Genomic regions, candidate genes, and pleiotropic variants associated with physiological and anatomical indicators of heat stress response in lactating sows.

BACKGROUND: Heat stress (HS) poses significant threats to the sustainability of livestock production. Genetically improving heat tolerance could enhance animal welfare and minimize production losses during HS events. Measuring phenotypic indicators of HS response and understanding their genetic background are crucial steps to optimize breeding schemes for improved climatic resilience. The identification of genomic regions and candidate genes influencing the traits of interest, including variants with pleiotropic effects, enables the refinement of genotyping panels used to perform genomic prediction of breeding values and contributes to unraveling the biological mechanisms influencing heat stress response. Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to identify genomic regions, candidate genes, and potential pleiotropic variants significantly associated with indicators of HS response in lactating sows using imputed whole-genome sequence (WGS) data. Phenotypic records for 18 traits and genomic information from 1,645 lactating sows were available for the study. The genotypes from the PorcineSNP50K panel containing 50,703 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were imputed to WGS and after quality control, 1,622 animals and 7,065,922 SNPs were included in the analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1,388 unique SNPs located on sixteen chromosomes were found to be associated with 11 traits. Twenty gene ontology terms and 11 biological pathways were shown to be associated with variability in ear skin temperature, shoulder skin temperature, rump skin temperature, tail skin temperature, respiration rate, panting score, vaginal temperature automatically measured every 10 min, vaginal temperature measured at 0800 h, hair density score, body condition score, and ear area. Seven, five, six, two, seven, 15, and 14 genes with potential pleiotropic effects were identified for indicators of skin temperature, vaginal temperature, animal temperature, respiration rate, thermoregulatory traits, anatomical traits, and all traits, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Physiological and anatomical indicators of HS response in lactating sows are heritable but highly polygenic. The candidate genes found are associated with important gene ontology terms and biological pathways related to heat shock protein activities, immune response, and cellular oxidative stress. Many of the candidate genes with pleiotropic effects are involved in catalytic activities to reduce cell damage from oxidative stress and cellular mechanisms related to immune response.

Endovascular treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms: the eCLIPs device.

The endovascular clip system device, eCLIPs (eVasc, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), was introduced almost a decade ago for the treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms,1-3 which represent a challenge for both endovascular and surgical approaches. Several techniques and devices (intrasaccular or intra-arterial) have been introduced and are currently available in order to improve the technical and clinical outcomes of aneurysm embolization. Flow diversion and flow disruption have shown controversial results in this subtype of aneurysm. In this video we present the use of the eCLIPs device to treat a ruptured, wide-neck aneurysm of the top of the basilar artery. The decisional approach, technical details, and the different steps of the endovascular treatment are described. The final part of the video is dedicated to the characteristics of the device for re-endothelialization4 and flow diversion (video 1).5 neurintsurg;16/3/229/V1F1V1Video 1 .

Enhanced metabolic detoxification is associated with fluroxypyr resistance in Bassia scoparia.

Auxin-mimic herbicides chemically mimic the phytohormone indole-3-acetic-acid (IAA). Within the auxin-mimic herbicide class, the herbicide fluroxypyr has been extensively used to control kochia (Bassia scoparia). A 2014 field survey for herbicide resistance in kochia populations across Colorado identified a putative fluroxypyr-resistant (Flur-R) population that was assessed for response to fluroxypyr and dicamba (auxin-mimics), atrazine (photosystem II inhibitor), glyphosate (EPSPS inhibitor), and chlorsulfuron (acetolactate synthase inhibitor). This population was resistant to fluroxypyr and chlorsulfuron but sensitive to glyphosate, atrazine, and dicamba. Subsequent dose-response studies determined that Flur-R was 40 times more resistant to fluroxypyr than a susceptible population (J01-S) collected from the same field survey (LD50 720 and 20 g ae ha-1, respectively). Auxin-responsive gene expression increased following fluroxypyr treatment in Flur-R, J01-S, and in a dicamba-resistant, fluroxypyr-susceptible line 9,425 in an RNA-sequencing experiment. In Flur-R, several transcripts with molecular functions for conjugation and transport were constitutively higher expressed, such as glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), UDP-glucosyl transferase (GT), and ATP binding cassette transporters (ABC transporters). After analyzing metabolic profiles over time, both Flur-R and J01-S rapidly converted [14C]-fluroxypyr ester, the herbicide formulation applied to plants, to [14C]-fluroxypyr acid, the biologically active form of the herbicide, and three unknown metabolites. The formation and flux of these metabolites were faster in Flur-R than J01-S, reducing the concentration of phytotoxic fluroxypyr acid. One unique metabolite was present in Flur-R that was not present in the J01-S metabolic profile. Gene sequence variant analysis specifically for auxin receptor and signaling proteins revealed the absence of non-synonymous mutations affecting auxin signaling and binding in candidate auxin target site genes, further supporting our hypothesis that non-target site metabolic degradation is contributing to fluroxypyr resistance in Flur-R.

Genetic parameters for calf feeding traits derived from automated milk feeding machines and number of bovine respiratory disease treatments in North American Holstein calves.

Precision livestock farming technologies, such as automatic milk feeding machines, have increased the availability of on-farm data collected from dairy operations. We analyzed feeding records from automatic milk feeding machines to evaluate the genetic background of milk feeding traits and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in North American Holstein calves. Data from 10,076 preweaning female Holstein calves were collected daily over a period of 6 yr (3 yr included per-visit data), and daily milk consumption (DMC), per-visit milk consumption (PVMC), daily sum of drinking duration (DSDD), drinking duration per-visit, daily number of rewarded visits (DNRV), and total number of visits per day were recorded over a 60-d preweaning period. Additional traits were derived from these variables, including total consumption and duration variance (TCV and TDV), feeding interval, drinking speed (DS), and preweaning stayability. A single BRD-related trait was evaluated, which was the number of times a calf was treated for BRD (NTT). The NTT was determined by counting the number of BRD incidences before 60 d of age. All traits were analyzed using single-step genomic BLUP mixed-model equations and fitting either repeatability or random regression models in the BLUPF90+ suite of programs. A total of 10,076 calves with phenotypic records and genotypic information for 57,019 SNP after the quality control were included in the analyses. Feeding traits had low heritability estimates based on repeatability models (0.006 ± 0.0009 to 0.08 ± 0.004). However, total variance traits using an animal model had greater heritabilities of 0.21 ± 0.023 and 0.23 ± 0.024, for TCV and TDV, respectively. The heritability estimates increased with the repeatability model when using only the first 32 d preweaning (e.g., PVMC = 0.040 ± 0.003, DMC = 0.090 ± 0.009, DSDD = 0.100 ± 0.005, DS = 0.150 ± 0.007, DNRV = 0.020 ± 0.002). When fitting random regression models (RRM) using the full dataset (60-d period), greater heritability estimates were obtained (e.g., PVMC = 0.070 [range: 0.020, 0.110], DMC = 0.460 [range: 0.050, 0.680], DSDD = 0.180 [range: 0.010, 0.340], DS = 0.19 [range: 0.070, 0.430], DNRV = 0.120 [range: 0.030, 0.450]) for the majority of the traits, suggesting that RRM capture more genetic variability than the repeatability model with better fit being found for RRM. Moderate negative genetic correlations of -0.59 between DMC and NTT were observed, suggesting that automatic milk feeding machines records have the potential to be used for genetically improving disease resilience in Holstein calves. The results from this study provide key insights of the genetic background of early in-life traits in dairy cattle, which can be used for selecting animals with improved health outcomes and performance.

Longitudinal genomic analyses of automatically-recorded vaginal temperature in lactating sows under heat stress conditions based on random regression models.

BACKGROUND: Automatic and continuous recording of vaginal temperature (TV) using wearable sensors causes minimal disruptions to animal behavior and can generate data that enable the evaluation of temporal body temperature variation under heat stress (HS) conditions. However, the genetic basis of TV in lactating sows from a longitudinal perspective is still unknown. The objectives of this study were to define statistical models and estimate genetic parameters for TV in lactating sows using random regression models, and identify genomic regions and candidate genes associated with HS indicators derived from automatically-recorded TV. RESULTS: Heritability estimates for TV ranged from 0.14 to 0.20 over time (throughout the day and measurement period) and from 0.09 to 0.18 along environmental gradients (EG, - 3.5 to 2.2, which correspond to dew point values from 14.87 to 28.19 ËšC). Repeatability estimates of TV over time and along EG ranged from 0.57 to 0.66 and from 0.54 to 0.77, respectively. TV measured from 12h00 to 16h00 had moderately high estimates of heritability (0.20) and repeatability (0.64), indicating that this period might be the most suitable for recording TV for genetic selection purposes. Significant genotype-by-environment interactions (GxE) were observed and the moderately high estimates of genetic correlations between pairs of extreme EG indicate potential re-ranking of selection candidates across EG. Two important genomic regions on chromosomes 10 (59.370-59.998 Mb) and16 (21.548-21.966 Mb) were identified. These regions harbor the genes CDC123, CAMK1d, SEC61A2, and NUDT5 that are associated with immunity, protein transport, and energy metabolism. Across the four time-periods, respectively 12, 13, 16, and 10 associated genomic regions across 14 chromosomes were identified for TV. For the three EG classes, respectively 18, 15, and 14 associated genomic windows were identified for TV, respectively. Each time-period and EG class had uniquely enriched genes with identified specific biological functions, including regulation of the nervous system, metabolism and hormone production. CONCLUSIONS: TV is a heritable trait with substantial additive genetic variation and represents a promising indicator trait to select pigs for improved heat tolerance. Moderate GxE for TV exist, indicating potential re-ranking of selection candidates across EG. TV is a highly polygenic trait regulated by a complex interplay of physiological, cellular and behavioral mechanisms.

Morphological and functional cardiac alterations in children with congenital Zika syndrome and severe neurological deficits.

INTRODUCTION: Zika virus infection during pregnancy causes fetal microcephaly and brain damage. Congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) is characterized by systemic involvement with diffuse muscle impairment, a high frequency of arthrogryposis, and microphthalmia. Cardiac impairment in CZS has rarely been evaluated. Our study assessed morphology and biventricular cardiac function in children with CZS and advanced neurological dysfunction. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 52 children with CZS (Zika group; ZG) and 25 healthy children (control group; CG) in Paraiba, Brazil. Clinical evaluation, electrocardiogram (EKG), and transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) were performed on all children. Additionally, troponin I and natriuretic peptide type B (BNP) levels, the degree of cerebral palsy, and neuroimaging findings were assessed in the ZG group. RESULTS: The median age of the study population was 5 years in both groups, and 40.4% (ZG) and 60% (CG) were female. The most prevalent electrocardiographic alteration was sinus arrhythmia in both the ZG (n = 9, 17.3%) and CG (n = 4, 16%). The morphological parameters adjusted for Z score were as follows: left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameter in ZG: -2.36 [-5.10, 2.63] vs. CG: -1.07 [-3.43, 0.61], p<0.001); ascending aorta (ZG: -0.09 [-2.08, 1.60] vs. CG: 0.43 [-1.47, 2.2], p = 0.021); basal diameter of the right ventricle (RV) (ZG: -2.34 [-4.90, 0.97] vs. CG: -0.96 [-2.21, 0.40], p<0.01); and pulmonary artery dimension (ZG: -2.13 [-5.99, 0.98] vs. CG: -0.24 [-2.53, 0.59], p<0.01). The ejection fractions (%) were 65.7 and 65.6 in the ZG and CG, respectively (p = 0.968). The left atrium volume indices (mL/m2) in the ZG and CG were 13.15 [6.80, 18.00] and 18.80 [5.90, 25.30] (p<0.01), respectively, and the right atrium volume indices (mL/m2) were 10.10 [4.90, 15.30] and 15.80 [4.10, 24.80] (p<0.01). The functional findings adjusted for Z score were as follows: lateral systolic excursion of the mitral annular plane (MAPSE) (ZG: 0.36 [-2.79, 4.71] vs. CG: 1.79 [-0.93, 4.5], p = 0.001); tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (ZG: -2.43 [-5.47, 5.09] vs. CG: 0.07 [-1.98, 3.64], p<0.001); and the S' of the RV (ZG: 1.20 [3.35, 2.90] vs. CG: -0.20 [-2.15, 1.50], p = 0.0121). No differences in biventricular strain measurements were observed between the groups. Troponin I and BNP levels were normal in in the ZG. Grade V cerebral palsy and subcortical calcification were found in 88.6% and 97.22% of children in the ZG group, respectively. CONCLUSION: A reduction in cardiac dimensions and functional changes were found in CZS patients, based on the TAPSE, S' of the RV, and MAPSE, suggesting the importance of cardiac evaluation and follow-up in this group of patients.

Strategies for the identification of precocity in zebu beef cattle based on mixed nonlinear models and multivariate approach.

The use of mixed nonlinear models reduces the residual variance by including random effects, thereby improving the estimates in growth curves. Therefore, we tested distinct mixed nonlinear models (Richards, Brody, Gompertz, Logistic, and Von Bertalanffy) to model the growth curves of Zebu cattle herds raised on pasture in Brazil. In addition, we evaluated the diversity among breeds using hierarchical cluster multivariate analysis (full linkage) based on asymptotic weight (A), maturity rate (K), absolute growth rate (AGR), and absolute maturity rate (AMR) adjusted to 205, 365, 550, and 730 days of age. Body weight data from 311,834 males and females of Guzerat, Nellore, Tabapuã, and Polled Nellore breeds provided by the Brazilian Association of Zebu Breeders were used. The Brody model considering breed-sex fixed and animal random effects was the most suitable to describe the growth in the four breeds. The Guzerat and Tabapuã males showed increased precocity (higher K values) when compared to polled Nellore and Nellore males, which were characterized by higher A and AMR values. Females were more precocious than males (high K and low A values), particularly within Tabapuã and Guzerat breeds, respectively. Regardless of sex, the highest AGR values were observed from weaning up to 2 years of age in Tabapuã and Guzerat breeds. The cluster analyses revealed two groups: (1) Polled Nellore and Nellore males with high A, AGR_205, AGR_365, AGR_550, and AGR_730 values, represented by large adult animals, and (2) males and females of Guzerat and Tabapuã, characterized as animals of increased precocity. A subgroup encompassing males of Guzerat and Tabapuã was also observed, with intermediate values ​​for all parameters. This information is useful to help breeders and producers in strategies for feeding management and defining the most precocious beef cattle breed to increase the economic gains in pasture-based raising systems.

Single-vial preconcentration and cold vapor generation for the determination of Hg(II) in water samples of different salinities.

In this work, a single-vial methodology for the extraction and cold vapor generation of mercury(II) was developed, followed by the determination of the analyte by atomic absorption spectrometry, with application in water samples of different salinities. L-cystine-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles (2LcysMNP) were used as sorbent material in the magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) in the same flask in which the mercury vapor generation step was performed using a handmade gas-liquid separator developed in our laboratory. The main conditions for extraction, pre-concentration, and cold vapor generation of mercury were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, detection and quantification limits of 0.04 and 0.12 µg L-1, respectively, were achieved with a relative standard deviation of 7.5%. The single-vial system allowed for a preconcentration factor of 30 and an enrichment factor of 24. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by applying it to certified reference materials, and the obtained values were not significantly different from the expected values according to the Student's t-test. Verification of non-specific interferences was assessed by recovery tests, resulting in recoveries ranging from 81 to 111% for water samples of different salinities.

Life-threatening variceal bleeding after liver transplantation and extensive portal vein thrombosis: Desperate times call for desperate measures.

BACKGROUND: The management of complex, intra- and extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after liver transplantation (LT) is challenging. Although most of the patients remain asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic in the chronic setting, some of them may develop severe portal hypertension and related complications, notably gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. In the emergency scenario, clinical and endoscopic treatments as well as intensive support constitute the bases of conservative management, while more definitive treatment options such as surgical shunting and retransplantation are related to high morbidity rates. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was largely considered of limited role due to technical difficulties arising from extensive PVT. Recently, however, new minimally invasive image-guided techniques emerged, allowing portal vein recanalization and TIPS creation simultaneously (TIPS-PVR), even in complex PVT pretransplant patients. METHODS: Herein, we describe a novel indication for TIPS-PVR in a post-LT adolescent presenting with life-threatening, refractory GI bleeding. RESULTS: The patient presented with complete resolution of the hemorrhagic condition after the procedure, with no deterioration of hepatic function or hepatic encephalopathy. Follow-up Doppler ultrasound after TIPS-PVR showed normal hepatopetal venous flow within the stents, and no evidence of complications, including intraperitoneal or peri splenic bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes the feasibility of TIPS-PVR in the post-LT scenario complicated by extensive PVT. In this case, a complete resolution of the life-threatening GI bleeding was achieved, with no major complications. Other patients with complex chronic PVT might benefit from the use of the described technique, but further studies are required to determine the correct timing and indications of the procedure, eventually before the occurrence of life-threatening complications.

Venous balloon test occlusion for pulsatile tinnitus assessment: A clinical feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) can have huge impact on the patients' quality of life and can be associated with curable vascular anomalies. In the present study, we aim firstly to describe our protocol for venous BTO and secondly to report possible predictors for a positive BTO test. METHODS: All consecutive PT patients undergoing BTO for the purpose of determining eligibility for venous neuro-intervention were included. We recommend BTO for patients when there is uncertainty in the association of the venous pathology identified on non-invasive cross-sectional imaging (CTV or MRV) and the patient's symptoms. RESULTS: Between May 2016 and October 2022, we recorded 29 venous balloon test occlusions fulfilling our inclusions criteria. Over the 29 procedures scheduled, 8 finally did not lead to a successful balloon test occlusion. The main reason was that the patient did not hear the PT on the day the angiogram was performed. Two patients could not have the BTO due to difficulties in venous navigation. After BTO, only four patients of our cohort were scheduled for an endovascular treatment. CONCLUSION: We describe a technique and present a single cohort of venous BTO in severe PT patients with unclear anatomical cause. This angiographic test was useful to exclude patients from endovascular surgery and discuss the most probable cause of the PT. Complexity of vascular PT should support a patient-based approach when discussing interventional treatment.

Nontarget-site resistance due to rapid physiological response in 2,4-D resistant Conyza sumatrensis: reduced 2,4-D translocation and auxin-induced gene expression.

BACKGROUND: Resistance to 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has been reported in several weed species since the 1950s; however, a biotype of Conyza sumatrensis showing a novel physiology of the rapid response minutes after herbicide application was reported in 2017. The objective of this research was to investigate the mechanisms of resistance and identify transcripts associated with the rapid physiological response of C. sumatrensis to 2,4-D herbicide. RESULTS: Differences were found in 2,4-D absorption between the resistant and susceptible biotypes. Herbicide translocation was reduced in the resistant biotype compared to the susceptible. In resistant plants 98.8% of [14 C] 2,4-D was found in the treated leaf, whereas ≈13% translocated to other plant parts in the susceptible biotype at 96 h after treatment. Resistant plants did not metabolize [14 C] 2,4-D and had only intact [14 C] 2,4-D at 96 h after application, whereas susceptible plants metabolized [14 C] 2,4-D into four detected metabolites, consistent with reversible conjugation metabolites found in other 2,4-D sensitive plant species. Pre-treatment with the cytochrome P450 inhibitor malathion did not enhance 2,4-D sensitivity in either biotype. Following treatment with 2,4-D, resistant plants showed increased expression of transcripts within plant defense response and hypersensitivity pathways, whereas both sensitive and resistant plants showed increased expression of auxin-response transcripts. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that reduced 2,4-D translocation contributes to resistance in the C. sumatrensis biotype. The reduction in 2,4-D transport is likely to be a consequence of the rapid physiological response to 2,4-D in resistant C. sumatrensis. Resistant plants had increased expression of auxin-responsive transcripts, indicating that a target-site mechanism is unlikely. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Evaluation of Antipsychotic Drugs' Stability in Oral Fluid Samples.

Antipsychotics have narrow therapeutic windows, and their monitoring in biological fluids is therefore important; consequently, stability in those fluids must be investigated during method development and validation. This work evaluates the stability of chlorpromazine, levomepromazine, cyamemazine, clozapine, haloperidol, and quetiapine in oral fluid (OF) samples, using the dried saliva spots (DSS) sampling approach and gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Since many parameters can influence the stability of the target analytes, design of experiments was adopted to check the crucial factors that affect that stability in a multivariate fashion. The studied parameters were the presence of preservatives at different concentrations, temperature, light, and time. It was possible to observe that antipsychotic stability improved when OF samples in DSS were stored at 4 °C, with a low ascorbic acid concentration, and in the absence of light. With these conditions, chlorpromazine and quetiapine were stable for 14 days, clozapine and haloperidol were stable for 28 days, levomepromazine remained stable for 44 days, and cyamemazine was stable for the entire monitored period (146 days). This is the first study that evaluates the stability of these antipsychotics in OF samples after application to DSS cards.

An Image-Based Framework for Measuring the Prestress Level in CFRP Laminates: Experimental Validation.

Image-based methods have been applied to support structural monitoring, product and material testing, and quality control. Lately, deep learning for compute vision is the trend, requiring large and labelled datasets for training and validation, which is often difficult to obtain. The use of synthetic datasets is often applying for data augmentation in different fields. An architecture based on computer vision was proposed to measure strain during prestressing in CFRP laminates. The contact-free architecture was fed by synthetic image datasets and benchmarked for machine learning and deep learning algorithms. The use of these data for monitoring real applications will contribute towards spreading the new monitoring approach, increasing the quality control of the material and application procedure, as well as structural safety. In this paper, the best architecture was validated during experimental tests, to evaluate the performance in real applications from pre-trained synthetic data. The results demonstrate that the architecture implemented enables estimating intermediate strain values, i.e., within the range of training dataset values, but it does not allow for estimating strain values outside those range. The architecture allowed for estimating the strain in real images with an error ∼0.5%, higher than that obtained with synthetic images. Finally, it was not possible to estimate the strain in real cases from the training performed with the synthetic dataset.

Meniscus Sign in Patients with Anterior Circulation Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke does not Predict Outcome.

PURPOSE: The angiographic appearance of the occlusion site was suggested to influence outcomes of stroke patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) who undergo endovascular treatment (EVT). We aimed to study the impact of the meniscus sign (MS) on outcomes of stroke patients with anterior circulation LVO. METHODS: Based on two prospective registries of acute ischemic stroke, we selected patients with carotid­T, M1 or M2 occlusion who underwent EVT. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were collected from the registries or from individual records. Two independent observers blinded to outcomes assessed the presence of MS in digital subtraction angiography before thrombectomy. Angiographic and clinical outcomes of patients with and without MS were compared. RESULTS: We included 903 patients, with median age of 78 years, 59.8% were male, median baseline NIHSS was 14 and 39.5% received intravenous thrombolysis. Patients with MS (n = 170, 18.8%) were more frequently female, presented with higher NIHSS scores and more frequently underwent intravenous thrombolysis. Presence of MS was significantly associated with cardioembolic etiology. Successful reperfusion, number of passes, first pass effect, procedural time, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, in-hospital mortality and favorable 3­month functional outcome were similar in the groups of patients with and without MS. In the multivariable analyses, MS was not associated with successful reperfusion (odds ratio, OR = 1.08, 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.76-1.55), first pass effect (OR = 0.96, 95%CI = 0.48-1.92) or favorable 3­month outcome (OR = 1.40, 95%CI = 0.88-2.24). CONCLUSION: The presence of MS in acute ischemic stroke patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion who undergo EVT does not appear to influence angiographic or clinical outcomes.

Torcular pseudomass is frequently detected on fetal magnetic resonance imaging and reduces with gestational age.

BACKGROUND: The torcular pseudomass is an incidental extra-axial midline mass located between the venous sinuses and the occipital squama in the pediatric population. Although this structure is presumed to be a developmental feature, it has not been characterized on fetal MRI. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency, imaging features and longitudinal in utero evolution of torcular pseudomass using fetal MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a single-center retrospective study of fetal MRI performed at a tertiary hospital. Two independent reviewers first ordinally scored torcular pseudomass as absent, focal, crescentic or bulky based on morphology. We reviewed available follow-up fetal and postnatal MRI and further classified torcular pseudomass as stable, involuted or progressive. We also collected clinical and demographic data from electronic charts and compared them among categories, corrected for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: This study included a total of 219 fetuses with median gestational age of 28 weeks (interquartile range [IQR]: 23-32 weeks). Torcular pseudomass was absent in 8% (n=17) and present as a focal mass in 15% (n=33), crescentic in 45% (n=98) and bulky in 32% (n=71) of the cases. Median gestational age was statistically different among torcular pseudomass categories and inversely associated with size. Follow-up fetal MRI was available in 9.6% (n=21) of cases (median interval 4 weeks; IQR: 2-9 weeks) and torcular pseudomass in these cases was classified as stable in 67% (n=14), involuted in 29% (n=6) and progressive in 5% (n=1). Postnatal MRI was available in 5% (n=12) of fetuses (median interval 11.5 months, IQR: 3-17 months), and among these cases torcular pseudomass was classified as stable in 33% (n=4) and involuted in 67% (n=8). CONCLUSION: Torcular pseudomass is highly prevalent in the fetal population and shows a natural tendency to involute, even in utero, although it sometimes persists during early infanthood.

SNP- and haplotype-based single-step genomic predictions for body weight, wool, and reproductive traits in North American Rambouillet sheep.

Rambouillet sheep are commonly raised in extensive grazing systems in the US, mainly for wool and meat production. Genomic evaluations in US sheep breeds, including Rambouillet, are still incipient. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility of performing genomic prediction of breeding values for various traits in Rambouillet sheep based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) or haplotypes (fitted as pseudo-SNP) under a single-step GBLUP approach. A total of 28,834 records for birth weight (BWT), 23,306 for postweaning weight (PWT), 5,832 for yearling weight (YWT), 9,880 for yearling fibre diameter (YFD), 11,872 for yearling greasy fleece weight (YGFW), and 15,984 for number of lambs born (NLB) were used in this study. Seven hundred forty-one individuals were genotyped using a moderate (50 K; n = 677) or high (600 K; n = 64) density SNP panel, in which 32 K SNP in common between the two SNP panels (after genotypic quality control) were used for further analyses. Single-step genomic predictions using SNP (H-BLUP) or haplotypes (HAP-BLUP) from blocks with different linkage disequilibrium (LD) thresholds (0.15, 0.35, 0.50, 0.65, and 0.80) were evaluated. We also considered different blending parameters when constructing the genomic relationship matrix used to predict the genomic-enhanced estimated breeding values (GEBV), with alpha equal to 0.95 or 0.50. The GEBV were compared to the estimated breeding values (EBV) obtained from traditional pedigree-based evaluations (A-BLUP). The mean theoretical accuracy ranged from 0.499 (A-BLUP for PWT) to 0.795 (HAP-BLUP using haplotypes from blocks with LD threshold of 0.35 and alpha equal to 0.95 for YFD). The prediction accuracies ranged from 0.143 (A-BLUP for PWT) to 0.330 (A-BLUP for YGFW) while the prediction bias ranged from -0.104 (H-BLUP for PWT) to 0.087 (HAP-BLUP using haplotypes from blocks with LD threshold of 0.15 and alpha equal to 0.95 for YGFW). The GEBV dispersion ranged from 0.428 (A-BLUP for PWT) to 1.035 (A-BLUP for YGFW). Similar results were observed for H-BLUP or HAP-BLUP, independently of the LD threshold to create the haplotypes, alpha value, or trait analysed. Using genomic information (fitting individual SNP or haplotypes) provided similar or higher prediction and theoretical accuracies and reduced the dispersion of the GEBV for body weight, wool, and reproductive traits in Rambouillet sheep. However, there were no clear improvements in the prediction bias when compared to pedigree-based predictions. The next step will be to enlarge the training populations for this breed to increase the benefits of genomic predictions.

Safety and Outcome of Revascularization Treatment in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke and COVID-19: The Global COVID-19 Stroke Registry.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: COVID-19-related inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and coagulopathy may increase the bleeding risk and lower the efficacy of revascularization treatments in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We aimed to evaluate the safety and outcomes of revascularization treatments in patients with AIS and COVID-19. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study of consecutive patients with AIS receiving intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or endovascular treatment (EVT) between March 2020 and June 2021 tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. With a doubly robust model combining propensity score weighting and multivariate regression, we studied the association of COVID-19 with intracranial bleeding complications and clinical outcomes. Subgroup analyses were performed according to treatment groups (IVT-only and EVT). RESULTS: Of a total of 15,128 included patients from 105 centers, 853 (5.6%) were diagnosed with COVID-19; of those, 5,848 (38.7%) patients received IVT-only and 9,280 (61.3%) EVT (with or without IVT). Patients with COVID-19 had a higher rate of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) (adjusted OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.16-2.01), symptomatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SSAH) (OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.20-2.69), SICH and/or SSAH combined (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.23-1.99), 24-hour mortality (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.58-3.86), and 3-month mortality (OR 1.88; 95% CI 1.52-2.33). Patients with COVID-19 also had an unfavorable shift in the distribution of the modified Rankin score at 3 months (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.26-1.60). DISCUSSION: Patients with AIS and COVID-19 showed higher rates of intracranial bleeding complications and worse clinical outcomes after revascularization treatments than contemporaneous non-COVID-19 patients receiving treatment. Current available data do not allow direct conclusions to be drawn on the effectiveness of revascularization treatments in patients with COVID-19 or to establish different treatment recommendations in this subgroup of patients with ischemic stroke. Our findings can be taken into consideration for treatment decisions, patient monitoring, and establishing prognosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: The study was registered under ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04895462.