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The accelerating pace of climate change has led to unprecedented shifts in surface temperature and precipitation patterns worldwide, with African savannas being among the most vulnerable regions. Understanding the impacts of these extreme changes on ecosystem health, functioning and stability is crucial. This paper focuses on the detection of breakpoints, indicative of shifts in ecosystem functioning, while also determining relevant ecosystem characteristics and climatic drivers that increase susceptibility to these shifts within the semi‐arid to arid savanna biome. Utilising a remote sensing change detection approach and rain use efficiency (RaUE) as a proxy for ecosystem functioning, spatial and temporal patterns of breakpoints in the savanna biome were identified. We then employed a novel combination of survival analysis and remote sensing time series analysis to compare ecosystem characteristics and climatic drivers in areas experiencing breakpoints versus areas with stable ecosystem functioning. Key ecosystem factors increasing savanna breakpoint susceptibility were identified, namely higher soil sand content, flatter terrain and a cooler long‐term mean temperature during the wet summer season. Moreover, the primary driver of changes in ecosystem functioning in arid savannas, as opposed to wetter tropical savannas, was found to be the increased frequency and severity of rainfall events, rather than drought pressures. This research highlights the importance of incorporating wetness severity metrics alongside drought metrics to comprehensively understand climate–ecosystem interactions leading to abrupt shifts in ecosystem functioning in arid biomes. The findings also emphasise the need to consider the underlying ecosystem characteristics, including soil, topography and vegetation composition, in assessing ecosystem responses to climate change. While this research primarily concentrated on the southern African savanna as a case study, the methodological robustness of this approach enables its application to diverse arid and semi‐arid biomes for the assessment of climate–ecosystem interactions that contribute to abrupt shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various models and datasets related to aflatoxins in the maize and dairy production chain have been developed and used but they have not yet been linked with each other. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of climate change on aflatoxin B1 production in maize and its consequences on aflatoxin M1 contamination in dairy cow’s milk, using a full chain modelling approach. To this end, available models and input data were chained together in a modelling framework. As a case study, we focused on maize grown in Eastern Europe and imported to the Netherlands to be fed–as part of dairy cows’ compound feed–to dairy cows in the Netherlands. Three different climate models, one aflatoxin B1 prediction model and five different carryover models were used. For this particular case study of East European maize, most of the calculations suggest an increase (up to 50%) of maximum mean aflatoxin M1 in milk by 2030, except for one climate (DMI) model suggesting a decrease. Results from all combinations of carryover and climate models suggest a similar or slight increase (up to 0.6%) of the chance of finding aflatoxin M1 in milk above the EC limit of 0.05 μg/kg by 2030. Results varied mainly with the climate model data and carryover model considered. The model framework infrastructure is flexible so that forecasting models for other mycotoxins or other food safety hazards as well as other production chains, together with necessary input databases, can easily be included as well. This modelling framework for the first time links datasets and models related to aflatoxin B1 in maize and related aflatoxin M1 the dairy production chain to obtain a unique predictive methodology based on Monte Carlo simulation. Such an integrated approach with scenario analysis provides possibilities for policy makers and risk managers to study the effects of changes in the beginning of the chain on the end product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, early weaning is more frequently applied by the modern pig breeder to obtain more litters per year. In addition, more and more European pig breeders apply a batch management system, which allows weaning to occur at fixed time points but entails that the offspring are treated at the litter level and not as individuals. Both evolutions might result in weaning lightweight piglets, which can cause, e.g., growth retardation of the offspring. Hence, the objective of this research was to improve the weaning weight of piglets of the same age by breeding with a highly conformed sire line. Therefore, a total of 23 sows were inseminated, 10 sows with semen of a well-conformed sire line (sire line B) and 13 sows with semen of a less conformed boar (sire line A). In total, 299 offspring were observed to monitor behavior, growth performance, and carcass characteristics. Subsequently, linear mixed models were developed to analyze the growth performance and carcass characteristics wherein only variables classified as significant (P < 0.05) were introduced as fixed factors. Results indicate that no significantly increased weaning weight could be accomplished by breeding with semen of sire line B. This could be due to the significant (P < 0.05) shorter gestation length of sows inseminated with semen of sire line B. However, the offspring of sire line B was defined by better carcass classification characteristics. Furthermore, this study presents that the mean birth weight of each piglet was significantly lower if a bigger litter size was recorded. When considering behavior, it was observed that piglets that did not seclude themselves from the litter had a significantly greater daily weight gain from birth to weaning compared to piglets that showed signs of isolation from the litter. A signifi- cantly greater daily gain from birth to slaughter was established for piglets with a greater birth weight. Also, results indicate that barrows had a significantly greater daily growth from weaning to slaughter than gilts. To conclude, this research determines that breeding with highly conformed sire lines does not improve the weaning weight of the offspring and thus cannot serve as a solution for early weaning. However, more research is required by performing more experiments with a greater number of boars and sows to confirm this result. In general, this study allows researchers to continue to improve and standardize the weaning weight of piglets of the same age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the relationship between sound levels, pre-slaughter handling during loading and pork quality. Pre-slaughter variables were investigated from loading till slaughter. A total of 3213 pigs were measured 30 min post-mortem for pH 30LT ( M. Longissimus thoracis ). First, a sound level model for the risk to develop PSE meat was established. The difference in maximum and mean sound level during loading, mean sound level during lairage and mean sound level prior to stunning remained significant within the model. This indicated that sound levels during loading had a significant added value to former sound models. Moreover, this study completed the global classification checklist (Vermeulen et al., 2015a) by developing a linear mixed model for pH 30LT and PSE prevalence, with the difference in maximum and mean sound level measured during loading, the feed withdrawal period and the difference in temperature during loading and lairage. Hence, this study provided new insights over previous research where loading procedures were not included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates whether rectal temperature of pigs, prior to slaughter, can give an indication of the risk of developing pork with PSE characteristics. A total of 1203 pigs were examined, measuring the rectal temperature just before stunning, of which 794 rectal temperatures were measured immediately after stunning. pH 30LT ( M. Longissimus thoracis ) and temperature of the ham (Temp 30Ham ) were collected from about 530 carcasses, 30 min after sticking. The results present a significant positive linear correlation between rectal temperature just before and after slaughter, and Temp 30Ham . Moreover, pH 30LT is negatively correlated with rectal temperature and Temp 30Ham . Finally, a linear mixed model for pH 30LT was established with the rectal temperature of the pigs just before stunning and the lairage time. This model defines that measuring rectal temperature of pigs just before slaughter allows discovery of pork with PSE traits, taking into account pre-slaughter conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé Introduction La découverte d’un souffle systolique à l’auscultation est fréquente chez l’adulte jeune militaire. En l’absence de critère clinique de bénignité de ce souffle, une échographie trans-thoracique (ETT) est réalisée dans le but de dépister les cardiopathies potentiellement responsables de mort subite. L’objectif principal de l’étude est l’évaluation dans une population spécifique de la rentabilité diagnostique de la réalisation systématique d’une ETT lors de la découverte d’un souffle systolique à l’auscultation. Méthodes Il s’agit d’une étude monocentrique rétrospective effectuée à l’hôpital d’instruction des armées de Brest concernant l’ensemble des patients âgés de 15 à 30 ans ayant bénéficié d’une ETT secondaire à la découverte d’un souffle systolique dans le cadre d’une aptitude militaire pendant la période du 01 janvier 2010 au 31 juillet 2013. Résultats Pendant la période de l’étude, 280 ETT ont été réalisées. On dénombre 28/280 (10 %) anomalies échographiques dont 13 bicuspidies aortiques (4,6 %), 6 communications inter-ventriculaires (2,15 %), 3 communications inter-auriculaires (1,07 %), 4 insuffisances mitrales modérées sur valve mitrale dystrophique (1,4 %), 1 sténose de l’artère pulmonaire modérée (0,35 %) et 1 rétrécissement aortique sous-valvulaire (0,35 %). Aucune CMH n’a été observée. Sur le plan médico-militaire, parmi les 28 (10 %) patients présentant une cardiopathie à l’ETT, 11 (3,9 %) sont déclarés « inapte » ou « apte avec restrictions » au métier de militaire. Conclusion La réalisation d’une ETT a permis le diagnostic d’une cardiopathie dans 10 % des cas. Cette étude montre l’intérêt de la réalisation d’une ETT systématique dans le dépistage d’un souffle systolique chez l’adulte jeune dans le cadre d’une médecine d’expertise militaire. Clinically discovering a systolic murmur is frequent among the young military population. When this murmur does not sound benign, a transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is made to detect any cardiopathy, which could cause sudden cardiac death. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interest of systematic TTE in the assessment of any cardiac systolic murmur (CSM) among militaries. Methods We ran a retrospective monocentric study in the “Clermont-Tonnerre” military hospital in Brest. We included all patients sent for TEE, aged 15 to 30 years old, from the 1st January 2010 until the 31st July 2013. Results Two hundred and eighty TTES assessing CSM were performed. We found 28/280 (10%) echocardiographic abnormalities: 13 were bicuspid aortic valves (4.6%), 6 were ventricular septal defects (2.15%), 3 were atrial septal defects (1.07%), 4 were mild mitral regurgitations (1.43%), one mild pulmonary stenosis (0.35%) and one aortic stenosis (0.35%). No hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was found. Concerning military expertise, 11 (3.92%) patients among these 28 with abnormal TEE were considered unfit for work or “fit for work with limitations”. Conclusion Assessing a cardiac systolic murmur with TEE lead to the diagnosis of a cardiomyopathy in 10% of the case. This study enhances the importance of systematic TEE when a CSM is detected in the young military, in order to determine if those soldiers can still fulfill their military duty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental variables, as sound levels, were collected during the pre-slaughter process in 18 different Belgian commercial slaughterhouses. Four pre-slaughter phases were determined: firstly after arrival of the truck at the slaughterhouse and just before unloading, secondly during unloading, thirdly at lairage and finally while moving to the stunner. A total of 8508 pigs was examined during the pre-slaughter process, of which the pH LT ( M. longissimus thoracis ), at 30 min post-mortem was measured. For each pre-slaughter phase, variables which might influence pork quality were determined. Moreover, this study made it possible to infer a checklist to represent and predict PSE traits of pork for all kind of pre-slaughter situations. The checklist shows also that the impact on pork quality is more decisive for the variables measured close to the stunning phase. Hence, this information is useful for the industry to optimize handling of pigs, reducing the risk for PSE traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates whether sound levels above 85 dB(A), determined in literature as a critical sound level to induce stress in pigs, has also an effect on the pH of pork. Sound levels were recorded during pre-slaughter phases. A measure was taken after the arrival of the truck at the slaughterhouse, during unloading, lairage and just before stunning. The pH of the Longissimus thoracis or lumborum , 30 min after sticking (pH 30LT ) was measured. 8508 pigs were examined and the pH was measured on the carcasses. The results show that the cut-off value of 85 dB(A) during the pre-slaughtering phase is not only a threshold to evaluate animal welfare but can also be associated with a slower drop of pH if sound levels are < 85 dB(A). Finally a linear mixed model for pH 30LT was built with the sound level during lairage and the sound level prior to stunning as independent variables, having statistically the highest impact on pH 30LT of pork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive intake of fluoride (F) by young children results in the formation of enamel subsurface porosities and pits, called enamel fluorosis. In this study, we used a single high dose of F administered to hamster pups to determine the stage of ameloblasts most affected by F and whether pit formation was related to F-related sub-ameloblastic cyst formation. Hamster pups received a single subcutaneous injection of either 20 mg or 40 mg NaF/kg body weight, were sacrificed 24 h later, and the number of cysts formed in the first molars were counted. Other pups were sacrificed 8 days after F injection, when the first molars had just erupted, to score for enamel defects. All F-injected pups formed enamel defects in the upper half of the cusps in a dose-dependent way. After injection of 20 mg NaF/kg, an average of 2.5 white spots per molar was found but no pits. At 40 mg NaF/kg, almost 4.5 spots per molar were counted as well as 2 pits per molar. The defects in erupted enamel were located in the upper half of the cusps, sites where cysts had formed at the transition stage of ameloblast differentiation. These results suggest that transitional ameloblasts, located between secretory- and maturation-stage ameloblasts, are most sensitive to the effects of a single high dose of F. F-induced cysts formed earlier at the pre-secretory stage were not correlated to either white spots or enamel pits, suggesting that damaged ameloblasts overlying a F-induced cyst regenerate and continue to form enamel. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colon carcinoma is one of the leading causes of death from cancer and is characterized by a heterogenic pool of cells with distinct differentiation patterns. Recently, it was reported that a population of undifferentiated cells from a primary tumor, so-called cancer stem cells (CSC), can reconstitute the original tumor on xenotransplantation. Here, we show that spheroid cultures of these colon CSCs contain expression of CD133, CD166, CD44, CD29, CD24, Lgr5, and nuclear I3-catenin, which have all been suggested to mark the (cancer) stem cell population. More importantly, by using these spheroid cultures or freshly isolated tumor cells from multiple colon carcinomas, we now provide compelling evidence to indicate that the capacity to propagate a tumor with all differentiated progeny resides in a single CSC. Single-cell-cloned CSCs can form an adenocarcinoma on xenotransplantation but do not generate the stroma within these tumors. Moreover, they can selfrenew and are capable of multilineage differentiation. Further analysis indicated that the lineage decision is dictated by phosphoinositide 3-kinase (P13K) signaling in CSC5. These data support the hypothesis that tumor hierarchy can be traced back to a single CSC that contains multilineage differentiation capacity, and provides clues to the regulation of differentiation in colon cancers in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer has long been viewed as an exclusively genetic disorder. The model of carcinogenesis, postulated by Nowell and Vogelstein, describes the formation of a tumor by the sequential accumulation of mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. In this model, tumors are thought to consist of a heterogeneous population of cells that continue to acquire new mutations, resulting in a highly dynamic process, with clones that out compete others due to increased proliferative or survival capacity. However, novel insights in cancer stem cell research suggest another layer of complexity in the process of malignant transformation and preservation. It has been reported that only a small fraction of the cancer cells in a malignancy have the capacity to propagate the tumor upon transplantation into immuno-compromised mice. Those cells are termed ‘cancer stem cells’ (CSC) and can be selected based on the expression of cell surface markers associated with immature cell types. In this review, we will critically discuss these novel insights in CSC-related research. Where possible we integrate these results within the genetic model of cancer and illustrate that the CSC model can be considered an extension of the classic genetic model rather than a contradictory theory. Finally, we discuss some of the most controversial issues in this field.Cell Death and Differentiation (2008) 15, 947–958; doi:10.1038/cdd.2008.20; published online 15 February 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) are charged with ensuring the protection of humans enrolled in research. IRB activities are governed by the United States Office for Human Research Protections, which does not clearly differentiate quality improvement from research. More clear standards are needed so that the protection of human subjects (including their right to privacy) can be ensured and health care providers can efficiently meet their objective of improving patient care through quality improvement efforts. While past commentaries on this subject have provided some guidance, no standard definitions exist that distinguish 'quality improvement' from 'research.'Methods: We conducted a national survey of IRBs serving academic medical centers to determine whether local guidelines exist that make this distinction, and if so, what criteria are used to guide decision making.Results: On the basis of the findings of our survey, we propose a decision algorithm to guide IRBs and quality improvement oversight committees as they define local policies that distinguish research projects from quality improvement efforts.Conclusions: The decision algorithm should result in greater ability to conduct quality improvement work in an efficient manner without compromising the protection of human subjects. The criteria identified are consistent with, but clearer than, the exemption standards provided in the common rule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Checklists can reduce medical errors. However, the effectiveness of checklists is hampered by lack of acceptance and compliance. Recently, a new type of checklist with dynamic properties has been created to provide more specific checklist items for each individual patient. Our purpose in this simulation-based study was to investigate a newly developed intelligent dynamic clinical checklist (DCC) for the intensive care unit (ICU) ward round.Methods: Eligible clinicians were invited to participate as volunteers. Highest achievable scores were established for six typical ICU scenarios to determine which items must be checked. The participants compared the DCC with the local standard of care. The primary outcomes were the caregiver satisfaction score and the percentages of checked items overall and of critical items requiring a direct intervention.Results: In total, 20 participants were included, who performed 116 scenarios. The median percentage of checked items was 100.0% with the DCC and 73.6% for the scenarios completed with local standard of care ( P <0.001). Critical items remained unchecked in 23.1% of the scenarios performed with local standard of care and 0.0% of the scenarios where the DCC was available ( P <0.001). The mean satisfaction score of the DCC was 4.13 out of 5.Conclusions: This simulation study indicates that an intelligent DCC significantly increases compliance with best practice by reducing the percentage of unchecked items during ICU ward rounds, while the user satisfaction rate remains high. Real-life clinical research is required to evaluate this new type of checklist further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung lesions of about 1000 pigs (nN) were scored in the slaughter line. Carcass weight, back fat thickness, loin muscle depth, pHi and PQMi were measured on 460 pigs. Twenty-four hours after slaughter pHu, PQMu, brightness, redness, yellowness and drip loss were measured on 59 carcasses. A score for lung lesions was assessed at batch level, based on observations of all pigs in that batch, i.e. about 130. Pigs systematically selected from batches scoring more than 25% lung lesions had a lower pH of LD muscle (P ≤ 0.0003) and a six fold higher risk for P(ale)S(oft)E(xudative) traits (P ≤ 0.050) compared to batches scoring less than 5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are profound individual differences in clinical outcomes between colorectal cancers (CRCs) presenting with identical stage of disease. Molecular stratification, in conjunction with the traditional TNM staging, is a promising way to predict patient outcomes. We investigated the interconnectivity between tumor stage and tumor biology reflected by the Consensus Molecular Subtypes (CMSs) in CRC, and explored the possible value of these insights in patients with stage II colon cancer.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis using clinical records and gene expression profiling in a meta-cohort of 1040 CRC patients. The interconnectivity of tumor biology and disease stage was assessed by investigating the association between CMSs and TNM classification. In order to validate the clinical applicability of our findings we employed a meta-cohort of 197 stage II colon cancers.Results: CMS4 was significantly more prevalent in advanced stages of disease (stage I 9.8% versus stage IV 38.5%, p < 0.001). The observed differential gene expression between cancer stages is at least partly explained by the biological differences as reflected by CMS subtypes. Gene signatures for stage III-IV and CMS4 were highly correlated (r = 0.77, p < 0.001). CMS4 cancers showed an increased progression rate to more advanced stages (CMS4 compared to CMS2: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.08-1.46). Patients with a CMS4 cancer had worse survival in the high-risk stage II tumors compared to the total stage II cohort (5-year DFS 41.7% versus 100.0%, p = 0.008).Conclusions: Considerable interconnectivity between tumor biology and tumor stage in CRC exists. This implies that the TNM stage, in addition to the stage of progression, might also reflect distinct biological disease entities. These insights can potentially be utilized to optimize identification of high-risk stage II colon cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]