Influência da qualidade micotoxicológica e nutricional de híbridos de milho no custo da ração de frangos de corte / Influence of mycotoxicological and nutritional quality of maize hybrids on broiler chickens feed cost

Objetivou-se avaliar as variáveis micotoxicológicas e nutricionais de híbridos de milho com diferentes características que influenciam no custo da ração para frangos de corte. Foram avaliados 26 híbridos de milho geneticamente modificados nas safrinhas de 2016 e 2017, com diferentes germoplasmas, textura de endosperma e duração do ciclo. Nos híbridos, foram avaliados grãos avariados, fumonisinas (B1+B2) (FUM), aflatoxinas (B1+B2+G1+G2) (AFLA), zearalenona (ZEA), deoxinivalenol (DON), umidade, proteína bruta (PB), energia metabolizável aparente corrigida para balanço de nitrogênio (EMAn), aminoácidos digestíveis para aves (lisina, metionina, cistina e treonina) e o respectivo custo da ração inicial para frangos de corte, que foi calculada pelo custo mínimo. A prevalência de FUM, AFLA, ZEA e DON foi de 90, 17, 33 e 0%, com médias de 3067, 1, 38 e 0µg/kg nos dois anos, respectivamente. A média de EMAn e PB foi de 3264kcal/kg e 8,02%, respectivamente, e diferiu (P<0,05) nos dois anos. O custo da ração foi influenciado significativamente (P<0,05) por FUM, PB, EMAn nos dois anos. Híbridos com tecnologia Viptera apresentam menor concentração por FUM e menor custo da ração. Híbridos de ciclo precoce têm menor concentração de FUM, maiores percentuais de PB e de aminoácidos digestíveis e menor custo da ração.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the mycotoxicological and nutritional variables of maize hybrids with different characteristics that influence the broiler chicken's feed costs. In 2016 and 2017 winter crops, 26 genetically modified hybrids of maize with different germplasm, endosperm texture and cycle duration were evaluated. The analyzed variables were damaged grains, fumonisins (B 1 +B 2 ) (FUM), aflatoxins (B 1 +B 2 +G 1 +G 2 ) (AFLA), zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON), moisture, crude protein (CP), apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn), digestible amino acids for poultry (lysine, methionine, cystine and threonine) and the respective cost of the initial feed for broiler chickens calculated at the minimum cost. The prevalence of FUM, AFLA, ZEA and DON was 90, 17, 33 and 0%, with means of 3067, 1, 38 and 0µg/kg in the two years, respectively. The mean of AMEn and CP was 3264kcal/kg and 8.02%, respectively, and differed (P< 0.05) in the two years. The feed cost was significantly influenced (P<0.05) by FUM, PB, AMEn in two years. Hybrids with Viptera technology show lower concentration per FUM and lower feed cost. Early cycle hybrids have lower concentrations of FUM, higher percentages of CP and digestible amino acids, and lower feed costs.(AU)

Is it possible to differentiate tuberculous and cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-infected patients using only clinical and basic cerebrospinal fluid characteristics?

Background. Tuberculous and cryptococcal meningitis (TBM and CM) are the most common causes of opportunistic meningitis in HIV infected patients from resource-limited settings, and the differential diagnosis is challenging. Objective. To compare clinical and basic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) characteristics between TBM and CM in HIV-infected patients.Methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted of clinical, radiological and laboratory records of 108 and 98 HIV-infected patients with culture-proven diagnosis of TBM and CM, respectively. The patients were admitted at a tertiary centre in São Paulo, Brazil. A logistic regression model was used to distinguish TBM from CM and derive a diagnostic index based on the adjusted odds ratio (OR) to differentiate these two diseases.Results. In multivariate analysis, TBM was independently associated with: CSF with neutrophil predominance (odds ratio (OR) 35.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.80 - 341.30, p=0.002), CSF pleocytosis (OR 9.43, 95% CI 1.30 - 68.70, p=0.027), CSF protein >1.0 g/L (OR 5.13, 95% CI 1.38 - 19.04, p=0.032) and Glasgow Coma Scale <15 (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.03 - 9.34, p=0.044). Nausea and vomiting (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08 - 0.90, p=0.033) were associated with CM. Algorithm-related area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.815 (95% CI 0.758 - 0.873, p<0.0001), but an accurate cut-off was not derived.Conclusion. Although some clinical and basic CSF characteristics appear useful in the differential diagnosis of TBM and CM in HIV infected patients, an accurate algorithm was not identified. Optimised access to rapid, sensitive and specific laboratory tests is essential

High frequency of dolutegravir resistance in patients failing a raltegravir-containing salvage regimen

OBJECTIVES: Dolutegravir is a second-generation integrase strand transfer inhibitor (InSTI) that has been recently approved by the FDA to treat antiretroviral therapy-naive as well as treatment-experienced HIV-infected individuals, including those already exposed to the first-generation InSTI. Despite having a different mutational profile, some cross-resistance mutations may influence its susceptibility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a raltegravir-containing salvage regimen on dolutegravir activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood samples of 92 HIV-infected individuals with virological failure (two or more viral loads >50 copies/mL after 6 months of treatment) using raltegravir with optimized background therapy were sequenced and evaluated according to the Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database algorithm. RESULTS: Among the 92 patients analysed, 32 (35%) showed resistance to dolutegravir, in most cases associated with the combination of Q148H/R/K with G140S/A mutations. At genotyping, patients with resistance to dolutegravir had viral load values closer to the highest previously documented viral load. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in viraemia during virological failure may indicate the evolution of raltegravir resistance and may predict the emergence of secondary mutations that are associated with a decrease in dolutegravir susceptibility. Early discontinuation of raltegravir from failing regimens might favour subsequent salvage with dolutegravir, but further studies are necessary to evaluate this issue.

Cerebral and ocular toxoplasmosis related with IFN-y, TNF-a, and IL-10

This study analyzed the synthesis of Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), and Interleukin 10 (IL-10) in chronically infected patients which developed the symptomatic disease as cerebral or ocular toxoplasmosis. Blood from 61 individuals were divided into four groups: Cerebral toxoplasmosis/AIDS patients (CT/AIDS group) (n = 15), ocular toxoplasmosis patients (OT group) (n = 23), chronic toxoplasmosis individuals (CHR group) (n = 13) and healthy individuals (HI group) (n = 10). OT, CHR, and HI groups were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seronegative. The diagnosis was made by laboratorial (PCR and ELISA) and clinical subjects. For cytokine determination, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of each patient were isolated and stimulated in vitro with T. gondii antigen. IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10 activities were determined by ELISA. Patients from CT/AIDS and OT groups had low levels of IFN-γ when were compared with those from CHR group. These data suggest the low resistance to develop ocular lesions by the low ability to produce IFN-γ against the parasite. The same patients, which developed ocular or cerebral toxoplasmosis had higher TNF-α levels than CHR individuals. High TNF-α synthesis contribute to the inflammatory response and damage of the choroid and retina in OT patients and in AIDS patients caused a high inflammatory response as the TNF-α synthesis is not affected since monocytes are the major source this cytokine in response to soluble T. gondii antigens. IL-10 levels were almost similar in CT/AIDS and OT patients but low when compared with CHR individuals. The deviation to Th2 immune response including the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10 may promote the parasite's survival causing the tissue immune destruction. IL-10 production in T. gondii-infected brains may support the persistence of parasites as down-regulating the intracerebral immune response. All these indicate that OT and CT/AIDS patients produced low levels of IL-10 (Th2 response) and IFN-γ (Th1 response). They produced high TNF-α suggesting a high inflammatory response triggered by the parasite.

A detailed description of an economical setup for electroporation of chick embryos in ovo

One of the challenges of the postgenomic era is characterizing the function and regulation of specific genes. For various reasons, the early chick embryo can easily be adopted as an in vivo assay of gene function and regulation. The embryos are robust, accessible, easily manipulated, and maintained in the laboratory. Genomic resources centered on vertebrate organisms increase daily. As a consequence of optimization of gene transfer protocols by electroporation, the chick embryo will probably become increasingly popular for reverse genetic analysis. The challenge of establishing chick embryonic electroporation might seem insurmountable to those who are unfamiliar with experimental embryological methods. To minimize the cost, time, and effort required to establish a chick electroporation assay method, we describe and illustrate in great detail the procedures involved in building a low-cost electroporation setup and the basic steps of electroporation.

Hematological values of some Bothrops species (Ophidia - Crotalidae) in captivity

Blood samples of 50 healthy specimens from each of the following species: Bothrops alternatus, Bothrops jararacussu, Bothrops moojeni, and Bothrops neuwiedi diporus all kept in captivity were taken to determine the hematocrit (PCV) value, red blood cell count (RBC), total leukocyte (WBC) and differential leukocyte count, thrombocyte count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin concentration (HbC), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). These hematological parameters were compared to those obtained from other Bothrops species. PCV values, RBC, hemoglobin, WBC count, and differential leukocyte count are within the range of values reported for other Bothrops species, while the thrombocyte count was significantly lower. All the hematological parameters obtained from the four studied Bothrops species were higher than those described for B. ammodytoides.

The immunochemical reactivity and neutralizing capacity of polyvalent Vipera (European) antivenom on enzymatic and toxic activities in the venoms of Crotalids from Argentina

The immunochemical reactivity and neutralizing capacity of polyvalent Vipera antivenom (Vipera ammodytes, Vipera aspis, Vipera berus, Vipera lebetina, and Vipera xanthina) were tested on the enzymatic and biological activities of Crotalus durissus terrificus and the following Bothrops venoms from Argentina (Bothrops alternatus, Bothrops ammodytoides, Bothrops neuwiedii, Bothrops jararaca, Bothrops jararacussu, and Bothrops moojeni). The Vipera antivenom reacted weakly when tested by double immunoprecipitation (DIP) and reacted with all the venoms when tested by ELISA. Several components in all the venoms studied were recognized in Western blots. Vipera antivenom deactivated to different degrees in vitro procoagulant, (indirect) hemolytic, and proteolytic activities in all the venoms studied. Preincubation of Bothrops alternatus venom with Vipera antivenom neutralized a lethal potency of 4.5 LD50 in mice with an ED50 of 1.25 ñ 0.25 µl per µg of venom, and with 1.0 µl/µg inhibited 54 per cent of the hemorragic activity and 48 per cent of necrotic activity. Vipera antivenom (2.0 µl per µg toxin) inhibited the phospholipase A2 activity of purified crotoxin and decreased its lethal potency by 60 per cent, while the neutralizing capacity on the lethal potency of crude Crotalus durissus terrificus venom was poor even at a level of 5.0 µl/µg of venom.

Aminoácidos por vena periférica en el postoperatorio: comunicación preliminar / Peripheral intravenous amino acid infusions in the postoperative period

En el postoperatorio inmediato los pacientes quirúrgicos hidratados con soluciones glucosadas tienen un período de balance nitrogenado negativo. Ocho pacientes sometidos a resecciones gástricas por úlcera péptica fueron divididos en dos grupos que recibieron aportes hipocalóricos comparables de glucosa al 5% o una solución de aminoácidos al 3.5% por vena periférica durante cinco días. Los pacientes que recibieron aminoácidos presentaron un menor balance nitrogenado negativo acumulativo y una mejor preservación de los niveles de albúmina sérica, que aquellos que recibieron glucosa. Estas ventajas comparativas de apoyo nutricional postoperatorio con aminácidos periféricos, puede ser de utilidad en pacientes con déficit nutricional o en casos de gran cirugía, en quienes se supone tendrán una evolución favorable que no justifica una nutrición parenteral completa con catéteres centrales

Taquicardia ventricular helicoidal, "torsades de pointe", en el infarto agudo del miocardio. / Helicoidal ventricular tachycardia \"torsades de pointe\" in acute myocardial infarction

La taquicardia ventricular helicoidal o "torsades de pointe" es un trastorno del ritmo que debe ser individualizado por sus caracteristicas peculiares. Se ha negado reiteradamente que la taquicardia ventricular helicoidal sea una arritmia habitual en la evolucion de un infarto agudo del miocardio. Este trabajo estudia la posibilidad que esta asociacion no sea solo coincidental. Se estudiaron 1,307 pacientes con infarto agudo del miocardio, de los cuales se obtuvieron 29 en los que se detecto esta arritmia en las primeras 72 horas de evolucion y que no tenian asociado un padecimiento o tratamiento de los que frecuentemente se asocian a taquicardia ventricular helicoidal. Este trastorno del ritmo tuvo una incidencia de 2.22% en este lote, con un comportamiento particular, diferente a la taquicardia ventricular helicoidal producida por otras etiologias. Es desencadenada frecuentemente por extrasistoles ventriculares precoces, aparece aun en presencia de taquicardias supraventriculares y bloqueio auriculoventricular agudo, dificilmente se autolimita y generalmente degenera en fibrilacion ventricular. El factor mas importante asociado a esta arritmia es la prolongacion de QT y la terapeutica mas eficiente fue mediante electro-estimulacion intracavitaria

Hidramnios en el Hospital General "Dr. Jose Gregorio Hernandez" Caracas / Hydramnios in General Hospital \"Dr.Jose Gregorio Hernandez\", Caracas

Se revisaron las historias de 51 casos de hidramnios que se presentan en el Hospital General "Dr. Jose Gregorio Hernandez" de Caracas en el lapso de 8 anos. La incidencia encontrada es de 0,11% que equivale a una frecuencia de 1:870 partos. De estos, 46 eran cronicas y 5 agudos. Las condiciones asociadas a la madre y al feto fueron: hipertension inducida por el embarazo (9, 80%), diabetes (1,96%) y malformaciones congenitas (23,52%), embarazo gemelar (9, 80%) y Rh negativo (7,84%). El diagnostico de hidramnios se hizo por la clinica, radiologia y ultrasonido. La prematuridad fue de 32,37% y la mortalidad perinatal de 40%

Resistencia de Crotalus durissus terificus y Bothrops neuwiedii a la neurotoxidad de cantidades masivas de veneno crotalico. / Resistance of Crotalus durissus terrificus and Bothrops neuwiedii to neurotoxicity of massive quantities of Crotalid vevenom

Especimenes de Crotalus durissus terrificus y de Bothrops neuwiedii toleran cantidades de veneno crotalico equivalentes a 5 x 10 elevado a menos 4 de su peso.La tolerancia observada puede explicarse por la presencia en el suero de ambas especies de componente (s) capaces de inactivar crotoxina, la neurotoxina mayor del veneno crotalico. La potencia antitoxica del suero antitoxica del suero de C. d. terrificus frente al veneno crotalico es similar a la del suero antiofidico monovalente obtenido de caballo hiperinmune, mientras que la potencia antitoxica del suero de B. neuwiedii es de alredor del 20% del de este ultimo. Los sueros de ambas especies en concentraciones adequadas son capaces de de proteger al raton frente a 4 LD 50 de veneno crotalico. La ausencia de lineas de precipitacion en ensayo de doble difusion de suero frente a veneno sugiere que los factores antitoxicos de ambas especies no son inmunoglobulinas. Es probable que la crotoxina sea neutralizada por la formacion de complexos inactivos con componentes especificos del suero. La resistencia al veveno no es reciproca, ya que especimenes de C.d. terrificus mueren luego de la inyeccion de cantidades de veneno de B.neuwiedii que son perfectamente toleradas por la especie dadora

Repercusion neonatal de la toxemia gravidica. / Neonatal repercusion of pregnancy toxemia

Reiterados estudios han senalado la repercusion de la gestosis sobre el recien nacido. En este trabajo se analizan retrospectivamente 68 fichas perinatales precodificadas de recien nacidos cuyas madres presentaron toxemia, comparandolos con 200 recien nacidos producto de embarazos normales. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la duracion del embarazo, el puntaje de Apgar a los cinco minutos, en el estado nutricional de los recien nacidos y en la frecuencia de las alteraciones neurologicas. Se encontro tambien una diferencia en la frecuencia de sindrome de dificultad respiratoria idiopatica, aunque no fue significativa. No hubo diferencias en la mortalidad entre los dos grupos. Se sugiere que la falta de control de las madres gestosicas es uno de los factores determinantes de los resultados obtenidos