Milk protein polymorphisms and casein haplotypes in Blanco Orejinegro cattle of Colombia

  The aim was to determine the genetic variation in the CSN1S1, CSN2, CSN1S2, CSN3 and LGB genes in Blanco Orejinegro cattle. 419 animals from 15 herds were genotyped with GGP Bovine 150 K (n= 70) and 50 K (n= 349) chips. Information was obtained from 43 SNPs in the mentioned genes and protein variants *B, *C and *D of αS1-CN; *A1, *A2, *B, *H2 and *F of β-CN; *A and *D of αS2-CN, *A, *A1, *B, *I and *H of κ-CN and *A, *B, *C, *D, *E, *F and *H of β-LG were reconstructed. Allele and genotypic frequencies were estimated for SNPs and for protein variants; Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and FST values were evaluated for each of the SNPs under different structuring criteria. LD values and haplotypic frequencies were estimated for caseins. The most frequent variants were CSN1S1*B (0.804), CSN2*A2 (0.509), CSN1S2*A (0.997), CSN3*A (0.679) and β-LG*B (0.657). None of the variants showed deviations from HWE, but the CSN2*A2 allele showed a slight increasing trend over time. The FST values were low (0.035) regardless of the structuring criteria. Twenty-eight CSN1S1-CSN2-CSN1S2-CSN3 haplotypes were found, 22 of them with frequencies <5%; the three most frequent were BB-A1A2-AA-AA-AA-AA (16.6%), BB-A1A2-AA-AA-AA-AB (14.1%) and BB-A2A2-AA-AA-AA (10.1%). A good potential of BON cattle to produce high quality milk with functional value was reported

Oxygen vacancy induced electric polarization changes in Fe,Co-substituted SrTiO3−δ_{3-\delta}

We use density functional theory (DFT) calculations to show that oxygen vacancies ($v_\mathrm{O}$) induce noncentrosymmetric polar structures in SrTi$_{0.75}$Fe$_{0.125}$Co$_{0.125}$O$_{3-\delta}$ (STFC) with $\delta = \{0.125, 0.25\}$, enhance the magnetic moment and give rise to large changes in the electric polarization $\vert\Delta P\vert$. Variations of $\delta$ or oxygen vacancy migration for a given deficiency are shown to be effective mechanisms to tune the ferroic order parameters, with the former yielding $\vert\Delta P\vert$ values up to $\sim{8\mu}$C/c$m^{2}$ while the latter yields $\vert\Delta P\vert$ up to $\sim{23\mu}$C/c$m^{2}$. The underlying mechanism is the differentiated self-regulatory-like ferroic response of Fe and Co through the (Fe/Co)-$v_\mathrm{O}$ and Fe-$v_\mathrm{O}$-Co interactions, which drive B-site off-centering, bending of O$_{4,5}$ incomplete octahedra and B-$v_\mathrm{O}$ aligned distortions, all with characteristic charge redistributions. Our results capture characteristics observed in the end-members of the series SrTi(Co,Fe)O$_{3}$, and predict multiferroic behavior that could also be present in other ABO$_{3-\delta}$ magnetic oxides.Comment: Submitted to Physical Review Applie

Magnetism and Faraday Rotation in Oxygen-Deficient Polycrystalline and Single-Crystal Iron-Substituted Strontium Titanate

Both polycrystalline and single-crystal films of iron-substituted strontium titanate, Sr(Ti[subscript 0.65]Fe[subscript 0.35])O[subscript 3−δ], prepared by pulsed laser deposition, show room-temperature magnetism and Faraday rotation, with the polycrystalline films exhibiting higher saturation magnetization and Faraday rotation. The magnetic properties vary with the oxygen pressure at which the films are grown, showing a maximum at pressures of approximately 4  μ Torr at which the unit-cell volume is largest. The results are discussed in terms of the oxygen stoichiometry and corresponding Fe valence states, the structure and strain state, and the presence of small-volume fractions of metallic Fe in single-crystal films grown at the optimum deposition pressure. Integration of magneto-optical polycrystalline films on an optical-waveguide device demonstrates a nonreciprocal phase shift.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grants DMR1419807 and ECCS1607865)Semiconductor Research Corporation. Function Accelerated nanoMaterial Engineerin

Exploring the secrets of virus entry: the first respiratory syncytial virus carrying beta lactamase

BackgroundRespiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) presents a significant health threat, especially to young children. In-depth understanding of RSV entry mechanisms is essential for effective antiviral development. This study introduces an innovative RSV variant, featuring the fusion of the beta-lactamase (BlaM) enzyme with the RSV-P phosphoprotein, providing a versatile tool for dissecting viral entry dynamics.MethodsUsing the AlphaFold2 algorithm, we modeled the tertiary structure of the P-BlaM chimera, revealing structural similarities with both RSV-P and BlaM. Functional assessments, utilizing flow cytometry, quantified beta-lactamase activity and GFP expression in infected bronchial epithelial cells. Western blot analysis confirmed the integrity of P-BlaM within virions.ResultsThe modeled P-BlaM chimera exhibited structural parallels with RSV-P and BlaM. Functional assays demonstrated robust beta-lactamase activity in recombinant virions, confirming successful P-BlaM incorporation as a structural protein. Quercetin, known for its antiviral properties, impeded viral entry by affecting virion fusion. Additionally, Ulixertinib, an ERK-1/2 inhibitor, significantly curtailed viral entry, implicating ERK-1/2 pathway signaling.ConclusionsOur engineered RSV-P-BlaM chimera emerges as a valuable tool, illuminating RSV entry mechanisms. Structural and functional analyses unveil potential therapeutic targets. Quercetin and Ulixertinib, identified as distinct stage inhibitors, show promise for targeted antiviral strategies. Time-of-addition assays pinpoint quercetin’s specific interference stage, advancing our comprehension of RSV entry and guiding future antiviral developments

Rehabilitative Soft Exoskeleton for Rodents

Robotic exoskeletons provide programmable, consistent and controllable active therapeutic assistance to patients with neurological disorders. Here we introduce a prototype and preliminary experimental evaluation of a rehabilitative gait exoskeleton that enables compliant yet effective manipulation of the fragile limbs of rats. To assist the displacements of the lower limbs without impeding natural gait movements, we designed and fabricated soft pneumatic actuators (SPAs). The exoskeleton integrates two customizable SPAs that are attached to a limb. This configuration enables a 1 N force load, a range of motion exceeding 80 mm in the major axis, and speed of actuation reaching two gait cycles/s. Preliminary experiments in rats with spinal cord injury validated the basic features of the exoskeleton. We propose strategies to improve the performance of the robot and discuss the potential of SPAs for the design of other wearable interfaces

Acquisition of uropygial gland microbiome by hoopoe nestlings

Mutualistic symbioses between animals and bacteria depend on acquisition of appropriate symbionts while avoiding exploitation by non-beneficial microbes. The mode of acquisition of symbionts would determine, not only the probability of encountering but also evolutionary outcomes of mutualistic counterparts. The microbiome inhabiting the uropygial gland of the European hoopoe (Upupa epops) includes a variety of bacterial strains, some of them providing antimicrobial benefits. Here, the mode of acquisition and stability of this microbiome is analyzed by means of Automated rRNA Intergenic Spacer Analysis and two different experiments. The first experiment impeded mothers’ access to their glands, thus avoiding direct transmission of microorganisms from female to offspring secretions. The second experiment explored the stability of the microbiomes by inoculating glands with secretions from alien nests. The first experiment provoked a reduction in similarity of microbiomes of mother and nestlings. Interestingly, some bacterial strains were more often detected when females had not access to their glands, suggesting antagonistic effects among bacteria from different sources. The second experiment caused an increase in richness of the microbiome of receivers in terms of prevalence of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) that reduced differences in microbiomes of donors and receivers. That occurred because OTUs that were present in donors but not in receivers incorporated to the microbiome of the latter, which provoked that cross-inoculated nestlings got similar final microbiomes that included the most prevalent OTUs. The results are therefore consistent with a central role of vertical transmission in bacterial acquisition by nestling hoopoes and support the idea that the typical composition of the hoopoe gland microbiome is reached by the incorporation of some bacteria during the nestling period. This scenario suggests the existence of a coevolved core microbiome composed by a mix of specialized vertically transmitted strains and facultative symbionts able to coexist with them. The implications of this mixed mode of transmission for the evolution of the mutualism are discussedMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovación (España)Junta de Andalucí

Comparative effectiveness and safety of interventions for acute diarrhea and gastroenteritis in children: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Q2Q1Artículo de investigación1-22Background Many interventions have shown effectiveness in reducing the duration of acute diarrhea and gastroenteritis (ADG) in children. Yet, there is lack of comparative efficacy of interventions that seem to be better than placebo among which, the clinicians must choose. Our aim was to determine the comparative effectiveness and safety of the pharmacological and nutritional interventions for reducing the duration of ADG in children. Methods Data sources included Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, LILACS, and Global-Health up to May 2017. Eligible trials compared zinc (ZN), vitamin A, micronutrients (MN), probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, racecadotril, smectite(SM), loperamide, diluted milk, lactose-free formula(LCF), or their combinations, to placebo or standard treatment (STND), or among them. Two reviewers independently performed screening, review, study selection and extraction. The primary outcome was diarrhea duration. Secondary outcomes were stool frequency at day 2, diarrhea at day 3, vomiting and side effects. We performed a random effects Bayesian network meta-analysis to combine the direct and indirect evidence for each outcome. Mean differences and odds ratio with their credible intervals(CrI) were calculated. Coherence and transitivity assumptions were assessed. Meta-regression, subgroups and sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the impact of effect modifiers. Summary under the cumulative curve (SUCRA) values with their CrI were calculated. We assessed the evidence quality and classified the best interventions using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development & Evaluation (GRADE) approach for each paired comparison. Results A total of 174 studies (32,430 children) proved eligible. Studies were conducted in 42 countries of which most were low-and middle-income countries (LMIC). Interventions were grouped in 27 categories. Most interventions were better than STND. Reduction of diarrhea varied from 12.5 to 51.1 hours. The combinations Saccharomyces boulardii (SB)+ZN, and SM+ZN were considered the best interventions (i.e., GRADE quality of evidence: moderate to high, substantial superiority to STND, reduction in duration of 35 to 40 hours, and large SUCRA values), while symbiotics (combination of probiotics+prebiotics), ZN, loperamide and combinations ZN+MN and ZN+LCF were considered inferior to the best and better than STND [Quality: moderate to high, superior to STND, and reduction of 17 to 25 hours]. In subgroups analyses, effect of ZN was higher in LMIC and was not present in high-income countries (HIC). Vitamin A, MN, prebiotics, kaolin-pectin, and diluted milk were similar to STND [Quality: moderate to high]. The remainder of the interventions had low to very-low evidence quality. Loperamide was the only intervention with more side effects than STND [Quality: moderate]. Discussion/Conclusion Most interventions analyzed (except vitamin A, micronutrients, prebiotics, and kaolin-pectin) showed evidence of superiority to placebo in reducing the diarrhea. With moderate-to highquality of evidence, SB+ZN and SM+ZN, demonstrated the best combination of evidence quality and magnitude of effect while symbiotics, loperamide and zinc proved being the best single interventions, and loperamide was the most unsafe. Nonetheless, the effect of zinc, SB+ZN and SM+ZN might only be applied to children in LMIC. Results suggest no further role for studies comparing interventions against no treatment or placebo, or studies testing loperamide, MN, kaolin-pectin, vitamin A, prebiotics and diluted milk

Re-analysis of public genetic data reveals a rare X-chromosomal variant associated with type 2 diabetes.

The reanalysis of existing GWAS data represents a powerful and cost-effective opportunity to gain insights into the genetics of complex diseases. By reanalyzing publicly available type 2 diabetes (T2D) genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data for 70,127 subjects, we identify seven novel associated regions, five driven by common variants (LYPLAL1, NEUROG3, CAMKK2, ABO, and GIP genes), one by a low-frequency (EHMT2), and one driven by a rare variant in chromosome Xq23, rs146662057, associated with a twofold increased risk for T2D in males. rs146662057 is located within an active enhancer associated with the expression of Angiotensin II Receptor type 2 gene (AGTR2), a modulator of insulin sensitivity, and exhibits allelic specific activity in muscle cells. Beyond providing insights into the genetics and pathophysiology of T2D, these results also underscore the value of reanalyzing publicly available data using novel genetic resources and analytical approaches