Effects of supplementing direct-fed microbials on health and growth of preweaning Gyr × Holstein dairy calves.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of direct-fed microbials (DFM) on health and growth responses of preweaning Bos indicus × Bos taurus (Gyr × Holstein) crossbred calves. Ninety newborn heifer calves (initial BW of 35 ± 4.0 kg) were used. At birth, calves were ranked by initial BW and parity of the dam and assigned to: (1) whole milk without DFM supplementation (CON; n = 30), (2) whole milk with the addition of 1.0 g/calf per day of a Bacillus-based DFM (BAC; n = 30), or (3) whole milk with the addition of 1.0 g/calf per day of BAC and 1.2 g/calf per day of Enterococcus faecium 669 (MIX; n = 30). Milk was fed individually during the study (77 d), and the BAC and MIX treatments were offered daily throughout the 77-d preweaning period. All calves were offered a starter supplement and corn silage starting on d 1 and 60 of age, respectively. Milk and starter supplement intake were evaluated daily, and BW was recorded on d 0 and at weaning (d 77). Diarrhea and pneumonia were assessed daily, and fecal samples were collected on d 0, 7, 14, 21, and at weaning (d 77) for assessment of the presence of bacterial and protozoal pathogens via qPCR. All data were analyzed using SAS (v. 9.4) with calf as the experimental unit and using single-df orthogonal contrasts (BAC + MIX vs. CON; BAC vs. MIX). Daily feeding of DFM, regardless of type, improved weaning BW. Odds ratio for occurrence of pneumonia was lower for DFM-supplemented calves, but its occurrence did not differ between BAC and MIX calves. No Salmonella spp. or Escherichia coli F41 were detected in any of the calves. The proportion of calves positive for E. coli F17 was greater for DFM calves on d 7 (92% and 96% vs. 81% for BAC, MIX, and CON, respectively), on d 21 (13% and 26% vs. 7% for BAC, MIX, and CON, respectively), and at weaning (48% and 35% vs. 22% for BAC, MIX, and CON, respectively). For Clostridium difficile, more DFM calves were positive on d 7 (65% and 30% vs. 35% for BAC, MIX, and CON, respectively) and 14 (20% and 28% vs. 7% for BAC, MIX, and CON, respectively), but proportion of positive calves was also greater for BAC versus MIX on d 7. More CON calves were positive for Clostridium perfringens on d 14 (14% vs. 3% and 8% for CON, BAC, and MIX, respectively) compared with DFM-fed calves. Incidence of calves positive for C. perfringens was greater in BAC than MIX on d 7 (50% vs. 18%), and greater for MIX than BAC at weaning (9% vs. 0%). For protozoa occurrence, a lower proportion of DFM calves were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. on d 7 (58% and 48% vs. 76% for BAC, MIX, and CON, respectively), but opposite results were observed on d 21 for Cryptosporidium spp. (3% and 11% vs. 0% for BAC, MIX, and CON, respectively) and Eimeria spp. on d 14 (7% and 8% vs. 0% for BAC, MIX, and CON, respectively) and 21 (50% and 59% vs. 38% for BAC, MIX, and CON, respectively). In summary, DFM feeding alleviated the occurrence of pneumonia and improved growth rates, while also modulating the prevalence of bacteria and protozoa in preweaning Gyr × Holstein calves.

Effects of feeding different probiotic types on metabolic, performance, and carcass responses of Bos indicus feedlot cattle offered a high-concentrate diet.

Two experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of different probiotic combinations on rumen fermentation characteristics, performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot Bos indicus beef bulls offered a high-concentrate diet. In experiment 1, 30 rumen-fistulated Nellore steers were blocked by initial body weight (BW = 350 ± 35.0 kg) and within blocks (n = 10), animals were randomly assigned to receive: 1) high-concentrate diet without probiotic supplementation (n = 10; CONT), 2) CONT plus 1 g per head of a probiotic mixture containing three strains of Enterococcus faecium and one strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (3.5 × 109 CFU/g; n = 10; EFSC), and 3) CONT plus 2 g per head of a probiotic mixture containing Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis (3.2 × 109 CFU/g; n = 10; BLBS). The experimental period lasted 35 d, being 28 d of adaptation and 7 d of sampling. From day 34 to day 35 of the experimental period, ruminal fluid and fecal samples were collected every 3 h, starting immediately before feeding (0 h) for rumen fermentation characteristics and apparent nutrient digestibility analysis, respectively. In experiment 2, 240 Nellore bulls were ranked by initial shrunk BW (375 ± 35.1 kg), assigned to pens (n = 4 bulls per pen), and pens randomly assigned to receive the same treatments as in experiment 1 (n = 20 pens per treatment). Regardless of treatment, all bulls received the same step-up and finishing diets throughout the experimental period, which lasted 115 d. In both experiments, data were analyzed as orthogonal contrasts to partition-specific treatment effects: 1) probiotic effect: CONT vs. PROB and 2) probiotic type: EFSC vs. BLBS (SAS Software Inc.). In experiment 1, no contrast effects were observed on nutrient intake, overall nutrient digestibility, and rumen fermentation analyses (P ≥ 0.13). Nonetheless, supplementation of probiotics, regardless of type (P = 0.59), reduced mean acetate:propionate ratio and rumen ammonia-N concentration vs. CONT (P ≤ 0.05). In experiment 2, no significant effects were observed for final BW and dry matter intake (P ≥ 0.12), but average daily gain and feed efficiency tended to improve (P ≤ 0.10) when probiotics were offered to the animals. Probiotic supplementation or type of probiotic did not affect carcass traits (P ≥ 0.22). In summary, supplementation of probiotics containing a mixture of E. faecium and S. cerevisiae or a mixture of B. licheniformis and B. subtilis reduced rumen acetate:propionate ratio and rumen ammonia-N levels and tended to improve the performance of feedlot cattle offered a high-concentrate diet.

Two experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of different probiotic combinations on rumen fermentation characteristics, performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot Bos indicus beef bulls offered a high-concentrate diet. The two probiotics consisted of a mixture containing three strains of Enterococcus faecium and one strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae or a mixture of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis. Supplementation of probiotics, regardless of type, reduced acetate:propionate ratio, and mean rumen ammonia-N concentration and tended to improve the performance of feedlot cattle offered a high-concentrate diet, demonstrating the potential of this technology to be used as a feed additive for beef cattle.

Dobutamine stress echocardiography-induced broken heart syndrome (Takotsubo Syndrome).

We report a case of dobutamine stress echocardiography-induced Takotsubo syndrome in a 76-year-old hypertensive patient with clinical complaints of chest pain in an elective visit to the cardiologist. Dobutamine-stress-echocardiography was requested to rule out chest pain of coronary origin. During the test, at peak exercise, echocardiogram showed apical akinesia and electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in D1, AVL, and V2. The patient was hospitalized and underwent coronary angiography, which showed normal coronary arteries and left ventricular apical ballooning. During follow-up, the patient's condition remained stable, with regression of the manifestations 21 days after the initial presentation.

Síndrome do coração partido (Síndrome de Takotsubo) induzida por ecocardiograma de estresse com dobutamina / Síndrome del corazón roto (síndrome de Tako-Tsubo) inducido por ecocardiograma de esfuerzo con dobutamina / Dobutamine stress echocardiography-induced broken heart syndrome (Takotsubo Syndrome)

Relatamos um caso de síndrome de Takotsubo induzida por ecocardiograma de estresse com dobutamina em uma paciente de 76 anos, hipertensa com queixas clínicas de dor precordial, em consulta cardiológica eletiva. Para exclusão de dor torácica de etiologia coronariana foi solicitado ecocardiograma de estresse com dobutamina. O exame foi realizado e, no pico do esforço máximo, o ecocardiograma mostrou acinesia apical com o eletrocardiograma mostrando supradesnivelamento do segmento ST em D1, AVL e V2. A paciente foi internada e submetida a coronariografia, que mostrou coronárias normais e VE com balonamento apical. A paciente evoluiu estável com reversão do quadro 21 dias após o quadro inicial.

We report a case of dobutamine stress echocardiography-induced Takotsubo syndrome in a 76-year-old hypertensive patient with clinical complaints of chest pain in an elective visit to the cardiologist. Dobutamine-stress-echocardiography was requested to rule out chest pain of coronary origin. During the test, at peak exercise, echocardiogram showed apical akinesia and electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in D1, AVL, and V2. The patient was hospitalized and underwent coronary angiography, which showed normal coronary arteries and left ventricular apical ballooning. During follow-up, the patient's condition remained stable, with regression of the manifestations 21 days after the initial presentation.

Relatamos un caso de síndrome de Tako-Tsubo inducido por ecocardiograma de esfuerzo con dobutamina en una paciente de 76 años, hipertensa con quejas clínicas de dolor precordial, en consulta cardiológica electiva. Para exclusión de dolor torácico de etiología coronaria se solicitó ecocardiograma de esfuerzo con dobutamina. El examen fue realizado, y en el pico de esfuerzo máximo, el ecocardiograma mostró acinesia apical con el electrocardiograma mostrando supradesnivel del segmento ST en D1, AVL y V2. La paciente fue internada y sometida a coronariografía, que mostró coronarias normales y VI con abombamiento apical. La paciente evolucionó estable con reversión del cuadro 21 días después del cuadro inicial.

Nutritive value of sugarcane silage treated with chemical additives

The use of ensiled sugarcane has been increased lately in Brazil due to the benefits that this technique represents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of chemical additives on the nutritive value of sugarcane silages. The trial was carried out in a completely randomized experimental design with four replicates per treatment. The following additives were applied onto the fresh forage before ensiling: L. buchneri, lime or limestone, 1.0 and 1.5% (wet basis) each, and gypsum 1.0% (wet basis), all of them diluted into 40 L of water per ton of fresh weight of forage. The analyzed variables were: ash, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and organic and dry matter digestibility. The addition of lime or limestone before ensiling produced silages with higher nutritive value compared to all other treatments, due to the increase of the ash content and dry matter and organic digestibility, and also by reducing the fiber content. The crude protein content range was similar to the values observed in the fresh forage. The treatments containing L. buchneri or gypsum were ineffective in improving the nutritive value of sugarcane silages and became similar to the control silages. Treatment containing lime or limestone improved the nutritive value of the sugarcane silage.

A utilização da cana-de-açúcar na forma de silagem constitui-se em um tema que vem se destacando nos últimos anos, e que desperta o interesse de produtores e pesquisadores em função dos benefícios que essa técnica representa. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de aditivos químicos no valor nutritivo da silagem de cana-de-açúcar. O experimento foi desenvolvido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições por tratamento. Os seguintes aditivos foram utilizados para a confecção das silagens: L. buchneri, cal virgem ou calcário em doses de 1,0 e 1,5% da MV e gesso agrícola a 1,0% da MV, diluídos em 40 litros de água por tonelada de forragem. As variáveis analisadas foram: matéria mineral, proteína bruta, digestibilidade da matéria seca e orgânica, fibra em detergente neutro e fibra em detergente ácido. Para as variáveis de valor nutritivo, as silagens tratadas com cal virgem ou calcário apresentaram, no momento da abertura, maior teor de cinzas, menor concentração de componentes fibrosos e maiores coeficientes digestibilidade da matéria seca e orgânica. O teor de proteína bruta encontrado para esses tratamentos está dentro da amplitude preconizada para a forragem fresca. A ensilagem da cana-de-açúcar com L. buchneri ou gesso apresentaram desempenho semelhante ao tratamento controle para as variáveis acima mencionadas. O tratamento com cal virgem ou calcário melhorou o valor nutritivo da silagem de cana-de-açúcar.

Nutritive value of sugarcane silage treated with chemical additives

The use of ensiled sugarcane has been increased lately in Brazil due to the benefits that this technique represents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of chemical additives on the nutritive value of sugarcane silages. The trial was carried out in a completely randomized experimental design with four replicates per treatment. The following additives were applied onto the fresh forage before ensiling: L. buchneri, lime or limestone, 1.0 and 1.5% (wet basis) each, and gypsum 1.0% (wet basis), all of them diluted into 40 L of water per ton of fresh weight of forage. The analyzed variables were: ash, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and organic and dry matter digestibility. The addition of lime or limestone before ensiling produced silages with higher nutritive value compared to all other treatments, due to the increase of the ash content and dry matter and organic digestibility, and also by reducing the fiber content. The crude protein content range was similar to the values observed in the fresh forage. The treatments containing L. buchneri or gypsum were ineffective in improving the nutritive value of sugarcane silages and became similar to the control silages. Treatment containing lime or limestone improved the nutritive value of the sugarcane silage.

A utilização da cana-de-açúcar na forma de silagem constitui-se em um tema que vem se destacando nos últimos anos, e que desperta o interesse de produtores e pesquisadores em função dos benefícios que essa técnica representa. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de aditivos químicos no valor nutritivo da silagem de cana-de-açúcar. O experimento foi desenvolvido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições por tratamento. Os seguintes aditivos foram utilizados para a confecção das silagens: L. buchneri, cal virgem ou calcário em doses de 1,0 e 1,5% da MV e gesso agrícola a 1,0% da MV, diluídos em 40 litros de água por tonelada de forragem. As variáveis analisadas foram: matéria mineral, proteína bruta, digestibilidade da matéria seca e orgânica, fibra em detergente neutro e fibra em detergente ácido. Para as variáveis de valor nutritivo, as silagens tratadas com cal virgem ou calcário apresentaram, no momento da abertura, maior teor de cinzas, menor concentração de componentes fibrosos e maiores coeficientes digestibilidade da matéria seca e orgânica. O teor de proteína bruta encontrado para esses tratamentos está dentro da amplitude preconizada para a forragem fresca. A ensilagem da cana-de-açúcar com L. buchneri ou gesso apresentaram desempenho semelhante ao tratamento controle para as variáveis acima mencionadas. O tratamento com cal virgem ou calcário melhorou o valor nutritivo da silagem de cana-de-açúcar.