Nutrient digestibility, but not mineral absorption, is age-dependent in cats

Availability of nutrients is influenced by extremes of age, and a better characterization of this influence is necessary for appropriate development of foods and nutritional management throughout life stages of cats. This study investigated nutrient digestibility, mineral absorption, faeces and urine production in three groups of six young, mature and old cats fed two diets containing different energy densities. Apparent digestibility and mineral absorption were calculated by total collection method and values were tested with ANOVA and regression analysis. A quadratic relationship was detected between age and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, acid-hydrolysed fat and starch in the low-energy diet. Starch digestibility showed the same response in the high-energy diet. Young adult cats had intermediate digestibility, mature cats the highest and old cats the lowest. Mineral absorption (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride) and urinary pH were not different among groups. These findings confirm previous studies that found low digestibility of nutrients in some old cats, and support evidence that this trend is even more important in less digestible dry foods. on the contrary, data suggest that mineral formulations do not need to be varied in diets for adult cats of different ages.

Age polyethism in the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus Forel, 1911 (Hym., Formicidae)

This study describes and quantifies the behavioural acts of two laboratory colonies of Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus by investigating worker age polyethism. Twenty-nine behavioural acts were recorded during the 19-week observation period. Young individuals performed tasks inside the nest related to brood care and care for the fungus garden, whereas older individuals performed activities outside the nest such as foraging and activities in the waste chamber. The average longevity (+/- SD) was 108.21 +/- 3.30, 109.15 +/- 1.92 and 122.71 +/- 1.55 days for large, medium and small workers, respectively. The small-sized workers presented a higher probability of reaching older age than large- and medium-sized workers. This study describes task switching according to age polyethism and the relationship of physical and temporal subcastes.

Chronostratigraphy and radiocarbon age inversion in the Holocene regressive barrier of Paraná, southern Brazil

Twenty-two 14C datings were performed at the central sector of the Paraná coast to define Holocene regressive barrier evolution. The barrier Pleistocene substratum was ascribed an age between 40 400 and 30 000 yr BP, but it can also represent the penultimate sea level highstand during marine isotope stage 5e. The Holocene barrier samples provided ages between 8542-8279 and 2987-2751 cal yr BP, and showed at least six age inversions that were related to age differences between in situ or low-distance transported shells or trunk fragments, and high-distance transported vegetal debris, wood fragments and organic matter samples. The regressive Holocene barrier age was 4402-4135 cal yr BP near the base, and 2987-2751 cal yr BP near the top. Most of the vegetal remains were transported by ebb tidal currents from the estuaries to the inner shelf below wave base level during the mid-Holocene highstand; they were transported onshore by storm waves and littoral currents during the sea level lowering after the sea level maximum, and were deposited mainly as middle shoreface swaley cross-stratification facies. © 2008.

Age polyethism in the swarm-founding wasp Metapolybia miltoni (andena & carpenter) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae; Polistinae, epiponini)

In Epiponini division of labor is associated with age polyethism and individual task specialization. We observed worker activities in three colonies of Metapoybia miltoni in Brazil. We analyzed differences of task allocation among age groups. Old workers tend to forage more than young, but age polyethism was less evident in other tasks. Age composition of population could be a determinant factor in task allocation. Workers are probably allocating to perform tasks according to colony needs, and not to individual's age. Considering age population in studies of division of labor could help to understand how colonies respond to different situations.

Age polyethism in the swarm-founding wasp Metapolybia miltoni (Andena & Carpenter) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae; Polistinae, Epiponini)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of biodegradable detergents in the accumulation of lipofuscin (age pigment) in gill and liver of two neotropical fish species

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

Age-related changes in muscle fiber type frequencies and cross-sectional areas in straightbred and crossbred rabbits

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

Effect of age and genetic group on characteristics of the scrotum, testes and testicular vascular cones, and on sperm production and semen quality in AI bulls in Brazil

The objectives were to determine the effects of age and genetic group on characteristics of the scrotum, testes and testicular vascular cones (TVC), and on sperm production and semen quality in 107 Bos indicus, B, taurus and cross-bred bulls at three artificial insemination (AI) centers in Brazil. In addition, predictors of sperm production and semen quality were identified. In general, scrotal circumference (SC), scrotal shape score, scrotal neck perimeter, and testicular size (length, width and volume) increased (P < 0.05) with age. Although there were no significant differences among genetic groups for SC or testicular size, B. indicus bulls had the least pendulous scrotal shape, the shortest scrotal neck length, and the greatest scrotal neck perimeter (P < 0.05). Fat covering the TVC was thinner (P < 0.05) in bulls <= 36 months of age and in B. taunts bulls than in older bulls and B. indicus bulls, respectively. Age and genetic group did not affect testicular ultrasonic echotexture. B. indicus bulls tended (P < 0.1) to have the lowest average scrotal surface temperature (SST). In general, ejaculate volume, total number of spermatozoa and number of viable spermatozoa increased (P < 0.05) with age. However, there was no significant effect of age on sperm concentration, motility, major and total defects. The proportion of spermatozoa with minor defects was highest (P < 0.05) in bulls 37-60 months of age. B. indicus bulls had higher (P < 0.01) sperm concentration, total number of spermatozoa and number of viable spermatozoa than B. taunts bulls, with intermediate values for cross-bred bulls. Increased sperm production was associated with increased testicular volume, SC, TVC fat cover, and SST top-to-bottom gradient. Decreased semen quality was associated with increased SC and bottom SST, and decreased scrotal shape, scrotal neck perimeter and vascular cone diameter. In summary, age and genetic group affected the characteristics of the scrotum, testes, and TVC, sperm production and semen quality. In addition, characteristics of the scrotum, testes and TVC were associated with sperm production and semen quality in bulls and could be assessed for breeding soundness evaluation. (c) 2002 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Alkaline ribonuclease activity in maternal serum and in serum of newborns from birth up to thirty days of age. A study made with full-term appropriate-, full-term small- and preterm appropriate-for-gestational-age infants

We have studied the alkaline ribonuclease (RNase) activity in maternal serum and serum of full-term small- (T-SGA), full-term appropriate- (T-AGA) and preterm appropriate-for-gestational age (PT-AGA) newborns. A significantly lower level of RNase was observed in T-AGA and T-SGA newborns on the 30th day of age and in PT-AGA newborns on the 15th and 30th days of age, as compared to other T-AGA, T-SGA and PT-AGA groups of infants at birth. RNase activity was significantly higher in cord blood than in the maternal blood in all categories studied. Moreover, in preterm newborns, RNase activity in cord blood was significantly higher in those presenting a lower gestational age. We did not observe any significant difference in RNase levels in the cord blood of newborns from the 3 categories studied. The same results were observed concerning maternal blood. We, therefore, conclude that RNase activity in cord blood or in maternal blood is not a very statisfactory indicator of fetal malnutrition.

Effect of follicle age on conception rate in beef heifers

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of age of the ovulatory follicle on fertility in beef heifers. Ovulation was synchronized with the 5 d CO-Synch + controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR) program in heifers in Montana (MT; n = 162, Hereford and Angus Crossbred) and Ohio (OH; n = 170, Angus Crossbred). All heifers received estradiol benzoate (EB; 1 mg/500 kg BW, [i.m.]) 6 d after the final GnRH of the synchronization program to induce follicular atresia and emergence of a new follicular wave (NFW) followed by prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF(2 alpha); 25 mg, i.m.) administration either 5 d (young follicle [YF]; n = 158) or 9 d (mature follicle [MF]; n = 174) after EB. Estrous detection was performed for 5 d after PGF(2 alpha) with AI approximately 12 h after onset of estrus. Ovarian ultrasonography (MT location only) was performed in YF and MF at EB, 5 d after EB, PGF(2 alpha), and AI. Heifers in MT (n = 20) and OH (n = 18) that were not presynchronized or did not initiate a NFW were excluded from further analyses, resulting in 142 and 152 heifers in MT and OH, respectively. Heifers from the MF treatment in MT that initiated a second NFW after EB but before PGF(2 alpha) (MF2; n = 14) were excluded from the primary analysis. In the secondary analysis, the MF2 group was compared to MF and YF treatments in MT. Estrous response was similar (90%; 252/280) between treatments and locations. Proestrus interval (from PGF(2 alpha) to estrus) and age of the ovulatory follicle at AI were similar for MF heifers between locations (54.6 +/- 1.7 h and 8.3 +/- 0.07 h) but were greater (P < 0.01) for YF heifers in OH (78.5 +/- 1.4 h and 5.3 +/- 0.06 h) than MT (67.4 +/- 1.6 h and 4.8 +/- 0.06 h; treatment x location, P < 0.01). However, conception rate did not differ for MF (63.8%; 74/116) and YF (67.0%; 91/136) treatments. In the MT heifers, follicle size and follicle age atAI in the YF treatment (10.4 +/- 0.15 mm and 4.8 +/- 0.06 d, respectively) was less (P < 0.01) than in the MF treatment (11.0 +/- 0.18 mm and 8.3 +/- 0.11 d, respectively), but conception rate to AI did not differ between treatments in MT. In the MF2 group proestrus interval was greater (P < 0.01); hence, diameter of the ovulatory follicle and age were similar to that for the YF treatment. Conception rate to AI did not differ between MF2, MF, and YF (61.5, 63.3, and 64.7%, respectively) in MT. In conclusion, manipulation of age of the nonpersistent ovulatory follicle at spontaneous ovulation did not influence conception rate.

Long latency auditory evoked potential in Asperger Syndrome: two case studies

Introduction: Auditory Late Responses (ALR) assess central auditory processing by neuro electric activity of the auditory pathway and analyse the activities involved in cortical abilities of discrimination, attention and integration of the brain. Individuals withAsperger Syndrome experience changes in these skills, so it is important to research these potential this population. The objective of this paper was to describe the auditory late responses of two patients with Asperger Syndrome. Methods: The study included two male patients with Asperger Syndrome, of 7 and 12 years of age, treated in a study centre. The patients did not present any auditory complaint detected by an amnesis. The external auditory canal was inspected and audiological and auditory late responses assessed. After evaluation the components P2, N2 and P3 were analysed. Results: In both patients, the latency of the components P2, N2 and P3 were elongated in both ears. Regarding the amplitude of the P2 component, reduced values were found for the left ear of patient 1 and the right ear of patient 2. The N2 amplitude was reduced for both ears of patient 1 and only the right ear of patient 2. The two patients showed a decrease in the amplitude of the P3 only in the right ear. Conclusion:This study concludes that there were changes in the ALR results in both patients with Asperger Syndrome, suggesting alteration of the auditory function at the cortex level.

Spatial distribution of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in citrus orchards

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Standard electrocardiographic values in Holstein calves

Este artigo apresenta valores eletrocardiográficos de 25 bezerros da raça Holandesesa, utilizando-se as derivações bipolares de membro (I, II, III), unipolares aumentadas de membro (avL, avR e avF) e uma derivação bipolar de torax (V10). Dois grupos com animais de diferentes idades foram comparados (18 a 72 horas e 27 a 33 dias de idade). Conclui-se que não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos nas ondas P, Q, R, S e T, nos intervalos PR, QRS, QT e ST e no eixo cardíaco.

Estimates of genetic correlations between days to calving and reproductive and weight traits in Nelore cattle

Data comprising 53,181 calving records were analyzed to estimate the genetic correlation between days to calving (DC), and days to first calving (DFC), and the following traits: scrotal circumference (SC), age at first calving (AFC), and weight adjusted for 550 d of age (W550) in a Nelore herd. (Co)variance components were estimated using the REML method fitting bivariate animal models. The fixed effects considered for DC were contemporary group, month of last calving, and age at breeding season (linear and quadratic effects). Contemporary groups were composed by herd, year, season, and management group at birth; herd and management group at weaning; herd, season, and management group at mating; and sex of calf and mating type (multiple sires, single sire, or AI). In DFC analysis, the same fixed effects were considered excluding the month of last calving. For DC, a repeatability animal model was applied. Noncalvers were not considered in analyses because an attempt to include them, attributing a penalty, did not improve the identification of genetic differences between animals. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.04 to 0.06 for DC, from 0.06 to 0.13 for DFC, from 0.42 to 0.44 for SC, from 0.06 to 0.08 for AFC, and was 0.30 for W550. The genetic correlation estimated between DC and SC was low and negative (-0.10), between DC and AFC was high and positive (0.76), and between DC and W550 was almost null (0.07). Similar results were found for genetic correlation estimates between DFC and SC (-0.14), AFC (0.94), and W550 (-0.02). The genetic correlation estimates indicate that the use of DC in the selection of beef cattle may promote favorable correlated responses to age at first mating and, consequently, higher gains in sexual precocity can be expected.