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Journal of Dairy Science Jun 2024The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the association between preweaning diarrhea and measures of survival, health and production. The measures of interest...
The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the association between preweaning diarrhea and measures of survival, health and production. The measures of interest included survival (mortality before first calving and time to removal from the herd), health (retained fetal membranes, metritis, mastitis and somatic cell count), and production (305d mature equivalent milk yield and time to first calving). A secondary objective was to investigate if these associations varied according to the age of the calf when the case of diarrhea occurred. Herd records from a farm located in Southern Australia were used to conduct a retrospective cohort study where subjects (calves) with diarrhea were enrolled at the time of their first case along with 2 subjects without diarrhea, matched for age (±3 d) and date of birth (±15 d), amounting to 9833 calves in the data set. Survival analysis was conducted to determine if preweaning diarrhea was associated with death in the short term (first 20 d after enrollment), medium term (21 to 100 d after enrollment) and long-term (101 d after enrollment to first calving). Crude incidence rate ratios, Kaplan-Meier curves and hazard ratios (HR, Cox regression) were derived for each event-based outcome (e.g., death, calving, mastitis). Multivariable linear models were used for continuous outcomes. Calves with preweaning diarrhea had greater mortality rates in the short term (hazard ratio, HR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.87-3.29) and medium term (HR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.41-2.55) but not in the long term (HR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.79-1.22). A small negative association between preweaning diarrhea and time to first calving was found, with calves with diarrhea calving 4 d later than calves without diarrhea (HR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91-1.00). Rates of post-calving removal from the herd (death or culling) were higher in calves with a history of preweaning diarrhea (HR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.26), as were peak lactation log somatic cell count (+0.08, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.14). Further research is needed to replicate these novel findings as they are based on exploratory analyses and could be spurious findings. No substantial associations were observed for the other measures of interest. Our study findings support existing research demonstrating the significance of preweaning diarrhea as a significant cause of calf mortality, and raises new hypotheses about other potential impacts during lactation.
PubMed: 38945259
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24544 -
Chemosphere Jun 2024Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems is increasing and plastic particles may adsorb and transport a diverse array of contaminants, thereby increasing their...
Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems is increasing and plastic particles may adsorb and transport a diverse array of contaminants, thereby increasing their bioavailability to biota. This investigation aimed to evaluate the effects of varying polyethylene microplastics (PE MPs) and naphthalene (NAPH) concentrations on the survival and feeding rates of the model organism, Artemia salina, as well as NAPH adsorption to microplastics at different salinity levels (17, 75, 35.5 and 52.75 g L) under selected climate change scenarios. Survival (48 h) and feeding rates (6 h) of A. salina were also monitored, revealing that the presence of higher PE and NAPH concentrations lead to decreased survival rates while also increasing the number and size of microplastic particles in the saline solutions. Higher PE concentrations negatively affected A. salina feeding rates and NAPH concentrations were positively correlated with particle number and size, as well as with NAPH and PE adsorption rates in solution. Our findings demonstrate that the co-occurrence of microplastics and NAPH in aquatic environments can result in detrimental zooplankton survival and feeding rate effects. Furthermore, this interaction may contribute to the accumulation of these contaminants in the environment, highlighting the need to simultaneously monitor and mitigate the presence of microplastics and organic pollutants, like NAPH, in aquatic environments.
PubMed: 38945219
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142718 -
Toxicology Jun 2024Alcohol, or ethanol, is a major contributor to detrimental diseases and comorbidities worldwide. Alcohol use during pregnancy intervenes the developing embryos leading...
Alcohol, or ethanol, is a major contributor to detrimental diseases and comorbidities worldwide. Alcohol use during pregnancy intervenes the developing embryos leading to morphological changes, neurocognitive defects, and behavioral changes known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Zebrafish have been used as a model to study FASD; however, the mechanism and the impact of ethanol on oxidative stress and inflammation in the zebrafish FASD model remain unexplored. Hence, we exposed zebrafish embryos to different concentrations of ethanol (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.25%, and 1.5% ethanol (v/v)) at 4-96hours post-fertilization (hpf) to study and characterize the ethanol concentration for the FASD model to induce oxidative stress and inflammation. Here, we studied the survival rate and developmental toxicity parameters at different time points and measured oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis, and pro-inflammatory gene expression in zebrafish larvae. Our findings indicate that ethanol causes various developmental abnormalities, including decreased survival rate, spontaneous tail coiling, hatching rate, heart rate, and body length, associated with increased malformation. Further, ethanol exposure induced oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide production and decreasing glutathione levels. Subsequently, ethanol increased ROS generation, apoptosis, and pro-inflammatory gene (TNF-α and IL-1β) expression in ethanol exposed larvae. 1.25% and 1.5% ethanol had significant impacts on zebrafish larvae in all studied parameters. However, 1.5% ethanol showed decreased survival rate and increased malformations. Overall, 1.25% ethanol is the ideal concentration to study the oxidative stress and inflammation in the zebrafish FASD model.
PubMed: 38945197
DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153876 -
International Journal of Antimicrobial... Jun 2024Polymyxin B, with its unique structure and mechanism of action, has emerged as a key therapeutic agent against Gram-negative bacteria. The study aims to explore...
PURPOSE
Polymyxin B, with its unique structure and mechanism of action, has emerged as a key therapeutic agent against Gram-negative bacteria. The study aims to explore potential factors to influence its effectiveness and safety.
METHODS
A Model-Based Meta-Analysis (MBMA) of 96 articles was conducted, focusing on factors like dosage, bacterial species, and combined antibiotic therapy. The analysis evaluated mortality rates and incidence rate of renal dysfunction, also employing parametric survival models to assess 30-day survival rates.
RESULTS
In the study involving 96 articles and 9,716 patients, polymyxin B's daily dose showed minimal effect on overall mortality, with high-dose group mortality at 33.57% (95% CI: 29.15-38.00) compared to the low-dose group at 35.44% (95% CI: 28.99-41.88), p=0.64. Mortality significantly varied by bacterial species, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections at 58.50% (95% CI: 55.42-63.58). Monotherapy exhibited the highest mortality at 40.25% (95% CI: 34.75-45.76), p<0.01. Renal dysfunction was more common in high-dose patients at 29.75% (95% CI: 28.52-30.98), with no significant difference across antibiotic regimens, p=0.54. The 30-day Overall Survival rate for monotherapy therapy was 63.6% (95% CI: 59.3-67.5) and 70.2% (95% CI: 64.4-76.2) for association therapy with β-lactam drugs.
CONCLUSIONS
The dosage of Polymyxin B doesn't significantly change death rates, but its effectiveness varies based on the bacterial infection. Certain bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa are associated with higher mortality. Combining Polymyxin B with other antibiotics, especially β-lactam drugs, improves survival rates. Side effects depend on the dose, with lower doses being safer. These findings emphasize the importance of customizing treatment to balance effectiveness and safety.
PubMed: 38945178
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107262 -
Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery Jun 2024This study aimed to identify clinical and surgical features associated with poor long-term postoperative outcomes in patients diagnosed with Type I Chiari Malformation...
Predictors of poor functional outcomes in adults with type I Chiari Malformation: Clinical and surgical factors assessed with the Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale over long-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to identify clinical and surgical features associated with poor long-term postoperative outcomes in patients diagnosed with Type I Chiari Malformation (CMI) treated with posterior fossa decompression with duroplasty (PFDD), with or without tonsillar coagulation.
METHODS
This retrospective, single-center study included 107 adult patients with CMI surgically treated between 2010 and 2021. The surgical technique involved a midline suboccipital craniectomy, C1 laminectomy, durotomy, arachnoid dissection, duroplasty, and tonsillar coagulation until 2014, after which tonsillar coagulation was discontinued. Postoperative outcomes were assessed using the Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale (CCOS) at a median follow-up of 35 months. Clinical, surgical, and neuroimaging data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Cox regression analysis, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves to identify predictors of poor functional outcomes.
RESULTS
Of the 107 patients (mean age 43.9 years, SD 13), 81 (75.5 %) showed functional improvement, 25 (23.4 %) remained unchanged, and 1 (0.9 %) experienced worsened outcomes. Cephalalgia, bilateral motor weakness, and bilateral paresthesia were the most frequent initial symptoms. Tonsillar coagulation was performed in 31 cases (28.9 %) but was clinically associated with higher rates of unfavorable outcomes. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated that long-term follow-up CCOS was significantly higher than postoperative CCOS (Z = -7.678, p < 0.000). Multivariate Cox analysis identified preoperative bilateral motor weakness (HR 6.1, 95 % CI 1.9-18.9; p = 0.002), hydrocephalus (HR 3.01, 95 % CI 1.3-6.9; p = 0.008), and unilateral motor weakness (HR 2.99, 95 % CI 1.1-8.2; p = 0.033) as significant predictors of poor outcomes on a long-term follow-up.
CONCLUSION
This study highlights the high rate of functional improvement in CMI patients following PFDD. Preoperative motor weakness and hydrocephalus were significant predictors of poor long-term outcomes. Tonsillar coagulation did not demonstrate a clear clinical benefit and may be associated with worse outcomes. Our findings suggest that careful preoperative assessment and selection of surgical techniques are crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
PubMed: 38945118
DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2024.108392 -
Thrombosis Research Jun 2024Primary liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide, and the disease is associated with high incidence rate of thrombosis. Studies...
BACKGROUND
Primary liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide, and the disease is associated with high incidence rate of thrombosis. Studies indicate that Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI) plays a role in cancer development. We aimed to study its expression, clinical role and regulation by micro RNAs (miRNAs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
METHODS
Publically available datasets were used for clinical analysis of TFPI and miRNAs expression by web analysis tools. miRNA mimics targeting TFPIα 3'untranslated region (UTR) were selected from target prediction programs and verified by luciferase reporter assay. In vitro effects of miRNAs overexpression in HCC cell lines on TFPI expression and cell proliferation and apoptosis were analysed.
RESULTS
TFPI expression was significantly increased in HCC tumours compared to normal tissue. Low TFPI tumour expression was associated with better survival probability. Four candidate miRNAs were selected from the target prediction programs. miR-7-5p and miR-1236-3p were validated in HepG2 and Huh7 cells to reduce TFPI mRNA and protein levels following overexpression. Furthermore, miR-7-5p and miR-1236-3p reduced TFPIα-3'UTR-controlled luciferase activity. The two validated miRNAs inhibited proliferation of HepG2 cells, and had clinical significance in HCC.
CONCLUSIONS
TFPI was increased in HCC tumours compared to normal tissue and high TFPI expression was associated with an unfavorable outcome in HCC patients. miR-7-5p and miR-1236-3p were identified as novel regulators of TFPI in vitro.
PubMed: 38945092
DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2024.109073 -
Injury Jun 2024Racial and ethnic disparities in orthopaedic surgery are well documented. However, the extent to which these persist in fracture care is unknown. This study sought to...
INTRODUCTION
Racial and ethnic disparities in orthopaedic surgery are well documented. However, the extent to which these persist in fracture care is unknown. This study sought to assess racial disparities in the postoperative surgical and medical management of patients after diaphyseal tibia fracture fixation.
METHODS
Patients with surgically treated tibial shaft fractures from October 1, 2015, to December 31, 2020, were identified in the MarketScan® Medicaid Database. Exclusion criteria included concurrent fractures or amputation. Outcomes included 2-year postoperative complications, reoperation rates, and filled prescriptions. Surgically-treated Black and White cohorts were propensity-score matched using nearest-neighbor matching on patient demographics, comorbidities, fracture pattern and severity, and fixation type. Chi-square tests and survival analyses (Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models) were conducted.
RESULTS
5,472 patients were included, 2,209 Black and 3,263 White patients. After matching, 2,209 were retained in each cohort. No significant differences in complication rates were observed in the matched Black vs White cohorts. Rates of reoperation, however, were significantly lower in Black as compared to White patients (28.5 % vs. 35.5 % rate, risk difference = 7.0 % (95 % confidence interval (CI): 4.2 % to 9.7 %)). Implant removal was also significantly lower in Black (17.9 %) vs. White (25.1 %) patients (Risk difference = 7.2 %, (95 %CI: 4.8 % to 9.6 %)). The adjusted hazard ratio comparing the reoperation rate in Black versus White patients was 0.77 (95 %CI: 0.69-0.82, p < 0.0001). Significantly lower proportions of Black vs White patients filled at least one prescription for benzodiazepine, antidepressants, strong opiates, or antibiotics at every time point post-index.
DISCUSSION
Fewer resources were used in post-operative management after surgical treatment of tibial shaft fractures for Black versus White Medicaid-insured patients. These results may be reflective of the undertreatment of complications after tibia fracture surgery for Black patients and highlight the need for further interventions to address racial disparities in trauma care.
PubMed: 38945078
DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2024.111696 -
Lung Cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Jun 2024Immunotherapy-based treatments have demonstrated high efficacy in patients with advanced and locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). BRAF mutations affect a...
BACKGROUND
Immunotherapy-based treatments have demonstrated high efficacy in patients with advanced and locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). BRAF mutations affect a small but significant fraction of NSCLC. The efficacy of these therapies in this subgroup of patients is unknown.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plasma and tissue samples from 116 resectable stage IIIA/B NSCLC patients, included in NADIM and NADIM II clinical trials (NADIM cohort), and from a prospective academic cohort with 84 stage IV NSCLC patients (BLI-O cohort), were analyzed by next-generation sequencing.
RESULTS
The p.G464E, p.G466R, p.G466V, p.G469V, p.L597Q, p.T599I, p.V600E (n = 2) BRAF mutations, were identified in four (3.45 %) samples from the NADIM cohort, all of which were cases treated with neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (CH-IO), and four (4.76 %) samples from the BLI-O cohort, corresponding to cases treated with first-line immunotherapy (n = 2) or CH-IO (n = 2). All these patients were alive and had no evidence of disease at data cut-off. Conversely, patients with BRAF wild-type (wt) tumors in the BLI-O cohort had a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 5.49 months and a median overall survival (OS) of 12.00 months (P-LogRank = 0.013 and 0.046, respectively). Likewise, PFS and OS probabilities at 36 months were 60.5 % and 76.1 % for patients with BRAF-wt tumors in the NADIM cohort. The pathological complete response (pCR) rate after neoadjuvant CH-IO in patients with BRAF-positive tumors (n = 4) was 100 %, whereas the pCR rate in the BRAF-wt population was 44.3 % (RR: 2.26; 95 % CI: 1.78-2.85; P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
BRAF mutations may be a good prognostic factor for advanced and locally advanced NSCLC patients undergoing immunotherapy-based treatments.
PubMed: 38945004
DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107865 -
International Immunopharmacology Jun 2024The management of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in elderly patients is complicated by an increased risk of treatment-related toxicity associated with aging. This...
BACKGROUND
The management of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in elderly patients is complicated by an increased risk of treatment-related toxicity associated with aging. This study aimed to validate the effectiveness of the Cancer Aging and Research Group (CARG) model in elderly patients with DLBCL receiving rituximab-based chemotherapy.
METHODS
In this prospective study, elderly DLBCL patients (aged 65 years or older) receiving rituximab-based chemotherapy were consecutively assessed between August 2016 and December 2021 at one medical center in Taiwan using the CARG model to predict treatment-related toxicity. Patients were categorized into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups based on their CARG scores. Comparisons were made regarding toxicities and survival rates among these groups.
RESULTS
Ninety-one patients, with a median age of 70 years (range 65-96), were included. A substantial 81 % (74 patients) experienced grade 3-5 toxicity. The overall 2-year survival rate was 63.8 % after a median follow-up of 28 months (range, 2-46). The risk of grade 3-5 toxicity was 83 %, 78 %, and 87 %, respectively, among the low-, medium-, and high-risk groups (p = 0.60). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for CARG was 0.521 (95 % CI, 0.376-0.666), which was significantly lower than that for the Eastern Cancer Oncology Group score (ROC = 0.701, 95 % CI, 0.571-0.831). Similarly, compared with those of low-risk patients, hazard ratios for overall survival were 9.22 (95 % CI, 1.23-69.1; p = 0.031) and 14.6 (95 % CI, 1.90-112; p = 0.010) for medium- and high-risk patients, respectively.
CONCLUSION
While CARG exhibited limitations in predicting treatment-related toxicity in elderly DLBCL patients, it demonstrated potential efficacy in predicting survival outcomes.
PubMed: 38944947
DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112544 -
American Journal of Surgery Jun 2024Experimental work suggested that resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) preserves cerebral circulation in animal models of traumatic brain...
BACKGROUND
Experimental work suggested that resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) preserves cerebral circulation in animal models of traumatic brain injury. No clinical work has evaluated the role of REBOA in the presence of associated severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). We investigated the impacts of REBOA on neurological and survival outcomes.
METHODS
Propensity-score matched study, using the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program database. Patients with severe TBI patients (Abbreviated Injury Scale ≥3) receiving REBOA within 4 h from arrival were matched with similar patients not receiving REBOA. Neurological matching included head AIS, pupils, and midline shift. Clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
434 REBOA patients were matched with 859 patients without REBOA. Patients in the REBOA group had higher rates of in-hospital mortality (63.6 % vs 44.2 %, p < 0.001), severe sepsis (4.4 % vs 2.2 %, p = 0.029), acute kidney injury (10.1 % vs 6.6 %, p = 0.029), and withdrawal of life support (25.4 % vs 19.6 %, p = 0.020) despite of lower craniectomy/craniotomy rate (7.1 % vs 12.7 %, p < 0.002).
CONCLUSION
In patients with severe TBI, REBOA use is associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality, AKI, and infectious complications.
PubMed: 38944625
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.115798