Background: Loneliness, a feeling of distress, has aggravated due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and reduced social interactions. The objective of this study was to explore whether increased loneliness due to the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with various eating and activity behaviours in adolescence, a critical period for the development of lasting lifestyle habits. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we used self-reported data from 43,588 and 40,521 Canadian adolescents aged 12-19 years (collected between November 2020 and June 2021) for eating habits and the 24-hour movement behaviours, respectively. Binary and multinomial logistic regression were used to predict the odds of various lifestyle behaviours among adolescents with increased loneliness due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: We found higher odds of skipping breakfast [boys: OR 1.41 (95% CI: 1.33, 1.50), girls: OR 1.64 (95% CI: 1.56, 1.74)], fast food consumption [1-2 days in the past week: girls - OR: 1.14 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.21); ≥3 days in the past week: boys - 1.12 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.24), girls - OR: 1.42 (95% CI: 1.29, 1.57)], not meeting screen time [boys: OR 1.43 (95% CI: 1.24, 1.66), girls: OR 1.72 (95% CI: 1.54, 1.92)], and sleep duration guidelines [boys: OR 1.38 (95% CI: 1.28, 1.48), girls: OR 1.36 (95% CI: 1.27, 1.45)] among adolescents that reported increased loneliness due to the pandemic (versus those in the decreased/stayed the same loneliness group). Conclusion: Future longitudinal studies in adolescents are needed to confirm the directionality of these associations. It is important to raise awareness of these findings among public health practitioners, policymakers, physicians, schools and parents to promote healthier eating habits and increase adherence to the 24-hour movement behaviours. Recovery efforts post-pandemic are needed to reduce loneliness levels to support adolescent social health and establish healthy behavioural habits across the lifespan.

College students engage in poor dietary behaviors which put them at risk of weight gain and subsequent future health problems. This necessitates implementation of nutrition interventions which target dietary behaviors in college students so that healthy dietary patterns can be adopted and maintained through adulthood. Dairy intake is one of the many dietary behaviors which has declined substantially in young adults (18-30 years of age) - a period which includes the college age population. According to 2005 dietary guidelines for Americans three or more than three servings of low-fat/fat-free dairy foods is recommended for young adults, which is associated with overall nutrient quality of the diet and several health benefits. Still dairy consumption in this age group is below two serving per day. As emerging adults, college students may be more receptive to health advice than young adults older than traditional college years whose health habits are more established; nutrition intervention to improve dairy intake may be well received. Psycho-socio variables from Social Cognitive Theory (self regulation, social support, self-efficacy and outcome expectations) have been associated with adoption of healthy eating habits in college students and are associated with dairy consumption in adolescents. A series of studies were conducted to assess and improve dairy intake in college students by changing the mediating psycho social variables from Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) of behavior change including social support, self efficacy, outcome expectations and self regulation. A pilot web based nutrition education intervention was conducted to improve dairy intake in college students using SCT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the intervention on self efficacy, outcome expectations, self regulation, behavior and dairy product intake. Two hundred and ninety four students participated in the study and data on dairy intake and SCT variables were collected using 7 day food records and questionnaires. A 5 week electronic mail intervention was conducted. The intervention improved some social cognitive factors such as self regulation and self efficacy regarding increased dairy intake in college students, though dairy intake did not change. Next, to understand factors associated with dairy intake in college students, qualitative data were collected using focus group discussions (n=3), elicitation interviews (n=13) and online asynchronous discussion forums (n=3) using identical questions. Fifty students participated in the study and the aim was to identify relevant barriers, motivators and facilitators to dairy and low-fat dairy consumption. The results indicated that there was widespread lack of clarity regarding amount of dairy/calcium required and whether students felt they were getting enough. Major barriers to consuming dairy foods included short shelf life, storage issues, taste and accessibility to dairy foods on campus. Major facilitators included constant reminders, knowing immediate benefits, more accessibility and breakfast consumption. The aim of the final study was to improve social support, self efficacy, outcome expectations, self regulation and behavior related to dairy intake in college students using Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). One hundred and ninety one students participated in the study which included 8 week electronic mail intervention. Data collected included 7 day food records and for dairy intake and questionnaires for SCT variables. The intervention resulted in significant improvement in total dairy intake and use of self regulation strategies by college students. Taken together, these results suggest that theory-based nutrition education interventions can improve nutrition behavior in college students, a population prone to poor dietary habits. Developing mastery experiences to improve self efficacy may enhance self regulatory skills like goal setting, planning and monitoring to improve dairy intake in college students. Health care providers should aim at dietary behavior modification via theory based intervention. / Ph. D.

Insufficient sleep may be associated with obesity via increased energy intake and/or decreased energy expenditure. The present study therefore aimed to investigate effects of sleep restriction on energy balance in healthy young adults. Participants (14 men, 13 women) aged 35.3 ± 1.0 y with 23.6 ± 0.2 kg/m2 BMI completed a randomized, crossover study exposed to short and habitual sleep with 4 wk washout. Controlled diets were provided during the first 4 d, followed by 2 d of ad libitum eating. Ad libitum energy intake, energy expenditure and physical activity level were determined as well as energy balance and body weight. Results showed that ad libitum energy intake (p = 0.031), as well as total fat (p = 0.018) increased after short compared with habitual sleep, but physical activity level, energy expenditure, energy balance, and body weight remained unaffected by sleep duration. In conclusion, sleep deprivation elevates energy intake, which may lead to positive energy balance over time and increase the risk of weight gain and/or obesity.

Insufficient sleep may be associated with obesity via increased energy intake and/or decreased energy expenditure. The present study therefore aimed to investigate effects of sleep restriction on energy balance in healthy young adults. Participants (14 men, 13 women) aged 35.3 ± 1.0 y with 23.6 ± 0.2 kg/m2 BMI completed a randomized, crossover study exposed to short and habitual sleep with 4 wk washout. Controlled diets were provided during the first 4 d, followed by 2 d of ad libitum eating. Ad libitum energy intake, energy expenditure and physical activity level were determined as well as energy balance and body weight. Results showed that ad libitum energy intake (p = 0.031), as well as total fat (p = 0.018) increased after short compared with habitual sleep, but physical activity level, energy expenditure, energy balance, and body weight remained unaffected by sleep duration. In conclusion, sleep deprivation elevates energy intake, which may lead to positive energy balance over time and increase the risk of weight gain and/or obesity.

Introduction: The main topic of this diploma thesis was the nutrition of athletes compared to people with a sedentary lifestyle. Aim: The main goal of the thesis was the nutrition of athletes compared to people with a sedentary lifestyle using analyzing dietary regimen. Material and methods: We evaluated the dietary regimen of 40 women at the age of 20- 30 years old. Women were divided into the groups of non-athletes ("sedentary people") and women who exercise fitness sports ("fitness people"). Their average age was in the range of 25,3-26 years. Respondents filled out the form with their dietary regimen for three days using a 24-hod recall. Records where evaluated with using an extensive food database which was created at the Institute of Physical Education, First of Medicine, Charles University. Student's two-tailed unpaired mean t-test was used to compare the groups. We used the F-test to analysing a equation scattering before using t-test. Results: Group of fitness athletes consumed average 335 kcal less total energy (p = 0.008), 15.17 g more plant-based proteins (p = 0.031), 15.24 g less fats (p = 0.025) and 13.23 g less animal fat (p = 0.044). The results for other nutrients weren't statistically significant, but from a nutritional point of view they provided an interesting overview of eating...

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Various design guidelines have been published over the past four decades to calculate the minimum submergence required at pump intakes to prevent vortex formation. These design guidelines also require the suction bell to be located not higher than 0.5 times the suction bell diameter (D) above the floor. Sand trap canals are an integral part of large river abstraction works, with the pump intakes located at the end of the sand trap canals. The canals need to be flushed by opening a gate, typically 1.5 m high, that is located downstream of the pump intake. This requires the suction bell be raised to not interfere with the flushing operation, which leads to the question – what impact does the raising of the suction bell have on the minimum required submergence? A physical hydraulic model constructed at 1:10 scale was used to determine the submergence required to prevent types 2, 5 and 6 vortices for prototype suction bell inlet velocities ranging from 0.9 m/s to 2.4 m/s, and for suction bells located at 0.5D, 1.0D and 1.5D above the floor. The tests were undertaken for four suction bell configurations with a conventional flat bottom suction bell, fitted with a long radius bend, being the preferred suction bell configuration in terms of the lowest required submergence levels. The experimental test results of the preferred suction bell configuration were compared against the published design guidelines to determine which published formula best represents the experimental test results for raised pump intakes. It became evident from the experimental test results that the required submergence increased markedly when the suction bell was raised higher than a certain level above the floor. It was concluded that this “discontinuity” in the required submergence occurred for all the suction bell configuration types when the ratio between the prototype bell inlet velocity and the approach canal velocity was approximately 6.0 or higher. It is recommended that, for pump intakes with a similar geometry to that tested with the physical hydraulic model, critical submergence is calculated using the equation published by Knauss (1987), i.e. S = D(0.5 + 2.0Fr), if the prototype bell inlet velocity/approach canal velocity ratio is less than 6.0, and that the equation published by the Hydraulic Institute (1998), i.e. S = D(1 + 2.3Fr), can be used where the ratio, as determined with Knauss’ (1987) equation, exceeds 6.0. It is also recommended that prototype bell inlet velocities be limited to 1.5 m/s. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Oor die afgelope vier dekades is verskeie ontwerpriglyne vir die berekening van minimum watervlakke, om werwelvorming by pompinlate te voorkom, gepubliseer. Hierdie ontwerpriglyne vereis dat die klokmond van die pompinlaat nie hoër as 0.5 keer die deursnee van die klokmond (D) bokant die kanaalvloer geleë moet wees nie. Sandvang kanale vorm ‘n integrale deel van groot riveronttrekkingswerke, met pompinlate wat aan die einde van hierdie kanale geleë is. Die kanale word aan die stroomaf kant van die pompinlaat voorsien met sluise sodat die kanale gespoel kan word. Hierdie sluise is tipies 1.5 m hoog. Dit is derhalwe nodig om die hoogte onder die klokmond dieselfde te maak as die hoogte van die sluis sodat die klokmond die spoelwerking nie beïnvloed nie. Die vraag is egter – wat is die impak op die minimum vereiste watervlakke indien die klokmond op ‘n hoër vlak installeer word? ‘n Fisiese hidrouliese model met ‘n 1:10 skaal is gebruik om die minimum watervlakke te bepaal waar tipes 2, 5 en 6 werwels aangetref word vir prototipe inlaatsnelhede van 0.9 m/s tot 2.4 m/s en klokmond hoogtes van 0.5D, 1.0D en 1.5D bokant die kanaalvloer. Vier klokmond konfigurasies is getoets. Die minimum vereiste watervlakke was die laagste vir die tradisionele plat klokmond met ‘n lang radius buigstuk en was dus die voorkeur klokmond. Die eksperimenttoetsresultate vir die voorkeur klokmond is met die gepubliseerde ontwerpriglyne vergelyk om te bepaal watter van die ontwerpsriglyne van toepassing sal wees vir verhoogde klokmond installasies. Uit die eksperimenttoetsresultate is dit duidelik dat die vereiste watervlakke skielik verhoog sodra die klokmond installasie ‘n seker hoogte bokant die kanaal vloer oorskry. Daar is bevind dat hierdie verskynsel by al vier klokmond konfigurasies voorkom sodra die verhouding tussen die prototipe klokmond inlaatsnelheid teenoor die snelheid in die kanaal hoër as 6.0 is. Daar word aanbeveel dat die minimum vereiste watervlak vir pompinlate met dieselfde geometrie as die fisiese model, met Knauss (1987) se vergelyking bereken word, naamlik S = D(0.5 + 2.0Fr), waar die snelheidsverhouding tussen die klokmond en kanaal 6.0 nie oorskry nie, en dat die vergelyking gepubliseer deur die Hydraulic Institute (1998), S = D(1 + 2.3Fr), gebruik word waar die snelheidsverhouding 6.0, so bereken met Knauss (1987) ser vergelyking, wel oorskry. Die prototipe klokmond inlaatsnelheid moet ook beperk word tot 1.5 m/s.

Esse trabalho foi desenvolvido para avaliar a relação entre diferentes medidas de eficiência utilizadas na bovinocultura de corte e as características de desempenho, carcaça e termografia infravermelho (TIV) em bovinos Nelore confinados. Foram utilizados 111 bovinos Nelore, machos não-castrados contemporâneos, com idade aproximada de 16±2 meses, peso corporal médio de 420±55 kg. Os animais foram confinados por 91 dias, sendo 21 dias de adaptação às instalações e à dieta. A dieta foi a mesma para todos os animais e composta por 73% de concentrado e 27% de volumoso. O consumo de matéria seca (CMS) foi avaliado diariamente, enquanto o peso vivo, medidas de ultrassom para avaliação de características de carcaça e imagens de TIV foram realizadas a cada 28 dias até o dia 70. A partir dos dados de CMS foram calculados o consumo alimentar residual (CAR), ganho de peso residual (GPR), consumo e ganho residual (CGR). Após a obtenção dos dados foram realizadas análises de associação (correlação e regressão) visando à identificação de possíveis relações entre as diferentes características com as medidas de eficiência. Não houve correlação entre o GMD com o CAR (r=0,001), e com o CGR (r= 0,114), enquanto o GPR apresentou correlação com o GMD (r= 0,588). O CMS foi correlacionado com o CAR (r= 0,612) e com o CGR (r= -0,532) e não houve correlação com o GPR (r= -0,002). Não houve correlação entre as medidas de eficiência com as características de peso vivo inicial (PVI) e peso vivo final (PV70). Dentre as características de carcaça avaliadas ao abate, apenas o GPR apresentou correlação com a gordura renal pélvica e inguinal (GRPIkg), trato gastrintestinal (TGIkg) e peso de corpo vazio (PCVZkg) na ordem de (r= 0,240), (r= 0,226) e (r= 0,210), respectivamente. Entre as medidas de carcaça avaliadas por ultrassom, apenas a espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGS) final apresentou correlação com o CAR (r= 0,348), GPR (r= -0,188) e CGR (r= -0,340), enquanto a espessura de gordura da picanha (EGP) final apresentou correlação apenas com o CAR (r= 0,233) e CGR (r= -0,200). Houveram correlações entre o ganho de EGS e o CAR (r= 0,371) e CGR (r= 0,345), porém o ganho de EGP se correlacionou apenas com o CAR (r= 0,202). Não foram observadas correlações entre as medidas de eficiência e TIV, porém, esses resultados podem ter sido influenciados pelos fatores ambientais. A AOL não apresentou correlação com nenhuma das medidas de eficiência avaliadas. Dessa forma conclui-se que, o CAR é a medida que mais se aplica n seleção de animais de menor CMS, sem prejuízos as características de desempenho. Adicionalmente, o CAR e CGR selecionam animais mais eficientes em termos de menor consumo, enquanto que o GPR seleciona animais de maior GMD. / The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between different efficiency indexes used in beef cattle and performance, carcass traits and thermography in Nellore cattle at the feedlot system. A total of 111 Nellore male, with around 16±2 months age and 420±55 kg of body weight, were used. The animals were confined for 91 days, with 21 days for adaptation to the facilities and diet. The diet was the same for all animals, and composed by 73% of concentrate and 27% of roughage. Dry matter intake (DMI) was evaluated daily, and performance, ultrasound measurements and infrared thermography images were performed every 28 days until day 70. From the DMI measurements, residual feed intake (RFI), residual weight gain (RWG), residual intake and body weight gain (RIG) were calculated. From the data obtained, association analysis (correlation and regression) were performed to identify the possibilities relationships between the different characteristics with the efficiency measures. The ADG showed no correlation with RFI (r= 0.001) and RIG (r= 0.114); however, the RWG was correlated with ADG (r= 0.588). DMI was correlated with RFI (r= 0.612) and RIG (r= -0.532) and there was no correlation with RWG (r= -0.002) There was no correlation between efficiency measures with initial body weight (IBW) and final body weight (BW70). For carcass traits, evaluated at slaughter, only the RWG showed correlation with pelvic renal and inguinal fat (PRIFkg), gastrintestinal tract (GITkg) and empty body weight (EBWkg) in order of the (r= 0.240), (r= 0.226) and (r= 0.210), respectively. For carcass measurements evaluated by ultrasound, the final backfat thickness (BFT) showed correlation with RFI (r= 0.348), RWG (r= -0.188) and RIG (r= -0.340), while final subcutaneous fat thickness on the Biceps femoris muscle (BFTP8) showed a correlation with RFI (r= 0.233) and RIG (r= -0.220). In addition, BFT gain has been also correlated with RFI (r= 0.371) and RIG (r= 0.345); however, the BFTP8 gain only showed correlation with the RFI (r=0.202). There was no correlation between efficiency measures and the infrared thermography (IRT). The rib eye area (REA) showed no correlation with any the efficiency measures evaluated. In conclusion, the RFI is the measure that most applies in the selection of animals of smaller DMI, without damage to the performance traits. In addition, the RFI and RIG can promoter the selection of more efficient animals by lower consumer, whereas the RWG selected great ADG animals.

A seleção de bovinos de corte para eficiência alimentar (EA) é bastante vantajosa não só do ponto de vista produtivo e econômico como também por ajudar a diminuir o impacto ambiental da produção pecuária. Por ser uma característica multifatorial e de mensuração onerosa, objetivou-se com esse trabalho, a partir da expressão gênica global hepática de animais com alta eficiência alimentar (AEA) e baixa eficiência alimentar (BEA), identificar novos genes, funções biológicas e genes reguladores associados a esse fenótipo. Para isso, 98 bovinos Nelore foram avaliados quanto ao desempenho em confinamento, medidas de EA, ultrassonografia de carcaça, bioquímica sérica, biometria, rendimento de carcaça, maciez de carne e avaliação de líquido ruminal. Além disso, 8 animais de AEA e 8 animais de BEA, selecionados pela medida de consumo e ganho residual ao final do confinamento, tiveram dados de perfil transcriptômico hepático analisados por 3 abordagens: expressão gênica diferencial, co-expressão e co-expressão diferencial. Foi observado que os grupos de AEA e BEA apresentaram desempenho igual quanto ao peso inicial e final, ganho de peso, rendimento de carcaça e área de olho de lombo. Por outro lado, os animais de BEA tiveram maior consumo de alimentos e maior deposição de gordura subcutânea e visceral. Além disso, os animais de BEA apresentaram níveis elevados de colesterol e de GGT e a análise de perfil transcriptômico mostrou estar relacionada à resposta imunológica, inflamação e metabolismo de lipídeos. Baseado nesses resultados e em pesquisas em humanos criou-se a hipótese de que os animais de BEA são mais susceptíveis a infecção bacteriana no fígado em resposta à mudança da dieta a pasto para a dieta de confinamento. / The selection of beef cattle to feed efficiency (FE) traits is very important not only from the productive and economic perspective but also for helping to reduce the environmental impact of livestock production. Being a multifactorial and expensive to measurement trait, the aim of this work was to analyze the liver global gene expression profile of animals with high feed efficiency (HFE) and low feed efficiency (LFE), to identify new genes, biological functions and regulatory genes associated to this phenotype. For this purpose, 98 Nellore cattle were evaluated regarding feedlot performance, FE measures, carcass ultrasound, serum biochemistry, biometric measures, carcass evaluation, meat tenderness and evaluation of ruminal fluid. In addition, 8 animals of HFE and 8 animals of LFE, selected by the measure of residual intake and body weight gain at the end of feeding trial, had liver transcriptomic profile data analyzed by three approaches: differential gene expression, co-expression and differential co-expression. It was observed that HFE and LFE groups showed equal performance for initial and final weight, weight gain, carcass yield and rib eye area. On the other hand, the animals of LFE had higher feed intake and increased deposition of subcutaneous and visceral fat. In addition, animals of LFE showed higher levels of cholesterol and GGT and transcriptomic profile analysis showed to be related to immune response, inflammation and lipid metabolism. Based on these results and research in humans we created the hypothesis that the LFE animals are more susceptible to bacterial infection in the liver in response to the change of pasture diet to feedlot diet.

A alimentação é um dos custos mais relevantes da produção de bovinos de corte e melhorar a eficiência na utilização de nutrientes é essencial para a viabilidade da produção, dado o atual cenário de crescente demanda por proteína animal e mercado altamente competitivo. Nesse contexto, a proteômica surge como uma importante ferramenta na busca por alternativas que aumentem a eficiência alimentar (EA) de bovinos de corte. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é caracterizar o proteoma hepático de bovinos Nelore classificados quanto à EA. Noventa e oito animais foram avaliados em projeto anterior e seis indivíduos de baixa (BEA) e alta eficiência (AEA) tiveram amostras de fígado coletadas no abate, congeladas em Nitrogênio líquido e armazenadas em freezer à -80 ºC. Após a extração e precipitação das proteínas, as amostras foram processadas por duas abordagens distintas: digeridas com tripsina em solução e analisadas em cromatógrafo líquido de alta eficiência acoplado ao espectrômetro de massas (LC-MS/MS); e previamente separadas em gel para posterior digestão e análise (GeLC-MS/MS). Os dados adquiridos por LC-MS/MS foram analisados com o programa MaxQuant contra os bancos de Bos taurus e Bos indicus do Uniprot para identificação das proteínas, e os resultados analisados com o programa Perseus. Os dados obtidos por GeLC-MS/MS foram analisados com os programas Mascot Distiller e X! Tandem e validados no Scaffold Q+ contra o banco Bos taurus do Uniprot e os resultados analisados com os programas Scaffold Q+ e Perseus. Para abordagem LC-MS/MS, 376 proteínas foram quantificadas e submetidas à análise de abundância diferencial e construção de redes de co-expressão pelo WGCNA, identificando 42 proteínas diferencialmente abundantes (PDAs, p < 0,05) e três módulos significativamente associados à EA. Pela abordagem GeLC-MS/MS foram quantificadas 102 proteínas, das quais cinco foram PDAs (p-valor < 0,05). Três PDAs foram comuns às duas abordagens proteômicas. As proteínas associadas negativamente à EA foram principalmente relacionadas à síntese lipídica, degradação de ácidos graxos, enzimas do sistema do citocromo P450 e processos oxidativos. Por outro lado, as proteínas positivamente relacionadas à EA, foram principalmente envolvidas em processamento e enovelamento de proteínas, além de proteínas atuantes na manutenção da integridade e restauração do citoesqueleto celular. Em ambos os grupos também foram identificadas proteínas que atuam no sistema imunológico e resposta inflamatória. Estes resultados comprovam experimentos anteriores do grupo e demonstram a existência de diferença entre os proteomas do fígado de animais eficientes e ineficientes. / Feeding is one of the most relevant cost of beef cattle production and improving nutrient utilization efficiency is essential for the viability of production, given the current scenario of increasing demand for animal protein and highly competitive market. In this context, proteomics appears as an important tool in the search for alternatives that increase the feed efficiency (FE) of beef cattle. Thus, the aim of this work is to characterize the hepatic proteome of beef cattle selected for divergent FE. Ninety-eight animals were evaluated in a previous project, and six individuals with low feed efficiency (LFE) and six with high feed efficiency (HFE) had liver samples collected at slaughter, frozen in liquid Nitrogen and stored in a freezer at -80 °C. After protein extraction and precipitation, the samples were processed by two different approaches: digested with trypsin in solution and analyzed in a high efficiency liquid chromatograph coupled to the mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS); and previously separated in gel for further digestion and analysis (GeLC-MS/MS). Data acquired by LC-MS/MS were analyzed with MaxQuant software against the Bos taurus and Bos indicus Uniprot databases for proteins identification and the results analyzed with Perseus software. The data obtained by GeLC-MS/MS were analyzed with the softwares Mascot Distiller and X! Tandem and validated in the Scaffold Q+, against Bos taurus Uniprot database and results analyzed with the softwares Scaffold Q+ and Perseus. For the LC-MS/MS approach, 376 proteins were quantified and submitted to differential abundance analysis and co-expression networks by WGCNA, identifying 42 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs, p < 0.05) and three modules significantly associated with FE. For the GeLC-MS/MS approach, 102 proteins were quantified, of which five were DAPs (p-value < 0.05). Three DAPs were common to both proteomics approaches. Proteins negatively associated with FE were mainly related to lipid synthesis, degradation of fatty acids, cytochrome P450 system enzymes and oxidative processes. On the other hand, proteins positively related to FE were mainly involved in protein processing and folding, maintenance of the integrity and restoration of the cellular cytoskeleton. In both groups were also identified proteins that play a role on the immune system and inflammatory response. These results prove previous experiments of the group and demonstrate the existence of difference between liver proteomes of efficient and inefficient animals.

O interesse quanto ao uso de índices de eficiência alimentar na seleção de bovinos é crescente, pela sua associação com o custo de produção e impacto ambiental. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar dois índices de eficiência, o consumo alimentar residual (CAR) e consumo e ganho residual (CGR) e suas relações com desempenho, características de carcaça, qualidade de carne, batimentos cardíacos e consumo de oxigênio em bovinos Nelore. Foram avaliados 84 animais para desempenho, peso de carcaça, rendimento, área de olho de lombo, espessura de gordura subcutânea, peso de vísceras e gordura interna. Foi avaliada a qualidade da carne de amostras não maturadas e maturadas (pH, força de cisalhamento, cor, perdas por cocção, capacidade de retenção de água, índice de fragmentação miofibrilar e gordura intramuscular). Para estimar a produção de calor (PC) pela metodologia do Pulso de O2 (O2P), 39 animais foram monitorados para frequência cardíaca, que foi calibrada para consumo de O2 em 18 deles. A PC foi estimada multiplicando-se o total de batimentos cardíacos diários pelo volume de O2/batimento e pela constante 4,89 kcal/LO2. Foram estudados os coeficientes de inclinação das retas entre CAR e CGR e as variáveis estudadas. O CAR não foi associado com o peso vivo e ganho de peso (P>0,05), porém animais eficientes consumiram 16,1% menos alimento (P<0,0001). Animais eficientes para CGR apresentaram consumo 11,7% menor e ganharam mais peso (P<0,01). O CGR não foi associado ao peso vivo metabólico médio (P>0,05), contudo foi associado ao peso vivo final (P=0,06). A PC estimada pela diferença entre energia retida e consumo de energia metabolizável foi maior nos animais ineficientes (P<0,0001), porém não foi diferente quando estimada pela metodologia do O2P (P>0,05). A frequência cardíaca (FC) e consumo de O2 não foram associados ao CAR e CGR (P>0,05), contudo a FC foi menor nos animais eficientes durante a calibração do O2 (P<0,05). Ambos os índices foram associados com mudanças na composição corporal; animais eficientes para CAR apresentaram menor teor de gordura subcutânea avaliada por ultrassom (P=0,08), e os eficientes para CGR apresentaram maior AOL (P<0,05). As características de qualidade da carne não foram associadas ao CAR, mas animais eficientes para CGR apresentaram intensidade da cor vermelha na carne menor e na gordura maior (P<0,05). Animais eficientes quanto ao CAR apresentaram menor peso de fígado e de gordura interna (P<0,05) sendo este efeito não observado para CGR. Os animais eficientes em ambos, CAR e CGR, apresentaram menor custo de produção resultando em aumento no lucro (P<0,01). O lucro foi fortemente associado à conversão alimentar, CGR e ganho de peso (r=-0,812; 0,72 e 0,61; P<0,0001) enquanto sua associação com CAR foi menor (r=-0,46; P<0,0001). As correlações fenotípicas sugerem que seleção de animais eficientes para CAR ou CGR pode reduzir custos na produção de bovinos de corte, com alteração na coloração da carne. O lucro tem maior correlação com o CGR que com CAR. Porém o CGR tem a possível desvantagem de ser fenotipicamente associado ao maior peso final o que pode indicar uma correlação genética para peso adulto. / There is growing interest in the use of feed efficiency in beef cattle, due to its relationship to production costs and environmental impact. Identification of variation in energy losses can explain differences in efficiency. The objective of this study was to evaluate measures of feed efficiency (residual feed intake - RFI and residual intake and gain _ RIG) and their relationships with performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, heart rate and oxygen use in Nellore bulls. A group of 84 animals were evaluated for performance, carcass characteristics (weight, yield, loin eye area, fat thickness, weight of visceral and internal fat) and meat quality in fresh and aged meat samples (pH, shear force, cooking loss, water retention capacity, myofibrilar fragmentation index and intramuscular fat). To estimate heat production (HP) by O2 pulse methodology (O2P), 39 animals were monitored for heart rate (HR). A subgroup of 18 animals which was calibrated for O2 consumption determined over in 18 of them. HP was estimated multiplying daily heart beats by O2 volume per beat, assuming 4.89 kcal/LO2 as constant. The slope coefficient for each variable against RFI and RIG was studied. There was no association of RFI with weight (P>0.05) and weight gain (P>0.05), but efficient animals consumed 16.1% less feed (P<0.0001). Efficient animals for RIG consumed 11.7% less food (P<0.0001), but gained more weight than inefficient animals (P<0.01). There was no association between RIG and average metabolic weight (P>0.05), however RIG was related to final weight (P=0.06). HP estimated by the difference between retained energy and metabolic energy intake was higher for inefficient animals (P<0.001), for both RFI and RIG. However there was no effect on HP estimated by the O2P methodology (P>0.05). Heart rate (HR) and O2 consumption were not associated with RFI and RIG (P>0.05), but HR was lower in efficient animals during O2 calibration (P<0.05). There was a positive association of efficiency with a leaner gain composition, where efficient animals for RFI had of lower ultrasound subcutaneous fat (P=0.08), while efficient animals for RIG had higher loin eye area (P<0.05). There was no effect on meat quality parameters for RFI but in efficient animals for RIG, there was an effect on meat and fat color (P<0.05) compared to inefficient animals. Internal fat and liver weights were decreased in efficient animals according to RFI (P<0.05), but unchanged according to RIG (P>0.05). Efficient animals for RFI and RIG had lower cost of production resulting in increased profit (P<0.01). Profit was strongly associated with feed intake, RIG and weight gain (r =-0.81, 0.72 and 0.61, P<0.0001), whereas its association with RFI was lower (r =-0.46, P<0.0001). Efficient animals for RFI and RIG are more profitable with small decreases in fat and small increases in muscle content. Profit is better related to RIG than RFI. However, RIG had the disadvantage of increasing final test weight which could be genetically associated with mature weight.