Evaluation of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin at transfer of in vitro produced beef embryos on reproductive outcomes in lactating multiparous Jersey cows after a synchronized ovulation.

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at the time of transfer of in vitro produced (IVP) beef embryos on pregnancy outcomes in lactating multiparous Jersey cows. Grade 1, Stage 7 (expanded blastocyst), IVP beef embryos were produced from black Angus-based dams using 3 proven high fertility Angus sires and were frozen for direct transfer. In a preliminary experiment, lactating multiparous Jersey cows were randomized to a 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments to test the main effect of recipient synchronization protocol (Double-Ovsynch; DO; n = 169 vs. a synchronized estrus; ED; n = 180) and were randomly assigned within recipient protocol to serve as untreated controls (DO-CON, n = 78; ED-CON, n = 44) or to receive i.m. treatment with 2,500 IU of hCG (DO-hCG, n = 79; ED-hCG, n = 46) at the time of embryo transfer (ET). The recipient utilization rate was greater for DO (93%) than for ED (50%) cows, and there was an interaction between recipient synchronization protocol and hCG treatment in which DO-hCG cows had more pregnancies per embryo transfer (P/ET) at 26, 33, and 61 d than DO-CON, ED-hCG, and ED-CON cows. Based on a partial budget analysis, the cost per pregnancy for DO cows was $135.35 less than for ED cows. In Experiment 2, lactating multiparous Jersey cows were submitted to a Double-Ovsynch protocol (DO, n = 386) and were randomly assigned to serve as untreated controls (CON, n = 192) or were treated with 2,500 IU hCG (hCG, n = 194) at ET. Progesterone concentrations and total luteal volume 7 d after ET were greater for hCG than for CON cows. In contrast to the preliminary experiment, treatment with hCG did not affect P/ET at 26, 33, or 61 d, and treatment with hCG did not affect pregnancy loss from 26 to 61 d. In conclusion, treatment with 2,500 IU of hCG at ET increased P4 concentrations and total luteal volume 7 d after ET but did not increase pregnancy outcomes or decrease pregnancy loss in lactating multiparous Jersey cows receiving frozen/thawed IVP beef embryos.

Risk factors for oral mucositis in patients with solid tumors under treatment with cetuximab: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study retrospectively analyzed the risk factors for oral mucositis (OM) during cetuximab treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We screened patients using cetuximab and retrospectively evaluated the presence of OM based on medical records. We collected information from 2 years of evaluations. Patient medical records were reviewed to obtain data on chemotherapy cycle and dose, sex, age, primary tumor, TNM stage, and head and neck radiotherapy (HNR) history. The X2 test and multinomial logistic regression were used for statistical analysis (SPSS 20.0, p < 0.05). RESULTS: Among 1831 patients, OM was showed in 750 in any grade (41%), during cetuximab treatment. Most patients were female (n=944, 51.6%), <70years-old (n=1149, 62.8%), had larynx cancer (n=789, 43.1%) in T4 (n=579, 47.7%), N0 (n=509, 52.6%) stages. Primary tumor surgery was performed in 1476 (80.6%) patients, radiotherapy in 606 (33.1%) patients and cetuximab protocols most used involved up to four cycles (n=1072, 58.5%) of <400mg (n=996, 54.4%) cetuximab doses. Female (OR [odds ratio] = 2.17, CI95% = 1.26-3.75), >70 years-old patients (OR = 16.02, CI95% = 11.99-21.41), with HHNR (OR = 1.84, 1.41-2.40), treated with >4 cycles (OR = 1.52, CI95% = 1.16-2.01) and high doses of cetuximab (OR = 3.80, CI95% = 2.52-5.71) are the greatest risk factors for OM. CONCLUSIONS: Since the clinical benefit of cetuximab in the treatment of older patients is limited and there is a high OM, especially in women with head and neck treated with radiotherapy, high doses and a high number of cetuximab cycles must be administered with caution.

Biogenesis of circular RNAs and their role in cellular and molecular phenotypes of neurological disorders.

Circular RNA (circRNA) is an unusual class of RNA-like structures composed by exonic and/or intronic sequences that are regulated by the backsplicing mechanism and by the spliceosome-mediated machinery. These circular transcripts tend to accumulate during aging in several human tissues, especially in the mammalian brain, and their expression is correlated with the occurrence of several human pathologies, including a broad spectrum of neurological disorders. Previous findings have also shown that circRNAs are significantly present in the neuronal tissue and are up-regulated during neurogenesis, with a significant number been derived from neural genes, suggesting these circular molecules are involved in the cellular and molecular phenotype of our brain. However, the complete biogenesis, the many types of circRNA molecules, and their involvement with neuronal phenotype and with the occurrence of pathologies are still a challenging avenue for researchers. In this updated review, we discuss the current findings of the biogenesis and the diversity of cirRNAs and their molecular involvement in neurological tissue phenotype. We also discuss how some circRNAs can act as sponge molecules, regulating the activity of microRNA expression over gene translation. Finally, we also show the correlation of altered circRNA expression in neurological disorders.

What is the evidence for the effect of physical exercise on bone health in menopausal women? An umbrella systematic review.

This study aimed to analyze the effects of physical exercise (PE) on bone health in menopausal women through an umbrella review and to assess the quality of systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) included. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020208130) and the Rayyan application was used. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated by A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR), and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was applied to assess the level of evidence of the results. The results showed that low-intensity jumping exercises with longer sessions proved to be efficient in the hip segment. Swimming requires further investigation, as it showed high heterogeneity. Aerobic and resistance exercises showed inconsistent results, requiring further studies with these modalities of PE. Concurrent training showed improvements in the lumbar spine, femoral neck, Ward's triangle and trochanter. Finally, combined resistance exercises are effective in preserving bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck and lumbar spine in postmenopausal women. In conclusion, jumping exercises were efficient in the hip, while aerobic and resistance exercises are still inconsistent. Concurrent training showed improvements in BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, Ward's triangle and trochanter. Finally, combined resistance protocols are effective in preserving BMD of the femoral neck and lumbar spine in postmenopausal women.

The influence of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation on the evolution of diabetic foot lesions and peripheral arterial disease.

PURPOSE: Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) remains the best treatment option in patients with type 1 diabetes and chronic kidney failure. There are only a few studies addressing the potential ischemic deterioration of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) due to blood diverting from the iliac artery to the kidney graft. We aimed to evaluate diabetic foot lesions and PAD evolution in SPKT recipients and investigate if they are more frequent in ipsilateral lower limb of kidney graft. METHODS: We developed a retrospective cohort, including patients submitted to SPKT in our tertiary center, between 2000 and 2017. Diabetic foot lesions and PAD frequencies were compared in the period before and after transplantation. RESULTS: Two hundred and eleven patients were included, 50.2% (n = 106) female, with a median age at transplantation of 35 years (IQR 9). After a median follow-up period of 10 years (IQR 7), patient, kidney, and pancreatic graft survival were 90.5% (n = 191), 83.4% (n = 176), and 74.9% (n = 158), respectively. Before transplant, 2.8% (n = 6) had PAD and 5.3% (n = 11) had history of foot lesions. In post-transplant period, 17.1% (n = 36) patients presented PAD and 25.6% (n = 54) developed diabetic foot ulcers, 47.6% (n = 35) of which in the ipsilateral and 53.3% (n = 40) in the contralateral lower limb of the kidney graft (p = 0.48). Nine patients (4.3%) underwent major lower limb amputation, 3 (30%) ipsilateral and 7 (70%) contralateral to the kidney graft (p = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic foot lesions were not more frequent in the ipsilateral lower limb of the kidney graft, therefore downgrading the 'steal syndrome' role in these patients.

Olanzapine as an add-on, pre-operative anti-emetic drug for postoperative nausea or vomiting: a randomised controlled trial.

Postoperative nausea or vomiting occurs in up to 40% in patients with multiple risk factors, despite prophylaxis. Olanzapine is an antipsychotic drug that is used to prevent nausea and vomiting in palliative care and to treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. This study aimed to examine whether pre-operative olanzapine, as a prophylactic anti-emetic added to intra-operative dexamethasone, ondansetron and total intravenous anaesthesia, reduced the incidence of postoperative nausea or vomiting. We performed a multiply-blinded randomised controlled trial in patients aged 18-60 years with cancer at high risk of postoperative nausea or vomiting (three or four risk factors according to the Apfel criteria) plus a previous history of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Patients were allocated at random to receive 10 mg olanzapine or placebo orally 1 h before surgery in addition to a two-drug regimen (dexamethasone and ondansetron) and propofol anaesthesia to prevent postoperative nausea or vomiting. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative nausea or vomiting in the first 24 h after surgery. In total, 100 patients were enrolled; 47 in the olanzapine group and 49 in the control group completed the study. The baseline characteristics of the groups were similar. The incidence of postoperative nausea or vomiting in the first 24 h after surgery was lower in the olanzapine group (12/47, 26%) than in the control group (31/49, 63%) (p = 0.008, RR 0.40 (95%CI 0.21-0.79)). Adding pre-operative oral olanzapine to intra-operative dexamethasone and ondansetron was highly effective in reducing the risk of postoperative nausea or vomiting in the first 24 hours after surgery in patients with a previous history of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and at least three Apfel risk factors for postoperative nausea or vomiting.

Evaluating TROPOMI and MODIS performance to capture the dynamic of air pollution in São Paulo state: A case study during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Atmospheric pollutant data retrieved through satellite sensors are continually used to assess changes in air quality in the lower atmosphere. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies started to use satellite measurements to evaluate changes in air quality in many different regions worldwide. However, although satellite data is continuously validated, it is known that its accuracy may vary between monitored areas, requiring regionalized quality assessments. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate whether satellites could measure changes in the air quality of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, during the COVID-19 outbreak; and to verify the relationship between satellite-based data [Tropospheric NO2 column density and Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD)] and ground-based concentrations [NO2 and particulate material (PM; coarse: PM10 and fine: PM2.5)]. For this purpose, tropospheric NO2 obtained from the TROPOMI sensor and AOD retrieved from MODIS sensor data by using the Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm were compared with concentrations obtained from 50 automatic ground monitoring stations. The results showed low correlations between PM and AOD. For PM10, most stations showed correlations lower than 0.2, which were not significant. The results for PM2.5 were similar, but some stations showed good correlations for specific periods (before or during the COVID-19 outbreak). Satellite-based Tropospheric NO2 proved to be a good predictor for NO2 concentrations at ground level. Considering all stations with NO2 measurements, correlations >0.6 were observed, reaching 0.8 for specific stations and periods. In general, it was observed that regions with a more industrialized profile had the best correlations, in contrast with rural areas. In addition, it was observed about 57% reductions in tropospheric NO2 throughout the state of São Paulo during the COVID-19 outbreak. Variations in air pollutants were linked to the region economic vocation, since there were reductions in industrialized areas (at least 50% of the industrialized areas showed >20% decrease in NO2) and increases in areas with farming and livestock characteristics (about 70% of those areas showed increase in NO2). Our results demonstrate that Tropospheric NO2 column densities can serve as good predictors of NO2 concentrations at ground level. For MAIAC-AOD, a weak relationship was observed, requiring the evaluation of other possible predictors to describe the relationship with PM. Thus, it is concluded that regionalized assessment of satellite data accuracy is essential for assertive estimates on a regional/local level. Good quality information retrieved at specific polluted areas does not assure a worldwide use of remote sensor data.

Presynchronization with prostaglandin F2α and gonadotropin-releasing hormone simultaneously improved first-service pregnancy per artificial insemination in lactating Holstein cows compared with Presynch-14 when combined with detection of estrus.

This study aimed to determine the effect of 2 simple breeding strategies combining artificial insemination (AI) after detection of estrus (AIED) and timed AI (TAI) on first-service fertility in lactating Holstein cows. Weekly, lactating Holstein cows (n = l,049) between 40 and 46 d in milk (DIM) were randomly assigned to initiate 1 of 2 breeding strategies for first service: Presynch-14 and PG+G. Presynch-14 is a presynchronization strategy with 2 PGF2α treatments 14 d apart with the last PGF2α 14 d before the initiation of the Ovsynch protocol. Cows treated with PG+G receive a simpler presynchronization program that uses PGF2α and GnRH simultaneously 7 d before Ovsynch. In both treatments, cows detected in standing estrus by tail chalk at any time ≥55 DIM were inseminated, and treatment was discontinued (n = 525). Cows completing treatment received TAI from 78 to 84 DIM (n = 526). In a subgroup of cows that received TAI, blood was collected (n = 163) to assess circulating concentrations of progesterone, and ultrasonographic evaluations of ovaries were performed on the day of first GnRH of Ovsynch (n = 162) and PGF2α of Ovsynch (n = 122). The proportion of cows that received TAI was greater for PG+G compared with Presynch-14 (63.5 vs. 31.9%), which increased DIM at first service for cows treated with PG+G compared with Presynch-14 (75.5 ± 0.4 vs. 68.7 ± 0.4). For cows receiving TAI, the ovulatory response to first GnRH of Ovsynch (73.8 vs. 48.8%) and the proportion of cows with functional corpora lutea (92.6 vs. 73.1%) were greater for PG+G than Presynch-14. Cows treated with PG+G had greater overall pregnancy per AI (P/AI) 42 ± 7 d after AI (40.2 vs. 33.6%) and calving per AI (32.1 vs. 25.2%) than Presynch-14. For cows receiving AIED, treatment did not affect P/AI 42 ± 7 d after AI. However, for cows receiving TAI, PG+G increased P/AI compared with Presynch-14 (44.6 vs. 35.2%). Overall, cows receiving TAI had greater P/AI 42 ± 7 d after AI (42.5 vs. 31.5%) and calving per AI (34.1 vs. 23.7%) and decreased pregnancy loss (16.8 vs. 25.2%) than cows receiving AIED. In summary, PG+G increased the proportion of cows receiving TAI and the DIM at first service, P/AI, and calving per AI compared with Presynch-14 when both TAI programs were combined with AIED.

Effect of using 200 µg of gonadorelin at the first gonadotropin-releasing hormone of the breeding-Ovsynch on ovulatory response and pregnancies per artificial insemination in first-service lactating Holstein cows.

This study aimed to determine whether 200 µg of GnRH (gonadorelin hydrochloride) would increase ovulatory response and pregnancies per artificial insemination (P/AI) compared with 100 µg at the first GnRH of the breeding-Ovsynch of a Double-Ovsynch program (DO) in lactating Holstein cows. Weekly cohorts of primiparous (n = 719) and multiparous (n = 1,191) cows submitted to DO (GnRH, 7 d later PGF2α, 3 d later GnRH, 7 d later GnRH [G1], 7 d later PGF2α [PG1], 1 d later PGF2α, ∼32 h later GnRH [G2], and ∼16 h later timed artificial insemination [TAI]) for first service, randomly received either 100 µg or 200 µg of GnRH (gonadorelin hydrochloride) at G1 (primiparous, 64-75 DIM; multiparous, 59-70 DIM). Ovulation was determined by ultrasound 2 d after G1 (n = 1,294) and 2 d after G2 (n = 1,020). Blood samples were collected at G1 and at PG1 d to evaluate serum progesterone (P4) concentrations. Conventional (n = 314, Angus; n = 1,084, Holstein) and Holstein sexed semen (n = 276) were used. Pregnancy was diagnosed on d 32, 46, 88, and 200 post-TAI. The high dose of GnRH (200 µg) increased overall ovulatory response to G1 compared with 100 µg (81.3% vs. 65.1%), being similar between parities (primiparous, 72.2%; multiparous, 73.9%). Mean serum P4 concentrations at PG1 did not differ between treatments (100 µg: 9.59 ± 0.15 ng/mL vs. 200 µg: 9.43 ± 0.15 ng/mL). Cows with no ovulation to G1 had higher serum P4 concentrations at G1 than cows with ovulation to G1 (6.27 ± 0.19 ng/mL vs. 4.66 ± 0.07 ng/mL). At PG1, the proportion of cows with functional corpus luteum (98.7% vs. 89.7%) and serum P4 concentrations (9.68 ± 0.12 ng/mL vs. 9.14 ± 0.22 ng/mL) were greater in cows that ovulated to G1 compared with cows that did not ovulate. Also, cows that ovulated to G1 had a greater increase in serum P4 concentrations from G1 to PG1 than cows with no ovulation (5.26 ± 0.12 ng/mL vs. 3.32 ± 0.25 ng/mL). The high dose of GnRH improved overall P/AI at 32 d post-TAI in cows inseminated with conventional semen (54.6% vs. 48.2%) and tended to improve P/AI on 46 (48.8% vs. 44.9%), 88 (47.6% vs. 43.4%), and 200 (45.3% vs. 41.2%) d post-TAI. Primiparous cows inseminated with conventional semen had better P/AI than multiparous cows at d 32 (58.2% vs. 49.4%), 46 (55.1% vs. 44.4%), 88 (53.2% vs. 43.2%) and 200 (51.6% vs. 40.7%) post-TAI. Primiparous cows treated with 200 µg GnRH had lower P/AI on d 32, 46, 88, and 200 post-TAI when inseminated with sexed semen than with conventional semen. In summary, the higher dose of GnRH at G1 improved ovulatory response and P/AI at d 32 post-TAI and tended to improve P/AI at d 46, 88, and 200 post-TAI in cows inseminated with conventional semen. Moreover, the effect of treatment on P/AI in primiparous cows depended on semen type (conventional vs. sexed semen).

Graduate Student Literature Review: Effects of human chorionic gonadotropin on follicular and luteal dynamics and fertility in cattle.

Circulating progesterone concentrations during the growth of the ovulatory follicle and early embryo development have been positively associated with embryo quality and survival and pregnancy success. As a potent luteotropic agent with LH-like activity, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has been tested in different studies to improve pregnancy outcomes by increasing circulating progesterone concentrations during the growth of the ovulatory follicle or early embryonic development. Nevertheless, hCG has produced inconsistent, contradictory, and intriguing results. Furthermore, recent research indicates that hCG, when used before artificial insemination, may affect physiological events necessary for the ovulation of a viable oocyte. In addition, the use of hCG-inducing accessory corpus luteum during the estrous cycle seems to disturb luteolysis and follicle and luteal dynamics during the estrous cycle. This literature review discusses past and current research exploring the effects of hCG on the estrous cycle characteristics and pregnancy per artificial insemination and embryo transfer.

Risk factors for oral mucositis during chemotherapy treatment for solid tumors: a retrospective STROBE-guided study.

BACKGROUND: This study retrospectively analyzed the risk factors for transchemotherapy oral mucositis (OM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Before each chemotherapy cycle, patients were routinely evaluated for the presence/severity of OM based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0 scale for adverse effects and graded as follows: However, specific conditions such as mucositis are graded on a five-point scale: 0, absence of mucositis, grade 1 (Asymptomatic or mild), 2 (Presence of pain and moderate ulceration, without interference with food intake), 3 (severe pain with interference with food intake) or 4 (Life-threatening with the need for urgent intervention). Information from 2 years of evaluations was collected and patient medical records were reviewed to obtain data on chemotherapy cycle, sex, age, body mass index, body surface area, primary tumor, chemotherapy protocol, and history of head and neck radiotherapy. The X² test and multinomial logistic regression were used for statistical analysis (SPSS 20.0, p<0.05). RESULTS: Among 19,000 total evaluations of 3,529 patients during 5.32±4.7 chemotherapy cycles (CT) the prevalence of OM was 6.3% (n=1,195). Chemotherapy duration (p<0.001), female sex (p=0.001), adjuvant intention (p=0.008) and the use of carboplatin (p=0.001), cisplatin (p=0.029), docetaxel (p<0.001) and bevacizumab (p=0.026) independently increased the risk of mucositis. In head and neck tumors, 2018 year (p=0.017), chemotherapy duration (p=0.018), BMI>30 (p=0.008), radiotherapy (p=0.037) and use of carboplatin (p=0.046) and cyclophosphamide (p=0.010) increased this prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Cycles of chemotherapy, sex, cytotoxicity drugs, bevacizumab and head and neck radiotherapy increase the risk of OM in solid tumors.

miRNA-34 and miRNA-210 target hexamerin genes enhancing their differential expression during early brain development of honeybee (Apis mellifera) castes.

During the honeybee larval stage, queens develop larger brains than workers, with morphological differentiation appearing at the fourth larval phase (L4), just after a boost in nutritional difference both prospective females experience. The molecular promoters of this caste-specific brain development are already ongoing in previous larval phases. Transcriptomic analyses revealed a set of differentially expressed genes in the L3 brains of queens and workers, which represents the early molecular response to differential feeding females receive during larval development. Three genes of this set, hex70b, hex70c and hex110, are more highly transcribed in the brain of workers than in queens. The microRNAs miR-34, miR-210 and miR-317 are in higher levels in the queens' brain at the same phase of larval development. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the brain of workers expresses higher levels of hexamerins than that of queens during key phases of larval development and that this differential hexamerin genes expression is further enhanced by the repressing activity of miR-34, miR-210 and miR-317. Our transcriptional analyses showed that hex70b, hex70c and hex110 genes are differentially expressed in the brain of L3 and L4 larval phases of honeybee queens and workers. In silico reconstructed miRNA-mRNA interaction networks were validated using luciferase assays, which showed miR-34 and miR-210 negatively regulate hex70b and hex110 genes by directly and redundantly binding their 3'UTR (untranslated region) sequences. Taken together, our results suggest that miR-34 and miR-210 act together promoting differential brain development in honeybee castes by downregulating the expression of the putative antineurogenic hexamerin genes hex70b and hex110.

Treatment of early-stage mycosis fungoides: results from the PROspective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI) study.

BACKGROUND: The PROspective Cutaneous Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (PROCLIPI) study is a prospective analysis of an international database. Here we examine front-line treatments and quality of life (QoL) in patients with newly diagnosed mycosis fungoides (MF). OBJECTIVES: To identify (i) differences in first-line approaches according to tumour-nodes-metastasis-blood (TNMB) staging; (ii) parameters related to a first-line systemic approach and (iii) response rates and QoL measures. METHODS: In total, 395 newly diagnosed patients with early-stage MF (stage IA-IIA) were recruited from 41 centres in 17 countries between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2018 following central clinicopathological review. RESULTS: The most common first-line therapy was skin-directed therapy (SDT) (322 cases, 81·5%), while a smaller percentage (44 cases, 11·1%) received systemic therapy. Expectant observation was used in 7·3%. In univariate analysis, the use of systemic therapy was significantly associated with higher clinical stage (IA, 6%; IB, 14%; IIA, 20%; IA-IB vs. IIA, P < 0·001), presence of plaques (T1a/T2a, 5%; T1b/T2b, 17%; P < 0·001), higher modified Severity Weighted Assessment Tool (> 10, 15%; ≤ 10, 7%; P = 0·01) and folliculotropic MF (FMF) (24% vs. 12%, P = 0·001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated significant associations with the presence of plaques (T1b/T2b vs. T1a/T2a, odds ratio 3·07) and FMF (odds ratio 2·83). The overall response rate (ORR) to first-line SDT was 73%, while the ORR to first-line systemic treatments was lower (57%) (P = 0·027). Health-related QoL improved significantly both in patients with responsive disease and in those with stable disease. CONCLUSIONS: Disease characteristics such as presence of plaques and FMF influence physician treatment choices, and SDT was superior to systemic therapy even in patients with such disease characteristics. Consequently, future treatment guidelines for early-stage MF need to address these issues.

Influence of maternal body mass index on interobserver variability of fetal ultrasound biometry and amniotic-fluid assessment in late pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the interobserver reproducibility of fetal ultrasound biometric and amniotic-fluid measurements in the third trimester of pregnancy, according to maternal body mass index (BMI) category. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of women with a singleton gestation beyond 34 weeks, recruited into four groups according to BMI category: normal (18.0-24.9 kg/m2 ), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2) , obese (30.0-39.9 kg/m2 ) and morbidly obese (≥ 40 kg/m2 ). Multiple pregnancies, women with diabetes and pregnancies with a fetal growth, structural or genetic abnormality were excluded. In each woman, fetal biometric (biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference, abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL) and estimated fetal weight) and amniotic-fluid (amniotic-fluid index (AFI) and maximum vertical pocket (MVP)) measurements were obtained by two experienced sonographers or physicians, blinded to gestational age and each other's measurements. Differences in measurements between observers were expressed as gestational age-specific Z-scores. The interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach's reliability coefficient (CRC) were calculated. Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess the degree of reproducibility. RESULTS: In total, 110 women were enrolled prospectively (including 1320 measurements obtained by 17 sonographers or physicians). Twenty (18.2%) women had normal BMI, 30 (27.3%) women were overweight, 30 (27.3%) women were obese and 30 (27.3%) women were morbidly obese. Except for AFI (ICC, 0.65; CRC, 0.78) and MVP (ICC, 0.49; CRC, 0.66), all parameters had a very high level of interobserver reproducibility (ICC, 0.72-0.87; CRC, 0.84-0.93). When assessing reproducibility according to BMI category, BPD measurements had a very high level of reproducibility (ICC ≥ 0.85; CRC > 0.90) in all groups. The reproducibility of AC and FL measurements increased with increasing BMI, while the reproducibility of MVP measurements decreased. Among the biometric parameters, the difference between the BMI categories in measurement-difference Z-score was significant only for FL. Interobserver differences for biometric measurements fell within the 95% limits of agreement. CONCLUSION: Obesity does not seem to impact negatively on the reproducibility of ultrasound measurements of fetal biometric parameters when undertaken by experienced sonographers or physicians who commonly assess overweight, obese and morbidly obese women. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The O K-2V spectrum of CO: the influence of the second core-hole.

Using synchrotron radiation in the tender X-ray regime, a photoelectron spectrum showing the formation of single site double-core-hole pre-edge states, involving the K shell of the O atom in CO, has been recorded by means of high-resolution electron spectroscopy. The experimentally observed structures have been simulated, interpreted and assigned, employing state-of-the-art ab initio quantum chemical calculations, on the basis of a theoretical model, accounting for their so-called direct or conjugate character. Features appearing above the double ionization threshold have been reproduced by taking into account the strong mixing between multi-excited and continuum states. The shift of the σ* resonance below the double ionization threshold, in combination with the non-negligible contributions of multi-excited configurations in the final states reached, gives rise to a series of avoided crossings between the different potential energy curves.

How mobility restrictions policy and atmospheric conditions impacted air quality in the State of São Paulo during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Mobility restrictions are among actions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and have been pointed as reasons for improving air quality, especially in large cities. However, it is crucial to assess the impact of atmospheric conditions on air quality and air pollutant dispersion in the face of the potential variability of all sources. In this study, the impact of mobility restrictions on the air quality was analyzed for the most populous Brazilian State, São Paulo, severely impacted by COVID-19. Ground-based air quality data (PM10, PM2.5, CO, SO2, NOx, NO2, NO, and O3) were used from 50 automatic air quality monitoring stations to evaluate the changes in concentrations before (January 01 - March 25) and during the partial quarantine (March 16 - June 30). Rainfall, fires, and daily cell phone mobility data were also used as supplementary information to the analyses. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess the heterogeneity of the air quality data during and before mobility restrictions. In general, the results demonstrated no substantial improvements in air quality for most of the pollutants when comparing before and during restrictions periods. Besides, when the analyzed period of 2020 is compared with the year 2019, there is no significant air quality improvement in the São Paulo State. However, special attention should be given to the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP), due to the vast population residing in this area and exposed to air pollution. The region reached an average decrease of 29% in CO, 28% in NOx, 40% in NO, 19% in SO2, 15% in PM2.5, and 8% in PM10 concentrations during the mobility restrictions period compared to the same period in 2019. The only pollutant that showed an increase in concentration was ozone, with a 20% increase compared to 2019 during the mobility restrictions period. Before the mobility restrictions period, the region reached an average decrease of 30% in CO, 39% in NOx, 63% in NO, 12% in SO2, 23% in PM2.5, 18% in PM10, and 16% in O3 concentrations when compared to the same period in 2019. On the other hand, Cubatão, a highly industrialized area, showed statistically significant increases above 20% for most monitored pollutants in both periods of 2020 compared to 2019. This study reinforces that the main driving force of pollutant concentration variability is the dynamics of the atmosphere at its various time scales. An abnormal rainy season, with above average rainfall before the restrictions and below average after it, generated a scenario in which the probable significant reductions in emissions did not substantially affect the concentration of pollutants.

Runs of homozygosity provide a genome landscape picture of inbreeding and genetic history of European autochthonous and commercial pig breeds.

ROHs are long stretches of DNA homozygous at each polymorphic position. The proportion of genome covered by ROHs and their length are indicators of the level and origin of inbreeding. Frequent common ROHs within the same population define ROH islands and indicate hotspots of selection. In this work, we investigated ROHs in a total of 1131 pigs from 20 European local pig breeds and in three cosmopolitan breeds, genotyped with the GGP Porcine HD Genomic Profiler. plink software was used to identify ROHs. Size classes and genomic inbreeding parameters were evaluated. ROH islands were defined by evaluating different thresholds of homozygous SNP frequency. A functional overview of breed-specific ROH islands was obtained via over-representation analyses of GO biological processes. Mora Romagnola and Turopolje breeds had the largest proportions of genome covered with ROH (~1003 and ~955 Mb respectively), whereas Nero Siciliano and Sarda breeds had the lowest proportions (~207 and 247 Mb respectively). The highest proportion of long ROH (>16 Mb) was in Apulo-Calabrese, Mora Romagnola and Casertana. The largest number of ROH islands was identified in the Italian Landrace (n = 32), Cinta Senese (n = 26) and Lithuanian White Old Type (n = 22) breeds. Several ROH islands were in regions encompassing genes known to affect morphological traits. Comparative ROH structure analysis among breeds indicated the similar genetic structure of local breeds across Europe. This study contributed to understanding of the genetic history of the investigated pig breeds and provided information to manage these pig genetic resources.

A retrospective study investigating the association of parity, breed, calving month and year, and previous parity milk yield and calving interval with twin births in US dairy cows.

Twinning costs the dairy industry an estimated $96 million each year. Twin pregnancy occurrence in high-producing dairy cows is primarily a result of multiple ovulations associated with low circulating concentrations of progesterone due to high milk production. The present retrospective observational study aimed to identify associations between (1) previous parity milk yield and subsequent twin birth prevalence, (2) twin birth with same parity milk production and calving interval (CInt), and (3) twin birth and the subsequent twin calving. The final data set included almost 2.9 million US dairy calving and production records between 2001 and 2020. Variables considered were parity, breed, milk production, CInt, calving month, and year. Logistic and linear regression modeling were used to assess the effects of predictors on outcomes. Herd within state was used as a random effect for all regression models. Twin birth probability increased for cows with increased previous parity milk yield independent of breed or parity. Third and greater parity (3+) compared with second parity (2) and all breeds compared with Jerseys were associated with greater twin probability. Calving between April and September that corresponded to conceiving in July through December was associated with greater twin birth probability. Twin births were associated with decreased milk production following the birth event in Holsteins and parity 2 cows and in the calving months between June and September. Surprisingly, twin births in parity 3+ cows were associated with an increased 305-d milk yield. Cows that had a twin birth were more likely to calve twins in the subsequent parity and had a greater risk of having a CInt between 413 and 600 d. The hazard to subsequent calving after single births was greater compared with twin births. These data can be instrumental in guiding research focus on reducing twinning in lactating dairy cows.

Replacing the first gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment in an Ovsynch protocol with human chorionic gonadotropin decreased pregnancies per artificial insemination in lactating dairy cows.

Our objective was to compare the effect of treatment with GnRH at the first treatment (G1) of the Breeding-Ovsynch portion of a Double-Ovsynch (DO) protocol with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on pregnancies per artificial insemination (P/AI) in lactating dairy cows. In experiment 1, lactating dairy cows (n = 1,932) submitted to a DO protocol for first timed artificial insemination (TAI) on 2 commercial dairy farms were blocked by parity (primiparous vs. multiparous) and were randomly assigned to receive 100 µg of GnRH versus 2,500 IU of hCG at G1. Overall, P/AI 39 d after TAI for cows inseminated with sexed dairy semen was greater for cows treated with GnRH than for cows treated with hCG within each parity (primiparous: 42.6% vs. 38.2%; multiparous: 39.4% vs. 30.3%). Similarly, P/AI 39 d after TAI for multiparous cows inseminated with conventional beef semen tended to be greater for cows treated with GnRH than for cows treated with hCG (41.1% vs. 34.3%). In experiment 2, lactating Holstein cows (n = 43) were blocked by parity and were randomly assigned to the treatment protocols described for experiment 1. Ovaries were evaluated with transrectal ultrasonography immediately before treatment and 24, 28, 32, 36, and 40 h after treatment to assess time from treatment to ovulation, and blood samples were collected immediately before G1, at the first PGF2α treatment, 8 and 16 h later, at the second PGF2α treatment, 8 and 16 h later, at the second GnRH (G2) treatment, and at TAI to compare luteolysis based on serum progesterone (P4) concentrations. Although mean (± standard error of the mean) time from treatment to ovulation was approximately 2 h greater for cows treated with hCG than for cows treated with GnRH (33.7 ± 0.6 vs. 31.5 ± 0.6 h), P4 concentrations during luteolysis and the proportion of cows with complete luteolysis (P4 <0.4 ng/mL at G2) did not differ between treatments. We conclude that replacing 100 µg of GnRH with 2,500 IU of hCG at G1 of a DO protocol decreased fertility to TAI in lactating dairy cows but did not affect the rate or completeness of luteolysis despite the increased interval from treatment to ovulation.

Micro-computed tomographic assessment of dentinal microcrack formation in straight and curved root canals in extracted teeth prepared with hand, rotary and reciprocating instruments.

AIM: To compare microcrack formation in roots of extracted teeth after the shaping of straight and curved root canals with hand, rotary and reciprocating files using micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) analysis. METHODOLOGY: Thirty straight mandibular incisors and 30 severely curved mesial roots of mandibular molars were randomly divided into 6 experimental groups (n = 10) according to the systems used for the root canal preparation and the root canal curvature: ProTaper Universal for Hand Use (Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland), HyFlex EDM (Coltene-Whaledent, Altstätten, Switzerland) and Reciproc Blue (VDW, Munich, Germany) files used in mandibular incisors (straight canals) and mesial roots of mandibular molars (curved canals). The roots were imaged with micro-CT scanning at an isotropic resolution of 14 µm before and after root canal preparation, and the cross-sectional images generated were assessed to detect microcracks. RESULTS: All dentinal defects identified after root canal preparation were already present before instrumentation, and no new microcracks were detected. Dentinal microcracks were present in 19% (ProTaper Universal for Hand Use), 11% (Hyflex EDM) and 23% (Reciproc Blue) of the cross-sections when the instrumentation was performed in mandibular incisors. Instrumentation of mandibular molars revealed microcracks in 15% (ProTaper Universal for Hand Use), 16% (Hyflex EDM) and 17% (Reciproc Blue) of the cross-sections. CONCLUSIONS: Preparation of straight and curved root canals with ProTaper Universal for Hand Use, HyFlex EDM and Reciproc Blue systems did not produce microcracks in extracted teeth when evaluated with micro-CT.