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This study aimed to evaluate the effects of milk supplementation with different zinc (Zn) sources on growth rate, starter intake, diarrhea incidence, and nutrient digestibility in dairy calves during the pre-weaning period. Forty newborn Holstein heifer calves were assigned to four treatments: control (no Zn supplementation; CON) or supplementation with 80 mg/day Zn from zinc sulfate (Zn-Sul), chelated zinc (Zn-Bon), or zinc methionine (Zn-Met). The Zn supplements were provided via milk from days 3 to 14 of age. Body weight (BW) and starter intake (SI) were monitored until weaning on day 70. Serum metabolite concentrations were determined in blood samples collected on days 15 and 70. Fecal consistency index (FCI) and frequency of medical treatments weremeasured during the first 21 days of life. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) was determined in the 10th week of life. Although the effects of Zn supplementation on BWgain or body measurementswere non-significant, a tendency for treatment Ã-- time interaction on BW was observed, with variations among the experimental groups becoming more pronounced on days 56 and 70, showing higher values in Zn-supplemented calves compared to CON. SI was improved by Zn supplementation, with the greatest response in the Zn-Bon group. Compared to control, ATTD of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and starch tended to increase with Zn supplementation. Bloodmetabolites and FCI did not differ among the experimental treatments. Although no significant difference was detected between Zn-Met and CON, the frequency of medical treatment was significantly lower in Zn-Bon and Zn-Sul compared to CON calves. In conclusion, zinc supplementation in milk, particularly with the organic chelated zinc source (Zn-Bon), showed promising effects on increasing starter intake and reducing medical treatments, along with trends toward enhanced growth and nutrient digestibility in pre-weaned calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, poly(caprolactone)/poly (glycerol sebacate) (PCL/PGS) fibrous structures incorporating hydroxyapatite (HA) and graphene oxide (GO) nanofillers were prepared through two procedures, including electrospinning and simultaneous electrospinning/electrospray procedures. Accordingly, introducing nanofillers into the structures through the simultaneous method led to improving the mechanical strength from 3.69 to 4.95 MPa. The electrospray nanofillers caused improvement of the amorphous regions (up to 83.4%) and increased the degradation rate. Furthermore, the filler-filled electrospun/electrospray sample illustrated the highest cell viability of 94.81 ± 0.5%. The results implied that the simultaneous procedure is promising for fabricating filler-loaded membranes as bone tissue scaffolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let n > 2 and Gk(CP² ) be the gauge groups of the principal Sp(n)-bundles over CP² . In this article we partially classify the homotopy types of Gk(CP² ) by showing that if there is a homotopy equivalence Gk(CP² ) ≃ Gk′ (CP² ) then (k, 4n(2n + 1)) = (k ′, 4n(2n + 1)). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let m and n be two positive integers such that m ≤ n. Denote by Pn,k the principal SU (n)-bundle over S2m with Chern class cm(Pn,k) = (m - 1)!h and let Gk,m(SU(n)) be the gauge group of Pn,k classified by kε', where ε' is a generator of π2m(B(SU(n)) ≅ ℤ. In this article we partially classify the homotopy types of Gk,m(SU(n)), by showing that if there is a homotopy equivalence Gk,m(SU(n)) ≃ Gk',m(SU(n)) then in case m is odd and m ≥ 3, ... and in case m is even and m ≥ 4, (...), where p2 = (n + 2)(n + 1)n(n - 1) ⋯ (n - m + 2). We study the group [Σ2nℂPn-1, SU(n)]. Also we discuss the order of the Samelson product S2m-1 Λ ΣℂPn-1 → SU(n) when m < n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cartilage is a connective tissue with a slow healing rate due to lack in blood circulation and slow metabolism. Designing tissue engineering scaffolds modified based on its specific features can assist its natural regeneration process. In this study, the chitosan‐gelatin/single‐walled carbon nanotubes functionalized by COOH (SWNTs‐COOH) nanocomposite scaffolds were fabricated through electrospinning. The effect of each component and different duration of cross‐linking were assessed in terms of morphology, porosity, chemical structure, thermal behavior, mechanical properties, wettability, biodegradability, and in vitro cell culture study. Adding SWNTs‐COOH decreased fiber diameter, water contact angle and degradation rate while increased tensile strength, hydrophilicity, stability and cell viability, due to their high intrinsic electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties and the presence of COOH functional groups in its structure. All the sample presented a porosity percentage of more than 80%, which is essential for tissue engineering scaffolds. The presence SWNTs‐COOH did not have any adverse effect on cytocompatibility. The optimal cross‐linking time increased the stability of the scaffolds in PBS. It can be concluded that the chitosan‐gelatin/1wt% SWNTs‐COOH scaffold can be appropriate for cartilage tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let m and n be two positive integers such that m ≤ n. Denote by Pn,k the principal SU (n)-bundle over S2m with Chern class cm(Pn,k) = (m - 1)!h and let Gk,m(SU(n)) be the gauge group of Pn,k classified by kε', where ε' is a generator of π2m(B(SU(n)) ≅ ℤ. In this article we partially classify the homotopy types of Gk,m(SU(n)), by showing that if there is a homotopy equivalence Gk,m(SU(n)) ≃ Gk',m(SU(n)) then in case m is odd and m ≥ 3, ... and in case m is even and m ≥ 4, (...), where p2 = (n + 2)(n + 1)n(n - 1) ⋯ (n - m + 2). We study the group [Σ2nℂPn-1, SU(n)]. Also we discuss the order of the Samelson product S2m-1 Λ ΣℂPn-1 → SU(n) when m < n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we fabricated poly (caprolactone)/Gelatin (PCL/Gel) nanofibrous scaffolds and graphene oxide (GO 0.3, 0.6 and 1% w/w) was incorporated into scaffolds. Morphological, structural, mechanical and in vitro analyses of the samples were performed. The diameter of PCL nanofibers was increased by adding Gel and GO, especially by adding 1%w/w of GO (210 ± 20 nm versus 482 ± 104 nm). Mechanical properties and hydrophilicity were improved. All scaffolds were nontoxic and the most biocompatibility values obtained were 91.71 ± 0.1% and 94.29 ± 1.1%, which were related to PCL/Gel and PCL/Gel/GO0.3, respectively. Among all samples, PCL/Gel/GO0.3 showed the highest cell area (0.973 ± 0.041). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research in the field of tissue engineering, especially heart tissue engineering, is growing rapidly. Herein, the morphological, chemical, mechanical and biological properties of poly (caprolactone) (PCL)/poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) and PCL/PGS/graphene nanofibrous scaffolds are investigated. Initially, PGS pre‐polymer is synthesized and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. Then, in order to use the benefits of PGS, this polymer is mixed with PCL. Blending PGS with PCL resulted in the enhancement of ultimate elongation and reduction in the elastic modulus due to the intrinsic properties of PGS. The hydrophobicity of PCL nanofibers is reduced by adding PGS as hydrophilic polymer (105 ± 3° vs. 44 ± 2°). Also, the addition of graphene to the blend nanofibers is balanced the hydrophilicity. Degradation rate of pure PCL nanofibers is very slow but it is increased in the presence of PGS. All nanofibrous scaffolds are biocompatible and non‐toxic. The highest cell adhesion (covered area = 0.916 ± 0.032) and biocompatibility (98.79 ± 1%) are related to PCL/PGS loaded with 1% wt of graphene (PCL/PGS/graphene 1). Thus, this sample can be a good candidate for further examinations of cardiac tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]