Effect of THI on Milk Production, Percentage of Milking Cows, and Time Lying in Holstein Cows in Northern-Arid Mexico.

The possible effect of heat stress (HS), measured with the temperature-humidity index (THI) across seasons of the year (SY) upon milk production (MP), feed-to-milk efficiency (FME), and cow comfort (CC) was assessed in Holstein-Friesian cows in northern-arid Mexico. Data from 2467 cows (2146 milking and 321 dry) were recorded across SY [spring (SP), summer (SM), autumn (AT), and winter (WN)] between 2016 and 2019 in an intensive dairy farm located in the Comarca Lagunera (25° NL) with large fluctuations regarding ambient temperature and solar radiation. The THI was stratified into four classes: non-HS, <68; light HS, 68-71; moderate HS, 72-76; and intense HS, ≥77. The considered response variables were Milk production: both on a farm basis (totMP) and on a cow basis (cowMP); Nutritional efficiency: dry matter intake (DMI, kg); Feed conversion efficiency (FCE, kg) and energy-corrected milk (ECM, kg); Percentage of milking cows: (MC%); and Cow comfort: lying time (LT, h). Analyses of variance for unbalanced data were performed through "R". Both totMP and cowMP differed (p < 0.05) as HS increased; the largest values (i.e., 77,886 L and 35.9 L) occurred at lower THIs (i.e., <68 and 68-71) while the milk production fell (i.e., 66,584 L and 31.7 L) with the highest THIs (i.e., ≥77). Not only feed-to-milk efficiency (i.e., DMI, FCE, and ECM) but also the MC% exhibited a similar trend; a visible drop (p < 0.05) occurred from a THI of 68-71 onwards. Furthermore, the LT declined as the THI augmented, from 10.6 h at <68 to 8.5 h at ≥77. Moreover, differences (p < 0.05) also arose across seasons; TotMP, cowMP, DMI, FCE, and ECM revealed their largest (p < 0.05) values in WN and SP, halfway ones in AT, with the lowermost figures in SM. In the same way, cow comfort differed (p < 0.05) among seasons, with diverse lying times (h); WT, 10.5; AT, 10.20; SP, 9.3 h; and 8.8 in SM. Finally, the potential economic burden that HS caused at the producer (USD 233.2 million) and industry-market levels (USD 311.1 M), as well as its impact upon nutrient and alimentary security at the society level (i.e., 311 M milk liters and 195,415.82 Gcal), were also quantified.

Conversion of M1 Macrophages to Foam Cells: Transcriptome Differences Determined by Sex.

BACKGROUND: M1 macrophages involved in pro-inflammatory processes can be induced by low-density lipoproteins (LDL), giving rise to foam cells. In the atheroma plaque, it has been identified that males present more advanced lesions associated with infiltration. Therefore, our study aims to investigate sex-related changes in the transcriptome of M1 macrophages during the internalization process of LDL particles. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy male and female subjects were separated using Hystopaque, and monocytes were isolated from PBMCs using a positive selection of CD14+ cells. Cells were stimulated with LDL 10 µg/mL, and the transcriptional profile of M1 macrophages performed during LDL internalization was determined using a Clariom D platform array. RESULTS: Chromosome Y influences the immune system and inflammatory responses in males expressing 43% of transcripts in response to LDL treatment. Males and females share 15 transcripts, where most correspond to non-coding elements involved in oxidative stress and endothelial damage. CONCLUSIONS: During LDL internalization, male monocyte-derived M1 macrophages display more marked proinflammatory gene expression. In contrast, female M1 macrophages display a more significant number of markers associated with cell damage.

Goats as Valuable Animal Model to Test the Targeted Glutamate Supplementation upon Antral Follicle Number, Ovulation Rate, and LH-Pulsatility.

The potential effect of intravenous administration of glutamate on the ovarian activity and the LH secretion pattern, considering the anestrous yearling goat as an animal model, were assessed. In late April, yearling goats (n = 20) were randomly assigned to either (1) Glutamate supplemented (GLUT; n = 10, Live Weight (LW) = 29.6 ± 1.02 kg, Body Condition (BCS) = 3.4 ± 0.2 units; i.v. supplemented with 7 mg GLUT kg−1 LW) or (2) Non-supplemented (CONT; n = 10; LW = 29.2 ± 1.07 kg, BCS = 3.5 ± 0.2 units; i.v. saline). The oats were estrus-synchronized; blood sampling (6 h × 15 min) was carried out for LH quantification. Response variables included pulsatility (PULSE), time to first pulse (TTFP), amplitude (AMPL), nadir (NAD), and area under the curve (AUC) of LH. Ovaries were ultra-sonographically scanned to assess ovulation rate (OR), number of antral follicles (AF), and total ovarian activity (TOA = OR + AF). LH-PULSE was quantified with the Munro algorithm; significant treatment x time interactions were evaluated across time. The variables LW and BCS did not differ (p > 0.05) between the experimental groups. Nevertheless, OR (1.77 vs. 0.87 ± 0.20 units), TOA (4.11 vs. 1.87 ± 0.47 units) and LH-PULSE (5.0 vs. 2.2 pulses 6 h-1) favored (p < 0.05) to the GLUT group. Our results reveal that targeted glutamate supplementation, the main central nervous system neurotransmitter, arose as an interesting strategy to enhance the hypothalamic−hypophyseal−ovarian response considering the anestrous-yearling goat as an animal model, with thought-provoking while promising translational applications.

Metabolic flexibility during normal pregnancy allows appropriate adaptation during gestation independently of BMI.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Overweight and obesity in reproductive-age women hasten the development of insulin resistance and increase risk for deterioration of pregnancy metabolism. These pregnancy-associated metabolic changes are similar to those of the metabolic syndrome. Thus, some metabolic flexibility must allow appropriate adaptation to the metabolic load that pregnancy imposes. We evaluated metabolic flexibility during uncomplicated pregnancy in women with pre-gestational normal weight or overweight. METHODS: In 20 women with singleton pregnancies, pre-pregnancy BMI was categorized as normal-weight (Nw) or overweight (Ow). The women were seen quarterly, and fasting and postprandial blood samples were collected at each visit. Indirect fasting and/postprandial calorimetry was performed to evaluate metabolic flexibility (Δrespiratory quotient (RQ) = RQpostprandial - RQfasting). RESULTS: In the first trimester, metabolic flexibility was lower in the Ow group compared to the Nw group (0.031 ± 0.0131 vs 0.077 ± 0.018, respectively) without a statistically significant difference (p = 0.053). In the second trimester, the Ow group was significantly more flexible than the Nw group (0.190 ± 0.016 vs 0.077 ± 0.015, respectively (p = 0.004)). For the third trimester, the Ow and Nw groups did not differ in metabolic flexibility (0.074 ± 0.013 vs 0.087 ± 0.021, respectively) (p = 0.40). The most influential variables for metabolic flexibility during pregnancy were lactate, leptin, ß-hydroxybutyrate, glycerol, aromatic amino acids, medium and long chain acylcarnitine's. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that metabolic flexibility changes throughout pregnancy, independently of pre-pregnancy BMI. These changes maintain metabolic homeostasis between the mother and foetus, allowing for appropriate adjustments during pregnancy.

Intestinal microbiota fingerprint in subjects with irritable bowel syndrome responders to a low FODMAP diet.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habit. IBS patients report that FODMAP (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols) diet induce or exacerbate their symptoms. It has been reported that low-FODMAP diet (LFD) improves the symptoms in 50%-80% of IBS patients. We aimed to identify IBS responders and non-responders' patients to LFD by determining baseline fecal microbial composition, sequencing the 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 region. Thirty-two participants with IBS were included, 29 women (90.62%) and three men (9.37%), and instructed to follow a four-week LFD, Visual Analogue Scale for IBS was used to assess intervention response. Twenty-two participants were responders (68.75%), and ten were non-responders (31.25%). Differential abundance analysis of Amplicon Sequence Variant (ASVs), before LFD, identified Prevotella 9 and Veillonella genus in responder group, and Barnesiella, Paraprevotella, Bifidobacterium and Ruminococcus 1 genus in non-responder group. After LFD, differentially abundant ASVs were only identified in R, belonging to Veilonella, Butyrivibrio, and 5 ASVs belonging to Ruminiclostridium 6 genus. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), was used to classify patients by responsiveness, considering baseline abundance of 5 bacterial genera, LDA accuracy model was 96.87%, correctly classifying 95.45% of in responder group and 100% and non-responder group. In conclusion, bacterial biomarkers are useful to classify IBS individuals by responsiveness to LFD.

Therapeutic Effectiveness of Interferon Alpha 2b Treatment for COVID-19 Patient Recovery.

A previous report on 814 patients who were coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive provided preliminary therapeutic efficacy evidence with interferon-α2b (IFN-α2b) in Cuba, from March 11 to April 14, 2020. This study re-evaluates the effectiveness of IFN-α2b during the period from March 11 to June 17, 2020. Patients received a combination of oral antivirals (lopinavir/ritonavir and chloroquine) with intramuscular or subcutaneous administration of IFN-α2b. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients discharged from the hospital; the secondary endpoint was the case fatality rate, and several outcomes related to time variables were also evaluated. From March 11 to June 17, 2,295 patients had been confirmed to be severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive in Cuba, 2,165 were treated with Heberon® Alpha R, and 130 received the approved protocol without IFN. The proportion of fully recovered patients was higher in the IFN-treated compared with the non-IFN-treated group. Prior IFN treatment decreases the likelihood of intensive care and increases the survival after severe or critical diseases. Benefits of IFN were significantly supported by time variables analyzed. This second report confirmed our preliminary evidence about the therapeutic effectiveness of IFN-α2b in SARS-CoV-2 infection and postulated Heberon Alpha R as the main component within antiviral drugs used in the Cuban protocol COVID-19.

Therapeutic Effectiveness of Interferon-α2b Against COVID-19: The Cuban Experience.

A prospective observational study was conducted for assessing the therapeutic efficacy of interferon (IFN)-α2b in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the first month after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak began in Cuba. From March 11th to April 14th, 814 patients were confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive in Cuba. Seven hundred sixty-one (93.4%) were treated with a combination of oral antivirals (lopinavir/ritonavir and chloroquine) with intramuscular administration of IFN-α2b (Heberon® Alpha R, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba), 3 times per week, for 2 weeks. Fifty-three patients received the approved COVID protocol without IFN treatment. The proportion of patients discharged from hospital (without clinical and radiological symptoms and nondetectable virus by real-time polymerase chain reaction) was higher in the IFN-treated compared with the non-IFN treated group (95.4% vs. 26.1%, P < 0.01). The case fatality rate (CFR) for all patients was 2.95%, and for those patients who received IFN-α2b the CFR was reduced to 0.92. Intensive care was required for 82 patients (10.1%), 42 (5.5%) had been treated with IFN. This report provides preliminary evidence for the therapeutic effectiveness of IFN-α2b for COVID-19 and suggests that the use of Heberon Alpha R may contribute to complete recovery of patients.

Effect of Dietary Magnesium Content on Intestinal Microbiota of Rats.

BACKGROUND: Magnesium is a mineral that modulates several physiological processes. However, its relationship with intestinal microbiota has been scarcely studied. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the role of dietary magnesium content to modulate the intestinal microbiota of Wistar male rats. METHODS: Rats were randomly assigned one of three diets: a control diet (C-Mg; 1000 mg/kg), a low magnesium content diet (L-Mg; 60 mg/kg), and a high magnesium content diet (H-Mg; 6000 mg/kg), for two weeks. After treatment, fecal samples were collected. Microbiota composition was assessed by sequencing the V3-V4 hypervariable region. RESULTS: The C-Mg and L-Mg groups had more diversity than H-Mg group. CF231, SMB53, Dorea, Lactobacillus and Turibacter were enriched in the L-Mg group. In contrast, the phyla Proteobacteria, Parabacteroides, Butyricimonas, and Victivallis were overrepresented in the H-Mg group. PICRUSt analysis indicated that fecal microbiota of the L-Mg group were encoded with an increased abundance of metabolic pathways involving carbohydrate metabolism and butanoate metabolism. CONCLUSION: Dietary magnesium supplementation can result in intestinal dysbiosis development in a situation where there is no magnesium deficiency. Conversely, low dietary magnesium consumption is associated with microbiota with a higher capacity to harvest energy from the diet.

Altered Plasma Acylcarnitines and Amino Acids Profile in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7), a neurodegenerative disease characterized by cerebellar ataxia and retinal degeneration, is caused by an abnormal CAG repeat expansion in the ATXN7 gene coding region. The onset and severity of SCA7 are highly variable between patients, thus identification of sensitive biomarkers that accurately diagnose the disease and monitoring its progression are needed. With the aim of identified SCA7-specific metabolites with clinical relevance, we report for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, a metabolomics profiling of circulating acylcarnitines and amino acids in SCA7 patients. We identified 21 metabolites with altered levels in SCA7 patients and determined two different sets of metabolites with diagnostic power. The first signature of metabolites (Valine, Leucine, and Tyrosine) has the ability to discriminate between SCA7 patients and healthy controls, while the second one (Methionine, 3-hydroxytetradecanoyl-carnitine, and 3-hydroxyoctadecanoyl-carnitine) possess the capability to differentiate between early-onset and adult-onset patients, as shown by the multivariate model and ROC analyses. Furthermore, enrichment analyses of metabolic pathways suggest alterations in mitochondrial function, energy metabolism, and fatty acid beta-oxidation in SCA7 patients. In summary, circulating SCA7-specific metabolites identified in this study could serve as effective predictors of SCA7 progression in the clinics, as they are sampled in accessible biofluid and assessed by a relatively simple biochemical assay.

Vertical Movements and Patterns in Diving Behavior of Whale Sharks as Revealed by Pop-Up Satellite Tags in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico.

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a wide-ranging, filter-feeding species typically observed at or near the surface. This shark's sub-surface habits and behaviors have only begun to be revealed in recent years through the use of archival and satellite tagging technology. We attached pop-up satellite archival transmitting tags to 35 whale sharks in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico off the Yucatan Peninsula from 2003-2012 and three tags to whale sharks in the northeastern Gulf off Florida in 2010, to examine these sharks' long-term movement patterns and gain insight into the underlying factors influencing their vertical habitat selection. Archived data were received from 31 tags deployed on sharks of both sexes with total lengths of 5.5-9 m. Nine of these tags were physically recovered facilitating a detailed long-term view into the sharks' vertical movements. Whale sharks feeding inshore on fish eggs off the northeast Yucatan Peninsula demonstrated reverse diel vertical migration, with extended periods of surface swimming beginning at sunrise followed by an abrupt change in the mid-afternoon to regular vertical oscillations, a pattern that continued overnight. When in oceanic waters, sharks spent about 95% of their time within epipelagic depths (<200 m) but regularly undertook very deep ("extreme") dives (>500 m) that largely occurred during daytime or twilight hours (max. depth recorded 1,928 m), had V-shaped depth-time profiles, and comprised more rapid descents (0.68 m sec-1) than ascents (0.50 m sec-1). Nearly half of these extreme dives had descent profiles with brief but conspicuous changes in vertical direction at a mean depth of 475 m. We hypothesize these stutter steps represent foraging events within the deep scattering layer, however, the extreme dives may have additional functions. Overall, our results demonstrate complex and dynamic patterns of habitat utilization for R. typus that appear to be in response to changing biotic and abiotic conditions influencing the distribution and abundance of their prey.

An unprecedented aggregation of whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, in Mexican coastal waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, are often perceived as solitary behemoths that live and feed in the open ocean. To the contrary, evidence is accumulating that they are gregarious and form seasonal aggregations in some coastal waters. One such aggregation occurs annually north of Cabo Catoche, off Isla Holbox on the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. Here we report a second, much denser aggregation of whale sharks (dubbed "the Afuera") that occurs east of the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula in the Caribbean Sea. The 2009 Afuera event comprised the largest aggregation of whale sharks ever reported, with up to 420 whale sharks observed in a single aerial survey, all gathered in an elliptical patch of ocean approximately 18 km(2). Plankton studies indicated that the sharks were feeding on dense homogenous patches of fish eggs, which DNA barcoding analysis identified as belonging to little tunny, Euthynnus alletteratus. This contrasts with the annual Cabo Catoche aggregation nearby, where prey consists mostly of copepods and sergestid shrimp. Increased sightings at the Afuera coincide with decreased sightings at Cabo Catoche, and both groups have the same sex ratio, implying that the same animals are likely involved in both aggregations; tagging data support this idea. With two whale shark aggregation areas, high coastal productivity and a previously-unknown scombrid spawning ground, the northeastern Yucatán marine region is a critical habitat that deserves more concerted conservation efforts.