Aspectos biométricos do desenvolvimento testicular e corporal em cutias (Dasyprocta aguti) criadas em cativeiros

Biometric data of the testicular and corporal weight development of 31 Agoutis (Dasyprocta aguti), from the birth up to 14 months of age, were analyzed. The correlations between corporal weight, age and testicular parameters were highly significant. Testicular weight, testicular volume, as well other testicular biometric parameters (length, diameter and perimeter), evolved slow and gradually until eight months of age. Beginning on 9 months of age, the growth was faster, and in this period. the seminiferous epithelium was already formed. Biometric development of the testes can be shared in two phases: 0 - 8 months and 9 - 14 months of age, however the 9 months age are the maximum point of the testicular development in Agoutis (Dasyprocta aguti) rised in captivity.Analisou-se os dados biométricos do desenvolvimento testicular e peso corporal de 31 cutias (Dasyprocta aguti) desde o nascimento até os 14 meses de idade. As correlações entre o peso corporal, idade e parâmetros testiculares apresentaram-se altamente significativas. O peso testicular, o volume testicular, assim como os demais parâmetros biométricos testiculares (comprimento, diâmetro e perímetro), evoluíram lenta e gradualmente até os 8 meses de idade. A partir dos 9 meses, o crescimento foi mais rápido. O desenvolvimento biométrico do testículo pode ser dividido em duas fases, de 0 - 8 meses e de 9 - 14 meses de idade, sendo 9 meses considerado ponto de corte em se tratando de desenvolvimento testicular de cutias criadas em cativeiro

Obtaining encapsulated caretenoids from pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) pulp by the foam-mat drying method

Dentre as espécies típicas do Cerrado, a Caryocar brasiliense Camb. ou, popularmente, pequi, é uma das que tem ampla utilização pela população local. A cor alaranjada da polpa se deve principalmente pela presença de carotenoides que são uma das principais classes de pigmentos naturais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter extratos de carotenoides encapsulados em pó de polpa de pequi pelo método de secagem em camada de espuma, bem como avaliar a influência da temperatura de secagem sobre as propriedades físicas e químicas dos extratos em pó. Neste trabalho foi utilizado o encapsulamento por emulsão líquida O/A (carotenoides/água e o polímero encapsulante maltodextrina) estabilizada por surfactante. Primeiramente foi verificado o efeito da estabilidade da espuma obtida a partir de diferentes concentrações de emulsificante Emustab® (2,5 %, 5,0 %, 7,5 %, 10,0 %) e selecionada a concentração 5,0 % por ser a menor concentração que permitiu a máxima estabilidade de espuma com a menor densidade. Para a secagem da formulação de espuma nas temperaturas de 60 °C, 70 °C, 80 °C e 90 °C os tempos médios de secagem foram de 4,2 h, 3,5 h, 2,8 h, 1,9 h respectivamente. A secagem na temperatura de 60 °C foi a que garantiu maior teor de carotenoides no produto final. Foi realizada análises de difração de raios X dos extratos de carotenoides encapsulados em pó e os resultados apontaram o surgimento de regiões mais cristalinas quando comparados com a maltodextrina pura. Em relação a características cromáticas L* e a*, b*, C* e IE, verificou-se efeito significativo (p<0,05) apenas para a característica cromática L* e indícios de maior escurecimento químico para as temperaturas de 80 °C e 90 °C. Em geral pode-se concluir que dentre as temperaturas de 60 °C, 70 °C, 80 °C e 90 °C para a obtenção extratos de carotenoides encapsulados em pó por secagem em camada de espuma, a temperatura de 60 °C é preferida por permitir melhores características cromáticas e maior conservação dos carotenoides.Among typical species of the Cerrado, Caryocar brasiliense Camb., commonly known as pequi, is one of the most used by the local population. The orange color of the pulp is primarily caused by the presence of carotenoids, which are one of the principal classes of natural pigments. The objective of this work was to obtain encapsulated carotenoids of pequi pulp using the foam-mat drying method, and assess the influence of drying temperature on physical and chemical properties of the powdered extracts. Encapsulating emulsion liquid (carotenoids / water and the encapsulating-polymer maltodextrin) was used, stabilized by the surfactant. Foam stability was evaluated at different concentrations of emulsifier Emustab® (2.5 %, 5.0 %, 7.5 %, 10.0 %) and a concentration of 5.0 % was selected as the lowest concentration permitting maximum foam stability at the lowest density. For drying foam at 60 °C, 70 °C, 80 °C and 90 °C, the drying times were 4.2 h, 3.5 h, 2.8 h, 1.9 h, respectively. Drying at 60 °C guaranteed the greatest carotenoid content in the final product. X-ray diffraction analysis was done on encapsulated carotenoid powder and the results showed more crystalline regions when compared to pure maltodextrine. In relation to the chromatic characters L* and a*, b*, C* and IE, a significant effect (p<0.05) was found only for the chromatic characteristic L*, with chemical evidence of greater darkening for temperatures of 80 °C and 90 °C. We conclude that, between the temperatures 60 °C, 70 °C, 80 °C and 90 °C for obtaining encapsulated carotenoid powder by the foam-mat drying method, 60 °C is preferred because it allows better chromatic characteristics and greater carotenoid conservation.Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerai

Propriedades reológicas de sucos mistos de manga, goiaba e acerola adicionados de fitoquímicos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o comportamento reológico dos sucos mistos de manga, goiaba e acerola, adicionados de fitoquímicos, em sete temperaturas (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 e 70 ºC), e o efeito da temperatura na viscosidade aparente. As análises reológicas foram conduzidas em um reômetro de cilindros concêntricos, marca Brookfield, modelo R/S plus SST 2000. Os valores experimentais de tensão de cisalhamento versus taxa de deformação foram ajustados pelos modelos de Ostwald-de-Waele (Lei da Potência), Casson e Herschel-Bulkley. Observou-se que os três modelos apresentaram altos coeficientes de determinação (R2 > 0,978), indicando que qualquer um destes pode ser utilizado para descrever o comportamento reológico dos sucos, caracterizados como fluidos não newtonianos com características pseudoplásticas. O efeito da temperatura no comportamento reológico dos sucos foi descrito pela Equação de Arrhenius e foi possível observar um decréscimo no valor da viscosidade aparente com o aumento da temperatura.The aim of this work was to study the rheological behaviour of mixed juices of mango, guava and acerola with added phytochemicals at seven temperatures (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 ºC), and the effect of temperature on the apparent viscosity. The rheological analyses were carried out using a Brookfield R/S plus SST 2000 rheometer with concentric cylinders. The experimental data for shear stress versus shear rate were fitted to the following models: Ostwald-de-Waele (Power Law), Casson and Herschel-Bulkley. The three models presented high determination coefficient values (R2 > 0.978), indicating that any of them could be used to describe the rheological behaviour of the juices. The juices presented non-Newtonian behaviour and pseudoplastic characteristics. The effect of temperature on the rheological behaviour of the juices was described by the Arrhenius equation. The values for apparent viscosity decreased with increase in temperature

Forma inusitada de Pericardite Crônica Constritiva Idiopática Unusual presentation of Idiophatic Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis

Paciente masculino, 55 anos, com queixa progressiva há 1 ano e 8 meses. Estava com 160kg (habitual 95 kg), extremamente edemaciado, com ortopnéia. Trouxe exames ecocardiográficos normais e eletrocardiograma com inversão de onda T. Biópsia endomiocárdica afastou fibrose endomiocárdica ou cardiomiopatia restritiva, mas as curvas pressóricas eram típicas de processo restritivo. Novo ecocardiograma agora mostrou pericárdio bastante espesso. Indicada pericardiectomia, recebendo alta com remissão completa dos sintomas. O estudo anatomopatológico foi inespecífico, sendo a pericardite classificada como idiopática. O caso alerta para a necessidade de alto grau de suspeição de pericardite constritiva em pacientes com ascite volumosa sem causa aparente.A 55-year-old male patient presented in our service with progressive dyspnea and ascitis beginning 1 year and 8 months previously. He weighed 160 kg (normal weight 95 kg), with ascitis and orthopnea. On admission he presented normal echocardiograms. An electrocardiogram showed diffuse inverted T waves. An endomyocardial biopsy was not elucidative. A new echocardiogram confirmed a very thick pericardium. Surgical pericardial resection was indicated. The postoperative period was uneventful with complete remission of symptoms. The anatomopathological analysis was normal. The pericarditis was classified as idiopathic. This case is a warning for the need of much suspicion in patients with apparent causeless voluminous ascitis

Morphological characterization of pequi extract microencapsulated through spray drying

This objective of this work was to produce spray-drying microencapsulated carotenoid extracts from pequi pulp using maltodextrin and gum arabic and to evaluate the influence of drying temperature on the physicochemical properties of microencapsulated extracts. Emulsions were spray-dried into powders at 150°C, 170°C, and 190°C. Morphological and physicochemical properties of the obtained product were investigated. The temperature of 190°C was that which best conserved the carotenoids and had the best observed solubility. The microspheres produced by spray drying presented an average size of 20 µm. Neither morphological nor color differences were observed for particles dried at different temperatur

Eucalyptus tree influence on spatial and temporal dynamics of fine-root growth in an integrated crop-livestock-forestry system in southeastern Brazil

Integrated farming systems are promising strategies towards land-use efficiency and sustainable agriculture. The integrated crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) system stablish complex interactions were synergies or competition depend on the arrangements throughout time and space. Fine root (≤2 mm) growth dynamics of crops, pasture and trees remains unclear when these species are integrated. We aimed to assess root growth dynamics after Eucalyptus urograndis introduction into an integrated crop-livestock (ICL) system. Previous ICL area was used as a reference. We assessed ICLF 1.9, 4.3 and 7.5 m distances from tree rows, starting the study when trees had three years of age. Eucalyptus rows were spaced 15 m apart and integrated to annual crops and pasture. We evaluated the root growth under two different successional periods: (i) corn cultivation interspaced with palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha); and (ii) a pasture, when palisade grass was grazed. We tracked fine root length using the minirhizotron technique, capturing 3200 images scanning up to 70 cm soil depth. Data of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmission, soil bulk density, rainfall and air temperature were used as complementary information to support the discussion. Our results showed that Eucalyptus trees impaired root growth of annual crops cultivated in the interrow position, regardless of distance from the row. From 31 to 80 days after corn germination, root length production in ICLF was reduced by 120–179 cm m−2.d−1 along the tree interrow space. For the pasture period, total produced root length density reduced 6% at 1.9 m but increased 25% at 4.3 and 7.5 m, when compared to ICL. Shade of Eucalyptus trees at ICLF 1.9 m position, with PAR transmission mainly below 60%, sharply impaired root growth. Eucalyptus roots represented 12% from total root length produced in ICLF system, and 38% of these roots had positive ectomycorrhizal status. In conclusion, under Eucalyptus trees higher than 20 m, pasture of palisade grass is more adaptable than corn when considering the root growth dynamics of our studied ICLF arrangement. Based on our findings, corn intercropped with palisade grass should not be introduced in future management of the ICLF system, unless part of the trees is chopped to reduce light competition. However, implemented pasture of palisade grass showed belowground synergies with Eucalyptus, increasing root growth in intermediary interrow positions and emerging new fungal symbiosis, which could be playing important functions in soil, as soil carbon storage and nutrient cycling

Integrated farming systems influence soil organic matter dynamics in southeastern Brazil

Integrated farming systems are sustainable strategies to intensify land productivity by combining annual crop, livestock and/or forestry activities in different spatio-temporal arrangements. Therefore, they may help tackle global food and energy insecurity and climate change in the coming decades. We investigated the effects of integrated crop-livestock (ICL) and integrated crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) systems on quantity, quality, and origin of soil organic matter (SOM) in southeastern Brazil. A native forest and an extensive low-grazing intensity pasture system were used as references. In integrated systems, corn (Zea mays) was alternated with two consecutive years of piatã grass (Urochloa bryzantha) for cattle grazing. In ICLF, eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus urograndis) were planted in simple rows of 15 × 2 m. Soil sampling was performed three times; in 2014, after two years of grazing; in 2015, after crop cultivation; and in 2016, after a successive grazing year, to evaluate chemical and physical composition changes of organic matter (C, N, δ13C, δ15N, and organic matter fractions) with time. Our findings showed that from 2010 to 2016, all systems (extensive grazing, ICL and ICLF) promoted increments on soil C and N stocks. However, land intensification converting extensive low-grazing intensity pasture to ICL was the most promising strategy, increasing soil C stocks at the rate of 0.28 Mg C ha−1 yr−1 from 2010 to 2016. Annual crop cultivation (corn intercropped with piatã grass) promoted high organic matter inputs on the soil, increasing the amount of soil labile organic matter fractions, which presented higher δ13C and lower δ15N values over time. SOM in the integrated farming systems was originated mainly from C4 plants. Therefore, optimizing development of piatã grass and corn increases organic residue inputs and then, soil C and N stocks. In addition, the crop period increased soil fertility parameters, which favors plant growth, thus providing high labile C inputs to the soil. In contrast, land intensification by adding the forestry component into the system (i.e., conversion from ICL to ICLF) reduced soil C (-0.22 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) and N (-0.03 Mg N ha−1 yr−1) stocks from 2010 to 2016, likely due to the reduction of C and N inputs to the soil caused by limited growth of annual crop and grass species under tree shades. In conclusion, land use intensification through ICL system contributes towards a more efficient and low-C agriculture, whereas the studied ICLF system did not bring further benefits to increase the quantity and/or quality of SOM