ABSTRACT. The present study evaluated the effect of different energy levels (15.07, 15.91, 17.17, 18.00, and 19.68 kJ g−1 of diet) on isoproteic practical diets for Macrobrachium amazonicum during the nursery phase on the zootechnical performance and proximate composition of the whole body. Postlarvae with a mean weight of 0.043 ± 0.01 g were stored in 25 experimental units, at 150 animals per m2, in a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates. The post-larvae were evaluated at the end of the experimental period according to the pre-established performance parameters. The analysis of variance for regression (α = 0.05) allowed us to estimate that the maximum final weight was observed in the treatment with 16.74 kJ g−1. In contrast, the lowest apparent feed conversion was observed at the 16.43 kJ g−1 level. The best values were found in 17.29 and 17.50 kJ g−1, respectively, for the energy and protein retention rates. As the best fit of the equation was presented for the energy retention ratio (R2 = 0.63), which approached the treatment of 17.17 kJ g−1, this energy level is recommended in postlarvae diets.

RESUMO: A evolução da sociedade comumente vem acompanhado de mudanças, no entanto, algumas delas têm trazido implicações negativas para a comunidade. Uma dessas consequências, diz respeito a degradação ambiental que tem como um de seus agentes influenciadores a atividade agropecuária, protagonizada essencialmente por ações predatórias do homem. Nesse sentido, o objetivo desse trabalho é analisar o padrão de degradação ambiental agropecuário de 167 países do mundo. Para tanto, foi utilizada a metodologia do Índice de Degradação Ambiental Agropecuária (IDAA) como proxy para a degradação ambiental agropecuária e a técnica de análise fatorial. Pelos resultados, identificou-se que o país mais degradado é a Rússia, pertencente ao continente europeu. Entretanto, as demais posições dos países mais degradados, foram predominantemente africanos, seguido do continente da América do Norte e Oceania. Questões como pobreza rural e cenários naturais primitivos podem alavancar esse fenômeno. Os menores índices de degradação concentraram-se nos continentes da América Central e Europa, onde a atividade agropecuária é mais incipiente. Nesse contexto, averiguou-se uma relação diretamente proporcional entre degradação ambiental e prática agropecuária, tendo em vista que países dependentes desse fenômeno foram os detentores de resultados mais preocupantes. Com isso, é emergente a necessidade de políticas públicas que integrem as dimensões econômicas e ambientais que atenuem os impactos negativos nas regiões mais degradadas.

ABSTRACT: Society evolution is commonly followed by changes; however, some of them bring negative implications for the community. One of these consequences refers to environmental degradation, which has agricultural activity as one of its influencing agents, which is essentially characterized by man’s predatory actions. Accordingly, this research analyzed the environmental degradation in 167 pattern in the agricultural world. Therefore, the Agricultural Environmental Degradation Index (IDAA) was used as a proxy for agricultural environmental degradation and the factor analysis technique. Results indicated that the most degraded country was Russia, which belongs to the European continent; however, the other positions were occupied predominantly by Africa, followed by North America and Oceania. Issues such as rural poverty and primitive natural settings can leverage this phenomenon. The lowest rates of degradation were concentrated on Central America and Europe, where agricultural activity was most incipient. In this sense, a directly proportional relationship between environmental degradation and agricultural practice was reported considering that countries dependent on this phenomenon had the most worrying results. Thereby, there is an emerging need for public policies that integrate economic and environmental dimensions that reduce negative impacts in the regions most degraded.

Abstract Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy and fibrosis, which can be subclassified into diffuse cutaneous (dSSc) and limited cutaneous (lSSc) subtypes. Previous studies suggest that an increase in monocytes can be a hallmark of various inflammatory diseases, including SSc. Our aim was to evaluate circulating blood monocyte subpopulations (classical, intermediate and non-classical) of SSc patients and their possible association with disease manifestations. Methods: Fifty consecutive patients fulfilling the 2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc were included in a cross-sectional study. Monocyte subpopulations were identified based on their expression of CD64, CD14 and CD16, evaluated by flow cytometry, and were correlated with the clinical characteristics of the patients; furthermore, the expression of HLA-DR, CD163, CD169 and CD206 in the monocytes was studied. Thirty-eight age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were recruited as a control group. Results: SSc patients had an increased number of circulating peripheral blood monocytes with an activated phenotypic profile compared to healthy subjects. Absolute counts of CD16+ (intermediary and non-classical) monocyte subpopulations were higher in SSc patients. There was no association between monocyte subpopulations and the clinical manifestations evaluated. Conclusion: We identified higher counts of all monocyte subpopulations in SSc patients compared to the control group. There was no association between monocyte subpopulations and major fibrotic manifestations. CD169 was shown to be more representative in dSSc, being a promising marker for differentiating disease subtypes.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the quality of referrals for a first Rheumatology consultation at a tertiary care center in a southern Brazilian capital (Porto Alegre, RS), having as background findings from a similar survey performed in 2007/2008. Since then, our state has implemented referral protocols and a triage system with teleconsulting support exclusively for referrals from locations outside the capital, permitting a comparison between patients screened and not screened by the new system. Methods: Physicians of the Rheumatology Service at Hospital Nossa Senhora da Conceição prospectively collected information regarding first visits over a 6-month period (Oct 2017 to March 2018). We recorded demographic characteristics, diagnostic hypotheses, date of referral, and the municipality of origin (within the state of Rio Grande do Sul). We considered adequate referrals from primary health care when a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease (SIRD) was suspected at first evaluation by the attending rheumatologist. Results: Three hundred fifty-seven patients/appointments were eligible for analysis (193 from the capital and 164 from small and medium towns). In 2007/2008, suspected SIRD occurred in 76/260 (29.2%) and 73/222 (32.9%) among patients from the capital and outside counties, respectively (P = 0.387). In 2017/2018, suspected SIRD occurred in 75/193 (38.9%) and 111/164 (67.7%) in patients from the capital and outside counties, respectively (difference: 28.8, 95% CI: 19.0 to 38.9, P < 0.001), indicating a marked improvement in referrals submitted to the new triage system. Conclusion: The quality of Rheumatology referrals in our state improved over the 10-year interval under study, particularly among patients from locations submitted to referral protocols and teleconsulting support.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el desempeño de las actividades agrícolas en los países de América Latina con base en los modelos de eficiencia y eficacia y con datos de los años 2000. Se observa que, incluso si la actividad agrícola es de importancia fundamental para los países de América Latina, los resultados muestran que existen muchas diferencias para estas actividades puesto que el impacto fue diferente para cada país. Las regiones con las tasas de eficiencia más altas se encuentran en Uruguay, Panamá y Argentina, y aquellas con los valores de eficacia más altos están en Argentina, Brasil y Uruguay. Los resultados también indican que países como El Salvador y Paraguay deben ser más rigurosos. Con respecto a la relación entre los dos aspectos estudiados, cabe destacar que la eficiencia tiene un impacto positivo sobre la eficacia en el contexto de la agricultura en América Latina.

Abstract The objective of this study was to analyze the performance of agricultural activities in Latin American countries based on efficiency and efficacy models using data from the decade beginning in the year 2000. We observed that, even if agricultural activity is extremely important for Latin American countries, the results show many differences for these activities as there was a different impact for each country. The regions with the highest efficiency rates are found in Uruguay, Panama, and Argentina, and those with higher efficacy values are in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. The results also show that countries such as El Salvador and Paraguay need to be more thorough. Regarding the relation between the two aspects studied, it is noteworthy that efficiency positively impacts efficacy in the context of agriculture in Latin America.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o desempenho das atividades agrícolas nos países latino-americanos com base nos modelos de eficiência e eficácia, com dados dos anos 2000. Observa-se que, inclusive se a atividade é de importância fundamental para os países da América Latina, os resultados mostram que existem muitas diferenças para essas atividades, visto que o impacto foi diferente para cada país. As regiões com as taxas de eficiência mais altas se encontram no Uruguai, no Panamá e na Argentina, e aquelas com valores de eficácia mais altos estão na Argentina, no Brasil e no Uruguai. Os resultados também indicam que países como El Salvador e o Paraguai devem ser mais rigorosos. A respeito da relação entre os dois aspectos estudados, cabe destacar que a eficiência tem um impacto positivo sobre a eficácia no contexto da agricultura na América Latina.

Abstract Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) share many clinical manifestations and laboratory findings, therefore, concomitant diagnosis of SLE and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be challenging. Methods: Prospective cohort with 602 patients with SLE who attended the Rheumatology Clinic of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre since 2000. All patients were followed until 01 May 2015 or until death, if earlier. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were prospectively collected. Results: Out of the 602 patients, 11 presented with the diagnosis of AIDS (1.59%). The following variables were significantly more prevalent in patients with concomitant HIV and SLE: neuropsychiatric lupus (10.9% vs. 36.4%; p = 0.028) and smoking (37.6% vs. 80%; p = 0.0009) while malar rash was significantly less prevalent in this population (56% vs. 18.2%; p = 0.015). Nephritis (40.5% vs. 63.6%; p = 0.134) and hemolytic anemia (28.6% vs. 54.5%; p = 0.089) were more prevalent in SLE patients with HIV, but with no statistical significance compared with SLE patients without HIV. The SLICC damage index median in the last medical consultation was significantly higher in SLE patients with HIV (1 vs. 2; p = 0,047). Conclusions: Our patients with concomitant HIV and SLE have clinically more neuropsychiatric manifestations. For the first time, according to our knowledge, higher cumulative damage was described in lupus patients with concomitant HIV infection. Further studies are needed to elucidate this complex association, its outcomes, prognosis and which therapeutic approach it's best for each case.

Abstract The aim of this study was to obtain hydroethanolic extract of propolis by extraction, assisted by focused microwave, and to apply it in Tuscan-style sausage. The extract was used at concentrations of 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% (w/v) in the manufacture of the sausage, which was then analyzed in cold storage at 4 °C for 56 days. The following analyses were performed: mesophilic and psychotrophic organisms; coliforms at 35 and 45 °C; positive and negative-coagulase Staphylococcus, sulfite-reducing Clostridium, and Salmonella spp. The results were below the limits established by the Brazilian legislation, with some changes at the end of the study. Consequently, propolis extract prolonged the shelf life of the Tuscan-style sausage for 56 days and it is therefore an ingredient that can be potentially used in the preparation of this product.

Dois experimentos foram realizados para avaliar a influência de milhos com diferentes texturas de endosperma e adição de alfa amilase na digestibilidade de dietas e no desempenho de leitões na fase de creche. No ensaio de digestibilidade, foram usados 12 leitões castrados (7,96±0,31kg), alojados individualmente em gaiolas de metabolismo, enquanto no desempenho utilizaram-se 75 leitões (7,87±0,67kg) distribuídos em 15 gaiolas de creche. Nos dois experimentos, os tratamentos consistiram de três dietas formuladas para serem isonutritivas, mas com milhos de diferentes texturas e adição ou não de alfa amilase, conforme descrito a seguir: 1. grãos de milho semi-dentado; 2. grãos de milho duro e; 3. grãos de milho duro + alfa-amilase. Os resultados de metabolismo mostraram que os valores de energia digestível (ED) e metabolizável (EM) das dietas foram influenciados pelos tipos de milho, sendo o semi-dentado superior (P<0,05) ao milho duro (3872 versus 3767kcal ED kg-1 e 3778 versus 3660kcal EM kg-1, respectivamente). A inclusão de amilase à dieta com milho duro fez com que os valores de ED e EM (P<0,05) se aproximassem dos valores obtidos com milho semi-dentado (3872 versus 3826kcal ED kg-1 e 3778 versus 3742kcal EM kg-1, respectivamente). No experimento de desempenho, não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos no consumo de ração, ganho de peso e/ou conversão alimentar. Dietas com milho duro ou semi-dentado e adição de alfa-amilase não alteram o desempenho dos leitões. Por outro lado, dietas contendo milho semi-dentado apresentam maior energia digestível que dietas com milho duro e a adição de alfa-amilase aumenta a energia de dietas com milho duro.

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of diets with different corn grain textures and amylase supplementation on nutrients digestibility and nursery piglets' performance. Twelve castrated piglets (7.96±0.31kg) were individually housed in metabolic crates and 75 piglets (7.87±0.67kg) penned in 15 nursery pens. In both experiments the treatments consisted of three isonutritive diets: 1. semi dent corn grain; 2. flint corn grain, and 3. flint corn grain + amylase. There was effect of treatments (P<0.05) in digestible (DE) and metabolisable energy (ME), with the semi dent corn grain diet having DE and ME higher values (3872 versus 3767kcal DE kg-1 and 3778 versus 3660kcal ME kg-1, respectively) than flint dent corn grain diet. The amylase addition increased the DE and ME in flint dent corn diet (3872 versus 3826kcal DE kg-1 and 3778 versus 3742kcal ME kg-1, respectively). The corn grain characteristics didn't influence (P<0.05) feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion and amylase addition didn't affect (P>0.05) the performance characteristics studied. In conclusion, diets with flint or semi dent corns and amylase supplementation did not improve the performance of piglets. On the other hand, semi dent corn diet has more digestible energy in comparison with flint corn diet and amylase addition increase energy values of flint corn diet.

O experimento foi conduzido para determinar a relação entre aminoácidos e frações nitrogenadas do grão de milho (Zea mays L.) e verificar a possibilidade de utilizar tais relações para estimar o conteúdo de alguns aminoácidos. Selecionaram-se 45 amostras de diferentes híbridos de milho cultivados na região oeste do Paraná que foram agrupadas em três categorias, de acordo com o teor de proteína bruta (baixo, médio e alto). Posteriormente, retirou-se uma sub amostra aleatória dentro de cada uma das categorias anteriores, que resultou em uma sub amostra de 15 milhos, os quais foram submetidos à análise de aminoácidos e teor de nitrogênio não-protéico (NNP). O conteúdo de proteína bruta corrigida (PBc) foi obtida descontando-se a concentração de NNP dos valores de proteína bruta. A estrutura de relação entre as variáveis foi estudada por correlação de Pearson e os modelos de regressão linear ajustados pelo método dos quadrados mínimos. Os coeficientes angulares das retas dos primeiros aminoácidos limitantes para aves e suínos (lisina, metionina e treonina) foram positivos e significativos (LIS=0,1080+0,0140PB, R²=0,39; MET=0,1015+0,0084PB, R²=0,43, TRE=0,1268+0,0184*PB, R²=0,51). Contudo, os coeficientes de determinação das equações foram abaixo de 0,51, indicando que a PB explica apenas uma parte da variação no conteúdo de aminoácidos do grão de milho. A predição dos aminoácidos essenciais não melhorou com a utilização da PBc como variável independente. Conclui-se que não é possível estimar, com a precisão adequada, o conteúdo de aminoácidos essenciais do grão de milho, utilizando-se como variáveis independentes a proteína bruta ou a proteína bruta corrigida.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the relationship between amino acids and nitrogen fractions of corn grain (Zea mays L.) and verify whether it is possible to use such relations to estimate amino acid contents. Forty five samples of corn hybrids cultivated in West of the State of Paraná were obtained and grouped in three categories according to the level of crude protein (low, medium and high). Afterwards, a random sub-sample was taken from each of the previous categories, resulting in a sub-sample of 15 corn hybrids that were taken out and submitted to amino acid and non-protein nitrogen (NNP) analysis. The content of corrected crude protein (CCP) was obtained by reducing the NNP concentration of CP values. The relation between variables was studied by Pearson Correlation and lineal regression models adjusted by the minimum square method. The angular coefficients of the first limiting amino acids for birds and swine (lysine, methionine and threonine) were positive and significant (LYS=0.1080+0.0140CP, R²=0.39; MET=0.1015+0.0084CP, R²=0.43, THR=0.1268+0.0184CP, R²=0.51). However, the determination coefficients of equations were lower than 0.51, showing that CP explains only part of the variation in the amino acid content of corn grain. The prediction of limiting amino acids did not improve when CCP was used as an independent variable. Based on the regression analysis, it is not possible to estimate precisely the content of essential amino acids of corn grain using as independent variables crude protein or corrected crude protein.