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Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ceramic composites based on Ce-TZP/Al2O3/H6A were sintered in order to promote grain growth and to study the effects of ZrO2 grain size on the properties of this material. A mixture of ZrO2-CeO2-Al2O3 powders was sintered at 1450 °C-2 h, following the manufacturer's recommendations. Then, the samples were further treated at 1500 or 1600 °C, for 0, 2, 8, or 24 h. The sintered specimens were characterized by X-ray diffraction, relative density, and grain size distribution. Vickers nanohardness, Young's modulus (E), and fracture toughness were measured. The materials showed complete densification for all sintering conditions studied. t-ZrO2, α -Al2O3, and cerium hexaluminate (H6A) were observed. The alumina and hexaluminate grains had average grain sizes of 0.7 and 4.5 μm (AR>3), respectively, without significant variations during the additional heat treatments. However, significant growth took place for the ZrO2 grains with increasing temperature and holding time, increasing the average grain size from 0.6~1.4 μm, when sintered at 1500 °C-2 h to 1600 °C-24 h, respectively. The materials exhibited Vickers nanohardness of 1800 HV and E=241 ± 15 GPa. On the other hand, the considerable grain growth of the ZrO2 grains as a function of holding time reflected in a reduction of the fracture toughness, which decreased from 8.5 to 5.7 MPa.m1/2 for samples sintered at 1500 °C-2 h to 1600 °C-24 h, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat stress during pregnancy causes placental insufficiency and resduces fetal growth by reducing the oxygen and nutrients availability. In lactating production animals, heat stress during gestation lowers performance by decreasing milk yield and impairing reproduction. The study objectives were to understand the consequences of the exposure to warm environmental conditions during pregnancy on placental weight, colostrum production, and milk production of ewes utilizing heat chambers. Columbia-Rambouillet pregnant ewes with singletons (n = 11) were assigned to one of two environmental treatments: 1) heat stress (HS) or 2) thermoneutral (TN; 22°C) during mid-gestation (d 40 to 80) for a duration of 40 d. Heat stress consisted of 12 h at 40°C/55% humidity and 12 h at 35°C/45% humidity. Dry matter intake (DMI) and water intake (WI) were measured daily for both treatment groups. Feed and water were given ad libitum for HS ewes and TN ewes were pair fed to HS ewes for the entire duration of study. At lambing, the offspring were separated from dams. Measurements were taken of placental weight and colostrum production. The placental weights from HS ewes had a mean of 218 g compared with the placental weights of the TN group at a mean of 396 g (P < 0.01). Colostrum was measured for the first 24 h post lambing. The mean colostrum production of TN was 718 mL and for the HS group it was 882 mL. The colostrum production differences between control and HS groups were nonsignificant. Following lambing, ewes were milked twice a day for a 21-d period to evaluate milk production. Daily milk production for HS ewes was a mean of 1.16 kg/d while the TN group ewes had a mean of 1.31 kg/d (P < 0.01). Exposure of HS during mid-gestation had a significant impact on placental weight and 21-d milk production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor growth performance and metabolic disorders are prevalent problems in lambs exposed to maternal heat stress, specifically during the last midthird of gestation. Columbia–Rambouillet crossbred lambs (n = 12) were immediately separated from their heat-stressed and non-stressed dam at lambing. The maternal heat stress exposure occurred during the last mid-third gestation and was for about 40 d (40 to 80 d). Lamb body weight (BW) was recorded daily for 4 mo. A glucose tolerance test was performed in mo 4 to evaluate glucose concentrations and insulin response. Maternal heat-stressed lamb (HS) presented reduced BW throughout the experimental time (P < 0.05) than maternal thermoneutral lamb (TN; CN = 12.69 ± 0.29 kg and HS = 9.89 ± 0.29 kg). Glucose concentrations were similar between environmental conditions (P > 0.05). Neither the insulin response presented a significance (P > 0.05) between those lambs exposed to HS and TN conditions during gestation. Although maternal exposure to HS can affect performance of the offspring throughout life, metabolic disorders associated with insulin resistance are not a problem at 4 mo. However, preliminary data showed that these same lambs at 8 mo old and 11 mo old show an irregular insulin response in maternal heat-stressed lambs that can persist throughout the life of the offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-stage desulfurization process including an abiotic filtration using cellular concrete waste (first stage) and an anoxic biotrickling filter filling with an inoculated expanded schist material (second stage) was investigated to remove H2S in mimic biogas with limited O2 amount (ranged from 0.5 to 0.8%). The two-stage process was able to satisfactorily remove H2S for all experimental conditions (RE > 97%; H2S concentration = 1500 mg m−3; total Empty Bed Residence Time (EBRT) = 200 s; removal capacity (RC) = 26 g m−3 h−1). Moreover, at a total EBRT = 360 s (i.e., 180 s for each stage), the H2S loading rate (LR) was almost treated by the bed of cellular concrete alone, indicating that abiotic filtration could be applied to satisfactorily remove H2S contained in the gas. According to the H2S concentration entering the biotrickling filter, the majority end-product was either elemental sulfur (S0) or sulfate (SO42−). Thus, the ability of the abiotic filter to remove a significant part of H2S would avoid the clogging of the biotrickling filter due to the deposit of S0. Consequently, this two-stage desulfurization process is a promising technology for efficient and economical biogas cleaning adapted to biogas containing limited O2 amounts, such as landfill biogas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

H2O:CO, at concentrations of (3:2) and (10:1), was condensed on CsI substrate at 15 K and irradiated with 46-MeV 58Ni11 + ion beam. Radiolysis induced by fast heavy ions was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The formation of nine molecular species: CO2, H2O2, HCOOH, HCO, H2CO, 13CO2, CH3OH, O3, and C3O2 was observed. For both concentrations, carbon dioxide (CO2), formaldehyde (H2CO), formic acid (HCOOH), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are the most abundant products species, and tricarbon dioxide (C3O2) is much less abundant. Precursor destruction cross-sections and formation cross-sections of products are determined. The CO destruction cross-section for the (3:2) concentration is almost five times higher than that of water, while those for the (10:1) concentration are practically the same. Atomic sputtering yields are estimated for the two ice films, the total mass sputtered is approximately 2.5 × 106 u per impact. These results contribute to figure out the chemical pathways of compounds synthesized from the two most abundant organic species (H2O and CO) observed in the ices of grain mantles of the circumstellar envelopes and interstellar medium. In additional, the finding results reveal that molecular astronomical percentages are comparable to those obtained after 15 eV molec−1 of deposited dose in current experiments compared with the relative concentration of molecules in solid phase observed in MYSO, LYSO, BG Stars, and Comets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cadernos Saúde Coletiva is the property of Instituto de Estudos em Saude Colectiva (IESC) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Heat stress (HS) triggers oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and disrupts growth efficiency of livestock. β-adrenergic agonists supplemented to ruminant livestock improve growth performance, increase skeletal muscle mass, and decrease carcass fat. The objective of this study was to understand the independent and interacting effects of HS and zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) supplementation on the transcriptome of subcutaneous white adipose tissue and the longissimus dorsi muscle in steers. Twenty-four Red Angus-based steers were assigned to thermoneutral (TN; Temperature Humidity Index [THI] = 68) or HS (THI = 73–85) conditions and were not supplemented or supplemented with ZH (8.33 mg/kg/d) for 21 d in a 2 × 2 factorial. Steers in the TN condition were pair-fed to the average daily feed intake of HS steers. RNA was isolated from adipose tissue and skeletal muscle samples collected via biopsy on 3, 10, and 21 d and sequenced using 3ʹ Tag-Seq to an achieved average depth of 3.6 million reads/sample. Transcripts, mapped to ARS-UCD1.2, were quantified. Differential expression (DE) analyses were performed in DESeq2 with a significance threshold for false discovery rate of 0.05. In adipose, 4 loci (MISP3, APOL6, SLC25A4, and S100A12) were DE due to ZH on day 3, and 2 (RRAD, ALB) were DE due to the interaction of HS and ZH on day 10 (P adj < 0.05). In muscle, 40 loci (including TENM4 and OAZ1) were DE due to ZH on day 10, and 6 loci (HIF1A, LOC101903734, PDZD9, HNRNPU, MTUS1, and TMCO6) were DE due to environment on day 21 (P adj < 0.05). To explore biological pathways altered by environment, supplement, and their interaction, loci with DE (P raw < 0.05) were evaluated in Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. In adipose, 509 pathways were predicted to be altered (P < 0.01): 202 due to HS, 126 due to ZH, and 181 due to the interaction; these included inflammatory pathways predicted to be upregulated due to HS but downregulated due to the interaction of HS and ZH. In muscle, 113 pathways were predicted to be altered (P < 0.01): 23 due to HS, 66 due to ZH, and 24 due to the interaction of HS and ZH. Loci and pathway data in muscle suggest HS induced oxidative stress and that the stress response was moderated by ZH. Metabolic pathways were predicted to be altered due to HS, ZH, and their interaction in both tissues. These data provide evidence that HS and ZH interact to alter expression of genes in metabolic and immune function pathways and that ZH moderates some adverse effects of HS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of NOVA: Publicación Científica en Ciencias Biomédicas is the property of Universidad Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

H2O and CO molecules are the main constituents of the interstellar dust grain ice mantles. Infrared spectra of the ices in line of sights of young stellar objects and background stars have shown that the CO stretching vibration band can be decomposed into three main components: 2143, 2139, and 2136 cm−1, assigned to CO in different environment sites. The relative strengths between the components have been associated with an evolutionary track of the interstellar molecular clouds. H2O:CO (3:2) and (10:1) ice samples were irradiated by 0.79 MeV/u 58Ni13+ ions to simulate the effects produced by heavy ion cosmic rays in typical interstellar ice mixtures. The CO stretching vibration band is decomposed into six Gaussian functions (2150, 2144, 2141, 2138, 2136, and 2133 cm−1) and their integrated absorbances were measured as a function of fluence. The results show that, at the final fluence, the component 2138 cm−1 is the main component of the CO stretching vibration band. The component 2150 cm−1 disappears at the beginning of irradiation. Based on the present and previous results, a time-scale for the components in the interstellar ices is proposed. For H2O:CO ices in the interstellar medium, it is predicted that, after 1 Ma, the main components of the CO stretching vibration band are the 2138 and 2141 cm−1, due to the CO monomers and dimers, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on study of adipose transcriptome altered by supplementing zilapaterol hdyrochloride to beef stressed with heat and mentions prediction to alter stress response. Topics discussed include supplementing the beta-adrenergic agonists (βAA) ractopamine hydrochloride (RH), increased lipolytic activity by heat stress and improvement of respiration to combat hyperventilation.

The article focuses on impact of heat stress and beta-adrenergic agonists on mitochondrial and muscle gene expression in beef cattle. Topics discussed include impact of environmental temperatures on feeding of animals with mechanism to reduce metabolic heat production, exogenous activation of β-adrenoreceptors (βAR), and interaction between heat stress and βAA supplementation.

Copyright of Revista Turismo & Desenvolvimento (RT&D) / Journal of Tourism & Development is the property of Associacao de Gestao e Planeamento em Turismo da Universidade de Aveiro (AGPTUA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The increasing concentration of livestock farms results in large amounts of waste production and the need for their management. The study of anaerobic digestion (AD) technology, under mesophilic conditions, applied to pig slurry is of the upmost importance for biogas recovery and sanitised digestate, contributing to a circular economy. The assessment of the effects of a feast/famine regime on biogas and biomethane (bio-CH4) yield with different feeding frequencies was performed. The evaluation was made in regards to three scenarios: the first is based on daily feeding (FR1); in the second, the feeding occurs once every two days (FR2); and in the third, the feeding happens once every three days (FR3). The results demonstrate that the biogas and methane yield increased by 34% and 37% between FR1 and FR3. The stability inside the reactor was maintained since specific loading energetic rate values did not exceed the recommended limit (0.4 d−1). It was also possible to conclude that the AD technology was efficient to sanitise the pig slurry, with the count of Escherichia coli going from 1 × 105 colony-forming units (CFU) g−1 to less than 100 CFU g−1, meeting the legal requirements for agricultural valorisation. The total anaerobic mesophile plate counts were significantly (p < 0.1) reduced from feeding to digestate, and the plate counts of Clostridia were significantly (p < 0.05) increased, reflecting the changes in the composition of the microbiota. The increasing yield in bio-CH4 in accordance with Clostridium counts suggests this genus as a positive microbiological key indicator of the AD performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stroke can lead to varying degrees of oropharyngeal dysphagia, respiratory muscle dysfunction and even increase medical complications such as aspiration, malnutrition and death. Recent studies suggest that inspiratory and expiratory respiratory muscle training (IEMT) can improve swallowing efficacy and may reduce aspiration events. The main purpose of this study is to examine whether an 8-week IEMT programme can improve respiratory muscle strength and swallow dysfunction severity in subacute stroke patients with dysphagia.Methods: Retornus-2 is a two-arm, prospectively registered, randomized controlled study with blinded assessors and the participation of fifty individuals who have suffered a stroke. The intervention group undergoes IEMT training consisting of 5 sets of 10 repetitions, three times a day for 8 weeks. Training loads increase weekly. The control group undergoes a sham-IEMT protocol. The primary outcome examines the efficacy of the IEMT protocol to increase respiratory muscle strength and reduce dysphagia severity. The secondary outcome assesses the longitudinal impact of dysphagia on body composition and nutritional assessment over a 6-month follow-up.Discussion: IEMT induces an improvement in respiratory muscle strength and might be associated with relevant benefits in dysphagia patterns, as well as a reduction in the number of aspiration events confirmed by videofluoroscopy or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. The description of the impact of swallowing impairment on nutritional status will help develop new strategies to face this known side-effect.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03021252. Registered on 10 January 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=retornus+2&term=&cntry=ES&state=&city=&dist= WHO trial Registration data set: Due to heavy traffic generated by the COVID-19 outbreak, the ICTRP Search Portal does not respond. The portal recommends other registries such as clinicaltrials.gov. Protocol version: RETORNUS 2_ PROTOCOL_2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Ophthalmologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Compendium of Veterinary Sciences / Compendio de Ciencias Veterinarias is the property of Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias de la Universidad Nacional de Asuncion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Agro-food industries produce large amounts of bio-waste, challenging innovative valorisation strategies in the framework of circular economy principles. Anaerobic digestion technology is an interesting route to stabilise organic matter and produce biogas as a renewable energy source. This paper aimed to study the optimal performance conditions for anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD) of pig slurry with pineapple (Ananas comosus) peel bio-waste. The anaerobic digestion (AD) trials were performed at lab scale, in a continuous stirred reactor, for 16 days' hydraulic retention time in mesophilic conditions (37 ± 1 °C). Three hydraulic retention time were performed, one for the reference scenario (T0) and two for AcoD trials (T1, T2). Feeding mixtures (20:80; v:v) of pineapple peel liquor and pig slurry, with an OLR of 1.46 ± 0.04 g TVS L−1reactor day−1 were used during AD/AcoD trials, presenting high values for soluble chemical oxygen demand and C/N ratio. This operational conditions highlight bioenergy recovery up to 0.58 L CH4 g TVSadded−1, in comparison with that obtained with pig slurry substrate (0.31 L CH4 g VSadded−1). The AD performance showed a total volatile solids and chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency of 23% to 47% and 26% to 48%, comparing T0 with the average of T1 and T2, respectively. The digester stability, evaluated by specific energetic loading rate, was below the limit (0.4 day−1) throughout the trials. Pig slurry co-digestion with pineapple peel liquor seems to be a promising approach for potential bioenergy recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates how heat stress and beta-adrenergic agonists independently and interactively affect adipose tissue in ractopamine hydrochloride (RH)-supplemented lambs and zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH)-supplemented cattle. Topics discussed include adipose's lipolytic activity, fatty acid mobilization, and adipogenesis and lipolysis in sheep.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent potassium channels openers (KATP) protect skeletal muscle against function impairment through the activation of the mitochondrial KATP channels (mitoKATP). Previous reports suggest that modulators of the mitochondrial KATP channels have additional effects on isolated mitochondria. To determine whether the KATP channel opener nicorandil has non-specific effects that explain its protective effect through the mitochondrial function, chicken muscle mitochondria were isolated, and respiration rate was determined pollarographically. The activity of the electron transport chain (ETC) complexes (I–IV) was measured using a spectrophotometric method. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and lipid peroxidation were assessed using flow cytometry and thiobarbituric acid assay, respectively. Both KATP channel opener nicorandil and KATP channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) decreased mitochondrial respiration; nicorandil increased complex III activity and decreased complex IV activity. The effects of nicorandil on complex III were antagonized by 5-HD. Nicorandil increased ROS levels, effect reverted by either 5-HD or the antioxidant N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine (MPG). None of these drugs affected lipid peroxidation levels. These findings suggest that KATP channel opener nicorandil increases mitochondrial ROS production from complex III. This results by partially blocking electron flow in the complex IV, setting electron carriers in a more reduced state, which is favored by the increase in complex III activity by nicorandil. Overall, our study showed that nicorandil like other mitochondrial KATP channel openers might not act through mitoKATP channel activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Inventum. Ingenieria, Tecnologia e Investigacion is the property of Corporacion Universitaria Minuto de Dios and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The potential of Iris pseudacorus and Typha domingensis to remove the pharmaceutical active compound (PhAC) Furosemide from a nutrient solution was assessed. Both plants were exposed to 2 mg L−1 of furosemide during 21 days and the removal of furosemide was monitored. Vessels without furosemide were also implemented as control systems for plants development. Likewise, unplanted vessels with furosemide were employed to assess abiotic removal mechanisms. All vessels were covered with aluminum foil to avoid photodegradation of the compound. Both plants showed potential to remove Furosemide, attaining, at the end of the experiment, a removal of 42.0–66.9% and 40.5–57.8%, for Typha and Iris, respectively. The plants do not presented a visible negative stress response to the exposure to furosemide, having a positive growth rate at the end of the experiment. Biodegradation seems to play an important role in furosemide removal, being enhanced by the presence of the plants. The two macrophytes presented different removal behaviors, particularly in the first 48 h of contact time. FUR removal by Iris follows a pseudo-first order while by Typha is divide in different phases. These results indicate that different plants species seem to have different mechanisms to remove pollutants from water. PhACs removal potential of Iris pseudacorus and Typha domingensis was assessed. Plants were exposed to 2 mg L−1 of furosemide during 21 days. Both macrophytes showed good removal efficiencies. Biodegradation of furosemide seems to be the main removal mechanism. Plants demonstrated different removal behavior along the experiment. Removal mechanisms of plants seem to differ between species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The serum proteinograms of 10 female Holstein calves fed milk either through conventional (COV) or stepdown (STP) milk feeding methods at different ages were evaluated. Calves fed using the COV method were fed colostrum during the first 24 hours that they stayed with their respective mothers and received transition milk for another 2 days and later, and then milk at four liters/day for 59 days. Calves fed using the STP method were fed colostrum and then milk as follows: Six liters of milk/day from days six to 25 after birth, four liters of milk/day from days 26 to 45, and two liters of milk/day from days 46 to 59 after birth. Blood sampling was performed at 7, 21, 28, 42, 49 and 56 days of age. For calves fed using either of the two milk feeding methods, the serum concentration of albumin increased, while the serum concentration of β-globulin decreased with increasing calf age. Calves fed using the COV method had higher serum total protein, globulin, β-globulin, and γ-globulin concentrations, while the concentrations of A/G, α1-globulin, and α2-globulin were higher for calves in the STP group. These results are important for establishing the serum protein profile of calves, which is significantly influenced by milk feeding methods and calf age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Ortopédica Mexicana is the property of Sociedad Mexicana de Ortopedia, AC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Ciência em Extensão is the property of Revista Ciencia em Extensao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Movimento (0104754X) is the property of Movimento, da Escola de Educacao, Fisica, Fisioterapia e Danca and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rhipicephalus microplus is the ectoparasite responsible for large economic losses in cattle herds. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro action of leaf extracts of Protium spruceanum on resistant strains of this tick. Ethanolic extracts (EE) and ethyl acetate extracts (EAE) of P. spruceanum leaves were used against engorged females and larvae by biocarrapaticidogram and larval package (TPL) tests. Chromatographic analyses were performed using a gas chromatograph and showed the presence of the flavonoid catechin in both extracts and the terpenoid β-amirine only in EAE. EE and EAE were not effective in altering the mortality of engorged females; however, 92% of females treated with the extracts reduced the postures and > 90% of larval hatching was inhibited at 100 mg/ml of extracts. Acaricidal efficacies were > 80% for 100 mg/ml EE and > 90% for EAE at 50 mg/ml. In TPL tests, EE and EAE promoted larval mortality > 88% at 100 mg/ml. In this study, EAE was more effective against adult females and larvae than EE, representing an alternative agent for the integrated control of R. microplus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The response to zilpaterol hydrochloride supplementation by two breeds of beef steers under controlled heat stress conditions were evaluated for impacts on growth, carcass merit, and physiological stress indicators. In two separate studies, Brahman and Angus steers were placed in environmental chambers and housed for 21 d under 1 of 2 environmental conditions 1) heat stress (THI = 73 to 85) or thermoneutral (THI = 68). In a 2 x 2 factorial, steers also received 8.38 mg· kg-1· d-1 on 88% DM of zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) or soybean meal carrier only for the 21-d period. Feed intake, respiratory rate, and rectal temperatures were evaluated daily. Total weight gain was recorded and used to calculate average daily gain (ADG) and gain-tofeed ratio (G:F). Brahman steers were harvested at the market weight (489.31 ± 97.7 kg) and Angus steers on d ~22 after treatment (307.26 ± 6.23 kg). In both studies, body weight gain and ADG did not differ between environments or supplements. Brahman steers exposed to heat stress exhibited greater (P < 0.05) respiratory rate than thermoneutral steers, regardless of supplement. An environment x day interactions (P < 0.04) was observed for rectal temperature. On d 8, unsupplemented heatstressed Brahman steers had higher (P < 0.05) rectal temperatures than ZH-supplemented thermoneutral steers. On d 11, ZH-supplemented heat-stressed Brahman steers had higher (P < 0.05) rectal temperatures than unsupplemented thermoneutral steers. Angus steers exposed to heat stress exhibited greater (P < 0.05) respiration rates throughout the experiment than thermoneutral steers. On d 8, unsupplemented heat-stressed Angus steers exhibited greater (P < 0.05) respiration rates than ZH-supplemented heat-stressed steers. On d 8 and 19, heat-stressed Angus steers exhibited greater (P < 0.05) rectal temperatures than thermoneutral steers. Angus steers exhibited an environment x supplement x day interaction (P < 0.05) for rectal temperature, with a decrease (P < 0.05) rectal temperature in ZH-supplemented steers. Carcass merit traits did not differ between environments in Brahman steers. Cold carcass weights were lighter (P < 0.05) in heat-stressed Angus steers compared with thermoneutral steers. ZH-supplemented Angus (but not Brahman) steers exhibited decreased (P < 0.05) respiration rates and rectal temperatures. Together these findings indicate that Brahman steers were more resistant to heat stress than Angus steers but were less efficient, with ~10% less G:F. Based upon the data collected, supplementation with zilpaterol hydrochloride did not negatively impact production in either breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The revised European consensus on sarcopenia definition and diagnosis (EWGSOP2) includes the SARC-F questionnaire, the most valid and consistent sarcopenia screening tool, as the mandatory first step. Our aim was the translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the SARC-F questionnaire as a culturally-responsive Spanish-language version for the European population. Study design: Cross-sectional descriptive study, applying the two-step WHO methodology for translation and cross-cultural adaptation of health questionnaires, and harmonization with the Mexican-Spanish version. European Union Geriatric Medicine Society recommendations for SARC-F validation in European languages were considered. Participants: Outpatient clinics of a university hospital. Inclusion criteria: stable, ambulatory (including aids), community-dwelling population ≥65 years old. Main outcome measures: The self-reported 5-item SARC-F questionnaire was administered; scores ≥4 indicated sarcopenia. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy-likelihood ratios, predictive values, and kappa statistics were calculated and consecutively compared with European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) and EWGSOP2 criteria. Results: This Spanish version, administered in an average 70s, has adequate internal consistency (Cronbach alpha=0.779). For the validation study, 90 (43.3%) of 208 potentially eligible subjects (81.4 ± 5.9 years old, 75.6% women) were included. SARC-F identified 51 (56.7%) subjects with sarcopenia and 39 (43.3%) without the disease. Prevalence was 17.8% per EWGSOP and 25.6% per EWGSOP2 (58% accuracy and fair agreement: sensitivity, 783%; specificity, 50.8%). Conclusions: SARC-F is a feasible tool, suitable for bedside assessment in community-dwelling older patients. Wide diffusion of this culturally-responsible SARC-F Spanish version is expected as EWGSOP2 is adopted and sarcopenia assessment is broadly implemented in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern technologies require new materials with an increasingly varied set of properties. In this context, biomaterials such as synthetic hydroxyapatite have become of great interest for research and development in the field of materials science and engineering. In spite of its biocompatibility, hydroxyapatite suffers from low mechanical strength. Aiming to improve the mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite without affecting its biocompatibility, the formation of hydroxyapatite composites with alumina (Al2O3) as a reinforcement has been studied. In this work, hydroxyapatite was synthesized via a sol-gel method. Hydroxyapatite/alumina composites (HAp/Al2O3) were prepared in different proportions to determine the best combination to be used as a controlled release system of ampicillin. The samples obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical behavior was evaluated by diametrical compression. After characterization of the composites, the sample with the highest mechanical resistance was chosen for the incorporation and release of ampicillin. The study showed very different release profiles, indicating that the release devices prepared may be useful in clinical applications that require varying times for treatment. Hydroxyapatite successfully synthesized by the sol-gel method.Formation of hydroxyapatite composites with alumina as a reinforcement has been studied.Addition of alumina increased mechanical strength of the hydroxyapatite.A composite with the highest mechanical resistance was chosen for release of ampicillin.Release study revealed great potential of the composites for use in ampicillin delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work was to assess the enhancement of the anaerobic digestion process of sewage sludge by the addition of orange peel as co-substrate. In this experimental study, an evaluation of the co-digestion process in a semi-continuous stirred tank reactor was carried out under mesophilic conditions (37 ± 0.2 °C) during an operation time up to 315 days. All trials were performed at a hydraulic retention time of 15 days and the AD reactor was fed daily with a mixture of sewage sludge and orange peel pulp, previously prepared. The organic loading rate was kept at 1.80 ± 0.31 g VS L−1 day−1 in all trials. A reference scenario (T0), mono-digestion, was performed using sewage sludge as substrate (primary sludge and activated sludge, 40:60, v/v). Thereafter, two different anaerobic co-digestion trials were carried out, one with pre-treated orange peel (T1) and the other with reduced D-limonene content (T2). Trials with pre-treated orange peel (T1 and T2) led to two- and threefold improvements in biogas and methane yields, compared with the reference scenario (T0). Furthermore, the reduction of D-Limonene content (T2) increased the methane yield by around 70% compared with T1. Therefore, it was proved that the sieving pre-treatment is effective to avoid the inhibitory effect of D-limonene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplementation with a β- adrenergic agonist (β-AA) for 21 days in Brahman steers under heat stress conditions (HS) was evaluated with respect to feedlot performance and carcass merit. Twenty-four Brahman steers (kg = 338 ± 39) were housed in two controlled environment chambers with one of two environmental (ENV) conditions 1) heat stress (HS; THI = 73 to 85) and 2) thermoneutral (TN; THI = 68) with either Zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZL) or soymeal supplementation (CN) using a randomly assigned in a 2 x 2 factorial design (n=6/group). Daily data were collected for dry matter intake, water intake, respiratory rate (RR), and rectal temperature (RT). At the end of 21 d period, total weight gain was used to calculate average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein on days -7, 3, 10, and 21 for cortisol analysis, and biological impedance analysis (BIA) was determined on days 3, 10, and 21 on each animal. Steers were harvested at 544 kg on average post supplementation/environment conditions, and carcass merit was determined. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in feedlot performance. Brahmans exposed to heat stress had greater RR during the heat stress periods of the experiment, regardless of supplementation. Environment and day interactions (P < 0.04) were observed for RT, HS steers had a greater RT on d 8 but similar RT on d 15 and 19. Stressed steers with ZL had higher RT (P < 0.05) than TN/CN steers on d 11. There was no interaction (P > 0.05) between environmental conditions and CN and ZH supplementation for cortisol concentrations. Regardless of environmental treatment or supplementation, no difference (P > 0.05) was associated with BIA characteristics. There were no differences (P > 0.05) for hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, USDA yield grade, 12th rib loin eye area, marbling score, KPH percentage, and 12th rib fat thickness between groups. Twelfth-rib loin eye area lean color from HS/CN had higher lightness (L*) (P < 0.05) than TN/CN steers. HS/CN steers present a similar (L*) to ZL in TN and HS conditions. Redness-greenness (a*) was greater (P = 0.01) in carcasses from HS steers with or without ZL than TN/ZL but similar to TN/CN. Steers exposed to HS and CN had a higher (P = 0.02) change of 12th rib lean color from yellow to blue (b*) than TN steers with CN and ZL. Supplementation with β-AA did not negatively impact growth, carcass performance, or carcass merit in heat-stressed steers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archivos de Zootecnia is the property of Archivos de Zootecnia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Dermacentor nitens tick is commonly found in the equine auditory canal, where it causes economic losses due to its direct damage, causing blood spoliation, stress, transmission of pathogens, and predisposition to myasis and secondary bacterial infection in its hosts. In this study we evaluated the effect of ethanolic extracts of Cerrado plants on biological parameters of engorged females of D. nitens. Ethanolic extracts were prepared from the leaves of Schinopsis brasiliensis, Piptadenia viridiflora, Ximenia americana, and Serjania lethalis at 25-150 mg mL−1. Groups of 10 engorged adult females were treated with these extracts and compared with a control containing distilled water and another control with organophosphate, using five replicates for each group. Compared with the control with water, S. lethalis and X. americana extracts at 100 and 150 mg mL−1 significantly inhibited the posture ability. Differently, extracts of S. brasiliensis and P. viridiflora were the most effective in inhibiting larval hatching. Extracts of X. americana and P. viridiflora showed effective inhibition of reproductive parameters of the tick, presenting dose-dependent effect with IC90 78.86 and 78.94 mg mL−1, respectively. Theses effective extracts contained low condensed tannin levels and their HPLC chromatograms revealed the presence of flavonoids. The efficacies of P. viridiflora and X. americana extracts were higher than 90% indicating that these extracts are promising as alternative agents for D. nitens control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Boletín Geológico y Minero is the property of Instituto Tecnologico Geominero De Espana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The incidence and prevalence of fungal infections in Chile are unknown. Here, we have estimated the burden of serious fungal diseases from data obtained from clinical reports, WHO reports, Chilean census, OECD reports and comprehensive literature search available on PubMed and SciELO, among other scientific resources. Due the lack of official data about fungal diseases, frequencies were calculated based on the specific populations at risk. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (>4 episodes/year) is estimated to occur in 3108/100,000. Using a low international average rate of 5/100,000, we estimate 878 candidaemia cases and 132 patients with intra-abdominal candidiasis. Due to the low incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Chile, limited numbers of patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis are likely: a total of 1212, 25% following TB. Invasive aspergillosis is estimated to affect 296 patients following leukaemia therapy, transplantation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 1.7/100,000. In addition, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and severe asthma with fungal sensitisation (SAFS) were estimated to be around 97.9/100,000 and 127/100,000 respectively, in 675,772 adult asthmatics and 1700 CF patients. Given a 38,000 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) population, with around 2189 new cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) annually, cryptococcal meningitis and Pneumocystis pneumonia are estimated at 0.12/100,000 and 4.3/100,000, respectively. In total, 325,000 (1.9%) people in Chile develop serious fungal infections annually. Respiratory fungal disease predominates in Chile; a national action plan for fungal disease is urgently needed, including epidemiological studies to validate the estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fatigue is a phenomenon in which force reduction has been linked to impairment of several biochemical processes. In skeletal muscle, the ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K) are actively involved in myoprotection against metabolic stress. They are present in sarcolemma and mitochondria (mitoK channels). K channel openers like nicorandil has been recognized for their ability to protect skeletal muscle from ischemia-reperfusion injury, however, the effects of nicorandil on fatigue in slow skeletal muscle fibers has not been explored, being the aim of this study. Nicorandil (10 μM), improved the muscle function reversing fatigue as increased post-fatigue tension in the peak and total tension significantly with respect to the fatigued condition. However, this beneficial effect was prevented by the mitoK channel blocker 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD, 500 μM) and by the free radical scavenger N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine (MPG, 1 mM), but not by the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 μM). Nicorandil also decreased lipid peroxidation and maintained both reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and an elevated GSH/GSSG ratio, whereas total glutathione (TGSH) remained unaltered during post-fatigue tension. In addition, NO production, measured through nitrite concentrations was significantly increased with nicorandil during post-fatigue tension; this increase remained unaltered in the presence of nicorandil plus L-NAME, nonetheless, this effect was reversed with nicorandil plus MPG. Hence, these results suggest that nicorandil improves the muscle function reversing fatigue in slow skeletal muscle fibers of chicken through its effects not only as a mitoK channel opener but also as NO donor and as an antioxidant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel rehabilitation interventions have improved motor recovery by induction of neural plasticity in individuals with stroke. Of these, Music-supported therapy (MST) is based on music training designed to restore motor deficits. Music training requires multimodal processing, involving the integration and co-operation of visual, motor, auditory, affective and cognitive systems. The main objective of this study was to assess, in a group of 20 individuals suffering from chronic stroke, the motor, cognitive, emotional and neuroplastic effects of MST. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) we observed a clear restitution of both activity and connectivity among auditory-motor regions of the affected hemisphere. Importantly, no differences were observed in this functional network in a healthy control group, ruling out possible confounds such as repeated imaging testing. Moreover, this increase in activity and connectivity between auditory and motor regions was accompanied by a functional improvement of the paretic hand. The present results confirm MST as a viable intervention to improve motor function in chronic stroke individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed the study of methane yield using different proportions of primary sludge (PS) and waste activated sludge (WAS) for anaerobic digestion (AD) conversion. Three trials were carried out: T1 (60 : 40, v/v), T2 (80 : 20, v/v) and T3 (100 : 00, v/v) to estimate the best proportion in comparison with a reference scenario, T0 (40 : 60, v/v). AD was performed in mesophilic conditions with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 15 days and an organic loading rate (OLR) expressed in total volatile solids (TVS) of 1.62 ± 0.06 kgTVS m−3 day−1. Biogas production for trials T1 and T2 increased from 45 to 71% in comparison with T0. The experimental methane production along trials was used to assess the energy recovery corresponding to increases from 32 to 55%. The most suitable trial to be implemented at real-scale is T1, applying a lower PS solid retention time combined with an increase of WAS thickening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2005, a new phase for primary health care (PHC) in Portugal began, leading to the voluntary and independent creation of Family Health Units. The impact of this reform is now being witnessed, which justifies the need to evaluate its results as far as best practices in PHC are concerned. This work uses a value-based data envelopment analysis (DEA) method, which combines an additive DEA model with multi-criteria decision analysis concepts, to allow incorporating managerial preferences in the performance assessment of 12 health centres in a Portuguese region. Two models are presented for evaluating access to PHC, which resulted from discussions with a group of decision makers. This analysis helped the decision makers in the identification of best practices, sources of inefficiency and gaps relatively to the best practices, thus leading to shape opportunities for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of the oxic-settling-anaerobic (OSA)-process and the folic acid addition applied in the activated sludge process to reduce the excess sludge production. The study was monitored during two distinct periods: activated sludge system with OSAprocess, and activated sludge system with folic acid addition. The observed sludge yields (Yobs) were 0.30 and 0.08 kg TSS kg-1 chemical oxygen demand (COD), control phase and OSA-process (period 1); 0.33 and 0.18 kg TSS kg-1 COD, control phase and folic acid addition (period 2). The Yobs decreased by 73 and 45% in phases with the OSA-process and folic acid addition, respectively, compared with the control phases. The sludge minimization alternatives result in a decrease in excess sludge production, without negatively affecting the performance of the effluent treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to demonstrate the benefits of using a natural coagulant to enhance gravitational sedimentation of pig slurry. The separation process would lead to a liquid fraction, more biodegradable and with lower nutrient content, and a solid fraction highly concentrated in organic matter. Experimental trials were conducted in order to achieve the following objectives: (i) compare the effect of gravitational sedimentation with coagulation-flocculation process, (ii) compare the efficiency of conventional coagulants (such as aluminium sulphate or ferric chloride) with chitosan biopolymer and (iii) test the optimum coagulation-flocculation operational conditions to slurry sample. Assessment criteria included removal efficiencies but also took into consideration the advantages/disadvantages regarding sludge management. Results showed that gravitational sedimentation process can be improved by addition of coagulants; turbidity and COD removal increased around 2 and 3 times, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assessing the clinical effectiveness of measuring grip strength as a prognostic tool in recovering ambulation in bed-confined frail elderly patients. Methods: A prospective study was carried out with 50 elderly inpatients (mean age: 81.6 years old). Manual muscle test was used for checking strength of hip flexor muscles, hip abductor muscles and knee extensor muscles. Grip strength was assessed by hydraulic dynamometer. Walking ability was assessed by functional ambulation categories and Functional Classification of Sagunto Hospital Ambulation. Existence of cognitive impairment (Short Portable Mental Status of Pfeiffer) and comorbidity (abbreviated Charlson index) were considered to be confounding variables. Statistical analysis: Simple comparisons and mixed models of multiple ordinal regression. Results: The sample presented generalized weakness in scapular (mean 4.22) and pelvic (mean 3.82) muscle. Mean hand grip values were similar: 11.98 kg right hand; 11.70 kg left hand. The patients had lost walking ability. After treatment, there was a statistically significant for scapular waist strength (P=0.001), pelvic waist strength (P=0.005) and walking ability (P=0.001). A statistically significant relationship in the regression analysis was found between the grip (right and left hands) and walking ability post-treatment (P=0.009; odds ratio 1.14 and P=0.0014 odds ratio 1.113 for each walking scale). The confounding variables showed no statistical significance in the results. Conclusion: Grip strength is associated with walking ability in hospitalized frail elderly. Grip strength assessment by hydraulic dynamometry is useful in patients with poor collaboration. Walking ability training in frail elderly inpatients is useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]