Evaluation of the silage of high-moisture corn grain

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar os efeitos de diferentes porcentagens do sabugo (0, 5, 10 e 20%) na matéria verde (MV) e de quatro períodos de amostragem (zero, dois, quatro e seis dias após a abertura dos silos) sobre a qualidade da silagem de grãos úmidos de milho (Zea mays L.). O arranjo fatorial 5 x 4 foi estudado segundo delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. Não houve efeito do período de amostragem sobre as variáveis estudadas. A capacidade-tampão e o pH não foram afetados pela presença do sabugo, e o teor de carboidratos solúveis e N amoniacal aumentaram em até 1,2 e 1,89 unidade percentual, respectivamente, em relação à silagem exclusiva de grãos de milho. O aumento na porcentagem de sabugo reduziu os teores de matéria seca (MS) (de 63,9% para 58,6%), proteína bruta (PB) (de 10,0% para 7,3%), extrato etéreo (EE) (de 4,87% para 3,92%) e os valores da digestibilidade in vitro de matéria seca (DIVMS) (de 90,5% para 79,1%) das silagens, e aumentou os teores da fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) (de 3,3% para 12,9%) e da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) (de 15,16% para 26,1%). Os valores de energia bruta (EB) não foram afetados (P>0,01) pela presença do sabugo nas silagens.This work had the objective of evaluating the effects of different percentages of com (Zea mays L.) cob on the quality of the silage of high-moisture corn grains. The following treatments were studied: percentages of corn cob in the silage (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%); period of sampling after opening the silos (zero, two, four and six days). The factorial arrangement 5 x 4 was studied according to a completely randomized block design with three replications. The variables studied were not affected by the sampling period. The buffering capacity and the pH were not affected by the cob, while the percent soluble carbohydrates and amoniacal nitrogen increasing until 1.2 and 1.89 unit percent, respectively. Increasing the amount of corn cobs reduced the contents of DM (from 63.9% to 58.6%), CP (from 10.0% to 7.3%), EE (from 4.87% to 3.92%) and the values of DMIVD (from 90.5% to 79.1%) in the silages and increasing the contents of acid detergente fiber (ADF) (from 3.3% to 12.9%) and neutral detergente fiber (NDF) (from 15.16% to 26.1%). The values of brute energy (BE) were not affected (P>0.01) by the cob corn in the silage

Capim-elefante anão sob pastejo II. Valor nutritivo

Dwarf elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) was evaluated in a grazing trial. Grazing pressure (GP) and grazing cyle (GC) were applied at five levels: GP-500, 1,000, 1,500, 2,000 and 2,500 kg of residual leaf dry matter ha-1 after grazing and CG - 0 (continuous grazing), 14, 28, 42 and 56 days. The GC included a 2-day grazing period plus a specific rest period. A nonrotatable central composite design with 13 treatment combinations in two replications was used. A complete second - order polynomial model was used to analyse the data. The crude protein of leaves and stems increased as GP was increased and GC was shortened. The in vitro, digestibility of leaves, stems and "grazed forage" seemed to be affected quadraticaly by GC. Heavier GPs tended to favour the digestibility of stems. The crude protein of "grazed forage" was increased by shorter GCs. The optimum point for digestibility of "grazed forage" was around GP of 1,500 kg of residual leaf DM ha-1 and 14 days of GC. Leaves had higher nutritive value than stems and the high quality of "grazed forage" revealed the potential of this grass under grazing.O valor nutritivo do capim-elefante anão (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) foi estudado num ensaio de pastejo. Pressão de pastejo (PP) e ciclo de pastejo (CP) foram aplicados em cinco níveis cada: PP-500, 1.000, 1.500, 2.000 e 2.500 kg de MS de folha residual ha-1 após o pastejo e CP-0 (pastejo contínuo), 14, 28, 42 e 56 dias. Cada CP incluiu dois dias de pastejo e um período de descanso específico para cada nível. O desenho experimental foi um composto central, não-rotável, com treze combinações em duas repetições. O modelo usado foi o polinômio completo do segundo grau. A proteína bruta das folhas e dos colmos aumentou com a elevação da PP e diminuição do CP. A digestibilidade in vitro das folhas, colmos e "forragem consumida" pareceu responder quadraticamente ao CP. As PPs mais altas tenderam a favorecer a digestibilidade dos colmos. A proteína da "forragem consumida" foi estimulada por CPs curtos. O ponto ótimo para digestibilidade da "forragem consumida" ficou em torno da combinação de 1.500 kg de MS de folha residual ha-1 de PP com 14 dias de CP. O valor nutritivo das folhas foi bem maior que o dos colmos, e a excelente qualidade da "forragem consumida" revelou o grande potencial desse capim sob pastejo

Distribuição espacial da infecção por Ascaris lumbricoides

OBJECTIVE: To estimate risk areas for Ascaris lumbricoides parasitic overload, using geoprocessing and geostatistic methods of analysis. METHODS: A coproparasitologic and domiciliary survey was conducted in 19 selected census districts of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A sample of 1,664 children aged between 1--9 years was selected and plotted in their own home' centroid. Geostatistics techniques allowed spatial exploratory analysis, variographic study, and ordinary kriging. Student t-test, odds ratio and confidence intervals were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: A prevalence of 27.5% was found for A. lumbricoides. Household income, housewife's education level and peridomiciliary conditions were identified as significantly associated factors to the occurrence of ascariasis. An isotropic spherical semivariogram model with 150-m reach, contribution of 0.45 and nugget effect of 0.55 was employed in ordinary kriging. CONCLUSIONS: Peridomiciliary impact on ascariasis is confirmed by a spatial continuity of 150 m. Disease occurrence could be estimated in the study area and a risk map elaborated using ordinary kriging.OBJETIVO: Estimar áreas de risco para a ocorrência de carga parasitária produzida pelo Ascaris lumbricoides, por meio da utilização de técnicas de geoprocessamento e análise geoestatística. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados 19 setores censitários para a realização do inquérito copro-parasitológico e domiciliar na localidade de Parque Fluminense, no município de Duque de Caxias, RJ. Foram amostradas e plotadas no centróide de seu respectivo domicílio 1.664 crianças com idade entre 1 e 9 anos. As técnicas de geoestatística permitiram a análise exploratória espacial, variografia e krigagem ordinária. A análise estatística inclui teste "t" de Student, odds ratio e intervalos de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: A prevalência encontrada para A. lumbricoides foi de 27,5%. A renda familiar, o nível de escolaridade da dona de casa e as condições peridomiciliares foram identificados como fatores significativamente associados à ocorrência de ascaríase. Um modelo de semivariograma isotrópico esférico com alcance de 150 metros, contribuição de 0,45 e efeito pepita de 0,55 foi empregado na krigagem ordinária. CONCLUSÕES: A continuidade espacial de aproximadamente 150 metros corrobora a influência do peridomicílio na ascaríase. Pela krigagem ordinária, foi possível estimar a ocorrência da doença em toda a área de estudo e construir um mapa de risco

Integração e educação ambiental entre escola e comunidade: experiência no bairro João XXIII, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil / Integration and education between school and community: João XXIII neighborhood experience, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

Atualmente as questões ambientais vêm sendo discutidas em diferentes níveis: (governamentais e não governamentais) e com a sociedade civil que tomam como premissa os problemas ambientais que prejudicam a qualidade de vida do ser humano. Essa ideia tem uma trajetória de quase meio século de história e discussões, movimentos sociais ambientalistas, desafios e conquistas, ocupando hoje, um espaço no campo das política pública integradas as questões ambientais. Desse modo, a Educação Ambiental passou a ser implementada no campo das políticas públicas e dentro dos parâmetros escolares, posto que a formação de uma consciência comprometida com as questões ambientais só é possível através da educação ambiental, haja vista que mudanças de costumes, valores, hábitos, necessita de uma educação voltada para reflexão crítica da realidade e uma atuação consciente no espaço social. Assim, o presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar a experiência de educação ambiental do Projeto Prosanear, da Prefeitura Municipal de Fortaleza, no bairro João XXIII, realizada pela equipe de assistentes sociais e estagiárias, a partir da percepção dos alunos(as) que participaram dos projetos sociais “Imagens” e “Em Sintonia”. Para retratar essa experiência, optamos pela pesquisa qualitativa, valendo-se da entrevista semiestruturada, na modalidade de pesquisa participante e observação participante, que configura o universo das ações desenvolvidas in loco com os discentes. Os resultados desse trabalho revelaram dados bastante significativos, viabilizando a análise do quanto é importante a articulação da educação ambiental nos espaços escolares como ferramenta de sensibilização e mobilização comunitária em prol de ações mais conscientes com o meio ambiente e sua preservação

In Vitro Schistosomicidal Activity of Some Brazilian Cerrado Species and Their Isolated Compounds

Miconia langsdorffii Cogn. (Melastomataceae), Roupala montana Aubl. (Proteaceae), Struthanthus syringifolius (Mart.) (Loranthaceae), and Schefflera vinosa (Cham. & Schltdl.) Frodin (Araliaceae) are plant species from the Brazilian Cerrado whose schistosomicidal potential has not yet been described. The crude extracts, fractions, the triterpenes betulin, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and the flavonoids quercetin 3-O-beta-D-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside and isorhamnetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside were evaluated in vitro against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms and the bioactive n-hexane fractions of the mentioned species were also analyzed by GC-MS. Betulin was able to cause worm death percentage values of 25% after 120 h (at 100 mu M), and 25% and 50% after 24 and 120 h (at 200 mu M), respectively; besides the flavonoid quercetin 3-O-beta-D-rhamnoside promoted 25% of death of the parasites at 100 mu M. Farther the flavonoids quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside and quercetin 3-O-beta-D-rhamnoside at 100 mu M exhibited significantly reduction in motor activity, 75% and 87.5%, respectively. Biological results indicated that crude extracts of R. montana, S. vinosa, and M. langsdorffii and some n-hexane and EtOAc fractions of this species were able to induce worm death to some extent. The results suggest that lupane-type triterpenes and flavonoid monoglycosides should be considered for further antiparasites studies.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP) [2006/60132-4, 2008/01268-9, 2009/00604-8]Coordenadoria de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal do Ensino Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq

Butyrate Protects Mice from Clostridium difficile-Induced Colitis through an HIF-1-Dependent Mechanism

Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis is a key factor predisposing intestinal infection by Clostridium difficile. Here, we show that interventions that restore butyrate intestinal levels mitigate clinical and pathological features of C. difficile-induced colitis. Butyrate has no effect on C. difficile colonization or toxin production. However, it attenuates intestinal inflammation and improves intestinal barrier function in infected mice, as shown by reduced intestinal epithelial permeability and bacterial translocation, effects associated with the increased expression of components of intestinal epithelial cell tight junctions. Activation of the transcription factor HIF-1 in intestinal epithelial cells exerts a protective effect in C. difficile-induced colitis, and it is required for butyrate effects. We conclude that butyrate protects intestinal epithelial cells from damage caused by C. difficile toxins via the stabilization of HIF-1, mitigating local inflammatory response and systemic consequences of the infection

A farmacopsiquiatria dos antidepressivos: The pharmacopsychiatry of antidepressants

Os fármacos antidepressivos compõem o manejo terapêutico da depressão e inúmeros outros transtornos de origem neuropsiquiátrica. Logo, a ocorrências destes distúrbios tornam viável a aplicação destes, ressaltando ser essencial individualizar o tratamento e compreender a respeito das diversas classes, mecanismo de ação, interação medicamentosa, indicação clinica, grupo de risco e a intoxicação por superdosagem. O seguinte artigo objetivou descrever a respeito das particularidades dos antidepressivos, de modo a compreender sobre seu efeito farmacopsiquiatríco. Trata-se de uma revisão narrativa de literatura fundamentada nas renomadas plataformas de artigos indexados a respeito do tema. Foram selecionados os estudos que apresentavam relevância clinica para a compreensão do artigo, descartando-se os demais que não respondiam ao objetivo proposto. Na literatura científica estão disponíveis muitas informações pertinentes ao tema, ressaltando a importância deste. Atualmente, se encontram em aplicabilidade diversas classes que são os Inibidores Seletivos da Recaptação de Serotonina (ISRSs), Antidepressivos Tricíclicos (ADTs), Tetracíclicos e os Inibidores da Monoamina Oxidase (IMAO). Cada um destes possui um mecanismo de ação diferente, mas basicamente estes interferem no impulso nervoso de neurotransmissores beneficiando o portador de distúrbios neurocognitivos. Destacando que mesmo com o efeito terapêutico retrógrado, estes já manifestam os efeitos adversos. Logo, é imprescindível analisar qual o tipo e a dose do fármaco para se conduzir o melhor prognóstico do paciente.&nbsp

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Racial differences in systemic sclerosis disease presentation: a European Scleroderma Trials and Research group study

Objectives. Racial factors play a significant role in SSc. We evaluated differences in SSc presentations between white patients (WP), Asian patients (AP) and black patients (BP) and analysed the effects of geographical locations.Methods. SSc characteristics of patients from the EUSTAR cohort were cross-sectionally compared across racial groups using survival and multiple logistic regression analyses.Results. The study included 9162 WP, 341 AP and 181 BP. AP developed the first non-RP feature faster than WP but slower than BP. AP were less frequently anti-centromere (ACA; odds ratio (OR) = 0.4, P &lt; 0.001) and more frequently anti-topoisomerase-I autoantibodies (ATA) positive (OR = 1.2, P = 0.068), while BP were less likely to be ACA and ATA positive than were WP [OR(ACA) = 0.3, P &lt; 0.001; OR(ATA) = 0.5, P = 0.020]. AP had less often (OR = 0.7, P = 0.06) and BP more often (OR = 2.7, P &lt; 0.001) diffuse skin involvement than had WP.AP and BP were more likely to have pulmonary hypertension [OR(AP) = 2.6, P &lt; 0.001; OR(BP) = 2.7, P = 0.03 vs WP] and a reduced forced vital capacity [OR(AP) = 2.5, P &lt; 0.001; OR(BP) = 2.4, P &lt; 0.004] than were WP. AP more often had an impaired diffusing capacity of the lung than had BP and WP [OR(AP vs BP) = 1.9, P = 0.038; OR(AP vs WP) = 2.4, P &lt; 0.001]. After RP onset, AP and BP had a higher hazard to die than had WP [hazard ratio (HR) (AP) = 1.6, P = 0.011; HR(BP) = 2.1, P &lt; 0.001].Conclusion. Compared with WP, and mostly independent of geographical location, AP have a faster and earlier disease onset with high prevalences of ATA, pulmonary hypertension and forced vital capacity impairment and higher mortality. BP had the fastest disease onset, a high prevalence of diffuse skin involvement and nominally the highest mortality