Metabolizable energy and metabolizability coefficients of moringa and bocaiuva for slow-growing broilers at different ages.

This study aimed to determine nutrient metabolizability coefficients and apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and nitrogen-corrected AME (AMEn) values of moringa leaf meal and bocaiuva pulp for slow-growing broilers. Three hundred and fifty 1-day-old chicks of the Red Naked Neck line were allocated to five treatments in a completely randomized design with seven replicates of 10 birds. Treatments consisted of a control diet and four test diets. The proportion of ingredients evaluated in the test diets was 20% moringa leaf meal and bocaiuva pulp and 40% corn and soybean meal. The total excreta collection method was applied with 1% ferric oxide included in the diets as a marker of start and end of collection, in the starter, grower and finisher phases. The metabolizability coefficients of dry matter, crude protein and ether extract and the AME and AMEn values of moringa leaf meal, bocaiuva pulp, corn and soybean meal were determined. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey?s test at the 5% probability level. The protein from moringa leaf meal and the fat from bocaiuva pulp are highly metabolizable by birds at different ages. The AME and AMEn values of moringa leaf meal ranged from 2557 to 2868 Kcal/kg and 2205 to 2479 Kcal/kg, respectively. In bocaiuva pulp, AME and AMen ranged between 2680 and 3119 Kcal/kg and 2483 and 2490 Kcal/kg, respectively. Therefore, the alternative ingredients can be used in the formulation of diets for slow-growing broilers to partially replace corn and soybean meal

Egg quality of laying hens fed with cassava (Manihot esculenta), moringa (Moringa oleifera) and bocaiuva (Acrocomia aculeata) in semi-intensive rearing system.

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the introduction of cassava flour, moringa leaf meal and bocaiuva pulp in laying hens? diets on egg quality. Nine hundred eggs from Dekalb® White laying hens between 34 and 54 weeks of age rearing in semi-intensive system were used in the experiment. The laying hens were submitted to the following diets: 1 - diet control: maize and soybean meal base diet; 2 - diet with inclusion of 18% of cassava root meal+4% moringa leaf meal+4% of bocaiuva pulp; 3 - diet with the inclusion of 24% of cassava root meal+6% of moringa leaf meal+6% of bocaiuva pulp; 4 - diet with the inclusion of 30% of cassava root meal+8% of moringa leaf meal+8% bocaiuva pulp. The inclusion of higher levels of alternative ingredients intensified yolk color; it improved the percentage of albumen, yolk index, specific gravity and reduced yolk percentage. The association of 30% de cassava root meal+8% de moringa leaf meal+8% de bocaiuva pulp does not decrease the egg quality; it gives the yolk an orange yellow tone and it can be used in diets of laying hens with 34 and 54 weeks of age in semi-intensive systems. Resumo: O estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a inclusão de farelo de mandioca, farinha de folhas de moringa e polpa de bocaiuva em dietas de galinhas poedeiras sobre a qualidade dos ovos. Novecentos ovos de galinhas poedeiras Dekalb® White entre 34 e 54 semanas de idade criadas em sistema semi-intensivo foram utilizados no experimento. As galinhas poedeiras foram submetidas às seguintes dietas: 1 ? dieta à base de milho e farelo de soja; 2 - dieta com inclusão de 18% de farelo de mandioca + 4% de farinha de folhas de moringa + 4% de polpa de bocaiuva; 3 - dieta com inclusão de 24% de farelo de mandioca + 6% de farinha de folhas de moringa + 6% de polpa de bocaiuva; 4 - dieta com inclusão de 30% de farelo de mandioca + 8% de farelo de moringa + 8% de polpa de bocaiuva. A inclusão de níveis mais altos de ingredientes alternativos intensificou a cor da gema; melhorou a porcentagem de albúmen, índice de gema, gravidade específica e reduziu a porcentagem de gema. A associação de 30% de farelo de mandioca + 8% de farinha de folhas de moringa + 8% de polpa de bocaiuva não diminui a qualidade dos ovos, resulta na produção de ovos com gema de cor com tom amarelo alaranjado e pode ser usado em dietas de galinhas poedeiras com 34 e 54 semanas de idade criadas em sistemas semi-intensivos

Sometimes Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus) Cannot Find Their Way Back to the High Seas: A Multidisciplinary Study on a Mass Stranding

BACKGROUND: Mass strandings of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) remain peculiar and rather unexplained events, which rarely occur in the Mediterranean Sea. Solar cycles and related changes in the geomagnetic field, variations in water temperature and weather conditions, coast geographical features and human activities have been proposed as possible causes. In December 2009, a pod of seven male sperm whales stranded along the Adriatic coast of Southern Italy. This is the sixth instance from 1555 in this basin. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Complete necropsies were performed on three whales whose bodies were in good condition, carrying out on sampled tissues histopathology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology, and screening of veins looking for gas emboli. Furthermore, samples for age determination, genetic studies, gastric content evaluation, stable isotopes and toxicology were taken from all the seven specimens. The animals were part of the same group and determined by genetic and photo-identification to be part of the Mediterranean population. Causes of death did not include biological agents, or the "gas and fat embolic syndrome", associated with direct sonar exposure. Environmental pollutant tissue concentrations were relatively high, in particular organochlorinated xenobiotics. Gastric content and morphologic tissue examinations showed a prolonged starvation, which likely caused, at its turn, the mobilization of lipophilic contaminants from the adipose tissue. Chemical compounds subsequently entered the blood circulation and may have impaired immune and nervous functions. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: A multi-factorial cause underlying this sperm whales' mass stranding is proposed herein based upon the results of postmortem investigations as well as of the detailed analyses of the geographical and historical background. The seven sperm whales took the same "wrong way" into the Adriatic Sea, a potentially dangerous trap for Mediterranean sperm whales. Seismic surveys should be also regarded as potential co-factors, even if no evidence of direct impact has been detected

Analysis of Earthquake Damage to Ancient Buildings on the San Raineri Peninsula, Messina, Sicily

A study aimed to shed some light on building collapse caused by the strongest earthquakes in the San Raineri Peninsula (Messina) is here reported. Although a compilation of structurally damaged buildings is widely reported in historical sources, the interpretation of seismic collapse has often been doubtful or ambiguous. We therefore performed an exhaustive and detailed review of seismic effects caused by the 1783 and 1908 earthquakes on the peninsula buildings. Geological and geotechnical data were also collected on the peninsula. The results of boring data reveal high seismic vulnerability for the peninsula in some areas. The study shows that the ancient buildings were damaged by settlement due to soil liquefaction rather than by seismic shaking of the large walls. The obtained results show that further investigations must be carried out in this area for a correct town planning of the peninsula.Published2067-20793.10. Storia ed archeologia applicate alle Scienze della TerraJCR Journalrestricte

Analysis of Earthquake Damage to Ancient Buildings on the San Raineri Peninsula, Messina, Sicily

A study aimed to shed some light on building collapse caused by the strongest earthquakes in the San Raineri Peninsula (Messina) is here reported. Although a compilation of structurally damaged buildings is widely reported in historical sources, the interpretation of seismic collapse has often been doubtful or ambiguous. We therefore performed an exhaustive and detailed review of seismic effects caused by the 1783 and 1908 earthquakes on the peninsula buildings. Geological and geotechnical data were also collected on the peninsula. The results of boring data reveal high seismic vulnerability for the peninsula in some areas. The study shows that the ancient buildings were damaged by settlement due to soil liquefaction rather than by seismic shaking of the large walls. The obtained results show that further investigations must be carried out in this area for a correct town planning of the peninsula

Herniorrafia diafragmática videoassistida em gato: relato de caso

RESUMO Relata-se um caso de um felino com sinais de dificuldade respiratória havia cerca de 30 dias e emagrecimento progressivo. Ao exame radiográfico torácico e de abdômen, ficou evidenciada perda de definição da linha diafragmática, sendo compatível com hérnia diafragmática. Na laparoscopia, foi observado grande defeito diafragmático, além de estruturas herniadas. Em razão de as vísceras abdominais direcionarem-se ao tórax, dificultando a oclusão do defeito com suturas intracorpóreas, optou-se pela realização de incisão paracostal, procedendo-se à herniorrafia por celiotomia reduzida. A videolaparoscopia permitiu localizar o local herniado e promover a redução dos órgãos envolvidos com mínimo trauma operatório. Logo, mostrou-se como eficaz ferramenta diagnóstica e auxiliar no tratamento de hérnias diafragmáticas crônicas de grande dimensão em gato

Gemistocytic astrocytoma in the spinal cord in a dog: a case report

ABSTRACT This paper reports a case of a rare variant of the cervical spinal cord astrocytoma diagnosed in a dog with progressive neurological signs, initially asymmetrical, not ambulatory tetraparesis, segmental reflexes and normal muscle tone in all four limbs and absence of pain upon palpation of the cervical spine. Myelography revealed attenuation of the ventral and dorsal contrast line in the third region of the fifth cervical vertebra. At necropsy intramedullary cylindrical mass that stretched from the third to the sixth cervical vertebra, which replaced all the gray matter of the spinal cord was observed. In the histological study, there was the replacement of the substance by neoplastic cells mantle arranged loosely. The cells were large and slightly rounded. The eosinophilic cytoplasm was well defined, sometimes forming processes interconnecting cells. The nucleus was eccentric, round, oval or kidney-shaped, and the nucleolus was evident. Thus, the microscopic changes observed in the cervical spinal cord were consistent with gemistocytic astrocytoma