Fish silage in farm-made feed for Nile tilapia

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o emprego de ração artesanal à base de silagem de resíduo da filetagem de pescado na criação de tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Dois mil e setenta juvenis de tilápia revertidos (83,1 g) foram distribuídos em seis viveiros escavados com 230 m2 cada um, na densidade de estocagem de 1,5 peixe por metro quadrado, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com dois tratamentos (ração artesanal e ração comercial) e três repetições. Foram analisados os parâmetros de desempenho produtivo (sobrevivência, ganho em peso, conversão alimentar aparente, taxa de crescimento específico e coeficiente de variação do peso final), as variáveis de qualidade da água (oxigênio dissolvido, transparência e fósforo e nitrogênio total), o custo de arraçoamento e a composição corporal. Não houve diferença significativa entre as rações para os parâmetros de desempenho produtivo. Verificou-se maior eutrofização da água dos viveiros onde os peixes receberam ração artesanal. O custo por quilograma de peixe produzido com ração artesanal (R$1,07) foi aproximadamente 42$ 1,86). Os peixes alimentados com ração artesanal tiveram teor de lipídios significativamente menor na carcaça.The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of a farm-made feed based on silage of fish filleting residues for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) farming. Two thousand and seventy masculinized tilapia juveniles (83.1 g) were distributed into six ponds (230 m2), at a stocking density of 1.5 fish per square meter. The experimental design was a completely randomized with two treatments (farm-made and commercial feeds) and three replicates. The performance parameters analyzed were survival, weight gain, apparent feed conversion, specific growth rate, and final weight coefficient of variation. The water quality variables analyzed were dissolved oxygen, transparency, and total phosphorus and nitrogen. Feeding cost and body composition were also evaluated. No significant differences were observed in the performance parameters. Water eutrophication in the ponds with farm-made feed was higher than in ponds with commercial feed. The cost of fish produced using farm-made feed (R$1.07 kg-1) was approximately 42$ 1.86 kg-1). Fish fed with farm-made feed had lower lipid body content than fish fed with commercial feed

Growth and nutrition in children with Ataxia telangiectasia

Background: Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare multisystem disease with high early mortality from lung disease and cancer. Nutritional failure adversely impacts outcomes in many respiratory diseases. Several factors influence nutrition in children with A-T. We hypothesised that children with A-T have progressive growth failure and that early gastrostomy tube feeding (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, or PEG) is a favourable management option with good nutritional outcomes. Methods: Data were collected prospectively on weight, height and body mass index (BMI) at the national paediatric A-T clinic. Adequacy and safety of oral intake was assessed. Nutritional advice was given at each multidisciplinary review. Results: 101 children (51 girls) had 222 measurements (32 once, 32 twice, 24 thrice) between 2009 and 2016. Median (range) age was 9.3 (1.5 to 18.4) years. Mean (sd) weight, height and BMI Z-scores were respectively -1.03(1.57), -1.17 (1.18) and -0.36 (1.43). 35/101 children had weight Z-scores below -2 on at least one occasion. Weight, height and BMI Z-scores declined over time. Decline was most obvious after 8 years of age. 14/101 (13.9%) children had a PEG, with longitudinal data available for 12. In a nested case control study, there was a trend for improvement in weight in those with a PEG (p = 0.06). Conclusions: A-T patients decline in growth over time. There is an urgent need for new strategies, including an understanding of why growth falters. We suggest early proactive consideration of PEG from age 8 years onwards in order to prevent progressive growth failure

Quantificação e proposta de melhorias, visando o gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos em uma instituição de ensino superior na Cidade de Ribeirão Preto-SP / Quantification and proposal for improvements, aiming at the solid waste management in a higher education institution in the City of Ribeirão Preto-SP

Atualmente no Brasil, a maior parte dos resíduos sólidos coletados nos centros urbanos é descartada sem qualquer cuidado, constatando que ao longo dos últimos anos houve mudanças significativas na composição, características e periculosidade dos resíduos, tornando-se assim, evidente que a adoção de padrões de produção, consumo sustentáveis e a gestão adequada dos resíduos podem reduzir os impactos ao meio ambiente, obedecendo ao que preconiza a Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos - PNRS. As Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) geram resíduos de vários tipos sendo comparados a grandes núcleos urbanos, cabendo às universidades equacionar os seus problemas com relação ao gerenciamento dos resíduos sólidos. Diante desta problemática, este trabalho tem como objetivo quantificar e propor melhorias dos resíduos domiciliares - RD (orgânicos), resíduos de limpeza urbana - RLU (poda e capina), resíduos da construção civil - RCC e os resíduos de significativo impacto ambiental (lâmpadas fluorescentes) de uma Universidade localizada na região leste de Ribeirão Preto com a finalidade de propor um modelo de gestão para o correto gerenciamento dos resíduos. Os resultados indicaram que a IES demanda da implantação de um modelo de gestão para o gerenciamento dos RSU gerados, a fim de minimizar a geração de resíduos na fonte e o descarte de forma ambientalmente correta obedecendo a PNRS

The role of the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, in protecting against age-related macular degeneration: A review based on controversial evidence

PURPOSE: A review of the role of the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, and their function in altering the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Medline and Embase search. RESULTS: Recent evidence introduces the possibility that lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids found in a variety of fruits and vegetables may protect against the common eye disease of macular degeneration. This potential and the lack to slow the progression of macular degeneration, has fueled high public interest in the health benefits of these carotenoids and prompted their inclusion in various supplements. The body of evidence supporting a role in this disease ranges from basic studies in experimental animals to various other clinical and epidemiological studies. Whilst some epidemiological studies suggest a beneficial role for carotenoids in the prevention of AMD, others are found to be unrelated to it. Results of some clinical studies indicate that the risk for AMD is reduced when levels of the carotenoids are elevated in the serum or diet, but this correlation is not observed in other studies. Published data concerning the toxicity of the carotenoids or the optimum dosage of these supplements is lacking. CONCLUSION: An intake of dietary supplied nutrients rich in the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, appears to be beneficial in protecting retinal tissues, but this is not proven. Until scientifically sound knowledge is available we recommend for patients judged to be at risk for AMD to: alter their diet to more dark green leafy vegetables, wear UV protective lenses and a hat when outdoors. Future investigations on the role of nutrition, light exposure, genetics, and combinations of photodynamic therapy with intravitreal steroid (triamcinolone-acetonide) injections hold potential for future treatment possibilities

Histone H1 Subtypes Differentially Modulate Chromatin Condensation without Preventing ATP-Dependent Remodeling by SWI/SNF or NURF

Although ubiquitously present in chromatin, the function of the linker histone subtypes is partly unknown and contradictory studies on their properties have been published. To explore whether the various H1 subtypes have a differential role in the organization and dynamics of chromatin we have incorporated all of the somatic human H1 subtypes into minichromosomes and compared their influence on nucleosome spacing, chromatin compaction and ATP-dependent remodeling. H1 subtypes exhibit different affinities for chromatin and different abilities to promote chromatin condensation, as studied with the Atomic Force Microscope. According to this criterion, H1 subtypes can be classified as weak condensers (H1.1 and H1.2), intermediate condensers (H1.3) and strong condensers (H1.0, H1.4, H1.5 and H1x). The variable C-terminal domain is required for nucleosome spacing by H1.4 and is likely responsible for the chromatin condensation properties of the various subtypes, as shown using chimeras between H1.4 and H1.2. In contrast to previous reports with isolated nucleosomes or linear nucleosomal arrays, linker histones at a ratio of one per nucleosome do not preclude remodeling of minichromosomes by yeast SWI/SNF or Drosophila NURF. We hypothesize that the linker histone subtypes are differential organizers of chromatin, rather than general repressors

Effects of DNA supercoiling on chromatin architecture

Disruptions in chromatin structure are necessary for the regulation of eukaryotic genomes, from remodelling of nucleosomes at the base pair level through to large-scale chromatin domains that are hundreds of kilobases in size. RNA polymerase is a powerful motor which, prevented from turning with the tight helical pitch of the DNA, generates over-wound DNA ahead of itself and under-wound DNA behind. Mounting evidence supports a central role for transcription-dependent DNA supercoiling in disrupting chromatin structure at all scales. This supercoiling changes the properties of the DNA helix in a manner that substantially alters the binding specificity of DNA binding proteins and complexes, including nucleosomes, polymerases, topoisomerases and transcription factors. For example, transient over-wound DNA destabilises nucleosome core particles ahead of a transcribing polymerase, whereas under-wound DNA facilitates pre-initiation complex formation, transcription factor binding and nucleosome core particle association behind the transcribing polymerase. Importantly, DNA supercoiling can also dissipate through DNA, even in a chromatinised context, to influence both local elements and large chromatin domains. We propose a model in which changes in unconstrained DNA supercoiling influences higher levels of chromatin organisation through the additive effects of DNA supercoiling on both DNA-protein and DNA-nucleosome interactions. This model links small-scale changes in DNA and chromatin to the higher-order fibre and large-scale chromatin structures, providing a mechanism relating gene regulation to chromatin architecture in vivo