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The aim of the present study was to determine the optimal time to start weaning from Moina minuta to inert diet, assessing its effects on growth performance, stress resistance, feeding cost and intestinal histomorphometry of angelfish and severum during larviculture. Two separate 30-day experiments were conducted with 200 post-larvae each of angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) and severum (Heros severus). At five days post-hatching, angelfish and severum had an average initial length and weight of 5.58 ± 0.13 mm and 1.72 ± 0.26 mg, and 6.38 ± 0.25 mm and 3.02 ± 0.27 mg, respectively. The larvae were distributed in twenty 1 L aquariums at a density of 10 post-larvae per liter. The experiments included five treatments with four replications, consisting of five supply periods of M. minuta for 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days (T0, T5, T10, T15 and T20), followed by a three-day weaning period (50 % M. minuta and inert diet) and then feeding only inert diet. The highest values of final length, length gain, final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate for both length and weight were observed in both species in T15 and T20. Only angelfish post-larvae had a higher value of survival rate when submitted to T15 and T20, and a higher stress resistance to air exposure when submitted to T10, T15 and T20. Both species had the lowest feeding costs in T20. Angelfish and severum post-larvae in T15 and T20 showed the highest value of intestinal villus height and perimeter. Severum post-larvae in T10, T15 and T20 had the best value of villus width. Angelfish post-larvae in T0 and T5 had the highest proportions of goblet cells, while severum post-larvae exhibited this only in T0. It is recommended that angelfish and severum post-larvae be fed with M. minuta for 15 days before weaning.

The present study aimed to identify and characterize cellulase from the functional genome in the hepatopancreas of Amazon river prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum). Growth trials with post-larvae of M. amazonicum validated the endogenous expression of cellulases based on analysis of gene expression via RT-PCR and evaluated the effects of cellulose-rich diet on the growth performance and body composition in the Amazon river prawn. The endo-β-1,4-glucanase gene was identified as a part of the functional genome in the hepatopancreas of M. amazonicum whose entire coding region corresponded to 580 amino acids (aa), with a molecular mass of 63.6 kDa and tertiary structure of the (α/α)6 type. A 60-day growth experiment was designed encompassing five treatments and three replicates using isoprotein (36.98 ± 0.30%) and isoenergetic (19.76 ± 0.18 MJ/Kg) purified diets. The starch in diets was replaced by distinct cellulose levels, ranging from 0% to 35% of cellulose content. The polynomial regression analysis showed that the optimal dietary cellulose level for increased growth performance in post-larvae of M. amazonicum should be between 23.41% and 29.60%. In relation to body composition (crude protein and protein efficiency ratio), the best cellulose values in diets were estimated at 20.54% and 18.97%, respectively. The gene expression analysis via RT-PCR evidenced that endo-β-1,4-glucanase is expressed in prawns fed upon diets containing cellulose from the beginning up to the end of the feeding trial, thus validating the previous genetic assay. Therefore, we conclude that M. amazonicum expresses the endo-β-1,4-glucanase enzyme and prefers diets rich in crude fiber (19–29%), used as a protein-sparing energy source.

Abstract Background Body weight (BW) is an economically important trait in the broiler (meat-type chickens) industry. Under the assumption of polygenicity, a “large” number of genes with “small” effects is expected to control BW. To detect such effects, a large sample size is required in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Our objective was to conduct a GWAS for BW measured at 35 days of age with a large sample size. Methods The GWAS included 137,343 broilers spanning 15 pedigree generations and 392,295 imputed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). A false discovery rate of 1% was adopted to account for multiple testing when declaring significant SNPs. A Bayesian ridge regression model was implemented, using AlphaBayes, to estimate the contribution to the total genetic variance of each region harbouring significant SNPs (1 Mb up/downstream) and the combined regions harbouring non-significant SNPs. Results GWAS revealed 25 genomic regions harbouring 96 significant SNPs on 13 Gallus gallus autosomes (GGA1 to 4, 8, 10 to 15, 19 and 27), with the strongest associations on GGA4 at 65.67–66.31 Mb (Galgal4 assembly). The association of these regions points to several strong candidate genes including: (i) growth factors (GGA1, 4, 8, 13 and 14); (ii) leptin receptor overlapping transcript (LEPROT)/leptin receptor (LEPR) locus (GGA8), and the STAT3/STAT5B locus (GGA27), in connection with the JAK/STAT signalling pathway; (iii) T-box gene (TBX3/TBX5) on GGA15 and CHST11 (GGA1), which are both related to heart/skeleton development); and (iv) PLAG1 (GGA2). Combined together, these 25 genomic regions explained ~ 30% of the total genetic variance. The region harbouring significant SNPs that explained the largest portion of the total genetic variance (4.37%) was on GGA4 (~ 65.67–66.31 Mb). Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest GWAS that has been conducted for BW in chicken to date. In spite of the identified regions, which showed a strong association with BW, the high proportion of genetic variance attributed to regions harbouring non-significant SNPs supports the hypothesis that the genetic architecture of BW35 is polygenic and complex. Our results also suggest that a large sample size will be required for future GWAS of BW35.

Abstract Background Backfat thickness is an important carcass composition trait for pork production and is commonly included in swine breeding programmes. In this paper, we report the results of a large genome-wide association study for backfat thickness using data from eight lines of diverse genetic backgrounds. Methods Data comprised 275,590 pigs from eight lines with diverse genetic backgrounds (breeds included Large White, Landrace, Pietrain, Hampshire, Duroc, and synthetic lines) genotyped and imputed for 71,324 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). For each line, we estimated SNP associations using a univariate linear mixed model that accounted for genomic relationships. SNPs with significant associations were identified using a threshold of p

RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a participação toracoabdominal durante a respiração e sua relação com os fatores de risco clínicos em recém-nascidos prematuros (RNPT). Trata-se de um estudo multicêntrico, transversal, realizado em duas unidades de cuidado intermediário neonatal com RNPT entre 26-35 semanas, estáveis hemodinamicamente, que fizeram uso de oxigênio ou suporte ventilatório durante a fase da internação. O movimento lateral do tronco foi filmado por 2 minutos e os vídeos foram avaliados no software MATLAB® para interpretação quantitativa da participação toracoabdominal, por um pesquisador cego sobre os dados da amostra. Os dados foram expressos graficamente em cm2 representando os valores máximos, mínimos e médios da participação de tórax e abdômen. O coeficiente de Pearson foi usado para avaliar a correlação entre as variáveis neonatais com a mobilidade. Foram avaliados 2.080 frames de 26 RNPT com idade gestacional média de 31 semanas ±2,34. Quanto maior a idade e o peso, maior a participação do tórax na respiração (r=0,55; p=0,001); e quanto maior o tempo de internação, menor é a sua participação (r=-0,40; p=0,04). A participação do abdômen aumenta de acordo com o aumento do número de dias em uso de oxigênio (r=0,33; p=0,001) e diminui com o aumento da idade e do peso (r=-0,41; p=0,001). A participação toracoabdominal tem relação direta com a idade gestacional e o peso. Como fatores externos, o uso prolongado de oxigênio e o tempo de internação interferem negativamente no padrão respiratório, uma vez que o aumento da participação abdominal durante a biomecânica respiratória pode representar um gasto energético.

The present study aimed to evaluate the growth performance, batch uniformity, and survival rate of the Amazonian ornamental fish Heros severus and Pterophyllum scalare during the post-larvae growing stage, fed with diets containing levels of Euterpe oleraceae essential oil (EOO) during 30 days. In the first experiment, 160 H. severus post-larvae were distributed in 16 aquariums (1 L), and in the second, 200 P. scalare post-larvae were randomly distributed in 20 aquariums (1 L). The experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design, with four treatments for H. severus (0.0%, 0.50%, 1.00%, and 2.00% of dietary EOO) and five treatments for P. scalare (0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 4.0% of dietary EOO), both with four replications and dietary EOO being included in replacing soybean oil. A quadratic effect (p < 0.01) was observed for the final length, length gain, specific growth rate for length, final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate for weight, and batch uniformity for weight for both fish species. As for ornamental fish larviculture, survival rate and batch uniformity are the most important parameters to be considered. For P. scalare and H. severus post-larvae, the inclusion of dietary EOO was beneficial in up to 2.48% and 0.88%, respectively.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the compensatory growth of severum (Heros severus) fingerlings fed inert diet for 30 days, after 13 days of larviculture at different feeding rates. The production cost with Artemia nauplii was also evaluated. For that purpose, a growth trial was performed with 400 severum post-larvae, distributed in twenty aquaria (1 L) at density of 20 post-larvae L−1. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates. For 10 days, the post-larvae received Artemia nauplii at different feeding rates: 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 nauplii post-larvae−1 day−1. Subsequently, three days of food transition to an inert diet was performed. After this period, the severum stocking density was halved and the fish received inert diet for 30 days. The post-larvae fed with 200 Artemia nauplii post-larvae−1 day−1 presented the best results of final length, length gain and specific growth rate for length. On the other hand, post-larvae fed with 300 nauplii post-larvae−1 day−1 presented the highest results for final weight, weight gain and specific growth rate for weight. The average cost of using Artemia nauplii incresed directly with the increasing amount of nauplii supplied. The fingerlings presented best results of final weight and final length when received 250 nauplii post-larvae−1 day−1 during the larviculture. The weight gain of fingerlings did not differ for fish initially fed with 150–300 Artemia nauplii post-larvae−1 day−1, proving that the fingerlings expressed partial compensatory growth. The specific growth rate for length and weight were higher in fingerlings initially fed with 100 Artemia nauplii post-larvae−1 day−1, however, the survival rate was lower in fingerlings fed that amount of Artemia nauplii. Therefore, it is recommended 150 Artemia nauplii post-larvae−1 day−1 during the larviculture of severum to induce partial compensatory growth and reduce cost.

A doença de Alzheimer é considerada uma demência senil marcada por diversos transtornos neuropsicológicos e cognitivos decorrentes do impetuoso processo neurodegenerativo. As intervenções neuropsicológicas emergem como novas possibilidades de tratamento para o sujeito que se vê frente a inúmeras perdas em diversas capacidades cognitivas e funcionais. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho investigou as possíveis contribuições da neuropsicologia, em especial a psicoterapia e a reabilitação neuropsicológica, para os portadores da demência do tipo Alzheimer. A fim de contemplar tal objetivo, percorreu-se o seguinte caminho: explanação dos aspectos etiológicos, disfuncionais e de incidência da doença de Alzheimer; e, a identificação das intervenções neuropsicológicas junto aos pacientes acometidos pela doença de Alzheimer. Como forma de investigação para a realização dessa pesquisa, utilizou-se o método de levantamento bibliográfico de artigos científicos, livros e revistas de diversos autores que abordam a temática que norteou este trabalho. Os resultados obtidos constataram que as intervenções em neuropsicologia são extremamente significativas para o tratamento da doença de Alzheimer. Por meio da psicoterapia há o acolhimento do sofrimento, medos e anseios, o auxílio na compreensão do novo contexto que virá e, os processos reabilitatórios, contribuirão na tentativa de retardar o processo neurodegenerativo e otimizar os processos cognitivos que ainda estão preservados e, consequentemente, proporcionar uma melhor qualidade de vida para o paciente.

Ostrich eggshells are a potentially abundant and a high purity and low cost source of calcium to produce β-Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP) and Hydroxyapatite (HA), important calcium phosphates used as biomaterials. Here, we use a wet precipitation procedure to synthesize these phosphates using ostrich eggshells as a source of calcium ions. The biphasic precipitated powder, calcined at 800ºC, is a mixture of both Hydroxyapatite and β-Tricalcium Phosphate, also known as the biomaterial Biphasic Calcium Phosphate (BCP). Physico-chemical properties of the final powder product show water and CO32- groups absorbed in the particles surface, 0.1 to 100 µm particles size distribution and 11.70 m2/g of specific surface area.

ABSTRACT A 90-day feeding trial was conducted to estimate the dietary lysine requirement of adult lambari ( Astyanax altiparanae ), based on growth performance, whole-body composition, muscle development, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities. Six isoproteic (345.0 g kg−1) and isoenergetic (19.51 MJ kg−1) diets were formulated, and crystalline L-lysine was added to obtain diets with lysine concentrations of 12.13, 13.31, 15.36, 18.79, 19.92, and 23.02 g kg−1 dry diet. Female adult lambari (n = 480; weight of 4.96±0.02 g) were distributed into 24 (70 L) aquaria and fed the experimental diets six times daily. Fish fed 12.13 to 19.92 g kg−1 lysine showed increased weight gain and percent weight gain, and fish from those treatments also showed improvement in final carcass quality by a decrease in whole-body lipid content. Fish fed 12.13 g kg−1 lysine showed lower ALT and AST activities in blood serum when compared with fish fed the highest lysine levels. No differences were observed in muscle growth in fish fed graded lysine levels. According to the broken-line model analysis of weight gain and dietary lysine levels, the dietary lysine requirement of adult lambari is estimated at 18.72 g kg−1 (5.41% of dietary protein).

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dental caries index among 12-year-old schoolchildren and individual and contextual factors related to the schools in the city of Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 2,075 schoolchildren using the 2010 National Survey of Oral Health methodology. The dependent variable was the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index and the independent variables were individual (sex, race, and maternal education) and contextual ones (type of school, health district, and the presence of oral programs). Multilevel analysis and log-linear negative binominal regression were performed, considering the complex sampling design. Mean DMFT index was 1.51. Female students, whose mothers had lower schooling, those attending public schools, located in districts with the worst socioeconomic indicators, and covered by the Family Health Strategy had higher caries levels. The dental caries index was low and associated with the schoolchildren sociodemographic characteristics and factors related to the schools, showing inequalities in distribution.

The present study was to evaluate the effects of the commercial product AminoGut® (Ajinomoto, SP), a source of glutamine and glutamate, on performance and body composition of Nile tilapia fingerlings. A study was conducted with 26,000 Gift strain tilapias, with seven days of age during the sex reversal, with initial weight and length of 0.037±0.09 g and 13.28±0.78 mm. The fish were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications, totaling 1,300 fish/tank of 0,5m3 each one. Control diet was used with approximately 500 g/kg of crude protein and 3,840 kcal/ kg of digestible energy. The AminoGut® was added to the control diet at a ratio of 5, 10, 15 and 20g/kg to replace L-alanine. Each diet was provided 10 times per day at intervals of one hour, from 8:00 until 17:00, for 30 days. No effect was observed on weight gain (p>0.05) in fish fed with increasing levels of Aminogut®. However, a positive linear effect (p

This study was conducted out to determine the dietary digestible lysine requirements of Nile tilapia from 87 to 226 g. Fish (n = 170; average initial weight = 86.62 ± 4.89 g) were distributed 15 1000-L cages, in a completely randomized design with five treatments and three replicates, and fed extruded diets containing 0.88; 1.12; 1.36; 1.59 and 1.83% of digestible lysine, balanced to keep the arginine to lysine ratio as 1.43:1. There was no effect of the dietary lysine levels on whole body moisture and ash. By Linear Response Plateau analysis of lysine levels on daily gain, feed conversion, protein efficiency ratio and rate of protein deposition was estimated requirement of 1.31, 1.03, 1.16 and 1.31 % of lysine, respectively. A quadratic effect of lysine levels on whole body fat deposition ratio and whole body ether extract composition were observed, and the lowest values were estimated with 1.16% and 1.43% of dietary lysine, respectively. An increase of the dietary lysine levels resulted in linear increase on the fillet yield. The digestible lysine requirements of Nile tilapia (87 to 226 g) is 1.31%, in diets balanced for arginine to lysine ratio.Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de determinar a exigência de lisina digestível em dietas para alevinos de tilápia-do-Nilo de 87 a 226 g. Os peixes (n=300; peso inicial médio = 86,62 ± 4,89 g) foram distribuídos em 15 tanques-rede de 1000 L cada, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e três repetições e alimentados com dietas extrusadas contendo 0,88; 1,12; 1,36; 1,59 e 1,83% de lisina digestível, balanceadas para relação arginina:lisina em 1,43:1. Não foi observado efeito dos níveis de lisina na dieta sobre os teores de umidade e proteína corporal. Pela análise Linear Response Plateau dos níveis de lisina sobre o ganho de peso diário, conversão alimentar, taxa de eficiência proteica e taxa de deposição de proteína, estimou-se exigência de 1,31; 1,03; 1,16 e 1,31% de lisina digestível, respectivamente. Foi observado efeito quadrático dos níveis de lisina sobre a taxa de deposição de gordura e teor de extrato etéreo corporal, em que os menores valores dessas variáveis foram estimados com 1,16% e 1,43% de lisina, respectivamente. Com o incremento nos teores de lisina na dieta ocorreu aumento linear no rendimento de filé e nível de proteína corporal. Concluiu-se que a tilápia-do-Nilo (87 a 226 g) exige 1,31% de lisina digestível, em dietas balanceadas para a relação arginina:lisina.

This trial was conducted to determine the dietary digestible methionine + cystine requirement of Nile tilapia (550 to 700 g) based on the ideal protein concept. Six hundred fish were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates, with 30 fish per experimental unit. The fish were fed diets containing approximately 262 g of digestible protein/kg, 3,040 kcal of digestible energy/kg and 7.90, 9.40, 10.90, 12.40 or 13.90 g of methionine + cystine/kg. The fish were hand-fed three times a day until apparent satiation for 30 days. No effects of dietary methionine + cystine on feed conversion ratio, daily protein deposition, whole body moisture, fillet moisture, crude protein, ether extract and ash, plasmatic HDL and LDL cholesterol were observed. Dietary methionine resulted in a linear increase in whole body protein and linear reduction in lipid deposition rate, hepatosomatic index, whole body ether extract and ash, plasmatic total cholesterol, plasmatic total lipids and plasmatic triglycerides. According to the Linear Response Plateau, the daily weight gain and fillet yield increased up to a level of 9.00 and 9.90 g methionine + cystine/kg of diet, respectively. The digestible methionine + cystine requirement of Nile tilapia is 9.00 g/kg for weight gain and 9.90 g/kg for fillet yield, corresponding to methionine + cystine:lysine ratios of 0.60 and 0.66, respectively.

Abstract The aim of this study was to develop pizza dough with different levels of tuna meal (Tunnus spp.). In order to produce tuna meal, tuna torsos without fins were used, cooked for 1 hour, pressed, milled and dehydrated for 24 hours at 60 °C. Pizza dough was produced without (0%) or with the addition of 5, 10, 15 and 20% of tuna meal, calculated based on the quantity of wheat flour. The tuna meal and different pizza pastries were analyzed for moisture content, crude protein, total lipids, ash, carbohydrates, caloric value and fatty acid profiles. Microbiological and sensory analyses were also carried out on the pizza pastries. The increasing addition of tuna meal resulted in gains in the crude protein (10.89 to 18.94%), total lipid (4.63 to 5.89%) and ash (2.54 to 3.54%) contents of the pizza pastries, not influencing the moisture content or caloric value. The inclusion of tuna meal linearly increased the quantity of n-3 series fatty acids in the pizza pastry, from 1.56 to 5.93 g/kg with the addition of 20% tuna meal. The ratio between the polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids in the tuna meal and pizza pastries varied from 1.21 to 1.85. The microbiological analyses showed that the pizza pastries were produced under proper hygiene conditions. It was also observed that the addition of 5 to 20% of tuna meal to the pizza pastry did not significantly (p>0.05) alter the parameters of aroma, flavor, overall impression and purchase intention. It was therefore concluded that the addition of 5 to 20% tuna meal is effective in improving the nutritional value and fatty acid profile of pizza pastry.