experimentos com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da suplementação de minerais na forma orgânica na dieta de codornas japonesas na fase de postura sobre o desempenho e a qualidade de ovos das aves. Os níveis de minerais utilizados por kg de ração, para cada experimento, foram: controle, 0,35, 0,70 e 1,05mg de Se orgânico (experimento 1); controle, 50, 100 e 150mg de Zn orgânico (experimento 2) e controle, 60, 120 e 180mg de Mn orgânico (experimento 3). As aves foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, sendo oito aves por parcela e seis repetições por tratamento. Foram avaliadas as características de desempenho - consumo diário de ração, peso dos ovos, porcentagem de postura, conversão alimentar por massa de ovos e por dúzia de ovos e viabilidade - e qualidade dos ovos - unidade Haugh, índice gema, porcentagens de casca, albúmen e gema, espessura de casca e gravidade específica. O Zn orgânico suplementado à dieta melhorou o desempenho das aves e a qualidade dos ovos, o Mn orgânico melhorou a qualidade da casca e reduziu o peso dos ovos e o Se não apresentou efeitos sobre as características avaliadas.

Three experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of minerals in organic form in diet supplementation in Japanese quails performance. The levels of minerals used per kg of diet for each experiment were: Experiment 1: control, 0.35; 0.70 and 1.05mg organic; Experiment 2: control, 50; 100 and 150mg organic Zn; and Experiment 3: control, 60; 120 and 180mg organic Mn. The birds were randomly allotted in treatments with eight birds per experimental unit and six replicates per treatment. Performance traits of the quails estimated by daily feed intake, egg weight, egg production, feed conversion by egg mass and per dozen eggs and viability, and egg quality measured by Haugh unit, yolk index, shell, albumen and yolk percentage, shell thickness and specific gravity were evaluated. The organic Zn diet supplementation improved bird performance and egg quality, the organic Mn diet improved eggshell quality and reduced egg weight, and the Se diet did not affect the evaluated characteristics.

Genetic and environmental effects on age at first farrowing in sows in southeastern Brazil.

We evaluated genetic and environmental factors affecting age at first farrowing of sows in the Brazilian southeast. For this purpose, 466 observations regarding the age at first farrowing were made for Dalland-C40© animals belonging to two herds. The effects of the environmental factors on this trait were assessed by means of a model that included, as random effects, the influence of the sow's father and mother and, as fixed effects, the influence the year of birth, the herd and the birth season, along with the covariable litter size at birth. The variance components were estimated using the derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood method. The estimated mean was 354.8 ± 25.87 days, with a coefficient of variation of 7.29%. Significant effects on the trait were observed for the herd, the year and the season of birth; but a linear effect of litter size at birth on the age at first farrowing was not observed. The boar did not significantly contribute to the variation occurring among the sows, whereas the sow's mother caused significant variation. The heritability estimate for the age at first farrowing was 0.44 ± 0.15, which is considered high. We concluded that herd effect and year and season of birth should be taken into consideration for an accurate genetic comparison; consequently, the animals should be joined into contemporary groups.

Estimates of genetic parameters for visual scores and daily weight gain in Brangus animals.

(Co)variance components were estimated for visual scores of conformation (CY), early finishing (PY) and muscling (MY) at 550 days of age (yearling), average daily gain from weaning to yearling (GWY), conformation (CW), early finishing (PW) and muscling (MW) scores at weaning, and average daily gain from birth to weaning (GBW) in animals forming the Brazilian Brangus breed born between 1986 and 2002 from the livestock files of GenSys Consultants Associados S/C Ltda. The data set contained 53 683; 45 136; 52 937; 56 471; 24 531; 21 166; 24 006 and 25 419 records for CW, PW, MW, GBW, CY, PY, MY and GWY, respectively. Data were analyzed by the restricted maximum likelihood method using single- and two-trait animal models. Direct heritability estimates obtained by single-trait analysis were 0.12, 0.14, 0.13 and 0.14 for CY, PY and MY scores and GWY, respectively. A positive association was observed between the same visual scores at weaning and yearling, with correlations ranging from 0.64 to 0.94. Estimated correlations between GBW and weaning and yearling scores ranged from 0.60 to 0.77. The genetic correlation between GBW and GWY was low (0.10), whereas correlations of 0.55, 0.37 and 0.47 were observed between GWY and CY, PY and MY, respectively. Moreover, GWY showed a weak correlation with CW (0.10), PW (-0.08) and MW (-0.03) scores. These results indicate that selection of the traits that was studied would result in a small response. In addition, selection based on average daily gain may have an indirect effect on visual scores as the correlations between GWY and visual scores were generally strong.

Avaliação da atividade cicatrizante do jucá (Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. ex Tul. var. ferrea) em lesões cutâneas de caprinos / Evaluation of the Brazilian ironwood (Caesalpinia ferrea Mart. ex Tul. var. ferrea) healing activity on cutaneous lesions of goats

O objetivo deste estudo foi demonstrar os efeitos do tratamento tópico do jucá (Caesalpinia ferrea) em feridas cutâneas. Quinze caprinos machos sem raça definida foram divididos em 3 grupos de acordo com o pós-cirúrgico (7º, 14º e 21º dias). As feridas experimentais foram tratadas com a pomada composta pela casca da Caesalpinia ferrea em pó misturada com a vaselina estéril e as do grupo controle apenas com a vaselina esterilizada. A aplicação diária da pomada e da vaselina estéril foi realizada sobre ferida circular padronizada de 16 cm² de área na região torácica de cada animal. As avaliações das feridas foram feitas do ponto de vista clínico, bacteriológico, morfométrico e histopatológico nos períodos pré-determinados (7º, 14º e 21º dias). Morfometricamente, as feridas do controle apresentaram áreas cirúrgicas menores e grau de contração maior que as do grupo tratado, entretanto, histologicamente, houve completa epitelização das feridas tratadas no 21º dia, enquanto que as feridas do grupo controle necessitavam de mais tempo para resolução do processo cicatricial. No exame microbiológico realizado no momento da produção da ferida, não se observou crescimento bacteriano e no momento das biópsias, identificou-se a presença de bactérias da família Enterobacteriaceae e Staphylococcus aureus, sendo que a partir do 14º dia observou-se Staphylococcus aureus apenas no grupo controle. A utilização tópica da pomada de Caesalpinia ferrea apresentou eficiência significativa no auxílio da reparação cicatricial de feridas cutâneas de caprinos.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effects of the topical treatment with Brazilian ironwood (Caesalpinia ferrea) on cutaneous wounds. Fifteen male mongrel goats were divided into 3 groups according to the postoperative period ((7th, 14th and 21st days). The experimental wounds were treated with an ointment composed of Brazilian wood powder bark mixed with sterile vaseline, whereas controls were only treated with sterile Vaseline. The ointment and the sterile vaselin were daily applied on a standardized circular wound (16 cm² area) in the thoracic region of each animal. Clinical, bacteriological, morphometric and histopathological evaluations were performed in the wounds at predetermined periods (7th, 14th and 21st postoperative days). Morphometrically, control wounds had smaller surgical areas and greater degree of contraction than those from the treated group. However, histologically, there was a complete epithelialization of the treated wounds on the 21st day, whereas control wounds required longer time for healing. In the microbiological evaluation performed at the moment of wound production, there was no bacterial growth. During biopsies, Enterobacteriaceae bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus were identified; from the 14th day, the latter was only observed in the control group. The topical use of Caesalpinia ferrea ointment was significantly efficient to help healing cutaneous wounds in goats.

Genetic effects on preweaning weight gain of Nelore-Hereford calves according to different models and estimation methods.

Additive and nonadditive genetic effects on preweaning weight gain (PWG) of a commercial crossbred population were estimated using different genetic models and estimation methods. The data set consisted of 103,445 records on purebred and crossbred Nelore-Hereford calves raised under pasture conditions on farms located in south, southeast, and middle west Brazilian regions. In addition to breed additive and dominance effects, the models including different epistasis covariables were tested. Models considering joint additive and environment (latitude) by genetic effects interactions were also applied. In a first step, analyses were carried out under animal models. In a second step, preadjusted records were analyzed using ordinary least squares (OLS) and ridge regression (RR). The results reinforced evidence that breed additive and dominance effects are not sufficient to explain the observed variability in preweaning traits of Bos taurus x Bos indicus calves, and that genotype x environment interaction plays an important role in the evaluation of crossbred calves. Data were ill-conditioned to estimate the effects of genotype x environment interactions. Models including these effects presented multicolinearity problems. In this case, RR seemed to be a powerful tool for obtaining more plausible and stable estimates. Estimated prediction error variances and variance inflation factors were drastically reduced, and many effects that were not significant under ordinary least squares became significant under RR. Predictions of PWG based on RR estimates were more acceptable from a biological perspective. In temperate and subtropical regions, calves with intermediate genetic compositions (close to 1/2 Nelore) exhibited greater predicted PWG. In the tropics, predicted PWG increased linearly as genotype got closer to Nelore.

Genetic relationship, inbreeding and generation interval in registered Gir cattle in Brazil.

SUMMARY: Two-hundred random pedigrees of cows and fifty of sires born in 1987 from the Gir herdbook of the Brazilian Association of Zebu Breeders were analized. The bull Chave de Ouro DGR no. 2851 was the most influential animal with a 7% direct relationship to the breed. Total average inbreeding was 3.62 and 3.25 for the female and male sample, respectively. The subdivision of total inbreeding into current and non-current components resulted in values of 1.62, 1.25, 2.00 and 2.00 for the female and male sample, respectively. Long-term inbreeding was the principal component of non-current inbreeding, with values of 1.52% and 1.26%, respectively. Inbreeding due to strain formation strain due formation was less important (0.48% and 0.74%, respectively). The average generation interval was 8.02 years. The breed appears not yet to be subdivided into strains but this process may be starting. The average generation interval for the pedigree population was very high. Culling of old bulls could decrease this interval. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Verwandtschaft, Inzucht und Generationsintervall bei Gir Herdbuchrindern in Brasilien 200 zufällige Stammbäume von Kühen und 50 von 1987 geborenen Stieren wurden vom Gir Herdbuch des brasilianischen Zebu Zuchtverbandes genommen. Der Stier Chave de Ouro DGR Nr. 2851 war das einflußreichste Tier mit einer 7%igen direkten Verwandtschaft zur Rasse. Der gesamte Inzuchtkoeffizient war 3.6 und 3.25% für die weibliche und männliche Stichprobe. Die Unterteilung der gesamten Inzucht in laufende und nicht laufende Komponenten resultierte in Werten von 1.62, 1.25, 2.0, 2.0 für die weibliche und die männliche Stichprobe. Langfristige Inzucht war die Hauptursache für Nicht-Rezente Inzucht mit Werten von 1.5 und 1.26. Inzucht aufgrund von Linienbildung war weniger wichtig (0.48% und 0.74%). Das durchschnittliche Generationsintervall war 8.02 Jahre. Die Rasse scheint noch nicht in Linien unterteilt zu sein, aber dieser Prozeß könnte begonnen haben. Das durchschnittliche Generationsintervall ist mit 8.02 Jahren sehr hoch. Nichtverwendung alter Stiere könnte dieses Intervall verkürzen.