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In-situ recovery (ISR) of uranium (U) from sandstone-type roll-front deposits is a technology that involves the injection of solutions that consist of ground water fortified with oxygen and carbonate to promote the oxidative dissolution of U, which is pumped to recovery facilities located at the surface that capture the dissolved U and recycle the treated water. The ISR process alters the geochemical conditions in the subsurface creating conditions that are more favorable to the migration of uranium and other metals associated with the uranium deposit. There is a lack of clear understanding of the impact of ISR mining on the aquifer and host rocks of the post-mined site and the fate of residual U and other metals within the mined ore zone. We performed detailed petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical analyses of several samples taken from about 7m of core of the formerly the ISR-mined Smith Ranch-Highland uranium deposit in Wyoming. We show that previously mined cores contain significant residual uranium (U) present as coatings on pyrite and carbonaceous fragments. Coffinite was identified in three samples. Core samples with higher organic (>1wt.%) and clay (>6-17wt.%) contents yielded higher 234U/238U activity ratios (1.0-1.48) than those with lower organic and clay fractions. The ISR mining was inefficient in mobilizing U from the carbonaceous materials, which retained considerable U concentrations (374-11,534ppm). This is in contrast with the deeper part of the ore zone, which was highly depleted in U and had very low 234U/238U activity ratios. This probably is due to greater contact with the lixiviant (leaching solution) during ISR mining. EXAFS analyses performed on grains with the highest U and Fe concentrations reveal that Fe is present in a reduced form as pyrite and U occurs mostly as U(IV) complexed by organic matter or as U(IV) phases of carbonate complexes. Moreover, U-O distances of ~. 2.05. Å were noted, indicating the potential formation of other poorly defined U(IV/VI) species. We also noted a small contribution from U. O at 1.79. Å, which indicates that U is partially oxidized. There is no apparent U-S or U-Fe interaction in any of the U spectra analyzed. However, SEM analysis of thin sections prepared from the same core material reveals surficial U associated with pyrite which is probably a minor fraction of the total U present as thin coatings on the surface of pyrite.Our data show the presence of different structurally variable uranium forms associated with the mined cores. U associated with carbonaceous materials is probably from the original U mobilization that accumulated in the organic matter-rich areas under reducing conditions during shallow burial diagenesis. U associated with pyrite represents a small fraction of the total U and was likely deposited as a result of chemical reduction by pyrite. Our data suggest that areas rich in carbonaceous materials had limited exposure to the lixiviant solution, continue to be reducing, and still hold significant U resources. Because of their limited access to fluid flow, these areas might not contribute significantly to post-mining U release or attenuation. Areas with pyrite that are accessible to fluids seem to be more reactive and could act as reductants and facilitate U reduction and accumulation, limiting its migration.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of in ovo nicotinamide riboside (NR) feeding on high-yield broiler growth and meat quality. Methods: Fertilized Cobb 700 by-product eggs (N = 3,240) were randomly assigned to one of four in ovo treatments and injected with 0 (0NR), 250 (250NR), 500 (500NR), or 1,000 (1,000NR) mM NR at incubation-day 10. Chicks were hatched, vent sexed, and randomly placed 18 per pen in one of 32 floor pens. On day 48, birds were processed and deboned. Results: There were dose effects for all part weights (p < 0.05). Pectoralis major weight of 250, 500, and 1,000NR carcasses were heavier than 0NR (p < 0.03) but did not differ from remaining NR doses (p > 0.26). Pectoralis minor weight of 250NR carcasses was greater (p < 0.01) than 0NR and did not differ from other NR tenders (p > 0.21). Pectoralis minor weight of 500 and 1,000NR carcasses was greater than 0NR (p < 0.09), but did not differ (P = 0.82) from each other. There were no dose effects for all Pectoralis major and minor myopathy scores and incidence except incidence of tenders scoring "0" and "1" for woody-like tender. Percentage of NR1,000 tenders scoring 0 and 1 for woody-like tender were less than and greater than all other treatments, respectively (p < 0.05). There were no differences among remaining NR doses and NR0 tenders (p > 0.10). There were dose effects for muscle fiber number (P = 0.03). There tended to be more muscle fibers within 250 and 1,000NR muscles compared to 0NR (p < 0.09). Pectoralis major muscle from 500NR did not differ in muscle fiber number compared to 250 and 1,000NR (p > 0.18), but had more (p < 0.01) fibers than 0NR muscle. There tended to be more fibers in 250 and 1,000NR muscles compared to 0NR muscle (p < 0.09). Discussion: Nicotinamide riboside in ovo feeding caused birds to produce heavier parts; however, myopathy scores and incidence were minimally affected which may have been due greater muscle fiber number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a rising concern since its declaration as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020. Recently, its association with multiple underlying organs has been identified that includes cardiac, renal, gastrointestinal, nervous systems, and cutaneous manifestations. Cutaneous COVID-19 findings have been supposedly classified into the following categories: vesicular (varicella-like), papulo-vesiculsar, chilblains-like (“COVID toes”) maculopapular, and urticarial morphologies. In this review, we aim to focus on the proposed pathophysiology behind the various dermatological manifestations associated with COVID-19 and their associated management. We also included prevalence and clinical features of the different COVID-19-related skin lesions in our review. A comprehensive narrative review of the literature was performed in PubMed databases. Data from case reports, observational studies, case series, and reviews till June 2022 were all screened and included in the review.

The goal of this research was to assess cyclic heat stress on gut permeability, bone mineralization, and meat quality in chickens. Two separate trials were directed. 320 day-of-hatch Cobb 500 male chicks were randomly assigned to four thermoneutral (TN) and four cyclic heat stress (HS) chambers with two pens each, providing eight replicates per treatment in each trial (n = 20 chicks/replicate). Environmental conditions in the TN group were established to simulate commercial production settings. Heat stress chickens were exposed to cyclic HS at 35 °C for 12 h/day from days 7–42. Performance parameters, intestinal permeability, bone parameters, meat quality, and leukocyte proportions were estimated. There was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in body weight (BW), BW gain, and feed intake, but the feed conversion ratio increased in chickens under cyclic HS. Moreover, HS chickens had a significantly higher gut permeability, monocyte and basophil levels, but less bone mineralization than TN chickens. Nevertheless, the TN group had significant increases in breast yield, woody breast, and white striping in breast fillets compared to HS. These results present an alternative model to our previously published continuous HS model to better reflect commercial conditions to evaluate commercially available nutraceuticals or products with claims of reducing the severity of heat stress.

The use of broiler breast fillets affected by the woody breast (WB) condition in processed poultry products couldbe a feasible solution to this meat quality problem. This study assessed the impact of utilizing broiler breast fillets at differ-ent degrees of WB severity and percentages on instrumental texture characteristics of deli loaves. Breast fillets (n = 270) were collected from broiler carcasses and sorted based on palpation assessment in 3 WB categories (normal [NOR], mild [MIL], and severe [SEV]). Nine treatments of deli loaves were prepared from cubed portions in each of 3 replications: 100% NOR (T1), 67% NOR + 33% MIL (T2), 67% NOR + 33% SEV (T3), 33% NOR + 67% MIL (T4), 33% NOR + 67% SEV (T5), 100% MIL (T6), 67% MIL + 33% SEV (T7), 33% MIL + 67% SEV (T8), and 100% SEV (T9). Cooked deli loaves were subjected to texture profile analysis, cook loss, instrumental color, and dimensional modifications. Hardness of deli loaves increased (P < 0.05), whereas cohesiveness values decreased (P < 0.05), as WB severity increased in the meat added into the product formulation when compared with NOR samples and excluding treatments T2 through T4. The use of SEV fillets at 100% (T9) or mixtures of MIL and SEV fillets (T7 and T8) yielded nonuniform deli loaves with different color parameters and higher levels of cook loss (>13%), coupled with reductions in diameter (>8%) and length (>5%), comparedto NOR samples (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the negative effects of WB on quality and yield characteristics are not minimized by the preparation of this formed product when using high proportions of WB meat. Thus, broiler breast fillets affected by the WB condition may be used at relatively low percentages combined with NOR fillets as an option in commercial chicken deli loaf formulations.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an infrequent, rapidly growing skin neoplasm that carries a greater probability of regional lymph node involvement, and a grim prognosis in advanced cases. While it is seen predominantly in old age in sun-exposed body parts, the prevalence varies among different races and geographical regions. Merkel cell polyomavirus and UV radiation-induced mutations contribute to its etiopathogenesis. The clinical presentation of MCC lacks pathognomonic features and is rarely considered highly at the time of presentation. Histopathological examination frequently reveals hyperchromatic nuclei with high mitotic activity, but immunohistochemistry is required to confirm the diagnosis. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and imaging are advised for effective staging of the disease. Multimodal management including surgery, radiation therapy, and/or immunotherapy are deployed. Traditional cytotoxic chemotherapies may result in an initial response, but do not result in a significant survival benefit. Checkpoint inhibitors have dramatically improved the prognosis of patients with metastatic MCC, and are recommended first-line in advanced cases. There is a need for well-tolerated agents with good safety profiles in patients who have failed immunotherapies.

Dermatophytic infections of the skin and appendages are a common occurrence. The pathogenesis involves complex interplay of agent (dermatophytes), host (inherent host defense and host immune response) and the environment. Infection management has become an important public health issue, due to increased incidence of recurrent, recalcitrant or extensive infections. Recent years have seen a significant rise in incidence of chronic infections which have been difficult to treat. In this review, we review the literature on management of dermatophytoses and bridge the gap in therapeutic recommendations.

The scope of this paper was to investigate the effects of water distribution differences on the quality and feasibility of chicken patties supplemented with woody breast (WB). Chicken patties, containing differing amounts of WB (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) were analyzed using low-field NMR. Quality differences between chicken patties were further evaluated by combining lipid and protein properties, fry loss (FL), color (L*, a*, b*), texture (hardness, springiness, chewiness, cohesiveness, resilience), microstructure, and sensory characteristics. The results expressed that both lipid and protein oxidation increased and immobilized water in chicken patties can be converted to free water more easily with increasing levels of WB. Additionally, the free water ratio decreased, water freedom increased, and the bound water ratio increased (p < 0.05). Fry loss, color, texture (hardness, springiness, chewiness), microstructure, and sensory (character, organization, taste) characteristics deteriorated significantly when the WB inclusion level exceeded 25%. Particularly, characteristics of texture (chewiness and character) and sensory (character and organization) decreased significantly as WB inclusion increased past 25% (p < 0.01). Furthermore, fry loss, texture, and overall microstructure partially confirmed the moisture variation of chicken patties as the potential cause of the abnormal quality. Although the experimental data expressed that mixing to 35% WB inclusion was feasible, the practical and economic impact recommends inclusion levels to not exceed 30%.

Abstract Background Pennycress [Thlaspi arvense L (Brassicaceae)] is being domesticated as a renewable biodiesel feedstock that also provides crucial ecosystems services, including as a nutritional resource for pollinators. However, its flowers produce significantly less nectar than other crop relatives in the Brassicaceae. This study was undertaken to understand the basic biology of the pennycress nectary as an initial step toward the possibility of enhancing nectar output from its flowers. Results Pennycress flowers contain four equivalent nectaries located extrastaminally at the base of the insertion sites of short and long stamens. Like other Brassicaceae, the nectaries have open stomates on their surface, which likely serve as the sites of nectar secretion. The nectaries produce four distinct nectar droplets that accumulate in concave structures at the base of each of the four petals. To understand the molecular biology of the pennycress nectary, RNA was isolated from ‘immature’ (pre-secretory) and ‘mature’ (secretory) nectaries and subjected to RNA-seq. Approximately 184 M paired-end reads (368 M total reads) were de novo assembled into a total of 16,074 independent contigs, which mapped to 12,335 unique genes in the pennycress genome. Nearly 3700 genes were found to be differentially expressed between immature and mature nectaries and subjected to gene ontology and metabolic pathway analyses. Lastly, in silico analyses identified 158 pennycress orthologs to Arabidopsis genes with known enriched expression in nectaries. These nectary-enriched expression patterns were verified for select pennycress loci by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Conclusions Pennycress nectaries are unique relative to those of other agriculturally important Brassicaceae, as they contain four equivalent nectaries that present their nectar in specialized cup-shaped structures at the base of the petals. In spite of these morphological differences, the genes underlying the regulation and production of nectar appear to be largely conserved between pennycress and Arabidopsis thaliana. These results provide a starting point for using forward and reverse genetics approaches to enhance nectar synthesis and secretion in pennycress.

The objective of the present research was to assess the dietary supplementation of three formulations of essential oils (EO) in chickens under heat stress (HS). Day-of-hatch Cobb 500 chicks (n = 500) were randomly distributed into four groups: 1. HS control + control diets; 2. HS + control diets supplemented with 37 ppm EO of Lippia origanoides (LO); 3. HS + control diets supplemented with 45 ppm LO + 45 ppm EO of Rosmarinus officinalis (RO) + 300 ppm red beetroot; 4. HS + 45 ppm LO + 45 ppm RO + 300 ppm natural betaine. Chickens that received the EO showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement on BW, BWG, FI, and FCR compared to control HS chickens. Average body core temperature in group 3 and group 4 was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced compared with the HS control group and group 2. Experimental groups showed a significant reduction in FITC-d at 42 days, a significant increase in SOD at both days but a significant reduction of IFN-γ and IgA compared with HS control (p < 0.05). Bone mineralization was significantly improved by EO treatments (p < 0.05). Together these data suggest that supplemental dietary EO may reduce the harmful effects of HS.