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These events also pose increased mortality risk throughout an ICU stay and thus could offer a valuable target outcome for risk prediction models within the ICU B Introduction: b Critical deterioration in hospitalized children has been defined in the literature as ward to intensive care unit (ICU) transfer followed by events such as mechanical ventilation (MV) or vasopressor administration within 12 hours. Children who experience MV or vasopressor events within 12 hours of ICU transfer are at the highest risk for mortality and constitute a target cohort for risk prediction models in pre-ICU settings. [Extracted from the article]

The overall adsorption rate of Reactive Black 5 dye (RB5) on chitosan based materials was elucidated using diffusional models. Fundamental aspects, such as, geometry of the adsorbents and swelling effects were considered. Chitosan based materials (powder and film) were prepared from shrimp wastes and characterized regarding to the fundamental features for adsorption. Experimental decay curves were obtained under different conditions of stirring rate and initial dye concentration. The data were modeled according to the external mass transfer and diffusional models. The k (external mass transfer coefficient), D (effective pore diffusion coefficient) and D (surface diffusion coefficient) values were estimated. For both adsorbents, it was found that the surface diffusion was the intraparticle diffusion mechanism governing the adsorption rate of RB5, since its contribution was higher than 92 % regardless the position and time. The D values ranged from 2.85 × 10 to 5.78 × 10 for chitosan powder and from 4.15 × 10 to 12.12 × 10 cm s for chitosan films. The RB5 adsorption was faster when chitosan powder was used, mainly at higher stirring rates and initial dye concentrations. The swelling effect was most pronounced for the chitosan films, where, provided an increase of about 65 times in the D value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping contributes to sugarcane ( Saccharum spp.) breeding programs by providing information about the genetic effects, positioning and number of QTLs. Combined with marker-assisted selection, it can help breeders reduce the time required to develop new sugarcane varieties. We performed a QTL mapping study for important agronomic traits in sugarcane using the composite interval mapping method for outcrossed species. A new approach allowing the 1:2:1 segregation ratio and different ploidy levels for SNP markers was used to construct an integrated genetic linkage map that also includes AFLP and SSR markers. Were used 688 molecular markers with 1:1, 3:1 and 1:2:1 segregation ratios. A total of 187 individuals from a bi-parental cross (IACSP95-3018 and IACSP93-3046) were assayed across multiple harvests from two locations. The evaluated yield components included stalk diameter (SD), stalk weight (SW), stalk height (SH), fiber percentage (Fiber), sucrose content (Pol) and soluble solid content (Brix). The genetic linkage map covered 4512.6 cM and had 118 linkage groups corresponding to 16 putative homology groups. A total of 25 QTL were detected for SD (six QTL), SW (five QTL), SH (four QTL), Fiber (five QTL), Pol (two QTL) and Brix (three QTL). The percentage of phenotypic variation explained by each QTL ranged from 0.069 to 3.87 %, with a low individual effect because of the high ploidy level. The mapping model provided estimates of the segregation ratio of each mapped QTL (1:2:1, 3:1 or 1:1). Our results provide information about the genetic organization of the sugarcane genome and constitute the first step toward a better dissection of complex traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To evaluate the degree of surgically induced corneal astigmatism (SIA) following trabeculectomy and to investigate the relation of SIA with long-term reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP). Methods Forty-four eyes of 44 patients undergoing fornix-based trabeculectomy were included in this single center, prospective trial. IOP, visual acuity (VA), corneal astigmatism, medication use and adverse events were recorded preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6 and 18 months postoperatively. Changes in corneal astigmatism were analysed using vector analysis. Pre- and postoperative parameters were compaired using one-sample t-test. Correlation between SIA and IOP were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results Vector analysis of corneal astigmatism revealed a significant increase in with-the-rule corneal astigmatism, reaching a maximum at 1 month postoperatively (1.15 ± 0.8 D, P < 0.001) followed by a gradual decline (0.87 ± 0.8 D, P < 0.001 at month 18). SIA at 1 month showed a borderline significant correlation with IOP reduction at 3 months (r = 0.315, P = 0.051). SIA at 3, 6 and 18 months did not correlate with reduction in IOP (P > 0.05). After a transient decline at 1 month after surgery, VA recovered to preoperative values at month 3 without need for adjustment of the optical correction. Conclusions Fornix-based trabeculectomy induces statistically significant with-the-rule astigmatism without affecting long term VA. In our population, maximum SIA, measured at 1 month postoperatively, showed a borderline significant correlation with reduction of IOP at 3 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-specific CD8+ T cell responses do not protect against reinfection. Activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) impairs memory CD8+ T cell differentiation. Our hypothesis was that RSV inhibits the formation of CD8+ T cells memory responses through mTOR activation. To explore this, human and mouse T cells were used. RSV induced mTOR phosphorylation at Ser2448 in CD8 T cells. mTOR activation by RSV was completely inhibited using rapamycin. RSV-infected children presented higher mTOR gene expression on nasal washes comparing to children infected with metapneumovirus and rhinovirus. In addition, RSV-infected infants presented a higher frequency of CD8+ pmTORser2448+ T cells in nasal washes compared to RSV-negative infants. Rapamycin treatment increased the frequency of mouse CD8 RSV-M282-90 pentamer-positive T cells and the frequency of RSV-specific memory T cells precursors. These data demonstrate that RSV is activating mTOR directly in CD8 T cells, indicating a role for mTOR during the course of RSV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate and compare the performance of visual exam with use of the Nyvad criteria (visual examination - (VE)), interproximal radiography (BW), laser fluorescence device (DIAGNOdent Pen-DDPen), and their association in the diagnosis of proximal lesions in primary teeth. For this purpose, 45 children (n = 59 surfaces) of both sexes, aged between 5 and 9 years were selected, who presented healthy primary molars or primary molars with signs suggestive of the presence of caries lesions. The surfaces were clinically evaluated and coded according to the Nyvad criteria and immediately afterwards with the DDPen. Radiographic exam was performed only on the surfaces coded with Nyvad scores 2, 3, 5, or 6. Active caries lesions and/or those with discontinuous surfaces were restored, considering the depth of lesion as reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under ROC curve were calculated for each technique and its associations. Visual exam with Nyvad criteria presented the highest specificity, accuracy, and area under ROC curve values. The DDPen presented the highest sensitivity values. Association with one or more methods resulted in an increase in specificity. The performance of visual, radiographic, and DDpen exams and their associations were good; however, the clinical examination with the Nyvad criteria was sufficient for the diagnosis of interproximal lesions in primary teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate in vitro performance of near-infrared laser transillumination (NIR-LTI) for detecting early occlusal caries in permanent teeth and compare it with quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF), DIAGNOdent Pen (DDPen), and conventional radiography (CR). Ninety-four occlusal surfaces presenting International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) scores ranging from 0 to 3 were selected. For the NIR-LTI examination, images were captured using a prototype, which consists of a laser beam (808 nm) and an infrared CCD camera. One occlusal site on each tooth was assessed twice by two examiners. The teeth were prepared histologically and assessed for the presence of early caries. The intraexaminer correlation showed no difference between the NIR-LTI, DDPen, and QLF analytical methods, but all these methods differed from CR. Interexaminer reproducibility was moderate for NIR-LTI, which showed sensitivity (0.68), specificity (0.85), accuracy (0.73), and area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (0.76) similar to those of the fluorescence method and different from those of the CR. In conclusion, the performance of NIR-LTI was comparable to that of DDPen and QLF and may therefore be considered a valid and reliable alternative for the diagnosis of incipient lesions on the occlusal surface of permanent teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate in vitro performance of near-infrared laser transillumination (NIR-LTI) for detecting early occlusal caries in permanent teeth and compare it with quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF), DIAGNOdent Pen (DDPen), and conventional radiography (CR). Ninety-four occlusal surfaces presenting International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) scores ranging from 0 to 3 were selected. For the NIR-LTI examination, images were captured using a prototype, which consists of a laser beam (808 nm) and an infrared CCD camera. One occlusal site on each tooth was assessed twice by two examiners. The teeth were prepared histologically and assessed for the presence of early caries. The intraexaminer correlation showed no difference between the NIR-LTI, DDPen, and QLF analytical methods, but all these methods differed from CR. Interexaminer reproducibility was moderate for NIR-LTI, which showed sensitivity (0.68), specificity (0.85), accuracy (0.73), and area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (0.76) similar to those of the fluorescence method and different from those of the CR. In conclusion, the performance of NIR-LTI was comparable to that of DDPen and QLF and may therefore be considered a valid and reliable alternative for the diagnosis of incipient lesions on the occlusal surface of permanent teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, fixed bed adsorption of Methylene Blue (MB) by ultrasonic surface modified chitin supported on sand (USM-chitin/sand) was investigated, aiming future scale-up purposes. USM-chitin was prepared, characterized and supported on sand for the fixed bed assays. Breakthrough curves were obtained at different flow rates and initial MB concentrations. These parameters were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). Some dynamic models were fitted to the experimental data and the bed regeneration was studied. The optimal conditions for the fixed bed adsorption of MB on USM-chitin/sand were flow rate of 10 mLmin-1 and initial MB concentration of 50.0 mgL-1. Under these conditions, the breakthrough time was 370 min, the maximum capacity of the column was 51.8 mg g-1 and the removal percentage was 51.5%. The dynamic models were suitable to represent the experimental data. The regeneration was possible for five times, maintaining the same bed performance. These results indicated that the fixed bed adsorption of MB on USM-chitin/sand is technically viable and suitable for a future scale-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To honor Lauren and her many contributions to our academic community, her family and we have established the endowed Lauren Marsillio-Craney Annual Lectureship in Pediatric Critical Care Science or Autonomic Medicine. Upon graduation, Lauren worked for the Health and Human Services (HHS) in the office of the Assistant Surgeon General. To honor Lauren and her many contributions to our academic community, her family and we have established the endowed Lauren Marsillio-Craney Annual Lectureship in Pediatric Critical Care Science or Autonomic Medicine Intrinsic to Lauren were her prodigious talent, her innovative predictive analytics in the critical care unit setting, and her great passion for highly applied big data research to help children survive critical illness and injury. [Extracted from the article]

Interest in astroglial cells is rising due to recent findings supporting dynamic neuron-astrocyte interactions. There is increasing evidence of astrocytic dysfunction in several brain disorders such as depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder; importantly these pathologies are characterized by the involvement of the prefrontal cortex and by significant cognitive impairments. Here, to model astrocyte pathology, we injected animals with the astrocyte specific toxin L-α-aminoadipate (L-AA) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC); a behavioral and structural characterization two and six days after the injection was performed. Behavioral data shows that the astrocyte pathology in the mPFC affects the attentional set-shifting, the working memory and the reversal learning functions. Histological analysis of brain sections of the L-AA-injected animals revealed a pronounced loss of astrocytes in the targeted region. Interestingly, analysis of neurons in the lesion sites showed a progressive neuronal loss that was accompanied with dendritic atrophy in the surviving neurons. These results suggest that the L-AA-induced astrocytic loss in the mPFC triggers subsequent neuronal damage leading to cognitive impairment in tasks depending on the integrity of this brain region. These findings are of relevance to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying disorders that involve astrocytic loss/dysfunction in the PFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented regarding prospective clinical trial on the increased angiogenesis of the bone marrow (BM) in multiple myeloma (MM) and its precursor disease.

Highlights: [•] Cytokines were reliably measured in plasma in Nigerian women using Luminex assays. [•] Cytokine levels were not associated with HPV detection at the cervix. [•] A possible exception is inverse associations between eotaxin and carcinogenic HPV. [•] Eotaxin findings suggest innate immunity may play a role in HPV persistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Some patients diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer and treated according to standard care survive for only a short period of time, while others survive for years for reasons that are not well understood. Associations between markers of inflammation and survival from lung cancer have been observed. Materials and methods Here, we investigate whether circulating levels of 77 inflammatory markers are associated with long versus short survival in stage I and II lung cancer. Patients who had survived either <79 weeks (∼1.5 years) (short survivors, SS) or >156 weeks (3 years) (long survivors, LS) were selected from a retrospective population-based study. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The false discovery rate was calculated to adjust for multiple testing. Results A total of 157 LS and 84 SS were included in this analysis. Thirteen markers had adjusted OR on the order of 2- to 5-fold when comparing the upper and lower quartiles with regard to the odds of short survival versus long. Chemokine CCL15 [chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 15] was the most significant marker associated with increased odds of short survival (ORs = 4.93; 95% CI 1.90–12.8; q-value: 0.042). Smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were not associated with marker levels. Conclusions Our results provide some evidence that deregulation of inflammatory responses may play a role in the survival of early-stage lung cancer. These findings will require confirmation in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

B Introduction: b Fluid boluses are commonly administered to children with hypotension, but response is variable. At least 2hrs were required between boluses and every bolus had at least 30sec of adequate pre-bolus arterial waveform data. Fluid responsiveness (FR) was defined as increase by >= 10% in MAP from pre-bolus to average 20 min post-bolus. [Extracted from the article]

Our aim was to determine whether heart rate variability, which is a measure of autonomic nervous system function, is associated with pro-inflammatory biomarker levels in critically ill children. B Results: b Sixty-two patients met inclusion criteria in the prospective cohort and 599 patients in the retrospective cohort. Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured using the age-adjusted integer HRV (HRVi), which is the standard deviation of the heart rate sampled every 1 second over 5 consecutive minutes and age-normalized. [Extracted from the article]

Future studies are needed to determine whether HRV monitoring may play a role in predicting which patients are more likely to need liver transplantation to survive and which patients may recover with their native liver. B Introduction/Hypothesis: b Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a known determinant of outcomes in pediatric acute liver failure (PALF), but early and accurate recognition of neurologic dysfunction is difficult in children. PALF was defined using standard criteria and patients were stratified into patients with favorable and unfavorable outcomes (died or were listed for transplant). [Extracted from the article]

B Results: b Our population consisted of 141 patients, 71 (50.4%) with biliary atresia, median PELD/MELD score of 15 (2-24), and 47 (33.3%) patients were admitted to the hospital prior to LT. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were done to assess the relationship between FO (cumulative fluid balance (CFB) through POD 3 divided by pre-LT weight) and intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS), ventilator-free days in 28 (VFD), in-hospital mortality, and severe AKI (stage 2 or 3). Post-LT, there was a median PRISMIII score of 9 (7-14), 10 (7.1%) had hepatic artery and/or portal vein thrombosis, and 31 (22.0%) received >=40 mL/kg of blood product by POD 3. 70 (49.6%) patients had < 10% CFB, 41 (29.1%) patients had 10-20% CFB, and 30 (21.3%) patients had > 20% CFB. [Extracted from the article]

Our goal was to determine whether low heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of autonomic nervous system dysfunction, is associated with re-hospitalization in pediatric septic shock survivors. B Introduction: b Re-hospitalization after septic shock can lead to impaired quality of life. B Conclusions: b Lower discharge HRV and a smaller improvement in HRV during admission are significantly associated with re-hospitalization in survivors of pediatric septic shock. [Extracted from the article]

Allergic airway inflammation is attenuated by oral tolerization (oral exposure to allergen, followed by conventional sensitization and challenge with homologous antigen), which decreases airway allergen challenge-induced eosinophilic infiltration of the lungs and bone marrow eosinophilia. We examined its effects on bone marrow eosinophil and neutrophil production. Mice of wild type (BP-2, BALB/c, and C57BL/6) and mutant strains (lacking iNOS or CD95L) were given ovalbumin (OVA) or water (vehicle) orally and subsequently sensitized and challenged with OVA (OVA/OVA/OVA and H2O/OVA/OVA groups, resp.). Anti-OVA IgG and IgE, bone marrow eosinophil and neutrophil numbers, and eosinophil and neutrophil production ex vivo were evaluated. T lymphocytes from OVA/OVA/OVA or control H2O/OVA/OVA donors were transferred into naïve syngeneic recipients, which were subsequently sensitized/challenged with OVA. Alternatively, T lymphocytes were cocultured with bone marrow eosinophil precursors from histocompatible sensitized/challenged mice. OVA/OVA/OVA mice of the BP-2 and BALB/c strains showed, relative to H2O/OVA/OVA controls, significantly decreased bone marrow eosinophil counts and ex vivo eosinopoiesis/neutropoiesis. Full effectiveness in vivo required sequential oral/subcutaneous/intranasal exposures to the same allergen. Transfer of splenic T lymphocytes from OVA/OVA/OVA donors to naive recipients prevented bone marrow eosinophilia and eosinopoiesis in response to recipient sensitization/challenge and supressed eosinopoiesis upon coculture with syngeneic bone marrow precursors from sensitized/challenged donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Carbon stocks in secondary forests are positively correlated to the number of years recovering and negatively to LU-intensity. [•] Carbon accumulation rates decrease with age but are positively correlated with LU-intensity. [•] Land-use intensity is important only in the younger plots, as land was first occupied about 40 years ago. [•] Secondary forests in southern Mexico recover original biomass densities in about 60–100 years. [•] Secondary forests in southern Mexico have a high potential for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Purpose: IL-33 signals through ST2 receptors and induces adaptive and innate inflammation. IL-33/ST2 is involved in adaptive inflammation-induced pain. Here, we have investigated the contribution of IL-33/ST2-triggered mechanisms to carrageenin-induced innate inflammation.Experimental Approach: Carrageenin- and IL-33-induced inflammatory responses were assessed in BALB/c- (WT) and ST2-deficient ((-/-) ) mice as follows: oedema (plethysmometer), myeloperoxidase activity (colorimetric assay), mechanical hyperalgesia (electronic version of von Frey filaments), cytokine levels (ELISA), PGE2 (RIA), mRNA expression (quantitative PCR), drug treatments targeting leukocyte recruitment (fucoidin), TNF-α (infliximab), CXCL1 (antibody to CXCL1), IL-1 (IL-1ra), endothelin ETA (clazosentan) and ETB (BQ788) receptors and COX (indomethacin).Key Results: Carrageenin injection increased ST2 and IL-33 mRNA expression and IL-33 production in paw skin samples. Carrageenin-induced paw oedema, hyperalgesia and myeloperoxidase activity were reduced in ST2(-/-) compared with WT mice, effects mimicked by IL-33 injection in the paw. Furthermore, IL-33-induced hyperalgesia was reduced by fucoidin suggesting a role for recruited leukocytes in its hyperalgesic effect. IL-33-induced hyperalgesia in naïve mice was reduced by treatments targeting TNF, CXCL1, IL-1, endothelin receptors and COX while carrageenin-induced ST2-dependent TNF-α, CXCL1, IL-1β, IL-10 and PGE2 production and preproET-1 mRNA expression. Combining IL-33 and carrageenin at doses that were ineffective as single treatment induced significant hyperalgesia, oedema, myeloperoxidase activity and cytokine production in a ST2-dependent manner.Conclusions and Implications: IL-33/ST2 signalling triggers the production of inflammatory mediators contributing to carrageenin-induced inflammation. These data reinforces the importance of IL-33/ST2 signalling as a target in innate inflammation and inflammatory pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine the prevalence of hyaline ring granulomas ( HRGs) in a large case series of inflammatory odontogenic cysts, and to investigate the nature of these structures. Methodology All records from the patients diagnosed with inflammatory odontogenic cysts between January 1970 and April 2009 were reviewed. Histologic sections were evaluated by light microscopy and cases with HRGs for which sufficient biological material was available were submitted to histochemical analysis ( Masson's trichrome) and immunohistochemistry ( CD34, CD68 and collagen IV). Results Twenty-two (3.3%) of the 661 cases of inflammatory odontogenic cysts diagnosed during the study period presented HRGs. The relative frequency of HRGs was higher amongst residual radicular cysts (6.1%), followed by paradental cysts (5.6%) and radicular cysts (3.0%). HRGs appeared as roughly circular homogeneous/fibrillar masses in 14 (63.6%) cases and as round structures enclosing amorphous material in 3 (13.6%) cases. Most (77.8%) roughly circular homogeneous/fibrillar masses were positive for collagen, whereas all (100.0%) round structures enclosing amorphous material were negative for this protein. Immunohistochemistry showed that most mononucleated cells and all multinucleated giant cells were positive for CD68, but negative for CD34, in all cases. In addition, collagen IV immunostaining was negative in amorphous structures and weakly positive in homogeneous/fibrillar masses. Conclusions The present results suggest a very low frequency of HRGs in inflammatory odontogenic cysts and support the hypothesis that these structures arise from the implantation of foreign material, most likely food particles of plant or vegetable origin. The diverse microscopic features of HRG possibly represent different developmental stages of this structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major objectives of the poultry industry are to increase meat production and to reduce carcass fatness, mainly abdominal fat. Information on growth performance and carcass composition are important for the selection of leaner meat chickens. To enhance our understanding of the genetic architecture underlying the chemical composition of chicken carcasses, an F2 population developed from a broiler × layer cross was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting protein, fat, water and ash contents in chicken carcasses. Two genetic models were applied in the QTL analysis: the line-cross and the half-sib models, both using the regression interval mapping method. Six significant and five suggestive QTL were mapped in the line-cross analysis, and four significant and six suggestive QTL were mapped in the half-sib analysis. A total of eleven QTL were mapped for fat (ether extract), five for protein, four for ash and one for water contents in the carcass using both analyses. No study to date has reported QTL for carcass chemical composition in chickens. Some QTL mapped here for carcass fat content match, as expected, QTL regions previously associated with abdominal fat in the same or in different populations, and novel QTL for protein, ash and water contents in the carcass are presented here. The results described here also reinforce the need for fine mapping and to perform multi-trait analyses to better understand the genetic architecture of these traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane-breeding programs take at least 12 years to develop new commercial cultivars. Molecular markers offer a possibility to study the genetic architecture of quantitative traits in sugarcane, and they may be used in marker-assisted selection to speed up artificial selection. Although the performance of sugarcane progenies in breeding programs are commonly evaluated across a range of locations and harvest years, many of the QTL detection methods ignore two- and three-way interactions between QTL, harvest, and location. In this work, a strategy for QTL detection in multi-harvest-location trial data, based on interval mapping and mixed models, is proposed and applied to map QTL effects on a segregating progeny from a biparental cross of pre-commercial Brazilian cultivars, evaluated at two locations and three consecutive harvest years for cane yield (tonnes per hectare), sugar yield (tonnes per hectare), fiber percent, and sucrose content. In the mixed model, we have included appropriate (co)variance structures for modeling heterogeneity and correlation of genetic effects and non-genetic residual effects. Forty-six QTLs were found: 13 QTLs for cane yield, 14 for sugar yield, 11 for fiber percent, and 8 for sucrose content. In addition, QTL by harvest, QTL by location, and QTL by harvest by location interaction effects were significant for all evaluated traits (30 QTLs showed some interaction, and 16 none). Our results contribute to a better understanding of the genetic architecture of complex traits related to biomass production and sucrose content in sugarcane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An F experimental population, developed from a broiler layer cross, was used in a genome scan of QTL for percentage of carcass, carcass parts, shank and head. Up to 649 F chickens from four paternal half-sib families were genotyped with 128 genetic markers covering 22 linkage groups. Total map length was 2630 cM, covering approximately 63% of the genome. QTL interval mapping using regression methods was applied to line-cross and half-sib models. Under the line-cross model, 12 genome-wide significant QTL and 17 suggestive linkages for percentages of carcass parts, shank and head were mapped to 13 linkage groups (GGA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 18 and 27). Under the paternal half-sib model, six genome-wide significant QTL and 18 suggestive linkages for percentages of carcass parts, shank and head were detected on nine chicken linkage groups (GGA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 14, 15 and 27), seven of which seemed to corroborate positions revealed by the previous model. Overall, three novel QTL of importance to the broiler industry were mapped (one significant for shank% on GGA3 and two suggestive for carcass and breast percentages on GGA14 and drums and thighs percentage on GGA15). One novel QTL for wings% was mapped to GGA3, six novel QTL (GGA1, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 27) and suggestive linkages (GGA2, 4, and 5) were mapped for head%, and suggestive linkages were identified for back% on GGA2, 11 and 12. In addition, many of the QTL mapped in this study confirmed QTL previously reported in other populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the study "Diabetes cardiomyopathy in diabetic patients without co-morbidities," by L. Mendes and colleagues, is presented.

The article presents the abstract of the paper "Picky, Picky: The Bases for Diet Choice in Pitheciins," by A.A. Barnett and colleagues to be presented at the 21st Congress of the International Primatological Society in Entebbe, Uganda from June 25-30, 2006.

We investigated the effects of Lutzomyia longipalpis salivary glands homogenate of wild-caught and laboratory-reared vectors on the lesion evolution and immunomodulation of the infection caused by Leishmania ( Leishmania) amazonensis. To compare the effect of both salivary glands homogenate (SGH), C57BL/6 mice were inoculated subcutaneously into the hind footpads or into the ear dermis with 106 promastigotes in the presence or not of SGH from wild-caught and laboratory-colonized sand flies. Comparing SGH groups, the lesion size was lower in mice co-inoculated with wild-caught SGH, as the parasitism and the infiltration of macrophages at the inoculation site. Wild-caught SGH also determined lower production of IL-4 and IL-10 but higher IL-12 levels compared with laboratory-reared SGH. Our findings address a probable bias by using SGH from laboratory-colonized sand flies instead of wild-caught vector SGH in studies concerning saliva effects. A possible mild influence of sand fly saliva in natural infections caused by Leishmania is also speculated, as infection is transmitted by wild and not by laboratory-reared vectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An F2 population established by crossing a broiler male line and a layer line was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting abdominal fat weight, abdominal fat percentage and serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. Two genetic models, the line-cross and the half-sib, were applied in the QTL analysis, both using the regression interval method. Three significant QTL and four suggestive QTL were mapped in the line-cross analysis and four significant and four suggestive QTL were mapped in the half-sib analysis. A total of five QTL were mapped for abdominal fat weight, six for abdominal fat percentage and four for triglyceride concentration in both analyses. New QTL associated with serum triglyceride concentration were mapped on GGA5, GGA23 and GG27. QTL mapped between markers LEI0029 and ADL0371 on GGA3 for abdominal fat percentage and abdominal fat weight and a suggestive QTL on GGA12 for abdominal fat percentage showed significant parent-of-origin effects. Some QTL mapped here match QTL regions mapped in previous studies using different populations, suggesting good candidate regions for fine-mapping and candidate gene searches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An F2 resource population, derived from a broiler × layer cross, was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for body weights at days 1, 35 and 41, weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency from 35 to 41 days and intestinal length. Up to 577 F2 chickens were genotyped with 103 genetic markers covering 21 linkage groups. A preliminary QTL mapping report using this same population focused exclusively on GGA1. Regression methods were applied to line-cross and half-sib models for QTL interval mapping. Under the line-cross model, eight QTL were detected for body weight at 35 days (GGA2, 3 and 4), body weight at 41 days (GGA2, 3, 4 and 10) and intestine length (GGA4). Under the half-sib model, using sire as common parent, five QTL were detected for body weight at day 1 (GGA3 and 18), body weight at 35 days (GGA2 and 3) and body weight at 41 days (GGA3). When dam was used as common parent, seven QTL were mapped for body weight at day 1 (GGA2), body weight at day 35 (GGA2, 3 and 4) and body weight at day 41 (GGA2, 3 and 4). Growth differences in chicken lines appear to be controlled by a chronological change in a limited number of chromosomal regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article assesses the reliability of the linear measurement of mid-thigh soft-tissue thickness (STT) in the late third trimester citing the derivation of a formula for the estimation of fetal weight (EFW). The results confirm the potential of the linear measurement of mid-thigh STT as a valuable parameter for the sonographic assessment of fetal growth and EFW.

Aim To determine whether systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) means, during ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), are more strongly correlated with microvascular complications and echocardiographic structural alterations than night-time/daytime (N/D) BP ratio. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 270 Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) outpatients who underwent clinical and laboratory investigations, urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) determination, echocardiography, office and 24-h ABPM (Spacelabs 90207). Results UAER, after multivariate adjustments, was associated with office BP (systolic: R2a 0.162, P < 0.001; diastolic: R2a 0.124, P < 0.001) and ABPM (24-h systolic: R2a 0.195, P < 0.001; 24-h diastolic: R2a 0.197, P < 0.001) but not with N/D BP ratios (systolic: R2a 0.062, P = 0.080; diastolic: R2a 0.063, P = 0.069). Similar results were observed for echocardiographic parameters. The presence of retinopathy was associated only with night-time BP values [systolic means: odds ratio (OR) 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.24 and diastolic means: OR 1.21, CI 1.04–1.40 and N/D diastolic BP ratio > 0.90, OR 3.21, CI 1.65–6.25]. Conclusions UAER and echocardiographic structural alterations had more consistent correlations of a greater magnitude with systolic BP means than with N/D BP ratios. The nocturnal BP values appear to be more relevant for diabetic retinopathy. BP measurement in patients with Type 2 DM should take into account the 24-h period rather than focusing on a specific time span of BP homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy is a worldwide problem. Although prevention is sufficient to reduce sensitization, prolonged avoidance is needed to prevent resensitization or adverse reactions on re-exposure. Objectives This double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to determine the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with latex. Methods Forty patients with NRL allergy were enrolled. At diagnosis, 30 presented urticaria and 10 asthma. Patients were evaluated on their clinical history and an allergological assessment: skin prick test with latex extract, serum-specific IgE and provocation tests. Patients were subdivided by complaint (asthma or urticaria), and randomized to receive SLIT with latex extract (ALK-Abelló, Lainate, Milan, Italy) or placebo. Results The evaluable population consisted of 35 patients, 18 treated with SLIT and 17 with placebo. The results show that 12 months of SLIT improved the symptoms score and reduced the medication score in all subjects. The subjective evaluation was corroborated by improved bronchial and glove provocation test results. The latex-specific IgE levels increased slightly in the SLIT group, and skin sensitization was reduced at the end of the trial in all the patients treated with SLIT. The immunotherapy was not complicated by any severe adverse reactions. Conclusions This is the first double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the efficacy of SLIT with latex extract conducted in adult patients allergic to NRL. SLIT with latex can be proposed for subjects with latex allergy, especially those for whom complete avoidance of latex exposure may be very difficult or even impossible. More studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of SLIT in the treatment of subjects with latex allergy who are sensitized to inhalant allergens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two ethanolic propolis extracts (EPE) with and without the caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), CAPE and galangin (major components of propolis) were investigated for anti-inflammatory activity in rats using carrageenin foot oedema, carrageenin pleurisy and adjuvant arthritis. In our experiments, EPE with CAPE and CAPE alone significantly inhibited carrageenin oedema, carrageenin pleurisy and adjuvant arthritis. In contrast EPE without CAPE and galangin did not exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in acute and chronic inflammation. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of propolis is due to CAPE. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Volumetric measurements are currently used in the analytical process to determine the vitamins content in foods. The variations in stability and integrity of volumetric apparatus, although relatively small when compared with other sources of error, should be monitored. The main purpose of this study was to investigate and identify a number of variables which, in daily use, can affect the life cycle of volumetric glassware. The role of in-house metrological hierarchy, the operator’s performance and the effect of temperature was evaluated for single volume flasks, single- and multi-mark pipettes. Biased nominal capacity was applied in the calculation of water-soluble vitamins (B1, B2, B6, niacin) and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E) content. Persistent bias due to volumetric glassware, can reach 11%, in the results obtained for different vitamins content. The largest bias was observed for vitamin B1, perhaps due to the high amount of volumetric glassware used in the analytical procedure. This is an indication that the cost–benefit of a calibration plan should be evaluated in a rational way. The regular checking of volumetric glassware for stability and integrity is discussed on the light of the latest revision of ISO 17025. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A common problem in rabbits is the occurrence of digestive disorders just after weaning. This problem is associated with instability of the cecal microflora and characterized by diarrhea, loss of appetite and increased mortality. In the current study the effects of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS, Bio-Mos®, Alltech Inc., USA), a natural growth promoter, were compared to a commonly used antibiotic growth promoter (AGP, Zn-Bacitracin). The five experimental treatments were as follow: Control (no additives); MOS 1 (Bio-Mos®, 1gkg−1); MOS 1.5 (Bio-Mos®, 1.5gkg−1); MOS 2 (Bio-Mos®, 2gkg−1) and AGP (Zn-Bacitracin; 0.1gkg−1). Experimental diets were based on alfalfa, sunflower meal, wheat and beet pulp and were offered ad libitum through out the experiment. Trial 1 used 400 weaned mixed-sex rabbits divided into the five treatments with 10 replicates and 8 rabbits/replicate. Rabbits were weighed at weaning (day 32) and at the end of the experiment (day 67). Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality were evaluated using a commercial grow-out facility. Trial 2 used 220 weaned rabbits divided into the same five experimental treatment groups and housed in groups of 4 in 11 flat deck cages located in an experimental rabbit house. In trial 2 performance, intestinal morphology and cecal fermentation were determined. In both trials, rabbit daily weight gain and feed intake were not affected by treatments. However, in trial 1 MOS rabbits had better (P<0.05) FCR than control rabbits and similar to AGP rabbits. Also in this trial, the mortality with MOS and AGP treatments tended to be lower (P=0.052) than with control diet. Results in trial 2 showed longer villi (P<0.05) in rabbits fed MOS or AGP compared to the control group, this resulted in increased absorption surface. Cecal volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration differed (P<0.05) between treatments. Rabbits fed MOS at 1gkg−1 had higher total VFA concentration compared to the Control as well as the AGP treatment. Furthermore, cecal pH was significantly lower in rabbits fed MOS at 1 and 2gkg−1 compared to the control. A reduction on total bacterial count in ileum contents (P<0.05) and Coliforms and Enterococci in cecal contents with MOS supplementation of diet was observed. Results for these studies showed that the addition of MOS resulted in similar performance compared to an antibiotic growth promoter. Furthermore, differences in mortality, intestinal morphology and cecal VFA concentration suggest that MOS can improve the health status of growing rabbits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sugarcane ( Saccharum spp.) is a clonally propagated outcrossing polyploid crop of great importance in tropical agriculture. Up to now, all sugarcane genetic maps had been developed using either full-sib progenies derived from interspecific crosses or from selfing, both approaches not directly adopted in conventional breeding. We have developed a single integrated genetic map using a population derived from a cross between two pre-commercial cultivars (‘SP80-180’ × ‘SP80-4966’) using a novel approach based on the simultaneous maximum-likelihood estimation of linkage and linkage phases method specially designed for outcrossing species. From a total of 1,118 single-dose markers (RFLP, SSR and AFLP) identified, 39% derived from a testcross configuration between the parents segregating in a 1:1 fashion, while 61% segregated 3:1, representing heterozygous markers in both parents with the same genotypes. The markers segregating 3:1 were used to establish linkage between the testcross markers. The final map comprised of 357 linked markers, including 57 RFLPs, 64 SSRs and 236 AFLPs that were assigned to 131 co-segregation groups, considering a LOD score of 5, and a recombination fraction of 37.5 cM with map distances estimated by Kosambi function. The co-segregation groups represented a total map length of 2,602.4 cM, with a marker density of 7.3 cM. When the same data were analyzed using JoinMap software, only 217 linked markers were assigned to 98 co-segregation groups, spanning 1,340 cM, with a marker density of 6.2 cM. The maximum-likelihood approach reduced the number of unlinked markers to 761 (68.0%), compared to 901 (80.5%) using JoinMap. All the co-segregation groups obtained using JoinMap were present in the map constructed based on the maximum-likelihood method. Differences on the marker order within the co-segregation groups were observed between the two maps. Based on RFLP and SSR markers, 42 of the 131 co-segregation groups were assembled into 12 putative homology groups. Overall, the simultaneous maximum-likelihood estimation of linkage and linkage phases was more efficient than the method used by JoinMap to generate an integrated genetic map of sugarcane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geriatric fracture programs (GFP) offer a multidisciplinary inpatient and outpatient scheme. We characterized the included patients in terms of length of stay during the GFP, intrahospital complications and follow-up outcomes (readmission and mortality). We then estimated the hospitalization- and complication-related costs during the GFP implementation. [Extracted from the article]

In elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis, clinical evaluation can dictate decision making. Asymptomatic patients in normal sinus rhythm, without left atrial enlargement and without bundle branch block, can be safely followed clinically, regardless of echocardiographic findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that determines the influence of immune markers soluble such as sCD23 and sCD30 on the risk factors for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Overview of the background of the study which observes 272 patients with NHL cases is discussed. Information on the findings of the study which suggests the possibility of serums, sCD23 and sCD30, as B-cell-stimulative risk factor for NHL is offered.

Brain neuroplasticity is increasingly considered to be an important component of both the pathology and treatment of depressive spectrum disorders. Recent studies shed light on the relevance of hippocampal cell genesis and cortico-limbic dendritic plasticity for the development and remission from depressive-like behavior. However, the neurobiological significance of neuroplastic phenomena in this context is still controversial. Here we summarize recent developments in this topic and propose an integrative interpretation of data gathered so far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]