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Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) are involved in equine embryo mobility throughout the uterus on Days 11–15 (ovulation = Day 0). On a day (Day 12) of maximal embryo mobility in pregnant mares (n = 13) and before luteolysis in nonbred mares (n = 10), gene expressions were compared between the uterine horns that did and did not contain the mobile embryo and between pregnant and nonbred mares. A cytobrush was used to collect an endometrial sample from the middle of each uterine horn. In nonbred mares, there was no difference for any of the considered gene expressions between the uterine horn ipsilateral and contralateral to the CL or for side (left vs right). For endometrial estrogen receptors, ESR1 was lower (P < 0.03) and ESR2 was greater (P < 0.04) for pregnant than nonbred mares. The mRNA abundance for PGE2 synthase (PTGES) was greater (P < 0.05) in the horn with (1.40 ± 0.10) than without (0.89 ± 0.10) the embryo and was greater (P < 0.05) in the horn with the embryo than in the combined horns of nonbred mares (1.06 ± 0.10). The hypothesis that the embryo locally upregulates PGE2 and PGF2α synthesis in the endometrium adjacent to the embryo in the pregnant group but not in the uterine horns of the nonbred group, was partially supported; only PGE2 synthase (PTGES) was locally upregulated in the endometrium adjacent to the mobile embryo. • Cytobrush was used to determine endometrial gene expression 5 mm caudal to embryo. • Mobile embryo locally upregulated the endometrial gene (PTGES) for PGE2 synthesis. • PTGES gene was differently expressed between uterine horns with and without embryo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of progesterone (P4) and a metabolite of PGF2α (PGFM) in mares were compared between the interovulatory interval (IOI; n = 8) and the corresponding days of pregnancy (n = 9). In daily blood samples, P4 increased between the day of ovulation (Day 0) and ∼Day 6 and then gradually decreased until the beginning of luteolysis in the IOI group. Before the beginning of luteolysis, there were no significant differences in P4 concentrations between the IOI and early pregnancy. In the IOI, PGFM concentration on the day before the beginning of luteolysis began to increase (P < 0.04) and reached a maximum mean (42.9 ± 11.6 pg/mL) on Day 14. In pregnancy, a novel increase in PGFM occurred from Day 12 to a maximum mean on Day 15 (16.7 ± 3.1 pg/mL). Daily PGFM concentrations were not different between the two groups until the increase just before luteolysis in the IOI. During 8-h sessions of hourly blood sampling, the mean and maximum PGFM concentrations were significantly greater in IOI than in pregnancy for each 8-h session on Days 13, 14, and 15. The minimum was not different between groups on any day. Pulses of PGFM were identified by coefficient of variation during the hourly 8-h sessions on day-sets of Days 4–7, 9–11, and 13–16. Despite the PGFM increase in daily samples between Days 12 and 15 of pregnancy, the amplitude and peaks of CV-identified pulses did not differ in the pregnant mares among the three day-sets. The pulses were similarly small for day-sets 4–7 and 9–11 in the IOI and for all day-sets in pregnancy (eg, amplitude on Days 13–16: 43.4 ± 15.6 pg/mL vs 5.4 ± 1.1 pg/mL for IOI vs pregnancy). Hypothesis 1 was not supported that daily PGFM concentrations in an IOI increase at the intersection between the end of the rapid P4 increase and the gradual P4 decrease. Hypothesis 2 was supported that pregnant mares have low amplitude PGFM pulses during the days of the high amplitude pulses at luteolysis in the IOI. • PGFM concentration increased one day before the beginning of luteolysis in the IOI. • Pregnant mares had low PGFM pulses during the days of the luteolysis in the IOI. • A slight increase in PGFM occurred in pregnancy on days of the luteolysis in the IOI. • P4 do not differ between IOI and early pregnancy before the beginning of luteolysis. • P4 and PGFM did not differ between IOI and pregnancy from Days 0–11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bovine appeasing substance (BAS) is expected to have calming effects in cattle experiencing stressful situations. Therefore, this study investigated the impacts of BAS administration during two of the most stressful events within beef production systems: weaning and feedlot entry. In experiment 1, 186 Bos indicus- influenced calves (73 heifers, 113 bulls) were weaned at 211 ± 1 days of age (day 0). At weaning, calves were ranked by sex and BW, and assigned to receive BAS (Nutricorp, Araras, SP, Brazil; n = 94) or water (CON ; n = 92). Treatments (5 ml) were topically applied to the nuchal skin area of each animal. Calf BW was recorded and samples of blood and tail-switch hair were collected on days 0, 15 and 45. Calves that received BAS had greater (P < 0.01) BW gain from day 0 to 15 compared with CON. Overall BW gain (days 0 to 45) and BW on days 15 and 45 were also greater (P ≤ 0.03) in BAS v. CON. Plasma haptoglobin concentration was less (P < 0.01) in BAS v. CON on day 15, whereas cortisol concentrations in plasma and tail-switch hair did not differ between treatments (P ≥ 0.13). In experiment 2, 140 B. indicus- influenced bulls (∼27 months of age) from 2 different pasture-based systems (70 bulls/origin) were transported to a commercial feedlot (≤ 200-km transport; day -1). On day 0, bulls were ranked by source and BW, and assigned to receive BAS (n = 70) or CON (n = 70) and the same sampling procedures as in experiment 1. Bulls receiving BAS had greater (P = 0.04) BW gain from day 0 to 15, but less (P < 0.01) BW gain from day 15 to 45 compared to CON. No other treatment effects were detected (P > 0.14). Therefore, BAS administration to beef calves alleviated the haptoglobin response associated with weaning, and improved calf growth during the subsequent 45 days. Administration of BAS to beef bulls at feedlot entry improved BW gain during the initial 15 days, but these benefits were not sustained throughout the 45-day experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted with the aim of determining the effect of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) administration on day 14 after insemination on ovarian response and pregnancy establishment in postpartum anestrous beef cows. In both experiments, cows were subjected to a progesterone- and estradiol-based treatment for fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) and were randomly allocated into 4 groups to receive or not receive eCG (400 IU) at the time of device removal and/or at 14 d after FTAI. In experiment 1, from day 14 to 22, daily ultrasonographic determinations were performed to monitor ovarian dynamics, and blood was collected to determine hormone concentrations in 60 cows. In experiment 2, confirmation of pregnancy was performed at 30 and 60 d after FTAI in 1,060 anestrous cows assigned to the same experimental design. Cows that received eCG on day 14 after FTAI showed increases in corpus luteum area ( P < 0.01), follicle diameter ( P < 0.05), serum progesterone concentrations ( P < 0.01), and estradiol-17β concentrations ( P < 0.01), compared with cows that did not receive eCG on day 14. Pregnancy rate on day 30 was greater in those cows that received both eCG treatments (ie, at device removal and 14 d after insemination) than in those that did not receive eCG treatment ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, eCG administered on day 14 after FTAI increases serum progesterone concentrations during the critical period of pregnancy in anestrous cows, and this second eCG treatment seems to have a positive effect on achieving pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study expands existing scholarship on the relationship between parental educational similarity and infant health using rich administrative data from Chile covering births that occurred between 1990 and 2015. We test the relationship between parental educational similarity (homogamy) or dissimilarity (heterogamy) and two measures of infant health, namely low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (PB). We show that parental educational homogamy is associated with a reduced probability of low birth weight and preterm birth – particularly at the high end of the educational distribution – and the observed association is only partly driven by selection into homogamous couples, as demonstrated by complementary quasi-experimental analyses conducted on a subsample of matched step-siblings from same mothers but different fathers. We further show that couples where women outrank men in educational attainment (hypogamy) exhibit worse birth outcomes relative to their homogamous and hypergamous counterparts. Municipality-level analyses merging external information on female labor force participation (FLFP) prior to childbirth reveal that the association between hypogamy and children's outcomes is increasingly negative as FLFP increases, highlighting a strong work-life balance tension for educated women who are actively engaged in the labor force. Insights from this study contribute to a better understanding of the inequality debate surrounding the intergenerational transmission of advantage and disadvantage – a topical issue in a country that has recently joined the rank of the world's wealthiest nations yet maintains extreme levels of socioeconomic inequality. • Chile maintains extreme levels of socio-economic inequality and worsening infant health overtime. • We explore if the educational composition of couples bears any relationship with infant health using rich birth records. • We leverage quasi-experimental methods to assuage endogeneity concerns related to selection into specific couple types. • Couples where men and women hold the same level of education exhibit better infant health than other couples. • However, couples where women outrank men in educational attainment exhibit worse birth outcomes relative to all other couples. • The latter finding is exacerbated in contexts characterized by higher female labor force participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of velamentous cord insertion (VCI) in dichorionic (DC) and monochorionic (MC) twins with and without twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), and to study the associated outcomes.Methods: We recorded the type of umbilical cord insertion in all consecutive DC and MC placentas examined in two European tertiary medical centers. The association between VCI and perinatal outcomes was estimated and compared.Results: A total of 1498 twin placentas were included in this study (DC placentas n = 550, MC placentas without TTTS n = 513 and MC placentas with TTTS n = 435). The prevalence of VCI in DC, MC without TTTS and MC with TTTS groups was 7.6%, 34.7% and 36.1%, respectively (P < 0.001). In MC twins (non-TTTS and TTTS groups), VCI was associated with severe birth weight discordance (odds ratio [OR] 4.76 95% CI 2.43, 10.47 and OR 4.52 95% CI 1.30, 28.59, respectively). In MC twins without TTTS, VCI was associated with small for gestational age (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.12, 2.50). VCI was significantly associated with increased risk of intrauterine fetal demise in MC twins, and this effect was greater in the non-TTTS group (OR 2.71 95% CI 1.38, 5.47). These associations did not occur in DC group. Gestational age at birth was lower in the presence of VCI in the DC and MC twins without TTTS.Conclusion: Our findings confirm that the prevalence of VCI is higher in MC twins than in DC twin pregnancies. VCI is an important indicator of adverse perinatal outcome, particularly in MC twins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PM 2.5 samples were collected at two urban sites (Parque Morelos (PQM) and CECyTE (CEC)) in Tijuana during the Cal-Mex campaign from May 24 to June 5, 2010. Concentration of trace elements (Mg, Al, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, La, Ce, and Pb), and Pb isotopic composition were determined in order to study the sources of PM impacting each site. Other chemical analysis (gravimetric, elemental and organic carbon (EC/OC), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)), were also performed. Finally, back-trajectories were calculated to facilitate the interpretation of the chemical data. Trace elements results show that CEC is a receptor site affected by mixed regional sources: sea salt, mineral, urban, and industrial. On the other hand, PQM seems to be impacted mainly by local sources. In particular, Pb at CEC is of anthropogenic, as well as crustal origin. This conclusion is supported by the lead isotopic composition, whose values are consistent with a combination of lead extracted from US mines, and lead from bedrocks in the Mexican Sierras. Some of the time variability observed can be explained using the back-trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphology, microstructure and chemical composition of soot particles emitted directly from biofuel cook stoves have been studied by using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques. Freshly emitted soot particles were collected using an eight stage cascade impactor that separates particles according to their size. The particulate matter is impacted on thin aluminum foil and copper grids for Transmission Electron Microscope. The analysis of HRTEM micrographs revealed the nanostructure and the particle size of soot chain. Results from the border-based fractal dimension indicated that main morphological differences observed in soot particles perhaps are associated to cook-stove chamber design. XPS analysis shows that particles are mainly composed by carbon and oxygen. The XPS C-1s spectra show carbon with three peaks corresponding to sp 2 , sp 3 hybridization and carbon oxygen bond. Additionally, we determined the areal density (atoms/cm 2 ) of the soot films and the purity of the substrates by means of IBA techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five mares that developed idiopathic persistent corpus luteum (PCL) were compared with 5 mares with apparently normal interovulatory intervals (IOIs). Progesterone (P4) and a metabolite of prostaglandin F2α (PGFM) were assayed daily beginning on the day of ovulation (Day 0). Transition between the end of an initial progressive P4 increase and the beginning of a gradual decrease in P4 occurred on mean Day 6. The gradual decrease in P4 between Days 6 and 12 was less (approached significance, P < 0.06) in the PCL group than in the IOI group. The P4 concentration on Day 12 (before luteolysis in IOI group) was greater ( P < 0.05) in the PCL group than in the IOI group. In a post hoc comparison, an interaction ( P < 0.04) of group by day for Days 4 to 7 indicated that the end of the progressive increase in P4 was temporally associated with a transient increase in concentration of PGFM in IOI mares but not in PCL mares. Complete luteolysis (P4 < 1 ng/mL) occurred in the IOI mares on Days 13 to 15. Partial luteolysis (mean P4 decrease, 62%) occurred in 3 of the 5 PCL mares. Normalization to the day at the end of the most pronounced P4 decrease in the IOI mares and in the 3 PCL mares with partial luteolysis resulted in a day-by-group interaction ( P < 0.05) for PGFM concentration. The interaction was partly from lower PGFM concentration on the day at the end of the pronounced P4 decrease in the 3 PCL mares than in the IOI mares. The peak of a transient PGFM increase and the day at the end of the most pronounced decrease in P4 were synchronized in each IOI mare but not in any of the 3 PCL mares. In the other 2 PCL mares, partial luteolysis did not occur, and a transient increase in PGFM was not apparent. Results tentatively indicated that the relationship between P4 and PGFM may be altered as early as Day 6 in PCL mares and supported the hypothesis that prostaglandin F2α secretion is defective in mares with idiopathic PCL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was performed on the effect of a single dose per mare of 0 (n = 9), 100 (n = 8), or 300 (n = 9) of GnRH on Day 10 (Day 0 = ovulation) on concentrations of LH, FSH, and progesterone (P4) and blood flow to the CL ovary. Hormone concentration and blood flow measurements were performed at hours 0 (hour of treatment), 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Blood flow was assessed by spectral Doppler ultrasonography for resistance to blood flow in an ovarian artery before entry into the CL ovary. The percentage of the CL with color Doppler signals of blood flow was estimated from videotapes of real-time color Doppler imaging by an operator who was unaware of mare identity, hour, or treatment dose. Concentrations of LH and FSH increased (P < 0.05) at hour 0.25 and decreased (P < 0.05) over hours 1 to 6; P4 concentration was not altered by treatment. Blood flow resistance decreased between hours 0 and 1, but the decrease was greater (P < 0.05) for the 100-μg dose than for the 300-μg dose. The percentage of CL with blood flow signals increased (P < 0.05) between hours 0 and 1 with no significant difference between the 100- and 300-μg doses. The results supported the hypothesis that GnRH increases LH concentration, vascular perfusion of the CL ovary, and CL blood flow during the luteal phase; however, P4 concentration was not affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing the quality of beef meat is an important goal in terms of improving both the nutritional value for the consumer and the commercial value for producers. The aim of this work was to study the effects of different vegetable oil supplements on growth performance, carcass quality and meat quality in beef steers reared under intensive conditions. A total of 240 Blonde D’ Aquitaine steers (average BW=293.7±38.88 kg) were grouped into 24 batches (10 steers/batch) and were randomly assigned to one of the three dietary treatments (eight batches per treatment), each supplemented with either 4% hydrogenated palm oil (PALM) or fatty acids (FAs) from olive oil (OLI) or soybean oil (SOY). No differences in growth performance or carcass quality were observed. For the meat quality analysis, a steer was randomly selected from each batch and the 6th rib on the left half of the carcass was dissected. PALM meat had the highest percentage of 16:0 (P<0.05) and the lowest n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) ratio (P<0.05), OLI had the highest content of t11-18:1 (P<0.01) and c9,t11-18:2 (P<0.05) and SOY showed the lowest value of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (P<0.001), the highest percentage of PUFA (P<0.01) and a lower index of atherogenicity (P=0.07) than PALM. No significant differences in the sensory characteristics of the meat were noted. However, the results of the principal component analysis of meat characteristics enabled meat from those steers that consumed fatty acids from olive oil to be differentiated from that of steers that consumed soybean oil. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A procedure for oxytocin (OT) administration on Day 13 postovulation was developed in mares for stimulation of a pulse of PGFM (a PGF2α metabolite) that mimics a natural PGFM pulse during luteolysis. Bolus treatment with each of five OT doses (1–10 IU/mare, n = 3) stimulated a burst of PGFM that was maximum in 4 minutes and was unlike a natural pulse. A 2-hour OT infusion of 1.25, 2.5, or 5 IU/100 kg (n = 4) induced a PGFM pulse similar to reported pulses; lower doses did not. The peak of an induced pulse (approximately 260–380 pg/mL) seemed similar to reported natural peaks (approximately 200–300 pg/mL), using the same assay system. The interval from nadir to nadir was 6.6 ± 0.2 hours. Percentage decrease in progesterone (P4) within 8 hours was greater (P < 0.05) for doses of 1.25, 2.5, or 5 IU/100 kg (43%–50%) than that for a vehicle group (11%). Treatment with flunixin meglumine (1.0 mg/kg), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, decreased (P < 0.008) P4 concentration, but treatment 2 hours before the beginning of OT infusion (2.5 IU/100 kg) did not prevent the OT-induced PGFM pulses and the decrease in P4. In conclusion, a PGFM pulse was simulated by infusion of OT during 2 hours but not by a single OT bolus, and an OT-simulated PGFM pulse stimulated a decrease in P4 that was not prevented by a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. These are the first firm demonstrations that OT in mares as in other species has a role in luteolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Results from the first study of the regional air quality in Morelos state (located south of Mexico City) are presented. Criteria pollutants concentrations were measured at several sites within Morelos in February and March of 2007 and 2009; meteorological data was also collected along the state for the same time periods; additionally, a coupled meteorology–chemistry model (Mesoscale Climate Chemistry Model, MCCM) was used to gain understanding on the atmospheric processes occurring in the region. In general, concentrations of almost all the monitored pollutants (O3, NOx, CO, SO2, PM) remained below the Mexican air quality standards during the campaign; however, relatively high concentrations of ozone (8-hour average concentrations above the 60ppb level several times during the campaigns, i.e. exceeding the World Health Organization and the European Union maximum levels) were observed even at sites with very low reported local emissions. In fact, there is evidence that a large percentage of Morelos vegetation was probably exposed to unhealthy ozone levels (estimated AOT40 levels above the 3ppmh critical limit). The MCCM qualitatively reproduced ozone daily variations in the sites with an urban component; though it consistently overestimated the ozone concentration in all the sites in Morelos. This is probably because the lack of an updated and detailed emission inventory for the state. The main wind patterns in the region corresponded to the mountain–valley system (downslope flows at night and during the first hours of the day, and upslope flows in the afternoon). At times, Morelos was affected by emissions from surrounding states (Distrito Federal or Puebla). The results are indicative of an efficient transport of ozone and its precursors at a regional level. They also suggest that the state is divided in two atmospheric basins by the Sierras de Tepoztlán, Texcal and Monte Negro. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two experiments were carried out to study the effects of supplementing the ration of lactating ewes with vegetable fats (sunflower oil, SO or hydrogenated palm oil, HPO; HIDROPALM®) on diet digestibility, milk yield and milk composition, and on the concentration of the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) C18:2 cis-9 trans-11 and C18:1 trans-11 (vaccenic acid, VA) and other main fatty acids in milk fat. Treatments involved a control diet, without added oil, and 2 diets supplemented with either 12g/kg SO or 12g/kg HPO on a dry matter (DM) basis. In the first experiment, 6 non-pregnant, non-lactating Lacaune ewes were used following a 3×3 replicated Latin Square design. Addition of vegetable fat supplement to the diet increased digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP), but did not affect that of the ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) or acid detergent fibre (ADF). In the second experiment, 60 Lacaune dairy ewes mid-way through lactation (120±12days in milk, 0.98±0.03kg/day average milk yield) were divided into three equal-sized groups each of which was assigned to one of the three experimental diets for 4 weeks. Compared with the control treatment, supplementation with HPO increased milk yield and energy-corrected milk. But neither vegetable fat supplement modified percentages of fat and protein in milk. Supplementation with HPO increased C14:1, C16:1 and C16:0 content and reduced C18:0 and C18:1 cis-9 content in milk fat. Supplementation with SO increased the VA content in milk fat by 36% and that of cis-9 trans-11 CLA by 29% in comparison with the control diet. Supplementation with HPO led to milk fat with 15% more cis-9 trans-11 CLA than control milk. In conclusion, adding a moderate dose of HPO or SO to the diets increased CLA concentration in milk fat. Nevertheless, supplementation with SO was more effective than HPO in increasing CLA concentration in milk fat and reducing the atherogenicity index, improving milk quality from the human health standpoint. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects on digestibility, performance and chemical body composition of inclusion of palm oil (PO, VETALGRAS®) or calcium soaps of palm oil fatty acids (CaF, MAGNAPAC®), at two levels, in diets of growing lambs were determined. Experimental diets consisted of barley straw and one of five concentrate supplements: control (C, no fat added), low level of PO (LPO, 25gPO/kg), low level of CaF (LCaF, 31gCaF/kg), high level of PO (HPO, 41gPO/kg) and high level of CaF (HCaF, 50gCaF/kg). Concentrations of supplemental fatty acids in the diets were 25 and 41g/kg for the two supplementation levels. Concentrates with added fat were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic and the five supplements had the same energy:protein ratio. The experiment was completed with 30 male Ojalada lambs (6 lambs per treatment) from weaning (initial live weight 14.1±0.5kg) until 25kg live weight. Inclusion of fat decreased digestibility of acid detergent fibre (0.525 versus 0.438, P<0.05) and increased ether extract digestibility (0.645 versus 0.770, P<0.05). Ether extract (EE) digestibility increased (LPO and LCaF versus HPO and HCaF, P<0.05) when the level of added fat increased (0.727 versus 0.814). There was a significant effect of interaction (P<0.05) between the level and type of fat on the organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility of the diets. Diets HPO presented lower digestibility values (LPO versus HPO, P<0.05) than LPO with regard to OM (0.844 versus 0.819) and NDF (0.503 versus 0.435). Nevertheless, this effect was not observed when fat was added in the form of calcium soaps (LCaF versus HCaF, P>0.05). At the low level of fat inclusion, OM digestibility was greater when fat was in the form of PO than when it was as CaF (0.844 in LPO versus 0.823 in LCaF, P<0.05). At the high level of fat inclusion, NDF digestibility was greater when fat was included in the form of CaF rather than PO (0.435 in LPO versus 0.500 in HCaF, P<0.05). Average daily gain (ADG) and days to 25kg were not affected by the treatments. The feed conversion ratio (FCR, gDMI/gdailygain) was lower (C versus LPO, LCaF, HPO and HCaF, P<0.05) when fat was added to the diets than control animals (3.21 versus 2.86). The treatments studied produced no differences in carcass yield. Statistically significant differences in chemical composition and energy content of carcass and non-carcass components were not observed. Inclusion of up to 41g of fat from palm oil or calcium soaps of palm oil fatty acids per kilogram of the concentrate of growing lambs improves EE digestibility and the feed conversion ratio without affecting carcass yield and body chemical composition. Inclusion of palm oil fatty acids as calcium soaps avoided the negative effects on fibre digestibility observed when 41gPO/kg were added to the diet. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Continuous atmospheric measurements were carried out at the Pico de Orizaba National Park (PONP), Mexico, in order to evaluate the characteristics and sources of air quality. This action allowed one to identify specific threats for the effective protection of natural resources and biodiversity. Results show the presence of particles and polluted gases transported by winds from the urban zones nearby (cities of Mexico, Puebla and Tlaxcala), as well as their measurable influence on the optical properties of the park environment. Nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide show a daily pattern suggesting an influence of pollution generated by anthropogenic processes. Average concentration of SO2 was higher than recorded at the southern part of Mexico City. Ozone concentrations ranging from 0.035 to 0.06ppm suggest residual or background ozone character. Back trajectory analysis of air parcels arriving at the site confirm pollution caused by biomass burning and mass transport from urban zones. The SO4 2−/TC ratio exhibited values (0.88±0.33) similar to urban areas. Ratios BC/TC and OC/BC for PONP are similar to those reported as influenced by burning emissions of fossil fuels. Typical rural aerosols were also found at the site, and sulfate and ammonium concentrations were correlated. The most predominating mode in surface particles size distribution was at 0.32μm with no significant presence of coarse particles. Total carbon (OC+BC) content of fine particle mass (PM less than 1μm) comprised, on average, 75%. Optical properties retrieved from photometric data show intermittent influence from urban pollution. Time periods with low absorbing particles, great visibility and abundance of small particles alternating with short times with bigger particles and high turbidity indicated by the optical depth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Thirty 45-day-old male Ojalada lambs were used to investigate the effect of palm oil (as such or in the form of calcium soap) on carcass characteristics and fat composition. Dietary palm oil did not significantly affect dorsal fat thickness, carcass fatness or carcass conformation. The palm oil supplement did not affect C16:0 levels in intramuscular and subcutaneous fat, but did increase the percentage of C16:0 and reduce PUFA and MUFA content in internal fat depots. Supplementation with palm oil in the form of calcium soap did not cause significant differences in the composition of intramuscular fat. Subcutaneous and perirenal fat of lambs fed treatments including palm oil as such contained higher levels of some saturated fatty acids than that of those fed fat in the form of calcium soap. Mesenteric fat of lambs that received calcium soap had less % C18:1 and more % C18:3 than that of those given palm oil. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. The initial ovulatory response during synchronization programs is often low in dairy heifers, largely due to follicular dynamics and hormonal dynamics. Specifically, the progesterone (P4) concentration at the time of the first GnRH treatment in a breeding program can influence the LH response, often resulting in a suboptimal ovulatory response. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the highest label dose 200 μg (100 μg vs. 200 μg) of GnRH (50 μg of gonadorelin hydrochloride per mL; Factrel, Zoetis Inc. Madison, NJ) at the first GnRH of a 6-d CO-Synch plus P4 device program on ovulatory response and pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in first service in Holstein heifers. A total of 1,308 Holstein heifers were randomly allocated at the beginning of a 6-d CO-Synch program at day 0 to receive either i.m. treatment of 100 μg (2CC, n = 655) or 200 μg (4CC, n = 653) of GnRH. Also, at d 0, heifers received an intravaginal insert with 1.38 g of P4 (Eazi-Breed CIDR Cattle Insert, Zoetis Inc.). On day 6, the insert was removed, and i.m. treatment of 25 mg of PGF 2α (12.5 mg of dinoprost tromethamine/mL; Lutalyse HighCon Injection, Zoetis Inc.) was administered. On d 7, a second i.m. treatment of 25 mg of PGF 2α was given, followed on d 9 by concurrent i.m. treatment of 100 μg of GnRH, and timed AI. A subset of 396 heifers had their ovaries scanned to evaluate ovulatory response, and blood samples were collected to measure the serum concentration of P4 at d 0 and d 6 of the study. The P4 concentrations at d 0 were categorized as low (≤3 ng/mL) or high (>3 ng/mL). The ovulatory response was greater for heifers receiving 4CC than 2CC at d 0 (54.7% vs. 42.8%). The ovulatory response was greater for low P4 than high P4 at d 0 (54.3% vs. 37.8%). However, we did not observe an interaction between treatment and P4 concentrations (low P4 2CC = 48.6% vs. high P4 2CC = 30.0%; low P4 4CC = 60.0% vs. high P4 4CC = 45.5%). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that P4 concentrations at d 0 treatment could predict the ovulatory response, although the area under the curve was only 0.6. As expected, heifers that ovulated had increased P/AI (no = 55.6% vs. yes = 67.7%); however, we found no effect of treatment on P/AI (2CC = 63.3% vs. 4CC = 59.6%), and no interactions between treatment and ovulation and treatment and P4 (high vs. low) for pregnancy outcomes. In summary, P4 concentration and increasing the dose of GnRH at d 0 positively affected ovulatory response in Holstein heifers. However, there was no interaction between treatment and P4 on ovulation and no subsequent impact of GnRH dose on P/AI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Introduction The aim of the study was to analyze the acute effect of beetroot juice supplementation in untrained women 30 minutes before a 3-km running performance. Summary of facts and results Eight untrained woman (30.1 ± 5.7 years old) performed two 3-km running performances on an official track, supplemented with beetroot juice (S) (500 mL, 8.4 mmol/NO 3 − ) ingested 30 minutes before performance and without supplementation (C), in a randomized order. Pre- and post-running, glycemic index (Glyc post and Glyc pre ) was analyzed and the blood lactate concentration was measured to determine the lactate peak (La peak ). The maximal rating of perceived exertion (RPE max ), maximal heart rate (HR max ) and time performance were monitored at each trial. The RPE max was significantly high for the condition S in relation to C (19.3 ± 1.2 vs 18.3 ± 1.7, P = 0.039) whereas, Glyc post was statistically higher in condition C compared to that in condition S (89.4 ± 17.4 vs 80.6 ± 17.4 mg·dL −1 , P = 0.036). In addition, the supplementation showed altered test pacing strategy. No statistical differences were found for 3-km running performance; HR max , La peak and Glyc pre . Conclusion The analysis concluded that untrained women supplemented with 500 mL of beetroot juice 30 minutes before a 3-km running performance presented a modified RPE and Glyc post , with no significant differences in HR max , La peak and Glyc pre . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polypyrrole (PPy) was synthesized by enzyme mediated oxidation of pyrrole using naturally occurring compounds as redox mediators. The catalytic mechanism is an enzymatic cascade reaction in which hydrogen peroxide is the oxidizer and soybean peroxidase, in the presence of acetosyringone, syringaldehyde or vanillin, acts as a natural catalysts. The effect of the initial reaction composition on the polymerization yield and electrical conductivity of PPy was analyzed. Morphology of the PPy particles was studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy whereas the chemical structure was studied by X-ray photoelectron and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopic techniques. The redox mediators increased the polymerization yield without a significant modification of the electronic structure of PPy. The highest conductivity of PPy was reached when chondroitin sulfate was used simultaneously as dopant and template during pyrrole polymerization. Electroactive properties of PPy obtained from natural precursors were successfully used in the amperometric quantification of uric acid concentrations. PPy increases the amperometric sensitivity of carbon nanotube screen-printed electrodes toward uric acid detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In experiment 1, daily blood samples were available from Days 0 to 20 (Day 0 = ovulation) in mares with an interovulatory interval (IOI, n = 5) and in mares that developed idiopathic persistent corpus luteum (PCL, n = 5). The PCL was confirmed by maintenance of progesterone (P4) concentration until end of the experiment (Day 20). Significant interactions of group and day revealed the novel findings that luteinizing hormone (LH) was lower ( P < 0.05) in the PCL group than that in the IOI group on Days 0 to 4, and prolactin was lower ( P < 0.05) on Days 1, 4, 6, and 7. In experiment 2, treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (n = 6) significantly reduced LH on Days 1 to 6 compared with the controls (n = 6) but did not support the hypothesis that low LH during the postovulatory period increases the frequency of PCL. In experiment 3, P4, PGFM (a PGF2α metabolite), and prolactin concentrations on Days 12 to 20 from 2 reported experiments were combined to increase the number of mares with an IOI (n = 11) or a PCL (n = 11). An abrupt and complete decrease in P4 (luteolysis) began on Day 13 in the IOI group compared with a gradual and partial P4 decline after Day 12 in the PCL group. Concentrations of PGFM and prolactin were lower ( P < 0.05) in the PCL group than those in the IOI group on the day at the end of the most pronounced decrease in P4. The PCL mares were subgrouped into those with an abrupt but incomplete P4 decrease (partial luteolysis; n = 5) at the expected time and those without partial luteolysis (n = 6). There were no significant differences between the 2 subgroups in concentrations of PGFM and prolactin, but on a tentative basis ( P < 0.10), the concentration of PGFM seemed more focused on the day of the most pronounced decrease in P4 in the subgroup with partial luteolysis. Results for PCL compared with IOI indicated (1) postovulatory LH and prolactin were lower, (2) treatment to reduce postovulatory LH did not increase the incidence, and (3) both PGFM and prolactin were lower on the day of the most pronounced decrease in P4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Twenty-seven lambs were used to investigate the effects of the inclusion of 4% hydrogenated palm oil (HPO) or sunflower oil (SFO) in the concentrate on animal performance, carcass and meat quality and fat characteristics and fatty acid composition. Animals (16.2±0.27kg initial weight) were fed concentrate (Control, HPO or SFO) and barley straw ad libitum and slaughtered at 25kg. SFO lambs tended to eat less concentrate than HPO animals (P <0.10). Neither HPO nor SFO affected any of the carcass characteristics studied, meat pH and meat and fat colour (P >0.05). SFO decreased proportions of C16:0, C18:1 cis-11 and C18:3 (P <0.05) and increased C18:1 trans (P <0.001) and C18:2/C18:3 ratio (P <0.05). Atherogenicity index was lower (P <0.05) when SFO was included in the concentrate. HPO did not affected and SFO improved fatty acid composition of fattening lambs without affecting animal performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]