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Surface temperature can be used as a tool for calculating sensible heat transfer. However, it needs to be associated with air temperature to identify the direction of heat flow (gain or loss). This study quantified sensible heat transfer in Japanese quail as a function of operative temperature. The meteorological variables were air temperature, relative humidity, and black globe temperature. Quail surface temperature was measured on 50 adult Coturnix coturnix japonica individuals 270 days old during 8 days by using a thermographic camera. The data were analyzed by the least-squares method to assess the effects of sex (male and female), period of the day (morning and afternoon), and body region (head, body, and feet). Quail surface temperature was strongly correlated with operative temperature. The total sensible heat flow was 64.02 W m−2. The morning period had a mean operative temperature of 22.48 °C, providing a higher gradient between air and quail temperature and thereby producing a higher heat flow (82.19 W m−2). In the afternoon, the heat transfer was lower (45.70 W m−2) because the operative temperature was higher (30.84 °C). Comparison between sexes showed that heat transfer was higher in females (67.37 W m−2) than in males (60.53 W m−2). The head served as an important thermal window, with a heat transfer of 78.24 W m−2, whereas the body and feet had a transfer of 56.80 W m−2. Heat transfer by sensible mechanisms was quantified in Japanese quail. Heat transfer depended greatly on ambient temperature. When the operative temperature was below 28 °C, sensible mechanisms were efficient in dissipating heat to the environment. When the ambient temperature exceeded 29 °C, quail could not effectively dissipate heat to the environment through sensible mechanisms. At 30 °C and above, heat loss shifted to heat gain, causing thermal stress in Japanese quail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this research was to investigate the wool properties of Malya sheep raised in Central Anatolia of Turkiye. In the investigation, a total of 90 head wool samples were collected, including 30 heads from the same herd’s adults (2.5 years and older), yearlings (1–1,5 years), and lambs (4–6 months). Fleece samples were collected from the shoulder, rib and rump areas of animals of all age groups. In these examples, the properties of length, fineness, elasticity and tenacity were determined. At the end of the study, the average greasy fleece weight was 2.2 ± 0.09 kg, the diameter was 25.7 ± 0.35 μ in lambs, 25.3 ± 0.27 μ in yearling, 26.7 ± 0.26 μ in adults; the average fleece length was 38.8 ± 1.05 mm in lambs, 70.1 ± 1.46 mm in yearlings, 62.3 ± 1.29 mm in adults. As a result, it was determined that the fleece of Malya sheep almost had the desired quality and characteristics in the textile industry. Therefore, scientific studies should be conducted to improve the properties of fleece. It would be appropriate to take permanent steps in cooperation with Public Institutions and Civil Society Organizations to produce, collect and process wool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis in different body regions displays varying therapeutic responses to biologics, whereas currently relevant studies remain scarce. We retrospectively reviewed the treatment responses of patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis, who completed the two‐year reimbursed ustekinumab or secukinumab treatment in two medical centers in Southern Taiwan. Demographic profiles and body regional PASI scores (head/neck, trunk, upper and lower limbs) along the treatment course were recorded. The proportions of patients attaining PASI 75, 90, 100 and the extent of body regional PASI score improvements were compared in biologic naïve or experienced patients. A total of 57 and 67 patients receiving ustekinumab and secukinumab injections, respectively, were included. Overall, patients receiving secukinumab showed higher degrees of PASI score improvements along the two‐year treatment course. The lower limbs had the highest, and the upper extremities and head/neck had the lowest post‐treatment PASI scores regardless of prior biologic use in the groups of ustekinumab and secukinumab. The upper limbs showed the highest, while the lower limbs had the lowest complete remission rate (regional specific PASI 100) in response to ustekinumab (upper limbs 48.7%, lower limbs 25.6%) and secukinumab (upper limbs 77.1%, lower limbs 42.8%) in biologic naïve groups. Our study demonstrated that lower limbs were the most treatment‐refractory area in response to ustekinumab and secukinumab injections, while the upper limbs and head/neck region had a better response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of this study was to comparatively investigate the wool characteristics of Central Anatolian Merino, Karacabey Merino and Ramlıç sheep, which are common crossbred sheep breeds in Turkey. A total of 360 wool samples were equally collected from the shoulder, rib, and rump of each lamb (3-6 months-age), yearlings (1-1.5-year age), primiparous ewes (2-2.5-year age) and multiparous ewes (3-3.5-year age) were used for analysis. Each sample was analyzed to determine fibre diameter, length, clean fleece yield, elasticity, and strength. Also, live weight after shearing and greasy fleece weights were recorded for each animal. Statistical analysis of this study was performed using SPSS software. Normality hypothesis tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Homogeneity of the variance for each trait was tested with the Levene's test. Descriptive statistics of the traits were given as mean ± standard error. Observed means for greasy fleece weight were 3.6 ± 0.09 kg, 2.5 ± 0.09 kg, and 2.2 ± 0.08 kg for Karacabey Merino, Central Anatolian Merino and Ramlıç sheep, respectively. Average diameter, length, clean fleece yield, elasticity, and strength measurements of Karacabey Merino were 23.9 ± 0.11 µ, 59.2 ± 0.64 mm, 56.2 ± 0.35%, 20.2 ± 0.23 cN / tex, and 12.6 ± 0.09 cN / tex, whereas 24.7 ± 0.12 µ, 50.6 ± 0.71 mm, 55.2 ± 0.60%, 21.6 ± 0.23 cN / tex, 13.8 ± 0.14 cN / tex in Central Anatolian Merino and 24.1 ± 0.12 µ, 53.2 ± 1.05 mm, 62.9 ± 0.53%, 22.3 ± 0.26 cN / tex, 13.4 ± 0.12 cN / tex were observed in Ramlıç sheep, respectively. This study suggests that observed wool characteristics for each of three crossbreds were within the standard range of the textile industry. Therefore, all three crossbreds were suggested to be considered for the development of new agricultural policies and increasing breeder's awareness to reintroduce these crossbreds in the textile industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the injury patterns associated with training activities in elite South Korean aquatic sports athletes training for the Olympic Games. From 2012 to 2019, we prospectively collected data on elite aquatic sports athletes at the Korea National Training Center. The athletes were assessed by four sports medicine doctors, and data were stratified according to sex, aquatic style, injury body location, and injury severity. Chisquare tests were used to compare groups. Injury rates was expressed as rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Annually, the center hosts an average of 42 elite aquatic athletes spread over four aquatic styles. We recorded 797 injuries in total (annual average: 2.37 injuries/athlete), during training sessions, 57.1% of which were mild injuries. For all athletes, most injuries occurred in the upper limb (35.9%), followed by the lower limb (31.0%), the trunk (24.5%), and the head and neck (8.7%). Aquatic style significantly influenced injury body location and severity for both male and female athletes (injury body location: p < 0.001 and p < 0.010, respectively; injury severity: p = 0.027 and p < 0.001, respectively). In general, male and female athletes experienced a comparable risk of injury (rate ratio: 1.15; 95% confidence intervals: 0.53-2.46). Among the male and female South Korean elite aquatic athletes training for the Olympic Games, most injuries were mild and occurred in the upper limb, and aquatic style influenced injury body location and severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitiligo is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that targets melanocytes, causing skin de-pigmentation. A cream formulation of the Janus kinase (JAK) 1/JAK2 inhibitor, ruxolitinib demonstrated substantial re-pigmentation in a phase 2 study in adults with vitiligo. In two multinational, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled phase 3 studies of adults and adolescents with vitiligo (TRuE-V1, NCT04052425; TRuE-V2, NCT04057573), ruxolitinib cream was superior to vehicle at Week 24 in the primary and all key secondary endpoints. Pooled results on achievement of ≥50% improvement in the Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI50) by body region in TRuE-V1/TRuE-V2 were analysed and are reported herein. Patients ≥12years old with nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) with de-pigmentation covering ≤10% total body surface area, including a total VASI (T-VASI) score ≥3, were eligible for enrolment. Patients were randomized 2:1 to twice-daily 1·5% ruxolitinib cream or vehicle for 24weeks, after which all patients could apply twice-daily 1·5% ruxolitinib cream through Week 52 (open-label extension). The percentage of patients achieving VASI50 was calculated for each body region [head and neck (not including face), hands, upper extremities, trunk (including genitals), lower extremities, feet] and total body (excluding face). In total, 674 patients were randomized in the TRuE-V studies (ruxolitinib cream, n=450; vehicle, n=224); 661 patients were included in the efficacy analysis (1 site excluded for data quality) and 569 continued in the open-label extension (ruxolitinib cream from Day 1, n=385; crossover from vehicle, n=184). At Week 12, more patients who applied 1·5% ruxolitinib cream vs. vehicle achieved VASI50 in the head and neck (28·3% vs. 19·8%), upper extremities (14·1% vs. 11·0%), trunk (15·5% vs. 12·9%) and lower extremities(15·1% vs. 10·9%). At Week 24, more patients who applied 1·5% ruxolitinib cream vs. vehicle achieved VASI50 regardless of body region [head and neck, 45·3% vs. 23·8%; hands, 24·9% vs. 14·4%; upper extremities, 33·2% vs. 8·2%; trunk, 26·4% vs. 12·3%; lower extremities, 29·5% vs. 12·2%; feet, 18·5% vs. 12·5%; total body (excluding face), 20·8% vs. 6·9%]. Similarly at Week 52 more patients who applied ruxolitinib cream from Day 1 achieved VASI50 than those who switched over from vehicle after Week 24 (head and neck, 68·1% vs. 51·0%; hands, 38·2% vs. 29·2%; upper extremities, 56·7% vs. 34·9%; trunk, 48·4% vs. 25·4%; lower extremities, 54·5% vs. 32·3%; feet, 29·3% vs. 22·5%; total body [excluding face], 47·7% vs. 23·3%). Attainment of VASI50 at Week 52 among crossover patients (i.e. after 28 weeks of ruxolitinib cream) was consistent with Week 24 data in patients who applied ruxolitinib cream from Day 1. Adolescents and adults with NSV applying ruxolitinib cream achieved VASI50 in higher percentages compared with vehicle at Week 12 in the head and neck, upper extremities, trunk and lower extremities and at Week 24, regardless of the body region involved. The percentage of patients who achieved VASI50 increased through Week 52, including among patients who switched over from vehicle to ruxolitinib cream after Week 24. In summary, ruxolitinib cream produced a clinically meaningful re-pigmentation of all body regions (including hands and feet that are notoriously difficult to re-pigment) in TRuE-V1/TruE-V2 through Week 52, including among patients who switched over to ruxolitinib cream from vehicle after Week 24. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ixekizumab is a high-affinity monoclonal antibody that selectively targets interleukin-17 A. Objective: Examine the efficacy of ixekizumab in clearing psoriasis within different body regions. Methods: Data from 3 placebo- (PBO) or PBO- and etanercept (ETN)-controlled trials were integrated. Patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis were randomized to 12 weeks of PBO (UNCOVER-1, -2, -3, N = 792; UNCOVER-2, -3, N = 361), 50 mg ETN twice weekly (N = 740), or 80 mg ixekizumab every 2 (IXE Q2W; N = 1169; N = 736) or 4 weeks (IXE Q4W; N = 1165; N = 733) after a 160-mg starting dose. Results: Mean percent improvements in regional Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) were noted at Week 1 and increased through Week 12 in the IXE Q2W (approved dosing regimen) group for each body region. Week 12 improvements were 91.4% (head/neck); 92.8% (trunk); 89.9% (arms); and 88.7% (legs) (all regions p < .001 vs. PBO). Mean regional PASI improvements at Week 12 were ≥84.2% for ixekizumab versus ≤70.9% for ETN in all regions (p < .001). Scaling and thickness reduced faster than erythema. Conclusions: Within 12 weeks of ixekizumab treatment, all signs of psoriasis across all body regions reached clinically meaningful improvements, with the head/neck and trunk responding quicker than psoriasis of the arms and legs, especially with reduced scaling and thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In forensic entomology, many studies analyze fly activity and succession on dead bodies by using pig cadavers and a variety of small baited traps. Data on real human bodies are very rare. To address this shortcoming, we analyzed the fly fauna of 51 human bodies in Germany. Sex, age, place of discovery, and presumed time of death were noted. Larvae were sampled during autopsy according to body region or tissue. For every infested region, the total number of fly larvae were estimated and classified into categories of 1-10, 11-50, and 50+. All samples were identified to the species level. Besides a descriptive analysis of their occurrence patterns, a categorical PCA was performed, and multispecies generalized linear models and a latent variable model were run. Our results highlight the most forensically important blow flies on human bodies in Central Europe (Lucilia sericata, L. ampullacea, Phormia regina, Calliphora vicina); prove, for the first time, the general transferability of species lists based on succession studies on pig cadavers; recommend a certain set of species, such as the so-far neglected L. ampullacea, for future developmental studies; and reveal competitive occurrence of up to six species on the same body as a potential factor of influence. Assignment to a certain body region was often possible and our data clearly indicate certain tissues, e.g. brain, as of high interest for future developmental studies. Focusing on real scenario settings helps direct research to forensically relevant questions and appraises the plausibility of vital laboratory studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) are increasingly recognized as an integrated measure of the systemic cortisol secretion. Yet, we still know very little about confounding effects on HCC in animals. The present study therefore used hair from semi-wild and zoo living chimpanzees to investigate (1) intra-individual variability of HCC (body-region effect), and (2) the stability of HCC along the hair shaft (traditionally called the washout effect). Our results indicate that absolute HCC varied substantially between certain body regions, but a factor analysis revealed that these HCC differences were mainly attributable to one common source of variance. Thus, hair from all body regions provides similar biological signals and can be mixed, albeit at the cost of a lower signal-to-noise ratio. With regard to potential underlying mechanisms, we studied skin blood flow, as observed through thermal images from one chimpanzee. We found the general HCC pattern was reflected in differences in surface body temperature observed in this individual in three out of four body regions. In a separate set of samples, we found first evidence to suggest that the systematic cortisol decrease along the hair shaft, as observed in humans, is also present in chimpanzee hair. The effect was more pronounced in semi-wild than in zoo chimpanzees presumably due to more exposure to ambient weather conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to determine the resistance of Nile tilapia leather which underwent two types of tanning, static and moving, with and without hypodermis extraction. Two buckets (static) and a drum (moving) were the units used in the experiment. We evaluated resistance to gradual tearing, traction, stretching parameters for the following treatments: Bucket with dorsal meat, Bucket with ventral region meat, Bucket without dorsal meat, Bucket without ventral meat, Drum with dorsal meat, Drum with ventral region meat, Drum without dorsal meat and Drum without ventral region meat. Tanning in drum differed (p<0.05) for gradual tearing, traction and stretching in the larger specimen, while the smaller specimen differed only for traction. In the method (with and without hypodermis extraction), the only difference was in the smaller specimen for traction. The body region (dorsal and ventral) differed (p<0.05) for traction in the larger specimen, and for stretching in the smaller specimen. The best result was presented by the Drum without dorsal meat (102.21 N.mm-1; 16.00 N.mm-2 and 85.50 % for tearing, traction and stretching, respectively, in the larger specimen). Tanning in Drum provides superior quality to leather, and the method did not influence the assessments excepted the smaller specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This work aimed to study biochemical biomarkers and population responses in the polychaete Perinereis gualpensis (Nereididae) from two Chilean estuaries, Lenga (36°45′S; 73°10′W) and Tubul–Raqui (37°14′S,73°26′W). Lenga estuary is characterized by high mercury and PAH levels as consequence of several historic incidental spills while Tubul is mainly impacted by intensive fish activity. Raqui estuary, with low anthropogenic impact was considered the reference site. Worms were collected in winter and summer periods and tissues were differentiated between anterior (first 40 segments) and posterior region (the rest of the body). Levels of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, total antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP), lipid peroxidation (TBARS) levels, Na+, K+–ATPase activity (NKA) and metalothioneins (MTs) content were determined in each region. L3 (combined length of prostomiun+peristomiun+first segment) length, size, frequency, histograms and density of individuals were studied in all sites and seasons. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed among sites for most of the biochemical responses (GSH, GCL, GST, ACAP and TBARS), showing variation between seasons and body regions. Population responses in the most polluted estuary (Lenga) showed differences in size, frequency, lengths and low densities compared with lower impacted sites, indicating the costs associated with tolerance in organisms chronically exposed to estuarine pollution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The characteristics of spatial summation of pressure pain are not clear. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) and perceived pressure pain intensity were measured in the hand, painfree back and myofascial trigger points (MTPs) in the back, using three different stimulus areas (0.5, 1 and 2 cm2). PPT decreased and perceived pain increased significantly with an increase in stimulation area in all the regions (e.g. PPT in the back, from 406±168 to 205±102 kPa, P<0.0001). The magnitude of spatial summation of pressure pain was not significantly different between the regions. However, PPT in the back was significantly higher compared to the hand and MTPs (e.g. for 2 cm2: mean of 205±102 vs 175±75 and 159±72 kPa, P<0.01, respectively). Irrespective of body region, the quality of pain evoked with the large areas (1 and 2 cm2) was of pressure whereas in the small area (0.5 cm2) it was perceived as a prick. In conclusion, both PPT and perceived pressure pain intensity are subject to a considerable spatial summation in all the regions tested. The quality of pressure-evoked pain is probably determined by this spatial summation. Body region significantly affects the PPT level for a fixed stimulation area but not the magnitude of its spatial summation for areas up to 2 cm2, which are probably within the receptive field of single spinal nociceptive neurons. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Prediction of injury pattern/distribution for future AD vehicles. • Foundation for prioritize future human body model developments. • Expected injured body parts are head, thorax and lower extremity in side impacts. • Expected specific injuries are concussion, rib and pelvis fractures. To prioritize how the development of mathematical human body models for injury prediction in crash safety analysis should be made, the most frequent injuries in the NASS CDS data from 2000 to 2015 were analyzed. The crashes were divided into seven types, from front to side. Non-minor injuries (AIS2+) were analyzed in two steps. In the first step, a grouping was made according to the AIS definition of body regions: head, face, neck, thorax, abdomen and pelvic contents, spine, upper extremities (including shoulder girdle) and lower extremities (including pelvis). In a second step, the body regions were divided in organs, parts of the spine, and parts of the extremities. The three most often injured anatomical structures of each body region were estimated for drivers and front seat passengers in each type of crash. For drivers, an injury risk greater than 2.4 % was found for the lower extremities (pelvis) and the head (concussion) in side oblique near side impacts, for the head in frontal oblique near side impacts (concussion) and for the lower extremities (ankle joint) in frontal impacts. For passengers, an injury risk greater than 2.4 % was found for the thorax (lungs) in side near side impacts, for the head (concussion) in front oblique near side impacts, and for the thorax (sternum) and the upper extremities (wrist, hand) in frontal impacts. Future development of human body models should focus on injuries to the head, thorax and the lower extremities. More specifically, it should focus on concussion in all impact directions and on rib and pelvic fractures in side near side impacts and in side oblique near side impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]