Phytogenic Bioactive Compounds in the Diet of Lactating Sows, Litter Performance, and Milk Characteristics.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of phytogenic supplementation in the feed of lactating sows on the performance parameters of sows and suckling piglets. Ninety-three lactating sows of commercial lines (sows TN70) were distributed in a completely randomized design. The treatments adopted were a control diet without phytogenics (control) and a control diet with phytogenic supplementation in the feed. Performance parameters and the behaviors of sows and piglets were evaluated, in addition to milk composition and the biochemical parameters of the animals. The use of phytogenics did not affect the feed intake or tissue mobilization of the sows. However, it improved the production and quality of milk and reduced the possibility of light piglets at weaning by 22.16 percentage points. Regarding biochemical parameters, phytogenics improved animal recovery in the lactation period, as proven by an increase in the serum concentration of total protein and urea. Sows that received phytogenics exhibited increased behaviors of inactivity (3.16%), breastfeeding (1.15%), and water consumption (0.95%). In conclusion, using phytogenics in the feed of lactating sows improves the performance of the litters without affecting the body condition of the sows, with increased milk production and enhanced protein and lactose concentration.

Bone repair in defects filled with AH Plus sealer and different concentrations of MTA: a study in rat tibiae.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effects on bone repair of different concentrations of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) added to AH Plus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bone tissue reactions were evaluated in 30 rats (Rattus norvegicus) after 7 and 30 days. In the AH + MTA10, AH + MTA20, and AH + MTA30 groups, defects in the tibiae were filled with AH Plus with MTA in proportions of 10%, 20% and 30%, respectively; in the MTA-FILL group, MTA Fillapex was used; and in the control group, no sealer was used. The samples were histologically analyzed to assess bone union and maturation. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were performed for multiple pairwise comparisons (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: At the 7-day time point, AH + MTA10 was superior to MTA-FILL with respect to bone union, and AH + MTA20 was superior to MTA-FILL with respect to bone maturity (p < 0.05). At the 30-day time point, both the AH + MTA10 and AH + MTA20 experimental sealers were superior not only to MTA-FILL, but also to AH + MTA30 with respect to both parameters (p < 0.05). The results of the AH + MTA10 and AH + MTA20 groups were superior to those of the control group for both parameters and experimental time points (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the potential benefit of using a combination of these materials in situations requiring bone repair.

Severity of voice disorders: integration of perceptual and acoustic data in dysphonic patients.

PURPOSE: To analyze the correlation between acoustic measures and intensity of vocal deviation, and its discriminatory power in detecting the presence of vocal change, classifying the severity of the deviation and differencing the type of predominant voice. METHODS: The sample comprised 186 patients with dysphonia. The vocal deviation from the vowel/ε/was evaluated by consensus between three speech language pathologists, using a Visual Analog Scale. We extracted the mean and standard deviation (SD) of the fundamental frequency (F0), jitter, shimmer, and Glottal-to-Noise Excitation Ratio (GNE). RESULTS: Mean F0 was negatively correlated with the degree of roughness and positively with the degree of tension. The F0 SD was positively correlated with the overall, roughness, tension, and instability grades. The jitter and shimmer were positively correlated with all perceptual parameters. Only the GNE distinguished between healthy and dysphonic voices and rated the degree of breathiness. The shimmer separated rough voices from not rough voices. The mean F0 was helpful to determine the degree of phonatory tension and to separate rough voices from breathy and strained voices. CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between the acoustic and auditory perceptual measures. The shimmer, the GNE, and F0 SD can be used to detect roughness, breathing, and strain, respectively. The GNE and mean F0 are useful to classify the degree of breathiness and strain, respectively. The mean F0 distinguished between rough, breathy, and strained voices, with rough voices more severe compared to the other two.

Severity of voice disorders: integration of perceptual and acoustic data in dysphonic patients / Intensidade do desvio vocal: integração de dados perceptivo-auditivos e acústicos em pacientes disfônicos

Purpose: To analyze the correlation between acoustic measures and intensity of vocal deviation, and its discriminatory power in detecting the presence of vocal change, classifying the severity of the deviation and differencing the type of predominant voice. Methods: The sample comprised 186 patients with dysphonia. The vocal deviation from the vowel/ε/was evaluated by consensus between three speech language pathologists, using a Visual Analog Scale. We extracted the mean and standard deviation (SD) of the fundamental frequency (F0), jitter, shimmer, and Glottal-to-Noise Excitation Ratio (GNE). Results: Mean F0 was negatively correlated with the degree of roughness and positively with the degree of tension. The F0 SD was positively correlated with the overall, roughness, tension, and instability grades. The jitter and shimmer were positively correlated with all perceptual parameters. Only the GNE distinguished between healthy and dysphonic voices and rated the degree of breathiness. The shimmer separated rough voices from not rough voices. The mean F0 was helpful to determine the degree of phonatory tension and to separate rough voices from breathy and strained voices. Conclusion: There is a correlation between the acoustic and auditory perceptual measures. The shimmer, the GNE, and F0 SD can be used to detect roughness, breathing, and strain, respectively. The GNE and mean F0 are useful to classify the degree of breathiness and strain, respectively. The mean F0 distinguished between rough, breathy, and strained voices, with rough voices more severe compared to the other two.

Objetivo: Analisar a correlação entre medidas acústicas e a intensidade do desvio vocal e seu poder discriminatório na detecção da presença de alteração vocal, na classificação da intensidade do desvio e na diferenciação do tipo de voz predominante. Métodos: Participaram 186 pacientes disfônicos. O desvio vocal foi avaliado por consenso por três fonoaudiólogos, a partir da emissão da vogal /ε/, utilizando-se uma escala analógico-visual. Foram extraídas a média e desvio padrão (DP) da frequência fundamental (F0), jitter, shimmer e Glottal to Noise Excitation Ratio (GNE). Resultados: A média de F0 correlacionou-se negativamente com o grau de rugosidade e positivamente com o grau de tensão. O DP de F0 correlacionou-se positivamente com o grau geral, de rugosidade, de tensão e de instabilidade. Houve correlação positiva entre o jitter e shimmer e todos os parâmetros perceptivos. Apenas o GNE diferenciou vozes saudáveis de vozes desviadas e classificou o grau de soprosidade. O shimmer separou vozes rugosas de vozes não rugosas. A média de F0 foi útil para determinar o grau de tensão fonatória e diferenciou vozes rugosas das soprosas e tensas. Conclusão: Há correlação entre as medidas acústicas e perceptivo-auditivas. O shimmer, o GNE e o DP de F0 podem ser utilizados na detecção de rugosidade, soprosidade e tensão, respectivamente. O GNE e a média de F0 são úteis para classificar o grau de soprosidade e tensão, respectivamente. A média de F0 diferenciou vozes rugosas, soprosas e tensas, sendo as vozes rugosas mais graves em relação às outras duas.