Effects of Combining Feed Grade Urea and a Slow-release Urea Product on Characteristics of Digestion, Microbial Protein Synthesis and Digestible Energy in Steers Fed Diets with Different Starch:ADF Ratios

Lopez-Soto, M.A.,Rivera-Mendez, C.R.,Aguilar-Hernandez, J.A.,Barreras, A.,Calderon-Cortes, J.F.,Plascencia, A.,Davila-Ramos, H.,Estrada-Angulo, A.,Valdes-Garcia, Y.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.2

As a result of the cost of grains, the replacement of grains by co-products (i.e. DDGS) in feedlot diets is a common practice. This change produces diets that contain a lower amount of starch and greater amount of fibre. Hypothetically, combining feed grade urea (U) with slow release urea (Optigen) in this type of diet should elicit a better synchrony between starch (high-rate of digestion) and fibre (low-rate of digestion) promoting a better microbial protein synthesis and ruminal digestion with increasing the digestible energy of the diet. Four cannulated Holstein steers ($213{\pm}4$ kg) were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to examine the combination of Optigen and U in a finishing diet containing different starch:acid detergent fibre ratios (S:F) on the characteristics of digestive function. Three S:F ratios (3.0, 4.5, and 6.0) were tested using a combination of U (0.80%) and Optigen (1.0%). Additionally, a treatment of 4.5 S:F ratio with urea (0.80% in ration) as the sole source of non-protein nitrogen was used to compare the effect of urea combination at same S:F ratio. The S:F ratio of the diet was manipulated by replacing the corn grain by dried distillers grain with solubles and roughage. Urea combination did not affect ruminal pH. The S:F ratio did not affect ruminal pH at 0 and 2 h post-feeding but, at 4 and 6 h, the ruminal pH decreased as the S:F ratio increased (linear, p<0.05). Ruminal digestion of OM, starch and feed N were not affected by urea combination or S:F ratio. The urea combination did not affect ADF ruminal digestion. ADF ruminal digestion decreased linearly (p = 0.02) as the S:F ratio increased. Compared to the urea treatment (p<0.05) and within the urea combination treatment (quadratic, p<0.01), the flow of microbial nitrogen (MN) to the small intestine and ruminal microbial efficiency were greater for the urea combination at a S:F ratio of 4.5. Irrespective of the S:F ratio, the urea combination improved (2.8%, p = 0.02) postruminal N digestion. As S:F ratio increased, OM digestion increased, but ADF total tract digestion decreased. The combination of urea at 4.5 S:F improved (2%, p = 0.04) the digestible energy (DE) more than expected. Combining urea and Optigen resulted in positive effects on the MN flow and DE of the diet, but apparently these advantages are observed only when there is a certain proportion of starch:ADF in the diet.

Fluid-structure interaction of a tensile fabric structure subjected to different wind speeds

Jesús G. Valdés-Vázquez,Adrián D. García-Soto,Alejandro Hernández-Martínez,José L. Nava 한국풍공학회 2020 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.31 No.6

Despite the current technologic developments, failures in existent tensile fabric structures (TFS) subjected to wind do happen. However, design pressure coefficients are only obtained for large projects. Moreover, studies on TFSs with realistic supporting frames, comparing static and dynamic analyses and discussing the design implications, are lacking. In this study, fluid-Structure analyses of a TFS supported by masts and inclined cables, by subjecting it to different wind speeds, are carried out, to gain more understanding in the above-referred aspects. Wind-induced stresses in the fabric and axial forces in masts and cables are assessed for a hypar by using computational fluid dynamics. Comparisons are carried out versus an equivalent static analysis and also versus loadings deemed representative for design. The procedure includes the so-called form-finding, a finite element formulation for the TFS and the fluid formulation. The selected structure is deemed realistic, since the supporting frame is included and the shape and geometry of the TFS are not uncommon. It is found that by carrying out an equivalent static analysis with the determined pressure coefficients, differences of up to 24% for stresses in the fabric, 5.4% for the compressive force in the masts and 21% for the tensile force in the cables are found with respect to results of the dynamic analysis. If wind loads commonly considered for design are used, significant differences are also found, specially for the reactions at the supporting frame. The results in this study can be used as an aid by designers and researchers.

Hippocampal morphology and cognitive functions in community-dwelling older people: the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936

Valdé,s Herná,ndez, Maria del Carmen,Cox, Simon R.,Kim, Jaeil,Royle, Natalie A.,Muñ,oz Maniega, Susana,Gow, Alan J.,Anblagan, Devasuda,Bastin, Mark E.,Park, Jinah,Starr, John M.,Ward Elsevier 2017 NEUROBIOLOGY OF AGING Vol.52 No.-

<P>Structural measures of the hippocampus have been linked to a variety of memory processes and also to broader cognitive abilities. Gross volumetry has been widely used, yet the hippocampus has a complex formation, comprising distinct subfields which may be differentially sensitive to the deleterious effects of age, and to different aspects of cognitive performance. However, a comprehensive analysis of multidomain cognitive associations with hippocampal deformations among a large group of cognitively normal older adults is currently lacking. In 654 participants of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (mean age = 72.5, SD = 0.71 years), we examined associations between the morphology of the hippocampus and a variety of memory tests (spatial span, letter-number sequencing, verbal recall, and digit backwards), as well as broader cognitive domains (latent measures of speed, fluid intelligence, and memory). Following correction for age, sex, and vascular risk factors, analysis of memory subtests revealed that only right hippocampal associations in relation to spatial memory survived type 1 error correction in subiculum and in CA1 at the head (<I>β</I> = 0.201, <I>p</I> = 5.843 × 10<SUP>−4</SUP>, outward), and in the ventral tail section of CA1 (<I>β</I> = −0.272, <I>p</I> = 1.347 × 10<SUP>−5</SUP>, inward). With respect to latent measures of cognitive domains, only deformations associated with processing speed survived type 1 error correction in bilateral subiculum (<I>β</I><SUB><I>absolute</I></SUB> ≤ 0.247, <I>p</I> < 1.369 × 10<SUP>−4</SUP>, outward), bilaterally in the ventral tail section of CA1 (<I>β</I><SUB><I>absolute</I></SUB> ≤ 0.242, <I>p</I> < 3.451 × 10<SUP>−6</SUP>, inward), and a cluster at the left anterior-to-dorsal region of the head (<I>β</I> = 0.199, <I>p</I> = 5.220 × 10<SUP>−6</SUP>, outward). Overall, our results indicate that a complex pattern of both inward and outward hippocampal deformations are associated with better processing speed and spatial memory in older age, suggesting that complex shape-based hippocampal analyses may provide valuable information beyond gross volumetry.</P>

Production of a Monoclonal Antibody by Ascites, Hollow Fiber System, and Transgenic Plants for Vaccine Production Using CB.Hep-1 mAb as a Study Case

Rodolfo Valdés,Andrés Tamayo,Marcos González,Sigifredo Padilla,Déborah Geada,William Ferro,Lorely Milá,Leonardo Gómez,Rosario Alemán,Alberto Leyva,Cristina García,Otto Mendoza,Tatiana Alvarez,Lamay Do 한국생물공학회 2012 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.17 No.1

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) production methods (ascites, in vitro technologies, transgenic animals, and dicot or monocot transgenic plants; moss, algae) have been improved since they were first developed in 1975. In this study, we illustrate a summary of a study case in which mice, a hollow fiber system, and tobacco transgenic plants were assessed for the production of mAb for vaccine manufacturing and vaccine production. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) production methods (ascites, in vitro technologies, transgenic animals, and dicot or monocot transgenic plants; moss, algae) have been improved since they were first developed in 1975. In this study, we illustrate a summary of a study case in which mice, a hollow fiber system, and tobacco transgenic plants were assessed for the production of mAb for vaccine manufacturing and vaccine production.

Photocatalytic oxidation of ceftiofur sodium under UV–visible irradiation using plasmonic porous Ag-TiO2 nanospheres

N. Pugazhenthiran,S. Murugesan,H. Valdés,M. Selvaraj,P. Sathishkumar,P.G. Smirniotis,S. Anandan,R.V. Mangalaraja 한국공업화학회 2022 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.105 No.-

In this study, 250 nm sized porous anatase TiO2 nanospheres (TiO2 NSPs) composed of 10 nm sized anataseTiO2 nanoparticles are obtained through a green synthetic route and their surfaces have been decoratedwith 3–4 nm sized plasmonic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Photoluminescence studies confirm thatthe AgNPs presence on TiO2 NSPs surface effectively inhibits the radiative charge recombination and thusfacilitates charge separation process at the Ag-TiO2 NSPs interface, causing an enhanced photocatalyticactivity. About 92% of the ceftiofur sodium (CFS) antibiotic taken initially is oxidized by Ag-TiO2 NSPsupon 90 min white light irradiation, while Ag loaded Degussa P25 TiO2 nanoparticles effects only 71%CFS oxidation. The synergistic effect given by plasmonic AgNPs and the continuous framework of anataseTiO2 NPs contributes to inhibit the electron-hole recombination in the Ag-TiO2 NSPs. Oxidation productsof CFS in different water sources and their eco-toxicity effects identified through LC-MS and microtoxbioassays,respectively, indicate that the obtained oxidation products are non-toxic compared to pureCFS. Therefore, porous Ag-TiO2 NSPs could be successfully applied in photocatalytic oxidation technologies,exploiting sunlight for the effective removal of pharmaceutical pollutants from wastewater.

Adaptive Nonlinear Control of Induction Motor

Gerardo V. Guerrero Ramírez,Luis G. Vela Valdés,Manuel Adam Medina,Carlos D. García Beltrán,Cesar A. Villanueva López 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2011 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.9 No.1

This work addresses the problem of controlling a rigid arm (one degree of freedom robot manipulator) directly driven by an induction motor. A Lyapunov-based adaptive nonlinear controller is designed. The developed controller compensates for parametric uncertainty associated with the resistance of the rotor windings and it is capable to track asymptotically a trajectory for an angular position keeping all the internal signals bounded and guarantees the asymptotical stability of the system. Simulations are presented to illustrate the performance of this controller.

Murine Mammary Carcinoma Induces Chronic Systemic Inflammation and Immunosuppression in BALB/c Mice

Dasha Fuentes,Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz,Circe Mesa,Tania Carmenate,Darel Martínez,Anet Valdés-Zayas,Enrique Montero,Rolando Pérez 한국유방암학회 2022 Journal of breast cancer Vol.25 No.3

Purpose: The F3II cell line is a highly invasive variant of mammary carcinoma. Although it is frequently used as a model to evaluate the efficacy of immunotherapy, its impact on the immune system remains poorly understood. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of F3II tumors on the development of chronic inflammation and to characterize tumor-associated immunosuppression. Methods: Following the experimental implantation of F3II tumors in BALB/c mice, alterations in the liver and spleen anatomy and the numbers of circulating leukocytes, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and regulatory T cells were measured using hematological techniques, histopathological analysis, and flow cytometry. The capacity of the F3II tumor-bearing mice to reject MB16F10 allogeneic tumor transplantation was also evaluated. In addition, the restoration of immune parameters in tumor-bearing mice was evaluated after standard breast cancer chemotherapy and surgical tumor excision. Results: F3II tumor implantation increased the levels of chronic inflammatory markers, such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios, and caused myeloid alterations, including extramedullary granulopoiesis and megakaryopoiesis, along with the recruitment of MDSCs to the spleen. Chemotherapy or surgical F3II tumor removal completely rescued the tumor-associated extramedullary granulopoiesis and megakaryopoiesis. Notably, the presence of F3II tumors reduced the capacity of BALB/c mice to reject MB16F10 allogeneic tumor transplantation. Conclusion: These results support the occurrence of F3II tumor-mediated immune cell dysfunction, which mimics the immune alterations characterized by chronic systemic inflammation and immunosuppression observed in breast cancer in clinical settings. Thus, the F3II tumor model is relevant for evaluating novel breast cancer immunotherapies and combinations in preclinical studies. This model could also be useful for identifying appropriate therapeutic targets and developing proof-of-concept experiments in the future.

Sex differences in QEEG in adolescents with conduct disorder and psychopathic traits

Ana Calzada-Reyes,Alfredo Alvarez-Amador,Lidice Galán-García,Mitchell Valdés-Sosa 대한임상신경생리학회 2019 Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology Vol.21 No.1

Background: Sex influences is important to understand behavioral manifestations in a large number of neuropsychiatric disorders. We found electrophysiological differences specifically related to the influence of sex on psychopathic traits. Methods: The resting electroencephalography (EEG) activity and low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) for the EEG spectral bands were evaluated in 38 teenagers with conduct disorder (CD). The 25 male and 13 female subjects had psychopathic traits as diagnosed using the Antisocial Process Screening Device. All of the included adolescents were assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria. The visually inspected EEG characteristics and the use of frequency- domain quantitative analysis techniques are described. Results: Quantitative EEG (QEEG) analysis showed that the slow-wave activities in the right frontal and left central regions were higher and the alpha-band powers in the left central and bitemporal regions were lower in the male than the female psychopathic traits group. The current source density showed increases in paralimbic areas at 2.73 Hz and decreases in the frontoparietal area at 9.37 Hz in male psychopathics relative to female psychopathics. Conclusions: These findings indicate that QEEG analysis and techniques of source localization can reveal sex differences in brain electrical activity between teenagers with CD and psychopathic traits that are not obvious in visual inspections.

Clinical and anatomic description of patients with arteriovenous malformation treated with endovascular therapy in a Mexican population

Mallyolo Eliezer Pelayo-Salazar,Héctor Alfredo Montenegro-Rosales,Jorge Luis Balderrama-Bañares,Pablo Martínez-Arellano,Omar Andrés Campos-Flota,Laura Mestre-Orozco,Julio César López-Valdés 대한뇌혈관외과학회 2023 Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neuros Vol.25 No.1

Objective: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are benign congenital lesions. The estimated prevalence is 10-18 per 100,000 individuals, with an incidence rate of 1.1-1.4 per 100,000 person-year; only 12% of AVMs present symptoms during life. It is important to study different characteristics associated with AVMs because these patients require multidisciplinary treatment. Methods: A descriptive, observational, longitudinal, and retrospective study was carried out from January 15, 2016 to October 19, 2021. Convenience sampling was used on patients diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation. Sociodemographic data was obtained, such as: sex, age, site, predominant symptoms, clinical debut, type of malformation, data associated with post therapy evolution, type of embolizing agent used, associated complications, Rankin scale, and death. Results: Data from 535 procedures was collected, we calculated an incidence of 4.4 cases per million inhabitants. Ninety procedures in 56 patients that used endovascular therapy were obtained with a female-male ratio of 0.75 and an age distribution of 35±14 (SD). A 36.3±11.5 (SD) mm diameter was registered. There was a 33% success rate for endovascular surgery. Conclusions: The multidisciplinary treatment of AVMs is made up of three pillar techniques: microsurgical resection, embolization, and radio-neurosurgery. It is extremely important to make an appropriate decision, with an emphasis on achieving better functional outcomes for the patient. Although neurological endovascular therapy was initially used as an adjuvant treatment for neurosurgery and radio-neurosurgery, it has been used more and more frequently as the first line of treatment.

Protective effects of D-005, a lipid extract from Acrocomia crispa fruits, against ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury in rats

Ambar Oyarzábal-Yera,Sandra Rodríguez-Salgueiro,Nelson Merino-García,Leyanis Ocaña-Nápoles,Lucía González-Núñez,Licet Mena-Valdés,Zullyt Zamora-Rodríguez,José A. Medina-Pírez,Sonia Jiménez-Despaigne,V 대한신장학회 2019 Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Vol.38 No.4

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by renal ischemia/reperfusion (IR) is associated with enhanced production of reactive oxygen species in renal tissues. D-005, a lipid extract obtained from Acrocomia crispa fruit, has previously shown antioxidant effects. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of D-005 on renal IR-induced AKI in rats. Methods: Rats were randomized into seven groups including a negative control group (vehicle) without AKI and six groups with renal IR-induced AKI as follows: a positive control (vehicle); D-005 treatment at 25, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg; and dexamethasone at 3 mg/kg. All treatments were orally administered as single doses 1 hour before AKI induction. Biomarkers (serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid concentrations), oxidative variables, and histopathological AKI changes were evaluated in blood and kidney tissues. Results: All D-005 doses protected against IR-induced AKI in rats by significantly decreasing biomarkers and histopathological AKI changes as assessed by reduced serum concentrations of creatinine, urea, and uric acid. In addition, all D-005 doses decreased tubular damage, as shown by fewer detached cells and casts in the tubular lumen. D-005 reversed oxidation disturbance markers by decreasing malondialdehyde and sulfhydryl group concentrations in plasma and in kidney homogenates and by increasing kidney catalase activity. Dexamethasone, the reference substance, protected against IR-induced AKI in rats by reducing biochemical and histological variables of renal damage in a similar manner. Conclusion: Administration of single oral doses of D-005 markedly and significantly protected against renal IR-induced AKI, possibly due to its known antioxidant effects.