Search

Individual body dimensions and derived characteristics are reflected in the physical activity level (PAL). For example, it has been shown that the body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage [...]

ObjectiveThe measure of serum proteome in the preclinical state of Crohn’s disease (CD) may provide insight into biological pathways involved in CD pathogenesis. We aimed to assess associations of serum proteins with future CD onset and with other biomarkers predicting CD risk in a healthy at-risk cohort.DesignIn a nested case–control study within the Crohn’s and Colitis Canada Genetics Environment Microbial Project (CCC-GEM) cohort, which prospectively follows healthy first-degree relatives (FDRs), subjects who developed CD (n=71) were matched with four FDRs remaining healthy (n=284). Using samples at recruitment, serum protein profiles using the Olink Proximity Extension Assay platform was assessed for association with future development of CD and with other baseline biomarkers as follows: serum antimicrobial antibodies (AS: positive antibody sum) (Prometheus); faecal calprotectin (FCP); gut barrier function using the fractional excretion of lactulose-to-mannitol ratio (LMR) assay.ResultsWe identified 25 of 446 serum proteins significantly associated with future development of CD. C-X-C motif chemokine 9 (CXCL9) had the highest OR with future risk of CD (OR=2.07 per SD, 95% CI 1.58 to 2.73, q=7.9e-5), whereas matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein had the lowest OR (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.66, q=0.02). Notably, CXCL9 was the only analyte significantly associated with all other CD-risk biomarkers with consistent direction of effect (FCP: OR=2.21; LMR: OR=1.67; AS: OR=1.59) (q<0.05 for all).ConclusionWe identified serum proteomic signatures associated with future CD development, reflecting potential early biological processes of immune and barrier dysfunction.

Editor's Note: David Goethel is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against NOAA regarding the requirement that fishermen pay for at sea monitoring. He holds a B.A. in biology from [...]

Formaldehyde (FA) exposure has been proven to increase the risk of asthma and cancer. This study aimed to evaluate for 28 days the FA inhalation effects on oxidative stress, inflammation process, genotoxicity, and global DNA methylation in mice as well as to investigate the potential protective effects of melatonin. For that, analyses were performed on lung, liver and kidney tissues, blood, and bone marrow. Bronchoalveolar lavage was used to measure inflammatory parameters. Lipid peroxidation (TBARS), protein carbonyl (PCO), non-protein thiols (NPSH), catalase activity (CAT), comet assay, micronuclei (MN), and global methylation were determined. The exposure to 5-ppm FA resulted in oxidative damage to the lung, presenting a significant increase in TBARS and NO levels and a decrease in NPSH levels, besides an increase in inflammatory cells recruited for bronchoalveolar lavage. Likewise, in the liver tissue, the exposure to 5-ppm FA increased TBARS and PCO levels and decreased NPSH levels. In addition, FA significantly induced DNA damage, evidenced by the increase of % tail moment and MN frequency. The pretreatment of mice exposed to FA applying melatonin improved inflammatory and oxidative damage in lung and liver tissues and attenuated MN formation in bone marrow cells. The pulmonary histological study reinforced the results observed in biochemical parameters, demonstrating the potential beneficial role of melatonin. Therefore, our results demonstrated that FA exposure with repeated doses might induce oxidative damage, inflammatory, and genotoxic effects, and melatonin minimized the toxic effects caused by FA inhalation in mice.

I had intended to give this as an oral presentation at the January New England Fishery Management Council meeting, but I was prevented from attending by an illness. The subject [...]

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) etiology involves genetic susceptibility, environmental triggers, and the gut microbiome. Antibiotic exposure is associated with IBD, both in early life and adulthood. Here, we investigated whether Nod2-deficiency influenced response of the gut microbiota to antibiotics and subsequent colitis susceptibility. Wild-type and Nod2−/−littermate mice were treated with amoxicillin as adults or neonates, and fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing. Five weeks after antibiotic exposure, dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis was induced. Antibiotic treatment altered the microbiota of adult WT and Nod2−/−mice, but recovery was delayed in Nod2−/−mice. Neonatal antibiotic treatment significantly changed the microbiota at weaning in WT and Nod2−/−littermates; however, Nod2−/−mice maintained reduced microbial diversity 14 days after cessation of antibiotics. Although treatment of adult mice did not influence susceptibility to colitis, neonatally treated Nod2−/−mice developed a more severe colitis. Moreover, the colitis phenotype was transferable through fecal transplantation into germ-free Nod2−/−recipients, and was associated with changes in intestinal T cells and the cytokine milieu following inflammation. These data demonstrate that neonatal antibiotic exposure has long-lasting influence on the microbiota and mucosal immunity, and may explain how NOD2 contributes to the risk of intestinal inflammation.

On nov. 12, another episode was added to the unprecedented recent events for American Airlines and the industry when American Flight 587 crashed into a neighborhood near New York's John […]

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in the previous issues, including "Write-Off Boost for Business" in the August 7, 1954 issue, "A Dubious Choice" in the August 7, 1954 issue, and "Reasons for Moving" in the July 24, 1954 issue.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Distribution: Straining to Move the Goods," in the December 31, 1955 issue, "An Industry on the Carpet," in the December 24, 1955 issue, and "Management Briefs," in the January 14, 1956 issue.

This study investigated the influence of human head impact on the severity of traumatic brain injury. Simulation of the dynamic impact of a human head was performed using FEM (finite element method) and employing HIC (Head Injury Criterion). The study of traumatic brain injury included impacts with the occiput, temporal, forehead, and parietal part of the head, and the impact velocity at the surface ranged from 1 to 7 m/s. The following characteristics were considered and analyzed in the simulation: duration of the impact, intracranial pressure, HIC, and change in accelerations at the center of gravity of the brain. The computed distribution of pressure values in the brain during an impact confirmed the theory of inertial intracranial brain displacement. The effect of a protective helmet aimed at reducing the severity of traumatic brain injury was investigated, and a method to determine rational helmet parameters was developed. In the case of the protected head, impact acceleration occurred over a longer period of time, which yielded a reduction in the brain load compared to the unprotected head. The developed method allows us to predict the severity of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the protected/unprotected human head and to provide recommendations for the determination of rational parameters for manufacturing personal protective equipment for the head.

Maximum sustainable yield (MSY)‐based reference points are often prescribed by national and international laws as the basis for catch limits (e.g., the Magnuson–Stevens Reauthorization Act in the United States). However, MSYis highly dependent on the assumed selectivity pattern and catch allocation of the fisheries. The addition of bycatch fleets or mortality from discarding further complicates MSYcalculations, and no prescribed approach has been agreed upon for including complex fleet dynamics in dynamic pool models. Using the Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanusfishery as an example, we demonstrate the various ways that MSYcan be computed when multiple fleets and bycatch fisheries exist, and we illustrate the tradeoffs that occur between yield and spawning stock biomass (SSB). Presenting the full array of alternative MSYproxies, however, can lead to subjective decision making that may diminish the value of scientific advice by encouraging the maximization of yield at the expense of maintaining stocks within safe biological limits. We propose that the spawning potential ratio (SPR) associated with the global (theoretical maximum) MSYcan be utilized as a reasonable proxy in most fishery applications. The yield streams required to achieve SPRMSYcan then be calculated conditional on extant selectivity patterns and bycatch levels. Our approach utilizes the inherently sustainable SSBassociated with the global MSYas a rebuilding target while limiting disruption to the fishery by accounting for current fleet dynamics and avoiding unsustainable proxies that may result when bycatch or discard rates are high.

Physical fitness of soldiers plays an important role during combat operations and training for deployment. The aim of this study was to collect data on the physical activity of soldiers of all rank categories and to identify task areas in which inactivity and the resulting health problems such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and musculoskeletal problems pose a special risk. For this purpose, the physical activity of 169 German soldiers of different ranks and task areas was measured. These soldiers wore accelerometer-based physical activity monitors for a period of 7 days. Their activities were also documented in standardized forms. The results showed that officers (541 steps/h) had the lowest level of physical activity during their duties (compared to noncommissioned officers): 600 steps/h, and junior enlisted personnel: 724 steps/h). With respect to term of enlistment, conscripts and temporary-career volunteers showed a higher level of physical activity than regulars (751 and 640 vs. 539 steps/h). With respect to different task areas, drivers showed the highest activity level, whereas staff personnel showed the lowest. High-ranking personnel and soldiers in staff positions were shown to have the lowest physical activity level. In these groups, possible health problems caused by physical inactivity could be alleviated.

For GMA welding with low-melting filler metals (e.g., Al, Mg), the process behavior is highly affected by instabilities like problems in current transfer. These can be partly reduced by the electronic control behavior of the welding machine or by using new welding technologies. Another approach followed in this work is to examine how the contact tube material influences the process behavior. At present, mainly contact tubes made of copper are used, which have some disadvantages. For example, the contact tube tends towards alloying with the welding wire and the high-thermal coefficient of expansion leads to problems in wire feeding. Within this work, graphite and metal-doped graphite are investigated as potential materials for contact tubes. As a first step, semi-finished products and contact tubes of pure graphite and different doped-graphite compounds were produced. Subsequently, the semi-finished products were examined regarding their electrical and thermal conductivity as well as their hardness. In welding tests, the tendency towards alloying with the welding wire was examined as well as the tool life of the contact tubes. Doping graphite with different contents of copper and silver strongly influences the electrical conductivity. For the hardness, by contrast, doping has only little influence.

The intestinal microbiota is a fundamental factor that broadly influences physiology. Thus, studies using transgenic animals should be designed to limit the confounding effects of microbiota variation between strains. Here, we report the impact on intestinal microbiota of co-housed versus F2-generation littermates, two commonly used techniques to standardize microbiota in animal models. Our results establish that while fecal microbiota is partially normalized by extended co-housing, mucosal communities associated with the proximal colon and terminal ileum remain stable and distinct. In contrast, strain inter-crossing to generate F2 littermates allows robust microbiota standardization in fecal, colon, and ileum sampling locations. Using reciprocal inter-crosses of P1 parents, we identify dissymmetry in F2 community structures caused by maternal transmission, in particular of the Verrucomicrobiaceae. Thus, F2 littermate animals from a unidirectional P1 cross should be used as a standard method to minimize the influence of the microbiota in genotype-phenotype studies.