Effect of age and different doses of dietary vitamin E on breast meat qualitative characteristics of finishing broilers.

The supplementation of vitamin E on broiler chicken diets is essential to the prevention of lipid oxidation reactions in the meat and improvement of meat quality. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of different doses of dietary vitamin E on breast meat quality of broiler chickens in the finishing period. Five doses of vitamin E were used (30, 90, 150, 210, and 270 mg/kg feed) in broilers' diets from 42 to 54 d of age. A completely randomized design was conducted, followed by a split-plot, where the vitamin E dose was considered as the whole plot, and broilers' age at slaughter was the subplot. Breast meat quality was assessed at 4 different ages (45, 48, 51, and 54 d old), using 50 birds per age, totaling 200 birds. Meat quality characteristics evaluated were: pH at 24 h post mortem, color (brightness, redness, and yellowness), water holding capacity, cooking loss, shear force, and lipid peroxidation. There was no interaction between age and dose of vitamin E for meat quality characteristics (P > 0.05). The age at slaughter had a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on pH, brightness, redness, and water holding capacity. Although pH values were higher in the breast meat of older birds (51 and 52 d old), breast meat of younger birds (48 d) had a more reddish aspect. Shear force value was higher in breast meat of birds slaughtered at later ages (P < 0.01), as a linear age-effect was observed. Brightness increased linearly (P < 0.05) with higher vitamin doses, whereas treatments did not alter yellowness, cooking loss, and lipid peroxidation. In this study, increasing vitamin E doses in the finishing period increased the brightness of broiler breast meat, whereas slaughtering at later ages resulted in greater meat pH and shear force value.

Fructooligosaccharide intake promotes epigenetic changes in the intestinal mucosa in growing and ageing rats.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fructooligosaccharide (FOS) intake at different life stages of Wistar rats and its stimulatory effects on intestinal parameters. METHODS: Recently weaned and ageing female rats were divided into growing and ageing treatments, which were fed diets that partially replaced sucrose with FOS for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Dietary FOS intake induced a significant increase in the numbers of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in growing rats. FOS intake was associated with increased butyric acid levels and a reduced pH of the caecal contents at both ages. Differential gene expression patterns were observed by microarray analysis of growing and ageing animals fed the FOS diet. A total of 133 genes showed detectable changes in expression in the growing rats, while there were only 19 gene expression changes in ageing rats fed with FOS. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that dietary FOS intake may be beneficial for some parameters of intestinal health in growing rats.

New morphological data on Cucullanus pinnai pinnai (Nematoda) parasitizing Pimelodus maculatus (Pimelodidae) in southeastern Brazil.

This paper describes the morphology of Cucullanus pinnai pinnai parasitizing Pimelodus maculatus in the Guandu River, Brazil, based on differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), providing new morphological data about this species of parasite. Nematodes were collected between May and October 2012 from specimens of Pimelodus maculatus in the Guandu River (22°48'2"S, 43°37'35"W), in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Some characteristics of specimens of Cucullanus in this study fall within the range of morphological variations of previously studied C. pinnai pinnai. Most of the specimens studied here had excretory pore and deirids located at the posterior end of the oesophagus, a feature not recorded in previous studies of this species. In addition, the size of the gubernaculum was larger than the other specimens previously studied. The SEM and DIC analyses of C. pinnai revealed several morphological details of the cephalic region and the tail papillae. With regard to the polymorphism of C. pinnai, morphological and genetic studies of this cucullanid nematode are needed, involving large numbers of host species and a wide geographical distribution.

New morphological data on Cucullanus pinnai pinnai (Nematoda) parasitizing Pimelodus maculatus (Pimelodidae) in southeastern Brazil / Novos dados morfológicos de Cucullanus pinnai pinnai (Nematoda) parasito de Pimelodus maculatus (Pimelodidae) do Sudeste do Brasil

This paper describes the morphology of Cucullanus pinnai pinnai parasitizing Pimelodus maculatus in the Guandu River, Brazil, based on differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), providing new morphological data about this species of parasite. Nematodes were collected between May and October 2012 from specimens of Pimelodus maculatus in the Guandu River (22°482S, 43°3735W), in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Some characteristics of specimens of Cucullanus in this study fall within the range of morphological variations of previously studied C. pinnai pinnai. Most of the specimens studied here had excretory pore and deirids located at the posterior end of the oesophagus, a feature not recorded in previous studies of this species. In addition, the size of the gubernaculum was larger than the other specimens previously studied. The SEM and DIC analyses of C. pinnai revealed several morphological details of the cephalic region and the tail papillae. With regard to the polymorphism of C. pinnai, morphological and genetic studies of this cucullanid nematode are needed, involving large numbers of host species and a wide geographical distribution.

O presente estudo descreve a morfologia de Cucullanus pinnai pinnai, parasito de Pimelodus maculatus do Rio Guandu, RJ, Brasil, utilizando recursos de contraste diferencial por interferência (DIC) e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), fornecendo novos dados morfológicos dessa espécie de Cucullanus. Os nematoides foram coletados em Pimelodus maculatus, entre maio e outubro de 2012, no Rio Guandu (22°48'2 "S, 43°37'35" W), Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Algumas características dos espécimes de Cucullanus estudados estão de acordo com a amplitude de variação morfológica de C. pinnai pinnai previamente estudados. A posição do poro excretor e deirídeos nos C. pinnai pinnai estudados, é posterior ao final do esôfago na maioria dos espécimes, e essa característica não foi relatada previamente nesta espécie. O tamanho do gubernáculo é maior do que em outros espécimes de C. pinnai pinnai previamente estudados. As análises MEV e DIC demonstraram detalhes morfológicos da região cefálica e as papilas caudais dessa espécie. Em relação ao polimorfismo de C. pinnai pinnai, ao grande número de hospedeiros e à ampla distribuição geográfica desse cucullanídeo, será necessário um estudo que combine características genéticas e morfológicas desse parasito, com o objetivo de verificar possíveis novas espécies, especificidade de hospedeiros e localidades.

New morphological data on Cucullanus pinnai pinnai (Nematoda) parasitizing Pimelodus maculatus (Pimelodidae) in southeastern Brazil / Novos dados morfológicos de Cucullanus pinnai pinnai (Nematoda) parasito de Pimelodus maculatus (Pimelodidae) do Sudeste do Brasil

This paper describes the morphology of Cucullanus pinnai pinnai parasitizing Pimelodus maculatus in the Guandu River, Brazil, based on differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), providing new morphological data about this species of parasite. Nematodes were collected between May and October 2012 from specimens of Pimelodus maculatus in the Guandu River (22°48’2”S, 43°37’35”W), in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Some characteristics of specimens of Cucullanus in this study fall within the range of morphological variations of previously studied C. pinnai pinnai. Most of the specimens studied here had excretory pore and deirids located at the posterior end of the oesophagus, a feature not recorded in previous studies of this species. In addition, the size of the gubernaculum was larger than the other specimens previously studied. The SEM and DIC analyses of C. pinnai revealed several morphological details of the cephalic region and the tail papillae. With regard to the polymorphism of C. pinnai, morphological and genetic studies of this cucullanid nematode are needed, involving large numbers of host species and a wide geographical distribution.

O presente estudo descreve a morfologia de Cucullanus pinnai pinnai, parasito de Pimelodus maculatus do Rio Guandu, RJ, Brasil, utilizando recursos de contraste diferencial por interferência (DIC) e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), fornecendo novos dados morfológicos dessa espécie de Cucullanus. Os nematoides foram coletados em Pimelodus maculatus, entre maio e outubro de 2012, no Rio Guandu (22°48'2 "S, 43°37'35" W), Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Algumas características dos espécimes de Cucullanus estudados estão de acordo com a amplitude de variação morfológica de C. pinnai pinnai previamente estudados. A posição do poro excretor e deirídeos nos C. pinnai pinnai estudados, é posterior ao final do esôfago na maioria dos espécimes, e essa característica não foi relatada previamente nesta espécie. O tamanho do gubernáculo é maior do que em outros espécimes de C. pinnai pinnai previamente estudados. As análises MEV e DIC demonstraram detalhes morfológicos da região cefálica e as papilas caudais dessa espécie. Em relação ao polimorfismo de C. pinnai pinnai, ao grande número de hospedeiros e à ampla distribuição geográfica desse cucullanídeo, será necessário um estudo que combine características genéticas e morfológicas desse parasito, com o objetivo de verificar possíveis novas espécies, especificidade de hospedeiros e localidades.

Are skeletally mature female rats a suitable model to study osteoporosis?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze if female Wistar rats at 56 weeks of age are a suitable model to study osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female rats with 6 and 36 weeks of age (n = 8 per group) were kept over a 20-week period and fed a diet for mature rodents complete in terms of Ca, phosphorous, and vitamin D. Excised femurs were measured for bone mass using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, morphometry, and biomechanical properties. The following serum markers of bone metabolism were analyzed: parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin (OC), osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor Κappa B ligand (RANKL), C-terminal peptides of type I collagen (CTX-I), total calcium, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. RESULTS: Rats at 56 weeks of age showed important bone metabolism differences when compared with the younger group, such as, highest diaphysis energy to failure, lowest levels of OC, CTX-I, and ALP, and elevated PTH, even with adequate dietary Ca. CONCLUSION: Rats at 26-week-old rats may be too young to study age-related bone loss, whereas the 56-week-old rats may be good models to represent the early stages of age-related changes in bone metabolism.

Are skeletally mature female rats a suitable model to study osteoporosis? / Ratas esqueleticamente maduras são um modelo satisfatório para estudar osteoporose?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze if female Wistar rats at 56 weeks of age are a suitable model to study osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female rats with 6 and 36 weeks of age (n = 8 per group) were kept over a 20-week period and fed a diet for mature rodents complete in terms of Ca, phosphorous, and vitamin D. Excised femurs were measured for bone mass using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, morphometry, and biomechanical properties. The following serum mar-kers of bone metabolism were analyzed: parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin (OC), osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor Κappa B ligand (RANKL), C-terminal peptides of type I collagen (CTX-I), total calcium, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. RESULTS: Rats at 56 weeks of age showed important bone metabolism differences when compared with the younger group, such as, highest diaphysis energy to failure, lowest levels of OC, CTX-I, and ALP, and elevated PTH, even with adequate dietary Ca. CONCLUSION: Rats at 26-week-old rats may be too young to study age-related bone loss, whereas the 56-week-old rats may be good models to represent the early stages of age-related changes in bone metabolism.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se ratas Wistar com 56 semanas de idade são um modelo satisfatório para estudar osteoporose. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Ratas com 6 e 36 semanas de idade (n = 8 por grupo) foram criadas por um período de 20 semanas e alimentadas com dieta completa em Ca, fósforo e vitamina D para ratas adultas. Os fêmures foram analisados quanto à massa óssea pela técnica de absortiometria por dupla fonte de raios-X, morfometria e propriedades biomecânicas; os marcadores séricos do metabolismo ósseo analisados foram paratormônio (PTH), osteocalcina (OC), osteoprotegerina (OPG), fator receptor ativador nuclear Κappa B ligante (RANKL), peptídeos C-terminal de colágeno tipo I (CTX-I), cálcio total e atividade da fosfatase alcalina (FA). RESULTADOS: As ratas com 56 semanas de vida apresentaram uma importante diferença no metabolismo ósseo quando comparadas ao grupo das ratas jovens, como, por exemplo, maior energia para quebrar a diáfise do fêmur, menores níveis de OC, CTX-I e ALP e maiores níveis de PTH mesmo com dieta adequada em cálcio. CONCLUSÃO: As ratas com 26 semanas de vida podem ser consideradas muito jovens para estudar a perda óssea relacionada à idade, porém, as ratas com 56 semanas de vida podem representar um bom modelo dos estágios iniciais das alterações associadas à idade no metabolismo ósseo.

Cyathostomin larvae: presence on Brachiaria humidicola grass during the rainy and dry seasons of Brazil.

The presence of cyathostomin larvae is directly associated to climatic conditions of each region. This study aimed to evaluate the ecology of infective larvae on Brachiaria humidicola during the dry and rainy seasons from October 2007 to September 2008 in a tropical region, Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil. Stools were collected from the rectum of horses naturally infected with cyathostomins at the beginning of the rainy season (October to March) and dry season (April to September). They were divided into four samples of 500 g and deposited on a grass patch of B. humidicola. Seven days later and every 15 days thereafter samples of feces and grass were collected and processed by the Baermann technique. The mean number of larvae recovered from the grass varied according to the season, with greater recovery of larvae during the peak of the dry season (14,700 L3.kg-¹ DM). There was a statistically significant difference between L3 recovered from feces and grass, but not between L3 recovered from the grass base and apex. These results show that the region's climate favors the development and survival of infective cyathostomin larvae throughout the year, with a greater number of larvae during the dry season.

Cyathostomin larvae: presence on Brachiaria humidicola grass during the rainy and dry seasons of Brazil / Larvas de ciatostomíneos: disponibilidade em gramínea Brachiaria humidicola nas estações chuvosa e seca do Brasil

The presence of cyathostomin larvae is directly associated to climatic conditions of each region. This study aimed to evaluate the ecology of infective larvae on Brachiaria humidicola during the dry and rainy seasons from October 2007 to September 2008 in a tropical region, Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil. Stools were collected from the rectum of horses naturally infected with cyathostomins at the beginning of the rainy season (October to March) and dry season (April to September). They were divided into four samples of 500 g and deposited on a grass patch of B. humidicola. Seven days later and every 15 days thereafter samples of feces and grass were collected and processed by the Baermann technique. The mean number of larvae recovered from the grass varied according to the season, with greater recovery of larvae during the peak of the dry season (14,700 L3.kg-¹ DM). There was a statistically significant difference between L3 recovered from feces and grass, but not between L3 recovered from the grass base and apex. These results show that the region’s climate favors the development and survival of infective cyathostomin larvae throughout the year, with a greater number of larvae during the dry season.

A disponibilidade de larvas de ciatostomíneos está diretamente relacionada com as condições climáticas de cada região. Para avaliar o comportamento das larvas infectantes nos períodos seco e chuvoso em gramínea Brachiaria humidicola, realizou-se um estudo, no período de outubro/2007 a setembro/2008, na região da Baixada Fluminense, RJ, de clima tropical. Amostras de fezes foram coletadas diretamente do reto de equinos naturalmente infectados por ciatostomíneos, no início do período chuvoso (outubro a março) e seco (abril a setembro), divididas em quatro amostras de 500 g e depositadas em um canteiro formado por gramínea B. humidicola. Sete dias após o depósito e, posteriormente, a cada 15 dias, amostras de fezes e gramíneas, foram coletadas às 8 horas e processadas pela técnica de Baermann. O número médio de larvas recuperadas da gramínea variou conforme os períodos, ocorrendo maior recuperação no ápice do período seco (14.700 L3.kg-1. MS). Diferença significativa ocorreu entre a contagem de L3 recuperadas das fezes e gramínea e não significativa entre as de L3 recuperadas nas duas alturas da gramínea. Concluiu-se que as condições climáticas da região favorecem o desenvolvimento e a sobrevivência de larvas infectantes de ciatostomíneos durante todo o ano, com maior disponibilidade no período seco.

Sistematização da assistência de enfermagem em um ambulatório de hanseníase: estudo de caso / The nursing care systematization in a leprosy out-patient service: case study

O objetivo deste estudo foi implementar as etapas do processo de enfermagem, ou seja, a sistematização da assistência em enfermagem (SAE) a um paciente portador de hanseníase, atendido em um Ambulatório de Dermatologia do interior de São paulo. Os dados foram coletados em instrumento baseado na teoria do autocuidado de OREM e os principais dignósticos identificados segundo a taxonomia da NANDA. A partir de então, foi feito o planejamento (,etas/objetivos e prescrição de enfermagem), a implementação das prescrições de enfermagem e a evolução. A implantação ocorreu durante as consultas de enfermagem, previamente agendadas, no período de fevereiro a maio de 2003 e consideramos que a SAE em um Programa de Controle da Hanseníase, não apenas é possível, mas fundamental para a melhoria da qualidade de vida do paciente