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The potential association of milk with childhood obesity has been widely debated and researched. Milk is known to contain many bioactive compounds as well as bovine exosomes rich in micro-RNA (miR) that can have effects on various cells, including stem cells. Among them, adipose stem cells (ASC) are particularly interesting due to their role in adipose tissue growth and, thus, obesity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of milk consumption on miR present in circulating exosomes and the transcriptome of ASC in piglets. Piglets were supplemented for 11 weeks with 750 mL of whole milk (n = 6; M) or an isocaloric maltodextrin solution (n = 6; C). After euthanasia, ASC were isolated, quantified, and characterized. RNA was extracted from passage 1 ASC and sequenced. Exosomes were isolated and quantified from the milk and plasma of the pigs at 6–8 hours after milk consumption, and miRs were isolated from exosomes and sequenced. The transfer of exosomes from milk to porcine plasma was assessed by measuring bovine milk-specific miRs and mRNA in exosomes isolated from the plasma of 3 piglets during the first 6h after milk consumption. We observed a higher proportion of exosomes in the 80 nM diameter, enriched in milk, in M vs. C pigs. Over 500 genes were differentially expressed (DEG) in ASC isolated from M vs. C pigs. Bioinformatic analysis of DEG indicated an inhibition of the immune, neuronal, and endocrine systems and insulin-related pathways in ASC of milk-fed pigs compared with maltodextrin-fed pigs. Of the 900 identified miRs in porcine plasma exosomes, only 3 miRs were differentially abundant between the two groups and could target genes associated with neuronal functions. We could not detect exosomal miRs or mRNA transfer from milk to porcine-circulating plasma exosomes. Our data highlights the significant nutrigenomic role of milk consumption on ASC, a finding that does not appear to be attributed to miRs in bovine milk exosomes. The downregulation of insulin resistance and inflammatory-related pathways in the ASC of milk-fed pigs should be further explored in relation to milk and human health. In conclusion, the bioinformatic analyses and the absence of bovine exosomal miRs in porcine plasma suggest that miRs are not vertically transferred from milk exosomes.

Background The development of alfalfa cultivars with improved digestibility may minimize the yield‐quality tradeoff, enabling higher quality with late‐harvested forage and possibly higher yields. Methods An irrigated experiment conducted over 4 years compared 28‐d harvest schedules with 35‐d harvest schedules and an alternating 21‐d and 35‐d schedule. Four conventional cultivars and four cultivars developed for higher digestibility were grown under each schedule. Results Delayed cutting (35‐d) yields were 16% greater and the staggered treatments were 6% higher than the 28‐d strategy. The nutritive value decreased significantly with the 35‐d schedule, but a “staggered” system provided nutritive value similar to the 28‐d schedule while achieving higher yields. The nutritive value of cultivars was in the order of HarvXtra>Hi‐Gest> conventional cultivars. The HarvXtra but not Hi‐Gest cultivars achieved similar digestibility under the 35‐d cutting schedule compared with conventional cultivars on a 28‐d schedule. Conclusions This study clearly demonstrates that higher nutritive value cultivars of fall dormancy 6–9 grown with staggered or late cutting schedules can increase yields while maintaining higher nutritive value. The combination of staggered or late schedules with improved cultivars can maximize yields while maintaining the nutritive value of alfalfa, potentially breaking the alfalfa yield‐quality tradeoff. Harvest schedule and cultivar both have profound effects on the yield and nutritive value of alfalfa. The yield‐quality tradeoff in alfalfa may be mitigated with the use of high‐digestibility cultivars combined with late or staggered harvest schedules to improve both yield and nutritive value. Shown are experiments conducted at Parlier, California, with graduate student Brenda Perez.

Although the plain language of the Clean Water Act (CWA), as amended by OPA 90, does not expressly call for holding corporations vicariously criminally liable for the negligent discharge violations of employees, the legislative intent and public welfare nature of the CWA support construing the statute to allow for such liability. Doing so will not violate the due process rights of corporations, and holding corporations liable is important because it will deter future negligent conduct that may result in oil spills, which damage not only America's waters but also harm America's environment, economy, and general welfare.

We describe here the development and evaluation of advanced vector surveillance analytic technologies for real-time leishmaniasis risk assessment. Leishmania genus and visceral leishmaniasis causative agent--specific dual fluorogenic-probe hydrolysis (TaqMan), thermally stable (freeze-dried) polymerase chain reaction assays were developed using field-durable analytic instrumentation. In laboratory testing with a panel of diverse Leishmania species from culture and infected sand flies, the sensitivity and specificity of both assays were 100% concordant with DNA sequencing. In specificity testing with Leishmania genetic near neighbors, clinically significant organisms, and human genomic DNA, no detectable fluorescence above background was observed. Field evaluation was conducted in southern Iraq using wild sand flies. In field testing, Leishmania genus assay was 100% sensitive and 96% specific with a single false-positive result. The visceral leishmaniasis genotype assay was 100% sensitive and 100% specific compared to DNA sequencing. Thermally stable polymerase chain reaction assays vastly simplified transportation and storage. Assay preparation and analysis required less than 2 hours.

The study objective was to develop and validate a clinical decision support system (CDSS) to guide clinicians through the diagnostic evaluation of hospitalized individuals with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in low-prevalence settings. The \"TBorNotTB\" CDSS was developed using a modified Delphi method. The CDSS assigns points based on epidemiologic risk factors, TB history, symptoms, chest imaging, and sputum/bronchoscopy results. Below a set point threshold, airborne isolation precautions are automatically discontinued; otherwise, additional evaluation, including infection control review, is recommended. The model was validated through retrospective application of the CDSS to all individuals hospitalized in the Mass General Brigham system from July 2016 to December 2022 with culture-confirmed pulmonary TB (cases) and equal numbers of age and date of testing-matched controls with three negative respiratory mycobacterial cultures. 104 individuals with TB (cases) and 104 controls were identified. Prior residence in a highly endemic country, positive interferon release assay, weight loss, absence of symptom resolution with treatment for alternative diagnoses, and findings concerning for TB on chest imaging were significant predictors of TB (all < 0.05). CDSS contents and scoring were refined based on the case-control analysis. The final CDSS demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 27% specificity for TB with an AUC of 0.87. The TBorNotTB CDSS demonstrated modest specificity and high sensitivity to detect TB even when AFB smears were negative. This CDSS, embedded into the electronic medical record system, could help reduce risks of nosocomial TB transmission, patient-time in airborne isolation, and person-time spent reviewing individuals with suspected TB.

Vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and leishmaniasis are a threat to military forces deployed outside of the United States. The availability of specific information on the vector-borne disease threat (e.g., presence or absence of a specific disease agent, temporal and geographic distribution of competent vectors, and vector infection rates) allows for effective implementation of appropriate measures to protect our deployed military forces. Vector diagnostics can provide critical, real-time information crucial to establishing effective vector prevention/control programs. In this article we provide an overview of current vector diagnostic capabilities, evaluate the use of vector diagnostics in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and discuss the concept of operations under which vector diagnostics are employed.

Beta-carotene has previously been shown to improve immune function through its antioxidant properties. Whey protein isolate (WPI) gels have been proven to protect fatty acids and carotenoids from degradation by rumen microbes. Whether or not beta-carotene degradation in the rumen affects its ability to improve immune function is unclear, and even the amount of degradation that occurs in the rumen is still unknown. In this study WPI gels were used to assess whether or not rumen degradation affects the ability of beta-carotene to aid immune function. A 2 x 2 Latin square design was used with eight lactating Jersey cows all receiving both diets throughout the two period study. One diet consisted of 50g of grain, 1.7g of liquid beta-carotene, 1.7g of WPI, 1.3g of soy oil, 5g of molasses, and 20g cornmeal added to the normal TMR daily in the morning. The second diet consisted of a protein gel mixture of the 1.7g beta-carotene, 1.7g whey protein isolate, and 1.3g soy oil, as well as 50g of grain, 5g of molasses and 20g cornmeal being added to the TMR daily in the morning. Each period lasted 21 days with a 14 day washout period in between each research period. Blood was collected via the jugular vein on days 1, 8, 15, 18, 20, and 21 before feedings. All samples were analyzed within six hours of collection. Blood was sent to Idexx laboratories for a basic CBC while whole blood killing, IFN-γ production, and TNF-α production were measured through the use of kits and standard protocol procedures. There were no differences found between diets for whole blood killing, IFN-γ production, TNF-α production, white blood cell count, or lymphocyte count. More importantly, neutrophil and monocyte counts were found to be higher in the group receiving the gel diet during the first period, although this difference was not significant (p values of 0.2927 and 0.4924 respectively). This data would indicate that rumen protected beta-carotene does not have a significantly different effect on immune function when compared to free beta-carotene, but its effects on neutrophil and monocyte production still needs to be further analyzed. Further studies are needed to determine the amount of degradation, if any, of beta-carotene in the rumen and other possible effects this degradation may have on the immune system.

Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative spirochete of Lyme disease in the United States, is maintained in an enzootic cycle in the mid-Atlantic region between the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) and the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis). The overall goal of this research was to assess the persistence of B. burgdorferi infection at locations in Maryland and to examine specific factors affecting this persistence. Using a longitudinal study design to study the stability of infection prevalence, we determined that a longitudinal study design provides more accurate data on prevalence than does a cross-sectional study, and showed that, even when the infection prevalence appears to be stable regionally, it does not always remain constant at specific locations. To investigate the persistence of infection within individual mice, B. burgdorferi ospC variation was assessed in serial samples collected from individual mice during a single transmission season. The results confirmed that mice in southern Maryland were persistently infected with multiple variants throughout the transmission season and that several situations explaining the presence of variants were possible. Other factors such as alternative tick hosts or the presence of other microorganisms were investigated for their effects on the persistence of B. burgdorferi. Lizards were studied for their role in the maintenance and transmission of B. burgdorferi. Although some lizards in Maryland may act as alternative reservoirs for B. burgdorferi, lizards do not appear to be present in great enough densities in Maryland to disrupt the enzootic cycle. The presence of other microorganisms capable of infecting I. scapularis was investigated to determine the potential for co-infections involving B. burgdorferi . This study confirmed that multiple microorganisms co-circulate with B. burgdorferi in I. scapularis in Maryland but do not affect the prevalence of B. burgdorferi. Multiple factors and fluctuations in infection prevalence in the reservoir populations observed at locations that appear to be geographically and ecologically similar, makes the study of the B. burgdorferi enzootic cycle more complex than previously thought.

In the mid-1990s, rural indigenous women and children from an isolated Andean community began migrating to beg on the streets of Ecuador's largest cities. Although initially a survival strategy, their involvement in begging has since evolved to intersect with conspicuous consumption, status, educational fulfilment and the drive to be included in consumer culture. For this community, begging has become a way to actively contest poverty and to engage with the processes of modernization. Ironically, begging has become a way to get ahead. This dissertation aims to unravel myths surrounding the lives of young indigenous beggars. It is organized around four main themes: indigenous childhoods, migrant youth identities, the symbolic place of the beggar, and urban exclusion. To begin, this dissertation reveals how the 'modern' construction of childhood is reconfiguring notions of gender, sexuality, work, play, and learning within this small Andean community. It then explores how indigenous youth's gendered, racialized and ethnic identities shift between the rural and urban spheres as they become informed by Western norms and consumer culture. It suggests that indigenous girls, in particular, are challenging what it means to be an indigenous woman in the Andes. It then examines how indigenous beggars are both represented and imagined within capitalist society. It reveals how begging governance relies on the dual discourses of 'child saving' and 'bad motherhood' to justify indigenous women and children's removal from the streets. It further demonstrates how their exclusion intersects with urban restructuring and the push for global tourism. In doing so, it provides an example of how revanchism takes shape in the South. It suggests that Ecuador's particular twist on revanchism may be through its more transparent engagement with the project of blanqueamiento or \"whitening.\" This research brings attention to the differentiated ways in which modernization and globalization take shape in a marginalized region of the periphery. It further demonstrates how children become central sites of struggle in debates over the 'proper' use of public space. Finally, this research is a call to planners, policy makers, and social workers to consider the complex and varied factors that push marginalized people into begging.