The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of various dietary energy levels on the carcass and meat characteristics of feedlot-finished steers. A total of 27 purebred and crossbred Charolais and Nellore steers were used, with a mean initial age of 22 months and weight of 253 kg. The animals were allotted to a completely randomized design with three treatments and nine replicates each. Dietary treatments were arranged so that the average forage to concentrate ratio (FCR) was equivalent to that of a constant FCR treatment. The treatments consisted of CT (constant FCR at 60 to 40), CT5 (starting with 70: 30 FCR and finishing with 50: 50 FCR, that is, a mean overall FCR of 60: 40), and CT10 (starting with 80: 20 FCR and finishing with 40: 60, that is, a mean overall FCR of 60: 40). The dietary treatments did not affect slaughter weight, carcass weight, carcass conformation, physiological maturity, subcutaneous fat thickness, ribeye area, marbling score, and carcass measurements or the yield of commercial cuts. Chilling loss was higher in CT10 steers (2.41%) than in CT (2.26%) and CT5 (2.15%).

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of restorative strategy (fiber post vs cast post and core), coronal height (0 mm vs 2 mm) and thickness (higher than 1 mm vs lower than 1 mm) on survival rate, fracture resistance and stress distribution. Material and Methods Seventy-two bovine teeth were cleaned and allocated in six groups (n = 12). Twenty-four teeth were sectioned at 13 mm length (no remaining coronal structure) and forty-eight were sectioned at 15 mm (2 mm remaining coronal structure). Half of the forty-eight had remaining coronal thickness lower than 1 mm and the other half had thickness higher than 1 mm. All root canals were prepared at 10 mm (luting length), fiber posts were cemented in thirty-six specimens and cast post and core in other thirty-six. All teeth were restored with metallic crowns. Specimens were submitted to 1.5 million cycles (100 N, 45°, 10 Hz at 2 mm below incisal edge) and evaluated at each 500,000 cycles to detect failures. Specimens that survived were submitted to load to fracture test. Bidimensional (Rhinoceros® 4.0) models were obteined survival data submitted to Kaplan-Meier (α=0.05) analysis and load to fracture values submitted to ANOVA and Tukey tests (α=0.05). Results Groups without remaining coronal structure showed survival rates lower than other groups (p=0.001). ANOVA showed higher values of load to fracture for groups with coronal thickness higher than 1 mm (p=0.0043). Finite element analysis showed better stress distribution in groups with remaining coronal structure and restored with fiber post. Conclusion Specimens without remaining coronal structure have lower survival rates. Specimens with remaining structure lower than 1 mm and without coronal structure support the same load to fracture value independently of the restorative strategy.

SUMMARY: We evaluated the supplementation of the MS culture medium with active chlorine and activated charcoal for the in vitro culture of Bambusa vulgaris. Lateral shoots were collected from field-cultivated plants to obtain explants, which consisted of nodal segments of 1-2 cm length, containing one axillary bud. The MS culture medium was supplemented with the following treatments: E1= 0.004 % v v-1 of active chlorine + 4 g L-1 of charcoal; E2= 0.004 % v v-1 of active chlorine; E3= 4 g L-1 charcoal and E4= control (no active chlorine and no charcoal). The percentage of oxidation, fungal and bacterial contamination, explant establishment, survival, sprout and adventitious rooting were evaluated every 21 d, during 63 d. The use of active chlorine reduced the fungal (28 %) and bacterial (38 %) contamination, being the treatment with the highest percentage of established explants (16 %), survival (68 %) and sprout induction (95 %) after 63 d. After 36 days from the beginning of the multiplication stage, some explants presented spontaneous rooting, without the application of plant growth regulators. An anatomical analysis of sprouts and roots revealed the presence of meristematic zones. Furthermore, it indicated that the emergence of adventitious roots occurred from the nodal region in association with axillary buds. Our results contribute toward the development of more efficient protocols for the in vitro propagation of B. vulgaris, from which we recommend using active chlorine for further assessments.

RESUMEN: En el estudio se evaluó el suplemento de cloro activo y carbono activado en el cultivo in vitro de Bambusa vulgaris. Brotes laterales fueron colectados de las plantas cultivadas en el campo para obtener explantes. Los explantes consistieron en segmentos nodales de 1-2 cm de longitud que contenían una yema axilar. El medio MS se suplementó con los siguientes tratamientos: E1 = 0,004 % v v-1 de cloro activo + 4 g L-1 de carbón; E2 = 0,004 % v v-1 de cloro activo; E3 = 4 g L-1 de carbón y E4 = control (sin suplemento con cloro activo y sin carbón). El porcentaje de oxidación, la contaminación por hongos y bacterias, el establecimiento del explante, la supervivencia, la inducción del brote y enraizamiento se evaluaron durante 63 días. El uso de cloro activo redujo la contaminación por hongos (28 %) y bacterianas (38 %), siendo el tratamiento con mayor porcentaje de explantes establecidos (16 %), supervivencia (68 %) y inducción de brotes (95 %). Después de 36 días, algunos explantes presentaron enraizamiento espontáneo, sin aplicación de reguladores de crecimiento. Un análisis anatómico de los brotes y raíces mostró zonas meristemáticas, la conexión entre el sistema vascular del tallo y las hojas y la aparición de raíces adventicias en la región nodal en asociación con los brotes axilares. Los resultados contribuyen al desarrollo de protocolos más eficientes para la propagación in vitro de B. vulgaris, de los cuales se recomienda el uso de cloro activo para futuras evaluaciones.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, por meio de meta-análise, a qualidade da carne de vacas de acordo com o genótipo, sistema de terminação e classe de idade ao abate. A partir de uma pesquisa na internet, foram identificados 15 artigos com informações relacionadas à qualidade da carne de vacas para abate. Os dados foram agrupados conforme o genótipo das vacas, sendo eles: definidos zebuínos ou continentais, cruzados zebuínos x britânicos ou zebuínos x continentais; conforme o sistema de terminação: confinamento ou pastagem; em relação à idade de abate, sendo ela: até 4 anos (jovem), de 4 a 8 anos (adulta) ou mais de 8 anos de idade (velha). A carne das vacas mestiças continentais foi mais macia que a dos demais genótipos, seja através do painel de avaliadores ou pelo Shear. A carne de vacas terminadas em confinamento demonstrou maior grau de marmorização em relação à carne das fêmeas terminadas em pastagem. A redução da idade de abate das vacas melhorou a coloração da carne. O genótipo das vacas afeta os aspectos organolépticos da carne enquanto o sistema de terminação e idade de abate afetam os aspectos sensoriais da carne.

The aim of this study was to evaluate, by meta-analysis, the quality of the meat of the cows according to genotype, termination system and age class slaughter. During an online research were identified 15 articles with information related to meat quality of slaughtered cows. The data were grouped according of the genotype of cows being: zebu or continental defined, crossed zebu x british or zebu x continental; according to termination system: feedlot or grassland; according to age of slaughter, where: up to 4 years old (young), 4-8 years old (adult) or more than 8 years old (old). The meat of the continental crossbred cows was softer than the other genotypes, both panel of evaluators and by Shear. The meat of cows finished in feedlot showed higher marbling degree in relation to meat of females finished on grassland. The reduction of the slaughter age of cows improved the meat color. The cow's genotype affects the organoleptic aspects of meat while the finished system and slaughter age affects the sensory aspects of meat.

The effect of frequency of supply of forage (V) and concentrate (C) on the performance of cows and heifers in feedlot was studied. The treatments were the following frequencies in the supply: 2 V/C= V and C twice daily; 1 V/C= V and C once daily; 1 V/2C= once V and C twice daily, 1 V/3C= once V and C three times a day, for the cows or heifers. The experimental design was completely randomized in factorial arrangement 4 x 2, with four replications. There was no significant interaction between frequency of supplying and category animal. The dry matter intake (DMI) was superior for the animals fed 1 V/2C or 1 V/3C a day in relation with the supply of 2 V/C and 1 V/C, presenting values of 11.7; 11.4; 10.6 and 10.7 kg, respectively. The average daily gain (ADG) was not influenced by the frequency of supplying. The DMi was higher in cows (12.6 kg) than heifers (9.57 kg), having no difference in the weight gain. increasing frequency of feeding the concentrate to two or three times a day, provided greater consumption, not influencing the weight gain of cows and heifers confined.

Objetivou-se avaliar a frequência do fornecimento do volumoso (V) e concentrado (C) no desempenho de vacas e novilhas em confinamento. Os tratamentos foram: 2 V/C= V e C 2 vezes ao dia; 1 V/C= V e C 1 vez ao dia; 1 V/ 2C= V 1 vez e C 2 vezes ao dia; 1 V/3C= V 1 vez e C 3 vezes ao dia para vacas ou novilhas. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 4 x 2, com 4 repeticões. Não houve interação significativa entre frequência de fornecimento e categorias animal. O consumo de matéria seca (CMS) foi superior para os animais alimentados 1 V/2C e 1 V/3C ao dia em relação ao fornecimento de 2 V/C e 1 V/C, apresentando valores de 11,7; 11,4; 10,6 e 10,7 kg, respectivamente. O ganho de peso diário não foi influenciado pelas frequências de fornecimentos. O CMS foi superior para as vacas (12,6 kg) em relação às novilhas (9,57 kg), não havendo diferenca para o ganho de peso. O aumento nas frequências do fornecimento do concentrado para 2 ou 3 vezes proporcionou maior consumo, não influenciando o ganho de peso.

Devido a pouca informação existente sobre adubação para espinheira-santa, e a crescente procura desta espécie, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da calagem, adubação orgânica, mineral e omissão de nutrientes sobre o crescimento de Maytenus ilicifolia. As mudas foram produzidas por sementes e, em agosto de 2006, foram transferidas para vasos com 8 dm³ contendo Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação no delineamento inteiramente casualizado em arranjo bifatorial, totalizando 12 tratamentos com 4 repetições, cujos tratamentos foram: sem adubação com calagem (T1), sem adubação e sem calagem (T7), adubação orgânica (T2 e T8), adubação mineral NPK (T3 e T9), mineral -N (T4 e T10), mineral -P (T5 e T11) e mineral -K (T6 e T12). Os tratamentos T1 ao T6 receberam calcário na dose equivalente a 7,06 t ha-1 de carbonato de cálcio e os tratamentos T7 ao T12 foram testados na ausência de calagem. Após 314 dias da instalação do experimento, foram analisadas as variáveis: massa seca foliar (MSF), massa seca do caule (MSC) e da raiz (MSR), massa seca da parte aérea (MSPA), área foliar (AF), volume radicular (VR), altura (H), diâmetro (D), relação raiz parte aérea (R/PA) e relação altura diâmetro (H/D). A partir dos resultados conclui-se que a calagem, quando utilizada como prática isolada, não resulta em benefícios significativos ao crescimento das plantas. Na presença de calagem, tanto a adubação mineral quanto a orgânica podem ser utilizadas. Na ausência de calagem, a adubação orgânica mostrou-se mais favorável em estimular o crescimento das plantas. Em condições de adubação mineral, independente da presença ou não da calagem, o fósforo mostrou-se importante à nutrição de espinheira-santa.

Since there is scarce information about fertilization for "espinheira-santa" and an increasing search for this species, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of liming, organic and mineral fertilization, and nutrient omission on Maytenus ilicifolia growth. Seedlings were produced from seeds, and in August 2006 they were transferred to 8 dm³ pots containing Dystrophic Red Latosol. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse and the design was completely randomized, in bi-factorial arrangement, totaling 12 treatments and four replicates; treatments were: without fertilization and with liming (T1), without fertilization and without liming (T7), organic fertilization (T2 and T8), mineral fertilization NPK (T3 and T9), mineral -N (T4 and T10), mineral -P (T5 and T11) and mineral -K (T6 and T12). T1 to T6 received lime at the dose equivalent to 7.06 t ha-1 calcium carbonate, and T7 to T12 were tested in the absence of liming. After 314 days of the experiment installation, the following variables were analyzed: leaf dry mass (LDM), stem (STDM) and root dry mass (RDM), shoot dry mass (SDM), leaf area (LA), root volume (RV), height (H), diameter (D), root and shoot ratio (R/S), and height and diameter ratio (H/D). Liming alone does not result in significant benefits to plant growth. In the presence of liming, both mineral and organic fertilization can be employed. In the absence of liming, organic fertilization showed to be more favorable in stimulating plant growth. Under mineral fertilization conditions, irrespective of the presence or absence of liming, phosphorus showed to be important for the nutrition of "espinheira-santa".

Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen, conhecida como ginseng brasileiro, é uma planta extensivamente usada na medicina popular em decorrência de possuir propriedades fitoterápicas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a presença de β-ecdisona nas raízes e partes aéreas de plantas in vivo e in vitro provenientes de dois acessos (BRA e JB-UFSM) de Pfaffia glomerata através da cromatografia em camada delgada (CCD). Nas plantas in vivo, as manchas cromatográficas demonstraram que a β-ecdisona está presente na raiz e na parte aérea. Os acessos não apresentaram diferenças em relação ao perfil de manchas cromatográficas. A análise em CCD não detectou a presença de β-ecdisona nas plantas cultivadas in vitro.

Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen, known as Brazilian ginseng, is a plant extensively used in folk medicine due to its phytotherapic characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of β-ecdysone in the roots and shoots of in vivo and in vitro cultured plants of two sources (BRA and JB-UFSM) of Pfaffia glomerata using Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC). For in vivo cultured plants, TLC plates showed that β-ecdysone was present in the roots and shoots. Sources showed no differences concerning TLC plates. TLC analysis did not detect β-ecdysone in the in vitro cultured plants.