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A global rise in pet ownership and an increasing tendency towards the humanisation of pets have resulted in a greater focus on improving animal health and longevity. These developments coincide with the increased recognition of the role of the gut microbiome in animal health. The gut microbiome has been shown to play a prominent role in gastrointestinal health, and it is becoming increasingly clear that these health benefits extend beyond the gut and into different physiological systems, such as the immune system. Dietary supplementation with products known as ‘biotics’, which include probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics, is a strategy used to modify the gut microbiome and promote host health. Although biotics have been successfully used in companion animals, questions remain regarding appropriate biotic selection, mechanisms of action, optimum inclusion levels and safety. This review aims to summarise the effects of biotics on the gut microbiome of dogs and cats and assess their potential role in supporting gastrointestinal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive fungal diseases affect more than two million people worldwide. The increasing incidence of invasive fungal infections is the result of many factors, including an increase in the resistance to current drugs. As such, there is an urgent need to obtain new drugs that are efficient, selective, and able to overcome existing resistance mechanisms. Candida yeasts are responsible for more than 70% of all nosocomial invasive fungal diseases. In this work, we describe the synthesis of nickel (II)(NHC) complexes based on xanthines, by direct metalation of xanthinium salts with nickelocene NiCp2to yield [NiCpI(NHC)] complexes. For methyl caffeine, a biscarbene complex [NiCp(NHC)2]+is also formed, resulting from carbene dissociation from the corresponding monocarbene. [NiCpI(NHC)] complexes are active as antifungals for Candida yeasts and show toxicity for human cells (HeLa) that is dependent on the substitution of N7 of the xanthine moiety. The biscarbene complex 5[NiCp(NHC)2]+is highly selective for Candida glabrata and shows very low toxicity for human cells, being a promising candidate for selective treatment of C. glabrata infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zr‐monosubstituted phosphotungstate (Bu4N)8[{PW11O39Zr(μ‐OH)(H2O)}2] (1) is a highly active and selective catalyst for thioether sulfoxidation with aqueous H2O2 in acetonitrile or acetonitrile/ethanol. The reaction proceeds unprecedentedly fast and completes within seconds at room temperature. Various sulfides produce corresponding sulfoxides with selectivity of 98–99 % and oxidant utilization efficiency of 92–99 %. The reaction mechanism was investigated using test substrates, kinetic, isotopic labeling, and spectroscopic tools. The oxidation of thianthrene‐5‐oxide and competitive sulfide‐sulfoxide oxidation point to an electrophilic oxidation mechanism, but a V‐shaped Hammett plot found for oxidation of p‐substituted thioanisoles may suggest a biphilic nature of active species. Kinetic studies revealed that the rate‐limiting step of the reaction is the interaction of a peroxo zirconium intermediate with organic substrates. ATR‐FT‐IR and 31P NMR spectroscopic studies coupled with stoichiometric experiments indicated that peroxo species capable of transferring an oxygen atom to thioethers are dimeric side‐on mono‐ and diperoxo complexes, [Zr2(μ‐η2 : η2‐O2){PW11O39}2(H2O)x]]8− (I) and [{Zr(μ‐η2‐O2)}2(PW11O39)2(H2O)y]10− (II), and monomeric Zr‐hydroperoxo [Zr(η2‐OOH)PW11O39]4− (III) and peroxo [Zr(η2‐O2)PW11O39]5− (IV) species, which dominate at high excess of H2O2. While I and III are endowed with electrophilic oxygen, which can be transferred to electron‐rich sulfides, more negatively charged II and IV preferably react with thioethers comprising electron‐withdrawing substituents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auditor turnover remains a persistent concern for regulatory bodies and auditing firms. Past research on auditors' turnover intention has explored various factors influencing auditors' turnover intention, including job satisfaction, organisational commitment, work overload and work–life balance. However, the potential role of motivation in mitigating the adverse effects of work overload and work–life imbalance has been overlooked. Our study addresses this gap in the existing literature by revealing the crucial role of motivation and identifying differences between Big4 and Non‐Big4 firms. Using questionnaire data from 301 auditors, analysed using structural equation modelling, we find that work overload is positively but indirectly related to turnover intention via work–life balance. Additionally, organisational commitment (job satisfaction) is directly (indirectly) and negatively related to turnover intention. Moreover, and considering that, due to work overload, a lack of work–life balance can be responsible for increasing auditors' turnover intention, our study suggests that motivation can mitigate this effect. Finally, our study suggests that work–life balance can directly reduce turnover intention for Big4 firms, while for Non‐Big4 firms this reduction can only occur via organisational commitment (a channel that is weaker for Big4 firms). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish microbiome plays an important role in maintaining host homeostasis, with many bacterial functions directly linked to host fitness. Fish microbiome research is advancing fast, especially in the context of aquaculture where several stressors are known to disrupt stability of host‐associated bacteria, prompting dysbiosis. Therefore, understanding the signatures of dysbiosis in different fish mucosae and their association with such stressors is fundamental to set up efficient health‐monitoring strategies, as well as sound and objective working hypothesis for future research. Herein, we reviewed studies that employed culture‐independent approaches to assess the effects of disease, chemotherapeutics and water quality changes on several diversity metrics of gut, skin and gill microbiomes. We conclude that increases in abundance of potential pathogens and changes to bacterial community structure are reliable indicators of dysbiosis in fish. The gut microbiome emerged as being highly susceptible to salinity changes and chemotherapeutics, whereas external microbiota seems to be more susceptible to dysbiosis caused by disease and temperature changes. Our analysis showed that treatments with tetracyclines and florfenicol are more likely to elicit severe dysbiosis compared to quinolones and disinfectants that cause lesser disturbance to fish microbiome. Bacterial diseases also frequently elicit severe dysbiosis (enteritis in particular), whereas parasitic diseases are far less deleterious. Regarding impacts on water quality, only changes to salinity and temperature are reasonably studied. Recent developments in metagenomics, that include a fast turn‐around time of results, can be used to detect changes to fish homeostasis during critical periods of fish production, assisting aquaculture management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Play provides children learning opportunities in the natural environment to acquire communication skills. While working to establish skills that may lead to additional leisure and social opportunities of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), procedures need to be both effective and efficient. One way to increase efficiency of teaching is through the use of instructive feedback (IF). Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to systematically replicate and extend previous research by examining if play behaviors emerge when using IF to teach conceptually related primary (i.e., tacts) and secondary targets (i.e., play skills). The results of the present study extend previous research by demonstrating the effectiveness of teaching tacts to individuals with ASD, and that using IF during tact training can help promote the acquisition of play skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescent behaviors and academic outcomes are thought to be shaped by school climate. We sought to identify longitudinal associations between school climate measures and downstream health and academic outcomes. Methods: Data from a longitudinal survey of public high school students in Los Angeles were analyzed. Eleventh‐grade health and academic outcomes (dependent variables, eg, substance use, delinquency, risky sex, bullying, standardized exams, college matriculation), were modeled as a function of 10th‐grade school climate measures (independent variables: institutional environment, student‐teacher relationships, disciplinary style), controlling for baseline outcome measures and student/parental covariates. Results: The 1114 student respondents (87.8% retention), were 46% male, 90% Latinx, 87% born in the United States, and 40% native English speakers. Greater school order and teacher respect for students were associated with lower odds of multiple high risk behaviors including 30‐day alcohol use (odds ratio [OR] 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.72, 0.92] and OR 0.73; [0.62, 0.85]) and 30‐day cannabis use (OR 0.74; [0.59, 0.91] and OR 0.76; [0.63, 0.92]). Neglectful disciplinary style was associated with multiple poor health and academic outcomes while permissive disciplinary style was associated with favorable academic outcomes. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: School health practitioners may prospectively leverage school environment, teacher‐student relationships, and disciplinary style to promote health and learning. Conclusions: Our findings identify specific modifiable aspects of the school environment with critical implications for life course health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocolloidal gels are emerging as a promising class of materials with applications as inks in 2D and 3D printing. Polymer nanoparticles (NPs) offer many advantages as potential building blocks of nanocolloidal gels, due to the ability to control NP dimensions, charge, surface chemistry, and functionality; however, their applications as inks in printing are yet to be explored. Here, functional nanocolloidal hydrogels formed by percolating oppositely charged latex NPs with different dimensions and charge densities are reported. The shear‐thinning and self‐healing properties of the nanocolloidal gels and the mechanical properties of the resulting printed films are examined. NP functionality is achieved by covalently labeling them with different fluorescent dyes that emit at two distinct wavelengths. Using these NPs, a facile route for 3D printing of multicolored fluorescence patterns is shown, with each color being visualized under a specific, well‐defined excitation wavelength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & aim: The development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is associated with the formation of communication networks leading to the recruitment of disease‐modifying macrophages. However, how oncogenes in tumour cells control paracrine communication is not fully understood. Methods: Transgenic mice with liver‐specific expression of the constitutively active yes‐associated protein (YAPS127A) or an orthotopic implantation model served as tumour models. FACS‐sorted F4/80+/CD11bdim/CD146‐/retinoid‐ macrophages from healthy and tumour‐bearing livers were used for transcriptomic profiling. Expression data of 242 human HCCs and a tissue microarray consisting of 91 HCCs and seven liver tissues were analyzed. Results: Screening of primary tumour cells expressing YAPS127A identified CC chemokine ligand 2 (Ccl2) as a macrophage chemoattractant, whose expression was regulated in a YAP/TEA domain family member 4 (TEAD4)‐dependent manner. Ccl2 expression was associated with a loss of Kupffer cells (KCs) and an increase in immature macrophages (Mɸimm) in hepatocarcinogenesis. Recruited Mɸimm were characterized by a lack of functional polarization (M0 signature) and high expression of the Ccl2 receptors C‐C motif chemokine receptor 2 (Ccr2), C‐X3‐C motif chemokine receptor 1 (Cx3cr1) and pro‐angiogenic platelet‐derived growth factors (Pdgfa/Pdgfb). Mɸimm formed cellular clusters in the perivascular space, which correlated with vascular morphometric changes indicative for angiogenesis. In human HCCs, the M0 signature served as an identifier for poor clinical outcome and CCL2 correlated with YAP expression and vascular network formation. Conclusions: In conclusion, YAP/TEAD4‐regulated Ccl2 associates with perivascular recruitment of unpolarized Mɸimm and may contribute to a proangiogenic microenvironment in liver cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study shows that the organic cofactor riboflavin provides a cheap and atom‐efficient source of reducing equivalents to sustain biocatalytic alkene reductions by ene‐reductase enzymes, when coupled with a H2‐driven or electrochemical recycling system. We employ the robust NiFe hydrogenase, Escherichia coli Hyd1, for H2‐driven riboflavin reduction and show the feasibility of unmediated electrochemical recycling of reduced riboflavin at a simple carbon electrode. We show that H2‐driven reduction of riboflavin can be extended to continuous flow with a packed bed reactor comprising of Hyd1 immobilized on a carbon support. These findings demonstrate that there is scope for replacing the expensive nicotinamide cofactors—NADH or NADPH with riboflavin, for applications of ene‐reductases in biotechnology in either batch or continuous flow and in electrosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zr‐monosubstituted polyoxometalates (Zr‐POMs) of the Keggin (Bu4N)8[{PW11O39Zr(μ‐OH)}2] (Zr‐K), Lindqvist (Bu4N)6[{W5O18Zr(μ‐OH)}2] (Zr‐L), and Wells‐Dawson (Bu4N)11H3[{P2W17O61Zr(μ‐OH)}2] (Zr‐WD) structures are capable of heterolytic activation of the environmentally benign oxidant tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and catalyze epoxidation of alkenes and oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds. Catalytic activity of corresponding Ti‐POMs is much lower. Among Zr‐POMs, Zr‐K revealed higher epoxide yields. All Zr‐POMs do not catalyze unproductive TBHP degradation, and epoxide yields with both aqueous and anhydrous TBHP are generally higher than with aqueous H2O2. Regioselectivity of the Zr‐K‐catalyzed limonene epoxidation with TBHP is different from that with H2O2: the more substituted and nucleophilic double bond is preferably epoxidized, pointing to an electrophilic oxygen transfer mechanism. The oxidation rates are first order in catalyst (Zr‐K) and substrate (cyclooctene or cyclohexanol) and show a saturation behavior with increasing concentration of TBHP. Studies by HR‐ESI‐MS, ATR‐FT‐IR, and 31P NMR spectroscopic techniques implicated the formation of zirconium alkylperoxo species upon interaction of Zr‐POMs with TBHP. HR‐ESI‐MS revealed the existence of monomeric and dimeric alkylperoxo complexes, [{PW11O39Zr}((CH3)3COO)]4− and [{PW11O39Zr((CH3)3COO)}2]8−, with predomination of the former, which is most likely the active species responsible for the selective oxidations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the use of airborne in situ measurements to derive transit time distributions (TTD) from the boundary layer (BL) to the upper troposphere (UT) over the highly convective tropical western Pacific (TWP). The feasibility of this method is demonstrated using 42 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) measured during the Convective Transport of Active Species in the Tropics (CONTRAST) experiment. Two important approximations necessary for the application are the constant chemical lifetimes for each compound and the representation of the BL source by the local CONTRAST data. To characterize uncertainties associated with the first approximation, we quantify the changes in derived TTDs when chemical lifetimes are estimated using conditions of the BL, UT, and tropospheric average. With the support of a trajectory model study in a companion paper, we characterize the BL source region contributing to the transport to the sampled UT. In addition to the TTDs derived using a regional average, we analyze the potential information content in locally averaged measurements to represent the dynamical variability of the region. Around 150 TTDs, derived using measurements on a ∼100 km spatial scale, show a distribution of mean and mode transit times consistent with the wide range of convective conditions encountered during the campaign. Two extreme cases, with the shortest and the near‐longest TTD, are examined using the dynamical background of the measurements and back trajectory analyses. The result provides physical consistency supporting the hypothesis that sufficient information can be obtained from measurements to resolve dynamical variability of the region. Plain Language Summary: In this study, we use measurements of the atmospheric chemical composition to derive vertical transport timescales over the tropical western Pacific, where convective processes dominate. A large suite of trace gases with a wide range of chemical lifetimes are measured from a research aircraft. The trace gas measurements are used to construct "transit time distributions," which capture the relative contributions of various transport pathways to the chemical composition of the upper troposphere in the study region. Results highlight the wealth of information in atmospheric chemical composition measurements, which is important not only for understanding chemistry of the atmosphere but also for quantifying aspects of atmospheric dynamics and circulation. Key Points: The approximations and uncertainties in deriving airborne chemical observation‐based tropospheric transit time distributions are examinedThe necessary approximation of trace gas lifetimes is found to be the largest source of uncertaintyThe method successfully identified a range of dynamical transport variability from aircraft measurements [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene oxide (GO) is a promising 2D material with a complex chemical structure which characterization remains as a challenge. The widely‐accepted chemical structure of GO includes epoxides, hydroxyls and carboxylic acids. Recently, alkene groups of GO have been used for selective GO functionalization. Despite the different efforts that exist to elucidate the exact GO chemical structure, the chemical composition of the main GO functionalities is fairly limited. By knowing the GO chemical composition, chemical strategies can be developed to create improved GO‐based materials. Herein, we reported a simple and versatile fluorescent approach based on fluorescamine for the quantification of GO functionalities. This method offers important advantages such as highly selectivity, reliability, rapid quantification in bulk and can be extended to follow any primary amine containing molecule grafted onto GO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer hydrogels exhibit actuation properties that result in reversible shape transformations and have promising applications in soft robotics, drug delivery systems, sensors, and microfluidic devices. Actuation occurs due to differential hydrogel swelling and is generally achieved by modulating hydrogel composition. Here a different approach to hydrogel actuation that originates solely from its structural anisotropy is reported. For 3D‐printed single‐layer hydrogels formed by cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and gelatin methacryloyl it is shown that shear‐induced orientation of CNCs results in anisotropic mechanical and swelling properties of the hydrogel. Upon swelling in water, planar hydrogels acquire multiple complex 3D shapes that are achieved by i) varying CNC orientation with respect to the shape on the hydrogel sheet and ii) patterning the hydrogel with the regions of shear‐mediated and random CNC orientation. This study shows the capability to generate multiple shapes from the same hydrogel actuator based on the degree of its structural anisotropy. In addition, it introduces a biocompatible nanocolloidal ink with shear‐thinning and self‐healing properties for additive manufacturing of hydrogel actuators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photoactivatable CO‐releasing molecule (photoCORM) [Mo(CO)3(CNCH2COOH)3] (ALF795) has been incorporated into a Zn,Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) host by a coprecipitation synthesis strategy. Powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) of the resultant material Zn,Al‐ALF795 showed that the ALF795 guest molecules assembled into a monolayer to give a basal spacing of 16.0 Å. FTIR and 13C{1H} CP MAS NMR spectroscopy confirmed that the molecular structure of the tricarbonyl complex was retained upon intercalation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) and elemental analyses confirmed the phase‐purity of Zn,Al‐ALF795. The myoglobin assay was used to demonstrate that intercalated ALF795 retains the photoactive behavior of the free CORM, with a substantial fraction (42 %) of the high CO payload (2.46 mmol g–1) being released after exposure to UV light for 3 h under simulated physiological conditions. In addition, gas chromatography was used to track sequential light‐ and H2O2‐triggered decarbonylation of free and intercalated ALF795. In biological buffer solution (HEPES), less than 2 % Mo leaching from Zn,Al‐ALF795 took place after 5 h, showing the strong capacity of the LDH host to retain the unaltered complex and decarbonylation fragments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared baseline and maximal cortisol concentrations between predator exposure and prey blood samples in pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus, captured using a standardised fishing event underneath osprey Pandion haliaetus nests and away from osprey nests. We did not detect differences in cortisol or glucose between sites. These findings suggest that predictable sources of predation risk may not confer stress‐related costs in teleosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with primary symptoms of fibromyalgia (FM) have a lower quality of life than healthy people of the same age. The current treatment for FM is palliative, as there is no cure. Therefore, among strategies used to alleviate the symptoms, physical exercise has been recommended.Objective: To investigate the effects of a resistance training (RT) program on quality of life and associated factors in patients with FM.Design: Nonrandomized clinical trial. Brazilian Clinical Trials: http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/ (no. RBR-74pcmw).Participants: Forty-nine women with FM (mean age ± SD: 51.35 ± 9.34 years) allocated to an RT group (n = 26) or control group (CG; n = 23).Intervention: The intervention consisted of 4 weeks of a supervised RT program. Three, 60-minute, training sessions per week were conducted. Participants were evaluated before and after 4 weeks of exercise intervention.Main Outcome Measurements: The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire was used to assess quality of life, and secondary outcomes were assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory. The Wilcoxon test was used to verify the differences after 4 weeks of intervention (12 sessions) and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the results for the RT group and CG.Results: The results demonstrated that 4 weeks of RT reduces the impact of FM on quality of life, depression, and anxiety (P < .05). Higher depression and anxiety scores were related to worsening quality of life. The CG did not show significant changes.Conclusions: RT reduces the impact of FM on the quality of life, and alleviates symptoms in women with FM.Level Of Evidence: II [Correction added on June 21, 2019, after first online publication: Level of Evidence changed from I to II.]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been associated to several cartilage and bone alterations including growth retardation, increased fracture risk, and bone loss. To determine the effect of long term diabetes on bone we used adult and aging Ins2Akita mice that developed T1DM around 3–4 weeks after birth. Both Ins2Akita and wild‐type (WT) mice were analyzed at 4, 6, and 12 months to assess bone parameters such as femur length, growth plate thickness and number of mature and preapoptotic chondrocytes. In addition, bone microarchitecture of the cortical and trabecular regions was measured by microcomputed tomography and gene expression of Adamst‐5, Col2, Igf1, Runx2, Acp5, and Oc was quantified by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Ins2Akita mice showed a decreased longitudinal growth of the femur that was related to decreased growth plate thickness, lower number of chondrocytes and to a higher number of preapoptotic cells. These changes were associated with higher expression of Adamst‐5, suggesting higher cartilage degradation, and with low expression levels of Igf1 and Col2 that reflect the decreased growth ability of diabetic mice. Ins2Akita bone morphology was characterized by low cortical bone area (Ct.Ar) but higher trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) and expression analysis showed a downregulation of bone markers Acp5, Oc, and Runx2. Serum levels of insulin and leptin were found to be reduced at all‐time points Ins2Akita. We suggest that Ins2Akita mice bone phenotype is caused by lower bone formation and even lower bone resorption due to insulin deficiency and to a possible relation with low leptin signaling. Ins2Akita mice have low insulin and leptin levels, displaying alterations in growth plate cartilage and reduced bone formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been associated to several cartilage and bone alterations including growth retardation, increased fracture risk, and bone loss. To determine the effect of long term diabetes on bone we used adult and aging Ins2Akita mice that developed T1DM around 3–4 weeks after birth. Both Ins2Akita and wild‐type (WT) mice were analyzed at 4, 6, and 12 months to assess bone parameters such as femur length, growth plate thickness and number of mature and preapoptotic chondrocytes. In addition, bone microarchitecture of the cortical and trabecular regions was measured by microcomputed tomography and gene expression of Adamst‐5, Col2, Igf1, Runx2, Acp5, and Oc was quantified by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Ins2Akita mice showed a decreased longitudinal growth of the femur that was related to decreased growth plate thickness, lower number of chondrocytes and to a higher number of preapoptotic cells. These changes were associated with higher expression of Adamst‐5, suggesting higher cartilage degradation, and with low expression levels of Igf1 and Col2 that reflect the decreased growth ability of diabetic mice. Ins2Akita bone morphology was characterized by low cortical bone area (Ct.Ar) but higher trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) and expression analysis showed a downregulation of bone markers Acp5, Oc, and Runx2. Serum levels of insulin and leptin were found to be reduced at all‐time points Ins2Akita. We suggest that Ins2Akita mice bone phenotype is caused by lower bone formation and even lower bone resorption due to insulin deficiency and to a possible relation with low leptin signaling. Ins2Akita mice have low insulin and leptin levels, displaying alterations in growth plate cartilage and reduced bone formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We developed a risk assessment of human salmonellosis associated with consumption of alfalfa sprouts in the United States to evaluate the public health impact of applying treatments to seeds (0–5‐log10 reduction in Salmonella) and testing spent irrigation water (SIW) during production. The risk model considered variability and uncertainty in Salmonella contamination in seeds, Salmonella growth and spread during sprout production, sprout consumption, and Salmonella dose response. Based on an estimated prevalence of 2.35% for 6.8 kg seed batches and without interventions, the model predicted 76,600 (95% confidence interval (CI) 15,400–248,000) cases/year. Risk reduction (by 5‐ to 7‐fold) predicted from a 1‐log10 seed treatment alone was comparable to SIW testing alone, and each additional 1‐log10 seed treatment was predicted to provide a greater risk reduction than SIW testing. A 3‐log10 or a 5‐log10 seed treatment reduced the predicted cases/year to 139 (95% CI 33–448) or 1.4 (95% CI <1–4.5), respectively. Combined with SIW testing, a 3‐log10 or 5‐log10 seed treatment reduced the cases/year to 45 (95% CI 10–146) or <1 (95% CI <1–1.5), respectively. If the SIW coverage was less complete (i.e., less representative), a smaller risk reduction was predicted, e.g., a combined 3‐log10 seed treatment and SIW testing with 20% coverage resulted in an estimated 92 (95% CI 22–298) cases/year. Analysis of alternative scenarios using different assumptions for key model inputs showed that the predicted relative risk reductions are robust. This risk assessment provides a comprehensive approach for evaluating the public health impact of various interventions in a sprout production system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To elucidate fungicultural specializations contributing to ecological dominance of leafcutter ants, we estimate the phylogeny of fungi cultivated by fungus‐growing (attine) ants, including fungal cultivars from (i) the entire leafcutter range from southern South America to southern North America, (ii) all higher‐attine ant lineages (leafcutting genera Atta, Acromyrmex; nonleafcutting genera Trachymyrmex, Sericomyrmex) and (iii) all lower‐attine lineages. Higher‐attine fungi form two clades, Clade‐A fungi (Leucocoprinus gongylophorus, formerly Attamyces) previously thought to be cultivated only by leafcutter ants, and a sister clade, Clade‐B fungi, previously thought to be cultivated only by Trachymyrmex and Sericomyrmex ants. Contradicting this traditional view, we find that (i) leafcutter ants are not specialized to cultivate only Clade‐A fungi because some leafcutter species ranging across South America cultivate Clade‐B fungi; (ii) Trachymyrmex ants are not specialized to cultivate only Clade‐B fungi because some Trachymyrmex species cultivate Clade‐A fungi and other Trachymyrmex species cultivate fungi known so far only from lower‐attine ants; (iii) in some locations, single higher‐attine ant species or closely related cryptic species cultivate both Clade‐A and Clade‐B fungi; and (iv) ant–fungus co‐evolution among higher‐attine mutualisms is therefore less specialized than previously thought. Sympatric leafcutter ants can be ecologically dominant when cultivating either Clade‐A or Clade‐B fungi, sustaining with either cultivar‐type huge nests that command large foraging territories; conversely, sympatric Trachymyrmex ants cultivating either Clade‐A or Clade‐B fungi can be locally abundant without achieving the ecological dominance of leafcutter ants. Ecological dominance of leafcutter ants therefore does not depend primarily on specialized fungiculture of L. gongylophorus (Clade‐A), but must derive from ant–fungus synergisms and unique ant adaptations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Aims: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited disease characterized by a progressive degeneration of rod photoreceptors. An imbalance between pro‐ and antiapoptotic factors, such as Bax/Bcl‐2, has been involved in retinal degeneration. To date, no cure or effective treatments are available for RP. Rasagiline is an antiparkinsonian drug that has shown neuroprotective effects in part attributed to a modulation of Bax/Bcl‐2 expression. In this study, we have evaluated the use of rasagiline as a potential treatment for RP. Methods: Newborn rd10 mice, a RP model, were treated with oral rasagiline during 30 days followed by a functional and morphological characterization of their mouse retinas. Results: Treated animals showed a significant improvement in visual acuity and in the electrical responses of photoreceptors to light stimuli. Rasagiline delayed photoreceptor degeneration, which was confirmed not only by a high photoreceptor nuclei counting, but also by a sustained expression of photoreceptor‐specific markers. In addition, the expression of proapoptotic Bax decreased, whereas the antiapoptotic factor Bcl‐2 increased after rasagiline treatment. Conclusion: This study provides new evidences regarding the neuroprotective effect of rasagiline in the retina, and it brings new insight into the development of future clinical trials using this well‐established antiparkinsonian drug to treat RP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Polyimides are being investigated as alternative, environmentally friendly and safe organic electrode materials for lithium and sodium batteries. However, further improvements need the proper chemical design of these polymers. In this paper, the effect of chemical structure of polyimides on their performance as cathodic materials in lithium batteries was investigated in detail. More in particular, we studied polyimides based on seven different diamine monomers in combination with best performing naphthalenic dianhydride monomer. The first set included the so‐called cardo diamines possessing additional redox‐active carbonyl group with the goal to enhance the theoretical capacity of the polymer. Second, several aromatic diamines including additional functionalities such as cyclic amides, anthrone, or quinolidinium groups were investigated. Finally, aliphatic diamines, containing oxyethylene moieties and thus capable to increase the ionic conductivity of the resulting polymer system, were explored. Among the different polyimides, the “cardo” one based on naphthalenic dianhydride and aromatic aniline phthalein with an additional carbonyl group showed the best results in terms of battery performance. Such polyimide was capable to deliver up to 130 mAhg−1 specific capacity (87% of the theoretical value) at 25 °C and at a current density of 250 mAg−1 during 100 charge/discharge cycles. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 714–723 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leafcutter ants propagate co-evolving fungi for food. The nearly 50 species of leafcutter ants ( Atta, Acromyrmex) range from Argentina to the United States, with the greatest species diversity in southern South America. We elucidate the biogeography of fungi cultivated by leafcutter ants using DNA sequence and microsatellite-marker analyses of 474 cultivars collected across the leafcutter range. Fungal cultivars belong to two clades (Clade-A and Clade-B). The dominant and widespread Clade-A cultivars form three genotype clusters, with their relative prevalence corresponding to southern South America, northern South America, Central and North America. Admixture between Clade-A populations supports genetic exchange within a single species, Leucocoprinus gongylophorus. Some leafcutter species that cut grass as fungicultural substrate are specialized to cultivate Clade-B fungi, whereas leafcutters preferring dicot plants appear specialized on Clade-A fungi. Cultivar sharing between sympatric leafcutter species occurs frequently such that cultivars of Atta are not distinct from those of Acromyrmex. Leafcutters specialized on Clade-B fungi occur only in South America. Diversity of Clade-A fungi is greatest in South America, but minimal in Central and North America. Maximum cultivar diversity in South America is predicted by the Kusnezov-Fowler hypothesis that leafcutter ants originated in subtropical South America and only dicot-specialized leafcutter ants migrated out of South America, but the cultivar diversity becomes also compatible with a recently proposed hypothesis of a Central American origin by postulating that leafcutter ants acquired novel cultivars many times from other nonleafcutter fungus-growing ants during their migrations from Central America across South America. We evaluate these biogeographic hypotheses in the light of estimated dates for the origins of leafcutter ants and their cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basking is the primary mechanism used by many freshwater turtles to maintain their body temperature ( T b) in a range that maximizes physiological performance. Basking turtles are easily disturbed by motorboats, but the consequences of the increasingly popular use of motorboats on turtles is largely unknown., In this work, predictive models built from field and laboratory data were used to assess the effects of the frequency of basking disturbance by motorboats on T b and metabolic rate (MR) of female northern map turtles ( Graptemys geographica), a species of conservation concern., Simulations revealed that the effects of boat disturbance vary seasonally. In early May, a conservative estimate of the disturbance rate (0.15 per hour) resulted in a 0.34°C decrease in mean daily T b, which translated to a 7.8% reduction in mean MR. In June, July and August, owing to warmer lake temperatures, the effect of disturbance was less marked and the observed disturbance rates (0.32, 0.96 and 1.23 per hour, respectively) reduced the mean MR of an adult female by 2.1%, 0.5%, and 0.4 %, respectively., Reduction in MR decreases the rate of energy assimilation, which could translate into sublethal effects on turtles, such as reduced growth and reproductive output., Motorboat usage is increasing in many areas and is probably affecting other species of freshwater turtles that use aerial basking. This study offers important insights on the implications of disturbances for species that bask., Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pericytes are vascular mural cells that wrap around capillaries and are crucial for the formation and maintenance of the blood‐brain barrier (BBB). A recent RNAseq study discovered that the human brain has two novel and distinct pericyte subtypes (Yang et al., 2022). The first, termed transporter (T)‐type, are enriched with transporter genes. The second are matrix (M)‐type pericytes which have increased expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) genes. Notably, the authors found that a decrease in M‐type pericytes and not T‐type pericytes contributes to the formation of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The loss of M‐type pericytes is speculated to lead to perturbations of vascular ECM. Here, we aimed to determine which protein markers work best for the identification of M‐ and T‐type pericytes and their localization in human hippocampal and cortical post‐mortem brain tissues. Method: Based on the Yang et. al. paper, we selected COL4A1 and GAT1 to identify M‐pericytes and T‐pericytes, respectively. Next, we used immunofluorescence staining and microscopy to study the localization of these pericyte types in post‐mortem human brain tissue. Primary antibodies (mouse‐COL4A1 and goat‐GAT1) were incubated in blocking buffer on the tissue sections at room temperature overnight. The next day, the sections were washed in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and incubated in secondary antibodies (anti‐mouse, anti‐goat, and UEA) for 90 minutes and subsequently washed with PBS. The sections were treated with an autofluorescence quenching treatment (5min) and then cover slipped and imaged. Result: We successfully performed immunofluorescence staining to identify M‐ and T‐type pericytes in human hippocampus and cortex. We are currently working to quantify M‐ and T‐type pericyte number and coverage in human hippocampus and cortex. Conclusion: Knowing how to identify these new pericyte types in human brain is essential to begin understanding their abundance, location, and possible functions. In the future, we will measure changes in M‐ and T‐type pericytes in AD vs. aged‐matched control post‐mortem brain tissues using our immunofluorescence protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in colorectal carcinogenesis remains elusive. Based on the high incidence of HPV-associated malignancies among Puerto Rican Hispanics, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of HPV infection and viral integration in colorectal tissues in order to evaluate its putative role in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this case-control study, the prevalence of HPV infection in CRC (cases n = 45) and normal colon mucosa from cancer-free subjects (controls n = 36) was assessed by a nested PCR strategy. HPV-16 genotyping was performed in HPV-positive tissues and the physical status of the HPV-16 genome was determined by E2 detection. HPV was detected in 19 of 45 (42.2%) CRC cases (mean age 61.1 ± 10.7 years, 24 males) and in 1 of 36 (2.8%) controls (mean age 60.9 ± 9.6 years, 24 males) with an OR = 25.58 (95% CI 3.21 to 203.49). HPV-16 was detected in 63.2% of the HPV-positive colorectal tumors; genome integration was observed in all HPV-16 positive cases. This is the first report showing the high prevalence of HPV infections in Caribbean Hispanic colorectal tumors. Despite evidence of HPV integration into the host genome, further mechanistic analysis examining HPV oncoprotein expression and the putative role of these oncoproteins in colorectal carcinogenesis is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desulfovibrio gigas belongs to the group of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). These ubiquitous and metabolically versatile microorganisms are often exposed to reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Nonetheless, the mechanisms and regulatory elements involved in nitrosative stress protection are still poorly understood. The transcription factor HcpR has emerged as a putative regulator of nitrosative stress response among anaerobic bacteria. HcpR is known to orchestrate the expression of the hybrid cluster protein gene, hcp , proposed to be involved in cellular defense against RNS. According to phylogenetic analyses, the occurrence of hcpR paralog genes is a common feature among several Desulfovibrio species. Within the D. gigas genome we have identified two HcpR-related sequences. One of these sequences, hcpR1 , was found in the close vicinity of the hcp gene and this finding prompted us to proceed with its functional characterization. We observed that the growth of a D. gigas strain lacking hcpR1 is severely impaired under nitrosative stress. An in silico search revealed several putative targets of HcpR1 that were experimentally validated. The fact that HcpR1 regulates several genes encoding proteins involved in nitrite and nitrate metabolism, together with the sensitive growth phenotype to NO displayed by an hcpR1 mutant strain, strongly supports a relevant role of this factor under nitrosative stress. Moreover, the finding that several Desulfovibrio species possess HcpR paralogs, which have been transmitted vertically in the evolution and diversification of the genus, suggests that these sequences may confer adaptive or survival advantage to these organisms, possibly by increasing their tolerance to nitrosative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An optimized microwave-assisted synthesis has been used to prepare an isotypical series of 3D Ln3+ metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based on residues of 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic (pydc), namely, [Ln2(pydc)3(H2O)2] with Ln3+ = Ce3+ ( 1), (La0.95Eu0.05)3+ ( 1-LaEu), (La0.95Tb0.05)3+ ( 1-LaTb), and (La0.90Eu0.05Tb0.05)3+ ( 1-LaEuTb). The materials can be readily isolated as microcrystals after 1 min of reaction time at 120 °C. The compounds have been extensively studied in the solid state by vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR and FT-Raman), thermogravimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and electron microscopy (SEM, SEM mapping, and TEM). The structural relationships between the isolated materials and other solids reported in the literature have been investigated in detail from a structural and topological perspective with attention focused on the different connectivities of the employed organic ligand. The 3D densely packed [Ln2(pydc)3(H2O)2] compounds are very similar to the previously reported microporous 3D [Ce2(pydc)2(Hpydc)(H2O)2]Cl ·(9 + y)H2O; layered [{Ce2(pydc)2(Hpydc)2(H2O)4} ·2H2O] n can be isolated at lower temperatures and transforms to [Ce2(pydc)3(H2O)2] under certain experimental conditions. Compound 1 is an effective solid catalyst for the ring opening of styrene with methanol under mild reaction conditions (55 °C) to give 2-methoxy-2-phenylethanol in 100 % selectivity and ca. 80 % conversion. The mixed-lanthanide materials are effective UV-to-visible light converters (red 1-LaEu, green 1-LaTb, and orange 1-LaEuTb). The compounds have very high absolute emission quantum yields (43 % for 1-LaEu and 75 % for 1-LaTb) under indirect excitation of the UV ligand bands with lifetimes of 0.50 and 1.06 ms for 1-LaEu and 1-LaTb, respectively, and these properties result from effective intersystem crossing and ligand-to-metal transfer processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cationic, all-conjugated AB diblock copolymer poly[9,9-bis(2-ethylhexyl)fluorene]- b-poly[3-(6-trimethylammoniumhexyl) thiophene] bromide (PF2/6- b-P3TMAHT) shows dual fluorescence from the poly(fluorene) (PF) and poly(thiophene) (PT) blocks. A comparison of fluorescence quenching of the cationic PT block fluorescence with unquenched PF block provides a sensitive ratiometric method for anion sensing. The application to analysis of halide ions, single- and double-stranded DNA is demonstrated. High selectivity is observed with halide ions, with the strongest quenching being seen with iodide. The quenching with DNA can be used for nucleic acid quantification at sub-μM concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymidine kinase 1 ( TK1) provides a crucial precursor, deoxythymidine monophosphate, for nucleic acid synthesis, and the activity of TK1 increases by up to 200-fold during the S-phase of cell division in humans. An important part of the regulatory checkpoints is the ATP and enzyme concentration-dependent transition of TK1 from a dimer with low catalytic efficiency to a tetramer with high catalytic efficiency. This regulatory fine-tuning serves as an additional control to provide a balanced pool of nucleic acid precursors in the cell. We subcloned and over-expressed 10 different TK1s, originating from widely different organisms, and characterized their kinetic and oligomerization properties. Whilst bacteria, plants and Dictyostelium only exhibited dimeric TK1, we found that all animals had a tetrameric TK1. However, a clear ATP-dependent switch between dimer and tetramer was found only in higher vertebrates and was especially pronounced in mammalian and bird TK1s. We suggest that the dimer form is the original form and that the tetramer originated in the animal lineage after the split of Dictyostelium and the lineages leading to invertebrates and vertebrates. The efficient switching mechanism was probably first established in warm-blooded animals when they separated from the rest of the vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Films of neat and plasticized biodegradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrices containing anionic conjugated polyelectrolytes, poly[9,9-bis(4-phenoxybutylsulfonate)]fluorene-2,7-diyl- alt-arylenes, with 1,4-phenylene and 4,4″- p-terphenylene, respectively, as arylene groups or a neutral poly(9,9-dialkylfluorene) for comparison were prepared by solution casting. These films were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. In addition, the effects of plasticizer on the thermal properties and the oxygen permeability of the PLA films were measured through the oxygen transmission rate. Results show that it is possible to obtain thin, optically transparent and luminescent films with potential in oxygen sensing, exhibiting good thermal and photochemical stability. At high polyelectrolyte content, evidence is found for phase separation and aggregate formation and it is no longer possible to obtain completely homogeneous films. The possibility of incorporating the cationic metal complex tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) into plasticized PLA films containing conjugated polyelectrolytes for dual-wavelength ratiometric luminescence sensing is also discussed. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latency proteins EBNA1, LMP1, LMP2, and BARF1 are expressed in tumor cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). IgG and IgA antibody responses to these non-self tumor antigens were analyzed in NPC patients (n = 125) and regional controls (n = 100) by three approaches, focusing on the putative LMP1, LMP2 extracellular domains. Despite abundant IgG and IgA antibody responses to lytic antigens and EBNA1, patients had low titer (1:25-1:100) IgG to LMP1 (81.2%), LMP2 (95.6%), and BARF1 (84.8%), while immunoblot showed such reactivity in 24.2%, 12.5%, and 12.5% at 1:50 dilution, respectively. Few IgA responses were detected, except for EBNA1. Controls only showed IgG to EBNA1. ELISA using peptides from different domains of LMP1, LMP2, and BARF1 also yielded mostly negative results. When existing, low level IgG to intracellular C-terminus of LMP1 (62.9%) prevailed. Rabbit immunization with peptides representing extracellular (loop) domains yielded loop-specific antibodies serving as positive control. Importantly, these rabbit antibodies stained specifically extracellular domains of LMP1 and LMP2 on viable cells and mediated complement-driven cytolysis. Rabbit anti-LMP1 loop-1 and -3 killed 50.4% and 59.4% of X50/7 and 35.0% and 35.9% of RAJI cells, respectively, and 22% of both lines were lysed by anti-LMP2 loop-2 or -5 antibodies. This demonstrates that (extracellular domains of) EBV-encoded tumor antigens are marginally immunogenic for humoral immune responses. However, peptide-specific immunization may generate such antibodies, which can mediate cell killing via complement activation. This opens options for peptide-based tumor vaccination in patients carrying EBV latency type II tumors such as NPC. J. Med. Virol. 83:665-678, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unrecognised and untreated hypertension can lead to significant morbidity and mortality over time. In a 2003 chart review, we found that our providers only recognised 15% of hypertensive blood pressure (BP). Our objective was to determine whether a simplified BP table improves the recognition of elevated BP in children. We developed a simplified BP table for children 3-18 years and posted it in provider work areas beginning August 2006. We reviewed a retrospective sample of well visits for children aged 3-18 years, with equal numbers by sex and year of age, presenting at a university-based paediatric clinic between January and August 2007. Visit notes for all children with elevated BP values ≥90th percentile were reviewed to identify whether the provider recognised that the BP was elevated. In 493 well visits, 85 (17.2%) children had pre-hypertensive (90th to <95th percentile) and 100 (20.3%) had hypertensive (≥95th percentile) BP values. Providers recognised elevations in 34 (40%) pre-hypertensive and 77 (77%) hypertensive measurements. Recognition was significantly more common for those in the hypertensive than the pre-hypertensive range (χ = 24.9, degrees of freedom = 1, P < 0.001). Compared with our 2003 data, recognition of hypertensive BP values was significantly greater (77% vs. 15%) ( t = 14.479, degrees of freedom = 98, P < 0.001) after introduction of the simplified BP table. Use of a simplified BP table can lead to significantly improved recognition of elevated BP in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new 5,10,15,20-tetra-(phenoxy-3-carbonyl-1-amino-naphthyl)-porphyrin was prepared by an isocyanate condensation reaction and its photophysical properties fully evaluated, both in terms of photostability and singlet oxygen production. It shows considerably enhanced photostability when compared with the parent 5,10,15,20-tetra-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-porphyrin, with the photodegradation quantum yields for T(NAF)PP and T(OH)PP being 4.65 × 10−4 and 5.19 × 10−3, respectively. Its photodynamic effect in human carcinoma HT-29 cells was evaluated. The new porphyrin showed good properties as a sensitizer in photodynamic therapy with an in vitro cytotoxicity IC50 value of 6.80 μg mL−1 for a 24 h incubation. In addition to the potential of this compound, the synthetic route used provides possibilities of extension to a wide range of new sensitizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 47 kb genomic island (GEI) bracketed by 50 bp direct repeats, containing 52 annotated genes, was found to delete spontaneously from the genome of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough. The island contains genes for site-specific recombinases and transposases, rubredoxin:oxygen oxidoreductase-1 (Roo1) and hybrid cluster protein-1 (Hcp1), which promote survival in air and nitrite stress. The numbering distinguishes these from the Roo2 and Hcp2 homologues for which the genes are located elsewhere in the genome. Cells with and without the island (GEI+ and GEI- cells respectively) were obtained by colony purification. GEI- cells arise in anaerobic cultures of colony-purified GEI+ cells, indicating that the site-specific recombinases encoded by the island actively delete this region. GEI+ cells survive better in microaerophilic conditions due to the presence of Roo1, whereas the Hcps appear to prevent inhibition by sulfur and polysulfide, which are formed by chemical reaction of sulfide and nitrite. Hence, the island confers resistance to oxygen and nitrite stress. However, GEI- cells have a higher growth rate in anaerobic media. Microarrays and enzyme activity stains indicated that the GEI- cells have increased expression of genes, which promote anaerobic energy conservation, explaining the higher growth rate. Hence, while lowering the efficiency of anaerobic metabolism, the GEI increases the fitness of D. vulgaris under stress conditions, a feature reminiscent of pathogenicity islands which allow more effective colonization of environments provided by the targeted hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The requirements for the isolation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) may be related to the strain-type [sheep (S)- or cattle (C)-type] and not to the host. The objective of this paper was to estimate and compare strain- and biological sample (faeces or pooled-tissue) – specific sensitivities (Ses) of two solid culture media, Herrold’s egg yolk medium (HEYM) and Lowenstein–Jensen (LJ) medium, for the isolation of Map from Greek dairy sheep and goats. From 400 faecal samples collected from sub-clinically infected sheep and goats of four flocks and from 214 pooled-tissue samples (142 from sheep and 72 from goats) collected, at the abattoir, from >1-year-old routinely slaughtered animals, with gross pathology suggestive of paratuberculosis, we isolated 34 Map strains. Of those, by the IS1311 PCR, 18 were categorized into the C-type and nine into the S-type; seven were not typed. We used a Bayesian approach to estimate the strain-specific Ses. SeHEYM-C-faecal = 17% (95% credible interval: 7, 40) was higher than SeHEYM-S-faecal = 2% (0.3, 11). Also, SeHEYM-C-faecal was higher than SeLJ-C-faecal = 4% (1, 12). In pooled-tissue samples, the strain-specific Ses did not differ between the two media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) measurement is a simple and non-invasive method for monitoring airway inflammation. Similarly, nasal NO has been proposed as a surrogate marker in inflammatory diseases of the upper airways, e.g. allergic rhinitis. A new portable analyser using an electrochemical sensor has been developed for measurements of exhaled NO, and its reproducibility and comparison with other analysers has been tested recently in healthy subjects and in patients with lower airways disease. The application of this hand-held analyser in nasal NO analysis was tested and compared to the gold standard represented by a chemiluminescence analyser. Materials and methods Thirty subjects including 15 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and 15 healthy subjects (HS) were studied. The intraindividual variability, calculated as the difference in nasal NO levels between two measurements from a single nasally exhaled breath manoeuvre, and the comparison between the electrochemical analyser (NIOX MINO, Aerocrine) and a chemiluminescence analyser (NOA, Sievers) were performed. Results In AR patients mean nasal NO was 59·0 ± 16·3 p.p.b. with the MINO and 58·3 ± 15·6 p.p.b. with the NOA. In HS nasal NO was 49·1 ± 10·8 p.p.b. with the MINO and 49·8 ± 8·2 p.p.b. with the NOA. The Bland-Altman analysis showed bias values of 0·005 ± 3·6 with the 95% limits of agreement from –6·97 to 6·98 p.p.b. Conclusion Measurements of nasal NO levels with a hand-held electrochemical analyser are reproducible and the results are comparable to a stationary chemiluminescence analyser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The effects of severe obesity on right ventricular function in the absence of associated cardiopulmonary disease are not well known. Right myocardial performance index (R-MPI) is an echocardiographic index to non-invasively assess the right ventricular function. The aim of our study was to assess R-MPI in individuals with severe but uncomplicated obesity before and after a significant weight loss induced by bariatric surgery. Patients and methods Fifteen obese females (OB) without cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases were examined. In all subjects, R-MPI was calculated by Doppler echocardiography as the sum of isovolumetric contraction time and isovolumetric relaxation time divided by ejection time. Furthermore, pulmonary function test (PFT) and 6-min walking test (6mWT) were performed. Ten healthy subjects with normal weight (HS) were also evaluated as controls. R-MPI, PFT and 6mWT were also re-evaluated one year later in 12 obese subjects treated with gastric banding after a consistent weight loss (> 20%). Results A prolongation of R-MPI was found in OB before bariatric surgery in comparison to the HS (0·47 ± 0·04 and 0·29 ± 0·05, respectively; P < 0·001). R-MPI significantly improved in OB 12 months after surgery (0·32 ± 0·03) and was no longer different from HS. R-MPI positively correlated to body mass index (BMI). A significant association was found between the reduction of BMI after bariatric surgery and the distance walked during the 6mWT. Conclusions These results show a right ventricular dysfunction in severe uncomplicated obesity, associated with an impaired functional capacity which recovers after consistent weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]