Managing systemic reactions and venom immunotherapy in vespid-venom allergy: observations from a retrospective study of Portuguese patients.

Summary: Background. Vespula spp. and Polistes spp. are relevant species in South Europe, with Vespa velutina nigrithorax (VVN) being considered a public health problem. We aimed to characterize a cohort of Portuguese patients referred for large local reaction (LLR) and/or systemic reaction (SR) to vespids. In patients treated with venom immunotherapy (VIT), induction protocol and frequency of adverse reactions were evaluated. Methods. Retrospective study including patients with LLR and SR to vespids referred to our Immunoallergology Department (2008-2022). Results. A total of 129 patients were evaluated, the majority were male adults (n = 77, 59.7%), from rural areas. From these, 51 patients had SR (Mueller classification: 7.8% grade I, 19.6% grade II, 37.3% grade III, 35.3% grade IV). We found no differences regarding the levels of total serum IgE, basal serum tryptase value, sIgE levels to the eliciting venom or their molecular components, regarding the severity of the SR that motivated the referral to our clinic. In the SR group, previous LLR Hymenoptera sting were reported in 15.7%. Thirty-eight patients (74.5%) initiated VIT: 22 with wasp venom, 14 with paper wasp venom and 2 with Vespa velutina venom. There was one mild systemic reaction, not requiring adrenaline and 4 LLR. Re-stings after VIT occurred in 16 patients, without any systemic or local reactions. Currently, eleven patients remain under VIT. Conclusions. Most vespid-venom allergic patients are male adults from rural areas. Sensitization to wasp venom was present in 52.9%, paper wasp in 33.3% and Vespa velutina in 13.7%. The frequency of adverse reactions during both induction and maintenance phases appears to be low. Despite a reduced sample size, our experience with VVN VIT, suggests its safety.

Effects of parity and early pregnancy on peripheral blood leukocytes in dairy cattle.

Subfertility remains a major problem in the dairy industry. Only 35-40% of high-yielding dairy cows and 55-65% of nonlactating heifers become pregnant after their first service. The immune system plays a critical role in the establishment of pregnancy. However, it can also create challenges for embryo survival and contribute to reduced fertility. We conducted 2 separate experiments to characterize changes in subsets of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) and their phenotype over the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in heifers and cows. We used flow cytometry and RT-qPCR to assess protein and mRNA expression of molecules important for immune function. We observed that monocytes and T cells were most affected by pregnancy status in heifers, whereas, CD8+ lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells were most affected during early pregnancy in cows. Changes in immune parameters measured appeared to be greater in heifers than cows including changes in expression of numerous immune function molecules. To test the hypothesis, we conducted a third experiment to simultaneously analyze the immunological responses to pregnancy between cows and heifers. We observed that cows had greater expression of proinflammatory cytokines and molecules associated with leukocyte migration and phagocytosis compared to heifers. Moreover, animals that failed to become pregnant showed altered expression of anti-inflammatory molecules. Overall, these findings support the hypothesis that early pregnancy signaling alters the proportions and functions of peripheral blood immune cells and differences between cows and heifers may yield insight into the reduced fertility of mature lactating dairy cows.

Social-pair judgment bias testing in slow-growing broiler chickens raised in low- or high-complexity environments.

Impacts of environmental complexity on affective states in slow-growing broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) are unknown. Chickens' performance in judgment bias tests (JBT) can be limited as they are tested individually, causing fear and anxiety. The objectives were to apply a social-pair JBT to assess the effect of environmental complexity on slow-growing broiler chickens` affective states, and assess the impact of fearfulness, anxiety, and chronic stress on JBT performance. Six-hundred Hubbard Redbro broilers were housed in six low-complexity (similar to commercial) or six high-complexity (permanent and temporary enrichments) pens. Twelve chicken pairs were trained (1 pair/pen, n = 24 chickens) using a multimodal approach (visual and spatial cues), with reward and neutral cues of opposing color and location. Three ambiguous cues were tested: near-positive, middle, and near-neutral cues. Approach and pecking behavior were recorded. Eighty-three percent of chickens (20/24) were successfully trained in 13 days. Fearfulness, anxiety, and chronic stress did not impact chickens' performance. Chickens successfully discriminated between cues. Low-complexity chickens approached the middle cue faster than high-complexity chickens, indicating that they were in a more positive affective state. The environmental complexity provided in this study did not improve affective states in slow-growing broiler chickens compared to a control. A social-pair JBT resulted in excellent learning and testing outcomes in slow-growing broilers.

Hypersensitivity to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on a pediatric Portuguese cohort.

Summary: Background. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)/analgesics (paracetamol) are among the most common causes of drug hypersensitivity reactions in children, with a reported prevalence of around 0.3% in the pediatric population. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are the most commonly reported culprits in the pediatric population. Our objective was to describe the allergy workup to NSAID/paracetamol of a pediatric population monitored in an allergy outpatient clinic. Methods. Retrospective observational study by consulting the medical records of patients evaluated in a pediatric outpatient clinic with history of NSAID/paracetamol, between January 2016 to August 2022. Results. A total of 43 patients have been evaluated for NSAID/paracetamol suspected allergy: 53.5% females, mean age of 9.8 ± 5.1 years, 47.7% atopic. The drugs reported as culprits were: ibuprofen (75.6%), paracetamol (17.8%), metamizole (4.4%) and naproxen (2.2%) and clinical manifestations were mainly urticaria/angioedema and maculopapular exanthema. Skin tests were performed in 7 patients: paracetamol (n = 5) and metamizole (n = 2), which were all negative. Fourty-six drug provocation tests were performed: 28 with the culprit drug and 18 with an alternative one; only 2 were positive (ibuprofen - culprit NSAID group): one immediate periorbital angioedema and one delayed lip edema with oropharyngeal tightness. Conclusions. The investigation of allergy to NSAID/paracetamol in children remains a challenge. In our population, ibuprofen was the most common NSAID reported. There were only 2 (4.3%) mild reactions on DPT. We could allow the use of the culprit NSAID/analgesic in 11 patients and an alternative one in 9 patients. This study highlights the importance of DPT in children for a correct diagnosis of NSAID hypersensitivity and selection of an alternative drug.

Hereditary angioedema: 24 years of experience in a Portuguese Reference Center.

Summary: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) poses a high burden of disease, being its epidemiological and clinical data heterogeneous among countries, with no recent published studies concerning Portuguese patients. Therefore, we aimed to raise awareness of HAE and to contribute to clinical knowledge. An observational, descriptive, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was performed, that included a cohort of 126 patients followed in a single Portuguese Center. We observed a high prevalence of HAE-C1-INH type II (45.2% of patients). Most HAE patients (67.4%) presented the initial manifestations of the disease before adulthood, at a mean age of 12.6 ± 8.4 years. However, we found a long delay in HAE diagnosis, especially in those without family history (mean 20.7 ± 17.3 years). Stress was the most common trigger, followed by trauma and infection. Symptoms involving different systems were increasingly reported with increased disease duration. Cutaneous symptoms (95.0%) were more frequent, followed by gastrointestinal (80.7%), and respiratory symptoms (50.4%). HAE symptoms led to abdominal surgery in 22 (17.5%) patients and induced laryngeal edema requiring intubation/tracheostomy in 8 (6.3%) patients. Most patients were under long-term prophylaxis, mainly with attenuated androgens (62.7% of patients).The correct distinction between HAE and other common causes of angioedema is critical, allowing reduction of diagnostic delay, improvement of adequate management, and ultimately improving outcomes and quality of life of HAE patients.

Efeito dos níveis de lisina/proteína ideal sobre desempenho, características de carcaça, digestibilidade e parâmetros sanguíneos de suínos machos, castrados, da raça Duroc, de 30kg a 50kg / [Effects of lysine/ideal protein level on performance, carcass characteristics, digestibility and blood parameters of Duroc barrows from 30 to 50kg]

Objetivou-se avaliar níveis de proteína e aminoácidos, mantendo-se as relações entre os aminoácidos para suínos machos, castrados, de30kg a 50kg. Foram utilizados 50 suínos machos, castrados, com peso inicial de 30,35±1,96kg, distribuídos em delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições com dois animais por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos consistiram em níveis de lisina digestível, mantendo-se a relação com os demais aminoácidos digestíveis: 0,73%; 0,83%; 0,93%; 1,03% e 1,13% na dieta. Avaliou-se desempenho, avaliação de carcaça, parâmetros sanguíneos e digestibilidade das dietas. Houve efeito quadrático para ganho de peso, conversão alimentar e níveis de creatinina em função dos níveis de lisina, com níveis ótimos estimados em 0,92%, 0,93% e 0,93%, respectivamente. As características de carcaça não foram influenciadas significativamente pelos tratamentos. Constatou-se efeito linear positivo para digestibilidade aparente da proteína bruta, da proteína total e da ureia sérica. Conclui-se que os níveis de proteína e lisina digestível recomendados para dietas de suínos machos, castrados, da raça Duroc, na fase de crescimento I, são de 16,70% e 0,93%, respectivamente, pois esses níveis proporcionaram melhorias no ganho de peso, na conversão alimentar e na creatinina sérica.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate digestible lysine levels, keeping the relation among amino acids for Duroc barrows from 30 to 50kg. Fifty Duroc barrows (30.35±1.96kg live weight) were allotted in a completely randomized experimental design, divided in five treatments with five replicates and two animals in each experimental unit. The treatments consisted of digestible lysine levels (0.73%; 0.83%; 0.93%; 1.03% and 1.13%), keeping the relation with other essential amino acids. Performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters and digestibility of the diets were evaluated. There was a quadratic response on weight gain, feed conversion and creatinine serum concentration as a function of the digestible lysine levels, with the greater levels obtained at 0.92%, 0.93% and 0.93%, respectively. The carcass characteristics were not influenced by the treatments. There was a linear increase of apparent digestibility of crude protein, total serum protein and urea. Results suggest that the requirement of protein and digestible lysine was 16.70% and 0.93%, respectively, providing improvements on weight gain, feed conversion and creatinine serum concentration of Duroc barrows in the growth phase.(AU)

Desempenho e características de carcaça de suínos em crescimento alimentados com torta de algodão e complexo enzimático / Performance and carcass characteristics of growing pigs fed diets containing cottonseed cake with and enzyme complex

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da inclusão da torta de algodão (TA) com adição de enzimas na ração de suínos na fase de crescimento e seus efeitos sobre o desempenho, as características de carcaças, bem como sua viabilidade econômica. Para tanto, foram utilizados 20 suínos machos castrados, distribuídos em um delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com peso corporal inicial de 56,28±5,78kg e final de 79,79±7,32kg. Os níveis de inclusão da TA foram 0%, 8%, 16% e 24%. Todas as rações tiveram os valores de exigência em energia metabolizável, proteína bruta e fósforo subestimados em 1,5% com a utilização de 300g/t do complexo enzimático. Os parâmetros de desempenho e as características de carcaça não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os níveis de inclusão da TA. A torta de algodão pode ser utilizada em até o nível de 24% de inclusão com adição de complexo enzimático em rações de suínos na fase de crescimento II, sem alterar os parâmetros de desempenho e as características de carcaças, além de apresentar redução do custo/kg de suíno produzido.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of cottonseed cake (CC) with enzyme complex in the diet of pigs in the growth phase and its effects on performance, carcass characteristics and economic viability. Thus, 20 barrows were distributed in a completely randomized block design, with initial body weight of 56.28±5.78kg and final weight of 79.79±7.32kg. The inclusion levels of CC were 0%, 8%, 16% and 24%. All diets had the requirement values of metabolizable energy, crude protein and phosphorus underestimated by 1.5% and were added to 300g/t enzyme complex. The performance parameters and carcass characteristics there was no difference between the levels of inclusion of cottonseed cake. The cottonseed cake can be used up to the 24% inclusion level with addition of enzyme complex in the growth phase II, without affecting performance and carcass characteristics, besides reducing the cost/kg of pig produced.(AU)

Implementation of Biological Control to the Integrated Control of Strongyle Infection among Wild Captive Equids in a Zoological Park.

The integrated control of strongyles was assayed for a period of three years in wild equids (zebras, European donkeys, and African wild asses) captive in a zoo and infected by strongyles. During three years control of parasites consisted of deworming with ivermectin + praziquantel; equids also received every two days commercial nutritional pellets containing a blend of 104 - 105 spores of the fungi Mucor circinelloides + Duddingtonia flagrans per kg meal. Coprological analyses were done monthly to establish the counts of eggs of strongyles per gram of feces (EPG). The reductions in the fecal egg counts (FECR) and in the positive horses (PHR) were calculated fifteen days after deworming; the egg reappearance period (ERP) and the time elapsed from the previous deworming (TPD) were also recorded. Four anthelmintic treatments were administered during the assay, three times throughout the first 2 yrs, and another treatment during the last one. FECR values of 96-100% and 75-100% for the PHR were recorded. The ERP oscillated between eight and twenty-eight weeks, and the TPD ranged from four to eighteen months, increasing to the end of the trial. No side effects were observed in any of the equids. It is concluded that integrated control of strongyles among equids captive in a zoo can be developed by anthelmintic deworming together with the administration of pellets manufactured with spores of parasiticide fungi every two days.

THESIS-ABSTRACT Supplementation levels of exogenous alpha-amylase in broilers diets.

This study aimed to evaluate the supplementation levels of an exogenous alpha-amylase in broilers diets and compare two indicators in determining the diets energy. The experiment was divided into two parallel evaluations, being one of performance and the other of metabolism. In performance assay, 1,700 one-day-old Cobb-500 male chicks were used. The animals were distributed in 50 experimental plots and evaluated five treatments with ten replicates in a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments were: a positive control (PC), a negative control (NC) and three alpha-amylase supplementation levels 200, 400 and 600 g/t, and the NC was formulated with 50 and 90 kcal of energy reduction in relation to the PC to the phases from 1 to 21 days and from 22 to 42 days, respectively. In the metabolism assay were used 240 animals, 150 birds for stage from 14 to 21 days and 90 birds to stage from 35 to 42 days of age and the treatments were the same as the performance assay, with six replicates per treatment in CRD. All diets of metabolism test contained the digestibility indicators Lipe® (eucalyptus purified lignin) and chromic oxide (Cr2O3), in concentrations of 0.05 and 1.0%, respectively. In the period from 1 to 21 days old, no significant differences were observed in weight gain (WG) (P > 0.05), however, feed intake (FI) was found higher by using 200 ppm of enzyme (P < 0.05) and better feed conversion (FC) with the PC (P < 0.05). From 22 to 42 days, no significant differences were observed on the WG (P > 0.05), but were observed lower FI and better FC to PC treatment (P < 0.05). In the period from 1 to 42 days of age, significant differences were also not observed on the WG (P > 0.05), but there was lower FI and better FC for the PC treatment (P < 0.05). The AMEn (apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance), determined using the total collection, reaffirmed the values ​​calculated for the PC and NC with intermediate data obtained from the enzyme use (200, 400 and 600 ppm). Comparing the total collection using Lipe® and Cr2O3, a correlation was observed only for the PC results, that were always higher, and for the NC results, that were lower for the three methodologies. For IDE (ileal digestible energy), determined by Cr2O3, significant differences were observed (P < 0.05) and it presented higher values in the PC treatment and lower values in the NC. In IDE determining by Lipe®, significant was observed (P < 0.05), showing higher value in the PC treatment. It is concluded that in the metabolism assessments, exogenous alpha-amylase tested was effective in increasing the metabolizable energy (ME), however, not enough to be equivalent to the ME of PC treatment, a result that was better expressed in the total collection, AMEn by Lipe® and IDE by Lipe® methodologies. The performance results reflect the superiority of PC treatment, pointing enzyme limitation to supply the energy deficit practiced in this work.

The anterior sagittal transrectal approach (ASTRA) for cases associated with rectal implantation of the urethra: A retrospective review of six cases.

INTRODUCTION: Severe genital abnormalities such as urogenital sinus and urethral duplication with ectopic urethra in the rectum represent a major challenge in reconstructive urology. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to review our cases presenting with functional ectopic urethra implanted in the rectum that were treated through an ASTRA approach. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of all patients who had undergone an ASTRA approach from 2005-2016. We collected data with interest to primary diagnosis, clinical presentation, additional procedure, immediate clinical outcome, complications, bowel habits after surgery, voiding and bladder emptying pattern and long term follow-up. RESULTS: Since 2005, we treated 6 cases using this method, consisting of 3 patients with congenital aphallia and 3 with Y-type urethral duplication. Two aphallia patients underwent De Castro's neophalloplasty with simultaneous anastomosis of proximal urethra to a tubed buccal mucosa neourethra and one had a neophalloplasty with transverse skin flaps and primary perineal urethrostomy. Two patients with Y-type urethral duplication had a complete urethroplasty performed (one end-to-end anastomosis and a two-stage repair). Last patient had a definitive perineal urethrostomy. At mean follow-up of 83.5 meses, only one patient voids through the urethra, four have a Mitrofanoff channel and two have a perineal urethrostomy. Immediate follow-up was uneventful and none of our patients had any bowel complications nor fecal incontinence. DISCUSSION: Domini et al. were the first proponents of the anterior sagittal transanorectal approach (ASTRA) as an alternative to classic Peña approach. Later, De Castro popularized specifically this technique as a relevant part of his neophalloplasty procedure to treat congenital aphallia. We did not find in this series any complications related to ASTRA technique in regards to bowel habits, fecal incontinence or infection but most of cases we tried to create a new anterior urethra and connect to the proximal stump failed. Moreover, we are skeptic to support simultaneous urethral repair when there is a dysplastic bulbar segment between the proximal stump and the end of the penile urethra normally at penoscrotal junction area by urethral duplication. Treatment at two-stages is also prone to fail in the midterm. At end, most of them will have either a Mitrofanoff or perineal urethral stoma as shown in our data. CONCLUSION: The ASTRA approach proved to be useful for cases of rectal implantation of the urethra. No complications related to anterior sphincter incision were documented. We believe it should be regarded as the treatment of choice for cases alike ours.

GROWING UP IN PORTUGAL: CAPE VERDEAN ANCESTRY CHILDREN EXHIBIT LOW OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY COMPARED WITH PORTUGUESE IN URBAN LISBON.

Portugal has one of the highest rates of childhood overweight and obesity in Europe. However, little is known about the health of ethnic minorities living in its capital city, Lisbon. The Cape Verdean community in Lisbon tend to have low educational levels, material deprivation and struggle with discrimination and racism, factors that would probably be associated with a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity. Data for the Cape Verdean population were collected in three different time periods by three different research teams in 1993, 2009 and 2013 and included children aged 6-12 years living in the Cova da Moura neighbourhood of the Greater Lisbon Metro Area. The Portuguese national survey was conducted between 2009 and 2010 at public and private schools in mainland Portugal and included height, weight, skinfolds and arm and waist circumferences. From these survey data body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of stunting (chronic malnutrition - low height-for-age) and underweight (low weight-for-age) were calculated according to reference values proposed by Frisancho (2008). Overweight and obesity prevalence values were defined based on the references established by the International Obesity Task Force. The results show significant differences in height between Cape Verdean and Portuguese boys and girls. Generally, Cape Verdeans' growth falls within the healthy range of international growth references across all of the survey data collected. Cape Verdean rates for combined overnutrition (overweight and obesity) in 2013 (9.8% for boys and 16.7% for girls) were lower than those of the Portuguese (33% for boys and 31.7% for girls). Logistic regression models showed that Cape Verdean children had a lower risk of being overweight or obese when accounting for breast-feeding, birth weight, maternal education and occupation. Despite living in a deprived neighbourhood these Cape Verdean children seemed to have grown more healthily than Portuguese ancestry children. The challenge for policymakers will be to support improvement of the poverty-related living conditions of this community without creating a risky environment for increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity.

Use of omalizumab in the treatment of chronic urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Omalizumab is indicated to treat chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) refractory to antihistamines. We aim to describe the experience of our department in the treatment of CSU with omalizumab. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of the clinical records of patients. RESULTS: Six patients (5 females, median age 33 years) treated with omalizumab for a median of 17.5 months were evaluated. All patients had improvement of symptoms after the first dose. In one case, the treatment was suspended after 7 months, but in 9 weeks there was recurrence of symptoms. The main side effect was headache in the drug administration's day. Currently, all patients maintain therapy with omalizumab and are clinically stable. CONCLUSION: Omalizumab proved to be an effective and safe drug for the treatment of patients with refractory CSU.

Thesis Abstract Fermented milk elaborated with Camellia sinensis.

This study aimed to develop and to characterize fermented dairy beverage formulated with Camellia sinensis. The infusion was elaborated with the addiction of dehydrated leaves of C. sinensis in whey (1g/100g) which added in sweetened milk (10% sucrose w/w) coagulated by Streptococcus salivarius subspecies thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus in proportions of 10, 20, 30 and 40% (v/w). The control treatment consisted of yogurt added with sucrose (10% w/w). Analysis were performed to quantify dry mass, moisture, ash, protein, fat, sodium, acidity, total quantification of lactic acid bacteria, total antioxidant activity and viscosity at the initial time of production and at 15 and 30 days of storage. Chromatographic determination of volatile compounds and sensory tests of acceptance and consumption intention were conducted at the initial time of production. Dry matter content, moisture, ash and total count of lactic acid bacteria from fermented milk drink formulations were not significantly affected by the amount of infusion of C. sinensis. However, the content of protein, fat and sodium were significantly lower with the increase of the proportion of infusion incorporated into the product. Significant reduction in apparent viscosity occurs with the increase in the amount of infusion added. The total antioxidant activity of the formulations was significantly higher as higher were the amount of added infusion. The addition of infusion contributed to the diversification of volatile aroma and taste makers in the product. The formulation of fermented dairy drink with addition of 30% infusion C. sinensis was better evaluated in sensory tests, with greater acceptance and greater consumer intent of consumption.

Thesis Abstract Levels and forms of vitamin D in broilers diets.

This study aimed to evaluate the concentration effects of two vitamin D isoforms, cholecalciferol (D3) and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD3) in broilers diets on performance, bone and physiological features of these birds. Of a total of 1920 one-day-old male chicks Cobb-500 were used from commercial hatchery, reared under bed creation systems. The animals were distributed in six treatments and eight replicates with 40 birds per treatment in a completely randomized design. The following vitamin D supplementation levels were applied: 70 and 87.5 µg/kg feed in initial phase; 56 and 70 µg/kg feed during the growth phase, and 35 and 47.35 µg/kg of feed in final phase of creation, obtained from two forms (D3 and 25-OHD3). The treatments consisted of supplementation of two levels from each isolated source and their associations (60% D3 + 40% 25-OHD3) according to the study phases. In the metabolism assay, 480 birds (14 and 35 days of age) were separated to be used for evaluation of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) retention and excretion during the periods of 19 to 21 days and 40 to 42 days of age. The diets were based on corn and soybean meal, with supplementation of phytase (500 FTU/kg). The performance, bone characteristics, plasma levels, bone radiographic density, carcass yield, and P and Ca retention were evaluated. In the initial creation phase, we observed an increased P excretion by broilers fed diets supplemented with vitamin D3 (P < 0.05). In addition, the association between the two vitamin D isoforms resulted in higher retention of Ca and P than the birds fed diets supplemented only with vitamin D3 (P < 0.05), and higher P retention when compared to birds fed diets supplemented with 25-OHD3 (P < 0.05). Dietary supplemental 25-OHD3 at 87.5 µg/kg resulted in higher plasma levels of Ca in relation to the same supplemented source with 70 µg/kg at 21 days of age (P < 0.05). In the final phase, the birds fed diets supplemented with vitamin D3 presented the lowest values of consumption and retention of Ca and P (P < 0.05). The association between the forms (D3 and 25-OHD3) reduced the excretion values of Ca and P (p < 0.05). The birds receiving a source of 25-OHD3 and the association had better feed conversion ratio and higher bone ash content (P < 0.05). At all stages studied D3 + 25-OHD3 combined supplementation increased tibial density of broilers in relation to supplementation of only vitamin D3 (P < 0.05). Results of this study indicate that the addition of 25-OHD3 in the feed supplemented with vitamin D3 improve the feed conversion, increase the Ca plasma levels, and also increases bone density, providing higher retention coefficients of Ca and P and lower P excretion, regardless of the development phase of these birds.

Thesis Abstract Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) lines: chemical composition and protein digestibility.

The bean represents the main source of proteins for the low income populations, although the digestibility of those proteins is relatively low. Consequently, the programs of plant genetic breeding have been working on the search for new lines with higher protein levels. Thus, with the purpose of supplying information to the researchers, in this study, 21 bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) lines were analyzed for the centesimal and mineral composition, protein digestibility, phenolic compounds, and trypsin inhibitor. The entirely randomized experimental design was used with 21 treatments (lines) and three repetitions. All values were within the following ranges: 22.34 to 36.28 g crude protein/100 g dry matter (DM); 7.56 to 20.91 g neutral detergent fiber/100 g DM; 0.53 to 2.55 g fat/100 g DM and 2.97 to 4.87 g ashes/100 g DM. The levels of phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur, in g/100 g DM, varied from 0.45 to 0.72; 1.51 to 2.48; 0.03 to 0.28; 0.18 to 0.34 and 0.28 to 0.45, respectively. Regarding copper, manganese, zinc and iron, the levels, in mg/kg DM, varied from 11.37 to 17.73; 14.93 to 28.90; 36.67 to 69.90 and 71.37 to 126.90, respectively. The in vitro protein digestibility varied from 18.03 to 48.32%. The levels of phenolic compounds varied from 0.28 to 1.08 mg acid tanic/100 g DM and the one of trypsin inhibitor from 59.93 to 151.07 trypsin inhibited units/mg DM. Among the lines with higher protein contents, "ESAL 569" (beige with brown stripe) presented the largest protein digestibility and considerable levels of minerals. "P-180" (beige with brown stripe) was one of the lines with higher crude protein contents and digestibilities, and also presented high levels for most of the minerals. No relation between protein digestibility and the contents of phenolic compounds or trypsin inhibitor was observed.