Allometry of Organs and the Gastrintestinal Tract from Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Finished in Feedlot

The objective of present study was to evaluate the relative growth of organs and viscera from water buffaloes. Fifteen Mediterranean intact males, averaging, 356.7 kg initial live weight and twenty four months of age, were used. The animals were ramdomly assigned into three groups (categories). One group was ramdomly assigned to immediate slaughter (AR), the rest two groups were full-fed a ration containing 50% concentrate, dry matter basis until reaching the slaughter weights of 450 and 500kg, respectively. At slaughter the empty body weight was determined and the weights of head, feet, leather, lungs, heart, liver, spleen, rumen-reticulum, omasum, abomasum, small intestine, large intestine were recorded. Regression equations of log weight of organs and viscera as a function of log empty-body-weight (EBW), were fitted. All body components studied, with exception of liver and spleen, developed slower than in relation to EBW.

Feeding, body condition and reproductive investment of Astyanax intermedius (Characiformes, Characidae) in relation to rainfall and temperature in a Brazilian Atlantic Forest stream

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Preventive Effects of Chitosan Coacervate Whey Protein on Body Composition and Immunometabolic Aspect in Obese Mice

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Rehydration after water stress in forager workers of coptotermes gestroi (wasmann) (blattaria: rhinotermitidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Comparison of the Effects of Hydration with Water or Isotonic Solution on the Recovery of Cardiac Autonomic Modulation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Comfort, stability and body posture in wheelchair cushions: a preliminary study with able bodied subjects

Long term wheelchair usage has been related to a number of problems, among which pressure ulcers are one of most concern. The design of wheelchair seat cushions has been of increasing interest among researchers, as it can influence seat interface pressure and user's comfort. The aim of this study was to investigate the subjects' perception comfort, stability and body posture of six different commercially available wheelchair cushions. The evaluation was through a questionnaire, where the subjects rate their perceptions on a ten point visual analog scale after staying seated in the cushion for two minutes. The results shows that the Roho^TM aircell cushion was preferred by the users, while the least preferred one was the water cushion. Individuals' subjective perceptions may compliment objective data on seat interface pressure, thus contributing to a more complete view of the users' experience during wheelchair cushion usage.

Role of alfa2-adrenoceptors in the lateral parabrachial nucleus in the control of body fluid homeostasis

Central α2-adrenoceptors and the pontine lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) are involved in the control of sodium and water intake. Bilateral injections of moxonidine (α2-adrenergic/imidazoline receptor agonist) or noradrenaline into the LPBN strongly increases 0.3 M NaCl intake induced by a combined treatment of furosemide plus captopril. Injection of moxonidine into the LPBN also increases hypertonic NaCl and water intake and reduces oxytocin secretion, urinary sodium, and water excreted by cell-dehydrated rats, causing a positive sodium and water balance, which suggests that moxonidine injected into the LPBN deactivates mechanisms that restrain body fluid volume expansion. Pretreatment with specific α2-adrenoceptor antagonists injected into the LPBN abolishes the behavioral and renal effects of moxonidine or noradrenaline injected into the same area, suggesting that these effects depend on activation of LPBN α2-adrenoceptors. In fluid-depleted rats, the palatability of sodium is reduced by ingestion of hypertonic NaCl, limiting intake. However, in rats treated with moxonidine injected into the LPBN, the NaCl palatability remains high, even after ingestion of significant amounts of 0.3 M NaCl. The changes in behavioral and renal responses produced by activation of α2-adrenoceptors in the LPBN are probably a consequence of reduction of oxytocin secretion and blockade of inhibitory signals that affect sodium palatability. In this review, a model is proposed to show how activation of α2-adrenoceptors in the LPBN may affect palatability and, consequently, ingestion of sodium as well as renal sodium excretion.

Potential endocrinedisruptor activity of drinking water samples

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Improvements of nutrition behavior fitness and body fatness with a short-term after school intervention program

The prevalence of childhood obesity has been increasing worldwide and lifestyle changes are the most important strategies in managing this prevalence. This study aimed to describe the intervention effects of nutrition and physical activities offered as an after school short-term on outcomes of healthy nutrition practices, fitness and lowering fatness. This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a convenience sample of 59 caucasian children, aged 7.7 ± 1.4 years old (52.5% girls) registered on a private school of a middle-size town located in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The school-based 12-week intervention consisted of 2 weekly 60 minutes section, during 3 months, including a nutritional education and a physical activity curriculum. Anthropometric data was measured for all children at baseline and after 12 weeks. All parents were contacted and requested to complete questionnaire about child’s eating behavior at baseline and after the 12-week program. After the intervention, children showed an increasing in the intake of fruits (64.3%), vegetables (61.9%), and water (52.0%). Overall, 83.3% of the children changed eating behavior according to the questionnaire responded by the parents. Waist circumference was significantly lower and abdominal strength improved after participating in the intervention program. Mean height and weight were significantly higher in boys and girls after a 12-week intervention. Although mean values of BMI remained the same after the intervention it was observed a decreasing in the prevalence of obesity among the children. Thus our study showed that a school-based intervention program focused on nutritional education and physical activity program promoted waist circumference reduction and decreased obesity without affecting the height growth along with improved fitness and healthy eating behavior. This intervention program would be feasible and replicable in others schools around the country.