Feed Efficiency and Physiological Parameters of Holstein and Crossbred Holstein × Simmental Cows.

This study aimed to compare the feed efficiency (FE) and physiological parameters of Holstein and crossbred Holstein × Simmental cows in a confinement system during winter and summer. The study was conducted in a dairy farm in southern Brazil by including a total of 48 multiparous cows. The cows were studied for 21 days in two periods, summer and winter, and their daily dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield (MY), rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR), body weight, and body condition score were recorded. An analysis of variance was conducted using the SAS statistical package. The results showed that crossbred Holstein × Simmental cows have a similar FE as Holstein cows in a high-production system (1.83 × 1.81 kg DMI/kg MY, respectively), and they can achieve the same production levels as purebred Holstein cows (43.8 vs. 44.5 milk/cow/day). Our findings indicated a difference for the period as both genetic groups achieved higher FE in winter than in summer (1.98 vs. 1.67 DMI/kg MY, respectively). In addition, we found evidence that crossbred cows are better at dissipating body heat during heat-stress situations, as they have higher RR in summer compared to purebred cows, while Holstein cows have higher RT in summer afternoons than crossbred cows. Therefore, using crossbred Holstein × Simmental cows is an alternative for high-production systems.

Reproductive and productive performance, udder health, and conformation traits of purebred Holstein, F1, and R1 crossbred Holstein × Simmental cows.

The objective of this study was to compare the reproductive performance, milk yield and composition, and udder health and conformation traits of Holstein (Ho), F1, and R1 crossbred Ho × Simmental (Sim) cows. Three commercial dairy farms in south Brazil were used as the research units. All farms held Ho, F1, and R1 crossbred Ho × Sim (¾ Ho × » Sim and ¾ Sim × » Ho) cows. The collection of milk samples and evaluation of udder conformation traits occurred during four visits to each farm. In addition to the actively collected data, retrospective reproduction records of the farms served as the basis for the statistical analysis using analysis of variance models using SAS. The F1 crossbred Ho × Sim cows and ¾ Sim (first rotational crossbreeding generation = R1 using Sim semen) cows had a shorter calving interval and calving to first service interval compared to the Ho cows (P < 0.0001). Milk yield did not differ among the genetic groups except for R1 (¾ Sim) that produced approximately 10% less milk than the other groups (P = 0.0245). Fat plus protein yield and somatic cell score did not differ among the genetic groups. Ho cows had shallower udders (P < 0.0001) and a higher udder clearance (P < 0.0001) than the other groups. F1 and R1 crossbred Ho × Sim cows had shorter reproduction intervals than purebred Ho cows. Although udder conformation traits lacked high-quality scores in crossbred cows, somatic cell scores reached the same level as in purebred Ho cows.

Dinâmica de trabalho das equipes de saúde da família no cuidado ao homem / Work dynamics of family health teams in men's health care

A presente pesquisa trata de um estudo de caso descritivo e qualitativo com objetivo de descrever a dinâmica de trabalho das Equipes de Saúde da Família no cuidado ao homem, em uma unidade de saúde da família e objetiva abordar a concepção dos profissionais de saúde acerca da PNAISH, realizada em Unidade de Saúde da Família do município de Aracaju/SE, com profissionais de saúde. A coleta de dados utilizou a entrevista semiestruturada e observação dirigida e os dados foram tratados com a análise de conteúdo. A dinâmica de trabalho da ESF envolve o atendimento à demanda e a consultas agendadas, não desenvolvendo atividades direcionadas ao homem. Os participantes veem a PNAISH como fragmentação da assistência, não trazendo benefícios à população.

This was a descriptive study with a qualitative approach that aimed to describe the work dynamics of Family Health Care Teams in men's health care, and was carried out in Family Health Care Units in Aracaju, SE, with health professionals. The data collection consisted of semistructured interview and observation, and the data were analyzed using content analysis technique. The work dynamics of the Family Health Care Teams involve attending spontaneous demand and scheduled appointments for service, not developing activities targeted to men, and participants report a good interpersonal relationship among its members. These health professionals see the Common Men's Health policy as a fragmentation of care, not bringing benefits to the population.

Tendência da mortalidade masculina por causas externas / Trend of male mortality from external causes / Tendencia de la mortalidade masculina por causas externas

Objetivo: analisar a tendência da mortalidade por causas externas de homens brasileiros entre 20-59 anos, no período de 2000-2010, a partir de dados secundários do Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade. Método: estudo ecológico de série temporal. Foram calculados os coeficientes de mortalidade por causas externas, e em seguida proposta a padronização dos dados. A análise de tendência foi proposta por meio do modelo de regressão polinomial, tendo como variável dependente os coeficientes de mortalidade e como independente, os anos de ocorrência dos óbitos. Resultados: as regiões Norte, Nordeste e Sul, apresentaram uma tendência, significativamente, crescente de mortalidade (p<0,001; <0,001; 0,015, respectivamente), enquanto a região Sudeste apresentou tendência decrescente e Centro-oeste estacionária. Conclusão: torna-se necessária uma articulação intersetorial do governo no sentido de desenvolver estratégias que contribuam para a redução dessas taxas de mortalidade, assim como intervir nos determinantes socioculturais que favorecem a ocorrência desses óbitos.(AU)

Objective: to analyze the trend in mortality of Brazilian men from 20 to 59 years old with external causes in the period 2000-2010, based on secondary data from the Mortality Information System. Method: ecological time series study. The mortality rates were calculated due to external causes, and then the standardization of data was proposed. The trend analysis was proposed by the polynomial regression model, coefficients of mortality as dependent variable and year of occurrence of deaths as independent variables. Results: north, Northeast and South, tended significantly increased mortality (p<0.001; <0.001, 0.015, respectively), while the Southeast region showed decreasing and stationary Center-West trend. Conclusion: an intersectoral coordination of government becomes necessary to develop strategies to reduce these mortality rates, as well as intervene in socio-cultural determinants that favor the occurrence of these deaths.(AU)

Objetivo: analizar la tendencia de la mortalidad por causas externas de hombres brasileños entre 20-59 años, en el periodo de 2000-2010, a partir de datos secundarios del Sistema de Información de Mortalidad. Método: estudio ecológico de serie temporal. Fueron calculados los coeficientes de mortalidad por causas externas, y en seguida propuesta a la estandarización de los datos. El análisis de tendencia fue propuesta por medio del modelo de regresión polinómica, teniendo como variable dependiente los coeficientes de mortalidad y como independiente, los años de ocurrencia de las muertes. Resultados: las regiones Norte, Nordeste y Sur, presentaron una tendencia, significativamente, creciente de mortalidad (p<0,001; <0,001; 0,015, respectivamente), mientras la región Sudeste presentó tendencia decreciente y Centro-oeste estacionaria. Conclusión: se torna necesaria una articulación intersectorial del gobierno en el sentido de desarrollar estrategias que contribuyan para la reducción de esas tasas de mortalidad, así como intervenir en los determinantes socioculturales que favorecen la ocurrencia de esas muertes.(AU)

Homens e cuidado à saúde nas representações sociais de profissionais de saúde / Men and health care in the social representations of health professionals

Descrever as representações sociais dos profissionais de saúde sobre homens e cuidado à saúde, a partir do conteúdo e da estrutura dessas representações. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, qualitativo, que teve como referencial teórico-metodológico a Abordagem Estrutural da Teoria das Representações Sociais. Realizado com 104 profissionais de saúde da atenção básica do Município de Aracaju - SE, utilizou-se a Técnica de Evocação Livre de Palavras para coleta dos dados, estes foram processados pelo software EVOC 2003. Resultados: Foram evocadas 487 palavras em resposta ao termo indutor "homens e cuidado à saúde". Os resultados evidenciaram que os trabalhadores têm uma representação negativa acerca dos homens e o cuidado à sua saúde, sendo o desinteresse, medo e descuidado os termos mais evocados. Conclusão: Dessa maneira, é importante sensibilizar profissionais de saúde, usuários e a população para os efeitos negativos dessas concepções perpetuadas no imaginário social que distancia o homem do cuidado a saúde...

Comparison of leaf anatomy and essential oils from Drimys brasiliensis Miers in a montane cloud forest in Itamonte, MG, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Drimys brasiliensis Miers is native to Brazil, where it is mainly found in montane forests and flooded areas in the South and Southeast regions of the country. The objectives of the present study were to compare the leaf anatomy and the chemical constitution of the essential oils from D. brasiliensis present in two altitude levels (1900 and 2100 m), in a Montane Cloud Forest, in Itamonte, MG, Brazil. RESULTS: A higher number of sclereids was observed in the mesophyll of the leaves at 1900 m altitude. At 2100 m, the formation of papillae was observed on the abaxial surface of the leaves, as well as an increase in the stomatal density and index, a reduction in leaf tissue thickness, an increase in the abundance of intercellular spaces in the mesophyll and an increase in stomatal conductance and in carbon accumulation in the leaves. Fifty-nine constituents have been identified in the oils, with the predominance of sesquiterpenes. Two trends could be inferred for the species in relation to its secondary metabolism and the altitude. The biosyntheses of sesquiterpene alcohols at 1900 m, and phenylpropanoids and epi-cyclocolorenone at 2100 m, were favored. CONCLUSIONS: D. brasiliensis presented a high phenotypic plasticity at the altitude levels studied. In relation to its leaf anatomy, the species showed adaptive characteristics, which can maximize the absorption of CO2 at 2100 m altitude, where a reduction in the partial pressure of this atmospheric gas occurs. Its essential oils presented promising compounds for the future evaluation of biological potentialities.

Contrasting growth changes in two dominant species of a Mediterranean shrubland submitted to experimental drought and warming.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Climate projections predict drier and warmer conditions in the Mediterranean basin in the next decades. The possibility of such climatic changes modifying the growth of two Mediterranean species, Erica multiflora and Globularia alypum, which are common components of Mediterranean shrublands, was assessed. METHODS: A field experiment was performed from March 1999 to March 2002 to prolong the drought period and to increase the night-time temperature in a Mediterranean shrubland, where E. multiflora and G. alypum are the dominant species. Annual growth in stem diameter and length of both species was measured and annual stem biomass production was estimated for 1999, 2000 and 2001. Plant seasonal growth was also assessed. KEY RESULTS: On average, drought treatment reduced soil moisture 22 %, and warming increased temperature by 0.7-1.6 degrees C. Erica multiflora plants in the drought treatment showed a 46 % lower annual stem elongation than controls. The decrease in water availability also reduced by 31 % the annual stem diameter increment and by 43 % the annual stem elongation of G. alypum plants. New shoot growth of G. alypum was also strongly reduced. Allometrically estimated biomass production was decreased by drought in both species. Warming treatment produced contrasting effects on the growth patterns of these species. Warmer conditions increased, on average, the stem basal diameter growth of E. multiflora plants by 35 %, raising also their estimated stem biomass production. On the contrary, plants of G. alypum in the warming treatment showed a 14 % lower annual stem growth in basal diameter and shorter new shoots in spring compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate changes in the annual productivity of these Mediterranean shrubs under near future drier and warmer conditions. They also point to alterations in their competitive abilities, which could lead to changes in the species composition of these ecosystems in the long term.