Application of bioelectrical impedance analysis in prediction of light kid carcass and muscle chemical composition.

Carcass data were collected from 24 kids (average live weight of 12.5±5.5 kg; range 4.5 to 22.4 kg) of Jarmelista Portuguese native breed, to evaluate bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) as a technique for prediction of light kid carcass and muscle chemical composition. Resistance (Rs, Ω) and reactance (Xc, Ω), were measured in the cold carcasses with a single frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer and, together with impedance (Z, Ω), two electrical volume measurements (VolA and VolB, cm2/Ω), carcass cold weight (CCW), carcass compactness and several carcass linear measurements were fitted as independent variables to predict carcass composition by stepwise regression analysis. The amount of variation explained by VolA and VolB only reached a significant level (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively) for muscle weight, moisture, protein and fat-free soft tissue content, even so with low accuracy, with VolA providing the best results (0.326⩽R 2⩽0.366). Quite differently, individual BIA parameters (Rs, Xc and Z) explained a very large amount of variation in dissectible carcass fat weight (0.814⩽R 2⩽0.862; P<0.01). These individual BIA parameters also explained a large amount of variation in subcutaneous and intermuscular fat weights (respectively 0.749⩽R 2⩽0.793 and 0.718⩽R 2⩽0.760; P<0.01), and in muscle chemical fat weight (0.663⩽R 2⩽0.684; P<0.01). Still significant but much lower was the variation in muscle, moisture, protein and fat-free soft tissue weights (0.344⩽R 2⩽0.393; P<0.01) explained by BIA parameters. Still, the best models for estimation of muscle, moisture, protein and fat-free soft tissue weights included Rs in addition to CCW, and accounted for 97.1% to 99.8% (P<0.01) of the variation observed, with CCW by itself accounting for 97.0% to 99.6% (P<0.01) of that variation. Resistance was the only independent variable selected for the best model predicting subcutaneous fat weight. It was also selected for the best models predicting carcass fat weight (combined with carcass length, CL; R 2=0.943; P<0.01) and intermuscular fat weight (combined with CCW; R 2=0.945; P<0.01). The best model predicting muscle chemical fat weight combined CCW and Z, explaining 85.6% (P<0.01) of the variation observed. These results indicate BIA as a useful tool for prediction of light kids' carcass composition.

Prediction of foal carcass composition and wholesale cut yields by using video image analysis.

This work represents the first contribution for the application of the video image analysis (VIA) technology in predicting lean meat and fat composition in the equine species. Images of left sides of the carcass (n=42) were captured from the dorsal, lateral and medial views using a high-resolution digital camera. A total of 41 measurements (angles, lengths, widths and areas) were obtained by VIA. The variation of percentage of lean meat obtained from the forequarter (FQ) and hindquarter (HQ) carcass ranged between 5.86% and 7.83%. However, the percentage of fat (FAT) obtained from the FQ and HQ carcass presented a higher variation (CV between 41.34% and 44.58%). By combining different measurements and using prediction models with cold carcass weight (CCW) and VIA measurement the coefficient of determination (k-fold-R 2) were 0.458 and 0.532 for FQ and HQ, respectively. On the other hand, employing the most comprehensive model (CCW plus all VIA measurements), the k-fold-R 2 increased from 0.494 to 0.887 and 0.513 to 0.878 with respect to the simplest model (only with CCW), while precision increased with the reduction in the root mean square error (2.958 to 0.947 and 1.841 to 0.787) for the hindquarter fat and lean percentage, respectively. With CCW plus VIA measurements is possible to explain the wholesale value cuts yield variation (k-fold-R 2 between 0.533 and 0.889). Overall, the VIA technology performed in the present study could be considered as an accurate method to assess the horse carcass composition which could have a role in breeding programmes and research studies to assist in the development of a value-based marketing system for horse carcass.

Starch characterization in seven raw, boiled and roasted chestnuts (Castanea sativa Mill.) cultivars from Portugal.

Changes occurring in seven chestnut (Castanea sativa sp.) cultivars, caused by boiling and roasting, on starch content, cell and starch granules dimension were evaluated, and morphological changes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Three clear patterns of variation were detected after processing, namely: i) decrease of starch content with processing; ii) starch increase with the applied treatments; iii) increase of starch with boiling and decrease with roasting. Starch granules of raw chestnuts presented round, oval or elliptical form, external smooth surface and eccentric hilum, with rather ellipsoid-shaped growth rings. Processing resulted in modifications of the granules, with fusion of individual granules, and gelatinization taking place with the formation of elongated clusters. The present results indicate that boiling and roasting, besides changing the starch content of chestnut, causes important modifications in the starch granules, which can affect the sensory, rheological and chemical characteristics of chestnuts.

Evaluation of long-chain alcohols as diet composition markers in goats grazing heathland areas.

An experiment was conducted to assess the potential of long-chain alcohols (LCOH), in alternative or combined with alkanes and long-chain fatty acids (LCFA), as faecal markers to estimate the diet composition of goats grazing heathland vegetation with associated improved pastures. A total of seven diets were offered across the grazing season. The diets were composed of mixtures of herb species (Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens) and woody species (Erica spp., Calluna vulgaris and Ulex gallii) in an attempt to simulate diet selection of goats on these complex vegetation areas. The diet composition was estimated using LCOH markers alone or combined with alkanes, LCFA and alkanes+LCFA, by least square optimization procedures. The data showed large differences between plant species in their LCOH profile. Generally, plant species showed higher LCOH concentrations than those of alkanes and lower than LCFA markers. Faecal recovery of LCOH was incomplete and increased in a linear manner (P < 0.001) with the carbon-chain length, and was influenced by diet composition and its digestibility. The diet composition estimates based on LCOH alone were more accurate (P < 0.05) than those using alkanes or LCFA alone. Results showed that the combination of LCOH with alkanes, LCFA and alkanes+LCFA resulted in more accurate (P < 0.05) estimates of diet composition, indicating that LCOH provided different discriminatory information to that of alkanes and LCFA, helping in the discrimination of the plant species used in this experiment. Results indicate that correction of faecal LCOH concentrations to incomplete faecal recovery is necessary to obtain more accurate estimates of diet composition. Nevertheless, it seemed that the use of a less accurate recovery correction on LCOH markers had a lower impact on the accuracy of estimates than that of alkanes and LCFA.

The value of in vivo real time ultrasonography in assessing loin muscularity and carcass composition of rabbits.

Sixty nine growing rabbits were scanned over the lumbar region using a real time ultrasonography (RTU) machine to estimate loin muscularity and carcass composition. Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle (LM) depth, width and area were taken. Animals were weighed (LW), slaughtered and carcass composition was determined. Equivalent measurements to those taken by RTU in vivo were taken on the carcass and muscularity indices were calculated on carcass and in vivo. Simple correlations between the two types of measurements were determined and carcass composition was estimated by simple and multiple regressions. The LW varied from 1200 to 3410g. The simple correlations between carcass and in vivo RTU LM measurements were high (P<0.001) and the LM area was the trait with the highest correlation (r=0.92). Simple correlations between muscularity indices measured by RTU and in carcass were significant (P<0.001). In vivo RTU measurements explained a large amount of the variation of the carcass meat weight (MW) and bone weight (r(2) range from 0.49 to 0.77; P<0.001). Using multiple regression equations to estimate carcass composition, the best fit was obtained with the LW and one or more in vivo RTU measurement. The LW explained 90.6% of the variation of MW in the carcass. In vivo RTU is able to estimate loin muscularity and carcass composition of rabbits with accuracy. The usefulness of in vivo RTU and LW to predict carcass composition of rabbits using multiple regressions was also shown.

Sheep carcass composition estimated from Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle volume measured by in vivo real-time ultrasonography.

The use of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle (LM) volume measured in vivo by real-time ultrasonography (RTU) to estimate carcass composition was evaluated in 47 female sheep. Animals were scanned over six sites (7th, 9th, 11th and 13th thoracic vertebrae and 2nd and 4th lumbar vertebrae). After slaughter carcass weight (CW) and composition by dissection were determined. RTU volume measurements were calculated by multiplying the LM area at each site by the vertebra lengths. Equivalent measurements to those taken in vivo were obtained on the carcass using a digital camera and image analysis. The correlation between LM volume measured by RTU and in the carcass was high for all scans. LM volume was better in predicting carcass muscle than carcass fat. Lower determination coefficients were obtained between LM volume and carcass tissues expressed in % of CW. The best estimates of carcass tissues weights and proportions were obtained using the LM volume between the 2nd and the 4th lumbar vertebrae for all tissues. Multiple regression equations were fitted using live weight (LW) and LM volume to predict carcass composition. For all tissues, the best fit was obtained with two, three or four independent variables and the stepwise procedure was consistent in selecting LW to establish the prediction equations. Weights and proportions of muscle, subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat and total fat were accurately predicted. These results indicate that Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle volume measured in vivo by RTU can be used to predict sheep carcass composition (muscle and fat).

Prediction of carcase and breast weights and yields in broiler chickens using breast volume determined in vivo by real-time ultrasonic measurement.

1. The use of in vivo real-time ultrasonic (RTU) to predict breast and carcase weights and yields in 103 male broiler chickens was evaluated. Breast area (mm(2)), thickness (mm) and volume (cm(3)) were measured by RTU in three identified sites. After RTU measurements, the broiler chickens were weighed (live weight, LW, g) and slaughtered Carcase and breast weights (g) and physical measures of breast area (mm(2)), and thickness (mm) corresponding to the three identified sites, and volume (cm(3)) were recorded. 2. The best simple correlation between RTU and carcase measurements was obtained for breast volume. Breast and carcase weights were well predicted by LW. Furthermore, breast volume measured in carcase or by RTU was better in predicting breast weight and breast and carcase yields. 3. Multiple regression equations were fitted using LW (g) and RTU measurement of breast volume to predict breast and carcase weights and yields. The coefficients of determination were 0.52 and 0.65 for breast and carcase yields, respectively, and 0.92 and 0.99 for breast and carcase weights, respectively.

In vivo estimation of sheep carcass composition using real-time ultrasound with two probes of 5 and 7.5 MHz and image analysis.

Ultrasonic measurements were taken on 46 sheep using a real-time ultrasound machine equipped with 2 probes (5 and 7.5 MHz). Measurements of subcutaneous fat thickness (SC) and muscle LM depth (MD) and area (MA) were taken at 2 locations: over the 13th thoracic vertebra (SC13, MD13, and MA13, respectively) and at the interval between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae (SC34, MD34, and MA34, respectively). Fat thickness was also measured over the third sternebra of the sternum. The relationship between carcass and in vivo ultrasound measurements was high for all the measurements (r(2) between 0.54 and 0.96, P < 0.01). Concerning MD and SC, the 7.5 MHz probe estimates were consistently more precise than the 5-MHz estimates (r(2) increased between 0.09 and 0.13), but the reverse occurred with the MA estimates, although to a lesser extent. Estimates of carcass composition for muscle, subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat, internal fat, and total fat based on BW explained a large amount of variation in muscle (87%), subcutaneous fat (85%), intermuscular fat (79%), internal fat (74%), and total fat (87%). In most cases (55 of 70) the introduction of one ultrasound measurement in addition to BW in the multiple regression equations further improved the explanation of variation for weight of carcass tissues, internal fat, and total fat. For carcass muscle estimation, the ultrasound measurements of muscle provided an increase of r(2) between 0.05 and 0.10 (P < 0.01). The SC13 and SC34 gave the best improvements in estimating subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat, internal fat, and total fat (r(2) increased between 0.05 and 0.17; P < 0.01). Prediction of the proportions of the carcass components (internal and total fat from BW) was clearly lower than the prediction of the absolute amounts of these traits. Inclusion of one or more ultrasound measurements in addition to BW increased the predictive ability of the equations. Both probes were useful to estimate carcass muscle depth and area and fat depth, but the 7.5-MHz probe showed a greater ability to estimate depth. For all traits, the stepwise procedure demonstrated that the best fit was obtained with BW and one or more ultrasound measurement with the 7.5-MHz probe.

Malaria in Brazilian military personnel deployed to Angola.

BACKGROUND: Malaria represents one of the most important infectious disease threats to deployed military forces; most personnel from developed countries are nonimmune personnel and are at high risk of infection and clinical malaria. This is especially true for forces deployed to highly-endemic areas in Africa and Southeast Asia where drug-resistant malaria is common. METHODS: We conducted an outbreak investigation of malaria cases in Angola where a total of 439 nonimmune Brazilian troops were deployed for a 6-month period in 1995-1996. A post-travel medical evaluation was also performed on 338 (77%) of the 439 soldiers upon return to Brazil. Questionnaire, medical record, thick/thin smear, and serum anti-Plasmodium falciparum antibody titer (by IFA) data were obtained. Peak serum mefloquine (M) and methylmefloquine (MM) metabolite levels were measured in a subsample of 66 soldiers (42 cases, 24 nonmalaria controls) who were taking weekly mefloquine prophylaxis (250 mg). RESULTS: Seventy-eight cases of malaria occurred among the 439 personnel initially interviewed in Angola (attack rate = 18%). Four soldiers were hospitalized, and 3 subsequently died of cerebral malaria. Upon return to Brazil, 63 (19%) of 338 soldiers evaluated were documented to have had clinical symptoms and a diagnosis of malaria while in Angola. In addition, 37 (11%) asymptomatically infected individuals were detected upon return (< 1% parasitemia). Elevated, post-travel anti-P. falciparum IFA titers (> or = 1:64) were seen in 101 (35%) of 292 soldiers tested, and was associated with a prior history of malaria in-country (OR = 3.67, 95% CI 1.98-6.82, p <.001). Noncompliance with weekly mefloquine prophylaxis (250 mg) was associated with a malaria diagnosis in Angola (OR = 3.75, 95% CI 0.97-17.41, p =.03) but not with recent P. falciparum infection (by IFA titer). Mean peak levels (and ratios) of serum M and MM were also found to be lower in those who gave a history of malaria while in Angola. CONCLUSIONS: Malaria was a significant cause of morbidity among Brazilian Army military personnel deployed to Angola. Mefloquine prophylaxis appeared to protect soldiers from clinical, but not subclinical, P. falciparum infections. Mefloquine noncompliance and an erratic chemoprophylaxis prevention policy contributed to this large outbreak in nonimmune personnel. This report highlights the pressing need for development of newer, more efficacious and practical, prophylactic drug regimens that will reduce the malaria threat to military forces and travelers.

[Shaken baby syndrome. Report of a case]. / Shaken baby syndrome (síndrome do bebê chacoalhado). Relato de caso]

The authors report the case of a 50-day-old baby who was brought to the Pediatric Emergency Room of the "Hospital de Clinicas da UNICAMP" with seizures. At the examination she presented without external signs of trauma, hypoactive and with generalized seizures. Numerous hemorrhages were found in the ocular fundi. CT scan showed interhemisferic hemorrhage and brain swelling. The child was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, kept under controlled ventilation and hydantal. Although these measures, she died three days later. Since the beginning there was suspicion of child abuse. One day after the admission the father told that he had shaken the baby because she was crying too much. The present paper discuss social and epidemiological aspects, and about the difficulties in the diagnosis of this syndrome that sometimes may be fatal, as in this case.