Search

OBJECTIVE: BCORL1, a transcriptional co-repressor, has a role in cortical migration, neuronal differentiation, maturation, and cerebellar development. We describe BCORL1 as a new genetic cause for major brain malformations. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report three patients from two unrelated families with neonatal onset intractable epilepsy and profound global developmental delay. Brain MRI of two siblings from the first family depicted hypoplastic corpus callosum and septal agenesis (ASP) in the older brother and unilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria (PMG) in the younger one. MRI of the patient from the second family demonstrated complete agenesis of corpus callosum (CC). Whole Exome Sequencing revealed a novel hemizygous variant in NM_021946.5 (BCORL1):c.796C>T (p.Pro266Ser) in the two siblings from the first family and the NM_021946.5 (BCORL1): c.3376G>A; p.Asp1126Asn variant in the patient from the second family, both variants inherited from healthy mothers. We reviewed the patients’ charts and MRIs and compared the phenotype to the other published BCORL1-related cases. Brain malformations have not been previously described in association with the BCORL1 phenotype. We discuss the potential influence of BCORL1 on brain development. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that BCORL1 variants present with a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders and can lead to major brain malformations originating at different stages of fetal development. We suggest adding BCORL1 to the genetic causes of PMG, ASP, and CC dysgenesis.

This study explored rates of non-attendance (i.e., non-initiation, inconsistent attendance, early discontinuation) in cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and other posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) focused individual and group psychotherapies (i.e., interventions with at least some PTSD and/or trauma-related content) and characterized veterans' self-reported reasons for non-attendance in these treatments. Baseline and 6-month follow-up data from the Telemedicine Outreach for PTSD study, a pragmatic randomized effectiveness trial conducted in 11 Veterans Health Administration community-based outpatient clinics, was examined (N = 265 veterans). Over 90% of veterans with a scheduled psychotherapy appointment attended at least one appointment by 6-month follow-up. Self-reported treatment completion was higher for veterans attending individual CPT (25%) than for those attending PTSD-focused individual (4.4%) and group psychotherapy (15.5%). However, rates of inconsistent attendance (13.3%) and early discontinuation (18.3%) were also higher in veterans attending CPT when compared to other forms of PTSD-focused psychotherapy (inconsistent attendance-individual: 2.2%, group: 6.9%; early discontinuation-individual: 14.6%; group: 10.3%). Issues with scheduling appointments was one of the most frequently reported reasons for non-attendance across treatments (> 20%). Logistical barriers, including transportation (CPT), therapy taking too much time (PTSD-focused individual psychotherapy) and not being able to afford counseling (PTSD-focused group psychotherapy), were also commonly cited (i.e., > 15%). Those scheduled to attend CPT (26%) or PTSD-focused individual psychotherapy (11%) also cited treatment efficacy concerns as a reason for non-attendance. Findings suggest logistical barriers, particularly scheduling convenient appointments, and beliefs about treatment may be important to address when engaging veterans in psychotherapy for PTSD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Sixty-nine finishing steers were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: supplementation to provide 0 or 267 mg·d−1 of ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) for 42 d. Twelve steers were slaughtered for tissue and blood collection. Final body weight (BW) tended to be greater with RAC supplementation. Ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation decreased liver mass as a percentage of BW. Pancreatic protein concentration, digestive enzyme activities, serum glucose, and insulin concentrations were not influenced by RAC supplementation. Ractopamine hydrochloride supplementation decreased the pancreatic:α-amylase:trypsin and serum urea nitrogen concentrations. These data suggest that RAC may influence pancreatic exocrine function in cattle.

Cereal rye has been utilized in multiple ways within cropping systems in the northern Great Plains. Rye has traditionally not been utilized as a suitable grain for growing and finishing calves. Previously, recommendations have limited the use of rye due to the negative effects of ergot ingestion. Recent hybrid rye germplasms have shown increased yields with decreased incidence of ergot. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of ground hybrid rye inclusion rate on dry matter intake (DMI), growth performance, and feed efficiency in backgrounding beef steers. Two hundred crossbred steers were shipped to the Carrington Research Extension Center near Carrington, ND, stratified by weight, and assigned to one of twenty pens (n = 10 steers/pen). Four treatments were used in a completely randomized block design to evaluate animal performance during backgrounding when fed partial or complete replacement of corn with rye as the concentrate source. Ground hybrid rye was substituted for DRC as follows: a basal diet formulated with 20% DRC: 0% ground hybrid rye (CON), 13.5% DRC: 6.5% ground hybrid rye (RYE1), 6.5% DRC: 13.5% ground hybrid rye (RYE2), or 0% DRC:20% ground hybrid rye (RYE3) on a dry matter basis. Steers were fed for a total of 56 days beginning Oct. 25, 2021. Interim weights were taken on Nov. 22, 2021, and final weights were taken Dec. 20, 2021. At the conclusion of the feeding period, cattle were weighed on two consecutive days to determine final body weight. Performance data including animal live weights, ADG, DMI and G:F ratio were calculated. The use of rye within the diet did not influence steer weight throughout the study (P = 0.11). No differences in ADG were detected throughout the study (P = 0.68). Steers fed diets containing hybrid rye had higher DMI (P = 0.03) and higher F:G (P = 0.04) during the first month of the study. Increased DMI during the initial month of backgrounding may promote improved intake and growth. Results from the study suggest that steers fed rye as a partial or sole grain in a high forage backgrounding diet weighed similar to calves fed corn as the sole concentrate source.

A growing number of studies have investigated the viability of feeding hemp by-products as livestock feedstuffs; however, their impact on livestock microbiomes remains unexplored. Here, we evaluated the effects of feeding hempseed cake (HSC) on the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and reproductive microbiota in beef heifers. Angus-crossbred heifers [19-months old; initial body weight (BW) = 494 ± 10 kg] were fed a corn-based finishing diet (10% forage) containing either 20% HSC (n = 15) or 20% corn distillers grains (Control, n = 16) for 111 days until slaughter. Individual feed intake, feeding behavior and BW were measured throughout the study. Rumen fluid and deep nasopharyngeal swabs (days 0 7, 42, 70 and 98), and vaginal and uterine swabs (at slaughter) were collected, and the microbiota assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. HSC feeding resulted in reduced average daily gain (P = 0.05) without influencing feed intake and feeding behavior (P > 0.05) (reported elsewhere). Sampling time had a significant effect on both ruminal (PERMANOVA: R2 = 0.39; P < 0.001) and nasopharyngeal (R2 = 0.18; P < 0.001) microbial community structure. There was also a significant effect of diet on the ruminal (d7– 98; 0.06 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.12; P < 0.05), nasopharyngeal (d 42; R2= 0.18; P < 0.001), and vaginal (R2 = 0.06; P < 0.01) microbiota. Although microbial richness in the rumen, nasopharynx, vagina, and uterus was not affected (P > 0.05) by HSC feeding, microbial diversity (Shannon diversity) was increased in the rumen (d42-98) but reduced in the uterus of HSC heifers (P < 0.05). The relative abundance of five ruminal genera was enriched, while five vaginal genera were reduced in HSC heifers (P < 0.05). Overall, the results of our longitudinal study suggest that feeding hemp by-products can alter the bovine gut, respiratory and reproductive microbiota.

As the hemp industry continues to develop in the United States, there is an increasing interest in feeding byproducts of industrial hemp production to livestock. A completely randomized design experiment using crossbred finishing heifers (initial body weight [BW] ± SE = 494 ± 10 kg) was conducted to determine the effects of feeding hempseed cake in a corn-based finishing diet (10% forage) formulated to meet or exceed ruminally degradable and metabolizable protein requirements on growth performance, carcass characteristics, feeding behavior, and plasma parameters. Dietary treatments were the inclusion of 20% (dry matter [DM] basis) of dried corn distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS, n = 16) or hempseed cake (HEMP, n = 15). Cattle were housed in two pens, had ad libitum access to feed and water, and individual intakes and feeding behavior were monitored using the Insentec feeding system. Cattle were fed treatment diets for 111 d, and every 14 d BW were measured and blood samples were collected. Blood plasma was analyzed for glucose, urea nitrogen, and individual amino acids, and results were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis in SAS. Final BW, average daily gain, gain:feed, and hot carcass weight decreased (P ≤ 0.05) by 2.3%, 7.7%, 7.7%, and 2.6%, respectively, in heifers fed the HEMP diet than in heifers fed the DDGS diet. Net energy for maintenance and gain (Mcal/kg of feed, DM basis), estimated based on heifer intake and performance, were greater (P = 0.02) for the DDGS diet than for the HEMP diet. All other performance and carcass characteristics were not different (P ≥ 0.20) between treatments. Heifers fed the HEMP diet had greater (P 0.05) plasma urea nitrogen concentration in samples from each collection day compared with heifers fed the DDGS diet, although there was a treatment-by-day interaction (P 0.01) because of variability in the magnitude of treatment differences over time. Plasma glucose concentration was not influenced (P = 0.17) by dietary treatment. Plasma concentrations of total amino acids, nonessential amino acids, and essential amino acids were not different between treatments (P ≥ 0.09), although there were several interactions between treatment and day (P ≤ 0.04) for individual amino acids. These data suggest that hempseed cake has a lower net energy for maintenance and gain relative to DDGS when adequate metabolizable protein is supplied, while still providing adequate nutrition to support the acceptable performance of finishing cattle.This experiment evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of hempseed cake in comparison with dried corn distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) on growth performance, feeding behavior, carcass characteristics, and blood parameters in finishing heifers. Angus-crossbred heifers were assigned randomly to one of two treatments (20% hempseed cake [HEMP] or 20% DDGS; dry matter basis) and were fed for 111 d until slaughter. Heifers receiving the DDGS treatment had greater final body weights, average daily gain, gain efficiency, dietary concentration of net energy for maintenance and gain, and carcass weight than heifers fed the HEMP treatment. All other carcass characteristics, as well as feeding behavior, were not influenced by treatment. Plasma urea nitrogen was greater in heifers fed the HEMP diet compared with the DDGS diet, while glucose was not influenced by treatment. Several plasma amino acid concentrations were influenced by treatment. Although the inclusion of hempseed cake decreased growth performance, it could be a viable alternative feed source for cattle.

Six ruminally cannulated steers [475.0 ± 49.6 kg initial body weight (BW)] were used in a 6 × 3 incomplete Latin square design (six treatments and three periods), to evaluate the impacts replacing of corn silage with pelleted soyhulls as roughage in high-concentrate finishing diets containing 30% modified distillers grains with solubles. Treatments were based on increasing dietary inclusion of soyhulls and consisted of: (1) Control (0), roughage supplied by dietary inclusion of 20% corn silage [dry matter (DM) basis]; (2) 50% replacement of corn silage with soyhulls (50); (3) 100% replacement of corn silage with soyhulls (100), and the same three treatments repeated with 3% added wheat straw (DM basis) replacing corn in the diet (0S, 50S, and 100S, respectively). Absolute dry matter intake (DMI; kg/d basis) tended to decrease both linearly and quadratically (P ≤ 0.09) and proportional DMI (% of BW) decreased linearly (P = 0.04) with increasing soyhull inclusion but was not affected by the addition of straw in the diet (P = 0.68). Total tract digestibility of organic matter and crude protein were not affected by soyhull inclusion or added straw (P ≥ 0.32). Ruminal pH did not differ (P = 0.65) with increasing soyhull inclusion but increased with the addition of straw (P < 0.01; 5.9 vs. 6.1 for no straw and straw, respectively). Molar proportions of acetate and butyrate decreased while propionate increased with increased soyhull inclusion (P ≤ 0.03; linearly and quadratically, respectively). Ruminal fluid kinetics were unaffected by either rate of replacement of corn silage with soyhulls or wheat straw inclusion (P ≥ 0.13). Decreases in DMI observed in this study would likely decrease finishing cattle performance and underscores the need for additional research before recommending this practice to cattle feeders.

The efficacy of immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IgRT) has been demonstrated for primary immune deficiency diseases and hematological malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or multiple myeloma with hypogammaglobulinemia. Clinical development of anti-B cell therapies including a monoclonal antibody, bispecific antibody, or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy which could result in severe hypogammaglobulinemia accelerates the argument of prophylactic use of IgRT. Clinical guidelines for CLL describe immunoglobulin administration in patients with a low IgG who have experienced a severe/repeated bacterial infection. The utility in hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) remains unknown. Although an early randomized trial demonstrated that IgRT decreased infection risk and transplant-related mortality after HSCT, subsequent clinical trials could not validate the benefit. Consequently, a meta-analysis did not show the benefit of IgRT in HSCT. Most of the available data derives from matched-related HSCT using myeloablative regimen, and the impact in haploidentical and cord blood transplantation, or reduced-intensity HSCT remains unknown. One crucial issue is that no studies exist for patients with only hypogammaglobulinemia after HSCT. Other challenges are heterogeneous patient characteristics, or immunoglobulin formulation, dosage, schedule, route and duration of IgRT. Without evidence in HSCT, it would be reasonable to follow the guidelines for other diseases with hypogammaglobulinemia.

The hypothesis of this experiment was that dietary fructose would influence visceral organ mass, carbohydrase activity, and mRNA expression of carbohydrases and nutrient transporters in the small intestine in neonatal calves. Therefore, our objective was to use the neonatal calf as a model to evaluate the effects of postruminal fructose supply on small intestinal carbohydrate assimilation. Ten calves (

Trauma-focused psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are not widely utilized. Clinicians report concerns that direct discussion of traumatic experiences could undermine the therapeutic alliance, which may negatively impact retention and outcome. Studies among adolescents with PTSD found no difference in alliance between trauma-focused and non-trauma-focused psychotherapies, but this has not been tested among adults. The present study is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial of collaborative care, also known as care management, for PTSD. We examined patient-reported therapeutic alliance among 117 veterans with PTSD who participated in cognitive processing therapy (CPT, now called CPT + A; n = 54) or non-trauma-focused supportive psychotherapy for PTSD (n = 73) at VA community outpatient clinics. We tested the hypothesis that alliance in CPT would be noninferior to (i.e., not significantly worse than) non-trauma-focused psychotherapy using patient ratings on the Revised Helping Alliance Questionnaire. Patients' therapeutic alliance scores were high across both groups (CPT: M = 5.13, SD = 0.71, 95% CI [4.96, 5.30]; non-trauma-focused psychotherapy: M = 4.89, SD = 0.64, 95% CI [4.73, 5.05]). The difference between groups (0.23, 95% CI [0.01, 0.48]) was less than the "noninferiority margin" based on suggested clinical cutoffs (0.58 points on a 1-6 scale). These results held even after adjusting for veterans' demographic and clinical characteristics and change in PTSD symptoms from baseline to follow-up. Although there are concerns that direct discussion of traumatic experiences could worsen therapeutic alliance, patients report similar levels of alliance in CPT and non-trauma-focused supportive psychotherapy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Clinical and genetic features of five unrelated patients with de novo pathogenic variants in the synaptic vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) reveal common features of global developmental delay, autistic tendencies, behavioral disturbances, and a higher propensity to develop epilepsy. For one patient, a cognitively impaired adolescent with a de novo stop-gain VAMP2 mutation, we tested a potential treatment strategy, enhancing neurotransmission by prolonging action potentials with the aminopyridine family of potassium channel blockers, 4-aminopyridine and 3,4-diaminopyridine, in vitro and in vivo. Synaptic vesicle recycling and neurotransmission were assayed in neurons expressing three VAMP2 variants by live-cell imaging and electrophysiology. In cellular models, two variants decrease both the rate of exocytosis and the number of synaptic vesicles released from the recycling pool, compared with wild-type. Aminopyridine treatment increases the rate and extent of exocytosis and total synaptic charge transfer and desynchronizes GABA release. The clinical response of the patient to 2 years of off-label aminopyridine treatment includes improved emotional and behavioral regulation by parental report, and objective improvement in standardized cognitive measures. Aminopyridine treatment may extend to patients with pathogenic variants in VAMP2 and other genes influencing presynaptic function or GABAergic tone, and tested in vitro before treatment.

We prove that, for p∈(1,∞) and β∈R, the function x↦β−log⁡1−xpKp(xp) is strictly concave on (0,1) if and only if β≥λ(p):=2p(p2−2p+2)(p−1)(2p2−3p+3), where Kp represents the generalized complete p-el...

Crop nitrogen (N) status is known to affect crop water status and crop water use. To investigate further the N effects on soil water changes and on canopy temperature, three water levels × four N levels were imposed on two growing seasons of maize in west central Nebraska, USA. Soil water changes were measured using a neutron probe, whereas canopy temperature was measured using infrared thermometers on a ground-based mobile platform. At all water levels, soil water losses over month-long intervals were generally greater as N levels increased. Given equal water levels, early afternoon canopy temperatures were usually lower with higher N levels, but no trend or even the opposite trend was occasionally observed. Jointly considering canopy reflectance and soil water depletion shows potential to explain much of the variation in estimated instantaneous water use among plots. However, determining the relative contributions of the canopy and soil factors on a particular day may require season-to-date knowledge of the crop. Further research on assimilating such sensor data for a combined stress coefficient would improve crop modeling and irrigation scheduling when variable water sufficiency and variable N sufficiency are simultaneously significant.

Two ruminally cannulated steers [928 ± 25.5 kg body weight (BW)] were fed alfalfa hay at 2.0% of BW and served as donors of rumen fluid. Treatments were early-bud alfalfa (CON) or a combination [dry matter (DM) basis] of 80% early-bud alfalfa with 20% of corn silage (CS), brome grass hay (BGH), soybean hulls (SBH), beet pulp (BP), corn grain (CORN), dried corn distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS), or wheat middlings (MIDD). Tubes were incubated at multiple time points over a 72 h period and assessed for rate and extent of digestion. Samples were run in duplicate and replicated over 3 d. The potential extent of DM and organic matter (OM) degradation increased (P

BACKGROUND Small intestinal starch digestion in ruminants is potentially limited by inadequate production of carbohydrases. Previous research has demonstrated that small intestinal starch digestion can be improved by postruminal supply of casein or glutamic acid. However, the mechanisms by which casein and glutamic acid increase starch digestion are not well understood. OBJECTIVES The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of duodenal infusions of starch with casein or glutamic acid on postruminal carbohydrase activities in cattle. METHODS Twenty-two steers [mean body weight (BW) = 179 ± 4.23 kg] were surgically fitted with duodenal and ileal cannulas and limit-fed a soybean hull-based diet containing small amounts of starch. Raw cornstarch (1.61 ± 0.0869 kg/d) was infused into the duodenum alone (control), or with 118 ± 7.21 g glutamic acid/d, or 428 ± 19.4 g casein/d. Treatments were infused continuously for 58 d and then steers were killed for tissue collection. Activities of pancreatic (α-amylase) and intestinal (maltase, isomaltase, glucoamylase, sucrase) carbohydrases were determined. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block (replicate group) design using the GLM procedure of SAS to determine effects of infusion treatment. RESULTS Duodenal casein infusion increased (P

We prove that the function Ga(x)=a−log⁡(1−x)K(x)(a∈R) is strictly concave on (0,1) if and only if a≥8/5. This solves a problem posed by Yang and Tian and complements their result that 1/Ga (a≥0) is...

Pregastric fermentation along with production practices that are dependent on high-energy diets means ruminants rely heavily on starch and protein assimilation for a substantial portion of their nutrient needs. While the majority of dietary starch may be fermented in the rumen, significant portions can flow to the small intestine. The initial phase of small intestinal digestion requires pancreatic α-amylase. Numerous nutritional factors have been shown to influence pancreatic α-amylase secretion with starch producing negative effects and casein, certain amino acids and dietary energy having positive effects. To date, manipulation of α-amylase secretion has not resulted in substantial changes in digestibility. The second phase of digestion involves the actions of the brush border enzymes sucrase-isomaltase and maltase-glucoamylase. Genetically, ruminants appear to possess these enzymes; however, the absence of measurable sucrase activity and limited adaptation with changes in diet suggests a reduced capacity for this phase of digestion. The final phase of carbohydrate assimilation is glucose transport. Ruminants possess Na+-dependent glucose transport that has been shown to be inducible. Because of the nature of pregastric fermentation, ruminants see a near constant flow of microbial protein to the small intestine. This results in a nutrient supply, which places a high priority on protein digestion and utilization. Comparatively, little research has been conducted describing protein assimilation. Enzymes and processes appear consistent with non-ruminants and are likely not limiting for efficient digestion of most feedstuffs. The mechanisms regulating the nutritional modulation of digestive function in the small intestine are complex and coordinated via the substrate, neural and hormonal effects in the small intestine, pancreas, peripheral tissues and the pituitary-hypothalamic axis. More research is needed in ruminants to help unravel the complexities by which small intestinal digestion is regulated with the aim of developing approaches to enhance and improve the efficiency of small intestinal digestion.

HighlightMaize canopy temperature (Tc) was evaluated among four replicates of seven irrigation treatments.Individual replicates showed Tc bias correlated with soil electroconductivity and increasing Tc.At high Tc values (above 35°C), Tc bias was up to 5.0°C among plots with the same irrigation schedule.ABSTRACT. Maize canopy temperature was monitored on a continuous basis for two growing seasons in a limited-irrigation maize experiment with seven separate irrigation treatments and four replicates of each treatment. Soil electroconductivity (EC) was measured and mapped to quantify the variation in soil texture throughout the plots and was correlated with the average field capacity of the soil (R2 = 0.51). At lower canopy temperatures, indicating little or no water stress, very little difference was observed between replicates within the same treatment. However, at higher temperatures, soil texture had a greater influence on temperature, with soils having lower EC (and therefore lower water-holding capacity) showing more water stress. More specifically, at canopy temperatures above 29°C, the influence of soil texture biased the temperature by up to 2.0°C over the EC range of 16.9 to 40.2 mS m-1; at mean canopy temperatures of 35°C, this bias could be more than 5.0°C between field replicates. Results similar to the continuous infrared thermometry were found using nadir thermal images. This study demonstrates the importance of understanding the potential effects of soil variability on canopy temperature, which could have profound implications for spatially variable field-based management using thermal imaging or similar technologies. Keywords: Canopy temperature, Infrared thermometry, Limited irrigation, Soil variability.

HighlightsASABE and ISAE convened the Global Water Security Conference for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Hyderabad, India, in 2018.Recommendations represent collective contribution of attendees and presenters in seven key priorities.Continuation of a narrow focus on technical aspects will likely prevent the success of technical solutions.Scientists and engineers should work together across all disciplines and boundaries to ensure global water security. Keywords: Climate change, Crop water productivity, Food security, Irrigation efficiency, Natural resource policy, Wastewater reuse, Water resource infrastructure, Water scarcity.