Application of type I and II error analysis to support economic decision-making of using an immunomodulator feed additive.

The use of the immunomodulator OmniGen-AF (OMN) feed supplement, where the response in milk yield, health, and reproduction is uncertain, allows for an application of type I (use the product when it is not profitable) and type II (do not use the product when it is profitable) analysis to aid decision-making regarding its profitability. This study applies a type I and II error analysis to quantify the economic risk of investing in OMN feed supplementation using data from a controlled study and a field dataset collected on dairy farms. Four prediction models were applied considering the expected value and SD of the response in milk yield; milk and health; milk and reproduction; and milk, health, and reproduction.

Harnessing Endogenous Peptide Compounds as Potential Therapeutics for Severe Influenza.

Background: Excessive pulmonary inflammation and damage are characteristic features of severe influenza virus infections. LAT8881 is a synthetic 16-amino acid cyclic peptide form of a naturally occurring C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone with therapeutic efficacy against influenza. Shorter linear peptides are typically easier to manufacture and formulate for delivery than larger cyclic peptides.

Acceptance-enhanced behavior therapy for trichotillomania in adults: A randomized clinical trial.

Given the limited treatment options for trichotillomania (TTM), or Hair Pulling Disorder, this large randomized clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of acceptance-enhanced behavior therapy for TTM (AEBT-TTM) in reducing TTM severity relative to psychoeducation and supportive therapy (PST). Eighty-five adults (78 women) with TTM received 10 sessions (over 12 weeks) of either AEBT-TTM or PST. Independent evaluators masked to treatment assignment assessed participants at baseline (week 0), midpoint (week 6), and endpoint (week 12).

Characterizing Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) concentration and change over time in Holstein dairy cattle.

The objective of this study was to characterize circulating Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) concentrations in a population of Holstein heifers and examine the impact that life events and stage of life have on those concentrations. Virgin, Holstein heifers (n = 105) 13 ± 0.8 months old were heat detected using tail-chalk, bred via artificial insemination and pregnancy checked 32+ days later.

Structural basis for IL-12 and IL-23 receptor sharing reveals a gateway for shaping actions on T versus NK cells.

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-23 are heterodimeric cytokines that are produced by antigen-presenting cells to regulate the activation and differentiation of lymphocytes, and they share IL-12Rβ1 as a receptor signaling subunit. We present a crystal structure of the quaternary IL-23 (IL-23p19/p40)/IL-23R/IL-12Rβ1 complex, together with cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) maps of the complete IL-12 (IL-12p35/p40)/IL-12Rβ2/IL-12Rβ1 and IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) complexes, which reveal "non-canonical" topologies where IL-12Rβ1 directly engages the common p40 subunit. We targeted the shared IL-12Rβ1/p40 interface to design a panel of IL-12 partial agonists that preserved interferon gamma (IFNγ) induction by CD8 T cells but impaired cytokine production from natural killer (NK) cells in vitro.

An immunomodulatory feed additive enhances in vitro viral vaccine recall antigen responses in dairy heifers.

Enhancing immunological responses to vaccination is an important goal in many herd health management systems. OmniGen-AF®(OG) is an immunomodulatory feed additive that has been shown to enhance innate immune function in ruminants and its effects on adaptive immunity require additional study. The objective of this study was to evaluate post-vaccine antibody titers and circulating cellular memory development in heifers fed OG and administered a commercially available modified-live bovine respiratory disease (BRD) vaccine.

Effects of an immunomodulatory feed additive on intramammary infection prevalence and somatic cell counts in a dairy herd experiencing major health issues.

A trial was conducted to determine if feeding OmniGen-AF® (OG) to 22 late lactation cows 60 days prior to and during the early dry period, a time of increased susceptibility to mastitis, could reduce disease incidence in a dairy herd experiencing major health issues. Treated cows (n = 11) consumed a ration containing OG [9 g/100 kg of body weight/day] beginning 60 days before dry-off, during the dry period, and through 30 days in milk (DIM). Control cows received the same ration during the dry period through 30 DIM only.

A human anti-IL-2 antibody that potentiates regulatory T cells by a structure-based mechanism.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been shown to suppress immune pathologies by preferentially expanding regulatory T cells (T). However, this therapy has been limited by off-target complications due to pathogenic cell expansion. Recent efforts have been focused on developing a more selective IL-2.

Structural Basis for Activity and Specificity of an Anticoagulant Anti-FXIa Monoclonal Antibody and a Reversal Agent.

Coagulation factor XIa is a candidate target for anticoagulants that better separate antithrombotic efficacy from bleeding risk. We report a co-crystal structure of the FXIa protease domain with DEF, a human monoclonal antibody that blocks FXIa function and prevents thrombosis in animal models without detectable increased bleeding. The light chain of DEF occludes the FXIa S1 subsite and active site, while the heavy chain provides electrostatic interactions with the surface of FXIa.

The Role of Opportunistic Bilateral Salpingectomy vs Tubal Occlusion or Ligation for Ovarian Cancer Prophylaxis.

Bilateral tubal ligation (BTL) for sterilization has been known to decrease the risk of ovarian cancer. Recent studies have suggested that bilateral salpingectomy (BS) may be an alternative to BTL or tubal occlusion for women desiring permanent sterilization, owing to a possibly greater protective effect against ovarian cancer. We conducted a PubMed/MEDLINE review of the literature for original studies, opinion articles, and meta-analyses published between 2010 and 2016 addressing the role of BS at the time of sterilization and comparing its efficacy with BTL in terms of ovarian cancer prevention, operative outcomes, and ovarian function.

[Reflection on the Differences and Similarities of Mental Health Care in Virginia and Taiwan: Geography, History, Culture, and Nurse Practitioners].

Sponsored by the pilot overseas internships project of the Ministry of Education, Taiwan, the authors and ten undergraduate students from Taiwan visited several mental health facilities in Virginia for one month. These facilities included the Catawba State Hospital, Salem Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Carilion Saint Albans Behavioral Health (New River Valley Medical Center), Warm Hearth Village, Adult & Child Family Counseling private outpatient clinic, the Free Clinic of the New River Valley, New Life Clubhouse, and Self-Government Program for Assertive Community Treatment. In-depth dialogue and participation in nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses facilitated the authors' reflection on mental health care and the roles and functions of Taiwanese nurse practitioners.

Factor XIa-specific IgG and a reversal agent to probe factor XI function in thrombosis and hemostasis.

Thrombosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Current antithrombotic drugs are not ideal in that they must balance prevention of thrombosis against bleeding risk. Inhibition of coagulation factor XI (FXI) may offer an improvement over existing antithrombotic strategies by preventing some forms of thrombosis with lower bleeding risk.

Nurse-Managed Clinics: Barriers and Benefits Toward Financial Sustainability when Integrating Primay Care and Mental Health.

Nurse-managed, integrated clinics offer access, affordability, and quality to the health care environment. The integration of mental health and primary care is a holistic, comprehensive model that addresses the complicated needs of those with mental illness. As nurses increase their education in leadership, financial management, and business, there is a correlating increase in the number of nurse-managed clinics.

Pilot Testing Behavior Therapy for Chronic Tic Disorders in Neurology and Developmental Pediatrics Clinics.

Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) is an efficacious treatment with limited regional availability. As neurology and pediatric clinics are often the first point of therapeutic contact for individuals with tics, the present study assessed preliminary treatment response, acceptability, and feasibility of an abbreviated version, modified for child neurology and developmental pediatrics clinics. Fourteen youth (9-17) with Tourette disorder across 2 child neurology clinics and one developmental pediatrics clinic participated in a small case series.

The association between the chronic use of non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs and oxidative and inflammatory markers in the elderly.

Objectives: Investigate the association between the chronic or occasional use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and plasma levels of oxidative and inflammatory markers in elderly at the Family Health Strategy in Brazil.

Methods: It was a cross-sectional study of data collected from random elderly volunteers. A questionnaire including sociodemographic, health and medicine use data was administered.

Modulation of innate immune function and phenotype in bred dairy heifers during the periparturient period induced by feeding an immunostimulant for 60 days prior to delivery.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a feed additive (OmniGen-AF(®), reported to have immune modulating activity) on innate immunity and health events during the periparturient period in dairy heifers when immunity is suppressed. From 60 days prepartum through calving, supplemented heifers (n=20) received OmniGen-AF(®) daily and were compared with unsupplemented controls (n=20). Blood leukocyte innate immune activity (phenotype markers, phagocytic activity, and reactive oxygen species--ROS production) was measured prior to feeding (60 days prepartum), 30 days later, and on days 1, 7, 14, and 30 postpartum.

Measuring the role of psychological inflexibility in Trichotillomania.

Psychological Inflexibility (PI) is a construct that has gained recent attention as a critical theoretical component of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). PI is typically measured by the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II). However, the AAQ-II has shown questionable reliability in clinical populations with specific diagnoses, leading to the creation of content-specific versions of the AAQ-II that show stronger psychometric properties in their target populations.

[Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in elderly individuals treated under the Family Health Strategy, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and relate it to the socioeconomic, hygienic, sanitary and health conditions of the elderly of the Family Health Strategy (FHS) in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The research involved a cross-sectional study in which a questionnaire with epidemiologic questions was applied and blood samples were taken. The assessment of IgG and IgM anti-T.

Use of a staphylococcal vaccine to reduce prevalence of mastitis and lower somatic cell counts in a registered Saanen dairy goat herd.

This investigation evaluated the efficacy of a bacterin in reducing the prevalence of staphylococcal mastitis and somatic cell counts (SCC) in a dairy goat herd. Does were vaccinated or left as controls, and the levels of mastitis and SCC monitored over 18 months. Staphylococcus caprae (42.

Effect of dietary supplementation on the antimicrobial activity of blood leukocytes isolated from Holstein heifers.

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of an immunostimulating feed supplement (OmniGen-AF®) on the antimicrobial properties of blood leukocytes in dairy heifers in an attempt to prevent mastitis. Blood leukocytes from supplemented and unsupplemented controls were used. Phagocytic activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were studied on d 0 (prior to feed supplementation) and on days 30 and 60 after supplementation.

Hematological parameters and prevalence of anemia among free-living elderly in south Brazil.

Objective: The aims of this study were to analyze the hematological parameters, the prevalence of anemia and the association between anemia and socioeconomic conditions in an elderly community-based population.

Methods: A population-based study was performed as part of the Multidimensional Study of the Elderly in Porto Alegre, Brazil (EMIPOA). An initial total of 1058 community residents aged 60 years and older were interviewed.

Assessment of cytomegalovirus-specific cell-mediated immunity for the prediction of cytomegalovirus disease in high-risk solid-organ transplant recipients: a multicenter cohort study.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease remains an important problem in solid-organ transplant recipients, with the greatest risk among donor CMV-seropositive, recipient-seronegative (D(+)/R(-)) patients. CMV-specific cell-mediated immunity may be able to predict which patients will develop CMV disease.

Methods: We prospectively included D(+)/R(-) patients who received antiviral prophylaxis.

Combined proximal nerve graft and distal nerve transfer for a posterior cord brachial plexus injury.

The treatment of patients with prolonged denervation from a posterior cord brachial plexus injury is challenging and no management guidelines exist to follow. The authors describe the case of a 26-year-old man who presented to our clinic for treatment 11 months after suffering a high-energy injury to the posterior cord of the brachial plexus. A combined 9-cm proximal cable nerve graft procedure and a pronator branch to the posterior interosseous nerve transfer were performed.

A randomized pilot trial comparing videoconference versus face-to-face delivery of behavior therapy for childhood tic disorders.

Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) has been shown to be effective for reducing tics in children with chronic tic disorder. Unfortunately, there remain significant barriers to dissemination. The aim of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of CBIT delivered over videoconference.