Feeding colostrum and transition milk facilitates digestive tract functionality recovery from feed restriction and fasting of dairy calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the digestive tract recovery and metabolism of feeding either bovine colostrum (BC), transition milk (TM), or milk replacer (MR) after an episode of feed restriction and fasting (FRF) in dairy calves. Thirty-five Holstein male calves (22 ± 4.8 d old) were involved in a 50-d study. After 3 d of feeding 2 L of rehydration solution twice daily and 19 h of fasting (d 1 of study), calves were randomly assigned to one of the 5 feeding treatments (n = 7): calves were offered either pooled BC during 4 (C4) or 10 (C10) days, pooled TM during 4 (TM4) or 10 (TM10) days, or MR for 10 d (CTRL) at the rate of 720 g/d DM content. Then, all calves were fed the same feeding program, gradually decreasing MR from 3L twice daily to 2 L once daily at 12.5% DM until weaning (d 42), and concentrate feed, water, and straw were offered ad libitum until d 50. Citrulline, Cr-EDTA, β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) in serum and complete blood count (CBC) were determined on d −3, 1, 2, 5 and 11 relative to FRF, except BHB and NEFA at d −3. Volatile fatty acids (VFA), lactoferrin (LTF), IgA and microbiota (Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio and Fecalis prausnitzii) were analyzed in feces on d 5 and 11 before the morning feeding. Health scores were recorded daily from d −3 to d 14 as well as d 23 and 30. Feed concentrate, MR, and straw intake were recorded daily, and body weight on d −3, 1, 2, 5 and 11 and weekly afterward. Calf performance, intake, serum Cr-EDTA, CBC, fecal LTF concentrations and microbiota parameters were similar among treatments throughout the study. Serum NEFA concentrations were greater in TM4, TM10 and C10 calves compared with the CTRL ones from d 2 to 11, and after the FRF, serum concentrations of BHB were lower in CTRL calves than in the other treatments, and on d 11, serum BHB concentrations in the long treatments (C10 and TM10) remained greater than those in the shorter ones (C4 and TM4) and CTRL. Serum citrulline concentrations were similar on d −3 and 1 in all treatments, but they were greater in C4, C10, TM4, and TM10 on d 2 and 5, and on d 11 they were only greater in C10 and TM10 than in CTRL calves. Fecal IgA concentrations tended to be greater in C10 than in CTRL, TM4, and TM10 calves, and in C4 and TM10 than in CTRL animals. Fecal propionate proportion was lesser in C10 than in CTRL, TM4 and TM10 calves, while butyrate was greater in C4 and C10 than in TM4 and CTRL calves. The proportion of non-normal fecal scores of C10 fed calves was greater than TM4 and TM10 calves. Results showed that TM and BC may help to recover intestinal functionality, provide gut immune protection, and increase liver fatty acid oxidation in calves after a FRF episode.This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under the project number PGC2018-098847-B-I00 and by the predoctoral grant PRE2019-087640 of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the European Regional Development Fund. The authors are also indebted to AGAUR (Barcelona, Spain) for project 2021 SGR 01552. We also show our gratitude to CERCA Programme (Generalitat de Catalunya). This work has been carried out within the framework of the Doctorate in Animal Production of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Bellaterra, Spain). The authors have not stated any conflicts of interest.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Systematic review and literature appraisal on methodology of conducting and reporting critical-care echocardiography studies: a report from the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine PRICES expert panel

© 2020, The Author(s). Background: The echocardiography working group of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine recognized the need to provide structured guidance for future CCE research methodology and reporting based on a systematic appraisal of the current literature. Here is reported this systematic appraisal. Methods: We conducted a systematic review, registered on the Prospero database. A total of 43 items of common interest to all echocardiography studies were initially listed by the experts, and other “topic-specific” items were separated into five main categories of interest (left ventricular systolic function, LVSF n = 15, right ventricular function, RVF n = 18, left ventricular diastolic function, LVDF n = 15, fluid management, FM n = 7, and advanced echocardiography techniques, AET n = 17). We evaluated the percentage of items reported per study and the fraction of studies reporting a single item. Results: From January 2000 till December 2017 a total of 209 articles were included after systematic search and screening, 97 for LVSF, 48 for RVF, 51 for LVDF, 36 for FM and 24 for AET. Shock and ARDS were relatively common among LVSF articles (both around 15%) while ARDS comprised 25% of RVF articles. Transthoracic echocardiography was the main echocardiography mode, in 87% of the articles for AET topic, followed by 81% for FM, 78% for LVDF, 70% for LVSF and 63% for RVF. The percentage of items per study as well as the fraction of study reporting an item was low or very low, except for FM. As an illustration, the left ventricular size was only reported by 56% of studies in the LVSF topic, and half studies assessing RVF reported data on pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Conclusion: This analysis confirmed sub-optimal reporting of several items listed by an expert panel. The analysis will help the experts in the development of guidelines for CCE study design and reporting

Refinement of 1p36 Alterations Not Involving PRDM16 in Myeloid and Lymphoid Malignancies

Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed to characterize 81 cases of myeloid and lymphoid malignancies with cytogenetic 1p36 alterations not affecting the PRDM16 locus. In total, three subgroups were identified: balanced translocations (N = 27) and telomeric rearrangements (N = 15), both mainly observed in myeloid disorders; and unbalanced non-telomeric rearrangements (N = 39), mainly observed in lymphoid proliferations and frequently associated with a highly complex karyotype. The 1p36 rearrangement was isolated in 12 cases, mainly myeloid disorders. The breakpoints on 1p36 were more widely distributed than previously reported, but with identifiable rare breakpoint cluster regions, such as the TP73 locus. We also found novel partner loci on 1p36 for the known multi-partner genes HMGA2 and RUNX1. We precised the common terminal 1p36 deletion, which has been suggested to have an adverse prognosis, in B-cell lymphomas [follicular lymphomas and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas with t(14;18)(q32;q21) as well as follicular lymphomas without t(14;18)]. Intrachromosomal telomeric repetitive sequences were detected in at least half the cases of telomeric rearrangements. It is unclear how the latter rearrangements occurred and whether they represent oncogenic events or result from chromosomal instability during oncogenesis

Perfil sanguíneo e peso de órgãos internos de bezerros leiteiros criados em diferentes sistemas de aleitamento

Objetivou-se avaliar o perfil sanguíneo e o tamanho absoluto e relativo dos órgãos internos de bezerros em sistema de aleitamento convencional ou fracionado. Foram utilizadas 10 fêmeas, com peso corporal inicial médio de 37,53 kg (±2,36) e 12 machos com peso corporal médio de 81,6 kg (±8,6), ambos da raça Holandesa. O aleitamento convencional constituiu-se de quatro litros de leite fornecidos diariamente durante 54 dias de avaliação e o fracionado, de seis litros do 6º ao 25º dias de idade, quatro litros do 26º ao 45º dias de idade e dois litros do 46º ao 59º dias de idade, além de concentrado, feno de Cynodon sp., água e suplemento mineral fornecidos ad libitum. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco repetições para os parâmetros sanguíneos e seis repetições para o desenvolvimento dos órgãos internos. As coletas de sangue foram realizadas nas fêmeas nos dias sete, 21, 28, 42, 49 e 56 de idade. Para a avaliação dos órgãos internos os machos foram abatidos aos dois meses de idade, após jejum de 16 horas. Não foram observadas diferenças para os valores de proteínas totais, albumina, globulina, creatinina, ureia, colesterol e β-hidroxibutirato nas idades avaliadas (p>0,05). Entretanto, para a concentração de glicose houve interação entre os sistemas de aleitamento e os períodos avaliados, podendo ser observado que com 21 dias de idade a concentração foi maior nas bezerras mantidas em sistema fracionado, quando comparadas aos animais do grupo convencional. O sistema de aleitamento não alterou o peso corporal final, peso corporal final vazio e o peso dos órgãos internos, exceto para o coração, demonstrando que o sistema de aleitamento fracionado não altera as avaliações dos órgãos internos

Evolución de la aspiración laringo-traqueal en la disfagia orofaríngea secundaria a lesión cerebral traumática: cuantificación videofluoroscópica Videofluoroscopy quantification of laryngotracheal aspiration outcome in traumatic brain injury-related oropharyngeal dysphagia

Introducción: la alteración de la deglución en la fase inicial de un traumatismo craneoencefálico grave (TCE) es muy frecuente. Objetivo: definir y cuantificar las alteraciones videofluoroscópicas en pacientes después de un TCE y evaluar la evolución de los pacientes con aspiraciones laringo-traqueales. Método: se estudiaron de forma prospectiva 10 pacientes con TCE grave con sospecha clínica de aspiración, que fue confirmada mediante exploración videofluoroscópica (VDF). La VDF se repitió al mes, 3, 6 y 12 meses de evolución. Resultados: la exploración clínica demostró alteración en los reflejos palatal y nauseoso en el 30% de los pacientes, y tos durante la exploración en el 40%. En la primera exploración VDF se observó: aumento del tiempo de tránsito oral (TTO) en el 70% (media: 3,8 seg.; rango: 0,8-15 seg.) y alteración en el control lingual en el 60%, con disfunción en el sello glosofaríngeo en el 20%. El tiempo medio de tránsito faríngeo (TTF) fue de 0,72 seg. (rango: 0,34-1,50 seg.) y el tiempo de disparo del reflejo deglutorio (DRD) de 0,32 seg. (rango: 0,10-0,80 seg.). Al año de evolución sólo 3 pacientes aspiraban, siendo el TTO normal en 7 pacientes, el DRD en 9 y el TTF en todos. El 80% seguía dieta oral exclusiva y el 20% combinaban alimentación oral y por sonda de gastrostomía. Conclusión: la VDF permite confirmar y cuantificar las alteraciones de la deglución en los pacientes con TCE grave. Los hallazgos más frecuentes en la fase inicial de la evolución son el aumento del TTO y la alteración en el control lingual; las aspiraciones son muy frecuentes, siendo más de la mitad aspiradores silentes. Al año la mayoría de pacientes ha evolucionado favorablemente.Introduction: swallowing impairments are frequent after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Objective: to define and prospectively quantify the videofluoroscopic symptoms in patients after TBI, and to evaluate the evolution of patients with laryngotracheal aspiration. Method: we studied 10 patients with TBI, and a clinical suspicion of aspiration confirmed by means of a videofluoroscopic exploration (VDF). VDF was repeated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months thereafter. Results: 30% of patients had an impaired gag reflex, and 40% cough during oral feeding. In the first VDF exploration the following was observed: increased oral transit time (OTT) in 70% (average: 3.8 sec.; range: 0.8-15 sec.), altered lingual control in 60%, and dysfunctional palatoglossal closure in 20%. Mean pharyngeal transit time (PTT) was 0.72 sec. (range: 0.34-1.50 sec.), and time to swallowing reflex (TSR) was 0.32 sec. (range: 0.10-0.80 sec.). After one year only 3 patients had aspiration -with a normal OTT in 7 patients, a normal PTT in 9, and a normal TSR in all; 80% had an exclusively oral diet, and 20% combined oral intake and gastrostomy feeding. Conclusion: videofluoroscopic evaluation allows to confirm and quantite swallowing dysfunction in patients with severe TBI. Most frequent early findings included an increase in OTT and alterations in lingual control; aspirations were quite frequent, and more than half were silent. After one year the majority of patients showed a favorable outcome

Benefits of barley straw as a forage for dairy calves before and after weaning

The aim of this study was to assess the potential consequences on calf intake, performance, behavior, ruminal microbiome, and ruminal epithelium development of combining the inclusion of chopped barley straw and alfalfa hay during the pre- and postweaning periods keeping concentrate to forage ratio constant among dietary treatments. Forty-five Holstein calves (44 ± 5.7 kg of body weight [BW] and 3 ± 1.5 d of age) individually penned were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to a common pellet concentrate fed ad libitum along with one of following forage feeding strategies: barley straw before and after weaning (S-S), barley straw before and alfalfa hay after weaning (S-A), or alfalfa hay before and after weaning (A-A). All calves received the same milk replacer regimen. Forage was supplied in a separated bucket at the rate of 7.5% (preweaning) and 15% (postweaning) of total solid feed intake of the previous day. Feed intake and BW were recorded daily and weekly, respectively. Rumen samples were obtained via a stomach tube at 53, 66, and 87 d and were composite in 3 samples of 5 animals each for subsequent rumen microbiome analysis. A rumen epithelium sample was taken by endoscopy at 90 d to assess gene expression of OCLN, CLDN4, SLC9A1, SLC9A3, SLC16A1, SLC16A4, IL6, and TGFB1. Data were analyzed with a mixed-effects model accounting for the fixed effects of block, forage, week of study, and their interaction, and calf as a random effect. The type of forage fed did not affect concentrate feed, forage, or total DM intake before weaning. However, S-A and A-A calves consumed less concentrate feed and S-A calves grew at a lower rate after weaning than S-S calves. Expression of the gene coding for SLC16A1 in the rumen epithelium was greatest in S-S among treatments. Rumen microbiome did not differ among treatments, while the relative abundance of Acidaminococcus and Selenomas genera increased, while Alloprevotella, Bifidobaterium, Olsenella, and Succiclasticum genera decreased with age. In conclusion, feeding barley straw before and after weaning was more effective than feeding alfalfa hay in promoting concentrate feed intake after weaning and fostering an increase in the expression of SLC16A1 in the rumen epithelium.German Antúnez-Tort thanks the Comisión Académica Posgrado (UdelaR, Uruguay), for the scholarship (Beca de apoyo docente para estudios de posgrado, 2015–2018) and the Comisión Sectorial de Investigación Científica (UdelaR, Uruguay) for financing the stay at IRTA (Spain). IRTA thanks the support of the CERCA Program and the Consolidated Research Groups of Sustainable Animal Husbandry (ref. 2021 SGR 01552), both from the Generalitat de Catalunya. The authors have not stated any conflicts of interest.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Performance, immune response and fatty acid profile in lambs supplemented with a CLA-mixture

Forty-nine weaned Ripollesa lambs (15 ± 2.9 kg of BW, 41 ± 6.9 d old) were used to study the effects of CLA-mixture supplementation on meat fatty acid profile, and humoral immune response during the fattening period. Lambs were placed in six pens and allocated to one of three treatments: a control concentrate (CT), a concentrate supplemented with 2.5 g/kg CLA-mixture (50:50, c9t11 CLA and t10c12 CLA) (Low-CLA), and a concentrate supplemented with 10 g/kg CLA-mixture (High-CLA). Straw and water were offered ad libitum until reaching the slaughter weight (25 ± 1.6 kg of BW). Lambs were weighed weekly to control slaughter BW. One week after weaning (48 ± 6.9 d of age), 2 mg of ovalbumin were injected subcutaneously to lambs. Blood samples were collected before vaccination and 14 d later to evaluate humoral immune response. The Longissimus dorsi from the right side of the carcass was sampled from five female lambs per treatment. Body weight at slaughter, carcass weight and carcass yield were similar among all treatments. There were no differences in antibody response to ovalbumin. Fat content in muscle was also similar among all treatments. However, the isomers of CLA c9t11, and t10c12 were greater in High-CLA than in Low-CLA and CT lambs (0.39, 0.30, and 0.26 g/100 g FAME for c9t11 CLA, and 0.051, 0.013, and 0.014 g/100 g FAME for t10c12, respectively). In conclusion, humoral immunity was not affected by CLA supplementation, but meat FA profile was modified by increasing c9t11, and t10c12 CLA levels

Reconfigurable multimodal bandpass filter based on RF-MEMS switchable CPW air-bridges

In this paper, a uniplanar RF-MEMS secondorder bandpass filter with reconfigurable centre frequency is presented. It is based on quarter-wavelength slotline resonators and CPW-slotline multimodal immittance inverters (MIIs), which are reconfigured using RF-MEMS switchable CPW airbridges (SABs). The filter can be adequately explained and designed using multimodal theory and circuit models. A surface micromachining process on high-resistivity silicon substrate was used to fabricate the filter. Experimental results show frequency reconfigurability from 12 GHz to 13 GHz, maintaining the same relative bandwidth, and insertion losses of 4.6 dB and 4.7 dB respectively