One way or another: Combined effect of dispersal and asymmetry on total realized asymptotic population abundance.

Understanding the consequences on population dynamics of the variability in dispersal over a fragmented habitat remains a major focus of ecological and environmental inquiry. Dispersal is often asymmetric: wind, marine currents, rivers, or human activities produce a preferential direction of dispersal between connected patches. Here, we study how this asymmetry affects population dynamics by considering a discrete-time two-patch model with asymmetric dispersal. We conduct a rigorous analysis of the model and describe all the possible response scenarios of the total realized asymptotic population abundance to a change in the dispersal rate for a fixed symmetry level. In addition, we discuss which of these scenarios can be achieved just by restricting mobility in one specific direction. Moreover, we also report that changing the order of events does not alter the population dynamics in our model, contrary to other situations discussed in the literature.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients in Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients are among patients with highest risk of adverse coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. OBJECTIVE: We compared clinical outcomes in post-HSCT patients with COVID-19 before and during the Omicron period. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective study including patients post-HSCT with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection from April 2020 to March 2023 at Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City. We describe their clinical characteristics and report the variables associated with severe clinical disease, hospitalization, and death. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were included; 31 (58.5%) from the pre-Omicron period and 22 (41.5%) from the Omicron period. Median age was 42-years old (interquartile range 26-53), and 31 patients (59%) were men. Only four patients (16%) had received a vaccine prior to COVID-19 diagnosis in the pre-Omicron period versus 20 (91%) in the Omicron period (p < 0.001). COVID-19 severe cases were more common before Omicron: seven patients (23%) versus two patients (9%). Only one patient (3%) received an antiviral in the pre-Omicron period compared to 11 patients (50%) during the Omicron period (p < 0.01). COVID-19-associated mortality was almost double in the pre-Omicron period (16% vs. 9%, p = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: This study reports patients with a high proportion of severe outcomes during the first 2 years of the pandemic. Outcomes improved during Omicron with better access to vaccines and antivirals and no in-hospital cases. Variables associated with worse outcomes were similar to other reports. Strengthening infection control measures in the hospital and better access to preventive strategies and therapeutic options are mandatory in these high-risk patients.

Improving the Comprehension of Pathogenicity and Phylogeny in 'Candidatus Phytoplasma meliae' through Genome Characterization.

'Candidatus Phytoplasma meliae' is a pathogen associated with chinaberry yellowing disease, which has become a major phytosanitary problem for chinaberry forestry production in Argentina. Despite its economic impact, no genome information of this phytoplasma has been published, which has hindered its characterization at the genomic level. In this study, we used a metagenomics approach to analyze the draft genome of the 'Ca. P. meliae' strain ChTYXIII. The draft assembly consisted of twenty-one contigs with a total length of 751.949 bp, and annotation revealed 669 CDSs, 34 tRNAs, and 1 set of rRNA operons. The metabolic pathways analysis showed that ChTYXIII contains the complete core genes for glycolysis and a functional Sec system for protein translocation. Our phylogenomic analysis based on 133 single-copy genes and genome-to-genome metrics supports the classification as unique 'Ca. P. species' within the MPV clade. We also identified 31 putative effectors, including a homolog to SAP11 and others that have only been described in this pathogen. Our ortholog analysis revealed 37 PMU core genes in the genome of 'Ca. P. meliae' ChTYXIII, leading to the identification of 2 intact PMUs. Our work provides important genomic information for 'Ca. P. meliae' and others phytoplasmas for the 16SrXIII (MPV) group.

Exploring the potential of a new thermotolerant xylanase from Rasamsonia composticola (XylRc): production using agro-residues, biochemical studies, and application to sugarcane bagasse saccharification.

Xylanases from thermophilic fungi have a wide range of commercial applications in the bioconversion of lignocellulosic materials and biobleaching in the pulp and paper industry. In this study, an endoxylanase from the thermophilic fungus Rasamsonia composticola (XylRc) was produced using waste wheat bran and pretreated sugarcane bagasse (PSB) in solid-state fermentation. The enzyme was purified, biochemically characterized, and used for the saccharification of sugarcane bagasse. XylRc was purified 30.6-fold with a 22% yield. The analysis using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a molecular weight of 53 kDa, with optimal temperature and pH values of 80 °C and 5.5, respectively. Thin-layer chromatography suggests that the enzyme is an endoxylanase and belongs to the glycoside hydrolase 10 family. The enzyme was stimulated by the presence of K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Co2+ and remained stable in the presence of the surfactant Triton X-100. XylRc was also stimulated by organic solvents butanol (113%), ethanol (175%), isopropanol (176%), and acetone (185%). The Km and Vmax values for oat spelt and birchwood xylan were 6.7 ± 0.7 mg/mL, 2.3 ± 0.59 mg/mL, 446.7 ± 12.7 µmol/min/mg, and 173.7 ± 6.5 µmol/min/mg, respectively. XylRc was unaffected by different phenolic compounds: ferulic, tannic, cinnamic, benzoic, and coumaric acids at concentrations of 2.5-10 mg/mL. The results of saccharification of PSB showed that supplementation of a commercial enzymatic cocktail (Cellic® CTec2) with XylRc (1:1 w/v) led to an increase in the degree of synergism (DS) in total reducing sugar (1.28) and glucose released (1.05) compared to the control (Cellic® HTec2). In summary, XylRc demonstrated significant potential for applications in lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis, making it an attractive alternative for producing xylooligosaccharides and xylose, which can serve as precursors for biofuel production.

Association between ventilatory ratio and mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and COVID 19: A multicenter, retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Mortality rates in patients with COVID-19 undergoing mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit are high. The causes of this mortality have been rigorously investigated. The aim of the present study is to establish mortality risk factors related to lung mechanics measured at days 1 and 5 in patients with covid-19 ARDS managed with invasive mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit. METHODS: A retrospective observational multicenter study including consecutive patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19-induced ARDS, admitted to three institutions and seven intensive care units in the city of Bogota between May 20, 2020 and May 30, 2022 who required mechanical ventilation for at least five days. Data were collected from the medical records of patients who met the inclusion criteria on day 1 and day 5 of mechanical ventilation. The primary outcome assessed was mortality at day 30. RESULTS: A total of 533 consecutive patients admitted with ARDS with COVID-19 were included. Ventilatory ratio, plateau pressure and driving pressure measured on day 5 were significantly higher in non-survivors (p < 0.05). Overall, 30-day follow-up mortality was 48.8%. The increases between day 1 and day 5 in the ventilatory ratio (OR 1.42, 95%CI 1.03-2.01, p = 0.04), driving pressure (OR 1.56, 95%CI 1.10-2.22, p = 0.01); and finally plateau pressure (OR 1.9, 95%CI 1.34-2.69, p = 0.001) were associated with an increased risk of death. There was no association between deterioration of PaO2/FIO2 index and mortality (OR 1.34, 95%CI 0.96-1.56, p = 0.053). CONCLUSIONS: Ventilatory ratio, plateau pressure, driving pressure, and age were identified as independent risk factors for 30-day mortality in patients with ARDS due to COVID-19 on day 5 of invasive mechanical ventilation.

Comparison of 5-Item and 11-Item Modified Frailty Index as Predictors of Functional Independence in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Cohort Study. INTRODUCTION: The 11-item modified Frailty index (mFI-11) by the ACS-NSQIP database was used to predict which patients are high risk for complications and inpatient mortality. ACS-NSQIP now has switched to the 5-item MFI. However, there are no studies on how these frailty indices fare against each other and their prognostic value of functional independence in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). OBJECTIVE: To compare the mFI-5 and mFI-11 in order to standardize frailty assessment in the SCI population. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 272,174 patients with SCI from 2010 to 2020 from the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF) registry. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the predictive value of mFI for functional independence as determined by locomotion and transfer mobility. RESULTS: A total of 1907 patients were included with a mean age of 46.9 ± 15.1 years. The 3 most common MFI factors were hypertension (32.2%), diabetes mellitus (13.7%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (8.5%). Multivariable logistic regression analyses using MFI-5 and MFI-11 showed that a higher frailty score in MFI-5 (OR 1.375, P < .001) and in MFI-11 (OR 1.366, P < .001) were each predictive of poor functional status at discharge. ROC curves for the MFI-5 (AUC = .818, P < .001) and MFI-11 (AUC = .819, P < .001) demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION: The new MFI-5 is equivalent to its predecessor, the MFI-11, and predictive of functional outcomes in patients with SCI. MFI-5 can serve as the preferred frailty index at the point of care and in research contexts.

The effect of dispersal on asymptotic total population size in discrete- and continuous-time two-patch models.

Many populations occupy spatially fragmented landscapes. How dispersal affects the asymptotic total population size is a key question for conservation management and the design of ecological corridors. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of two-patch models with symmetric dispersal and two standard density-dependent population growth functions, one in discrete and one in continuous time. A complete analysis of the discrete-time model reveals four response scenarios of the asymptotic total population size to increasing dispersal rate: (1) monotonically beneficial, (2) unimodally beneficial, (3) beneficial turning detrimental, and (4) monotonically detrimental. The same response scenarios exist for the continuous-time model, and we show that the parameter conditions are analogous between the discrete- and continuous-time setting. A detailed biological interpretation offers insight into the mechanisms underlying the response scenarios that thus improve our general understanding how potential conservation efforts affect population size.

Basal procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and presepsin for prediction of mortality in critically ill septic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Numerous biomarkers have been proposed for diagnosis, therapeutic, and prognosis in sepsis. Previous evaluations of the value of biomarkers for predicting mortality due to this life-threatening condition fail to address the complexity of this condition and the risk of bias associated with prognostic studies. We evaluate the predictive performance of four of these biomarkers in the prognosis of mortality through a methodologically sound evaluation. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine, in critically ill adults with sepsis, whether procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and presepsin (sCD14) are independent prognostic factors for mortality. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to March 2023. Only Phase-2 confirmatory prognostic factor studies among critically ill septic adults were included. Random effects meta-analyses pooled the prognostic association estimates. RESULTS: We included 60 studies (15,681 patients) with 99 biomarker assessments. Quality of the statistical analysis and reporting domains using the QUIPS tool showed high risk of bias in > 60% assessments. The biomarker measurement as a continuous variable in models adjusted by key covariates (age and severity score) for predicting mortality at 28-30 days showed a null or near to null association for basal PCT (pooled OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.99-1.003), CRP (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.87 to 1.17), and IL-6 (OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.01-1.03) and sCD14 (pooled HR = 1.003, 95% CI = 1.000 to 1.006). Additional meta-analyses accounting for other prognostic covariates had similarly null findings. CONCLUSION: Baseline, isolated measurement of PCT, CRP, IL-6, and sCD14 has not been shown to help predict mortality in critically ill patients with sepsis. The role of these biomarkers should be evaluated in new studies where the patient selection would be standardized and the measurement of biomarker results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42019128790).

Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Properties of Phlorotannins from Ascophyllum nodosum Seaweed Extracts.

Seaweeds have gained considerable attention in recent years due to their potential health benefits and high contents of bioactive compounds. This review focuses on the exploration of seaweed's health-promoting properties, with particular emphasis on phlorotannins, a class of bioactive compounds known for their antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. Various novel and ecofriendly extraction methods, including solid-liquid extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction are examined for their effectiveness in isolating phlorotannins. The chemical structure and isolation of phlorotannins are discussed, along with methods for their characterization, such as spectrophotometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and chromatography. Special attention is given to the antioxidant activity of phlorotannins. The inhibitory capacities of polyphenols, specifically phlorotannins from Ascophyllum nodosum against digestive enzymes, such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase, are explored. The results suggest that polyphenols from Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed hold significant potential as enzyme inhibitors, although the inhibitory activity may vary depending on the extraction conditions and the specific enzyme involved. In conclusion, seaweed exhibits great potential as a functional food ingredient for promoting health and preventing chronic diseases. Overall, this review aims to condense a comprehensive collection of high-yield, low-cost, and ecofriendly extraction methods for obtaining phlorotannins with remarkable antioxidant and antidiabetic capacities.

A review on bioactive peptides derived from meat and by-products: Extraction methods, biological activities, applications and limitations.

Meat and its by-products offer a rich source of bioactive compounds which have potential applications in both the food and pharmaceutical industries. In this review, we present several extraction methods and report the identification and properties of bioactive peptides. We also examine the challenges and limitations associated with their use in food applications. Enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation using starts cultures are common methods for generating bioactive peptides from meat proteins. Additionally, natural gastrointestinal digestion can also produce bioactive peptides. However, emerging technologies like high hydrostatic pressure, subcritical extraction and pulsed electric fields can improve hydrolysis and increase the yield of bioactive peptides. Online bioinformatics applications have emerged as an established method for identifying potentially bioactive peptides. These tools reduce the cost and time required for traditional methods of research. Finally, incorporating bioactive peptides into diets for specific purposes such as supporting vulnerable populations like children and the elderly ensures safety and efficacy.

Combined cytotoxicity of ZnO nanoparticles and chlorpyrifos in the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mikyss, gonadal cell line RTG-2.

The toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in aquatic organisms has been extensively studied, but little information is available on the effects associated with their interaction with other contaminants. In this context, the in vitro effects of co-exposure of chlorpyrifos (CPF) and ZnO NPs on fish-derived cells were investigated. A selection of concentrations was tested in single and binary exposures: CPF (0.312 - 75 mg/L) and ZnO NPs (10 - 100 mg/L). Cytotoxicity was measured using commonly used cellular endpoints: Alamar Blue/CFDA-AM for viability and plasma membrane integrity, NRU for lysosomal disruption and MTT for mitochondrial function. In addition, specific mechanisms of toxicity for CPF and ZnO NPs were tested: acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and ROS generation, respectively. AChE was by far the most sensitive assay for single exposure to CPF. There was no concentration-response relationship for ROS after single exposure to ZnO NPs, but 10 mg/L produced significant effects only for this cellular endpoint. Co-exposure of CPF with 10 m/L of ZnO NPs produced significant effects in almost all endpoints tested, which were enhanced by co-exposure with 100 mg/L of ZnO NPs. AChE testing of additional co-exposures with bulk ZnO, together with the application of the Independent Action (IA) prediction model, which allowed us to draw more in-depth conclusions on the toxicological behavior of the mixture. Synergism was observed at 0.625 mg/L CPF concentration and antagonism at 5 mg/L CPF in mixtures containing 100 mg/L of both ZnO NPs and bulk ZnO. However, more cases of synergism between CPF and ZnO NPs occurred at intermediate CPF concentrations, demonstrating that nano-sized particles have a more toxic interaction with CPF than bulk ZnO. Therefore it can be argued that in vitro assays allow the identification of interaction profiles of NP-containing mixtures by achieving multiple endpoints with a large number of concentration combinations.

Impact of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Use in Subjects With COVID-19 ARDS at High Altitudes: Clinical Presentation and Prognostic Factors.

BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) reduces the need for intubation in adult subject with acute respiratory failure. Changes in hypobaric hypoxemia have not been studied for subject with an HFNC in ICUs at altitudes > 2,600 m above sea level. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of HFNC treatment in subjects with COVID-19 at high altitudes. We hypothesized that progressive hypoxemia and the increase in breathing frequency associated with COVID-19 in high altitudes affect the success of HFNC therapy and may also influence the performance of the traditionally used predictors of success and failure. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of subjects >18 y with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19-induced ARDS requiring HFNC who were admitted to the ICU. Subjects were followed up during the 28 d of HFNC treatment or until failure. RESULTS: One hundred and eight subjects were enrolled. At admission to the ICU, FIO2 delivery between 0.5-0.8 (odds ratio 0.38 [95% CI 0.17-0.84]) was associated with a better response to HFNC therapy than oxygen delivery on admission between 0.8-1.0 (odds ratio 3.58 [95% CI 1.56-8.22]). This relationship continued during follow-ups at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h, with a progressive increase in the risk of failure (odds ratio 24 h 13.99 [95% CI 4.32-45.26]). A new cutoff for the ratio of oxygen saturation (ROX) index (ROX ≥ 4.88) after 24 h of HFNC administration was demonstrated to be the best predictor of success (odds ratio 11.0 [95% CI 3.3-47.0]). CONCLUSIONS: High-altitude subjects treated with HFNC for COVID-19 showed a high risk of respiratory failure and progressive hypoxemia when FIO2 requirements were > 0.8 after 24 h of treatment. In these subjects, personalized management should include continuous monitoring of individual clinical conditions (such as oxygenation indices, with cutoffs adapted to those corresponding to high-altitude cities).

Effectiveness of diaphragmatic ultrasound as a predictor of successful weaning from mechanical ventilation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Several measurements have been used to predict the success of weaning from mechanical ventilation; however, their efficacy varies in different studies. In recent years, diaphragmatic ultrasound has been used for this purpose. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of diaphragmatic ultrasound in predicting the success of weaning from mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Two investigators independently searched PUBMED, TRIP, EMBASE, COCHRANE, SCIENCE DIRECT, and LILACS for articles published between January 2016 and July 2022. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool; additionally, the certainty of the evidence is evaluated using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) methodology. Sensitivity and specificity analysis was performed for diaphragmatic excursion and diaphragmatic thickening fraction; positive and negative likelihood ratios and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR) with their confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated by random effects analysis, summary receiver operating characteristic curve was estimated. Sources of heterogeneity were explored by subgroup analysis and bivariate meta-regression. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies were included, of which 19 were included in the meta-analysis (1204 patients). For diaphragmatic excursion, sensitivity was 0.80 (95% CI 0.77-0.83), specificity 0.80 (95% CI 0.75-0.84), area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve 0.87 and DOR 17.1 (95% CI 10.2-28.6). For the thickening fraction, sensitivity was 0.85 (95% CI 0.82-0.87), specificity 0.75 (95% CI 0.69-0.80), area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve 0.87 and DOR 17.2 (95% CI 9.16-32.3). There was heterogeneity among the included studies. When performing a subgroup analysis and excluding studies with atypical cutoff values, sensitivity and specificity increased for diaphragmatic thickening fraction; sensitivity increased and specificity decreased for diaphragmatic excursion; when comparing studies using pressure support (PS) versus T-tube, there was no significant difference in sensitivity and specificity; bivariate meta-regression analysis shows that patient position at the time of testing was a factor of heterogeneity in the included studies. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of diaphragmatic excursion and diaphragmatic thickening fraction predict the probability of successful weaning from mechanical ventilation with satisfactory diagnostic accuracy; however, significant heterogeneity was evident in the different included studies. Studies of high methodological quality in specific subgroups of patients in intensive care units are needed to evaluate the role of diaphragmatic ultrasound as a predictor of weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Advanced Proteomic and Bioinformatic Tools for Predictive Analysis of Allergens in Novel Foods.

In recent years, novel food is becoming an emerging trend increasingly more demanding in developed countries. Food proteins from vegetables (pulses, legumes, cereals), fungi, bacteria and insects are being researched to introduce them in meat alternatives, beverages, baked products and others. One of the most complex challenges for introducing novel foods on the market is to ensure food safety. New alimentary scenarios drive the detection of novel allergens that need to be identified and quantified with the aim of appropriate labelling. Allergenic reactions are mostly caused by proteins of great abundance in foods, most frequently of small molecular mass, glycosylated, water-soluble and with high stability to proteolysis. The most relevant plant and animal food allergens, such as lipid transfer proteins, profilins, seed storage proteins, lactoglobulins, caseins, tropomyosins and parvalbumins from fruits, vegetables, nuts, milk, eggs, shellfish and fish, have been investigated. New methods for massive screening in search of potential allergens must be developed, particularly concerning protein databases and other online tools. Moreover, several bioinformatic tools based on sequence alignment, motif identification or 3-D structure predictions should be implemented as well. Finally, targeted proteomics will become a powerful technology for the quantification of these hazardous proteins. The ultimate objective is to build an effective and resilient surveillance network with this cutting-edge technology.

Valorisation of pork by-products to obtain antioxidant and antihypertensive peptides.

The porcine liver could be used for the extraction of zinc-protoporphyrin (ZnPP) as a natural red meat pigment. During the autolysis process, porcine liver homogenates was incubated at pH 4.8 and 45 °C under anaerobic conditions to obtain insoluble ZnPP. After incubation, the homogenates were readjusted at pH 4.8, and at pH 7.5 before being centrifuged at 5500 × g for 20 min at 4 °C and the resulting supernatant were compared with the obtained at pH 4.8 at the beginning of the incubation. The molecular weight distributions of the porcine liver fractions at both pHs were very similar, however, eight essential amino acids were more abundant in fractions obtained at pH 4.8. Regarding the ORAC assay, porcine liver protein fraction at pH 4.8 showed the highest antioxidant capacity but antihypertensive inhibition was similar for both pHs. Peptides with strong bioactivity potential from aldehyde dehydrogenase, lactoylglutathione lyase, SEC14-like protein 3 and others were identified. The findings have demonstrated the potential of the porcine liver to extract natural pigments and bioactive peptides.

Towards the discovery of goat meat quality biomarkers using label-free proteomics.

This study aimed to identify for the first time protein biomarkers of meat quality traits from Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle of goats (Capra hircus). Male goats of similar age and weight reared under extensive rearing conditions were used to relate the LT muscle proteome with multiple meat quality traits. The early post-mortem muscle proteome analyzed using label-free proteomics was compared among three texture clusters built using hierarchical clustering analysis. Twenty-five proteins were differentially abundant and their mining using bioinformatics revealed three major biological pathways to be involved: 10 muscle structure proteins (MYL1, MYL4, MYLPF, MYL6B, MYH1, MYH2, ACTA1, ACTBL2, FHL1 and MYOZ1); 6 energy metabolism proteins (ALDOA, PGAM2, ATP5F1A, GAPDH, PGM1 and ATP5IF1), and two heat shock proteins: HSPB1 (small) and HSPA8 (large). Seven other miscellaneous proteins belonging to pathways such as regulation, proteolysis, apoptosis, transport and binding, tRNA processing or calmodulin-binding were further identified to play a role in the variability of goat meat quality. The differentially abundant proteins were correlated with the goat meat quality traits in addition to multivariate regression models built to propose the first regression equations of each quality trait. This study is the first to highlight in a multi-trait quality comparison the early post-mortem changes in the goat LT muscle proteome. It also evidenced the mechanisms underpinning the development of several quality traits of interest in goat meat production along the major biochemical pathways at interplay. SIGNIFICANCE: The discovery of protein biomarkers in the field of meat research is an emerging topic. In the case of goat meat quality, very few studies using proteomics have been conducted with the aim of proposing biomarkers. Therefore, this study is the first to quest for biomarkers of goat meat quality using label-free shotgun proteomics with a focus on multiple quality traits. We identified the molecular signatures underlying goat meat texture variation, which were found to belong to muscle structure and related proteins, energy metabolism and heat shock proteins along with other proteins involved in regulation, proteolysis, apoptosis, transport and binding, tRNA processing or calmodulin-binding. We further evaluated the potential of the candidate biomarkers to explain meat quality using the differentially abundant proteins by means of correlation and regression analyses. The results allowed the explanation of the variation in multiple traits such as pH, color, water-holding capacity, drip and cook losses traits and texture.

Clinical Outcomes with and without Adherence to Evidence-Based Medicine Guidelines for Lumbar Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Fusion Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DS) patients are treated with instrumented fusion, following EBM guidelines, and typically have excellent clinical outcomes. However, not all lumbar fusion procedures adhere to EBM guidelines, typically due to a lack of prospective data. OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study compared outcomes of DS lumbar fusion patients treated according to EBM guidelines (EBM concordant) to lumbar fused patients with procedures that did not have clear EBM literature that supported this treatment, the goal being to examine the value of present EBM to guide clinical care. METHODS: A total of 125 DS patients were considered EBM concordant, while 21 patients were EBM discordant. Pre- and postsurgical ODI scores were collected. Clinical outcomes were stratified into substantial clinical benefit (SCB ΔODI >10 points), minimal clinical importance benefit (MCID ΔODI ≥ 5 points), no MCID (ΔODI < 5 points), and a group that showed no change or worsening ODI. Fisher's exact and χ2 tests for categorical variables, Student's t-test for continuous variables, and descriptive statistics were used. Statistical tests were computed at the 95% level of confidence. RESULTS: Analysis of 125 degenerative spondylolisthesis patients was performed comparing preoperative and postoperative (6 months) ODI scores. ODI improved by 8 points in the EBM concordant group vs. 2.1 points in the EBM discordant group (p = 0.002). Compliance with EBM guidelines was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.93 for achieving MCID ([CI]: 1.12-7.58, p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Patients whose lumbar fusions met EBM criteria had better self-reported outcomes at six months than those who did not meet the requirements. A greater knowledge set is needed to help further support EBM-guided patient care.

Initial Heart Rate Predicts Functional Independence in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury Requiring Surgery: A Registry-Based Study in a Mature Trauma System Over the Past 10 Years.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Cohort Study. OBJECTIVES: To determine the ability of early vital sign abnormalities to predict functional independence in patients with SCI that required surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data extracted from the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study database. Inclusion criteria were patients >18 years with a diagnosis of SCI who required urgent spine surgery in Pennsylvania from 1/1/2010-12/31/2020 and had complete records available. RESULTS: A total of 644 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 47.1 ± 14.9 years old and the mean injury severity score (ISS) was 22.3 ± 12.7 with the SCI occurring in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine in 61.8%, 19.6% and 18.0%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analyses for predictors of functional independence at discharge showed that higher HR at the scene (OR 1.016, 95% CI 1.006-1.027, P = .002) and lower ISS score (OR .894, 95% CI .870-.920, P < .001) were significant predictors of functional independence. Similarly, higher admission HR (OR 1.015, 95% CI 1.004-1.027, P = .008) and lower ISS score (OR .880, 95% CI 0.864-.914, P < .001) were significant predictors of functional independence. Peak Youden indices showed that patients with HR at scene >70 and admission HR ≥83 were more likely to achieve functional independence. CONCLUSIONS: Early heart rate is a strong predictor of functional independence in patients with SCI. HR at scene >70 and admission HR ≥83 is associated with improved outcomes, suggesting lack of neurogenic shock.

Evaluation of eight registration algorithms applied to the insula and insular gyri.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Spatial registration is crucial in establishing correspondence between anatomic brain regions for research and clinical purposes. The insular cortex (IC) and gyri (IG) are implicated in various functions and pathologies including epilepsy. Optimizing registration of the insula to a common atlas can improve the accuracy of group-level analyses. Here, we compared six nonlinear, one linear, and one semiautomated registration algorithms (RAs) for registering the IC and IG to the Montreal Neurologic Institute standard space (MNI152). METHODS: 3T images acquired from 20 controls and 20 temporal lobe epilepsy patients with mesial temporal sclerosis underwent automated segmentation of the insula. This was followed by manual segmentation of the entire IC and six individual IGs. Consensus segmentations were created at 75% agreement for IC and IG before undergoing registration to MNI152 space with eight RAs. Dice similarity coefficients (DSCs) were calculated between segmentations after registration and the IC and IG in MNI152 space. Statistical analysis involved the Kruskal-Wallace test with Dunn's test for IC and two-way analysis of variance with Tukey's honest significant difference test for IG. RESULTS: DSCs were significantly different between RAs. Based on multiple pairwise comparisons, we report that certain RAs performed better than others across population groups. Additionally, registration performance differed according to specific IG. CONCLUSION: We compared different methods for registering the IC and IG to MNI152 space. We found differences in performance between RAs, which suggests that algorithm choice is important factor in analyses involving the insula.