Long-term acute infections during a bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) outbreak in dairy farm from Galicia (NW Spain)

An observational study describes an outbreak of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in a dairy herd in Spain. The herd was subjected to a voluntary control program. In a sampling carried out in June 2020, bulk tank milk antibody levels increased compared to the previous sampling. Additionally, serum samples from 4 young heifers also tested positive for antibodies. Since the results were consistent with a recent infection, we proceeded to detect possible persistently infected (PI) animals using antigen ELISA (on serum/ear-notch samples), following the program guidelines. From this moment on, 42 animals tested positive for BVDV antigen, of which 17 were under typical acute infection (AI), 13 were deemed as PI, and eight died early on the farm before having information to determine their status. The remaining 4 showed intriguing test results consistent with a long-term AI since they tested BVDV positive in at least two antigen tests more than 3 weeks apart. Thus, one animal was positive until 80 days of age in serum, and others even for longer periods in ear-notch samples, until they finally tested negative for BVDV. Based on these results, longer follow-up may be necessary in BVDV positive animals to accurately confirm persistent infectionS

Supplements of carbohydrates long during exercise: Effects on the electrolytes and glucose

Objetivo: Identificar si la forma de presentación de los suplementos de carbohidratos (SC) influye en la respuesta de la concentración plasmática de electrólitos y glucosa durante un ejercicio de larga duración. Doce hombres realizaron cuatro pruebas de 90 min en cicloergometro (55-60%VO2máx), seguidas por 6 km a máxima velocidad, consumiendo SC en diferentes presentaciones (líquido, gel o sólido) y un día únicamente consumían agua. Se analizaron las concentraciones de sodio, potasio y glucosa en sangre antes del ejercicio, cada 30 minutos de prueba, y tras los 6 km. No hubo diferencia significativa en la respuesta de los electrolitos durante todo estudio. Hubo diferencias significativas (p<0,05) en la glucosa cuando se consumieron SC independientemente de su presentación frente al consumo exclusivo de agua. Se concluye que la forma de presentación de los SC no influye en la concentración de glucosa en sangre durante el ejercicio de larga duraciónObjective: To identify if the format of carbohydrate supplements (CS) influence the response of the plasmatic concentration of electrolytes and glucose during long duration exercise. Twelve men performed four tests of 90 min on a cycle ergometer (55-60% VO2max), followed by 6 km at maximum speed, consuming CS in different forms (liquid, gel or solid) and one day just consuming water. It was analyzed the concentrations of sodium, potassium and blood glucose before exercise, every 30 minutes of test, and after 6 km. There was no significant difference in the response of electrolytes during the study. However, the glucose showed significant differences (p <0.05) when it was consumed CS regardless of their form, whenever just water was consumed. In this way is possible to conclude, that the format of the SC does not affect the blood glucose concentration during long duration exercis

Hypoxia Regulates Endogenous Double-Stranded RNA Production via Reduced Mitochondrial DNA Transcription.

Hypoxia is a common phenomenon in solid tumours strongly linked to the hallmarks of cancer. Hypoxia promotes local immunosuppression and downregulates type I interferon (IFN) expression and signalling, which contribute to the success of many cancer therapies. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), transiently generated during mitochondrial transcription, endogenously activates the type I IFN pathway. We report the effects of hypoxia on the generation of mitochondrial dsRNA (mtdsRNA) in breast cancer. We found a significant decrease in dsRNA production in different cell lines under hypoxia. This effect was HIF1α/2α-independent. mtdsRNA was responsible for induction of type I IFN and significantly decreased after hypoxia. Mitochondrially encoded gene expression was downregulated and mtdsRNA bound by the dsRNA-specific J2 antibody was decreased during hypoxia. These findings reveal a new mechanism of hypoxia-induced immunosuppression that could be targeted by hypoxia-activated therapies

Language anxiety in Chinese dialects and Putonghua among college students in mainland China: the effects of sociobiographical and linguistic variables

This paper examined language anxiety (LA) in Chinese dialects and Putonghua among college students in mainland China and explored the links between their LA in the first language and a range of sociobiographical variables (i.e. gender and geographical background) as well as linguistic variables (i.e. mother tongue, age of onset of acquisition, context of learning, self-perceived oral proficiency, and frequency of use). Participants were 778 Beijing university students who speak Chinese dialects and Putonghua. Statistical analyses revealed that participants reported significantly higher levels of LA in dialects than in Putonghua across a variety of situations. Geographical background and gender had scattered effects on LA in Putonghua and in dialects. Early bilinguals whose mother tongue were both a dialect and Putonghua reported the least LA in both. Later age of onset and acquisition of Putonghua in an instructed context were linked to increased LA in Putonghua. The negative relationships between self-perceived oral proficiency, frequency of use and LA were stronger in Putonghua than in dialects. The higher levels of LA in dialects combined with their language practices in dialects suggest a relatively lower confidence in the use of dialects among in this group of highly educated young Chinese adults

Blood-biomarkers and devices for atrial fibrillation screening: Lessons learned from the AFRICAT (Atrial Fibrillation Research In CATalonia) study

Biomarkers; Electrocardiography; Blood plasmaBiomarcadores; Electrocardiografía; Plasma sanguíneoBiomarcadors; Electrocardiografia; Plasma sanguiniBackground and objective AFRICAT is a prospective cohort study intending to develop an atrial fibrillation (AF) screening program through the combination of blood markers, rhythm detection devices, and long-term monitoring in our community. In particular, we aimed to validate the use of NT-proBNP, and identify new blood biomarkers associated with AF. Also, we aimed to compare AF detection using various wearables and long-term Holter monitoring. Methods 359 subjects aged 65–75 years with hypertension and diabetes were included in two phases: Phase I (n = 100) and Phase II (n = 259). AF diagnosis was performed by baseline 12-lead ECG, 4 weeks of Holter monitoring (NuuboTM), and/or medical history. An aptamer array including 1310 proteins was measured in the blood of 26 patients. Candidates were selected according to p-value, logFC and biological function to be tested in verification and validation phases. Several screening devices were tested and compared: AliveCor, Watch BP, MyDiagnostick and Fibricheck. Results AF was present in 34 subjects (9.47%). The aptamer array revealed 41 proteins with differential expression in AF individuals. TIMP-2 and ST-2 were the most promising candidates in the verification analysis, but none of them was further validated. NT-proBNP (log-transformed) (OR = 1.934; p<0.001) was the only independent biomarker to detect AF in the whole cohort. Compared to an ECG, WatchBP had the highest sensitivity (84.6%) and AUC (0.895 [0.780–1]), while MyDiagnostick showed the highest specificity (97.10%). Conclusion The inclusion and monitoring of a cohort of primary care patients for AF detection, together with the testing of biomarkers and screening devices provided useful lessons about AF screening in our community. An AF screening strategy using rhythm detection devices and short monitoring periods among high-risk patients with high NT-proBNP levels could be feasible.This work was supported by Fundació Marató de TV3 in the research call “La Marató 2014: malalties del cor” [grant number: 201528-30-31-3]. EP received a predoctoral grant from Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research. Neurovascular Research Laboratory also takes part in the Span-ish stroke research network INVICTUS+ [RD16/0019]. This project is supported by AFFECT-EU, receiving funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation pro-gramme under grant agreement N°847770. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

ParameciumDB in 2011: new tools and new data for functional and comparative genomics of the model ciliate Paramecium tetraurelia

ParameciumDB is a community model organism database built with the GMOD toolkit to integrate the genome and biology of the ciliate Paramecium tetraurelia. Over the last four years, post-genomic data from proteome and transcriptome studies has been incorporated along with predicted orthologs in 33 species, annotations from the community and publications from the scientific literature. Available tools include BioMart for complex queries, GBrowse2 for genome browsing, the Apollo genome editor for expert curation of gene models, a Blast server, a motif finder, and a wiki for protocols, nomenclature guidelines and other documentation. In-house tools have been developed for ontology browsing and evaluation of off-target RNAi matches. Now ready for next-generation deep sequencing data and the genomes of other Paramecium species, this open-access resource is available at http://paramecium.cgm.cnrs-gif.fr

Intervention effects and long-term changes in physical activity and cardiometabolic outcomes among children at risk of noncommunicable diseases in South Africa: a cluster-randomized controlled trial and follow-up analysis

INTRODUCTION: Risk factors for noncommunicable diseases such as insufficient physical activity (PA), overweight or hypertension are becoming increasingly predominant among children globally. While school-based interventions are promising preventive strategies, evidence of their long-term effectiveness, especially among vulnerable populations, is scarce. We aim to assess the short-term effects of the physical and health KaziKidz intervention on cardiometabolic risk factors and the long-term, pre-and post-COVID-19 pandemic changes thereof in high-risk children from marginalized communities. METHODS: The intervention was tested in a cluster-randomized controlled trial between January and October 2019 in eight primary schools near Gqeberha, South Africa. Children with overweight, elevated blood pressure, pre-diabetes, and/or borderline dyslipidemia were identified and re-assessed 2 years post-intervention. Study outcomes included accelerometry-measured PA (MVPA), body mass index (BMI), mean arterial pressure (MAP), glucose (HbA1c), and lipid levels (TC to HDL ratio). We conducted mixed regression analyses to assess intervention effects by cardiometabolic risk profile, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to evaluate longitudinal changes in the high-risk subpopulation. RESULTS: We found a significant intervention effect on MVPA during school hours for physically inactive children, and among active as well as inactive girls. In contrast, the intervention lowered HbA1c and TC to HDL ratio only in children with glucose or lipid values within the norm, respectively. At follow-up, the intervention effects were not maintained in at-risk children, who showed a decline in MVPA, and an increase in BMI-for-age, MAP, HbA1c and TC to HDL ratio. CONCLUSION: We conclude that schools are key settings in which to promote PA and improve health; however, structural changes are necessary to ensure that effective interventions reach marginalized school populations and achieve sustainable impact

Calcifediol mensal versus calcifediol quinzenal no tratamento de pacientes com osteoporose.

GOALS: To evaluate the serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D, in osteoporotic patients treated for one year with calcifediol. METHODS: We studied 156 patients with osteoporosis (23 men and 133 women) aged 71.9 ± 9.6 years who had been treated with calcifediol for at least one year. Ninety-two of them received 0.266 mg calcifediol every 15 days and he remaining 64 received the same dose once a month. Serum levels of 25(OH)D, intact PTH (iPTH), amino-terminal procollagen type I propeptide (PINP) and carboxy-terminal collagen type I telopeptide (CTX) were determined before and one year after the start of treatment . RESULTS: With both treatment regimens, a significant increase in 25(OH)D concentration was observed (p&lt;0.001). The percentage of patients achieving 25(OH)D levels greater than 20 and 30 ng/ml was similar with both regimens, whereas that of patients exceeding 60 ng/ml was higher with the biweekly dose (p &lt; 0.01 ) . The iPTH concentration significantly decreased after administration of calcifediol, although on this occasion there were no differences between the two forms of treatment. Both markers, PINP and CTX, similarly decreased in patients treated with antiresorptives (p &lt; 0.0001), without these changes being related to the calcifediol regimen. CONCLUSIONS: A monthly administration of 0.266 mg calcifediol is adequate to achieve effective levels of vitamin D, and is also safe enough to avoid potentially harmful levels of vitamin D, so it would be preferable to the biweekly regimen in standard clinical practice.METAS: Avaliar as concentrações séricas de 25-hidroxivitamina D, 25 (OH) D, em pacientes osteoporóticos tratados por um ano com calcifediol. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 156 pacientes com osteoporose (23 homens e 133 mulheres) com idade de 71,9 ± 9,6 anos que haviam recebido tratamento com calcifediol por pelo menos um ano.&nbsp;Noventa e dois deles receberam 0,266 mg de calcifediol a cada 15 dias e os 64 restantes receberam a mesma dose uma vez por mês.&nbsp;Os níveis séricos de 25 (OH) D, PTH intacto (iPTH), propeptídeo amino-terminal do procolágeno tipo I (PINP) e telopeptídeo carboxi-terminal do colágeno tipo I (CTX) foram determinados antes e um ano após o início do tratamento. RESULTADOS: Com ambos os regimes de tratamento, um aumento significativo na concentração de 25 (OH) D foi observado (p &lt;0,001).&nbsp;A porcentagem de pacientes que atingiram níveis de 25 (OH) D maiores que 20 e 30 ng / ml foi semelhante com ambos os regimes, enquanto a de pacientes que ultrapassaram 60 ng / ml foi maior com a dose quinzenal (p &lt;0,01) .&nbsp;A concentração de iPTH diminuiu significativamente após a administração de calcifediol, embora nesta ocasião não houvesse diferenças entre as duas formas de tratamento.&nbsp;Ambos os marcadores, PINP e CTX, diminuíram de forma semelhante em pacientes tratados com antirreabsortivos (p &lt;0,0001), sem que essas alterações estivessem relacionadas ao regime de calcifediol. CONCLUSÕES: A administração mensal de 0,266 mg de calcifediol é adequada para atingir níveis eficazes de vitamina D, e também é segura o suficiente para evitar atingir níveis potencialmente prejudiciais desta, por isso seria preferível ao regime quinzenal na prática clínica habitual