Effects of meteorological factors and the lunar cycle on onset of parturition in cows.

The present paper summarizes a comprehensive retrospective study that was undertaken to investigate effects of meteorological factors and lunar cycle on gestation length and daily birth rate in cows. To this end, all cattle births in Switzerland between 2008 and 2010 (n=2,091,159) were related to detailed matched weather recordings. The study revealed some statistically significant effects of climate (temperature, barometric pressure, relative humidity) and weather (thunderstorms, heat index) on gestational length. Thunderstorms on the day before birth reduced the gestation length by 0.5 days. An increase in the birth rate was correlated with the temperature on the day before birth and the barometric pressure 3 days before birth. Differences in the barometric pressure >15hPa increased the birth rate by 4%. Nevertheless, the effects were not consistent and the modeled size of effect was so small that a clinical implication is unlikely. Although the daily birth rate was unevenly distributed across the lunar cycle, no clear pattern could be identified. Compared to the mean birth rate across the lunar cycle the highest daily birth rate was detected on day 4 after new moon (+1.9%) and the lowest on day 20 (-2.1%).

Validation of a quantitative real-time PCR assay and comparison with fluorescence microscopy and selective agar plate counting for species-specific quantification of an in vitro subgingival biofilm model.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Subgingival biofilms are the prime etiological factor of periodontal disease. Owing to their complex polymicrobial nature, quantification of individual bacterial species within the biofilm for research and diagnostic purposes can be methodologically challenging. The aims of this study were to establish a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay to quantify the bacteria used in our 10-species in vitro 'subgingival' biofilm model and to compare the quantitative outcome with fluorescence microscopy and colony-forming unit (CFU) counts on selective agar plates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 10 species included in the in vitro biofilm were Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus anginosus, Veillonella dispar, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, Actinomyces oris, Campylobacter rectus, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia. The numbers of each species were quantified at two time points using qPCR, microscopy counting following fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) or immunofluorescence staining, and counting of CFUs after growth on selective agar plates. RESULTS: All 10 species were successfully quantified using qPCR and FISH or immunofluorescence, and the eight species culturable on selective agar plates were also quantified by counting the numbers of CFUs after growth on selective agar. In early biofilm cultures, all methods showed a significant correlation, although the absolute numbers differed between methods. In late biofilm cultures, measurements obtained using qPCR and FISH or immunofluorescence, but not by CFU counts, maintained significant correlation. CFU counts yielded lower values than did measurements made using the other two methods. CONCLUSION: Quantitative PCR and epifluorescence microscopy can be easily combined with each other to determine species-specific bacterial numbers within biofilms. However, conventional bacterial cultures cannot be as efficiently combined using these molecular detection methods. This may be crucial in designing and selecting appropriate clinical diagnostic methods for subgingival biofilm samples.

Indicators for high physical strain and overload in elite football players.

Laboratory, psychological and performance parameters as possible indicators of physical strain and overload during highly demanding competition phases were evaluated in elite male football players. In two studies with the same objective, periods of high (HE: >270 min during 3 weeks before testing) and low (LE: <270 min) match exposure were compared over the course of an entire season. In study 1 (n=88 players of the first and second German leagues; age: 25.6 ± 4.3 years; body mass index (BMI): 23.2 ± 1.0 kg/m(2) ), blood count, CK, urea, uric acid, CRP and ferritin were determined. In study 2, 19 players of the third German league and the highest under-19 league (age: 19.7 ± 2.8 years; BMI: 22.8 ± 1.7 kg/m(2) ) were screened for individual vertical jump height, maximal velocity and by the Recovery-Stress-Questionnaire for Athletes (REST-Q Sport). The mean differences in exposure times were 180 min (study 1: quartiles: 105, 270 min) and 247 min (study 2: 180, 347 min), respectively. Significant differences were found neither in blood parameters (study 1; P>0.36) nor in physiological testing results or in REST-Q scores (study 2; P>0.20). A 3-week period of high match exposure in elite football players does not affect laboratory, psychometric and performance parameters.

Seasonal changes in stress indicators in high level football.

This study aimed at describing changes in stress and performance indicators throughout a competitive season in high level football. 15 players (19.5±3.0 years, 181±5 cm, 75.7±9.0 kg) competing under professional circumstances were tested at baseline and 3 times during the season 2008/09 (in-season 1, 2, 3). Testing consisted of the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (Total Stress and Recovery score), vertical jump tests (counter movement and drop jump (DJ)), and a maximal ramp-like running test. Average match exposure was higher during a 3-weeks period prior to in-season 3 compared to in-season 1 and 2 (1.5 vs. 1 h/week, p=0.05). Total Stress score was elevated at in-season 1 and 2 compared to baseline (p<0.01) with a further increase at in-season 3 (p<0.03; generalized eta squared (η(2)(g))=0.37). Total Recovery score was decreased at in-season 1 and 3 compared to baseline (p<0.05; η(2)(g)=0.21). Maximal running velocity (V(max)) and jumping heights were not significantly affected (η(2)(g)≤0.04). Changes in DJ height and V (max) between baseline and in-season 3 were correlated with the corresponding changes in Total Stress score (r=-0.55 and r=-0.61, p<0.03). Usual match exposure during a professional football season does not induce relevant changes in performance indicators. Accumulated stress and a lack of recovery towards the end of a season might be indicated by psychometric deteriorations.

[Effects of different dialysis membranes and techniques on the nutritional status, morbidity and mortality of hemodialysis patients]. / Effetti di diverse membrane e metodiche dialitiche sullo stato nutrizionale, morbilità e mortalità di pazienti emodializzati.

To evaluate long-term effects of different hemodialysis (HD) membranes and techniques on nutritional status, morbidity, and mortality in HD patients, we prospectively studied 138 stable HD patients (59 females, 79 males, mean age 53 +/- 13 yrs) on maintenance HD from at least 1 yr with bicarbonate (BD) and cellulose acetate (AC). Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups: comparable for age, sex, underlying nephropathy, time on dialysis, comorbidity, and followed-up for 5 yrs. Group A (n=38) BD/AC; group B (n=30) BD/low-flux polysulfone (PS); group C (n=30) BD/middle-flux PS or PA; group D (n=20) hemodiafiltration (HDF)/high-flux polysulfone (PS-HDF); group E (n=20) acetate free biofiltration (AFB) with PAN. Nutritional status was evaluated by anthropometric index, visceral protein compartment index, immunological index and bioelectrical impedance analysis. In all patients, we evaluated yearly plasma values of Beta2-microglobulin and of C-reactive protein (CRP) before and after dialysis. A significant and sustained improvement in nutritional status and a striking reduction in CRP and in pre- and post-dialysis beta2-microglobulin levels was observed in groups C, D and E. Morbidity (calculated from the number of clinical complications/patient/yr and from the number of hospital admissions/patient/yr) and mortality were significantly higher in groups A and B (mortality: group A=24%, group B=23%, group C=10%, group D=5%, and group E=5%; p<0.001). The results of our study indicate that the use of middle and high-flux biocompatible membranes is associated with a remarkable and sustained amelioration in nutritional status and with a significant improvement in the prognosis of HD patients, explained by the notable reduction in beta2-microglobulin and in the systemic inflammatory response.

Isolation of dengue virus serotype 1 from the blood of a Swiss traveler prior to seroconversion.

Dengue virus serotype 1 was isolated from the blood of a patient who had returned to Switzerland from Brazil with fever of unknown origin. After 2 days of culture on Aedes albopictus (C6/36) cell line, the dengue virus was identified as serotype 1 using a type-specific indirect immunofluorescence assay. The diagnosis was confirmed by seroconversion of anti-dengue virus-specific IgM and IgG antibodies and by amplification of a serotype 1-specific region of the dengue virus genome. This is the first description of dengue virus isolation from the blood of a traveler returning to Switzerland. We recommend detection of dengue viremia during the 1st week of illness, before serological tests usually yield conclusive results, as the most efficient means of early specific diagnosis.

Mutational analysis of the first 14 exons of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene.

In the present study, the polymerase chain reaction single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique has been applied to the mutation analysis of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. We examined the first 14 exons of the APC gene in 46 polyposis coli patients. Five germline mutations were observed, including a single-nucleotide substitution and small (1-4 bp) deletions leading, in 4 cases, to a stop codon. A missense mutation in exon 3 and a 1 bp deletion in exon 4 of the APC gene were observed in patients presenting with the attenuated form of FAP.