Three-dimensional imaging to estimate in vivo body and carcass chemical composition of growing beef-on-dairy crossbred bulls

The dynamics of cattle body chemical composition during growth and fattening periods determine animal performance and beef carcass quality. The aim of this study was to estimate the empty body (EB) and carcass chemical composition of growing beef-on-dairy crossbred bulls (Brown Swiss breed as dam with Angus, Limousin or Simmental as sire) using three-dimensional (3D) imaging. The 3D images of the cattle's external body shape were recorded in vivo on 48 bulls along growth trajectory (75-520 kg BW and 34-306 kg hot carcass weight [HCW]; set 1) and on 70 bulls at target market slaughter weight, including 18 animals from set 1 (average 517 ± 10 kg BW and 289 ± 10 kg HCW; set 2). The linear, circumference, curve, surface and volume measurements on the 3D body shape were determined. Those predictive variables were used in partial least square regressions, together with the effect of the sire breed whenever significant (P < 0.05), with leave-one-out cross-validation to estimate water, lipid, protein, mineral and energy mass or proportions in the EB and carcass. Mass and proportions were determined directly from postmortem grinding and chemical analyses (set 1) or indirectly using the 11th rib dissection method (set 2). In set 1, bulls' BW and HCW were estimated via 3D imaging, with root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of 12 kg and 6 kg, respectively. The EB and carcass chemical component proportions were estimated with RMSEP from 0.2% for EB minerals (observed mean 3.7 ± 0.2%) to 1.8% for EB lipid (11.6 ± 4.2%), close to the RMSEP found for the carcass. In set 2, the RMSEP for estimation via 3D imaging was 9 kg for BW and 6 kg for HCW. The EB energy and protein proportions were estimated, with RMSEP of 0.5 MJ/kg fresh matter (10.1 ± 0.8 MJ/DM) and 0.2% (18.7 ± 0.7%), respectively. Overall, the estimations of chemical component proportions from 3D imaging were slightly less precise for both sets than the mass estimations. The morphological traits from the 3D images appeared to be precise estimators of BW, HCW as well as EB and carcass chemical component masses and proportions.

Development and evaluations of the ancestry informative markers of the VISAGE Enhanced Tool for Appearance and Ancestry

The VISAGE Enhanced Tool for Appearance and Ancestry (ET) has been designed to combine markers for the prediction of bio-geographical ancestry plus a range of externally visible characteristics into a single massively parallel sequencing (MPS) assay. We describe the development of the ancestry panel markers used in ET, and the enhanced analyses they provide compared to previous MPS-based forensic ancestry assays. As well as established autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that differentiate sub-Saharan African, European, East Asian, South Asian, Native American, and Oceanian populations, ET includes autosomal SNPs able to efficiently differentiate populations from Middle East regions. The ability of the ET autosomal ancestry SNPs to distinguish Middle East populations from other continentally defined population groups is such that characteristic patterns for this region can be discerned in genetic cluster analysis using STRUCTURE. Joint cluster membership estimates showing individual co-ancestry that signals North African or East African origins were detected, or cluster patterns were seen that indicate origins from central and Eastern regions of the Middle East. In addition to an augmented panel of autosomal SNPs, ET includes panels of 85 Y-SNPs, 16 X-SNPs and 21 autosomal Microhaplotypes. The Y- and X-SNPs provide a distinct method for obtaining extra detail about co-ancestry patterns identified in males with admixed backgrounds. This study used the 1000 Genomes admixed African and admixed American sample sets to fully explore these enhancements to the analysis of individual co-ancestry. Samples from urban and rural Brazil with contrasting distributions of African, European, and Native American co-ancestry were also studied to gauge the efficiency of combining Y- and X-SNP data for this purpose. The small panel of Microhaplotypes incorporated in ET were selected because they showed the highest levels of haplotype diversity amongst the seven population groups we sought to differentiate. Microhaplotype data was not formally combined with single-site SNP genotypes to analyse ancestry. However, the haplotype sequence reads obtained with ET from these loci creates an effective system for de-convoluting two-contributor mixed DNA. We made simple mixture experiments to demonstrate that when the contributors have different ancestries and the mixture ratios are imbalanced (i.e., not 1:1 mixtures) the ET Microhaplotype panel is an informative system to infer ancestry when this differs between the contributors.

Development and inter-laboratory validation of the VISAGE enhanced tool for age estimation from semen using quantitative DNA methylation analysis

The analysis of DNA methylation has become an established method for chronological age estimation. This has triggered interest in the forensic community to develop new methods for age estimation from biological crime scene material. Various assays are available for age estimation from somatic tissues, the majority from blood. Age prediction from semen requires different DNA methylation markers and the only assays currently developed for forensic analysis are based on SNaPshot or pyrosequencing. Here, we describe a new assay using massively parallel sequencing to analyse 13 candidate CpG sites targeted in two multiplex PCRs. The assay has been validated by five consortium laboratories of the VISible Attributes through GEnomics (VISAGE) project within a collaborative exercise and was tested for reproducible quantification of DNA methylation levels and sensitivity with DNA methylation controls. Furthermore, DNA extracts and stains on Whatman FTA cards from two semen samples were used to evaluate concordance and mimic casework samples. Overall, the assay yielded high read depths (> 1000 reads) at all 13 marker positions. The methylation values obtained indicated robust quantification with an average standard deviation of 2.8% at the expected methylation level of 50% across the 13 markers and a good performance with 50 ng DNA input into bisulfite conversion. The absolute difference of quantifications from one participating laboratory to the mean quantifications of concordance and semen stains of remaining laboratories was approximately 1%. These results demonstrated the assay to be robust and suitable for age estimation from semen in forensic investigations. In addition to the 13-marker assay, a more streamlined protocol combining only five age markers in one multiplex PCR was developed. Preliminary results showed no substantial differences in DNA methylation quantification between the two assays, indicating its applicability with the VISAGE age model for semen developed with data from the complete 13-marker tool.

Forensic evaluation of the Asia Pacific ancestry-informative MAPlex assay

DNA intelligence, and particularly the inference of biogeographical ancestry (BGA) is increasing in interest, and relevance within the forensic genetics community. The majority of current MPS-based forensic ancestry-informative assays focus on the differentiation of major global populations. The recently published MAPlex (Multiplex for the Asia Pacific) panel contains 144 SNPs and 20 microhaplotypes and aims to improve the differentiation of populations in the Asia Pacific region. This study reports the first forensic evaluation of the MAPlex panel using AmpliSeq technology and Ion S5 sequencing. This study reports on the overall performance of MAPlex including the assay's sequence coverage distribution and stability, baseline noise and description of problematic SNPs. Dilution series, artificially degraded and mixed DNA samples were also analysed to evaluate the sensitivity of the panel with challenging or compromised forensic samples. As the first panel to combine biallelic SNPs, multiple-allele SNPs and microhaplotypes, the MAPlex assay demonstrated an enhanced capacity for mixture detection, not easily performed with common binary SNPs. This performance evaluation indicates that MAPlex is a robust, stable and highly sensitive assay that is applicable to forensic casework for the prediction of BGA.

Particularities in immigration amongst homeless women in Girona

Introduction

Homelessness is a problem which affects all the areas of those who suffer it, affecting their health seriously. These risks increase when the affected person has carried out a migratory process. Another risk factor, apart from immigration, is to be woman.

Objectives

To analyse the gender demographic differences in a total cohort of homeless people in the city of Girona in 2006 and continued until the present day.

Methods

Prospective longitudinal study of the total population of homeless people in Girona. In 2006, a list was made of all the homeless people detected by both specialized and non-specialized teams which have been followed until the present day.

Results

The total number of women in the sample is lower (n = 106, 11.2%). There are fewer immigrant than autochthonous women (Chi2 = 23,1, df = 1, P < 0.001).

After following the total homeless population in 2006, we can confirm that currently we can still identify 62 people in the territory (6.7%). In this subsample there are no differences between genders (man: n = 54, 6.5% vs. woman: n = 8, 7.5%; Chi2 = 0.21, df = 2, P = 0.89). That is, men and women remain in their homeless condition in a proportional way. This fact presents great limitations, since we do not know what happened with the other 93% of the initial sample.

Conclusions

The masculinisation of the homeless people from Maghreb has tended to increase the gender differences in the homeless population, in itself more masculine. This presents a risk of increasing the invisibility of homeless women.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Classification of beef carcasses from Portugal using animal characteristics and pH/temperature decline descriptors

Previous research showed that meat of optimal tenderness is produced when rigor mortis temperature falls between 12 - 35 ^°C. This study aimed to classify beef carcasses quality according to the ideal window rule using pH/temperature decay descriptors and animal characteristics. Seventy-four Mirandesa breed and 52 Crossbreds, with an average age of 10.1 ± 2.32 months, were slaughtered at one abattoir located in the Northeast of Portugal. Carcass temperature and pH, logged during 24 h post-mortem, were modelled by exponential decay equations that estimated temperature (k_T) and pH (k_pH) decay rates. Additionally, other pH/temperature descriptors were estimated from the fitted models. From linear models adjusted to each descriptor, it was found that hot carcass weight, age, breed, gender, age class, fat cover, conformation and transport and lairage time had influence (P < 0.05) on pH and temperature decay rates. Thus, combining the variables k_T and k_pH, and selected animal/carcass characteristics as linear predictors, a system to classify quality of carcasses was developed.

Homelessness and Immigrants: In Front of the Border Between Spain and France

Introduction

In 2006, prior to the worldwide economic crisis which especially affected Western countries, Southern Spain was one of the illegal immigrant gateways from Africa into Europe. The aim of this study is to establish the rate of homeless immigrants in a cohort of 2006 and carry out a follow up until 2015 in order to explore the chronicity associated to the territory.

Methods

Sample: 949 persons experiencing homelessness in Girona, according to official records. Procedure: prospective longitudinal study of the total population of homeless people in Girona. In 2006, a list was made of all the homeless people detected by both specialised and nonspecialised teams, which have been followed until the present day. Instruments: data bases of different official teams. Statistical analysis: measures of central tendency and dispersion and contingency tables were used for the comparison of qualitative variables.

Results

Overall, 64.8% of the population of Girona are immigrants (n = 614), principally from the Maghreb, (χ2 = 36.9, df = 4, P < .001) and 333 (36.3%) are autochthonous. The percentage of homeless immigrants in relation to the total immigrant population was 4.4%. Comparing the homeless autochthonous population with the total of the autochthonous population, homelessness among autochthonous population was 0.4%.

Conclusions

The results suggest that homelessness was more incidental in the immigrant group than in the autochthonous group. The percentage of immigrants who still live in homeless conditions suggests that immigration is a risk factor in the chronicity of the problem.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Potential of UCHL1 as biomarker for destruction of pancreatic beta cells

There is a clinical need for plasma tests for real-time detection of beta cell destruction, as surrogate endpoint in islet transplantation and immunoprevention trials in type 1 diabetes. This study reports on the use of label-free LC-MS/MS proteomics for bottom-up selection of candidate biomarkers. Ubiquitin COOH-terminal hydrolase 1 (UCHL1) was identified as abundant protein in rat and human beta cells, showing promising beta cell-selectivity, and was selected for further validation in standardized toxicity models. In vitro, H2O2-induced necrosis of INS-1 cells and human islets resulted in intracellular UCHL1 depletion and its extracellular discharge. In vivo, streptozotocin progressively depleted UCHL1 from islet cores and in 50% of animals, an associated plasma UCHL1 surge was detected preceding the GAD65 peak. UCHL1 was cleared with a half-life of 20min. Whole-body dynamic planar imaging of (99m)-Technetium-labeled UCHL1 indicated a rapid UCHL1 uptake in the liver and spleen, followed by urinary excretion of mainly proteolytic UCHL1 fragments. We conclude that LC-MS/MS proteomics is a useful tool to prioritize biomarkers for beta cell injury with promising molar abundance. Despite its consistent UCHL1 discharge by damaged beta cells in vitro, its in vivo use might be restrained by its rapid elimination from plasma.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Our bottom-up LC-MS/MS proteomics represents a pragmatic approach to identify protein-type biomarkers of pancreatic beta cell injury. UCHL1 successfully passed sequential validation steps of beta cell-selectivity, antigenicity and toxic discharge in vitro. Whole-body dynamic planar imaging of radiolabeled recombinant UCHL1 indicated rapid clearance through the liver, spleen and urinary excretion of proteolytic fragments, likely explaining non-consistent detection in vivo. Integration of kinetic biomarker clearance studies in the a priori selection criteria is recommended before engaging in resource-intensive custom development of sensitive immunoassays for clinical translation.

Improved aerobic biodegradation of abietic acid in ECF bleached kraft mill effluent due to biomass adaptation

Kraft pulp mill effluents contain elevated concentrations of resin acids, chiefly abietic and dehydroabietic acid, and other lipophilic wood constituents. Resin acids, if not efficiently removed during wastewater treatment, can be responsible for chronic toxicity in aquatic systems. The objective of this study was to investigate the biological removal of abietic acid (AbA) during the treatment of elemental chlorine free (ECF) kraft mill effluents in aerobic lagoons and to assess its improvement with time as a result of biomass adaptation. Under these conditions, the average removal efficiencies of AbA and BOD(5) attained in the aerobic lagoon were high and exceeded 80% and 95%, respectively. Microbial inhibition of non-acclimated and acclimated biomass by AbA was not detected in batch bioassays. Kinetic studies showed that the K(s) and V(m) values equalled 76.7 mg AbA/l and 0.011 l/h, respectively, for the non-acclimated biomass, and 1678 mg AbA/l and 0.13 l/h, respectively, for the acclimated biomass.

[HIV-1 Tat protein induces IL-10 production by human monocytes: implications of the PKC and calcium pathway]

In asymptomatic patients infected by HIV-1, the level of IL-10, a cytokine with immunosuppressive activity, is associated with the course of HIV infection towards AIDS. We show that HIV-1 Tat, a viral protein secreted by infected cells, induces IL-10 production by human peripheral blood monocytes. The analysis of the signal transduction pathways strongly suggests that the protein kinase C may play an essential role in this induction. Stimulation by Tat induces nuclear translocation of the transcription factor NFkB the activation of which seems to be necessary for IL-10 production. Using microspectrofluorimetry and confocal microscopy, we also show that Tat induces a calcium influx.

Induction and increase of HLA-DR antigen expression by immune interferon on ML-3 cell line enhances the anti-HLA-DR immunotoxin activity

In order to evaluate the impact of induction and increase target antigen expression on immunotoxin potency, we measured the potentiating effect of recombinant immune interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) on the cytotoxicity of an anti HLA-DR ricin A-chain immunotoxin (2G5 RTA-IT) on the myeloid cell line ML-3. After 48 h of incubation with rIFN-gamma (500 U/ml) the percentage of 2G5-positive cells increased from 40% to 79%, and the 2G5 mean density was enhanced by 10-fold (11,000 versus 110,000 molecules/cell). Concurrently, rIFN-gamma pretreatment induced a dramatic improvement of 2G5 RTA-IT dose-effect cytotoxicity, as well as immunotoxin cytotoxicity kinetics. When 2G5 RTA-IT was used at the optimal dose of 10(-8)M (the maximum dose which avoided non-specific ricin A-chain cytotoxicity), the immunotoxin-induced cell kill increased with the percentage of DR-positive ML-3 cells according to a similar linear-logarithmic function of rIFN-gamma concentration. Moreover, in the same range of rIFN-gamma concentrations, the killing values and the percentage of DR-positive ML-3 cells were similar if not identical. These findings imply that the enhancement of 2G5 RTA-IT cytotoxicity by rIFN-gamma is mainly related to the rIFN-gamma 2G5 antigen induction on HLA-DR negative cells when immunotoxin was used at 10(-8) M. Furthermore, 2G5 RTA-IT dose-effect cytotoxicity on DR-expressing ML-3 cells, when used at lower concentrations, was also increased by rIFN-gamma in a dose-dependent manner. This result suggests that for immunotoxin concentrations close to the limiting membrane saturation dose (10(-10)M), rIFN-gamma may not solely act by inducing HLA-DR expression on DR-negative ML-3 subpopulation but also by increasing individual cellular DR density on DR expressing ML-3 cells. Finally, our study showed that immunotoxin potency on malignant cell populations which display an heterogeneous antigen expression, could be greatly improved by the use of rIFN-gamma.

Functional properties of lymphocyte subpopulations in hepatitis B virus infection. I. Suppressor cell control of T lymphocyte responsiveness

Hepatocellular injury in hepatitis B virus infection may be produced by an autoaggressive hepatocytotoxic immune response. To test the hypothesis that acquired suppressor cell defects may participate in such a response, we assessed the functional integrity of 2 suppressor cell populations in patients with type B viral hepatitis. Spontaneous suppression of the 1-way mixed lymphocyte response by radiation-resistant, adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells decreases during the acute phase of disease, returns towards normal with clinical recovery, but remains depressed in patients with chronic hepatitis. The degree of spontaneous suppressor cell dysfunction correlates inversely with at least 1 biochemical parameter of hepatocellular injury (SGPT). The functional integrity of this suppressor cell fluctuates during chronic hepatitis and may reflect currently undefined biologic variables in this disease. Mitogen-induced suppression on lymphocyte activation by radiation resistant, nonadherent suppressor cells is also depressed in acute and chronic hepatitis, but it does not correlate with biochemical evidence of hepatocellular injury on an individual-patient basis. Documentation of these generalized defects of nonspecific suppressor cell function establishes a basis for the possible existence of specific anomalies of immuno-regulation that may permit the expression of normally suppressed auoaggressive hepatocytotoxic immune mechanisms in viral hepatitis.

Functional properties of lymphocyte subpopulations in hepatitis B virus infection. II. Cytotoxic effector cell killing of targets that naturally express hepatitis B surface antigen and liver-specific lipoprotein

Cytotoxic effector cell responsiveness to host and/or virus-determined hepatocyte surface membrane antigens has been postulated as an important pathogenetic determinant of hepatocellular injury in hepatitis B virus infection. Assuming that such effector cell populations would be detectable in peripheral blood, the present study was designed to examine 2 questions: first, whether target cells that normally express liver-specific protein (LSP) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are selectively destroyed by peripheral blood effector cells from patients with viral hepatitis; second, whether cytotoxic effector cell function emerges coincident with the development of defective suppressor cell activity in the same patients. No evidence of increased HBsAg or LSP specific cytotoxic effector cell activity was found in the peripheral blood natural killer (NK) or T killer cell populations of patients with acute or chronic viral hepatitis.

Functional properties of lymphocyte subpopulations in hepatitis B virus infection. II. Cytotoxic effector cell killing of targets that naturally express hepatitis B surface antigen and liver-specific lipoprotein

Cytotoxic effector cell responsiveness to host and/or virus-determined hepatocyte surface membrane antigens has been postulated as an important pathogenetic determinant of hepatocellular injury in hepatitis B virus infection. Assuming that such effector cell populations would be detectable in peripheral blood, the present study was designed to examine 2 questions: first, whether target cells that normally express liver-specific protein (LSP) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are selectively destroyed by peripheral blood effector cells from patients with viral hepatitis; second, whether cytotoxic effector cell function emerges coincident with the development of defective suppressor cell activity in the same patients. No evidence of increased HBsAg or LSP specific cytotoxic effector cell activity was found in the peripheral blood natural killer (NK) or T killer cell populations of patients with acute or chronic viral hepatitis.

Functional properties of lymphocyte subpopulations in hepatitis B virus infection. I. Suppressor cell control of T lymphocyte responsiveness

Hepatocellular injury in hepatitis B virus infection may be produced by an autoaggressive hepatocytotoxic immune response. To test the hypothesis that acquired suppressor cell defects may participate in such a response, we assessed the functional integrity of 2 suppressor cell populations in patients with type B viral hepatitis. Spontaneous suppression of the 1-way mixed lymphocyte response by radiation-resistant, adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells decreases during the acute phase of disease, returns towards normal with clinical recovery, but remains depressed in patients with chronic hepatitis. The degree of spontaneous suppressor cell dysfunction correlates inversely with at least 1 biochemical parameter of hepatocellular injury (SGPT). The functional integrity of this suppressor cell fluctuates during chronic hepatitis and may reflect currently undefined biologic variables in this disease. Mitogen-induced suppression on lymphocyte activation by radiation resistant, nonadherent suppressor cells is also depressed in acute and chronic hepatitis, but it does not correlate with biochemical evidence of hepatocellular injury on an individual-patient basis. Documentation of these generalized defects of nonspecific suppressor cell function establishes a basis for the possible existence of specific anomalies of immuno-regulation that may permit the expression of normally suppressed auoaggressive hepatocytotoxic immune mechanisms in viral hepatitis.