Once-weekly insulin icodec versus once-daily long-acting insulins for type 2 diabetes mellitus: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Insulin icodec is a novel, long-acting, once-weekly basal insulin analog. Its comparative efficacy and safety with basal once-daily insulins in type 2 diabetes mellittus is uncertain. Objective: Evaluate potential efficacy, benefits and risks associated with icodec compared to once-daily basal insulin analogs (degludec or glargine). Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until June 2023 comparing icodec versus long-acting insulin analogs (degludec and glargine) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with at least 12 weeks of follow-up. Binary endpoints were assessed with risk ratios (RRs) and continuous endpoints were compared using mean differences (MDs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023452468). Results: A total of seven RCTs and 3286 patients with T2DM were included, of whom 1509 (60.6%) received icodec treatment. The follow-up period ranged from 16 to 78 weeks. Compared with once-daily basal insulin analogs, icodec led to a greater improvement in HbA1c (MD -0.15%; 95% CI -0.21, -0.10; p < 0.0001; I2 = 0%) and time in range (TIR) (MD 2.83%; 95%CI 0.94; 4.71; p = 0.003; I2 = 22%). Body weight was increased with icodec treatment (MD 0.78 Kg; 95%CI 0.42, 1.15; p < 0.01; I2 = 86%). There was also a higher rate of injection site reactions (RR 1.89; 95%CI 1.12, 3.18; p = 0.016; I2 = 0%) and nasopharyngitis (RR 1.94; 95%CI 1.11, 3.38; p = 0.020; I2 = 0%) in the icodec group, compared with once-daily regimens. There was no significant difference between groups in fasting plasma glucose. Conclusions: In this meta-analysis of RCTs, insulin icodec led to better control of HbA1c and TIR as compared with once-daily insulin regimens, albeit with increased weight gain and a higher rate of injection site reaction in the Icodec group.

Use of rumination time in health risk assessment of prepartum dairy cows.

The objectives of this observational cohort study were to evaluate the associations of rumination time (RT) in the last week of pregnancy with transition cow metabolism, inflammation, health, and subsequent milk production, reproduction, and culling. Pregnant nulliparous (n = 199) and parous (n = 337) cows were enrolled 21 d before the expected calving. RT and physical activity were monitored automatically by sensors from d -21 to 15 relative to calving. Blood samples were collected on d -14, -5, 4, 8, and 12 ± 1 relative to calving. Diagnoses of clinical health problems were performed by researchers from calving to 15 d in milk (DIM). In classification 1, cows were ranked based on average daily RT in the last week of pregnancy and classified into terciles as short RT (SRT), moderate RT (MRT), or long RT (LRT) for association analyses. In classification 2, RT deviation from the parity average was used in a receiver operating characteristic curve to identify the best threshold to predict postpartum clinical disease. Cows were then classified as above the threshold (AT) or below the threshold (BT). Compared with cows with LRT, cows with SRT had greater serum concentrations of NEFA (0.47 vs 0.40 ± 0.01 mmol/L), BHB (0.58 vs 0.52 ± 0.01 mmol/L), and haptoglobin (0.22 vs 0.18 ± 0.008 g/L) throughout the transition period, and reduced concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, albumin, and magnesium in a time-dependent manner. Parous cows with SRT had higher odds of postpartum clinical disease (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1-6.4), lower odds of pregnancy by 210 DIM (AOR: 0.34; CI: 0.15-0.75), and lower milk production (46.9 vs 48.6 ± 0.5 kg/d) than parous cows with LRT. Deviation in prepartum RT had good predictive value for clinical disease in parous cows (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.65; CI: 0.60-0.71) but not in nulliparous (AUC: 0.51; CI: 0.42-0.59). Separation of parous cows according to the identified threshold (≤-53 min from the parity average) resulted in differences in serum concentrations of NEFA (AT = 0.31 ± 0.006, BT = 0.38 ± 0.014 mmol/L), BHB (AT = 0.49 ± 0.008, BT = 0.53 ± 0.015 mmol/L), and globulin (AT = 32.3 ± 0.3, BT = 34.8 ± 0.5 g/L) throughout the transition period, as well as in serum cholesterol, urea, magnesium, albumin, and haptoglobin in a time-dependent manner. BT parous cows had higher odds of clinical disease (AOR: 3.7; CI: 2.1-6.4), reduced hazard of pregnancy (AHR: 0.64, CI: 0.47-0.89), greater hazard of culling (AHR: 2.1, CI: 1.2-3.6), and lower milk production (46.3 ± 0.7 vs 48.5 ± 0.3 kg/d). External validation using data from 153 parous cows from a different herd and the established threshold in RT deviation (≤-53 min) resulted in similar predictive value, with the odds of postpartum disease 2.4 times greater in BT than AT (37.5 vs 20.1%). In conclusion, RT in the wk preceding calving was a reasonable predictor of postpartum health and future milk production, reproduction, and culling in parous cows but not in nulliparous cows.

Potential application of munguba butter in the formulation of nanoemulsified systems.

Munguba butter has bioactive compounds such as vitamin E and phytosterols, which has valued its application in the development of new products, with advantages in its use in emulsified formulations. Therefore, the objective was to develop and evaluate the stability of a nanoemulsion containing munguba butter as the oily phase. Munguba butter was extracted by the ultrasound assisted method and its HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) was determined. Next, formulations varying the concentration of butter from 1-40% were developed and classified into liquid or solid emulsion and phase separation. Liquid emulsions were evaluated for hydrodynamic particle diameter, polydispersity index (PDI), Zeta potential (ζ), rheological characterization, and stability assays. The butter had an HLB of 6.98. The NE 1.0% formulation was selected and demonstrated to be unstable at high temperatures (45 ± 2 °C) and remained stable at room temperature, refrigeration and light radiation for 90 days. Munguba butter, because it has high amounts of saturated fatty acids, hinders its application in the development of new products. However, the success in the development of the NE 1.0% formulation is noteworthy, remaining stable when exposed to refrigeration, room temperature and light radiation.

To be or not to B27 positive: implications for the phenotypes of axial spondyloarthritis outcomes. Data from a large multiracial cohort from the Brazilian Registry of Spondyloarthritis.

BACKGROUND: There is a remarkable variability in the frequency of HLA-B27 positivity in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA), which may be associated with different clinical presentations worldwide. However, there is a lack of data considering ethnicity and sex on the evaluation of the main clinical and prognostic outcomes in mixed-race populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of HLA-B27 and its correlation with disease parameters in a large population of patients from the Brazilian Registry of Spondyloarthritis (RBE). METHODS: The RBE is a multicenter, observational, prospective cohort that enrolled patients with SpA from 46 centers representing all five geographic regions of Brazil. The inclusion criteria were as follow: (1) diagnosis of axSpA by an expert rheumatologist; (2) age ≥18 years; (3) classification according to ASAS axial. The following data were collected via a standardized protocol: demographic data, disease parameters and treatment historical. RESULTS: A total of 1096 patients were included, with 73.4% HLA-B27 positivity and a mean age of 44.4 (±13.2) years. Positive HLA-B27 was significantly associated with male sex, earlier age at disease onset and diagnosis, uveitis, and family history of SpA. Conversely, negative HLA-B27 was associated with psoriasis, higher peripheral involvement and disease activity, worse quality of life and mobility. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that HLA-B27 positivity was associated with a classic axSpA pattern quite similar to that of Caucasian axSpA patients around the world. Furthermore, its absence was associated with peripheral manifestations and worse outcomes, suggesting a relevant phenotypic difference in a highly miscegenated population.

Caries experience, obesity and demographic factors in school children: A cluster analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between caries experience, obesity, and socioeconomic and environmental factors in 2, 5 and 12 years-old schoolchildren. Secondarily, the influence of school infrastructure was assessed. METHODS: Primary data from 1762 schoolchildren from the municipality of Cajamar (SP, Brazil) and socioeconomic and environmental secondary data (Brazilian Census 2010, School Census, Prova Brasil/2017) were used. Caries and treatment experience (dmft/DMFT indices), dental occlusion, visible biofilm, weight and height were assessed. RESULTS: Caries experience was found in 6.5%, 40.2% and 46.5% of children at 2, 5 and 12 years, respectively. At 12y, greater caries experience was observed among children financially assisted by the Bolsa Família governmental program. Excess weight was found in 30%, 35% and 34% at 2, 5 and 12 years. At 2 and 5 years, the highest dental caries indices were associated with disadvantageous socioeconomic indicators (households water supply and sewage system, garbage collection, literate head and income), while overweight was associated with female sex and better socioeconomic aspects. At 12y, the group with obesity was characterized by low dmf+DMFT index and better household aspects, while the group with greater dmf+DMFT index comprised normal-weight children. A correlation between the percentage of caries experience and student/employee ratio of the school was observed. CONCLUSION: An association between disadvantageous socioeconomic and environmental aspects and dental caries was observed, while obesity was associated with better socioeconomic status of the schoolchildren. While no direct association was found between obesity and dental caries, the results emphasize the influence of socioeconomic/environmental variables on health outcomes.

Endometrial responsiveness to interferon-tau and its association with subsequent reproductive performance in dairy heifers.

Our objectives were to evaluate the endometrial responsiveness of dairy heifers to an intrauterine infusion of recombinant bovine interferon-tau (rbIFN-τ) and to associate endometrial responses to rbIFN-τ with subsequent reproductive performance. In Experiments 1 and 2, cyclic heifers were enrolled in a 5-d CIDR Cosynch program for estrous synchronization, and blood sampling and ultrasonography examinations were performed on d 0, 4, 7, 11, and 14 of the estrous cycle. In Experiment 1, heifers were randomly assigned to receive an intrauterine infusion containing 2 µg of rbIFN-τ (rbIFN-τ = 19) or saline (CTRL = 19) into the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum (CL) on d 14 of the estrous cycle. Six hours after the infusion, the infused uterine horn was flushed for sampling of the uterine luminal fluid (ULF) for analyses of composition, and the endometrium was biopsied for transcriptomics. In Experiment 2, 100 heifers received an intrauterine infusion of rbIFN-τ, and the same procedures for uterine sample collection described in Experiment 1 were performed. After the intrauterine test, heifers were enrolled in a breeding program and classified as highly fertile (HF; pregnant at first AI) or subfertile (SF; not pregnant at first AI). Statistical analyses were performed using linear regression models, which included the effects of treatment (Experiment 1: CTRL vs. rbIFN-τ) or fertility group (Experiment 2: HF vs. SF) and block of samples. Intrauterine infusion of rbIFN-τ increased the expression of classical interferon-stimulated genes in the endometrium (e.g., ISG15, MX1, OAS2, IRF9, and USP18), and an antiviral response was predicted to be the main downstream effect of the transcriptome changes. In addition, rbIFN-τ increased the abundance of cholesterol, glycerol, and the overall concentration of oxylipins in the ULF. Analysis of endometrial transcriptome between HF and SF heifers revealed important differences in the expression of proteins associated with cell signaling, metabolism, attachment, and migration, with a large representation of genes encoding extracellular matrix proteins. In general, differently expressed genes were expected to be downregulated by IFN-τ but seemed to fail to be downregulated in SF heifers, resulting in higher expression in SF compared with HF heifers. Subfertile heifers had lower concentrations of glycerol and an altered profile of oxylipins in the ULF, with lower abundance of oxylipins derived from arachidonic acid and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, and greater abundance of oxylipins derived from linoleic acid. Measurements of ovarian function did not differ between groups and, therefore, did not influence the observed results in uterine biology. In conclusion, the endometrial responsiveness to IFN-τ is variable among individuals and associated with subsequent fertility of heifers, indicating that communication between conceptus and endometrium is critical for the uterine receptivity and survival of pregnancy.

ReScape: transforming coral-reefscape images for quantitative analysis.

Ever since the first image of a coral reef was captured in 1885, people worldwide have been accumulating images of coral reefscapes that document the historic conditions of reefs. However, these innumerable reefscape images suffer from perspective distortion, which reduces the apparent size of distant taxa, rendering the images unusable for quantitative analysis of reef conditions. Here we solve this century-long distortion problem by developing a novel computer-vision algorithm, ReScape, which removes the perspective distortion from reefscape images by transforming them into top-down views, making them usable for quantitative analysis of reef conditions. In doing so, we demonstrate the first-ever ecological application and extension of inverse-perspective mapping-a foundational technique used in the autonomous-driving industry. The ReScape algorithm is composed of seven functions that (1) calibrate the camera lens, (2) remove the inherent lens-induced image distortions, (3) detect the scene's horizon line, (4) remove the camera-roll angle, (5) detect the transformable reef area, (6) detect the scene's perspective geometry, and (7) apply brute-force inverse-perspective mapping. The performance of the ReScape algorithm was evaluated by transforming the perspective of 125 reefscape images. Eighty-five percent of the images had no processing errors and of those, 95% were successfully transformed into top-down views. ReScape was validated by demonstrating that same-length transects, placed increasingly further from the camera, became the same length after transformation. The mission of the ReScape algorithm is to (i) unlock historical information about coral-reef conditions from previously unquantified periods and localities, (ii) enable citizen scientists and recreational photographers to contribute reefscape images to the scientific process, and (iii) provide a new survey technique that can rigorously assess relatively large areas of coral reefs, and other marine and even terrestrial ecosystems, worldwide. To facilitate this mission, we compiled the ReScape algorithm into a free, user-friendly App that does not require any coding experience. Equipped with the ReScape App, scientists can improve the management and prediction of the future of coral reefs by uncovering historical information from reefscape-image archives and by using reefscape images as a new, rapid survey method, opening a new era of coral-reef monitoring.

The effect of supplementary selenium source on apparent and true absorption, retention, performance, and selenium status in lactating Holstein cows.

Selenium is an essential trace mineral for dairy cattle and can be provided in the diet in various forms that may differ in bioavailability. The objective of this study was to determine how source of Se affects animal performance, Se status, retention, and apparent and true absorption. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 24; 597 ± 49 kg body weight) were blocked by days in milk (DIM; 161 ± 18) and randomly assigned to receive 0.3 mg Se/kg of dry matter (100% of NASEM requirements) of either organic Se (ORG; selenized yeast) or inorganic Se (INO; sodium selenite). The Se premix was top-dressed on a common total mixed ration fed daily and mixed into the top 15 cm directly before feeding. Following an 11-wk adaptation period, cows received simultaneous infusions of an intraruminal isotope dose of 77Se in the same chemical form as the premix, and an intravenous dose of 82Se in an inorganic form. Infusions were followed by a 4-d period of blood and rumen fluid sampling, and total collection of feces, urine, and milk. Daily dry matter intake (23 ± 0.6 kg), milk yield (35 ± 1.2 kg), and serum Se (0.11 ± 0.003 µg/g) were not different between treatments during the adaptation period, but milk Se concentrations were greater for ORG compared with INO. Serum 77Se maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) were not different between treatments for 72 h following infusion, but rumen fluid 77Se AUC was higher for ORG than INO. Apparent absorption (64 ± 1.4%), and retention (44 ± 1.5%) of the 77Se dose did not differ between treatments. True absorption was calculated using 82Se enrichment in serum and feces and was determined to be 69 ± 1.3% and did not differ between treatments. Fecal excretion of the 77Se dose was not different between treatments (36 ± 1.4%), but ORG had lower urinary excretion and higher milk excretion compared with INO. These results indicate that organic Se resulted in greater Se concentration of milk and lower urinary Se excretion into the environment, but absorption, Se status, and performance of the cow were not affected by Se source at this supplementation level.

Synchronous Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis and Intraepithelial Lesion of the Vulva Is Caused by Coinfection With Alpha-Human Papillomavirus and Beta-Human Papillomavirus Genotypes and Facilitated by Mutations in Cell-Mediated Immunity Genes.

CONTEXT.­: There have been exceedingly few reports of epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) or EV-like lesions in the vulva. We describe the first observation of vulvar lesions displaying synchronous EV-like histology and conventional high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), a finding hitherto unreported in medical literature. OBJECTIVES.­: To describe this novel vulvar lesion with hybrid features of HSIL and EV, attempt to confirm the hypothesis of coinfection with α and ß human papillomavirus (α-HPV and ß-HPV) genotypes, and describe relevant underlying genetic mutations. DESIGN.­: Cases were retrospectively selected from our institutional archive. Detailed review of clinical information, histologic examination, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) were performed. RESULTS.­: Five samples from 4 different patients were included. Three of 4 patients had a history of either iatrogenic immune suppression or prior immune deficiency, and all 3 featured classic HSIL and EV changes within the same lesion. One patient had no history of immune disorders, presented with EV-like changes and multinucleated atypia of the vulva, and was the sole patient without conventional HSIL. By WGS, several uniquely mappable reads pointed toward infection with multiple HPV genotypes, including both α-HPVs and ß-HPVs. Mutations in genes implicated in cell-mediated immunity, such as DOCK8, CARMIL2, MST1, and others, were also found. CONCLUSIONS.­: We provide the first description of vulvar lesions harboring simultaneous HSIL and EV features in the English-language literature, a phenomenon explained by coinfection with α-HPV and ß-HPV genotypes. The finding of EV-like changes in a vulvar specimen should prompt assessment of the patient's immune status.

Associations of postpartum health with progesterone after insemination and endocrine signaling during early pregnancy in dairy cows.

Our objective was to investigate associations of postpartum health with serum progesterone (P4) concentrations after first artificial insemination (AI), expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISG) in blood leukocytes, and serum pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) during early pregnancy in dairy cows. In this observational study, Holstein cows (n = 475) from 2 commercial herds were enrolled 3 wk before expected parturition. Body condition score (BCS) and lameness were assessed at enrollment, and total Ca, haptoglobin, and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured in serum at 2 and 6 ± 2 d in milk (DIM). Blood ß-hydroxybutyrate and metritis were evaluated at 4, 8, 11, and 15 ± 2 DIM, and purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) and endometritis based on endometrial cytology were diagnosed at 35 DIM. Onset of cyclicity was assessed by biweekly P4 measurements. The BCS was assessed at enrollment and at 63 DIM, and lameness at enrollment and at 21 and 49 DIM. First AI was based on estrus detection until ∼75 DIM, or synchronization for timed AI thereafter. Serum P4 was measured at d 8 and 12 after first AI; expression of ISG (ISG15 and RTP4) in blood leukocytes was assessed at d 19; and PAG in serum of pregnant cows was measured at d 29, 33, and 40. Multivariable linear regression models were built including health variables (with metabolites categorized via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis) and covariates (season, milk yield, AI method, DIM), accounting for pregnancy status (for ISG and PAG models), repeated measures (for P4 and PAG models), and herd as random. Results are reported comparing cows affected versus unaffected by each predictor. Serum P4 concentrations were lesser at d 8 after AI in cows that had total Ca ≤2.09 mM (3.6 vs. 4.0 ± 0.2 ng/mL) at 2 DIM or a clinical disease (3.7 vs. 4.0 ± 0.2 mg/mL), and P4 tended to be lesser at d 8 in cows that had PVD (3.6 vs. 4.0 ± 0.2 ng/mL) or any uterine disease (3.7 vs. 4.1 ± 0.2 ng/mL). Among cows pregnant at d 29, relative ISG15 expression (fold change) at d 19 was greater in cows that had lameness (5.10 [4.18-6.18] vs. 3.14 [3.10-3.19]) but tended to be lesser in cows that had endometritis (3.20 [2.89-3.54] vs. 4.29 [4.20-4.35]), and relative expression of RTP4 tended to be lesser in cows that had displaced abomasum (1.02 [0.62-1.67] vs. 1.75 [1.73-1.78]). Serum PAG was lesser at d 29 (3.8 vs. 4.2 ± 0.2 sample-to-positive ratio [S:P]) in cows that had NEFA ≥0.73 mM at 6 DIM, and lesser at d 33 (3.9 vs. 4.5 ± 0.2 S:P) and 40 (3.1 vs. 3.7 ± 0.2 S:P) in cows that had prepartum BCS ≥3.75. These findings suggest long-term effects of metabolic or reproductive tract disorders on luteal function after first AI, pregnancy recognition signaling, and placental function during early pregnancy. These associations may partially explain some of the pathways linking postpartum health and fertility in dairy cows.

Photoanthropometric craniofacial parameters in individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate facial photoanthropometric parameters in patients with OI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We selected 20 Brazilian patients diagnosed with OI treated at the Extension Service for Minors in Need of Specialized Treatment of the Dentistry Course at the Federal University of Ceará (Fortaleza, Brazil), of both sexes, without age restriction, and able to understand and sign the informed consent form (ICF). As a control group, 38 non-syndromic Brazilian individuals, categorized as ASA I, able to understand and sign the ICF, matched by sex, age, and Legan and Burstone facial profile were selected. The exclusion criteria were: previous orthodontic treatment, craniofacial trauma and/or surgery, and the presence of any other systemic diseases. Photoanthropometric analysis of the 18 facial parameters proposed by Stengel-Rutkowski et al. (1984), previously established in the literature for craniofacial syndromes, were conducted. A single examiner digitally performed all effective and angular measurements with the CorelDRAWX7® software. RESULTS: Horizontally shortened ears (p<0.001) but larger in height in relation to the face (p=0.012) were shown to be alterations belonging to individuals with OI. CONCLUSIONS: OI patients present distinct photoanthropometric parameters inherent in this condition.

Associations of inflammatory and reproductive tract disorders postpartum with pregnancy and early pregnancy loss in dairy cows.

Our objective was to describe associations of postpartum health with pregnancy and pregnancy loss (P-LOSS) from d 19 to 40 after first postpartum artificial insemination (AI) in lactating Holstein cows. In 2 commercial dairy herds in Ontario, Canada, 468 Holstein cows were enrolled 21 ± 3 d before expected parturition when body condition score (BCS) and lameness were assessed. Serum total Ca, haptoglobin (Hp), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured at 2 and 6 ± 2 d in milk (DIM). Blood ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) measurement and metritis detection were done at 4, 8, 11, and 15 ± 2 DIM. Cows were examined for endometritis (ENDO; ≥11.5% polymorphonuclear cells in endometrial cytology) and purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) at 35 ± 3 DIM. Lameness was assessed again at 21 and 49 ± 3 DIM and BCS at 63 ± 3 DIM. First postpartum AI occurred primarily (86%) based on detection of estrus by activity monitors, on average (± standard deviation) at 65 ± 9 DIM, and the remaining cows received timed AI at 86 ± 18 DIM. Serum progesterone (P4) was measured on d 8 and 12 after AI, and pregnancy at first AI (P/AI) was estimated by the expression of ISG15 in peripheral blood leukocytes at d 19 after AI and by pregnancy-associated glycoprotein in serum at d 29, 33, and 40 after AI. Each metabolite (Ca, Hp, NEFA, and BHB) was categorized above or below a cut-point identified with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis associated with P/AI confirmed by ultrasound at d 33 from a larger data set. Data were analyzed using multivariable mixed logistic regression models, accounting for parity, health variables, covariates (season at calving and at AI, milk yield at first Dairy Herd Improvement Association test [categorized into terciles], AI method, and DIM), and herd. The proportions of cows classified pregnant at d 19, 29, 33, and 40 after AI were 64%, 54%, 50%, and 45%, respectively. At d 19 after AI, P/AI was less likely in cows diagnosed with ENDO (52% vs. 69%) or PVD (54% vs. 67%). At d 29, P/AI was less likely in cows with Hp ≥1.54 g/L at 2 DIM (38% vs. 55%) or PVD (35% vs. 56%). Both metritis and ENDO were associated with decreased P/AI at d 40 after AI. Cows diagnosed with metritis had greater risk of P-LOSS from d 19 to 29 (43% vs. 22%) or from d 33 to 40 (37% vs. 7%) than cows without metritis. From d 29 to 33, the risk of P-LOSS was greater in cows with NEFA ≥0.73 mM at 2 DIM (13% vs. 5%) or BCS ≤2.75 at 63 DIM (14% vs. 5%). The concentration of P4 on d 8 after AI was positively associated with P/AI at d 29, 33, and 40, and negatively associated with P-LOSS from d 19 to 29. Postpartum health disorders, particularly reproductive tract disease, can have detrimental effects on early pregnancy establishment and on pregnancy maintenance from d 19 to 40 after AI.

Correlation between thyroid fine needle aspiration and pathological examination: a 10 year retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the diagnostic performance of fine-needle aspiration in detecting benign and malignant neoplasm in comparison with post-thyroidectomy histopathological findings among patients who received a thyroidectomy. METHODS: Retrospective observational data collected between 2011-2021 were included from patients who received partial or total thyroidectomy. The Bethesda system was used to classify neoplasms from fine-needle aspiration procedures as benign or malignant. Sample characteristics, diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients (n=360) who underwent thyroidectomy were analyzed, of whom 142 (39.4%) and 218 (60.6%) had benign and malignant neoplasms, respectively. Using the Bethesda system, 23 (6.4%) were classified as unsatisfactory result (BI), 83 (23.1%) as benign (BII), 50 (13.9%) as atypia of undetermined significance (BIII), 23 (6.4%) as suspected follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasia (BIV), 102 (28.3%) as suspected malignancy (BV) and 79 (21.9%) as malignant (BVI). The fine-needle aspiration diagnostic accuracy for carcinomas was 92%, while the sensitivity and specificity were 94.4% and 86.9%, respectively. The negative and positive predictive values were 87.9% and 93.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Fine-needle aspiration has high diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity, and is a reliable test for distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid pathologies.

The potential antioxidant activity of incorporating bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba Mart.) extract into a nanoemulsion system with baru oil.

The bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba Mart.) peel corresponds to 15% of the whole fruit and is rich in antioxidants with potential application in product development. In nanotechnology, emulsified formulations such as nanoemulsions stand out for providing modified release and improving the bioavailability of conveyed substances. The aim of this work was to develop nanoemulsified systems from baru oil containing hydroalcoholic extract from the bacaba peel, evaluate their stability and antioxidant potential. After the HLB (Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) determination of the baru oil, thirty-two formulations were developed, varying the proportions of surfactants, aqueous phase, and baru oil. Of those 32, 16 formed emulsified systems, and the ones with a higher amount of oil (20%) were incorporated with the BPE. The systems were submitted to stability studies to verify their viability. After that, several tests were performed, such as rheological characteristics, hydrodynamic diameter of the droplets, polydispersion index, zeta potential, and antioxidant potential by DPPH and ABTS+ radical scavenging methods. After the studies, two samples remained stable and presented a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic profile with thixotropy, hydrodynamic diameter of less than 200 nm, monodispersity, and negative zeta potential. The BPE showed antioxidant potential, with superior activity when incorporated into the nanoemulsified system. A strong negative correlation was found between the two antioxidant methods, where both demonstrated the same profile of potential antioxidant activity for the extract and formulations. The studied formulation showed that the use of BPE is a viable alternative for the development of new products based on sustainable technologies.

Development and stability of intimate soap formulations using Sapindus saponaria L. extract as a natural surfactant.

The use of synthetic surfactants reflects the high demand in the hygiene and cleaning sector for products with low-cost and good-effectiveness. These ingredients are the main components of intimate soap formulations. Sapindus saponaria L. is a plant rich in saponins, with the potential to be used as a natural surfactant due to its amphiphilic character and its foam-forming properties. Therefore, this study aimed to develop intimate soap formulations using S. saponaria extract as a natural surfactant and analyze its stability and surfactant characteristics. Preliminary and accelerated stability parameters, rheological characteristics, surface tension, foaming power, foam stability and emulsification potential were evaluated. The formulations were stable at a pH suitable for the intimate region (4.0 to 4.5), the presence of S. saponaria extract provided greater reduction of surface tension, better foaming and foam stability and greater emulsification power, desirable characteristics for an intimate liquid soap. These results demonstrate that the incorporation of S. saponaria extract into liquid soap formulations is an excellent option as a natural surfactant to reduce the use of synthetic anionic surfactants such as SLES.

Oil reaching the coast: Is Brazil on the route of international oceanic dumping?

After the oil spill disaster occurred in 2019, various events of tar balls reaching the Brazilian coast and archipelagos have been reported. The hypothesis here is that the oil/waste dumped in international waters by ships on-route to Cape of Good Hope is reaching the Brazilian coast. On that account, 30-year probabilistic simulations were used to estimate the probability of dumped oil residue reaching the Brazilian coast. The simulations considered three Zones following the South Atlantic route. The results have shown that up to 28.5 % of large ships could dump oil on-route. Inside the Brazilian Exclusive Economic Zone, the probability of dumped oil/waste reaching the coastline is about 62 % and quickly decreases for Dumping Zones 2 and 3. Equatorial and Northeast shores of Brazil are the most vulnerable to oceanic dumping when compared to other regions.

Collapse of scallop Nodipecten nodosus production in the tropical Southeast Brazil as a possible consequence of global warming and water pollution.

Mollusc rearing is a relevant global socioeconomic activity. However, this activity has faced severe problems in the last years in southeast Brazil. The mariculture scallop production dropped from 51,2 tons in 2016 to 10,2 tons in 2022 in the Baia da Ilha Grande (BIG; Rio de Janeiro). However, the possible causes of this collapse are unknown. This study aimed to analyze decadal trends of water quality in Nodipecten nodosus spat and adult production in BIG. We also performed physical-chemical and biological water quality analyses of three scallop farms and two nearby locations at BIG in 2022 to evaluate possible environmental stressors and risks. Scallop spat production dropped drastically in the last five years (2018-2022: mean ± stdev: 0.47 ± 0.45 million). Spat production was higher in colder waters and during peaks of Chlorophyll a in the last 13 years. Reduction of Chlorophyll a coincided with decreasing spat production in the last five years. Warmer periods (>27 °C) of the year may hamper scallop development. Counts of potentially pathogenic bacteria (Vibrios) and Escherichia coli were significantly higher in warmer periods which may further reduce scallop productivity. Shotgun metagenomics of seawater samples from the five studied corroborated these culture-based counts. Vibrios and fecal indicator bacteria metagenomic sequences were abundant across the entire study area throughout 2022. The results of this study suggest the collapse of scallop mariculture is the result of a synergistic negative effect of global warming and poor seawater quality.

Applicability of 'Toolkit for Safety Assessment' tool to interventional radiology using probabilistic risk assessment techniques.

Interventional radiology brings extensive benefits to patients. Nevertheless, certain procedures may result in high doses of radiation, leading to health risks to occupationally exposed individuals (OEIs). Therefore, a more comprehensive risk analysis is essential to ensuring safety and minimising radiation exposures for all OEIs. The Toolkit for Safety Assessment (TOKSA) tool performs risk assessments based on the concepts described in 'General Safety Requirements' Part 3 (Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards) and Part 4 (Safety Assessment for Facilities and Activities). This tool was developed based on the 'Ibero-American Forum of Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Agencies' risk models and can promote the use of the risk assessment processes by OEIs. The aim of this study was to experimentally analyse the applicability of the TOKSA tool in interventional radiology with the use/support of probabilistic risk assessment techniques. The results were used to reduce the risks associated with a hemodynamics room in a hospital in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Postpartum health is associated with detection of estrus by activity monitors and reproductive performance in dairy cows.

The objective of this prospective observational study was to investigate associations of postpartum health with estrus detection (ED) by activity monitors and pregnancy outcomes in dairy cows. A total of 1,743 Holstein cows from 2 commercial dairy herds in Ontario, Canada were enrolled 3 wk before expected parturition and examined for health variables until 9 wk postpartum. Body condition score (BCS) and lameness were measured at 3 wk prepartum, and serum concentrations of total Ca, haptoglobin (Hp), and nonesterified fatty acids were measured at 2 and 6 ± 2 d in milk (DIM), and blood ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and metritis were assessed at 4, 8, 11, and 15 ± 2 DIM. Cows were examined for purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) and endometritis (ENDO) by endometrial cytology at wk 5, for lameness at wk 3 and 7, for BCS at wk 9 postpartum, and for time to onset of cyclicity by biweekly serum progesterone (P4) measurements. Additional disease data were obtained from farm records. Reproductive management for first AI was primarily based on ED by activity monitors until at least 75 DIM, and cows not detected in estrus were synchronized. Data were analyzed in multivariable logistic or Cox proportional hazards regression models including blood markers, health variables, potential covariates, and herd as a random effect. Estrus was detected in 77% of primiparous and 66% of multiparous cows between 50 or 55 DIM and 75 DIM. In 1,246 cows, the model-predicted probability of ED (percentage point difference) was lower in cows that had retained placenta (-14%), ENDO (-7%), PVD (-8%), delayed cyclicity (no P4 > 1 ng/mL by wk 9; -12%), or ≥0.5-point BCS loss (-14%) compared with cows without each of these risk factors, and it was negatively associated with blood BHB at 15 DIM. Considering only variables measured on farm (not requiring laboratory analysis), the probability of ED was lower (56 vs. 81%) in cows with >1 risk factor compared with cows without risk factors. The predicted probability of pregnancy at first artificial insemination (percentage point difference) was lower in cows that had ENDO (-7%) or PVD (-7%), and negatively associated with serum Hp at 6 ± 2 DIM. In cows detected in estrus by 75 DIM (n = 888), risk factors for reduced pregnancy rate by 250 DIM (adjusted hazard ratio (AHR); 95% confidence intervals) included difficult calving (AHR: 0.67; 0.45 to 1.00), metritis (AHR: 0.79; 0.61 to 1.01), PVD (AHR: 0.79; 0.65 to 0.97), or lameness (AHR: 0.79; 0.62 to 1.01), and it was negatively associated with serum Hp at 6 ± 2 DIM. Monitoring postpartum health may be used to identify cows that are more or less likely to be detected in estrus by activity monitors and to become pregnant in a timely manner. This would support a selective reproductive management program with targeted interventions.

Gill and hepatic histological alterations in Sciades herzbergii resulting from trace element contamination in the Port of São Luiz, Brazil.

The objective of this study was to evaluate, through changes in the gills and livers of Sciades herzbergii, the environmental contamination to which estuarine organisms are exposed in two areas in São Marcos Bay - MA. Two collection areas located in São Marcos Bay were selected for this study: A1, an area close to the Port Complex, and A2, an area on Caranguejos Island (included in the Environmental Protection Area of Baixada Maranhense). Collections were carried out during rainy and dry periods. Sediments (for trace element analyses), surface water (for physico-chemical analyses), and specimens of S. herzbergii (for biometric measurements and identification of branchial and hepatic histopathology) were collected. Physico-chemical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and salinity) were within limits established by Brazilian legislation. Arsenic (in A1) and nickel (in A1 and A2) were above the legal standards in both periods. The highest percentage of histological alterations in the gills (aneurysms, lamellar fusion and detachment of the epithelium) occurred in the port area, in the rainy (93%) and dry (74%) periods. Liver alterations (melanomacrophage centers and necrosis) occurred only in specimens from the same area, in the rainy (41%) and dry (36%) periods. The highest histological indices of gill and liver changes were recorded in A1. This result was further supported by the total HI value of the lesions, which was higher in the port area compared to A2 (less impacted area), suggesting that the environmental conditions in that location are less favorable for the well-being of these organisms. Permanent environmental monitoring of the area is necessary to control environmental impacts efficiently.