Comparison of greenhouse gas emissions from sheep measured using both respiration and portable accumulation chambers.

Methane (CH4) is a potent gas produced by ruminants, and new measurement techniques are required to generate large datasets suitable for genetic analysis. One such technique are portable accumulation chambers (PAC), a short-term sampling method. The objectives of the current study were to explore the relationship between CH4 and carbon dioxide (CO2) output measured using both PAC and respiration chambers (RC) in growing lambs, and separately investigate the relationship among CH4, CO2 and measured ad libitum DM intake (DMI). Methane, CO2 and DMI were measured on 30 Suffolk and 30 Texel ewe lambs (age 253 ± 12 days) using the RC and PAC sequentially. The experiment was conducted over a 14-day period, with DMI measured from days 1 to 14; measurements in RC were conducted from days 10 to 12, while measurements in PAC were taken twice, the day immediately prior to the lambs entering the RC (day 9; PAC Pre-RC) and on the day lambs exited the RC (day 13; PAC Post-RC). Greater CH4 and CO2 output was measured in the RC than in the PAC (P < 0.01); similarly mean CH4 yield was greater when measured in the RC (15.39 ± 0.452 g CH4/kg DMI) compared to PAC (8.01 ± 0.767 g CH4/kg DMI). A moderate correlation of 0.37 was found between CH4 output measured in PAC Pre-RC and the RC, the corresponding regression coefficient of CH4 output measured in the RC regressed on CH4 output measured in PAC Pre-RC was close to unity (0.74; SE 0.224). The variance of CH4 and CO2 output within the measurement technique did not differ from each other (P > 0.05). Moderate to strong correlations were found between CH4 and CO2 per kg of live weight and CH4 and CO2 yield. Results from this study highlight the suitability of PAC as a ranking tool to rank animals based on their gaseous output when compared to the RC. However, repeated measurements separated by several days may be beneficial if precise rankings are required. Given the close to unity regression coefficient of CH4 output measured in the RC regressed on CH4 output measured in PAC Pre-RC suggests that PAC could also be potentially used to estimate absolute CH4 output; however, further research is required to substantiate this claim. When DMI is unknown, CH4 and CO2 per kg of live weight are a suitable alternative to the measurement of CH4 and CO2 yield.

Validity of the Bern Score as a Surrogate Marker of Clinical Severity in Patients with Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Bern score is a quantitative scale characterizing brain MR imaging changes in spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Higher scores are associated with more abnormalities on brain MR imaging, raising the question of whether the score can serve as a measure of disease severity. However, the relationship between clinical symptom severity and the Bern score has not been evaluated. Our purpose was to assess correlations between Bern scores and clinical headache severity in spontaneous intracranial hypotension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a single-center, retrospective cohort of patients satisfying the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3 criteria for spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Fifty-seven patients who completed a pretreatment headache severity questionnaire (Headache Impact Test-6) and had pretreatment brain MR imaging evidence of spontaneous intracranial hypotension were included. Pearson correlation coefficients (ρ) for the Headache Impact Test-6 and Bern scores were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess the ability of Bern scores to discriminate among categories of headache severity. RESULTS: We found low correlations between clinical headache severity and Bern scores (ρ = 0.139; 95% CI, -0.127-0.385). Subgroup analyses examining the timing of brain MR imaging, symptom duration, and prior epidural blood patch showed negligible-to-weak correlations in all subgroups. Receiver operating characteristic analysis found that the Bern score poorly discriminated subjects with greater headache severity from those with lower severity. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment Bern scores show a low correlation with headache severity in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension. This finding suggests that brain imaging findings as reflected by Bern scores may not reliably reflect clinical severity and should not replace clinical metrics for outcome assessment.

The effect of standing posture on amplitude and variability of postural tremor in Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined whether altering body position (i.e., sitting or standing) affected the dynamics of physiological tremor for healthy older adults and persons with Parkinson's disease (PD). It was also of interest to determine how consistent the tremor was for both groups as determined by examining changes in within-subject variability of tremor amplitude, regularity and frequency. METHODS: Ten Parkinsonian participants (65.1 ± 3.2 yrs.) and twelve elderly persons (71.2 ± 2.6 yrs.) participated in this study. Tremor was collected from the index finger and hand segments using lightweight accelerometers during the performance of a bilateral pointing task. Persons performed the pointing task in a standing or sitting position. RESULTS: As expected, the tremor for the PD persons was greater in magnitude (mean RMS, peak power), more regular (lower SampEn), and more inconsistent from trial-to-trial (increased intra-individual variability, IIV) than the tremor recorded for the elderly. Further, when assessed during standing, the magnitude of the tremor for all individuals (elderly and PD) was greater, more variable, and less complex compared to the tremor when assessed during the sitting posture. The only measure which did not change within each group was the frequency of the major tremor peak which remained consistent, showing no significant change between limbs or as a function of the posture adopted. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that tremor increased in amplitude and decreased in regularity for all individuals was assessed when standing compared to sitting. It is likely that these increases were task-related, reflecting the increased physical demands of performing the task when standing rather than being driven by specific age- or disease-related changes in the mechanisms underlying tremorgenesis. Further, the tremor for the PD individuals tended to be more variable from trial-by-trial in terms of both amplitude and regularity as compared to the elderly persons. Interestingly, the only tremor metric which showed no change within each group was the frequency of the major tremor peak which was consistent within both groups irrespective of the posture adopted.

Radial head distalisation with an external ring fixator as a therapy option in children with chronic posttraumatic radiocapitellar dislocations.

PURPOSE: Missed monteggia-type injuries in children can result in chronic radial head dislocation with anatomic changes and osteoarticular remodeling of the radial head. In later stages, joint reconstruction is impossible and a functional radial head distalization can be a therapy option in symptomatic patients. METHODS: From 2010 to 2018, 46 patients (18 female and 28 male, mean age 11.8 (4-20)) with chronic radius head dislocation treated in our institution were retrospectively analyzed. A radial head distalization was performed in symptomatic patients at the time of ulna lengthening and angulation by use of an external ring fixator. We analyzed the surgical and radiographic data as well as the clinical outcome of the patients measured by DASH and Mayo Elbow score. RESULTS: 16 patients (6 female, 10 male) fulfilled the criteria for functional radial head distalization. Main reason was Monteggia injury in 11 cases, and radial head fracture in 5 cases. Average follow-up was 5.1 years (range 1-9, SD 2.1). Mean time from injury was 4.14 years (range: 4 months to 12 years, SD 3.5 years). Mean duration of external fixation was 106 days (range 56-182, SD 31.2), lengthening was 21.3 mm (range 12-42, SD 8.8). Average degree of sagittal angulation 14.8° (0-32°, SD 10.7°), coronal angulation 4.4° (0-25°, SD 7.3°). DASH score showed a good result with 2.4, and the MAYO Elbow Score was excellent (95/100). No secondary luxation of the radius head was detected. CONCLUSION: Radial head distalization with external ring fixator can be a therapy option for chronic radius head dislocations in symptomatic patients without losing stability of the elbow joint in contrast to radial head resection.

Reproducible determination of transpulmonary pressures.

Oesophageal pressures, as measured in an oesophageal balloon catheter, are a validated substitute for pleural pressures. Transpulmonary pressures, indispensable to improve our understanding of ventilatory physiology, are therefore typically calculated as the difference between airway and oesophageal pressures. The oesophageal pressure signal, however, features a superimposed oscillation due to cardiac motion, not representative for pleural pressure. Additionally, oesophageal contractions or surgical manipulation can alter the signal. In practice, transpulmonary pressures are therefore manually determined from the pressure-time graphic by visual inspection of the waves and averaging a limited number of samples. We suggest an approach to extract the end-expiratory transpulmonary pressure from the raw monitoring data.•Our approach reproducibly determines end-expiratory transpulmonary pressures at a given level of set positive end-expiratory pressure at the ventilator.•Our approach ignores surgical disturbance and cardiac oscillations in the oesophageal pressure signal.

Physiological tremor is suppressed and force steadiness is enhanced with increased availability of serotonin regardless of muscle fatigue.

Although there is evidence that 5-HT acts as an excitatory neuromodulator to enhance maximal force generation, it is largely unknown how 5-HT activity influences the ability to sustain a constant force during steady-state contractions. A total of 22 healthy individuals participated in the study, where elbow flexion force was assessed during brief isometric contractions at 10% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), 60% MVC, MVC, and during a sustained MVC. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, paroxetine, suppressed physiological tremor and increased force steadiness when performing the isometric contractions. In particular, a main effect of drug was detected for peak power of force within the 8-12 Hz range (P = 0.004) and the coefficient of variation (CV) of force (P < 0.001). A second experiment was performed where intermittent isometric elbow flexions (20% MVC sustained for 2 min) were repeatedly performed so that serotonergic effects on physiological tremor and force steadiness could be assessed during the development of fatigue. Main effects of drug were once again detected for peak power of force in the 8-12 Hz range (P = 0.002) and CV of force (P = 0.003), where paroxetine suppressed physiological tremor and increased force steadiness when the elbow flexors were fatigued. The findings of this study suggest that enhanced availability of 5-HT in humans has a profound influence of maintaining constant force during steady-state contractions. The action of 5-HT appears to suppress fluctuations in force regardless of the fatigue state of the muscle.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Converging lines of research indicate that enhanced serotonin availability increases maximal force generation. However, it is largely unknown how serotonin influences the ability to sustain a constant force. We performed two experiments to assess physiological tremor and force steadiness in unfatigued and fatigued muscle when serotonin availability was enhanced in the central nervous system. Enhanced availability of serotonin reduced physiological tremor amplitude and improved steadiness regardless of muscle fatigue.

Brine-driven destruction of clay minerals in Gale crater, Mars.

Mars' sedimentary rock record preserves information on geological (and potential astrobiological) processes that occurred on the planet billions of years ago. The Curiosity rover is exploring the lower reaches of Mount Sharp, in Gale crater on Mars. A traverse from Vera Rubin ridge to Glen Torridon has allowed Curiosity to examine a lateral transect of rock strata laid down in a martian lake ~3.5 billion years ago. We report spatial differences in the mineralogy of time-equivalent sedimentary rocks <400 meters apart. These differences indicate localized infiltration of silica-poor brines, generated during deposition of overlying magnesium sulfate-bearing strata. We propose that destabilization of silicate minerals driven by silica-poor brines (rarely observed on Earth) was widespread on ancient Mars, because sulfate deposits are globally distributed.

Evidence for Multiple Diagenetic Episodes in Ancient Fluvial-Lacustrine Sedimentary Rocks in Gale Crater, Mars.

The Curiosity rover's exploration of rocks and soils in Gale crater has provided diverse geochemical and mineralogical data sets, underscoring the complex geological history of the region. We report the crystalline, clay mineral, and amorphous phase distributions of four Gale crater rocks from an 80-m stratigraphic interval. The mineralogy of the four samples is strongly influenced by aqueous alteration processes, including variations in water chemistries, redox, pH, and temperature. Localized hydrothermal events are evidenced by gray hematite and maturation of amorphous SiO2 to opal-CT. Low-temperature diagenetic events are associated with fluctuating lake levels, evaporative events, and groundwater infiltration. Among all mudstones analyzed in Gale crater, the diversity in diagenetic processes is primarily captured by the mineralogy and X-ray amorphous chemistry of the drilled rocks. Variations indicate a transition from magnetite to hematite and an increase in matrix-associated sulfates suggesting intensifying influence from oxic, diagenetic fluids upsection. Furthermore, diagenetic fluid pathways are shown to be strongly affected by unconformities and sedimentary transitions, as evidenced by the intensity of alteration inferred from the mineralogy of sediments sampled adjacent to stratigraphic contacts.

A humeral intracondylar repair system for the management of humeral intracondylar fissure and humeral condylar fracture.

OBJECTIVES: To report complications, clinical outcomes and CT-imaging outcomes of a surgical system designed for the management of humeral intracondylar fissures and humeral condylar fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of fracture healing from medical records, direct owner contact and an online data-submission service. Follow-up included CT scans and a calculated "bone-opacity continuity index" to quantify bone healing. RESULTS: There was one major surgical complication and one major medical complication out of 34 fissure cases, and two major surgical and one major medical complication out of 14 fractures. Follow-up times ranged from 29 to 1268 days. All cases with CT follow-up had some continuity of bone opacity across the condyle. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In the cases included in this study, this repair system was associated with low complication rates and favourable healing rates, particularly for humeral intracondylar fissure.

Repeatability of plantar pressure assessment during barefoot walking in people with stroke.

PURPOSE: Stroke-related changes in foot structure and function affect balance and mobility and quantifying foot function following stroke could offer clinically useful information to inform rehabilitation. The aim of this work was to explore the feasibility of undertaking plantar pressure assessment during barefoot walking in people with stroke, and evaluate the repeatability of the assessment protocol and regional footprint analysis as a measure of dynamic foot characteristics. MATERIALS & METHODS: Plantar pressure analysis was undertaken using a pressure platform (Tekscan HR Mat) on two test sessions, approximately two weeks apart (mean = 15.64 ± 11.64 days). Peak plantar pressure (kPa) and contact area (cm2) for foot regions were extracted and repeatability analysis undertaken. Descriptive evaluation of field notes and experiences of the participants was undertaken to inform the feasibility of the data collection protocol. RESULTS: Twenty-one participants (61.8 ± 9.2 years; 11 male, 10 female; 8 right-sided, 13 left-sided stroke) were recruited and 18 returned for retesting. Full data capture was achieved from 14 participants. Peak pressure and contact area demonstrated moderate to good repeatability for at the toes (ICC 0.76 and 0.58 respectively) and good to excellent repeatability for the other foot regions (ICC ≥ 0.82). CONCLUSION: The protocol adopted in this study was feasible and yielded good to excellent repeatability for the foot regions, except the toes. The challenges with data collection in our study cohort could help inform future studies adopting similar protocols. This work also has relevance for use of pressure technology in clinical practice for assessing and monitoring foot function following stroke.

First steps: Parent health behaviours related to children's foot health.

Good foot health throughout childhood is important but remains poorly understood with few studies exploring this topic. The aim of this study was to define parents' knowledge, practices and health-related perceptions of children's feet. A qualitative design was adopted. Semi-structured, one-to-one interviews were carried out with parents of children aged five years and under, recruited from South East and North West of England. Interviews explored parents' views, beliefs and understanding of foot health in infancy and early childhood. Transcripts of the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Eighteen interviews were conducted. Seven themes were identified relating to (1) parents belief and knowledge about children's foot health; (2) how parents use and share foot health information; (3) activities for supporting foot health and development; (4) footwear choices, beliefs and influences; (5) the way they access health professionals; (6) the way they search for foot health information and (7) developing practice(s) to support parents. The study provides the first insight into how parents view foot health in early infancy and childhood. The findings highlight the key foot health beliefs important to parents, how they learn about and what influences their decision-making about caring for children's feet, the way parents receive and seek information, and how they access support for foot health concerns. The findings highlight the need for accurate, clear and consistent foot health messages, and the important role health professionals have in signposting parents towards reliable and informative sources on foot health.

Assessment of the gait-related acceleration patterns in adults with autism spectrum disorder.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can exhibit a range of movement issues, which are often characterized by a general slowing of movement responses that can extend to walking speed. The current study was designed to examine the spatio-temporal features and pattern of acceleration for the trunk, neck and head during walking for a cohort of adults with ASD compared to neurotypical individuals. Twenty young adults with ASD and 20 age-matched neurotypical adults participated in this study. Participants performed five walking trials across a 20ft Protokinetics pressure sensitive surface at their preferred walking speed. Accelerations were collected using three triaxial accelerometers affixed to the head, neck, and lower trunk. Comparisons of acceleration amplitude (i.e., RMS), frequency, segmental gain and regularity (i.e., SampEn) during the walking tasks were performed. Results revealed that the adults with ASD walked slower than the neurotypical persons with a greater proportion of time spent in double stance. Despite walking at a slower pace overall, the adults with ASD exhibited a decreased ability to attenuate gait-related oscillations from the trunk to the head. Overall, these findings suggest that adults with ASD exhibited a decreased ability to accommodate and dampen those accelerations related to walking. As declines in gait speed are often linked with loss of head control, one suggestion is that the inability to appropriately compensate for gait-related oscillations may, in part, explain why persons with ASD walk slower.

Intake and growth in transported Holstein calves classified as diarrheic or healthy within the first 21 days after arrival in a retrospective observational study.

Strategies that can improve health and maximize growth in the preweaning period should improve the subsequent production and longevity of replacement animals. Few data are available that quantify feed and water consumption, as well as growth, in healthy versus non-healthy calves-the objective of this study. A database of Holstein calves (<1 wk of age; n = 313) was developed to compare calves that developed diarrhea in the first 21 d after arrival from commercial farms to the research facility versus calves that remained healthy. Individual calf data from 4 experiments included daily intake of milk replacer, free water, electrolyte solution, and starter grain, as well as weekly body weight (BW) and frame measures for 21 d after arrival. Calves with a fecal score of >2 for ≥3 consecutive days over the first 21 d of each experiment were retrospectively classified as diarrheic (DIA; n = 96); the remainder were classified as healthy (HEA; n = 217). Other health issues were minimal. The likelihood of elevated fecal score occurrence and the cumulative number of days with an elevated score were greater for DIA calves than for HEA calves. The initial total protein concentration in blood did not differ between classifications. Cumulative milk replacer dry matter intake (DMI) and water consumed from milk replacer were significantly less for DIA calves than for HEA calves, because DIA calves were more likely to refuse milk replacer. Cumulative starter DMI was decreased for DIA versus HEA calves. As a result, cumulative total DMI was significantly less for DIA calves than for HEA calves. Cumulative free water intake did not differ between classifications. The DIA calves were more likely to receive electrolyte solution and have more days given electrolyte solution than HEA calves. As a result, total cumulative intake of electrolyte solution was greater in DIA calves than in HEA calves. Cumulative total water intake did not differ between classifications. Initial BW did not differ between classifications; however, a classification × time interaction for BW indicated that HEA calves were heavier than DIA calves and had greater ADG. Significant classification × time interactions for hip height and heart girth revealed that HEA calves had a larger frame size. Gain-feed ratios for both milk replacer intake and total DMI differed between classifications: DIA calves were less feed-efficient than HEA calves. In conclusion, diarrhea in young calves decreases DMI, BW gain, and feed efficiency relative to HEA calves within 21 d of arrival.

The effect of calf jacket usage on performance, behaviour and physiological responses of group-housed dairy calves.

Poor performance and ill-health of calves in the pre-wean period can affect future productivity. Increasing numbers of producers are opting to use calf jackets as a means of mitigating the potential negative effects of low ambient temperatures, wind speed and precipitation on growth and health. This study aimed to use a range of noninvasive monitoring technologies to investigate the effects of using calf jackets in the first 3 weeks of life on calf performance and behavioural and physiological parameters. Ninety Holstein-Friesian calves were allocated to one of the two treatments: (i) Jacketed until 21 days of age and (J; n = 44) ii. Nonjacketed (NJ; n = 46). Calves were group housed and fed milk replacer (MR) and concentrate solid feed via automatic feeders. Calves were weaned at day 56, and the experiment was completed at day 63. Health assessments were conducted on a daily basis throughout the experiment using predefined faecal and respiratory scoring protocols. A range of novel, noninvasive monitoring technologies were used to examine the activity, heart rate and thermal profiles of calves on an individual basis throughout the experimental period. There were no differences in calf live weight (LWT), average daily gain (ADG) or feed conversion efficiency (FCE) in J and NJ calves between days 5 to 20. However, NJ calves consumed more MR and had more unrewarded visits to the milk feeder than J calves during this period. Although calf LWT was comparable across treatments in the week following jacket removal (days 21 to 28), both ADG and FCE tended to be greater in NJ calves. There were no treatment differences in calf LWT at the end of the study (d63). When measured over a period of 24 h and at a mean ambient temperature of 7.7°C, skin surface temperature was 6.37°C higher in J calves. Core body temperature was higher in J calves between days 5 to 20; however, there were no differences in IR eye or IR rectal temperature. No differences in lying behaviour occurred, with calves spending 18 and 17 h/day lying between days 5 to 20 and days 21 to 28, respectively. Under the climatic and management conditions described, no significant benefits to calf performance were found as a result of the provision of calf jackets to group-housed calves in the first 3 weeks of life. The higher frequency of unrewarded visits to the milk feeder in NJ calves during the first 3 weeks of life could be suggestive of a lack of satiety in these calves.

Short-term comparison between preperitoneal and intraperitoneal onlay mesh placement in robotic ventral hernia repair.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare perioperative results of robotic IPOM (r-IPOM) and robotic TAPP (r-TAPP) in ventral hernia repair, and to identify risk factors associated with postoperative complications. METHODS: After obtaining balanced groups with propensity score matching, the comparative analysis was performed in terms of perioperative and early outcomes. All variables were also examined in a subset analysis in patients with and without complications. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors associated with the development of complications. RESULTS: Of 305 r-IPOM and r-TAPP procedures, 104 patients were assigned to each group after propensity score matching. There was no difference in operative times between two groups. Although postoperative complications were largely minor (Clavien-Dindo grade-I and II), the rate of complications was higher in the r-IPOM group within the first 3-weeks (33.3% in r-IPOM vs. 20% in r-TAPP, p = 0.039). At the 3-month visit, outcomes between groups were not different (p = 0.413). Emergency department re-visits within 30-days and surgical site events were also higher in the IPOM group (p = 0.028, p = 0.042, respectively). In regression analysis, the development of complications was associated with incisional hernias (p = 0.040), intraperitoneal mesh position (p = 0.046) and longer procedure duration (p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest r-IPOM may be associated with increased complication rates in the immediate postoperative period when compared to r-TAPP. However, at 3 months, outcomes are comparable. More investigation is needed in this area, specifically with regards to long-term follow-up and multicenter data, to determine the true value of extra-peritoneal mesh placement.

Robotic retromuscular ventral hernia repair and transversus abdominis release: short-term outcomes and risk factors associated with perioperative complications.

BACKGROUND: Retromuscular ventral hernia repairs have become increasingly popular, both with and without transversus abdominis release. We aim to describe our 90-day outcomes in patients who underwent robotic retromuscular ventral hernia repair (RRVHR). METHODS: All patients were subcategorized into those who underwent a TAR (TAR+) as part of their repair, and those who did not (TAR-). Patient demographics, comorbidities, hernia characteristics, and LOS were studied. Perioperative complications were reviewed in four different time frames up to 90 days. All hernias and complications were classified using the recommended classification systems. Appropriate univariate analyses and multivariate regression analyses were performed to determine the hernia characteristics which required a TAR technique, and risk factors which associated with the development of complications. RESULTS: Of 454 robotic ventral hernia repairs, 101 patients who underwent RRVHR were included into the study. Of these, 54 patients underwent RRVHR with TAR while the remaining 47 patients underwent repair without TAR. Incisional hernias, off-midline locations, and larger size defects were factors that required the addition of a TAR. In 9.9% patients, an unplanned TAR was performed. Postoperative pain assessment was similar in both groups. LOS was significantly longer for TAR + group (p < 0.001). The median Comprehension Complication Index® score was 8.7 (range: 0-42.4) for all patients and was significantly higher for TAR+ group (p = 0.014). Complications were higher in the TAR+ group as compared to the TAR- group (p = 0.028), though this difference did not persist in follow-up. Most complications were minor (Clavien-Dindo grade-I and -II). The development of complications was only associated with the presence of an incarcerated hernia at repair. CONCLUSION: RRVHR is safe and feasible. 9.9% of our cohort required a TAR that was unplanned, particularly incisional hernias. TAR patients may be more prone to complications in the immediate post-operative period, however, the difference between patients with and without TAR adjuncts resolved at 90 days.

Central Mechanisms for Thermoregulation.

Maintenance of a homeostatic body core temperature is a critical brain function accomplished by a central neural network. This orchestrates a complex behavioral and autonomic repertoire in response to environmental temperature challenges or declining energy homeostasis and in support of immune responses and many behavioral states. This review summarizes the anatomical, neurotransmitter, and functional relationships within the central neural network that controls the principal thermoeffectors: cutaneous vasoconstriction regulating heat loss and shivering and brown adipose tissue for heat production. The core thermoregulatory network regulating these thermoeffectors consists of parallel but distinct central efferent pathways that share a common peripheral thermal sensory input. Delineating the neural circuit mechanism underlying central thermoregulation provides a useful platform for exploring its functional organization, elucidating the molecular underpinnings of its neuronal interactions, and discovering novel therapeutic approaches to modulating body temperature and energy homeostasis.

Depressive Symptoms, Perceived Stress, and Cortisol in School-Age Children With Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Study.

Despite adequate insulin regimens and concurrent treatments for Type 1 diabetes (T1D), many children have trouble achieving glycemic control, as evidenced by elevated HbA1c levels. Maternal and child depressive symptoms, as well as child perceived stress, are associated with less optimal glycemic control. Cortisol, a stress hormone, may mediate the relationships among depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and glycemic control. The purposes of this pilot study were to (1) examine the feasibility of collecting salivary samples to measure cortisol change in prepubertal school-age children diagnosed with T1D and (2) determine effect sizes for the relationships among maternal depressive symptoms and child depressive symptoms, perceived stress, cortisol levels, and glycemic control. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling from a pediatric endocrinology clinic in the southeastern United States. All data, including surveys, salivary samples, HbA1c, height, and weight, were collected the same day as a clinic visit. The study included 30 children, ages 6.9-12.2 years, and their mothers. Most children were female (70%) and Caucasian (76.7%), but the sample was socioeconomically diverse. HbA1c values ranged from 6.1% to 12.2%. Of the children, 18 showed normal declines in cortisol over 3 hr, while 12 had increases in cortisol. Results show recruitment, participation, and data collection are feasible in school-age children with T1D. Examination of relevancy thresholds for effect sizes between variables of interest supports the need for future research in a larger, more representative sample on research questions that include the role cortisol plays as a potential mediator among examined variables.

Blood immune transcriptome analysis of artificially fed dairy calves and naturally suckled beef calves from birth to 7 days of age.

Neonatal calves possess a very immature and naïve immune system and are reliant on the intake of maternal colostrum for passive transfer of immunoglobulins. Variation in colostrum management of beef and dairy calves is thought to affect early immune development. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine changes in gene expression and investigate molecular pathways involved in the immune-competence development of neonatal Holstein dairy calves and naturally suckled beef calves using next generation RNA-sequencing during the first week of life. Jugular whole blood samples were collected from Holstein (H) dairy calves (n = 8) artificially fed 5% B.W. colostrum, and from beef calves which were the progenies of Charolais-Limousin (CL; n = 7) and Limousin-Friesian beef suckler cows (LF; n = 7), for subsequent RNA isolation. In dairy calves, there was a surge in pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression possibly due to the stress of separation from the dam. LF calves exhibited early signs of humoral immune development with observed increases in the expression genes coding for Ig receptors, which was not evident in the other breeds by 7 days of age. Immune and health related DEGs identified as upregulated in beef calves are prospective contender genes for the classification of biomarkers for immune-competence development, and will contribute towards a greater understanding of the development of an immune response in neonatal calves.

Unintended Consequences in Use of Increased Risk Donor Kidneys in the New Kidney Allocation Era.

BACKGROUND: The new kidney allocation system (KAS) intends to allocate the top 20% of kidneys to younger recipients with longer life expectancy. We hypothesized that the new KAS would lead to greater allocation of Public Health Service (PHS) increased-risk donor organs to younger recipients. METHODS: Analyses of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network data of patients who underwent primary deceased kidney transplantation were performed in pre- and post-KAS periods. RESULTS: The allocation of PHS increased-risk kidney allografts in various age groups changed significantly after implementation of the new KAS, with an increased proportion of younger individuals receiving increased-risk kidneys (7% vs 10% in age group 20-29 y and 13% vs 18% in age group 30-39 y before and after KAS, respectively; P < .0001). This trend was reversed in recipients 50-59 years old, with 31% in the pre-KAS period compared with 26% after KAS (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The new KAS resulted in a substantial increase in allocation of PHS increased-risk kidneys to candidates in younger age groups. Because increased-risk kidneys are generally underutilized, future efforts to optimize the utilization of these organs should target younger recipients and their providers.