Spatial recovery of the murine gut microbiota after antibiotics perturbation

Bacterial communities are highly complex, with interaction networks dictating ecosystem function. Bacterial interactions are constrained by the spatial organization of these microbial communities, yet studying the spatial organization of microbial communities at the single-cell level has been technically challenging. Here, we use the recently developed high-phylogenetic-resolution microbiota mapping by fluorescence in situ hybridization technology to image the gut microbiota at the species and single-cell level. We simultaneously image 63 different bacterial species to spatially characterize the perturbation and recovery of the gut microbiota to ampicillin and vancomycin in the cecum and distal colon of mice. To decipher the biology in this complex imaging data, we developed an analytical framework to characterize the spatial changes of the gut microbiota to a perturbation. The three-tiered analytical approach includes image-level diversity, pairwise colocalization analysis, and hypothesis-driven neighborhood analysis. Through this workflow, we identify biogeographic and antibiotic-based differences in the spatial organization of the gut microbiota. We demonstrate that the cecal microbiota has increased micrometer-scale diversity than the colon at baseline and recovers better from perturbation. Also, we identify potential foundation and keystone species that have high baseline neighborhood richness and that are associated with recovery from antibiotics. Through this workflow, we add a spatial layer to the characterization of bacterial communities and progress toward a better understanding of bacterial interactions leading to improved microbiome modulation strategies.

IMPORTANCE

Antibiotics have broad off-target effects on the gut microbiome. When the microbial community is unable to recover from antibiotics, it can lead to increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal infections and increased risk of immunological and metabolic diseases. In this study, we work to better understand how the gut microbiota recovers from antibiotics by employing a recent technology to image the entire bacterial community at once. Through this approach, we characterize the spatial changes in the gut microbiota after treatment with model antibiotics in both the cecum and colon of mice. We find antibiotic- and biogeographic-dependent spatial changes between bacterial species and that many of these spatial colocalizations do not recover to baseline levels even 35 days after antibiotic administration.

Changes in menopausal symptoms comparing oral estradiol versus transdermal estradiol

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of oral and transdermal estradiol in alleviating menopausal symptoms.

METHOD

A total of 257 recently menopausal women were randomized into two groups. The t-E2 group received transdermal estradiol (2.5 g per day) (n = 128) and the o-E2V group received oral estradiol valerate (2 mg per day) (n = 129) for 24 weeks; both groups received micronized progesterone (200 mg per day). The primary outcome measure is the change in the modified Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) after 24 weeks of treatment. Menopausal symptoms were recorded at screening and at 4, 12 and 24 weeks using both the KMI and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS).

RESULTS

Significant amelioration was observed by KMI and MRS scores for both groups after treatment (p < 0.001). The mean KMI scores showed no difference between the two groups. The mean MRS scores were similar between the two groups at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. The results showed statistical differences after 12 weeks and 24 weeks of treatment (p = 0.005 and p = 0.011). Both the after-treatment scores minus the baseline scores of KMI and MRS and the incidence of adverse effects showed no difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that both transdermal and oral estradiol are effective in relieving menopausal symptoms, with little difference in treatment efficacy and safety.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

ChiCTR2300073146.

Suppression of microRNA-320 Induces Cerebral Protection Against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Targeting HMGB1/NF-kappaB Axis

MicroRNAs have been shown to potentially function in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. This study aimed to examine the expression of microRNA-320 (miR-320) in cerebral IR injury and its involvement in cerebral mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses by targeting the HMGB1/NF-kappaB axis. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion to simulate cerebral IR injury. The cerebral expression of miR-320 was assessed using qRT-PCR. Neurological function, cerebral infarct volume, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines were evaluated using relevant methods, including staining, fluorometry, and ELISA. HMGB1 expression was analyzed through Western blotting. The levels of miR-320, HMGB1, neurological deficits, and cerebral infarction were significantly higher after IR induction. Intracerebral overexpression of miR-320 resulted in substantial neurological deficits, increased infarct volume, elevated levels of 8-isoprostane, NF-kappaBp65, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and HMGB1 expression. It also promoted the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS levels while reducing MnSOD and GSH levels. Downregulation of miR-320 and inhibition of HMGB1 activity significantly reversed the outcomes of cerebral IR injury. MiR-320 plays a negative role in regulating cerebral inflammatory/oxidative reactions induced by IR injury by enhancing HMGB1 activity and modulating mitochondrial function.

Interaction between handgrip strength and vitamin D deficiency on all-cause mortality in community-dwelling older adults: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Muscle strength decline and vitamin D deficiency are coexisting conditions associated with multiple adverse health outcomes. This prospective study aimed to investigate the multiplicative and additive interactions between handgrip strength (HS) and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] on all-cause mortality in Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a population-based cohort study.

METHODS

2635 older adults (85.15 ± 12.01 years) were recruited from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2012-2018). Low HS was defined according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 updated consensus (<28 kg for men and <18 kg for women). Serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L were defined as vitamin D deficiency. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the association of HS and 25(OH)D with all-cause mortality. Socio-demographics, health status, and clinical characteristics were included as covariates.

RESULTS

1715 (65.09 %) and 1885 (71.54 %) participants had low HS and vitamin D deficiency, respectively. During a median follow-up of 3.52 years, 1107 older people died. After multivariable adjustment, both HS and 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with all-cause mortality risk (Ps < 0.001). The hazard ratios (HRs) of low HS and vitamin D deficiency for all-cause mortality were 1.73 (95 % CI: 1.41-2.13) and 1.61 (95 % CI: 1.32-1.93), respectively. Although significant multiplicative interactions were not found, the association between low HS and all-cause mortality was attenuated in the higher 25(OH)D subgroup than in the lower 25(OH)D subgroup (stratified by 50 nmol/L). The multiple-adjusted HR of mortality for combined low HS and vitamin D deficiency was 2.18 (95 % CI: 1.73-2.56), which was higher than that for these two conditions alone. Significant additive interactions between low HS and vitamin D deficiency on mortality were observed (relative excess risk due to interaction: 0.71, 95 % CI: 0.37-1.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Low HS and low 25(OH)D levels synergistically increased the risk of all-cause mortality. Our results added new insights to the priority of early detection for older adults with comorbid muscle strength decline and vitamin D deficiency.

Effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol on performance, gut health, and bone quality of broilers fed with reduced calcium and phosphorus diet during Eimeria challenge

This study evaluated the effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD) on performance, gut health, and bone quality of broilers fed with reduced calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) diet during Eimeria spp. challenge. A total of 576 fourteen-day-old Cobb 500 male chicks were randomly distributed in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with 6 replicates of 12 birds each. The main factors were 25-OHD level (0 or 3,000 IU/kg of feed), mineral level (0.84% of Ca/0.42% of P, the levels recommended for the grower phase (NOR) or 0.64% of Ca/0.22% of P (RED), and mid-high mixed Eimeria challenge or nonchallenge. 25-OHD improved phosphorus retention (P = 0.019), bone ash weight (P = 0.04), cortical bone trabecular connectivity (P = 0.043) during coccidiosis. For birds fed with reduced mineral levels, 25-OHD supplementation increased bone ash weight (P = 0.04). However, 25-OHD did not improve bone ash weight when birds were challenged and fed with reduced mineral levels. The dietary 3,000 IU of 25-OHD supplementation did not improve performance or gut morphology but support bone health during coccidiosis. Future investigations are needed for better understand 25-OHD role on bone microarchitecture and oxidative metabolism during coccidiosis.

Prognostic value of the baseline magnetic resonance score in patients with acute posterior circulation ischaemic stroke after mechanical thrombectomy

AIM

To investigate the prognostic value of the composite posterior circulation Acute Stroke Prognosis Early Computed tomography (CT) Score (ASPECTS)-Collaterals (pcASCO) score, which combines diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) posterior circulation ASPECTS (pcASPECTS) and the magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)-collateral circulation score at baseline among patients with acute posterior circulation ischaemic stroke after mechanical thrombectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with acute posterior circulation ischaemic stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy were analysed retrospectively. The DWI-pcASPECTS and MRA-collateral circulation score before treatment and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days after treatment were used as the endpoints. An mRS ≤2 was defined as a good prognosis, and an mRS ≥3 was defined as a poor prognosis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse independent predictors of functional outcome 90 days after mechanical thrombectomy.

RESULTS

Mechanical thrombectomy was performed in 57 patients; 38 patients had a good prognosis, 19 patients had a poor prognosis, and 33 patients were successfully recanalised. Univariate logistic regression found that National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (OR: 1.18, p<0.001), pcASPECTS (OR: 1.91, p=0.028) and pcASCO score (OR: 0.51, p=0.001) were factors of good functional outcome. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) analysis showed that the diagnostic efficiency of the NIHSS and pcASCO was better (AUC = 0.88, 0.83, p<0.05) than that of the pcASPECTS (AUC = 0.65). The prediction model was established by age, NIHSS, and pcASCO, and the diagnostic efficiency of the prediction model was better (AUC = 0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

The composite MR-pcASCO score can be used as an important predictor of the prognosis of patients with acute posterior circulation ischaemic stroke after mechanical thrombectomy.

D6 high-quality expanded blastocysts and D5 expanded blastocysts have similar pregnancy and perinatal outcomes following single frozen blastocyst transfer

Objective

We compared the pregnancy and perinatal outcomes between expanded blastocysts vitrified on D5 versus D6 following single frozen blastocyst transfer.

Methods

Clinical data on 7,606 cycles of frozen-thawed blastocyst implantations were retrospectively analyzed. Depending on whether blastocysts were vitrified on D5 or D6 and the transferred blastocysts, the blastocysts were divided into 6 groups: HQB-D5, HQB-D6, 4XC-D5, 4XC-D6, 4CX-D5, and 4CX-D6 groups. The differences in clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, first trimester abortion rate, preterm birth rate, gestational age, birth weight, and sex ratio at birth among the groups were compared.

Results

Our study showed that there was no difference in pregnancy and perinatal outcomes between the delayed formation of D6 high-quality expanded blastocysts and D5 expanded blastocysts, whether they were high-quality blastocysts or not. For low-quality blastocysts, the clinical pregnancy rate of D5 was higher than that of D6, and D5 was also better than D6 in live birth rate for those with inner cell mass rating B or above, while there was no difference between D5 and D6 for those with inner cell mass rating C.

Conclusion

Based on our research, we suggest that when we are developing the implantation strategy, we give priority to the selection of high-quality expanded blastocysts, regardless of D5 and D6, whose clinical outcomes are not different. For low-quality blastocysts, D5 expanded blastocysts are preferred for transfer.

Effects of dietary essential oil supplementation on growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, and intestinal tight junctions of broilers with or without Eimeria challenge

The effects of dietary supplementation of essential oil on growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, serum antioxidant capacity, and intestinal tight junctions of broilers with or without Eimeria challenge were investigated. A total of 576 one-day-old male broilers were randomly separated into 8 treatments (6 replication floor-pens per treatment, 12 broilers per pen) in a 4 × 2 factorial design. The 4 diets consisted of 1) a corn and soybean meal basal diet, 2) an anticoccidial diet (60 g nicarbazin and 60 g narasin per ton of feed), 3) an oregano oil diet (500 ppm oregano oil), and 4) a clove oil diet (500 ppm clove oil). On d 10, half chicks were challenged with 1 × 104 sporulated oocysts of E. tenella, E. acervulina, and E. maxima per chick, whereas the others were inoculated with an equal amount of dilution (0.5 mL). The Eimeria challenge induced a higher fecal oocyst output on d 18, a lower duodenum Occludin expression level on d 28, a lower serum catalase level, and a higher cook loss and protein loss in thigh muscle on d 42. The anticoccidial diet lowered fecal Eimeria output and increased d 1 to 42 BW gain as compared to the control diet. The clove oil treatment enhanced duodenum ZO-1 expression level in nonchallenged birds, increased BW gain from d 1 to 14 and breast yield on d 42. The oregano oil treatment enhanced ZO-1 expression of challenged birds, reduced feed intake from 15 to 28 d, and helped broilers gain more tender meat. For those Eimeria-challenged broilers, both clove and oregano oil treatments recovered drip loss in breast muscle. Our results suggested that Eimeria challenge in broiler early age could interrupt later serum antioxidant capacity and damage meat quality. The dietary supplementation of clove or oregano essential oils could improve broiler growth performance and partially relieve the coccidial damage in gut integrity and meat quality.

Information-based continuous nursing on pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a serious pregnancy complication, and women with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus can develop chronic hyperglycemia during pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of information-based continuity of care on glucose levels, health awareness, and maternal and infant outcomes in pregnant women with GDM, thereby providing a basis for the clinical implementation of effective interventions for GDM to reduce or avoid adverse outcomes due to GDM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred and sixty cases of pregnant women with GDM who underwent treatment in the obstetrics and gynecology department of our hospital from June 2019 to September 2021 were randomly selected as the study population and divided into the control group (n=80) and the study group (n=80). Women in the control group were received with conventional nursing intervention, and those in the study group were obtained with information-based continuity of care on the basis of the control group. Basic clinical data were collected. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2h postprandial glucose (2hPG), knowledge of health education, treatment compliance scores, and changes in delivery outcomes were compared between the two groups. According to the maternal blood glucose control level, 160 pregnant women with GDM were divided into the better control group (143 cases) and the poor control group (17 cases). The risk factors affecting the level of maternal glycemic control in gestational diabetes were analyzed.

RESULTS

After the intervention, the levels of FBG and 2hPG were significantly lower in both groups than those before the intervention, while the levels of FBG and 2hPG in the study group were notably lower than those in the control group. The health education knowledge score and treatment compliance score after the intervention were significantly higher than those before the intervention, and the health education knowledge score and treatment compliance score in the study group were observably higher than those in the control group (p<0.01). The adverse pregnancy outcomes of pregnant women in the study group were significantly reduced compared with those in the control group (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index (BMI), dietary control, literacy, and information-based continuity of care were all influential factors for maternal glycemic control level (p<0.05). Among the influencing factors, dietary control and continuity of care had clinical value in predicting maternal glycemic control levels in gestational diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous nursing based on informatization can effectively control the blood glucose level of pregnant women with GDM, improve the treatment compliance of pregnant women and the awareness rate of gestational diabetes knowledge so as to reduce the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes and improve the health level. In addition, BMI and dietary control are independent risk factors that affect the blood glucose control level of pregnant women. Relevant intervention measures should be formulated according to the relevant influencing factors to effectively control the blood glucose level of pregnant women with GDM and improve maternal and infant outcomes.

Circulating tumor DNA analysis of the phase III VOYAGER trial: KIT mutational landscape and outcomes in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor treated with avapritinib or regorafenib

BACKGROUND

The current treatment paradigm of imatinib-resistant metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) does not incorporate KIT/PDGFRA genotypes in therapeutic drug sequencing, except for PDGFRA exon 18-mutant GIST that is indicated for avapritinib treatment. Here, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) sequencing was used to analyze plasma samples prospectively collected in the phase III VOYAGER trial to understand how the KIT/PDGFRA mutational landscape contributes to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance and to determine its clinical validity and utility.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

VOYAGER (N = 476) compared avapritinib with regorafenib in patients with KIT/PDGFRA-mutant GIST previously treated with imatinib and one or two additional TKIs (NCT03465722). KIT/PDGFRA ctDNA mutation profiling of plasma samples at baseline and end of treatment was assessed with 74-gene Guardant360® CDx. Molecular subgroups were determined and correlated with outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 386/476 patients with KIT/PDGFRA-mutant tumors underwent baseline (pre-trial treatment) ctDNA analysis; 196 received avapritinib and 190 received regorafenib. KIT and PDGFRA mutations were detected in 75.1% and 5.4%, respectively. KIT resistance mutations were found in the activation loop (A-loop; 80.4%) and ATP-binding pocket (ATP-BP; 40.8%); 23.4% had both. An average of 2.6 KIT mutations were detected per patient; 17.2% showed 4-14 different KIT resistance mutations. Of all pathogenic KIT variants, 28.0% were novel, including alterations in exons/codons previously unreported. PDGFRA mutations showed similar patterns. ctDNA-detected KIT ATP-BP mutations negatively prognosticated avapritinib activity, with a median progression-free survival (mPFS) of 1.9 versus 5.6 months for regorafenib. mPFS for regorafenib did not vary regardless of the presence or absence of ATP-BP/A-loop mutants and was greater than mPFS with avapritinib in this population. Secondary KIT ATP-BP pocket mutation variants, particularly V654A, were enriched upon disease progression with avapritinib.

CONCLUSIONS

ctDNA sequencing efficiently detects KIT/PDGFRA mutations and prognosticates outcomes in patients with TKI-resistant GIST treated with avapritinib. ctDNA analysis can be used to monitor disease progression and provide more personalized treatment.

Independent and combined associations of upper and lower limb strength with all-cause mortality in community-based older adults: findings from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey

OBJECTIVE

With the acceleration of aging progress, China is projected to have the largest older population globally. This study aimed to examine the association of upper limb strength (ULS) and lower limb strength (LLS) with all-cause mortality based on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2012-2018).

STUDY DESIGN

This is a prospective cohort study.

METHODS

Participants were 2442 older adults (aged 84.98 ± 11.94 years) recruited from eight longevity areas in China. Limb muscle strength was evaluated using handgrip strength and objective physical examinations. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to analyze the association of limb muscle strength with all-cause mortality. Demographic characteristics, health status, and biological markers were included as confounders.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up period of 42.2 months, 993 older people died. After adjusting for all covariates, low ULS was associated with higher mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25-1.84), and the association of low LLS with all-cause mortality was only significant in women (HR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.04-1.79). Participants with combined low ULS and low LLS had the highest risk of mortality than those with normal limb muscle strength (hazard ratio = 2.06, 95% confidence interval = 1.61-2.63). The combined association of ULS and LLS with mortality was robust in subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSION

Low ULS and low LLS were independently and synergistically associated with higher all-cause mortality risk. Considering the high prevalence of limb muscle weakness among Chinese older adults, especially the oldest-old, limb strength could be considered as a potential doable mortality predictor for community health care.

Time of dehairing alters pork quality development

Studies investigating the effect of scald time on pork quality are confounded with time of dehairing. To understand better pork quality development and two-toning in hams, twenty-four carcasses were assigned to an 8- or 16-min dwell time prior to the dehairing, with or without scalding (n = 6 per trt). Semimembranosus (SM) muscles were collected following dehairing and at 24 h postmortem. Protracted time to dehair improved ultimate pH (pH_u; P < 0.005) and reduced (P < 0.05) color variation. One hundred forty-two carcasses were then subjected to protracted (control, 10-min) dwell times (15-min, or 20-min) in an industrial setting. Lightness was improved with 15-min dwell times compared to control, however 20-min dwell decreased the pH_u (P < 0.001), increased lightness (P < 0.05), and percent purge (P < 0.001) in the SM. Also, lightness of the longissimus muscle (LM) increased (P < 0.001) with dwell time. These data show time to dehairing impacts pork quality development and suggest dehairing may be critical to quality development in a muscle-dependent manner.

Nomograms for predicting survival in patients with gastric carcinoid or neuroendocrine carcinoma based on the SEER database

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to construct a competent model that can effectively predict the prognosis of patients with gastric carcinoid (GC) or neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data of patients with GC or NEC were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 1975 to 2017. Univariable and multivariable Cox analysis was used to determine the independent factors for patients with GC or NEC. Nomograms were established based on the independent factors and the results were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

A total of 214 patients with GC and 65 patients with gastric NEC were extracted from the SEER database. Independent prognostic factors for patients with GC were M stage, gender, age, and chemotherapy. Independent prognostic factors for patients with gastric NEC included age, M stage, and chemotherapy. ROC curves, calibration curves, and DCA confirmed that the nomograms can precisely predict the prognosis of patients with GC and NEC.

CONCLUSIONS

The nomograms can effectively predict survival in patients with GC or NEC, which may assist the clinician in their decision-making and quantitatively judge the prognosis of individual patients.

Association between early vasopressor administration and in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients with acute pancreatitis: A cohort study from the MIMIC-IV database

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the association between early administration of vasopressors and in-hospital mortality in acute pancreatitis (AP) patients admitted to the ICU.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The MIMIC-IV database was used to identify AP patients who had and had not received vasopressors. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression, propensity score matching (PSM), and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 894 AP patients admitted to the ICU were included in the study. Among them, AP patients who received vasopressors were associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality in the unadjusted model (OR: 7.77, 95% CI 4.92-12.61, p<0.001), multivariable-adjusted model (OR: 2.51,95% CI 1.1-5.76, p<0.05), PSM model (OR: 2.58, 95% CI 1.03-6.85, p<0.05) and IPTW model (OR: 1.82, 95% CI 1.06-3.15, p<0.05) compared with patients who did not receive vasopressors. In the subgroup analysis, age (≥ 65 years old: OR: 2.5, 95% CI 0.82-7.91; <65 years old: OR: 4.63, 95% CI 0.84-26.41), male (OR: 1.19, 95% CI 0.35-4.03), ethnicity (white: OR: 2.49, 95% CI 0.81-7.62; non-white: OR: 4.28, 95% CI 0.85-23.7), usage of norepinephrine (OR: 2.29, 95% CI 0.91-5.78), and single-use of vasopressor (OR: 1.48, 95% CI 0.43-4.95) were not associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with AP, whereas vasopressin (OR: 4.27, 95% CI 1.24-15.13; p<0.05) and phenylephrine usage (OR: 4.75, 95% CI 1.66-13.95; p<0.05), combined vasopressor usage (OR: 4.41, 95% CI 1.55-12.96; p<0.01), and female usage (OR: 7.89, 95% CI 2.03-34.2; p<0.01) were associated with in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Early vasopressor use is significantly associated with increased in-hospital mortality among critically ill AP patients. This association might be greater in females, vasopressin, phenylephrine, and combined vasopressor users. Our results may benefit clinicians as they can guide the rational use of vasopressors in critically ill AP patients admitted to the ICU.

Reduced scald time does not influence ultimate pork quality

Fresh pork color is a function of pigment, and the pH and temperature conditions in the carcass postmortem. To explore the role of scald on color development, carcasses (n = 16) were subjected to either a 4- or 8-min scald. Semimembranosus (SM) muscle samples were collected before and after scalding, and at 24 h postmortem. A 50% reduction in scald time resulted in lighter color (L*) across the muscle early postmortem (P < 0.001), yet the 8-min scald treatment was lighter (P = 0.001) at 24 h. An interaction between scald time and sampling time showed in an increase in L* values at 4-min immediately following scald (P < 0.001). Two-hundred carcasses were then subjected to a modified scald time (6.5 min, or 7.5 min) in an industrial setting. Lowering scald time failed to recapitulate results. In fact, darker meat (L* value; P = 0.0166) was noted in the SM across longer scalds. These data suggest modest changes in scald time may not be responsible for changes in pork quality development.