Composição nutricional de milho Bt ensilado com inoculante enzimobacteriano e avaliado em ovinos / Nutritional composition of GMO corn ensiled with bacterial inoculants and sheep digestibility

O objetivo foi avaliar as características agronômicas e químico-bromatológicas de dois híbridos de milho Bt (30F35H e CD397YH) ensilados com inoculante enzimobacteriano. Os teores de FDN foram semelhantes para todas as frações de planta, já o teor de FDA diferiu quanto à planta inteira e colmo, enquanto a lignina diferiu em relação à planta inteira, colmo e sabugo. A DIVMS não apresentou diferença entre os híbridos em nenhuma das frações. As silagens foram produzidas em silos experimentais (aproximadamente 200kg). As concentrações de MS, EE, FDN, NDT e DIVMS não mostraram diferença entre as silagens dos híbridos avaliados. Já os teores de MM, PB, FDA e lignina diferiram. Não houve diferença entre as silagens dos híbridos para os valores de NDT estimado e para a DIVMS. Também não foi observado efeito do inoculante sobre os valores de CHT, CNF, FDN e DIVMS. Conclui-se que o híbrido Pioneer foi superior ao Coodetec em produtividade de MV ha-1, porém a composição nutricional das silagens não diferiu na concentração de NDT e digestibilidade avaliadas em ovinos. Não houve efeito do uso de inoculante na digestibilidade da matéria seca e da fração fibra em detergente neutro das silagens.

The aim was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and chemical composition of the two corn hybrids (30F35H and CD397YH) ensiled with enzymatic bacterial inoculants. NDF were similar for all plant fractions, since the ADF content differed as to the whole plant and stem, lignin differed in relation to the whole plant, stem and cob. IVDMD did not differ among treatments in any of the fractions. The silages were produced in experimental silos (approximately 200kg). The concentrations of MS, EE, NDF, IVDMD and TDN showed no difference between the silages of hybrids. Since the levels of MM, CP, ADF and lignin differed; there was no difference between hybrids for silage TDN and IVDMD. There was also no effect of the use of inoculants on the values of CHT, NFC, NDF and IVDMD. It is concluded that Pioneer was superior to Coodetec productivity of MV-1 ha. The nutritional composition of silages did not differ in the concentration of TDN and digestibility in sheep assessed. There was no effect of using inoculants on the digestibility of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber content of the silage.

Comparison of the Cellient(™) automated cell block system and agar cell block method.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the Cellient(TM) automated cell block system with the agar cell block method in terms of quantity and quality of diagnostic material and morphological, histochemical and immunocytochemical features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell blocks were prepared from 100 effusion samples using the agar method and Cellient system, and routinely sectioned and stained for haematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff with diastase (PASD). A preliminary immunocytochemical study was performed on selected cases (27/100 cases). Sections were evaluated using a three-point grading system to compare a set of morphological parameters. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Parameters assessing cellularity, presence of single cells and definition of nuclear membrane, nucleoli, chromatin and cytoplasm showed a statistically significant improvement on Cellient cell blocks compared with agar cell blocks (P < 0.05). No significant difference was seen for definition of cell groups, PASD staining or the intensity or clarity of immunocytochemical staining. A discrepant immunocytochemistry (ICC) result was seen in 21% (13/63) of immunostains. CONCLUSION: The Cellient technique is comparable with the agar method, with statistically significant results achieved for important morphological features. It demonstrates potential as an alternative cell block preparation method which is relevant for the rapid processing of fine needle aspiration samples, malignant effusions and low-cellularity specimens, where optimal cell morphology and architecture are essential. Further investigation is required to optimize immunocytochemical staining using the Cellient method.

Prevention and treatment of cardiovascular instability during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section.

Spinal anaesthesia is the method of choice for caesarean section. There is however a significant associated morbidity and mortality in South Africa, particularly in inexperienced hands. This review provides recommendations for safe practice for anaesthetists at all levels of expertise, with particular reference to the management of haemodynamic instability.

HIV/AIDS: impact on maternal mortality at the Johannesburg Hospital, South Africa, 1995-2001.

This study investigated maternal mortality at the Johannesburg Hospital, a 1100-bed academic hospital in South Africa. Patient records were assessed retrospectively over two time periods: 1995/1996 and 2000/2001. Causes of death were noted and compared with national data. The two time periods were compared to identify disease patterns and the role of anaesthesia in maternal mortality. The maternal mortality ratios were respectively 183 and 354 per 100000 live births respectively. Hypertension in pregnancy was the leading cause of mortality in 1995/1996, accounting for 10 out of the 20 deaths, but was the second most common cause in 2000/2001 (6 out of 35). HIV/AIDS-associated disease was the leading cause of mortality in 2000/2001 (42.7%, increasing from 20% in 1995/1996) with pneumonia the commonest cause of death. The statistics at this hospital were consistent with the national trend of an increasing association with HIV/AIDS. No deaths were found to be directly attributable to anaesthesia in either of the time periods. There is a need for clearer documentation of HIV status in pregnancy and antiretroviral intervention strategies must be considered.

Genetic diversity in natural and anthropogenic inland populations of salt-tolerant plants: random amplified polymorphic DNA analyses of Aster tripolium L. (Compositae) and Salicornia ramosissima Woods (Chenopodiaceae).

Eight populations of Aster tripolium (Compositae) and six of Salicornia ramosissima (Chenopodiaceae) from inland, naturally salt-contaminated habitats and anthropogenic salt-polluted sites in central Germany (Thuringia, Anhalt-Saxony) were analysed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers to investigate the patterns of genetic variation. In both species, the genetic diversity observed in the younger, anthropogenic sites caused by potash mines during the last century was found to be not significantly lower than in the older, naturally salt-contaminated habitats. Therefore, it is speculated that the loss of genetic diversity caused by founder effects on the anthropogenic habitats was balanced by successive colonization events, actual gene flow between populations, or the rapid growth of populations on the secondary habitats after colonization. Analyses of molecular variance (amova) of the RAPD markers, neighbour-joining clustering of populations based on Reynolds' co-ancestry distances, and Mantel tests indicate that: (i) anthropogenic habitats were colonized independently; (ii) genetic differentiation among populations of S. ramosissima is more pronounced than in A. tripolium, which is considered to be mainly due to biological differences between the two species; and (iii) the geographical pattern of genetic diversity was considerably modulated by historical events and/or population genetic effects.

Genetic recombination between Proteus mirabilis and Providencia alcalifaciens.

Chromosome transfer occurred in plate matings between Proteus mirabilis strain PM5006 and Providencia alcalifaciens strain P29 in either direction with the use of plasmid D or R772 as sex factor. Auxotrophic chromosomal markers of recipients were converted to prototrophy and the galactose fermentation marker of donor PM5006 could also be selected. Recombination frequencies for a group of selected markers in PM5006(D) x P29 matings varied between 3 x 10(-5) (trp+) and 1.2 x 10(-7) (lys+) per donor. In the reverse cross, plasmid D mobilized markers on the P29 chromosome randomly with a recombination frequency of about 1.7 x 10(-7) per donor for all selected P29 markers. R772 produced random mobilization of markers on both chromosomes yielding recombinants at a frequency of about 1.8 x 10(-7) per donor. Unselected markers separated by no more than about 10 min from selected markers on the PM5006 chromosome were cotransferred from P29 by both plasmids. Despite the low degree of DNA homology existing between the two species, all hybrids behaved as stable haploids. Progeny from P29(D or R772) x PM5006 auxotroph matings displayed similar sets of naturally occurring P29 unselected markers irrespective of the selected prototroph allele. In reverse crosses, a similar range of PM5006 naturally occurring unselected markers registered in P29 recipients, although differences existed in the sets of markers mediated by the two plasmids. Weak linkage was detected between PM5006 gal+ allele(s) and some P29 auxotroph markers. Adsorption of donor-specific phages 5006M or PL25 to hybrids could not be demonstrated and many recombinants failed to express some or all of the plasmid markers.