Marine macroalgae in rabbit feed - Effects on meat quality.

The addition of macroalgae to livestock diets has demonstrated to enhance the quality of meat by improving the muscle stability, antioxidant capacity and fatty acid profile. However, information regarding rabbit meat is scarce. This study evaluated the effect of adding 1.025% of different macroalgae, dehydrated and as extracts (Saccharina latissima, Himanthalia elongata and Ulva spp.) to the diet of growing rabbits. Dietary supplementation with the Ulva spp. extract increased the fat content (0.96% vs 0.33% in control group) and the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids (by 22%; P ≤ 0.022), but did not affect the moisture, protein or ash contents or the physicochemical properties of the rabbit longissiumus lumborum muscle. The antioxidant status of the meat was adequate and was not affected by the dietary supplements. The sensorial properties of the meat were also not affected, and dietary supplementation with both S. latissima and H. elongata actually enhanced the flavour and juiciness of the meat (P ≤ 0.01). Altogether, the study findings indicate that the addition of these sustainable ingredients to rabbit feed did not negatively affect meat quality, and some of them may potentially improve specific characteristics, which could make this meat more attractive to consumers.

Molecular analyses of the Kalotermes dispar-complex (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae) from the Canary Islands reveal cryptic intraspecific divergence and a connection to a lone Nearctic congener.

The Canary Islands is a Macaronesian volcanic archipelago with a depauperate community of three species of Kalotermitidae, including Kalotermes dispar. A total of 54 Kalotermes colonies were collected from Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro islands. Soldiers and imagos were morphologically examined and sequenced for four mitochondrial markers. Although morphological differences could not be detected, phylogenetic analysis of both cox1/tRNA/cox2 and rrnL markers revealed two distinct clades of K. dispar, suggesting cryptic diversity. The diversification within the Canary Kalotermes lineage most likely occurred around 7.5 Mya, while the divergence within the two clades was reconstructed at about 3.6 Mya and 1.9 Mya. Kalotermes approximatus from the southeastern Nearctic constitutes a sister to the Canary Kalotermes, while the Palearctic K. flavicollis, K. italicus, and K. phoenicae form a separate clade. It is hypothesized that a faunal exchange of Kalotermes from the Nearctic to the Canary Islands occurred via transoceanic rafting during the mid-Miocene.

Training in Sylvian Arachnoid Dissection: The Art of Using Kamiyama Scissors and a Simple Novel Model for Practice Sylvian Arachnoid Dissection Using Cotton Fiber with Brain Model.

Background Transsylvian approach is one of the main approaches for a variety of vascular, tumor, and skull-base lesions. Sylvian fissure harbors a lot of critical structures including the middle cerebral artery and many venous structures. If not done properly, the transsylvian approach could cause several complications. Up to now, there is no simple training model for practicing Sylvian fissure dissection. In this article, we describe the technique of using microscissors for the sharp dissection of arachnoid trabeculae. We also propose a new model for practicing Sylvian arachnoid dissection using a three-dimensional (3D) brain model with cotton fiber. Materials and Method We inserted cotton fiber into the Sylvian fissure of the brain model (aneurysm box from UpsurgeOn) and covered the Sylvian fissure with a cotton sheet, then sprayed the water over it. We dissected this model under a microscope by using Kamiyama scissors in the right hand and suction in the left hand. Result Under the microscope, our model appears comparable with the real Sylvian fissure. We can use this model for practicing arachnoid dissection with Kamiyama scissors. Conclusion The arachnoid dissection model by using a 3D brain model with cotton fiber is a simplified and novel approach for practicing the Sylvian fissure dissection.

Kinetic Proofreading Can Enhance Specificity in a Nonenzymatic DNA Strand Displacement Network.

Kinetic proofreading is used throughout natural systems to enhance the specificity of molecular recognition. At its most basic level, kinetic proofreading uses a supply of chemical fuel to drive a recognition interaction out of equilibrium, allowing a single free-energy difference between correct and incorrect targets to be exploited two or more times. Despite its importance in biology, there has been little effort to incorporate kinetic proofreading into synthetic systems in which molecular recognition is important, such as nucleic acid nanotechnology. In this article, we introduce a DNA strand displacement-based kinetic proofreading motif, showing that the consumption of a DNA-based fuel can be used to enhance molecular recognition during a templated dimerization reaction. We then show that kinetic proofreading can enhance the specificity with which a probe discriminates single nucleotide mutations, both in terms of the initial rate with which the probe reacts and the long-time behavior.

Automatized self-supervised learning for skin lesion screening.

Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, has seen a steady increase in incidence rates worldwide, posing a significant challenge to dermatologists. Early detection is crucial for improving patient survival rates. However, performing total body screening (TBS), i.e., identifying suspicious lesions or ugly ducklings (UDs) by visual inspection, can be challenging and often requires sound expertise in pigmented lesions. To assist users of varying expertise levels, an artificial intelligence (AI) decision support tool was developed. Our solution identifies and characterizes UDs from real-world wide-field patient images. It employs a state-of-the-art object detection algorithm to locate and isolate all skin lesions present in a patient's total body images. These lesions are then sorted based on their level of suspiciousness using a self-supervised AI approach, tailored to the specific context of the patient under examination. A clinical validation study was conducted to evaluate the tool's performance. The results demonstrated an average sensitivity of 95% for the top-10 AI-identified UDs on skin lesions selected by the majority of experts in pigmented skin lesions. The study also found that the tool increased dermatologists' confidence when formulating a diagnosis, and the average majority agreement with the top-10 AI-identified UDs reached 100% when assisted by our tool. With the development of this AI-based decision support tool, we aim to address the shortage of specialists, enable faster consultation times for patients, and demonstrate the impact and usability of AI-assisted screening. Future developments will include expanding the dataset to include histologically confirmed melanoma and validating the tool for additional body regions.

Elements in Serum, Muscle, Liver, and Kidney of Rabbits Fed Macroalgae-Supplemented Diets.

The addition of marine macroalgae to animal feed has garnered interest due to the demonstrated benefits of gut health in many livestock species. Most macroalgae have a higher mineral content than terrestrial vegetables, making them an attractive, sustainable source of minerals. However, some macroalgae contain elevated concentrations of iodine and arsenic, which may be transferred to the meat of livestock fed with macroalgae. This study evaluated the mineral profile of rabbit serum, muscle, liver, and kidney of rabbits fed diets supplemented with different marine macroalgae, with the goal of improving post-weaning gut health and reducing reliance on antibiotics. We found increased deposition of iodine in muscle, liver, and kidney due to macroalgae supplementation, which is particularly promising for regions with low iodine endemicity. Higher, though relatively low arsenic concentrations, compared to those in other animal meats and food sources, were also detected in the muscle, liver, and kidney of macroalgae-fed rabbits. The absence of apparent interactions with other micronutrients, particularly selenium, suggests that the inclusion of macroalgae in rabbit diets will not affect the overall mineral content. Enhanced bioavailability of elements such as phosphorus and iron may provide additional benefits, potentially reducing the need for mineral supplementation.

IgG4-related disease: Effectiveness evaluation through Umehara-Okazaki 2011 and ACR/EULAR 2019 diagnostic criteria.

BACKGROUND: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a rare, systemic immune-mediated fibro-inflammatory condition with an unclear etiology and pathophysiology, potentially affecting multiple organs. It presents with common clinical, radiological, and serological characteristics. This study aims to compare the latest two IgG4-RD classification and diagnostic criteria: Umehara-Okazaki 2011 and ACR/EULAR 2019. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted across two centers from January 2010 to July 2023, we included patients suspected of having IgG4-RD from various hospital departments. Patients finally diagnosed with other pathologies were excluded. The remaining suspected IgG4-RD cases were evaluated using both Umehara-Okazaki 2011 and ACR/EULAR 2019 criteria. RESULTS: Out of 34 patients with a clinical diagnosis of IgG4-RD, the Umehara-Okazaki 2011 classified 20 patients: 5 as definitive, 7 as probable, and 8 as possible cases. Applying the ACR/EULAR 2019 criteria to the same cohort resulted in the diagnosis of 9 patients. Notably, retroperitoneal fibrosis and aortitis were the most prevalent form of presentation, accounting for 25% and 22.2% of cases classified under the 2011 and 2019 criteria, respectively. DISCUSSION: The more recent and stringent ACR/EULAR 2019 criteria focus on histopathology, various forms of presentation, and analytical data, allow for a more accurate classification of patients.

Influence of the flow split ratio on the position of the main atrial vortex: Implications for stasis on the left atrial appendage.

BACKGROUND: Despite the recent advances in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques applied to blood flow within the left atrium (LA), the relationship between atrial geometry, flow patterns, and blood stasis within the left atrial appendage (LAA) remains unclear. A better understanding of this relationship would have important clinical implications, as thrombi originating in the LAA are a common cause of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). AIM: To identify the most representative atrial flow patterns on a patient-specific basis and study their influence on LAA blood stasis by varying the flow split ratio and some common atrial modeling assumptions. METHODS: Three recent techniques were applied to nine patient-specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of patients with AF: a kinematic atrial model to isolate the influence of wall motion because of AF, projection on a universal LAA coordinate system, and quantification of stagnant blood volume (SBV). RESULTS: We identified three different atrial flow patterns based on the position of the center of the main circulatory flow. The results also illustrate how atrial flow patterns are highly affected by the flow split ratio, increasing the SBV within the LAA. As the flow split ratio is determined by the patient's lying position, the results suggest that the most frequent position adopted while sleeping may have implications for the medium- and long-term risks of stroke.

SDS22 coordinates the assembly of holoenzymes from nascent protein phosphatase-1.

SDS22 forms an inactive complex with nascent protein phosphatase PP1 and Inhibitor-3. SDS22:PP1:Inhibitor-3 is a substrate for the ATPase p97/VCP, which liberates PP1 for binding to canonical regulatory subunits. The exact role of SDS22 in PP1-holoenzyme assembly remains elusive. Here, we show that SDS22 stabilizes nascent PP1. In the absence of SDS22, PP1 is gradually lost, resulting in substrate hyperphosphorylation and a proliferation arrest. Similarly, we identify a female individual with a severe neurodevelopmental disorder bearing an unstable SDS22 mutant, associated with decreased PP1 levels. We furthermore find that SDS22 directly binds to Inhibitor-3 and that this is essential for the stable assembly of SDS22:PP1: Inhibitor-3, the recruitment of p97/VCP, and the extraction of SDS22 during holoenzyme assembly. SDS22 with a disabled Inhibitor-3 binding site co-transfers with PP1 to canonical regulatory subunits, thereby forming non-functional holoenzymes. Our data show that SDS22, through simultaneous interaction with PP1 and Inhibitor-3, integrates the major steps of PP1 holoenzyme assembly.

Precision medicine for asthma treatment: Unlocking the potential of the epigenome and microbiome.

Asthma is a leading worldwide biomedical concern. Patients can experience life-threatening worsening episodes (exacerbations) usually controlled by anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator drugs. However, substantial heterogeneity in treatment response exists, and a subset of patients with unresolved asthma carry the major burden of this disease. The study of the epigenome and microbiome might bridge the gap between human genetics and environmental exposure to partially explain the heterogeneity in drug response. This review aims to provide a critical examination of the existing literature on the microbiome and epigenetic studies examining associations with asthma treatments and drug response, highlight convergent pathways, address current challenges, and offer future perspectives. Current epigenetic and microbiome studies have shown the bilateral relationship between asthma pharmacologic interventions and the human epigenome and microbiome. These studies, focusing on corticosteroids and to a lesser extent on bronchodilators, azithromycin, immunotherapy, and mepolizumab, have improved the understanding of the molecular basis of treatment response and identified promising biomarkers for drug response prediction. Immune and inflammatory pathways (eg, IL-2, TNF-α, NF-κB, and C/EBPs) underlie microbiome-epigenetic associations with asthma treatment, representing potential therapeutic pathways to be targeted. A comprehensive evaluation of these omics biomarkers could significantly contribute to precision medicine and new therapeutic target discovery.

Outcomes of patients with heart failure followed in units accredited by the SEC-Excelente-IC quality program according to the type of unit.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The development of specific heart failure (HF) units has improved the management of patients with this disease due to improved organization and resource management. The Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC) has defined 3 types of HF units (community, specialized, and advanced) based on their complexity and service portfolio. Our aim was to compare the characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of patients with HF according to the type of unit. METHODS: We analyzed data from the SEC-Excelente-IC quality accreditation program registry, with 1716 patients consecutively included in two 1-month cutoffs (March and October) from 2019 to 2021 by 45 SEC-accredited HF units. We compared the characteristics, treatment and 1-year outcomes between the 3 types of units. RESULTS: Of the 1716 patients, 13.2% were treated in community units, 65.9% in specialized units, and 20.9% in advanced units. The rates of mortality (27.5 vs 15.5/100 patients-year; P<.001), admissions for HF (39.7 vs 29.2/100 patients-year; P=.019), total decompensations (56.1 vs 40.5/100 patients-year; P=.003), and combined death/admission for HF (45.2 vs 31.4/100 patients-year; P=.005) were higher in community units than in specialized/advanced units. Follow-up in a community unit was an independent predictor of higher mortality and admissions at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with follow-up by more specialized units, follow-up in a community unit was associated with a higher decompensation rate and increased 1-year mortality.

Spatially Multiplexed Speckle on 1D Sensors for High-Speed 2D Sensing Applications.

Speckle pattern-based remote vibration monitoring has recently become increasingly valuable in industrial, commercial, and medical applications. The dynamic and random nature of speckle patterns offers practical applications for imaging and measurement systems. The speckle pattern is an interference pattern generated by light scattered from a rough surface onto a remote plane. It is typically sensed using area scan cameras (2D), which are limited to framerates of 2-4 kHz and can only capture a small region of interest (ROI). In this work, we propose a technique that enables the capture of synthetic 2D speckle patterns using a 1D high-acquisition-rate sensor and a diffractive optical element (DOE) to produce image replicas. The multiple replicas are scanned by the 1D sensor simultaneously at different spatial positions. This method provides an ability to sense remote vibrations in all directions, contrary to the case with a simple 1D sensing system.

Internal Organ Colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis in Layer Pullets Infected at Two Different Ages During Rearing in Cage-Free Housing.

The poultry-housing environment plays a significant role in the transmission and persistence of the egg-associated pathogen Salmonella Enteritidis in laying flocks. The commercial egg industry is in the midst of a transition toward cage-free housing, but the food safety ramifications of this shift are not yet certain. The present study assessed internal organ colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis in layer pullets reared in cage-free housing and infected at two different ages. Groups of 280 pullets were transferred from the rearing facility (at 9 wk of age in one trial and 15 wk in another) to a containment facility with four isolation rooms simulating commercial cage-free barns with perches and nest boxes (70 birds/room). Twenty-four pullets in each room were orally inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis immediately after placement in the containment facility. At 1-2 wk postinoculation in each trial, samples of liver, spleen, and intestinal tract were collected from all birds in two rooms for bacteriologic culturing to detect Salmonella Enteritidis. At 21-22 wk of age, samples of spleen, ovary, and intestinal tract were similarly collected and tested from all birds in the remaining two rooms. Among samples collected at 1-2 wk postinoculation, Salmonella Enteritidis was isolated significantly more often from groups of pullets infected initially at 15 wk of age than from those infected at 9 wk (61% vs. 38% of livers, 59% vs. 31% of spleens, and 84% vs. 57% of intestines). Among samples collected at 21-22 wk of age, the frequency of recovery of Salmonella Enteritidis was again significantly greater in birds infected at 15 wk of age than in those infected at 9 wk (16% vs. 6% of spleens, 9% vs. 1% of ovaries, and 26% vs. 10% of intestines). These data suggest that Salmonella Enteritidis infections introduced into flocks during the later stages of pullet rearing have greater potential to persist into the early phase of egg production.

Nota de investigación- Colonización de órganos internos por Salmonella Enteritidis en pollitas de postura infectadas en dos edades diferentes durante la crianza en alojamiento sin jaulas. El ambiente en alojamientos avícolas juega un papel importante en la transmisión y persistencia del patógeno asociado a los huevos Salmonella Enteritidis en parvadas postura. La industria comercial del huevo se encuentra en medio de una transición hacia alojamientos sin jaulas, pero las ramificaciones de este cambio en la seguridad alimentaria aún no están determinadas. El presente estudio evaluó la colonización de órganos internos por Salmonella Enteritidis en pollitas de postura criadas en alojamientos sin jaulas e infectadas a dos edades diferentes. Se transfirieron grupos de 280 pollitas desde las instalaciones de cría (a las 9 semanas de edad en un ensayo y a las 15 semanas en un segundo ensayo) a una instalación de contención con cuatro salas de aislamiento que simulaban alojamientos comerciales sin jaulas con perchas y nidos (70 aves/sala). Veinticuatro pollitas en cada sala fueron inoculadas oralmente con Salmonella Enteritidis inmediatamente después de su colocación en la instalación de contención. En cada ensayo, de una a dos semanas después de la inoculación, se recolectaron muestras de hígado, bazo y tracto intestinal para cultivo bacteriológico de todas las aves en dos salas para detectar Salmonella Enteritidis. A las 21-22 semanas de edad, se recolectaron y analizaron de manera similar muestras de bazo, ovario y tracto intestinal de todas las aves en las dos salas restantes. Entre las muestras recolectadas entre una y dos semanas después de la inoculación, Salmonella Enteritidis se aisló significativamente con mayor frecuencia en grupos de pollitas infectadas inicialmente a las 15 semanas de edad que en aquellas infectadas a las 9 semanas (61% contra 38 % en los hígados, 59% contra 31% de bazos y 84 % contra 57% en intestinos). Entre las muestras recolectadas a las 21-22 semanas de edad, la frecuencia de recuperación de Salmonella Enteritidis fue nuevamente significativamente mayor en aves infectadas a las 15 semanas de edad que en aquellas infectadas a las 9 semanas (16% contra 6% de bazos, 9% contra 1% en ovarios y 26% contra 10% de los intestinos). Estos datos sugieren que las infecciones por Salmonella Enteritidis introducidas en las parvadas durante las últimas etapas de la cría de pollitas tienen un mayor potencial para persistir en la fase inicial de la producción de huevos.

Exoskeletons vs. exosuits: A comparative analysis using biological-based computer simulation.

BACKGROUND: Interest in the design of gait assistance devices has experienced significant growth in recent years. Among various uses of assistive devices, those aimed at supporting the elderly have gained importance due to the rising population of this age group. METHODS: This study aims to compare the efficacy of two types of assistive devices through musculoskeletal simulations. One case is an ideal device, simulating the motor actuation as it would be in a rigid exoskeleton, and, cable-assisted devices, simulating the assistance of an exosuit. The simulations were based on data obtained from 9 subjects. OpenSim, an open-source software, was employed to conduct the simulations. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that the cable-assisted device outperforms the traditional exoskeleton by achieving a more significant reduction in the metabolic cost with relatively lower assistance power. CONCLUSION: Cable-assisted gait assistance devices have shown comparable results to traditional exoskeletons, with the added advantage of improved performance through reduced power requirements.

Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Characteristics Associated with Maternal Dietary Patterns in Mexico.

There is scarce evidence on sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics that may explain adherence to different dietary patterns (DPs) during pregnancy. Our aims were to identify dietary patterns in a sample of pregnant Mexican women and to describe their association with selected sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. This is a secondary cross-sectional analysis of 252 mothers of children that participated as controls in a hospital-based case-control study of childhood leukemia. We obtained parents' information about selected sociodemographic characteristics, as well as alcohol and tobacco consumption. We also obtained dietary information during pregnancy. We identified DPs using cluster and factor analyses and we estimated their association with characteristics of interest. We identified two DPs using cluster analysis, which we called "Prudent" and "Non healthy", as well as three DPs through factor analysis, namely "Prudent", "Processed foods and fish", and "Chicken and vegetables". Characteristics associated with greater adherence to "Prudent" patterns were maternal education, older paternal age, not smoking, and being a government employee and/or uncovered population. Likewise, the "Processed foods and fish" pattern was associated with greater maternal and paternal education, as well as those with less household overcrowding. We did not identify sociodemographic variables related to the "Chicken and Vegetables" pattern. Our results may be useful to identify target populations that may benefit from interventions aimed to improve individual dietary decisions during pregnancy.

Characterizing carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli isolates from Spain: high genetic heterogeneity and wide geographical spread.

Introduction: Carbapenemase-Producing Escherichia coli (CP-Eco) isolates, though less prevalent than other CP-Enterobacterales, have the capacity to rapidly disseminate antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and cause serious difficult-to-treat infections. The aim of this study is phenotypically and genotypically characterizing CP-Eco isolates collected from Spain to better understand their resistance mechanisms and population structure. Methods: Ninety representative isolates received from 2015 to 2020 from 25 provinces and 59 hospitals Spanish hospitals were included. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined according to EUCAST guidelines and whole-genome sequencing was performed. Antibiotic resistance and virulence-associated genes, phylogeny and population structure, and carbapenemase genes-carrying plasmids were analyzed. Results and discussion: The 90 CP-Eco isolates were highly polyclonal, where the most prevalent was ST131, detected in 14 (15.6%) of the isolates. The carbapenemase genes detected were bla OXA-48 (45.6%), bla VIM-1 (23.3%), bla NDM-1 (7.8%), bla KPC-3 (6.7%), and bla NDM-5 (6.7%). Forty (44.4%) were resistant to 6 or more antibiotic groups and the most active antibiotics were colistin (98.9%), plazomicin (92.2%) and cefiderocol (92.2%). Four of the seven cefiderocol-resistant isolates belonged to ST167 and six harbored bla NDM. Five of the plazomicin-resistant isolates harbored rmt. IncL plasmids were the most frequent (45.7%) and eight of these harbored bla VIM-1. bla OXA-48 was found in IncF plasmids in eight isolates. Metallo-ß-lactamases were more frequent in isolates with resistance to six or more antibiotic groups, with their genes often present on the same plasmid/integron. ST131 isolates were associated with sat and pap virulence genes. This study highlights the genetic versatility of CP-Eco and its potential to disseminate ARGs and cause community and nosocomial infections.

Lung Transplantation in Controlled Donation after Circulatory-Determination-of-Death Using Normothermic Abdominal Perfusion.

The main limitation to increased rates of lung transplantation (LT) continues to be the availability of suitable donors. At present, the largest source of lung allografts is still donation after the neurologic determination of death (brain-death donors, DBD). However, only 20% of these donors provide acceptable lung allografts for transplantation. One of the proposed strategies to increase the lung donor pool is the use of donors after circulatory-determination-of-death (DCD), which has the potential to significantly alleviate the shortage of transplantable lungs. According to the Maastricht classification, there are five types of DCD donors. The first two categories are uncontrolled DCD donors (uDCD); the other three are controlled DCD donors (cDCD). Clinical experience with uncontrolled DCD donors is scarce and remains limited to small case series. Controlled DCD donation, meanwhile, is the most accepted type of DCD donation for lungs. Although the DCD donor pool has significantly increased, it is still underutilized worldwide. To achieve a high retrieval rate, experience with DCD donation, adequate management of the potential DCD donor at the intensive care unit (ICU), and expertise in combined organ procurement are critical. This review presents a concise update of lung donation after circulatory-determination-of-death and includes a step-by-step protocol of lung procurement using abdominal normothermic regional perfusion.

Erratum: Reconfigurations in brain networks upon awakening from slow wave sleep: Interventions and implications in neural communication.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1162/netn_a_00272.].