Intensive production systems require high-yield genetics as obtained in Bos taurus x Bos indicus crossbreeding. Generally, high-producing taurine cattle are more susceptible to parasites and heat stress. This study evaluated animal performance, heat-stress measurement (infrared temperatures) and internal parasite infection with daily weight gain in heifers from two genetic groups (Nelore and F1 - Nelore x Angus) reared in two forage production systems (with or without crop-livestock system) during one year. The main objectives were determine the relationship between infrared measures and animal performance and whether it differ between genetic groups and environments. Thirty-six heifers were randomly assigned to two forage production systems, one considered as high-input system with crop-livestock system and other exclusive livestock system considered as low-input. At each 28 days, infrared temperatures (IR), weight and internal parasite infection (fecal egg count) were measured. The temperatures of the eye, snout, forehead, dewlap, body, ground and squeeze chute were determined. F1 heifers had higher weight gain than Nelore (P<0.05) and both did not differ in internal parasite infection (P>0.05). F1 heifers had higher IR than Nelore (P<0.05). The main body points that differentiate between genetic groups were dewlap, forehead and eye. Higher dewlap IR temperature (DW) was associated with higher average daily gain (ADG) during dry season (independently of genetic groups) (ADG = -0.755 + 0.032*DW; R2=0.44). Otherwise, the IR temperatures had a negative relationship with ADG during rainy season and low forehead IR temperature was related to higher average daily gain (ADG = 1.81 - 0.033*forehead; R2=0.12 for F1 animals and ADG = 1.46 - 0.025*forehead; R2=0.07 for Nelore). The infrared temperatures were more related to animal performance during the dry season, which had high temperature and low humidity. The infrared temperatures were able to identify the animal response to the environment challenge. Animals with higher temperatures (dewlap and forehead) had higher daily gain during the dry season.

Legume–grass intercropping systems are a sustainable option to improve nutritional quality of animal feed and decrease livestock greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, the present study evaluated yield, chemical composition and in vitro gas production of silages produced with intercropped palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha.(A.Rich.) R.D.Webster), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan cv. Super N) and corn (Zea mays. L.). Forage was harvested and placed inside micro-silos, which were opened after 100 days and samples were collected for chemical composition and in vitro gas production analyses. Intercropped silage had higher crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and lignin content than corn silage. Moreover, intercropped silage decreased total gas and methane production. Therefore, intercropped silage showed potential to increase conserved feed nutritional quality and reduce methane emissions in livestock production systems.

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RESUMOIntrodução: Demência é uma das causas de incapacidade na velhice, sendo que 1 a 4% de todos os casos são demência vascular (DV), por lesão encefálica, em idade avançada. Déficits cognitivos com provável interferência na atenção complexa, mudanças de personalidade e humor e depressão são os principais sintomas da DV. Objetivo: Investigar a relação do aumento da expectativa de vida com a ocorrência de casos de DV, descrevendo a incidência e a prevalência dessa realidade no Brasil. Metodologia: Foi realizada revisão bibliográfica de artigos das bases EBSCO, SCIELO, LILACS e Google Acadêmico e livros médicos. Discussão: O AVC, isquemia cerebral e problemas vasculares, patologias incidentes no envelhecimento, estão relacionados intimamente com DV, com grande número de sobreviventes desenvolvendo-a, resultado de lesões cerebrais. O Brasil, nono país com maior prevalência de demência, tem a proporção de DV maior que em outros países. Mesmo com avanços médicos e maior longevidade, houve aumento dos casos de DV. Fatores de risco podem ser genéticos, metabólicos, tóxicos, pressão elevada, eventos cardíacos, menopausa, idade, sedentarismo, anestesia geral, inflamação, estresse, infecção, depressão. Metabólicos e tóxicos por serem modificáveis e reversíveis chamam muita atenção como possíveis métodos de prevenção de DV. Além disso, estudos mostraram neuroplasticidade maior em pacientes com alta escolaridade, demonstrando menor risco a DV, indicando escolaridade como uma forma de intervenção. Considerações finais: Diante da epidemia de DV no Brasil, controle de fatores de risco e detecção do transtorno em estágios iniciais poderiam ser importantes na tentativa de amenizar prejuízos, diminuindo o número de casos.

Introduction Diuretic thiazides represent a first-line therapeutic option for arterial hypertension. However, this drug class is regarded as having photosensitizing properties, and, as such, may act as a carcinogen, by triggering phototoxic reactions. Whether or not its long-term use increases skin malignancy risk remains unclear. Purpose To examine a possible association between thiazide usage and the risk of skin cancer, namely basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar databases were comprehensively searched, from inception to the first of February of 2019, for observational studies mentioning thiazide diuretic usage and incidence or prevalence of cutaneous basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Literature review, study selection and appraisal, including methodological quality assessment, and data extraction were independently led by two investigators. Meta-analysis was conducted using generic inverse variance outcome and, due to heterogeneity of the original studies, a random effects model. Confounder-adjusted summary relative risk (RR), with 95% confidence interval (CI), was pooled. Results Ten studies met eligibility criteria. Of these, six had a case-control design and the remaining were cohort studies. Overall, 7,079,530 patients were included; 125,946 were diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, 21,775 with squamous cell carcinoma and 31,191 with malignant melanoma. One study encompassed only squamous cell carcinoma of the lip. In five articles, individual thiazides employed were not addressed, whereas three embraced solely hydrochlorothiazide and other two exclusively bendroflumethiazide. Thiazides were found to be associated with increased risk of basal cell carcinoma (six studies, RR=1.05, 95% CI=1.01–1.10, p=0.02, i2=62%), squamous cell carcinoma (seven studies, RR=1.35, 95% CI=1.05–1.74, p=0.02, i2=92%) and malignant melanoma (six studies, RR=1.17, 95% CI 1.11–1.23, p<0.ehz748.03491, i2=0%). Conclusion Risk of all three major forms of skin malignancy is heightened in thiazide diuretic users. Increased awareness and education, especially for those who are at high risk and under the form of intense solar irradiation avoidance, are warranted for both patients and healthcare providers.