Aspergillus fumigatus Hsp90 interacts with the main components of the cell wall integrity pathway and cooperates in heat shock and cell wall stress adaptation.

The initiation of Aspergillus fumigatus infection occurs via dormant conidia deposition into the airways. Therefore, conidial germination and subsequent hyphal extension and growth occur in a sustained heat shock (HS) environment promoted by the host. The cell wall integrity pathway (CWIP) and the essential eukaryotic chaperone Hsp90 are critical for fungi to survive HS. Although A. fumigatus is a thermophilic fungus, the mechanisms underpinning the HS response are not thoroughly described and important to define its role in pathogenesis, virulence and antifungal drug responses. Here, we investigate the contribution of the CWIP in A. fumigatus thermotolerance. We observed that the CWIP components PkcA, MpkA and RlmA are Hsp90 clients and that a PkcAG579R mutation abolishes this interaction. PkcAG579R also abolishes MpkA activation in the short-term response to HS. Biochemical and biophysical analyses indicated that Hsp90 is a dimeric functional ATPase, which has a higher affinity for ADP than ATP and prevents MpkA aggregation in vitro. Our data suggest that the CWIP is constitutively required for A. fumigatus to cope with the temperature increase found in the mammalian lung environment, emphasising the importance of this pathway in supporting thermotolerance and cell wall integrity

Macrominerais: deficiências e interações com a produção e nutrição de ruminantes

O objetivo deste estudo é explicitar a importância dos macrominerais cálcio, fósforo, sódio, potássio e magnésio na nutrição de ruminantes, suas funções e mecanismos fisiológicos em que estão envolvidos, bem como fornecer ao leitor vários resultados de trabalhos científicos que abordaram esses minerais. Os minerais constituem a fração inorgânica do corpo dos animais e são definidos como essenciais quando alguma função vital exercida pelo mineral no organismo é comprovada, sendo então divididos em macro e microminerais em função da quantidade exigida pelo organismo. Para que os programas de suplementação mineral dos animais sejam eficazes, é importante considerar não somente a composição mineral dos alimentos a serem fornecidos, mas também as necessidades diárias dos animais ao longo de todas as fases de sua vida para manter adequadamente seu crescimento, suas funções biológicas e sua produção. Entretanto, poucos avanços foram observados na última década sobre a suplementação mineral e a produção animal. Suprir essa carência é fundamental para produzir dados mais consistentes e voltados para suas reais necessidades. Nosso trabalho, além de levar ao leitor informações importantes sobre a nutrição mineral, também pode auxiliar diretamente pecuaristas na suplementação de macrominerais para ruminantes por meio dos conhecimentos expostos neste trabalho

Profile of consumers of pork sold in the municipality of Grajaú, State of Maranhão, Brazil

The objective of this study was to characterize the pork consumer profile in the municipality of Grajaú (MA), where, in the second half of 2014, they were interviewed randomly 200 (two hundred) consumers at fairs and supermarkets that municipality. We used questionnaires containing 19 (nineteen) closed questions, in order to identify the population studied aspects related to socio-economic profile, consumer habits, factors affecting the purchase decision, characteristics and attributes related to the consumption. After evaluation of the data by descriptive statistics, one could infer that the consumption of pork in the city in question is still considered relatively low, since only about 21 (10.5%) consumers reported consuming it regularly, fact which seems to be mainly related to misperceptions of consumers towards the quality of this type of meat, among other factors. Among the respondents, 147 (73.5%) say ignore the nutritional value of pork. With regard to public health, it was found that 168 (84%) consumers said they are unaware of the taeniasis/cysticercosis cycle, and 173 (86.5%) respondents exhibited dissatisfaction with the hygiene factors at the time of sale, and 104 ( 52%) voiced concerns about the imminent risk of contracting zoonoses. It was noted also that there are demands regarding the improvement of the quality of the product offered, among them are: breeding and feeding, welfare practices and animal slaughter and processing improvements. It reinforces the need for investments in the agro-industrial sector, sustainable and health, in order to offer a quality product, healthy and economically favorable for consumers.The objective of this study was to characterize the profile of pork consumers in the municipality of Grajaú Maranhão State, Brazil, where, in the second half of 2014, 200 (two hundred) consumers were interviewed at fairs and supermarkets in that municipality. Questionnaires containing 19 closed questions were used to identify aspects related to socioeconomic profile, consumption habits, factors affecting purchase decision, characteristics and attributes related to consumption. Among the interviewees, 147 (73.5%) said they did not know the nutritional value of pork. With regard to public health, 168 (84%) consumers stated that they did not know about the cycle of teniasis/cysticercosis, and 173 (86.5%) interviewed showed dissatisfaction with the hygienic factors at the time of marketing, and 104 (52%) raised concerns about the imminent risks of zoonoses. It was also observed that there are demands regarding the improvement of the quality of the product offered, among them are: genetic and food breeding, animal welfare practices and improvements in slaughter and processing. The consumption of pork in the municipality in question is still considered relatively low, since only about 21 (10.5%) consumers reported regularly consuming it, a fact that seems to be mainly related to consumers' misperceptions about the quality of this type of meat, among other factors

Degradabilidade in situ dos componentes do feno de capim Andropogon Gayanus colhido em diferentes idades

In this study were evaluated Andropogon gayanus hays produced at different ages of growth (56, 84 and 112 days) to assay in situ dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and fiber fractions degradability. The statistical design was randomized blocks with split plots. The ages of growth were parcels and degradation time (0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 hours) were subparcels with five repetition by treatment (blocks). The different ages showed the same degradation kinetic behavior. A. gayanus hays produced with plant between 56 days are different from the 84 and 112 days of growth and had higher degradation for DM,OM,CP, NDF and ADF. The observed results indicated that the best A. gayanus hays are obtained from plants cut in between 56 days.Objetivou-se com este trabalho determinar a degradabilidade ruminal e os parâmetros da cinética de degradação da matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta e frações fibrosas dos fenos de Andropogon gayanus produzidos a partir de 56, 84 e 112 dias de idade. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo cinco animais utilizados como blocos, as três idades como parcelas e sete tempos (0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 e 96 horas) de incubação como subparcelas. As médias foram comparadas pelo teste SNK ao nível de 5% de significância. O desaparecimento ruminal médio da matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta e das porções fibrosas, após 96 horas de incubação ruminal, foram maiores (P<0,05) para o feno colhido aos 56 dias, quando comparado aos fenos colhidos aos 84 e 112 dias de idade. O maior potencial e taxa de degradação ruminal dos nutrientes indicam que melhores fenos de A. gayanus são obtidos aos 56 dias de idade

CONSUMO E DIGESTIBILIDADE APARENTE DO FENO DE Andropogon gayanus COLHIDO EM TRÊS IDADES DIFERENTES

Este experimento teve como objetivo avaliar o consumo e a digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca, proteína bruta, frações fibrosas, energia e balanço do nitrogênio do feno de Andropogon gayanus colhido em três diferentes idades (56, 84 e 112 dias). O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com três tratamentos e seis repetições. As digestibilidades aparentes da matéria seca, das frações fibrosas e da energia bruta foram maiores para os fenos colhidos aos 56 e 84 dias (P0,05). Os valores de consumo e digestibilidade aparente apontam as idades de 56 e 84 dias como as melhores dentre as estudadas para o corte do capim A. gayanus para fenação. Palavras-chave: forragem; ovino; valor nutritivo

Evaluation of hays produced with <i>Andropogon Gayanus</i> at different ages using <i>in situ</i> degradability technique

Objetivou-se com este trabalho determinar a degradabilidade ruminal e os parâmetros da cinética de degradação da matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta e frações fibrosas dos fenos de Andropogon gayanusproduzidos a partir de 56, 84 e 112 dias de idade. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi o deblocos ao acaso em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo cinco animais utilizados como blocos, as três idades como parcelas e sete tempos (0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 e 96 horas) de incubação como subparcelas. As médias foram comparadas pelo testeSNK ao nível de 5% de significância. O desaparecimento ruminal médio da matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta e das porções fibrosas, após 96 horas de incubação ruminal, foram maiores (P<0,05) para o feno colhido aos 56 dias, quando comparado aos fenos colhidos aos 84 e 112 dias de idade. O maior potencial e taxa de degradação ruminal dos nutrientes indicam que melhores fenos de A. gayanus são obtidos aos 56 dias de idade.In this study were evaluated Andropogon gayanus hays produced at different ages of growth (56, 84 and 112 days) to assay in situ dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and fiber fractions degradability. The statistical design was randomized blocks with split plots. The ages of growth were parcels and degradation time (0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 hours) were subparcels with five repetition by treatment (blocks). The different ages showed the same degradation kinetic behavior. A. gayanus hays produced with plant between 56 days are different from the 84 and 112 days of growth and had higher degradation for DM,OM,CP, NDF and ADF. Theobserved results indicated that the best A. gayanus hays are obtained from plants cut in between 56 days.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Effects of environmental conditions on sound level emitted by piglets

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar a influência das variáveis ambientais nos níveis de ruídos emitidos por suínos e quantificar as faixas em dB comparativamente às condições de conforto térmico estabelecidas pela literatura. O experimento foi conduzido em câmara climática, onde foram alojados cinco leitões em fase de creche, submetidos à variação na temperatura ambiente de 20°C a 38°C e umidade relativa de 50% a 80%. Decibelímetros foram instalados para o registro dos níveis de ruídos e sensores dataloggers para os dados de temperatura e umidade relativa. O nível de atividade foi utilizado para quantificar a movimentação dos animais por intermédio de análise de imagens. Análises de correlação e regressão foram aplicadas nos dados para análise estatística. As variáveis ambientais influenciam na emissão de ruídos pelos leitões quando expostos a diferentes condições térmicas. Os níveis de ruídos foram estabelecidos em faixas de acordo com a condição térmica a que animais foram submetidos. Para a condição de conforto (20 a 23°C), níveis de ruídos na faixa de 70 a 75dB; condição de alerta (23 a 30°C), níveis de ruídos na faixa de 60 a 70dB e para condição de estresse térmico (acima de 30°C), na faixa de 55 a 60dB

gastrointestinal nematodes in goats naturally infected on the island of São Luís, Maranhão State, Brazil

A this study aimed to evaluate the gastrointestinal parasites of goats based on the variables eggs and oocysts per gram of feces, age, season, sex and parasite load, as well as identify the most common parasites in the cities studied. Samples were collected in 2008 produced a sample of 314 animals in semi-intensive creations of three municipalities of the island of S&atilde;o Lu&iacute;s, Maranh&atilde;o. We conducted parasitological examination and identification of infective larvae. The age and dry and rainy seasons had a frequency of parasitism of 46.17% (145) and 53.82% (169), respectively, the quantities of eggs and oocysts per gram of feces were higher in adult animals at station drought; adult females had a higher frequency of parasitism in both the dry season and rainy season, the animals showed parasitic load of mild and moderate, the larvae were identified from Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia and Oesophagostomum, Haemonchus and Cooperia were more prevalent in all the cities studied. In the cities studied, the goats are more exposed to infection of adult females during the dry season.The objective of this study was to evaluate the gastrointestinal parasitism of goats based on the variables eggs and oocysts per gram of feces, age, sex, period of the year, parasite load of more frequent gastrointestinal parasites in goats of three municipalities of the island of São Luís in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. Sampling was carried out in 2008, with 314 goats reared in a semi-intensive regime, coproparasitological examinations and identification of infective larvae. The statistical test performed was Chi-square and Fisher's, for OPG/OoPG, age, sex, CP and period of the year. The frequency of parasitism in goats in the dry and rainy season was 46.17% (n = 149) and 53.82% (n = 169), respectively. Adult goats presented higher OPG in the dry period of the year in relation to the young, and adult females had a higher frequency of parasitism independent of the dry and rainy season. Regarding the parasitic load (CP) in OPG they were mild to moderate, no goats were observed with heavy CP. The infecting larvae identified belonged to the genus Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia and Oesophagostomum, with Haemonchus and Cooperia being more prevalent in all municipalities studied. In the municipalities studied, the goats most exposed to infection are female adults during the dry season

Respirometry and Ruminant Nutrition

The gaseous exchange between an organism and the environment is measured by respirometry or indirect calorimetry. Once the oxygen consumption (O2) and the production of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are known, the energy losses by gas and heat can be calculated. Energy metabolism and methane production have been studied in the Calorimetry and Metabolism Laboratory of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Animals used are mainly Zebu cattle and their crossbreeds that represent most beef and dairy cattle breed grazed on tropical pastures. System calibration and routine work are addressed in this text. The results obtained on respirometric chambers are expressed in net energy (NE), which can be net energy for maintenance (NEm), lactation (NEL), weight gain (NEg), and pregnancy (NEp). NE is, in fact, what is used by the animal for maintenance and each productive function. The values of k (conversion efficiency of ME into NE) for maintenance (km), milk (kL), weight gain or growth (kg), and pregnancy (kp) are determined. Thanks to the peculiarity of the respirometric technique, the same animal can be evaluated several times, in different physiological states and planes of nutrition

CONSUMO, DIGESTIBILIDADE E TAXA DE PASSAGEM RUMINAL EM OVELHAS GESTANTES

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência da gestação, número de fetos e restrição nutricional no consumo e digestibilidade de alguns componentes químicos e a taxa de passagem ruminal. Foram utilizadas 24 ovelhas aos 90, 110 e 130 dias de gestação, divididas entre os tratamentos em função do número de fetos. Os animais receberam dietas balanceadas ou restritas em 15% nos requisitos de energia e proteína. Ovelhas com dois fetos submetidas à restrição nutricional consumiram mais matéria seca que aquelas com um feto. Aos 130 dias de gestação, houve maior consumo de matéria seca e fibra em detergente neutro. Ovelhas de gestação dupla apresentam maior digestibilidade dos nutrientes, exceto nas frações fibrosas. A restrição alimentar acarretou menor ingestão de matéria seca. A taxa de passagem ruminal aumenta ao final da gestação. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: manejo alimentar; número de fetos; ovinos; pré-parto