RESUMO

Automated activity monitoring (AAM) systems are critical in the dairy industry for detecting estrus and optimizing the timing of artificial insemination (AI), thus enhancing pregnancy success rates in cows. This study developed a predictive model to improve pregnancy success by integrating AAM data with cow-specific and environmental factors. Utilizing data from 1,054 cows, this study compared the pregnancy outcomes between two AI timings-8 or 10 h post-AAM alarm. Variables such as age, parity, body condition, locomotion, and vaginal discharge scores, peripartum diseases, the breeding program, the bull used for AI, milk production at the time of AI, and environmental conditions (season, relative humidity, and temperature-humidity index) were considered alongside the AAM data on rumination, activity, and estrus intensity. Six predictive models were assessed to determine their efficacy in predicting pregnancy success: logistic regression, Bagged AdaBoost algorithm, linear discriminant, random forest, support vector machine, and Bagged Classification Tree. Integrating the on-farm data with AAM significantly enhanced the pregnancy prediction accuracy at AI compared to using AAM data alone. The random forest models showed a superior performance, with the highest Kappa statistic and lowest false positive rates. The linear discriminant and logistic regression models demonstrated the best accuracy, minimal false negatives, and the highest area under the curve. These findings suggest that combining on-farm and AAM data can significantly improve reproductive management in the dairy industry.

RESUMO

The utilization of electrochemical detection techniques in paper-based analytical devices (PADs) has revolutionized point-of-care (POC) testing, enabling the precise and discerning measurement of a diverse array of (bio)chemical analytes. The application of electrochemical sensing and paper as a suitable substrate for point-of-care testing platforms has led to the emergence of electrochemical paper-based analytical devices (ePADs). The inherent advantages of these modified paper-based analytical devices have gained significant recognition in the POC field. In response, electrochemical biosensors assembled from paper-based materials have shown great promise for enhancing sensitivity and improving their range of use. In addition, paper-based platforms have numerous advantageous characteristics, including the self-sufficient conveyance of liquids, reduced resistance, minimal fabrication cost, and environmental friendliness. This study seeks to provide a concise summary of the present state and uses of ePADs with insightful commentary on their practicality in the field. Future developments in ePADs biosensors include developing novel paper-based systems, improving system performance with a novel biocatalyst, and combining the biosensor system with other cutting-edge tools such as machine learning and 3D printing.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Introduction: The characterization of immune and oxidative stress responses to acute and chronic exercise training is important because it may aid in the safety and dose-response prescription of resistance training (RT) in many populations. Purpose: The present study compared changes in acute oxidative stress and markers of apoptosis in immune cells before and after 8 weeks of low-load RT with total or partial blood flow restriction (BFR) versus high-load traditional RT. Methods: Twenty-seven untrained men were randomly divided into three groups: traditional RT [75% one-repetition maximum (1-RM)], RT with partial (20% 1-RM), and total BFR (20% 1-RM). Over an 8-week period, participants performed six sets of arm curls until failure with 90 seconds of recovery for 3 days/week. Blood samples were obtained before and after the first and last training sessions. Results: Data indicated that all training groups showed similar increases in muscular strength (p < 0.001), reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) after exercise in neutrophils (p < 0.001), and increase in caspase-3 activity after exercise (p < 0.001). Traditional RT and total BFR showed increased plasma lipid peroxidation (p < 0.001) and protein carbonyls (p < 0.001) and lower levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.001) after exercise. No change was observed in oxidative stress biomarkers in response to partial BFR (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Data show that RT with partial BFR can increase muscular strength but still does not augment biomarkers of oxidative stress in untrained men. In addition, RT with total BFR promoted similar responses of oxidative stress and markers of immune cell apoptosis versus traditional RT.

RESUMO

Researchers, veterinarians, and farmers' pursuit of a consistent diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of uterine diseases remains challenging. The diagnosis and treatment of metritis is inconsistent, a concerning situation when considered the global threat of antimicrobial resistance dissemination. Endometritis is an insidious disease absent on routine health programs in many dairy farms and from pharmaceutical therapeutics arsenal in places like the US market. Conversely, a multitude of studies advanced the understanding of how uterine diseases compromise oocyte, follicle, and embryo development, and the uterine environment having long-lasting effects on fertility. The field of uterine disease microbiome also experienced tremendous progress and created opportunities for the development of novel preventives to improve the management of uterine diseases. Activity monitors, biomarkers, genomic selection, and machine learning predictive models are other innovative developments that have been explored in recent years to help mitigate the negative impacts of uterine diseases. Albeit novel tools such as vaccines for metritis, immune modulators, probiotics, genomic selection, and selective antimicrobial therapy are promising, further research is warranted to implement these technologies in a systematic and cost-effective manner.

RESUMO

Studies on paleopathological alterations in fossil vertebrates, including damages caused by infections and ectoparasites, are important because they are potential sources of paleoecological information. Analyzing exoskeleton material (isolated osteoderms, carapace and caudal tube fragments) from fossil cingulates of the Brazilian Quaternary Megafauna, we identified damages that were attributed to attacks by fleas and dermic infections. The former were compatible with alterations produced by one species of flea of the genus Tunga, which generates well-delimited circular perforations with a patterned distribution along the carapace; the latter were attributable to pathogenic microorganisms, likely bacteria or fungi that removed the ornamentation of osteoderms and, in certain cases, generated craters or pittings. Certain bone alterations observed in this study represent the first record of flea attack and pitting in two species of large glyptodonts (Panochthus and Glyptotherium) and in a non-glyptodontid large cingulate (Pachyarmatherium) from the Quaternary of the Brazilian Intertropical Region. These new occurrences widen the geographic distribution of those diseases during the Cenozoic and provide more evidence for the co-evolutionary interaction between cingulates and parasites registered to date only for a small number of other extinct and extant species.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The aim of this study was to determine whether rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is a valid method to control the effort during the circuit weight training (CWT) in trained men. Ten men (21.3 ± 3.3 years) with previous experience in resistance training (13.1 ± 6.3 months) performed 3 sessions: 1 orientation session and 2 experimental sessions. The subjects were randomly counterbalanced to 2 experimental sessions: CWT or multiple-set resistance training (control). In both sessions, 8 exercises (bench press, leg press 45°, seated row, leg curl, triceps pulley, leg extension, biceps curl, and adductor chair) were performed with the same work: 60% of 1 repetition maximum, 24 stations (3 circuits) or 24 sets (3 sets/exercise), 10 repetitions, 1 second in the concentric and eccentric phases, and rest intervals between sets and exercise of 60 seconds. Active muscle RPEs were measured after each 3 station/sets using the OMNI-Resistance Exercise Scale (OMNI-RES). In this same time, blood lactate was collected. Compared with baseline, both levels of blood lactate and RPE increased during whole workout in both sessions, the RPE at third, 23rd, and 27th minute and the blood lactate at third, seventh, 11th, 15th, 27th, and 31st minute were higher in multiple set compared with CWT. Positive correlation between blood lactate and RPE was observed in both experimental sessions. The results indicated that the RPE is a valid method to control the effort during the CWT in trained men and can be used to manipulate the intensity without the need to perform invasive assessments.

Assuntos

RESUMO

This report describes the development and application of a novel graphene-modified electrode to be used as amperometric sensor in microchip electrophoresis (ME) devices. The modified electrode was achieved based on electroreduction of graphene oxide on an integrated Pt working electrode of a commercial ME device. The surface modification was characterized by SEM and cyclic voltammetry techniques. The results indicated that graphene sheets were successfully deposited exhibiting higher surface conductivity and greater electrode sensitivity. The performance of the modified electrode for the amperometric detection on ME devices has been demonstrated by the separation and detection of an anionic mixture containing iodide and ascorbate. The graphene-modified electrode provided significantly higher sensitivity (896.7 vs. 210.9 pA/µM for iodide and 217.8 vs. 127.8 pA/µM for ascorbate), better separation efficiencies (3400 vs. 700 plates/m for iodide and 10 000 vs. 2400 plates/m for ascorbate), enhanced peak resolutions (1.6 vs. 1.0), and LODs (1.5 vs. 5.3 µM for iodide and 3.1 vs. 7.3 µM for ascorbate) in comparison with the unmodified Pt electrode. The proposed amperometric sensor was successfully applied for the analysis of ascorbic acid (through its anionic form) in a commercial medicine sample, and the results achieved were in agreement with the value provided by the supplier. Based on the data here presented, the modified graphene electrode shows great promise for ME applications.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The objective was to determine the physiological and biochemical changes associated with the use of ethylene and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on postharvest conservation of lychees as well as the influence of these treatments alone or in combination on skin browning of fruit. After harvest, it was applied the following treatments: without application of 1-MCP or ethylene, ethylene (20mL L-1 for 6 hours), 1-MCP (300nL L-1 for 12h) and ethylene (20mL L-1 for 6 hours) + 1-MCP (300nL L-1 for 6 hours). After treatments, fruits were stored at 5°C and 90% RH for 30 days and were evaluated every 10 days (+3 days of simulated marketing at 25°C and 65% RH). The ethylene production, respiration rate, soluble solids (SS), weight loss, color (lightness - L * and a*) and polyphenoloxidase activity (PPO) were evaluated. Ethylene production and respiration rate showed no significant differences between treatments, and SS decreased over the storage, but there was also no difference between treatments. The enzyme activity showed an increase in PPO, which was correlated to the decreasing rates of L * and a*, occurring in parallel, increased fruit weight loss. It is concluded that the skin browning of lychee is related to weight loss and increased activity of PPO, and that none of the treatments prevented the sking browning of fruit.

Objetivou-se determinar as respostas fisiológicas e bioquímicas associadas ao uso de etileno e 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) na conservação pós-colheita de lichias, assim como a influência desses tratamentos isolados ou combinados no escurecimento desses frutos. Após a colheita, foram aplicados os seguintes tratamentos: sem aplicação de 1-MCP ou etileno; etileno (20µL L-1, por 6 horas); 1-MCP (300nL L-1, por 12 horas) e etileno (20µL L-1, por 6 horas) + 1-MCP (300nL L-1, por 6 horas). Após os tratamentos, os frutos foram armazenados a 5°C e 90% UR durante 30 dias, sendo avaliados a cada 10 dias (+3 dias de comercialização simulada a 25°C e 65% UR). Avaliou-se a produção de etileno, taxa respiratória, sólidos solúveis (SS), perda de massa fresca, coloração (luminosidade - L* e a*) e atividade da polifenoloxidase (PPO). A produção de etileno e taxa respiratória não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos e os SS decresceram ao longo do armazenamento, mas também sem diferenças entre os tratamentos. A atividade da enzima PPO foi aumentada, sendo correlacionada com os índices decrescentes de L* e a* presentes nos frutos, ocorrendo, paralelamente, aumento da perda de massa dos frutos. Conclui-se que o escurecimento do pericarpo da lichia está relacionado à perda de massa fresca e aumento da atividade da PPO e que nenhum dos tratamentos utilizados evitou o escurecimento dos frutos.

RESUMO

The objective was to determine the physiological and biochemical changes associated with the use of ethylene and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on postharvest conservation of lychees as well as the influence of these treatments alone or in combination on skin browning of fruit. After harvest, it was applied the following treatments: without application of 1-MCP or ethylene, ethylene (20mL L-1 for 6 hours), 1-MCP (300nL L-1 for 12h) and ethylene (20mL L-1 for 6 hours) + 1-MCP (300nL L-1 for 6 hours). After treatments, fruits were stored at 5°C and 90% RH for 30 days and were evaluated every 10 days (+3 days of simulated marketing at 25°C and 65% RH). The ethylene production, respiration rate, soluble solids (SS), weight loss, color (lightness - L * and a*) and polyphenoloxidase activity (PPO) were evaluated. Ethylene production and respiration rate showed no significant differences between treatments, and SS decreased over the storage, but there was also no difference between treatments. The enzyme activity showed an increase in PPO, which was correlated to the decreasing rates of L * and a*, occurring in parallel, increased fruit weight loss. It is concluded that the skin browning of lychee is related to weight loss and increased activity of PPO, and that none of the treatments prevented the sking browning of fruit.

Objetivou-se determinar as respostas fisiológicas e bioquímicas associadas ao uso de etileno e 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) na conservação pós-colheita de lichias, assim como a influência desses tratamentos isolados ou combinados no escurecimento desses frutos. Após a colheita, foram aplicados os seguintes tratamentos: sem aplicação de 1-MCP ou etileno; etileno (20µL L-1, por 6 horas); 1-MCP (300nL L-1, por 12 horas) e etileno (20µL L-1, por 6 horas) + 1-MCP (300nL L-1, por 6 horas). Após os tratamentos, os frutos foram armazenados a 5°C e 90% UR durante 30 dias, sendo avaliados a cada 10 dias (+3 dias de comercialização simulada a 25°C e 65% UR). Avaliou-se a produção de etileno, taxa respiratória, sólidos solúveis (SS), perda de massa fresca, coloração (luminosidade - L* e a*) e atividade da polifenoloxidase (PPO). A produção de etileno e taxa respiratória não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos e os SS decresceram ao longo do armazenamento, mas também sem diferenças entre os tratamentos. A atividade da enzima PPO foi aumentada, sendo correlacionada com os índices decrescentes de L* e a* presentes nos frutos, ocorrendo, paralelamente, aumento da perda de massa dos frutos. Conclui-se que o escurecimento do pericarpo da lichia está relacionado à perda de massa fresca e aumento da atividade da PPO e que nenhum dos tratamentos utilizados evitou o escurecimento dos frutos.

RESUMO

The objective was to determine the physiological and biochemical changes associated with the use of ethylene and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on postharvest conservation of lychees as well as the influence of these treatments alone or in combination on skin browning of fruit. After harvest, it was applied the following treatments: without application of 1-MCP or ethylene, ethylene (20mL L-1 for 6 hours), 1-MCP (300nL L-1 for 12h) and ethylene (20mL L-1 for 6 hours) + 1-MCP (300nL L-1 for 6 hours). After treatments, fruits were stored at 5°C and 90% RH for 30 days and were evaluated every 10 days (+3 days of simulated marketing at 25°C and 65% RH). The ethylene production, respiration rate, soluble solids (SS), weight loss, color (lightness - L * and a*) and polyphenoloxidase activity (PPO) were evaluated. Ethylene production and respiration rate showed no significant differences between treatments, and SS decreased over the storage, but there was also no difference between treatments. The enzyme activity showed an increase in PPO, which was correlated to the decreasing rates of L * and a*, occurring in parallel, increased fruit weight loss. It is concluded that the skin browning of lychee is related to weight loss and increased activity of PPO, and that none of the treatments prevented the sking browning of fruit.

Objetivou-se determinar as respostas fisiológicas e bioquímicas associadas ao uso de etileno e 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) na conservação pós-colheita de lichias, assim como a influência desses tratamentos isolados ou combinados no escurecimento desses frutos. Após a colheita, foram aplicados os seguintes tratamentos: sem aplicação de 1-MCP ou etileno; etileno (20µL L-1, por 6 horas); 1-MCP (300nL L-1, por 12 horas) e etileno (20µL L-1, por 6 horas) + 1-MCP (300nL L-1, por 6 horas). Após os tratamentos, os frutos foram armazenados a 5°C e 90% UR durante 30 dias, sendo avaliados a cada 10 dias (+3 dias de comercialização simulada a 25°C e 65% UR). Avaliou-se a produção de etileno, taxa respiratória, sólidos solúveis (SS), perda de massa fresca, coloração (luminosidade - L* e a*) e atividade da polifenoloxidase (PPO). A produção de etileno e taxa respiratória não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos e os SS decresceram ao longo do armazenamento, mas também sem diferenças entre os tratamentos. A atividade da enzima PPO foi aumentada, sendo correlacionada com os índices decrescentes de L* e a* presentes nos frutos, ocorrendo, paralelamente, aumento da perda de massa dos frutos. Conclui-se que o escurecimento do pericarpo da lichia está relacionado à perda de massa fresca e aumento da atividade da PPO e que nenhum dos tratamentos utilizados evitou o escurecimento dos frutos.