Características das carcaças e carne de tourinhos Nelore alimentados com níveis de concentrado e farelo do mesocarpo de babaçu / Carcass and meat characteristics of cattle fed concentrate levels and babassu mesocarp bran

Avaliaram-se as características da carcaça e da carne de tourinhos Nelore alimentados com diferentes níveis de concentrado e farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu na dieta. Foram utilizados 28 tourinhos da raça Nelore, com idade inicial de 21 meses e 356,66±19,25kg de peso corporal inicial, distribuídos inteiramente ao acaso em dietas com dois níveis de concentrado (65 e 71%), associadas ou não à inclusão de 35% de farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu no concentrado. A elevação da fração concentrada na dieta de 65 para 71%, bem como a inclusão de 35% de farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu no concentrado, não alterou a quantidade de músculo, gordura e osso da carcaça, com valores médios de 63,91; 19,46 e 16,63% do peso de carcaça fria, respectivamente. O rendimento dos cortes comerciais secundários do traseiro especial não foi alterado pela inclusão de 35% de farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu no concentrado nem pelo teor de concentrado da dieta. A força ao cisalhamento das fibras musculares, a perda de líquido por descongelamento e cozimento não foram alteradas pelos fatores estudados, apresentando valores médios de 6,57kgf/cm3, 16,08% e 22,20%, respectivamente. O marmoreio aumentou (5,78 para 9,79 pontos) pelo avanço do nível de concentrado na dieta, mas não foi alterado pela inclusão do farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu. O farelo do mesocarpo do babaçu apresenta características nutricionais que possibilitam substituir parcialmente o milho em dietas com elevada proporção de concentrado, não alterando a composição física da carcaça e a qualidade da carne de tourinhos Nelore confinados.

Carcass characteristics and meat of young bulls fed different levels of concentrate and babassu mesocarp bran in the diet were evaluated. A total of 28 Nellore young bulls, initial age of 21 months and 356.66±19.25kg of initial body weight were randomized in diets containing two levels of concentrate (65% and 71) associated or not to the inclusion of 35% of babassu mesocarp bran in the concentrate. The elevation of the concentrate fraction of the diet from 65 to 71%, and the inclusion of 35% of babassu mesocarp bran in the concentrate did not alter the amount of muscle, fat and bone of the carcass, with average values of 63.91, 19.46 and 16.63% of cold carcass weight, respectively. The yields of retail cuts from the pistol cut were not altered by the concentrate level of the diet or by the inclusion of 35% babassu mesocarp bran in the concentrate. The shear force of muscle fibers and the losses of liquid during thawing and cooking were not altered by the factors studied, with average values of 6.57kgf/cm3, 16.06% and 22.20%, respectively. Marbling increased (5.78 to 9.79 points) to advance the level of concentrate in the diet, but was not altered by the inclusion of babassu mesocarp bran. Babassu mesocarp bran has nutritional characteristics that allow partial replacement of corn in diets with high concentrate, not changing physical carcass composition and meat quality of confined young Nellore bulls.

A new surgical technique to treat corneal perforations using amniotic membrane and surgical adhesive / Nova técnica cirúrgica para tratamento de perfuração de córnea utilizando membrana amniótica e adesivo cirúrgico

The objectives of this study were to compare surgical techniques and the effects of using n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate and bovine amniotic membrane to repair perforated lesions in corneas. Penetrating keratoplasty was performed in sixty New Zealand White rabbits under general anesthesia. Group 1 (G1) was treated with n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate, group 2 (G2) received a fragment of amniotic membrane through the anterior chamber and application of n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate over the lesion, group 3 (G3) was treated with the same technique as G2 with the addition of an amniotic membrane bandage covering the cornea and sutured in the limbus region, and group 4 (G4) was treated with an amniotic membrane sutured to the lesion and an amniotic membrane bandage sutured in the limbus region. Clinical, histological and histomorphometric examinations of the corneas were performed. The membrane acted as a barrier for aqueous humor in G2 and G3, thereby keeping the surface dry for adhesive application; it also prevented the adhesive from contacting intraocular structures. The groups treated with amniotic membrane and surgical adhesive showed better results than the groups treated with either material alone. Thus, the combination of the membrane with the adhesive is recommended for this type of lesion...

Os objetivos deste estudo foram comparar técnicas cirúrgicas e efeitos do n-butil 2-cianoacrilato e da membrana amniótica bovina na reparação de lesões perfuradas em córneas. Sessenta coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia Branca foram submetidos à ceratoplastia penetrante sob anestesia geral. O grupo 1 (G1) foi tratado com n-butil 2-cianoacrilato; o grupo 2 (G2) recebeu um fragmento de membrana amniótica pela câmara anterior e aplicação de n-butil 2-cianoacrilato sobre a lesão; o grupo 3 (G3) foi tratado com a mesma técnica aplicada ao G2, adicionando-se uma bandagem de membrana amniótica cobrindo a córnea e suturada à região do limbo; e o grupo 4 (G4) foi tratado com membrana amniótica suturada nas bordas da lesão e bandagem de membrana amniótica suturada na região do limbo. Foram realizados exames clínico, histológico e histomorfométrico. A membrana atuou como barreira contra o extravasamento do humor aquoso nos grupos 2 e 3, manteve a superfície seca para posterior aplicação do adesivo e impediu o contato do adesivo com as estruturas intraoculares. Os grupos tratados com o adesivo associado à membrana amniótica demonstraram melhores resultados do que aqueles tratados com cada material isoladamente. Assim, a combinação da membrana com o adesivo é indicada neste tipo de lesão...

Canine perineal hypospadias / Hipospadia perineal canina

Canine hypospadias is a rare condition that can occur in male and female dogs. Affected animals may present signs of urinary incontinence, recurrent urinary tract infections, periurethral dermatitis or can remain asymptomatic. Periurethral hypospadias in a 14-week-old mongrel dog and its surgical repair are addressed.

Hipospadia canina é uma condição rara que pode ocorrer em cães machos e fêmeas. Animais afetados podem apresentar sinais de incontinência urinária, infecções recorrentes do trato urinário, dermatite periuretral ou podem permanecer assintomáticos. Hipospadia periuretral em cão de 14 semanas de idade, sem raça definida, e sua reparação cirúrgica são abordadas.

Increased expression of keratinase and other peptidases by Candida parapsilosis mutants

Keratinases are enzymes of great importance involved in pathogenic processes of some fungi. They also have a widespread ecological role since they are responsible for the degradation and recycling of keratin. On the one hand, studying them furthers our knowledge of pathogenicity mechanisms, which has important implications for human health, and on the other hand, understanding their ecological role in keratin recycling has biotechnological potential. Here, a wild-type keratinolytic Candida parapsilosis strain isolated from a poultry farm was treated with ethyl methanesulfonate in order to generate mutants with increased keratinase activity. Mutants were then cultured on media with keratin extracted from chicken feathers as the sole source of nitrogen and carbon. Approximately 500 mutants were screened and compared with the described keratinolytic wild type. Three strains, H36, I7 and J5, showed enhanced keratinase activity. The wild-type strain produced 80 U/mL of keratinolytic activity, strain H36 produced 110 U/mL, strain I7, 130 U/mL, and strain J5, 140 U/mL. A 70 percent increase in enzyme activity was recorded for strain J5. Enzymatic activity was evaluated by zymograms with proteic substrates. A peptidase migrating at 100 kDa was detected with keratin, bovine serum albumin and casein. In addition, a peptidase with a molecular mass of 50 kDa was observed with casein in the wild-type strain and in mutants H36 and J5. Gelatinase activity was detected at 60 kDa. A single band of 35 kDa was found in wild-type C. parapsilosis and in mutants with hemoglobin substrate.

Avaliação histológica do biovidro particulado na reparação de defeito experimental em mandíbula de cães / Histological evaluation of particulate bioglass in repair of mandible experimental defects in dogs

Avaliou-se histologicamente o biovidro particulado como substituto ósseo na regeneração de defeitos no osso alveolar da mandíbula, utilizando-se 28 cães adultos, divididos em dois grupos. Foram criados defeitos ósseos na superfície vestibular da mandíbula, entre as raízes mesial e distal do quarto pré-molar direito. No grupo tratado, o defeito foi preenchido com biovidro enquanto no outro, o grupo-controle, o defeito permaneceu sem preenchimento. Aos 8, 14, 21, 42, 60, 90 e 120 dias do pós-operatório, foram coletadas amostras da região da falha óssea de dois animais de cada grupo para a análise histológica sob microscopia de luz. No grupo-controle, observou-se início do processo de reparação óssea aos 14 dias que evoluiu até que, aos 120 dias, não havia mais limite entre as margens do defeito e o novo osso. No grupo tratado, aos oito dias, observou-se a presença de tecido conjuntivo frouxo altamente vascularizado ao redor das partículas de biovidro, até que aos 60 dias o biovidro havia sido totalmente reabsorvido, e o defeito apresentava-se completamente preenchido por osso trabecular. Conclui-se que o biovidro é biocompatível, é osteocondutor e diminui o tempo de reparação do osso alveolar.

By histological analyses, bioglass was evaluated as a bone substitute in the regeneration of alveolar bone defects in mandibles of 28 dogs, which were distributed in two groups. Defects were made in the vestibular surface of the mandible between the roots of the right fourth premolar tooth. In treated group, defects were filled with bioglass, while it did not receive any treatment in the other, being used as control. For histological analyses, samples including the bone defect area of two animals per group were collected after 8, 14, 21, 42, 60, 90, and 120 days after surgery. In the control group, bone repair began on the day 14th, developing until the day 120th, when no limit between the margins of the defect and the new bone existed. In the treated group, at the day eightieth, loose connective tissue highly vascularized around the bioglass particles was observed and on the day 60th, bioglass had been totally reabsorbed and the defect was completely filled by trabecular bone. It can be concluded that the bioglass is biocompatible and osteoconductive, and shortens the time needed for alveolar bone repair.

Membrana amniótica canina utilizada como bandagem em úlcera superficial de córnea de coelhos: aspectos clínicos / Canine amniotic membrane used as a bandage on rabbit superficial corneal ulceration: clinical aspects

Realizou-se a ceratectomia superficial em 28 coelhos, distribuídos em dois grupos. No grupo tratado, composto por 14 animais, utilizou-se a membrana amniótica canina como bandagem, suturada com sua face epitelial voltada contra a superfície corneana. O grupo controle não recebeu tratamento. A avaliação clínica foi realizada 24 horas após a cirurgia, a cada dois dias durante uma semana e a cada quatro dias até 180 dias. Avaliaram-se os efeitos da membrana amniótica como bandagem, comparando-se o tempo de epitelização da córnea entre os grupos e verificando o período necessário para que a córnea apresentasse transparência completa. A opacidade corneana esteve presente em todos os animais durante o período observado. O tratamento instituído resultou clinicamente em neovascularização corneana, opacidade de córnea mais intensa no período inicial de reparação, retardou o processo de epitelização e causou mais dor e desconforto que nos animais do grupo-controle.

Twenty-eight rabbits were submitted to superficial keratectomy. The treated group consisted of 14 animals received canine amniotic membrane as a bandage, sutured in a way that its epithelial surface was in contact with the corneal surface. The control group did not receive any treatment. The animals were submitted to clinical evaluations 24 hours after surgery, at each two-day interval during one week and at each four-day interval during 180 days. The amniotic membranes were evaluated as a bandage comparing the time needed for corneal epithelization in the treated and non-treated groups and determining the period necessary for the cornea to become completely transparent. The corneal opacity was present during the entire time of observation. The treated animals presented more opaque cornea in the early period of regeneration, with neovascularization and more pain and discomfort than the animals from control group, showing a delayed epithelization.

Osteointegração da hidroxiapatita sintética no processo alveolar da mandíbula de cães: aspectos clínicos e radiográficos / Osteointegration of synthetic hydroxyapatite in alveolar process of the jaw of dogs: clinical and radiographic aspects

Avaliou-se o efeito da hidroxiapatita sintética na regeneração do osso alveolar e o efeito no tecido vivo de cães. Em dois grupos de 14 cães adultos hígidos, pesando entre 10 e 15kg, foram criados defeitos de 6 x 5mm na superfície vestibular do processo alveolar mandibular direito até atingir a raiz do quarto pré-molar. Em um grupo (tratado), o defeito foi preenchido com hidroxiapatita sintética; o grupo sem tratamento foi usado como controle. Efetuaram-se avaliações clínicas diárias durante uma semana, avaliações radiográficas após a cirurgia e aos oito, 21, 42, 60, 90 e 120 dias do pós-operatório. Vinte e quatro cães apresentaram inflamação, sendo a recuperação no grupo tratado mais lenta. Todos os animais tiveram sangramento com a hidroxiapatita. No grupo-controle houve aumento crescente da radiopacidade dos defeitos, no entanto, aos 120 dias do pós-operatório, os defeitos ainda eram visíveis. No grupo tratado, inicialmente a radiopacidade foi maior que a do osso normal, com diminuição gradual até se tornar semelhante à do osso vizinho, 60 dias após a cirurgia. A hidroxiapatita T290800-1 acelerou o preenchimento do defeito provocado no processo alveolar e acarretou inflamação e hemorragia gengival, o que, no entanto, não contra-indicou o seu uso.

The effect of the synthetic hydroxyapatite on the regeneration of the alveolar bone of dogs and on the alive tissue were evaluated. In two groups of 14 adult healthy dogs, weighing from 10 to 15kg, some defects around 6 x 5mm were provoked on the vestibular surface of the right jaw alveolar process until reaching the root of the forth premolar. In one group, the defect was infilled with synthetic hydroxyapatite. The no treated group dogs were used as control. Clinical evaluations were daily performed over one week, as well as radiographic evaluations after surgery, and on 8, 21, 42, 60, 90 and 120 days after surgery. Twenty-four dogs showed inflammation and the recovery in the treated group was slower than in the control group. Bleeding at the presence of hydroxyapatite was observed in all the animals. The radiographic examination presented an increasing radiopacity in the control group; however, this defect was still visible on day 120 after operation. Initially, in the treated group, radiopacity was higher than that of the normal bone and a gradual decrease occurred until becoming similar to the adjacent bone on day 60 days after surgery. The hydroxyapatite T290800-1 accelerated the infilling of the defect provoked in the alveolar process and caused gingival inflammation and hemorrhage; however, this does not contraindicate its use.

Osteointegração da hidroxiapatita sintética no processo alveolar da mandíbula de cães: aspectos histológicos / Osteointegration of synthetic hydroxyapatite in alveolar process of mandible in dogs: histological aspects

Avaliou-se a hidroxiapatita sintética como substituto ósseo na regeneração do processo alveolar, utilizando-se 28 cães adultos hígidos, pesando entre 10 e 15kg, divididos em dois grupos. Foram criados defeitos de aproximadamente 6 x 5mm na superfície vestibular do processo alveolar até atingir a raiz do quarto pré-molar mandibular direito. Em um grupo, o defeito foi totalmente preenchido com hidroxiapatita sintética; o outro, sem tratamento, foi usado como controle. Aos 8, 15, 21, 42, 60, 90 e 120 dias, foram coletados fragmentos ósseos para a análise histológica sob microscopia óptica. Observou-se crescimento ósseo e vascular no interior dos poros de hidroxiapatita, intensa proliferação de osteoblastos e neovascularização na presença do implante. A biocompatibilidade da hidroxiapatita permitiu a sua integração com o processo alveolar por meio da formação direta de um osso lamelar. Ocorreu neoformação óssea à medida que a hidroxiapatita foi degradada.

The synthetic hydroxyapatite was evaluated as bone substitute in the regeneration of the alveolar process. Twenty-eight healthy adult dogs weighing from 10 to 15kg were divided into two groups. Defects around 6 x 5mm were provoked on the vestibular surface of the alveolar process until reaching the root of the fourth right mandibular premolar tooth. In one group the defect was totally infilled with synthetic hydroxyapatite, whereas the other untreated one was used as control. On days 8, 15, 21, 42, 60, 90 and 120, bone fragments were collected for the histological analysis under optical microscopy. The following results were observed: both bone and vascular growth inside the hydroxyapatite pores, intense osteoblast proliferations and neovascularization at the presence of the implant. The biocompatibility of the hydroxyapatite allowed its integration with the alveolar process by direct formation of a lamellar bone. The bone neoformation occurred as the hydroxyapatite was degraded.

Agonistic-like responses from the torus semicircularis dorsalis elicited by GABA A blockade in the weakly electric fish Gymnotus carapo

Findings by our group have shown that the dorsolateral telencephalon of Gymnotus carapo sends efferents to the mesencephalic torus semicircularis dorsalis (TSd) and that presumably this connection is involved in the changes in electric organ discharge (EOD) and in skeletomotor responses observed following microinjections of GABA A antagonist bicuculline into this telencephalic region. Other studies have implicated the TSd or its mammalian homologue, the inferior colliculus, in defensive responses. In the present study, we explore the possible involvement of the TSd and of the GABA-ergic system in the modulation of the electric and skeletomotor displays. For this purpose, different doses of bicuculline (0.98, 0.49, 0.245, and 0.015 mM) and muscimol (15.35 mM) were microinjected (0.1 æL) in the TSd of the awake G. carapo. Microinjection of bicuculline induced dose-dependent interruptions of EOD and increased skeletomotor activity resembling defense displays. The effects of the two highest doses showed maximum values at 5 min (4.3 ± 2.7 and 3.8 ± 2.0 Hz, P < 0.05) and persisted until 10 min (11 ± 5.7 and 8.7 ± 5.2 Hz, P < 0.05). Microinjections of muscimol were ineffective. During the interruptions of EOD, the novelty response (increased frequency in response to sensory novelties) induced by an electric stimulus delivered by a pair of electrodes placed in the water of the experimental cuvette was reduced or abolished. These data suggest that the GABA-ergic mechanisms of the TSd inhibit the neural substrate of the defense reaction at this midbrain level.

Osteointegração da hidroxiapatita sintética no processo alveolar da mandíbula de cães. Aspectos clínicos e radiográficos

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Butyrate induces apoptosis in murine macrophages via caspase-3, but independent of autocrine synthesis of tumor necrosis factor and nitric oxide

We demonstrated that 4 mM butyrate induces apoptosis in murine peritoneal macrophages in a dose- and time-dependent manner as indicated by studies of cell viability, flow cytometric analysis of annexin-V binding, DNA ladder pattern and the determination of hypodiploid DNA content. The activity of caspase-3 was enhanced during macrophage apoptosis induced by butyrate and the caspase inhibitor z-VAD-FMK (100 æM) inhibited the butyrate effect, indicating the major role of the caspase cascade in the process. The levels of butyrate-induced apoptosis in macrophages were enhanced by co-treatment with 1 æg/ml bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, our data indicate that apoptosis induced by butyrate and LPS involves different mechanisms. Thus, LPS-induced apoptosis was only observed when macrophages were primed with IFN-gamma and was partially dependent on iNOS, TNFR1 and IRF-1 functions as determined in experiments employing macrophages from various knockout mice. In contrast, butyrate-induced macrophage apoptosis was highly independent of IFN-gamma priming and of iNOS, TNFR1 and IRF-1 functions