Effects of calcium ammonium nitrate fed to dairy cows on nutrient intake and digestibility, milk quality, microbial protein synthesis, and ruminal fermentation parameters.

We evaluated the effects of supplemental calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) fed to dairy cows on dry matter (DM) intake, nutrient digestibility, milk quality, microbial protein synthesis, and ruminal fermentation. Six multiparous Holstein cows at 106 ± 14.8 d in milk, with 551 ± 21.8 kg of body weight were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Experimental period lasted 21 d, with 14 d for an adaptation phase and 7 d for sampling and data collection. Cows were randomly assigned to receive the following treatments: URE, 12 g of urea/kg of DM as a control group; CAN15, 15 g of CAN/kg of DM; and CAN30, 30 g of CAN/kg of DM. Supplemental CAN reduced DM intake (URE 19.0 vs. CAN15 18.9 vs. CAN30 16.5 kg/d). No treatment effects were observed for apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, and neutral detergent fiber; however, CAN supplementation linearly increased nonfiber carbohydrate digestibility. Milk yield was not affected by treatments (average = 23.1 kg/d), whereas energy-corrected milk (ECM) and 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM) decreased as the levels of CAN increased. Nitrate residue in milk increased linearly (URE 0.30 vs. CAN15 0.33 vs. CAN30 0.38 mg/L); however, treatments did not affect nitrite concentration (average: 0.042 mg/L). Milk fat concentration was decreased (URE 3.39 vs. CAN15 3.35 vs. CAN30 2.94%), and the proportion of saturated fatty acids was suppressed by CAN supplementation. No treatment effects were observed on the reducing power and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances of milk, whereas conjugated dienes increased linearly (URE 47.6 vs. CAN15 52.7 vs. CAN30 63.4 mmol/g of fat) with CAN supplementation. Treatments had no effect on microbial protein synthesis; however, molar proportion of ruminal acetate and acetate-to-propionate ratio increased with CAN supplementation. Based on the results observed, supplementing CAN at 30 g/kg of DM should not be recommended as an optimal dose because it lowered DM intake along with ECM and 3.5% FCM, although no major changes were observed on milk quality and ruminal fermentation.

Analysis of Biofilm Adhesion on CAD/CAM Lithium Disilicates Under Different Types of Intraoral Polishing.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) on lithium disilicate ceramics, submitted to different intraoral polishing protocols, and the degree of surface smoothness obtained. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty lithium disilicate specimens were divided into 5 groups (n=10): G1-Glaze Group (positive control); G2-Glaze Group + Wear + Glaze; G3-Wear Group (negative control); G4-Ceramisté Wear Group; G5-Optrafine Wear Group. Surface roughness (Ra - µm) was evaluated and the surface characteristics were assessed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM); to assess S. mutans biofilm, the number of cultured cells was evaluated by counting colony-forming units (CFU/mL). The data underwent one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test (P⟨.05). RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the surface roughness of all groups compared with G3. There was no significant difference between the G4 and G5 groups that received polishing. G1 group had the lowest mean roughness values. There was a difference in Log values (CFU/mL) between the G3 group and the groups that received glaze (G1 and G2). The G3 group had the highest adhesion of S. mutans (4.53 Log). CONCLUSION: The most effective polishing protocol after wear is glazing, presenting the lowest roughness and CFU/mL values.

Evaluation of encapsulated anethole and carvone in lambs artificially- and naturally-infected with Haemonchus contortus.

Molecules from natural sources, such as essential oils, have shown activity against parasites in vitro, but have not yet been explored extensively in vivo. Anethole and carvone (10% each), encapsulated with 80% of a solid matrix, referred to as EO (encapsulated oils), were tested in vivo in 2 experiments. In Experiment 1: Lambs were artificially infected with multidrug resistant Haemonchus contortus, or left uninfected, and treated (or not) with 50 mg/kg bw (body weight) of EO in a controlled environment. Thirty-two male lambs were kept in individual cages for a period of 45 days, after which animals were evaluated for parasitological, hematological, toxicological, and nutritional parameters. After 45 days of treatment, EO at 50 mg/kg bw provided a significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in fecal egg count (FEC). Although FEC was reduced, animals from both treatments had similar counts of total adult worms. The low FEC was caused probably by a significant reduction (P ≤ 0.05) in both male worm size and female fecundity. Dry matter intake of uninfected controls was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced, although no toxicity was observed in treated animals. Thus, in Experiment 2, conducted for five months we used an EO dose of 20 mg/kg bw. Thirty-four weaned lambs, free of parasites, were divided in two groups and kept in collective pens. One group received EO at 20 mg/kg bw mixed with concentrate for 5 months and the other was kept as a control group (CTL). Parasitological and hematological parameters as well as body weight were evaluated. In the first 2.5 months, CTL and EO groups were confined, and both presented similar clinical parameters. Then, animals were allotted to graze on contaminated pastures to acquire natural infection for the next 2.5 months. The infection was patent after 25 days and both groups had similar decreases in weight gain, increases in FEC, and decreases in blood parameters. Coprocultures from CTL and EO groups established that parasite population was 90% Haemonchus sp. We concluded that the technology of encapsulation is safe and practical to deliver to lambs at the farm level and anethole and carvone at 50 mg/kg bw caused a significant decrease in FEC and, consequently, in pasture contamination by free living stages of H. contortus. However, EO at 20 mg/kg bw was not effective to prevent or treat sheep naturally-infected with gastrointestinal nematodes.

Embryological and comparative description of the cephalic vein joining the external jugular vein: A case report.

The cephalic vein arises from the radial end of the dorsal venous arch. It turns around the radial border of the forearm and passes proximally along the arm to the shoulder, where it enters the axillary vein by penetrating the clavipectoral triangle. The cephalic vein is prone to vary at the antecubital fossa, where it forms numerous anastomoses. A male cadaver fixated with a 10% formalin solution was dissected during regular anatomy lessons. It was found that the cephalic vein crossed the upper third of the arm between two fasciculi of the deltoid muscle and reached the shoulder, where it passed above the acromion and crossed the posterior border of the clavicle in order to join the external jugular vein. The cephalic vein is one of the most used veins for innumerous activities, such as venipunctures and arteriovenous fistula creation. Furthermore, it is an anatomical landmark known for its consistent anatomy, as it possesses low rates of variability. Despite that, its anatomical variations are clinically and surgically significant and healthcare professionals must be aware of the variations of this vessel. We aim to report a rarely described variation of the cephalic vein and discuss its embryological, phylogenetic and clinical features.

Genetic ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X polymorphisms and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

The etiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis remains unknown. Angiotensin-converting enzyme and α-actinin-3 polymorphisms influence the characteristics of muscle fibers. The aim of this study was to examine the association between idiopathic scoliosis and genetic polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme and α-actinin-3. Ninety-seven females with scoliosis, and 137 healthy, age-matched control females were studied. The presence of polymorphisms was determined by PCR. A χ2 test was used to analyze differences, and odds ratios were estimated. The frequencies of ACE genotypes in the scoliotic group were 46.4% DD, 45.4% ID, and 8.2% II, while in the control group they were 40.1% DD, 43.8% ID, and 16.1% II (P = 0.197). The D allele had a frequency of 69.1% in patients with idiopathic scoliosis and 62% in the control group (P = 0.116). The frequencies of ACTN3 genotypes in females with scoliosis were 31.8% RR, 49.4% RX, and 18.8% XX, while in the control group they were 35% RR, 49% RX, and 16% XX (P = 0.810). The frequency of the R allele was 56.4% in the scoliotic group and 59.6% in the control group (P = 0.518). There was no statistically significant association between angiotensin-converting enzyme or α-actinin-3 polymorphisms and the presence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in females.

Correlation between acute and short-term changes in flexibility using two stretching techniques.

This study aimed to determine whether increases in flexibility following a single session predict increases in flexibility after a short-term stretching training program involving static stretching (SS) or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques. 70 adults (aged 18-30 years) of both sexes were randomly assigned to 2 groups: PNF (2 series of contract-relax stretching) and SS (static stretching for 1 min). Both stretching protocols were performed for 7 consecutive days. Active knee extension was evaluated before and after the first session and one day after the end of the intervention. Two-way ANOVA showed significant flexibility gains for both groups and no difference between them. The changes in flexibility after the first intervention session were strongly correlated with the changes after the training program in both groups (PNF r=0.82, p=0.001; SS: r=0.82, p=0.001). Linear regression showed that the increases in flexibility predicted the gains after both training programs (PNF: r(2)=0.67, p=0.001; SS: r(2)=0.61, p=0.005). In conclusion, the acute changes in flexibility after a single session of PNF and SS predict the gains in flexibility after longer-term training -programs.

Exercise training at MLSS decreases weight gain and increases aerobic capacity in obese Zucker rats.

This study aimed to identify the aerobic capacity enhancement and subsequent body weight (BW) status of obese Zucker rats (OZRs) after 4 weeks of treadmill running exercise at the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS). In addition to obese Zucker rats (OZRs), lean Wistar Kyoto rats (WKYs) were used, and both species were divided into control and exercise groups as follows: obese exercise (OZR-EX, n=5), obese control (OZR-CON, n=5), lean exercise (WKY-EX, n=5) and lean control (WKY-CON, n=5). The OZR and WKY exercise groups trained 5 days per week at 12.5 m.min-1 and 20 m.min-1, respectively. After 4 weeks of training, MLSS was ascertained to evaluate the animals' aerobic capacity using 3 different velocities (12.5, 15 and 17.5 m.min-1 for OZRs and 25, 30 and 35 m.min-1 for WKYs). The MLSS of OZR-EX was identified at the velocity of 15 m.min-1, representing a 20% increase in aerobic capacity after the exercise program. The MLSS of WKY-EX was identified at 30 m.min-1 with a 50% increase of in aerobic capacity. Obese animals that exercised showed reduced weight gain compared to the non-exercise obese control group (p <0.05). Our results thus show that exercise training at MLSS intensity increased the aerobic capacity in both obese and non-obese animals and also reduced BW gain.

Leptin deficiency modulates allograft survival by favoring a Th2 and a regulatory immune profile. [corrected].

Leptin, an adipose-secreted hormone, links metabolism and immunity. Our aim was to determine whether leptin affects the alloimmune response. We used an allogeneic skin transplant model as a means to analyze the allograft immune response in Lep(ob/ob) and wild-type mice. Leptin deficiency results in an increased frequency of Treg and Th2 cells and a prolonged graft survival. These effects of leptin deficiency indicate the importance of leptin and obesity in modulating the allograft immune responses. Our data suggest a possible explanation for the increased susceptibility of hyperleptinemic obese patients to acute and chronic graft rejection.

Assessment of aerobic capacity during swimming exercise in ob/ob mice.

Obesity is a highly prevalent condition associated with several diseases. Physical exercise has been considered as a non-pharmacological tool in the treatment of obesity. However, several aspects underlying exercise evaluation and prescription in obesity and associated pathologies are still under investigation. Although many research involving exercise have been performed in animal models, there is a lack of protocols for aerobic capacity assessment in obese animals, such as the ob/ob mice. This study aimed the following: (i) to verify the possibility of determining the lactate threshold (LT) on swimming exercise in ob/ob mice and in non-obese heterozygote mice (ob/OB), through visual inspection (vLT) and polynomial adjustment (pLT); and (ii) to verify if the LT determined through these protocols corresponds to the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS). Eight ob/ob and ten ob/OB mice performed an incremental exercise test to determine vLT and pLT as well as constant-load exercise bouts to determine MLSS. There were no within-group differences between vLT, pLT and MLSS [ob/ob: ~5.3% body weight (BW); ob/OB: ~3·6%BW] with a high agreement among protocols. In conclusion, the identification of the LT and MLSS intensities was possible for both groups. These data suggest that the proposed protocols may be used in new research on the effects of different exercise intensities on some aspects of obesity.

Renal fibrosis due to multiple cisplatin treatment is exacerbated by kinin B1 receptor antagonism.

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug, but its side effects are a major limiting factor. Nephrotoxicity occurs in one third of patients undergoing cisplatin treatment. The acute tubular injury caused by cisplatin often leads to a defective repair process, which translates into chronic renal disorders. In this way, cisplatin affects tubular cells, and maladaptive tubules regeneration will ultimately result in tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Kinins are well known for being important peptides in the regulation of inflammatory stimuli, and kinin B1 receptor deficiency and antagonism have been shown to be beneficial against acute cisplatin nephrotoxicity. This study aimed to analyze the effects of kinin B1 receptor deletion and antagonism against repeated cisplatin-induced chronic renal dysfunction and fibrosis. Both the deletion and the antagonism of B1 receptor exacerbated cisplatin-induced chronic renal dysfunction. Moreover, the inhibition of B1 receptor increased tubular injury and tubulointerstitial fibrosis after repeated treatment with cisplatin. The balance between M1/M2 macrophage polarization plays an important role in renal fibrosis. Kinin B1 receptor antagonism had no impact on M1 markers when compared to cisplatin. However, YM1, an M2 marker and an important molecule for the wound healing process, was decreased in mice treated with kinin B1 receptor antagonist, compared to cisplatin alone. Endothelin-1 levels were also increased in mice with B1 receptor inhibition. This study showed that kinin B1 receptor inhibition exacerbated cisplatin-induced chronic renal dysfunction and fibrosis, associated with reduced YM1 M2 marker expression, thus possibly affecting the wound healing process.