Spatial distribution of bed variables, animal welfare indicators, and milk production in a closed compost-bedded pack barn with a negative tunnel ventilation system

This research aimed to characterize, evaluate and compare the spatial distribution of the leading bed variables, animal welfare indicators, and milk production in a closed compost-bedded pack barn (CBP) with a negative tunnel ventilation system, for summer and winter periods. The study was carried out in a CBP located in the Zona da Mata region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The geostatistical modeling technique evaluated the variables of temper ature, moisture content, and pH (on the surface and depth of 0.20m) across the length of the bed. Bed samples were characterized for carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and C:N ratio. Cows housed in the CBP were assessed for locomotion and hygiene scores and average milk production. To evaluate the thermoregulation of the cows, the respiratory rate (RR) and surface temperature (ST) were measured. Geostatistical analysis showed spatial dependence and the non-uniformity of the spatial distribution of bed variables. The worst levels of bed tem perature and moisture were found in the regions close to the evaporative cooling plate, surrounding the feeding alley, and in the region with the highest cow stocking. The C:N ratio, obtained in both climatic seasons of the year, remained outside the recommended range for ideal composting. During the summer and winter, the bed variables’ values suggest that the material was below levels for optimal composting; however, the aerated inner layer was biologically active. The high animal density significantly impacted the worsening of the bed moisture content and internal temperature. In general, dairy cows showed adequate hygiene (score of 1 and 2) and locomotion (score of 0 and 1) scores for the two climatic seasons evaluated, indicating good welfare conditions. In relation to RR and ST, the summer period presented less favorable environmental conditions. During winter, the average milk production was 28.1 ± 7.2 kg day-1, and during summer, it was 26.9 ± 6.7 kg day-1

Termal environment of masonry-walled poultry house in the initial life stage of broilers.

Te aim of this study was to monitor and evaluate the thermal environment and undertake a complete mapping of the variables air temperature, air relative humidity, and temperature-humidity index for broilers. The research was conducted during the winter, in Brazil, in a commercial poultry house fully walled with concrete-block masonry, equipped with a full-time negative-pressure mechanized ventilation system and indoor-environment air heating by a wood-burning furnace located outside the facility. The shed was fully automated and housed 30,000 birds at a density of 15 birds m-2. Termal-environment data analysis revealed that the masonry-wall model did not ensure homogeneous thermal distribution within the poultry house, with the central region showing the highest air temperature and lowest air relative humidity values. Te indoor environment did not provide thermal comfort to the housed birds, which were under thermal discomfort in certain situations in some internal regions of the shed

QUANTIFICAÇÃO DE AMÔNIA EM INSTALAÇÕES DE PRODUÇÃO DE FRANGOS DE CORTE EM CLIMA QUENTE

A qualidade do ar é um dos fatores mais importantes na produção avícola, uma vez que os poluentes aéreos podem alterar as características ideais do ar, favorecendo a susceptibilidade a doenças, além de causar prejuízos na produção. Apesar da grande diversidade de métodos existentes para quantifcar a amônia, nem sempre eles podem ser aplicados nas instalações dos países de climas quentes. Assim, ainda são necessários estudos de comparação, adaptação e aplicação de métodos utilizados para quantifcar a amônia. Com isso objetivou-se com essa revisão apresentar os métodos mais comumente utilizados para determinar a concentração e a emissão de amônia em instalações de produção animal em todo o mundo e ao mesmo tempo avaliar a sua aplicação nos aviários abertos utilizados nos países de climas quentes. A escolha do método mais adequado deve ser baseada considerando-se os fatores relevantes para a determinação da amônia. Diante da maior difculdade na determinação da taxa de ventilação nos aviários abertos, as metodologias para avaliação da emissão de amônia que não dependam desse parâmetro são as mais indicadas

Diagnosis of air quality in broilers production facilities in hot climates.

The objective of this study was to evaluate air quality of industrial farms of broilers production, located at Zona da Mata region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The environmental air quality was evaluated during the last rearing week, between 35 and 42 days of life of broilers. Facilities with beds constituted by two types of substrates were evaluated: coffee husks (6 reuse cycles) and shavings (4 reuse cycles). A total of 30 facilities (3 per each of the 10 reuse cycles) were investigated. Air quality was diagnosed by determining air temperature and relative humidity and by ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations. Air temperature and relative humidity were not affected by reuse cycles in coffee husks bed, but these variables were affected by reuse cycles in shavings bed. Ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations increased linearly according to the reuse cycles for both types of bed. The maximum concentrations of ammonia and carbon dioxide were 25 ppm and 1,348 ppm in facilities with bedding of coffee husks and 10 ppm and 1,075 ppm in facilities with bedding of shavings, respectively. Air quality of facilities using coffee husk bed tends to be worse when compared to facilities using shavings bed due to the higher values of ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations, as observed in this study. In conclusion, regardless bedding type, increases in reuse cycles tend to decrease air quality inside the facility, since a linear increasing in ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations can be observed in relation to the number of bed reuse cycles

Predictors for anastomotic leak, postoperative complications, and mortality after right colectomy for cancer: Results from an international snapshot audit

Background: A right hemicolectomy is among the most commonly performed operations for colon cancer, but modern high-quality, multination data addressing the morbidity and mortality rates are lacking. Objective: This study reports the morbidity and mortality rates for right-sided colon cancer and identifies predictors for unfavorable short-term outcome after right hemicolectomy. Design: This was a snapshot observational prospective study. Setting: The study was conducted as a multicenter international study. Patients: The 2015 European Society of Coloproctology snapshot study was a prospective multicenter international series that included all patients undergoing elective or emergency right hemicolectomy or ileocecal resection over a 2-month period in early 2015. This is a subanalysis of the colon cancer cohort of patients. Main Outcome Measures: Predictors for anastomotic leak and 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality were assessed using multivariable mixed-effect logistic regression models after variables selection with the Lasso method. Results: Of the 2515 included patients, an anastomosis was performed in 97.2% (n = 2444), handsewn in 38.5% (n = 940) and stapled in 61.5% (n = 1504) cases. The overall anastomotic leak rate was 7.4% (180/2444), 30-day morbidity was 38.0% (n = 956), and mortality was 2.6% (n = 66). Patients with anastomotic leak had a significantly increased mortality rate (10.6% vs 1.6% no-leak patients; p 65 0.001). At multivariable analysis the following variables were associated with anastomotic leak: longer duration of surgery (OR = 1.007 per min; p = 0.0037), open approach (OR = 1.9; p = 0.0037), and stapled anastomosis (OR = 1.5; p = 0.041). Limitations: This is an observational study, and therefore selection bias could be present. For this reason, a multivariable logistic regression model was performed, trying to correct possible confounding factors. Conclusions: Anastomotic leak after oncologic right hemicolectomy is a frequent complication, and it is associated with increased mortality. The key contributing surgical factors for anastomotic leak were anastomotic technique, surgical approach, and duration of surgery