Métodos de amostragem para avaliação quantitativa de pastagens.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi levantar as principais técnicas utilizadas para coleta de amostras para determinação de forragem disponível na pastagem, considerando-se as vantagens e desvantagens de cada uma, visando fornecer subsídios para a tomada de decisão na hora de escolher o método mais adequado para cada situação.bitstream/item/24669/1/ct84-pastagem.pd

Effects of supplementation frequency on the ruminal fermentation and enteric methane production of beef cattle grazing in tropical pastures.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of ruminal fermentation and enteric methane production in beef cattle subjected to different supplementation frequencies while grazing on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pastures. Nine cattle (325±65.7 kg BW) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in the ruminal fermentation study, and 12 cattle (399±32.6 kg BW) were used in the enteric methane production study. The treatments included supplementation once daily, supplementation once daily except Saturdays and Sundays, or supplementation on alternate days. The supplementation was equivalent to 10 g kg ?1 BW day ?1 for all treatments. The design employed was completely randomized with three treatments and three replications. When all supplements were provided (day 1), no effects of supplementation frequency were observed on ruminal pH; concentration of NH 3 -N; concentration of acetic, propionic, or butyric acids; or total volatile fatty acids (VFA), but there were month effects. During the day on which only daily supplements were provided (day 2), significant differences were observed only on the molar concentration of acetic acid and total VFA; and month effects were noted on all variables. No significant differences were observed in ruminal fluid volume, dilution rate, N intake, bacterial N synthesis and enteric methane production among the studied supplementation frequencies. Differences were observed in the enteric methane production in the different months, with 85 g kg ?1 of gross energy intake observed in September and 123 g kg ?1 of gross energy intake observed in November. Lower supplementation frequency is a good option to lower labor costs with little or no consequences on ruminal fermentation characteristics and enteric methane production

STAT3 inhibition with Galiellalactone effectively targets the prostate cancer stem-like cell population."

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subpopulation of quiescent cells with the potential to differentiate into tumor cells. CSCs are involved in tumor initiation and progression and contribute to treatment failure through their intrinsic resistance to chemo- or radiotherapy, thus representing a substantial concern for cancer treatment. Prostate CSCs’ activity has been shown to be regulated by the transcription factor Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3). Here we investigated the effect of galiellalactone (GL), a direct STAT3 inhibitor, on CSCs derived from prostate cancer patients, on docetaxel-resistant spheres with stem cell characteristics, on CSCs obtained from the DU145 cell line in vitro and on DU145 tumors in vivo. We found that GL significantly reduced the viability of docetaxel-resistant and patient-derived spheres. Moreover, CSCs isolated from DU145 cells were sensitive to low concentrations of GL, and the treatment with GL suppressed their viability and their ability to form colonies and spheres. STAT3 inhibition down regulated transcriptional targets of STAT3 in these cells, indicating STAT3 activity in CSCs. Our results indicate that GL can target the prostate stem cell niche in patient-derived cells, in docetaxel-resistant spheres and in an in vitro model. We conclude that GL represents a promising therapeutic approach for prostate cancer patients, as it reduces the viability of prostate cancer-therapy-resistant cells in both CSCs and non-CSC populations

Extraction of bioactive compounds from Peruvian purple corn cob by high isostatic pressure

The purple corn cob is an agro-industrial by-product that contains high-value bioactive compounds, which makes its use attractive for the development of extraction processes. The aim of this research was to extract the bioactive compounds from the purple corn cob by high isostatic pressure at different processing temperatures. Pressures of 0.01 MPa, 250 MPa, 450 MPa and 650 MPa for 3 minutes and at temperatures of 25 °C, 45 °C and 65 °C were used. High pressure extraction was compared with conventional extraction (2.5 h at 25°C). The purple corn cob extract obtained by isostatic processing at 650 MPa and 65 °C presented high antioxidant activity and content of bioactive compounds, unlike the conventional extraction of 2.5 h and 65 °C (p 0.05). Seven different anthocyanins were identified by liquid chromatography in the extracts obtained by high isostatic pressure (650 MPa at 65 °C) and hydroalcoholic maceration (2.5 h at 65 °C), mainly cyanidin-3-glucoside, pelargonidin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside, and their respective malonyl derivatives. The high isostatic pressure increased the extraction of bioactive compounds by more than 50% and obtained them in shorter times, thus appearing as a new alternative, and eco-friendly method for the extraction of bioactive compounds from plant tissues

Phenotypic association among performance, feed efficiency and methane emission traits in Nellore cattle.

Enteric methane (CH4) emissions are a natural process in ruminants and can result in up to 12% of energy losses. Hence, decreasing enteric CH4 production constitutes an important step towards improving the feed efficiency of Brazilian cattle herds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between performance, residual feed intake (RFI), and enteric CH4 emission in growing Nellore cattle (Bos indicus). Performance, RFI and CH4 emission data were obtained from 489 animals participating in selection programs (mid-test age and body weight: 414±159 days and 356±135 kg, respectively) that were evaluated in 12 performance tests carried out in individual pens (n = 95) or collective paddocks (n = 394) equipped with electronic feed bunks. The sulfur hexafluoride tracer gas technique was used to measure daily CH4 emissions. The following variables were estimated: CH4 emission rate (g/day), residual methane emission and emission expressed per mid-test body weight, metabolic body weight, dry matter intake (CH4/DMI), average daily gain, and ingested gross energy (CH4/GE). Animals classified as negative RFI (RFI0). Nonetheless, more efficient animals emitted more CH4/DMI and CH4/GE (P < 0.0001), suggesting that the difference in daily intake between animals is a determinant factor for the difference in daily enteric CH4 emissions. In addition, animals classified as negative RFI emitted less CH4 per kg mid-test weight and metabolic weight (P = 0.0096 and P = 0.0033, respectively), i.e., most efficient animals could emit less CH4 per kg of carcass. In conclusion, more efficient animals produced less methane when expressed as g/day and per kg mid-test weight than less efficient animals, suggesting lower emissions per kg of carcass produced. However, it is not possible to state that feed efficiency has a direct effect on enteric CH4 emissions since emissions per kg of consumed dry matter and the percentage of gross energy lost as CH4 are higher for more efficient animals