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The aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of sorghum grown in different combinations of row spacing and plant density, as well as possible interferences on silage quality. No other study dedicated to identifying the interference of plant spatial arrangement on the cultivation of silage material has been developed in the productive context of the Amazon Biome, making it necessary to understand the behavior of the studied factors. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot scheme: the plots corresponded to three row spacings (0.45 m, 0.60 m, and 0.75 m) and subplots at four densities (105,000, 120,000, 135,000, and 150,000 plants ha−1). The agronomic and productivity characteristics of sorghum and the fermentative and bromatological characteristics of forage and silage were evaluated. The sorghum plants showed an increase in plant height and green and dry mass yield when using higher densities (p < 0.05). For the culm diameter variable, an isolated effect of the factors was observed, with reduced diameter when grown closer to inter-row spacing or using higher plant densities. No effect of the factors was found (p > 0.05) for morphological plant components. In silage, wider spacing promoted higher dry matter content. Regarding crude protein in the silage, higher percentages were obtained at closer spacing and higher plant density. The sorghum growing in dense conditions is indicated, given the positive performance in productivity and bromatological composition.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of sorghum grown in different combinations of row spacing and plant density, as well as possible interferences on silage quality. No other study dedicated to identifying the interference of plant spatial arrangement on the cultivation of silage material has been developed in the productive context of the Amazon Biome, making it necessary to understand the behavior of the studied factors. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot scheme: the plots corresponded to three row spacings (0.45 m, 0.60 m, and 0.75 m) and subplots at four densities (105,000, 120,000, 135,000, and 150,000 plants ha−1). The agronomic and productivity characteristics of sorghum and the fermentative and bromatological characteristics of forage and silage were evaluated. The sorghum plants showed an increase in plant height and green and dry mass yield when using higher densities (p < 0.05). For the culm diameter variable, an isolated effect of the factors was observed, with reduced diameter when grown closer to inter-row spacing or using higher plant densities. No effect of the factors was found (p > 0.05) for morphological plant components. In silage, wider spacing promoted higher dry matter content. Regarding crude protein in the silage, higher percentages were obtained at closer spacing and higher plant density. The sorghum growing in dense conditions is indicated, given the positive performance in productivity and bromatological composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methods used to evaluate kinetic parameters of ruminant feeds can be in situ and in vitro. For both methods, it is necessary to maintain cannulated animals in order to collect the inoculum from the rumen, which has been under strong pressure from society, in terms of animal welfare policies, to avoid this type of practices. This work aimed to evaluate the estimation of in vitro digestibility and fermentation of elephant grass forage by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS), as a fast and noninvasive alternative to the in vitro method. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with three repetitions. The treatments were arranged in a split‐plot scheme, with 13 genotypes in the plot and 15 regrowth ages in the subplot. Crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents; in vitro dry matter (IVDMD) and NDF (IVNDFD) digestibilities; and total volume (Vt), gas production rate (μ) and half‐life conventional analyses were determined for pre‐dried elephant grass forage samples. For the evaluation of NIRS models performance, coefficient of determination (R2cv) and standard error of cross validation (SECV) were used. As the regrowth age advanced, there was a linear increase in the NDF content and a linear reduction in the IVDMD, IVNDFD and Vt values. The NIRS estimates proved to be adequate for IVDMD (R2cv =.95), IVNDFD (R2cv =.85), Vt (R2cv =.81) and gas production at 48 (R2cv =.82), 72 (R2cv =.85) and 96 h (R2cv =.84), confirming as an alternative to the in vitro methods that dispense with the use of cannulated animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of menopause transition in body composition was evaluated in a cross-sectional study. The study was carried out in an outpatient clinic of Brazil enrolling premenopausal (n = 64) and postmenopausal (n = 42) women aged between 44 and 52 years, with weight stability (±2 kg) for at least 6 months before evaluation. Participants answered a sociodemographic semi-structured questionnaire, the Menopause Rating Scale, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, 24-h dietary recall and a visual analogue scale of appetite. Blood biochemical, anthropometry and densitometry measurements were used for body composition estimation. Most participants were overweight (31.4%) or obese (45.7%) and categorized as 'high active' in physical activity (65.7%). Lean mass and bone mass decreased in the first few years of menopause. A metabolic turn to an increase of lipids was observed, represented by greater total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Menopause transition did not alter body fat distribution. Total body fat, android fat and gynoid fat were positively related to smoking habit, and android fat was also positively related to waist circumference. Taken together, early postmenopause can be considered a time window of opportunity for preventing ailments such as atherogenic profile, obesity, increased cardiovascular risk and osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previous survey investigated postmenopausal vaginal atrophy in a sample of women across Latin America. To help implement a tailored approach to improve postmenopausal care and outcomes in Brazil, we consider results from the survey for this country. A total of 2509 postmenopausal women resident in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, or Mexico completed an online questionnaire. The Brazilian cohort comprised 504 women. Over half of the Brazilian cohort (56%) reported experiencing symptoms of vaginal atrophy; most described them as moderate or severe (76%), and almost half (48%) experienced symptoms for at least 1 year. Three-quarters of the Brazilian cohort (75%) were unaware of the chronic nature of the condition. Upon experiencing symptoms of vaginal atrophy, 92% had visited a health-care provider to discuss treatment options. Overall, 56% were aware of some form of local hormone therapy and 40% of those affected by vaginal atrophy had used such treatment. Postmenopausal women in Brazil are likely to benefit from increased awareness of the symptoms of vaginal atrophy. Health-care providers can potentially improve outcomes by helping women to understand the chronic nature of the condition and available treatment options. Women may be open to education pre menopause, before symptoms occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rogerio Bonassi Machado,1 Luciano de Melo Pompei,2 Rosires Andrade,3 Eliana Nahas,4 Cristina Guazzelli,5 Maria Celeste Wender,6 Achilles Machado Cruz7 1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Jundiaí School of Medicine, Jundiaí, São Paulo 13202-550, Brazil; 2Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, ABC School of Medicine, Santo André, São Paulo 09060-650, Brazil; 3Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Paraná 80060-240, Brazil; 4Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School (Unesp), Botucatu, São Paulo 18618970, Brazil; 5Department of Obstetrics, Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo 04024-002, Brazil; 6Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90035-903, Brazil; 7Department of Clinical Research, Libbs Farmacêutica Ltda, São Paulo 01140-050, BrazilCorrespondence: Rogerio Bonassi MachadoDepartamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Faculdade de Medicina de Jundiaí, R. Francisco Telles, 250, Jundiaí, São Paulo 12202-550, BrazilTel/Fax +55 11 4586 0660Email rbonassi@me.comObjective: To compare the bleeding pattern in women using ethinylestradiol 20 mcg/drospirenone 3 mg (EE 20 mcg/DRSP 3 mg) in a 24/4-day cyclic regimen with an extended regimen. Unexpected bleeding/spotting in the extended regimen group was managed by allowing a 4-day hormone-free interval (HFI).Methods: This was a randomized, prospective, open-label, multicenter study. Participants (N = 348) were randomized to receive EE 20 mcg/DRSP 3 mg in either an extended regimen (EE/DRSPes group) or a 24/4-day cyclic regimen (EE/DRSP24/4 group) and followed for 168 days. In the EE/DRSPes group, a 4-day HFI was allowed whenever unexpected bleeding/spotting persisted for ≥ 7 consecutive days. The participants assessed their bleeding daily as “no bleeding,” “spotting,” or “light,” “moderate,” or “heavy” bleeding according to a predefined scale.Results: EE/DRSPes group experienced fewer days of bleeding than those using a 24/4 cyclic regimen (P < 0.001). After 168 days, 57.5% of women in the EE/DRSPes group achieved complete amenorrhea (i.e., neither bleeding nor spotting) and 73.9% achieved “no bleeding” (i.e., no bleeding with or without spotting) during the final 28-day interval of the study period. Women in the extended group who instituted the 4-day HFI experienced a 94.1% rate of successful management of unexpected bleeding/spotting.Conclusion: The use of EE 20 mcg/DRSP 3 mg in an extended regimen resulted in high rates of amenorrhea and “no bleeding”. Unexpected bleeding/spotting in the EE/DRSPes group could be managed effectively with a 4-day HFI.Clinical Trial Registration: International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN57661673): http://www.controlled-trials.com/isrctn/pf/57661673.Keywords: bleeding profile, combined oral contraceptives, drospirenone, extended regimen, low dose oral contraceptive