Application of Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) as Dyes and Additives for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs).

Five Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) were synthesized and applied to Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) as dyes and additives. These porous nanomaterials are based on cheap, abundant commercially available ionic dyes (thionin acetate RIO-43, Bismarck brown Y RIO-55 and pararosaniline hydrochloride RIO-70), and antibiotics (dapsone RIO-60) are used as building blocks. The reticular innovative organic framework RIO-60 is the most promising dye for DSSCs. It possesses a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 1.00 mA/cm2, an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 329 mV, a fill factor (FF) of 0.59, and a cell efficiency (η) of 0.19%. These values are higher than those previously reported for COFs in similar devices. This first approach using the RIO family provides a good perspective on its application in DSSCs as a dye or photoanode dye enhancer, helping to increase the cell's lifespan.

Feeding Behavior of Mangalarga Marchador Weanlings Fed Sorghum Silage Versus Grass Hay.

Mangalarga Marchador foals in Minas Gerais, Brazil, are usually weaned during the dry season, when there is a scarcity of forage. Although sorghum silage has been used to feed weanlings, the effect on their feeding behavior in comparison with grass hay has not been reported. Twelve Mangalarga Marchador weanlings were randomly assigned to two groups of six animals: SS: sorghum silage; VH: Vaquero hay. Both groups received commercial concentrate in the proportion of 1.2 kg.100 kg-1 of the live weight and forage ad libitum. The animals were filmed for 48 hours, being timed: forage intake time, water intake time (WIT), concentrate intake time, and leisure time (LT). Tukey's test was used to compare the parameters between SS and VH groups. Forage intake time and WIT were higher (P < .05) in VH group because the hay had low moisture content, stimulating water intake. Feeding behavior of weanlings kept in individual stalls and consuming sorghum silage was different than those consuming grass hay, providing less forage intake time and longer LT spent in comparison with VH.

Effects of dietary inclusion of macaúba seed cake meal on performance, caecotrophy traits and in vitro evaluations for growing rabbits.

The objective was to evaluate the inclusion of macaúba seed cake (MSC) meal in diets for growing rabbits by assessing their growth and slaughtering performance, haematological traits, nutritional contribution of caecotrophs, in vitro digestibility, degradability and fermentation parameters. A total of 88 rabbits were distributed to four groups with 22 animals each and fed diets containing 0, 50, 100 and 150 g/kg of MSC, respectively. The in vitro assays were conducted employing cecum inoculum on the same dietary treatments. The inclusion of MSC yielded a quadratic effect on in vitro dry matter digestibility (p < 0.001). The maximum amount of produced gas was raised linearly with the inclusion of MSC (p = 0.016). MSC linearly reduced several variables as the nutritional contribution of caecotrophs in dry matter (p = 0.017) and crude protein (p = 0.014), live weight at 51 d (p = 0.024), body weight gain (p = 0.039), average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p = 0.001) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p = 0.007) in the first period evaluated (30-50 d); furthermore the ADFI and FCR the second (51-72 d) and whole period (30-72 d) (p < 0.001). MSC addition caused a quadratic effect on white blood cells count (p = 0.026) and a linear decrease of eosinophils (p = 0.045). In conclusion, the inclusion of up to 150 g/kg of MSC improves the in vitro digestibility and fermentation potential of the diets, reflecting on the ADFI and FCR of the animals, although adverse effects are observed on the weight of the commercial carcass and nutritive contribution of the caecotrophs.

Effect of Supplementation of Sorghum Silage in Weanling Fillies During the Dry Period in Brazil.

Young horses reach nearly 90% of their final height in the first year of life. However, to achieve their genetic potential, it is necessary to receive adequate nutrition during this period of rapid growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of sorghum silage during a period of limited pasture forage availability, on the body development, and health of Mangalarga Marchador (MM) weanling fillies. Fourteen healthy MM 6-month-old fillies were randomly assigned to one of two groups: GS (consuming silage) and GH (consuming grass hay (Cynodon spp) in addition to 1.5% of body weight (BW) in dry matter (DM) of a fortified corn-based concentrate (17% CP [crude protein]), which was fed in individual stalls divided into two feedings/day for both groups. After concentrate feedings, the experimental groups remained loose in drylot pens of 50 m2, where the assigned forages were fed ad libitum with free access to salt and water. Group feed intake of the forages was recorded. It was assumed they were consuming a forage:concentrate ratio of 50:50. To assess development, the animals were weighed and measured for height at the withers and croup, body length, girth, and cannon bone circumference. The physical condition of animals, including BW, rectal temperature, mucous membrane color, and body condition score were assessed as well as serum biochemical analyses of creatinine, urea, total protein, gamma glutaminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations were evaluated. The weights, morphometric measurements, clinical evaluation, and blood collections were done on the first day and every 21 days during the 84 days trial period. The growth performance and serum were subjected to analysis of variance for repeated measures, factoring treatment, and collection period. Despite higher (P < .05) DM and CP intakes by the GH fillies than those GS, there were no treatment effects (P > .05) on any of the development or health parameters measured. The use of sorghum silage as forage source for 84 days during the dry season had no negative impact on the body development and health of MM fillies (6-9 months of age) that were also fed 1.5% BW of a commercial concentrate balanced for growth.

Plantar approach for excision of a Morton neuroma: a long-term follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: When nonsurgical treatment of a Morton neuroma is unsuccessful, neurectomy is indicated. The purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes, complications, and adverse events following a distal plantar transverse incision for the excision of an intermetatarsal neuroma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 168 consecutive patients who underwent surgical excision of a Morton neuroma that had been unresponsive to nonsurgical treatment. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by means of magnetic resonance imaging and histological analysis. All patients underwent excision of the neuroma through a distal transverse plantar approach; concomitant foot and ankle disorders were also treated. Postoperatively, a three-grade patient satisfaction scale was administered to assess the results of the procedure and a clinical examination was performed for all patients. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty patients (204 feet, 227 neuromas) were assessed at a median of 7.1 ± 3.9 years (range, one to twenty-one years) postoperatively. A good result was reported for 143 patients (89.4%); a fair result, for eleven (6.9%); and a poor result, for six (3.8%). The eleven patients with a fair result reported scar-related symptoms such as skin hardening, loss of sensation at the incision site, discomfort wearing shoes with high heels, and local paresthesias with no recurrence of the neuroma. The six patients with a poor result reported pain and paresthesias, and the recurrence of a neuroma was confirmed at the time of reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Producing a marked reduction in pain and high overall patient satisfaction, a distal transverse plantar incision is comparable with other surgical approaches for the surgical treatment of a Morton neuroma.

Plantar Approach for a Morton Neuroma: Surgical Technique.

INTRODUCTION: The plantar approach for management of a Morton neuroma allows the transverse metatarsal ligament to be spared, decreases the risk of damage to the dorsal cutaneous nerve branches, and has a low rate of complications with results comparable with those of other approaches. STEP 1 INCISION: Make a transverse plantar skin incision distal to the metatarsal weight-bearing area. STEP 2 EXPOSURE: Excise the connective tissues around the neuroma and expose the common digital nerve as far proximally as possible. STEP 3 RESECTION: Identify the resection point over the metatarsal neck and cut the neural branches as proximal and as distal as possible. STEP 4 CLOSURE: Suture the fat pad using inverting absorbable sutures and the skin using nonabsorbable monofilament sutures. RESULTS: We assessed 160 of 168 patients who had undergone surgical excision of a Morton neuroma; the median duration of follow-up was 7.1 years13. WHAT TO WATCH FOR: IndicationsContraindicationsPitfalls & Challenges.

Arthroscopic-assisted Broström-Gould for chronic ankle instability: a long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Lateral ankle sprains account for 85% of ankle lesions. HYPOTHESIS: Combined open and arthroscopic procedures could improve the diagnosis and management of intra-articular lesions and allow surgeons to perform minimally invasive anatomic reconstruction of the lateral ligament complex. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Forty consecutive patients underwent ankle arthroscopy for recurrent (2 or more episodes) lateral ankle instability unresponsive to nonoperative measures. The clinical diagnosis of mechanical instability was confirmed at imaging (plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) and arthroscopic assessment. All patients underwent arthroscopic Broström-Gould repair for management of lateral ankle instability; secondary lesions were also managed. Postoperatively, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was administered to assess the functional status; clinical examination and conventional radiographs were performed in all patients. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were reviewed at an average postoperative follow-up of 9.8 years. The mean AOFAS score was 90 (range, 44-100) at the last follow-up. No significantly different outcomes were found in patients who had undergone microfractures for management of grade III to IV cartilage lesions compared with patients with no cartilage lesions. Postoperative AOFAS scores were graded as excellent and good in almost all patients (94.7%). Concerning failure rate, 2 patients (5.3%) reported a low AOFAS score: one patient underwent soft tissue removal for anterior impingement, and one received simultaneous medial ankle instability repair. CONCLUSION: The arthroscopic Broström-Gould-assisted technique could be a viable alternative to the gold-standard Broström-Gould procedure for anatomic repair of chronic lateral ankle instability and management of intra-articular lesions. Prospective randomized controlled trials are needed.

Implante autólogo de condrócitos para o tratamento de lesão do côndilo femoral e talo / Autologous chondrocyte implantation to treat femoral condyle and talar lesions

Objetivo: Relatar os primeiros casos de implante autólogo de condrócitos no Brasil. Métodos: Foram selecionados pacientes jovens, com lesões traumáticas localizadas no côndilo femoral e talo. A avaliação clínica foi realizada com exames imaginológicos e artroscopias. Resultados: Foi observado o preenchimento da lesão com o tecido neoformado. Os pacientes apresentaram melhora de qualidade de vida, retomando as atividades cotidianas e esportivas. Conclusões: Concluiu-se que o implante autólogo de condrócitos é uma técnica promissora para o tratamento de lesões condrais do côndilo femoral e do talo.