Evaluation of immune effects of fowlpox vaccine strains and field isolates

The immune effects of fowlpox virus (FPV) field isolates and vaccine strains were evaluated in chickens infected at the age of 1 day and 6 weeks. The field isolates and the obsolete vaccine strain (FPV S) contained integrated reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) provirus, while the current vaccine strain (FPVST) carries only REV LTR sequences. An indirect antibody ELISA was used to measure the FPV-specific antibody response. The non-specific humoral response was evaluated by injection of two T-cell-dependent antigens, sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). There was no significant difference in the antibody response to FPV between chickens infected with FPV various isolates and strains at either age. In contrast, antibody responses to both SRBC and BSA were significantly lower in 1-day-old chickens inoculated with field isolates and FPV S at 2-3 weeks post-inoculation. Furthermore, cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses measured by in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay and in vivo using a PHA-P skin test were significantly depressed in chickens inoculated with field isolates and FPV S at the same periods. In addition, thymus and bursal weights were lower in infected chickens. These immunosuppressive effects were not observed in chickens inoculated with the current vaccine strain, FPVST, at any time. The results of this study suggest that virulent field isolates and FPV S have immunosuppressive effects when inoculated into young chickens, which appeared in the first 3 weeks post infection. REV integrated in the FPV field isolates and FPV S may have played a central role in the development of immunosuppression. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Caratterizzazione qualitativa di petti di pollo con anomalie “white striping” e di destrutturazione

Il presente lavoro di tesi ha avuto lo scopo di valutare l’effetto dell’insorgenza dell’anomalia di destrutturazione, contestuale o meno al manifestarsi dell’anomalia white-striping, su alcune caratteristiche qualitative delle carni. L’anomalia di destrutturazione ha determinato una consistente diminuzione del contenuto di proteine ed un aumento del tenore di umidità. Al contrario, l’aumento del livello di lipidi è associato alla presenza della sola anomalia white-striping, i cui effetti sulla composizione sembrano essere in generale più moderati. Tuttavia, nel complesso, le modificazioni sulla composizione sono più marcate nella parte superficiale, mentre in profondità le differenze sono di entità più limitate. I petti destrutturati sono inoltre dotati di valori di pH ultimo più elevati, soprattutto nella parte superficiale, e non si discostano da quelli osservati per l’anomalia white-striping. Il colore risulta scarsamente modificato, mentre l’analisi rilassometrica (LR-NMR) ha permesso di evidenziare che i petti destrutturati possiedono un’abbondante quantità di acqua extra-miofibrillare, che più facilmente può essere persa durante le fasi di conservazione e trasformazione delle carni. In analogia con quanto osservato per la composizione chimica, tale risultato è particolarmente accentuato nello strato superficiale, mentre nello strato profondo tali modificazioni riguardano solo i campioni affetti da entrambe le anomalie. Pertanto questo studio ha permesso di stabilire che le modificazioni avvengono principalmente nella porzione superficiale del muscolo P. major, dove verosimilmente i processi degenerativi prendono avvio per poi coinvolgere in una seconda fase anche la parte profonda. Inoltre, è stato dimostrato che la presenza di destrutturazione superficiale dei muscoli pettorali comporta complessivamente una modificazione più accentuata della composizione e della distribuzione dell’acqua rispetto alla sola presenza dell’anomalia white-striping.

Exoenzimas em rações de frangos de corte

The study aimed to evaluate performance, relative weight of the small intestine, digestibility and deposition of minerals in the bone of broilers supplemented with enzymatic complex (carbohydrases and phytase) in sorghum-based diets or sorghum and millet. In the experiments based of sorghum and sorghum and millet were used 912 day-old male and female Hubbard Flex chicks (50:50) were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2x2 factorial arrangement (Feed Control base Sorghum (Contcs); FeedReducedbase Sorghum (RedS); Feed Control base sorghum + Enzymatic Complex (Contcs + Enz);. Feed reduced base sorghum + Enzymatic Complex (RedS + Enz) in the study of feed basis of sorghum and millet the design was similar (Feed Control base sorghum + millet ( ContSM); Reduced feed based on Millet + Sorghum (RedSM); Feed Control based Sorghum + Millet + EnzimaticComplex (ContSM + Enz); Reduced Feed base Sorghum+ Millet + Enzimatic Complex (RedSM + Enz). At 35 and 42 days of age were determined performance data: feed intake (CR), body weight (BW), feed conversion (FC), viability (VIAB), relative weight of the small intestine and deposition of minerals in the bone. The digestibility was evaluated sorghum grain size (crushed and whole) with and without exoenzimatico complex. They used 32 birds, eight birds per treatment, in periods from 17 to 21 (initial) and 31 to 35 days of age (fattening). The exoenzimático complex used in feed favored the weight gain results, feed conversion and bone mineralization when compared to a control diet not added to enzymes, demonstrating its effect on non-starch polysaccharides and phosphorus phytic present as anti-nutritional factors in these diets, increasing the digestibility and supply of metabolizable energy, essential amino acids, methionine and lysine and calcium and phosphorus for bone formation. It is concluded that a safe strategy for inclusion in feed is based on the reduction of energy levels, essential amino acids, methionine and lysine and calcium and phosphorus in the expected result of the constant activity of the enzymes of this exoenzimático complex.

An impulsive differential equation model for Marek's disease

Many dynamical processes are subject to abrupt changes in state. Often these perturbations can be periodic and of short duration relative to the evolving process. These types of phenomena are described well by what are referred to as impulsive differential equations, systems of differential equations coupled with discrete mappings in state space. In this thesis we employ impulsive differential equations to model disease transmission within an industrial livestock barn. In particular we focus on the poultry industry and a viral disease of poultry called Marek's disease. This system lends itself well to impulsive differential equations. Entire cohorts of poultry are introduced and removed from a barn concurrently. Additionally, Marek's disease is transmitted indirectly and the viral particles can survive outside the host for weeks. Therefore, depopulating, cleaning, and restocking of the barn are integral factors in modelling disease transmission and can be completely captured by the impulsive component of the model. Our model allows us to investigate how modern broiler farm practices can make disease elimination difficult or impossible to achieve. It also enables us to investigate factors that may contribute to virulence evolution. Our model suggests that by decrease the cohort duration or by decreasing the flock density, Marek's disease can be eliminated from a barn with no increase in cleaning effort. Unfortunately our model also suggests that these practices will lead to disease evolution towards greater virulence. Additionally, our model suggests that if intensive cleaning between cohorts does not rid the barn of disease, it may drive evolution and cause the disease to become more virulent.

Nanotechnology in the food industry I: applications

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary science that is having a boom today, providing new products with attractive physicochemical properties for many applications. In agri/feed/food sector, nanotechnology offers great opportunities for obtaining products and innovative applications for agriculture and livestock, water treatment and the production, processing, storage and packaging of food. To this end, a wide variety of nanomaterials, ranging from metals and inorganic metal oxides to organic nanomaterials carrying bioactive ingredients are applied. This review shows an overview of current and future applications of nanotechnology in the food industry. Food additives and materials in contact with food are now the main applications, while it is expected that in the future are in the field of nano-encapsulated and nanocomposites in applications as novel foods, additives, biocides, pesticides and materials food contact.

Nanotechnology in food industry II: risk assessment and legislation

Currently, there is increasing use of nanomaterials in the food industry thanks to the many advantages offered and make the products that contain them more competitive in the market. Their physicochemical properties often differ from those of bulk materials, which require specialized risk assessment. This should cover the risks to the health of workers and consumers as well as possible environmental risks. The risk assessment methods must go updating due to more widespread use of nanomaterials, especially now that are making their way down to consumer products. Today there is no specific legislation for nanomaterials, but there are several european dispositions and regulations that include them. This review gives an overview of the risk assessment and the existing current legislation regarding the use of nanotechnology in the food industry.

Ácidos orgânicos e probiótico na redução da colonização de Salmonella enterica Heidelberg em frangos de corte

In the food industry, Salmonella sp. and other pathogens represent a major threat as potential causes of foodborne diseases. The Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg (SH) has a great importance to public health, being currently the most frequent serotype in the official control analyzes carried out in Brazil’s Southern. In this region are concentrated the largest poultry flocks, contributing over 60 % of Brazilian production of chicken meat. To help prevent and minimize infections by pathogenic bacteria, in addition to attend the standards of biosecurity in the field and good hygiene and sanitizing programs in the industry, there is the possibility to control directly on the poultry breeding. Use of organic acids added in the diet of the fowls has an antibacterial action. In the other hand, the use of probiotics has been shown to prevent enteric diseases. This dissertation was divided into two chapters and aimed to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative reduction of SH in broiler chickens. In the first chapter the aim was to collect information on the prevalence rate of SH strain in broiler chickens. This coefficient was 100 %, being a suitable method for determining the frequency of salmonellosis in broiler chickens. In the second chapter five treatments were evaluated (a positive control and four tests), in order to reduce the colonization of SH in broilers, using organic acids and probiotic during production phase. In SH count related to the colonization of the cecum at 28 days of age differences were observed (p<0,05) among treatments. The Treatment 2 showed a count of 41 most probable number of bacterial cells per gram (MPN/g) with lower counts when compared to the positive control (5.106 MPN/g) and treatment 1 (1.354 MPN/g). The evaluation index of infected birds, there was a difference between treatments. In treatment 2, and treatment 4 reduced 58,34 % and 25 % respectively the number of fowls infected with SH. There was no effect of treatments on the performance. Administration of organic acids and probiotic used in the treatment 2 proved to be an effective tool in the SH control in broilers at 28 days of age.

Detection of virulence-associated genes in pathogenic and commensal avian Escherichia coli isolates

Poultry colibacillosis due to Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is responsible for several extra-intestinal pathological conditions, leading to serious economic damage in poultry production. The most commonly associated pathologies are airsacculitis, colisepticemia, and cellulitis in broiler chickens, and salpingitis and peritonitis in broiler breeders. In this work a total of 66 strains isolated from dead broiler breeders affected with colibacillosis and 61 strains from healthy broilers were studied. Strains from broiler breeders were typified with serogroups O2, O18, and O78, which are mainly associated with disease. The serogroup O78 was the most prevalent (58%). All the strains were checked for the presence of 11 virulence genes: 1) arginine succinyltransferase A (astA); ii) E. coli hemeutilization protein A (chuA); iii) colicin V A/B (cvaA/B); iv) fimbriae mannose-binding type 1 (fimC); v) ferric yersiniabactin uptake A (fyuA); vi) iron-repressible high-molecular-weight proteins 2 (irp2); vii) increased serum survival (iss); viii) iron-uptake systems of E. coli D (iucD); ix) pielonefritis associated to pili C (papC); x) temperature sensitive haemaglutinin (tsh), and xi) vacuolating autotransporter toxin (vat), by Multiplex-PCR. The results showed that all genes are present in both commensal and pathogenic E. coli strains. The iron uptake-related genes and the serum survival gene were more prevalent among APEC. The adhesin genes, except tsh, and the toxin genes, except astA, were also more prevalent among APEC isolates. Except for astA and tsh, APEC strains harbored the majority of the virulence-associated genes studied and fimC was the most prevalent gene, detected in 96.97 and 88.52% of APEC and AFEC strains, respectively. Possession of more than one iron transport system seems to play an important role on APEC survival.

Acute phase proteins and biomarkers for health in chickens

Acute phase proteins (APPs) are proteins synthesised predominantly in the liver, whose plasma concentrations increase (positive APP) or decrease (negative APP) as a result of infection, inflammation, trauma and tissue injury. They also change as a result of the introduction of immunogens such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), turpentine and vaccination. While publications on APPs in chickens are numerous, the limited availability of anti-sera and commercial ELISAs has resulted in a lot of information on only a few APPs. Disease is a threat to the poultry industry, as pathogens have the potential to evolve, spread and cause rapid onset of disease that is detrimental to the welfare of birds. Low level, sub-acute disease with non-specific, often undiagnosed causes can greatly affect bird health and growth and impact greatly on productivity and profitability. Developing and validating methods to measure and characterise APPs in chickens will allow these proteins to be used diagnostically for monitoring flock health. Using immune parameters such as APPs that correlate with disease resistance or improvements in production and welfare will allow the use of APPs as selection parameters for breeding to be evaluated. For APPs to be useful parameters on which to evaluate chicken health, information on normal APP concentrations is required. Ceruloplasmin (Cp) and PIT54 concentrations were found to be much lower in healthy birds form commercial production farms than the reported normal values obtained from the literature. These APPs were found to be significantly higher in culled birds from a commercial farm and Cp, PIT54 and ovotransferrin (Ovt) were significantly higher in birds classified as having obvious gait defects. Using quantitative shotgun proteomics to identify the differentially abundant proteins between three pools: highly acute phase (HAP), acute phase (AP) and non-acute phase (NAP), generated data from which a selection of proteins, based on the fold difference between the three pools was made. These proteins were targeted on a individual samples alongside proteins known to be APPs in chickens or other species: serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP), Ovt, apolipoprotein A-I (apo-AI), transthyretin (Ttn), haemopexin (Hpx) and PIT54. Together with immunoassay data for SAA, Ovt, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and Cp the results of this research reveal that SAA is the only major APP in chickens. Ovotransferrin and AGP behave as moderate APPs while PIT54 and Cp are minor APPs. Haemopexin was not significantly different between the three acute phase groups. Apolipoprotein AI and Ttn were significantly lower in the HAP and AP groups and as such can be classed as negative APPs. In an effort to identify CRP, multiple anti-sera cross reacting with CRP from other species were used and a phosphorylcholine column known to affinity purify CRP were used. Enriched fractions containing low molecular weight proteins, elutions from the affinity column together with HAP, AP and NAP pooled samples were applied to a Q-Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole–Orbitrap mass spectrometer (Thermo Scientific) for Shotgun analysis and CRP was not identified. It would appear that CRP is not present as a plasma protein constitutively or during an APR in chickens and as such is not an APP in this species. Of the proteins targeted as possible novel biomarkers of the APR in chickens mannan binding lectin associated serine protease-2, α-2-HS-glycoprotein (fetuin) and major facilitator superfamily domain-containing protein 10 were reduced in abundance in the HAP group, behaving as negative biomarkers. Myeloid protein and putative ISG(12)2 were positively associated with the acute phase being significantly higher in the HAP and AP groups. The protein cathepsin D was significantly higher in both HAP and AP compared to the NAP indicating that of all the proteins targeted, this appears to have the most potential as a biomarker of the acute phase, as it was significantly increased in the AP as well as the HAP group. To evaluate APPs and investigate biomarkers of intestinal health, a study using re-used poultry litter was undertaken. The introduction of litter at 12 days of age did not significantly increase any APPs measured using immunoassays and quantitative proteomics at 3, 6 and 10 days post introduction. While no APP was found to be significantly different between the challenged and control groups at anytime point, the APPs AGP, SAA and Hpx did increase over time in all birds. The protein apolipoprotein AIV (apo-AIV) was targeted as a possible APP and because of its reported role in controlling satiety. An ELISA was developed, successfully validated and used to measure apo-AIV in this study. While no significant differences in apo-AIV plasma concentrations between challenged and control groups were identified apo-AIV plasma concentrations did change significantly between certain time points in challenged and control groups. Apoliporotein AIV does not appear to behave as an APP in chickens, as it was not significantly different between acute phase groups. The actin associated proteins villin and gelsolin were investigated as possible biomarkers of intestinal health. Villin was found not to be present in the plasma of chickens and as such not a biomarker target. Gelsolin was found not to be differentially expressed during the acute phase or as a result of intestinal challenge. Finally a proteomic approach was undertaken to investigate gastrocnemius tendon (GT) rupture in broiler chickens with a view of elucidating to and identify proteins associated with risk of rupture. A number of proteins were found to be differentially expressed between tendon pools and further work would enable further detailing of these findings. In conclusion this work has made a number of novel findings and addressed a number of data poor areas. The area of chicken APPs research has stagnated over the last 15 years with publications becoming repetitive and reliant on a small number of immunoassays. This work has sought to characterise the classic APPs in chickens, and use a quantitative proteomic approach to measure and categorise them. This method was also used to take a fresh approach to biomarker identification for both the APR and intestinal health. The development and validation of assays for Ovt and apo-AIV and the shotgun data mean that these proteins can be further characterised in chickens with a view of applying their measurement to diagnostics and selective breeding programs.

Estudo da prevalência e da gravidade da dermatite de contacto em 'frango do campo'

O sector avícola enfrenta atualmente dois desafios muito estimulantes. O primeiro decorre do aumento, que se prevê continuar a crescer, nos níveis de procura de carne de aves no mercado interno e internacional; o segundo decorre do facto da criação avícola ter adotado métodos de produção mais intensivos (kg peso vivo/m2/ano) e em maior escala, i.e. com maior concentração animal na mesma exploração. Este carácter vincadamente “industrial” tem merecido uma natural atenção das sociedades e das autoridades pecuárias no sentido desta economia de escala passar a ter num conjunto de instrumentos legais e técnicos o devido contrapeso para a salvaguarda das aves enquanto ser vivo. O presente trabalho tem como ponto de partida a Directiva 2007/43/CE do Conselho de 28 de Junho, relativa ao estabelecimento de regras mínimas para a proteção de frangos de carne. Em virtude de não existir ainda informação suficiente sobre a forma como a qualidade do maneio animal pode ser monitorizada, ao nível do abate, por médicos veterinários e auxiliares oficiais, em frangos de criação especial segundo os modelos definidos no Regulamento (CE) n.º 543/2008, urge realizar estudos neste domínio. O principal objetivo da realização do presente trabalho de campo foi o estudo da ocorrência das dermatites de contacto plantar (pododermatites) e da bolsa sinovial préesternal em frangos produzidos em sistemas de produção considerados “protetores” do bem-estar animal, designadamente os seguintes: i) ar livre; e, ii) extensivo de interior. O estudo foi efetuado num centro de abate de frangos do campo, em Oliveira de Frades, entre Maio de 20012 e Março de 2013. Os animais abatidos foram criados em explorações com contratos de integração situadas no Distrito de Viseu. Os dados foram recolhidos em 39 bandos diferentes da espécie Gallus domesticus, dos quais 1021 carcaças foram avaliadas após evisceração, o que correspondeu ao exame de uma a cada quinze aves da linha de abate. Para a avaliação da pododermatite foi utilizado o método adaptado pela DGAV, enquanto para a avaliação da bursite esternal foi efetuada tendo em conta o modelo aplicado em perus por Berk em 2002. Apesar do modelo estatístico desenvolvido para a análise dos resultados obtidos no presente trabalho exigir um maior número de observações, foi possível identificar com grande precisão alguns fatores de risco que devem ser realçados pela sua relevância no contexto dos sistemas produtivos escrutinados ou no mecanismo fisiopatológico da dermatite de contacto, nomeadamente os seguintes: (i) a idade das aves que, apesar de não ter sido identificada uma relação directa com os scores de pododermatite e bursite, verificou-se que a idade elevada que os animais tipicamente atingem nos sistemas de produção extensivos está associada a uma taxa superior de rejeições pela inspecção sanitária; (ii) o peso pré-abate que, independentemente da inconsistência defendida por diversos autores em relação à influência do peso vivo do frango industrial sobre a dermatite de contacto, nos animais produzidos em regime extensivo, esta variável pode desempenhar um fator chave para a ocorrência desta lesão. De facto, há que realçar que o peso destes animais tem uma importância fulcral na modelação da biomecânica da ave, incluindo na pressão exercida sobre a superfície plantar; (iii) o tipo de sistema de abeberamento, tendo ficado demonstrado que a selecção do tipo de bebedouro tem uma importância peculiar sobre a ocorrência de pododermatite em “frango de campo”, algo que está provavelmente relacionado com a influência exercida sobre o teor de humidade da cama. Globalmente, as frequências de pododermatite e bursite apuradas neste trabalho devem ser consideradas inquietantes. Esta preocupação eleva-se quando se toma consciência que as aves provieram de regimes considerados “amigáveis” e “sustentáveis”, pelo que urge monitorizar adequadamente aqueles sistemas produtivos, melhorar as suas condições e reanalisar os benefícios ao nível do bem-estar animal.

Proposta de um processo de transferência de tecnologia para as instituições públicas de pesquisa: o caso da Embrapa

The Brazilian agricultural research agency has, over the years, contributed to solve social problems and to promote new knowledge, incorporating new advances and seeking technological independence of the country, through the transfer of knowledge and technology generated. However, the process of transfering of knowledge and technology has represented a big challenge for public institutions. The Embrapa is the largest and main brazilian agricultural research company, with a staff of 9.790 employees, being 2.440 researchers and an annual budget of R$ 2.52 billion. Operates through 46 decentralized research units, and coordinate of the National Agricultural Research System - SNPA. Considering that technology transfer is the consecration of effort and resources spent for the generation of knowledge and the validity of the research, this work aims to conduct an assessment of the performance of Embrapa Swine and Poultry along the production chain of broilers and propose a technology transfer model for this chain, which can be used by the Public Institutions Research – IPPs. This study is justified by the importance of agricultural research for the country, and the importance of the institution addressed. The methodology used was the case study with a qualitative approach, documentary and bibliographic research and interviews with use of semi-structured questionnaires. The survey was conducted in three stages. In the first stage, there was a diagnosis of the Technology Transfer Process (TT), the contribution of the Embrapa Swine and poultry for the supply chain for broiler. At this stage it was used bibliographical and documentary research and semi- structured interviews with agroindustrial broiler agents, researchers at Embrapa Swine and Poultry, professionals of technology transfer, from the Embrapa and Embrapa Swine and Poultry, managers of technology transfer and researchers from the Agricultural Research Service - ARS. In the second step, a model was developed for the technology transferring poultry process of Embrapa. In this phase, there were made documentary and bibliographic research and analysis of information obtained in the interviews. The third phase was to validate the proposed model in the various sectors of the broilers productive chain. The data show that, although the Embrapa Swine and Poultry develops technologies for broiler production chain, the rate of adoption of these technologies by the chain is very low. It was also diagnosed that there is a gap between the institution and the various links of the chain. It was proposed an observatory mechanism to approximate Embrapa Swine and Poultry and the agents of the broiler chain for identifying and discussing research priorities. The proposed model seeks to improve the interaction between the institution and the chain, in order to identify the chain real research demands and the search and the joint development of solutions for these demands. The proposed TT model was approved by a large majority (96.77%) of the interviewed agents who work in the various links in the chain, as well as by representatives (92%) of the entities linked to this chain. The acceptance of the proposed model demonstrates the willingness of the chain to approach Embrapa Swine and Poultry, and to seek joint solutions to existing problems.

Efeitos da temperatura do ar, linhagem e período do dia nas freqüências de ocorrências e tempos de expressão comportamental de matrizes pesadas

Ajustes de comportamento podem ocorrer rapidamente e a custo menor do que os ajustes fisiológicos. Considerando o comportamento social, é sugestivo que a freqüência e a intensidade de interações agressivas, o total de coesão social e a extensão de vícios sociais possam ser utilizados para avaliação de bem-estar. Esta pesquisa apresenta uma análise das interações entre os fatores experimentais, como temperatura, linhagem e período do dia, nos comportamentos de matrizes pesadas alojadas em câmara climática, buscando evidenciar as diferentes reações das aves submetidas a distintas condições ambientais. Os resultados encontrados mostraram diferenças significativas entre os comportamentos expressos pelas diferentes linhagens, reforçando a necessidade do monitoramento em tempo real do bem-estar de matrizes pesadas em alojamentos comerciais, dada a complexidade com que as variáveis ambientais interferem no bem-estar. A pesquisa permitiu concluir também que a avaliação do bem-estar de matrizes pesadas deve considerar o período do dia na observação dos comportamentos.

Sistema fuzzy para estimativa do bem-estar de matrizes pesadas

Entender o comportamento e suas pequenas variações decorrentes das mudanças do ambiente térmico e desenvolver modelos que simulem o bem-estar a partir de respostas das aves ao ambiente constituem o primeiro passo para a criação de um sistema de monitoramento digital de aves em galpões de produção. Neste trabalho, foi desenvolvido um sistema de suporte à decisão com base na teoria dos conjuntos fuzzy para a estimativa do bem-estar de matrizes pesadas em função de frequências e duração dos comportamentos expressos pelas aves. O desenvolvimento do sistema passou por cinco etapas distintas: 1) organização dos dados experimentais; 2) apresentação dos vídeos em entrevista com especialista; 3) criação das funções de pertinência com base nas entrevistas e na revisão da literatura; 4) simulação de frequências de ocorrências e tempos médios de expressão dos comportamentos classificados como indicadores de bem-estar utilizando equações de regressão obtidas na literatura, e 5) construção das regras, simulação e validação do sistema. O sistema fuzzy desenvolvido estimou satisfatoriamente o bem-estar de matrizes pesadas, tendo na sua última versão, com maior número de regras, acertado 77,8% dos dados experimentais, comparados com as respostas esperadas por um especialista. O sistema pode ser utilizado como instrumento matemático-computacional para apoiar decisões em galpões de produção de matrizes pesadas.

Characterization of heat waves affecting mortality rates of broilers between 29 days and market age

Climate may affect broiler production, especially where there are heat waves, which may cause high mortality rates due to the heat stress. Heat wave prediction and characterization may allow early mitigation actions to be taken. Data Mining is one of the tools used for such a characterization, particularly when a large number of variables is involved. The objective of this study was to classify heat waves that promote broiler chicken mortality in poultry houses equipped with minimal environmental control. A single day of heat, a heat-shock day, is capable of producing high broiler mortality. In poultry houses equipped with fans and evaporative cooling, the characterization of heat waves affecting broiler mortality between 29 days of age and market age presented 89.34% Model Accuracy and 0.73 Class Precision for high mortality. There was no influence on high mortality (HM) of birds between 29 and 31 days of age. Maximum temperature humidity index (THI) above 30.6 ºC was the main characteristic of days when there was a heat wave, causing high mortality in broilers older than 31 days. The high mortality of broilers between 31 and 40 days of age occurred when maximum THI was above 30.6 ºC and maximum temperature of the day was above 34.4 ºC. There were two main causes of high mortality of broilers older than 40 days: 1) maximum THI above 30.6 ºC and minimum THI equal or lower than 15.5 ºC; 2) maximum THI above 30.6 ºC, minimum THI lower than 15.5 ºC, and the time of maximum temperature later than 15:00h. The heat wave influence on broiler mortality lasted an average of 2.7 days.

Riesgo biomecánico y dolor lumbar en operarios y personal administrativo en una fábrica de jabón en Bogotá 2016

Introducción: El dolor lumbar y los desórdenes músculo esqueléticos comprometen la salud y la calidad de vida de los trabajadores, pueden poner en riesgo el futuro laboral de las personas. bjetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de dolor lumbar y los posibles factores biomecánicos asociados en el personal operativo y administrativo en una empresa manufacturera de jabón en Bogotá, en el año 2016 Metodología: Estudio de corte transversal donde se evaluó el riesgo biomecánico y la prevalencia del dolor lumbar en personal administrativo (138) y operativo (165); se utilizó como instrumento el ERGOPAR validado en España. Se revisó la asociación utilizando la prueba Chi Cuadrado de Pearson, con un nivel de significación α 0.05 Resultados: 303 trabajadores de una empresa manufacturera de jabón en Bogotá, donde predominó el género masculino (51,82%) y la población adulta media entre 30-39 años (57,42%). La prevalencia del dolor lumbar en la población fue de 61,39% (186). La edad no se asoció estadísticamente al dolor lumbar. Se encontró asociación estadística entre el síntoma dolor lumbar y extensión de cuello (p=0,05 OR1.95 IC 1.33-2.88), así como con agarrar o sujetar objetos (p= 0,036. OR 2.3 IC 1.59-3.51) y con las exigencias físicas laborales (p= 0.001 OR 1.99 IC 1.31-3.02). Conclusiones: La población estudiada presentó una alta prevalencia de dolor lumbar, con predominio en personal que realiza labores operativas, y del género femenino. La adopción de posturas de extensión del cuello y la sujeción o agarre de objetos son factores asociados directamente con la aparición de lumbalgia.