Supplementing the diet of lactating cows with ingredients that increase energy density, or reduce internal heat production, may reduce some of the negative impacts of hot weather on milk yield. ...Thirty-two dairy cows were assigned either: (1) basal diet only, (2) basal diet plus canola oil, (3) basal diet plus betaine, or (4) basal diet plus canola oil and betaine. The basal diet was lucerne hay, pasture silage, and grain. Cows were exposed to a four-day heat challenge (temperature-humidity index 74 to 84) in controlled-environment chambers. Canola oil supplementation increased milk production (22.0 vs. 18.7 kg/d) across all periods of our experiment and increased body temperature (39.6 vs. 39.0 °C) during the heat challenge. Betaine supplementation reduced maximum body temperature during the pre-challenge period (39.2 vs. 39.6 °C) but not during the heat challenge (40.3 °C). Cows fed canola oil had greater declines in dry matter intake (5.4 vs 2.7 kg DM) and energy corrected milk (1.3 vs. 1.0 kg) from the pre-challenge to the heat challenge than other cows. Contrary to our expectations, the combination of fat and betaine supplements did not result in a clear benefit in terms of milk production or body temperature. Further work is warranted to understand the interactions between diet and hot weather.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Archaeopteryx, the earliest known flying bird (avialan) from the Late Jurassic period, exhibits many shared primitive characters with more basal coelurosaurian dinosaurs (the clade including all ...theropods more bird-like than Allosaurus), such as teeth, a long bony tail and pinnate feathers. However, Archaeopteryx possessed asymmetrical flight feathers on its wings and tail, together with a wing feather arrangement shared with modern birds. This suggests some degree of powered flight capability but, until now, little was understood about the extent to which its brain and special senses were adapted for flight. We investigated this problem by computed tomography scanning and three-dimensional reconstruction of the braincase of the London specimen of Archaeopteryx. Here we show the reconstruction of the braincase from which we derived endocasts of the brain and inner ear. These suggest that Archaeopteryx closely resembled modern birds in the dominance of the sense of vision and in the possession of expanded auditory and spatial sensory perception in the ear. We conclude that Archaeopteryx had acquired the derived neurological and structural adaptations necessary for flight. An enlarged forebrain suggests that it had also developed enhanced somatosensory integration with these special senses demanded by a lifestyle involving flying ability.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Ex ante economic analysis can be used to establish the production threshold for a proposed experimental diet to be as profitable as the control treatment. This study reports (1) a pre-experimental ...economic analysis to estimate the milk production thresholds for an experiment where dietary supplements were fed to dairy cows experiencing a heat challenge, and (2) comparison of these thresholds to the milk production results of the subsequent animal experiment. The pre-experimental thresholds equated to a 1% increase in milk production for the betaine supplement, 9% increase for the fat supplement, and 11% increase for fat and betaine in combination, to achieve the same contribution to farm profit as the control diet. For the post-experimental comparison, previously modelled climate predictions were used to extrapolate the milk production results from the animal experiment over the annual hot-weather period for the dairying region in northern Victoria, Australia. Supplementing diets with fat or betaine had the potential to produce enough extra milk to exceed the production thresholds, making either supplement a profitable alternative to feeding the control diet during the hot-weather period. Feeding fat and betaine in combination failed to result in the extra milk required to justify the additional cost when compared to the control diet.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The incidence of herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) in patients following corneal refractive surgery is higher than in the general population, and several case reports of ocular morbidity in HSK ...infection following corneal refractive surgery have been published. HSK is listed by the American Academy of Ophthalmology as a relative contraindication to corneal refractive surgery, although specifics have not been further elucidated. This review summarizes the current literature regarding reactivation of HSK following corneal refractive surgery and provides a guideline for considering corneal refractive surgery in a patient with a previous history of HSK. Based on the current literature, we recommend that corneal refractive surgery is appropriate for patients with a history of HSK without multiple recurrences who have had no evidence of disease for at least one year. In addition to a thorough history and physical examination, we also recommend these patients begin 400 mg twice daily of oral acyclovir or valacyclovir 500 mg once daily for two weeks prior to surgery and continue this regimen for at least two weeks postoperatively or while on topical steroids. Keywords: herpetic keratitis, LASIK, PRK, PTK, herpes prophylaxis, SMILE, HSV, shingles, varicella zoster, cytomegalovirus, CMV
Background Hyaluronan (HA) is a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) with increased synthesis during tissue repair. Tumour necrosis factor‐stimulated gene‐6 (TSG‐6) is known to catalyze ...the covalent transfer of heavy chains (HC1 and HC2) from inter‐α‐inhibitor (IαI) onto HA, and resultant HC•HA complexes have been implicated in physiological and pathological processes related to remodelling and inflammation.
Objective The aims of this study were to determine the expression of HA, TSG‐6 and the IαI polypeptides in unscarred skin, normal scars and keloid scars.
Methods Formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded sections of unscarred skin, normal scars and keloid scars were prepared from patient samples collected during scar revision surgery. Haematoxylin and eosin, as well as immunofluorescent staining for HA, TSG‐6 and the three polypeptide chains of IαI (i.e. HC1, HC2 and bikunin) were performed.
Results All skin types stained positive for TSG‐6, HC1, HC2 and bikunin, associated with keratinocytes, fibroblasts and skin appendages all in close proximity to HA. Keloid lesions showed altered HA organization patterns compared with unscarred skin and normal scars. TSG‐6 staining was significantly more intense in the epidermis compared with the dermis of all sample types. There was a significant reduction in TSG‐6 levels within keloid lesions compared with the dermis of unscarred skin (P = 0.017).
Conclusion TSG‐6 is expressed in unscarred skin, where its close association with HA and IαI could give rise to TSG‐6‐mediated HC•HA formation within this tissue. A reduction in the beneficial effects of TSG‐6, caused by diminished protein levels in keloid lesions, could contribute to this abnormal scarring process.
To update knowledge on individual radiographer contribution to plain-film reporting workloads; to assess whether there is scope to further increase radiographer reporting capacity within this area.
...Reporting radiographers were invited to complete an online survey. Invitations were posted to every acute National Health Service trust in the UK whilst snowball sampling was employed via a network of colleagues, ex-colleagues and acquaintances. Information was sought regarding the demographics, geographical location and anatomical and referral scope of practice.
A total of 259 responses were received. 15.1% and 7.7% of respondents are qualified to report chest and abdomen radiographs, respectively. The mean time spent reporting per week is 14.5 h (range 1-37.5). 23.6% of radiographers report only referrals from emergency departments whilst 50.6% of radiographers have limitations on their practice.
The scope of practice of reporting radiographers has increased since previous studies; however, radiographer reporting of chest and abdomen radiographs has failed to progress in line with demand. There remain opportunities to increase radiographer capacity to assist the management of reporting backlogs.
This study is the first to examine demographic factors of reporting radiographers across the UK and is one of the largest in-depth studies of UK reporting radiographers, at individual level, to date.
A study of imaging the Fukushima Daiichi reactors with cosmic-ray muons to assess the damage to the reactors is presented. Muon scattering imaging has high sensitivity for detecting uranium fuel and ...debris even through thick concrete walls and a reactor pressure vessel. Technical demonstrations using a reactor mockup, detector radiation test at Fukushima Daiichi, and simulation studies have been carried out. These studies establish feasibility for the reactor imaging. A few months of measurement will reveal the spatial distribution of the reactor fuel. The muon scattering technique would be the best and probably the only way for Fukushima Daiichi to make this determination in the near future.
Intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRSs) are an effective treatment for stabilizing and normalizing corneal shape in patients with keratoconus and other corneal ectasias. Intraoperative segment ...perforation through the corneal endothelium into the anterior chamber (AC) is an uncommon but known complication. However, perforation into the AC postoperatively is an exceedingly rare complication with only 3 reported cases in the literature. One case was due to Descemet membrane detachment and another due to ocular trauma. In the third case, the mechanism for perforation was unclear. We present the fourth case of delayed ICRS perforation due to silent migration through the endothelium into the AC. We also present all reported cases in the literature of intraoperative and postoperative perforation into the AC.
Despite pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) being an evidence-based treatment recommended for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), referral to PR seems to be low. Collating the ...evidence on referral rates and perceived barriers and enablers may help provide knowledge needed to increase referral.
The purpose of this scoping review was to determine 1) the rate of referral of patients with COPD to PR by healthcare professionals (HCPs) and 2) the barriers and enablers to referral perceived by HCPs.
The JBI scoping review manual was used. Ovid Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses were searched from inception until July 28, 2017. 245 non-duplicate articles were screened. Included articles reported referral rates and/or HCP perceived barriers and/or enablers to PR referral.
Forty-two studies were included. Twenty-eight observational studies reported referral rates ranging from 0% to 85%. Seven studies looking at the effects of different interventions to improve COPD care reported a range of 2%–56% referral pre-intervention, and 8%–71% post-intervention. Nine studies reported HCP perceived barriers to referral. The two most common barriers were low knowledge of what PR is and its benefits and low knowledge of the referral process. Six studies reported HCP perceived enablers to referral. The most common enabler was training/experience in PR.
The rate of referral to PR is suboptimal, but there are commonly reported barriers and enablers that may help with the creation of actionable changes. HCPs need more knowledge of PR and the benefits it provides.
•Referral rates range from 0% to 85%, even though all patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should be referred.•Barriers include not knowing what pulmonary rehabilitation is, its benefits, and how to refer.•Previous experience or training in pulmonary rehabilitation makes health care professionals more likely to refer.
Purpose of review
Spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) remains a phenomenological term, and advances in ophthalmic imaging as well as new insights from ground-based experiments have ...given support to new theories of how SANS develops and what may be done to counter it.
Recent findings
SANS has been postulated to arise from elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) during long-duration spaceflight (LDSF). However, recent work has shown that acute microgravity exposure does not increase ICP, and the effect of cephalad fluid shifts on ICP in microgravity remain unknown. In addition, structural imaging of the retina and optic nerve show changes after LDSF that are distinct from findings in terrestrial patients with elevated ICP. Since astronauts have not reported symptoms that would be expected with chronic ICP elevation, new theories that orbital and/or intracranial venous pressure may be the primary contributors to the development of SANS.
Summary
Research has been filling knowledge gaps that exist regarding the cause(s) of SANS, and these advances are crucial steps in the effort to design countermeasures that will be required before human deep space exploration missions can be undertaken.
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