Variation in pollinator visitation among garden cultivars of marigold, portulaca, and bidens.

Due to declines in pollinator populations, many people are now interested in learning about which annual flowers they can plant in their garden to better support pollinators. However, reports of experimental evaluation of cultivars of annual flowers for attraction to pollinators are scarce. We sampled pollinators visiting six cultivars of marigold (Tagetes erecta and T. patula), ten cultivars of bidens (Bidens ferulifolia and B. aurea), and eight cultivars of portulaca (Portulaca oleracea and P. grandiflora) for two years to compare pollinator visitation rates among cultivars within each flower type. Pollinators collected on flowers in research plots were categorized into four groups, honey bees (Apis mellifera), common eastern bumble bees (Bombus impatiens), wild bees, and syrphids, to show the proportion of different pollinator visitors to each cultivar. Pollinator visitation rates varied significantly among cultivars of marigold, bidens, and portulaca, with some cultivars having as much as 10-fold the visitation rate of other cultivars of the same flower type. In the second year we also evaluated nectar production and nectar quality of the most and least visited cultivars of portulaca and bidens. Our results show that pollinators have a strong preference for cultivars that produce the most nectar or nectar with the highest sugar content. This research will better inform entomologists, growers, educators, and plant breeders, about which cultivars of marigold, portulaca, and bidens are visited the most by pollinators, and how to accurately determine this at the cultivar level.

Complex interactions between nicotine and resveratrol in the Drosophila melanogaster wing spot test.

Nicotine (NIC) and resveratrol (RES) are chemicals in tobacco and wine, respectively, that are widely consumed concurrently worldwide. NIC is an alkaloid known to be toxic, addictive and to produce oxidative stress, while RES is thought of as an antioxidant with putative health benefits. Oxidative stress can induce genotoxic damage, yet few studies have examined whether NIC is genotoxic in vivo. In vitro studies have shown that RES can ameliorate deleterious effects of NIC. However, RES has been reported to have both antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects, and an in vivo study reported that 0.011 mM RES was genotoxic. We used the Drosophila melanogaster wing spot test to determine whether NIC and RES, first individually and then in combination, were genotoxic and/or altered the cell division. We hypothesized that RES would modulate NIC's effects. NIC was genotoxic in the standard (ST) cross in a concentration-independent manner, but not genotoxic in the high bioactivation (HB) cross. RES was not genotoxic in either the ST or HB cross at the concentrations tested. We discovered a complex interaction between NIC and RES. Depending on concentration, RES was protective of NIC's genotoxic damage, RES had no interaction with NIC, or RES had an additive or synergistic effect, increasing NIC's genotoxic damage. Most NIC, RES, and NIC/RES combinations tested altered the cell division in the ST and HB crosses. Because we used the ST and HB crosses, we demonstrated that genotoxicity and cell division alterations were modulated by the xenobiotic metabolism. These results provide evidence of NIC's genotoxicity in vivo at specific concentrations. Moreover, NIC's genotoxicity can be modulated by its interaction with RES in a complex manner, in which their interaction can lead to either increasing NIC's damage or protecting against it.

Skin flap vaginal augmentation helps prevent and cure post obstetric fistula repair urine leakage: a critical anatomical analysis.

Our aim was to describe a new surgical method for prophylaxis/cure of post obstetric fistula repair leakage based on restoring vaginal elasticity with Singapore skin flap. The rationale for this operation was based on the integral theory: scarring removes elasticity required for independent function of oppositely acting urethral closure forces so they become 'tethered, forcibly opening the urethra when give the signal to close'. Skin graft restores elasticity and closure. Used prophylactically with Goh type 4 fistula (n = 45), 46% were dry against an expected 19%. In patients with successful fistula closure, still with severe leakage (n = 24), 71% were dry against an expected 26%. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Singapore skin flap restores elasticity and prevents and treats incontinence in patients with successful obstetric fistula repair.

The effect of hyperglycaemia on permeability and the expression of junctional complex molecules in human retinal and choroidal endothelial cells.

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the working population and its prevalence continues to increase as the worldwide prevalence of diabetes grows. Diabetic choroidopathy is less well studied and occurs in the late stages of diabetic eye disease. The main cause of visual loss in diabetic eye disease is diabetic macular oedema caused by an increase in microvascular endothelial permeability. Endothelial cell permeability is influenced by multiple factors which have not been fully elucidated, particularly in human models. In addition, the gene and protein expression between retinal and choroidal endothelial cells, even in humans, has been shown to be heterogeneous. The aim of this project was to determine, in vitro, the effect of high glucose (25 mM) on human paracellular permeability in retinal and choroidal endothelial cells. The expression of selected tight junction molecules (Occludin, Claudin-5, JAM-A and JAM-C) and adheren junction (VE-Cadherin) molecules was also compared between retinal and choroidal endothelial cells and with high glucose. High glucose conditions significantly increased the permeability in both retinal and choroidal endothelial cells monolayers although the increase was higher in retinal endothelial cells. Under normal glucose culture conditions microarray analysis determined that occludin and claudin-5 gene expression was higher in retinal endothelial cells than choroidal endothelial cells, and western blotting indicated that claudin-5 protein expression was also higher in retinal endothelial cells whilst JAM-A, and C and VE-Cadherin levels were similar. In retinal endothelial cells exposed to high glucose claudin-5, occludin and JAM-A was found to be reduced, whereas the expression of VE-Cadherin and JAM-C was unchanged when evaluated with western blotting, immunofluorescence and qPCR. None of the proteins were significantly decreased by high glucose in choroidal endothelial cells. The increase in retinal endothelial cell permeability is likely caused by a decrease in selective tight junction protein expression, leading to increased paracellular permeability. This may indicate differences in junctional molecule regulation of permeability in retinal compared to choroidal endothelial cells.

Predicting women at risk for developing obstetric fistula: a fistula index? An observational study comparison of two cohorts.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain if a predictor of obstructed labour and obstetric fistula (OF) occurrence could be devised. DESIGN: Observational study of two cohorts. SETTING: Selian Lutheran Mission Hospital, Arusha, Tanzania and Aberdeen Women's Centre, Freetown, Sierra Leone. POPULATION: All women presenting with OF caused by obstructed labour and all women having a normal vaginal delivery (NVD) at both institutions were eligible for the study. METHODS: All women with OF and those delivering normally had their height in centimetres measured and their intertuberous space measured by the number of examiner's knuckles admitted. The dimensions for OF and normal delivery were examined individually and multiplied to gain a 'fistula index'. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Dimensions and index were compared statistically between OF and NVD women using t tests. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values from receiver operating characteristic curves were obtained for predicting OF. RESULTS: There were statistical differences between the groups with OF women being significantly shorter, having a smaller intertuberous space and lower fistula index than those undergoing NVD (each P < 0.001). Sensitivity was high for fistula index ≤ 507.5 (94.9%, 95% confidence interval 83.1-98.6%) and for intertuberous space of at least three knuckles (92.3%, 95% CI 79.7-97.3%) alone. CONCLUSIONS: A simple antenatal measurement of intertuberous space could screen those women at higher risk of needing medical intervention to prevent OF.

Ranibizumab for the treatment of choroidal neovascularisation secondary to pathological myopia: interim analysis of the REPAIR study.

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab in patients with choroidal neovascularisation secondary to pathological myopia (myopic CNV). Data are from a pre-planned, 6-month interim analysis. METHODS: Phase II, open-label, single arm, multicentre, 12-month study, recruiting patients (aged ≥18 years) with active primary or recurrent subfoveal or juxtafoveal myopic CNV, with a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) score of 24-78 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters in the study eye and a diagnosis of high myopia of at least -6 dioptres. Patients received 0.5 mg ranibizumab administered intravitreally to the study eye, followed by monthly injections given as needed (based on a predefined algorithm) for up to 11 months. RESULTS: At 6 months, mean BCVA improved from baseline by 12.2 letters, as did central macular thickness (in this interim analysis defined as a measure of either central subfield macular thickness or centre point macular thickness) from baseline by 108 µm in the 48 study eyes of 48 patients. Fewer patients had centre-involving intraretinal oedema (13.0% vs 91.5%), intraretinal cysts (10.9% vs 57.4%), or subretinal fluid (13.0% vs 66.0%) at 6 months than at baseline. Patients received a mean of 1.9 retreatments, were satisfied with ranibizumab treatment, and well being was maintained. No new safety signals were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Results from the planned interim analysis support the role of ranibizumab in the treatment of myopic CNV, with excellent efficacy achieved with a low number of injections and few serious adverse events.

Clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes in presumed intraocular tuberculosis: experience from Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes of patients with presumed intraocular tuberculosis (TB) seen at the Newcastle Uveitis Service, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK over a 10-year period. METHODS: Retrospective review of case notes. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients were identified. Occlusive retinal vasculitis was the commonest ophthalmological presentation (12 patients). Eight patients (38%) were found to have underlying active systemic TB (four with mediastinal lymphadenopathy, three with pulmonary TB, one with cutaneous TB). Constitutional or respiratory symptoms, elevated inflammatory markers, and an abnormal chest radiograph were poor indicators of active TB. Two patients had inactive intrathoracic TB. Eleven patients had latent TB. Eighteen patients received anti-tuberculous treatment. Final visual acuity was better than or equal to initial visual acuity in 14 out of 16 patients who completed at least 6 months of standard anti-tuberculous treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with presumed intraocular TB have latent TB, but a significant minority has hitherto undetected active TB. Our series suggests that either proven or presumed intraocular TB occurs frequently in the absence of constitutional or respiratory symptoms, elevated inflammatory markers, or an abnormal chest radiograph. A minimum of 6 months standard anti-tuberculous treatment provides good visual outcomes in the majority of patients.

Pharmacokinetics of monepantel and its sulfone metabolite, monepantel sulfone, after intravenous and oral administration in sheep.

The pharmacokinetic properties of the developmental Amino-Acetonitrile Derivative (AAD), monepantel and its sulfone metabolite, monepantel sulfone were investigated in sheep following intravenous (i.v.) and oral administrations. The sulfone metabolite was rapidly formed and predominated over monepantel 4 h after dosing, irrespective of the route of administration. The steady-state volume of distribution, total body clearance and mean residence time of monepantel were 7.4 L/kg, 1.49 L/(kg x h) and 4.9 h, respectively and 31.2 L/kg, 0.28 L/(kg x h) and 111 h, respectively for monepantel sulfone. The overall bioavailability of monepantel was 31%, but it was demonstrated that approximately the same amount of monepantel sulfone was produced whether monepantel was given intravenously or orally (AUC((0-infinity)) oral/AUC((0-infinity)) i.v. of 94% for monepantel sulfone), making oral administration a very efficient route of administration for monepantel in terms of the amount of sulfone metabolite generated. Because monepantel sulfone is the main chemical entity present in sheep blood after monepantel administration and because it is also an active metabolite, its pharmacokinetic properties are of primary importance for the interpretation of future residue and efficacy studies. Overall, these pharmacokinetic data aid in the evaluation of monepantel as an oral anthelmintic in sheep.

Pregnancy following obstetric fistula repair, the management of delivery.

Obstetric fistula patients invariably have dreadful obstetric histories. The antecedent delivery usually ends in a stillbirth and even multiparous obstetric fistula patients often have previous histories of multiple stillbirths and neonatal deaths. There is very little published on subsequent pregnancies following obstetric fistula repair or even on reproductive capabilities after repair. This study examines 49 pregnancies following obstetric fistula repair and the management and outcome of delivery.

Prevalence of biometry assessment experiences among trainee ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom.

PURPOSE: To determine the biometry assessment experiences of senior house officers (SHOs) during basic surgical training (BST). METHODS: This is a postal survey of SHOs in recognized UK surgical training posts from April 2005 to November 2005. Data collected included SHO proficiency in various types of biometry, practical biometry experience and opinions as to whether performing biometry is still a required skill. RESULTS: Of 460 SHOs who were sent questionnaires 279 (60.1%) responded. Only 13% of respondents received formal training in biometry while 43% received informal training in biometry from either senior colleagues or nurses. SHOs maintained they were proficient in different types of biometry including contact biometry (49%), non contact biometry (45%), immersion biometry (2.5%) and keratometry (81%). If their current unit, 84% of SHOs did not perform any biometry. Although the majority of SHOs reported familiarity with IOL power prediction formulae, there was no consistency among the SHOs working in the same unit. Despite the lack of exposure to biometry, most (88%) felt that biometry was still a required skill. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the lack of training and low prevalence of performing biometry among trainee ophthalmologists. As proficiency in biometry is part of BST and the majority of the trainees wished to learn the skill, it is hoped that this issue will be addressed in the new Ophthalmic Specialist Training curriculum.

Women with obstetric fistula in Ethiopia: a 6-month follow up after surgical treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify surgical and quality of life outcomes 6 months after obstetric fistula repair. DESIGN: A prospective study. Women were examined and questioned at discharge and at follow-up appointment. SETTING: The Barhirdar Hamlin Fistula Centre, a dedicated unit treating women with obstetric fistula in northern Ethiopia. POPULATION: All women admitted to the Barhirdar Hamlin Fistula Centre suffering from vesicovaginal (WF) and rectovaginal fistulae (RVF). METHODS: All women were asked to return for a follow-up appointment 6 months after surgical treatment. A standardised questionnaire and examination were used and information entered into a database. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Urinary and anal continence status; extent of return to previous family situation, employment, social activities and reproductive capabilities. RESULTS: Continence status at discharge was largely maintained at 6 months and quality of life was improved. Many of those incontinent on discharge improved; a small number apparently cured at discharge had later recurrence of incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment for obstetric fistula is successful in maintaining continence and improving quality of life of women at 6-months follow up.

The effects of growth factors on the proliferation and in vitro angiogenesis of human macular inner choroidal endothelial cells.

AIM: To investigate the effect of VEGF(165), FGF2, IGF-1, PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB and IL-1 beta on the proliferation and angiogenic tube formation of human macular inner choroidal endothelial cells (ICEC). METHODS: The proliferation of human macular ICECs after exposure to the aforementioned growth factors was determined by using both a WST-1 colorimetric assay and a cell-counting technique. The effect of growth factors on ICEC angiogenesis was assessed by sprout formation using a three-dimensional in vitro Matrigel duplex assay. RESULTS: Using both the WST-1 assay and a cell-counting technique, VEGF(165) and FGF2 both significantly increased human macular ICEC proliferation. The effect of equimolar concentrations of VEGF(165) and FGF2 was additive. There was no significant effect for IGF-1, PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB or IL-1 beta on proliferation up to a growth factor concentration of 1000 pmol/l. The angiogenesis assay found a significant effect on sprout formation for VEGF(165) and FGF-2. Again, the effect of equimolar concentrations of VEGF(165) and FGF2 was additive. There was no significant effect for IGF-1, PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB or IL-1 beta on sprout formation at 1000 pmol/l. CONCLUSIONS: Both VEGF(165) and FGF2 significantly increase human macular ICEC proliferation and sprout formation in an angiogenesis assay. When present together, their effect was additive. IGF-1, PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB and IL-1 beta did not have any significant effect on proliferation or sprout formation in vitro. These results suggest that targeting other growth factors such as FGF2, in addition to VEGF, may be beneficial in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

The impact of surgical treatment on the mental health of women with obstetric fistula.

Obstetric fistula is estimated to affect 2 million women worldwide and has considerable social and psychological effects on affected individuals. In this prospective study, 51 consecutive women with obstetric fistula admitted to the Barhirdar Hamlin Fistula Centre in the north of Ethiopia were screened using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) for potential mental health disorder before and 2 weeks after fistula surgery. Prior to surgery, all women screened positive. By 2 weeks after, this had dropped to 36% (P = 0.005). 27% of the 45 women who were cured of their incontinence screened positive, while all 6 of those with severe residual incontinence continued to screen positive. We conclude that surgical treatment of obstetric fistula results in marked improvements in mental heath.