The effect of weaning age on the reproductive performance of Nellore cows raised in native and jaraguá pastures

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o de testar três idades de desmama, em regime exclusivo de pasto, na tentativa de diminuir o intervalo entre partos (IEP') das matrizes. O experimento, conduzido no período de julho de 1977 a julho de 1982, envolveu dois grupos de 51 vacas Nelore: um, em pastagem de Jaraguá, e outro, em campo nativo; seus bezerros foram desmamados aos três, cinco e sete meses de idade. A média geral do IEP foi estimada em 422 ± 5 dias. A análise de variância evidenciou efeitos significativos (P < 0,05) do ano do parto, tipo de pasto, ordem de parição, época de fecundação e idade da desmama sobre os IEPs. O IEP observado no campo nativo (434 dias) foi mais elevado que no do Jaraguá (411 dias). Não se observaram diferenças de IEP de vacas da segunda até a sétima ordem de parição. O aumento do IEP a partir da sétima ordem deve estar associado à queda nas condições corporais das vacas, em decorrência da idade. As diferenças de IEP em função da época de fecundação são discutidas, levando-se em consideração as épocas de parição correspondentes. O IEP mais curto (393 dias) foi observado em vacas paridas entre setembro e dezembro. O IEP correspondente à desmama de sete meses (448 dias) foi mais elevado (P < 0,05) que os da desmama de cinco meses (414 dias) e de três meses de idade (406 dias). Vacas destes dois últimos grupos apresentaram, em relação às demais, oscilações mais favoráveis de peso pré-parto, o que propiciou menor período de serviço.The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of three different weaning ages on the calving intervals (CI) of Nellore cows. It was carried out from July 1977 through July 1982 and envolved two groups of 51 cows, one in a Jaraguá pasture (Hyparrhenia rufa) and the other in a native pasture. The calves in each herd were weaned at three, five and seven months of age. The CI estimated overall mean was 422 ± 5 days. Year of parturition, pasture, parturition order, season of conception and weaning age had significant (P < 0.05) effects on Cl. The CI was higher in native (434 days) than in Jaraguá pasture (411 days). There were no differences among CI of cows from 2nd through 7th parturition order. The increased CI up to 7th parturition order was associated with poor body conditions of older cows. The effects of season of conception on calving intervals were discussed based on the related season of parturition. The shortest CI (393 days) was observed on cows calving from September through December. The CI of cows that weaned calves with seven months of age (448 days) was longer than those whose calves were weaned at five (414 days) and three months (406 days)- This result probably is associated with more favorable pre-partum weight gain variations

Prediction of Dry Matter Intake Based on Ruminal Degradation from Milking Cows Grazing Coast-Cross Grass

Dry matter intake (DMI) of coast-cross grazing by crossbred Holstein-Zebu and Zebu lactating cows was calculated using in vitro dry matter digestibility from extrusa (four esophageal fistulated cows) and fecal output estimate with mordent chromium. Pasture was rotationally grazed with three days grazing period and 27 days resting period, adopting a stocking rate of 1.6 and 3.2 cows/ha, during the dry and rainy season respectively. Voluntary DMI was estimated from degradation characteristics using different equations. Predicted coast-cross DMI varied with models. The prediction of tropical forages dry matter intake from equations based in ruminal degradation parameters needs further investigation before being employed in practice

The acceptance of the clinical photographic posture assessment tool (CPPAT)

Abstract Background There is a lack of evidence-based quantitative clinical methods to adequately assess posture. Our team developed a clinical photographic posture assessment tool (CPPAT) and implemented this tool in clinical practice to standardize posture assessment. The objectives were to determine the level of acceptance of the CPPAT and to document predictors as well as facilitators of and barriers to the acceptance of this tool by clinicians doing posture re-education. Methods This is a prospective study focussing on technology acceptance. Thirty-two clinician participants (physical therapists and sport therapists) received a 3–5 h training workshop explaining how to use the CPPAT. Over a three-month trial, they recorded time-on-task for a complete posture evaluation (photo - and photo-processing). Subsequently, participants rated their acceptance of the tool and commented on facilitators and barriers of the clinical method. Results Twenty-three clinician participants completed the trial. They took 22 (mean) ± 10 min (SD) for photo acquisition and 36 min ± 19 min for photo-processing. Acceptance of the CPPAT was high. Perceived ease of use was an indirect predictor of intention to use, mediated by perceived usefulness. Analysis time was an indirect predictor, mediated by perceived usefulness, and a marginally significant direct predictor. Principal facilitators were objective measurements, visualization, utility, and ease of use. Barriers were time to do a complete analysis of posture, quality of human-computer interaction, non-automation of posture index calculation and photo transfer, and lack of versatility. Conclusion The CPPAT is perceived as useful and easy to use by clinicians and may facilitate the quantitative analysis of posture. Adapting the user-interface and functionality to quantify posture may facilitate a wider adoption of the tool

Treatment with Natalizumab in Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients Induces Changes in Inflammatory Mechanism

Natalizumab is a widely accepted drug for the relapsing–remitting subtype of multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The present longitudinal exploratory study in RRMS patients analyzes the effects of natalizumab treatment on the levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine protein levels and also the frequency and suppressor function of regulatory T cells. Flow cytometry was used to determine cytokines and regulatory T cell frequency while regulatory T cell suppressor function was assayed in vitro at different time-points after starting with natalizumab. Results showed serum levels of pro-inflammatory interferon gamma and interleukin (IL)-12p70, as well as anti-inflammatory IL-4 and IL-10, were elevated just a few hours or days after first IV infusion of natalizumab. Interestingly, other cytokines like IL-5 or IL-13 were also elevated while pro-inflammatory IL-17, IL-2, and IL-1β increased only after a long-term treatment, suggesting different immune mechanisms. In contrast, we did not observe any effect of natalizumab treatment on regulatory T cell frequency or activity. In conclusion, these results suggest natalizumab has other immunological effects beyond VLA-4 interaction and inhibition of CNS extravasation, the relevance of which is as yet unknown and warrants further investigation