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Abstract Mining has played an important role in the economies of South American countries. Although industrial mining prevails in most countries, the expansion of garimpo activity has increased substantially. Recently, Brazil exhibited two moments of garimpo dominance over industrial mining: 1989–1997 and 2019–2022. While industrial mining sites occupied ~ 360 km2 in 1985 but increased to 1800 km2 in 2022, a 5-fold increase, garimpo mining area increased by ~ 1200%, from ~ 218 km2 in 1985 to ~ 2627 km2 in 2022. More than 91% of this activity is concentrated in the Amazon. Where almost 40% of the sites are five years old or younger, this proportion increases to 62% within Indigenous lands (ILs). Regarding the legal aspect, at least 77% of the 2022 extraction sites showed explicit signs of illegality. Particular attention must be given to the Kayapo, Munduruku, and Yanomami ILs. Together, they concentrate over 90% of the garimpo across ILs.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different anti-mycotoxin feed additives on the concentration of mycotoxins in milk, urine, and blood plasma of dairy cows fed diets artificially contaminated with mycotoxins. Secondarily, performance, total-tract apparent digestibility of nutrients, and blood parameters were evaluated. Twelve multiparous cows (165 ± 45 DIM, 557 ± 49 kg BW, and 32.1 ± 4.57 kg/d milk yield at the start of the experiment) were blocked according to parity, milk yield, and DIM and used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment with 21-d periods, where the last 7 d were used for sampling and data analysis. Treatments were (1) mycotoxin group (MTX), basal diet (BD) without anti-mycotoxin feed additives; (2) hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCA), HSCA added to the BD at 25 g/cow per day; (3) mycotoxin deactivator (MD; Mycofix Plus, dsm-firmenich) added to the BD at 15 g/cow per day (MD15); and (4) MD added to the BD at 30 g/cow per day (MD30). Cows from all treatments were challenged with a blend of mycotoxins containing 404 μg of aflatoxin B1, 5,025 μg of deoxynivalenol (DON), 8,046 μg of fumonisins (FUM), 195 μg of T2 toxin (T2), and 2,034 μg of zearalenone (ZEN) added daily to the BD during the last 7 d of each period. Neither performance (milk yield and composition) nor nutrient digestibility was affected by treatments. All additives reduced aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) concentration in milk, whereas MD15 and MD30 group had lower excretion of AFM1 in milk than HSCA. Deoxynivalenol, FUM, T2, or ZEN were not detected in milk of MD15 and MD30. Concentrations in milk of DON, FUM, T2, and ZEN were similar between MTX and HSCA. Except for AFM1, none of the analyzed mycotoxins were detected in urine of MD30 group. Comparing HSCA to MD treatments, the concentration of AFM1 was greater for HSCA, whereas MD30 was more efficient at reducing AFM1 in urine than MD15. Aflatoxin M1, DON, FUM, and ZEN were not detected in the plasma of cows fed MD30, and DON was also not detected in MD15 group. Plasma concentration of FUM was lower for MD15, similar plasma FUM concentration was reported for HSCA and MTX. Plasma concentration of ZEN was lower for MD15 than MTX and HSCA. Serum concentrations of haptoglobin and hepatic enzymes were not affected by treatments. Blood concentration of sodium was lower in HSCA compared with MD15 and MD30 groups. In conclusion, the mycotoxin deactivator proved to be effective in reducing the secretion of mycotoxins in milk, urine, and blood plasma, regardless of the dosage. This reduction was achieved without adverse effects on milk production or total-tract digestibility in cows fed multi-mycotoxin-contaminated diets over a short-term period. Greater reductions in mycotoxin secretion were observed with full dose of MD.

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of live or autolyzed yeast supplementation on dairy cow performance and ruminal fermentation. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate performance, feed sorting, total-tract apparent digestibility of nutrients, purine derivatives excretion, N utilization, ruminal fermentation, and the abundance of specific bacterial groups in the rumen. In experiment 1, 39 Holstein cows (171 ± 40 DIM and 32.6 ± 5.4 kg/d milk yield) were blocked according to parity, DIM, and milk yield and randomly assigned to the following treatments: control (CON); autolyzed yeast fed at 0.625 g/kg DM (AY; Levabon, DSM-Firmenich); or live yeast fed at 0.125 g/kg DM (LY; Vistacell, AB Vista). Cows were submitted to a 2-wk adaptation period followed by a 9-wk trial. In experiment 2, 8 ruminal cannulated Holstein cows (28.4 ± 4.0 kg/d milk yield and 216 ± 30 DIM), of which 4 were multiparous and 4 were primiparous, were blocked according to parity and enrolled into a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment with 21-d periods (the last 7 d for sampling). Cows within blocks were randomly assigned to treatment sequences: control (CON), LY (using the same product and dietary concentration as described in experiment 1), AY, or autolyzed yeast fed at 0.834 g/kg DM (AY2). In experiments 1 and 2, nutrient intake and total-tract apparent digestibility were not affected by treatments. Sorting for long feed particles (>19 mm) tended to be greater in cows fed yeast supplements than CON in experiment 1. Efficiency of N conversion into milk N was increased when feeding yeast supplements in experiment 1, and 3.5% FCM yield tended to be greater in cows fed yeast supplements than CON. Feed efficiency was increased when yeast supplements were fed to cows in relation to CON in experiment 1. In experiment 2, yield of FCM and fat were greater in cows fed yeast supplements compared with CON. Uric acid concentration and output in urine were increased when feeding yeast supplements when compared with CON. Neither ruminal pH nor total VFA were influenced by treatments. The current study did not reveal treatment differences in ruminal abundance of Anaerovibrio lipolytica, the genus Butyrivibrio, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus, or Streptococcus bovis. Yeast supplementation can increase feed efficiency without affecting nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal VFA concentration, or ruminal abundance of specific bacterial groups. Supplementing live or autolyzed yeast, regardless of the dose, resulted in similar performance.

Plant–soil interactions of endangered species with a high-priority conservation status are important to define in situ and ex situ conservation and restoration projects. The threatened endemic Coincya transtagana, thriving in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, can grow in metalliferous soils. The main goal of this study was to investigate the behavior of this species in soils rich in potentially toxic elements in the abandoned Aparis Cu mine. Soil samples were characterized for physicochemical properties and multielemental composition, as well as biological activity, through an analysis of enzymatic activities. Plant biomass was assessed, and multielemental analysis of the plants was also performed. The mine soils had slightly basic pH values and were non-saline and poor in mineral N-NH4, with medium-to-high organic matter concentration and medium cation-exchange capacity. In these soils, dehydrogenase had the highest activity, whereas protease had the lowest activity. The total concentrations of Cu (1.3–5.9 g/kg) and As (37.9–118 mg/kg) in soils were very high, and the available fraction of Cu in the soil also had high concentration values (49–491 mg/kg). Moreover, this study shows for the first time that C. transtagana had high uptake and translocation capacities from roots to shoots for Cu, Ni, and Cr. Although Cu in the plants’ aerial parts (40–286 mg/kg) was considered excessive/toxic, no signs of plant toxicity disorders or P uptake reduction were detected. This preliminary study revealed that C. transtagana is Cu-tolerant, and it could be used for phytoremediation of soils contaminated with potentially toxic elements, while also contributing to its conservation.

With more than 125,000 described species, Diptera are considered a megadiverse order. However, immatures display great morphological homogeneity, making few species of Diptera from the Cyclorrhaphan group easy to identify. The main species of medical, sanitary, and forensic importance are found in this group, highlighting the relevance of their description. The uniformity of the group limits sensitive techniques for identifying immatures; therefore, this study reports characters that can be used to identify these insects using scanning electron microscopy. Based on an investigation and analysis of the relevant scientific literature, we suggest combining techniques for accurate morphological identifications of flies.

Helicobia aurescens is a flesh fly associated with pig and rat carcasses. This study aims to describe the life cycle at two temperatures (27 ± 1 °C and 29 ± 1 °C) and analyze the morphological characteristics of the eggs, larvae, and puparia of H. aurescens using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Temperature is an abiotic factor that greatly influences the development of insects. The larval development of H. aurescens lasts longer at 27 ± 1 °C than it does at 29 ± 1 °C, affecting the growth of newly hatched larvae into adults. The females larviposited three times more at 27 °C than they did at 29 °C, and the number of days laying larvae was also greater. At 27 °C, they laid larvae for 38 days, whereas, at 29 °C, the females larviposited for 21 days. No hatching lines or median areas were detected on the exochorion with SEM, as in the other sarcophagid species. The first-instar larva is very similar to those of the other species. The second instar has anterior spiracles present on the first thoracic segment, with six or seven ramifications aligned regularly. On the third instar, these structures have eight ramifications in a regular row and are located dorsolaterally. The puparium morphology is similar to that of the third-instar larvae.

Background: Syphilis remains a significant global public health concern, and one of its consequences in pregnant women is the potential occurrence of congenital syphilis due to Treponema pallidum infection. This study determined the prevalence of syphilis among pregnant women undergoing prenatal care in a neighborhood on the outskirts of the city of Belém, Brazilian Amazon. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from clinical records of 611 pregnant women who underwent prenatal care at a public health unit in 2019 and 2020. The reagent result for VDRL was used as an indicator of syphilis. Odds Ratio and chi-square tests were used to evaluate the association of information from pregnant women with syphilis. Results: The overall prevalence of syphilis was 5.2 % (32/611; 95 % CI: 3.5–7.0 %). Age under 23 years was identified as a risk factor for syphilis. Conclusions: The prevalence of syphilis among pregnant women in the outskirts of Belém is high, especially among younger women. There is an urgent need to intensify innovative sexual and reproductive health education initiatives and emphasize the importance of consistent practice of preventive measures against syphilis and other STIs in the Amazon region, especially in the young population.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exogenous amylase on gas production, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and in vitro digestion kinetics of sorghum (Sorghum vulgaris) and two corn hybrids of different grain textures. Ruminal fluid was collected from two rumen-fistulated cows receiving or not exogenous amylase (0.7g kg-1 of dry matter (DM basis)), provided to achieve 396 kilo Novo units kg-1 for amylase activity (DM basis). Gas production was measured after 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 30, 36, 42 e 48 hours of incubation. Amylase increased gas production (mL) by 5.4%. Corn hybrids have higher in vitro dry matter digestibility than sorghum. Exogenous amylase increased the potential of gas production (A) (P=0.01). There was an effect of hybrid for IVDMD (P

Background: Syphilis remains a significant global public health issue, and female sex workers (FSWs) are highly vulnerable to the etiological agent of this disease. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of exposure to Treponema pallidum, as well as the vulnerability factors among FSWs in the state of Pará, Brazilian Amazon. Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study involving 360 FSWs from five cities in Pará was conducted from 2005 to 2007. Blood samples were collected for treponemal and non-treponemal testing, and epidemiological information was obtained through interviews. Results: The exposure rate to T. pallidum was 37.7% (136/360), and the majority of FSWs had serological results indicating past exposure (21.1%). Among the FSWs exposed to T. pallidum, most of them were single, aged 23 to 42 years old, had less than 8 years of schooling, and had a family income of between 1 and 3 minimum wages. They reported using condoms during sexual intercourse and had no history of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Furthermore, many of the FSWs exposed to T. pallidum reported having more than 20 sexual partners per month, and had partners from other Brazilian states, but not from other countries. An age over 42 years and a reduced level of education were factors associated with exposure to T. pallidum. Finally, a high rate of exposure to T. pallidum among FSWs in the Brazilian state of Pará (from 2005 to 2007) was detected. In later years, epidemiological studies conducted with FSWs recorded that this rate remained high. Measures to control, treat, and prevent syphilis among FSWs were necessary between 2005 and 2007, and they are still imperative today. Actions related to educational programs and STI control, treatment, and prevention measures contained in Brazilian policies aimed at women’s health have not changed the vulnerability scenario of FSWs regarding their exposure to T. pallidum, even after 16 years, and must be reviewed and adapted to the conditions of the Brazilian Amazon.

ABSTRACT: The objectives of this experiment were to determine the effects of supplementing 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (calcidiol, CAL) compared with vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, CHOL) at 1 or 3 mg/d in late gestation on production outcomes of dairy cows. One hundred thirty-three parous and 44 nulliparous pregnant Holstein cows were enrolled in the experiment. Cows were blocked by parity and previous lactation milk yield (parous) or genetic merit (nulliparous) and assigned randomly to receive 1 or 3 mg/d of CAL or CHOL in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (CAL1, CAL3, CHOL1, and CHOL3). Treatments were provided to individual cows as a top-dress to the prepartum diet from 250 d in gestation until parturition. The prepartum diet had a dietary cation-anion difference of −128 mEq/kg of dry matter. Production and disease were evaluated for the first 42 d in milk, and reproduction was evaluated to 300 d in milk. Incidence of postpartum diseases did not differ among treatments. Feeding CAL compared with CHOL increased yields of colostrum and colostrum fat, protein, and total solids, resulting in an increased amount of net energy for lactation secreted as colostrum (CHOL = 7.0 vs. CAL = 9.0 ± 0.7 Mcal). An interaction between source and amount was observed for milk yield: CAL3 increased milk yield compared with CHOL3 (CHOL3 = 34.1 vs. CAL3 = 38.7 ± 1.4 kg/d) but milk yield did not differ between CAL1 and CHOL1 (CHOL1 = 36.9 vs. CAL1 = 36.4 ± 1.4 kg/d). Concentrations of serum calcidiol on day of calving and average serum Ca from d 2 to 11 postpartum were positively associated with milk yield in the first 42 d in milk. Interactions between source and amount of vitamin D were also observed for pregnancy after first AI: the percentage of cows receiving CHOL1 and CAL3 that became pregnant was smaller than that of cows receiving CHOL3 and CAL1. However, pregnancy per AI and pregnancy by 300 d in milk did not differ among treatments. Overall, CAL3 increased milk yield compared with CHOL3, whereas in cows fed 1 mg/d (CAL1 and CHOL1), the source of vitamin D generally had no effect. The effect of CAL3 may be explained in part by serum CAL concentrations and postpartum serum Ca, which were associated with milk yield.

ABSTRACT: The objectives were to test the effects of dietary vitamin D3 [cholecalciferol (CHOL)] compared with 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [calcidiol (CAL)] on vitamin D status and response to an endotoxin challenge. Forty-five Holstein bull calves (5 ± 2 d of age) were blocked into weekly cohorts, fed a basal diet that provided 0.25 µg/kg body weight (BW) CHOL, and assigned randomly to 1 of 5 treatments: control [(CON) no additional vitamin D], 1.5 µg/kg BW CHOL (CHOL1.5), 3 µg/kg BW CHOL (CHOL3), 1.5 µg/kg BW CAL (CAL1.5), or 3 µg/kg BW CAL (CAL3). Calves were fed milk replacer until weaning at 56 d of age and had ad libitum access to water and starter grain throughout the experiment. Treatments were added daily to the diet of milk replacer until weaning and starter grain after weaning. Measures of growth, dry matter intake, and serum concentrations of vitamin D, Ca, Mg, and P were collected from 0 to 91 d of the experiment. At 91 d of the experiment, calves received an intravenous injection of 0.1 µg/kg BW lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Clinical and physiological responses were measured from 0 to 72 h relative to LPS injection. Data were analyzed with mixed models that included fixed effects of treatment and time, and random effect of block. Orthogonal contrasts evaluated the effects of (1) source (CAL vs. CHOL), (2) dose (1.5 vs. 3.0 µg/kg BW), (3) interaction between source and dose, and (4) supplementation (CON vs. all other treatments) of vitamin D. From 21 to 91 d of the experiment, mean BW of supplemented calves was less compared with CON calves, but the effect was predominantly a result of the CHOL calves, which tended to weigh less than the CAL calves. Supplementing vitamin D increased concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in serum compared with CON, but the increment from increasing the dose from 1.5 to 3.0 µg/kg BW was greater for CAL compared with CHOL (CON = 18.9, CHOL = 24.7 and 29.6, CAL = 35.6 and 65.7 ± 3.2 ng/mL, respectively). Feeding CAL also increased serum Ca and P compared with CHOL. An interaction between source and dose of treatment was observed for rectal temperature and derivatives of reactive metabolites after LPS challenge because calves receiving CHOL3 and CAL1.5 had lower rectal temperatures and plasma derivatives of reactive metabolites compared with calves receiving CHOL1.5 and CAL3. Supplementing vitamin D increased plasma P concentrations post-LPS challenge compared with CON, but plasma concentrations of Ca, Mg, fatty acids, glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, haptoglobin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and antioxidant potential did not differ among treatments post-LPS challenge. Last, supplementing vitamin D increased granulocytes as a percentage of blood leukocytes post-LPS challenge compared with CON. Supplementing CAL as a source of vitamin D to dairy calves was more effective at increasing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, Ca, and P concentrations compared with feeding CHOL. Supplemental source and dose of vitamin D also influenced responses to the LPS challenge.

ABSTRACT: The objectives of the experiment were to determine the effects of supplementing 2 amounts of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (calcidiol; CAL) compared with equal amounts of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol; CHOL) on serum concentrations, absorptions, and retentions of Ca, Mg, and P in periparturient dairy cows. One hundred seventy-seven (133 parous and 44 nulliparous) pregnant Holstein cows were enrolled in the experiment. Cows were blocked by parity and previous lactation milk yield (parous) or genetic merit for energy-corrected milk yield (nulliparous) and assigned randomly to receive 1 or 3 mg/d of CAL or CHOL in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments were provided to individual cows as a top-dress to the prepartum diet from 250 d gestation until parturition. The prepartum diet had a dietary cation-anion difference of −128 mEq/kg of dry matter. All cows were fed a common postpartum diet containing 46 μg of vitamin D3/kg of dry matter without further supplementation of treatments. Concentrations of vitamin D metabolites, Ca, Mg, and P in serum were measured pre- and postpartum, in addition to total-tract digestibility and urinary excretion of Ca, Mg, and P in the prepartum period. Feeding 3 mg compared with 1 mg of CAL increased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (CAL1 = 94 vs. CAL3 = 173 ± 3 ng/mL). In comparison, the increment in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 from feeding 3 mg compared with 1 mg of CHOL was small (CHOL1 = 58 vs. CHOL3 = 64 ± 3 ng/mL). Feeding CAL increased prepartum concentration of P in serum compared with CHOL (CHOL = 1.87 vs. CAL = 2.01 ± 0.02 mM), regardless of the amount fed, but neither source nor amount affected prepartum Ca or Mg in serum. Feeding CAL increased serum Ca and P for the first 11 d postpartum compared with CHOL (CHOL = 2.12 vs. CAL = 2.16 ± 0.01 mM serum Ca; CHOL = 1.70 vs. CAL = 1.78 ± 0.02 mM serum P) but the amount of vitamin D did not affect postpartum concentrations of Ca, Mg, and P in serum. Feeding CAL increased prepartum apparent digestibility of Ca compared with CHOL (CHOL = 26.6 vs. CAL = 33.5 ± 2.8%) but treatments did not affect Ca retention prepartum. Neither source nor amount of vitamin D affected Mg and P apparent digestibility, but CAL decreased the concentration of P excreted in urine during the prepartum period (CHOL = 1.8 vs. CAL = 0.8 ± 0.3 g/d). Calcidiol tended to increase the amount of Ca secreted in colostrum (CHOL = 9.1 vs. CAL = 11.2 ± 0.9 g/d) and Ca excreted in urine postpartum (CHOL = 0.4 vs. CAL = 0.6 ± 0.1 g/d) compared with CHOL. Collectively, feeding CAL at 1 or 3 mg/d compared with CHOL in the last 24 d of gestation is an effective way to increase periparturient serum P concentration and postpartum serum Ca of dairy cows fed a prepartum diet with negative DCAD.

Introdução: Infecções sexualmente transmissíveis são um problema de saúde pública. As infecções por Herpes simplex 1 e 2 (HSV-1 e HSV-2) e Papilomavírus Humano (HPV) são consideradas as IST mais frequentes no mundo, estando relacionadas à infecção persistente, com ocorrência de complicações no sistema reprodutor. Além disso, o HPV é considerado agente causal do câncer de colo uterino. Desse modo, o presente estudo visou descrever a prevalência da infecção pelos herpes simples e HPV em mulheres que realizaram o exame Preventivo de Câncer de Colo do Útero, bem como correlacionar os dados de prevalências com variáveis sociodemográficas e epidemiológicas da população investigada. Métodos: Foram analisadas amostras cérvico-uterinas de 147 mulheres atendidas em uma Unidade Municipal de Saúde de Belém-PA. Todas as amostras foram submetidas à extração de ácido nucleico através do kit High Pure PCR Template. A pesquisa viral foi realizada através de PCR Multiplex para HSV-1, HSV-2 e HPV. Os amplicons obtidos foram visualizados por meio da eletroforese em gel de agarose a 2%. Os dados sociodemográficos e epidemiológicos foram obtidos por meio de questionário auto aplicado e foram correlacionados com a infecção viral através do Teste Qui-quadrado. O presente estudo foi aprovado pelo CEP da Universidade Federal do Pará sob o parecer N° 3.297.951. Resultados: A prevalência da infecção pelo HPV foi de 18,36% (27/147), e de herpes simples foi 8,84% (13/147), sendo o HSV-1 responsável pela maioria dos casos (61,53%; 8/13). A co-infecção herpes/HPV foi observada em 3,41% dos casos (5/147). A média da idade das mulheres infectadas com pelo menos um dos vírus foi 26 anos, sendo a idade mínima 20 e a máxima 33. A maioria (64,7%) se autodeclarou parda; heterossexual (55,8%); solteiras (97,0%); com nível de escolaridade até o ensino médio incompleto (55,8%); renda familiar de até um salário-mínimo (73,5%). Referente à saúde reprodutiva, a maioria das mulheres iniciou a vida sexual até os 15 anos (55,8%), se relacionou com apenas um parceiro (67,6%); 70,5% fazem uso irregular do preservativo; 52,9% referiu nunca ter engravidado; e 55,8% informaram não ter realizado exames/consulta ginecológica nos últimos 3 anos. Conclusão: A prevalência de infecção por HPV e Herpes simples corroborou com achados descritos em estudos conduzidos no Brasil, estando a infecção associada a variável número de parceiros sexuais (p = 0,0140).

AbstractThe benefits of the human-animal bond on owners’ health and quality of life have been the focus of research in recent decades. However, the results are still inconsistent. Thus, this study aims to investigate whether the presence of a pet, compared to a control group, influences daily physical activity levels and mental health using a meta-analytic method.MethodsThe PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched for all research articles that included pets as an object of study and related mental health and quality of life variables between pet owners and non-owners until April 2022. The PRISMA 2020 checklist was used, and the Downs and Back checklist was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. Standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the difference between a group of pet owners and non-pet owners.ResultsAn initial search located 11,389 studies, but only 49 studies fulfilled all requirements. Our results indicate that pets have a moderately significant positive effect on the physical activity of owners compared to non-pet owners. Among the moderating variables, the frequency of physical activity showed a highly significant effect, indicating that owners had a higher frequency of physical activity than non-owners. Moreover, our results indicate a significant impact but with a low effect size of pets on owners’ mental health when compared to non-pet owners.ConclusionPet ownership does not seem to influence owners’ mental health, but it does influence their physical activity. Specifically, owners show a higher frequency of physical activity than non-owners.

ABSTRACT: Our objective was to determine the effects of feeding 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3], or vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) on plasma, mineral, and metabolite concentrations, mineral balance, mineral excretion, rumination, energy balance, and milk production of dairy cows. We hypothesized that supplementing 3 mg/d of 25(OH)D3 during the prepartum period would be more effective than supplementing vitamin D3 at the National Research Council (2001) levels to minimize calcium imbalance during the transition period and improve milk production of dairy cows. Forty multiparous, pregnant nonlactating-Holstein cows were enrolled in this study. Body weight, body condition score, parity, and milk yield in the previous lactation (mean ± standard deviation) were 661 ± 59.2, 3.46 ± 0.35, 1.79 ± 0.87, and 33.2 ± 6.43 kg/d, respectively. Cows were enrolled into the blocks (n = 20 for each treatment) at 30 d of the expected day of calving to receive an acidogenic diet (373 g/kg of neutral detergent fiber and 136 g/kg of crude protein, dry matter basis; −110 mEq/kg) associated with the treatments: (1) control (CTRL), vitamin D3 at 0.625 mg/d (equivalent to 25,000 IU of vitamin D3/d) or (2) 25(OH)D3 at 3 mg/d (equivalent to 120,000 IU of vitamin D3/d). All cows were fed with the base ration for 49 d after calving. Blood samples were taken on d 7, 0, 1, 2, 21, and 42, relative to calving. No effect of treatment was observed for prepartum dry matter intake or body condition score. A trend for increase of ionized Ca was observed for the cows fed 25(OH)D3, compared with the CTRL, but no effect of treatment was detected for total Ca or total P. Feeding 25(OH)D3 increased colostrum yield. The plasmatic concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was increased with 25(OH)D3 supplementation. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 supplementation increased plasma glucose concentration at parturition. The postpartum dry matter intake was not influenced by treatments. Feeding 25(OH)D3 increases milk yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk, and energy-corrected milk and improves milk yield components in early lactation. Overall, these findings suggest that 25(OH)D3 at 3 mg/d can improve the energy metabolism and lactation performance, compared with the current-feeding practice of supplementing vitamin D3 at 0.625 mg/d.

Os projetos urbanísticos que envolvem processo de remoção de moradores causam impactos socioeconômicos e culturais em famílias, assim como no meio ambiente, no entanto, esses impactos são minimizados quando a intervenção urbanística possui uma orientação que preza pela participação efetiva dos beneficiados. A pesquisa buscou avaliar, segundo os critérios de eficácia societal, a vida das famílias do Conjunto Paraíso dos Pássaros após 22 anos do processo de reassentamento realizado pelo Projeto Una (Belém – PA), a partir de pesquisa bibliográfica, documental e de campo (2021 e 2022), com aplicação de questionários, entrevistas e análise de dissertações e teses acerca da temática. Os resultados da pesquisa demonstram que o processo de reassentamento de famílias à área CDP causou: melhora na qualidade de vida, satisfação na maioria dos moradores investigados, impacto na renda, implementação de infraestrutura e serviços coletivos na área, acesso a boas condições de moradia, dentre outros.

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the association between the bulk tank somatic cell count (SCC) and dairy farmers’ knowledge about milk quality, mastitis control, and their socioeconomic characteristics. Additionally, we estimated the association between the bulk tank SCC and bulk tank milk hygienic quality in dairy herds. Bulk tank milk samples from 120 dairy herds enrolled in the milk quality payment program were collected for the determination of the SCC, the total bacterial count (TBC), the preliminary incubation count (PIC), the laboratory pasteurization count (PC), and the coliform count (CC). Based on the bulk tank SCC results, 63 herds were selected and categorized into three groups: (a) low SCC: ≤250,000 cells/mL (n = 16); (b) medium SCC: >250,000 ≤ 400,000 cells/mL (n = 24); and (c) high SCC: >400,000 cells/mL (n = 23). Socioeconomic profiles, attitudes, and knowledge of somatic cell count and milk quality were assessed using previously tested questionnaires, which were used to interview the herd managers of the 63 selected dairy herds. Among the findings, 87.0% of the dairy herds had an SCC < 400 × 103 cells/mL, and presented milk production as the main economic activity of the farm, whereas only 47.0% of dairy herds with an SCC > 400 × 103 cells/mL had milk production as the main economic activity of the farm (p < 0.031). In a total of 95% of the selected herds (n = 60), milking machines were used, with pipeline milking machines being more predominant, accounting for 70.8% in herds with a medium somatic cell count (SCC) and 78.3% in herds with a high SCC, as opposed to herds with a low SCC at 50% (p < 0.031). The frequency of dairy producers’ awareness of the maximum legal requirements for the bulk tank SCC and TBC was higher in herds with a higher SCC than in herds with a medium SCC. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate a significant association between the bulk tank somatic cell count (SCC) and dairy farmers’ knowledge about milk quality, mastitis control, and socioeconomic characteristics. These findings emphasize the importance of knowledge and the socioeconomic profiles of dairy farms in maintaining and enhancing milk quality in dairy herds.

Salt-affected soils have detrimental effects on agriculture and ecosystems. However, these soils can still be used for halophyte (salt-tolerant plants) cultivation using brackish and/or saline water. In this study, we employed soil technologies and mutualistic microorganisms as a sustainable strategy to improve the growth and reproduction of the halophyte Limonium algarvense Erben’s growth and reproduction under saline conditions. A microcosm assay was conducted under controlled greenhouse conditions to cultivate L. algarvense using a saline Fluvisol (FLU) amended—or not—with a Technosol (TEC). Plants were inoculated with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Rhizoglomus irregulare and/or a consortium of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), and they were irrigated with estuarine water. Soil enzyme analysis and physicochemical characterisation of the soils, collected at the beginning and at the end of the assay, were carried out. The physiological status of non-inoculated and inoculated plants was monitored during the assay for 4 months, and AMF root colonisation was evaluated. In FLU, only plants inoculated with the AMF survived. These plants had lower number of leaves, and shoot and root dry biomass than the ones grown in the TEC by the end of the assay. In the TEC, PGPB inoculation led to higher NDVI and PRI values, and AMF inoculation promoted higher reproductive development but not pollen fertility. The findings show that the combined use of soil and microbial technologies can be successfully applied to cultivate L. algarvense, suggesting their generalized use for other Limonium species with economic interest, while contributing to the sustainable use of marginal lands.