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

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

Hate crimes against trans people: assessing emotions, behaviors and attitudes towards criminal justice agencies

Based on a survey of 593 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the United Kingdom, this study shows that direct anti-LGBT hate crimes (measured by direct experiences of victimization) and indirect anti-LGBT hate crimes (measured by personally knowing other victims of hate crime) are highly prolific and frequent experiences for LGBT people. Our findings show that trans people are particularly susceptible to hate crimes, both in terms of prevalence and frequency. This article additionally highlights the negative emotional and (intended) behavioral reactions that were correlated with an imagined hate crime scenario, showing that trans people are more likely to experience heightened levels of threat, vulnerability, and anxiety compared with non-trans LGB people. The study found that trans people are also more likely to feel unsupported by family, friends, and society for being LGBT, which was correlated with the frequency of direct (verbal) abuse they had previously endured. The final part of this study explores trans people’s confidence levels in the Government, the police, and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in relation to addressing hate crime. In general, trans people felt that the police are not effective at policing anti-LGBT hate crime, and they are not respectful toward them as victims; this was especially true where individuals had previous contact with the police. Respondents were also less confident in the CPS to prosecute anti-LGBT hate crimes, though the level of confidence was slightly higher when respondents had direct experience with the CPS. The empirical evidence presented here supports the assertion that all LGBT people, but particularly trans individuals, continue to be denied equal participation in society due to individual, social, and structural experiences of prejudice. The article concludes by arguing for a renewed policy focus that must address this issue as a public health problem

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

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

Investigating the immunoregulatory potential of human Adipose-derived Stromal Cell secretome: proteomic analysis of their Conditioned Medium in comparison to human Dermal Fibroblasts&#8217; one

OBJECTIVE: Human Adipose-derived Stromal Cells (hASCs) possess a well-recognized immunoregulatory potential. Nowadays it is widely accepted that this beneficial action is mainly mediated by released bioactive factors and extracellular vesicles (EVs) rather than depending on cell-cell contact. In this perspective, we recently demonstrated the efficient performance of hASC secretome (Conditioned Medium, CM) in contrasting different inflammatory pathologies, both on an in vitro model of TNF\u3b1-induced osteoarthritis and in vivo on diabetic neuropathy. Interestingly, CM deriving from human Dermal Fibroblasts (hDFs) never exerted any effect. Through a proteomic approach we analysed the presence of several soluble molecules in the CM of hASCs and hDFs, focusing on the factors differentially expressed between the two populations that may be involved in hASC immunoregulatory properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary cultures were isolated from the subcutaneous fat or the dermal connective tissue of 5 female donors subject to plastic surgery, following the procedure approved by IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute (PQ 7.5.125, version 4). CM was collected from confluent hASCs or hDFs cultured for 72 hours in starving conditions (absence of FBS). Samples were then concentrated through Amicon Ultra-15 Centrifugal Filter Devices with 3 kDa cut-off (Merck Millipore), reducing the initial volume of 43\ub14 folds for hASCs (n=3) and 46\ub18 folds for hDFs (n=3). CM protein concentration was assessed through Bradford Protein Assay (Bio Rad) and differences in the protein content between hASC and hDF CM were identified through nanoflow liquid chromatography\u2013tandem mass spectrometry (nLC-MS/MS), following standard procedures. The statistical analysis of the complete dataset of identified and quantified proteins was performed by Student\u2019s t-test, followed by hierarchical clustering analysis using MeV software. RESULTS: 1208 factors were identified in the CM of the two cell types, 976 of which were quantified. 36 secreted proteins resulted significantly different between hASC and hDF CM, with 15 uniquely or preponderantly present in hASC CM. Among these, several molecules with known immune functions, such as CCL2 and Metrnl, were recognized. Interestingly, between the proteins solely released by hDFs, the factor CB4 of the complement system is listed. A full description of the results will be presented in the poster. CONCLUSION: From a clinical perspective, the choice of CM over cell therapy presents substantial benefits, e.g. in terms of safety and handling. With this study, we lay the basis for the characterization of the factors -released as soluble components or vesicular cargos- involved in the immunoregulatory properties of hASC CM, in the light of giving a solid rationale to its use as novel pharmaceutical in the treatment of inflammatory diseases

A luta pelo banimento do amianto nas Américas: uma questão de saúde pública The struggle to ban asbestos in the Americas: an issue of public health

Este artigo tem como objetivo resgatar a luta pelo banimento do amianto ou asbesto nas Américas. Destacando-se a importância do amianto como um problema de Saúde Pública, pelo seu potencial carcinogênico reconhecido para os seres humanos, perpassando pela constituição de redes como contrapoderes em prol do banimento dessa fibra nociva, ressaltando a participação social nessa luta. O problema do amianto nas discussões das políticas públicas de saúde, trabalho e meio ambiente ainda permanece pouco claro no campo da Saúde do Trabalhador. Ao restringir a apenas um único campo de atuação, reduz-se a atuação das vigilâncias, como se estivesse apenas limitado ao ambiente de trabalho. É necessária então a discussão nos campos da Saúde Ambiental e da Saúde Publica. A ausência de políticas públicas contribui para a invisibilidade dos problemas relacionados ao amianto no Brasil. Hoje, as vítimas do amianto não têm suas doenças reconhecidas, e seus direitos são negados em várias instâncias do poder público. Conclui-se que a luta pelo fim da utilização dessa fibra e a redução das doenças provocadas pela mesma configuram-se um movimento político comprometido com a transformação social na busca por uma sociedade mais justa, igualitária e saudável.<br>This article has the aim of rescuing the fight for the banishment of asbestos in Americas. The authors emphasize the importance of the asbestos as a problem of Public Health, due to its carcinogenic potential to human health, passing through the constitution of nets of counterpower on behalf of the banishment of the fiber, pointing out the importance of social participation in this fight. The asbestos public policy of health, work and environment is pointed out as a central problem. There are some misconceptions in the field of Worker's Health on facing the risks and damages caused by asbestos/amiantos and it is very important not to restrict the surveillance only to workstation. The discussion must be conducted taking in account Environmental Health and Health Policies. The lack of public policy is viewed as responsible for turning invisible the problems related to asbestos in Brazil. Today, the victims of the fiber are not recognized as such and their rights are denied in several instances of the public power. We conclude that the fight of the society for the end of the use of this fiber and for the end of the countless diseases provoked by its use, it is configured in a political and social movement committed with the social transformation in the search for a society fairer, equalitarian and healthy

Homogenous demineralized dentin matrix and platelet-rich plasma for bone tissue engineering in cranioplasty of diabetic rabbits: biochemical, radiographic, and histological analysis

This study evaluated the effects of homogenous demineralized dentin matrix (HDDM) slices and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in surgical defects created in the parietal bones of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits, treated with a guided bone regeneration technique. Biochemical, radiographic, and histological analyses were performed. Sixty adult New Zealand rabbits were divided into five groups of 12: normoglycaemic (control, C), diabetic (D), diabetic with a PTFE membrane (DM), diabetic with a PTFE membrane and HDDM slices (DM-HDDM), and diabetic with PTFE membrane and PRP (DM-PRP). The quantity and quality of bone mass was greatest in the DM-HDDM group (respective radiographic and histological analyses: at 15 days, 71.70±16.50 and 50.80±1.52; 30 days, 62.73±16.51 and 54.20±1.23; 60 days, 63.03±11.04 and 59.91±3.32; 90 days, 103.60±24.86 and 78.99±1.34), followed by the DM-PRP group (respective radiographic and histological analyses: at 15 days 23.00±2.74 and 20.66±7.45; 30 days 31.92±6.06 and 25.31±5.59; 60 days 25.29±16.30 and 46.73±2.07; 90 days 38.10±14.04 and 53.38±9.20). PRP greatly enhanced vascularization during the bone repair process. Abnormal calcium metabolism was statistically significant in the DM-PRP group (P<0.001) for all four time intervals studied, especially when compared to the DM-HDDM group. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher in the DM-HDDM group (P<0.001) in comparison to the C, D, and DM-PRP groups, confirming the findings of intense osteoblastic activity and increased bone mineralization. Thus, HDDM promoted superior bone architectural microstructure in bone defects in diabetic rabbits due to its effective osteoinductive and osteoconductive activity, whereas PRP stimulated angiogenesis and red bone marrow formation