Age-dependent resistance to Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus replication in swine

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes a prolonged, economically devastating infection in pigs, and immune resistance to infection appears variable. Since the porcine adaptive immune system is not fully competent at birth, we hypothesized that age influences the dynamics of PRRSV infection. Thus, young piglets, growing 16-20-week-old finisher pigs, and mature third parity sows were infected with virulent or attenuated PRRSV, and the dynamics of viral infection, disease, and immune response were monitored over time.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Virulent PRRSV infection and disease were markedly more severe and prolonged in young piglets than in finishers or sows. Attenuated PRRSV in piglets also produced a prolonged viremia that was delayed and reduced in magnitude, and in finishers and sows, about half the animals showed no viremia. Despite marked differences in infection, antibody responses were observed in all animals irrespective of age, with older pigs tending to seroconvert sooner and achieve higher antibody levels than 3-week-old animals. Interferon γ (IFN γ) secreting peripheral blood mononuclear cells were more abundant in sows but not specifically increased by PRRSV infection in any age group, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in blood were not correlated with PRRSV infection status.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings show that animal age, perhaps due to increased innate immune resistance, strongly influences the outcome of acute PRRSV infection, whereas an antibody response is triggered at a low threshold of infection that is independent of age. Prolonged infection was not due to IL-10-mediated immunosuppression, and PRRSV did not elicit a specific IFN γ response, especially in non-adult animals. Equivalent antibody responses were elicited in response to virulent and attenuated viruses, indicating that the antigenic mass necessary for an immune response is produced at a low level of infection, and is not predicted by viremic status. Thus, viral replication was occurring in lung or lymphoid tissues even though viremia was not always observed.</p

A hard metallic material: Osmium Diboride

We calculate the structural and electronic properties of OsB2 using density functional theory with or without taking into account spin-orbit (SO) interaction. Our results show that the bulk modulus with and without SO interaction are 364 and 365 Gpa respectively, both are in good agreement with experiment (365-395 Gpa). The evidence of covalent bonding of Os-B, which plays an important role to form a hard material, is indicated both in charge density, atoms in molecules analysis, and density of states analysis. The good metallicity and hardness of OsB2 might suggest its potential application as hard conductors.Comment: Figures improve

How can project-based mentorships enhance the dietetics profession?

Research Outcomes: The RD Mentorship Program is designed to provide dietetic students (mentee) with the opportunity to gain one-on-one experience with a Registered Dietitian (mentor). This nationwide program evaluates project-based mentorships. Methods: Potential mentors and mentees completed an initial survey that indicated mentor projects and mentee interests. Mentees (n=378) were matched to a mentor (n=264) based on their project preferences and interests. Matches met virtually monthly from September 2020 to April 2021. A mid-program evaluation was sent out in December 2020. Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data Results: The mid-program evaluation indicated that 96% (n=265) of participants found the application and matching process good to very good. The majority of mentee participants liked the variety of dietitians and projects. Some of the projects were, but not limited to, the following: social media and website development, food photography, grocery store tours, virtually shadowing, recipe development, community involvement projects, meal plans, writing and research, analyzing recipes for allergens, literature reviews, cooking classes, case studies, creating exams, resume building, newsletters, course development, interviewing skills development, public policy task force, community assessments, reviewing needs assessments, menu reviews and development, podcast development and patient education handouts. Conclusion: Through the RD Mentorship Program’s project-based mentorship format, mentees are exposed to a broad range of activities that Registered Dietitians perform across many sectors. These projects help to build relationships and offer valuable experiential learning opportunities in dietetics

Comparison of outcomes of salvage robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy for post-primary radiation vs focal therapy

Objectives: To compare salvage robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) outcomes in patients who underwent radiation and those who underwent focal ablation as primary therapies. Patients and Methods: We evaluated 126 patients who underwent salvage RALPbetween 2008 and 2018. Of these, 94 (74.6%) received radiation and 32 focal ablation (25.4%) as primary therapy. These groups were compared with regard to clinical, oncological and functional outcomes. Kaplan–Meier curves and regression models were used to identify survival estimations and their predictors. Results: Before surgery, more patients were potent in the focal ablation group compared to the radiation group (46.9% vs 22.6%; P = 0.013). Peri-operative characteristics and complication rates were not significantly different between the two groups. Postoperative catheterization duration was shorter in the focal ablation group (mean 10 vs 16&nbsp;days; P = 0.018). At final pathology, the focal ablation group had higher non-organ-confined disease (71% vs 50%; P = 0.042) and positive surgical margin (PSM) rates (43.8% vs 17%; P = 0.004) as compared to the radiation group; however, 5-year biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival rates were similar (59% vs 56%; P = 0.761). Postoperative 1-year full (no pads/day) and social (0–1&nbsp;pad/day) continence rates were significantly higher in the focal ablation as compared to the radiation group (77.3% vs 39.2%, P = 0.002, and 87.5% vs 51.3%, P = 0.002, respectively). Multivariate analyses showed primary focal ablation and nerve-sparing to be predictors of postoperative continence. Erectile function was preserved in 13% and 27% of preoperatively potent patients in the radiation and focal ablation groups, respectively (P = 0.435). No predictors were identified for postoperative potency. Conclusions: Radiation was associated with inferior functional outcomes after salvage RALP. Focal therapies were associated with higher non-organ-confined disease and PSMrates, with no significant difference in short-term BCR-free survival

Trends in clinical and oncological outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy before and after the 2012 US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation against PSA screening: a decade of experience

Objective: To assess the influence of the 2012 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation against prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening on oncological and functional outcomes following robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analysed patients who underwent RALP between 2008 and 2018 with a minimum of 12-month follow-up from a prospectively collected institutional review board-approved database. The impact of the USPSTF recommendation against PSA screening on our surgical outcomes was assessed using a logistic regression model using two groups comprising patients treated before/after the USPSTF statement and indicating time trends for each successive year. Results: The mean preoperative PSA increased from 6.0 to 7.4&nbsp;ng/mL after the USPSTF recommendation. We detected statistically significant time-trend changes after 2012, including an increase in the positive slope of Gleason ≥3 + 4 or ≥pT3 disease. We detected a fall in bilateral full nerve-sparing and an increase in partial nerve-sparing. The total positive surgical margin (PSM) rate increased after the USPSTF recommendation; however, PSM rates pertinent to each pathological stage did not change significantly after 2012. There was a significant negative trend change in the postoperative 12-month continence and potency rates, indicating a breakpoint in functional outcomes after 2012. We detected a 1.7-fold increase in 12-month biochemical recurrence (BCR) rates. The 12-month BCR, potency and continence rates were maintained in young (&lt;55&nbsp;years) patients with a Sexual Health Inventory for Men score &gt;22 and low-volume disease. Conclusion: Since the USPSTF’s recommendation in 2012, we have seen a significant increase in the incidence of high-risk disease that has forced us to modify our approach to the procedure and the grade of nerve-sparing used, leading to a wider resection, in order to reduce PSMs. This has led to a decrease in postoperative functional recovery. Patients with favourable characteristics had good outcomes before and after the USPSTF’s recommendation, implying that the quality of surgery did not change over time

Correlation of salmonella spp. In pigs at slaugther as determined by bacterial culture and salmonella ELISA

The purpose of this study was to detennine the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in pigs at slaughter by bacterial culture, and serology using the Danish Mix-ELISA. Fecal samples and mesenteric lymph nodes were collected from 20 farms (30-35 samples per farm) and cultured for Salmonella on XLD agar following a pre-enrichment in buffered peptone water at 37° C for 24 hours and enrichment in Rappaport-Vassiliadis broth at 42° C for 24 hours. Eighteen of 20 farms yielded at least one positive sample by culture with farm sample prevalence ranging from 3.3% to 96.6%. There were 16 different serotypes of Salmonella isolated. Individual farms had from 0 - 6 different serotypes detected by bacteriologic examination. The Danish Mix-ELISA, developed by Nielsen et al. and currently used in the Danish slaughter plants, was used to test sera collected at slaughter. Using the Mix-ELISA, 16/20 farms were positive with farm sample prevalence ranging from 28.6% to 100%. In comparing the farms, there was a direct correlation between lymph node culture and MixELISA detection levels. These data suggest that the Mix-ELISA may be a valuable herd screening tool for the evaluation of Salmonella levels in U.S. swine herds. Also, these data suggest that vaccination of pigs with SC-54 significantly reduces the prevalence of Salmonella when measured by serology, mesenteric lymph node culture, and fecal culture

COVID-19 model-based practice changes in managing a large prostate cancer practice: following the trends during a month-long ordeal

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been a life-changing experience for both individuals and institutions. We describe changes in our practice based on real-time assessment of various national and international trends of COVID-19 and its effectiveness in the management of our resources. Initial risk assessment and peak resource requirement using the COVID-19 Hospital Impact Model for Epidemics (CHIME) and McKinsey models. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of our practice\u2019s approach during the pandemic. Based on CHIME the community followed 60% social distancing, the number of expected new patients hospitalized at maximum surge would be 401, with 100 patients requiring ventilator support. In contrast, when the community followed 15% social distancing, the maximum surge of hospitalized new patients would be 1823 and 455 patients would require a ventilator. on April 15, the expected May requirement of ICU beds at peak would be 68, with 61 patients needing ventilators. The estimated surge numbers improved throughout April, and on April 22 the expected ICU bed peak in May would be 11.7, and those requiring ventilator would be 10.5. Simultaneously, within a month, our surgical waitlist grew from 585 to over 723 patients. Our SWOT analysis revealed our internal strengths and inherent weakness, relevant to the pandemic. A graded and a guarded response to this type of situation is crucial in managing patients in a large practice

Serological profile of torque teno sus virus species 1 (TTSuV1) in pigs and antigenic relationships between two TTSuV1 genotypes (1a and 1b), between two species (TTSuV1 and -2), and between porcine and human anelloviruses

The family Anelloviridae includes human and animal torque teno viruses (TTVs) with extensive genetic diversity. The antigenic diversity among anelloviruses has never been assessed. Using torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) as a model, we describe here the first investigation of the antigenic relationships among different anelloviruses. Using a TTSuV genotype 1a (TTSuV1a) or TTSuV1b enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the respective putative ORF1 capsid antigen and TTSuV1-specific real-time PCR, the combined serological and virological profile of TTSuV1 infection in pigs was determined and compared with that of TTSuV2. TTSuV1 is likely not associated with porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD), because both the viral loads and antibody levels were not different between affected and unaffected pigs and because there was no synergistic effect of concurrent PCV2/TTSuV1 infections. We did observe a higher correlation of IgG antibody levels between anti-TTSuV1a and -TTSuV1b than between anti-TTSuV1a or -1b and anti-TTSuV2 antibodies in these sera, implying potential antigenic cross-reactivity. To confirm this, rabbit antisera against the putative capsid proteins of TTSuV1a, TTSuV1b, or TTSuV2 were generated, and the antigenic relationships among these TTSuVs were analyzed by an ELISA and by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using PK-15 cells transfected with one of the three TTSuV ORF1 constructs. The results demonstrate antigenic cross-reactivity between the two genotypes TTSuV1a and TTSuV1b but not between the two species TTSuV1a or -1b and TTSuV2. Furthermore, an anti-genogroup 1 human TTV antiserum did not react with any of the three TTSuV antigens. These results have important implications for an understanding of the diversity of anelloviruses as well as for the classification and vaccine development of TTSuVs

Use of SC54 for the reduction of salmonella in swine

Infections caused by S. choleraesuis have significant economic impact on pork production in the United States (Wilcock and Schwartz 1992). An avirulent live culture vaccine has been described for the purpose of protecting pigs against infections caused by S. choleraesuis (Kramer, Roof et al. 1992) (Roof and Doitchinoff 1995). Other serotypes of Salmonella have been associated with infections in swine in the United States. These includeS. typhimurium and S. typhisuis (Wilcock and Schwartz 1992), S. heidelberg (Reed, Olander et al. 1985), and S. agona (Fernandez, Duhamel et al. 1993). Two experiments were conducted. Experiment number I was designed to determine the effect of an avirulent live culture vaccine (SC540, NOBL Laboratories, Inc.) in swine on an experimental infection of S. typhimurium. Experiment number 2 was designed to determine the effect of SC540 on Salmonella serogroups within a commercial swine farm

Nature of the 5f states in actinide metals

Actinide elements produce a plethora of interesting physical behaviors due to the 5f states. This review compiles and analyzes progress in understanding of the electronic and magnetic structure of the 5f states in actinide metals. Particular interest is given to electron energy-loss spectroscopy and many-electron atomic spectral calculations, since there is now an appreciable library of core d -> valence f transitions for Th, U, Np, Pu, Am, and Cm. These results are interwoven and discussed against published experimental data, such as x-ray photoemission and absorption spectroscopy, transport measurements, and electron, x-ray, and neutron diffraction, as well as theoretical results, such as density-functional theory and dynamical mean-field theory.Comment: 136 pages in Word format, 29 Figures; Accepted to Reviews of Modern Physic