bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hospital Social Workers’ Boundary Work in Paediatric Acute Wards—Competitive or Collaborative?
Authors: Mannsåker Ida Krag-Rønne , Vågan André , Geirdal Amy Østertun , Stenberg Una
Published: October 2021

Recent research suggests that the notion of boundary work can improve our understanding of interprofessional tension and collaboration in health care, yet hospital social workers (HSWs) have not received sufficient attention in this area. Using boundary work as a theoretical framework, this article investigates HSWs’ boundary work in interactions with other health care professionals in paediatric acute wards. The data were based on in-depth interviews with nineteen HSWs at hospitals in Norway about their experiences with interprofessional collaboration. Based on their situated narratives, abductive analysis was performed, using the conceptually distinct but inter-related forms of competitive and collaborative boundary work that are grounded in Abbott’s framework of jurisdiction. The findings demonstrate how HSWs construct, defend and extend boundaries to create distinctions between themselves and others, and how they sometimes adapt and downplay boundaries in order to achieve common goals and perform their work. As a facilitator of this process, the HSW might be viewed as a boundary subject. This, in turn, can result in optional and intentional ways for HSWs to carry out boundary work. There is reason to believe that, the less specific educational requirements and role guidelines, the more important these mechanisms become.
Tonic somatosensory responses and deficits of tactile awareness converge in the parietal operculum
Authors: Del Vecchio Maria , Fossataro Carlotta , Zauli Flavia Maria , Sartori Ivana , Pigorini Andrea , d’Orio Piergiorgio , Abarrategui Belen , Russo Simone , Mikulan Ezequiel Pablo , Caruana Fausto , Rizzolatti Giacomo , Garbarini Francesca , Avanzini Pietro
Published: October 2021

Although clinical neuroscience and the neuroscience of consciousness have long sought mechanistic explanations of tactile-awareness disorders, mechanistic insights are rare, mainly because of the difficulty of depicting the fine-grained neural dynamics underlying somatosensory processes.

Here, we combined the stereo-EEG responses to somatosensory stimulation with the lesion mapping of patients with a tactile-awareness disorder, namely tactile extinction.

Whereas stereo-EEG responses present different temporal patterns, including early/phasic and long-lasting/tonic activities, tactile-extinction lesion mapping co-localizes only with the latter. Overlaps are limited to the posterior part of the perisylvian regions, suggesting that tonic activities may play a role in sustaining tactile awareness. To assess this hypothesis further, we correlated the prevalence of tonic responses with the tactile-extinction lesion mapping, showing that they follow the same topographical gradient. Finally, in parallel with the notion that visuotactile stimulation improves detection in tactile-extinction patients, we demonstrated an enhancement of tonic responses to visuotactile stimuli, with a strong voxel-wise correlation with the lesion mapping.

The combination of these results establishes tonic responses in the parietal operculum as the ideal neural correlate of tactile awareness.
Clinical and genetic spectra of 1550 index patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia
Authors: Méreaux Jean-Loup , Banneau Guillaume , Papin Mélanie , Coarelli Giulia , Valter Rémi , Raymond Laure , Kol Bophara , Ariste Olivier , Parodi Livia , Tissier Laurène , Mairey Mathilde , Ait Said Samia , Gautier Celia , Guillaud-Bataille Marine ,   the French SPATAX clinical network, Anheim Mathieu , Azulay Jean-Philippe , Boesfplug-Tanguy Odile , Charles Perrine , Durr Alexandra , Goizet Cyril , Hannequin Didier , Huin Vincent , Koenig Michel , Labauge Pierre , Leguern Eric , N’Guyen Karine , Renaud Mathilde , Rodriguez Diana , Verny Christophe , Forlani Sylvie , de la Grange Pierre , Brice Alexis , Vazza Giovanni , Durr Alexandra , Leguern Eric , Stevanin Giovanni
Published: October 2021

Hereditary spastic paraplegia refers to rare genetic neurodevelopmental and/or neurodegenerative disorders in which spasticity due to length-dependent damage to the upper motor neuron is a core sign. Their high clinical and genetic heterogeneity makes their diagnosis challenging.

Multigene panels allow a high-throughput targeted analysis of the increasing number of genes involved using next-generation sequencing. We report here the clinical and genetic results of 1550 index cases tested for variants in a panel of hereditary spastic paraplegia related genes analysed in routine diagnosis.

A causative variant was found in 475 patients (30.7%) in 35/65 screened genes. SPAST and SPG7 were the most frequently mutated genes, representing 142 (9.2%) and 75 (4.8%) index cases of the whole series, respectively. KIF1A, ATL1, SPG11, KIF5A and REEP1 represented more than 1% (>17 cases) each. There were 661 causative variants (382 different ones) and 30 of them were structural variants. This large cohort allowed us to obtain an overview of the clinical and genetic spectrum of hereditary spastic paraplegia in clinical practice. Because of the wide phenotypic variability, there was no very specific sign that could predict the causative gene, but there were some constellations of symptoms that were found often related to specific subtypes. Finally, we confirmed the diagnostic effectiveness of a targeted sequencing panel as a first-line genetic test in hereditary spastic paraplegia. This is a pertinent strategy because of the relative frequency of several known genes (i.e. SPAST, KIF1A) and it allows identification of variants in the rarest involved genes and detection of structural rearrangements via coverage analysis, which is less efficient in exome datasets. It is crucial because these structural variants represent a significant proportion of the pathogenic hereditary spastic paraplegia variants (∼6% of patients), notably for SPAST and REEP1.

In a subset of 42 index cases negative for the targeted multigene panel, subsequent whole-exome sequencing allowed a theoretical diagnosis yield of ∼50% to be reached. We then propose a two-step strategy combining the use of a panel of genes followed by whole-exome sequencing in negative cases.
Relapse-independent multiple sclerosis progression under natalizumab
Authors: Graf Jonas , Leussink Verena I , Soncin Giulia , Lepka Klaudia , Meinl Ingrid , Kümpfel Tania , Meuth Sven G , Hartung Hans-Peter , Havla Joachim , Aktas Orhan , Albrecht Philipp
Published: October 2021

The objective of this study was to investigate confirmed progression independent of relapse activity in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients under long-term natalizumab treatment. We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional study of clinical data captured between 1994 and 2019 at two German multiple sclerosis tertiary referral centres. Data files of all relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with natalizumab for ≥24 months were analysed. Confirmed progression independent of relapse activity was defined as ≥12 week confirmed disability progression on a roving Expanded Disability Status Scale reference score by 1 point in patients with an Expanded Disability Status Scale score ≤3 or 0.5 in patients with an Expanded Disability Status Scale score ≥3.5 in the absence of a relapse. Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyse the probability of developing confirmed progression independent of relapse activity depending on both disease and natalizumab treatment duration. Among the 184 patients identified, 44 (24%) developed confirmed progression independent of relapse activity under natalizumab irrespective of the Expanded Disability Status Scale score at natalizumab onset. Time to confirmed progression independent of relapse activity was not affected by Expanded Disability Status Scale at natalizumab onset (categorized by Expanded Disability Status Scale score ≤3.5 versus >3.5) nor by duration of disease nor by duration of therapy. Confirmed progression independent of relapse activity occurred earlier in the disease course in patients with an earlier natalizumab therapy onset with regard to disease duration. A stepwise forward regression analysis revealed disease duration as the main factor for confirmed progression independent of relapse activity development (P = 0.005). Taken together, confirmed progression independent of relapse activity occurs in a substantial proportion of patients on long-term natalizumab treatment and independent of Expanded Disability Status Scale score at natalizumab onset. Our findings suggest that patients who are initiated on natalizumab early during disease course, usually in order to treat an aggressive clinical phenotype, have a higher risk of early confirmed progression independent of relapse activity.
The anatomy of friendship: neuroanatomic homophily of the social brain among classroom friends
Authors: D’Onofrio Patrick , Norman Luke J , Sudre Gustavo , White Tonya , Shaw Philip
Published: October 2021

Homophily refers to the tendency to like similar others. Here, we ask if homophily extends to brain structure. Specifically: do children who like one another have more similar brain structures? We hypothesized that neuroanatomic similarity tied to friendship is most likely to pertain to brain regions that support social cognition. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed friendship network data from 1186 children in 49 classrooms. Within each classroom, we identified “friendship distance”—mutual friends, friends-of-friends, and more distantly connected or unconnected children. In total, 125 children (mean age = 7.57 years, 65 females) also had good quality neuroanatomic magnetic resonance imaging scans from which we extracted properties of the “social brain.” We found that similarity of the social brain varied by friendship distance: mutual friends showed greater similarity in social brain networks compared with friends-of-friends (β = 0.65, t = 2.03, P = 0.045) and even more remotely connected peers (β = 0.77, t = 2.83, P = 0.006); friends-of-friends did not differ from more distantly connected peers (β = −0.13, t = −0.53, P = 0.6). We report that mutual friends have similar “social brain” networks, adding a neuroanatomic dimension to the adage that “birds of a feather flock together.”
Cost Evaluation of Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (MITS) Implementation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Morrison Laura T R , Brown Elizabeth G , Paganelli Christina R , Bhattarai Suraj , Hailu Rahell , Ntakirutimana Gervais , Mbarushimana Djibril , Subedi Nuwadatta , Goco Norman
Published: October 2021

Background

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face disproportionately high mortality rates, yet the causes of death in LMICs are not robustly understood, limiting the effectiveness of interventions to reduce mortality. Minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) is a standardized postmortem examination method that holds promise for use in LMICs, where other approaches for determining cause of death are too costly or unacceptable. This study documents the costs associated with implementing the MITS procedure in LMICs from the healthcare provider perspective and aims to inform resource allocation decisions by public health decisionmakers.

Methods

We surveyed 4 sites in LMICs across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia with experience conducting MITS. Using a bottom-up costing approach, we collected direct costs of resources (labor and materials) to conduct MITS and the pre-implementation costs required to initiate MITS.

Results

Initial investments range widely yet represent a substantial cost to implement MITS and are determined by the existing infrastructure and needs of a site. The costs to conduct a single case range between $609 and $1028 per case and are driven by labor, sample testing, and MITS supplies costs.

Conclusions

Variation in each site’s use of staff roles and testing protocols suggests sites conducting MITS may adapt use of resources based on available expertise, equipment, and surveillance objectives. This study is a first step toward necessary examinations of cost-effectiveness, which may provide insight into cost optimization and economic justification for the expansion of MITS.
Circulation of Third-Generation Cephalosporin Resistant Salmonella Typhi in Mumbai, India
Authors: Argimón Silvia , Nagaraj Geetha , Shamanna Varun , Sravani Dharmavaram , Vasanth Ashwini Kodlipet , Prasanna Akshatha , Poojary Aruna , Bari Anurag Kumar , Underwood Anthony , Kekre Mihir , Baker Stephen , Aanensen David M , Lingegowda Ravikumar Kadahalli
Published: October 2021

We report the persistent circulation of third-generation cephalosporin resistant Salmonella Typhi in Mumbai, linked to the acquisition and maintenance of a previously characterized IncX3 plasmid carrying the ESBL gene blaSHV-12 and the fluoroquinolone resistance gene qnrB7 in the genetic context of a triple mutant also associated with fluoroquinolone resistance.
Medicare Prescription Plans Limit Access to Recommended Drugs for Clostridioides difficile Infection
Authors: Buehrle Deanna , Clancy Cornelius J
Published: October 2021

We analyzed June 2021 Medicare Advantage/Part D enrollment and formulary data. Oral vancomycin and fidaxomicin, frontline Clostridioides difficile treatments, were in the formulary for 100% (42314676 of 42314676) and 84.1% (35598385 of 42314676) of enrollees, respectively. However, they were broadly accessible (formulary, unrestricted, tier 1 or 2) to only 14.4% (6104348 of 42314676) and 1.1% (483004 of 42314676), respectively.
Severe mitral valve stenosis due to leaflet fusion requiring surgery following MitraClip procedure
Authors: De Luca Angelo , Vignaroli Walter , Bianchini Roberto , Melina Giovanni
Published: October 2021

European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery thanks Mizuki Miura and the other, anonymous reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review process of this article.
Estimated Prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia Among Egyptian Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes; Analysis from The Cardiorisk Project
Authors: Reda Ashraf , Bendary Ahmed , Elserafy Ahmed Shawky , Farag Elsayed , Mostafa Tamer , Khamis Hazem , Wadie Moheb , Bendary Mohamed , Elbahry Atef , Salah Rehab
Published: October 2021

Aims

The prevalence of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in Egypt is largely un- known. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of FH among 3224 Egyptian patients with acute coronary syndromes enrolled from 2015 to 2018 in the nationwide cross- sectional cardioRisk project.

Methods and Results

We applied the Dutch Lipid Clinic criteria for the diagnosis of FH on the available data recorded for the patients enrolled in the CardioRisk project. Two main criteria were applied: the presence of premature CAD (given 2 points in the Dutch criteria), and the categorized low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lev- els (given 1, 3, 5, or 8 points in the Dutch criteria according to the level). From a total of 3224 patients, 2743 patients had available LDL-C levels. Among those patients, when applying the abovementioned 2 criteria, we estimated that 472 patients had at least ‘possible’ FH (17.2% of the total population). Specifically, 4 patients had ‘defi- nite’ FH (0.1%), 7 patients had ‘probable’ FH (0.25%), and 461 patients had ‘possi- ble’ FH (16.8%).

Conclusion

The estimated prevalence of at least ‘possible’ FH among Egyptian patients with ACS is 17%.
Modified Technique to Control the Eutachian Valve During Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defect/Patent Foramen Ovale
Authors: El Shedoudy Sahar , Elsoud Fatma Abo , El Dokhlaha Eman , Rashed Reem , Abdelghani Mohammad
Published: October 2021

Objective

to describe an approach to perform safe transcatheter closure of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)/Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) associated with large redundant Eustachian Valve.

Background

Transcatheter device closure of ASD/PFO is feasible in a great majority of patients. However, the presence of a huge mobile Eustachian Valve can compromise device placement.

Patients and Methods

Six patients (3 PFO and 3 ASD patients) with a huge redundant Eustachian valve were included. Two patients had PFO with long tunnel and were closed with Occlutech FigullaFlex II PFO occluders sized 23/25 and 27/30 respectively. The other PFO patient had an associated atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) and was closed with a 25 mm Amplatzer Multi-Fenestrated Septal Occluder “cribriform” device (St. Jude Medical – Abbott Vascular). The three ASDs were closed by regular ASD occluders (2 Flex II ASD Occluders sized 30 and 33 mm and 1 Amplatzer ASD Occluder sized 24 mm).

Eustachian valve was successfully held with a steerable ablation catheter to deflect it against the lateral right atrial wall, keeping it away from the inter-atrial septum to prevent its entrapment or interference with the cable, the sheath or the device.

Results

All ASDs/PFOs have been successfully closed with no complications with free inferior vena cava (IVC) flow, with no residual inter-atrial shunt and the eustachian valve is not interfering with the device.

Conclusions

Safe percutaneous ASD/PFO closure can be achieved with proper control of a large redundant Eustachian valve.
Outcomes of Radial Versus Femoral Approach in Patients with St Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Torkey Emad , Sanhoury Mohamed , Sadaka Mohammad , Zaki Amr
Published: October 2021

Aim of the work

To compare transradial and transfemoral approaches in 1ry and rescue PCI for STEMI.

Methods

This prospective observational study was done at Alexandria University Hospital and International Cardiac Center from January 2020 to August 2020 by recruiting every patient had met our inclusion criteria (the third universal definition of MI) admitted to the coronary care unit after doing primary or rescue PCI 200 patients were involved.

Exclusion criteria were (Thrombophilia and thrombocytopenia, known hematological abnormalities, and patients with known sever peripheral vascular disease.

Randomization made by a computer-generated program into two equal parallel groups that were randomly assigned to either Radial access approach or femoral access approach for primary or rescue PCI. Chest pain to time of first medical contact (FMC), and the procedural time were computed. Coronary angiography and PCI procedure were described including materials used and the intra-procedure complications. MACE (Major Adverse Cardiac Events) or other hemodynamic complications were documented. All the patients were contacted for follow up to 6 months after the procedure by interviewing with the patients via telephone or the responsible physician to determine the outcomes procedure.

Results

The distribution of demographic variables and risk factors were similar among 200 patients in the radial and femoral groups. There had been significant differences between the groups concerning the primary end point MACE after 6 months in favor of radial group patients with p value (0.004), there was significant deference between the two studied groups concerning the total bleeding complication with higher risk in femoral group 11% compared to radial group 3% with P value (0.02).

Despite the nearly equal mean time from pain to FMC (9.01 hours in radial group and 9.2 hours in femoral group), the total procedural time was significantly longer in radial group compared to femoral group with (p value 0.037). However the rate of non-culprit vessel revascularsation was significantly higher in radial group 17% compared to 6% in femoral group with p value of (0.015).

In-hospital stay was significantly shorter in the radial group patients P value (0.02).

Conclusion

Transradial approach is safe, and effective with a high procedural success rate as the transfemoral approach but with lower risk for bleeding vascular complications and other access site complications as hematoma especially for patients where aggressive antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy is needed, or patients who are expected to suffer from access site complications as those who need rescue PCI.

Transradial approach has major additional advantages of decreasing the incidence of MACE compared to transfemoral approach.

Transradial approach has another advantages of decreasing the in hospital stay.
Thrombolysis Versus Redo-Surgery for Treatment of Mechanical Prosthetic Mitral Valve Thrombosis in Young Adult Patients
Authors: Kamal Yasser Ali , Elshorbagy Ashraf Ali , Mubarak Yasser Shaban , Al-Elwany Shady Eid , Shehata Sayed
Published: October 2021

Objectives

To evaluate and compare outcome of redo-surgery and thrombolysis for treatment of mitral PVT following mechanical valve replacement for rheumatic etiology in young adult patients (<50 years old).

Methods and Results

This retrospective study included 42 young adult patients who had PVT after mechanical valve replacement for rheumatic mitral valve disease, between January 2014 and June 2019. Eighteen patients underwent redo-surgery and 24 patients underwent thrombolysis (Streptokinase 100,000 U/h for at least 24 hours). The approach of treatment was based on proposed criteria considering hemodynamic status, NYHA functional class, and thrombus size. Complete response to thrombolysis was defined by normal clinical and echocardiographic parameters. Primary outcome included response to thrombolysis, complications, mortality, and recurrence. The median follow-up period was 24 months. The thrombus size was significantly larger in redo-surgery group (9.88±2.44 mm2 vs 5.87±1.26 mm2, P < 0.001). The response to thrombolysis was complete recovery (70.8%), partial recovery (16.7%), or failure (12.5%). There was no significant difference in the incidence of major complications. Mortality was significantly higher in redo-surgery group (27.8% vs 4.2%, P = 0.03), with cumulative survival of 72.2% for redo-surgery versus 95.8% for thrombolysis (Log-rank P-value = 0.04). The reduced cumulative survival with redo-surgery was more evident in patients with delayed presentation (> 1 week). Recurrent thrombosis occurred only with thrombolysis (8.3% vs 0%, P = 0.20). Cumulative proportions for freedom from thrombosis were 100% for surgery versus 78.1% for thrombolysis (Log-rank P-value = 0.17).

Conclusions

Proper patient selection may improve outcome after treatment of mitral PVT using thrombolysis or redo-surgery in young adults. Redo-surgery has advantages over thrombolysis regarding mid-term recurrence of thrombosis; however, thrombolysis has significantly lower mortality than redo-surgery. Further evaluation of the proper treatment for delayed presentation of PVT is recommended.
Threshold of heteroplasmic truncating MT-ATP6 mutation in reprogramming, Notch hyperactivation and motor neuron metabolism
Authors: Kenvin Sebastian , Torregrosa-Muñumer Ruben , Reidelbach Marco , Pennonen Jana , Turkia Jeremi J , Rannila Erika , Kvist Jouni , Sainio Markus T , Huber Nadine , Herukka Sanna-Kaisa , Haapasalo Annakaisa , Auranen Mari , Trokovic Ras , Sharma Vivek , Ylikallio Emil , Tyynismaa Henna
Published: October 2021

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA encoded subunit of ATP synthase, MT-ATP6, are frequent causes of neurological mitochondrial diseases with a range of phenotypes from Leigh syndrome and NARP to ataxias and neuropathies. Here we investigated the functional consequences of an unusual heteroplasmic truncating mutation m.9154C>T in MT-ATP6, which caused peripheral neuropathy, ataxia and IgA nephropathy. ATP synthase not only generates cellular ATP, but its dimerization is required for mitochondrial cristae formation. Accordingly, the MT-ATP6 truncating mutation impaired the assembly of ATP synthase and disrupted cristae morphology, supporting our molecular dynamics simulations that predicted destabilized a/c subunit subcomplex. Next, we modeled the effects of the truncating mutation using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells. Unexpectedly, depending on mutation heteroplasmy level, the truncation showed multiple threshold effects in cellular reprogramming, neurogenesis and in metabolism of mature motor neurons (MN). Interestingly, MN differentiation beyond progenitor stage was impaired by Notch hyperactivation in the MT-ATP6 mutant, but not by rotenone-induced inhibition of mitochondrial respiration, suggesting that altered mitochondrial morphology contributed to Notch hyperactivation. Finally, we also identified a lower mutation threshold for a metabolic shift in mature MN, affecting lactate utilization, which may be relevant for understanding the mechanisms of mitochondrial involvement in peripheral motor neuropathies. These results establish a critical and disease-relevant role for ATP synthase in human cell fate decisions and neuronal metabolism.
Energy, exergy, economic and exergoenvironmental analyses of transcritical CO2 cycle powered by single flash geothermal power plant
Authors: El Haj Assad Mamdouh , Aryanfar Yashar , Javaherian Amirreza , Khosravi Ali , Aghaei Karim , Hosseinzadeh Siamak , Pabon Juan , Mahmoudi SMS
Published: October 2021

The need for energy is increasing worldwide as the population has a continuous trend of increase. The restrictions on energy sources are becoming tougher as the authorities set these developed and developing countries. This leads to looking for other alternative energy sources to replace the conventional energy sources, leading to greenhouse emissions. Environmentally friendly energy sources (renewable energies), for example, geothermal, solar and wind, are viewed as clean and sustainable energy sources. Among these kinds of energy sources, geothermal energy is one of the best options because, like solar and wind energy sources, it does not depend on weather conditions. In this work, a single flash geothermal power plant is used to power a transcritical CO2 power plant is proposed. The energy and exergy analysis of the proposed combined power plant has been performed and the best possible operating mode of the power plant has been discussed. The effects of parameters such as separator pressure, CO2 condenser temperature and CO2 turbine inlet pressure and the pinch point on the energy efficiency, exergy efficiency and output power are determined and discussed. Our results indicate that the highest exergy destruction is in the CO2 vapor generator of 182.4 kW followed by the CO2 turbine of 106 kW, then the CO2 condenser of 82.81 kW and then the CO2 pump 58.76 kW. The lowest exergy destruction rates occur in the single flash geothermal power plant components where the separator has exactly zero exergy destruction rate. The results also show that the combined power plant produces more power and has better efficiencies (first law and second law) than the stand-alone geothermal power plant. Finally, Nelder–Mead simplex method is applied to determine the optimal parameters such as separator pressure, power output and pumps input power and second law efficiency. The results show that the power plant should be operated at a lower pinch temperature to reduce damage to the environment. As the condenser pressure increases, the environmental damage effectiveness coefficient decreases sharply until it reaches the minimum value of 1.2 to 1.7 MPa and then starts to increase. The trend of the impact of sports on environmental improvement is exactly the opposite of the trend of the effectiveness of environmental damage. Therefore, from an environmental point of view, it is recommended to operate the gas turbine at a high inlet pressure.
5 Effects of Virtual Fencing on Cortisol Concentrations and Behavior of Beef Cattle
Authors: Jeffus Jancy , Reuter Ryan R , Wagner Kevin , Goodman Laura , Parker Todd
Published: October 2021

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of virtual fencing on stress in beef cattle. In both experiments, cattle were contained by either physical, 2-strand electric fencing or by use of a proprietary, GPS-based virtual fencing collar, with no physical interior fencing. In both studies, hair from the tail switch was collected at the end of the experiment, and analyzed for cortisol concentration to measure the accumulated stress experienced by the cattle. Additionally, a subset of cattle were fitted with pedometers to measure behavior responses. In the initial pilot experiment, 55 heifers were grazed for 28 d in either 1 physically-fenced pasture or 1 virtually-fenced pasture. In the second experiment, 59 mature cows and heifers were grazed for 56 d in 1 of 2 physically-fenced or 1 of 2 virtually-fenced pastures (4 pastures total). In the second experiment, blood samples were also collected and NEFA and lactate were quantified in plasma. Only descriptive statistics were summarized for the pilot experiment, which indicated that hair cortisol concentrations were within published ranges for both fence types (0.39 ± 0.32 and 0.37 ± 0.15 pg/mg for physically- or virtually-fenced animals, respectively), and step count and motion index appeared elevated in the first few days of adaptation to virtual fence. The second experiment was analyzed with analysis of variance as a completely random design with pasture as the experimental unit. No effect of fence type was found for behavior (number of steps, standing time, lying bouts, or motion index; P > 0.16). Further, no difference was observed in cortisol, lactate nor NEFA (P > 0.14) concentrations due to fence type. None of this data suggests that virtual fencing is different from physical fencing in the effects on cattle stress and behavior, indicating further research and development of virtual fencing technology are warranted.
15 Differentially Expressed Long Non-coding RNA Associated with Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection in Divergent Immune Response Sheep
Authors: Muniz Maria Malane M , Boareki Mohammed , Dixon Samantha , Peregrine Andrew S , Menzies Paula , Karrow Niel , Cánovas Angela
Published: October 2021

Gastrointestinal nematode infection is one of the major production problems for sheep producers worldwide due its high incidence, morbidity, and mortality in affected flocks. The study of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in liver tissue of high (HIR) and low immune responder (LIR) sheep to GINs using RNA-Sequencing technology may provide a better understanding of the gene regulation mechanism associated with the host response to the infection. The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed (DE) lncRNA between HIR and LIR natural infested sheep and control group. Liver tissue samples from the 13 divergent animals (out of a population of 211) based on their immunoglobulin G levels after vaccination using Hen Egg White (HEW) Lysozyme, and immature abomasum worm counts [HIR (> 4000) (n = 5), LIR (< 1500) (n=5) and control (no parasite challenge) (n=4) groups] were used to perform transcriptomic analysis using RNA-Sequencing. The “Large Gap read mapping “and “Transcript Discovery” tools from CLC Genomics Workbench 20.0.4 (CLC Bio, Aarhus, Denmark), were used to map reads to a reference genome (Oar_rambouillet_v1.0) and transcript discovery, respectively. The FEELnc software was used to identify, from predicted transcript model, potential lncRNAs and classify those transcripts into intro putative lncRNAs and protein coding RNAs. As preliminary results, 8 and 48 DE lncRNAs for HIR and LIR compared to control group were identified, respectively using an adjusted p-value False Discovery Rate (FDR) < 0.05 and Fold change (FC) abs > 2. Functional analyses using the list of DE lncRNAs identified metabolic pathways related to immune function. In depth analysis will help to better understand the physiological mechanisms of resilience of high immune sheep.
45 Partitioning SNP Heritability in Related Individuals
Authors: Jiang Jicai , Ma Li , O’Connell Jeffrey
Published: October 2021

Partitioning SNP heritability by many functional annotations has been a successful tool for understanding the genetic architecture of complex traits in human genetic studies. Similar analyses are being extended to animal research, as (imputed) whole-genome sequence data of many individuals and various functional annotations have become available in livestock animals. Though many approaches have been developed for heritability partition (e.g., LDSC and HE-reg), they are mostly based on approximations tailored to human populations and few can produce statistically efficient estimates for animal genomic studies where individuals are often related. To tackle this issue, we present a stochastic MINQUE (Minimum Norm Quadratic Unbiased Estimation) approach for partitioning SNP heritability, which we refer to as MPH. We provide a theoretical analysis comparing LDSC and HE-reg with REML and MPH and demonstrate what LDSC and HE-reg (and similar methods) take advantage of in their approximations: sparse relationships between individuals and relatively weak linkage disequilibrium. We also show that our method is mathematically equivalent to the MC-REML approach implemented in BOLT. MPH has three key features. First, it is comparable to genomic REML in terms of accuracy, while being at least one order of magnitude faster than GCTA and BOLT and using only ~1/4 of memory as much as GCTA, when applied to sequence data and many variance components (or functional annotation categories). Second, it can do weighted analyses if residual variances are unequal (such as DYD). Third, it works for many overlapping functional annotations. Using simulations based on a human pedigree and a dairy cattle pedigree, we illustrate the benefits of our method for partitioning SNP heritability in pedigree-based studies. We also demonstrate that it is feasible to efficiently partition SNP heritability for animal genomes with strong, long-span LD. MPH is freely available at https://jiang18.github.io/mph.
62 Feeding Chicory-plantain Silage and Se-yeast to Lactating Ewes Subjected to Intramammary Infection: Effect on the Immune System
Authors: Ford Hunter , Bionaz Massimo , Ates Serkan , Klopfenstein Joe , Vanegas Jorge , Busato Sebastiano , Hasan Daniella , Park Shelby , Pearce Carolyn , Quinones Tyler , Ness Kate , Torres Mariangel Aleman
Published: October 2021

The objective was to test the effect on the immune status by feeding a combination of chicory-plantain and Se-yeast in lactating ewes subjected to intramammary infection (IMI) with 2×107CFU of Strep uberis in both glands. For the purpose we enrolled 28 Polypay lactating sheep from a prior study where they were randomly allocated to receive chicory (CS) or grass (GC) silage and either 3.6 mg of Se/day as Se-yeast (DiaMune, Diamond V) (Y) or isoenergetic-isonitrogenous alfalfa meal (C) for 2 months. For the present study, ewes were kept on the original dietary regiment except the CT group received a chicory-plantain silage(50% each). Blood was collected prior to and for 10 days after IMI for a complete blood count(VetScan HM5), leukocytes migration, and rectal temperature (RT). Data were analyzed using GLIMMIX (SAS)with time, silage type, and Se and their interactions as the fixed effects and ewe as random effect with significance declared at P ≤ 0.05. RT was lower in chicory vs. grass before IMI and Se limited the RT increase after IMI. Total WBC levels tended (P = 0.06) to increase in animals fed with Se after IMI, which was driven by a larger number of lymphocytes. Hematocrit, red blood cells, and hemoglobin were strongly decreased by IMI. The mean cell volume was overall larger in ewes fed with chicory-plantain silage while mean cell hemoglobin was larger in animal fed with grass silage. The platelet distribution width was affected by silage*Se interaction due to a positive effect by Se in grass-fed but negative in chicory-plantain-fed ewes. Migration of neutrophils was larger in animals fed with chicory-plantain before IMI but similar between groups after IMI. Overall, these findings indicate that Se supplementation can increase lymphocytes with no effect on neutrophils while activity of neutrophils is positively affected by feeding chicory-plantain silage.
63 Effect of Chicory Silage and Se-yeast on Peripartum Ewes: Performance Data
Authors: Ford Hunter , Bionaz Massimo , Ates Serkan , Klopfenstein Joe , Hasan Daniella , Hernandez Gracia Puerto , VanDerZanden Julia , Ibarra Magdalena , Dougherty Caitlynn , Heney Samantha
Published: October 2021

The objective of this study was to test the possibility of improving the performance of peripartum ewes by feeding a combination of chicory silage and Se-yeast. Approximately four weeks prior to lambing, 36 pregnant Polypay ewes were moved into single pens and randomly assigned to one of four groups to be fed either grass or chicory silage and supplemented or not with 3.6 mg Se/day (DiaMune, Diamond V). Daily dry matter intake (DMI), water intake, body weight gain of lambs and body weight changes of the ewes, milk yield using a weigh-suckle-weigh system, and milk components were recorded. Data were analyzed using GLIMMIX (SAS v9) with time, silage, and Se interaction as fixed effects and ewe as random effect. Significance was declared with P ≤ 0.05. The DMI was lower in ewes fed chicory compared to grass silage with no effect of Se. Water intake was greater in ewes that were fed chicory silage than grass silage but lower in those supplemented with Se. Milk production of ewes and BW gain of the lambs were not affected by the treatments, but the gain efficiency (G:F) of lambs was larger in animal fed chicory vs. grass silage. Few differences were observed in milk components between the treatments. Protein content and SNF tended to be reduced by feeding Se (P = 0.08) while feeding Se increased C18:0 and preformed fatty acids in milk. Feeding chicory+Se tended to increase percentage of de novo-derived fatty acids in milk compared to feeding grass+Se. Somatic cell count (SCC) was not affected by the treatments. Overall, our data indicated that performance of the animals as well as milk components were not affected by feeding chicory and/or Se despite a lower feed intake when chicory was fed. Higher feed efficiency by using chicory is suggested by the DMI/gain of lambs.
71 The Use of Medium Chain Fatty Acids to Reduce Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome Virus Replication in MARC-145 Cells
Authors: Crowder Stacie , Pogranichniy Roman , DeRodas Brenda , Peter Karnezos , Radcliffe J S S
Published: October 2021

Porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome virus (PPRSV) costs the U.S. Swine Industry an estimated $664 million annually. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) on PRRSV replication in M-145 cells. Two experiments were conducted to 1) evaluate the use of individual MCFAs (C6, C8, C10), and 2) evaluate MCFA combinations (C8/C10, C10/C12, C8/C10/C12) on viral replication of PRRSV. Experiment one used individual MCFAs at 7 concentrations from 1-1000µg/ml compared to a control. Experiment two used MCFA combinations at 6 different concentrations from 50–500µg/ml compared to a control. North American Type II P-129 PRRSV and European Type I Lelystad PRRSV strains were used. Viral replication was determined using FITC labeled IgG anti-PRRSV monoclonal antibody and TCID50 was calculated for each treatment concentration using 5 wells per treatment at each virus concentration with plates run in triplicate. Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed procedures of SAS. In experiment 1, C6 had no effect on replication of PRRSV in M145 cells. C8 induced a 3.02 and 2.02 log reduction in TCID50 for type I and type II virus strains, respectively (P < 0.01) at 1000µg/ml. C10 induced a 2.85 and 3.23 log reduction in TCID50 for type I and type II virus strains, respectively (P < 0.01) at 300µg/ml. In experiment 2, C8/C10 induced a 1.9 and 2.2 log reduction in TCID50 for type I and type II virus strains, respectively (P < 0.01) at 200µg/ml. C10/C12 resulted in a 3.37 and 2.14 log reduction in TCID50 at 200µg/ml for type I and type II virus strains, respectively (P < 0.01). C8/C10/C12 resulted in a 1.34 and 1.56 log reduction in TCID50 at 200µg/ml for type I and type II virus strains (P < 0.01), respectively.
70 Occurrence of Mycotoxins in 2020 US Corn Silage and Dairy Total Mixed Rations
Authors: Gott Paige N , Schwandt Erin , Ramirez Shelby M , Hofstetter Ursula , Murugesan Raj
Published: October 2021

Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites which have been identified in many feed ingredients and ruminants have an increased risk of exposure due to the complex nature of their diets. Despite varying degrees of natural detoxification in the rumen, cattle health, productivity, and reproduction can be compromised by mycotoxins. This study investigated mycotoxin occurrence and contamination levels in 2020 U.S. corn silage and dairy total mixed ration (TMR) samples. Samples were screened via LC-MS/MS for six major mycotoxin groups including: aflatoxins, type A trichothecenes (A-Trich), type B trichothecenes (B-Trich), fumonisins (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin A. Information was collected with each submission including state of origin and whether or not clinical health or performance concerns were present. Contamination levels were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure (SAS 9.4, Cary, NC) to investigate the interaction of clinical concern (yes/no) and harvest year. No interaction was statistically significant for each of the toxin groups, so main effects of harvest year are presented in Table 1. Type B trichothecenes have been identified most frequently in 2020 corn silage. Although not often detected, A-Trich occurrence has increased ten percentage points from 2019 crop year. Among 236 TMR samples analyzed, B-Trich have been detected in a high percentage of samples. Mean contamination levels (parts per billion, ppb) are presented on a dry matter basis and within each data set were similar in 2020 compared to 2019 for respective toxin groups. Preliminary survey results indicate B-Trich occur frequently in both U.S. corn silage and TMR samples. Despite less frequent detection, other mycotoxin groups do occur including ZEN, FUM, and A-Trich, so the potential risk from toxin interactions due to co-contamination should be considered.
72 A One-health Perspective on S. aureus Induced Mastitis
Authors: Zhao Xin , Ibeagha-Awemu Eveline M , Lacasse Pierre
Published: October 2021

Bovine mastitis, commonly caused by bacteria, is one of the most devastating diseases for the dairy industry worldwide, with high economic, social, and public health impacts. Among the pathogenic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus is one of the leading pathogens in most countries. Success rate of antibiotic treatment is low such that effective control of S. aureus induced mastitis is currently only possible through prevention of new infections and culling of infected animals. The infection is usually subclinical, causing elevated somatic cell counts but no detectable changes in milk or the udder. S. aureus persists in mammary glands, teat canals, and teat lesions of infected cows and is transmitted to other cows during milking. The direct evidence of cross-species transmission of S. aureus is still scarce. Nevertheless, accumulating indirect evidence supports the zoonotic potential for S. aureus from bovine mastitis to humans. In addition to direct contact, aerosol exposures may also be an important mechanism for the transmission. While animal-adapted livestock-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus has been known for many years, most S. aureus isolated from mastitic milk in Canada are methicillin-sensitive. S. aureus induced mastitis is a common reason for therapeutic and/or prophylactic use of antibiotics on dairy farms. Occurrence of multidrug resistant, especially methicillin-resistant, S. aureus has been a major public health concern. In this talk, we will address the pathogenesis and strain spectrum of S. aureus induced bovine mastitis, review existing evidence for inter-species transmission, and discuss possible transmission of methicillin-resistance determinants. This talk aims to emphasize the need for the one-health approach for prevention and treatment of S. aureus induced mastitis, in order to provide safe and nutritious milk and milk products to consumers.
75 Can Regionalized Livestock Production and Meat Packing Meet the Food Needs of Today’s Consumers?
Authors: Apple Jason
Published: October 2021

Meat shortages in many of the largest retail chains during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic affected millions of U.S. consumers. In addition, wait times for custom slaughter of meat animals increased from days to weeks to upwards of 14 mon. Interruptions in livestock slaughter and meat supplies have renewed the emphasis on medium, small, and very small meat slaughters/processors. Numerous states are investing in slaughter/processing plant construction, renovation of existing plants, and establishing or reestablishing state inspection programs. It is conceivable that this reinvestment may alleviate some of the meat supply limitations; yet, there are a number of factors these plants need to address for economic sustainability, including (but are not limited to): consistency of local and regional livestock supply; availability of trained, experienced workforce; plant holding pens and slaughter floor design; pre-slaughter animal welfare training and compliance; development and implementation of food safety programs; fresh and frozen storage capacities; local and regional marketing channels and modes of distribution; and by-products markets and offal disposal. Regardless of plant size, the ultimate goal of all meat packers/processors is the production of consistent, readily available and affordable, high-quality meat and meat products; however, the traditional driving forces of price and taste are being slowly supplanted by consumers’ concerns about production practices and animal management, perceived nutritional benefits, animal welfare concerns, food locality, and conveniences. This presentation will attempt to amalgamate the challenges facing medium, small, and very small meat processors with consumers’ preferences in relation to the sustainability of these revitalized segments of the livestock and meats industry.
74 Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic for Food Supply Chains
Authors: Anderson John D , Maples Josh , Mitchell James
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated policy responses to it were highly disruptive of supply chains throughout the economy in 2020 – disruptive on an unprecedented scale. Massive shocks on both the demand and supply sides of the market presented particular challenges in agricultural product markets. These were arguably most pronounced in the protein sector. This paper will examine these protein sector supply chain shocks, exploring the nature and causes of the market disruptions during the height of the pandemic, evaluating the effects of these shocks from an economic perspective, and identifying potential market and policy responses that could mitigate the adverse effects of similar events in the future.