Effects of supplementation with corn distillers' dried grains on animal performance, nitrogen balance, and enteric CH4 emissions of young Nellore bulls fed a high-tropical forage diet

The inclusion of corn-dried distillers' grains (DDG) could be an alternative supplement to increase animal performance, nitrogen efficiency usage (NEU), and decrease enteric methane (CH₄) emissions. Our goal was to determine whether DDG could replace a traditional supplement (cottonseed meal) without affecting animal performance, N balance, and CH₄ emissions. The experiment was conducted during the forage growing season (December to April), with 15 d adaptation, and a 112 d experimental period. The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments: a mineral supplement (MS), cottonseed meal supplement (CS), 50% replacement of CS by DDG (50DDG), and 100% replacement of CS by DDG (100DDG). Cottonseed meal and DDG were used as protein supplement. A total of 12 paddocks, 3 per treatment, were used to measure forage mass: morphological and chemical composition of forage, forage allowance, and animal performance. Six animals per treatment were used to evaluate DM intake, digestibility, CH₄ emissions, microbial protein production (MCP), and NEU of each treatment. Eighty-one Young Nellore bulls (48 testers, 12 per treatments and 33 adjusters) with initial BW of 255 ± 5 kg (10-12 months old) were supplemented with each supplement type at a level of 0.3% of BW. Pasture management was continuous stocking with a variable stocking rate (put-and-take). Enteric CH₄ was measured using the gas tracer technique. The MCP was quantified using purine derivatives and the NEU mass balance. No differences were found in nutrient intake (P > 0.228). Individual animal performance and gain per area were higher in the treatments with concentrates compared with that of MS; however, there was no difference among treatments CS, 50DDG, and 100DDG. The ADG was 0.83 for MS and 1.08 kg/animal/d when supplemented (P < 0.05). Gain per hectare was 709 kg/ha for MS and 915 kg/ha when supplemented with concentrates (P < 0.05). There was no difference in CH₄ production among treatments that average 180 g/animal/d; however, CH₄ per kg of gain was reduced with CS. The CH₄ conversion factor averaged 5.91%. There was no difference in the synthesis of MCP and NEU. Corn DDG can replace 100% of cottonseed meal as a protein source for supplementation of young Nellore bulls grazing in tropical pastures without affecting animal performance, NEU, MCP, and CH₄ emissions.

Pyknodysostosis: oral findings and differential diagnosis

Pyknodysostosis is a rare, genetic, autosomal recessive condition characterized by short stature, generalized bone sclerosis, and oral manifestations such as maxillary atresia and an increase of the mandibular angle. The main purpose of this article was to report a case of pyknodysostosis, describing the characteristic orofacial findings of the disease and discussing the differential diagnosis.

Incidence of pectoralis major turkey muscles with light and dark color in a Portuguese slaughterhouse

Turkey meat and processed products are very popular in Portugal. However, no studies have been made to assess turkey meat quality. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of turkey breast meat in a Portuguese slaughterhouse, differentiating it to obtain better industrial management, performance, and consumer contentment. Nine hundred and seventy-seven male turkeys (from 16 to 20 wk old) from different flocks (BUT 9 and BIG 6) were evaluated to assess meat quality. Turkeys were slaughtered on different days, electrically stunned (225 V/3 s), and scalded in a vertical water bath at 81 degrees C/5 min. On the slaughter line, the pH and temperature were measured on the pectoralis muscle 15 min postmortem. The carcasses were fast-cooled in a tunnel (-2 degrees C/2 m.s(-1)/90% RH) for 2 h and kept in a refrigeration chamber (0 degree C/85% RH) until deboning (approximately 24 h postmortem). Color and pH 24 h postmortem (pH(24)) were measured on the pectoralis major muscle after carcass deboning. Pectoralis major muscles were selected according to criteria used by Barbut (1996) and drip loss, cooking loss, and total pigments analysis were performed on 67 different sliced meat samples. Muscles classified by pH decline rate, called rapid glycolytic, did not present final quality characteristics that could relate them with pale, soft, and exudative- (PSE) like meat, because there was no relationship between pH 15 h postmortem and lightness (L*), drip loss, or cooking loss. The differences, founded on physicochemical characteristics within pectoralis major muscles, allowed us to establish a criteria of turkey meat quality for dark and PSE-like meat, with L* < or = 44 and pH(24) > or = 5.8 and L* > or = 50 and pH(24) < 5.8, respectively. Based on criteria, the studied population presented 8.1% of carcasses with PSE-like muscles and 12.1% with dark muscles. The association of pH(24) and L* as criteria classification can be useful to classify turkey meat quality.

Oral avascular bone necrosis associated with chemotherapy and biphosphonate therapy

BACKGROUND

Oral avascular bone necrosis is an important adverse effect of chemotherapy and biphosphate therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience in oral avascular bone necrosis in cancer patients assigned to undergo chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fourteen patients presenting oral avascular bone necrosis were selected from the clinical files of five Stomatological Clinics in Brazil. Clinical data as well as treatment and prognosis information were obtained from all 14 patients.

RESULTS

Twelve patients (86%) were submitted to biphosphonate therapy. The most important symptom was pain, present in all cases, and the mandible was the most common involved site. Most patients (79%) had their conditions managed by antibiotic therapy and surgical debridation; however complete response was achieved in only three cases (21%).

CONCLUSION

Avascular bone necrosis is a serious oral side-effect of cancer chemotherapy, particularly in patients using biphosphonates, and antibiotic therapy and surgical debridation were not able to promote complete response in most cases.

Frequency of oral manifestations in children infected with human immunodeficiency virus

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of oral manifestations in children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It also attempted to correlate the presence of lesions with the patient's degree of immunosuppression, as measured by the T4/T8 ratio.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

Oral examinations were performed in 51 children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome for a 2-year period. A questionnaire used in this investigation was based on the children's classification proposed by the Centers for Disease Control in 1987. The children's T4/T8 ratios were obtained from their medical files.

RESULTS

Pseudomembranous candidiasis was the most common lesion, found in 21.57% of the children. Salivary gland disease was present in 19.61% of patients. Erythematous candidiasis was observed in 5.88%, and linear gingival erythema and oral hairy leukoplakia were both observed in 1.96% of children. Children with a T4/T8 ratio < 0.5 were more prone to development of pseudomembranous candidiasis.

CONCLUSION

Pseudomembranous candidiasis was the most common type of oral lesion in human immunodeficiency virus-positive children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. There was a relationship between the frequency of oral manifestations and the patient's T4/T8 ratio.

Regional odontodysplasia: report of a case involving two separate affected areas

The purpose of this study was to report in a 12-year old white child a rare clinical condition called regional odontodysplasia. The diagnosis was based on clinical and radiographic findings. Due to the patient's concern over appearance, the treatment involved extracting the affected teeth and subsequently placing partial removable prostheses, thus providing the patient better function and appearance. The teeth that were removed were examined histologically, both in routine preparation stained by hematoxyline and eosin, and in ground sections.

Progression of pulpitis to necrosis and periapical disease in deciduous and permanent teeth of monkeys

The chronology of pulp inflammation and its progression to periapical disease were studied in permanent and deciduous teeth of monkeys. Mechanical pulp exposures were made and the teeth were left open to the oral environment for time intervals of up to two months. Clinical, radiographic, and microscopic study revealed considerable variation.