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A proper planting system and efficient management are needed to cultivate forage effectively. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate forage production and nutrient content of different elephant grass varieties grown with Indigofera in the intercropping system and were harvested at different intervals of defoliation. The research was conducted in the dry and rainy seasons using a randomized block design with 3 factors (2x2x2) and 4 replications. The first factor was two different elephant grass varieties consisting of cv. Pakchong and Taiwan, the second factor was the planting pattern, including intercropping and monoculture, while the third factor was harvesting age, comprising 50 days and 60 days. The results showed an interaction effect between grass varieties, planting patterns, and harvesting ages. Intercropping the Pakchong varieties with Indigofera and harvesting at 60 days produced the highest forage fresh weight and DM production, ADF as well as NDF contents and yields, CP yield, and the highest carrying capacity (p<0.05) according to DM intake. When harvested at 50 days, Indigofera increased the protein content of forage, but this effect did not occur when it was harvested at 60 days. Furthermore, nutrient yields were not affected by interactions of three factors in the rainy season (p>0.05), but in the dry season, the highest ash and CP yields were produced by the Pakchong variety intercropped with Indigofera and harvesting at 60 days. The highest ADF and NDF yields were obtained from the Taiwan varieties grown in monoculture and harvested at 60 days. Based on the results, it was concluded that the two varieties of elephant grass could be cultivated with Indigofera in the intercropping system and harvesting time of 60 days will produce the highest nutrient yield and carrying capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment with indigo naturalis in patients with recalcitrant plaque-type psoriasis., Design: Randomized, observer-blind, vehicle-controlled, intrapatient comparison study., Setting: Ambulatory department of a hospital., Participants: Forty-two outpatients with chronic plaque psoriasis were enrolled in the study from May 1, 2004, to April 30, 2005., Intervention: The patients applied either indigo naturalis ointment or vehicle ointment topically to each of 2 bilaterally symmetrical psoriatic plaque lesions for 12 weeks (depending on the date of enrollment in the study)., Main Outcome Measures: The outcomes were assessed using the following criteria: the sum of erythema, scaling, and induration scores and the clearing percentage of the target plaque lesion assessed by 2 blinded observers., Results: Significant reductions in the sum of scaling, erythema, and induration scores (P < .001) (mean score, 6.3 after indigo naturalis treatment vs 12.8 in control subjects) and plaque area percentage (P < .001) (mean percentage, 38.5% after indigo naturalis treatment vs 90% in controls) were achieved with topical application of indigo naturalis ointment. Approximately 31 of 42 patients (74%) experienced clearance or near clearance of their psoriasis in the indigo ointment-treated lesion., Conclusion: Topical indigo naturalis ointment was a novel, safe, and effective therapy for plaque-type psoriasis.