Superovulation of dairy cows using recombinant FSH (bscrFSH): Effect of the number of FSH applications on ovarian response, hormone profiles, and in vivo embryo production.

The application of bovine single-chain recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (bscrFSH) for developing new superovulation (SOV) protocols with a reduced number of FSH applications was tested in lactating dairy cows with the aim of reducing animal welfare concerns and lowering labour requirements. Embryo donor cows were randomly divided into two experimental groups (n = 12 each) to undergo two different SOV protocols: a) SOV protocol using four bscrFSH applications (one dose/day, 24 h apart, four consecutive days; total: four decreasing doses), and b) SOV protocol using two bscrFSH applications (one dose/day, 48 h apart, two alternate days; total: two decreasing doses) to determine their potential effects on superovulatory response, circulating hormone levels, and in vivo embryo production. Circulating 17β-estradiol, FSH, LH, and progesterone concentrations were unaffected over time by bscrFSH treatment, irrespective of the SOV protocol used (p > 0.

Multilayer Nanocarrier for the Codelivery of Interferons: A Promising Strategy for Biocompatible and Long-Acting Antiviral Treatment.

Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines involved in the immune response with a synergistic regulatory effect on the immune response. They are therapeutics for various viral and proliferative conditions, with proven safety and efficacy. Their clinical application is challenging due to the molecules' size, degradation, and pharmacokinetics.

Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Induces Reactive Oxygen Species-Dependent Proliferation of Intestinal Epithelial Cells.

: Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is a proinflammatory particle associated with various diseases and affects cell proliferation and viability in multiple cell types. However, its impact on intestinal epithelial cells remains underexplored. This study investigates the effect of ox-LDL on colonic epithelial cell proliferation and viability, as well as the underlying mechanisms involved.

Sputnik V-Induced Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Variants during the Dissemination of the Gamma Variant in Venezuela.

The COVID-19 pandemic was characterized by the emergence and succession of SARS-CoV-2 variants able to evade the antibody response induced by natural infection and vaccination. To evaluate the IgG reactivity and neutralizing capacity of the serum of individuals vaccinated with Sputnik V (105 volunteers vaccinated) against different viral variants. IgG reactivity to the Spike protein (S) was evaluated by ELISA.

Cross Sectional Survey of Ob/Gyn Residents' Graduated Experience With Robotic Surgery.

Study Objective: Obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) resident experience with robotic gynecologic surgery has been evaluated at time of graduation, but no specific surgical procedures were identified to differentiate the experiences of residents at each level. This study proposes to determine which factors are correlated with more hands-on robotic surgery experience and resident satisfaction.

Design: An Investigational Review Board-approved, 15-question survey was distributed electronically.

Recombinant Subunit Vaccine Candidate against the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus.

Multivalent live-attenuated or inactivated vaccines are often used to control the bovine viral diarrhea disease (BVD). Still, they retain inherent disadvantages and do not provide the expected protection. This study developed a new vaccine prototype, including the external segment of the E2 viral protein from five different subgenotypes selected after a massive screening.

Development and characterization of a novel variant of long-acting bovine follicle-stimulating hormone (brscFSH).

Assisted reproduction is a key aspect of modern animal breeding, providing valuable assistance in improving breeding programs. In this field, the administration of exogenous hormones, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), plays a crucial role in the induction of multiple ovulations. However, commercial FSH used in veterinary practice has been derived primarily from pituitary glands, obtained mostly from pigs for nearly four decades.

New insight into the biological activity of NK-lysin antimicrobial peptides.

NK-lysin is a potent antimicrobial peptide (AMP) with antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. NK-lysin is a type of granulysin, a member of the saposin-like proteins family first isolated from a pig's small intestine. In previous work, for the first time, we identified four variants of from Atlantic salmon () using EST sequences.

Pregnancy Outcomes in Women Who Developed Elevated Blood Pressure and Stage I Hypertension after 20 Weeks, Gestation.

Objective:  The American College of Obstetrics threshold for hypertension (≥140/90 mm Hg) differs from those of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA). It is unknown if ACC/AHA hypertension levels are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) after 20 weeks gestation. The purpose of this study is to analyze APOs in women with blood pressure (BP) in the elevated or stage 1 range after 20 weeks gestation.

[HEARTS in the Americas: targeting health system change to improve population hypertension controlHEARTS nas Américas: impulsionar mudanças no sistema de saúde para melhorar o controle da hipertensão arterial na população].

Purpose Of Review: HEARTS in the Americas is the regional adaptation of Global Hearts, the World Health Organization initiative for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and control. Its overarching goal is to drive health services to change managerial and clinical practice in primary care settings to improve hypertension control and CVD risk management. This review describes the HEARTS in the Americas initiative.

Assessing the clinical benefit, safety, and patient-reported outcomes with the use of the PAHcare™ digital platform in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a pilot study.

Introduction: Digital health interventions, particularly mobile health platforms, have shown promise in supporting patients with respiratory conditions, but their application in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains limited. We aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential clinical benefit of the novel PAHcare™ digital platform as a patient-centred intervention for PAH management through a prospective, single-arm, multicenter pilot study conducted on 53 patients diagnosed with PAH who used the platform for 6 months.

Methods: The primary objective was to assess the impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) through questionnaires.

Design and functional characterization of Salmo salar TLR5 agonist peptides derived from high mobility group B1 acidic tail.

Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) responds to the monomeric form of flagellin and induces the MyD88-depending signaling pathway, activating proinflammatory transcription factors such as NF-κB and the consequent induction of cytokines. On the other hand, HMGB1 is a highly conserved non-histone chromosomal protein shown to interact with and activate TLR5. The present work aimed to design and characterize TLR5 agonist peptides derived from the acidic tail of Salmo salar HMGB1 based on the structural knowledge of the TLR5 surface using global molecular docking platforms.

Immunomodulatory role of vasoactive intestinal peptide and ghrelin in .

Neuropeptides are a group of peptides derived from precursor proteins synthesized in neuronal and nonneuronal cells. The classical functions of neuropeptides have been extensively studied in mammals, including neuromodulation in the central nervous system, molecular signaling in the peripheral nervous system, and immunomodulation associated mainly with anti-inflammatory activity. In contrast, in teleosts, studies of the immunomodulatory function of these neuropeptides are limited.

Isolation, characterization, and immunomodulatory activity evaluation of probiotic strains from colostrum and canine milk.

Background: This study aimed to characterize potential probiotic strains for use in dogs to prevent infectious enteropathies. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from canine milk and colostrum were characterized according to their functional properties, including their resistance to gastrointestinal conditions, inhibitory effect against pathogens, and intestinal adhesion.

Methods: The immunomodulatory effects of the strains were also analyzed in and studies.

HEARTS in the Americas: Targeting Health System Change to Improve Population Hypertension Control.

Purpose Of Review: HEARTS in the Americas is the regional adaptation of Global Hearts, the World Health Organization initiative for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and control. Its overarching goal is to drive health services to change managerial and clinical practice in primary care settings to improve hypertension control and CVD risk management. This review describes the HEARTS in the Americas initiative.

Prevalence of post-liver transplant complications and NASH-related cirrhosis in postmenopausal women.

Introduction And Objectives: Compared to premenopausal women, postmenopausal women are at greater risk of developing NAFLD and NASH, two common indications for liver transplantation (LT). We aim to determine the prevalence of NASH-related cirrhosis in postmenopausal women from a cohort of LT patients and investigate their post-LT complications.

Materials And Methods: Chart review of 1200 LT patients from 2002-2020 was performed.

The Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise in Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a prevalent health concern in females over 60, but it is prevalent in a smaller percentage of males. The medical and social elements of UI are crucial. This disorder may cause embarrassment and low self-esteem, reducing social and physical activities.

First report of bovine viral diarrhea virus subgenotypes 1d and 1e in southern Chile.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) affects cattle worldwide causing severe productive and economic loss. In this study, we investigated the subgenotypes of BVDV circulating in cattle samples from the Aysén region, an active cattle breeding area located in southern Chile. Partial amplification of the 5' untranslated region (UTR) was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and twelve samples were analyzed by Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.

Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia. A case report in Colombia.

Background: Schimke immune-osseous dysplasia (SIOD) is an ultra-rare multisystemic, monogenic, and autosomal recessive inherited disease caused by biallelic mutations in the gene. Approximately 100 cases have been reported worldwide. The disease is characterized by skeletal, renal, and immunological abnormalities.

Design and Construction of a Synthetic Nanobody Library: Testing Its Potential with a Single Selection Round Strategy.

Nanobodies (Nbs) are single domain antibody fragments derived from heavy-chain antibodies found in members of the Camelidae family. They have become a relevant class of biomolecules for many different applications because of several important advantages such as their small size, high solubility and stability, and low production costs. On the other hand, synthetic Nb libraries are emerging as an attractive alternative to animal immunization for the selection of antigen-specific Nbs.

Effects of recombinant FSH (bscrFSH) and pituitary FSH (FSH-p) on embryo production in superovulated dairy heifers inseminated with unsorted and sex-sorted semen.

Superovulation is a drug-based method used in cattle to stimulate the ovarian folliculogenesis and the number of oocytes and transferable embryos. The present study aimed to test the effects of recombinant FSH (bscrFSH) and pituitary FSH (FSH-p) on ovarian response and in vivo embryo production in superovulated dairy heifers inseminated with unsorted and sex-sorted semen. Forty healthy Holstein heifers subjected to a superovulation (SOV) protocol by using FSH-p or bscrFSH were divided randomly into four groups: a) FSH-p inseminated with unsorted semen (USP; n = 10), b) FSH-p inseminated with sex-sorted semen (SSP; n = 10), c) bscrFSH inseminated with unsorted semen (USR; n = 10), and d) bscrFSH inseminated with sex-sorted semen (SSR; n = 10).

Advances in tobacco control in the Region of the Americas, 2020.

This report describes the current status of the tobacco control measures contained in the Strategy and Plan of Action to Strengthen Tobacco Control in the Region of the Americas 2018-2022 (Pan American Health Organization) and the advances made in its application, identifying achievements from 2016 to 2020 and challenges that still need to be addressed in order to reach the expected goals. This analysis relied on data from the World Health Organization (WHO) Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic from 2015, 2017, and 2019, and national regulations were analyzed to determine their consistency with WHO criteria. Significant progress has been made in implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in the Americas.

Spinning a global web: tactics used by Big Tobacco to attract children at tobacco points-of-sale.

Most of the published literature on cigarette advertising and promotion at points-of-sale is on research conducted in high-income countries. We report findings from monitoring cigarette advertising and promotion at points-of-sale near schools and playgrounds in 42 countries, the majority low-income and middle-income. Four strategies were detected across most of these countries: (1) display of cigarettes near snacks, sweets and sugary drinks, (2) placement of cigarette advertisements near the eye-level of children, (3) advertisements and display of flavoured cigarettes and (4) sale of single sticks of cigarettes.