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Παρασκευή 6 Οκτωβρίου 2017
Scholar : These new articles for Journal of Strategic Marketing are available online
Isoflavonoids as wound healing agents from Ononidis Radix
Publication date: Available online 6 October 2017
Source:Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Author(s): Burçin Ergene Öz, Gülçin Saltan Çitoğlu, Esra Küpeli Akkol, İpek Süntar, Özlem Bahadır Acıkara
Ethnopharmacological relevanceDried roots of Ononis spinosa L. are traditionally used for their diuretic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects.Aim of the studyIsolation of the bioactive compounds of Ononis spinosa L. subsp. leiosperma (Boiss.) Sirj.Materials and methodsEthyl acetate extract prepared from the roots of Ononis spinosa L. subsp. leiosperma (Boiss.) Sirj. was subjected to silica gel column. The fractions were tested for their wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities. Linear incision and circular excision wound models and hydroxypyroline estimation assay were used for the wound healing activity. Carrageenan-induced hind paw edema, TPA-induced ear edema and acetic acid-induced increase in capillary permeability tests as acute inflammation; FCA-induced arthritis as chronic inflammation models were used for the assessment of anti-inflammatory activity. Antioxidant capacities of the fractions were tested using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activity assay, reducing power assay and hydroxyl radical (OH-) scavenging assay. The isolation procedure was continued with the active fraction (Fr-E5).ResultsFr-E5 exhibited remarkable wound healing activity with the 33.4% tensile strength value on the linear incision wound model and 51.4% reduction of the wound area at the day 12 on the circular excision wound model. Hydroxyproline content of the tissue treated by Fr-E5 was found to be 30.9±0.72μg/mg. Acetic acid induced increase in capillary permeability test results revealed that Fr-E5 inhibited inflammation by the value of 40.3%. Fr-E5 showed 28.1–32.2% inhibition in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema test while did not possess activity on TPA-induced ear edema and FCA-induced arthritis models. Trifolirhizin, ononin, medicarpin-3-O-glucoside, onogenin-7-O-glucoside and sativanone-7-O-glucoside were isolated from Fr-E5 and tested for their wound healing activities using by measuring their inhibition of hyaluronidase, collagenase and elastase enzymes. Ononin and sativanone-7-O-glucoside inhibited hyaluronidase and elastase enzymes by 31.66% and 41.75%; 45.58% and 46.88% values respectively at the dose of 100μg/mL.ConclusionAmong five isolated compounds, ononin and sativanone-7-O-glucoside were found to inhibit hyaluronidase and elastase enzymes. According to the results, these compounds may majorly be responsible for the wound healing activity of the extract.
Graphical abstract
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Impaired hypothalamic CART expression in LHA and PVN nuclei of dehydration-induced anorexic rats
Abstract
Negative energy balance promotes physiological adaptations that ensure the survival of animals. Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis regulates basal energy expenditure and its down-regulating adaptation to negative energy balance is well described: in fasting, serum content of thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroid hormones (TH) decreases, enhancing survival odds of individuals. In contrast, dehydration-induced anorexic (DIA) rats present an impaired hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis adaptation despite their negative energy balance: increased circulating TSH levels. The implication of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), an anorexic peptide, in HPT axis function impairment and food-avoidance behavior displayed by DIA animals is unknown. Since CART is co-expressed with the peptide that regulates the HPT axis in hypophysiotropic paraventricular (PVN) neurons (thyrotropin-releasing hormone), we analyzed CART expression and possible implication on high TSH levels of DIA. We examined whether changes in CART expression from lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) and arcuate nucleus (ARC) could participate in food-avoidance of DIA rats. DIA and forced-food restricted (FFR) animals reduced their body weight and food intake. FFR rats had a down-regulation of their HPT axis (reduced serum TH and TSH content), whereas DIA animals had reduced TH but increased TSH levels. CART mRNA expression in ARC decreased similarly between experimental groups and diminished in anterior, medial PVN and in LHA of FFR but DIA showed unchanged levels. This impaired CART mRNA expression in anterior PVN and LHA could be related to the aberrant feeding behavior of DIA rats, but not to their deregulated HPT axis function.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Neonatal overfeeding by small-litter rearing sensitizes hippocampal microglial responses to immune challenge: reversal with neonatal repeated injections of saline as well as minocycline
Abstract
The early life period is extremely vulnerable to programming effects from the environment, many of which persist into adulthood. We have previously demonstrated that adult rats that were overfed as neonates have hypothalamic microglia that are hyper-responsive to an immune challenge and hippocampal microglia that respond less efficiently to learning. We therefore hypothesized that neonatal overfeeding would alter the ability of hippocampal microglia to respond to an immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and that concomitant minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic that suppresses microglial activity, could restore these responses. We induced neonatal overfeeding by manipulating the litter sizes in which Wistar rat pups were raised, so the pups were suckled in litters of 4 (neonatally overfed) or 12 (control-fed). We then examined the hippocampal microglial profiles 24 hr after an immune challenge with LPS, and found that the neonatally overfed rats had dramatically increased microglial numbers in the hippocampus after immune challenge compared with control-fed. Attempts to reverse these effects with minocycline revealed repeated neonatal injections, whether with minocycline or with saline, markedly suppressed microglial number and density throughout the hippocampus and abolished the difference between the groups in their responses to LPS. These data suggest neonatal overfeeding can have lasting effects on hippocampal immune responses, but also that neonatal exposure to a protocol of repeated injections, irrespective of treatment, has pronounced long-term impact, highlighting the importance of considering these effects when interpreting experimental data.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Meta-Analysis of Long Thoracic Nerve Decompression and Neurolysis Versus Muscle and Tendon Transfer Operative Treatments of Winging Scapula
Background: Injury to long thoracic and the spinal accessory nerves can cause winging scapula as a result of weakness and paralysis of the trapezius and serratus anterior muscles. Although these nerve and muscle operations have been reported to correct winging scapula due to various causes, there is no report on comparing the outcomes of these procedures in peer-reviewed Pubmed-indexed literature. In this article, we compared the improvements in the restoration of shoulder functions in winging scapula patients after long thoracic nerve decompression (LTND) in our present study with outcomes of muscle and tendon transfer operations published in the literature (Aetna cited articles). Methods: Twenty-five winging scapula patients met the inclusion criteria, who had LTND and neurolysis at our clinic since 2008. Electromyographic evaluation of the brachial plexus and long thoracic nerve distribution was performed preoperatively for all our patients in this study. Operating surgeon (R.K.N.) examined all patients and measured pre- and postoperative range of motion of the affected shoulder. The mean follow-up was 23 months (range, 13–46 months). Age of our patients in this study at the time of surgery was between 13 and 63 years. These patients had winging scapula between 5 days (tennis injury) and several years before surgery and some were unknown. Results: Shoulder flexion and abduction improved to an average of 163˚ (Phttp://ift.tt/2xbY8xd
The Visualization of the Functional Structure of the Crossing Fibers of the Orbicularis Oris Muscle Using Ultrasound
No abstract availablehttp://ift.tt/2geAdTB
Short implants versus bone grafting and standard-length implants placement: a systematic review
Abstract
Objectives
The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review to compare the survival rates between short implants (length < 10 mm) versus standard-length implants (≥ 10 mm) inserted in grafted bone. As secondary outcomes, marginal bone loss and survival rates of the implant supported prostheses were also analysed.
Materials and methods
Randomised controlled trials (RCT) that compared both techniques were searched on three electronic databases till June 2016, a manual search was performed on the bibliography of the collected articles, and the authors were contacted for additional references. The estimates of the interventions were expressed in relative risk (RR), mean implant survival rates and mean differences in marginal bone.
Results
Eight RCTs were included in this study. From a total of 458 short implants, 15 failed (mean survival rates = 96.7%), While from 488 regular implants, 13 failed (mean survival rates = 97.3%). The technique did not significantly affect: the implant failure rate (P > 0.05), with RR of 1.34 (95% CI 0.67–2.87), the mean differences of marginal bone loss (P = 0.18; MD − 0.04 mm [− 0.10; 0.02] 95% CI), at loading or prosthesis failures rates (RR:0.98; 95% CI 0.40–2.41). The mean differences of marginal bone at 1 year follow-up (post loading) presented significant marginal changes in the short implant group (P = 0.002; MD − 0.10 mm [− 0.16; − 0.03] 95% CI) although a significant high heterogeneity was found between groups.
Conclusions
This systematic review suggests no difference between both techniques in the treatment of atrophic arches. However, more long-term RCTs are needed to evaluate the predictability at the long run.
Clinical relevance
The use of short implants might be considered an alternative treatment, since it usually requires fewer surgical phases and tends to be a more affordable option.
http://ift.tt/2yNgykB
Diclofenac sodium gel therapy as an alternative to actinic cheilitis
Abstract
Objective
Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a potentially malignant lesion caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. The aim of this research was to analyze the efficacy of diclofenac sodium 3% gel in the treatment of this condition, through clinical follow-up.
Methods
Thirty-one patients diagnosed with AC were instructed to perform a topical application of the gel three times a day for a period of 90 days. In each visit, a digital photography was obtained for verified progress and response to treatment. Two researchers evaluated all images after treatment was completed and assigned the following scores regarding clinical aspect of the lip: 1, complete improvement; 2, partial improvement; 3, no changes; 4, worsening of the clinical condition. In addition, the patients' tolerability to the drug and their satisfaction after treatment were evaluated.
Results
Twelve cases abandoned the treatment for reasons unrelated to the study. Ten participants showed total remission of all clinical features of the lesion and three had partial improvement of the characteristics. One participant presented worsening of clinical condition, and in five cases, treatment was discontinued due to development of mild adverse effects at the site of gel application. Regarding satisfaction analyses and tolerability to the drug, from 14 patients who completed treatment without adverse effects or complications, most agreed fully that they were satisfied with the therapy (n = 11) and that the drug was not irritating to the mouth (n = 9). Patients are being monitored without clinical signs of recurrence and/or progression of the lesions.
Conclusion
Topical application of the drug has provided a convenient and well tolerated in most cases.
Clinical relevance
Diclofenac sodium gel (3%) may be a promising alternative for treatment of actinic cheilitis.
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A mouse’s spontaneous eating repertoire aids performance on laboratory skilled reaching tasks: A motoric example of instinctual drift with an ethological description of the withdraw movements in freely-moving and head-fixed mice
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 337
Author(s): Ian Q. Whishaw, Jamshid Faraji, Behroo Mirza Agha, Jessica R. Kuntz, Gerlinde A.S. Metz, Majid H. Mohajerani
Rodents display a spontaneous "order-common" pattern of food eating: they pick up food using the mouth, sit on their haunches, and transfer the food to the hands for handling/chewing. The present study examines how this pattern of behaviour influences performance on "skilled-reaching" tasks, in which mice purchase food with a single hand. Here five types of withdraw movement, the retraction of the hand, in three reaching tasks: freely-moving single-pellet, head-fixed single-pellet, and head-fixed pasta-eating is described. The withdraw movement varied depending upon whether a reach was anticipatory, no food present, or was unsuccessful or successful with food present. Ease of withdraw is dependent upon the extent to which animals used order-common movements. For freely-moving mice, a hand-to-mouth movement was assisted by a mouth-to-hand movement and food transfer to the mouth depended upon a sitting posture and using the other hand to assist food holding, both order-common movements. In the head-fixed single-pellet task, with postural and head movements prevented, withdraw was made with difficulty and tongue protrude movements assisted food transfer to the mouth once the hand reached the mouth. Only when a head-fixed mouse made a bilateral hand-to-mouth movement, a component of order-common eating, was the withdraw movement made with ease. The results are discussed with respect to the use of order-common movements in skilled-reaching tasks and with respect to the optimal design of tasks used to assess rodent skilled hand movement.
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ZENK Induction in the Zebra Finch Brain by Song: Relationship to Hemisphere, Rhythm, Estradiol, and Sex
Abstract
Estradiol is abundant in the zebra finch auditory forebrain and has the capacity to modulate neural responses to auditory stimuli with specificity due to both hemisphere and sex. Arrhythmic song induces greater ZENK expression than rhythmic song in the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM), caudomedial mesopallium (CMM), and nucleus taeniae (Tn) of adult zebra finches. The increases in the auditory regions, NCM and CMM, may result from detection of errors in the arrhythmic song relative to the learned template. In the present study, zebra finches were treated with estradiol, the aromatase inhibitor fadrozole, or a control, and exposed to rhythmic or arrhythmic song to assess the effect of estradiol availability on neural responses to auditory rhythms. ZENK mRNA was significantly greater in the left hemisphere within NCM, CMM, and Tn. Main effects of sex were detected in both auditory regions, with increased ZENK in males in NCM and in females in CMM. In CMM, an effect of hormone treatment also existed. While no pairwise comparison was statistically significant, the pattern suggested greater ZENK expression in control compared to both fadrozole- and estradiol-treated birds. In NCM, an interaction between sex and hormone treatment suggested that the sex effect was restricted to control animals. An additional interaction in NCM among sex, stimulus rhythmicity, and hemisphere indicated that the strongest effect of laterality was present in males exposed to arrhythmic song. The hormone effects suggest that an optimal level of estradiol may exist for processing rhythmicity of auditory stimuli. The overall pattern for left lateralization parallels the left lateralization of language processing in humans and may suggest that this hemisphere is specialized for processing conspecific vocalizations. The reversed sex differences in NCM and CMM suggest that males and females differentially rely on components of the auditory forebrain for processing conspecific song.
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Πέμπτη 5 Οκτωβρίου 2017
Progression level of extracapsular spread and tumor budding for cervical lymph node metastasis of OSCC
Abstract
Objectives
The progression level of extracapsular spread (ECS) for cervical lymph node metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was previously divided into three types, and their relationships with the prognosis of patients were re-examined.
Patients and methods
The Kaplan-Meier method was used to examine overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) curves. Prognosis factor for recurrence was analyzed with univariate and multivariate analysis.
Results
ECS was detected in 216 cases of OSCC and analyzed. The 5-year overall survival and RFS rates of patients with type C, which was microscopically defined as tumor invasion to perinodal fat or muscle tissue, were significantly poor at 40.6 and 37.8%, respectively. The results of a univariate analysis suggested that the prognosis of ECS in OSCC patients is associated with its progression level, particularly type C. The 5-year RFS rate of type C with tumor budding was significantly poor at 31.5%. Type C with tumor budding correlated with local and regional recurrence as well as distant metastasis. In a multivariate analysis, tumor budding was identified as an independent prognostic factor.
Conclusions
These results suggest that the progression level of ECS and tumor budding are useful prognostic factors in OSCC patients.
Clinical relevance
This study indicated that the progression level and tumor budding of ECS for cervical lymph node metastasis were useful prognostic factors in OSCC patients.
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Immunoprotective effects of a hemin-binding peptide derived from hemagglutinin-2 against infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis
Summary
The principal etiologic agent in periodontal disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis, generates cysteine proteases that bind heme with domains such as hemagglutinin-2 (HA2). High-affinity HA2-hemin binding supplies the porphyrin and ferric iron needed for growth and virulence. The DHYAVMISK peptide, recently identified at the hemin-binding site of HA2 inhibits hemin binding. We now evaluate the protective effect of vaccination with DGFPGDHYAVMISK (termed DK) against P. gingivalis using a rat infection model. Rats immunized with DK generated anti-peptide serum IgGs and salivary sIgAs (as measured by ELISA). In a subcutaneous abscess model, the protective effect of immunization was then investigated by measuring abscess size following subcutaneous injection with P. gingivalis. In an oral infection model, a ligature inoculated with P. gingivalis was used to induce periodontitis. The degree of bone erosion, ordinarily provoked by infection, was then evaluated by micro-CT. We found that anti-peptide antibody titers of serum IgGs and salivary sIgAs for rats immunized with DK and adjuvant were significantly higher than for sham immunized rats (injected with adjuvant/PBS alone (P <0.05)). In the subcutaneous abscess model, the DK + adjuvant vaccinated rats recovered faster than sham vaccinated animals, with their abscess sizes significantly smaller (P <0.05). Further, in the experimental periodontitis model, bone loss at the molar palatal side for DK + adjuvant vaccinated rats was significantly lower than for sham vaccinated animals (P <0.05). Collectively, these data demonstrate the potential of (DK) peptide immunization in terms of eliciting an immunoprotective effect against infection with P. gingivalis.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models for studying atherosclerosis pathogenesis induced by periodontopathogenic microorganisms
Summary
Epidemiological studies have established a clinical association between periodontal disease and atherosclerosis. Bacteremia and endotoxemia episodes in patients with periodontitis appear to link these two diseases by inducing a body-wide production of cardiovascular markers. The presence of oral bacteria in atherosclerotic lesions in patients with periodontitis suggests that bacteria, or their antigenic components, induce alterations in the endothelium associated with atherosclerosis. Therefore, a causal mechanism explaining the association between both diseases can be constructed using in vitro models. This review presents current experimental approaches based on in vitro cell models used to shed light on the mechanism by which periodontal pathogenic microorganisms, and their antigenic components, induce pro-atherosclerotic endothelial activity. Monolayer cultures of endothelial vascular or arterial cells have been used to assess periodontal pathogenic bacteria and their antigenic compounds and endothelial activation. However, these models are not capable of reflecting the physiological characteristics of the endothelium inside vascularized tissue. Therefore, the shift from two-dimensional (2D) cellular models toward 3D models of endothelial cells resembling an environment close to the physiological environment of the endothelial cell within the endothelium is useful for evaluating the physiological relevance of results, currently obtained from 2D models, regarding the endothelial dysfunction induced by periodontopathogens. The use of in vitro 3D cellular models can also be relevant to the search for therapeutic agents for chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis. Here, we present some strategies for the assembly of 3D cultures with endothelial cells, which is useful for the study of periodontopathogen-mediated disease.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Myoepithelial-Rich and Infiltrative Giant Vascular Eccrine Spiradenoma: A Unique Presentation of a Rare Adnexal Tumor.
A rare variant of the eccrine spiradenoma, the giant vascular eccrine spiradenoma, has been characterized as a large circumscribed and sometimes hemorrhagic solitary tumor occurring in adults older than 50 years. Histopathologically, the lesion is comprised of distinct cell populations and cystic hemorrhagic glandular spaces. We present a 68-year-old Bengali man with a giant vascular eccrine spiradenoma and describe immunohistochemical features of this tumor. In addition, we highlight unique aspects of this case, including a rich myoepithelial component and focal pseudocapsular infiltration. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
http://ift.tt/2krC3Fl
http://ift.tt/2krC3Fl
Cold-Induced Dermatoses: Case Report and Review of Literature.
Cold panniculitis and perniosis are the most common cold-induced dermatologic disorders and are clinically characterized by indurated and erythematous nodules and plaques that develop at sites exposed to excessive cold and wet conditions. Cold panniculitis is most commonly seen in infants, but adult cases involving the thighs of equestrians are well known and have come to be known as equestrian cold panniculitis or equestrian perniosis. Recently, similar cases have been described in nonequestrian settings with the prolonged use of ice-packs or other cold-therapy devices. We describe the case of 51-year-old female patient who underwent recent arthroscopic shoulder surgery for repair of a rotator cuff tear and presented to the dermatology clinic for painful and erythematous nodules on her arm. A punch biopsy demonstrated a superficial and deep perivascular and periappendageal lymphocytic infiltrate with some spillover into the superficial subcutaneous adipose tissue. Focal vacuolar changes along the basal layer of the epidermis with a few dyskeratotic keratinocytes were present. A mild increase in interstitial mucin was seen, but no significant papillary dermal edema. On clinical questioning she admitted to sustained use of icepacks on the injured shoulder postoperatively for up to 18 hours a day. Based on clinical and histopathologic features the diagnosis of ice-pack dermatosis was made. A review of cold-induced dermatoses is considered with a focus on the main histologic differential diagnoses. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
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http://ift.tt/2wACmPD
Primary Cutaneous CD8+ T-cell Lymphoma, an Indolent and Locally Aggressive Form Mimicking Paronychia.
CD8+ T-cell lymphomas comprise a wide spectrum of lymphomas, many which have yet to be formally classified. We present a case of a 43-year-old woman with an enlarging tumor distal to the distal interphalangeal joint of the fourth finger, compressing the underlying nail matrix. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bony involvement of the underlying distal phalanx. Histology showed a dense epidermotropic and pandermal infiltrate composed of medium-sized, uniformly pleomorphic lymphocytes with cleaved nuclei, which raised the possibility of primary cutaneous CD8+ aggressive epidermotropic cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma. However, the patient's clinical photograph was inconsistent with this diagnosis. Other diagnoses, such as primary cutaneous acral CD8+ T-cell lymphoma-a provisional entity, were also considered but did not capture all the features of this patient's lymphoma. We propose to classify this case as a primary cutaneous CD8+ T-cell lymphoma, an indolent and locally aggressive form. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
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http://ift.tt/2krBUlh
Heterotopic Cutaneous Meningioma: An Unusual Presentation Occurring in a Patient With a Remote History of Intracranial Meningioma.
Meningioma is a neoplasm of the meninges, which usually occurs in intracranial sites. Extracranial meningioma has been frequently reported in the sinonasal tract and skull bone, often as extension of intracranial meningiomas. Isolated heterotopic meningioma without contiguous intracranial lesion is extremely rare. A 56-year-old woman presented in December 2015 with 2 firm subcutaneous scalp masses; one in the left lateral (temporal) and the other in the left superior (parietal) region. The clinical impression was that of lipoma. Pathologic examination revealed an ill-defined proliferation of uniform meningothelial cells in a fibroblastic stroma interspersed within adipose tissue. The excised lesions had similar histologic features. Immunohistochemical stains were performed and the tumor cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen and negative for S-100. A diagnosis of extracranial meningioma, WHO grade I was made. The patient's medical history was significant for intracranial meningioma of the frontal lobe in October 2007, which was diagnosed as atypical meningioma, WHO grade II. Comparison of the scalp masses to her previous meningioma revealed a distinctly different morphologic pattern. In light of the 8-year interval between the scalp and intracranial meningioma and the difference in histologic grades, it is unlikely that her most recent tumors represent a recurrence or metastasis of the intracranial tumor. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
http://ift.tt/2wBUXel
http://ift.tt/2wBUXel
Mixed Lichenoid and Follicular T- and B-Cell Lymphoid Reaction to Red Tattoos With Monoclonal T Cells.
Pseudolymphomatous reactions have been described to occur in tattoos. Most cases have exhibited T-cell predominance and polyclonal T-cell receptor gene rearrangements. One case with monoclonal IgH gene rearrangements progressed into B-cell lymphoma. Lichenoid infiltrates are commonly described but lymphoid follicles much less frequently. We report a case with mixed lichenoid and follicular T- and B-cell reaction to red tattoos. The histopathology and the immunohistochemical studies were constant with a mixed T- and B-cell pseudolymphoma, the IgH gene rearrangement study was polyclonal, but the T-cell receptor gene rearrangement study was monoclonal. The patient who responded to intralesional corticosteroid injections remains under close scrutiny. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
http://ift.tt/2krBF9R
http://ift.tt/2krBF9R
Validation of 3D documentation of palatal soft tissue shape, color, and irregularity with intraoral scanning
Abstract
Objectives
The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of 3D intraoral scanning for documentation of palatal soft tissue by evaluating the accuracy of shape, color, and curvature.
Materials and methods
Intraoral scans of ten participants' upper dentition and palate were acquired with the TRIOS® 3D intraoral scanner by two observers. Conventional impressions were taken and digitized as a gold standard. The resulting surface models were aligned using an Iterative Closest Point approach. The absolute distance measurements between the intraoral models and the digitized impression were used to quantify the trueness and precision of intraoral scanning. The mean color of the palatal soft tissue was extracted in HSV (hue, saturation, value) format to establish the color precision. Finally, the mean curvature of the surface models was calculated and used for surface irregularity.
Results
Mean average distance error between the conventional impression models and the intraoral models was 0.02 ± 0.07 mm (p = 0.30). Mean interobserver color difference was − 0.08 ± 1.49° (p = 0.864), 0.28 ± 0.78% (p = 0.286), and 0.30 ± 1.14% (p = 0.426) for respectively hue, saturation, and value. The interobserver differences for overall and maximum surface irregularity were 0.01 ± 0.03 and 0.00 ± 0.05 mm.
Conclusions
This study supports the hypothesis that the intraoral scan can perform a 3D documentation of palatal soft tissue in terms of shape, color, and curvature.
Clinical relevance
An intraoral scanner can be an objective tool, adjunctive to the clinical examination of the palatal tissue.
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Characterizing spatiotemporal variations of chromophoric dissolved organic matter in headwater catchment of a key drinking water source in China
Abstract
Natural surface drinking water sources with the increasing chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) have profound influences on the aquatic environment and drinking water safety. Here, this study investigated the spatiotemporal variations of CDOM in Fengshuba Reservoir and its catchments in China. Twenty-four surface water samples, 45 water samples (including surface water, middle water, and bottom water), and 15 pore water samples were collected from rivers, reservoir, and sediment of the reservoir, respectively. Then, three fluorescent components, namely two humic-like components (C1 and C2) and a tryptophan-like component (C3), were identified from the excitation-emission matrix coupled with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) for all samples. For spatial distributions, the levels of CDOM and two humic-like components in the reservoir were significantly lower than those in the upstream rivers (p < 0.01), indicating that the reservoir may act as a reactor to partly reduce the levels of exogenous input including CDOM and humic-like matters from the surrounding catchment. For temporal variations, the mean levels of CDOM and three fluorescent components did not significantly change in rivers, suggesting that perennial anthropic activity maybe an important factor impacting the concentration and composition of river CDOM but not the precipitation and runoff. However, these mean values of CDOM for the bulk waters of the reservoir changed markedly along with seasonal variations, indicating that the hydrological processes in the reservoir could control the quality and quantity of CDOM. The different correlations between the fluorescent components and primary water parameters in the river, reservoir, and pore water samples further suggest that the reservoir is an important factor regulating the migration and transformation of FDOM along with the variations of different environmental gradients.
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Effectiveness of Oncologist‐Referred Exercise and Healthy Eating Programming as a Part of Supportive Adjuvant Care for Early Breast Cancer
AbstractBackground.Randomized trials have established efficacy of supervised exercise training during chemotherapy for breast cancer for numerous health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess reach, effectiveness, maintenance, and implementation of an evidence‐based exercise and healthy eating program offered within an adjuvant care setting.Subjects, Materials, and Methods.Women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer were given a prescription by their oncologist to participate in the Nutrition and Exercise during Adjuvant Treatment (NExT) program. The NExT program consisted of supervised, moderate‐intensity, aerobic and resistance exercise three times a week during adjuvant therapy, followed by a step‐down in supervised sessions per week for 20 additional weeks, plus one group‐based healthy eating session. Usual moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed by questionnaire at baseline, program completion, and one year later, along with measures of satisfaction and safety.Results.Program reach encompassed referral of 53% of eligible patients, 78% uptake (n = 73 enrolled), and 78% retention for the 45.0 ± 8.3‐week program. During the program, MVPA increased (116 ± 14 to 154 ± 14 minutes per week, p = .014) and HRQoL did not change. One year later, MVPA (171 ± 24 minutes per week, p = .014) and HRQoL (44 ± 1 to 49 ± 1, p < .001) were significantly higher than baseline. Exercise adherence was 60% ± 26% to three sessions per week during treatment. No major adverse events occurred and injury prevalence did not change relative to baseline. Participants were highly satisfied.Conclusion.This oncologist‐referred exercise and healthy eating supportive‐care program for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy was safe, successful in reaching oncologists and patients, and effective for improving MVPA and maintaining HRQoL.Implications for Practice.Despite evidence that exercise is both safe and efficacious at improving physical fitness, quality of life, and treatment side effects for individuals with cancer, lifestyle programming is not offered as standard of cancer care. This study describes an oncologist‐referred, evidence‐based exercise and healthy eating program offered in collaboration with a university as supportive care to women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. The program was well received by oncologists and patients, safe, and relatively inexpensive to operate. Importantly, there was a significant positive impact on physical activity levels and health‐related quality of life lasting for 2 years after initiation of therapy.
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Removal of NO with the hexamminecobalt solution catalyzed by the carbon treated with oxalic acid
Abstract
NO can be removed at the same time with SO2 by aqueous Co(NH3)62+ solution. The reduction of Co(NH3)63+ to Co(NH3)62+ is catalyzed by activated carbon to regain the NO absorption ability of the scrubbing solution. Oxalic acid solution is explored to change the carbon surface to ameliorate its catalytic capability. The experimental results suggest that the best catalyst is prepared by impregnating the carbon sample in 0.7 mol l−1 oxalic acid solution for 24 h followed by being activated at 600 °C for 5 h under nitrogen atmosphere. After being treated with oxalic acid solution, the surface area and the acidity on the carbon surface increase. The experiments show that the carbon modified with oxalic acid can get a much higher NO removal efficiency than the original carbon.
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Does Eid-ad-Adha affect the transmission of Zoonotic diseases?
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(4):1064-1065
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What's going on antibiotic resistance? What could be done for the reduction of risk?
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(4):785-786
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Displaying solidarity and compassion to meet the needs of the refugee population in European region
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(4):787-788
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Living in the same environment and having the same food dishes: But why there is a significant difference of prevalence of cholangiocarcinoma between male and female in Thailand
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(4):1072-1072
http://ift.tt/2hRSTMA
My Best Friend: A community-based initiative to ensure women welfare in conflicts-affected Central African Republic region
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(4):789-790
http://ift.tt/2fQaOiL
Osteoporosis: The present concern on screening and nonmedication management
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(4):1087-1089
http://ift.tt/2hQI6Ci
Evaluation of cadmium and lead levels in fillet marine fish (Otolithes ruber and Lutjanus johni)-from Persian Gulf
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(4):1015-1018
Background: Pollution of aquatic system with heavy metals is one of the important environmental problems that can make toxic marine organisms and aquatic food chain, so it is a risk factor for human health over time. Objective: The present study aimed to the evaluation of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) Levels in fillet marine fish (Otolithes ruber and Lutjanus johni) from Persian Gulf. Materials and Methods: At the first, 50 fish samples (O. ruber and L. johni) were collected during winter and spring of 2012 at three different sites from Persian Gulf. The Cd and Pb concentrations were determined with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results expressed in micrograms of metal per dry weight gram of fish (μg/g). Results: The results were validated according to the International Standards Organization 17025 accreditation. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software at the significant level of 95%. Maximum Cd and Pb concentration were seen in O. ruber (0.47 μg/g and L. johni (3.12 μg/g), respectively. No significance difference between the fish size and the metal levels for Cd was recorded in fish (P > 0.05). The relationship between the fish size and Pb level in the muscles was positive in two fish species (P < 0.05). Pb concentration was increased with increase of the length of fish, simultaneously. Conclusion: In all samples, Cd level was minimum. Pb concentrations in two fish specimens of this study exceeded FAO/WHO, IAEA-407, TFC, EC, and Chine but had not exceeded the guidelines limits except for the range of international standards. The metal accumulation in the aquatic organism may be species and size-dependent.
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New guidelines released to ensure transparency and enhance credibility of the reported health estimates: World Health Organization
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(4):793-794
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Salmonella typhi bacteriuria, predispositions and complications: Two case reports and review of literature
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(4):1058-1060
Salmonella typhi infection presents most commonly as typhoid fever and infrequently as extraintestinal localized infections of bone, joints, soft tissues, spleen, endocardium, pulmonary, hepatobiliary, genital and urinary systems. Urinary tract infection ( UTI) is rare and clinical presentation is indistinguishable from UTIs due to other etiological agents or may even be asymptomatic. We report two cases of patients with chronic kidney disease with UTI due to S. typhi. Renal cyst, nephrolithiasis, and urethral strictures were the concomitant findings in one case and renal tubular acidosis with nephrocalcinosis in the other. In patients with relapses and a chronic course with coexisting functional or structural abnormalities of the urinary tract system, the suspicion of Salmonella as one of the probable causative agents should be kept in mind so as to ensure appropriate and adequate therapy. Furthermore, in the presence of long-standing hypokalemia, one should investigate for renal abnormalities and vice versa.
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Offering integrated package of services to counter stigma associated with HIV
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(4):795-796
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Wandering dog should not be the reservoir host for opisthorchiasis in highly endemic area, Thailand
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(4):1068-1068
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Responding to the public health challenge of obstetric fistula in developing nations: A preventable cause of physical and social disability
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(4):797-798
http://ift.tt/2fPlGgu
Skin lesion from a traditional Cambodian treatment “koah kshal”: An example of clinical manifestation relating to local public health system
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(4):1076-1076
http://ift.tt/2fQ5mw4
Responding to the sensitive issue of sexual health by improving awareness and sexual education
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2017 10(4):799-800
http://ift.tt/2hRM8dL
Distinct Cell-Cycle Control in Two Different States of Mouse Pluripotency
Publication date: 5 October 2017
Source:Cell Stem Cell, Volume 21, Issue 4
Author(s): Menno ter Huurne, James Chappell, Stephen Dalton, Hendrik G. Stunnenberg
Mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) cultured in serum are characterized by hyper-phosphorylated RB protein, lack of G1 control, and rapid progression through the cell cycle. Here, we show that ESCs grown in the presence of two small-molecule inhibitors (2i ESCs) have a longer G1-phase with hypo-phosphorylated RB, implying that they have a functional G1 checkpoint. Deletion of RB, P107, and P130 in 2i ESCs results in a G1-phase similar to that of serum ESCs. Inhibition of the ERK signaling pathway in serum ESCs results in the appearance of hypo-phosphorylated RB and the reinstatement of a G1 checkpoint. In addition, induction of a dormant state by the inhibition of MYC, resembling diapause, requires the presence of the RB family proteins. Collectively, our data show that RB-dependent G1 restriction point signaling is active in mouse ESCs grown in 2i but abrogated in serum by ERK-dependent phosphorylation.
Graphical abstract
Teaser
It is widely thought that embryonic stem cells have an unusual and very rapid cell cycle, lacking normal G1 regulation. Stunnenberg and colleagues show that, in mouse ESCs, G1 regulation is, in fact, intact but abrogated in serum by ERK signaling and RB phosphorylation.http://ift.tt/2y3b3Rm
Chromatin and Single-Cell RNA-Seq Profiling Reveal Dynamic Signaling and Metabolic Transitions during Human Spermatogonial Stem Cell Development
Publication date: 5 October 2017
Source:Cell Stem Cell, Volume 21, Issue 4
Author(s): Jingtao Guo, Edward J. Grow, Chongil Yi, Hana Mlcochova, Geoffrey J. Maher, Cecilia Lindskog, Patrick J. Murphy, Candice L. Wike, Douglas T. Carrell, Anne Goriely, James M. Hotaling, Bradley R. Cairns
Human adult spermatogonial stem cells (hSSCs) must balance self-renewal and differentiation. To understand how this is achieved, we profiled DNA methylation and open chromatin (ATAC-seq) in SSEA4+ hSSCs, analyzed bulk and single-cell RNA transcriptomes (RNA-seq) in SSEA4+ hSSCs and differentiating c-KIT+ spermatogonia, and performed validation studies via immunofluorescence. First, DNA hypomethylation at embryonic developmental genes supports their epigenetic "poising" in hSSCs for future/embryonic expression, while core pluripotency genes (OCT4 and NANOG) were transcriptionally and epigenetically repressed. Interestingly, open chromatin in hSSCs was strikingly enriched in binding sites for pioneer factors (NFYA/B, DMRT1, and hormone receptors). Remarkably, single-cell RNA-seq clustering analysis identified four cellular/developmental states during hSSC differentiation, involving major transitions in cell-cycle and transcriptional regulators, splicing and signaling factors, and glucose/mitochondria regulators. Overall, our results outline the dynamic chromatin/transcription landscape operating in hSSCs and identify crucial molecular pathways that accompany the transition from quiescence to proliferation and differentiation.
Graphical abstract
Teaser
Cairns and colleagues show that human spermatogonial stem cells (hSSCs) bear unique DNA methylation and open chromatin landscapes, which may enable proper development, niche responsiveness, and "poised" pluripotency. Interestingly, single-cell transcriptome and immunofluorescence analyses reveal four cellular states, spanning from quiescent hSSCs to proliferating, metabolically active, differentiating spermatogonia.http://ift.tt/2y3fRpJ
Differential Prognostic Value of Metabolic Heterogeneity of Primary Tumor and Metastatic Lymph Nodes in Patients with Pharyngeal Cancer
Background/Aim: We aimed to explore the prognostic value of metabolic heterogeneity of 18F-FDG uptake in chemoradiotherapy-treated pharyngeal cancer patients. Patients and Methods: This study included 52 consecutive patients with pharyngeal cancer who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT before definitive chemoradiotherapy. The heterogeneity factor (HF) was defined as the derivative (dV/dT) of a volume-threshold function for primary tumors and metastatic lymph nodes. The relationships between clinical parameters and HFs of primary tumors (pHF) and metastatic lymph nodes (nHF) were analyzed. Results: The pHF (range=1.367 - –0.027; median=–0.152) was significantly correlated with the maximum standardized uptake value, metabolic tumor volume, and total lesion glycolysis. Induction chemotherapy response was not correlated with HF, whereas response to radiotherapy was significantly better in patients with high pHF (low heterogeneity). Consistently, the 2-year locoregional recurrence-free survival was significantly better in patients with high pHF (82.9% for pHF>–0.152 vs. 30.5% for pHF<–0.152, log-rank p=0.009). The nHF (range=–1.067 - –0.039; median=-0.160) was not correlated with response to radiotherapy and locoregional recurrences. Conclusion: pHF, but not nHF, was a significant predictor of response to radiotherapy and locoregional recurrence in pharyngeal cancer. Thus, HF use can prevent unnecessary treatment and surgical delays.
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Gastric Spindle Cell Neuroendocrine Tumor Mimicking Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: Unique Morphology and Diagnostic Pitfall
Gastric neuroendocrine tumors (GNETs) with spindle cell morphology are extremely rare. We present a case of a 49-year-old female patient with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. She was initially thought to have a spindle cell gastrointestinal stromal tumor per histological studies of the fundic polypectomy samples. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were negative for CD117, and CD34, but positive for chromogranin, synaptophysin, and CD56 with a 6% Ki-67 index, consistent with a spindle cell-type well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor, World Health Organization (WHO) Grade 2. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a gastric spindle cell neuroendocrine tumor in the English literature.
http://ift.tt/2yKx98K
miR-223 and Stathmin-1 Expression in Non-tumor Liver Tissue of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Aim: Overexpression of stathmin (STMN1) has been reported for several tumor entities. STMN1 expression correlated with the detection of mutant p53, also suggesting loss-of-function-dependent mechanisms for its accumulation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. On the other hand, miR-223 has been identified as one of the most down-regulated miRNAs in HCC, and its expression was shown to be negatively correlated with STMN1 expression. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of STMN1 and miRNA-223 expression. Patients and Methods: Fifty-six consecutive patients with HCC who underwent curative hepatectomy as initial treatment were enrolled. They were divided into two groups based on the STMN1 expression level: high (n=36) and low (n=20) gene-expression groups. We compared the clinicopathological factors between the groups with high and low expression in non-tumor tissues. Thirty out of 56 patients were also divided into groups with high (n=15) and low (n=15) miR-223 expression and compared the clinicopathological factors between the two groups. Results: There were no significant differences in patient background between high and low STMN1 expression groups. The incidence of multicentric (MC) recurrence in the high-expression group was significantly higher than in the low-expression group and high STMN1 expression was shown to be an independent risk factor for MC recurrence. There were also no significant differences in patient background between high and low miR-223 expression groups; however, the disease-free survival rate in the group with low expression was significantly worse. Furthermore, MC-related miRNAs identified by miRNA microarray clearly clustered patients into MC recurrence and non-recurrence groups. Conclusion: Both gene and miRNA expression profiles in non-tumor liver tissues could predict the risk for MC recurrence. Such molecular information may be useful in enabling better decision making for patients with HCC.
http://ift.tt/2yKOEpw
Surgical Resection and Outcome of Synchronous and Metachronous Primary Lung Cancer in Breast Cancer Patients
Background/Aim: Women with breast cancer are at increased risk of subsequent primary malignancies, specifically lung cancer. The aim of this study was to report the frequency of lung cancer in patients with breast cancer, and patients' characteristics and surgical outcomes. Patients and Methods: We investigated 1,066 consecutive female patients undergoing surgical resection for breast cancer and 666 undergoing surgical resection for lung cancer. Results: Lung cancer with breast cancer was observed in 14 patients (1.3% of breast cancer and 2.1% of lung cancer cases; mean age=65 years), and 3/14 (21.4%) patients were smokers. Sixteen lung cancer lesions in 14 patients were adenocarcinomas and one was squamous cell carcinoma. All 14 patients were alive at the time of this report; 4/14 (28.6%) patients had recurrent breast cancer and 1/14 (7.1%) had recurrent lung cancer. In synchronous cases, 5/6 (83.3%) patients received concomitant surgery for both breast cancer and lung cancer. Patients' postoperative courses were uneventful. In metachronous cases, eight patients had lung cancer a mean of 33 months after breast cancer surgery. All eight patients received adjuvant therapies and 4/8 (50%) patients received adjuvant therapies for recurrent breast cancer, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, and anti-HER2 therapy. All patients had early-stage lung adenocarcinoma and underwent surgical resection. Conclusion: Concomitant surgery for synchronous lung and breast cancer was feasible and safe. In metachronous cases, lung cancers tended to be detected within 3 years after surgery for breast cancer. Careful follow-up for postoperative breast cancer may contribute to the detection of early-stage lung cancer.
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The Association Between Chemotherapy Immediately Before Nivolumab and Outcomes Thereafter
Background/Aim: We investigated whether the efficacy and type of pre-nivolumab chemotherapy influence outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer patients following nivolumab treatment. Patients and Methods: In this multicenter study, 199 patients treated with nivolumab were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed the relationships between the clinical response to nivolumab and to chemotherapy administered immediately beforehand. Results: Patients who achieved objective responses to pretreatments showed higher disease control rates with nivolumab than patients who did not (64% vs. 47%, p=0.03), as did those who achieved disease control with pretreatments (62% vs. 35%, p<0.001). Bevacizumab-pretreated patients tended to show better objective response rates with nivolumab (27% vs. 13%, p=0.06); the objective response rate to nivolumab was significantly higher in bevacizumab-pretreated patients who showed clinical responses (42% vs. 9.1%, p=0.02). Conclusion: Achievement of a clinical response to chemotherapy immediately before nivolumab, particularly when combined with bevacizumab, increases the likelihood of disease control post-nivolumab.
http://ift.tt/2yMinOM
Predictive Factors for Poor Progression-free Survival in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Nivolumab
Background: Nivolumab has shown promising effects in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as a second- or later-line treatment. This study aimed to identify patients who would not experience any benefit from nivolumab treatment. Materials and Methods: In this study, data for 201 patients treated with nivolumab during 17 December 2015 to 31 July 2016 at three respiratory medical centers in Japan were retrospectively reviewed. We collected clinical data at the time of nivolumab treatment commencement. We investigated the relationship between progression-free survival (PFS) and patient characteristics. Results: In both univariate and multivariate analysis, performance status (PS) score ≥2, steroid use at baseline and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level >240 IU/l were significantly associated with poor PFS (all p<0.05). Conclusion: PS score ≥2, steroid use at baseline and a high LDH level were predictive of poor PFS in patients with NSCLC treated with nivolumab. Careful monitoring is recommended for treating such patients with nivolumab (UMIN-ID: UMIN000025908).
http://ift.tt/2fMIpdk
A Proposal for Progression-Free Survival Assessment in Patients with Early Progressive Cancer
Background/Aim: Progression-free survival (PFS), which is evaluated in oncology clinical trials, is determined based on tumor progression evaluated according to an assessment schedule. There is possibly a bias in median PFS and hazard ratio (HR) for PFS depending on the assessment schedule referring to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: We re-analyzed the PFS in the FTD/TPI phase 2 trial by changing the assessment schedule. To assess biases in median PFS and HR for PFS resulting from different assessment schedules, we performed a computational simulation. Results: The reanalysis of FTD/TPI phase 2 trial and the simulation results showed that there were biases in median PFS and HR for PFS. Conclusion: In RCTs for early progressive cancer, median PFS is dependent on the assessment schedule; however, HR for PFS can be assessed without clinically-meaningful differences between assessment schedules, regardless of biomarker assumptions.
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On the distribution and inventories of radionuclides in dated sediments around the Swedish coast
Publication date: Available online 4 October 2017
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
Author(s): Grzegorz Olszewski, Pål Andersson, Patric Lindahl, Mats Eriksson
The activity concentrations and distribution of 137Cs, 238Pu, 239+240Pu, 241Am, and 210Pb was determined by the analysis of six sediment cores from the Baltic Sea and Kattegat. The chronology of the sediment cores has been used to evaluate the origin and time trend of the radionuclide sources in these sediments. The sediment cores were dated with a 210Pb model and the results were validated with fallout peaks, assumed to originate from the global nuclear weapons testing and the Chernobyl accident. Source identification, using the isotopic and radionuclide activity ratios, showed that the Chernobyl accident is the main source of 137Cs in the Baltic Sea; for 239+240Pu and 241Am the dominant source was shown to be fallout from nuclear weapons tests. For 238Pu and 241Am the Chernobyl accident had a significant impact on the direct fallout into the Baltic Proper, with up to a 65% contribution in the sediment slices dated to 1986. In these sediment slices the maximum activity ratios of 238Pu/239+240Pu and 241Am/239+240Pu were 0.314 ± 0.008 and 1.29 ± 0.06, respectively. The ratios clearly deviate from the corresponding ratios for global nuclear weapons fallout (around 0.028 and 0.54, respectively). Calculated inventories were 63–175 Bq·m−2 for 239+240Pu, 2.8–7.8 for 238Pu Bq·m−2 and 0.92–44.4 kBq·m−2 for 137Cs. Different fallout patterns for 137Cs and plutonium isotopes from the Chernobyl accident were confirmed through depth profiles analyses. The maximum inventory of 137Cs was observed in the Bothnian Sea, while Chernobyl-derived plutonium was found to be mostly present in Northern Baltic Proper. The radionuclides distribution in the depth profiles shows how contaminated water affects the sediment as it passes sampling stations according to the current circulation pattern in the Baltic Sea. Additionally, the effect of increased activity concentrations from of river discharges in the most contaminated area in the Bothnian Sea was observed.
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Different manifestation of irradiation induced coronary artery disease detected with coronary computed tomography compared with matched non-irradiated controls
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s): Alexander R. van Rosendael, Laurien A. Daniëls, Aukelien C. Dimitriu-Leen, Jeff M. Smit, Philippe J. van Rosendael, Martin J. Schalij, Jeroen J. Bax, Arthur J.H.A. Scholte
Background and purposePatients who received chest irradiation for treatment of a malignancy are at increased risk for the development of coronary artery atherosclerosis. Little is known about the anatomical coronary artery plaque characteristics of irradiation induced coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to evaluate potential differences in the presence, extent, severity, composition and location of CAD in patients treated with mediastinal irradiation compared with non-irradiated controls matched on age, gender and cardiovascular risk factors.Material and methodsSeventy-nine asymptomatic Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivors, all treated with mediastinal irradiation with or without chemotherapy, who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) to exclude or detect CAD were included. Patients were 1:3 matched with non-irradiated controls (n=237) for age, gender, diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, family history of CAD and currently smoking. Mean age at cancer diagnosis was 26±9years and age at the time of coronary CTA was 45±11years.ResultsMore patients had an abnormal CTA (defined as any coronary artery atherosclerosis): 59% vs. 36% (P<0.001) and significantly more patients had two vessel CAD: 10% vs. 6% and three vessel/left main CAD: 24% vs. 9% compared with controls (overall P<0.001). The maximum stenosis severity among patients was less often <30% (53% vs. 68%) and more often >70% (7% vs. 0%) (overall P=0.001). Patients had more coronary artery plaques in proximal coronary artery segments: left main (17% vs. 6%, P=0.004), proximal left anterior descending artery (30% vs. 16%, P=0.004), proximal right coronary artery (25% vs 10%, P<0.001) and proximal left circumflex artery (14% vs 6%, P=0.022), whereas the number of plaques in non-proximal segments did not differ between groups.ConclusionsHodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivors treated with mediastinal irradiation with or without chemotherapy showed a higher presence, greater severity, larger extent and more proximally located CAD compared with age, gender and risk factor matched non-irradiated controls. These findings represent features of higher risk CAD and may explain the worse cardiovascular outcome after chest irradiation.
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Consequences of introducing geometric GTV to CTV margin expansion in DAHANCA contouring guidelines for head and neck radiotherapy
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s): Christian Rønn Hansen, Jørgen Johansen, Eva Samsøe, Elo Andersen, Jørgen B.B. Petersen, Kenneth Jensen, Lisbeth J. Andersen, Hella M.B. Sand, Anders S. Bertelsen, Cai Grau
Background and purposeDefining margins around the Gross Tumour Volume (GTV) to create a Clinical Target Volume (CTV) for head and neck cancer radiotherapy has traditionally been based on presumed knowledge of anatomical routes of spread. However, using a concentric geometric expansion around the GTV may be more reproducible. The purpose of this study was to analyse the inter-observer consistency of geometric CTV delineation with adaptation for anatomical boundaries versus anatomically defined CTVs.Material and methodsRadiation oncologists at four Danish cancer centres delineated high, intermediate and elective dose CTVs (CTV1, CTV2 and CTV3, respectively) in a patient-case template (stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx), first using mainly anatomical margins (original standard) and then using concentric geometric expansion (new standard). Each centre made a dummy-run radiotherapy plan based on the delineated CTVs. The difference between the CTV contours and the radiotherapy plans was evaluated across the centres.ResultsAnatomy-based contours were significantly more heterogenous and showed larger volume differences between centres than geometric margins. Dice similarity coefficient increased by 0.29 and mean surface distance decreased by 4mm for CTV1. Use of consistent CTV volumes resulted in more consistent irradiated volumes between centres.ConclusionIntroduction of geometric margins resulted in more uniform CTV1 and CTV2 delineation. Geometric CTV expansion was easier, left less room for misinterpretation, and resulted in more uniform treatment plans with similar irradiated high and intermediate dose volumes across all centres.
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Treating locally advanced lung cancer with a 1.5T MR-Linac – Effects of the magnetic field and irradiation geometry on conventionally fractionated and isotoxic dose-escalated radiotherapy
Publication date: Available online 4 October 2017
Source:Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s): Hannah E. Bainbridge, Martin J. Menten, Martin F. Fast, Simeon Nill, Uwe Oelfke, Fiona McDonald
PurposeThis study investigates the feasibility and potential benefits of radiotherapy with a 1.5T MR-Linac for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA NSCLC) patients.Material and methodsTen patients with LA NSCLC were retrospectively re-planned six times: three treatment plans were created according to a protocol for conventionally fractionated radiotherapy and three treatment plans following guidelines for isotoxic target dose escalation. In each case, two plans were designed for the MR-Linac, either with standard (∼7mm) or reduced (∼3mm) planning target volume (PTV) margins, while one conventional linac plan was created with standard margins. Treatment plan quality was evaluated using dose–volume metrics or by quantifying dose escalation potential.ResultsAll generated treatment plans fulfilled their respective planning constraints. For conventionally fractionated treatments, MR-Linac plans with standard margins had slightly increased skin dose when compared to conventional linac plans. Using reduced margins alleviated this issue and decreased exposure of several other organs-at-risk (OAR). Reduced margins also enabled increased isotoxic target dose escalation.ConclusionIt is feasible to generate treatment plans for LA NSCLC patients on a 1.5T MR-Linac. Margin reduction, facilitated by an envisioned MRI-guided workflow, enables increased OAR sparing and isotoxic target dose escalation for the respective treatment approaches.
http://ift.tt/2fUuzta
Extraction and representation of common feature from uncertain facial expressions with cloud model
Abstract
Human facial expressions are key ingredient to convert an individual's innate emotion in communication. However, the variation of facial expressions affects the reliable identification of human emotions. In this paper, we present a cloud model to extract facial features for representing human emotion. First, the uncertainties in facial expression are analyzed in the context of cloud model. The feature extraction and representation algorithm is established under cloud generators. With forward cloud generator, facial expression images can be re-generated as many as we like for visually representing the extracted three features, and each feature shows different roles. The effectiveness of the computing model is tested on Japanese Female Facial Expression database. Three common features are extracted from seven facial expression images. Finally, the paper is concluded and remarked.
http://ift.tt/2y4bv2f
Collapsing the Metabolic PON2zi Scheme in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Source:Trends in Cell Biology
Author(s): Matyas Abel Tsegaye, Zachary T. Schafer
A hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer (PDAC) cells is metabolic reprogramming that facilitates tumor progression. In a recent paper published in Molecular Cell, Nagarajan et al. discover that paraoxonase (PON)2 stimulates glucose transporter (GLUT)1-mediated glucose uptake, prevents AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mediated anoikis, and consequently promotes PDAC development and metastasis.
http://ift.tt/2xleTBv
Bacterial Subversion of COG-Dependent Membrane Traffic
Source:Trends in Cell Biology
Author(s): Lee Dolat, Raphael H. Valdivia
Intracellular bacterial pathogens thrive within eukaryotic cells by interacting with a range of organelles to establish a replicative niche. In a new study in Cell Host and Microbe, Miller et al. identify a Brucella abortus effector that subverts membrane and protein transport to the Golgi apparatus to promote bacterial replication.
http://ift.tt/2y2CiLW
Determination of Rare Earth Elements in multi-year high-resolution Arctic aerosol record by double focusing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry with desolvation nebulizer inlet system
Publication date: 1 February 2018
Source:Science of The Total Environment, Volumes 613–614
Author(s): Fabio Giardi, Rita Traversi, Silvia Becagli, Mirko Severi, Laura Caiazzo, Claudia Ancillotti, Roberto Udisti
An inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometer (ICP-SFMS) was used to develop an analytical method for the fast determination of Na, Al, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Y, Mo, Cd, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and Pb in Arctic size-segregated aerosol samples (PM10), after microwave acidic digestion. The ICP-SFMS was coupled with a microflow nebulizer and a desolvation system for the sample introduction, which reduced the isobaric interferences due to oxides and the required volume of sample solutions, compared to the usual nebulization chamber methods. With its very low limit of detection, and taking into account the level of blanks, this method allowed the quantification of many metals in very low concentration. Particular attention was given to Rare Earth Elements (REEs - La to Lu). The efficiency in the extraction of REEs was proved to be acceptable, with recoveries over 83% obtained with a Certified Reference Material (AMiS 0356). The analytical method was then applied to particulate matter samples, collected at ground level in Ny Ålesund (Svalbard Islands, Norway), during spring and summer, from 2010 to 2015, with daily resolution and using a low-volume device. Thus, for the first time, a large atmospheric concentrations dataset of metals in Arctic particulate matter at high temporal resolution is presented. On the basis of differences in LREE/HREE ratio and Ce and Eu anomalies in spring and summer samples, basic information to distinguish local and long-range transported dust were achieved.
Graphical abstract
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Aging effects on chemical transformation and metal(loid) removal by entrapped nanoscale zero-valent iron for hydraulic fracturing wastewater treatment
Publication date: 15 February 2018
Source:Science of The Total Environment, Volume 615
Author(s): Yuqing Sun, Cheng Lei, Eakalak Khan, Season S. Chen, Daniel C.W. Tsang, Yong Sik Ok, Daohui Lin, Yujie Feng, Xiang-dong Li
In this study, alginate and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-alginate entrapped nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) was tested for structural evolution, chemical transformation, and metals/metalloids removal (Cu(II), Cr(VI), Zn(II), and As(V)) after 1–2month passivation in model saline wastewaters from hydraulic fracturing. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed successful prevention of Fe0 corrosion by polymeric entrapment. Increasing ionic strength (I) from 0 to 4.10M (deionized water to Day-90 fracturing wastewater (FWW)) with prolonged aging time induced chemical instability of alginate due to dissociation of carboxyl groups and competition for hydrogen bonding with nZVI, which caused high Na (7.17%) and total organic carbon (24.6%) dissolution from PVA-alginate entrapped nZVI after 2-month immersion in Day-90 FWW. Compared to freshly-made beads, 2-month aging of PVA-alginate entrapped nZVI in Day-90 FWW promoted Cu(II) and Cr(VI) uptake in terms of the highest removal efficiency (84.2% and 70.8%), pseudo-second-order surface area-normalized rate coefficient ksa (2.09×10−1Lm−2h−1 and 1.84×10−1Lm−2h−1), and Fe dissolution after 8-h reaction (13.9% and 8.45%). However, the same conditions inhibited Zn(II) and As(V) sequestration in terms of the lowest removal efficiency (31.2% and 39.8%) by PVA-alginate nZVI and ksa (4.74×10−2Lm−2h−1 and 6.15×10−2Lm−2h−1) by alginate nZVI. The X-ray spectroscopic analysis and chemical speciation modelling demonstrated that the difference in metals/metalloids removal by entrapped nZVI after aging was attributed to distinctive removal mechanisms: (i) enhanced Cu(II) and Cr(VI) removal by nZVI reduction with accelerated electron transfer after pronounced dissolution of non-conductive polymeric immobilization matrix; (ii) suppressed Zn(II) and As(V) removal by nZVI adsorption due to restrained mass transfer after blockage of surface-active micropores. Entrapped nZVI was chemically fragile and should be properly stored and regularly replaced for good performance.
Graphical abstract
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Heavy metal migration and risk transference associated with cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic freshwater
Publication date: 1 February 2018
Source:Science of The Total Environment, Volumes 613–614
Author(s): Yunlu Jia, Wei Chen, Yanxia Zuo, Lizhou Lin, Lirong Song
The distribution of metals in cyanobloom-forming lakes, and potential risks of these metals during irrigation with water derived from the bloom were evaluated in this study. Seven metals were monitored throughout a cyanobacterial bloom season in Lake Taihu. Cyanobloom bio-dilution of the targeted metals could be explained by the negative relationships between total phytoplankton metal contents (Cu, Fe, Zn, Pb and Cr) and Chl a concentrations (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the ratios of extracellular bound to total cellular bound metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Cd) were positively correlated with the ratios of cyanophyta to total phytoplankton (p<0.01), indicating the enhanced extracellular bound of these metals during cyanobloom period. Secondly, Cd, Pb and Cr were detected in several local vegetables. In comparison to reference vegetables, vegetables (e.g., radish, soybean, and cowpea), which were irrigated with cyanobloom broth collected from Lake Taihu, presented high health risk index (HRI) and were not safe for human consumption. Collectively, the frequent dominant colonial Microcystis blooms which performed high metal affinity might mediate the distribution of heavy metals in lake and potentially transferred these pollutants into terrestrial system.
Graphical abstract
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Fabrication, activity and mechanism studies of transition metal molybdate/molybdenum trioxide hybrids as novel CWAO catalysts
Publication date: 31 January 2018
Source:Separation and Purification Technology, Volume 191
Author(s): Zhang Zhang, Yanshan Gao, Qiang Wang
We report for the first time the synthesis of a series of novel hybrid catalysts consisting α-MoO3 and MMoO4 (M=Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn) and their significantly enhanced catalytic activities for the degradation of cationic dyes at room temperature and atmosphere pressure. All obtained hybrid materials were thoroughly characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, etc. The influence of divalent cations, calcination temperature, testing temperature, volume of dye and different kinds of cationic dyes were systematically investigated. Among all hybrid catalysts, MnMoO4/α-MoO3 and NiMoO4/α-MoO3 resulted in much better performance than all the others. We also demonstrated that such high activity can be not attained with either pure transition metal molybdates, pure α-MoO3 or the physical mixture of these two bulks. And only the hybrid catalysts prepared in this work containing both metal molybdates and α-MoO3 can deliver high catalytic activity for the CWAO of dye. The reaction kinetics and degradation mechanism were also explored. Electron spin resonance analysis suggests that the co-existence of transition metal molybdates and α-MoO3 promotes the formation of·OH radicals, which are crucial for their excellent catalytic activity. The intermediates produced during the catalytic degradation process was monitored using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry analysis, based on which the degradation pathway was also proposed.
Graphical abstract
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Effective surface passivation of multi-shelled InP quantum dots through a simple complexing with titanium species
Publication date: 15 January 2018
Source:Applied Surface Science, Volume 428
Author(s): Jung-Ho Jo, Min-Seok Kim, Chang-Yeol Han, Eun-Pyo Jang, Young Rag Do, Heesun Yang
Fluorescent efficiency of various visible quantum dots (QDs) has been incessantly improved to meet industrially high standard mainly through the advance in core/shell heterostructural design, however, their stability against degradable environments appears still lacking. The most viable strategy to cope with this issue was to exploit chemically inert oxide phases to passivate QD surface in the form of either individual overcoating or matrix embedding. Herein, we report a simple but effective means to passivate QD surface by complexing its organic ligands with a metal alkoxide of titanium isopropoxide (Ti(i-PrO)4). For this, highly efficient red-emitting InP QDs with a multi-shell structure of ZnSeS intermediate plus ZnS outer shell are first synthesized and then the surface of resulting InP/ZnSeS/ZnS QDs is in-situ decorated with Ti(i-PrO)4. The presence of TiO species from Ti(i-PrO)4 on QD surface is verified by x-ray photoelectron and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analyses. Two comparative dispersions of pristine versus Ti(i-PrO)4-complexed QDs are exposed for certain periods of time to UV photon and heat and their temporal changes in photoluminescence are monitored, resulting in a huge improvement in QD stability from the latter ones through Ti(i-PrO)4-mediated better surface passivation.
Graphical abstract
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At-home and away-from-home dietary patterns and BMI z-scores in Brazilian adolescents
Source:Appetite, Volume 120
Author(s): Diana Barbosa Cunha, Ilana Nogueira Bezerra, Rosangela Alves Pereira, Rosely Sichieri
BackgroundAway-from-home food intake has been associated with high rates of overweight among children and adolescents. However, there are no studies comparing at-home and away-from-home eating patterns among adolescents.ObjectivesThe objective of this paper was to identify at-home and away-from-home dietary patterns among adolescents in Brazil, and to evaluate the relationship between these patterns and body mass index (BMI) z-scores.DesignData from the Brazilian National Dietary Survey 2008–2009 were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. Dietary intake was assessed by completion of written food records on two non-consecutive days.Participants/settingFive thousand two hundred sixty-six adolescents 10–19 years of age living in urban areas of Brazil were included in the analysis.Statistical analysisThirty-two food groups were examined by factor analysis, stratified by at-home and away-from-home eating. The associations between the food patterns and BMI z-scores were ascertained using linear regression analysis.ResultsIn general, mean at-home food intake was greater than away-from-home food intake, but the ratio of away-from-home/at-home was greater than 30% for baked and deep-fried snacks, soft drinks, sandwiches, pizza, and desserts, and was lower than 10% for rice and beans. Three main similar dietary patterns were identified both at-home and away-from-home: the "Traditional pattern", the "Bread and Butter pattern" and the "Western pattern"; however, away-from-home patterns encompassed more overall food items. Only the at-home "Western pattern" was positively associated with BMI z-scores (β = 0.0006; p < 0.001).ConclusionOur results indicate that unhealthy dietary pattern consumed at home is associated to BMI z-score, while away-from-home food consumption is not associated.
http://ift.tt/2gdMrMp
Physically adjusted neutral detergent fiber system for lactating dairy cow rations. I: Deriving equations that identify factors that influence effectiveness of fiber
Source:Journal of Dairy Science
Author(s): Robin R. White, Mary Beth Hall, Jeffrey L. Firkins, Paul J. Kononoff
Physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) is the fraction of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) that stimulates chewing activity and contributes to the floating mat of large particles in the rumen. Multiplying dietary NDF by particle size has been used as an estimate of peNDF. In re-evaluating the concept of peNDF, we compared the use of peNDF as dietary NDF × particle size with the use of individual NDF and particle size descriptors (physically adjusted NDF; paNDF) when used with other physical and chemical diet descriptors to predict dry matter (DM) intake (DMI), rumination time, and ruminal pH in lactating dairy cows. The purpose is to ultimately use these equations to estimate diet adequacy to maintain ruminal conditions. Each response variable had 8 models in a 2 (peNDF, paNDF) × 2 (diet, diet and ruminal factors) × 2 (DM, as fed basis) factorial arrangement. Particle size descriptors were those determined with the Penn State Particle Separator. Treatment means (n = 241) from 60 publications were used in backward elimination multiple regression to derive models of response variables. When available, peNDF terms entered equations. Models containing peNDF terms had similar or lower unadjusted concordance correlation coefficients (an indicator of similar or lower accuracy and precision) than did models without peNDF terms. The peNDF models for rumen pH did not differ substantially from paNDF models. This suggests that peNDF can account for some variation in ruminal pH; however, overt advantages of peNDF were not apparent. Significant (P < 0.05) variables that entered the models included estimated mean particle size; as fed or DM proportions retained on 19- and 8-mm sieves of the Penn State Particle Separator; DMI; dietary concentrations of forage; forage NDF; CP; starch; NDF; rumen-degraded starch and rumen-degraded NDF; and the interaction terms of starch × mean particle size, acid detergent fiber/NDF, and rumination time/DMI. Many dietary factors beyond particle size and NDF were identified as influencing the response variables. In conclusion, these results appear to justify the development of a modeling approach to integrate individual physical and chemical factors to predict effects on factors affecting rumen conditions.
http://ift.tt/2wAmY5Y
Producer estimates of prevalence and perceived importance of lameness in dairy herds with tiestalls, freestalls, and automated milking systems
Source:Journal of Dairy Science
Author(s): J.H. Higginson Cutler, J. Rushen, A.M. de Passillé, J. Gibbons, K. Orsel, E. Pajor, H.W. Barkema, L. Solano, D. Pellerin, D. Haley, E. Vasseur
Lameness is one of the most important welfare and productivity concerns in the dairy industry. Our objectives were to obtain producers' estimates of its prevalence and their perceptions of lameness, and to investigate how producers monitor lameness in tiestall (TS), freestall with milking parlor (FS), and automated milking system (AMS) herds. Forty focal cows per farm in 237 Canadian dairy herds were scored for lameness by trained researchers. On the same day, the producers completed a questionnaire. Mean herd-level prevalence of lameness estimated by producers was 9.0% (±0.9%; ±SE), whereas the researchers observed a mean prevalence of 22.2% (±0.9%). Correlation between producer- and researcher-estimated lameness prevalence was low (r = 0.19) and mean researcher prevalence was 1.6, 1.8, and 4.1 times higher in AMS, FS, and TS farms, respectively. A total of 48% of producers thought lameness was a moderate or major problem in their herds (TS = 34%; AMS =53%; FS = 59%). One third of producers considered lameness the highest ranked health problem they were trying to control, whereas two-thirds of producers (TS = 43%; AMS = 63%; FS = 71%) stated that they had made management changes to deal with lameness in the past 2 yr. Almost all producers (98%) stated they routinely check cows to identify new cases of lameness; however, 40% of producers did not keep records of lameness (AMS = 24%; FS = 23%; TS = 60%). A majority (69%) of producers treated lame cows themselves immediately after detection, whereas 13% relied on hoof-trimmer or veterinarians to plan treatment. Producers are aware of lameness as an issue in dairy herds and almost all monitor lameness as part of their daily routine. However, producers underestimate lameness prevalence, which highlights that lameness detection continues to be difficult in in all housing systems, especially in TS herds. Training to improve detection, record keeping, identification of farm-specific risk factors, and treatment planning for lame cows is likely to help decrease lameness prevalence.
http://ift.tt/2fOFoZL
Field trial of 2 calcium supplements on early lactation health and production in multiparous Holstein cows
Source:Journal of Dairy Science
Author(s): Antonia R. Domino, Helen C. Korzec, Jessica A.A. McArt
Our objectives were to measure serum Ca concentrations in the first 48 h postpartum in cows supplemented with oral Ca or subcutaneous Ca and nonsupplemented cows and evaluate the effect of these treatments on the incidence of metritis, displaced abomasum, mastitis, and early lactation disease (any of the diseases milk fever, retained placenta, metritis, or displaced abomasum), removal from the herd, pregnancy to first insemination, and average daily milk yield for the first 10 wk of lactation. We conducted 2 experiments on 1 commercial herd in New York State. In experiment 1, multiparous Holstein cows (n = 30) were blocked by parity (2 and ≥3) and sequentially assigned at calving to nontreated control (CON, n = 10), subcutaneous administration of 500 mL 23% Ca gluconate at calving (SC, n = 10), or administration of an oral Ca bolus containing 43 g of calcium at calving and again 12 h later (OB, n = 10). Blood was collected before treatment and at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h thereafter for measurement of serum total Ca concentration. In experiment 2, 1,478 multiparous Holstein cows were sequentially assigned by calving date to the same 3 treatments (CON, n = 523; SC, n = 480; OB, n = 475). In experiment 1, SC cows had greater Ca concentrations from 1 through 12 h post-treatment and OB cows had greater Ca concentrations at 1 and 24 h post-treatment compared with CON cows. We found no difference in risk of metritis, displaced abomasum, early lactation disease diagnosis, or pregnancy to first insemination among treatments. Treatment with SC or OB had no effect on average daily milk yield compared with CON cows (CON = 46.7 kg; SC = 47.1 kg; OB = 47.0 kg). Cows treated with SC or OB that had a high relative herd milk rank in the previous lactation were almost half as likely to be diagnosed with mastitis in the first 60 DIM compared with CON cows [risk ratio (RR)SC = 0.57, RROB = 0.54]; however, we found no difference in risk of mastitis among treatments for cows with low relative herd milk rank. Second-parity cows fed a negative prepartum dietary cation-anion difference ration and treated with SC or OB were more likely to be removed from the herd than CON cows (RRSC = 3.91, RROB = 4.72); this difference was not observed in second-parity cows fed a neutral prepartum dietary cation-anion difference ration or in parity ≥3 cows. Although Ca supplementation increased serum Ca, this effect did not greatly improve milk production or health and reproductive outcomes.
http://ift.tt/2wzOfoW
Physically adjusted neutral detergent fiber system for lactating dairy cow rations, II: Development of feeding recommendations
Source:Journal of Dairy Science
Author(s): Robin R. White, Mary Beth Hall, Jeffrey L. Firkins, Paul J. Kononoff
The objective of this work was to leverage equations derived in a meta-analysis into an ensemble modeling system for estimating dietary physical and chemical characteristics required to maintain desired rumen conditions in lactating dairy cattle. Given the availability of data, responsiveness of ruminal pH to animal behaviors, and the chemical composition and physical form of the diet, mean ruminal pH was chosen as the primary rumen environment indicator. Physically effective fiber (peNDF) is defined as the fraction of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) that stimulates chewing activity and contributes to the floating mat of large particles in the rumen. The peNDF of feedstuffs is typically estimated by multiplying the NDF content by a particle size measure, resulting in an estimated index of effectiveness. We hypothesized that the utility of peNDF could be expanded and improved by dissociating NDF and particle size and considering other dietary factors, all integrated into a physically adjusted fiber system that can be used to estimate minimum particle sizes of TMR and diet compositions needed to maintain ruminal pH targets. Particle size measures of TMR were limited to those found with the Penn State particle separator (PSPS). Starting with specific diet characteristics, the system employed an ensemble of models that were integrated using a variable mixture of experts approach to generate more robust recommendations for the percentage of dietary DM material that should be retained on the 8-mm sieve of a PSPS. Additional continuous variables also integrated in the physically adjusted fiber system include the proportion of material (dry matter basis) retained on the 19- and 8-mm sieves of the PSPS, estimated mean particle size, the dietary concentrations of forage, forage NDF, starch, and NDF, and ruminally degraded starch and NDF. The system was able to predict that the minimum proportion of material (dry matter basis) retained on the 8-mm sieve should increase with decreasing forage NDF or dietary NDF. Additionally, the minimum proportion of dry matter material on the 8-mm sieve should increase with increasing dietary starch. Results of this study agreed with described interrelationships between the chemical and physical form of diets fed to dairy cows and quantified the links between NDF intake, diet particle size, and ruminal pH. Feeding recommendations can be interpolated from tables and figures included in this work.
http://ift.tt/2fNGo0q
Risk assessment modelling of fecal shedding caused by extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli transmitted through waste milk fed to dairy pre-weaned calves
Source:Journal of Dairy Science
Author(s): Babafela B. Awosile, Ben A. Smith
Waste milk feeding is a common practice in dairy operations. Regardless of the benefits of this practice to the dairy farmers, concerns from the potential dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria through the gut and subsequent shedding by calves into the environment are increasing. In this study, we employed Monte Carlo simulation to assess the risk of shedding extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli (ESC-R E. coli) caused by waste milk feeding in pre-weaned calves using an exponential dose-response model fit to data for E. coli O157:H7 in cattle. Data from pertinent studies were included in our model to predict the risk of shedding. The median (5th and 95th percentiles) for the daily risk of shedding ESC-R E. coli by calves fed only contaminated waste milk was predicted to be 2.9 × 10−3 (2.1 × 10−3, 3.7 × 10−3), representing a median daily risk of 29 out of 10,000 calves shedding ESC-R E. coli due to exclusive feeding of waste milk containing ESC-R E. coli. This median value was reduced by 94% when accounting for the proportion of waste milk that does not contain ESC-R E. coli. The overall risk of shedding ESC-R E. coli through the pre-weaning period for farms that feed waste milk to calves was 5.7 × 10−3 (2.4 × 10−3, 1.1 × 10−2), representing 57 out of 10,000 calves. When accounting for the proportion of farms that do not feed waste milk, the pre-weaning period risk was reduced by 23%. By varying the prevalence of ESC-R E. coli in waste milk using values of 3, 1.5, and 1%, the daily risk of shedding decreased by factors of 50, 65, and 82%, respectively, which supports the reduction of contamination or discontinuation of feeding waste milk containing ESC-R E. coli as major mitigation measures to reduce the risk of shedding caused by ingestion of resistant bacteria. It is anticipated that the effects of antimicrobial residues in waste milk, which was not considered herein due to lack of data, would further increase risks. Although waste milk feeding to calves may be economically beneficial to the dairy farmers, there exists the risk of dissemination of ESC-resistant bacteria into the environment.
http://ift.tt/2wzO3Ge
Mammary epithelium disruption and mammary epithelial cell exfoliation during milking in dairy cows
Source:Journal of Dairy Science
Author(s): L. Herve, H. Quesnel, V. Lollivier, J. Portanguen, R.M. Bruckmaier, M. Boutinaud
The presence of mammary epithelial cells (MEC) in the milk of ruminants indicates that some MEC are shed from the mammary epithelium; however, the mechanisms that regulate the MEC exfoliation process are not known. Through the release of oxytocin, prolactin, and cortisol and through oxytocin-induced mechanical forces on the mammary epithelium, milking could participate in regulating the MEC exfoliation process. The aims of the present study were to determine the rate of MEC exfoliation throughout milking and to investigate its relationship to mammary epithelium integrity and milking-induced hormone release. Milk samples from 9 Holstein dairy cows producing 40.6 ± 1.36 kg of milk/d were collected at the beginning (after 1 and 2 min), in the middle, and at the end of milking. Milk MEC were purified using an immunomagnetic method. Blood samples were collected before, during, and after milking, and the oxytocin, prolactin, and cortisol concentrations in the samples were measured. Tight junction opening was assessed by plasma lactose concentration and the Na+:K+ ratio in milk. The somatic cell count in milk varied during the course of milking; it decreased at the beginning of milking and then increased, reaching the highest values at the end of milking. Exfoliated MEC were present in all milk samples collected. The presence of MEC in the milk sample collected during min 1 of milking, likely corresponding to the cisternal milk fraction, suggests that MEC were exfoliated between milkings. The observed increase in the Na+:K+ ratio in milk and in the plasma concentration of lactose indicated that disruption of mammary epithelium integrity occurred during milking. The MEC exfoliation rate at milking was not correlated with the variables describing milking-induced prolactin release but was negatively correlated with cortisol release, suggesting that cortisol may play a role in limiting exfoliation. In conclusion, milking induced a disruption of the mammary epithelial barrier. Mammary epithelial cells may be continuously exfoliated between milkings or exfoliated during milking as a consequence of the oxytocin-induced mechanical forces and the disruption of mammary epithelium integrity.
http://ift.tt/2fOzJmI
Viable Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis isolated from calf milk replacer
Publication date: Available online 4 October 2017
Source:Journal of Dairy Science
Author(s): Irene R. Grant, Antonio C.G. Foddai, James C. Tarrant, Brenna Kunkel, Faye A. Hartmann, Sheila McGuirk, Chungyi Hansen, Adel M. Talaat, Michael T. Collins
When advising farmers on how to control Johne's disease in an infected herd, one of the main recommendations is to avoid feeding waste milk to calves and instead feed calf milk replacer (CMR). This advice is based on the assumption that CMR is free of viable Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) cells, an assumption that has not previously been challenged. We tested commercial CMR products (n = 83) obtained from dairy farms around the United States by the peptide-mediated magnetic separation (PMS)-phage assay, PMS followed by liquid culture (PMS-culture), and direct IS900 quantitative PCR (qPCR). Conventional microbiological analyses for total mesophilic bacterial counts, coliforms, Salmonella, coagulase-negative staphylococci, streptococci, nonhemolytic Corynebacterium spp., and Bacillus spp. were also performed to assess the overall microbiological quality of the CMR. Twenty-six (31.3%) of the 83 CMR samples showed evidence of the presence of MAP. Seventeen (20.5%) tested positive for viable MAP by the PMS-phage assay, with plaque counts ranging from 6 to 1,212 pfu/50 mL of reconstituted CMR (average 248.5 pfu/50 mL). Twelve (14.5%) CMR samples tested positive for viable MAP by PMS-culture; isolates from all 12 of these samples were subsequently confirmed by whole-genome sequencing to be different cattle strains of MAP. Seven (8.4%) CMR samples tested positive for MAP DNA by IS900 qPCR. Four CMR samples tested positive by both PMS-based tests and 5 CMR samples tested positive by IS900 qPCR plus one or other of the PMS-based tests, but only one CMR sample tested positive by all 3 MAP detection tests applied. All conventional microbiology results were within current standards for whole milk powders. A significant association existed between higher total bacterial counts and presence of viable MAP indicated by either of the PMS-based assays. This represents the first published report of the isolation of viable MAP from CMR. Our findings raise concerns about the potential ability of MAP to survive manufacture of dried milk-based products.
http://ift.tt/2wAmHzY
Comparison of treatment records and inventory of empty drug containers to quantify antimicrobial usage in dairy herds
Source:Journal of Dairy Science
Author(s): Diego B. Nobrega, Jeroen De Buck, S. Ali Naqvi, Gang Liu, Sohail Naushad, Vineet Saini, Herman W. Barkema
Assessment of antimicrobial use (AMU) is vital for interpreting the origin of changes in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The objectives of the present study were to estimate the association between AMU determined using on-farm treatment records (TR) and inventory of empty drug containers (INV). Herds were selected to represent Canadian dairy farms. Producers were asked to record animal health events and treatments on a standard General Health Event form. For inventory data, 40-L receptacles were placed at various locations considered convenient to deposit all empty drug containers. Antimicrobial defined-daily dosages (ADD) were calculated for 51 Canadian herds using the 2 methods. Estimation of AMU was 31,840 ADD using the INV and 14,487 ADD using the TR, indicating that for every TR entry, 2.20 times more treatments were observed using the INV. Mastitis, reproductive conditions, and dry cow therapy were the most frequent reasons for antimicrobial therapy when assessing TR. For all antimicrobials evaluated, mean ADD was higher using the INV versus TR. Regardless, a strong positive correlation (0.80) was observed between the 2 methods, indicating that herds with increased number of ADD recorded using the INV also had increased number of ADD recorded using TR. Furthermore, a positive association was observed for the 6 most commonly used antimicrobials. In comparison to methods used in surveillance programs on AMU in livestock that assume a constant use in all herds (i.e., sales data), INV provided a herd-level specific quantity of AMU positively correlated with AMU recorded at the animal level in general. The INV was easy to implement and provided a measure of total AMU in the herd. Availability of such information would be valuable for interpreting changes in AMR at the herd level and enabling evaluation of interventions for decreasing AMR.
http://ift.tt/2fOzyry
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Publication date: September 2017 Source: Free Radical Biology and Medicine, Volume 110 Author(s): Lucía Fernández-del-Río, Anish Nag, Elen...
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Abstract Noise pollution is a major factor of environmental complaints in many cities, which has significant impacts on human health. As a...
