The effects of NutraGen supplement on cattle growth performance, energetic efficiency, carcass characteristics, and characteristics of digestion in calf-fed Holstein steers.

Evaluation of the effects of feeding NutraGen supplement (NutraGen, NTG; Phibro Animal Health, Teaneck, NJ, USA) on growth performance, energetic efficiency, carcass characteristcs, and characteristics of digestion in calf-fed Holstein steers fed a conventional growing-finishing diet. Trial 1 evaluated growth performance, dietary energetics and carcass characteristics. Two hundred Holstein steer calves (134 ± 5 kg) were blocked by initial body weight (BW) and randomly assigned to 40 pens (5 steers/pen). Dietary treatments consisted of a steam-flaked corn-based growing-finishing diet supplemented with 0, 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6% NTG (DM basis). In trial 2, four Holstein steers (170 ±6 kg) with cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square experiment to evaluate digestibility and ruminal characteristics using the treatments from trial 1. Compared to non-supplemented cattle, NTG increased BW (2.0%, P = 0.02) and tended to increase ADG (3.6%, P = 0.07) during the initial 56 d period. However, there were no treatment effects on overall growth performance and efficiency of dietary energy utilization after the first 56 days (P > 0.10). Supplementation of NTG increased (linear effect; P ≤ 0.03) longissimus muscle area and kidney, pelvic, and heart fat. There was no effect (P ≥ 0.05) of NTG supplementation on other carcass characteristics, liver abscess incidence, or liver abscess scars. Supplementation decreased the molar proportion of ruminal propionate (P = 0.05) and tended to increase acetate:propionate molar ratio (P = 0.09). However, there was no effect of NTG supplementation on ruminal and total tract diet digestion. NTG increased performance of Holstein steers during the first 56 d on feed in the feedlot. In addition, the steers had an increase in KPH fat and LM area, indicating that the additive induced change in metabolism of the steers.

How the translucency of direct anatomic fiber posts affects the bond strength and microhardness of a self-adhesive luting agent in flared roots.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of the composite resin translucency used in direct anatomic fiber posts on the bond strength (BS) and microhardness (VHN) of a luting agent into flared roots. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The root canals of 70 single-rooted premolars were endodontically treated and prepared to simulate an oversized root canal. Prior to post cementation, composite resins with varying translucency (high translucent, HT; medium translucent, MT; high opacity, HO) were placed around the fiber posts to create anatomic fiber posts. The attenuation profile (%) of light passing either through the post or through the anatomic posts (n = 8) was obtained prior to the cementing procedures. A positive control group (PC) in which a prefabricated fiber post (PFP) with the diameter compatible with the root canal was cemented and a poorly adapted fiber post (negative control group, NC) were also evaluated. For both tests, the data were subjected to 2-way ANOVA and Bonferroni tests (α = 0.05). RESULTS: A more severe light attenuation through the post at the cervical (P < .001) and medium (P < 0.001) thirds was noted when less translucent composite resin surrounded the anatomic post. HO groups showed lower BS (P = .009) and VHN (P < .001) values than the other groups, regardless of root third. No significant difference in BS values was noted between PC and HT groups. CONCLUSION: The use of a more translucent composite resin in anatomic fiber posts increased the microhardness and bond strength of a dual polymerization self-adhesive RLA compared to the use of MT and HO composite. A well-adapted PFP showed the highest adhesive and mechanical behavior. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinicians should choose more translucent composite resins to create direct anatomic fiber posts to be cemented in flared root canals. That choice may allow improved mechanical properties of self-adhesive RLA and higher bond strength to the root canal as a consequence.

Protocol For A Perioperative Approach To Patients With Coronary Stents Undergoing Non Cardiac Surgery.

Patients undergoing angioplasty and stent insertion require double prophylactic anti-aggregation or monotherapy. This is a challenging procedure with a high risk of morbidity and coronary mortality. The aim of this protocol is to provide guidelines for a presurgical approach to patients with a coronary stent who will be undergoing non-coronary surgery. This protocol highlights potential complications that may occur, namely those related with the cardiac stent and the evaluation of cardiac risk, and notes the thrombotic and hemorrhagic risks associated with the surgical procedure and the decision algorithms for both elective surgery and urgent surgery involving the suspension and re-introduction of antiplatelet therapy. Our main goal is to outline an optimized approach to these cases in order to improve cardiac outcomes and to minimize the risk of complications.

Influence of delivered radiant exposure values on bonding of fiber posts to root canals.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of different radiant exposure values delivered to two simplified etch-and-rinse adhesive systems on push-out bond strength (PBS) of fiber posts to root canal, as well as nanoleakage (NL) and in situ degree of conversion (DC) within the hybrid layer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The roots of human premolars were endodontically prepared and divided into 6 groups according to the combination of the main factors adhesive/resin cement (2 commercial brands) and radiant exposure (4, 16, 48, and 288 J/cm2). The posts were cemented and the PBS tested at 0.5 mm/min (n = 7). The NL (n = 3) was evaluated using SEM after immersion of specimens in 50% silver nitrate. Micro-Raman spectroscopy was performed to determine the in situ DC (n = 2). Data were analyzed by three-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (5%). RESULTS: PBS (MPa) showed a significant difference only for the middle third when an increase in radiant exposure from 4 to 16 J/cm2 or higher was used (p < 0.05). The NL (%) decreased significantly with increasing radiant exposure from 48 to 288 J/cm2 in the middle and apical thirds when compared to lower radiant exposure (p < 0.05). The radiant exposure of 288 J/cm2 significantly increased the DC (%) in the middle and apical thirds, compared the other radiant exposure values (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The increase in radiant exposure delivered to the cervical third of root canals during post cementation improved the adhesive performance of simplified etch-and-rinse adhesive systems in the apical and middle thirds.

Proximal opening-wedge osteotomy of the first metatarsal for moderate and severe hallux valgus using low profile plates.

BACKGROUND: To present the results of the treatment of hallux valgus with the proximal metatarsal opening wedge (PMOW) osteotomy using two different screw and plate systems. METHODS: Forty-one patients with moderate and severe hallux valgus were treated with the PMOW osteotomy between 2005 and 2009. The fixation was obtained by the Darco(®) BOW or by the Arthrex(®) LPS plate. Biplanar chevron and/or Akin osteotomy were associated according to the magnitude of distal angles. Each patient was evaluated with weight-bearing radiographs and AOFAS score. RESULTS: The HV, IM, DMA and IP angles improved by a mean of 14°, 8°, 11°, 7° respectively. The sesamoid position improved in 79% of the feet. AOFAS score improved from a mean of 50 to 82. CONCLUSION: The PMOW osteotomy is effective to correct high-level hallux valgus deformities. Both systems guarantee the stability and correction of the osteotomy site. The combination with distal procedures is advisable to correct distal angles.

Molecular and morphological markers for rapid distinction between 2 Colletotrichum species.

Endophytic microorganisms reside asymptomatically within plants and are a source of new bioactive products for use in medicine, agriculture, and industry. Colletotrichum (teleomorph Glomerella) is a fungus widely cited in the literature as a producer of antimicrobial substances. Identification at the species level, however, has been a problem in this type of study. Several authors have reported the presence of endophytic fungi from the medicinal plant Maytenus ilicifolia ("espinheira-santa") in Brazil that has antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. Therefore, Colletotrichum strains were isolated from M. ilicifolia and identified based on morphology, RAPD markers, sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS-1 and ITS-2), the 5.8S gene, and species-specific PCR. The analyses suggested the presence of 2 species, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Colletotrichum boninense. Two morphological markers were characterized to allow C. gloeosporioides and C. boninense to be distinguished quickly and accurately. The molecular diagnosis of C. boninense was confirmed by using Col1 and ITS4 primers. This species of Colletotrichum is reported for the first time in M. ilicifolia.