Intramammary treatment with gentamicin in lactating cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis / Tratamento intramamário com gentamicina em vacas com mastite clínica e subclínica durante a lactação

The study evaluated the microbiological profile of milk samples collected before and after mastitis treatment with gentamicin and investigated biofilms production and antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus spp. isolated. The presence of gentamicin residues in milk after the recommended withdrawal period was also evaluated. Antimicrobial residues were analyzed by Delvotest® SP NT over a period of 12 days beginning after 24 hours the last gentamicin application. Some of Staphylococcus spp. isolates were biofilm producers (19.05%). Staphylococcus spp. showed high levels of resistance to neomycin (16.95%), penicillin G (10.17%), and ampicillin (10.17%). Multidrug resistance to all antibiotics tested was observed in 1.69% of the Staphylococcus spp. isolates. Among 1440 mammary quarter milk samples 24.95% presented gentamicin residues after the withdrawal period. Gentamicin residues were also detected in 3.8% of samples from calibrated glass recorder jar (n=383) 4.1 days after treatment. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics may lead to the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains as well as increasing the risk of presence of residues of these drugs in milk. These problems affect the milk quality and may become a public health problem.

Este estudo avaliou o perfil microbiológico de amostras de leite colhidas antes e após o tratamento da mastite com gentamicina e investigou a produção de biofilmes e o perfil de susceptibilidade antimicrobiana de Staphylococcus spp. isolados. Avaliou-se também a presença de resíduos de gentamicina no leite após o período de carência recomendado. Resíduos de antimicrobianos foram analisados por Delvotest® SP NT ao longo de um período de 12 dias, iniciando 24 horas após a última aplicação de gentamicina. Alguns dos Staphylococcus spp. isolados apresentaram produção de biofilmes (19,05%). Staphylococcus spp. apresentaram elevados níveis de resistência à neomicina (16,95%), penicilina G (10,17%), e ampicilina (10.17%). Multirresistência a todos os antibióticos testados foi observada em 1,69% dos Staphylococcus spp. isolados. Do total de 1440 amostras de leite de quartos mamários, 24,95% apresentaram resíduos de gentamicina após o período de carência. Resíduos de gentamicina também foram detectados em 3,8% das amostras de balões volumétricos coletores de leite (n= 383), 4,1 dias após o tratamento. O uso indiscriminado de antibióticos pode levar ao aparecimento de estirpes multirresistentes bem como o aumento do risco da presença de resíduos destas drogas no leite. Esses problemas afetam a qualidade do leite e podem tornar-se um problema de saúde pública.

Estudo sobre a ocorrência de fungos e aflatoxina B1 na dieta de bovinos leiteiros em São Paulo / Study on the occurrence of fungi and aflatoxina B1 in the diet of dairy cattle in São Paulo, Brazil

A qualidade da dieta ofertada às vacas em lactação é uma preocupação dos agentes de saúde devido à possibilidade da detecção de micotoxinas prejudiciais a saúde humana e animal. Os objetivos do trabalho foram avaliar o perfil da micobiota, determinar a atividade de água (Aa) e a ocorrência natural de aflatoxina B1 (AFB1) em dietas ofertadas a vacas em lactação de fazendas leiteiras no estado de São Paulo, Brasil. As amostragens das dietas foram realizadas diretamente dos cochos de lote de 15 vacas, em dois dias consecutivos com intervalos de 24h e a cada 15 dias, perfazendo um período de 45 dias de amostragens por fazenda. A purificação e determinação de AFB1 foram realizadas em colunas de imunoafinidade e Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE). O estudo da micobiota presente nas amostras das dietas (288) revelou que as leveduras foram predominantes em todas as dietas (83,97 a 99,98%). Foram isolados 15 gêneros de fungos filamentosos, com os gêneros Aspergillus spp (20,09%), Fusarium spp (14,16%) e Penicillium spp (11,48%) os mais prevalentes. As contagens de Unidades Formadoras de Colônias por grama de alimento (UFC. g-1) variaram de 102 a 1011. A atividade de água das amostras variou entre 0,91 a 0,98. Foi detectada a presença de AFB1 em 31,44% das amostras com teores entre 1,68 a 194,51μg.kg-1. Medidas de boas práticas de produção, estocagem e utilização devem ser tomadas para diminuir a ocorrência de AFB1 nas dietas ofertadas às vacas em lactação...

The quality of the diet offered to lactating cows is a concern to health officials the possibility of detecting mycotoxins harmful to human and animal health. The objectives were to evaluate the profile of mycoflora, determine the water activity (Aw) and the natural occurrence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in diets offered to lactating cows from dairy farms in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Samples of the diets were taken directly from the troughs batch of 15 cows, on two consecutive days at intervals of 24 hours and every 15 days with a period of 45 sampling days per farm. Purification and determination of AFB1 were performed on immunoaffinity columns and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The study of mycobiota present in samples of diets (288) revealed that yeast cells were predominant in all diets (83.97 to 99.98%). 15 genera were isolated from filamentous fungi, with Aspergillus spp (20.09%), Fusarium spp. (14.16%) and Penicillium spp. (11.48%) the most prevalent. The counts of colony forming units per gram of food (UFC.g-1) ranged from 102 a1011. The water activity of the samples ranged from 0.91 to 0.98. We have detected the presence of AFB1 in 31.44% of samples with levels between 1.68 a 194.51μg.kg-1. Measures of good production, storage and use should be taken to reduce the occurrence of aflatoxin B1 in the diet offered to lactating cow...

Investigation of biofilm production and icaA and icaD genes in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from heifers and cows with mastitis.

Biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus are important virulence factors in cases of mastitis in dairy cows. However, few studies have investigated mastitis strains isolated from heifers. Within this context, the objective of the present study was to investigate biofilm formation on Congo red agar, the presence of the icaA and icaD genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the percentage of in vitro antimicrobial resistance of 110 S. aureus isolates from mammary gland secretions of heifers and cows with mastitis. PCR detected the icaA and icaD genes in 98% and 100% of isolates, respectively. However, only 55.5% of all isolates produced a biofilm on Congo red agar. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that 47.0% of isolates from heifers and 70.4% of isolates from cows were resistant to at least one of the antimicrobial agents tested. Resistance to penicillin and/or ampicillin was the most frequent (44.5%). These results indicate the need to implement prophylactic and control measures of mastitis for heifers. Heifers and cows can carry resistant strains with the capacity of biofilm production, a fact representing a threat to public health and animal well-being and generating losses to dairy farmers.

Effects of environmental modification on mastitis occurrence and hormonal changes in Holstein cows / Efeito da modificação ambiental sobre a ocorrência de mastite e alterações hormonais de vacas Holandesas

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of evaporative cooling in freestall on mastitis occurrence, milk production, and composition, as well as cortisol, T3 (triiodothyronine), and T4 (thyroxin) levels in lactating dairy cows. Twenty-eight multiparous cows averaging 70 ± 10 day postpartum were used in four treatments from January to March 2003. The treatments were: Day (cooling from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.); Night (cooling from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.); 24-hour (cooling 24-hour); and Control (no cooling). Wired cup test was used for clinical mastitis diagnosis, and the California Mastitis Test (CMT) was used to identify subclinical mastitis. Blood and milk samples were taken weekly for microbiological and hormonal analyses. The cortisol levels were higher than normal values in all treatment groups, suggesting stress conditions, but T3 and T4 levels remained normal in all groups. The occurrence of subclinical mastitis was lower in Day and Night groups than in Control and 24-hour groups. Regarding the microbiological analyses, in all groups the isolation of Corynebacterium sp. from milk samples increased while negative coagulase staphylococci (CNS) declined as etiological agents of subclinical mastitis. However, in Day and 24-hour groups, coagulase positive staphylococci (CPS) increased mainly Staphylococcus aureus (49.8% and 47.7% respectively). The Night group showed a decrease in subclinical mastitis occurrences. Our data indicate that all animals subjected to treatments presented high levels of cortisol, indicating a stress condition. The Night treatment presented a reduction in microbial isolation, suggesting a reduced susceptibility to mastitis.

O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência do sistema de resfriamento adiabático evaporativo, acionado em diferentes horários, em instalação do tipo freestall e seus reflexos sobre a ocorrência de mastite, produção e composição do leite e respostas hormonais de vacas em lactação. Foram utilizadas 28 vacas em lactação (70±10 dias), multíparas, das raças Holandesa Preta e Branca e Pardo Suíça, com produção média diária de 23±2,3 kg leite/dia. O período experimental de 56 dias teve início em 20 de janeiro de 2003. Os tratamentos foram: Controle (sem resfriamento); Dia (resfriamento 7 as 19 h); Noite (resfriamento 19 às 7 h) e 24 horas (resfriamento durante 24 h). A temperatura de bulbo seco (TBS), umidade relativa do ar (UR) e a temperatura de globo negro (TGN) foram mensuradas ao longo das 24 horas. A ordenha foi realizada às 7 h e 19 h. Amostragens semanais de leite e sangue foram realizadas para análise da composição do leite (gordura, proteína, lactose e contagem de células somáticas) e determinações hormonais de cortisol, tiroxina (T4) e triiodotironina (T3). Para avaliação da ocorrência de mastite clínica e subclínica foram feitos exames semanais de TAMIS (caneca de fundo preto) e California Mastitis Test (CMT). Foram colhidas amostras de leite de todos os quartos para identificação microbiológica dos agentes causais da mastite. O tratamento Dia diminuiu (P<0,05) a temperatura do freestall em 5,3°C às 12h e em 3,5°C às 14h em relação ao grupo Controle. A umidade relativa esteve elevada (P<0,05) às 7h no tratamento Noite e às 12h, 14h e 21h no tratamento Dia. Os maiores valores de ITU foram registrados no tratamento Noite às 12h, 14h e 21h. Não foram observadas diferenças entre os tratamentos (P>0,05) para a produção e composição do leite. Nos animais do tratamento Os níveis de cortisol mostraram-se acima (P<0,05) dos níveis normais em todos os tratamentos. Já os teores de T3 e T4 estiveram dentro da faixa de normalidade. Na fase pré-experimental a maior frequência de isolamento bacteriano foi para Staphylococcus coagulase negativa. No tratamento noite e dia, houve uma diminuição na proporção de casos positivos de mastite subclínica da fase pré-experimental em relação à última semana da fase experimental. Na última semana da fase experimental houve uma diminuição de Staphylococcus coagulase negativa e aumento da ocorrência de Corynebacterium sp.

Molecular Typing of Mastitis-Causing Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Heifers and Cows.

Staphylococcus aureus is among the main etiologic agents of bovine mastitis. A total of 83 isolates of S. aureus from mammary glands of primiparous heifers were collected in the prepartum, calving and during lactation. For lactating cows, a total of 27 isolates of S. aureus from mammary glands were collected during lactation. The samples were taken in two dairy farms located in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The highest frequency of S. aureus isolation in heifers was at the end of lactation. Strains were typified through Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and grouped according to patterns of restriction enzyme SmaI. PFGE generated seven clonal profiles that were grouped into three different lineages, with the LA lineage being predominant and identified in heifers, as well as in the cows from the two regions studied. It was concluded that the cows showed a significant source of dispersion of S. aureus. At the first lactation the heifers were infected by the same clonal profiles of S. aureus which were isolated from multiparous lactating cows. The heifers were infected during milking over the months of lactation.

Mycoflora and fumonisin contamination in Brazilian sorghum from sowing to harvest.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to characterise the mycoflora and the presence of fumonisin in sorghum grains, correlating the results with the environment and abiotic factors. RESULTS: Fifty samples (five collections of ten samples each) of sorghum were analysed. All samples were found to be contaminated with fungi, with higher frequencies of Cladosporium spp. (61.8%) and Helminthosporium spp. (33.4%). Fusarium verticillioides was isolated from 15.1% of the samples, with 38% of them being contaminated with fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) at levels ranging from 50 to 368.78 ng g(-1). Regarding abiotic factors, temperature, water activity and rainfall showed a positive correlation with the frequency of F. verticillioides and FB(1) production. There was a significant positive correlation between relative air humidity and FB(1) production. The results obtained from sexual crosses between standard F mating tester strains and the isolated strains confirmed that the strains isolated were F. verticillioides. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the decrease in F. verticillioides and fumonisin contamination occurred owing to atypical climatic factors during the period of sorghum cultivation, when there was any occurrence of rain and the level of water activity of grains did not reach 0.58.

Atrial fibrillation is a possible marker of frailty in hospitalized patients: results of the GIFA Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in elderly people, who are particularly exposed to its most severe complications, such as stroke, worsening heart failure and dementia. Some studies demonstrate that AF is associated with increased mortality in home-dwelling subjects, but little is known about the clinical impact of the arrhythmia in hospitalized patients. We studied the clinical associations and effects of AF on the 23,174 hospitalized patients enrolled in the GIFA (Gruppo Italiano di Farmacoepidemiologia nell'Anziano) Study. METHODS: Patients were divided into three groups according to the absence or presence of AF (sinus rhythm, non_AF; AF as main diagnosis, AF_main; AF as comorbid condition, AF_associated) and stratified into four age-groups (< or =60, 61-70, 71-80 and >80 yrs). RESULTS: AF_associated patients were older, more frequently disabled, and characterized by greater comorbidity and longer in-hospital length of stay. Urea nitrogen concentration was higher, and total cholesterol was lower in AF_associated patients, compared with the other two groups. Overall mortality was 6.0%. Mortality was higher in AF_associated patients (non_AF: 6.0% vs AF_associated: 7.1% vs AF_main: 0%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that, in hospitalized patients, AF as a comorbid condition is associated with worse metabolic profile and clinical outcomes, and thus, may represent a marker of frailty.

Epidemiology of suboptimal prescribing in older, community dwellers: a two-wave, population-based survey in Dicomano, Italy.

BACKGROUND: Because of co-morbidity, older persons are often exposed to use of an excessive number of drugs, which per se implies also use of inappropriate drugs or of potentially interacting drugs ('suboptimal prescribing'). Time trends of suboptimal prescribing in older, community dwellers have been poorly investigated, particularly in Italy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the time-course modification of suboptimal prescribing in older, community dwellers. METHODS: We conducted a study on an Italian cohort of older (aged>or=65 years), community dwellers for whom data were collected in a two-wave (1995 and 1999), population-based survey. Suboptimal prescribing was defined as occurrence of polypharmacy (>or=5 medications), prescription of inappropriate medications (according to 1991 Beers' criteria) and prescription of potentially interacting drugs (as identified by the Micromedex Drug-Reax system). All outcome variables were modelled as continuous and dichotomous. RESULTS: In 568 participants (59.9% women, mean+/-standard error age 72.7+/-0.2 years), polypharmacy and potentially interacting drugs were more prevalent in 1999 than in 1995, while prevalence of inappropriate drugs was lower in 1999. The proportion of participants receiving polypharmacy was nearly 3-fold greater in 1999 than in 1995 (21.6% vs 8.8%; p<0.001). After adjustment for disability, coronary artery disease/stroke, heart failure and other co-morbidities, polypharmacy was twice as prevalent in 1999 as in 1995, with a mean increase of 0.5 drugs per participant. In contrast, in models adjusted for the same variables and also for polypharmacy, inappropriate prescribing was reduced (60% lower prevalence, 0.06 mean reduction in prescriptions per participant) in 1999 compared with 1995. In multivariable models, no change was observed in the number of potentially interacting prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: Between 1995 and 1999, the number of prescriptions received by a cohort of older, community dwellers increased substantially, even after controlling for co-morbidity. On the other hand, when controlling for polypharmacy, other indicators of suboptimal prescribing remained unaffected or even decreased, suggesting that even increasing levels of polypharmacy do not necessarily imply other forms of suboptimal prescribing among older persons.

Evaluation of sphingolipids in Wistar rats treated to prolonged and single oral doses of fumonisin b1.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate sphingolipid levels (sphingosine-So and sphinganine-Sa) and to compare the Sa/So ratio in liver, serum and urine of Wistar rats after prolonged administration (21 days) of fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)). In parallel, the kinetics of sphingolipid elimination in urine was studied in animals receiving a single dose of FB(1). Prolonged exposure to FB(1) caused an increase in Sa levels in urine, serum and liver. The most marked effect on sphingolipid biosynthesis was observed in animals treated with the highest dose of FB(1). Animals receiving a single dose of FB(1) presented variations in Sa and So levels and in the Sa/So ratio.

Subtle neurological abnormalities as risk factors for cognitive and functional decline, cerebrovascular events, and mortality in older community-dwelling adults.

BACKGROUND: Subtle, but clinically detectable, neurological abnormalities (SNAs) are associated with impaired physical performance in elderly persons without overt neurological diseases. We investigated whether SNAs were prospectively associated with cognitive and functional status, death, and cerebrovascular events (CVEs) in older community-dwelling individuals. METHODS: In participants without history of stroke, parkinsonism and dementia, or cognitive impairment, a score (N(SNA)) was obtained by summing SNAs detected with a simple neurological examination. Cognitive status and disability were reassessed 4 years later, and deaths and CVEs were documented over 8 years. RESULTS: Of 506 participants free of neurological diseases (mean [SEM] age, 71.9 [0.3] years; 42% were men), 59% had an N(SNA) of 1 or more (mean [SEM], 1.1 [0.06]; range, 0-8). At baseline, the N(SNA) increased with age and with declining cognitive and physical performance, depressive symptoms, and disability, after adjusting for several covariates, but did not increase with falls and urinary incontinence. The N(SNA) prospectively predicted worsening cognitive status and disability, adjusting for demographics and for baseline comorbidity and cognitive and physical performance. The mortality rates were 22.6, 23.3, 23.9, 58.6, and 91.9 per 1000 person-years in participants with an N(SNA) of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 or higher, respectively. Compared with an N(SNA) of less than 3, having an N(SNA) of 3 or higher was associated with an increased adjusted risk of death (hazard ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-2.74) and of CVE (hazard ratio, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.07-3.54) over 8 years. CONCLUSION: In this sample of older community-dwelling persons without overt neurological diseases, multiple SNAs were associated with cognitive and functional decline and independently predicted mortality and CVEs.

Cognitive and functional impairment in hypertensive brain microangiopathy.

Brain microangiopathy, whose neuroimaging expression is represented by age-related white matter changes (ARWMC), is largely due to hypertension and it is, in turn, responsible for geriatric syndromes, including decline in cognitive, functional and motor/gait abilities. This review analyzes the link between hypertension and ARWMC, as well as the complex relationships between ARWMC and cognitive impairment, executive dysfunction, and movement/gait abnormalities. The available evidence supports the hypothesis that these functional consequences of ARWMC are responsible for substantial disability in the elderly. Thus, adequate treatment of hypertension may represent a feasible way to reduce the burden of disability in late life.

Predictive validity of measures of comorbidity in older community dwellers: the Insufficienza Cardiaca negli Anziani Residenti a Dicomano Study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the ability of five measures of comorbidity to predict mortality and incident disability in basic activities of daily living (BADLs) in unselected older persons. DESIGN: An assessment of the data obtained from the Insufficienza Cardiaca negli Anziani Residenti a Dicomano (ICARe Dicomano) Study, a longitudinal epidemiological survey on heart failure in older people. SETTING: Dicomano, a small, rural town near Florence, Italy. PARTICIPANTS: The entire population aged 65 and older living in Dicomano, Italy, was enrolled in the ICARe Dicomano Study. MEASUREMENTS: At baseline (1995), comorbidity was quantified in 688 participants, based on clinical diagnoses, using disease count (DC), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Index of Co-Existent Diseases (ICED), and Geriatric Index of Comorbidity (GIC), or on drug use, using Chronic Disease Score (CDS). Incident ADL disability was assessed in 1999 and vital status in 2004. RESULTS: Mortality increased with the severity of comorbidity, with hazard ratios around 2 when comparing the highest and the lowest quartiles of DC, CCI, and ICED in Cox regressions adjusted for age, sex, and physical and cognitive performance. Prediction of mortality with GIC and CDS was only borderline significant. All measures predicted incident ADL disability; the strongest risk gradient (hazard ratio = 8.2 between the highest and lowest quartiles) was observed with ICED. Physical and, to a minor extent, cognitive performance added significantly to predicting mortality and incident BADL disability. CONCLUSION: All the measures of comorbidity predicted death and BADL disability in older community dwellers. DC, CCI, and ICED performed better than GIC and CDS. Physical performance measures are strong, independent contributors to the prediction of these outcomes.

Mycoflora and occurrence of alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether in Brazilian sunflower from sowing to harvest.

The present study aimed to analyze the mycoflora and the occurrence of alternariol (AOH) and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) in grain samples of sunflower during different stages of plant development in Nova Odessa, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The data obtained were correlated with the presence of fungi in soil, wind-dispersed fungi, and the predominant climatic conditions of the region where the experiment was carried out. Analysis of the mycoflora revealed the presence of Fusarium verticillioides and Alternaria alternata in 70% and 46% of the samples, respectively. The profile of wind-dispersed fungi also showed F. verticillioides as the most frequently isolated fungus (68%), although A. alternata was detected in 28% of samples. In soil, Penicillium was the most frequent species (49.9%), followed by F. verticillioides (47.7%) and A. alternata (10.9%). Regarding water activity, sunflower grains presenting a high frequency of isolation of F. verticillioides and A. alternatahad a water activity ranging from 0.92 to 0.96, and statistical analysis revealed a negative linear correlation between the isolation of fungi and water activity. HPLC analysis showed that 18% of the sunflower grains were contaminated with alternariol (24.9-170.9 ng/g) and 10% with alternariol monomethyl ether (14.1-108.6 ng/g). The contamination of sunflower grains with AOH and AME in the field was low when compared to the LD50 necessary to cause toxicity to animals. However, the contamination with other toxigenic fungi such as F. verticillioides may indicate the presence of other mycotoxins in sunflower grains and a possible synergistic effect between them. This is the first report of the natural occurrence of alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether in sunflower grains in Brazil.

Respostas fisiológicas de vacas em lactação à ventilação e aspersão na sala de espera / Physiological responses of dairy cows to fan plus sprinkler in holding pen

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência do uso da climatização no ambiente da sala de espera (ventilação forçada ou ventilação forçada e aspersão) sobre as variáveis ambientais e fisiológicas de vacas em lactação. O período experimental teve duração de 90 dias, em que foram avaliadas 21 fêmeas, com produção média de leite de 21kg leite d-1,distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os tratamentos foram: sala de espera sem climatização (CONTR), sala de espera com ventilação forçada (V) e sala de espera com ventilação forçada e aspersão (VA). As variáveis fisiológicas analisadas foram a temperatura retal (TR), freqüência respiratória (FR) e temperatura de pele (cabeça, dorso e glândula mamária) coletadas antes e depois da aplicação de cada tratamento. As variáveis ambientais registradas foram a temperatura de bulbo seco (TBS), temperatura de globo negro (TGN) e umidade relativa (UR), coletadas antes e depois da aplicação de cada tratamento. O tratamento VA foi mais eficiente em reduzir a TBS (6,4°C) e TGN (6,5°C). Os tratamentos V e VA diminuíram significativamente a FR dos animais. A variável temperatura de pele apresentou redução de 4,2°C para a região da cabeça e 2,8°C para a região do dorso, no tratamento VA. O tratamento VA proporcionou maiores reduções nas variáveis ambientais e fisiológicas resultando em melhores condições de conforto aos animais e maior eficácia na dissipação de calor pela pele dos animais.

The diagnosis of heart failure in the community. Comparative validation of four sets of criteria in unselected older adults: the ICARe Dicomano Study.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to compare construct and predictive validity of four sets of heart failure (HF) diagnostic criteria in an epidemiologic setting. BACKGROUND: The prevalence estimates of HF vary broadly depending on the diagnostic criteria. METHODS: Data were collected in a survey of community dwellers who were > or =65 years of age living in Dicomano, Italy. At baseline, HF was diagnosed with the criteria of the Framingham, Boston, and Gothenburg studies and of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Left ventricular mass index and ejection fraction, left atrium systolic dimension, lower extremity mobility disability, summary physical performance score, and 6-min walk test were compared between HF and non-HF participants to test for construct validity of each set of criteria. Predictive validity was evaluated with follow-up assessment of cardiovascular mortality, incident disability, and HF-related hospitalizations. Comparisons were adjusted for demographics, comorbidity, and psychoaffective status. RESULTS: Of 553 participants, 11.9%, 10.7%, 20.8%, and 9.0% had HF, according to Framingham, Boston, Gothenburg, and ESC criteria, respectively. In terms of construct validity, Framingham and Boston criteria discriminated HF from non-HF participants better than Gothenburg and ESC criteria across the measures of cardiac function and global performance. The Boston criteria showed a superior predictive validity because they indicated a significantly greater adjusted risk of cardiovascular death (hazard ratio3.9, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 13.2), incident disability, and hospitalizations in participants with HF. CONCLUSIONS: The Boston criteria are preferable to Framingham, Gothenburg, and ESC criteria for the diagnosis of HF in older community dwellers because they have good construct validity and more accurately predict cardiovascular death, incident disability, and hospitalizations.

Thoracic kyphosis and ventilatory dysfunction in unselected older persons: an epidemiological study in Dicomano, Italy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether kyphosis is associated with ventilatory dysfunction in older community dwellers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: The unselected population of Dicomano, Italy aged>or=65 years. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 323 nonheart failure participants underwent clinical evaluation for the presence of kyphosis and spirometry. The severity of kyphosis was estimated from the difference between standing stature and knee-height-derived stature and from the occiput-wall distance. MEASUREMENTS: Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and prevalence of obstructive and restrictive ventilatory pattern. RESULTS: The 130 kyphotic participants (40.2%) had an adjusted 2.5 prevalence odds ratio (POR) for dyspnea (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.1-5.8). FVC% and FEV1% were lower in the presence of kyphosis (P<.01); their deficit was proportional to kyphosis severity. The ventilatory dysfunction was underestimated when reference spirometric parameters were calculated based on standing stature, compared with knee-height derived stature. Of the kyphotic participants, 56.2%, 26.9%, and 16.9% had spirometric normal, obstructive, and restrictive patterns, respectively. Kyphosis was associated with a restrictive (adjusted POR=2.3, 95% CI=1.1-4.8; P=.021) and an obstructive ventilatory pattern (adjusted POR=3.3, 95% CI=1.7-6.5; P<.001). CONCLUSION: In unselected older persons, kyphosis is associated with dyspnea and ventilatory dysfunction of a restrictive and an obstructive type. Kyphosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of dyspnea and ventilatory dysfunction in the elderly.

Aspectos relacionados à ocorrência e mecanismo de açäo de fumonisinas / Occurrence and fumonisins pathophisiology-reviews

As fumonisinas säo micotoxinas produzidas por fungos do gênero Fusarium, um dos principais fitopatógenos de gräos de milho. Isoladas em 1988, a partir de amostras de milho mofado proveniente de regiäo com alta incidência de câncer do esôfago na Africa, foram relacionadas à ocorrência de leucoencefalomalácia eqüina e hidrotórax e edema pulmonar suíno, e outras patologias animais. A presente revisäo aborda aspectos da ocorrência natural das fumonisinas em gräos de milho, características físico-química das moléculas e efeitos toxicológicos em eqüinos, suínos, aves e bovinos, além do provável mecanismo de açäo das micotoxinas

Erradicação do herpesvírus bovino - 1 (BHV-1) de um rebanho bovino leiteiro em manejo semi-intensivo / Eradication of Herpesvirus Bovine-1 (BHV-1) from a dairy cattle herd with a semi-intensive management

Com o objetivo de erradicar o BHV-1 de um rebanho bovino leiteiro de alto valor genético sem a utilização de vacina, foi realizado um exame sorológico prévio em 154 animais, onde constatou-se 15,6% de reagentes ao BHV-1. A técnica utilizada foi a soroneutralização em microplacas. Dentre os animais soropositivos, as vacas vazias foram descartadas imediatamente e as prenhes isoladas e descartadas após o parto. Os bezerros apresentaram anticorpos colostrais até os seis meses de idade, motivo pelo qual não foram descartados; nos bezerros de 6 a 12 meses de idade e nas novilhas não foram diagnosticados animais soropositivos. Os animais foram examinados trimestralmente, por 21 meses, seguido de mais duas coletas semestrais. As vacas secas, prenhes e em lactação, soropositivas, revelaram ser a fonte de infecção do BHV-1. A manutenção de rebanho livre é possível, desde que sejam adotadas medidas como a utilização de sêmen livre de BHV-1, realização de quarentena no ingresso de animais e exames sorológicos anuais visando impedir a reintrodução do vírus. Com o conjunto destas medidas adotadas, a fazenda encontra-se há 18 meses livre do BHV-1

Efeito do sistema de manejo sobre o comportamento em pastejo, desempenho ponderal e infestação parasitária em ovinos Suffolk / Effect of a management system on grazing behaviour, ponderal growth and parasitic infestation of Suffolk ewes

Foi estudado o comportamento em pastejo, o desempenho ponderal e o nível de infestação parasitária em ovelhas da raça Suffolk, no período de 1994 a 1995, em Nova Odessa, SP. Comparou-se dois sistemas de manejo: pastejo restrito, onde os animais foram soltos às 9:50h e presos às 17:30h e pastejo em período integral, no qual os animais não eram recolhidos, tendo a disposição abrigo para passarem a noite. Foram utilizadas 34 fêmeas adultas no verão (17 em pastejo livre e 17 em pastejo restrito) e 42 fêmeas adultas no inverno (21 em pastejo livre e 21 em pastejo restrito). Trabalhou-se ainda com 12 animais traçadores em cada estação do ano, sendo metade em cada sistema de manejo visando a contagem de nematódeos no trato digestivo dos animais. Durante 3 dias consecutivos nos meses de janeiro/fevereiro (verão) e julho/agosto (inverno) estudou-se, através da observação dos animais, a cada 30 minutos entre as 7:00 e 17:30h, o hábito de pastejo (pastando ou não; na sombra ou no sol). Acompanhou-se o nível de infestação parasitária dos animais em cada sistema, pela contagem do OPG do rebanho e dos traçadores e nematódeos recuperados nos traçadores. Concluiu-se que a restrição do horário de pastejo isoladamente não propiciou um controle efetivo da infestação parasitária nos animais mostrando. A restrição do tempo de pastejo é compensada pela maior atividade dos animais nas horas mais quentes do dia, todavia este comportamento afetou o desempenho, resultando em menor ganho de peso. A maior disponibilidade de forragem, em relação ao consumo estimado, pode explicar a similaridade entre os tempos de pastejo verificados nos dois sistemas de manejo, tanto no verão como no inverno

Efeito do sistema de manejo sobre o comportamento em pastejo, desempenho ponderal e infestação parasitária em ovinos Suffolk

Grazing behaviour, ponderal growth and level of parasitic infestation were studied in Suffolk breed sheep, from 1994 to 1995, in Nova Odessa, São Paulo. Two management systems were compared: restricted grazing, where the animals were released to the pastures at 9:50 a.m. and confined at 5:30 p.m., and 24 hour grazing, where the animals were maintained all the time in the paddocks, but with access to shelters. Thirty-four adult ewes were used in the summer period (17 under restricted grazing and 17 full-time grazing), and 42 ewes in the winter period (21 with restricted grazing and 21 full-time grazing). Also, for both seasons, 12 tracer animals, six in each grazing system, were used to obtain worm counts from their digestive tracts. For three consecutive days, grazing behaviour, that is, whether grazing or not, was observed in January/February (summer) and July/August (winter) at 30 minute intervals from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., also whether the animals stayed in the sun or shade, irrespective of whether they were grazing or not. The level of parasitic infestation was evaluated under each system by eggs per gram countings (EPG) of the herd and the tracer animals, as well as by larvae count. It was concluded that restriction of grazing time by itself does not provide any effective control of parasitic infestation in sheep, however a better control was obtained in the summer period. Restricted grazing time was compensated by the greater activity of the animals during the hotter hours of the day, however, this behaviour affected the animal performance, resulting in lower weight gains. Greater forage availability in relation to estimated consumption may explain the similarity between the grazing times observed in both management systems, either in the summer or in the winter.

Foi estudado o comportamento em pastejo, o desempenho ponderal e o nível de infestação parasitária em ovelhas da raça Suffolk, no período de 1994 a 1995, em Nova Odessa, SP. Comparou-se dois sistemas de manejo: pastejo restrito, onde os animais foram soltos às 9:50h e presos às 17:30h e pastejo em período integral, no qual os animais não eram recolhidos, tendo a disposição abrigo para passarem a noite. Foram utilizadas 34 fêmeas adultas no verão (17 em pastejo livre e 17 em pastejo restrito) e 42 fêmeas adultas no inverno (21 em pastejo livre e 21 em pastejo restrito). Trabalhou-se ainda com 12 animais traçadores em cada estação do ano, sendo metade em cada sistema de manejo visando a contagem de nematódeos no trato digestivo dos animais. Durante 3 dias consecutivos nos meses de janeiro/fevereiro (verão) e julho/agosto (inverno) estudou-se, através da observação dos animais, a cada 30 minutos entre as 7:00 e 17:30h, o hábito de pastejo (pastando ou não; na sombra ou no sol). Acompanhou-se o nível de infestação parasitária dos animais em cada sistema, pela contagem do OPG do rebanho e dos traçadores e nematódeos recuperados nos traçadores. Concluiu-se que a restrição do horário de pastejo isoladamente não propiciou um controle efetivo da infestação parasitária nos animais mostrando. A restrição do tempo de pastejo é compensada pela maior atividade dos animais nas horas mais quentes do dia, todavia este comportamento afetou o desempenho, resultando em menor ganho de peso. A maior disponibilidade de forragem, em relação ao consumo estimado, pode explicar a similaridade entre os tempos de pastejo verificados nos dois sistemas de manejo, tanto no verão como no inverno.