Methods to Evaluate Ruminant Animal Production Responses

In experiment 1, 80 steers (197.0 kg initial body weight; BW for fall, 116.9 kg for spring), were stocked at 2.45 and 4.1 calves/ha in fall and spring, respectively in 16 tall fescue pastures [fall ergovaline (EV) = 1,475 ppb and spring EV = 1,173 ppb] under 2 treatments, mineral (MIN) (n = 8) and cumulative management (CM) (n = 8). Forage allowance did not differ (P = 0.76) between CM and MIN during fall but differed during spring (P ≤ 0.05, 2.55 vs. 3.22 kg DM/kg BW, for MIN and CM, respectively). For fall, average daily gain (ADG) resulted in 0.41 × EV for MIN and 1.05 × EV for CM. For spring, ADG resulted in 0.80 × EV for MIN and 0.94 EV for CM resulting in an increase of ADG for CM as the level of EV increased. In experiment 2, steers (n = 3) were fitted with a device (Icetag; IceRobotics) strapped to left metatarsus that measured motion activity while on varying levels of EV toxicity. Initial lying bouts for CM were 18.4 but decreased by 0.9 bouts for every 1,000 ppb EV increase. Period 2 resulted in standing time for MIN calves of 858.01 min/day (14.3 h/d) whereas CM calves spent 792.01 min/day (13.2 h/d) standing and CM calves took 20% more steps daily than MIN calves. For every 1,000 ppb increase in EV, steps decreased by 275. In experiment 3, calves (n = 4) grazed long sward regrowth (LSR) or short sward regrowth (SSR) tall fescue and alfalfa paddocks for forage quality, visual observations, rumen volatile fatty acids and diet selectivity measurements. No differences in these behavior measurements were observed for either forage (P \u3c 0.05). Within fescue paddocks, ruminal ammonia, total volatile fatty acids (VFA), acetate, and the branch-chain VFA were greater from SSR vs. LSR (P \u3c 0.05), but these differences were not observed (P ≥ 0.11) on alfalfa paddocks. In summary, the effect of combined management strategies offers potential to cope with toxicity in tall fescue pastures. Grazing activities of cattle grazing tall fescue or alfalfa may influence intake, but further research is needed to determine these behavioral modifications when differences in sward height are small

Characterization of the European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Gonadal Transcriptome During Sexual Development

The European sea bass is one of the most important cultured fish in Europe and has a marked sexual growth dimorphism in favor of females. It is a gonochoristic species with polygenic sex determination, where a combination between still undifferentiated genetic factors and environmental temperature determines sex ratios. The molecular mechanisms responsible for gonadal sex differentiation are still unknown. Here, we sampled fish during the gonadal developmental period (110 to 350 days post fertilization, dpf), and performed a comprehensive transcriptomic study by using a species-specific microarray. This analysis uncovered sex-specific gonadal transcriptomic profiles at each stage of development, identifying larger number of differentially expressed genes in ovaries when compared to testis. The expression patterns of 54 reproduction-related genes were analyzed. We found that hsd17β10 is a reliable marker of early ovarian differentiation. Further, three genes, pdgfb, snx1, and nfy, not previously related to fish sex differentiation, were tightly associated with testis development in the sea bass. Regarding signaling pathways, lysine degradation, bladder cancer, and NOD-like receptor signaling were enriched for ovarian development while eight pathways including basal transcription factors and steroid biosynthesis were enriched for testis development. Analysis of the transcription factor abundance showed an earlier increase in females than in males. Our results show that, although many players in the sex differentiation pathways are conserved among species, there are peculiarities in gene expression worth exploring. The genes identified in this study illustrate the diversity of players involved in fish sex differentiation and can become potential biomarkers for the management of sex ratios in the European sea bass and perhaps other cultured species

Percepciones y actitudes de alumnos de la licenciatura en medicina sobre el uso del modelo de aprendizaje basado en simulación: Un estudio Mixto

The model of learning based on simulation in the teaching of medical schools is a tool that has contributed in recent decades to the acquisition of clinical skills and abilities in medical students, as well as communication skills and the doctor-patient relationship, all of which help to have an optimal development of when performing medical procedures with patients, thus avoiding iatrogenesis and medical malpractice. A little evaluated aspect is the perceptions and attitudes that students have towards the simulation model, which can help to understand how the experience of the model is in undergraduate medical students. Methods: A study with 354 students from the 1st to 9th semester of medicine from UVM Zapopan indicates that information on how they evaluate their experience with the model, 35 of these participants were selected to perform a semi-structured interview to deepen their perceptions and attitudes. Results: 83 percent identify the model of learning based on simulation and consider it also of high impact for their training, 8 of 10 respondents report having greater self-confidence, and 81 percent improve their clinical skills. From the qualitative interviews, relevant topics identified are the following: experiences in classes, learning, development of self-confidence, advantages, limitations, and suggestions -with positive evaluation-. However, the perception is ambivalent in self-confidence. Conclusion: the transition to the model of learning based on simulation is well and achieves adequate development of competencies.Introducción: El Modelo de Aprendizaje Basado en Simulación utilizado en la enseñanza médica, es una herramienta que ha contribuido con la adquisición de competencias clínicas y habilidades de comunicación médico-paciente en los estudiantes, favoreciendo un conocimiento óptimo y mayor seguridad en la ejecución de habilidades y destrezas, razonamiento clínico, pensamiento crítico, liderazgo y trabajo en equipo al realizar procedimientos médicos con pacientes reales, minimizando iatrogenias e impericia. Un aspecto poco evaluado son las percepciones y actitudes de los alumnos ante este modelo, lo que puede ayudar a entender cómo es la vivencia del modelo en los alumnos de pregrado de medicina. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio con 354 alumnos de 1-9 semestre de medicina de UVM Zapopan, se les realizó una encuesta que obtuvo información de cómo evalúan su vivencia   con el modelo, se seleccionaron 25 de estos participantes para realizar una entrevista semiestructurada para profundizar en sus percepciones y actitudes. Resultados: 83% identifica el Modelo Educativo Basado en Simulación y además lo consideran de gran importancia para su formación, 8 de cada 10 encuestados refieren tener mayor autoconfianza y el 81% mejora sus habilidades y destrezas clínicas. A partir de las entrevistas cualitativas se identificaron 5 temas centrales: experiencias en clases, aprendizajes, desarrollo de autoconfianza, ventajas y limitaciones y sugerencias, en general, evaluadas positivamente sin embargo la percepción es ambivalente en la autoconfianza. Conclusión: La transición hacia un modelo basado en simulación es bien aceptada y logra un adecuado desarrollo de competencias.

Influence of Pressure and Temperature on the Flexible Behavior of Iron-Based MIL-53 with the CO 2 Host: A Comprehensive Experimental and DFT Study

This research focuses on developing MIL-53-type compounds with Fe obtained with ligands derived from PET waste, followed by the controlled addition of hydrofluoric acid (HF). Incorporating HF into the MOF structure induced substantial changes in the material textural properties, resulting in a significant change in CO2 adsorption. Furthermore, a distinctive structural alteration (breathing effect) was observed in the CO2 isotherms at different temperatures; these structural changes have not been observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) because this characterization has been performed at room temperature, whereas the adsorption experiments were conducted at 260, 273, and 303 K and different pressures. Subsequently, DFT studies were performed to investigate the CO2-filling mechanisms and elucidate the material respiration effect. This approach offers promising opportunities for sustainable materials with improved gas adsorption properties.Fil: Villarroel Rocha, Dimar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich"; ArgentinaFil: Villarroel Rocha, Jhonny. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich"; ArgentinaFil: Amaya Roncancio, Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich"; ArgentinaFil: García Carvajal, Angie Celene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich"; ArgentinaFil: Barrera Diaz, Deicy Amparo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich"; ArgentinaFil: Arroyo Gomez, Jose Joaquin. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Torres Ceron, Darwin Augusto. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Restrepo Parra, Elisabeth. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Sapag, Manuel Karim. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich". Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto de Física Aplicada "Dr. Jorge Andrés Zgrablich"; Argentin

A single-oral bolus of 100,000 IU of cholecalciferol at hospital admission did not improve outcomes in the COVID-19 disease: the COVID-VIT-D—a randomised multicentre international clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D status has been implicated in COVID-19 disease. The objective of the COVID-VIT-D trial was to investigate if an oral bolus of cholecalciferol (100,000 IU) administered at hospital admission influences the outcomes of moderate-severe COVID-19 disease. In the same cohort, the association between baseline serum calcidiol levels with the same outcomes was also analysed. METHODS: The COVID-VIT-D is a multicentre, international, randomised, open label, clinical trial conducted throughout 1 year. Patients older than 18 years with moderate-severe COVID-19 disease requiring hospitalisation were included. At admission, patients were randomised 1:1 to receive a single oral bolus of cholecalciferol (n=274) or nothing (n=269). Patients were followed from admission to discharge or death. Length of hospitalisation, admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality were assessed. RESULTS: In the randomised trial, comorbidities, biomarkers, symptoms and drugs used did not differ between groups. Median serum calcidiol in the cholecalciferol and control groups were 17.0 vs. 16.1 ng/mL at admission and 29.0 vs. 16.4 ng/mL at discharge, respectively. The median length of hospitalisation (10.0 [95%CI 9.0-10.5] vs. 9.5 [95%CI 9.0-10.5] days), admission to ICU (17.2% [95%CI 13.0-22.3] vs. 16.4% [95%CI 12.3-21.4]) and death rate (8.0% [95%CI 5.2-12.1] vs. 5.6% [95%CI 3.3-9.2]) did not differ between the cholecalciferol and control group. In the cohort analyses, the highest serum calcidiol category at admission (>25ng/mL) was associated with lower percentage of pulmonary involvement and better outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The randomised clinical trial showed the administration of an oral bolus of 100,000 IU of cholecalciferol at hospital admission did not improve the outcomes of the COVID-19 disease. A cohort analysis showed that serum calcidiol at hospital admission was associated with outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: COVID-VIT-D trial was authorised by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health products (AEMPS) and registered in European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials (EudraCT 2020-002274-28) and in ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT04552951 )

Non-productive angiogenesis disassembles Aß plaque-associated blood vessels

The human Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain accumulates angiogenic markers but paradoxically, the cerebral microvasculature is reduced around Aß plaques. Here we demonstrate that angiogenesis is started near Aß plaques in both AD mouse models and human AD samples. However, endothelial cells express the molecular signature of non-productive angiogenesis (NPA) and accumulate, around Aß plaques, a tip cell marker and IB4 reactive vascular anomalies with reduced NOTCH activity. Notably, NPA induction by endothelial loss of presenilin, whose mutations cause familial AD and which activity has been shown to decrease with age, produced a similar vascular phenotype in the absence of Aß pathology. We also show that Aß plaque-associated NPA locally disassembles blood vessels, leaving behind vascular scars, and that microglial phagocytosis contributes to the local loss of endothelial cells. These results define the role of NPA and microglia in local blood vessel disassembly and highlight the vascular component of presenilin loss of function in AD

Hypoxia compromises the mitochondrial metabolism of Alzheimer’s disease microglia via HIF1

Genetic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk factors associate with reduced defensive amyloid β plaque-associated microglia (AβAM), but the contribution of modifiable AD risk factors to microglial dysfunction is unknown. In AD mouse models, we observe con- comitant activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) pathway and transcription of mitochondrial-related genes in AβAM, and elongation of mitochondria, a cellular response to maintain aerobic respiration under low nutrient and oxygen conditions. Overactivation of HIF1 induces microglial quiescence in cellulo, with lower mitochondrial respiration and proliferation. In vivo, overstabilization of HIF1, either genetically or by exposure to systemic hypoxia, reduces AβAM clustering and proliferation and increases Aβ neuropathology. In the human AD hippocampus, upregulation of HIF1α and HIF1 target genes correlates with reduced Aβ plaque microglial coverage and an increase of Aβ plaque-associated neuropathology. Thus, hypoxia (a modifiable AD risk factor) hijacks microglial mitochondrial metabolism and converges with genetic susceptibility to cause AD microglial dysfunction

Comparison of seven prognostic tools to identify low-risk pulmonary embolism in patients aged <50 years

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