Functional immune assay using interferon-gamma could predict infectious events in end-stage kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Infections remain the second most common cause of death in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). We aimed to evaluate non-specific cell-mediated immunity in an ESKD cohort using a functional assay applicable to routine use, QuantiFERON-Monitor (Qiagen), and assess whether it can predict infectious events. METHODS: In this prospective study, we performed the QuantiFERON-Monitor test in 80 subjects including 54 patients with ESKD. QuantiFERON-Monitor is based on the measurement of plasma interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) after stimulation of NK-cells with a TLR-7 agonist, and T-cells with a TCR agonist. Patients were subsequently followed for 6 to 12 months. RESULTS: QuantiFERON-Monitor showed lower stimulated IFN-γ production in ESKD patients (n = 54) compared to healthy donors (n = 19) (p < 0.0001) and to chronic kidney disease stage 3-4 patients (n = 7) (hemodialysis (n = 30): p < 0.01; peritoneal dialysis (n = 13): p = 0.03 and ESKD on conservative management (n = 11): p < 0.001). No significant difference in stimulated IFN-γ production was observed between ESKD patients with renal replacement therapies or conservative management. Stimulated IFN-γ production was significantly lower in patients later developing infections (13.9 [5.5-48.3] IU/mL vs 85.8 [35.5-236] IU/mL, p = 0.007). Using ROC analysis, we identified a cutoff value of 63.55 IU/mL (sensitivity = 80.95%, specificity = 79.17%, AUC = 0.78, p = 0.008) to discriminate patients at higher risk of infections. Patients with stimulated IFN-γ levels measured by QuantiFERON Monitor below 63.55 IU/mL (n = 21) had a hazard ratio of 10.71 ([3.68-31.13], p < 0.0001) for the development of subsequent infections. CONCLUSION: Monitoring of IFN-γ production after stimulation of innate and adaptive immunity may identify ESKD patients with high risk of infection. This allows for therapeutic interventions to restore cellular immunity, thereby minimizing both infections and rejections after kidney-transplantation.

Meat quality of young Nellore bulls with low and high residual feed intake.

Fifty-nine Nellore bulls from low and high residual feed intake (RFI) levels were studied with the objective of evaluating meat quality traits. Animals were slaughtered when ultrasound-measured backfat thickness reached 4mm, and samples of Longissimus were collected. A mixed model including RFI as fixed effect and herd and diet as random effects was used, and least square means were compared by t-test. More efficient animals consumed 0.730 kg dry matter/day less than less efficient animals, with similar performance. No significant differences in carcass weight, prime meat cuts proportion, chemical composition, pH, sarcomere length, or color were observed between RFI groups. Shear force, myofibrillar fragmentation index and soluble collagen content were influenced by RFI, with a higher shear force and soluble collagen content and a lower fragmentation index in low RFI animals. Feedlot-finished low RFI young Nellore bulls more efficiently convert feed into meat, presenting carcasses within quality standards.

Parâmetros digestivos e produção de proteína microbiana em novilhas em crescimento compensatório / Digestive parameters and protein microbial production in heifers under compensatory growth

Avaliaram-se o manejo para crescimento compensatório e o efeito da suplementação com ionóforo na dieta sobre os parâmetros digestivos e sobre a produção de proteína microbiana de novilhas leiteiras. Foram utilizadas 20 animais puros da raça Pardo-Suíça, com média de peso inicial de 200kg aos cinco meses de idade. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em um esquema fatorial 2x2x2, e os animais foram alocados, aleatoriamente, em cada uma das combinações. O fator 1 consistiu dos sistemas de alimentação (convencional e crescimento compensatório), o fator 2, da utilização (200mg de monensina/animal/dia) ou não de ionóforo e o fator 3, dos períodos de alimentação (P1 e P2). A inclusão de ionóforo na dieta aumentou os coeficientes de digestibilidade total da matéria seca, da matéria orgânica, dos carboidratos totais e da fibra em detergente neutro. Não houve efeito do sistema de alimentação, da adição de ionóforo à dieta e do período sobre a produção microbiana. A eficiência microbiana (g PB microbiana/kg de NDT consumido) no período de restrição foi maior que no período de realimentação.

The effects of compensatory growth and ionophore supplementation of diet of dairy heifer on digestive parameters and protein microbial production were evaluated. Twenty five-month-old Brown-Swiss heifers averaging 200kg b.w. were used. The treatments were arranged in a factorial design (2x2x2) with the animals randomly allocated to each of the combinations. Factor 1 was based on the feeding systems (conventional and compensatory growth), factor 2 on ionophore supplementation option (200mg of monensin/animal/day or not) and factor 3, on the feeding periods (P1 and P2). The diet supplemented with ionophore increased the total digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, total carbohydrates, and neutral detergent fiber. No effect of feeding systems, ionophore supplementation, or feeding periods based on microbial production was oberved. The microbial efficiency (g of microbial crude protein/kg of NDT intake) during the restriction period was higher than the re-feeding period.