INGESTIVE BEHAVIOR OF BUFFALOES FED INCREASING LEVELS OF CONCENTRATE IN SUGARCANE BASED DIETS

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the ingestive behavior of buffalo fed sugarcane with different levels of concentrate. Twenty four Murrah buffaloes with body weight of 219±23 kg and nine months old were assigned to completely randomized design. Animals were placed in individual pens where they received diets ad libitum, twice a day. The experimental period has divided into 30 d for adaptation and 84 d for observations and samples collection. Four treatments were used: 1) 80% sugarcane (SC) + 20% concentrate (C); 2) 60% SC + 40% C; 3) 40% SC + 60% C; 4) 20% SC + 80% C. The diets were isoproteics and urea/ammonium sulfate was used at 9:1 ratio to correct the protein level of sugarcane. The evaluated variables were time spent feeding (TSF), ruminating (TSR), idle (TSI), dry matter intake (DMI), feeding efficiency of dry matter (FEDM), rumination efficiency of dry matter (REDM), number of meals, duration of meal and duration of breaks between meal. A regression analysis was performed using the MIXED procedure. DMI was positively affected (P0.05) on TSF. However, the TSR and number of meals decreased linearly (

Brachycephalic Syndrome in Dogs - Endoscopic Findings in the Airways

Background: Brachycephalic dogs have several abnormalities in the airways, which generate clinical manifestations that impair the quality of life of these animals. Primary alterations promote airflow obstruction and increase intraluminal negative pressure, causing secondary alterations due to a cycle of inflammation with consequent obstruction. With the onset of inflammation and other alterations in the airways, clinical manifestations can be observed, such as snoring, reverse sneezing, coughing, dyspnea, cyanosis, syncope, and vomiting. Endoscopic examination of the airways allows visualization and diagnosis of morphological changes in these animals. This study aimed to evaluate the endoscopic findings of the airways and determine the quantitative and qualitative assessment of the severity of clinical manifestations in 14 dogs with brachycephalic syndrome (BS). Materials, Methods & Results:  Historical and anamnesis data and clinical, respiratory, and digestive manifestations were collected from the owners’ reports. The clinical manifestations were classified as mild, moderate, or severe. All animals were subjected to endoscopy of the airways, and image findings were grouped according to the anatomical site where they were observed, then the abnormalities were correlated with the severity of the clinical manifestations. When comparing the frequency of endoscopic abnormalities with the severity of clinical manifestations, it is interesting to observe that animals with severe disease more frequently presented the following alterations: prolongation and thickening of the soft palate, laryngeal changes, presence of hyperemia, lymphoid hyperplasia and polyps in the nasopharynx, hypoplasia and presence of tracheal secretion and thickening of the dorsal tracheal muscle; bronchial collapse, hypoplasia of the main bronchi and bronchial hyperemia and the presence of aberrant nasal turbinates. Comparison between the means of nonparametric variables was performed using the Mann-Whitney test, with a 5% significance level.  Discussion: A higher frequency of French Bulldog dogs included in the study was observed, probably due to their greater popularity, although any brachycephalic dog may be affected by BS. Considering that nostril stenosis is a congenital alteration, which is usually diagnosed early, and since the animals included in the study were dogs referred for the rhinoplasty procedure the higher frequency of young dogs in the study was not surprising. The results revealed a significant difference in the endoscopic findings with the severity of the clinical manifestations in different variables, such as prolongation and thickening of the soft palate, eversion of the laryngeal saccules, presence of laryngeal inflammation and collapse, presence of polyps or lymphoid hyperplasia in the nasopharynx, thickening of the dorsal muscle of the trachea, polyps in the trachea and hypoplasia in addition to bronchial hyperemia. The larynx was the most affected anatomical site, with alterations present in 92.8% of the evaluated dogs. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that airway obstruction caused by primary alterations can cause secondary alterations, with consequent clinical manifestations in brachycephalic dogs it is possible to suggest that dogs with this syndrome may present severe manifestations of the disease, regardless of age. Furthermore, it can be concluded that in this study, dogs with BS had frequent laryngeal alterations and that alterations in the main bronchi were present in all animals with severe manifestations of the disease. Keywords: airway obstruction, bronchial collapse, endoscopy, larynx

Single cell protein production by Candida robusta isolated from sugar cane (Saccharum sp.) for animal feed / Produção de Biomassa por Candida robusta isolada da Cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum sp.) para alimentação animal

The protein obtained from the microorganisms is not only cheap but can be used as additive to provide a balanced nutrition for many animals feeding. The aim of this work was the single cell protein (SCP) production by Candida robusta URM5293 using sugarcane bagasse as substrate. The yeast C. robusta URM5293 was isolated from root sugarcane and was identified based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. Biomass production was done into Erlenmayers flasks (250 mL) containing culture medium supplemented of sugarcane bagasse hydrolyzate. Fermentations were carried varying culture conditions through the study of four different variables: temperature (25, 30, and 35°C), agitation intensity (110, 140 or 170 rpm), pH (6.0, 7.0, and 8.0) and production time (72, 96, and 120h), according to a 24-1 fractional factorial design. Results demonstrated that this yeast was able to ensure the highest level of biomass (141 g/L) when cultivated at 25°C, pH 6.0, 170 rpm of agitation intensity after 72h of cultivation using sugarcane bagasse. The present results demonstrate the potential of sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolyzate as a substrate for the production of microbial protein by C. robusta URM5293

Single cell protein production by Candida robusta isolated from sugar cane (Saccharum sp.) for animal feed: Produção de Biomassa por Candida robusta isolada da Cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum sp.) para alimentação animal

The protein obtained from the microorganisms is not only cheap but can be used as additive to provide a balanced nutrition for many animals feeding. The aim of this work was the single cell protein (SCP) production by Candida robusta URM5293 using sugarcane bagasse as substrate. The yeast C. robusta URM5293 was isolated from root sugarcane and was identified based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. Biomass production was done into Erlenmayers flasks (250 mL) containing culture medium supplemented of sugarcane bagasse hydrolyzate. Fermentations were carried varying culture conditions through the study of four different variables: temperature (25, 30, and 35°C), agitation intensity (110, 140 or 170 rpm), pH (6.0, 7.0, and 8.0) and production time (72, 96, and 120h), according to a 24-1 fractional factorial design. Results demonstrated that this yeast was able to ensure the highest level of biomass (141 g/L) when cultivated at 25°C, pH 6.0, 170 rpm of agitation intensity after 72h of cultivation using sugarcane bagasse. The present results demonstrate the potential of sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolyzate as a substrate for the production of microbial protein by C. robusta URM5293

Dairy cows performance fed whole cottonseed in a forage of cactus-base diet

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da inclusão do caroço de algodão em dietas à base de palma forrageira (Opuntia ficus indica Mill.), sobre o desempenho de vacas da raça Holandesa em lactação. O experimento foi feito com cinco vacas, com média de 50 dias de lactação, distribuídas em quadrado latino 5x5. Os tratamentos experimentais foram constituídos da inclusão de caroço de algodão em 0, 6,25, 12,50, 18,75 e 25% da matéria seca da dieta. O caroço de algodão aumentou o consumo de matéria seca, extrato etéreo, nutrientes digestíveis totais, cálcio e fósforo; porém não afetou o consumo de proteína bruta e fibra em detergente neutro. O caroço de algodão aumentou a produção de leite corrigido para 3,5% de gordura (de 26,53 para 31,68 kg por dia), e a produção de gordura do leite (de 0,86 para 1,09 kg por dia); não afetou, porém, a produção de leite sem correção (31,19 kg por dia), a porcentagem de gordura do leite (3,18%) e a eficiência alimentar (1,31 kg de leite corrigido por quilograma de matéria seca consumida). O caroço de algodão melhorou o desempenho animal, quando incluído em até 25% da matéria seca em dietas à base de palma forrageira.The effect of the whole cottonseed on dairy cows performance fed forage cactus (Opuntia ficus indica Mill.) diet was evaluated. Experiment was made with five Holstein cows, in a 50-days lactation, which were placed into a 5x5 latin square design. The whole cottonseed was added as a partial replacement of sorghum silage and soybean meal, in a level of 0, 6.25, 12.50, 18.75, and 25.00% of dry matter. It was observed that addition of whole cottonseed increased the dry matter, ether extract, total digestible nutrients, calcium and phosphorus intake, but did not affect the crude protein and neutral detergent fiber intake. Also, it increased the fat corrected milk yield 3.5% (26.53 to 31.68 kg per day) and the fat milk yield (0.86 to 1.09 kg per day), but did not affect the noncorrected milk yield (31.19 kg per day), milk fat content (3.19%) and feed efficiency (1.31 kg of fat corrected milk per kilogram of dry matter intake). The results suggest that addition of the whole cottonseed in up to 25% of dry matter improves the Holstein cows performance

Neurological disease in adults with Zika and chikungunya virus infection in Northeast Brazil: a prospective observational study

Background: Since 2015, the arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) Zika and chikungunya have spread across the Americas causing outbreaks, accompanied by increases in immune-mediated and infectious neurological disease. The spectrum of neurological manifestations linked to these viruses, and the importance of dual infection, are not known fully. We aimed to investigate whether neurological presentations differed according to the infecting arbovirus, and whether patients with dual infection had a different disease spectrum or severity. Methods: We report a prospective observational study done during epidemics of Zika and chikungunya viruses in Recife, Pernambuco, a dengue-endemic area of Brazil. We recruited adults aged 18 years or older referred to Hospital da Restauração, a secondary-level and tertiary-level hospital, with suspected acute neurological disease and a history of suspected arboviral infection. We looked for evidence of Zika, chikungunya, or dengue infection by viral RNA or specific IgM antibodies in serum or CSF. We grouped patients according to their arbovirus laboratory diagnosis and then compared demographic and clinical characteristics. Findings: Between Dec 4, 2014, and Dec 4, 2016, 1410 patients were admitted to the hospital neurology service; 201 (14%) had symptoms consistent with arbovirus infection and sufficient samples for diagnostic testing and were included in the study. The median age was 48 years (IQR 34–60), and 106 (53%) were women. 148 (74%) of 201 patients had laboratory evidence of arboviral infection. 98 (49%) of them had a single viral infection (41 [20%] had Zika, 55 [27%] had chikungunya, and two [1%] had dengue infection), whereas 50 (25%) had evidence of dual infection, mostly with Zika and chikungunya viruses (46 [23%] patients). Patients positive for arbovirus infection presented with a broad range of CNS and peripheral nervous system (PNS) disease. Chikungunya infection was more often associated with CNS disease (26 [47%] of 55 patients with chikungunya infection vs six [15%] of 41 with Zika infection; p=0·0008), especially myelitis (12 [22%] patients). Zika infection was more often associated with PNS disease (26 [63%] of 41 patients with Zika infection vs nine [16%] of 55 with chikungunya infection; p≤0·0001), particularly Guillain-Barré syndrome (25 [61%] patients). Patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome who had Zika and chikungunya dual infection had more aggressive disease, requiring intensive care support and longer hospital stays, than those with mono-infection (median 24 days [IQR 20–30] vs 17 days [10–20]; p=0·0028). Eight (17%) of 46 patients with Zika and chikungunya dual infection had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack, compared with five (6%) of 96 patients with Zika or chikungunya mono-infection (p=0·047). Interpretation: There is a wide and overlapping spectrum of neurological manifestations caused by Zika or chikungunya mono-infection and by dual infections. The possible increased risk of acute cerebrovascular disease in patients with dual infection merits further investigation. Funding: Fundação do Amparo a Ciência e Tecnologia de Pernambuco (FACEPE), EU's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, National Institute for Health Research. Translations: For the Portuguese and Spanish translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section

Forage cactus, sugar cane bagasse and urea for heifers and lactating cows

A presente tese foi desenvolvida a partir de quatro trabalhos. No primeiro, foram utilizadas cinco vacas da raça Girolando, multíparas, com média de produção de leite de 12,0 kg/dia, distribuídas aleatoriamente em delineamento quadrado latino 5 x 5, com cinco animais, cinco períodos e cinco tratamentos, objetivando-se avaliar a associação da palma forrageira ao bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e a uréia sobre o desempenho de vacas leiteiras suplementadas ou não. A ração controle (sem suplemento) foi composta de 67,4% de palma forrageira, 27,9% de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, 2,7% de mistura uréia:sulfato de amônio (9:1) e 2,0% de mistura mineral, em base da matéria seca (MS), sendo as vacas suplementadas com base na produção de leite (1,0 kg de suplemento/6,0 kg de leite). Os suplementos caracterizaram os tratamentos, juntos ao tratamento testemunha (controle), sendo: farelo de trigo, farelo de soja, farelo de algodão ou caroço de algodão. A proporção dos ingredientes nas rações experimentais para os animais suplementados foi, em média, 61,4% de palma forrageira, 25,3% de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, 2,5% de mistura uréia:sulfato de amônio (9:1), 1,8% de mistura mineral e 9,0% de suplemento, em base da MS. Não observaram-se, entre os animais suplementados, diferenças significativas (P>0,05) para o consumo de matéria seca (CMS) (kg/dia ou %PV) e consumo de matéria orgânica (CMO). Os animais que não receberam suplementação apresentaram consumo de nutrientes digestíveis totais (CNDT) inferior (P0,05), quando comparado à dieta controle. A dieta controle proporcionou produção de leite corrigida para 4,0% de gordura (PLCG) de aproximadamente 10,0 kg/dia. A suplementação com farelo de soja, farelo de algodão ou caroço de algodão aumentou (P0,05) aos suplementados com farelo de trigo ou caroço de algodão. A suplementação com o caroço de algodão melhorou a eficiência de utilização da MS, e a suplementação com farelo de algodão ou com farelo de soja, embora proporcionem aumento na produção de leite, reduz a eficiência de utilização do nitrogênio. No segundo trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a associação da palma forrageira ao bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e a uréia sobre o desempenho de vacas leiteiras primíparas de baixo potencial produtivo, suplementadas ou não. Utilizaram- se cinco vacas da raça Girolando, primíparas, com média de produção de leite de 7,0 kg/dia, distribuídas aleatoriamente em delineamento quadrado latino 5 x 5, com cinco animais, cinco períodos e cinco tratamentos. Os tratamentos foram os mesmos usados no primeiro trabalho. A proporção dos ingredientes nas rações experimentais para os animais suplementados foi, em média: 62,7% de palma forrageira, 26,0% de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, 2,5% de mistura uréia:sulfato de amônio (9:1), 1,9% de mistura mineral e 6,9% de suplemento, em base da MS. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas (P>0,05) para o CMS (kg/dia e %PV) e para o CMO, em média 13,0 kg, 3,0% e 11,8 kg, respectivamente. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da MS, MO, PB, extrato etéreo (EE), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), carboidratos não-fibrosos (CNF) e teores de nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT), não foram influenciados (P>0,05) pelas dietas, sendo em média 60,5; 65,0; 71,3; 84,2; 44,4; 81,3 e 61,5%, respectivamente. As diferentes fontes de suplemento proporcionaram desempenho semelhante (P>0,05) para produção de leite com ou sem correção para o teor de gordura, sendo em média 7,0 e 7,4 kg/dia, respectivamente. A suplementação com caroço de algodão aumentou a eficiência de utilização da MS, e a suplementação com farelo de algodão diminuiu a eficiência de utilização do nitrogênio ingerido. No terceiro trabalho, avaliou- se a associação da palma forrageira ao bagaço de cana-de- açúcar e a uréia sobre o desempenho de novilhas leiteiras suplementadas ou não. Utilizou-se 25 novilhas da raça Girolando, com PV médio 227,5 kg, mantidas em regime de confinamento, distribuídas em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, estabelecidos de acordo com o peso dos animais, com cinco blocos e cinco tratamentos. A ração controle foi composta de 64,0% de palma forrageira, 30,0% de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, 4,0% de mistura uréia:sulfato de amônio (9:1) e 2,0% de mistura mineral, em base da MS, sendo as novilhas suplementadas com base no peso vivo (0,5% do PV). Os suplementos caracterizaram os tratamentos, juntos ao tratamento testemunha (controle). Os suplementos testados foram os mesmos citados para os experimentos 1 e 2. A proporção dos ingredientes nas rações experimentais para os animais suplementados foi: 57,0% de palma forrageira, 26,0% de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar, 3,5% de mistura uréia:sulfato de amônio (9:1), 1,8% de mistura mineral e 11,7% de suplemento, em base da MS. A suplementação com farelo de algodão ou farelo de soja aumentou (P0,05) entre os animais suplementados para o CNDT. Não houve influência (P>0,05) dos tratamentos sobre as digestibilidades da MS, MO, PB e CNF, sendo os valores médios de 60,9; 63,1; 77,9 e 82,9%, respectivamente, e sobre o teor de NDT das dietas, em média 58,1%. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas (P>0,05) para o ganho em peso (GP) e conversão alimentar (CA) entre os animais suplementados. A utilização da palma forrageira associada ao bagaço de cana-de-açúcar e a uréia, nas proporções verificadas, permite GP próximo de 430 g/animal/dia. A suplementação com farelo de soja, farelo de algodão ou caroço de algodão melhorou o GP e a CA. No quarto trabalho, avaliou-se o balanço de compostos nitrogenados e a produção de proteína microbiana nos animais utilizados no terceiro experimento. O balanço de nitrogênio não foi influenciado (P>0,05) pelos tratamentos, apresentando valor médio de 49,3 g/dia. A suplementação com o farelo de algodão ou com o farelo de soja aumentou (P0.05) for dry matter intake (DMI) (kg/day or % live weight) and organic matter intake (OMI). The animals that not received supplementation had presented intake of total digestible nutrients (TDNI) decreased (P0.05) when compared to diet without supplement, was not observed. The control diet provided milk fat corrected (FCM) of 10.0 kg/day, approximately. The supplementation with soybean meal, cottonseed meal or whole cottonseed increased (P0.05) to supplemented with wheat meal or whole cottonseed. The supplementation with whole cottonseed improves the efficiency use of dry matter, and the supplementation with cottonseed meal or soybean meal, even so provides increase in the milk production, decreases the efficiency use of nitrogen. In the second work, it was aimed to evaluate the association of forage cactus to sugar cane bagasse and the urea on performance of supplemented milk cows or not. Five milk cows crossbred Holstein-Gir, with average milk production of 7.0 kg/day, distributed in design 5 x 5 square lattice, with five animals, five periods and five treatments. The treatments were the same used in the first work. The proportion of ingredients in experimental rations for supplemented animals was, in average: 62.7% forage cactus, 26.0% sugar cane bagasse, 2.5% mixture urea:ammonium sulphate (9:1), 1.9% mineral mixture and 6.9% supplement, in DM basis. It was not observed significant differences (P>0.05) for DMI (kg/day or %LW) and OMI, on average 13.0 kg, 3.0% and 11.8 kg, respectively. The digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) and total digestible nutrients (TDN), had not been influenced (P>0.05) by diets, being on average 60.5; 65.0; 71.3; 84.2; 44.4; 81.3 and 61.5%, respectively. The different sources of supplement they had provided similar performance (P>0.05) for MP and FCM, being on average 7.0 and 7.4 kg/day, respectively. The supplementation with whole cottonseed increased the efficiency use of DM, and the supplementation with cottonseed meal decreased the efficiency use of ingested nitrogen. In the third work, it was aimed to evaluate the association of forage cactus to sugar cane bagasse and the urea on the performance of supplemented milk heifers or not. Twenty five heifers crossbred Holstein-Gir, with 227.5 kg average LW, kept in feedlot, assigned to randomized block design, established in accordance with weight of animals, with five treatments and five blocks. The control rations was composed of 64.0% forage cactus, 30.0% sugar cane bagasse, 4.0% mixture urea:ammonium sulphate (9:1) and 2.0% mineral mixture, in DM basis, being the supplemented heifers on the basis of live weight (0.5% of the LW). The supplements had characterized the treatments, together to treatment testify (control). The supplements tested were the same cited for experiments 1 and 2. The proportion of ingredients in experimental rations for supplemented animals was: 57.0% forage cactus, 26.0% sugar cane bagasse, 3.5% mixture urea:ammonium sulphate (9:1), 1.8% mineral mixture and 11.7% supplement, in DM basis. The supplementation with cottonseed meal or soybean meal increased (P0.05) enters the animals supplemented for TDNI. There was not significant effect (P>0.05) of treatments on digestibility of DM, OM, CP and NFC, being the average values of 60.9; 63.1; 77.9 and 82.9%, respectively, and on the average contents of TDN of diets, on average 58.1%. Significant differences (P>0.05) for weight gain and feed:gain ratio between the supplemented animals had not been observed. The use of forage cactus associate to sugar cane bagasse and urea, in the verified ratios, allows profit in weight gain next to 430 g/animal/day. The supplementation with soybean meal, cottonseed meal or whole cottonseed improved the weight and feed:gain ratio. In the fourth work, assessed is the balance of nitrogenous compounds and the production of microbial protein in animals used in the third experiment. The nitrogen balance was not influenced (P>0.05) by the treatments, having presented average value of 49.3 g/day. The supplementation with cottonseed meal or soybean meal increased (P>0.05) the excretion of nitrogen urinary, the concentration of urea and urea nitrogen in the serum and the excretion urinary of urea and urea nitrogen. The association of the forage cactus to sugar cane bagasse and urea, without the use of supplements, allow efficiency of microbial synthesis of 105.0 gCPmic/kg of consumed TDN, being able to guarantee reasonable animal performance. The supplementation with whole cottonseed provides to greater excretion urinary of alantoin and purine derivatives, and better efficiency of microbial synthesis, being, therefore, the most indicated in these conditions.Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerai