Two small molecular weight inhibitors, compounds CB7969312 and CB7967495, that displayed inhibition of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A in a previous study, were evaluated for inhibition of botulinum neurotoxin serotypes B, C, E, and F. The small molecular weight inhibitors were assessed by molecular modeling, UPLC-based peptide cleavage assay; and an ex vivo assay, the mouse phrenic nerve - hemidiaphragm assay (MPNHDA). While both compounds were inhibitors of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotypes B, C, and F in the MPNHDA, compound CB7969312 was effective at lower molar concentrations than compound CB7967495. However, compound CB7967495 was significantly more effective at preventing BoNTE intoxication than compound CB7969312. In the UPLC-based peptide cleavage assay, CB7969312 was also more effective against LcC. Both compounds inhibited BoNTE, but not BoNTF, LcE, or LcF in the UPLC-based peptide cleavage assay. Molecular modeling studies predicted that both compounds would be effective inhibitors of BoNTs B, C, E, and F. But CB7967495 was predicted to be a more effective inhibitor of the four serotypes (B, C, E, and F) than CB7969312. This is the first report of a small molecular weight compound that inhibits serotypes B, C, E, and F in the ex vivo assay.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP) discharged into the municipal sewer system largely accumulate in the sewage sludge. Incineration and agricultural use are currently the most important strategies for sewage sludge management. Thus, the behavior of Ag-NP during sewage sludge incineration is essential for a comprehensive life cycle analysis and a more complete understanding of the fate of Ag-NP in the (urban) environment. To address the transformation of Ag-NP during sewage sludge incineration, we spiked metallic Ag(0)-NP to a pilot wastewater treatment plant and digested the sludge anaerobically. The sludge was then incinerated on a bench-scale fluidized bed reactor in a series of experiments under variable conditions. Complementary results from X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (EM-EDX) analysis revealed that Ag(0)-NP transformed into Ag2S-NP during the wastewater treatment, in agreement with previous studies. On the basis of a principal component analysis and subsequent target testing of the XAS spectra, Ag(0) was identified as a major Ag component in the ashes, and Ag2S was clearly absent. The reformation of Ag(0)-NP was confirmed by EM-EDX. The fraction of Ag(0) of the total Ag in the ashes was quantified by linear combination fitting (LCF) of XAS spectra, and values as high as 0.8 were found for sewage sludge incinerated at 800 °C in a synthetic flue gas atmosphere. Low LCF totals (72% to 94%) indicated that at least one relevant reference spectrum was missing in the LCF analysis. The presence of spherical Ag-NP with a diameter of <50 nm extending into the sub-nm range was revealed by electron microscopy analyses. The rapid formation of Ag(0)-NP from Ag2S during sewage sludge incineration, as demonstrated in this study, needs to be considered in the life cycle assessment of engineered Ag-NP.

Twenty-three patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia in early chronic phase (ECP) and not previously treated with alpha-interferon (IFN-alpha) (10 patients), in ECP but pretreated with IFN-alpha (<12 months) (seven patients) and in late chronic phase (LCP) pretreated with IFN-alpha (>12 months) (six patients) underwent autografting with Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome-negative blood progenitor cells (BPCs) (20 patients), or partially/totally Ph-positive BPCs (three patients), previously mobilized during the early phase of recovery after aplasia induced by intensive chemotherapy. The conditioning regimen consisted of high-dose chemotherapy alone or followed by total body irradiation (TBI). Recombinant G-CSF was given after BPCs infusion on day +8. All patients in ECP not pretreated with IFN-alpha are alive and five of them are Ph-negative in the marrow after autografting. Six of seven patients autografted with Ph-negative BPCs in the group of ECP pretreated with IFN-alpha (<12 months) are alive and two of them are still Ph-negative in the marrow. In the same group, the only patient transplanted with partially Ph-positive BPCs, died of blastic transformation 2 months after reinfusion. Three patients (two patients autografted with Ph-negative BPCs and one patient with Ph-positive BPC) in the group of LCP pretreated with IFN-alpha >12 months are alive but Ph-positive after autografting. The other three patients of the same group died of procedure-related toxicity (two patients) and blastic transformation (one patient). Seventeen patients (10/10 ECP not pretreated with IFN-alpha; 5/7 ECP pretreated with IFN-alpha and 2/6 LCP pretreated with IFN-alpha) of 23 autografted patients were treated with IFN-alpha +/- IL-2. Toxicities after autografting were mostly related to myelosuppression, particularly thrombocytopenia. All patients of the two groups pretreated with IFN-alpha developed febrile episodes during the aplastic phase following BPCs reinfusion. No patient autografted in ECP and those not pretreated with IFN-alpha developed febrile episodes. This is also probably due to the use of i.v. antibiotic and antimicotic prophylaxis when neutrophils were < or = 1 x 10(9)/l after autografting. Greater toxicity was observed in patients pretreated with IFN-alpha, being lethal in two cases in LCF. In conclusion, the "in vivo' manipulation approach employed in our institution is a safe procedure and it results in a high collection of Ph-negative cells in the blood if the cells are harvested: (1) in early chronic phase; (2) in early phase of recovery after chemotherapy-inducing aplasia; (3) in patients not extensively pretreated with IFN-alpha. The data presented here have shown encouraging trends in chronic phase of CML and offer new perspective for patients without an HLA-identical donor or for patients who do not respond to IFN-alpha.

BACKGROUND

The equine metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints, although having virtually the same geometrical appearance, differ in the prevalence of joint pathologies, such as osteochondral fragmentation, and in biomechanical behaviour. The recently developed cartilage degeneration index (CDI) technique offers a possibility to assess quantitatively differences in cartilage degeneration between these joints and to compare these with known differences in biomechanics and clinical observations.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the topographical distribution of articular cartilage degeneration across the proximal articular surface of the proximal phalanx (P1) in the equine fore- and hindlimb.

METHODS

In 24 distal hindlimbs from 24 horses, articular cartilage degeneration of the proximal articular surface of P1 was quantified using the CDI. Overall CDI value (CDI(P1)) and CDI values of 6 areas of interest were determined: the medial dorsal surface (mds), lateral dorsal surface (lds), medial central fovea (mcf), lateral central fovea (lcf), medial plantar surface (mps) and lateral plantar surface (lps). The joints were divided into 4 equally sized groups of increasing CDI(P1) values. From an existing CDI database of MCP joints, 24 joints were selected with matching CDI(P1) values to the MTP joints and CDI values for the same areas of interest were determined.

RESULTS

In both the MCP and MTP joints, highest CDI values were determined at the dorsal articular surfaces. Values were not significantly different between fore- and hindlimbs. In contrast to the MCP joint, CDI values at the plantar joint margin were significantly higher compared to CDI values in the central sites in the MTP joint. CDI values for the plantar surfaces of P1 were significantly higher than those for the palmar surfaces in the forelimb in joints with advanced stages of OA; and values for the central regions of P1 were significantly lower in the hindlimb compared with the forelimb in joints with severe OA.

CONCLUSIONS

In both fore- and hindlimbs, initial cartilage degeneration started at the dorsal articular margin of P1. There was a major difference in the spread of cartilage degeneration; in the forelimb both the central and palmar parts are about equally involved, whereas in the hindlimb the plantar parts were significantly more and the central parts significantly less involved. These differences can be linked to differences in biomechanical loading reported elsewhere.

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports the hypothesis that differences in biokinematics between fore- and hindlimbs are associated with differences in the development of cartilage degeneration and other joint pathologies such as osteochondral fragmentation in the MCP and MTP joints. This information is indispensable for a better understanding of the dynamic nature and progression of these joint disorders and may be of help when monitoring the effects of therapeutic interventions and preventative measures.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to assess the effect of combination treatment of quinine and rabeprazole in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

METHODS

The study included 50 patients of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. Group 1 (25 patients) received quinine and placebo (Q+P) while Group 2 (25 patients) received quinine and rabeprazole (Q+R). Diagnosis was confirmed by peripheral blood film (PBF) and rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Temperature was recorded every 6 h. All patients were followed-up on Days 7, 14, 21, 28 for detailed clinical and parasitological examination.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients in each group completed the treatment and followed-up for 28 days. While two patients in Group 1 (Q+P) and one patient in Group 2 (Q+R) were lost in follow-up; and seven (Q+P = 4, Q+R =3) patients were withdrawn from the study. Fever clearance time (FCT) of the two groups was also almost similar (Group 1 : 2 = 52.8 : 51.3 h). No statistically significant difference was observed in early treatment failure (ETF) either of the groups. None of the patients in both the groups showed late clinical failure (LCF) or late parasitological failure (LPF). However, there was a significant difference in the parasite clearance rates of the two groups (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The study results suggest that addition of rabeprazole to quinine regimen resulted in an increase in the parasite elimination rate, which may be helpful in reducing the duration of treatment and increasing patient compliance.

We present a novel design of leakage channel fiber (LCF) that incorporates an air-hole lattice to define the modal filtering characteristics. The approach has the potential to offer single-mode, large mode area (LMA) fibers in a single-material platform with bend loss characteristics comparable to all-solid (LCFs) whilst at the same time providing significant fabrication benefits. We compare the performance of the proposed fiber with that of rod-type photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) and all-solid LCFs offering a similar effective mode area of ~1600μm(2) at 1.05μm. Our calculations show that the proposed fiber concept succeeds in combining the advantages of the use of small air holes and the larger design space of rod-type PCFs with the improved bend tolerance and greater higher order mode discrimination of all-solid LCFs, while alleviating their respective issues of rigidity and restricted material design space. We report the fabrication and experimental characterization of a first exemplar fiber, which we demonstrate offers a single-mode output with a fundamental mode area ~1440µm(2) at 1.06µm, and that can be bent down to a radius of 20cm with a bend loss of <3dB/turn. Finally we show that the proposed design concept can be adopted to achieve larger mode areas >> 3000µm(2)), albeit at the expense of reduced bend tolerance.

Faecal leakage from the catheter conduit can be troublesome and reduces the convenience of use of antegrade continence enema (ACE). We report the results of Deflux injection treatment for leaking ACE conduits in nine patients. From 1994 to the end of 2005, 81 patients underwent a procedure for ACE [appendicostomy with wrap (AW) n = 29, appendicostomy straight (AS) n = 44, Monti-Yang ileal tube (MY) n = 5, lateral caecal flap (LCF) n = 1, caecal tube (CT) n = 1, sigmoid tube (ST) n = 1]. Nine (11%) patients (AW n = 3, AS n = 1, MY n = 3, LCF n = 1, ST n = 1) had persistent stomal leak and underwent Deflux injections of the ACE conduit. With the patients in general anaesthesia, the conduit was visualised with CH10.5 cystoscope. At the junction of the conduit and colon, 0.5-1.0 ml of Deflux was injected submucosally at three sites to create intermingling mounds in order to narrow the conduit. After the injections, a balloon catheter was left in the conduit for 3-7 days. When necessary, the injections were repeated. The result was graded as no improvement, moderate improvement, significant improvement. Nine patients underwent a median of 2 (range 1-4) injections. No major complications occurred. The results after a median follow-up of 22 (range 3-53) months from the first injection were as follows: no improvement (n = 1), moderate improvement (n = 5), significant improvement (n = 3). Repeated injection of the ACE conduit with Deflux is a low invasive method and provides moderate to good results in the majority of the patients who suffer from faecal leakage from conduit.

The lymphokine that augments the migration of nonsensitized T lymphocytes (LCF) has been observed to be predominantly a chemokinetic factor, suggesting that separate lymphocyte migration inhibitory lymphokine(s) might exist. Utilizing a modified Boyden chamber assay, lymphocyte migration inhibitory activity was identified in the culture supernatants of human nylon wool-nonadherent blood mononuclear cells stimulated with concanavalin A in vitro for 48 hr. Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography of these culture supernatants was shown to contain two regions of noncytotoxic migration inhibitory activity for nonsensitized human blood lymphocytes and rat splenic lymphocytes. The 30-40,000 dalton inhibitory activity was further characterized and noted to be cationic by ion-exchange chromatography and isoelectric focusing (pI = 8.6). Its biologic activity was sensitive to neuraminidase and to heat treatment but not to trypsin. The migration inhibitory activity of this factor (LyMIF35K) was directly proportional to its ability to increase lymphocyte adherence.

Interest in localized current field (LCF) hyperthermia tumor therapy is rapidly increasing. As yet, however, there is no integral LCF system commercially available. An experimental LCF system may be readily assembled from discrete, general purpose components, except for the tumor temperature regulating circuitry. In this article we present an LCF system designed around general purpose components and a simple circuit for temperature regulation. Comments on system safety, calibration, and performance are also included.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to search for an optimal radiation dose in the treatment of patients with uveal melanoma using 125I episcleral plaque radiotherapy (EPRT) and episcleral hyperthermia (HT).

METHODS

From 1991-1998, 35 patients with uveal melanoma were enrolled in a phase II prospective randomized trial of 125I EPRT combined with episcleral HT. Two groups were closely matched for pre-treatment patient and tumor characteristics. Group 1: N = 16, and Group 2: N = 19. The median dose to the tumor apex for Group 1 was 80.0 Gy and 60.8 Gy for Group 2. Episcleral HT was given once for 45 min immediately prior to EPRT with a median temperature of 44 degrees C for both groups. The median follow-up was 5.5 years for Group 1 and 5.3 years for Group 2.

RESULTS

The median tumor height decreased 1.7 mm for patients of both groups. The 5- and 8-year probability of local recurrence was 33% for Group 1, and 25% for Group 2, p = 0.73. The 5-year probability of DFS was 54% for Group 1 and 67% for Group 2, p = 0.51. The 5- and 8-year overall survival was 68% and 34%, respectively, for Group 1, and 83% and 50%, respectively, for Group 2, p = 0.60. The rate of distant metastasis at 5- and 8-years for Group 1 was 29% and 62%, respectively, and 17% and 17%, respectively, for Group 2, p = 0.18. The incidence of enucleation was 4 (25%) in Group 1 vs. 4 (22%) in Group 2. The incidence of late complications was similar in either treatment group. The ambulatory visual acuity >> 5/200) at last follow-up was slightly better in Group 2 (80%) than Group 1 (64%).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment outcomes were similar despite a 25% difference in radiation dose. In view of these findings and in an attempt to reduce the incidence of late treatment toxicity a still lower radiation dose in combination with HT needs to be studied. The reported outcomes need to be evaluated with caution due to the small number of patients in this study.

The characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), sediments, and hydrophytes from Lake Baiyangdian, a shallow freshwater lake in China were studied. The low-molecular-weight PAHs (2-3 ring PAHs) predominated (61.2 to 84.5%) in all samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) of individual PAHs and the ratios of selected PAHs showed that the PAHs in the lake were mainly petrogenic inputs. The solid-liquid distribution coefficient (K(d)) in the water phase was much higher than the bioconcentration factor (BCF), and the leaf concentration factor (LCF) was higher than the root concentration factor (RCF) and stem concentration factor (SCF) in plant-sediment phase. Good linear log/log relationships were observed between the equilibrium partitioning coefficient (K(oc)) and the octanol-water partitioning coefficient (K(ow)), between RCF and K(ow), and between LCF and the octanol-air partitioning coefficient (K(oa)). These results indicated that PAHs accumulated more easily in SPM than in submerged aquatic plants, and some low-molecular-weight PAHs could accumulate and be translocated in the lake's media. Media characteristics, contamination sources, and physicochemical properties all affect the partitioning of PAHs among water, SPM, sediments, and hydrophytes.

Thirteen poorly controlled noninsulin-dependent diabetic subjects ingested in succession over 5.5 wk their usual low-carbohydrate, low-fiber diet (LCF) for 3 d, a high-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet (HCF) for 3 wk, and the LCF diet again for 2 wk. All diets were designed to be individually isoenergetic. Fasting plasma glucose fell significantly during the HCF diet and then rose significantly during the last LCF diet. Dietary change rather than hospitalization had its full effect by 18 d. Urinary glucose excretion rose transiently on the HCF diet before also falling significantly. Similarly, pancreatic immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) fell significantly on the HCF diet and increased significantly on the LCF diet. No significant differences were observed in plasma insulin, serum free fatty acids, or monocyte insulin binding activity between the two diets. Reduction in circulating IRG may in part explain the lower fasting (or basal) plasma glucose observed on HCF diets.

We investigated whether mediators released from rat splenic mononuclear cells could control the in vitro migration of nonsensitized resting rat lymphocytes. Rat splenocytes stimulated with concanavalin A, other mitogens, or histamine release three lymphokines that alter rat lymphocyte migration. A positive chemokinetic factor, termed lymphocyte chemoattractant factor (LCF), has a molecular weight (MW) between 50 and 70 kDa. Two negative chemokinetic lymphokines can also be identified; lymphocyte migration inhibitory factor (LyMIF, MW 25-45 kDa) and a high MW inhibitor (HWMI, MW greater than 70 kDa). Lymphokines were destroyed by heat as well as by treatment with neuraminidase and trypsin. The action of LCF and LyMIF was prevented by phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride, a specific serine esterase inhibitor, and the action of LyMIF was also blocked by alpha-L-fucose. The discovery of these mediators provides the opportunity to study the importance of such chemokinetic lymphokines in animal models of disease.

Public health interventions to increase supermarket access assume that shopping in supermarkets is associated with healthier food purchases compared to other store types. To test this assumption, we compared purchasing patterns by store-type for certain higher-calorie, less healthy foods (HCF) and lower-calorie, healthier foods (LCF) in a sample of 35 black women household shoppers in Philadelphia, PA. Data analyzed were from 450 food shopping receipts collected by these shoppers over four-week periods in 2012. We compared the likelihood of purchasing the HCF (sugar-sweetened beverages, sweet/salty snacks, and grain-based snacks) and LCF (low-fat dairy, fruits, and vegetables) at full-service supermarkets and six other types of food retailers, using generalized estimating equations. Thirty-seven percent of participants had household incomes at or below the poverty line, and 54% had a BMI >30. Participants shopped primarily at full-service supermarkets (55%) or discount/limited assortment supermarkets (22%), making an average of 11 shopping trips over a 4-week period and spending mean (SD) of $350 ($222). Of full-service supermarket receipts, 64% included at least one HCF item and 58% at least one LCF. Most trips including HCF (58%) and LCF (60%) expenditures were to full-service or discount/limited assortment supermarkets rather than smaller stores. Spending a greater percent of total dollars in full-service supermarkets was associated with spending more on HCF (p = 0.03) but not LCF items (p = 0.26). These findings in black women suggest a need for more attention to supermarket interventions that change retailing practices and/or consumer shopping behaviors related to foods in the HCF categories examined.

BACKGROUND

Posteromedial dislocations of the elbow with lateral humeral condylar fractures (LCFs) are uncommon, and only isolated cases have been reported in the English-language literature. Because of the complex radiolucent cartilaginous structures and late-appearing ossification centers, radiological diagnosis of elbow dislocations with LCF in children is challenging.

UNASSIGNED

We report three children with posteromedial elbow dislocation: two patients with Milch type I and one patient with Milch type II LCF.

UNASSIGNED

In our report, radiographs showed only a small bone fragment, and arthrography or computed tomography were helpful diagnostic aids in cases 1 and 3. In contrast, the patient in case 2 was initially misdiagnosed as having an epiphyseal separation of the distal humerus, and open reduction and internal fixation through the posterior approach revealed Milch type II LCF.

METHODS

In case 1 and 3, Milch type I LCFs, open reduction and internal fixation was performed through the posterolateral approach. On the other hand, in case 2, Milch type II LCF, open reduction and internal fixation was performed through the posterior approach.

RESULTS

Poor reduction of Milch type I LCFs resulted in incongruity of the articular surface and poor cosmetic results in two patients. In case 2, Milch type II LCF, plain radiographs showed adequate healing without elbow deformity and the clinical result was excellent.

CONCLUSIONS

Because LCFs are intra-articular fractures, anatomical reduction is crucial for satisfactory outcomes. We promote awareness of this injury, especially posteromedial dislocation with Milch type I LCF. Preoperative evaluation is helpful for achieving satisfactory outcomes, and open reduction and internal fixation through an anterolateral approach might be most appropriate for Milch type I LCFs.

These clinical studies include 75 patients, followed up for 2 to 5 years: 37 females and 38 males. Age ranged between 5 and 81 years (median, 46 years). These cases were seen during a period of 6 years. There were 61 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma; these cases include 25 cases of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, 24 cases of moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, and 12 cases of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. These cases were treated by adjuvant chemotherapy with radical surgery and deep x-ray therapy. In 23 cases, the lateral cervical flap (LCF) was used as an excess for radical resection of supraomohyoid neck dissection; in 10 cases, the LCF was used for reconstruction of cases with posttraumatic missile injuries, and in 4 cases, platysma muscle flap was used for reconstruction of underdeveloped masseter muscle in cases with mild hemifacial microsomia. Experimental studies were performed on rabbits for reconstruction of the lateral side of the tongue and submental region to assess the viability of LCF. In conclusion, the flap proved to be an ideal and most reliable flap for reconstruction of both perioral and oral defects after radical cancer surgery and posttraumatic missile injury deformities.

Hydrogen production from water thermolysis can be enhanced by the use of perovskite-type mixed ionic and electronic conducting (MIEC) membranes, through which oxygen permeation is driven by a chemical potential gradient. In this work, water thermolysis experiments were performed using 0.9 mm thick La0.9Ca0.1FeO3-δ (LCF-91) perovskite membranes at 990 °C in a lab-scale button-cell reactor. We examined the effects of the operating conditions such as the gas species concentrations and flow rates on the feed and sweep sides on the water thermolysis rate and oxygen flux. A single step reaction mechanism is proposed for surface reactions, and three-resistance permeation models are derived. Results show that water thermolysis is facilitated by the LCF-91 membrane especially when a fuel is added to the sweep gas. Increasing the gas flow rate and water concentration on the feed side or the hydrogen concentration on the sweep side enhances the hydrogen production rate. In this work, hydrogen is used as the fuel by construction, so that a single-step surface reaction mechanism can be developed and water thermolysis rate parameters can be derived. Both surface reaction rate parameters for oxygen incorporation/dissociation and hydrogen-oxygen reactions are fitted at 990 °C. We compare the oxygen fluxes in water thermolysis and air separation experiments, and identify different limiting steps in the processes involving various oxygen sources and sweep gases for this 0.9 mm thick LCF-91 membrane. In the air feed-inert sweep case, the bulk diffusion and sweep side surface reaction are the two limiting steps. In the water feed-inert sweep case, surface reaction on the feed side dominates the oxygen permeation process. Yet in the water feed-fuel sweep case, surface reactions on both the feed and sweep sides are rate determining when hydrogen concentration in the sweep side is in the range of 1-5 vol%. Furthermore, long term studies show that the surface morphology changes and silica impurities have little impact on the oxygen flux for either water thermolysis or air separation.

As a low-input crop, Miscanthus offers numerous advantages that, in addition to agricultural applications, permits its exploitation for energy, fuel, and material production. Depending on the Miscanthus genotype, season, and harvest time as well as plant component (leaf versus stem), correlations between structure and properties of the corresponding isolated lignins differ. Here, a comparative study is presented between lignins isolated from M. x giganteus, M. sinensis, M. robustus and M. nagara using a catalyst-free organosolv pulping process. The lignins from different plant constituents are also compared regarding their similarities and differences regarding monolignol ratio and important linkages. Results showed that the plant genotype has the weakest influence on monolignol content and interunit linkages. In contrast, structural differences are more significant among lignins of different harvest time and/or season. Analyses were performed using fast and simple methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Data was assigned to four different linkages (A: β-O-4 linkage, B: phenylcoumaran, C: resinol, D: β-unsaturated ester). In conclusion, A content is particularly high in leaf-derived lignins at just under 70% and significantly lower in stem and mixture lignins at around 60% and almost 65%. The second most common linkage pattern is D in all isolated lignins, the proportion of which is also strongly dependent on the crop portion. Both stem and mixture lignins, have a relatively high share of approximately 20% or more (maximum is M. sinensis Sin2 with over 30%). In the leaf-derived lignins, the proportions are significantly lower on average. Stem samples should be chosen if the highest possible lignin content is desired, specifically from the M. x giganteus genotype, which revealed lignin contents up to 27%. Due to the better frost resistance and higher stem stability, M. nagara offers some advantages compared to M. x giganteus. Miscanthus crops are shown to be very attractive lignocellulose feedstock (LCF) for second generation biorefineries and lignin generation in Europe.

Keywords: Miscanthus nagara; Miscanthus robustus; Miscanthus sinensis; Miscanthus x giganteus; lignin; low-input crops; monolignol ratio.

Feed production is the main contributor to several environmental impacts of livestock. To decrease environmental impacts of feed, those of feedstuffs should be considered during formulation. In particular, multiobjective feed formulation (MOF) can help reduce several environmental impacts simultaneously while keeping any increase in feed price moderate. The objective of this study was to assess environmental benefits of MOF at the farm gate for fattening pigs and broilers. For pigs, three feeding strategies were tested: classic 2-phase (2P), 2-phase with lower net energy content (2P-), and multiphase (MP). For broilers, two strategies were tested: classic 3-phase (3P) and 3-phase with higher digestible amino acid contents and lower metabolisable energy content (3P+). Diets were formulated using both least-cost formulation (LCF) and MOF, yielding six pig scenarios and four broiler scenarios. Environmental impacts at the farm gate were estimated using a modelling approach based on life cycle assessment. Indicators for six impact categories were then calculated: climate change (CC), cumulative non-renewable energy demand (CEDNR), acidification (AC), eutrophication (EU), land occupation (LO), and phosphorus demand (PD). As expected, MOF had lower farm-gate impacts than LCF (as much as -13%), but the degree of decrease varied by feeding strategy and impact. For pigs, MOF was equally effective in all strategies at reducing PD (-6 to -9%) and AC (-2%). In contrast, MOF was more effective in 2P and 2P- at decreasing CC (-5% to -7%), LO (-9% to -13%) and EU (-6% to -8%) than in MP (CC: -2%; LO: -4%; EU: -3%). The benefit of MOF was found greater in 2P (-7%) than in other pig strategies for CEDNR (-3 to +0%). For broilers, MOF was equally effective in both strategies tested at decreasing PD (-12%), AC (-2%), and EU (-4%). For CC and CEDNR, MOF was more effective in 3P (CC: -9%; CEDNR: -11%) than 3P+ (-6% for both impacts), but not for LO (+3% in 3P vs -1% in 3P+). These differences were due mainly to differences in animal performance (especially feed conversion ratio) among the strategies tested. Finally, in all scenarios, gross margin at the farm gate decreased with MOF comparatively to LCF (pigs: -3% to -11%); broilers: -7% to -11%). These results demonstrate the importance of comprehensive economic and environmental optimisation of feeding strategies by simultaneously considering feed impacts, animal performance, and manure management. To do so, further research is therefore required to develop new modelling tools.

Keywords: Feeding strategy; Feedstuff; Life cycle assessment; Livestock; Sustainability.

The study used a sample of 69 formalin-fixed brains from adult dog cadavers (n = 69) and aimed (1) to characterize the longitudinal cerebral fissure (LCF) anatomy in brachy-(B), dolicho-(D) and mesaticephalic-(M) dogs and their potential differences, and (2) to establish cranioencephalic relationships between the LCF and five classical craniometric points(cp): asterion(ast), bregma(b), stephanion(st), glabella(g), and pterion(pt). Anatomical records were collected using a digital caliper, and for statistical analysis P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. The LCF length can be ranked, in ascending order as B < D < M, and if used as a surgical corridor, the M group had the greatest surgical corridor area, and the D group the smallest. LCF morphology was uniform among the three groups exhibiting dilated anterior(AR) and posterior(PR) regions and narrow middle region, where the most marked differences were registered. The LCF AR is the ideal spot to begin brain surgery if the LCF is to be used as a surgical corridor in B and M, while the LCF PR should be considered in D. The five cp selected were quite useful to understand LCF anatomical morphology, its projections over the external skull surface, and to establish cranioencephalic relationships between the LCF and vault; allowing us to consider the vault anterior area in B, and in M, and the vault posterior area in D for craniotomy initial burr-hole placement. As for the distance from the cp projections in the brain surface to the LCF regions, major differences were registered by comparing the B group with the other two, and for both hemispheres.

Lymphocytes from 22 patients with established malignancy were stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A), and supernatants were tested for T-lymphocyte chemotactic factor (LCF). LCF activity was measured using a leading front chemotaxis assay with normal human T cells as responders. Fifteen of the 22 patients tested produced LCF at a level of less than 2 standard deviation below the mean of control cells. In 10 patients where mononuclear cells were stimulated with Con A for 24, 48, and 72 hr, LCF activity was significantly reduced at all three time points averaging 38, 14, and 43% of control levels, respectively. In 13 of the 31 patients, patient T-cell migration in response to casein was measured and compared to the production of LCF by mononuclear cells from these same patients. A significant correlation was observed indicating that both the response of T cells to a migration stimulus, and the production of T-cell-derived LCF was comparably suppressed. The reduction in LCF production by mononuclear cells from patients with established malignancy was not reversed by the addition of indomethacin to the culture system during Con A stimulation indicating that inhibition was not mediated by excessive prostaglandin production. The addition of patient mononuclear cells or T cells to normal mononuclear cells resulted in the inhibition of normal cell LCF by patient mononuclear cells or T cells. This could not be attributed to the production of a lymphocyte chemotactic inhibitor by patient cells, but appeared instead to be due to the direct inhibition of normal cell LCF synthesis or release by patient mononuclear cells or T cells. Separation of patient T cells into Leu 2 suppressor/cytotoxic or Leu 3 helper/inducer T cells showed that the inhibitory activity was associated with the Leu-2 T-cell subset. Heterologous normal Leu 2 T cells did not suppress normal mononuclear cell LCF production suggesting that patient Leu 2 T cells were functionally activated as compared to normal Leu 2 cells. The decreased production of LCF coupled with a depressed T-cell migratory activity in patients with established malignancy may in part be responsible for suppressed cellular immune reactions in these patients and possibly the impairment of tumor rejection.

Obesity is associated with food and eating addiction (FA), but the biobehavioral markers of this condition are poorly understood. To characterize FA, we recruited 18 healthy controls and overweight/obese adults with (n = 31) and without (n = 17) FA (H-C, FAOB, NFAOB, respectively) to assess alpha brain asymmetry at rest using electroencephalogram; event-related potentials following exposure to high-calorie food (HCF), low-calorie food (LCF), and nonfood (NF) images in a Stroop paradigm; reaction time reflective of the Stroop bias; and symptoms of depression and disordered eating behavior. The FAOB group had the greatest emotional and uncontrollable eating, depressive, and binge-eating symptoms. The FAOB group displayed lower resting left alpha brain asymmetry than that of the NFAOB group. Differently from the other groups, the FAOB group presented attenuated Stroop bias following exposure to HCF relative to NF images, as well as a lower late positive potential component (LPPb; 450-495 ms) in both frontal and occipital regions. In the total cohort, a correlation was found between the Stroop bias and the LPPb amplitude. These results point to biobehavioral hypervigilance in response to addictive food triggers in overweight/obese adults with FA. This resembles other addictive disorders but is absent in overweight/obesity without FA.

Keywords: attention bias; brain asymmetry; cue responsivity; event-related potentials; food addiction; food stroop; obesity.

BACKGROUND

The development and spread of antimalarial drug resistant parasites contributes to the global impact of the disease. In vivo efficacy assessments of treatments for Plasmodium falciparum malaria are essential for ensuring effective case management. Artemisinin-based combinations have been adopted as the first-line treatment for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Cameroon since 2004.

METHODS

A total of 177 children aged six-months to 10 years with uncomplicated mono-infected falciparum malaria were randomized (1:1) to receive artesunate/sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (AS/SP) or artesunate/amodiaquine (AS/AQ) pediatric tablets and followed up for 28 days according to the standard World Health Organization in vivo drug efficacy monitoring protocol. The primary and secondary endpoints were PCR uncorrected and corrected cure rates, as measured by adequate clinical and parasitological response (ACPR) on day 28.

RESULTS

The PCR corrected cure rate was high, overall (88.1%, 95% CI 83.1-93.1), 85.9% (95% CI 78.2-93.6), and 90.2% (95% CI 83.8-96.6) for AS/SP and AS/AQ, respectively. Twenty-one treatment failures were observed during follow-up, constituting one (4.6%), 14 (8.2%), and six (3.5%) early treatment failure (ETF), late clinical failure (LCF), and late parasitological failure (LPF), respectively. The drugs were well tolerated with no serious adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Both AS/SP and AS/AQ are highly effective and well-tolerated treatments for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria around the slope of Mount Cameroon.