Evaluation of sensor-based health monitoring in dairy cows: Exploiting rumination times for health alerts around parturition.

The use of sensor-based measures of rumination time as a parameter for early disease detection has received a lot of attention in scientific research. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of health alerts triggered by a sensor-based accelerometer system within 2 different management strategies on a commercial dairy farm. Multiparous Holstein cows were enrolled during the dry-off period and randomly allocated to conventional (CON) or sensor-based (SEN) management groups at calving. All cows were monitored for disorders for a minimum of 10 DIM following standardized operating procedures (SOP). The CON group (n = 199) followed an established monitoring protocol on the farm. The health alerts of this group were not available during the study but were later included in the analysis. The SEN group (n = 197) was only investigated when the sensor system triggered a health alert, and a more intensive monitoring approach was implemented according to the SOP. To analyze the efficiency of the health alerts in detecting disorders, the sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) of health alerts were determined for the CON group. In addition, all cows were divided into 3 subgroups based on their health status and the status of the health alerts in order to retrospectively compare the course of rumination time. Most health alerts (87%, n = 217) occurred on DIM 1. For the confirmation of diagnoses, health alerts showed SE and SP levels of 71% and 47% for CON cows. In SEN cows, SE of 71% and 75% and SP of 48% and 43% were found for the detection of ketosis and hypocalcemia, respectively. The rumination time of the subgroups was affected by DIM and the interaction between DIM and the status of health alert and health condition.

Exploring Ultracold Collisions in

We investigate ultracold collisions in a novel mixture of ^{6}Li and ^{53}Cr fermionic atoms, discovering more than 50 interspecies Feshbach resonances via loss spectroscopy. Building a full coupled-channel model, we unambiguously characterize the ^{6}Li-^{53}Cr scattering properties and yield predictions for other isotopic pairs. In particular, we identify various Feshbach resonances that enable the controlled tuning of elastic s- and p-wave ^{6}Li-^{53}Cr interactions. Our studies thus make lithium-chromium mixtures emerge as optimally suited platforms for the experimental search of elusive few- and many-body regimes of highly correlated fermionic matter, and for the realization of a new class of ultracold polar molecules possessing both electric and magnetic dipole moments.

Movement of genetically modified insects for research purposes.

Insects play a crucial role in research. Many laboratories are developing technologies to control insect vectors or agricultural pests by using genetic modifications that either reduce insect reproduction or increase refractoriness to disease transmission. Those tools include gene-drive elements that may spread such genetic traits in a selfsustaining and cost-effective manner. Since international research collaborations are nowadays routine, movement of genetically modified insects between laboratories under different regulatory jurisdictions is very common. This article describes the requirements and guidelines for transportation of genetically modified insects for research. The author draws upon the experience gained by an Italian laboratory, in its role as a research centre involved in shipments of wild and modified mosquitoes, within an international research consortium developing sustainable tools for malaria control.

Les insectes jouent un rôle essentiel dans la recherche. Nombre de laboratoires mettent actuellement au point des technologies qui visent à lutter contre les insectes vecteurs de maladies ou ravageurs des cultures, en introduisant des modifications génétiques dont le but est de limiter la reproduction des insectes ou de les rendre résistants à la transmission des maladies. Ces outils font appel au guidage génétique, qui permet la transmission héréditaire de ces traits de manière durable et peu onéreuse. Dans le contexte actuel où les collaborations scientifiques au niveau international sont devenues systématiques, les transferts d'insectes génétiquement modifiés entre laboratoires de différents pays sont désormais très fréquents. L'auteur décrit les dispositions réglementaires et les directives applicables au transport d'insectes génétiquement modifiés à des fins de recherche. Il s'appuie sur l'expérience acquise par un laboratoire italien doté du statut de centre de recherche et qui, à ce titre, participe aux expéditions de moustiques sauvages et génétiquement modifiés dans le cadre d'un consortium scientifique international pour la mise au point d'outils durables de lutte contre le paludisme.

Los insectos son un elemento fundamental para la investigación. Numerosos laboratorios están desarrollando técnicas destinadas a combatir a insectos que actúan como vectores o constituyen plagas agrícolas empleando modificaciones genéticas que bien frenan la reproducción del insecto o bien confieren mayor resistencia a la transmisión de enfermedades. Entre tales herramientas figuran elementos de genética dirigida que posibilitan la propagación de esos rasgos genéticos de manera a la vez autosostenida y rentable. Teniendo en cuenta lo habituales que son hoy en día las iniciativas de investigación que entrañan colaboración internacional, el traslado de insectos genéticamente modificados entre laboratorios sujetos a diferentes jurisdicciones reglamentarias es también algo muy común. El autor expone los requisitos y directrices que rigen el transporte de insectos genéticamente modificados con fines de investigación, basándose en la experiencia de un laboratorio italiano que, como parte de un consorcio internacional de investigación que elabora herramientas sostenibles de lucha antipalúdica, cumple funciones de centro de investigación en cuanto al transporte de mosquitos salvajes o modificados.

Emotional adjustment post-stroke: A qualitative study of an online stroke community.

Understanding of emotional adjustment after stroke is limited. Under one-third of stroke survivors reporting emotional problems receive support. The aim of this study was to explore the process of emotional adjustment post-stroke and investigate the role played by participation in an online stroke community. We applied thematic analysis to 124 relevant posts within 114 discussion threads, written by 39 survivors and 29 carers. The contribution of online community engagement to emotional adjustment was explored using the Social Support Behaviour Code. Stroke survivors share common experiences of emotional adjustment and may not necessarily reach complete acceptance. Positive and negative trajectories of emotional adjustment were identified. Survivors progressed along, or moved between, positive and negative pathways not in a time-dependent manner but in response to "trigger events," such as physical setbacks or anti-depressant treatment, which may occur at any chronological time. An adapted version of Suhr's 1990 Social Support Behaviour Code showed that support provided through the online community took many forms, including advice, teaching, empathy and normalization of concerns. Participation in the stroke community was itself deemed to be a positive "trigger event." There is need to improve awareness of emotional adjustment and their "triggers" amongst stroke survivors, carers and clinicians.

Subcutaneous and total fat at L4-L5 and subcutaneous, visceral and total fat at L3-L4 are important contributors of fasting and postprandial adiponectin levels.

OBJECTIVES: Insulin resistance and central obesity have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypoadiponectinemia in obesity. The aim of this study is to evaluate circulating post-prandial adiponectin in relation to glucose and insulin metabolism, indexes of insulin resistance and sensitivity and, indexes of body fat accumulation and distribution in obese men. METHODS: Twenty-eight non-diabetic men underwent an OGTT followed by an oral fat load and were studied at baseline and for 5 h post-prandially for serum adiponectin, glucose and insulin. Insulin resistance was estimated by Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and insulin sensitivity by Matsuda index. Body fat accumulation and distribution were evaluated by anthropometric indexes and multiple slices MRI of the abdomen and hip. RESULTS: Adiponectin was negatively correlated to insulin levels. Fasting and area under the curve (AUC) adiponectin levels were negatively correlated to HOMA (both p < 0.01) and positively to Matsuda index (both p < 0.05). Negative correlations between fasting adiponectin and total fat (r = -0.408, p < 0.05), AUC adiponectin and subcutaneous, visceral and total fat (r = -0.375, -0.413 and -0.475 respectively, all p < 0.05) at L3-L4 were found, and negative correlations between fasting adiponectin and subcutaneous (r = -0.402, p < 0.05) and total fat (r = -0.491, p < 0.05) and between AUC adiponectin and subcutaneous and total fat (r = -0.506 and -0.547, respectively, both p < 0.01) were present at L4-L5. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating adiponectin is inversely correlated to both visceral and subcutaneous fat in non-diabetic men, implying that both compartments are important for adiponectin levels. The best correlation is found at measurement site L4-L5.

Oestrogen receptor beta and melanoma: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Oncological research has focused on evaluating oestrogen receptors (ERs) in oestrogen-related tumours, and understanding the potential role of ERs in the pathophysiology of cancer. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the significance of oestrogen receptor beta (ERß) in melanoma. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated ERß expression in malignant melanoma (MM) tissue and adjacent healthy skin by quantitative immunohistochemistry at the Department of Dermatology of the University of Florence, from 1998 to 2010. RESULTS: ERß was detected with varying staining intensity in the 66 malignant melanocytic lesions. After adjusting for age and sex, we found that ERß expression was significantly lower in melanoma tissue compared with adjacent healthy skin (P < 0·0001). We also found significantly lower ERß levels in thick melanoma tissue compared with thin melanoma tissue. In addition, there was a positive association between Breslow thickness and the difference of ERß expression between healthy tissue and melanoma tissue (P = 0·0004). Consistent with sex differences in melanoma survival, men showed significantly lower levels of ERß than women in both melanoma (P = 0·05) and healthy tissues (P = 0·02). CONCLUSIONS: ERß expression is inversely associated with Breslow thickness and is significantly influenced by sex in MM.

Risk factors for diabetic foot ulcers: an Albanian retrospective study of inpatients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of glucose control, diabetes-related complications and cardiometabolic risk factors on the risk of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and DFU complications in Albanian adult inpatients with T2D. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case-control study on 482 Albanian adult inpatients with T2D. DFU was defined as a full-thickness skin lesion requiring ≥14 days for healing and was classified at the time of hospital admission. Demographic and biochemical parameters of the study participants, the presence of comorbidities and diabetes-related complications at the time of hospital admission were evaluated through a retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Mean age of study participants was 54.8±10.7 years. Participants (284 males and 198 females) were divided into two groups: DFU (cases; n=104) and non-DFU (controls; n=378). Multivariate analysis (performed by a logistic regression model) revealed that the most relevant independent variables associated with DFU were BMI [OR=0.62; p=0.007], HDL-cholesterol [OR=0.00; p<0.0001], triglycerides [OR=7.48; p=0.0004], cigarette smoking [OR=26.46; p=0.005], duration of diabetes [OR=1.53; p<0.0001], fasting plasma glucose (FPG) [OR=1.06; p<0.0001], systolic blood pressure (SBP) [OR=1.13; p=0.0004] and insulin therapy alone [OR=0.11; p=0.02]. ROC curve analysis showed that FPG (AUC=0.83), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (AUC=0.75), triglycerides (AUC=0.78) and HDL-cholesterol (AUC=0.82) were the most reliable biomarkers able to detect DFU. In the DFU group, the most relevant independent variables associated with previous minor lower-extremity amputations (LEAs) were represented by HbA1c [OR=1.47; p=0.03], age <55 years [OR=0.12; p=0.05] and female sex [OR=4.18; p=0.03]; whereas the most relevant independent variables associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) were HbA1c [OR=1.70; p=0.006], SBP [OR=1.08; p=0.05], BMI [OR=1.20; p=0.03] and lack of cigarette smoking [OR=0.07; p=0.01]. Correlation analysis (performed through the nonparametric Spearman's rank correlation test or through the parametric Pearson test, as appropriate) revealed a significant positive relationship between HbA1c and FPG (r=0.58; p<0.0001), ulcer surface area (r=0.50; p<0.0001), ulcer grade (r=0.23; p=0.02), minor LEAs (r=0.20; p=0.04), DPN (r=0.41; p<0.0001), and metformin therapy alone (r=0.72; p<0.0001). There was a significant inverse correlation between HbA1c and insulin therapy alone (r=-0.31; p=0.01) and combined metformin and insulin therapy (r=-0.60; p<0.0001). Both DFU and non-DFU groups exhibited suboptimal mean LDL-cholesterol levels (>100 mg/dl) and mean HbA1c values >7.5%. Moreover, in DFU group HbA1c values were markedly elevated (≥10%) particularly in patients with a grade 3 ulcer and an ulcer surface area ≥4 cm2, as well as in patients with history of minor LEAs and in patients affected by DPN. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that longer duration of diabetes, cigarette smoking, lower HDL-cholesterol levels, poor glucose control, and elevated triglyceride and SBP values may all represent major risk factors for the development of DFU in Albanian patients with T2D. Thus, community interventions and health policies aimed to improve the management of diabetes and related cardiometabolic risk factors should be urgently implemented in Albania, in order to prevent DFUs and other diabetes complications in patients with T2D.

Bose-Einstein condensation of potassium atoms by sympathetic cooling.

We report on the Bose-Einstein condensation of potassium atoms, whereby quantum degeneracy is achieved by sympathetic cooling with evaporatively cooled rubidium. Because of the rapid thermalization of the two different atoms, the efficiency of the cooling process is high. The ability to achieve condensation by sympathetic cooling with a different species may provide a route to the production of degenerate systems with a larger choice of components.

Ghrelin in pathological conditions.

The recently identified gastric hormone ghrelin was initially described as a natural Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor ligand. Apart from ghrelin's first discovered action, which was the stimulation of Growth Hormone release, implications for many other functions have been reported. It seems that ghrelin exhibits an important role in conditions related to processes regulating nutrition, body composition and growth, as well as heart, liver, thyroid or kidney dysfunction. In this review, current available knowledge about ghrelin's role in various pathological conditions is presented.

Mitochondrial dynamics and Ca2+ signaling.

Recent data shed light on two novel aspects of the mitochondria-Ca2+ liaison. First, it was extensively investigated how Ca2+ handling is controlled by mitochondrial shape, and positioning; a playground also of cell death and survival regulation. On the other hand, significant progress has been made to explore how intra- and near-mitochondrial Ca2+ signals modify mitochondrial morphology and cellular distribution. Here, we shortly summarize these advances and provide a model of Ca2+-mitochondria interactions.

The voltage-dependent nonselective cation current in human red blood cells studied by means of whole-cell and nystatin-perforated patch-clamp techniques.

Human red blood cells (RBC) can be studied by means of whole-cell and nystatin-perforated patch-clamp techniques. In 85% of the whole-cell experiments (n=86) and 69% of the perforated-patch recordings (n=13), steps to positive potentials, from a holding potential of 0 mV, induced a slow-activating non-inactivating persistent outward current which reverted at about 0 mV. The current activation phase fitted well with a two-component exponential curve. Half-maximal conductance was reached at about 42 mV. Na+ and K+ carried this current, which was not affected by 20 nM charybdotoxin or 20 mM TEA, but was reduced following a partial substitution of extracellular Cl- by tartrate. This current has characteristics similar to the single-channel currents already described in RBC and may be involved in the rapid adaptations of these cells in the circulation.

Different bindings of the minor groove ligands DAPI and Hoechst 33258 to multimers of the curved (CA4T4G) and noncurved (CT4A4G) DNA sequences.

Equilibrium binding properties of DAPI and Hoechst for prototype curved (CA4T4G)n and straight (CT4A4G)n DNAs were derived from fluorescence intensity. Both decamers display a single strong binding site for each ligand. Hoechst binds seven times stronger to curved than to straight DNA. An additional cooperative, much weaker binding site is found for DAPI.

Relaxation as a cognitive task.

In the present experiment the instruction to relax was given to awake highly (Highs) and non hypnotizable subjects (Lows), while their heart rate, respirogram and skin resistance were recorded together with electroencephalogram, electroculogram and corrugator electromiogram. At the beginning of the experiment, Highs exhibited no significant difference in heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (RF) and heart rate variability (HRV) with respect to Lows, but showed a higher EEG alpha and theta1 power. During the session, both groups decreased their heart rate, but changes were significant only in Lows, which increased significantly also the parasympathetic component of their HRV (high frequency, HF). In both groups, EEG showed alpha, beta2 and theta2 power decrements; theta1 activity decreased only in Lows, while gamma power increased in Highs and decreased in Lows. Results suggest that Highs and Lows used different cognitive strategies in the elaboration of the relaxation request and that Highs performed the task through a higher integrative activity.

Accuracy and Reproducibility of HER2 Status in Breast Cancer Using Immunohistochemistry: A Quality Control Study in Tuscany Evaluating the Impact of Updated 2013 ASCO/CAP Recommendations.

The correct identification of HER2-positive cases is a key point to provide the most appropriate therapy to breast cancer (BC) patients. We aimed at investigating the reproducibility and accuracy of HER2 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a selected series of 35 invasive BC cases across the pathological anatomy laboratories in Tuscany, Italy. Unstained sections of each BC case were sent to 12 participating laboratories. Pathologists were required to score according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) four-tier scoring system (0, 1+, 2+, 3+). Sixteen and nineteen cases were HER2 non-amplified and amplified respectively on fluorescence in situ hybridization. Among 192 readings of the 16 HER2 non-amplified samples, 153 (79.7%) were coded as 0 or 1+, 39 (20.3%) were 2+, and none was 3+ (false positive rate 0%). Among 228 readings of the 19 HER2 amplified samples, 56 (24.6%) were scored 0 or 1+, 79 (34.6%) were 2+, and 93 (40.8%) were 3+. The average sensitivity was 75.4%, ranging between 47% and 100%, and the overall false negative rate was 24.6%. Participation of pathological anatomy laboratories performing HER2 testing by IHC in external quality assurance programs should be made mandatory, as the system is able to identify laboratories with suboptimal performance that may need technical advice. Updated 2013 ASCO/CAP recommendations should be adopted as the widening of IHC 2+ "equivocal" category would improve overall accuracy of HER2 testing, as more cases would be classified in this category and, consequently, tested with an in situ hybridisation method.

Similar Ca(2+)-signaling properties in keratinocytes and in COS-1 cells overexpressing the secretory-pathway Ca(2+)-ATPase SPCA1.

Mutations in the ubiquitously expressed secretory-pathway Ca(2+)-ATPase (SPCA1) Ca(2+) pump result in Hailey-Hailey disease, which almost exclusively affects the epidermal part of the skin. We have studied Ca(2+) signaling in human keratinocytes by measuring the free Ca(2+) concentration in the cytoplasm and in the lumen of both the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum. These signals were compared with those recorded in SPCA1-overexpressing and control COS-1 cells. Both the sarco(endo)plasmic-reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) and SPCA1 can mediate Ca(2+) uptake into the Golgi stacks. Our results indicate that keratinocytes mainly used the SPCA1 Ca(2+) pump to load the Golgi complex with Ca(2+) whereas the SERCA Ca(2+) pump was mainly used in control COS-1 cells. Cytosolic Ca(2+) signals in keratinocytes induced by extracellular ATP or capacitative Ca(2+) entry were characterized by an unusually long latency reflecting extra Ca(2+) buffering by an SPCA1-containing Ca(2+) store, similarly as in SPCA1-overexpressing COS-1 cells. Removal of extracellular Ca(2+) elicited spontaneous cytosolic Ca(2+) transients in keratinocytes, similarly as in SPCA1-overexpressing COS-1 cells. With respect to Ca(2+) signaling keratinocytes and SPCA1-overexpressing COS-1 cells therefore behaved similarly but differed from control COS-1 cells. The relatively large contribution of the SPCA1 pumps for loading the Golgi stores with Ca(2+) in keratinocytes may, at least partially, explain why mutations in the SPCA1 gene preferentially affect the skin in Hailey-Hailey patients.

Cross-correlation analysis of intracellularly recorded synaptic activities: an evaluation of the method through computer simulation.

Cross-correlation of 'spontaneous' synaptic activities intracellularly recorded from pairs of neurons may be used to detect shared synaptic input, which could remain hidden in the raw data by the non-synchronized postsynaptic potentials (PSPs); besides, if a normalized cross-correlation function is adopted, the fraction of synchronized activity may be quantitatively estimated. To evaluate power and limits of this method, computer-simulated synaptic activities of pairs of neurons, in which a given percentage of PSPs were simultaneous, were subjected to this type of analysis. It was shown that percentages of shared activities as low as 4% and in some cases 2% could be revealed, with a conspicuity which was influenced by the types of associated PSPs.

Two types of K+ channels in excised patches of somatic membrane of the leech AP neuron.

The patch-clamp technique has been applied to the somatic membrane of the leech AP neurons. Ionic currents from single potassium channels were recorded in inside-out configuration. Two types of channels, sharing close values of conductance in symmetrical K+, were identified as distinct, according to their properties of rectification, Ca2+ sensitivity and voltage dependence. The channels designated as VCI exhibited an outward rectification and their gating was quite independent on changes of patch potential and of [Ca2+]i. The channels designated as VCD showed a linear I-V relationship and their activity was dependent on both the membrane potential and the intracellular [Ca2+].

Axotomy affects density but not properties of potassium leak channels, in the leech AP neurons.

Leech AP neurons react to axotomy by increasing excitability and resting potential of the cell body membrane. In a previous report we described single potassium channels contributing to the leak conductance in the soma membrane of AP cells. Here we compare both properties and density of single potassium leak channels in cell-free patches from normal and axotomized AP neurons. We show that properties such as single channel conductance, outward rectification, time constants of open and shut interval distributions and absence of inactivation do not significantly differ between normal and axotomized cells. On the other hand, we find that the number of channels per patch progressively increases with time after axotomy. We conclude that changes in density rather than alterations in properties of single channels can account for the increase in the resting potential, observed after axotomy.

Stretch-activated cation channels with large unitary conductance in leech central neurons.

Stretch-activated cation channels were identified in the soma membrane of leech central neurons. These channels were almost silent under normal experimental conditions and were distinctly activated by application of negative pressure to the patch pipette. The channels exhibited a preferential selectivity for K+ and a slope conductance of about 200 pS, in symmetrical K+ solution. In cell-attached patches these cation channels were activated by cell swelling.