Effects of simplified group housing on behavior, welfare, growth performance, and health of preweaned dairy calves on a California dairy.

Most US dairy calves are raised in individual hutches for biocontainment purposes and to facilitate monitoring and handling of calves. However, individual hutches typically restrict calves' activity and social interactions. Previous studies showed that group housing (GH) is beneficial to calf welfare and is associated with social benefits. The adoption of GH on dairies is hindered by several concerns, with the primary concern being the potential for increased transmission of diseases due to heightened calf-to-calf contact. In light of this, our study aimed to compare the behavior, health, and growth outcomes of calves housed in groups of 3 to individually housed (IH) calves during the preweaning period. A total of 42 Holstein heifer calves on a commercial dairy in Northern California were enrolled in groups of 3 to different housing treatments; IH (n = 21) or GH (n = 21) between July and October 2020. Each treatment was composed of 7 groups of 3 calves each. Calves in the GH treatment were housed in groups of 3 from 6 to 10 d until 70 d of age. Individual pens consisted of one polyethylene hutch with a 1.5 m × 1.2 m outside exercise area. Group pens were constructed by assembling 3 polyethylene hutches with a 1.5 m × 3.6 m outside exercise area of wire panel fencing. Calves were weighed and measured for height at birth and weaning. Diarrhea and bovine respiratory disease (BRD) scores were recorded daily throughout the preweaning period. Cumulative incidence and hazard ratios were estimated for BRD and diarrhea for GH and IH. A mixed model with pen as a random effect was specified to evaluate the effect of treatment. Group-housed calves gained 0.64 ± 0.02 kg/d while IH calves gained 0.65 ± 0.02 kg/d. Similarly, there was no evidence for treatment differences in withers height gain in GH calves (0.22 ± 0.01 cm/d) compared with IH calves (0.21 ± 0.01 cm/d). The cumulative incidence of BRD based on the California scoring system in GH calves was 75 ± 9.68% compared with 66.66 ± 10.28% in IH calves. Group-housed calves had a BRD hazard of 1.14 times that of IH calves (95% CI: 1.21-2.40). The cumulative incidence of diarrhea (fecal score 3) in GH calves was 100% in comparison to 95.20% ± 4.66% in IH calves. The mean proportion of scan observations of calves feeding on concentrates was significantly higher in GH (0.145 ± 0.004/h) compared with IH calves (0.076 ± 0.003/h) during the preweaning period. The study results provide evidence that this simplified GH system provides benefits of GH without detrimental short-term effects on calf growth and health during the preweaning period.

Safer spaces in youth development programs and health in Canadian youth.

Engagement in youth programs is a potential means to promote health and well-being across populations of young people. Safer spaces in these youth programs are likely critical in fostering positive health outcomes, but current research on the links between safer spaces and health is limited. In this exploratory study, we examined links between program safety in youth development programs and minoritized status, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychosomatic health complaints. Participants (N = 282; Mean age = 16.97 years; SD = 2.97) self-identified across various minority status groups, including LGBTQ (30%) and a range of perceived income levels. We tested a statistical model in which safer spaces, LGBTQ status and perceived income predicted HRQoL and health complaints in youth development program participants. LGBTQ status and lower perceived income were related to lower HRQoL and more health complaints, and safer space in youth development programs was related to better HRQoL. We also found an interaction effect, such that safer spaces in youth programs appeared to be especially beneficial for HRQoL for youth with higher incomes. Findings reinforce past research on LGBTQ status and income as factors for youth wellness and mental health. Findings also suggest that perceived safer spaces in youth development programs support better HRQoL and lower health complaints, across populations of participating youth.

Dynamic changes in fecal bacterial microbiota of dairy cattle across the production line.

BACKGROUND: Microbiota play important roles in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of dairy cattle as the communities are responsible for host health, growth, and production performance. However, a systematic characterization and comparison of microbial communities in the GIT of cattle housed in different management units on a modern dairy farm are still lacking. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to evaluate the fecal bacterial communities of 90 dairy cattle housed in 12 distinctly defined management units on a modern dairy farm. RESULTS: We found that cattle from management units 5, 6, 8, and 9 had similar bacterial communities while the other units showed varying levels of differences. Hutch calves had a dramatically different bacterial community than adult cattle, with at least 10 genera exclusively detected in their samples but not in non-neonatal cattle. Moreover, we compared fecal bacteria of cattle from every pair of the management units and detailed the number and relative abundance of the significantly differential genera. Lastly, we identified 181 pairs of strongly correlated taxa in the community, showing possible synergistic or antagonistic relationships. CONCLUSIONS: This study assesses the fecal microbiota of cattle from 12 distinctly defined management units along the production line on a California dairy farm. The results highlight the similarities and differences of fecal microbiota between cattle from each pair of the management units. Especially, the data indicate that the newborn calves host very different gut bacterial communities than non-neonatal cattle, while non-neonatal cattle adopt one of the two distinct types of gut bacterial communities with subtle differences among the management units. The gut microbial communities of dairy cattle change dramatically in bacterial abundances at different taxonomic levels along the production line. The findings provide a reference for research and practice in modern dairy farm management.

Bayesian estimation of sensitivity and specificity of a rapid mastitis test kit, bacterial culture, and PCR for detection of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species, and coliforms in bovine milk samples.

Our objectives were to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a rapid and novel immunochromatography-based mastitis kit that includes 3 independent tests to detect coliforms (Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae), Streptococcus spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. The kit was developed to facilitate diagnostic-based mastitis treatment. Validation of the kit was based on 154 aseptically collected mastitis samples from 2 clinical herds (clinical population) and 120 milk samples from 3 nonclinical herds (nonclinical population) without clinical cases at the time of enrollment. One herd sampled at different times was common to both populations. A 3-test in 2-population Bayesian latent class model with uniform priors for all test parameters except specificity of culture, which was modeled informatively, was used to estimate sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of the test kit, culture, and PCR at the cow level. The mastitis test kit's 96.9% Sp for Streptococcus spp. had a low false positive percentage (3.1%), which, together with the kit's rapid turnaround time for results, makes it a suitable initial screening test that producers can use to identify clinical cows to treat based on Streptococcus spp. mastitis in kit-positive results. Due to the 60.4% kit Se, producers should follow up on Streptococcus spp. kit-negative cows using a confirmatory test such as PCR (Sp of 98.4%) or culture (Sp of 99.6%). In contrast, aerobic culture had Se of 76.5% and Sp of 99.6% for Streptococcus spp. Similarly, the Sp of the kit (98.2%) and culture (99.8%) for Staph. aureus were particularly high, and even though the kit's Se (61.0%) was lower than culture (88.4%; posterior probability of difference 98%), the kit could be beneficial before use of a confirmatory test for kit-negative samples due to its ease and rapid turnaround time. Mostly, quantitative real-time (q)PCR outperformed the kit's Se (37.7%) and Sp (92.9%) for coliforms, as well as the kit's Se (60.4%) for Streptococcus spp. However, qPCR may require more technical skills and turnaround time for final results. Use of the on-farm mastitis test kit evaluated in the present study could enhance sustainable antimicrobial drug use by rapidly identifying Streptococcus mastitis for targeted treatment. Furthermore, the kit may be used in a Staph. aureus outbreak where cows can be rapidly screened to identify cases for segregation or culling during an outbreak and kit-negative cows further confirmed by milk culture or qPCR. However, the cost-effectiveness of such an approach has not been investigated.

Sporadic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) in a 3-year-old girl: A diagnostic challenge.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is an uncommon malignant neoplasm of childhood with unfavourable prognosis. Only a limited number of cases have been reported in children less than 12 years of age, and approximately one-half arise from a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumour, especially in the background of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Primary MPNST in children is even rarer. CASE REPORT: A 3-year-old Malay girl presented with painful right axillary swelling for six months, initially treated as axillary lymphadenitis and she defaulted follow up. She came back four months later with enlargement of the swelling. The previous biopsy was reported as Schwannoma, which correlates with a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumour's MRI findings. The final diagnosis after debulking surgery was consistent with MPNST. She succumbed to death 20 months after her initial diagnosis of advanced MPNST and lung metastasis. PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Grossly, a huge partly circumscribed soft tissue mass was noted arising from a nerve with a solid greyish yellowish myxoid cut surface. Spindle-shaped cells arranged in a herringbone pattern alternated with areas of myxoid hypocellular areas exhibited marked pleomorphism, brisk mitosis, and extensive necrosis are seen microscopically. Immunohistochemistry shows patchy S100 protein staining with loss of expression of H3K27me3. CONCLUSION: Although MPNST is rare in the paediatric age group, the diagnosis should be considered in children without NF1 with a rapidly evolving and painful mass in the peripheral nerve distribution. In this case, the diagnosis was delayed and made after surgery. Due to its morphologic heterogeneity and lack of specific immunohistochemical markers, MPNST remains a diagnostic challenge.

Increased Expression of Cardiotrophin-1 in Cardiomyopathy Patients.

Cardiomyopathy (CM) is a condition of cardiac dysfunction. It is one of the leading causes of mortality in which both genetic and environmental factors are involved. Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) level in plasma is associated with CM. It affects the cardiomyocyte differentiation. To evaluate the expression of CT-1 in cardiomyopathy, this study was done on CM subjects attending the Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, between January and June, 2016. A total of 40 subjects were enrolled who were divided into two groups; CM group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). A self-designed questionnaire was filled in by each subject to collect data regarding age, body mass index (BMI) and CM history. RNA was isolated from blood after its quantification, cDNA was prepared and reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed for expression of CT-1. The mean age in CM subjects was 40.1±6.03 years, while it was 35.0±3.7 years in the control group. The mean expression of CT-1 in the CM subjects was 5.2±0.66, while it was 1.00±0.001 in the control group. A highly significant difference was observed in CT-1 expression in the CM group, and expression was significantly correlated with age and BMI in CM subjects.

Effect of continued metabolic acidification into the first 3 days of lactation on blood calcium status in postpartum dairy cattle: A randomized controlled trial.

Although incidence of clinical hypocalcemia in postpartum dairy cows is low in US dairies, subclinical hypocalcemia after calving is common and has been associated with metabolic and infectious disease. It is widespread farm practice to feed a diet rich in anions to prepartum dairy cattle to support calcium homeostasis. However, this diet is typically discontinued at parturition, when calcium needs are still high. The objective of this trial was to determine the effects of extending metabolic acidification into the first 3 d of lactation in multiparous Holstein cows with the use of magnesium chloride (MgCl2) hexahydrate drenches on blood ionized calcium concentrations. Adult Holstein cows at a commercial dairy in their second or higher lactation, with a urine pH of 6.8 or less on the day of calving, were randomly assigned to either treatment or control groups, resulting in 13 cows in the treatment group and 14 cows in the control group. Treatment cows received 480 g of oral MgCl2 hexahydrate once daily for 3 d for continued acidification starting on the day of calving, whereas cows in the control group received no treatment. Urine pH was measured daily for 5 d, starting on the day of calving (0 DIM), to assess acidification status; blood was collected on day of calving (0 DIM), 2 DIM, and 4 DIM and analyzed for ionized calcium concentrations. Differences in blood ionized calcium and urine pH over time were compared using longitudinal data analysis. Urine pH was lower in treatment cows compared with control cows at 1, 2, and 3 DIM. Blood ionized calcium concentrations were different from baseline, taken at enrollment (0 DIM) and at 2 and 4 DIM in both treatment and control cows. However, no difference was detectable between treatment and control cows at 2 or 4 DIM with respect to blood ionized calcium concentrations. Oral supplementation with MgCl2 hexahydrate resulted in the desired acidification of urine pH in the treatment group, similar to feeding of an anionic close-up diet. Continued acidification of dairy cows until 2 DIM did not result in clinically meaningful higher blood calcium concentrations compared with controls, and further research is needed, to identify physiological reasons for this finding.

Epigenetic effect of folic acid (FA) on the gene proximal promoter area and mRNA expression of chicken B cell as antigen presenting cells.

1. This study evaluated and characterised the effect of folic acid (FA) on chromosomal DNA methylation and the epigenetic result on gene expression control mechanisms in chicken B cells as a model of antigen presenting cells. 2. After FA supplementation, the methylation pattern on the proximal promoter area and mRNA expression of toll-like receptor (TLR) 2b, TLR4, B cell receptor (BCR) immunoglobulin (Ig) ß and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II ß chain genes in chicken B cells was observed 3. Chicken B cell line (DT40) cultures were incubated with 0, 1.72 or 3.96 mM of FA for 4 and 8 h and samples were taken at specific time points. After 4 h of incubation, cells were challenged with 0, 1 or 10 µg/ml of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and samples were collected 4 h post-challenge. 4. FA supplementation modified the methylation patterns of the proximal promoter regions of TLR4, Igß, and MHCII ß chain at 4 and 8 hours of incubation; however, the single CpG dinucleotide of TLR2b remained methylated regardless of the treatment. 5. A positive association was found between FA concentration and percentage DNA methylation on the promoter area of Igß and TLR2b. However, there was a negative association between FA and MHCII ß chain. 6. There were downregulatory effects in TLR4, Igß and MHCII ß chain gene expression after 8 h of incubation, nut not at 4 h. Although incubation time did not affect TLR2b gene expression, FA concentration did, whereby it increased TLR2b expression at 1.72 mM FA (P < 0.05). 7. LPS significant downregulated TLR2b expression, while an interaction between FA and LPS concentration affected TLR4 and Igß gene expression. 8. In conclusion, the results showed that FA can have an immunomodulatory effect on chicken B cells, possibly affecting their ability to both recognise antigens through the TLR and BCR pathways, and to present it via the MHCII presentation pathway.

Ewing Sarcoma presenting as a gluteal mass in adult woman: Diagnostic approach and its challenges.

INTRODUCTION: Sarcomas of the Ewing family of tumours are aggressive neoplasms occurring in bone and soft tissue of mostly children and young adults. It usually affects male more than female with peak incidence 10 to 15 years of age, and rarely encountered in adults especially in more than 40 years old. It is an aggressive, rare tumour with a tendency toward recurrence after resection and early metastasis. CASE REPORT: We reported a rare case of Ewing Sarcoma in a 62-year-old woman who had an unusual clinical presentation. She had right painless buttock swelling only for a month. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed soft tissue sarcoma originated from right gluteal muscle. The diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma (ES) was made in a limited diagnostic material in an initial tru-cut biopsy, followed by an excision supported by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH). DISCUSSION: The purpose of this study is to document ES in an adult woman and its diagnostic challenges in histopathologic perspective.

Deep color reconstruction for a sparse color sensor.

Despite the advances in image sensors, mainstream RGB sensors are still struggling from low quantum efficiency due to the low sensitivity of the Bayer color filter array. To address this issue, a sparse color sensor uses mostly panchromatic white pixels and a smaller percentage of sparse color pixels to provide better low-light photography performance than a conventional Bayer RGB sensor. However, due to the lack of a proper color reconstruction method, sparse color sensors have not been developed thus far. This study proposes a deep-learning-based method for sparse color reconstruction that can realize such a sparse color sensor. The proposed color reconstruction method consists of a novel two-stage deep model followed by an adversarial training technique to reduce visual artifacts in the reconstructed color image. In simulations and experiments, visual results and quantitative comparisons demonstrate that the proposed color reconstruction method can outperform existing methods. In addition, a prototype system was developed using a hybrid color-plus-mono camera system. Experiments using the prototype system reveal the feasibility of a very sparse color sensor in different lighting conditions.

Arterial stiffness as a risk factor for cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in people with Type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To quantify the risk of different non-invasive arterial stiffness measurements with macrovascular disease and all-cause mortality in high-risk people with Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 1910 people with Type 2 diabetes included in the Second Manifestations of ARTerial disease (SMART) study. Arterial stiffness was assessed by brachial artery pulse pressure, normal range (≥0.9) ankle-brachial index and carotid artery distension. Cox regression was used to evaluate the effects of arterial stiffness on risk of cardiovascular events (composite of myocardial infarction, stroke and vascular mortality) and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 380 new cardiovascular events and 436 deaths occurred during a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 7.5 (4.1-11.0) years. A 10-mmHg higher brachial pulse pressure was related to higher hazard of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 1.09, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.16) and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.10, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.16). A 0.1-point lower ankle-brachial index within the normal range was related to a higher hazard of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 1.13, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.27) and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.17, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.31). A one-unit (10-3 ×kPa-1 ) lower carotid artery distensibility coefficient was related to a higher hazard of vascular mortality (hazard ratio 1.04, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.09) and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.04, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.07). CONCLUSION: Increased arterial stiffness, as measured by either increased pulse pressure, normal-range ankle-brachial index or carotid artery distensibility coefficient, is related to increased hazard of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Stomoxys calcitrans, mechanical vector of virulent Besnoitia besnoiti from chronically infected cattle to susceptible rabbit.

Cattle besnoitiosis caused by Besnoitia besnoiti (Eucoccidiorida: Sarcocystidae) is a re-emerging disease in Europe. Its mechanical transmission by biting flies has not been investigated since the 1960s. The aim of this study was to re-examine the ability of Stomoxys calcitrans (Diptera: Muscidae) to transmit virulent B. besnoiti bradyzoites from chronically infected cows to susceptible rabbits. Three batches of 300 stable flies were allowed to take an interrupted bloodmeal on chronically infected cows, followed by an immediate bloodmeal on three rabbits (Group B). A control group of rabbits and a group exposed to the bites of non-infected S. calcitrans were included in the study. Blood quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses, and clinical, serological and haematological surveys were performed in the three groups over 152 days until the rabbits were killed. Quantitative PCR analyses and histological examinations were performed in 24 tissue samples per rabbit. Only one rabbit in Group B exhibited clinical signs of the acute phase of besnoitiosis (hyperthermia, weight loss, regenerative anaemia and transient positive qPCR in blood) and was seroconverted. Parasite DNA was detected in four tissue samples from this rabbit, but no cysts were observed on histological examination. These findings indicate that S. calcitrans may act as a mechanical vector of B. besnoiti more efficiently than was previously considered.

Development of a clinical scoring system for bovine respiratory disease in weaned dairy calves.

Clinical scoring systems for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in weaned dairy calves have been developed in the past with calves experimentally infected with specific respiratory pathogens. In this prevalent case control study, a BRD clinical scoring system for weaned calves was developed using field data from 689 dairy calves housed in group pens on 5 dairies in California. Of the 689 calves in the study, 89 were selected because they appeared sick based on the display of lethargy, depression, or separation from the group, whereas the remaining 600 were randomly selected. Clinical signs were recorded for all calves, and BRD case status was determined by thoracic auscultation and ultrasound examinations, which were interpreted in parallel. Of the 689 calves, 238 were identified as BRD cases. Five survey-adjusted generalized linear mixed models with a logit link function, calf as the unit of analysis, and dairy as a random intercept were assessed using 3-fold cross-validation. The best model chosen based on performance and parsimony contained the variables cough (2 points), abnormal respiration (1 point), low body condition (5 points), sunken eyes (4 points), and a 24-h ambient temperature range >15°C (1 point) with a 2-point cutoff for a BRD suspect score. An alternative model did not contain a score for the covariate 24-h ambient temperature range and had a 1-point cutoff. The best model was tested on 174 observations not used for model training and resulted in 77.0% screening sensitivity, 100% diagnostic sensitivity, and 61.9% specificity. Adding rectal temperature ≥39.2°C (102.5°F) as a second-tier test increased specificity to 76.7% and lowered the screening sensitivity to 64.8% and diagnostic sensitivity to 76.9%. The alternative model had a screening sensitivity of 84.2%, diagnostic sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 45.7%. Adding rectal temperature ≥39.2°C (102.5°F) as a second-tier test for score-positive animals improved specificity of the alternative model to 62.6% while lowering its screening sensitivity to 70.5% and diagnostic sensitivity to 76.9%. Use of a 2-tier California BRD postweaning scoring system may provide producers and veterinarians with a new tool to monitor BRD in group-housed dairy calves. Furthermore, the scoring system may aid in judicious medical intervention for BRD cases and reduce unnecessary treatments of animals with antimicrobials.

Development and comparison of loop-mediated isothermal amplification and quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of Mycoplasma bovis in milk.

Bovine mastitis is an economic burden for dairies worldwide. Mycoplasma species, and especially Mycoplasma bovis, are among the most important causative agents, and rapid, precise, and low-cost methods for Mycoplasma detection are urgently needed. For this purpose, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays were developed and compared. The LAMP assay was designed and primer concentrations optimized to M. bovis oppD, encoding oligopeptide permease D. For qPCR, a Taqman assay (Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, CA) targeting M. bovis gltX, encoding glutamate transfer RNA ligase, was optimized for primer concentration, annealing temperature, and DNA polymerase. Both assays were similarly sensitive, with a detection limit of approximately 104 to 105M. bovis cells/mL. Both assays were also successful in confirming M. bovis identity in laboratory culture suspensions and in bovine milk. The LAMP and qPCR assays combined with the MoBio DNA extraction kit (MoBio Laboratories Inc., Carlsbad, CA) resulted in the correct detection of 13 out of 13 M. bovis isolates and 14 out of 16 M. bovis-positive milk samples collected from commercial dairies in California. When combined with the PrepMan Ultra reagent (Applied Biosystems), the qPCR assay resulted in confirming 21 out of 21 M. bovis-positive milk samples. Comparison of the assays to milk containing either Mycoplasma arginini, Mycoplasma bovigenitalium, Mycoplasma californicum, M. alkalescens, or Acholeplasma laidlawii or milk lacking any detectable Mycoplasma species or relatives resulted in 3 out of 17 (LAMP with MoBio), 1 out of 17 (qPCR with MoBio), and 2 out of 36 (qPCR with PrepMan Ultra) false positives. Overall, the qPCR assay was more robust than LAMP and could be used on DNA recovered from milk prepared with the PrepMan Ultra reagent, a method that does not include a DNA purification step. The use of this qPCR method enables M. bovis detection in bovine milk in 40 to 55 min, and therefore provides new opportunities to accelerate and simplify M. bovis detection in unpasteurized milk to reduce the incidence of M. bovis mastitis outbreaks.

Evaluation of protective effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 on toxicity and colonization of Clostridium difficile in human epithelial cells in vitro.

Clostridium difficile infection is a range of toxin - mediated intestinal diseases that is often acquired in hospitals and small communities in developed countries. The main virulence factors of C. difficile are two exotoxins, toxin A and toxin B, which damage epithelial cells and manifest as colonic inflammation and mild to severe diarrhea. Inhibiting C. difficile adherence, colonization, and reducing its toxin production could substantially minimize its pathogenicity and lead to faster recovery from the disease. This study investigated the efficacy of probiotic secreted bioactive molecules from Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5, in decreasing C. difficile attachment and cytotoxicity in human epithelial cells in vitro. L. acidophilus La-5 cell-free supernatant (La-5 CFS) was used to treat the hypervirulent C. difficile ribotype 027 culture with subsequent monitoring of cytotoxicity and adhesion. In addition, the effect of pretreating cell lines with La-5 CFS in protecting cells from the cytotoxicity of C. difficile culture filtrate or bacterial cell attachment was examined. La-5 CFS substantially reduced the cytotoxicity and cytopathic effect of C. difficile culture filtrate on HT-29 and Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, La-5 CFS significantly reduced attachment of the C. difficile bacterial cells on both cell lines. It was also found that pretreatment of cell lines with La-5 CFS effectively protected cell lines from cytotoxicity and adherence of C. difficile. Our study suggests that La-5 CFS could potentially be used to prevent and cure C. difficile infection and relapses.

An insight into nutritional profile of selected Pleurotus species.

The global demand for good quality food indicates that consumers are more concerned about a particular diet associated with good health and lower risk for certain ailments. Mushrooms are widely used as healthy nutritious food. In the present study, the nutritional composition of four different Pleurotus sp. was determined. Prior to extraction, all the selected mushrooms were subjected for proximate composition analysis. The protein, fat, ash, total carbohydrate, fiber and energy contents were in the range of (16.07- 25.15%), (0.64-2.02%), (2.1-9.14%), (65.66-82.47%), (6.21-54.12%) and (342.20-394.30Kcal/100g), respectively. The spectrophotometric analysis showed that the concentration of protein was in the range of 45.78-33.47 mg/g in all Pleurotus sp. High performance liquid chromatographic analysis of sugars showed six different mono and disaccharides in all the selected mushrooms. The fatty acid profile by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that the main fatty acids in selected mushrooms were present in the order linoliec acid> oleic acid> palmitic acid. The results suggested that all the Pleurotus sp. could be considered as a rich source of nutrients.

Phenolics, tocopherols and fatty acid profiling of wild and commercial mushrooms from Pakistan.

Mushrooms can be used as nutraceutical or functional foods to maintain and promote good health. In the present study, wild Ganoderma lucidum and four commercial mushrooms, Pleurotus ostreatus, Volvariella volvacea, Hericium erinaceus and Lentinus edodes, collected from Pakistan were screened for phenolics, tocopherols and fatty acid contents. High performance liquid chromatography analysis of phenolic acids showed that chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, p-Coumaric and caffeic acids were observed in selected mushrooms. H. erinaceus contained high amounts of chlorogenic acid (11.49±0.1 µ/g of dry weight) and ferulic acid (7.84±0.7 µg/g of dry weight). γ-tocopherol and lutein were present in all studied mushrooms. Lutein contents were higher in H. erinaceus (2.42±0.087 µg/g of DW) followed by V. volvacea> P. ostreatus> L. edodes. γ-tocopherol was observed in the range of 74.25±3.01 to 29.65±1.2 µg/g of dry weight. GC/MS analysis of fatty acids showed that linoleic acid (18’:2n6c), oleic acid (18’:1n9c), palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), linolenic acid (18’:3n3) and nonadecanoic acid (C19-0), were the main fatty acids found in selected mushrooms. The unsaturated fatty acids were predominated over saturated fatty acids. It is concluded that selected mushrooms are good sources of antioxidant compounds and unsaturated fatty acids.

Association between bone metabolism regulators and arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Osteopontin (OPN), osteonectin (ON) and osteocalcin (OC) play an important role in the development of vascular calcifications, but it is unclear whether these bone metabolism regulators contribute to the development of arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes patients. We therefore aim to determine the relationship between plasma concentrations of OPN, ON, OC and arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 1003 type 2 diabetes patients included in the Second Manifestations of ARTerial disease (SMART)-cohort. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate the relation between plasma levels of OPN, ON and OC and arterial stiffness as measured by pulse pressure (PP), ankle-brachial index (ABI) (≥0.9), carotid artery distension and an arterial stiffness summary score. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, kidney function, diabetes duration and diastolic blood pressure. Higher OPN plasma levels were significantly related to a lower ABI (ß-0.013; 95%CI -0.024 to -0.002) and a higher arterial stiffness summary score (OR1.24; 95%CI 1.03-1.49). OPN levels were not related to PP (ß 0.59; 95%CI -0.63-1.81) or absolute carotid artery distention (ß -7.03; 95%CI -20.00-5.93). ON and OC plasma levels were not related to any of the arterial stiffness measures. CONCLUSION: Only elevated plasma levels of OPN are associated with increased arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes as measured by the ankle-brachial index and arterial stiffness summary score. These findings indicate that OPN may be involved in the pathophysiology of arterial stiffness and call for further clinical investigation.

What drives intentional overdose with non-prescription drugs? A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Use of overdosage of Non-Prescription Drugs (NPD) among university students is a serious public health issue. However, there are no extensive studies that measured the prevalence of taking more than the recommended dose of NPD and/or identified the risk associated with this behavior among university students. OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and associated risks of self-overdosage with NPDs in university students in United Arab Emirates (UAE). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted from January to April 2014, among 2875 students in three randomly selected universities. A structured and validated questionnaire was used to collect the responses of the students. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Out of 2875 students, only 2355 surveys were fully answered, returned back and included in the present study. Of 2355, more than half (1348; 57.2%) the participants reported using Oral NPD (ONPD) in the past 90 days before conducting the study and were asked to complete the survey. Only 290 (22%) of a total 1348 participants reported taking more than the recommended dose of ONPD in the previous three months before conducting the study. Analgesic/antipyretic (223, 16.5%) and anti-allergic (67, 4.9%) drugs were more than other classes of the ONPD, reported to be taken in a dose, more than the recommended dosage. The most common justifications for taking more than the recommended dose of ONPD among respondents were severe symptoms (6%), the belief that the recommended dose would not be sufficient to relieve the symptom (5%), the belief that a stronger dose would relieve the symptoms faster (11%), and previous experience (4%). Our results identified three risk factors for taking more than the recommended dose of NPD. High frequently drug-users of daily use (OR=3.494, 95% CI: 1.677-7.279) (P<0.001), and students from non-medical colleges had higher odds of taking more than the recommended dosage as compared to students from medical colleges (OR=1.486, 95% CI: 1.060-2.085, P-value<0.05). Furthermore\re, participants with a poly-pharmacy behavior had higher odds of taking overdosage of ONPD than single NPD users (OR=1.918, 95% CI: 1.440-2.555) (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: There are a sizable proportion of university students that use overdosage of NPD, but it is more serious issue when it comes to non-medical student. There is a need for educational programs designed to increase awareness among all university students and to motivate them not to use overdosage of NPD. Further studies are also required to investigate additional explanatory variables that could influence the practice of overdosage with NPD.