Common two-dimensional echocardiographic estimates of aortic linear dimensions are interchangeable

ObjectiveTo compare two echocardiographic methods of measuring aortic diameter in short-axis projections.MethodsRight-parasternal short-axis 2-dimensional projections of the left atrium and aorta were obtained from dogs and cats undergoing routine cardiac evaluation. Two investigators measured the aortic valve linear dimension using 2 methods: along the commissure between the non-coronary and right-coronary cusps and along the commissure between the non-coronary and left-coronary cusps. Inter-observer and intra-observer variability and agreement were assessed by comparing blinded measurements with each method by 4 trained observers on a standardized set of images. Measurements were compared for agreement using the limits of agreement analysis. Variability between observers was compared by examining residuals and intraclass correlation.Results274 canine and 100 feline aortic valve images were measured in the first part of the study. One observer demonstrated slight proportional bias, while the other observer showed more variability (less agreement). When results were pooled for both investigators, no bias was identified, and 95% limits of agreement were ±10% of the mean measurement for both species. In the second part of the study, 106 images were measured. Intraobserver variability was <4% for all observers. Inter-observer agreement was very high. Individual bias was identified in some observers, but was considered clinically inconsequential. Normalized differences between the 2 methods of measurement were below ±15% of the measured value for all observers.ConclusionsOur results show sufficient agreement between two common methods used to measure aortic linear dimensions to suggest that these methods are interchangeable.     

Anthraquinones,Diphenyl Ethers,and Their Derivatives from the Culture of the Marine Sponge-Associated Fungus Neosartorya spinosa KUFA 1047

Previously unreported anthraquinone, acetylpenipurdin A (4), biphenyl ether, neospinosic acid (6), dibenzodioxepinone, and spinolactone (7) were isolated, together with (R)-6-hydroxymellein (1), penipurdin A (2), acetylquestinol (3), tenellic acid C (5), and vermixocin A (8) from the culture of a marine sponge-associated fungus Neosartorya spinosa KUFA1047. The structures of the previously unreported compounds were established based on an extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra as well as HRMS data. The absolute configurations of the stereogenic centers of 5 and 7 were established unambiguously by comparing their calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Compounds 2 and 5–8 were tested for their in vitro acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibitory activities as well as their antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative reference, and multidrug-resistant strains isolated from the environment. The tested compounds were also evaluated for their capacity to inhibit biofilm formation in the reference strains.     

Regulatory T cells are decreased in acute RHDV lethal infection of adult rabbits

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is the etiologic agent of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD), an acute lethal infection that kills 90% of adult rabbits due to severe acute liver inflammation. Interestingly, young rabbits are naturally resistant to RHDV infection. Here, we have compared naturally occurring CD4(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) between young and adult rabbits after infection by RHDV. The number and frequency of Tregs was decreased in the spleen of adult rabbits 24h after the RHDV infection; this was in contrast with the unchanged number and frequency of splenic Tregs found in young rabbits after the same infection. Also, serum levels of IL-10 and TGF-β were enhanced in the infected adult rabbits whereas no alteration was observed in infected young rabbits. However, this increase is accompanied by a burst of pro-inflammatory cytokines, but seems not able to prevent the death of the animals with severe acute liver inflammation in few days after infection. Since Tregs downregulate inflammation, we conclude that their decrease may contribute to the natural susceptibility of adult rabbits to RHDV infection.     

Yellow melon yield in response to mineral or organic fertilization

Although current recommendations in Brazil suggest the application of mineral and organic fertilizers, there is little information regarding the interaction between them in melon plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mineral and organic fertilization in the plant development, nutritional status, and fruit yield of yellow melon. The following fertilizations were evaluated: mineral fertilization; bovine manure; bovine manure associated with mineral fertilization; poultry litter; and poultry litter associated with mineral fertilization. Bovine manure and poultry litter were applied at rates equivalent to 15 m³ ha^?1 and 5 m³ ha^?1, respectively. Phosphorus and potassium were applied based on the results of the soil analysis and nitrogen based on the expected yield of 20 to 30 t ha^?1 of fruits. Phosphate and organic fertilizers were applied at the time of preparation of the beds, while nitrogen and potassium were supplied daily through irrigation water. Goldex F1 melon hybrid seedlings were used in the experiment. Plants were collected to evaluate the dry matter production at beginning of flowering, beginning of fruiting, fruit growth, and fruit harvest. Leaves were collected at flowering stage to evaluate the nutritional status of plants. Harvest was made when the fruits reached the intense yellow coloration. Organic fertilizers alone and combined to mineral fertilizer did not affect the dry matter yield of leaves, stems, fruits and shoot, the concentrations of macro and micronutrients in melon leaves, the nitrogen accumulation in the plant, and the yield of the yellow melon. The application of bovine manure associated to mineral fertilization showed the lowest values of nitrogen recovery applied. Bovine manure application resulted in increase of nitrogen organic forms in soil.     

Transcriptomic gene profiling of porcine muscle tissue depending on histological properties

In pig, the histological profile of muscle tissue, especially the proportion of individual fiber types, is one of the main factors affecting meat quality properties. In the present research, RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) by using next generation sequencing method was applied to estimate the whole gene expression profile of Longissimus lumborum muscle of pigs (Large White breed) differing in the percentage of two fiber types (slow‐twitch (type I) fibers and fast‐twitch glycolytic (type IIB) fibers). The RNA‐seq approach allowed us to identify 355 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) indicated as significant (false discovery rate‐adjusted P < 0.05) using three types of software: DESeq2, edgeR and baySeq. Detected genes and pathways deregulated in muscle depending on tissue microstructure were associated with: metabolic processes – 158 genes; cellular processes – 122; biological regulation – 62; localization – 51; and 35 genes with developmental processes. The DEGs were included in: PI3K‐Akt; FoxO and MAPK signaling pathways, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, lysine degradation and insulin signaling pathway as well as mTOR and Hippo signaling pathways. These results highlight the mainly metabolic pathways related to glucose metabolism and contraction processes of muscle cells. Detection of genes involved in variation of fiber‐type distribution will be useful in understanding of the genetic factors affecting muscle structure, metabolic process and indirectly, meat quality traits.     

Role of vinylcatechin in the formation of pyranomalvidin-3-glucoside-+-catechin

Reactions between malvidin-3-glucoside (mv3glc) and 8-vinylcatechin were carried out to synthesize pyranomv3glc-(+)-catechin pigment and to study the formation of intermediates. A rapid decrease of mv3glc content concomitant with the formation of more complex structures such as mv3glc-vinylcatechin [precursor of pyranomv3glc-(+)-catechin pigment] and mv3glc-divinylcatechin was observed. On the other hand, 8-vinylcatechin undergoes acid-catalyzed dimerization in model wine solution, giving rise to 8-vinylcatechin dimers. These compounds were also found in the reaction between mv3glc and (+)-catechin mediated by acetaldehyde, which provides evidence for the formation of 8-vinylcatechin and its involvement in the formation of pyranoanthocyanins in aged red wines.     

Ladder diagrams for atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation

Ladder diagrams are valuable teaching and interpretive tools in both human and veterinary electrocardiography. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how ladder diagrams can be used to help understand the possible mechanisms underlying atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation.     

A remote sensing-based approach to estimating montado canopy density using the FCD model: a contribution to identifying HNV farmlands in southern Portugal

Mapping the land-cover pattern dominated by complex Mediterranean silvo-pastoral systems with an accuracy that enables precise monitoring of changing tree-cover density is still an open challenge. The main goal of this paper is to demonstrate the implementation and effectiveness of the Forest Canopy Density (FCD) model in producing a remote sensing-based and detailed map of montado canopy density over a large territory in southern Portugal. This map will make a fundamental contribution to accurately identifying and assessing High Nature Value farmland in montado areas. The results reveal that the FCD model is an effective approach to estimating the density classes of montado canopy (overall accuracy = 78.0 %, kappa value = 0.71). The study also shows that the FCD approach generated good user’s and producer’s accuracies for the three montado canopy-density classes. Globally, the results obtained show that biophysical indices such as the advanced vegetation index, the bare soil index, the shadow index and the thermal index are suitable for estimating and mapping montado canopy-density classes. These results constitute the first remote sensing-based product for mapping montado canopy density that has been developed using the FCD model. This research clearly demonstrates that this approach can be used in the context of Mediterranean agro-forestry systems.