Comparative study of the physiological and health quality of traditional and biofortified cowpea seeds.

Cowpea is one of the main crops in family agriculture, especially in the Northeastern region of Brazil, and it is expanding to other regions in Brazil. The use of seeds with low physiological and health quality is reflected in the plant development and consequently yield, making it important to study the seed physiological and health quality. The objective of the present study was to assess the physiology and health of traditional and biofortified cowpea seeds. The traditional cowpea varieties (Angelim, Mercado and Manteguinha) and the biofortified cowpea cultivars (BRS Aracê, BRS Xique-Xique and BRS Tumucumaque) were assessed for the following physiological parameters: water content (WC), first count (FC), germination test (G), germination speed index (GSI), seedling emergence in the greenhouse (E), emergence speed index (ESI), seedling aerial part and root length (APL and RL) and electric conductivity test (EC). The seed health quality was assessed by the Blotter Test. The water content present in the seeds of the traditional and biofortified varieties ranged from 10% to 14%. All the traditional and biofortified varieties showed high germination and emergence value in the greenhouse. The germination and emergence speed indexes indicated the BRS Aracê and BRS Xique-Xique cultivars as the most vigorous. In the health tests the highest indexes were the storage fungi Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp. and Penicillium sp., with the highest prevalence in the BRS Tumucumaque variety, which was probably related to the higher water content present in this variety.

Chronic Aerobic Training at Different Volumes in the Modulation of Macrophage Function and in vivo Infection of BALB/c Mice by Leishmania major.

Physical inactivity is one of the main causes of chronic diseases; however, strenuous exercise can induce immunosuppression. Several studies suggest that moderate amounts of exercise lead to a Th1 response, favoring the resolution of infections caused by intracellular microorganisms, while high volumes of exercise tend to direct the response to Th2, favoring infection by them. Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease promoted by parasites of the Leishmania genus, with clinical manifestations that vary according to the species of the parasite and the immune response of the host. The experimental Leishmania major-BALB/C mouse model provides a good model for the resistance (Th1 response) or susceptibility (Th2 response) that determines the progression of this infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic training at different volumes on modulation of in vitro macrophage infection by L. major, as well as to assess the effect of high volume (HV) aerobic training on the development of L. major in vivo in BALB/c mice. Uninfected animals were submitted to various exercise volumes: none (SED), light (LV), moderate (MV), high (HV), very high (VHV), and tapering (TAP). The macrophages of these animals were infected by L. major and the LV and MV groups showed a decrease in the infection factor, while the VHV showed an increase in the infection factor, when treated with LPS. The cytokine concentration pattern measured in the supernatants of these macrophages suggested a predominant Th1 response profile in the LV and MV groups, while the Th2 profile predominated in the VHV and TAP groups. Groups of BALB/C mice infected with L. major were subjected to high volume (iHV) or non-periodized high volume (iNPHV) exercise or kept sedentary (iSED). The exercised animals suffered a significant increase in injuries caused by the parasites. The animals in the group submitted to high volume exercise (iHV) showed visceralization of the infection. These data strongly suggest that a very high volume of aerobic training increased the susceptibility of BALB/C mice to L. major infection, while moderate distribution of training loads promoted immunological balance, better controlling the infection by this parasite.

Genome-enabled prediction of reproductive traits in Nellore cattle using parametric models and machine learning methods.

This study aimed to assess the predictive ability of different machine learning (ML) methods for genomic prediction of reproductive traits in Nellore cattle. The studied traits were age at first calving (AFC), scrotal circumference (SC), early pregnancy (EP) and stayability (STAY). The numbers of genotyped animals and SNP markers available were 2342 and 321 419 (AFC), 4671 and 309 486 (SC), 2681 and 319 619 (STAY) and 3356 and 319 108 (EP). Predictive ability of support vector regression (SVR), Bayesian regularized artificial neural network (BRANN) and random forest (RF) were compared with results obtained using parametric models (genomic best linear unbiased predictor, GBLUP, and Bayesian least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, BLASSO). A 5-fold cross-validation strategy was performed and the average prediction accuracy (ACC) and mean squared errors (MSE) were computed. The ACC was defined as the linear correlation between predicted and observed breeding values for categorical traits (EP and STAY) and as the correlation between predicted and observed adjusted phenotypes divided by the square root of the estimated heritability for continuous traits (AFC and SC). The average ACC varied from low to moderate depending on the trait and model under consideration, ranging between 0.56 and 0.63 (AFC), 0.27 and 0.36 (SC), 0.57 and 0.67 (EP), and 0.52 and 0.62 (STAY). SVR provided slightly better accuracies than the parametric models for all traits, increasing the prediction accuracy for AFC to around 6.3 and 4.8% compared with GBLUP and BLASSO respectively. Likewise, there was an increase of 8.3% for SC, 4.5% for EP and 4.8% for STAY, comparing SVR with both GBLUP and BLASSO. In contrast, the RF and BRANN did not present competitive predictive ability compared with the parametric models. The results indicate that SVR is a suitable method for genome-enabled prediction of reproductive traits in Nellore cattle. Further, the optimal kernel bandwidth parameter in the SVR model was trait-dependent, thus, a fine-tuning for this hyper-parameter in the training phase is crucial.

Application of the "real options theory" method to the production systems used in dairy cattle farming / [Aplicação do método "Teoria das Opções Reais" nos sistemas de produção utilizados na bovinocultura leiteira]

The objective of this study was to analyze applications of real options theory for increasing the productivity of Mantiqueira ecotype dairy cows kept in guinea grass pastures with different sources of bulky supplementation (black oats, fodder cane, or sorghum silage), because the traditional methodologies do not consider the uncertainties related to this activity. Real options theory, an investment evaluation method, fills this gap as its most significant feature is its flexibility to act on uncertain events. Based on the results obtained for two economic indicators, the net present value and internal rate of return, and considering the production items identified in the sensitivity analysis, this study evaluated the expansion flexibility of each system using the real options theory methodology in discrete time as proposed by Copeland and Antikarov (2001). The analysis of the expansion options showed that the values of the production systems increased by 6.73%, 1.21%, and 19.49% for the systems supplemented with sorghum silage, black oats, and fodder cane, respectively. The expanded net present values were R$ 141,642.39, R$ 64,211.08, and R$ 58,013.07 for the systems that adopted bulky supplementation with black oats, fodder cane, and sorghum silage, respectively.(AU)

Objetivou-se analisar a aplicação da Teoria das Opções Reais para expansão da produtividade de vacas leiteiras do ecótipo Mantiqueira, mantidas em pastagem de capim-Mombaça com fornecimento de diferentes fontes de suplementação volumosa (aveia-preta, cana-forrageira ou silagem de sorgo), uma vez que as metodologias tradicionais não consideram as incertezas presentes na atividade. A Teoria de Opções Reais é um método de avaliação de investimento que possui como maior característica a valoração da flexibilidade de agir a eventos incertos, preenchendo, assim, a lacuna deixada pelo método tradicional. A partir dos resultados obtidos pelos indicadores econômicos valor presente líquido e taxa interna de retorno, em conjunto com os itens de produção identificados na análise de sensibilidade, foi possível avaliar o valor da flexibilidade de expansão que cada sistema apresentou. A flexibilidade de expansão foi avaliada utilizando-se a metodologia Teoria das Opções Reais, proposta por Copeland e Antikarov (2001), em tempo discreto. O resultado da análise da opção de expansão apresentou aumento nos valores dos sistemas de produção, na ordem de 6,73%, 1,21% e 19,49%, para os sistemas suplementados com silagem de sorgo, aveia-preta e cana-forrageira, respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos para os valores presentes líquidos expandidos foram de R$ 141.642,39, R$ 64.211,08 e R$ 58.013,07, para os sistemas que adotaram a suplementação volumosa com aveia-preta, cana-forrageira e silagem de sorgo, respectivamente.(AU)

Survival and predictors of deaths of patients hospitalised due to COVID-19 from a retrospective and multicentre cohort study in Brazil.

This study aimed to analyse the survival of patients admitted to Brazilian hospitals due to the COVID-19 and estimate prognostic factors. This is a retrospective, multicentre cohort study, based on data from 46 285 hospitalisations for COVID-19 in Brazil. Survival functions were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier's method. The log-rank test compared the survival functions for each variable and from that, hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated, and the proportional hazard model was used in Cox multiple regression. The smallest survival curves were the ones for patients at the age of 68 years or more, black/mixed race, illiterate, living in the countryside, dyspnoea, respiratory distress, influenza-like outbreak, O2 saturation <95%, X-ray change, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), invasive ventilatory support, previous heart disease, pneumopathy, diabetes, Down's syndrome, neurological disease and kidney disease. Better survival was observed in the influenza-like outbreak and in an asthmatic patient. The multiple model for increased risk of death when they were admitted to the ICU HR 1.28, diabetes HR 1.17, neurological disease HR 1.34, kidney disease HR 1.11, heart disease HR 1.14, black or mixed race of HR 1.50, asthma HR 0.71 and pneumopathy HR 1.12. This reinforces the importance of socio-demographic and clinical factors as a prognosis for death.

Ação do estanozolol sobre a histologia renal e hepática em ratos treinados com natação / [Stanozolol action on renal and hepatic histology in swimming trained rats]

No presente estudo, foram analisados os efeitos do estanozolol, associado ou não à atividade física, sobre o hemograma, o peso ponderal, a ingestão líquida e sólida, a urinálise, a expressão do VEGF-A renal e o glicogênio hepático, além da histopatologia hepática e renal em ratos Wistar. Foram utilizados 32 ratos Wistar, machos, jovens, separados em quatro grupos: GC (grupo controle); GCE (grupo controle-exercício); GT (grupo tratamento-esteroide); GTE (grupo tratamento-esteroide-exercício). Os animais dos grupos GT e GTE (n=16) foram submetidos a injeções subcutâneas, cinco dias/semana, durante 30 dias, na concentração de 5mg/kg de estanozolol diluído em 1mL de óleo de gergelim, utilizado como veículo. A natação foi definida como exercício físico. Houve aumento no peso dos animais submetidos ao estanozolol e ao exercício a partir da terceira semana de uso e aumento da excreção urinária a partir da quinta semana; os demais parâmetros da urinálise foram semelhantes entre os grupos. O uso de estanozolol associado ou não à atividade física promoveu redução da expressão do VEGF-A nos rins e do glicogênio hepático, além de alterações histopatológicas nesses órgãos. Quanto à hematologia, houve uma diminuição dos leucócitos no GTE em relação aos grupos GT e GCE. Quanto aos linfócitos, houve um aumento no GT e uma diminuição no GTE, e, em relação ao número de plaquetas, houve diminuição no GTE quando comparado ao GT e ao GCE Assim, conclui-se que estanozolol na dose de 5,0mg/kg causa alterações renais e hepáticas em ratos Wistar, podendo levar à falência dos rins e do fígado.(AU)

The goal of this study was to determine the effect of stanozolol (ST) on kidney and liver of Wistar rats. Thirty-two male animals were divided into the following four groups: control group (CG); Control group-exercise (GCE); Group-steroid treatment (GT); Group treatment-steroid-exercise (GTE). Swimming was defined as exercise. The animals GT and GTE was submitted to subcutaneous injections, five days/week for 30 days, at a concentration of 5mg/kg ST diluted in 1mL/kg of sesame oil. The results showed an increase in weight gain in all animals submitted to ST and exercise from the 3rd week of use and increase in urinary excretion from the 5th week and the other urinalysis parameters were similar. The ST associated or not with physical activity reduced VEGF-A expression in the kidneys and hepatic glycogen, as well as histopathological changes in these organs. Regarding hematology, there was a decrease in leukocytes in the GTE. As for lymphocytes there was an increase in GT and a decrease in GTE, and in relation to the number of platelets, there was a decrease in GTE. In conclusion, the administration of stanozolol at 5.0mg/kg caused a structural change of kidney and liver in treated animals.(AU)

Ação do estanozolol sobre a histologia renal e hepática em ratos treinados com natação / [Stanozolol action on renal and hepatic histology in swimming trained rats]

No presente estudo, foram analisados os efeitos do estanozolol, associado ou não à atividade física, sobre o hemograma, o peso ponderal, a ingestão líquida e sólida, a urinálise, a expressão do VEGF-A renal e o glicogênio hepático, além da histopatologia hepática e renal em ratos Wistar. Foram utilizados 32 ratos Wistar, machos, jovens, separados em quatro grupos: GC (grupo controle); GCE (grupo controle-exercício); GT (grupo tratamento-esteroide); GTE (grupo tratamento-esteroide-exercício). Os animais dos grupos GT e GTE (n=16) foram submetidos a injeções subcutâneas, cinco dias/semana, durante 30 dias, na concentração de 5mg/kg de estanozolol diluído em 1mL de óleo de gergelim, utilizado como veículo. A natação foi definida como exercício físico. Houve aumento no peso dos animais submetidos ao estanozolol e ao exercício a partir da terceira semana de uso e aumento da excreção urinária a partir da quinta semana; os demais parâmetros da urinálise foram semelhantes entre os grupos. O uso de estanozolol associado ou não à atividade física promoveu redução da expressão do VEGF-A nos rins e do glicogênio hepático, além de alterações histopatológicas nesses órgãos. Quanto à hematologia, houve uma diminuição dos leucócitos no GTE em relação aos grupos GT e GCE. Quanto aos linfócitos, houve um aumento no GT e uma diminuição no GTE, e, em relação ao número de plaquetas, houve diminuição no GTE quando comparado ao GT e ao GCE Assim, conclui-se que estanozolol na dose de 5,0mg/kg causa alterações renais e hepáticas em ratos Wistar, podendo levar à falência dos rins e do fígado.(AU)

The goal of this study was to determine the effect of stanozolol (ST) on kidney and liver of Wistar rats. Thirty-two male animals were divided into the following four groups: control group (CG); Control group-exercise (GCE); Group-steroid treatment (GT); Group treatment-steroid-exercise (GTE). Swimming was defined as exercise. The animals GT and GTE was submitted to subcutaneous injections, five days/week for 30 days, at a concentration of 5mg/kg ST diluted in 1mL/kg of sesame oil. The results showed an increase in weight gain in all animals submitted to ST and exercise from the 3rd week of use and increase in urinary excretion from the 5th week and the other urinalysis parameters were similar. The ST associated or not with physical activity reduced VEGF-A expression in the kidneys and hepatic glycogen, as well as histopathological changes in these organs. Regarding hematology, there was a decrease in leukocytes in the GTE. As for lymphocytes there was an increase in GT and a decrease in GTE, and in relation to the number of platelets, there was a decrease in GTE. In conclusion, the administration of stanozolol at 5.0mg/kg caused a structural change of kidney and liver in treated animals.(AU)

Resultados imediatos e a curto prazo do tratamento percutâneo do vazamento para protético / Immediate and short-term results of percutaneous leak treatment for prosthetic

INTRODUÇÃO: A regurgitação paraprotética (RPP) é um defeito que ocorre entre o local de sutura e o anel protético. A correção por transcateter tem surgido como uma opção à cirurgia para pacientes (pts) de alto risco. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados imediatos e a curto prazo da oclusão da RPP por meio de cateter. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo, de portadores de RPP, sintomáticos, submetidos a oclusão percutânea. O diagnóstico da RPP foi feito por meio da Doppler ecocardiografia TT e TE 3-D. O Critério de sucesso era: regurgitação residual discreta, melhora da classe funcional, regressão da hemólise e ausência de complicações fatais em até 30 dias. O critério de insucesso foi: complicações relacionadas ao procedimento, persistência de reflux moderado ou grave, hemólise, insuficiência cardíaca (IC) ou necessidade de cirurgia de urgência. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 20pts (24 próteses) com RPP, com média das idades de 61,5 anos, 11 pts femininos (55%). O número de cirurgias prévias variou de 1 a 4. A maioria (14) tinha 1 RPP, 5 tinham 2 e 1 tinha 4 orifícios regurgitantes. Cinco pts tinham prótese biológica (3 mitrais e 2 aórticas) e 15 próteses mecânicas (8 mitrais, 3 aórticas e 4 mitroaórticas). A indicação da intervenção foi a presença de IC com ou sem hemólise na maioria. A RPP foi grave em 16 pacientes, moderado em 3 e discreto em 1. A via de acesso percutâneo foi femoral em 17 pts. O dispositivo utilizado foi Amplatzer Vascular Plug, O número de plugs variou de 1a 4. Os pts foram distribuídos em 2 grupos: G1 (sucesso) e G2 (insucesso) segundo a definição acima. G1: o sucesso ocorreu em 13 dos 20pts (65%), 5 prótese biológica aórtica (100%) e 8 tinham prótese mecânica (53%) (5 mitrais e 3 aórticas). G2: insucesso ocorreu em 7 dos 20pts (35%), todos com prótese mecânica. Dois pts morreram antes da alta hospitalar (10%). Destes, um foi submetido a cirurgia de urgência por mal posicionamento do plug e o outro complicou com PCR e óbito. Cinco pts receberam alta hospitalar. Em uma evolução média de 14 meses, dos 13pts do G1, 3 morreram (1 acidente vascular cerebral hemorrágico, 1 infarto agudo do miocárdio e 1 IC descompensada); 10 estão evoluindo bem. Dentre os 5 pts do G2, 3 morreram, um continua em tratamento clínico e um foi operado. CONCLUSÃO: Em uma população de alto risco cirúrgico, a mortalidade relacionada a oclusão transcateter da RPP foi 10%. A resolução da RPP foi 65% e foi melhor nas próteses biológicas (100%) que nas mecânicas (53%).

Stingless Bees (Melipona subnitida) Overcome Severe Drought Events in the Brazilian Tropical Dry Forest by Opting for High-Profit Food Sources.

In the Brazilian Tropical Dry Forest, the Caatinga, stingless bees (Apidae, Meliponini) need to adjust their foraging behavior to a very short and unpredictable blooming period. Melipona subnitida Ducke 1910 is one of the few meliponine species adapted to the environmental peculiarities of this biome. To get an insight into how these highly eusocial bees are able to maintain their perennial colonies despite extended periods of food scarcity, we asked the following questions: (1) At which plant species do colonies of M. subnitida collect their food during the rainy season? And (2) are there any plant species during the dry season, from which the colonies may profit for replenishing their food stores? During 1 year, we collected monthly honey and pollen samples from recently built storage pots of five colonies of M. subnitida and identified the botanical origin of the collected resources. In the course of our study, the colonies foraged at native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous species, demonstrating the importance of all plant strata for the bees' diet. Profitable plants, which bloom mainly during the rainy season and usually produce a great number of flowers, were frequently sampled in new pots throughout the entire study, even during the dry season. From our results, we compiled a list of the most important plant species providing floral resources for bees throughout the year, including periods of drought. We recommend these plants for restoration areas to improve the conservation of native bee species and local beekeeping in the Brazilian Tropical Dry Forest.

Fat-Soluble Substance Flow During Symbiotic Fungus Cultivation by Leaf-Cutter Ants.

Leaf-cutter ants perform a series of specialized behaviors in preparing plant substrates for their symbiotic fungus. This process may be related to contamination of workers by substances such as insecticides, leading us to hypothesize that substances are spread among workers through behaviors they perform to grow the fungus. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the behavioral acts of workers during the processing of the pellets by using a fat-soluble tracing dye, since the active ingredient that composes toxic baits, used for control of leaf-cutter ants, is fat-soluble. The frequencies of performed behaviors were recorded and the number of dyed workers was assessed after fungus cultivation. The most frequent behavior is allogrooming and corresponds to 45.87% of the contamination process in workers, followed by holding, licking, and cutting pellets, which account for 40.22% of the process. After pellet processing, the workers had their external and internal morphological structures marked by the tracing dye-93.75% and 79.25%, respectively. These results confirm that behaviors performed during fungus cultivation contribute to dispersing substances such as insecticides, causing the contamination of workers.

Comparação da qualidade seminal de caprinos das raças Canindé e Alpina Britânica no Nordeste brasileiro / Comparison of the seminal quality of Canindé and British Alpine goats in the Brazilian Northeast

O estudo objetivou avaliar a qualidade seminal de caprinos das raças Canindé (autóctone) e Alpina Britânica (exótica) no Nordeste brasileiro. O experimento foi realizado nos períodos de julho a setembro dos anos de 2015 e 2016. As coletas seminais foram realizadas com auxílio de vagina artificial, de machos das raças Canindé (n = 4) e Alpina Britânica (n = 7). Após a coleta, o sêmen foi avaliado quanto a: volume (ml), concentração (sptz/ml), motilidade (%) e vigor (1-5). Em seguida, diluído em ACP-101c e criopreservado em máquina TK3000TM. Posteriormente, foram analisados os parâmetros cinéticos, através do software SCA®, e a atividade mitocondrial. No sêmen fresco, as duas raças apresentaram valores de motilidade e concentração dentro do preconizado para a espécie. Entretanto, os valores de volume e circunferência escrotal foram superiores na raça Alpina Britânica (0,73 ml ± 0,32; 27,35 cm ± 2,09) do que na raça Canindé (0,36 ml ± 0,07; 23,25 cm ± 0,95) (p < 0,05). Já no sêmen descongelado, os parâmetros motilidade total - MT (36,96% ± 11,16 vs. 20,50% ± 14,15), motilidade progressiva - MP (26,67% ± 11,13 vs. 11,29% ± 9,42), vigor (2,91 ± 0,90 vs. 1,88 ± 0,67), velocidade curvilinear - VCL (78,12 µm/s ± 12,41 vs. 59,28 µm/s ± 15,57), velocidade linear - VSL (49,23 µm/s ± 9,87 vs. 29,9 µm/s ± 9,48), velocidade média da trajetória - VAP (66,08 µm/s ± 12,77 vs. 45,70 µm/s ± 12,20), linearidade - LIN (62,97% ± 6,96 vs. 49,54%±9,50), retilinearidade - STR (74,63% ± 6,44 vs. 65,77% ± 8,92), e oscilação - WOB (84,32% ± 5,94 vs. 74,42% ± 7,31) foram superiores para a raça Canindé em detrimento à Alpina Britânica (p < 0,05). Portanto, o sêmen fresco das duas raças podem ser utilizados em biotécnicas reprodutivas. Já o sêmen pós-descongelação da raça Canindé apresentou melhor qualidade, provavelmente pelos animais estarem mais adaptados às condições adversas da região Nordeste, sendo recomendado para programas de inseminação artificial.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sperm quality of Canindé (native) and British Alpine (exotic) goats in the Northeast of Brazil. The experiment was carried out from July to September of the years 2015 and 2016. Sperm collections of Canindé (n = 4) and British Alpine (n = 7) males were performed using artificial vagina. After collection, the sperm was evaluated for volume (ml), concentration (sptz/ml), motility (%), and vigor (1-5). Then diluted in ACP-101c and cryopreserved in TK3000TM machine. Subsequently, kinetic parameters were analyzed through SCA TM software and mitochondrial activity. In fresh sperm, the two races presented values of motility and concentration within the recommended for the specie. However, volume and scrotal circumference values were higher in the British Alpine breed (0.73 mL ± 0.32; 27.35 cm ± 2.09) than in the Canindé breed (0.36 mL ± 0.07; 23 , 25 cm ± 0.95) (p <0.05). In the thawed sperm, the parameters total motility - TM (36.96% ± 11.16 vs. 20.50% ± 14.15), progressive motility - PM (26.67% ± 11.13 vs. 11.29 % ± 9.42), vigor (2.91 ± 0.90 vs. 1.88 ± 0.67), curvilinear velocity - VCL (78.12 µm/s ± 12.41 vs. 59.28 µm/s ± 15.57), linear velocity - VSL (49.23 µm/s ± 9.87 vs. 29.9 µm/s ± 9.48), mean velocity of the trajectory - VAP (66.08 µm/s ± 12.77 vs. 45.70 µm/s ± 12.20), linearity - LIN (62.97% ± 6.96 vs. 49.54% ± 9.50), rectilinearity - STR (74.63% ± 6.44 vs. 65.77% ± 8.92), and oscillation -WOB (84.32% ± 5.94 vs. 74.42% ± 7.31) were higher for Canindé breed than for British Alpine ( p < 0.05). Therefore, fresh sperm from both breeds can be used in reproductive biotechniques. On the other hand, the post-thawed sperm of the Canindé breed showed better quality, probably because the animals were more adapted to the adverse conditions of the Northeast region and are recommended for artificial insemination programs.(AU)

Comparação da qualidade seminal de caprinos das raças Canindé e Alpina Britânica no Nordeste brasileiro / Comparison of the seminal quality of Canindé and British Alpine goats in the Brazilian Northeast

O estudo objetivou avaliar a qualidade seminal de caprinos das raças Canindé (autóctone) e Alpina Britânica (exótica) no Nordeste brasileiro. O experimento foi realizado nos períodos de julho a setembro dos anos de 2015 e 2016. As coletas seminais foram realizadas com auxílio de vagina artificial, de machos das raças Canindé (n = 4) e Alpina Britânica (n = 7). Após a coleta, o sêmen foi avaliado quanto a: volume (ml), concentração (sptz/ml), motilidade (%) e vigor (1-5). Em seguida, diluído em ACP-101c e criopreservado em máquina TK3000TM. Posteriormente, foram analisados os parâmetros cinéticos, através do software SCA®, e a atividade mitocondrial. No sêmen fresco, as duas raças apresentaram valores de motilidade e concentração dentro do preconizado para a espécie. Entretanto, os valores de volume e circunferência escrotal foram superiores na raça Alpina Britânica (0,73 ml ± 0,32; 27,35 cm ± 2,09) do que na raça Canindé (0,36 ml ± 0,07; 23,25 cm ± 0,95) (p < 0,05). Já no sêmen descongelado, os parâmetros motilidade total - MT (36,96% ± 11,16 vs. 20,50% ± 14,15), motilidade progressiva - MP (26,67% ± 11,13 vs. 11,29% ± 9,42), vigor (2,91 ± 0,90 vs. 1,88 ± 0,67), velocidade curvilinear - VCL (78,12 µm/s ± 12,41 vs. 59,28 µm/s ± 15,57), velocidade linear - VSL (49,23 µm/s ± 9,87 vs. 29,9 µm/s ± 9,48), velocidade média da trajetória - VAP (66,08 µm/s ± 12,77 vs. 45,70 µm/s ± 12,20), linearidade - LIN (62,97% ± 6,96 vs. 49,54%±9,50), retilinearidade - STR (74,63% ± 6,44 vs. 65,77% ± 8,92), e oscilação - WOB (84,32% ± 5,94 vs. 74,42% ± 7,31) foram superiores para a raça Canindé em detrimento à Alpina Britânica (p < 0,05). Portanto, o sêmen fresco das duas raças podem ser utilizados em biotécnicas reprodutivas. Já o sêmen pós-descongelação da raça Canindé apresentou melhor qualidade, provavelmente pelos animais estarem mais adaptados às condições adversas da região Nordeste, sendo recomendado para programas de inseminação artificial.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sperm quality of Canindé (native) and British Alpine (exotic) goats in the Northeast of Brazil. The experiment was carried out from July to September of the years 2015 and 2016. Sperm collections of Canindé (n = 4) and British Alpine (n = 7) males were performed using artificial vagina. After collection, the sperm was evaluated for volume (ml), concentration (sptz/ml), motility (%), and vigor (1-5). Then diluted in ACP-101c and cryopreserved in TK3000TM machine. Subsequently, kinetic parameters were analyzed through SCA TM software and mitochondrial activity. In fresh sperm, the two races presented values of motility and concentration within the recommended for the specie. However, volume and scrotal circumference values were higher in the British Alpine breed (0.73 mL ± 0.32; 27.35 cm ± 2.09) than in the Canindé breed (0.36 mL ± 0.07; 23 , 25 cm ± 0.95) (p <0.05). In the thawed sperm, the parameters total motility - TM (36.96% ± 11.16 vs. 20.50% ± 14.15), progressive motility - PM (26.67% ± 11.13 vs. 11.29 % ± 9.42), vigor (2.91 ± 0.90 vs. 1.88 ± 0.67), curvilinear velocity - VCL (78.12 µm/s ± 12.41 vs. 59.28 µm/s ± 15.57), linear velocity - VSL (49.23 µm/s ± 9.87 vs. 29.9 µm/s ± 9.48), mean velocity of the trajectory - VAP (66.08 µm/s ± 12.77 vs. 45.70 µm/s ± 12.20), linearity - LIN (62.97% ± 6.96 vs. 49.54% ± 9.50), rectilinearity - STR (74.63% ± 6.44 vs. 65.77% ± 8.92), and oscillation -WOB (84.32% ± 5.94 vs. 74.42% ± 7.31) were higher for Canindé breed than for British Alpine ( p < 0.05). Therefore, fresh sperm from both breeds can be used in reproductive biotechniques. On the other hand, the post-thawed sperm of the Canindé breed showed better quality, probably because the animals were more adapted to the adverse conditions of the Northeast region and are recommended for artificial insemination programs.(AU)

Análise bioeconômica de períodos de suplementação proteico-energética na estação seca para novilhas Nelore em pastagem diferida de Urochloa decumbens / Bioeconomic analysis of protein-energy supplementation periods in dry season for Nellore heifers in stockpiled pastures of Urochloa decumbens

A suplementação proteico-energética (SPE) é uma estratégia adequada à bovinocultura de corte no período seco do ano, embora sua adoção equivocada possa comprometer seu benefício/custo. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho de novilhas Nelore em pastagem diferida de Urochloa decumbens sob dois períodos de SPE, e realizar análise econômica desses sistemas de produção. O experimento foi conduzido sob delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com 147 e 55 dias de SPE (sistemas 1 e 2, respectivamente), de 21/06 a 15/11/2016, com 16 e 20 novilhas nos sistemas 1 e 2, respectivamente. Os dados de desempenho foram analisados utilizando-se o PROC MIXED do SAS®, e as médias comparadas por PDIFF (P<0,05). Os pesos médios foram semelhantes (P>0,05) entre os sistemas de produção nas pesagens de 21/06, 12/07, 02/08, 23/08 e 15/11/2016. Os valores presentes líquidos foram positivos sob a taxa anual de desconto de 4%, sendo viáveis financeiramente. Por apresentarem taxa interna de retorno superior à taxa mínima de atratividade, os sistemas foram atrativos para investimento. Foi obtido balanço econômico positivo de R$ 25,26/animal para substituição do sistema 1 pelo sistema 2. A redução de 92 dias na SPE proporciona desempenho semelhante entre novilhas e maior eficiência econômica do sistema de produção.(AU)

Protein-energy supplementation (SPE) is an adequate strategy for beef cattle during drought season of the year, although the wrong adoption might compromise its cost/benefit ratio. The aim of this study was to evaluate Nellore heifers' performance under SPE periods and to draw economic analysis of production systems. The experiment was conducted under a completely randomized design, with two systems: 147 and 55 days of SPE (Systems 1 and 2), from 06/21/2016 to 11/15/2016, with 16 and 20 heifers to Systems 1 and 2, respectively. Performance data were analyzed by SAS® PROC MIXED and means compared by PDIFF (P< 0.05). The weight means were similar between the production systems (P> 0.05) at weighing of 06/21, 07/12, 08/02, 08/23 and 11/15/2016. The net present values were positive under annual discount rate of 4%, being financially viable. By presenting internal return rate higher than the minimum attractiveness rate, the systems were attractive for investment. Positive economic balance was obtained of R$ 25.26/animal to replace System 1 by 2. The reduction of 92 days in SPE provides similar performance between Nellore heifers and greater economic efficiency of the production system.(AU)

Preditores de degeneração hemodinâmica protética após implante de prótese aórtica transcateter / Predictors of prosthetic hemodynamic degeneration after transcatheter aortic prosthesis implantation

INTRODUÇÃO: O implante valvar aórtico percutâneo (TAVI - transcatheter aortic valve implantation) se estabeleceu como tratamento para pacientes com estenose aórtica severa sintomática de alto ou proibitivo risco cirúrgico. Estudos recentes demonstraram não-inferioridade ou superioridade para TAVI em relação à cirurgia em pacientes de risco intermediário. A degeneração hemodinâmica e consequente disfunção protética em pacientes submetidos a TAVI passa a ser uma preocupação evolutiva, pelo que sua durabilidade tem sido questionada. Com isso, o objetivo do trabalho é escrever a evolução do perfil hemodinâmico e durabilidade da bioprótese nos pacientes submetidos a TAVI na experiência de dois centros nacionais. MÉTODOS: Pesquisa observacional, longitudinal, com coleta de dados prospectiva de pacientes com diagnóstico de estenose grave sintomática submetidos à TAVI. O acompanhamento foi feito de julho de 2009 até julho de 2016 em dois centros nacionais. Usamos as definições estandardizadas para deterioração estrutural (SVD ­ structural valve deterioration) e falência de prótese (BVF ­ bioprosthetic valve failure) publicadas pelo consenso da European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI), European Society of Cardiology (ESC) e European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), publicadas em 2017 no European Heart Journal. Foram incluídos para análise de degeneração hemodinâmica da prótese os pacientes com avaliação ecocardiográfica no pós procedimento e com pelo menos uma avaliação de seguimento em pelo menos seis meses após o implante. RESULTADOS: Obtivemos dados de 339 pacientes, com média de idade de 81,6 anos, sendo 45,86% (n=156) homens e 54,14% (n=183) mulheres. A mortalidade por todas as causas até o último seguimento foi de 20,1% (n=68). A média do Euroscore foi de 7,5+6,01 e o STS de 6,56+5,96. Pacientes tratados com prótese balão expansível foram 38% (n=130), enquanto 62% (n=208) com auto expansível. Após seguimento médio de 42 meses, foi observado 28 (8,25%) pacientes com SVD e 2 (0,6%) pacientes apresentaram BVF. O gradiente sistólico médio no baseline foi de 20,06+ 8,49mmHg e a área valvar de 1,9+ 0,3mmHg, e mantiveram-se com comportamento estável no seguimento. CONCLUSÕES: O seguimento após TAVI mostrou favorável performance hemodinâmica e boa durabilidade da bioprótese em nossa experiência de dois centros nacionais. (AU)

Análise bioeconômica de períodos de suplementação proteico-energética na estação seca para novilhas Nelore em pastagem diferida de Urochloa decumbens / Bioeconomic analysis of protein-energy supplementation periods in dry season for Nellore heifers in stockpiled pastures of Urochloa decumbens

A suplementação proteico-energética (SPE) é uma estratégia adequada à bovinocultura de corte no período seco do ano, embora sua adoção equivocada possa comprometer seu benefício/custo. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho de novilhas Nelore em pastagem diferida de Urochloa decumbens sob dois períodos de SPE, e realizar análise econômica desses sistemas de produção. O experimento foi conduzido sob delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com 147 e 55 dias de SPE (sistemas 1 e 2, respectivamente), de 21/06 a 15/11/2016, com 16 e 20 novilhas nos sistemas 1 e 2, respectivamente. Os dados de desempenho foram analisados utilizando-se o PROC MIXED do SAS®, e as médias comparadas por PDIFF (P<0,05). Os pesos médios foram semelhantes (P>0,05) entre os sistemas de produção nas pesagens de 21/06, 12/07, 02/08, 23/08 e 15/11/2016. Os valores presentes líquidos foram positivos sob a taxa anual de desconto de 4%, sendo viáveis financeiramente. Por apresentarem taxa interna de retorno superior à taxa mínima de atratividade, os sistemas foram atrativos para investimento. Foi obtido balanço econômico positivo de R$ 25,26/animal para substituição do sistema 1 pelo sistema 2. A redução de 92 dias na SPE proporciona desempenho semelhante entre novilhas e maior eficiência econômica do sistema de produção.(AU)

Protein-energy supplementation (SPE) is an adequate strategy for beef cattle during drought season of the year, although the wrong adoption might compromise its cost/benefit ratio. The aim of this study was to evaluate Nellore heifers' performance under SPE periods and to draw economic analysis of production systems. The experiment was conducted under a completely randomized design, with two systems: 147 and 55 days of SPE (Systems 1 and 2), from 06/21/2016 to 11/15/2016, with 16 and 20 heifers to Systems 1 and 2, respectively. Performance data were analyzed by SAS® PROC MIXED and means compared by PDIFF (P< 0.05). The weight means were similar between the production systems (P> 0.05) at weighing of 06/21, 07/12, 08/02, 08/23 and 11/15/2016. The net present values were positive under annual discount rate of 4%, being financially viable. By presenting internal return rate higher than the minimum attractiveness rate, the systems were attractive for investment. Positive economic balance was obtained of R$ 25.26/animal to replace System 1 by 2. The reduction of 92 days in SPE provides similar performance between Nellore heifers and greater economic efficiency of the production system.(AU)

Morphological and immunohistochemical study of the midgut and fat body of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: noctuidae) treated with essential oils of the genus Piper.

Essential oils are a promising alternative to insecticides. We investigated the LD50 of oils extracted from Piper corcovadensis, P. marginatum, and P. arboreum after 48 h topical contact with Spodoptera frugiperda larvae using morphometry, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry of the midgut and fat body. Chromatography revealed that E-caryophyllene was the principal compound common to the Piper species. The essential oils of P. corcovadensis, P. marginatum and P. arboreum caused deleterious changes in the midgut of S. frugiperda larvae. P. corcovadensis oil produced the lowest LD50 and significant histopathological alterations including elongation of the columnar cells, formation of cytoplasmic protrusions, reduction in carbohydrate, increased apoptotic index and decreased cell proliferation. P. arboreum oil caused histopathological alterations similar to P. corcovadensis, but caused the highest rate of cell proliferation and increased regenerative cells, which indicated rapid regeneration of the epithelium. Our findings demonstrated the insecticidal potential of P. corcovadensis for control of S. frugiperda owing to the significant damage it inflicted on S. frugiperda midgut.

Contamination Route of Leaf-Cutting Worker Ants Analyzed Through a Fat-Soluble Tracer Dye in Toxic Bait.

Our study seeks to discover contamination routes of leaf-cutting worker ants during chemical control by formicide baits. To do so, toxic baits containing fat-soluble tracer dye were provided to colonies of three subspecies of Acromyrmex under laboratory conditions, in order to assess the proportion of dyed workers by size category, as well as dyed internal morphological structures. Results showed that nearly 50% of the workers come into contact with the active ingredient, since the internal structures of their bodies are dyed by the fat-soluble tracer dye within the first 24 h from contact with the toxic bait. In addition, the three subspecies of leaf-cutting ants present a similarity as to the contamination of their workers, probably due to their specialized behavior performed during the growth of the fungus garden with the baits. We conclude that the workers' pattern of behavior during fungus garden growth was the main means for dispersion of a fat-soluble substance among approximately half of the nest mates in our experiments, serving as a model for further studies on contamination of worker ants with insecticides.

Fermentation losses and chemical composition in mixed silages of elephant grass and cassava peels with mango residue / Perdas fermentativas e composição química das silagens mistas de capim-elefante e cascas de mandioca com resíduo de manga

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of different levels of mango residue (0, 10, 20 and 30% natural matter) in the mixed silages of elephant grass and cassava peels. The material was ensiled for 60 days in polyvinyl chloride "PVC" experimental bags. There was a maximum loss (P<0.05) of the effluent of 48.5 kg/ton of natural matter with the inclusion of 24.3% of mango residue in the elephant grass silage and cassava peel. Maximum dry matter (DM) loss (P<0.05) of 22.1% and minimum DM recovery (P<0.05) of 78.9% were found with the inclusion of 21.1% and 21.4% of mango residue. Quadratic behavior (P<0.05) was observed for the chemical composition of the silages, with minimum DM content (29.2%) and non-fibrous carbohydrates (37.6% NFC), and maximum crude protein (9.64% CP) and neutral detergent fiber (41.6% NDF) contents, with the inclusion of 23.5%, 8.90%, 10.7%, and 9.11% of mango residue, respectively. In the sensory evaluation regarding the characteristics associated with the nutritional value, the classification "good to very good" was recorded for the silages where the elephant grass and the cassava peels were added with 10% and 20% of mango residue. The inclusion of 10.7% of natural mango residue in elephant grass and cassava peel silages is enough to improve crude protein content, with lower effluent loss.(AU)

Objetivou-se com esse estudo avaliar o efeito da inclusão de diferentes níveis de resíduo de manga (0, 10, 20 e 30% da matéria natural) nas silagens mistas de capim-elefante e casca de mandioca. O material foi ensilado durante 60 dias em silos experimentais de policloreto de vinil “PVC”. Observou-se perda máxima (P<0,05) de efluentes de 48,5 kg/t de matéria natural com a inclusão de 24,3% de resíduo de manga. Perda máxima (P<0,05) de 22,1% de matéria (MS) e recuperação mínima (P<0,05) de 78,9% de MS foram registradas com a inclusão de 21,1% e 21,4% de resíduo de manga. Comportamento quadrático (P<0,05) foi observado para a composição química das silagens, com conteúdo mínimo de MS (29,2%) e carboidratos não fibrosos (37,6% de CNF), e conteúdos máximos de proteína bruta (9,64% de PB) e fibra em detergente neutro (41,6% de FDN), com a inclusão de 23,5%, 8,90%, 10,7% e 9,11% de resíduo de manga, respectivamente. Na avaliação sensorial quanto às características associadas ao valor nutritivo registrou-se a classificação “boa a muito boa” para as silagens onde o capim-elefante e a casca de mandioca foram aditivados com 10 e 20% de resíduo de manga. A adição de 10,7% de resíduo de manga na silagem de capim-elefante e casca de mandioca é suficiente para melhorar o conteúdo de proteína bruta, com menores perdas por efluentes.(AU)

Fermentation losses and chemical composition in mixed silages of elephant grass and cassava peels with mango residue / Perdas fermentativas e composição química das silagens mistas de capim-elefante e cascas de mandioca com resíduo de manga

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of different levels of mango residue (0, 10, 20 and 30% natural matter) in the mixed silages of elephant grass and cassava peels. The material was ensiled for 60 days in polyvinyl chloride "PVC" experimental bags. There was a maximum loss (P<0.05) of the effluent of 48.5 kg/ton of natural matter with the inclusion of 24.3% of mango residue in the elephant grass silage and cassava peel. Maximum dry matter (DM) loss (P<0.05) of 22.1% and minimum DM recovery (P<0.05) of 78.9% were found with the inclusion of 21.1% and 21.4% of mango residue. Quadratic behavior (P<0.05) was observed for the chemical composition of the silages, with minimum DM content (29.2%) and non-fibrous carbohydrates (37.6% NFC), and maximum crude protein (9.64% CP) and neutral detergent fiber (41.6% NDF) contents, with the inclusion of 23.5%, 8.90%, 10.7%, and 9.11% of mango residue, respectively. In the sensory evaluation regarding the characteristics associated with the nutritional value, the classification "good to very good" was recorded for the silages where the elephant grass and the cassava peels were added with 10% and 20% of mango residue. The inclusion of 10.7% of natural mango residue in elephant grass and cassava peel silages is enough to improve crude protein content, with lower effluent loss.

Objetivou-se com esse estudo avaliar o efeito da inclusão de diferentes níveis de resíduo de manga (0, 10, 20 e 30% da matéria natural) nas silagens mistas de capim-elefante e casca de mandioca. O material foi ensilado durante 60 dias em silos experimentais de policloreto de vinil “PVC”. Observou-se perda máxima (P<0,05) de efluentes de 48,5 kg/t de matéria natural com a inclusão de 24,3% de resíduo de manga. Perda máxima (P<0,05) de 22,1% de matéria (MS) e recuperação mínima (P<0,05) de 78,9% de MS foram registradas com a inclusão de 21,1% e 21,4% de resíduo de manga. Comportamento quadrático (P<0,05) foi observado para a composição química das silagens, com conteúdo mínimo de MS (29,2%) e carboidratos não fibrosos (37,6% de CNF), e conteúdos máximos de proteína bruta (9,64% de PB) e fibra em detergente neutro (41,6% de FDN), com a inclusão de 23,5%, 8,90%, 10,7% e 9,11% de resíduo de manga, respectivamente. Na avaliação sensorial quanto às características associadas ao valor nutritivo registrou-se a classificação “boa a muito boa” para as silagens onde o capim-elefante e a casca de mandioca foram aditivados com 10 e 20% de resíduo de manga. A adição de 10,7% de resíduo de manga na silagem de capim-elefante e casca de mandioca é suficiente para melhorar o conteúdo de proteína bruta, com menores perdas por efluentes.

Gender identity in patients with 5-alpha reductase deficiency raised as females.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: 5-Alpha reductase type 2 deficiency (5-ARD) is a rare disorder of sex development. The lack of 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, results in external genitalia that may appear female, or predominantly male, albeit undervirilized, or, more often, ambiguous. METHODS: This study describes a series of patients with 5-ARD raised as female, focusing on aspects related to gender identity. Following a retrospective chart review, patients with 5-ARD were invited to return to the clinic to enable their gender identity to be assessed using an 11-item structured in-house questionnaire. The Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction was applied to patients who had initiated their sexual life. RESULTS: Six patients aged >15 years with 5-ARD and raised as female were included. Most patients were diagnosed late: two before and four after puberty. The mean length of the phallus was 2.8 cm (0.5-5.0). Reasons for seeing a doctor included genital appearance (n = 3), amenorrhea/absence of breast development (n = 2), and changes in gender role attitudes (n = 1). According to the gender identity assessment, 4 patients identified as female, 1 as male, and 1 as both genders. Only the patient identified as male requested gender re-assignment. Of the two patients who had initiated their sexual life, sexual satisfaction was found to be good in one and poor in the other due to vaginal discomfort during intercourse. CONCLUSION: In the present series, the majority of undervirilized patients with a diagnosis of 5-ARD raised as female were in complete conformation with being female and described themselves as heterosexual. The more virilized patients were those least in conformity with their female-assigned gender.