This study evaluated the effects of capsaicin (CAP) supplementation on the intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen balance, microbial protein synthesis and health traits of bulls managed on pasture. Eight crossbred (Holstein x Zebu) cattle averaging 313 ± 31 kg of body weight (BW) were arranged in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design (one square of four bulls, rumen fistulated with 4-inch silicone cannulas and one square of four non-fistulated bulls), which were kept on Pangola grass pasture (Digitaria decumbens). Each experimental period consisted of 21 days, with 7 days for data collection (no washout between periods). Bulls were randomly assigned to the following treatments: CON (control): concentrate supplementation at 0.5% live weight (BW) and no additive (CAPCIN®), or concentrate supplementation at 0.5% BW in association with CAPCIN® (NutriQuest, Campinas, Brazil) fed at the inclusion rates of 150 (CAP150), 300 (CAP300) and 450 (CAP450) mg/animal/day. Digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fibre showed quadratic responses to CAP supplementation. Rumen pH linearly increased with CAP supplementation. The numbers of lymphocytes and eosinophils were linearly increased with CAP supplementation. The use of encapsulated pepper in supplements of crossbred (Holstein x Zebu) bulls managed on D. decumbens pasture up to 450 mg/animal/day improves nutrients digestibility and ruminal fermentation and can positively influence the health status of beef cattle managed under tropical conditions.

Background: The Cognitive Domains and Functional Assessment Questionnaire (CDFAQ) assess cognitive and functional decline based on the DSM-5 criteria for Neurocognitive Disorders. Its accuracy has been assessed and was translated and validated into English. The informant version (CDFAQ-IV) is a 30-item questionnaire that assesses six cognitive domains with 5 items each: Complex Attention (CA), Executive Functions (EF), Learning and

Memory (LM), Language (L), Perceptual-Motor (PM) and Social Cognition. The development of CDFAQ-IV was based on theDSM-5 cognitive domains, but its factor analysis has not been done yet.

Objectives: To perform a Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the CDFAQ-IV to assess the six-factor cognitive domain model.

Methods: Older adults and their informants were invited to participate in this study. The CDFAQ-IV was applied in 292 older adults’ informants. We used the JASP for a Confirmatory Factor Analysis based on Lavaan R Packages. The confirmatory factor analysis was chosen to manual six-factor model. This study was approved by the ethics committee of UFMG.

Results: Concerning model fitness in the confirmatory factor analysis the X2 was significant (p < .001), standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) was .059 (accepted < .08) and the goodness of fit index (GFI) .984 (accepted > .9). However, the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was marginal to the accepted fitness .066 (accepted < .06) and the comparative fit index CFI was .839 under the accepted cutoff (accepted > .9).

Conclusions: The six-factor model of the showed a good fit for three parameters, marginal for one and negative for the CFI. These results point to a convergence of the questionnaire and factors the DSM-5 cognitive domains. These are still preliminary results and we aim to increase our sample to further assess the confirmatory factor analysis.

The symbiosis between microorganisms and host arthropods can cause biological, physiological, and reproductive changes in the host population. The present study aimed to survey facultative symbionts of the genera Wolbachia, Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Rickettsia, and Nosema in Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in the laboratory and evaluate the influence of infection on the fitness of these hosts. For this purpose, 16S rDNA primers were used to detect these facultative symbionts in the host species, and the hosts' biological and morphological features were evaluated for changes resulting from the infection caused by these microorganisms. The bacterial symbionts studied herein were not detected in the D. saccharalis samples analysed, but the endosymbiont Wolbachia was detected in C. flavipes and altered the biological and morphological aspects of this parasitoid insect. The results of this study may help to elucidate the role of Wolbachia in maintaining the quality of populations/lineages of C. flavipes.

Sucrose yield in sugarcane is a complex process regulated by both environmental and endogenous factors. However, the metabolic balance driving vegetative growth and sucrose accumulation remains poorly understood. Herein, we carried out a comprehensive assessment of carbohydrate dynamics throughout the crop cycle in two sugarcane varieties varying in biomass production, evaluating the carbon metabolism in both leaves and stalks. Our data revealed that the decline in photosynthetic rates during sugarcane maturation is associated not only to accumulation of sugars in leaves but also due to stomatal and non-stomatal limitations. We found that metabolic processes in leaves and stalks were intrinsically linked. While IACSP94-2094 had higher stalk sucrose concentration than IACSP95-5000, this latter produced more biomass. Compared to IACSP95-5000, IACSP94-2094 showed higher sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity in leaves and stalks, along with lower soluble acid invertase (SAI) activity in leaves during the maximum growth stage. Interestingly, IACSP94-2094 also exhibited higher stalk SPS activity and lower stalk SAI activity than IACSP95-5000 during maturation. High biomass production by IACSP95-5000 was associated with higher sucrose synthase (SuSy) and SAI activity in leaves and higher SuSy and soluble neutral invertase (SNI) activity in stalks when compared to IACSP94-2094 during the maximum growth. Despite the contrasting strategies, both varieties displayed similar total sucrose yield, a balance between sucrose concentration and biomass production. This phenomenon implies the presence of a compensatory mechanism in sugarcane, with high biomass production compensating low sucrose accumulation and vice versa.

The objective was to evaluate energy partitioning and predict the relationship between metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible energy (DE) in hair sheep fed tropical diets at three feeding levels (maintenance, intermediate and high). To evaluate the energy partition, a database with 114 records (54 non-castrated males and 60 females) from comparative slaughter studies was used. To estimate the ratio ME:DE, 207 observations (74 non-castrated males and 133 females) were used from six studies in a multi-study approach, two indirect calorimetry studies (n = 93) and four comparative slaughter (n = 114), using a mixed model and study as random effect. A simple linear regression equation of the ME against DE was fitted to predict the efficiency of DE to ME conversion. Gas losses were greatest (P < 0.05) for animals fed at maintenance level (7.92% of gross energy intake). The variations of energy losses in the urine were 2.64, 2.06 and 2.08%; faecal losses were 34.37, 37.80 and 36.91% for maintenance, intermediary and high level of feeding, respectively. The regression analysis suggested a strong linear relationship between ME and DE, generating the model ME (MJ/day) = −0.1559 (±0.07525) + 0.8503 (±0.005864) × DE (MJ/day). This study highlights the importance of the relationship ME:DE. Equation/factor 0.85 presented herein is alternative that could be used for the calculation of ME from DE in feedlot diets tropical. In conclusion, we suggest that for hair sheep fed tropical diets the conversion factor 0.85 is more adequate to predict ME from DE.

In tropical regions, water stress is one of the main causes of the reduction in forage productivity, and irrigation strategies can mitigate the problem, especially for highly productive species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of irrigation, genotype and plant size on productive responses and water use efficiency (WUE) of elephant grass (Cenchrus purpureus [Schumach.] Morrone), in the rainy and dry season. The experimental design was randomized in blocks, arranged in split plots, the main plots were established based on the use of irrigation and the subplots were the tall-sized genotypes (IRI 381 and Elephant B) and dwarfs (Taiwan A-146 2.37 and Mott). The genotypes were evaluated for two years and harvested every 60 days. Water use efficiency, total forage accumulation per year and harvest, forage accumulation rate and forage density were evaluated. There was a significant difference between the genotypes in terms of total forage accumulated (P < 0.05). The most productive genotype was IRI 381, which showed the greatest total forage accumulation (42 168 kg of DM/ha in two years) in the irrigated plots. During the rainy seasons, IRI 381 stood out in terms of forage accumulated (24 667 kg of DM/ha). Irrigation favoured increases in forage accumulation around 60%, in both years of evaluation. Irrigation and plant size influenced the productivity and WUE of elephant grass harvested in 60-day intervals. Tall genotypes and Taiwan A-146 2.37 (dwarf size) stood out in most of the productive traits analysed, while Mott was highlighted by its forage density.

Preeclampsia (PE) affects up to five times more women with pre-existing diabetes mellitus (PDM) than women without it. The present study aimed to identify the effect of the DASH diet on PE incidence (primary outcome) and blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin (GH), serum lipids, glutathione peroxidase (GP), C-reactive protein (CRP – secondary outcomes) in pregnant with PDM. This randomised, controlled, single-blind trial studied sixty-eight pregnant women with PDM throughout prenatal care until delivery (18 weeks) at a public maternity hospital, Brazil. The standard diet group (SDG) received a diet containing 45–65 % carbohydrates, 15–20 % protein and 25–30 % lipids. The DASH diet group (DDG) received the adapted DASH diet with a similar macronutrient distribution, but with a higher concentration of fibres, unsaturated fats, calcium, magnesium and potassium as well as lower saturated fat. Student's t, Mann–Whitney U and the Chi-square tests were used to compare outcomes. PE incidence was 22⋅9 % in the SDG and 12⋅1 % in the DDG (P = 0⋅25). GP levels significantly increased in the DDG (intra-group analysis; mean difference = 1588 [CI 181, 2994], P = 0⋅03) and tended to be different from the variation in the SDG (mean difference = −29⋅5 [CI −1305; 1⋅365]; v. DDG: 1588 [CI 181; 2994], P = 0⋅09). GH levels decreased significantly and similarly between groups (SDG: −0⋅61 [CI −0⋅26, −0⋅96], P = 0⋅00) v. DDG: −1⋅1 [CI −0⋅57, −1⋅62], P = 0⋅00). There was no evidence of a difference in PE incidence at the end of the intervention between the two diets. The DASH diet seems to favour PE-related biochemical markers.

The giant African land snail, Achatina fulica, is an important invasive species in many countries, where it causes losses in biodiversity and agriculture, as well as impacting the health of both humans and animals, as the intermediate host of medically important nematodes. The present study is based on a comprehensive review of the literature on the nematodes that have been found in association with A. fulica, worldwide. We searched a number of different databases and used the findings to investigate the methods used to extract and identify the nematodes, their larval stages, and environment and collecting procedures of the infected molluscs. Between 1965 and 2021, 11 nematode species were recorded in association with A. fulica in 21 countries. Most of the studies recorded associations between A. fulica and Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which causes cerebral angiostrongyliasis in humans and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, which provokes pneumonia in felines. The nematodes were extracted primarily by artificial digestion with hydrochloric acid or pepsin, and identified based on their morphology or through experimental infection to obtain the adult. In most cases, the nematodes were at larval stage L3, and the infected A. fulica were collected from anthropogenic environments. The results demonstrate the importance of A. fulica as a host of nematodes of medical and veterinary importance, as well the contribution of anthropogenic environments to the occurrence of the parasites, and give information about the different methods used to collect and identify the nematodes found associated with this species.

The objective of this study was to describe and explain the effect of adding corn meal (CM) on losses, fermentation characteristics and nutritional value of silages from two elephant grass [Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone] genotypes (Taiwan A-146 2.37 and IRI-381) mixed with butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) legume. The forage was harvested at 75 days of regrowth from elephant grass plots intercropped with butterfly pea legume and ensiled with or without CM at 5% of dry matter (DM) content. Greater gas losses (12 g/kg) and pH (4.2) were observed in the Taiwan A-146 2.37 + butterfly pea silages. The greatest crude protein content was observed in the ‘Taiwan A-146 2.37’ + butterfly pea silage added with CM (116 g/kg). Silages with additive and those containing IRI-381 had a greater acid detergent fibre content (367 and 366 g/kg, respectively). CM increased the silage DM (221 g/kg), remaining water-soluble carbohydrates contents (26 g/kg) and in vitro digestibility of DM. The aerobic stability was maintained until 45 h after opening the silos. All silages presented a good fermentative profile and were not affected by the relatively large proportion of butterfly pea (>34%) in the ensiled mass as indicated by the reduced contents of butyric acid and ammonia nitrogen. CM reduces total losses, increases DM recovery and improves the nutritional value of silages from mixed elephant grass–butterfly pea legume.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) and stem rust (SR) threaten the sustainability of wheat production worldwide. Fhb1 and Sr2 confer partial durable resistance to FHB and SR, respectively. Despite resistant alleles of both genes are linked in repulsion, lines with Fhb1-Sr2 in coupling were developed at the University of Minnesota, USA. Marker-assisted backcrossing was used to incorporate the coupled Fhb1-Sr2 into four elite INIA-Uruguay spring wheat varieties lacking both genes and expressing different levels of FHB and SR resistance. In each case, the initial cross between the donor line and recurrent parent was backcrossed three times. Genotypes carrying Fhb1-Sr2 were selected using the molecular marker UMN10. In BC3F3 families, retention of Fhb1-Sr2 was further confirmed with the markers SNP3BS-8 and Sr2-ger9 for Fhb1 and Sr2, respectively. BC3F3 homozygous lines contrasting at UMN10, SNP3BS-8 and Sr2-ger9 were obtained to quantify the effect of Fhb1-Sr2 on the resistance to FHB under controlled conditions and to SR under field conditions. After 26 months period, successful introgression of Fhb1-Sr2 into the four cultivars was achieved, representing novel wheat genetic resources. Lines homozygous for the resistant alleles of Fhb1 were significantly more resistant to FHB as reflected by an 18% reduction of average FHB area under the disease progress curve. A significant effect of Sr2 on SR field resistance was observed in lines derived from the most susceptible cultivar ‘Génesis 2375’. The most resistant lines to both diseases are expected to be valuable genetic resources in breeding for durable resistance to FHB and SR.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different intercropping and spacing arrangements of corn (Zea mays L) and crotalaria (Crotalaria spp) on the agronomic characteristics, chemical composition and forage digestibility. The experiment was distributed in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial scheme. The treatments were two cultivation systems (corn + Crotalaria juncea (CCJ) intercropping, and corn + Crotalaria ochroleuca (CCO) intercropping), in two spacing arrangements (A1 (corn and crotalaria sown in the same row) and A2 (corn and crotalaria sown in alternate rows)) plus control (single corn monocropping (CSC)), with six replicates per treatment, for 2 years. Forage plants were harvested when the corn grain reached the doughy-farinaceous phenological stage. Forage mass (total and of each species), morphological composition, chemical composition and in vitro digestibility were evaluated. The forage accumulation was higher for the A1 spatial arrangement. In the second year, the highest total forage mass was verified in the CCO intercropping (11 140 kg/ha). The highest corn mass (9402 kg/ha) was observed for CSC. The highest crotalaria mass was observed in the CCJ intercropping in both years. Regarding the chemical composition, CCJ and CCO intercropping had the highest crude protein concentration. The lowest acid detergent fibre concentration was observed in CSC and CCO intercropping, directly reflecting the in vitro dry matter digestibility coefficients. It is concluded that C. ochroleuca, sown between corn rows, had higher forage accumulation and nutritive value among the treatments tested in this experiment.

The diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has improved with the search of novel antigens; however, their performance is limited when samples from VL/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-coinfected patients are tested. In this context, studies conducted to identify more suitable antigens to detect both VL and VL/HIC coinfection cases should be performed. In the current study, phage display was performed using serum samples from healthy subjects and VL, HIV-infected and VL/HIV-coinfected patients; aiming to identify novel phage-exposed epitopes to be evaluated with this diagnostic purpose. Nine non-repetitive and valid sequences were identified, synthetized and tested as peptides in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay experiments. Results showed that three (Pep2, Pep3 and Pep4) peptides showed excellent performance to diagnose VL and VL/HIV coinfection, with 100% sensitivity and specificity values. The other peptides showed sensitivity varying from 50.9 to 80.0%, as well as specificity ranging from 60.0 to 95.6%. Pep2, Pep3 and Pep4 also showed a potential prognostic effect, since specific serological reactivity was significantly decreased after patient treatment. Bioinformatics assays indicated that Leishmania trypanothione reductase protein was predicted to contain these three conformational epitopes. In conclusion, data suggest that Pep2, Pep3 and Pep4 could be tested for the diagnosis of VL and VL/HIV coinfection.