Independent impact of glycemia ad blood pressure in albuminuria on high-risk subjects for metabolic syndrome

Background: Microalbuminuria may reflect diffuse endothelial damage. Considering that diabetes and hypertension cause vasculopathy, we investigated associations of albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) with plasma glucose and blood pressure levels in high-risk subjects for metabolic syndrome. Methods: A sample of 519 (246 men) Japanese-Brazilians (aged 60 ± 11 years), who participated in a population-based study, had their ACR determined in a morning urine specimen. Backward models of multiple linear regression were created for each gender including log-transformed values of ACR as dependent variable; an interaction term between diabetes and hypertension was included. Results: Macroalbuminuria was found in 18 subjects. ACR mean values for subjects with normal glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glycemia, impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes were 9.9 ± 6.0, 19.0 ± 35.4, 20.7 ± 35.4, and 33.9 ± 55.0 mg/g, respectively. Diabetic subjects showed higher ACR than the others (p < 0.05). An increase in the proportion of albuminuric subjects was observed as glucose metabolism deteriorated (4.9, 17.0, 23.0 and 36.0%). Stratifying into 4 groups according to postchallenge glycemia (< 7.8 mmol/l, n = 9 1; ≥ 7.8 mmol/l, n = 4 10) and hypertension, hypertensive and glucose-intolerant subgroups showed higher ACR values. ACR was associated with gender, waist circumference, blood pressure, plasma glucose and triglyceride (p < 0.05); albuminuric subjects had significantly higher levels of such variables than the normoalbuminuric ones. In the final models of linear regression, systolic blood pressure and 2-hour glycemia were shown to be independent predictors of ACR for both genders (p < 0.05). In men, also waist was independently associated with ACR. No interaction was detected between diabetes and hypertension. Conclusions: These findings suggest that both glucose intolerance and hypertension could have independent but not synergistic effects on endothelial function - reflected by albumin loss in urine. Such hypothesis needs to be confirmed in prospective studies. © 2004 Dustri-Verlag Dr. K. Feistle.

Daytime variations in glucose tolerance in people with impaired glucose tolerance

To determine whether glucose tolerance varies throughout the day in people with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). We studied 15 healthy IGT, and 18 matched normal glucose tolerant (NGT) individuals. Blood samples were taken every 30-120 min during a 24 h period in which all individuals had three mixed meals and nocturnal sleep. We measured glucose, free fatty acids, specific insulin, intact proinsulin, cortisol and growth hormone. Variable responses were considered as concentrations and areas under the curves. Comparison between the groups was by Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney, and analysis of variance. Higher total glucose response, inappropriate normal total insulin response, and unproportionally increased proinsulin total response were observed in the IGT group. Lower glucose tolerance occurred in IGT after dinner, as in the NGT, and after breakfast associated with increased insulin response after breakfast, and similar proinsulin response after all three meals. IGT had higher glucose response than NGT after breakfast and lunch, similar insulin responses, and increased proinsulin-insulin ratio after all three meals. Data from this study demonstrate that IGT individuals present lower glucose tolerance in the evening, as those with NGT, and in the morning, as reported in patients with type 2 diabetes. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Digital monitoring of broiler breeder behavior for assessment of thermal welfare

The assessment of welfare issues has been a challenge for poultry producers, and lately welfare standards needs to be reached in order to agree with international market demand. This research proposes the use of continuous behavior monitoring in order to contribute for assessing welfare. A software was developed using the language Clarium. The software managed the recording of data as well as the data searching in the database Firebird. Both software and the observational methodology were tested in a trial conducted inside an environmental chamber, using three genetics of broiler breeders. Behavioral pattern was recorded and correlated to ambient thermal and aerial variation. Monitoring video cameras were placed on the roof facing the used for registering the bird's behavior. From video camera images were recorded during the total period when the ambient was bright, and for analyzing the video images a sample of 15min observation in the morning and 15 min in the afternoon was used, adding up to 30 min daily observation. A specific model so-called behavior was developed inside the software for counting specific behavior and its frequency of occurrence, as well as its duration. Electronic identification was recorded for 24h period. Behavioral video recording images was related to the data recorded using electronic identification.. Statistical analysis of data allowed to identify behavioral differences related to the change in thermal environment, and ultimately indicating thermal stress and departure from welfare conditions.

LH surge in Nelore cows (Bos indicus), after induced estrus or after ovarian superestimulation

Considering that there is limited information about the preovulatory LH surge in Zebu cattle (Bos indicus), the purpose of the present work was to assess the LH surge in Nelore cows during the estrous cycle and after ovarian superestimulation of ovarian follicular development with FSH. This information is particularly important to improve superovulatory protocols associated with fixed-time artificial insemination. Nelore cows (n = 12) had their estrus synchronized with an intravaginal device containing progesterone (CIDR-B ®) associated with estradiol benzoate administration (EB, 2.5 mg, i.m., Day 0). Eight days later all animals were treated with PGF2α (Day 8) in the morning (8:00 h) and at night, when CIDR devices were removed (20:00 h). Starting 38 h after the first PGF2α injection, blood sampling and ovarian ultrasonography took place every 4 h, during 37 consecutive hours. Frequent handling may have resulted in a stress-induced suppression of LH secretion resulting in only 3 of 12 cows having ovulations at 46.7 ± 4.9 and 72.3 ± 3.8 h, respectively, after removal of CIDR-B. Thirty days later, the same animals received the described hormonal treatment associated with FSH (Folltropin ®, total dose = 200 mg) administered twice a day, during 4 consecutive days, starting on Day 5. Thirty-six hours after the first injection of PGF2α, to minimize stress, only seven blood samples were collected at 4 h interval each, and ultrasonography was performed every 12 h until ovulation. In 11 of 12 cows (92%) the LH surge and ovulation were observed 34.6 ± 1.6 and 59.5 ± 1.9 h, respectively, after removal of progesterone source. The maximum values for LH in those animals were 19.0 ± 2.6 ng/ml (mean ± S.E.M.). It is concluded that, in Nelore cows submitted to a ovarian superstimulation protocol, the LH surge occurs approximately 35 h after removal of intravaginal device containing progesterone, and approximately 12 h before the LH surge observed after an induced estrus without ovarian superstimulation. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Flower mites decrease nectar availability in the rain-forest bromeliad Neoregelia johannis

Nectarivorous flower mites can reduce the volume of nectar available to pollinators. The effects of the flower mite Proctolaelaps sp. on nectar availability in flowers of a melittophilous bromeliad Neoregelia johannis (Bromeliaceae) was evaluated in a coastal rain forest in south-eastern Brazil. In a randomized block experiment utilizing 18 flower pairs, one per bromeliad ramet, pollinators (Bombus morio) and mites were excluded, and then nectar volume, sugar concentration and sugar mass were quantified over the anthesis period. Mites significantly reduced nectar volume early in the morning (6h00-8h00), but not later (10h00-12h00). Mites decreased total volume of nectar available up to 22%. Sugar concentration in nectar was higher earlier in the morning, and decreased between 10h00-12h00. The pronounced consumption of nectar by mites during the period of higher sugar concentration reduced the total amount of sugar available to pollinators by 31%. This is the first study showing that flower mites decrease nectar rewards in a melittophilous plant. Because nectar volume by itself incompletely describes nectar production rates and the effects of nectar removal by flower mites on the availability of sugar, our study highlights the inclusion of sugar content in future studies assessing the effects of thieves on nectar production rates. Copyright © 2010 Cambridge University Press.

Desempenho de cordeiras Bergamácia submetidas a dois sistemas de desmama

This study used 26 Bergamasca ewe lambs weaned at 60 days of age and separated into 2 groups - Artificial suckling: 10 ewes separated from their dams 48 hours after delivery and fed with cow's milk; Controlled suckling: 16 ewe lambs remained with their dams at pasture during the day and then separated at night, returning after morning milking. Following weaning, both groups were confined until they reached 38.6 kg average weight, and then separated into two types of treatment: Pasture rearing: 5 ewes from artificial suckling + 8 ewes from controlled suckling; Confined rearing: 5 ewes from artificial suckling + 8 ewes from controlled suckling. The experimental design was a 2 × 2 factorial, randomized. Average daily milk production for artificial suckling (0.318 kg) was higher than controlled suckling (0.256 kg). The economic return of the controlled suckling treatment was 8.13% higher than for artificial suckling. With regard to the pasture rearing and confined rearing treatment systems, there was no estrus for pasture rearing during experimental period. There was no difference between the weaning systems with regard to eggs per gram. The weaning system influenced the milk production of primiparous females.

Sensibilidade dolorosa à palpação em pacientes con disfunção temporomandibularr crônica

The cephalalgias are frequently associated with the temporomandibular disorders being common to find an increase of pain sensitivity in these patients. Thus, the objective of present study was to assess the sensitivity to palpation in patients presenting with chronic temporomandibular disorders comparing two groups one with headache and other without it, respectively. The temporomandibular disorders and the primary cephalalgias were diagnosed according the Diagnostic Criteria for the Research of Temporomandibular Disorders and by a questionnaire based on the International Classification of the Cephalalgias (2004). Location, assessment and grouping of muscular and articular areas for palpation were carried out according to the Diagnostic Criteria for above mentioned disorders, considering bilaterally the masseter muscle, the temporalis muscle, the cervical region and the temporomandibular joint. Sample included 213 (88.0 %) of women and 29 (12.0 %) men with a mean age of 37.41 years. The mean of number of zones positive to palpation in the groups without headaches, tension headache, migraine and daily chronic headache were: 12.43, 14.38, 15.21 and 15.62 (p= 0.107) (min 2 max 22). The areas of temporalis muscle showed significant differences among groups (p= 0.007). The number of painful points was not statistically different among groups and only in the temporalis muscle there were differences with statistical significant to palpation.

Digestibilidade e Parâmetros Ruminais de Bovinos Consumindo Brachiaria Brizantha Cv. Marandu

This experiment aimed to evaluate nutrient intake, total and partial digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral (NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fiber and ruminal parameters, ammonia concentration and volatile fatty acids, in beef cattle fed palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. marandu) at two regrowth ages, 30 and 60 days, at two times of year (January and February). The intake of DM, OM and CP was influenced by forage age of regrowth with high values for 30 days; this was influenced by time of year, being observed in February the higher intake by animals. DM digestibility average was 60.7 and 59.4% for 30 and 60 days of forage regrowth, respectively, however, was observed effect of interaction between regrowth and time of year, the same comportment was observed for OM, averages were 63.9 and 63% for respective ages of regrowth. CP digestibility was higher for 30 days, 70.8%, than for 60 days of regrowth, 57%. The NDF and ADF digestibilities were influenced by the interaction between regrowth and time of year; their average for 60 days of regrowth in January were respectively 54.8 and 48.5%, being the lower values and, in February, the higher values: 64.9 and 60.4%. The ruminal average digestibility was 79.5, 86.2, 99.4 and 96.7% of the total degradable for DM, OM, NDF and ADF, respectively. Effects of regrowth and time of year there were not recorded. Two hours after the morning meal was observed the ammonia ruminal concentration peak. The acetate:propionate: butirate ruminal ratio observed was 74:18:8(%).

Evaluation of electrical conductivity, pH and refractive index as physico-chemical parameters for quality control of Aveloz homeopathic solutions

Euphorbia tirucalli Lineu (Aveloz) belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae and is used in the treatment of cancer and warts. Some studies have reported that phorbol esters are the active principles responsible for the antitumor activity of Aveloz. The production of these molecules occurs in greater quantity in May, during the morning. This study aimed to evaluate whether the physico-chemical parameters of Aveloz homeopathic aqueous solutions such as pH, electrical conductivity and refractive index change due to storage time. Such parameters were measured regularly for 180 days. All solutions were prepared according to the method of grinding with lactose and subsequent dissolution in aqueous medium, as described in the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia, using as starting point the Aveloz latex collected in May. Homeopathic aqueous solutions containing only lactose were also prepared and evaluated as a control group. The potencies that were analyzed for electrical conductivity, pH and refractive index were: 4cH, 7cH, 9cH, 12cH, 14cH, 15cH, 29cH, 30cH. As a result, we found out that there was only statistical difference (p=0.035) in electrical conductivity between the homeopathic solutions containing Aveloz and the homeopathic solutions without Aveloz, when 15cH potency was compared. We also observed that the electrical conductivity increased with the aging of the solutions but is not directly related to the pH or the refractive index of the solutions, indicating that the aging process may alter the electrical conductivity of the homeopathic medicines. The presence of gas inside the glass that stores these solutions may affect the electrical conductivity measurements. Finally, no statistically significant difference was observed (p> 0.05) in the pH and refractive index.

Remote phenology: Applying machine learning to detect phenological patterns in a cerrado savanna

Plant phenology has gained importance in the context of global change research, stimulating the development of new technologies for phenological observation. Digital cameras have been successfully used as multi-channel imaging sensors, providing measures of leaf color change information (RGB channels), or leafing phenological changes in plants. We monitored leaf-changing patterns of a cerrado-savanna vegetation by taken daily digital images. We extract RGB channels from digital images and correlated with phenological changes. Our first goals were: (1) to test if the color change information is able to characterize the phenological pattern of a group of species; and (2) to test if individuals from the same functional group may be automatically identified using digital images. In this paper, we present a machine learning approach to detect phenological patterns in the digital images. Our preliminary results indicate that: (1) extreme hours (morning and afternoon) are the best for identifying plant species; and (2) different plant species present a different behavior with respect to the color change information. Based on those results, we suggest that individuals from the same functional group might be identified using digital images, and introduce a new tool to help phenology experts in the species identification and location on-the-ground. ©2012 IEEE.

Effects of intensification of the amazon river prawn, macrobrachium amazonicum, grow-out on effluent quality

Studies to determine suitable levels of intensification are essential for developing sustainable aquaculture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of effluents discharged from ponds stocked with 10 (D10), 20 (D20), 40 (D40), and 80 (D80) postlarvae of Macrobrachium amazonicum/m2. Intake and effluent water samples were taken throughout a 5.5-mo grow-out cycle. In that study, twelve 0.01-ha earthen ponds were stocked postlarvae with 0.01g. Average water exchange rate was 15%/d; water was discharged from the bottom of the ponds. Prawns were fed a commercial feed with 38% crude protein according to their biomass (3-10%) and the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO). In our research, temperature, turbidity, total suspended solids, conductivity, DO, pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), N-ammonia, N-nitrite, N-nitrate, N-Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, and soluble orthophosphate were measured every 15d throughout the experiment in the early morning (0630 to 0730h). Turbidity was lower in D10 than in D20 and D40 and total phosphorus was higher in D80 than in D10 and D20. An analysis of principal components comparing treatments and intake water showed three groups: intake, D10 and a cluster of D20, D40, and D80. On the basis of the water characteristics found in our study it appears that the farming of M. amazonicum is likely to have a low environmental impact, at least up to a stocking density of 80prawns/m2. © by the World Aquaculture Society 2013.

Effect of shade and water sprinkling on physiological responses and milk yields of Holstein cows in a semi-arid region

The effects of shading and water sprinkling on physiological responses and milk production were studied in Holstein cows managed in an equatorial semi-arid region. Five cows were observed for 36 days during May and June 2009. We studied the effects of sun, shade, shade plus single sprinkling, shade plus sprinkling every 2. h and shade plus sprinkling every hour on physiological responses, i.e., rectal temperature, coat surface temperature and respiratory rate, and on milk production. Environmental variables, i.e., air temperature, black globe temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity and wind speed, were recorded every 30. min throughout the observation period. The statistical analysis utilized a 5×5 replicated latin square, and the results showed reduced values in physiological variables in cows that were protected from short wave radiation and that received water sprinkling; milk yield increased by approximately 3.5. kg in such animals relative to those not receiving such treatment. However, the milk yield for the morning milking presented similar mean values regardless of whether the animals received shading and sprinkling benefits, which indicates that frequency of sprinkling and amount of time (permanence) in the shade were critical for the effect on milk yield. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Applying machine learning based on multiscale classifiers to detect remote phenology patterns in Cerrado savanna trees

Plant phenology is one of the most reliable indicators of species responses to global climate change, motivating the development of new technologies for phenological monitoring. Digital cameras or near remote systems have been efficiently applied as multi-channel imaging sensors, where leaf color information is extracted from the RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) color channels, and the changes in green levels are used to infer leafing patterns of plant species. In this scenario, texture information is a great ally for image analysis that has been little used in phenology studies. We monitored leaf-changing patterns of Cerrado savanna vegetation by taking daily digital images. We extract RGB channels from the digital images and correlate them with phenological changes. Additionally, we benefit from the inclusion of textural metrics for quantifying spatial heterogeneity. Our first goals are: (1) to test if color change information is able to characterize the phenological pattern of a group of species; (2) to test if the temporal variation in image texture is useful to distinguish plant species; and (3) to test if individuals from the same species may be automatically identified using digital images. In this paper, we present a machine learning approach based on multiscale classifiers to detect phenological patterns in the digital images. Our results indicate that: (1) extreme hours (morning and afternoon) are the best for identifying plant species; (2) different plant species present a different behavior with respect to the color change information; and (3) texture variation along temporal images is promising information for capturing phenological patterns. Based on those results, we suggest that individuals from the same species and functional group might be identified using digital images, and introduce a new tool to help phenology experts in the identification of new individuals from the same species in the image and their location on the ground. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Maternal offspring behaviour in curraleiro pé duro naturalized cattle in brazil

The objective of the present study consisted of describing dam and calf suckling behaviour of Curraleiro Pé Duro cattle. In this study, 38 mother-offspring pairs and one mother-offspring-orphan trio were observed for 10 hours daily during three consecutive days spaced every four months over a period of one year. After identification,theanimalswereobserved under field conditions where calf posture and the number of sucklingepisodes(NS),meansucklingduration(MSD),total suckling duration per day (TSD) as well as natural weaning of these animals were recorded. The model assessed the effects of calf sex and age as well as feeding time. Suckling episodes (70.6%) had a duration of one to five minutes and the calf that suckled in the inverted parallel position had greater chances of success during suckling (99.5%); the younger animals had a shorter mean suckling duration (4.0±0.6 minutes) than the older ones (7.5±1.2 minutes) but they showed a higher number of suckling episodes (6.29±1.00 vs. 1.33±0.04 feeds in 10 hours for young and older calves). Only the factor age in the firstthree months was significant for NS,MSD,and TSD;males and females had similar suckling episode length and distribution. While these animals show some traits similar to other cattle breeds such as feeding their calves early in the morning and late in the afternoon, the dams spend large periods of the day away from their calves and suckling is more frequent but for shorter periods of time compared with other breeds. Other unique features such as allo-suckling and formation of day-long crèches are observed in this breed. © 2013 Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia;.

Rastreamento de polimorfsmos no gene HIOMT e associações com os fenótipos circadianos

HIOMT is a gene that encodes hydroxyindole-O-methyltransfe-rase, the final enzyme in the melatonin synthesis pathway. As the timing of melatonin synthesis is different for morning and evening people, it is possible that polymorphisms in genes coding for the enzymes which participate in melatonin synthesis can influence this hormone synthesis and release patterns that may result in different circadian outputs. The aim of this study was to search for polymorphisms in the HIOMT gene and to verify possible associations between genetic variations in this gene and circadian phenotypes in a Brazilian population sample. Among the 44 extreme morning and the 48 extreme evening people, ten polymorphisms were found, being two of them not described so far. Haploview analyses showed linkage disequilibrium between pairs of polymorphisms in the promoter B region. Also, the haplotype AG (rs4446909, rs5989681) is associated with evening preference. The analysis of these data indicates that polymorphisms in the HIOMT gene exhibit a possible trend to influence circadian phenotypes in this Brazilian population sample, possibly affecting the rate and/or level of melatonin synthesis.