Follicular dynamics, circulating progesterone, and fertility in Holstein cows synchronized with reused intravaginal progesterone implants that were sanitized by autoclave or chemical disinfection.

This experiment aimed to compare circulating progesterone (P4), follicular dynamics, and fertility during reuse of intravaginal P4 implants that were sanitized by autoclave or chemical disinfection in lactating Holstein cows submitted to fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). For this, 123 primiparous and 226 multiparous cows from 2 farms, averaging (mean ± standard deviation) 163.9 ± 141.9 d in milk, 35.7 ± 11.3 kg of milk/d, and a body condition score of 2.9 ± 0.5, were enrolled in the study. Cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments using a completely randomized design and each cow received a reused implant (1.9 g of P4; previously used for 8 d) that was either autoclaved (AUT; n = 177) or chemically disinfected (CHEM; n = 172) on d -10. Also on d -10, cows received 2 mg of estradiol benzoate and 100 µg of GnRH. On d -3, cows received 25 mg of dinoprost (PGF2α). A second PGF2α was given on d -2, along with 1 mg of estradiol cypionate and P4 implant removal. Cows received FTAI on d 0. A subset of cows (n = 143) was evaluated by ultrasound on d -10, -8, -6, -3, -2, 0, and 5 to identify ovarian structures, and blood was sampled on d -10, -3, and -2 for P4 concentrations by RIA. Pregnancy diagnoses were performed at d 32 and 60. Statistical analyses was performed using PROC-MIXED for continuous variables and PROC-GLIMMIX of SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) for binomial variables. The treatments did not differ in circulating P4 on d -10 or -3, but P4 was greater on d -2 in CHEM cows. Ovulation to the treatments on d -10 was associated with lower circulating P4 on d -10 (2.0 vs. 3.1 ng/mL) and resulted in greater P4 on d -3 (4.0 vs. 2.4 ng/mL) and more cows with a corpus luteum on d -3 (100 vs. 40%) than nonovulating cows. Cows that ovulated to d -10 treatments were more likely to have a synchronized new follicular wave (97.9 vs. 63.2%) and had an earlier wave emergence (1.9 vs. 2.6 d), resulting in less cows ovulating a persistent follicle (0.0 vs. 35.7%). Type of P4 implant, corpus luteum presence on d -10, and ovulation to d -10 treatments did not affect fertility (pregnancy per AI; P/AI). However, P/AI on farm A was greater than on farm B at 32 (40.8 vs. 27.8%) and 60 d (35.8 vs. 24.3%), independent of treatment. In conclusion, P4 implants with different P4 release patterns did not produce detectable differences in follicular dynamics, synchronization rate, or P/AI. Nevertheless, presence of corpus luteum or ovulation at the beginning of the FTAI protocol affected reproductive variables, such as timing and synchronization of follicular wave emergence, and size of the ovulatory follicle. Beyond that, more overall synchronized cows became pregnant to the FTAI protocol.

Increasing estradiol benzoate, pretreatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and impediments for successful estradiol-based fixed-time artificial insemination protocols in dairy cattle.

With the objective to optimize fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocols based on estradiol benzoate (EB) and progesterone (P4), we performed 2 experiments (Exp.) in dairy cows. In Exp. 1 (n=44), we hypothesized that increased EB (EB3=3 mg vs. EB2=2 mg) on d 0 would improve synchronization of ovarian follicle wave emergence. Likewise, in Exp. 2 (n=82), we hypothesized that a GnRH treatment on d -3 (early in a follicular wave on d 0) versus d -7 (presence of a dominant follicle on d 0) would better synchronize wave emergence. Moreover, results from both experiments were combined to identify reasons for the lack of synchronization. All cows were treated with EB at the time of introduction of a P4 implant (d 0). On d 7, cows were given 25 mg of prostaglandin F2α; on d 8, the implant was removed and cows were given 1mg of estradiol cypionate. All cows received FTAI on d 10. In both experiments, daily ultrasound evaluations were performed and, in Exp. 2, circulating P4 was evaluated during the protocol. Pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) was determined on d 31 and 59 after FTAI. In Exp. 1, EB dose did not change time to wave emergence, but EB3 compared with EB2 decreased the percentage of cows with a corpus luteum on d 7 (19.8 vs. 55.3%) and time to ovulation (10.4 vs. 10.9 d). In Exp. 2, although we detected a tendency for delayed follicle wave emergence after the start of the FTAI protocol in cows ovulating to GnRH given on d -7, there was no difference in percentage of cows with a synchronized wave emergence (~80%). Regardless of treatment, more cows with P4<0.1 ng/mL, compared with P4≥0.1 and <0.22 ng/mL at the time of AI, ovulated to the protocol (81.2 vs. 58.0%) and had increased P/AI (47.4 vs. 21.4%). An analysis of data from both experiments showed that only 73.8% (93/126) of cows had synchronized wave emergence, and only 77.8% (98/126) of cows ovulated at the end of the protocol. Fertility was much greater in cows that had emergence of a new wave synchronized and ovulated to end of the protocol [P/AI 61.3% (46/75)] compared with cows that failed to present one or both of the outcomes above [15.7% (8/51)]. Thus, although current FTAI protocols using EB and P4 produce P/AI between 30 and 40% for lactating dairy cows, there remains room for improvement because less than 60% (75/126) of the cows were correctly synchronized. Starting the FTAI protocol without the dominant follicle or increasing the dose of EB to 3mg was not effective in increasing synchronization rate.

Effect of injectable vitamin E on incidence of retained fetal membranes and reproductive performance of dairy cows.

The objectives were to evaluate the effects of injectable vitamin E during the last 3 wk prepartum on the incidence of retained fetal membranes (RFM) and reproductive performance. Dairy cows (n=890), 390 Holsteins (132 nulliparous and 258 parous) and 500 crossbred Holstein × Gyr (199 nulliparous and 301 parous), from 3 dairy farms in Brazil were assigned to the study. In all 3 farms, from October to March, prepartum cows grazed tropical grasses and received 2 kg/d of a mixture of finely ground corn, soybean meal, and minerals and vitamins. From April to September prepartum cows received a total mixed ration composed of corn silage, finely ground corn, soybean meal, and minerals and vitamins. During the prepartum period, cows were fed 280 (farm 1), 390 (farm 2), and 480 IU (farm 3) of supplemental vitamin E per day, and throughout postpartum, cows were fed 370 (farm 1), 500 (farm 2), and 600 (farm 3) IU of supplemental vitamin E. Within each farm, cows were randomly assigned to remain as untreated controls or to receive 3 i.m. injections of 1,000 IU each of dl-α-tocopherol administered at 19.2 ± 4.3, 12.9 ± 3.3, and 6.2 ± 2.9 d before calving (VitE). Blood was sampled from 141 cows immediately before enrollment to determine the α-tocopherol and cholesterol statuses. Blood was also sampled and analyzed for concentrations of cortisol and nonesterified fatty acids in the last 3 wk of gestation. The serum concentration of α-tocopherol or α-tocopherol:cholesterol ratio did not differ between treatments and averaged 2.97 ± 0.10 µg/mL and 4.46 ± 0.16 × 10(-3), respectively. In total, 53.2% of the cows had an inadequate concentration of serum α-tocopherol based on the 3.0 µg/mL cut-off for adequacy. The risk of RFM decreased as serum α-tocopherol increased. Milk production did not differ between controls and VitE cows. Treatment with injectable α-tocopherol decreased RFM from 20.1 to 13.5%, decreased incidence of stillbirth from 14.9 to 6.8%, and tended to decrease death by 200 d postpartum. VitE cows tended to have improved pregnancy per insemination at first AI (36.7 vs. 30.1%) because of decreased pregnancy loss from 31 to 62 d of gestation (12.5 vs. 20.5%). Despite a similar insemination rate, VitE cows had 22% greater pregnancy rate than control cows. Cows receiving vitamin E had decreased circulating cortisol and nonesterified fatty acids around calving. In summary, when cows were fed limited amounts of supplemental vitamin E, 28 to 48% of the recommendations, prepartum supplementation with injectable α-tocopherol decreased incidence of RFM and improved reproduction.

Molecular characterization of bromeliads from northeast Brazil.

Bromeliaceae is an important botany family that includes many species with economic value; demand for members of this family is increasing. However, illegal collection frequently occurs, drastically reducing the species populations; thus, it is necessary to collect and store Bromeliaceae genetic material. In this study, we identified and quantified genetic variability of the Bromeliad family using dominant markers to create the first Germplasm Bank in the northeast region of Brazil. Molecular tools were used to characterize the collected accessions. The combination of 11 inter-simple sequence repeats and 13 random amplified polymorphic DNA markers were used to detect the genetic variability of wild bromeliad accessions.

Odorous emissions of synthetic turf and its relationship with local communities.

Synthetic turf has been a mainstay of field sports and local communities for decades, and in that time, has faced both community and government pressure to ensure its safety and fitness for purpose. Considerable research and regulations have been applied to synthetic turf with regards to its safety, construction, potential toxicity, sports impact, as well as environmental considerations. However, very little attention has been paid to reports of odorous impacts from synthetic turf fields. This is problematic as odours are both a source of most complaints by communities towards other industries, as well as the fact that synthetic turf has a unique placement within communities themselves. It is wholly possible that the concerns surrounding synthetic turf are being modulated by the odours that the fields themselves produce through previously identified psychological mechanisms. As a result, ensuring good standards for synthetic turf with regards to odorous emissions should be benchmarked for community acceptability. This review investigates prior research into synthetic turf with regards to identified volatile organic compounds emitted, as well as proposing the means by which community stakeholders engage with synthetic turf, as well as how they should be consulted. From here, this review provides trajectories for future research within this space, and how regulatory bodies should address potential issues. This research space is currently in its infancy and therefore information relating to synthetic turf odour factors must be carefully considered.

Author Correction: Anak Krakatau triggers volcanic freezer in the upper troposphere.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Anak Krakatau triggers volcanic freezer in the upper troposphere.

Volcanic activity occurring in tropical moist atmospheres can promote deep convection and trigger volcanic thunderstorms. These phenomena, however, are rarely observed to last continuously for more than a day and so insights into the dynamics, microphysics and electrification processes are limited. Here we present a multidisciplinary study on an extreme case, where volcanically-triggered deep convection lasted for six days. We show that this unprecedented event was caused and sustained by phreatomagmatic activity at Anak Krakatau volcano, Indonesia during 22-28 December 2018. Our modelling suggests an ice mass flow rate of ~5 × 106 kg/s for the initial explosive eruption associated with a flank collapse. Following the flank collapse, a deep convective cloud column formed over the volcano and acted as a 'volcanic freezer' containing ~3 × 109 kg of ice on average with maxima reaching ~1010 kg. Our satellite analyses reveal that the convective anvil cloud, reaching 16-18 km above sea level, was ice-rich and ash-poor. Cloud-top temperatures hovered around -80 °C and ice particles produced in the anvil were notably small (effective radii ~20 µm). Our analyses indicate that vigorous updrafts (>50 m/s) and prodigious ice production explain the impressive number of lightning flashes (~100,000) recorded near the volcano from 22 to 28 December 2018. Our results, together with the unique dataset we have compiled, show that lightning flash rates were strongly correlated (R = 0.77) with satellite-derived plume heights for this event.

Acquired cell-mediated immunodepression in acute Chagas' disease.

In this study two groups of patients with acute Chagas' disease were identified. Group one consisted of five patients with apparent acute Chagas' disease. These patients showed symptoms and signals of an acute illness, such as high fever and enlarged spleen. One of these patients developed severe myocarditis and heart failure. Group two consisted of seven patients with inapparent acute Chagas' disease. This was a nonclinical entity, not perceived by the patient who did not seek medical care. The diagnosis was made by the shift of a serologic test which indicates the presence of immunoglobulin M antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi. The patients with apparent acute Chagas' disease showed positive delayed-type skin response to T. cruzi antigen. Also, their leukocytes showed significant inhibition of migration in the presence of this antigen. By contrast, the patients with the inapparent acute Chagas' disease did not show positive delayed-type skin response to T. cruzi antigen and no significant inhibition was observed when their cells migrated in the presence of this antigen. Of interest, none of these patients was capable of developing contact sensitivity to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene. However, three out of five patients with the apparent acute disease and all the normal control subjects showed positive contact reaction after sensitization to this drug. The results of these experiments would suggest that the thymus-derived (T)-lymphocyte function is depressed in patients with the clinically inapparent acute Chagas' disease. This immunodepression seems to be acquired in the course of the T. cruzi infection because all patients showed positive delayed-type skin response to at least one ubiquitous microbial extract, thus indicating previously normal T-cell function. We hypothesize that T. cruzi antigens may directly stimulate T cells with the concomitant release of factors that might become supressive for T-cell responses. Furthermore, the suppressive effect might interfere with the T-cell response to other antigens, such as to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene.

Pulmonary ventilation/perfusion single photon emission tomography--Initial experience of a Nuclear Medicine Department.

INTRODUCTION: Lung ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy with planar images (V/QS-planar) is very useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Acquiring tomographic images (V/QS-SPECT) is a recent development with potential to increase the technique's accuracy. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the added benefits of V/QS-SPECT studies as opposed to traditional planar imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively revised 53 V/QS-planar and V/QS-SPECT exams, performed according to the European Association of Nuclear Medicine guidelines. We evaluated the exams independently, by consensus of two Nuclear Medicine physicians. For both methods, we gave each lung a score expressing the dimension and extension of perfusion defects with normal ventilation. For each lung, we compared the scores with the paired Wilcoxon test, estimating the 95% confidence interval (95 CI) for the respective difference. RESULTS: We performed V/QS-SPECT exams without technical difficulties. The paired Wilcoxon test estimated the score difference to be -0.75 (95 CI of -1.0 to -0.5; p-value=9.6 × 10(-7)), expressing a statistically significant difference of about 1 subsegmental defect between both methods, with V/QS-SPECT detecting more defects. DISCUSSION: The results demonstrate that V/QS-SPECT identifies a slightly larger number of perfusion defects than V/QS-planar, suggesting a higher sensitivity of this technique. However, more studies are necessary to evaluate the clinical meaning of this fact. CONCLUSION: V/QS-SPECT demonstrates a higher capability to identify perfusion defects. This method looks promising, allowing for a greater role of this exam in pulmonary thromboembolism diagnosis and follow-up.

Artificial cloud test confirms volcanic ash detection using infrared spectral imaging.

Airborne volcanic ash particles are a known hazard to aviation. Currently, there are no means available to detect ash in flight as the particles are too fine (radii < 30 µm) for on-board radar detection and, even in good visibility, ash clouds are difficult or impossible to detect by eye. The economic cost and societal impact of the April/May 2010 Icelandic eruption of Eyjafjallajökull generated renewed interest in finding ways to identify airborne volcanic ash in order to keep airspace open and avoid aircraft groundings. We have designed and built a bi-spectral, fast-sampling, uncooled infrared camera device (AVOID) to examine its ability to detect volcanic ash from commercial jet aircraft at distances of more than 50 km ahead. Here we report results of an experiment conducted over the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of France, confirming the ability of the device to detect and quantify volcanic ash in an artificial ash cloud created by dispersal of volcanic ash from a second aircraft. A third aircraft was used to measure the ash in situ using optical particle counters. The cloud was composed of very fine ash (mean radii ~10 µm) collected from Iceland immediately after the Eyjafjallajökull eruption and had a vertical thickness of ~200 m, a width of ~2 km and length of between 2 and 12 km. Concentrations of ~200 µg m(-3) were identified by AVOID at distances from ~20 km to ~70 km. For the first time, airborne remote detection of volcanic ash has been successfully demonstrated from a long-range flight test aircraft.

Production of microparticles with gelatin and chitosan.

In the past few decades, the textile industry has significantly increased investment in research to develop functional fabrics, with a special focus on those aggregating values. Such fabrics can exploit microparticles inferior to 100 µm, such as those made by complex coacervation in their creation. The antimicrobial properties of chitosan can be attributed to these microparticles. Developing particles with uniform structure and properties would facilitate the control for the eventual release of the core material. Thus, a complex coacervation between gelatin and chitosan was studied, and the optimal conditions were replicated in the encapsulation of limonene. Spherical particles formed had an average diameter (D3,2) of 30 µm and were prepared with 89.7% efficiency. Cross-linking of these microparticles using glutaraldehyde and tripolyphosphate was carried out before spray drying. After drying, microparticles cross-linked with glutaraldehyde were oxidized and clustered and those that were cross-linked with tripolyphosphate resisted drying and presented a high yield.

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of Chagas disease.

Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. During the past decades, after urban migrations, Chagas disease became frequent in cities and a health problem in non-endemic countries, where it can be transmitted vertically and by blood transfusion or organ transplantation. Microepidemics of acute Chagas disease have been reported, probably due to oral transmission. Heart involvement is the major feature of the disease because of its characteristics, frequency, and consequences, and is also the source of most controversies. The indeterminate clinical form, despite its good prognosis on at least a medium-term basis (5-10 years), has acquired increasing importance due to the controversial meaning of the abnormality of some tests and the myocardial focal lesions found in many patients. Simultaneous evaluation of the parasympathetic and of the sympathetic system in the heart has been done by spectral analysis of heart rate. The physiopathological and clinical significance of denervation in Chagas disease is still incompletely understood. There are major divergences of opinion on specific treatment during the chronic phase because of the doubts about cure rates. Changes of Chagas disease prevalence in many countries have been certified by the Pan American Health Organization, and are ascribed to large-scale vector-control programmes with modern pyrethroid insecticides and to improvement in lifestyle.

Chagas' disease.

Chagas' disease is one of the most important public health problems in South America and Mexico. Migrations from rural areas into urban zones have contributed to the spread of the disease. The main targets of the disease within the body are the heart, the alimentary tract, and the nervous system. In the acute phase of the disease, the parasite responsible for the disease can be identified in the blood by direct examination. This article identifies the parasite responsible for transmission of the disease and discusses symptoms, means of identification in the patient, and treatment.

Correlation between circulating antigens detected by the radioimmunoprecipitation-polyethylene glycol assay (RIPEGA) and C1q-binding immune complexes in human schistosomiasis mansoni.

Circulating schistosome antigens (CSA) and circulating immune complexes (CIC) were investigated in serum from 420 patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni. The radioimmunoprecipitation-polyethylene glycol assay with [125I] anti-S. mansoni rabbit antibodies appeared as a sensitive and specific method to quantify CSA. In fact, more than 75% of the patients showed significant levels of CSA. C1q-binding CIC were also detected in 70% of subjects with schistosomiasis. In addition, a close correlation was observed between levels of CSA and CIC. These data suggest that part of the CIC present in human schistosomiasis are formed by schistosome specific antigens.

Correlation of circulating immune complexes and complement breakdown products with the severity of the disease in human schistosomiasis mansoni.

Circulating immune complexes and complements compounds were measured in serum and plasma from 66 patients with three different clinical forms of chronic schistosomiasis mansoni: intestinal, hepato-intestinal and hepatosplenic. Three different methods were used: the 125I-C1q-binding assay, conglutinin-binding assay (KgB) and Raji cell-binding assay. Approximately 25% of the patients were positive for circulating immune complexes as measured by the C1q and Raji assays. The levels of complexes increased significantly with the severity of the disease. 60% of the patients were positive for immune complexes as measured by the KgB-assay but the incidence of positive results was not clearly influenced by the stage of the disease. There was no significant correlation between immunoglobulin levels and immune complexes. The complement profile of these patients does not suggest a dramatic activation of the complement system. However, there was a progressive decrease in the plasma levels of C4 and an increase of C3d levels which correlated significantly with the severity of the disease.

Trypanosoma cruzi-sensitized T-lymphocyte mediated 51CR release from human heart cells in Chagas' disease.

Cytotoxicity of T-lymphocytes from patients with Chagas' disease to parasitized and non-parasitized human heart cells labelled with 51Cr was demonstrated. The highest ratio of 51Cr released from the normal, non-parasitized heart cells was observed when the T-lymphocytes were collected from patients with acute Chagas' disease. The quantity of 51Cr released from the normal heart cells that were destroyed by T-lymphocytes collected from patients with chronic Chagas' disease was also significantly higher than the quantity of 51Cr released from normal heart cells incubated with lymphocytes from normal donors. The specific release of 51Cr from the heart cell cultures destroyed by the immune T-lymphocytes from patients with acute Chagas' disease and from patients with chronic disease was 38.1% and 25.8%, respectively, compared to the release of 51Cr observed in control studies. A small particle human heart cell antigen was shown to inhibit the migration of Trypanosoma cruzi-immune peripheral blood leukocytes. The findings appear to indicate that T-lymphocytes from patients with Chagas' disease are susceptible to activation by a cross-reactive heart cell antigen and suggest that an autoimmune mechanism can be established in some cases of acute Chagas' disease and can be perpetuated in the chronic phase of this disease by the continuous antigenic stimulation. Further, these experimental data indicate that the autoimmune destruction of heart cells in Chagas' disease is produced by delayed-type hypersensitivity mediated by T. cruzi-sensitized T-lymphocytes.

Phagocytic and bactericidal function of mouse macrophages to Salmonella typhimurium in schistosomiasis mansoni.

Patients infected with schistosomes may develop a clinical picture of chronic salmonellosis. We have investigated the altered function of macrophages capable of playing a role in the development of chronic salmonellosis associated with Schistosoma mansoni in an experimental model. The capacity of mouse peritoneal macrophages to ingest and kill Salmonella was assessed in mice infected with S. mansoni with or without concurrent Salmonella typhimurium infection. Schistosomiasis was associated with a significant decrease in the phagocytic index of macrophages, due to the reduced number of cells engaged in phagocytosis. However, the number of bacteria ingested by these cells was comparable to that of the control group. The bactericidal capacity of macrophages from S. mansoni-infected mice was also significantly lower than that of cells from normal mice. Macrophages from animals infected only with Salmonella typhimurium showed an increased phagocytic capacity. It was concluded that S. mansoni infection alters phagocytosis and intracellular destruction of salmonellae. This demonstration of a novel mechanism of survival of salmonellae represents a step forward in understanding the pathogenesis and management of chronic septicemic salmonellosis.

Immunological studies in human schistosomiasis. III. Immunoglobulin levels, antibodies, and delayed hypersensitivity.

Levels of IgG, IgE, IgM, and IgA were determined, specific antibodies were detected by the fluorescent antibody test, hemagglutination test, complement fixation test and immunoelectrophoresis, and intradermal tests for delayed hypersensitivity to Schistosoma mansoni antigens were performed in Brazilian patients with schistosomiasis mansoni. The results were compared according to the clinical forms of the disease. IgG levels and antibody titers increased progressively in the subclinical, hepatomegalic, and hepatosplenic forms and there was a statistical relationship between IgG levels and the intensity of responses to the four serological tests; Delayed hypersensitivity (DHS) was found more frequently in hepatosplenic patients and more particularly in those with splenomegaly. DHS also correlated with age, but not with sex or with skin color. The strongest DHS reactions were observed in patients 20 to 34 years old, and in those having the highest fecal egg output. IgG levels, antibody titers, and DHS responses decreased after splenectomy and portal filtration of the worms. No significant variation was observed between untreated subjects, patients who were splenectomized and a group not subject to reinfection for 4 yearsk0