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ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of long-acting injectable progesterone supplementation (P4LA) on embryonic and fetal development and birth weight in Nellore cows seven days after timed artificial insemination (TAI). One hundred and nineteen Nellore female cows became pregnant after the TAI protocol and were divided into two groups: P4LA with cows that received 150mg of P4LA, seven days after insemination, in a single dose, and the control group, with cows who did not receive any hormonal supplementation after TAI. Blood samples were collected on days 17 and 30 after TAI to determine P4 concentration. Embryonic and fetal measurements were performed at 30 and 45 days of gestation, respectively, with the aid of ultrasonography, measuring craniocaudal length and thoracic diameter. No difference was observed in P4 concentration between the groups supplemented with or without injectable P4 on days 17 (P=0.73) and 30 (P=0.62) after TAI. There was no significant difference in embryonic and fetal development or birth weight between the supplemented and non-supplemented groups (P=0.59, P=0.09, and P=0.64, respectively). Supplementation with injectable progesterone seven days after TAI did not interfere with the embryonic and fetal development of Nellore cows, nor did it affect birth weight.

Abstract Products derived from medicinal plants with antimicrobial activity are considered a promising alternative in the treatment of fungal infections. In this perspective, this study proposed to evaluate the antifungal activity of the dichloromethane fraction of Annona crassiflora Mart. against C. albicans strains. Tests were carried out to determine Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Fungicide Concentration (MFC), microbial growth kinetics, fungal cell wall and membrane mechanisms of action, antifungal biofilm activity, and cytotoxic effects on human erythrocytes. The extract presented MIC and MFC values that ranged from 256 µg/mL to 1,024 µg/mL, with fungicidal activity in the microbial growth kinetics assay. The mechanism of action did not occur through damage to the cell wall or via binding to ergosterol in the membrane, though the fraction presents activity against biofilm and is not cytotoxic in human erythrocytes. The dichloromethane fraction of Annona crassiflora Mart. presented antifungal activity and reduced biofilm growth, without toxicity against human erythrocytes; however, further studies are needed to define its mechanism of action.

Introduction Hundreds of fires have been burning from coast to coast across the country since March 2023, putting Canada on track to experience the worst wildfire season ever. From East to West, provinces such as Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, and British Columbia have been particularly affected by large and uncontrollable wildfires. Objectives This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of depression symptoms among residents of Alberta and Nova Scotia during the Canadian wildfires of 2023. Methods This study conducted a cross-sectional quantitative survey for data collection. In the period between 14th May and 23rd June 2023, an online survey was administered using REDCap. Through the Text4Hope program, participants subscribe to receive supportive SMS messages daily. After the first message, participants were invited to complete an online questionnaire, containing demographic information, wildfire-related information, and responses to the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression assessment. SPSS version 25 was used to analyze the data. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate regression analyses were employed. Results A total of 298 respondents completed the online survey out of 1802 who accessed it, resulting in a response rate of 16.54 %. Most of the respondents were females (85.2%, 253), below 40 years of age (28.3%, 84), employed (63.6%, 189), and in a relationship (56.4%, 167). A historical depression diagnosis (OR = 3.15; 95% CI: 1.39–7.14) was a significant predictor of moderate to severe MDD in our study. While employment status did not significantly predict MDD, unemployed individuals were two times more likely to report moderate-to-severe symptoms of MDD than employed individuals (OR = 2.46; 95% CI: 1.06–5.67). Among the total sample population, the moderate to severe MDD prevalence was 50.4%, whereas it was 56.1% among those living in wildfire-affected areas. Image: Image 2: Conclusions As a result of our study, the development of moderate to severe MDD symptoms during wildfire disasters was significantly associated with a history of depression diagnosis. Although employment status did not significantly predict MDD, unemployed individuals had a greater likelihood of experiencing moderate-to-severe symptoms than employed individuals. Further research is necessary to ascertain reliable predictors of mental health issues among those who have experienced disasters, as well as to offer appropriate interventions and treatment options to the communities and individuals who are most vulnerable. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Metallic hydrogen (MH) has been predicted to be metastable, a high temperature superconductor, and a powerful rocket propellant. If true, MH could have an enormous impact on society. We have produced MH in a diamond anvil cell and studied its metastability. At a temperature of 5 K, the load on the metallic hydrogen was stepwise reduced until the pressure was essentially zero. While turning the load or pressure down, the sample evidently transformed to the molecular phase and escaped; the hole in the gasket containing the MH closed. We were unable to determine this value of the metastability pressure. Metallic hydrogen was not observed to be metastable at zero pressure, with no uncertainty.

Purpose of Investigation: To determine the accuracy from three diagnostic methods for premature rupture of membranes. Materials and Methods: Samples from 100 pregnant women were divided into two groups: intact and ruptured membranes. Samples of 2-5 ml were collected from the vaginal content and the exams were performed, analysing accuracy measures. Results: The pH demonstrated sensitivity of 100.0%, specificity of 96.0%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 96.2%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 100.0%, and accuracy of 96.0%. Iannetta test demonstrated sensitivity of 86.0%, specificity of 92.0%, PPV of 91.5%, NPV of 86.8%, and accuracy of 79.1%. Crystallization demonstrated sensitivity of 90.0%, specificity of 98.0%, PPV of 10.00%, NPV of 90.7% and accuracy of 88.2%. Conclusion: The most specific test with higher PPV was crystallisation, alone or in combination with others (pH and Iannetta test). The most sensitive test with higher NPV and accuracy was pH, alone or in association with others (Iannetta test and crystallization).

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Melioidosis is an emerging infection in Sri Lanka with increasing case reports, mostly in adults but also in children. We report two children with parotid abscess, which is one of the common clinical manifestations in the paediatric population in Southeast Asia but rare in Northern Australia. Both were previously healthy. The children recovered completely after surgical drainage and antibiotic treatment according to standard guidelines. Because the spectrum of disease in childhood is different from that in adults and underlying predisposing factors are usually not seen in children, a high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis of paediatric melioidosis. Raising awareness among paediatricians in Sri Lanka of the clinical presentations of melioidosis in childhood is a prerequisite for improved ascertainment. The key role of the microbiology laboratory in the diagnosis of melioidosis is highlighted.

El objetivo de la presente revisión es discutir sobre la importancia del ajuste adecuado del tamaño de partícula en el momento de la colecta de la planta de maíz al ser ensilada y del uso o no de inoculante bacteriano. Los ensilajes han sido ampliamente utilizados por los ganaderos por exigir tecnologías simples y presentar resultados satisfactorios, ya que esta tecnología de conservación es menos dependiente de factores climáticos, en comparación al heno. El tamaño de corte de las partículas puede causar modificaciones en la fermentación de la masa ensilada, a través de diferentes densidades obtenidas en el silo, lo que a su vez puede provocar modificaciones en la actividad masticatoria e en el desempeño de los rumiantes. La fermentación en el silo es un proceso complejo y dinámico que es afectado por una gran variedad de factores inherentes al manejo, por eso, se ha intensificado el uso de inoculantes bacterianos para acelerar la fermentación del forraje y disminuir las pérdidas durante el proceso de descargue. Todavía existe un gran espacio para investigar sobre los verdaderos efectos del ajuste en el tamaño de partícula asociada al uso de inoculantes bacterianos, tanto en lo que se refiere al ambiente del silo como al desempeño animal.

It is well known that the interaction of polyelectrolytes with oppositely charged surfactants leads to an associative phase separation; however, the phase behavior of DNA and oppositely charged surfactants is more strongly associative than observed in other systems. A precipitate is formed with very low amounts of surfactant and DNA. DNA compaction is a general phenomenon in the presence of multivalent ions and positively charged surfaces; because of the high charge density there are strong attractive ion correlation effects. Techniques like phase diagram determinations, fluorescence microscopy, and ellipsometry were used to study these systems. The interaction between DNA and catanionic mixtures (i.e., mixtures of cationic and anionic surfactants) was also investigated. We observed that DNA compacts and adsorbs onto the surface of positively charged vesicles, and that the addition of an anionic surfactant can release DNA back into solution from a compact globular complex between DNA and the cationic surfactant. Finally, DNA interactions with polycations, chitosans with different chain lengths, were studied by fluorescence microscopy, in vivo transfection assays and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The general conclusion is that a chitosan effective in promoting compaction is also efficient in transfection.

RESUMO A atividade elétrica cardíaca pode ser registrada por meio do eletrocardiograma (ECG), registro capaz de captar as alterações do percurso elétrico. Na literatura científica, não existe descrição de padrões eletrocardiográficos de ratos Wistar desde a fase de recém-nascidos até serem considerados envelhecidos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o padrão eletrocardiográfico de ratos Wistar desde a fase de recém-nascidos até serem considerados envelhecidos, no intuito de que os resultados possam contribuir como referencial dos padrões da espécie. Foram utilizados ratos Rattus novergicus albinus, da linhagem Wistar. Os ratos foram divididos em cinco grupos experimentais, sendo definidos de acordo com a idade e assim denominados: grupo 21 dias (21D), dois meses (2M), três meses (3M), sete meses (7M) e 18 meses (18M), sendo n=20 por grupo. Para a realização do ECG, eletrodos conectados aos canais do eletrocardiógrafo foram posicionados nos animais e captaram o sinal elétrico do coração em seis derivações. Os dados foram agrupados e submetidos a comparação por meio de ANOVA e teste de Tukey-Kramer, P≤0,05. Os resultados mostraram que, de forma geral, as modulações ao longo do processo de envelhecimento diante dos parâmetros relacionados ao ECG se iniciam a partir do período 2M, com aparente estabilidade até 3M e/ou 7M, seguindo por exacerbação das modulações em 7M e/ou 18M, a depender da variável eletrocardiográfica em questão. Em relação à frequência cardíaca (FC), concomitantemente, nota-se um padrão similar, ou seja, diminuição dela a partir do período 2M, com estabilidade até 7M, seguindo por diminuição mais pronunciada em 18M. Os resultados sugerem que, devido ao processo de envelhecimento, o coração de ratos Wistar apresenta modificações na condução do estímulo elétrico, bem como redução na FC, fatores que merecem atenção enquanto indicadores de inclusão/exclusão de animais em grupos experimentais por parte de pesquisadores que utilizam a referida espécie como modelo de estudo.