Dimensions of household food waste focused on family and consumers.

Food waste produced in homes represents the largest fraction of food waste generated along the food chain. Therefore, adequate prevention measures based on the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of the problem need to be put in place to reduce waste. The objective of the review was to identify areas of interest in relation to the food waste in households, considering the family unit as a whole as well as individual family members. Quantifying the problem is an important aspect in order to know its scope and dimension, but prevention also involves knowing the causes in a home. This is a complex issue, which, on a family level, is related to socioeconomic status, educational level, composition and number of members of the household as well as culinary and buying food habits. Individual variables such as age, sex, values, awareness, lifestyle and time spent on food preparation were included to characterize consumers. The focus of the problem is also important because most consumers consider food waste from a social perspective, without being aware of the serious environmental and economic problems. Habits and customs of consumers are considered the leading cause of food waste in homes and knowledge of this issue raises consumer awareness as a preventive tool.

Bioecological aspects of triatomines and marsupials as wild Trypanosoma cruzi reservoirs in urban, peri-urban and rural areas in the Western Brazilian Amazon.

In the Amazon region, Trypanosoma cruzi transmission cycles involve a great diversity of Triatominae vectors and mammal reservoirs. Some Rhodnius spp. mainly inhabit palm trees that act as microhabitats for hosts and vectors. The current study aimed to describe aspects of the bio-ecology of the vectors and reservoirs of T. cruzi in relation to human populations resident near areas with large quantities of palm trees, in rural, peri-urban and urban collection environments, located in the Western Brazilian Amazon. Rhodnius pictipes and Didelphis marsupialis were respectively the most predominant vector and reservoir, with rates of 71% for R. pictipes and 96.5% for D. marsupialis. The vast majority of T. cruzi isolates clustered with TcI. The most prevalent haplotype was TcI COII1 (69.7%). Mauritia flexuosa and Attalea phalerata were the main ecological indicators of infestation by triatomines. Birds were the most common food source (27,71%). T. cruzi isolated from R. robustus has the haplotype HUM-13, previously detected in a chronic Chagas patient living in the same area. Our results demonstrate the relevance of this study, with the occurrence of elevated infection rates in animals, and suggest the importance of the Amazon zones where there is a risk of infection in humans.

Replacing soybean meal with okara meal: Effects on production, milk fatty acid and plasma amino acid profile, and nutrient utilization in dairy cows.

Okara meal is a byproduct from the production of soymilk and tofu and can potentially replace soybean meal (SBM) in dairy diets due to its high crude protein (CP) concentration and residual fat. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of replacing SBM with okara meal on feed intake, yields of milk and milk components, milk fatty acid (FA) profile, nutrient utilization, and plasma AA concentration in lactating dairy cows. Twelve multiparous (65 ± 33 d in milk) and 8 primiparous (100 ± 35 d in milk) organically certified Jersey cows were paired by parity or days in milk, and within pair, randomly assigned to treatments in a crossover design with 21-d periods (14 d for diet adaptation and 7 d for data and sample collection). Diets were fed as total mixed ration formulated to be isonitrogenous and isofibrous and contained (dry matter basis) 50% mixed, mostly grass baleage, 2% sugarcane liquid molasses, 2% minerals-vitamins premix, and either (1) 8.1% SBM, 10% soyhulls, and 27.9% ground corn (CTRL); or (2) 15% okara meal, 8% soyhulls, and 23% ground corn (OKR). Dietary CP, ash-free neutral detergent fiber, and total FA averaged 15.4, 35.3, and 3.08% for CTRL and 15.9%, 36.3%, and 3.74% for OKR, respectively. Substitution of SBM with okara meal did not alter dry matter intake but increased intakes of CP and ash-free neutral detergent fiber. Additionally, no significant differences between treatments were observed for yields of milk and milk components, and concentrations of milk fat, lactose, and total solids. However, milk true protein concentration was lower in cows fed OKR (3.76%) versus CTRL (3.81%). Both milk urea N (8.51 vs. 9.47 mg/dL) and plasma urea N (16.9 vs. 17.8 mg/dL) concentrations decreased with OKR relative to the CTRL diet, respectively. Compared with CTRL, feeding OKR lowered the milk proportions of total odd-chain FA, de novo FA, and mixed FA and increased those of preformed FA, total n-6 FA, and total n-3 FA. The milk proportions of trans-10 18:1, trans-11 18:1, and cis-9,trans-11 18:2 were greater with feeding OKR versus the CTRL diet. The apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients, urinary excretion of total purine derivatives (uric acid plus allantoin), and total N were not affected by treatments. Except for plasma Leu, which was lower in OKR compared with the CTRL diet, no other significant changes in the plasma concentrations of AA were observed. The plasma concentration of carnosine was lowest in cows receiving the OKR diet. Overall, our results revealed that okara meal can completely replace SBM without negatively affecting production and nutrient digestibility in early- to mid-lactation Jersey cows. Further research is needed to assess the economic feasibility of including okara meal in dairy diets, as well as the amount of okara meal that maximizes yields of milk and milk components in dairy cows in different stages of lactation.

Replacing ground corn with incremental amounts of liquid molasses does not change milk enterolactone but decreases production in dairy cows fed flaxseed meal.

We investigated the effects of replacing ground corn (GRC) with incremental amounts of liquid molasses (LM) on milk enterolactone concentration, antioxidant enzymes activity in plasma, production, milk fatty acid (FA) profile, and nutrient utilization in Jersey cows fed flaxseed meal and low-starch diets. Sixteen multiparous organically certified Jersey cows averaging (mean ± standard deviation) 101 ± 45 d in milk, 462 ± 38 kg of body weight, and 19.8 ± 3.90 kg/d of milk in the beginning of the study were randomly assigned to treatment sequences in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, with 14 d for diet adaptation and 7 d for data and sample collection. Diets were fed as total mixed rations consisting (dry matter basis) of 52% grass-legume baleage, 8% grass hay, 8.5% soyhulls, 2.5% roasted soybean, 15% flaxseed meal, and 2% minerals-vitamins premix. The GRC-to-LM dietary ratios (dry matter basis) were 12:0, 8:4, 4:8, and 0:12. Orthogonal polynomials were used to test linear, quadratic, and cubic effects using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). The milk concentration of enterolactone tended to respond cubically, thus suggesting that replacing GRC with LM did not affect this lignan in milk. The plasma activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and catalase did not differ, but superoxide dismutase activity tended to respond cubically with feeding increasing amounts of LM. Dry matter intake and yields of milk and milk fat, true protein, and lactose decreased linearly with substituting GRC for LM. Whereas the concentrations of milk fat and milk true protein did not differ across treatments, milk lactose content decreased linearly. Feeding incremental levels of LM reduced linearly the milk concentration of urea N and the amount of N excreted in urine, and tended to decrease linearly the concentration of plasma urea N. Apparent total-tract digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, and neutral and acid detergent fiber did not differ across treatments, whereas digestibility of crude protein decreased linearly. Digestibility of starch responded linearly and quadratically, but the actual differences between treatments were too small to be biologically significant. Milk FA profile was substantially changed most notably by linear increases in cis-9,trans-11 18:2, cis-9,cis-12,cis-15 18:3, Σ odd-chain FA, and the trans-11-to-trans-10 ratio, and linear decreases in cis-9 18:1 and cis-9,cis-12 18:2 when replacing GRC by incremental amounts of LM.

Desempenho bioeconômico de sistemas intensivos de cria e de ciclo completo por meio de simulação / Bioeconomic performance of intensive breeding systems and of full-cycle by way of simulation

Foram simulados quatro sistemas de produção de bovinos de corte a partir de dados zootécnicos e econômicos de uma fazenda de ciclo completo situada no município de Corinto, região central de Minas Gerais. Utilizou-se o programa de simulação bioeconômica Embrapec. Os sistemas simulados foram: ciclo completo com uso de cruzamento industrial (CompCRUZA), ciclo completo exclusivamente com zebuíno (CompZEBU), ciclo de cria com uso de cruzamento industrial (CriaCRUZA), ciclo de cria exclusivamente com zebuíno (CriaZEBU). No sistema com cruzamento industrial, os animais eram vendidos logo após a desmama, com oito meses (CriaCRUZA), ou abatidos aos 13 meses (CompCRUZA). No sistema com rebanho zebu, os animais eram também vendidos à desmama (CriaZEBU) ou abatidos aos 24 meses (CompZEBU). As bezerras foram recriadas, e uma parcela (15%), descartada para a venda. A quantidade de animais em um rebanho estabilizado foi 13,1% e 10,7% menor nos sistemas cruzados, completo e cria, respectivamente; porém a quantidade (kg) de carcaça vendida/ha (49,9 para CriaCRUZA e 118,1 para CompCRUZA) e a taxa de desfrute (24,4%) foram em média 15,3% maior que zebuínos. A taxa interna de retorno e o valor presente líquido foram superiores para os sistemas que adotaram o cruzamento de zebuínos com raças europeias, CriaCRUZA (17,2% e R$ 10.151.896,54) e CompCRUZA (18,9% e R$ 11.749.329,42). Quando comparados os sistemas de produção, os que utilizaram ciclo completo, o CompCRUZA (18,9% e R$ 11.749.329,42) e CompZEBU (16,2% e R$ 9.568.293,51), foram em média 18,7% maiores que os de cria, quando comparados com o mesmo grupo genético, CriaCRUZA (17,2% e R$ 10.151.896,54) e CriaZEBU (14,6% e R$ 7.955.230,38). Todos os sistemas de produção simulados foram economicamente viáveis, sendo que o sistema de produção CompCRUZA foi que apresentou maior viabilidade econômica e com melhores indicadores zootécnicos.

Four alternative systems of production from zootechnical and economic beef cattle data were simulated from an existing full-cycle farm located in Corinto, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The systems simulated were: full-cycle with the use of crossbreed cattle (CompCRUZA), full cycle, exclusively with zebu cattle (CompZEBU), rearing cycle with the use of crossbreed cattle (CriaCRUZA) and rearing cycle with zebu cattle (CriaZEBU). The crossbreeding system animals were sold immediately after weaning with 8 months (CriaCRUZA) or slaughtered with 13 months (CompCRUZA). The zebu cattle system animals were also sold after weaning (CriaZEBU) or slaughtered with 24 months (CompZEBU). The female calves were reared and 15% were destined for sale. The data was simulated on the bioeconomic software "Embrapec". The number of animals in the stabilized herd was lower in cross-systems, but the amount (kg) of carcass sold/ha (49.9 for CriaCRUZA and 118.1 for CompCRUZA) and offtake rate (24.4%) were superior to zebu cattle. The internal rate of return and net present value was higher for systems that have adopted the crossing system (taurine x zebu cattle), CriaCRUZA (17.2% and R$ 10,151,896.54) and CompCRUZA (18.9% and R$ 11,749,329.42). When comparing the production systems, those using full-cycle, the CompCRUZA and CompZEBU (16.2% and R$ 9,568,293.51), were more profitable than rearing systems, when compared with the same genetic group, CriaCRUZA and CriaZEBU (14.6% to R$ 7,955,230.38. All production systems simulated were financially feasible, but the production systemCompCRUZA showed the highest economic viability and better zootechnical indicators.

Interaction between Apis mellifera L. and Baccharis dracunculifolia DC, that favours green propolis production in Minas Gerais.

In Minas Gerais, green propolis is produced from the collection of resinous substance found in shoot apices of Baccharis dracunculifolia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological parameters associated with the interaction Apis mellifera x Baccharis dracunculifolia, to elucidate the supply of resin for green propolis production in Minas Gerais. We selected male and female individuals of two populations of Baccharis dracunculifolia located on São Judas Tadeu Farm - FSJT, in the municipality of Betim, MG and the Experimental Garden of the Ezequiel Dias Foundation - HORTO, located in an urban area in Belo Horizonte, MG. We made weekly observations, from June 2007 to June 2008, and evaluated in both populations: richness and abundance of insect visitors; resin collecting visits of Apis mellifera; presence of Baccharopelma dracunculifoliae galls; growth of individuals and phenological phases. Statistical analyses were made using R software. The rainy season showed the highest number of visitors. A. mellifera collected resin in shoot apices of Baccharis dracunculifolia from August to April, only in the FSJT population, where galls of B. dracunculifoliae were also present. Ovoposition of gall inductor on host plants occurs during the rainy season, when there is a peak of visitants and resin collecting visits of honeybees. This fact stimulates plant defense strategies against parasitoids and predators, which includes the production of several secondary metabolites, and ultimately reduces competition for food by inhibiting the attack of other phytophagous insects, not adapted to the chemical environment of plant tissues. Green propolis production in Minas Gerais is related to the abundant supply of resin by Baccharis dracunculifolia, when they are parasitised by B. dracunculifoliae galls. They induce plant production of defense exudates, which attract Apis mellifera bees to collect resin and consequently favour the production of green propolis.

High frequency of lamivudine resistance mutations in Brazilian patients co-infected with HIV and hepatitis B.

This study analyzed the genotype distribution and frequency of lamivudine (LAM) and tenofovir (TDF) resistance mutations in a group of patients co-infected with HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV). A cross-sectional study of 847 patients with HIV was conducted. Patients provided blood samples for HBsAg detection. The load of HBV was determined using an "in-house" real-time polymerase chain reaction. HBV genotypes/subgenotypes, antiviral resistance, basal core promoter (BCP), and precore mutations were detected by DNA sequencing. Twenty-eight patients with co-infection were identified. The distribution of HBV genotypes among these patients was A (n = 9; 50%), D (n = 4; 22.2%), G (n = 3; 16.7%), and F (n = 2; 11.1%). Eighteen patients were treated with LAM and six patients were treated with LAM plus TDF. The length of exposure to LAM and TDF varied from 4 to 216 months. LAM resistance substitutions (rtL180M + rtM204V) were detected in 10 (50%) of the 20 patients with viremia. This pattern and an accompanying rtV173L mutation was found in four patients. Three patients with the triple polymerase substitution pattern (rtV173L + rtL180M + rtM204V) had associated changes in the envelope gene (sE164D + sI195M). Mutations in the BCP region (A1762T, G1764A) and in the precore region (G1896A, G1899A) were also found. No putative TDF resistance substitution was detected. The data suggest that prolonged LAM use is associated with the emergence of particular changes in the HBV genome, including substitutions that may elicit a vaccine escape phenotype. No putative TDF resistance change was detected after prolonged use of TDF.

Hepatitis B virus genotype E detected in Brazil in an African patient who is a frequent traveler

Genotype E of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has not been described in Brazil and is found mainly in Africa. Genotype A is the most prevalent in Brazil, and genotypes B, C, D, and F have already been reported. We report here an HBV genotype E-infected patient and some characterization of surface (S) protein, DNA polymerase (P) and precore/core (preC/C) coding regions based on the viral genome. The patient is a 31-year-old black man with chronic hepatitis B who was born and raised in Angola. He has been followed by a hepatologist in São Paulo, Brazil, since November 2003, and he is a frequent traveler to Latin America, Africa, and Europe. In 2003, he was diagnosed with HBV infection and started treatment with lamivudine with the later addition of adefovir dipivoxil. No known risk factor was identified. Serologically, he is HBsAg and anti-HBe positive, but HBeAg and anti-HBs negative. DNA sequence analysis of the S/P region confirmed that this patient is infected with genotype E, subtype ayw4. The preC/C region showed G1896A and G1899A mutations but no mutations in the basal core promoter. Nucleotide substitutions common in genotype E were also observed (C1772, T1858 and A1757). Although this is not an autochthonous case and there is no evidence of further spread, the description of this case in Brazil highlights the current risk of viral genotypes spreading with unprecedented speed due to constant travel around the world.

Hepatitis B virus genotype E detected in Brazil in an African patient who is a frequent traveler.

Genotype E of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has not been described in Brazil and is found mainly in Africa. Genotype A is the most prevalent in Brazil, and genotypes B, C, D, and F have already been reported. We report here an HBV genotype E-infected patient and some characterization of surface (S) protein, DNA polymerase (P) and precore/core (preC/C) coding regions based on the viral genome. The patient is a 31-year-old black man with chronic hepatitis B who was born and raised in Angola. He has been followed by a hepatologist in São Paulo, Brazil, since November 2003, and he is a frequent traveler to Latin America, Africa, and Europe. In 2003, he was diagnosed with HBV infection and started treatment with lamivudine with the later addition of adefovir dipivoxil. No known risk factor was identified. Serologically, he is HBsAg and anti-HBe positive, but HBeAg and anti-HBs negative. DNA sequence analysis of the S/P region confirmed that this patient is infected with genotype E, subtype ayw4. The preC/C region showed G1896A and G1899A mutations but no mutations in the basal core promoter. Nucleotide substitutions common in genotype E were also observed (C1772, T1858 and A1757). Although this is not an autochthonous case and there is no evidence of further spread, the description of this case in Brazil highlights the current risk of viral genotypes spreading with unprecedented speed due to constant travel around the world.

[Assessing the Brazilian network of poison control centers]. / Avaliação da Rede Brasileira de Centros de Controle de Intoxicações a Envenenamento - CCIEs.

General concern about increasing reports of emergencies caused by or attributed to the exposure of human beings to various toxic agents has created demand for assessing the informational performance of a Brazilian network of 34 poison control centers (PCCs), located in different regions of the country and pertaining to the National Poison Information System (SINITOX). The primary purpose of these PCCs is to inform the public, prevent cases of poisoning, and provide medical care. This paper analyzes the available resources for identifying cases of poisoning, preventing new occurrences, and monitoring the consequences of toxic agents. This paper also analyzes data recorded front 1990 to 1992. The objective is to identify the main constraints to using health-data and management information as decision-making tools at the local level.

[Management of acute respiratory infection in the outpatient department of the Hospital Robert Reid Cabral]. / Manejo de infeccion respiratoria aguda (IRA) en la consulta externa del Hospital Robert Reid Cabral.

PIP: A prospective study was conducted of 100 children under five who were treated at the outpatient and emergency services of the Robert Reid Cabral Hospital in Santo Domingo between August 1989 and May 1990 for acute respiratory infection (ARI). The objective was to evaluate the frequency of use of antibiotics in management of ARI. 51 of the children were under one year old. Among the infants under one year, 32 had mild, 15 had moderate, and 4 had severe cases. An antibiotic was prescribed in 35 of 59 cases of mild infection, 34 of 36 cases of moderate infection, and in all 5 cases of severe infection. The most frequently used antibiotic was penicillin, used in 28%, followed by amoxycillin in 17%, ampicillin in 14%, and erythromycin in 8%.^ieng