Climatic and calf-related risk factors associated with failure of transfer of passive immunity in Holstein calves in a hot environment.

This retrospective observational study aimed to assess the effect of temperature-humidity index (THI) at calving and in the last trimester of pregnancy and calve-related factors affecting passive transfer of maternal immunoglobulin using Brix refractometry in Holstein calves. Blood samples from 4411 Holstein calves from a single large dairy farm in spring 2022 were used. A subset of data containing 6318 calvings was used to determine the effect of climatic conditions on the occurrence of agammaglobulinemia. Risk factors predictive of failure of passive transfer (FPT) were calculated using multiple logistic models. Females were 1.4 times more likely not to have FPT (56%; Brix% > 8 equivalent to ≥ 10 g/L IgG) than males (47.2%). Calves born as singles increased the likelihood of not presenting FPT (52.6%) than calves born as twins (42.9%). Calves from cows with no dystocic delivery had a lower risk for FPT (odds ratio = 2.3) than calves from cows with dystocia. Agammaglobulinemia was 1.5 and 1.8 times more likely to occur in calves with THI ≥ 80 and ≥ 82 in the last trimester of gestation and at calving, respectively, than in calves not experiencing heat stress. Agammaglobulinemia was twice as likely to occur in male than in female calves. Calves with birth weight ≥ 37 kg and gestation length ≥ 275 kg were less likely to present agammaglobulinemia than lighter calves and calves with shorter gestation periods. This study raises questions for management practices in Holstein calves undergoing in utero heat stress and around calving to avoid agammaglobulinemia.

Disruption of BMP4 signaling is associated with laryngeal birth defects in a mouse model.

Laryngeal birth defects are considered rare, but they can be life-threatening conditions. The BMP4 gene plays an important role in organ development and tissue remodeling throughout life. Here we examined its role in laryngeal development complementing similar efforts for the lung, pharynx, and cranial base. Our goal was to determine how different imaging techniques contribute to a better understanding of the embryonic anatomy of the normal and diseased larynx in small specimens. Contrast-enhanced micro CT images of embryonic larynx tissue from a mouse model with Bmp4 deletion informed by histology and whole-mount immunofluorescence were used to reconstruct the laryngeal cartilaginous framework in three dimensions. Laryngeal defects included laryngeal cleft, laryngeal asymmetry, ankylosis and atresia. Results implicate BMP4 in laryngeal development and show that the 3D reconstruction of laryngeal elements provides a powerful approach to visualize laryngeal defects and thereby overcoming shortcomings of 2D histological sectioning and whole mount immunofluorescence.

Disseminated lymphangiomas as a cutaneous manifestation of Noonan syndrome.

Lymphangioma is a known, but rare manifestation of Noonan syndrome. We present the case of disseminated and circumscribed cutaneous lymphangiomas in the context of Noonan syndrome. Oral rapamycin is a promising treatment in these extensive and morbidity-causing cases.

New target with low photoneutron yield for LINAC radiotherapy applications.

This paper presents three new materials composed of TiXV0,035XCuX-1,035 (X = 2, 4 and 6%), is proposed as Linear Accelerator target. Its response to electron beam based on photoneutron production, is assessed by MC simulation and nuclear track-etch methodology. The outcome is compared to a tungsten target irradiated by energetic 16 MeV electron beam. Photoneutron yield, of two energy groups (thermal and epithermal) were determined via converter matter 10B (98%) and Cd-filter by PADC-track density comparison. The multi-metal Ti2V0,07Cu97.93 target related to therapy beam quality, resulted advantageous in comparison to that provided by W-target, commonly used in the LINAC.

Seasonal variation of the S-index as it relates to the concentration of 222Rn inside a bunker that stores radioactive material.

In this work, the seasonal variation of the concentration of radon in soil and its contribution to concentrations inside of a bunker used for the storage and operation of radioactive material was studied. The measurements obtained inside and outside of the installation allowed establish a method for the calculation of the diffusion coefficient for the concrete, variable that directly influences the concentration of radon gas inside of the bunker. With the obtained results of the gamma dose rate and the concentration of radon inside the bunker, the S-index was calculated in order to determine whether the bunker would require some remediation process. The high radon gas concentration rates to which workers are exposed led to study the relative risk of contracting lung cancer (RRLC).

Effects of resveratrol and its derivative pterostilbene on brown adipose tissue thermogenic activation and on white adipose tissue browning process.

The main function of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is thermogenesis, a process mediated by uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), which is located in the inner mitochondrial membrane and acts uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation from ATP production, thereby dissipating energy as heat. White adipose tissue can also express UCP1 positive cells due to a process known as browning. This phenomenon could also increase the thermogenic effect in the classical brown adipose depots. BAT thermogenesis depends, among other factors on both, nutritional conditions and food availability. Indeed, some studies have found that BAT recruitment and function are enhanced by some food components. The present study focuses on the effects of resveratrol and pterostilbene, two phenolic compounds belonging to the stilbene group, on BAT thermogenic activation and white adipose tissue browning process. The reported studies, carried out in cell cultures and animal models, show that both resveratrol and pterostilbene induce thermogenic capacity in interscapular BAT by increasing mitochondriogenesis, as well as enhancing fatty acid oxidation and glucose disposal. In addition, resveratrol seems to promote browning by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), while the lack of changes in mitochondrial biogenesis suggests that probably the browning process occurs by direct resveratrol-mediated upregulation of ucp1 mRNA expression.

Enhancement of VP6 immunogenicity and protective efficacy against rotavirus by VP2 in a genetic immunization.

VP2/VP6 virus like particles (VLPs) are very effective in inducing protection against the rotavirus infection in animal models. Individually, VP6 can also induce protection. However, there is no information about the immunogenicity of VP2. The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of DNA vaccines codifying for VP2 or VP6, alone or combined, to induce protection against the rotavirus infection. Murine rotavirus VP2 and VP6 genes were cloned into the pcDNA3 vector. Adult BALB/c mice were inoculated three times by intramuscular (i.m.) injections with 100 or 200µg of pcDNA3-VP2 or pcDNA3-VP6 alone or co-administered with 100µg of pcDNA3-VP2/100µg of pcDNA3-VP6. Two weeks after the last inoculation, mice were challenged with the wild type murine rotavirus strain epizootic diarrhea of infant mice (EDIMwt). We found that both plasmids, pcDNA3-VP2 and pcDNA3-VP6, were able to induce rotavirus-specific serum antibodies, but not intestinal rotavirus-specific IgA; only 200µg of pcDNA3-VP6 induced 35% protection against the infection. A similar level of protection was found when mice were co-administered with 100µg of pcDNA3-VP2/100µg of pcDNA3-VP6 (1:1 ratio). However, the best protection (up to 58%) occurred when mice were inoculated with 10µg of pcDNA3-VP2/100µg of pcDNA3-VP6 (1:10 ratio). These results indicate that the DNA plasmid expressing VP6 is a better vaccine candidate that the one expressing VP2. However, when co-expressed, VP2 potentiates the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of VP6.

Are calanco landforms similar to river basins?

In the past badlands have been often considered as ideal field laboratories for studying landscape evolution because of their geometrical similarity to larger fluvial systems. For a given hydrological process, no scientific proof exists that badlands can be considered a model of river basin prototypes. In this paper the measurements carried out on 45 Sicilian calanchi, a type of badlands that appears as a small-scale hydrographic unit, are used to establish their morphological similarity with river systems whose data are available in the literature. At first the geomorphological similarity is studied by identifying the dimensionless groups, which can assume the same value or a scaled one in a fixed ratio, representing drainage basin shape, stream network and relief properties. Then, for each property, the dimensionless groups are calculated for the investigated calanchi and the river basins and their corresponding scale ratio is evaluated. The applicability of Hack's, Horton's and Melton's laws for establishing similarity criteria is also tested. The developed analysis allows to conclude that a quantitative morphological similarity between calanco landforms and river basins can be established using commonly applied dimensionless groups. In particular, the analysis showed that i) calanchi and river basins have a geometrically similar shape respect to the parameters Rf and Re with a scale factor close to 1, ii) calanchi and river basins are similar respect to the bifurcation and length ratios (λ=1), iii) for the investigated calanchi the Melton number assumes values less than that (0.694) corresponding to the river case and a scale ratio ranging from 0.52 and 0.78 can be used, iv) calanchi and river basins have similar mean relief ratio values (λ=1.13) and v) calanchi present active geomorphic processes and therefore fall in a more juvenile stage with respect to river basins.

Low phase noise beams for Raman transitions with a phase modulator and a highly birefringent crystal.

We present a technique to excite Raman transitions with minimum phase noise. A phase modulator generates the Raman beams and a long calcite crystal rotates the polarization of the sidebands by 90° with respect to the carrier. That polarization converts the destructive interference of the Raman pairs into constructive interference, opening the possibility to drive both co-propagating and counter-propagating transitions at high detuning with the same setup. The technique has low phase noise and a low sensitivity to vibrations or temperature fluctuations. We apply it to drive velocity insensitive Raman transitions. The crystal can be also configured to filter out one of the sidebands.

MicroRNAs involved in the browning process of adipocytes.

The present review focuses on the role of miRNAs in the control of white adipose tissue browning, a process which describes the recruitment of adipocytes showing features of brown adipocytes in white adipose tissue. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short non-coding RNAs (19-22 nucleotides) involved in gene regulation. Although the main effect of miRNAs is the inhibition of the translational machinery, thereby preventing the production of the protein product, the activation of protein translation has also been described in the literature. In addition to modifying translation, miRNAs binding to its target mRNAs also trigger the recruitment and association of mRNA decay factors, leading to mRNA destabilization, degradation, and thus to the decrease in expression levels. Although a great number of miRNAs have been reported to potentially regulate genes that play important roles in the browning process, only a reduced number of studies have demonstrated experimentally an effect on this process associated to changes in miRNA expressions, so far. These studies have shown, by using either primary adipocyte cultures or experimental models of mice (KO mice, mice overexpressing a specific miRNA), that miR-196a, miR-26, and miR-30 are needed for browning process development. By contrast, miR-155, miR-133, miR-27b, and miR-34 act as negative regulators of this process [corrected]. Further studies are needed to fully describe the miRNA network-involved white adipose tissue browning regulation.

How demanding is the brain on a reversal task under day and night conditions?

Reversal learning has been studied as the process of learning to inhibit previously rewarded actions. These behavioral studies are usually performed during the day, when animals are in their daily period rest. However, how day or night affects spatial reversal learning and the brain regions involved in the learning process are still unknown. We conducted two experiments using the Morris Water Maze under different light-conditions: naïve group (CN, n=8), day group (DY, n=8), control DY group (CDY, n=8) night group (NG, n=8), and control NG group (CNG, n=7). Distance covered, velocity and latencies to reach the platform were examined. After completing these tasks, cytochrome c-oxidase activity (CO) in several brain limbic system structures was compared between groups. There were no behavioral differences in the time of day when the animals were trained. However, the metabolic brain consumption was higher in rats trained in the day condition. This CO increase was supported by the prefrontal cortex, thalamus, dorsal and ventral striatum, hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, revealing their role in the performance of the spatial reversal learning task. Finally, the orbitofrontal cortex has been revealed as a key structure in reversal learning execution.

The recognition of a novel-object in a novel context leads to hippocampal and parahippocampal c-Fos involvement.

Contextual memory implies recognition based on the association between past and present events experienced. It is important for daily functioning and dysfunctional in many neuropsychological disturbances. The network related to this memory is still open for debate, even though it has been associated with medial temporal lobe regions, including the perirhinal, entorhinal and temporal association cortices, as well as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Our work tries to elucidate whether a change in the context, such as differences in the amount of stimuli presented on the walls and floor of an open field during object exploration, affects the recognition of an object that has been experienced before, and whether this context manipulation could be linked to changes in c-Fos expression. For this purpose, we used a one-trial novel-object recognition task. The animals were divided into two different experimental conditions; in the OR-NORMAL group, the sample and probe test were performed in the same context. However, in the OR-CONTEXT group, the probe test was performed in a different context. Our results showed that the OR-NORMAL group presented a greater exploration of objects than the OR-CONTEXT group. However, both groups presented significant exploration of the novel object. To label the brain regions involved in novel-object recognition under these conditions, we marked the expression of c-Fos protein. Results suggest that a neural circuit that includes the hippocampus, entorhinal and temporal association cortices is involved in the recognition of the novel-object in a novel context.

Reshaping faecal gut microbiota composition by the intake of trans-resveratrol and quercetin in high-fat sucrose diet-fed rats.

Diet-induced obesity is associated to an imbalance in the normal gut microbiota composition. Resveratrol and quercetin, widely known for their health beneficial properties, have low bioavailability, and when they reach the colon, they are targets of the gut microbial ecosystem. Hence, the use of these molecules in obesity might be considered as a potential strategy to modulate intestinal bacterial composition. The purpose of this study was to determine whether trans-resveratrol and quercetin administration could counteract gut microbiota dysbiosis produced by high-fat sucrose diet (HFS) and, in turn, improve gut health. Wistar rats were randomised into four groups fed an HFS diet supplemented or not with trans-resveratrol [15 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day], quercetin (30 mg/kg BW/day) or a combination of both polyphenols at those doses. Administration of both polyphenols together prevented body weight gain and reduced serum insulin levels. Moreover, individual supplementation of trans-resveratrol and quercetin effectively reduced serum insulin levels and insulin resistance. Quercetin supplementation generated a great impact on gut microbiota composition at different taxonomic levels, attenuating Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and inhibiting the growth of bacterial species previously associated to diet-induced obesity (Erysipelotrichaceae, Bacillus, Eubacterium cylindroides). Overall, the administration of quercetin was found to be effective in lessening HFS-diet-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis. In contrast, trans-resveratrol supplementation alone or in combination with quercetin scarcely modified the profile of gut bacteria but acted at the intestinal level, altering the mRNA expression of tight-junction proteins and inflammation-associated genes.

Shifts in microbiota species and fermentation products in a dietary model enriched in fat and sucrose.

The gastrointestinal tract harbours a 'superorganism' called the gut microbiota, which is known to play a crucial role in the onset and development of diverse diseases. This internal ecosystem, far from being a static environment, can be manipulated by diet and dietary components. Feeding animals with high-fat sucrose (HFS) diets entails diet-induced obesity, a model which is usually used in research to mimic the obese phenotype of Western societies. The aim of the present study was to identify gut microbiota dysbiosis and associated metabolic changes produced in male Wistar rats fed a HFS diet for 6 weeks and compare it with the basal microbial composition. For this purpose, DNA extracted from faeces at baseline and after treatment was analysed by amplification of the V4-V6 region of the 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene using 454 pyrosequencing. Short-chain fatty acids, i.e. acetate, propionate and butyrate, were also evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. At the end of the treatment, gut microbiota composition significantly differed at phylum level (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria) and class level (Erisypelotrichi, Deltaproteobacteria, Bacteroidia and Bacilli). Interestingly, the class Clostridia showed a significant decrease after HFS diet treatment, which correlated with visceral adipose tissue, and is likely mediated by dietary carbohydrates. Of particular interest, Clostridium cluster XIVa species were significantly reduced and changes were identified in the relative abundance of other specific bacterial species (Mitsuokella jalaludinii, Eubacterium ventriosum, Clostridium sp. FCB90-3, Prevotella nanceiensis, Clostridium fusiformis, Clostridium sp. BNL1100 and Eubacterium cylindroides) that, in some cases, showed opposite trends to their relative families. These results highlight the relevance of characterising gut microbial population differences at species level and contribute to understand the plausible link between diet and specific gut bacterial species that are able to influence the inflammatory status, intestinal barrier function and obesity development.

Differential contribution of the hippocampus in two different demanding tasks at early stages of hepatic encephalopathy.

The hippocampus has been established as a site of plasticity during the acquisition of spatial memory. The memory for spatial locations is impaired in patients who develop hepatic encephalopathy (HE). We wondered how the hippocampus can manage different hippocampal-dependent tasks in a type B model of the early evolutive phases of HE induced by triple portal vein ligation. We used a one-trial object-place recognition task that involves making judgements about whether a stimulus was encountered before in that location and a reversal learning task performed in the Morris water maze that involves reward-guided behavior and decision making. Our behavioral results showed impairments in the acquisition of both tasks by the portal hypertension group compared with the sham-operated group. To label brain areas related to these tasks, we marked the expression of the c-Fos protein and revealed high c-Fos immunoreactivity in cornu ammonis 1 (CA1), cornu ammonis 3 (CA3) and entorhinal (Ent) cortex of the PH group compared with the SHAM group in the object-place recognition task and a decrease in c-Fos-positive cells in the reversal task in the CA1, CA3, dentate gyrus (DG), cingulate (CG), prelimbic (PL), and infralimbic (IL) cortices in the PH group compared with the SHAM group. In conclusion, the study corroborated the pivotal role of the hippocampus in spatial memory deficits found in the early stages of type B HE and noted its differential contribution in each of the tasks.