A sucrose-binding protein and ß-conglycinins regulate soybean seed protein content and control multiple seed traits.

Expanded agriculture production is required to support the world's population but can impose substantial environmental and climate change costs, particularly with intensifying animal production and protein demand. Shifting from an animal- to a plant-based protein diet has numerous health benefits. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a major source of protein for human food and animal feed; improved soybean protein content and amino acid composition could provide high-quality soymeal for animal feed, healthier human foods, and a reduced carbon footprint. Nonetheless, during the soybean genome evolution, a balance was established between the amount of seed protein, oil, and carbohydrate content, burdening the development of soybean cultivars with high proteins. We isolated two high-seed protein (HP) soybean mutants, HP1 and HP2, with improved seed amino acid composition and stachyose content, pointing to their involvement in controlling seed rebalancing phenomenon. HP1 encodes ß-conglycinin (GmCG-1) and HP2 encodes Sucrose Binding Protein (GmSBP-1), which are both highly expressed in soybean seeds. Mutations in GmSBP-1, GmCG-1, and the paralog GmCG-2 resulted in increased protein levels, confirming their role as general regulators of seed protein content, amino acid seed composition, and seed vigor. Biodiversity analysis of GmCG and GmSBP across 108 soybean accessions revealed haplotypes correlated with protein and seed carbohydrate content. Furthermore, our data revealed an unprecedented role of GmCG and GmSBP proteins in improving seed vigor, crude protein, and amino acid digestibility. Since GmSBP and GmCG are present in most seed plants analyzed, these genes could be targeted to improve multiple seed traits.

Re-Purposing the Ordering of Routine Laboratory Tests in Hospitalized Medical Patients (RePORT): protocol for a multicenter stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial to evaluate the impact of a multicomponent intervention bundle to reduce laboratory test over-utilization.

BACKGROUND: Laboratory test overuse in hospitals is a form of healthcare waste that also harms patients. Developing and evaluating interventions to reduce this form of healthcare waste is critical. We detail the protocol for our study which aims to implement and evaluate the impact of an evidence-based, multicomponent intervention bundle on repetitive use of routine laboratory testing in hospitalized medical patients across adult hospitals in the province of British Columbia, Canada. METHODS: We have designed a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial to assess the impact of a multicomponent intervention bundle across 16 hospitals in the province of British Columbia in Canada. We will use the Knowledge to Action cycle to guide implementation and the RE-AIM framework to guide evaluation of the intervention bundle. The primary outcome will be the number of routine laboratory tests ordered per patient-day in the intervention versus control periods. Secondary outcome measures will assess implementation fidelity, number of all common laboratory tests used, impact on healthcare costs, and safety outcomes. The study will include patients admitted to adult medical wards (internal medicine or family medicine) and healthcare providers working in these wards within the participating hospitals. After a baseline period of 24 weeks, we will conduct a 16-week pilot at one hospital site. A new cluster (containing approximately 2-3 hospitals) will receive the intervention every 12 weeks. We will evaluate the sustainability of implementation at 24 weeks post implementation of the final cluster. Using intention to treat, we will use generalized linear mixed models for analysis to evaluate the impact of the intervention on outcomes. DISCUSSION: The study builds upon a multicomponent intervention bundle that has previously demonstrated effectiveness. The elements of the intervention bundle are easily adaptable to other settings, facilitating future adoption in wider contexts. The study outputs are expected to have a positive impact as they will reduce usage of repetitive laboratory tests and provide empirically supported measures and tools for accomplishing this work. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was prospectively registered on April 8, 2024, via ClinicalTrials.gov Protocols Registration and Results System (NCT06359587). https://classic. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/ct2/show/NCT06359587?term=NCT06359587&recrs=ab&draw=2&rank=1.

Considering collaborative incident management: A study of the COVID-19 response and initial recovery in a rural West Virginia community.

Hierarchical command-style structures are commonplace in the management of disasters, though researchers have begun to recommend the exploration of networked approaches to incident management. Furthermore, few studies are explicitly looking at the rural context of disaster management. This study seeks to contribute to both topics by examining the motivations for emergent collaboration in the direction of the response and initial recovery to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in a rural West Virginia community. Between March 2020 and March 2022, the primary investigator moderated regular briefings of a community task force convened to coordinate the pandemic response and recovery. As regular operations concluded, members completed a survey, and 10 randomly selected members participated in semistructured interviews regarding their experiences in the task force. Survey responses suggest that common motivations for collaboration in nondisaster contexts (as they appear in the scholarly literature) and potential benefits of networked approaches highlighted in the incident management literature could also serve as motivators within the disaster context. Qualitative interview data extend that discussion and identify the need to gain clear information regarding the concerned authorities and specific local information to better inform the expenditure of limited resources as two additional motivators for collaboration.

Asymmetric ion transport through "Janus" MoSSe sub-nanometer pores.

We conduct all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to systematically investigate the underlying mechanisms governing ion transport through a sub-nanometer pore decorated with negative charges in a "Janus" MoSSe membrane. The charge imbalance between S and Se atoms on each side of the membrane induces different types of ion adsorption processes depending on the pore inner charge configuration, and the polarity of external biases, which leads to asymmetry in ionic I-V characteristics. Statistical analysis of the total translocation times including adsorption-desorption processes, and ion dwell times indicates that potassium ions predominantly remain adsorbed during their interaction with the membrane before undertaking a quick translocation through the pore. High applied biases suppress cation adsorption, which results in fast translocation with the current flow boosted by negative inner charges around the pore. We also show that in a membrane consisting of several "Janus" layers, the applied bias necessary to overcome the sub-nm pore barrier increases with the number of layers, providing control over the ionic current.

Biomarkers of peanut allergy in children over time.

BACKGROUND: Various biomarkers are used to define peanut allergy (PA). We aimed to observe changes in PA resolution and persistence over time comparing biomarkers in PA and peanut sensitised but tolerant (PS) children in a population-based cohort. METHODS: Participants were recruited from the EAT and EAT-On studies, conducted across England and Wales, and were exclusively breastfeed babies recruited at 3 months old and followed up until 7-12 years old. Clinical characteristics, skin prick test (SPT), sIgE to peanut and peanut components and mast cell activation tests (MAT) were assessed at 12 months, 36 months and 7-12 years. PA status was determined at the 7-12 year time point. RESULTS: The prevalence of PA was 2.1% at 7-12 years. Between 3 and 7-12 year, two children developed PA and one outgrew PA. PA children had larger SPT, higher peanut-sIgE, Ara h 2-sIgE and MAT (all p < .001) compared to PS children from 12 months onwards. SPT, peanut-sIgE, Ara h 2-sIgE and MAT between children with persistent PA, new PA, outgrown PA and PS were statistically significant from 12 months onwards (p < .001). Those with persistent PA had SPT, peanut-sIgE and Ara h 2-sIgE that increased over time and MAT which was highest at 36 months. New PA children had increased SPT and peanut-sIgE from 36 months to 7-12 years, but MAT remained low. PS children had low biomarkers across time. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, few children outgrow or develop new PA between 36 months and 7-12 years. Children with persistent PA have raised SPT, peanut-sIgE, Ara h 2-sIgE and MAT evident from infancy that consistently increase over time.

Wild grass-derived alleles represent a genetic architecture for the resilience of modern common wheat to stresses.

This review explores the integration of wild grass-derived alleles into modern bread wheat breeding to tackle the challenges of climate change and increasing food demand. With a focus on synthetic hexaploid wheat, this review highlights the potential of genetic variability in wheat wild relatives, particularly Aegilops tauschii, for improving resilience to multifactorial stresses like drought, heat, and salinity. The evolutionary journey of wheat (Triticum spp.) from diploid to hexaploid species is examined, revealing significant genetic contributions from wild grasses. We also emphasize the importance of understanding incomplete lineage sorting in the genomic evolution of wheat. Grasping this information is crucial as it can guide breeders in selecting the appropriate alleles from the gene pool of wild relatives to incorporate into modern wheat varieties. This approach improves the precision of phylogenetic relationships and increases the overall effectiveness of breeding strategies. This review also addresses the challenges in utilizing the wheat wild genetic resources, such as the linkage drag and cross-compatibility issues. Finally, we culminate the review with future perspectives, advocating for a combined approach of high-throughput phenotyping tools and advanced genomic techniques to comprehensively understand the genetic and regulatory architectures of wheat under stress conditions, paving the way for more precise and efficient breeding strategies.

Well-being approaches targeted to improve child and youth health post-COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Our previous work synthesized published studies on well-being interventions during COVID-19. As we move into a post-COVID-19 pandemic period there is a need to comprehensively review published strategies, approaches, and interventions to improve child and youth well-being beyond deleterious impacts experienced during COVID-19. METHODS: Seven databases were searched from inception to January 2023. Studies were included if they: (1) presented original data on an approach (i.e., approach applied) or (2) provided recommendations to inform development of a future approach (i.e., approach suggested), (3) targeted to mitigate negative impacts of COVID-19 on child and youth (≤18 year) well-being, and (4) published on or after December 2019. RESULTS: 39 studies (n = 4/39, 10.3% randomized controlled trials) from 2021 to 2023 were included. Twenty-two studies applied an approach (n = 22/39, 56.4%) whereas seventeen studies (n = 17/39, 43.6%) suggested an approach; youth aged 13-18 year (n = 27/39, 69.2%) were most frequently studied. Approach applied records most frequently adopted an experimental design (n = 11/22, 50.0%), whereas approach suggested records most frequently adopted a cross-sectional design (n = 13/22, 59.1%). The most frequently reported outcomes related to good health and optimum nutrition (n = 28/39, 71.8%), followed by connectedness (n = 22/39, 56.4%), learning, competence, education, skills, and employability (n = 18/39, 46.1%), and agency and resilience (n = 16/39, 41.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The rapid onset and unpredictability of COVID-19 precluded meaningful engagement of children and youth in strategy development despite widespread recognition that early engagement can enhance usefulness and acceptability of interventions. Published or recommended strategies were most frequently targeted to improve connectedness, belonging, and socialization among children and youth.

Cicer super-pangenome provides insights into species evolution and agronomic trait loci for crop improvement in chickpea.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)-an important legume crop cultivated in arid and semiarid regions-has limited genetic diversity. Efforts are being undertaken to broaden its diversity by utilizing its wild relatives, which remain largely unexplored. Here, we present the Cicer super-pangenome based on the de novo genome assemblies of eight annual Cicer wild species. We identified 24,827 gene families, including 14,748 core, 2,958 softcore, 6,212 dispensable and 909 species-specific gene families. The dispensable genome was enriched for genes related to key agronomic traits. Structural variations between cultivated and wild genomes were used to construct a graph-based genome, revealing variations in genes affecting traits such as flowering time, vernalization and disease resistance. These variations will facilitate the transfer of valuable traits from wild Cicer species into elite chickpea varieties through marker-assisted selection or gene-editing. This study offers valuable insights into the genetic diversity and potential avenues for crop improvement in chickpea.

Follow-up to Adolescence after Early Peanut Introduction for Allergy Prevention.

BACKGROUND: A randomized trial demonstrated consumption of peanut from infancy to age 5 years prevented the development of peanut allergy. An extension of that trial demonstrated the effect persisted after 1 year of peanut avoidance. This follow-up trial examined the durability of peanut tolerance at age 144 months after years of ad libitum peanut consumption. METHODS: Participants from a randomized peanut consumption trial were assessed for peanut allergy following an extended period of eating or avoiding peanuts as desired. The primary end point was the rate of peanut allergy at age 144 months. RESULTS: We enrolled 508 of the original 640 participants (79.4%); 497 had complete primary end point data. At age 144 months, peanut allergy remained significantly more prevalent in participants in the original peanut avoidance group than in the original peanut consumption group (15.4% [38 of 246 participants] vs. 4.4% [11 of 251 participants]; P<0.001). Participants in both groups reported avoiding peanuts for prolonged periods of time between 72 and 144 months. Participants at 144 months in the peanut consumption group had levels of Ara h2-specific immunoglobulin E (a peanut allergen associated with anaphylaxis) of 0.03 ± 3.42 kU/l and levels of peanut-specific immunoglobulin G4 of 535.5 ± 4.98 µg/l, whereas participants in the peanut avoidance group had levels of Ara h2-specific immunoglobulin E of 0.06 ± 11.21 kU/l and levels of peanut-specific immunoglobulin G4 of 209.3 ± 3.84 µg/l. Adverse events were uncommon, and the majority were related to the food challenge. CONCLUSIONS: Peanut consumption, starting in infancy and continuing to age 5 years, provided lasting tolerance to peanut into adolescence irrespective of subsequent peanut consumption, demonstrating that long-term prevention and tolerance can be achieved in food allergy. (Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and others; ITN070AD, ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03546413.).

Hypotonic, gel-forming delivery system for vaginal drug administration.

Vaginal drug delivery is often preferred over systemic delivery to reduce side effects and increase efficacy in treating diseases and conditions of the female reproductive tract (FRT). Current vaginal products have drawbacks, including spontaneous ejection of drug-eluting rings and unpleasant discharge from vaginal creams. Here, we describe the development and characterization of a hypotonic, gel-forming, Pluronic-based delivery system for vaginal drug administration. The rheological properties were characterized with and without common hydrogel polymers to demonstrate the versatility. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to determine the Pluronic F127 concentration below the critical gel concentration (CGC) that was sufficient to achieve gelation when formulated to be hypotonic to the mouse vagina. The hypotonic, gel-forming formulation was found to form a thin, uniform gel layer along the vaginal epithelium in mice, in contrast to the rapidly forming conventional gelling formulation containing polymer above the CGC. When the hypotonic, gel-forming vehicle was formulated in combination with a progesterone nanosuspension (ProGel), equivalent efficacy was observed in the prevention of chemically-induced preterm birth (PTB) compared to commercial Crinone® vaginal cream. Further, ProGel showed marked benefits in reducing unpleasant discharge, reducing product-related toxicity, and improving compatibility with vaginal bacteria in vitro. A hypotonic, gel-forming delivery system may be a viable option for therapeutic delivery to the FRT.

Dried Plasma for Major Trauma: Past, Present, and Future.

Uncontrollable bleeding is recognized as the leading cause of preventable death among trauma patients. Early transfusion of blood products, especially plasma replacing crystalloid and colloid solutions, has been shown to increase survival of severely injured patients. However, the requirements for cold storage and thawing processes prior to transfusion present significant logistical challenges in prehospital and remote areas, resulting in a considerable delay in receiving thawed or liquid plasma, even in hospitals. In contrast, freeze- or spray-dried plasma, which can be massively produced, stockpiled, and stored at room temperature, is easily carried and can be reconstituted for transfusion in minutes, provides a promising alternative. Drawn from history, this paper provides a review of different forms of dried plasma with a focus on in vitro characterization of hemostatic properties, to assess the effects of the drying process, storage conditions in dry form and after reconstitution, their distinct safety and/or efficacy profiles currently in different phases of development, and to discuss the current expectations of these products in the context of recent preclinical and clinical trials. Future research directions are presented as well.

The borylamino-diborata-allyl anion.

Reactions of ß-diketiminato alkaline earth alkyldiboranate derivatives [(BDI)Ae{pinBB(R)pin}] (BDI = HC{(Me)CNDipp}2; Dipp = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3; Ae = Mg, R = n-Bu or Ae = Ca, R = n-hexyl) with t-BuNC provide access to the respective group 2 derivatives of unprecedented diborata-allyl, {(pinB)2CNBpin(t-Bu)}-, anions. Although the necessary mode of B-C bond cleavage implicated in these transformations could not be elucidated, further studies of the reactivity of magnesium triboranates toward isonitriles delivered a more general and rational synthetic access to analogous anionic moieties. Extending this latter reactivity to a less symmetric triboranate variant also provided an isomeric Mg-C-bonded dibora-alkyl species and sufficient experimental insight to prompt theoretical evaluation of this reactivity. DFT calculations, thus, support a reaction pathway predicated on initial RNC attack at a peripheral boron centre and the intermediacy of such dibora-alkyl intermediates.

Clovis organizational dynamics at a Late Glacial campsite in the central Great Lakes: Belson site excavations 2020-2021.

The Belson site is located on an outwash plain draining the Early Algonquin stage of the central Great Lakes (coinciding with the Older Dryas stadial period around 14,000 Cal B.P) southwest across Lower Michigan into the Ohio tributaries. By 13,000 Cal B.P the St. Joseph River had incised multiple channels into this plain. On a terrace just north of a now-abandoned channel, a detailed surface study by Talbot from 2005-2018 showed several flake clusters largely of Attica chert, procured about 235 km southwest of Belson. A study of the surface sample was published by the authors in 2021 and indicated that the points were made with the Clovis technological pattern. Excavations in 2020-21 revealed hundreds of buried flakes and multiple tools in the lower, less-disturbed terrace sediment. Plotting of this material indicates successive occupations below the ploughed deposit and covering more than 30 m2. The buried assemblages are similar to the published surface assemblage with the addition of more small scrapers and manufacturing debris. Several of the buried tools have traces of proteins from a range of mammals, suggesting a broad-spectrum subsistence strategy. The documentation of a succession of little disturbed deposits with precisely recorded micro-debris will allow for testing of models describing settlement choice and developing dynamics of internal site organization. Initial analysis of recovered data provides support for an 'outcrop centered' model where high-quality chert outcrops serve as central places on the landscape. Samples of sediment and charcoal for identification and dating await study.

HSV-1 employs UL56 to antagonize expression and function of cGAMP channels.

DNA sensing is important for antiviral immunity. The DNA sensor cGAS synthesizes 2'3'-cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), a second messenger that activates STING, which induces innate immunity. cGAMP not only activates STING in the cell where it is produced but cGAMP also transfers to other cells. Transporters, channels, and pores (including SLC19A1, SLC46A2, P2X7, ABCC1, and volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs)) release cGAMP into the extracellular space and/or import cGAMP. We report that infection with multiple human viruses depletes some of these cGAMP conduits. This includes herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) that targets SLC46A2, P2X7, and the VRAC subunits LRRC8A and LRRC8C for degradation. The HSV-1 protein UL56 is necessary and sufficient for these effects that are mediated at least partially by proteasomal turnover. UL56 thereby inhibits cGAMP uptake via VRAC, SLC46A2, and P2X7. Taken together, HSV-1 antagonizes intercellular cGAMP transfer. We propose that this limits innate immunity by reducing cell-to-cell communication via the immunotransmitter cGAMP.

Pediatric Dermatology for People of Color.

When evaluating pediatric patients of color, it is essential to consider the unique diagnostic and treatment factors that apply to this population. Certain dermatologic conditions are more common in these patients, including postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, pityriasis alba, progressive macular hypomelanosis, tinea capitis, traction alopecia, keloids, hypertrophic scars, pseudofolliculitis barbae, acne keloidalis nuchae, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Furthermore, conditions such as vitiligo are more noticeable in people of color. This can lead to a significantly diminished quality of life, so these conditions should be quickly recognized and treated. Notably, inflammation can be difficult to recognize on the skin of people of color, which can lead to the underestimation of severity as well as inappropriate treatment. Treatment recommendations can also differ based on lifestyle or cultural norms, such as the use of tinted sunscreens and the consideration of hair care practices. Pediatricians should be aware of these conditions and treatment considerations to best treat pediatric patients of color. [Pediatr Ann. 2024;53(4):e146-e151.].

Extending the understanding of Shannon's safe stimulation limit for platinum electrodes: biphasic charge-balanced pulse trains in unbuffered saline at pH = 1 to pH = 12.

OBJECTIVE: In neural electrical stimulation, safe stimulation guidelines are essential to deliver efficient treatment by avoiding neural damage and electrode degradation. The widely used Shannon's limit, k, gives conditions on the stimulation parameters to avoid neural damage, however, underlying damage mechanisms are not fully understood. Moreover, the translation from bench testing to in vivo experiments still presents some challenges, including the increased polarisation observed, which may influence charge-injection mechanisms. In this work, we studied the influence on damage mechanisms of two electrolyte parameters that are different in vivo compared to usual bench tests: solution pH and electrolyte gelation. APPROACH: The potential of a platinum macroelectrode was monitored in a three-electrode setup during current-controlled biphasic charge-balanced cathodic-first pulse trains. Maximum anodic and cathodic potential excursions during pulse trains were projected on cyclic voltammograms to infer possible electrochemical reactions. MAIN RESULTS: In unbuffered saline of pH ranging from 1 to 12, the maximum anodic potential was systematically located in the oxide formation region, while the cathodic potential was located the molecular oxygen and oxide reduction region when k approached Shannon's damage limit, independent of solution pH. The results support the hypothesis that Shannon's limit corresponds to the beginning of platinum dissolution following repeated cycles of platinum oxidation and reduction, for which the cathodic excursion is a key tipping point. Despite similar potential excursions between solution and gel electrolytes, we found a joint influence of pH and gelation on the cathodic potential alone, while we observed no effect on the anodic potential. We hypothesise that gelation creates a positive feedback loop exacerbating the effects of pH ; however, the extent of that influence needs to be examined further. SIGNIFICANCE: This work supports the hypothesis of charge injection mechanisms associated with stimulation-induced damage at platinum electrodes. The validity of a major hypothesis explaining stimulation-induced damage was tested and supported on a range of electrolytes representing potential electrode environments, calling for further characterisation of platinum dissolution during electrical stimulation in various testing conditions.

Cellular host response sepsis test for risk stratification of patients in the emergency department: A pooled analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Sepsis is one of the most common, costly, and misdiagnosed conditions in U.S. emergency departments (EDs). ED providers often treat on nonspecific signs, subjective suspicion, or presumption of infection, resulting in over- and undertreatment. An increased understanding of host response has opened a new direction for sepsis diagnostics. The IntelliSep test is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-cleared cellular host response diagnostic that could help distinguish sepsis in ED settings. Our objective was to evaluate the potential of the cellular host response test to expedite appropriate care for patients who present with signs of infection. METHODS: We performed a pooled analysis of five adult (≥18 years) cohorts enrolled at seven geographically diverse U.S. sites in separate studies. Structured blinded adjudication was used to classify presence or absence of sepsis, and only patients with high confidence in the adjudicated label were included (n = 1002), defined as patients for whom there was consensus in the determination of sepsis per the Sepsis-3 and severe sepsis per the Sepsis-2 definitions between both the independent adjudication panel and the site-level physician. RESULTS: Among patients with signs or suspicion of infection, the test achieved similar or better performance compared to other indicators in identifying patients at high risk for sepsis (specificity > 83%) and significantly superior performance in identifying those at low risk (sensitivity > 92%; 0% sepsis-associated mortality). The test also stratified severity of illness, as shown by 30-day in-hospital mortality (p < 0.001), hospital length of stay (p < 0.01), and use of hospital resources (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the cellular host response test provides clinically actionable results for patients at both high and low risk for sepsis and provides a rapid, objective means for risk stratification of patients with signs of infection. If integrated into standard of care, the test may help improve outcomes and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.

The era of panomics-driven gene discovery in plants.

Panomics is an approach to integrate multiple 'omics' datasets, generated using different individuals or natural variations. Considering their diverse phenotypic spectrum, the phenome is inherently associated with panomics-based science, which is further combined with genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and other omics techniques, either independently or collectively. Panomics has been accelerated through recent technological advancements in the field of genomics that enable the detection of population-wide structural variations (SVs) and hence offer unprecedented insights into the genetic variations contributing to important agronomic traits. The present review provides the recent trends of panomics-driven gene discovery toward various traits related to plant development, stress tolerance, accumulation of specialized metabolites, and domestication/dedomestication. In addition, the success stories are highlighted in the broader context of enhancing crop productivity.

Near-infrared spectroscopy analysis of blood plasma for predicting nonesterified fatty acid concentrations in dairy cows.

During the transition period, dairy cows are often exposed to negative energy balance (NEB), leading to lipid mobilization from adipose tissue into nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), a common indicator of heightened illness risk. This study aimed to use blood near-infrared (NIR) spectra data to classify NEB into high or low categories, based on early-lactation cow NEFA thresholds. We collected a total of 186 plasma samples from 100 Holstein cows. The samples were categorized into critical thresholds, based on previous literature, of ≥0.60 and ≥0.70 mEq/L for identifying high NEB. Spectral data were preprocessed before the development of the predictive modes, which included the implementation of multiplicative scatter correction, standard normal variate (SNV), and first and second derivatives. The classification was performed using partial least square discriminant analyses (PLS-DA), and predictive performance was assessed using leave-one-out cross-validation. Predictive quality for each class was evaluated through specificity, precision, sensitivity, and F1 score. The study showed promising results, with the SNV technique achieving higher F1 scores. The model found 72.7% specificity, 78.9% precision, 80.8% sensitivity, and 79.8% F1 score to classify animals with NEFA levels of ≥0.60 mEq/L, and 82.1% specificity, 78.7% precision, 80.8% sensitivity, and 79.7% F1 score to classify animals with NEFA levels ≥0.70 mEq/L. These results indicate that NIR spectroscopy could serve as a tool for detecting cows under severe NEB, also showing potential for broader application across the entire transition period, as the spectral signal carried relevant information regarding cow metabolism. Furthermore, the combination of predictors derived from plasma spectra and other cow-level information can lead to more accurate disease alerts, given their relationship with the NEB.