Our objective is to overview the research that lead to the development of fertility programs for high-producing lactating dairy cows using only GnRH and Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), such as Ovsynch ...with a focus on the role of progesterone in fertility. A key factor affecting fertility to timed-AI is the response to each hormonal treatment of the Ovsynch protocol. Although not required for fertility, cows ovulating to the first GnRH treatment of the Ovsynch protocol (G1) have greater P/AI than cows failing to ovulate. The association between progesterone concentrations at each treatment during the Ovsynch protocol and fertility is reviewed, and data from 7792 cows from 14 studies are presented. Overall, medium P4 (between 0.5 and 6 ng/mL) at G1, high P4 concentrations (>1.0 ng/mL) at the PGF2α, and low P4 concentrations (<0.4 ng/mL) at final GnRH (G2) are associated with greater P/AI. The use of presynchronization treatments that increase the percentage of cows initiating the Ovsynch protocol during early diestrous increases the percentage of cows with medium P4 concentrations at G1 and with high P4 concentration at PGF2α. Some cows, however, fail to completely undergo luteal regression after a single PGF2α treatment, particularly cows that initiate the Ovsynch protocol in a low P4 environment and cows with a young (d 6) CL at the time of treatment with PGF2α. Addition of a second PGF2α treatment increased the percentage of cows with complete luteal regression and P/AI. The use of fertility programs that include the concepts described in this review have resulted in more P/AI than inseminating cows after an induced estrus at first insemination. In addition, extending these concepts to strategies for resynchronization of ovulation and the implementation of an aggressive reproductive management program for first and subsequent inseminations results in reproductive performance that is unprecedented for high-producing Holstein dairy cows.
•Fertility to TAI protocols depends on the response to each hormonal treatment.•Presynchronization strategies increase fertility by increasing responses.•Incomplete luteal regression during the protocol is a major cause of low fertility.•Addition of a second PGF2α treatment increases fertility to TAI.•21-day pregnancy rates can exceed 30% in healthy, high-producing dairy herds.
A major environmental pollution problem is the release into the atmosphere of particulate matter, including nanoparticles (NPs), which causes serious hazards to human and ecosystem health, ...particularly in urban areas. However, knowledge about the uptake, translocation and accumulation of NPs in plant tissues is almost completely lacking. The uptake of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and their transport and accumulation in the leaves, stems and roots of three different tree species, downy oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and black poplar (Populus nigra L.), were assessed. In the experiment, Ag-NPs were supplied separately to the leaves (via spraying, the foliar treatment) and roots (via watering, the root treatment) of the three species. Uptake, transport and accumulation of Ag were investigated through spectroscopy. The concentration of Ag in the stem was higher in the foliar than in the root treatment, and in poplar more than in oak and pine. Foliar treatment with Ag-NPs reduced aboveground biomass and stem length in poplars, but not in oaks or pines. Species-specific signals of oxidative stress were observed; foliar treatment of oak caused the accumulation of H2O2 in leaves, and both foliar and root treatments of poplar led to increased O2- in leaves. Ag-NPs affected leaf and root bacteria and fungi; in the case of leaves, foliar treatment reduced bacterial populations in oak and poplar and fungi populations in pine, and in the case of roots, root treatment reduced bacteria and increased fungi in poplar. Species-specific mechanisms of interaction, transport, allocation and storage of NPs in trees were found. We demonstrated definitively that NPs enter into the tree stem through leaves faster than through roots in all of the investigated tree species.
Because the reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows influences the profitability of dairy operations, predicting the future reproductive and economic performance of dairy herds through ...decision support systems would be valuable to dairy producers and consultants. In this study, we present a highly adaptable tool created based on a mathematical model combining Markov chain simulation with partial budgeting to obtain the net present value (NPV; $/cow per year) of different reproductive management programs. The growing complexity of reproductive programs used by dairy farms demands that new decision support systems precisely reflect the events that occur on the farm. Therefore, the model requires productive, reproductive, and economic input data used for simulation of farm conditions to account for all factors related to reproductive management that increase costs and generate revenue. The economic performance of 3 different reproductive programs can be simultaneously compared with the current model. A program utilizing 100% visual estrous detection (ED) for artificial insemination (AI) is used as a baseline for comparison with 2 other programs that may include 100% timed AI (TAI) as well as any combination of TAI and ED. A case study is presented in which the model was used to compare 3 different reproductive management strategies (100% ED baseline compared with two 100% TAI options) using data from a commercial farm in Wisconsin. Sensitivity analysis was then used to assess the effect of varying specific reproductive parameters on the NPV. Under the simulated conditions of the case study, the model indicated that the two 100% TAI programs were superior to the 100% ED program and, of the 100% TAI programs, the one with the higher conception rate (CR) for resynchronized AI services was economically superior despite having higher costs and a longer interbreeding interval. A 4% increase in CR for resynchronized AI was sufficient for the inferior 100% TAI to outperform the superior program. Adding ED to the 100% TAI programs was only beneficial for the program with the lower CR. The improvement in service rate required for the 100% ED program to have the same NPV as the superior 100% TAI program was 12%. The decision support system developed in this study is a valuable tool that may be used to assist dairy producers and industry consultants in selecting the best farm-specific reproductive management strategy.
Capabilities of highly sensitive surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy are demonstrated by exploiting large-area templates (cm2) based on self-organized (SO) nanorod antennas. We ...engineered highly dense arrays of gold nanorod antennas featuring polarization-sensitive localized plasmon resonances, tunable over a broadband near- and mid-infrared (IR) spectrum, in overlap with the so-called “functional group” window. We demonstrate polarization-sensitive SEIRA activity, homogeneous over macroscopic areas and stable in time, by exploiting prototype self-assembled monolayers of IR-active octadecanthiol (ODT) molecules. The strong coupling between the plasmonic excitation and molecular stretching modes gives rise to characteristic Fano resonances in SEIRA. The SO engineering of the active hotspots in the arrays allows us to achieve signal amplitude improved up to 5.7%. This figure is competitive to the response of lithographic nanoantennas and is stable when the optical excitation spot varies from the micro- to macroscale, thus enabling highly sensitive SEIRA spectroscopy with cost-effective nanosensor devices.
The influences of ethylene-based elastomer (EE) and the compatibilizer agent ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (EBAGMA) on the thermal degradation of PLA/EE blends were evaluated by the ...thermal degradation kinetics and thermodynamic parameters using thermogravimetry. The presence of EE and EBAGMA synergistically improved the PLA thermal stability. The temperature of 10% of mass loss (T10%) of PLA was around 365 °C, while in the compatibilized PLA/EE blend, this property increased to 370 °C. The PLA average activation energy (Ea¯) reduced in the PLA/EE blend (from 96 kJ/mol to 78 kJ/mol), while the presence of EBAGMA in the PLA/EE blend increased the Ea¯ due to a better blend compatibilization. The solid-state thermal degradation of the PLA and PLA/EE blends was classified as a D-type degradation mechanism. In general, the addition of EE increased the thermodynamic parameters when compared to PLA and the compatibilized blend due to the increase in the collision rate between the components over the thermal decomposition.
Everolimus synergistically enhances taxane-induced cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo in addition to demonstrating a direct antiproliferative activity. We aim to determine ...pharmacodynamics changes and response of adding everolimus to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Phase II study in patients with primary TNBC randomized to T-FEC (paclitaxel 80mg/m2 i.v. weekly for 12 weeks, followed by 5-fluorouracil 500mg/m2, epirubicin 100mg/m2, and cyclophosphamide 500mg/m2 every 3 weeks for four cycles) versus TR-FEC (paclitaxel 80mg/m2 i.v. and everolimus 30mg PO weekly for 12 weeks, followed by FEC). Tumor samples were collected to assess molecular changes in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, at baseline, 48h, 12 weeks, and at surgery by reverse phase protein arrays (RPPA). Clinical end points included 12-week clinical response rate (12-week RR), pathological complete response (pCR), and toxicity.
Sixty-two patients were registered, and 50 were randomized, 27 received T-FEC, and 23 received TR-FEC. Median age was 48 (range 31–75). There was downregulation of the mTOR pathway at 48h in the TR-FEC arm. Twelve-week RR by ultrasound were 29.6% versus 47.8%, (P = 0.075), and pCR were 25.9% versus 30.4% (P = 0.76) for T-FEC and TR-FEC, respectively. mTOR downregulation at 48h did not correlate with 12-week RR in the TR-FEC group (P = 0.58). Main NCI grade 3/4 toxicities included anemia, neutropenia, rash/desquamation, and vomiting in both arms. There was one case of grade 3 pneumonitis in the TR-FEC arm. No grade 3/4 stomatitis occurred.
The addition of everolimus to paclitaxel was well tolerated. Everolimus downregulated mTOR signaling but downregulation of mTOR at 48h did not correlate with 12-week RR in the TR-FEC group.
NCT00499603.
Despite the widespread adoption of hormonal synchronization protocols that allow for timed artificial insemination (AI), detection of estrus plays an important role in the reproductive management ...program on most dairies in the United States. Increased physical activity is a secondary sign of estrus in dairy cattle, and a new generation of electronic systems that continuously monitor physical activity to predict timing of AI have been developed and marketed to the dairy industry. A variety of management and physiologic challenges inhibit detection of behavioral estrus on farms, but the prevalence of anouvular cows near the end of the voluntary waiting period is particularly problematic. Only 70% of lactating Holstein cows were detected in estrus when using an activity monitoring system, with the remaining 20% of cows classified as anovular and 10% ovulating without showing signs of activity. Mean time of AI in relation to ovulation based on the activity monitoring system was acceptable for most of the cows with increased activity, however, variability in the duration of estrus and timing of AI in relation to ovulation could result in poor pregnancy outcomes in some cows. Use of a Presynch–Ovsynch protocol for submission of cows for first AI has been widely adopted by dairies in the United States, and a combined approach in which AI based on activity is followed by submission of cows not detected with activity to timed AI after synchronization of ovulation may be an effective strategy for submission of cows to first AI. Based on a field trial on a large commercial dairy in the United States, the activity monitoring system detected 70% of cows with increased activity after the second PGF₂α injection of a Presynch–Ovsynch protocol, however, cows inseminated to increased activity had fewer pregnancies per AI (P/AI) compared with cows with increased activity after the second PGF₂α injection that received timed AI after completing the Presynch–Ovsynch protocol. Based on an economic model comparing reproductive management programs with varying levels of AI to estrus v. timed AI, the rate of estrus detection and the P/AI to inseminations based on AI to detected estrus v. timed AI affected the decision to inseminate based on activity v. timed AI. In conclusion, an activity monitoring system detected increased activity in about 70% of lactating Holstein cows on a large commercial dairy in the United States, however, synchronization of ovulation and timed AI was beneficial to inseminate cows not detected with increased activity by the activity monitoring system.
Context:
Ectopic Cushing's Syndrome (ECS) can be a diagnostic challenge with the hormonal source difficult to find. This study analyzes the accuracy of imaging studies in ECS localization.
Evidence ...Acquisition:
Systematic review of medical literature for ECS case series providing individual patient data on at least one conventional imaging technique (computed tomography CT/magnetic resonance imaging) and one of the following: 111In-pentetreotide (OCT), 131I/123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine, 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), 18F-fluorodopa-PET (F-DOPA-PET), 68Ga-DOTATATE-PET/CT or 68Ga-DOTATOC-PET/CT scan (68Gallium-SSTR-PET/CT).
Evidence Summary:
The analysis comprised 231 patients (females, 50.2%; age, 42.6 ± 17 y). Overall, 52.4% (121/231) had “overt” ECS, 18.6% had “occult” ECS, and 29% had “covert” ECS. Tumors were located in the lung (55.3%), mediastinum-thymus (7.9%), pancreas (8.5%), adrenal glands (6.4%), gastrointestinal tract (5.4%), thyroid (3.7%), and other sites (12.8%), and primary tumors were mostly bronchial neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) (54.8%), pancreatic NETs (8%), mediastinum-thymus NETs (6.9%), gastrointestinal NETs (5.3%), pheochromocytoma (6.4%), neuroblastoma (3.2%), and medullary thyroid carcinoma (3.2%). Tumors were localized by CT in 66.2% (137/207), magnetic resonance imaging in 51.5% (53/103), OCT in 48.9% (84/172), FDG-PET in 51.7% (46/89), F-DOPA-PET in 57.1% (12/21), 131/123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine in 30.8% (4/13), and 68Gallium-SSTR-PET/CT in 81.8% (18/22) of cases. Molecular imaging discovered 79.1% (53/67) of tumors unidentified by conventional radiology, with OCT the most commonly used, revealing the tumor in 64%, followed by FDG-PET in 59.4%. F-DOPA-PET was used in only seven covert cases (sensitivity, 85.7%). Notably, 68Gallium-SSTR-PET/CT had 100% sensitivity among covert cases.
Conclusions:
Nuclear medicine improves the sensitivity of conventional radiology when tumor site identification is problematic. OCT offers a good availability/reliability ratio, and FDG-PET was proven useful. 68Gallium-SSTR-PET/CT use was infrequent, despite offering the highest sensitivity.
Display omitted
•Morpho-physiological traits were studied in 3 cardoon cvs. grown on a polluted soil.•Metals induced severe ultrastructural damage in Sardo and Siciliano cvs.•Pigments and ...photochemistry showed a significant decline in Sardo and Sicilano cvs.•Rubisco protein significantly increases in Spagnolo cv.•Spagnolo cv. faces metal stress by balancing morphology and physiology.
In the present work the cytomorphological and physiological effects on three cardoon cultivars – Sardo, Siciliano, Spagnolo - grown in a metal-polluted soil, were investigated, to assess the traits concurring to the high tolerance to metal stress observed in cv. Spagnolo compared to the other two cultivars. The plants were grown for one month on a real polluted soil collected at a dismantling battery plant, highly enriched by heavy metals, especially Cd and Pb, and their leaves were analyzed by a multidisciplinary approach. TEM observations highlighted severe ultrastructural damage in Sardo and Siciliano, and preserved cytological traits in Spagnolo. Both pigment content and photochemistry indicated a decline in photosynthesis in Sardo and Sicilano and a substantial stability of the same parameters in Spagnolo. Protein analysis indicated a decrease in D1 level in all cultivars; in Spagnolo the D1 decrease was more pronounced and associated to a significant increase in Rubisco, a pattern likely preserving photosynthetic efficiency and high biomass production. In conclusion, Spagnolo cardoon was able to face metal stress through a prompt, multiple response balancing structural and functional traits.
► The crevice corrosion resistance of the tested alloys increased with PREN, which is mainly affected by their Mo content. ► Crevice corrosion kinetics was controlled by ohmic drop only in the more ...dilute chloride solutions. ► Charge transfer control was observed in concentrated chloride solutions. ► A critical ohmic drop was not necessary for crevice corrosion to occur. ► Ohmic drop was a consequence of the crevice corrosion process in certain conditions.
The crevice corrosion kinetics of alloys C-22, C-22HS and HYBRID-BC1 was studied in several chloride solutions at 90°C. The crevice corrosion resistance of the alloys increased with PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number), which is mainly affected by the Mo content in the alloys. The crevice corrosion kinetics of the three alloys was analyzed at potentials slightly higher than the repassivation potential. Crevice propagation was controlled by ohmic drop in the more dilute chloride solutions, and by charge transfer in the more concentrated chloride solutions. Ohmic drop was not a necessary condition for crevice corrosion to occur.
PDF
