Periodic Arrays of Plasmonic Ag-Coated Multiscale 3D-Structures with SERS Activity: Fabrication, Modelling and Characterisation.

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is gaining importance as sensing tool. However, wide application of the SERS technique suffers mainly from limitations in terms of uniformity of the plasmonics structures and sensitivity for low concentrations of target analytes. In this work, we present SERS specimens based on periodic arrays of 3D-structures coated with silver, fabricated by silicon top-down micro and nanofabrication (10 mm × 10 mm footprint). Each 3D-structure is essentially an octahedron on top of a pyramid. The width of the top part-the octahedron-was varied from 0.7 µm to 5 µm. The smallest structures reached an analytical enhancement factor (AEF) of 3.9 × 107 with a relative standard deviation (RSD) below 20%. According to finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, the origin of this signal amplification lies in the strong localization of electromagnetic fields at the edges and surfaces of the octahedrons. Finally, the sensitivity of these SERS specimens was evaluated under close-to-reality conditions using a portable Raman spectrophotometer and monitoring of the three vibrational bands of 4-nitrobenzenethiol (4-NBT). Thus, this contribution deals with fabrication, characterization and simulation of multiscale 3D-structures with SERS activity.

IL-17A Levels and Progression of Kidney Disease Following Hospitalization with and without Acute Kidney Injury.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased mortality and new or progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). Inflammatory cells play an important role in acute organ injury. We previously demonstrated that serum IL-17A levels were significantly elevated in critically ill patients with AKI and independently associated with hospital mortality. We hypothesize that IL-17A levels are elevated in hospitalized patients with AKI at diagnosis, and sustained elevation after discharge is associated with subsequent CKD incidence or progression. METHODS: Observational convenience sampling study of hospital survivors of Stage 2 or 3 AKI and controls without AKI from the ASSESS-AKI study. Patients were classified as progression or non-progression based on a composite of CKD incidence, progression, or end-stage kidney disease. IL-17A levels were evaluated with S-Plex assay (MSD) at 0- (during hospitalization), 3- and 12-month post-discharge, and analyzed along with clinical and biomarker data up to 84 months following discharge. RESULTS: Among 171 AKI and 175 non-AKI participants, IL-17A levels were elevated in AKI vs. non-AKI patients at 0M, 3M and 12M timepoints (p<0.05 for all comparisons). Further, IL-17A levels were elevated in the progression vs. non-progression group at the 3- and 12-month timepoints for outcomes occurring at 3-6 months and 12-84 months, respectively (p<0.05 for both). In adjusted multivariable models, IL-17A levels were not independently associated with progression of kidney disease. IL-17A levels were positively correlated with kidney disease and immune activation biomarkers at all timepoints (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: IL-17A was higher in patients with AKI vs. without AKI during hospitalization and up to 1-year post-discharge. IL-17A was higher in patients with progression of kidney disease after hospitalization but not independently associated with subsequent progression of kidney disease in fully adjusted models.

Influence of annealing temperature on persistent luminescence in BaAl2O4:Eu2+/Eu3+ nanocrystals and its application for latent fingerprint detection.

The luminescent properties of europium (Eu) doped BaAl2O4 phosphors were strongly influenced by post-annealing temperatures for blue-green persistent luminescence and latent fingerprints (LFPs). The X-ray powder diffraction patterns of the BaAl2O4: 1 mol% Eu nanophosphor, annealed between 1000 and 1300 °C, indicated a hexagonal ferroelectric phase. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that the Ba atoms occupied two different sites in the BaAl2O4. The XPS and photoluminescence (PL) results revealed the presence of Eu3+ and Eu2+ states. The Eu-doped BaAl2O4 showed the characteristic red emission of Eu3+ at 251 and 464 nm excitations, while excitations at 340 and 380 nm showed yellowish-green emission. Strong evidence of energy transfer between a charge transfer band and the different energy levels of Eu2+ and Eu3+ ions was obtained. The existence of the Cr ion impurity in the aluminates was confirmed with UV-VIS diffuse reflectance and PL spectroscopy. The present results suggested that and O''i defects have introduced electron and hole traps in the host that acted as luminescent centers for persistent luminescence. LFPs detection using BaAl2O3:Eu2+/Eu3+ phosphor showed an excellent marking agent for applications in forensic science.

3D printed headholder for use in neurosurgical cadaver training: Technical note.

Introduction: Headholders or skull clamps serve as indispensable tools in neurosurgery, facilitating the precise positioning and stabilization of the head for surgery. The realm of neurosurgical training in cadaver labs presents a clear challenge due to the lack of suitable non-clinical headholders. Research question: We describe a 3D printed stainless-steel headholder for use in neurosurgical cadaver lab training. Material and methods: Computer-aided design software was used to design a headholder, utilizing a three-pin skull fixation. Through an iterative process involving a plastic 3D printed prototype, ultimately a robust model was manufactured using a 3D stainless-steel printer. Results: The headholder was fixed to a multi-angle adjustable vise, enabling optimal positioning to support simulation of neurosurgical approaches and dissection training by neurosurgical residents and staff in the cadaver lab. Discussion and conclusion: This custom-made headholder offers an effective solution for secure fixation of cadaver skulls during neurosurgical training, contributing to practicality and efficiency in cadaver dissection. Despite the lack of evidence-based guidelines for neurosurgical headholder use, this device provides a valuable tool for neurosurgical trainees to practice proper placement, understand associated complications, and improve their hands-on skills. The digitally available 3D model can be optimized, shared, and further improved by other neurosurgical units and trainees, fostering collaborative advancements in neurosurgical training.

Designing for Degradation: Transient Devices Enabled by (Nano)Cellulose.

Transient technology involves materials and devices that undergo controlled degradation after a reliable operation period. This groundbreaking strategy offers significant advantages over conventional devices based on non-renewable materials by limiting environmental exposure to potentially hazardous components after disposal, and by increasing material circularity. As the most abundant naturally occurring polymer on Earth, cellulose is an attractive material for this purpose. Besides, (nano)celluloses are inherently biodegradable and have competitive mechanical, optical, thermal, and ionic conductivity properties that can be exploited to develop sustainable devices and avoid the end-of-life issues associated with conventional systems. Despite its potential, few efforts have been made to review current advances in cellulose-based transient technology. Therefore, this review catalogs the state-of-the-art developments in transient devices enabled by cellulosic materials. To provide a wide perspective, the various degradation mechanisms involved in cellulosic transient devices are introduced. The advanced capabilities of transient cellulosic systems in sensing, photonics, energy storage, electronics, and biomedicine are also highlighted. Current bottlenecks toward successful implementation are discussed, with material circularity and environmental impact metrics at the center. It is believed that this review will serve as a valuable resource for the proliferation of cellulose-based transient technology and its implementation into fully integrated, circular, and environmentally sustainable devices.

Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography and scleral collagen fiber orientation in osteogenesis imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a rare genetic connective tissue disorder, primarily arises from pathogenic variants affecting the production or structure of collagen type I. In addition to skeletal fragility, individuals with OI may face an increased risk of developing ophthalmic diseases. This association is believed to stem from the widespread presence of collagen type I throughout various parts of the eye. However, the precise consequences of abnormal collagen type I on different ocular tissues remain unknown. Of particular significance is the sclera, where collagen type I is abundant and crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of the eye. Recent research on healthy individuals has uncovered a unique organizational pattern of collagen fibers within the sclera, characterized by fiber arrangement in both circular and radial layers around the optic nerve head. While the precise function of this organizational pattern remains unclear, it is hypothesized to play a role in providing mechanical support to the optic nerve. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of abnormal collagen type I on the sclera by assessing the fiber organization near the optic nerve head in individuals with OI and comparing them to healthy individuals. Collagen fiber orientation of the sclera was measured using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT), an extension of the conventional OCT that is sensitive to materials that exhibit birefringence (axial changes in light refraction). Birefringence was quantified and used as imaging contrast to extract collagen fiber orientation as well as the thickness of the radially oriented scleral layer. Three individuals with OI, exhibiting different degrees of disease severity, were assessed and analyzed, along with seventeen healthy individuals. Mean values obtained from individuals with OI were descriptively compared to those of the healthy participant group. PS-OCT revealed a similar orientation pattern of scleral collagen fibers around the optic nerve head between OI individuals and healthy individuals. However, two OI participants exhibited reduced mean birefringence of the radially oriented scleral layer compared to the healthy participant group (OI participant 1 oculus dexter et sinister (ODS): 0.34°/µm, OI participant 2: ODS 0.26°/µm, OI participant 3: OD: 0.29°/µm, OS: 0.28°/µm, healthy participants: ODS 0.38 ± 0.05°/µm). The radially oriented scleral layer was thinner in all OI participants although within ±2 standard deviations of the mean observed in healthy individuals (OI participant 1 OD: 101 µm, OS 104 µm, OI participant 2: OD 97 µm, OS 98 µm, OI participant 3: OD: 94 µm, OS 120 µm, healthy participants: OD 122.8 ± 13.6 µm, OS 120.8 ± 15.1 µm). These findings imply abnormalities in collagen organization or composition, underscoring the necessity for additional research to comprehend the ocular phenotype in OI.

Caught in a trap: DNA contamination in tsetse xenomonitoring can lead to over-estimates of Trypanosoma brucei infection.

BACKGROUND: Tsetse flies (Glossina sp.) are vectors of Trypanosoma brucei subspecies that cause human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Capturing and screening tsetse is critical for HAT surveillance. Classically, tsetse have been microscopically analysed to identify trypanosomes, but this is increasingly replaced with molecular xenomonitoring. Nonetheless, sensitive T. brucei-detection assays, such as TBR-PCR, are vulnerable to DNA cross-contamination. This may occur at capture, when often multiple live tsetse are retained temporarily in the cage of a trap. This study set out to determine whether infected tsetse can contaminate naïve tsetse with T. brucei DNA via faeces when co-housed. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS: Insectary-reared teneral G. morsitans morsitans were fed an infectious T. b. brucei-spiked bloodmeal. At 19 days post-infection, infected and naïve tsetse were caged together in the following ratios: (T1) 9:3, (T2) 6:6 (T3) 1:11 and a control (C0) 0:12 in triplicate. Following 24-hour incubation, DNA was extracted from each fly and screened for parasite DNA presence using PCR and qPCR. All insectary-reared infected flies were positive for T. brucei DNA using TBR-qPCR. However, naïve tsetse also tested positive. Even at a ratio of 1 infected to 11 naïve flies, 91% of naïve tsetse gave positive TBR-qPCR results. Furthermore, the quantity of T. brucei DNA detected in naïve tsetse was significantly correlated with cage infection ratio. With evidence of cross-contamination, field-caught tsetse from Tanzania were then assessed using the same screening protocol. End-point TBR-PCR predicted a sample population prevalence of 24.8%. Using qPCR and Cq cut-offs optimised on insectary-reared flies, we estimated that prevalence was 0.5% (95% confidence interval [0.36, 0.73]). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results show that infected tsetse can contaminate naïve flies with T. brucei DNA when co-caged, and that the level of contamination can be extensive. Whilst simple PCR may overestimate infection prevalence, quantitative PCR offers a means of eliminating false positives.

Resistance exercise breaks during prolonged sitting augment the blood flow response to a subsequent oral glucose load in sedentary adults.

Sitting-induced impairments in postprandial blood flow are an important link between sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic disease risk. The objective of this work was to examine the effects of resistance exercise breaks (REB) performed every 30 min during an otherwise sedentary 3-h period on the vasodilatory response to a subsequent oral glucose load in sedentary adults. Twenty-four sedentary adults (27 ± 7 years, 16 females) completed two conditions. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, popliteal artery blood flow (PABF) and gastrocnemius perfusion were measured immediately before standardized breakfast consumption. After breakfast, the 3-h REB or uninterrupted (SIT) intervention period commenced. Participants sat at a workstation, and popliteal artery shear rate (PASR) was measured 60 and 120 min into this period. In the REB condition, participants performed a 3-min REB (3 × [20 s squats, 20 s high knees, 20 s calf raises]) every 30 min. Following the intervention period, baseline measurements were repeated. Participants then consumed a 75 g glucose beverage, and PABF and perfusion were measured every 30-60 min for the following 120 min. Relative to SIT, REB increased PASR at 60 min (+31.4 ± 9.2/s, P = 0.037) and 120 min (+37.4 ± 10.2/s, P = 0.019) into the intervention period. Insulin and glucose increased (P < 0.001) in response to glucose consumption, with no differences between conditions (P ≥ 0.299). In response to the glucose load, perfusion (1.57 vs. 1.11 mL/100 mL/min, P = 0.023) and PABF (+45.3 ± 11.8 mL/min, P = 0.001) were greater after REB versus SIT. Performing 3-min REB every 30 min during an otherwise sedentary 3-h period augmented leg blood flow responses to an oral glucose load. HIGHLIGHTS: What is the central question of this study? Can 3-min resistance exercise breaks (REB) performed during an otherwise sedentary 3-h period augment the vasodilatory response to a subsequent oral glucose load in sedentary adults? What is the main finding and its importance? Performing 3-min REB, which included squats, high knees, and calf raises, every 30 min augmented lower limb blood flow responses to a subsequent oral glucose load compared to 3 h of uninterrupted sitting in sedentary adults. Sitting-induced impairment in postprandial vasodilatory function has been identified as a link between sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic disease. Thus, the current study presents a potentially effective strategy to offset this risk.

Aortic Root Thromboembolism and Associated Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients With Contemporary Durable LVADs.

Patients with HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist devices may develop aortic root thrombus, yet its prevalence and associated risks are unknown. We present 2 patients who developed aortic root thromboembolism and acute coronary occlusions. We additionally present heart transplantation as viable treatment for thromboembolic disease and refractory right ventricular failure.

Microplastic Particles Contain Ice Nucleation Sites That Can Be Inhibited by Atmospheric Aging.

Recent research has shown that microplastics are widespread in the atmosphere. However, we know little about their ability to nucleate ice and their impact on ice formation in clouds. Ice nucleation by microplastics could also limit their long-range transport and global distribution. The present study explores the heterogeneous ice-nucleating ability of seven microplastic samples in immersion freezing mode. Two polypropylene samples and one polyethylene terephthalate sample froze heterogeneously with median freezing temperatures of -20.9, -23.2, and -21.9 °C, respectively. The number of ice nucleation sites per surface area, ns(T), ranged from 10-1 to 104 cm-2 in a temperature interval of -15 to -25 °C, which is comparable to that of volcanic ash and fungal spores. After exposure to ozone or a combination of UV light and ozone, simulating atmospheric aging, the ice nucleation activity decreased in some cases and remained unchanged in others. Our freezing data suggest that microplastics may promote ice formation in cloud droplets. In addition, based on a comparison of our freezing results and previous simulations using a global transport model, ice nucleation by microplastics will impact their long-range transport to faraway locations and global distribution.

A host of issues: pseudoreplication in host-microbiota studies.

Pseudoreplication compromises the validity of research by treating non-independent samples as independent replicates. This review examines the prevalence of pseudoreplication in host-microbiota studies, highlighting the critical need for rigorous experimental design and appropriate statistical analysis. We systematically reviewed 115 manuscripts on host-microbiota interactions. Our analysis revealed that 22% of the papers contained pseudoreplication, primarily due to co-housed organisms, whereas 52% lacked sufficient methodological details. The remaining 26% adequately addressed pseudoreplication through proper experimental design or statistical analysis. The high incidence of pseudoreplication and insufficient information underscores the importance of methodological reporting and statistical rigor to ensure reproducibility of host-microbiota research.

Schoolhouse risk: Can we mitigate the polygenic Pygmalion effect?

BACKGROUND: Although limited in predictive accuracy, polygenic scores (PGS) for educational outcomes are currently available to the public via direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies. Further, there is a growing movement to apply PGS in educational settings via 'precision education.' Prior scholarship highlights the potentially negative impacts of such applications, as disappointing results may give rise a "polygenic Pygmalion effect." In this paper two studies were conducted to identify factors that may mitigate or exacerbate negative impacts of PGS. METHODS: Two studies were conducted. In each, 1188 students were randomized to one of four conditions: Low-percentile polygenic score for educational attainment (EA-PGS), Low EA-PGS + Mitigating information, Low EA-PGS + Exacerbating information, or Control. Regression analyses were used to examine differences between conditions. RESULTS: In Study 1, participants randomized to Control reported significantly higher on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Competence Scale (CS), Academic Efficacy Scale (AES) and Educational Potential Scale (EPS). CS was significantly higher in the Low EA-PGS + Mitigating information condition. CS and AES were significantly lower in the Low EA-PGS + Exacerbating information condition compared to the Low EA-PGS + Mitigating information condition. In Study 2, participants randomized to Control reported significantly higher CS and AES. Pairwise comparisons did not show significant differences in CS and AES. Follow-up pairwise comparisons using Tukey P-value correction did not find significant associations between non-control conditions. CONCLUSION: These studies replicated the polygenic Pygmalion effect yet were insufficiently powered to detect significant effects of mitigating contextual information. Regardless of contextual information, disappointing EA-PGS results were significantly associated with lower assessments of self-esteem, competence, academic efficacy, and educational potential.

Revealing bovine schistosomiasis in Malawi: Connecting human and hybrid schistosomes within cattle.

In Malawi, the putative origin of a newly described Schistosoma haematobium-mattheei hybrid human schistosome was assessed upon a seminal molecular parasitological survey of cattle. Using miracidia hatch test (MHT) and carcass inspection at slaughter, mean prevalence of bovine schistosomiasis was 49.1% (95% CI: 43.7-54.6%) and 10.3% (95% CI: 6.0-16.2%) respectively, though significant spatial heterogeneity was noted. Approximately 2.0% of infected cattle, and only those from Mangochi District, shed S. haematobium-mattheei and/or S. haematobium in faeces. To quantify schistosome (re)infection dynamics, where a S. haematobium-mattheei hybrid was present, we undertook a novel pilot GPS-datalogging sub-study within a specific herd of cattle (n = 8) on the Lake Malawi shoreline, alongside a praziquantel (40 mg/kg) treatment efficacy spot check. At sub-study baseline, all GPS-tagged cattle had proven daily water contact with the lake. Each animal was patently infected upon MHT, with older animals shedding less miracidia. At one month review, whilst parasitological cure was 100.0%, from six weeks onwards, (re)infection was first noted in the youngest animal. By three-month review, all animals were patently (re)infected though only miracidia of S. mattheei were recovered, albeit in much lower numbers. To conclude, infection with S. mattheei is particularly common in cattle and demonstrates a previously cryptic burden of bovine schistosomiasis. Within Mangochi District, bovine transmission of both S. haematobium-mattheei hybrids and S. haematobium are now incriminated, with unequivocal evidence of contemporary zoonotic spill-over. Future control of urogenital schistosomiasis here in the southern region needs to develop, then successfully integrate, a One Health approach with appropriate mitigating strategies to reduce and/or contain bovine schistosomiasis transmission.

The role of thickness on the structural and luminescence properties of Y2O3:Ho3+, Yb3+ upconversion films.

The structural, surface, and upconversion (UC) luminescence properties of Y2O3:Ho3+,Yb3+ films grown by pulsed laser deposition, for different numbers of laser pulses, were studied. The crystallinity, surface, and UC luminescence properties of the thin films were found to be highly dependent on the number of laser pulses. The X-ray powder diffraction analysis revealed that Y2O3:Ho3+,Yb3+ films were formed in a cubic structure phase with an Ia 3 ¯ space group. The thicknesses of the films were estimated by using cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy, depth profiles using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the Swanepoel method. The high-resolution XPS was used to determine the chemical composition and oxidation states of the prepared films. The UC emissions were observed at 538, 550, 666, and 756 nm, assigned to the 5F4 → 5I8, 5S2 → 5I8, 5F5 → 5I8, and 5S2 → 5I7 transitions of the Ho3+ ions. The power dependence measurements confirmed the involvement of a two-photon process in the UC process. The color purity estimated from the Commission International de I'Eclairage coordinates confirmed strong green UC emission. The results suggested that the Y2O3:Ho3+,Yb3+ UC transparent films are good candidates for various applications, including solar cell applications.

guidedNOMe-seq quantifies chromatin states at single allele resolution for hundreds of custom regions in parallel.

Since the introduction of next generation sequencing technologies, the field of epigenomics has evolved rapidly. However, most commonly used assays are enrichment-based methods and thus only semi-quantitative. Nucleosome occupancy and methylome sequencing (NOMe-seq) allows for quantitative inference of chromatin states with single locus resolution, but this requires high sequencing depth and is therefore prohibitively expensive to routinely apply to organisms with large genomes. To overcome this limitation, we introduce guidedNOMe-seq, where we combine NOMe profiling with large scale sgRNA synthesis and Cas9-mediated region-of-interest (ROI) liberation. To facilitate quantitative comparisons between multiple samples, we additionally develop an R package to standardize differential analysis of any type of NOMe-seq data. We extensively benchmark guidedNOMe-seq in a proof-of-concept study, dissecting the interplay of ChAHP and CTCF on chromatin. In summary we present a cost-effective, scalable, and customizable target enrichment extension to the existing NOMe-seq protocol allowing genome-scale quantification of nucleosome occupancy and transcription factor binding at single allele resolution.

Antimicrobial cetylpyridinium chloride suppresses mast cell function by targeting tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk kinase.

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial used in numerous personal care products, human food, cosmetic products, and cleaning solutions. Yet, there is minimal published data on CPC effects on eukaryotes, immune signaling, and human health. Previously, we showed that low-micromolar CPC inhibits rat mast cell function by inhibiting antigen (Ag)-stimulated Ca 2+ mobilization, microtubule polymerization, and degranulation. In this study, we extend the findings to human mast cells (LAD2) and present data indicating that CPC's mechanism of action centers on its positively-charged quaternary nitrogen in its pyridinium headgroup. CPC's inhibitory effect is independent of signaling platform receptor architecture. Tyrosine phosphorylation events are a trigger of Ca 2+ mobilization necessary for degranulation. CPC inhibits global tyrosine phosphorylation in Ag-stimulated mast cells. Specifically, CPC inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation of specific key players Syk kinase and LAT, a substrate of Syk. In contrast, CPC does not affect Lyn kinase phosphorylation. Thus, CPC's root mechanism is electrostatic disruption of particular tyrosine phosphorylation events essential for signaling. This work outlines the biochemical mechanisms underlying the effects of CPC on immune signaling and allows the prediction of CPC effects on cell types, like T cells, that share similar signaling elements.

Global Phylogeography and Microdiversity of the Marine Diazotrophic Cyanobacteria Trichodesmium and UCYN-A.

Cyanobacterial diazotrophs, specifically the genera Trichodesmium and UCYN-A, play a pivotal role in marine nitrogen cycling through their capacity for nitrogen fixation. Despite their global distribution, the microdiversity and environmental drivers of these diazotrophs remain underexplored. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the global diversity and distribution of Trichodesmium and UCYN-A using the nitrogenase gene ( nifH ) as a genetic marker. We sequenced 954 samples from the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans as part of the Bio-GO-SHIP project. Our results reveal significant phylogenetic and biogeographic differences between and within the two genera. Trichodesmium exhibited greater microdiversity compared to UCYN-A, with clades showing region-specific distribution. Trichodesmium clades were primarily influenced by temperature and nutrient availability, and particularly frequent in regions of phosphorus stress. In contrast UCYN-A was found in regions of iron stress. UCYN-A clades demonstrated a more homogeneous distributions, with a single sequencing variant within the UCYN-A1 clade dominating across varied environments. The biogeographic patterns and environmental correlations of Trichodesmium and UCYN-A highlight the role of microdiversity in their ecological adaptation and reflect their different ecological strategies. This study underscores the importance of characterizing the global patterns of fine-scale genetic diversity to better understand the functional roles and distribution of marine nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria.

Supplementation with live Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii during the initial 42 days of the feedlot phase in Nellore beef cattle.

This study aimed to assess the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 supplementation during the initial feeding period on the performance of Nellore bulls in a feedlot system. One hundred ninety-eight Nellore bulls were used in a completely randomized block design, with blocking based on weight within each treatment group: light (331.4 kg; 4 pens), medium (349.7 kg; 4 pens), and heavy (362.5 kg; 3 pens). The treatments included CON-a basal diet, and SCB-basal diet plus a probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079; 1.0 × 1010 CFU/head/d). Experimental diets were administered for the first 42 d (21 d in the step-up phase and 21 d in the finishing diet -870 g concentrate/kg dry matter [DM]). Subsequently, both treatment groups were transitioned to the same basal diet for an additional 76 d, completing 118 d on feed. Linear regression analysis was conducted for dry matter intake (DMI) data. During the initial 42 d, DMI tended to be higher for SCB (P = 0.09); also bulls fed SCB reached the plateau of the curve at 9.17 kg DMI/d earlier (39 d, R2 = 0.97) than those fed CON (43 d; R2 = 0.96) diets. For the first 42 d, the SCB treatment exhibited higher final weight (393.0 vs. 401.4 kg, P = 0.02), total gain (49.3 vs. 53.5 kg, P = 0.02), daily weight gain (1.124 vs. 1.274 kg, P = 0.02), and G:F (0.174 vs. 0.188, P = 0.04). Over the entire 118-d period, SCB-fed bulls had greater final body weight (509.5 vs. 518.0 kg, P = 0.02), total body weight gain (163.7 vs. 170.3 kg, P = 0.01), and average daily gain (1.366 vs. 1.420 kg, P = 0.01). The feed efficiency of SCB-supplemented bulls was 8.05% higher than CON (P = 0.04), and the final carcass weight was 1.69% greater for animals fed SCB (283.8 vs. 288.6 kg, P = 0.04). Total carcass weight gain (110.9 vs. 114.7 kg) and daily carcass weight gain (0.924 vs. 0.956 kg) tended (P = 0.06) to increase by 3.46% in SCB-fed animals compared with those fed CON. Gain yield, carcass conversion, and carcass yield did not differ between treatments. There were no significant differences in the apparent digestibility of DM, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and ether extract between treatments. However, starch digestibility (92.7% vs. 88%) was greater for the control treatment (P < 0.001). Including live Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii yeast as a probiotic supplement during the initial 42 d in the feedlot enhanced early-stage growth performance in Nellore bulls. Notably, this supplementation carried over carcass gain over the entire feedlot period.

Social and general cognition are uniquely associated with social connectedness in later life.

The mechanisms by which older adults maintain large, complex social networks are not well understood. Prior work has primarily focused on general cognitive ability (e.g., executive function, episodic memory), largely overlooking social cognition-the ability to process, store, and remember social information. Because social cognition plays a key role in navigating social interactions and is distinct from general cognition, we examined whether general and social cognition uniquely predicted the nature of older adults' personal social networks. Our study leveraged comprehensive measures of general cognition (executive function, episodic memory), social cognition (face memory and dynamic measures of cognitive and affective theory of mind), and a rigorous measure of personal social networks from 143 community-dwelling older adults. We found that, when modeled together and controlling for sociodemographic variables, only executive function and dynamic cognitive theory of mind positively predicted having social networks with relatively unfamiliar, loosely connected others, accounting for 17% of the unique variance in older adults' social connectedness. Interestingly, having a social network comprised primarily of close, tightly knit relationships was negatively associated with affective theory of mind performance. Findings are discussed in the context of the social-cognitive resource framework-which suggests that social cognition may be more engaged in relatively unfamiliar, versus close, interactions. Specifically, our results show that social-cognitive processes may be relatively automatic for individuals whose primary social relationships are very close but may be more strongly engaged for individuals whose interactions include at least some relatively less close relationships. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).