Search

Measurements of the production cross sections for singly charged molecular ions by high energy (1 MeV/amu) Fq+ (q=4,6–9), Siq+ (q=5,6,8–12), and Cq+ (q=3–6) projectiles incident on a CH4 target are reported. Similar measurements for singly charged recoil ions are presented for H+ (E=1–11 MeV) projectiles incident on CH4. We observed good agreement between our proton results and earlier electron measurements. Theoretical calculations for the sum of the cross sections for production of all singly ionized CHn fragments from CH4 are presented using the Born and Glauber approximations, and both calculated cross sections are in reasonable agreement with the measured cross sections. Production of CH+3, CH+2, CH+, and C+ fragments is analyzed both as a function of projectile charge and projectile velocity. Deviation from quasiequilibrium theory is observed in the relatively small cross section ratios of C+ and CH+ to CH+4 as a function of projectile charge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pancreas is a vital organ for maintaining metabolic balance within the body, in part due to its production of metabolic hormones such as insulin and glucagon, as well as digestive enzymes. The pancreas is also a highly vascularized organ, a feature facilitated by the intricate network of pancreatic capillaries. This extensive capillary network is made up of highly fenestrated endothelial cells (ECs) important for pancreas development and function. Accordingly, the dysfunction of ECs can contribute to that of the pancreas in diseases like diabetes and cancer. Thus, researching the function of pancreatic ECs (pECs) is important not only for understanding pancreas biology but also for developing its pathologies. Mouse models are valuable tools to study metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. However, there has not been an established protocol with sufficient details described for the isolation of mouse pECs due to the relatively small population of ECs and the abundant digestive enzymes potentially released from the acinar tissue that can lead to cell damage and, thus, low yield. To address these challenges, we devised a protocol to enrich and recover mouse pECs, combining gentle physical and chemical dissociation and antibody-mediated selection. The protocol presented here provides a robust method to extract intact and viable ECs from the whole mouse pancreas. This protocol is suitable for multiple downstream assays and may be applied to various mouse models.

South Asians (SAs) experience a higher prevalence and earlier onset of coronary artery disease and have worse outcomes compared with White Caucasians (WCs) following invasive revascularisation procedures, a mainstay of coronary artery disease (CAD) management. We sought to review the differences in the CAD pattern and risk factors between SA and WC patients and to discuss their potential impact on the development of coronary disease, acute coronary syndrome, and revascularisation outcomes. SAs have a more diffuse pattern with multivessel involvement compared with WCs. However, less is known about other morphologic characteristics, such as calcification of atherosclerotic plaque and coronary diameter in SA populations. Despite a similar coronary calcification burden, higher noncalcified plaque composition, elevated thrombosis, and inflammatory markers likely contribute to the disease pattern. Although the current evidence on the role of coronary vessel size remains inconsistent, smaller diameters in SAs could play a potential role in the higher disease prevalence. This is especially important given the impact of coronary artery diameter on revascularisation outcomes. In conclusion, SAs have a unique CAD risk profile composed of traditional and novel risk factors. Our findings highlight the need for additional awareness of health professionals of this specific risk profile and potential therapeutic targets, as well as the need for further research in this vulnerable population., (Copyright © 2022 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: There are concerns of delays in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) care during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unclear whether the care and outcomes of STEMI patients differ between COVID-19 waves and compared with historical periods., Methods: Consecutive patients in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority STEMI database were included to compare care during 3 distinct waves of the COVID-19 pandemic (9 months; March 2020 to January 2021) with an historical non-COVID-19 cohort. We compared STEMI incidence, baseline characteristics, and outcomes between groups. We also examined time from first medical contact (FMC) to reperfusion, symptom to FMC, and FMC to STEMI diagnosis, as well as predictors of delays., Results: The incidence of STEMI was similar during COVID-19 (n = 305; mean 0.93/day) and before COVID-19 (n = 949; 0.97/day; P = 0.80). The COVID-19 cohort showed significant delay in FMC-to-reperfusion (median 116 min vs 102 min; P < 0.001) and FMC-to-STEMI diagnosis (median 17 mins vs 11 min; P < 0.001). Delays in FMC-to-device times worsened across the 3 COVID-19 waves (FMC-to-device time ≤ 90 min in wave 1: 32.9%; in wave 2: 25.6%; in wave 3: 16.3%; P = 0.045 [47.5% before COVID-19; P < 0.001]). There were no significant predictors of delay were unique to the COVID-19 cohort., Conclusions: This study demonstrates delays in reperfusion during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the historical control, with delays increasing during subsequent waves within the pandemic. It is critical to further understand these care gaps to improve STEMI care for future waves of the current and future pandemics., (Crown Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought focus to the effects of anxiety on children. This study aimed to review the existing literature regarding the impact of the pandemic on pediatric anxiety. This review analyzed the existing literature between the open-sourced collection on PubMed inputting "anxiety disorder in children during pandemic" and "pediatric anxiety OR child anxiety AND COVID" and that of the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry using the keywords "social anxiety AND COVID." This yielded 149 + 312 (461) entries and 68 articles were selected. Anxiety was found to have a prevalence of 18.9-23.87% in children during the COVID-19 pandemic whereas adolescent populations demonstrated a prevalence of 15.4-39.9%. Female gender was the most studied risk factor and physical activity was the most documented preventative factor. This review supported the notion that the COVID-19 pandemic is a major contributor to anxiety in the pediatric population., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the progression of incipient approximal caries lesions in permanent teeth of children and adolescents with and without silver diamine fluoride (SDF) application. Methods: A retrospective analysis of dental records and radiographs was performed. Baseline and follow-up bitewing radiographs were evaluated and scored using International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS) criteria to assess lesion progression. Results: A total of 131 lesions from 68 subjects (mean age equals 9.6 years) were evaluated radiographically and followed for up to 41 months (mean time equals 13.61±6.8 months); 23.6 percent of lesions in the SDF group progressed compared to 38.1 percent in the control group (P<0.001). On average, lesions in the control group increased more per month compared to the study group (P<0.001). The odds of lesion progression in the control group were 2.76 times the odds of progression in the study group. There was a statistically significant difference in lesion progression based on application method; lesions where SDF was applied with Superfloss progressed more per month, on average, versus microbrush application. Conclusions: Silver diamine fluoride may be an effective therapy to slow caries progression of incipient approximal lesions in permanent teeth in high caries-risk populations. Future studies are needed to detect differences in application methods.

Background: Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators are a novel class of medications with emerging role in heart failure (HF). The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral sGC stimulators in patients with HF with reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF and HFpEF) by pooling data from all available randomized control trials (RCT)., Methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases from 2000-2020 was performed. Seven RCTs, three HFrEF and four HFpEF studies, were identified. The follow-up duration ranged from 1 month to a median of 10.8 months. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to summarize the studies., Results: The study population included 7190 patients: 5707 HFrEF and 1483 HFpEF patients. In HFrEF, oral sGC stimulators reduced the composite incidence of HF hospitalization and cardiovascular death (hazard ratio [HR] 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78-0.97; I 2  = 0%), primarily driven by lower HF hospitalization (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.78-0.99; I 2  = 0%). There was no significant reduction in all-cause death in HFrEF (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.83-1.09; I 2  = 0%). In HFpEF, there were no improvements in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire clinical summary scores (mean difference 0.81, 95% CI -2.16-3.77; I 2  = 72%) or 6-minute walk distance (mean difference 3.34 meters, 95% CI -7.86-14.54; I 2  = 28%). There was no difference in all-cause mortality in HFpEF (HR 1.94, 95% CI 0.92-4.09; I 2  = 0%). Overall, oral sGC stimulators had low medication-related serious adverse events., Conclusion: Oral sGC stimulators are well tolerated in HF and reduce the incidence of HF hospitalization but not cardiovascular death among patients with HFrEF. However, there are no apparent benefits in HFpEF., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The gut, with its extensive microbiota, plays a fundamental role in metabolism. While alterations of the gut microbiota can induce dysfunction of the endothelium, it remains unclear whether the endothelium can directly impact the gut microbiota. To answer this question, in this issue of EMBO Reports Haywood and colleagues deployed a murine model with endothelial-specific overexpression of human insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R), termed hIGFREO mice (Haywood et al, 2021). When fed a high-fat diet, hIGFREO mice gained less weight and adiposity, with improved glucose tolerance, as compared to their wild-type littermates. Such protection was attributed to the difference in gut microbiota, exemplified by an increase in the beneficial genus Akkermansia. Furthermore, depletion of microbiota through broad-spectrum antibiotics nullified the advantageous metabolic phenotype observed. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a novel communication axis between the endothelium and the gut wall, specifically through endothelial IGF-1R modulation of gut microbiota, that promotes whole body metabolic homeostasis., (© 2021 The Authors.)

Recurrent dinoflagellate blooms of Alexandrium catenella expose the economically and ecologically important Southern Rock Lobster in Tasmania to paralytic shellfish toxins (PST), and it is unknown if PST accumulation adversely affects lobster performance, health and catchability. In a controlled aquaculture setting, lobsters were fed highly contaminated mussels to accumulate toxin levels in the hepatopancreas (mean of 6.65 mg STX.2HCl equiv. kg -1 ), comparable to those observed in nature. Physiological impact of PST accumulation was comprehensively assessed by a range of behavioural (vitality score, righting ability and reflex impairment score), health (haemocyte count, bacteriology, gill necrosis and parasite load), nutritional (hepatopancreas index and haemolymph refractive index) and haemolymph biochemical (21 parameters including electrolytes, metabolites, and enzymes) parameters during a 63 day period of uptake and depuration of toxins. Exposure to PST did not result in mortality nor significant changes in the behavioural, health, or nutritional measures suggesting limited gross impact on lobster performance. Furthermore, most haemolymph biochemical parameters measured exhibited no significant difference between control and exposed animals. However, the concentration of potassium in the haemolymph increased with PST, whilst the concentration of lactate and the sodium:potassium ratio decreased with PST. In addition, exposed lobsters showed a hyperglycaemic response to PST exposure, indicative of stress. These findings suggest that PST accumulation results in some measurable indicators of stress for lobsters. However, these changes are likely within the adaptive range for Jasus edwardsii and do not result in a significant impairment of gross performance. Our findings support previous conclusions that crustaceans are relatively tolerant to PST and the implications for the lobster fishery are discussed., (Crown Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Male violence against females most often occurs within intimate relationships, and when that occurs during youth, it is termed adolescent dating violence (ADV). A scoping review focused on male perpetration of ADV was conducted to synthesize existing evidence and offer insights about what influences male adolescents to perpetrate ADV. The current scoping review explored the findings drawn from 16 research studies conducted in the United States, Spain, South Africa, and Italy, to distil modifiable factors related to male perpetration of ADV. Three themes were extrapolated from the 16 studies: (a) entitlement; (b) adverse childhood experiences (ACE); and (c) ineffective conflict management. Entitlement as a theme was characterized by attitudes and beliefs aligning to violence, hierarchical and marginalizing masculine norms, traditional gender roles, and male superiority, which in various configurations influenced the perpetration of ADV. ACE as a theme highlighted how male adolescents who had experienced, observed, and/or initiated abuse were at increased risk of perpetrating ADV. Male adolescents with ineffective conflict management (theme 3), including alcohol use and/or emotional dysregulation, were also at higher risk of perpetrating ADV. Tailored prevention efforts are often delinked from issues of male entitlement, ACE, and ineffective conflict management; therefore, we make suggestions for trauma-informed care to guide primary care providers (PCPs) in the assessment and management of ADV.

Up to 13.6 mg STX.2HCl equiv. kg -1 of paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) have been found in the hepatopancreas of Southern Rock Lobster, Jasus edwardsii, on the east coast of Tasmania. Blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella have been reported in this region since 2012. Experimental work was undertaken to improve the understanding of the uptake and depuration mechanisms involved. Adult male lobsters were fed highly toxic mussels (6 mg STX.2HCl equiv. kg -1 ) sourced from the impacted area. The apparent feed intake of the lobster was positively correlated to increasing PST levels in the hepatopancreas. Toxins accumulated rapidly in the hepatopancreas reaching a maximum of 9.0 mg STX.2HCl equiv. kg -1 , then depurated at a rate of 7% per day once toxic fed was removed. However, PST were not detected at significant levels in the haemolymph of these animals. Notable increases occurred in the relative amount of several PST analogues in the hepatopancreas, including GTX2&3, C1&2 and several decarbomoyl toxins in comparison to the profile observed in contaminated mussel feed. The concentration of PST in lobster antennal glands was two orders of magnitude lower than concentrations found in the hepatopancreas. This is the first report of PST in lobster antennal glands which, along with the gills, represent possible excretion routes for PST. Implications for biotoxin risk monitoring are: lobsters will continue to feed during bloom periods and high concentrations of PST can occur; animal collection should be frequent at the start of a bloom in case of a rapid accumulation of PST; and non-lethal sampling is not possible as haemolymph PST levels do not reflect what is in the hepatopancreas., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Crown Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background Targeted temperature management ( TTM ) is a recommended treatment modality to improve neurological outcomes in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The impact of the duration from hospital admission to TTM initiation (door-to- TTM ; DTT ) on clinical outcomes has not been well elucidated. We hypothesized that shorter DTT initiation intervals would be associated with improved survival with favorable neurological outcome. Methods and Results We performed a post hoc analysis of nontraumatic paramedic-treated out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The primary outcome was favorable neurological status at hospital discharge, with a secondary outcome of survival to discharge. We fit a logistic regression analysis to determine the association of early compared with delayed DTT , dichotomized by the median DTT duration, and outcomes. Of 3805 patients enrolled in the CCC (Continuous Chest Compressions) Trial in British Columbia, 570 were included in this analysis. There was substantial variation in DTT among patients receiving TTM . The median DTT duration was 122 minutes (interquartile range 35-218). Favorable neurological outcomes in the early and delayed DTT groups were 48% and 38%, respectively. Compared with delayed DTT (interquartile range 167-319 minutes), early DTT (interquartile range 20-81 minutes) was associated with survival (adjusted odds ratio 1.56, 95% CI 1.02-2.38) but not with favorable neurological outcomes (adjusted odds ratio 1.45, 95% CI , 0.94-2.22) at hospital discharge. Conclusions There was wide variability in the initiation of TTM among comatose out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors. Initiation of TTM within 122 minutes of hospital admission was associated with improved survival. These results support in-hospital efforts to achieve early DTT among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients admitted to the hospital.

The Notch ligand delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4), upregulated by VEGF, is a key regulator of vessel morphogenesis and function, controlling tip and stalk cell selection during sprouting angiogenesis. Inhibition of Dll4 results in hypersprouting, nonfunctional, poorly perfused vessels, suggesting a role for Dll4 in the formation of mature, reactive, functional vessels, with low permeability and able to restrict fluid and solute exchange. We tested the hypothesis that Dll4 controls transvascular fluid exchange. A recombinant protein expressing only the extracellular portion of Dll4 [soluble Dll4 (sDll4)] induced Notch signaling in endothelial cells (ECs), resulting in increased expression of vascular-endothelial cadherin, but not the tight junctional protein zonula occludens 1, at intercellular junctions. sDll4 decreased the permeability of FITC-labeled albumin across EC monolayers, and this effect was abrogated by coculture with the γ-secretase inhibitor N -[ N -(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]- S -phenylglycine t -butyl ester. One of the known molecular effectors responsible for strengthening EC-EC contacts is PKA, so we tested the effect of modulation of PKA on the sDll4-mediated reduction of permeability. Inhibition of PKA reversed the sDll4-mediated reduction in permeability and reduced expression of the Notch target gene Hey1. Knockdown of PKA reduced sDLL4-mediated vascular-endothelial cadherin junctional expression. sDll4 also caused a significant decrease in the hydraulic conductivity of rat mesenteric microvessels in vivo. This reduction was abolished upon coperfusion with the PKA inhibitor H89 dihydrochloride. These results indicate that Dll4 signaling through Notch activation acts through a cAMP/PKA pathway upon intercellular adherens junctions, but not tight junctions, to regulate endothelial barrier function. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Notch signaling reduces vascular permeability through stimulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the nature of quinidine use and accessibility in a national network of inherited arrhythmia clinics., Background: Quinidine is an antiarrhythmic medication that has been shown to be beneficial in select patients with Brugada syndrome, early repolarization syndrome, and idiopathic ventricular fibrillation. Because of the low prevalence of these conditions and restricted access to quinidine through a single regulatory process, quinidine use is rare in Canada., Methods: Subjects prescribed quinidine were identified through the Hearts in Rhythm Organization that connects the network of inherited arrhythmia clinics across Canada. Cases were retrospectively reviewed for patient characteristics, indications for quinidine use, rate of recurrent ventricular arrhythmia, and issues with quinidine accessibility., Results: In a population of 36 million, 46 patients are currently prescribed quinidine (0.0000013%, age 48.1 ± 16.1 years, 25 are male). Brugada syndrome, early repolarization syndrome, and idiopathic ventricular fibrillation constituted a diagnosis in 13 subjects (28%), 6 (13%), and 21 (46%), respectively. Overall, 37 subjects (81%) had cardiac arrest as an index event. After initial presentation, subjects experienced 7.47 ± 12.3 implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks prior to quinidine use over 34.3 ± 45.9 months, versus 0.86 ± 1.69 implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks in 43.8 ± 41.8 months while on quinidine (risk ratio: 8.7, p < 0.001). Twenty-two patients access quinidine through routes external to Health Canada's Special Access Program., Conclusions: Quinidine use is rare in Canada, but it is associated with a reduction in recurrent ventricular arrhythmias in patients with Brugada syndrome, early repolarization syndrome, and idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, with minimal toxicity necessitating discontinuation. Drug interruption is associated with frequent breakthrough events. Access to quinidine is important to deliver this potentially lifesaving therapy., (Copyright © 2019 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: This study explored early repolarization (ER) pattern inheritance between survivors of unexplained cardiac arrest (UCA) and their first-degree relatives., Background: ER is considered a factor that confers an increased risk of sudden death. A monogenic explanation for ER is seldom evident after cascade screening., Methods: UCA survivors and their first-degree relatives enrolled in the CASPER (Cardiac Arrest Survivors With Preserved Ejection Fraction Registry) were included in the study. ER was defined and characterized according to accepted criteria. Logistic regression was performed to explore the association between ER status in the UCA survivor and first-degree relative groups based on the presence of an ER pattern in their related family members after adjusting for age, sex, and ethnicity., Results: A total of 289 patients from 14 Canadian sites were studied (age: 43.0 ± 15.9 years; 148 women), and 945 electrocardiograms were analyzed. Seventy-five patients had the ER pattern. There was a significantly higher prevalence of the ER pattern in UCA survivors who had first-degree relatives with the ER pattern (adjusted odds ratio: 5.79; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 1.79 to 18.7). There was also a nonsignificant higher prevalence of the ER pattern in first-degree relatives of UCA survivors with the ER pattern (OR: 2.43; 95% CI: 0.70 to 8.43). The highest prevalence of the ER pattern was seen in first-degree relatives of UCA survivors with ER syndrome (29%)., Conclusions: The ER pattern appeared to be more common among UCA survivors and first-degree relatives whose related family members had similar changes on electrocardiography, which suggested that genetically complex factors contribute to electrocardiographic patterns that predispose to cardiac arrest., (Crown Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Atrial fibrillation and heart failure are increasing in prevalence, and frequently coexist. Despite the desire to restore sinus rhythm in heart failure patients, large studies comparing rate control to pharmacologic rhythm control have failed to show superiority of either approach. This may in part be due to the inefficacy and higher risk of adverse effects with antiarrhythmic drugs in HF patients. As such, catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction has been increasingly explored as a treatment modality. We review the contemporary evidence regarding patient selection, efficacy, safety, and impact of catheter ablation on outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

In October 2012, paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) were detected in the hepatopancreas of Southern Rock Lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) collected from the east coast of Tasmania, Australia. This resulted in the first commercial closure in Australia for this species. Questions were raised on how the toxins were transferred to the lobsters, how long the toxins would persist, whether PST-contaminated hepatopancreas posed a risk to human health, and what management strategies could be applied. The aim of this study was to investigate whether PST-contaminated mussels are a potential vector enabling toxin accumulation in J. edwardsii and to collect information on toxin uptake, distribution and depuration rates and toxin profiles under controlled experimental settings. Lobsters were fed mussels naturally contaminated with PST for a period of 28 days in an experimental setting; following this, lobsters were allocated to either fed or starved treatment groups. PST were not detected in the tail tissue of lobsters at any stage of the experiment. Lobster hepatopancreas contained mean levels of 2.4 mg STX.2HCl eq/kg after 28 days of uptake, although substantial variability in total toxicity was observed. The PST profile of the hepatopancreas was similar to that of the contaminated mussels used as feed. Significant differences were noted in the PST depuration rates between fed and starved treatment groups. The daily depuration rate for total PST was estimated to be 0.019 and 0.013 mg STX.2HCl eq/kg for the fed and starved treatment groups respectively using a constant-rate decay model. After 42 days of depuration, total PST (STX equivalents) levels in the hepatopancreas of all lobsters were below 0.8 mg STX.2HCl eq/kg, which represents the regulatory level applied to bivalves. This result indicates that long-term holding to depurate PST may potentially be used as a risk management tool., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Internationally human enteric viruses, such as norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV), are frequently associated with shellfish related foodborne disease outbreaks, and it has been suggested that acceptable NoV limits based on end-point testing be established for this high risk food group. Currently, shellfish safety is generally managed through the use of indicators of faecal contamination. Between July 2014 and August 2015, a national prevalence survey for NoV and HAV was done in Australian oysters suitable for harvest. Two sampling rounds were undertaken to determine baseline levels of these viruses. Commercial Australian growing areas, represented by 33 oyster production regions in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland, were included in the survey. A total of 149 and 148 samples were collected during round one and two of sampling, respectively, and tested for NoV and HAV by quantitative RT-PCR. NoV and HAV were not detected in oysters collected in either sampling round, indicating an estimated prevalence for these viruses in Australian oysters of <2% with a 95% confidence interval based on the survey design. The low estimated prevalence of foodborne viruses in Australian oysters was consistent with epidemiological evidence, with no oyster-related foodborne viral illness reported during the survey period., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) producing microalgal blooms have a significant economic impact on the Southern Rock Lobster ( Jasus edwardsii) fishery in Tasmania, Australia. The regulatory level of 0.8 mg of saxitoxin (STX) eq/kg in place for bivalve shellfish fisheries is applied to lobster hepatopancreas during blooms of toxic algae, resulting in harvest closures and ongoing risk management implications for the fishery. This cooking study was undertaken to inform a human health risk assessment, in conjunction with studies on the uptake and elimination of PST in J. edwardsii. Live lobsters in tanks were contaminated through consumption of PST-containing mussels harvested during an Alexandrium tamarense Group 1 bloom event. This resulted in a mean lobster hepatopancreas level of 2.83 ± 0.84 mg of STX·2HCl eq/kg. Other edible tissues contained negligible concentrations of toxin. PST concentrations in all tissues did not significantly change after boiling or steaming, although the amount of hepatopancreas available for consumption did decrease significantly with both cooking methods, because the tissue became more dispersed, resulting in an overall reduction in the toxin exposure per hepatopancreas consumed. The toxin profile was dominated by STX; gonyautoxin 2, 3; N-sulfocarbamoyl-gonyautoxin 2, 3 (C1,2); and gonyautoxin 5. No significant changes to the toxin profile were observed after either of the cooking methods. Pâté, bisque, and soufflé prepared from the hepatopancreas of toxic lobsters contained negligible levels of PST in each serving; on average, a serving of pâté contained 0.01 mg of STX·2HCl eq, whereas a serving of bisque or soufflé contained <0.01 mg of STX·2HCl eq. The findings of this study will inform a risk assessment of PST in J. edwardsii to determine risk management options for this fishery in Australia.

The first national survey of Australian wild-caught abalone was conducted between September 2012 and December 2013. The aim of the survey was to determine the presence of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), amnesic shellfish toxins (ASTs), and diarrhetic shellfish toxins (DSTs) in wild-caught abalone at levels above the current Codex marine biotoxin limits during the 2013 fishing season. Abalone (n = 190) were collected from 68 abalone-fishing blocks for which the combined annual harvest accounts for 80 % of Australian production. Concurrent seawater samples were collected and enumerated for potentially toxic phytoplankton. The foot and viscera tissues of each abalone sample were analyzed separately for PSTs, ASTs, and DSTs. No samples (abalone foot or viscera) contained toxins at levels exceeding the marine biotoxin limits stipulated by Codex. The resulting prevalence estimate suggests that less than 1.6 % of the commercially caught wild abalone population in Australia were contaminated with marine biotoxins at levels above the regulatory limit during the survey period. ASTs were detected at very low (trace) levels in the foot and viscera tissue of four and three abalone samples, respectively. To our knowledge, this represents the first reported detection of domoic acid in Australian abalone. PSTs also were detected at very low levels in 17 samples of abalone foot tissue and 6 samples of abalone viscera. The association between the low levels of ASTs and PSTs detected in abalone and the presence of potential toxin-producing phytoplankton in seawater samples was weak. DSTs were not detected in any abalone despite the detection of very low levels of DST-producing phytoplankton in a small number (9 of 77) of seawater samples. The results of this survey should be useful for public health risk assessments and provide additional evidence that the prevalence of marine biotoxins in Australian wild-caught abalone is very low.

For the first time wild-caught Tasmanian abalone, Haliotis rubra, have been reported to contain paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs). This observation followed blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum. No illnesses were reported, but harvesting restrictions were enforced in commercial areas. Abalone were assayed using HPLC-FLD methodology based on AOAC official method 2005.06. An uncommon congener, deoxydecarbamoyl-STX (doSTX), was observed in addition to regulated PSTs as unassigned chromatographic peaks. A quantitative reference material was prepared from contaminated Tasmanian abalone viscera and ampouled at 54.2 μmol/L. The LD50 of doSTX via intraperitoneal injection was 1069 nmol/kg (95% confidence limits 983-1100 nmol/kg), indicating it is nearly 40 times less toxic than STX. A toxicity equivalence factor of 0.042 was generated using the mouse bioassay. Levels of PSTs varied among individuals from the same site, although the toxin profile remained relatively consistent. In the foot tissue, STX, decarbamoyl-STX and doSTX were identified. On a molar basis doSTX was the dominant congener in both foot and viscera samples. The viscera toxin profile was more complex, with other less toxic PST congeners observed and was similar to mussels from the same site. This finding implicates localised dinoflagellate blooms as the PST source in Tasmanian abalone., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Pediatric obesity (body mass index [BMI] > or = 95th percentile for sex and age) and overweight (BMI > or = 85th percentile < 95% percentile) are priority public health targets for the prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We examined the prevalence and risk of overweight and obesity in adolescents with serious mental disorders., Method: Height, weight, demographic, diagnostic, and treatment data were reviewed for 114 adolescents attending a partial hospitalization program over 18 consecutive months between January 2003 and July 2004. Sample data were compared to normative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data and regional county data for BMI. Unadjusted odds ratios and their 95% CIs were calculated for each categorical risk factor using the chi-squared test. A logistic regression model was conducted to detect the effects of these risk factors on the occurrence of overweight and obesity., Results: The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 55.4% (n = 63); the prevalence for obesity alone was 30% (n = 34), approximately double the rate in national and county norms. Lack of private insurance, smoking, and antidepressant and antipsychotic treatment were associated with overweight and obese status., Conclusions: Adolescents with severe mental illness are at increased risk for overweight and obesity. Identification of elevated BMI, associated risk factors, and efforts to prevent weight gain should begin at initiation of mental health treatment., ((c) Copyright 2010 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.)

Prostaglandins (PG) are key mediators of diverse functions in the skin and several reports suggest that PG mediate post-inflammatory pigmentary changes through modulation of melanocyte dendricity and melanin synthesis. The proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) is important for skin pigmentation because activation of keratinocyte PAR-2 stimulates uptake of melanosomes through phagocytosis in a Rho-dependent manner. In this report, we show that activation of keratinocyte PAR-2 stimulates release of PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) and that PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) act as paracrine factors that stimulate melanocyte dendricity. We characterized the expression of the EP and FP receptors in human melanocytes and show that human melanocytes express EP1 and EP3, and the FP receptor, but not EP2 and EP4. Treatment of melanocytes with EP1 and EP3 receptor agonists resulted in increased melanocyte dendricity, indicating that both EP1 and EP3 receptor signaling contribute to PGE(2)-mediated melanocyte dendricity. Certain EP3 receptor subtypes have been shown to increase adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) through coupling to Gs, whereas EP1 is known to couple to Gq to activate phospholipase C with elevation in Ca(2+). The cAMP/protein kinase A system is known to modulate melanocyte dendrite formation through modulation of Rac and Rho activity. Neither PGF(2alpha) or PGE(2) elevated cAMP in human melanocytes showing that dendricity observed in response to PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) is cAMP-independent. Our data suggest that PAR-2 mediates cutaneous pigmentation both through increased uptake of melanosomes by keratinocytes, as well as by release of PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) that stimulate melanocyte dendricity through EP1, EP3, and FP receptors.

A patient with typical features of idiopathic ulcerative colitis, in remission, developed an attack of severe colitis. Sigmoidoscopy showed submucosal black nodules in the sigmoid colon. Mucosal biopsies from the involved areas showed evidence of acute on chronic colitis with cytomegalic cells and intra-nuclear inclusions suggestive of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease. The patient attained remission following subtotal colectomy and intravenous ganciclovir therapy for 3 weeks. The patient had another relapse five months later. The colonic biopsies during this relapse showed evidence only of idiopathic ulcerative colitis, with no CMV infection. The patient responded well to steroid therapy.