When to pair: Effects of different pairing ages on dairy calf health, behavior and performance.

Pair housing presents an alternative to individual or larger group housing systems, though the effects of different pairing ages on calf welfare are not well understood. In this study, we examined the impact of pairing age on the performance, health, and behavior of dairy calves. A total of 140 Holstein female calves (n = 70 pairs) were used, paired at 3 ages: Early (6-7 d; 48 calves), Intermediate (29-30 d; 48 calves), and Late pairing (49-50 d; 44 calves).

YAP1 is a prognostic marker and its inhibition reduces tumor progression in adrenocortical tumors.

Background: Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is rare and aggressive, with YAP1 overexpression associated with poor outcomes in pediatric patients. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms by which YAP1 drives ACC progression and explored it as a potential target therapy.

Methods: YAP1 expression and methylation in ACC were analyzed from pediatric and adult cohorts.

Critical evaluation of Pap test adherence to routine screening in Amazonas State, Brazil.

Introduction: This study critically evaluates adherence to Pap test screening practices in cytology-based cervical cancer screening in the state of Amazonas over a 10-year period.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of the results of cytological screening examinations (Pap test) in Amazonas State from 2013 to 2023. For this purpose, Brazilian public databases Cervical Cancer Information System (SISCOLO) and Cancer Information System (SISCAN) (from The Department of Information and IT of the Unified Health System - DATASUS) were consulted.

Deep learning generalization for diabetic retinopathy staging from fundus images.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious diabetes complication that can lead to vision loss, making timely identification crucial. Existing data-driven algorithms for DR staging from digital fundus images (DFIs) often struggle with generalization due to distribution shifts between training and target domains. To address this, DRStageNet, a deep learning model, was developed using six public and independent datasets with 91,984 DFIs from diverse demographics.

Assessment of spiritual care competencies of critical care health professionals: An integrative review.

Objective: The primary aim of the present study was to assess the competencies related to the spiritual care by nurses and health professionals who work in intensive care units, and how these competencies influence clinical practice. As a secondary objective, we have discussed the strengths, weaknesses and threats of incorporating and teaching these competencies among the included studies.

Method: An integrative review of studies published in English, Spanish and Portuguese was performed in the following databases: Embase, Web of Science, Medline/PubMed, PsycInfo, LILACS and Cochrane.

Immunohistochemical identification of ACE-2 (SARS-COV II entry mechanism) in the gastrointestinal tract, kidney and lung of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) and squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus).

SARS-Cov-2 is a corona virus that causes COVID-19 disease, a viral infection responsible for the pandemic decreed by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) functions as the main receptor for SARS-Cov-2. The study aimed to detect the expression of ACE-2 in the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, and lung in the rhesus monkeys and squirrel monkeys.

Can microplastic pollution be affected by beach nourishment? Assessment in intertidal sediment and bivalves.

Several methods can be used to mitigate coastal erosion, and one of the leading solutions is known as beach nourishment (BN), which involves using dredged material for nourishment, adding sand to extend an eroding beach. Although it has many advantages, the environmental impacts of BN remain poorly understood, especially on plastic pollution, which had not been investigated until this study. We aimed to compare the abundance and distribution of microplastics (MPs) found in intertidal sediments and specimens of the bivalve mollusks Crassostrea brasiliana, Mytella strigata, Perna perna, and Tivela mactroides, collected in two beaches of Vitoria, Southeast of Brazil (da Costa et al.

Harnessing the dynamics of plant organic acids metabolism following abiotic stresses.

Plants encounter various environmental stresses throughout development, including shade, high light, drought, hypoxia, extreme temperatures, and metal toxicity, all of which adversely affect growth and productivity. Organic acids (OAs), besides serving as intermediates in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, play crucial roles in multiple metabolic pathways and cellular compartments, including mitochondrial metabolism, amino acid metabolism, the glyoxylate cycle, and the photosynthetic mechanisms of C4 and CAM plants. OAs contribute to stress tolerance by acting as root chelating agents, regulating ATP production, and providing reducing power for detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Distinct immunogenicity outcomes of DNA vaccines encoding malaria transmission-blocking vaccine target antigens Pfs230D1M and Pvs230D1.

Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) targeting sexual-stage antigens represent a critical tool for malaria control and elimination through inhibiting parasite development within mosquitoes. P230, displayed on the surface of gametocytes and gametes, plays a crucial role in gamete fertilization and is one of the leading TBV candidates for both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax.

Nutritional evaluation after copper cloud point extraction in spirulina (Arthrospira sp.) samples with determination by digital image colorimetry.

This study presents the development of a procedure based on copper preconcentration at the cloud point of commercial spirulina dietary supplements, with determination by digital image colorimetry. A fractional factorial design 2 and Doehlert matrix were applied in the method optimization. The developed method presented 0.

Sustainable and biodegradable polymer packaging: Perspectives, challenges, and opportunities.

The escalating environmental impact of non-biodegradable plastic waste has intensified global efforts to seek sustainable alternatives, with biodegradable polymers from renewable sources emerging as a promising solution. This manuscript provides the current perspectives, challenges, and opportunities within the field of sustainable and biodegradable packaging. Despite a significant market presence of conventional non-biodegradable petrochemical-based plastics, there is a growing trend towards the adoption of bio-based polymers from renewable resources driven by environmental sustainability and regulatory measures.

A gender breakdown of unexpected benefits generated by work from home in STEM fields - A qualitative analysis of the WiMPBME Task Group survey.

Background: Working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic was perceived differently by men and women working in STEM fields. The aim of this paper is to highlight the unexpected benefits generated by working from home during the pandemic.

Methods: Qualitative methodology was used to analyze data, collected via survey.

Neural network surrogate and projected gradient descent for fast and reliable finite element model calibration: A case study on an intervertebral disc.

Accurate calibration of finite element (FE) models is essential across various biomechanical applications, including human intervertebral discs (IVDs), to ensure their reliability and use in diagnosing and planning treatments. However, traditional calibration methods are computationally intensive, requiring iterative, derivative-free optimization algorithms that often take days to converge. This study addresses these challenges by introducing a novel, efficient, and effective calibration method demonstrated on a human L4-L5 IVD FE model as a case study using a neural network (NN) surrogate.

Effect of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and high phytase doses on performance, vitamin D status, bone mineralization, and mechanistic target of rapamycin gene expression of broilers.

The use of exogenous phytase and vitamin D metabolites such as 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D) for poultry is well consolidated, but the potential for additive effects when supplementing both requires further investigation. This study investigated possible interactions between supplementation of 25-OH-D and high doses of phytase for broilers fed Ca- and P-deficient diets. A total of 1 200 one-d-old male broiler chicks were randomly allocated from one of four dietary treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement: 600 or 2 000 phytase units (FYT)/kg and with or without the inclusion of 25-OH-D at 69 µg/kg, with 12 replicates of 25 broilers each.

Liming and soil texture affect the miscible displacement of phosphorus from organic and mineral sources in tropical oxisols.

Phosphorus (P) movement in soils is influenced by flow velocities, diffusion rates, and several soil characteristics and properties. In acidic soils, P is tightly bound to soil particles, reducing its availability to plants. Organomineral fertilizers combine organic matter with mineral nutrients, enhancing P fertilization efficiency, and reducing environmental impacts.

Inflammatory Biomarkers and Tinnitus in Older Adults.

Background: Tinnitus refers to a common disorder affecting older adults frequently. This condition can disturb mental health and psychological well-being and contribute to cognitive decline. Despite recent advances in research, its pathophysiology remains incompletely understood.

2D Facial Analysis Performed by a Human Operator Versus an Artificial Intelligence Software.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a contribution in recent years to the development of new tools for dental, surgical, and esthetic treatment. In the case of image diagnosis, AI allows automated analysis of some facial parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the precision and reproducibility of these IA analyses compared with a human operator.

Alopecia Induced by Poly-L-Lactic Acid Injection.

Cosmetic procedures carry inherent risks of adverse events. Though rarely reported, transient and permanent alopecia are potential complications of these procedures. We report the case of a 35-year-old woman who developed pain and patches of nonscarring alopecia with erythema and edema following aesthetic application of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) on the face and along the frontal hairline.

8-Hydroxyquinoline derivative as a promising antifungal agent to combat ocular fungal infections.

Ocular fungal infections are pathologies of slow progression, occurring mainly in the cornea, but can also affect the entire structure of the eyeball. The main aetiological agents are species of the genera and . Both diagnosis and treatment require speed and effectiveness.

Cellular therapy for the peripheral arterial disease treatment: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cellular therapy is a promising treatment option for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). Different cell types can be used to regenerate and repair tissues affected by PAD. Many studies have proposed the use of stem cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells, or even mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood or bone marrow, to treat PAD.