Estimating Total-Tract Digestibility of Nutrients and Their Contribution to Digestible Energy Supplies in Equine Diets.

Our objectives were to use a quantitative literature review to explore dietary and feed factors influencing apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter (DMD), crude protein (CPD), neutral detergent fiber (NDFD), ether extract (EED), non-structural carbohydrates (NSCD), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFCD), and residual organic matter (rOMD) in equine diets, and to assess their contributions to digestible energy (DE) supplies. Data from 54 studies were modeled using linear mixed-effect regressions, with publication as a random effect to account for study variability. For each nutrient, five models were derived with explanatory variables including: dry matter intake (DMI; % BW/day) and DM (% as-fed), and dietary components (CP, organic matter, EE, NDF, acid detergent fiber, NSC, starch, and NFC as % of DM), and feed types (forage, non-forage fiber, legumes, cereal, and oil proportions).

Natural infection and diversity of hemotropic mycoplasmas in free-ranging Geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) and margay cat (Leopardus wiedii) populations in Southern Brazil.

Hemoplasma infection significantly impacts felines health, yet there is a research gap regarding free-ranging wild small felids. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence of hemoplasma in Leopardus geoffroyi and Leopardus wiedii in southern Brazil. For this purpose, we conducted molecular research for Mycoplasma spp.

Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Uptake Among Australian Healthcare Professionals: An Archetype for Success.

Background/objectives: Qualitative research suggests there may be identifiable characteristics that form a health professional (HCP) archetype associated with habitual seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). However, the validity of this archetype requires further investigation, ideally within a theoretical framework that can elucidate this association and its generalisability to other vaccines. This study aims to confirm key HCP archetype characteristics associated with SIV, as informed by prior qualitative research findings, and test the generalisability of the association between this archetype and SIV to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Necrosis in Preoperative Cross-Sectional Imaging and Postoperative Histology Is a Diagnostic Marker for Malignancy of Adrenocortical Tumors.

Necrosis in postoperative histology has been reported as being specific for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) compared to adenoma. We therefore retrospectively analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of the finding of necrosis in preoperative cross-sectional imaging and postoperative histology as a marker for ACC in our patient cohort. Among the 411 adrenalectomies in 396 patients performed between 2008 and April 2022, 30 cases of ACC (7.

Proton beam therapy image-guided radiotherapy training for RTTs - Experience from a single institution.

This study investigates whether an Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) workbook and Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) case studies enhances Radiation Therapists' (RTTs) confidence analysing Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) CBCTs. An 11-participant questionnaire-based study was conducted to assess pre- and post-training confidence. Prior to training, RTTs exhibited higher confidence in photon CBCT decision-making over proton CBCT, highlighting the need for PBT-specific IGRT training, irrespective of prior photon experience.

De novo and inherited dominant variants in U4 and U6 snRNAs cause retinitis pigmentosa.

The U4 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) forms a duplex with the U6 snRNA and, together with U5 and ∼30 proteins, is part of the U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP complex, located at the core of the major spliceosome. Recently, recurrent variants in the U4 RNA, transcribed from the gene, and in at least two other genes were discovered to cause neurodevelopmental disorder.

APMAT analysis reveals the association between CD8 T cell receptors, cognate antigen, and T cell phenotype and persistence.

Elucidating the relationships between a class I peptide antigen, a CD8 T cell receptor (TCR) specific to that antigen, and the T cell phenotype that emerges following antigen stimulation, remains a mostly unsolved problem, largely due to the lack of large data sets that can be mined to resolve such relationships. Here, we describe Antigen-TCR Pairing and Multiomic Analysis of T-cells (APMAT), an integrated experimental-computational framework designed for the high-throughput capture and analysis of CD8 T cells, with paired antigen, TCR sequence, and single-cell transcriptome. Starting with 951 putative antigens representing a comprehensive survey of the SARS-CoV-2 viral proteome, we utilize APMAT for the capture and single cell analysis of CD8 T cells from 62 HLA A*02:01 COVID-19 participants.

Oxidative Stress Early After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant.

HSCT conditioning regimens cause massive lysis of hematopoietic cells with release of toxic intracellular molecules into the circulation. To describe the response to oxidative stress early after hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and assess the association of early oxidative stress with later transplant outcomes. Key components of in the body's physiological response to oxidative stress were studied in a cohort of 122 consecutive pediatric allogeneic HSCT recipients.

Pre-emptive treatment for cytomegalovirus viraemia to prevent cytomegalovirus disease in solid organ transplant recipients.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity and death in solid organ transplant recipients. Pre-emptive treatment of patients with CMV viraemia using antiviral agents has been suggested as an alternative to routine prophylaxis to prevent CMV disease. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2006 and updated in 2013.

The Impact of Radioactive Iodine on Outcomes Among Pediatric and Adolescent Thyroid Cancer Patients: A SEER Database Analysis.

Background/objectives: Pediatric populations with well-differentiated thyroid cancer typically have favorable prognoses. However, the role of radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation in these patients remains uncertain. This investigation evaluates the national trends, therapeutic practices, and the impact of RAI on clinical outcomes.

Epigenetics and individuality: from concepts to causality across timescales.

Traditionally, differences among individuals have been divided into genetic and environmental causes. However, both types of variation can underlie regulatory changes in gene expression - that is, epigenetic changes - that persist across cell divisions (developmental differentiation) and even across generations (transgenerational inheritance). Increasingly, epigenetic variation among individuals is recognized as an important factor in human diseases and ageing.

A Brain Reward Circuit Inhibited By Next-Generation Weight Loss Drugs.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs) effectively reduce body weight and improve metabolic outcomes, yet established peptide-based therapies require injections and complex manufacturing. Small-molecule GLP1RAs promise oral bioavailability and scalable manufacturing, but their selective binding to human versus rodent receptors has limited mechanistic studies. The neural circuits through which these emerging therapeutics modulate feeding behavior remain undefined, particularly in comparison to established peptide-based GLP1RAs.

Metabolic profiling and antibacterial activity of tree wood extracts obtained under variable extraction conditions.

Introduction: Tree bacterial diseases are a threat in forestry due to their increasing incidence and severity. Understanding tree defence mechanisms requires evaluating metabolic changes arising during infection. Metabolite extraction affects the chemical diversity of the samples and, therefore, the biological relevance of the data.

Conceptualising, operationalising and utilising equity, diversity and inclusion in clinical trials: a scoping review.

Introduction: Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are social constructs which when used in clinical trials help generate the highest quality evidence for interventions in the populations most likely to benefit. However, the incorporation of these constructs in clinical trials is unclear and inconsistent. This scoping review sought to understand how EDI is applied in clinical trials.

Bifocal retinal degeneration observed on ultra-widefield autofluorescence in some cases of CRX-associated retinopathy.

Background: Variants in CRX are associated with dominantly inherited retinopathy with considerable phenotypic variability. Many patients have central retinal degeneration; in some patients, we have observed an additional focus of degeneration in the nasal retina. This study explores this phenotypic association amongst patients with CRX-associated disease.

Molecular connectomics reveals a glucagon-like peptide 1-sensitive neural circuit for satiety.

Liraglutide and other glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are effective weight loss drugs, but how they suppress appetite remains unclear. One potential mechanism is by activating neurons that inhibit the hunger-promoting Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons of the arcuate hypothalamus (Arc). To identify these afferents, we developed a method combining rabies-based connectomics with single-nucleus transcriptomics.

Serum and urine nucleic acid screening tests for BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy in kidney and kidney-pancreas transplant recipients.

Background: BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (BKPyVAN) occurs when BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) affects a transplanted kidney, leading to an initial injury characterised by cytopathic damage, inflammation, and fibrosis. BKPyVAN may cause permanent loss of graft function and premature graft loss. Early detection gives clinicians an opportunity to intervene by timely reduction in immunosuppression to reduce adverse graft outcomes.

The Electroretinogram I-Wave, a Component Originating in the Retinal OFF-Pathway, Associates With a Myopia Genetic Risk Polymorphism.

Purpose: One of the strongest genetic associations with myopia is near the GJD2 gene. Recently, this locus was associated with cone-driven electroretinograms (ERGs), with findings highlighting OFF pathway signals specifically. The ERG i-wave is thought to originate in retinal OFF pathways.

The impact of VEGF signalling pathway inhibitors and/or immune checkpoint inhibitors on kidney function over time: a single centre retrospective analysis.

Background: Drugs targeting angiogenesis and immunotherapy have transformed outcomes in renal cancer but may contribute to progressive kidney disease.

Methods: We linked healthcare databases in the West of Scotland (spanning 2010-2020) to identify adults with renal cancer who received one or both classes of drugs. Over two years following initiation, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope was modelled using linear mixed-effects models.