Immune-mediated inflammation promotes subclinical atherosclerosis in recent-onset psoriatic arthritis patients without conventional cardiovascular risk factors

Studies on the inflammatory burden in recent-onset psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients without conventional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) are not available. This preliminary study focuses on cardiovascular risk in cutaneous psoriasis (CPs) and recent-onset PsA patients. Blood biochemistry (glucose, cholesterol, uric acid, lipid profile and apolipoprotein B) was analyzed using standard kits. Proatherogenic inflammation markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and endothelial activators monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Ultrasound images allowed measuring carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). Our study first shows an increase in cIMT, and in serum levels of sICAM-1 and CRP in recent-onset PsA patients not presenting conventional CVRFs over the non-medicated time-period, from disease diagnosis to the beginning of pharmacological treatment, compared with healthy subjects. The outcome highlights the importance of monitoring serum level of sICAM1, CRP, and cIMT, and the value of primary prevention in psoriatic patients even with no history of cardiovascular events.Fil: Kolliker Frers, Rodolfo Alberto. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Cosentino, Vanesa Laura. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; ArgentinaFil: Tau, Julia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Patología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Kerzberg, Eduardo Mario. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; ArgentinaFil: Urdapilleta, Adriana. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; ArgentinaFil: Chiocconi, Monica. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; ArgentinaFil: Kogan, Nora. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Ramos Mejía"; ArgentinaFil: Otero-Losada, Matilde Estela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Capani, Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; Argentina. Universidad Argentina "John F. Kennedy"; Argentina. Universidad Autónoma de Chile; Chil

Effects of bioclimatic factors on performance of Brangus and Angus females undergoing Fixed Time Artificial Insemination (TAI)

A produção de carne depende da eficiência reprodutiva do rebanho de cria, ou seja, de altas taxas de concepção e desmame das fêmeas, e qualidade genética dos produtos gerados. Nos últimos anos, houve um incremento da utilização da técnica de Inseminação Artificial a Tempo Fixo (IATF), como biotecnologia da reprodução visando aumento de eficiência, entretanto,as taxas de concepção obtidas em média não ultrapassam 50%. Vários fatores podem influenciar esses resultados: condição corporal das fêmeas, categoria animal, protocolo de IATF, tipo racial, pelagem e condições ambientais. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito de variáveis climáticas e zootécnicas sobre as taxas de concepção de fêmeas submetidas à IATF no Centro de Pesquisa Iwar Beckmam/Hulha Negra, RS e na Estação Experimental Agronômica da UFRGS em Eldorado do Sul, RS, de 2015 a 2017. Foram avaliadas 531 fêmeas, oito protocolos de IATF e consideradas as variáveis: escore de condição corporal; peso vivo; pelagem; categoria animal e tipo racial. Os dados meteorológicos foram coletados das estações meteorológicas instaladas nos locaisde experimento. Visando a determinação das faixas de conforto térmico dos animais foram utilizados os índices: índice de temperatura e umidade-ITH e índice de conforto térmico-ITU. Os dados obtidos foram analisados no programa estatístico JMP (v.13). Entre as variáveis consideradas neste estudo foi encontrado efeito do protocolo aplicado e da condição corporal das fêmeas sobre as taxas de concepção.Meat production depends on the reproductive efficiency of the breeding herd, and high conception and weaning rates of the females, and the genetic quality of the products generated. In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of the Fixed Time Artificial Insemination (TAI) technique, such as reproduction biotechnology when applying efficiency increase, however, as average conception rates not exceeded by 50%. Several factors may influence these results: body condition, animal category, TAI protocol, racial type, coat and environmental conditions. In this sense, the objective of this study was to verify the effect of climatic and zootechnical variables on conception ratesof females submitted to the TAI at the Iwar Beckmam Research Center / Hulha Negra, RS and at the UFRGS Agronomic Experimental Station in Eldorado do Sul, RS, Brazil, from 2015 to 2017. 531 females were evaluated, eight TAI protocols were applied and the following variations were included: body condition score; live weight; coat; animal category and racial type. Meteorologicals data were collected from meteorological stations installed at the experimental sites. Aiming to determine the thermal comfort ranges of the animals, the indexes: temperature and humidity index-ITH and thermal comfort index-ITU were used. The data obtained were analyzed using the JMP statistical program (v.13). Among the variables, thisstudy was found as an effect of the applied protocol and the females’ body condition on the conceptions rates

Growth and reproductive performance of 14- to 15-month-old Hereford heifers

ABSTRACT Aiming at breeding heifers with 14-15 months of age, 100 Hereford calves were subjected to different feeding systems. Heifers grazed on a natural pasture in early winter, fed or not a supplement (14% crude protein; 72% total digestible nutrients), were transferred to a ryegrass pasture for 73 days, and then returned to a natural pasture for 15 days until the beginning of the breeding season. During the last 15 days on ryegrass pasture and the 15 days of the return to the natural pasture, half of the heifers of the two previous systems were offered the supplement, thereby establishing four feeding treatments. Heifers supplemented during the second period, independently of supplementation during the first grazing period, presented higher average daily gain and greater backfat values than the non-supplemented heifers. The breeding season extended for 75 days. At the start of the breeding season (November 18), heifers supplemented during both periods presented higher body condition score and body weight. The highest percentage of puberty was determined in heifers supplemented in the early winter. Heifers supplemented during both periods presented the highest pregnancy rate. Pregnant heifers presented higher average daily gain when fed the supplement during the second period, as well as higher relative pelvic area, body weight, and body condition score at the start and end of the breeding season. To an expressive pregnancy in 14- to 15- month-old heifers, higher weaning weights and pasture allowance are required to get a better answer to supplements offered

Relação entre medidas ultra-sônicas e espessura de gordura subcutânea ou área de olho de lombo na carcaça em bovinos de corte

Foram utilizados 162 animais, avaliados em dois anos para determinar a exatidão do ultra-som em estimar a espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGSC) e a área do músculo Longissimus (AOLC) no sítio anatômico entre a 12ª e 13ª costelas. Dentro de 24 horas antes do abate, foram mensuradas por ultra-som a espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGSUS) e a área de músculo Longissimus (AOLUS). Os coeficientes de correlação simples entre as características medidas por ultra-som e a espessura de gordura subcutânea e área do músculo Longissimus da carcaça foram de 0,95 e 0,97, respectivamente. Diferenças entre medidas ultra-sônicas e da carcaça foram expressas em base atual (EDIFF e ADIFF) e em base absoluta (EDEV e ADEV) para espessura de gordura e área do músculo Longissimus, respectivamente. As médias da EDIFF e ADIFF indicaram que o ultra-som superestima a EGSC em 0,16 mm e subestima a AOLC em 0,26 cm² considerandose ambos os anos. As médias globais da EDEV e ADEV, que são indicações da taxa média de erro, foram 0,34 mm e 1,28 cm², respectivamente. A análise do efeito do ano revelou que EDIFF foi maior no ano 1 e que ADIFF foi maior no ano 2. A análise da EDIFF indicou que animais com EGSC 4 mm serem subestimados pelo ultra-som. Similarmente, houve tendência de animais com AOLC 50 cm² foram subestimados por ultra-som. Os erros-padrão de predição ajustados para viés das medidas ultra-sônicas foram de 0,40 mm para espessura de gordura subcutânea e de 1,66 cm² para área do músculo Longissimus. Estes resultados indicam que o ultra-som pode ser um estimador acurado das características de carcaça em bovinos de corte.One hundred sixty-two animals were used during a 2-year period to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound measurements to estimate carcass subcutaneous fat thickness (CFAT) and area of Longissimus muscle located between the 12th and 13th ribs (CLMA). Twenty-four hours before slaughter animals were ultrasonically measured to determine subcutaneous fat thickness (UFAT) and area of Longissimus muscle (ULMA). The correlation coefficients between ultrasound measurements and CFAT and CLMA were 0.95 and 0.97, respectively. Differences between ultrasonic and carcass measurements were expressed in actual (FDIFF and RDIFF) and absolute (FDEV and RDEV) basis. Means of FDIFF and RDIFF in both years indicated that ultrasound overestimated CFAT by 0,16 mm and underestimated CLMA by 0.26 cm². Overall means of FDEV and RDEV were 0,34 mm and 1.28 cm², respectively. Analysis of year effects showed that FDIFF was greater in year 1 while RDIFF was higher in year 2. FDIFF indicated that ultrasound measurements overestimated CFAT in animals with 4 mm CFAT. Similarly, animals with CLMA 50 cm² were underestimated. Standard errors of prediction adjusted for bias of ultrasound measurements were of 0.40 mm for standard error prediction of subcutaneous fat thickness and 1.66 cm2 for standard error prediction of area of Longissimus muscle. These results suggested that ultrasound can be an accurate estimator of carcass traits in beef cattle

Comparação entre medidas ultra-sônicas e da carcaça na predição da composição corporal em bovinos : estimativas do peso e da porcentagem dos cortes comerciais do traseiro

Foram utilizados 102 animais para desenvolver equações de predição a fim de estimar a composição do corte traseiro da carcaça bovina a partir de medidas ultra-sônicas obtidas no animal vivo e comparar estas equações às desenvolvidas a partir de medidas na carcaça. As equações de predição foram desenvolvidas utilizando-se o procedimento estatístico de seleção de variáveis de todas as regressões possíveis e o de seleção de variáveis Stepwise. Os modelos finais utilizando variáveis obtidas no animal vivo incluíram o peso vivo na data do ultra-som (PVUS), a área do músculo Longissimus (AOLUS) e a espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGSUS) para estimar o peso (PCTT; R² = 0,78) e a porcentagem (RCTT; R² = 0,18) dos cortes do traseiro. As variáveis obtidas a partir de modelos na carcaça incluíram o peso de carcaça quente (PCQ), a área do músculo Longissimus (AOLC), a espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGSC), o acabamento (ACAB) e a conformação (CONF) para estimação do peso (PCTT; R² = 0,89) e da porcentagem (RCTT; R² = 0,67) dos cortes do traseiro. As equações de predição desenvolvidas a partir de modelos no animal vivo e na carcaça são úteis para estimar os cortes comerciais do traseiro da carcaça.One hundred two animals were evaluated to develop prediction equations for estimating hind-quarter composition from live animal ultrasound measurements and to compare these equations with those developed from carcass measurements. To develop prediction equations used all-possible regressions procedure for variables reductions and stepwise regression. Final models using live animal variables included live weight (PVUS), Longissimus muscle area (ULMA) and fat thickness (UFAT) for weight (PCTT; R² = 0.78) and percent (RCTT; R² = 0.18) of hind-quarter retail product. The models using variables carcass included hot carcass weight (HCW), carcass Longissimus muscle area (CLMA) and carcass fat thickness (CFAT) and Conformation (CONF) for weight (PCTT; R² = 0.89) and percent (RCTT; R² = 0.67) of hind-quarter retail product. Results indicate that composition predictions equations developed from live animals and ultrasound measurements can be useful to estimate yield hind-quarter retail product

Relação entre medidas ultra-sônicas e espessura de gordura subcutânea ou área de olho de lombo na carcaça em bovinos de corte

Foram utilizados 162 animais, avaliados em dois anos para determinar a exatidão do ultra-som em estimar a espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGSC) e a área do músculo Longissimus (AOLC) no sítio anatômico entre a 12ª e 13ª costelas. Dentro de 24 horas antes do abate, foram mensuradas por ultra-som a espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGSUS) e a área de músculo Longissimus (AOLUS). Os coeficientes de correlação simples entre as características medidas por ultra-som e a espessura de gordura subcutânea e área do músculo Longissimus da carcaça foram de 0,95 e 0,97, respectivamente. Diferenças entre medidas ultra-sônicas e da carcaça foram expressas em base atual (EDIFF e ADIFF) e em base absoluta (EDEV e ADEV) para espessura de gordura e área do músculo Longissimus, respectivamente. As médias da EDIFF e ADIFF indicaram que o ultra-som superestima a EGSC em 0,16 mm e subestima a AOLC em 0,26 cm² considerandose ambos os anos. As médias globais da EDEV e ADEV, que são indicações da taxa média de erro, foram 0,34 mm e 1,28 cm², respectivamente. A análise do efeito do ano revelou que EDIFF foi maior no ano 1 e que ADIFF foi maior no ano 2. A análise da EDIFF indicou que animais com EGSC 4 mm serem subestimados pelo ultra-som. Similarmente, houve tendência de animais com AOLC 50 cm² foram subestimados por ultra-som. Os erros-padrão de predição ajustados para viés das medidas ultra-sônicas foram de 0,40 mm para espessura de gordura subcutânea e de 1,66 cm² para área do músculo Longissimus. Estes resultados indicam que o ultra-som pode ser um estimador acurado das características de carcaça em bovinos de corte.One hundred sixty-two animals were used during a 2-year period to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound measurements to estimate carcass subcutaneous fat thickness (CFAT) and area of Longissimus muscle located between the 12th and 13th ribs (CLMA). Twenty-four hours before slaughter animals were ultrasonically measured to determine subcutaneous fat thickness (UFAT) and area of Longissimus muscle (ULMA). The correlation coefficients between ultrasound measurements and CFAT and CLMA were 0.95 and 0.97, respectively. Differences between ultrasonic and carcass measurements were expressed in actual (FDIFF and RDIFF) and absolute (FDEV and RDEV) basis. Means of FDIFF and RDIFF in both years indicated that ultrasound overestimated CFAT by 0,16 mm and underestimated CLMA by 0.26 cm². Overall means of FDEV and RDEV were 0,34 mm and 1.28 cm², respectively. Analysis of year effects showed that FDIFF was greater in year 1 while RDIFF was higher in year 2. FDIFF indicated that ultrasound measurements overestimated CFAT in animals with 4 mm CFAT. Similarly, animals with CLMA 50 cm² were underestimated. Standard errors of prediction adjusted for bias of ultrasound measurements were of 0.40 mm for standard error prediction of subcutaneous fat thickness and 1.66 cm2 for standard error prediction of area of Longissimus muscle. These results suggested that ultrasound can be an accurate estimator of carcass traits in beef cattle

Tropical Animal Health and Production

Texto completo: acesso restrito. p. 1281-1287This study aimed to evaluate visual precocity, muscling, conformation, skeletal, and breed scores; live weights at birth, at 205, and at 550 days of age; and, besides, rib eye area and fat thickness between the 12th and 13th ribs obtained by ultrasound. Those traits were evaluated in 1,645 Angus cattle kept in five feeding conditions as follows: supplemented or non-supplemented, grazing native pasture or grazing cultivated pasture, and feedlot. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlations, and principal component analysis were carried out. Gender and feeding conditions were fixed effects, while animal's age and mother's weight at weaning were the covariates analyzed. Gender and feeding conditions were very significant for the studied traits, but visual scores were not influenced by gender. Animal's age and mother's weight at weaning influenced many traits and must be appropriately adjusted in the statistical models. An important correlation between visual scores, live weights, and carcass traits obtained by ultrasound was found, which can be analyzed by univariate procedure. However, the multivariate approach revealed some information that cannot be neglected in order to ensure a more detailed assessment

Tropical Animal Health and Production

Texto completo. Acesso restrito. p. 1281-1287This study aimed to evaluate visual precocity, muscling, conformation, skeletal, and breed scores; live weights at birth, at 205, and at 550 days of age; and, besides, rib eye area and fat thickness between the 12th and 13th ribs obtained by ultrasound. Those traits were evaluated in 1,645 Angus cattle kept in five feeding conditions as follows: supplemented or non-supplemented, grazing native pasture or grazing cultivated pasture, and feedlot. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlations, and principal component analysis were carried out. Gender and feeding conditions were fixed effects, while animal's age and mother's weight at weaning were the covariates analyzed. Gender and feeding conditions were very significant for the studied traits, but visual scores were not influenced by gender. Animal's age and mother's weight at weaning influenced many traits and must be appropriately adjusted in the statistical models. An important correlation between visual scores, live weights, and carcass traits obtained by ultrasound was found, which can be analyzed by univariate procedure. However, the multivariate approach revealed some information that cannot be neglected in order to ensure a more detailed assessment.Salvado

Growth and reproductive performance of 14- to 15-month-old Hereford heifers

ABSTRACT Aiming at breeding heifers with 14-15 months of age, 100 Hereford calves were subjected to different feeding systems. Heifers grazed on a natural pasture in early winter, fed or not a supplement (14% crude protein; 72% total digestible nutrients), were transferred to a ryegrass pasture for 73 days, and then returned to a natural pasture for 15 days until the beginning of the breeding season. During the last 15 days on ryegrass pasture and the 15 days of the return to the natural pasture, half of the heifers of the two previous systems were offered the supplement, thereby establishing four feeding treatments. Heifers supplemented during the second period, independently of supplementation during the first grazing period, presented higher average daily gain and greater backfat values than the non-supplemented heifers. The breeding season extended for 75 days. At the start of the breeding season (November 18), heifers supplemented during both periods presented higher body condition score and body weight. The highest percentage of puberty was determined in heifers supplemented in the early winter. Heifers supplemented during both periods presented the highest pregnancy rate. Pregnant heifers presented higher average daily gain when fed the supplement during the second period, as well as higher relative pelvic area, body weight, and body condition score at the start and end of the breeding season. To an expressive pregnancy in 14- to 15- month-old heifers, higher weaning weights and pasture allowance are required to get a better answer to supplements offered