Background Alterations in ambient temperature have been associated with multiple detrimental effects on broilers such as intestinal barrier disruption and dysbiosis resulting in systemic inflammation. Inflammation and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) have shown to play a negative and positive role, respectively, in the regulation of bone mass. Hence the potential of 25-OH-D3 in alleviating heat induced bone alterations and its mechanisms was studied. Results Heat stress (HS) directly induced a decrease in tibia material properties and bone mass, as demonstrated by lower mineral content, and HS caused a notable increase in intestinal permeability. Treatment with dietary 25-OH-D3 reversed the HS-induced bone loss and barrier leak. Broilers suffering from HS exhibited dysbiosis and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines in the ileum and bone marrow, as well as increased osteoclast number and activity. The changes were prevented by dietary 25-OH-D3 administration. Specifically, dietary 25-OH-D3 addition decreased abundance of B- and T-cells in blood, and the expression of inflammatory cytokines, especially TNF-α, in both the ileum and bone marrow, but did not alter the diversity and population or composition of major bacterial phyla. With regard to bone remodeling, dietary 25-OH-D3 supplementation was linked to a decrease in serum C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen reflecting bone resorption and a concomitant decrement in osteoclast-specific marker genes expression (e.g. cathepsin K), whereas it did not apparently change serum bone formation markers during HS. Conclusions These data underscore the damage of HS to intestinal integrity and bone health, as well as that dietary 25-OH-D3 supplementation was identified as a potential therapy for preventing these adverse effects.

Fifth generation networks (5G) will be associated with a partial shift to higher carrier frequencies, including wavelengths comparable in size to insects. This may lead to higher absorption of radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) by insects and could cause dielectric heating. The yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti), a vector for diseases such as yellow and dengue fever, favors warm climates. Being exposed to higher frequency RF EMFs causing possible dielectric heating, could have an influence on behavior, physiology and morphology, and could be a possible factor for introduction of the species in regions where the yellow fever mosquito normally does not appear. In this study, the influence of far field RF exposure on A. aegypti was examined between 2 and 240 GHz. Using Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulations, the distribution of the electric field in and around the insect and the absorbed RF power were found for six different mosquito models (three male, three female). The 3D models were created from micro-CT scans of real mosquitoes. The dielectric properties used in the simulation were measured from a mixture of homogenized A. aegypti. For a given incident RF power, the absorption increases with increasing frequency between 2 and 90 GHz with a maximum between 90 and 240 GHz. The absorption was maximal in the region where the wavelength matches the size of the mosquito. For a same incident field strength, the power absorption by the mosquito is 16 times higher at 60 GHz than at 6 GHz. The higher absorption of RF power by future technologies can result in dielectric heating and potentially influence the biology of this mosquito.

Background Different strategies can be used to counteract coagulation of extracorporeal systems. Systemic anticoagulation is most widely used in routine clinical practice, but can be contraindicated in specific settings. The Solacea™ dialyser, containing the asymmetric triacetate membrane, claims improved biocompatibility, which should result in decreased tendency for coagulation. We quantified the performance of the Solacea™ versus the FX800CORDIAX dialyser regarding resistance to fibre blocking as assessed by micro-computed tomography (CT). Methods This cross-over study with four arms randomized consecutively 10 maintenance haemodialysis patients to a 4-h post-dilution haemodiafiltration session at midweek, using either Solacea™ 19 H or FX800CORDIAX, with either regular or half dose of anticoagulation (EC2017/1459-NCT03820401). Dialyser fibre blocking was visualized in the dialyser outlet potting using a 3D CT scanning technique on micrometre resolution. Extraction ratios of middle molecules [myoglobin, lambda and kappa free light chains (FLCs)] were determined. Results The relative number of open fibres post-dialysis was lower in FX800CORDIAX versus Solacea™ dialyser, and this was irrespective of the anticoagulation dose used or the threshold for counting open fibres. Extraction ratios of FLCs were not different at regular anticoagulation between Solacea™ and FX800CORDIAX (21% ± 4% for kappa and 32% ± 8% for lambda with Solacea™ versus 23% ± 7% and 38% ± 6% for FX800CORDIAX), but were superior with the Solacea™ (34% ± 12% versus 22% ± 8% with FX800CORDIAX; P = 0.02) for myoglobin in case of halving anticoagulation dose. No clinically relevant albumin loss was detected. Conclusions The Solacea™ dialyser seems to be promising for use in conditions where systemic anticoagulation is contraindicated, as even under conditions of low systemic anticoagulation, virtually no signs of fibre blocking could be observed using the sensitive micro-CT scanning technique. This finding is in line with its presumed good performance in terms of biocompatibility.

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The only study of the osteology of the toad genus Oreophrynella dates back to 1971 and was based on a single species. Here, we use high-resolution X-ray microcomputed tomography to analyse the osteology of all nine described Oreophrynella species, which are compared with representatives of other bufonid lineages. Oreophrynella is unique among bufonids in having opposable digits. Osteological synapomorphies confirmed for the genus are as follows: presence of parietal fontanelles and exposed frontoparietal fontanelle, absence of quadratojugal, five presacral vertebrae, distally enlarged terminal phalanges and urostyle greatly expanded into flanges. Ancestral character reconstruction indicates that arboreal habits in some Oreophrynella species are likely to have evolved after the evolution of opposable digits. Opposable digits, in combination with an extension of the interdigital integument and the relative length/orientation of the digits, are likely to be adaptations to facilitate life on rocky tepui summits and an exaptation to arboreality. Cranial simplification in Oreophrynella, in the form of cranial fontanelles and absence of the quadratojugal, is possibly driven by a reduction of developmental costs, increase in flexibility and reduction of body weight. Cranial simplification combined with the shortening of the vertebral column and the shift towards a partly firmisternal girdle might be adaptations to the peculiar tumbling behaviour displayed by Oreophrynella.