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Dairy cattle with high (HM) versus low muscle (LM) reserves as determined by longissimus dorsi muscle depth (LDD) in late gestation exhibit differential muscle mobilization related to subsequent milk production. Moreover, branched-chain volatile fatty acid (BCVFA) supplementation increased blood glucose levels. We hypothesized that differences in HM and LM reflect distinct muscle metabolism and that BCVFA supplementation altered metabolic pathways. At 42 days before expected calving (BEC), Holstein dairy cows were enrolled in a 2 × 2 factorial study of diet and muscle reserves, by assignment to control (CON)- or BCVFA-supplemented diets and LDD of HM (>4.6 cm) or LM (≤4.6 cm) groups: HM-CON (n = 13), HM-BCVFA (n = 10), LM-CON (n = 9), and LM-BCVFA (n = 9). Longisumus dorsi muscle was biopsied at 21 days BEC, total RNA was isolated, and protein-coding gene expression was measured with RNA sequencing. Between HM and LM, 713 genes were differentially expressed and 481 between BCVFA and CON (P < 0.05). Transcriptional signatures indicated differential distribution of type II fibers between groups, with MYH1 greater in LM cattle and MYH2 greater in HM cattle (P < 0.05). Signatures of LM cattle relative to HM cattle indicated greater activation of autophagy, ubiquitin-proteasome, and Ca2+-calpain pathways. HM cattle displayed greater expression of genes that encode extracellular matrix proteins and factors that regulate their proteolysis and turnover. BCVFA modified transcriptomes by increasing expression of genes that regulate fatty acid degradation and flux of carbons into the tricarboxylic acid cycle as acetyl CoA. Molecular signatures support distinct metabolic strategies between LM and HM cattle and that BCVFA supplementation increased substrates for energy generation. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: Muscle biopsies of the longissimus dorsi of prepartum dairy cattle indicate that molecular signatures support distinct metabolic strategies between low- and high-muscle cattle and that branched-chain volatile fatty acid supplementation increased substrates for energy generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Basic military trainee (BMT) gas mask training poses a potential mechanism of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission. After training, gas masks are decontaminated. Insufficient decontamination can lead to viral transmission in the next training class. To our knowledge, the decontamination process has not been validated for efficacy in removing respiratory pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. Materials and Methods Inactivated strains of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and B, and Bordetella pertussis were separately inoculated onto gas masks in the emitter area (n  = 5). Pathogen detection in swabs collected from gas masks was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using the BioFire® RP2.1 panel and Biomeme Franklin system. For decontamination efficacy experiments, pathogens were inoculated onto gas masks, and contaminated areas were swabbed before and after decontamination, with detection using both PCR platforms. Lastly, 65 gas masks were swabbed after gas mask training, and again after the trainees and guardians decontaminated the masks, to identify the presence of any respiratory pathogen exhaled onto the gas masks. Results All four pathogens were detected by both PCR platforms. The BioFire® FilmArray® was more sensitive than the Biomeme platform. Decontamination resulted in undetectable levels of all three viruses. B. pertussis was detected on one mask after decontamination. Experiments with live B. pertussis validated that decontamination eliminated all viable bacteria from gas masks. For BMT sampling, all masks were negative for SARS-CoV-2. One mask tested positive for coronavirus 229E. Once decontaminated, all masks tested negative. Conclusions BMT gas masks can be monitored for the presence of respiratory pathogens using RT-PCR. The decontamination process removed all viable respiratory pathogens tested from the gas masks. This study demonstrates that RT-PCR can be used to conduct pathogen surveillance on BMT gas masks after training and that the current decontamination process is effective to eliminate respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circadian system is an inbuilt timekeeping mechanism that tracks the 24-h day through the generation of circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms enable animals to forecast and anticipate regular changes in their environment, and orchestrate biochemical, physiological and behavioral events so that the right process occurs at the right time. The 24 h rhythms generated by circadian clocks are integrated into homeostatic feedback loops and repair pathways. Metabolic and reproductive systems are highly integrated with the circadian timing system and demonstrate reciprocal regulation. Circadian clocks set the timing of circadian rhythms by gathering temporal information from external and internal signals to include light and nutrients. Exogenous and endogenous factors that function as inputs to the circadian clocks can disrupt their timing when applied at unusual and inappropriate times, and are referred to as chronodisruptors. Changes in the natural light-dark cycle perturb the circadian system. Other chronodisrupters include inappropriately timed food intake and physical activity and biological stress. Knowledge of the biology underlying circadian clock timing is critical to understanding how to maximize health and production effciency of cattle. Here we review circadian clocks and their function in the regulation of metabolic and reproductive systems as well as the consequence of circadian disruption on mammary development and lactation with a particular focus on recent research fndings from studies of dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Short-day photoperiod (SDPP) during the dry period increases milk production compared to long-day photoperiod (LDPP) in goats. Photoperiod information is sent to the master clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), which send temporal information to peripheral clocks located in every tissue of the body. We hypothesized photoperiod effects on milk production are mediated in part by changes in mammary clocks. Our objective was to determine the effect of photoperiod manipulation during the dry period in goats on core clock genes expression in mammary gland. Multiparous goats (n = 6) were blocked at dry off into two treatments: LDPP and SDPP. Serial mammary biopsies were taken over a 24 h period during three weeks prepartum. Total RNA was isolated, and q-PCR analysis of the core clock genes CLOCK, ARNTL, PER1, CRY1, and CRY2 found exposure to LDPP significantly increased ARNTL (P < .05) expression relative to SDPP exposure. Plasma prolactin levels were significantly increased (P < .05) after seven weeks of photoperiod treatment, but not at three weeks prepartum. The mechanism and significance of photoperiod-induced changes in mammary clock also need to be elucidated but may be related to seasonal changes in lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several large studies have demonstrated that syphilis carries a risk of future sexually transmitted infections (STI), such as human immunodeficiency virus. There are limited data on outcomes of syphilis infections that occur in populations that undergo universal syphilis screening, such as blood donors. Military trainees who donate blood can be followed through their military career to determine the future risk of STIs. Methods: Blood donor data were gathered from the Armed Services Blood Bank Center--San Antonio for those with positive Treponema pallidum antibodies between 2014 and 2021. The medical chart of each case was compared with 6 sex- and military accession date--matched controls with negative T. pallidum antibodies to determine the risk of STI in the 3 years after donation. Results: A total of 63,375 individuals donated blood during the study period. A total of 23 military trainees (0.36 per 1000 donors) had positive T. pallidum antibodies. A minority (n = 7; 30%) of cases were treated for early syphilis. Only 6 cases (26%) received a follow-up nontreponemal test within 1 year. Donors who tested positive had a significantly higher risk of developing an STI within 3 years after blood donation compared with blood donors who tested negative (relative risk, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.3--10.5; P = 0.01) including gonorrhea (9% vs. 0%, P = 0.02) and syphilis (9% vs. 0%, P = 0.02). Conclusions: This study shows the presence of T. pallidum antibodies in blood donors was associated with an increased risk of future STIs. These cases support the need for close follow-up and broad STI testing in blood donors with positive T. pallidum antibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Photoperiod is one of the ways to improve milk yield. • This study evaluated the effect of photoperiod and physiological state on the circadian rhythms. • Photoperiod affected prolactin circadian rhythms. • Physiological state affected body temperature circadian rhythms. • With the photoperiod extended into the early lactation period, animals under SDPP produced more milk than animals under LDPP. Short-day photoperiod (SDPP; 8 h light:16 h dark) during the dry period increases milk production compared with long-day photoperiod (LDPP; 16 h light:8 h dark). We hypothesized that the impact of photoperiod on lactation is mediated by alterations in the circadian system. Twelve Saanen goats were blocked at dry off into SDPP (n = 6) and LDPP (n = 6) treatments and mammary biopsies were taken in the middle of light and dark phases at 3 wk prepartum and 5 wk postpartum. Total RNA was isolated, and the expression of clock genes was analyzed by qPCR. SDPP goats produced more milk than LDPP goats (3.15 ± 0.04 vs. 2.7 ± 0.05 kg/d). In the 24 h period, LDPP goats had a greater body temperature than SDPP goats at 3 wk prepartum (39.6 ± 0.06 vs. 39.3 ± 0.1 °C) and 5 wk postpartum (40.1 ± 0.15 vs. 39.7 ± 0.1 °C). Cosinor analysis revealed that physiological state affected body temperature mesor (P< 0.001), peak (P< 0.01), amplitude (P< 0.05), and phase (P< 0.001). Plasma prolactin was 20, 10, and 17-fold higher in LDPP than in SDPP goats at 3 wk prepartum, 3 wk postpartum and 5 wk postpartum, respectively. Cosinor analysis revealed that photoperiod affected prolactin mesor (P< 0.0001), peak (P< 0.0001), trough (P< 0.001), amplitude (P< 0.01), and the peak to trough ratio (P< 0.01). Mammary expression of a core clock gene, PER1, was affected by the light-dark phase and the photoperiod treatment (P< 0.05). It also exhibited a photoperiod-physiological state interaction. Changes in the circadian rhythms with the onset of lactation and photoperiod manipulation support further studies of their role in the regulation of milk yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of maternal nutritional intervention in modulating the gastrointestinal development and health of offspring. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of live yeast supplementation to sows during late gestation and lactation periods on the gut health of piglets pre-weaning and immediately post-weaning. Based on parity and expected farrowing dates, on d 77 of gestation, 40 sows were allotted to 2 dietary treatments: without (CON) or with (LY) live yeast supplementation at 0.05% of diet during gestation and 0.1% during lactation. On postnatal days (PND) 0, 10, 18, and post-weaning days (PWD) 7 and 14, one piglet from 10 sows per treatment was selected for intestinal tissue collection (n = 10). Results showed that maternal LY supplementation increased mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-6 on PND 18 and IL-1ß on PWD 14 in the ileal mucosa (P < 0.05), with a tendency for greater IL-10 on PND 18 (P = 0.08). Additionally, LY piglets had increased mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase 1 on PND 10, 18, and PWD 14 (P < 0.05) and tended to have a greater mRNA abundance of catalase on PND 14 in the ileal mucosa (P = 0.09). Compared with CON piglets, LY piglets had an increased protein abundance of E-cadherin on PND 0, PWD 7, and 14 in the jejunal mucosa (P < 0.05). The LY piglets also had a greater protein abundance of occludin and claudin-4 in the jejunal mucosa on PWD 14 (P < 0.05). However, no differences were found for jejunal histomorphological measurements between treatments (P > 0.05). In conclusion, maternal LY supplementation may have a long-term protective effect on gut health of offspring by regulating the expression of tight junction proteins, inflammatory response, and antioxidant capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background For persons entering congregate settings, optimal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) arrival surveillance screening method, nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) versus rapid antigen detection test (RADT), is debated. To aid this, we sought to determine the risk of secondary symptomatic coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) among military trainees with negative arrival NAAT or RADT screening. Methods Individuals who arrived for US Air Force basic military training from 1 January–31 August 2021 were placed into training groups and screened for SARS-CoV-2 via NAAT or RADT. Secondary symptomatic COVID-19 cases within 2 weeks of training were then measured. A case cluster was defined as ≥5 individual symptomatic COVID-19 cases. Results 406 (1.6%) of 24 601 trainees screened positive upon arrival. The rate of positive screen was greater for those tested with NAAT versus RADT (2.5% vs 0.4%; RR: 5.4; 95% CI: 4.0–7.3; P <.001). The proportion of training groups with ≥1 positive individual screen was greater in groups screened via NAAT (57.5% vs 10.8%; RR: 5.31; 95% CI: 3.65–7.72; P <.001). However, NAAT versus RADT screening was not associated with a difference in number of training groups to develop a secondary symptomatic case (20.3% vs 22.5%; RR:.9; 95% CI:.66–1.23; P =.53) or case cluster of COVID-19 (4% vs 6.6%; RR:.61; 95% CI:.3–1.22; P =.16). Conclusions NAAT versus RADT arrival surveillance screening method impacted individual transmission of COVID-19 but had no effect on number of training groups developing a secondary symptomatic case or case cluster. This study provides consideration for RADT arrival screening in congregate settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The burden of transfusion‐transmitted infections among blood recipients remains low due to extensive pre‐ and post‐donation screening. However, the military has the unique challenge of providing blood in austere environments with limited testing capabilities. This study evaluates the infectious etiologies of deferred blood donors at a large military blood donation center. Methods: All blood donors at the Armed Service Blood Bank Center, San Antonio, between 2017 and 2022 with positive post‐donation screening for hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T‐lymphotropic virus (HTLV‐I/II), Zika (2018–2021), West Nile virus, Trypanosoma cruzi, Treponema pallidum, or Babesia microti (2020–2022) were evaluated. Donors were deferred based on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance. Results: Two‐hundred and thirteen (213) donors met FDA criteria for deferral. T. pallidum (n = 45, 50.3 per 100,000), HCV (n = 34, 38.0 per 100,000), and HBV (n = 19, 21.2 per 100,000) were the most common pathogens among those with both positive screening and confirmatory testing. The majority of HIV (95%), Chagas (78%), HTLV‐I/II (50%) deferrals were due to indeterminate confirmatory tests following initial positive screens. The majority of deferrals for HBV were for a second occurrence of a positive screen despite negative confirmatory testing. Conclusion: The rates of post‐donation deferral for transfusion‐transmissible infections were low in this military cohort. Our findings suggest that donor testing in deployed service members should focus on HBV, HCV, and T. pallidum and highlight the need for better diagnostics for HIV, Chagas, and HTLV‐I/II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study discusses the impacts of postruminally infusing palm oil or flaxseed oil in conjunction with propionate or acetate on blood metabolites and hepatic pyruvate carboxylase (PC) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1) expression. The flaxseed infusion changed plasma C18:3n-3 cis but did not affect PC or PCK1 expression. The palm oil infusion did not affect plasma metabolites or PC or PCK1 expression. Palmitic (C16:0), α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3 cis), and propionate regulate bovine pyruvate carboxylase (PC) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK1) expression in vitro. The objective of this experiment was to determine the impact of C16:0, C18:3n-3 cis, propionate, and acetate postruminal infusions on hepatic PC and PCK1 expression. We hypothesized that circulating fatty acids alter hepatic PC and PCK1 in lactating dairy cows. Acetate, propionate, palm oil, and flaxseed oil were supplied postruminally to lactating cows (n = 4) using two 4 × 4 Latin square studies. For Experiment 1, cows were infused on an hourly basis with either a bolus of propionate, acetate, or the combination of propionate and palm oil, or acetate and palm oil, and Experiment 2 was similar, but flaxseed oil replaced palm oil. Flaxseed infusions increased plasma concentration and the molar percent of C18:3n-3 cis and decreased C16:0 but did not affect PC or PCK1 expression. Palm infusions did not affect blood metabolites or the hepatic expression of PC or PCK1. The lack of responses to short-chain fatty acid infusions and changes in circulating long-chain fatty acids in mature cattle are not suitable models to study the effects of α-linolenic acid and propionate on bovine PC and PCK1 expression previously observed in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the appointment of Colonel Theresa M. Casey as brigadier general and will become the first general in the U.S. Air Force to represent the Biomedical Sciences Corps. Casey will serve as director of medical modernization and chief information officer at Air Force headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia. She formerly served as the Air Combat Command deputy command surgeon at the Langley Air Force. Casey has asserted that her appointment is good for public health career field.

Milk proteins serve as nutrition and affect neonate development and immunity through their bioactivity. Post-translational modifications of proteins affect their bioactivity. Glycosylation is the attachment of sugar moieties to proteins, with attachment of glycans to asparagine indicated as N-linked glycosylation. Our objective was to characterize N-linked glycosylated proteins in homogenate swine milk samples collected from sows (n  = 5/6) during farrowing to represent colostrum and on days 3 and 14 post-farrowing to represent transitional and mature milk, respectively. Glycopeptides were isolated with lectin-based extraction and treated with Peptide N -glycosidase F (PNGase F) to identify N-linked glycosylation sites. Purified glycopeptides were analyzed by label-free liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). MaxQuant software was used to align spectra to Sus scrofa Uniport database to identify proteins and measure their relative abundances. Analysis of variance and Welch's t -test analysis identified glycoproteins differentially abundant between colostrum, transitional, and mature milk (false discovery rate <0.05). Shotgun proteome analysis identified 545 N-linked and glutamine, Q, -linked, glycosylation (P  > 0.75 for deamidation) sites on 220 glycoproteins in sow milk. Glycoproteins were found across all three phases of swine milk production and varied by number of glycosylation sites (1–14) and in abundance and distribution between colostrum, transitional, and mature milk. Polymeric immunoglobulin receptor was the most glycosylated protein with 14 sites identified. Also highly glycosylated were casein and mucin proteins. These data are described and the relevance of glycosylated milk proteins in neonate development, such as protection against pathogens, is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic, circadian, sleep, and reproductive systems are integrated and reciprocally regulated, but the understanding of the mechanism is limited. To study this integrated regulation, the circadian timing system was disrupted by exposing late pregnant nonlactating (dry) cows to chronic shifts in the light-dark phase, and rhythms of body temperature and circulating cortisol (CORT), progesterone (P4), serotonin (5HT), melatonin (MEL), and growth hormone (GH) concentrations were measured. Specifically, across 2 identical studies (1 and 2), at 35 d before expected calving (BEC) multiparous cows were assigned to control (CON; n = 24) and exposed to 16 h light and 8 h dark or phase shift (PS; n = 24) treatments and exposed to 6-h light-dark phase shifts every 3 d until parturition. All cows were exposed to control lighting after calving. Blood samples were collected in the first study at 0600 h on d 35 BEC, d 21 BEC, and 2 d before calving, and d 0, 2, 9, 15, and 22 postpartum (PP). A subset of cows (n = 6/group) in study 1 was blood sampled every 4 h over 48 h beginning on d 23 BEC, 9 BEC, and 5 PP. Body temperature was measured every 30 min (n = 8–16/treatment) for 48 h at 23 BEC and 9 BEC in both studies; and at 14 PP and 60 PP only in study 2. Treatment did not affect levels of CORT, GH, or P4 at 0600 h, but overall level of 5HT was lower and MEL higher in PS cows across days sampled. A 2-component versus single-component cosinor model better described [>coefficient of determination (R2);

Introduction: Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland implemented several sequential non-pharmaceutical interventions in response to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). One measure, arrival quarantine, has not been studied as a modern military disease prevention strategy. This study aimed to determine the effect of a 14-day arrival quarantine on symptomatic COVID-19 testing.Material and Methods: A retrospective cohort study compared symptomatic COVID-19 testing among all trainees who entered Basic Military Training between March 17, 2020, and April 17, 2020, before the implementation of universal arrival COVID-19 testing, during their first 2 weeks in arrival quarantine compared to the rest of their training. Furthermore, symptomatic COVID-19 testing in the last 5 weeks of training in those who completed arrival quarantine was compared to testing in the last 5 weeks for trainees who arrived between February 16, 2020, and March 16, 2020, and did not undergo arrival quarantine. Nominal variables were compared by chi-square test, and continuous variables were compared by Mann-Whitney U test. This study was approved as a public health surveillance project by the 59th Medical Wing Institutional Review Board.Results: Five thousand five hundred and seventy-six trainees started training between February 16, 2020, and April 17, 2020, with 2,573 trainees undergoing an arrival quarantine compared to 3,003 trainees who did not. Trainees who underwent arrival quarantine had higher rates of COVID-19 testing while in arrival quarantine (10.5 tests per 1,000 trainee-weeks vs. 2.3, P ≤ .001) and higher rates of concomitant influenza testing (74% vs. 38%, P = .001) compared to after they completed quarantine. Trainees that completed quarantine had less symptomatic COVID-19 testing after day 14 of training (2.3 tests per 1,000 trainee-weeks vs. 14.3, P ≤ .001) and influenza testing (38% vs. 74%, P = .001) compared to trainees that did not undergo arrival quarantine.Conclusion: Arrival quarantine appears to be an effective non-pharmaceutical intervention associated with fewer symptomatic COVID-19 tests, especially after completion of quarantine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland implemented several sequential non-pharmaceutical interventions in response to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). One measure, arrival quarantine, has not been studied as a modern military disease prevention strategy. This study aimed to determine the effect of a 14-day arrival quarantine on symptomatic COVID-19 testing. Material and Methods A retrospective cohort study compared symptomatic COVID-19 testing among all trainees who entered Basic Military Training between March 17, 2020, and April 17, 2020, before the implementation of universal arrival COVID-19 testing, during their first 2 weeks in arrival quarantine compared to the rest of their training. Furthermore, symptomatic COVID-19 testing in the last 5 weeks of training in those who completed arrival quarantine was compared to testing in the last 5 weeks for trainees who arrived between February 16, 2020, and March 16, 2020, and did not undergo arrival quarantine. Nominal variables were compared by chi-square test, and continuous variables were compared by Mann–Whitney U test. This study was approved as a public health surveillance project by the 59th Medical Wing Institutional Review Board. Results Five thousand five hundred and seventy-six trainees started training between February 16, 2020, and April 17, 2020, with 2,573 trainees undergoing an arrival quarantine compared to 3,003 trainees who did not. Trainees who underwent arrival quarantine had higher rates of COVID-19 testing while in arrival quarantine (10.5 tests per 1,000 trainee-weeks vs. 2.3, P  ≤ .001) and higher rates of concomitant influenza testing (74% vs. 38%, P  = .001) compared to after they completed quarantine. Trainees that completed quarantine had less symptomatic COVID-19 testing after day 14 of training (2.3 tests per 1,000 trainee-weeks vs. 14.3, P  ≤ .001) and influenza testing (38% vs. 74%, P  = .001) compared to trainees that did not undergo arrival quarantine. Conclusion Arrival quarantine appears to be an effective non-pharmaceutical intervention associated with fewer symptomatic COVID-19 tests, especially after completion of quarantine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk is an easily digestible source of nutrients and bioactive factors, its composition reflects the neonate’s needs, and changes from colostrum to transitional and mature milk. Our objective was to measure milk fat, lactose, total carbohydrate, and protein content in parallel with global proteome of homogenate milk samples to characterize changes across the three phases of swine lactation. Milk samples were collected from multiparous sows (n = 9) on postnatal day 0 (D0; colostrum), 3 (D3; early transitional), 7 (D7; late transitional), and 14 (D14; mature). On D3, percent fat (16 ± 2.1) and lactose (3.8 ± 0.3) were higher (P < 0.05) than on D0 (10 ± 3.9 and 1.5 ± 0.3, respectively). Levels of fat and lactose were not different between D3 and D14. Percent total protein decreased (P < 0.05) between D0 (11 ± 2.1) and D3 (5 ± 0.7), but there was no significant change in percent protein between D3 and D14. Total carbohydrates increased (P < 0.05) between D3 (944 ± 353 µg/mL) and D14 (1,150 ± 462 µg/mL). Quantitative proteomic analysis using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/ MS) of homogenate D0, D3, and D14 milk samples (n = 6) identified 772 protein groups which corresponded to 501 individual protein-coding genes. A total of 207 high confidence proteins were detected in n = 3 sows/day. Of the high confidence proteins, 81 proteins were common among all 3 days of lactation. Among the proteins that decreased between the days (false discovery rate; FDR < 0.05) were multiple apolipoproteins and XDH which decreased between D0 to D3. Proteins that increased across the days (FDR < 0.05) were complement factors and 14-3-3 proteins (YWHAQ, YWHAE). Our data provide a good characterization of milk proteome changes that likely reflect mammary function as well as the neonate’s phasespecific developmental needs. This data may be useful in developing approaches to enhance the health and welfare of swine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A marker indicative of the fertility potential of replacement gilts early in development would decrease culling rates in the sow herd, improve sow herd reproductive efficiency, and reduce production costs. The objective of this study was to determine if vaginal lipid profiles at 21 d postnatal (PN) could predict sow reproductive performance. Vaginal swabs of the anterior vagina were taken at 21 ± 4 d PN from gilts born on a commercial sow production facility for lipidomic analysis. Animals were followed prospectively for 2 yr and assigned to reproductive performance categories based on the observation of estrus or piglets weaned per sow per year (PSY) across two farrowings. Lipids were extracted from cellular material collected with swabs taken from high fertility (HF; n = 28; ≥26 PSY) and infertile (IF; n = 34; no estrus, no pregnancy) animals, and multiple reaction monitoring profiling was used for lipidome analysis. The relative abundance of arachidonic acid (C20:4) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6) was lower (P < 0.05) in IF gilts than HF gilts, whereas the abundance of the free fatty acids such as cerotic (C26:0), ximenic (C26:1), and nonadecanoic (C19:0) acids was greater (P < 0.05) in IF gilts. Additionally, eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5), a precursor of prostaglandins, was higher (P < 0.05) in IF gilts. The perspective of having a panel of lipids captured with vaginal swabs at weaning that can predict the reproductive efficiency of gilts shows promise and warrants future research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the public health response to a military trainee who developed serogroup B meningococcal disease while sharing underwater breathing equipment. Despite high transmission risk, with rapid isolation and postexposure prophylaxis administration, there were no secondary cases. This case supports carefully weighing serogroup B meningococcal vaccination in high-risk settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decades of reductionist approaches in biology have achieved spectacular progress, but the proliferation of subdisciplines, each with its own technical and social practices regarding data, impedes the growth of the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches now needed to address pressing societal challenges. Data integration is key to a reintegrated biology able to address global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable ecosystem management. We identify major challenges to data integration and present a vision for a "Data as a Service"-oriented architecture to promote reuse of data for discovery. The proposed architecture includes standards development, new tools and services, and strategies for career-development and sustainability. Data integration is key to the reintegration of biology and the pursuit of global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable ecosystem management. This Essay defines the primary challenges in data integration and presents a vision for a "Data as a Service" (DaaS) oriented architecture that enables frictionless data reuse, hypothesis testing, and discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in substantial morbidity and mortality since it was first described in December 2019 (1). Based on epidemiologic data showing spread in congregate settings (2-4), national, state, and local governments instituted significant restrictions on large gatherings to prevent transmission of disease in early March 2020. This and other nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have shown initial success in slowing the pandemic across the country (5). This report examines the first 7 weeks (March 1-April 18) of implementation of NPIs in Basic Military Training (BMT) at a U.S. Air Force base. In a population of 10,579 trainees, COVID-19 incidence was limited to five cases (47 per 100,000 persons), three of which were in persons who were contacts of the first patient. Transmission of symptomatic COVID-19 was successfully limited using strategies of quarantine, social distancing, early screening of trainees, rapid isolation of persons with suspected cases, and monitored reentry into training for trainees with positive test results after resolution of symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining metabolic balance is a key factor in the health of dairy cattle during the transition from pregnancy to lactation. Little is known regarding the role of the circadian timing system in the regulation of physiological changes during the transition period. We hypothesized that disruption of the cow's circadian timing system by exposure to chronic light–dark phase shifts during the prepartum period would negatively affect the regulation of homeostasis and cause metabolic disturbances, leading to reduced milk production in the subsequent lactation. The objective was to determine the effect of exposure to chronic light–dark phase shift during the last 5 wk prepartum of the nonlactating dry period on core body temperature, melatonin, blood glucose, β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations, and milk production. Multiparous cows were moved to tiestalls at 5 wk before expected calving and assigned to control (CTR; n = 16) or phase-shifted (PS; n = 16) treatments. Control cows were exposed to 16 h of light and 8 h of dark. Phase-shifted cows were exposed to the same photoperiod; however, the light–dark cycle was shifted 6 h every 3 d until parturition. Resting behavior and feed intake were recorded daily. Core body temperature was recorded vaginally for 48 h at 23 and 9 d before expected calving using calibrated data loggers. Blood concentrations of melatonin, glucose, BHB, and NEFA were measured during the pre- and postpartum periods. Milk yield and composition were measured through 60 DIM. Treatment did not affect feed intake or body condition. Cosine fit analysis of 24-h core body temperature and circulating melatonin indicated attenuation of circadian rhythms in the PS treatment compared with the CTR treatment. Phase-shifted cows had lower rest consolidation, as indicated by more total resting time, but shorter resting period durations. Phase-shifted cows had lower blood glucose concentration compared with CTR cows (4 mg/mL decrease), but BHB and NEFA concentrations were similar between PS and CTR cows. Milk yield and milk fat yield were greater in PS compared with CTR cows (2.8 kg/d increase). Thus, exposure to chronic light–dark phase shifts during the prepartum period attenuated circadian rhythms of core body temperature, melatonin, and rest–activity behavior and was associated with increased milk fat and milk yield in the postpartum period despite decreased blood glucose pre- and postpartum. Therefore, less variation in central circadian rhythms may create a more constant milieu that supports the onset of lactogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactation persistency and milk production are among the most economically important traits in the dairy industry. In this study, we explored the association of over 6.1 million imputed whole-genome sequence variants with lactation persistency (LP), milk yield (MILK), fat yield (FAT), fat percentage (FAT%), protein yield (PROT), and protein percentage (PROT%) in North American Holstein cattle. We identified 49, 3991, 2607, 4459, 805, and 5519 SNPs significantly associated with LP, MILK, FAT, FAT%, PROT, and PROT%, respectively. Various known associations were confirmed while several novel candidate genes were also revealed, including ARHGAP35, NPAS1, TMEM160, ZC3H4, SAE1, ZMIZ1, PPIF, LDB2, ABI3, SERPINB6, and SERPINB9 for LP; NIM1K, ZNF131, GABRG1, GABRA2, DCHS1, and SPIDR for MILK; NR6A1, OLFML2A, EXT2, POLD1, GOT1, and ETV6 for FAT; DPP6, LRRC26, and the KCN gene family for FAT%; CDC14A, RTCA, HSTN, and ODAM for PROT; and HERC3, HERC5, LALBA, CCL28, and NEURL1 for PROT%. Most of these genes are involved in relevant gene ontology (GO) terms such as fatty acid homeostasis, transporter regulator activity, response to progesterone and estradiol, response to steroid hormones, and lactation. The significant genomic regions found contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms related to LP and milk production in North American Holstein cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: A relationship exists between a female's early nutritional environment and her ability to produce milk when she lactates as an adult. Colostrum is the first milk available to neonates after birth. We hypothesized that differing levels of colostrum stimulate differences in very early mammary development. Despite differences in weight at 24 h and 7 days, mammary morphological development and DNA content was not found to be different between gilts fed a high versus low dose of colostrum. The rate of mammary gland protein and DNA synthesis over the first week was not different between the groups. Circulating levels of amino acids were determined after 24 h of colostrum feeding, and levels of circulating lysine were found to be related to average daily gain and mammary DNA synthetic rate. Moreover, the level of lysine was related to a lower ratio of DNA to protein synthesis, suggesting that higher lysine favored cell division versus differentiation (by leaving the cell cycle). Further studies are needed in this area. Perinatal nutrition affects future milk production. The number of mammary epithelial cells affect milk production capacity. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the level of colostrum intake affects the proliferation rate and the total number of mammary epithelial cells in the gland. The ratio of newly synthesized protein to newly synthesized DNA reflects the relative amount of cellular differentiation to cell division. The study objective was to determine the relationship between the level of colostrum intake and 24 h-level of circulating amino acid, glucose and insulin with mammary parenchyma histological features, cell division and protein synthesis over the first week postnatal. One of two standardized doses of a homogenate colostrum sample, 10% (n = 8) and 20% (n = 8) of birth bodyweight, was fed to gilts over the first 24 h postnatal. Gilts were administered deuterium oxide immediately after birth and daily to label newly synthesized DNA and proteins. Gilts were euthanized on postnatal day seven, and DNA and protein were isolated from mammary parenchyma. DNA and protein fractional synthesis (f) and fractional synthetic rate (FSR) were calculated using mass isotopomer distribution analysis. The ratio of protein f and FSR to DNA f and FSR were calculated and used to indicate the relative amounts of differentiation to cell division. Mammary morphological development was also analyzed by measuring the parenchymal epithelial area and the stromal and epithelial proliferation index on postnatal day seven. Colostrum dose was not related to any of the variables used to evaluate mammary development. However, plasma lysine levels at 24 h postnatal were positively related to average daily gain (ADG; r = 0.54, p = 0.05), DNA f (r = 0.57; p = 0.03) and DNA FSR (r = 0.57; p = 0.03) in mammary parenchyma. Plasma lysine was inversely related to the ratio of protein to DNA f and FSR (r = −0.56; p = 0.04). ADG was related to the parenchymal epithelial area and DNA and protein f and FSR (p < 0.05). These relationships support the idea that the nutritional environment affects early mammary development and that higher lysine levels in the perinatal period favored a greater degree of cell division versus differentiation in mammary of neonatal pigs and thus, warrant further investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]