Whole-flint corn grain or tropical grass hay free choice in the diet of dairy calves.

Tropical grass hay feeding is related to improved ruminal health; however, it may decrease energy intake. On the other hand, whole-flint corn grain may be an alternative fiber source in the diet of dairy calves. Forty-two Holstein calves were used in a randomized block design, considering sex, birth date, and weight at 21 d of age, when the supply of whole-flint corn grain or tropical grass hay started. Three component-fed solid diets were compared: (1) starter concentrate only during the preweaning and starter concentrate with free choice of chopped Tifton-85 hay postweaning (SC), (2) starter concentrate with free choice of chopped Tifton-85 hay pre- and postweaning (SCH), and (3) starter concentrate with free choice of whole-flint corn grain pre- and postweaning (SCW). The animals were evaluated from 21 to 84 d of age. Calves were managed equally during the first 21 d, fed with 6 L/d of whole milk and a commercial starter concentrate (46% nonfiber carbohydrates, small particles, and pelleted) ad libitum. After that, milk feeding was reduced to 4 L/d until gradual weaning at 56 d of age. At 56 d of age, 4 animals per treatment were randomly chosen to be slaughtered for digestive tract weight evaluation and to collect tissue for histological analysis of the ruminal wall, duodenum, and cecum, whereas the other 30 animals were weaned and evaluated for a further 22 d when the SC diet also received hay ad libitum. Feed intake was measured daily. Weight gain and metabolic indicators of intermediate metabolism were evaluated weekly. Ruminal fluid was collected at wk 6, 8, 10, and 12 of age. The SCH diet increased the total and starter dry matter intake, and consequently, the average daily gain and body weight at 56 d of age. The SCW diet promoted an increase in propionate and decreased acetate-to-propionate ratio. Morphometric variables were affected by the SCH diet. The postweaning performance was unaffected by solid diets; however, the SCW diet decreased ruminal and fecal pH. Feeding hay, starting at 21 d of age, can stimulate early solid diet intake, promoting better performance and ruminal and intestinal development, when a highly fermentable and small particle pelleted starter is fed.

Red propolis as an additive for preweaned dairy calves: Effect on growth performance, health, and selected blood parameters.

Propolis is a natural product produced by bees and sold commercially. It is well known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and the ability to improve immune system functions in humans and animals. Many of its positive effects can contribute positively to animal productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible beneficial effects of red propolis supplementation on growth performance, metabolism, and health status of dairy calves during the preweaning phase. Thirty-two newborn calves were individually housed, with free access to water and concentrate, and fed 6 L/d of whole milk. Animals were distributed in 2 treatments: (1) control and (2) supplementation with 4 mL/d of red propolis ethanolic extract (30%; EEP) in whole milk. Feed consumption and fecal and health scores were monitored daily from 1 d of age to 56 d. Calves were weighed and measured weekly. Blood samples were collected weekly, 2 h after morning milk feeding, for determination of glucose, total serum protein, urea, lactate, ß-hydroxybutyrate, total iron binding capacity, and total leukocytes (white blood cells) and erythrocytes (red blood cells). Starter feed intake, daily weight gain, and body measurements were not affected by the EEP supplementation. Blood parameters were also not affected, with the exception for the red blood cell counts, which were lower in animals supplemented with EEP. Supplementation with EEP significantly decreased fecal score, days with diarrhea, and veterinary treatments of diarrhea. These results indicate that red propolis supplementation has potential to improve calf health and reduce the incidence of diarrhea and, as a consequence, the use of antibiotics in calf rearing systems.

Interrelationship Between Organizational and Relational Aspects and the Return-to-Work Process: A Case Study with Nursing Professionals at a Teaching Hospital in Brazil.

Introduction The process of returning to work, especially for individuals with labor restrictions, impacts work teams and interferes with the labor reinsertion process. In this study, we aimed to understand the impact of these situations on a nursing team from both organizational and relational perspectives. Methods We conducted a qualitative research study at a university hospital in the municipality of São Paulo using three strategies: documentary analysis; semi-structured interviews with pairs of workers returning to a labor situation; and a focus group with nursing managers. Results Medical leaves of absence overburden the employees who remain working. Regarding the return to work, the participants reported both positive and negative aspects. One positive aspect reported was that those who return to work contribute to the division of labor, generating solidarity and cooperation. The negative aspects reported were related to the return of workers with labor restrictions who do not fully resume their activities, consequently generating conflicts within the work teams that interfere with the reintegration processes. The supervisors reported difficulties reorganizing work on a broad scale and assessing the workers' diagnoses and symptoms and the workers themselves in terms of the necessity of their leaves and the validity of their labor restrictions. Conclusion The organization of labor and social relationships among peers and supervisors is a significant contributor to the success or failure of the work reintegration process and therefore should be considered. We aimed to address this issue by highlighting the complexity of the return-to-work process among health workers.

How many Medical specialists do Ministry of Health- Sri Lanka need by 2025: Use of system dynamics modelling for policy decisions

Introduction: The Ministry of Health is the largest health care provider in Sri Lanka in terms of funding, coverage and human resources. Long duration and high training cost of a medical specialist highlights the importance of health human resource planning. Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka has no scientific cadre planning for medical specialists. Methods: System dynamics, an analytical modelling approach and a methodology for studying complex feedback systems was used. Two sub models of "need" and "supply" were developed and simulated over a period of 10 years from 2016 to 2025. Results: By December 2015 there were 1860 clinician medical specialists with an average age of 46.8 years, in the government hospitals in Sri Lanka. In the surgical group of specialties the Proposed Training Rate is more than Current Training Rate while in Medical and Paediatric groups and in Radiology, Anaesthesiology, Psychiatry, Dermatology and Hematology Proposed Training Rate is less than the Current Training Rate. Conclusions: In Surgical specilities the number of trainees enrolled in the Pre-MD programme should be increased from 55 to 71 and while in Medical specilaities the number of trainees enrolled in Pre- MD programmes should be reduced from 107 to 68 and in the Paediatric specialities from 47 to 39. During the 2016-2025 period, 765 specialists will be lost to the Ministry of Health costing nearly Rs 7.6 billion and there will be 4050 consultants by 2025, which is a 120% increase.

Effects of Swimming on the Inflammatory and Redox Response in a Model of Allergic Asthma.

In this study we hypothesized that swimming during sensitization phase could result in a preventive effect in mice with allergic asthma. Swiss mice were divided into 4 groups: Control and Swimming (non-sensitized), OVA and OVA+Swimming (sensitized). The allergic inflammation was induced by 2 intraperitoneal injections and 4 aerosol challenges using ovalbumin. Swimming sessions were performed at high intensity over 3 weeks. 48 h after the last challenge mice were euthanized. Swimming decreased OVA-increased total IgE, IL-1, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6 levels, as well as the number of total cells, lymphocytes and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, (p<0.05). Simultaneously, swimming also increased IL-10 and glutathione levels in the Swimming and OVA+Swimming groups (p<0.05). The levels of glutathione peroxidase and catalase were increased only in the Swimming group when compared to all groups (p<0.05). 21 days of swimming resulted in an attenuation of pulmonary allergic inflammation followed by an increase of glutathione levels in the OVA group. Swimming only increased the levels of glutathione peroxidase and catalase in non-sensitized mice (p<0.05). These data suggest that the pulmonary anti-inflammatory effects produced by 3 weeks of high-intensity swimming in this model of OVA-induced asthma may be, at least partly, modulated by reduced oxidative stress and increased IL-10 production.

DNA damage in Wistar rats exposed to dithiocarbamate pesticide mancozeb.

Pesticides are used in large amounts in agriculture and the evaluation of their toxic effects is of major concern to public and environmental health. The aim of the present study was to investigate the genotoxic potential of a commercial formulation of the fungicide mancozeb by the micronucleus test in bone marrow and the comet assay in total blood of Wistar rats. Adult male Wistar rats were treated with a solution of mancozeb at a concentration of 40 mg/kg/day, administered intraperitoneally for 18 consecutive days, and compared to a control group. The results indicate that mancozeb induced significantly higher DNA damage as detected by the comet assay and increased the frequency of micronuclei. The results show that mancozeb is genotoxic and may adversely affect the DNA integrity of exposed organisms.

Myogenin, MyoD and IGF-I regulate muscle mass but not fiber-type conversion during resistance training in rats.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that skeletal muscle adaptations induced by long-term resistance training (RT) are associated with increased myogenic regulatory factors (MRF) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) mRNA expression in rats skeletal muscle. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: 8-week control (C8), 8-week trained (T8), 12-week control (C12) and 12-week trained (T12). Trained rats were submitted to a progressive RT program (4 sets of 10-12 repetitions at 65-75% of the 1RM, 3 day/week), using a squat-training apparatus with electric stimulation. Muscle hypertrophy was determined by measurement of muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) of the muscle fibers, and myogenin, MyoD and IGF-I mRNA expression were measured by RT-qPCR. A hypertrophic stabilization occurred between 8 and 12 weeks of RT (control-relative % area increase, T8: 29% vs. T12: 35%; p>0.05) and was accompanied by the stabilization of myogenin (control-relative % increase, T8: 44.8% vs. T12: 37.7%, p>0.05) and MyoD (control-relative % increase, T8: 22.9% vs. T12: 22.3%, p>0.05) mRNA expression and the return of IGF-I mRNA levels to the baseline (control-relative % increase, T8: 30.1% vs. T12: 1.5%, p<0.05). Moreover, there were significant positive correlations between the muscle fiber CSA and mRNA expression for MyoD (r=0.85, p=0.0001), myogenin (r=0.87, p=0.0001), and IGF-I (r=0.88, p=0.0001). The significant (p<0.05) increase in myogenin, MyoD and IGF-I mRNA expression after 8 weeks was not associated with changes in the fiber-type frequency. In addition, there was a type IIX/D-to-IIA fiber conversion at 12 weeks, even with the stabilization of MyoD and myogenin expression and the return of IGF-I levels to baseline. These results indicate a possible interaction between MRFs and IGF-I in the control of muscle hypertrophy during long-term RT and suggest that these factors are involved more in the regulation of muscle mass than in fiber-type conversion.

Bothrops jararacussu snake venom decreases CD1d, CD83, and CD86 expression on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells.

This study was designed to characterize mice bone marrow (BM) and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) and to compare the surface markers expression and inflammatory cytokine liberation in response to LPS and Bothrops jararacussu venom (BjV) stimulation. Typical morphology was observed in BM and BMDCs from the 4th up to the 8th day of culture using recombinant mouse GM-CSF and IL-4. A high basal level of MHC-II, CD1d, CD83, CD11c, CD80, and low CD86 was expressed by BM cells. After stimulation with GM-CSF/IL-4 for BMDCs differentiation, the BM cells differentiated into BMDCs presented MHC-II, CD1d, CD83, CD11c, CD86, and CD80 expression on the 4th - 8th day accompanied with high levels of TNF-α liberated. The difference between the surface markers' expression was observed in this time course in which CD1d, CD11c, and CD80 remained in high levels of expression, while MHC-II and CD83 showed moderate expression during the differentiation period. Also, cytokines liberation was monitored over the period of the BMDCs culture, and on the 6th day, low levels of IL-6 and IL-1ß were found, while high levels of TNF-α on the 4th and 8th days, both of which contributed to the maturity of the BMDCs. Maturation of DCs with LPS showed significant upregulation of surface markers (MHC-II, CD1d, CD83, CD86, CD80) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α) liberation. On the other hand, BjV induced a decrease in CD1d, CD11c, CD83, and CD86 expression in mature BMDCs which was not observed when LPS was used to stimulate BMDCs which probably induces impairment in T-cell activation.

Short-term effect of leflunomide in patients with Takayasu arteritis: an observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of leflunomide in controlling disease activity in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) refractory or intolerant to conventional treatment. METHODS: We conducted a prospective open-label study of 15 TA patients (mean age 36.2 years) with active disease based on clinical assessment, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Patients received leflunomide 20 mg/day for at least 6 months and were followed up for a mean of 9.1 months. Adverse events attributable to leflunomide were recorded. RESULTS: At baseline, 14 TA patients had active disease despite therapy with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents, while one patient had intolerance to current treatment. In the follow-up visit, we found a significant decrease in the frequency of patients with active TA (93% vs. 20%, p = 0.002), in the mean daily dose of prednisone (34.2 vs. 13.9 mg, p < 0.001) and in the median values of ESR (29.0 vs. 27.0 mm/h, p = 0.012) and CRP (10.3 vs. 5.3 mg/L, p = 0.012). Two patients (13.3%) developed new angiographic lesions in the follow-up MRA. Three patients (20%) experienced mild adverse events during the study and none discontinued therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first open-label study to demonstrate improvement in disease activity and acute phase reactants with 20 mg/day of leflunomide in TA patients who were refractory or intolerant to conventional therapy with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. Leflunomide was safe and a steroid-sparing effect was observed. A double-blind controlled study is desirable to confirm this finding.

The restriction point and control of cell proliferation.

Research over the past two decades has defined a window of time in the early/mid G1 phase of the cell cycle during which mammalian cells are responsive to extracellular signals. Recent evidence indicates that this period ends with the phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein, enabling the cells to pass through the restriction point at the end of mid G1 phase and to commit to completing the remaining phases of the growth cycle.

Optical imaging of Cerenkov light generation from positron-emitting radiotracers.

Radiotracers labeled with high-energy positron emitters, such as those commonly used for positron emission tomography studies, emit visible light immediately following decay in a medium. This phenomenon, not previously described for these imaging tracers, is consistent with Cerenkov radiation and has several potential applications, especially for in vivo molecular imaging studies. Herein we detail a new molecular imaging tool, Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging, the experiments conducted that support our interpretation of the source of the signal, and proof-of-concept in vivo studies that set the foundation for future application of this new method.

An assessment of acute biomarker responses in the demersal catfish Cathorops spixii after the Vicuña oil spill in a harbour estuarine area in Southern Brazil.

The Vicuña oil tanker exploded in Paranaguá Bay (South of Brazil), during methanol unloading operations in front of Paranaguá Harbour, on November 15th, 2004, releasing a large amount of bunker oil and methanol. Two weeks after the accident, the acute effects of the Vicuña Oil Spill (VOS) were evaluated in the demersal catfish Cathorops spixii, comparing a contaminated (at the spill site) and a reference site inside the Bay. Data were compared to previous measurements, taken before the accident, in the same species, from the same sites. The physiological biomarkers were the ones that best reflected acute effects of the spill: plasma osmolality, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Morphological (liver and gill histopathology) and genetic (piscine micronucleus and DNA strand breaks) biomarkers revealed that damage was already present in fishes from both reference and contaminated sites inside the Bay. Thus, the reference site is not devoid of contamination, as water circulation tends to spread the contaminants released into other areas of the Bay. Acute field surveys of oil spill effects in harbour areas with a long history of contamination should thus be viewed with caution, and whenever possible previous evaluations should be considered for proper appraisal of biomarker sensitivity, especially in mobile bioindicators such as fish.

Dynamics of vegetation structure in a fragmented landscape in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Considering that area and edge effects are the most important factors that lead to landscape changes from the fragmentation of terrestrial communities, the present study aimed to analyze changes in the structure of vegetation classes of a fragmented landscape. The methodology employed was based on a model of patch dynamics for the years between 1979 and 2015. The analysis was performed with quantitative (area, shape and edge effect) and qualitative (low declivity of the terrain, fire resistance and tolerance to variation in light) variables of the classes of vegetation. Processes of retraction and expansion of the vegetation classes were identified, as well as the alteration of the structure of the fragments, which resulted in the intensification of the edge effect.

Sclerostin and DKK1 Inhibition Preserves and Augments Alveolar Bone Volume and Architecture in Rats with Alveolar Bone Loss.

Alveolar bone is a mechanosensitive tissue that provides structural support for teeth. Alveolar bone loss is common with aging, menopause, tooth loss, and periodontitis and can lead to additional tooth loss, reduced denture fixation, and challenges in placing dental implants. The current studies suggest that sclerostin and DKK1, which are established osteocyte-derived inhibitors of bone formation, contribute to alveolar bone loss associated with estrogen ablation and edentulism in rats. Estrogen-deficient ovariectomized rats showed significant mandibular bone loss that was reversed by systemic administration of sclerostin antibody (SAB) alone and in combination with DKK1 antibody (DAB). Osteocytes in the dentate and edentulous rat maxilla expressed Sost (sclerostin) and Dkk1 (DKK1) mRNA, and molar extraction appeared to acutely increase DKK1 expression. In a chronic rat maxillary molar extraction model, systemic SAB administration augmented the volume and height of atrophic alveolar ridges, effects that were enhanced by coadministering DAB. SAB and SAB+DAB also fully reversed bone loss that developed in the opposing mandible as a result of hypo-occlusion. In both treatment studies, alveolar bone augmentation with SAB or SAB+DAB was accompanied by increased bone mass in the postcranial skeleton. Jaw bone biomechanics showed that intact sclerostin-deficient mice exhibited stronger and denser mandibles as compared with wild-type controls. These studies show that sclerostin inhibition, with and without DKK1 coinhibition, augmented alveolar bone volume and architecture in rats with alveolar bone loss. These noninvasive approaches may have utility for the conservative augmentation of alveolar bone.

Estrogen-dependent cyclin E-cdk2 activation through p21 redistribution.

In order to elucidate the mechanisms by which estrogens and antiestrogens modulate the growth of breast cancer cells, we have characterized the changes induced by estradiol that occur during the G1 phase of the cell cycle of MCF-7 human mammary carcinoma cells. Addition of estradiol relieves the cell cycle block created by tamoxifen treatment, leading to marked activation of cyclin E-cdk2 complexes and phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein within 6 h. Cyclin D1 levels increase significantly while the levels of cyclin E, cdk2, and the p21 and p27 cdk inhibitors are relatively constant. However, the p21 cdk inhibitor shifts from its association with cyclin E-cdk2 to cyclin D1-cdk4, providing an explanation for the observed activation of the cyclin E-cdk2 complexes. These results support the notion that cyclin D1 has an important role in steroid-dependent cell proliferation and that estrogen, by regulating the activities of G1 cyclin-dependent kinases, can control the proliferation of breast cancer cells.

Comparison and characterization of volatile compounds as markers of oils stability during frying by HS-SPME-GC/MS and Chemometric analysis.

The formation and emission of volatile compounds, including the aldehydes and some toxic compounds of oil samples, ROPO pure (100%) and the blended ROPO/RCO (80-20%), were carried out during deep frying at 180°C. The volatile profile of both oil samples was evaluated by an optimized HS-SPME-GC/MS method, before and after 20, 40 and 60 successive sessions of deep-frying. Actually, from 100 detected compounds, aldehydes were found to be the main group formed. In addition, the oil degradation under thermal treatment regarding the volatile compounds were evaluated and compared. Consequently, the blended ROPO/RCO revealed fewer formations of unsaturated aldehydes, including toxic ones, such as acrolein, and showed a greater stability against oxidative thermal degradation compared to ROPO pure.

Production and characterization of a biosurfactant produced by Streptomyces sp. DPUA 1559 isolated from lichens of the Amazon region.

Surfactants are amphipathic compounds containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups, capable to lower the surface or interfacial tension. Considering the advantages of the use of biosurfactants produced by microorganisms, the aim of this paper was to develop and characterize a biosurfactant produced by Streptomyces sp. DPUA1559 isolated from lichens of the Amazon region. The microorganism was cultured in a mineral medium containing 1% residual frying soybean oil as the carbon source. The kinetics of biosurfactant production was accompanied by reducing the surface tension of the culture medium from 60 to values around 27.14 mN/m, and by the emulsification index, which showed the efficiency of the biosurfactant as an emulsifier of hydrophobic compounds. The yield of the isolated biosurfactant was 1.74 g/L, in addition to the excellent capability of reducing the surface tension (25.34 mN/m), as observed from the central composite rotational design when the biosurfactant was produced at pH 8.5 at 28°C. The critical micelle concentration of the biosurfactant was determined as 0.01 g/mL. The biosurfactant showed thermal and pH stability regarding the surface tension reduction, and tolerance under high salt concentrations. The isolated biosurfactant showed no toxicity to the micro-crustacean Artemia salina, and to the seeds of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.). The biochemistry characterization of the biosurfactant showed a single protein band, an acid character and a molecular weight around 14.3 kDa, suggesting its glycoproteic nature. The results are promising for the industrial application of this new biosurfactant.

Characterization of the volatile fraction emitted by phloems of four pinus species by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Pine forests constitute some of the most important renewable resources supplying timber, paper and chemical industries, among other functions. Characterization of the volatiles emitted by different Pinus species has proven to be an important tool to decode the process of host tree selection by herbivore insects, some of which cause serious economic damage to pines. Variations in the relative composition of the bouquet of semiochemicals are responsible for the outcome of different biological processes, such as mate finding, egg-laying site recognition and host selection. The volatiles present in phloem samples of four pine species, P. halepensis, P. sylvestris, P. pinaster and P. pinea, were identified and characterized with the aim of finding possible host-plant attractants for native pests, such as the bark beetle Tomicus piniperda. The volatile compounds emitted by phloem samples of pines were extracted by headspace solid-phase micro extraction, using a 2cm 50/30mm divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane table flex solid-phase microextraction fiber and its contents analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography, using flame ionization and a non polar and chiral column phases. The components of the volatile fraction emitted by the phloem samples were identified by mass spectrometry using time-of-flight and quadrupole mass analyzers. The estimated relative composition was used to perform a discriminant analysis among pine species, by means of cluster and principal component analysis. It can be concluded that it is possible to discriminate pine species based on the monoterpenes emissions of phloem samples.

Effect of unsaturated fatty acids on myocardial performance, metabolism and morphology.

Diets rich in saturated fatty acids are one of the most important causes of atherosclerosis in men, and have been replaced with diets rich in unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) for the prevention of this disorder. However, the effect of UFA on myocardial performance, metabolism and morphology has not been completely characterized. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effects of a UFA-rich diet on cardiac muscle function, oxidative stress, and morphology. Sixty-day-old male Wistar rats were fed a control (N = 8) or a UFA-rich diet (N = 8) for 60 days. Myocardial performance was studied in isolated papillary muscle by isometric and isotonic contractions under basal conditions after calcium chloride (5.2 mM) and ss-adrenergic stimulation with 1.0 microM isoproterenol. Fragments of the left ventricle free wall were used to study oxidative stress and were analyzed by light microscopy, and the myocardial ultrastructure was examined in left ventricle papillary muscle. After 60 days the UFA-rich diet did not change myocardial function. However, it caused high lipid hydroperoxide (176 +/- 5 vs 158 +/- 5, P < 0.0005) and low catalase (7 +/- 1 vs 9 +/- 1, P < 0.005) and superoxide-dismutase (18 +/- 2 vs 27 +/- 5, P < 0.005) levels, and discrete morphological changes in UFA-rich diet hearts such as lipid deposits and mitochondrial membrane alterations compared to control rats. These data show that a UFA-rich diet caused myocardial oxidative stress and mild structural alterations, but did not change mechanical function.