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Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a serious condition which impairs the achievement of the fetus' full growth potential and occurs in a natural and severe manner in pigs as a result of placental insufficiency. Reduced skeletal muscle mass in the fetus with IUGR persists into adulthood and may contribute to increased metabolic disease risk. To investigate skeletal muscle postnatal development, histomorphometrical patterns of the semitendinosus muscle, myosin heavy chain (MyHC; embryonic I, IIA, IIB and IIX isoforms) fiber composition and the relative expression of genes related to myogenesis, adipogenesis and growth during three specific periods: postnatal myogenesis (newborn to 100 days old), hypertrophy (100-150 days old), and postnatal development (newborn to 150 days old) were evaluated in female pigs with IUGR and normal birth weight (NW) female littermates. NW females presented higher body weights compared to their IUGR counterparts at all ages evaluated (P < 0.05). Moreover, growth restriction in utero affected the semitendinosus muscle weight, muscle fiber diameter, and muscle cross-sectional area, which were smaller in IUGR pigs at birth (P < 0.05). Notwithstanding the effects on muscle morphology, IUGR also affected muscle fiber composition, as the percentage of MyHC-I myofibers was higher at birth (P < 0.05), and, in 150-day-old gilts, a lower percentage of MyHC-IIX isoform (P < 0.05) and the presence of embryonic MyHC isoform were also observed. Regarding the pattern of gene expression in both the postnatal myogenesis and postnatal development periods, IUGR led to the downregulation of myogenic factors, which delayed skeletal muscle myogenesis (PAX7, MYOD, MYOG, MYF5 and DES). Altogether, growth restriction in utero affects muscle fiber number and size at birth and muscle fiber composition through the downregulation of myogenic factors, which determines the individual´s postnatal growth rate. This fact, associated with delayed myofiber development in growth-restricted animals, may affect meat quality | 841 FELICIONI Et aL. | Muscle fiber diameterThe diameter of the muscle fibers cross-section [Feret's diameter (Dubache-Powell, 2008)] was determined using digital images randomly selected in the newborn, 100-day-old and 150-day-old pigs

The development of the digestive system in larvae of the Neotropical fish P. argenteus was analyzed histologically. On the 3 rd day after hatching, the digestive system comprised oropharyngeal cavity, esophagus and simple undifferentiated tube. Since secreting cells, positive to Alcian Blue (AB), were found in the esophagus, digestive activity in the initial phase had occurred. On the 18 and 28 th days after hatching, the esophagus was positive for AB and Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) stain. The stomach was fully differentiated, with the cardiac, fundic and pyloric regions. Different regions of the epithelium were characterized by basic and acidic secreting cells (AB and PAS positive). On the 18 and 28 th days after hatching, the intestine was long, coiled and divided into proximal, middle and distal segments with pyloric ceca. Secreting cells in different regions of the gut were either positive or negative for AB and PAS. Results showed that larvae of P. argenteus exhibited digestive activity on the third day after hatching, with fully differentiated stomach and intestines on the 18 and 28 th days and their different regions featuring secreting cells.

Escolas são espaços, que geram diariamente uma grande quantidade de resíduos sólidos. Diante disso, existe a necessidade assim como diversos municípios, que instituições de ensino possuam um plano de gerenciamento de resíduos, de acordo com suas necessidades. A presente pesquisa avaliou a percepção do alunado sobre assuntos relacionadas a coleta seletiva e como é feito o gerenciamento dos resíduos sólidos em unidades escolares. A partir de um estudo descritivo e de uma abordagem quali-quantitativa, como forma investigativa foram aplicados questionários semiestruturados com oito questões fechadas para 30 alunos do Ensino Fundamental (9º ano), 30 alunos do Ensino Médio (3º ano), assim como oito questões para 18 professores das duas escolas públicas, ambas localizadas no município de São Joaquim do Monte–PE. A partir da metodologia aplicada, e os dados obtidos, ficou perceptível que o problema do gerenciamento/gestão dos resíduos sólidos, é bem parecido nas duas escolas e mesmo havendo uma discrepância para algumas questões, existe um déficit em relação ao serviço de coleta seletiva e gerenciamento nessas instituições. Por outro lado, mesmo os professores trabalhando de forma efetiva com ações direcionadas de Educação Ambiental, reciclagem e coleta seletiva, a problemática toma dimensões maiores, pois na própria cidade o serviço de coleta municipal, faz a destinação de todos os resíduos, inclusive os escolares em terreno baldio, sem nenhuma condição de tratamento/reciclagem. A fim de sensibilizar as duas turmas, foram realizadas palestras voltadas para questão do descarte sustentável, importância da coleta seletiva, reciclagem e principalmente o incentivo a mudança de atitudes e comportamento perante o meio ambiente.  

The survival of several fish species in captivity depends on their adaptation to the environmental conditions and the biological characteristics. The objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of different light intensity levels in growth, behavior and skin pigmentation in juvenile of Lophiosilurus alexandri. Fishes were exposed to the following luminosities: 0, 218, 278, and 459 lux. The experiment was conducted for 75 days, in a water recirculation system with controlled temperatures and aeration. Catfish juvenile were distributed in 35 L aquariums, at the density of 0.28 ind L-1. In order to evaluate fish growth, weight, standardtotal length, weight gain, food consumption, food conversion, biomass, specific growth rate and survival were measured twice times a month. Also, swimming behavior, skin pigmentation and plasma cortisol levels were evaluated. Light influences L. alexandri feed consumption, food conversion, behavior and plasma cortisol levels. Environments with low light are recommended for the L. alexandri growth.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a serious condition of multifactorial origin, mainly caused by maternal malnutrition, multiple gestation associated with nutrient competition, abuse of nocive substances and infections. The diagnosis of such syndrome is complex, as its own manifestations can mask its occurrence, requiring a thorough assessment of body weight and size. Moreover, it is not responsive to any kind of treatment. There is evidence that IUGR may predispose the individual to several pathologies, such as diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome in adulthood, and it has also been linked to thrifty phenotype hypothesis. Thus, a healthy lifestyle is needed to better prevent those pathologies. Given the world high prevalence and importance of IUGR, mainly in developing countries, this review is focused on discussing how different animal models contribute to the biological screening and diagnosis of this condition.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) compromises fetal development, leading to low birth weight, and predisposes to gastrointestinal disorders. Pigs that suffered IUGR present poor postnatal development, resulting in great economic losses to the industry. The small intestine may be involved with impaired development, but studies investigating this issue are still limited. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate small intestine morphofunctional alterations in IUGR pigs throughout the production phases (birth to 150 days). IUGR pigs presented lower body weight from birth to the finishing phase (P < 0.05). Although histomorphometrical parameters were not affected during the pre-weaning period, their commitment was observed specifically in the duodenum of the IUGR group at older ages (P < 0.05). The most detrimental effects on the small intestine, such as deeper duodenum crypts’ depth, lower villus height:crypt depth ratio and absorptive area, increased apoptosis and lower proliferation of the duodenum epithelium were noticed at 70 days of age (P < 0.05). Additionally, IUGR pigs presented the lowest chymotrypsin and amylase activities at 70 and 150 days of age, respectively (P < 0.05). These findings may contribute to the elucidation of morphofunctional disorders of the small intestine in IUGR pigs throughout the different production phases, suggesting that poor postnatal development may be due to intestinal damage.

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