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In the early nineteenth century, physiology became an increasingly popular and powerful science in the United States. Religious controversy over the nature of human vitality animated much of this interest. On one side of these debates stood Protestant apologists who wedded an immaterialist vitalism to their belief in an immaterial, immortal soul — and therefore to their dreams of a Christian republic. On the other side, religious skeptics argued for a materialist vitalism that excluded anything immaterial from human life, aspiring thereby to eliminate religious interference in the progress of science and society. Both sides hoped that by claiming physiology for their vision of human nature they might direct the future of religion in the US. Ultimately, they failed to realize these ambitions, but their contest posed a dilemma late nineteenth-century physiologists felt compelled to solve: how should they comprehend the relationship between life, body, and soul? Eager to undertake laboratory work and leave metaphysical questions behind, these researchers solved the problem by restricting their work to the body while leaving spiritual matters to preachers. In attempting to escape the vitalism and soul questions, late nineteenth-century Americans thus created a division of labor that shaped the history of medicine and religion for the following century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A deficiency of selenium (Se) in soils and hence forages poses a challenge to producers in the southeast United States, necessitating supplementation of this trace mineral to the diet of pasture fed cattle. Se occurs in either inorganic (ISe) or organic (OSe) forms; ISe is conventionally available in commercial supplements, while OSe is available in grazed forages. We have investigated supplementation with either ISe or a 1:1 mixture of ISe:OSe (MIX) and demonstrated that MIX increases the relative abundance of mRNA encoding the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and enzymes involved in de novo cholesterol synthesis in the corpus luteum, concurrent with a MIX-induced increase in systemic progesterone (P4) during the early luteal phase. We also observed a MIX-induced decrease in circulating cholesterol and low-density/very low-density lipoproteins during early gestation, and a MIX-induced increase in conceptus length at maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP). The objective herein was to investigate the effect of form of Se (ISe versus MIX) on de novo cholesterol synthesis and cholesterol/ steroid catabolism in the liver at MRP. We hypothesized form of Se would affect the abundance of transcripts that regulate synthesis, catabolism, and local concentrations of cholesterol and P4. Angus-cross heifers were supplemented with ISe or MIX for at least 90 d before insemination at observed estrus. On d 17 of pregnancy, heifers (n = 6/TRT) were killed and their reproductive tracts and conceptuses recovered. Hepatic samples were collected for qPCR analysis of mRNA transcripts encoding proteins involved in de novo cholesterol synthesis, regulation of cholesterol availability and steroid catabolism. Additionally, on d 7 and d 17 of pregnancy, we quantified systemic concentrations of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), indicative of cholesterol recycling to the liver. We quantified the relative abundance of 22 mRNAs and observed that heifers supplemented with MIX-form Se had an increase in the relative abundance of mRNA encoding the very low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR, P = 0.01). Unexpectedly, we failed to detect an effect of TRT on the abundance of mRNA encoding the high-density lipoprotein receptor (SCARB1, P > 0.05) which was consistent with our inability to detect an effect on the serum concentration of total or free HDL (P > 0.05) during early pregnancy and at MRP. Of the 11 mRNA transcripts encoding enzymes involved in catabolism of cholesterol and progesterone, including steroid alpha reductases (SRD5A1 and SRD5A3) and cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP4A2, CYP4A11, CYP11A1, and CYP17A1), we were unable to detect a difference in the relative abundance of any transcript. Overall, it appears that the form of Se is altering circulating concentrations of cholesterol and further affecting whole animal physiology and fertility; however, the mechanism involved remains to be fully elucidated and warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last 100 years, fishes native to the Southwestern United States have faced a myriad of biotic and abiotic pressures which has resulted in most being federally listed as endangered or threatened. Most notably, water diversions and the introduction of non-native fishes have been the primary culprits in causing the downfall of native fish populations. We describe how recent studies of morphology, physiology, and behavior yield insights into the failed (occasionally successful) management of this vanishing biota. We describe how understanding locomotor morphologies, physiologies, and behaviors unique to Southwestern native fishes can be used to create habitats that favor native fishes. Additionally, through realizing differences in morphologies and behaviors between native and non-native fishes, we describe how understanding predator–prey interactions might render greater survivorship of native fishes when stocked into the wild from repatriation programs. Understanding fundamental form–function relationships is imperative for managers to make educated decisions on how to best recover species of concern in the Southwestern United States and worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Military aircrews' health status is critical to their mission readiness, as they perform physically and cognitively demanding tasks in nontraditional work environments. Research Objectives: Our objective is to develop a broad operational risk assessment framework and demonstrate its applicability to health risks to aircrews because of airborne chemical exposure, considering stressors such as heat and exertion.Methods: Extrapolation of generic exposure standards to military aviation-specific conditions can include computation of risk-relevant internal dosimetry estimates by incorporating changes in breathing patterns and blood flow distribution because of aspects of the in-flight environment. We provide an example of the effects of exertion on peak blood concentrations of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene computed using a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model.Results: Existing published collections on the effects of flight-related stressors on breathing patterns and blood flow address only a limited number of stressors. Although data exist that can be used to develop operational exposure limits specific to military aircrew activities, efforts to integrate this information in specific chemical assessments have been limited.Conclusions: Efforts to develop operational exposure limits would benefit from guidance on how to make use of existing assessments and expanded databases of the impact of environmental stressors on adult human physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of Achilles tendon (AT) pathology is common and can result in disability. Understanding normal AT properties can improve our ability to prevent AT injuries. We examined the cross-sectional area of the AT at multiple levels in an asymptomatic population of Army Rangers.Methods: This is a prospective cohort study composed of 41 voluntarily recruited United States Army Rangers deployed in a combat theater. All subjects were members of the Ranger Regiment participating in more than 20 h of intense bipedal non-sport weekly training with no history of AT pathology. While standing, each subject had bilateral AT calcaneal tuberosity insertions (0 cm) marked, along with skin markings made at 2 cm, 4 cm, and 6 cm superior to the AT insertion. AT diameter was measured at each level in the coronal and sagittal planes using ultrasound.Results: Mean sagittal diameter of the AT was 4.4 mm, 4.3 mm, 4.2 mm, and 3.9 mm at 0 cm, 2 cm, 4 cm, and 6 cm, respectively. Mean coronal diameter of the AT was 19.3 mm, 14.7 mm, 13.8 mm, and 14.5 mm at 0 cm, 2 cm, 4 cm, and 6 cm, respectively. The cross-sectional area was calculated as 0.66 cm2, 0.5 cm2, 0.46 cm2, and 0.44 cm2 at 0 cm, 2 cm, 4 cm, and 6 cm, respectively.Conclusion: Our data suggest that increased non-sport activity may not increase the cross-sectional area of the AT. Identifying the normal diameter at multiple levels throughout the most commonly injured area may improve the provider's ability to identify early disease processes and apply targeted interventions to help slow or prevent progression and possible rupture.Level of Evidence: Level III-V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is the biggest risk factor for the development of chronic diseases. Telomere length may represent one important mechanism by which dietary intake influences risk of age-related diseases; however, it is unknown which diet pattern is most strongly related to telomere length. We compared the relationships between 4 evidence-based diet quality indices and leukocyte telomere length in a nationally representative sample of healthy adults, and the extent to which these associations differed between men and women. Data on 4,758 adults aged 20–65 years with no prior diagnosis of major chronic disease were obtained from the 1999–2002 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Diet was assessed using one 24-hour dietary recall. After adjustment for sociodemographic and health characteristics, comparison of the top and bottom quintiles showed that higher Healthy Eating Index 2010 scores (β = 0.065, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.018, 0.112; P -trend = 0.007), Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010 scores (β = 0.054, 95% CI: 0.010, 0.097; P -trend = 0.007), Mediterranean Diet scores (β = 0.058, 95% CI: 0.017, 0.098; P -trend = 0.008), and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) scores (β = 0.052, 95% CI: 0.014, 0.090; P -trend = 0.007) were each associated with longer telomere length in women. These results may provide insight into the complex associations between optimal nutrition and longevity. Further investigation is needed to understand why associations were not observed in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study aimed to assess anthropogenic impact of surrounding population in the Private Reserve of Natural Heritage at Pantanal, the world's largest freshwater wetland ecosystem located in the centre of South America. Viral aetiological agents of acute gastroenteritis as rotavirus A (RVA), noroviruses, human adenoviruses, klassevirus and of hepatitis, as hepatitis A virus, were investigated in different aquatic matrices. Annual collection campaigns were carried out from 2009 to 2012, alternating dry and rainy seasons. Viral particles present in the samples were concentrated by the adsorption–elution method, with negatively charged membranes, and detected by qualitative and quantitative PCR. From a total of 43 samples at least one virus was detected in 65% (28) of them. Viruses were detected in all matrices with concentrations ranging from 2 × 102 to 8·3 × 104 genome copies per litre. A significant higher RVA frequency was observed in the dry season. Our data revealing dissemination of human enteric viruses in water matrices both inside and outside the reserve could be useful to trace faecal contamination in the environment and to minimize the risk of infection by exposure of susceptible individuals. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study is part of a collaborative project designed to investigate the environmental and health conditions of the Private Reserve of Natural Heritage at Pantanal, the largest seasonally flooded wetland in the world. The project aimed to promote health and quality of human and wildlife extending technical‐scientific knowledge about pathogens present in the region. By assessing the occurrence of human enteric viruses in different water matrices we demonstrated the anthropogenic impact of surrounding population and pointed out the potential risk of infection by exposure of susceptible individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Conduct a systematic evaluation of indoor and outdoor areas of selected airports, assess compliance and identify areas of improvement with smoke-free policies in airports.Methods: Cross-sectional observational study conducted at 21 airports in Europe (11) and the United States (10). Using a standardized protocol, we assessed compliance (smoking, cigarette butts, smoke smell), and the physical environment (signage, ashtrays, designated smoking rooms [DSRs], tobacco sales).Results: Cigarette butts (45% vs. 0%), smoke smell (67% vs. 0%), ashtrays (18% vs. 10%), and DSRs (63% vs. 30%) were observed more commonly indoors in Europe than in the United States. Poor compliance indoors was related to the presence of DSRs (OR 4.8, 95% CI 0.69, 33.8) and to cigarettes sales in pre-security areas (OR 6.0, 95% CI 0.57, 64.7), although not significantly different. Smoking was common in outdoor areas of airports in Europe and the United States (mean (SD) number of smokers 27.7 (23.6) and 6.3 (7.7), respectively, p value < .001). Around half (55%) of airports in Europe and all airports in the United States had some/partial outdoor smoking restrictions.Conclusions: Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) remains a public health problem in major airports across Europe and in some airports in the United States, specifically related to the presence of DSRs and SHS exposure in outdoor areas. Airports must remove DSRs. Research is needed in low- and middle-income countries and on the effectiveness of outdoor smoking-restricted areas around entryways. Eliminating smoking at airports will protect millions of people from SHS exposure and promote social norms that discourage smoking.Implications: Airports are known to allow exceptions to smoke-free policy by providing DSRs. We found that smoking still occurs in indoor areas in airports, particularly in the context of DSRs. Smoking, moreover, is widespread in outdoor areas and compliance with smoking restrictions is limited. Advancing smoke-free policy requires improvements to the physical environment of airports, including removal of DSRs and implementation of stricter outdoor smoking restrictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A single subtype of canine influenza virus (CIV), A(H3N8), was circulating in the United States until a new subtype, A(H3N2), was detected in Illinois in spring 2015. Since then, this CIV has caused thousands of infections in dogs in multiple states.Methods: In this study, genetic and antigenic properties of the new CIV were evaluated. In addition, structural and glycan array binding features of the recombinant hemagglutinin were determined. Replication kinetics in human airway cells and pathogenesis and transmissibility in animal models were also assessed.Results: A(H3N2) CIVs maintained molecular and antigenic features related to low pathogenicity avian influenza A(H3N2) viruses and were distinct from A(H3N8) CIVs. The structural and glycan array binding profile confirmed these findings and revealed avian-like receptor-binding specificity. While replication kinetics in human airway epithelial cells was on par with that of seasonal influenza viruses, mild-to-moderate disease was observed in infected mice and ferrets, and the virus was inefficiently transmitted among cohoused ferrets.Conclusions: Further adaptation is needed for A(H3N2) CIVs to present a likely threat to humans. However, the potential for coinfection of dogs and possible reassortment of human and other animal influenza A viruses presents an ongoing risk to public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In our U.S. Department of Defense hospital system, pediatric endocrinology and radiology resources to evaluate bone age radiographs are limited. Our tertiary care center provides expert specialty support to remotely stationed beneficiaries at more than 30 Department of Defense medical facilities using a well-established, asynchronous, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant system that allows for physician-to-physician teleconsultation. Up to 14% of these teleconsultations are for endocrinology assessment, many of which include bone age analysis. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of using an automated bone age analysis program using the file format most commonly provided to us, lossy JPEG image files saved at lower quality, to improve access to our consultation services.Methods: All patients seen in the Tripler Army Medical Center pediatric endocrinology clinic, who were being evaluated for poor growth during the 2-month study period and who had a bone age film performed at Tripler Army Medical Center during that time, were eligible to have their deidentified bone age films analyzed. We imported lossy JPEG bone age image files from our hospital web viewer to BoneXpert, version 2.1, using a fully automated, custom built system that reconstructed each file's true resolution and then packaged the original image into a Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine header. The original JPEG files were saved at 70% quality. Bone age readings were compared between our pediatric endocrinologists (ENDO), pediatric radiologists (RADS), and BoneXpert (BONE). Additionally, adult height prediction from ENDO and BONE were compared.Findings: 35 bone age images were evaluated over a 2-month period. Most patients were being evaluated for idiopathic short stature or growth hormone deficiency. Analysis of variance showed no significant differences in mean bone age readings between the 3 groups (mean bone age reading = 9.0, 9.1, and 9.1 years for ENDO, RADS, and BONE, respectively, p = 0.827). Mean (SD) differences between physician and software bone age readings were -0.09 (0.89) years (ENDO) and -0.03 (1.01) years (RADS). Mean difference for adult height predictions was only -0.2 cm (p = 0.806).Discussion: Automated analysis of lossy JPEG files of bone age images using the BoneXpert software appears to be feasible and accurate. Larger studies are needed to validate these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the associations of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality in 12,199 adults participating in 2 population-based prospective cohort studies from Europe (ESTHER) and the United States (Nurses' Health Study). Blood samples were collected in 1989-1990 (Nurses' Health Study) and 2000-2002 (ESTHER). LTL was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We calculated z scores for LTL to standardize LTL measurements across the cohorts. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate relative mortality according to continuous levels and quintiles of LTLz scores. The hazard ratios obtained from each cohort were subsequently pooled by meta-analysis. Overall, 2,882 deaths were recorded during follow-up (Nurses' Health Study, 1989-2010; ESTHER, 2000-2015). LTL was inversely associated with age in both cohorts. After adjustment for age, a significant inverse trend of LTL with all-cause mortality was observed in both cohorts. In random-effects meta-analysis, age-adjusted hazard ratios for the shortest LTL quintile compared with the longest were 1.23 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04,1.46) for all-cause mortality, 1.29 (95% CI: 0.83, 2.00) for cardiovascular mortality, and 1.10 (95% CI: 0.88, 1.37) for cancer mortality. In this study population with an age range of 43-75 years, we corroborated previous evidence suggesting that LTL predicts all-cause mortality beyond its association with age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV) is a light military tactical vehicle. During Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S. Army modified the HMMWV into a combat vehicle by adding vehicle armor, which made the vehicle more difficult to control and more likely to roll over. Consequently, reports of fatal rollover accidents involving up-armored HMMWVs began to accumulate during the up-armoring period (August 2003 to April 2005). Furthermore, the lack of occupant restraint use prevalent in a predominantly young, male, and enlisted military population compounded the injuries resulting from these accidents. In this retrospective case series analysis, we describe the characteristics of U.S. Army HMMWV rollover accidents, occupants, and injuries reported worldwide from fiscal year 1992 to 2013 based on reported occupant restraint use.Methods: We conducted all analyses using Microsoft Excel 2010 and SAS version 9.1. Because this analysis does not constitute human subjects research, no institutional review board review was required. First, we obtained U.S. Army HMMWV accident records from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center, and selected those records indicating a HMMWV rollover had occurred. Next, we successively deduplicated the records at the accident, vehicle, occupant, and injury levels for descriptive analysis of characteristics at each level. For each occupant position, we calculated relative, attributable, and population attributable risks of nonfatal and fatal injury based on reported occupant restraint use. Finally, we analyzed body part injured and nature of injury to characterize the injury patterns that HMMWV occupants in each position sustained based on restraint use. We performed a χ2 test of homogeneity to assess differences in injury patterns between restrained and unrestrained occupants.Results: A total of 819 U.S. Army HMMWV rollover accidents worldwide were reported from October 1991 through May 2013 involving 821 HMMWVs and 1,395 occupants (828 nonfatally injured, 151 fatally injured, and 416 noninjured). Thirty-five percent of more severe (class A and B) accidents involved the M1114 up-armored variant, whereas 32% of less severe (class C and D) accidents involved the M998 nonarmored variant. Unrestrained occupants were 20% more likely to be nonfatally injured and 5.6 times more likely to be fatally injured than were restrained occupants. Among unrestrained occupants, restraint use could have potentially saved 82% of lives lost. Among all occupants involved in a HMMWV rollover, an estimated 56% of fatalities could have been prevented by restraint use. Unrestrained drivers and vehicle commanders had greater than expected torso injuries, while restrained vehicle commanders and passengers had greater than expected upper extremity injuries. Unrestrained drivers had greater than expected fractures, whereas restrained drivers and vehicle commanders had greater than expected sprains/strains.Conclusion: While reporting bias may exist, nevertheless these results show that occupant restraint use confers substantial life-saving protection to HMMWV occupants in rollover accidents. Therefore, commanders, safety officers, and peers should continue to promote and enforce restraint use consistently during all Army ground operations and training involving HMMWVs. Doing so will save Soldiers' lives in rollover accidents during the remaining years of the HMMWV program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prospective and longitudinal epidemiological evidence is needed to assess the association between telomere length and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In 323 cancer-free Korean-American HBV patients with 1-year exclusion window (followed for >1 year and did not develop HCC within 1 year), we measured the relative telomere length (RTL) in baseline serum DNAs and conducted extensive prospective and longitudinal analyses to assess RTL-HCC relationship. We found that long baseline RTL conferred an increased HCC risk compared to short RTL [hazard ratio (HR) = 4.93, P = 0.0005). The association remained prominent when the analysis was restricted to patients with a more stringent 5-year exclusion window (HR = 7.51, P = 0.012), indicating that the association was unlikely due to including undetected HCC patients in the cohort, thus minimizing the reverse-causation limitation in most retrospective studies. Adding baseline RTL to demographic variables increased the discrimination accuracy of the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis from 0.769 to 0.868 (P = 1.0 × 10-5). In a nested longitudinal subcohort of 16 matched cases-control pairs, using a mixed effects model, we observed a trend of increased RTL in cases and decreased RTL in controls along 5 years of follow-up, with a significant interaction of case/control status with time (P for interaction=0.002) and confirmed the association between long RTL and HCC risk [odds ratio [OR] = 3.63, P = 0.016]. In summary, serum DNA RTL may be a novel non-invasive prospective marker of HBV-related HCC. Independent studies are necessary to validate and generalize this finding in diverse populations and assess the clinical applicability of RTL in HCC prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

West Nile virus (WNV) is a major cause of mosquito-borne illness in the United States. Human disease ranges from mild febrile illness to severe fatal neurologic infection. Adults aged >60 years are more susceptible to neuroinvasive disease accompanied by a high mortality rate or long-lasting neurologic sequelae. A chimeric live attenuated West Nile virus vaccine, rWN/DEN4Δ30, was shown to be safe and immunogenic in healthy adults aged 18-50 years. This study evaluated rWN/DEN4Δ30 in flavivirus-naive adults aged 50-65 years and found it to be safe and immunogenic. Outbreaks of WNV infection tend to be unpredictable, and a safe and effective vaccine will be an important public health tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dietary intake of military initial entry trainees is often inadequate because of the structured food environment, lack of snacking, and limited time for meals. Inadequate intake during training increases risk for injury, poor performance, and attrition from training. A performance nutrition initiative was implemented at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland to mitigate this inadequacy in Air Force trainees and better reflect recommendations for active populations and mitigate nutritional inadequacy.Materials and Methods: Trainees (N = 867) in two squadrons either received a nutrition bar before bed (snack squadron n = 423) or did not (standard squadron n = 444). This study retrospectively compared trainees' attrition and fitness measures as recorded in the Basic Military Training (BMT) Surveillance database.Results: Both groups had similar rates of attrition and graduation at the end of 8 weeks (p = 0.23). At the start of training, only one out of four trainees in either Squadron passed the Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA). Although both squadrons' fitness measures improved as a result of the effects of training, the snack squadron had a significantly greater percent improvement in all PFA categories (p < 0.001), as represented by improved muscular fitness measures (p < 0.001), decreased median run time (p = 0.001), and greater improvement in scaled run scores (p = 0.013) as compared to the standard squadron. Those who received the snack were 1.62 (confidence interval: 1.2-2.2) times more likely to pass the PFA at 4 weeks than those who did not receive the snack.Conclusion: This study shows that military trainees' fitness improves with a modest nutritional supplement and suggests that optimizing overall nutrition benefits trainees. Attrition from BMT costs the U.S. Air Force up to $22,000 per trainee lost. In contrast, a trainee could receive one nutrition bar per day during BMT for $34. As the nutrition bar initiative improves fitness as well as costs less than recruiting and medically treating trainees whom ultimately attrite from training, the snack intervention was beneficial. Future studies of strategic nutrition interventions in military training populations can help trainees to better meet their macronutrient and micronutrient needs and further optimize training performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: MDR MRSA isolates cultured from primates, their facility and primate personnel from the Washington National Primate Research Center were characterized to determine whether they were epidemiologically related to each other and if they represented common local human-associated MRSA strains.Methods: Human and primate nasal and composite environmental samples were collected, enriched and selected on medium supplemented with oxacillin and polymyxin B. Isolates were biochemically verified as Staphylococcus aureus and screened for the mecA gene. Selected isolates were characterized using SCCmec typing, MLST and WGS.Results: Nasal cultures were performed on 596 primates and 105 (17.6%) were MRSA positive. Two of 79 (2.5%) personnel and two of 56 (3.6%) composite primate environmental facility samples were MRSA positive. Three MRSA isolates from primates, one MRSA from personnel, two environmental MRSA and one primate MSSA were ST188 and were the same strain type by conventional typing methods. ST188 isolates were related to a 2007 ST188 human isolate from Hong Kong. Both MRSA isolates from out-of-state primates had a novel MLST type, ST3268, and an unrelated group. All isolates carried ≥1 other antibiotic resistance gene(s), including tet(38), the only tet gene identified.Conclusions: ST188 is very rare in North America and has almost exclusively been identified in people from Pan-Asia, while ST3268 is a newly reported MRSA type. The data suggest that the primate MDR MRSA was unlikely to come from primate centre employees. Captive primates are likely to be an unappreciated source of MRSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects almost a quarter of US women, making it a condition of major public health relevance. Key questions remain regarding the etiology of BV, mechanisms for its association with poor reproductive health outcomes, and reasons for high rates of treatment failure. New model systems are required to answer these remaining questions, elucidate the complex host-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions, and develop new, effective interventions. In this review, we cover the strengths and limitations of in vitro and in vivo model systems to study these complex intercellular interactions. Furthermore, we discuss advancements needed to maximize the translational utility of the model systems. As no single model can recapitulate all of the complex physiological and environmental conditions of the human vaginal microenvironment, we conclude that combinatorial approaches using in vitro and in vivo model systems will be required to address the remaining fundamental questions surrounding the enigma that is BV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have examined whether change in cognition is linked to mortality. This study examined the relationship between cognitive trajectories in older age and risk of death.Methods: We studied community-dwelling, nondemented women aged 65+ (mean age = 71) enrolled in a prospective study of aging and followed up to 25 years. A modified Mini-Mental State Examination (mMMSE) and Trail Making Task Part B (TMTB) were administered at multiple visits during follow-up. We examined the association between cognitive trajectories (analyzed by quintiles) from baseline to age 80 (n = 7,477 for mMMSE and n = 6,503 for TMTB) and all-cause mortality after age 80 using Cox regression models, both unadjusted and adjusted for education, physical activity, alcohol, depression score, current smoking and history of hypertension and diabetes. Cause of death was determined from death certificates, classified as cardiovascular, cancer and other.Results: Women with greater rate of decline were older, less educated, less physically active, had higher depression score and were more likely to have a history of hypertension and diabetes (all p < .01). Participants with the greatest decline (quintile 1) had an increased risk of death (mMMSE hazard ratio [HR] = 1.28; TMTB HR = 1.43] and those with the least decline (quintile 5) had a decreased risk of death (mMMSE HR = 0.73; TMTB HR = 0.61) compared with intermediate decliners (quintiles 2-4). Cognitive trajectories were associated with cardiovascular mortality and other causes of death, but not cancer deaths.Conclusions: Our study suggests that greater decline in general cognition or executive function is associated with higher rates of mortality in oldest-old women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are detrimental to the health and productivity of sheep across the world, necessitating genetic selection for improved GIN resistance. In this study, we used genomic analyses across- and within-two important breeds in the United States (US), Rambouillet and Dorper, to investigate physiological mechanisms associated with GIN resistance. Genomic data were evaluated from two experiments where lambs were challenged with GIN, either in a natural environment or artificially. Lambs were genotyped with the Axiom™ Ovine Genotyping Array (50K) with 42,608 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) remaining following quality control for minor allele frequency and variant call rate. In experiment 1, a fecal egg count (FEC) was collected from four-to eightmonth-old Dorper and Rambouillet lambs (n=188 total) exposed to GIN on pasture. Using Plink v1.9, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified significant SNP (P < 6.0e-5) associated with either an increase or decrease of FEC on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 15 and 20. In Experiment 2, Rambouillet lambs (n=77) were inoculated with 10,000 Haemonchus contortus L3 larvae and FEC and packed-cell volume (PCV) were recorded. An ensuing GWAS identified significant SNP (P < 2.0e-5) on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 16, 17 and 23 associated with high and low FEC and SNP on chromosome 10 associated with decreased PCV. Multiple genes were in proximity to the identified SNP, including PIK3 subunits in both experiments. Pathway analysis of reported genes, including PIK3, IMP4, NDST3, MRPL22, HSPA2, TGFA, TGFBR1 and RUNX1 revealed involvement in tissue repair, T-cell differentiation and cytokine signaling in Rambouillet and Dorper sheep more resistant to GIN. Results from this study contribute to the genetic underpinnings of host response to GIN in two important breeds in the US, providing a foundation for future selection of animals more resistant to H. contortus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A sufficient level of vitamin D enhances protection against several infectious diseases; however, its association with cervicovaginal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has not been studied.Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study were from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006. A total of 2353 sexually active women for whom cervicovaginal HPV infection status and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) level were known were studied. Associations between serum 25(OH)D levels (continuous and categorical forms) and cervicovaginal HPV infection (due to high-risk HPV or vaccine-type HPV) were estimated using weighted logistic regression.Results: After adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, and marital status, the odds of high-risk HPV infection were increased per each 10 ng/mL decrease in serum 25(OH)D level (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.27). Similarly, the odds of vaccine-type HPV infection were increased in women with vitamin D levels that were severely deficient (serum 25[OH]D level, <12 ng/mL; aOR, 2.90; 95% CI, 1.32-6.38), deficient (12-19 ng/mL; aOR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.08-4.45), and insufficient (20-29 ng/mL; aOR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.22-3.93), compared with those with vitamin D levels that were sufficient (≥30 ng/mL).Conclusions: Cervicovaginal HPV prevalence is associated with less-than-optimal levels of serum vitamin D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Disability in older African American adults is common, but its basis is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that the level of motor function is associated with incident disability in older African Americans after adjusting for cognition.Methods: A prospective observational cohort study of 605 older community-dwelling African American adults without dementia was carried out. Baseline global motor score summarized 11 motor performances, cognition was based on 19 cognitive tests, and self-reported disability was obtained annually. We examined the association of motor function with incident disability (instrumental activities of daily living [IADL], activities of daily living [ADL], and mobility disability) with a series of Cox proportional hazards models which controlled for age, sex, and education.Results: Average follow-up was about 5 years. In proportional hazards models, a 1-SD increase in baseline level of global motor score was associated with about a 50% decrease in the risk of subsequent IADL, ADL, and mobility disability (all p values < .001). These associations were unchanged in analyses controlling for cognition and other covariates. Further, the association of global motor score and incident ADL disability varied with the level of cognition (estimate -5.541, SE 1.634, p < .001), such that higher motor function was more protective at higher levels of cognition. Mobility and dexterity components of global motor score were more strongly associated with incident disability than strength (all p values < .001).Conclusions: Better motor function in older African Americans is associated with a decreased risk of developing disability. Moreover, the association of motor function and disability is stronger in individuals with better cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. We analyzed whether obesity and diabetes were associated with iGAS infections and worse outcomes among an adult US population. Methods. We determined the incidence of iGAS infections using 2010-2012 cases in adults aged ≥18 years from Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs), a population-based surveillance system, as the numerator. For the denominator, we used ABCs catchment area population estimates from the 2011 to 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. The relative risk (RR) of iGAS was determined by obesity and diabetes status after adjusting for age group, gender, race, and other underlying conditions through binomial logistic regression. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine whether obesity or diabetes was associated with increased odds of death due to iGAS compared to normal weight and nondiabetic patients, respectively. Results. Between 2010 and 2012, 2927 iGAS cases were identified. Diabetes was associated with an increased risk of iGAS in all racial groups (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] ranged from 2.71 to 5.08). Grade 3 obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥40) was associated with an increased risk of iGAS for whites (aRR = 3.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.00-4.01). Grades 1-2 (BMI = 30.0-<40.0) and grade 3 obesity were associated with an increased odds of death (odds ratio [OR] = 1.55, [95% CI, 1.05, 2.29] and OR = 1.62 [95% CI, 1.01, 2.61], respectively) when compared to normal weight patients. Conclusions. These results may help target vaccines against GAS that are currently under development. Efforts to develop enhanced treatment regimens for iGAS may improve prognoses for obese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is highly prevalent at ages 80 and above. The association of physical functioning (PF), a key to an optimal aging trajectory, with CVD and specific CVD diagnosis in women who survive to age 80 and above has not been described previously and has important public health significance given our aging population.Methods: Women's Health Initiative participants aged 80 years or older at the time of self-reporting PF (RAND SF-36) were studied in relationship to CVD diagnosis, whether present at study baseline (1993-1998) or diagnosed during follow-up through 2012. Cross-sectional analyses utilized demographic, medical, lifestyle, and psycho-social questionnaire data from baseline or updated at the time of self-reported PF.Results: Among 27,145 older Women's Health Initiative participants, 22.0% (N = 5,959) had been diagnosed with CVD, specifically: 11.3% (N = 3,071) with coronary heart disease; 4.7% (N = 1,279), stroke; 5.2% (N = 1,397), venous thromboembolism; 2.7% (N = 737), peripheral arterial disease; and 2.7% (N = 725), congestive heart failure. PF scores (mean ± SE) were significantly (p < .0001) higher without CVD (60.0 ± 26.9), compared with any CVD (47.9 ± 27.3), and for each specific CVD diagnosis: coronary heart disease (48.8 ± 27.1); stroke (44.8 ± 27.9); venous thromboembolism (48.9 ± 27.4); peripheral arterial disease (41.9 ± 2.2); and congestive heart failure (38.8 ± 26.1). Regardless of CVD diagnosis, higher PF was associated with: younger age at the time of PF assessment; lower body mass index; higher recreational physical activity; better self-reported general health; fewer hip fractures after age 55; no history of arthritis; and no recent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Conclusions: Older women with any CVD, and particularly women with congestive heart failure or peripheral arterial disease, reported significantly lower PF compared to women with no CVD. Regardless of CVD diagnosis, higher PF was strongly associated with a more active lifestyle and lower body mass index, suggesting potential intervention targets for more optimal aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is considerable evidence that a healthy lifestyle consisting of physical activity, healthy diet, and weight control is associated with reduced risk of morbidity and mortality after cancer. However, these behavioral interventions are not widely adopted in practice or community settings. Integrating heath behavior change interventions into standard survivorship care for the growing number of cancer survivors requires an understanding of the current state of the science and a coordinated scientific agenda for the future with focused attention in several priority areas. To facilitate this goal, this paper presents trends over the past decade of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) research portfolio, fiscal year 2004 to 2014, by funding mechanism, research focus, research design and methodology, primary study exposures and outcomes, and study team expertise and composition. These data inform a prioritized research agenda for the next decade focused on demonstrating value and feasibility and creating desire for health behavior change interventions at multiple levels including the survivor, clinician, and healthcare payer to facilitate the development and implementation of appropriately targeted, adaptive, effective, and sustainable programs for all survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting in the 1950s, physicians and researchers began to debate the exact nature of the relationship among blood cholesterol, diet, and cardiovascular risk. Using professional medical, public health, and scientific journals, this article examines the history of a series of intense and sustained debates regarding the credibility of the diet-heart hypothesis, which proposed that diet was causally linked to coronary artery disease. Brought about by intellectual disagreements and illuminated by personal quarrels, these debates created a profound professional rift among researchers who debated whether observational data could be used to prove that dietary intake caused heart disease and who sought to differentiate between "good" and "bad" science. But while the debate persisted into the early 1980s, Americans had begun to adopt the diet-heart hypothesis as public health truth as early as the 1960s, embracing cookbooks promoting "heart healthy" diets that promised to prevent coronary artery disease. Although critics and advocates of diet-heart continued to debate the theory' s finer points, the widespread adoption of diet-heart in American homes meant that the debate had become almost moot by the time the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute officially endorsed the hypothesis in the 1980s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The average salt intake of people in Canada, the United States, and Europe is about 3,400mg of sodium per day, which exceeds the recommended intake levels set by various health organizations. The World Health Organization recommends a worldwide reduction of sodium intake to less than 2,000mg per day. Most research to date has focused on the negative effects of high-sodium intake; however, little information is available on the metabolic effects of low-sodium intakes. This review focuses on the hormonal changes associated with low-sodium diets, specially the hormones involved in metabolism and cardiovascular and renal function. Based largely on rodent studies, low-sodium diets have been associated with changes in glycemic control, energy metabolism, cardiovascular disease risk, cholesterol concentrations, inflammation, and functioning of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Overall, research has revealed mixed results regarding the impact of dietary sodium intake on various hormones. Further research is required to assess the effects of sodium reduction on hormones and their associated pathways in order to determine the likelihood of any unintended effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Infant mortality rates in the US exceed those in all other developed countries and in many less developed countries, suggesting political factors may contribute.Methods Annual time series on overall, White and Black infant mortality rates in the US were analysed over the 1965–2010 time period to ascertain whether infant mortality rates varied across presidential administrations. Data were de-trended using cubic splines and analysed using both graphical and time series regression methods.Results Across all nine presidential administrations, infant mortality rates were below trend when the President was a Democrat and above trend when the President was a Republican. This was true for overall, neonatal and postneonatal mortality. Regression estimates show that, relative to trend, Republican administrations were characterized by infant mortality rates that were, on average, 3% higher than Democratic administrations. In proportional terms, effect size is similar for US Whites and Blacks. US Black rates are more than twice as high as White, implying substantially larger absolute effects for Blacks.Conclusions We found a robust, quantitatively important association between net of trend US infant mortality rates and the party affiliation of the president. There may be overlooked ways by which macro-dynamics of policy impact microdynamics of physiology, suggesting the political system is a component of the underlying mechanism generating health inequality in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Data from animal models, historical cohorts, and modern epidemiologic studies have suggested that maternal characteristics can affect reproductive health of offspring; however, distinguishing between prenatal and postnatal contributions is difficult. Anogenital distance (AGD), the distance from the anus to the genitals, is believed to be a biomarker of prenatal androgen exposure in many species, and in humans it has been associated with several adult reproductive health outcomes. We used data from a pregnancy cohort study conducted in 4 US cities from 1999–2005 to examine whether AGD measurements in infants were associated with maternal self-reported age at conception, age at menarche, age at first birth, parity, and gravidity. AGD was measured in 289 infants (140 male, 149 female) born to study participants. After adjustment for relevant covariates, in linear regression models stratified by infant sex, maternal age was positively associated with AGD in male infants (AGD, anus to penis: β = 0.50, P = 0.002; AGD, anus to scrotum: β = 0.29, P = 0.02) but not female infants. Parity was inversely associated with AGD (anus to scrotum; β = −1.68, P = 0.03) in male infants. No other maternal characteristic predicted AGD in either sex. The mechanism underlying the unexpected relationship between maternal characteristics and AGD is unknown; however, we suggest several possibilities for future study. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper investigates the origins of the practice of dissection in American medical education in order to both understand the function of dissection in medical education and challenge conventional wisdom about that function. In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, American medical schools increasingly made human dissection a crucial part of their curricula, privileging use of the human cadaver over any other anatomical model. In this paper, I break apart the claims that American physicians made at that time regarding the unique pedagogic usefulness of the cadaver, and I juxtapose those claims against the realities of the dissection process. In doing so, I show how the realities of dissection differed sharply from the depictions given by physicians. In the conclusion, I argue that the cadaver still remained epistemologically and ontologically useful to the medical profession, although not necessarily for the reasons physicians explicitly stated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Stomata control tree transpiration by sensing and integrating environmental signals originating in the atmosphere and soil, and co-occurring species may differ in inherent stomatal sensitivity to these above- and belowground signals and in the types of signals to which they respond. Stomatal responsiveness to environmental signals is likely to differ across species having different types of wood (e.g., ring-porous, diffuse-porous and coniferous) because each wood type differs in the structure, size and spatial distribution of its xylem conduits as well as in the scaling of hydraulic properties with stem diameter. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of variation in soil water availability and atmospheric evaporative demand on stomatal regulation of transpiration in seven co-occurring temperate deciduous forest species representing three wood types. We measured whole-tree sap flux and soil and atmospheric variables in a mixed deciduous forest in central Pennsylvania over the course of a growing season characterized by severe drought and large fluctuations in atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (D). The relative sensitivity of sap flux to soil drying was ~2.2-2.3 times greater in the diffuse-porous and coniferous species than in the ring-porous species. Stomata of the ring-porous oaks were only about half as responsive to increased D as those of trees of the other two wood types. These differences in responsiveness to changes in the belowand aboveground environment implied that regulation of leaf water potential in the ring-porous oaks was less stringent than that in the diffuse-porous angiosperms or the conifers. The results suggest that increases in the frequency or intensity of summer droughts in the study region could have multiple consequences for forest function, including altered successional time courses or climax species composition and cumulative effects on whole-tree architecture, resulting in a structural and physiological legacy that would restrict the ability of trees to respond rapidly to more favorable growth conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the last year, all 50 states in the United States have adopted newborn screening (NBS) protocols for cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common fatal autosomal recessive disease among Caucasian populations. In this overview, we discuss the rationale for implementing NBS for CF and discuss the different testing algorithms states have adopted. Based on studies in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, these measures will likely lead to less severe disease, prolonged life, and more cost-effective management of CF in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To learn about African American older adults’ knowledge and perceptions of brain donation, factors that relate to participating or not participating in a brain donation research program, and methods to increase African American brain donation commitment rates in the context of an Alzheimer's disease (AD) research program. Design and Methods: African American older adults (n = 15) from the Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Core Center participant research registry enrolled in 1 of 2 focus groups of 90 min about brain donation. Seven participants were selected for a third follow-up focus group. Results: Focus group transcripts were analyzed using consensual qualitative research methods, and 8 overarching themes emerged: (a) perceptions of and misconceptions about brain donation procedures, (b) racial minorities in medical research, (c) racial disparities and discrimination in medical settings, (d) influence of religion and spirituality, (e) family perceptions of and involvement in donation, (f) family history of disease and desire to find a cure, (g) prior exposure to medical and research settings, and (h) culturally sensitive approaches to brain donation. Implications: Culturally relevant educational protocols need to be created for use with African American older adults. These protocols should include information about brain donation procedures, rates of AD among Black elders, and potential benefits of donation to Black communities; inclusion of religious figures, family, and peers in donation education and decisions; and methods to address mistrust, including cultural competence trainings for staff. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Current US guidelines for cholesterol recommend limiting intake of cholesterol to <300 mg/day for the general population and <200 mg/day for individuals with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These recommendations, however, are at odds with international (e.g., Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia) guidelines that provide no specific numerical recommendation, but instead recommend reducing total fat intake and shifting fat consumption away from saturated and trans fats to unsaturated fats. A conference was held on December 3, 2008, to evaluate the data supporting current US nutrition policy recommendations to limit dietary cholesterol and analyze the consequences of this policy on the eating patterns and health of the US population. This review is a summary of the information and perspectives presented by conference speakers and discussed by conference participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perchlorate inhibits the uptake of iodide into the thyroid gland, thereby possibly affecting the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Pregnant women and their fetuses and newborns have the greatest potential for risk of adverse health effects following exposure to perchlorate. Perchlorate is present in some foods and in drinking water in certain areas of the United States. Based on the available information, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is not recommending that consumers of any age alter their diet or eating habits due to perchlorate exposure. If one eats a healthy diet that is consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, taking iodine supplements is not necessary for protection against health effects associated with perchlorate at the levels present in water and foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to evaluate quality and yield attributes of Mexican beef carcasses to serve as a benchmark for production in the Mexican beef cattle industry. Seven packing plants were surveyed nationwide. Carcass yield and quality traits were assessed in the cooler at approximately 24 h postmortem. Results indicated that around 90% of the beef slaughter population in Mexico has a strong Bos indicus genetic background. Moreover, 71.6% of the surveyed cattle are presented for slaughter at a BW between 400 and 500 kg. Chilled carcass weight was between 220 and 340 kg in 88.9% of the surveyed population. According to European beef carcass grading standards, carcass conformation varied from poor to good in 82% of the carcasses, whereas in 17.8% the conformation was very good or excellent. In 60.7% of the surveyed carcasses the KPH was 2% or less. The subcutaneous fat depth was 1 cm or less in 90% of the carcasses. In 71.8% of the carcasses the LMA was of 80 cm2 or less, whereas only 8.6% had LMA values of 90 cm2 or greater. Carcass maturity score USDA B'°° or less was found in 92.4% of the evaluated carcasses, whereas 28.5% were graded as USDA A100/B00. A total of 93.6% of the sample had marbling scores of 300 or less, corresponding to the categories slight, practically devoid, or traces. Only 12.9% of the carcasses exhibited a yellow fat cover. In the remaining 87.1% the fat cover was white or beige. The backfat layer was uniform in 43.2% of the carcasses, whereas 55.9% had an uneven fat cover. Information from this survey provided data that could serve as a means to develop a yield and quality evaluation program that can be further developed into a value system for Mexican beef carcasses and live cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 295 goats from 4 breeds (Alpine, n = 74; Angora, n = 75; Boer-cross, n = 73; Spanish, n = 73) were used to assess the retention of 3 types of electronic ruminal boluses (B1, 20 g, n = 95; B2, 75 g, n = 100; and B3, 82 g, n = 100) according to breed and feeding conditions. Time for bolus administration, reading with a handheld reader, and animal data recording (goat identification, breed, and bolus type) were registered. Each goat was also identified with 1 flag-button plastic ear tag (4.6 g, 51 × 41 mm). Retention of boluses and ear tags was regularly monitored for 1 yr. Ruminal fluid in 5 goats from each breed and management group was obtained with an oro-ruminal probe at 2 h after feeding. Ruminal pH was measured at 24 h and at wk 1, 2, 3, and 4 and used as an indicator of feeding conditions on rumen environment. Time for bolus administration differed by bolus type (B1, 14 ± 2 s; B2, 24 ± 2 s; B3, 27 ± 2 s; P < 0.05) and goat breed (Alpine, 34 ± 3 s; Angora, 17 ± 2 s; Boer-cross, 16 ± 1 s; Spanish, 19 ± 2 5; P < 0.05), although differences were due to greater times for B2 and B3 in Alpine goats. Time for bolus administration averaged 22 ± 1 s, and overall time for bolusing, reading, and data typing was 49 ± 1 s on average. Ruminal pH differed according to breed and feeding management (lactating Alpine, 6.50 ± 0.07; yearling Alpine, 6.73 ± 0.07; Angora, 6.34 ± 0.06; Boer-cross, 6.62 ± 0.04; Spanish, 6.32 ± 0.08; P < 0.05), but no early bolus losses occurred; rumen pH did not differ according to bolus type (B1, 6.45 ± 0.05; B2, 6.39 ± 0.07; B3, 6.49 ± 0.05; P> 0.05). At 6 mo, electronic boluses showed greater retention than ear tags (99.7 vs. 97.2%; P < 0.05). At 12 mo, bolus retention was 96.3, 100, and 97.8% for B1, B2, and B3, respectively, not differing between B1 and B3 (P = 0.562). No effect of breed and bolus type on bolus retention was detected. No goat losing, at the same time, both bolus and ear tag was observed. Ear tag retention (91.7%) was less (P < 0.05) than all types of bolus (98.1%) on average. Ear tag retention in Boer-cross (98.6%) and Alpine (96.9%) goats was greater (P < 0.05) than in Spanish (88.7%) and Angora (82.9%) and tended to differ (P = 0.095) between Spanish and Alpine. In conclusion, unlike flag-button visual ear tags and mini-boluses used here, properly designed boluses (e.g., standard bolus) met International Committee for Animal Recording and National Animal Identification System retention requirements for goat identification under US conditions and are recommended in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares population mean hearing threshold levels in decibels (dB) at 4 kHz among the 2001-02 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (n = 1,872) and the 2003-05 Fort Bliss Army Active Duty (AD) (n = 9,096), National Guard (NG) (n = 3,842), and Reserve Components (RC) (n = 2,025) and by gender. Comparisons between male populations show that mean hearing thresholds are not significantly different (p < 0.05) between U.S. Army Active Duty males and NHANES males, which differ from a 1984 U.S. Army Active Duty/1971-74 NHANES study showing significantly higher hearing thresholds for the Army Active Duty population. In addition, this study shows that Active Duty males have significantly lower hearing thresholds than National Guard males at ages <40 years old. Female groups generally have significantly lower hearing thresholds than male groups at all ages, but there are not significant differences between female military and civilian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L). Carr.) is a late-successional species found across the northeastern United States of America that is currently threatened by the exotic pest, hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand). Because whole-tree physiological characteristics may scale to influence ecosystem processes, we considered whole-tree hydraulic controls in eastern hemlock and the replacement species black birch (Betula lenta L.). Through a series of misting perturbations, whole-tree resistances (R), capacitances (C) and time constants (τ) were determined from time series sap flux data in eastern hemlock and black birch. Black birch trees responded more rapidly to environmental perturbations than eastern hemlock. Utilizing the step function after applied treatments, whole-tree τ ranged between 9.4 and 24.8 min in eastern hemlock trees compared with 5.9 to 10.5 min in black birch. Species was not a significant predictor of R or C when controlling for tree size. In both species, R decreased with sapwood area and C increased. Our τ results indicate that the loss and replacement of eastern hemlock by black birch will decrease the lag between transpiration and absorption of water from the soil and potentially alter the diurnal pattern of carbon and water uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the past decade has witnessed increased usage of ecological data to map the community-level effects of religion, the vast majority of studies in this body of scholarship continue to be plagued by two key shortcomings. First, ecological research on religion is often conducted in an atheoretical manner, one that privileges the structural character of religion while failing to demonstrate sensitivity to the substance of collectively held religious beliefs and values. Second, ecological scholarship often employs crude methodological techniques that overlook noteworthy distinctions within large religious collectivities (e.g., variants of conservative Protestantism, Catholicism and Judaism). This study charts new theoretical and methodological directions in the use of ecological data by exploring the complex linkages between religious ecology and mortality in the United States. We hypothesize that the other-worldly theology and individualistic orientation found in conservative Protestantism dampens this faith tradition's commitment to population health, thereby leading to demonstrably different outcomes in mortality by denominational families. Also, drawing on previous work that criticizes the "monolithic bloc" depiction of conservative Protestantism, we hypothesize that important distinctions in mortality will be found when sub-groups of conservative Protestants (evangelicals, Pentecostals and fundamentalists) are compared because each of these factions exhibits distinct degrees of other-worldliness. Using restricted county-level data from the National Center for Health Statistics and 2000 Churches and Church Congregations data, we observe noteworthy religious differences in mortality, thereby underscoring a need for the development of more sophisticated theoretical and methodological approaches to the ecological study of religion. Ecological researchers are encouraged to take seriously the content of collectively held religious beliefs and exhibit sensitivity toward the distinctive worldviews that hold sway within particular faith traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines how faith in science led physicians and patients to embrace the low-fat diet for heart disease prevention and weight loss. Scientific studies dating from the late 19405 showed a correlation between high-fat diets and high-cholesterol levels, suggesting that a low-fat diet might prevent heart disease in high-risk patients. By the 1960s, the low-fat diet began to be touted not just for high-risk heart patients, but as good for the whole nation. After 1980, the low-fat approach became an overarching ideology promoted by physicians, the federal government, the food industry, and the popular health media. Many Americans subscribed to the ideology of low fat, even though there was no clear evidence that it prevented heart disease or promoted weight loss. Ironically, in the same decades that the low-fat approach assumed ideological status, Americans in the aggregate were getting fatter, leading to what many called an obesity epidemic. Nevertheless, the low-fat ideology had such a hold on Americans that skeptics were dismissed. Only recently has evidence of a paradigm shift begun to surface, first with the challenge of the low-carbohydrate diet and then, with a more moderate approach, reflecting recent scientific knowledge about fats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In I952, the University of Michigan physiologist Robert Gesell shocked his colleagues at the business meeting of the American Physiological Society by reading a prepared statement in which he claimed that some of the animal experimentation being carried out by scientists was inhumane. He especially attacked the National Society for Medical Research (NSMR), an organization that had been founded to defend animal experimentation. This incident was part of a broader struggle taking place at the time between scientists and animal welfare advocates with respect to what restrictions, if any, should be placed on animal research. A particularly controversial issue was whether or not pound animals should be made available to laboratories for research. Two of the prominent players in this controversy were the NSMR and the Animal Welfare Institute, founded and run by Gesell's daughter, Christine Stevens. This article focuses on the interaction between these two organizations within the broader context of the debate over animal experimentation in the mid-twentieth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Sexual perceptions and activities are influenced by pregnancy and childbirth due to both physical and emotional changes. Aim. Our goal was to illuminate the sexuality issues of concern to first-time parents (mothers and fathers) of healthy, singleton newborns in one U.S. academic hospital. Main Outcome Measures. Number of sexuality concerns and self-reported degree of resolution by months postpartum and gender of parent. Methods. Anonymous, cross-sectional postal survey of two first-time parent cohorts: 4 months postpartum (113 responses/404 mailed = 28.0%) and 12 months postpartum (99 responses/394 mailed = 25.1%). Results. Approximately half of the parents reported questions or concerns on between two and eight of 19 sexuality topics. Only 11% of participating mothers and 17% of participating fathers had one or no concerns ( P = 0.27 by gender), and 17% of mothers and 9% of fathers had >13 concerns ( P = 0.12 by gender). There were fewer maternal concerns if they did not live with the father ( P = 0.01), slightly fewer if the delivery was vaginal vs. cesarean ( P = 0.07), and no differences by forceps/vacuum use or episiotomy/vaginal tear. The top concerns at 4 months postpartum were quite similar by gender and included when to resume intercourse, birth control, and the sexual impact of physical recovery from delivery. At 12 months, mothers and fathers both frequently reported a sexuality impact from the mother’s body image concerns and desire discrepancy. One year postpartum, there were three sexuality topics with fairly high prevalence (more than one-third parents had this concern) that persisted (no self-reported resolution among at least one-third of parents): child-rearing differences with spouse, greater desire by the man than the woman, and the mother’s body image. Conclusions. New mothers and fathers both have postpartum sexuality concerns/questions, many of which can be addressed by healthcare providers. Pastore L, Owens A, and Raymond C. Postpartum sexuality concerns among first-time parents from one U.S. academic hospital. J Sex Med 2007;4:115–123. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that examined skull morphometry of juvenile and adult bottlenose dolphins from Texas and Florida. Presence of sexual dimorphism in skulls of bottlenose dolphins from Texas; Materials and methods used in the study; Results; Discussion.

Focuses on a study which evaluated the association between potential risk factors and falls in a sample of Afro-American and White elderly persons in Piedmont region of North Carolina. Reference to the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly; Methodology of the study; Characteristics of subjects; Factors associated with multiple falls; Analysis of findings.

Background: Individuals with Barrett's esophagus, in which the normal squamous esophageal epithelium is replaced with a columnar mucosa, are at increased risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma. Mucosal injury may be involved in the progression to neoplasia via the synthesis of prostaglandins and other mediators of inflammation. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is the rate-limiting enzyme involved in prostaglandin synthesis. We examined the effect of inhibiting COX-2 activity in Barrett's esophageal cells.Methods: Primary esophageal epithelial and fibroblast cell cultures were established from endoscopic biopsy specimens from 20 consecutive patients with Barrett's esophagus. COX-2 expression and activity were determined on pooled cell cultures by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) enzyme immunoassay, respectively. Proliferation was measured by Ki-67 staining. PGE(2) levels were determined in supernatants from epithelial cells treated with the selective COX-2 inhibitor NS-398, proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and conditioned medium from fibroblast cultures (both unstimulated and stimulated with proinflammatory cytokines).Results: Esophageal epithelial cells and fibroblasts expressed COX-2 messenger RNA. Compared with control-treated cells, NS-398 decreased proliferation of Barrett's esophageal epithelial cells by 55% (95% confidence interval = 47.1% to 63.8%; P<.001) and decreased COX-2 activity. The addition of exogenous PGE(2) reversed the antiproliferative effect of NS-398 on Barrett's esophageal epithelial cells. Proinflammatory cytokines did not affect COX-2 activity in esophageal epithelial cells but stimulated COX-2 activity in fibroblasts. However, conditioned medium from unstimulated and stimulated fibroblasts increased COX-2 activity in esophageal epithelial cells.Conclusion: COX-2 is functionally active in Barrett's esophagus because treatment with the COX-2 inhibitor hinders proliferation of Barrett's esophageal epithelial cells in culture, but proliferation is restored by treatment with prostaglandin. These results raise the possibility that inhibition of COX-2 may have chemopreventive potential for Barrett's esophagus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents critical interactive thinking exercises (CITE) employed at two different universities to enhance student knowledge retention and promote the development of critical thinking. General topics in reproductive physiology that were incorporated into CITE; Cumulative results of student surveys collected at Michigan State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia; Benefits of the CITE.

Background: Leading a Western lifestyle, being overweight, and being sedentary are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Recent theories propose that the effects of these risk factors may be mediated by increases in circulating insulin levels and in the bioactivity of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a case-control study nested within a cohort of 14 275 women in New York.Methods: We used blood samples that had been obtained from these women from March 1985 through June 1991 and stored in a biorepository. C-peptide (a marker for insulin secretion), IGF-I, and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs)-1, -2, and -3 were assayed in the serum of 102 women who subsequently developed colorectal cancer and 200 matched control subjects. Logistic regression was used to relate cancer risk to these peptide levels, by adjustment for other risk factors. All statistical tests used are two-sided.Results: Colorectal cancer risk increased with increasing levels of C-peptide (P:(trend) =.001), up to an odds ratio (OR) of 2. 92 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26-6.75) for the highest versus the lowest quintiles, after adjustment for smoking. For colon cancer alone (75 case subjects and 146 control subjects), ORs increased up to 3.96 (95% CI = 1.49-10.50; P:(trend) <.001) for the highest versus the lowest quintiles. A statistically significant decrease in colorectal cancer risk was observed for increasing levels of IGFBP-1 (P:(trend) =.02; OR in the upper quintile = 0.48 [95% CI = 0.23-1. 00]), as well as for the highest quintile of IGFBP-2 levels (P:(trend) =.06; OR = 0.38 [95% CI = 0.15-0.94]). Colorectal cancer risk showed a modest but statistically nonsignificant positive association with levels of IGF-I and was statistically significantly increased for the highest quintile of IGFBP-3 (OR = 2.46 [95% CI = 1. 09-5.57]).Conclusions: Chronically high levels of circulating insulin and IGFs associated with a Western lifestyle may increase colorectal cancer risk, possibly by decreasing IGFBP-1 and increasing the bioactivity of IGF-I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which determined the difference in febrile response in free-living and laboratory-maintained California squirrels when injected with endotoxin. Implications of the results on the hypothesis regarding the body temperature of the squirrels living in the natural environment; Materials and methods; Results and discussion.

Presents a study on the effects of age, sex, season, and year on body mass of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) at the Naval Petroleum Reserves in California. Growth rates; Sexual dimorphism; Annual variation in mass.