Dynamics of automatically generated body condition scores during early lactation and pregnancy at first artificial insemination of Holstein cows.

The objective of this study was to characterize the association between body condition score (BCS) and BCS change (ΔBCS), determined by an automated camera system at multiple time points, and the subsequent pregnancy per first artificial insemination (P/AI1) of Holstein cows. A retrospective observational study was completed using data collected from 11,393 lactations in 7,928 Holstein cows calving between April 2019 and March 2021 in a commercial dairy operation located in Colorado. Cows were classified as primiparous or multiparous. Scores generated by BCS cameras at dry-off, calving, 21 days in milk (DIM), 56 DIM, and first artificial insemination were selected for the analyses and subsequently categorized as low (≤lower quartile), moderate (interquartile range), and high (≥upper quartile). Changes in BCS were calculated by periods of interest as change from dry-off to calving (multiparous cows); change from calving to 21 DIM; change from calving to 56 DIM; and change from calving to first artificial insemination and assigned into categories as large loss of BCS (top 25% of cows losing BCS); moderate loss (bottom 75% of cows losing BCS); no change (ΔBCS = 0); or gain of BCS (ΔBCS > 0). Data were examined in primiparous and multiparous cows separately using logistic regression and time-to-event analyses. Initial univariable models were followed by multivariable models that considered calving season, occurrence of disease, and milk yield up to 60 DIM as covariables. The logistic regression analyses indicated that in both parity groups the associations between BCS category and P/AI1 were more evident at 21 DIM, 56 DIM, and first artificial insemination, with lower odds of P/AI1 in cows in the low BCS category. Likewise, cows with large loss in BCS between calving and 21 DIM, calving and 56 DIM, and calving and first artificial insemination had lower odds of P/AI1 compared with other categories of ΔBCS within the same period of interest. Similarly, survival analyses evidenced that cows in the low BCS category required more time to get pregnant. In agreement, differences in the dynamics of the average daily BCS during the first 90 DIM were evident when cows were grouped by first AI outcome (pregnant vs. nonpregnant) and by their time to pregnancy category (<90 DIM; 91-150 DIM; or >150 DIM), with cows with reduced fertility showing lower BCS up to 90 DIM. Overall, low BCS and more pronounced reductions in BCS occurring closer to first artificial insemination resulted in lower odds of pregnancy per artificial insemination.

Allele frequencies for 15 autosomal STR loci and admixture estimates in Puerto Rican Americans.

Allelic frequencies of 15 short tandem repeats (STR) markers (CSF1PO, FGA, THO1, TPOX, VWA, D3S11358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D21S11, D19S433 and D2S1338) were determined using the AmpFl STR Identifiler PCR Amplification Kit in Puerto Rican American individuals (N=205) from Massachusetts. The FGA, D18S51 and D2S1338 loci had a high power of discrimination (PD) with values of 0.967, 0.965 and 0.961, respectively. Significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg (HW) equilibrium were not detected. An important genetic contribution of Caucasian European (76.4%) was detected in Puerto Rican Americans. However, comparative analysis between Puerto Rican American and other neighboring populations from United States mainly with African and Caucasian Americans, revealed significant differences in the distribution of STR markers. Our results are important for future comparative genetic studies of different American ethnic groups, in particular a cultural group called Hispanic-Americans and should be helpful for forensic and paternity testing.

Analysis of T-cell receptor alpha/beta variability in lymphocytes infiltrating a melanoma metastasis.

Multiple experimental and clinical studies have suggested that the immune system may, to some extent, control the development of melanomas. The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes could reflect an in situ immune reaction directed to the malignant cells. The characterization of T-cell receptor (TCR) expressed by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes is one way to precisely analyze these local T-cell responses. In this study, we have assessed the TCR alpha/beta variability in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from a subcutaneous metastasis of a melanoma patient. Using the anchored-polymerase chain reaction 268 TCR alpha and 266 TCR beta chain transcripts have been cloned and sequenced. Their analysis shows that the T-cell infiltrate is extremely diverse, with no preferential TCR gene segment usage.

Studies on the human T cell receptor alpha/beta variable region genes. I. Identification of 7 additional V alpha subfamilies and 14 J alpha gene segments.

The anchored-polymerase chain reaction has been used to study further the diversity of the human T cell receptor alpha chain. The analysis of 308 cDNA transcripts from human peripheral lymphocytes hybridizing with a C alpha probe led to the identification of a series of additional V alpha and J alpha gene segments. The sequences of seven V alpha gene segments which individually define a novel V alpha subfamily (termed V alpha w23 to V alpha w29) are reported. The sequences of some previously described V alpha 1, V alpha 2, V alpha 5, V alpha 7 and V alpha 22 gene segments are also extended. In addition, we report 14 novel J alpha gene segment sequences. Taken together, these data indicate that the contribution of the alpha chain combinatorial diversity to the human T cell receptor alpha/beta variability has not yet been fully appreciated.

Studies on the human T cell receptor alpha/beta variable region genes. II. Identification of four additional V beta subfamilies.

The human T cell receptor (TcR) beta chain gene segment diversity has been studied using the anchored-polymerase chain reaction. Three hundred and fifty C beta-specific transcripts derived from peripheral lymphocytes were analyzed. Transcripts including V-D beta 1-J beta 2-C2 sequences were found with a high frequency (greater than 10%), suggesting that "illegitimate" joinings may constitute a cis-complementing rearrangement mechanism capable of substantially increasing the TcR beta chain combinatorial diversity. Twelve previously undescribed V beta gene segments have been identified. Five of them delineate four novel V beta subfamilies (V beta w21: two members, V beta w22, 23, 24: one member) which all have a murine homologue. The additional seven gene segments belong to the V beta 5, V beta 6, V beta 12 and V beta 13 subfamilies. In addition, the sequences of two known V beta 7 and V beta 9 gene segments have been extended. Together, the present data support the view that the contribution of the beta chain combinatorial diversity to the TcR alpha/beta variability has not yet been fully appreciated.

Prevalence of cervical dysplasia and HPV infection according to sexual behavior.

A total of 165 uterine cervix smears from Venezuelan women were examined by cytological techniques to identify malignant and pre-malignant cervical changes, as well as to identify Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) DNA types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33 and 35. Of these smears, 119 were from nonmonogamous women who participated in a cervical carcinoma screening program. In this group, HPV-DNA was detected by hybridization in 42 samples (35%) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in 13 (11%). Forty-six monogamous aboriginal women were similarly studied and no evidence of abnormal cytology or HPV-DNA of the types studied here was found in any of them. In the non-monogamous group, age at first sexual intercourse and index of parity were not associated with cervical HPV infection and/or CIN. The rates of HPV infection, however, were significantly different between the two populations, confirming that sexual behavior involving multiple partners is associated with HPV infection.

Psychoneuroendocrinological and immunological parameters in cancer patients: involvement of stress and depression.

Plasma noradrenaline (NA), adrenaline (A), dopamine (DA), platelet serotonin (pS), free serotonin (fS), cortisol (CRT), growth hormone (GH), peripheral blood lymphocytes (lymph), lymphocyte subpopulations (LSS) and CD4/CD8 ratio were serially assessed in 50 non-medicated, advanced cancer patients (spontaneous evolution) and in age- and sex-paired controls. Clonidine tests and psychiatric evaluations were also serially performed. Patients showing long symptomless periods had all normal values except for raised pS, whereas those who remained free of symptoms for only a short time had raised NA, A and CRT, plus lowered pS values. Further increases in NA, A and CRT, plus additional increases in DA and fS, occurred during exacerbation periods, during which times reductions in lymph, LSS and NK also were observed. Patients in terminal stages showed maximal decreases of all neurotransmitters and immunological parameters; only DA and fS remained raised. Psychiatric interviews performed simultaneously with the clonidine tests revealed a low incidence of moderate depression during symptomless periods and no depression during exacerbation periods. Several significant positive and negative correlations between neurotransmitters and immunological parameters were found during exacerbation periods. Pain, although not intense, and other symptoms required occasional administration of low doses of non-opiate analgesics.

Lack of endemic HIV infection in Venezuela.

PIP: A seroepidemiological survey of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was recently conducted in 556 serum samples from donors in rural and urban areas of Venezuela and from aboriginal Amazonian Indians. The samples were tested for the presence of antibodies to HIV by the ELISA technique using several commercially available kits. 19 samples were positive. These samples then were tested by immunofluorescence, Western blot, and radioimmunoprecipitation techniques as confirmatory assays. 4 seropositive control samples from patients from Caracas with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-Related Complex (ARC) were analyzed. None of the samples from rural or aboriginal Indians could be confirmed by these assays. These sera also were evaluated for antibodies to STLV-3 by Western blot analysis. No positive samples were identified. The results fail to support earlier studies suggesting that HIV or a related virus is endemic in the Venezuelan population.^ieng

Distribucion de anticuerpos contra el virus de la leucemia linfocítica T humana en adultos sanos de la poblacíon Venezolana / Distribution of antibodies against human T cell leukemia virus in healthy adults from Venezuela

El resultado de los estudios seroepidemiológicos en donantes de sangre, adultos sanos de la ciudad de Caracas (Venezuela), para la detección de anticuerpos contra el Virus de la Leucemia Linfocítica T Humana, subgrupo I (HTLV-I), muestra una prevalencia de 1,7% en un total de 647 muestra examinadas. Una mayor prevalencia (2,09%) de casos positivos fue encontrada en grupos socio económicos de pocos recursos, en comparación con lo obtenido (0,9%) en el grupo con características socio económicas más elevadas

Hepatitis B virus infection in cultured human lymphoblastoid cells.

Since it has been postulated that liver hepatocytes may become infected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) in vivo through direct contact with infected macrophages, the possibility that a circulating cell of hematopoietic origin might be susceptible to infection with HBV was investigated. Cells positive for HBV surface antigen were identified in aspirates of bone marrow cells from people infected with HBV. These cells were used to prepare a lymphoblastoid suspension culture that contains HBV-infected cells.

Cell culture density modulates the incorporation of HLA antigens by enveloped viruses.

Uninfected, as well as feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infected human cells cultured under high cell density conditions undergo changes in the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens, as determined by indirect trace binding radio immunoassay (RIA) using monoclonal anti-HLA antibodies and by decreased sensitivity to complement mediated cytotoxicity by anti-HLA alloantibodies. FeLV particles produced by the viral infected cells are also sensitive to neutralization by anti-HLA antibodies, suggesting that enveloped viral particles incorporated MHC antigens in the viral envelope. The amount of HLA antigens expressed in the viral enveloped, closely reflects the expression of HLA antigens by the virus-producer lymphoid cells. FeLV-infected HsB-2 (T) and SB (B) lymphoid cells cultured under high cell concentration condition show decreased expression of some HLA antigens (A2, B12, B17), and the viral particles produced by those cells also incorporate lower amounts of such antigens. Our results, based on the findings that human lymphoid cells (uninfected, as well as FeLV infected) show decreased expression of some HLA membrane determinants when grown under high cell density conditions, indicate that no viral selective mechanism operates in the incorporation of HLA determinants by enveloped viruses. Instead, our results suggest that viruses pick up MHC antigens from the host cell membrane according to the concentration of those antigens on the surface of the cells at the time of virus budding.

Changes in the expression of HLA and beta 2-microglobulin by cultured lymphoid cells.

Changes in the expression of HLA and beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) antigens by cultured human lymphoid cell lines were investigated. HLA expression was assayed by indirect trace binding radioimmunoassay (RIA) with monoclonal antibodies and by determining sensitivity to complement-dependent lysis by alloantisera. Lymphoid cells in culture were found to undergo changes in the expression of HLA and beta 2-m antigens characterized by decreased membrane expression of these antigens at high cell densities or after a prolonged period of cultivation. The decreased expression of HLA and beta 2-m antigens apparently is due neither to a masking phenomenon nor to a lack of nutrients or an accumulation of metabolites in the culture media but is perhaps mediated by a cell-to-cell contact mechanism. Human interferon was found to enhance the expression of HLA and beta 2-m, apparently overriding the effects on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expression induced by cell density.

Neutralization of feline leukemia virus with feline antisera to leukocyte alloantigens.

The possibility that normal cellular antigens might serve as targets for antibody neutralization of the feline leukemia virus was investigated. Xenospecific antiserum directed to normal feline cells was shown to inactivate feline leukemia virus grown in fibroblasts. Cat antisera to normal feline leukocyte alloantigens were then prepared, after which persistent viremia was induced in the donor cats. Such alloantisera neutralized virus taken from plasma of the appropriate cat but did not neutralize virus from a different cat. The virus neutralization was dependent on the presence of complement. These results indicate that alloantigens are present at the virus surface and raise the possibility that such antigens may play a role in the natural immune response directed to retrovirus infections.