THE EFFECT OF ARTIFICIALLY EXTENDED PHOTOPERIOD DURING LACTATION ON MATERNAL PERFORMANCE OF THE SOW

A 20-stall farrowing facility was partitioned into two separate rooms of 10 stalls each so that photoperiod could be controlled. In addition, temperature and air movement were equalized in the two rooms. The two light regimens utilized were 8 h light: 16 h dark, and 16 h light:8 h dark. A total of 26 sows in two replicates were used. Females were moved into the facility on d 103 -+2 of pregnancy, litters were equalized at birth and weaning was at 28 d of age. Traits evaluated included litter size at birth and weaning, 21-d pig and litter weights, milk yield on d 15, survival rate and number of days from weaning to estrus for the sow. The number of pigs born alive was similar across treatments. However, after equalization of litter size, differences in the number weaned/ litter were significant (P\u3c.05) as sows exposed to 16 h of light weaned approximately one pig more per litter. The survival rate within each litter from birth (after equalization) to 21 d of age was greater (P\u3c.05) for sows exposed to 16 h light (91.2%) than for those from sows exposed to 8 h light (81.5%). Milk yield at d 15 was measured for 21 of the sows. The sows exposed to 16 h light produced significantly more milk (P\u3c.05) than sows exposed to 8 h light. The time from weaning to first estrus was similar for each treatment group

THE EFFECT OF ARTIFICIALLY EXTENDED PHOTOPERIOD DURING LACTATION ON MATERNAL PERFORMANCE OF THE SOW

A 20-stall farrowing facility was partitioned into two separate rooms of 10 stalls each so that photoperiod could be controlled. In addition, temperature and air movement were equalized in the two rooms. The two light regimens utilized were 8 h light: 16 h dark, and 16 h light:8 h dark. A total of 26 sows in two replicates were used. Females were moved into the facility on d 103 -+2 of pregnancy, litters were equalized at birth and weaning was at 28 d of age. Traits evaluated included litter size at birth and weaning, 21-d pig and litter weights, milk yield on d 15, survival rate and number of days from weaning to estrus for the sow. The number of pigs born alive was similar across treatments. However, after equalization of litter size, differences in the number weaned/ litter were significant (P\u3c.05) as sows exposed to 16 h of light weaned approximately one pig more per litter. The survival rate within each litter from birth (after equalization) to 21 d of age was greater (P\u3c.05) for sows exposed to 16 h light (91.2%) than for those from sows exposed to 8 h light (81.5%). Milk yield at d 15 was measured for 21 of the sows. The sows exposed to 16 h light produced significantly more milk (P\u3c.05) than sows exposed to 8 h light. The time from weaning to first estrus was similar for each treatment group

A systematic review of correlates of sedentary behaviour in adults aged 18–65 years: a socio-ecological approach

Background: Recent research shows that sedentary behaviour is associated with adverse cardio-metabolic consequences even among those considered sufficiently physically active. In order to successfully develop interventions to address this unhealthy behaviour, factors that influence sedentariness need to be identified and fully understood. The aim of this review is to identify individual, social, environmental, and policy-related determinants or correlates of sedentary behaviours among adults aged 18-65 years. Methods: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched for articles published between January 2000 and September 2015. The search strategy was based on four key elements and their synonyms: (a) sedentary behaviour (b) correlates (c) types of sedentary behaviours (d) types of correlates. Articles were included if information relating to sedentary behaviour in adults (18-65 years) was reported. Studies on samples selected by disease were excluded. The full protocol is available from PROSPERO (PROSPERO 2014:CRD42014009823). Results: 74 original studies were identified out of 4041: 71 observational, two qualitative and one experimental study. Sedentary behaviour was primarily measured as self-reported screen leisure time and total sitting time. In 15 studies, objectively measured total sedentary time was reported: accelerometry (n = 14) and heart rate (n = 1). Individual level factors such as age, physical activity levels, body mass index, socio-economic status and mood were all significantly correlated with sedentariness. A trend towards increased amounts of leisure screen time was identified in those married or cohabiting while having children resulted in less total sitting time. Several environmental correlates were identified including proximity of green space, neighbourhood walkability and safety and weather. Conclusions: Results provide further evidence relating to several already recognised individual level factors and preliminary evidence relating to social and environmental factors that should be further investigated. Most studies relied upon cross-sectional design limiting causal inference and the heterogeneity of the sedentary measures prevented direct comparison of findings. Future research necessitates longitudinal study designs, exploration of policy-related factors, further exploration of environmental factors, analysis of inter-relationships between identified factors and better classification of sedentary behaviour domains

THE EFFECT OF ARTIFICIALLY EXTENDED PHOTOPERIOD DURING LACTATION ON MATERNAL PERFORMANCE OF THE SOW

A 20-stall farrowing facility was partitioned into two separate rooms of 10 stalls each so that photoperiod could be controlled. In addition, temperature and air movement were equalized in the two rooms. The two light regimens utilized were 8 h light: 16 h dark, and 16 h light:8 h dark. A total of 26 sows in two replicates were used. Females were moved into the facility on d 103 -+2 of pregnancy, litters were equalized at birth and weaning was at 28 d of age. Traits evaluated included litter size at birth and weaning, 21-d pig and litter weights, milk yield on d 15, survival rate and number of days from weaning to estrus for the sow. The number of pigs born alive was similar across treatments. However, after equalization of litter size, differences in the number weaned/ litter were significant (P\u3c.05) as sows exposed to 16 h of light weaned approximately one pig more per litter. The survival rate within each litter from birth (after equalization) to 21 d of age was greater (P\u3c.05) for sows exposed to 16 h light (91.2%) than for those from sows exposed to 8 h light (81.5%). Milk yield at d 15 was measured for 21 of the sows. The sows exposed to 16 h light produced significantly more milk (P\u3c.05) than sows exposed to 8 h light. The time from weaning to first estrus was similar for each treatment group

Further studies of fluoride ion entrapment in octasilsesquioxane cages; X-ray crystal structure studies and factors that affect their formation

A range of fluoride-encapsulated octasilsesquioxane cage compounds have been prepared using the TBAF route. Our studies suggest that whilst it is relatively straightforward to prepare fluoride-encapsulated octasilsesquioxane cage compounds with adjacent sp(2) carbons, leading to a range of aryl and vinyl substituted compounds, the corresponding sp(3) carbon derivatives are more capricious, requiring an electron withdrawing group that can stabilize the cage whilst not acting as a leaving group. Analysis by X-ray crystallography and solution F-19/Si-29 NMR spectroscopy of R8T8@F- reveal very similar environments for the encapsulated fluoride octasilsesquioxane cages. Migration of a fluoride ion from inside the cage to outside the cage without breaking the T-8 framework and the possibility of encapsulating other anions within silsesquioxane cages have been also investigated

ICOS agonism by JTX-2011 (vopratelimab) requires initial T cell priming and Fc cross-linking for optimal T cell activation and anti-tumor immunity in preclinical models.

Immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors, such as antibodies targeting PD-1 and CTLA-4, have demonstrated the potential of harnessing the immune system to treat cancer. However, despite encouraging results particularly with respect to survival, only a minority of patients benefit from these therapies. In clinical studies aimed at understanding changes in the immune system following immunotherapy treatment, ICOS (Inducible T cell CO-Stimulator) was shown to be significantly up-regulated on CD4+ T cells and this was associated with clinical activity, indicating that ICOS stimulatory activity may be beneficial in the treatment of solid tumors. In this report, we describe the generation of specific, species cross-reactive, agonist antibodies to ICOS, including the humanized clinical candidate, JTX-2011 (vopratelimab). Preclinical studies suggest that the ICOS stimulating antibodies require Fc receptor cross-linking for optimal agonistic activity. Notably, the ICOS antibodies do not exhibit superagonist properties but rather require T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated upregulation of ICOS for agonist activity. Treatment with the ICOS antibodies results in robust anti-tumor benefit and long-term protection in preclinical syngeneic mouse tumor models. Additional benefit is observed when the ICOS antibodies are administered in combination with anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapies. Based on the preclinical data, JTX-2011 is currently being developed in the clinical setting for the treatment of solid tumors