Effect of slaughter weight on the quality of Nile tilapia fillets

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of slaughter weight on the expression of calpastatin, mcalpain and the RyR3 gene, and on the chemical composition, morphometric measurements, fillet yield and sensorial characteristics of Nile tilapia fillets. In the experiment, 90 Nile tilapia were divided into three experimental treatments regarding slaughter weight (n = 30): in treatment 1, tilapia aged 140 days were slaughtered with an average body weight of 665 ± 85 g; in treatment 2, the animals were slaughtered at 182 days and weighed 1000 ± 177 g; and in treatment 3, they were slaughtered at 238 days and weighed 1325 ± 167 g. There was no significant difference (P > .05) between the treatments for the chemical composition and fillet yield. Fillets of tilapia slaughtered with a weight of 665 g presented higher expression of mcalpain and lower expression of calpastatin gene, lower pH values of the thawed fillet, lower drip and thawing loss, and lower shear force than animals slaughtered with the highest evaluated weight. Tilapias slaughtered at 665 g also presented higher flavor and general acceptance. These results show that slaughter weight may influence important aspects of the quality of Nile tilapia fillets and that the slaughter of Nile tilapia with a body weight of 665 g allows fillets that serve the consumer market to be obtained.This work was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq, Brazil. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brazil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Erliquiose no Brasil

Ehrlichiosis is a disease caused by rickettsial organisms belonging to the genus Ehrlichia. In Brazil, molecular and serological studies have evaluated the occurrence of Ehrlichia species in dogs, cats, wild animals and humans. Ehrlichia canis is the main species found in dogs in Brazil, although E. ewingii infection has been recently suspected in five dogs. Ehrlichia chaffeensis DNA has been detected and characterized in mash deer, whereas E. muris and E. ruminantium have not yet been identified in Brazil. Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis caused by E. canis appears to be highly endemic in several regions of Brazil, however prevalence data are not available for several regions. Ehrlichia canis DNA also has been detected and molecularly characterized in three domestic cats, and antibodies against E. canis were detected in free-ranging Neotropical felids. There is serological evidence suggesting the occurrence of human ehrlichiosis in Brazil but its etiologic agent has not yet been established. Improved molecular diagnostic resources for laboratory testing will allow better identification and characterization of ehrlichial organisms associated with human ehrlichiosis in Brazil.Erliquiose é uma doença causada por rickettsias pertencentes ao gênero Ehrlichia. No Brasil, estudos sorológicos e moleculares têm avaliado a ocorrência de espécies de Ehrlichia em cães, gatos, animais selvagens e seres humanos. Ehrlichia canis é a principal espécie em cães no Brasil, embora a infecção por E. ewingii tenha, recentemente, despertado suspeita em cinco cães. O DNA de E. chaffeensis foi detectado e caracterizado em cervo-do-pantanal, enquanto que E. muris e E. ruminantium ainda não foram identificadas no Brasil. A erliquiose monocítica canina causada pela E. canis parece ser altamente endêmica em muitas regiões do Brasil, embora dados de prevalência não estejam disponíveis em muitas delas. O DNA de E. canis também foi detectado e caracterizado em três gatos domésticos, enquanto anticorpos contra E. canis foram detectados em felídeos neotropicais de vida livre. Evidências sorológicas sugerem a ocorrência de erliquiose humana no Brasil, entretanto, o agente etiológico ainda não foi identificado. A melhoria do diagnóstico molecular promoverá a identificação e caracterização de espécies associadas à erliquiose humana no Brasil

Biomass of the forage in Brachiaria decumbens pastures fertilized with nitrogen

A dinâmica de crescimento de plantas forrageiras tem sido foco de estudo nos últimos anos, visando aprimorar o conhecimento do processo de produção de forragem em pastagens. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o acúmulo de forragem em pastos de Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. adubados com nitrogênio e submetidos a uma mesma intensidade de pastejo. Os tratamentos consistiram de 75, 150, 225 e 300 kg ha-1 ano-1 de N, aplicados antes do início das avaliações experimentais, as quais foram realizadas durante as estações de verão, outono, inverno e primavera de 2002. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos completos casualizados com duas repetições. O capim-braquiária apresentou incremento de produção de matéria seca proporcional às doses de nitrogênio. Observaram-se maiores valores de taxa de acúmulo de folha, colmo e forragem nas estações primavera-verão e valores menores no inverno. As variações nas condições climáticas com as estações do ano alteraram as taxas de acúmulo de folha e colmo, senescência e de produção de forragem em Brachiaria decumbens.In the last years, the growth dynamics of forage plants has been focused, in order to improve the knowledge of forage yield and distribution process in pasture. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization on accumulation of the forage in Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. pastures submitted to the same stocking rate. Treatments consisted of 75, 150, 225 and 300 kg ha-1 yr-1 N applied before the beginning of experimental evaluations, which were performed during summer, autumn, winter and spring of 2002. A randomized block experimental design was used with two replicates. Brachiaria grass showed an increase in the dry matter yield proportionally to nitrogen doses, with higher rates for daily accumulation of leaves, stems and forage yield in summer-spring seasons, while lower rates were shown in the winter. The variation of climatic conditions within yearly seasons changed the rates of leaf accumulation, senescence, and forage yield in the Brachiaria decumbens pasture

Some Studies of Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea, around the Island of Santa Maria.

V Expedição Científica do Departamento de Biologia – Santa Maria e Formigas 1990.Preliminary observations were made in relation to preparation for a joint University of Glasgow/Universidade do Algarve expedition to the Azores, in August/September, 1990, to study the diet, feeding ecology and colony attendance patterns of the Cagarro or Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea. A search was made for breeding colonies suitable for detailed studies, and observations were made on the distribution of birds at sea and on rafting behaviour

Evaluation of the effects of the recommended oral dose of diflubenzuron on bovine sperm and oocyte quality using CASA and OPU-IVEP

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate potential effects of diflubenzuron on the production and quality of gametes, and on in vitro embryo production (IVEP) outcomes, in cattle.MethodsTwo experiments were performed, the first to evaluate effects on semen, and the second on cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) and on IVEP. Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) bulls (n = 14) or heifers (n = 16) were allocated into control (CG) or treatment (DIF) groups. All groups received a mineral mix supplement added (DIF) or not (CG) with diflubenzuron (30 mg/head/day), during 8 weeks. Animals were weighed and blood samples were collected throughout the experimental period. Every other week, bulls were subjected to semen collection and heifers to transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration sessions. Semen underwent physical and morphological evaluation, and samples were stored for further computer-assisted sperm analysis. The COC recovered were evaluated according to morphology and those classified as viable were sent to an IVEP laboratory.ResultsDiflubenzuron had no effect (P > 0.05) on average body weight or in any blood hematological or biochemical endpoints, regardless of gender. In experiment 1, there was no difference (P > 0.05) between DIF and CG groups for sperm concentration, morphology, or kinetics. In experiment 2, there was also no effect of diflubenzuron on the number of total, viable, or grade I oocytes, as well as on cleavage or blastocyst rates (P > 0.05).DiscussionIn summary, the oral administration of diflubenzuron, within the recommended dose, has no short-term negative effects on sperm production and quality or on oocyte yield and developmental potential in vitro, in cattle

Revisando a História da enfermagem com Florence Nightingale: Revolução na Higiene e organização hospitalar.

Este artigo tem como propósito aprofundar o conhecimento sobre a vida e legado de Florence Nightingale, com ênfase em sua notável influência na enfermagem moderna. Analisamos seu papel durante a Guerra da Crimeia, seus métodos revolucionários de administração hospitalar e o impacto contínuo que ela exerce sobre a prática da enfermagem contemporânea.  Foram empregados os indexadores Google Scholar, Scopus e Web of Science como ferramentas de pesquisa para a seleção dos artigos. Foram utilizados os seguintes termos de busca: "Enfermagem”, “Florence Nightingale”, “Higiene”, “Cuidados de Saúde”, “Guerra da Crimeia”, “Diagrama Rosa”, “Legado” e “Enfermagem Moderna". Ao final desse processo, foram obtidos um conjunto de 20 fontes de literatura, que inclui livros e artigos acadêmicos, que serviram como base para os resultados desta pesquisa. A meta deste estudo é oferecer uma compreensão mais abrangente das origens da enfermagem e inspirando a aplicação dos princípios de Nightingale em suas trajetórias profissionais