Bioabsorbable Polymeric Stent for the Treatment of Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) in Children: A Methodology to Evaluate the Design and Mechanical Properties of PLA Polymer.

This study presents a methodology that combines experimental tests and the finite element method, which is able to analyse the influence of the geometry on the mechanical behaviour of stents made of bioabsorbable polymer PLA (PolyLactic Acid) during their expansion in the treatment of coarctation of the aorta (CoA). Tensile tests with standardized specimen samples were conducted to determine the properties of a 3D-printed PLA. A finite element model of a new stent prototype was generated from CAD files. A rigid cylinder simulating the expansion balloon was also created to simulate the stent opening performance. A tensile test with 3D-printed customized stent specimens was performed to validate the FE stent model. Stent performance was evaluated in terms of elastic return, recoil, and stress levels. The 3D-printed PLA presented an elastic modulus of 1.5 GPa and a yield strength of 30.6 MPa, lower than non-3D-printed PLA. It can also be inferred that crimping had little effect on stent circular recoil performance, as the difference between the two scenarios was on average 1.81%. For an expansion of diameters ranging from 12 mm to 15 mm, as the maximum opening diameter increases, the recoil levels decrease, ranging from 10 to 16.75% within the reported range. These results point out the importance of testing the 3D-printed PLA under the conditions of using it to access its material properties; the results also indicate that the crimping process could be disregarded in simulations to obtain fast results with lower computational cost and that new proposed stent geometry made of PLA might be suitable for use in CoA treatments-the approach that has not been applied before. The next steps will be to simulate the opening of an aorta vessel using this geometry.

Bioabsorbable polymeric Stent for the treatment of Coarctation of the Aorta (CoA) in children: A methodology to evaluate the design and mechanical properties of PLA polymer

This study presents a methodology that combines experimental tests and the finite element method, which is able to analyse the influence of the geometry on the mechanical behaviour of stents made of bioabsorbable polymer PLA (PolyLactic Acid) during their expansion in the treatment of coarctation of the aorta (CoA). Tensile tests with standardized specimen samples were conducted to determine the properties of a 3D-printed PLA. A finite element model of a new stent prototype was generated from CAD files. A rigid cylinder simulating the expansion balloon was also created to simulate the stent opening performance. A tensile test with 3D-printed customized stent specimens was performed to validate the FE stent model. Stent performance was evaluated in terms of elastic return, recoil, and stress levels. The 3D-printed PLA presented an elastic modulus of 1.5 GPa and a yield strength of 30.6 MPa, lower than non-3D-printed PLA. It can also be inferred that crimping had little effect on stent circular recoil performance, as the difference between the two scenarios was on average 1.81%. For an expansion of diameters ranging from 12 mm to 15 mm, as the maximum opening diameter increases, the recoil levels decrease, ranging from 10 to 16.75% within the reported range. These results point out the importance of testing the 3D-printed PLA under the conditions of using it to access its material properties; the results also indicate that the crimping process could be disregarded in simulations to obtain fast results with lower computational cost and that new proposed stent geometry made of PLA might be suitable for use in CoA treatments-the approach that has not been applied before. The next steps will be to simulate the opening of an aorta vessel using this geometry.

Leishmanicidal and immunomodulatory properties of Brazilian green propolis extract (EPP-AF®) and a gel formulation in a pre-clinical model.

Leishmaniasis is a widespread group of neglected vector-borne tropical diseases that possess serious therapeutic limitations. Propolis has been extensively used in traditional medical applications due to its range of biological effects, including activity against infectious agents. Here we evaluated the leishmanicidal and immunomodulatory properties of Brazilian green propolis extract (EPP-AF®) and a gel formulation incorporating EPP-AF®, in both in vitro and in vivo models of Leishmania amazonensis infection. Propolis extract, obtained from a standardized blend following hydroalcoholic extraction, showed the characteristic fingerprint of Brazilian green propolis as confirmed by HPLC/DAD. A carbopol 940 gel formulation was obtained containing propolis glycolic extract at 3.6% w/w. The release profile, assessed using the Franz diffusion cell protocol, demonstrated a gradual and prolonged release of p-coumaric acid and artepillin C from the carbomer gel matrix. Quantification of p-coumaric acid and artepillin C in the gel formulation over time revealed that p-coumaric acid followed the Higuchi model, dependent on the disintegration of the pharmaceutical preparation, while artepillin C followed a zero-order profile with sustained release. In vitro analysis revealed the ability of EPP-AF® to reduce the infection index of infected macrophages (p < 0.05), while also modulating the production of inflammatory biomarkers. Decreases in nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 levels were observed (p < 0.01), suggesting low iNOS and COX-2 activity. Furthermore, EPP-AF® treatment was found to induce heme oxygenase-1 antioxidant enzyme expression in both uninfected and L. amazonensis-infected cells, as well as inhibit IL-1ß production in infected cells (p < 0.01). ERK-1/2 phosphorylation was positively correlated with TNF-α production (p < 0.05), yet no impact on parasite load was detected. In vivo analysis indicated the effectiveness of topical treatment with EPP-AF® gel alone (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01), or in combination with pentavalent antimony (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001), in the reduction of lesion size in the ears of L. amazonensis-infected BALB/c mice after seven or 3 weeks of treatment, respectively. Taken together, the present results reinforce the leishmanicidal and immunomodulatory effects of Brazilian green propolis, and demonstrate promising potential for the EPP-AF® propolis gel formulation as a candidate for adjuvant therapy in the treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

Mulheres trabalhadoras domésticas e a qualidade de vida no trabalho / Women domestic workers and the quality of life at work / Las trabajadoras domésticas y la calidad de vida en el trabajo

OBJETIVO: Analisar sob a luz das categorias do instrumento QVT QWLQ-78 como as mulheres trabalhadoras domésticas atribuem ou não o valor de qualidade de vida ao seu trabalho. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Trata-se de uma pesquisa narrativa e observação participante, de natureza qualitativa, acerca da qualidade de vida no trabalho de mulheres trabalhadoras domésticas. O estudo atendeu aos princípios éticos, sendo apreciado pelo Comitê de Ética. Participaram da pesquisa 23 mulheres trabalhadoras domésticas, as quais responderam ao Questionário de avaliação da qualidade de vida no trabalho ­ QWLQ-bref e posteriormente, de uma roda de conversa. Para as análises dos dados coletados foi desenvolvida uma planilha eletrônica a partir de algoritmos no programa Microsoft Excel for Windows, apontando o índice de correlação de Pearson entre os domínios do QWLQ-bref. RESULTADOS: A idade das participantes situa-se entre 26 e 59 anos. São casadas e chefes de família; todas trabalham atualmente em uma única residência, entre os dias de segunda e sábado. Em relação ao indicador de qualidade de vida no trabalho foi possível observar que as trabalhadoras domésticas estão no nível médio de satisfação no trabalho, segundo o QWLQ-bref, o que indica uma dispersão de 16% pelo coeficiente de variação de Pearson, considerada o mesmo para todos os domínios (físico/ saúde; psicológico; pessoal; profissional), resultando numa QVT de 63,53 pontos. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo mostra que, mesmo com todas as informalidades nos modos de relação de trabalho em que elas estão expostas, essas mulheres não estão isentas da satisfação pessoal. Pelo contrário, o estudo evidencia tal satisfação e reforça a capacidade que a mulher trabalhadora tem de desempenhar seus diferentes papéis como mãe, esposa e muitas vezes chefe de família, de modo a estarem satisfeitas em relação aos cuidados prestados.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze in the light of the categories of the QVT QWLQ-78 instrument how women domestic workers attribute or not the value of quality of life to their work. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a narrative research and participant observation, of a qualitative nature, about the quality of working life of women domestic workers. The study complied with ethical principles, being appreciated by the Ethics Committee. Twenty-three domestic workers participated in the research, who answered the Questionnaire to assess the quality of life at work ­ QWLQ-bref and later, a conversation circle. For the analysis of the collected data, an electronic spreadsheet was developed using algorithms in the Microsoft Excel for Windows program, indicating the Pearson correlation index between the domains of the QWLQbref. RESULTS: The age of the participants is between 26 and 59 years old. They are married and heads of families; all currently work in a single residence, between Monday and Saturday. Regarding the indicator of quality of life at work, it was possible to observe that domestic workers are at the average level of job satisfaction, according to the QWLQ-bref, which indicates a dispersion of 16% by Pearson's coefficient of variation, considered the same for all domains (physical/health; psychological; personal; professional), resulting in a QVT of 63.53 points. CONCLUSION: The study shows that, even with all the informalities in the modes of work relationship in which they are exposed, these women are not exempt from personal satisfaction. On the contrary, the study evidences such satisfaction and reinforces the ability of working women to play their different roles as mother, wife and often head of the family, to be satisfied with the care provided.

OBJETIVO: Analizar a la luz de las categorías del instrumento QVT QWLQ-78 cómo las trabajadoras domésticas atribuyen o no el valor de la calidad de vida a su trabajo. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se trata de una investigación narrativa y de observación participante, de carácter cualitativo, sobre la calidad de vida laboral de las trabajadoras domésticas. El estudio cumplió con los principios éticos, siendo apreciado por el Comité de Ética. Participaron de la investigación 23 trabajadoras del hogar, que respondieron el Cuestionario para evaluar la calidad de vida en el trabajo ­ QWLQ-bref y posteriormente, una rueda de conversación. Para el análisis de los datos recolectados, se desarrolló una planilla electrónica utilizando algoritmos en el programa Microsoft Excel para Windows, indicando el índice de correlación de Pearson entre los dominios del QWLQ-bref. RESULTADOS: La edad de los participantes está entre 26 y 59 años. Son casados y cabezas de familia; todos trabajan actualmente en una sola residencia, entre lunes y sábado. En cuanto al indicador de calidad de vida en el trabajo, se pudo observar que las trabajadoras del hogar se encuentran en el nivel medio de satisfacción laboral, según el QWLQ-bref, lo que indica una dispersión del 16% por el coeficiente de variación de Pearson, considerado el mismo para todos los dominios (físico/salud; psicológico; personal; profesional), resultando en una CVL de 63,53 puntos. CONCLUSIÓN: El estudio muestra que, aun con todas las informalidades en los modos de relación laboral en que están expuestas, estas mujeres no están exentas de satisfacción personal. Por el contrario, el estudio evidencia tal satisfacción y refuerza la capacidad de las mujeres trabajadoras para desempeñar sus diferentes roles de madre, esposa y muchas veces cabeza de familia, para estar satisfechas con los cuidados prestados.

Roughage level and supplemental fat for newly received finishing calves: effects on growth performance, health, and physiological responses.

This experiment evaluated the effects of roughage levels and supplemental fat on intake, growth performance, health, and physiological responses of newly received finishing cattle during 58-d receiving period. A total of 72 crossbred steers (initial body weight [BW] = 200 ± 13 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, consisting of two roughage levels (wheat hay at 30% [R30] or 60% [R60]; dry matter [DM] basis) and two levels of supplemental fat (yellow grease at 0% [-FAT; no additional fat] or 3.5% [+FAT]; DM basis). Upon arrival, calves were individually weighed, blocked by off-truck shrunk BW, and assigned to 24 soil-surfaced pens (three calves per pen). Shrunk BW was also collected on day 58 for the calculation of average daily gain (ADG). Throughout the study, calves were assessed for bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Effects of roughage level × supplemental fat interaction were only observed for diet particle size distribution and estimated physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) of diets (P ≤ 0.10). Adding fat to R60 diets tended to increase the percentage of particles retained in the 8-mm screen (P = 0.06) and the estimated peNDF (P = 0.10), but did not affect R30 diets. Dietary roughage level did not affect DM intake (DMI; P = 0.85). Calves-fed R30 tended to have greater ADG and final BW than calves-fed R60 (P ≤ 0.08). Gain efficiency (gain:feed ratio; G:F) was greater for calves-fed R30 than calves-fed R60 (P = 0.01). Dietary roughage level did not affect morbidity and mortality (P ≥ 0.11). Supplemental fat did not affect DMI (P = 0.6) but tended (P = 0.09) to increase ADG compared to -FAT diets. The G:F was greater for calves-fed +FAT than -FAT (P = 0.03). The +FAT diet tended (P = 0.10) to increase the number of retreatments against BRD compared to -FAT, although the total number of antimicrobial treatments required to treat sick calves (P = 0.78) and the mortality rate (P = 0.99) were not affected by supplemental fat. Feeding +FAT diet tended (P ≤ 0.09) to increase plasma concentration of cortisol and immunoglobulin-G compared to -FAT. In summary, feeding 30% roughage diets or adding 3.5% yellow grease (DM basis) as supplemental fat increased G:F during the feedlot receiving period.

The low intake of feed that beef calves exhibit during the first weeks after feedlot arrival results in inadequate nutrient intake, especially energy, which leads to low rates of gain and decreased immune function and likely increases the risks for respiratory diseases. Increasing the energy density of receiving diets (Mcal/kg of dry matter) could result in increased energy intake of newly received finishing cattle. In this experiment, we evaluated the effects of two roughage levels (wheat hay at 30% [R30] or 60% [R60]; dry matter [DM] basis) combined with two levels of supplemental fat (yellow grease at 0% [−FAT; no supplemental fat] or 3.5% [+FAT]; DM basis). Calves-fed R30 tended to have greater average daily gain and final body weight than calves-fed R60. Gain efficiency (gain:feed ratio; G:F) was greater for calves-fed R30 than calves-fed R60. Feeding +FAT tended to increase average daily gain compared to −FAT diet, and G:F was greater for calves-fed +FAT than −FAT. In summary, feeding 30% roughage diets or adding 3.5% of yellow grease increased G:F during the feedlot receiving period, with minimal impact on morbidity rate from respiratory disease.

Nitrogen balance and microbial protein synthesis in dairy cows fed with peanut meal to replace soybean meal.

This research was carried out to evaluate the effect of replacing dietary soybean meal with peanut meal, on intake and digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, and nitrogen balance in lactating cows. Twelve crossbred Holstein × Gyr cows at 84 days in milk (DIM) were distributed in a triple 4 × 4 Latin square. The treatments consisted of increasing peanut meal levels (0, 330, 670, and 1000 g/kg dry matter basis) in replacement of soybean meal in the diet. Replacing soybean meal with peanut meal had no effect on the intake and digestibility of dry matter and nutrients. Nitrogen balance and percentage of retained were similar among treatments. Microbial nitrogen synthesis and microbial protein synthesis efficiency were similar among treatments. Thus, in regions where its cost is lower, peanut meal can totally replace soybean meal in dairy cow diets without affecting nitrogen balance and microbial protein synthesis.

Effects of feeding different probiotic types on metabolic, performance, and carcass responses of Bos indicus feedlot cattle offered a high-concentrate diet.

Two experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of different probiotic combinations on rumen fermentation characteristics, performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot Bos indicus beef bulls offered a high-concentrate diet. In experiment 1, 30 rumen-fistulated Nellore steers were blocked by initial body weight (BW = 350 ± 35.0 kg) and within blocks (n = 10), animals were randomly assigned to receive: 1) high-concentrate diet without probiotic supplementation (n = 10; CONT), 2) CONT plus 1 g per head of a probiotic mixture containing three strains of Enterococcus faecium and one strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (3.5 × 109 CFU/g; n = 10; EFSC), and 3) CONT plus 2 g per head of a probiotic mixture containing Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis (3.2 × 109 CFU/g; n = 10; BLBS). The experimental period lasted 35 d, being 28 d of adaptation and 7 d of sampling. From day 34 to day 35 of the experimental period, ruminal fluid and fecal samples were collected every 3 h, starting immediately before feeding (0 h) for rumen fermentation characteristics and apparent nutrient digestibility analysis, respectively. In experiment 2, 240 Nellore bulls were ranked by initial shrunk BW (375 ± 35.1 kg), assigned to pens (n = 4 bulls per pen), and pens randomly assigned to receive the same treatments as in experiment 1 (n = 20 pens per treatment). Regardless of treatment, all bulls received the same step-up and finishing diets throughout the experimental period, which lasted 115 d. In both experiments, data were analyzed as orthogonal contrasts to partition-specific treatment effects: 1) probiotic effect: CONT vs. PROB and 2) probiotic type: EFSC vs. BLBS (SAS Software Inc.). In experiment 1, no contrast effects were observed on nutrient intake, overall nutrient digestibility, and rumen fermentation analyses (P ≥ 0.13). Nonetheless, supplementation of probiotics, regardless of type (P = 0.59), reduced mean acetate:propionate ratio and rumen ammonia-N concentration vs. CONT (P ≤ 0.05). In experiment 2, no significant effects were observed for final BW and dry matter intake (P ≥ 0.12), but average daily gain and feed efficiency tended to improve (P ≤ 0.10) when probiotics were offered to the animals. Probiotic supplementation or type of probiotic did not affect carcass traits (P ≥ 0.22). In summary, supplementation of probiotics containing a mixture of E. faecium and S. cerevisiae or a mixture of B. licheniformis and B. subtilis reduced rumen acetate:propionate ratio and rumen ammonia-N levels and tended to improve the performance of feedlot cattle offered a high-concentrate diet.

Two experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of different probiotic combinations on rumen fermentation characteristics, performance, and carcass characteristics of feedlot Bos indicus beef bulls offered a high-concentrate diet. The two probiotics consisted of a mixture containing three strains of Enterococcus faecium and one strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae or a mixture of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis. Supplementation of probiotics, regardless of type, reduced acetate:propionate ratio, and mean rumen ammonia-N concentration and tended to improve the performance of feedlot cattle offered a high-concentrate diet, demonstrating the potential of this technology to be used as a feed additive for beef cattle.

Effect of timing of paddock allocation in tropical grass on performance, nitrogen excretion, and enteric methane emissions from dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of timing of paddock allocation (AM or PM) in tropical grass on nutritive value of the herbage, dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield and composition, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen excretion, and enteric CH4 emissions of dairy cows. Twenty cows were grouped in pairs and randomly distributed within pair to one of two treatments. PM herbage had greater contents of dry matter (DM), soluble carbohydrates, starch, and nonfibrous carbohydrate to protein ratio and lower contents of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber. There was no treatment effect on DMI, N excretion, milk yield, and CH4 emissions. However, milk protein and casein yields tended to be greater for PM than AM, while milk urea nitrogen concentration was lower for PM than AM. The increase in nutritive value of the afternoon relative to the morning herbage within the framework of this study was not large enough to increase DMI and milk yield or to decrease CH4 emission intensity by the dairy cows as hypothesized. The findings indicate that PM treatment can be a simple and useful grazing strategy that results in an herbage harvest with greater nutritional value and in lower excretion of urea N into milk.

Effect of replacing soybean meal with peanut meal on milk production and fat composition in lactating dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal with peanut meal on milk production, chemical and fatty acid composition, nutritional quality indicators of the lipid fraction, and the economic viability of the diets. Twelve crossbred cows in the initial lactation third, with a bodyweight of 545 ± 37 kg and average milk production of 28 kg/day of milk were distributed in a 4 × 4, triple Latin square design. The treatments consisted of diets with substitution levels of soybean meal for peanut meal (0; 330; 670; and 1000 g/kg in DM). The peanut meal inclusion to replace soybean meal in the diets provided a decreasing linear effect for the protein (P = 0.02) and casein (P = 0.01) concentration in milk. Milk production, total solids concentration, feed efficiency, fatty acid composition, and nutritional quality indicators of the milk lipid fraction were not influenced by the substitution levels. The diet cost per kg DM decreased due to the peanut meal inclusion as a protein source. The partial or total substitution of soybean meal for peanut meal in the feedlot cows diet reduces the cost of feed, without affecting milk production and total solids yield.

HIV self-test: a tool to expand test uptake among men who have sex with men who have never been tested for HIV in São Paulo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: HIV self-testing is an effective tool to improve diagnostic coverage in key populations, enabling linkage to care and access to antiretroviral therapy. Its implementation requires better understanding of patients' perspectives on this novel strategy. The aim of the study was to investigate the perception of men who have sex with men (MSM) regarding the HIV oral fluid self-test (HIVST) in São Paulo, Brazil, and to analyse the sociodemographic characteristics and testing strategy preferences of individuals registered to undertake HIVST. METHODS: Preceding the implementation of HIVST use as public policy in 2019, we recruited MSM living in São Paulo to undertake HIVST using a digital platform, and investigated their sociodemographic profiles, testing experiences and testing preferences. Results were compared according to reported lifetime HIV testing. RESULTS: A total of 6477 MSM (median age 28 years) were recruited to the study from April 9th to December 31st, 2018. Seventy-eight per cent reported previous HIV testing. The opening hours of health facilities (53%), concern about disclosing intimate personal information to health care providers (34%) and fear of stigma (21%) were reported as the main barriers to testing. Older age, higher education, illicit drug use and self-identifying as gay were associated with prior HIV testing (P < 0.001). Most participants (67%) were unaware that HIVST was available before enrolling in the study. Preference for HIVST over other testing technologies was higher among those never tested (71%) than among participants with previous HIV testing (61%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HIVST was found to be an effective tool to improve testing uptake among MSM, particularly those who had never been tested before. Characterization of the most likely users of HIVST among MSM will help to inform implementation and scaling up of this novel testing method in the Brazilian public health system.

Effects of Megasphaera elsdenii administration on performance and carcass traits of finishing Bos indicus feedlot cattle.

This study evaluated the effects of Megasphaera elsdenii administration at the beginning of the feedlot period on performance of Bos taurus indicus bulls. On d 0, 383 Nellore bulls (initial shrunk body weight 384 ± 29.2 kg; initial age = 24 ± 2 mo) were assigned to treatments in a randomized complete block design. Treatments consisted of 1) 14 d adaptation diet and transition to a finishing diet (CONT), 2) CONT plus oral administration of 20 mL of Lactipro-NXT (M. elsdenii) on d 0 of the study (MEG-14), 3) CONT diet, consisting of 6 d of adaptation diet plus oral administration of 20 mL of Lactipro-NXT on d 0 of the study (MEG-6), and 4) No adaptation diet and oral administration of 20 mL of Lactipro-NXT on d 0 of the study (MEG-0). Experimental period lasted 119 d. No treatment effects were observed for any of the performance parameters evaluated herein (P ≥ 0.15). Nonetheless, a treatment × wk interaction was observed for DM, NEm, and NEg intakes (P < 0.0001). For all these parameters, MEG-0 and MEG-6 had a reduced intake vs. MEG-14 and CONT in the first wk of the study (P ≤ 0.05). For the carcass traits, no effects were observed for HCW (P ≥ 0.24), whereas MEG-6 had a greater REA when compared with MEG-0 and MEG-14 (quadratic effect; P = 0.04) and MEG-administered bulls tended to have a greater BFT vs. CONT (P = 0.08). In summary, M. elsdenii administration at the beginning of the feedlot period did not improve performance, whereas reducing the length of the adaptation period for 6 d improved REA of finishing Bos taurus indicus bulls.

Protein supplementation to early lactation dairy cows grazing tropical grass: Performance and ruminal metabolism.

This experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of different concentrate crude protein (CP) concentration on performance, metabolism and efficiency of N utilization (ENU) on early-lactation dairy cows grazing intensively managed tropical grass. Thirty cows were used in a ten replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. The treatments consisted of three levels of concentrate CP: 7.9%, 15.4%, and 20.5% offered at a rate of 1 kg (as-fed basis)/3 kg of milk. The cows fed low and medium CP had negative balance of rumen degradable protein and metabolizable protein. Increasing CP tended to linearly increase DMI, 3.5% FCM and milk casein, and linearly increased the yields of milk fat and protein. Increasing CP linearly increased the intake of N, the concentration of rumen NH3 -N, and the losses of N in milk, urine, and feces. Increasing dietary CP linearly increased the molar proportion of butyrate but had no effect on the other rumen VFAs and no effect on microbial yield. In conclusion, feeding a concentrate with 20.5% of CP to early-lactation dairy cows grazing tropical grasses, leading to a 17.8% CP diet, tended to increase DMI, increased the yield of 3.5% FCM and the milk N excretion, and decreased ENU by 32%.

Local administration of p-coumaric acid decreases lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice: In vitro and in silico studies.

Acute lung injury (ALI) remains to cause a high rate of mortality in critically ill patients. It is known that inflammation is a key factor in the pathogenesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI, which makes it a relevant approach to the treatment of ALI. In this study, we evaluated the potential of nasally instilled p-coumaric acid to prevent LPS-induced ALI in mice, by evaluating its effects on cellular and molecular targets involved in inflammatory response via in vitro and in silico approaches. Our results demonstrated that p-coumaric acid reduced both neutrophil accumulation and pro-inflammatory cytokine abundance, and simultaneously increased IL-10 production at the site of inflammation, potentially contributing to protection against LPS-induced ALI in mice. In the in vitro experiments, we observed inhibitory effects of p-coumaric acid against IL-6 and IL-8 production in stimulated A549 cells, as well as reactive oxygen species generation by neutrophils. In addition, p-coumaric acid treatment decreased neutrophil adhesion on the TNF-α-stimulated endothelial cells. According to the in silico predictions, p-coumaric acid reached stable interactions with both the ATP-binding site of IKKß as well as the regions within LFA-1, critical for interaction with ICAM-1, thereby suppressing the production of proinflammatory mediators and hindering the neutrophil infiltration, respectively. Collectively, these findings indicate that p-coumaric acid is a promising anti-inflammatory agent that can be used for developing a pharmaceutical drug for the treatment of ALI and other inflammatory disorders.

Habitat filtering drives the local distribution of congeneric species in a Brazilian white-sand flooded tropical forest.

The investigation of ecological processes that maintain species coexistence is revealing in naturally disturbed environments such as the white-sand tropical forest, which is subject to periodic flooding that might pose strong habitat filtering to tree species. Congeneric species are a good model to investigate the relative importance of ecological processes that maintain high species diversity because they tend to exploit the same limiting resources and/or have similar tolerance limits to the same environmental conditions due to their close phylogenetic relationship. We aim to find evidence for the action and relative importance of different processes hypothesized to maintain species coexistence in a white-sand flooded forest in Brazil, taking advantage of data on the detailed spatial structure of populations of congeneric species. Individuals of three Myrcia species were tagged, mapped, and measured for diameter at soil height in a 1-ha plot. We also sampled seven environmental variables in the plot. We employed several spatial point process models to investigate the possible action of habitat filtering, interspecific competition, and dispersal limitation. Habitat filtering was the most important process driving the local distribution of the three Myrcia species, as they showed associations, albeit of different strength, to environmental variables related to flooding. We did not detect spatial patterns, such as spatial segregation and smaller size of nearby neighbors, that would be consistent with interspecific competition among the three congeneric species and other co-occurring species. Even though congeners were spatially independent, they responded to differences in the environment. Last, dispersal limitation only led to spatial associations of different size classes for one of the species. Given that white-sand flooded forests are highly threatened in Brazil, the preservation of their different habitats is of utmost importance to the maintenance of high species richness, as flooding drives the distribution of species in the community.

Carcass traits, commercial cuts, tissue composition, intake, digestibility, and performance of Sindhi bulls subjected to feed restriction / Características da carcaça cortes comerciais, composição tecidual, consumo, digestibilidade e desempenho de touros Sindi submetidos à restrição alimentar

ABSTRACT: This study showed the effect of feed restriction on performance, nitrogen balance (NB), microbial protein synthesis, carcass traits and meat cut of the thirty-two Sindhi non-castrated males (296 ± 21.3 kg initial BW and 21 ± 1.5 months old). All bulls were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (feed restriction levels) (0, 15, 30, and 45% in total dry matter -DM) and the data were subjected to analysis of variance and regression. Nutrient intake, NB, final BW, total gain, feeding efficiency, carcass gain, hot and cold carcass weight, subcutaneous fat thickness, commercial cuts and fat tissue decreased linearly (P<0.05) by feed restriction level. A linear increased on digestibility of DM, NDFap, total carbohydrates and on the proportion of muscle tissue, as well as quadratic increase on non-fibrous carbohydrates and bone tissue percentage with the restriction level imposed on bulls (P<0.05). The feed restriction did not affect (P>0.05) the digestibility of crude protein, synthesis and microbial efficiency, deposition efficiency, longissimus dorsi area and muscle + fat/bone ratio. The feed restriction reduced intake and consequently performance, carcass traits and meat cuts of Sindhi bulls; however, it promoted a reduction in the N excretion, which can be important if conducted a subsequent compensatory weight gain.

RESUMO: Este estudo mostrou o efeito da restrição alimentar no desempenho, balanço de nitrogênio, síntese microbiana de proteínas, característica da carcaça e corte de carne de 32 machos Sindi não castrados (296 ± 21,3 kg de peso corporal inicial e 21 ± 1,5 meses de idade). Todos os touros foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos (níveis de restrição alimentar) (0, 15, 30 e 45% no total de matéria seca - MS) e os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e regressão. Consumo de nutrientes, balanço de nitrogênio, peso corporal final, ganho total, eficiência alimentar, ganho de carcaça, peso de carcaça quente e fria, espessura subcutânea de gordura, cortes comerciais e tecido adiposo diminuíram linearmente (P<0,05) com o nível de restrição alimentar. Houve aumento linear na digestibilidade do DM, FDNap, carboidratos totais e quantidade de tecido muscular, além de aumento quadrático de carboidratos não fibrosos e porcentagem de tecido ósseo com o nível de restrição imposto aos touros (P<0,05). A restrição alimentar não afetou (P>0,05) a digestibilidade da proteína bruta, balanço de N, síntese e eficiência microbiana, eficiência de deposição, área do longissimus dorsi e relação músculo + gordura / osso. A restrição alimentar reduziu a ingestão e, consequentemente, o desempenho, as características da carcaça e os cortes de carne de touros Sindi, porém promoveu redução na excreção de N, o que pode ser importante se for realizado um subsequente ganho compensatório.

Evaluation of the Functional Outcomes of Arthroscopic Surgical Treatment of Complete Rotator Cuff Lesion with Minimum Follow-up of 10 Years.

Objectives To analyze the functional outcomes in patients submitted to videoarthroscopic surgical treatment for compleat rotator cuff tears of the shoulder, with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. Methods A total of 63 patients (63 shoulders) underwent videoarthroscopic surgical repair for compleat rotator cuff tears with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. The postoperative functional outcomes of these patients were evaluated using the Constant and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) scores. Results The functional evaluation revealed mean UCLA and Constant scores of 26 and 93 points, respectively. Ninety-one percent of the subjects had satisfactory Constant scores, whereas 62% presented satisfactory UCLA scores. Conclusion The arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff complete tear was effective even in the long term (minimum follow-up period of 10 years). The age of the patients before surgery, size of the lesion, the degree of fatty infiltration, and evaluation of muscle trophism are important predictors of prognosis.

Evaluation of the Functional Outcomes of Arthroscopic Surgical Treatment of Complete Rotator Cuff Lesion with Minimum Follow-up of 10 Years / Avaliação dos resultados funcionais do tratamento cirúrgico artroscópico da lesão completa do manguito rotador com seguimento mínimo de 10 anos

Abstract Objectives To analyze the functional outcomes in patients submitted to videoarthroscopic surgical treatment for compleat rotator cuff tears of the shoulder, with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. Methods A total of 63 patients (63 shoulders) underwent videoarthroscopic surgical repair for compleat rotator cuff tears with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. The postoperative functional outcomes of these patients were evaluated using the Constant and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) scores. Results The functional evaluation revealed mean UCLA and Constant scores of 26 and 93 points, respectively. Ninety-one percent of the subjects had satisfactory Constant scores, whereas 62% presented satisfactory UCLA scores. Conclusion The arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff complete tear was effective even in the long term (minimum follow-up period of 10 years). The age of the patients before surgery, size of the lesion, the degree of fatty infiltration, and evaluation of muscle trophism are important predictors of prognosis.

Resumo Objetivo Analisar o resultado funcional dos pacientes submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico videoartroscópico da ruptura completa do manguito rotador do ombro, com seguimento mínimo de 10 anos. Métodos Foram avaliados 63 pacientes (63 ombros) submetidos ao reparo cirúrgico videoartroscópico da ruptura completa do manguito rotador com seguimento mínimo de 10 anos. O resultado funcional no pós-operatório desses pacientes foi avaliado pelos escores de Constant e UCLA. Resultados Os valores médios foram de 26 pontos no escore UCLA e de 93 no escore de Constant. Para o escore de Constant, 91% foram considerados satisfatórios; e para o UCLA, 62% dos pacientes apresentaram escores satisfatórios. Conclusão O reparo artroscópico da ruptura completa do manguito rotador mostrou-se efetivo mesmo a longo prazo (seguimento mínimo de dez anos). A idade dos pacientes antes da cirurgia, o tamanho da lesão, o grau de infiltração gordurosa e a avaliação do trofismo muscular foram importantes preditores de prognóstico.

Unveiling Odd-Frequency Pairing around a Magnetic Impurity in a Superconductor.

We study the unconventional superconducting correlations caused by a single isolated magnetic impurity in a conventional s-wave superconductor. Because of the local breaking of time-reversal symmetry, the impurity induces unconventional superconductivity, which is even in both space and spin variables but odd under time inversion. We derive an exact proportionality relation between the even-frequency component of the local electron density of states and the imaginary part of the odd-frequency local pairing function. By applying this relation to scanning tunneling microscopy spectra taken on top of magnetic impurities immersed in a Pb/Si(111) monolayer, we show experimental evidence of the occurrence of the odd-frequency pairing in these systems and explicitly extract its superconducting function from the data.

LPG2 Gene Duplication in Leishmania infantum: A Case for CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing.

On the surface of the Leishmania promastigote, phosphoglycans (PG) such as lipophosphoglycan (LPG), proteophosphoglycan (PPG), free phosphoglycan polymers (PGs), and acid phosphatases (sAP), are dominant and contribute to the invasion and survival of Leishmania within the host cell by modulating macrophage signaling and intracellular trafficking. Phosphoglycan synthesis depends on the Golgi GDP-mannose transporter encoded by the LPG2 gene. Aiming to investigate the role of PG-containing molecules in Leishmania infantum infection process, herein we describe the generation and characterization of L. infantum LPG2-deficient parasites. This gene was unexpectedly identified as duplicated in the L. infantum genome, which impaired gene targeting using the conventional homologous recombination approach. This limitation was circumvented by the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Knockout parasites were selected by agglutination assays using CA7AE antibodies followed by a lectin (RCA 120). Five clones were isolated and molecularly characterized, all revealing the expected edited genome, as well as the complete absence of LPG and PG-containing molecule expression. Finally, the deletion of LPG2 was found to impair the outcome of infection in human neutrophils, as demonstrated by a pronounced reduction (~83%) in intracellular load compared to wild-type parasite infection. The results obtained herein reinforce the importance of LPG and other PGs as virulence factors in host-parasite interactions.