Conservation of the internal quality of eggs using a biodegradable coating

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a pectin biofilm on the preservation of refrigerated and unrefrigerated eggs during 5 wk of storage based on egg weight loss, albumen height, Haugh unit (HU), and the yolk index (YI). A total of 1,200 nonfertile eggs from GLK Bankiva laying hens (40 wk of age), which were freshly laid and came from a single collection, were obtained from a model poultry rearing system (Planaltina, Federal District, Brazil) that meets all animal welfare criteria. The experimental outline was entirely randomized, with 20 treatments in a factorial scheme of 2 × 2 × 5, with 2 biofilm treatments (with and without) × 2 storage temperatures (refrigeration: 5°C and ambient: 25°C) × 5 storage periods (7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 d), with 12 repetitions per treatment. Starting from the third storage week, increased weight loss (%) was observed in noncoated eggs (4.46 ± 1.06; 5.61 ± 1.37; 6.93 ± 1.66%) compared with biofilm-coated eggs (3.57 ± 1.26; 4.74 ± 1.8; 6.05 ± 2.21%), respectively. The HU variation in the pectin-coated eggs (86.84–78.02) was smaller than that in the noncoated eggs (83.01–64.36) between the beginning (7 d) and the end (35 d) of the experimental period. Eggs with and without biofilm stored in the refrigerator presented average HU values of 91.26 ± 6.27 and 88.35 ± 6.96, respectively. In contrast, when kept at room temperature, eggs with the coating presented higher HU values (71.27 ± 10.78) than eggs without the coating (59.11 ± 15.97). Coated eggs (0.37 ± 0.16) showed higher YI values than noncoated eggs (0.35 ± 0.16). A pectin-based biofilm effectively maintained egg quality during the 35 d of storage

EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL: LEVANTAMENTO DAS PRÁTICAS SUSTENTÁVEIS APLICADAS AO SETOR PESQUEIRO (PESCA E AQUICULTURA) COMO FERRAMENTA DE REFLEXÃO

Diante do agravamento da crise ambiental global é indispensável um esforço para a educação em questões ambientais, na finalidade de fundamentar a conduta dos indivíduos, das empresas e das coletividades inspirada no sentido de sua responsabilização sobre a proteção e conservação do meio ambiente. O estudo teve por intuito realizar um levantamento das práticas sustentáveis aplicadas aos segmentos da atividade pesqueira, bem como analisar alternativas que favoreçam o desenvolvimento sustentável do setor, apresentando sugestões descritas na literatura, para os problemas que afetam a atividade, integrando benefícios ecológicos, econômicos e sociais.  Para a realização deste estudo foi realizada a seguinte pergunta investigativa “Quais estudos da literatura apresentam práticas sustentáveis na área de recursos pesqueiros (pesca e aquicultura)?”. Assim, a escolha pelo levantamento bibliográfico ocorreu pela adequação da metodologia de estudo ao objetivo da pesquisa. Para este levantamento identificou-se que a maioria das práticas ambientais implementadas ou ações sugeridas se relacionou com pesquisas científicas ligadas à indústria, instituições, ou aspectos etnológicos e poucos estudos estiveram relacionadas à área educacional disciplinar. Considerou-se que os estudos acerca das práticas de sustentabilidade direcionadas ao setor pesqueiro são incipientes, com produção muito exígua quando comparados com a mesma temática para outras áreas

Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Proliferation and Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells: An In Vitro Study

Introduction: Since photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) favors in vitro mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) preconditioning before MSC transplantation, increasing the proliferation of these cells without molecular injuries by conserving their characteristics, in the present in vitro study we analyzed the effect of PBMT on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs).Methods: Irradiation with an InGaAIP Laser (660 nm, 10 mW, 2.5 J/cm2, 0.08 cm2 spot size, and 10 s) was carried out. The cells were divided into four groups: CONTROL [cells grown in Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM)], OSTEO (cells grown in an osteogenic medium); PBMT (cells grown in DMEM+PBMT), and OSTEO+PBMT (cells grown in an osteogenic medium-plus PBMT). The cell proliferation curve was obtained over periods of 24, 48 and 72 hours using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Osteogenic differentiation was analyzed by the formation of calcium nodules over periods of 7, 14 and 21 days. Morphometric analysis was performed to quantify the total area of nodular calcification.Results: The highest cell proliferation and cell differentiation occurred in the OSTEO+PBMT group, followed by the PBMT, OSTEO, and CONTROL groups respectively, at the observed times (P < 0.05).Conclusion: PBMT enhanced the osteogenic proliferation and the differentiation of hUCMSCs during the periods tested, without causing damage to the cells and preserving their specific characteristics, a fact that may represent an innovative pretreatment in the application of stem cells

Febre Maculosa: Relatos de caso.

Spotted Fever (FM) is a disease caused by gram-negative bacteria of the Rickettsia species, transmitted through the bite of ticks of the Dermacentor variabilis and Dermacentor variabilis andersoni species, usually during the summer months. Thus, the present work aimed to review case reports on Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, listing the main symptoms found, the most used diagnostic methods and the forms of treatment administered. A literature review was carried out in the PUBMED and Periódico da Capes databases, published from 2018 to 2023. In the analysis of the selected cases, it was found that the main clinical manifestations were fever, rash, myalgia, headache, asthenia, pain abdominal pain, arthralgia, edema and loss of consciousness. Regarding laboratory findings. the results of thrombocytopenia, transaminitis, leukopenia, hyponatremia and leukocytosis deserve to be highlighted. The main diagnostic tests used in the reports studied were indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT), PCR and the Weil-Felix test. In Brazil, the standard treatment is performed with doxycycline, with chloramphenicol used as a second choice and prioritized in severe forms, in which parenteral administration is necessary. In the general context, therapeutic management should be carried out early so that there are greater chances of cure for the patient with a reduction in mortality.A Febre Maculosa (FM) é uma doença causada pela bactéria gram-negativa da espécie Rickettsia, transmitida por meio da picada de carrapatos das espécies Dermacentor variabilis e Dermacentor variabilis andersoni, geralmente durante os meses de verão. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo fazer uma revisão de relatos de casos sobre a Febre Maculosa, elencando os principais sintomas encontrados, os métodos de diagnósticos mais utilizados e as formas de tratamento administradas. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura nos bancos de dados da PUBMED e Periódico da Capes, publicados no período de 2018 a 2023. Na análise dos casos selecionados verificou-se que as principais manifestações clínicas foram febre, exantema, mialgia, cefaléia, astenia, dor abdominal, artralgia, edema e a perda de consciência. Em relação aos achados laboratoriais. merecem destaque os resultados de trombocitopenia, transaminite, leucopenia, hiponatremia e leucocitose. Os principais testes de diagnósticos utilizados nos relatos estudados foram a Imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI), o PCR e o teste de Weil-Felix. No Brasil, o tratamento padrão é realizado com a doxiciclina, sendo o cloranfenicol utilizado como segunda escolha e priorizado em formas graves, nas quais a administração parenteral é necessária. No contexto geral, o manejo terapêutico deve ser realizado de forma precoce para que haja maiores chances de cura do paciente com a redução dos quadros de mortalidade

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

Importance of the educational actions of the Projeto Cetáceos da Costa Branca in Northeastern Brazil

Conservar a fauna marinha perpassa por ações educativas em comunidades. Objetivou-se caracterizar as ações do Projeto Cetáceos da Costa Branca da Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, no Brasil. Seus membros foram entrevistados sobre sua formação e experiências educacionais e elaboração e execução das ações. Os resultados mostraram que as ações foram executadas em todo o litoral potiguar, sob metodologias voltadas ao público majoritariamente infantojuvenil. Concluímos que as ações buscam proporcionar a sensibilização e mais consciência de comunidades litorâneas sobre a importância ambiental da fauna marinha, reconhecendo seu potencial em prol da conservação.Conserving marine fauna involves educational actions in communities. The objective was to characterize the actions of the Projeto Cetáceos da Costa Branca of the Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, in Brazil. Its members were interviewed about their training and educational experiences and the elaboration and execution of actions. The results showed that the actions were carried out throughout the Potiguar coast, under methodologies aimed at the majority of children and adolescents. We conclude that the actions seek to raise awareness and increase awareness of coastal communities about the environmental importance of marine fauna, recognizing their potential for conservation

Animal performance and welfare of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) subjected to feed restriction

Behavior activities of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii juvenile, their performance, and acquired lesions when under temporary feed restrictions were analyzed. Five animals/experimental units (10 prawns/m2 ) were employed for treatments DFL – daily feed supply in the light phase; DFD – daily feed supply in the dark phase; AFL – alternating feed supply in the light phase; and AFD – alternating feed supply in the dark phase, for a 24-hour period, with four replications each. Prawns were fed a pellet diet, twice a day, with 10% of their biomass/day. Specimens were monitored during 60 consecutive days, with behavior recording daily and weighed every 10 days, with assessment of lesions and/or amputated limbs at the end of the experimental period. Types of behavior comprised exploring, grooming, inactivity, crawling, swimming, excavation, burrowing, agonism, and feed ingestion by scan sampling, with instantaneous registration every 60 s, in 15-min windows, before and after feed, in light and dark phases. Feed restricted in alternate days during light and dark phases did not interfere in growth or survival of the specimens, with increase in apparent feed intake and less feed conversion ratio and specific growth rate. Agonistic behavior was higher in specimens with feed restrictions, with an increase in the number of lesions and amputations. The above demonstrates welfare decrease in farmed M. rosenbergii and depreciation in the quality of the final produc

Incidence of a solitary bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, and interactions with spinner dolphins, Stenella longirostris, in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil

The Projeto Golfinho Rotador (PGR, Spinner Dolphin Project) has systematically monitored the distribution, ecology, and behavior of cetaceans in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (FNA) since 1990. During this period, the presence of spinner dolphins (Stenella longisrostris) was recorded in 93% of the days of the year, and occasionally another nine species of cetaceans. As of November 2021, the presence of a solitary bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), known as Kai, was observed in the FNA. This work aims to describe the frequent presence of the solitary bottlenose dolphin in the FNA, as well as the interactions between that individual and the spinner dolphins. The records were made from two land-based platforms on the main island, and by collecting information and images from collaborators, such as sailors and divers. From 10 November 2021 to 23 July 2022, between the first and last sightings, in 223 days of study and 2,210.22 h of sampling effort, 49 sightings of the bottlenose dolphin were recorded. It was an adult, offshore ecotype, of unidentified sex and apparently healthy. On days when Kai was sighted, the spinner dolphins stayed an average of 5.84 h in the area (SD ± 3.02), while on days without sightings the average permanence was 6.20 h (SD ± 2.65). There was no effect of the presence of Kai on the permanence of the spinner dolphins (Mann-Whitney, U = 1042; p = 0.678), with a predominance of neutral interactions. According to the habituation stages currently adopted, Kai was in stage two, in which it was already known by the local population, followed some boats, but still kept its distance from humans. The existence of legislation to protect cetaceans and the action of the PGR in the community may have helped with the non-progression of the habituation stage

Evaluation of Body Surface Temperature in Pigs Using Geostatistics

This paper explores the potential of infrared thermography and geostatistics in animal production and presents the results of the application of the combination of these techniques, contributing significantly to efforts to obtain animals’ responses to the environments in which they are located and thereby ensuring improvements in productivity and animal welfare. The objective was to verify the variability in surface temperature in pigs submitted to different climate control systems using geostatistics. Three growing animals per stall were selected. Dry bulb temperature (Tbd, °C), relative humidity (RH, %) and thermal images were recorded at 08:00 and 12:00 h. To analyze the data, semivariograms were made, the theoretical model was validated and kriging maps were constructed. The mean temperature of the pigs in the pen with adiabatic evaporative cooling (AEC) ranged from 32.40 to 36.25 °C; for the pigs in the forced ventilation (FV) pen, the range of variation was from 32.51 to 36.81 °C. In the control group (Con), with natural ventilation, the average temperature was 37.51 to 38.45 °C. The geostatistical analysis provided a mathematical model capable of illustrating the variation in temperature in the caudal–dorsal regions of the pigs according to the environments to which the animals were subjected