Physical Properties and Ionic Concentration of the Bovine Cervical Mucus at the Moment of Inseminating: Spontaneous Estrous and Induced Estrous

Objective of the investigation was to characterize biochemically the cervical mucus collected prior to the artificialinsemination of Holstein heifers comparing spontaneous oestrus with induced oestrus. The concentration of sodiumand potassium was determined through flame photometry, chlorine ions by Schoenfeld reaction, magnesium andcalcium was determined through colorimetry in micro plates. pH (reactive tape) and degree of crystallization (opticalmicroscope) were also evaluated. Natural estrous was detected by observing the behavior of the heifers twice a dayand by observing the characteristics of the vulva. In order to induce oestrous, an intra vaginal device was placedwith 1 gm of progesterone and 2 mg of estradiol benzoate were injected (Day 0). On day 8 the device waswithdrawn and 0-150 mg of D-Cloprostenol and 1 mg of Estradiol Cypionate were provided. 56 hours afterwithdrawal, the device was inseminated and at 60 days of pregnancy determined. The cervical mucus of heifers withspontaneous oestrus showed lower content of sodium and potassium, higher magnesium and chlorine, and biggerproportion of sodium/potassium from that obtained by induce oestrus. When comparing the pregnant with the emptyheifers, it was discovered that at the moment of insemination, the pH value and the degree of crystallization ofpregnant heifers was significantly lower, same as the concentrations of potassium and magnesium. Sodium washigher in this group. Pregnancy was always related to high ionic level generating an osmotic force that draws waterto the cervical mucus, characteristic fundamental in transport of sperms.Fil: Bernardi, S. F.. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Savia, Caren Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro Argentino de Información Científica y Tecnológica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Secretaria de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro Binacional de Investigación en Criobiología Clínica y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: de Paz, L. J.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro Argentino de Información Científica y Tecnológica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Humanidades y Artes. Secretaria de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro Binacional (Argentina- Italia) de Investigaciones en Criobiología Clí­nica y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, J. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Secretaria de Ciencia y Técnica. Centro Binacional de Investigación en Criobiología Clínica y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Marini, Pablo Roberto. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentin

A low-mass planet candidate orbiting Proxima Centauri at a distance of 1.5 AU

Copyright © 2020 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License 4.0 (CC BY-NC).Our nearest neighbor, Proxima Centauri, hosts a temperate terrestrial planet. We detected in radial velocities evidence of a possible second planet with minimum mass m c sin i c = 5.8 ± 1.9 M ⊕ and orbital period P c = 5.21 - 0.22 + 0.26 years. The analysis of photometric data and spectro-scopic activity diagnostics does not explain the signal in terms of a stellar activity cycle, but follow-up is required in the coming years for confirming its planetary origin. We show that the existence of the planet can be ascertained, and its true mass can be determined with high accuracy, by combining Gaia astrometry and radial velocities. Proxima c could become a prime target for follow-up and characterization with next-generation direct imaging instrumentation due to the large maximum angular separation of ~1 arc second from the parent star. The candidate planet represents a challenge for the models of super-Earth formation and evolution.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Hyperacute Incidental Late Myocardial Enhancement in Ischemic Stroke Using Chest Spectral CT: Relationship with Etiology

Background: Hyperacute cardiac imaging of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), though desirable, is impractical. Using delayed-enhancement, low-dose, non-gated, chest spectral computed tomography scans (DESCT), we explored the prevalence and patterns of incidental myocardial late iodine enhancement (LIE) and embolic sources, and their relationship with stroke etiology. Methods: Since July 2020, DESCT was performed after cerebrovascular CT angiography (CTA) among patients with suspected AIS undergoing CT using a dual-layer spectral scanner, without additional contrast administration. Images were analyzed using monoenergetic reconstructions and iodine density maps, and the myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV, %) was calculated. Results: Eighty patients with AIS were included. DESCT identified a cardiac thrombi in 6 patients (7.5%), and a complex aortic plaque in 4 (5%) cases; reclassifying 5 embolic strokes of uncertain source (28% of ESUS) to cardioembolic (CE, n = 3) and non-CE (n = 2) etiologies. LIE was identified in 38 (48%) patients, most commonly (82%) of ischemic pattern. We did not identify significant relationships between AIS etiology and the presence, pattern, and extent of LIE (p > 0.05); ECV (p = 0.56), severe aortic (p = 0.25) or valvular (p = 0.26) disease, or the extent of coronary calcification (p = 0.39). Patients with evidence of major cardiovascular DESCT findings had higher rates of all-cause death at 90 days (42% vs. 19%, p = 0.037). Conclusions: In this study, hyperacute cardiac imaging of AIS with DESCT identified a high prevalence of incidental cardiac disease predominantly involving LIE of ischemic etiology and mostly not related to the stroke etiology.Fil: Rodriguez Granillo, Gaston Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto Alberto C. Taquini de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas "Prof. Dr. Alberto C. Taquini". Instituto Alberto C. Taquini de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional; Argentina. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; ArgentinaFil: Cirio, Juan J.. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; ArgentinaFil: Ciardi, Celina. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; ArgentinaFil: Caballero, Maria L.. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; ArgentinaFil: Fontana, Lucia A.. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; ArgentinaFil: Buezas, Mariano D.. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; ArgentinaFil: Diluca, Pablo. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; ArgentinaFil: Lylyk, Pedro. Clinica La Sagrada Familia. Instituto Medico ENERI; Argentin

Influence of denitrifiers abundance on N2O emissions in long term tillage system under a rainfed legume crop

Current studies about nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from legume crops have raised considerable doubt, observing a high variability between sites (0.03-7.09 kg N2O–N ha−1 y -1) [1]. This high variability has been associated to climate and soil conditions, legume species and soil management practices (e.g. conservation or conventional tillage). Conservation tillage (i.e. no tillage (NT) and minimum tillage (MT)) has spread during the last decades because promotes several positive effects (increase of soil organic content, reduction of soil erosion and enhancement of carbon (C) sequestration). However, these benefits could be partly counterbalanced by negative effects on the release of N2O emissions. Among processes responsible for N2O production and consumption in soils, denitrification plays an importantrole both in tilled and no-tilled ropping systems [2]. Recently, amplification of functional bacterial genes involved in denitrification is being used to examine denitrifiers abundance and evaluate their influence on N2O emissions. NirK and nirS are functional genes encoding the cytochrome cd1 and copper nitrite reductase, which is the key enzyme regulating the denitrification process

Elevated circulating metalloproteinase 7 predicts recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with carotid stenosis: a prospective cohort study

Background: Major adverse cardiovascular events are the main cause of morbidity and mortality over the long term in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. There are few reports assessing the prognostic value of markers of inflammation in relation to the risk of cardiovascular disease after carotid endarterectomy. Here, we aimed to determine whether matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-10), tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP-1) and in vivo inflammation studied by 18F-FDG-PET/CT predict recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with carotid stenosis who underwent endarterectomy. Methods: This prospective cohort study was carried out on 31 consecutive patients with symptomatic (23/31) or asymptomatic (8/31) severe (> 70%) carotid stenosis who were scheduled for carotid endarterectomy between July 2013 and March 2016. In addition, 26 healthy controls were included in the study. Plasma and serum samples were collected 2 days prior to surgery and tested for MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-10, TIMP-1, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. 18F-FDGPET/CT focusing on several territories’ vascular wall metabolism was performed on 29 of the patients because of no presurgical availability in 2 symptomatic patients. Histological and immunohistochemical studies were performed with antibodies targeting MMP-10, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and CD68. Results: The patients with carotid stenosis had significantly more circulating MMP-1, MMP-7 and MMP-10 than the healthy controls. Intraplaque TIMP-1 was correlated with its plasma level (r = 0.42 P = .02) and with 18F-FDG uptake (r = 0.38 P = .05). We did not find any correlation between circulating MMPs and in vivo carotid plaque metabolism assessed by 18F-FDG-PET. After a median follow-up of 1077 days, 4 cerebrovascular, 7 cardiovascular and 11 peripheral vascular events requiring hospitalization were registered. Circulating MMP-7 was capable of predicting events over and above the traditional risk factors (HR = 1.15 P = .006). When the model was associated with the variables of interest, the risk predicted by 18F-FDG-PET was not significant. Conclusions: Circulating MMP-7 may represent a novel marker for recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with moderate to severe carotid stenosis. MMP-7 may reflect the atherosclerotic burden but not plaque inflammation in this specific vascular territory

Biophysical properties of single rotavirus particles account for the functions of protein shells in a multilayered virus

The functions performed by the concentric shells of multilayered dsRNA viruses require specific protein interactions that can be directly explored through their mechanical properties. We studied the stiffness, breaking force, critical strain and mechanical fatigue of individual Triple, Double and Single layered rotavirus (RV) particles. Our results, in combination with Finite Element simulations, demonstrate that the mechanics of the external layer provides the resistance needed to counteract the stringent conditions of extracellular media. Our experiments, in combination with electrostatic analyses, reveal a strong interaction between the two outer layers and how it is suppressed by the removal of calcium ions, a key step for transcription initiation. The intermediate layer presents weak hydrophobic interactions with the inner layer that allow the assembly and favor the conformational dynamics needed for transcription. Our work shows how the biophysical properties of the three shells are finely tuned to produce an infective RV virio

Effect of finite temperature and uniaxial anisotropy on the Casimir effect with three-dimensional topological insulators

In this work we study the Casimir effect with three-dimensional topological insulators including the effects of temperature and uniaxial anisotropy. Although precise experimental values for the optical properties of these materials are yet to be established, qualitative analysis is still possible. We find qualitatively that the reported repulsive behavior and the equilibrium point are robust features of the system, and are favored by low temperatures and the enhancement of the optical response parallel to the optical axis. The dependence of the equilibrium point with temperature and with the topological magnetoelectric polarizability characteristic of three-dimensional topological insulators is also discussed.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures. Published versio

Impact of perineural invasion on the outcome of patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery

Purpose: To analyze the prognostic value of variables of the primary tumor in patients with synchronous liver metastases in colorectal cancer (CLRMs) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery. Methods/patients: From a prospective database, we retrospectively identified all patients with synchronous CLRMs who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and liver resection. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we identified the variables associated with tumor recurrence. Overall survival and disease-free survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method with differences determined by the Cox multiple hazards model. Results were compared using the log-rank test. Results: Ninety-eight patients with synchronous CLRMs were identified. With a median follow-up of 39.8 months, overall survival and disease-free survival at 5 and 10 years were 53%, 41.7%, 29% and 29%, respectively. Univariate analysis identified three variables associated with tumor recurrence: location in the colon (p = 0.025), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.011) and perineural invasion (p = 0.005). Multivariate analysis identified two variables associated with worse overall survival: perineural invasion (HR 2.36, 95% CI 1.162-4.818, p = 0.018) and performing frontline colectomy (HR 3.286, 95% CI 1.256-8.597, p = 0.015). Perineural invasion remained as the only variable associated with lower disease-free survival (HR 1.867, 95% CI 1.013-3.441, p = 0.045). Overall survival at 5 and 10 years in patients with and without perineural invasion was 68.2%, 54.4% and 29.9% and 21.3%, respectively (HR 5.920, 95% CI 2.241-15.630, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Perineural invasion in the primary tumor is the variable with most impact on survival in patients with synchronous CLRMs treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery