Resumen Antecedentes: La hipótesis fue que una dieta con combinación de urea y óxido de calcio (CaO) para el ensilaje de caña de azúcar, puede mejorar la producción de vacas lecheras cruzadas. Objetivo: Evaluar la urea y el óxido de calcio como aditivos para preservar la calidad del ensilaje de caña de azúcar y determinar si mejoran el rendimento y la eficiencia metabólica de vacas lecheras. Métodos: Cuatro dietas fueron utilizadas: ensilaje de caña de azúcar sin aditivo (SS), ensilaje de caña de azúcar con 10 g/kg de urea (SU), ensilaje de caña de azúcar con 5 g/kg de urea + 5 g/kg de CaO (SUC) y ensilaje de caña de azúcar con 10 g/kg de CaO (SC). Ocho vacas cruzadas fueron evaluadas con una producción media de leche de 15 kg/día y aproximadamente 100 días de lactación, distribuidas en dos cuadrados latinos 4x4. Resultados: El consumo de materia seca, carbohidratos no fibrosos, materia orgánica, carbohidratos totales y nutrientes digestibles totales fue mayor (p<0,05) cuando las vacas fueron alimentadas con dietas conteniendo SC. La excreción de nitrógeno en la orina fue mayor (p<0,05) cuando las vacas fueron alimentadas con dietas basadas en SUC que las alimentadas con dietas SC. El nitrógeno ureico de la leche fue mayor (p<0,05) en animales alimentados con dietas con SU. El balance de nitrógeno fue positivo en todos los tratamientos, sin embargo, la síntesis de proteína microbiana fue baja para todas las dietas. Conclusión: La dieta con SU presentó la mayor pérdida de nitrógeno por medio de la leche. Entre los ensilajes evaluados, aquellos con SC y SUC son recomendados por promover un mayor consumo de componentes nutricionales.

Abstract Background: Inclusion of urea and calcium oxide (CaO) during sugarcane ensilage has been hypothesized to improve dairy cow performance. Objective: To evaluate the use of urea and calcium oxide as additives to preserve sugarcane silage quality and determine whether they improve dairy cow performance and metabolic efficiency. Methods: Four diets were used: sugarcane silage without additive (SS), sugarcane silage with 10 g/kg urea (SU), sugarcane silage with 5 g/kg urea + 5 g/kg CaO (SUC), and sugarcane silage with 10 g/kg CaO (SC). Eight crossbred cows at approximately 100 days of lactation were distributed in two 4x4 Latin squares, and their diets were formulated to reach an average milk production of 15 kg/day. Results: Dry matter, non-fibrous carbohydrates, organic matter, total carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrient intake were the highest (p<0.05) for the cows fed SC. Urinary excretion of nitrogen was higher (p<0.05) for cows fed diets based on SUC than those fed diets with SC. Milk urea nitrogen content was the highest (p<0.05) in animals fed SU diets. Nitrogen balance was positive in all treatments; however, the microbial protein synthesis was low for all diets. Conclusions: The diet with SU showed the highest nitrogen loss through the milk. Among the evaluated silages, those with SC and SUC are recommended to promote a high intake of nutritional components.

Resumo Antecedentes: A hipótese foi que uma dieta com a mistura de ureia e óxido de cálcio (CaO) para a ensilagem de cana de açúcar, poderia melhorar a produção de vacas leiteiras mestiças. Objetivo: Avaliar ureia e óxido de cálcio como aditivos para preservar a qualidade da silagem de cana de açúcar: melhoria da produção e eficiência metabólica de vacas leiteiras. Métodos: Quatro dietas foram utilizadas: silagem de cana de açúcar sem aditivo (SS), silagem de cana de açúcar com 10 g/kg de ureia (SU), silagem de cana de açúcar com 5 g/kg de ureia + 5 g/kg de CaO (SUC) e silagem de cana de açúcar com 10 g/kg de CaO (SC). Oito vacas mestiças foram avaliadas com uma produção media de 15 kg/dia e aproximadamente 100 dias de lactação, distribuídas em dois quadrados latinos 4x4. Resultados: O consumo de matéria seca, carboidratos não fibrosos, matéria orgânica, carboidratos totais e nutrientes digestíveis totais foi maior (p<0,05) quando as vacas foram alimentadas com dietas contendo SC. A excreção de nitrogênio na urina foi maior (p<0,05) quando as vacas foram alimentadas com dietas baseadas em SUC do que aqueles animais alimentados com dietas SC. O nitrogênio ureico do leite foi maior (p<0,05) em animais alimentados com dietas com SU. O balanço de nitrogênio foi positivo em todos os tratamentos, no entanto, a síntese de proteína microbiana foi baixa para todas as dietas. Conclusão: A dieta com SU apresentou maior perda de nitrogênio por meio do leite. Entre as silagens avaliadas, aquelas com SC e SUC são recomendadas por promover maior consumo de componentes nutricionais.

Abstract This study aimed to investigate slow crack growth (SCG) behavior of a zirconia ceramic after grinding and simulated aging with low-temperature degradation (LTD). Complementary analysis of hardness, surface topography, crystalline phase transformation, and roughness were also measured. Disc-shaped specimens (15 mm Ø × 1.2 mm thick, n = 42) of a full-contour Y-TZP ceramic (Zirlux FC, Amherst) were manufactured according to ISO:6872-2008, and then divided into: Ctrl – as-sintered condition; Ctrl LTD – as-sintered after aging in autoclave (134°C, 2 bar, 20 h); G – ground with coarse diamond bur (grit size 181 μm); G LTD – ground and aged. The SCG parameters were measured by a dynamic biaxial flexural test, which determines the tensile stress versus stress rate under four different rates: 100, 10, 1 and 0.1 MPa/s. LTD led to m-phase content increase, as well as grinding (m-phase content: Ctrl – 0%; G – 12.3%; G LTD – 59.9%; Ctrl LTD – 81%). Surface topography and roughness analyses showed that grinding created an irregular surface (increased roughness) and aging did not promote any relevant surface change. There was no statistical difference on surface hardness among different conditions. The control group presented the lowest strength values in all tested rates. Regarding SCG, ground conditions were less susceptible to SCG, delaying its occurrence. Aging (LTD) caused an increase in SCG susceptibility for the as-sintered condition (i.e. G < G LTD < Ctrl < Ctrl LTD).

RESUMO A análise do líquido cefalorraquidiano tem sido empregada para avaliação diagnóstica da esclerose múltipla e a exclusão dos diagnósticos diferenciais. Os achados clássicos refletem a natureza inflamatória da doença, incluindo discreta pleocitose, leve hiperproteinorraquia, aumento da síntese intratecal de imunoglobulina G e, mais tipicamente, a presença de bandas oligoclonais. Nos últimos anos, surgiram novos biomarcadores para esclerose múltipla, e esta busca por marcadores reflete a necessidade de melhor avaliar a atividade e a progressão da doença, bem como a eficácia terapêutica. Uma avaliação mais refinada da atividade da doença e da resposta aos medicamentos pode contribuir para melhores decisões terapêuticas, particularmente no que se refere à troca de medicação. Isto é muito importante nos dias de hoje, quando surgem novas opções medicamentosas. Neste artigo de revisão, avaliamos criticamente a literatura atual referente aos novos marcadores liquóricos na esclerose múltipla. A mensuração destes marcadores, como a quimiocina CXCL13, fetuína A e, principalmente, o neurofilamento de cadeia leve, demonstrou resultados promissores na avaliação da doença, provendo informações que, em conjunto com dados clínicos e de neuroimagem, podem contribuir para melhores decisões terapêuticas.

ABSTRACT The cerebrospinal fluid analysis has been employed for supporting multiple sclerosis diagnosis and ruling out the differential diagnoses. The most classical findings reflect the inflammatory nature of the disease, including mild pleocytosis, mild protein increase, intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulin G, and, most typically, the presence of oligoclonal bands. In recent years, new biomarkers have emerged in the context of multiple sclerosis. The search for new biomarkers reflect the need of a better evaluation of disease activity, disease progression, and treatment efficiency. A more refined evaluation of disease and therapy status can contribute to better therapeutic choices, particularly in escalation of therapies. This is very relevant taking into account the availability of a greater number of drugs for multiple sclerosis treatment in recent years. In this review, we critically evaluate the current literature regarding the most important cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in multiple sclerosis. The determination of biomarkers levels, such as chemokine ligand 13, fetuin A, and mainly light neurofilament has shown promising results in the evaluation of this disease, providing information that along with clinical and neuroimaging data may contribute to better therapeutic decisions.

O bicudo-da-cana-de-açúcar, Sphenophorus levis (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae), é uma importante praga em canaviais do Estado de São Paulo. Suas larvas destroem o rizoma da planta, causando prejuízos de até 30 t ha-1 ano-1 de cana. Três experimentos de campo foram conduzidos para avaliar a eficácia de nematoides entomopatogênicos e de inseticidas químicos no controle do bicudo-da-cana-de-açúcar e do escarabeídeo Leucothyreus sp. O primeiro consistiu de 10 tratamentos: 1) tiametoxam (Actara 250WG) 500 g ha-1 de produto comercial (p.c.); 2) tiamethoxam 1,0 kg ha-1 p.c.; 3) tiametoxam 1,5 kg ha-1 p.c.; 4) Steinernema brazilense 10(8) juvenis infectivos (JI) ha-1 + tiametoxam 250 g ha-1 p.c.; 5) S. brazilense (10(8) JI ha-1) + tiametoxam 500 g ha-1 p.c.; 6) Heterorhabditis indica (10(8) JI ha-1) + tiametoxam 250 g ha-1 p.c.; 7) H. indica (10(8) JI ha-1) + tiametoxam 500 g ha-1 p.c.; 8) S. brazilense (10(8) JI ha-1); 9) H. indica (10(8) JI ha-1); e 10) Testemunha. No segundo, foram considerados cinco tratamentos: 1) tiametoxam (Actara 250WG) 800 g ha-1 p.c.; 2) fipronil (Regente 800WG) 250 g ha-1 p.c.; 3) S. brazilense (10(8) JI ha-1); 4) S. brazilense (10(8) JI ha-1) + tiametoxam (Actara 250WG) 200 g ha-1 p.c.; e 5) Testemunha. O terceiro incluiu todos os tratamentos do segundo experimento, mais a mistura S. brazilense (10(8) JI ha-1) + fipronil (Regente 800WG) 62,5 g ha-1 p.c. Todos os tratamentos com inseticidas e nematoides proporcionaram maior produção de cana, quando comparados às respectivas testemunhas, que foram mais danificadas por S. levis, mas sem diferenças significativas. O nematoide S. brazilense foi mais eficaz no controle deste inseto, quando comparado com H. indica, mas sem diferenças significativas. S. brazilense proporcionou 50% de controle das larvas de Leucothyreus sp., e os melhores tratamentos para controle deste inseto foram as misturas do nematoide com fipronil (78%) e tiametoxam (83%).

The sugarcane billbug, Sphenophorus levis (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae), is an important pest of sugarcane crops in the São Paulo State, Brazil. Their larvae damage plants rhizome, causing losses of up to 30 t ha-1 year-1 of sugarcane. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of entomopathogenic nematodes and chemical insecticides against the sugarcane billbug and the scarab beetle Leucothyreus sp., three field trials were carried out in Brazil. For the first one, 10 treatments were considered: 1) thiametoxan (Actara 250WG) 500 g ha-1 of commercial product (c.p.); 2) thiametoxan 1.0 kg ha-1 c.p.; 3) thiametoxan 1.5 kg ha-1 c.p.; 4) Steinernema brazilense 10(8) infective juveniles (IJ) ha-1 + thiametoxan 250 g ha-1 c.p.; 5) S. brazilense (10(8) IJ ha-1) + thiametoxan 500 g ha-1 c.p.; 6) Heterorhabditis indica (10(8) IJ ha-1) + thiametoxan 250 g ha-1 c.p; 7) H. indica (10(8) IJ ha-1) + thiametoxan 500 g ha-1 c.p.; 8) S. brazilense (10(8) IJ ha-1); 9) H. indica (10(8) IJ ha-1); and 10) Control. The second one consisted of five treatments: 1) thiametoxan (Actara 250WG) 800 g ha-1 c.p.; 2) fipronil (Regente 800WG) 250 g ha-1 c.p.; 3) S. brazilense (10(8) IJ ha-1); 4) S. brazilense (10(8) IJ ha-1) + thiametoxan 200 g ha-1 c.p.; and 5) Control. In the third one, all treatments already mentioned for the second trial plus the mixture S. brazilense (10(8) IJ ha-1) + fipronil (Regente 800WG) 62.5 g ha-1 c.p. were considered. All treatments with the insecticides and nematodes provided higher sugarcane yield, when compared to their respective controls, which were most damaged by S. levis, but without statistical significance. S. brazilense was more efficient on controlling this pest, if compared to H. indica, but without statistical significance. S. brazilense provided a 50% control of Leucothyreus sp. larvae, meanwhile the best treatments against this scarab were the mixtures of this nematode with fipronil (78%) and thiametoxan (83%).

O Feller-buncher constitui uma das máquinas mais utilizadas na colheita florestal, cuja principal função é realizar a derrubada e o enleiramento das árvores. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar técnica e economicamente a derrubada de árvores inteiras com o Feller-buncher, em duas posições distintas de tombamento destas, em florestas de eucalipto (posição 1 = derrubada a 45º e, posição 2 = derrubada a 90º). A análise técnica englobou um estudo de tempos e movimentos e de produtividade. A análise econômica contemplou os parâmetros custo operacional, custo de produção e rendimento energético. Concluiu-se que não houve diferença entre as posições 1 e 2 de derrubada quanto ao tempo para realizar o tombamento das árvores, tendo sido o corte o elemento parcial que consumiu a maior parte do tempo do ciclo operacional, com aproximadamente 66% deste, nas duas posições de derrubada. A produtividade por hora efetiva de trabalho do Feller-buncher foi de, aproximadamente, 347 árvores (48,8 m³/he), o custo operacional de R$ 195,26, proporcionando um custo de produção da máquina de R$ 3,95/m³e um rendimento energético de 3,8 g/W m³; para ambas as posições de derrubada das árvores. Apesar da similaridade em termos de produtividade e custo das duas posições de derrubada avaliadas, recomenda-se tombar as árvores à 45º, devido à maior facilidade de enleiramento destas, bem como no intuito de beneficiar a operação subsequente (extração).

The Feller-buncher is a machine used in for forest harvesting, whose main function is to cut and gather trees. In this study, we performed a technical and economical analysis of felling whole trees with the Feller-buncher in two different areas of eucalyptus stands (position 1 = cut to 45th and position 2 = cut to 90th). The technical analysis included a study of times and movements and of productivity. The economical analysis evaluated the parameters of operational cost, production cost, and energy income. Positions 1 and 2 did not differ with regard to tipping, as to the time to complete the registration of the trees and was cutting the partial element that consumed most of the operational cycle time, with approximately 66% of this, the two positions dropped. The productivity per effective hour of work of the Feller-buncher was approximately 347 trees (48.8 m³/he), the operating cost of R$195.26, giving a production cost of the machine from R$3.95 per m³ and an efficiency of 3.8 g /W m³ for both positions of felled trees. Despite the similarity in terms of productivity and cost of the two positions evaluated, we recommend cutting trees down to 45 th, due to ease of overturning these and to facilitate subsequent operations (extraction).

A primeira ocorrência de Zoophthora radicans (Entomophthorales: Entomophthoraceae) infectando adultos de Gyropsylla spegazziniana Lizer & Trelles (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) em plantio comercial de erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis), em Cascavel, PR, Brasil, é relatada. A prevalência do fungo foi elevada (90% de mortalidade), sendo considerada uma epizootia natural.

We report the first occurrence of Zoophthora radicans infecting adults of Gyropsylla spegazziniana Lizer & Trelles in a commercial Paraguay tea plantation (Ilex paraguariensis), in Cascavel, PR, Brazil. The fungus prevalence was high (90% of mortality), considered a natural epizooty.

This in vitro study evaluated the effectiveness of whitening dentifrices for the removal of extrinsic tooth stains. Twenty dental blocks (4 x 4 mm), including enamel and dentine, removed from freshly extracted bovine incisors, were randomly divided into 4 groups: G1 - distilled water, G2 - Colgate, G3 - Crest Extra Whitening and G4 - Rapid White. In all specimens, the dentin was covered with colorless nail polish, and the enamel was left exposed. Next, the specimens were immersed in a solution of black tea, which was changed every 24 h, for a period of 6 days. After this period, a photo-reflectance reading was taken (Time 1) with a spectrometer. The stained specimens were then submitted to linear brushing movements (5,000 cycles) using brushes (Oral B-Soft) coupled to an automatic toothbrushing machine, under a static axial load of 200 g and with a speed of 4 movements/second, at 37°C, with the dentifrice or water being injected every 60 s. When toothbrushing ended, a second photo-reflectance reading was taken (Time 2). The results were submitted to two-criteria analysis of variance (ANOVA) and to the Tukey test ( = 0.05). When the two times for a same group were compared, Time 2 presented the highest reflectance values with statistical difference only for G3 and G4. Among the dentifrices tested, only the Rapid White group differed from the control group, presenting the highest reflectance values. Only the whitening dentifrice Rapid White was effective for the removal of extrinsic stains.

Human astroviruses (HAstV) have been increasingly identified as important etiological agents of acute gastroenteritis in children up to five years old. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and genotype diversity of HAstV in children with symptomatic and asymptomatic infections in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. From June 1997 to July 1999 a total of 183 fecal samples 84 from symptomatic and 99 from asymptomatic children were tested by enzyme immunoassay for HAstV. Prevalence rates were found to be 11 and 3% for symptomatic and asymptomatic children, respectively. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out in 46 specimens (26 symptomatic and 20 asymptomatic) including the 12 samples that were positive by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The overall positivity yielded by both methods was 8% (15/184); of these, 11% (9/84) for symptomatic and 5% (5/99) for those without symptoms or signs. Sequence analysis of amplicons revealed that HAstV-1 genotype was the most prevalent, accounting for 60% of isolates. Genotypes 2, 3, 4, and 5 were also detected, as one single isolate (10%) for each type. Variations in the sequences were observed when Brazilian isolates were compared to prototype strains identified in the United Kingdom. No seasonal pattern of occurrence was observed during these two years of study, and peak detection rate was observed in children aged between 3 and 6 months in the symptomatic group, and between 18 and 24 months in the controls.