Assessment of the reliability of YouTube™ videos about zirconia crowns in pediatric dentistry.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability of YouTube™ videos on zirconia crowns in pediatric dentistry. METHODS: On January 4, 2022, a search was performed using the term "pediatric zirconia crown". The first 100 videos on the subject were included. Non-English videos, duplicates, and off-topic videos were excluded. For each video, an examiner recorded the number of views, likes, comments, channel followers, upload date, duration, and category rating. Two examiners assessed the reliability of the information presented in the videos using DISCERN, a brief questionnaire and scale score used to assess in a valid and reliable way the quality of information on treatment choices for health problems. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Of the initial 100 videos, 72 were excluded because of language, duplication, and subject matter. The 28 remaining videos had an average of 3.5 comments, 8,896.18 channel followers, 5,614.00 views, 19.14 likes, and a duration of 840.32 s. The average view rate was 7.54 per day ± 10,206.81. There was a statistically significant difference between the number of views and comments (p < 0.001), likes and comments (p < 0.001), and likes and views (p = 0.006). According to the DISCERN, none of the videos received the maximum grade to be considered very good. Two were considered good, nine fair, fourteen poor, and three very poor. CONCLUSION: Given that the majority of YouTube™ videos currently available on zirconia crowns in pediatric dentistry were deemed unreliable according to the DISCERN questionnaire, caution should be exercised when using the information presented.

Revisiting the birth of NaCl crystals using molecular dynamics simulation.

Molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the initial stage of phase separation mechanisms for an oversaturated electrolytic solution. We developed a low computational cost methodology to determine the simulation frames where the first ionic clusters are formed. By discretizing the simulation box, we obtain a density profile in the moments preceding and succeeding the nuclei's formation. The growth of the clusters identified with our methodology was analyzed until the end of the simulation. Calculation of the Steinhardt parameter showed symmetry of the solid, giving indications that the classical nucleation theory explains the mechanism of the solid formation. The methodology developed was useful for identifying phase separation mechanisms in the nucleation process. At lower concentrations, there was no formation of stable clusters. At intermediate concentrations, the analyses indicate a transition of phases in one stage, from a oversaturate electrolytic solution to a crystalline solid. At high concentration, a transition of phases in two stages, initially, is the formation of a dense liquid, and only after that, crystalline solid formed inside the dense liquid. The change in phase separation mechanism due to increasing oversaturation underscores the importance of precise determination of the driving force for phase separation and concentration limits for each mechanism.

How particle-particle and liquid-particle interactions govern the fate of evaporating liquid marbles.

Liquid marbles refer to droplets that are covered with a layer of non-wetting particles. They are observed in nature and have practical significance. These squishy objects bounce, coalesce, break, inflate, and deflate while the liquid does not touch the substrate underneath. Despite the considerable cross-disciplinary interest and value of the research on liquid marbles, a unified framework for describing the mechanics of deflating liquid marbles-as the liquid evaporates-is unavailable. For instance, analytical approaches for modeling the evaporation of liquid marbles exploit empirical parameters that are not based on liquid-particle and particle-particle interactions. Here, we have combined complementary experiments and theory to fill this gap. To unentangle the contributions of particle size, roughness, friction, and chemical make-up, we investigated the evaporation of liquid marbles formed with particles of sizes varying over 7 nm-300 µm and chemical compositions ranging from hydrophilic to superhydrophobic. We demonstrate that the potential final states of evaporating liquid marbles are characterized by one of the following: (I) constant surface area, (II) particle ejection, or (III) multilayering. Based on these insights, we developed an evaporation model for liquid marbles that takes into account their time-dependent shape evolution. The model fits are in excellent agreement with our experimental results. Furthermore, this model and the general framework can provide mechanistic insights into extant literature on the evaporation of liquid marbles. Altogether, these findings advance our fundamental understanding of liquid marbles and should contribute to the rational development of technologies.

Application of a dot blot hybridization assay for genotyping Streptococcus uberis from Brazilian dairy herds.

Streptococcus uberis is a major cause of environmental mastitis in many regions, and it is associated with clinical and subclinical infections. Although the main source of infection is the environment, reports of strains with a contagious profile have been described. Dot blot hybridization analysis allows the rapid identification of S. uberis population structures within and between herds, and it helps to identify strain diversity as well as possible clonal lineages that directly affect the control of bovine mastitis caused by this pathogen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diversity of S. uberis isolates obtained from clinical (n = 22) and subclinical (n = 22) cases of mastitis in dairy herds (n = 13) in Brazil over a period of 12 mo. We submitted 44 S. uberis isolates to dot blot hybridization followed by automatic data analysis. We identified 8 different hybridization patterns using genetic markers associated with virulence factors and taxonomy, indicating diversity of S. uberis within the population and suggesting environmental transmission. However, the evidence of identical dot blot patterns in different mammary quarters from the same animal also suggested local contagious transmission. Of the virulence genes evaluated, we found a high prevalence of the genes sua, pauA, and gapC, highlighting the importance of these virulence factors for the adhesion, invasion, and multiplication of S. uberis in subclinical and clinical intramammary infections.

Nearly Complete Genome Sequences of Enterovirus 96 and Enterovirus 99 Strains Isolated in the Northern Region of Brazil.

In this study, we report the nearly complete genome sequences of one enterovirus 96 (EV-C96) isolate (strain 3499/BRA-PA/2010) and two enterovirus 99 (EV-C99) isolates (strains 3291/BRA-PA/2010 and 3944/BRA-PA/2011). The genetic characterization of different enterovirus strains allows for a better understanding of their molecular epidemiology and viral evolution.

Garden and food waste co-fermentation for biohydrogen and biomethane production in a two-step hyperthermophilic-mesophilic process.

Co-fermentation of garden waste (GW) and food waste (FW) was assessed in a two-stage process coupling hyperthermophilic dark-fermentation and mesophilic anaerobic digestion (AD). In the first stage, biohydrogen production from individual substrates was tested at different volatile solids (VS) concentrations, using a pure culture of Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus as inoculum. FW concentrations (in VS) above 2.9 g L-1 caused a lag phase of 5 days on biohydrogen production. No lag phase was observed for GW concentrations up to 25.6 g L-1. In the co-fermentation experiments, the highest hydrogen yield (46 ±â€¯1 L kg-1) was achieved for GW:FW 90:10% (w/w). In the second stage, a biomethane yield of 682 ±â€¯14 L kg-1 was obtained using the end-products of GW:FW 90:10% co-fermentation. The energy generation predictable from co-fermentation and AD of GW:FW 90:10% is 0.5 MJ kg-1 and 24.4 MJ kg-1, respectively, which represents an interesting alternative for valorisation of wastes produced locally in communities.

Full-length genomic and molecular characterization of Canine parvovirus in dogs from North of Brazil.

With the objective of characterizing Canine parvovirus (CPV) from some suspected fecal samples of dogs collected from the Veterinarian Hospital in Belém city, five positive samples were found by PCR assay and an update molecular characterization was provided of the CPV-2 circulation in Belém. Through sequencing of the complete DNA sequences (NS1, NS2, VP1, and VP2 genes), the CPV-2 strain was identified as CPV-2b (Asn426Asp) circulating in Belém. The CPV-2b strain with a different change at the position Tyr324Leu was detected in all samples assessed and thus reported for the first time for the scientific community. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Belém CPV-2b and CPV-2a strains would be related to a cluster with samples after the 1990s, suggesting that CPV-2b in Belém originated from CPV-2a circulating in Brazil after the 1990s. Potential recombination events were analyzed using RDP4 and SplitsTree4; therefore, results suggest that CPV-2 sequences here described were not potentially recombination events. Continuous monitoring and molecular characterization of CPV-2 samples are needed not only to identify possible genetic and antigenic changes that may interfere with the effectiveness of vaccines but also to bring a better understanding of the mechanisms that drive the evolution of CPV-2 in Brazil.

From Talent to High Performance: The view of coaches, players and club coordinators on the relevant factors in the development of a Basketball player / Del Talento al Alto Rendimiento deportivo: El punto de vista de los jugadores, entrenadores y coordinadores del club en los factores relevantes en el desarrollo de un jugador de baloncesto / Do Talento ao Alto Rendimento: A visão de treinadores, jogadores e coordenadores sobre os fatores relevantes no desenvolvimento de um jogador de basquetebol

The main goal of this study was to identify a set of factors considered relevant by basketball experts in a young player's route to high performance. The impossibility of choosing one as the most preponderant factor comes from the complex interaction between the different areas that influence the long development path of athletes to sport expertise. Our sample consisted of 14 coaches (7 of men's level and 7 of youth level), 7 players and 7 club coordinators who were asked to give their view on the subject by means of an interview. One of the main conclusions was the decisive influence of environmental factors, especially the family and coaches' influence, both as promoters of the beginning of the activity and as the maintenance in it. Psychological factors - athlete's work ethic and surpassing capacity - were also referred as having a great role on this issue. Technical, tactical and physical factors (in this order of importance) come as an asset to the young athlete. Finally, we conclude that the training process should be defying and constantly adjusted to the athlete's needs, creating stimulus that allow the young player to develop strategies to read and understand of the game, as well as decision making processes. Te context where the athlete is inserted, as well as the psychological aspects and knowledge of the game must be considered the most relevant factors (AU)

El objetivo principal de este estudio fue identificar un conjunto de factores considerados relevantes por los expertos de baloncesto en la ruta de un joven jugador de alto rendimiento. La imposibilidad de elegir uno como el factor más preponderante proviene de la compleja interacción entre las diferentes áreas que influyen en el camino de desarrollo a largo de los atletas a la experiencia deportiva. Nuestra muestra fue constituida por 14 entrenadores (7 del nivel de los hombres y el 7 de categoría juvenil), 7 jugadores y 7 coordinadores del club que proporcionaran su opinión sobre el tema por medio de una entrevista. Una de las principales conclusiones fue la decisiva influencia de los factores ambientales, especialmente la influencia de la familia y entrenadores, ambos como promotores de la inicio de la actividad y como el mantenimiento en el mismo. Los factores psicológicos - ética de trabajo del atleta y la capacidad de superación - también fueron referidos como teniendo un gran papel en este tema. Los factores técnicos, tácticos y físicos (en este orden de importancia) son considerados un activo para el joven atleta. Por último, llegamos a la conclusión de que el proceso de formación debe ser constantemente desafiante y ajustarse a las necesidades del atleta, debe proporcionar la creación de estímulos que permitan al joven jugador desarrollar estrategias para leer y entender del juego, así como los procesos de toma de decisiones. El contexto en el que se inserta el atleta, así como los aspectos psicológicos y conocimiento del juego se deben considerar los factores más relevantes (AU)

O principal objetivo deste estudo foi identificar um conjunto de fatores considerados relevantes por especialistas de basquetebol no percurso de um jovem jogador para o alto rendimento. A impossibilidade de escolher um único fator como o mais preponderante advém da complexa interação entre as diversas áreas que influenciam o caminho de desenvolvimento de longo dos atletas à experiência esportiva. A nossa amostra foi constituída por 14 treinadores (7 de nível dos homens e 7 do nível da juventude), 7 jogadores e 7 coordenadores do clube que foram convidados a dar a sua opinião sobre o tema por meio de uma entrevista. Uma das principais conclusões foi a influência decisiva de fatores ambientais, especialmente a influência da família e treinadores, ambos como promotores do início da atividade e quanto à manutenção na modalidade. Os fatores psicológicos - ética de trabalho do atleta e capacidade de superação - também foram referidos como tendo um grande papel nesta questão. Fatores técnicos, táticos e físicos (por esta ordem de importância) são considerados mais-valias para o jovem atleta. Finalmente, podemos concluir que o processo de formação deve ser desafiante e constantemente ajustado às necessidades do atleta, criando estímulos que permitam ao jovem jogador desenvolver estratégias de leitura e compreensão do jogo, bem como os processos de tomada de decisão. O contexto em que o atleta está inserido, bem como os aspetos psicológicos e conhecimento do jogo devem ser considerados os fatores mais relevantes (AU)

The Introduction stage of Basketball players. A view from Basketball Experts / La etapa de introducción de los jugadores de baloncesto. Consideraciones de expertos de baloncesto / A fase de introdução dos jogadores de basquete. Uma visão de especialistas em basquete

This study aimed to examine the introduction stage of basketball participants in countries that are ranked within the top 20 basketball countries by FIBA. Through the use of semi structured interviews, data was collected from 16 technical experts from 6 countries. We analyzed the introductory phase determining: the age at which participants start in the programs; the different avenues or forms of entry in to the sport; the objectives defined and pursued in these stages; the structure of the competitive contests and the multi-sport involvement and specialization. The data revealed an age range of 5 to 12 years for the introduction of participants to basketball. Various settings for the introduction in the sport were found to exist. USA stands out with a maximum of 7 options. Regarding the main objectives in basketball introduction, the data revealed a balance between the three learning domains, with a slight increase of the affirmative and psychomotor over the cognitive. In terms of competition there is a common standard across countries that contests during the period of introduction are focused in enjoyment and stimulation. Several strategies are used in all countries, (e.g. reducing the size of the ball, number of players, height of the basket) are used to accommodate the game to the children abilities and to the objectives of the introductory stage. In terms of multi-sport participation and the ages at which specialization in basketball should occur, opinions are favorable to a multi-sport diversification, and the average age of specialization was 15 (AU)

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo examinar la etapa de presentación de los participantes de baloncesto de los países que se clasifican dentro de los 20 países de baloncesto superior por la FIBA. Mediante el uso de entrevistas semiestructuradas, se recogieron datos de 16 expertos técnicos de 6 países. Hemos analizado la fase de introducción determinando: la edad en que los participantes comienzan en los programas; las diferentes vías o formas de entrada en el deporte; los objetivos perseguidos y definidos en estas etapas; la estructura competitiva y la participación multe-deportiva y la edad de especialización. Los datos revelaron un rango de edad de 5 a 12 años para la presentación de los participantes al baloncesto. Se comprueba la existencia de varios parámetros para la introducción en el deporte. USA se destaca con un máximo de 7 opciones. En cuanto a los principales objetivos en la introducción de baloncesto, los datos revelaron un equilibrio entre los tres dominios de aprendizaje, con un ligero aumento de la afirmativa y psicomotor sobre el desarrollo cognitivo. En cuanto a la competición, hay un estándar común en los países definiéndose el disfrute y la estimulación como los objetivos principales. Varias estrategias se utilizan en todos los países, (por ejemplo, la reducción del tamaño de la bola, número de jugadores, la altura de la canasta) se utilizan para acomodar el juego de las habilidades de los niños y para los objetivos de la etapa de introducción. En cuanto a la participación del multe-deporte y las edades en las que la especialización en el baloncesto debe ocurrir, las opiniones son favorables a una diversificación multe-deporte, y la edad media de especialización fue de 15 anos (AU)

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a fase de introdução de participantes de basquete de países que são classificados dentro dos primeiros 20 países de basquete pela FIBA. Através do uso de entrevistas semiestruturados, os dados foram recolhidos a partir de 16 especialistas técnicos de 6 países. Analisou-se a fase introdutória determinando: a idade em que os participantes começam nos programas; os diferentes caminhos ou formas de entrada para a modalidade; os objetivos definidos e perseguidos nessa fase; a estrutura competitiva, o envolvimento multidesportivo e a especialização. Os dados revelaram uma faixa etária de 5 a 12 anos para a introdução de participantes para o basquete. Foram reveladas várias formas de introdução na modalidade. Os EUA destaca-se com um máximo de 7 opções. Em relação aos principais objetivos, os dados revelaram um equilíbrio entre os três domínios de aprendizagem, com um ligeiro aumento da afirmativa e psicomotor sobre o cognitivo. Em termos de competição há um padrão comum entre os países centrando-se os objetivos competitivos na diversão e estimulação. Várias estratégias são utilizadas em todos os países, (por exemplo, reduzindo o tamanho da bola, o número de jogadores, altura do cesto) para acomodar o jogo às capacidades crianças e aos objetivos da fase introdutória. As opiniões dos especialistas são favoráveis à participação multidesportiva e a idade em que a especialização deve ocorrer em basquetebol, foi em média de 15 anos (AU)

Tuberculosis in an autosomal recessive case of chronic granulomatous disease due to mutation of the NCF1 gene

No disponible

Platelet participation in the pathogenesis of dermonecrosis induced by Loxosceles gaucho venom.

Loxosceles gaucho spider venom induces in vitro platelet activation and marked thrombocytopenia in rabbits. Herein, we investigated the involvement of platelets in the development of the dermonecrosis induced by L. gaucho venom, using thrombocytopenic rabbits as a model. L. gaucho venom evoked a drop in platelet and neutrophil counts 4 h after venom injection. Ecchymotic areas at the site of venom inoculation were noticed as soon as 4 h in thrombocytopenic animals but not in animals with initial normal platelet counts. After 5 days, areas of scars in thrombocytopenic animals were also larger, evidencing the marked development of lesions in the condition of thrombocytopenia. Histologically, local hemorrhage, collagen fiber disorganization, and edema were more severe in thrombocytopenic animals. Leukocyte infiltration, predominantly due to polymorphonuclears, was observed in the presence or not of thrombocytopenia. Thrombus formation was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry at the microvasculature, and it occurred even under marked thrombocytopenia. Taken together, platelets have an important role in minimizing not only the hemorrhagic phenomena but also the inflammatory and wound-healing processes, suggesting that cutaneous loxoscelism may be aggravated under thrombocytopenic conditions.

Doctors' awareness concerning primary immunodeficiencies in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: PIDs are a heterogeneous group of genetic illnesses, and delay in their diagnosis is thought to be caused by a lack of awareness among physicians concerning PIDs. The latter is what we aimed to evaluate in Brazil. METHODS: Physicians working at general hospitals all over the country were asked to complete a 14-item questionnaire. One of the questions described 25 clinical situations that could be associated with PIDs and a score was created based on percentages of appropriate answers. RESULTS: A total of 4026 physicians participated in the study: 1628 paediatricians (40.4%), 1436 clinicians (35.7%), and 962 surgeons (23.9%). About 67% of the physicians had learned about PIDs in medical school or residency training, 84.6% evaluated patients who frequently took antibiotics, but only 40.3% of them participated in the immunological evaluation of these patients. Seventy-seven percent of the participating physicians were not familiar with the warning signs for PIDs. The mean score of correct answers for the 25 clinical situations was 48.08% (±16.06). Only 18.3% of the paediatricians, 7.4% of the clinicians, and 5.8% of the surgeons answered at least 2/3 of these situations appropriately. CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of medical awareness concerning PIDs, even among paediatricians, who have been targeted with PID educational programmes in recent years in Brazil. An increase in awareness with regard to these disorders within the medical community is an important step towards improving recognition and treatment of PIDs.

Severe combined immunodeficiency in Brazil: management, prognosis, and BCG-associated complications.

BACKGROUND: Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is one of the most severe forms of primary immunodeficiency. The objectives of this study were to analyze the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of SCID in Brazil and to document the impact of BCG vaccine. METHODS: We actively searched for cases by contacting all Brazilian referral centers. RESULTS: We contacted 23 centers and 70 patients from 65 families. Patients were born between 1996 and 2011, and 49 (70%) were male. More than half (39) of the diagnoses were made after 2006. Mean age at diagnosis declined from 9.7 to 6.1 months (P = .058) before and after 2000, respectively, and mean delay in diagnosis decreased from 7.9 to 4.2 months (P = .009). Most patients (60/70) were vaccinated with BCG before the diagnosis, 39 of 60 (65%) had complications related to BCG vaccine, and the complication was disseminated in 29 of 39 (74.3%). Less than half of the patients (30, 42.9%) underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Half of the patients died (35, 50%), and 23 of these patients had not undergone HSCT. Disseminated BCG was the cause of death, either alone or in association with other causes, in 9 of 31 cases (29%, no data for 4 cases). CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, diagnosis of SCID has improved over the last decade, both in terms of the number of cases and age at diagnosis, although a much higher number of cases had been expected. Mortality is higher than in developed countries. Complications of BCG vaccine are an important warning sign for the presence of SCID and account for significant morbidity during disease progression.

Transitional phase inversion of emulsions monitored by in situ near-infrared spectroscopy.

Water-heptane/toluene model emulsions were prepared to study emulsion transitional phase inversion by in situ near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR). The first emulsion contained a small amount of ionic surfactant (0.27 wt % of sodium dodecyl sulfate) and n-pentanol as a cosurfactant. In this emulsion, the study was guided by an inversion coordinate route based on a phase behavior study previously performed. The morphology changes were induced by rising aqueous phase salinity in a "steady-state" inversion protocol. The second emulsion contained a nonionic surfactant (ethoxylated nonylphenol) at a concentration of 3 wt %. A continuous temperature change induced two distinct transitional phase inversions: one occurred during the heating of the system and another during the cooling. NIR spectroscopy was able to detect phase inversion in these emulsions due to differences between light scattered/absorbed by water in oil (W/O) and oil in water (O/W) morphologies. It was observed that the two model emulsions exhibit different inversion mechanisms closely related to different quantities of the middle phases formed during the three-phase behavior of Winsor type III.

Genetic diversity of polysporic isolates of Moniliophthora perniciosa (Tricholomataceae).

The causal agent of witches' broom disease, Moniliophthora perniciosa is a hemibiotrophic and endemic fungus of the Amazon basin and the most important cocoa disease in Brazil. The purpose of this study was to analyze the genetic diversity of polysporic isolates of M. perniciosa to evaluate the adaptation of the pathogen from different Brazilian regions and its association with different hosts. Polysporic isolates obtained previously in potato dextrose agar cultures of M. perniciosa from different Brazilian states and different hosts (Theobroma cacao, Solanum cernuum, S. paniculatum, S. lycocarpum, Solanum sp, and others) were analyzed by somatic compatibility grouping where the mycelium interactions were distinguished after 4-8 weeks of confrontation between the different isolates of M. perniciosa based on the precipitation line in the transition zone and by protein electrophoresis through SDS-PAGE. The diversity of polysporic isolates of M. perniciosa was grouped according to geographic proximity and respective hosts. The great genetic diversity of M. perniciosa strains from different Brazilian states and hosts favored adaptation in unusual environments and dissemination at long distances generating new biotypes.

Desempenho de frangos caipiras alimentados com rações contendo diferentes níveis de energia metabolizável / Performance of broiler chickens fed diets containing different levels of metabolizable energy

Analisaram-se os efeitos da energia metabolizável (EM) e da idade de abate sobre o desempenho zootécnico, o rendimento de carcaça e de partes de frangos da linhagem Caipira Francês Exótico. Foram utilizadas 192 aves, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com três tratamentos e quatro repetições de 16 aves cada. Os tratamentos (T) foram definidos de acordo com os níveis de energia das dietas inicial (1 a 28 dias) e final (29 a 90 dias), respectivamente, em: T1 - 3.000 e 3.100kcal de EM/kg; T2 - 3.100 e 3.200kcal de EM/kg; T3 - 3.200 e 3.300kcal de EM/kg. Os abates foram realizados aos 77, 84 e 90 dias. Na fase inicial, as aves do T2 e do T3 apresentaram maior peso médio (655,75 e 713,50g), maior ganho de peso (24,28 e 26,42g/ave) e melhor conversão alimentar (1,59 e 1,77), e não diferiram entre si (P>0,05). Quando abatidas aos 77 dias de idade, as aves que consumiram a dieta com 3.100/3.200kcal de EM/kg apresentaram maior rendimento de carcaça (82,20%) e de peito (24,26%), e não diferiram dos frangos alimentados com dietas contendo 3.000/3.200kcal de EM/kg, nos quais se verificaram rendimento de carcaça de 80,72% e 23,20% de rendimento de peito. Os frangos da linhagem Caipira Francês Exótico apresentaram melhores desempenho zootécnico e rendimento de carcaça quando alimentados com dietas contendo 3.100 a 3.200kcal de EM/kg na ração e abatidos aos 77 dias de idade.

This is study aimed to analyze the effects of metabolizable energy (ME) and age at slaughter on growth performance, carcass yield and prime cuts, relative weight of the wings, back, head + neck and feet of broiler chickens from the Caipira Francês Exótico strain. A total of 192 birds were distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments and four replicates of 16 birds per treatment. The treatments were defined according to levels of dietary energy (1 to 28 days) and late (29-90 days), respectively: T1 - 3000 and 3100kcal/kg ME, T2 - 3100 and 3200kcal/kg ME, T3 - 3200 and 3300kcal/kg ME. The slaughter was carried out at 77, 84 and 90 days. In the initial phase the birds from T2 and T3 had a higher mean weight (655.75 and 713.50g), weight gain (24.28 and 26.42g/bird) and better feed gain (1.59 and 1.77) and did not differ (P>0.05). When slaughtered at 77 days of age, birds fed the diet with 3.100/3.200kcal/kg ME had higher carcass yield (82.20%) and breast (24.26%), and did not differ from chickens fed diets containing 3.000/3.200kcal/kg ME, where a carcass yield of 80.72% and 23.20% of breast yield was found. The Caipira Francês Exótico broilers had better growth performance and carcass yield than when fed diets containing 3100-3200kcal/kg in the diet and slaughtered at 77 days old.

Effects of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) on the performance of broiler chickens / Efeitos do líquido da casca da castanha de caju (LCC) sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte

The effects of cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) on growth performance, carcass yield, relative weight of internal organs and microbiology of digestive tract of broiler chickens were investigated. Five hundred and forty male broiler chicks at one day of age were arranged in a completely randomized design with six treatments and six repetitions with 15 broiler chicks each. The treatments were: control (T1 - without growth promoter virginiamycin and CNSL); inclusion levels of 0.10mL (T2), 0.20mL (T3), 0.30mL (T4) and 0.40mL (T5) of CNSL/kg of feed; and commercial promoter virginiamycin (T6). At 21 and 40 days of age, body weight, feed intake, feed conversion and viability of birds were similar in all treatments. Carcass yield was higher in the treatment with the growth promoter when compared to the control treatment. There was a linear increase in carcass yield when the level of CNSL was increased in the diet. The relative weight of the intestine was lower in the treatment containing virginiamycin when compared to the treatment without the inclusion of additives. The relative weight of the intestines decreased when the levels of inclusion of CNSL were increased. There was a gradual reduction of Escherichia coli concentration reaching the lowest number on the CNSL level of 0.30mL/kg. It was concluded that CNSL showed similar performance and slaughter yield as the growth promoter and reduced the concentration of Escherichia coli in the intestinal contents.

Um estudo foi conduzido para investigar os efeitos do líquido da casca da castanha de caju (LCC) sobre o desempenho, o rendimento de carcaça, o peso relativo dos órgãos internos e a microbiologia do trato digestivo de frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 540 pintos machos de um dia de idade, distribuídos num delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com seis tratamentos e seis repetições de 15 aves cada. Os tratamentos consistiram em: controle (T1 - sem promotor comercial e sem LCC), níveis de inclusão de 0,10mL (T2), 0,20mL (T3), 0,30mL (T4) e 0,40mL (T5) de LCC/kg de ração e T6 (promotor comercial - virginiamicina). Aos 21 e 40 dias de idade, o peso corporal, o consumo de ração, a conversão alimentar e a viabilidade das aves foram semelhantes em todos os tratamentos. O rendimento de carcaça foi superior no tratamento com promotor de crescimento em relação ao tratamento-controle. Ocorreu uma resposta linear de incremento no rendimento de carcaça com o aumento do nível de LCC na dieta. O peso relativo dos intestinos foi menor no tratamento com virginiamicina em relação ao tratamento-controle. O peso relativo dos intestinos diminuiu com o aumento do nível de inclusão do LCC. Houve uma redução gradual da concentração de Escherichia coli, cuja menor concentração atingiu o nível de 0,30mL/kg. Conclui-se que o LCC mostrou desempenho e rendimento de abate semelhantes ao promotor de crescimento e reduziu a concentração de Escherichia Coli no conteúdo intestinal.

Automatic analysis of macroarrays images.

The analysis of dot blot (macroarray) images is currently based on the human identification of positive/negative dots, which is a subjective and time consuming process. This paper presents a system for the automatic analysis of dot blot images, using a pre-defined grid of markers, including a number of ON and OFF controls. The geometric deformations of the input image are corrected, and the individual markers detected, both tasks fully automatically. Based on a previous training stage, the probability for each marker to be ON is established. This information is provided together with quality parameters for training, noise and classification, allowing for a fully automatic evaluation of a dot blot image.