A meta-analysis on the role of sonication in the diagnosis of cardiac implantable electronic device-related infections.

Introduction: One of the biggest obstacles in diagnosing Implant-Associated Infections is the lack of infection criteria and standardized diagnostic methods. These infections present a wide range of symptoms, and their diagnosis can be hampered by the formation of microbial biofilms on the surface of implants. This study aimed to provide insight into the performance of sonication in the diagnosis of infections associated with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices, to help define a consensus on the algorithm for the microbial diagnosis of these infections. Methods: We carried out a systematic review with meta-analysis. The PRISMA methodology guidelines were followed, and an advanced search was carried out in PubMed and Web of Science, which enabled 8 articles to be included in the review, in which a meta-analysis was also carried out. QUADAS-2 was used to assess the risk of bias and effect measures were calculated to assess publication bias. Results: The overall sensitivity of the method was 0.823 (95% CI: 0.682-0.910) and the specificity was 0.632 (95% CI: 0.506-0.743). Discussion: These results suggest that sonication may offer advantages in diagnosing these infections. However, it is essential to approach these findings carefully and take into account the recommendations provided in the EHRA 2019 guidelines. This study highlights the importance of more effective diagnostic approaches for implantable medical device-associated infections to improve the quality of treatment and minimize the risks associated with these challenging medical conditions.

Cryopreservation of sessile oak (Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.) plumules using aluminium cryo-plates: influence of cryoprotection and drying.

BACKGROUND QUERCUS: seeds that are recalcitrant to desiccation and freezing temperatures cannot be stored in gene banks under conventional conditions. However, the germplasm of some recalcitrant seeded species can be stored in liquid nitrogen (-196 °C). Unfortunately, for many species, among them for almost the whole genus Quercus, an effective cryostorage method is still unknown. In this study, we propose a successful cryostorage protocol for Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. germplasm using plumules (a shoot apical meristem of an embryo) frozen on aluminium cryo-plates. RESULTS: The plumules isolated from the acorns of ten provenances were prestored in 0.5 M sucrose solution (for 18 h). To form alginate beads (one plumule per bead), the plumules were placed in the wells of a cryo-plate and embedded in calcium alginate gel. For cryoprotection, the encapsulated plumules were immersed in cryoprotectant solution containing 2.0 M glycerol and different concentrations of sucrose (0.8-1.2 M) for 40 min at 25 °C and desiccated under a laminar flow cabinet for 1.0-4.0 h. Cryo-plates with plumules were directly immersed in liquid nitrogen and then cryostored for 30 min. For rewarming, cryo-plates with plumules were immersed in 1.0 M sucrose solution and rehydrated for 15 min at 25 °C. Survival rates varied from 25.8 to 83.4 were achieved after cryoprotection in 1.0 M sucrose solution and the drying of plumules for 2 h. The in vitro regrowth rate of cryopreserved plumules varied among provenances and was 26-77%. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents, for the first time, a successful, simple and effective protocol for the cryopreservation of Q. petraea germplasm that could be used in gene banks. The experiment was successfully repeated on seeds from various provenances, each yielding similar, good results. However, seed quality and storage time after harvesting are important factors in plumule regrowth after cryopreservation.

Long-Term Follow-up of Patients With Autonomous Thyroid Nodules Treated With Radioiodine.

PURPOSE: This article aims to describe the presentation of Plummer disease and its evolution after radioiodine treatment and determine factors that may influence treatment efficacy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sample included retrospective medical records of 165 adult patients with toxic nodular goiter treated with radioiodine between 1997 and 2017, followed up at a single thyroid center. RESULTS: The efficacy of treatment with a single dose of radioiodine was higher than 90%. The mean radioiodine activity was 28.9 ± 3.4 mCi. The mean time between radioiodine performance and hyperthyroidism resolution was 3.6 ± 3.0 months, ranging from 1-12 months. After the first year, 33.9% of the patients were under hypothyroidism, 59.4% under euthyroidism, and 6.7% under hyperthyroidism. Among the nonresponders, the variables that showed statistical difference were the presence of multinodular goiter and the radioiodine activity (mean, 25.5 ± 6.5 mCi; median, 30 [15-30 mCi]). The cumulative rate of hypothyroidism was 48.9% over 20 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Radioiodine therapy is an effective and safe treatment. In Plummer disease, high rates of euthyroidism are expected after the radioiodine treatment. Therapeutic failure was observed mainly in patients with larger multinodular goiters treated with lower doses of radioiodine. The evolution to hypothyroidism was mostly observed in younger patients with larger and uninodular goiters.

Awareness of possible complications associated with direct composite restorations: A multinational survey among dentists from 13 countries with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Resin-based composites (RBCs) evolved into favoured materials for teeth restorations, marking a significant change in dental practice. Despite many advantages, RBCs exhibit various limitations in their physical and chemical properties. Therefore, we assessed the dentists' awareness of possible complications after direct composite restorations and their opinions about this material. METHODS: The online questionnaire was created in English in May 2023. A 16-item survey was dedicated to general dentists and specialists. The first section included four questions related to demographic characteristics. The second section comprised twelve questions and focused on awareness of potential side effects of composite restorations, the most crucial advantages and disadvantages of composite resins, and the frequency of experienced clinical complications after the application of composite materials. RESULTS: A total of 1830 dentists from 13 countries took part in the survey. Dentists most often declared awareness of low adhesion to the dentine (77.5 %) and, most rarely, solubility in oral fluids (42.6 %). Aesthetics was identified as the main advantage of composite fillings (79 %), followed by the possibility of repair (59 %) and adhesion to enamel (57 %). Polymerisation shrinkage was a major disadvantage for most countries (70 % overall). Analysing the declared potential clinical complications for all countries, statistically significant findings were obtained for marginal discolouration (OR=2.982, 95 % CI: 1.321-6.730, p-value=0.009) and borderline significance for secondary caries (OR=1.814, 95 % CI: 0.964-3.415, p-value=0.065). CONCLUSIONS: Dentists value aesthetics and repairability but are aware of shrinkage and experience discolouration. The issue of toxicity and solubility seems to be the least known to dentists. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dentists should use RBCs with critical caution due to possible side effects. Despite the undoubted aesthetics of direct composite restorations, it is necessary to remember potential clinical complications such as marginal discolouration or secondary caries.

Health care expenses impact on the disability-adjusted life years in non-communicable diseases in the European Union.

Background: Non-communicable diseases are a global health problem. The metric Disability-Adjusted Life Years was developed to measure its impact on health systems. This metric makes it possible to understand a disease's burden, towards defining healthcare policies. This research analysed the effect of healthcare expenditures in the evolution of disability-adjusted life years for non-communicable diseases in the European Union between 2000 and 2019. Methods: Data were collected for all 27 European Union countries from Global Burden of Disease 2019, Global Health Expenditure, and EUROSTAT databases. Econometric panel data models were used to assess the impact of healthcare expenses on the disability-adjusted life years. Only models with a coefficient of determination equal to or higher than 10% were analysed. Results: There was a decrease in the non-communicable diseases with the highest disability-adjusted life years: cardiovascular diseases (-2,952 years/105 inhabitants) and neoplasms (-618 years/105 inhabitants). Health expenditure significantly decreased disability-adjusted life years for all analysed diseases (p < 0.01) unless for musculoskeletal disorders. Private health expenditure did not show a significant effect on neurological and musculoskeletal disorders (p > 0.05) whereas public health expenditure did not significantly influence skin and subcutaneous diseases (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Health expenditure have proved to be effective in the reduction of several diseases. However, some categories such as musculoskeletal and mental disorders must be a priority for health policies in the future since, despite their low mortality, they can present high morbidity and disability.

Austropuccinia licaniae, first congeneric with the myrtle rust pathogen A. psidii.

In 1895 and 2001, rust fungi affecting Licania trees (Chrysobalanchaceae) in Brazil were described as Uredo licaniae by Hennings in the state of Goiás and as Phakopsora tomentosae by Ferreira et al. in the state of Amazonas, respectively. Recently, a Licania rust fungus collected close to the Amazonian type location sharing symptoms with the former two species was subjected to morphological examinations and molecular phylogenetic analyses using 28S nuc rDNA (ITS2-28S) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (CO3) gene sequences. Since the original type specimen of Ph. tomentosae is considered lost, we carefully reviewed the type description and questioned the identity of the telium, which justified the description of the fungus as a Phakopsora species. Furthermore, the additional revision of the type material described by Hennings revealed that Ph. tomentosae is a synonym of U. licaniae. Based on the morphological examinations, disease symptoms, and shared hosts, we concluded that the newly collected material is conspecific with U. licaniae. However, the phylogenetic analyses rejected allocation in Phakopsora and instead assigned the Licania rust fungus in a sister relationship with Austropuccinia psidii (Sphaerophragmiaceae), the causal agent of the globally invasive myrtle rust pathogen. We therefore favored a recombination of U. licaniae (syn. Ph. tomentosae) into Austropuccinia and proposed the new name Austropuccina licaniae for the second species now identified for this genus. The fungus shares conspicuous symptoms with A. psidii, causing often severe infections of growing leaves and shoots that lead to leaf necrosis, leaf shedding, and eventually to the dieback of entire shoots. In view of the very similar symptoms of its aggressively invasive sister species, we briefly discuss the current state of knowledge about A. licaniae and the potential risks, and the opportunity of its identification.

The Performance of Using the Parasympathetic Tone Activity (PTA) Index to Assess Intraoperative Nociception in Cats.

BACKGROUND: The monitoring of nociception/antinociception poses a significant challenge during anesthesia, making the incorporation of new tools like the Parasympathetic Tone Activity (PTA) monitor an added value in feline anesthesia. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness and speed of PTA monitoring when compared to heart rate (HR) in detecting surgical stimuli (SS) during the intraoperative period in 49 female cats undergoing ovariectomy (OV). METHODS: Instantaneous Parasympathetic Tone Activity (PTAi) values, HR, fR, and non-invasive SAP and MAP were continuously monitored and systematically assessed. The time required for HR (HR time) and PTAi (PTAi time) to reach their minimum peak values following each surgical stimulus was collected at five points for each anaesthetized cat. Each collected surgical stimulus was categorized into 3 groups for statistical analysis: no nociception detection, no hemodynamic reaction and a PTAi > 50 (Nhre); no hemodynamic reaction and a PTAi < 50 (Nhre < 50); and hemodynamic reaction and PTAi < 50 (Hre < 50). RESULTS: PTAi response demonstrated effectiveness in detecting nociception compared to HR. The SS were categorized as 36.1% in the Nhre group, 50% in the Nhre < 50 group, and only 13.9% in the Hre < 50 group. In the Hre < 50 group, PTAi time and HR time had similar speeds in detecting the SS (p = 0.821); however, PTA time was significantly slower in the Nhre < 50 group when compared to the Hre < 50 group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PTA monitoring may be a useful tool to complement HR monitoring for detecting nociception. PTA monitoring demonstrated a superior diagnostic value compared to HR for detecting nociception in cats undergoing OV and a similar speed to HR in detecting SS when HR increases above 20%. Future studies are needed to understand in a clinical setting the meaning of sympathetic activation/nociception detected using the PTA monitor when the HR increase is not clinically relevant.

FRETpredict: a Python package for FRET efficiency predictions using rotamer libraries.

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a widely-used and versatile technique for the structural characterization of biomolecules. Here, we introduce FRETpredict, an easy-to-use Python software to predict FRET efficiencies from ensembles of protein conformations. FRETpredict uses a rotamer library approach to describe the FRET probes covalently bound to the protein. The software efficiently and flexibly operates on large conformational ensembles such as those generated by molecular dynamics simulations to facilitate the validation or refinement of molecular models and the interpretation of experimental data. We provide access to rotamer libraries for many commonly used dyes and linkers and describe a general methodology to generate new rotamer libraries for FRET probes. We demonstrate the performance and accuracy of the software for different types of systems: a rigid peptide (polyproline 11), an intrinsically disordered protein (ACTR), and three folded proteins (HiSiaP, SBD2, and MalE). FRETpredict is open source (GPLv3) and is available at github.com/KULL-Centre/FRETpredict and as a Python PyPI package at pypi.org/project/FRETpredict .

Multiple cardiovascular risk factor care in 55 low- and middle-income countries: A cross-sectional analysis of nationally-representative, individual-level data from 280,783 adults.

The prevalence of multiple age-related cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors is high among individuals living in low- and middle-income countries. We described receipt of healthcare services for and management of hypertension and diabetes among individuals living with these conditions using individual-level data from 55 nationally representative population-based surveys (2009-2019) with measured blood pressure (BP) and diabetes biomarker. We restricted our analysis to non-pregnant individuals aged 40-69 years and defined three mutually exclusive groups (i.e., hypertension only, diabetes only, and both hypertension-diabetes) to compare individuals living with concurrent hypertension and diabetes to individuals with each condition separately. We included 90,086 individuals who lived with hypertension only, 11,975 with diabetes only, and 16,228 with hypertension-diabetes. We estimated the percentage of individuals who were aware of their diagnosis, used pharmacological therapy, or achieved appropriate hypertension and diabetes management. A greater percentage of individuals with hypertension-diabetes were fully diagnosed (64.1% [95% CI: 61.8-66.4]) than those with hypertension only (47.4% [45.3-49.6]) or diabetes only (46.7% [44.1-49.2]). Among the hypertension-diabetes group, pharmacological treatment was higher for individual conditions (38.3% [95% CI: 34.8-41.8] using antihypertensive and 42.3% [95% CI: 39.4-45.2] using glucose-lowering medications) than for both conditions jointly (24.6% [95% CI: 22.1-27.2]).The percentage of individuals achieving appropriate management was highest in the hypertension group (17.6% [16.4-18.8]), followed by diabetes (13.3% [10.7-15.8]) and hypertension-diabetes (6.6% [5.4-7.8]) groups. Although health systems in LMICs are reaching a larger share of individuals living with both hypertension and diabetes than those living with just one of these conditions, only seven percent achieved both BP and blood glucose treatment targets. Implementation of cost-effective population-level interventions that shift clinical care paradigm from disease-specific to comprehensive CVD care are urgently needed for all three groups, especially for those with multiple CVD risk factors.

Epidemiology of reported cases of leptospirosis in the EU/EEA, 2010 to 2021.

BackgroundLeptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. Humans are infected by exposure to animal urine or urine-contaminated environments. Although disease incidence is lower in Europe compared with tropical regions, there have been reports of an increase in leptospirosis cases since the 2000s in some European countries.AimWe aimed to describe the epidemiology of reported cases of leptospirosis in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) during 2010-2021 and to identify potential changes in epidemiological patterns.MethodsWe ran a descriptive analysis of leptospirosis cases reported by EU/EEA countries to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control with disease during 2010-2021. We also analysed trends at EU/EEA and national level.ResultsDuring 2010-2021, 23 countries reported 12,180 confirmed leptospirosis cases corresponding to a mean annual notification rate of 0.24 cases per 100,000 population. Five countries (France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Romania) accounted for 79% of all reported cases. The highest notification rate was observed in Slovenia with 0.82 cases per 100,000 population. Overall, the notification rate increased by 5.0% per year from 2010 to 2021 (95% CI: 1.2-8.8%), although trends differed across countries.ConclusionThe notification rate of leptospirosis at EU/EEA level increased during 2010-2021 despite including the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated changes in population behaviours. Studies at (sub)national level would help broaden the understanding of differences at country-level and specificities in terms of exposure to Leptospira, as well as biases in diagnosis and reporting.

Systematic SARS-CoV-2 S-gene sequencing in wastewater samples enables early lineage detection and uncovers rare mutations in Portugal.

As the COVID-19 pandemic reached its peak, many countries implemented genomic surveillance systems to track the evolution and transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Transition from the pandemic to the endemic phase prioritized alternative testing strategies to maintain effective epidemic surveillance at the population level, with less intensive sequencing efforts. One such promising approach was Wastewater-Based Surveillance (WBS), which offers non-invasive, cost-effective means for analysing virus trends at the sewershed level. From 2020 onwards, wastewater has been recognized as an instrumental source of information for public health, with national and international authorities exploring options to implement national wastewater surveillance systems and increasingly relying on WBS as early warning of potential pathogen outbreaks. In Portugal, several pioneer projects joined the academia, water utilities and Public Administration around WBS. To validate WBS as an effective genomic surveillance strategy, it is crucial to collect long term performance data. In this work, we present one year of systematic SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance in Portugal, representing 35 % of the mainland population. We employed two complementary methods for lineage determination - allelic discrimination by RT-PCR and S-gene sequencing. This combination allowed us to monitor variant evolution in near-real-time and identify low-frequency mutations. Over the course of this year-long study, spanning from May 2022 to April 2023, we successfully tracked the dominant Omicron sub-lineages, their progression and evolution, which aligned with concurrent clinical surveillance data. Our results underscore the effectiveness of WBS as a tracking system for virus variants, with the ability to unveil mutations undetected via massive sequencing of clinical samples from Portugal, demonstrating the ability of WBS to uncover new mutations and detect rare genetic variants. Our findings emphasize that knowledge of the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 at the population level can be extended far beyond via the combination of routine clinical genomic surveillance with wastewater sequencing and genotyping.

Effects of changing ions on the crystal design, non-covalent interactions, antimicrobial activity, and molecular docking of Cu(II) complexes with a pyridoxal-hydrazone ligand.

The present work reports the influence of the presence of different ions (Cl-, Br-, NO3 -, or SO4 2-) on the formation and proprieties of Cu(II) complexes with pyridoxal-benzoylhydrazone (PLBHZ). Four new complexes were successfully synthesized, [CuCl2(PLBHZ)] (1), [CuBr2(PLBHZ)] (2), [CuCl(PLBHZ)H2O]⋅NO3⋅H2O (3), and [CuSO4(PLBHZ)H2O]⋅3H2O (4), and characterized by spectroscopic and physicochemical methods. A single-crystal X-ray study reveals the Schiff base coordinated to the metal center tridentate by the ONS-donor system, resulting in distorted square pyramidal coordination geometries. Noncovalent interactions were investigated by 3D Hirshfeld surface analysis by the d norm function, 2D fingerprint plots, and full interaction maps. The ion exchange is important in forming three-dimensional networks with π⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions and intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The in vitro biological activity of the free ligand and metal complexes was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains and the free pyridoxal-hydrazone ligand showed higher activity than their Cu(II) complexes. Molecular docking was used to predict the inhibitory activity of the ligand and complexes against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria.

Hypertension care cascades and reducing inequities in cardiovascular disease in low- and middle-income countries.

Improving hypertension control in low- and middle-income countries has uncertain implications across socioeconomic groups. In this study, we simulated improvements in the hypertension care cascade and evaluated the distributional benefits across wealth quintiles in 44 low- and middle-income countries using individual-level data from nationally representative, cross-sectional surveys. We raised diagnosis (diagnosis scenario) and treatment (treatment scenario) levels for all wealth quintiles to match the best-performing country quintile and estimated the change in 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk of individuals initiated on treatment. We observed greater health benefits among bottom wealth quintiles in middle-income countries and in countries with larger baseline disparities in hypertension management. Lower-middle-income countries would see the greatest absolute benefits among the bottom quintiles under the treatment scenario (29.1 CVD cases averted per 1,000 people living with hypertension in the bottom quintile (Q1) versus 17.2 in the top quintile (Q5)), and the proportion of total CVD cases averted would be largest among the lowest quintiles in upper-middle-income countries under both diagnosis (32.0% of averted cases in Q1 versus 11.9% in Q5) and treatment (29.7% of averted cases in Q1 versus 14.0% in Q5) scenarios. Targeted improvements in hypertension diagnosis and treatment could substantially reduce socioeconomic-based inequalities in CVD burden in low- and middle-income countries.

Comparison between Bilateral Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block and Sacrococcygeal Epidural in Cats Undergoing Ovariectomy.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) and sacrococcygeal epidural anaesthesia (ScE) have been used for neutering cats, providing effective pain relief. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of the QLB with those of ScE in cats undergoing ovariectomies. METHODS: Feral cats undergoing ovariectomy were premedicated with dexmedetomidine (20 µg kg-1) and methadone (0.2 mg kg-1) intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was induced with 2-4 mg kg-1 of propofol intravenously and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. The cats were randomly allocated to the groups QLB (bilateral QLB with 0.4 mL kg-1 of 0.25% bupivacaine) and ScE (0.3 mL kg-1 of 0.25% bupivacaine). Hemodynamic data and analgesia rescue were collected at four intraoperative periods. The pain scale and motor block were assessed in both groups during the postoperative period. RESULTS: The ScE results in increased hypotension, prolonged extubation time, and higher postoperative motor block than the QLB (p < 0.05). The QLB and ScE groups required a similar number of intraoperative rescues and presented the same postoperative pain scale classification. CONCLUSIONS: The QLB with 0.25% bupivacaine is a potential alternative to ScE with 0.25% bupivacaine in perioperative pain management in elective cat ovariectomy. The QLB promoted less hypotension and postoperative motor block when compared with the ScE group.

The European Portuguese Version of the Brief Negative Symptom Scale.

Negative symptoms reflect a currently much-untreated loss of normal functioning and are frequently found in psychotic disorders. We present the first translation of the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS) to European Portuguese and evaluate its validity in a sample of Portuguese male patients with a psychotic spectrum disorder. The Portuguese BNSS showed excellent internal consistency, high convergent validity (i.e., strong correlation with the PANSS negative factor), and high discriminant validity (i.e., a lack of association with the PANSS positive factor). In sum, the present European Portuguese BNSS has shown to be reliable, thus extending this instrument's clinical availability worldwide.

Healthy fitness zone prevalence and age-specific fitness profile of young people in seven European countries in 2022: The EUFITMOS project.

BACKGROUND: Physical fitness is a health marker in youth and is associated with current and future health. OBJECTIVE: Present the healthy fitness zone (HFZ) prevalence and age-specific fitness profile of young people from seven European countries. METHODS: This study used data from the European Fitness Monitoring System project. The sample comprised 4965 (51.4% boys) youths aged 9 to 18 years. Fitness data were collected by physical education teachers using field-based tests. Raw data from the fitness tests were used to calculate the prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of participants in the HFZ. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of boys and girls in the HFZ for all tests was 16.6% (95% CI = 14.7, 18.1) and 14.9% (95% CI = 13.2, 16.6), respectively. Boys have a mainly positive HFZ profiles, except for the 9-year-olds in the sit and reach (z-score difference = -1.20) and the 20 m run for boys 13-18-year-olds (z-score difference range: -0.09 to -0.01). Girls have worse HFZ profiles than boys, being out of the HFZ in several tests. Furthermore, a decreasing trend in z-score difference from the HFZ with age was observed in VO2 peak for boys and girls and sit and reach for girls. Notwithstanding, several country-related, sex and age differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Boys presented mostly healthy age-specific fitness profiles in several fitness tests and ages. These differences should be considered when promoting youth's health through physical activity and fitness, as different fitness levels may require different approaches to implementing health-enhancing physical activity policies.

Effect of 200 µg of gonadorelin at the first gonadotropin-releasing hormone of the Resynch-25 on ovarian dynamics and fertility in lactating Holstein cows.

Our objective was to determine the effect of a 200-µg dose of GnRH 25 d after previous artificial insemination (AI) in a Resynch-25 resynchronization program on ovulatory response, circulating progesterone (P4) concentrations before and after treatment, and pregnancy per AI (P/AI) compared with a 100-µg dose in lactating Holstein cows. Experimental d 0 was considered the day of the previous AI. Lactating dairy cows (n = 3,240) with an average of 126 d in milk (DIM) and between 1 and 6 services were randomly assigned to receive 100 µg or 200 µg of GnRH on d 25 (GnRH25). On d 32 after AI, cows diagnosed nonpregnant with the presence of a corpus luteum (CL) detected by ultrasound (n = 1,249) received PGF2α treatments on d 32 and 33, followed by a GnRH 32 h later and AI 16 h after this last GnRH. Blood samples were collected on d 25, 32, and 34 to evaluate serum P4 concentrations. Transrectal ultrasonographic examination was performed on d 25 and 27 to assess ovulatory response to GnRH25. Cows were checked for pregnancy on d 32, 46, and 88 after AI. The larger dose of GnRH increased the overall proportion of cows that ovulated to the GnRH25 (25.0% for the 100-µg dose vs. 32.5% for the 200-µg dose). However, when cows were evaluated separately according to the pregnancy status on d 32 after AI, we found no treatment effect within cows pregnant and nonpregnant. Even though treatment increased the proportion of cows with serum P4 ≤0.42 ng/mL at the last GnRH treatment (G2; 86.2% for the 100-µg dose vs. 93.0% for the 200-µg dose), it did not affect P/AI on d 32, 46, and 88. Furthermore, a greater proportion of cows without a functional CL at GnRH25 had circulating P4 concentrations ≥1.00 ng/mL on d 32 and lower than 0.42 ng/mL on G2. These cows also had a greater P/AI on d 32, 46, and 88. In summary, the larger dose of GnRH on d 25 after AI did not increase the ovulatory response in nonpregnant cows and P/AI on d 32, 46, and 88 after AI after the Resynch-25 program. Additionally, nonpregnant cows without a functional CL at GnRH25 were better synchronized after the Resynch-25 protocol and had greater P/AI on d 32, 46, and 88 after timed-AI.

Ex vivo study shows novel, rapid, suture-free tenotomy technique for the equine deep digital flexor tendon.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the feasibility of a novel thread-transecting technique for the tenotomy of the equine deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). ANIMALS: 39 equine distal limb specimens. METHODS: Under ultrasonographic guidance, a surgical thread was percutaneously placed around the DDFT through 2 needle punctures (lateral and medial) using a Tuohy needle in equine limbs (22 forelimbs, 17 hindlimbs). The DDFT was transected by a back-and-forth motion of the thread until the loop emerged from the entry puncture site. Each specimen was dissected and assessed for completeness of transection and iatrogenic damage under direct visualization. Descriptive statistics were reported. RESULTS: Complete DDFT transection was achieved in all 39 limbs, taking an average of 8.6 minutes per procedure. Iatrogenic damage to surrounding structures occurred in 17 (44%) limbs, with 6 (15%) limbs having more than 1 structure damaged. Damage to the communicating branch of the palmar or plantar nerves was the most commonly seen. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: DDFT tenotomy in equine limb specimens was effectively performed using a novel thread-transecting technique. The procedure is quick, and no suturing is needed, but damage to surrounding structures is possible. Further assessment of the procedure and clinical significance of its potential iatrogenic damage in clinical cases is needed.

Physical education teachers' knowledge of physical activity recommendations for health promotion in children and adolescents.

This study aimed to analyse the knowledge of Portuguese physical education (PE) teachers according to the health recommendations for physical activity (PA) for children and adolescents. A total of 764 teachers participated (55.2% men) with a mean age of 48.2 years. Data was collected using answering to an online survey. Teachers were asked about PA's frequency, duration and intensity to achieve the recommended level PA. Chi-square was applied to analyse the associations. The main finding is that PE teachers have a lack of knowledge of the health recommendations of PA. Specifically, only 7.5% of the PE teachers in our study could identify the PA recommendations correctly. The intensity component in the health recommendation is the one in which most PE teachers demonstrate correct knowledge of (60.5%), with significant differences in gender and teaching level. However, significantly fewer PE teachers knew the frequency component in the health recommendations for PA (25%), with significant differences in education level. For the duration component, only 37.6% of teachers knew the recommendations. In light of our findings, it is a concern that PE teachers generally lack knowledge according to children's fulfilment of health recommendations for PA.

Profiles of interferon-stimulated genes in multiple tissues and circulating pregnancy-associated glycoproteins and their association with pregnancy loss in dairy cows.

Pregnancy loss (PL) in lactating dairy cows disrupts reproductive and productive efficiency. We evaluated the expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISG) in blood leukocytes, vaginal and cervical epithelial cells, luteolysis-related genes, progesterone and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) profiles in lactating dairy cows (n = 86) to gain insight about PL. Expression of ISG on d17, d19, and d21 were greater in cows that maintained the pregnancy (P33) compared to nonpregnant with no PL (NP). Greater ISG differences between groups were observed in the cervix (96.7-fold) than vagina (31.0-fold), and least in blood leukocytes (5.6-fold). Based on individual profiles of ISG and PAG, PL was determined to occur either before (~13%) or after (~25%) d22. For cows with PL before d22, ISG expression was similar on d17 but by d21 was lower and OXTR was greater than P33 cows and similar to NP; timing of luteolysis was similar compared to NP cows suggesting embryonic failure to promote luteal maintenance and to attach to the endometrium (no increase in PAG). For cows with PL after d22, ISG expression was similar to P33 cows on d17, d19, and d21 and luteolysis, when it occurred, was later than NP cows; delayed increase in PAG suggested later or inadequate embryonic attachment. In conclusion, PL before d22 occurred due to embryonic demise/failure to signal for luteal maintenance, as reflected in reduced ISG expression by d21. Alternatively, embryos with PL between d22-33 adequately signaled for luteal maintenance (ISG) but had delayed/inadequate embryonic attachment and/or inappropriate luteolysis causing PL.