Search

Background: Every degree of change in pelvic tilt (PT) leads to a 0.7° change in anteversion and a 0.3° change in inclination. This study aimed to determine the significance of contralateral hip arthritis on changes in PT using preoperative and postoperative anteroposterior radiographs. Methods: There were 193 primary total hip arthroplasties done by 2 surgeons at a single academic tertiary referral center reviewed between September 2021 and January 2023. PT was calculated as Tilt = −(ln[(B/A) × (1/0.483)]) / 0.051. Value A is the distance from the base of the SI joint to the superior margin of the obturator foramen; value B is the height of the obturator foramen. After exclusions, contralateral hips were identified as being normal (n = 75), arthritic (n = 39) (Tönnis grade 3/4), replaced (n = 34), or having undergone simultaneous bilateral total hip arthroplasty (n = 5) on postoperative films. Difference in PT was measured between preoperative and postoperative films taken 1-3 months after surgery. Analyses for statistical significance were calculated using t-tests and one-way analysis of variance. Results: Average change in PT in patients with normal contralateral hips was −5.2° with an absolute mean difference of 7.6°, −1.5° for arthritic contralateral hips with an absolute mean difference of 5.0°, −1.6° for replaced contralateral hips with a mean absolute difference of 4.3°, and 2.2° for bilateral hips with a mean absolute difference of 2.6° (P < .01). Conclusions: Differences in postoperative PT changes between healthy, arthritic, and replaced contralateral hip study groups were significant. Changes in preoperative to postoperative tilt may have implications for optimal cup placement.

Introduction: The human foot has evolved over the past seven million years from a relatively mobile, grasping appendage to a highly derived structure with a heel pad and longitudinal arch that can absorb shock at heel strike and weight-bearing yet also function as a powerful lever at toe-off. It has been proposed that the modern human foot evolved to allow our species to use “variable gearing” during walking and running. In this model, the gears of the human foot are defined relative to the ankle center of rotation as R, the distance from the ground reaction resultant vector, and r, the distance from the calf muscle vector. The gear ratio defines the torque generated to propel the body or stretch the triceps surae muscles. We test the hypothesis that variable gearing is associated with modern human pedal anatomy and a heel-to-toe rollover that allows a shift from “low gear” to “high gear” during stance.Methods: Using force plate and video analysis, we examined variable gearing in adults and children engaging in adult heel strike (AHS = 35), flat foot contact (FFC = 39), or initial heel contact (IHC = 26).Results and Discussion: Our hypothesis was partly supported. Although variable gearing was observed in IHC steps and was greater than in FFC steps, it was not as developed as in AHS steps. This may be related to anatomical and motor control differences between juvenile and adult feet, suggesting that adult anatomy, including a high arch, and neural control are critical for full use of variable gearing and that this feature would have evolved in later hominins around two million years ago with the appearance of a fully modern foot.

Aims: The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) can be challenging as the symptoms are similar to other conditions, and the markers used for diagnosis have limited sensitivity and specificity. Recent research has suggested using blood cell ratios, such as platelet-to-volume ratio (PVR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), to improve diagnostic accuracy. The aim of the study was to further validate the effectiveness of PVR and PLR in diagnosing PJI. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted to assess the accuracy of different marker combinations for diagnosing chronic PJI. A total of 573 patients were included in the study, of which 124 knees and 122 hips had a diagnosis of chronic PJI. Complete blood count and synovial fluid analysis were collected. Recently published blood cell ratio cut-off points were applied to receiver operating characteristic curves for all markers and combinations. The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. Results: The results of the analysis showed that the combination of ESR, CRP, synovial white blood cell count (Syn. WBC), and polymorphonuclear neutrophil percentage (PMN%) with PVR had the highest AUC of 0.99 for knees, with sensitivity of 97.73% and specificity of 100%. Similarly, for hips, this combination had an AUC of 0.98, sensitivity of 96.15%, and specificity of 100.00%. Conclusion: This study supports the use of PVR calculated from readily available complete blood counts, combined with established markers, to improve the accuracy in diagnosing chronic PJI in both total hip and knee arthroplasties. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(11):881–888.

Background: Ostomy surgery is associated with a high rate of postoperative complications and poses several theoretical concerns for subsequent total joint arthroplasty (TJA). There is concern that ostomy may negatively impact nutrition or increase risk of known gastrointestinal (GI) complications such as obstruction, constipation, or diarrhea, particularly with the use of postoperative opioids. There is also concern that the open nature of the ostomy may increase the risk of infection. This case series reports outcomes and assesses the risk associated with TJA in patients with previous surgical history of intestinal ostomy. Methods: This is an institutional review board-approved retrospective case series of patients with surgical history of ostomy who underwent total hip or total knee arthroplasty. Cohort consisted of 14 cases in 10 patients and was examined to report individual TJA and ostomy procedural details and outcomes. Results: Of the 14 cases, none required GI clearance or prophylaxis outside of standard perioperative antibiotics prior to TJA surgeries, and all TJAs resulted in good outcomes. Four cases (29%) had a complication, although only 2 of these were GI complications and none were life-threatening or required further surgery. The first of the 2 experienced increased ostomy output, and symptoms were resolved promptly with rehydration. The second experienced decreased ostomy output, and symptoms were resolved promptly with changes in prn pain medications. Other complications were postoperative urinary tract infection and syncopal episode. Conclusions: TJA can be performed safely in the setting of ostomy with major consideration being risk of diarrhea or constipation during postoperative period.

How can inaccessible cultural heritage be made available to immobile or distant audiences, to meet their cultural needs? Information and communication technologies offer instrumental responses to this new challenge. This type of resource promotes informational mobility as a substitute for real mobility.After introducing the concept of informational mobility and quickly reviewing existing solutions, the body of the article considers digital devices that do more than simply transpose a situation marked by physical inaccessibility. This is the case for the survival of certain heritages, notably immaterial, confronted with the impossibility of physical encounter due to the disappearance or death of their witnesses.The second part of the article addresses historical testimony, and illustrates it using the example of a holographic device implemented in the United States for witnesses to the Shoah. The same device was used to record and share the testimony of mine survivors in the framework of the ANR MémoMines, the subject of the third part of the article. This latter context allowed an experimental study with the public. Beyond providing a simple technical answer to the initial question, this exploratory study provides clues as to how the experience of temporal informational mobility is experienced/appreciated by the public.

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a serious complication following joint replacement surgery, and its diagnosis can be challenging due to the similarity of symptoms to other conditions and the lack of confirmatory imaging tests. Platelet/mean platelet volume ratio (PVR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio, monocyte/lymphocyte ratio, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio have been proposed as potential markers to aid in the diagnosis of PJI. This study aimed to further assess the utility of these blood cell ratio combinations for the diagnosis of PJI. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients who presented to a university hospital for evaluation for PJI or underwent aseptic revision surgery. All patients were reviewed for inclusion in the study. Data were collected on several markers, including complete blood counts, synovial fluid white blood cell count, and polymorphonuclear percentage. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of the markers and marker combinations. Results: The combination of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, synovial white blood cell count, and synovial polymorphonuclear percentage, with PVR, had the highest area under the curve of 0.97, with a sensitivity of 94.3% and a specificity of 88.9%, and a positive predictive value of 97.1% and a negative predictive value of 80.0%. Conclusions: This study further supports the use of PVR calculated from complete blood count commonly ordered laboratory values obtained during routine complete blood counts when combined with established serum and synovial markers to increase the diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing PJI.

Abstract Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β), a serine/threonine kinase, has been identified as a potential therapeutic target in human bladder cancer. In the present study, we investigated the antitumor effect of a small molecule GSK-3β inhibitor, 9-ING-41, currently in clinical studies in patients with advanced cancer, in bladder cancer cell lines. We found that treatment with 9-ING-41 leads to cell cycle arrest, autophagy and apoptosis in bladder cancer cells. The autophagy inhibitor chloroquine potentiated the antitumor effects of 9-ING-41 when tested in combination studies. Our findings also demonstrate that 9-ING-41 enhanced the growth inhibitory effects of gemcitabine or cisplatin when used in combination in bladder cancer cells. Finally, we found that 9-ING-41 sensitized bladder cancer cells to the cytotoxic effects of human immune effector cells. Our results provide a rationale for the inclusion of patients with advanced bladder cancer in clinical studies of 9-ING-41.

O manejo de desfolha possui como um dos principais objetivos o rebrote vigoroso após o rebaixamento, uma vez que a área foliar remanescente possui alta correlação com o potencial de rebrote dos pastos. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de intervenções pontuais de alta severidade (70%) sobre características produtivas de pastos de azevém anual manejados sob desfolhações intermitentes. O experimento foi conduzido na área experimental da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro estratégias de desfolha a partir de uma única altura de entrada (20cm): severidade constante de 40%; severidade de 40% com intervenções pontuais de 70% no segundo corte; severidade de 40% com intervenções pontuais de 70% no quarto corte; e severidades de 40% e 70% intercaladas. Os tratamentos foram aplicados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três repetições, totalizando 12 unidades experimentais. Foram avaliadas as variáveis de interceptação de radiação solar, produção de forragem e características morfogênicas (taxa de aparecimento foliar, filocrono, taxa de alongamento foliar e taxa de senescência foliar). A interceptação de radiação solar pré desfolha não diferiu entre os tratamentos, apenas na situação pós desfolha. Para as características morfogênicas os tratamentos com alta severidade de desfolha, apresentaram os maiores valores morfogênicos. A produção de forragem não diferiu entre os tratamentos. Dentro das condições aplicadas no presente estudo (i.e. altura pré-corte), intervenções pontuais de alta severidade (70%) não afetam a capacidade produtiva do azevém anual.

ABSTRACT: In this study we tested whether the root biomass of mixtures composed by grass species is greater than their respective monocultures. The treatments were monocultures of Arrhenatherum elatius, Festuca arundinacea, Dactylis glomerata, and a mixture of them, cultivated in a rich-soil environment. Root biomass was evaluated on a single evaluation per season at three soil depths (0-5, 5-10, and 10-20 cm). Mixed swards presented the greatest root biomass, and this was explained by a greater concentration in the topsoil layer (0-5 cm). These findings reinforce the need for permanent soil conservation practices to not jeopardize the benefits of the more abundant root biomass reported in the mixed swards.

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a estrutura do dossel e o comportamento ingestivo de caprinos em pastos de papuã manejados sob lotação contínua. Os tratamentos corresponderam a quatro alturas de manejo (10, 20, 30 e 40 cm) mantidas através de taxa de lotação variável. As variáveis analisadas foram: composição morfológica, massa e densidade dos componentes; comprimento de lâminas foliares; valor nutritivo por simulação de pastejo; tempos de pastejo, ruminação e atividades complementares. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e teste de contrastes de polinômios ortogonais. Os principais resultados foram: i) com o aumento da altura de manejo, houve um aumento da massa (total e dos componentes morfológicos) e uma inversão na composição morfológica (redução na proporção de lâminas foliares e aumento na de colmos + material morto); ii) o comprimento de lâminas foliares aumentou com a altura de manejo; iii) os animais dedicaram mais tempo ao pastejo com a redução da altura de manejo, embora aparentemente tenham abdicado do pastejo no tratamento 10 cm ao final do experimento. Baseado nos dados de estrutura do dossel e comportamento ingestivo, concluiu-se que pastos de papuã sob lotação contínua devem ser manejados próximos de 40 cm. As razões são discutidas ao longo do artigo. Palavras-chave: Brachiaria; integração lavoura-pecuária; manejo; Urochloa plantaginea; valor nutritivo.

ABSTRACT Two complementary experiments were conducted to investigate the relationships between the canopy structure of Pennisetum clandestinum (kikuyugrass) pastures created by intermittent stocking strategies and daily herbage intake by cattle. The first experiment (Exp. I) evaluated the relationship between different pre-grazing heights (10, 15, 20, and 25 cm) and a single defoliation intensity (50% reduction in the initial heights). In the second experiment (Exp. II), four defoliation intensities (40, 50, 60, or 70% reduction in height) were combined with a single pre-grazing height (25 cm). The following variables were analyzed: i) plant-part composition, herbage mass, and bulk density of the grazing layer; and ii) daily herbage intake. The data were analyzed using orthogonal polynomial contrasts. The Tukey-Kramer test was used to compare daily herbage intake means so that the differences among treatments could be characterized. In general, herbage intake decreased as the pre-grazing canopy height decreased (Exp. I; P = 0.03) and as defoliation intensity increased (Exp. II; P = 0.02). These response patterns were associated with canopy structure, both that existing before and that created during the stocking period. In conclusion, pre-grazing heights lower than 25 cm or defoliation intensities greater than 40% reduce daily herbage intake by cattle in kikuyugrass pastures under intermittent stocking.

Abstract Background Previous analyses of factors influencing footfall timings and gait selection in quadrupeds have focused on the implications for energetic cost or gait mechanics separately. Here we present a model for symmetrical walking gaits in quadrupedal mammals that combines both factors, and aims to predict the substrate contexts in which animals will select certain ranges of footfall timings that (1) minimize energetic cost, (2) minimize rolling and pitching moments, or (3) balance the two. We hypothesize that energy recovery will be a priority on all surfaces, and will be the dominant factor determining footfall timings on flat, ground-like surfaces. The ability to resist pitch and roll, however, will play a larger role in determining footfall choice on narrower and more complex branch-like substrates. As a preliminary test of the expectations of the model, we collected sample data on footfall timings in a primate with relatively high flexibility in footfall timings – the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) – walking on a flat surface, straight pole, and a pole with laterally-projecting branches to simulate simplified ground and branch substrates. We compare limb phase values on these supports to the expectations of the model. Results As predicted, walking steps on the flat surface tended towards limb phase values that promote energy exchange. Both pole substrates induced limb phase values predicted to favor reduced pitching and rolling moments. Conclusions These data provide novel insight into the ways in which animals may choose to adjust their behavior in response to movement on flat versus complex substrates and the competing selective factors that influence footfall timing in mammals. These data further suggest a pathway for future investigations using this perspective.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da combinação de estratégias de adubação nitrogenada e de alturas de manejo da pastagem sobre a produção animal e de grãos em um Sistema Integrado de Produção Agropecuária. O experimento foi conduzido no município de Abelardo Luz-SC, entre abril de 2017 a abril de 2018. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi blocos ao acaso e os tratamentos dispostos em arranjo fatorial 2x2 com três repetições. O primeiro fator foi a altura do pasto manejado com lotação contínua: alta altura (AA) (20 cm) e baixa altura (BA) (12 cm). O segundo fator foram as épocas de aplicação do nitrogênio: na pastagem de inverno (NP), e na cultura de grãos, no verão (NG), em dose única de 200 kg N ha-1 em cobertura. A espécie forrageira utilizada durante a fase pastagem foi a aveia preta (Avena strigosa Schreb) e o pastejo foi realizado por novilhos cruza Nelore x Charolês com peso corporal inicial de 260 kg. A cultura de verão foi o milho (Zea mays). O ganho médio diário (GMD) e a oferta de forragem foram maiores em AA comparativamente à BA, enquanto a carga animal foi maior em BA. Para as épocas de aplicação do N, a carga animal foi maior em NP. As variáveis número de fileiras por espiga, número de grãos por fileira e peso de mil grãos não foram afetadas pelo manejo da altura do pasto e nem pela estratégia de adubação nitrogenada, bem como a produção total de grãos, que apresentou média geral de 14.090 kg ha-1. Concluiu-se que a inversão da adubação nitrogenada entre os períodos de produção de pasto de inverno e de cultivo de grãos, e a altura de manejo da pastagem de aveia preta não comprometem a produção de grãos de milho no verão e nem a produção animal por área. Entretanto, o desempenho dos novilhos é maior (maior GMD) quando o pasto é manejado a 20 cm, enquanto a alta intensidade de pastejo reduz significativamente a palhada sobre o solo.

Since the 18th century, architects and museum managers have used natural and artificial lighting to light artworks and exhibits. Today, practitioners such as museographers, scenographers and lighting designers use it as a tool to build atmospheres and to guide the visitor’s gaze. Beyond merely highlighting artwork, lighting defines what is shown, and indicates the object of discussion. The potential of lighting – as a mediating device that directly affects the visitor’s sensitive and cognitive experience – remains to be shown and explained. It was from this standpoint that we studied visitor experience in the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution at the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris, which presents a dynamic lighting installation conceived as an immersive scenography. We found that this installation plays an important role in the process of constructing sense and visitor experience. It helps to create an atmosphere of well-being, evoking the colors of natural environments, lighting or darkening the exhibits to attract or reduce attention, and acts as a catalyst for interpersonal and contemplative experiences. These results encourage us to explore the potential of lighting as a mediating device.

Category: Ankle; Other Introduction/Purpose: Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to significantly reduce blood loss in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty. However, there is a paucity of data regarding its safety and efficacy in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). In light of expanding indications for TAA and its growing utilization, there is a need for more data regarding interventions such as TXA that may reduce perioperative complications and improve patient outcomes for this procedure. The purpose of the current study was to determine if the use of TXA in patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty impacts the blood loss or overall complication rate. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for 34 patients who underwent TAA with (n=17) and without (n=17) intraoperative TXA from 2016 to 2019 at a single academic medical center. Inclusion criteria were patients who underwent TAA for any clinical indication and had quantified intraoperative blood loss. Patients were excluded if they had a contraindication to TXA (ie. impaired renal function), a history of coagulopathy, no recorded intraoperative blood loss, or intraoperative complications that resulted in excessive bleeding. Estimated blood loss, pre-to-postoperative hemoglobin changes, hidden blood loss and complication rates were recorded and compared between groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in recorded blood loss, total calculated blood loss, pre-to-postoperative hemoglobin difference or hidden blood loss between the groups (all, p>0.05). A lower rate of wound complications was observed in the TXA group. The difference between the overall complications rates observed for each group was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Intravenous tranexamic acid did not result in decreased blood loss during TAA, as measured in our study. However, tranexamic acid was not associated with any increase in overall complications while a lower rate of wound complications was seen in patients in which TXA was utilized. Based on our findings, further studies are needed to better elucidate the impact of TXA on blood loss and wound healing in TAA.

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the leaf area index (LAI) recovery mechanisms and forage accumulation rates on the regrowth of different grass species subjected to different defoliation intensities. For that purpose, plots of Pennisetum clandestinum (kikuyugrass), Lolium multiflorum (annual ryegrass), and Avena strigosa (black oats) were defoliated from 20 to 80 % of their initial heights (25, 20, and 25 cm, respectively). At different increments in height, forage samples were collected to ground level and used to estimate tiller population density (TPD), leaf area per tiller (LA), and forage mass. From these data, we calculated the leaf area index (LAI), average leaf area index (aLAI), and average and instantaneous forage accumulation rate (FAR and IFAR, respectively). Data were plotted over time (days) to describe LAI recovery and forage accumulation rates. As the defoliation intensity increased, greater canopy heights were needed for pastures to achieve their maximum forage accumulation rates, which required longer regrowth intervals. The need for high tiller recruitment after defoliation, which delayed canopy LAI recovery, seemed to be one of the main cause. Thus, grazing management strategies that involve costly tiller recruitment could decrease both overall forage production and sward persistence over time. However, the plant ability to recover LAI after successive intense defoliations seems to be species-dependent and related to their phenotypic plasticity.

Gaze-tracking techniques have advanced our understanding of visual attention and decision making during walking and athletic events, but little is known about how vision influences behavior during running over common, natural obstacles. This study tested hypotheses about whether runners regularly collect visual information and pre-plan obstacle clearance (feedforward control), make improvisational adjustments (online control), or some combination of both. In this study, the gaze profiles of 5 male and 5 female runners, fitted with a telemetric gaze-tracking device, were used to identify the frequency of fixations on an obstacle during a run. Overall, participants fixated on the obstacle 2.4 times during the run, with the last fixation occurring on average between 40% and 80% of the run, suggesting runners potentially shifted from a feedforward planning strategy to an online control strategy during the late portions of the running trial. A negative association was observed between runner velocity and average number of fixations. Consistent with previous studies on visual strategies used during walking, our results indicate that visual attentiveness is part of an important feedforward strategy for runners allowing them to safely approach an obstacle. Thus, visual obstacle attention is a key factor in the navigation of complex, natural landscapes while running.

Tangolagrass (Brachiaria arrecta × Brachiaria mutica) is a stoloniferous warm-season grass considered as an alternative to forming permanent grasslands in waterlogged tropical regions. However, information about grazing management targets for such species is still scarce. This two-year study aimed to identify pre-grazing canopy heights that do not compromise both leaf lamina production and nutritive value of tangolagrass pastures, and to test whether lower canopy height could decrease stolon elongation process. To this end, three pre-grazing canopy heights (20, 30, or 40 cm, all lowered in 40% of their initial heights) were assigned to nine 390-m2 plots grazed by cattle. Herbage, leaf, and stem accumulation rates were not different among treatments (57, 23, and 27 kg DM ha−1 d−1, respectively; p > 0.05). Also, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were similar among treatments (56 and 24% DM, respectively; p > 0.05), but crude protein (CP) was greater (p = 0.0180) in pastures managed with 30 cm (24.7% DM × 22.5% DM). Thus, pre-grazing canopy heights between 20–40 cm combined with low levels of defoliation (up to 40% of the initial height) provide the same primary productivity in tangolagrass pastures. However, stolon elongation could not be reduced within such canopy height targets.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar alguns aspectos morfogênicos e estruturais para explicar eventuais alterações no acúmulo de forragem de pastos de papuã (Urochloa (Syn. Brachiaria) plantaginea) sob lotação contínua. Os tratamentos experimentais corresponderam a quatros alturas de dossel (10, 20, 30 e 40 cm), alocados às unidades experimentais conforme um delineamento de blocos completos casualisados, com três repetições. As variáveis analisadas foram: taxa de alongamento, aparecimento e senescência foliar; densidade populacional de perfilhos; comprimento e número de lâminas foliares por perfilho; índice de área foliar (IAF); taxa de acúmulo de forragem. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste t de "Student" (P≤0,05). Os principais resultados obtidos foram: i) diferentes alturas de manejo apresentam diferentes ritmos de aparecimento, crescimento e morte de tecidos; ii) pastos manejados entre 30-40 cm apresentaram os maiores valores de IAF e foram semelhantes entre si; iii) a taxa de acúmulo aumentou com o aumento da altura de manejo, mas não foi alterada a partir de 30 cm. Recomenda-se manejar pastos de papuã sob lotação contínua com não menos que 30 cm quando o objetivo for maximizar a produção de forragem.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this experiment was to identify grazing height targets for Alexandergrass pastures under continuous stocking in integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS). For this purpose, twelve pastures were cultivated into an ICLS area, and maintained at 10, 20, 30, or 40 cm using grazing goats. The following variables were analyzed: leaf and herbage mass, accumulation rate, and allowance; leaf:stem ratio; chemical composition of hand-plucked samples; stocking rate; average daily gain and gain per area. The data were submitted to regression and correlation analysis. Significance was set at 5% (P≤0.05). The main results were: i) herbage and leaf lamina mass increased linearly with grazing height, and pastures maintained at 20 cm already presented the minimum amount recommended for soil cover in ICLS; ii) animal performance achieved an upper asymptotic plateau in pastures maintained around 30-40 cm and it was highly correlated with both grazing height and forage availability (mass and allowance). Alexandergrass pastures under continuous stocking in ICLS should be maintained between 30-40 cm to improve both cover crop biomass and animal performance.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the milk fatty acid (FA) composition of unsupplemented dairy cows grazing on elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Pioneiro) pastures under three grazing management strategies: pre-grazing height of 120 cm with defoliation intensities of 50 and 70% of the initial height (treatments 120/50 and 120/70) and pre-grazing height of 90 cm with defoliation intensity of 70% (treatment 90/70). Treatments were repeated three times in a complete randomized block design. Tester animals were six multiparous Holsteins cows grouped into pairs according to days in milk and milk yield and allocated to blocks. Individual milk samples were collected after the first and second days of grazing (two-day occupation period) and analyzed for FA composition. Milk fat from 120/50 and 90/70 treatments resulted in higher concentrations of C4:0, C6:0, C17:0 anteiso, rumenic acid (RA), vacenic acid (VA), trans-12 C18:1, trans-13/14 C18:1, cis-11 C18:1, cis-12 C18:1, cis-9, trans-12 C18:2, trans-11, cis-15 C18:2, and total polyunsaturated fatty acids. Additionally, both SCD14 (cis-9 14:1/14:0 + cis-9 14:1) and SCDRA (RA/VA + RA) desaturase indices were reduced in milk fat from cows subjected to 120/50 and 90/70 treatments. On average, the milk fat levels of RA and VA observed in our study were greater than those reported in most studies with tropical grass-based diets and similar to levels usually found in cows grazing on temperate pastures. Overall, our results showed that milk with a desirable fatty acid composition is produced by cows grazing on a tropical grass (elephantgrass cv. Pioneiro), with the combination of a pre-grazing height of 120 cm and a defoliation intensity of 50% of the initial height, being a practical management strategy to achieve this goal.

Informative food labels are one way to increase nutritional awareness in society and can essentially help individuals maintain balanced dietary practices. Nonetheless, making food labels ‘informative’, in the sense of applicability, is not always easy. Physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) food labeling is one approach to achieve this goal. Yet, it is neither understood how consumers perceive PACE labels, nor how effective they are in regards to healthy food choices. Moreover, it is of interest to assess the perception of real products in close-to-realistic environments. Therefore, this study examined a simulated purchase situation and consumers’ visual attention on PACE labels—on 20 different real snack products with varying health values. In a laboratory-shopping environment, the gaze behaviors of 91 consumers were examined with a head-mounted eye-tracker. In regards to perception, it was elucidated that every participant noticed at least one PACE label. On average 1.39 PACE label fixations on different products were counted with a mean fixation duration of 0.55 s and a mean time to first fixation of 22.46 s. On average, 22.9% of the participants viewed the PACE labels at least once, but the intensity and duration varied greatly between the different products; ’healthier products’ attracted more visual attention than ‘unhealthier products’. In regards to health choice, it became obvious that the choices observed were rather healthy and PACE labels attracted attention. This may have been especially true for participants with little involvement in physical activity and health behavior, which may have been the main target group. Hence, catchy, communicable PACE labels, as well as balanced product offerings may facilitate more healthy food choices. The real-world laboratory setting offered valuable insights, which should be followed-up on.

Some recent papers have recommended moderate intensities of defoliation in order to maximize herbage intake at different time-scales. Most of them, however, did not assess the grazing dynamics of individual tillers during the stocking period. Therefore, the objective of this work was to describe the defoliation dynamics of kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst ex. Chiov) pastures subjected to different intensities of defoliation (40, 50, 60, and 70% of the initial height). Twelve 1500 m2 plots were strip-grazed over 24 h, and the frequency and severity of defoliation of individual tillers were assessed in 40 tagged tillers per experimental unit. From these data (n = 1920), we calculated the grazed area in the upper, second, and third horizon, and the total grazed area. We found that the frequency of defoliation by leaf category (expanding, mature, and senescent) increased linearly with the intensity of defoliation, and that reductions in extended tillers could not be used as a proxy to estimate the frequency of defoliation. Moreover, 22% of the second and third horizons were already exploited with intensities of defoliation of 40%, raising the possibility that the exploitation of lower grazing horizons could be more related to stocking density and relatively independent of the grazed area.

The morphogenetic and structural characteristics of forage plants and the processes of growth and senescence in tissues may vary according to the grazing management strategies used. This research aimed to assess the process of regrowth in elephant grass swards Cv. 'Pioneiro' submitted to two pre-grazing heights (90 and 120cm) combined with two levels of defoliation (50 and 70%). A reduction of the leaf elongation rate (LER) was observed during the regrowth stages, in addition to a reduction in the rate of leaf appearance (LAR) and aerial tiller population density (ATPD). In contrast, an increase was observed in leaf senescence (LSR) and stem and pseudo stem elongation rates (SER). The severe defoliation (70%) combined with a pre-grazing height of 120cm compromised the regrowth of elephant grass cv. 'Pioneiro', which must be managed with a maximum height of 90cm and maximum level of defoliation of 50% of the initial height.

ABSTRACT The milk and meat from animals with a pasture-based diet have higher proportions of CLA and C18:3 and lower omega-6:omega-3 ratios than products from animals with diets based on corn silage and concentrate. However, most of the published studies have evaluated fatty acid profiles in temperate climate grasses and the literature with tropical grasses is scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological and fatty acid compositions in the vertical strata of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) swards subjected to grazing heights (90 or 120 cm pre-grazing heights) and levels of defoliation (50% or 70% removal of the initial pre-grazing height). There were no interactions among pre-grazing height, the level of defoliation and grazing stratum. However, higher proportion of C18:3 (58% and 63%) was found in the 90-cm swards and in the half upper stratum. A higher proportion of C18:3 was associated with a higher leaf proportion and crude protein content. Thus, the upper stratum of sward or a grazing management scheme (e.g. first-last stocking) resulting in a higher proportion of leaves and crude protein both provide higher proportions of C18:3 to animals grazing in elephant grass swards.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the forage accumulation during the stocking period on Kikuyu grass pastures (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. Ex. Chiov) subjected to intermittent stocking. Treatments consisted of four defoliation levels (removal of 40, 50, 60, and 70% relative to the initial height) starting from the same pre-grazing height (20 cm). The following variables were evaluated: leaf and stem elongation rates (evaluated during four times across the period of occupation), leaf area index, and forage accumulation rates. Additionally, ten tillers/strip were evaluated for the same variables into exclusion cages. The linear, quadratic and cubic effects of severity of defoliation were evaluated by orthogonal polynomials contrasts with 5% of significance level. There was a linear and inverse relationship between the proportion of removed leaf area index with leaf elongation and herbage accumulation rate. The leaf elongation rate in individual tillers and the forage accumulation rates of tillers on excluded areas from grazing were greater than those under grazing. During the stocking period on pastures submitted to intermittent grazing, forage accumulation was observed and it was linear and negatively correlated with the proportion of leaf area removed. Keywords: accumulation rate; forage production; leaf area index; severity of defoliation; tissue turnover.

Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) initiates the innate immune system in response to cytosolic dsDNA. After binding and activation from dsDNA, cGAS uses ATP and GTP to synthesize 2', 3' -cGAMP (cGAMP), a cyclic dinucleotide second messenger with mixed 2'-5' and 3'-5' phosphodiester bonds. Inappropriate stimulation of cGAS has been implicated in autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus, thus inhibition of cGAS may be of therapeutic benefit in some diseases; however, the size and polarity of the cGAS active site makes it a challenging target for the development of conventional substrate-competitive inhibitors. We report here the development of a high affinity (KD = 200 nM) inhibitor from a low affinity fragment hit with supporting biochemical and structural data showing these molecules bind to the cGAS active site. We also report a new high throughput cGAS fluorescence polarization (FP)-based assay to enable the rapid identification and optimization of cGAS inhibitors. This FP assay uses Cy5-labelled cGAMP in combination with a novel high affinity monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes cGAMP with no cross reactivity to cAMP, cGMP, ATP, or GTP. Given its role in the innate immune response, cGAS is a promising therapeutic target for autoinflammatory disease. Our results demonstrate its druggability, provide a high affinity tool compound, and establish a high throughput assay for the identification of next generation cGAS inhibitors.

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a participação relativa de colmo na estrutura vertical de pastos de capim Aruana e azevém anual submetidos a estratégias de pastejo intermitente por ovinos. Os tratamentos para o capim Aruana corresponderam a pastejos realizados quando os pastos atingiam 95 e 98% de interceptação da luz incidente (IL) até as alturas pós-pastejo de 10 e 15cm. Para o azevém anual, os tratamentos corresponderam a pastejos realizados quando os pastos atingiam 15 e 25cm de altura pré-pastejo até as alturas pós-pastejo de 4 e 8cm. O delineamento experimental utilizado para as duas espécies foi inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 2x2, com três repetições. Para quantificação da massa de colmo na estrutura vertical dos pastos, foram realizadas duas amostragens no pré-pastejo por unidade experimental (piquetes de 196m²) utilizando-se um quadrado de 25cm x 25cm de lado, em cada ciclo de pastejo. As amostras foram coletadas de forma estratificada a cada 5cm até o nível do solo. Após o corte estratificado, o material foi separado em colmo, folhas e material morto. Independente da espécie vegetal ou da altura de entrada, aproximadamente 90% de todo o colmo dos pastos encontra-se presente até 50% da altura do pasto, indicando que possíveis reduções em consumo a partir desse momento no rebaixamento podem ser atribuídas a dificuldades em manipulação e apreensão da forragem.The aim of this study was to determine the relative contribution of stem in the vertical structure of Aruana guineagrass and annual ryegrass pastures submitted to strategies of rotational grazing by sheep. Treatments for Aruana guineagrass corresponded to grazing when the swards intercepted 95 and 98% of the incident light (LI) until the post-grazing heights of 10 and 15cm. For annual ryegrass, treatments corresponded to grazing when the swards reached 15 and 25cm (pre-grazing heights) until the post-grazing of 4 and 8cm. The experimental design for two species was a completely randomized in a 2x2 factorial scheme, with three replications. To quantify the stem mass present at each 5cm in the vertical structure of the pastures two samples were taken per experimental unit (paddocks of 196m²) using a square of 25cmx25cm. Cut samples was separated in leaves, stem and dead material. Regardless of plant species or pre-grazing height, approximately 90% of the stem is present up to 50% of sward height, suggesting that reported intake reduction beyond this point can be attributed to difficulties in forage manipulation and apprehension.

The development of new materials for biological application requires in vitro testing of cell/surface interactions. Cell adhesion and spreading are difficult to quantify as most materials are non-transparent and transmission microscopy cannot be used. Contrast in reflection microscopy is rather poor. We propose an alternative method for the automated screening of cell attachment and spreading using backscattered electron imaging of scanning electron microscopy. The enhanced cell contrast permits study of cell/material interactions by little differences between cells and material.

Technical progress has simplified tasks in lab diagnosis and improved quality of test results. Errors occurring during the pre-analytical phase have more negative impact on the quality of test results than errors encountered during the total analytical process. Different infrastructures of sampling sites can highly influence the quality of samples and therewith of analytical results. Annually the German Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB) collects, characterizes, and stores blood, plasma, and urine samples of 120-150 volunteers each on four different sampling sites in Germany. Overarching goal is to investigate the exposure to environmental pollutants of non-occupational exposed young adults combining human biomonitoring with questionnaire data. We investigated the requirements of the study and the possibility to realize a highly standardized sampling procedure on a mobile platform in order to increase the required quality of the pre-analytical phase. The results lead to the development of a mobile epidemiologic laboratory (epiLab) in the project "Labor der Zukunft" (future's lab technology). This laboratory includes a 14.7 m(2) reception area to record medical history and exposure-relevant behavior, a 21.1 m(2) examination room to record dental fillings and for blood withdrawal, a 15.5 m(2) biological safety level 2 laboratory to process and analyze samples on site including a 2.8 m(2) personnel lock and a 3.6 m2 cryofacility to immediately freeze samples. Frozen samples can be transferred to their final destination within the vehicle without breaking the cold chain. To our knowledge, we herewith describe for the first time the implementation of a biological safety laboratory (BSL) 2 lab and an epidemiologic unit on a single mobile platform. Since 2013 we have been collecting up to 15.000 individual human samples annually under highly standardized conditions using the mobile laboratory. Characterized and free of alterations they are kept ready for retrospective analyses in their final archive, the German ESB.

Animal testing plays a vital role in biomedical research. Stress reduction is important for improving research results and increasing the welfare and the quality of life of laboratory animals. To estimate stress we believe it is of great importance to develop non-invasive techniques for monitoring physiological signals during the transport of laboratory animals, thereby allowing the gathering of information on the transport conditions, and, eventually, the improvement of these conditions. Here, we study the suitability of commercially available electric potential integrated circuit (EPIC) sensors, using both contact and contactless techniques, for monitoring the heart rate and breathing rate of non-restrained, non-sedated laboratory mice. The design has been tested under different scenarios with the aim of checking the plausibility of performing contactless capture of mouse heart activity (ideally with an electrocardiogram). First experimental results are shown.

The metabolic cost associated with locomotion represents a significant part of an animal's metabolic energy budget. Therefore understanding the ways in which animals manage the energy required for locomotion by controlling muscular effort is critical to understanding limb design and the evolution of locomotor behavior. The assumption that energetic economy is the most important target of natural selection underlies many analyses of steady animal locomotion, leading to the prediction that animals will choose gaits and postures that maximize energetic efficiency. Many quadrupedal animals, particularly those that specialize in long distance steady locomotion, do in fact reduce the muscular contribution required for walking by adopting pendulum-like center of mass movements that facilitate exchange between kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy (PE). However, animals that are not specialized for long distance steady locomotion may face a more complex set of requirements, some of which may conflict with the efficient exchange of mechanical energy. For example, the "stealthy" walking style of cats may demand slow movements performed with the center of mass close to the ground. Force plate and video data show that domestic cats (Felis catus, Linnaeus, 1758) have lower mechanical energy recovery than mammals specialized for distance. A strong negative correlation was found between mechanical energy recovery and diagonality in the footfalls and there was also a negative correlation between limb compression and diagonality of footfalls such that more crouched postures tended to have greater diagonality. These data show a previously unrecognized mechanical relationship in which crouched postures are associated with changes in footfall pattern which are in turn related to reduced mechanical energy recovery. Low energy recovery was not associated with decreased vertical oscillations of the center of mass as theoretically predicted, but rather with posture and footfall pattern on the phase relationship between potential and kinetic energy. An important implication of these results is the possibility of a tradeoff between stealthy walking and economy of locomotion. This potential tradeoff highlights the complex and conflicting pressures that may govern the locomotor choices that animals make.