Cold markedly influences milk yield of Sardinian dairy sheep farms

The effects of cold stress on milk production have been widely examined in cattle and goats but little studied in dairy sheep. For this reason, the milk production of 10 dairy sheep farms, located throughout the Sardinian island, was analysed in relation to winter and early-spring meteorological conditions. From January 1st to March 31st, in 2003 and 2004, bulk milk production data were collected every 48 hours. From January 15th to April 30th of the same years, bulk milk production was also measured daily in five out of the ten studied farms. During the same periods, meteorological data were collected from stations of the Weather Forecast Service of Sardinia located near the farms. To determine the effects of meteorological conditions on milk yield, analysis of variance using the SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) mixed procedure was performed. The results showed that minimum and mean temperatures, as well as number of hours under a critical threshold temperature (-3 °C, 0 °C and 3 °C), influenced milk yield, with a progressive decrease in milk yield as unfavourable cold conditions increased. In particular, as minimum temperatures decreased from the optimal values of 9-12 °C down to -3 °C, milk yield decreased by 25% (0.30 kg/d per head), with relevant decreases as temperatures went below 0-3 °C. In addition, in the daily dataset decreases up to 30% (0.40 kg/d per head) in milk yield occurred, as mean temperatures went below the optimal values of 15-18 °C. Other factors such as maximum temperature, wind speed, rainfall, relative humidity, Wind Chill Index (WCI) and number of hours under 7 °C and 10 °C did not significantly influence milk yield. The only interaction that significantly influenced milk yield was that between wind speed and number of hours under -3 °C. In fact, in particularly cold days, wind increased animal discomfort, thus negatively influencing milk production. Non significant variations occurred between the two years studied, while production differed significantly among farms, probably due to differences in their managerial techniques. In conclusion, cold stress can markedly decrease milk yield of dairy ewes even in Mediterranean climatic conditions

Effects of heat stress on milk yield in Sardinian dairy sheep farms

The effects of heat stress on milk production of dairy ewes have been very little studied, especially under Mediterranean conditions. For this reason, such effects were studied in ten Sarda dairy sheep farms associated to the Sardinian Breeders Association, located throughout Sardinia. They had whole farm milk yield records registered every 48 hours from April 1st until July 15th, in the years 2003 and 2004. Meteorological data were obtained from data collected by meteorological stations of the Weather Forecast Service of Sardinia located near each farm. To determine the effects of meteorological conditions on milk yield, analysis of variance using the SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) mixed procedure was performed. The results showed that Sarda dairy sheep were highly sensitive to high temperatures, especially when they persisted for long periods. All analysed meteorological factors, except for wind speed, significantly influenced milk yield. Milk yield was more influenced by minimum air temperatures than by any other meteorological parameter. Increases in minimum temperatures from the optimal range of 9-12 °C up to 27-30 °C caused on average a decrease in milk yield of 36% (0.35 kg/d per head). The highest milk yields were observed at maximum air temperatures ranging from 24 to 30 °C and at mean temperatures varying from 15 to 18 °C, with progressive decreases, up to 20% (about 0.22 kg/d per head), at higher temperatures. The effects of duration of temperatures higher than some threshold values on milk yield were also relevant. Optimal air relative humidity for milk production was between 65 and 75%, in accordance with values reported in the literature. Rainfall negatively influenced milk yield, probably because it disturbs grazing, with decreases up to 23% (0.20 kg/d per head) under conditions of 6 mm-cumulative rainfall in two days. Milk production was also influenced by Temperature Humidity Index (THI), with a decrement of 25% (0.23 kg/d per head) as THI increased from 60-65 to 72-75.Wind influenced milk yield only when associated with other meteorological factors; it alleviated the negative effects of heat stress on milk yield at higher speed values. In conclusion, despite of their small body size, which should favour heat exchange and thermoregulation, milk yield of Sarda ewes was markedly reduced by heat stress

Design of bendable high-frequency circuits based on short-channel InGaZnO TFTs

A unique requirement of flexible electronic systems is the need to simultaneously optimize their electrical and mechanical performance. Amorphous InGaZnO thin-film transistors (TFTs) fabricated on free-standing large-area plastic substrates address this issue by providing a carrier mobility >10 cm 2 /Vs, and bendability down to radii as small as 25 μm. At the same time, limitations such as a constrained minimum lateral feature size, the lack of appropriate p-type materials, or the influence of strain have to be considered when designing circuits. Here, models describing the scaling and bending behavior of flexible InGaZnO TFTs, together with the design of strain insensitive circuits operating at megahertz frequencies are presented

Flexible InGaZnO TFTs with fmax above 300 MHz

n this letter, the AC performance and influence of bending on flexible IGZO thin-film transistors, exhibiting a maximum oscillation frequency (maximum power gain frequency) fmax beyond 300 MHz, are presented. Self-alignment was used to realize TFTs with channel length down to 0.5 μm. The layout of this TFTs was optimized for good AC performance. Besides the channel dimensions this includes ground-signal-ground contact pads. The AC performance of this short channel devices was evaluated by measuring their two port scattering parameters. These measurements were used to extract the unity gain power frequency from the maximum stable gain and the unilateral gain. The two complimentary definitions result in fmax values of (304 ± 12)MHz and (398 ± 53) MHz, respectively. Furthermore, the transistor performance is not significantly altered by mechanical strain. Here, fmax reduces by 3.6% when a TFT is bent to a tensile radius of 3.5 mm

650 Quality of life of patients with end stage heart failure treated with left ventricular assist devices

Abstract Aims Nowadays continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have become a reality for patients with end-stage heart failure (HF) who are failing maximal medical treatment, both eligible or not for heart transplantation. LVADs have demonstrated to improve functional capacity and clinical outcomes, including breathing and activity tolerance, but the impact on patients quality of life (QoL) is still a vexed and open question. Moreover, the device implantation actually requires significant life style changes, high motivation and adherence to treatment, both for patients and their caregivers. Patients must learn to live with the device and to interface with the controller and batteries system, adjusting everyday life's activities to the device presence. The purpose of our study is to evaluate how the implantation of HeartMate 3™ impact on patients-related QoL and clinical outcomes, compared with general population and other chronic diseases. Methods and results Eight patients (pts) with a diagnosis of end-stage HF were implanted with the HeartMate 3™ LVAD from May 2017 to October 2019 in the Cardiac Surgery Unit of Brotzu Hospital. During a follow-up visit (28.7 ± 11.9 months after surgery), the 7 pts presenting were assessed with two questionnaires, the SF-12 and EuroQoL-5D, in order to evaluate improvement of quality of life compared with clinical presentation. Afterwards we compared the average SF-12 total result with 28 controls from general population and with other important chronic diseases. The analysis of SF-12 questionnaires showed an average of 28.00 ± 8.98 (VN: 12–47) as total score, 11.7 ± 3.4 (VN: 6–20) as physical health component score and 16.2 ± 6.5 (VN: 6–27) as mental health component score. These findings, though within the range of 'normality', are closer to the lower scores and show the negative impact of LVAD in everyday patients-related quality of life. Comparing the NYHA functional class with these results, we found a statistically significant negative linear correlation for both total (−0.80, P = 0.03) and mental health component scores (−0.75, P = 0.049). Average total score of our pts significatively differs compared with 28 controls of general population (28.00 ± 8.98 vs. 38.64 ± 6.80, P = 0.014), as well as compared with other chronic diseases like Wilson's disease (P < 0.001), celiac disease (P < 0.001), obsessive-compulsive disorder (P < 0.001), panic disorder (P < 0.001), major depressive disorder (P = 0.009), multiple sclerosis (P < 0.011), food disorders (P = 0.023), and carotid atherosclerosis (P = 0.049). The EuroQoL-5D questionnaire investigates five particular 'dimensions' of the subjectively perceived health-related quality of life (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) and shows similar. We found a poor average score at Visual Analogue Scale (58.5 ± 18.86) and a statistically significant negative linear correlation with NYHA functional class (−0.76, P = 0.046). The 42.86% referred no pain or discomfort and in the other four dimensions most of them reported 'moderate limitations', both physical or mental, especially for self-care domain (85.71%), as inevitable result of the device's size. Conclusions LVAD can improve clinical outcomes and functional capacity of carefully select pts with end-stage HF, but the complications encountered during mechanical support and the lifestyle changes required can affect negatively patients well-being. Many studies have shown that most patients experience significant improvement even in QoL's perception but for others the device have a negative impact on many aspects of normal daily living as well as emotional, mental and social functioning. Our study confirms this conflicting results: physical related-quality of life improves after LVAD implantation but emotional and psychological distress may persist, especially during long-term support, as a result of complications, co-morbidities and personal's attitudes, values and way of life

Enteric α-synuclein impairs intestinal epithelial barrier through caspase-1-inflammasome signaling in Parkinson's disease before brain pathology

Bowel inflammation, impaired intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB), and gut dysbiosis could represent early events in Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study examined, in a descriptive manner, the correlation among enteric α-synuclein, bowel inflammation, impairments of IEB and alterations of enteric bacteria in a transgenic (Tg) model of PD before brain pathology. Human A53T α-synuclein Tg mice were sacrificed at 3, 6, and 9 months of age to evaluate concomitance of enteric inflammation, IEB impairments, and enteric bacterial metabolite alterations during the early phases of α-synucleinopathy. The molecular mechanisms underlying the interplay between α-synuclein, activation of immune/inflammatory responses and IEB alterations were investigated with in vitro experiments in cell cultures. Tg mice displayed an increase in colonic levels of IL-1β, TNF, caspase-1 activity and enteric glia activation since 3 months of age. Colonic TLR-2 and zonulin-1 expression were altered in Tg mice as compared with controls. Lipopolysaccharide levels were increased in Tg animals at 3 months, while fecal butyrate and propionate levels were decreased. Co-treatment with lipopolysaccharide and α-synuclein promoted IL-1β release in the supernatant of THP-1 cells. When applied to Caco-2 cells, the THP- 1-derived supernatant decreased zonulin-1 and occludin expression. Such an effect was abrogated when THP-1 cells were incubated with YVAD (caspase-1 inhibitor) or when Caco-2 were incubated with anakinra, while butyrate incubation did not prevent such decrease. Taken together, early enteric α-synuclein accumulation contributes to compromise IEB through the direct activation of canonical caspase-1-dependent inflammasome signaling. These changes could contribute both to bowel symptoms as well as central pathology.Bowel inflammation, impaired intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB), and gut dysbiosis could represent early events in Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study examined, in a descriptive manner, the correlation among enteric α-synuclein, bowel inflammation, impairments of IEB and alterations of enteric bacteria in a transgenic (Tg) model of PD before brain pathology. Human A53T α-synuclein Tg mice were sacrificed at 3, 6, and 9 months of age to evaluate concomitance of enteric inflammation, IEB impairments, and enteric bacterial metabolite alterations during the early phases of α-synucleinopathy. The molecular mechanisms underlying the interplay between α-synuclein, activation of immune/inflammatory responses and IEB alterations were investigated with in vitro experiments in cell cultures. Tg mice displayed an increase in colonic levels of IL-1β, TNF, caspase-1 activity and enteric glia activation since 3 months of age. Colonic TLR-2 and zonulin-1 expression were altered in Tg mice as compared with controls. Lipopolysaccharide levels were increased in Tg animals at 3 months, while fecal butyrate and propionate levels were decreased. Co-treatment with lipopolysaccharide and α-synuclein promoted IL-1β release in the supernatant of THP-1 cells. When applied to Caco-2 cells, the THP-1-derived supernatant decreased zonulin-1 and occludin expression. Such an effect was abrogated when THP-1 cells were incubated with YVAD (caspase-1 inhibitor) or when Caco-2 were incubated with anakinra, while butyrate incubation did not prevent such decrease. Taken together, early enteric α-synuclein accumulation contributes to compromise IEB through the direct activation of canonical caspase-1-dependent inflammasome signaling. These changes could contribute both to bowel symptoms as well as central pathology

Incidence and Determinants of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Breakthrough Infections After Booster Dose in a Large European Multicentric Cohort of Health Workers-ORCHESTRA Project

Background: SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections (BI) after vaccine booster dose are a relevant public health issue. Methods: Multicentric longitudinal cohort study within the ORCHESTRA project, involving 63,516 health workers (HW) from 14 European settings. The study investigated the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 BI after booster dose and its correlation with age, sex, job title, previous infection, and time since third dose. Results: 13,093 (20.6%) BI were observed. The cumulative incidence of BI was higher in women and in HW aged < 50 years, but nearly halved after 60 years. Nurses experienced the highest BI incidence, and administrative staff experienced the lowest. The BI incidence was higher in immunosuppressed HW (28.6%) vs others (24.9%). When controlling for gender, age, job title and infection before booster, heterologous vaccination reduced BI incidence with respect to the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine [Odds Ratio (OR) 0.69, 95% CI 0.63-0.76]. Previous infection protected against asymptomatic infection [Relative Risk Ratio (RRR) of recent infection vs no infection 0.53, 95% CI 0.23-1.20] and even more against symptomatic infections [RRR 0.11, 95% CI 0.05-0.25]. Symptomatic infections increased from 70.5% in HW receiving the booster dose since < 64 days to 86.2% when time elapsed was > 130 days. Conclusions: The risk of BI after booster is significantly reduced by previous infection, heterologous vaccination, and older ages. Immunosuppression is relevant for increased BI incidence. Time elapsed from booster affects BI severity, confirming the public health usefulness of booster. Further research should focus on BI trend after 4th dose and its relationship with time variables across the epidemics.BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections (BI) after vaccine booster dose are a relevant public health issue.MethodsMulticentric longitudinal cohort study within the ORCHESTRA project, involving 63,516 health workers (HW) from 14 European settings. The study investigated the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 BI after booster dose and its correlation with age, sex, job title, previous infection, and time since third dose.Results13,093 (20.6%) BI were observed. The cumulative incidence of BI was higher in women and in HW aged < 50 years, but nearly halved after 60 years. Nurses experienced the highest BI incidence, and administrative staff experienced the lowest. The BI incidence was higher in immunosuppressed HW (28.6%) vs others (24.9%). When controlling for gender, age, job title and infection before booster, heterologous vaccination reduced BI incidence with respect to the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine [Odds Ratio (OR) 0.69, 95% CI 0.63-0.76]. Previous infection protected against asymptomatic infection [Relative Risk Ratio (RRR) of recent infection vs no infection 0.53, 95% CI 0.23-1.20] and even more against symptomatic infections [RRR 0.11, 95% CI 0.05-0.25]. Symptomatic infections increased from 70.5% in HW receiving the booster dose since < 64 days to 86.2% when time elapsed was > 130 days.ConclusionsThe risk of BI after booster is significantly reduced by previous infection, heterologous vaccination, and older ages. Immunosuppression is relevant for increased BI incidence. Time elapsed from booster affects BI severity, confirming the public health usefulness of booster. Further research should focus on BI trend after 4th dose and its relationship with time variables across the epidemics

Long-Lasting Efficacy of Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer Neuromodulation Treatment on Functional Dysmetria, an Adaptive Motor Behavior

BackgroundFluctuating asymmetry (FA) is widely defined as the deviation from perfect bilateral symmetry and is considered an epigenetic measure of environmental stress. Rinaldi and Fontani hypothesized that the FA morpho-functional changes originate from an adaptive motor behavior determined by functional alterations in the cerebellum and neural circuits, not caused by a lesion, but induced by environmental stress. They called this phenomenon functional dysmetria (FD). On this premise, they developed the radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology, a neuromodulation technology aimed at optimizing the best neuro-psycho-motor strategies in relation to environmental interaction.AimsPrevious studies showed that specific REAC neuro postural optimization (NPO) treatment can induce stable FD recovery. This study aimed to verify the duration of the NPO effect in inducing the stable FD recovery over timeMaterials and methodsData were retrospectively collected from a population of 29,794 subjects who underwent a specific semiological FD assessment and received the NPO treatment, regardless of the pathology referred.ResultsThe analysis of the data collected by the various participants in the study led us to ascertain the disappearance of FD in 100% of the cases treated, with a stability of the result detected up to 18 years after the single administration of the REAC NPO treatment.ConclusionsThe REAC NPO neurobiological modulation treatment consisting of a single administration surprisingly maintains a very long efficacy in the correction of FD. This effect can be explained as the long-lasting capacity of the NPO treatment to induce greater functional efficiency of the brain dynamics as proven in previous studies

SARS-CoV-2 Breakthrough Infections: Incidence and Risk Factors in a Large European Multicentric Cohort of Health Workers

The research aimed to investigate the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections and their determinants in a large European cohort of more than 60,000 health workers