Trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean sediments: Concentration ranges as a tool for quality control of large data collections.

Assessing the status of marine pollution at regional and sub-regional scales requires the use of comparable and harmonized data provided by multiple institutions, located in several countries. Standardized data management and quality control are crucial for supporting a coherent evaluation of marine pollution. Taking the Eastern Mediterranean Sea as a case study, we propose an approach to improve the quality control procedures used for sediment pollution data, thus supporting a harmonized environmental assessment. The regional ranges of contaminant concentrations in sediments were identified based on an in-depth literature review, and the lowest measured concentrations were evaluated to determine the "background concentrations" of chemical substances not yet targeted in the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, to verify the suitability of the approach for validating large data collections provided by multiple sources, the determined ranges were used to validate a regional dataset available through EMODnet data infrastructure.

Synergistic effect of serine protease inhibitors and a bothropic antivenom in reducing local hemorrhage and coagulopathy caused by Bothrops jararaca venom.

Snakebite accidents are a public health problem that affects the whole world, causing thousands of deaths and amputations each year. In Brazil, snakebite envenomations are caused mostly by snakes from the Bothrops genus. The local symptoms are characterized by pain, swelling, ecchymosis, and hemorrhages. Systemic disturbances can lead to necrosis and amputations. The present treatment consists of intravenous administration of bothropic antivenom, which is capable of reversing most of the systemic symptoms, while presenting limitations to treat the local effects, such as hemorrhage and to neutralize the snake venom serine protease (SVSP). In this context, we aimed to evaluate the activity of selective serine protease inhibitors (pepC and pepB) in combination with the bothropic antivenom in vivo. Further, we assessed their possible synergistic effect in the treatment of coagulopathy and hemorrhage induced by Bothrops jararaca venom. For this, we evaluated the in vivo activity in mouse models of local hemorrhage and a series of in vitro hemostasis assays. Our results showed that pepC and pepB, when combinated with the antivenom, increase its protective activity in vivo and decrease the hemostatic disturbances in vitro with high selectivity, possibly by inhibiting botropic proteases. These data suggest that the addition of serine protease inhibitor to the antivenom can improve its overall potential.

Características sociodemográficas y clínico-epidemiológicas de los pacientes adultos ingresados por diarrea del viajero en la Clínica Internacional Trinidad, 2015-2017 / Sociodemographic and clinical-epidemiological characteristics of patients admitted for traveler's diarrhea to Trinidad International Clinic, 2015-2017

Introducción: La diarrea del viajero es causa frecuente de hospitalización en turistas internacionales. Objetivo: Describir las características sociodemográficas y clínico-epidemiológicas de los pacientes adultos ingresados por diarrea del viajero en la Clínica Internacional de Trinidad durante los años 2015 al 2017. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de los 699 pacientes adultos con diarrea del viajero que requirieron de ingreso en el periodo de estudio. Se revisaron sus historias clínicas para analizar la frecuencia en que estuvieron presentes algunas variables sociodemográficas y clínico-epidemiológicas. Para analizar los datos se utilizó la estadística descriptiva con distribución de frecuencias y porcentajes. Resultados: El grupo etario entre 19 y 40 años tuvo un 60,52 por ciento de pacientes afectados; el 58,23 por ciento en el sexo femenino, con una incidencia mayor en los meses de julio (12,88 por ciento) y febrero (12,44 por ciento). Los viajeros procedentes de países europeos representaron el 76,97 por ciento ; el 74,96 por ciento se hospedó en casas particulares. El 1,85 por ciento de los afectados presentaba antecedentes de enfermedad gastrointestinal; el 76,11 por ciento requirió de 1 a 6 h de observación, con deshidratación leve (59,66 por ciento) y moderada (21,75 por ciento). El vómito y las náuseas se presentaron en el 58,37 por ciento de los pacientes y en el 60,73 por ciento la causa no fue precisada. Conclusiones: Las variables sociodemográficas y clínico-epidemiológicas seleccionadas permitieron describir características de los pacientes adultos ingresados por diarrea del viajero. Se recomienda profundizar en el estudio para contribuir a su prevención y optimizar la atención(AU)

Introduction: Traveler's diarrhea is a frequent cause of hospitalization of international tourists. Objective: Describe the sociodemographic and clinical-epidemiological characteristics of adult patients admitted for traveler's diarrhea to Trinidad International Clinic in the period 2015-2017. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted of the 699 adult patients with traveler's diarrhea who required hospitalization in the study period. The patients' medical records were reviewed to analyze the frequency of some sociodemographic and clinical-epidemiological variables. Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics with frequency and percentage distribution. Results: 60.52 percent of the patients affected were in the 19-40 years age group, 58.23 percent were female, and the highest incidence was observed in the months of July (12.88 percent) and February (12.4 4 percent ). Travelers from European countries represented 76.97 percent, and 74.96 percent were staying in private dwellings. Of the patients affected, 1.85 percent had a history of gastrointestinal disease; 76.11percent required 1-6 hours of observation; dehydration was mild in 59.66 percent and moderate in 21.75 percent. Vomiting and nausea were present in 58.37 percent of the patients; in 60.73 percent the cause was not determined. Conclusions: The sociodemographic and clinical-epidemiological variables selected made it possible to characterize the adult patients admitted for traveler's diarrhea. Further research is recommended to contribute to the prevention this disease. Further research is recommended to contribute to the prevention this disease and optimize care(AU)

Ballast water management system: Assessment of chemical quality status of several ports in Adriatic Sea.

Oxidant treatment of ballast water (BW) is commonly used in BW systems in order to minimize the transport of alien species. The release of disinfection by-products (DBPs) associated to the treatment of BW and cross-contamination of butyltin (BT) compounds through BW discharge is a topic of environmental concern. A chemical port baseline survey has been conducted in seven ports of the Adriatic Sea. Analysis have been performed on transplanted mussels, surface sediment, seawater, BW. Results showed an evidence of BT contamination, particularly in sediments, probably related to their illegal usage or to intensive shipping activities. Therefore, BW may act as a vector and contribute to re-buildup of BT contamination in the coastal regions. A baseline set of data concerning DBPs is provided, showing the preferential distribution of these compounds in the marine environment that will be useful for future considerations on monitoring and assessment of chemical contamination associated with BW.

Factors controlling sediment and nutrient fluxes in a small microtidal salt marsh within the Venice Lagoon.

Coastal salt marshes are among the Earth's most productive ecosystems and provide a number of ecosystem services. Water quality regulation by storing, transforming and releasing nutrients, organic matter and suspended sediment is recognized as one of the most important functions of salt marshes. The self-purification capacity of intertidal ecosystems contributes to mitigating nutrient inputs, acting as a buffer zone between watersheds and coastal waters, especially in relation to climate change and the increasing frequency of impulsive extreme events. Understanding sediment and nutrient fluxes and assessing the mechanisms that control them are valuable for the preservation and future restoration of salt marshes and for enhancing their effectiveness in providing water quality regulation services. To investigate the main driving factors in microtidal environments, changes in suspended sediment and nutrient concentrations were measured during several tidal cycles in a small microtidal reconstructed salt marsh in the Venice Lagoon, which was selected as the experimental site. The tidal amplitude, nutrients and total suspended solid concentrations were measured during 6 tidal cycles between September 2011 and October 2013. The water discharge was derived by forcing the hydrodynamic MIKE-DHI numerical model with the measured tidal levels. Fluxes were assessed by coupling field data with the calculated discharges. The salt marsh filtering function was related to the inflow matter concentrations and tidal amplitude. When high suspended solid and nutrient concentrations enter the salt marsh, accumulation processes prevail on release. In contrast, in the case of low concentrations and high tidal excursion, the salt marsh functions as a nutrient and sediment source. During all campaigns, the nitrogen removal function was more effective within the intertidal vegetated areas. Sediment release was the dominant process in the outermost creek, whereas sedimentation prevailed in the inner area of the salt marsh because of the attenuation of hydrodynamic forcing during tide propagation.

Dietary glutamine, glutamic acid and nucleotides increase the carbon turnover (δ 13C) on the intestinal mucosa of weaned piglets.

This study aimed at evaluating the influence of dietary glutamine, glutamic acid and nucleotides on duodenal and jejunal carbon turnover, and on mucosa morphometry of piglets weaned at an age of 21 days. The diets were: additive-free diet - control (C); 1% of glutamine (G); 1% of glutamic acid (GA); and 1% of nucleotides (N). In intestinal mucosa morphometry trial, 65 animals were used. At day 0 (baseline), five animals were slaughtered to determine the villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), VH : CD ratio and villi density (VD). The remaining 60 animals were allocated into a randomized block design with 4×3 factorial arrangement (four diets: C - control, G - glutamine, GA - glutamic acid and N - nucleotides; three slaughter ages: 7, 14 and 21 days post-weaning) with five piglets slaughtered per treatment. In carbon turnover trial, 123 animals were used. At day 0 (baseline), three animals were slaughtered to quantify the δ 13C half-life (T50%) and the 99% carbon substitution (T99%) on intestinal mucosa. The remaining 120 animals were blocked by three weight categories (light, medium and heavy) and, randomly assigned to pen with the same four diets from the previous trial with one piglet slaughtered per weight category per treatment at days 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 13, 20, 27 and 49 after weaning. Morphometric analyses have yielded no consistent results regarding the action of the evaluated additives, and few reproducible age-related effects. The N diets determined lower T50% values (5.18 days) and T99% (17.21 days) than G and C diets (T50%=7.29, 7.58 days and T99%=24.22, 25.17 days, respectively) in the duodenal mucosa. In jejunum, the N, GA and G diets determined the lowest T50% means (4.9, 6.2 and 6.7 days, respectively) and T99% means (15.34, 21.10 and 21.84 days, respectively) in comparison with C diets (T50%=7.44 and T99%=24.72 days). The inclusion of the additives in the diets of piglets accelerated the carbon turnover in piglets during the post-weaning period. The stable isotopes technique (δ 13C) is an important methodology in studies of additives with trophic effects on the intestinal mucosa of the piglets.

Ileal Amino Acid Digestibility of Broken Rice Fed to Postweaned Piglets with or without Multicarbohydrase and Phytase Supplementation.

Most of amino acid (AA) digestibility values for feed ingredients are obtained using pigs cannulated in the distal ileum. The ileal-cannulated pig model uses pigs older than six weeks due to difficulties related to implanting the T-cannula in distal ileum of younger pigs and complications during the post-surgical recovery. However, to properly formulate the diet of weaned pigs, the nutritive value of feed ingredients should be determined with younger pigs. Thus, 25 weaned pigs were used to determine the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, energy, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility (SID) ileal AA digestibility of broken rice (BR), with or without multicarbohydrase (MC) and phytase (Phy) supplementation. Piglets were weaned at 23 d of age and individually housed in digestibility cages until 45 d of age. The trial consisted of 7 d of adaptation to the experimental diets and 3 d of excreta (feces and urine) collection. Ileal digesta was collected at slaughter (about 6 weeks of age). A completely randomized experimental design was used to determine the effects of MC and Phy. Reference diets (RD, 5% casein) was replaced by 30% of BR with or without MC, Phy, or MC+Phy. The RD was used to quantify endogenous AA losses. BR with Phy supplied had increased the ATTD of dry matter (p<0.05) and SID of histidine (p = 0.05), arginine, leucine, lysine, valine, alanine, and proline (p<0.05). BR with MC had been increased digestible energy and protein and SID for histidine (p<0.05). There was no interaction between Phy and MC on the BR nutrient digestibilities. Standardized amino acid digestibilities of BR, without enzymes, were lower than those values reported in the literature. The MC and Phy improved the digestibility of some nutrients and energy of BR in post-weaned piglet diets.

Long-term weight gain and economic impact in pigs castrated under local anaesthesia.

Castration is a controversial practice in swine production because in some countries is still performed without anaesthesia, and therefore causes intense suffering and stress to animals. This study investigated the effect of pre-surgical administration of local anaesthesia (LA) on the growth performance of piglets until the end of the growth phase (102 days). Piglets aged 3 to 5 days were selected in pairs of similar weights and same age. They were originated from 22 litters. The groups were randomly assigned to one of two treatments. Castration was performed with (LA; n = 45) or without (NLA; n = 45) intra-testicular administration of 0.5 mL of 2% lidocaine plus adrenaline per testicle, administered by an automatic repeating vaccinator. Castration was performed 10 min later. Average daily weight gain and economic impact were evaluated between the intervals before castration until 21 (weaning phase), before castration until 60 (end of the initial nursery phase) and before castration until 102 (growth phase) days of age. Average daily weight gain data were analyzed by comparing the average daily weight gain between the weaning phase, 60 and 102 days of age versus the initial weight (pre-castration). At the end of the growing phase, animals treated with LA showed greater weight gain than animals castrated without anaesthesia. LA also showed improved cost:benefit ratio and theore might provide greater economic benefit under the conditions used in this study. Our findings have proved that castration with LA improves long-term weight gain of piglets.

Epidemiología clínica de la epilepsia en niños y adolescentes del municipio Sancti Spíritus / Clinical epidemiology epilepsy in children and adolescents of Sancti Spíritus municipality

La epilepsia es una enfermedad crónica no transmisible caracterizada por su elevada prevalencia en las edades más jóvenes. Objetivos: describir las características clínico epidemiológicas de los niños y adolescentes con diagnóstico de epilepsia, radicados en el municipio de Sancti Spíritus. Metodología: se realizó una investigación descriptiva de corte transversal de enero a diciembre del año 2011; en el análisis de los datos se emplearon técnicas de estadística descriptiva. Resultados: se registró una prevalencia de pacientes con epilepsia de 7,86 por cada 1000 habitantes, la que resultó mayor entre los 10 y 18 años de edad, con similar distribución en ambos sexos y predominio en la raza blanca. Resultaron más frecuentes en estos pacientes las crisis focales. Todos los enfermos están escolarizados y el 92,8 porciento se encuentran controlados en su consultorio de la familia. Conclusiones: Los resultados encontrados en cuanto a prevalencia de epilepsia en niños y adolescentes radicados en el municipio Sancti Spiritus, resultan superiores a la prevalencia estimada para Cuba. Existió un predominio de las crisis focales y un elevado porcentaje de control de los enfermos según la educación escolarizada y el seguimiento de estos pacientes en la atención primaria de salud(AU)

Epilepsy is a non transmissible chronic disease characterized by its prevalence in the younger ages. Objectives: to describe the clinical epidemiological characteristics in children and adolescents with epilepsy diagnosis living in Sancti Spíritus. Methodology: a descriptive investigation was carried out in a transversal cut from January to December 2011; in the data analysis some descriptive statistical techniques were used. Results: it was registered a prevalence of patients with epilepsy of 7.86 per every 1000 inhabitants which was greater between 10 and 18 years old with similar distribution in both sexes mainly in the white race. Focal crisis were the most frequent in these patients. All the patients have 92.8 percent of school level and they are controlled by their family doctors. Conclusions: the results found according to the prevalence of epilepsy in children and adolescents in Sancti Spíritus municipality are higher than the prevalence estimated in Cuba. There were more focal crisis and high percentage of control of the patient according to the education level and the follow up of these in the primary care of health(AU)

Epidemiología clínica de la epilepsia en la población adulta del municipio Sancti Spíritus / Clinical epidemiology epilepsy in the adult population of Sancti Spíritus municipality

Fundamento: la epilepsia es una enfermedad crónica no transmisible necesitada de control en la atención primaria de salud. Objetivos: determinar las características clínico epidemiológicas de los pacientes adultos con epilepsia en el municipio Sancti Spiritus. Metodología: se realizó una investigación descriptiva de corte transversal, desde enero a diciembre del año 2010; en el análisis de los datos se emplearon técnicas de estadística descriptiva. Resultados: se registró una prevalencia de pacientes con epilepsia de 9,60 por cada 1000 habitantes, la que resultó mayor entre los 15 y 19 años de edad, con similar distribución en ambos sexos. Predominaron en estos pacientes las crisis focales. La mayoría de los enfermos estaban escolarizados y desarrollaban una vida laboral activa, pero solamente la tercera parte mantenía relaciones conyugales estables. Conclusiones: la epilepsia constituye una enfermedad frecuente en la población adulta del municipio Sancti Spíritus, donde se define como un importante problema de salud en el joven; debe prestarse atención diferenciada a los aspectos psicosociales relacionados con esta enfermedad así como un mayor esfuerzo para incrementar su control integral en el consultorio médico de la familia(AU)

Epilepsy is a non transmissible chronic disease which needs control in the primary care of health. Objectives: to determine the clinical epidemiological characteristics of adult patients with epilepsy in Sancti Spíritus municipality. Methodology: a transversal descriptive investigation was carried out from January to December 2010; in the data analysis descriptive and statistical techniques were used. Results: there was a prevalence of patients with epilepsy of 9.60 per every 1000 inhabitants being the greater prevalence between 15 and 19 years old with the similar distribution in both sexes. There was a greater prevalence in focal crisis. Most of the patients had certain level of education and they had an active working life but only a third part had stable marital relations. Conclusions: epilepsy constitutes a frequent disease in the adult population of Sancti Spíritus municipality where it is defined as an important problem of health in young people. We must pay attention to psychosocial aspects related to this disease as well as a greater effort to increase its integral control in the family doctor office(AU)

Epidemiología clínica de la epilepsia en la población adulta del municipio Sancti Spíritus / Clinical epidemiology epilepsy in the adult population of Sancti Spíritus municipality

Fundamento: la epilepsia es una enfermedad crónica no transmisible necesitada de control en la atención primaria de salud. Objetivos: determinar las características clínico epidemiológicas de los pacientes adultos con epilepsia en el municipio Sancti Spiritus. Metodología: se realizó una investigación descriptiva de corte transversal, desde enero a diciembre del año 2010; en el análisis de los datos se emplearon técnicas de estadística descriptiva. Resultados: se registró una prevalencia de pacientes con epilepsia de 9,60 por cada 1000 habitantes, la que resultó mayor entre los 15 y 19 años de edad, con similar distribución en ambos sexos. Predominaron en estos pacientes las crisis focales. La mayoría de los enfermos estaban escolarizados y desarrollaban una vida laboral activa, pero solamente la tercera parte mantenía relaciones conyugales estables. Conclusiones: la epilepsia constituye una enfermedad frecuente en la población adulta del municipio Sancti Spíritus, donde se define como un importante problema de salud en el joven; debe prestarse atención diferenciada a los aspectos psicosociales relacionados con esta enfermedad así como un mayor esfuerzo para incrementar su control integral en el consultorio médico de la familia.

Background: epilepsy is a non transmissible chronic disease which needs control in the primary care of health. Objectives: to determine the clinical epidemiological characteristics of adult patients with epilepsy in Sancti Spíritus municipality. Methodology: a transversal descriptive investigation was carried out from January to December 2010; in the data analysis descriptive and statistical techniques were used. Results: there was a prevalence of patients with epilepsy of 9.60 per every 1000 inhabitants being the greater prevalence between 15 and 19 years old with the similar distribution in both sexes. There was a greater prevalence in focal crisis. Most of the patients had certain level of education and they had an active working life but only a third part had stable marital relations. Conclusions: epilepsy constitutes a frequent disease in the adult population of Sancti Spíritus municipality where it is defined as an important problem of health in young people. We must pay attention to psychosocial aspects related to this disease as well as a greater effort to increase its integral control in the family doctor office.

Epidemiología clínica de la epilepsia en niños y adolescentes del municipio Sancti Spíritus / Clinical epidemiology epilepsy in children and adolescents of Sancti Spíritus municipality

Introducción: la epilepsia es una enfermedad crónica no transmisible caracterizada por su elevada prevalencia en las edades más jóvenes. Objetivos: describir las características clínico epidemiológicas de los niños y adolescentes con diagnóstico de epilepsia, radicados en el municipio de Sancti Spíritus. Metodología: se realizó una investigación descriptiva de corte transversal de enero a diciembre del año 2011; en el análisis de los datos se emplearon técnicas de estadística descriptiva. Resultados: s e registró una prevalencia de pacientes con epilepsia de 7,86 por cada 1000 habitantes, la que resultó mayor entre los 10 y 18 años de edad, con similar distribución en ambos sexos y predominio en la raza blanca. Resultaron más frecuentes en estos pacientes las crisis focales. Todos los enfermos están escolarizados y el 92,8 % se encuentran controlados en su consultorio de la familia. Conclusiones: Los resultados encontrados en cuanto a prevalencia de epilepsia en niños y adolescentes radicados en el municipio Sancti Spiritus, resultan superiores a la prevalencia estimada para Cuba. Existió un predominio de las crisis focales y un elevado porcentaje de control de los enfermos según la educación escolarizada y el seguimiento de estos pacientes en la atención primaria de salud.

Background: epilepsy is a non transmissible chronic disease characterized by its prevalence in the younger ages. Objectives: to describe the clinical epidemiological characteristics in children and adolescents with epilepsy diagnosis living in Sancti Spíritus. Methodology: a descriptive investigation was carried out in a transversal cut from January to December 2011; in the data analysis some descriptive statistical techniques were used. Results: it was registered a prevalence of patients with epilepsy of 7.86 per every 1000 inhabitants which was greater between 10 and 18 years old with similar distribution in both sexes mainly in the white race. Focal crisis were the most frequent in these patients. All the patients have 92.8 % of school level and they are controlled by their family doctors. Conclusions: the results found according to the prevalence of epilepsy in children and adolescents in Sancti Spíritus municipality are higher than the prevalence estimated in Cuba . There were more focal crisis and high percentage of control of the patient according to the education level and the follow up of these in the primary care of health.

Winter to spring variations of chromophoric dissolved organic matter in a temperate estuary (Po River, northern Adriatic Sea).

The light absorbing fraction of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), known as chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) showed wide seasonal variations in the temperate estuarine zone in front of the Po River mouth. DOC concentrations increased from winter through spring mainly as a seasonal response to increasing phytoplankton production and thermohaline stratification. The monthly dependence of the CDOM light absorption by salinity and chlorophyll a concentrations was explored. In 2003, neither DOC nor CDOM were linearly correlated with salinity, due to an exceptionally low Po river inflow. Though the CDOM absorbance coefficients showed a higher content of chromophoric dissolved organic matter in 2004 with respect to 2003, the spectroscopic features confirmed that the qualitative nature of CDOM was quite similar in both years. CDOM and DOC underwent a conservative mixing, only after relevant Po river freshets, and a change in optical features with an increase of the specific absorption coefficient was observed, suggesting a prevailing terrestrial origin of dissolved organic matter.

Organotins (TBT and DBT) in water, sediments, and gastropods of the southern Venice lagoon (Italy).

The release of tributyltin (TBT) from maritime traffic represents one of the main problems of direct, diffuse, and continued contamination of the marine environment. In the present survey, the concentrations of TBT and dibultytin (DBT) in brackish waters, sediments, and the gastropods Nassarius nitidus were evaluated in order to estimate the contamination of the southern part of the Venice lagoon. TBT and DBT were determined by GC-MS/MS. Recent contamination of TBT was found in brackish waters near marinas, whereas the highest concentrations of TBT and DBT were observed in surface sediments at dockyards and harbours. High content of organotin in the gastropods sampled near the dockyards, harbours, and marinas showed a mobilisation from the sediments through the food web. The present study allowed assessment of whether, despite the ban on the use of TBT paints, waters, sediments, and biota were still being contaminated by organotin compounds in the southern Venice lagoon.

Polychlorinated biphenyls in clams Tapes philippinarum cultured in the Venice Lagoon (Italy): contamination levels and dietary exposure assessment.

Total polychlorinated biphenyl (SigmaPCB) concentrations calculated as the sum of 21 and the toxicity equivalent (TEQ) of dioxin-like PCBs calculated on the basis of the toxic equivalent factors were assessed in Manila clams Tapes philippinarum cultured in the Venice Lagoon. The concentrations showed a predominance of hexa-chlorobiphenyls followed by penta-, hepta-, tetra- and tri-chlorobiphenyls. The highest levels of SigmaPCB detected were 4.01 ng/g, 2.71 ng/g and 2.68 ng/g wet weight at a southern lagoon site and two northern lagoon sites, respectively. There was a significant differentiation in toxicity levels between culture sites. The highest value was 0.239 pg TEQ/g at a southern lagoon site; the lowest was 0.004 pg TEQ/g at a central lagoon site.

Avaliação nutricional da silagem de grãos úmidos de milho com diferentes teores de óleo para leitões na fase de creche / Nutritional evaluation of high moisture corn silage with different oil contents for piglets in nursery phase

Utilizaram-se 60 leitões mestiços (Large White x Landrace), desmamados com peso inicial médio de 7,9kg, no experimento de desempenho e 20 leitões mestiços, com peso inicial médio de 16,8kg, no experimento de digestibilidade para avaliar a silagem de grãos úmidos de milho com diferentes teores de óleo. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso em ambos os experimentos avaliou-se o valor nutricional das silagens e dos milhos secos com teor normal (4,3 por centoEE na MS) ou elevado de óleo (5,66 por centoEE na MS). Não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre o consumo diário de ração e no ganho de peso diário nos períodos de 0 a 9 e 0 a 31 dias. Os leitões apresentaram melhor conversão alimentar em ambos os períodos estudados, quando receberam silagem e no período de 0 a 9 dias, quando foram alimentados com milho com teor mais alto de óleo. As frações digestível e metabolizável da energia foram influenciadas pelo processamento, sendo que a ensilagem proporcionou melhor aproveitamento da energia, independentemente do teor de óleo presente nos grãos.

Sixty crossbred weaned pigs (Large White x Landrace) average initial body weight of 7.9kg and 20 crossbred pigs average initial body weight of 16.8kg were used in the performance and digestibility experiments, respectively, to evaluate high-moisture corn silage with different oil contents. The nutritional value of high-moisture corn silage and dry corn with normal (4.3 percent EE in DM) or higher (5.66 percent EE in DM) oil contents were analyzed. The treatments had no effect on either average daily feed intake (ADFI) or average daily gain (ADG) from 0 to 9 and 0 to 31 days. The piglets had higher feed/weight gain in both periods when fed silage and in the period from 0 to 9 days when fed higher oil content corn. In the digestibility experiment only the digestible and metabolizable fractions of energy were affected by the processing method and the silage provided higher energy utilization regardless of the oil content in the grains.

Valor nutricional da silagem de grãos úmidos de milho com diferentes graus de moagem para leitões na fase de creche / Nutritional value of high moisture corn silage with differents particle sizes for piglets in nursery phase

Utilizaram-se 72 leitões mestiços (Landrace x Large White), com peso inicial médio de 7,1kg, no experimento de desempenho e 20 leitões mestiços, com peso inicial médio de 18,9kg, no experimento de digestibilidade para avaliar a silagem de grãos úmidos de milho com diferentes granulometrias para leitões em fase de creche. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso. Em ambos os experimentos avaliaram-se o valor nutricional das silagens com diâmetro geométrico médio (DGM) das partículas de 979, 1168 e 2186æm e do milho seco com DGM das partículas de 594æm. Na fase de zero ao oitavo dia, a silagem proporcionou menor consumo diário de ração (CDR) em relação ao milho seco, e foi verificado aumento linear no CDR com o aumento da granulometria da silagem. A silagem com granulometria média e grossa proporcionou melhora na conversão alimentar (CA) em relação ao milho seco, mas não foi observada diferença no ganho diário de peso (GDP). Para o período total, não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas para CDR e GDP, entretanto a silagem proporcionou melhora na CA em relação ao milho seco havendo efeito linear crescente da granulometria da silagem sobre a CA. A granulometria da silagem não influenciou nos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) da matéria seca e da proteína bruta, porém proporcionou maiores CDA do fósforo e valores de energia digestível em relação ao milho seco. O CDA do cálcio e os valores de energia metabolizável foram maiores para a silagem com granulometria fina e média, comparado ao do milho seco. Houve redução linear do CDA do cálcio com o aumento da granulometria da silagem.

Seventy-two crossbred pigs (Landrace x Large White) average initial body weight of 7.1kg and 20 crossbred pigs average initial body weight of 18.9kg were used in the performance and digestibility experiments to evaluate high-moisture corn silage with different particle sizes for piglets in nursery phase. A randomized block design was used. In both experiments the nutritional values of high-moisture corn silage with 979, 1168 and 2186æm geometric mean particle sizes (GM) and dry corn with 594æm GM were evaluated. From day 0 to 8, high-moisture corn silage provided daily feed intake (ADFI) lower than dry corn. A linear increase was observed to this variable when increasing the particle size of the silage. The silage with intermediate and coarse particle sizes provided higher feed/weight gain than the dry corn, but no difference in average daily gain (ADG) was observed. Throughout the experimental period, there were no statistical differences in ADFI and ADG. Therefore, the silage improved feed/weight gain in comparison to the dry corn. There was a linear increase of values of this variable as particle size of the silage increased. No effect of particle size of the silage on the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter and crude protein was observed. However, it provided higher phosphorus ADC and values of digestible energy than the dry corn. Calcium ADC as well as values of metabolizable energy increased for silage with fine and intermediate particle sizes in comparison to the dry corn silage. Calcium ADC linearly decreased as the particle size of the silage increased.

Mercury in sediments and Nassarius reticulatus (Gastropoda Prosobranchia) in the southern Venice Lagoon.

The southern basin of the Venice Lagoon has been the focus of fewer studies concerning contamination from heavy metals than the northern and central basins. A recent increase in urban waste waters from Chioggia town, as well as dockyards, shipping and fishing activities, affect this part of the lagoon. The aim of this study was to investigate the total mercury (THg) incidence in sediments and Nassarius reticulatus gastropods in order to assess its distribution and evaluate the level of contamination. THg concentration measured in bottom sediments ranged between 0.1 and 3.4 mg/kg d. wt. The enrichment factor (EF) showed high values (avg. 30, max 49) near the dockyards of Chioggia; the lowest (avg. 9, max 17) were found in the coastal marine sediments near the port entrance of the southern basin. THg in marine scavenger gastropods accumulated in N. reticulatus with concentrations falling within the range of 0.3-1.3 mg/kg d. wt. A positive correlation was found between THg concentration in sediments and in N. reticulatus in all sites, excluding the dockyards. A first local cause for mercury pollution might be attributed to the antifouling paints used in great quantity in the recent past near the town of Chioggia. Moreover, fine suspended sediments associated with tidal flushing are suggested as possibly being the vehicle for pollutant dispersal from the Marghera industrial area to the whole of Venice's lagoon.

Sincronizaçäo da ovulaçäo em fêmeas suínas submetidas ao desmame precoce / Synchronization of ovulation in sows in early weaning system

Verificou-se a eficiência de protocolos para sincronizar a ovulaçäo em porcas desmamadas precocemente. Trinta porcas com média de 4,4ñ2,0 partos e estádio de lactaçäo de 14,8ñ0,7 dias foram distribuídas em três grupos de 10 animais: 1- nenhum tratamento hormonal; 2- 1000 UI de PMSG, via intramuscular (IM), 48h pós-desmame e 0,25mg de GnRH, IM, 72h após a aplicaçäo do PMSG; 3- 1000 UI de PMSG, IM, 48h pós-desmame e 500 UI de hCG, IM, 72h após o PMSG. O momento da ovulaçäo foi detectado por ultra-sonografia transretal. A taxa de sincronizaçäo (ovulaçäo até 48h após aplicaçäo de hCG ou GnRH) dos grupos 2 e 3 (94,7 por cento) foi maior (P<0,01) que no grupo controle (40 por cento). Com o uso dos protocolos de sincronizaçäo de ovulaçäo, as fêmeas tratadas apresentaram, em relaçäo ao grupo controle, tendência de maior taxa de prenhez (95 por cento vs. 70 por cento; P<0,10) e similares intervalo do desmame ao estro (96,5ñ3,0 vs. 130,2ñ31,4h) e número de leitöes nascidos vivos por fêmea gestante no primeiro cio pós-desmame (10,9ñ0,8 vs. 12,0ñ0,9). Dessa maneira, os protocolos de sincronizaçäo usados neste estudo foram eficientes em sincronizar a ovulaçäo, e podem viabilizar o uso da inseminaçäo artificial em horários predeterminados

Evaluation of the readability of information sheets for healthy volunteers in phase-I trials.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess whether information sheets/consent forms submitted to the healthy volunteers of the Clinical Pharmacology Unit (C.P.U.) panel at Glaxo-Wellcome (Verona, Italy) could be considered understandable and to verify the readability and comprehensibility of these documents. Since a volunteer bases his/her decision to take part in a study on the information sheet provided, it is of paramount ethical importance to know whether the sheet conveys all relevant information. In addition, a thorough awareness by the volunteer of the reasons and procedures of the study would increase compliance. METHODS: Four indices were used: Flesh-Vacca, Kincaid, Gunning's Fog and Gulpease. All indices rate the degree of difficulty of a text, in the light of the level of schooling of the target population. The documents evaluated were information sheets presented to volunteers. The level of schooling of the population that participated in at least one study was determined: 61.7% of volunteers finished high school and 22.6% had a University degree or diploma; the remaining 15.7% did not finish high school or the datum was not available. RESULTS: The results showed that, when the present study began, all information sheets were "readable" by all volunteers who had at least finished high school. After these preliminary results, some additional linguistic and graphic refinements were adopted in drawing up information sheets. Readability improved to such a degree that all information sheets could be understood by virtually all volunteers. CONCLUSION: A number of suggestions were identified, which are set out in this paper to assist in the preparation of improved information sheets and a recommendation to value the readability of consent sheets before giving them to the volunteers. The suggestions were split into three categories: communications to the volunteer, text format and text organisation.