On-farm study: cytokine profiles and vaginal microbiome of Bos indicus cattle before artificial insemination

Prior studies in beef cattle have shown shifts in the reproductive microbiome prior to artificial insemination (AI), yet few have characterized both the reproductive microbiome and immune responses prior to AI, particularly in purebred Bos indicus. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the circulating cytokines and the vaginal microbiome of Bos indicus females prior to fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). Bos indicus females (n = 79) on four separate ranch operations within a 20-mile radius in East Texas were subjected to the 7-day CO-Synch + controlled intervaginal drug-releasing (CIDR) protocol beginning on day (d)-9 with FTAI on d0. Blood samples were collected on d-9 (CIDR IN), d-2 (CIDR OUT), and d0 (AI DAY) for cytokine concentration analyses using the RayBiotech Quantibody Bovine Cytokine Array Q1 kit per the manufacturer’s instructions. Sterile vaginal swabs were inserted past the vulva, rotated, and stored at -80°C for microbiome analysis. Bacterial community analyses targeted the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. Pregnancy status was determined by transrectal ultrasonography approximately 60 days after FTAI for resulting open females (n = 45) and pregnant females (n = 34). Regardless of pregnancy status, the vaginal relative abundance of Firmicutes differed between CIDR IN, CIDR OUT, and AI DAY (63.74% vs. 28.31% vs. 60.86% ± 3.66%, respectively; P < 0.01). Genera with phylum Firmicutes including Ruminococcus, Clostridium, Blautia, Butyrvibrio, and Mogibacterium followed a similar trend (P < 0.05). Butyrvibrio tended to have greater relative abundance in the vaginal samples of Cows than Heifers (4.17% ± 0.75% vs. 3.26% ± 0.77%; P = 0.07). Concentrations of the interferon (IFN)γ (2005.98 ± 471.94 pg/mL vs. 1185.40 ± 482.65 pg/mL; P < 0.01), interleukin (IL)1F5 (153.89 ± 141.07 pg/mL vs. 627.30 ± 149.28 pg/mL; P < 0.01), and interferon gamma-induced protein (IP)10 (9363.26 ± 2929.83 pg/mL vs. 5905.53 ± 2983.60 pg/mL; P = 0.05) were greater in Cows than Heifers. There was a parity-by-status interaction for IP10, with Open Cows having the greatest concentration compared all other groups (P < 0.05). These results indicate differences in circulating cytokines and shifts in the vaginal microbiome for in Bos indicus cattle prior to FTAI

Results from the centers for disease control and prevention's predict the 2013-2014 Influenza Season Challenge

Background: Early insights into the timing of the start, peak, and intensity of the influenza season could be useful in planning influenza prevention and control activities. To encourage development and innovation in influenza forecasting, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) organized a challenge to predict the 2013-14 Unites States influenza season. Methods: Challenge contestants were asked to forecast the start, peak, and intensity of the 2013-2014 influenza season at the national level and at any or all Health and Human Services (HHS) region level(s). The challenge ran from December 1, 2013-March 27, 2014; contestants were required to submit 9 biweekly forecasts at the national level to be eligible. The selection of the winner was based on expert evaluation of the methodology used to make the prediction and the accuracy of the prediction as judged against the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet). Results: Nine teams submitted 13 forecasts for all required milestones. The first forecast was due on December 2, 2013; 3/13 forecasts received correctly predicted the start of the influenza season within one week, 1/13 predicted the peak within 1 week, 3/13 predicted the peak ILINet percentage within 1 %, and 4/13 predicted the season duration within 1 week. For the prediction due on December 19, 2013, the number of forecasts that correctly forecasted the peak week increased to 2/13, the peak percentage to 6/13, and the duration of the season to 6/13. As the season progressed, the forecasts became more stable and were closer to the season milestones. Conclusion: Forecasting has become technically feasible, but further efforts are needed to improve forecast accuracy so that policy makers can reliably use these predictions. CDC and challenge contestants plan to build upon the methods developed during this contest to improve the accuracy of influenza forecasts. © 2016 The Author(s)

Aqueous alteration processes in Jezero crater, Mars—implications for organic geochemistry

The Perseverance rover landed in Jezero crater, Mars, in February 2021. We used the Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) instrument to perform deep-ultraviolet Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy of three rocks within the crater. We identify evidence for two distinct ancient aqueous environments at different times. Reactions with liquid water formed carbonates in an olivine-rich igneous rock. A sulfate-perchlorate mixture is present in the rocks, which probably formed by later modifications of the rocks by brine. Fluorescence signatures consistent with aromatic organic compounds occur throughout these rocks and are preserved in minerals related to both aqueous environments

Results from the centers for disease control and prevention's predict the 2013-2014 Influenza Season Challenge

</p