Comprehensive cardiopulmonary profile of individuals with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and previous studies have shown that these low levels of fitness have a physiological cause. During exercise, the cardiovascular, ventilatory and muscular systems are simultaneously active. While individual parameters of these systems have been investigated in DS before, the interaction between these parameters and systems have not been discussed in detail. Doing so may provide important insight regarding the aetiology of low cardiorespiratory fitness and which parameters of the cardiovascular, pulmonary and muscular systems are altered in individuals with DS compared with their peers without DS. METHODS: Cardiopulmonary exercise tests were performed in healthy adults with and without DS. Parameters related to the cardiovascular, ventilatory and muscular systems were collected until VO2peak . In total, 51 participants were included in analysis, of which 21 had DS. RESULTS: Individuals with DS showed lower peak values for all collected outcomes (P ≤ 0.001) compared with those without DS, except for ventilatory threshold as a percentage of maximal oxygen uptake and VE /VCO2 slope, which were similar. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that individuals with DS present impairments across the cardiovascular, ventilatory and muscular aspects of the cardiopulmonary system.

Microcytic to hypochromic ratio as a discriminant index of thalassaemia trait in subjects with hypochromic anaemia.

INTRODUCTION: Differentiating between thalassaemia and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) in hypochromic anaemia is a challenge to pathologists as it influences the choice of subsequent specialized confirmatory tests. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of microcytic to hypochromic ratio (MicroR/ Hypo-He, M/H ratio) as a discriminant index in hypochromic anaemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on 318 subjects with hypochromic anaemia, which comprised 162 IDA and 156 thalassaemia trait subjects with α-thalassemia, ß-thalassemia and HbE trait. Optimal cut-off value, sensitivity and specificity of M/H ratio for thalassaemia trait discrimination was determined using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: Subjects with thalassaemia trait showed higher MicroR compared to IDA ( p< 0.001) while subjects with IDA demonstrated higher Hypo-He than thalassaemia trait (p < 0.001). M/H ratio was significantly higher in thalassaemia trait compared to IDA, with medians of 3.77 (interquartile range: 2.57 - 6.52) and 1.73 (interquartile range: 1.27 - 2.38), respectively (p < 0.001). M/H ratio ≥ 2.25 was the optimal cut-off value for discriminating thalassaemia trait from IDA in hypochromic anaemia, with the area under ROC curve (AUC) of 0.83, sensitivity of 80.8% and specificity of 71.6%. CONCLUSIONS: M/H ratio is a useful discriminant index to distinguish thalassaemia trait from IDA in hypochromic anaemia prior to diagnostic analysis for thalassaemia confirmation. High M/H ratio is suggestive of thalassaemia trait than of IDA. However, more studies are required to establish the role of M/H ratio as a screening tool for thalassaemia discrimination in hypochromic anaemia.

Sex modulates the association of fibroblast growth factor 21 with end-stage renal disease in Asian people with Type 2 diabetes: a 6.3-year prospective cohort study.

AIM: To study whether plasma fibroblast growth factor 21 independently predicts the risk of end-stage renal disease in Asian people with Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 1700 Asian people with Type 2 diabetes were followed for a mean of 6.3 years in a regional hospital in Singapore. Incident end-stage renal disease was identified by linkage with a national renal registry. The association of baseline fibroblast growth factor 21 levels with risk of progression to end-stage renal disease was studied using survival analyses. RESULTS: Participants were aged 60 ± 10 years, with an average diabetes duration of 12 years. Their estimated GFR was 73 ± 28 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 62% had albuminuria at baseline. A total of 179 incident end-stage renal disease cases were identified. Plasma fibroblast growth factor 21 interacted with sex in its association with end-stage renal disease (Pinteraction = 0.003). A 1-sd increment in fibroblast growth factor 21 (natural log-transformed) was associated with a 1.32-fold (95% CI 1.05-1.66, P = 0.02) increased hazard for end-stage renal disease in women, after adjustment for traditional risk factors including estimated GFR and albuminuria. Taking death as a competing risk did not materially change the outcome [sub-distribution hazard ratio 1.35 (95% CI 1.11-1.66, P = 0.003)]. Fibroblast growth factor 21 did not predict end-stage renal disease risk in men after adjustment for baseline estimated GFR and albuminuria [hazard ratio 1.07 (95% CI 0.89-1.28, P = 0.49)]. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma fibroblast growth factor 21 level independently predicted risk of progression to end-stage renal disease in women with Type 2 diabetes. The pathophysiological relationships among FGF21, sex and renal progression warrant further study.

Attraction and consumption of methyl eugenol by male Bactrocera umbrosa Fabricius (Diptera: Tephritidae) promotes conspecific sexual communication and mating performance.

The Artocarpus fruit fly, Bactrocera umbrosa (Fabricius) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is an oligophagous fruit pest infesting Moraceae fruits, including jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamarck), a fruit commodity of high value in Malaysia. The scarcity of fundamental biological, physiological and ecological information on this pest, particularly in relation to behavioural response to phytochemical lures, which are instrumental to the success of many area-wide fruit fly control and management programmes, underpins the need for studies on this much-underrated pest. The positive response of B. umbrosa males to methyl eugenol (ME), a highly potent phytochemical lure, which attracts mainly males of many Bactrocera species, was shown to increase with increasing age. As early as 7 days after emergence (DAE), ca. 22% of males had responded to ME and over 50% by 10 DAE, despite no occurrence of matings (i.e. the males were still sexually immature). Male attraction to ME peaked from 10 to 27 DAE, which corresponded with the flies' attainment of sexual maturity. In wind-tunnel assays during the dusk courtship period, ME-fed males exhibited earlier calling activity and attracted a significantly higher percentage of virgin females compared with ME-deprived males. ME-fed males enjoyed a higher mating success than ME-deprived males at 1-day post ME feeding in semi-field assays. ME consumption also promotes aggregation behaviour in B. umbrosa males, as demonstrated in wind-tunnel and semi-field assays. We suggest that ME plays a prominent role in promoting sexual communication and enhancing mating performance of the Artocarpus fruit fly, a finding that is congruent with previous reports on the consequences of ME acquisition by other economically important Bactrocera species.

Morganella morganii bacteria produces phenol as the sex pheromone of the New Zealand grass grub from tyrosine in the colleterial gland.

Costelytra zealandica (Coleoptera: Scarabeidae) is a univoltine endemic species that has colonised and become a major pest of introduced clover and ryegrass pastures that form about half of the land area of New Zealand. Female beetles were previously shown to use phenol as their sex pheromone produced by symbiotic bacteria in the accessory or colleterial gland. In this study, production of phenol was confirmed from the female beetles, while bacteria were isolated from the gland and tested for attractiveness towards grass grub males in traps in the field. The phenol-producing bacterial taxon was identified by partial sequencing of the 16SrRNA gene, as Morganella morganii. We then tested the hypothesis that the phenol sex pheromone is biosynthesized from the amino acid tyrosine by the bacteria. This was shown to be correct, by addition of isotopically labelled tyrosine ((13)C) to the bacterial broth, followed by detection of the labelled phenol by SPME-GCMS. Elucidation of this pathway provides specific evidence how the phenol is produced as an insect sex pheromone by a mutualistic bacteria.

Pilot study of an automated method to determine Melasma Area and Severity Index.

BACKGROUND: Objective outcome measures for melasma severity are essential for the evaluation of severity as well as results of treatment. The modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) score is a validated tool for assessing melasma severity but is often subject to inter-observer variability. OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a novel image analysis software designed to automatically calculate the area and degree of hyperpigmentation in melasma from computer image analysis of whole-face digital photographs, thereby deriving an automated mMASI score (aMASI). METHODS: The algorithm was developed in collaboration between dermatologists and image analysis experts. Firstly, using an adaptive threshold method, the algorithm identifies, segments and calculates the areas involved. It then calculates the darkness. Finally, the derived area and darkness are then used to calculate mMASI. The scores derived from the algorithm are validated prospectively. Twenty-nine patients with melasma using depigmenting agents were recruited for validation. Three dermatologists scored mMASI at baseline and post-treatment using standardized photographs. These scores were compared with aMASI scores derived from computer analysis. RESULTS: aMASI scores correlated well with clinical mMASI pre-treatment (r = 0·735, P < 0·001) and post-treatment (r = 0·608, P < 0·001). aMASI was reliable in detecting changes with treatment. These changes in aMASI scores correlated well with changes in clinician-assessed mMASI (r = 0·622, P < 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: This study proposes a novel approach in melasma scoring using digital image analysis. It holds promise as a tool that would enable clinicians worldwide to standardize melasma severity scoring and outcome measures in an easy and reproducible manner, enabling different treatment options to be compared accurately.

Identification and electrophysiological studies of (4S,5S)-5-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-heptanone and 4-methyl-3,5-heptanedione in male lucerne weevils.

An investigation to identify a sex or aggregation pheromone of Sitona discoideus Gyllenhål (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is presented. Antenna flicking and attraction behaviors evoked by conspecifics of both sexes were recorded in arena bioassays, where attraction of females to males was observed. Air entrainment of both males and females was conducted in separate chambers. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of headspace volatiles revealed that two male-specific compounds, 4-methyl-3,5-heptanedione (major) and (4S,5S)-5-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-heptanone (minor), were emitted during the autumnal post-aestivatory flight period. The stereoisomers of the minor component were separated by enantioselective gas chromatography and their absolute configurations assigned by NMR (diastereomers) and the known preference of enantioselective transesterification reactions catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase B. Electroantennogram and single sensillum recording studies indicate that 4-methyl-3,5-heptanedione as well as all individual stereoisomers of 5-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-heptanone are detected by the antennae of male and female S. discoideus. Further, single sensillum recordings suggest that both sexes of S. discoideus have specialized olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) for detecting 4-methyl-3,5-heptanedione and different populations of stereoselective ORNs for detecting the stereoisomers of 5-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-heptanone. Some of these stereoselective ORNs appear to be sex-specific in S. discoideus.

Randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of echinacea supplementation in air travellers.

Objective. To identify whether a standardised Echinacea formulation is effective in the prevention of respiratory and other symptoms associated with long-haul flights. Methods. 175 adults participated in a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial travelling back from Australia to America, Europe, or Africa for a period of 1-5 weeks on commercial flights via economy class. Participants took Echinacea (root extract, standardised to 4.4 mg alkylamides) or placebo tablets. Participants were surveyed before, immediately after travel, and at 4 weeks after travel regarding upper respiratory symptoms and travel-related quality of life. Results. Respiratory symptoms for both groups increased significantly during travel (P < 0.0005). However, the Echinacea group had borderline significantly lower respiratory symptom scores compared to placebo (P = 0.05) during travel. Conclusions. Supplementation with standardised Echinacea tablets, if taken before and during travel, may have preventive effects against the development of respiratory symptoms during travel involving long-haul flights.

Evaluation of selective enrichment broths and chromogenic media for Salmonella detection in highly contaminated chicken carcasses.

We evaluated the effectiveness of 2 selective enrichment broths, Rappaport-Vassiliadis Soy (RVS) and Muller-Kauffmann tetrathionate with novobiocin (MKTTn), for the isolation of Salmonella from chicken carcasses obtained from 3 different types of retail markets. We also compared a chromogenic agar, chromID Salmonella agar (SM-ID 2), with a classic plating medium, xylose lysine deoxycholate agar (XLD). Salmonella were isolated from 118 of the 180 samples (65.5%). Salmonella were detected in 105 samples (88%) plated on XLD and 111 samples (94%) plated on SM-ID 2 when RVS broth was used for enrichment, and 43 samples (36.4%) plated on XLD and 67 samples (56.8%) plated on SM-ID 2 when the MKTTn broth was used. The highest sensitivity was found in the RVS-XLD combination (0.99), followed by RVS-SM-ID 2 (0.97). The specificity of the RVS-SM-ID 2 combination was the highest (0.89), but that of the MKTTn-XLD combination was zero. The results of this study indicate that the selective enrichment broths had a great effect on the sensitivity and specificity of plating media, and our study confirms that the RVS broth is the most suitable enrichment for the investigation of Salmonella in chicken carcasses. This observation suggests that use of RVS broth for selective enrichment and SM-ID 2 for selective isolation may be the best combination to determine the presence of Salmonella in chicken carcasses.

The human µ-opioid receptor gene polymorphism (A118G) is associated with head pain severity in a clinical cohort of female migraine with aura patients.

Migraine is a painful and debilitating, neurovascular disease. Current migraine head pain treatments work with differing efficacies in migraineurs. The opioid system plays an important role in diverse biological functions including analgesia, drug response and pain reduction. The A118G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 1 of the µ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) has been associated with elevated pain responses and decreased pain threshold in a variety of populations. The aim of the current preliminary study was to test whether genotypes of the OPRM1 A118G SNP are associated with head pain severity in a clinical cohort of female migraineurs. This was a preliminary study to determine whether genotypes of the OPRM1 A118G SNP are associated with head pain severity in a clinical cohort of female migraineurs. A total of 153 chronic migraine with aura sufferers were assessed for migraine head pain using the Migraine Disability Assessment Score instrument and classified into high and low pain severity groups. DNA was extracted and genotypes obtained for the A118G SNP. Logistic regression analysis adjusting for age effects showed the A118G SNP of the OPRM1 gene to be significantly associated with migraine pain severity in the test population (P = 0.0037). In particular, G118 allele carriers were more likely to be high pain sufferers compared to homozygous carriers of the A118 allele (OR = 3.125, 95 % CI = 1.41, 6.93, P = 0.0037). These findings suggest that A118G genotypes of the OPRM1 gene may influence migraine-associated head pain in females. Further investigations are required to fully understand the effect of this gene variant on migraine head pain including studies in males and in different migraine subtypes, as well as in response to head pain medication.

Audit and improve! Evaluation of a real-time probe-based PCR assay with internal control for the direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.

We retrospectively audited the performance of the commercial kit in use in our laboratory for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and found the sensitivity to be unacceptably low at 69% (52/75). We developed an in-house end-point polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detecting IS6110, an IS-like element of MTBC, and achieved a sensitivity of 90% (66/73) with the same DNA samples, re-emphasising the poor performance of the commercial kit. In order to avoid specificity issues surrounding gel-based PCR, we developed a probe-based real-time PCR assay with an internal control and achieved a sensitivity of 84%, specificity of 97% and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 207. The evaluation was performed on clinically requested samples, so we expect the performance of the assay in real life to match the data from this evaluation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommending nucleic acid tests for the investigation of possible cases of tuberculosis are expected to promote the use of molecular assays. It is important that clinical laboratories do not assume that assays, in-house or commercial, will perform well or that they will continue to perform well. Audit at regular intervals is necessary to maintain confidence and to demonstrate that the assay works to specification in the real test population.

Impact of food texture modifications on oral processing behaviour, bolus properties and postprandial glucose responses.

Several studies have demonstrated food texture manipulation on oral processing behaviour (OPB). We explored the effect of texture-differences of equivalent carbohydrate load on OPB, bolus properties and postprandial glycaemic responses (PPG). In a randomised cross-over, within-subjects, non-blinded design, healthy male participants (N = 39) consumed fixed portions of white rice (WR) and rice cake (RC) while being video recorded to measure microstructural eating behaviours. PPG was compared between test foods over a period of 120-min, and the bolus properties and saliva uptake at swallow were measured for both test foods. RC displayed higher instrumental hardness, chewiness and Young's modulus than WR (p = 0.01), and participants perceived RC as more springy and sticky than WR (p < 0.001). The RC meal was chewed more per bite (p < 0.001) and consumed at a faster eating rate (p = 0.033) than WR. WR bolus particles were smaller at swallow (p < 0.001) with a larger total surface area (p < 0.001), compared to RC. The glucose response for RC was significantly higher during the first 30-min postprandial period (p = 0.010), and lower in the later (30-120 min) postprandial period (p = 0.031) compared to WR. Total blood glucose iAUC did not differ significantly between WR and RC meals despite their large differences in texture, OPB and bolus properties. Oro-sensory exposure time was a significant predictor of glucose iAUC30min for both test meals (RC, p = 0.003; WR, p = 0.029). Saliva uptake in the bolus was significantly positively associated with blood glucose during the first 30-min postprandial period for the RC meal (p = 0.008), but not for WR. We conclude that food texture modifications can influence OPB and bolus properties which are key contributors to the dynamic evolution of the glycaemic response. Total blood glucose responses were the same for both test foods, though differences in oral processing and bolus properties influenced temporal changes in PPG.

Obesity Measures and Definitions of Sarcopenic Obesity in Singaporean Adults - the Yishun Study.

OBJECTIVES: Due to the lack of a uniform obesity definition, there is marked variability in reported sarcopenic obesity (SO) prevalence and associated health outcomes. We compare the association of SO with physical function using current Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) guidelines and different obesity measures to propose the most optimal SO diagnostic formulation according to functional impairment, and describe SO prevalence among community-dwelling young and old adults. DESIGN: Obesity was defined according to waist circumference (WC), percentage body fat (PBF), fat mass index (FMI), fat mass/fat-free mass ratio (FM/FFM), or body mass index (BMI). SO was defined as the presence of both obesity and AWGS sarcopenia. Muscle function was compared among phenotypes and obesity definitions using ANOVA. Differences across obesity measures were further ascertained using multiple linear regressions to determine their associations with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). SETTING: Community-dwelling adults 21 years old and above were recruited from a large urban residential town in Singapore. PARTICIPANTS: 535 community-dwelling Singaporeans were recruited (21-90 years old, 57.9% women), filling quotas of 20-40 participants in each sex- and age-group. MEASUREMENTS: We took measurements of height, weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences, body fat, muscle mass, muscle strength, and functional assessments. Questionnaire-based physical and cognitive factors were also assessed. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of SO was 7.6% (WC-based), 5.1% (PBF-based), 2.7% (FMI-based), 1.5% (FM/FFM-based), and 0.4% (BMI-based). SO was significantly associated with SPPB only in the FMI model (p<0.05), and total variance explained by the different regression models was highest for the FMI model. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest FMI as the most preferred measure for obesity and support its use as a diagnostic criteria for SO.

Malnutrition and Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Adults in Singapore: Yishun Health Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the overlapping prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia and the association between parameters of malnutrition with muscle mass and strength in a community-dwelling Singaporean adult population. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. SETTING: Large north-eastern residential town of Yishun in Singapore. PARTICIPANTS: Random sampling of community-dwelling Singaporeans aged 21-90 years old (n=541). MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometry, body composition and handgrip strength (muscle strength) were measured. Sarcopenia was identified using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan (muscle mass). Nutritional status was measured using Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF). Other questionnaires collected included physical activity and cognition. Associations between nutritional status with sarcopenia as well as with muscle mass and strength were analysed using multinomial logistics and linear regressions. RESULTS: The overall population-adjusted prevalence of those at nutritional risk and malnourished were 18.5% and 0.1% respectively. More than a third of participants (35%) who were at nutritional risk were sarcopenic. Malnourished participants were all sarcopenic (100%, N=2) whereas those who were sarcopenic, 27.0% (N=37) were at nutritional risk/malnourished. Being at nutritional risk/malnourished was significantly associated with 2 to 3 times increased odds of sarcopenia in multivariate analyses adjusting for age, gender, physical activity level and cognition, and fat mass index. Favourable MNA parameter scores on food intake and BMI were positively associated with greater muscle mass and handgrip strength (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Given the overlapping clinical presentation of malnutrition and sarcopenia, community screening protocols should include combination screening of nutritional status and sarcopenia with appropriate interventions to mitigate risk of adverse health outcomes.

Development, Validation and Field Evaluation of the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study (SLAS) Risk Index for Prediction of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia.

BACKGROUND: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a critical pre-dementia target for preventive interventions. There are few brief screening tools based on self-reported personal lifestyle and health-related information for predicting MCI that have been validated for their generalizability and utility in primary care and community settings. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a MCI risk prediction index, and evaluate its field application in a pilot community intervention trial project. DESIGN: Two independent population-based cohorts in the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Study (SLAS). We used SLAS1 as a development cohort to construct the risk assessment instrument, and SLA2 as a validation cohort to verify its generalizability. SETTING: community-based screening and lifestyle intervention Participants: (1) SLAS1 cognitively normal (CN) aged ≥55 years with average 3 years (N=1601); (2) SLAS2 cohort (N=3051) with average 4 years of follow up. (3) 437 participants in a pilot community intervention project. MEASUREMENTS: The risk index indicators included age, female sex, years of schooling, hearing loss, depression, life satisfaction, number of cardio-metabolic risk factors (wide waist circumference, pre-diabetes or diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia). Weighted summed scores predicted probabilities of MCI or dementia. A self-administered questionnaire field version of the risk index was deployed in the pilot community project and evaluated using pre-intervention baseline cognitive function of participants. RESULTS: Risk scores were associated with increasing probabilities of progression to MCI-or-dementia in the development cohort (AUC=0.73) and with increased prevalence and incidence of MCI-or-dementia in the validation cohort (AUC=0.74). The field questionnaire risk index identified high risk individuals with strong correlation with RBANS cognitive scores in the community program (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The SLAS risk index is accurate and replicable in predicting MCI, and is applicable in community interventions for dementia prevention.

Helper cell-independent cytotoxic clones in man.

We report here a class of helper cell-independent cytotoxic T cell (HITc) clones in man that can proliferate in response to antigenic stimulation as well as mediate cytotoxicity. HITc appear to be rare among clones derived from primary in vitro allosensitized culture, but constitute the majority of clones derived from cells sensitized to autologous Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines. The implications of the derivation and function of HITc clones are discussed.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of CD6 by stimulation of CD3: augmentation by the CD4 and CD2 coreceptors.

When T cells are activated via the T cell receptor (TCR) complex a number of cellular substrates, including some cell surface proteins, become phosphorylated on tyrosine (Tyr) residues. Phosphorylation of cytoplasmic Tyr renders these cell surface receptors competent to interact with proteins that link cell surface receptors to protein in the intracellular signaling pathways. Here we show that Tyr residues in the cytoplasmic domain of CD6 become phosphorylated upon T cell activation via the TCR complex. Tyr phosphorylation was observed when the T cells were activated by crosslinking CD3 or by cocrosslinking CD3 with CD2 or CD4, but not when the cells were stimulated by crosslinking CD2, CD4, or CD28 alone. Unlike other Tyr kinase substrates, such as the phospholipase C gamma 1-associated pp35/36 protein, whose level of Tyr phosphorylation is highest when T cells are activated by cocrosslinking CD3 with CD2, the levels of CD6 Tyr phosphorylation are highest when T cells were activated by cocrosslinking CD3 with CD4.

Identification and characterization of a 100-kD ligand for CD6 on human thymic epithelial cells.

CD6 is a 130-kD glycoprotein expressed on the surface of thymocytes and peripheral blood T cells that is involved in TCR-mediated T cell activation. In thymus, CD6 mediates interactions between thymocytes and thymic epithelial (TE) cells. In indirect immunofluorescence assays, a recombinant CD6-immunoglobulin fusion protein (CD6-Rg) bound to cultured human TE cells and to thymic fibroblasts. CD6-Rg binding to TF and TE cells was trypsin sensitive, and 54 +/- 4% of binding was divalent cation dependent. By screening the blind panel of 479 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from the 5th International Workshop on Human Leukocyte Differentiation Antigens for expression on human TE cells and for the ability to block CD6-Rg binding to TE cells, we found one mAb (J4-81) that significantly inhibited the binding of CD6-Rg to TE cells (60 +/- 7% inhibition). A second mAb to the surface antigen identified by mAb J4-81, J3-119, enhanced the binding of CD6-Rg to TE cells by 48 +/- 5%. Using covalent cross-linking and trypsin digestion, we found that mAb J4-81 and CD6-Rg both bound to the same 100-kD glycoprotein (CD6L-100) on the surface of TE cells. These data demonstrate that a 100-kD glycoprotein on TE cells detected by mAb J4-81 is a ligand for CD6.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from bovine mastitis between 2003 and 2008 in Korea.

A total of 1,444 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolates from bovine mastitic milk samples collected during 2003-2008 in Korea were identified to the species level. Of 14 species identified, S. simulans, S. haemolyticus, and S. sciuri accounted for over 60% of the isolates. All the CNS isolates were tested for susceptibility to eight antimicrobials commonly used in dairy cattle. With a few exceptions, similar resistance patterns were observed among the CNS species: penicillin and ampicillin showed the lowest activity while amikacin, cephalothin, and gentamycin were highly effective. About 39% (557/1,444) of the CNS isolates were pan-susceptible, while 12% (175/1,444) showed resistance to four or more antimicrobials tested.

Interictal hemodynamic abnormality during motor activation in sporadic hemiplegic migraine: An explorative study.

INTRODUCTION: The motor weakness in sporadic hemiplegic migraine (SHM) is a poorly understood aura manifestation. Cortical spreading depression affecting motor excitability and alterations of neurovascular coupling may be integral to the development of migraine aura. METHODS: We studied 10 right-handed SHM patients and 17 healthy controls with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in the interictal period. Subjects performed a finger opposition task and had real time determination of oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) and deoxyhemoglobin (deOxyHb) changes. Recordings were completed with 10 left and 10 right sided cortical channels. RESULTS: Mean baseline to peak changes were significantly reduced in SHM patients as compared to controls bilaterally only for OxyHb measurements in the anteromedial channels. Mean time to peak changes were significant delayed in SHM patients compared to controls bilaterally largely for OxyHb measurements in the posterolateral channels, with the exception of 2 recording channels. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest presence of abnormal interictal hemodynamic responses to increased metabolic demands during motor activation in SHM. These bilateral cerebrovascular changes involve OxyHb to a much larger degree than deOxyHb. Baseline to peak changes were evident more in the anteromedial channels, whereas time to peak changes were more evident in the posterolateral channels. These findings suggest that oxygen inflow into specific brain regions may be defective in SHM as opposed to oxygen utilization. Our findings suggest that in SHM, enduring hemodynamic deficits in response to an impending motor task are evident, which can be further explored in future studies, and possibly therapeutic trials.