Influence of stress resilience in adolescence on long-term risk of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis among men: A prospective register-based cohort study in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Although stress is considered to be a negative factor for psoriasis, no convincing scientific evidence of this association exists, largely because of difficulties in measuring stress. Stress resilience is the ability to cope with and adapt to stressful events. Stress resilience can be measured in a standardized way and used as a marker for chronic stress. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to investigate whether low stress resilience in adolescence increases the risk for onset of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis later in life. METHODS: A cohort of Swedish men (mean age 18.3 years), enrolled in compulsory military service between 1968 and 2005, was created using data from the Swedish Military Service Conscription Register (n = 1,669,422). Stress resilience at conscription was estimated using standardized semi-structured interviews, and was divided into three categories: low, medium and high. The men were followed from conscription until new-onset psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, death or emigration or at the latest until 31 December 2019. Cox regression models adjusted for confounders at conscription were used to obtain hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. RESULTS: Men in the lowest stress resilience category had an increased risk of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (HR 1.31 (95% CI 1.26-1.36) and 1.23 (95% CI 1.15-1.32), respectively), compared with those in the highest stress resilience category. When including only hospitalized patients the HRs for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in the lowest stress resilience group were 1.79 (1.63-1.98) and 1.53 (1.32-1.77), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This large, prospective register study suggests that low stress resilience in adolescence is associated with an increased risk of incident psoriasis among men. The results indicate that patients with psoriasis have an inherent psychological vulnerability, and highlight the importance of addressing psychological well-being in the management of psoriasis.

Impact of Fluoride on Associations between Free Sugars Intake and Dental Caries in US Children.

OBJECTIVE: Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease in US children, with the highest burden among Black and Hispanic youth. Sugars are a primary risk factor, but few studies have specifically measured intakes of free sugars and related this to dental caries or explored the extent to which water fluoride mitigates the cariogenicity of free sugars. Furthermore, the cariogenicity of certain free sugars sources, such as extruded fruit and vegetable products, is unclear. METHODS: Using cross-sectional data on 4,906 children aged 2 to 19 y in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2016, we examined associations of free sugars intake with counts of decayed or filled primary tooth surfaces (dfs) and decayed, missing, or filled permanent surfaces (DMFS) in negative binomial regressions. Stratified models examined these associations in children with home water fluoride above or below the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recommended level of 0.7 ppm. RESULTS: Free sugars accounted for 16.4% of energy, primarily contributed by added sugars. In adjusted models, a doubling in the percentage of energy from free sugars was associated with 22% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1%-47%) greater dfs among children aged 2 to 8. A doubling in energy from added sugars was associated with 20% (95% CI, 1%-42%) greater dfs and 10% (95% CI, 2%-20%) greater DMFS in children aged 6 to 19 y. Beverages were the most important source of added sugars associated with increased caries. Other free sugars were not associated with dfs or DMFS. Associations between free sugars and caries were diminished among children with home water fluoride of 0.7 ppm or greater. CONCLUSIONS: Free sugars intake, especially in the form of added sugars and specifically in sweetened beverages, was associated with higher dental caries. Water fluoride exposures modify these associations, reducing caries risk in the primary dentition of children whose home water meets recommended fluoride levels. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: Intake of free sugars, especially in the form of added sugars and specifically in beverages, was associated with higher dental caries in US children in this study. Water fluoride exposure at CDC-recommended levels protected against caries, especially in the primary dentition. These findings suggest that household water fluoridation at CDC-recommended levels protects against the cariogenic potential of free and added sugars during childhood.

The novel collagen matrikine, endotrophin, is associated with mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Rupture of atherosclerotic plaques is the major cause of acute cardiovascular events. The biomarker PRO-C6 measuring Endotrophin, a matrikine of collagen type VI, may provide valuable information detecting subjects in need of intensified strategies for secondary prevention. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluate endotrophin in human atherosclerotic plaques and circulating levels of PRO-C6 in patients with atherosclerosis, to determine the predictive potential of the biomarker. METHODS: Sections from the stenotic human carotid plaques were stained with the PRO-C6 antibody. PRO-C6 was measured in serum of patients enrolled in the Carotid Plaque Imagining Project (CPIP) (discovery cohort, n = 577) and the innovative medicines initiative surrogate markers for micro- and macrovascular hard end-points for innovative diabetes tools (IMI-SUMMIT, validation cohort, n = 1,378). Median follow-up was 43 months. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were performed in the discovery cohort. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis (HR with 95% CI) was used in the discovery cohort and binary logistic regression (OR with 95% CI) in the validation cohort. RESULTS: PRO-C6 was localized in the core and shoulder of the atherosclerotic plaque. In the discovery cohort, PRO-C6 independently predicted future cardiovascular events (HR 1.089 [95% CI 1.019 -1.164], p = 0.01), cardiovascular death (HR 1.118 [95% CI 1.008 -1.241], p = 0.04) and all-cause death (HR 1.087 [95% CI 1.008 -1.172], p = 0.03). In the validation cohort, PRO-C6 predicted future cardiovascular events (OR 1.063 [95% CI 1.011 -1.117], p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: PRO-C6 is present in the atherosclerotic plaque and associated with future cardiovascular events, cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality in two large prospective cohorts.

Herd and environmental determinants of reproductive performance in Swedish dairy herds, 2001-2009.

This was a retrospective cohort study of Swedish dairy herds. Summary measures of production and reproductive performance, details of soil, moss mineral concentrations, and temperature and rainfall measurements at each herd location were available for the period September 2001 to August 2009. A Bayesian mixed-effects regression model including spatial and non-spatial heterogeneity terms was developed to quantify associations between hypothesised explanatory variables and mean herd breeding interval, defined as the difference between mean calving to last service interval and mean calving to first service interval for each fiscal year. Mean herd breeding intervals were shorter in herds with greater than 80% Swedish Red Cattle, herds with lower mean age at first calving, herds comprised of older cows and in larger herds. None of the soil composition or moss mineral concentration estimates were associated with mean herd breeding interval and the effect of temperature and rainfall on mean herd breeding interval was small. We conclude that environmental conditions (soil composition, moss mineral concentrations, environmental temperature and rainfall) had relatively minor effects on dairy herd reproductive performance in Sweden between 2001 and 2009.

Newborn electroencephalographic correlates of maternal prenatal depressive symptoms.

Maternal perinatal depression exerts pervasive effects on the developing brain, as evidenced by electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns that differ between children of women who do and do not meet DSM or ICD diagnostic criteria. However, little research has examined if the same EEG pattern of right-frontal alpha asymmetry exists in newborns and thus originates in utero independent of postnatal influences, and if depressive symptoms are associated with this neural signature. Utilizing 125-lead EEG (n=18), this study considered clinician-rated maternal prenatal depressive symptoms in relation to newborn EEG. Maternal depressive symptomatology was associated with greater relative right-frontal alpha asymmetry during quiet sleep. These results suggest that even subclinical levels of maternal depression may influence infant brain development, and further support the role of the prenatal environment in shaping children's future neurobehavioral trajectories.

The temporal relations across burnout dimensions in athletes.

Burnout is a construct that has garnered considerable attention in sport psychology within recent years. Several hypothesized models regarding how the three dimensions (exhaustion, devaluation, and reduced sense of accomplishment) temporally relate to each other have been advanced. One proposal outlined by Maslach and Leiter suggests that exhaustion predicts devaluation which predicts reduced sense of accomplishment. However, there is no consensus among researchers as it has been argued that exhaustion predicts devaluation and reduced accomplishment separately. The aim of this study was to test multiple alternative hypotheses regarding the relationships of the burnout dimensions in athletes. Two samples of Swedish youth elite athletes with differing time spans between measurements were used. Specifically, one sample involved time-intensive measures collected every week over an eight-week period, and the other sample included four measurement points across an 18-month period. Results showed that none of the previously proposed models outlining the temporal relations of burnout dimensions were supported. Statistical analysis of the models including the cross-lagged predictions of dimensions did not have any statistically significant impact except when exhaustion negatively predicted devaluation between time 1 (month 0) and time 2 (month 6) in the 18-month sample; this relation faded in the following time points. Further, issues regarding the stability of devaluation and reduced sense of accomplishment emerged as their autocorrelation were very weak in the time-intensive sample. These findings raise a number of points for further theoretical and practical discussions about the athlete burnout construct.

Transcriptome-wide Analysis of Roles for tRNA Modifications in Translational Regulation.

Covalent nucleotide modifications in noncoding RNAs affect a plethora of biological processes, and new functions continue to be discovered even for well-known modifying enzymes. To systematically compare the functions of a large set of noncoding RNA modifications in gene regulation, we carried out ribosome profiling in budding yeast to characterize 57 nonessential genes involved in tRNA modification. Deletion mutants exhibited a range of translational phenotypes, with enzymes known to modify anticodons, or non-tRNA substrates such as rRNA, exhibiting the most dramatic translational perturbations. Our data build on prior reports documenting translational upregulation of the nutrient-responsive transcription factor Gcn4 in response to numerous tRNA perturbations, and identify many additional translationally regulated mRNAs throughout the yeast genome. Our data also uncover unexpected roles for tRNA-modifying enzymes in regulation of TY retroelements, and in rRNA 2'-O-methylation. This dataset should provide a rich resource for discovery of additional links between tRNA modifications and gene regulation.

Serine-Dependent Sphingolipid Synthesis Is a Metabolic Liability of Aneuploid Cells.

Aneuploidy disrupts cellular homeostasis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological responses and adaptation to aneuploidy are not well understood. Deciphering these mechanisms is important because aneuploidy is associated with diseases, including intellectual disability and cancer. Although tumors and mammalian aneuploid cells, including several cancer cell lines, show altered levels of sphingolipids, the role of sphingolipids in aneuploidy remains unknown. Here, we show that ceramides and long-chain bases, sphingolipid molecules that slow proliferation and promote survival, are increased by aneuploidy. Sphingolipid levels are tightly linked to serine synthesis, and inhibiting either serine or sphingolipid synthesis can specifically impair the fitness of aneuploid cells. Remarkably, the fitness of aneuploid cells improves or deteriorates upon genetically decreasing or increasing ceramides, respectively. Combined targeting of serine and sphingolipid synthesis could be exploited to specifically target cancer cells, the vast majority of which are aneuploid.

EPR Oximetry of Cetuximab-Treated Head-and-Neck Tumours in a Mouse Model.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumours are associated with high mortality despite advances in therapy. The monoclonal antibody cetuximab (Erbitux®) has been approved for the treatment of advanced HNSCC. However, only a subset of HNSC patients receiving cetuximab actually responds to treatment, underlining the need for a means to tailor treatments of individual patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of cetuximab treatment on tumour growth, on tumour partial oxygen pressure as measured by LiPc electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry and on the expression of proteins involved in tumour growth, metabolism and hypoxia. Two HNSCC cell lines, UT-SCC-2 and UT-SCC-14, were used to generate xenografts on female BALB/c (nu/nu) nude mice. Mice with xenografts were given three injections of intraperitoneal cetuximab or phosphate-buffered saline, and the tumour volume was recorded continuously. After treatment the tumour partial oxygen pressure was measured by LiPc electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry and the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), phosphorylated EGFR, Ki-67, MCT1, MCT4, GLUT1, CAIX and HIF-1α were investigated by immunohistochemistry. In xenografts from both cell lines (UT-SCC-2 and UT-SCC-14) cetuximab had effect on the tumour volume but the effect was more pronounced on UT-SCC-14 xenografts. A higher tumour oxygenation was measured in cetuximab-treated tumours from both cell lines compared to untreated controls. Immunocytochemical staining after cetuximab treatment shows a significantly decreased expression of EGFR, pEGFR, Ki67, CAIX and nuclear HIF-1α in UT-SCC-14 tumours compared to untreated controls. MCT1 and GLUT1 were significantly decreased in tumours from both cell lines but more pronounced in UT-SCC-14 tumours. Taken together, our results show that cetuximab treatment decreases the tumour growth and increases the tumour partial oxygen pressure of HNSCC xenografts. Furthermore we found a potential connection between the partial oxygen pressure of the tumours and the expression of proteins involved in tumour growth, metabolism and hypoxia.

Dose related effects of LPS on endometrial epithelial cell populations from dioestrus cows.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Gram negative bacteria are involved in the pathogeny of uterine diseases in cows. This study aimed to investigate LPS effects on the growth of bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEEC) and relationships between LPS response and tissue characteristics. Uteri from 35 females were characterized for parity and stage of oestrous cycle. Densities of glandular tissue (dGT), CD11b+ cells and Ki67+ cells were measured in the endometrial tissue. Cells from 13 dioestrus cows were exposed to 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 or 24µg/mL LPS. Effects of parity and stage of the oestrous cycle on tissue characteristics and effects of LPS dosage, cow and tissue characteristics on changes in cell numbers were analyzed by ANOVA. The dGT was higher in metoestrus and dioestrus samples than in pro-oestrus ones whereas densities of CD11b+ and Ki67+ cells were higher at pro-oestrus (p<0.05-p<0.01). LPS influenced bEEC populations in a dose related manner. An increase in number of live cells was observed for dosages ranging from 2 to 12µg/mL LPS (p<0.0001 vs controls). No effect was found on numbers and frequencies of dead cells. With higher dosages, the numbers of live cells did not increase but the numbers of dead did increase. No relationships were observed between cow or tissue characteristics and growth patterns or frequencies of viable bEEC in controls nor in the response to LPS. To conclude this model is suitable for further studies on dysregulations induced by LPS in endometrial tissue.

Fear of failure, psychological stress, and burnout among adolescent athletes competing in high level sport.

The purpose of this study was to investigate fear of failure in highly competitive junior athletes and the association with psychological stress and burnout. In total 258 athletes (152 males and 108 females) ranged in age from 15 to 19 years (M = 17.4 years, SD = 1.08) participated. Athletes competed in variety of sports including both team and individual sports. Results showed in a variable-oriented approach using regression analyses that one dimension, fear of experiencing shame and embarrassment had a statistically significant effect on perceived psychological stress and one dimension of burnout, reduced sense of accomplishment. However, adopting a person-oriented approach using latent class analysis, we found that athletes with high levels of fear failure on all dimensions scored high on burnout. We also found another class with high scores on burnout. These athletes had high scores on the individual-oriented dimensions of fear of failure and low scores on the other oriented fear of failure dimensions. The findings indicate that fear of failure is related to burnout and psychological stress in athletes and that this association is mainly associated with the individual-oriented dimensions of fear of failure.

Alterations in amygdala-prefrontal circuits in infants exposed to prenatal maternal depression.

Prenatal exposure to maternal depression is common and puts offspring at risk for developing a range of neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite its prevalence and adverse associations, neurobiological processes by which prenatal maternal depression (PMD) confers risk remain poorly understood. Maternal mood and fetal behavior were assessed between 34 and 37 gestational weeks. Using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion MRI, we examined functional and structural connectivity within amygdala-prefrontal circuits in 64 infants (mean age=5.8±1.7 weeks) with (n=20) and without (n=44) in utero exposure to PMD. Resting fMRI and diffusion MRI both indicated atypical amygdala-prefrontal connectivity in PMD-exposed infants: Resting fMRI indicated increased inverse, or negative, functional connectivity between the amygdala and the dorsal prefrontal cortex (PFC), bilaterally, and diffusion MRI indicated decreased structural connectivity between the right amygdala and the right ventral PFC. Spectral dynamic causal modeling supported these findings suggesting altered amygdala-PFC effective (or directed) connectivity in PMD-exposed infants. Last, path analyses supported a mechanistic account relating PMD to a third-trimester fetal behavior: PMD alters amygdala-PFC connectivity, which in turn, is associated with an increase in fetal heart rate reactivity to in utero perturbation. These data suggest that the maturation and coordination of central and peripheral physiology are altered by prenatal exposure to maternal depression. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to directly associate infant MRI measures with a behavior-fetal heart rate response, and supports hypotheses that PMD-associated variations in the development of amygdala-PFC circuits are relevant for future neurobehavioral maturation.

The functional role of insulin in fertility and embryonic development-What can we learn from the bovine model?

Insulin is a key metabolic hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating energy homeostasis in the body. In addition, insulin-dependent signaling has important functions in reproduction and early embryo development. As metabolism and reproduction are closely linked, metabolic challenges may be the source of reproductive disorders and decreased fertility. This is known for the dairy cow and for other species including the human. Although metabolic disorders in the dairy cow often derive from a failure to adapt to a high milk production, the situation in the human is often linked to emerging conditions and associated diseases in our modern society such as obesity and diabetes, where an excess energy intake causes decreased fertility in women. Both energy excess and energy deficit are associated with a deviation of insulin concentrations in serum and follicular fluid from normal levels. Although many studies have shown that extreme variation in energy supply can negatively influence early embryo development by inducing changes in circulating concentrations of several metabolites or hormones like insulin, several in vitro culture media are still supplemented with insulin in high concentrations. In this review, direct and indirect effects of insulin on fertility will be described. Differences between the in vivo and in vitro situations will also be discussed.

Profiles of perfectionism, parental climate, and burnout among competitive junior athletes.

Recent research suggests that groups of athletes which differ in terms of perfectionism and perceptions of achievement climate can be identified. Moreover, these groups also differ in terms of burnout symptoms. The purpose of the current study was to extend this research by examining whether discernible groups can be identified based on scores of perfectionism and perceptions of parent-initiated climate and, then, whether these groups differ in terms of burnout. Two-hundred and thirty-seven Swedish junior athletes (124 males and 113 females aged 16-19) from a variety of sports completed measures of athlete burnout, multidimensional perfectionism, and parent-initiated motivational climate. Latent profile analysis identified four groups: non-perfectionistic athletes in a task-involving climate, moderately perfectionistic athletes in a task-involving climate, highly perfectionistic athletes in a task-involving climate, and highly perfectionistic athletes in a mixed climate. The latter two groups reported higher levels of burnout in comparison to other groups. The findings suggest that junior athletes high in perfectionism may be at comparatively greater risk to burnout and that this may especially be the case when they perceive their parents to emphasize concerns about failure and winning without trying one's best.

Bestrophin-3 is differently expressed in normal and injured mouse glomerular podocytes.

AIM: Bestrophins are putative calcium-activated chloride channels. Recently, cell-protective functions for Bestrophin-3 (Best3) were proposed. Best3 exists in different splice variants. We have here examined expression, alternative splicing and localization of Best3 in mouse podocytes under normal conditions and during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. METHODS: Best3 expression was determined on the mRNA level using quantitative PCR and on the protein level by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS: Staining for Best3 was pronounced in glomeruli and was detected in cultured mouse podocytes. Best3 did not co-localize with markers for endothelial cells (CD31), podocyte foot processes (synaptopodin) or microtubules (actin). However, immunogold-based electron microscopy and co-localization with nestin showed Best3 presence in podocyte primary processes and cell bodies. Only two splice variants of Best3 mRNA (both lacking exons 2 and 3, and one also lacking exon 6), but no full-length variant, were detected. ER stress induced by lipopolysaccharides in vivo transiently elevated mRNA levels of total Best3 and its two splice variants with different time courses. In cultured podocytes under ER stress induced by thapsigargin, the expression of total Best3, its splice variants and nestin transiently increased with similar time courses. The ER stress marker C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and nestin mRNA increased during ER stress in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Best3 is localized intracellularly in cell bodies and primary processes of mouse podocytes and is co-localized with nestin. Two splice variants of Best3 are expressed in glomeruli and in cultured podocytes, and their expression is differentially regulated in ER stress.

High-resolution mapping of 1D and 2D dose distributions using X-band electron paramagnetic resonance imaging.

Electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) was performed to visualise 2D dose distributions of homogenously irradiated potassium dithionate tablets and to demonstrate determination of 1D dose profiles along the height of the tablets. Mathematical correction was applied for each relative dose profile in order to take into account the inhomogeneous response of the resonator using X-band EPRI. The dose profiles are presented with the spatial resolution of 0.6 mm from the acquired 2D images; this value is limited by pixel size, and 1D dose profiles from 1D imaging with spatial resolution of 0.3 mm limited by the intrinsic line-width of potassium dithionate. In this paper, dose profiles from 2D reconstructed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) images using the Xepr software package by Bruker are focussed. The conclusion is that using potassium dithionate, the resolution 0.3 mm is sufficient for mapping steep dose gradients if the dosemeters are covering only ±2 mm around the centre of the resonator.

EPR imaging of dose distributions aiming at applications in radiation therapy.

A one-dimensional electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging method for visualisation of dose distributions in photon fields has been developed. Pressed pellets of potassium dithionate were homogeneously irradiated in a (60)Co radiation field to 600 Gy. The EPR analysis was performed with an X-Band (9.6 GHz) Bruker E540 EPR and EPR imaging spectrometer equipped with an E540 GC2X two-axis X-band gradient coil set with gradients along the y axis (along the sample tube) and z axis (along B0) and an ER 4108TMHS resonator. Image reconstruction, including deconvolution, baseline corrections and corrections for the resonator sensitivity, was performed using an in-house-developed Matlab code for the purpose to have a transparent and complete algorithm for image reconstruction. With this method, it is possible to visualise a dose distribution with an accuracy of ∼5 % within ±5 mm from the centre of the resonator.

EPR dosimetry intercomparison using smart phone touch screen glass.

This paper presents the results of an interlaboratory comparison of retrospective dosimetry using the electron paramagnetic resonance method. The test material used in this exercise was glass coming from the touch screens of smart phones that might be used as fortuitous dosimeters in a large-scale radiological incident. There were 13 participants to whom samples were dispatched, and 11 laboratories reported results. The participants received five calibration samples (0, 0.8, 2, 4, and 10 Gy) and four blindly irradiated samples (0, 0.9, 1.3, and 3.3 Gy). Participants were divided into two groups: for group A (formed by three participants), samples came from a homogeneous batch of glass and were stored in similar setting; for group B (formed by eight participants), samples came from different smart phones and stored in different settings of light and temperature. The calibration curves determined by the participants of group A had a small error and a critical level in the 0.37-0.40-Gy dose range, whereas the curves determined by the participants of group B were more scattered and led to a critical level in the 1.3-3.2-Gy dose range for six participants out of eight. Group A were able to assess the dose within 20 % for the lowest doses (<1.5 Gy) and within 5 % for the highest doses. For group B, only the highest blind dose could be evaluated in a reliable way because of the high critical values involved. The results from group A are encouraging, whereas the results from group B suggest that the influence of environmental conditions and the intervariability of samples coming from different smart phones need to be further investigated. An alongside conclusion is that the protocol was easily transferred to participants making a network of laboratories in case of a mass casualty event potentially feasible.

Factors influencing the chance of cows being pregnant 30 days after the herd voluntary waiting period.

The objective of this study was to study factors affecting a reproductive performance indicator at the cow level adjusted for herd management strategy. Associations between the outcome variable, pregnant or not at the herd voluntary waiting period (VWP) plus 30d (pregnant at VWP+30), and the predictor variables were analyzed using a multivariable, generalized estimation equations model that adjusted for clustering of the data at the herd level. The statistical analysis was stratified on parity. In total, 132,721 cows were retained for analyses, of which 29,113 (22%) were pregnant at VWP+30d. Of the nonpregnant cows, 81,483 cows had records of artificial inseminations (AI) and 22,125 cows had no records of AI. The chance of pregnancy was higher for cows of the Swedish Red and for other/crossbreeds compared with Swedish Holstein, for cows from herds with high heat detection efficiency compared with cows from herds with medium and low heat detection efficiency, for cows from herds with long VWP (i.e., >51d) compared with cows from herds with short VWP (<51d), and for cows in freestalls compared with cows in tiestalls. The chance for pregnancy was lower for cows with severe problems at claw trimming compared with cows with no problems at trimming (only for second- and higher-parity cows), for cows that had a record of reproduction-related disease, for cows that had a record of any other disease compared with cows without record, for second- and higher-parity cows with records of dystocia compared with cows with no record of dystocia, for first-parity cows in the group with the highest milk yield compared with first-parity cows in the group with the lowest milk yield, for cows of third and higher parity in the group with the lowest milk yield compared with cows in higher yielding groups, for cows bred in summer compared with those bred in winter-spring (not significant for first-parity cows), and for cows with a twin birth had compared with cows with a single birth. We observed associations of the dose-response type, such that when the milk fat-to-protein ratio increased, the chance for pregnancy decreased, and as the somatic cell count increased, the chance for pregnancy decreased. In conclusion, factors that are known to affect reproductive efficiency also affect the chance of cows being pregnant at the herd VWP plus 30d.