Bumble bees regulate their intake of essential protein and lipid pollen macronutrients.

Bee population declines are linked to the reduction of nutritional resources due to land-use intensification, yet we know little about the specific nutritional needs of many bee species. Pollen provides bees with their primary source of protein and lipids, but nutritional quality varies widely among host-plant species. Therefore, bees might have adapted to assess resource quality and adjust their foraging behavior to balance nutrition from multiple food sources. We tested the ability of two bumble bee species, Bombus terrestris and Bombus impatiens, to regulate protein and lipid intake. We restricted B. terrestris adults to single synthetic diets varying in protein:lipid ratios (P:L). The bees over-ate protein on low-fat diets and over-ate lipid on high-fat diets to reach their targets of lipid and protein, respectively. The bees survived best on a 10:1 P:L diet; the risk of dying increased as a function of dietary lipid when bees ate diets with lipid contents greater than 5:1 P:L. Hypothesizing that the P:L intake target of adult worker bumble bees was between 25:1 and 5:1, we presented workers from both species with unbalanced but complementary paired diets to determine whether they self-select their diet to reach a specific intake target. Bees consumed similar amounts of proteins and lipids in each treatment and averaged a 14:1 P:L for B. terrestris and 12:1 P:L for B. impatiens These results demonstrate that adult worker bumble bees likely select foods that provide them with a specific ratio of P:L. These P:L intake targets could affect pollen foraging in the field and help explain patterns of host-plant species choice by bumble bees.

Obsidian sources characterized by neutron-activation analysis.

Concentrations of elements such as manganese, scandium, lanthanum, rubidium, samarium, barium, and zirconium in obsidian samples from different flows show ranges of 1000 percent or more, whereas the variation in element content in obsidian samples from a single flow appears to be less than 40 percent. Neutron-activation analysis of these elements, as well as of sodium and iron, provides a means of identifying the geologic source of an archeological artifact of obsidian.

Application of MCBEND to PBMR shielding analysis.

Shielding analysis of an early design of Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) has been carried out by using the Monte Carlo code MCBEND. The issues of concern were damage to the core barrel and the reactor pressure vessel (RPV), activation of the core barrel, RPV, top plate and bottom plate, and also burn-up of boron in the control layer underneath the core. The analysis below the core was complicated due to the presence of the de-fuelling chute, which meant that multiplication had to be taken into account. The analysis of boron burn-up was particularly challenging and was tackled using a combination of MCBEND and the criticality code MONK in the depletion mode. The application of MCBEND to the shielding analysis of the PBMR is described, with particular attention being paid to the regions below the core.

Effects of a thirteen-week inhalation exposure to ethyl tertiary butyl ether on fischer-344 rats and CD-1 mice.

The 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments require that oxygenates be added to automotive fuels to reduce emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. One potential oxygenate is the aliphatic ether ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE). Our objective was to provide data on the potential toxic effects of ETBE. Male and female Fisher 344 rats and CD-1 mice were exposed to 0 (control), 500, 1750, or 5000 ppm of ETBE for 6 h/day and 5 days/wk over a 13-week period. ETBE exposure had no effect on mortality and body weight with the exception of an increase in body weights of the female rats in the 5000-ppm group. No major changes in clinical pathology parameters were noted for either rats or mice exposed to ETBE for 6 (rats only) or 13 weeks. Liver weights increased with increasing ETBE-exposure concentration for both sexes of rats and mice. Increases in kidney, adrenal, and heart (females only) weights were noted in rats. Degenerative changes in testicular seminiferous tubules were observed in male rats exposed to 1750 and 5000 ppm but were not seen in mice. This testicular lesion has not been reported previously for aliphatic ethers. Increases in the incidence of regenerative foci, rates of renal cell proliferation, and alpha2u-globulin containing protein droplets were noted in the kidneys of all treated male rats. These lesions are associated with the male rat-specific syndrome of alpha2u-globulin nephropathy. Increases in the incidence of centrilobular hepatocyte hypertrophy and rates of hepatocyte cell proliferation were seen in the livers of male and female mice in the 5000-ppm group, consistent with a mitogenic response to ETBE. These two target organs for ETBE toxicity, mouse liver and male rat kidney, have also been reported for methyl tertiary butyl ether and unleaded gasoline.

Noise in stenosis measurement using digital subtraction angiography.

This paper examines statistical errors in the measurement of arterial stenoses by digital videodensitometry. Images of vessel phantoms were acquired using digital subtraction angiographic techniques with low concentrations of an iodine contrast medium and low levels of x-ray exposure. Effects of the spatial and temporal averaging of image information on signal-to-noise ratios in the stenosis measurement were of primary interest. The influences of iodine concentration, x-ray scatter, veiling glare, x-ray energy spectrum, x-ray exposure, and detective quantum efficiency of the system were also included in the theoretical analysis. The agreement between theoretical calculation and experimental measurement of a simulated vessel was verified using measured values of the imaging system parameters. With a 14.2 mg/ml iodine concentration, using 20 mR per image at the entrance to a 13-cm water phantom, and averaging over a 6-mm length of a vessel 6.2 mm in diameter, the standard deviation in a measurement of a vessel's relative cross-sectional area was about 0.05. The extension of these results to practical applications in vivo is discussed.

In vivo flow-independent T2 measurements of superior mesenteric vein blood in diagnosis of chronic mesenteric ischemia: a preliminary evaluation.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors attempted to determine whether the T2 relaxation time of superior mesenteric vein (SMV) blood would decrease in patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia after a meal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients without chronic mesenteric ischemia and eight patients with symptomatic chronic mesenteric ischemia underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. All examinations were performed with a 1.5-T unit, a modified Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill sequence, final section-selective pulse of 180 degrees, and spiral readout gradients. Measurements of SMV blood T2 were obtained after at least 6 hours of fasting and 15 and 35 minutes after ingestion of 240 mL of a liquid nutritional supplement. Maximal change of the SMV blood T2 was expressed as a percentage of the fasting T2 in all patients. RESULTS: In control patients, SMV blood T2 increased postprandially by 9.4% +/- 1.3 (95% confidence level; range, 6.8%-11.9%) (data range, -7.3% to 25.6%) compared with fasting T2. In symptomatic patients, SMV blood T2 decreased postprandially by 15.8% +/- 2.2 (95% confidence level; range, -20.1% to -10.7%) (data range, -7.9% to -25.3%). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < .0001 by Student unpaired t test). CONCLUSION: Measurement of SMV blood T2 is a promising test for chronic mesenteric ischemia diagnosis. Therefore, conversion of T2 measurements to estimate oxygen saturation may not be necessary for all cases of this clinical indication.

In vivo magnetic resonance evaluation of blood oxygen saturation in the superior mesenteric vein as a measure of the degree of acute flow reduction in the superior mesenteric artery: findings in a canine model.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors tested the hypothesis that changes in oxygen saturation (%HbO2) in the superior mesenteric vein (SMV), as measured with in vivo magnetic resonance (MR) oximetry, correlate with the degree of acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) flow reduction. METHODS: Ten mongrel dogs were studied. A catheter was inserted into the SMV, and a perivascular ultrasonic flow probe and an adjustable mechanical occluder were placed around the SMA. MR oximetry was carried out at the resting state and after the SMA was constricted to predetermined levels (0%-75% of initial flow). In seven dogs, SMV blood samples were obtained immediately before and after each MR measurement; %HbO2 was measured simultaneously by using an oximeter. With linear regression analysis, the SMV %HbO2 measurements obtained at MR imaging were compared with those obtained at oximetry. With a logistic model, MR imaging changes in SMV %HbO2 were compared with the degree of SMA flow reduction. RESULTS: SMV %HbO2 measurements obtained with MR imaging correlated well with those obtained with oximetry (r = .97). Changes in SMV %HbO2 measured at MR imaging also correlated well with the degree of SMA flow reduction, as determined with a logistic model (P = .01). CONCLUSION: Noninvasive in vivo MR measurements of SMV %HbO2 can be used to determine the degree of acute SMA flow reduction with a high degree of accuracy in a canine model.

Quantitative gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging with 201Tl: an assessment of the limitations.

Gated SPECT (GSPECT) perfusion imaging has been increasing in popularity both with 99Tc(m) agents and 201Tl. However, both higher activities than administered in the UK and multi-headed cameras are often used. The aim of this study was to assess GSPECT imaging using lower activities of 201Tl with a single-headed camera. Seventy patients underwent stress and redistribution GSPECT imaging after a mean injected activity of 62 +/- 7 MBq 201Tl. These patients also underwent radionuclide ventriculography (RNVG) imaging. The Cedars Sinai Quantitative Gated SPECT (QGS) package was used to calculate left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from the GSPECT studies. Comparison of ejection fractions calculated using GSPECT with those calculated using RNVG yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.70 for the stress studies and 0.71 for the redistribution studies. The width of the mean 95% prediction interval ranged from 22 to 74 percentage points for the stress studies and 22 to 86 percentage points for the redistribution studies. Ejection fractions calculated from stress and redistribution GSPECT studies showed a correlation of 0.80 with a mean 95% prediction interval of 42.6 +/- 0.4 percentage points. In conclusion, left ventricular ejection fractions calculated using the QGS algorithm from 201Tl GSPECT studies are inadequate for use in clinical practice.

Are ejection fractions from gated SPECT perfusion studies clinically useful? A comparison with radionuclide ventriculography.

Gated SPECT (GSPECT) was evaluated for the measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by comparing with equilibrium gated radionuclide ventriculography (RNVG). A total of 99 subjects underwent GSPECT and RNVG imaging. All studies were acquired in list mode with GSPECT studies processed to give 16- and 8-frames per R-R interval, and RNVG studies 24 frames per R-R interval. The Cedars-Sinai QGS software was used to calculate ejection fraction from GSPECT studies. RNVG studies were processed using a manually drawn single region of interest technique. Comparison of LVEF from GSPECT with RNVG yielded correlation coefficients of 0.82 and 0.81 for 16- and 8-frame GSPECT studies respectively. The mean 95% prediction interval was 33 +/- 11 percentage points for both 16- and 8-frame studies, indicating a great disparity between predicted ejection fraction values from GSPECT and actual RNVG values. Subgroup analysis of 29 patients with pathological Q-wave evidence of myocardial infarction demonstrated a poorer correlation coefficient of r = 0.69. Subgroup analysis of 32 patients with end-diastolic volumes < 100 ml demonstrated a poorer correlation coefficient of r = 0.32. Ejection fractions calculated from 16- and 8-frame studies showed a correlation of 0.99 with a mean 95% prediction interval of 8.7 +/- 0.04 percentage points. The 8-frame studies underestimated LVEF by 3.6 +/- 2.3% compared to the 16-frame studies. In conclusion, left ventricular ejection fractions calculated using the QGS algorithm from GSPECT studies are inadequate for use in clinical practice.

Correlation of radionuclide and optical tracer assessments of fluid flow in artificial ventricles.

Characterization of flow properties of an artificial ventricle may aid development of designs to minimize thrombosis. Techniques for determining two such flow properties, viz. ventricular clearance rate and ejection fraction, are compared and validated here for polyurethane and silicone rubber ventricles operated in a mock circulatory loop at various stroke volumes and pulse rates. Ventricular clearance rats were measured both by clinical radionuclide tracer techniques and by an optical tracer method. Ejection fractions were measured by radionuclide imaging and validated by direct measurements of flow rate and ventricular volume. Results from the two methods for ventricular clearance are in close agreement. The optical tracer method is superior in spatial resolution, convenience and economy, but the radionuclide tracer method for ejection fraction gives excellent agreement with the absolute measurements.

Caffeine in floral nectar enhances a pollinator's memory of reward.

Plant defense compounds occur in floral nectar, but their ecological role is not well understood. We provide evidence that plant compounds pharmacologically alter pollinator behavior by enhancing their memory of reward. Honeybees rewarded with caffeine, which occurs naturally in nectar of Coffea and Citrus species, were three times as likely to remember a learned floral scent as were honeybees rewarded with sucrose alone. Caffeine potentiated responses of mushroom body neurons involved in olfactory learning and memory by acting as an adenosine receptor antagonist. Caffeine concentrations in nectar did not exceed the bees' bitter taste threshold, implying that pollinators impose selection for nectar that is pharmacologically active but not repellent. By using a drug to enhance memories of reward, plants secure pollinator fidelity and improve reproductive success.

Synchronous x-ray and radio mode switches: a rapid global transformation of the pulsar magnetosphere.

Pulsars emit from low-frequency radio waves up to high-energy gamma-rays, generated anywhere from the stellar surface out to the edge of the magnetosphere. Detecting correlated mode changes across the electromagnetic spectrum is therefore key to understanding the physical relationship among the emission sites. Through simultaneous observations, we detected synchronous switching in the radio and x-ray emission properties of PSR B0943+10. When the pulsar is in a sustained radio-"bright" mode, the x-rays show only an unpulsed, nonthermal component. Conversely, when the pulsar is in a radio-"quiet" mode, the x-ray luminosity more than doubles and a 100% pulsed thermal component is observed along with the nonthermal component. This indicates rapid, global changes to the conditions in the magnetosphere, which challenge all proposed pulsar emission theories.

The Characteristics of Vascular Growth in VX2 Tumor Measured by MRI and Micro-CT.

Blood supply is crucial for rapid growth of a malignant tumor; medical imaging can play an important role in evaluating the vascular characterstics of tumors. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and micro-computed tomography (CT) are able to detect tumors and measure blood volumes of microcirculation in tissue. In this study, we used MR imaging and micro-CT to assess the microcirculation in a VX2 tumor model in rabbits. MRI characterization was performed using the intravascular contrast agent Clariscan (NC100150-Injection); micro-CT with Microfil was used to directly depict blood vessels with diameters as low as 17 um in tissue. Relative blood volume fraction (rBVF) in the tumor rim and blood vessel density (rBVD) over the whole tumor was calculated using the two imaging methods. Our study indicates that rBVF is negatively related to the volume of the tumor measured by ultrasound (R = 0.90). rBVF in the tissue of a VX2 tumor measured by MRI in vivo was qualitatively consistent with the rBVD demonstrated by micro-CT in vitro (R = 0.97). The good correlation between the two methods indicates that MRI studies are potentially valuable for assessing characteristics or tumor vascularity and for assessing response to therapy noninvasively.

LBM-EP: Lattice-Boltzmann method for fast cardiac electrophysiology simulation from 3D images.

Current treatments of heart rhythm troubles require careful planning and guidance for optimal outcomes. Computational models of cardiac electrophysiology are being proposed for therapy planning but current approaches are either too simplified or too computationally intensive for patient-specific simulations in clinical practice. This paper presents a novel approach, LBM-EP, to solve any type of mono-domain cardiac electrophysiology models at near real-time that is especially tailored for patient-specific simulations. The domain is discretized on a Cartesian grid with a level-set representation of patient's heart geometry, previously estimated from images automatically. The cell model is calculated node-wise, while the transmembrane potential is diffused using Lattice-Boltzmann method within the domain defined by the level-set. Experiments on synthetic cases, on a data set from CESC'10 and on one patient with myocardium scar showed that LBM-EP provides results comparable to an FEM implementation, while being 10 - 45 times faster. Fast, accurate, scalable and requiring no specific meshing, LBM-EP paves the way to efficient and detailed models of cardiac electrophysiology for therapy planning.

In-vivo MRI and in-vivo electro-anatomical voltage map characteristics of infarct heterogeneity in a swine model.

The arrhythmogenic substrate in patients with prior myocardial infarct (MI) is located at the border zone, BZ. In this study we correlated the BZ identified by two methods: electro-anatomical voltage mapping (EAVM) and a novel MRI method, multi-contrast late enhancement (MCLE). A pre-clinical porcine model with chronic MI was used to characterize BZ via MRI and EAVM. Results focus on the comparison between scar percentage and BZ percentage identified by each method. The correlation coefficient for BZ percentage between the two methods was 0.74 with a p-value of less the 0.0001. Bland-Altman plots were also used to compare between the two methods (slope of 0.83 ± 0.045). For a case of subtle infarct, there was only 1.3% infarct identified on EAVM compared to 22.2% on the corresponding slice on MCLE. The percentage of infarct on MCLE in subtle infarct does not relate to percentage of infarct in EAVM. Future registration between T(1) maps and EAVM will permit a quantitative comparison of MRI and EAVM measures.

Inter-model consistency and complementarity: learning from ex-vivo imaging and electrophysiological data towards an integrated understanding of cardiac physiology.

Computational models of the heart at various scales and levels of complexity have been independently developed, parameterised and validated using a wide range of experimental data for over four decades. However, despite remarkable progress, the lack of coordinated efforts to compare and combine these computational models has limited their impact on the numerous open questions in cardiac physiology. To address this issue, a comprehensive dataset has previously been made available to the community that contains the cardiac anatomy and fibre orientations from magnetic resonance imaging as well as epicardial transmembrane potentials from optical mapping measured on a perfused ex-vivo porcine heart. This data was used to develop and customize four models of cardiac electrophysiology with different level of details, including a personalized fast conduction Purkinje system, a maximum a posteriori estimation of the 3D distribution of transmembrane potential, the personalization of a simplified reaction-diffusion model, and a detailed biophysical model with generic conduction parameters. This study proposes the integration of these four models into a single modelling and simulation pipeline, after analyzing their common features and discrepancies. The proposed integrated pipeline demonstrates an increase prediction power of depolarization isochrones in different pacing conditions.

Role of artificial liver support in hepatic encephalopathy.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) refers to the reversible neuropsychiatric disorders observed in acute liver failure and as a complication of cirrhosis and/or portal hypertension. This review aims to describe the pathophysiology of HE, the rationale for the use of artificial liver support in the treatment of HE, the different concepts of artificial liver support and the results obtained. Ammonia has been considered central to its pathogenesis but recently an important role for its interaction with inflammatory responses and auto-regulation of cerebral hemodynamics has been suggested. Artificial liver support might be able to decrease ammonia and modulate inflammatory mediators and cerebral hemodynamics. Bioartificial liver support systems use hepatocytes in an extracorporeal device connected to the patient's circulation. Artificial liver support is intended to remove protein-bound toxins and water-soluble toxins without providing synthetic function. Both systems improve clinical and biochemical parameters and can be applied safely to patients. Clinical studies have shown that artificial liver support, especially albumin dialysis, is able to improve HE in acute and acute-on-chronic liver failure. Further studies are required to better understand the mechanism, however, artificial liver support can be added to the therapeutic bundle in treating HE.