bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
146 Development of a Mathematical Model for Cost Calculation and Sustainability Analysis of Beef Cattle Grazing Systems
Authors: Reis Beatriz Q , Bernardes Elaine , Rodrigues Barbara , Gameiro Augusto , Sarturi Jhones
Published: May 2023

A mathematical model to estimate: a) the cost of beef cattle production in grazing systems; and b) the environmental sustainability of production systems using the Emergy Synthesis Model was evaluated. All items were considered and allocated, according to the precepts of the Economic Theory, under Fixed Cost (FC), Variable Cost (VC), and Total Cost (TC). The model estimated costs in the case-study for the entire property and the different production lots within the same property. Costs were allocated per animal and per kg of beef cattle produced. The total cost per animal of cattle produced was US$ 416.86. It was observed that the VC represented 66% of the TC. The cattle purchase price, including under VC, was the factor that represented the most significant portion of the production cost, in which the current operation reached 59% of the TC. Therefore, the currently developed tool may be used to facilitate understanding and potentially help to manage risk and profit. To examine from the environmental point of view, the synthesis of emergy was utilized. Emergy is the memory of the available energy used directly and indirectly to produce a service or product. It was observed that the property considered in the current case-study showed a renewability of 47.6%, indicating that less than one-half of all the energy used came from renewable resources. The emergetic yield ratio (EYR), which measures how much natural energy was incorporated into produced goods or services, was 1.91. The survey showed that the emergetic exchange ratio (EER), which indicates how balanced the exchange ratio between the energy in products and the energy gross revenue, was 12.45, showing that the system delivers much more energy than it receives in a monetary form. It seems like the current system analysis was highly dependent on cost-effective resources. The fuel used for pasture management services was the non-renewable resource that mostly affected the design. For the emergy synthesis, such input represented 51.2% of the total energy used, but from the economic point of view, such resource represented only 1% of the total production cost. The system could be less dependent on market variability if good pasture management practices were adopted, such as using a reasonable pasture stocking rate. By using the emergy indexes, it was possible to analyze the cattle system from an environmental perspective, allowing to assist technology/technique adoptions capable of increasing the sustainability indicators, which has been recently valued by worldwide beef consumers.
2 Challenges in Breeding and Genetics
Authors: Mercadante Vitor R G , Dias Nicholas W , Pancini Stefania , Goncherenko Guillermo , Craun Hannah , Vidlund Trinity , Klonicke Zachary
Published: May 2023

Over the past 50 years tremendous advances were made in reproductive and genetic technologies that are available for beef cow-calf producers. In addition, extensive research has been done to establish the efficacy and economic advantages of adoption of such technologies. Nonetheless, adoption of reproductive and genetic technologies in beef cow-calf operations remain poor, especially when compared with dairy production. The USDA – National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) performs a survey of cow-calf management practices, with the latest survey performed in 2017. According to the NAHMS survey the majority (58.7%) of cow-calf operations in the U.S. do not have a defined breeding season, with 69.5% of operations in the southeast (SE) failing to adopt a defined breeding season. Reproductive technology adoption is poor, with only 37.5% of all operations utilizing at least one reproductive technology, with 78.1% of larger operations (>200 cows) utilizing at least one reproductive technology, compared with 30.4% of small operations (< 50 cows). Semen evaluation was the leading technology with 19.7% overall adoption, followed by palpation for pregnancy with 19.3%, artificial insemination with 11.6% and estrus synchronization with only 7.3%. The SE is behind the rest of the country on adoption of technology with only 22.1% of the operations adopting at least one reproductive technology, with the North-Central region leading the country with 58.3% of operations adopting at least one reproductive technology. Nationally, most heifers and nearly all cows were exposed only to bulls (76.8 and 92.9 %, respectively), with a greater percentage of heifers (15.1 %) than cows (5.5 %) being artificially inseminated and followed by natural service breeding. A total of 90.7% of all beef females were exposed to natural service only, clearly demonstrating that artificial insemination is not widely adopted by U.S. beef operations. Veterinary consultation also remains below expectations, with only 52.8% of operations consulting a veterinarian every year, and disease diagnosis and treatment being the most common reason (37.3%). The East U.S. remains behind the rest of the country with only 41% of beef operations consulting a veterinarian on a yearly basis. When making decisions about breeding and genetics, 21.5% of producers rated Extension services as slightly useful and 22.6% rated Veterinarians as very useful, with most (23.6) producers consulting other producers. Adoption of reproductive and genetic technologies remains below expectations for the entire U.S. with the East and SE regions lagging behind the rest of the country. Perhaps the fact that the vast majority (84.2% in the U.S., and 89.9% in East) of beef cow-calf producers list their operations as a supplemental source of income remains the most difficult challenge to increase adoption of technologies.
121 Evaluation of Effects of Garlic Extract on Health Parameters and Gut Health in St. Croix Sheep
Authors: Inupala Sree Navya , Pande Priyanka , Uzzaman Md Rasel , Worku Mulumebet
Published: May 2023

St. Croix sheep are hair sheep whose production characteristics make them suitable for low-input, sustainable production systems. They are parasite resistant and can live in a wide variety of climates. Natural immune modulators, such as garlic, can enhance animal production, health, and well-being. Garlic (Allium Sativa) is recognized as an eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics and contributes to a reduction in methane emissions. It has antibiotic, anti-helminthic and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study was carried out to determine the effect of garlic extracts on health variables and gut health indicators in St Croix sheep. Clinically, healthy adult, age-matched non-pregnant St Croix sheep (n = 12) from the NC A&T University farm were divided into treatment group (n = 6) and control group (n = 6). The treatment group was drenched with 5 mL garlic [Garlic Barrier (Glendale, CA)] concentrate diluted 1:1 with sterile distilled water (10 mL total). The control group was drenched with 10ml sterile distilled water for four weeks. The body weight, body condition, and FAMACHA scores and fecal samples were collected weekly. Fecal egg count was evaluated using the modified McMaster technique. Fecal samples were analyzed for eggs per gram using the McMaster slide. Total microbial DNA was isolated from fecal samples using Fast stool DNA Isolation kit (Qiagen, CA). DNA concentrations and purity were analyzed using a Nanodrop spectrophotometer. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus, bifidobacteria,16s RNA and Haemonchus are measured by using specific primers by running real time PCR. All variables were analyzed using the statistical analysis software package SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Garlic reduced fecal egg count significantly in weeks 1 (P < 0.034) and 3 (P < 0.003). There were no significant changes in fecal DNA Concentration. The relative of abundance of Lactobacillus is significantly increased whereas for Haemonchus decreased. Further studies are needed to define the pathways involved and consequences of changes in gut microbe community on immune function. These studies will aim in improved animal and human health and well-being and sustainable production.
157 Effect of Sheep Breed on Neutrophil Chemotaxis toHaemonchus Contortus Larval Antigen
Authors: Teddleton Hannah G , Garza Javier J , Greiner Scott P , Bowdridge Scott A
Published: May 2023

Parasite-resistant St. Croix sheep generate a potent neutrophilic response to larval stages of Haemonchus contortus. Protective neutrophil responses can be best characterized by increased neutrophil infiltration to the abomasum within the first 3 days of infection. These data indicate breed differences in neutrophil chemotaxis and response to H. contortus infection. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in neutrophil chemotaxis by H. contortus third-stage larval (L3) antigen (HcLA). Suffolk (SUF) and St. Croix (STC) neutrophils were isolated and applied to matrigel-coated clearview inserts, and placed into a reservoir containing H. contortus HcLA, Interleukin-8 (IL-8), or complete media. Neutrophil chemotaxis plates were incubated (37°C, 5% CO2) in an Incucyte S3 live cell imaging system for 24 hours, and measurements taken hourly. Neutrophils from STC migrated towards HcLA quicker than SUF neutrophils, and this migration occurred as early as 3 hours (10% and 4% respectively, P < 0.001). The difference in breed chemotaxis increased over time, where 28% of STC neutrophils migrated at 14 hours compared with 13% of SUF cells at the same time. By 24 hours, 37% of STC neutrophils migrated towards HcLA while the percentage of migrating SUF neutrophils remained the same (13%). Positive control for neutrophil chemotaxis was IL-8, and 37% of STC neutrophils achieved migration at 7 hours compared with 26% SUF neutrophils. By 24 hours, IL-8 induced neutrophil chemotaxis was similar in both breeds (STC 47%, SUF 41%). Taken together, these data indicate that delayed responses in neutrophil chemotaxis may contribute to H. contortus establishment in parasite-susceptible hosts. Thus, indicating that neutrophil response to H. contortus infection is a critical component to full host protective immunity.
159 Evaluation of Supplemental Feeding Behavior and Growth Performance in Katahdin Lambs Divergently Selected for Fecal Egg Count Estimated Breeding Value
Authors: Valliere Nicole K , Wright Donald L , Greiner Scott P , Bowdridge Scott A , Weaver Andrew R
Published: May 2023

Nutritional supplementation and genetic selection are potential methods to mitigate the impact of parasitism in sheep. Understanding feeding behavior of growing lambs divergently selected for parasite resistance using the fecal egg count (FEC) estimated breeding value (EBV) may help quantify the impact of supplementation and genetic selection on parasitism. The C-Lock, Inc Super SmartFeed system (feeder) allows measurement of individual lamb feed intake. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of FEC EBV selection on daily supplemental intake, average daily gain (ADG), supplemental feed:gain (S:G), frequency of feeder visits, and FEC. Over two years (Y1, Y2), Katahdin lambs divergently selected for FEC EBV (Y1: LowFEC, n = 27; HighFEC, n = 24. Y2: LowFEC, n = 37; HighFEC, n = 40) were fed for 8 weeks in Y1 and 5 weeks in Y2 at the Southwest Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Pasture-raised lambs were supplemented with a concentrate pellet (16% CP) ad libitum using the feeder with free choice hay in a dry lot post-weaning. Data analyses were performed by sampling period which was approximately every two weeks. Statistical analyses were performed using PROC Mixed SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). In Y1, LowFEC lambs had less average FEC than HighFEC lambs (405.25 vs. 771.23 epg; P < 0.05). LowFEC lambs in Y2 tended to have less average FEC compared with HighFEC lambs (1,191.75 vs. 2,028.30 epg; P = 0.1). In Y1, LowFEC lambs had greater intake compared with HighFEC lambs (1.45 vs. 1.27 kg; P < 0.05). LowFEC lambs tended to have greater intake in Y2 (1.64 vs. 1.16 kg; P = 0.1). While ADG was not affected by FEC EBV type in Y1 (P > 0.70), LowFEC lambs in Y2 had increased ADG compared with HighFEC lambs (0.27 kg vs. 0.21 kg; P = 0.05). In both years, LowFEC lambs had numerically greater S:G compared with HighFEC lambs, but these differences were not significant (P > 0.1) due to greater variation around these means. Over both years, the number of feeder visits did not differ between LowFEC and HighFEC lambs (P > 0.1). Selection of sires for LowFEC EBV resulted in progeny with less FEC that had increased supplemental intake, but no difference in S:G compared with HighFEC progeny. In addition to improvements in parasite resistance, selection for FEC EBV may impact lamb feeding behavior in the post-weaning period.
160 The Effect of Postweaning Fecal Egg Count EBV on Colostrum IgG Concentration in Katahdin Dams
Authors: Bentley Kelsey , Weaver Andrew R , Wright Donald L , Greiner Scott P , Bowdridge Scott A
Published: May 2023

Selection for post weaning worm egg count (PWEC) EBV has revealed that lowPWEC sheep have greater resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infection, greater survivability to weaning and generate greater anamnestic response to booster clostridial vaccination. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that selection for PWEC may result in improved generalized immunity. The aim of this study was to compare IgG and IgA antibody concentration in colostrum and milk of Katahdin ewes divergent in their PWEC EBV. Katahdin ewes from the Virginia Tech SWAREC selected for this study had to meet the following criteria: age (3-6 years), have a Katahdin Hair Index EBV (>104, pre-genomic EBV), and be twin bearing. Ewes fitting those criteria were sorted by their PWEC EBV into two groups: lowPWEC (n = 20) with an average EBV of -81 and hiPWEC (n = 18) with an average PWEC EBV of +213. Upon parturition and within 24 hours of lambing, a 20 mL colostrum sample was sterile collected by milking 10 mL from each half of the udder of the ewes, representing the early sample. Milk samples were taken from each ewe at two distinct time points, mid (30-days post-parturition) and late (60-dayd post-parturition) lactation. All samples were placed into pre-labeled 50 mL tubes and frozen on-site. Colostrum and milk samples were thawed and diluted in 36% ammonium sulfate and centrifuged at 3,000 x g for 20 minutes at 4ºC. The removed whey portion was then dialyzed using a 3,000 MW membrane cassette in 1L of PBS (pH 7.4) at 4ºC for 12 hours. Total IgG and IgA from colostrum was measured used an ovine-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To evaluate IgG and IgA differences, data were analyzed using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS with fixed effects of genotype, time, and genotype X time interactions. Means comparisons were performed on LS means of fixed affects or interactions, using Bonferroni adjustment. Main effects of ewe genotype revealed that lowPWEC ewes had greater concentration of both IgG (0.482 vs 0.236 µg/mL; P < 0.001) and IgA (10.5 vs 8.1 µg/mL; P = 0.002) within colostrum. The 2-fold increase of IgG (P < 0.001) within lowPFEC ewe colostrum loses magnitude overtime, nonetheless lowPFEC ewes continue to have greater IgG in milk at mid (0.291 vs 0.183 µg/mL; P = 0.048) and late lactations (0.322 vs 0.183 µg/mL; P = 0.032). These data indicate that lowPWEC Katahdin ewes generate greater colostrum quality as measured by antibody concentration. Therefore, lambs born to these ewes would have a significant advantage in passive immunity from their dams potentially contributing to lamb survivability.
10 Preliminary Effect of Cottonseed as a Source of Gossypol on Hepatic Portal Blood Flow as an Indicator of Metabolism in Meat does Artificially Infected withHaemonchus Contortus
Authors: Callender Emily , Marchant Nicolas , Dearborn Lindsey , Contreras-Correa Zully E , Lemley Caleb O , Pesato Michael , Rios Leyla
Published: May 2023

Cottonseed diets provide animals with increased levels of protein and energy to support growth. Recently, it was suggested that although the gossypol content of cottonseed could result in adverse animal reproduction, it could have a potential anthelmintic property beneficial to small ruminant operations. In addition, gossypol is primarily cleared and excreted from the animal via liver glucuronidation, which is a primary pathway for steroid clearance in ruminants. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of a cottonseed diet and parasite load on the hepatic portal blood flow an indicator of hepatic clearance rates and metabolism. Forty Boer x Spanish cross does were assigned to of 4 treatments (n = 10 per treatment group) in a 2x2 factorial design consisting of cottonseed supplementation and no parasite infection (CNP), cottonseed supplementation plus artificial infection with Haemonchus contortus (CP), commercial pellets with no parasite infection (NCNP), or commercial pellets plus artificial infection with Haemonchus contortus (NCP). On week 8 post-treatment, hepatic portal blood flow measurements were collected via Doppler ultrasonography on the right side of the animal at the 10th intercostal space. Blood flow was then calculated using the following equation: blood flow (mL/min) = mean velocity (cm/s) x vessel area x 60 seconds. The mean velocity was calculated by the following formula: (systolic – diastolic)/pulsatility index. Hepatic portal blood flow and body weight of does were analyzed with a One-way ANOVA using the MIXED procedure of SAS with diet and parasite load as the main effects and their interactions. A diet by parasite interaction (P = 0.026) was observed for the mean velocity of the hepatic portal vein, which was decreased in CP versus CNP treatments. A diet by parasite interaction (P = 0.012) was observed for the diameter of the hepatic portal vein, which was increased in the CP treatment versus all other groups. However, absolute hepatic portal blood flow was not different (P > 0.12) amongst treatments. A tendency for the main effect (P = 0.087) of diet was observed for hepatic portal blood flow relative to body weight, which was an increase in cottonseed (27.8 ±.8 mL/min*kg) versus NCS (23.2 ±.8 mL/min*kg). Body weight was not different (P > 0.35) amongst treatments at the time of Doppler ultrasound examination. In conclusion, cottonseed interacted with parasites to decrease mean velocity and increase the diameter of the portal vein. In addition, cottonseed appears to increase liver blood flow relative to body weight. This change in relative liver blood flow could have implications for mediating hepatic metabolism and clearance.
8 Differential Growth Performance in Conventionally and Artificially Raised Lambs Fed High-Concentrate and High-Forage Post-Weaning Diets
Authors: Parsley Katherine G , Weinert-Nelson Jennifer R , Ely Donald , Hamilton Tracy , Hamilton Matthew , Jacks LeeAnn , Harlow Brittany
Published: May 2023

Artificial rearing of lambs on milk replacer presents management challenges for producers and can impact performance. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate effects of pre-weaning management on adaptation to post-weaning finishing diets. We hypothesized that lambs fed a high-concentrate (HC) diet would exhibit more efficient body weight (BW) gain than lambs fed a high-forage diet (HF) regardless of pre-weaning management. Thirty-two Polypay conventionally raised (CR; n = 10 rams, 6 ewes) or artificially raised (AR; n =10 rams, 6 ewes) lambs (age: 84.0 ± 0.8 d) were blocked by sex and BW and randomly assigned to either a HC (85:15 concentrate: forage) or HF (50:50 concentrate:forage) finishing diet (n = 8 CR and AR lambs diet-1). Individually housed lambs were fed ad libitum and remained on feed through a target finishing weight of 59.0 or 54.4 kg for rams and ewes, respectively. Feed intake and BW gain were measured at 7-day intervals. Data were analyzed by PROC GLM in SAS (v. 9.4, SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Initial BW for CR lambs (39.0 ±.9 kg) was greater than for AR (32.9 ± 0.5 kg; P < 0.01), but there was no difference between diets (P = 0.72) or pre-weaning by diet interaction (P = 0.54). Time on feed and average daily gain (ADG) did not differ between diets for CR (time on feed: 48.1 ± 2.8 d; ADG: 206.9 ±1.4 g∙d-1; P ≥ 0.22). In contrast, post-weaning diet did impact time on feed for AR lambs, with longer time on feed for HF (68.9 ± 2.5 d) than HC (56.2 ± 2.4 d; P < 0.01). The ADG was also numerically greater for HC (424 ±9.8 g) than HF (370 ± 24.0 g) for AR lambs (P = 0.11). Dry matter intake (DMI) was less for CR lambs fed HC (35.16 ±.65 g kg BW-1∙d-1) than HF (41.32 ± 0.69 g∙kg BW-1∙d-1,P < 0.01) but did not differ between diets for AR lambs (40.58 ±.35 g kg BW-1∙d-1; P = 0.99). The decreased DMI in CR lambs fed HC resulted in greater feed efficiency (0.26 ± 0.02) compared with lambs fed HF (0.21 ± 0.01; P = 0.03). Feed efficiency did not, however, differ by diet for AR lambs (HC: 0.27 ± 0.02; P = 0.64). Results of this study suggest that CR lambs were better able to adapt to a HF finishing diet than AR lambs. Additionally, CR lambs exhibited superior feed utilization when fed HC in comparison to HF, but this response was not found for AR lambs. Overall, these results demonstrate differential adaptation to HC vs. HF finishing diets in response to pre-weaning management.
Metabolic and bariatric surgery and obesity pharmacotherapy for cancer prevention: current status and future possibilities
Authors: Playdon Mary C , Hardikar Sheetal , Karra Prasoona , Hoobler Rachel , Ibele Anna R , Cook Katherine L , Kumar Amanika , Ippolito Joseph E , Brown Justin C
Published: May 2023

Obesity is a chronic, relapsing, progressive disease of excess adiposity that increases the risk of developing at least 13 types of cancer. This report provides a concise review of the current state of the science regarding metabolic and bariatric surgery and obesity pharmacotherapy related to cancer risk. Meta-analyses of cohort studies report that metabolic and bariatric surgery is independently associated with a lower risk of incident cancer than nonsurgical obesity care. Less is known regarding the cancer-preventive effects of obesity pharmacotherapy. The recent approval and promising pipeline of obesity drugs will provide the opportunity to understand the potential for obesity therapy to emerge as an evidence-based cancer prevention strategy. There are myriad research opportunities to advance our understanding of how metabolic and bariatric surgery and obesity pharmacotherapy may be used for cancer prevention.
Linking social and built environmental factors to leisure-time physical activity in rural cancer survivors
Authors: Stevens Courtney J , Liao Yue , Chen Minxing , Heredia Natalia I , Arem Hannah , Sukumar Jasmine , Joffe Lenat , Schmitz Kathryn H , Mama Scherezade K
Published: May 2023

Background

This study explored associations between social and built environmental factors and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in rural cancer survivors (RCS) and whether these associations differed by exercise stage of change (SOC).

Method

RCS (n = 219) completed questionnaires assessing LTPA, SOC, and social (social status, connectedness, support) and environmental (home environment, neighborhood environment) factors. Linear regression models examined associations between social and built environmental factors and LTPA and tested for moderation by SOC.

Results

Half (50.7%) of RCS were physically active, and 49.3% were not active. Social factors positively associated with LTPA included subjective social status in the community (B = 89.0, P = .014) and in the United States (B = 181.3, P < .001), social connectedness (B = 122.3, P = .024), and social support for physical activity from family (B = 41.9, P < .001) and friends (B = 44.3, P < .001). Environmental factors positively associated with LTPA included the home environment (B = 111.2, P < .001), perceived environmental support for PA (B = 355.4, P = .004), and neighborhood attributes, including bicycling infrastructure (B = 191.3, P = .003), proximity to recreation facilities (B = 140.1, P = .021), traffic safety (B = 184.5, P = .025), and aesthetics (B = 342.6, P < .001). SOC statistically significantly moderated the association between social status in the United States and LTPA (B = 160.3, P = .031).

Conclusions

Social and built environmental factors were consistently linked with LTPA and provide context for multilevel interventions promoting LTPA in RCS.
Key takeaways for knowledge expansion of early-career scientists conducting Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer (TREC): a report from the TREC Training Workshop 2022
Authors: Kung Che-Pei , Skiba Meghan B , Crosby Erika J , Gorzelitz Jessica , Kennedy Mary A , Kerr Bethany A , Li Yun Rose , Nash Sarah , Potiaumpai Melanie , Kleckner Amber S , James Dara L , Coleman Michael F , Fairman Ciaran M , Galván Gloria C , Garcia David O , Gordon Max J , His Mathilde , Hornbuckle Lyndsey M , Kim So-Youn , Kim Tae-Hyung , Kumar Amanika , Mahé Mélanie , McDonnell Karen K , Moore Jade , Oh Sangphil , Sun Xinghui , Irwin Melinda L
Published: May 2023

The overall goal of the annual Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer (TREC) Training Workshop is to provide transdisciplinary training for scientists in energetics and cancer and clinical care. The 2022 Workshop included 27 early-to-mid career investigators (trainees) pursuing diverse TREC research areas in basic, clinical, and population sciences. The 2022 trainees participated in a gallery walk, an interactive qualitative program evaluation method, to summarize key takeaways related to program objectives. Writing groups were formed and collaborated on this summary of the 5 key takeaways from the TREC Workshop. The 2022 TREC Workshop provided a targeted and unique networking opportunity that facilitated meaningful collaborative work addressing research and clinical needs in energetics and cancer. This report summarizes the 2022 TREC Workshop’s key takeaways and future directions for innovative transdisciplinary energetics and cancer research.
Opioid growth factor receptor promotes adipose tissue thermogenesis via enhancing lipid oxidation
Authors: Zhang Shan , Chen Jianhui , Li Qingqing , Zeng Wenwen
Published: May 2023

The thermogenic brown and beige adipocytes consume fatty acids and generate heat to maintain core body temperature in the face of cold challenges. Since their validated presence in humans, the activation of thermogenic fat has been an attractive target for treating obesity and related metabolic diseases. Here, we reported that the opioid growth factor receptor (Ogfr) was highly expressed in adipocytes and promoted thermogenesis. The mice with genetic deletion of Ogfr in adipocytes displayed an impaired capacity to counter environmental cold challenges. Meanwhile, Ogfr ablation in adipocytes led to reduced fatty acid oxidation, enhanced lipid accumulation, impaired glucose tolerance, and exacerbated tissue inflammation under chronic high-fat diet (HFD)-fed conditions. At the cellular level, OGFr enhanced the production of mitochondrial trifunctional protein subunit α (MTPα) and also interacted with MTPα, thus promoting fatty acid oxidation. Together, our study demonstrated the important role of OGFr in fatty acid metabolism and adipose thermogenesis.
Updated MS²PIP web server supports cutting-edge proteomics applications
Authors: Declercq Arthur , Bouwmeester Robbin , Chiva Cristina , Sabidó Eduard , Hirschler Aurélie , Carapito Christine , Martens Lennart , Degroeve Sven , Gabriels Ralf
Published: May 2023

Interest in the use of machine learning for peptide fragmentation spectrum prediction has been strongly on the rise over the past years, especially for applications in challenging proteomics identification workflows such as immunopeptidomics and the full-proteome identification of data independent acquisition spectra. Since its inception, the MS²PIP peptide spectrum predictor has been widely used for various downstream applications, mostly thanks to its accuracy, ease-of-use, and broad applicability. We here present a thoroughly updated version of the MS²PIP web server, which includes new and more performant prediction models for both tryptic- and non-tryptic peptides, for immunopeptides, and for CID-fragmented TMT-labeled peptides. Additionally, we have also added new functionality to greatly facilitate the generation of proteome-wide predicted spectral libraries, requiring only a FASTA protein file as input. These libraries also include retention time predictions from DeepLC. Moreover, we now provide pre-built and ready-to-download spectral libraries for various model organisms in multiple DIA-compatible spectral library formats. Besides upgrading the back-end models, the user experience on the MS²PIP web server is thus also greatly enhanced, extending its applicability to new domains, including immunopeptidomics and MS3-based TMT quantification experiments. MS²PIP is freely available at https://iomics.ugent.be/ms2pip/.
antiSMASH 7.0: new and improved predictions for detection, regulation, chemical structures and visualisation
Authors: Blin Kai , Shaw Simon , Augustijn Hannah E , Reitz Zachary L , Biermann Friederike , Alanjary Mohammad , Fetter Artem , Terlouw Barbara R , Metcalf William W , Helfrich Eric J N , van Wezel Gilles P , Medema Marnix H , Weber Tilmann
Published: May 2023

Microorganisms produce small bioactive compounds as part of their secondary or specialised metabolism. Often, such metabolites have antimicrobial, anticancer, antifungal, antiviral or other bio-activities and thus play an important role for applications in medicine and agriculture. In the past decade, genome mining has become a widely-used method to explore, access, and analyse the available biodiversity of these compounds. Since 2011, the ‘antibiotics and secondary metabolite analysis shell—antiSMASH’ (https://antismash.secondarymetabolites.org/) has supported researchers in their microbial genome mining tasks, both as a free to use web server and as a standalone tool under an OSI-approved open source licence. It is currently the most widely used tool for detecting and characterising biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in archaea, bacteria, and fungi. Here, we present the updated version 7 of antiSMASH. antiSMASH 7 increases the number of supported cluster types from 71 to 81, as well as containing improvements in the areas of chemical structure prediction, enzymatic assembly-line visualisation and gene cluster regulation.
TCRmodel2: high-resolution modeling of T cell receptor recognition using deep learning
Authors: Yin Rui , Ribeiro-Filho Helder V , Lin Valerie , Gowthaman Ragul , Cheung Melyssa , Pierce Brian G
Published: May 2023

The cellular immune system, which is a critical component of human immunity, uses T cell receptors (TCRs) to recognize antigenic proteins in the form of peptides presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins. Accurate definition of the structural basis of TCRs and their engagement of peptide–MHCs can provide major insights into normal and aberrant immunity, and can help guide the design of vaccines and immunotherapeutics. Given the limited amount of experimentally determined TCR–peptide–MHC structures and the vast amount of TCRs within each individual as well as antigenic targets, accurate computational modeling approaches are needed. Here, we report a major update to our web server, TCRmodel, which was originally developed to model unbound TCRs from sequence, to now model TCR–peptide–MHC complexes from sequence, utilizing several adaptations of AlphaFold. This method, named TCRmodel2, allows users to submit sequences through an easy-to-use interface and shows similar or greater accuracy than AlphaFold and other methods to model TCR–peptide–MHC complexes based on benchmarking. It can generate models of complexes in 15 minutes, and output models are provided with confidence scores and an integrated molecular viewer. TCRmodel2 is available at https://tcrmodel.ibbr.umd.edu.
Solitude and Soul in Restoration Britain
Authors: Taylor Barbara
Published: May 2023

In 1672 John Evelyn, Restoration courtier, diarist and polymath, formed a platonic soul union with Margaret Blagge (later Godolphin), a young maid of honour in Queen Catherine’s household. Both were devout Anglicans whose religious practices were shaped by their love of ‘recesse’. For four years they enacted a spiritual solitude à deux in an emotionally charged relationship lived out through private prayer and epistolary devotional exchanges, until Margaret’s marriage and death in childbirth. Solitude was then, as it had long been, highly contentious. In the 1660s Evelyn had debated it with a Scottish lawyer named George Mackenzie. In a spirit of mock argument common at the time, Evelyn had taken the anti-solitude side. Yet despite the playfulness of the debate, it highlighted tensions in Evelyn’s love of solitude that played out across his life, reaching an emotional peak in his soul union with Margaret. For Margaret, too, life with Evelyn was fraught as she struggled with melancholic miseries long associated with solitude, compounded by a conflict between her reclusive devotional life with him and her engagement to the courtier Sidney Godolphin. Tracking the story of this complex spiritual partnership provides intimate insights into the psychological stakes of the solitude tradition and its varying implications for women and men in Restoration Britain.
L’utilisation du monoxyde d’azote inhalé chez les nouveau-nés
Authors: Mitra Souvik , Altit Gabriel
Published: May 2023

Le monoxyde d’azote inhalé (NOi), un vasodilatateur pulmonaire sélectif, est utilisé pour le traitement des nouveau-nés en insuffisance respiratoire hypoxémique (IRH) associée à une hypertension pulmonaire persistante du nouveau-né. Idéalement, il doit commencer à être administré après la confirmation échocardiographique de ce type d’hypertension. L’utilisation de NOi est recommandée chez les nouveau-nés peu prématurés ou à terme chez qui survient une IRH malgré des stratégies d’oxygénation ou de ventilation optimales. Cependant, il n’est pas recommandé d’y recourir systématiquement chez les nouveau-nés prématurés sous assistance respiratoire. On peut l’envisager comme traitement de secours chez les nouveau-nés prématurés en IRH précoce associée à une rupture prolongée des membranes ou à un oligoamnios, ou en IRH tardive en cas d’hypertension pulmonaire liée à une dysplasie bronchopulmonaire et accompagnée d’une insuffisance ventriculaire droite marquée. On peut aussi l’envisager chez les nouveau-nés atteints d’une hernie diaphragmatique congénitale qui présentent une IRH persistante, malgré un recrutement pulmonaire optimal, des signes échocardiographiques d’hypertension pulmonaire suprasystémique et un fonctionnement ventriculaire gauche approprié.
Highly differentiated genomic properties underpin the different cell walls of Poaceae and eudicots
Authors: Pancaldi Francesco , Schranz Michael Eric , van Loo Eibertus N , Trindade Luisa M
Published: May 2023

Plant cell walls of Poaceae and eudicots differ substantially, both in the content and composition of their components. However, the genomic and genetic basis underlying these differences is not fully resolved. In this research, we analyzed multiple genomic properties of 150 cell wall gene families across 169 angiosperm genomes. The properties analyzed include gene presence/absence, copy number, synteny, occurrence of tandem gene clusters, and phylogenetic gene diversity. Results revealed a profound genomic differentiation of cell wall genes between Poaceae and eudicots, often associated with the cell wall diversity between these plant groups. For example, overall patterns of gene copy number variation and synteny were clearly divergent between Poaceae and eudicot species. Moreover, differential Poaceae–eudicot copy number and genomic contexts were observed for all the genes within the BEL1-like HOMEODOMAIN 6 regulatory pathway, which respectively induces and represses secondary cell wall synthesis in Poaceae and eudicots. Similarly, divergent synteny, copy number, and phylogenetic gene diversification were observed for the major biosynthetic genes of xyloglucans, mannans, and xylans, potentially contributing to the differences in content and types of hemicellulosic polysaccharides differences in Poaceae and eudicot cell walls. Additionally, the Poaceae-specific tandem clusters and/or higher copy number of PHENYLALANINE AMMONIA-LYASE, CAFFEIC ACID O-METHYLTRANSFERASE, or PEROXIDASE genes may underly the higher content and larger variety of phenylpropanoid compounds observed in Poaceae cell walls. All these patterns are discussed in detail in this study, along with their evolutionary and biological relevance for cell wall (genomic) diversification between Poaceae and eudicots.
Quantifying the rebound of influenza epidemics after the adjustment of zero-COVID policy in China
Authors: Lei Hao , Yang Lei , Yang Mengya , Tang Jing , Yang Jiaying , Tan Minju , Yang Shigui , Wang Dayan , Shu Yuelong
Published: May 2023

The coexistence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and seasonal influenza epidemics has become a potential threat to human health, particularly in China in the oncoming season. However, with the relaxation of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the rebound extent of the influenza activities is still poorly understood. In this study, we constructed a susceptible–vaccinated–infectious–recovered–susceptible (SVIRS) model to simulate influenza transmission and calibrated it using influenza surveillance data from 2018 to 2022. We projected the influenza transmission over the next 3 years using the SVIRS model. We observed that, in epidemiological year 2021–2022, the reproduction numbers of influenza in southern and northern China were reduced by 64.0 and 34.5%, respectively, compared with those before the pandemic. The percentage of people susceptible to influenza virus increased by 138.6 and 57.3% in southern and northern China by October 1, 2022, respectively. After relaxing NPIs, the potential accumulation of susceptibility to influenza infection may lead to a large-scale influenza outbreak in the year 2022–2023, the scale of which may be affected by the intensity of the NPIs. And later relaxation of NPIs in the year 2023 would not lead to much larger rebound of influenza activities in the year 2023–2024. To control the influenza epidemic to the prepandemic level after relaxing NPIs, the influenza vaccination rates in southern and northern China should increase to 53.8 and 33.8%, respectively. Vaccination for influenza should be advocated to reduce the potential reemergence of the influenza epidemic in the next few years.
Federalism and State Restructuring in Africa: A Comparative Analysis of Origins, Rationales, and Challenges
Authors: Yimenu Bizuneh
Published: May 2023

This article assesses federalism in the five African federations: Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, and South Sudan. By using Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) and Afrobarometer data, it systematically investigates in what respect federalism succeeded and failed and whether the success rate varies across the states. It shows that federalism is successful in maintaining the states’ territorial integrity, but its success in conflict reduction is limited. Federalism helped reduce conflict in South Africa but not Nigeria and Ethiopia due to a lack of essential ingredients enabling federalism to flourish in multinational states. Federalism enabled South Africa and Nigeria to accommodate diversity by reducing identity-based exclusion and improving diverse groups’ access to power. In Ethiopia, it facilitated cultural and linguistic plurality but was unsuccessful in reducing exclusion and improving groups’ equal access to power. Africa illustrates that federalism fails to manage conflict unless incumbents embrace democracy, curtail centralism, and are loyal to federalism.
A Case for Social Workers as Investigators in Public Defender Offices
Authors: Hurd Amy L
Published: May 2023

Social workers play a critical role in modern public defender offices, whether performing mitigation work for pretrial negotiations and sentencing hearings or helping clients to secure access to basic human needs. Although social workers have held in-house positions in public defender offices since at least the 1970s, their service is largely limited to mitigation practice and traditional social work. This article raises an opportunity for social workers to broaden their capacity within public defense by pursuing investigator positions. A case is made for interested social workers to draw upon their education, training, and experience to showcase the alignment between their talents and the requisite skills and performance required of investigative work. Evidence is offered to support the notion that social workers bring skills and a social justice orientation to investigative work that can provide for fresh insight and innovation in investigation and defense strategy. The value brought to investigation by social workers throughout a legal defense is specified, as are considerations for applying and interviewing for investigator positions as social workers.
Two Putative Pheromone Receptors, but Not Their Cognate Pheromones, Regulate Female Fertility in the Atypical Mating Fungus Colletotrichum fructicola
Authors: Yao Liqiang , Kong Yuanyuan , Yang Wenrui , Tian Huanhuan , Meng Xiangchen , Zhao Xuemei , Zhang Rong , Sun Guangyu , Rollins Jeffrey A. , Liang Xiaofei
Published: May 2023

Colletotrichum fungi are a group of damaging phytopathogens with atypical mating type loci (harboring only MAT1-2-1 but not MAT1-1-1) and complex sexual behaviors. Sex pheromones and their cognate G-protein-coupled receptors are conserved regulators of fungal mating. These genes, however, lose function frequently among Colletotrichum species, indicating a possibility that pheromone signaling is dispensable for Colletotrichum sexual reproduction. We have identified two putative pheromone-receptor pairs (PPG1:PRE2, PPG2:PRE1) in C. fructicola, a species that exhibits plus-to-minus mating type switching and plus–minus-mediated mating line development. Here, we report the generation and characterization of gene-deletion mutants for all four genes in both plus and minus strain backgrounds. Single-gene deletion of pre1 or pre2 had no effect on sexual development, whereas their double deletion caused self-sterility in both the plus and minus strains. Moreover, double deletion of pre1 and pre2 caused female sterility in plus–minus outcrossing. Double deletion of pre1 and pre2, however, did not inhibit perithecial differentiation or plus–minus-mediated enhancement of perithecial differentiation. Contrary to the results with pre1 and pre2, double deletion of ppg1 and ppg2 had no effect on sexual compatibility, development, or fecundity. We concluded that pre1 and pre2 coordinately regulate C. fructicola mating by recognizing novel signal molecule(s) distinct from canonical Ascomycota pheromones. The contrasting importance between pheromone receptors and their cognate pheromones highlights the complicated nature of sex regulation in Colletotrichum fungi.
Rhabdomyolysis After Intravenous Iron Sucrose Infusion During Pregnancy
Authors: Ge Christina , Reyes Jessica , Queenan Ruth Anne , Gherman Robert B.
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND:

Iron infusions have become increasingly common in the treatment of iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy. Although iron infusions are generally well tolerated, adverse reactions have been reported.

CASE:

A pregnant patient was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis after receiving a second dose of intravenous (IV) iron sucrose at 32 6/7 weeks of gestation. On admission to the hospital, creatine kinase was 2,437 units/L, sodium was 132 mEq/L, and potassium was 2.1 mEq/L. Intravenous fluids and electrolyte repletion were administered, with improvement of symptoms within 48 hours. Creatinine kinase normalized 1 week after hospital discharge.

CONCLUSION:

Rhabdomyolysis can be associated with IV iron infusion during pregnancy.
Confirmation of Heart Malformations in Fetuses in the First Trimester Using Three-Dimensional Histologic Autopsy
Authors: Ruican Dan , Petrescu Ana-Maria , Istrate-Ofiţeru Anca-Maria , Roșu Gabriela Camelia , Zorilă George-Lucian , Dîră Laurenţiu Mihai , Nagy Rodica Daniela , Mogoantă Laurenţiu , Pirici Daniel , Iliescu Dominic Gabriel
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND:

We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of histology slides to confirm congenital heart disease (CHD) detected by first-trimester fetal cardiac ultrasonography. Conventional autopsy is hindered by the small size of the first-trimester fetal heart, and current CHD confirmation studies employ the use of highly specialized and expensive methods.

TECHNIQUE:

An extended first-trimester ultrasound examination protocol was used to diagnose fetal heart anomalies. Medical termination of pregnancies was followed by fetal heart extraction. The specimens were sliced, and the histology slides were stained and scanned. The resulting images were processed, and volume rendering was performed using 3D reconstruction software. The volumes were analyzed by a multidisciplinary team of maternal–fetal medicine subspecialists and pathologists and compared with ultrasound examination findings.

EXPERIENCE:

Six fetuses with heart malformations were evaluated using histologic 3D imaging: two with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, two with atrioventricular septal defects, one with an isolated ventricular septal defect, and one with transposition of the great arteries. The technique allowed us to confirm ultrasound-detected anomalies and also identified additional malformations.

CONCLUSION:

After pregnancy termination or loss, histologic 3D imaging can be used to confirm the presence of fetal cardiac malformations detected during first-trimester ultrasound examination. Additionally, this technique has the potential to refine the diagnosis for counseling regarding recurrence risk and retains the advantages of standard histology.