Parâmetros bioquímicos sanguíneos, balanço de nitrogênio e metabolizabilidade da energia bruta em suínos alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes balanços eletrolíticos

The aim of this study was to evaluate different dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) on the blood biochemical parameters, nitrogen balances and crude metabolizable energy of swine in the initial phase. Sixteen barrows were used, averaging 27.95 kg of initial weight, allotted individually in metabolic cages in a randomized blocks design with four treatments (DEB of 160, 208, 257 and 305 mEq/kg) and 4 replicates. The blood biochemical parameters analyzed were chloride, potassium, sodium and urea in blood. Urine pH was also evaluated, and the parameters evaluated in nitrogen (N) balance were N intake, fecal N, N excreted in urine, absorbed N, N retention, retained N/absorbed N and total excretion of N. The gross energy digestibility and metabolizibility coefficients were determined, and the respectives values of digestible and metabolizable energy. The values of urinary pH increased (P < 0.01) linearly with increasing levels of DEB, ranging from 6.90 to 8.03. The results for chloride, potassium and nitrogen balances of variables and gross energy were similar (P > 0.05) between the evaluated DEB. A linear increase (P < 0.01) was also observed for sodium concentrations in blood serum due to the increase of DEB, with values of 2.91, 3.03, 3.27 and 3.18 g/l, respectively for the different treatments. Urea levels in blood serum increased linearly (P < 0.01), with values of 26.21, 28.64, 34.32 and 32.89 mg/dl. It was concluded that increasing the dietary electrolyte balance, from 160 to 305 mEq/kg resulted in higher concentrations of urea and sodium in blood serum, and higher pH values in the urine of swine in the initial phase.

Estoque de carbono orgânico no solo afetado por adubação orgânica e sistemas de culturas no Sul do Brasil

Organic carbon is a major component of soil organic matter and its stock is influenced by the management system adopted. This study aimed to examine the effects of cropping systems and nutrient sources (mineral and organic) on the concentrations and storage of soil organic carbon in no-tillage system. The experiment was carried out in Mercedes, Parana, Brazil, in an Nitossolo Vermelho (Alfisol) from October 2007 to September 2009. The treatments consisted of four crop succession systems: (1) soybean/wheat/corn/wheat; (2) soybean/black oat/corn/black oat, (3) soybean/radish/corn/radish and (4) soybean/common vetch/corn/common vetch and by two sources of nutrients (mineral and organic), arranged in a to split plot randomized block design with four replications. Soil samples were collected in layers of 0.0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.20 and 0.20 to 0.40 m deep in the first and the second years of cultivation. Different cropping systems does not affect the content and the stock of soil organic carbon in the first two years of adoption of the systems. The organic fertilization with manure increased soil organic carbon stock, with an annual contribution of C, layer 0.0 to 0.20 m, 1.15 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1). Cropping systems fertilized with mineral fertilizers provide the greatest losses of soil organic carbon, resulting in negative balance of C in soil.

Food intake and thermic effect of feeding in thyroid-deficient pigs

Short and long-term thyroidectomy and Methimazole treatment reduced food intake in young growing pigs. The thermic effect of feeding assessed by the increment in rectal temperature after the beginning of food ingestion was reduced in thyroidectomized animals, but no effect could be observed in Methimazole-treated pigs. Propranolol injection after short-term treatment decreased food intake in sham-operated and treated animals, but reduced the thermic effect of feeding only in the thyroidectomized and Methimazole-treated pigs. Long-term treatment inhibited the effect of propranolol in reducing food intake and the thermic effect of feeding. On the basis of these data, it was suggested that the interaction between thyroid hormones and catecholamines (noradrenaline) plays an important role in the regulation of food intake and in the thermic effect of feeding in thyroid-deficient pigs.

Observations on the development of the febrile response to pyrogen in newborn pigs

The febrile response of newborn pigs to exogenous pyrogen injection was investigated. Lipopolysacharides (LPS, E coli) were injected intravenously into the superior vena cava of 1-30-day-old piglets. All the experiments were carried out in littermates half of which were injected with pyrogen and half with pyrogen-free saline. Newborn pigs did not develop a febrile response from 1 to 4 days of age; however, when the animals were 5 days old exogenous pyrogen determined a typical monophasic febrile response. A second intravenous injection of pyrogen into newborn pigs (1 day old) 24 h after the first did not raise body temperature. It is suggested that newborn pigs behave like the newborn of other mammalian species regarding endotoxin-induced thermogenesis.

Effect of ambient temperature and thyroid hormones on food intake by pigs

Food intake and plasma thyroid hormone levels (T4 and T3) were higher in pigs acclimated to cold (12°) than hot (32°) environments. The exposure of cold pigs to hot ambient temperature decreased food intake and plasma T4 and T3, whereas for hot acclimated animals the change in ambient temperature (from 32 to 12° C) increased food intake and plasma thyroid hormone levels, but the new steady state level of food intake was reached only after 96 hr of temperature transfer despite the rapid change in plasma levels of thyroid hormones. Cold-acclimated pigs, when transferred to a hot environment after thyroidectomy, also reduced food intake, but hot pigs shifted to cold ambient temperature after thyroidectomy did not significantly increase food ingestion. The results of this experiment suggest that food intake adjustment depends on the previous living temperature and that thyroid hormones seem to play an important role in increasing the metabolically active mass that probably sustains the new steady state level of food intake, particularly in a cold environment.

Virulence factors in Escherichia coli strains isolated from pigs in the Ribeirao Preto region, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Three-hundred faecal swabs were obtained from pigs with diarrhoea in farms located in different areas of the Ribeirao Preto region in the State of Sao Paulo. One-hundred Escherichia coli strains were isolated and tested for production of thermolabile (TL) and thermostable (STRa and STb) enterotoxins, and for the presence of colonization factors F4, F5 and F6. The strains were also tested for sensitivity to 14 antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents. Twenty-four Escherichia coli strains produced enterotoxin STb, 5 produced LT and 3 produced STa. In the mannose-resistant haemagglutination reaction, one strain reacted positively with sheep, chicken, horse and human red blood cells and another reacted positively with guinea pig, sheep, chicken, horse and human red cells. However, both strains were negative for colonization factors F4, F5 and F6 when submitted to the slide agglutination test. All Escherichia coli strains were resistant to at least one antibiotic, the highest percentages being obtained for resistance to penicillin, tetracycline and cephalotin. In addition to the importance of the virulence factors normally encountered in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains from pigs, the present results show the possible existence of new colonization factors other than F4, F5 and F6 participating in E. coli-induced pigs colibacillosis in the Ribeirao Preto region.

Incorporação de mucuna-preta e de restos culturais de milho antes da cultura do feijão (Phaseolus vugaris L.) de inverno

The experiments were conducted during two years (1990/91 and 1992/93), to study the effects of the incorporation of bengal velvetbean and of residues on the development and yield of the winter bean crops. The trial was developed in experimental field at the Faculdade de Engenharia de Ilha Solteira, UNESP, located in Selvíria, MS, Brazil, in dark red latosol covered by savanna vegetation. It was concluded that: the incorporation of residues of corn or corn + bengal velvetbean or only bengal velvetbean had no effects on soil chemical characteristics, evaluated 80 days after the residues incorporation; in yield and bean crop development, no statistical differences were observed among treatments.

Fermentacao de 26-deoxilaidlomicina por Streptomyces sp. Ar386

In a previous work a strain of microorganism was isolated in Araraquara region, SP, Brazil, and characterized as being Streptomyces sp. Ar386, producer of 26-deoxylaidlomycin and of more three polietheric antibiotics. In this paper there are presented studies about fermentation characteristics of the antibiotic performed in incubator agitator utilizing various cultivation technics and media. A medium containing part of energy source as free sugar and part as amilaceous material presented the best result. As the Streptomyces sp. Ar386 produced few spores, it was necessary special care to provide sufficient quantity of microorganisms in inoculation. The biosynthesis of antibiotics intensified between the forth and seventh day. The yields varied from 8 to 443 mg of antibiotic complex per litre of medium. As a polyether antibiotic it may be used as anticoccidal agent in poultry and as growth promoters in cattle and swine.

Efeito de biofertilizantes sobre o crescimento micelial e a germinação de esporos de alguns fungos fitopatogênicos

The biofertilizer was produced through anaerobic fermentation of cow manure adding milk, sugar, salts, cow liver parts and bone powder. After 73 days of fermentation it was evaluated the effect on micelial growth of Pythium aphanidermatum, Alternaria solani, Stemphylium solani, Septoria licopersici, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Botrytis cinerea, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli and spores germination of B. cinerea, A. solani, Hemileia vastatrix and Coleosporium plumierae. In relation to micelial growth inhibition, the growth rate was calculated and it was found that, in general, concentrations over 10% caused a total inhibition of growth for the majority of fungi assayed. In case of spores germination, biofertilizer concentration over 20% has inhibited completely the germination of B. cinerea, over 10% inhibited A. solani, 5 and 1% of C. plumierae and H. vastatrix, respectively. Three different biofertilizers were also tested and one of them was less effective, which was the one produced with manure from confined cows opposed to the others produced with grazing cows.

Aditivos na ensilagem do capim-elefante. I. Composição bromatológica das forragens e das respectivas silagens

The effect of the addition of ground ear corn with husks, wheat bran and saccharin, on the rate of 0, 8, 16 and 24% (dry weight of additive/wet weight of cut green grass), upon the chemical composition of both fodder and silage of Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Guaçu was evaluated. A split-plot randomized block design was used. The plots were the additives and their levels and the sub-plots the material types (forage + additives and their silages). The grass was fertilized with 20 t/ha of green manure and 80, 160 and 160 kg/ha of P2O5, N and K2O, respectively. The material (chopped grass mixed with the levels of the additives) was ensiled in experimental silos (200 L plastic vessels). The dry matter percentages increased linearly as additive levels increased, being greater the effect of ground ear corn with husks. Wheat bran addition and saccharin increased the crude protein and soluble carbohydrates percentages while the ground ear corn with husks addition decreased them. Losses of dry matter soluble compounds (CP, ash and NFE) and a relative rise in the less soluble compounds (CF and organic matter) were observed.

Influence of fertilizer on coumarin content and biomass production in Mikania glomerata sprengel

Mikania glomerata Sprengel leaf extracts have been used in cough syrup formulations due to the presence of active coumarin derivatives. Yields of such natural compounds in cultivated plants can be affected by several nutritional factors. To determine the effect of fertilization on biomass productivity, organ proportion and coumarin content, Mikania glomerata plants were submitted during one year to treatments with organic (humus or manure) and inorganic (different levels of nitrogen) fertilizers. Coumarin concentration was raised by organic fertilization, inorganic nutrients induced increased phytomass (stem and leaf) yield, however no fertilized plants showed enhanced leaf production.

Intestinal colonization of a human subject by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium

Objective: To study the ability of two strains of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium to colonize the human intestine. Methods: A single human subject ingested separately two strains of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium isolated from a pig and a chicken. The feces were cultured on selective medium. Prior to ingestion no vancomycin-resistant cocci were present in the feces. Ingestion of 10 4-10 5 CFU resulted in either no colonization or isolation only after enrichment. Ingestion of 10 7 CFU of one strain resulted in colonization for a period of nearly 3 weeks, with fecal counts at times in excess of 10 6 CFU/g. Ingestion of similar numbers of the other strain and reingestion of the first strain resulted in excretion in the feces for much shorter periods. When the fecal count of the ingested strains was greater than 10 4-10 5 CFU/g, the strains were isolated from swabs taken from perianal skin. Conclusions: Vancomycin-resistant E. faecium strains from pigs and poultry a re able to colonize the human gut and the perianal skin.

Influence of different routes of flush perfusion on the distribution of lung preservation solutions in parenchyma and airways

Objective: The present study was performed to investigate the influence of different routes of perfusion on the distribution of the preservation solutions in the lung parenchyma and upper airways. Methods: Pigs were divided into four groups: control (n = 6), pulmonary artery (PA) (n = 6), simultaneous PA + bronchial artery (BA) (n = 8), and retrograde delivery (n = 6). After preparation and cannulation, cardioplegia solution and Euro- Collins solution (ECS) for lung preservation were given simultaneously. After removal of the heart, the double lung bloc was harvested. Following parameters were assessed: total and regional perfusion (dye-labeled microspheres), tissue water content, PA, aorta, left atrial and left ventricular pressures, cardiac output and lung temperature. Results: Our data show that flow of the ECS in lung parenchyma did not reach control values (9.4 ± 1.0 ml/min per g lung wet weight) regardless of the route of delivery (PA 6.3 ± 1.5, PA + BA 4.8 ± 0.9, retrograde 2.7 ± 0.9 ml/min per g lung wet weight). However, flow in the proximal and distal trachea were significantly increased by PA + BA delivery (0.970 ± 0.4, respectively, 0.380 ± 0.2 ml/min per g) in comparison with PA (0.023 ± 0.007, respectively, 0.024 ± 0.070 ml/min per g), retrograde (0.009 ± 0.003, respectively, 0.021 ± 0.006 ml/min per g) and control experiments (0.125 ± 0.0018, respectively, 0.105 ± 0.012 ml/g per min). Similarly the highest flow rates in the right main bronchus were achieved by PA + BA delivery (1.04 ± 0.4 ml/min per g) in comparison with 0.11 ± 0.03 in control, 0.033 ± 0.008 in PA, and 0.019 ± 0.005 ml/min per g in retrograde group. Flows in the left main bronchus were 0.09 ± 0.02 ml/min per g in control, 0.045 ± 0.012 ml/min per g in PA, and 0.027 ± 0.006 ml/min per g in retrograde group. The flow rates were significantly (P = 0.001) increased by PA + BA delivery of the storage solution (0.97 ± 0.3 ml/min per g). Conclusions: Our data show that the distribution of ECS for lung preservation is significantly improved in airway tissues (trachea and bronchi) if a simultaneous PA + BA delivery is used.