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A 23-y-old gelding was presented to a veterinary teaching hospital with a history of chronic, refractory diarrhea. Clinically, the horse was in poor body condition, with a thickened and corrugated large intestine identified by transcutaneous abdominal ultrasonography. At postmortem examination following euthanasia, the large colon and cecum had segmental thickening of the intestinal wall with innumerable mucosal ulcers and prominent polypoid mucosal masses. Many mesenteric and hepatic lymph nodes were enlarged. Histology revealed granulomatous and ulcerative typhlocolitis and granulomatous lymphadenitis with myriad acid-fast, variably gram-positive, intrahistiocytic bacilli that stained by immunohistochemistry for mycobacteria. Molecular testing by PCR and sequencing identified the causative agent as Mycobacterium genavense , which is an unusual presentation of infection in a horse., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Bernese mountain dogs (BMDs), have an overall cancer incidence of 50%, half of which is comprised of an otherwise rare tumor, histiocytic sarcoma (HS). While recent studies have identified driver mutations in the MAPK pathway, identification of key predisposing genes has been elusive. Studies have identified several loci to be associated with predisposition to HS in BMDs, including near the MTAP/CDKN2A region, but no causative coding variant has been identified. Here we report the presence of a coding polymorphism in the gene encoding FANCG, near the MTAP/CDKN2A locus. This variant is in a conserved region of the protein and appears to be specific to BMDs. Canine fibroblasts derived from dogs homozygous for this variant are hypersensitive to cisplatin. We show this canine FANCG variant and a previously defined hypomorphic FANCG allele in humans impart similar defects in DNA repair. However, our data also indicate that this variant is neither necessary nor sufficient for the development of HS. Furthermore, BMDs homozygous for this FANCG allele display none of the characteristic phenotypes associated with Fanconi anemia (FA) such as anemia, short stature, infertility, or an earlier age of onset for HS. This is similar to findings in FA deficient mice, which do not develop overt FA without secondary genetic mutations that exacerbate the FA deficit. In sum, our data suggest that dogs with deficits in the FA pathway are, like mice, innately resistant to the development of FA., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they do not have any conflict of interest.

The purpose of this study was to determine if strategic placement of portable air purifiers would improve effectiveness of aerosol reduction in a space as compared to use as a general room air purifier. Two sizes of portable air purifiers were placed in two different positions intended to function similar to either a local exhaust ventilation hood or an air curtain to determine if strategic placement would lead to a reduction of particles in a worker's position at a desk in an office environment. Particle generators were used to introduce particulate into the air and personal aerosol monitors measured particles during each test condition. Results showed that when the medium room portable air purifiers used in this study were set to high, corresponding to 98 CFM, and placed near the breathing zone of each office worker with the unit's filter cover removed, the particle concentration was reduced 35% beyond the reduction that would be expected if the same units were placed on the floor behind the occupant's workstation. Results also indicated that the larger portable air purifier tested, positioned as close as reasonable to each occupant's breathing zone with the largest capture area possible (i.e., removing the unit's filter cover), delivers the best aerosol reduction performance. The authors concluded that as a layer of protection against transmission of airborne infectious organisms for office occupants, installing a portable air purifier, sized and operated similar to the units tested in this study on the desk 12 inches from the breathing zone of the worker, has the potential to reduce airborne particulate to a greater degree than if the same units were placed outside of the breathing zone, in the general cubicle area.

A company COVID-19 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Guideline was implemented globally, as part of a larger control measure toolset, to minimize the potential for SARS-CoV-2 aerosol transmission. The COVID-19 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Guideline informed and provided the process to optimize existing ventilation systems, set occupancy duration limits, and set clearance periods for a given space. Aerosol transmission modeling was used extensively to determine space limitations to reduce the potential for aerosol transmission in various manufacturing, lab, warehouse, aircraft, and administrative workspaces. This paper focuses on the modeling completed for administrative spaces (e.g., offices, conference rooms, restrooms, elevators) due to their lower ventilation rates, higher occupant densities, and greater vocalization levels. A detailed description of how the Guideline was implemented, with examples showing the evaluation and determinations made for specific spaces, is provided. World-wide implementation of this Guideline, as one of the layers of protection, was a key component in the overall strategy to reduce aerosol transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Objectives were to evaluate the effects of rumen-protected glucose (RPG) supplementation on milk production, post-absorptive metabolism, and inflammatory biomarkers in transition dairy cows. Fifty-two multiparous cows were blocked by previous 305-d mature-equivalent milk (305ME) yield and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous treatments: (1) control diet (CON; n = 26) or (2) a diet containing RPG (pre-fresh 5.3% of dry matter and 6.0% of dry matter postpartum; n = 26). Cows received their respective dietary treatments from d -21 to 28 relative to calving, and dry matter intake was calculated daily during the same period. Weekly body weight, milk composition, and fecal pH were recorded until 28 d in milk (DIM), and milk yield was recorded through 105 DIM. Blood samples were collected on d -7, 3, 7, 14, and 28 relative to calving. Data were analyzed using repeated measures in the MIXED procedure (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) with previous 305ME as a covariate. Fecal pH was similar between treatments and decreased (0.6 units) postpartum. Dry matter intake pre- and postpartum were unaffected by treatment, as was milk yield during the first 28 or 105 DIM. Milk fat, protein, and lactose concentration were similar for both treatments. Blood urea nitrogen and plasma glucose concentrations were unaffected by treatment; however, results showed increased concentration of circulating insulin (27%), lower nonesterified fatty acids (28%), and lower postpartum β-hydroxybutyrate (24%) in RPG-fed cows. Overall, circulating lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and haptoglobin did not differ by treatment, but at 7 DIM, RPG-fed cows had decreased lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and haptoglobin concentrations (31 and 27%, respectively) compared with controls. Supplemental RPG improved some biomarkers of post-absorptive energetics and inflammation during the periparturient period, changes primarily characterized by increased insulin and decreased nonesterified fatty acids concentrations, with a concomitant reduction in acute phase proteins without changing milk production and composition., (Copyright © 2020 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Although it is recommended to offer free drinking water (called drinking water hereafter) immediately after birth, producers wait, on average, 17 d to first offer drinking water to newborn dairy calves. The objective of this study was to examine water and feed intake, growth performance, health status, and nutrient digestibility of Holstein heifer calves offered drinking water from birth (W0) as compared with those offered it at 17 d of age (W17), when fed an ad libitum volume of milk. Thirty Holstein heifer calves, balanced for parity of the dam, birth weight, and birth week, were randomly assigned (n = 15) to W0 or W17. Calves had free access to drinking water and a starter ration, offered in 2 separate buckets, until they were 70 d of age. Calves were bottle-fed with pasteurized whole milk 3× per day (2.0 kg/feeding until d 14, and 3.2 kg/feeding thereafter). Calves were partially weaned (33% of the milk allowance 1 × per day) at 42 d of age and completely weaned at 49 d of age. Drinking water intake, starter intake, milk intake, ambient temperature, and the fecal consistency were recorded daily. Body weight, hip height, hip width, heart girth, and body length were measured weekly. Blood (drawn from a jugular vein) was analyzed for hematocrit and haptoglobin concentrations at 14 d of age. On d 69 and 70, total fecal output of individual calves was measured and analyzed for chemical composition to determine apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients. When offered from birth, newborn calves consumed 0.75 ± 0.05 kg/d water aside from the water they received from ad libitum milk allowance during the first 16 d. Once offered, W17 calves drank more water (59%) than W0 calves during the preweaning period. Starter intake of W0 and W17 calves was similar, but W0 calves consumed 0.285 kg/d more milk and tended to achieve greater body weight and heart girth compared with W17 calves during the preweaning period. Offering water from birth versus offering it later did not affect the number of days with diarrhea, intensity of diarrhea, or blood hematocrit and haptoglobin concentrations of preweaned calves. Despite a similar starter intake, W0 calves had greater hip height, body length, apparent total-tract digestibility of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber, and feed efficiency than W17 calves postweaning (50 to 70 d of age). When followed up to 5 mo of age, W0 calves had greater body weight than W17 calves. Provision of drinking water immediately after birth could improve growth and development of calves pre- and postweaning, potentially by stimulating rumen development, thus increasing nutrient availability., (Copyright © 2019 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The migration of volatile contaminants into overlying buildings, known as vapor intrusion, is a health concern for people living above contaminated groundwater. As public health and environmental agencies develop protocols to evaluate vapor intrusion exposure, little attention has been paid to the experiences and opinions of communities likely to be affected by vapor intrusion. Using a community-driven research approach and qualitative interviews, we explored community perspectives on the vapor intrusion pathway and the perceived impact on community health and well-being among neighbors living atop a large, shallow-chlorinated solvent plume in San Antonio, TX. Most participants associated vapor intrusion with health risks, expressing concern about the unavoidable and uncontrollable nature of their exposure. Few were satisfied with the responsiveness of public officials. Above all, participants wanted more accurate, transparent information and additional independent scientific investigations., (© The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.)

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether cows that were low shedders of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis were passively shedding or truly infected with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. We also investigated whether it is possible that these M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis-infected animals could have been infected as adults by contemporary high-shedding animals (supershedders). The M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates were obtained from a longitudinal study of three dairy herds in the northeastern United States. Isolates were selected from fecal samples and tissues at slaughter from all animals that were culture positive at the same time that supershedders were present in the herds. Shedding levels (CFU of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis/g of feces) for the animals at each culture-positive occasion were determined. Using a multilocus short-sequence-repeat technique, we found 15 different strains of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis from a total of 142 isolates analyzed. Results indicated herd-specific infection patterns; there was a clonal infection in herd C, with 89% of isolates from animals sharing the same strain, whereas herds A and B showed several different strains infecting the animals at the same time. Tissues from 80% of cows with at least one positive fecal culture (other than supershedders) were culture positive, indicating a true M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection. The results of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis strain typing and observed shedding levels showed that at least 50% of low shedders have the same strain as that of a contemporary supershedder. Results of this study suggest that in a dairy herd, more of the low-shedding cows are truly infected with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis than are passively shedding M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. The sharing of strains between low shedders and the contemporary supershedders suggests that low shedders may have been infected by environmental exposure of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis.

Multiple clinical informatics systems have been developed within separate departments of the University of Michigan Medical School. We are in the process of creating an "Honest Broker" method of safely and securely linking together data from different clinical systems for a research project studying the co-morbidity of depression and cardiovascular disease. The Michigan Clinical Research Collaboratory (MCRC) is an NIH/NHLBI Roadmap initiative funded to re-engineer the clinical research enterprise.

Gallbladder diverticulum is an unusual and uncommon disease process rarely discussed in the literature. This disorder may not be diagnosed until surgically resected. The presentation may entail nonspecific complaints over a prolonged period as highlighted in a case report of a 17-year-old woman with this disease. The incidence and pathophysiology of this disease process is correlated to the symptoms and signs of this patient. The surgical findings, procedure, and outcome are described.

The objective of the experiment was to determine whether passive immunization against inhibin at weaning would increase FSH secretion and thereby influence postweaning reproductive performance in sows. Commercial Yorkshire sows (n = 173) were assigned within parity to 5 alpha-inhibin fragment antibody (alpha-IF-Ab) dosage groups: 0 (control), 3.25, 6.5, 13 and 26 RP-2 kU/kg alpha-IF-Ab. Antibody had been semipurified from ovine antisera raised against alpha-IF, a peptide that mimicked the N-terminal region of inhibin's alpha-subunit. A RP-2 U refers to a laboratory reference preparation. Sows were administered a single intramuscular injection of control solution or alpha-IF-Ab just before 21-d-old piglets were weaned. Blood samples were taken immediately before immunization and 24 h later. Sows were bred upon expression of estrus. Serum alpha-IF-Ab titers in sows 24 h following passive immunization increased (P < 0.001) with dosage. In control sows serum FSH concentrations decreased 24% by 24 h postweaning (P < 0.001). The decrease was diminished or prevented by alpha-IF-Ab treatment in a dose-responsive manner (P < 0.001). Most (167/173) sows were bred within 10 d postweaning, and wean-to-service intervals tended (P < 0.1) to be shorter in the 13 and 26 RP-2 kU/kg alpha-IF-Ab dosage groups. Farrowing rate was 72% (124/173) and was similar among sows in the alpha-IF-Ab dosage groups. Litter size, expressed as total or live piglets born per sow or per sow farrowed, was unchanged by alpha-IF-Ab treatment. Results demonstrate that 1) inhibin plays a key role in regulating FSH secretion at weaning, and 2) blocking the acute postweaning drop in FSH secretion has little if any effect on subsequent reproductive performance.

Immnunization of guinea pigs with homologous myelin basic protein induces antibodies that differ in their ability to bind specific peptide fragments of the protein. Antiserums with differing specificities made it possible to demonstrate at least three mutually exclusive antigenic sites in the protein molecule. One of these sites is located between residues 44 and 89, another between 90 and 116, and the third between 117 and 170.

The C-terminal half of the bovine myelin basic protein, peptide 89-169, was treated with BNPS-skatole [2-(2-nitrophenylsulfenyl)-3-methyl-3'-bromoindolenine], and the products were isolated by repeated gel filtration through Sephadex G-50. They consisted of uncleaved peptide 89-169 in which approximately 30% of the tyrosine had been monobrominated and the tryptophan converted to oxindolealanine, peptide 116-169 modified by partial bromination (30%) of the tyrosine, and two chromatographic forms of peptide 89-115. The major form contained the lactone of dioxindolealanine at the C terminus; the minor form contained the uncyclized oxidation product. Each form of peptide 89-115 was resolved into several components by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels (10%, w/w) containing 1 M acetic acid and 8 M urea. The presence of three of these components could be explained by partial deamidation of Asn-91 and Gln-102. Studies on the oxidation of tryptophan-containing model peptides by BNPS-skatole indicated that the reaction can also include partial bromination of the dioxindole and its lactone and partial cleavage at the amino peptide bond of the tryptophan.

Bovine and guinea pig myelin basic proteins were cleaved with pepsin at pH 3.0 or pH 6.0 (enzyme/substrate, 1:500, w/w), and the peptides were isolated and identified. At pH 3.0 cleavage of the bovine protein occurred principally at three sites: Phe-Phe (88-89), Phe-Phe (42-43), and Leu-Asp (36-37). Minor cleavages occurred at Leu-Ser (110-111), Phe-Ser (113-114), and Ile-Phe (152-153). A study of the time course of the hydrolysis showed that the reaction was biphasic; nearly all of the protein was cleaved at Phe-Phe (88-89) before significant cleavages at other sites occurred. At pH 6.0 cleavage of the bovine protein occurred almost exclusively at a single site, the Phe-Phe bond at position 88-89, resulting in bisection of the protein. Treatment of the guinea pig protein with pepsin under the same conditions resulted in the production of peptides which were identical with those of the bovine protein in chromatographic and electrophoretic properties and in N-terminal and C-terminal residues but which differed slightly in amino acid composition.