Search Results (393)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) persists for several years but must be rotated to another crop before replanting. Kura clover (T. ambiguum M. Bieb) is a perennial legume that can persist indefinitely without replanting; however, establishment is slow, which limits economic returns during the process. Two studies, each with four randomized complete blocks, were planted in two consecutive years at New Mexico State University’s Rex E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari, NM, USA, as the first known assessment evaluating alfalfa as an economic nurse crop during kura clover establishment using various kura clover–alfalfa drilled and broadcast planting arrangements. Irrigation termination due to drought limited yield measurements to three years after seeding. In that time, kura clover–alfalfa mixtures generally yielded equally to monoculture alfalfa, except for alternate row planting. After 5 years, the alfalfa stand percentage remained >80%, except for the alternate row treatment (69% stand). Kura clover monocultures attained about 40% stand, and the mixtures had a <25% stand. Alfalfa may persist for more than 5 years before relinquishing dominance to kura clover in mixtures, but the alfalfa would continue to provide economic returns as kura clover continues stand development with minimal production, but develops its root system to maximize production when released from the alfalfa nurse crop. Full article

Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) is a competitive herbaceous perennial weed that reduces productivity in irrigated pastures. Grazing might reduce competition by field bindweed when it begins growth in the spring, thereby encouraging encroachment by desirable grass species during the summer. To test this hypothesis, a two-year study was conducted in two adjacent, privately owned, irrigated, warm-season perennial grass pastures (replicates) that were heavily infested with field bindweed. Study sites were near Tucumcari, NM, USA. The fields were grazed with exclosures to evaluate ungrazed management. Aboveground biomass of field bindweed, other weeds, and perennial grass were measured, and field bindweed plants were counted in May of 2018 and 2019. There was no difference between years for any variable. Other weed biomass and field bindweed biomass and plant numbers were reduced (p < 0.05) by grazing (61.68 vs. 41.67 g bindweed biomass m⁻² for ungrazed and grazed management, respectively, and 108.5 and 56.8 bindweed plants m⁻² for ungrazed and grazed management, respectively). Otherwise, perennial grass production was unaffected by either year or management. These results indicate that grazing can be an effective tool to reduce field bindweed competition in warm-season perennial grass pastures. Full article

The main goal of purebred cat breeding is to produce healthy offspring while maintaining breed purity. Pedigree cat breeders are affiliated with international federations that enforce similar breeding regulations, which helps prevent the overexploitation of cats in breeding. The minimum age for allowing a cat to breed is at least 10 months. This study aimed to analyze the breeding performance of three cat breeds: Maine Coon (MCO), British Shorthair (BSH), and Devon Rex (DRX). These breeds are classified as late-maturing (MCO), medium-late maturing (BSH), and early-maturing (DRX). The analysis was based on pedigree data obtained from the Polish Felinological Association, which operates under the auspices of the World Cat Federation. In total, data from 1016 litters (453 MCO, 453 BSH, and 110 DRX) were analyzed. Breeds differed significantly in age at first birth (p = 0.041), mean interval between litters (p < 0.01), and mean number of kittens per litter (p < 0.01). Breed effects were also noted for the mean interval between births (p < 0.01), mean number of kittens per litter (p < 0.01), and the total number of kittens sired by the mother (p = 0.007). Within each breed, differences were found in the sex ratio of litters, with a predominance of males in DRX (p = 0.049), MCO (p = 0.003), and overall breeds (p = 0.036). In contrast, the BSH breed showed no significant difference in the sex ratio of litters (p = 0.455). In both the MCO and DRX breeds, the lowest average interval between litters was observed in females that gave birth to their first litter early compared to those that gave birth later. The total number of kittens raised by the mother was highest in the MCO breed (p ≤ 0.05), while the shortest litter spacing was found in the DRX breed (p ≤ 0.05). Full article

Blast-induced polytrauma (BIPT) is a common injury among military personnel exposed to explosive blasts. It is increasingly recognized as a complex, multisystem disorder that extends beyond neurological damage to include systemic metabolic and inflammatory dysfunction. Adipokines, particularly leptin and adiponectin, are hormones secreted by adipose tissue and are emerging as key mediators in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injuries. Yet, their long-term dynamics following blast exposure remain unclear. This study investigated the temporal profiles of plasma leptin and adiponectin in a longitudinal rat model of BIPT. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to either a single (B) or repeated (BB) blast exposure (20 psi) or served as sham controls. Plasma samples were collected at 24 h, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months post-exposure, and adipokine levels were measured using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. Adiponectin levels exhibited a biphasic response: both B and BB groups showed significant early decrease at 24 h and 1 month compared to sham animals, followed by robust elevation at 6 and 12 months, particularly in the repeated blast group. In contrast, leptin levels remained unchanged acutely but rose significantly at 6 and 12 months post-blast, with the BB group again showing the highest levels. These patterns indicate sustained, exposure-dependent dysregulation of adipokine signaling after blast trauma. The study provides the first longitudinal profile of systemic adipokine responses to BIPT, revealing their potential as accessible biomarkers and therapeutic targets. These findings support a model of chronic metabolic and inflammatory imbalance in BIPT and warrant further investigation in human cohorts and mechanistic studies. Full article

In the present article we propose to analyse the link between Greek religion and philosophical concepts of the human condition as a problem of reconciling determinism and at the same time free will, with its existential and moral implications. This issue has remained a matter of revision and discussion throughout the ages and latitudes within philosophy, but also in the literature, where through myths, these questions reappear, although in very different historical and religious contexts. We propose to approach these themes through the myth of Oedipus, immortalised by Sophocles in his tragedy Oedipus Rex, which Jean Cocteau, in the tragic interwar period, rereads and resemanticises, but without losing the essential question of whether there is an insurmountable destiny that imposes itself on free will. Full article

End milling is a process that is widely used for producing components in aerospace applications, automobile applications, and many other fields. It is crucial to forecast a workpiece’s deformation behaviour during the machining process to choose the best process settings and maximize the part’s overall quality. Understanding the behaviour of each workpiece during the end-milling process through physical experiments is critical, but expensive. Hence, it is inevitable that a numerical study will be developed to estimate workpiece deformation with higher accuracy and less computational cost. The end-milling process on AISI 1045 is simulated in this work using a 3D finite element modelling technique. The ANSYS Workbench 2020 R1 is used to conduct an explicit dynamic analysis in the suggested model. The workpiece’s stress and deformation values throughout the machining process are estimated and examined. Full article

The aim of this work is to explore and understand the lived experience of nurses who chose to schedule visits with an Emotional Support Animal (ESA), i.e., a dog, during their working shift. Background/Objectives: Nursing practice is rigorous, weighted with intense responsibility that creates an environment conducive to stress and anxiety for the nurses, who have reported a higher level of work stress than other healthcare professionals. Knowing and addressing the factors impacting mental health/nurses’ well-being is crucial to providing care to patients. Stressful work environments result in burnout, compassion fatigue, depression, anxiety, suicide, and resignation. Understanding nurses’ perspectives on work related stress encourages hospitals to structure practices supporting nurses’ mental health and ability to provide quality care. Methods: A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological approach was employed. Participants scheduled six weekly 10-min visits with Rex, a certified Service Dog for anxiety depression and PTSD, and registered ESA. A sample of 11 RNs participated in Rex visits at the workplace; field notes were taken during observations of visits. Semi-structured 30-min interviews conducted via Zoom, audio-recorded, and transcribed with NVivo were conducted. Results: Data were examined with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four main themes emerged: Preparing for the unknown, Doing the work, Refueling and resetting-Visits with Rex, What about nurses? Conclusions: This study highlights the need for nurses and hospital systems to incorporate self-care/self-reflection, including time/opportunities for nurses’ stress management during their practice. Knowledge of nurses receiving ESA interventions sheds light on how to protect/preserve the well-being of nurses practicing in this demanding profession. ESAs for nurses in the workplace offers an option to utilize dog therapy to re-energize and continue their shift renewed and refreshed. Full article

Organoids are three-dimensional (3D) structures that mimic the architecture and functionality of human organs, providing a novel approach to study diseases such as colorectal cancer (CRC). This review aims to explore the impact of organoids on understanding CRC and their potential use in exploring therapeutic outcomes. Colorectal cancer, characterized by the transformation of colonic epithelial cells into adenomas and carcinomas, remains one of the top causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures fail to replicate the tumor microenvironment in an effective manner, which highlights the need for advanced 3D models. Organoids preserve the genetic and phenotypic properties of the original tumors, allowing for improved disease modeling, drug screening, and personalized medicine applications. When using patient-derived organoids (PDOs), researchers can gain insights into CRC initiation, progression, and treatment outcome. Ultimately, organoids represent an encouraging platform for improving therapeutic strategies for CRC, potentially leading to better patient outcomes through tailored treatment approaches. Full article

Precise and modular reconstruction of 3D tooth structures is crucial for creating interpretable, adaptable models for digital dental applications. To address the limitations of conventional segmentation approaches under conditions such as missing teeth, misalignment, or incomplete anatomical structures, we propose a process-oriented reconstruction pipeline composed of discrete yet integrated modules. The pipeline begins by decomposing 3D dental meshes into a series of 2D projections, allowing multi-view capture of morphological features. A fine-tuned Segment Anything Model (SAM), enhanced with task-specific bounding box prompts, performs segmentation on each view. T-Rex2, a general object detection module, enables automated prompt generation for high-throughput processing. Segmented 2D components are subsequently reassembled and mapped back onto the original 3D mesh to produce complete and anatomically faithful tooth models. This modular approach enables clear separation of tasks—view projection, segmentation, and reconstruction—enhancing flexibility and robustness. Evaluations on the MICCAI 3DTeethSeg’22 dataset show comparable or superior performance to existing methods, particularly in challenging clinical scenarios. Our method establishes a scalable, interpretable framework for 3D dental modeling, supporting downstream applications in simulation, treatment planning, and morphological analysis. Full article

Viticulture is facing challenges, like the impact of climate change and various pests and pathogens. Alongside powdery and downy mildew, black rot is one of the most prevalent fungal diseases in European wine-growing regions. The focus of grapevine breeding research has so far been mainly on resistance to mildew diseases, and marker-assisted selection (MAS) in breeding material is possible for the most important resistance loci. However, only a few loci have been described for black rot resistance and these cannot yet be used for MAS. Thus, the characterization of genetic resistance to black rot and the establishment of closely linked genetic markers is important for the breeding of cultivars with multifungal resistances. In this study, an improved SSR marker-based genetic map of the biparental mapping population V3125 (‘Schiava Grossa’ x ‘Riesling’) x ‘Börner‘ (Vitis riparia x Vitis cinerea) was used to perform QTL analysis for black rot resistance. A total of 195 F1 individuals were analyzed at 347 SSR marker positions distributed on all 19 chromosomes. QTL analysis detected two QTLs conferring resistance to black rot on linkage groups 14 (Rgb1) and 16 (Rgb2). Our results revealed for the first time that Rgb1 and Rgb2 are derived from the wild species V. riparia. The presence of both loci in F1 individuals showed a clear additive effect for black rot resistance, supporting the breeding strategy of pyramiding two or more resistance factors to achieve a stronger overall resistance. Full article

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by increased oxidative stress, the overproliferation of keratinocytes, the accumulation of inflammatory mediators, and skin barrier damage. Although a number of therapeutic options are available, finding long-term treatments that are well-tolerated and patient-friendly treatments remains a challenge. Tapinarof is a new type of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulator that has recently attracted attention as a promising non-steroidal alternative. However, its application may be limited by its poor water solubility and low degree of skin penetration. Nanotechnology-based drug carriers, specially nanogels, offer new opportunities to overcome these limitations by combining the advantages of targeted drug delivery and enhanced skin penetration. Furthermore, nanogel formulations can improve skin hydration and support the restoration of skin barrier function, which are important in the treatment of psoriasis. This review focuses on current and emerging therapeutic approaches, with particular emphasis on the potential of incorporating tapinarof into nanogel formulations as a novel alternative to topical psoriasis treatment. Full article

This study investigates the therapeutic potential of sophoricoside and its aglycone metabolite, genistein, derived from Styphnolobium japonicum L. fruit, as natural alternatives to hormone replacement therapy for postmenopausal symptom management. Using Lactobacillus plantarum to model intestinal biotransformation, we compared glycoside-rich (Rex) and aglycone-rich (Rex-AG) extracts in ovariectomized rats. Both treatments significantly reduced weight gain and alleviated vaginal dryness, with Rex demonstrating superior thermoregulatory stabilization. Histological and molecular analyses revealed preserved trabecular bone integrity through the downregulation of RANKL and upregulation of TGF-β. Both extracts exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effects in adipose tissue, suppressing IL-6 and TNF-α, while regulating adipogenesis markers (FABP4, KLF, leptin, PPARγ) more effectively than 17β-estradiol. Serum genistein concentrations confirmed its efficient biotransformation and systemic bioavailability. Importantly, the treatments showed favorable safety profiles with no adverse effects on organ weight. These findings establish S. japonicum L. fruit-derived phytoestrogens as promising candidates for the comprehensive management of postmenopausal symptoms, offering an efficacious and safer alternative to conventional hormone therapy. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of arginine (Arg) or N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on jejunum development, the global arginine bioavailability ratio (GABR), and stress-related indices in young rex rabbits. Forty-five litters of newborn rabbits with similar litter weights and sizes were randomly divided into five groups and fed a basal diet (con group), basal diet + 0.3% Arg (0.3% Arg group), basal diet + 0.6% Arg (0.6% Arg group), basal diet + 0.03% NCG (0.03% NCG group), or basal diet + 0.06% NCG (0.06% NCG group). After weaning at 35 days, eight healthy young rabbits with similar body weights were selected from each group and slaughtered on the 36th day. Serum and jejunum samples were collected for index analysis. Arg or NCG significantly affected the jejunum structure development in the young rabbits. The villus height (V) in the treatment groups was significantly higher than that in the con group (p < 0.05) and was highly significantly improved in the 0.6% Arg group (p < 0.01). The crypt depth (C) in 0.6% Arg and 0.06% NCG groups was significantly lower than that in the con, 0.3% Arg, and 0.03% NCG groups (p < 0.05). Compared with the con group, the V/C ratio was significantly increased in the treatment groups (p < 0.05) and was excessively and significantly increased in the 0.6% Arg and 0.06% NCG groups (p < 0.01). Compared with the con group, the Nitric-Oxide (NO) levels and inducible Nitric-Oxide Synthase (iNOS) activity in serum were significantly increased in the treatment groups. The NO levels in the jejunum were also increased in the treatment groups; however, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05). The iNOS activity and mRNA expression in the jejunum of the 0.6% Arg and 0.06% NCG groups were significantly higher than those in the con group (p < 0.05). Compared with the con group, the concentration of serum corticosterone in the 0.3% Arg, 0.6% Arg, and 0.06% NCG groups was significantly reduced. Adding Arg or NCG to the basal diet significantly increased the concentration and gene mRNA expression levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in the jejunum (p < 0.05). The expression level in the 0.6% Arg and 0.06% NCG groups was significantly higher than that in the con group (p < 0.01). At 36 days, Arg and NCG improved the GABR. In the 0.6% Arg group, the GABR was increased by 16.92%. The GABR was <0.8 at the time of weaning. The Arg levels in the body did not meet the needs of the young animals. In the trial, Arg or NCG supplementation in the diet significantly increased iNOS activity and gene mRNA expression, promoting NO synthesis. Thus, it can improve jejunal morphological and structural development. Adding Arg or NCG increased HSP70 mRNA expression levels, enhanced intestinal stress tolerance, and improved intestinal health. During the lactation period, adding Arg or NCG increased the GABR, but the GABR was <0.8 during weaning. Full article

In this study, we aimed to induce controlled structural disorder through a double substitution approach in the La_0.5Ca_0.5MnO₃ compound by investigating La_0.5−xRe_xCa_0.5−yAe_yMnO₃ compounds with x = 0.05 and 0.1 and Re = Eu, Nd, Gd, Pr, and Ae = Ba and Sr. The y values are adjusted to maintain a constant average ionic radius (<r_A> = 1.198 Å) and an unchanged Mn^3+/Mn⁴⁺ ratio. These samples were synthesized using the sol–gel method. XRD analysis confirms structural stability despite the induced disorder, showing subtle lattice distortions. Magnetic measurements reveal that introducing low disorder annihilates the charge ordered (CO) state, enhances double-exchange interactions, and influences the ferromagnetic (FM) volume fractions. Moderate disorder strengthens AFM–CO state, triggering a first–order metamagnetic transition and reducing the Curie temperature value. Magnetic field-dependent magnetization data show disorder dependent magnetic behavior and suggest the presence of the Griffiths phase for all samples, confirming the role of structural disorder in tuning magnetic phase coexistence. Pr-based samples display a considerable magnetocaloric effect near their Curie temperature. Full article

Heat stress triggers systemic oxidative stress that compromises physiological homeostasis. This study evaluated methionine’s effects on hepatic and renal antioxidant capacity in heat-stressed Rex rabbits. Rabbits were divided into five groups (30 replicates/group): control (20–25 °C, basal diet), heat stress (HS, 30–34 °C, basal diet), and HS +0.15%, 0.3%, or 0.45% methionine-supplemented groups. After 21 days, serum, skin, liver, and kidney samples were analyzed for biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, and gene expression. Results showed that 0.15–0.3% methionine supplementation under heat stress increased methionine apparent digestibility and suppressed amino acid catabolism; decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels; reduced skin malondialdehyde (MDA) and elevated (MSRA) activity; attenuated hepatic central venous congestion and renal tubular vacuolization; enhanced hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities (0.3% group); and modulated antioxidant gene expression via Nrf2/HO-1 and Nrf2/NQO1 pathways. Pathological analysis confirmed reduced fibrosis and cellular damage in liver/kidney tissues. Optimal methionine supplementation (0.3%) effectively mitigated heat-induced oxidative organ damage by enhancing endogenous antioxidant defenses and regulating redox-sensitive signaling pathways. These findings provide a nutritional strategy for alleviating heat stress-related metabolic disorders in rabbits. Full article