Cluster and meta-analyses of genetic parameters for feed intake traits in growing beef cattle

A data set based on 50 studies including feed intake and utilization traits was used to perform a meta-analysis to obtain pooled estimates using the variance between studies of genetic parameters for average daily gain (ADG); residual feed intake (RFI); metabolic body weight (MBW); feed conversion ratio (FCR); and daily dry matter intake (DMI) in beef cattle. The total data set included 128 heritability and 122 genetic correlation estimates published in the literature from 1961 to 2012. The meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model where the restricted maximum likelihood estimator was used to evaluate variances among clusters. Also, a meta-analysis using the method of cluster analysis was used to group the heritability estimates. Two clusters were obtained for each trait by different variables. It was observed, for all traits, that the heterogeneity of variance was significant between clusters and studies for genetic correlation estimates. The pooled estimates, adding the variance between clusters, for direct heritability estimates for ADG, DMI, RFI, MBW and FCR were 0.32 +/- 0.04, 0.39 +/- 0.03, 0.31 +/- 0.02, 0.31 +/- 0.03 and 0.26 +/- 0.03, respectively. Pooled genetic correlation estimates ranged from -0.15 to 0.67 among ADG, DMI, RFI, MBW and FCR. These pooled estimates of genetic parameters could be used to solve genetic prediction equations in populations where data is insufficient for variance component estimation. Cluster analysis is recommended as a statistical procedure to combine results from different studies to account for heterogeneity.

Nasopharyngeal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus among imprisoned males from Brazil without exposure to healthcare: risk factors and molecular characterization

Background: Previous studies report high prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization among imprisoned populations. However, there are no data on that prevalence in Brazilian correctional institutions.Findings: We tested 302 male prisoners for nasopharyngeal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus from February 2009 through April 2010. The overall isolation rate of S. aureus was 16.5% (50/302). Men who had sex with men, users of inhalatory drugs and those with previous lung or skin diseases were more likely to be colonized with S. aureus. MRSA was isolated from 0.7% of subjects (2/302). The two Community-associated (CA)-MRSA belonged to ST5 but were unrelated based on the PFGE results. Both harbored SCCmec IV, and did not possess the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin gene.Conclusion: We found low prevalence of S. aureus and CA-MRSA among prisoners. MRSA isolates ST5 from two subjects harboured SCCmec IV and presented different PFGE patterns.

Serology, isolation, and molecular detection of Leptospira spp. from the tissues and blood of rats captured in a wild animal preservation centre in Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Diuron metabolites and urothelial cytotoxicity: In vivo, in vitro and molecular approaches

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

A comparison of microbiological and molecular detection of vaginal Lactobacillus spp. between mares and women

A possible explanation for endometritis in mares is ascendant contamination from the vagina. The presence of Lactobacillus spp. is considered to be important in women for a healthy vaginal environment; however, there are few studies in mares related to the presence of Lactobacillus in the vaginal flora of healthy mares. The present work aims to determine the occurrence of Lactobacillus spp. in the vaginal micro-environment of mares. A total of 35 crossbred multiparous mares, aged between 4 and 12 years, with no history of reproductive problems and with healthy reproductive tracts, were used. Two vaginal swabs were obtained from the mares during estrus for Lactobacillus isolation and PCR evaluation. Ten human female volunteers, aged between 24 and 35 years, sexually active, with no history of gynecological diseases and treatments in the past two years were used. Lactobacillus spp. were isolated from 5.7% of the mares' vaginal samples and from 90% of the women's vaginal samples. Lactobacillus DNA was detected by PCR in 22.9% of the mares' vaginal samples and in all of the vaginal samples from the healthy women. The primers used here were demonstrated to have in silico specificity for the detection of L. equi (AB425924.1), L. pantheris (DQ471798.1) and L. mucosae (DQ471799.1), but they did not anneal on Enterococcus faecalis (EU887827.1) or E. faecium (EU887814.1). In conclusion, this study showed a low occurrence of Lactobacillus spp. in mares, suggesting that this bacterium may not play a fundamental role in the equilibrium of the vaginal micro- environment of normal mares.

Diagnostic accuracy of semi-quantitative and quantitative culture techniques for the diagnosis of catheter-related infections in newborns and molecular typing of isolated microorganisms

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

Morphological and molecular characterization and phylogenetic relationships of a new species of trypanosome in Tapirus terrestris (lowland tapir), Trypanosoma terrestris sp nov., from Atlantic Rainforest of southeastern Brazil

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

Mechanical and chemical analyses across dental porcelain fused to CP titanium or Ti6Al4V

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Silicone insulators of power transmission lines with a variable inorganic load concentration: Electrical and physiochemical analyses

Polymeric insulation is an increasing tendency in projects and maintenance of electrical networks for power distribution and transmission. Electrical power devices (e. g., insulators and surge arresters) developed by using polymeric insulation presents many advantages compared to the prior power components using ceramic insulation, such as: a better performance under high pollution environment; high hydrophobicity; high resistance to mechanical, electrical and chemical stresses. The practice with silicone insulators in polluted environments has shown that the ideal performance is directly related to insulator design and polymer formulation. One of the most common misunderstandings in the design of silicone compounds for insulators is the amount of inorganic load used in their formulation. This paper attempts to clarify how the variation of the inorganic load amount affects physicochemical characteristics of different silicone compounds. The physicochemical evaluation is performed from several measurements, such as: density, hardness, elongation, tensile strength. In addition, the evaluation of the physicochemical structure is carried out using infrared test and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The electrical analysis is performed from the electric tracking wheel and erosion test, in agreement with the recommendation of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biological and molecular characterisation of Bidens mosaic virus supports its assignment as a member of a distinct species in the genus Potyvirus

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

Cellular behavior as a dynamic field for exploring bone bioengineering: A closer look at cell-biomaterial interface

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A simple and fast method for assessment of the nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium rating of fertilizers using high-resolution continuum source atomic and molecular absorption spectrometry

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

Combining Experimental Evidence and Molecular Dynamic Simulations To Understand the Mechanism of Action of the Antimicrobial Octapeptide Jelleine-I

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