Produ����o de vitelos a partir de bezerros leiteiros mesti��os e da ra��a Holandesa

Neste trabalho foi avaliado o desempenho produtivo de nove animais jovens Zebu �� Holand��s em compara����o a nove animais da ra��a Holandesa para produ����o de vitelos. Todos os animais foram mantidos em condi����es id��nticas de ambiente, manejo e alimenta����o, com acompanhamento individual da ingest��o de mat��ria seca. As medidas de avalia����o do desenvolvimento animal, convers��o e efici��ncia alimentar possibilitaram compara����es entre os tratamentos, a partir de delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os bezerros Zebu �� Holand��s apresentaram maior ganho de per��metro tor��cico (23,3 cm) e ganho de peso di��rio (1,45 kg), al��m de convers��o alimentar (2,77 kg de MS/kg de peso corporal), se comparados aos bezerros da ra��a Holandesa, com, respectivamente, 18,5 cm de per��metro tor��cico, 1,16 kg de ganho de peso di��rio e convers��o alimentar de 3,48 kg de MS/kg de peso corporal. N��o houve diferen��a na ingest��o de mat��ria seca entre os animais avaliados. Quanto ao estudo econ��mico da produ����o de carne de vitelo, os animais mesti��os apresentaram o menor custo de produ����o por quilo de carne produzida e, conseq��entemente, o melhor potencial de produ����o de vitelos a partir de animais Zebu �� Holand��s, como atividade complementar �� produ����o de leite.

Effect of silicate fertilization on soil and on palisade grass plants under grazing intensities

Application of calcium silicate (SiCa) as soil acidity corrective was evaluated in a Rhodic Hapludox soil with palisade grass conducted under pasture rotation system with different grazing intensities. Experimental design was complete randomized blocks with four grazing intensities - grazing intensities were imposed by forage supply (50, 100, 150 and 200 kg t-1 of DM per LW) - in experimental plots with four replicates and, in the subplots, with seven doses of calcium silicate combined with lime: 0+0, 2+0, 4+0, 6+0, 2+4, 4+2 and 0+6 t ha-1, respectively. In the soil, it was evaluated the effect of four levels of calcium silicate (0, 2, 4 and 6 t ha-1) at 45, 90, and 365 days at three depths (0-10, 10-20 and 20-40 cm) and at 365 days, it was included one level of lime (6 t ha-1). For determination of leaf chemical composition and silicate content in the soil, four levels of calcium silicate (0, 2, 4 and 6 t ha-1) were evaluated at 45 and 365 days and at 45 days only for leaf silicate, whereas for dry matter production, all corrective treatments applied were evaluated in evaluation seasons. Application of calcium silicate was positive for soil chemical traits related to acidity correction (pH(CaCl2), Ca, Mg, K, H+Al and V), but the limestone promoted better results at 365 days. Leaf mineral contents were not influenced by application of calcium silicate, but there was an increase on silicate contents in leaves and in the soil. Dry matter yield and chemical composition of palisade grass improved with the application of correctives.

New methods to quantify NH3 volatilization from fertilized surface soil with urea

Gaseous N losses from soil are considerable, resulting mostly from ammonia volatilization linked to agricultural activities such as pasture fertilization. The use of simple and accessible measurement methods of such losses is fundamental in the evaluation of the N cycle in agricultural systems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate quantification methods of NH3 volatilization from fertilized surface soil with urea, with minimal influence on the volatilization processes. The greenhouse experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with 13 treatments and five replications, with the following treatments: (1) Polyurethane foam (density 20 kg m-3) with phosphoric acid solution absorber (foam absorber), installed 1, 5, 10 and 20 cm above the soil surface; (2) Paper filter with sulfuric acid solution absorber (paper absorber, 1, 5, 10 and 20 cm above the soil surface); (3) Sulfuric acid solution absorber (1, 5 and 10 cm above the soil surface); (4) Semi-open static collector; (5) 15N balance (control). The foam absorber placed 1 cm above the soil surface estimated the real daily rate of loss and accumulated loss of NH3N and proved efficient in capturing NH3 volatized from urea-treated soil. The estimates based on acid absorbers 1, 5 and 10 cm above the soil surface and paper absorbers 1 and 5 cm above the soil surface were only realistic for accumulated N-NH3 losses. Foam absorbers can be indicated to quantify accumulated and daily rates of NH3 volatilization losses similarly to an open static chamber, making calibration equations or correction factors unnecessary.

Efeito residual da silicatagem no solo e na produtividade do capim-marandu sob pastejo

A esc��ria sider��rgica �� uma alternativa para a corre����o da acidez dos solos e �� constitu��da de silicato de c��lcio. Neste estudo, avaliaram-se os efeitos residuais da aplica����o de silicato de c��lcio nos atributos qu��micos do solo e da planta em Latossolo Vermelho distrof��rrico t��pico com capim-Marandu (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), sob intensidades de pastejo em lota����o rotacionada. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso, com intensidades de pastejo avaliadas pelas ofertas di��rias de forragem de 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg t-1 de MS por PV nas parcelas experimentais, enquanto a aplica����o superficial de silicato de c��lcio combinado com calc��rio dolom��tico, respectivamente, nas doses 0 + 0; 2 + 0; 4 + 0; 6 + 0; 2 + 4; 4 + 2 e 0 + 6 t ha- 1 nas subparcelas com quatro repeti����es, duas ��pocas (ver��o e inverno) e avalia����o em tr��s profundidades do solo (0-10, 10-20 e 20-40 cm). Os atributos qu��micos do solo pH em CaCl2, Ca, Mg, K, H + Al e V, avaliados 720 dias ap��s a aplica����o, apresentaram resultados favor��veis do poder residual do silicato de Ca e do calc��rio. A oferta de forragem 200 kg t-1 e o tratamento somente com calc��rio dolom��tico (0 + 6 t ha-1) elevaram o valor de pH em CaCl2 e o V, principalmente na camada de 0-10 cm. Os teores de Si no solo foram influenciados pelas doses aplicadas de silicato de Ca, apesar de n��o terem causado altera����es significativas nos teores foliares de Si. A composi����o qu��mico-bromatol��gica foi afetada somente pelas ofertas e ��pocas. As ofertas, ��pocas e a intera����o ��poca x oferta resultaram em efeitos na produ����o de mat��ria seca no pr��-pastejo, com maiores produ����es para a oferta 200 kg t-1 e menores para a de 50 kg t-1 nas duas ��pocas. O res��duo (p��s-pastejo) foi influenciado pelas ofertas e ��pocas. As ofertas 50 e 100 kg t-1 e o tratamento com 2 t ha-1 de silicato de Ca promoveram as maiores taxas de ac��mulo de mat��ria seca.

Cultivares de batata para sistemas org��nicos de produ����o

Informa����es a respeito de cultivares adaptadas ao sistema de cultivo org��nico s��o escassas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, sob sistema de cultivo org��nico, gen��tipos nacionais e estrangeiros desenvolvidos para o cultivo convencional, quanto ao potencial produtivo, em condi����es de campo. O experimento foi conduzido em 2008, no P��lo APTA Leste Paulista, em Monte Alegre do Sul-SP. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com 18 tratamentos e quatro repeti����es. Cada parcela foi constitu��da por 80 batatas-semente, dispostas em quatro linhas de 5 m de comprimento, espa��adas de 80 cm, com 25 cm entre tub��rculos. Os gen��tipos avaliados foram Agata, Asterix, Caesar, Cupido, ��den, Melody, Novella e Vivaldi, de origem estrangeira; e Apu��, Aracy, Catucha, IAC Aracy Ruiva, Itarar��, Monte Alegre 172, IAC 6090, APTA 16.5, APTA 15.20 e APTA 21.54, nacionais. Foram avaliadas as caracter��sticas de produtividade total e comercial de tub��rculos, massa m��dia total e comercial de tub��rculos, teor de mat��ria seca e severidade da pinta-preta (Alternaria solani). Os clones APTA 16.5, APTA 21.54 e IAC 6090, e as cultivares Cupido, Apu��, Itarar�� e Monte Alegre 172 foram os mais produtivos. 'APTA 21.54' superou os demais em rela����o a produtividade comercial (18,07 t ha-1), sendo que 'APTA 16.5', 'Cupido', 'IAC 6090' e 'Itarar��' formaram o segundo grupo. As maiores massas m��dias de tub��rculos foram apresentadas pelas cultivares Itarar�� e Cupido. O clone IAC 6090 e as cultivares Aracy e Aracy Ruiva foram as que apresentaram maiores teores de mat��ria seca, com valor m��dio de 22,91%. 'APTA 16.5', 'Apu��', 'Aracy', 'Aracy Ruiva', '��den', 'Ibitua����' e 'Monte Alegre 172' apresentaram alto n��vel de resist��ncia �� pinta-preta. As cultivares Itarar��, Apu�� e Cupido s��o adaptadas ao cultivo org��nico, e os clones avan��ados APTA 16.5, APTA 21.54 e IAC 6090 apresentam potencial de cultivo no sistema org��nico.

Levels of yeast and its by-products on pacu juveniles feeding

This study was conducted to evaluate the inclusion of two levels (2.5 e 5.0%) of dried yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and its by-products, disrupted yeast cells and yeast cell wall in diets for juveniles of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). Production performance, body and plasmatic composition indexes were evaluated. Seven isoproteic (26% digestible protein) and isoenergetic (3.100 kcal digestible energy) diets were formulated containing increased levels of each ingredient. The diets were supplied for 86 days, "ad libitum". Yeast and by-products increase feed efficiency and protein use, when compared to the control diet. Carcass composition and plasmatic (glucose, cortisol, uric acid, urea and plasmatic protein) levels are not affected by the test ingredient supplementation.

Study of the equatorial Atlantic Ocean mixing layer using a one-dimensional turbulence model

The General Ocean Turbulence Model (GOTM) is applied to the diagnostic turbulence field of the mixing layer (ML) over the equatorial region of the Atlantic Ocean. Two situations were investigated: rainy and dry seasons, defined, respectively, by the presence of the intertropical convergence zone and by its northward displacement. Simulations were carried out using data from a PIRATA buoy located on the equator at 23�� W to compute surface turbulent fluxes and from the NASA/GEWEX Surface Radiation Budget Project to close the surface radiation balance. A data assimilation scheme was used as a surrogate for the physical effects not present in the one-dimensional model. In the rainy season, results show that the ML is shallower due to the weaker surface stress and stronger stable stratification; the maximum ML depth reached during this season is around 15 m, with an averaged diurnal variation of 7 m depth. In the dry season, the stronger surface stress and the enhanced surface heat balance components enable higher mechanical production of turbulent kinetic energy and, at night, the buoyancy acts also enhancing turbulence in the first meters of depth, characterizing a deeper ML, reaching around 60 m and presenting an average diurnal variation of 30 m.

Fitossociologia de um Cerrado denso em ��rea de influ��ncia de torre de fluxo de carbono, P��-de-Gigante, Parque Estadual de Vassununga, SP

O dom��nio do Cerrado compreende uma ��rea cont��nua nos estados centrais do Brasil e ��reas disjuntas em outros estados, incluindo S��o Paulo. Essa vegeta����o ocupava originalmente 21% do territ��rio brasileiro, restando atualmente apenas 21,6% de sua extens��o original. A ��rea recoberta por essa vegeta����o em S��o Paulo cobria 14% de sua ��rea total e seus remanescentes recobrem menos de 1% da ocorr��ncia original dessa vegeta����o. Estudos recentes indicam que o valor da produtividade l��quida no Cerrado P��-de-Gigante (SP) constitui um pequeno dreno de carbono e indicou que a sazonalidade foi o fator determinante do valor observado. Os estudos dos fluxos de carbono em ecossistemas terrestres s��o raramente acompanhados de abordagens ecofisiol��gicas de modo a explorar a rela����o funcional das esp��cies que comp��em o ecossistema e os valores l��quidos obtidos para o mesmo. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar estruturalmente a vegeta����o presente na ��rea de maior influ��ncia da torre de fluxo instalada no Cerrado P��-de-Gigante, visando possibilitar estudos relacionados �� quantifica����o em longo prazo da din��mica dos fluxos de ��gua, energia e CO2 na vegeta����o de Cerrado. Para isso foram levantadas 20 parcelas (10 x 10 m) em 0,2 ha de Cerrado, e amostraram-se todas as plantas com per��metro ao n��vel do solo >6 cm (exceto lianas e ��rvores mortas). A distribui����o das classes de di��metro e estrutura vertical, assim como os par��metros fitossociol��gicos foram analisados. Encontramos 1451 indiv��duos, distribu��dos em 85 esp��cies, 52 g��neros e 31 fam��lias. A densidade absoluta e ��rea basal foram de 7255 ind. ha-1 e de 7,9 m��.ha-1, respectivamente. A fam��lia Leguminosae apresentou o maior n��mero de esp��cies (13). O ��ndice de diversidade de Shannon (H') foi 3,27 nats.ind-1. A distribui����o em classes de di��metro mostrou uma curva de "J" invertido, estando a maioria dos indiv��duos na primeira classe. Conclu��mos que a ��rea deve ser classificada como Cerrado denso, devido principalmente �� domin��ncia pela esp��cie arb��rea Anadenanthera falcata, cuja ocorr��ncia no estado foi relatada apenas em locais com solos ricos em satura����o de bases na regi��o das Cuestas Bas��lticas, devido tamb��m �� maior ��rea basal dos indiv��duos, comparando com outros fragmentos de Cerrado. Al��m da esp��cie citada, Myrcia lingua e Xylopia aromatica, apresentaram os maiores IVI (Valor de import��ncia).

Est��dio sucessional e fatores geogr��ficos como determinantes da similaridade flor��stica entre comunidades florestais no Planalto Atl��ntico, Estado de S��o Paulo, Brasil

A an��lise das rela����es de similaridade flor��stica entre comunidades geralmente conduz ao estabelecimento de padr��es, condicionados por fatores diversos que determinam a ocorr��ncia ou n��o das esp��cies em diferentes locais. Em busca de tais padr��es, foram analisadas as rela����es de similaridade flor��stica entre comunidades florestais localizadas na regi��o do Planalto de Ibi��na, estado de S��o Paulo, Brasil. Inclu��ram-se na an��lise 21 fragmentos florestais e seis s��tios em uma Reserva Florestal cont��nua, sendo que a composi����o flor��stica e a estrutura da comunidade arb��rea (DAP m��nimo 5 cm) em cada local foram amostradas pelo m��todo de quadrantes. Aplicaram-se dois m��todos de an��lises multivariadas: 1) An��lise de Correspond��ncia Destendenciada (DCA), com base no ��ndice de similaridade de S��rensen; e 2) Divis��o Hier��rquica Dicot��mica (TWINSPAN). A similaridade flor��stica foi mais elevada entre comunidades em est��dios sucessionais semelhantes, especialmente se estivessem geograficamente pr��ximas. H�� um gradiente flor��stico associado �� latitude, indicando tratar-se de uma regi��o de transi����o entre biomas. Nos s��tios situados na face norte da regi��o de estudo est��o presentes esp��cies que tamb��m ocorrem no cerrad��o e em floresta estacional semidecidual, enquanto nos s��tios situados na face sul prevalecem esp��cies caracter��sticas da floresta ombr��fila densa.

5-HT1A autoreceptor modulation of locomotor activity induced by nitric oxide in the rat dorsal raphe nucleus

The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is the origin of ascending serotonergic projections and is considered to be an important component of the brain circuit that mediates anxiety- and depression-related behaviors. A large fraction of DRN serotonin-positive neurons contain nitric oxide (NO). Disruption of NO-mediated neurotransmission in the DRN by NO synthase inhibitors produces anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in rats and also induces nonspecific interference with locomotor activity. We investigated the involvement of the 5-HT1A autoreceptor in the locomotor effects induced by NO in the DRN of male Wistar rats (280-310 g, N = 9-10 per group). The NO donor 3-morpholinosylnomine hydrochloride (SIN-1, 150, and 300 nmol) and the NO scavenger S-3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycine (carboxy-PTIO, 0.1-3.0 nmol) were injected into the DRN of rats immediately before they were exposed to the open field for 10 min. To evaluate the involvement of the 5-HT1A receptor and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor in the locomotor effects of NO, animals were pretreated with the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 8 nmol), the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist N-(2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl)-N-2-pyridinyl-cyclohexanecarboxamide maleate (WAY-100635, 0.37 nmol), and the NMDA receptor antagonist DL-2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (AP7, 1 nmol), followed by microinjection of SIN-1 into the DRN. SIN-1 increased the distance traveled (mean �� SEM) in the open-field test (4431 �� 306.1 cm; F7,63 = 2.44, P = 0.028) and this effect was blocked by previous 8-OH-DPAT (2885 �� 490.4 cm) or AP7 (3335 �� 283.5 cm) administration (P < 0.05, Duncan test). These results indicate that 5-HT1A receptor activation and/or facilitation of glutamate neurotransmission can modulate the locomotor effects induced by NO in the DRN.

Does hepatocellular carcinoma in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis exist in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients?

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often arising in histologically advanced disease when steatohepatitis is not active (cryptogenic cirrhosis). Our objective was to characterize patients with HCC and active, histologically defined steatohepatitis. Among 394 patients with HCC detected by ultrasound imaging over 8 years and staged by the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) criteria, we identified 7 cases (1.7%) with HCC occurring in the setting of active biopsy-proven NASH. All were negative for other liver diseases such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B, autoimmune hepatitis, Wilson disease, and hemochromatosis. The patients (4 males and 3 females, age 63 �� 13 years) were either overweight (4) or obese (3); 57% were diabetic and 28.5% had dyslipidemia. Cirrhosis was present in 6 of 7 patients, but 1 patient had well-differentiated HCC in the setting of NASH without cirrhosis (fibrosis stage 1) based on repeated liver biopsies, the absence of portal hypertension by clinical and radiographic evaluations and by direct surgical inspection. Among the cirrhotic patients, 71.4% were clinically staged as Child A and 14.2% as Child B. Tumor size ranged from 1.0 to 5.2 cm and 5 of 7 patients were classified as early stage; 46% of all nodules were hyper-echoic and 57% were <3 cm. HCC was well differentiated in 1/6 and moderately differentiated in 5/6. Alpha-fetoprotein was <100 ng/mL in all patients. HCC in patients with active steatohepatitis is often multifocal, may precede clinically advanced disease and occurs without diagnostic levels of alpha-fetoprotein. Importantly, HCC may occur in NASH in the absence of cirrhosis. More aggressive screening of NASH patients may be warranted.

Effect of laser on the remnant liver after the first 24 hours following 70% hepatectomy in rats

PURPOSE: To evaluate the mitochondrial function of the remnant liver (RL) in the early phase of liver regeneration in rats after 70% partial hepatectomy (PH). METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats (200-250g) submitted to 70% PH were divided into five groups according to the time of euthanasia and application or not of laser light: C = Control, time zero; 2 minutes, 4, 6 and 24 hours after PH. The dose of laser radiation was 22.5 J/cm��, wavelength of 660 nm (visible/red), in the remnant liver. We studied the respiration activated by ADP (state 3), basal mitochondrial respiration (state 4), respiratory control ratio (RCR) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). RESULTS: The mitochondrial function of RL changed at 4 and 6 hours after PH, with a significant increase in state 3 and a concomitant increase in state 4 and with maintenance of RCR. MMP differed significantly between the groups biostimulated with laser radiation and the control group 4 hours after HP, with a substantial reduction in the non-laser groups. CONCLUSION: The laser light at the dose used in this study did not induce additional damage to the RL and seems to have delayed the hepatocellular metabolic overload of the remnant liver.

Photodynamic inactivation of four Candida species induced by photogem��

This study evaluated the in vitro susceptibility of C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. tropicalis and C. krusei to photodynamic therapy (PDT) induced by Photogem�� and light emitting diode (LED). Suspensions of each Candida strain were treated with three photosensitizer (PS) concentrations (10, 25 and 50 mg/L) and exposed to 18.0, 25.5 and 37.5 J/cm�� LED light fluences (&#955; ~ 455 nm). Control suspensions were treated only with PS concentrations, only exposed to the LED light fluences or not exposed to LED light or PS. Sixteen experimental conditions were obtained and each condition was repeated three times. From each sample, serial dilutions were obtained and aliquots were plated on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. After incubation of plates (37 ��C for 48 hours), colonies were counted (cfu/mL) and the data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and the Tukey test (&#945;=0.05). Complete killing of C. albicans was observed after 18.0 J/cm�� in association with 50 mg/L of PS. C. dubliniensis were inactivated after 18.0 J/cm�� using 25 mg/L of PS. The inactivation of C. tropicalis was observed after photosensitization with 25 mg/L and subsequent illumination at 25.5 J/cm��. For C. krusei, none of the associations between PS and light resulted in complete killing of this species. PDT proved to be effective for the inactivation of C. albicans, C. dubliniensis and C. tropicalis. In addition, reduction in the viability of C. krusei was achieved with some of the PS and light associations.

EPR and magnetic studies of a carboxylate-bridged dinuclear copper(II) compound: [cu2(flu)4(dmf)2]

We report magnetic and EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) spectroscopy studies of [Cu2(flu)4(dmf)2] (flu = flufenamate and dmf = dimethylformamide), which has CuII ions in tetracarboxylate "paddle wheel" dinuclear units. Susceptibility measurements at 10 < T < 275 K allowed the evaluation of an antiferromagnetic intradinuclear exchange coupling J0 = -294 �� 5 cm-1 between CuII ions (Hex = "J0 S1��S2). EPR experiments at 300 K in powder and single-crystals at 9.5 and 34.4 GHz indicated g// = 2.373, g&#8869; = 2.073 and zero field splitting parameters D = (-0.334 �� 0.001) cm"1 and E ca. 0. EPR signal intensity measurements at X-band in the range 4 < T < 295 K indicated that J0 = "283 �� 5 cm"1. A higher limit |J��| < 5��10-3 cm-1 for the interdinuclear exchange coupling between neighbor units at ca.14.24 �� was estimated from the angular variation of the single crystal spectra around the magic angles. The results are discussed in terms of the structure of the dinuclear unit and the bridges connecting CuII ions and compared with values reported for similar compounds.

Analyzing the n�����* Electronic Transition of Formaldehyde in Water. A Sequential Monte Carlo/Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory

The n�����* absorption transition of formaldehyde in water is analyzed using combined and sequential classical Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and quantum mechanics (QM) calculations. MC simulations generate the liquid solute-solvent structures for subsequent QM calculations. Using time-dependent density functional theory in a localized set of gaussian basis functions (TD-DFT/6-311++G(d,p)) calculations are made on statistically relevant configurations to obtain the average solvatochromic shift. All results presented here use the electrostatic embedding of the solvent. The statistically converged average result obtained of 2300 cm-1 is compared to previous theoretical results available. Analysis is made of the effective dipole moment of the hydrogen-bonded shell and how it could be held responsible for the polarization of the solvent molecules in the outer solvation shells.