Morfologia, produção e potencialidades na nutrição animal da melancia forrageira (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides): uma revisão / Morphology, production and potentialities of forage watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) for animal nutrition: A review

RESUMO A limitação, disponibilidade irregular e elevado custo de alguns alimentos que são produzidos em outras regiões e transportados para o semiárido brasileiro para serem fornecidos aos animais são alguns dos principais entraves para a atividade pecuária nessa região, resultando na necessidade de alternativas alimentares, especialmente volumosos com qualidade que possam ser utilizados para os rebanhos. Nessa condição, a melancia forrageira (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) é um recurso forrageiro em potencial, já que se trata de uma planta de cultivo com ciclo rápido, propagação por sementes e que, além de ofertar nutrientes, é fonte de água aos animais, característica muito apreciada em regiões áridas e semiáridas. Assim, o objetivo desta revisão é traçar um quadro teórico de aspectos relacionados à morfologia, produção e potencialidades de uso da melancia forrageira na alimentação de pequenos ruminantes. Uma busca criteriosa de artigos científicos sobre características morfoagronômicas, produtividade e aplicações da melancia forrageira em dietas para ruminantes foi realizada. Embora se tenham poucos estudos que utilizem a melancia forrageira, os conhecimentos empíricos e científicos obtidos através dos anos indicam o seu uso como uma opção viável para uma complementação alimentar dos rebanhos nas épocas secas. Sua rusticidade aliada à sua resistência no período de pós-colheita são qualidades que lhe confere a qualificação de um recurso forrageiro com grande potencial.

ABSTRACT The limitation, irregular availability, and high cost of some foods that are produced in other regions and transported to the Brazilian semi-arid region for animal feeding are some of the main obstacles to the livestock activity in this region, resulting in the need to seek food alternatives, especially voluminous that can be used for cattle herds. In this context, the forage watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) is a potential forage resource, as it is a crop plant with a fast cycle, outstanding seed propagation, and a good source of nutrients and water for animals, a feature highly appreciated in arid and semi-arid regions. Consequently, this review sought to outline a theoretical framework of the aspects related to the morphology, production, and potential use of forage watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) in feeding small ruminants. For this purpose, we conducted a thorough search of scientific articles on morpho-agronomic characteristics, productivity, and applications of forage watermelon in diets for ruminants. Although few studies report the use of forage watermelon, the empirical and scientific knowledge obtained over the years indicates it is a viable option for supplementary feeding of herds during dry seasons. Its rusticity, combined with its resistance in the post-harvest period, are qualities that give forage watermelon the qualification of a forage resource with great potential.

Estudo metanalítico sobre a microbiologia da carne bovina moída no Brasil / Meta-analytical study on the microbiology of ground beef in Brazil

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade microbiológica da carne bovina moída por meio de um estudo metanalítico. Para o estudo metanalítico, utilizou-se como base de dados o Google Scholar Brasil, concentrando-se no período de busca entre outubro de 2020 e junho de 2021. Foram avaliados 108 estudos científicos com as variáveis analisadas referentes a contagens de bactérias mesófilas, bactérias psicrotróficas, coliformes totais, coliformes termotolerantes, Staphylococcus aureus e Salmonella sp. em unidade formadora de colônia por grama de carne (UFC.g-1). Os dados foram submetidos a uma análise descritiva e distribuição normal por histograma de frequência. As contagens de bactérias mesófilas apresentaram uma média de 3,09 UFC.g-1 com coeficiente de variação de 68,53%. As bactérias psicrotróficas apresentaram 27,27% dos dados levantados próximos a 5,60 UFC.g-1. Com relação aos coliformes termotolerantes, 40% dos dados levantados estavam com contagens entre 0,90 e 40% em 3,10 UFC.g-1. Oito estudos apresentaram efeitos (P < 0,001) sobre a presença se Salmonella sp. na carne moída, sendo este estudo metanalítico classificado como heterogêneo (Chi2 = 80,39; P < 0,001) e com inconsistência alta (I2 = 81%). A metanálise constatou baixa contagem de bactérias mesófilas e Staphylococcus aureus em pesquisas brasileiras que abordassem a qualidade microbiológica da carne moída bovina. Estudos metanalíticos como o proposto são necessários para identificar os problemas relacionados à transmissão de doenças em alimentos. Observou-se que, nos achados brasileiros, Staphylococcus aureus e mesófilos foram encontrados em menor quantidade, com maior presença de Samonella sp.

ABSTRACT This paper evaluates the microbiological quality of ground beef through a meta-analytic study using Google Scholar Brazil database, with a focus on the search period between October 2020 and June 2021. A total of 108 scientific studies were evaluated with the analyzed variables, referring to the counts of mesophilic bacteria, psychrotrophic bacteria, total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella sp. In colony forming unit per gram of meat (CFU.g-1). Data were subjected to descriptive analysis and normal distribution by frequency histogram. The counts of mesophilic bacteria presented an average of 3.09 CFU.g-1, with a coefficient of variation of68.53%. Psychrotrophic bacteria represented 27.27% of the data collected, close to 5.60 CFU.g-1. Regarding thermotolerant coliforms, 40% of the data collected had counts between 0.90 and 40% at 3.10 CFU.g-1. Eight studies showed effects (p < 0.001) on the presence of Salmonella sp. in ground beef. This meta-analytic study was classified as heterogeneous (Chi2 = 80.39; p < 0.001) and with high inconsistency (P = 81%). Besides, the meta-analysis allowed identifying low counts of mesophilic bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus in Brazilian studies addressing the microbiological quality of ground beef.

A rhamnose-binding lectin from Rhodnius prolixus and the impact of its silencing on gut bacterial microbiota and Trypanosoma cruzi.

Lectins are ubiquitous proteins involved in the immune defenses of different organisms and mainly responsible for non-self-recognition and agglutination reactions. This work describes molecular and biological characterization of a rhamnose-binding lectin (RBL) from Rhodnius prolixus, which possesses a 21 amino acid signal peptide and a mature protein of 34.6 kDa. The in-silico analysis of the primary and secondary structures of RpLec revealed a lectin domain fully conserved among previous insects studied. The three-dimensional homology model of RpLec was similar to other RBL-lectins. Docking predictions with the monosaccharides showed rhamnose and galactose-binding sites comparable to Latrophilin-1 and N-Acetylgalactosamine-binding in a different site. The effects of RpLec gene silencing on levels of infecting Trypanosoma cruzi Dm 28c and intestinal bacterial populations in the R. prolixus midgut were studied by injecting RpLec dsRNA into the R. prolixus hemocoel. Whereas T. cruzi numbers remained unchanged compared with the controls, numbers of bacteria increased significantly. The silencing also induced the up regulation of the R. prolixus defC (defensin) expression gene. These results with RpLec reveal the potential importance of this little studied molecule in the insect vector immune response and homeostasis of the gut bacterial microbiota.

First genotyping of Trypanosoma cruzi from naturally infected Triatoma juazeirensis, Triatoma melanica and Triatoma sherlocki from Bahia State, Brazil.

Many previous studies have shown a great phylogenetic and biological variability of Trypanosoma cruzi using different molecular and biochemical methods. Populations of T. cruzi were initially clustered into two main lineages called TcI and TcII by the size of the mini-exon PCR product. In the present study, 33 isolates derived from three triatomine taxa, which belong to the Triatoma brasiliensis species complex (Triatoma juazeirensis, Triatoma melanica and Triatoma sherlocki); collected in three distinct areas of Bahia state were characterized by PCR. The isolates were identified by the size of the mini-exon gene, 18S rRNA and 24Sα rRNA amplicons. T. cruzi isolates obtained in sylvatic and intradomiciliar ecotopes, derived from T. juazeirensis and T. melanica, were identified as TcI while the parasites originated from T. sherlocki were characterized as TcI and TcII genotypes, respectively. Those species are present in sylvatic ecotopes but are able to infest intradomiciliar areas. Therefore, it would be important to maintain studies in those localities of Bahia and further investigate the possibilities of Chagas disease transmission. Human disease may occur by any T. cruzi genotype and not only by TcII as it is the case in Amazonia.

Hypertonic saline solution (NaCl 7.2%) enhances renal excretion of acids in cattle with acute ruminal lactic acidosis.

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of hypertonic saline solution (HSS) as a novel treatment of acute ruminal lactic acidosis (ARLA) in cattle, focusing on urinary excretion of acids. Twelve cannulated steers were submitted to experimentally induced ARLA by adminis- tering sucrose into the rumen. Twenty hours later, the cattle were randomly divided into two equal groups. The first group was treated with 7.5% HSS (5 mL/kg) over 15 min, and isotonic saline solution (ISS; 20 mL/kg) for the subsequent 165 minutes. The control group was administered ISS instead of HSS. Rumen and urine samples were collected at different times during the experiment from the baseline to 64 h post-induction. The induction caused a medium-to-moderate ruminal acidosis, and a moderate degree of systemic acidosis and dehydration. Steers treated with HSS increased by 50% its glomerular filtration rate (1.61 mL/min) compared to ISS group (1.06 mL/ min; p⟨0.03). The overall volume of urine excreted by HSS group was higher than that in ISS group (1.62 L vs 0.7 L; p⟨0.02). This increase in total volume of urine provided by HSS favored a greater excretion of H+ ions in urine, which was 3.39-fold higher in HSS group (64.3*10-7 vs 18.9*10-7 Mol) as well as lactate (241.7 vs 181.8 mMol) and P urinary excretion (3.8 vs 1.1 mMol) that reduced the urine pH (5.3 vs 5.7). Only the HSS group decreased significantly blood total lactic acid concentration (20.3 %) throughout the treatment. A positive relationship was found between the excretion of urinary phosphorus and urinary pH (r2=0.562). The results showed that this novel treatment with HSS enhanced renal excretion of acids and may be recommended as an additional treatment for cattle with lactic acidosis.

Ascaris suum infection modulates inflammation: Implication of CD4+ CD25high Foxp3+ T cells and IL-10.

Helminth infections have the ability to modulate host's immune response through mechanisms that allow the chronic persistence of the worms in the host. Here, we investigated the mechanisms involved on the suppressive effect of Ascaris suum infection using a murine experimental model of LPS-induced inflammation. We found that infection with A. suum markedly inhibited leucocyte influx induced by LPS into air pouches, suppressed secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-6) and induced high levels of IL-10 and TGF-ß. Augmented frequency of CD4+ CD25high Foxp3+ T cells was observed in the mesenteric lymph nodes of infected mice. Adoptive transfer of purified CD4+ CD25+ T cells to recipient uninfected mice demonstrated that these cells were able to induce a suppressive effect in the LPS-induced inflammation in air pouch model. In addition, adoptive transfer of CD4+ CD25+ T cells derived from IL-10 knockout mice suggests that this suppressive effect of A. suum infection involves IL-10 cytokine. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that A. suum experimental infection was capable of suppressing LPS-induced inflammation by mechanisms, which seem to be dependent on responses of CD4+ CD25+ T cells and secretion of IL-10 cytokine.

Water residence time affecting phytoplankton blooms: study case in Ibitinga Reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil) using Landsat/TM images / Efeito de variações no tempo de residência hidráulica sobre a ocorrência de florações de fitoplâncton: estudo de caso no Reservatório de Ibitinga (SP) com o uso de imagens Landsat/TM

Satellite images are an effective tool for the detection of phytoplankton blooms, since they cause striking changes in water color. Bloom intensity can be expressed in terms of chlorophyll-a concentration. Previous studies suggest the use of Landsat TM4/TM3 reflectance ratio to retrieve surface chlorophyll-a concentration from aquatic systems. In this study we assumed that a remote sensing trophic state index can be applied to investigate how changes in HRT along the hydrologic year affect the spatial distribution of the phytoplankton blooms at Ibitingas reservoir surface. For that, we formulated two objectives: (1) apply a semi-empirical model which uses this reflectance ratio to map chlorophyll-a concentration at Ibitinga reservoir along the 2005 hydrologic year and (2) assess how changes in hydraulic residence time (HRT) affect the spatial distribution of phytoplankton blooms at Ibitinga Reservoir. The study site was chosen because previous studies reported seasonal changes in the reservoir limnology which might be related to the reservoir seasonality and hydrodynamics. Six Landsat/TM images were acquired over Ibitinga reservoir during 2005 and water flow measurements provided by the Brazilian Electric System National Operator - ONS were used to compute the reservoir´s residence time, which varied from 5.37 to 52.39 days during 2005. The HRT in the date of image acquisition was then compared to the distribution of chlorophyll-a in the reservoir. The results showed that the HRT increasing implies the increasing of the reservoir surface occupied by phytoplankton blooms.(AU)

As imagens de satélite são frequentemente usadas para a identificação de florações de fitoplâncton porque sua presença causa mudanças significativas na cor da água. A abundância das florações pode ser quantificada por medidas de concentração de clorofila-a. Diversos estudos sugerem o uso da razão de reflectância das bandas TM4/TM3 Landsat, para determinar as concentrações de clorofila-a em sistemas aquáticos. Este trabalho tem como objetivos: (1) aplicar um modelo semi-empírico que usa essa razão para mapear a concentração de clorofila-a no reservatório de Ibitinga ao longo do ano hidrológico de 2005; (2) avaliar como as mudanças no tempo de residência hidráulica afetaram a distribuição de florações na superfície do reservatório. O reservatório de Ibitinga foi selecionado porque estudos prévios indicavam mudanças sazonais nas propriedades limnológicas do reservatório, as quais poderiam estar relacionadas à sazonalidade e à hidrodinâmica. Seis imagens TM/Landsat foram adquiridas sobre o reservatório de Ibitinga durante o ano de 2005. Foi então usada uma tabela associando intervalos de razão de banda a intervalos de concentração de clorofila-a. Medidas de vazão fornecidas pelo Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico ONS foram utilizadas para calcular o tempo de residência hidráulica do reservatório, que variou entre 5,37 e 52,39 dias durante 2005. O tempo de residência hidráulica em cada data de aquisição da imagem foi então comparado com a área ocupada pelas florações de fitoplancton. Os resultados indicaram uma forte relação entre o tempo de residência hidráulica e a área ocupada por florações. Em junho de 2005, quando o reservatório atingiu seu menor tempo de residência hidráulica, apenas 20% de sua área estiveram ocupadas por florações. Em setembro e outubro, quando a residência hidráulica atinge o seu máximo, mais que 80% da superfície do reservatório foram ocupadas por florações de fitoplancton.(AU)

Water residence time affecting phytoplankton blooms: study case in Ibitinga Reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil) using Landsat/TM images / Efeito de variações no tempo de residência hidráulica sobre a ocorrência de florações de fitoplâncton: estudo de caso no Reservatório de Ibitinga (SP) com o uso de imagens Landsat/TM

Abstract Satellite images are an effective tool for the detection of phytoplankton blooms, since they cause striking changes in water color. Bloom intensity can be expressed in terms of chlorophyll-a concentration. Previous studies suggest the use of Landsat TM4/TM3 reflectance ratio to retrieve surface chlorophyll-a concentration from aquatic systems. In this study we assumed that a remote sensing trophic state index can be applied to investigate how changes in HRT along the hydrologic year affect the spatial distribution of the phytoplankton blooms at Ibitinga’s reservoir surface. For that, we formulated two objectives: (1) apply a semi-empirical model which uses this reflectance ratio to map chlorophyll-a concentration at Ibitinga reservoir along the 2005 hydrologic year and (2) assess how changes in hydraulic residence time (HRT) affect the spatial distribution of phytoplankton blooms at Ibitinga Reservoir. The study site was chosen because previous studies reported seasonal changes in the reservoir limnology which might be related to the reservoir seasonality and hydrodynamics. Six Landsat/TM images were acquired over Ibitinga reservoir during 2005 and water flow measurements provided by the Brazilian Electric System National Operator - ONS were used to compute the reservoir´s residence time, which varied from 5.37 to 52.39 days during 2005. The HRT in the date of image acquisition was then compared to the distribution of chlorophyll-a in the reservoir. The results showed that the HRT increasing implies the increasing of the reservoir surface occupied by phytoplankton blooms.

Resumo As imagens de satélite são frequentemente usadas para a identificação de florações de fitoplâncton porque sua presença causa mudanças significativas na cor da água. A abundância das florações pode ser quantificada por medidas de concentração de clorofila-a. Diversos estudos sugerem o uso da razão de reflectância das bandas TM4/TM3 Landsat, para determinar as concentrações de clorofila-a em sistemas aquáticos. Este trabalho tem como objetivos: (1) aplicar um modelo semi-empírico que usa essa razão para mapear a concentração de clorofila-a no reservatório de Ibitinga ao longo do ano hidrológico de 2005; (2) avaliar como as mudanças no tempo de residência hidráulica afetaram a distribuição de florações na superfície do reservatório. O reservatório de Ibitinga foi selecionado porque estudos prévios indicavam mudanças sazonais nas propriedades limnológicas do reservatório, as quais poderiam estar relacionadas à sazonalidade e à hidrodinâmica. Seis imagens TM/Landsat foram adquiridas sobre o reservatório de Ibitinga durante o ano de 2005. Foi então usada uma tabela associando intervalos de razão de banda a intervalos de concentração de clorofila-a. Medidas de vazão fornecidas pelo Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico – ONS foram utilizadas para calcular o tempo de residência hidráulica do reservatório, que variou entre 5,37 e 52,39 dias durante 2005. O tempo de residência hidráulica em cada data de aquisição da imagem foi então comparado com a área ocupada pelas florações de fitoplancton. Os resultados indicaram uma forte relação entre o tempo de residência hidráulica e a área ocupada por florações. Em junho de 2005, quando o reservatório atingiu seu menor tempo de residência hidráulica, apenas 20% de sua área estiveram ocupadas por florações. Em setembro e outubro, quando a residência hidráulica atinge o seu máximo, mais que 80% da superfície do reservatório foram ocupadas por florações de fitoplancton.

Water residence time affecting phytoplankton blooms: study case in Ibitinga Reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil) using Landsat/TM images.

Satellite images are an effective tool for the detection of phytoplankton blooms, since they cause striking changes in water color. Bloom intensity can be expressed in terms of chlorophyll-a concentration. Previous studies suggest the use of Landsat TM4/TM3 reflectance ratio to retrieve surface chlorophyll-a concentration from aquatic systems. In this study we assumed that a remote sensing trophic state index can be applied to investigate how changes in HRT along the hydrologic year affect the spatial distribution of the phytoplankton blooms at Ibitinga's reservoir surface. For that, we formulated two objectives: (1) apply a semi-empirical model which uses this reflectance ratio to map chlorophyll-a concentration at Ibitinga reservoir along the 2005 hydrologic year and (2) assess how changes in hydraulic residence time (HRT) affect the spatial distribution of phytoplankton blooms at Ibitinga Reservoir. The study site was chosen because previous studies reported seasonal changes in the reservoir limnology which might be related to the reservoir seasonality and hydrodynamics. Six Landsat/TM images were acquired over Ibitinga reservoir during 2005 and water flow measurements provided by the Brazilian Electric System National Operator - ONS were used to compute the reservoir´s residence time, which varied from 5.37 to 52.39 days during 2005. The HRT in the date of image acquisition was then compared to the distribution of chlorophyll-a in the reservoir. The results showed that the HRT increasing implies the increasing of the reservoir surface occupied by phytoplankton blooms.

Water residence time affecting phytoplankton blooms: study case in Ibitinga Reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil) using Landsat/TM images

Abstract Satellite images are an effective tool for the detection of phytoplankton blooms, since they cause striking changes in water color. Bloom intensity can be expressed in terms of chlorophyll-a concentration. Previous studies suggest the use of Landsat TM4/TM3 reflectance ratio to retrieve surface chlorophyll-a concentration from aquatic systems. In this study we assumed that a remote sensing trophic state index can be applied to investigate how changes in HRT along the hydrologic year affect the spatial distribution of the phytoplankton blooms at Ibitingas reservoir surface. For that, we formulated two objectives: (1) apply a semi-empirical model which uses this reflectance ratio to map chlorophyll-a concentration at Ibitinga reservoir along the 2005 hydrologic year and (2) assess how changes in hydraulic residence time (HRT) affect the spatial distribution of phytoplankton blooms at Ibitinga Reservoir. The study site was chosen because previous studies reported seasonal changes in the reservoir limnology which might be related to the reservoir seasonality and hydrodynamics. Six Landsat/TM images were acquired over Ibitinga reservoir during 2005 and water flow measurements provided by the Brazilian Electric System National Operator - ONS were used to compute the reservoir´s residence time, which varied from 5.37 to 52.39 days during 2005. The HRT in the date of image acquisition was then compared to the distribution of chlorophyll-a in the reservoir. The results showed that the HRT increasing implies the increasing of the reservoir surface occupied by phytoplankton blooms.

Resumo As imagens de satélite são frequentemente usadas para a identificação de florações de fitoplâncton porque sua presença causa mudanças significativas na cor da água. A abundância das florações pode ser quantificada por medidas de concentração de clorofila-a. Diversos estudos sugerem o uso da razão de reflectância das bandas TM4/TM3 Landsat, para determinar as concentrações de clorofila-a em sistemas aquáticos. Este trabalho tem como objetivos: (1) aplicar um modelo semi-empírico que usa essa razão para mapear a concentração de clorofila-a no reservatório de Ibitinga ao longo do ano hidrológico de 2005; (2) avaliar como as mudanças no tempo de residência hidráulica afetaram a distribuição de florações na superfície do reservatório. O reservatório de Ibitinga foi selecionado porque estudos prévios indicavam mudanças sazonais nas propriedades limnológicas do reservatório, as quais poderiam estar relacionadas à sazonalidade e à hidrodinâmica. Seis imagens TM/Landsat foram adquiridas sobre o reservatório de Ibitinga durante o ano de 2005. Foi então usada uma tabela associando intervalos de razão de banda a intervalos de concentração de clorofila-a. Medidas de vazão fornecidas pelo Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico ONS foram utilizadas para calcular o tempo de residência hidráulica do reservatório, que variou entre 5,37 e 52,39 dias durante 2005. O tempo de residência hidráulica em cada data de aquisição da imagem foi então comparado com a área ocupada pelas florações de fitoplancton. Os resultados indicaram uma forte relação entre o tempo de residência hidráulica e a área ocupada por florações. Em junho de 2005, quando o reservatório atingiu seu menor tempo de residência hidráulica, apenas 20% de sua área estiveram ocupadas por florações. Em setembro e outubro, quando a residência hidráulica atinge o seu máximo, mais que 80% da superfície do reservatório foram ocupadas por florações de fitoplancton.

Avaliação hemogasométrica, bioquímica e hematológica de ovinos suplementados com melão / Effects of sudden intake of melon on blood gas, biochemical and hematological parameters of sheep

O presente trabalho avaliou os efeitos da administração de duas diferentes quantidades de melão sobre variáveis hemogasométricas, bioquímicas e hematológicas de ovinos não adaptados. Foram utilizados 12 ovinos canulados, pesando 25kg de peso vivo, que nunca receberam ração concentrada. Os animais receberam dieta à base de feno (2,3% do peso vivo) e água à vontade. Os ovinos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos e receberam 25% ou 75% da matéria seca (MS) da dieta de melão triturado (G25% e G75%, respectivamente) diretamente no rúmen. Foram realizadas coletas de sangue e determinação do pH ruminal nos seguintes tempos: zero, 3, 6, 12, 18 e 24 horas após oferecimento do melão. Foi realizada análise hemogasométrica, do volume globular, determinação da concentração plasmática de lactato-L, glicose e osmolaridade sérica. No G25%, o pH sanguíneo variou entre 7,40 e 7,31, enquanto o G75% apresentou pH entre 7,38 e 7,26. Maiores concentrações de glicose plasmática foram detectadas no G75% no T3, T6 e T12 (P<0,05). Os ovinos que receberam 25% de melão mantiveram parâmetros sanguíneos dentro da normalidade, ao passo que, no G75%, os ovinos apresentaram discreta acidose metabólica sistêmica e hiperglicemia. A suplementação com 25% de melão pode ser uma alternativa segura na alimentação de ovinos.

This study evaluated the effects of two different amounts of melon on blood gas, biochemical and hematological variables of sheep not adapted. We used 12 cannulated sheep weighing 25 kg which never received concentrate. The animals received hay-based diet (2.3% of body weight) and water ad libitum. The sheep were randomly divided into two groups and received 25% or 75% of the dry matter (DM) of the diet of crushed melon (G25% and G75%, respectively) directly into the rumen. Blood collection and determination of ruminal pH were made at the following times: zero, three, six, 12, 18 and 24 hours after administration of the fruit. In whole blood was performed blood gas analysis and packed cell volume; in the plasma it was determined the concentrations of L-Lactate and glucose and in the serum the osmolarity. At G25% the blood pH ranged between 7.40 and 7.31, while G75% showed pH between 7.38 and 7.26. Higher concentrations of plasma glucose were detected in G75% after 3, 6 and 12 hours (P <0.05). Sheep receiving 25% of melon showed blood parameters within the normal range, while in the G75%, sheep had a mild systemic metabolic acidosis and hyperglycemia.

Are Members of the Triatoma brasiliensis (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) Species Complex Able to Alter the Biology and Virulence of a Trypanosoma cruzi Strain?

Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease, transmitted to humans and mammals by blood-sucking hemipteran insects belonging to the Triatominae subfamily. The two main genotypes of T. cruzi (TcI and TcII) differ in many characteristics concerning their genetic profile. Despite the extensive literature on vectors and the etiologic agent, several interactive aspects between these two elements of Chagas disease are still waiting to be further clarified. Here, biological and histological features resulting from the interaction between Albino Swiss mice and T. cruzi isolate PB913 after passages through vectors of the Triatoma brasiliensis species complex were evaluated. Comparing the four members of the T. brasiliensis species complex-Triatoma brasiliensis brasiliensis Neiva, Triatoma brasiliensis macromelasoma Galvão, Triatoma melanica Neiva & Lent, and Triatoma juazeirensis Costa & Felix-no significant differences in parasitemia of the infected mice were observed. At 20 days post-infection, the highest number of parasites was observed in the group of mice that were infected with parasites obtained from T. b. macromelasoma. Tropism of the parasites to different organs such as heart, bladder, and skeletal muscles followed by inflammatory cell infiltrates was observed with quantitative and qualitative differences. Even though the four members of the T. brasiliensis species complex differ in their geographical distribution, morphology, biology, ecology, and genetics, no significant influence on the parasitemia of the T. cruzi PB913 isolate was detected. After evaluation of the tissue samples, a higher pathogenicity of parasites obtained from T. b. brasiliensis was noticeable.

Immunosuppressive PAS-1 is an excretory/secretory protein released by larval and adult worms of the ascarid nematode Ascaris suum.

Helminths use several strategies to evade and/or modify the host immune response, including suppression or inactivation of the host antigen-specific response. Several helminth immunomodulatory molecules have been identified. Our studies have focused on immunosuppression induced by the roundworm Ascaris suum and an A. suum-derived protein named protein 1 from A. suum (PAS-1). Here we assessed whether PAS-1 is an excretory/secretory (E/S) protein and whether it can suppress lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. Larvae from infective eggs were cultured in unsupplemented Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) for 2 weeks. PAS-1 was then measured in the culture supernatants and in adult A. suum body fluid at different time points by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with the monoclonal antibody MAIP-1. Secreted PAS-1 was detected in both larval culture supernatant and adult body fluid. It suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced leucocyte migration and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and stimulated interleukin (IL)-10 secretion, indicating that larval and adult secreted PAS-1 suppresses inflammation in this model. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of PAS-1 was abolished by treatment with MAIP-1, a PAS-1-specific monoclonal antibody, confirming the crucial role of PAS-1 in suppressing LPS-induced inflammation. These findings demonstrate that PAS-1 is an E/S protein with anti-inflammatory properties likely to be attributable to IL-10 production.

Avaliação hemogasométrica, bioquímica e hematológica de ovinos suplementados com melão / Effects of sudden intake of melon on blood gas, biochemical and hematological parameters of sheep

O presente trabalho avaliou os efeitos da administração de duas diferentes quantidades de melão sobre variáveis hemogasométricas, bioquímicas e hematológicas de ovinos não adaptados. Foram utilizados 12 ovinos canulados, pesando 25kg de peso vivo, que nunca receberam ração concentrada. Os animais receberam dieta à base de feno (2,3% do peso vivo) e água à vontade. Os ovinos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos e receberam 25% ou 75% da matéria seca (MS) da dieta de melão triturado (G25% e G75%, respectivamente) diretamente no rúmen. Foram realizadas coletas de sangue e determinação do pH ruminal nos seguintes tempos: zero, 3, 6, 12, 18 e 24 horas após oferecimento do melão. Foi realizada análise hemogasométrica, do volume globular, determinação da concentração plasmática de lactato-L, glicose e osmolaridade sérica. No G25%, o pH sanguíneo variou entre 7,40 e 7,31, enquanto o G75% apresentou pH entre 7,38 e 7,26. Maiores concentrações de glicose plasmática foram detectadas no G75% no T3, T6 e T12 (P<0,05). Os ovinos que receberam 25% de melão mantiveram parâmetros sanguíneos dentro da normalidade, ao passo que, no G75%, os ovinos apresentaram discreta acidose metabólica sistêmica e hiperglicemia. A suplementação com 25% de melão pode ser uma alternativa segura na alimentação de ovinos.(AU)

This study evaluated the effects of two different amounts of melon on blood gas, biochemical and hematological variables of sheep not adapted. We used 12 cannulated sheep weighing 25 kg which never received concentrate. The animals received hay-based diet (2.3% of body weight) and water ad libitum. The sheep were randomly divided into two groups and received 25% or 75% of the dry matter (DM) of the diet of crushed melon (G25% and G75%, respectively) directly into the rumen. Blood collection and determination of ruminal pH were made at the following times: zero, three, six, 12, 18 and 24 hours after administration of the fruit. In whole blood was performed blood gas analysis and packed cell volume; in the plasma it was determined the concentrations of L-Lactate and glucose and in the serum the osmolarity. At G25% the blood pH ranged between 7.40 and 7.31, while G75% showed pH between 7.38 and 7.26. Higher concentrations of plasma glucose were detected in G75% after 3, 6 and 12 hours (P <0.05). Sheep receiving 25% of melon showed blood parameters within the normal range, while in the G75%, sheep had a mild systemic metabolic acidosis and hyperglycemia.(AU)

Avaliação e comparação entre métodos de mensuração de pressão arterial sistólica em gatos hígidos anestesiados / Evaluation and comparison between methods of measurement of systolic blood pressure in healthy anesthetized cats

Foram avaliados e comparados, para fins de validação, dois diferentes métodos de mensuração de pressão arterial sistólica (PAS), não invasivos ou indiretos (oscilométrico e Doppler vascular) com o invasivo ou direto (cateterização arterial - padrão ouro), em 12 gatos hígidos anestesiados de idade variando entre sete meses e dois anos. Em cada animal, procedeu-se à mensuração simultânea da pressão não invasiva e da invasiva. O método oscilométrico foi comparado, por meio de sete medidas consecutivas, com intervalo de 30 segundos entre elas, com o método invasivo, e, logo em seguida, o método Doppler foi comparado ao método invasivo da mesma maneira. Concluiu-se que o método oscilométrico é estatisticamente igual ao método invasivo, enquanto o Doppler difere de ambos. Entretanto, pela forte correlação positiva entre os métodos Doppler e invasivo, foi possível criar um fator de correção (equação de regressão linear) para se determinar o valor da pressão invasiva, a partir do valor obtido pelo método Doppler. Para obtenção de valores mais fidedignos, recomenda-se a utilização desse fator de correção quando o método Doppler for utilizado para mensuração de PAS em gatos anestesiados.(AU)

For validation purposes, two different methods of measurement of systolic blood pressure (SBP), noninvasive or indirect (oscillometric and vascular doppler), direct or invasive (arterial catheterization - the gold standard) were evaluated and compared in 12 healthy anesthetized cats, varying between seven months to two years old. In each animal, we proceeded to the simultaneous noninvasive and invasive measurement of pressure. The oscillometric method was compared by means of seven consecutive measurements with an interval of 30 seconds between them, with the invasive method, and soon after, the doppler method was compared to the invasive method in the same way. It was concluded that the oscillometric method is statistically equal to the invasive method, whereas doppler differs from both. However, due to the strong positive correlation between doppler and invasive methods, it was possible to create a correction factor (linear regression) to determine the value of invasive pressure from the value obtained by the doppler method. To obtain more reliable figures, it is recommended to use this correction factor when the doppler method is used to measure SBP in anesthetized cats.(AU)

Behaviour of confined sheep fed with different concentrate sources / Comportamento ingestivo de ovinos confinados alimentados com diferentes fontes de concentrado

In this study we examined the effects of different feed concentrates on sheep behaviour. Our hypothesis was that citric pulp would stimulate rumination and be capable of replacing other concentrates traditionally used for feeding in confinement, to reduce the risk of urolithiasis. Ten adult Santa Inês sheep were distributed in a Latin square with five different diets, one control diet with 80 percent hay and 20 percent commercial feed and four diets containing 30 percent coast-cross hay and 70 percent of the following concentrates: pelleted citrus pulp, citrus pulp meal, cornmeal or wheat bran. After 21d of adaptation to each one of the five diets, the sheep were visually monitored for 24 h at 3 min intervals to record the time spent ruminating, time spent eating and time spent resting; the animals' positions (standing or lying down) were also noted. Daytime was considered to be from 06:00h to 18:00h. The data were evaluated using ANOVA, with Tukey post-hoc test or throughout Two-sample T test for circadian and position assessment. Citrus pulp diets resulted in time spent ruminating similar to the control diet (601, 590 and 669 min, respectively), but greater (P<0.05) than the cornmeal group (421min), which showed that citrus pulp generated effective rumination. The estimated saliva production in the control diet (26L) was greater than in the other groups, and was greater in the citrus pulp groups (24L/d) than cornmeal (21L/d). Feeding with cornmeal led to shorter time spent eating and time spent ruminating than all other diets. The sheep had higher time spent resting at night when fed concentrates (P<0.05). For all diets, about 90 percent of the time spent ruminating occurred with the animals lying down. Pelleted citrus pulp, citrus pulp meal and to a lesser degree wheat bran, led to adequate time spent ruminating. The use of citrus pulp can act as a preventive management measure to reduce the incidence of urolithiasis in sheep flocks.(AU)

No presente estudo, avaliaram-se os efeitos da alimentação de diferentes concentrados sobre o comportamento de ovinos. A hipótese é a de que a polpa cítrica estimularia a ruminação e reduziria o risco de ocorrência de urolitíase, podendo substituir outros concentrados. Dez ovinos adultos, mestiços da raça Santa Inês, foram distribuídos em um quadrado latino com cinco tratamentos, sendo quatro destes contendo dietas com 30 por cento de feno de capim coast-cross e 70 por cento dos seguintes concentrados: polpa cítrica peletizada, polpa cítrica farelada, fubá de milho e farelo de trigo, e uma dieta controle com 80 por cento de feno e 20 por cento de ração comercial peletizada. [...] A posição dos animais (em pé ou deitados) também foi observada. O período diurno foi considerado entre seis e 18 horas. Para comparação entre os tratamentos, os dados foram avaliados por meio de ANOVA e do teste de Tukey. Para a avaliação circadiana e entre as posições, foi utilizado o teste t de Student. Dietas com polpa cítrica promoveram tempo de ruminação semelhante aos do grupo de controle (601, 590 e 669 min, respectivamente), mas superior ao grupo alimentado com fubá de milho (421min). A produção de saliva estimada no grupo controle (26L/d) foi maior do que nos demais grupos, e os grupos com polpa cítrica tiveram maior produção de saliva do que o grupo com fubá de milho (21L/d). Ovinos em dietas ricas em concentrados descansam mais durante a noite. Em todas as dietas, cerca de 90 por cento da ruminação ocorreu com os animais deitados. A polpa cítrica peletizada e a farelada, e em menor grau o farelo de trigo, promoveram adequadamente a ruminação. Este concentrado pode ser utilizado como medida preventiva visando diminuir a incidência de urolitíase em rebanhos ovinos.(AU)

Avaliação e comparação entre métodos de mensuração de pressão arterial sistólica em gatos hígidos anestesiados / Evaluation and comparison between methods of measurement of systolic blood pressure in healthy anesthetized cats

Foram avaliados e comparados, para fins de validação, dois diferentes métodos de mensuração de pressão arterial sistólica (PAS), não invasivos ou indiretos (oscilométrico e Doppler vascular) com o invasivo ou direto (cateterização arterial - padrão ouro), em 12 gatos hígidos anestesiados de idade variando entre sete meses e dois anos. Em cada animal, procedeu-se à mensuração simultânea da pressão não invasiva e da invasiva. O método oscilométrico foi comparado, por meio de sete medidas consecutivas, com intervalo de 30 segundos entre elas, com o método invasivo, e, logo em seguida, o método Doppler foi comparado ao método invasivo da mesma maneira. Concluiu-se que o método oscilométrico é estatisticamente igual ao método invasivo, enquanto o Doppler difere de ambos. Entretanto, pela forte correlação positiva entre os métodos Doppler e invasivo, foi possível criar um fator de correção (equação de regressão linear) para se determinar o valor da pressão invasiva, a partir do valor obtido pelo método Doppler. Para obtenção de valores mais fidedignos, recomenda-se a utilização desse fator de correção quando o método Doppler for utilizado para mensuração de PAS em gatos anestesiados.

For validation purposes, two different methods of measurement of systolic blood pressure (SBP), noninvasive or indirect (oscillometric and vascular doppler), direct or invasive (arterial catheterization - the gold standard) were evaluated and compared in 12 healthy anesthetized cats, varying between seven months to two years old. In each animal, we proceeded to the simultaneous noninvasive and invasive measurement of pressure. The oscillometric method was compared by means of seven consecutive measurements with an interval of 30 seconds between them, with the invasive method, and soon after, the doppler method was compared to the invasive method in the same way. It was concluded that the oscillometric method is statistically equal to the invasive method, whereas doppler differs from both. However, due to the strong positive correlation between doppler and invasive methods, it was possible to create a correction factor (linear regression) to determine the value of invasive pressure from the value obtained by the doppler method. To obtain more reliable figures, it is recommended to use this correction factor when the doppler method is used to measure SBP in anesthetized cats.

Behaviour of confined sheep fed with different concentrate sources / Comportamento ingestivo de ovinos confinados alimentados com diferentes fontes de concentrado

In this study we examined the effects of different feed concentrates on sheep behaviour. Our hypothesis was that citric pulp would stimulate rumination and be capable of replacing other concentrates traditionally used for feeding in confinement, to reduce the risk of urolithiasis. Ten adult Santa Inês sheep were distributed in a Latin square with five different diets, one control diet with 80 percent hay and 20 percent commercial feed and four diets containing 30 percent coast-cross hay and 70 percent of the following concentrates: pelleted citrus pulp, citrus pulp meal, cornmeal or wheat bran. After 21d of adaptation to each one of the five diets, the sheep were visually monitored for 24 h at 3 min intervals to record the time spent ruminating, time spent eating and time spent resting; the animals' positions (standing or lying down) were also noted. Daytime was considered to be from 06:00h to 18:00h. The data were evaluated using ANOVA, with Tukey post-hoc test or throughout Two-sample T test for circadian and position assessment. Citrus pulp diets resulted in time spent ruminating similar to the control diet (601, 590 and 669 min, respectively), but greater (P<0.05) than the cornmeal group (421min), which showed that citrus pulp generated effective rumination. The estimated saliva production in the control diet (26L) was greater than in the other groups, and was greater in the citrus pulp groups (24L/d) than cornmeal (21L/d). Feeding with cornmeal led to shorter time spent eating and time spent ruminating than all other diets. The sheep had higher time spent resting at night when fed concentrates (P<0.05). For all diets, about 90 percent of the time spent ruminating occurred with the animals lying down. Pelleted citrus pulp, citrus pulp meal and to a lesser degree wheat bran, led to adequate time spent ruminating. The use of citrus pulp can act as a preventive management measure to reduce the incidence of urolithiasis in sheep flocks...

No presente estudo, avaliaram-se os efeitos da alimentação de diferentes concentrados sobre o comportamento de ovinos. A hipótese é a de que a polpa cítrica estimularia a ruminação e reduziria o risco de ocorrência de urolitíase, podendo substituir outros concentrados. Dez ovinos adultos, mestiços da raça Santa Inês, foram distribuídos em um quadrado latino com cinco tratamentos, sendo quatro destes contendo dietas com 30 por cento de feno de capim coast-cross e 70 por cento dos seguintes concentrados: polpa cítrica peletizada, polpa cítrica farelada, fubá de milho e farelo de trigo, e uma dieta controle com 80 por cento de feno e 20 por cento de ração comercial peletizada. [...] A posição dos animais (em pé ou deitados) também foi observada. O período diurno foi considerado entre seis e 18 horas. Para comparação entre os tratamentos, os dados foram avaliados por meio de ANOVA e do teste de Tukey. Para a avaliação circadiana e entre as posições, foi utilizado o teste t de Student. Dietas com polpa cítrica promoveram tempo de ruminação semelhante aos do grupo de controle (601, 590 e 669 min, respectivamente), mas superior ao grupo alimentado com fubá de milho (421min). A produção de saliva estimada no grupo controle (26L/d) foi maior do que nos demais grupos, e os grupos com polpa cítrica tiveram maior produção de saliva do que o grupo com fubá de milho (21L/d). Ovinos em dietas ricas em concentrados descansam mais durante a noite. Em todas as dietas, cerca de 90 por cento da ruminação ocorreu com os animais deitados. A polpa cítrica peletizada e a farelada, e em menor grau o farelo de trigo, promoveram adequadamente a ruminação. Este concentrado pode ser utilizado como medida preventiva visando diminuir a incidência de urolitíase em rebanhos ovinos...

Patient satisfaction and quality of life following laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: Today, antireflux surgery has an established position in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Some case series have shown good short-term results, but there is still little information regarding long-term results. Studies have recently focused on evaluating residual symptomatology and its impact on quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To determine the postoperative quality of life and degree of satisfaction in patients that underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients (59 women and 41 men) were studied after having undergone laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. The variables analyzed were level of satisfaction, gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI), residual symptoms, and the Visick scale. RESULTS: No variation was found in relation to sex; 49 men and 51 women participated in the study. The mean age was 49 years. The degree of satisfaction encountered was: satisfactory in 81 patients, moderate in 3, and bad in 2 patients. More than 90% of the patients would undergo the surgery again or recommend it. The Carlsson score showed improvement at the end of the study (p<0.05). In relation to the GIQLI, a median of 100.61 points±21.624 was obtained. Abdominal bloating, regurgitation, and early satiety were the most frequent residual symptoms. The effect on lifestyle measured by the Visick scale was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: The level of satisfaction and quality of life obtained were comparable with reported standards; and the residual symptoms after antireflux surgery were easily controlled.

Lymphatic fluctuation in the parenchymal remodeling stage of acute interstitial pneumonia, organizing pneumonia, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Because the superficial lymphatics in the lungs are distributed in the subpleural, interlobular and peribroncovascular interstitium, lymphatic impairment may occur in the lungs of patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) and increase their severity. We investigated the distribution of lymphatics in different remodeling stages of IIPs by immunohistochemistry using the D2-40 antibody. Pulmonary tissue was obtained from 69 patients with acute interstitial pneumonia/diffuse alveolar damage (AIP/DAD, N = 24), cryptogenic organizing pneumonia/organizing pneumonia (COP/OP, N = 6), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP/NSIP, N = 20), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis/usual interstitial pneumonia (IPF/UIP, N = 19). D2-40+ lymphatic in the lesions was quantitatively determined and associated with remodeling stage score. We observed an increase in the D2-40+ percent from DAD (6.66 ± 1.11) to UIP (23.45 ± 5.24, P = 0.008) with the advanced process of remodeling stage of the lesions. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed a better survival for patients with higher lymphatic D2-40+ expression than 9.3%. Lymphatic impairment occurs in the lungs of IIPs and its severity increases according to remodeling stage. The results suggest that disruption of the superficial lymphatics may impair alveolar clearance, delay organ repair and cause severe disease progress mainly in patients with AIP/DAD. Therefore, lymphatic distribution may serve as a surrogate marker for the identification of patients at greatest risk for death due to IIPs.