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Introduction: The barrier function of the gut is important for many organs and systems, including the brain. If gut permeability increases, bacterial fragments may enter the circulation, giving rise to increased systemic inflammation. Increases in bacterial translocation are reflected in higher values of blood markers, including lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14). Some pioneer studies showed a negative association between bacterial translocation markers and brain volumes, but this association remains scarcely investigated. We investigate the effect of bacterial translocation on brain volumes and cognition in both healthy controls and patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD). Materials and methods: Healthy controls (n = 39) and SSD patients (n = 72) underwent an MRI‐scan, venipuncture and cognition assessments. We investigated associations between LBP and sCD14 and brain volumes (intracranial volume, total brain volume, and hippocampal volume) using linear regression. We then associated LBP and sCD14 to cognitive function using a mediation analysis, with intracranial volume as mediator. Results: Healthy controls showed a negative association between hippocampal volume and LBP (b = –0.11, p =.04), and intracranial volume and sCD14 (b = –0.25, p =.07). Both markers were indirectly associated with lower cognitive functioning in healthy controls (LBP: b = –0.071, p =.028; sCD14: b = –0.213, p =.052), mediated by low intracranial volume. In the SSD patients, these associations were markedly less present. Conclusion: These findings extend earlier studies suggesting that increased bacterial translocation may negatively affect brain volume, which indirectly impacts cognition, even in this young healthy group. If replicated, this finding stresses the importance of a healthy gut for the development and optimal functioning of the brain. Absence of these associations in the SSD group may indicate that other factors such as allostatic load, chronic medication use and interrupted educational carrier had larger impact and attenuated the relative contribution of bacterial translocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the floral characteristics, floral biology and floral visitors of the six Bornean Tacca species: T. bibracteata (only floral characteristics), T. borneensis, T. havilandii, T. leontopetaloides, T. palmata and T. reducta, and T. cristata from Peninsular Malaysia. All species are protogynous with pollen strings extruded post flower opening. Blooming of all species started from dawn except for T. leontopetaloides which flowered from dusk. While T. borneensis, T. cristata, T. havilandii, T. leontopetaloides and T. reducta are facultatively autogamic as the pollen/ovule ratios (P/O ratios) were low, T. bibracteata is facultatively xenogamic as its P/O ratio was higher. Four species (T. borneensis, T. cristata, T. havilandii and T. reducta) were tested for autonomous self‐pollination but all failed to set fruit. Manual self‐ and cross‐pollination treatments of T. borneensis, T. cristata and T. havilandii showed reduced fruit set and seed set. In contrast, T. reducta was highly self‐compatible. The showy bracts and bracteoles of T. borneensis are needed to guarantee pollination success but is not so in the other species investigated. Tacca are pollinated by two pollination guilds of female midges: two species of Forcipomyia (Lasiohelea) and Culicoides hinnoi. The floral biology and mating system of Tacca species indicate that most fruits and seeds were produced in samples resulting from natural pollination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Peripheral caries (PC) has recently been shown to affect over half of UK and Australian horses. Objectives: To examine affected cheek teeth histologically and ultrastructurally, to assess the possible route(s) of carious infection into the dental tissues and to further describe the pathological changes in affected teeth. Study design: Descriptive pathological study. Methods: Four control and 16 cheek teeth with different grades of PC were examined grossly, histologically and by electron microscopy. Results: Cariogenic bacteria from plaque entered peripheral cementum perpendicular to the sides of teeth alongside Sharpey's fibres or vascular channels or more horizontally alongside exposed intrinsic fibres and cemental growth lines. Subsequent intra‐cemental bacterial spread created different patterns of caries including vertical and horizontal flake‐like patterns; deep, large flask‐shaped or smaller superficial ellipsoid‐shaped lytic lesions. Cemental caries progressed to affect enamel, dentine and even pulp. Gross examination underestimated the degree of caries observed on histological evaluation. Main limitations: No dental histories were available; all teeth were examined on a single occasion. Conclusion: Equine PC causes different patterns of cemental lesions that appear dependent on the route of cariogenic bacterial invasion. Progression of caries can lead to pulpitis and tooth loss. Gross examination can underestimate the true extent of caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Although, peripheral caries (PC) affects almost half of UK horses, no comprehensive microbiological study has been performed on this disorder. As a high proportion of oral bacteria cannot be conventionally cultured, molecular microbiological techniques such as Next Generation Sequencing are required to examine the complex oral bacteria community. Objectives: To identify the microbiota involved in equine PC, including comparing microbiota at the more commonly and severely affected three caudal cheek teeth with the less commonly affected three rostral cheek teeth. Study design and Methods: Equine dental plaque samples were collected from the palatal aspects of cheek teeth of 63 horses. DNA was isolated and amplified using PCR, targeting the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene and Next Generation Sequencing of these gene amplicons was performed. The acquired data were processed and analysed using Mothur and R. Results: Streptococcus species was the genus most commonly associated with equine PC, whereas Gemella species was the genus most associated with the control group. In a further analysis where the rostral and caudal cheek teeth were compared with each other and with the control group. Veillonella species was the most commonly associated genus with PC of the rostral cheek teeth, Streptococcus species was the most associated genus with the caudal cheek teeth, and Corynebacterium with the control group. Main limitations: Some bacteria can have multiple heterogeneous copies of the 16S rRNA gene, which can affect the estimation of their relative abundance. Conclusions: Similar to caries studies in other species, acidogenic and aciduric microorganisms including Streptococcus species were found to be associated with equine peripheral caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating species interaction networks has advanced the understanding of the robustness of ecosystems, the impact of species invasions, resource partitioning and the coevolution of interacting species. Here, we present a 10‐year study of the relationships between frog‐biting midges (Corethrella) and their frog hosts in tropical lowland forests across northern Borneo. We use quantitative bipartite host‐ectoparasite networks to explore this unusual relationship. Across northern Borneo, nine species of frog‐biting midges were found to bite 29 species of frogs. Overall, 378 individual Corethrella were found on 93 individual frogs. We compare the network structure between two forest types in Brunei Darussalam: a lowland mixed‐dipterocarp rainforest and a peatswamp forest. Results indicate that both antagonistic interaction networks were relatively specialized at the community level and show significant nestedness. The degree of specialization was higher in the rainforest than in the peatswamp suggesting higher diversity of midge sensory perception and frog avoidance strategies in the rainforest. At the species level, the specialization of midges as well as their frog hosts was highly variable in both networks suggesting that some frog species are better at avoiding being bitten by Corethrella than others. Frog species parasitized by midges had calls of low dominant frequencies suggesting that the spectral bandwidth of hearing in midges could influence host selection. Despite this, some frog species that call above 4 kHz have not escaped parasitism. We explore the role of habitat filtering, behavior and coevolution in shaping network structure. Acoustic localization of frog hosts by blood‐sucking midges Corethrella were studied in tropical lowland forests across northern Borneo using quantitative ecological interaction networks. Results indicate that these networks are relatively specialized at the community level. At the species level, the specialization of midges as well as their frog hosts are highly variable, suggesting that some frog species are better at avoiding being bitten by Corethrella than others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several different theories on the aetiology of dental caries have been proposed, but it is generally accepted that it is primarily caused by acidogenic microorganisms converting fermentable carbohydrates to acids. There is still some discussion on whether caries is caused by specific microorganisms or a nonspecific mix of different microorganisms and on whether caries is a classical infection or is caused by dysregulation of the normal oral bacteria (dysbiosis). Two types of dental caries are recognised in horses, i.e. peripheral dental caries and infundibular dental caries, with peripheral caries appearing to be increasingly recognised. Little is known about the prevalence and severity of peripheral dental caries in the general equine population, or the risk factors and microorganisms involved in its aetiopathogenesis. Limited pathological studies have shown 2 types of cemental destruction in equine peripheral caries, and indicate that gross dental examination underestimates the severity of equine peripheral caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Equine peripheral caries ( PC) is an increasingly recognised disorder that causes premature wear of teeth and dental fractures and thus has major welfare implications. Little information is available on its prevalence or severity in UK horses and there are no proven associations with any risk factors. Objectives To document the prevalence of PC over a wide area of the UK, assess its intraoral distribution and severity in affected horses and examine for potential risk factors for its development. Study design Cross sectional study. Methods Experienced personnel were recruited for a UK wide dental survey on their patients during dental examinations. Established guidelines were used for grading PC. Frequency of PC occurrence was compared between teeth and dental arcades using McNemar's tests. Potential risk factors for PC were screened using univariable logistic regression prior to building a multivariable model. Results A total of 706 horses were examined by 25 participants, showing a 51.7% prevalence of PC (365/706). Some regional differences in prevalence were found. The PC primarily affected the cheek teeth with the 12 caudal being significantly more commonly affected than the 12 rostral cheek teeth. Most of the hypothesised risk factors including age, breed, sex, time at pasture and feeding of silage (haylage) were unproven. A limited association with moderate levels of concentrate feeding was observed. The presence of concurrent dental abnormalities were significantly associated with the likelihood of having PC. Main limitations Not all regions in UK were included and there may be inconsistencies between examiners. Conclusions Peripheral caries is common in British horses, primarily affecting the caudal cheek teeth. There was limited evidence of an association between feeding and PC. The association between PC and concurrent dental disorders indicates that these should be addressed in affected horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Official Dutch perinatal mortality rates are based on birth and death certificates. These civil registration data are not detailed enough for international comparisons or extensive epidemiological research. In this study, we linked and extrapolated three national, incomplete, professional registers from midwives, obstetricians and paediatricians, containing detailed perinatal information. This linkage and extrapolation resulted in one detailed professional database which is representative of all Dutch births and from which gestational age-specific perinatal mortality rates could be calculated. The reliability of these calculated mortality rates was established by comparing them with the rates derived from the national civil registers. The professional database reported more perinatal deaths and fewer late neonatal deaths than the civil registers. The under-reporting in the civil registers amounted to 1.2 fewer perinatal deaths per 1000 births and was most apparent in immature newborns. We concluded that under-reporting of perinatal and neonatal deaths depends on the data source used. Mortality rates for the purpose of national and international comparison should, therefore, be defined with caution. This study also demonstrated that combining different incomplete professional registers can result in a more reliable database containing detailed perinatal information. Such databases can be used as the basis for extensive perinatal epidemiological research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monophyly and phylogenetic relationships within the species rich Sciophilini (Diptera: Mycetophilidae) were analysed, based on 96 adult morphological characters. The cladistic analysis included 80 Sciophilini exemplar species (representing all but 1 of the 36 genera placed previously in the Sciophilini) and 11 outgroup taxa of other mycetophilid tribes. The monophyly of Sciophilini was supported in the parsimony analysis by four synapomorphies. The tribe now contains 34 genera: Acnemia Winnertz, Acomoptera Vockeroth, Adicroneura Vockeroth, Afrocnemia Matile, Allocotocera Mik, Anaclileia Meunier, Aneura Marshall, Austrosciophila Tonnoir, Azana Walker, Baeopterogyna Vockeroth, Cluzobra Edwards, Drepanocercus Vockeroth, Duretophragma Borkent gen.n., Eudicrana Loew, Leptomorphus Curtis, Loicia Vockeroth, Megalopelma Enderlein, Monoclona Mik, Morganiella Tonnoir & Edwards, Neoallocotocera Tonnoir, Neoaphelomera Miller, Neotrizygia Tonnoir & Edwards, Neuratelia Rondani, Paramorganiella Tonnoir, Paratinia Mik, Paratrizygia Tonnoir, Parvicellula Marshall, Phthinia Winnertz, Polylepta Winnertz, Sciophila Meigen, Stenophragma Skuse, Tasmanina Tonnoir, Taxicnemis Tonnoir & Edwards, and Trizygia Skuse. Four genera placed previously in Sciophilini ( Coelophthinia Edwards, Impleta Plassmann, Speolepta Edwards and Syntemna Winnertz) are transferred to the Gnoristini. Neoneurotelia Shinji and Neoparatinia Shinji are considered nomina dubia. Diagnoses are given for all genera in the tribe. Duretophragma gen.n. is described for the following species (all of which are comb.n.): Duretophragma andina (Duret), Duretophragma argentina (Duret), Duretophragma glabanum (Johannsen), Duretophragma fusca (Edwards), Duretophragma humeralis (Edwards), Duretophragma intermedia (Edwards), Duretophragma longifurcata (Freeman) (type species), Duretophragma morigenea (Edwards), Duretophragma naumanni (Duret), Duretophragma nigricauda (Edwards), Duretophragma obscura (Duret), Duretophragma ochracea (Freeman), Duretophragma pleuralis (Edwards) and Duretophragma similis (Johannsen). Other new generic combinations include: Trizygia albidens (Oliveira & Amorim) comb.n., Trizygia alvesi (Oliveira & Amorim) comb.n., Trizygia balbi (Oliveira & Amorim) comb.n., Trizygia camargoi (Oliveira & Amorim) comb.n. and Afrocnemia stellamicans (Chandler) comb.n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: During the past decade, blood screening tests such as triplex nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I or I (HTLV-I/II) antibody testing were added to existing serologic testing for hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). In some low-prevalence regions these additional tests yielded disputable benefits that can be valuated by cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs). CEAs are used to support decision making on implementation of medical technology. We present CEAs of selected additional screening tests that are not uniformly implemented in the EU. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Cost-effectiveness was analyzed of: 1) HBV, HCV, and HIV triplex NAT in addition to serologic testing; 2) HTLV-I/II antibody test for all donors, for first-time donors only, and for pediatric recipients only; and 3) hepatitis A virus (HAV) for all donations. Disease progression of the studied viral infections was described in five Markov models. RESULTS: In the Netherlands, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of triplex NAT is €5.20 million per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) for testing minipools of six donation samples and €4.65 million/QALY for individual donation testing. The ICER for anti-HTLV-I/II is €45.2 million/QALY if testing all donations, €2.23 million/QALY if testing new donors only, and €27.0 million/QALY if testing blood products for pediatric patients only. The ICER of HAV NAT is €18.6 million/QALY. CONCLUSION: The resulting ICERs are very high, especially when compared to other health care interventions. Nevertheless, these screening tests are implemented in the Netherlands and elsewhere. Policy makers should reflect more explicit on the acceptability of costs and effects whenever additional blood screening tests are implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Besides white blood cell antibodies in plasma-rich products, another cause of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) could be release of biologically active substances during storage of cellular blood products. We aimed to investigate the association of storage time and risk of TRALI for different product types. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We compared storage time of blood products transfused within 6 hours before the onset of TRALI to storage time of a representative sample of all blood products transfused in the Netherlands. Generalized linear models were used to correct for confounding variables. RESULTS: Platelets (PLTs) in plasma transfused to TRALI patients were stored for 0.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.073 to 1.3) days longer than those transfused to controls. The relative risk of TRALI, after receiving PLTs stored for 4 or 5 days, compared to 3 days or less, was 5.8 (95% CI, 0.99 to 110) and increased to 6.3 (95% CI, 1.1 to 118) after more than 5 days (i.e., 6 or 7 days). CONCLUSIONS: While longer storage of buffy coat-derived PLTs was associated with an increased risk of TRALI, storage of plasma for up to 2 years and red blood cells for up to 35 days was not associated with the risk of TRALI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cost-effectiveness analyses of blood safety interventions require estimates of the life expectancy after blood product transfusion. These are best derived from survival after blood transfusion, per age group and blood component type. In the PROTON (PROfiles of TransfusiON recipients) study transfusion recipient data was collected from a hospital sample covering 28% of the total blood use between 1996 and 2006 in the Netherlands. The dataset includes date of transfusion, blood component type transfused and recipient identification details. PROTON data were individually matched to mortality data of the Netherlands. Survival after first transfusion and after any transfusion was calculated, per blood component type and age group. PROTON mortality rates were compared to mortality rates in the general population. The results were used to estimate survival beyond the study period and to estimate life expectancy after transfusion. Of all 2 405 012 blood product transfusions in the PROTON dataset, 92% was matched to the national Dutch Municipal Population Register, which registers all deaths. After 1 year, survival after any transfusion was 65·4%, 70·4% and 53·9% for RBC, FFP and PLT respectively. After 5 years, this was 46·6%, 58·8% and 39·3% for RBC, FFP and PLT, respectively. Ten years after transfusion, mortality rates of recipients are still elevated in comparison with the general population. Mortality rates of transfusion recipients are higher than those of the general population, but the increase diminishes over time. The mortality rates found for the Netherlands are lower than those found in comparable studies for other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Transfusion recipient data are needed for correct estimation of cost-effectiveness in terms of recipient outcomes after transfusion. Also, such data are essential for monitoring blood use, estimation of future blood use and benchmarking. Study Design and Methods A sample of 20 of 93 Dutch hospitals was selected. Datasets containing all blood product transfusions between 1996 and 2006 were extracted from hospital blood bank computer systems, containing transfusion date, blood product type and recipient characteristics such as gender, address, date of birth. The datasets were appended and matched to national hospitalization datasets including primary discharge diagnoses (ICD-9). Using these data, we estimated distributions of blood recipient characteristics in the Netherlands. Results The dataset contains information on 290 043 patients who received 2 405 012 blood products (1 720 075 RBC, 443 697 FFP, 241 240 PLT) from 1996 to 2006. This is 28% of total blood use in the Netherlands during this period. Comparable diagnosis and age distributions of all hospitalizations indicate included hospitals to be representative, per hospital category, for the Netherlands. Of all red blood cells (RBC), fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) and platelets (PLT), respectively 1·7%, 2·5% and 4·5% were transfused to neonates. Recipients of 65 years or older received 57·6% of RBC, 41·4% of FFP and 29·0% of PLT. Most of the blood products were transfused to patients with diseases of the circulary system (25·1%) or neoplasms (22·0%). Conclusion Transfusion data from a limited sample of hospitals can be used to estimate national distributions of blood recipient characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: To further reduce the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission by blood transfusion, nucleic acid testing (NAT) can be employed. The aim of this study is to estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) in the Netherlands of employing a triplex NAT assay aimed at HBV nucleic acid detection in individual donations (ID-NAT) or in minipools of 6 donations (MP-6-NAT), compared to a triplex NAT assay in minipools of 24 donations (MP-24-NAT). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A mathematical model was made of the whole transfusion chain from donors to recipients of blood in the Netherlands. The annual number of avoided HBV transmissions was estimated with the window-period incidence model. The natural history of a HBV infection in recipients is described by a Markov model. RESULTS: The ICER of adding HBV MP-6-NAT or HBV ID-NAT in the Netherlands is &U20AC;303,218 (95% confidence interval [CI], &U20AC;233,001-&U20AC;408,388) and &U20AC;518,995 (95% CI, &U20AC;399,359-&U20AC;699,120) per quality-adjusted life-year, respectively. The ICER strongly correlates with the age of transfusion recipients. CONCLUSION: The cost-effectiveness of additional HBV NAT is limited by the limited loss of life caused by HBV transmission. Despite a higher effectiveness, HBV ID-NAT is less cost-effective than MP-6-NAT due to higher costs. A future equivalent participation of immigrants from HBV-endemic countries in the donor base renders HBV NAT only slightly more cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To determine: 1) whether substandard factors were present in cases of perinatal death, and to what extent another course of action might have resulted in a better outcome, and 2) whether there were differences in the frequency of substandard factors by level of care, particularly between midwives and gynecologists/obstetricians and between home and hospital births.Methods: Population-based perinatal audit, with explicit evidence-based audit criteria.Setting: The northern part of the province of South-Holland in The Netherlands. All levels of perinatal care (primary, secondary and tertiary care, and home and hospital births) were included.Cases: Three hundred and forty-two cases of perinatal mortality (24 weeks of pregnancy--28 days after birth).Main Outcome Measures: Scores by a Dutch and a European audit panel. Score 0: no substandard factors identified; score 1, 2 or 3: one or more substandard factors identified, which were unlikely (1), possibly (2) or probably (3) related to the perinatal death.Results: In 25% of the perinatal deaths (95% Confidence Interval: 20-30%) a substandard factor was identified that according to the Dutch panel was possibly or probably related to the perinatal death. These were mainly maternal/social factors (10% of all perinatal deaths; most frequent substandard factor: smoking during pregnancy), and antenatal care factors (10% of all perinatal deaths; most frequent substandard factor: detection of intra-uterine growth retardation). We did not find statistically significant differences in scores between midwives and gynecologists/obstetricians or between home and hospital births. The European panel identified more substandard factors, but these were again equally distributed by level of care.Conclusions: Perinatal deaths might be partly preventable in The Netherlands. There is no evidence that the frequency of substandard factors is related to specific aspects of the perinatal care system in The Netherlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on a study conducted in the Netherlands to assess the variation in standard test procedures of antenatal care in the country. Standard policy of tests routinely conducted during antenatal period by obstetricians and gynecologists; Intraprofessional and interprofessional variations in tests procedures used by obstetricians.

. This revision recognizes sixteen extant species of Serromyia in the Holarctic Region including seven described as new: S.bicolor Borkent, S.borealis Borkent, S.nudicolis Borkent, S.pacifica Remm, S.sierrensis Borkent, S.tecta Borkent and S.vockerothi Borkent. In addition, eleven new synonyms are indicated. Keys and descriptions of the male and female adults, and their known distributions, are given for all species. The egg and first instar larva of Serromyia nudicolis Borkent n.sp., the pupa of S.atra (Meigen) and the fourth instar larvae of an unidentified Serromyia are also described. All available fossil specimens were examined, some redescribed, and two named as new: S.ryszardi Borkent and S.sinuosa Borkent. New combinations are S.alpheus (Heyden), Atrichopogon trichopus (Thomson) and Monohelea scirpi (Kieffer). Limited phylogenetic interpretation indicates that all extent Holarctic species, with the exception of S.mangrovi Delecolle and Braverman, form a monophyletic group. Six Baltic amber species are not members of this clade. Metacanthohelea is recognized as the sister group of the genus Serromyia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]