Effect of decreasing dietary crude protein on growth performance, feed efficiency and meat quality of finishing Charolais bulls

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of decreasing dietary crude protein (CP) on the performance of finishing Charolais bulls in the Italian rearing system. Animals were fed two diets, differing only in the CP level (low protein (LP), 13.5% CP versus control (CON), 15.0% CP). Dry matter (DM) intake (DMI) and animals\u2019 weights were recorded to obtain average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion rate (FCR). Feed and fecal samples were collected to evaluate digestibility of diet components. Daily cost of the ration (DRC), feed cost per kg of daily weight gain (CDG) and daily gross margin (DGM) were calculated to analyze the possible benefits of decreasing the protein level. Meat quality analyses were also conducted. Higher DMI (10.6 versus 10 kg/d; p < 0.05) and ADG (1.47 versus 1.36 kg/d; p < 0.05) were observed for CON. No differences in FCR or digestibility were found. Even if the DRC was lower (p < 0.05) for the LP diet (2.26 versus 1.97 \u20ac; CON versus LP), no difference was reported for CDG and DGM. Meat lightness and redness were significantly lower and higher in the LP, respectively. To conclude, the CP requirement in these rearing conditions appeared to be higher than 13.5%

Proteomic Fingerprint of Lung Fibrosis Progression and Response to Therapy in Bleomycin-Induced Mouse Model

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease characterized by the aberrant accumulation of extracellular matrix in the lungs. nintedanib is one of the two FDA-approved drugs for IPF treatment; however, the exact pathophysiological mechanisms of fibrosis progression and response to therapy are still poorly understood. In this work, the molecular fingerprint of fibrosis progression and response to nintedanib treatment have been investigated by mass spectrometry-based bottom-up proteomics in paraffin-embedded lung tissues from bleomycin-induced (BLM) pulmonary fibrosis mice. Our proteomics results unveiled that (i) samples clustered depending on the tissue fibrotic grade (mild, moderate, and severe) and not on the time course after BLM treatment; (ii) the dysregulation of different pathways involved in fibrosis progression such as the complement coagulation cascades, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptors (RAGEs) signaling, the extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, the regulation of actin cytoskeleton, and ribosomes; (iii) Coronin 1A (Coro1a) as the protein with the highest correlation when evaluating the progression of fibrosis, with an increased expression from mild to severe fibrosis; and (iv) a total of 10 differentially expressed proteins (padj-value ≤ 0.05 and Fold change ≤-1.5 or ≥1.5), whose abundance varied in the base of the severity of fibrosis (mild and moderate), were modulated by the antifibrotic treatment with nintedanib, reverting their trend. Notably, nintedanib significantly restored lactate dehydrogenase B (Ldhb) expression but not lactate dehydrogenase A (Ldha). Notwithstanding the need for further investigations to validate the roles of both Coro1a and Ldhb, our findings provide an extensive proteomic characterization with a strong relationship with histomorphometric measurements. These results unveil some biological processes in pulmonary fibrosis and drug-mediated fibrosis therapy

Predicting the occurrence of embolic events: an analysis of 1456 episodes of infective endocarditis from the Italian Study on Endocarditis (SEI)

Background: Embolic events are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with infective endocarditis. We analyzed the database of the prospective cohort study SEI in order to identify factors associated with the occurrence of embolic events and to develop a scoring system for the assessment of the risk of embolism. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1456 episodes of infective endocarditis from the multicenter study SEI. Predictors of embolism were identified. Risk factors identified at multivariate analysis as predictive of embolism in left-sided endocarditis, were used for the development of a risk score: 1 point was assigned to each risk factor (total risk score range: minimum 0 points; maximum 2 points). Three categories were defined by the score: low (0 points), intermediate (1 point), or high risk (2 points); the probability of embolic events per risk category was calculated for each day on treatment (day 0 through day 30).Results: There were 499 episodes of infective endocarditis (34%) that were complicated by 65 1 embolic event. Most embolic events occurred early in the clinical course (first week of therapy: 15.5 episodes per 1000 patient days; second week: 3.7 episodes per 1000 patient days). In the total cohort, the factors associated with the occurrence of embolism at multivariate analysis were prosthetic valve localization (odds ratio, 1.84), right-sided endocarditis (odds ratio, 3.93), Staphylococcus aureus etiology (odds ratio, 2.23) and vegetation size 65 13 mm (odds ratio, 1.86). In left-sided endocarditis, Staphylococcus aureus etiology (odds ratio, 2.1) and vegetation size 65 13 mm (odds ratio, 2.1) were independently associated with embolic events; the 30-day cumulative incidence of embolism varied with risk score category (low risk, 12%; intermediate risk, 25%; high risk, 38%; p < 0.001).Conclusions: Staphylococcus aureus etiology and vegetation size are associated with an increased risk of embolism. In left-sided endocarditis, a simple scoring system, which combines etiology and vegetation size with time on antimicrobials, might contribute to a better assessment of the risk of embolism, and to a more individualized analysis of indications and contraindications for early surgery

Experimental evaluation of vibrotactile training mappings for dual-joystick directional guidance

Two joystick-based teleoperation is a common method for controlling a remote machine or a robot. Their use could be counter-intuitive and could require a heavy mental workload. The goal of this paper is to investigate whether vibrotactile prompts could be used to trigger dual-joystick responses quickly and intuitively, so to possibly employ them for training. In particular, we investigate the effects of: (1) stimuli delivered either on the palm or on the back of the hand, (2) with attractive and repulsive mappings, (3) with single and sequential stimuli. We find that 38 participants responded quicker and more accurately when stimuli were delivered on the back of the hand, preferred to move towards the vibration. Sequential stimuli led to intermediate responses in terms of speed and accuracy

Synergy between vitamin D and sex hormones in respiratory functionality of patients affected by COVID-19

The outcome of COVID-19 appears to be influenced by vitamin D status of population. Although epidemiological data indicate that COVID-19 produces more severe symptoms and higher mortality in elderly in comparison to young patients and in men in comparison to women to date sex and age differences in vitamin D status in infected patients have not been evaluated yet. In this study we evaluated the levels of circulating 25(OH)D in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 divided accordingly to their sex and age. We also correlated 25(OH)D levels with patient’s respiratory status (i.e., PaO2/FiO2 ratio) and with sex hormones plasma levels to analyze the potential relationship of these parameters. We found no significant differences in plasma levels of 25(OH)D between pre- and post-menopausal female patients and age matched male patients. Interestingly, the 25(OH)D plasma levels positively correlated to PaO2/FiO2 ratio only in young patients, regardless of their sex. We also found a significantly positive correlation between 17β-estradiol and 25(OH)D in elderly women and between testosterone and 25(OH)D in elderly men, supporting the role of sex hormones in maintaining 25(OH)D levels. In conclusion, we suggest that a synergy between vitamin D and sex hormones could contribute to the age-related outcome of COVID-19

Pathways to electrochemical solar hydrogen technologies

Solar powered electrochemical production of hydrogen through water electrolysis is an active and important research endeavor. However, technologies and roadmaps for implementation of this process do not exist. In this perspective paper, we describe potential pathways for solar hydrogen technologies into the marketplace in the form of photoelectrochemical or photovoltaic driven electrolysis devices and systems. We detail technical approaches for device and system architectures, economic drivers, societal perceptions, political impacts, technological challenges, and research opportunities. Implementation scenarios are broken down into short term and long term markets, and a specific technology roadmap is defined. In the short term, the only plausible economical option will be photovoltaic driven electrolysis systems for niche applications. In the long term, electrochemical solar hydrogen technologies could be deployed more broadly in energy markets but will require advances in the technology, significant cost reductions, and or policy changes. Ultimately, a transition to a society that significantly relies on solarhydrogen technologies will benefit from continued creativity and influence from the scientific communit

Pathways to Electrochemical Solar-Hydrogen Technologies

Solar-powered electrochemical production of hydrogen through water electrolysis is an active and important research endeavor. However, technologies and roadmaps for implementation of this process do not exist. In this perspective paper, we describe potential pathways for solar-hydrogen technologies into the marketplace in the form of photoelectrochemical or photovoltaic-driven electrolysis devices and systems. We detail technical approaches for device and system architectures, economic drivers, societal perceptions, political impacts, technological challenges, and research opportunities. Implementation scenarios are broken down into short-term and long-term markets, and a specific technology roadmap is defined. In the short term, the only plausible economical option will be photovoltaic-driven electrolysis systems for niche applications. In the long term, electrochemical solar-hydrogen technologies could be deployed more broadly in energy markets but will require advances in the technology, significant cost reductions, and/or policy changes. Ultimately, a transition to a society that significantly relies on solar-hydrogen technologies will benefit from continued creativity and influence from the scientific community.Solid state NMR/Biophysical Organic Chemistr

Acute rhabdomyolysis and delayed pericardial effusion in an Italian patient with Ebola virus disease : a case report

Background: During the 2013-2016 West Africa Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic, some EVD patients, mostly health care workers, were evacuated to Europe and the USA. Case presentation: In May 2015, a 37-year old male nurse contracted Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone. After Ebola virus detection in plasma, he was medically-evacuated to Italy. At admission, rhabdomyolysis was clinically and laboratory-diagnosed and was treated with aggressive hydration, oral favipiravir and intravenous investigational monoclonal antibodies against Ebola virus. The recovery clinical phase was complicated by a febrile thrombocytopenic syndrome with pericardial effusion treated with corticosteroids for 10days and indomethacin for 2months. No evidence of recurrence is reported. Conclusions: A febrile thrombocytopenic syndrome with pericardial effusion during the recovery phase of EVD appears to be uncommon. Clinical improvement with corticosteroid treatment suggests that an immune-mediated mechanism contributed to the pericardial effusion

Atypical disseminated leishmaniasis resembling post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in an HIV-infected patient

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is very uncommon among HIV-positive patients, and very few cases have so far been documented. A case of atypical disseminated leishmaniasis resembling PKDL in an HIV-positive patient successfully treated with N-methylglucamine antimoniate is reported. The polymerase chain reaction performed on the skin lesions was positive for Leishmania infantum