Effect of weight at weaning on the growth of Tabapuã calves during wet season under grazing.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of live weight (LW) at weaning on the growth of pure Tabapuã calves under grazing during wet season. The experiment was conducted from October 28, 2021 to March 15, 2022, totaling 140 days. Calves were maintained in Urochloa brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás pastures, receiving protein-energy supplementation of 0.4% of LW (12.0% of crude protein and 67.3% of TDN). The experimental design was completely randomized with three treatments and 14 replicates, totaling 42 calves. The experiment was carried out at the ABCZ experimental farm Orestes Prata Tibery Júnior, Uberaba, MG, Brazil, (lat. 19º 47' 68'' S; long. 47º 58' 50'' W, 788 m asl.). The local climate is semi-humid tropical climate, with mean air temperature of 24.1 °C, annual rainfall of 1.430 mm and relative humidity of 67%. The soil is classified as Dystrophic Red Latosol, Sandy Frank and smooth relief. The experimental area of pasture consisted of 20.3 ha of BRS Paiaguás, divided in 8 paddocks of 2.53 ha. Pastures were grazed at rotational stocking system and the forage allowance was maintained at 6% of the LW with variable stocking rate (SR). Forty-one Tabapuã calves registered at birth as pure of origin (PO), were evaluated as testers, with average age of 12 months and were separated in three weaning weight treatments: 1. Light mean LW 196 kg; 2. Intermediate mean LW 235 kg; and 3. Heavy mean LW 268 kg. Forage samples presented 16.9% of crude protein and 62.3% of TDN, 61.7% of NDF (neutral detergent fiber) and 29% of ADF (acid detergent fiber). Mean SR was 5.7 AU/ha and mean forage mass was 3.723 kg/ha. The average daily live weight gain (ADG) was not affected by the treatment effect (P<0.05). Mean ADG was 0.780+0.104, 0.776+0.104 and 0.781+0.104 kg/head/day for Light, Intermediate and Heavy, respectively. The mean LW gain per area (GA) was 608 kg LW/ha, corresponding to 20.3 @/ha. Although there was no difference in LW gain, the differences in LW remained until the end of the growing period, being 380+43, 427+43 and 462+43 kg for Light, Intermediate and Heavy treatments, respectively. These differences emphasize weaning weight is an important factor for early finishing of Tabapuã beef cattle, reducing time and costs of the livestock cycle

Uso del aparato bucal “PMpositioner” en el tratamiento del ronquido y la apnea obstructiva del sueño.

La elección de un aparato bucal apropiado para lograr los mejores resultados en el tratamiento de la apnea obstructiva del sueño es importante.El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de un aparato bucal específico, el PMPositioner, para el tratamiento del ronquido y la apnea obstructiva del sueño leve, a través de polisomnografía y la Escala de Epworth del sueño, después de seis meses de uso del mencionado aparato. Se incluyeron en el estudio 17 pacientes divididos en dos grupos: un grupo de roncadores (n=7) y otro grupo (n=10) con apnea obstructiva leve. Los resultados fueron significativos para el segundo grupo, revelando una disminución en el índice de apneahipoapnea de 7,4 ± 5,0 a 3,0 ± 2,5 (p <0,05), un aumento de la saturación de oxígeno en un rango de 88,0 ± 6,0 a 90,0 ± 2,8 (p <0,05), aumento del sueño REM de 16,0±4,0 a 19±6,0 y una mejora de la somnolencia en la Escala Epworth de 12,5±5,4 a 7,4±2,4. Se constató una disminución en los ronquidos y los síntomas subjetivos. PMPositioner, fue efectivo en el tratamiento de los ronquidos y la apnea obstructiva leve, la reducción de la somnolencia y de otros síntomas

Measurement of hadronic cross section and preliminary results on the pion form factor using the radiative return at DAPHNE

In the fixed energy environment of the $e^{+}e^{-}$ collider DA$\Phi$NE, KLOE can measure the cross section of the process $e^{+}e^{-} \to$ hadrons as a function of the hadronic system energy using the radiative return. At energies below 1 GeV, $e^{+}e^{-} \to \rho \to \pi^{+}\pi^{-}$ is the dominating hadronic process. We report here on the status of the analysis for the e^{+}e^{-} \to \ppg channel, which allows to obtain a preliminary measurement of the pion form factor using an integrated luminosity of $\sim73 pb^{-1}$.Comment: Invited talk at the Seventh International Workshop on Tau Lepton Physics (TAU02-WE07), Santa Cruz, Ca, USA, Sept 2002, 9 pages, LaTeX, 9 eps figure

Measurement of the ratio Gamma(K_L -> gamma gamma)/Gamma(K_L -> pi^0 pi^0 pi^0) with the KLOE detector

We have measured the ratio R=Gamma(K_L -> gamma gamma)/ \Gamma(K_L -> 3 pi^0) using the KLOE detector. From a sample of ~ 10^9 phi-mesons produced at DAFNE, the Frascati phi-factory, we select ~ 1.6 10^8 K_L-mesons tagged by observing K_S -> pi^+ pi^- following the reaction e^+ e^- -> phi -> K_L K_S. From this sample we select 27,375 K_L -> gamma gamma events and obtain R = (2.79 \pm 0.02_{stat} \pm 0.02_{syst}) \times 10^{-3}. Using the world average value for BR(K_{L} -> 3 pi^0), we obtain BR(K_{L} -> gamma gamma) = (5.89 \pm 0.07 \pm 0.08) \times 10^{-4} where the second error is due to the uncertainty on the 3 pi^0 branching fraction.Comment: 14 page

On the phylogeny of Mustelidae subfamilies: analysis of seventeen nuclear non-coding loci and mitochondrial complete genomes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mustelidae, as the largest and most-diverse family of order Carnivora, comprises eight subfamilies. Phylogenetic relationships among these Mustelidae subfamilies remain argumentative subjects in recent years. One of the main reasons is that the mustelids represent a typical example of rapid evolutionary radiation and recent speciation event. Prior investigation has been concentrated on the application of different mitochondrial (mt) sequence and nuclear protein-coding data, herein we employ 17 nuclear non-coding loci (>15 kb), in conjunction with mt complete genome data (>16 kb), to clarify these enigmatic problems.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The combined nuclear intron and mt genome analyses both robustly support that Taxidiinae diverged first, followed by Melinae. Lutrinae and Mustelinae are grouped together in all analyses with strong supports. The position of Helictidinae, however, is enigmatic because the mt genome analysis places it to the clade uniting Lutrinae and Mustelinae, whereas the nuclear intron analysis favores a novel view supporting a closer relationship of Helictidinae to Martinae. This finding emphasizes a need to add more data and include more taxa to resolve this problem. In addition, the molecular dating provides insights into the time scale of the origin and diversification of the Mustelidae subfamilies. Finally, the phylogenetic performances and limits of nuclear introns and mt genes are discussed in the context of Mustelidae phylogeny.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study not only brings new perspectives on the previously obscured phylogenetic relationships among Mustelidae subfamilies, but also provides another example demonstrating the effectiveness of nuclear non-coding loci for reconstructing evolutionary histories in a group that has undergone rapid bursts of speciation.</p

Observational study on efficacy of negative expiratory pressure test proposed as screening for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome among commercial interstate bus drivers - protocol study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a respiratory disease characterized by the collapse of the extrathoracic airway and has important social implications related to accidents and cardiovascular risk. The main objective of the present study was to investigate whether the drop in expiratory flow and the volume expired in 0.2 s during the application of negative expiratory pressure (NEP) are associated with the presence and severity of OSA in a population of professional interstate bus drivers who travel medium and long distances.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>An observational, analytic study will be carried out involving adult male subjects of an interstate bus company. Those who agree to participate will undergo a detailed patient history, physical examination involving determination of blood pressure, anthropometric data, circumference measurements (hips, waist and neck), tonsils and Mallampati index. Moreover, specific questionnaires addressing sleep apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness will be administered. Data acquisition will be completely anonymous. Following the medical examination, the participants will perform a spirometry, NEP test and standard overnight polysomnography. The NEP test is performed through the administration of negative pressure at the mouth during expiration. This is a practical test performed while awake and requires little cooperation from the subject. In the absence of expiratory flow limitation, the increase in the pressure gradient between the alveoli and open upper airway caused by NEP results in an increase in expiratory flow.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Despite the abundance of scientific evidence, OSA is still underdiagnosed in the general population. In addition, diagnostic procedures are expensive, and predictive criteria are still unsatisfactory. Because increased upper airway collapsibility is one of the main determinants of OSA, the response to the application of NEP could be a predictor of this disorder. With the enrollment of this study protocol, the expectation is to encounter predictive NEP values for different degrees of OSA in order to contribute toward an early diagnosis of this condition and reduce its impact and complications among commercial interstate bus drivers.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p><it>Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clinicos </it>(local acronym RBEC) [Internet]: Rio de Janeiro (RJ): <it>Instituto de Informaçao Cientifica e Tecnologica em Saude </it>(Brazil); 2010 - Identifier RBR-7dq5xx. Cross-sectional study on efficacy of negative expiratory pressure test proposed as screening for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome among commercial interstate bus drivers; 2011 May 31 [7 pages]. Available from <url>http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-7dq5xx/</url>.</p

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells from gingival papilla: a novel tool for odontostomatological regenerative medicine

OBJECTIVES In dentistry, the use of oral and dental stem cells has become an attractive approach for the regeneration of tooth and periodontal tissues.In particular, oral soft tissues represent a convenient source of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal cells (MSCs) owing to the minimal invasive withdrawal procedures. In the oral environment, gingival tissue represents the first important barrier against external offensive insults (e.g. chemicals, viruses and bacteria) and its peculiar properties allow a rapid wound-healing in the absence of scarring. Herein, MSCs isolated from gingival papilla (GinPa-MSCs) are proposed for odontostomatological regenerative medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MSCs have been isolated from gingival papilla of donors undergoing oral surgery, after written consent. Primary cultures were characterized for their proliferation, clonogenicity (CFU-F assay), mesenchymal stem cell marker expression and multi-differentiative ability towards mesodermal lineages. In addition, GinPa-MSCs were analyzed by TEM and tested as possible vehicles for drug delivery. Statistical analysis was performed by Student's t test using GraphPadInStat program or by regression analysis using MicrosoftExcel software. Data are expressed as mean \ub1 SD and a difference of p 64 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS A typical fibroblast-like morphology and a high self-renewing ability (DT=50.4\ub116.1 hours) was present in all the GinPa-MSC populations, which also displayed a high clonogenic potential (~20% CFU-F) and expressed the typical mesenchymal immunophenotype (CD73+, CD90+, CD105+, CD45-). Interestingly, a mild positivity for CD14 (~32%) was found and further investigated by TEM analysis. GinPa-MSCs increased collagen production (+79%) and ECM deposition (+100%) when induced to differentiate towards osteogenic lineage, despite they displayed a high basal level of ALP activity. GinPa-MSCs possess a mild chondrogenic and adipogenic potential. In addition, when GinPa-MSCs were primed with the anticancer drug Paclitaxel (PTX), they were able to uptake and release the active molecule thus inhibiting the growth of CFPAC-1 carcinoma cells in vitro. DISCUSSION Our data indicate that GinPa-MSCs display peculiar characteristics that could be related to their unique function within the oral environment. The presence of a CD14+ monocyte-like subpopulation is most likely connected to gingival active defense mechanisms, as supported by the abundance of pinocytotic structures in their cytoplasm. GinPa MSC drug delivery properties are confirmed in vitro by the antitumor activity of their conditioned medium. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results suggest that gingival stromal cells represent an attractive candidate in maxillo-facial and dental regenerative medicine. Furthermore, their ability to uptake and release PTX represents an interesting perspective for drug delivery to treat cancer and other pathologies related to the odontostomatological apparatus

Nanoparticles based on quaternary ammonium chitosan-methyl-β-cyclodextrin conjugate for the neuropeptide dalargin delivery to the central nervous system: An in vitro study

Peptide oral administration is a hard goal to reach, especially if the brain is the target site. The purpose of the present study was to set up a vehicle apt to promote oral absorption of the neuropeptide dalargin (DAL), allowing it to cross the intestinal mucosal barrier, resist enzymatic degradation, and transport drugs to the brain after crossing the blood–brain barrier. Therefore, a chitosan quaternary ammonium derivative was synthesized and conjugated with methyl-β-cyclodextrin to prepare DAL-medicated nanoparticles (DAL-NP). DAL-NP particle size was 227.7 nm, zeta potential +8.60 mV, encapsulation efficiency 89%. DAL-NP protected DAL from degradation by chymotrypsin or pancreatin and tripled DAL degradation time compared to non-encapsulated DAL. Use of DAL-NP was safe for either Caco-2 or bEnd.3 cells, with the latter selected as a blood–brain barrier model. DAL-NP could also cross either the Caco-2 or bEnd.3 monolayer by the transepithelial route. The results suggest a potential DAL-NP ability to transport to the brain a DAL dose fraction administered orally, although in vivo experiments will be needed to confirm the present data obtained in vitro