Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of spineless cactus (SC) [Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm Dyck] on nutrient intake, ingestive behaviour, and performance of lambs in a feedlot. Thirty-two male (non-castrated) Santa Inês lambs with a mean initial body weight (BW) of 20.4 ± 2.60 kg were distributed across four levels of spineless cactus: zero, 24, 52, and 75% of total diet dry matter (DM). Over 56 days, the animals had their intake and performance monitored. The inclusion of SC influenced (p<0.05) in a quadratic way the dry matter intake and total digestible nutrients, but linearly decreased (p<0.05) the neutral detergent fiber intake. Drinking water intake decreased linearly (p<0.05) with the inclusion of SC in the diet. The inclusion of SC influenced (p<0.05) in a quadratic way the digestibility of organic matter in the diet. The increase in the level of SC in the diet increased linearly (p<0.05) the feeding and rumination efficiencies of the lambs. The maximum daily gain of 0.237 kg/day was achieved with 44% SC in the diet. It is recommended to include up to 40% of spineless cactus in the diet of lambs. (SC Nopalea L. L (L. Dyck behaviour feedlot Thirtytwo Thirty two noncastrated non castrated (non-castrated BW (BW 204 20 4 20. 260 2 60 2.6 zero 24 52 75 DM. DM . (DM) 5 days monitored p<0.05 p005 p 0 05 (p<0.05 nutrients 0237 237 0.23 kgday day 44 40 (L 26 6 2. 7 (DM p<0.0 p00 (p<0.0 023 23 0.2 p<0. p0 (p<0. 02 0. p<0 (p<0 p< (p< (p

RESUMO Objetivou-se com o presente estudo avaliar o consumo e a digestibilidade de nutrientes, o comportamento ingestivo e o desempenho de caprinos alimentados com genótipos de palma forrageira resistentes à cochonilha-carmim (miúda ou orelha-de-elefante-mexicana (OEM). Trinta cabritos machos, castrados, sem raça definida, com idades entre 12 e 14 meses e peso corporal médio de 19,0±2,8kg, foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em três tratamentos (controle - feno de tifton; miúda e OEM) e 10 repetições; o peso inicial foi considerado a covariável. O consumo de matéria orgânica (MO) e de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) foi maior no tratamento controle; enquanto a ingestão de CNF foi maior na dieta OEM. Tratamentos contendo palma forrageira apresentaram as maiores digestibilidades de MS, MO e CNF. Os animais alimentados com a dieta controle gastaram mais tempo em ruminação e em mastigação total, mas o tempo gasto com alimentação ou a eficiência alimentar e o desempenho não diferiram. A utilização de genótipos de palma forrageira resistentes à cochonilha-carmim (miúda e orelha-de-elefante-mexicana) na dieta de caprinos, na quantidade de 450g/kg de MS, não interfere no desempenho dos animais e melhora a digestibilidade de MO e CNF.

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the intake and digestibility of nutrients, ingestive behavior, and performance of goats fed with spineless cactus genotypes resistant to carmine cochineal (Miúda or Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM). Thirty castrated male goats, without defined breed, aged 12 to 14 months, with an average body weight of 19.0±2.8kg, were distributed in a completely randomized design among three treatments (Control - Tifton hay, Miúda, and OEM) and ten replicates; the initial weight was considered as the covariate. The intake of organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was highest in the control treatment, while the intake of NFC was higher in the OEM diet. Treatments containing forage cactus showed the highest digestibility of DM, OM, and NFC. The animals fed the control diet spent more time on rumination and total chewing, but the time spent feeding or feeding efficiency, and performance did not differ. The use of spineless cactus genotypes resistant to carmine cochineal (Miúda and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana) in a diet for goats, in the amount of 450g/kg of DM does not interfere with the performance of the animals and improves the digestibility of OM and NFC.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of increasing the dietary inclusion of spineless cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck) on the carcass characteristics and meat quality of confined lambs. Thirty-two male Santa Inês lambs with an average age of 140 days and an initial body weight of 20.4 ± 2.60 kg were used in this study. The lambs were housed in individual stalls for 70 days and individually fed a ration with spineless cactus included at 0, 241, 519, or 753 g/kg of dry matter (DM). The lambs were slaughtered, and characteristics of the carcass and meat were recorded and analysed. Inclusion of spineless cactus had a quadratic effect on the bodyweight at slaughter and on the empty bodyweight of the lambs. The inclusion of 500 g/kg of spineless cactus provided the highest predicted cold carcass weight (16.03 kg). There was a quadratic effect of the inclusion of spineless cactus on the weight of meat cuts and leg composition of lambs. The inclusion of spineless cactus did not influence pH, tenderness, and water-retention capacity of the meat. However, the intramuscular fat content increased 1 mg for every 10 g/kg inclusion of spineless cactus in the diet. Quadratic effects were observed of the inclusion of spineless cactus on the weights of the liver, heart, rumen, blood, skin and internal fat of the lambs. Up to 500 g/kg of spineless cactus could be included in the diet of confined lambs.

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a fauna parasitária de tambaquis na região do Baixo São Francisco-AL/SE-Brasil e correlacionar os índices de prevalência e intensidade média com fatores bióticos e abióticos. Foram coletados 252 espécimes para análise parasitológica de 10 pisciculturas. Os parasitos foram contabilizados, identificados, e determinaram-se os índices de prevalência e intensidade média, que foram correlacionados com fatores bióticos e abióticos. Dos peixes coletados, 65,5% estavam parasitados por pelo menos um táxon. Foram encontrados 10 táxons: Monogeneas, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, tricodinídeos, Piscinoodinium pillulare, Ichthyobodo sp., Dolops carvalhoi, Lernaea cyprinacea, Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus, Henneguya sp. e Myxobolus sp. As maiores prevalências foram encontradas para Monogeneas (49,2%) e Myxobolus sp. (31,5%). Correlações negativas entre prevalência e fatores bióticos (peso e comprimento) foram observadas para Monogeneas (r2= -0,49; r2= -0,43), Myxobolus sp. (r²= -0,46; r²= -0,39) e Henneguya sp. (r²= -0,41; r²= -0,39). O fator abiótico temperatura apresentou correlação negativa com as prevalências de Lernaea cyprinacea (r= -0,39) e tricodinídeos (r= -0,33), enquanto a condutividade elétrica apresentou correlação positiva (r= 0,40) com a prevalência de tricodinídeos. Conclui-se que a fauna parasitária dos tambaquis cultivados na região do Baixo São Francisco é diversificada e com a carga parasitária dependente da qualidade de água e do estágio de desenvolvimento dos peixes.

ABSTRACT This study investigated the parasitic fauna of tambaquis reared in lower Sao Francisco region-Al/SE-Brazil correlating parasitic indices to abiotic and biotic factors. A total of 252 specimens of tambaqui were collected in ten fish farms for parasitological analysis. The parasites were counted, identified and the parasitological indices were determined and correlated to biotic and abiotic factors. Of all collected fish, 65,5 % were parasitized by at least one taxon. Ten taxa were found: Monogeneans, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, trichodinids Piscinoodinium pillulare, Ichthyobodo sp, Dolops carvalhoi, Lernaea cyprinacea, Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus, Henneguya sp. and Myxobolus sp. The higher prevalences were found to monogeneans (49.2%) and Myxobolus sp. (31.5%). Negative correlation of prevalence and biotic factor (weight and length) were observed to monogeneans (r 2 = -0.49, r 2 = -0.43), Myxobolus sp (r²= -0.46; r²= -0.39) and Henneguya sp (r²= -0.41; r²= -0.39). Abiotic factor of temperature presented a negative correlation to prevalence of Lernaea cyprinacea and trichodinids (r= -0.39 e r= -0.33, respectively) and the electric conductivity presented positive correlation to trichodinids (r= 0.40). It was concluded that parasitic fauna of tambaquis cultured in Lower São Francisco region is diversified and the parasitic load dependent on water parameters and fish growth.

Determination of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) using in vivo imaging is the cardiac functional parameter most frequently employed in preclinical research. However, there is considerable conflict regarding the effects of anesthetic agents on LVEF. This study aimed at assessing the effects of various anesthetic agents on LVEF in hamsters using transthoracic echocardiography. Twelve female hamsters were submitted to echocardiography imaging separated by 1-week intervals under the following conditions: 1) conscious animals, 2) animals anesthetized with isoflurane (inhaled ISO, 3 L/min), 3) animals anesthetized with thiopental (TP, 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), and 4) animals anesthetized with 100 mg/kg ketamine plus 10 mg/kg xylazine injected intramuscularly (K/X). LVEF obtained under the effect of anesthetics (ISO=62.2±3.1%, TP=66.2±2.7% and K/X=75.8±1.6%) was significantly lower than that obtained in conscious animals (87.5±1.7%, P<0.0001). The K/X combination elicited significantly higher LVEF values compared to ISO (P<0.001) and TP (P<0.05). K/X was associated with a lower dispersion of individual LVEF values compared to the other anesthetics. Under K/X, the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVdD) was increased (0.60±0.01 cm) compared to conscious animals (0.41±0.02 cm), ISO (0.51±0.02 cm), and TP (0.55±0.01 cm), P<0.0001. The heart rate observed with K/X was significantly lower than in the remaining conditions. These results indicate that the K/X combination may be the best anesthetic option for the in vivo assessment of cardiac systolic function in hamsters, being associated with a lower LVEF reduction compared to the other agents and showing values closer to those of conscious animals with a lower dispersion of results.

Resumo: Objetivando-se avaliar o efeito da adição de palma forrageira associado à maniçoba na dieta de ovinos sobre o perfil de indicadores bioquímicos do metabolismo energético e proteico, foi realizado um delineamento em blocos casualizados onde foram utilizados 24 ovinos machos, sem padrão racial definido, com peso corporal médio de 19,77±1,95 kg e idade média de seis meses, divididos igualmente em três tratamentos: concentrado + feno Tifton 85, concentrado + feno de maniçoba e concentrado + silagem de maniçoba, e semelhantes partes de palma forrageira. Realizaram-se quatro coletas de sangue, que constituíram as repetições, com intervalos de 15 dias (0d, 15d, 3d0 e 45d). Em seguida, procederam-se as análises dos seguintes indicadores bioquímicos: creatinina sérica, ureia, proteína total, albumina, globulina, glicose, frutosamina, aspartato aminotransferase, fosfatase alcalina, gama glutamiltransferase, sódio, potássio, cloro, cálcio e fósforo. Maior consumo de matéria seca foi observado no grupo com feno de maniçoba. O tratamento com silagem de maniçoba apresentou diferença (P<0,05) no consumo de fibra em detergente neutro. Houve variações significativas na concentração de ureia nos animais que receberam a dieta composta de feno de maniçoba. Tanto o feno como a silagem de maniçoba, em até 30%, pode substituir o feno de Tifton 85 na alimentação de ovinos em terminação, mantendo efetivamente o consumo de matéria seca, rendimento de carcaça, os metabolismos proteico, energético e mineral, além de ser uma boa alternativa para a alimentação de ovinos.

Abstract: Aiming to evaluate the effect of addition of cactus pear associated with maniçoba in the diet of sheep on the profile of biochemical indicators of energy metabolism and protein, we performed a randomized block design was used in which 24 male sheep without defined breed (SPRD), mean weight of 19.77±1.95 kg and average age of six months, divided equally into three treatments: concentrate + Tifton hay, concentrate + maniçoba hay and concentrate + maniçoba silage, and similar parts of cactus pear. There were four blood samples, which were repetitions at intervals of 15 days (0d, 15d, 3d and 45d). Then proceeded to the analysis of the following biochemical parameters: serum creatinine, urea, total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, fructosamine, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, sodium, potassium, chlorine, calcium and phosphorus. Higher dry matter intake was observed in the group with maniçoba hay. Treatment with maniçoba silage showed statistical differences (P<0.05) in the consumption of neutral detergent fiber. Significant variations were found in the concentration of urea in the animals fed the diet composed of maniçoba hay. Both hay and silage maniçoba, up to 30%, can replace the Tifton 85 hay for feeding finishing animals, effectively keeping the dry matter intake, carcass yield, the protein metabolism, energy and mineral, plus be a good alternative for feeding sheep.

The present study describes an auxiliary tool in the diagnosis of left ventricular (LV) segmental wall motion (WM) abnormalities based on color-coded echocardiographic WM images. An artificial neural network (ANN) was developed and validated for grading LV segmental WM using data from color kinesis (CK) images, a technique developed to display the timing and magnitude of global and regional WM in real time. We evaluated 21 normal subjects and 20 patients with LVWM abnormalities revealed by two-dimensional echocardiography. CK images were obtained in two sets of viewing planes. A method was developed to analyze CK images, providing quantitation of fractional area change in each of the 16 LV segments. Two experienced observers analyzed LVWM from two-dimensional images and scored them as: 1) normal, 2) mild hypokinesia, 3) moderate hypokinesia, 4) severe hypokinesia, 5) akinesia, and 6) dyskinesia. Based on expert analysis of 10 normal subjects and 10 patients, we trained a multilayer perceptron ANN using a back-propagation algorithm to provide automated grading of LVWM, and this ANN was then tested in the remaining subjects. Excellent concordance between expert and ANN analysis was shown by ROC curve analysis, with measured area under the curve of 0.975. An excellent correlation was also obtained for global LV segmental WM index by expert and ANN analysis (R² = 0.99). In conclusion, ANN showed high accuracy for automated semi-quantitative grading of WM based on CK images. This technique can be an important aid, improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing inter-observer variability in scoring segmental LVWM.

O presente relato descreve os achados anatomopatológicos de uma neoplasia maligna em jararaca (Bothrops leucurus), mantida em cativeiro durante sete anos. O animal apresentava massa nodular subcutânea localizada no lado direito do terço anterior. O exame histológico revelou tratar-se de neoplasia mesenquimal maligna, permitindo o diagnóstico de sarcoma fusocelular.