Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome Associated With West-Nile Virus Infection: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is a very rare condition with different autoimmune, infectious and paraneoplastic aetiologies or in most cases idiopathic. We report the case of a 75-year-old woman who was admitted in our department in early fall for altered mental status, opsoclonus, multifocal myoclonus, truncal titubation and generalized tremor, preceded by a 5 day prodrome consisting of malaise, nausea, fever and vomiting. Brain computed tomography and MRI scans showed no significant abnormalities and cerebrospinal fluid changes consisted of mildly increased protein content and number of white cells. Work-up for paraneoplastic and autoimmune causes of OMS was negative but serologic tests identified positive IgM and IgG antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV). The patient was treated with Dexamethasone and Clonazepam with progressive improvement of mental status, myoclonus, opsoclonus and associated neurologic signs. Six months after the acute illness she had complete recovery. To our knowledge this is the 14th case of WNV associated OMS reported in the literature so far. We briefly describe the clinical course of the other reported cases together with the different treatment strategies that have been employed

Network slice allocation for 5G V2X networks: A case study from framework to implementation and performance assessment

Empowered by the capabilities provided by fifth generation (5G) mobile communication systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication is heading from concept to reality. Given the nature of high-mobility and high-density for vehicle transportation, how to satisfy the stringent and divergent requirements for V2X communications such as ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliable connectivity appears as an unprecedented challenging task for network operators. As an enabler to tackle this problem, network slicing provides a power tool for supporting V2X communications over 5G networks. In this paper, we propose a network resource allocation framework which deals with slice allocation considering the coexistence of V2X communications with multiple other types of services. The framework is implemented in Python and we evaluate the performance of our framework based on real-life network deployment datasets from a 5G operator. Through extensive simulations, we explore the benefits brought by network slicing in terms of achieved data rates for V2X, blocking probability, and handover ratio through different combinations of traffic types. We also reveal the importance of proper resource splitting for slicing among V2X and other types of services when network traffic load in an area of interest and quality of service of end users are taken into account.publishedVersionPaid open acces

Influence of Supplemental Feeding on Body Condition Score and Reproductive Performance Dynamics in Botosani Karakul Sheep

The aim of this research was to study the impact of supplementary feeding on reproductive traits in sheep. Two groups, L1 (control) and L2 (experimental treatment), of adult females aged between two and six years belonging to the Botosani Karakul sheep breed were formed. The experimental treatment group (L2) received supplementary feeding 25 days prior to mating. Improvements in body condition and significant increases in live weight occurred by the time of mating in those ewes that had been flushed (L2) (p < 0.01 vs. L1). The number of lambs per individual parturition was influenced by the body condition score (BCS), especially in females with a BCS of 2.0. The total number of weaned lambs in females with a BCS of 2.0 differed in comparison to that of females with a BCS of 2.5 or 3.0. All results highlighted that supplementary feeding applied to ewes prior to mating affected their reproductive and economic performance, translating to an increased live weight of the litter at weaning in the L2 group (p < 0.01 in lambs from BCS 2.0 ewes and p < 0.001 in lambs from BCS 2.5 to 3.5 ewes)

An Appropriate Genetic Approach to Endangered Podolian Grey Cattle in the Context of Preserving Biodiversity and Sustainable Conservation of Genetic Resources

In the context of the general phenomenon of diminishing genetic diversity, especially in cattle, the conservation of endangered species plays a primary role. The disappearance of some animal populations can irreparably affect the biodiversity of genetic resources. Among the most ancient European cattle are breeds that belong to the Podolian group, the history of which is still not well established. The common origin of these breeds is the wild ox (Bos taurus primigenius), which has been declared extinct since the 17th century. The purpose of this paper is to highlight and compare the latest studies on the origin, evolution, genetic diversity, and phylogenetic relationships of Podolian cattle, with special emphasis on the endangered Romanian Grey Steppe. The importance of studying these cattle derives from the special biological properties by which they have distinguished themselves over time (adaptability and resistance to diseases, severe climate and habitat conditions, hardiness, and longevity). The bibliographic references reviewed in this study confirm that these breeds are carriers of valuable genes that must be preserved for improvement of other cattle and protection of biodiversity. The information presented represents a valuable tool for efforts to conserve endangered cattle

Influence of Supplemental Feeding on Body Condition Score and Reproductive Performance Dynamics in Botosani Karakul Sheep

The aim of this research was to study the impact of supplementary feeding on reproductive traits in sheep. Two groups, L1 (control) and L2 (experimental treatment), of adult females aged between two and six years belonging to the Botosani Karakul sheep breed were formed. The experimental treatment group (L2) received supplementary feeding 25 days prior to mating. Improvements in body condition and significant increases in live weight occurred by the time of mating in those ewes that had been flushed (L2) (p p p < 0.001 in lambs from BCS 2.5 to 3.5 ewes)

THE IMPACT OF LOG LENGTH ON THE CONVERSION FACTOR OF STACKED WOOD TO SOLID CONTENT

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to determine the conversion factors of stacked wood to solid content in common hornbeam, European beech and oak for logs with the length of 2 and 3 m, and, to test a new method for the determination of the respective conversion factors. The conversion factor was determined by the xylometric and the diagonal method. For comparison, a third method, called the -surface method, suggested by the authors, was introduced. The results obtained allow a classification of the methods mentioned above according to their precision considering the values obtained by the xylometric method as reference values. Methods are classified in the following order: Surface method (± 3 %) and diagonal method (0 to 27 %)

Stress cardiomyopathy misinterpreted as ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in a patient with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a case report

Cardiac abnormalities are frequently reported in acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients. However, frank ST-elevation and myocardial dysfunction mimicking acute coronary syndrome is a rare occurrence. Systemic and local catecholamine release mediate myocardial injury and may explain raised troponin levels, concordant regional wall motion abnormalities and systolic dysfunction. These findings can pose a significant problem in the acute setting where “time-is-muscle” paradigm can rush clinicians towards a “rule-in” diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as an Independent Predictor of In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and Objectives: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a very low cost, widely available marker of systemic inflammation, has been proposed as a potential predictor of short-term outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods: Patients with ICH admitted to the Neurology Department during a two-year period were screened for inclusion. Based on eligibility criteria, 201 patients were included in the present analysis. Clinical, imaging, and laboratory characteristics were collected in a prespecified manner. Logistic regression models and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to assess the performance of NLR assessed at admission (admission NLR) and 72 h later (three-day NLR) in predicting in-hospital death. Results: The median age of the study population was 70 years (IQR: 61–79), median admission NIHSS was 16 (IQR: 6–24), and median hematoma volume was 13.7 mL (IQR: 4.6–35.2 mL). Ninety patients (44.8%) died during hospitalization, and for 35 patients (17.4%) death occurred during the first three days. Several common predictors were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality in univariate analysis, including NLR assessed at admission (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.04–1.18; p = 0.002). However, in multivariate analysis admission, NLR was not an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.9–1.1; p = 0.3). The subgroup analysis of 112 patients who survived the first 72 h of hospitalization showed that three-day NLR (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.09–1.4; p &lt; 0.001) and age (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02–1.08; p = 0.02) were the only independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. ROC curve analysis yielded an optimal cut-off value of three-day NLR for the prediction of in-hospital mortality of ≥6.3 (AUC = 0.819; 95% CI: 0.735–0.885; p &lt; 0.0001) and Kaplan–Meier analysis proved that ICH patients with three-day NLR ≥6.3 had significantly higher odds of in-hospital death (HR: 7.37; 95% CI: 3.62–15; log-rank test; p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusion: NLR assessed 72 h after admission is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in ICH patients and could be widely used in clinical practice to identify the patients at high risk of in-hospital death. Further studies to confirm this finding are needed

Impact of Different Levels of Crude Protein on Production Performance and Meat Quality in Broiler Selected for Slow Growth

The production performance and meat quality of the slow-growing hybrid Hubbard JA757 were monitored under conditions of diets differentiated by crude protein content. A total of 1200 as-hatched day-old chickens were equally and randomly allotted into two treatments (T-1 and T-2), with six replicates provided for each treatment (100 chickens/replicate). T-1 chickens received standard diets (according to Hubbard Company recommendations), and those in T-2 were fed diets supplemented with crude protein (+0.5% CP in the growing phase and +1.0% CP in the finishing phase). At the end of the investigations (age 56 days), the T-2 chickens performed better than the T-1 chickens for growth traits (+2.72% body weight; +2.77% daily growth gain; −0.34% mortality; and −4.15% feed conversion ratio); for slaughtering (+0.66% dressed yield; +1.10% breast weight; and +1.25% thigh weight); and for quality meat (+0.55% dry matter in thigh muscles and +1.52% dry matter in breast muscles) (p > 0.05). Statistically significant differences (p  0.05) occurred between treatments for body weight, daily weight gain, and feed conversion ratio due to the 0.5% CP feed supplementation during the 15–28 day age period, justifying the usefulness of the CP increasing throughout the grower diet only and not during the finishing period

Therapeutic Implications of Renin–Angiotensin System Modulators in Alzheimer’s Dementia

The Renin–Angiotensin System (RAS) has attracted considerable interest beyond its traditional cardiovascular role due to emerging data indicating its potential involvement in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). This review investigates the therapeutic implications of RAS modulators, specifically focusing on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and renin inhibitors in AD. ACEIs, commonly used for hypertension, show promise in AD by reducing angiotensin (Ang) II levels. This reduction is significant as Ang II contributes to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation, all implicated in AD pathogenesis. ARBs, known for vasodilation, exhibit neuroprotection by blocking Ang II receptors, improving cerebral blood flow and cognitive decline in AD models. Renin inhibitors offer a novel approach by targeting the initial RAS step, displaying anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that mitigate AD degeneration. Preclinical studies demonstrate RAS regulation’s favorable impact on neuroinflammation, neuronal damage, cognitive function, and Aβ metabolism. Clinical trials on RAS modulators in AD are limited, but with promising results, ARBs being more effective that ACEIs in reducing cognitive decline. The varied roles of ACEIs, ARBs, and renin inhibitors in RAS modulation present a promising avenue for AD therapeutic intervention, requiring further research to potentially transform AD treatment strategies