Efeito da utilização de machos inteiros e de uma mistura alimentar com inclusão de subprodutos agroindustriais nos parâmetros de carcaça e qualidade de carne da raça suína alentejana

A nível europeu, a produção de suínos enfrenta um grande desafio no futuro próximo, devido ao facto de a castração cirúrgica de leitões (atualmente permitida só até aos 7 dias e após esta só sob anestesia e analgesia) deixar de poder ser realizada. Antes de se por fim a esta prática tradicional e ainda em vigor a título excecional nos sistemas de produção extensivos, muitos dos problemas que daí advêm terão de ser abordados da melhor forma, tendo em vista uma nova adaptação do setor suinícola. Isto significa, que não só devem ser resolvidos os problemas do odor e sabor a macho na carne e gordura de suínos, como também, tentar que a qualidade tecnológica da carne não seja afetada. Desta forma, ter-se-á de procurar alternativas viáveis à castração cirúrgica, de forma a garantir a mesma ou uma melhor qualidade da carne. Entre essas alternativas, encontram-se o efeito da utilização de uma mistura alimentar em machos intactos, promovendo também a bio-economia circular, envolvendo a utilização de alimentos localmente produzidos e subprodutos e resíduos agroindustriais com efeito na redução do odor e sabor a macho, que podem originar situações de valorização económica no interior do País. Foram estudados três grupos de animais da raça suína Alentejana, castrados (C) e intactos (I) consumindo ração comercial, e intactos consumindo ração experimental (IE), tendo sido abatidos ao peso de ~160 kg. Foram estudadas características relativas ao crescimento, às peças da carcaça e analisados os parâmetros físico-químicos no músculo Longissimus lumborum. Neste trabalho, o grupo IE, segundo a análise de todos os parâmetros em estudo, beneficiou da alimentação em estudo, ou seja, da ração experimental. Comparativamente com o grupo controlo, ingeriram em média menos alimento e registaram um crescimento superior em menos dias, apresentando um índice de conversão alimentar inferior. A relação peças magras/peças gordas neste grupo foi superior. Nas características físicoquímicas, o grupo IE relativamente ao grupo C, apresentou uma carne com maior teor de humidade, mas menor teor de gordura intramuscular, apresentado também um maior conteúdo em colagénio total e menor valor de pH. Em conclusão, a ração experimental levou a uma melhor performance dos animais do grupo IE, sendo benéfico economicamente na produção de suínos. Estudos em curso irão verificar se a ração experimental é eficaz a reduzir odor e sabor a macho na carne e gordura dos porcos Alentejanos intactos abatidos a aproximadamente 160 kg; Effect of using intact males and a feed mixture with the inclusion of agro-industrial by-products on carcass parameters and meat quality of the Alentejano pig Abstract: At the European level, pig production will be increasingly challenged due to the fact that surgical castration of piglets (currently only allowed up to 7 days of age and after that only under anaesthesia and analgesia) will no longer be carried out. Before the end of this traditional practice, still exceptionally practiced in extensive production systems, many of the problems that arise from it will have to be addressed in the best way, with a view to a new adaptation of the pig sector. This means that not only must the problems of intact male taste and odour in pig meat and fat be solved, but also that the technological quality of the meat must not affected. Therefore, viable alternatives to surgical castration must be sought, in order to guarantee the same or better meat quality. Among these alternatives are the effect of using a food mixture on intact males, also promoting the circular bio-economy, with the use of locally produced food and agro-industrial byproducts and residues, with the effect of reducing the intact male taste and odour, that can lead to an economic recovery in the interior of the country. Three groups of animals of the Alentejana pig breed were studied, castrated (C) and intact males (I) consuming commercial feeds, and intact males consuming experimental diet (IE), all slaughtered at a weight of ~160 kg. The characteristics relating to growth, carcass parameters and carcass traits were studied and the physical-chemical parameters in the Longissimus lumborum muscle were analysed. In this work, the IE group of animals, according to the analysis of all the parameters under study, benefited from the experimental diet. Compared to C group, they ingested on average less feed and experienced higher growth in fewer days, with a lower feed conversion ratio. The lean/fat ratio was higher, with a lower number of fat traits. Regarding the physical-chemical characteristics of the loin, the IE group in relation to the C group, presented a higher moisture content, with a lower intramuscular fat content, and a higher total collagen content and a lower pH value. In conclusion, the experimental feed led to a better performance of the animals in the IE group, being economically beneficial in pig production. Ongoing studies will verify whether the experimental feed is effective in reducing the male flavour and odour in the meat and fat of intact Alentejano pigs slaughtered at approximately 160 kg

Outdoor Finishing of Intact Male Portuguese Alentejano Pigs on a Sustainable High-Fiber Diet: Impacts on Blood, Growth, Carcass, Meat Quality and Boar Taint Compounds

This trial evaluated the effect of sex on the blood, growth, carcass, meat quality, and boar taint compounds in male Alentejano (AL) pigs (n = 30). From ~40 to 130 kg LW, castrated (C) and intact pigs (I and IExp groups) were fed commercial diets ad libitum. Between ~130 and 160 kg (slaughter), C and I pigs continued on commercial diets, while IExp were fed an experimental diet containing locally produced pulses and by-products aimed at reducing boar taint. At ~160 kg, blood urea levels were higher in IExp than C pigs, triacylglycerols were lower in both intact groups, and cortisol was lower in IExp. IExp pigs exhibited faster growth, improved feed conversion ratio, carcass higher commercial yield and leaner meat than C pigs. The loin intramuscular fat in intact pigs was lower, less saturated and more polyunsaturated, while total collagen was higher. Fat androstenone content was higher in intact pigs and skatole content was similar across treatments, although they were below threshold values for consumer detection. Finally, although boar taint compounds were low in intact AL pigs raised outdoors, adding pulses and by-products to the experimental diet did not result in a reduction in fat skatole content compared to pigs fed the commercial diet

IMPACT OF TYPE-II ENDOLEAK ON ANEURYSM SAC IN A SINGLE CENTER

Objective: Type 2 endoleak occurs in up to 30% of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), but its long-term significance continues to be one of the most controversial topics. We reviewed our experience to evaluate late outcomes associated with type 2 endoleak. Methods: Between January 2008 to December 2014, 57 patients undergoing EVAR were enrolled in the presenting study. Computed tomography (angioCT) scan assessment was performed to evaluate aneurysm sac evolution. Primary end points included type 2 endoleak incidence, aneurysm sac growth, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) related rupture and death. Secondary endpoints included conversion to open repair, reintervention rate, type 2 endoleak persistence and failure to shrinkage > 5mm and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture. Results: We identified 10 (17.5%) patients with type 2 endoleaks (6 early at the first follow-up CT scan). Median followup was 39.0 ± 31,6 months. Endoleaks persisted in 7 patients (12,2% of total patients; 70,0% of type 2 endoleaks) for >6 months. Overall survival rate was 100%, 98% and 80% at 1, 2 and 5 years. Spontaneous sealing occurred in 6/10 (60%): 3/3 (100.0%) transient type 2 endoleaks and 3/7 (43%) persistent type 2 endoleak. Transient type 2 endoleak (those that resolved <6 months of EVAR) weren´t associated with adverse late outcomes. In contrast, persistent endoleak was associated with several adverse outcomes. When evaluating patients with transitory endoleak vs persistent endoleak, freedom from sac expansion at 1, 3, and 5 years was 100% (transitory) vs 85%, 65%, e 40% (persistent) (P < .001). Patients with persistent endoleak were at increased risk for aneurysm sac growth vs patients without endoleak (odds ratio [OR], 36.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2,15 - 79; P < .02). The only reintervention occurred in a persistent endoleak). There was no aneurysm rupture or AAA-related death. Conclusion: Small sample size have limited this study ability to evaluate the impact on endoleak on adverse outcomes. Persistent type II endoleaks led to significant aneurysm sac enlargement, but without increased mortality or rupture rate

Effects of recent minimum temperature and water deficit increases on Pinus pinaster radial growth and wood density in southern Portugal

Western Iberia has recently shown increasing frequency of drought conditions coupled with heatwave events, leading to exacerbated limiting climatic conditions for plant growth. It is not clear to what extent wood growth and density of agroforestry species have suffered from such changes or recent extreme climate events. To address this question, tree-ring width and density chronologies were built for a Pinus pinaster stand in southern Portugal and correlated with climate variables, including the minimum, mean and maximum temperatures and the number of cold days. Monthly and maximum daily precipitations were also analyzed as well as dry spells. The drought effect was assessed using the standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration (SPEI) multi-scalar drought index, between 1 to 24-months. The climate-growth/density relationships were evaluated for the period 1958-2011. We show that both wood radial growth and density highly benefit from the strong decay of cold days and the increase of minimum temperature. Yet the benefits are hindered by long-term water deficit, which results in different levels of impact on wood radial growth and density. Despite of the intensification of long-term water deficit, tree-ring width appears to benefit from the minimum temperature increase, whereas the effects of long-term droughts significantly prevail on tree-ring density. Our results further highlight the dependency of the species on deep water sources after the juvenile stage. The impact of climate changes on longterm droughts and their repercussion on the shallow groundwater table and P. pinaster’s vulnerability are also discussed. This work provides relevant information for forest management in the semi-arid area of the Alentejo region of Portugal. It should ease the elaboration of mitigation strategies to assure P. pinaster’s production capacity and quality in response to more arid conditions in the near future in the regioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The record precipitation and flood event in Iberia in December 1876: description and synoptic analysis

The first week of December 1876 was marked by extreme weather conditions that affected the south-western sector of the Iberian Peninsula (IP), leading to an all-time record flow in two large international rivers. As a direct consequence, several Portuguese and Spanish towns and villages located in the banks of both rivers suffered serious flood damage on 7 December 1876. These unusual floods were amplified by the preceding particularly autumn wet months, with October 1876 presenting extremely high precipitation anomalies for all western Iberia stations. Two recently digitized stations in Portugal (Lisbon and Evora), present a peak value on 5 December 1876. Furthermore, the values of precipitation registered between 28 November and 7 December were so remarkable that, the episode of 1876 still corresponds to the maximum average daily precipitation values for temporal scales between 2 and 10 days. Using several different data sources, such as historical newspapers of that time, meteorological data recently digitized from several stations in Portugal and Spain and the recently available 20th Century Reanalysis, we provide a detailed analysis on the socio-economic impacts, precipitation values and the atmospheric circulation conditions associated with this event. The atmospheric circulation during these months was assessed at the monthly, daily and sub-daily scales. All months considered present an intense negative NAO index value, with November 1876 corresponding to the lowest NAO value on record since 1865. We have also computed a multivariable analysis of surface and upper air fields in order to provide some enlightening into the evolution of the synoptic conditions in the week prior to the floods. These events resulted from the continuous pouring of precipitation registered between 28 November and 7 December, due to the consecutive passage of Atlantic low-pressure systems fuelled by the presence of an atmospheric-river tropical moisture flow over central Atlantic Ocean.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Resultados preliminares da prótese total metatarsofalângica METIS-Newdeal®

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados preliminares da prótese METIS-Newdeal® como tratamento de hallux rigidus grau III/IV. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo de oito próteses MTF colocadas em seis pacientes entre nov/2007 e jul/2009. A idade média foi de 55 anos e o tempo de seguimento após a cirurgia de 50 semanas. Na avaliação dos resultados foi utilizado o escore AOFAS-MTF e controle imageológico por radiografia. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se um aumento pontual significativo do escore AOFAS-MTF que passou de 42p pré-operatório para 82p após a cirurgia (&#8593;1,95x), tendo sido ao nível da função o maior ganho. Radiologicamente não se identificaram intercorrências. Dos cinco pacientes operados, apenas um se mostrou descontente com a cirurgia, após o surgimento de infecção precoce no local cirúrgico, sendo que corresponde à única complicação pós-op encontrada. CONCLUSÃO: A artroplastia total metatarsofalângica METIS-Newdeal® apresenta resultados promissores no curto prazo. No entanto, é necessário avaliar um maior número de casos com um tempo de seguimento mais longo para que se possa obter conclusões mais consistentes.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the preliminary results from the METIS-Newdeal® metatarsophalangeal prosthesis for treating hallux rigidus grade III/IV. METHODS: This was a prospective study on eight metatarsophalangeal prostheses that were placed in six patients between November 2007 and July 2009. The patients' mean age was 55 years and the mean follow-up after the surgery was 50 weeks. The results were evaluated using the AOFAS-MTF score and x-ray images as controls. RESULTS: The AOFAS-MTF score increased significantly from 42p before the surgery to 82p after the surgery (&#8593;1.95x), mainly due to improvement in the functional level. No intercurrences were identified radiologically. Among the five patients who underwent operations, only one expressed dissatisfaction with the surgery: this was expressed after early infection appeared at the surgical site, and it was the only postoperative complication found. CONCLUSION: Total metatarsophalangeal arthroplasty using METIS-Newdeal® presented promising short-term results. However, evaluations on a larger number of cases with a longer follow-up are needed in order to draw more consistent conclusions

The effects of the recent minimum temperature and water deficit increases on Pinus pinaster wood radial growth and density in southern Portugal.

Western Iberia has recently shown increasing frequency of drought conditions coupled with heatwave events, leading to exacerbated limiting climatic conditions for plant growth. It is not clear to what extent wood growth and density of agroforestry species have suffered from such changes or recent extreme climate events.To address this question, tree-ring width and density chronologies were built for a P. pinaster stand in southern Portugal and correlated with climate variables, including the minimum, mean and maximum temperatures and the number of cold days. Monthly and maximum daily precipitations were also analyzed as well as dry spells. The drought effect was assessed using the standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration (SPEI) multi-scalar drought index, between 1 to 24-months. The climate-growth/density relationships were evaluated for the period 1958-2011.We show that both wood radial growth and density highly benefit from the strong decay of cold days and the increase of minimum temperature. Yet the benefits are hindered by long-term water deficit, which results in different levels of impact on wood radial growth and density. Despite of the intensification of long-term water deficit, tree-ring width appears to benefit from the minimum temperature increase, whereas the effects of long-term droughts significantly prevail on tree-ring density. Our results further highlight the dependency of the species on deep water sources after the juvenile stage. The impact of climate changes on long-term droughts and their repercussion on the shallow groundwater table and P. pinaster’s vulnerability are also discussed. This work provides relevant information for forest management in the semi-arid area of the Alentejo region of Portugal. It should ease the elaboration of mitigation strategies to assure P. pinaster’s production capacity and quality in response to more arid conditions in the near future in the region