Pharmacological antagonism of Ccr2+ cell recruitment to facilitate regenerative tendon healing.

Successful tendon healing requires sufficient deposition and remodeling of new extracellular matrix at the site of injury, with this process mediating in part through fibroblast activation via communication with macrophages. Moreover, resolution of healing requires clearance or reversion of activated cells, with chronic interactions with persistent macrophages impairing resolution and facilitating the conversion to fibrotic healing. As such, modulation of the macrophage environment represents an important translational target to improve the tendon healing process. Circulating monocytes are recruited to sites of tissue injury, including the tendon, via upregulation of cytokines including Ccl2, which facilitates recruitment of Ccr2+ macrophages to the healing tendon. Our prior work has demonstrated that Ccr2-/- can modulate fibroblast activation and myofibroblast differentiation. However, this approach lacked temporal control and resulted in healing impairments. Thus, in the current study we have leveraged a Ccr2 antagonist to blunt macrophage recruitment to the healing tendon in a time-dependent manner. We first tested the effects of Ccr2 antagonism during the acute inflammatory phase and found that this had no effect on the healing process. In contrast, Ccr2 antagonism during the early proliferative/granulation tissue period resulted in significant improvements in mechanical properties of the healing tendon. Collectively, these data demonstrate the temporally distinct impacts of modulating Ccr2+ cell recruitment and Ccr2 antagonism during tendon healing and highlight the translational potential of transient Ccr2 antagonism to improve the tendon healing process.

Evaluation of the relationship between the frequency of attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder symptoms and nutritional habits in children.

INTRODUCTION: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common chronic neurodevelopment disorder characterised by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity at levels that are not compatible with age. ADHD is one of the high social and individual costs for the population of the country. In the present study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between some sociodemographic characteristics, nutrition and sleep patterns, certain habits and various factors with ADHD in primary school children aged between 6 to 10 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study, a total of 600 children's parents were asked to fill in the Conners Parent Rating Scale - Short Form (CPRS-48), which consists of 48 questions. The questions in the scale are answered by the parents on a four-point Likert scale. The responses were scored as 0, 1, 2 and 3 for 'never', 'rarely', 'often' and 'always', respectively. It was accepted that the children who scored at least 18 for the behaviour problem subscale, at least five for the learning problem subscale, at least six for the aggression, hyperactivity subscale, and at least seven for the defying subscale were considered to be in the problematic category. In order to determine the eating habits of the children included in the study, their parents filled out the food consumption frequency form. Foods in the form of food consumption frequency are divided into two groups as healthy and unhealthy foods. Individuals were given scores between 0 and 6 according to the frequency of food consumption. The healthy food group and unhealthy food group scores were collected separately. RESULTS: Of the children included in the study, 312 (52%) were male, with a mean age of 8.24±1.30 (range: 6 10) years. The mean CPRS-48 score was 23.88±19.71. The Cronbach's Alpha value of the CPRS-48 scale, which consists of 48 questions in total, was obtained as 0.957. The mean CPRS-48 score was significantly higher in boys (p = 0.014), in those whose mothers smoked during pregnancy (p = 0.008), those who did not receive breast feeding at birth or those who received less than 2 months (p = 0.035), those who frequently skipped meals (p < 0.001), those who do not have breakfast regularly (p = 0.002), those who spend more than four hours a day using a tablet/computer (p = 0.007), those who watch television more than 2 hours a day (p = 0.003), those who do not have regular sleep (p = 0.012), those who sleep less than 8t hours a night (p = 0.031), those who do not spend quality time with their families at least 2 days a week (p = 0.002) and those who do not have a hobby or sport that they were constantly interested in (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The finding of the present study show that CPRS score in children is associated with some factors such as mother's habits in pregnancy, behaviours in having meals, daily habits and regular sleep. Although eating habits are a risk factor for ADHD, when the right eating habits are acquired, they can reduce the risk or symptoms of ADHD. However, more extensive and valid studies should be conducted to better explain this issue.

Evaluating performance, intestinal lesions, and immunity related genes in heritage and modern broiler breeds during a necrotic enteritis challenge.

In this comparative study, the differential responses of heritage (ACRB; Athens Canadian Random Bred) and modern (Cobb) broilers to a necrotic enteritis (NE) challenge were evaluated. The design was a 2×2 factorial with breed (ACRB and Cobb) and challenge (non-challenged and NE-challenged) as main factors. On day (d) of hatch, 96 male chicks (48 ACRB and 48 Cobb) were allocated to 4 experimental groups with 8 replicate cages and 3 birds/cage. On d 14, birds in the NE-challenged groups were orally gavaged with 3,000 Eimeria maxima sporulated oocysts followed by 2 doses of ∼1×108 CFU of Clostridium perfringens on d 19 and 20. On d 21, 2 birds/cage were necropsied to score NE lesions, and spleen and cecal tonsils (CT) samples were collected from 1 bird/cage for assessing mRNA abundance. Challenged ACRB birds exhibited reduced growth performance and relative growth performance compared to challenged Cobb birds. There was no significant interaction between breed and challenge during the challenge period (d 14-21) for mortality. However, there was a challenge main effect (P ≤ 0.05) on mortality as manifested by greater NE-associated mortality compared to non-challenged birds. No significant breed × challenge interaction or breed main effect on lesion scores were observed in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. NE-challenged Cobb birds exhibited greater mRNA abundance of IL-18, TNFα, TLR1.2, TLR2.1, CCR5, CCR6, CCL20, and AvBD1 in CT compared to NE challenged ACRB birds. There was a significant breed × challenge interaction effect on mRNA abundance of IL-10, AvBD13, NK-Lysin, and LEAP2 in the spleen. Moreover, a main effect of breed was observed in IL-1ß, IL-18, TNFα, TLR2.1, CCR5, CCL20, and NK-Lysin where ACRB birds had higher mRNA abundance than Cobb birds (P ≤ 0.05). The observed differences in performance, pathology, and mRNA abundance between ACRB and Cobb broilers during the NE challenge highlight the distinct immune response profiles of heritage and modern breeds, emphasizing the need for breed-specific nutritional, managerial, and genetic selection programs for modulating immune responses during enteric disease challenges.

Trade-offs between selection of crude protein and tannins in growing lambs.

Tannins are phenolic compounds that provide benefits to ruminants due to their protein-binding affinities and antioxidant properties. However, tannins may also have negative orosensorial and postingestive effects that decrease feed intake. This study explored how lambs trade-off the ingestion of crude protein (CP) with the ingestion of potentially beneficial and toxic condensed and hydrolyzable tannins, and the ensuing impacts on diet digestibility, animal performance, and blood parameters. Thirty-two lambs were housed in individual pens for 8 weeks and had access to two isoenergetic diets that varied in the concentration of CP (High-HP or Low-LP) and the presence of a mix of condensed and hydrolyzable tannins (4% DM). Animals were assigned to 4 treatment groups (N=8 lambs/group) and received a simultaneous offer of: HP and LP (Control); HP and LP+tannins (HP-LP+); HP+tannins and LP (HP+LP-); and both HP and LP with tannins (HP+LP+). All lambs preferred HP over LP and they avoided tannins in the diets (P < 0.001). Dry matter and CP intake were the lowest in HP+LP- (P < 0.0001), and DMD did not differ between Control and the other groups (P > 0.05), but it was greater for HP-LP+ (P < 0.0001). Crude protein digestibility was greater for groups without tannins in HP (P < 0.0001), but ADG did not differ among treatments (P > 0.05). No differences between Control and HP+LP+ were found in plasma antioxidant activity, total phenolic concentration, or haptoglobin concentration (P > 0.05). Intake of tannins was HP+LP+ > HP+LP- > HP-LP+ (P < 0.0001), and fecal excretion of nitrogen (N) was HP+LP+ > HP-LP+ = HP+LP- > Control (P < 0.05). In addition, intake of tannins with both diets reduced blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration relative to Control (P < 0.05), thus suggesting a shift in the partitioning of N excretion from urine to feces. In summary, lambs prioritized selection of HP over LP, regardless of the presence of a tannin extract in either or both diets. Nevertheless, lambs modulated their tannin consumption as a function of the specific diet where the tannin extract was added, with increasing levels of intake as tannins were present in just LP, then in just HP, and finally in both diets. Dietary tannins did not constrain ADG and resulted in a shift in the partitioning of N excretion from urine to feces. Such shifts have been found to result in reduced production of environmental pollutants such as ammonia, nitrous oxide, and nitrates.

Fetal Speckle Tracking Echocardiography Measured Global Longitudinal Strain and Strain Rate in Congenital Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Fetal two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) is a novel technique that provides information on fetal heart function by measuring global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global longitudinal strain rate (GLSR). These features assess the longitudinal deformity of the fetal cardiac wall. 2D-STE is shown to be of prognostic value in children and adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). Therefore, its importance in fetal life should also be considered. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides an overview of the literature on 2D-STE (GLS/GLSR) in fetuses with CHD, focusing on the left and right ventricles (LV/RV). Findings indicated that LV-GLS was significantly lower in fetuses with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) compared to controls. Conversely, fetuses with a single left ventricle exhibited higher LV-GLS. RV-GLS was significantly lower in fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and ToF compared to controls. LV-GLSR was significantly lower in fetuses with CoA. Overall, considerable heterogeneity was observed, possibly due to differences in study design. More prospective longitudinal studies on 2D-STE in fetuses with CHD, considering heterogeneity parameters, could offer better insights into this promising technique.

Content-based clustering of hallucinations across sensory modalities in a large online survey.

Hallucinations can have rather heterogeneous aetiology and presentation. This inspired the concept of different subtypes based on symptom profiles, especially in the field of auditory hallucinations. As many people experience hallucinations in more than one sensory modality, it seems important to investigate potential hallucination subtypes across different sensory modalities. We assessed the content of hallucinations as part of a large survey among the general Dutch population (n = 10,448) using the Questionnaire for Psychotic Experiences. Based on their descriptions, thematic categories were created in a data-driven cluster analysis. 2594 participants who experienced hallucinations over the past week that contained at least 2 different thematic categories were selected. Clustering of their hallucination content was performed with the HDBSCAN method. We identified 4 clusters, i.e., subtypes, which can be typified as 1. hallucinations of foul odors, 2. complex visual scenes, 3. a vast variety of rather common hallucinations possibly related to heightened alertness, and 4. possibly bereavement hallucinations. The bereavement subtype showed an increase in emotional loneliness and the presence of delusions. Our findings suggest that the content of hallucinations can be informative, especially when investigated across sensory modalities. Such subtypes may help to better understand their underlying mechanisms.

Risk factors for introduction of BVDV in the context of a mandatory control program in Dutch dairy herds.

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) is a common viral disease in cattle, causing economic losses in naive herds where the virus is introduced. In the Netherlands, a BVDV control program has been in place since 1998, evolving from voluntary to mandatory participation for dairy herds since April 2018. Participation in the BVDV control program is not mandatory for non-dairy farms. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for new introduction of BVDV into certified BVDV-free herds in the context of a national BVDV control program in dairy herds. In this retrospective case-control study, survey data were collected from 149 dairy farms that lost their BVDV-free status (case herds) and 148 matched dairy farms that maintained their BVDV-free status (control herds) between 2018 and 2021. The survey captured information about potential risk factors and herd characteristics in the 2 years leading up to the loss of BVDV-free status (case herds, virus detection in at least one animal or when seroconversion was detected) or remaining BVDV-free (control herds). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression with a backward selection and elimination procedure were used to identify potential risk factors associated with losing BVDV-free status. Risk factors were quantified as an Odds Ratio (OR) with the associated 95% confidence interval (CI). The risk factor with the highest OR for losing BVDV-free status was purchasing cattle from herds without BVDV-free status (OR 1.25, CI 1.10-1.41), followed by the farmer having another profession that resulted in contact with other cattle (OR 1.25, CI 1.06-1.47), housing young calves and adult cows in the same barn (OR 1.22, CI 1.08-1.38), having a permanent employee on the farm (OR 1.17, CI 1.04-1.31), having a group calving pen (OR 1.16, CI 1.03-1.32), escaped cattle from other farms that mingled with own cattle (OR 1.16, CI 1.01-1.33), and nearest distance to a non-dairy farm (OR 1.15, CI 1.03-1.28). Although the BVDV status of most dairy herds can be checked in an open register, approximately half of the farmers indicated that they purchased cattle from BVDV-free herds while they were actually purchasing from non-BVDV-free farms. Farmers should be stimulated to actively check the true BVDV status of the herd from which cattle are purchased to further reduce the risk of introduction. In addition, indirect contact with cattle from other farms through either the farmer or other on-farm staff should be avoided. It is strongly advised to work in these situations with proper biosecurity measures such as changing boots and coveralls. The results can be used to improve BVDV control programs to further decrease the prevalence.

A Longitudinal Treatment Effect Analysis of Antipsychotics on Behavior of Residents in Long-Term Care.

OBJECTIVE: The proportion of long-term care (LTC) residents being treated with antipsychotic medication is high, and these medications may exacerbate behavioral symptoms. We used propensity scores to investigate the effect of antipsychotic use on the worsening of behavioral symptoms among residents in LTC facilities. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Residents in LTC in 8 provinces and 1 territory in Canada, without severe aggressive behavior at baseline and reassessed at follow-up, between March 2000 and March 2022. METHODS: We used propensity score matching and weighting to balance baseline covariates and logistic regression to estimate the effect of antipsychotics on the worsening of behavioral symptoms in the original, matched, and weighted cohorts. The treatment variable was use of antipsychotic medication at baseline and the outcome was worsening of behavior at follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 494,215 participants were included (318,234 women and 175,981 men; mean age 82.8 years [SD 10.1; range 18-112]).130 558 (26.4%) used antipsychotics at baseline and 88,632 (17.9%) had worsening behavior in follow-up. In the matched cohort, there were 249,698 participants, and 124,849 were matched (1:1) in each treatment group. There was a significant association between antipsychotic use at baseline and worsening in behavior at follow-up in the adjusted regression models (OR 1.27 [95% CI 1.25-1.29], <0.0001) as well as in matched (OR 1.20 [95% CI 1.17-1.21], <0.0001) and weighted (OR 1.26 [95% CI 1.24-1.28], <0.0001) cohorts. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study further evidence to support the cautious use of antipsychotics in LTC facilities. Future research in LTC facilities could include a more granular analyses of behavior change, including bidirectional analyses between different symptom severity classifications.

CelltypeR: A flow cytometry pipeline to characterize single cells from brain organoids.

Motivated by the cellular heterogeneity in complex tissues, particularly in brain and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived brain models, we developed a complete workflow to reproducibly characterize cell types in complex tissues. Our approach combines a flow cytometry (FC) antibody panel with our computational pipeline CelltypeR, enabling dataset aligning, unsupervised clustering optimization, cell type annotating, and statistical comparisons. Applied to human iPSC derived midbrain organoids, it successfully identified the major brain cell types. We performed fluorescence-activated cell sorting of CelltypeR-defined astrocytes, radial glia, and neurons, exploring transcriptional states by single-cell RNA sequencing. Among the sorted neurons, we identified subgroups of dopamine neurons: one reminiscent of substantia nigra cells most vulnerable in Parkinson's disease. Finally, we used our workflow to track cell types across a time course of organoid differentiation. Overall, our adaptable analysis framework provides a generalizable method for reproducibly identifying cell types across FC datasets in complex tissues.

Seed priming with Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis extract macroalgae in soybean.

Seed priming with biostimulant for soybean is a promising practice contributing positively to the physiological quality and vigor of seedlings, but there are little studies regarding protocols of bioinputs, such as Ascophyllum nodosum L. seaweed extract. We aimed to evaluate the effect of doses of A. nodosum macroalgae in seed priming and its impact on germination and seedling vigor of soybean. Seeds were subjected to priming with A. nodosum extract (ANE) at doses of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mL kg seed-1 during 15 min. Priming with ANE did not influence the first count and seed germination. Soybean seedlings from priming with 5 mL kg-1 ANE showed higher growth and shoot and root dry biomass. We observed increase 18% for shoot dry matter with priming of 5 mL kg-1 ANE compared to untreated seeds. The responses were variable for the emergence speed index in function ANE and did not influence the photochemical processes in photosystem II. Seed priming with ANE contributed in higher chlorophyll index. ANE showed a biostimulant effect on soybean seedlings, providing better growth and biomass characteristics, being promising in seed priming, but further studies are suggested in order to increase information regarding its use protocol for soybean.

Histologic findings of gastrointestinal biopsies and clinical outcome in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy for gallbladder mucoceles: 71 cases (2014-2021).

OBJECTIVES: To determine the presence and categorise the severity of enteritis in dogs with gallbladder mucoceles, and evaluate for any associations with enteritis. This study also aimed to report clinical outcome following cholecystectomy and evaluate for associations with survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed (2014 to 2021) for dogs undergoing cholecystectomy and duodenal biopsy procedures for gallbladder mucocele. Signalment, bloodwork, abdominal ultrasound findings, surgical details, histology results and outcomes were reported. Surgeries were considered elective or emergent based on each dog's clinical presentation. Enteritis was categorised based on cell type and severity. Inflammation and clinical outcome were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: Seventy-one dogs met the study criteria. Enteritis was present in 85.9% (61/71) of cases with the majority being lymphoplasmacytic (53.5%). Twelve dogs (16.9%) underwent gastrointestinal biopsies from multiple sites, which revealed the same enteritis type at each location. A total of 87.3% (n = 62) dogs survived, including 90.4% elective and 86% emergent cases. No significant differences in enteritis severity or patient survival were found between elective and emergent cases. Septic peritonitis was diagnosed in two dogs (2.82%). Mortality was significantly associated with leukocytosis, with nonsurviving dogs having a mean WBC count of 27.6 G/L (95% confidence interval: 10.6 to 21.5). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Enteritis is present in a majority of dogs with gallbladder mucocele, especially mild to moderate with lymphoplasmacytic cell type. Obtaining a duodenal biopsy had minimal impact on patient outcome. Compared to previous studies, improved survival in emergent cases was noted. Further studies with long-term follow-up are needed to determine if enteropathy-related signs persist after cholecystectomy.

Hybrid mHealth care: Patient perspectives of blended treatments for psychosis. A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: mHealth interventions use mobile and wireless technologies to deliver aspects of healthcare, and have been extensively employed in mental health research, showcasing their potential to address the significant treatment gap. While numerous studies underscore the advantages and functionalities of mHealth, challenges persist regarding patient uptake and sustained engagement among individuals with psychosis spectrum disorder. This review aims to explore individual-level barriers and facilitators to engagement with hybrid digital systems, which involves the integration of digital tools alongside in-person care. METHOD: Four electronic databases (Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsychINFO) were systematically searched to identify hybrid digital interventions for psychosis spectrum disorders. Studies that only reported the efficacy of the interventions were excluded. 16 studies were included in the final review. RESULTS: Six themes were identified in this review, including mHealth as a tool to aid communication, the central role of the therapist, an increased sense of support through the provision of digital support, allowing greater insight into auditory hallucinations, enabling technologies and barriers to engagement. CONCLUSIONS: This review demonstrated the factors impacting engagement in hybrid interventions for psychosis spectrum disorder. By identifying barriers and facilitators, the findings could offer valuable guidance for the design of innovative digital interventions. These findings also underscore the importance of prioritising trustworthiness in digital systems. Future research should focus on establishing and implementing trustworthy digital systems to enhance engagement and effectively integrate mobile health into conventional healthcare practices.

Low-cost uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a novel tool for welfare assessments on open pen commercial crocodile farms.

BACKGROUND: The welfare of crocodiles on commercial farms in southern Africa requires precise assessment, focusing on stocking densities and pen conditions. However, disputes between animal welfare groups and farm owners persist due to inadequate methodologies for quantifying these factors. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to address these disputes and enhance crocodile welfare assessment by introducing a novel technique using a low-cost consumer uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) and open-source photogrammetry software. The objective was to quantify key welfare parameters accurately and efficiently. METHOD: The study involved applying the UAV-based technique to two large Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) farms in South Africa. The approach enabled the mapping and surveying of crocodile pens, facilitating the determination of stocking densities, biomass indicators, and other pen-related attributes. Comparisons were made between UAV-derived crocodile counts and farmer estimates. RESULTS: The UAV-based crocodile counts significantly differed from the estimates provided by farmers, underscoring the need for a more precise assessment method. The technique's cost-effectiveness was evident, with implementation expenses totalling less than R10 000, a fraction of the cost associated with commercial UAV surveys. CONCLUSIONS: The introduced UAV-based technique offers a valuable solution to the ongoing debates regarding crocodile welfare on commercial farms. By quantifying key parameters accurately and economically, it empowers farmers and animal welfare groups to make informed decisions. The method's ease of adoption, demonstrated through its use by some Southern African crocodile farmers, signifies its potential for widespread application, ultimately contributing to improved crocodile welfare.

Impact of Periconceptional and Gestational Vitamin D3 Restriction on Fetal Folliculogenesis and Anti-Mullerian Hormone Secretion Using Sheep as a Model.

Ovarian reserve is a reflection of the overall female reproductive potential. Vitamin D status has been suspected to influence fetal development and female fertility. As maternal diet during pregnancy can affect fetal development and future fertility, we hypothesised that periconceptional and gestational Vitamin D restriction could affect folliculogenesis and AMH secretion in the offspring. Nineteen sexually mature Welsh mountain ewes were randomly assigned to Vitamin D3 deficient (VDD, n = 10) and Vitamin D3 control (VDC, n = 9) diets from 17 days (d) before mating, up to 127-130 days of gestation, when fetal ovaries were collected (3 from VDC and 6 from VDD). Serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were lower in VDD compared with VDC (p < 0.05). Relative to total follicle number, the percentage of primordial follicles was higher (p < 0.05), while the percentage of primary follicles was lower (p < 0.05) in VDD group compared with VDC group fetal ovaries. The integrated density value and percentage of affected area in TUNEL staining in VDD group did not vary from VDC group fetal ovaries (p > 0.05). Relative expression of AMH mRNA and AMH protein in VDD fetal ovaries were not statistically different compared with controls (p > 0.05). The relative expression of VDR mRNA were lower in VDD compared with VDC group fetal ovaries (p < 0.05). These data indicate that maternal Vitamin D dietary restriction is associated with ovarian tissue stemness and increased primordial follicle number but does not promote normal follicle recruitment or development in sheep fetal ovaries.

The effect of localized disturbance on the acoustic behavior of the common tern (Sterna hirundo).

In this study, passive acoustic monitoring was used to assess the impact of investigator disturbance on the acoustic behavior of a colony of common terns. A graded antipredator response in the colony was hypothesized, which would result in an increase in acoustic energy with increased proximity to investigator disturbance. Human disturbance was found to result in a significant increase in acoustic energy within 20 meters of recorders, though not from farther distances. Our findings provide a framework for assessing the behavioral impact of disturbance on colonies and support the existence of a graded alarm call system in common terns.

High-Frame-Rate Ultrasound Velocimetry in the Healthy Femoral Bifurcation: A Comparative Study Against 4-D Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

OBJECTIVE: Local flow dynamics impact atherosclerosis yet are difficult to quantify with conventional ultrasound techniques. This study investigates the performance of ultrasound vector flow imaging (US-VFI) with and without ultrasound contrast agents in the healthy femoral bifurcation. METHODS: High-frame-rate ultrasound data with incremental acoustic outputs were acquired in the femoral bifurcations of 20 healthy subjects before (50V) and after contrast injection (2V, 5V and 10V). 2-D blood-velocity profiles were obtained through native blood speckle tracking (BST) and contrast tracking (echo particle image velocimetry [echoPIV]). As a reference, 4-D flow magnetic resonance imaging (4-D flow MRI) was acquired. Contrast-to-background ratio and vector correlation were used to assess the quality of the US-VFI acquisitions. Spatiotemporal velocity profiles were extracted, from which peak velocities (PSV) were compared between the modalities. Furthermore, root-mean-square error analysis was performed. RESULTS: US-VFI was successful in 99% of the cases and optimal VFI quality was established with the 10V echoPIV and BST settings. A good correspondence between 10V echoPIV and BST was found, with a mean PSV difference of -0.5 cm/s (limits of agreement: -14.1-13.2). Both US-VFI techniques compared well with 4-D flow MRI, with a mean PSV difference of 1.4 cm/s (-18.7-21.6) between 10V echoPIV and MRI, and 0.3 cm/s (-23.8-24.4) between BST and MRI. Similar complex flow patterns among all modalities were observed. CONCLUSION: 2-D blood-flow quantification of femoral bifurcation is feasible with echoPIV and BST. Both modalities showed good agreement compared to 4-D flow MRI. For the femoral tract the administration of contrast was not needed to increase the echogenicity of the blood for optimal image quality.

The developing pig respiratory microbiome harbors strains antagonistic to common respiratory pathogens.

In the global efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance and reduce antimicrobial use in pig production, there is a continuous search for methods to prevent and/or treat infections. Within this scope, we explored the relationship between the developing piglet nasal microbiome and (zoonotic) bacterial pathogens from birth until 10 weeks of life. The nasal microbiome of 54 pigs was longitudinally studied over 16 timepoints on 9 farms in 3 European countries (Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands) using amplicon sequencing targeting the V3-V4 16S rRNA region as well as the tuf gene for its staphylococcal discrimination power. The piglets' age, the farm, and the litter affected the nasal microbiome, with piglets' age explaining 19% of the variation in microbial composition between samples. Stabilization of the microbiome occurred around 2 weeks post-weaning. Notably, while opportunistic pathogens were ubiquitously present, they did not cause disease. The piglet nasal microbiome often carried species associated with gut, skin, or vagina, which suggests that contact with the vaginal and fecal microbiomes shapes the piglet nasal microbiome. We identified bacterial co-abundance groups of species that were present in the nasal microbiomes in all three countries over time. Anti-correlation between these species and known bacterial pathogens identified species that might be exploited for pathogen reduction. Further experimental evidence is required to confirm these findings. Overall, this study advances our understanding of the piglet nasal microbiome, the factors influencing it, and its longitudinal development, providing insights into its role in health and disease. IMPORTANCE: Our study on the nasal microbiota development in piglets across farms in three European countries found that the microbiomes developed similarly in all locations. Additionally, we observed that the colonization of porcine pathogens was either positively or negatively associated with the presence of other bacterial species. These findings enhance our knowledge of co-colonizing species in the nasal cavity and the identified microbial interactions that can be explored for the development of interventions to control pathogens in porcine husbandry.