Differential correlates of fear and anxiety in salience perception: A behavioral and ERP study with adolescents.

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychopathologies among adolescents. Their diagnostic criteria include both fear and anxiety symptomatology, although according to the literature, we can find evidence for some distinction between these two emotions. The present study contribute to this distinction, exploring the effects of trait fear and trait anxiety on behavioral and neural correlates. Thirty-two participants (aged 11-16 years) performed two experimental tasks of salient target detection, including visual stimuli that were manipulated to become salient, while reaction times and EEG were recorded. Results of both tasks revealed differential effects of trait fear and trait anxiety assessed through the Fear Survey Schedule for Children-Revised and the Youth Anxiety Measure for DSM-5 on reaction times and ERP components amplitudes. Specifically, higher symptoms from Separation Anxiety Disorder increased early neural visual processing and decreased reaction times for more salient stimuli. Also, trait fear reduced later neural visual processing of salient stimuli. These findings may provide a significant contribution to guiding psychological interventions, especially with adolescents presenting higher levels of anxiety-related symptomatology.

Experimental Determination of α Widths of

The efficiency of the weak s process in low-metallicity rotating massive stars depends strongly on the rates of the competing ^{17}O(α,n)^{20}Ne and ^{17}O(α,γ)^{21}Ne reactions that determine the potency of the ^{16}O neutron poison. Their reaction rates are poorly known in the astrophysical energy range of interest for core helium burning in massive stars because of the lack of spectroscopic information (partial widths, spin parities) for the relevant states in the compound nucleus ^{21}Ne. In this Letter, we report on the first experimental determination of the α-particle spectroscopic factors and partial widths of these states using the ^{17}O(^{7}Li,t)^{21}Ne α-transfer reaction. With these the ^{17}O(α,n)^{20}Ne and ^{17}O(α,γ)^{21}Ne reaction rates were evaluated with uncertainties reduced by a factor more than 3 with respect to previous evaluations and the present ^{17}O(α,n)^{20}Ne reaction rate is more than 20 times larger. The present (α,n)/(α,γ) rate ratio favors neutron recycling and suggests an enhancement of the weak s process in the Zr-Nd region by more than 1.5 dex in metal-poor rotating massive stars.

Enthesitis in a European registry-based cohort of patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with tumour necrosis factor inhibitors: clinical burden, patient-reported outcomes, and treatment response.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the registration of enthesitis among biologic-naïve patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) initiating tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) treatment across 12 European registries, compare the disease burden and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between patients with and without enthesitis, and assess the enthesitis treatment response. METHOD: Demographics, clinical characteristics, and PROs at first TNFi (TNFi-1) initiation (baseline) were assessed in patients with PsA, diagnosed by a rheumatologist, with versus without assessment of entheses and between those with versus without enthesitis. Enthesitis scores and resolution frequency were identified at follow-up. RESULTS: Of 10 547 patients in the European Spondyloarthritis (EuroSpA) Research Collaboration Network initiating TNFi, 1357 underwent evaluation for enthesitis. Eight registries included a validated scoring system for enthesitis. At baseline, 874 patients underwent entheses assessment [Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES) 485 patients, Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) 389 patients]. Enthesitis was detected by MASES in 170/485 (35%, mean score ± sd 3.1 ± 2.4) and by SPARCC in 236/389 (61%, 4 ± 3.4). Achilles enthesitis was most frequent, by both MASES (unilateral/bilateral 28%/9%) and SPARCC (48%/18%). MASES/SPARCC baseline and follow-up scores for TNFi-1 were available for 100/105 patients. Of these, 63 patients (63%) (MASES) and 46 (43.8%) (SPARCC) achieved resolution of enthesitis. The site-specific enthesitis resolution was overall lower at SPARCC sites (peripheral; 63-80%) than at MASES sites (mainly axial; 82-100%) following TNFi-1. Disease activity and PROs were worse in patients with versus without enthesitis. CONCLUSION: Entheseal assessments are only registered in a minority of patients with PsA in routine care. When assessed, enthesitis was common, and a substantial proportion demonstrated resolution following treatment with TNFi-1.

N=16 Magicity Revealed at the Proton Drip Line through the Study of

The last proton bound calcium isotope ^{35}Ca has been studied for the first time, using the ^{37}Ca(p,t)^{35}Ca two neutron transfer reaction. The radioactive ^{37}Ca nuclei, produced by the LISE spectrometer at GANIL, interacted with the protons of the liquid hydrogen target CRYPTA, to produce tritons t that were detected in the MUST2 detector array, in coincidence with the heavy residues Ca or Ar. The atomic mass of ^{35}Ca and the energy of its first 3/2^{+} state are reported. A large N=16 gap of 4.61(11) MeV is deduced from the mass measurement, which together with other measured properties, makes ^{36}Ca a doubly magic nucleus. The N=16 shell gaps in ^{36}Ca and ^{24}O are of similar amplitude, at both edges of the valley of stability. This feature is discussed in terms of nuclear forces involved, within state-of-the-art shell model calculations. Even though the global agreement with data is quite convincing, the calculations underestimate the size of the N=16 gap in ^{36}Ca by 840 keV.

Gastric GDF15 levels are regulated by age, sex, and nutritional status in rodents and humans.

AIM: Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a stress response cytokine that has been proposed as a relevant metabolic hormone. Descriptive studies have shown that plasma GDF15 levels are regulated by short term changes in nutritional status, such as fasting, or in obesity. However, few data exist regarding how GDF15 levels are regulated in peripheral tissues. The aim of the present work was to study the variations on gastric levels of GDF15 and its precursor under different physiological conditions, such as short-term changes in nutritional status or overfeeding achieved by HFD. Moreover, we also address the sex- and age-dependent alterations in GDF15 physiology. METHODS: The levels of gastric and plasma GDF15 and its precursor were measured in lean and obese mice, rats and humans by western blot, RT-PCR, ELISA, immunohistochemistry and by an in vitro organ culture system. RESULTS: Our results show a robust regulation of gastric GDF15 production by fasting in rodents. In obesity an increase in GDF15 secretion from the stomach is reflected with an increase in circulating levels of GDF15 in rats and humans. Moreover, gastric GDF15 levels increase with age in both rats and humans. Finally, gastric GDF15 levels display sexual dimorphism, which could explain the difference in circulating GFD15 levels between males and females, observed in both humans and rodents. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide clear evidence that gastric GDF15 is a critical contributor of circulating GDF15 levels and can explain some of the metabolic effects induced by GDF15.

Performance of the adaptive optics system for Laser Communications Relay Demonstration's Ground Station 1.

The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration is NASA's multi-year demonstration of laser communication from the Earth to a geosynchronous satellite. The mission currently has two optical ground stations (OGSs), with one in California (OGS1) and one in Hawaii (OGS2). Each ground terminal optical system consists of a high-order adaptive optics (AO) system, a laser transmit system, and a camera for target acquisition. The OGS1 AO system is responsible for compensating for the downlink beam for atmospheric turbulence and coupling it into the modem's single mode fiber. The mission requires a coupling efficiency of 50%, which necessitates a high-order AO system. To achieve this performance, the AO system uses two deformable mirrors with one mirror correcting for low-spatial-frequency aberrations with large amplitude and a second deformable mirror correcting for high-spatial-frequency aberrations with small amplitude. Turbulence is sensed with a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor. To meet its performance requirements in the most stressing conditions, the system can operate at frame rates of 20 kHz. This high frame rate is enabled by the design of the real-time control system. We present an overview of both the hardware and software design of the system, and describe the control system and methods of reducing non-common path aberrations. Finally, we show measured system performance.

Pharmacogenetic biomarkers for secukinumab response in psoriasis patients in real-life clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Prediction of the response to a biological treatment in psoriasis patients would allow efficient treatment allocation. OBJECTIVE: To identify polymorphisms associated with secukinumab response in psoriasis patients in a daily practice setting. METHODS: We studied 180 SNPs in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis recruited from 15 Spanish hospitals. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated by absolute PASI ≤3 and ≤1 at 6 and 12 months. Individuals were genotyped using a custom Taqman array. Multiple logistic regression models were generated. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 173 patients were studied at 6 months, (67% achieved absolute PASI ≤ 3 and 65% PASI ≤ 1) and 162 at 12 months (75% achieved absolute PASI ≤ 3 and 64% PASI ≤ 1). Multivariable analysis showed the association of different sets of SNPs with the response to secukinumab. The model of absolute PASI≤3 at 6 months showed best values of sensitivity and specificity. Four SNPs were associated with the capability of achieving absolute PASI ≤ 3 at 6 months. rs1801274 (FCGR2A), rs2431697 (miR-146a) and rs10484554 (HLCw6) were identified as risk factors for failure to achieve absolute PASI≤3, while rs1051738 (PDE4A) was protective. AUC including these genotypes, weight of patients and history of biological therapy was 0.88 (95% CI 0.83-0.94), with a sensitivity of 48.6% and specificity of 95.7% to discriminate between both phenotypes. CONCLUSION: We have identified a series of polymorphisms associated with the response to secukinumab capable of predicting the potential response/non-response to this drug in patients with plaque psoriasis.

Increased synovial immunohistochemistry reactivity of TGF-ß1 in erosive peripheral psoriatic arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Immune and non-immune cells contribute to the pathology of chronic arthritis, and they can contribute to tissue remodeling and repair as well as disease pathogenesis. The present research aimed to analyze inflammation and bone destruction/regeneration biomarkers in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: Samples were obtained from the inflamed knee of patients with knee arthritis who had been referred for undergoing arthroscopies. The synovial membrane was processed for pathological description, IHC analysis, and quantification of mRNA expression ratio by qRT-PCR. Serum levels of TGF-ß1, IL-23, IL-6, IL-17 A, IL-22, Dkk1, Sclerostin, BMP2, BMP4, Wnt1, and Wnt5a were measured by ELISA. All these data were analyzed and compared with the demographic, clinical, blood tests, and radiological characteristics of the patients. RESULTS: The synovial membrane samples were obtained from 42 patients for IHC, extraction, and purification of RNA for synovial mRNA expression analysis, and serum for measuring protein levels from 38 patients. IHC reactivity for TGF-ß1 in the synovial tissue was higher in patients with psoriatic arthritis (p 0.036) and was positively correlated with IL-17 A (r = 0.389, p = 0.012), and Dkk1 (r = 0.388, p = 0.012). Gene expression of the IL-17 A was higher in PsA patients (p = 0.018) and was positively correlated with Dkk1 (r = 0.424, p = 0.022) and negatively correlated with BMP2 (r = -0.396, p = 0.033) and BMP4 (r = -0.472, p = 0.010). It was observed that IHC reactivity for TGF-ß1 was higher in patients with erosive PsA (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: The IHC reactivity of TGF-ß1 in synovial tissue was higher in patients with erosive psoriatic arthritis, and TGF-ß1 was in relation to higher levels of gene expression of IL-17 A and Dkk1.

Structure of

Detailed spectroscopy of the neutron-deficient nucleus ^{36}Ca was obtained up to 9 MeV using the ^{37}Ca(p,d)^{36}Ca and the ^{38}Ca(p,t)^{36}Ca transfer reactions. The radioactive nuclei, produced by the LISE spectrometer at GANIL, interacted with the protons of the liquid hydrogen target CRYPTA, to produce light ejectiles (the deuteron d or triton t) that were detected in the MUST2 detector array, in coincidence with the heavy residues identified by a zero-degree detection system. Our main findings are (i) a similar shift in energy for the 1_{1}^{+} and 2_{1}^{+} states by about -250 keV, as compared with the mirror nucleus ^{36}S; (ii) the discovery of an intruder 0_{2}^{+} state at 2.83(13) MeV, which appears below the first 2^{+} state, in contradiction with the situation in ^{36}S; and (iii) a tentative 0_{3}^{+} state at 4.83(17) MeV, proposed to exhibit a bubble structure with two neutron vacancies in the 2s_{1/2} orbit. The inversion between the 0_{2}^{+} and 2_{1}^{+} states is due to the large mirror energy difference (MED) of -516(130) keV for the former. This feature is reproduced by shell model calculations, using the sd-pf valence space, predicting an almost pure intruder nature for the 0_{2}^{+} state, with two protons (neutrons) being excited across the Z=20 magic closure in ^{36}Ca (^{36}S). This mirror system has the largest MEDs ever observed, if one excludes the few cases induced by the effect of the continuum.

Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure ionization-tandem mass spectrometry method for the migration studies of primary aromatic amines from food contact materials.

This work describes the development of an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of 23 primary aromatic amines (PAAs) that can potentially migrate from food contact materials. The chromatographic separation was performed in a pentafluorophenylpropyl (PFPP) column achieving the separation of all PAAs in less than 6.5 min using water to acetonitrile (0.1% acetic acid in both solvents) as mobile phase and a gradient elution. The feasibility of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) was evaluated as alternative to electrospray ionization (ESI) for the analysis of PAAs. Results showed that for most of the compounds, better responses were obtained with APCI, which shows the advantage of being less susceptible to matrix effects. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) fragmentation studies of [M + H]+ allowed for the selection of the two most characteristic and abundant product ions of the 23 PAAs which led to the development of a selective and sensitive UHPLC-APCI-MS/MS method with limits of detection ranging from 0.2 to 2 µg kg-1. Moreover, intra-day and inter-day precisions of the method in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD%) were lower than 10% and 15%, while trueness as relative error was <15% for most of the compounds. The UHPLC-APCI-MS/MS method was applied to the analysis of twenty black Nylon kitchenware samples that were submitted to migration tests using food simulant B (3% acetic acid, w/v), and the presence of PAAs were detected in eighteen samples at concentrations above the legislated limit (2 µg kg-1 of food or food simulants).

Increasing levels of calcium salts of palm fatty acids affect production responses during the immediate postpartum and carryover periods in dairy cows.

Our objective was to determine the dose-response effects of calcium salts of palm fatty acids (CSPF) on nutrient digestibility and production responses of early-lactation dairy cows grazing on tropical pastures and to evaluate carryover effects throughout mid and late lactation. Forty multiparous dairy cows (Jersey × Holstein) with (mean ± standard error of the mean) 20 ± 1.69 kg of milk/d and 20 ± 5.0 d in milk were used in a randomized complete block design. During the treatment period, all cows were kept in a grazing system. The treatments were offered for 90 d (treatment period) and consisted of 4 increasing levels of CSPF: 0 (0 kg/d), 0.2 (0.2 kg/d), 0.4 (0.4 kg/d), and 0.6 (0.6 kg/d). Each treatment had 10 animals. Increasing CSPF from 0 to 0.6 kg/d replaced an equivalent amount of a corn-based concentrate supplement offered at 10 kg/d on an as-fed basis (8.96 kg/d as a dry matter basis). All cows were housed and received a diet without fat inclusion fed as total mixed ration once a day from 91 to 258 d of the experiment (carryover period). During the treatment period, increasing CSPF linearly decreased dry matter intake (1.20 kg/d), linearly increased neutral detergent fiber digestibility (3.90 percentage units), and quadratically increased total fat digestibility (6.30 percentage units at 0.4 kg/d CSPF). Increasing CSPF linearly increased the yields of milk (4.10 kg/d), milk fat (0.11 kg/d), milk lactose (0.19 kg/d), energy-corrected milk (ECM; 3.30 kg/d), and feed efficiency (ECM/dry matter intake, 0.34 kg/kg), and linearly decreased milk protein content (0.38 g/100 g), body weight change (0.05 kg/d), and body condition score (0.37). We observed interactions between CSPF and time during the carryover period. Overall, CSPF supplementation linearly increased or tended to increase milk yield until 202 d of the experiment with a similar pattern observed for all the other yield variables. In conclusion, supplementing CSPF from 0 to 0.6 kg/d during 90 d increased neutral detergent fiber and total fat digestibility and the yields of milk, milk fat, and ECM in early-lactation dairy cows grazing on tropical pastures. Most production measurements linearly increased during the treatment period, indicating that 0.6 kg/d CSPF was the best dose. Also, supplementing CSPF from 0 to 0.6 kg/d for 90 d during early lactation had positive carryover effects across mid and late lactation.

Allergic sensitization to Storage Dust Mites: a prospective study of patients with respiratory allergy

Summary: Objectives. To describe the prevalence of allergic sensitization to Storage Dust Mites (SDM), access whether the place of living and occupational exposure were determinants for SDM sensitization and study association between Lepidoglyphus destructor and other SDM sensitization. Methods. Prospective analysis of patients evaluated for suspected allergic rhinitis and/or asthma that performed Skin Prick Tests (SPT) to SDM between January and December 2018 in our Department. Results. Two hundred consecutive patients were evaluated for rhinitis and/or asthma in our outpatient consultation: 123 (61.5%) presented positivity for at least one SDM, 68.3% were female and the mean age was 33.1 ± 12.12. Lepidoglyphus destructor (69.9%) was the most prevalent, followed by Tyrophagus putrescentiae (50.4%), Blomia tropicalis and Glycyphagus domesticus (48.8%) and Acarus siro (24.4%). Living in a rural place was not associated with a higher prevalence of sensitization to SDM, except for Acarus siro (p = 0.032), and working in a place with storage areas was not associated with sensitization to any of SDM. Sensitization to Lepidoglyphus destructor was associated with sensitization to Blomia tropicalis, Glycyphagus domesticus and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (p less than 0.005), but not with Acarus siro.Conclusions. Our study suggests that our population, independently of their occupational exposure and place of residency, are sensitized to SDM and that evaluation of sensitization to SDM should be considered as standard practice.

Extenders and cryosolutions for Grumata (Prochilodus vimboides) sperm preservation.

BACKGROUND: Prochilodus vimboides populations are being reduced in rivers due to changes in their habitat, overfishing, urbanization, and pollution. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of sperm extender solutions for short-term storage and cryosolutions for freezing sperm of Prochilodus vimboides. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For short-term storage, the sperm was diluted in 0.9% NaCl, 1.2% NaCl, 5% glucose, 5% BTS, or 6% MIII. Sperm motility was evaluated after 0, 24, 48, and 72 h of short-term storage at 4-6 degree C. For cryopreservation, sperm samples were diluted in the same extenders and factorially combined with three cryoprotectants (dimethylsulfoxide, methyl glycol, and ethylene glycol). After thawing, sperm motility and oxidative stress parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Dilution of samples in BTS preserved sperm motility >40% for up to 48 h. Samples cryopreserved in 5% glucose and methylglycol presented higher sperm motility, lower catalase, and lipid peroxidation activities. CONCLUSION: Prochilodus vimboides sperm can be cooled for up to 48 h in an extender solution of 5% BTS and cryopreserved in 5% glucose and methyl glycol. doi.org/10.54680/fr22410110612.

Bacillus toyonensis BCT-7112T transient supplementation improves vaccine efficacy in ewes vaccinated against Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to examine the vaccine immune response in ewes supplemented with Bacillus toyonensis BCT-7112T during a period of 5-day supplementation before vaccination against a recombinant Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin (rETX). METHODS AND RESULTS: Ewes were vaccinated with 200 µg of rETX adjuvanted with 10% aluminium hydroxide. The treat group was orally supplemented with B. toyonensis BCT-7112T (3 × 108 viable spores) for 5 days prior to the first and second vaccination. Ewes supplemented with B. toyonensis BCT-7112T showed higher neutralizing antibody titres than the non-supplemented ewes (P < 0·05), with an increase in serum levels for total IgG anti-rETX by 3·2-fold (P < 0·0001), and for both IgG isotypes IgG1 and IgG2 by 2·1-fold and 2·3-fold (P < 0·01), respectively, compared with the control group. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells of ewes in the supplemented group had a higher (P < 0·05) cytokine mRNA transcription levels for IL-2 (6·4-fold increase), IFN-γ (2·9-fold increase) and transcription factor Bcl6 (2·3-fold increase) compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: We conclude that a 5 days of supplementation with B. toyonensis BCT-7112T prior vaccination is sufficient to significantly improve the humoral immune response of ewes against C. perfringens recombinant ETX vaccine. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These findings open a new perspective in the utilization of B. toyonensis BCT-7112T as an immunomodulator since a 5 days period of probiotic supplementation is sufficient to improve the vaccine immune response.

Impact of glycerol feeding profiles on STEAP1 biosynthesis by Komagataella pastoris using a methanol-inducible promoter.

Currently, the lack of reliable strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer makes the identification and characterization of new therapeutic targets a pressing matter. Several studies have proposed the Six Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate 1 (STEAP1) as a promising therapeutic target for prostate cancer. Although structural and functional studies may provide deeper insights on the role of STEAP1 in cancer, such techniques require high amounts of purified protein through biotechnological processes. Based on the results presented, this work proposes the application, for the first time, of a fed-batch profile to improve STEAP1 biosynthesis in mini-bioreactor Komagataella pastoris X-33 Mut+ methanol-induced cultures, by evaluating three glycerol feeding profiles-constant, exponential, and gradient-during the pre-induction phase. Interestingly, different glycerol feeding profiles produced differently processed STEAP1. This platform was optimized using a combination of chemical chaperones for ensuring the structural stabilization and appropriate processing of the target protein. The supplementation of culture medium with 6 % (v/v) DMSO and 1 M proline onto a gradient glycerol/constant methanol feeding promoted increased biosynthesis levels of STEAP1 and minimized aggregation events. Deglycosylation assays with peptide N-glycosidase F showed that glycerol constant feed is associated with an N-glycosylated pattern of STEAP1. The biological activity of recombinant STEAP1 was also validated, once the protein enhanced the proliferation of LNCaP and PC3 cancer cells, in comparison with non-tumoral cell cultures. This methodology could be a crucial starting point for large-scale production of active and stable conformation of recombinant human STEAP1. Thus, it could open up new strategies to unveil the structural rearrangement of STEAP1 and to better understand the biological role of the protein in cancer onset and progression.

Effect of kernel processing and particle size of whole-plant corn silage with vitreous endosperm on dairy cow performance.

Kernel processing and theoretical length of cut (TLOC) of whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) can affect feed intake, digestibility, and performance of dairy cows. The objective of this study was to evaluate for lactating dairy cows the effects of kernel processing and TLOC of WPCS with vitreous endosperm. The treatments were a pull-type forage harvester without kernel processor set for a 6-mm TLOC (PT6) and a self-propelled forage harvester with kernel processor set for a 6-mm TLOC (SP6), 12-mm TLOC (SP12), and 18-mm TLOC (SP18). Processing scores of the WPCS were 32.1% (PT6), 53.9% (SP6), 49.0% (SP12), and 40.1% (SP18). Twenty-four Holstein cows (139 ± 63 d in milk) were blocked and assigned to six 4 × 4 Latin squares with 24-d periods (18 d of adaptation). Diets were formulated to contain 48.5% WPCS, 15.5% citrus pulp, 15.0% dry ground corn, 9.5% soybean meal, 6.8% low rumen degradability soybean meal, 1.8% calcium soap of palm fatty acids (FA), 1.7% mineral and vitamin mix, and 1% urea (dry matter basis). Nutrient composition of the diets (% of dry matter) was 16.5% crude protein, 28.9% neutral detergent fiber, and 25.4% starch. Three orthogonal contrasts were used to compare treatments: effect of kernel processing (PT6 vs. SP6) and effect of TLOC (particle size; SP6 vs. SP12 and SP12 vs. SP18). Cows fed SP6 produced 1.2 kg/d greater milk yield with no changes in dry matter intake, resulting in greater feed efficiency compared with PT6. Cows fed SP6 also produced more milk protein (+36 g/d), lactose (+61 g/d), and total solids (+94 g/d) than cows fed PT6. The mechanism for increased yield of milk and milk components involved greater kernel fragmentation, starch digestibility, and glucose availability for lactose synthesis by the mammary gland. However, cows fed SP6 had lower chewing time and tended to have greater levels of serum amyloid A compared with PT6. Milk yield was similar for SP6 and SP12, but SP12 cows tended to have less serum amyloid A with greater chewing time. Cows fed SP18 had lower total-tract starch digestibility and tended to have lower plasma glucose and produce less milk compared with cows fed SP12. Compared with PT6, feeding SP6 raised linear odd-chain FA concentration in milk. Similarly, a reduction of these same FA occurred for SP12 compared with SP6. Cows fed SP6 had greater proportion of milk C14:1 and C16:1 compared with PT6 and SP12. Lesser trans C18:1 followed by greater C18:0 concentrations were observed for SP12 and PT6 compared with SP6, which is an indication of more complete biohydrogenation in the rumen. Under the conditions of this study, the use of a self-propelled forage harvester with kernel processing set for a 12-mm TLOC is recommended for WPCS from hybrids with vitreous endosperm.

Tetanus vaccination in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the global literature.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effect of several factors on the uptake of tetanus vaccination in pregnant women. STUDY DESIGN: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the global literature. METHODS: The search strategy was carried out in the EMBASE and MEDLINE (Pubmed) databases, without language restrictions. The databases were searched from the beginning until May 2020. Fixed and random effect models were applied according to the methodological heterogeneity between the included studies. The I2 test was performed to assess the magnitude of the heterogeneity. The results were presented as a grouped odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The initial search strategy generated 14,349 original articles. In total, 31 studies met all inclusion criteria and 20 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The grouped and subgroup analyses showed a significant association between tetanus vaccination and the following factors: higher number of prenatal visits (OR: 2.00; 95% CI: 1.17-3.42), higher maternal age (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.02-1.50), being single (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.20-1.65), professional vaccine guidance (OR: 9.00; 95% CI: 1.81-44.75) and uptake of influenza vaccine (OR: 5.87; 95% CI: 1.39-24.73). CONCLUSIONS: The uptake of tetanus vaccine in pregnant women is associated with various factors. The identification of these factors is an important step towards the implementation of public health strategies aimed at improving immunisation against tetanus in pregnant women.

Ionic Liquids-A Review of Their Toxicity to Living Organisms.

Ionic liquids (ILs) were initially hailed as a green alternative to traditional solvents because of their almost non-existent vapor pressure as ecological replacement of most common volatile solvents in industrial processes for their damaging effects on the environment. It is common knowledge that they are not as green as desired, and more thought must be put into the biological consequences of their industrial use. Still, compared to the amount of research studying their physicochemical properties and potential applications in different areas, there is a scarcity of scientific papers regarding how these substances interact with different organisms. The intent of this review was to compile the information published in this area since 2015 to allow the reader to better understand how, for example, bacteria, plants, fish, etc., react to the presence of this family of liquids. In general, lipophilicity is one of the main drivers of toxicity and thus the type of cation. The anion tends to play a minor (but not negligible) role, but more research is needed since, owing to the very nature of ILs, except for the most common ones (imidazolium and ammonium-based), many of them are subject to only one or two articles.

The Effects of Testosterone Therapy Combined with Swimming Exercise on Adipose Tissue and Biochemical Parameters in Male Obese Wistar Rats.

Context: Exercise and anabolic steroids are anticipated to promote fat mass reduction and so to decrease the number of comorbidities related to excessive weight. Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the influence of aerobic exercise and the use of steroids on the accumulation of adipose tissue and on the biochemical limitations of Wistar rats nourished by a hypercaloric diet. Methods: Forty, young male Wistar rats were split into four groups: obese control (n=10), obese under treatment (n=10), obese under aerobic exercise (n=10) and obese under aerobic exercise and treatment (n=10). All animals were fed with a hypercaloric diet and animals under treatment received intramuscular testosterone. Body (weight and visceral fat) and blood (lipidogram, glucose, and liver enzymes) parameters were assessed. Results: The group treated with aerobic exercise and testosterone revealed a reduction in body weight and visceral, perirenal, retroperitoneal and epididymal fats, accompanied by the blood levels of glucose, lactate, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and lactate dehydrogenase; following high-intensity physical activity. Conclusion: The results support the theory that the combination of steroids and physical activity reduces the side-effects of androgenic-anabolic hormones and conveys benefits to some constraints.

Infection by Strongyloides stercoralis in immigrants with Chagas disease: evaluation of eosinophilia as screening method in primary care.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate co-infection of Strongyloides stercoralis and Trypanosoma cruzi and to assess eosinophilia as a screening test for the detection of S. stercoralis infection in patients with Chagas disease (CD). METHODS: A retrospective diagnostic validation study was performed on serum samples from primary care patients diagnosed with CD in the southern Barcelona metropolitan area. All samples with eosinophilia (n = 87) and a random sample of non-eosinophilic sera (n = 180) were selected. Diagnosis of CD was based on positive serology by means of two tests: ORTHO® T. cruzi ELISA test, and BIO-FLASH® Chagas or Bioelisa CHAGAS. SCIMEDX ELISA STRONGY-96 was used to diagnose strongyloidiasis. RESULTS: Strongyloides stercoralis serology was positive in 15% of patients of whom 95% showed eosinophilia, vs. 21% of those with negative serology (P < 0.001), with differences in the mean eosinophil count (0.49 vs. 0.27 × 109 /l). Only 1.1% of patients with CD but without eosinophilia presented positive serology for S. stercoralis, whereas 44% of patients with CD and eosinophilia did (P < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity values for eosinophilia were thus 95% and 79%, respectively. PPV was 42.5% and NPV, 98.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of co-infection by T. cruzi and S. stercoralis is not negligible and has probably been underestimated for years in many areas, due to frequently subclinical infections. Therefore, serology seems mandatory for these patients and the use of eosinophilia as initial screening could facilitate the task, decreasing the number of analyses to be performed.

OBJECTIFS: Evaluer la coinfection par Strongyloides stercoralis et Trypanosoma cruzi et évaluer éosinophilie comme un test de dépistage pour la détection de l'infection à S. stercoralis chez les patients atteints de la maladie de Chagas (MC). MÉTHODES: Une étude de validation diagnostique rétrospective a été réalisée sur des échantillons de sérum de patients de soins primaires diagnostiqués avec la MC dans la région métropolitaine du sud de Barcelone. Tous les échantillons avec éosinophilie (n = 87) et un échantillon aléatoire de sérums non éosinophiliques (n = 180) ont été sélectionnés. Le diagnostic de la MC était basé sur une sérologie positive au moyen de deux tests: le test ELISA ORTHO® T. cruzi et le test BIO-FLASH® Chagas ou Bioelisa CHAGAS. SCIMEDX ELISA STRONGY-96 a été utilisé pour diagnostiquer la strongyloïdose. RÉSULTATS: La sérologie de S. stercoralis était positive chez 15% des patients dont 95% présentaient une éosinophilie, contre 21% de ceux avec une sérologie négative (P <0,001), avec des différences dans le taux moyen d'éosinophiles (0,49 contre 0,27 × 109 /L). Seuls 1,1% des patients avec la MC mais sans éosinophilie présentaient une sérologie positive pour S. stercoralis ; contrairement à 44% des patients atteints de la MC avec une éosinophilie (p <0,001). Les valeurs de sensibilité et de spécificité pour l'éosinophilie étaient ainsi respectivement de 95% et 79%. La VPP était de 42,5% et la VPN, 98,9%. CONCLUSIONS: La prévalence de la coinfection par T. cruzi et S. stercoralis n'est pas négligeable et a probablement été sous-estimée depuis des années dans de nombreuses régions, en raison d'infections fréquemment infracliniques. Par conséquent, la sérologie semble obligatoire pour ces patients et l'utilisation de l'éosinophilie comme dépistage initial pourrait faciliter la tâche, diminuant le nombre d'analyses à effectuer.