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Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) represents a significant challenge in cattle management due to its multifactorial nature and lack of a gold standard diagnostic method. Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a potential biomarker for bacterial infections in various species, including cattle. This study aimed to investigate plasma PCT concentration variations in pre-weaned dairy calves categorized as BRD-positive using clinical scores (WRSC; BRD-positive ≥5), thoracic ultrasonography with two cut-off (TUS; BRD-positive ≥1 or ≥3), or a combination of both methods (WRSC/TUS1cm or WRSC/TUS3cm). Additionally, the accuracy of PCT in diagnosing BRD was evaluated. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of 226 pre-weaned Italian-Friesian female calves. Clinical scoring, TUS, and plasma PCT analysis were performed. Calves were categorized based on TUS findings, clinical scores, or a combination of both methods. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the differences in PCT concentrations among different groups and to determine the diagnostic accuracy of PCT. Results showed a significant increase in PCT levels in calves with lung consolidation detected by TUS using a 1 cm cutoff. However, the diagnostic accuracy of PCT in discriminating BRD-positive cases was poor (area under the curve 0.62). The optimal cutoff value for PCT was determined to be 86.63 pg/mL, with sensitivity of 49.7%, specificity of 71.8%, positive predictive value of 79.4% and negative predictive value of 39.5%. In conclusion, while PCT showed potential as a biomarker for BRD, its diagnostic accuracy was limited in this study. Future research should focus on integrating PCT measurements with other diagnostic methods and conducting longitudinal cohort studies to better understand its role in BRD diagnosis and management.

Abstract Background Bronchopneumonia (BP) in calves potentially causes systemic changes. Objectives To describe metabolic, arterial blood gas, and acid‐base disorders in calves with BP diagnosed by thoracic ultrasound (TUS), Wisconsin score (WISC), and combinations of WISC and TUS. Animals Two hundred thirty‐one dairy preweaned dairy calves from 13 dairy farms. Methods Cross‐sectional study. Each calf sequentially underwent arterial blood gas evaluation, WISC score, venous sampling, and TUS. Calves were grouped based on a single diagnostic method and combination of WISC and 2 TUS cutoffs (≥1 cm; ≥3 cm) as healthy, upper respiratory tract infection, subclinical BP, and clinical BP. Results Oxygenation and acid‐base variables were unaffected. Glucose concentration in TUS‐affected calves was significantly lower (P

High concentrations of urinary calcium counteract vasopressin action via the activation of the Calcium‐Sensing Receptor (CaSR) expressed in the luminal membrane of the collecting duct cells, which impairs the trafficking of aquaporin‐2 (AQP2). In line with these findings, we provide evidence that, with respect to wild‐type mice, CaSR knock‐in (KI) mice mimicking autosomal dominant hypocalcaemia, display a significant decrease in the total content of AQP2 associated with significantly higher levels of AQP2 phosphorylation at Ser261, a phosphorylation site involved in AQP2 degradation. Interestingly, KI mice also had significantly higher levels of phosphorylated p38MAPK, a downstream effector of CaSR and known to phosphorylate AQP2 at Ser261. Moreover, ATF1 phosphorylated at Ser63, a transcription factor downstream of p38MAPK, was significantly higher in KI. In addition, KI mice had significantly higher levels of AQP2‐targeting miRNA137 consistent with a post‐transcriptional downregulation of AQP2. In vivo treatment of KI mice with the calcilytic JTT‐305, a CaSR antagonist, increased AQP2 expression and reduced AQP2‐targeting miRNA137 levels in KI mice. Together, these results provide direct evidence for a critical role of CaSR in impairing both short‐term vasopressin response by increasing AQP2‐pS261, as well as AQP2 abundance, via the p38MAPK‐ATF1‐miR137 pathway. Key points: Calcium‐Sensing Receptor (CaSR) activating mutations are the main cause of autosomal dominant hypocalcaemia (ADH) characterized by inappropriate renal calcium excretion leading to hypocalcaemia and hypercalciuria. Current treatments of ADH patients with parathyroid hormone, although improving hypocalcaemia, do not improve hypercalciuria or nephrocalcinosis.In vivo treatment with calcilytic JTT‐305/MK‐5442 ameliorates most of the ADH phenotypes of the CaSR knock‐in mice including hypercalciuria or nephrocalcinosis and reverses the downregulation of the vasopressin‐sensitive aquaporin‐2 (AQP2) expression, providing direct evidence for a critical role of CaSR in impairing vasopressin response.The beneficial effect of calcilytic in reducing the risk of renal calcification may occur in a parathyroid hormone‐independent action through vasopressin‐dependent inhibition of cAMP synthesis in the thick ascending limb and in the collecting duct.The amelioration of most of the abnormalities in calcium metabolism including hypercalciuria, renal calcification, and AQP2‐mediated osmotic water reabsorption makes calcilytic a good candidate as a novel therapeutic agent for ADH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that manifests as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Among the evaluation tools there is a new method, namely Impulse Oscillometry or IOS. It is a simple and non-invasive technique, based on the measurement of sound waves reflected by the resistance of the airways. The IOS machine produces and transmits small pulses of pressure along the tracheobronchial tree and records changes in pressure and flow to the mouth. A prospective study was conducted on 55 asthmatic patients assessed by IOS at time 0 and 3 months after initiation of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) or ICS/LABA therapy, which demonstrated the value of IOS as a method of evaluation of the clinical response of the treatment implemented in the asthmatic patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bronchopneumonia (BP) in calves potentially causes systemic changes. Objectives: To describe metabolic, arterial blood gas, and acid‐base disorders in calves with BP diagnosed by thoracic ultrasound (TUS), Wisconsin score (WISC), and combinations of WISC and TUS. Animals: Two hundred thirty‐one dairy preweaned dairy calves from 13 dairy farms. Methods: Cross‐sectional study. Each calf sequentially underwent arterial blood gas evaluation, WISC score, venous sampling, and TUS. Calves were grouped based on a single diagnostic method and combination of WISC and 2 TUS cutoffs (≥1 cm; ≥3 cm) as healthy, upper respiratory tract infection, subclinical BP, and clinical BP. Results: Oxygenation and acid‐base variables were unaffected. Glucose concentration in TUS‐affected calves was significantly lower (P <.001) than in healthy calves (median ≥TUS1cm = 5.2 mmol/L 25%‐75% interquartile range [IQR] 4.5‐6.1,

This study builds on the Circular Economy paradigm which recognises consumers as key stakeholders in extending textiles' lifespan. The paper unfolds how consumers engage in the textile disposal practices of reuse, repair, donate and resell. In doing so, consumers create a value‐in‐disposition, here conceptualised as the enhanced value that consumers generate through the process of transforming depleted textiles into new meaningful ones. This research adopts a multimethod platform focused ethnography that combines textual, visual and audio data, generated in the domestic environment, which facilitates contextual and situational insights. The findings highlight that value‐in‐disposition goes far beyond the utilitarian aspects (e.g. economic or functional) and includes social, aesthetic, emotional and moral value dimensions, which contribute in building an overarching environmental value. The study shows that consumer disposal practices not only reduce waste but also favour consumer empowerment through the transformation of unused/depleted resources into new value. Finally, the article provides specific managerial insights on the design of textile products and services to encourage consumer engagement in reuse, repair, donation, and resell practices, supporting companies in the Circular Economy uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: diabetic complications and olfactory dysfunction (OD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) seem related. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of OD in T2DM patients and to analyze its relationship with diabetic complications., Methods: 130 T2DM patients and 100 comparable controls were enrolled. Olfaction was evaluated using the Extended Smell Test (TDI) and the Italian brief Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders â€" Brief-IT-QOD. T2DM patients were divided into: "Group 1" patients with no complications, and "Group 2" patients with at least one diabetic complication. Non-parametric tests were used. Machine learning algorithms were applied to explore which variables were most important in predicting the presence of OD in T2DM., Results: The prevalence of OD was significantly higher in Group 2 than in controls (71.4% vs 30%) and in Group 1 (71.4% vs 43.3%). However, when comparing the TDI scores between Group 1 and 2 the only significant difference was found for the discrimination scale and not for the identification and threshold scales. Brief-IT-QOD scores were significantly higher in Group 2 than in controls. The Random Forest and variable importance algorithms highlighted the relevance of LDL, glycated hemoglobin, type of complication (macrovascular) and age in determining OD in T2DM. The last three variables were included in a nomogram for the prediction of OD risk in T2DM., Conclusions: T2DM patients with diabetic complications are more frequently affected by OD. Poor glycemic control, LDL values, age and presence of macrovascular complications are the more important factors in determining OD in T2DM patients.