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Introduction: Cortical thinning is well-documented in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), yet its association with speech deterioration remains understudied. This study characterizes anatomical changes in the brain within the context of speech impairment patterns in individuals with ALS, providing insight into the disease's multiregional spread and biology. Methods: To evaluate patterns of cortical thickness in speakers with ALS with and without functional speech changes compared to healthy controls (HCs) using whole-brain and region of interest (ROI) analyses. Forty individuals with ALS and 22 HCs underwent a T1-weighted 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Individuals with ALS were divided into two groups based on the preserved speech [ps-ALS] (n = 18) or deteriorated speech [ds-ALS] (n = 22) as measured by the ALSFRSF-R speech subscore (=4 or <4 points, respectively). Sixteen a priori-defined and automatically segmented cortical and subcortical brain ROIs were selected based on their previously documented roles in speech production. Two cortical thickness analyses were performed: (1) group-level whole-brain surface-based analyses and (2) group-level ROI analyses. A case study of 6 ALS individuals examined the cortical thickness, and their speech was characterized using quantitative and qualitative measures. Results: Based on the group-level whole-brain surface-based analyses, the ds-ALS group demonstrated significant cortical thinning compared to HCs in the left primary motor and somatosensory cortices and the right inferior parietal lobe with its adjacent lateral occipital cortical regions. The ps-ALS group demonstrated no significant cortical thinning compared to HCs. Based on the group-level ROI analyses, the ds-ALS group demonstrated significant cortical thinning compared to HCs in bilateral middle motor cortices, right posterior dorsal premotor cortex, and left anterior cingulate cortex. The case study analysis revealed that ALS speakers with speech features characteristic of spastic dysarthria exhibited cortical thinning, while those with speech features characteristic of flaccid dysarthria did not. Discussion: Individuals with ALS have anatomical changes involving multiregional neocortical areas beyond the primary motor cortex that may manifest as subjective (i.e., clinical judgment) and objective (i.e., speaking rate) changes in speech production. Further longitudinal work in ALS is needed to better understand the link between MRI cortical thickness changes and bulbar dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses study of influence of propionibacteria on in vitro lactic acid clearance rate and in vivo rumen fermentation in steers fed concentrate diets. Topics discussed include integrity of permit bacteria translocation and ruminal epithelium threatened by ruminal acidosis to blood stream, liver abscesses contributed to losses in beef cattle industry and influence of dosing of direct fed microbial (DFM) on in vitro.

Impairments in reality testing are core features of numerous neuropsychiatric conditions. However, relatively few animal models have been developed to assess this critical facet of neuropsychiatric illness, thus impeding our understanding of the underlying central systems and circuits. Using mice in which dominant-negative Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia-1 is expressed throughout central nervous system circuitry (DN-DISC1-PrP), the capacity for an auditory conditioned stimulus (CS) to evoke perceptual processing of an absent sucrose solution was examined. At test, during CS presentations, DN-DISC1-PrP mice consumed more water and displayed a licking profile that is more typically revealed while ingesting a sweet-tasting solution. DN-DISC1-PrP mice also displayed greater c-fos expression in the insular (gustatory) cortex when consuming water in the presence of the CS. This capacity for the CS to more readily substitute for the taste features of the absent sucrose solution in DN-DISC1-PrP mice was attenuated following systemic treatment with the antipsychotic haloperidol. Conversely, social isolation during adolescence promoted the manifestation of these effects. These results provide strong validation for using associative learning procedures to examine dopamine-mediated reality testing associated with insular cortex activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality colostrum and milk are critical for proper neonatal growth and immune system development. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the predominant antibody class in colostrum and is vital for passive immune transfer in sheep. There is limited understanding of how poor maternal nutrition during gestation (restricted- and over-feeding) might influence colostrum and milk composition and colostrum IgG concentrations and how F1 offspring colostrum and milk are impacted as a result of F0 maternal diet. The objective of this experiment was to determine if poor maternal nutrition during gestation impacts F0 and F1 colostrum and milk composition, including IgG concentrations. We hypothesized that maternal restricted-feeding would decrease, and maternal over-feeding would increase total solids, fat, and protein during early and transitional lactation and that restricted-feeding would increase IgG concentrations and over-feeding would decrease IgG concentrations in F0 and F1 ewe colostrum. Multiparous Dorset ewes pregnant (n = 46) with twins were fed 100% (control; n = 13), 60% (restricted; n = 17) or 140% (over; n = 16) of National Research Council (NRC) requirements. After birth and during lactation, dams were fed 100% NRC for lactating ewes, so the nutritional insult only occurred during gestation. Resulting ewe offspring (n = 32) were raised on control diets and were bred between 16 and 19 mo of age. Colostrum samples were collected within 24 h of parturition and milk samples were collected at d 3 and d 21 postpartum. Colostrum and milk composition were evaluated using Brix Refractometry (total solids, g/dL) and spectrophotometry (crude fat, %; crude protein, %). Additionally, a radial immunodiffusion assay was used to determine IgG concentrations (mg/dL) in colostrum. A treatment by time interaction was observed for F0 colostrum crude fat where restricted-fed ewes had less fat than control-fed ewes (P ≤ 0.024). No interaction was detected for all other F0 and F1 composition variables (P ≥ 0.16). We did not detect a main effect of diet on F0 or F1 total solids, crude fat, and crude protein of colostrum nor milk (P ≥ 0.24). A main effect of time was observed for all variables where colostrum had greater total solids, crude fat, and crude protein compared with milk at d 3 and d 21 (P ≤ 0.0001). No effect of maternal diet on IgG concentrations were detected in F0 or F1 ewe colostrum (P ≥ 0.46). These data indicate that poor maternal diet has minimal effects on F0 and F1 ewe colostrum composition and IgG concentrations, and d 3 and d 21 milk composition. In addition, the impact of F0 diet on colostrum fat composition did not persist into the F1 generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight individually fed fistulated steers (410 ± 10 kg) were used to investigate the impact of trace mineral source on rumen trace mineral solubility and in vitro fermentation characteristics. Steers were sorted by body weight, into two trace mineral (TM) treatment groups (n = 4/treatment). Treatments consisted of TM supplementation at 10 mg Cu, 40 mg Mn, and 60 mg Zn/kg DM from either sulfate TM (STM) or hydroxy TM (HTM) sources. Steers were fed a diet balanced to meet the nutrient requirements (TMR) for lactation dairy cow. Dietary TM treatments were mixed with dried distillers grains and top dressed daily. Rumen contents were collected at 0, 2, and 4 h post feeding on d 1 and 14 of the experiment. Rumen samples were centrifuged at 1,500 × g for 15 min. The supernatant and the digesta pellet were frozen, separately, at -20°C for TM analysis. On d 15 of the experiment, approximately 500 g (wet weight) of rumen contents were collected from each steer 2 hours post-feeding. Strained ruminal fluid (SRF) was obtained by squeezing the rumen contents through 2 layers of cheese cloth. The retained digesta (150 g wet weight) was washed with 2.2 L prewarmed McDougall's buffer to remove particle associated microorganism (PAO). The SRF and the PAO were then filtered through 8 layers of cheesecloth, separately, and mixed at a ratio of 1:2 (SRF:PAO). The SRF:PAO mixture for each steer was incubated with the TMR containing HTM and a separate incubation with the TMR containing STM for 0, 12, and 24 h (3 replicate in vitro tubes/animal/TMR treatment) at 39°C under anaerobic conditions. After each incubation time, samples were centrifuged at 1,500 x g. The supernatant was removed and frozen at -20°C for VFA analysis. The digesta pellet was dried at 60°C and DM, NDF, and ADF digestibility determined. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized block design with individual animal as the experimental unit. There was a treatment x day x sample type interaction for rumen Zn (P < 0.04) and Mn (P < 0.03) concentrations. Zinc and Mn concentrations were greater in digesta and lesser in supernatant in STM compared with HTM supplemented animals. Rumen distribution of Cu was not impacted by TM source. In vitro molar proportions isobutyric acid were greater (P < 0.01) in HTM compared with STM supplemented animals, while the molar proportion of propionic acid were greater (P < 0.01) in STM supplemented animals. Total VFA concentration, molar proportions of acetic and propionic acid, and DM, NDF, and ADF digestibility were not impacted by dietary trace mineral source or rumen fluid source. These data may indicate that the source of trace mineral can influence trace mineral solubility in the rumen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the increasing importance of Identity and Access Management (IAM) in securing data and applications in cloud environments. Topics discussed include the significance of machine identities, the expanding threat landscape, the role of IAM in seamless operations and trust, along with explores the importance of IAM in strengthening compliance and governance in the evolving regulatory landscape.

The article focuses on the importance of Identity and Access Management (IAM) in cloud environments. It is reported that the IAM has been a crucial component of any cloud environment, as it helps to ensure the security of cloud resources. It highlights the benefits of IAM, such as simplifying the management of user identities and access to cloud services, and reducing the risk of security breaches within an organization.

Twelve steers, fitted with rumen canulae were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to examine the impact of the direct fed microbial Propionibacteria acidipropionici (PA) on rumen fermentation characteristics. All steers were housed together in one pen equipped with GrowSafe feed intake monitoring stations and one Greenfeed system used to estimate in vivo methane production. Steers were fed a corn silagebased diet throughout the experiment. Treatments consisted of PA administered at: 1) 0.0; 2) 1.0 x 108; 3)1.0 x 109; and 4) 1.0 x 1010 CFU·animal-1·day-1. Treatments were administered directly into the rumen as a single bolus dose daily. On day 7 and 14 of each period, rumen fluid was collected from each steer 2 h post treatment administration for VFA analysis and for determining in vitro fermentation characteristics. Following a 14d washout period, animal treatments were switched, and the experiment repeated. Data were analyzed as a 4 x 4 Latin square design. In vivo propionic acid molar proportions (25.4 vs 23.6±0.24) and total VFA concentrations (125.2 vs 121.3±1.87) were greater (P < 0.05) in steers receiving PA compared with controls. In vitro DM disappearance (P < 0.05; 63.3% vs 59.2%±1.12) and total VFA (P < 0.05; 147.9 vs 145.2±1.76) were greater and methane (ml/g DMD) lesser (P < 0.04; 13.1 vs 15.6±0.11) in fermentation vessels incubated with rumen fluid from animals receiving PA compared with controls. Dry matter disappearance (P < 0.03) and propionic acid (P < 0.04) increased linearly as dose of PA increased. In vitro Total VFA tended (P < 0.08) to increase linearly and methane production tended (P < 0.09) to decrease quadratically in response PA dose. In vivo methane production was similar across treatments. In conclusion, PA addition improved in vivo and in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae products (NaturSafe) on in-vitro rumen fermentation characteristics and microbial diversity. Three crossbred feedlot steers fitted with rumen cannulae were adjusted to a moderately high-concentrate diet for 28-d. On d-29, 1 L of rumen fluid was collected from each steer and composited. A set of vaccine bottles (n=5/treatment/time + blanks and controls) containing 0.5 g of basal diet plus dietary treatments were filled with 30 ml of rumen fluid-McDougall's buffer solution (1:1), sealed, and placed in a 39°C water bath. Treatments consisted of 1) Control (no added NaturSafe); 2) NaturSafe-dry (9 g/animal/day equivalent); 3) NaturSafe-dry (12 g/animal/day equivalent); 4) NaturSafe-liquid (14 g/animal/day equivalent); 5) NaturSafe-liquid (21 g/animal/day equivalent); and NaturSafe-liquid (28 g/animal/day equivalent). Samples were collected at 0, 6 and 12 h post-fermentation. No treatment effect on any fermentation parameters was found at 6 h. At 12-h post-incubation, dry matter digestibility (DMD) (P < 0.04) and molar proportions of propionic acid (P < 0.03) were greater for treatments containing NaturSafe compared with control. Molar proportions of acetic acid (P < 0.07), percent CH4 (P < 0.08), and NH3-N (P < 0.06) tended to be lesser and percent CO2 tended (P < 0.07) to be greater for NaturSafe treatments compared with controls. Microbiome 16S rRNA analysis results suggest that microbial communities differed (P < 0.05) between 6 and 12 h postincubation. Incorporating NaturSafe into fermentation vessels revealed an inverse correlation with NaturSafe concentration and microbial diversity (P = 0.08) and that the overall microbial diversity was altered (P < 0.03) by NaturSafe concentration. The microbial community was not affected by additive type. These data suggest that NaturSafe alters fermentation characteristics and microbial community diversity toward improved rumen efficiency while reducing environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rumen fluid from three beef steers (480 ± 10 kg), fitted with rumen canulae, were used to investigate the impact of Ca dose and olive meal on in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics. Steers were fed a high concentrate finishing diet for 21d, and rumen fluid was collected from each steer 2h post-feeding. A 2 x 4 factorial arrangement of treatments was used for this experiment. Factors included: 1) 0 or 5% olive meal and 2) Ca dose: 0, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.08% Ca from CaCl2. A McDougall's buffer-rumen fluid mixture (1:1; 30 mL) was added to conical tubes containing 0.5g of the ground basal diet and incubated at 39°C for 0, 4, 8, and 12h (5 replicates per treatment per time point). After incubation, supernatant was removed for VFA analysis and the remaining digesta was dried to determine DM disappearance (DMD). At 4 and 8h post incubation digestion tubes containing 0.04% Ca had greater (P < 0.001) DMD when compared to all other Ca doses. At 12h post incubation, DMD was greater (P < 0.001) in digestion tubes containing 0.02% and 0.08% Ca compared to all other Ca doses. At 8h post incubation, molar proportions of acetic acid were greater (P < 0.03) in digestion tubes containing olive meal compared to no olive meal and were greater (P < 0.001) in digestion tubes containing 0.08% Ca compared to all other Ca doses. At 12h post incubation, isobutyric acid (P < 0.01) and butyric acid (P < 0.02) were greater in digestion tubes containing 0.02% and 0.04% Ca compared to all other Ca doses. Butyric acid was lesser (P < 0.02) with olive meal inclusion at 12h. Total VFA concentrations were similar across treatments. These data suggest that Ca and olive meal can impact in vitro fermentation characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighty-three American Wagyu steers (725 ±10.7 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of olive byproduct supplementation on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics. We hypothesized that with supplementation of olive byproduct would improve feedlot performance and longissimus muscle intramuscular fat composition. Steers were blocked by initial body weight (BW) and randomly assigned within block to one of two treatments. Treatments consisted of: 1) Control diet (basal ration with no olive byproduct) + 1 kg of supplemental cracked corn per animal per day, or 2) Control diet + 1 kg of supplemental olive byproduct per animal per day. Steers were housed in feedlot pens (n=4 steers/pen; 11 replicates/treatment) and fed a traditional American Wagyu finishing diet (DM basis: 68.4% DM, 14.3% CP; 74.8% TDN, 1.16 Mcal/kg NEg, 5.3% crude fat). Diets were delivered to pens, once daily, in the morning in amounts to allow ad libitum access to feed over a 24 h period. Olive byproduct and cracked corn were top-dressed to the appropriate treatment pens immediately after delivery of the basal ration. Steers were individually weighed on d -1 and 0, and approximately every 28 d throughout the 177 d experiment. Equal numbers of steers per treatment were slaughtered throughout the experiment and carcass data were collected. Data were analyzed using a mixed effects model of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc.) for a randomized complete block design. Steers receiving olive byproduct had a lower final BW (P < 0.01) when compared to steers receiving the control diet. Longissimus muscle long chain fatty acids C18:1 and C:22:0 were greater (P < 0.05) and C18:0 lesser (P < 0.05) in controls when compared to steers supplemented with olive byproduct. Under the conditions of this experiment, feeding olive byproduct reduced final BW and had minimal impacts on longissimus muscle fatty acid composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Histoplasmosis is a localized or systemic fungal infection which may present as an acute primary or “reactivation” infection in the setting of immunosuppression. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) antagonists, used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn disease, have been linked to reactivation of quiescent histoplasmosis. Microscopically, granulomas are either not evident or are infrequent in histoplasmosis when associated with TNF antagonist therapy presumably due to the suppression of macrophage activity. Methods and Results. This article describes an unusual presentation of oral histoplasmosis in a 75-year-old-woman patient on TNF-α antagonist, namely infliximab. Microscopically, cellular atypia resulted in a work-up to rule out lymphoma. Gomori's methenamine silver stain demonstrated Histoplasma capsulatum leading to a diagnosis of histoplasmosis. She was treated successfully with itraconozole. Conclusion. This is the first reported case, insofar as the authors are able to determine, of oral histoplasmosis, in a patient undergoing treatment with infliximab. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six steers fitted with ruminal cannulae were used in a crossover design to examine the impact of direct fed microbial (DFM) supplementation on in vivo rumen fermentation characteristics and in vitro lactic acid clearance. Steers were fed a moderately high concentrate -1·day-1 of 4.45x 1010 CFU/g of Propionibacteria acidipropionici). Treatments were administered daily, directly into the rumen via the cannula as a single bolus dose at the time of feeding. Rumen contents were sampled two h post-feeding daily and analyzed for short chain fatty acids (SCFA). On d 7 and 14, rumen fluid was collected from all steers and subjected to an in vitro lactic acid clearance challenge. Lactic acid and SCFA concentrations were determined at 3, 6 and 9 h post incubation. After d 14, all cattle received the basal diet for 21 d. On d 22, treatment crossover was implemented and the experiment repeated. Animal was considered the experimental unit and data were analyzed as a crossover design using Proc Mixed in SAS. In vivo propionic acid concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) and total SCFA tended (P < 0.06) to be greater in rumen fluid from steers receiving DFM. D- and total lactic acid concentrations were lesser (P < 0.05) at 3 h post in vitro incubation for steers receiving DFM. D-, L+, and total lactic acid concentrations were similar between treatments at all other timepoints. In vitro propionic acid and total SCFA concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) and acetic acid concentrations lesser (P < 0.05) in steers receiving DFM. These data indicate that the DFM Propionibacteria acidipropionici, alters in vivo and in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renergy™ is a proprietary blend of organic acids with a proposed mode of action of increasing ruminal propionate production. Little is known about the efficacy of Renergy™ supplementation in modifying ruminal fermentation in beef cattle consuming high-grain diets. Therefore, eight Angus steers (BW 531.7 ± 20.4 kg) fitted with ruminal cannulae were used to determine the effects of Renergy™ on ruminal fermentation characteristics. Steers were fed a high concentrate diet (DM basis: 13.6% CP, 1.38 Mcal/kg NEg, and 2.02 Mcal/kg NEm) with no monensin sodium or tylosin phosphate added to the diet for 30 d prior to the initiation of the experiment. Treatments consisted of control (CON; no supplemental Renergy™) and Renergy (REN) fed at 27.6 g.animal-1.d-1 (n = 4 steers/treatment; experimental unit = animal). Following the 30 d diet adaptation period, dietary treatments were initiated for 28-d. On day 28, rumen fluid was collected at 3 h post feeding and analyzed for VFA, pH, and NH3. Ruminal pH (P = 0.62) and NH3 (P = 0.56) were unaffected by treatment. However, total VFA (P = 0.05) and propionate (P = 0.03) production were increased by Renergy, 13.3% and 25.7% respectively. There was a tendency (P = 0.14) for acetate production to be increased 10.9% in steers supplemented with Renergy™. Butyrate was unaffected (P = 0.51) by treatment. However, isobutyrate production was lower (P < 0.01) in steers receiving Renergy™. Feeding Renergy™ also resulted in 25% less (P = 0.07) L-lactate production. Under conditions of this experiment, results indicate that supplementing Renergy™ for 28d to beef cattle consuming high concentrate diets impacts ruminal fermentation 3 h post feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighty-nine American Wagyu steers were used to evaluate the effects of dietary barley supplementation on feedlot performance. We hypothesized that barley supplementation would increase ADG compared to non-supplemented control animals. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design. Steers were blocked by initial body weight (BW) and randomly assigned within block to one of two treatments. Treatments consisted of 1) Control (no supplemental barley) and 2) Control diet + 0.9 kg·animal-1·d-1 of supplemental barley. Steers were housed in feedlot pens (all pens contained n = 4 steers/pen with the exception of one Control pen that contained n=5 steers; 11 replicates/treatment; experimental unit = pen) and fed a traditional American Wagyu finishing diet (DM basis: 68.42% DM, 14.33% CP; TDN: 74.76%, NEg: 1.16 Mcal/kg, 5.25% EE) for 270d. The basal diet consisted of grass hay, corn silage, cracked corn grain, soybean meal, corn distillers grain, white salt, ground limestone, and olive byproduct. Diets were fed once daily in the morning and barely was top dressed to the appropriate pens, immediately after the basal diet was delivered. Steers were individually weighed on d -1 and 0, and approximately every 28 days throughout the 270d experiment. Data were analyzed using a mixed effects model (PROC MIXED, SAS) for a completely randomized block design. Initial pen BW was used as a covariate in the statistical analysis of all performance data and significance was determined at P = 0.05. Initial and final BW, ADG, DMI, and feed:gain were similar across treatments. Therefore, under the conditions of this experiment, these data suggest that barley supplementation for 270d to American Wagyu cattle did not impact overall animal performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Specialized education is critical for optimal insulin pump use but is not widely utilized or accessible. We aimed to (1) test the usability and acceptability of A1Control, a simulation platform supporting insulin pump education, and (2) determine predictors of performance., Method: Rural adult insulin pump users with type 1 diabetes (T1D) participated in a mixed methods usability study in 2 separate rounds. Participants navigated 3 simulations (ie, infusion site occlusion, hypoglycemia, exercise). Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Systems Usability Scale (SUS) were administered. Semi-structured interviews and direct observation were used to assess perceived usability, acceptability and performance. Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique was used to fit predictive models for visualization of patterns leading to good or poor A1Control performance., Results: Participants ( N  = 13) were 28-70 years old, 10 used automated insulin delivery and 12 used continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Mean NPS was 9.5 (range 9-10) and positive sentiment during interviews indicated very high acceptability. SUS (mean 88.5, range 70-100) indicted a high perceived usability. CGM percent wear ≥ 94%, time spent in hypoglycemia ≤ 54 mg/dl of <0.01%, and <70 mg/dl of 0.5% predicted successful site-occlusion scenario performance with 100% accuracy. BOLUS score ≥ 2, TDD ≥ 34, and technology brand predicted exercise scenario success with 100% accuracy. There were an insufficient number of failed hypoglycemia scenarios to assess predictors., Conclusion: A1Control shows potential to increase access and frequency of self-management and technology education. Additional study is needed to determine sustained engagement and benefit.