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Efficacy of a mycotoxin-deactivating product to reduce the impact of Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated rations in dairy cows during early lactation
Get PDF: Livestock feeds can be contaminated by several fungi. Among these, Fusarium spp. are widespread and produce mycotoxins, such as deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), and fumonisins B1 and B2 (FB1 and FB2). We investigated whether feeding a TMR contaminated with moderate to high concentrations of ZEN, DON, FB1, and FB2 to dairy cows in early lactation alters (1) their feeding behavior and rumination time; (2) milk yield, composition, and quality; (3) plasma metabolic profile and biochemical traits; and (4) postpartum uterine involution and resumption of cyclicity. We tested whether adding a mycotoxin-deactivating product (MDP; Mycofix Plus 5.Z, Biomin Holding, GmbH, Tulln, Austria) to the TMR prevents or mitigates such effects. From calving to 56 d in milk, 30 lactating Holstein cows were fed with a TMR that was: (1) mildly contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins (control group [CTR]; n = 10; with 55.42, 226.8, 578.79, and 313.60 μg/kg DM of ZEN, DON, FB1, and FB2, respectively); (2) moderately to highly contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins (mycotoxin group [MTX]; n = 10; with 366.63, 1141.54, 613.49, and 338.06 μg/kg DM of ZEN, DON, FB1, and FB2, respectively); and (3) moderately to highly contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins and supplemented with MDP (n = 10; with 319.72, 1,028.42, 559.56, and 282.88 μg/kg DM of ZEN, DON, FB1, and FB2, respectively). Daily DMI, BW, BCS, rumination, and resting time were not influenced by diet, as well as apparent digestibility for NDF, starch, and protein. Milk yield and quality were similar among groups, but milk urea concentration was higher in the MTX compared with CTR and MDP cows; milk from MTX-fed primiparous individuals tended to have the lowest protein concentration. No dietary effect was observed on plasma metabolic profile and on the timing of postpartum uterine clearance. The size of the ovarian reserve was similar among groups, as assessed by serum concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone and number of ovarian antral follicles. The mean number of corpora lutea detected weekly was lower in MTX compared with CTR, and it was intermediate in MDP cows. Mean milk progesterone weekly concentration was higher in CTR versus MDP and MTX cows from wk 4 to 6 of lactation. The proportion of postpartum anestrus cows per week of lactation was lower in CTR than MTX. The first dominant follicle detected postpartum ovulated in 78%, 50%, and 18% of CTR, MDP, and MTX individuals, respectively. These preliminary results indicate that Fusarium mycotoxin contamination could modify the physiological postcalving resumption of ovarian activity. However, the current trial does not demonstrate the direct effect of the MDP on mycotoxins
SoK: Stealing Cars Since Remote Keyless Entry Introduction and How to Defend From It
No full textRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) systems have been the target of thieves since their introduction in the automotive industry. Robberies targeting vehicles and their remote entry systems are booming again without a significant advancement from the industrial sector being able to protect against them. Researchers and attackers continuously play cat and mouse to implement new methodologies to exploit weaknesses and defense strategies for RKEs. In this fragment, different attacks and defenses have been discussed in research and industry without proper bridging. In this paper, we provide a Systematization Of Knowledge (SOK) on RKE and Passive Keyless
Entry and Start (PKES), focusing on their history and current situation, ranging from legacy systems to modern web-based ones. We provide insight into vehicle manufacturers’ technologies and attacks and defense mechanisms involving them. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive SOK on RKE systems, and we address specific research questions to understand the evolution and security status of such systems. By identifying the weaknesses RKE still faces, we provide future directions for security researchers and companies to find viable solutions to address old attacks, such as Relay and RollJam, as well as new ones, like API vulnerabilities
ADMM-Tracking Gradient for Distributed Optimization Over Asynchronous and Unreliable Networks
No full textIn this article, we propose a novel distributed algorithm for consensus optimization over networks and a robust extension tailored to deal with asynchronous agents and packet losses. Indeed, to robustly achieve dynamic consensus on the solution estimates and the global descent direction, we embed in our algorithms a distributed implementation of the alternating direction method of multipliers. Such a mechanism is suitably interlaced with a local proportional action steering each agent estimate to the solution of the original consensus optimization problem. First, in the case of ideal networks, by using tools from system theory, we prove the linear convergence of the scheme with strongly convex costs. Then, by exploiting the averaging theory, we extend such a first result to prove that the robust extension of our method preserves linear convergence in the case of asynchronous agents and packet losses. Further, by using the notion of input-to-state stability, we also guarantee the robustness of the schemes with respect to additional, generic errors affecting the agents' updates. Finally, some numerical simulations confirm our theoretical findings and compare our algorithms with other distributed schemes in terms of speed and robustness
Long-Term Risk of Hepatic and Extrahepatic-Related Events After Direct Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C: A Prospective Long-Term Study Cohort
Get PDFNovel direct antiviral-acting (DAA) molecules significantly improved efficacy and ameliorated outcomes of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The extensive use of DAA from 2015, due to large access to therapy, maximized rates of viral eradication with a safety profile in the majority of cases. Aims: We evaluated risk factors and the incidence of related clinical events and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cases with sustained virologic response (SVR) after DAA. We also aimed to apply a score assessment to identify the individual patient with unfavorable outcomes during an average follow-up (FU) of five years. Methods: In total, 470 cases consecutively recruited with CHC have been compared by non-invasive tests (NIT), as APRI, FORNS, FIB-4, LSPS, and transient elastography (TE) liver stiffness measurement (LSM), to identify cutoff related to major event onset. Results: Grouping of cases without or with related events development of both types hepatic (HE) (i.e., HCC or further cir..
Riflessioni sulla deducibilità delle nullità e sulle sanatorie generali e speciali.
No full textAnalisi dei casi di deducibilità delle nullità e delle sanatorie generali e special
Heavy boron isotopes in plume-derived magmas trace recycled water in deep-mantle reservoir
Get PDFThe debate on the origin of water in the Earth’s interior focuses on whether it originates from internal primordial sources or externally from the Earth’s surface via subduction-related processes. Here we report boron isotope data for Middle/Late Permian picrites and basalts from the Emeishan Large Igneous Province in South China. The observed heavy δ11B values (up to +27.6‰) fall outside the range of known mantle compositions, but similar to those of slab serpentinites. These data, integrated with radiogenic isotopes and elemental ratios, reveal the recycling of serpentinite-derived water in the source of the Emeishan mantle plume. Our results suggest that subduction of serpentinized oceanic lithospheric mantle can transport considerable amounts of water into the Earth’s interior, leading to localized hydration of the deep mantle, probably at the mantle transition zone. This water is then captured by the upwelling of deeply rooted plume material and recycled back to the Earth’s surface
Perineural dexamethasone: neurotoxicity or neuroprotection? A systematic review of preclinical evidence
No full textBackground: Perineural dexamethasone is widely used as an adjuvant to local anesthetics in regional anesthesia to prolong analgesia. However, concerns persist regarding its potential neurotoxic effects, particularly when administered perineurally. This systematic review aims to synthesize preclinical evidence evaluating the neurotoxicity or neuroprotective properties of perineural dexamethasone. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus, and Embase was conducted through May 22, 2025. Eligible studies included in vivo or in vitro preclinical models assessing the neurotoxic or neuroprotective effects of perineural dexamethasone compared to control conditions. Risk of bias was assessed using the SYRCLE tool for in vivo studies and a narrative evaluation for in vitro studies. A total of 14 studies (11 in vivo, 3 in vitro) met inclusion criteria. Results: In vitro studies showed that dexamethasone alone was not neurotoxic at clinically relevant doses but could enhance cytotoxicity when combined with local anesthetics at higher concentrations. In vivo models generally demonstrated no significant long-term nerve inflammation, degeneration or demyelination, with some early protective effects observed in perineural dexamethasone groups. However, all in vivo studies were rated at high risk of bias. In nerve injury models, dexamethasone reduced apoptotic and inflammatory markers when administered immediately post-injury, with limited effect when delayed. Conclusions: Preclinical evidence supports the general safety of low-dose, preservative-free perineural dexamethasone. Nonetheless, high-dose use, additives, and application in patients with neuropathies may pose risks. Given the high risk of bias in existing studies and minimal added benefit over systemic administration, clinical caution is advised
Brief communication: Hydrological and hydraulic investigation of the extreme September 2024 flood on the Lamone River in Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Get PDFIn September 2024, several European countries
experienced extreme and prolonged record-breaking rainfall
that induced severe flooding and caused widespread damage,
casualties, and disruptions. In this context, the Emilia-
Romagna region in northern Italy suffered heavy precipitation
primarily affecting the Lamone River basin, where a
levee breach occurred near the village of Traversara, causing
the flooding of urban settlements, vineyards, orchards,
and crops. Since the same area was severely impacted by
devastating floods no later than May 2023, it is relevant to
understand whether this area indeed faced extreme precipitation
events in 2 consecutive years and to explore how the
hydrological–hydraulic modelling can support the preparedness
against these recurring events
A coupled thermo-mechanical and neutron diffusion model including concrete nonlinearity.
No full textUse of a Novel Real-Time PCR to Investigate Anthelmintic Efficacy Against Haemonchus contortus in Sheep and Goat Farms
Get PDFGastrointestinal nematode infections are due to a wide number of helminthic genera and species, representing a major concern in goat and sheep farming and leading to different health issues and a general economic loss. Traditional diagnostic tools do not allow for a specific identification and, although a shift towards molecular diagnostic techniques is ongoing, species or genus-specific diagnosis is still poorly implemented. This study describes the development of a novel real-time PCR method for diagnosing Haemonchus sp. and its relative abundance in mixed infections in grazing ruminants. The method employs two primer/probe sets targeting the 18S-rRNA-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region: one shared by all strongylids (GEN) and another specific to Haemonchus sp. (HAEM). The method demonstrated optimal efficiency and determination coefficients when applied to serial dilutions of DNA extract. It was then applied in Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) trials conducted on five sheep and five goat farms in northeastern Italy. Seven farms were suspected of overall resistance and only one farm of Heamonchus-related resistance. The results proved the genus-specific approach as valuable in interpreting treatment outcomes and showing concerning levels of anthelmintic treatment ineffectiveness. Further research and sensitization activity is required to encourage the adoption of the method by local farmers and veterinarians