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This study aimed to identify the best green-leaf offerings of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu for pasture-finished lambs receiving protein-energy supplementation at the rate of 1.6% of their body weights (BW). The animals were assigned into four treatments, which consisted of varied green-leaf offerings, namely, 105, 90, 75, or 60 g of dry matter/kg of body weight (BW). Sixty-eight contemporary Texel x mixed-breed lambs with an average initial BW of 22.6 kg were used over two years of experiment. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design, the data were evaluated by analysis of variance and the means were compared by Tukey's test at the 0.05 significance level. There was no significant effect of year neither interaction of year with green-leaf offer. There were significant effects of leaf offer on dry matter intake (DMI) with behavior of positively linear (p<0.05). There were significant effects of green-leaf offer on final BW and average daily gain, and lambs receiving of 75 g/kg green-leaf offer showed the highest ADG (179 g/d). There were no significant differences in the carcass, meat, and primal cuts between the groups of lambs receiving different herbage offerings. There were significant effects of leaf offer on slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, and subcutaneous fat thickness. Lambs receiving of 75 g/kg leaf offer showed the highest SFT (5.8 mm). Slaughter weight and hot carcass weight averaged 41.52 kg and 20.07 kg, respectively. We recommend the treatment with leaves offer of 75 g/kg BW of Marandu pasture for the finishing of lambs supplemented at 1.6% of BW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the assumption that the time required by the lamb to reach a certain weight at slaughter (slaughter weight) is partially dependent on the amount of milk ingested during suckling, and on the dietary management of the sheep and lamb. Our study proposes to examine the effects of the weaning system on the productive and reproductive performance of ewes supplemented with creep-feeding during grazing on Marandu pastures with their lambs and weaned at two different ages (60 and 90 days). Ewes were divided into two treatment groups (weaning ages) according to birth type (single or twin), in two consecutive years. The experimental period was the time from lambing to weaning. Data were evaluated by analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey's test at the 0.05 significance level. There was no effect of year of observation on the parameters measured. Ewes did not show any differences in age and weight at lambing, weight at weaning, weight change, or time return to estrus. The average weight loss was 6 kg and the average time to return to estrus was 49 days. The highest averages for weaning weight (23.25 kg) and total weight gain (19.37 kg) of lambs, and lamb weight-to-ewe weight ratio (51.84%) were observed in weaning at 90 days of age. Body condition score and worm egg count per gram of feces of ewes were not affected by the treatments. The reproductive and productive performance of sheep on tropical pastures is not affected by the weaning system. It is recommended to conduct weaning at 90 days to obtain a better performance of lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the assumption that the time required by the lamb to reach a certain weight at slaughter (slaughter weight) is partially dependent on the amount of milk ingested during suckling, and on the dietary management of the sheep and lamb. Our study proposes to examine the effects of the weaning system on the productive and reproductive performance of ewes supplemented with creep-feeding during grazing on Marandu pastures with their lambs and weaned at two different ages (60 and 90 days). Ewes were divided into two treatment groups (weaning ages) according to birth type (single or twin), in two consecutive years. The experimental period was the time from lambing to weaning. Data were evaluated by analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey's test at the 0.05 significance level. There was no effect of year of observation on the parameters measured. Ewes did not show any differences in age and weight at lambing, weight at weaning, weight change, or time return to estrus. The average weight loss was 6 kg and the average time to return to estrus was 49 days. The highest averages for weaning weight (23.25 kg) and total weight gain (19.37 kg) of lambs, and lamb weight-to-ewe weight ratio (51.84%) were observed in weaning at 90 days of age. Body condition score and worm egg count per gram of feces of ewes were not affected by the treatments. The reproductive and productive performance of sheep on tropical pastures is not affected by the weaning system. It is recommended to conduct weaning at 90 days to obtain a better performance of lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify the best green-leaf offerings of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu for pasture-finished lambs receiving protein-energy supplementation at the rate of 1.6% of their body weights (BW). The animals were assigned into four treatments, which consisted of varied green-leaf offerings, namely, 105, 90, 75, or 60 g of dry matter/kg of body weight (BW). Sixty-eight contemporary Texel × mixed-breed lambs with an average initial BW of 22.6 kg were used over two years of experiment. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design, the data were evaluated by analysis of variance and the means were compared by Tukey's test at the 0.05 significance level. There was no significant effect of year neither interaction of year with green-leaf offer. There were significant effects of leaf offer on dry matter intake (DMI) with behavior of positively linear (p<0.05). There were significant effects of green-leaf offer on final BW and average daily gain, and lambs receiving of 75 g/kg green-leaf offer showed the highest ADG (179 g/d). There were no significant differences in the carcass, meat, and primal cuts between the groups of lambs receiving different herbage offerings. There were significant effects of leaf offer on slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, and subcutaneous fat thickness. Lambs receiving of 75 g/kg leaf offer showed the highest SFT (5.8 mm). Slaughter weight and hot carcass weight averaged 41.52 kg and 20.07 kg, respectively. We recommend the treatment with leaves offer of 75 g/kg BW of Marandu pasture for the finishing of lambs supplemented at 1.6% of BW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Study Aims: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the preferred route for long-term enteral feeding. Our aims were to prospectively evaluate the outcome ("PEG status") and complications of PEG and to determine whether these can be predicted by patients' baseline characteristics., Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective study in two tertiary hospitals between August 2003 and January 2005, enrolling all patients who were undergoing PEG placement. We completed a questionnaire with details of demographic data, diagnosis, indication for PEG, Charlson's co-morbidity index, Barthel's index, laboratory tests, complications, and date and cause of death. Patients were followed at scheduled appointments. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed., Results: 168 patients (48% male, 52% female; mean age +/- standard deviation 74 +/- 16 years) underwent PEG using the pull technique. The main indication was neurogenic dysphagia (156 patients, 92.9%). Although most indications were appropriate, in half the cases these were established too late. There were no procedure-related deaths. Major complications occurred in four patients (2.4%); minor complications occurred in 52 patients (31%). No single variable could predict complications. Fifteen patients (9%) had the PEG removed. No single variable was independently associated with PEG removal. The mortality was 6.5% at 30 days, 17.3% at 90 days and 33.9% at 1 year. The C-reactive protein was the only predictive factor of early mortality (< or = 30 days), and Charlson's co-morbidity index was the only predictive factor of late mortality (> 30 days)., Conclusions: PEG placement is an easy and safe procedure, although it is often requested too late. No single variable could predict complications or PEG removal. C-reactive protein was found to be predictive of early mortality and Charlson's index was predictive of late mortality.

The objective of this investigation is to identify nurses perception about wards management. The collecting of the data was mode through an organized interview with sixteen nurses which works in patients wards in three hospitals of Porto Alegre. The data were examined based on the conteud analysis proposed by Bardin (1977). The results showed five categories: management conception, management characteristics, nurses activities, feelings and nursing graduation and induce us to do some reflexion about the curriculum modification, nurse-teachers improvement and the adjustment between the learning necessity and the work market. In this way is vital that professionals to look for best proficiency.