A Comprehensive Review of Bovine Colostrum Components and Selected Aspects Regarding Their Impact on Neonatal Calf Physiology

Colostrum contains macro- and micronutrients necessary to meet the nutritional and energy requirements of the neonatal calf, bioactive components that intervene in several physiological aspects, and cells and microorganisms that modulate the calf's immune system and gut microbiome. Colostrum is sometimes mistaken as transition milk, which, although more nutritive than whole milk, has a distinct biochemical composition. Furthermore, most research about colostrum quality and colostrum management focuses on the transfer of maternal IgG to the newborn calf. The remaining components of colostrum and transition milk have not received the same attention, despite their importance to the newborn animal. In this narrative review, a large body of literature on the components of bovine colostrum was reviewed. The variability of these components was summarized, emphasizing specific components that warrant deeper exploration. In addition, the effects of each component present in colostrum and transition milk on several key physiological aspects of the newborn calf are discussed.

Literature Review on Technological Applications to Monitor and Evaluate Calves' Health and Welfare

Precision livestock farming (PLF) research is rapidly increasing and has improved farmers' quality of life, animal welfare, and production efficiency. PLF research in dairy calves is still relatively recent but has grown in the last few years. Automatic milk feeding systems (AMFS) and 3D accelerometers have been the most extensively used technologies in dairy calves. However, other technologies have been emerging in dairy calves' research, such as infrared thermography (IRT), 3D cameras, ruminal bolus, and sound analysis systems, which have not been properly validated and reviewed in the scientific literature. Thus, with this review, we aimed to analyse the state-of-the-art of technological applications in calves, focusing on dairy calves. Most of the research is focused on technology to detect and predict calves' health problems and monitor pain indicators. Feeding and lying behaviours have sometimes been associated with health and welfare levels. However, a consensus opinion is still unclear since other factors, such as milk allowance, can affect these behaviours differently. Research that employed a multi-technology approach showed better results than research focusing on only a single technique. Integrating and automating different technologies with machine learning algorithms can offer more scientific knowledge and potentially help the farmers improve calves' health, performance, and welfare, if commercial applications are available, which, from the authors' knowledge, are not at the moment.

The sick(le) brain and spine: neuroimaging findings in paediatric patients with sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive haemoglobinopathy, which manifests as multisystem ischaemia and infarction, as well as haemolytic anaemia. The morphological changes of red blood cells (RBCs) that promote ischaemia/infarction as the main multi-systemic manifestation, with associated vasculopathy, may also lead to haemorrhage and fat embolisation. Bone infarctions, whether of the skull or spine, are relatively common with subsequent increased infectious susceptibility. We present a broad spectrum of brain and spine imaging findings of SCD from a level III paediatric hospital in Lisbon, between 2010 and 2022. Our aim is to highlight brain and spine imaging findings from a serial review of multiple patients with SCD and respective neuroimaging characterisation.

Evaluation of gas holes in "Queijo de Nisa" PDO cheese using computer vision

"Queijo de Nisa" is a traditional Portuguese cheese, granted with PDO label, produced with raw ewe's milk in which the aqueous extract of cardoon flower Cynara cardunculus L. is the only coagulant allowed. As in similar cheeses with no use of starter cultures or pasteurisation, the quality and food safety are depending on prevention, high hygienic standards and a proper manufacturing process. This study investigated the use of computer vision as novel method for the evaluation of gas holes in Queijo de Nisa in three different ripening dates (0, 15 and 35 days). A total of 48 samples were produced using cardoon flower from three different origins (C1, C2 and C3) and a commercial vegetable coagulant (C4). The results presented a high correlation between image-dependent attributes and physical-chemical properties during ripening time, especially within the first 15 days of ripening time, where major structural changes were observed inside the Queijo de Nisa cheese. Principal component analysis presented a strong correlation (p < 0.05) between image parameters and the physical-chemical evolution until 15 days. From 15 to 35 days, the evolution of cheeses was mainly depending on structural parameters, like G'_1 Hz and hardness. No influence was observed due to the geographical origin of cardoon flower.

Preliminary Data from Famidem Survey: Can we assume who is at Risk Regarding Informal Caregiving in Dementia?

Background and aims:

In meridional European countries such as Portugal, informal caregivers are almost always close relatives, either key-relatives (those more involved) or not. There are few systematic comparisons between the experience of key-relatives/primary caregivers (PC) and other/secondary caregivers (SC) in psychogeriatrics. We present some preliminary data from the FAMIDEM (Families of People with Dementia) survey.

Methods:

Non-randomised cross-sectional study comparing two related samples of caregivers (PC versus SC) of 41 patients with DSM-IV dementia from outpatient practices in Lisbon (Portugal). Caregivers’ assessments included: Zarit Burden Interview, Caregiver Activity Survey (CAS), Positive Aspects of Caregiving, GHQ-12, Social Network Questionnaire and Dementia Knowledge Questionnaire.

Results:

Patients’ mean age was 78,7 years (SD 7,9). 24 (58,5%) were women and 58,5% had Alzheimer disease.PC were older than SC (p=0,000) and tended to live with the patient (p=0,000). They reported less emocional support (p=0,021) but higher objective burden-CAS (p=0,002). Regarding all other outcome variables, significant differences between groups were not found. Within the global sample, comparing spousals (n=23) and adult children/other relatives (n=59) yielded interestingly different preliminary results, eg higher GHQ-12 levels (p=0,010).

Conclusions:

The experience of caregiving is possibly different regarding PC and SC, but further research is warranted in order to define who really is at risk. Being a spouse may be much more determinant, although most spouses are PC as well. for the moment, it seems prudent not to exclude SC from risk assessments. the final FAMIDEM results, even lacking generalizability, will probably provide interesting clues.

The effects of whole body vibration on mobility and balance in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review with meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of whole-body vibration on physiologic and functional measurements in children with cerebral palsy.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, EMBASE, Scielo, CINAHL (from the earliest date available to November 2014) for randomized controlled trials, that aimed to investigate the effects of whole-body vibration versus exercise and/or versus control on physiologic and functional measurements in children with cerebral palsy. Two reviewers independently selected the studies. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

Six studies with 176 patients comparing whole-body vibration to exercise and/or control were included. Whole-body vibration resulted in improvement in: gait speed WMDs (0.13 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.20); gross motor function dimension E WMDs (2.97 95% CI: 0.07 to 5.86) and femur bone density (1.32 95% CI: 0.28 to 2.36). The meta-analysis also showed a nonsignificant difference in muscle strength and gross motor function dimension D for participants in the whole-body vibration compared with control group. No serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Whole-body vibration may improve gait speed and standing function in children with cerebral palsy and could be considered for inclusion in rehabilitation programs.

[Spontaneous intracranial hypotension]

The authors consider some clinical and radiological aspects of spontaneous intracranial hypotension syndrome, based on the knowledge obtained from three clinical situations. Postural headache was a constant complaint. In all cases, magnetic resonance imaging data obtained was diffuse dural enhancement and, in two cases, bilateral subdural fluid collections. The increasing recognition of this syndrome led to its distinction from meningeal inflammatory or neoplasic conditions, sparing the patient from unnecessary investigation.

[Three-dimensional magnetic resonance reconstruction. Significance of neurosurgical planning]

The authors describe their experience with three-dimensional (3D) MRI reconstructions of the cerebral cortex in neurosurgical planning of cortical and subcortical lesions. The majority of the lesions were located on the cerebral hemispheres; there were also few cases of posterior fossa lesions. The authors selected three clinical cases to demonstrate the interest of 3D MRI. The authors describe another image processing method based on the three dimensional models obtained by using Curvilinear Multiplanar Reformatting (CMR) for the identification of subtle focal dysplastic lesions in patients with epilepsy. The advantages and disadvantages of those 3D MRI reconstructions methods are discussed and a comparison with conventional cross-sectional images is mentioned. The main disadvantages are the raw data relative to long acquisition time and the difficulty in sometimes establishing the cleavage plane between the cortex and extra-axial structures (e.g. young patients; lesions with great mass effect; lesions ventrally located in the cerebral lobes). In conclusion, the 3D MRI reconstructions of the cerebral cortex reveal additional information to conventional cross-sectional images and permit a precise location of the lesions. This is essential in some circumstances for neurosurgical planning and strategy, improving neurosurgical performance and patient outcome.

[Preoperative applications of cortical mapping with functional magnetic resonance]

The authors describe a clinical experience in cortical brain mapping by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI) with a 1.0 T MR scanner with BOLD technique and echo-planar imaging (EPI). A brief review is made of the theoretical basis of the BOLD technique and of the different functional tasks used. The main clinical applications of FMRI cortical mapping regarding the sensorimotor cortex of the hand and of language are mentioned. The experiment involves 29 patients, 16 with gliomas (G), 7 with mesial temporal sclerosis (MT S) and 6 with arteriovenous malformations (AVM) The most frequent clinical applications were the determination of the topographic relationship of the cerebral lesions with these eloquent cortices as well as the presurgical lateralization of language in medically intractable epileptic patients. The results are discussed in order to assess the FMRI cortical mapping role as a noninvasive method for presurgical planning, regarding the evaluation of the potential neurosurgical risks and the identification of viable cortex regions displaced or reorganized as a consequence of disease. Additionally, FMRI cortical mapping can also assess the atypical speech representations and the language lateralization of the patients.

[Hypertrophic olivary degeneration. Semiology with magnetic resonance]

Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration is a type of transneuronal degeneration caused by lesions in the dento-rubro-olivary pathway. It involves the inferior olivary nucleus and is a unique type of degeneration because it is associated with hypertrophy of this nucleus. The authors report MRI findings in 10 patients with Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration, whose exams were reviewed.