Dairy cattle sub-clinical uterine disease diagnosis using pattern recognition and image processing techniques

This work presents a framework for diagnosing sub-clinical endometritis, a common uterine disease in dairy cattle, based in the analysis of ultrasound images of the uterine horn. The main contribution consists in the feature extraction proposal, based on the characteristics that the expert takes into account for diagnosing, such as statistics measures, image textures, shape, custom thickness measures and histogram, among others. Given the segmentation of the different regions of the uterine horn, a fully automatic supervised classification is performed, using a model based on C-SVM. Two different datasets of ultrasound images were used, acquired and tagged by an expert. The proposed framework shows promising results, allowing to consider the development of a complete automatic procedure to measure morphological features of the uterine horn that may contribute in the diagnosis of the pathology

Complications of Common Gynecologic Surgeries among HIV-Infected Women in the United States

Objective. To compare frequencies of complications among HIV-infected and-uninfected women undergoing common gynecological surgical procedures in inpatient settings. Methods. We used 1994–2007 data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, a nationally representative sample of inpatient hospitalizations. Our analysis included discharge records of women aged ≥15 undergoing hysterectomy, oophorectomy, salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy, bilateral tubal sterilization, or dilation and curettage. Associations between HIV infection status and surgical complications were evaluated in multivariable logistic regression models, adjusting for key covariates. Results. For each surgery, HIV infection was associated with experiencing ≥1 complication. Adjusted ORs ranged from 2.0 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7, 2.2) for hysterectomy with oophorectomy to 3.1 (95% CI: 2.4, 4.0) for bilateral tubal sterilization with no comorbidity present. HIV infection was positively associated with extended length of stay and infectious complications of all of the surgeries examined. For some surgeries, it was positively associated with transfusion and anemia due to acute blood loss. Among HIV-infected women, the odds of infectious and other complications did not decrease between 1994–2000 and 2001–2007. Conclusion. HIV infection was associated with elevated frequencies of complications of gynecologic surgeries in the US, even in the era of HAART

Influences of nutrition and metabolism on reproduction of the female ruminant

Beef cows and ewes grazing native pastures are exposed to cycles of undernutrition that reflect the seasonal variations of biomass production. In grazing dairy cows, the physiological undernutrition during early lactation due to increased demands for lactation and low dry matter intake is exacerbated by the need to get sufficient intake from pasture and the extra grazing energy costs. Undernutrition has profound impacts on reproduction by affecting multiple reproductive processes at different levels of the reproductive axis. The objective of this paper is to review the influence of undernutrition on reproductive events of the adult female ruminant, with emphasis on both grassland and mixed rain-fed grazing farming systems. The comparative endocrinology and reproductive biology among ewes, beef and dairy cows may provide a comprehensive knowledge of the metabolic and reproductive adaptation to feed restriction. Understanding the critical underlying physiological mechanisms by which nutrition affects reproduction is the base of focus feeding strategy to improve the reproductive performance of the female ruminan

Evaluation of pathogenesis caused in cattle and guinea pig by a Mycobacterium bovis strain isolated from wild boar

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In many regions of the world, wild mammals act as reservoir of <it>Mycobacterium bovis</it>, a situation that prevents the eradication of bovine tuberculosis. In order to observe whether a strain isolated from a wild boar, previously tested as highly virulent in a mice model, is also virulent in cattle, we performed cattle experimental inoculation with this strain</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Groups of Friesian calves were either infected with the wild boar strain <it>M. bovis </it>04-303 or with the bovine strain NCTC10772 as a control. We found that antigen-specific IFN-γ release in whole blood samples occurred earlier in animals infected with <it>M. bovis </it>04-303. Both <it>M. bovis </it>strains resulted in a positive skin test, with animals infected with the wild boar isolate showing a stronger response. These results and the presence of more severe organ lesions, with granuloma and pneumonic areas in cattle demonstrate that the wild boar isolate is more virulent than the NCTC10772 strain. Additionally, we tested the infectivity of the <it>M. bovis </it>strains in guinea pigs and found that <it>M. bovis </it>04-303 had the highest pathogenicity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>M. bovis </it>strains isolated from wild boars may be pathogenic for cattle, producing TB lesions.</p

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and thioredoxin are differentially expressed along the reproductive tract of the ewe during the oestrous cycle and after ovariectomy

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and thioredoxin are regulated by gonadal steroids in the female reproductive tract of many species. Oestradiol regulates IGF-I and thioredoxin mRNA levels in the reproductive tract of prepubertal lambs. The physiological status (different endocrine environment) may affect the sensitivity of the reproductive tract to oestradiol and progesterone. We studied the effects of different endocrine milieus (late-follicular and luteal phases of the oestrous cycle, and ovariectomy before or after puberty) on the expression of IGF-I, thioredoxin, oestrogen receptor α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) in sheep. The mRNA levels were determined by a solution hybridisation technique. In the uterus the levels of ERα, PR and thioredoxin mRNA were higher in the late-follicular phase group than in the other three groups, and IGF-I mRNA was high during both the late-follicular and the luteal phases. In the cervix only PR mRNA was significantly higher in the ewes in the late-follicular phase than in the other groups. In the oviducts the levels of thioredoxin and ERα mRNA were highest in the ovariectomised adult ewes, and thioredoxin mRNA was higher than the levels found in the ewes in the late-follicular phase. The IGF-I mRNA levels in the oviduct did not differ between any of the groups. The transcripts of IGF-I, thioredoxin, ERα and PR, varied according to the physiological status and also along the female reproductive tract, suggesting that the regulation of the mRNA levels of these factors by the steroid environment is tissue specific. Koncentrationen av insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) och thioredoxin regleras hos många arter i honors reproduktionsorgan av könssteroider. Sålunda reglerar östradiol IGF-I och thioredoxin mRNA i reproduktionsorganen hos prepubertala lamm. Djurets fysiologiska status (dvs den endokrina miljön) kan påverka känsligheten hos reproduktionsorganen för östradiol och progesteron. Vi studerade effekterna av olika endokrina miljöer (sen follikelfas och lutealfas i östruscykeln, samt ovariektomi före och efter puberteten) på uttrycket av IGF-I, thioredoxin, östrogenreceptor α (ERα) och progesteronreceptorn (PR) hos får. Lösningshybridisering användes för att bestämma mRNA nivåerna. I livmodern var mRNA koncentrationen för ERα, PR och thioredoxin högre i sen follikelfas än i de andra tre grupperna och IGF-I mRNA nivån var hög både under sen follikelfas och i lutealfas. PR mRNA i cervix var signifikant högre hos tackorna under sen follikelfas än i de andra grupperna. I äggledarna var mRNA nivåerna av thioredoxin och ERα högst i de djur som ovariektomerats som vuxna, och thioredoxin mRNA var högre än hos tackorna under sen follikelfas. Det förelåg ingen skillnad vad gäller IGF-I mRNA nivåerna i äggledaren mellan någon av grupperna. IGF-I, thioredoxin, ERα och PR mRNA nivåerna varierade beroende på fysiologisk status och morfologisk lokalisation i reproduktionsorganen. Detta tyder på att steroidhormonernas reglering av dessa faktorers mRNA uttryck också är vävnadsspecifik

Acute cardiometabolic effects of brief active breaks in sitting for patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Exercise is a treatment in rheumatoid arthritis, but participation in moderate-to-vigorous exercise is challenging for some patients. Light-intensity breaks in sitting could be a promising alternative. We compared the acute effects of active breaks in sitting with those of moderate-to-vigorous exercise on cardiometabolic risk markers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In a crossover fashion, 15 women with rheumatoid arthritis underwent three 8-h experimental conditions: prolonged sitting (SIT), 30-min bout of moderate-to-vigorous exercise followed by prolonged sitting (EX), and 3-min bouts of light-intensity walking every 30 min of sitting (BR). Postprandial glucose, insulin, c-peptide, triglycerides, cytokines, lipid classes/subclasses (lipidomics), and blood pressure responses were assessed. Muscle biopsies were collected following each session to assess targeted proteins/genes. Glucose [−28% in area under the curve (AUC), P = 0.036], insulin (−28% in AUC, P = 0.016), and c-peptide (−27% in AUC, P = 0.006) postprandial responses were attenuated in BR versus SIT, whereas only c-peptide was lower in EX versus SIT (−20% in AUC, P = 0.002). IL-1β decreased during BR, but increased during EX and SIT (P = 0.027 and P = 0.085, respectively). IL-1ra was increased during EX versus BR (P = 0.002). TNF-α concentrations decreased during BR versus EX (P = 0.022). EX, but not BR, reduced systolic blood pressure (P = 0.013). Lipidomic analysis showed that 7 of 36 lipid classes/subclasses were significantly different between conditions, with greater changes being observed in EX. No differences were observed for protein/gene expression. Brief active breaks in sitting can offset markers of cardiometabolic disturbance, which may be particularly useful for patients who may find it difficult to adhere to exercise. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Exercise is a treatment in rheumatoid arthritis but is challenging for some patients. Light-intensity breaks in sitting could be a promising alternative. Our findings show beneficial, but differential, cardiometabolic effects of active breaks in sitting and exercise in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Breaks in sitting mainly improved glycemic and inflammatory markers, whereas exercise improved lipidomic and hypotensive responses. Breaks in sitting show promise in offsetting aspects of cardiometabolic disturbance associated with prolonged sitting in rheumatoid arthritis

Influence of the Human Lipidome on Epicardial Fat Volume in Mexican American Individuals

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide and is the leading cause of death in the US. Lipid dysregulation is a well-known precursor to metabolic diseases, including CVD. There is a growing body of literature that suggests MRI-derived epicardial fat volume, or epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume, is linked to the development of coronary artery disease. Interestingly, epicardial fat is also actively involved in lipid and energy homeostasis, with epicardial adipose tissue having a greater capacity for release and uptake of free fatty acids. However, there is a scarcity of knowledge on the influence of plasma lipids on EAT volume. Aim: The focus of this study is on the identification of novel lipidomic species associated with CMRI-derived measures of epicardial fat in Mexican American individuals. Methods: We performed lipidomic profiling on 200 Mexican American individuals. High-throughput mass spectrometry enabled rapid capture of precise lipidomic profiles, providing measures of 799 unique species from circulating plasma samples. Because of our extended pedigree design, we utilized a standard quantitative genetic linear mixed model analysis to determine whether lipids were correlated with EAT by formally testing for association between each lipid species and the CMRI epicardial fat phenotype. Results: After correction for multiple testing using the FDR approach, we identified 135 lipid species showing significant association with epicardial fat. Of those, 131 lipid species were positively correlated with EAT, where increased circulating lipid levels were correlated with increased epicardial fat. Interestingly, the top 10 lipid species associated with an increased epicardial fat volume were from the deoxyceramide (Cer(m)) and triacylglycerol (TG) families. Deoxyceramides are atypical and neurotoxic sphingolipids. Triacylglycerols are an abundant lipid class and comprise the bulk of storage fat in tissues. Pathologically elevated TG and Cer(m) levels are related to CVD risk and, in our study, to EAT volume. Conclusion: Our results indicate that specific lipid abnormalities such as enriched saturated triacylglycerols and the presence of toxic ceramides Cer(m) in plasma of our individuals could precede CVD with increased EAT volume

Restricción alimenticia en ovinos: Respuesta endocrino metabólica dependiente de las reservas corporales

las respuestas metabólicas a los cambios en el estado corporal podrían depender de la historia metabólica reciente (nivel de alimentación, efecto dinámico) o más antigua (reservas corporales, efecto estático), concepto denominado "memoria metabólica". El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la respuesta endocrino-metabólica a una restricción alimenticia en ovejas con diferente condición corporal (CC) al inicio del experimento. Durante la estación reproductiva, 36 ovejas Rasa Aragonesa fueron separadas en 2 grupos con diferente CC: CC > 2,75 (moderadamente alta, A, 2,9 ± 0,04) y CC < 2,25 (moderadamente baja, B, 2,1 ± 0,04). Durante 20 días, ambos grupos recibieron una dieta para cubrir los requerimientos de mantenimiento de energía y proteína, tras lo cual se asignaron al azar a dos tratamientos nutricionales: 1,5 (control, C) o 0,5 (subnutrición, S) veces los requerimientos de mantenimiento diario, estableciéndose cuatro grupos: altas control (AC, n = 9), altas subnutridas (AS, n = 10), bajas control (BC, n = 9) y bajas subnutridas (BS, n = 8). Se determinó el peso vivo (PV) y los niveles plasmáticos de glucosa, ácidos grasos no esterificados (AGNE), 3-hidroxibutirato (BHB), insulina, leptina y factor de crecimiento similar a la insulina tipo 1 (IGF-I). Los grupos BS y AS perdieron peso, el grupo BC lo ganó y las ovejas AC lo mantuvieron. La concentración plasmática de glucosa fue mayor y los AGNE menor en las ovejas controles. Las ovejas de alta CC presentaron mayores concentraciones de insulina y de IGF-I, y la leptina tendió a ser mayor en estos animales. A su vez, la insulina fue mayor en los animales controles, mientras que las otras hormonas no fueron afectadas por el tratamiento. Los perfiles de glucosa, BHB, insulina e IGF-I estuvieron afectados por la CC inicial y el tratamiento nutricional, como así lo demuestra la interacción significativa entre estos factores y días. Se evidenció un aumento en el momento del celo de las concentraciones de los metabolitos (glucosa y BHB) y de las hormonas metabólicas (insulina e IGF-I). En conclusión, en este estudio se encontró que los perfiles de glucosa, BHB, insulina e IGF-I varían de forma diferente frente a una restricción alimenticia en función del grado de reservas corporales de las ovejas en el momento de iniciarse la restricción alimenticia.Fil: Fernandez Foren, A.. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Abecia, José Alfonso. Universidad de Zaragoza; EspañaFil: Vazquez, Maria Isabel. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto. Facultad de Agronomia y Veterinaria. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Cordoba. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias.; ArgentinaFil: Forcada Miranda, Fernando. Universidad de Zaragoza; EspañaFil: Sartore, I.. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Carriquiry, M.. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Meikle, Ana. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Sosa Misuraca, Cecilia. Universidad de Zaragoza; Españ

Restricción alimenticia en ovinos: Respuesta endocrino metabólica dependiente de las reservas corporales

las respuestas metabólicas a los cambios en el estado corporal podrían depender de la historia metabólica reciente (nivel de alimentación, efecto dinámico) o más antigua (reservas corporales, efecto estático), concepto denominado "memoria metabólica". El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la respuesta endocrino-metabólica a una restricción alimenticia en ovejas con diferente condición corporal (CC) al inicio del experimento. Durante la estación reproductiva, 36 ovejas Rasa Aragonesa fueron separadas en 2 grupos con diferente CC: CC > 2,75 (moderadamente alta, A, 2,9 ± 0,04) y CC < 2,25 (moderadamente baja, B, 2,1 ± 0,04). Durante 20 días, ambos grupos recibieron una dieta para cubrir los requerimientos de mantenimiento de energía y proteína, tras lo cual se asignaron al azar a dos tratamientos nutricionales: 1,5 (control, C) o 0,5 (subnutrición, S) veces los requerimientos de mantenimiento diario, estableciéndose cuatro grupos: altas control (AC, n = 9), altas subnutridas (AS, n = 10), bajas control (BC, n = 9) y bajas subnutridas (BS, n = 8). Se determinó el peso vivo (PV) y los niveles plasmáticos de glucosa, ácidos grasos no esterificados (AGNE), 3-hidroxibutirato (BHB), insulina, leptina y factor de crecimiento similar a la insulina tipo 1 (IGF-I). Los grupos BS y AS perdieron peso, el grupo BC lo ganó y las ovejas AC lo mantuvieron. La concentración plasmática de glucosa fue mayor y los AGNE menor en las ovejas controles. Las ovejas de alta CC presentaron mayores concentraciones de insulina y de IGF-I, y la leptina tendió a ser mayor en estos animales. A su vez, la insulina fue mayor en los animales controles, mientras que las otras hormonas no fueron afectadas por el tratamiento. Los perfiles de glucosa, BHB, insulina e IGF-I estuvieron afectados por la CC inicial y el tratamiento nutricional, como así lo demuestra la interacción significativa entre estos factores y días. Se evidenció un aumento en el momento del celo de las concentraciones de los metabolitos (glucosa y BHB) y de las hormonas metabólicas (insulina e IGF-I). En conclusión, en este estudio se encontró que los perfiles de glucosa, BHB, insulina e IGF-I varían de forma diferente frente a una restricción alimenticia en función del grado de reservas corporales de las ovejas en el momento de iniciarse la restricción alimenticia.Fil: Fernandez Foren, A.. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Abecia, José Alfonso. Universidad de Zaragoza; EspañaFil: Vazquez, Maria Isabel. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto. Facultad de Agronomia y Veterinaria. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Cordoba. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias.; ArgentinaFil: Forcada Miranda, Fernando. Universidad de Zaragoza; EspañaFil: Sartore, I.. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Carriquiry, M.. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Meikle, Ana. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Sosa Misuraca, Cecilia. Universidad de Zaragoza; Españ