Abstract The objective of this study was to reduce the effects of cryoinjury caused in bovine semen by cryopreservation. Ejaculates were collected from Nellore bulls and subjected to freezing in C (control), ozone (15, 30, and 60 µg mL-1 of ozone), quercetin (25, 50, and 100 µg mL-1 of quercetin), and carnosine groups (100, 200, and 300 ng mL-1 of carnosine). Samples were evaluated post-thaw (M0) and post-rapid thermoresistance test (M30) for sperm kinetics (total motility, progressive motility, curvilinear speed, linearity and amplitude of lateral head displacement) and cell structure viability (plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, mitochondrial potential, membrane fluidity, and lipid peroxidation). There were no differences (P > 0.05) between the control, quercetin, and carnosine-treated groups for the parameters evaluated at M0 and M30. In turn, supplementation with ozone resulted in lower values for sperm kinetics (P < 0.05) and lower mitochondrial potential at M30 (P < 0.05). Quercetin and carnosine at the concentrations used did not promote significant gains in frozen semen, nor did they demonstrate cytotoxicity. We expected to obtain positive results with the use of ozone. Nonetheless, the addition was harmful to the parameters of sperm kinetics, and its effect was not observed as a possible pro-antioxidant. We believe that the fact that the gas did not harm the sperm structure opens avenues for tests with lower dosages, since, by reducing its concentration, we could minimize the damage to sperm kinetics.

Abstract In recent years several dam failures have been reported throughout the world, generating a social concern on mine tailings. Along these lines, it became essential to understand the mechanical behavior of these materials in order to refine current design technologies and prevent more tragedies. In this context, this research had two main goals: (i) to analyze bauxite tailings mechanical behavior through isotropically consolidated-undrained triaxial tests and consolidation tests; and (ii) to compare triaxial tests and numerical simulations results. Confining stresses of 75kPa, 150kPa, and 300kPa were applied in the triaxial tests. Numerical modelling was performed through ABAQUS software, in which three different failure criteria were analyzed, Mohr-Coulomb Model (MCM), Drucker-Prager Model (DPM), and Modified Cam-Clay Model (MCCM). Results indicated that all studied criteria showed satisfactory results, however, DPM was the best criterion to simulate bauxite tailings mechanical behavior and respective strength parameters.

In this article, I briefly present the multilateral discussion on ‘climate security’ and its relation to the protection of the Amazon. First, the text points out the importance of the Amazon for keeping global climate balance, the drastic change to the environmental agenda of Brazilian diplomacy, and the growing call in international public opinion for an internationally coordinated action to reverse deforestation in the region. Next, it introduces the concept of ‘climate security’, its development within the United Nations Security Council, and its relation to the principle of responsibility to protect (R2P). Finally, based on contextual evidence, I carry out a prospective analysis of the narratives that might be constructed to justify applying this principle to the Brazilian Amazon.

Este trabalho descreve a presença de resíduos antropogênicos no trato digestório de tartarugas marinhas no Litoral Norte da Bahia, Brasil. Foram realizadas necropsias no trato digestório de 45 tartarugas marinhas encontradas mortas (Chelonia mydas n=36; Eretmochelys imbricata n=9), no período de janeiro de 2006 a outubro de 2007. Em 60% (27/45) das tartarugas necropsiadas foram encontrados resíduos, especialmente aqueles relacionados à atividade de pesca. Os resíduos encontravam-se ao longo de todo o trato gastrointestinal, com predominância no intestino grosso. A ingestão de resíduos pelas tartarugas marinhas do Litoral Norte da Bahia pode levar a debilidade e até mesmo provocar a morte destes animais.

This study investigates the presence of anthropogenic debris in the digestive tract of sea turtles in the Northern Coast of Bahia, Brazil. Necropsies were performed on 45 turtles, 36 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and 9 hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata), found dead between january 2006 and october 2007. Debris was found in 60% of the animals, especially those related to fishing activities. Litter could be found throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract, but it was found predominantly in the large intestine (47.53%). The ingestion of debris by turtles from the Northern coast of Bahia may lead these animals to starvation, weakness and even death.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da bupivacaína 0,5 e 0,25 % na anestesia regional endovenosa (IVRA) e no bloqueio do plexo braquial (BPB) respectivamente, na anestesia, bloqueio motor e parâmetros cardiovasculares em cães. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 14 cães sadios adultos pesando em média 10 kilos. Animais foram aleatoriamente designados a um de dois tratamentos IVRA (n = 7) ou BPB (n = 7). Todos os animais foram sedados com acepromazina (0,1 mg/kg intramuscular). Para realizar o BPB foi usado um estimulador elétrico nervoso. Anestesia, bloqueio motor, sedação, efeitos cardiovascular e respiratório foram mensurados como efeitos dos respectivos bloqueios. RESULTADOS: O bloqueio BPB demonstrou eficiência superior e maior duração da anestesia (BPB - 456 ± 94 minutos vs IVRA - 138 ± 44 minutos) bem como maior envolvimento motor. Somente a pressão arterial sistólica foi alterada no grupo BPB e a freqüência respiratória em ambos os tratamentos. CONCLUSÃO: Em cães, a bupivacaína 0,25% hiperbárica no grupo BPB produziu uma anestesia do membro anterior três vezes mais longa que a 0,5% no grupo IVRA, com ptose do membro bloqueado e pequena interferência no sistema cardiovascular e com diminuição da freqüência respiratória.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of bupivacaine 0.5 and 0.25% in intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) and brachial plexus block (BPB), respectively, on anesthesia, motor block and cardiovascular parameters in dogs. METHODS: Fourteen healthy adult dogs averaging 10 kilograms (kg) of body weight. Animals were randomly assigned to receive one of the two treatments IVRA (n=7) or BPB (n=7). All the animals were sedated with acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg intramuscular). To execute the BPB was used an electrical nerve stimulation. Anesthesia, motor block, sedation, cardiovascular and respiratory effects were measured as effect of the treatment. RESULTS: BPA showed superior efficiency and duration of anesthesia (BPB - 456 ± 94 minutes vs IVRA - 138 ± 44) as well as motor block. There only physiologic parameter which change were the systolic pressure in BPB and respiratory rate for both treatments. CONCLUSION: In dogs the 0.25 % hyperbaric bupivacaine in BPB produces a front limb anesthesia about three times more than the 0.5 % in IVRA, with ptosis of the limb blocked and little interference in the cardiovascular system but with decrease in respiratory rate.

Um experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho reprodutivo de matrizes suínas inseminadas pela técnica intrauterina (IAIU). Em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, 300 fêmeas foram distribuídas em cinco técnicas de inseminação: controle - intracervical (IAIC) com 3x10(9) espermatozoides/100 mL; intrauterina (IAIU) com 1x10(9) espermatozoides/100 mL; intrauterina com 1x10(9) espermatozoides/50 mL; intrauterina com 5x10(8) espermatozoides/100 mL; e intrauterina com 5x10(8) espermatozoides/50 mL. As fêmeas inseminadas pela técnica intrauterina apresentaram taxa de parto de 90,8% e taxa de repetição de estro de 9,2%, que não diferiram das taxas obtidas pela técnica intracervical (90,0% e 10,0%, respectivamente). O total de leitões nascidos não diferiu entre as técnicas, com média geral de 11,4 a 11,9 leitões por parto. Apesar da dificuldade na passagem da pipeta em 4,6% das fêmeas submetidas à inseminação artificial intrauterina, 100% das fêmeas foram inseminadas. Na avaliação da ocorrência de refluxo de sêmen, não houve diferença entre as técnicas de inseminação intracervical e intrauterina. Entretanto, o total de espermatozoides refluídos foi maior nas fêmeas submetidas à inseminação intracervical. A ocorrência de sangramento não diferiu entre as técnicas estudadas. Portanto, qualquer uma das técnicas de inseminação intrauterina pode substituir a inseminação artificial intracervical, pois não comprometem o desempenho reprodutivo dos animais.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of sows artificially inseminated by the intrauterine (IAIU) technique. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design, with 300 sows being distributed in five insemination techniques: control, intra-cervical (IAIC) with 3x10(9) spermatozoa/100 mL; intrauterine (IAIU) with 1x10(9) spermatozoa/100 mL; intrauterine with com 1x10(9) spermatozoa/50 mL; intrauterine with 5x10(8) spermatozoa/100 mL; and intrauterine com 5x10(8) spermatozoa/50 mL. The sows submitted to intrauterine insemination presented a farrowing rate of 90.8% and return to estrus rate of 9.2%, which did not differ from the rates obtained by the intra-cervical technique (90.0% and 10.0%, respectively). Total litter size did not differ between the techniques, with the means being from 11.4 to 11.9 piglets at farrowing. Although 4.6% of the sows submitted to intrauterine artificial insemination had difficulty with pipette insertion into the cervix, 100% of them were inseminated. When evaluating semen backflow, no difference was found between the intra-cervical and intrauterine insemination techniques. However, total semen backflow was higher in sows submitted to inter-cervical insemination. No difference was found in the presence of blood between the two methods evaluated. Hence, any of the intrauterine insemination techniques can substitute inter-cervical artificial insemination without damaging the reproductive performance of the animals.