Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of percentage pellet fines and pellet die thickness on finishing pig growth performance. In Exp. 1, 350 finishing pigs (600 × 241; DNA, Columbus, NE) were used over time across three separate weight ranges. In each of the three studies, there were 10 pigs per pen and seven pens per treatment. The three weight ranges were 44 to 68, 81 to 106, and 118 to 144 kg. Treatments consisted of a meal control diet and pelleted diets with 9 to 16, 41 to 47, 60 to 68, and 84 to 91% fines measured at the feeder. From 44 to 68 kg pigs, meal as percentage fines at the feeder increased, ADFI increased (linear, P = 0.006) and G: F decreased (linear, P = 0.002). Pigs fed the diet averaging 13% fines had increased (P < 0.05) G: F compared to those fed the meal diet. For 81 to 106 kg pigs, ADFI increased (linear, P = 0.016) and G: F decreased (linear, P < 0.001) as percentage fines at the feeder increased. Pigs fed pellets with an average of 13% fines had increased (P < 0.05) G: F compared to pigs fed the meal diet. From 118 to 144 kg pigs, ADFI increased (linear, P = 0.006) and G: F increased (linear, P = 0.002) as percentage fines at the feeder increased. Pigs fed pellets with up to 42% fines had improved (P < 0.05) G: F compared to pigs fed meal feed. In Exp. 2, 314 pigs (initially 52 kg) were used in a 76-day study to evaluate the effects of pellet die thickness on pig growth performance. Treatments consisted of a meal control diet or pelleted diets from a thick die effective length: diameter (L: D) ratio of 8.7 fed as-is, pellets from a thin die (L: D 5.5) fed as-is, screened thin die pellets (L: D 5.5), and screened pelleted fines fed as a meal. There were nine pigs per pen and seven pens per treatment. Overall, pigs fed thick die pellets (L: D 8.75, 28% fines) had increased (P < 0.05) ADG compared to those fed either meal, thin die pellets (L: D 5.5, 42% fines), or pellet fines. Pigs fed L: D 8.75 pellets had increased (P < 0.05) G: F compared to pigs fed the meal treatment. In conclusion, minimizing the amount of pellet fines present at the feeder increased G: F. Increasing pellet die thickness which reduced the amount of pellet fines at the feeder also led to an improvement in ADG and G: F compared to pigs fed meal diets, diets pelleted using the L: D 5.5, or pellet fines.

Globally, beef customers are seeking verified information regarding the carbon footprint (CF) of the products they buy. As a major supplier of premium grass-finished and natural grain beef supplying markets world-wide, JBS Southern Australia developed a certified Farm Assured (FA) program, launched in 2013, to provide quality beef from independently audited suppliers. This study conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) with 'cradle to farm gate' and 'cradle to processor gate' boundaries, using two reference flows-(i) one kilogram (kg) of liveweight (LW) at the farm gate, and (ii) one kg of boxed beef at the processor gate-to assess the greenhouse gas (GHG) CF for beef produced in southern Australia. This study is the first to integrate individual animal carcass characteristics with brand level CF analysis at scale. This was achieved by developing a uniquely comprehensive dataset, with primary data supplied by 200 farms and individual animal data provided for 514,922 heads of cattle. The mean farm gate CF was 11.7 (standard deviation 0.4) kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) kg[-1] LW, and the mean boxed beef CF was 24.1 kg CO2-e kg[-1] boxed beef. The study's novel approach to data collection allowed for the CF to be stratified by region, carcass characteristics, farm of origin and product brand. Analysis revealed that the lowest farm-average and individual animal CFs were 29% and 48% lower than the supply chain average, respectively. These findings indicate that the CFs of beef produced from grass and natural grain-finished production systems in southern Australia were comparable or lower than the CFs of beef entering similar markets.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a dietary mycotoxin classified as a Group 1 carcinogen and a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has seen limited biomarker-based evidence linking it to HCC in South America despite favorable regional contamination conditions. Utilizing a newly validated isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS method to quantify AFB1-Lysine (AFB1-Lys) adducts, we conducted a cross-sectional study involving 92 HCC patients and 70 healthy controls across six South American nations. The primary case-control analysis, focusing on 64 HCC patients and 70 controls from Argentina and Colombia, revealed that AFB1-Lys concentrations and positivity rates were significantly higher in HCC cases compared to controls (7.16 vs. 0.89 pg/mg albumin; 43% vs. 10%). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that detectable AFB1-Lys was significantly and independently associated with HCC (adjusted OR = 3.72), with associations most pronounced, though based on small subgroups, in viral hepatitis-related and cryptogenic HCC. Furthermore, broader regional analysis indicated higher AFB1-Lys positivity rates in HBV-positive patients than in HCV-positive or non-viral HCC cases. Ultimately, chronic dietary aflatoxin exposure shows a consistent, statistically significant association with hepatocarcinogenesis across diverse etiological backgrounds in South America, highlighting an urgent need for integrated regional food safety surveillance and expanded prospective studies.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress activates protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), which initially promotes adaptive responses but remains the only active UPR branch during prolonged stress, mediating both early cytoprotective and chronic pro-apoptotic signaling. Recently, we identified translocon-generated Ca [2+] microdomains that promote PERK phosphorylation during early UPR, revealing a mechanism by which local Ca [2+] signals regulate UPR activation. However, the molecular mechanism linking these Ca [2+] microdomains to PERK activation remains elusive. Previously, we showed that calcineurin (CN), a Ca [2+] -dependent heterodimer composed of catalytic (CNA) and regulatory (CNB) subunits, exerts a non-canonical pro-survival function by promoting PERK autophosphorylation. Here, using super-resolution microscopy, CRISPR-Cas9 editing, in silico analyses, and optogenetic droplet assays, we identify CNB as a local Ca [2+] sensor that couples translocon-generated Ca [2+] signals to liquid condensate assembly, thereby promoting adaptive PERK phosphorylation. These findings establish CNB-mediated condensate assembly as a mechanism that translates local Ca [2+] signals into spatially organized early adaptive PERK signaling.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) represents a cornerstone in the treatment of prostate cancer (PC); however, its use is associated with an accelerated deterioration of bone health as a consequence of treatment-induced hypogonadism. Patients receiving ADT experience a rapid loss of bone mineral density (BMD), especially during the first year of therapy, leading to a clinically significant increase in the risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures. These bone complications are associated with a significant negative impact on quality of life, morbidity and mortality, and healthcare costs. This article aims to provide a critical and practical review of pathophysiology, risk factors, assessment methods, and strategies for the prevention and treatment of ADT-induced bone loss in patients with prostate cancer. Current recommendations from major clinical guidelines are analyzed, highlighting the importance of systematic bone risk assessment using bone densitometry and risk stratification tools like Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX®). Evidence-based interventions are also reviewed, ranging from lifestyle modifications and calcium and vitamin D supplementation to the use of antiresorptive therapies in selected patients, to provide a comprehensive and clinically applicable approach for daily practice.

Objectives: To estimate the added value of dostarlimab compared to durvalumab and pembrolizumab as first-line treatment for adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer (EC) in Spain using a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) framework. Methods: Following the Evidence and Value: Impact on Decision Making (EVIDEM) framework and International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) recommendations, 25 Spanish experts (12 medical oncologists and 13 hospital pharmacists) weighted and scored 11 quantitative and 5 qualitative criteria based on an evidence matrix from a literature review. Results: Efficacy and safety were weighted as the most important criteria. Dostarlimab showed positive added value in both comparisons with scores of 0.58 versus durvalumab/durvalumab + olaparib and 0.50 versus pembrolizumab. Dostarlimab and pembrolizumab are the only therapies reimbursed in the Spanish public health system; therefore, their comparative assessment is of clinical and strategic relevance. While pembrolizumab may show longer progression-free survival (PFS) and response duration in specific subgroups, the evidence for dostarlimab-including a statistically significant improvement in overall survival (OS) in the overall population as a primary endpoint, more robust data, and favorable long-term quality-of-life outcomes-was considered by the expert panel to support a more favorable assessment. Conclusions: Within the MCDA framework, experts consider dostarlimab an option with a higher value contribution for adult patients with primary advanced or recurrent EC. Its clinical benefits, improved quality-of-life outcomes, and alignment with healthcare priorities promote treatment continuity and adherence in clinical practice. MCDA provided a transparent approach for multidimensional evaluation of these therapies.

•Online adaptive MR-guided SBRT demonstrated low rates of acute side effects grade ≥ 2 toxicity (3% GU, 0% GI).•Daily adaptive planning with 2-mm margins enabled favorable tolerability outcomes without hydrogel spacers.•Patient-reported outcomes showed minimal impact on urinary, bowel, and global quality of life.•No biochemical failures were observed at 1-year follow-up.•MRgRT may improve safety profiles beyond margin reduction through adaptive workflows.