Pediatric donor heart utilization variability among organ procurement organizations.

BACKGROUND: Organ procurement organizations (OPOs) are responsible for the medical management of organ donors. Given the variability in pediatric donor heart utilization among OPOs, we examined factors that may explain this variability, including differences in donor medical management, organ quality, and candidate factors. METHODS: The Organ Procurement and Transplant Network database was queried for pediatric (<18 years) heart donors and candidates receiving pediatric donor heart offers from 2010 to 2019. OPOs were stratified by pediatric donor heart utilization rate, and the top and bottom quintiles were compared based on donor management strategies and outcomes. A machine learning algorithm, combining 11 OPO, donor, candidate, and offer variables, was used to determine factors most predictive of whether a heart offer is accepted. RESULTS: There was no clinically significant difference between the top and bottom quintile OPOs in baseline donor characteristics, distance between donor and listing center, management strategies, or organ quality. Machine learning modeling suggested neither OPO donor management nor cardiac function is the primary driver of whether an organ is accepted. Instead, number of prior donor offer refusals and individual listing center receiving the offer were two of the most predictive variables of organ acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: OPO clinical practice variation does not seem to account for the discrepancy in pediatric donor heart utilization rates among OPOs. Listing center acceptance practice and prior number of donor refusals seem to be the important drivers of heart utilization and may at least partially account for the variation in OPO heart utilization rates given the regional association between OPOs and listing centers.

A multimodality intervention to improve musculoskeletal health, function, metabolism, and well-being in spinal cord injury: study protocol for the FIT-SCI randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating, life-changing event that has profoundly deleterious effects on an individual's health and well-being. Dysregulation of neuromuscular, cardiometabolic, and endocrine organ systems following an SCI contribute to excess morbidity, mortality and a poor quality of life. As no effective treatments currently exist for SCI, the development of novel strategies to improve the functional and health status of individuals living with SCI are much needed. To address this knowledge gap, the current study will determine whether a Home-Based Multimodality Functional Recovery and Metabolic Health Enhancement Program that consists of functional electrical stimulation of the lower extremity during leg cycling (FES-LC) plus arm ergometry (AE) administered using behavioral motivational strategies, and testosterone therapy, is more efficacious than FES-LC plus AE and placebo in improving aerobic capacity, musculoskeletal health, function, metabolism, and wellbeing in SCI. METHODS: This single-site, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial will enroll 88 community-dwelling men and women, 19 to 70 years of age, with cervical and thoracic level of SCI, ASIA Impairment Scale grade: A, B, C, or D, 6 months or later after an SCI. Participants randomized to the multimodality intervention will undergo 16 weeks of home-based FES-LC and AE training plus testosterone undecanoate. Testosterone undecanoate injections will be administered by study staff in clinic or by a visiting nurse in the participant's home. The control group will receive 16 weeks of home-based FES-LC and AE exercise plus placebo injections. The primary outcome of this trial is peak aerobic capacity, measured during an incremental exercise testing protocol. Secondary outcomes include whole body and regional lean and adipose tissue mass; muscle strength and power; insulin sensitivity, lipids, and inflammatory markers; SCI functional index and wellbeing (mood, anxiety, pain, life satisfaction and depressive symptoms); and safety. DISCUSSION: We anticipate that a multimodality intervention that simultaneously addresses multiple physiological impairments in SCI will result in increased aerobic capacity and greater improvements in other musculoskeletal, metabolic, functional and patient-reported outcomes compared to the control intervention. The findings of this study will have important implications for improving the care of people living with an SCI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov :  ( NCT03576001 ). Prospectively registered: July 3, 2018.

Parallel Sequencing Reveals Campylobacter spp. in Commercial Meat Chickens Less than 8 Days Old.

Campylobacter from contaminated poultry meat is a major source of human gastroenteritis worldwide. To date, attempts to control this zoonotic infection with on-farm biosecurity measures have been inconsistent in outcome. A cornerstone of these efforts has been the detection of chicken infection with microbiological culture, where Campylobacter is generally not detectable until birds are at least 21 days old. Using parallel sequence-based bacterial 16S profiling analysis and targeted sequencing of the porA gene, Campylobacter was identified at very low levels in all commercial flocks at less than 8 days old that were tested from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and France. These young chicks exhibited a much greater diversity of porA types than older birds testing positive for Campylobacter by culture or quantitative PCR (qPCR). This suggests that as the bacteria multiply sufficiently to be detected by culture methods, one or two variants, as indicated by porA type, dominate the infection. The findings that (i) most young chicks carry some Campylobacter and (ii) not all flocks become Campylobacter positive by culture suggest that efforts to control infection, and therefore avoid contamination of poultry meat, should concentrate on how to limit Campylobacter to low levels by the prevention of the overgrowth of single strains. IMPORTANCE Our results demonstrate the presence of Campylobacter DNA among fecal samples from a range of commercially reared meat chicks that are less than 8 days of age, consistent across 3 European countries. The recently developed, sensitive detection method indicates that infection occurs on commercial farms much earlier and more widely than previously thought, which opens up new opportunities to control Campylobacter contamination at the start of the food chain and reduce the unacceptably high levels of human disease.

"It Runs in Your Blood": Reflections from Treatment Seeking Gamblers on Their Family History of Gambling.

There are considerable gaps in our understanding of the familial transmission of gambling problems. This convergent mixed-methods study aimed to explore the: (1) sources of heterogeneity in the familial (paternal, maternal, and sibling) transmission of gambling problems; (2) degree to which family-of-origin characteristics are associated with family-of-origin problem gambling; and (3) beliefs of gamblers about the nature of the familial transmission of problem gambling. The sample consisted of 97 treatment-seeking gamblers in Australia. One-quarter (25.5%) of participants reported that at least one family member (16.5% father, 7.5% mother, 7.6% siblings) living with them when they were growing up had a gambling problem. Most participants reported that family members with a positive history of problem gambling were biological relatives, lived with them full-time, and experienced long-term difficulties with gambling. Participants with a family history of problem gambling were young (less than 12 years of age) at the onset of parental, but not sibling, problem gambling, were women, and reported difficulties with the same gambling activity as their family member. Participants raised in families with problem gambling were more likely to report parental separation (risk ratio [RR] = 2.32) and divorce (RR = 2.83), and extreme family financial hardship (RR = 1.80), as well as low levels of paternal authoritative parenting than participants raised in non-problem gambling families. Qualitatively, both social learning and genetics were perceived to play a central role in the familial transmission of gambling problems. These findings inform theories of the familial transmission of gambling problems and the design of targeted prevention and intervention strategies.

Comparison of SemiQuantitative Cotinine Values Obtained by the DRI Immunoassay and Values Obtained by a Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry-Based Method: The DRI Immunoassay is Suitable for Screening Purposes Only Because Semiquantitative Values May Be Unreliable.

BACKGROUND: DRI cotinine assay is suitable only for screening for cotinine in urine specimens. We studied the reliability of DRI cotinine semiquantitative values by comparing them with the cotinine concentration obtained with a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. METHODS: Semiquantitative cotinine concentrations in 39 urine specimens obtained by the DRI immunoassay were compared with cotinine concentrations obtained by LC-MS/MS. RESULTS: The DRI cotinine assay consistently overestimated cotinine values obtained by the LC/MS/MS method (y = 1.1529 x + 252.24, n = 39, R2 = 0.8899) indicating that semiquantitative values obtained using the DRI assay may be unreliable. However, no false-negative results were observed using the DRI assay. CONCLUSION: DRI cotinine assay is suitable only for screening cotinine in urine specimens.

Comparison of Response of DRI Oxycodone Semiquantitative Immunoassay With True Oxycodone Values Determined by Liquid Chromatography Combined With Tandem Mass Spectrometry: Sensitivity of the DRI Assay at 100 ng/ml Cut-Off and Validity of Semiquantitative Value.

OBJECTIVE: Oxycodone is a widely used opioid for pain management and patient's compliance with therapy is often monitored by using oxycodone immunoassay. The performance of the DRI oxycodone immunoassay was compared with liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) assay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 48 urine specimens collected from patients taking oxycodone, urinary oxycodone concentrations were determined using LC/MS/MS and the DRI oxycodone immunoassay for application on the Cobas c 501 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN). RESULTS: Out of 48 specimens, 14 specimens showed oxycodone value less than 100 ng/ml, seven specimens had low positive values (between 101 and 165 ng/ml) and all other specimens had values 165 to 1789 ng/ml using the LC/MS/MS assay. The DRI oxycodone assay successfully identified all oxycodone specimens with oxycodone concentrations over the 100 ng/ml. In addition, the DRI assay also showed positive response in 11 out of 14 specimens with oxycodone values less than 100 ng/ml. However, semiquantitative values obtained by the DRI assay did not match with true oxycodone and metabolite oxymorphone concentrations combined obtained by using LC/MS/MS. CONCLUSIONS: DRI oxycodone immunoassay at 100 ng/ml is a reliable immunoassay for analysis of oxycodone in urine.

Zinc Sulfate, a Recently Introduced Urinary Adulterant Can Invalidate Urine Cotinine Test Using Immunoassay but Has Less Effect on Liquid Chromatography Combined With Tandem Mass Spectrometry-Based Test.

OBJECTIVE: Zinc sulfate is a recently introduced urinary adulterant, which causes false-negative results with immunoassays used for screening drugs of abuse in urine but whether zinc sulfate also could invalidate urine cotinine assay using immunoassay or liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry has never been studied. DESIGN AND METHOD: Four urine pools containing none detected to high levels of cotinine were analyzed using DRI cotinine immunoassay on the Olympus 640 analyzer as well as using liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry. Specimens were reanalyzed after supplementing with various amounts of zinc sulfate that are known to invalidate immunoassays used for drugs of abuse testing. RESULTS: Zinc sulfate in all concentrations studied caused false-negative results using immunoassays, but zinc sulfate also reduced cotinine values by approximately 2.1%-38.4% when analyzed using liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. CONCLUSIONS: Zinc sulfate caused false-negative cotinine result when DRI immunoassay was used and also had small to moderate impact on liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry-based assay for urine cotinine.

Limitations of EMIT benzodiazepine immunoassay for monitoring compliance of patients with benzodiazepine therapy even after hydrolyzing glucuronide metabolites in urine to increase cross-reactivity: comparison of immunoassay results with LC-MS/MS values.

BACKGROUND: Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed, and compliance of patients with benzodiazepine therapy is often monitored using urine specimens. Although various commercially available benzodiazepines immunoassays are widely used for compliance monitoring, such immunoassays usually have low cross-reactivity with glucuronide metabolites. We studied the effect of hydrolyzing such glucuronide before analysis to reevaluate suitability of Enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique benzodiazepine immunoassay for monitoring compliance with benzodiazepine therapy. METHODS: In 31 urine specimens collected from patients taking benzodiazepines, the true analyte concentrations were determined (after hydrolyzing glucuronide metabolites using beta-glucuronidase) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. These urine specimens were reanalyzed using EMIT benzodiazepine assay (Flex Reagent Cartridge; Siemens Diagnostics) and Vista analyzer. RESULTS: We observed false negative test results with EMIT in 11 of 31 specimens analyzed where liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry values were above the 200 ng/mL cutoff concentration, but EMIT benzodiazepine assay showed a negative result, indicating that despite hydrolysis of the specimen to liberate parent drug (glucuronide metabolite often has poor cross-reactivity), the false negative rate using EMIT assay was 35.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Patient compliance with benzodiazepine therapy must be monitored using a chromatographic method.

Open-label, phase II study of routine high-flow nasal oxygen therapy in cardiac surgical patients.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory complications after cardiac surgery increase morbidity, mortality, and length of stay. Studies suggest that routine delivery of positive airway pressure after extubation may be beneficial. We sought to determine whether the routine administration of nasal high-flow oxygen therapy (NHF) improves pulmonary function after cardiac surgery. METHODS: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial; participants received either NHF (45 litre min(-1)) or usual care from extubation to Day 2 after surgery. The primary outcome was number of patients with / ratio ≥445 on Day 3 after surgery. The secondary outcomes included atelectasis score on chest X-ray; spirometry; intensive care and hospital length of stay; mortality on Day 28; oxygenation indices; escalation of respiratory support; and patient comfort. RESULTS: We randomized 340 patients over 14 months. The number of patients with a / ratio of ≥445 on Day 3 was 78 (46.4%) in the NHF group vs 72 (42.4%) standard care [odds ratio (OR) 1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77-1.81, P=0.45]. was reduced at both 4 h post-extubation and at 9 a.m. on Day 1 in the NHF group (5.3 vs 5.4 kPa, P=0.03 and 5.1 vs 5.3 kPa, P=0.03, respectively). Escalation in respiratory support at any time in the study occurred in 47 patients (27.8%) allocated to NHF compared with 77 (45%) standard care (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.29-0.7, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Routine use of NHF did not increase / ratio on Day 3 but did reduce the requirement for escalation of respiratory support. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry www.anzctr.org.au (ACTRN12610000973011).

Approaches to dog health education programs in Australian rural and remote Indigenous communities: four case studies.

Dog health in rural and remote Australian Indigenous communities is below urban averages in numerous respects. Many Indigenous communities have called for knowledge sharing in this area. However, dog health education programs are in their infancy, and lack data on effective practices. Without this core knowledge, health promotion efforts cannot progress effectively. This paper discusses a strategy that draws from successful approaches in human health and indigenous education, such as dadirri, and culturally respectful community engagement and development. Negotiating an appropriate education program is explored in its practical application through four case studies. Though each case was unique, the comparison of the four illustrated the importance of listening (community consultation), developing and maintaining relationships, community involvement and employment. The most successful case studies were those that could fully implement all four areas. Outcomes included improved local dog health capacity, local employment and engagement with the program and significantly improved dog health.

The application of autologous cancer immunotherapies in the age of memory-NK cells.

Cellular immunotherapy has revolutionized the oncology field, yielding improved results against hematological and solid malignancies. NK cells have become an attractive alternative due to their capacity to activate upon recognition of "stress" or "danger" signals independently of Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) engagement, thus making tumor cells a perfect target for NK cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy even as an allogeneic solution. While this allogeneic use is currently favored, the existence of a characterized memory function for NK cells ("memory-like" NK cells) advocates for an autologous approach, that would benefit from the allogeneic setting discoveries, but with added persistence and specificity. Still, both approaches struggle to exert a sustained and high anticancer effect in-vivo due to the immunosuppressive tumor micro-environment and the logistical challenges of cGMP production or clinical deployment. Novel approaches focused on the quality enhancement and the consistent large-scale production of highly activated therapeutic memory-like NK cells have yielded encouraging but still unconclusive results. This review provides an overview of NK biology as it relates to cancer immunotherapy and the challenge presented by solid tumors for therapeutic NKs. After contrasting the autologous and allogeneic NK approaches for solid cancer immunotherapy, this work will present the current scientific focus for the production of highly persistent and cytotoxic memory-like NK cells as well as the current issues with production methods as they apply to stress-sensitive immune cells. In conclusion, autologous NK cells for cancer immunotherapy appears to be a prime alternative for front line therapeutics but to be successful, it will be critical to establish comprehensives infrastructures allowing the production of extremely potent NK cells while constraining costs of production.

Response of cows with osteomalacia grazing sub-tropical native pastures to phosphorus supplementation with loose mineral mix or feed blocks.

Osteomalacia outbreaks often occur in cattle grazing native pastures in regions with endemic phosphorous (P) deficiency. This study evaluated the responses of two groups of cows, initially with clinical signs of chronic P deficiency, to P supplements (100 g P/kg) offered ad libitum for 13 weeks as a loose mineral mix (LMM group) or the same mineral mix offered as blocks (BMM group). Half of the cows in each group were categorized as 'with' or 'without' severe osteopenia according to a test that depended on the resistance to penetration of a needle through the left lateral process of the L4-L5 lumbar vertebra. The groups grazed two paddocks that were switched each 3 weeks. The liveweight, supplement intakes, and the P-concentrations in soil, forage, blood, and external cortical bone (ECB) of the ribs were measured. The bicarbonate-extractable P in soil was 3.5 mg/kg. The mean of total P in forage (0.95 g/kg/DM), inorganic P in serum (iP, 0.96 mmol/L), and total P in the ECB of the ribs (85 mg/mL) at the beginning of the experiment were all low and consistent with severe chronic P deficiency. The P supplementation allowed clinical recovery in 18/20 cows with their serum and ECB P and calcium approaching normal values and in the two remaining cows the only sign was abnormal gait. Cows consumed more of the LMM than BMM supplement (means 8.3 and 6.6 g P/day, respectively). After 13 weeks cows initially classified as 'with severe osteopenia' and supplemented with LMM had higher (P < 0.05) final liveweight (difference = 21.6 kg), iP (difference = 0.74 mmol/L), bone Ca (difference = 65.7 mg/mL) and bone P (difference = 26.5 mg/mL) concentrations and lower (P < 0.01) final serum Ca/iP ratio (difference = -0.65) than cows with severe osteopenia but supplemented with BMM. The treatment of severe P deficiency cows grazing P deficient sub-tropical grasslands by P supplementation for 13 weeks was more effective with LMM than BMM.

The role of interleukin-15 in T-cell migration and activation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is a novel cytokine with interleukin-2-like activity. It is also a potent T-lymphocyte chemoattractant. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the presence of activated T lymphocytes, macrophages and synoviocytes in the synovial membrane. The mechanisms of T-cell activation in RA are currently unclear. We report the presence of high concentrations of IL-15 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial fluid and have demonstrated its expression in the synovial membrane lining layer by immunohistochemistry. RA synovial fluids were found to contain chemotactic activity, which was attributable in part to the presence of IL-15. Moreover, in a murine model, injection of recombinant IL-15 was found to induce a local tissue inflammatory infiltrate consisting predominantly of T lymphocytes. Synovial fluid T lymphocytes proliferate in response to IL-15, demonstrating that continued responsiveness to IL-15 is a feature of T cells after entry into the synovial compartment. These data suggest that IL-15 can recruit and activate T lymphocytes in the synovial membrane, thereby contributing to RA pathogenesis.

One-Year Plasma N-linked Glycome Intra-individual and Inter-individual Variability in the Chicken Model of Spontaneous Ovarian Adenocarcinoma.

Spontaneous epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in the chicken presents a similar pathogenesis compared with humans including CA-125 expression and genetic mutational frequencies (e.g., p53). The high prevalence of spontaneous EOC chickens also provides a unique experimental model for biomarker discovery at the genomic, proteomic, glycomic, and metabolomic level. In an effort to exploit this unique model for biomarker discovery, longitudinal plasma samples were collected from chickens at three month intervals for one year. The study described herein involved cleaving the N-glycans from these longitudinal chicken plasma samples and analyzing them via nanoLC-FTMS/MS. Glycans identified in this study were previously found in human plasma and this work provides a promising methodology to enable longitudinal studies of the N-linked plasma glycome profile during EOC progression. The structure, abundance, and intra-variability and inter-variability for 35 N-linked glycans identified in this study are reported. The full potential of the chicken model for biomarker discovery has yet to be realized, but the initial interrogation of longitudinally-procured samples provides evidence that supports the value of this strategy in the search for glycomic biomarkers.

Design, Modeling, Fabrication, and Evaluation of the Air Amplifier for Improved Detection of Biomolecules by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

Through a multi-disciplinary approach, the air amplifier is being evolved as a highly engineered device to improve detection limits of biomolecules when using electrospray ionization. Several key aspects have driven the modifications to the device through experimentation and simulations. We have developed a computer simulation that accurately portrays actual conditions and the results from these simulations are corroborated by the experimental data. These computer simulations can be used to predict outcomes from future designs resulting in a design process that is efficient in terms of financial cost and time. We have fabricated a new device with annular gap control over a range of 50 to 70 µm using piezoelectric actuators. This has enabled us to obtain better aerodynamic performance when compared to the previous design (2× more vacuum) and also more reproducible results. This is allowing us to study a broader experimental space than the previous design which is critical in guiding future directions. This work also presents and explains the principles behind a fractional factorial design of experiments methodology for testing a large number of experimental parameters in an orderly and efficient manner to understand and optimize the critical parameters that lead to obtain improved detection limits while minimizing the number of experiments performed. Preliminary results showed that several folds of improvements could be obtained for certain condition of operations (up to 34 folds).

Conformer specific dissociation dynamics of iodocyclohexane studied by velocity map imaging.

The photodissociation dynamics of iodocyclohexane has been studied using velocity map imaging following excitation at many wavelengths within its A-band (230 ≤ λ ≤ 305 nm). This molecule exists in two conformations (axial and equatorial), and one aim of the present experiment was to explore the extent to which conformer-specific fragmentation dynamics could be distinguished. Ground (I) and spin-orbit excited (I∗) state iodine atom products were monitored by 2 + 1 resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization, and total kinetic energy release (TKER) spectra and angular distributions derived from analysis of images recorded at all wavelengths studied. TKER spectra obtained at the longer excitation wavelengths show two distinct components, which can be attributed to the two conformers and the different ways in which these partition the excess energy upon C-I bond fission. Companion calculations based on a simple impulsive model suggest that dissociation of the equatorial (axial) conformer preferentially yields vibrationally (rotationally) excited cyclohexyl co-fragments. Both I and I∗ products are detected at the longest parent absorption wavelength (λ ∼ 305 nm), and both sets of products show recoil anisotropy parameters, ß > 1, implying prompt dissociation following excitation via a transition whose dipole moment is aligned parallel to the C-I bond. The quantum yield for forming I∗ products, Φ(I∗), has been determined by time resolved infrared diode laser absorption methods to be 0.14 ± 0.02 (at λ = 248 nm) and 0.22 ± 0.05 (at λ = 266 nm). Electronic structure calculations indicate that the bulk of the A-band absorption is associated with transition to the 4A(') state, and that the (majority) I atom products arise via non-adiabatic transfer from the 4A(') potential energy surface (PES) via conical intersection(s) with one or more PESs correlating with ground state products.

Complications following pancreatic transplantations: imaging features.

Whole organ vascularized pancreatic transplant is a recognized treatment for diabetes and is increasingly being performed worldwide. The procedure itself is complex and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Despite improvements in surgical techniques, postoperative complications of pancreatic transplantation are still common and include graft rejection, pancreatitis, peripancreatic fluid collections, exocrine leaks, vascular thrombosis, and hemorrhage. In this pictorial essay, we review clinical presentation and imaging features of these complications. We also briefly discuss technique and complications of islet cell transplants.

Consumer views on the potential use of mobile phones for the delivery of weight-loss interventions.

BACKGROUND: The surge in the incidence of obesity and being overweight demands new options to extend the reach of weight-loss interventions. Mobile phones provide a medium for reaching large numbers of people in a cost-effective manner. The present study aimed to explore the potential for weight-loss interventions to be delivered via mobile phone. METHODS: A mixed methods approach was employed. A telephone survey was conducted with 306 randomly selected participants, and 10 focus groups were undertaken with 54 purposively selected participants. The telephone survey comprised questions exploring the nature and acceptability of any potential weight-loss programme that might be delivered via mobile phones. The focus groups were conducted to explore issues of acceptability in more depth than was possible in the survey. RESULTS: Two-thirds of participants reported support for a mobile phone weight-loss intervention, with greater levels of support amongst younger age groups and rural Maori (the indigenous population in New Zealand). Participants liked the idea of ready access to weight-loss information, and associated feedback and encouragement. The results suggest that interventions would need to include aspects of social support, use tailored and personalised content, and be practical and relevant so that they appeal to consumers. Appropriate methods of providing social support using a mobile phone require further exploration. CONCLUSIONS: Mobile phones may provide a novel but acceptable way to deliver a weight-loss intervention. They have the potential to be automatically personalised and tailored to the needs of the individual, at the same time as being delivered at a population level.

Study of the ionization mechanism in hybrid laser based desorption techniques.

In order to study the ionization mechanism in MALDESI, the RASTIR source was implemented to separate in space the laser desorption event from the intersecting electrospray ionization beam. Deuterated solvents were electrosprayed from the RASTIR source which resulted in a near complete shift from [M + H(+)](1+) to [M + D(+)](1+) of the monoisotopic peak for reserpine. The purpose of these experiments is to test the hypothesis that the primary ionization pathway in MALDESI is through interaction of the laser-desorbed neutral species with the intersecting electrospray ionization beam. The combination of RASTIR coupled to MALDESI can be utilized to study small organic molecules as well as peptides and proteins. Moreover, the use of RASTIR combined with MALDESI lends itself to improve the overall efficiency of ionization.

An assessment of the antibacterial activity in larval excretion/secretion of four species of insects recorded in association with corpses, using Lucilia sericata Meigen as the marker species.

The relative antibacterial activities of excretion/secretion (ES) from two carrion-feeding insects, Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy and Dermestes maculatus DeGeer, and a detritivore, Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus, were compared to that of Lucilia sericata Meigen, a species with ES of known antibacterial capacity, in order to explore the antimicrobial potential of other carrion and detritivore species. Viable counts were used to assess time-kill of ES against five bacterial species, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis. Antibacterial activity was recorded in all four insect species although T. molitor and D. maculatus were the most effective in controlling growth of P. mirabilis. The blowflies were more effective in controlling a wider range of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The larval ES from all species was shown to reduce bacterial growth rate although differences in antibacterial spectrum were noted and the degree of potency varied between the four species. These differences may be explained ecologically by the different colonisation times of each insect species on the corpse. Overall, this study demonstrates that research into other carrion-feeding insect species has potential to provide an increased source of antimicrobial chemicals to broaden the range of bacterial species beyond that currently controlled using L. sericata.