Phenotypic diversity of horse breeds used in sports activities, employing multivariate analysis

Aim of study: Sports involving horses have notable financial importance. Breeds are evaluated to find the best-suited ones for a specific sport category. Phenotypic diversity using biometric markers was evaluated for Quarter Horse (QH), Arabic (AR), English Thoroughbred (ET), and Brazilian Equestrian (BE) horse breeds.Area of study: Mato Grosso do Sul-Brazil.Material and methods: Lengths, widths, and circumference measures of 268 horses were collected. These measures were used to estimate conformation indexes. The size-free canonical discriminant analysis was used to remove the size effect on the animal's shape. The similarity among breeds (by sex) was evaluated employing multivariate analysis (canonical analysis, MANOVA, principal components, Euclidean distances, and grouping through complete linkage), considering all linear measures and conformation indexes (included in the analysis of principal components).Main results: Four canonical variables (CANs), each one representing an equation to interpret the morpho-functionality of breeds “sustentation”, “structure”, “frame”, and “equilibrium”, were retained. The breeds presented differences when the CANs were simultaneously considered. Differences mainly were the size and the thickness of the body as well as the ability of the animal to move. ET, QH, and BE demonstrate a well-defined biometric profile. These three breeds clustered separately from AR breed.Research highlights: Canonical variables allow to verify the functional aptitudes since the responses were close to conformation indices commonly used as horse skill estimators. The implementation of these variables as selection criteria in horse breeding programs require further studies in larger populations of horses for a confirmation of the present results

From: Larry Roberts (enclosure)

Illegal trafficking of pharmaceutical products by criminal organisations is a global threat for public health. Drugs for erectile dysfunction such as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are the most commonly counterfeited medicines in Europe. The search of possible toxic chemical substances in seized products is needed to provide early warning for public health. Furthermore, the elemental profile of the seized products can be useful in criminal investigations. For the first time an ion beam analysis (IBA) procedure to characterise authentic Viagra® tablets and sildenafil-based illegal products is described. Moreover, results are compared with the ones obtained by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) on authentic Viagra® tablets in two reactors. IBA results showed that a combination of particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and secondary ion mass spectrometry using primary ions with energies in the range of several MeV (MeV-SIMS) is a powerful tool to characterise different products in a straightforward manner, allowing discrimination between legal and illegal products. INAA allowed accurate elemental quantification and also showed a great potential for the future implementation of an inter- laboratory classification system

Mitigation of nitrous oxide emissions in grazing systems through nitrification inhibitors: a meta-analysis

Grasslands are the largest contributor of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in the agriculture sector due to livestock excreta and nitrogen fertilizers applied to the soil. Nitrification inhibitors (NIs) added to N input have reduced N2O emissions, but can show a range of efficiencies depending on climate, soil, and management conditions. A meta-analysis study was conducted to investigate the factors that influence the efficiency of NIs added to fertilizer and excreta in reducing N2O emissions, focused on grazing systems. Data from peer-reviewed studies comprising 2164 N2O emission factors (EFs) of N inputs with and without NIs addition were compared. The N2O EFs varied according to N source (0.0001-8.25%). Overall, NIs reduced the N2O EF from N addition by 56.6% (51.1-61.5%), with no difference between NI types (Dicyandiamide-DCD; 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole phosphate-DMPP; and Nitrapyrin) or N source (urine, dung, slurry, and fertilizer). The NIs were more efficient in situations of high N2O emissions compared with low; the reduction was 66.0% when EF > 1.5% of N applied compared with 51.9% when EF 10 kg ha(-1). NIs were less efficient in urine with lower N content (<= 7 g kg(-1)). NI efficiency was negatively correlated with soil bulk density, and positively correlated with soil moisture and temperature. Better understanding and management of NIs can optimize N2O mitigation in grazing systems, e.g., by mapping N2O risk and applying NI at variable rate, contributing to improved livestock sustainability

Ruminal fermentation pattern of acidosis-induced cows fed either monensin or polyclonal antibodies preparation against several ruminal bacteria

This study was designed to evaluate a spray-dried multivalent polyclonal antibody preparation (PAP) against lactate-producing bacteria as an alternative to monensin (MON) to control ruminal acidification. Holstein cows (677 ± 98 kg) fitted with ruminal cannulas were allocated in an incomplete Latin square design with two 20 days period. Cows were randomly assigned to control (CTL), PAP, or MON treatments. For each period, cows were fed a forage diet in the first 5 days (d−5 to d−1), composed of sugarcane, urea and a mineral supplement, followed by a 74% concentrate diet for 15 days (d 0 to d 14). There were no treatment main effects (P &gt; 0.05) on dry matter intake (DMI) and microbial protein synthesis. However, there was a large peak (P &lt; 0.01) of intake on d 0 (18.29 kg), followed by a large decline on d 1 (3.67 kg). From d2, DMI showed an increasing pattern (8.34 kg) and stabilized around d 8 (12.96 kg). Higher mean pH was measured (P &lt; 0.01) in cattle-fed MON (6.06 vs. PAP = 5.89 and CTL = 5.91). The ruminal NH3-N concentration of CTL-fed cows was lower (P &lt; 0.01) compared to those fed MON or PAP. The molar concentration of acetate and lactate was not affected (P &gt; 0.23) by treatments, but feeding MON increased (P = 0.01) propionate during the first 4 days after the challenge. Feeding MON and PAP reduced (P = 0.01) the molar proportion of butyrate. MON was effective in controlling pH and improved ruminal fermentation of acidosis-induced cows. However, PAP was not effective in controlling acidosis. The acidosis induced by the challenge was caused by the accumulation of SCFAs. Therefore, the real conditions for evaluation of this feed additive were not reached in this experiment, since this PAP was proposed to work against lactate-producing bacteria

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

The Changing Landscape for Stroke\ua0Prevention in AF: Findings From the GLORIA-AF Registry Phase 2

Background GLORIA-AF (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) is a prospective, global registry program describing antithrombotic treatment patterns in patients with newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke. Phase 2 began when dabigatran, the first non\u2013vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC), became available. Objectives This study sought to describe phase 2 baseline data and compare these with the pre-NOAC era collected during phase&nbsp;1. Methods During phase 2, 15,641 consenting patients were enrolled (November 2011 to December 2014); 15,092 were eligible. This pre-specified cross-sectional analysis describes eligible patients\u2019 baseline characteristics. Atrial fibrillation&nbsp;disease characteristics, medical outcomes, and concomitant diseases and medications were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the total patients, 45.5% were female; median age was 71 (interquartile range: 64, 78) years. Patients were from Europe (47.1%), North America (22.5%), Asia (20.3%), Latin America (6.0%), and the Middle East/Africa (4.0%). Most had high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc [Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age&nbsp; 6575 years, Diabetes mellitus, previous Stroke, Vascular disease, Age 65 to 74 years, Sex category] score&nbsp; 652; 86.1%); 13.9% had moderate risk (CHA2DS2-VASc&nbsp;= 1). Overall, 79.9% received oral anticoagulants, of whom 47.6% received NOAC and 32.3% vitamin K antagonists (VKA); 12.1% received antiplatelet agents; 7.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. For comparison, the proportion of phase 1 patients (of N&nbsp;= 1,063 all eligible) prescribed VKA was 32.8%, acetylsalicylic acid 41.7%, and no therapy 20.2%. In Europe in phase 2, treatment with NOAC was more common than VKA (52.3% and 37.8%, respectively); 6.0% of patients received antiplatelet treatment; and 3.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. In North America, 52.1%, 26.2%, and 14.0% of patients received NOAC, VKA, and antiplatelet drugs, respectively; 7.5% received no antithrombotic treatment. NOAC use was less common in Asia (27.7%), where 27.5% of patients received VKA, 25.0% antiplatelet drugs, and 19.8% no antithrombotic treatment. Conclusions The baseline data from GLORIA-AF phase 2 demonstrate that in newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, NOAC have been highly adopted into practice, becoming more frequently prescribed than VKA in&nbsp;Europe and North America. Worldwide, however, a large proportion of patients remain undertreated, particularly in&nbsp;Asia&nbsp;and North America. (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [GLORIA-AF]; NCT01468701

The GEOTRACES Intermediate Data Product 2014

The GEOTRACES Intermediate Data Product 2014 (IDP2014) is the first publicly available data product of the international GEOTRACES programme, and contains data measured and quality controlled before the end of 2013. It consists of two parts: (1) a compilation of digital data for more than 200 trace elements and isotopes (TEIs) as well as classical hydrographic parameters, and (2) the eGEOTRACES Electronic Atlas providing a strongly inter-linked on-line atlas including more than 300 section plots and 90 animated 3D scenes. The IDP2014 covers the Atlantic, Arctic, and Indian oceans, exhibiting highest data density in the Atlantic. The TEI data in the IDP2014 are quality controlled by careful assessment of intercalibration results and multi-laboratory data comparisons at cross-over stations. The digital data are provided in several formats, including ASCII spreadsheet, Excel spreadsheet, netCDF, and Ocean Data View collection. In addition to the actual data values the IDP2014 also contains data quality flags and 1-? data error values where available. Quality flags and error values are useful for data filtering. Metadata about data originators, analytical methods and original publications related to the data are linked to the data in an easily accessible way. The eGEOTRACES Electronic Atlas is the visual representation of the IDP2014 data providing section plots and a new kind of animated 3D scenes. The basin-wide 3D scenes allow for viewing of data from many cruises at the same time, thereby providing quick overviews of large-scale tracer distributions. In addition, the 3D scenes provide geographical and bathymetric context that is crucial for the interpretation and assessment of observed tracer plumes, as well as for making inferences about controlling processes

Adoption of adaptation protocols and feed additives to improve performance of feedlot cattle

ABSTRACTThe evolution of ruminants was largely influenced by the symbiotic relationship between ruminal microbiota and the host. Within the rumen, these microorganisms degrade feedstuffs to produce organic acids and synthesize microbial protein, as energy and protein source for ruminants, respectively. This process is accelerated when these animals are transferred to feedlot diets. This review brings the most current studies that reported the most used nutritional managements in this transition process, in order to avoid metabolic disturbances, in which rumen development is a fundamental point. Also, this review brings the main biomolecules used as feed additive, which can in the help control of fermentation processes in order to minimize energetically inefficient processes within the rumen, as well as losses by excretion to the environment, which are widely questioned by be environmental pollutants. Furthermore, the main results of research on animal performance in response to these additives are reported, supplemented alone or associated with different feed additives when used on diets with high grain contents, as well as evaluating the potential of additives as antibiotics alternatives, a fact that has been discussed and is worrying since the use of ionophores or non-ionophores antibiotics represent practically the totality of feedlot diets

Ion beam analysis (IBA) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for forensic characterisation of authentic Viagra® and of sildenafil-based illegal products

Illegal trafficking of pharmaceutical products by criminal organisations is a global threat for public health. Drugs for erectile dysfunction such as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors are the most commonly counterfeited medicines in Europe. The search of possible toxic chemical substances in seized products is needed to provide early warning for public health. Furthermore, the elemental profile of the seized products can be useful in criminal investigations. For the first time an ion beam analysis (IBA) procedure to characterise authentic Viagra® tablets and sildenafil-based illegal products is described. Moreover, results are compared with the ones obtained by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) on authentic Viagra® tablets in two reactors. IBA results showed that a combination of particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and secondary ion mass spectrometry using primary ions with energies in the range of several MeV (MeV-SIMS) is a powerful tool to characterise different products in a straightforward manner, allowing discrimination between legal and illegal products. INAA allowed accurate elemental quantification and also showed a great potential for the future implementation of an inter-laboratory classification system.</p