Effects of temperament on growth, plasma cortisol concentrations and puberty attainment in Nelore beef heifers.

Excitable temperament disrupts physiological events required for reproductive development in cattle, but no research has investigated the impacts of temperament on growth and puberty attainment in Bos indicus females. Hence, this experiment evaluated the effects of temperament on growth, plasma cortisol concentrations and puberty attainment in B. indicus heifers. A total of 170 Nelore heifers, weaned 4 months before the beginning of this experiment (days 0 to 91), were managed in two groups of 82 and 88 heifers each (mean ± SE; initial BW=238±2 kg, initial age=369±1 days across groups). Heifer temperament was evaluated via exit velocity on day 0. Individual exit score was calculated within each group by dividing exit velocity into quintiles and assigning heifers with a score from 1 to 5 (1=slowest; 5=fastest heifer). Heifers were classified according to exit score as adequate (ADQ, n=96; exit score⩽3) or excitable temperament (EXC, n=74; exit score>3). Heifer BW, body condition score (BCS) and blood samples were obtained on days 0, 31, 60 and 91. Heifer exit velocity and score were recorded again on days 31, 60 and 91. Ovarian transrectal ultrasonography was performed on days 0 and 10, 31 and 41, 60 and 70, 81 and 91 for puberty evaluation. Heifer was declared pubertal at the first 10-day interval in which a corpus luteum was detected. Exit velocity and exit score obtained on day 0 were correlated (r⩾0.64, P<0.01) with evaluations on days 31, 60 and 91. During the experiment, ADQ had greater (P<0.01) mean BCS and BW gain, and less (P<0.01) mean plasma cortisol concentration compared with EXC heifers. Temperament × time interactions were detected (P<0.01) for exit velocity and exit score, which were always greater (P<0.01) in EXC v. ADQ heifers. A temperament × time interaction was also detected (P=0.03) for puberty attainment, which was delayed in EXC v. ADQ heifers. At the end of the experiment, a greater (P<0.01) proportion of ADQ were pubertal compared with EXC heifers. In summary, B. indicus heifers classified as EXC had reduced growth, increased plasma cortisol concentrations and hindered puberty attainment compared to ADQ heifers. Moreover, exit velocity may serve as temperament selection criteria to optimize development of B. indicus replacement heifers.

Supplementing an immunomodulatory feed ingredient to modulate thermoregulation, physiologic, and production responses in lactating dairy cows under heat stress conditions.

This study compared vaginal temperature, physiologic, and productive parameters in lactating dairy cows supplemented or not with Omnigen-AF (Phibro Animal Health, Teaneck, NJ) during the summer months in a tropical environment. Thirty-two lactating, primiparous (n = 16) and multiparous (n = 16) pregnant Holstein × Gir cows were ranked by parity, days in milk, body weight, and body condition score (BCS), and assigned to receive (SUPP; n = 16) or not (CON; n = 16) Omnigen-AF (Phibro Animal Health, Teaneck, NJ) at 56 g/cow daily (as-fed basis). During the experimental period (d -6 to 56), cows were maintained in a single drylot pen with ad libitum access to water and a total mixed ration, and milked twice daily. Cows received Omnigen-AF mixed with 200 g of corn (as-fed basis) after the daily morning milking through self-locking head gates, whereas CON cows concurrently received 56 g of kaolin mixed with 200 g of corn. For feed intake evaluation, cows from both treatments were randomly divided in 4 groups of 8 cows each, and allocated to 8 individual feeding stations for 3 d. Intake was evaluated 4 times per group from d 1 to 56. From d -6 to 0, d 15 to 28, and d 43 to 56, cow vaginal temperature was recorded hourly. Environmental temperature-humidity index (THI) was also recorded hourly from d 15 to 28 and d 43 to 56. Cows were evaluated for body weight and BCS on d -6 and 56, individual milk production was recorded daily from d -6 to 56, and milk samples were collected on d -6, 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, and 56 for analyses of somatic cell count and milk components. Blood samples were collected on d -6, -3, 0, 9, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 36, 45, 48, 51, 54, and 56. Results from samples or observations collected from d -6 to 0 were included as an independent covariate in each respective analysis. Environmental THI was 74.2 ± 0.5 and cows were exposed to THI >68 for 633 h within a total of 672 h of evaluation. Cows assigned to CON had greater vaginal temperature on d 28, 43, 45, and from d 48 to 55 (by 0.38 to 0.52%), as well as greater mean somatic cell count (by 97%) and serum haptoglobin concentrations (by 89%) compared with SUPP cows. Cows assigned to SUPP had greater mean dry matter intake (by 7%), BCS on d 56 (by 11%), and mean serum insulin concentrations (by 35%) compared with CON cows. Hence, SUPP ameliorated hyperthermia, improved nutritional status, and modulated systemic and mammary gland immune parameters in lactating dairy cows exposed to heat stress conditions.

Reduced functional connectivity within the primary motor cortex of patients with brachial plexus injury.

This study aims at the effects of traumatic brachial plexus lesion with root avulsions (BPA) upon the organization of the primary motor cortex (M1). Nine right-handed patients with a right BPA in whom an intercostal to musculocutaneous (ICN-MC) nerve transfer was performed had post-operative resting state fMRI scanning. The analysis of empirical functional correlations between neighboring voxels revealed faster correlation decay as a function of distance in the M1 region corresponding to the arm in BPA patients as compared to the control group. No differences between the two groups were found in the face area. We also investigated whether such larger decay in patients could be attributed to a gray matter diminution in M1. Structural imaging analysis showed no difference in gray matter density between groups. Our findings suggest that the faster decay in neighboring functional correlations without significant gray matter diminution in BPA patients could be related to a reduced activity in intrinsic horizontal connections in M1 responsible for upper limb motor synergies.

Critical power concept adapted for the specific table tennis test: comparisons between exhaustion criteria, mathematical modeling, and correlation with gas exchange parameters.

The purposes of this study were to determine and to compare the critical power concept adapted for the specific table tennis test (critical frequency - C F ) estimated from 5 mathematical models and using 2 different exhaustion criteria (voluntary and technical exhaustions). Also, it was an aim to assess the relationship between C F estimated from mathematical models and respiratory compensation point (RCP), peak oxygen uptake ( V˙O (2PEAK)) and minimal intensity at which V˙O (2PEAK) ( F V˙O (2PEAK)) appears. 9 male table tennis players [18(1) years; 62.3(4.4) kg] performed the maximal incremental test and 3-4 exhaustive exercise bouts to estimate C F s (balls · min (-1)). The exhaustion time and C F obtained were independent of the exhaustion criteria. The C F from 3-parameter model [45.2(7.0)-voluntary, 43.2(5.6)-technical] was lower than C F estimated by linear 2-parameter models, frequency-time (-1) [53.5(3.6)-voluntary, 53.5(3.5)-technical] and total ball thrown-time [52.2(3.5)-voluntary, 52.2(3.5)-technical] but significantly correlated. C F values from 2 linear models were significantly correlated with RCP [47.4(3.4) balls · min (-1)], and C F values of the linear and nonlinear models were correlated with F V˙O (2PEAK) [56.7(3.4) balls · min (-1)]. However, there were no significant correlations between C F values and V˙O (2PEAK) [49.8(1.1)ml · kg (-1) · min (-1)]. The results were not modified by exhaustion criteria. The 2 linear and non-linear 2-parameter models can be used to estimate aerobic endurance in specific table tennis tests.

Effect of trolox C on cardiac contratucture induced by hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) perfused into the aorta of the isolated rat heart induces a positive inotropic effect, with cardiac arrhythmia such as extrasystolic potentiation or cardiac contractures, depending on the dose. The last effect is similar to the "stone heart" observed in reperfusion injury and may be ascribed to lipoperoxidation (LPO) of the membrane lipids, to protein damage, to reduction of the ATP level, to enzymatic alterations and to cardioactive compounds liberated by LPO. These effects may result in calcium overload of the cardiac fibers and contracture ("stone heart"). Hearts from male Wistar rats (300-350g) were perfused at 31°C with Tyrode, 0.2 mM trolox C, 256 mM H2O2 or trolox C + H2O2. Cardiac contractures (baseline elevation of the myograms obtained) were observed when hearts were perfused with H2O2 (Tyrode: 5.9 + 3.2; H2O2: 60.5 + 13.9 percent of the initial value); perfusion with H2O2 increased the LPO of rat heart homogenates measured by chemiluminescence (Tyrode: 3,199 + 259; H2O2: 5,304 + 133 cps mg protein(-1) 60 min(-1), oxygen uptake (Tyrode: 0.44 + 0.1; H2O2: 3.2 + 0.8 nmol min(-1) mg protein(-1) and malonaldehyde (TBARS) foramtion (Tyrode: 0.12 + 0; H2O2: 0.37 + 0.1 nmol/ml). Previous perfusion with 0.2 mM trolox C reduced the LPO (Chemiluminescence: 4,098 + 531), oxygen uptake (0.51 + 0) and TBARS (0.13 + 0) bud did not prevent the H2O2-induced contractures (33.3 + 16 percent). ATP (Tyrode: 2.84 + 0; H2O2: 0.57 + 0) and glycogen levels (Tyrode: 0.46 + 0; H2O22: 0.26 + 0) were reduced by H2O2. Trolox did not prevent these effects (ATP: 0.84 + 0 and glycogen: 0.27 + 0). Trolox C is known to be more effective than alpha-tocopherol or gamma-tocopherol in reducing LPO though it lacks the phytol portion of vitamin E to be fixed to the cell membranes. Trolox C, unlike vitamin A, did not prevent the glycogen reduction induced by H2O2. Trolox C induced a positive chronotropic effect that resulted in higher energy consumption. The reduction of energy level seemed to be more important than LPO in the mechanism of H2O2-induced contracture.

Effect of trolox C on cardiac contracture induced by hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) perfused into the aorta of the isolated rat heart induces a positive inotropic effect, with cardiac arrhythmia such as extrasystolic potentiation or cardiac contractures, depending on the dose. The last effect is similar to the "stone heart" observed in reperfusion injury and may be ascribed to lipoperoxidation (LPO) of the membrane lipids, to protein damage, to reduction of the ATP level, to enzymatic alterations and to cardioactive compounds liberated by LPO. These effects may result in calcium overload of the cardiac fibers and contracture ("stone heart"). Hearts from male Wistar rats (300-350 g) were perfused at 31 degrees C with Tyrode, 0.2 mM trolox C, 256 mM H2O2 or trolox C + H2O2. Cardiac contractures (baseline elevation of the myograms obtained) were observed when hearts were perfused with H2O2 (Tyrode: 5.9 +/- 3.2; H2O2: 60.5 +/- 13.9% of the initial value); perfusion with H2O2 increased the LPO of rat heart homogenates measured by chemiluminescence (Tyrode: 3,199 +/- 259; H2O2: 5,304 +/- 133 cps mg protein-1 60 min-1), oxygen uptake (Tyrode: 0.44 +/- 0.1; H2O2: 3.2 +/- 0.8 nmol min-1 mg protein-1) and malonaldehyde (TBARS) formation (Tyrode: 0.12 +/- 0; H2O2: 0.37 +/- 0.1 nmol/ml). Previous perfusion with 0.2 mM trolox C reduced the LPO (chemiluminescence: 4,098 +/- 531), oxygen uptake (0.51 +/- 0) and TBARS (0.13 +/- 0) but did not prevent the H2O2-induced contractures (33.3 +/- 16%). ATP (Tyrode: 2.84 +/- 0; H2O2: 0.57 +/- 0) and glycogen levels (Tyrode: 0.46 +/- 0; H2O2: 0.26 +/- 0) were reduced by H2O2. Trolox did not prevent these effects (ATP: 0.84 +/- 0 and glycogen: 0.27 +/- 0). Trolox C is known to be more effective than alpha-tocopherol or gamma-tocopherol in reducing LPO though it lacks the phytol portion of vitamin E to be fixed to the cell membranes. Trolox C, unlike vitamin A, did not prevent the glycogen reduction induced by H2O2. Trolox C induced a positive chronotropic effect that resulted in higher energy consumption. The reduction of energy level seemed to be more important than LPO in the mechanism of H2O2-induced contracture.

Proximal gastric vagotomy. A comparative study between the standard technique and the extended technique associated with denervation of the greater curvature.

Forty-six patients in the postoperative period of proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV) for duodenal ulcer (DU) were studied comparatively to verify whether the dividing of the gastroepiploic nerves (Rosati's maneuver) can reduce or not the occurrence of recurrent ulcer as it was proposed. Twenty-one patients who underwent PGV associated with Rosati's maneuver (PGV-R) were compared to 25 after standard PGV (PGV-S), according to several criteria: (1) clinical evaluation; (2) pre and postoperative basal and pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acidity; (3) postoperative basal and pentagastrin-stimulated serum pepsinogen; (4) postoperative basal and sham feeding-stimulated serum gastrin; (5) postoperative endoscopy; (6) endoscopic Congo red test. Both groups were similar (P greater than 0.05) as to age, sex, levels of preoperative gastric acidity and had a 24.4 month average follow-up (12 to 58 months). There has been no significant difference between the techniques studied as to clinical, secretory, morphological or hormonal gastric tests, although PGV-R proved more effective in reducing basal gastric acidity than PGV-S (P less than 0.05). We concluded that Rosati's maneuver does not improve the results obtained with PGV, although it provided greater reduction of basal gastric acidity than PGV-S.

Prevalence of human parvovirus (B19) and rubella virus infections in urban and remote rural areas in northern Brazil.

Sera from inhabitants of Belém, Pará (542 sera), Brazil and of members of 3 Brazilian tribes--Tiriyo/Alto Paru (near Surinam) (212 sera), Xicrin (128 sera), and Mekranoiti (121 sera)--of different age and sex groups were tested for the presence of specific antibody against human parvovirus (B19) (RIA) and rubella virus (latex agglutination test). Parvovirus (B19) IgG was found in 42.6% of the population sample from Belém but in only 4.7 to 10.7% of the members of the tribes. Rubella virus antibody was found in 72.7% of the sera from Belém but approaching a prevalence of 85-90% in age groups above 20 years. In the tribes rubella virus antibody was detected in 36.9 to 72.6% of all sera. There were remarkable sex differences of antibody prevalence in several age groups of the population from Belém and of the tribal populations. About a quarter of the skin rashes in Belém that were not attributable to infections with rubella, measles, or arboviruses were caused by recent B19 infections.

Fifth disease in children living in Belém, Brazil.

Acute sera from two children suffering from an illness with an erythematous rash were positive for B 19 virus specific IgM antibody, as tested by a capture radioimmunoassay. The first patient, a two year old boy, presented with a cutaneous rash of six days duration, the second was a four year old girl, sister of the first patient, who was examined at the same time and had a three day history of cutaneous rash.

Emprego de corticoide topico, oclusivo, em aplicacao unica, diaria, em dermatoses eczematosas. / Use of topical and occlusive corticoid in a single dose in eczematous dermatosis

Dezessete pacientes portadores de dermatoses eczematosas foram submetidos a terapeutica topica com creme de halcinonida a 0,1%, sob forma oclusiva, em aplicacao unica diaria, durante duas horas, por periodo de 10 dias. A avaliacao de eficacia da droga foi baseada em criterios objetivos e subjetivos, tendo havido, de modo geral, concordancia entre ambos. Os resultados foram excelentes em 11 casos, bons em cinco e regulares em um caso. No decurso do ensaio nao foram observadas evidencias de efeitos colaterais

Sarcoidose em placas. / Plaque form sarcoidosis

E apresentado um caso de sarcoidose em placas em paciente do sexo feminino, procedente do nordeste brasileiro, tambem portadora de esquistossomose mansonica. Sao revistos alguns criterios basicos para diagnostico e aspectos imunologicos e histopatologicos da sarcoidose, destacada a resposta negativa ao teste intradermico de Mitsuda no presente caso e discutido o seu diagnostico diferencial com reacao sarcoidal sistemica