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Background: Equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) is a common condition of the horse. Misoprostol is reported to be superior to oral omeprazole and sucralfate for treatment. Long‐acting intramuscular injectable omeprazole (LAIOMEP) is a novel treatment shown to be effective in a small population. Objectives: This study aimed to determine LAIOMEP efficacy compared to misoprostol and oral omeprazole and identify characteristics that predict treatment outcome. Methods: All horses that underwent gastroscopy between 2012 and 2019 were reviewed. Lesions were characterised by 4 blinded observers, all of whom are diplomates in equine internal medicine, using established descriptors from the ECEIM consensus statement and subjective severity. Treatment outcome was ranked as worsened, improved or healed. Consensus lesion type, lesion severity and treatment choice were compared to outcome and data screened using univariate analysis (chi‐squared) to determine whether each predicted outcome. Lesion types where univariate analysis predicted a trend (p<0.2) were included in a multiple‐regression analysis to identify predictors of outcome irrespective of treatment. Results: Only severity significantly predicted final outcome (p = 0.025) with severe lesions being more likely to improve. Treatment choice did not significantly predict outcome. Overall healing rate was 29% (24 horses), and 43% (44 horses) improved. Treatment healing rates were 23% (10), 12% (7) and 27% (7) for LAIOMEP, misoprostol and oral omeprazole, respectively, with improvement in 69% (14), 76% (21) and 61% (9). 64% of the latter group received sucralfate. Worsening occurred in 7% (6). Treatment length varied with a median of 4 weeks (range 4–20 weeks). Conclusions: This study showed poorer therapy outcome compared to previous studies. The only initial lesion descriptor to predict outcome was severity and treatment choice did not affect outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The organic spinterface describes the spin‐polarized properties that develop, due to charge transfer, at the interface between a ferromagnetic metal (FM) and the molecules of an organic semiconductor. However, assembling this interface may degrade the properties of its constituents. To circumvent this issue, one can separate the molecular and FM films using a less reactive nonmagnetic metal (NM). Spin‐resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements on the prototypical system Co(001)//Cu/Mn‐phthalocyanine (MnPc) reveal at room temperature a high spin polarization P of the Cu/MnPc spinterface atop ferromagnetic Co. Surprisingly, it is found that the Cu thickness dependence of P remains essentially constant up to 10 monolayers (ML), which is inconsistent with the description of indirect exchange coupling between the Co layer and the molecule's Mn site. Ab initio calculations account for this fundamental discrepancy by showing that the topmost Cu layer before MnPc adsorption is already significantly spin‐polarized, and contributes to the formation of the Cu/MnPc spinterface atop Co. The results open a route toward 1) integrating electronically fragile molecules within organic spinterfaces and 2) electrically manipulating molecular spin chains using the well‐documented spin‐transfer torque properties of the FM/NM bilayer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and the first experiments are described of a versatile cryogenic insert used for its electrical transport capabilities. The insert is designed for the cryomagnet installed on the DEIMOS beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron dedicated to magnetic characterizations through X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements. This development was spurred by the multifunctional properties of novel materials such as multiferroics, in which, for example, the magnetic and electrical orders are intertwined and may be probed using XAS. The insert thus enables XAS to in situ probe this interplay. The implementation of redundant wiring and careful shielding also enables studies on operating electronic devices. Measurements on magnetic tunnel junctions illustrate the potential of the equipment toward XAS studies of in operando electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity may contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by eliciting chronic systemic inflammation and impairing the immune response to additional stressors. There has been little assessment of the effect of obesity on psychological stress, an independent risk factor for CVD. Therefore, it was of interest to examine interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and leptin following an acute mental stress task in nonobese and obese males. Twenty college-aged males (21.3 ± 0.56 years) volunteered to participate in a 20-min Stroop color-word and mirror-tracing task. Subjects were recruited for obese (body mass index: BMI > 30) and nonobese (BMI < 25) groups, and blood samples were collected for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis. The acute mental stress task elicited an increase in heart rate, catecholamines, and IL-1β in all subjects. Additionally, acute mental stress increased cortisol concentrations in the nonobese group. There was a significant reduction in leptin in obese subjects 30 min posttask compared with a decrease in nonobese subjects 120 min posttask. Interestingly, the relationship between the percent change in leptin and IL-1Ra at 120 min posttask in response to an acute mental stress task was only observed in nonobese individuals. This is the first study to suggest that adiposity in males may impact leptin and inflammatory signaling mechanisms following acute mental stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As evidence accumulates on the use of genomic tests and other health-related applications of genomic technologies, decision makers may increasingly seek support in identifying which applications have sufficiently robust evidence to suggest they might be considered for action. As an interim working process to provide such support, we developed a horizon-scanning method that assigns genomic applications to tiers defined by availability of synthesized evidence. We illustrate an application of the method to pharmacogenomics tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed an evaluation of non-Luer spinal devices supplied by four manufacturers or suppliers: Polymedic; Pajunk; Sarstedt; and Smiths. For each supplier, 100 evaluations were performed using a 25-G 90-mm spinal needle, 3-ml syringe, 5-ml syringe and filter needle; for comparison, 100 evaluations were performed with our standard Luer equipment. The non-Luer devices were associated with more qualitative problems compared with the Luer devices, for example, poor feel of dural puncture (9-32% vs 10%, respectively), poor observation of cerebrospinal fluid in the hub (3-27% vs 0%), and connection problem of the syringe to the spinal needle (7-33% vs 0%). There was also more frequent failure to achieve the spinal injection due to equipment-related causes (4-7% vs 0%, respectively). Median (IQR [range]) numeric satisfaction scores for the spinal needles were: Luer 10 (9-10 [7-10]); Polymedic 7 (4-8 [0-10]; Pajunk 7 (5-8 [0-10]); Sarstedt 7 (6-8 [0-10]); and Smiths 9 (7-10 [0-10]) (p < 0.0001). Satisfaction scores for all spinal equipment were: Luer 10 (9-10 [5-10]); Polymedic 8 (6-8 [0-10]); Pajunk 7 (5-7 [1-9]); Sarstedt 8 (6-8 [0-10]); and Smiths 8 (8-9 [2-10]) (p < 0.0001). Between 21% and 75% of non-Luer evaluations were rated with satisfaction worse than the usual Luer needle compared with 0-10% rated better, depending on the needle type. Between 22% and 76% of non-Luer evaluations were rated with satisfaction worse than the usual Luer equipment compared with 0-14% rated better. Specific concerns included poor feel of tissue planes and observation of cerebrospinal fluid (Polymedic), difficulty with connection of the syringe to the spinal needle and trocar removal (Pajunk), poor feel of tissue planes and needle flexibility (Sarstedt) and difficulty with connection of the syringe to the spinal needle (Smiths). We could not demonstrate a short-term learning curve for the new devices. Decisions on purchasing and implementation of the new non-Luer equipment will have to acknowledge that clinicians may have greater technical problems and reduced satisfaction compared with the current equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. While various studies have evaluated the habitat requirements for wildlife in fragmented forest landscapes at multiple spatial scales, few have considered whether there is regional variation in the most important factors. This is a conundrum for managers of any species with a broad geographical range: to what extent should studies in one region inform decisions in another? 2. We addressed this question using a case study of the koala, Phascolarctos cinereus, in three biogeographically different fragmented forested landscapes in eastern Australia. Mixed-effect logistic models were applied to predict koala occurrence from explanatory variables captured at four spatial scales: the individual tree, the stand (<1 ha), the patch (1–100 ha) and the landscape (100–1000 ha). 3. We used model averaging to account for model and parameter uncertainty, and tested the cross-regional discrimination ability of the models. 4. We discovered that multiscale models of koala distribution cannot be readily generalized from region to region, and that specific conservation actions for each region, rather than the entire geographical range, are more appropriate. We found a strong justification for adopting a hierarchical landscape approach to koala conservation across its range. However, cross-regional differences in habitat relationships occurred within this hierarchy. Exceptions were landscape context, which showed a consistently strong effect and high rank in all regions, and the presence of individual preferred tree species of the genus Eucalyptus, which showed modest consistency in its interaction with large-diameter trees across the regions. In contrast, the remaining habitat variables, including patch size (a key management factor), showed moderate to strong cross-regional variation attributed to the interaction of edaphic factors, landscape history and contemporary land-use patterns. 5. Synthesis and applications. Adopting a uniform conservation programme over a large geographical area is attractive to policy-makers and conservation planners. However, our study confirms the lack of generality of species distribution models over large areas. Consequently, we argue against adopting a uniform conservation programme for species with a large geographical range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to review a series of critically ill patients admitted to a high-dependency unit (HDU) in a regional obstetric centre, to assess our HDU utilisation rate and to determine the indications for and rate of transfer to an intensive care unit (ICU) in a tertiary referral centre. A 4-year retrospective review of case notes and HDU/ICU registers was performed. One hundred and twenty-three patients were admitted to the HDU in the 2 years following its inception, representing 1.02% of all deliveries. Obstetric complications accounted for 81.3% of admissions. Seventeen patients were admitted to an ICU during the study period; 12 (0.08%) were transferred before and five (0.04%) after the development of HDU facilities (p = 0.25). The advantages of a HDU within this setting include the concurrent availability of expert obstetric care and critical care management, the avoidance of the hazards of emergency transport and improved continuity of antenatal and postnatal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT. Host-seeking behaviour in newly emerged Aedes aegypti (L.) females is not expressed immediately after adult eclosion but develops gradually over a period of approximately 3-4 days. This development is accompanied by an apparent maturation of the antennal chemosensory afferent neurons involved in the detection of the airborne host attractant lactic acid. Since these events coincide in time with juvenile hormone-dependent previtellogenic ovarian growth and since the expression of other reproduction-associated behaviour has previously been shown to be dependent on juvenile hormone, the effects of juvenile hormone removal and replacement on the development of host-seeking behaviour and the response characteristics of the lactic acid-sensitive receptors were investigated. No effect of juvenile hormone removal by allatectomy or juvenile hormone replacement or augmentation by topical application of the juvenile hormone mimic methoprene was found. It was concluded that this hormone is not involved in the appearance of host-seeking behaviour or the apparent maturation of the lactic acid receptors that occurs during early imaginal life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a case report of an 80-year-old woman suffering from Zoon's vulvitis with a 3 year history of intermittent vulval ulceration, dysuria and pruritus. She has a past history of Paget's disease of the bone, no longer requiring treatment, and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus diagnosed in 1993. During the examination she had a well demarcated erythematous area involving most of the vestibule. It was found that when Betnovate topical cream was prescribed for treatment, her symptoms and the macroscopic abnormalities had resolved.

See correspondence by Hughes and Jago et al. and article by Jago et al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response from the author of the article "A clinical evaluation of four non-Luer spinal needle and syringe systems," in the June 2011 issue, is presented.

Certain terms and expressions that relate to the environment are problematic in that, they vary widely in usage within and between disciplines, and several have been used as synonyms. In an attempt to correct the problem and standardize usage, this paper defines or redefines10 of the most common environmental terms. Two of these terms, natural environment and environmental change, are defined on the basis of what is meant by natural as reflected by common usage and dictionary entries. The three degradation terms, environmental degradation, landdegradation, and soil degradation, are defined as any change or disturbance to the environment, land, or soil perceived to be deleteriousor undesirable. A sixth term, soil regeneration, is defined as the reformation of degraded soil through biological, chemical, and for physical agencies. The remaining four terms, environmental quality, air quality, soil quality, and water quality, are defined as measures of the condition or state of each relative to the requirements of one ormore biotic species and/or to any human need or purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mammals, scent marking behavior is a pervasive form of chemical communication that regulates social interactions within and between groups. Glandular microbiota consist of bacterial communities capable of producing chemical cues used in olfactory communication. Despite countless studies on scent marking in primates, few have examined the microbiota associated with glandular secretions. Nancy Ma's owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae) are nocturnal, socially monogamous primates that frequently scent mark using their subcaudal glands. Previous analyses revealed that unique chemical signatures of Aotus may convey information about sex and age. We used positive reinforcement to sample the subcaudal glands of 23 captive owl monkeys to describe their glandular microbiomes and examine how patterns in these bacterial communities vary with age, sex, rearing environment and/or social group (pair identity). We coupled these analyses with behavioral observations to examine patterns in their scent marking behavior. We isolated 31 bacterial species from Phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, consistent with the dermal and glandular microbiomes of other primates. Several bacterial taxa we identified produce volatile organic compounds, which may contribute to olfactory communication. These bacterial communities are best predicted by an interaction between sex, rearing environment and pair identity rather than any of these variables alone. Within mated pairs of A. nancymaae, males and females scent mark their nest boxes at similar frequencies. In some pairs, rates of scent marking by males and females fluctuated over time in a similar manner. Pairs that had been together longer tended to exhibit the greatest similarities in their rates of scent marking. Together, these findings suggest that scent marking behavior and close social interactions with pair mates in Aotus may influence bacterial transmission and their glandular microbiomes. Chemical communication, including coordinated scent marking, may play a role in strengthening pair bonds, signaling pair status and/or in mate guarding in this socially monogamous primate., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Biopharmaceutical protein manufacturing requires the highest producing cell lines to satisfy current multiple grams per liter requirements. Screening more clones increases the probability of identifying the high producers within the pool of available transfectant candidate cell lines. For the predominant industry mammalian host cell line, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO), traditional static-batch culture screening does not correlate with the suspension fed-batch culture used in manufacturing, and thus has little predictive utility. Small scale fed-batch screens in suspension culture correlate better with bioreactor processes but a limited number of clones can be screened manually. Scaled-down systems, such as shaken deep well plates, combined with automated liquid handling, offer a way for a limited number of scientists to screen many clones. A statistical analysis determined that 384 is the optimal number of clones to screen, with a 99% probability that six clones in the 95th percentile for productivity are included in the screen. To screen 384 clones efficiently by the predictive method of suspension fed-batch, the authors developed a shaken deep-well plate culturing platform, with an automated liquid handling system integrating cell counting and protein titering instruments. Critical factors allowing deep-well suspension culture to correlate with shake flask culture were agitation speed and culture volume. Using our automated system, one scientist can screen five times more clones than by manual fed-batch shake-flask or shaken culture tube screens and can identify cell lines for some therapeutic protein projects with production levels greater than 6 g/L. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:1460-1471, 2018., (© 2018 The Authors. Biotechnology Progress published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers.)

Background: The purpose of this study was to develop assessment criteria that could be used to examine the level of integration of home birth within larger health care systems in developed countries across 11 international jurisdictions., Methods: An expert panel developed criteria and a definition to assess home birth integration within health care systems. We selected jurisdictions based on the publications that were eligible for inclusion in our systematic review and meta-analysis on planned place of birth. We sent the authors of the included publications a questionnaire about home birth practitioners and practices in their respective health care system at the time of their studies. We searched published peer-reviewed, non-peer-reviewed, and gray literature, and the websites of professional bodies to document information about home birth integration in each jurisdiction based on our criteria. Where information was lacking, we contacted experts in the field from the relevant jurisdiction., Results: Home birth is well integrated into the health care system in British Columbia (Canada), England, Iceland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Ontario (Canada), and Washington State (USA). Home birth is less well integrated into the health care system in Australia, Japan, Norway, and Sweden., Conclusions: This paper is the first to propose criteria for the evaluation of home birth integration within larger maternity care systems. Application of these criteria across 11 international jurisdictions indicates differences in the recognition and training of home birth practitioners, in access to hospital facilities, and in the supplies and equipment available at home births, which give rise to variation in the level of integration across different settings. Standardized criteria for the evaluation of systems integration are essential for interpreting planned home birth outcomes that emerge from contextual differences., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)