Comportamento ingestivo de vacas em lactação alimentadas com cana-de-açúcar ou feno da parte aérea da mandioca / Ingestive behavior of dairy cows fed sugar cane or cassava aerial portion hay

Avaliou-se o efeito de dietas com cana-de-açúcar ou diferentes porcentagens de inclusão de feno da parte aérea da mandioca (FPAM) sobre o comportamento ingestivo de vacas leiteiras. Utilizaram-se 16 vacas, sendo 12 em lactação e quatro secas, fistuladas, distribuídas em quatro quadrados latinos 4x4. As dietas foram formuladas na tentativa de serem isoenergéticas, com quatro porcentagens de FPAM na dieta 0, 33, 67 e 100% da MS total da dieta, em substituição à cana-de-açúcar tratada com 1% de uma mistura de ureia e sulfato de amônio (9:1 partes). O comportamento ingestivo foi avaliado durante 24 horas consecutivas, sendo as observações efetuadas em intervalos de cinco minutos. Foi observado efeito quadrático (P<0,05) sobre os consumos de matéria seca e fibra em detergente neutro, por dia e por período de alimentação, sobre as atividades de alimentação, ruminação, mastigação e ócio, bem como sobre as eficiências de alimentação e ruminação. Não foi apresentada diferença (P>0,05) para os números e períodos de alimentação e ruminação. A avaliação do comportamento ingestivo constitui ferramenta de mensuração da quantidade e qualidade das dietas consumidas, uma vez que demonstra a resposta ingestiva dos bovinos à dieta fornecida.

The effect of diets containing sugar cane or different percentages of cassava aerial portion hay (FPAM) inclusion on dairy cows ingestion behavior was evaluated. Sixteen cows were used, including twelve lactating and four dry, which were fistulated and divided into four 4 x 4 Latin squares. Diets were formulated in an attempt to be isoenergetic, with four percentages of FPAM in the diet (0, 33, 67 and 100% of diet total DM), replacing the sugar cane treated with 1% of a mixture of urea and ammonium sulfate (9:1 parts). The ingestion behavior was evaluated for 24 consecutive hours, with observations at five minute intervals. A quadratic effect (P<0.05) on dry matter and neutral detergent fiber intake, per day and feeding period, on feeding, ruminating, chewing and idle activities, as well as on feeding and ruminating efficiencies, with no difference (P>0,05) for numbers and periods of feeding and rumination was observed. The ingestion behavior evaluation constitutes a tool for measuring the amount and quality of diets consumed, since it demonstrates their ingestion response by cattle diet provided.

The performance of semi-quantitative differential PCR is similar to that of real-time PCR for the detection of the MYCN gene in neuroblastomas

Amplification of the MYCN gene in neuroblastomas is a potent biological marker of highly aggressive tumors, which are invariably fatal unless sound clinical management is applied. To determine the usefulness of semi-quantitative differential PCR (SQ-PCR) for accurate quantification of MYCN gene copy number, we evaluated the analytical performance of this method by comparing the results obtained with it for 101 tumor samples of neuroblastoma to that obtained by absolute and relative real-time PCR. Similar results were obtained for 100 (99 percent) samples, no significant difference was detected between the median log10 MYCN copy number (1.53 by SQ-PCR versus 1.55 by absolute real-time PCR), and the results of the two assays correlated closely (r = 0.8, Pearson correlation; P < 0.001). In the comparison of SQ-PCR and relative real-time PCR, SQ-PCR versus relative real-time PCR concordant results were found in 100 (99 percent) samples, no significant difference was found in median log10 MYCN copy number (1.53 by SQ-PCR versus 1.27 by relative real-time PCR), and the results of the two assays correlated closely (r = 0.8, Pearson correlation; P < 0.001). These findings indicate that the performance of SQ-PCR was comparable to that of real-time PCR for the amplification and quantification of MYCN copy number. Thus, SQ-PCR can be reliably used as an alternative assay in laboratories without facilities for real-time PCR.

Association between apolipoprotein E genotype, serum lipids, and colorectal cancer in Brazilian individuals

We evaluated genetic variants of apolipoprotein E (APOE HhaI) and their association with serum lipids in colorectal cancer (CRC), together with eating habits and personal history. Eight-seven adults with CRC and 73 controls were studied. APOE*2 (rs7412) and APOE*4 (rs429358) were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. APOE gene polymorphisms were similar in both groups, but the å4/å4 genotype (6 percent) was present only in controls. The patients had reduced levels (mean ± SD) of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol fraction (180.4 ± 49.5 and 116.1 ± 43.1 mg/dL, respectively) compared to controls (204.2 ± 55.6, P = 0.135 and 134.7 ± 50.8 mg/dL; P = 0.330, respectively) indicating that they were not statistically significant after the Bonferroni correction. The APOE*4 allele was associated with lower levels of total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol fraction and increased levels of very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol fraction and triglycerides only among patients (P = 0.014). There was a positive correlation between the altered lipid profile and increased body mass indexes in both groups (P < 0.010). Moreover, a higher rate of hypertension and overweight was observed in controls (P < 0.002). In conclusion, the presence of the å4/å4 genotype only in controls may be due to a protective effect against CRC. Lower lipid profile values among patients, even those on lipid-rich diets associated with the APOE*4 allele, suggest alterations in the lipid synthesis and metabolism pathways in CRC.

Bagaço de mandioca em dietas de novilhas leiteiras: consumo de nutrientes e desempenho produtivo / Cassava bagasse in diets of dairy heifers: intake of nutrients and productive performance

A inclusão de quatro níveis, 0, 7, 14 e 21 por cento, de bagaço de mandioca na dieta de novilhas leiteiras foi avaliada durante 56 dias. Utilizaram-se 20 novilhas leiteiras ¾Gir x »Holandês. Os animais foram distribuídos em quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições, recebendo dietas compostas por silagem de sorgo e concentrado, duas vezes ao dia. As dietas foram balanceadas para promover ganho de peso de 0,70kg/dia. Realizaram-se pesagens, a cada 28 dias, para determinar o ganho de peso. Avaliaram-se o consumo dos nutrientes, o ganho médio diário (GMD) e a conversão alimentar (CA). O consumo foi expresso em kg/dia, porcentagem do peso corporal ( por centoPC) e gramas por kg de peso metabólico (g/kg0,75). Os consumos de matéria seca e de proteína bruta não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos, mas os consumos de fibra em detergente neutro e de fibra em detergente ácido apresentaram comportamento linear decrescente com o aumento do nível de bagaço; para o consumo de carboidratos não fibrosos, houve aumento linear (P<0,10). O GMD foi de 0,84; 0,80; 0,79 e 0,51kg/dia e a CA de 7,2; 7,5; 8,4 e 12,6 para os tratamentos 0, 7, 14 e 21 por cento de inclusão do bagaço de cana, respectivamente. O melhor nível de utilização de bagaço de mandioca na dieta de novilhas foi 14 por cento.

The inclusion of 0, 7, 14, and 21 percent of cassava bagasse in the diet of dairy was evaluated during 56 days. Twenty ¾Gir x »Holstein heifers were used, being five animals per treatment. The diets were balanced to provide a weight gain of 0.70kg/day, and it was measured at every 28 days. Intake of nutrients, average daily weight gain (DWG), and feed conversion (FC) were evaluated. The intake was expressed in kg/day, body weight percentage (BW percent) and grams for kg of metabolic weight (g/kg0.75). The intakes of dry matter and crude protein were not affected by the inclusion of cassava bagasse to the diet, but intakes of the neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber linearly decreased with the increase of the cassava bagasse level. However, the intake of non-fiber carbohydrates linearly increased (P<0.10). The DWG was 0.84; 0.80; 0.79; and 0.51 kg/day and the FC was 7.2; 7.5; 8.4; and 12.6 for treatments 0, 7, 14, and 21 percent, respectively. The best level of cassava bagasse utilization in diets of heifers was 14 percent.

Digestibilidade dos nutrientes do bagaço de mandioca em dietas de novilhas leiteiras / Digestibility of nutrients of cassava bagasse in diets of milk heifers

Avaliou-se o efeito da inclusão de quatro proporções, 0, 7, 14 e 21 por cento, de bagaço de mandioca na digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes em 20 novilhas leiteiras, ¾Gir x »Holandês, com peso corporal médio inicial de 180kg. Os animais foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso e receberam dietas compostas por silagem de sorgo como volumoso. Avaliaram-se os coeficientes de digestibilidade (CD) aparente de matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), carboidratos não-fibrosos (CNF) e determinaram-se os nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) das dietas. Os CD de MS, MO, PB e FDA não foram afetados pelos tratamentos. Os CD do EE foram de 80,9; 73,2; 74,7 e 68,3 por cento; da FDN de 55,0; 48,3; 49,1 e 37,4 por cento e do CNF de 87,9; 89,5; 84,6 e 83,1 por cento para as proporções de 0, 7, 14 e 21 por cento, respectivamente. O teor de NDT das dietas teve redução linear quando se elevou a proporção de bagaço na dieta, apresentando valores de 68,0; 66,2; 67,0 e 62,5 por cento para os tratamentos com 0, 7, 14 e 21 por cento, respectivamente. Recomenda-se a de inclusão de bagaço de mandioca na dieta de novilhas leiteiras em até 14 por cento.

The inclusion of 0, 7, 14, and 21 percent of cassava bagasse was evaluated on apparent digestibility of nutrients in dairy heifers. Twenty ¾Gir x »Holstein dairy heifers averaging 180kg initial mean body were used. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design and received diets composed by sorghum silage as roughage. The apparent digestibility coefficients (DC) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) were evaluated and total digestible nutrients of diets (TDN), were determined. DM, OM, CP, and ADF digestibility coefficients were not affected by treatments. DC of the EE were 80.9, 73.2, 74.7, and 68.3 percent; for NDF 55.0, 48.3, 49.1, and 37.4 percent and for NFC of the 87.9, 89.5, 84.6, and 83.1 percent for 0, 7, 14, and 21 percent treatments, respectively. TDN content had linear reduction as diet cassava bagasse level increased, showing values of 68.0, 66.2, 67.0, and 62.5 percent for 0, 7, 14, and 21 percent treatments, respectively. It is recommended the inclusion of cassava bagasse for dairy heifers diet until 14 percent.

Relevance of apolipoprotein E4 for the lipid profile of Brazilian patients with coronary artery disease

Apolipoprotein E (apoE - e2, e3, e4 alleles) plays a role in the regulation of lipid metabolism, with the e4 considered to be a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to evaluate the apoE polymorphisms in Brazilians with CAD and their influence on the lipid profile and other risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking). Two hundred individuals were examined: 100 patients with atherosclerosis confirmed by coronary angiography and 100 controls. Blood samples were drawn to determine apoE polymorphisms and lipid profile. As expected, the e3 allele was prevalent in the CAD (0.87) and non-CAD groups (0.81; P = 0.099), followed by the e4 allele (0.09 and 0.14, respectively; P = 0.158). The e3/3 (76 and 78 percent) and e3/4 (16 and 23 percent) were the most common genotypes for patients and controls, respectively. The lipid profile was altered in patients compared to controls (P < 0.05), independently of the e4 allele. However, in the controls this allele was prevalent in individuals with elevated LDL-cholesterol levels only (odds ratio = 2.531; 95 percent CI = 1.028-6.232). The frequency of risk factors was higher in the CAD group (P < 0.05), but their association with the lipid profile was not demonstrable in e4 carriers. In conclusion, the e4 allele is not associated with CAD or lipid profile in patients with atherosclerosis. However, its frequency in the non-CAD group is associated with increased levels of LDL-cholesterol, suggesting an independent effect of the e4 allele on lipid profile when the low frequency of other risk factors in this group is taken into account.

Chronic experimental myocardial infarction produces antinatriuresis by a renal nerve-dependent mechanism

The present study focused on the role of sympathetic renal nerve activity, in mediating congestive heart failure-induced sodium retention following experimental chronic myocardial infarction. Groups of male Wistar rats (240-260 g) were studied: sham-operated coronary ligation (CON3W, N = 11), coronary ligation and sham-operated renal denervation (INF3W, N = 19), 3 weeks of coronary ligation and sympathetic renal nerve denervation (INF3WDX, N = 6), sham-operated coronary ligation (N = 7), and 16 weeks of coronary ligation (INF16W, N = 7). An acute experimental protocol was used in which the volume overload (VO; 5 percent of body weight) was applied for 30 min after the equilibration period of continuous iv infusion of saline. Compared to control levels, VO produced an increase (P < 0.01, ANOVA) in urine flow rate (UFR; 570 percent) and urinary sodium excretion (USE; 1117 percent) in CON3W. VO induced a smaller increase (P < 0.01) in USE (684 percent) in INF3W. A similar response was also observed in INF16W. In INF3WDX, VO produced an immediate and large increase (P < 0.01) in UFR (547 percent) and USE (1211 percent). Similarly, in INF3W VO increased (P < 0.01) UFR (394 percent) and USE (894 percent). Compared with INF3W, VO induced a higher (P < 0.01) USE in INF3WDX, whose values were similar to those for CON3W. These results suggest that renal sympathetic activity may be involved in sodium retention induced by congestive heart failure. This premise is supported by the observation that in bilaterally renal denervated INF3WDX rats myocardial infarction was unable to reduce volume expansion-induced natriuresis. However, the mechanism involved in urinary volume regulation seems to be insensitive to the factors that alter natriuresis.

Association of apolipoprotein E polymorphism in late-onset Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia in Brazilians

The genetic basis for dementias is complex. A common polymorphism in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is considered to be the major risk factor in families with sporadic and late-onset Alzheimer's disease as well as in the general population. The distribution of alleles and genotypes of the APOE gene in late-onset Alzheimer's disease (N = 68), other late-life dementias (N = 39), and in cognitively normal controls (N = 58) was determined, as also was the risk for Alzheimer's disease associated with the epsilon4 allele. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from a total of 165 individuals living in Brazil aged 65-82 years. Genomic DNA was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and the products were digested with HhaI restriction enzyme. APOE epsilon2 frequency was considerably lower in the Alzheimer's disease group (1 percent), and the epsilon3 allele and epsilon3/epsilon3 genotype frequencies were higher in the controls (84 and 72 percent, respectively) as were the epsilon4 allele and epsilon3/epsilon4 genotype frequencies in Alzheimer's disease (25 and 41 percent, respectively). The higher frequency of the epsilon4 allele in Alzheimer's disease confirmed its role as a risk factor, while epsilon2 provided a weak protection against development of the disease. However, in view of the unexpectedly low frequency of the epsilon4 allele, additional analyses in a more varied Brazilian sample are needed to clarify the real contribution of apolipoprotein E to the development of Alzheimer's disease in this population