It’s time to be ashamed! Reactions to the breaking of a long-lasting self-censorship on ingroup war crimes

This study explores the reactions of Italian university students to information about colonial crimes perpetrated by the Italian Army during the invasion of Ethiopia (1935-36), events that are still self-censored in intergenerational narratives. Participants reported their emotions about the Italian colonial past and their knowledge of this historical period was examined. Then they read a parrhesic (i.e., straightforward) or, alternatively, an evasive narrative of crimes committed in Ethiopia in 1935-36 and, once again, reported related emotions. A week later, they evaluated the crimes’ seriousness, reported for the third time their emotions about Italy’s colonial past, and declared their moral shame, social shame, and guilt for colonial crimes. Finally, they expressed their support for reparative actions. As expected, the vast majority of participants knew little about past misdeeds. Participants presented with a parrhesic narrative were more able to acknowledge older generations’ responsibilities and to distance themselves morally from them. Moral and social shame, outrage, and a reduced sense of pride, rather than guilt or anger, predicted support for reparations. The limitations of the present study, and future research perspectives, are discussed

Detection of nonpregnant cows and potential embryo losses by color Doppler ultrasound and interferon-stimulated gene expression in grazing dairy cows

Many studies have been conducted to estimate pregnancy losses between 19 and 34 d after artificial insemination (AI) in dairy cows managed under confinement-based systems, but few studies have examined embryo mortality during this interval in dairy cows managed under gazing systems. The objectives of this prospective cohort study were (1) to assess the diagnostic value of the corpus luteum (CL) blood perfusion (BP) evaluation by Doppler ultrasound (US) to detect nonpregnant cows at 19 to 20 d post-AI, and (2) to assess the rate of potential embryo mortality between 19 to 34 d post-AI. The CL-BP of all cows included in the study (n = 131) was examined on farm by power and color mode of Doppler US and later using an image processing software by a second evaluator. The endometrium thickness and echotexture were evaluated by B-mode US at the same visit to assess if the nonpregnancy diagnosis could be improved at 19 to 20 d post-AI by this additional diagnostic tool. Blood samples were obtained at 19 to 20 d post-AI for progesterone (P4) measurement by chemiluminescence and to determine the mRNA expression of ISG by real-time PCR. Pregnancy diagnosis based on embryo visualization was performed at 33 to 34 d post-AI by US B-mode. In parallel interpretation, ISG15 and MX2 mRNA expression in leukocytes [sensitivity (Se), 100%] were regarded as suitable biomarkers for early pregnancy and were selected for molecular characterization of pregnancy at 19 to 20 d post-AI. At 19 to 20 d post-AI, 61.1% of the cows had positive CL-BP by Doppler US (Se, 98.0%), 62.7% had ISG mRNA expression in leukocytes over the cutoff point (Se, 95.7%), and 50.8% were positive, based on the combination of ISG mRNA expression, CL-BP by Doppler US, and P4 concentration (Se, 100%), and were considered as possible pregnant. At 33 to 34 d, the pregnancy rate was 37.4% diagnosed by the B-mode US. Based on the expression of the selected biomarkers in cows with active CL, we found that 28.1% of the cows could have potentially lost their pregnancy between 19 and 34 d post-AI. The Doppler US color mode showed similar accuracy and a higher negative predictive value than the genes selected as biomarkers. The additional B-mode ultrasound evaluation of the uterine stratum vasculare and the endometrium thickness improved the diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, assessing the CL-BP by Doppler US allowed early detection of nonpregnant cows at 19 to 20 d post-AI. The combination of early CL-BP by Doppler US (d 19 to 20) with early embryo detection by B-mode US (d 33–34) could be used to facilitate earlier rebreeding of dairy cows

In vivo imaging and quantitative analysis of leukocyte directional migration and polarization in inflamed tissue

Directional migration of transmigrated leukocytes to the site of injury is a central event in the inflammatory response. Here, we present an in vivo chemotaxis assay enabling the visualization and quantitative analysis of subtype-specific directional motility and polarization of leukocytes in their natural 3D microenvironment. Our technique comprises the combination of i) semi-automated in situ microinjection of chemoattractants or bacteria as local chemotactic stimulus, ii) in vivo near-infrared reflected-light oblique transillumination (RLOT) microscopy for the visualization of leukocyte motility and morphology, and iii) in vivo fluorescence microscopy for the visualization of different leukocyte subpopulations or fluorescence-labeled bacteria. Leukocyte motility parameters are quantified off-line in digitized video sequences using computer-assisted single cell tracking. Here, we show that perivenular microinjection of chemoattractants [macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha/Ccl3), platelet-activating factor (PAF)] or E. coli into the murine cremaster muscle induces target-oriented intravascular adhesion and transmigration as well as polarization and directional interstitial migration of leukocytes towards the locally administered stimuli. Moreover, we describe a crucial role of Rho kinase for the regulation of directional motility and polarization of transmigrated leukocytes in vivo. Finally, combining in vivo RLOT and fluorescence microscopy in Cx3CR1(gfp/gfp) mice (mice exhibiting green fluorescent protein-labeled monocytes), we are able to demonstrate differences in the migratory behavior of monocytes and neutrophils.Taken together, we propose a novel approach for investigating the mechanisms and spatiotemporal dynamics of subtype-specific motility and polarization of leukocytes during their directional interstitial migration in vivo

Diagnosis of embryonic loss and very early detection of non-pregnant cows by Doppler ultrasound Summary

Los productores lecheros enfrentan grandes desafíos que amenazan los resultados económicos del sistema, siendo la eficiencia reproductiva uno de los principales factores para tener en cuenta. Para alcanzar el objetivo de un parto por año/vaca y mantener así la rentabilidad del tambo, es primordial lograr la mayor cantidad de vacas inseminadas en el menor tiempo posible. Tanto las vacas que fallan en la concepción como aquellas que padecen de pérdidas embrionarias son en las que hay que focalizar los esfuerzos para detectarlas e inseminarlas nuevamente en forma rápida y de esta manera acortar el intervalo de tiempo entre el parto y la nueva concepción. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron 1) validar la ultrasonografía (USG) Doppler para la detección de vacas no gestantes a los 19-20 d post-IA y 2) determinar las pérdidas embrionarias entre los 19 y 34 días de gestación en vacas de tambo. Al día 19-20 post IA, se evaluó la perfusión sanguínea del cuerpo lúteo (CL-FS) por USG Doppler en modo color y en modo power en todas las vacas ingresadas en el estudio (n= 131). En la misma visita también se evaluó la ecotextura uterina mediante USG en modo B para determinar si dicha evaluación podría aportar datos que mejoraran el diagnóstico de no-preñez al día 19-20 post IA. Además, se obtuvieron muestras de sangre para la medición de progesterona (P4) y para determinar la expresión de genes relacionados con la gestación temprana (genes estimulados por el interferón tau; ISG) mediante PCR en tiempo real. Finalmente se realizó el diagnóstico de gestación a los 33-34 d post-IA mediante USG en modo B. El modo Color de la USG Doppler mostró alta precisión para detectar vacuidad al pie de la vaca usando la categoría ≤1 (escala 0-4) en todos los cuadrantes del CL. La tasa de no-preñez diagnosticada USG Doppler a los 19-20 d post-IA fue de 38,9 % (51/131), mientras que el 62,6 % (82/131)Dairy producers face important challenges threatening the system's financial results, making reproductive efficiency one of the most important. To achieve the goal of a calving per cow/year and thus maintain the profitability of the dairy, it is essential to achieve a high number of inseminated cows in the shortest possible time. Cows that fail to conceive and those that suffer embryo loss are the ones that we should focus on detecting and inseminating them promptly, shortening the time interval between calving and new conception. The objectives of this study were 1) to assess the ultrasound (USG) Doppler for the detection of non-pregnant cows at 19- 20 d post-IA and 2) to determine the embryo loss between 19-34 d of pregnancy in dairy cows. In all cows included in the study (n=131), the corpus luteum (CL-FS) perfusion was assessed by the color and the power mode of the Doppler USG. In addition, the uterine echotexture was evaluated by USG mode B to predict if, including this information, the precision of the USG Doppler at 19-20 d post AI improved. At the same time, blood samples were collected to measure progesterone (P4) and to determine the expression of genes related to early pregnancy (interferon-stimulated genes; ISG) by real-time PCR. Finally, the pregnancy diagnosis was performed at 33-36 d after IA using USG mode B. Color mode showed higher precision in detecting non-pregnant cows using category ≤1 (scale 0-4) in all CL quadrants. The non-pregnancy rate at 19-20 d post-AI was 38,9% (51/131) by CL-FS Doppler USG. In contrast, the non-pregnancy rate at 33-34d post-AI was 62,6 (82/131) by B-mode USG based on the lack of embryo visualization. The presence of a thick endometrial layer and the visualization of the uterine stratum vascular at 19-20 d post-AI was related to the non-pregnancy diagnosis at 33-34 d post-AI (p1ng/ml at 19-20 d post-AI, we detected that 28,1% of the cows potentially lost the pregnancy between 19-34 d. Doppler USG allowed the detection of non-pregnant cows between 19-20 d post-AI, and the additional B-mode ultrasound evaluation of the uterine echo structure improved the detection of non-pregnant cows. The early diagnosis using these techniques is a valuable and quick tool to be implemented in resynchronization protocols to minimize open days.Fil: Lorenti, N. S.. Practica Privada; ArgentinaFil: Madoz, Laura Vanina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Teriogenología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rearte, Ramiro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Teriogenología; ArgentinaFil: Quintero Rodriguez, Luis Ernesto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Teriogenología; ArgentinaFil: Migliorisi, Ana Lorena. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Teriogenología; ArgentinaFil: Jaureguiberry, María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Teriogenología; ArgentinaFil: Gabler, C.. Freie Universität Berlin; AlemaniaFil: Drillich, M.. University of Veterinary Medicine; AustriaFil: de la Sota, Rodolfo Luzbel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Teriogenología; Argentin

Association between progesterone concentration and endometrial gene expression in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between progesterone concentration on Days 4 and 9 of the estrus cycle and endometrial transcriptome at Day 9 in lactating grazing dairy cows. Blood samples were obtained on Days 0, 4, and 9 for progesterone measurement by chemiluminescence. Cows were assigned to one of the following groups (n = 3 per group): cows with low physiological progesterone on Day 4, cows in anestrous, cows with high physiological progesterone on Day 4, and superovulated cows. Endometrial biopsy samples were obtained on Day 9 for RNA sequencing. Quality control and determination of differentially expressed genes (false discovery rate <0.05) were determined using the edgeR package for R software. We identified 3,042 differentially expressed genes among the 4 groups. Cows having high physiological progesterone and superovulated cows showed high similarities and clustered apart from those in anestrus or having low physiological progesterone. Functional analysis using Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery revealed that endometrial genes upregulated by low progesterone concentration are enriched genes involved in the immune system and inflammatory response. Conversely, cows with high physiological progesterone concentration presented an endometrial transcriptome with similarities to cows with good genetic merit for fertility, showing upregulation of genes related to uterine relaxation–contraction, focal adhesion, GnRH signaling pathway, and epidermal growth factor–like related terms, suggesting a favorable embryo environment. In conclusion, our results support the concept that there is a threshold of progesterone concentration at the beginning of the luteal phase associated with endometrial expression of critical genes involved in the preparation of the uterine environment for embryo implantation.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Academic literacy study at the School of Veterinary Sciences of the National University of La Plata

Cuando nos referimos a alfabetización académica, hacemos referencia a los conocimientos necesarios para aprender en la universidad. Habiéndose realizado una evaluación diagnóstica en el curso de Patología General Veterinaria, se estudió esta problemática en los cursos de segundo año de la carrera de Medicina Veterinaria de la Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias de la UNLP. Los objetivos del estudio incluyeron conocer qué importancia se da en los cursos de segundo año a la lectura y a la escritura, indagar en las ideas de los docentes al respecto, analizar las actividades de lectoescritura propuestas a los estudiantes y conocer las dificultades que éstos enfrentan ante la lectura y escritura de textos académicos. Para ello se analizaron las planificaciones y evaluaciones curriculares de cada curso, relatos de clases y textos escritos por estudiantes. Se realizaron observaciones de clase y se encuestó a docentes y estudiantes de segundo año. Los resultados muestran qué actividades de lectura y escritura están presentes, tanto en el curriculum práctico como en el formal, hallándose las actividades de escritura preponderantemente en la instancia de evaluación. Las encuestas docentes revelan ideas en transición entre la postura que no reconoce responsabilidad de la universidad en la alfabetización académica y la que sí lo hace. Las encuestas a estudiantes revelaron múltiples dificultades en la lectura, mientras que el análisis de sus escritos mostró dificultades en la escritura. El conocimiento de la situación actual permitirá diseñar proyectos de intervención tendientes a mejorarla, facilitando el proceso de incorporación de los estudiantes a la cultura académica.Academic literacy refers to the knowledge required for learning in college. Taken into account a previous diagnostic study in the Veterinary General Pathology course, in the present work we performed an evaluation of the academic literacy in the remaining courses of second year of the Veterinary Medicine Career, School of Veterinary Sciences, UNLP. Our objectives were to know the relevance given in the courses to reading and writing, to inquire into the teacher conceptions about the academic literacy, to analyze the literacy activities proposed, and to know the challenges they should go through during reading and writing academic texts. Here we analyze planning and evaluation of each course, class descriptions and texts written by students. Class observations and surveys directed to teachers and second-year students were made. The results showed that reading and writing activities are present in the practical curriculum as in the formal one. The writing activities are predominantly present in the evaluations. Surveys directed to teachers reveal teachers that recognize responsibility of the university in the academic literacy and teachers who do not. In addition, surveys directed to students revealed many difficulties in reading, while the analysis of writing showed some difficulties. Knowledge of the current situation will allow designing intervention projects aimed to facilitating the process of incorporation of students to the academic culture.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Academic literacy study at the School of Veterinary Sciences of the National University of La Plata

Cuando nos referimos a alfabetización académica, hacemos referencia a los conocimientos necesarios para aprender en la universidad. Habiéndose realizado una evaluación diagnóstica en el curso de Patología General Veterinaria, se estudió esta problemática en los cursos de segundo año de la carrera de Medicina Veterinaria de la Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias de la UNLP. Los objetivos del estudio incluyeron conocer qué importancia se da en los cursos de segundo año a la lectura y a la escritura, indagar en las ideas de los docentes al respecto, analizar las actividades de lectoescritura propuestas a los estudiantes y conocer las dificultades que éstos enfrentan ante la lectura y escritura de textos académicos. Para ello se analizaron las planificaciones y evaluaciones curriculares de cada curso, relatos de clases y textos escritos por estudiantes. Se realizaron observaciones de clase y se encuestó a docentes y estudiantes de segundo año. Los resultados muestran qué actividades de lectura y escritura están presentes, tanto en el curriculum práctico como en el formal, hallándose las actividades de escritura preponderantemente en la instancia de evaluación. Las encuestas docentes revelan ideas en transición entre la postura que no reconoce responsabilidad de la universidad en la alfabetización académica y la que sí lo hace. Las encuestas a estudiantes revelaron múltiples dificultades en la lectura, mientras que el análisis de sus escritos mostró dificultades en la escritura. El conocimiento de la situación actual permitirá diseñar proyectos de intervención tendientes a mejorarla, facilitando el proceso de incorporación de los estudiantes a la cultura académica.Academic literacy refers to the knowledge required for learning in college. Taken into account a previous diagnostic study in the Veterinary General Pathology course, in the present work we performed an evaluation of the academic literacy in the remaining courses of second year of the Veterinary Medicine Career, School of Veterinary Sciences, UNLP. Our objectives were to know the relevance given in the courses to reading and writing, to inquire into the teacher conceptions about the academic literacy, to analyze the literacy activities proposed, and to know the challenges they should go through during reading and writing academic texts. Here we analyze planning and evaluation of each course, class descriptions and texts written by students. Class observations and surveys directed to teachers and second-year students were made. The results showed that reading and writing activities are present in the practical curriculum as in the formal one. The writing activities are predominantly present in the evaluations. Surveys directed to teachers reveal teachers that recognize responsibility of the university in the academic literacy and teachers who do not. In addition, surveys directed to students revealed many difficulties in reading, while the analysis of writing showed some difficulties. Knowledge of the current situation will allow designing intervention projects aimed to facilitating the process of incorporation of students to the academic culture.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Detecting social signals of honesty and fear of appearing deceitful: A methodological proposal

This paper proposes an original methodology designed to single out the speaker's social signals expressing either honesty or anxiety induced by his awareness of being suspected of deceit. 24 participants were randomly assigned to one of the three following experimental conditions (namely A, B and C), manipulated during a face-to-face interview. In condition A, participants could win an undeserved resource, but only by deceiving by dissimulation the researcher. In condition B, participants could win a resource they deserved, but only by persuading their interviewer they were not deceiving her. In condition C (control), researchers awarded a participant with a resource they deserved. All participants in condition A decided not to dissimulate. All participants in condition B debated for earning the resource they deserved. On the base of videos unobtrusively recorded during interactions of researcher-participant dyads, interviews were analyzed both by a multimodal analysis of face-to-face communication and by F.A.C.S. analysis. Social signals detected during honest communication (condition A) significantly differed from social signals shown during defensive communication (condition B). In order to contribute to the study of further behavioral signals of dissimulation, the paper discusses the importance of a finegrained detection of social signals of honesty and fear of being suspected of deceit

Decolonising Reactions to Material Traces of the European Past: The Case of an Italian Colonial Food

European capital cities are replete with material traces of colonial times, not only institutional reminders but also ephemeral objects, created to glorify colonial domination. Reactions of descendants of former colonisers to these traces suggest that colonial tropes are still present in their contemporary imaginary about the past. A comprehensive effort of decolonisation, therefore, needs to aim not only at including previously despised minorities, but also at raising majorities’ awareness about the aggressive side of leaving the permanence of material traces of colonialism unquestioned. Moreover, this awareness of implications of material traces could help to redesign European physical contexts to become more welcoming places for descendants of former colonised groups. Our research explores reactions of different generations of descendants of Italian colonisers when presented with an ephemeral trace of past violence—a candy still sold with a colonial wrapping. About 175 participants were presented with the image of the candy, either wrapped in its original colonial package or a neutral one. The image was followed either by a brief explanation of its colonial meaning or not. Reactions to such an apparently inconspicuous reminder of the Italian colonial crimes—still self-censored in the social representations of the Italian national past—proved to vary across experimental conditions and different ages of respondents. In particular, when questioning these ephemeral traces of adult participants show more intense group-based negative moral emotions. Relations between the generational renewal of former colonisers’ group and collective elaboration of intergroup violence are discussed

Usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage in the management of patients presenting with lung infiltrates and suspect COVID-19-associated pneumonia: A case report

OBJECTIVE: To report a clinical case of a patient with a compatible HRCT scan and two negative SARS-CoV-2 RNA upper respiratory tract specimens but with a confirmed viral infection by BAL (19 days after symptom onset). METHODS: Revision of a patient's clinical charts with COVID-19 admitted at INMI L. Spallanzani Hospital RESULTS: Two oropharyngeal swab tests of SARS-CoV-2 by qualitative real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay were performed at admission (17 days from symptoms onset) and a day apart and were found negative. BAL fluid collected 19 days after symptoms onset was positive for SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSION: This case highlights importance of clinical suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection in diagnosis and infectivity assessment. We suggest collection of BAL fluid when consecutive nasopharyngeal swabs are negative, to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of COVID-19-associated pneumonia. Healthcare workers should perform aerosol-generating procedures in an adequately ventilated room and should wear adequate PPE