Enzymatically Modified Starch Favorably Modulated Intestinal Transit Time and Hindgut Fermentation in Growing Pigs.

Aside from being used as stabilizing agents in many processed foods, chemically modified starches may act as functional dietary ingredients. Therefore, development of chemically modified starches that are less digestible in the upper intestinal segments and promote fermentation in the hindgut receives considerable attention. This study aimed to investigate the impact of an enzymatically modified starch (EMS) on nutrient flow, passage rate, and bacterial activity at ileal and post-ileal level. Eight ileal-cannulated growing pigs were fed 2 diets containing 72% purified starch (EMS or waxy cornstarch as control) in a cross-over design for 10 d, followed by a 4-d collection of feces and 2-d collection of ileal digesta. On d 17, solid and liquid phase markers were added to the diet to determine ileal digesta flow for 8 h after feeding. Reduced small intestinal digestion after the consumption of the EMS diet was indicated by a 10%-increase in ileal flow and fecal excretion of dry matter and energy compared to the control diet (P<0.05). Moreover, EMS feeding reduced ileal transit time of both liquid and solid fractions compared to the control diet (P<0.05). The greater substrate flow to the large intestine with the EMS diet increased the concentrations of total and individual short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in feces (P<0.05). Total bacterial 16S rRNA gene abundance was not affected by diet, whereas the relative abundance of the Lactobacillus group decreased (P<0.01) by 50% and of Enterobacteriaceae tended (P<0.1) to increase by 20% in ileal digesta with the EMS diet compared to the control diet. In conclusion, EMS appears to resemble a slowly digestible starch by reducing intestinal transit and increasing SCFA in the distal large intestine.

Defining the physical properties of corn grown under drought-stressed conditions and the associated energy and nutrient content for swine.

Historically high temperatures and low rainfall during the 2012 growing season resulted in drought-stressed conditions in much of the U.S. corn belt. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the impact of these conditions on the composition and energy content in corn and determine if relationships exist among corn quality measurements, chemical composition, and digestibility of energy. Twenty-eight samples of corn from the 2012 drought-stressed crop (DS), plus 2 representative corn samples from the 2011 crop (CNTRL), were collected in Iowa and Illinois using yield as an initial screen for drought impact. Yields ranged from 2.5 to 14.8 t/ha. Each sample was graded by an official of the U.S. grain inspection agency and analyzed for 1,000 kernel weight, kernel density, ether extract, starch, GE, NDF, and CP content. Diets were formulated using each of the 30 corn samples and were fed at 2.6 times the estimated maintenance energy requirement according to the . Sixty individually housed barrows (PIC 359 × C29; 34.2 ± 0.2 kg initial BW) were randomly allotted in an incomplete crossover design to 30 diets across 4 periods. Diet and fecal samples were analyzed to determine DE values. Both ME and NE values were then calculated from DE values using methods developed by and , respectively. Mean DE, ME, and NE values between the CNTRL and DS were not different (3.72 vs. 3.68 Mcal/kg, respectively, 3.66 vs. 3.62 Mcal/kg, respectively, and 2.92 vs. 2.87 Mcal/kg, respectively; > 0.10). Comparing CNTRL with DS, there were no differences ( > 0.10) in ether extract (4.07 vs. 3.96%), CP (8.56 vs. 9.18%), or starch (70.5 vs. 69.5%). However, ADF and NDF were higher in the DS (2.23 and 8.19%, respectively) when compared with CNTRL (1.89 and 6.92%, respectively; < 0.001 and = 0.015, respectively). Small but significant correlations were observed between DE and NDF ( = -0.51, = 0.008), kernel density ( = 0.51, = 0.007), and percent damaged kernels ( = 0.41, = 0.031). No statistically significant correlations were observed between DE and starch or ADF content or between DE and test weight. We can conclude that corn grown in drought-stressed conditions has energy content similar to corn grown under more favorable conditions and, therefore, can be successfully used in swine diets. Furthermore, NDF proved to be superior to fat, starch, and ADF content in explaining the variation in corn energy content.

Surgical Pulmonary Embolectomy: Experience in a Series of 37 Consecutive Cases.

BACKGROUND: Massive pulmonary embolism is a poorly tolerated condition. Treatment options in this condition include anticoagulation and primary reperfusion therapy - systemic thrombolysis, catheter based treatments or surgical embolectomy. There is little data on the relative efficacy of each treatment. METHODS: The preoperative characteristics and outcomes of patients referred for surgical embolectomy between 2000-2014 was reviewed. Echocardiography was performed in the majority of patients before and after surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients underwent pulmonary embolectomy between 2000-2014. One patient died within 30 days, another before leaving hospital. All other patients were alive at the time of follow-up (survival 94.6% at median 36 months). Median ventilation time was 24hours. Median hospital length of stay was 10.5 days. There was echocardiographic evidence of severe right ventricular strain (increased size and decreased function) before surgery, which was significantly improved to within the normal range by discharge, and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical embolectomy is a safe procedure, with low mortality, improved postoperative right ventricular function and pulmonary pressure, and good long-term outcome. Early relief of a large proportion of the clot burden can be life-saving. There should be consideration for its use as an initial treatment strategy in patients with massive or submassive pulmonary embolus with a large burden of proximal clot. A multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of these patients is required.

The status of orofacial cleft care in Ghana.

Orofacial Clefts (OFC) are common congenital facial anomalies. The study seeks to determine the status of care for OFC patients in Ghana. Currently, in addition to the Ministry of Health, there are six Non-Governmental Organizations, which are dedicated to the provision of logistics for the management of cleft patients. As it is possible there could be OFC endemic areas in Ghana, sensitization of the population of the condition and management of this anomaly should be promoted. Persons of OFCs are faced with known challenges, which result in negative self-image that affect their quality of life. Hence educating the general public, in particular pregnant women who access antenatal care in health facilities may reduce ill effects associated with the anomaly. Genetic studies of the anomaly should also be encouraged to help decrease the incidence.

Importance of Fungicide Seed Treatment and Environment on Seedling Diseases of Cotton.

The importance of fungicide seed treatments on cotton was examined using a series of standardized fungicide trials from 1993 to 2004. Fungicide seed treatments increased stands over those from seed not treated with fungicides in 119 of 211 trials. Metalaxyl increased stands compared to nontreated seed in 40 of 119 trials having significant fungicide responses, demonstrating the importance of Pythium spp. on stand establishment. Similarly, PCNB seed treatment increased stands compared to nontreated seed for 44 of 119 trials with a significant response, indicating the importance of Rhizoctonia solani in stand losses. Benefits from the use of newer seed treatment chemistries, azoxystrobin and triazoles, were demonstrated by comparison with a historic standard seed treatment, carboxin + PCNB + metalaxyl. Little to no stand improvement was found when minimal soil temperatures averaged 25°C the first 3 days after planting. Stand losses due to seedling pathogens increased dramatically as minimal soil temperatures decreased to 12°C and rainfall increased. The importance of Pythium increased dramatically as minimal soil temperature decreased and rainfall increased, while the importance of R. solani was not affected greatly by planting environment. These multi-year data support the widespread use of seed treatment fungicides for the control of the seedling disease complex on cotton.

First Report of the Soybean Frogeye Leaf Spot Fungus (Cercospora sojina) Resistant to Quinone Outside Inhibitor Fungicides in North America.

Quinone outside inhibitor (QoI; also known as strobilurin) fungicides sometimes are applied to soybean (Glycine max) fields to help manage frogeye leaf spot of soybean (caused by Cercospora sojina) in the United States. In August 2010, soybean leaflets exhibiting severe frogeye leaf spot symptoms were collected from a field in Lauderdale County, TN that had been treated twice with pyraclostrobin during that growing season. The field had been planted into soybean annually since at least 2008, and a QoI fungicide had been applied to the field in each of those years. Fifteen single-spore isolates of C. sojina were recovered from the affected soybean leaflets. These isolates were identified as C. sojina based on the observed symptoms on the soybean leaflets and the morphology and size of conidiophores and conidia (3). In addition, DNA was extracted from the cultures, PCR amplification of the small subunit rDNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was conducted (2), and the resulting PCR product was sequenced at the Keck Biotechnology Center at the University of Illinois, Urbana. The resulting nucleotide sequences were compared with sequences deposited in the nucleotide database ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ) and showed highest homology to sequences of C. sojina. The isolates were tested for their sensitivity to technical-grade formulations of the QoI fungicides azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin with an in vitro conidial germination assay with fungicide + salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM)-amended potato dextrose agar as described by Bradley and Pedersen (1). The effective concentration at which 50% conidial germination was inhibited (EC50) was determined for all 15 C. sojina isolates, with mean values of 3.1644 (2.7826 to 4.5409), 0.3297 (0.2818 to 0.6404), and 0.8573 (0.3665 to 2.5119) µg/ml for azoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, and trifloxystrobin, respectively. When compared with previously established mean EC50 values of C. sojina baseline isolates (4), EC50 values of the C. sojina isolates collected from the Lauderdale County, TN soybean field were approximately 249- to 7,144-fold greater than the EC50 values of the baseline isolates. These results indicate that all isolates recovered from the Lauderdale County, TN soybean field were highly resistant to QoI fungicides. To our knowledge, this is the first report of QoI fungicide resistance occurring in C. sojina, and surveys for additional QoI fungicide-resistant C. sojina isolates are needed to determine their prevalence and geographic distribution. In light of these findings, soybean growers in Tennessee and adjacent states should consider utilizing alternative frogeye leaf spot management practices such as planting resistant cultivars, rotating to nonhost crops, and tilling affected soybean residue (3). References: (1) C. A. Bradley and D. K. Pedersen. Plant Dis. 95:189, 2011. (2) N. S. Lord et al. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 42:327, 2002. (3) D. V. Phillips. Page 20 in: Compendium of Soybean Diseases. 4th ed. G. L. Hartman et al., eds. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1999. (4) G. Zhang et al. Phytopathology (Abstr.) 100(suppl.):S145, 2010.

Lipopolysaccharides and plant innate immunity.

Plants posses an innate immune system that has many parallels with those found in mammals and insects. A range of molecules of microbial origin called Microbe Associated Molecular Patterns (MAMPs) act to trigger basal defense responses in plants. These elicitors include lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from diverse Gram-negative bacteria. Both core oligosaccharide and the lipid A moieties of LPS as well as synthetic O-antigen oligosaccharides have activity in inducing defense responses in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Very little is known of the mechanism of LPS perception by plants, although plant receptors for other MAMPs such as flagellin have been described. Recent work has implicated the Arabidopsis syntaxin PEN1 as a potential actor in LPS induction of plant defenses, which may suggest a role for vesicle trafficking in the signalling process.

Dermatological reactions to the multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib.

BACKGROUND: The multikinase inhibitor sunitinib has enhanced the treatment of renal cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor through an improved clinical response with decreased systemic toxicities. However, sunitinib is frequently associated with dermatological adverse reactions. The physical and psychosocial impact of frequent dermatological toxicities can affect consistent antineoplastic therapy and quality of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dermatological adverse reaction information was compiled from Pfizer Medical Information and from abstracts from the 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, Prostate Cancer Symposium, and Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium. Published clinical trials of sunitinib in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and EMBASE Drugs and Pharmacology databases were also included. Information was accessed on or before June 30, 2007. RESULTS: In the pooled analysis, all-grade hand-foot skin reaction occurred in 19% of patients (5% grades 3-4), skin discoloration in 28% (0% grades 3-4), dry skin in 16% (1% grades 3-4), skin rash in 13% (1% grades 3-4), dermatitis in 8% (2% grades 3-4), hair color changes in 10% (0% grades 3-4), alopecia in 6% (0% grades 3-4), and phototoxicity in <0.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Dermatological reactions associated with sunitinib occur frequently. Evidence-based treatment recommendations are needed in order to maximize quality of life and optimize clinical outcome.

Can aerobic treadmill training reduce the effort of walking and fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.

Impaired mobility in multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with high-energy costs and effort when walking, gait abnormalities, poor endurance and fatigue. This repeated measures trial with blinded assessments investigated the effect of treadmill walking at an aerobic training intensity in 16 adults with MS. The intervention consisted of 12 sessions of up to 30 minutes treadmill training (TT), at 55-85% of age-predicted maximum heart rate. The primary outcome measure was walking effort, measured by oxygen consumption (mL/kg per metre), during treadmill walking at comfortable walking speed (CWS). Associated changes in gait parameters using the 'Gait-Rite' mat, 10-m time and 2-minute distance, and Fatigue Severity Scale were examined. Following training, oxygen consumption decreased at rest (P = 0.008), CWS increased (P = 0.002), and 10-m times (P = 0.032) and walking endurance (P = 0.020) increased. At increased CWS, oxygen consumption decreased (P = 0.020), with a decreased time spent in stance in the weaker leg (P = 0.034), and a greater stride distance with the stronger leg (P = 0.044). Reported fatigue levels remained the same. Aerobic TT presents the opportunity to alter a motor skill and reduce the effort of walking, whilst addressing cardiovascular de-conditioning, thereby, potentially reducing effort and fatigue for some people with MS.

Follow-up of Australian aboriginal patients following open-heart surgery in Western Australia.

BACKGROUND: To date there has been only one published report pertaining to the outcomes following open-heart surgery in Australian aboriginal patients. METHODS: The records of 57 consecutive aboriginal patients who underwent open-heart surgery at our institution over a 6-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Attempts were made to contact the patient by telephone, by letter, through their listed next of kin, general practitioners, community nurse or through the aboriginal liaison officer. RESULTS: There were 38 males and 19 females. Forty-five patients had coronary artery bypass grafting, 10 had isolated valve procedures while 2 had a combined operation. Mechanical prostheses were used for all valve replacements. There was a high incidence of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and smoking. There was one hospital death. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 6 years with a mean of 3.09 years. Forty-four of the 56 (78.6%) hospital survivors were contactable while 21.4% were not contactable. There were two late deaths. Of the coronary patients who could be contacted, only 79% were taking Aspirin and a similar number Statin. 23% patients had recurrence of angina. There were five episodes of anticoagulation related complications in three patients. Only 44% of the patients were conversant with anticoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: The follow-up of the aboriginal patients was disappointing. The compliance with the medications was sub-optimal. There was a high incidence of recurrence of angina and anticoagulation related complications. The results raise concern about the use of mechanical prosthesis in these patients.

Regulation of the synthesis of cyclic glucan in Xanthomonas campestris by a diffusible signal molecule.

The rpf gene cluster of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is involved in the co-ordinate positive regulation of the production of extracellular enzymes and the extracellular polysaccharide xanthan. Several of the rpf genes are involved in a regulatory system involving the small diffusible molecule DSF (for diffusible signal factor). Synthesis of DSF requires RpfF, and a two-component sensory transduction system involving RpfC has been implicated in the perception of the signal and signal transduction. Here we show that mutations in both rpfF and rpfC lead to reductions in the levels of cyclic glucan. The levels of cyclic glucan synthetase in membrane preparations from rpfF and rpfC mutants were, however, unaltered from the wild-type. Similar alterations in the level of cyclic glucan without changes in cyclic glucan synthetase activity were seen when wild-type bacteria were exposed to osmotic stress. These results extend the range of cellular functions subject to regulation by the rpf genes and DSF system.

Direct interaction between the Arabidopsis disease resistance signaling proteins, EDS1 and PAD4.

The Arabidopsis EDS1 and PAD4 genes encode lipase-like proteins that function in resistance (R) gene-mediated and basal plant disease resistance. Phenotypic analysis of eds1 and pad4 null mutants shows that EDS1 and PAD4 are required for resistance conditioned by the same spectrum of R genes but fulfil distinct roles within the defence pathway. EDS1 is essential for elaboration of the plant hypersensitive response, whereas EDS1 and PAD4 are both required for accumulation of the plant defence-potentiating molecule, salicylic acid. EDS1 is necessary for pathogen-induced PAD4 mRNA accumulation, whereas mutations in PAD4 or depletion of salicylic acid only partially compromise EDS1 expression. Yeast two-hybrid analysis reveals that EDS1 can dimerize and interact with PAD4. However, EDS1 dimerization is mediated by different domains to those involved in EDS1-PAD4 association. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments show that EDS1 and PAD4 proteins interact in healthy and pathogen-challenged plant cells. We propose two functions for EDS1. The first is required early in plant defence, independently of PAD4. The second recruits PAD4 in the amplification of defences, possibly by direct EDS1-PAD4 association.

Viability and stability of biological control agents on cotton and snap bean seeds.

Cotton and snap bean were selected for a multi-year, multi-state regional (south-eastern USA) research project to evaluate the efficacy of both commercial and experimental bacterial and fungal biological control agents for the management of damping-off diseases. The goal for this portion of the project was to determine the viability and stability of biological agents after application to seed. The biological seed treatments used included: (1) Bacillaceae bacteria, (2) non-Bacillaceae bacteria, (3) the fungus Trichoderma and (4) the fungus Beauveria bassiana. Seed assays were conducted to evaluate the following application factors: short-term (< or = 3 months) stability after seed treatment; quality (i.e. isolate purity); compatibility with chemical pesticides and other biocontrol agents; application uniformity between years and plant species. For the bacterial treatments, the Bacillaceae genera (Bacillus and Paenibacillus) maintained the greatest population of bacteria per seed, the best viability over time and the best application uniformity across years and seed type. The non-Bacillaceae genera Burkholderia and Pseudomonas had the least viability and uniformity. Although Beauveria bassiana was only evaluated one year, the seed fungal populations were high and uniform. The seed fungal populations and uniformity for the Trichoderma isolates were more variable, except for the commercial product T-22. However, this product was contaminated with a Streptomyces isolate in both the years that it was evaluated. The study demonstrated that Bacillaceae can be mixed with Trichoderma isolates or with numerous pesticides to provide an integrated pest control/growth enhancement package.

Induction of hydroxycinnamoyl-tyramine conjugates in pepper by Xanthomonas campestris, a plant defense response activated by hrp gene-dependent and hrp gene-independent mechanisms.

Inoculation of pepper leaves, Capsicum annuum cv. Early Calwonder ECW 10R, with strains of Xanthomonas campestris led to an accumulation of the phenolic conjugates feruloyltyramine (FT) and p-coumaroyltyramine (CT) 24 h postinoculation in nonhost- and gene-for-gene-determined incompatible interactions with X. campestris pv. campestris and X. campestris pv. vesicatoria, respectively. In contrast, neither compound was detected in compatible interactions with X. campestris pv. vesicatoria. The accumulation of FT and CT was preceded by an increase in the extractable activity of tyrosine decarboxylase as well as increases in the transcription of genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and tyramine hydroxycinnamoyl transferase. No such changes were detected in compatible interactions. Very rapid accumulation of FT and CT occurred (4 h postinoculation) in pepper in response to a X. campestris pv. campestris mutant carrying a deletion of the hrp gene cluster. In contrast, hrp mutants of X. campestris pv. vesicatoria failed to elicit the production of FT and CT. These observations suggest the existence of hrp gene-dependent and -independent activation mechanisms of a defense response involving hydroxycinnamoyltyramines.

Disruption of the helix-u-turn-helix motif of MutS protein: loss of subunit dimerization, mismatch binding and ATP hydrolysis.

The DNA mismatch repair protein, MutS, is a dimeric protein that recognizes mismatched bases and has an intrinsic ATPase activity. Here, a series of Taq MutS proteins having C-terminal truncations in the vicinity of a highly conserved helix-u-turn-helix (HuH) motif are assessed for subunit oligomerization, ATPase activity and DNA mismatch binding. Those proteins containing an intact HuH region are dimers; those without the HuH region are predominantly monomers in solution. Steady-state kinetics of truncated but dimeric MutS proteins reveals only modest decreases in their ATPase activity compared to full-length protein. In contrast, disruption of the HuH region results in a greatly attenuated ATPase activity. In addition, only dimeric MutS proteins are proficient for mismatch binding. Finally, an analysis of the mismatch repair competency of truncated Escherichia coli MutS proteins in a rifampicin mutator assay confirms that the HuH region is critical for in vivo function. These findings indicate that dimerization is critical for both the ATPase and DNA mismatch binding activities of MutS, and corroborate several key features of the MutS structure recently deduced from X-ray crystallographic studies.

Low serum S100beta protein levels following coronary artery surgery with or without cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: S100beta protein has been used as a serum marker of brain injury during cardiac surgery. Previous studies may have been confounded by the re-transfusion of shed mediastinal blood, which has a high concentration of S100beta. AIM: To examine serum S100beta levels in coronary artery surgery patients in whom re-transfusion of shed mediastinal blood was avoided, and to compare levels with and without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: Serum S100beta levels were measured preoperatively, pre-heparin, post-protamine and 24 h postoperatively in 31 patients undergoing elective coronary artery surgery with (n = 14) or without (n = 17) CPB. The postoperative values were compared to their preoperative controls using two-tailed paired t-tests. RESULTS: There was a minor increase in serum S100beta post-protamine in the CPB group only (0.41 ng/mL; P < 0.01). All other levels in both groups were within normal limits. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary artery surgery without CPB is not associated with an increase in serum S100beta. The observed increase in the CPB group was four- to ninefold lower than levels previously reported. A possible explanation for the lower level was the avoidance of retransfusing shed mediastinal blood. If elevated S100beta levels are thought to represent a cerebral insult caused by CPB, the magnitude of the insult might be less than previously assumed.

Lipopolysaccharides and plant responses to phytopathogenic bacteria.

Abstract Treatment of the leaves of pepper (Capsicum annuum) cv. ECW10R with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from both plant pathogenic and enteric bacteria alters several aspects of the plant response to subsequent inoculation with phytopathogenic xanthomonads. LPS pre-treatment prevents the hypersensitive reaction caused by strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria carrying the avirulence gene avrBs1 (a gene-for-gene interaction) and by X. campestris pv. campestris (a non-host interaction). Associated with this effect are the earlier synthesis of feruloyl- and coumaroyl-tyramine, phenolic conjugates that are potentially antimicrobial, and alterations in the expression patterns of genes for some pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins. Similar effects on the timing of phenolic conjugate synthesis are also seen in the compatible interaction with X. campestris pv. vesicatoria, although the level of the response is lower. Recognition of LPS by plants may allow expression of resistance in the absence of catastrophic tissue damage. However phytopathogenic bacteria may have evolved mechanisms to suppress the effects of LPS (and of other non-specific bacterial elicitors) on plant cells.

The rhythm of relating in a paradigm of wholeness.

The importance of relating to the rhythm of another person's interactive pattern is integral to helping people move through illness and disruptive events. At times of chaos, a person's rhythm may be irregular and difficult to sense, but transformation to higher levels of organization often occurs at far-from-equilibrium states. Nurses should develop a tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty and "hang in there" with clients until a new rhythm emerges.