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Background/Objectives:Direct evidence for the effects of vegetable intake on weight loss is qualified. The study aimed to assess the effect of higher vegetable consumption on weight loss.Subjects/Methods:A single blind parallel controlled trial was conducted with 120 overweight adults (mean body mass index=29.98 kg/m2) randomised to two energy deficit healthy diet advice groups differing only by doubling the serving (portion) sizes of vegetables in the comparator group. Data were analysed as intention-to-treat using a linear mixed model. Spearmans rho bivariate was used to explore relationships between percentage energy from vegetables and weight loss.Results:After 12 months, the study sample lost 6.5±5.2 kg (P<0.001 time) with no difference between groups (P>0.05 interaction). Both groups increased vegetable intake and lost weight in the first 3 months, and the change in weight was significantly correlated with higher proportions of energy consumed as vegetables (rho=-0.217, P=0.024). Fasting glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels decreased (P<0.001 time) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased (P<0.001 time), with no difference between groups. Weight loss was sustained for 12 months by both groups, but the comparator group reported greater hunger satisfaction (P=0.005).Conclusions:Advice to consume a healthy low-energy diet leads to sustained weight loss, with reductions in cardiovascular disease risk factors regardless of an emphasis on more vegetables. In the short term, consuming a higher proportion of the dietary energy as vegetables may support a greater weight loss and the dietary pattern appears sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using angle-dependent photoemission spectra of core and valence levels we show that metallic, single crystal K3C60 is terminated by an insulating or weakly-conducting surface layer. We attribute this to the effects of strong intermolecular correlations combined with the average surface charge state. Several controversies on the electronic structure are thereby resolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the pattern of autonomic innervation of the heart of the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) using isolated cardiac preparations. While the pattern of autonomic innervation of the atria was consistent with that found in other mammals, the ventricles displayed an unusual pattern of mammalian cardiac innervation. Transmural stimulation of the intramural nerves of isolated right ventricular preparations caused a decrease in the force of contraction of 46.8±3.2% followed by a rebound increase in the force of contraction beyond basal levels of 40.9±6.9%. These responses could be blocked independently by the application of the muscarinic receptor antagonist hyoscine and β-adrenoreceptor antagonist propranolol respectively and could also be mimicked by the application of the agonists acetylcholine (Ach) and noradrenaline (NA). These findings indicated the presence of a functional cholinergic innervation of the ventricles that was capable of reducing the force of contraction below basal levels. This pattern of innervation has only been found previously in one other mammal, the bent-winged bat (Miniopterus schreibersii). Given that both of these species are heterotherms, it is possible that such a pattern of innervation may relate to the control of cardiac output during torpor. These findings are the first that demonstrate the homogeneity of a physiological control mechanism in a so-called 'shallow, daily torpidator' (S. crassicaudata) and a 'deep hibernator' (M. schreibersii) that is absent in mammalian homeotherms. These findings are consistent with recent work suggesting that there may be little difference between these types of heterothermy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations of the Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) have been previously described to cause an autosomal recessive variant of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) usually characterized by the near absence of T and NK cells, but preserved numbers of B lymphocytes (T-B+SCID). We now report a family whose JAK3 mutations are associated with the persistence of circulating T cells, resulting in previously undescribed clinical presentations, ranging from a nearly unaffected 18-year-old subject to an 8-year-old sibling with a severe lymphoproliferative disorder. Both siblings were found to be compound heterozygotes for the same deleterious JAK3 mutations: an A96G initiation start site mutation, resulting in a dysfunctional, truncated protein product and a G2775(+3)C mutation in the splice donor site sequence of intron 18, resulting in a splicing defect and a predicted premature stop. These mutations were compatible with minimal amounts of functional JAK3 expression, leading to defective cytokine-dependent signaling. Activated T cells in these patients failed to express Fas ligand (FasL) in response to IL-2, which may explain the accumulation of T cells with an activated phenotype and a skewed T cell receptor (TcR) Vβ family distribution. We speculate that residual JAK3 activity accounted for the maturation of thymocytes, but was insufficient to sustain IL-2-mediated homeostasis of peripheral T cells via Fas/FasL interactions. These data demonstrate that the clinical spectrum of JAK3 deficiency is quite broad and includes immunodeficient patients with accumulation of activated T cells, and indicate an essential role for JAK3 in the homeostasis of peripheral T cells in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the effects of routinely selecting the non-dominant arm for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) on estimates of patients' blood pressure (BP) and to evaluate the practise of using manual BP from one arm and ambulatory BP from the other on the estimation of white coat effect (WCE), an observational study was conducted in 10 volunteers, exhibiting an interarm resting clinic systolic BP (SBP) difference &ges;10 mm Hg. The main outcome measures were: (i) average ambulatory SBP measured on right and left arm simultaneously during 24 h, and (ii) estimate of WCE derived, by current practise, as the difference between the referral clinic BP (the higher of the manual readings from both arms) and ambulatory non-dominant arm BP, contrasted with the WCE calculated as the difference between clinic and ambulatory readings from the same arm (the arm with the higher manual readings). The supine referral clinic SBP was 16 ± 6 mm Hg higher in the right compared with the left arm. Average 24 h ambulatory SBP was 6 ± 7 mm Hg higher in the right arm (range 117 to 23 mm Hg), P = 0.025. Diastolic BP measurements mirrored the systolic findings. One-third of the WCE, estimated by current practise, could be attributed to inconsistency in the choice of arm for BP measurement. Thus, inconsistency in the selection of arms for BP measurement, by different techniques, may confound estimation of patients' cardiovascular morbidity risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HLA matching in bone marrow transplantation has an important role in determining successful outcome. However HLA typing of both potential related and unrelated donors can be both time-consuming and laborious, and does not always resolve accurately the true level of histocompatibility. We have utilised a method, reference strand mediated conformation analysis (RSCA), which is technically simple and allows high resolution matching for all HLA loci, for the typing of 48 patients and their potential 120 donors. The results indicate that RSCA can detect many mismatches that are not routinely identified by conventional HLA typing methods. In addition, RSCA can be applied for the simultaneous analysis of multiple potential BM donor samples in order to quickly identify the best match for each patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feline embryo (FEmb) cell cultures, in which 90 percent of cells were dividing (cycling), were synchronized, by serum deprivation, to the degree that 88 per cent of the cells divided within a 12 hour period. When such cultures were infected with feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) at a multiplicity of infection of 5.7, a maximum level of cell associated virus was attained 28 hours post-infection (p.i.). There was a tendency for virus to remain cell associated in that cell lysis did not begin until 40 hours p.i. The genesis of FPV inclusion bodies was studied by light microscopy. Inclusions were intranuclear, weakly basophilic and Feulgen positive; they were first observed 8 hours p.i., and increased to be present in 90 percent of cells by 40 hours. Mitosis was markedly inhibited in FPV infected monolayers. The earliest changes observed by electron microscopy of infected cells were the presence of virus particles within nuclei, progressive chromatin margination, and nucleolar changes involving apparent segregation of the fibrillar and granular components. Virus particles measured ≃20 nm in diameter, and appeared either uniformly electron dense or possessed a dense margin and a pale center; many of the latter contained a single, central, dark spot. Virions ultimately became closely packed in all areas unoccupied by other nuclear components. In some nuclei a linear arrangement of virions was noted, but paracrystalline arrays were not seen. Other changes observed in infected nuclei included the presence of nucleolar remnants sometimes in the form of solid or hollow bodies comprised of nucleolar granules or filaments; distension of the space between the two membranes of the nuclear envelope; and the presence of aggregates of abnormal, electron dense material within the nucleus. Discontinuities of the plasma membrane and swelling of cytoplasmic organelles were commonly seen in cells showing advanced nuclear changes, but at least the inner membrane of the nuclear envelope generally remained intact. The characteristic, well defined inclusions of light microscopy were not observed by electron microscopy, and thus probably represented a preparation (shrinkage) artifact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ultrastructural changes in a feline embryo continuous cell line infected with feline calicivirus at a multiplicity of infection of approximately 1 were studied. Virus was found only in the cytoplasm and was observed as single particles, as extensive, non-regular accumulations, as paracrystalline arrays, and as single or multiple linear arrays associated with microfibrils. Mature virus particles were readily distinguished from ribosomes in that they were larger (35 nm diameter) and consisted of a central, electron-dense core 20 nm diameter surrounded by a less electron-dense coat. Other changes observed in infected cells included rounding of the cell and nucleus and loss of pseudopodia. There was extensive production of smoothmembrane bound vesicles in the cytoplasm. Virus accumulations of each type, but especially paracrystalline arrays, were frequently closely associated with collections of these vesicles. The cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum and the space between the two layers of the nuclear membrane was distended. By Feulgen staining and light microscopy, as well as electron microscopy, it was established that nuclear chromatin undergoes profound changes consisting of condensation usually into a single, rounded, central mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The function of the metrial gland of the rat, and particularly of its characteristic population of granulated cells, remains unknown. However, several lines of evidence suggest that the granulated cells may derive from lymphocytes, and play a role in the immunology of pregnancy. In this study, antigen expression by granulated and other cell populations from the metrial glands of rats at Days 13 and 14 of pregnancy was studied by an indirect immunoperoxidase method. Acetone-fixed frozen sections, and cytocentrifuge preparations of collagenase-dispersed metrial gland tissue in which numbers of granulated cells had been increased by density-gradient centrifugation, were used. The primary antibodies used recognised, inter alia, B lymphocytes (MRC OX-3, MRC OX-6, MRC OX-12), T lymphocytes (MRC OX-8, W3/25, MRC OX-19), neutrophils (MRC OX-42) and cells of the monocyte/macrophage series (MRC OX-3, MRC OX-6, MRC OX-42, MRC OX43). The majority of the granulated cells, including smaller, 'immature' forms, were unlabelled by any of these antibodies. Some lymphocytes, and varying numbers of larger, non-granulated cells, were labelled by OX-6, OX-12, W3/ 25, OX-42 and OX-43. In addition to lymphocytes, labelled cells included neutrophils (OX-42), endothelial cells (OX-43), and probably some macrophages (OX-6, OX-43). OX-12, which recognises the kappa chain of rat IgG, labelled some large cells which may have been stromal cells. These findings do not support the concept that the granulated cells are derived from lymphocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Involution and regeneration of the endometrium after parturition in the ewe, were studied by light- and electron microscopy. The luminal epithelium in intercaruncular regions of the endometrium remained intact at all stages, but degeneration and death of many glandular epithelial cells were observed on the day after parturition. Glandular regeneration had commenced by 8 d post partum, and the glands were substantially regenerated by 15 d. Caruncular epithelial cells on the maternal side of the placentomes, between the bases of the maternal septa, persisted during the period of degeneration of the foetal and maternal tissues of the placentomes. Epithelial cells from this source contributed to the regeneration of the caruncular epithelium following shedding of plaques of degenerate placental tissue from the caruncles, which commenced after 8 d and was completed before 31 d. Thus, ingrowth of epithelium from the edges of the caruncles, as previously proposed, was not the sole source of new caruncular epithelium. The additional source of regenerating epithelium identified here may account for the rapidity with which epithelium appears in the centres of some caruncles, several millimetres in diameter, during endometrial regeneration. However, in some caruncles, regeneration of the epithelium was not completed until after 31 d post partum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fate of the theca interna after ovulation was studied in ewes, using light and electron microscopic histology and histochemistry. At the time of ovulation the theca interna was incorporated, apparently completely, into the margin of the developing corpus luteum and into the centres of many infoldings of the follicular wall. There was no evidence of degeneration of the more highly differentiated theca interna cells at or following the time of ovulation. Within 24 h of ovulation, cells derived from the theca interna began migrating from their original sites into the deeper, granulosa-derived areas of the luteal tissue. At later stages cells derived from the theca interna remained concentrated in septa derived from the follicular infoldings, but were also widely distributed throughout the luteal tissue. Structural evidence supported the view that the small luteal cells and fibroblasts of the corpus luteum were derived from the theca interna, and the large luteal cells from the membrana granulosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The theca interna of non-atretic ovarian follicles from 2.0 mm in diameter up to the stage shortly following ovulation was studied by light and electron microscopy. In follicles <3.0mm in diameter, the theca interna consisted of about 8-12 layers of flattened cells, together with many capillaries and small bundles of collagen. Two main forms of cellular differentiation were seen. These were towards either fibroblast-like cells or presumed steroidogenic cells whose cytoplasm contained large amounts of predominantly smooth tubular endoplasmic reticulum, to which some ribosomes were attached. The majority of cells were of relatively undifferentiated or intermediate structure. In larger follicles up to the early stages of oestrus the theca interna cells became larger and less flattened, and cells rich in tubular endoplasmic reticulum became proportionately more numerous. By 18 h after the onset of oestrus the theca interna was oedematous, and many cells possessed pseudopodia. Many cells also contained numerous lipid droplets, but there were no signs of thecal cell degeneration or death. Shortly after ovulation the basal lamina of the membrana granulosa was incomplete, and it became more difficult to distinguish between theca and granulosa layers. Structural heterogeneity, with two major cell types and cells of intermediate structure, was present at all stages. It was concluded that: (1) the theca interna of 2.0-2.9 mm follicles contained many cells whose structure was compatible with a steroidogenic capacity; (2) changes in the differentiated thecal cells up to the early stages of oestrus were quantitative rather than qualitative, and suggestive of an increased steroidogenic capacity; (3) the accumulation of lipid in many cells of the theca interna by 18 h after the onset of oestrus probably reflected a reduction in steroidogenic activity; and (4) there was no evidence of any structural specialization to facilitate the transport of steroids from the theca interna to the membrana granulosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscular metastasis is a rare event for any malignancy. There are only a limited number of cases reported in the literature in the past. The numbers are even smaller in case of malignant melanoma. We report on an elderly lady with two synchronous skeletal muscle metastases 13 years after initial presentation with malignant melanoma and a brief literature review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum concentrations of gonadotropins, testosterone and dehydrotestosterone were determined in patients receiving conventional endocrine therapy for advanced metastatic adenocarcinoma of prostate. The effect over 4 h of a single dose of a long acting analogue of LHRH was determined in these patients and compared to the response in patients receiving the analogues as first choice of treatment. Oestrogen therapy was found to suppress basal and stimulated gonadotropins and testicular androgens. Cyproterone therapy only partially reduced basal hormone concentrations and the response to the LHRH analogue was delayed. Orchidectomy resulted in elevated gonadotropins and an exaggerated response to the analogue. As patients who relapse while failing conventional therapy, may subsequently be treated by further endocrine manipulation, precise determination of their endocrine status should predict any expected benefit. Patients previously treated with stilboestrol are unlikely to respond to orchidectomy or LHRH analogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yuzhniy Oleniy Ostrov in Karelia, northwest Russia, is one of the largest Early Holocene cemeteries in northern Eurasia, with 177 burials recovered in excavations in the 1930s; originally, more than 400 graves may have been present. A new radiocarbon dating programme, taking into account a correction for freshwater reservoir effects, suggests that the main use of the cemetery spanned only some 100-300 years, centring on ca. 8250 to 8000 cal BP. This coincides remarkably closely with the 8.2 ka cooling event, the most dramatic climatic downturn in the Holocene in the northern hemisphere, inviting an interpretation in terms of human response to a climate-driven environmental change. Rather than suggesting a simple deterministic relationship, we draw on a body of anthropological and archaeological theory to argue that the burial of the dead at this location served to demarcate and negotiate rights of access to a favoured locality with particularly rich and resilient fish and game stocks during a period of regional resource depression. This resulted in increased social stress in human communities that exceeded and subverted the 'normal' commitment of many hunter-gatherers to egalitarianism and widespread resource sharing, and gave rise to greater mortuary complexity. However, this seems to have lasted only for the duration of the climate downturn. Our results have implications for understanding the context of the emergence-and dissolution-of socio-economic inequality and territoriality under conditions of socio-ecological stress., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)