Trabecular microstructure is influenced by race and sex in Black and White young adults.

Lower fracture rates in Black men and women compared to their White counterparts are incompletely understood. High-resolution imaging specific to trabecular bone may provide insight. Black participants have enhanced trabecular morphology. These differences may contribute to the lower fracture risk in Black versus White individuals. INTRODUCTION: Lower fracture rates in Black men and women compared to their White counterparts may be explained by favorable bone microstructure in Black individuals. Individual trabecular segmentation (ITS) analysis, which characterizes the alignment and plate- and rod-like nature of trabecular bone using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT), may provide insight into trabecular differences by race/ethnic origin. PURPOSE: We determined differences in trabecular bone microarchitecture, connectivity, and alignment according to race/ethnic origin and sex in young adults. METHODS: We analyzed HR-pQCT scans of 184 adult (24.2 ± 3.4 years) women (n = 51 Black, n = 50 White) and men (n = 34 Black, n = 49 White). We used ANCOVA to compare bone outcomes, and adjusted for age, height, and weight. RESULTS: Overall, the effect of race on bone outcomes did not differ by sex, and the effect of sex on bone outcomes did not differ by race. After adjusting for covariates, Black participants and men of both races had greater trabecular plate volume fraction, plate thickness, plate number density, plate surface area, and greater axial alignment of trabeculae, leading to higher trabecular bone stiffness compared to White participants and women, respectively (p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that more favorable bone microarchitecture in Black individuals compared to White individuals and in men compared to women is not unique to the cortical bone compartment. Enhanced plate-like morphology and greater trabecular axial alignment, established in young adulthood, may contribute to the improved bone strength and lower fracture risk in Black versus White individuals and in men compared to women.

Risk of bias and limits of reporting in diagnostic accuracy studies for commercial point-of-care tests for respiratory pathogens.

Commercial point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests for Group A Streptococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and influenza virus have large potential diagnostic and financial impact. Many published reports on test performance, often funded by diagnostics companies, are prone to bias. The Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD 2015) are a protocol to encourage accurate, transparent reporting. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool evaluates risk of bias and transportability of results. We used these tools to evaluate diagnostic test accuracy studies of POC studies for three respiratory pathogens. For the 96 studies analysed, compliance was <25% for 14/34 STARD 2015 standards, and 3/7 QUADAS-2 domains showed a high risk of bias. All reports lacked reporting of at least one criterion. These biases should be considered in the interpretation of study results.

Size, shape, and identity of surface crystals and their relationship to sensory perception of grittiness in soft smear-ripened cheeses.

Soft smear-ripened cheeses undergo extensive surface crystallization and radial demineralization of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which likely contributes to radial softening during ripening. Furthermore, anecdotal evidence suggests that grittiness is a common characteristic of smear-ripened cheeses. The primary aims of the present study were to evaluate the intensity of perceived grittiness while assessing other key sensory attributes in US artisanal and European protected designation of origin smear-ripened cheeses, and to relate perceived grittiness to the size, shape, and identity of crystals present in the cheese surface smears. Fully ripened wheels of 24 different varieties of smear-ripened cheeses, 16 produced in the United States and 8 in the European Union, were obtained from retail sources. A trained sensory panel (n = 12) was employed to evaluate intensity of grittiness. Crystals present in the cheese smears were identified by powder X-ray diffractometry and polarized light microscopy, and further evaluated in polarized light microscopy micrographs by image analysis for size and shape characteristics. Mean sensory scores for the 24 cheeses ranged from no perceived grittiness to easily identifiable grittiness. Surface crystals included ikaite, struvite, calcite, and brushite, and mean crystal length and area ranged among cheeses from 27 to 1,096 µm, and 533 to 213,969 µm2, respectively. Panel threshold for grittiness occurred at a mean crystal length of about 66 µm and mean crystal area of about 2,913 µm2. Cheeses with mean values at or below these thresholds displayed negligible perceived grittiness. In contrast, for cheeses with mean values above these thresholds, the mean sensory scores for grittiness were highly correlated with mean crystal length and crystal area (r = 0.93 and 0.96, respectively). Results suggest that surface crystals in soft smear-ripened cheeses influence sensory perception of texture in complex ways that likely include radial softening and grittiness development. A better understanding of factors that govern surface crystal formation may lead to improved control over crystallization and more consistent cheese texture.

Characterization and identification of surface crystals on smear-ripened cheese by polarized light microscopy.

Surface crystallization and radial demineralization of Ca, P, and Mg occur in smear-ripened cheese. Furthermore, crystals of ikaite, struvite, calcite, and brushite have been identified in cheese smears by powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD), and ikaite and struvite exist in smears as single crystals. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) is a simple, inexpensive, and well-established method in geology to detect and identify single crystals. However, use of PLM to identify cheese crystals has not been reported previously. The specific objectives of this research were (1) to identify crystals in cheese smears using selected PLM criteria; (2) to compare identification by PLM against PXRD; and (3) to develop and evaluate a novel treatment for smear material to improve crystal analyses by both PLM and PXRD. Duplicate wheels of 4 cheeses produced by different manufacturers were obtained from retail sources. Scrapings of surface smears were prepared and analyzed by PLM and PXRD by previously described methods. Crystals were categorized by PLM based on angle of extinction (AE), birefringence behavior under crossed polarizers and quartz filters, and size and shape (circularity) by image analysis. Crystals observed by PLM fell almost exclusively into 2 readily differentiated groups based on birefringence behavior and estimated angle of extinction. Group 1 (n = 18) were highly birefringent with AE = 88-92°, whereas group 2 (n = 28) had no birefringence with AE = 13-26°. Group 2 crystals were significantly larger and more circular than group 1 crystals. Group 1 and 2 were identified as struvite and ikaite, respectively, based on known birefringence and AE characteristics. Struvite was identified in all 4 cheeses by PLM but in only 3 cheeses by PXRD. Ikaite was identified in 3 cheeses by PLM but in only 2 cheeses by PXRD. These discrepancies occurred because the smear scrapings from 1 cheese contained excessive amorphous matter that caused extreme background noise, potentially obscuring diffractogram peaks that may have been present. To minimize noise, smear scrapings were dispersed in aqueous NaOH (pH 10) before analyses, which resulted in consistent results by PXRD and PLM. The method also rendered high-quality images by PLM. Data suggest that PLM may offer a simple and inexpensive means to identify struvite, ikaite, and possibly other single crystals in cheese smears.

Effects of midazolam on cardiovascular responses and isoflurane requirement during elective ovariohysterectomy in dogs.

BACKGROUND: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded clinical study was conducted to determine whether a single dose of midazolam affects the cardiovascular response to surgical manipulation of the ovaries during elective ovariohysterectomy. Thirty-nine client-owned dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy were recruited. After scoring cage demeanour, dogs were premedicated with acepromazine (0.03 mg kg-1) and pethidine (3 mg kg-1) intramuscularly into the quadriceps muscle and 20 min later sedation was scored. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol intravenously (IV) to effect. The study treatment (group M: midazolam (0.25 mg kg-1); or group P: placebo (Hartmann's solution) (0.125 ml kg-1)) was administered IV before the intra-operative manipulation of the first ovary. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Morphine (0.3 mg kg-1 IV) was administered prior to the start of surgery. The vaporizer setting was adjusted according to the depth of anaesthesia. If an end-tidal isoflurane concentration (FE'Iso) above 1.6% was required additional analgesia was provided with fentanyl (2 µg kg-1). Dogs received meloxicam (0.2 mg kg-1 IV) at the end of procedure. Heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate and end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide as well as FE'Iso were recorded and analysed. RESULTS: A statistical significant difference between groups was detected in FE'Iso, with group M requiring a significantly lower FE'Iso than group P (14.3%) after administration of midazolam. No differences between groups was shown for percentage change in heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure, or end-tidal carbon dioxide and requirement for mechanical ventilation, or rescue analgesia. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of complications in group M and P. Group M received significantly more succinylated gelatin solution pre-administration of midazolam than group P, but no differences in fluid administration post-administration of the study treatment (midazolam/placebo) were detected. No statistical significant difference was demonstrated for the use of anticholinergic agents, dobutamine or noradrenaline. CONCLUSION: No significant effect on cardiovascular parameters could be observed with administration of midazolam, but a modest (14.3%) isoflurane-sparing effect was detected.

A retrospective report (2003-2013) of the complications associated with the use of a one-man (head and tail) rope recovery system in horses following general anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The mortality rate of horses undergoing general anaesthesia is high when compared to humans or small animal patients. One of the most critical periods during equine anaesthesia is recovery, as the horse attempts to regain a standing position. This study was performed in a private equine practice in Belgium that uses a purpose-designed one-man (head and tail) rope recovery system to assist the horse during the standing process.The main purpose of the retrospective study was to report and analyse complications and the mortality rate in horses during recovery from anaesthesia using the described recovery system. Information retrieved from the medical records included patient signalment, anaesthetic protocol, duration of anaesthesia, ASA grade, type of surgery, recovery time and complications during recovery. Sedation was administered to all horses prior to recovery with the rope system. Complications were divided into major complications in which the horse was euthanized and minor complications where the horse survived. Major complications were further subdivided into those where the rope system did not contribute to the recovery complication (Group 1) and those where it was not possible to determine if the rope system was of any benefit (Group 2). RESULTS: Five thousand eight hundred fifty two horses recovered from general anaesthesia with rope assistance. Complications were identified in 30 (0.51%). Major complications occurred in 12 horses (0.20%) of which three (0.05%) were assigned to Group 1 and nine (0.15%) to Group 2. Three horses in Group 2 suffered musculoskeletal injuries (0.05%). Eighteen horses (0.31%) suffered minor complications, of which five (0.08%) were categorised as failures of the recovery system. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports the major and minor complication and mortality rate during recovery from anaesthesia using a specific type of rope recovery system. Mortality associated with the rope recovery system was low. During recovery from anaesthesia this rope system may reduce the risk of lethal complications, particularly major orthopaedic injuries.

Temporal Changes Rather than Long-Term Repeated Burning Predominately Control the Shift in the Abundance of Soil Denitrifying Community in an Australian Sclerophyll Forest.

To understand the temporal dynamics of soil bacterial denitrifying community in response to long-term prescribed burning and its resilience and recovery following a fire, a wet sclerophyll forest study site under two treatments (2 yearly burning (2YB) and no burning (NB)) and with 40-year-old burning history was used. Similar temporal patterns in the abundance of total (16S rRNA) and denitrifying (narG, nirK, nirS, nosZ) bacteria between two burning treatments revealed strong temporal influences. The magnitude of burning impacts on the abundance of 16S rRNA and denitrification genes was smaller compared with the impact of sampling time, but significant burning and temporal impacts were recorded for all (P < 0.001)-except for the nirS gene. Impacts of prescribed fire on the abundance of soil denitrifying community could be observed immediately after fire, and this impact diminished over a 24-month period prior to the next prescribed burning event. In conclusion, temporal changes govern the fluctuations of the abundance of soil denitrifying genes over the sampling period and the denitrifying community can recover after fire, suggesting that this community is resilient to the effects of prescribed burning. A combination of biotic and abiotic factors may account for the different temporal dynamics of denitrification gene abundance.

Effect of detomidine or romifidine constant rate infusion on plasma lactate concentration and inhalant requirements during isoflurane anaesthesia in horses.

OBJECTIVE: Influence of detomidine or romifidine constant rate infusion (CRI) on plasma lactate concentration and isoflurane requirements in horses undergoing elective surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomised, blinded, clinical trial. ANIMALS: A total of 24 adult healthy horses. METHODS: All horses were administered intramuscular acepromazine (0.02 mg kg-1) and either intravenous detomidine (0.02 mg kg-1) (group D), romifidine (0.08 mg kg-1) (group R) or xylazine (1.0 mg kg-1) (group C) prior to anaesthesia. Group D was administered detomidine CRI (10 µg kg-1 hour-1) in lactated Ringer's solution (LRS), group R romifidine CRI (40 µg kg-1 hour-1) in LRS and group C an equivalent amount of LRS intraoperatively. Anaesthesia was induced with ketamine and diazepam and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Plasma lactate samples were taken prior to anaesthesia (baseline), intraoperatively (three samples at 30 minute intervals) and in recovery (at 10 minutes, once standing and 3 hours after end of anaesthesia). End-tidal isoflurane percentage (Fe'Iso) was analysed by allocating values into three periods: Prep (15 minutes after the start anaesthesia-start surgery); Surgery 1 (start surgery-30 minutes later); and Surgery 2 (end Surgery 1-end anaesthesia). A linear mixed model was used to analyse the data. A value of p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There was a difference in plasma lactate between 'baseline' and 'once standing' in all three groups (p<0.01); values did not differ significantly between groups. In groups D and R, Fe'Iso decreased significantly by 18% (to 1.03%) and by 15% (to 1.07%), respectively, during Surgery 2 compared with group C (1.26%); p<0.006, p<0.02, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intraoperative detomidine or romifidine CRI in horses did not result in a clinically significant increase in plasma lactate compared with control group. Detomidine and romifidine infusions decreased isoflurane requirements during surgery.

Anatomy and bronchoscopy of the porcine lung. A model for translational respiratory medicine.

The porcine model has contributed significantly to biomedical research over many decades. The similar size and anatomy of pig and human organs make this model particularly beneficial for translational research in areas such as medical device development, therapeutics and xenotransplantation. In recent years, a major limitation with the porcine model was overcome with the successful generation of gene-targeted pigs and the publication of the pig genome. As a result, the role of this model is likely to become even more important. For the respiratory medicine field, the similarities between pig and human lungs give the porcine model particular potential for advancing translational medicine. An increasing number of lung conditions are being studied and modeled in the pig. Genetically modified porcine models of cystic fibrosis have been generated that, unlike mouse models, develop lung disease similar to human cystic fibrosis. However, the scientific literature relating specifically to porcine lung anatomy and airway histology is limited and is largely restricted to veterinary literature and textbooks. Furthermore, methods for in vivo lung procedures in the pig are rarely described. The aims of this review are to collate the disparate literature on porcine lung anatomy, histology, and microbiology; to provide a comparison with the human lung; and to describe appropriate bronchoscopy procedures for the pig lungs to aid clinical researchers working in the area of translational respiratory medicine using the porcine model.

CXCL1 is a negative regulator of mast cell chemotaxis to airway smooth muscle cell products in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Activated mast cells (MC) numbers on airway smooth muscle (ASM) are increased in eosinophilic asthma. In vitro, asthmatic cytokine-stimulated ASM cell-conditioned medium (CM) induces more MC chemotaxis than CM from nonasthmatic ASM cells. Intriguingly the nonasthmatic ASM CM inhibits MC chemotaxis to the asthmatic ASM CM. However, the inhibitory factor(s) in the nonasthmatic ASM CM is still to be identified. OBJECTIVE: To identify the factor(s) released by nonasthmatic ASM cells that inhibits MC chemotaxis. METHODS: Confluent, serum-starved ASM cells from donors with and without asthma were stimulated with IL-1ß and T-helper (Th)1 (TNFα and IFNγ) or Th2 (IL-4, IL-13) cytokines, or left unstimulated. CM samples were collected after 24 h, and a potential inhibitory factor identified using cytokine protein arrays. Its production was assessed using ELISA and RT-PCR and inhibitory role investigated in MC chemotaxis and Ca(2+) mobilization assays. RESULTS: Only CXCL1 was produced in greater amounts by nonasthmatic than asthmatic ASM cells following Th1 and Th2 cytokine stimulation. CXCL1 mRNA expression was also increased. Exogenous rh-CXCL1 significantly inhibited MC intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization and chemotaxis to either CXCL10, CXCL8 or CM collected from asthmatic ASM cells following Th1 or Th2 cytokine stimulation. Neutralizing CXCL1 in nonasthmatic ASM CM or blocking its receptor significantly promoted MC chemotaxis. CONCLUSIONS: CXCL1 was a major factor regulating MC chemotaxis in vitro. Its differential release by ASM cells may explain the differences observed in MC localization to the ASM of people with and without asthma. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: CXCL1 inhibition of MC recruitment to the ASM may lead to new targets to limit asthma pathophysiology.

Powder X-ray diffraction can differentiate between enantiomeric variants of calcium lactate pentahydrate crystal in cheese.

Powder X-ray diffraction has been used for decades to identify crystals of calcium lactate pentahydrate in Cheddar cheese. According to this method, diffraction patterns are generated from a powdered sample of the crystals and compared with reference cards within a database that contains the diffraction patterns of known crystals. During a preliminary study of crystals harvested from various Cheddar cheese samples, we observed 2 slightly different but distinct diffraction patterns that suggested that calcium lactate pentahydrate may be present in 2 different crystalline forms. We hypothesized that the 2 diffraction patterns corresponded to 2 enantiomeric forms of calcium lactate pentahydrate (L- and DL-) that are believed to occur in Cheddar cheese, based on previous studies involving enzymatic analyses of the lactate enantiomers in crystals obtained from Cheddar cheeses. However, the powder X-ray diffraction database currently contains only one reference diffraction card under the title "calcium lactate pentahydrate." To resolve this apparent gap in the powder X-ray diffraction database, we generated diffraction patterns from reagent-grade calcium l-lactate pentahydrate and laboratory-synthesized calcium dl-lactate pentahydrate. From the resulting diffraction patterns we determined that the existing reference diffraction card corresponds to calcium dl-lactate pentahydrate and that the other form of calcium lactate pentahydrate observed in cheese crystals corresponds to calcium l-lactate pentahydrate. Therefore, this report presents detailed data from the 2 diffraction patterns, which may be used to prepare 2 reference diffraction cards that differentiate calcium l-lactate pentahydrate from calcium dl-lactate pentahydrate. Furthermore, we collected crystals from the exteriors and interiors of Cheddar cheeses to demonstrate the ability of powder X-ray diffraction to differentiate between the 2 forms of calcium lactate pentahydrate crystals in Cheddar cheeses. Powder X-ray diffraction results were validated using enzymatic assays for lactate enantiomers. These results demonstrated that powder X-ray diffraction can be used as a diagnostic tool to quickly identify different forms of calcium lactate pentahydrate that may occur in Cheddar cheese.

Airway smooth muscle CXCR3 ligand production: regulation by JAK-STAT1 and intracellular Ca²âº.

In asthma, airway smooth muscle (ASM) chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 3 (CXCR3) ligand production may attract mast cells or T lymphocytes to the ASM, where they can modulate ASM functions. In ASM cells (ASMCs) from people with or without asthma, we aimed to investigate JAK-STAT1, JNK, and Ca²âº involvement in chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)10 and CXCL11 production stimulated by interferon-γ, IL-1ß, and TNF-α combined (cytomix). Confluent, growth-arrested ASMC were treated with inhibitors for pan-JAK (pyridone-6), JAK2 (AG-490), JNK (SP-600125), or the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca²âºATPase (SERCA) pump (thapsigargin), Ca²âº chelator (BAPTA-AM), or vehicle before and during cytomix stimulation for up to 24 h. Signaling protein activation as well as CXCL10/CXCL11 mRNA and protein production were examined using immunoblot analysis, real-time PCR, and ELISA, respectively. Cytomix-induced STAT1 activation was lower and CXCR3 ligand mRNA production was more sensitive to pyridone-6 and AG-490 in asthmatic than nonasthmatic ASMCs, but CXCL10/CXCL11 release was inhibited by the same proportion. Neither agent caused additional inhibition of release when used in combination with the JNK inhibitor SP-600125. Conversely, p65 NF-κB activation was higher in asthmatic than nonasthmatic ASMCs. BAPTA-AM abolished early CXCL10/CXCL11 mRNA production, whereas thapsigargin reduced it in asthmatic cells and inhibited CXCL10/CXCL11 release by both ASMC types. Despite these inhibitory effects, neither Ca²âº agent affected early activation of STAT1, JNK, or p65 NF-κB. In conclusion, intracellular Ca²âº regulated CXCL10/CXCL11 production but not early activation of the signaling molecules involved. In asthma, reduced ASM STAT1-JNK activation, increased NF-κB activation, and altered Ca²âº handling may contribute to rapid CXCR3 ligand production and enhanced inflammatory cell recruitment.

Susceptibility of 4 commercial broiler crosses to lameness attributable to bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis.

Growing broilers on wire flooring provides an excellent experimental model for exposing susceptibility to lameness attributable to bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO). Two independent experiments (E1, E2) were designed to compare the susceptibilities of broilers from 4 commercial crosses (W, X, Y, and Z). The standard crosses (W and Y) grow rapidly at an early age, whereas high-yield crosses (X and Z) initially tend to grow more slowly. Chicks were obtained from a commercial hatchery for E1, or were hatched at the University of Arkansas Poultry Research Hatchery for E2. Males and females were reared together (E1; n = 360/cross) or separately (E2; n = 390/cross) in 3 × 3 m pens on litter or wire flooring (wire). Necropsies revealed lesions that were pathognomonic for BCO in ≥94% of the birds that became lame. The SigmaStat Z-test was used to compare cumulative lameness incidences at 8 wk of age. For birds reared on litter, lameness incidences were low and did not differ between crosses or sexes (range: 2.2 to 4.6%; P ≥ 0.6). When males were reared on wire, their lameness incidences (by cross) were E1 = 52% for W(b); 42% for X(c); 69% for Y(a), and 44% for Z(bc); E2 = 31% for W(b); 19% for X(c); 49% for Y(a); and 25% for Z(bc). For females reared on wire, the lameness incidences were E1 = 40% for W(b), 30% for X(c), 49% for Y(a), and 28% for Z(c); E2 = 16% for W; 15% for X; 16% for Y; and 15% for Z (ns). Accordingly, the hierarchical ranking for BCO susceptibility by broiler cross was X ≤ Z ≤ W < Y for males in E1 and E2, for females in E1, and for males and females pooled in E1 and E2. Standard broiler crosses developed higher incidences of lameness than high-yield crosses, implicating an association between rapid early growth and susceptibility to BCO. Rearing the females separately on wire in E2 led to uniformly low incidences of BCO, regardless of cross. Stress-mediated immunosuppression contributes to the pathogenesis of BCO; perhaps female broilers experience less social or competitive stress when reared separately from their male hatch mates.

A gene for hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia maps to chromosome 9q3.

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant vascular disorder that is characterized by frequent nosebleeds, mucocutaneous telangiectases and vascular malformations that cause recurrent haemorrhage and arteriovenous shunting. Linkage analyses in one kindred identified an HHT locus on the long arm of chromosome 9 (maximum multipoint lod score = 6.20 between D9S60 and D9S61). Analyses in two other unrelated HHT families demonstrated that the disease in one was not linked to the locus on chromosome 9q3. We conclude that HHT is a genetically heterogeneous disorder. Based on its map location (9q3) and expression in vascular tissues, type V collagen is a possible candidate gene for HHT.

Intratesticular lidocaine reduces the response to surgical castration in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether intratesticular injection of lidocaine pre-surgery would reduce the intraoperative responses to elective castration in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Double-blinded, randomized, controlled, prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Forty-two client-owned dogs weighing 2.2-38.4 kg and aged between 4.5 and 56 months. METHODS: Group L dogs received an intratesticular injection of 2% lidocaine (2 mg kg(-1)) and Group S an identical volume of saline prior to surgery. Premedication was with acepromazine and morphine intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol intravenously and maintained with isoflurane vaporized in oxygen. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (f(R)), end-tidal isoflurane (Fe'ISO) and carbon dioxide concentrations, oxygen saturation and ECG were monitored during surgery. Fe'ISO was maintained at 1.0±0.1%. Supplemental propofol was given in response to gross movement. RESULTS: Group L had significantly lower maximum values for both HR and MAP. Group L displayed significantly smaller increases in HR during exteriorization of the first testis than Group S. There was an overall significant difference in MAP between groups during all surgical events (p=0.041) and time points (p=0.002). In univariate analysis, Group L showed significantly less changes in MAP during skin incision, exteriorization of the first testis and clamping of both spermatic cords. Group S reached its highest f(R) significantly earlier. Group L (eight dogs) required additional propofol 33±18 minutes after the start of surgery and Group S (seven dogs) at 19±17 minutes; this difference was not statistically significant. Seven dogs in Group L and 12 dogs in Group S required rescue analgesia with morphine (GCMPS-SF score ≥6); this difference was not statistically significant. No adverse effects were reported postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Based on this study, the authors recommend the use of intratesticular lidocaine for surgical castration in dogs.

US Army basic combat training alters the relationship between body mass index and per cent body fat.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: As a proxy for adiposity, body mass index (BMI) provides a practical public health metric to counter obesity-related disease trends. On an individual basis, BMI cannot distinguish fat and lean components of body composition. Further, the relationship between BMI and body composition may be altered in response to physical training. We investigated this dynamic relationship by examining the effect of US Army basic combat training (BCT) on the association between BMI and per cent body fat (%BF). METHODS: BMI and %BF were measured at the beginning (week 1) and end (week 9) of BCT in female (n=504) and male (n=965) trainees. Height and weight were obtained for BMI, and body composition was obtained by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Sensitivity and specificity of BMI-based classification were determined at two BMI thresholds (25 kg/m2 and 27.5 kg/m2). RESULTS: A progressive age-related increase in fat-free mass index (FFMI) was observed, with an inflection point at age 21 years. In soldiers aged 21+, BMI of 25.0 kg/m2 predicted 33% and 29% BF in women and 23% and 20% BF in men and BMI of 27.5 kg/m2 predicted 35% and 31% BF in women and 26% and 22% BF in men, at the start and end of BCT, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of BMI-based classification of %BF were poor. Soldiers below BMI of 20 kg/m2 had normal instead of markedly reduced %BF, reflecting especially low FFMI. CONCLUSIONS: BCT alters the BMI-%BF relationship, with lower %BF at a given BMI by the end of BCT compared with the beginning, highlighting the unreliability of BMI to try to estimate body composition. The specific BMI threshold of 25.0 kg/m2, defined as 'overweight', is an out-of-date metric for health and performance outcomes. To the extent that %BF reflects physical readiness, these data provide evidence of a fit and capable military force at BMI greater than 25.0 kg/m2.

Speciation in chestnut-shouldered fairy-wrens (Malurus spp.) and rapid phenotypic divergence in variegated fairy-wrens (Malurus lamberti): a multilocus approach.

The chestnut-shouldered fairy-wrens comprise a subgroup of four species in the genus Malurus (Passeriformes: Maluridae). Collectively, they are widespread across the Australian continent but phenotypic variation is strongly structured geographically in just one species, M. lamberti. Earlier phylogenetic analyses of this group have been limited to one or two individuals for each species and have not represented all currently recognised subspecies of M. lamberti. Historically, the taxonomy and nomenclature of the M. lamberti complex has been debated, in part because of morphological similarities among its subspecies and another member of the group, M. amabilis. We reconstructed the phylogeny of all four species of chestnut-shouldered fairy-wrens including all four subspecies of M. lamberti using a mitochondrial gene (ND2), five anonymous nuclear loci and three nuclear introns. Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial ND2 gene nests M. amabilis within M. lamberti rendering the latter paraphyletic. Individual nuclear gene trees failed to reliably resolve each of the species boundaries or the phylogenetic relationships found in the mtDNA tree. When combined, however, a strongly supported overall topology was resolved supporting the monophyly of M. lamberti and its sister species relationship to M. amabilis. Current subspecific taxonomy of M. lamberti was not concordant with all evolutionary lineages of M. lamberti, nominotypical M. l. lamberti being the only subspecies recovered as a monophyletic group from mtDNA. Some genetic structuring is evident and potential barriers to gene flow are discussed.

Development of a scalable image formation pipeline for multiscale gigapixel photography.

We report on the image formation pipeline developed to efficiently form gigapixel-scale imagery generated by the AWARE-2 multiscale camera. The AWARE-2 camera consists of 98 "microcameras" imaging through a shared spherical objective, covering a 120° x 50° field of view with approximately 40 microradian instantaneous field of view (the angular extent of a pixel). The pipeline is scalable, capable of producing imagery ranging in scope from "live" one megapixel views to full resolution gigapixel images. Architectural choices that enable trivially parallelizable algorithms for rapid image formation and on-the-fly microcamera alignment compensation are discussed.

Effects of two alveolar recruitment manoeuvres (sustained inflation and stepwise) followed by positive end-expiratory pressure on cardiac output (measured with lithium dilution), invasive blood pressure and arterial oxygen tension in isoflurane-anaesthetised goats.

Alveolar recruitment manoeuvres (ARM) performed during general anaesthesia improve oxygenation; however cardiovascular depression may be observed. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of sustained inflation (SI) and stepwise ARMs on cardiac output (CO), mean arterial blood pressure and arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) in ten mechanically ventilated goats anaesthetised with isoflurane. In the SI ARM, peak inspiratory presure (PIP) was increased to 30 cmH2O and sustained for 20 s. In the stepwise ARM, the PIP was increased by 5 cmH2O each minute for three minutes from 10 to 25 cmH2O. Both ARMs were followed by positive end-expiratory pressure of 5 cmH2O. Paired lithium dilution CO measurements and arterial blood samples were obtained before and after each ARM. The order of the ARM was randomised and each goat was subjected to both techniques. Data was reported as median and interquartile range (IQR). Significance was set at 0.05. The median change in CO (measured by subtracting values after and before ARM) was -0.15 L min-1 (IQR -0.51; 0.03) and - 0.90 L min-1 (IQR -1.69; -0.58) for SI and stepwise ARM respectively (p = 0.04). The median change in PaO2 was 3 kPa (IQR -2.7; 7.6) and 0.4 kPa (IQR -3.4; 5.5) for SI and stepwise ARM respectively (p = 0.03). In conclusion, SI ARM causes less impact on CO and provides a better improvement in PaO2 compared to stepwise ARM in goats.

Human lung mast cells modulate the functions of airway smooth muscle cells in asthma.

BACKGROUND: Activated mast cell densities are increased on the airway smooth muscle in asthma where they may modulate muscle functions and thus contribute to airway inflammation, remodelling and airflow obstruction. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of human lung mast cells on the secretory and proliferative functions of airway smooth muscle cells from donors with and without asthma. METHODS: Freshly isolated human lung mast cells were stimulated with IgE/anti-IgE. Culture supernatants were collected after 2 and 24 h and the mast cells lysed. The supernatants/lysates were added to serum-deprived, subconfluent airway smooth muscle cells for up to 48 h. Released chemokines and extracellular matrix were measured by ELISA, proliferation was quantified by [(3) H]-thymidine incorporation and cell counting, and intracellular signalling by phospho-arrays. RESULTS: Mast cell 2-h supernatants reduced CCL11 and increased CXCL8 and fibronectin production from both asthmatic and nonasthmatic muscle cells. Leupeptin reversed these effects. Mast cell 24-h supernatants and lysates reduced CCL11 release from both muscle cell types but increased CXCL8 release by nonasthmatic cells. The 24-h supernatants also reduced asthmatic, but not nonasthmatic, muscle cell DNA synthesis and asthmatic cell numbers over 5 days through inhibiting extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphatidylinositol (PI3)-kinase pathways. However, prostaglandins, thromboxanes, IL-4 and IL-13 were not involved in reducing the proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Mast cell proteases and newly synthesized products differentially modulated the secretory and proliferative functions of airway smooth muscle cells from donors with and without asthma. Thus, mast cells may modulate their own recruitment and airway smooth muscle functions locally in asthma.