Effects of nutrient restriction on the metabolic profile of Bos indicus-influenced and B. taurus suckled beef cows.

Recent research from our group demonstrated that Bos indicus-influenced suckled beef cows had greater resilience to withstand nutrient restriction and establish pregnancy compared with B. taurus cows exposed to the same conditions. To further understand these findings, differences in metabolic profile between these same B. indicus-influenced and B. taurus females were explored. Suckled beef cows (n = 134) were enrolled in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. On day -21, Angus (AN; Bos taurus) and Brangus (BN; B. indicus-influenced) cows were randomly assigned to 1) a diet that met daily energy maintenance requirements (MAINT), or 2) a diet that restricted intake to 70% of the daily energy maintenance requirements (RESTR). Cows were exposed to an estrus synchronization protocol and received an embryo 7 d after ovulation was pharmacologically induced on day 0. Blood samples were collected on days -21 and 19 to determine circulating concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), insulin, glucose, and IGF-1. Pregnancy status after embryo transfer was determined on day 28. As a consequence of the proposed diets, cows in the RESTR diet had less body condition score (BCS) on day 19 (P = 0.008) across breed types. Moreover, BCS change from day -21 to 19 was included as independent covariate into subsequent analyses, allowing for the comparison of breed types under an equivalent level of body reserve mobilization. A breed × diet interaction was observed for plasma insulin (P = 0.03) and IGF-1 (P = 0.04) on day 19, where AN-RESTR cows had less plasma concentrations on day 19 compared with AN-MAINT cows. Diets did not impact (P > 0.10) plasma insulin and IGF-1 concentrations in BN cows. No diet or breed effects were observed in circulating concentrations of NEFA, BHB, and glucose (P > 0.10). Across breed types and nutritional treatment, there was positive linear effect (P ≤ 0.04) of plasma concentrations of insulin and IGF-1 on the probability of pregnancy to fixed-time embryo transfer. In summary, the negative impacts of nutrient restriction on the somatotropic axis, independently of body tissue mobilization, were heightened in Bos taurus females compared with B. indicus-influenced cohorts, which corroborate with the differences observed in fertility between these subspecies.

Prescribing Patterns of Psychotropic Drugs and Risk of Violent Behavior: A Prospective, Multicenter Study in Italy.

BACKGROUND: This prospective cohort study aimed at evaluating patterns of polypharmacy and aggressive and violent behavior during a 1-year follow-up in patients with severe mental disorders. METHODS: A total of 340 patients (125 inpatients from residential facilities and 215 outpatients) were evaluated at baseline with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I and II, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Specific Levels of Functioning scale, Brown-Goodwin Lifetime History of Aggression, Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2. Aggressive behavior was rated every 15 days with the Modified Overt Aggression Scale and treatment compliance with the Medication Adherence Rating Scale. RESULTS: The whole sample was prescribed mainly antipsychotics with high levels of polypharmacy. Clozapine prescription and higher compliance were associated with lower levels of aggressive and violent behavior. Patients with a history of violence who took clozapine were prescribed the highest number of drugs. The patterns of cumulative Modified Overt Aggression Scale mean scores of patients taking clozapine (n = 46), other antipsychotics (n = 257), and no antipsychotics (n = 37) were significantly different (P = .001). Patients taking clozapine showed a time trend at 1-year follow-up (24 evaluations) indicating a significantly lower level of aggressive behavior. Patient higher compliance was also associated with lower Modified Overt Aggression Scale ratings during the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Both inpatients and outpatients showed high levels of polypharmacy. Clozapine prescription was associated with lower Modified Overt Aggression Scale ratings compared with any other antipsychotics or other psychotropic drugs. Higher compliance was associated with lower levels of aggressive and violent behavior.

Estrus synchronization and fixed-time artificial insemination alter calving distribution in Bos indicus influenced beef heifers.

To determine the effects of estrus synchronization (ES) and fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI) on calving distribution in Bos indicus influenced heifers, 751 Bos taurus × Bos indicus beef heifers were enrolled in a completely randomized design at 2 locations from January to May of 2016. Within location, all heifers were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) SYNCH (n = 371); heifers were exposed to the 5-day CO-Synch + CIDR protocol where they were treated with 100 µg of GnRH, 25 mg of PGF2α, and a controlled internal drug releasing insert (CIDR) on d 0; heifers received 50 mg of PGF2α at CIDR removal on d 5, and were treated with 100 µg of GnRH and TAI 66 ± 2 h later on d 8; or 2) CONTROL (n = 380); heifers were exposed to natural service without ES or TAI. On d 9, all heifers were exposed to bulls for the remainder of the breeding season at each location. Blood samples were collected on d -9 and on d 0 to determine pretreatment estrous cyclicity (progesterone ≥ 1.0 ng/mL). Pregnancy was diagnosed via transrectal ultrasonography 54 d after TAI by determining the presence of a viable fetus. Fetal age was estimated based on fetal size and structural features at the time of pregnancy diagnosis. Pregnancy rates on d 54 differed (P < 0.001) between locations, but did not differ (P = 0.777) between CONTROL and SYNCH treatments. Pregnancy rates on d 54 were greater (P < 0.001) in cycling compared with non-cycling heifers (63.9 vs 42.4%). A greater (P < 0.05) proportion of SYNCH heifers became pregnant in the first 19 d of the breeding season compared with CONTROL heifers (52.2 vs 46.4%). Overall breeding season pregnancy rates did not differ (P = 0.982) between treatments. In summary, ES and TAI increased the percentage of heifers that conceived in the first 19 d of the breeding season, and therefore, potentially altered the calving distribution by ensuring that more heifers calve early during the subsequent calving season.

On the mechanical characteristics of a self-setting calcium phosphate cement.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a mechanical characterization of a self-setting calcium phosphate cement in function of the immersion time in Ringer solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens of self-setting calcium phosphate cement were prepared from pure α-TCP powder. The residual strains developed during hardening stage were monitored using an embedded fiber Bragg grating sensor. Additionally, the evolution of the elastic modulus was obtained for the same time period by conducting low-load indentation tests. Micro-computed tomography as well as microscope-assisted inspections were employed to evaluate the porosity in the specimens. Moreover, diametral compression tests were conducted in wet and dried specimens to characterize the material strength. RESULTS: The volume of the estimated porosity and absorbed fluid mass, during the first few minutes of the material's exposure in a wet environment, coincide. The immersion in Ringer solution lead to a noticeable increase in the moduli values. The critical value of stresses obtained from the diametral compression tests were combined with the data from uniaxial compression tests, to suggest a Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents different techniques to characterize a self-setting calcium phosphate cement and provides experimental data on porosity, mechanical properties and failure. The investigated material possessed an open porosity at its dried state with negligible residual strains and its Young's modulus, obtained from micro-indentation tests, increased with hardening time. The failure loci may be described by a Mohr-Coulomb criterion, characteristic of soil and rock materials.

Dieta sin gluten y sin caseína en los trastornos del espectro autista; perspectivas diferentes / Gluten-free, casein-free diet in autism spectrum disorders; different perspectives

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Rasgos clínicos sugestivos de trastorno del espectro autista como manifestación de sensibilidad al gluten no celíaca / Clinical features suggesting autism spectrum disorder as a manifestation of non-celiac gluten sensitivity

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Del intestino al cerebro..., pasando por el torrente sanguíneo / From gut to brain..., passing through the blood stream

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High resolution melting analysis for the identification of novel mutations in DKC1 and TERT genes in patients with dyskeratosis congenita.

Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is a rare inherited bone-marrow failure syndrome with high clinical heterogeneity. Cells derived from DC patients present short telomeres at early ages, as a result of mutations in genes encoding components of the telomerase complex (DKC1, TERC, TERT, NHP2 and NOP10), or the shelterin complex (TINF2). However, mutations have been identified only in around 50% of the cases, indicating that other genes could be involved in the development of this disease. Indeed, mutations in TCBA1 or chromosome segment C16orf57 have been described recently. We have used HRM technology to perform genetic analysis in the above mentioned genes, in Spanish patients showing both, some clinical features of DC and short telomeres. The mutations have been identified by PCR amplification of DC genes followed by high resolution melting (HRM) and direct DNA sequencing analysis. We have identified seven new families with DC, three with X-linked DC and four with autosomal dominant DC, in which we have found two novel mutations in DKC1 (p.His68Arg and p.Lys390del) and four novel mutations in TERT gene (p.Pro530Leu, p.Arg698Trp, p.Arg971His and p.Arg698Gln). The results show that the use of HRM analysis enables a rapid and inexpensive identification of mutations in dyskeratosis congenita associated genes.

Leucemia linfoblástica aguda diagnosticada y tratada inicialmente como artritis crónica juvenil / Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia initially diagnosed and treated as chronic juvenile arthritis

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Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate is associated to extracellular lipoproteic fractions and is detected in tomato apoplastic fluids.

We have recently detected phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P) in the extracellular medium of tomato cell suspensions. Extracellular PI4P was shown to trigger the activation of defence responses induced by the fungal elicitor xylanase. In this study, by applying a differential centrifugation technique, we found that extracellular PI4P is associated with fractions composed of diverse phospholipids and proteins, which were pelleted from the extracellular medium of tomato cell suspensions grown under basal conditions. Using mass spectrometry, we identified the proteins present in these pelleted fractions. Most of these proteins have previously been characterised as having a role in defence responses. Next, we evaluated whether PI4P could also be detected in an entire plant system. For this, apoplastic fluids of tomato plants grown under basal conditions were analysed using a lipid overlay assay. Interestingly, PI4P could be detected in intercellular fluids obtained from tomato leaflets and xylem sap of tomato plants. By employing electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), other phospholipids were also found in intercellular fluids of tomato plants. These had a markedly different profile from the phospholipid pattern identified in entire leaflets. Based on these results, the potential role of extracellular phospholipids in plant intercellular communication is discussed.

Multiscale modeling of composite materials: a roadmap towards virtual testing.

A bottom-up, multiscale modeling approach is presented to carry out high-fidelity virtual mechanical tests of composite materials and structures. The strategy begins with the in situ measurement of the matrix and interface mechanical properties at the nanometer-micrometer range to build up a ladder of the numerical simulations, which take into account the relevant deformation and failure mechanisms at different length scales relevant to individual plies, laminates and components. The main features of each simulation step and the information transferred between length scales are described in detail as well as the current limitations and the areas for further development. Finally, the roadmap for the extension of the current strategy to include functional properties and processing into the simulation scheme is delineated.

Intoxicación por vitamina D en hijos de inmigrantes latinoamericanos. Serie de 3 casos / Vitamin D intoxication in infants born from Latin-American immigrants. Series of 3 cases

La intoxicación por vitamina D es una causa bien conocida de hipercalcemia infantily puede tener serias consecuencias (renales, cardiacas y neurológicas fundamentalmente). El empleo de suplementos nutricionales enriquecidos con vitaminas, de venta sin receta, conlleva un importante riesgo de que esto ocurra. La clínica de la hipercalcemia es inespecífica y, unida al hecho de que con frecuencia se niega la ingesta de dichos suplementos, el diagnóstico de intoxicación por vitamina D se demora y el número de pruebas complementarias realizadas es amplio. Exponemos una serie de 3 casos de hijos de inmigrantes latinoamericanos que estaban recibiendo suplementos nutricionales traídos de los países de origen de sus padres. Los 3 se presentaron en nuestro centro en un intervalo de 5 meses. Tras el antecedente de un primer caso, el diagnóstico de los 2 siguientes fue más rápido, así como la instauración del tratamiento para la hipercalcemia. Los niveles iniciales de calcio y 25-hidroxivitamina D fueron, respectivamente, para cada caso: 17,9 mg/dl y 504 ng/ml, 14,46 mg/dl y 505 ng/ml, y 14,2 mg/dl y530 ng/ml. Recibieron tratamiento con sueroterapia, furosemida y corticoides, y en uno de los casos con calcitonina subcutánea. La evolución clínica de todos ellos fue óptima, normalizándosela calcemia y la función renal (AU)

Vitamin D intoxication is a well-known cause of hypercalcemia in children and can have serious consequences (renal, cardiac and neurologic mainly). The use of the so-called over the-counter (OTC) supplements involves a high risk in this taking place. The clinical expression of hypercalcaemia is unspecific, and, together with the fact that the administration of such supplements is frequently denied, the diagnosis of vitamin D intoxication is often delayed and the number of complementary tests performed is high. We here-for expose a series of 3 cases all of which are infants born from Latin-American immigrants who were receiving supplements that came from their parents originary countries. All 3 cases were admitted in our hospital within a period of 5 months. After the first preceding case, the diagnosis of the 2 latter ones was performed promptly and so was the instauration of the treatment for hypercalcemia. The initial levels of serum calcium and of 25-hydroxy vitamin D where, respectively for each case: 17.9 mg/dl and 504 ng/ml; 14.46 mg/dl and 505 ng/ml; 14.2 mg/dl and 530 ng/ml. All 3 patients received intravenous treatment with serum, furosemide and corticoids and in one case with subcutaneous calcitonine as well. The clinical outcome was optimal for them all, with normalization of the calcium levels and of the renal function (AU)

[Vitamin D intoxication in infants born from Latin-American immigrants. Series of 3 cases]. / Intoxicación por vitamina D en hijos de inmigrantes latinoamericanos. Serie de 3 casos.

Vitamin D intoxication is a well-known cause of hypercalcemia in children and can have serious consequences (renal, cardiac and neurologic mainly). The use of the so-called over-the-counter (OTC) supplements involves a high risk in this taking place. The clinical expression of hypercalcaemia is unspecific, and, together with the fact that the administration of such supplements is frequently denied, the diagnosis of vitamin D intoxication is often delayed and the number of complementary tests performed is high. We here-for expose a series of 3 cases all of which are infants born from Latin-American immigrants who were receiving supplements that came from their parents originary countries. All 3 cases were admitted in our hospital within a period of 5 months. After the first preceding case, the diagnosis of the 2 latter ones was performed promptly and so was the instauration of the treatment for hypercalcemia. The initial levels of serum calcium and of 25-hydroxy vitamin D where, respectively for each case: 17.9 mg/dl and 504 ng/ml; 14.46 mg/dl and 505 ng/ml; 14.2mg/dl and 530 ng/ml. All 3 patients received intravenous treatment with serum, furosemide and corticoids and in one case with subcutaneous calcitonine as well. The clinical outcome was optimal for them all, with normalization of the calcium levels and of the renal function.

Expression of a lipid transfer protein in Escherichia coli and its phosphorylation by a membrane-bound calcium-dependent protein kinase.

Ha-AP10 is a basic antifungal peptide from sunflower seeds (Helianthus annuus antifungal peptide of 10 kDa) belonging to the family of plant lipid transfer proteins. We report here its expression in E. coli [Glutathione S-transferase (GST) system] and its phosphorylation by endogenous membrane-bound calcium-dependent protein kinases.