Sun-related knowledge and practices in Irish construction and agricultural workers.

BACKGROUND: Agricultural and construction workers spend much of their work time outdoors and have higher risks of developing skin cancer when compared to indoor workers. However, there is limited research on ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure knowledge, sun safety practices and constraints within these occupational groups in Ireland. AIMS: This study aimed to examine self-reported time spent outdoors in a sample of Irish agricultural and construction workers; to describe and compare UVR exposure knowledge, safety practices and perceived constraints in both occupational groups, and to assess the association of demographic, personal and occupational factors with sun-related knowledge, practices and perceived constraints. METHODS: Agricultural workers (n = 154) and construction workers (n = 467) completed a questionnaire, which measured solar UVR exposure knowledge, safety practices, and perceived constraints to sun personal protective equipment and sunscreen use in addition to demographic, personal, and workplace characteristics. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to examine differences in knowledge, practices and perceived constraints by these characteristics. RESULTS: Both groups spend a significant proportion of their working week outdoors (25 hours per week on average). Although participation in sun safety training was high for both groups, UVR exposure knowledge and sunscreen use were low, and annual rates of reported sunburn were high. Knowledge, practices and perceived constraints also differed significantly according to demographic, personal, occupational and workplace characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to training by employers and advisory groups, interventions are required to address perceived barriers that impede the uptake and usage of control measures that can lower risk.

Macroalgal protein hydrolysates from Palmaria palmata influence the 'incretin effect' in vitro via DPP-4 inhibition and upregulation of insulin, GLP-1 and GIP secretion.

PURPOSE: This study investigated metabolic benefits of protein hydrolysates from the macroalgae Palmaria palmata, previously shown to inhibit dipeptidylpeptidase-4 (DPP-4) activity in vitro. METHODS: Previously, Alcalase/Flavourzyme-produced P. palmata protein hydrolysate (PPPH) improved glycaemia and insulin production in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Here the PPPH, was compared to alternative Alcalase, bromelain and Promod-derived hydrolysates and an unhydrolysed control. All PPPH's underwent simulated gastrointestinal digestion (SGID) to establish oral bioavailability. PPPH's and their SGID counterparts were tested in pancreatic, clonal BRIN-BD11 cells to assess their insulinotropic effect and associated intracellular mechanisms. PPPH actions on the incretin effect were assessed via measurement of DPP-4 activity, coupled with GLP-1 and GIP release from GLUTag and STC-1 cells, respectively. Acute in vivo effects of Alcalase/Flavourzyme PPPH administration on glucose tolerance and satiety were assessed in overnight-fasted mice. RESULTS: PPPH's (0.02-2.5 mg/ml) elicited varying insulinotropic effects (p < 0.05-0.001). SGID of the unhydrolysed protein control, bromelain and Promod PPPH's retained, or improved, bioactivity regarding insulin secretion, DPP-4 inhibition and GIP release. Insulinotropic effects were retained for all SGID-hydrolysates at higher PPPH concentrations. DPP-4 inhibitory effects were confirmed for all PPPH's and SGID counterparts (p < 0.05-0.001). PPPH's were shown to directly influence the incretin effect via upregulated GLP-1 and GIP (p < 0.01-0.001) secretion in vitro, largely retained after SGID. Alcalase/Flavourzyme PPPH produced the greatest elevation in cAMP (p < 0.001, 1.7-fold), which was fully retained post-SGID. This hydrolysate elicited elevations in intracellular calcium (p < 0.01) and membrane potential (p < 0.001). In acute in vivo settings, Alcalase/Flavourzyme PPPH improved glucose tolerance (p < 0.01-0.001) and satiety (p < 0.05-0.001). CONCLUSION: Bioavailable PPPH peptides may be useful for the management of T2DM and obesity.

Successful multimodality treatment of recalcitrant necrobiotic xanthogranuloma using electron beam radiation and intravenous immunoglobulin.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG) is a rare dermatosis with a poorly understood pathophysiology. Studies comparing treatments for such lesions are limited. We present the case of a patient with a 30-year history of NXG refractory to several individual therapeutic interventions [excision, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), systemic chemotherapies and immunosuppressants, cryotherapy and laser therapy], who ultimately responded to a combination of treatment with electron beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in conjunction with IVIg. This combined treatment resulted in flattening of the NXG lesions and a reduction of symptomatic pruritus within the treatment zone. EBRT may represent a potent treatment for NXG, and formal trials evaluating its effectiveness may yield insights into the management of NXG.

Moving off the grid in an experimental, compressively sampled photonic link.

Perhaps the largest obstacle to practical compressive sampling is an inability to accurately, and sparsely describe the data one seeks to recover due to poor choice of signal model parameters. In such cases the recovery process will yield artifacts, or in many cases, fail completely. This work represents the first demonstration of a solution to this so-called "off-grid" problem in an experimental, compressively sampled system. Specifically, we show that an Alternating Convex Search algorithm is able to significantly reduce these data model errors in harmonic signal recovery.

Dynamic behavior of DNA cages anchored on spherically supported lipid bilayers.

We report the anchoring of 3D-DNA-cholesterol labeled cages on spherically supported lipid bilayer membranes (SSLBM) formed on silica beads, and their addressability through strand displacement reactions, controlled membrane orientation and templated dimerization. The bilayer-anchored cages can load three different DNA-fluorophores by hybridization to their "top" face (furthest from bilayer) and unload each of them selectively upon addition of a specific input displacement strand. We introduce a method to control strand displacement from their less accessible "bottom" face (closest to the bilayer), by adding cholesterol-substituted displacing strands that insert into the bilayer themselves in order to access the toehold region. The orientation of DNA cages within the bilayer is tunable by positioning multiple cholesterol anchoring units on the opposing two faces of the cage, thereby controlling their accessibility to proteins and enzymes. A population of two distinct DNA cages anchored to the SSLBMs exhibited significant membrane fluidity and have been directed into dimer assemblies on bilayer via input of a complementary linking strand. Displacement experiments performed on these anchored dimers indicate that removal of only one prism's anchoring cholesterol strand was not sufficient to release the dimers from the bilayer; however, removal of both cholesterol anchors from the dimerized prisms via two displacement strands cleanly released the dimers from the bilayer. This methodology allows for the anchoring of DNA cages on supported lipid bilayers, the control of their orientation and accessibility within the bilayer, and the programmable dimerization and selective removal of any of their components. The facile coupling of DNA to other functional materials makes this an attractive method for developing stimuli-responsive protein or nanoparticle arrays, drug releasing biomedical device surfaces and self-healing materials for light harvesting applications, using a highly modular, DNA-economic scaffold.

Clinical guideline adherence by physiotherapists working in acute stroke care.

The publication of the Irish Clinical Guidelines for Stroke in 2009 provided healthcare professionals with an essential tool for improving stroke services. The aim of this study was to identify the degree to which Senior Physiotherapists in acute stroke care adhered to the Irish Clinical Guidelines for Stroke. This was a cross-sectional study, a postal or online survey was distributed to 31 Senior Physiotherapists working in acute stroke care, 23 responded, achieving a 74% response rate. There was excellent compliance with guidelines for the completion and documentation of full assessment within 5 working days of admission 19 respondents (82.6%), and the involvement of the patient in goal setting 19 (82.6%). Poor compliance was reported in relation to the provision of early assessment 10 (43.5%) and adequate rehabilitation intensity 9 (39%). The main barriers to compliance in these areas were organisational in nature.

Outcomes of posterior component separation with transversus abdominis release for repair of abdominally based breast reconstruction donor site hernias.

PURPOSE: Abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction (ABABR) is common after mastectomy, but carries a risk of complex abdominal wall hernias. We report experience with posterior component separation (PCS) and transversus abdominis release (TAR) with permanent synthetic mesh repair of ABABR-related hernias. METHODS: Patients at Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Penn State Health were identified retrospectively. Outcomes included postoperative complications, hernia recurrence, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs): Hernia Recurrence Inventory, HerQLes Summary Score, Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Intensity 3a Survey, and the Decision Regret Scale (DRS). RESULTS: Forty patients underwent PCS/TAR repair of hernias resulting from pedicled (35%), free (5%), muscle-sparing TRAMs (15%), and DIEPs (28%) from August 2014 to March 2021. Following PCS, 30-day complications included superficial surgical site infection (13%), seroma (8%), and superficial wound breakdown (5%). Five patients (20%) developed clinical hernia recurrence. At a minimum of 1 year, 17 (63%) reported a bulge, 12 (44%) reported pain, median HerQLes Quality Of Life Scores improved from 33 to 63/100 (p value < 0.01), PROMIS 3a Pain Intensity Scores improved from 52 to 38 (p value < 0.05), and DRS scores were consistent with low regret (20/100). CONCLUSION: ABABR-related hernias are complex and technically challenging due to missing abdominal wall components and denervation injury. After repair with PCS/TAR, patients had high rates of recurrence and bulge, but reported improved quality of life and pain and low regret. Surgeons should set realistic expectations regarding postoperative bulge and risk of hernia recurrence.

Characterization of a compressively sampled photonic link.

The emerging field of compressive sampling has potentially powerful implications for the design of analog-to-digital sampling systems. In particular, the mathematics of compressive sampling suggests that one can recover a signal at a smaller sampling interval than is dictated by the rate at which the samples are digitized. In a recent work the authors presented an all-photonic implementation of such a system and experimentally demonstrated the basic operating principles. This paper offers a more in-depth study of the system, including a more detailed description of the hardware, issues involved in real-time implementation, and how choice of signal model and model fidelity can influence the reconstruction.

Evaluation of two doses of ceftiofur crystalline free acid sterile suspension for treatment of metritis in lactating dairy cows.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate efficacy of a 2-dose regimen of ceftiofur crystalline free acid sterile suspension (CCFA-SS) for treatment of acute metritis in lactating dairy cows under field conditions and to provide additional safety and injection site tolerance data for injections at the base of the ear. Cows at 15 dairies with rectal temperature ≥ 39.5°C and fetid uterine discharge ≤ 10 d postcalving were randomly assigned by blocks of 2, based on order of entry and without regard to parity, to treatment with saline (1.5 mL/45.5 kg of body weight, n=509) or CCFA-SS (6.6 mg of ceftiofur equivalents/kg of body weight, n=514). Treatments were administered by subcutaneous injection in the posterior aspect of the ear where it attaches to the head; the first dose was administered on study d 0 and the second dose was administered in the contra lateral ear on study d 3. Rectal temperatures were recorded on study d 1 to 4 and 5 or 6 and cows were clinically evaluated daily from study d 1 to 13. Cows that exhibited increased adverse clinical signs of poor health or complications associated with metritis were categorized as a treatment failure and administered escape therapy. Each cow received a veterinary physical examination on study d 5 or 6 to determine if she should be removed from the study and on study d 14 to determine clinical cure or failure to cure. Clinical cure was defined as rectal temperature <39.5°C and non-fetid and purulent or mucopurulent discharge on study d 14 and no escape therapy administered. The injection procedure was scored after each injection (study d 0 and 3) and injection sites and ear carriage were scored on study d 5 or 6, 14, and 57±3. Of the 1,023 cows enrolled, 7 were completely censored due to protocol deviations and 34 were removed for protocol deviations or medical conditions not related to metritis. Clinical cure rate was higher for CCFA-SS than for saline (74.3 vs. 55.3%) and rectal temperatures for each of study d 1 to 5 or 6 were lower for CCFA-SS than saline. Injection procedure indices showed that CCFA-SS could be practically and safely administered using commercial dairy facilities. Although injection site scores were higher for CCFA-SS than saline at study d 5 or 6 and 14, ≥98.6% of ears were normal on d 57±3. Thus, a 2-dose treatment with CCFA-SS given 72h apart increased metritis clinical cure rate and was well tolerated in dairy cows.

A Case Report of a Novel Atypical Mycobacterial Infection: Mycobacterium Chimaera Hand Tenosynovitis.

CASE: A 76-year-old fisherman with a history of diabetes mellitus, coronary artery bypass grafting, and a previous ipsilateral elbow wound presented with a 1-year history of hand pain and swelling. Anti-inflammatories and antibiotics were administered without improvement. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound demonstrated flexor tenosynovitis. Intraoperative cultures revealed Mycobacterium chimaera. The treatment course included 2 tenosynovectomies and a 1-year course of triple antimycobacterial therapy. CONCLUSION: Nontuberculous mycobacteria infections should be considered in cases of indolent tenosynovitis. M. chimaera should be considered in patients with a history of cardiopulmonary bypass given its association with cardiopulmonary heater-cooler units.

Birth characteristics and childhood carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Carcinomas in children are rare and have not been well studied. METHODS: We conducted a population-based case-control study and examined associations between birth characteristics and childhood carcinomas diagnosed from 28 days to 14 years during 1980-2004 using pooled data from five states (NY, WA, MN, TX, and CA) that linked their birth and cancer registries. The pooled data set contained 57,966 controls and 475 carcinoma cases, including 159 thyroid and 126 malignant melanoma cases. We used unconditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: White compared with 'other' race was positively associated with melanoma (OR=3.22, 95% CI 1.33-8.33). Older maternal age increased the risk for melanoma (OR(per 5-year age increase)=1.20, 95% CI 1.00-1.44), whereas paternal age increased the risk for any carcinoma (OR=1.10(per 5-year age increase), 95% CI 1.01-1.20) and thyroid carcinoma (OR(per 5-year age increase)=1.16, 95% CI 1.01-1.33). Gestational age < 37 vs 37-42 weeks increased the risk for thyroid carcinoma (OR=1.87, 95% CI 1.07-3.27). Plurality, birth weight, and birth order were not significantly associated with childhood carcinomas. CONCLUSION: This exploratory study indicates that some birth characteristics including older parental age and low gestational age may be related to childhood carcinoma aetiology.

Prevalence and correlates of Herpes Simplex Virus-2 and syphilis infections in the general population in India.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and correlates of Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) and syphilis infections in the general population in India. METHODS: 2456 adults were surveyed in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chandigarh in India. Socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics were obtained through a questionnaire, and a dried blood spot (DBS) was collected from all individuals aged 18 years and over; sexual behaviour was collected from those aged 18-49 years. DBS samples were tested for HSV-2 and syphilis serology. The association between HSV-2 and syphilis infections with socio-demographic and behavioural variables was analysed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of HSV-2 and syphilis was 10.1% and 1.7%, respectively. Geographic differences in HSV-2 prevalence were significant, while for syphilis it was comparable. Urban-rural differences in prevalence were only seen for syphilis. For both infections, the prevalence between males and females was not significantly different. In males and females, HSV-2 prevalence increased significantly with increasing age; for syphilis, a slight trend was seen only in females. In a multivariable analysis, HSV-2 infection in males and females was associated with site, religion and testing positive for syphilis, in addition to reporting ≥ 2 lifetime partners in the previous year among males and being ever married or having had sex with a non-regular partner in the last year among females. CONCLUSIONS: The burden and geographic heterogeneity of HSV-2 and syphilis infections in India are significant. A national household and DBS-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) surveillance system would enable monitoring, especially in relation to the HIV epidemic, and planning of evidence-based prevention and treatment programmes.

Bence Jones proteins and light chains of immunoglobulins. II. Immunochemical differentiation and classification of kappa-chains.

Three distinct classes of kappa light polypeptide chains have been detected immunochemically by an antiserum (R185) prepared against a kappa Bence Jones protein with a glutamyl amino terminal residue. This antiserum had specificity for kappa light chains with glutamyl amino terminal residues and differentiated kappa-chains with aspartyl amino terminal residues into two classes: the three kappa-chain classes have been designated as kappa(glu), kappa(aspII), and kappa(aspI). The ability of antiserum R185 to detect these antigenic differences on the intact immunoglobulin molecule, as well as on the isolated light chain or Bence Jones protein, made feasible the direct classification of type K myeloma proteins and M-macroglobulins (Waldenström). The multispecificity of the antiserum permitted the quantitation of type kappa(glu) light chains in normal, hypergammaglobulinemic, and hypogammaglobulinemic sera. Whereas the distribution of myeloma proteins and Bence Jones proteins in the kappa(glu) class correlated with the distribution of kappa(glu) chains in normal and hypergammaglobulinemic sera, the M-macroglobulins in the kappa(glu) class represented 90% of the total M-macroglobulins tested and revealed a marked divergence from the range of 24-31% of kappa(glu) immunoglobulins in normal sera. A preponderance of kappa(glu) chains was detected in the sera from patients with non-sex-linked hypogammaglobulinemia and represented 60-77% of the total type K light chain content. The controlled cleavage of a Bence Jones protein representative of each kappa-chain class into its variant half and constant half made possible the localization on the light polypeptide chain, the reactive sites for which antiserum R185 had specificity. The correlations between immunochemical and structural classification of kappa light chains are discussed.

Voltage-gated potassium channels are required for human T lymphocyte activation.

The calcium channel blockers, verapamil and diltiazem, inhibit phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced mitogenesis at concentrations that block the T lymphocyte K channel currents. K channel blockers also inhibit the allogeneic mixed lymphocyte response in a dose-dependent manner with the same potency sequence as for block of K currents. K channel blockers inhibit PHA-stimulated mitogenesis only if added during the first 20-30 h after PHA addition, but not later, indicating a requirement for functional K channels during this period. We investigated the effect of K channel blockers on various aspects of protein synthesis for two reasons: first, protein synthesis appears to be necessary for the events leading to DNA synthesis, and second, the increase in the protein synthetic rate commences during the first 24-48 h after PHA addition. PHA-induced total protein synthesis was reduced to the level in unstimulated T lymphocytes by K channel blockers in a dose-dependent manner with the same potency sequence as for the block of K currents and inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis demonstrated that although the synthesis of the majority of proteins was reduced by K channel blockers to the level in unstimulated T cells, some proteins continued to be synthesized at an enhanced rate compared with resting cells. Two proteins, S and T, detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in unstimulated T lymphocytes, appeared to be reduced in intensity in gels of PHA-treated T lymphocytes, in contrast to the increased synthesis of the remaining proteins. 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP), at concentrations that inhibit protein synthesis, prevented the apparent PHA-induced reduction of proteins S and T. These proteins may play a role in maintaining the T lymphocyte in a resting state and may be related to the translation inhibitory factors reported to be present at a higher specific activity in quiescent T lymphocytes than in PHA-activated T cells. The expression of the IL-2 receptor (Tac) during T lymphocyte activation was not altered by K channel blockers, whereas the production of interleukin 2 (IL-2) was reduced to the level in unstimulated T lymphocytes. Exogenous IL-2 partially relieved the inhibition of mitogenesis by low, but not by high, concentrations of 4-AP. These experiments clarify the role of K channels in T lymphocyte activation and suggest that functional K channels are required either for protein synthesis or for events leading to protein synthesis.

Parental educational attainment as an indicator of socioeconomic status and risk of childhood cancers.

BACKGROUND: Little has been reported on socioeconomic (SES) patterns of risk for most forms of childhood cancer. METHODS: Population-based case-control data from epidemiological studies of childhood cancer conducted in five US states were pooled and associations of maternal, paternal and household educational attainment with childhood cancers were analysed. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using logistic regression, controlling for confounders. RESULTS: Although there was no association with parental education for the majority of cancers evaluated, there was an indication of a positive association with lower education for Hodgkin's and Burkitt's lymphoma and Wilm's tumour, with the ORs ranging from 1.5 to >3.0 times that of more educated parents. A possible protective effect was seen for lower parental education and astrocytoma and hepatoblastoma, with ORs reduced by 30 to 40%. CONCLUSIONS: These study results should be viewed as exploratory because of the broad nature of the SES assessment, but they give some indication that childhood cancer studies might benefit from a more thorough assessment of SES.

Birth characteristics and the risk of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma based on histological subtype.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about risk factors for childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and the histology-specific details are rare. METHODS: Case-control studies formed by linking cancer and birth registries of California, Minnesota, New York, Texas and Washington, which included 583 RMS cases (363 embryonal and 85 alveolar RMS) and 57 966 randomly selected control subjects, were analysed using logistic regression. The associations of RMS (overall, and based on embryonal or alveolar histology) with birth weight across five 500 g categories (from 2000 to 4500 g) were examined using normal birth weight (2500-3999 g) as a reference. Large (>90th percentile) and small (<10th percentile) size for gestational age were calculated based on birth weight distributions in controls and were similarly examined. RESULTS: High birth weight increased the risk of embryonal RMS and RMS overall. Each 500 g increase in birth weight increased the risk of embryonal RMS (odds ratio (OR)=1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.14-1.42) and RMS overall (OR=1.18, 95% CI=1.09-1.29). Large size for gestational age also significantly increased the risk of embryonal RMS (OR=1.42, 95% CI=1.03-1.96). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest a positive association between accelerated in utero growth and embryonal RMS, but not alveolar RMS. These results warrant cautious interpretation owing to the small number of alveolar RMS cases.

A hidden antigenic site localized to the constrant region of light chains of immunoglobulins.

An antigenic site, which was not immunochemically demonstrable in the intact kappa light polypeptide chain, was exposed by enzymatic cleavage of the kappa chain into its variant half and constant half. This antigenic site located in the constant region the kappa chain was detected immunochemically by several antiserums that had specificity for this site. Treatment of an intact kappa chain with a dissociating agent resulted in the exposure of the hidden antigenic site, which was as readily detected in the unfolded polypeptide chain as in the isolated constant half.

Regression of tumors in guinea pigs after treatment with synthetic muramyl dipeptides and trehalose dimycolate.

A high incidence of tumor regression was observed in guinea pigs bearing transplantable, line-10 hepatocellular carcinomas when synthetic muramyl dipeptides combined with trehalose dimycolate in oil-in-water emulsions were injected directly into the tumors. These compounds are promising candidates to replace viable bacillus Calmette-Guérin in cancer immunotherapy in humans and animals.

Morphine analgesia potentiated but tolerance not affected by active immunization against cholecystokinin.

Administration of cholecystokinin was recently found to attenuate opiate analgesia. In the present study, the role of endogenous cholecystokinin in opiate analgesia was examined. Endogenously released cholecystokinin was sequestered by antibodies to cholecystokinin developed in response to an active immunization procedure. Morphine analgesia was potentiated and prolonged in rats immunized against cholecystokinin. The rate of development of morphine tolerance, however, was not affected by the antibodies. Endogenous cholecystokinin appears to function as a short-term modulator of opiate action.

Effect of acarbose on acute acidosis.

A challenge model was used to evaluate a new approach to controlling acute acidosis. Acute acidosis reduces performance in both dairy and beef cattle and most often occurs as a consequence of ingestion of large amounts of readily fermentable starch, resulting in increased production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and lactic acid and a reduction in ruminal pH. Acarbose is an alpha-amylase and glucosidase inhibitor that slows the rate of degradation of starch to glucose, thereby reducing the rate of VFA production and maintaining rumen pH at a more stable level. It is commercially available (Glucobay, Bayer, Wuppertal, Germany) and indicated for the control of blood glucose in diabetic patients. The ability of acarbose to reduce the incidence of acidosis and the comparative efficacies of acarbose, sodium bicarbonate, and monensin were tested in 3 acute acidosis challenge experiments in cattle. Rumen-cannulated Holstein steers were challenged with a mixture of 48.4% cornstarch, 48.4% ground corn, 2.1% sodium caseinate, and 1.1% urea with or without test substance. The challenge was administered at a rate of 12.5 g/kg of body weight (BW) as a slurry through the cannula directly into the rumen. Ruminal pH was monitored at 10-min intervals throughout the study. Animals were removed from study and rumen contents replaced if they exhibited acute acidosis as defined as pH <4.5. If acidosis was not observed within 24 h, animals were subjected to a second challenge. Ruminal fluid samples were taken for measurement of VFA and lactate concentrations at various intervals after the challenge. In experiment 1, the carbohydrate challenge induced acidosis in 4 of 4 control animals and 0 of 4 animals treated with 2.14 or 21.4 mg of acarbose/kg of BW in the challenge based on the criterion of pH <4.5. In experiment 2, the carbohydrate challenge induced acidosis in 4 of 7 control animals and 1 of 7 animals when 1.07 mg of acarbose/kg of BW was included in the challenge. In experiment 3, acidosis was induced in 7 of 7 animals in the control, 1% sodium bicarbonate, and 12 mg of monensin/kg of dry matter intake groups and in 3 of 8 steers administered 1.07 mg of acarbose/kg of BW in the challenge. Increases in lactate concentrations and decreases in total VFA associated with acute acidosis were mitigated by acarbose. Thus, acarbose, an amylase and glucosidase inhibitor, prevented or reduced the incidence of acidosis in an acute challenge model in steers and was more effective than monensin or sodium bicarbonate.