Effectiveness of near-infrared spectroscopy to predict the chemical composition of feces and total-tract apparent nutrients digestibility estimated with uNDF or AIA in lactating buffaloes' feces

Following a comparison of nutrient total-tract digestibility estimates in lactating buffaloes using single-point undigestible NDF (uNDF) or acid-insoluble ash (AIA) as internal markers, the potential of fecal near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to provide calibration equations for the assessment of the chemical composition of feces and nutrient total-tract digestibility estimated with internal markers was explored. Chemical analyses were performed on 147 fecal samples from lactating buffaloes reared in 5 farms in central Italy (Naples). Each farm fed a silage-based total mixed ration (TMR) to the buffaloes, which was sampled in the 2 d before the fecal collection. The TMR and individual fecal samples were collected and analyzed for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), ash, AIA, ether extract (EE), starch, fiber fractions (aNDFom, aNDF, ADFom, ADF, hemicellulose, cellulose, ADL, uNDF), N, CP and CP bound to aNDF (NDICP) and to ADF (ADICP). The uNDF content was determined through a 240-h in vitro fermentation and employed, together with AIA as markers to estimate the total-tract apparent digestibility (ttaDe) and total-tract digestibility (ttDe) of DM, OM, ash, N, CP, EE, aNDFom, aNDF, NDIP, ADFom and ADF, ADIN, ADL, hemicellulose, cellulose, starch, non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and fraction B3 of N. No correlation was found between DM and OM digestibility estimated with AIA and uNDF as internal markers. Weak correlations were detected for all the other nutients digestibilities while strong correlations were observed for EE, ADFom, HC, NDIN, ADIN, NB3, NFC and starch.Inizio modulo The sample set (n = 147) was divided in a calibration set (n = 111) and a validation set (n = 36) to "train" and "validate" the fecal NIRS curve through an external validation process. An estimation usable for preliminary or initial evaluation was obtained for N, CP and aNDF fecal content. An excellent prediction was obtained for ttADINDe (R2 = 0.90) when estimated with uNDF as internal marker. The NIRS technology was not able to accurately predict all the other traits and the estimated nutrient digestibility of lactating buffalo diets from fecal spectra.

Using a food web model to predict the effects of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) accidental spills on deep-sea hydrothermal vents from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) region

Deep-sea hydrothermal vents host unique ecosystems but face risks of incidents with Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) along busy shipping lanes such as the transatlantic route. We developed an Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) model of the Menez Gwen (MG) vent field (MG-EwE) (Mid-Atlantic Ridge) to simulate ecosystem effects of potential accidental spills of four different HNS, using a semi-Lagrangian Dispersion Model (sLDM) coupled with the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) calibrated for the study area. Food web modelling revealed a simplified trophic structure with low energy efficiency. The MG ecosystem was vulnerable to disruptions caused by all tested HNS, yet it revealed some long-term resilience. Understanding these impacts is vital for enhancing Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure plans (SPCC) in remote marine areas and developing tools to assess stressors effects on these invaluable habitats.

Metastasis Models: Thermodynamics and Complexity

The thermodynamic formalism of nonequilibrium systems together with the theory of complex systems and systems biology offer an appropriate theoretical framework to explain the complexity observed at the macroscopic level in physiological phenomena. In turn, they allow the establishment of an appropriate conceptual and operational framework to address the study of phenomena such as the emergence and evolution of cancer.This chapter is organized as follows: In Subheading 1, an integrated vision of these disciplines is offered for the characterization of the emergence and evolution of cancer, seen as a nonlinear dynamic system, temporally and spatially self-organized out of thermodynamic equilibrium. The development of the various mathematical models and different techniques and approaches used in the characterization of cancer metastasis is presented in Subheading 2. Subheading 3 is devoted to the time course of cancer metastasis, with particular emphasis on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT henceforth) as well as chronotherapeutic treatments. In Subheading 4, models of the spatial evolution of cancer metastasis are presented. Finally, in Subheading 5, some conclusions and remarks are presented.

The Effect of Ethanol Associated with Universal Adhesive on Resin Composite Adhesion to Different Dentin Depths: A Long-Term In Vitro Study

To evaluate the ethanol wet-bonding protocol with a universal adhesive in etch-andrinse and self-etch modes on microleakage and microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of resin composite to different dentin depth. Molars were distributed into groups according to protocol and dentin depth: universal adhesive (C - control), ethanol + universal adhesive (E), and phosphoric acid etch + ethanol + universal adhesive (PA+E). All protocols were applied to dentin at superficial, middle and deep depths. The specimens (n = 10) were submitted to microleakage and μTBS tests. Half of specimens were submitted to thermocycling (10,000 cycles; 5∘C/55∘C). Data were submitted to Spearman correlation (μTBS x microleakage) and three-way ANOVA (protocol, aging and depth), followed by Bonferroni post hoc test (α=0.05). PA+E group showed highest μTBS and lowest microleakage mean values in 24h. All groups presented similar μTBS mean values after thermocycling. The deep dentin showed less stable μTBS results. PA+E group presented highest microleakage mean values after thermocycling. Spearman's correlation showed a strong correlation between microleakage and μTBS. The PA+E group improved immediate adhesion and E group promoted a more stable μTBS in the long-term adhesion of universal adhesive. The aging for all protocols jeopardized the stability of the hybrid layer. The ethanol wet bonding technique associated with universal adhesive has enhanced the immediate result of the resin composite adhesion.

Priority setting for restoration in surrounding savannic areas of the Brazilian Pantanal based on soil loss risk and agrarian structure

Soil health is at the core of the sustainability agenda. As in many agroecosystems in the tropics, soil erosion is a major issue in poorly managed pasturelands. A noteworthy case is located in the Upper Taquari River Basin (UTRB), as part of the Upper Paraguay Basin on the plateau with drainage waters for the Taquari megafan in the Brazilian Pantanal. Here we combine slope (S-factor), erodibility (E-factor), rainfall-rainy day ratio (R-factor), and vegetation and soil indices (C-factor) to locate erosion risk and prioritize eco-engineering interventions via palisades and small dams in UTRB. The method consisted of assessing distinct weights between Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) factors in a GIS platform, providing 35 combinations of classes as low, moderate, high, and very high erosive risk. The validation of the method was based on the ravine and plain ground truths obtained from high-resolution raster data. The best weight of USLE factors aids to locate critical erosive sites and vegetation patterns. Then, erosion risk and interventions were analyzed according to land use and rural property sizes in the government's Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) database. Overall, the natural factors of slope and erodibility in a proportion of 25% and 75% in GIS algebra provided the best mapping accuracy result. About 65% of the UTRB has high or very high erosion risks, and 70% of the available area can be acknowledged as degraded pasturelands. A total of 4744 erosion interventions were recorded, with an accuracy of 65.28% and 61.15% for check dams and palisades interventions, respectively. The number of necessary interventions in areas of native vegetation was almost 50% higher than in pasturelands. Even though micro landowners occupy most of the watershed, large properties have about ten times as many areas at high risk of erosion. The mutual cooperation between properties, independently of size, is supported by governmental public policies like incentives for ecosystem services restoration of critical gullies, with CAR compliance and fiscalization.

P396 OUR CERTIFIED SYNCOPE UNIT EXPERIENCE; FROM DIAGNOSTIC APPROPRIATENESS TO DEVICE IMPLANTS, FROM PATIENT EDUCATION TO THE IMPACT OF THE COVID–19 PANDEMIC. REPORT ON TWO “DIFFICULT” YEARS

Syncope is a frequent medical problem with an incidence of about 6.2/1000 people/year, with important impact on the patients quality of life and often difficult to diagnose and manage; in this regard, the Syncope Units certified by the Italian Group for the study of syncope were created. The following describes our experience over the last 30 months characterized by significant difficulties due to the COVID–19 pandemic. Our Syncope Unit, included in the OU of Cardiology, includes 3 doctors, 3 cardiology technicians, 2 nurses; the activity is three times a week in terms of clinic and HUTT (Head up tilt test). In 2019, 54 HUTTs were performed on patients with an average age of 67 years 50% male, with indication of vasovagal syncope (VVS) for 78% of cases, presyncope and other indications for the remaining 21%, requested by other services. The HUTT was positive for cardioinhibitory and sinus–carotid syncope with indication for Pacemaker implantation (with closed loop stimulation algorithm – CLS) for 22% of cases. In 12% of patients, an ECG–Loop recorder (ILR) was indicated, but 42% of these refused this procedure. In 2020, 32 HUTTs were performed, the same average age, with 86% indication of VVS syncope. The indication for a pacemaker implant was 15% as well as for an ILR implant. 33 to 38% of patients were educated, providing dedicated material, on the prevention of syncope. About 4% of patients refused to undergo the HUTT after the explanation of its performing modalities. The first 6 months of 2021 showed a similar trend to that of 2019. The data show a good appropriateness of the indications to the HUTT and a subsequent PM implantation rate similar to the data available in the literature. The device with CLS has shown benefits in reducing syncopal recurrences at 6 months by over 25%; only 3% of the ILRs were followed by PM implantation. The HUTT, despite of low sensitivity and specificity, is confirmed as a valid VVS characterization tool but sometimes the patient frightened by its performing methods. The COVID–19 pandemic significantly impacted our activity, related to the outpatient in office activities stop and to the shift of operators in COVID areas. We had a 40% reduction in visits and HUTTs performed with consequent missed and/or delayed diagnoses.

Life-history data of a key amphipod species from three NE Atlantic estuaries under different levels of anthropogenic pressure

Knowledge on population dynamics of ecosystem's key-species is invaluable to understand how populations will respond to natural and human-induced perturbations. The amphipod Echinogammarus marinus is a key-species from European estuarine habitats with a distribution ranging from Norway to Portugal [1]. The present article contains supportive data related to a research article entitled ‘Comparing production and life-history traits of a key amphipod species within and between estuaries under different levels of anthropogenic pressure’ [2]. The present dataset presents the density, biomass, fecundity, and production of E. marinus in three estuaries under different anthropogenic pressure and, within each estuary, at three sampling sites, which differed in terms of the distance to the estuary mouth, vegetation cover, and organic matter content. Monthly environmental abiotic data and seasonal concentration of PAH and other contaminants are also provided. Sampling took place monthly for 13 months at low tide on intertidal mudflats. At each site, Fucus fronds containing E. marinus individuals were randomly collected. All E. marinus individuals were counted, sexed, and measured under a binocular stereo microscope to estimate the density and the biomass of E. marinus in Fucus fronds. Finally, the annual production of E. marinus at each sampling site was estimated through the size-frequency method. This dataset may be used to compare population traits of E. marinus populations across different estuaries and it may overall assist designing studies regarding population dynamics and designing management strategies in coastal systems, namely targeting at habitat conservation and restoration.

Comparing production and life-history traits of a key amphipod species within and between estuaries under different levels of anthropogenic pressure

Inter-population variability may arise as a response to adverse natural and anthropogenic stressors. The dynamics of a key amphipod species (Echinogammarus marinus) was followed during ≈ 1-year at its southerly range (NW Portugal), in three estuaries with different levels of anthropogenic pressure (High - Ave estuary; Moderate - Mondego estuary; Low - Minho estuary). We hypothesised that E. marinus populations would present lower production and fitness, and higher intersexuality incidence with increasing anthropogenic pressure. According to a GAM model explaining ≈70% of the observed variability, E. marinus biomass depends on temperature, organic matter, Fucus area and time of the year. Significant differences were found between the gammarid biomass in Minho and Mondego estuaries and within sites from the same estuary. As expected, Ave estuary exhibited the lowest average annual production, abundance and fecundity rates. However, the highest average production was found in Mondego and not in Minho estuary, although the turnover ratio (P/B) of both estuaries was very similar. Besides the system's global ecological status, E. marinus also seems to respond to microhabitat conditions, which may explain the spatial heterogeneity observed in the amphipod production within the same estuary. Intersexuality prevalence was negligible in the three populations, which does not support the idea of a link between anthropogenic pressure and intersexuality in E. marinus. We argue that the dependence of E. marinus on Fucus sp. should be further investigated to fully understand the role of both fucoids and the gammarid in coastal foodwebs.

Practical application of synthetic head models in real ballistic cases

In shooting crimes, ballistics tests are often recommended in order to reproduce the wound characteristics of the involved persons. For this purpose, several "simulants" can be used. However, despite the efforts in the research of "surrogates" in the field of forensic ballistic, the development of synthetic models needs still to be improved through a validation process based on specific real caseworks. This study has been triggered by the findings observed during the autopsy performed on two victims killed in the same shooting incident, with similar wounding characteristics; namely two retained head shots with ricochet against the interior wall of the skull; both projectiles have been recovered during the autopsies after migration in the brain parenchyma. The thickness of the different tissues and structures along the bullets trajectories as well as the incident angles between the bullets paths and the skull walls have been measured and reproduced during the assemblage of the synthetic head models. Two different types of models ("open shape" and "spherical") have been assembled using leather, polyurethane and gelatine to simulate respectively skin, bone and soft tissues. Six shots have been performed in total. The results of the models have been compared to the findings of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) and the autopsy findings.Out of the six shots, two perforated the models and four were retained. When the projectile was retained, the use of both models allowed reproducing the wounds characteristics observed on both victims in terms of penetration and ricochet behaviour. However, the projectiles recovered from the models showed less deformation than the bullets collected during the autopsies. The "open shape" model allowed a better controlling on the shooting parameters than the "spherical" model. Finally, the difference in bullet deformation could be caused by the choice of the bone simulant, which might under-represent either the strength or the density of the human bone. In our opinion, it would be worth to develop a new, more representative material for ballistic which simulates the human bone.

Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression

OBJECTIVE

New antidepressant treatments are needed that are effective, rapid acting, safe, and tolerable. Intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment-resistant depression. Recent methodological advances suggest that the current iTBS protocol might be improved through 1) treating patients with multiple sessions per day at optimally spaced intervals, 2) applying a higher overall pulse dose of stimulation, and 3) precision targeting of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) to subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) circuit. The authors examined the feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT), an accelerated, high-dose resting-state functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI)-guided iTBS protocol for treatment-resistant depression.

METHODS

Twenty-two participants with treatment-resistant depression received open-label SAINT. fcMRI was used to individually target the region of the left DLPFC most anticorrelated with sgACC in each participant. Fifty iTBS sessions (1,800 pulses per session, 50-minute intersession interval) were delivered as 10 daily sessions over 5 consecutive days at 90% resting motor threshold (adjusted for cortical depth). Neuropsychological testing was conducted before and after SAINT.

RESULTS

One participant withdrew, leaving a sample size of 21. Nineteen of 21 participants (90.5%) met remission criteria (defined as a score <11 on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale). In the intent-to-treat analysis, 19 of 22 participants (86.4%) met remission criteria. Neuropsychological testing demonstrated no negative cognitive side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

SAINT, an accelerated, high-dose, iTBS protocol with fcMRI-guided targeting, was well tolerated and safe. Double-blinded sham-controlled trials are needed to confirm the remission rate observed in this initial study.

A-65 Verbal Abilities May Influence Performance in Assessment of Verbal Short-Term Memory Tasks

Objective

Examine whether verbal abilities may help explain the learning strategies people employ when completing a short-term verbal memory task.

Methods

The assessment records of 296 American Veterans with diverse neuropsychiatric conditions were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analyses. There were no exclusion criteria. All participants completed the Benton Serial Digit Learning Test – 9 Digits (SDL-9) and Visual Naming (VisNam), Sentence Repetition (SenRep), Controlled Word Association (COWA), and Token Tests of the Multilingual Aphasia Examination (MAE). Individual assessment instruments were factored using Principal Component Analyses (PCA). A three-factor solution of the SDL-9 was co-factored with the verbal components of the MAE to identify common sources of variance.

Results

A three-factor solution of the SDL-9 separated trials into three overlapping factors consisting of early (SDL-9_Early), middle (SDL-9_Middle), and late (SDL-9_Late) trials. Co-factoring the three new scales with the verbal components of the MAE produced a four-factor model explaining 67.85% of the shared variance: 1) SenRep loaded with SDL-9_Early, 2) COWAT loaded with SDL-9_Middle and SDL-9_Late, 3) Token loaded with SDL-9_Late, and 4) Vis Nam loaded with SDL-9_Late.

Conclusions

The results suggest that individuals may engage verbal abilities differently as they progress from simpler to more difficult verbal short-term memory tasks. It appears performance in early trials is mostly associated with rote repetition and performance on middle trials is mostly associated with verbal fluency, while performance on the late trials is associated with a combination of verbal fluency, auditory comprehension, and conceptual organization/naming. This may therefore indicate a shift in learning strategy to meet increased cognitive demands.

A-49 Visual Memory Errors and Intelligence: The Role of Verbal Mediation

Objective

Examine the relationship of verbal mediation with visual memory errors and intelligence to understand the role of spoken language on other assessment measures.

Method

Assessment records were obtained from a Veteran Affairs clinic for veterans (n=100) with diverse neuropsychiatric conditions who completed the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, third edition (WAIS-III), Multilingual Aphasia Examination (MAE), and Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT). A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to examine the interrelationship among these assessments. The components of spoken language, types of errors on the BVRT, and the four factors of the WAIS-III were factored using the PCA to identify common sources of variance.

Results

A principal component analysis revealed a six-factor model explaining 68.16% of the shared variance among the WAIS-III factors, MAE components, and BVRT Errors. Omission errors loaded with Processing Speed and Controlled Word Association. Distortions and size errors loaded with Perceptual Organization. Size errors also loaded with Verbal Comprehension and Visual Naming. Misplacements loaded with Working Memory and Sentence Repetition. Misplacements, perseverations, and omissions loaded with the Token Test (a measure associated with auditory comprehension). Rotation errors loaded with Perceptual Organization.

Conclusions

Results indicated significant shared variance between visual memory errors, spoken language, and intelligence factors. This suggests that spoken language is involved in the process of visual memory, and deficits in spoken language may result in increased errors on visual memory tasks. Therefore, treatment recommendations for visual memory difficulties should take into consideration verbal capabilities and intelligence factors to better individualize treatment.

A-53 Exploring the Relationship between Spoken Language and Verbal Short-term Memory Assessment Tasks

Objective

Examine whether performance on spoken language assessment measures may be associated with performance at different phases of verbal learning and recall tasks.

Method

The assessment records of 222 American Veterans with diverse neuropsychiatric conditions were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analyses. There were no exclusion criteria. All participants completed the Visual Naming (VisNam), Sentence Repetition (SenRep), Controlled Word Association (COWA), and Token Tests of the Multilingual Aphasia Examination (MAE), and Benton Serial Digit Learning Test – 8 Digits (SDL8). Individual assessment instruments were factored using Principal Component Analyses (PCA). A three-factor solution of the SDL-8 was co-factored with the spoken language components of the MAE to identify common sources of variance.

Results

A three-factor solution of the SDL8 separated trials into three overlapping factors consisting of early (SDL8_Early), middle (SDL8_Middle), and late (SDL8_Late) trials. Co-factoring the three new scales with the verbal components of the MAE produced a five-factor model explaining 84.563% of the shared variance: 1) SDL8_Early loaded with SenRep, 2) SDL8_Middle loaded with SenRep, 3) SDL8_Late loaded with Token, 4) SDL8_Late loaded with COWA, and 5) VisNam alone formed the fifth factor.

Conclusions

The results suggest that rote repetition is largely associated with early trials and slightly associated with middle trials, while late trials are largely associated with auditory comprehension and slightly associated with verbal fluency. This may be indicative of a shift in use of spoken language abilities to accommodate increasing levels of complexity in presented verbal short-term memory tasks and thus reflective of a change on learning strategy to optimize performance.

A-52 An Exploratory Factor Analysis Investigation of the Role of Verbal Mediation in the Interaction between Intelligence and Visual Memory Tasks

Objective

Examine whether verbal mediation may play a role in the interaction between visual memory tasks and the four-factor model of intelligence as operationalized by standard neuropsychological assessment instruments.

Method

The assessment records of 101 American Veterans with diverse neuropsychiatric conditions were examined using Exploratory Factor and Principal Component Analyses (EFA and PCA respectively). There were no exclusion criteria. All participants completed the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, third edition (WAIS-III), Benton’s Visual Retention Test (BVRT), and Multilingual Aphasia Examination (MAE). Individual assessment instruments were factored using PCA. The factor solution of the BVRT was co-factored with the scales of the WAIS-III, then the resulting factor scales were again factored with the verbal components of the MAE to identify common sources of variance.

Results

A three-step analysis revealed a four-factor model explaining 69.44% of the shared variance: 1) Items 1-4 of the BVRT (BVRT-E) loaded with Verbal Comprehension and Visual Naming. 2) BVRT-E also loaded with Processing Speed and Controlled Word Association. 3) Items 5-10 of the BVRT (BVRT-L) loaded with Perceptual Organization and the Token Test. 4) Working Memory loaded with Sentence Repetition on a fourth factor.

Conclusions

The results indicate a strong relationship between assessed performance on visual memory tasks and performance on measures based on the four-factor model of intelligence. The results also appear to support the idea that verbal mediation plays a role in the interaction between visual memory and intelligence, particularly when comparing performance on simple versus more complex visual memory tasks.

Benign Multicystic Peritoneal Mesothelioma (BMPM) as a rare cause of abdominal pain in a young male: case report and review of the literature

Benign Multicystic Peritoneal Mesothelioma (BMPM) is a rare benign cystic neoplasm that arise from the peritoneum, typically found in young females (83%), with a high incidence of local recurrence after resection (almost 50% of cases). Fewer than 200 cases have been reported worldwide in 2017. Due to its rarity and the lack of a classical clinical presentation, the diagnosis pre-operatively is challenging; moreover a great part of the literature is composed of case reports and small group studies. Nowadays, guidelines are still not available, and treatment is en bloc resection of the lesion. Some authors suggest the use of Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) associated with the surgical approach, even if comparative data on recurrence and complications are lacking. We report a case of BMPM diagnosed in a 40-year-old male who underwent an exploratory laparoscopy and complete excision of the neoformation. Pathology confirmed the presence of a BMPM.

The sequence of prenatal growth restraint and postnatal catch-up growth: normal heart but thicker intima-media and more pre-peritoneal fat in late infancy

BACKGROUND

The sequence of prenatal growth restraint and postnatal catch-up growth leads to a thicker intima-media and more pre-peritoneal fat by age 3-6 years.

OBJECTIVES

To study whether carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and pre-peritoneal fat differ already between catch-up small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) controls in late infancy (ages 1 and 2 years) and whether such differences - if any - are accompanied by differences in cardiac morphology and function.

METHODS

Longitudinal assessments included body height and weight; fasting glucose, insulin, Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), high-molecular-weight adiponectin; body composition (by absorptiometry); cIMT, aortic IMT, pre-peritoneal fat partitioning (by ultrasound); cardiac morphometry and function (by echocardiography) in AGA and SGA infants at birth, at age 1 year (N = 87), and again at age 2 years (N = 68).

RESULTS

Catch-up SGA infants had already a thicker cIMT than AGA controls at ages 1 and 2 years, and more pre-peritoneal fat by age 2 years (all p values between <0.01 and <0.0001); all cardiac and endocrine-metabolic results were similar in AGA and SGA infants at ages 1 and 2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

From late infancy onwards, catch-up SGA infants have a thicker cIMT and more pre-peritoneal fat than AGA controls, but their cardiac morphology and function remain reassuringly similar.