Connection of spectral pattern of carbohydrate molecular structure to alteration of nutritional properties of by-products from coffee processing affected by microorganism fermentation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine internal structure spectral profile of by-products from coffee processing that were affected by added-microorganism fermentation duration in relation to truly absorbed feed nutrient supply in ruminant system. Methods: The by-products from coffee processing were fermented using commercial fermentation product, consisting of various microorganisms: for 0 (control), 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. In this study, the association and correlation of carbohydrate-related spectral profiles with chemical and nutritional properties (chemical composition, total digestible nutrient, bioenergy values, carbohydrate sub-fractions and predicted degradation and digestion parameters as well as milk value of feed. The vibrational spectra of coffee by-products samples after fermentation for 0 (control), 7, 14, 21, and 28 days were determined using a JASCO FT/IR-4200 spectroscopy coupled with accessory of Attenuated total reflectance (ATR). The molecular spectral analyses with univariate approach were conducted with the OMNIC 7.3 software. Results: Molecular spectral analysis parameters in fermented and non-fermented by-products from coffee processing included Structural carbohydrate, Cellulosic compounds, Non-structural carbohydrates, Lignin compound, CH-bending, structural carbohydrate peak1, Structural carbohydrate peak2, Structural carbohydrate peak3, Hemicellulosic compound, Non-structural carbohydrate peak1, non-structural carbohydrate peak2, non-structural carbohydrate peak3. The study results show that added-microorganism fermentation induced chemical and nutritional changes of coffee by-products including carbohydrate chemical composition profiles, bioenergy value, feed milk value, carbohydrate subfractions, estimated degradable and undegradable fractions in the rumen, and intestinal digested nutrient supply in ruminant system. Conclusion: In conclusion, carbohydrate nutrition value changes by added-microorganism fermentation duration were in an agreement with the change of their spectral profile in the coffee by-products. The studies show that the vibrational ATR-FT/IR spectroscopic technique could be applied as a rapid analytical tool to evaluate fermented by-products and connect with truly digestible carbohydrate supply in ruminant system.

Effects of fermentation on protein profile of coffee by-products and its relationship with internal protein structure measured by vibrational spectroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To our knowledge, there are few studies on the correlation between internal structure of fermented products and nutrient delivery from by-products from coffee processing in the ruminant system. The objective of this project was to use advanced mid-infrared vibrational spectroscopic technique (ATR-FT/IR) to reveal interactive correlation between protein internal structure and ruminant-relevant protein and energy metabolic profiles of by-products from coffee processing affected by added-microorganism fermentation duration. METHODS: The by-products from coffee processing were fermented using commercial fermentation product, called Saus Burger Pakan, consisting of various microorganisms: cellulolytic, lactic acid, amylolytic, proteolytic, and xylanolytic microbes, for 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Protein chemical profiles, Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System crude protein and CHO subfractions, and ruminal degradation and intestinal digestion of protein were evaluated. The attenuated total reflectance-Ft/IR (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was used to study protein structural features of spectra that were affected by added microorganism fermentation duration. The molecular spectral analyses were carried using OMNIC software. Molecular spectral analysis parameters in fermented and non-fermented by-products from coffee processing included: Amide I area (AIA), Amide II (AIIA) area, Amide I heigh (AIH), Amide II height (AIIH), α-helix height (αH), ß-sheet height (ßH), AIA to AIIA ratio, AIH to AIIH ratio, and αH to ßH ratio. The relationship between protein structure spectral profiles of by-products from coffee processing and protein related metabolic features in ruminant were also investigated. RESULTS: Fermentation decreased rumen degradable protein and increased rumen undegradable protein of by-products from coffee processing (p<0.05), indicating more protein entering from rumen to the small intestine for animal use. The fermentation duration significantly impacted (p<0.05) protein structure spectral features. Fermentation tended to increase (p<0.10) AIA and AIH as well as ß-sheet height which all are significantly related to the protein level. CONCLUSION: Protein structure spectral profiles of by-product form coffee processing could be utilized as potential evaluators to estimate protein related chemical profile and protein metabolic characteristics in ruminant system.

Interconnection between protein-related chemical functional group spectral features of prairie oat (Avena sativa L.) varieties and ruminant relevant nutrition-Degradation, intestinal digestion and true nutrient supply to dairy cows.

To our knowledge, the study interconnection between inherent chemical functional group spectral features and nutrient utilisation is still limited. The objective of this study was to test the adequacy of vibrational Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy as a fast tool to assess the interactive relationship between the nutritive value of the Prairie cool-season oat (Avena sativa L.) varieties in dairy cows and inherent chemical functional group spectral features. The chemical functional group spectral features of the Prairie cool-season oat varieties in western Canada were determined by Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy. The protein-related spectral parameters of chemical functional groups included peak height and peak area intensity of Amide I, Amid II, protein structural α-helix and ß-sheet, and their ratios. The rumen degradation kinetics were determined using in situ techniques with four rumen-canulated lactating dairy cows. The intestinal digestion was evaluated using a three-step in vitro technique with 12 h preincubation. The experiment was an randomized complete block design. The data were analysed using the mixed-model procedure of the Statistical Analysis System. The results showed that the interconnection between rumen degradation kinetics, intestinal digestion and true nutrient supply to dairy cows and protein-related chemical functional group spectral features could be revealed by ATR-FTIR with univariate and multi-variate spectral analyses. These findings indicate that ruminant relevant nutritive value of cool-season oats could be rapidly evaluated and predicted using oat-specific functional group spectral characteristics which could be obtained by a non-distractive bioanalytical tool of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy.

Dry heating, moist heating, and microwave irradiation of cold-climate-adapted barley grain-Effects on ruminant-relevant carbohydrate and molecular structural spectral profiles.

Different feed processing techniques affect barley digestibility and nutrient utilization in ruminants. To our knowledge, there are few studies on the interactive relationship between carbohydrate molecular structure profiles of cool-season-adapted barley grain and nutritional characteristics for ruminants. The objectives of this study were: (1) to investigate the effect of different technological processing methods on carbohydrate chemical profiles, Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System-carbohydrate subfractions, ruminal and intestinal carbohydrate digestion of barley grain in dairy cows; (2) to study the effect of heat processing on carbohydrate molecular structure of barley grain using advanced molecular spectroscopy; and (3) to associate processing-induced changes in carbohydrate molecular structure with changes in carbohydrate metabolic profiles in dairy cows. Barley grain samples collected from Crop Research Field in Western Canada underwent four different processing treatments: control, dry heating (120°C for 60 min in an air-ventilated oven), moist heating (120°C for 60 min in an autoclave), and microwave irradiation (900 W and 2450 MHz for 5 min in a microwave). The heating conditions used in the current study induced some changes in rumen-degradable and -undegradable digestible fibre (CB3) fraction. Intestinally digestible CB3 was decreased after moist heating. Moist heating decreased starch digestibility compared to the other three treatments. The processing-induced carbohydrate molecular structure changes, which was revealed by advanced vibrational molecular spectroscopic technique (attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared), could be used to predict carbohydrate nutritional value.

Novel Use of Ultra-Resolution Synchrotron Vibrational Micropectroscopy (SR-FT/vIMS) to Assess Carinata and Canola oilseed tissues within Cellular and Subcellular Dimensions.

The study was conducted to: (1) apply advanced synchrotron radiation-based technique-SR-FT/vIMS to detect chemical profiles that are related to protein and carbohydrate biopolymers, (2) quantify the relationship between spectral features and nutrient utilization and bioavailability of newly developed carinata and canola seed lines. The molecular spectral features of these seed lines were analyzed using SR-FT/vIMS with both univariate and multivariate spectral analysis techniques. The results showed that the inherent structural characteristics of new carinata and new canola seeds could be detected by SR-FT/vIMS. The univariate molecular spectral analysis showed differences in absorption intensities (peak heights and areas) of functional groups related to protein and carbohydrate molecular structures, while multivariate molecular spectral analysis without any spectral parameterization results showed similar protein and carbohydrate structure between new carinata and new canola seeds. Based on both, univariate and multivariate analysis, there were some differences between carinata seeds and canola seeds in protein and Carbohydrate (CHO) structure spectral characteristics, but these differences were not distinguishable in CLA and PCA plots regardless the color seed coat when using original spectral without spectral parameterization. Protein and carbohydrate structural variables could be used as predictors of rumen protein degradation kinetics, protein intestinal digestion features and protein supply for dairy cows. The CHO molecular structure showed great correlation with rumen protein degradation, intestinal protein digestion and predicted true protein supply of the newly developed carinata and canola lines.

Effects of processing methods (rolling vs. pelleting vs. steam-flaking) of cool-season adapted oats on dairy cattle production performance and metabolic characteristics compared with barley.

Several processing techniques can be used to slow the degradation rate in the rumen and thus provide more bypass crude protein (CP) and starch to the small intestine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of processing methods on cool-season adapted oat grain compared with dry-rolled barley grain, when fed as total mixed ration (TMR) for lactating dairy cows. Eight lactating Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods and fed TMR with 1 of 4 treatments: dry-rolled oats, steam-flaked oats, pelleted oats, or dry-rolled barley. Dry matter intake (DMI) ranged from 28.19 to 31.61 kg/d and was lower for rolled oats compared with pelleted oats. Despite the nutrient intake being higher for cows fed pelleted oats, those fed rolled oats had the highest milk production and milk fat percentage (49.23 kg/d and 4%, respectively). Ruminal fermentation characteristics were similar across treatments, with only significant differences in concentrations of acetate (lowest for pelleted oats) and total short-chain fatty acids (highest value for rolled barley) and a lower pH for flaked oats at the 9-h and 12-h points. Dietary treatments did not affect total-tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, or CP; digestibility of starch was the lowest for rolled barley (89.04%). Measured blood metabolites, urea, glucose, and ß-hydroxybutyrate, were not affected by dietary treatment. Purine derivatives and microbial N supply were also unaffected by dietary treatments. Cows fed flaked oat-based TMR showed the lowest N excretion in milk; however, the lack of difference between diets with regard to urinary N and fecal N excretion resulted in no significant changes in N balance between diets. Therefore, rolled oats allow cows to have higher milk production with lower DMI compared with all other treatments in this study.

Silencing TT8 and HB12 Decreased Protein Degradation and Digestion, Microbial Synthesis, and Metabolic Protein in Relation to Molecular Structures of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa).

This study aimed to explore the effects of silencing HB12 and TT8 genes on protein utilization characteristics of alfalfa. Ground samples of 11 HB12-silenced (HB12i), 5 TT8-silenced (TT8i) and 4 wild type (WT) were incubated in a Daisy II incubator with N15 labeled ammonium sulfate for 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h. CP degradation and degradational kinetics, microbial nitrogen fractions, and protein metabolic profiles were determined. Moreover, relationships between protein profiles and FTIR spectral parameters were estimated. Results showed that transgenic alfalfa had lower CP degradation, microbial protein, and total available protein compared with WT, especially for HB12i. In addition, CP degradation and protein metabolic profiles were closely correlated with FTIR spectral parameters and thereby could be predicted from spectral parameters. In conclusion, silencing of HB12 and TT8 genes in alfalfa decreased protein degradational and metabolic profiles, which were predictable with FTIR spectral parameters.

Interactive Curve-Linear Relationship Between Alteration of Carbohydrate Macromolecular Structure Traits in Hulless Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Grain and Nutrient Utilization, Biodegradation and Bioavailability.

The aim of this study was to reveal an interactive curve-linear relationship between altered carbohydrate macromolecular structure traits of hulless barley cultivars and nutrient utilization, biodegradation, as well as bioavailability. The cultivars had different carbohydrate macromolecular traits, including amylose (A), amylopectin (AP), and ß-glucan contents, as well as their ratios (A:AP). The parameters assessed included: (1) chemical and nutrient profiles; (2) protein and carbohydrate sub-fractions partitioned by the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS); (3) total digestible nutrients (TDN) and energy values; and (4) in situ rumen degradation kinetics of nutrients and truly absorbed nutrient supply. The hulless barley samples were analyzed for starch (ST), crude protein (CP), total soluble crude protein (SCP), etc. The in situ incubation technique was performed to evaluate the degradation kinetics of the nutrients, as well as the effective degradability (ED) and bypass nutrient (B). Results showed that the carbohydrates (g/kg DM) had a cubic relationship (p < 0.05), with the A:AP ratio and ß-glucan level; while the starch level presented a quadratic relationship (p < 0.05), with the A:AP ratio and cubic relationship (p < 0.05), with ß-glucan level. The CP and SCP contents had a cubic relationship (p < 0.05) with the A:AP ratio and ß-glucan level. The altered carbohydrate macromolecular traits were observed to have strongly curve-linear correlations with protein and carbohydrate fractions partitioned by CNCPS. For the in situ protein degradation kinetics, there was a quadratic effect of A:AP ratio on the rumen undegraded protein (RUP, g/kg DM) and a linear effect of ß-glucan on the bypass protein (BCP, g/kg DM). The A:AP ratio and ß-glucan levels had quadratic effects (p < 0.05) on BCP and EDCP. For ST degradation kinetics, the ST degradation rate (Kd), BST and EDST showed cubic effects (p < 0.05) with A:AP ratio. The ß-glucan level showed a cubic effect on EDST (g/kg DM) and a quadratic effect on BST (g/kg ST or g/kg DM) and EDST (g/kg DM). In conclusion, alteration of carbohydrate macromolecular traits in hulless barley significantly impacted nutrient utilization, metabolic characteristics, biodegradation, and bioavailability. Altered carbohydrate macromolecular traits curve-linearly affected the nutrient profiles, protein and carbohydrate fractions, total digestible nutrient, energy values, and in situ degradation kinetics.

Evaluation of near-infrared (NIR) and Fourier transform mid-infrared (ATR-FT/MIR) spectroscopy techniques combined with chemometrics for the determination of crude protein and intestinal protein digestibility of wheat.

The potential of using the near-infrared (NIR) and Fourier transform mid-infrared (ATR-FT/MIR) spectroscopy for the determination of intestinal crude protein (CP) digestibility (IPD) of wheat was evaluated. For CP, the best NIR model showed an excellent prediction performance (R2 = 0.98); the best MIR model also gave an excellent prediction performance (R2 = 0.96). Regarding to IPD, the best model obtained by NIR technique showed approximate quantitative predictive ability (R2 = 0.68), and the best model generated by MIR technique obtained similar prediction performance (R2 = 0.67). NIR models generally showed better predictive abilities than MIR models, which may be due to the MIR spectra record fundamental molecular vibrations and can be more easily affected by multiple interferences. The amide I and II bands played important roles in the development of PLS models for CP and IPD. Results from this study demonstrated the potential of using IR spectroscopy for the prediction of nutrient digestibility while more efforts are required to improve the performance of NIR and ATR-FT/MIR spectroscopy in predicting the IPD of wheat.

Application of FT/IR-ATR vibrational spectroscopy to reveal protein molecular structure of feedstock and co-products from Canadian and Chinese canola processing in relation to microorganism bio-degradation and enzyme bio-digestion.

The principal objective of this study was to apply FT/IR-ATR vibrational spectroscopy to inspect the relationship between rumen dry matter (DM) and protein degradation, rumen undegraded protein (RUP) intestinal digestion and processing induced protein molecular structure changes in feedstock (canola oil seeds) and co-products (canola meal) from bio-oil processing from different crushing plants in Canada and China. The rumen DM and protein degradation, rumen undegraded protein intestinal digestion and protein molecular structure affected by bio-oil processing were examined using in situ, three step in vitro digestion and Fourier transform infrared (FT/IR) molecular spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The results showed that the protein molecular structure; α-helix height and α-helix to ß-sheet height ratio had a close association with rumen DM and protein degradation and rumen undegraded protein intestinal digestibility. Multiple regression analyses showed that protein ß-sheet height and α-helix to ß-sheet height ratio spectral intensity can be used to predict rumen DM and protein degradation, while intestinal digestibility of rumen undegraded protein can be predicted by α-helix height and ß-sheet height. In conclusion, the co-product canola meal from bio-oil processing is a good source of intestinally digestible protein. Rumen DM and protein degradation and intestinal digestibility of rumen undegraded protein are related to the protein molecular structures of the co-products affected by changes during bio-oil processing.

Effects of TT8 and HB12 Silencing on the Relations between the Molecular Structures of Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa) Plants and Their Nutritional Profiles and In Vitro Gas Production.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of silencing the TT8 and HB12 genes on the nutritive profiles and in vitro gas production of alfalfa in relation to the spectral molecular structures of alfalfa. TT8-silenced (TT8i, n = 5) and HB12-silenced (HB12i, n = 11) alfalfa were generated by RNA interference (RNAi) and grown with nontransgenic wild type controls (WT, n = 4) in a greenhouse. Alfalfa plants were harvested at early-to-mid vegetative stage. Samples were analyzed for their chemical compositions, CNCPS fractions, and in vitro gas production. Correlations and regressions of the nutritional profiles and in vitro gas production with the molecular spectral structures were also determined. The results showed that the transformed alfalfa had higher digestible fiber and lower crude protein with higher proportions of indigestible protein than WT. HB12 RNAi had lower gas production compared with those of the others. Some chemical, CNCPS, and gas-production profiles were closely correlated with spectral structures and could be well predicted from spectral parameters. In conclusion, the RNAi silencing of TT8 and HB12 in alfalfa altered the chemical, CNCPS and gas-production profiles of alfalfa, and such alterations were closely correlated with the inherent spectral structures of alfalfa.

Molecular Structural Changes in Alfalfa Detected by ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy in Response to Silencing of TT8 and HB12 Genes.

This study investigated the spectral changes in alfalfa molecular structures induced by silencing of Transparent Testa 8 (TT8) and Homeobox 12 (HB12) genes with univariate and multivariate analyses. TT8-silenced (TT8i), HB12-silenced (HB12i) and wild type (WT) alfalfa were grown in a greenhouse under normal conditions and were harvested at early-to-mid vegetative stage. Samples were free-dried and grounded through 0.02 mm sieve for spectra collections with attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Afterwards, both univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted on amide, carbohydrate and lipid regions. Univariate results showed that silencing of TT8 and HB12 genes affected peak heights of most total carbohydrate (TC) and structural carbohydrate (STC), and structural carbohydrate area (STCA) in carbohydrate regions; and ß-sheet height, amide areas, and ratios of amide I/II and α-helix/ß-sheet in amide region; and symmetric CH2 (SyCH2), asymmetric CH2 (AsCH2) and (a)symmetric CH2 and CH3 area (ASCCA) in the lipid region. Multivariate analysis showed that both hierarchy cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) clearly separated WT from transgenic plants in all carbohydrate regions and (a)symmetric CH2 and CH3 (ASCC) lipid region. In the amide region, PCA separated WT, TT8i and HB12i into different groups, while HCA clustered WT into a separate group. In conclusion, silencing of TT8 and HB12 affected intrinsic molecular structures of both amide and carbohydrate profiles in alfalfa, and multivariate analyses successfully distinguished gene-silenced alfalfa from its parental WT control.

Relationship of carbohydrates and lignin molecular structure spectral profiles to nutrient profile in newly developed oats cultivars and barley grain.

The objectives of this study were to quantify the chemical profile and the magnitude of differences in the oat and barley grain varieties developed by Crop Development Centre (CDC) in terms of Cornell Net Carbohydrate Protein System (CNCPS) carbohydrate sub-fractions: CA4 (sugars), CB1 (starch), CB2 (soluble fibre), CB3 (available neutral detergent fibre - NDF), and CC (unavailable carbohydrate); to estimate the energy values; to detect the lignin and carbohydrate (CHO) molecular structure profiles in CDC Nasser and CDC Seabiscuit oat and CDC Meredith barley grains by using Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR); to develop a model to predict nutrient supply based on CHO molecular profile. Results showed that NDF, ADF and CHO were greater (P<0.05) in oat than in barley. The starch content was greater (P<0.05) in barley than in oat. The CDC Meredith showed greater total rumen degradable carbohydrate (RDC), intestinal digestible fraction carbohydrate (FC) and lower total rumen undegradable carbohydrate (RUC). However, the estimated milk production did not differ for CDC Nasser oat and CDC Meredith barley. Lignin peak area and peak height did not differ (P>0.05) for oat and barley grains as well as non-structural CHO. However, cellulosic compounds peak area and height were greater (P<0.05) in oat than barley grains. Multiple regressions were determined to predict nutrient supply by using lignin and CHO molecular profiles. It was concluded that although there were some differences between oat and barley grains, CDC Nasser and CDC Meredith presented similarities related to chemical and molecular profiles, indicating that CDC Meredith barley could be replaced for CDC Nasser as ruminant feed. The FTIR was able to identify functional groups related to CHO molecular spectral in oat and barley grains and FTIR-ATR results could be used to predict nutrient supply in ruminant livestock systems.

Investigating Molecular Structures of Bio-Fuel and Bio-Oil Seeds as Predictors To Estimate Protein Bioavailability for Ruminants by Advanced Nondestructive Vibrational Molecular Spectroscopy.

This study was conducted to (1) determine protein and carbohydrate molecular structure profiles and (2) quantify the relationship between structural features and protein bioavailability of newly developed carinata and canola seeds for dairy cows by using Fourier transform infrared molecular spectroscopy. Results showed similarity in protein structural makeup within the entire protein structural region between carinata and canola seeds. The highest area ratios related to structural CHO, total CHO, and cellulosic compounds were obtained for carinata seeds. Carinata and canola seeds showed similar carbohydrate and protein molecular structures by multivariate analyses. Carbohydrate molecular structure profiles were highly correlated to protein rumen degradation and intestinal digestion characteristics. In conclusion, the molecular spectroscopy can detect inherent structural characteristics in carinata and canola seeds in which carbohydrate-relative structural features are related to protein metabolism and utilization. Protein and carbohydrate spectral profiles could be used as predictors of rumen protein bioavailability in cows.

Physiochemical Characteristics and Molecular Structures for Digestible Carbohydrates of Silages.

The main objectives of this study were (1) to assess the magnitude of differences among new barley silage varieties (BS) selected for varying rates of in vitro neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility (ivNDFD; Cowboy BS with higher ivNDFD, Copeland BS with intermediate ivNDFD, and Xena BS with lower ivNDFD) with regard to their carbohydrate (CHO) molecular makeup, CHO chemical fractions, and rumen degradability in dairy cows in comparison with a new corn silage hybrid (Pioneer 7213R) and (2) to quantify the strength and pattern of association between the molecular structures and digestibility of carbohydrates. The carbohydrate-related molecular structure spectral data was measured using advanced vibrational molecular spectroscopy (FT/IR). In comparison to BS, corn silage showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher level of starch and energy content and higher degradation of dry matter (DM). Cowboy BS had lower feeding value (higher indigestible fiber content and lower starch content) and lower DM degradation in the rumen compared to other BS varieties (P < 0.05). The spectral intensities of carbohydrates were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with digestible carbohydrate content of the silages. In conclusion, the univariate approach with only one-factor consideration (ivNDFD) might not be a satisfactory method for evaluating and ranking BS quality. FT/IR molecular spectroscopy can be used to evaluate silage quality rapidly, particularly the digestible fiber content.

Performance of primary health care according to PCATool instrument: a systematic review. / Desempenho da Atenção Primária à Saúde segundo o instrumento PCATool: uma revisão sistemática.

This study aims to analyze studies that evaluated the performance of Primary Health Care (PHC) services by using the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool) under a worldwide user perspective. This is a systematic review that implemented the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model, from the following databases: Lilacs, Medline, SciELO, PubMed and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) Journals Website, using descriptors Primary Care Assessment Tool and PCATool. Considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, we analyzed 22 research papers published from 2007 to 2015. The best-evaluated attributes were cultural competence, first contact use and longitudinality. On the other hand, the worst evaluated were first contact accessibility, family orientation, community orientation and comprehensiveness. Most of the health services evaluated were from Brazil, applied to "traditional" primary care clinic (UBS) and the Health Family Strategy (FHS). Services evaluated should strengthen structure and process components to achieve a better performance in PHC.

Desempenho da Atenção Primária à Saúde segundo o instrumento PCATool: uma revisão sistemática / Performance of primary health care according to PCATool instrument: a systematic review

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar os estudos que avaliaram o desempenho dos serviços de Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) mediante uso do instrumento Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool) na perspectiva do usuário, em âmbito mundial. Estudo de revisão sistemática, seguindo o modelo Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), a partir das seguintes bases: Lilacs, MedLine, SciElo, PubMed e Portal de Periódicos da Capes. Os descritores utilizados foram: Primary Care Assessment Tool e PCATool. Seguindo os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, analisaram-se 22 artigos, publicados entre os anos de 2007 a 2015 na literatura nacional e internacional. Os atributos mais bem avaliados foram competência cultural, acesso de primeiro contato subitem utilização e longitudinalidade. Enquanto os piores desempenhos encontrados foram acesso de primeiro contato, acesso de primeiro contato subitem acessibilidade, orientação familiar, orientação comunitária e integralidade. Grande parte dos serviços avaliados eram brasileiros, aplicados nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde e nas Estratégia de Saúde da Família; os serviços avaliados apresentaram necessidade de fortalecimento dos componentes da estrutura e processo para melhor desempenho da APS.

Abstract This study aims to analyze studies that evaluated the performance of Primary Health Care (PHC) services by using the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool) under a worldwide user perspective. This is a systematic review that implemented the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model, from the following databases: Lilacs, Medline, SciELO, PubMed and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) Journals Website, using descriptors Primary Care Assessment Tool and PCATool. Considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, we analyzed 22 research papers published from 2007 to 2015. The best-evaluated attributes were cultural competence, first contact use and longitudinality. On the other hand, the worst evaluated were first contact accessibility, family orientation, community orientation and comprehensiveness. Most of the health services evaluated were from Brazil, applied to “traditional” primary care clinic (UBS) and the Health Family Strategy (FHS). Services evaluated should strengthen structure and process components to achieve a better performance in PHC.

Bio-functions and molecular carbohydrate structure association study in forage with different source origins revealed using non-destructive vibrational molecular spectroscopy techniques.

The objectives of this study were to: 1) investigate forage carbohydrate molecular structure profiles; 2) bio-functions in terms of CHO rumen degradation characteristics and hourly effective degradation ratio of N to OM (HEDN/OM), and 3) quantify interactive association between molecular structures, bio-functions and nutrient availability. The vibrational molecular spectroscopy was applied to investigate the structure feature on a molecular basis. Two sourced-origin alfalfa forages were used as modeled forages. The results showed that the carbohydrate molecular structure profiles were highly linked to the bio-functions in terms of rumen degradation characteristics and hourly effective degradation ratio. The molecular spectroscopic technique can be used to detect forage carbohydrate structure features on a molecular basis and can be used to study interactive association between forage molecular structure and bio-functions.

The Martin-Gruber anastomosis in Brazilians: an anatomical study

Comunications between nerves are relatively common, and individual variations in their anatomical organization have been described. Knowledge of the prevalence of such variations is necessary when establishing the diagnosis of both sexes, were dissected to examine the communication between the median and ulnar nerves (Martin-Gruber anastomosis). This anastomosis was found in five cases (7.8 por cento) one of which was bilateral. There were no significant gender or racial differences in the incidence of this connection. The anastomosis showed secondary branches in two cases, and ran posteriorly to the ulnar artery in three cases, and advanced anteriorly to the flexor digitorum profundus muscles in all cases. Despite the low incidence of Martin-Gruber anastomosis in Brazilians observed here, the importance of an adequate investigation of these connections needs to be underscored. Understanding the existence of this variation, its location and its possible presentation is important for correct patient assistance.

The Martin-Gruber anastomosis in brazilians: an anatomical study

Communications between nerves are relatively common, and individual variations in their anatomical organization have been described. Knowledge of the prevalence of such variations is necessary when estabilishing the diagnosis of neuropathies and surgical landmarks. In this study, 64 anterior forearm regions of cadavers of blacks and whites of both sexes, were dissected to examine the communications between the median and ulnar nerves (Martin-Gruber anastomosis). This anastomosis was found in five cases (7,8%), one of which was bilateral. There were no significant gender or racial differences in the incidence of this connection. The anastomosis in Brazilians observed here, the impoprtance of an adequate investigation of these connections needs to be underscored. Understanding the existence of this variations, its location and its possible presentation is important for correct patient assistance.