Influence of Stocking Rate and Grazing System on Lamb Performance of Mixed Oat and Ryegrass Swards in Uruguay

An experiment was conducted at INIA-Tacuarembó Research Station (Uruguay) during 15 June to 4 October 1998, using a Avena Sativa (oat) and Lolium multiflorum (ryegrass) sward to examine the effect of stocking rate (SR; 25 and 35 lambs/ha) and grazing system (GS; strip and 7 days rotational grazing) on sward and lamb performance. SR had a significant effect on lamb performance, being higher the liveweight gain (LWG; 120 vs 98 g/a/d, P \u3c 0.01), hot carcass weight (HCW; 17.7 vs 16.1 kg/a, P \u3c 0.05) and carcass fat cover (GR; 12 vs 8 mm, P \u3c 0.01) of those lambs managed at the lower SR. At the high SR, lambs increased grazing time (405 vs 376 min., P \u3c 0.05). SG did not affect lamb performance, but strip GS reduces lamb grazing time (367 vs 414 min., P \u3c 0.01) and biting rates (22 vs 24 bites/lamb/min., P \u3c 0.01). Post grazing sward height (SH) was highly associated with LWG (LW = - 101,7 + 32.7 SH – 1.49 SH2, R2 = 0.66). This experiment demonstrated that: (a) the productive potential of ryegrass and oat swards to produce high quality lamb meat, (b) the relative low impact of using strip GS to increase lamb performance and (c) the potential use of post grazing SH as a practical tool to predict lamb LWG in this type of swards

Effect of Stocking Rate and Grazing System on Fine and Superfine Merino Wool Production and Quality on Native Swards of Uruguay

Modern textile tendencies show that consumers prefer light, soft, resistant, natural, and comfortable clothes, for which fine and superfine wools are in great demand, particularly at the high value markets (Whiteley, 2003). The main objective of the present study was to define sustainable stocking rates and grazing systems on native swards for fine and superfine wool production in the Basaltic region of Uruguay

Identification of antigenic targets of paraproteins by expression cloning does not support a causal role of chronic antigenic stimulation in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma and MGUS

Antigenic targets of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and multiple myeloma (MM) paraproteins have been suggested to play an important role as growth stimulators in the pathogenesis of these neoplasms. To identify such targets, we screened cDNA libraries from human testis, lung and breast cancer, bovine and porcine muscle and wheat germ for reactivity with paraproteins in the sera from 115 patients with MGUS and MM. Of >6 x 10(8) paraprotein-antigen interactions screened, an IgA paraprotein from a female patient bound to sperm-specific cylicin-2, and 3 IgG paraproteins bound to tripeptidyl-peptidase-II (TPP-2), insulin-like growth-factor binding-protein-2 (IGFBP-2) and porcine kinesin. Specificity was confirmed by reverse Western blots using recombinant antigens. The broad spectrum of auto-, allo- and heteroantigens as targets of human paraproteins in patients without signs of chronic antigenic stimulation renders a causal role of the antigenic stimulus in the pathogenesis of MGUS and MM unlikely

Mixed Fattening of Steers and Lambs on Improved Grasslands in Uruguay: I. Pasture Performance

The use of P fertilisers together with legume broadcasting is a low cost and high impact technology for improving native grassland (Risso et al., 2001). Its use is increasing in Uruguay, although not for mixed grazing, even though this management is a common practice on native grasslands. Good pasture response may occur under mixed grazing when it is adequately managed (Nolan & Connolly, 1989). The following trials characterise pasture response with such management, in Uruguayan conditions

Electrophiles modulate glutathione reductase activity via alkylation and upregulation of glutathione biosynthesis

Cells evolved robust homeostatic mechanisms to protect against oxidation or alkylation by electrophilic species. Glutathione (GSH) is the most abundant intracellular thiol, protects cellular components from oxidation and is maintained in a reduced state by glutathione reductase (GR). Nitro oleic acid (NO2-OA) is an electrophilic fatty acid formed under digestive and inflammatory conditions that both reacts with GSH and induces its synthesis upon activation of Nrf2 signaling. The effects of NO2-OA on intracellular GSH homeostasis were evaluated. In addition to upregulation of GSH biosynthesis, we observed that NO2-OA increased intracellular GSSG in an oxidative stress-independent manner. NO2-OA directly inhibited GR in vitro by covalent modification of the catalytic Cys61, with kon of (3.45±0.04)×103 M−1 s−1, koff of (4.4±0.4)×10−4 s−1, and Keq of (1.3±0.1)×10−7 M. Akin to NO2-OA, the electrophilic Nrf2 activators bardoxolone-imidazole (CDDO-Im), bardoxolone-methyl (CDDO-Me) and dimethyl fumarate (DMF) also upregulated GSH biosynthesis while promoting GSSG accumulation, but without directly inhibiting GR activity. In vitro assays in which GR was treated with increasing GSH concentrations and GSH depletion experiments in cells revealed that GR activity is finely regulated via product inhibition, an observation further supported by theoretical (kinetic modeling of cellular GSSG:GSH levels) approaches. Together, these results describe two independent mechanisms by which electrophiles modulate the GSH/GSSG couple, and provide a novel conceptual framework to interpret experimentally determined values of GSH and GSSG

Successful long-term monotherapy with rituximab in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia of the B-cell-lineage: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia of the B-cell-lineage is strongly based upon clinical staging because of the heterogeneous clinical course of this disease.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We describe a 62-year-old patient with newly diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukemia of the B-cell-lineage who did not respond to several chemotherapy regimens including chlorambucil, fludarabine and cyclophosphamide, developing a marked neutropenia and thrombocytopenia with life-threatening infections. Further chemotherapy appeared not feasible because of bone marrow toxicity. The patient was treated with 600 mg/m²rituximab weekly followed by eight courses of biweekly therapy and then by long-term maintenance therapy, achieving almost complete remission of the symptoms and disease control.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>After resistance to standard chemotherapy with chlorambucil and fludarabine, a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia of the B-cell-lineage was successfully treated with rituximab.</p

Timeliness and quality of diagnostic care for medicare recipients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the patterns of care relating to the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), including the use of modern diagnostic techniques such as flow cytometry. METHODS: The authors used the SEER-Medicare database to identify subjects diagnosed with CLL from 1992 to 2002 and defined diagnostic delay as present when the number of days between the first claim for a CLL-associated sign or symptom and SEER diagnosis date met or exceeded the median for the sample. The authors then used logistic regression to estimate the likelihood of delay and Cox regression to examine survival. RESULTS: For the 5086 patients analyzed, the median time between sign or symptom and CLL diagnosis was 63 days (interquartile range [IQR] = 0-251). Predictors of delay included age ≥75 (OR 1.45 [1.27-1.65]), female gender (OR 1.22 [1.07-1.39]), urban residence (OR 1.46 [1.19 to 1.79]), ≥1 comorbidities (OR 2.83 [2.45-3.28]) and care in a teaching hospital (OR 1.20 [1.05-1.38]). Delayed diagnosis was not associated with survival (HR 1.11 [0.99-1.25]), but receipt of flow cytometry within thirty days before or after diagnosis was (HR 0.84 [0.76-0.91]). CONCLUSIONS: Sociodemographic characteristics affect diagnostic delay for CLL, although delay does not seem to impact mortality. In contrast, receipt of flow cytometry near the time of diagnosis is associated with improved survival. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/83467/1/25655_ftp.pd

The Effect of Paraprotein on Platelet Aggregation

Background Some patients with paraproteinemia have platelet aggregation disorders and the aim of this study was to examine disturbance of platelet aggregation in healthy blood donors by isolated paraprotein in vitro. Methods Using Rivanol, paraprotein was separated from the serum of ten patients with paraproteinemia, who had decreased platelet aggregation with several inducers. Platelet aggregation in ten healthy donors was measured with and without addition of the isolated induced paraprotein. The test was repeated with added human immunoglobulins for intravenous use. Results Average of maximal levels of platelet aggregation has been significantly decreased in plasma rich in platelets (PRP) of healthy donors after addition of paraprotein when inducers are used: adenosine diphosphate (ADP) (P = 0.007), collagen (COL) (P = 0.008), ristocetin (RIS) (P = 0.001), and epinephrine (EPI) (P = 0.002). Average of latent time of platelet aggregation was significantly prolonged in healthy donors after addition of paraprotein with inducers: COL (P = 0.008), RIS (P = 0.008) and EPI (P = 0.006) while addition of human immunoglobulins caused no change in platelet aggregation. In comparison, when human immunoglobulins were added, maximal platelet aggregation and latent time did not change significantly. Paraprotein isolated from patients with paraproteinamia, who had decrease platelet aggregation, had significantly decreased platelet aggregation when added to PRP of healthy donors, in vitro. Conclusion Platelet aggregation was not significantly changed was confirmed with addition of human immunoglobulins