Desempeño cardiovascular de dos estirpes de Gallus gallus domesticus sometidas a estrés calórico agudo / Cardiovascular Performance of Two Lineages of Gallus gallus domesticus Subjected to Acute Heat Stress

La selección genética en aves de corral se ha basado en caracteres para crecimiento rápido y no para la adaptabilidad a condiciones estresantes. En esta investigación, se evaluaron variables ambientales y cardiovasculares de dos estirpes de Gallus gallus domesticus con diferentes niveles de domesticación, sometidas a condiciones de estrés calórico agudo. Para la realización del experimento, se utilizaron pollos de engorde comerciales con alto nivel de selección genética (n=40) y pollos criollos (n=40) con bajo nivel de selección. Todos los pollos se criaron bajo las mismas condiciones hasta el día 36 de edad, día en que se evaluó: temperatura ambiental, humedad relativa, temperatura corporal, frecuencia cardiaca, volumen sistólico y gasto cardiaco. El día 37, ambos grupos de animales fueron expuestos a una simulación de estrés calórico agudo (34°C), midiéndose las variables antes mencionadas. Los datos fueron analizados como medidas repetidas (PROC MIXED de SAS, 2005), bajo un diseño de bloques. El día 37, las temperaturas corporales de los pollos comerciales (46,1±0,2°C) fue significativamente mayor (P £ 0,01) que las de los criollos (43,5±0,9°C). El incremento en la frecuencia cardiaca (38±1 lat/min) de los pollos comerciales fue mayor (P ≤0,01), en contraste con la de los pollos criollos (23±0 lat/min), cuando comparamos con el día anterior. De igual modo, cuando se hace la comparación con respecto al día anterior (día 36), el volumen sistólico (0,33±0,03 mL/lat) y el gasto cardiaco (38,50±3,3 ml/min) y disminuyeron (P>0,05) en los pollos comerciales; en contraste, estas variables (volumen sistólico: 0,09±0,00 mL/lat; gasto cardiaco: 59,10±4,8 mL/ min) aumentaron en los criollos. La relación gasto cardiaco sobre peso vivo fue mayor (P≤0,01) en los pollos criollos (0,81±0,03 mL/min/g) con respecto a los comerciales (0,40±0,07 mL/min/g). Estos hallazgos sugieren que el desempeño cardiaco de la estirpe comercial fue menos eficiente, en relación al desempeño cardiaco de la estirpe criolla, frente al estrés calórico, en comparación con los pollos criollos y que estos últimos se encuentran mejor adaptados para hacer frente a situaciones de estrés calórico ambiental.

Genetic selection in poultry has been based on fast growth characters and not on stress adaptability. This investigation assessed cardiovascular variables in two lineages of Gallus gallus domesticus of different domestication levels, subjected to acute heat stress. To carry out the assay, broiler chickens (n=40) with a high-end level of genetic selection and creole chickens (n=40) with a low-end level of genetic selection were evaluated. All chickens were reared under the same conditions until day 36 of age, at which day, the following variables were measured: environmental temperature, relative humidity, body temperature, heart rate, systolic volumen, and cardiac output. On day 37, both flocks were exposed to an acute environmental heat stress simulation (34 ºC). Data were analyzed with repetitive measures test (PROC MIXED, SAS, 2005), with a two-way arrangement. During the heat stress simulation, body temperature of broilers (46.1±0.2°C) was higher (P≤0,01) than that of creole chickens (43.5±0.9°C); likewise, the increase in broilers heart rate (38±1 beats/min) was higher (P≤0,01), when compared to the increase in creole chickens (23±0 beats/min) from the day before. Similarly, a lower (P>0,05) systolic volume (0.33±0.03 mL/beats) and cardiac output (38.5±3.3 mL/min) was registered in broilers in contrast to an increment of these variables (systolic volume: 0.09±0.00 mL/beats; cardiac output: 59.10±4.8 mL/min) in creoles. Cardiac output to body weight ratio was higher (P≤0,01) in creole chickens (0.81±0.03 mL/min/g) in comparison to broilers (0.40 ± 0.07 mL/min/g). These results suggest that chickens from a commercial lineage (broilers) were less effective in terms of cardiac performance, under environmental heat stress, when compared to creole chickens, suggesting that creole chickens are better adapted to cope with environmental heat stress.

Efecto de la Harina de Girasol (Helianthus annuus) y dos complejos enzimáticos sobre el desempeño productivo de pollos de engorde / Effect of Sunflower Meal (Helianthus annuus) and Two Enzyme Complexes on Broilers Performance

Para evaluar el efecto de la harina de girasol (HG) y dos complejos enzimáticos (CE) sobre el desempeño productivo de pollos de engorde en fase de finalización, se distribuyeron 720 pollos mediante un diseño completamente aleatorizado con arreglo factorial 2 x 3, dos niveles de inclusión de HG: 0 y 3%; tres niveles de inclusión de CE: sin CE (SCE), con CE tipo A (con actividad de las enzimas proteasas y celulasas; CEA) y con CE tipo B (con actividad de las enzimas xilanasas y b-glucanasas; CEB), con seis repeticiones de 20 pollos cada una. El factor CE afectó al adicionar el CEB, obteniendo conversión de alimento (P=0,032) de 1,555, índice de eficiencia europea (P=0,007) de 377,13, rendimiento de canal (P=0,012) de 76,69%, rendimiento de pechuga (P=0,044) de 24,86%. Para la interacción de factores se obtuvo un consumo de alimento (P=0,005) de 2.596,90 g (3% HG+SCE), conversión de alimento (P=0,0009) de 1,513 (0% HG+CEA), índice de eficiencia europea (P=0,0011) similares de 399,86 (0% HG+CEA) y 379,98 (3% HG + CEB), la dieta 3% HG+CEB con rendimiento de canal (P=0,0024) de 77,14% y rendimiento de pechuga (P=0,044) de 25,72%. Estos resultados demuestran que adicionando 3% HG no se afecta el desempeño productivo y la adición de ambos CE generan resultados positivos, con mayor eficiencia del CEB, obteniendo respuestas económicamente viables para la alimentación de los pollos de engorde.

To evaluate the effect of sunflower meal (SM) and two enzyme complexes (EC) on the performance of finishing broilers, 720 broilers were distributed through a completely randomized design 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, two levels with inclusion sunflower meal (SM); 0 and 3%; including three levels of EC; without EC (NEC), with EC A; (with activity of proteases and cellulases; ECA) and EC B enzymes, with activity the b-glucanase and xylanase enzymes; CEB, with six replicates of 20 broilers each. The CE factor affected by adding the CEB, obtaining feed conversion (P=0.032) 1.555, european efficiency index (P=0.007) of 377.13, carcass yield (P=0.012) of 76.69%, breast yield (P=0.044) of 24.86%. For the interaction of factors was obtained a feed intake (P=0.005) of 2596.90 g (3%SM+NEC), feed conversion (P=0.0009) of 1,513 (0%SM+CEA), similar index european Efficiency (P = 0.0011) of 399.86 (0% SM + CEA) and 379.98 (3%SM+CEB), the diet 3% SM + ECB with carcass yield (P=0.0024) of 77.14% and breast yield (P=0.044) of 25.72%. These results demonstrate that adding 3% HG do not affect production performance and the addition of both EC generate positive results, more efficiently ECB, obtaining a performance viable economically for broilers feeding.

Caracterización de aditivos enzimáticos obtenidos por monocultivo (Aspergillus niger) y cocultivo (Aspergillus niger-Saccharomyces cerevisiae) y su efecto sobre el comportamiento productivo de pollos de engorde / Characterization of Enzymatic Additives Obtained by Monoculture (Aspergillus niger) and Coculture (Aspergillus niger-Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and their Effects on Productive Performance of Broiler Chicks

Se obtuvieron y caracterizaron las propiedades nutricionales, enzimáticas y ocratoxigénicas de aditivos enzimáticos obtenidos de residuos húmedos del procesamiento de la pasta alimenticia, fermentados mediante el monocultivo de Aspergillus niger (A1) y el cocultivo de Aspergillus niger - Saccharomyces cerevisiae (A2). Se utilizaron 150 pollitos raza Cobb-500 para evaluar el efecto de la inclusión de los aditivos A1 y A2 en 30 ppm y 3000 ppm, respectivamente, durante 21 d sobre los parámetros productivos, utilizando un diseño completamente aleatorizado. Los resultados demuestran que las actividades de las α-amilasas y glucoamilasas en el A2 fueron superiores en 42% y 69% a las del A1, respectivamente. La composición fisicoquímica y las propiedades enzimáticas de los aditivos, revelaron que éstos están compuestos principalmente por almidón y proteína, con una actividad amilolítica similar 16020 y 15540 (FAU/g), respectivamente. Sin embargo, el A2 presentó actividad de glucoamilasa (U/g) y de fitasas (U/g) superior en 58%, respecto al A1. Los niveles de ocratoxina A de 2.10-4 y 2.10-2 ppb para A1 y A2, respectivamente, fueron inferiores a la dosis letales medias (DL50) para pollos y a los límites establecidos por la FAO/OMS. Adicionalmente, la viabilidad de Aspergillus niger  en A1 y A2 fue de 3.10³ UFC/mL y de 2.10² UFC/mL en las células de levadura, respectivamente. La inclusión de 3000 ppm de A1 y de 30 ppm de A2, mejoró significativamente (P<0,05) la conversión alimenticia (11-13%) y el consumo de alimento (6-8%), al compararse con el grupo control. La ganancia de peso no fue afectada significativamente por los tratamientos.

A study was conducted to obtain and characterize the nutritional, enzymatic, and ocratoxigenic properties of enzyme additives obtained from fermentation of moist residues of commercial production of pasta, of both a monoculture of Aspergillus niger (A1) and a mixed culture (coculture) of Aspergillus niger-Saccharomyces cerevisiae (A2). The effects on productive performance parameters were assessed, during 21 d. A total of 150 broilers (Cobb-500) were used and fed with diets which included the additives A1 and A2 in the amount of 30 and 3000 ppm, respectively, using a completely randomized design. The results show that both α-amylase and glucoamylase activities in A2 were 42 and 69% higher than those of A1, respectively. The physicochemical composition of additives revealed that they are mainly composed of starch and protein. Both A1 and A2 showed a similar amylase activity (15540 and 16020 FAU/g, respectively). However, the A2 exhibited higher glucoamylase and phytase activities (U/g) 58% than the A1. The ocratoxin A levels for A1 (2.10-4 ppb) and A2 (2.10-2 ppb), respectively, were below the median lethal dose (LD50) for chickens and for the limits established by FAO/WHO. Additionally, the viability of Aspergillus niger in A1 and A2 was 3.10³ UFC/mL and of 2.10² CFU/mL in yeast cells, respectively. The inclusion of 30 ppm of A1 and 3000 ppm of A2, respectively significantly (P<0.05) improved feed conversion (11-13%) and feed intake (6-8%), when compared to control animals. The treatments did not significantly affect weight gain.

Dating minerals by ID-TIMS geochronology at times of in situ analysis: selected case studies from the CPGeo-IGc-USP laboratory

Since 1964, the Center for Geochronological Research - CPGeo, one of the interdepartmental centers of the Instituto de Geociências (IG) of São Paulo University, has developed studies related to several geological processes associated with different rock types. Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry Isotopic Dilution (ID-TIMS) has been the technique widely used in the CPGeo U-Pb Laboratory. It provides reliable and accurate results in age determination of superposed events. However, the open-system behavior such as Pb-loss, the inheritance problem and metamictization processes allow and impel us to a much richer understanding of the power and limitations of U-Pb geochronology and thermochronology. In this article, we present the current methodology used at the CPGeo-IGc-USP U-Pb laboratory, the improvements on ID-TIMS method, and report high-precision U-Pb data from zircon, monazite, epidote, titanite, baddeleyite and rutile from different rock types of several domains of the Brazilian south-southeast area, Argentina and Uruguay.

O Centro de Pesquisas Geocronológicas (CPGeo), um dos centros interdepartamentais do Instituto de Geociências (IG) da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), desde 1964 desenvolve estudos relacionados a diversos processos geológicos que se associam a diferentes tipos de rochas. A técnica amplamente utilizada no Laboratório U-Pb é a diluição isotópica por espectrometria de massa termo ionizada (ID-TIMS). Esta sistemática proporciona resultados bastante confiáveis e precisos na determinação das idades de eventos geológicos superpostos. Entretanto, o comportamento de sistema aberto como perda de Pb, problemas de herança isotópica e processos de metamictização, nos permite o entendimento do poder e limitação da geocronologia e termocronologia U-Pb. Neste artigo apresentamos a metodologia atualmente utilizada no Laboratório U-Pb do CPGeo-IGc-USP, as melhorias atingidas na técnica ID-TIMS e alguns dados obtidos em zircão, epídoto, titanita, baddeleyita e rutilo de diferentes tipos de rochas de alguns domínios da região sul-sudeste brasileira e da Argentina e Uruguai.

Brain and lung cryptococcoma and concurrent corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in a goat: a case report

A four-year-old male goat with a history of neurological disorder was euthanized. It presented uncommon nodules in the brain and lungs associated with multiple abscesses, predominantly in the spleen and liver. Histological examination of brain and lung sections revealed yeast forms confirmed to be Cryptococcus gattii after a combination of isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedures. Moreover, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection was diagnosed by PCR of samples from the lung, spleen and liver. The present report highlights the rare concurrent infection of C. gatti and C. pseudotuberculosis in an adult goat from São Paulo state, Brazil, and indicates the necessity of surveillance in the treatment of goats with atypical pulmonary infections associated with neurological disorders.(AU)

Laparoscopic treatment of refluxing segmental megaureter

We discuss the case of a 13-year old boy with urinary infection who was preoperatively diagnosed with left vesicoureteral reflux associated with paraurethral saccule. Laparoscopic Lich-Gregoir anti-reflux surgery was then proposed. Intraoperatively, we observed segmental megaureter that was successfully treated by the proposed technique without ureteral modeling, contrary to the rule that respects the 3-5 times ratio between the submucous path and the ureteral diameter.

Update of the gene discovery program in Schistosoma mansoni with the expressed sequence tag approach

Continuing the Schistosoma mansoni Genome Project 363 new templates were sequenced generating 205 more ESTs corresponding to 91 genes. Seventy four of theses genes (81 per cent) had not previously been descibed in S. mansoni. Among the newly discovered genes there are several of significant biological interest such as synaptophysin, NIFs-like and rho-GDP dissociation inhibitor.