Despalha da cana-de-açúcar e desempenho de novilhas e vacas leiteiras / Deleafed sugarcane and performance of heifers and dairy cows

Dois experimentos avaliaram a resposta em ganho de peso de novilhas e a produção de leite de vacas à remoção de folhas apicais e laterais da cana-de-açúcar. Em ambos, os animais foram alimentados individualmente em confinamento total. No Experimento 1, 32 novilhas Girolando (295±45kg de peso vivo) foram blocadas em pares e alocadas a um tratamento por 42 dias, após um período de padronização de 14 dias. Os tratamentos foram: cana integral ou despalhada. O peso vivo e o consumo foram mensurados ao longo do tempo. Os teores de ingredientes e nutrientes na matéria seca (MS) das dietas foram 77,1% de cana, 19,2% de farelo de soja, 1% de ureia, 14,1% de proteína bruta (PB) e 38,8% de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) na cana despalhada, e 78,6%, 17,9%, 0,9%, 13,7% e 45,3% na cana integral, respectivamente. O ganho diário de peso foi 1,395kg na cana despalhada e 1,125kg na integral (P=0,05). Não houve efeito de tratamento sobre o consumo de MS (P=0,78). A despalha aumentou a taxa de ingestão de alimento (P=0,04) e o consumo diário de matéria orgânica não FDN digestível (P=0,03). No Experimento 2, 14 vacas Holandesas (256±124 dias em lactação) foram blocadas em pares e alocadas a uma sequência dos dois tratamentos em delineamento de reversão simples, com períodos de 21 dias e mensuração da resposta na terceira semana. A dieta com cana despalhada teve 18,4% de cana na MS, 37,6% de silagem de milho, 44% de concentrado baseado em milho, polpa cítrica e farelo de soja, 17,3% de PB e 32,9% de FDN, enquanto a dieta com cana integral teve 18,2%, 37,7%, 44,1%, 16,6% e 34,7%, respectivamente. A despalha tendeu a aumentar a digestibilidade da MS (P=0,06) e o consumo diário de matéria orgânica digestível (P=0,10), sem afetar a produção de leite (18,4kg, P=0,65)....

Two experiments evaluated the responses in weight gain of heifers and milk yield of cows to the removal of the apical and lateral leaves of sugarcane. In both the animals were individually fed in total confinement. In Experiment 1, 32 Holstein x Gir heifers (295±45kg of body weight) were paired, blocked and allocated to a treatment for 42 days, following a 14-day standardization period. Treatments were whole or deleafed sugarcane. Body weight and intake were measured over time. The content of ingredients and nutrients in diets dry matter (DM) were 77.1% sugarcane, 19.2% soybean meal, 1% urea, 14.1% crude protein (CP), and 38.8% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) for deleafed sugarcane, and 78.6%, 17.9%, 0.9%, 13.7%, and 45.3% for whole sugarcane, respectively. Daily weight gain was 1.395kg for deleafed and 1.125kg for whole sugarcane (P=0.05). There was no treatment effect on DM intake (P=0.78). Leaf removal increased the rate of feed intake (P=0.04) and the daily intake of digestible non-NDF organic matter (P=0.03). In Experiment 2, 14 Holsteins (256±124 days of lactation) were paired blocked and allocated to a sequence of two treatments in a cross - over design, with 21 - day periods, and measurement of the response on the third week. The deleafed sugarcane diet had 18.4% sugarcane in DM, 37.6% corn silage, 44% corn, citrus pulp, soybean meal based concentrate, 17.3% CP, and 32.9% NDF, while the whole sugarcane diet had 18.2%, 37.7%, 44.1%, 16.6%, and 34.7%, respectivel y. Deleafing tended to increase DM digestibility (P=0.06) and the daily intake of digestible organic matter (P=0.10), without affecting milk yield (18.4kg, P=0.65). Deleafing s ugarcane increased the weight gain of heifers consuming a high proportion of sug arcane in the diet, but this practice did not induce a positive performance response in late lactating cows consuming 18% sugarcane in the diet.

Ocorrência de Campylobacter em carne de frango, fezes de frango e humanas e pesquisa dos genes cdt / Occurrence of Campylobacter in poultry, meat chicken and human feces, and cdt GENES research

Foram coletadas 100 amostras de conteúdo fecal de aves de corte, 100 de produtos de frango (coxa, sobrecoxa, asa, dorso, carne moída e fígado) e 100 de fezes de humanos, e analisadas para pesquisa de Campylobacter. Realizou-se a determinação da espécie e da presença dos genes cdt, responsáveis pela codificação da toxina citoletal distensiva (CDT), através da técnica da PCR. A bactéria foi isolada de 61% das amostras de fezes de frango, 20% de produtos de frango e 3% de fezes de humanos. A maioria dos isolados foi determinada como C. jejuni . Destes, 93,5% apresentaram os genes para a toxina CDT. Apesar de a ocorrência de Campylobacter em fezes de humanos ter sido baixa, a prevalência em frangos de corte e produtos de frango foi elevada, fato que, aliado à presença dos genes cdt na maioria dos isolados, representa risco potencial para os consumidores. Esses resultados são indicativos da necessidade de medidas preventivas no sistema de produção e de boas práticas de fabricação na indústria, de forma a minimizar a contaminação dos produtos e diminuir o risco para os consumidores.

A hundred chicken fecal samples, a hundred samples of retail poultry products and a hundred samples of human feces were collected and tested for the presence of Campylobacter. The species identification and the analysis for the presence of cdt genes, responsible for encoding the cytolethal distending toxin, were performed by PCR. Campylobacter was found in 61% of the chicken fecal samples, in 20% of the poultry products and in 3% of the human feces. Most isolates were identified as C. jejuni. In 93.5% of these isolates, the cdt genes have been detected. Despite the occurrence of Campylobacter in feces of humans has been low, the prevalence in broilers and poultry products was high, which, combined with the presence of cdt genes in most isolates, represents a potential risk to consumers. These results suggest there is a need for preventive measures in the production system and good manufacturing practices in the industry so as to minimize contamination of products and reduce the risk to consumers.

The potential of secondary metabolites from plants as drugs or leads against protozoan neglected diseases - part I

Infections with protozoan parasites are a major cause of disease and mortality in many tropical countries of the world. Diseases caused by species of the genera Trypanosoma (Human African Trypanosomiasis and Chagas Disease) and Leishmania (various forms of Leishmaniasis) are among the seventeen "Neglected Tropical Diseases" (NTDs) defined as such by WHO due to the neglect of financial investment into research and development of new drugs by a large part of pharmaceutical industry and neglect of public awareness in high income countries. Another major tropical protozoan disease is malaria (caused by various Plasmodium species), which -although not mentioned currently by the WHO as a neglected disease- still represents a major problem, especially to people living under poor circumstances in tropical countries. Malaria causes by far the highest number of deaths of all protozoan infections and is often (as in this review) included in the NTDs. The mentioned diseases threaten many millions of lives world-wide and they are mostly associated with poor socioeconomic and hygienic environment. Existing therapies suffer from various shortcomings, namely, a high degree of toxicity and unwanted effects, lack of availability and/or problematic application under the life conditions of affected populations. Development of new, safe and affordable drugs is therefore an urgent need. Nature has provided an innumerable number of drugs for the treatment of many serious diseases. Among the natural sources for new bioactive chemicals, plants are still predominant. Their secondary metabolism yields an immeasurable wealth of chemical structures which has been and will continue to be a source of new drugs, directly in their native form and after optimization by synthetic medicinal chemistry. The current review, published in two parts, attempts to give an overview on the potential of such plant-derived natural products as antiprotozoal leads and/or drugs in the fight against NTDs.

Resposta de vacas leiteiras à substituição parcial de farelo de soja por ureia encapsulada / Response of lactating cows to the partial replacement of soybean meal by encapsulated urea

Avaliou-se a substituição parcial de farelo de soja na dieta-controle por ureia encapsulada ou por ureia, ambos acrescidos de polpa cítrica. Dezoito vacas foram alocadas a uma sequência de três tratamentos, em seis quadrados latinos 3x3, com períodos de 21 dias. O teor de proteína bruta nas dietas foi 15,5 por cento, cerca de 1,5 por cento oriundo de nitrogênio não proteico (NNP). O uso de NNP reduziu o consumo diário de matéria seca em 0,8kg (P=0,04), sem influenciar a produção de leite (31,5kg, P=0,98). A conversão do alimento em leite foi menor na dieta-controle (P<0,09). As fontes de NNP aumentaram o teor de N-ureico no plasma (NUP) duas horas após a alimentação da manhã (P=0,06). A frequência de NUP acima de 22,0mg/dL foi maior com ureia (P<0,01), similarmente ao observado para o teor e a secreção diária de N-ureico no leite (P<0,01). A substituição de farelo de soja por NNP e polpa cítrica melhorou a eficiência alimentar, sem afetar o balanço de nitrogênio.

The partial replacement of the soybean meal in the control diet for encapsulated urea or urea, both with added citrus pulp was evaluated. Eighteen Holstein cows were allocated to a sequence of the three treatments, in six 3x3 latin squares, with 21-day periods. The dietary level of crude protein was 15.5 percent, around 1.5 percent from non-protein nitrogen (NPN). The use of NPN reduced 0.8kg of daily dry matter intake (P=0.04), without affecting milk yield (31.5kg, P=0.98). The conversion of feed into milk decreased for the control diet (P<0.09). The NPN sources increased plasma urea-N (PUN) two hours after the morning feeding (P=0.06). The frequency of PUN above 22.0mg/dL was increased by urea (P<0.01), similarly to the observed for milk urea-N content and daily secretion (P<0.01). The replacement of soybean meal for NPN and citrus pulp improved feed efficiency, without affecting the nitrogen balance.

Interventions to reduce needle stick injuries at a tertiary care centre.

Background: Occupational exposure to blood/body fluids is associated with risk of infection with blood borne pathogens like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Materials and Methods: We carefully document needle stick injuries (NSI) and implement post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). We report a four-year continuing surveillance study where 342 healthcare workers (HCWs) sustained NSI. PEP was given to HCWs injured from seropositive sources. If the source was HbsAg positive, HCWs were given a hepatitis B immunization booster. If the HCW was antiHBs negative, both hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine were administered. For HCWs who sustained injuries from HIV positive sources, antiretroviral therapy was started. Follow-up was done after three and six months of exposure. Recent interventions by the infection control committee at our hospital reduced NSI considerably during intravenous line administration and glucose monitoring. Results and Discussion: Of 342 injuries, 254 were from known sources and 88 from unknown sources. From known sources, 37 were seropositive; 13 for HIV, 15 for HCV, nine for HBV. Sixty six sharp injuries were sustained through garbage bags, 43 during IV line administration, 41 during injection administration, 35 during needle recapping, 32 during blood collection, 27 during blood glucose monitoring, 24 from OT instruments, 17 during needle disposal, 16 while using surgical blade, 7 during suturing and 34 from miscellaneous sources. Conclusion: No case of seroconversion has taken place, so far, as a result of needle stick injuries at our centre.

Ion fluxes and hematological parameters of two teleosts from the Rio Negro, Amazon, exposed to hypoxia / Fluxos iônicos e parâmetros hematológicos em duas espécies de teleósteos do Rio Negro, Amazônia, expostos à hipoxia

The aim of this study was to describe the effect of hypoxia on whole body ion fluxes and hematological parameters in two Amazonian teleosts: Serrasalmus eigenmanni and Metynnis hypsauchen. The increase of Na+ and Cl- effluxes on M. hypsauchen exposed to hypoxia may be related to an increase of gill ventilation and effective respiratory surface area, to avoid a reduction in the oxygen uptake, and/or with the decrease of pHe, that could inhibit Na+ and Cl- transporters and, therefore, reduce influx of these ions. Effluxes of Na+ and Cl- were lower in hypoxia than in normoxia for S. eigenmanni, possibly because in hypoxia this species would reduce gill ventilation and oxygen uptake, which would lead to a decrease of gill ion efflux and, consequently, reducing ion loss. The increase on hematocrit (Ht) during hypoxia in M. hypsauchen probably was caused by an increase of the red blood cell volume (MCV). For S. eigenmanni the increase on glucose possibly results from the usage of glucose reserve mobilization. Metynnis hypsauchen showed to be more sensitive to hypoxia than Serrasalmus eigenmanni, since the first presented more significant alterations on these osmoregulatory and hematological parameters. Nevertheless, the alterations observed for both species are strategies adopted by fishes to preserve oxygen supply to metabolizing tissues during exposure to hypoxia.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever o efeito da hipoxia no fluxo iônico corporal e nos parâmetros hematológicos em duas espécies de teleósteos da Amazônia: Serrasalmus eigenmanni e Metynnis hypsauchen. O aumento dos efluxos de Na+ e Cl- em M. hypsauchen expostos à hipoxia pode estar relacionado ao aumento da ventilação branquial e da eficiência da área da superfície respiratória, a fim de evitar redução na captação de oxigênio; e/ou com a diminuição do pHe, que pode inibir os transportadores de Na+ e Cl- e, então, reduzir o influxo destes íons. Os efluxos de Na+ e Cl- foram menores em hipoxia do que em normoxia para a espécie S. eigenmanni, possivelmente porque esta espécie em hipoxia poderia reduzir a ventilação branquial e a captação de oxigênio, a qual levaria a uma diminuição do efluxo branquial de íons e, conseqüentemente, à redução da perda de íons. O aumento do hematócrito (Ht) durante hipoxia em M. hypsauchen provavelmente foi causado pelo aumento do volume das células vermelhas do sangue (MCV). Para a espécie S. eigenmanni, o aumento da glicose possivelmente foi resultado do uso da mobilização da reserva de glicose. A espécie Metynnis hypsauchen mostrou ser mais sensível à hipoxia do que a espécie Serrasalmus eigenmanni, uma vez que a primeira espécie apresentou mais alterações significativas em seus parâmetros osmorregulatórios e hematológicos. Contudo, as alterações observadas em ambas as espécies são estratégias adotadas pelos peixes a fim de preservar o suprimento de oxigênio para metabolização nos tecidos durante exposição à hipoxia.

Colony membership is reflected by variations in cuticular hydrocarbon profile in a Neotropical paper wasp, Polistes satan (Hymenoptera, Vespidae)

Nestmate recognition is one the most important features in social insect colonies. Although epicuticular lipids or cuticular hydrocarbons have both structural and defensive functions in insects, they also seem to be involved in several aspects of communication in wasps, bees and ants. We analyzed and described for the first time the cuticular hydrocarbons of a Neotropical paper wasp, Polistes satan, and found that variation in hydrocarbon profile was sufficiently strong to discriminate individuals according to their colony membership. Therefore, it seems that small differences in the proportion of these compounds can be detected and used as a chemical-based cue by nestmates to detect invaders and avoid usurpation.

Estudo dos partos e nascidos vivos de mães adolescentes e adultas jovens no Município de Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil, 1998 / Childbirth and live newborns of adolescent and young adult mothers in the municipality of Feira de Santana, Bahia State, Brazil, 1998

Data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and the literature indicate that adolescents may be overrepresented in the prevalence of maternal morbidity and mortality and neonatal complications. This study focused on childbirth and live newborns among adolescent and young adult mothers in the municipality of Feira de Santana, Bahia, identifying risk factors for morbidity and mortality. A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted based on data from the Information System on Live Births (SINASC) in the municipality in 1998, totaling 5,279 live births among adolescent (10 to 19 years) and young adult mothers (20 to 24 years). Variables were age, schooling, prenatal care, gestational care, form of delivery, and birthweight. The authors measured the association between maternal age and the child's birthweight, while controlling potential confounders. Some 21.6 of live births were to adolescent mothers, 51.2 of whom had not finished primary school; there was an association between the 10 to 16-year age bracket and incomplete primary schooling, lack of prenatal care, and low and insufficient birthweight as compared to the other age brackets; there was also a high rate of underrecording in the SINASC. The results suggest the need for specific measures focusing on the reproductive health of adolescents in the municipality.

Valor do precondicionamento isquêmico na circulaçäo colateral, funçäo ventrícular e evoluçäo clínica no infarto agudo do miocárdio / The effecft of ischemic preconditioning on collateral circulation, ventricular function and clinical outcomes after acute

Objetivo - Avaliar a influência do precondicionamento isquêmico no fenômeno do desenvolvimento de circulaçäo colateral (CC), na funçäo ventrícular precoce e na evoluçäo hospitalar de pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM). Métodos - Foram estudados 97 pacientes com IAM anterior nas primeiras 6h, com oclusäo proximal da artéria coronária descendente anterior e divididos em 2 grupos na dependência da presença (GA) ou ausência (GB) de angina precedendo o IAM. Coronariografia e ventriculografiaoram realizadas nas primeiras 6h , antes de qualquer tentativa de reperfusäo. A fraçäo de ejeçäo global do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE), foi obtida através do método de áreas e a funçäo regional da parede anterior anterior através da linha do centro. Resultados - Os grupos foram superponíveis em relaçäo ao sexo, idade, pico de CKMB, tratamento instituído (perfusäo química ou mecânica) e sucesso na reperfusäo. A média da FEVE e a mobilidade da parede anterior foram similares nos 2 gupos, respectivamente, 3+_9 por cento e -2,55+/_1,17 dp/corda no GA e 37 por cento+/_8 por cento e -2,75+/_0,79 dp/corda no GB (p=ns). A CC esteve presente em 6 pacientes do GA e em 8 do GB (p=ns). A evoluçäo clínica foi melhor no GA (todos Killip classe 1) em comparçäo ao GB (8 pacientes Killip > ou igual a 2) p=0,007. Conclusäo - Embora näo exista diferença entre os grupos em relaçäo a presença de CC, funçäo ventricular e regional do ventrículo esquerdo, a presença de angina precedendo o infarto associado à melhor evoluçäo hsptalar, a qual poderia em parte ser explicada pelo fenômeno denominado precondicionamento esquêmico.

Adenomas da hipófise: estudo imuno-histoquímico de 167 casos / Pituitary adenomas: immunohistochemical study of 167 cases

Foram analisados 167 casos de adenomas da hipófise pelo método imuno-histoquímico utilizando o Complexo da Avidina Biotina (ABC) descrito por HSU e col. (1981). Foram usados 6 anti-hormônios hipofisários: anti-prolactina (aPRL), na diluiçäo de 1:1.500, anti-hormônio do crescimento (aHGH), na diluiçäo de 1:4.000, anti-hormônio adrenocorticotrófico (aACTH), na diluiçäo de 1:3.000, anti-hormônio tireotrófico (aTSH), na diluiçäo de trófico (aACTH), na diluiçäo de 1:3.000, anti-hormônio tireotrófico (aTSH), na diluiçäo de 1:3.000, anti-hormônio luteinizante (aLH), na diluiçäo de 1:1.000, anti-hormônio folículo estimulante (a(FSH), na diluiçäo de 1;3.000. O período de incubaçäo foi de 14 a 16 horas a 4-C. Foi realizada também a coloraçäo pelo Orange G-PAS. O levantamento dos dados clínicos, laboratoriais, e radiológicos dos casos de adenomas de hipófise foi realizado após leitura das lâminas pelo método imuno-histoquímico. Dos 167 casos de adenomas da hipófise, 136 (81,4%) mostraram imuno-reaçäo positiva a um ou mais anti-hormônios, variando o índice de positividade entre 1 e 90% das células neoplásicas. A imuno-reaçäo foi positiva exclusivamente a um anti-hormônio em 80 casos (58,8%) e para dois ou mais anti-hormônios nos 56 casos restantes (41,2%), sendo a associaçäo mais freqüentemente encontrada aquela em que a positividade ocorreu para o aPRL e o aHGH. A positividade a reaçäo imuno-histoquímica distribuiu-se da seguinte forma: 100 casos foram positivos para o aPRL, em 49 pacientes de forma isolada; 65 casos foram positivos para o aHGH, em 22 pacientes de forma isolada; 31 casos foram positivos para o aACTH, em 8 pacientes de forma isolada; 5 casos foram positivos ao aTSH, em um paciente de forma isolada; um paciente apresentou adenoma positivo ao aLH; um caso foi positivo ao aFSH