Energy and protein requirements for maintenance of Texel lambs.

It can be hypothesized that the body composition characteristics of different sheep breeds affect their nutritional requirements. However, no study has yet been carried out to determine the nutritional requirements for maintenance of Texel purebred lambs, despite their growing importance in sheep meat production globally. Our objective was therefore to determine the energy and protein requirements for maintenance of Texel lambs. Thirty-four Texel lambs were used, all intact males that were weaned at 50 days old, and confined in individual pens. Two experiments were conducted, as follows. In Experiment 1, a digestibility assay was performed to determine the dietary energy value, in a 3×3 double Latin square design, in which lambs were submitted to three levels of feed restriction (0%, 55% and 70% of ad libitum feed intake). In Experiment 2, the energy and protein requirements for maintenance of Texel lambs from 21 to 40 kg BW were determined using a randomized block design, in which lambs were also submitted to three levels of feed restriction (0%, 55% and 70% of ad libitum feed intake). The requirements for net energy for maintenance (NEm), metabolizable energy for maintenance (MEm), net protein for maintenance (NPm) and metabolizable protein for maintenance (MPm) were determined. The digestibility of dry matter, energy, protein and metabolizability were similar between food restriction levels, averaging 74.4%, 75.5%, 80.3% and 0.636, respectively. The NEm determined for growing Texel lambs was 263 kJ/kg of the metabolic fasting BW (FBW), the MEm was 417 kJ/kg0.75 FBW and the efficiency of use of MEm was 0.63. In addition, the NPm was 1.24 g/day per kg0.75 FBW and the MPm was 2.98 g/day per kg0.75 FBW. The energy requirements of Texel lambs are different from those reported in the literature, possibly due to differences between breeds, diets and environmental effects, whereas the protein requirements are different from literature mainly due to methodological differences; further studies are need to address these aspects that affects the nutritional requirements for raising sheep from different breeds in different environments.

Prediction of physical characteristics of the lamb carcass using in vivo bioimpedance analysis.

The increase of sheep meat competitiveness in international markets can be attributed to the rise of the quantity and the improvement of the quality of the edible portion of sheep carcasses. Usually, carcass yield is established after the slaughter of the animals. Yet, when carcass yield is determined in vivo, it can be both a costly and subjective method. This study proposes models for predicting the physical characteristics of lamb carcass using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) in live animals. Thirty-one Texel × Ile de France crossbreed ram lambs were slaughtered at 20, 26, 32 or 38 kg of BW. Before the slaughter, values of resistance (Rs) and reactance (Xc) were collected using a single-frequency BIA equipment (Model RJL Quantum II Bioelectrical Body Composition Analyzer). Then, BIA main variables such as body bioelectrical volume (V), phase angle (PA), resistive density (RsD) and reactive density (XcD) were calculated. After slaughter, cold carcass weight (CCW), cold carcass yield (CCY), subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), soft tissue weight (STW) and soft tissue yield (STY) were also measured. Multiple regression analyses were carried out using the physical characteristics as dependent variables and the bioimpedance values as independent variables. Predictive performance of the models was assessed using leave-one-out cross-validation. The prediction model of CCW was obtained using the V, PA and RsD (R2 = 0.97), STW through the V, RsD and XcD (R2 = 0.97), CCY by Rs, Z and XcD (R2 = 0.69), STY by V and XcD (R2 = 0.67), and SFT only for XcD (R2 = 0.84). The results indicated that BIA has the potential to predict carcass characteristics of lambs at different body masses.

Consumo e desempenho de cordeiros e borregos alimentados com dietas de alto concentrado de milho ou sorgo / Intake and performance of lambs and hoggets fed high concentrate corn or sorghum diets

Objetivou-se avaliar os consumos de matéria seca, nutrientes e desempenho na terminação de cordeiros e borregos submetidos a dietas de alto concentrado de grão de milho ou sorgo. Foram utilizados 32 animais, sendo 16 cordeiros (dente de leite) e 16 borregos (dois dentes) da raça Corriedale. As dietas eram constituídas de feno de aveia- branca (Avena sativa), grão de milho (Zea mays) ou de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), farelo de soja (Glycine Max), calcário calcítico, bicarbonato de sódio e monensina. Os cordeiros apresentaram superioridade (P≤0,05) quanto ao CMS (% do PV e g/kg PV0,75), ao CPB (kg/dia, % do PV e g/kg PV0,75), ao CEE (% do PV), ao CFDN e ao CFDA (% do PV e g/kg PV0,75), ao CNDT (% do PV), ao ganho de peso médio diário, à conformação in vivo e à conversão alimentar. Por outro lado, o CEE, o CCHT e o CCNE (kg/dia), o peso vivo inicial, o peso vivo final e o peso vivo ao abate foram superiores (P≤0,05) na categoria dos borregos. Em relação aos grãos avaliados, verificou-se maior (P≤0,05) CEE (kg/dia, % do PV e g/kg PV0,75) e menor (P≤0,05) CFDN (% do PV) e CFDA (kg/dia, % do PV e g/kg PV0,75) para os animais alimentados com dieta de alto concentrado à base de grão de milho em relação àqueles alimentados com grão de sorgo. Os cordeiros apresentam consumos relativos superiores aos borregos, porém sua resposta zootécnica é maior. O uso de dietas de alto concentrado de sorgo ou de milho proporcionou resultados semelhantes.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the dry matter, nutrient intake, and performance on feedlot of lambs and hoggets submitted to corn or sorghum high concentrate diets. Thirty-two Corriedale animals, being 16 lambs (milk teeth) and 16 hoggets (two teeth) were used. The diets were composed of white oat hay (Avena sativa), corn (Zea mays) or sorghum grain (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), soybean meal (Glycine Max), limestone, sodium bicarbonate, and monensin. The lambs presented a superiority (P≤0.05) regarding the DMI (% of LW and g/kg LW0.75), CPI (kg/day, % of LW and g/kg LW0.75), EEI (% of LW), NDFI and ADFI (% of LW and g/kg LW0.75), TDNI (% of LW), daily average weight gain, conformation in vivo and feed conversion. On the other hand, the EEI, TCI, and NSCI (kg/day), the initial live weight, final live weight and the live weight at slaughter were superior (P≤0.05) in the hoggets category. In relation to the evaluated grains, a higher (P≤0.05) EEI (kg/day, % of LW and g/kg LW0.75) and a lower (P≤0.05) NDFI (% of LW) and ADFI (kg/day, % of LW and g/kg LW0.75) were verified for the animals fed with high concentrate diets based on corn grain in relation to those fed with sorghum grain. The lambs presented an intake relatively superior to the hoggets, however their zootechnical response is higher. The use of high concentrate diets of sorghum or corn provides similar results.

Development of the cardiorespiratory system in dogs from days 16 to 46 of pregnancy.

Dogs have been studied for several reasons, such as the genetic improvement, their use as experimental models, in zoonotic research, cell therapy and as a model for human diseases. However, many features relating to the embryonic development of dogs remain unknown because of the absence of embryological studies. Considering the importance of the cardiorespiratory system in the development of embryos, the aim of this study was to investigate the development of the main cardiorespiratory organs of dog embryos and foetuses with estimated gestational ages from 16 to 46 days using macro- and microscopic descriptions. On day 16 of development, the neural tube and crest were formed, the anterior and posterior neuropore closure had begun and the somites had developed. Between days 22 and 27 of gestation, the lung buds and the initial formation of the primary bronchi and heart chambers were observed. The heart chambers exhibited the endo-, myo- and epicardial layers but did not have obvious differences in thickness among each other. Between days 41 and 46 of gestation, the nasal conchae and septa and trachea were formed, which exhibited characteristic epithelia. The lung formation and lobation were complete. The heart and major vessels exhibited mature histological architecture when their anatomical development was complete. The results of this study contribute to a more accurate definition of the embryonic and foetal developmental stages in dogs.

A atuação do serviço público na produção da paz / The performance of the public service in the production of the peace

Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar os resultados de pesquisa em que se buscou delinear osvários conceitos de paz, bem como verificar de que modo esses conceitos se apresentam em facedos responsáveis pelas secretarias municipais de uma cidade de médio porte. Os métodosutilizados foram a revisão sistemática de literatura e uma entrevista semiestruturada com osresponsáveis pelas secretarias. Como resultado, concluiu-se que os trabalhadores conseguemdescrever diversos conceitos de paz e investigou-se como esses conceitos são trabalhados por elesna prática do serviço enquanto atores públicos. Verificou-se, ainda, que a paz é utilizada comocontemplação de um lugar em construção e compreendeu-se que sua produção não diz respeito àsecretaria em que o trabalhador atua, gerando a inexistência de ações e a sua delegação para forada alçada do servidor(AU)

Quantification and immunophenotypic characterization of bone marrow and umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells by multicolor flow cytometry.

In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been attracting the greatest interest in the regeneration of injured tissues, autoimmune diseases, and transplantation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Bone marrow (BM) represents the major source of MSC; however, umbilical cord blood (UCB) MSC has some advantages over BM, such as the higher differentiation capability and noninvasive collection methods. We sought to establish a 7-color, single-tube flow cytometric assay to quantify MSC in fresh tissues, namely BM and UCB, based on phenotypic markers of these cells. Moreover, we evaluated the differential expression of these markers in BM and UCB MSC. We used 5 UCB samples and 5 BM samples obtained from individuals without hematologic disease. To characterize MSC we used the following combination of monoclonal antibodies: CD71-FITC; CD105-PE; CD184-PE-Cy5; CD34-PE-Cy7; CD133-APC; CD45-APC-H7; CD44-Pacific blue, acquiring at least 1 million nucleated cells. We observed a greater number of BM MSC when compared with UCB MSC as well as some differences in the expression of some MSC antigens, particularly CD105 and CD44. Based on our preliminary results, phenotypic identification of MSC by flow cytometry is possible using a 7-color, single-tube assay. However, culture assays after sorting of cells characterized in this study are required to prove that they correspond to MSC.

The relationship between myenteric neuronal denervation, smooth muscle thickening and epithelial cell proliferation in the rat colon.

The effects of myenteric neuronal denervation on smooth muscle thickening and epithelial cell proliferation were studied in the descending colon of rats treated by serosal application of 2 mM benzalkonium chloride (BAC) for 30 min. Control animals were treated with saline (0.9% NaCl). The animals were divided into six groups of 13 animals each and killed 10, 45 and 120 days after BAC treatment. A significant reduction in neuron number was observed in the myenteric plexus of animals treated with BAC, as well as smooth muscle thickening and an increase in crypt cell population, crypt cell production per crypt and a decrease in cell cycle time. These findings permit us to conclude that a relationship may exist between the increase of epithelial cell proliferation, smooth muscle thickening and myenteric neuron denervation in the descending colon caused by BAC, the latter probably playing an important role in the integration of the other two.

[Transposition of masseter muscle insertion and its influence on anatomical musculo-skeletal changes in the adult rabbit]. / Transposição da inserção do músculo masséter e sua influência em modificações anatômicas músculo-esqueléticas, no coelho adulto.

Unilateral surgical transposition of the masseter muscle from the masseteric fossa to the central area of the mandibular body below the molar teeth was performed in ten adult rabbits. Six months later the animals were sacrificed, the masseter muscles were dissected and then removed to be fully dried and weighed; the skull was cleaned for anatomical examination of the mandible and the teeth. It was noticed that the transposed muscles were firmly attached and functionally adapted, but underwent a drastic reduction of their weight. The smooth surface of the mandibular body which became activated by the new muscular pull was now rough and irregular due to osseous neoformation. The original area of attachment (masseteric fossa) was remodelled not only regressively but also by bone apposition (exostoses) in some sites. The dental arches kept normal, except for alveolar bone resorption next to the first molar in two animals and accentuated sagittal deviation in another one.

[Split line patterns in the mandible after transposition of the insertion of the masseter muscle in the adult rabbit]. / Padrões de linha de fenda da mandíbula após a transposição da inserção do músculo masséter no coelho adulto.

With the aim of studying in the fibrous structure of the compact bone, as revealed by the split-line technique, unilateral surgical transposition of the masseter muscle from the masseteric fossa to the central area of the mandibular body below the molar teeth was performed in seven adult rabbits. Six months later the animals were killed, their mandibles were removed, cleaned and then decalcified. Split-lines were made on the lateral surface of both the control and the operated side of the mandible. Myotransposition induced alterations in the split-line patterns; they showed to be entangled and disorganized, which mean structural changes in the bone itself.

Estudo ecocardiografico na esclerose sistemica progressiva. / Echocardiographic study in progressive systemic sclerosis

Os autores estudam, por ecocardiografia, 18 portadores de esclerose sistemica progressiva, correlacionando os achados com dados clinicos. Mostram a importancia deste metodo nao invasivo para detectar alteracoes pericardicas, miocardicas e endocardicas, mesmo em pacientes sem quaisquer manifestacoes aparentes para o lado do aparelho cardiovascular. O envolvimento pericardico foi detectado em 39%. Alteracoes de valva mitral e aortica ocorreram 39% dos casos. Comprometimento miocardico ocorreu em 11 casos e pancardite em 2 casos. Consideram o ecocardiograma um importante metodo para detectar a cardiopatia esclerodermica e para seguir o curso da doenca