Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has spread globally, and proven treatments are limited. Transfusion of convalescent plasma collected from donors who have recovered from COVID-19 is among many approaches being studied as potentially efficacious therapy. We are conducting a prospective, propensity score–matched study assessing the efficacy of COVID-19 convalescent plasma transfusion versus standard of care as treatment for severe and/or critical COVID-19. We present herein the results of an interim analysis of 316 patients enrolled at Houston Methodist hospitals from March 28 to July 6, 2020. Of the 316 transfused patients, 136 met a 28-day outcome and were matched to 251 non-transfused control COVID-19 patients. Matching criteria included age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, and baseline ventilation requirement 48 hours from admission, and in a second matching analysis, ventilation status at day 0. Variability in the timing of transfusion relative to admission and titer of antibodies of plasma transfused allowed for analysis in specific matched cohorts. The analysis showed a significant reduction (P = 0.047) in mortality within 28 days, specifically in patients transfused within 72 hours of admission with plasma with an anti-spike protein receptor binding domain titer of ≥1:1350. These data suggest that treatment of COVID-19 with high anti–receptor binding domain IgG titer convalescent plasma is efficacious in early-disease patients.

Pathology training programs throughout the United States have endured unprecedented challenges dealing with the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. At Houston Methodist Hospital, the Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine planned and executed a trainee-oriented, stepwise emergency response. The focus was on optimizing workflows among areas of both clinical and anatomic pathology, maintaining an excellent educational experience, and minimizing trainee exposure to coronavirus disease 2019. During the first phase of the response, trainees were divided into 2 groups: one working on-site and the other working remotely. With the progression of the pandemic, all trainees were called back on-site and further redeployed within our department to meet the significantly increased workload demands of our clinical laboratory services. Adjustments to trainee educational activities included, among others, the organization of a daily coronavirus disease 2019 virtual seminar series. This series served to facilitate communication between faculty, laboratory managers, and trainees. Moreover, it became a forum for trainees to provide updates on individual service workflows and volumes, ongoing projects and research, as well as literature reviews on coronavirus disease 2019–related topics. From our program’s experience, redeploying pathology trainees within our department during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic resulted in optimization of patient care while ensuring trainee safety, and importantly, helped to maintain continuous high-quality education through active involvement in unique learning opportunities.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-loaded chitosan–TPP nanoparticles (GnRH-CNPs) and prostaglandin F_2α-loaded chitosan–TPP nanoparticles (PGF_2α-CNPs) within the Ovsynch protocol for enhancing reproductive performance in heat-stressed dairy cows. Methods: Thirty-six cyclic purebred Friesian cows not detected in standing heat for more than 90 days postpartum were randomly allocated to three treatment groups. The control group (OVS, n = 12) followed the standard Ovsynch protocol with conventional doses. The ½ OVS group (n = 12) received 5 µg GnRH-CNPs on days 0 and 9, along with 250 µg PGF_2α-CNPs on day 7. While the ¼ OVS group (n = 12) was administered 2.5 µg GnRH-CNPs on days 0 and 9, with 125 µg PGF_2α-CNPs on day 7. Ovarian follicular dynamics and corpus luteum (CL) development were monitored on days 0, 4, 7, and 9 of the protocol. Serum progesterone (P₄) concentrations were measured throughout the synchronization period and on days 15 and 30 post-AI. Pregnancy was diagnosed on day 30 post-AI. Results: The ¼ OVS protocol achieved a significantly greater follicular response (p < 0.05) than other protocols. On day 4, following the first GnRH administration, the OVS group exhibited a higher number of subordinate follicles (p < 0.05) and a greater diameter of the dominant follicles (DFs), whereas the ¼ OVS group showed a greater subordinate follicle diameter (p < 0.05) and a higher number of DFs. On day 9, after PGF_2α administration, the ¼ OVS group maintained an elevated number of subordinate follicles, while larger subordinate follicle diameters were observed in the ½ OVS and OVS groups. No significant differences in DF numbers and diameters were observed among groups. P₄ concentrations remained similar across groups during treatments. Compared to control, a significantly higher value of P₄ concentration (p < 0.05) was recorded on day 15 post-AI in the ½ OVS group and on day 30 post-AI in the ¼ OVS group. These findings correlated with a higher pregnancy rate in the ¼ OVS group (65%) compared to the ½ OVS and OVS groups (40% in each). Conclusions: Nanofabrication reduced GnRH and PGF_2α dosage by 50% and 75% without impairing ovarian response and pregnancy rates. The ¼ OVS protocol notably enhanced the ovarian activity and fertility, highlighting the use of GnRH-CNPs and PGF_2α-CNPs as promising and practical approaches to enhance the fertility in dairy cattle under heat stress (HS).

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of, replacing corn grains in concentrate feed mixture (CFM) with mango seeds (MS) in Damascus goat buck’s diets, on productive and reproductive characteristics at prepubertal stage (weaning-prepuberty). Corn grains in CFM were replaced with mango seeds at levels of 0% MS (G1, control), 15% (G2) and 30% (G3). Results revealed that G3 showed the highest (P<0.05) LBW and average daily gain (ADG). Feed conversion ratio, all nutrients digestibility, feeding values, and economic feed efficiency were improved (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 compared with G1. Animals in G2 and G3 showed earlier (P<0.05) ages to produce the 1st ejaculation than control. Testosterone concentration one-month prepuberty increased (P<0.05) in G2 compared with G1 and G3. Testicular measurements and scrotal circumference in G2 as well as only testicular length in G3 increased (P<0.05) in comparing with G1. Mediastinum width increased in G2, decreased in G3 compared with G1 (P<0.05). Tunica albuginea was thicker (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 than in G1. Scrotal septum was wider (P<0.05) in G3 than in G2. Prostate and vascular gland were longer (P<0.05) and wider in G2 and G3 than in G1. This study concluded that replacement of corn grains with mango seeds at level of 30% in diets of Damascus goat bucks has a positive effect on productive performance. The replacement at a level of 15% MS improved reproductive characterization of bucks raised for semen production for breeding programs.

The present study aimed to evaluate follicular dynamics, yield, quality and stage of embryos in superovulated Friesian cows with high and low AMH levels. A total of 10 Friesian cows synchronized with PGF2α to bring them in heat before start superovulation protocol. On Day 10 post oestrus, cows were injected with 2500 IU PMSG, then after 48h cow were injected with 3 ml PGF2α and with 5 ml GnRH on day 14. Cows were artificially inseminated twice at 12 and 24 h after GnRH. Embryos were collected after 7 days from AI. To measure AMH concentration 1 blood sample was collected at the beginning of second follicular wave according to ultrasonography. Results showed that number of antral follicles and total follicles was greater in high AMH level than in low AMH level donors. Differences in CL number of cows in high AMH level was greater than in low AMH level on flushing day. AMH concentration had a significant positive correlation with antral follicles number pre-treatment, total CL number on flushing day, and ovulation rate . The average number and recovery rate of recovered embryos from donor cows with high AMH level was greater than those recovered from cows in low AMH level. Also results indicated highly, significant, and positive correlation of AMH level with total number, recovery rate, excellent, good grade of embryos, and blastocysts, compact morulae, and morulae. In conclusion, circulating AMH concentration, as endocrine marker, is highly associated individually with superovulatory response and embryo production potential in cows.