Comparative study of historical woods from XIX century by thermogravimetry coupled with FTIR spectroscopy

Thermal and structural properties of historical woods from apparatuses of the Historical Collection of the Physics Instruments of the University of Palermo have been investigated by FTIR spectroscopy coupled with thermogravimetric analysis. Specifically, the wooden portions of apparatuses from XIX century have been studied. The investigated woods belong to different taxa (Swietenia mahagoni, Picea abies and Juglans regia). The thermal behavior of the wooden materials has been successfully interpreted on the basis of specific indexes determined by the quantitative analysis of the FTIR spectra. The kinetics of the wood pyrolysis have been investigated by using a non-isothermal approach based on model-free isoconversional procedures, such as Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Friedman methods. Interestingly, the activation energy of the pyrolysis process reflects both the peculiar composition (related to the specific wooden taxon) and the conservation state of the historical woods. In this regards, we estimated that the average activation energies obtained from KAS analysis are 203, 156 and 43 kJ mol−1 for Swietenia mahagoni, Picea abies and Juglans regia woods, respectively. The thermogravimetric parameters have been correlated to the lignin index of the woods by proper experimental equations, which can be considered as a novel protocol to estimate the preservation conditions of historical woods from different taxon

Metabolic Changes Associated with Different Levels of Energy Deficits in Mediterranean Buffaloes during the Early Lactation Stage: Type and Role of the Main Lipid Fractions Involved

Simple Summary The mobilization of lipids from adipose tissue increases fatty acids and ketone bodies levels. The & beta;-hydroxybutyrate is the main ketone body used to diagnose ketosis, a metabolic disorder of the transition period, in ruminants. Nevertheless, a specific cut-off for the ketosis of & beta;-hydroxybutyrate in buffaloes and the plasma lipid fractions related to ketone bodies have not been established. The relative concentrations of not only total plasma lipids but also lipid fractions such as phospholipids, free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol esters are influenced by the mobilization of lipids. Each of these fractions has a different role in animal metabolism, influencing energy redistribution and cell metabolism and function. The present study reveals the relationship between lipid fractions and changes in metabolism and inflammation that is related to variations in lipid classes according to different levels of energy deficits in the early lactation of Mediterranean buffaloes. Furthermore, buffaloes defined as at risk of ketosis showed similarities, with ketotic cows suggesting the necessity of further investigations in these ruminants. Cell function and energy redistribution are influenced by lipid classes (phospholipids (PLs), free fatty acids (FFAs), triglycerides (TGs), and cholesterol esters (CEs)). The aim of this study was to investigate metabolic alterations that are related to changes in lipid classes according to different levels of energy deficits in early lactating Mediterranean buffaloes (MBs). Sixty-three MBs were enrolled at the beginning of lactation using an observational study with a cross-sectional experimental design. Serum & beta;-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels were used to group the animals into a healthy group (Group H; n = 38; BHB < 0.70 mmol/L) and hyperketonemia risk group (Group K; n = 25; BHB & GE; 0.70 mmol/L). Statistical analysis was performed using a linear model that included the effect of the group and body condition score to assess differences in fatty acid (FA) concentrations. A total of 40 plasma FAs were assessed in each lipid class. Among the FAs, eight PLs, seven FFAs, four TGs, and four CEs increased according to BHB levels, while three FFAs, three TGs, and one CE decreased. The changes among lipid class profiles suggested the influence of inflammatory response, liver metabolism, and the state of body lipid reserves. In addition, the possible similarities of buffaloes at risk of hyperketonemia with ketotic cows suggest the necessity of further investigations in these ruminants

Serum metabolomics assessment of etiological processes predisposing ketosis in water buffalo during early lactation

Metabolic disorders as ketosis are manifestations of the animal's inability to manage the increase in energy requirement during early lactation. Generally, buffaloes show a different response to higher metabolic demands than other ruminants with a lower incidence of metabolic problems, although ketosis is one of the major diseases that may decrease the productivity in buffaloes. The aim of this study was to characterize the metabolic profile of Mediterranean buffaloes (MB) associated with 2 different levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Sixty-two MB within 50 days in milk (DIM) were enrolled and divided into 2 groups according to se -rum BHB concentration: healthy group (37 MB; BHB &lt;0.70 mmol/L; body condition score: 5.00; parity: 3.78; and DIM: 30.70) and group at risk of hyperketonemia (25 MB; BHB &gt;= 0.70 mmol/L; body condition score: 4.50; parity: 3.76; and DIM: 33.20). The statistical analysis was conducted by one-way ANOVA and un-paired 2-sample Wilcoxon tests. Fifty-seven metabolites were identified and among them, 12 were significant or tended to be significant. These metabolites were related to different metabolic changes such as mobilization of body resources, ruminal fermentations, urea cycle, thy-roid hormone synthesis, inflammation, and oxidative stress status. These findings are suggestive of metabolic changes related to subclinical ketosis status that should be further investigated to better characterize this dis-ease in the MB

Serum metabolomics assessment of etiological processes predisposing ketosis in water buffalo during early lactation - Supplementary Table 1.

Metabolomic profile of non-representative metabolites in Mediterranean buffaloes’ (MBs) expressed as μmol/L of serum categorized as healthy with low BHB (Group H) or at risk of hyperketonemia group with high BHB (Group K; BHB ≥ 0.70 mmol/L). Results obtained by 1H-NMR spectroscopy

Serum metabolomics assessment of etiological processes predisposing ketosis in water buffalo during early lactation - Supplementary Figure 1

Supplementary Figure 1. The volcano plot displayed the association between the base-2 logarithm of fold change (log2(FC); x-axis) and the base-10 negative logarithm of p-value (-log10(p); y-axis). The fold change was calculated as the ratio between Group H (Healthy) and Group K (Risk) concentration of each metabolite. Results obtained by the Univariate Analysis performed with MetaboAnalyst 5.0

Serum metabolomics assessment of etiological processes predisposing ketosis in water buffalo during early lactation - Supplementary Table 1.

Metabolomic profile of non-representative metabolites in Mediterranean buffaloes’ (MBs) expressed as μmol/L of serum categorized as healthy with low BHB (Group H) or at risk of hyperketonemia group with high BHB (Group K; BHB ≥ 0.70 mmol/L). Results obtained by 1H-NMR spectroscopy.THIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV

Serum metabolomics assessment of etiological processes predisposing ketosis in water buffalo during early lactation - Supplementary Figure 1

Supplementary Figure 1. The volcano plot displayed the association between the base-2 logarithm of fold change (log2(FC); x-axis) and the base-10 negative logarithm of p-value (-log10(p); y-axis). The fold change was calculated as the ratio between Group H (Healthy) and Group K (Risk) concentration of each metabolite. Results obtained by the Univariate Analysis performed with MetaboAnalyst 5.0.THIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV

Evaluation of body surface temperature variations in dogs affected by spinal cord injuries during physiotherapy exercise in a water treadmill

The aim this study was to evaluate variation in body surface temperature (BST) in healthy and spinal cord injured (SCI) dogs, and to outline temperature variation at rest (T0), during (T1) and after (T2) water-treadmill physiotherapy sessions in SCI using infrared thermography (IRT). Sixty-seven dogs of different sex, breed, body weight and age were enrolled: 14 healthy dogs and 53 dogs affected by disc pathologies. The study examined three regions of interest (ROIs): the total image of the spine (IMAGE), the spinal cord area from 1st thoracic vertebra to the last lumbar vertebra (AR01) and the surgery wound or spinal cord lesion area (AR02). Significant BST variations between healthy and SCI were reported in T°max and T°max-min (ΔT) values in IMAGE (P < 0.05). In SCI group, AR01 and AR02 assessment showed an increase in temperature ate the sited of the injured area and adjacent body structures. In SCI, a significant effect of water-treadmill exercise in AR01 and AR02 was reported. In fact, both AR01 and AR02 reported higher BST (T°max, T°mean, T°min and ΔT) during the physical exercise (T1), representing the response to physical activity of the spine vascularization, muscles and column contiguous tissues. Furthermore, in T2, the same areas reported a significant lower BST (T°max, T°mean, and ΔT), related to a decrease in tissue inflammation on the target area of the water treadmill physiotherapy. This study highlights how IRT can detect BST variations associated with injured areas. In addition, IRT revealed a positive effect of water-treadmill exercise on the injured spinal cord areas, thus it could be a viable non-invasive and rapid method to support both clinical examination and assessment of the effectiveness of medical treatment in SCI

Lung Ultrasonography and Clinical Follow-Up Evaluations in Fattening Bulls Affected by Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) during the Restocking Period and after Tulathromycin and Ketoprofen Treatment

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a global infectious disease, causing decreased well-being and economic losses in livestock, frequently during the restocking period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) to assess BRD in restocked animals, and the effectiveness of tulathromycin and ketoprofen treatment in sick animals. A total of 60 Limousin fattening bulls were enrolled. On the day of restocking (T0), the animals were divided into two groups based on TUS assessment of six lung areas: group C (ultrasonography score (US score) < 3) and group D (US score ≥ 3). Group D received a single administration of tulathromycin and ketoprofen at T0: this group was revaluated after 1.5, 3, 7, and 14 days. Both groups were revaluated after 21 days. The two groups showed a significant difference both in US score and clinical symptoms (respiratory score, nasal and ocular discharges, and rectal temperature) at T0. In group D, the treatment was effective in improving the clinical symptoms and US score, particularly reducing the severity of lung lesions. TUS represents a non-invasive and cost-effective tool for BRD early diagnosis and for monitoring treatment efficacy in restocked livestock

Clinical follow-up in fattening bulls affected by bovine respiratory disease (Brd) after pharmacological treatment with tulathromycin and ketoprofen: Clinical score and ultrasonographic evaluations

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is recognized as one of the most important disease in beef industry because it may negatively influence animal welfare and farm economy. An early diagnosis is necessary to improve prognosis and outcome, as well to pro-vide for specific management treatment for the affected animals. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of the ultra-sonographic technique as diagnostic method for BRD in fattening bulls after pharmacological treatment with tulathromycin and ketoprofen. Sixty Limousine fattening bulls of 10.23 ± 1.37 months’ age belonging to a single farm were enrolled in this study. Animals were divided into two groups according to ultrasonographic score (US score) of lungs: Group C or control group (US score < 3; 29 animals), and Group D or disease group (US score ≥ 3; 31 animals). Both groups received a clinical examina-tion and a TUS (thoracic ultrasonography) at time 0 (T0; day of restocking) and time 7 (T7; +21 days). Furthermore, group D received additional clinical examinations and TUS at time 1 (T1; day of diagnosis and treatment), time 2 (T2; +1 day), time 3 (T3; +2 days), time 4 (T4; +3 days), time 5 (T5; +7 days), and time 6 (T6; +14 days). Statistical differences between groups were evaluated by parametric and not-parametric test. The lung lesions such as total areas of hepatization and fluid alveolograms were measured and analyzed with mixed regression models over time. The two groups showed a significant difference both in US score and clinical symptoms (respiratory score, nasal and ocular discharges and rectal temperature) when comparing T1 of group D with T0 of group C. Over the time, the treatment of group D was effective in reducing the US score and rectal temperature after 2 and 1 days, respectively, while ocular discharges was reduced after 2 days. The ultrasound evaluation of the general health status showed an improvement after 7 days from treatment. However, a reduction of total areas of hepatization and fluid alve-olograms were evidenced in 3 days. In conclusion, the pulmonary ultrasound has been evidenced as a feasible and sensitive tool both for BRD early diagnosis and treatment effectiveness evaluation in fattening bulls