Infrared thermography reveals surface body temperature changes during proestrus and estrus reproductive phases in Gyr heifers (Bos taurus indicus).

Our aim was to evaluate the application of infrared thermography (IRT) to detect body surface temperature variation of body regions during the proestrus and estrus phases of the reproductive cycle of Gyr heifers and investigate environmental factors that could affect these measurements. Fifty-seven heifers were submitted to an ovulation synchronization protocol. This was followed by monitoring the heifers every 12 h over 60 h. Heifers were monitored for rectal and vaginal temperature using a digital thermometer. The surface temperature of the eye, vulva, and muzzle regions were monitored by IRT. Meteorological data was recorded for temperature and humidity. Observation of sexual behavior was performed to monitor estrus onset. Transrectal ultrasonography was used to identify the dominant follicle and confirm ovulation of all heifers. We observed a decrease in temperature of the rectum and vagina, as well as in the eye and vulva regions within the first 12 h after the completion of the synchronization. This period coincides with the expected proestrus phase of the estrous cycle. A progressive increase in all temperatures was noticed in the following 36 h, which coincides with the estrus phase of the reproductive cycle. The regions evaluated around the vulva and eye exhibited the highest temperature and experienced less environmental distortion than the muzzle area thermographs. Environmental factors, such as rainfall and temperature-humidity index, influenced the IRT readings altering the radiation patterns detected. In conclusion, IRT is an effective method to detect temperature variation during the proestrus and estrus phases in Gyr heifers. Furthermore, biological and environmental effects should be considered when collecting and interpreting IRT data in livestock.

Maternal and newborn health profile in a first nations community in Canada.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to characterize maternal health profiles and birth outcomes among First Nations people living in Southern Ontario. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all 453 women from the Six Nations Reserve, Ontario, who were pregnant between 2005 and 2010. Maternal health behaviours, past medical history, physical measurements, birth outcomes, and newborn characteristics were abstracted. Key maternal and newborn characteristics were compared with those of a cohort of non-First Nations women recruited from nearby Hamilton, Ontario. RESULTS: The average age of women in the study cohort was 25.1 ± 6.2 (mean ± SD) years, and 75.8% were multiparous. The mean pre-pregnancy BMI was 28.3 ± 6.6 kg/m(2), and the average weight gain in pregnancy was 14.9 ± 8.3 kg. Mean weight gain during pregnancy was inversely associated with pre-pregnancy BMI, and 57.1% of women gained more than the recommended weight. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes was 4.7%, hypertension was present before or during pregnancy in 5.6%, and 35% used tobacco during pregnancy. The mean gestational age at delivery was 39.5 ± 1.7 weeks and the mean crude birth weight was 3619 ± 557 g. The main determinants of newborn weight included sex of the newborn, pre-pregnancy BMI, and weight gain during pregnancy. Compared with a contemporary cohort of 622 non-First Nations mothers and newborns, First Nations mothers were, on average, younger (25.1 vs. 32.1 years; P < 0.001), had a higher mean pre-pregnancy BMI (28.3 vs. 26.8 kg/m(2); P < 0.001), and were more likely to use tobacco during pregnancy (35.0% vs. 14.4%; P < 0.001). First Nations newborns had significantly higher mean birth weight (+176 grams) and length (+2.3 cm) than non-First Nations newborns. CONCLUSION: First Nations mothers from the Six Nations Reserve tended to have a high pre-pregnancy BMI, tended to gain more than the recommended weight during pregnancy, and commonly used tobacco during pregnancy. Programs to prevent overweight/obesity and excess weight gain during pregnancy and to minimize smoking are required among women of child-bearing age in this community.

Objectifs : Nous avons cherché à caractériser les profils de santé maternelle et les issues de l'accouchement chez les peuples des Premières Nations vivant dans le sud de l'Ontario. Méthodes : Nous avons mené une analyse rétrospective des dossiers des 453 femmes de la Six Nations Reserve, en Ontario, qui étaient enceintes entre 2005 et 2010. Les comportements de santé maternelle, les antécédents médicaux, les mesures physiques, les issues de l'accouchement et les caractéristiques néonatales ont fait l'objet d'un résumé. Les caractéristiques maternelles et néonatales clés ont été comparées à celles d'une cohorte de femmes n'étant pas issues des Premières Nations qui ont été recrutées tout près, à Hamilton, en Ontario. Résultats : L'âge moyen des femmes de la cohorte d'étude était de 25,1 ± 6,2 ans (moyenne ± σ) et 75,8 % d'entre elles étaient multipares. L'IMC prégrossesse moyen était 28,3 ± 6,6 kg/m2 et le gain pondéral moyen pendant la grossesse était de 14,9 ± 8,3 kg. Le gain pondéral moyen pendant la grossesse était inversement proportionnel à l'IMC prégrossesse et 57,1 % des femmes ont dépassé le gain pondéral recommandé. La prévalence du diabète de type 2 ou du diabète gestationnel était de 4,7 %, une hypertension était présente avant ou pendant la grossesse chez 5,6 % des participantes et 35 % d'entre elles ont consommé du tabac pendant la grossesse. L'âge gestationnel moyen au moment de l'accouchement était de 39,5 ± 1,7 semaines et le poids de naissance brut moyen était de 3 619 ± 557 g. Parmi les principaux déterminants du poids néonatal, on trouvait le sexe du nouveau-né, l'IMC prégrossesse et le gain pondéral pendant la grossesse. Par comparaison avec une cohorte contemporaine de 622 mères et nouveau-nés n'étant pas issus des Premières Nations, les mères issues de ces dernières étaient, en moyenne, plus jeunes (25,1 vs 32,1 ans; P < 0,001), présentaient un IMC prégrossesse moyen plus élevé (28,3 vs 26,8 kg/m2; P < 0,001) et étaient plus susceptibles de consommer du tabac pendant la grossesse (35,0 % vs 14,4 %; P < 0,001). Les nouveau-nés issus des Premières Nations présentaient une longueur (+2,3 cm) et un poids de naissance (+176 grammes) moyens considérablement plus élevés, par comparaison avec les nouveau-nés n'étant pas issus des Premières Nations. Conclusion : Les mères issues des Premières Nations de la Six Nations Reserve ont eu tendance à présenter un IMC prégrossesse élevé et à dépasser le gain pondéral recommandé pendant la grossesse, en plus de consommer couramment du tabac pendant cette période. Des programmes qui visent la prévention de la surcharge pondérale / de l'obésité et du gain pondéral excédentaire pendant la grossesse, et qui visent à minimiser le tabagisme s'avèrent requis pour les femmes en âge de procréer de cette communauté.

Draft Genome Sequence of Citrobacter freundii UFMG-H9, Isolated from Urine from a Healthy Bovine Heifer (Gyr Breed).

Citrobacter freundii is a pathogen associated with antibiotic resistance and severe infections in humans. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of C. freundii strain UFMG-H9, an isolate from urine from a healthy Gyr heifer.

Draft Genome Sequence of Aeromonas caviae UFMG-H8, Isolated from Urine from a Healthy Bovine Heifer (Gyr Breed).

Aeromonas caviae is an emerging pathogen in humans, causing intestinal infections. Here, we report Aeromonas caviae strain UFMG-H8, isolated from the urine of a healthy heifer (Gyr breed).

Draft Genome Sequences of Three Enterococcus casseliflavus Strains Isolated from the Urine of Healthy Bovine Heifers (Gyr Breed).

Enterococcus casseliflavus is a commensal bacterium present in the intestinal microbiota of different animals. Previous studies have found that strains isolated from livestock are often resistant to many different antibiotics. Here, we present three E. casseliflavus strains, UFMG-H7, UFMG-H8, and UFMG-H9, isolated from urine collected from healthy dairy heifers in Brazil.

Three Draft Genome Sequences of Staphylococcus Species Isolated from the Urine of Healthy Bovine Heifers (Gyr Breed).

Members of the Staphylococcus genus are known pathogens causing mastitis in dairy cows, which results in major economic losses. Here, we present Staphylococcus epidermidis UFMG-H7, Staphylococcus hominis UFMG-H7B, and Staphylococcus sciuri UFMG-H6, isolated from the urine of healthy purebred Gyr heifers.

Failure to Remove Bluetongue Serotype 8 Virus (BTV-8) From in vitro Produced and in vivo Derived Bovine Embryos and Subsequent Transmission of BTV-8 to Recipient Cows After Embryo Transfer.

The behavior of BTV-8 in cattle is different from most other serotypes not only with regards to clinical signs but certainly with respect to virus transmission (transplacental, contact). Therefore, the possibility of virus transmission by means of embryo transfer was examined by in vitro exposure of in vitro produced and in vivo derived bovine blastocysts to BTV-8 followed by different washing protocols, including longer exposure times (up to 120 s) to 0.25% trypsin at room temperature or at 37°C. None of the washing protocols used was successful in removing the viral genome completely from the in vitro produced and in vivo derived embryos as was demonstrated by real-time PCR. Moreover, BTV-8 virus was transmitted to recipient cows after embryo transfer of in vivo derived BTV8-exposed embryos, which had been subjected to routine decontamination as recommended by IETS, consisting of 5 washes in PBS followed by a double treatment of 0.25% trypsin for 45s at 37°C, and an additional 5 washes in PBS with 2% FCS. This study clearly demonstrates the necessity of vigorous application of the directives for screening of potential donors and the collected embryos, especially in regions with BTV-8, to prevent transmission of the disease.

Risk factors and outcomes of infections caused by extremely drug-resistant gram-negative bacilli in patients hospitalized in intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: Extremely drug-resistant gram-negative bacilli (XDR-GNB) increasingly cause health care-associated infections (HAIs) in intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: A matched case-control (1:2) study was conducted from February 2007 to January 2010 in 16 ICUs. Case and control subjects had HAIs caused by GNB susceptible to ≤1 antibiotic versus ≥2 antibiotics, respectively. Logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression assessed risk factors for HAIs and predictors of mortality, respectively. RESULTS: Overall, 103 case and 195 control subjects were enrolled. An immunocompromised state (odds ratio [OR], 1.55; P = .047) and exposure to amikacin (OR, 13.81; P < .001), levofloxacin (OR, 2.05; P = .005), or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (OR, 3.42; P = .009) were factors associated with XDR-GNB HAIs. Multiple factors in both case and control subjects significantly predicted increased mortality at different time intervals after HAI diagnosis. At 7 days, liver disease (hazard ratio [HR], 5.52), immunocompromised state (HR, 3.41), and bloodstream infection (HR, 2.55) predicted mortality; at 15 days, age (HR, 1.02 per year increase), liver disease (HR, 3.34), and immunocompromised state (HR, 2.03) predicted mortality; and, at 30 days, age (HR, 1.02 per 1-year increase), liver disease (HR, 3.34), immunocompromised state (HR, 2.03), and hospitalization in a medical ICU (HR, 1.85) predicted mortality. CONCLUSION: HAIs caused by XDR-GNB were associated with potentially modifiable factors. Age, liver disease, and immunocompromised state, but not XDR-GNB HAIs, were associated with mortality.

White matter hyperintensity burden on magnetic resonance imaging in essential tremor.

BACKGROUND: Whereas structural abnormalities in the cerebellum have been associated with essential tremor (ET), the contribution of vascular disease via white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and strokes has not been examined. In this study, we have explored these potential associations and hypothesized that ET would be associated with greater overall WMH volume, greater cerebellar WMH volume, and greater infarct presence. METHODS: In a cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of 540 community-dwelling elderly persons in northern Manhattan, New York, brain measures of total WMH volume and regional WMH volume were derived from T(2)-weighted fluid attenuated inverse recovery-weighted MR images. The presence of cerebral infarcts on MRI was determined as well. RESULTS: Total WMH volume was greater among 33 ET cases than 507 controls in both univariate (OR = 1.41, p = 0.038) and fully adjusted analyses (OR = 1.44, p = 0.03). Cerebellar WMH volume was associated with marginally increased odds of ET in a univariate model (OR = 1.52, p = 0.11) and significantly increased odds in a fully adjusted multivariate model (OR = 1.74, p = 0.049). Temporal lobe WMH volume was associated with significantly increased odds of ET in both univariate (OR = 3.36, p<0.001) and fully adjusted models (OR = 3.73, p<0.001). Large strokes were significantly more common in cases than in controls in unadjusted analyses (OR = 3.04, p = 0.02) and marginally in adjusted analyses (OR = 2.56-2.57, p = 0.045-0.056). The distribution of strokes did not differ by diagnosis. DISCUSSION: MRI data in this study indicated that ET was associated with greater total WMH volume, greater cerebellar WMH volume and possibly more strokes. Cerebrovascular disease could play a role in the development of ET.

The chlorate-iodine clock reaction.

A clock reaction produced by mixing chlorate and iodine solutions in perchloric acid media is reported. This is the first example of a clock reaction using chlorate as a reagent. Increasing chlorate and acid concentration reduces the induction period. Changing the initial iodine concentration does not affect the length of the induction period. The discovery of this clock reaction opens the possibility that a new family of oscillation reactions can be built using chlorate as reagent.