Evaluation of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) equations to predict enteric methane emission from lactating cows fed Mediterranean diets.

The study aimed to evaluate Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 2 (2006 and 2019) to predict enteric CH4 emissions from lactating cows fed Mediterranean diets. The effects of the CH4 conversion factor (Ym; CH4 energy loss as a percentage of gross energy intake) and digestible energy (DE) of the diet were evaluated as model predictors. A data set was created using individual observations derived from 3 in vivo studies on lactating dairy cows housed in respiration chambers and fed diets typical of the Mediterranean region based on silages and hays. Five models using different Ym and DE were evaluated following a Tier 2 approach: (1) average values of Ym (6.5%) and DE (70%) from IPCC (2006); (2) average value of Ym (5.7%) and DE (70.0%) from IPCC (2019; 1YM); (3) Ym = 5.7% and DE measured in vivo (1YMIV); (4) Ym = 5.7 or 6.0%, depending on dietary NDF, and DE = 70% (2YM); and (5) Ym = 5.7 or 6.0%, depending on dietary NDF, and DE measured in vivo (2YMIV). Finally, a Tier 2 model for Mediterranean diets (MED) was derived from the Italian data set (Ym = 5.58%; DE = 69.9% for silage-based diets and 64.8% for hay-based diets) and validated on an independent data set of cows fed Mediterranean diets. The most accurate models tested were 2YMIV, 2YM, and 1YMIV with predictions of 384, 377, and 377 (g of CH4/d), respectively, versus the in vivo value of 381. The most precise model was 1YM (slope bias = 1.88%; r = 0.63). Overall, 1YM showed the highest concordance correlation coefficient value (0.579), followed by 1YMIV (0.569). Cross-validation on an independent data set of cows fed Mediterranean diets (corn silage and alfalfa hay) resulted in concordance correlation coefficient of 0.492 and 0.485 for 1YM and MED, respectively. The prediction of MED (397) was more accurate than 1YM (405) in comparison with the corresponding in vivo value of 396 g of CH4/d. The results of this study showed that the average values proposed by IPCC (2019) can adequately predict CH4 emissions from cows fed typical Mediterranean diets. However, the use of specific factors for the Mediterranean area, such as DE, improved the accuracy of the models.

New constraint on the existence of the µ+ → e+ γ decay.

The analysis of a combined data set, totaling 3.6 × 10(14) stopped muons on target, in the search for the lepton flavor violating decay µ(+) → e(+)γ is presented. The data collected by the MEG experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institut show no excess of events compared to background expectations and yield a new upper limit on the branching ratio of this decay of 5.7 × 10(-13) (90% confidence level). This represents a four times more stringent limit than the previous world best limit set by MEG.

Inflammatory cytokine response in sulfur mustard-exposed mouse skin.

Assessment of anti-inflammatory therapies against sulfur-mustard (bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide, HD)-induced skin injury has mainly relied on qualitative histopathological evaluation. Development of quantifiable inflammatory biomarkers using fast and reliable molecular methods is needed for screening anti-inflammatory drugs against HD injury. In this study, we used two different HD exposure models to determine the in vivo cutaneous response of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), in order to identify a suitable inflammatory biomarker common to both models. In the first model, the backs of hairless mice were exposed to HD vapor (1.4 g m(-3)) or sham controls for 6 min using an occluded vapor cup technique. In the second model, right ears of CD1 mice were exposed to a solution (5.0 microl of 195 mM) of HD (0.16 mg) in dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) whereas left ears received only CH2Cl2 (vehicle control). Sulfur-mustard-induced skin inflammation was assessed in skin punch specimens collected at time points up to 24 h post-exposure. Edema was determined by measuring tissue weight, and cytokine content was measured by enzyme immunosorbent assay. Characterized by an increase in edema and IL-6, HD provoked a cutaneous inflammatory response in both models beginning at 6 h post-exposure and continuing to 24 h. An increase in IL-1alpha was observed only in the hairless mouse model, also beginning at 6 h post-exposure and continuing to 24 h. No IL-1beta or TNF-alpha response was observed at any time point in either exposure model. These data document the in vivo production of cutaneous IL-6, a distinct inflammatory biomarker, in two different HD exposure models. We conclude that IL-6 should be a useful in vivo biomarker for evaluating anti-inflammatory drugs against HD-induced skin injury.

Browlifting with thread: the technique without undermining using minimum incisions.

The position of the eyebrows exerts great influence over the upper eyelids, both in terms of skin excess as well as in the overall aesthetics of the lid/orbit region. Based on the need to associate the treatment of the eyelids with that of the eyebrows, the author developed an essentially simple surgical technique for browlifting. Through minimal incisions in the scalp and in the superior margin of the eyebrow, an anchor is made and traction is exerted with 00 cotton thread, without undermining in the frontal region, exception made by the thread line which is subgaleal. The main difference between this and other techniques is its use of the glide of the eyebrow over deep soft tissues, without the necessity of undermining. The follow-up ranged from 6 to 16 months, during which the lift remained at acceptable levels in most patients, while in a few cases it dropped down a little. This procedure was well accepted by the patients, making it a good alternative for the treatment of brow ptosis.