ABSTRACT Leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis are zoonoses of occupational character that are spread worldwide, mainly in tropical and socioeconomically vulnerable areas. Both diseases have vertebrate hosts, which spread the infectious agent to the environment and are potentially infectious to humans and can progress to fatal cases. The present study reinforces the importance of One Health for the control and prophylaxis of leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis using sentinel animals in areas of socioeconomic vulnerability based on a serological study. A total of 336 blood samples were obtained from the canine population of the urban district, which has high rates of poverty and sanitation. The results were analyzed based on seroreactivity animals and georeferencing by kernel spatial mapping. A total of 43.3% (52/120) of the animals were seroreagents for anti-Leptospira spp., with a predominance of Canicola (35/52 = 67.3%) and Pyrogenes (5/52 = 9.6%), while 52.97% (178/336) of the dogs were seroreactive for anti-Toxoplasma gondii. The presence of seroreagent dogs for both zoonosis alert to the inadequate hygienic-sanitary conditions of the studied region, and highlight the importance of a survey of the social, economic and environmental structure to identify factors related to the links in the epidemiological chain of pathogen transmission and necessary corrective actions.

RESUMO Leptospirose e toxoplasmose são zoonoses de caráter ocupacional disseminadas mundialmente, principalmente em áreas tropicais e socioeconomicamente vulneráveis. Ambas as doenças têm hospedeiros vertebrados, que espalham o agente infeccioso para o meio ambiente e são potencialmente infecciosos para o homem, as quais podem evoluir para casos fatais. O presente estudo reforça a importância da saúde única para o controle e a profilaxia da leptospirose e da toxoplasmose, mediante a utilização de animais sentinela em áreas de vulnerabilidade socioeconômica, com base em estudo sorológico. Um total de 336 amostras de sangue foi obtido da população canina de um distrito urbano que apresenta altos índices de pobreza e ausência de saneamento básico. Os resultados foram analisados com base em animais sororreagentes e georreferenciados por mapeamento espacial de Kernel. Um total de 43,3% (52/120) dos animais foi sororreagente para anti-Leptospira spp., com predominância de Canicola (35/52 = 67,3%) e Pirogenes (5/52 = 9,6%), enquanto 52,97% (178/336) dos cães foram sororreagentes para anti-Toxoplasma gondii. A presença de cães sororreagentes para ambas as doenças alerta para as condições higiênico-sanitárias inadequadas da região estudada e evidencia a importância de um levantamento da estrutura social, econômica e ambiental para identificar fatores relacionados aos elos da cadeia epidemiológica de transmissão do patógeno e ações corretivas necessárias.

Abstract The economic losses caused by parasite infections, aggravated by resistance to anthelmintics, have generated demand for alternatives involving non-chemical control, such as the selection of resistant animals. The objective of this study was to identify which characteristics best describe animals that are resistant, resilient or susceptible to Haemonchus contortus and estimate the percent number in each category. Sixty-one Morada Nova ewes were evaluated in an extensive system. The performance variables (weight, body condition score), hematological variables (packed cell volume, hemoglobin, white blood cells, segmented neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes) and fecal egg counts were measured individually every 14 days during 6 months. The variables were transformed, and analysis of variance was carried out, with construction of a correlation network. Characteristics linked to parasite infection showed variations among the categories, which helped to identify sheep resistant, resilient or susceptible to H. contortus. Based on the analyses performed, 88.3% of the animals were resistant or resilient and only 11.7% were susceptible. Presence of Trichostrongylidae eggs, body condition score, packed cell volume (PCV) and eosinophil counts were found to be good indicators of naturally infected ewes, and there were significant differences between the categories and correlations between the traits.

This study evaluated histological changes in the digestive organs and kidneys of sheep fed sugarcane silage augmented with detoxified castor bean meal (CBM). Forty Santa Inês sheep (initial weight 20 ± 0.3 kg) were adapted to the experimental regime for 14 days, after which data were collected for 60 days. The treatments consisted of S0: sugarcane silage (SC); S5: SC augmented with 5% CBM; S10: SC augmented with 10% CBM; S15: SC augmented with 15% CBM; and S20: SC augmented with 20% CBM. After 74 days of confinement, the animals were slaughtered, and then fragments of the liver, rumen, intestine, and kidney were collected for histomorphometric analyses. The intake of dry matter and the average weight gain increased linearly with the level of CBM (P <0.05), as did the rumen absorption area, the height of the papillae and the width of the papillae. The thickness of the keratinized portion of the epithelium was not influenced, Thus, no effect was detected of the anti-nutritional factor of CBM on this organ. In the intestine, CBM increased the height of the villi and the number of goblet cells. However, S20 caused some kidney damage and decreased hepatic glycogen stock, but not sufficiently to reduce performance. Thus, augmentation of sugarcane with CBM, up to 20%, is viable in feeding sheep.

RESUMO A cartilagem elástica é composta por condroblastos e condrócitos, matriz extracelular e envolta por pericôndrio. Possui uma baixa capacidade de regeneração e é um desafio em reparos cirúrgicos. Um dos obstáculos na engenharia de tecido estruturalmente sólido e de longa duração é a seleção do material de arcabouço mais adequado. Uma das técnicas para obtenção de biomateriais oriundos de tecidos animais é a descelularização, que diminui a antigenicidade. Neste trabalho, foi utilizada solução alcalina em cartilagem elástica auricular bovina para avaliar a descelularização e a arquitetura da matriz extracelular. As cartilagens foram tratadas em solução alcalina (pH13) durante 72 horas e liofilizadas, e comparadas com cartilagens não tratadas por análise histológica (hematoxilina-eosina, tricrômio de Masson e Verhoeff). Foram determinadas as áreas de interesse para contagem celular e quantificação de fibras elásticas, observada a distribuição de colágeno e fibras elásticas e a presença de proteínas não fibrosas. Os resultados demonstraram que a solução alcalina causou 90% de descelularização na região central e 13% na região periférica, manutenção das características histológicas do colágeno e fibras elásticas e remoção das proteínas não fibrosas. Concluiu-se que a solução alcalina foi eficiente na descelularização e retirada de proteínas não fibrosas de cartilagens elásticas da orelha de bovinos.

ABSTRACT The elastic cartilage is composed by chondroblasts and chondrocytes, extracellular matrix and surrounded by perichondrium. It has a low regeneration capacity and is a challenge in surgical repair. One of obstacles in engineering a structurally sound and long-lasting tissue is selecting the most appropriate scaffold material. One of the techniques for obtaining biomaterials from animal tissues is the decellularization that decreases antigenicity. In this work, alkaline solution was used in bovine ear elastic cartilages to evaluate the decellularization and the architecture of the extracellular matrix. The cartilages were treated in alkaline solution (pH13) for 72 hours and lyophilized to be compared with untreated cartilages by histological analysis (hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome and Verhoeff slides). Areas of interest for cell counting and elastic fiber quantification were delineated, and the distribution of collagen and elastic fibers and the presence of non-fibrous proteins were observed. The results demonstrated that the alkaline solution caused 90% decellularization in the middle and 13% in the peripheral region, and maintenance of the histological characteristics of the collagen and elastic fibers and non-fibrous protein removal. It was concluded that the alkaline solution was efficient in the decellularization and removal of non-fibrous proteins from the elastic cartilages of the bovine ear.

Cardiopulmonary fitness assessment is a valuable resource to obtain quantitative indicators of an individual's physical performance. The cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX), considered the gold standard test for this evaluation, is costly and difficult to be accessed by the general population. In order to make this evaluation more accessible, and to better reflect the performance of daily life activities, alternative tests were proposed. Morbidly obese patients present limitations that impair physical performance assessment and could benefit from a test of shorter duration, provided it is validated. This observational study aimed to validate the two-minute step test (2MST) as a tool to evaluate functional capacity (FC) in obese with comorbidities and morbidly obese patients, compared the 2MST with CPX as a measure of physical performance, and developed a predictive equation to estimate peak oxygen uptake (VO2) in the 2MST. The CPX and the 2MST were performed and metabolic and ventilatory parameters were recorded in 31 obese individuals (BMI>35 kg/m2). Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the peak VO2 best predictors. Bland-Altman analysis was performed to assess the agreement between the two methods. Peak VO2 measured by CPX and 2MST showed a strong correlation (r=0.70, P<0.001) and there was a moderate correlation between peak VO2 of the 2MST and the number of up-and-down step cycles (UDS) (r=0.55; P=0.01). The reference equation obtained was: VO2 (mL·kg-1·min-1) = 13.341 + 0.138 × total UDS – (0.183 × BMI), with an estimated standard error of 1.3 mL·kg-1·min-1. The 2MST is a viable, practical, and easily accessible test for FC. UDS and BMI can predict peak VO2 satisfactorily.

Abstract Even though essential oils from Piper aduncum (Piperaceae) have different biological activities, little is known about their application to agricultural areas. White mold is a plant disease caused by the phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, which needs to be controlled by alternative measures. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of essential oils from P. aduncum leaves (PL-EO) and inflorescences (PI-EO) on the mycelial growth of S. sclerotiorum. Essential oils from P. aduncum were obtained by hydrodistillation by a Clevenger-type apparatus while their chemical composition was analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. Piperitone (23.4 %), myristicin (12.4 %), terpinen-4-ol (12.3 %), β-caryophyllene (7.2 %), α-humulene (6.9 %), germacrene-D (6.9 %) and dillapiol (6.3 %) were the main constituents found in oils from P. aduncum. The in vitro antifungal activity showed that PI-EO dose above 30 µL inhibited mycelial growth in 100 %, whereas PL-EO at 50 µL inhibited it in 98.74 %. This is the first report of the chemical composition of PI-EO and results suggest that the essential oils under evaluation have high potential to control the phytopathogenic fungus S. sclerotiorum.

Abstract We present two pollen diagrams from the semi-arid Caatinga of the Catimbau National Park, in Pernambuco and from a Mauritia palm forest in the Caatinga/Cerrado ecotone of southern Piauí, NE Brazil, spanning the last 10,000 cal. yrs BP and the last 1,750 cal yrs BP, respectively. These two records contain a signature of the local vegetation and permit the correlation of the pollen signal with regional climatic changes. The Catimbau record shows Zizyphus sp., a typical Caatinga taxon, in all three pollen zones indicating regional Caatinga vegetation and the predominance of local arboreal taxa adapted to high humidity from 10,000 to ca. 6,000 cal. yrs BP with a gradual tendency towards drier conditions revealed by a deposition hiatus between 6,000 to ca. 2,000 cal. yrs BP. This abrupt loss of sediments in both localities is interpreted as a consequence of the establishment of modern semi-arid climates. The subsequent return of humidity is signaled by increased sedimentation rates and 14C date inversions in agreement with high precipitation, revealed by σ18O ratios in speleothems from NE Brazil. Modern sediments deposited in the last 500 years reflect local conditions with the maintenance of humidity by geological faulting and surfacing water tables.

RESUMO: A interação inibitória entre plantas pode ser uma importante estratégia de Manejo Integrado de Plantas Daninhas (MIPD). Objetivou-se investigar os efeitos inibitórios do cultivo de sorgo sobre a fitossociologia e infestação de plantas daninhas no cultivo e após a colheita. Para isso, um experimento foi realizado no campo, em blocos casualizados no esquema de parcelas subdivididas. As parcelas foram os cultivos do sorgo e do milho (testemunha), e as subparcelas, diferentes datas de avaliação da comunidade de plantas daninhas após a colheita das culturas (DAC) (0, 20, 40, 60 e 80 dias). Houve acréscimo no número de espécies e de famílias botânicas após a colheita. A degradação da palhada do sorgo e do milho atingiu a estabilização aos 60 DAC. Embora o sorgo tenha apresentado menor quantidade de palha e menor cobertura do solo, a infestação de plantas daninhas foi, em média, 30% inferior em relação às áreas com cultivo de milho. O sorgo apresenta efeito inibitório sobre algumas espécies de plantas daninhas, influenciando a fitossociologia, notadamente nos primeiros 40 dias após a sua colheita, podendo ser utilizado como parte da estratégia de Manejo Integrado de Plantas Daninhas (MIPD).

ABSTRACT: The inhibitory interaction between plants may be an important strategy of integrated weed management (IWM). This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of sorghum on phytosociology and infestation of weeds during cultivation and after harvest. An experiment was carried out in the field in a randomized block design in a split-plot arrangement. Plots consisted of sorghum and corn (control) and subplots were composed of different periods of weed community assessment after crop harvest (DAH) (0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 days). An increased number of species and botanical families was observed after harvest. Degradation of sorghum and corn straw reached the stabilization at 60 DAH. Although sorghum has presented a lower amount of straw and soil cover, weed infestation was, on average, 30% lower in relation to areas cultivated with corn. Sorghum showed an inhibitory effect on some weed species, influencing phytosociology, especially during the first 40 DAH, and can be used as part of IWM strategy.

L.D. Lopes, B.R. Böger, K.F. Cavalli, J.F. dos S. Silveira-Júnior, D.V.C.L. Osório, D.F. de Oliveira, L. Luchetta, and I.B. Tonial. 2014. Fatty acid profile, quality lipid index and bioactive compounds of flour from grape residues. Cien. Inv. Agr. 41(2): 225-234. The present study evaluated the proximate composition, the nutrition indexes of lipids and the presence of biologically active compounds in the flour of bagasse from grapes cultivated by conventional (CC) and organic (OC) methods. CC flour had high percentages of proteins, lipids, calories and saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. On the other hand, OC flour had higher percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, ash and carbohydrates. The results demonstrated good nutritional potential for flour from grape bagasse and justified technological applications of the byproduct as a functional ingredient in the formulation of food products.

L.D. Lopes, B.R. Böger, K.F. Cavalli, J.F. dos S. Silveira-Júnior, D.V.C.L. Osório, D.F. de Oliveira; L. Luchetta y I.B. Tonial. 2014. Perfil de los ácidos grasos, índices de calidad de los lípidos y compuestos bioactivos de las harinas de residuos de la uva. Cien. Inv. Agr. 41(2): 225-234. Los alimentos producidos con el uso de los subproductos, caracterizados por propiedades bioquímicas y fisiológicas beneficiosas para salud y porque evitan una mayor degradación del medio ambiente, han sido bastante discutidos y valorados. El estudio evaluó la composición proximal, perfil de ácidos grasos, los índices de la calidad nutricional de los lípidos y la presencia de compuestos biológicamente activos en las harinas de orujo de uvas a partir del métodos de cultivo: convencional (CC) y orgánico (CO). Los resultados mostraron que la harina CC mostró altos niveles de proteínas, grasas, calorías, ácidos grasos saturados y monoinsaturados, mientras que el contenido en ácidos grasos poliinsaturados, especialmente omega-3 y omega-6, los carbohidratos y las cenizas fueron mayores para la harina CO. Estos resultados indican un bueno potencial nutricional de la harina obtenida de orujo de uva, así justifican la aplicación tecnológica del subproducto como un ingrediente funcional en la formulación de productos alimenticios.

This work evaluated the effects of increasing levels of the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum meal (BSM) in the feed given to Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. The completely randomized design experiment lasted 42 days. Nile tilapia fingerlings (n=75) with an average age of 30 days and average weight of 0.43 ± 0.02 g were assigned to 25 plastic tanks and submitted to five treatments in five repetitions. The treatments were increasing levels of BSM (5, 10, 15, and 20 g kg-1 of feed) and a control feed (no BSM). Each experimental unit was made up of a 36 L plastic tank with three fingerlings. The parameters studied were final average weight, percentage of weight gain, apparent feed conversion ratio, total length and carcass yield with and without head. The final average weight, percentage of weight gain, and total length were not affected by the treatments (p>0,05). The apparent feed conversion ratio improved linearly (p<0.01) and carcass yield increased linearly (p<0.01) as the BSM in feeds increased. BSM is an additive with potential use in Nile tilapia feed at the level of 20 g kg-1 because it does not result in growth loss and improves the feed conversion ratio and carcass yield in Nile tilapia during the fingerling period.

Este trabalho avaliou os efeitos de níveis crescentes da farinha de alga marromAscophyllum nodosum (FAM) nas rações para alevinos de tilápia do Nilo Oreochromis niloticus. O experimento, com delineamento inteiramente casualizado, durou 42 dias. Foram utilizados alevinos de tilápia do Nilo (n= 75) com idade média de 30 dias e peso médio de 0,43 ± 0,02 g, distribuídos em 25 tanques plásticos submetidos à cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram níveis crescentes de farinha de alga marrom (5, 10, 15 e 20 g kg-1 de ração) e uma ração controle (sem FAM). Cada unidade experimental foi composta por um tanque plástico de 36 L com três alevinos. Foram estudados os parâmetros médios de peso final, percentagem de ganho de peso, taxa de conversão alimentar aparente, comprimento total e rendimento de carcaça, com e sem cabeça. As médias de peso final, percentagem de ganho de peso e comprimento total não foram influenciadas pelos tratamentos (p>0,05). Os valores da taxa de conversão alimentar aparente melhoraram linearmente (p<0,01) e os valores de rendimento de carcaça aumentaram linearmente (p<0,01) à medida que se aumentaram os níveis de FAM nas rações. A farinha de alga marrom é um aditivo com potencial utilização em rações de tilápia do Nilo no nível de 20 g kg-1, pois não diminui o crescimento e promove melhora da taxa de conversão alimentar e do rendimento de carcaça de alevinos de tilápia do Nilo.

Bidens pilosa é uma das mais importantes plantas daninhas que ocorrem em lavouras anuais e perenes da região Centro-Sul do Brasil. A grande capacidade de produção de aquênios é uma das suas principais estratégias de sobrevivência, e o conhecimento das condições fundamentais para germinação e emergência das plântulas é essencial para predição do crescimento populacional e para a elaboração de plano de manejo de suas infestações e de seus biótipos resistentes aos herbicidas. Foram conduzidos ensaios em condições de casa de vegetação, onde foi avaliada a emergência de aquênios de B. pilosa em diferentes profundidades (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 e 5 cm). Os experimentos foram conduzidos nos meses de maio, agosto e novembro de 2006 e em março de 2007. Os resultados mostraram que a emergência de plântulas de picão-preto foi bastante afetada pela localização do aquênio no perfil do solo, ocorrendo expressiva redução a partir de 2 cm de profundidade. Essa característica da biologia reprodutiva do picão-preto é importante para a formação de densos bancos de sementes em solos submetidos ao preparo convencional, onde grande parte da chuva de sementes é nele incorporada.

Bidens pilosa is one of the major weeds in annual and perennial crops in midsouthern Brazil. High seed production is one of its most important survival strategies and the knowledge of the fundamental conditions for seedling germination and emergence is essential to establish prediction models of its population growth and to elaborate management models for control and prevention of herbicide resistant populations. This research aimed to understand the importance of B. pilosa seed depth in the soil profile to enhance its germination and seedling emergence potential. Thus, four assays were carried out under greenhouse conditions and the seeds were sown at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 cm from the soil surface. The emergence of B. pilosa seedlings was reduced as sowing depth was increased, with drastic reduction from two centimeters. This reproductive biology feature presented by B. pilosa is very important for the formation of dense seed banks in soils submitted to conventional tillage system.

Foram utilizadas 28 aves adultas, separadas aleatoriamente em quatro grupos. Os pombos foram anestesiados com isoflurano para a realização da osteotomia diafisária transversa do úmero direito. No grupo I, a osteossíntese foi realizada associando-se dois pinos de Kirschner e polimetilmetacrilato, intramedulares; no grupo II, os pinos de Kirschner foram substituídos por pinos de Schanz; no grupo III, foram utilizados apenas dois pinos de Kirschner; e, no grupo IV, apenas dois pinos de Shanz. Os tempos médios para a consolidação óssea foram de 29±4,04 dias no grupo I; 24±5,29 dias no grupo II; 33±3,74 dias no grupo III; e 32,9±5,21 dias no grupo IV. Foi observada migração dos pinos em 42,9% dos animais do grupo I, em 0% nos do grupo II, em 85,7% nos do grupo III, e em 28,6% nos do grupo IV. Em duas aves dos grupos I, III e IV notou-se incapacidade de voar. Os resultados demonstram que a associação de dois pinos de Schanz e polimetilmetacrilato, ambos intramedulares, é um método efetivo para osteossíntese de úmero em pombos domésticos (Columba livia), proporcionando rápida consolidação óssea e mínimas complicações.

Twenty-eight adult domestic pigeons (Columba livia) were randomly divided into four groups of seven birds each. Anesthesia was performed with isoflurane and oxygen, and an osteotomy of the right humerus midshaft was performed with an electric cutter. On the sequence, one of the following treatments was chosen: group I, two Kirschner pins and polymethylmethacrylate intramedullary; group II, two Schanz pins and polymethylmethacrylate intramedullary; group III, two Kirschner pins only; and group IV, two Schanz pins only. The mean time ± standard deviation for fracture healing was 29±4.04 days in group I; 24±5.29 days in group II; 33±3.74 days in group III; 32.9±5.21 days in group IV. Pin migration was observed in 42.9% of the group I animals, 0% of group II, 85.7% of group III, and 28.6% of group IV. Two pigeons of groups I, III, and IV presented flight incapability. The results suggest that two Schanz pins and polymethylmethacrylate intramedullary are an effective method of humeral ostheosynthesis in domestic pigeons (Columba livia), resulting in faster fracture healing with minimal complications.

Plantas de eucalipto com sintomas de intoxicação por glyphosate são comuns em áreas em que esse herbicida é usado. Uma das possíveis formas de contato com glyphosate é por meio da exsudação radicular do produto, por plantas daninhas tratadas, e subseqüente absorção pelas plantas de eucalipto. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a exsudação de glyphosate por Brachiaria decumbens e seus efeitos sobre plantas de eucalipto, por meio da aplicação de 14C-glyphosate misturado à calda de pulverização do produto comercial. Mudas de dois clones de eucalipto (UFV05 e UFV06) foram cultivadas em consórcio com Brachiaria decumbens (capim-braquiária), em vasos contendo dois tipos de solo: um arenoso e outro argiloso. Aos 35 dias após o transplantio das mudas, foram aplicados na braquiária 50 µL da mistura de 14C-glyphosate com a formulação comercial de glyphosate Scout®, utilizando-se uma microsseringa de precisão. Aos 2, 8, 16 e 24 dias após aplicação, as plantas de eucalipto foram coletadas e fracionadas em ápice primário, ápices secundários, folhas e raízes, sendo processadas de acordo com metodologia usual para determinação da radioatividade. Não foram observados sintomas de intoxicação por glyphosate nas plantas de eucalipto, em nenhuma das avaliações realizadas. Entretanto, o 14C-glyphosate foi encontrado em todas as plantas de eucalipto avaliadas, independentemente do solo, do clone e da época de avaliação, em maior concentração em plantas cultivadas no solo arenoso. Os resultados evidenciam a exsudação radicular do glyphosate e/ou de seus metabólitos pela braquiária e subseqüente absorção, via raízes, pelas plantas de eucalipto, em concentrações inferiores às necessárias para causar intoxicação na cultura.

Eucalypt plants commonly present symptoms of intoxication in areas where glyphosate is used. One possible way of contamination is through radicular exudation of glyphosate by the treated weed and later, plant absorption. This study aimed to evaluate glyphosate exudation by Brachiaria decumbens and its effects on eucalypt plants when 14C-glyphosate, mixed to the solution of the commercial product Scout® was applied. Seedlings of two eucalypt clones (UFV05 and UFV06) were cultivated in pots, intercropped with Brachiaria decumbens, on two types of soil (clayey and sandy). At 35 days after transplantation, 50 µL of the mixture was applied on brachiaria by using a precision micro-syringe. After application, 2, 8, 16 and 24 days, samples of eucalypt plants were collected and fractioned in the primary apices, secondary apices, leaves and roots, following the usual methodology to determine radioactivity. Symptoms of intoxication were not observed in any eucalypt plant evaluation. However, 14C-glyphosate was found in all plants, regardless of the soil type, clone or evaluation time, with the highest concentration being found in the sandy soil. Results show radicular exudation of glyphosate by B. decumbens and its absorption by eucalypt plants through roots. However, concentrations lower than necessary may cause crop intoxication.

Compararam-se os métodos de coleta total (CT) e dos indicadores óxido crômico (Cr2O3), cinzas insolúveis em ácido (CIA) e lignina na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) dos nutrientes para gatos. Os CDA de quatro rações foram determinados pela CT e estimados pelos diferentes indicadores em teste. Foram utilizados 24 gatos adultos castrados, alojados em gaiolas metabólicas individuais, totalizando seis animais por ração. O experimento seguiu um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas, sendo as rações as parcelas, os métodos as subparcelas e cada gato uma unidade experimental. Os CDA foram significativamente menores pelo método da lignina em uma das rações estudadas (P<0,05). Os métodos Cr2O3, CIA e CT resultaram em CDA iguais em todas as rações (P>0,05). As taxas de recuperação dos indicadores, médias±erro-padrão da média, foram, respectivamente, de 97,1±2,5%, 97,3±2,9% e 83,9±9,1% para o Cr2O3, CIA e lignina. A CIA e o Cr2O3 mostraram grande potencial para utilização como indicadores, enquanto a ampla variabilidade dos resultados obtidos com a utilização da lignina não justificou seu emprego como substância índice para felinos.

The total collection (TC) method was compared to chromium oxide (Cr2O3), acid-insoluble ash (AIA) and lignin marker methods for determining the coefficients of apparent digestibility (CAD) of nutrients in domestic cats. The CAD of four diets were determined by TC and estimated for the three markers through tests. Twenty-four adult neutered cats were housed in individual metabolic cages, totaling six animals per diet. The experiment was carried out using a completely randomized design in subdivided blocks where diets were blocks, methods were sub-blocks and each cat an experimental unit. CAD for the lignin method was significantly lower than TC method (P<0.05) in one of the studied diets. CAD for the Cr2O3, AIA and TC methods were similar in all diets. Recuperation rates of Cr2O3, AIA and lignin markers were 97.1±2.5%, 97.3±2.9% and 83.9±9.1% respectively. AIA and Cr2O3 methods showed high potential for use as markers while the higher variability in results obtained with the use of lignin did not justify its usage as an indicator substance for felines.

The objective of the present study was to characterize the heart rate (HR) patterns of healthy males using the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model over a power range assumed to correspond to the anaerobic threshold (AT) during discontinuous dynamic exercise tests (DDET). Nine young (22.3 ± 1.57 years) and 9 middle-aged (MA) volunteers (43.2 ± 3.53 years) performed three DDET on a cycle ergometer. Protocol I: DDET in steps with progressive power increases of 10 W; protocol II: DDET using the same power values as protocol 1, but applied randomly; protocol III: continuous dynamic exercise protocol with ventilatory and metabolic measurements (10 W/min ramp power), for the measurement of ventilatory AT. HR was recorded and stored beat-to-beat during DDET, and analyzed using the ARIMA (protocols I and II). The DDET experiments showed that the median physical exercise workloads at which AT occurred were similar for protocols I and II, i.e., AT occurred between 75 W (116 bpm) and 85 W (116 bpm) for the young group and between 60 W (96 bpm) and 75 W (107 bpm) for group MA in protocols I and II, respectively; in two MA volunteers the ventilatory AT occurred at 90 W (108 bpm) and 95 W (111 bpm). This corresponded to the same power values of the positive trend in HR responses. The change in HR response using ARIMA models at submaximal dynamic exercise powers proved to be a promising approach for detecting AT in normal volunteers.