Phytoplankton Assemblage Patterns in the Southern Mid-Atlantic Bight

As part of the Wallops Coastal Oceans Observing Laboratory (Wa-COOL) Project, we sampled a time-series transect in the southern Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB) biweekly. Our 2-year time-series data included physical parameters, nutrient concentrations, and chlorophyll a concentrations. A detailed phytoplankton assemblage structure was examined in the second year. During the 2-year study, chlorophyll a concentration (and ocean color satellite imagery) indicated that phytoplankton blooms occurred in January/February during mixing conditions and in early autumn under stratified conditions. The chlorophyll a concentrations ranged from 0.25 microgram 1(exp -1) to 15.49 microgram 1(exp -1) during the 2-year period. We were able to discriminate approximately 116 different species under phase contrast microscopy. Dominant phytoplankton included Skeletonema costatum, Rhizosolenia spp., and Pseudo-nitzschia pungens. In an attempt to determine phytoplankton species competition/succession within the assemblage, we calculated a Shannon Weaver diversity index for our diatom microscopy data. Diatom diversity was greatest during the winter and minimal during the spring. Diatom diversity was also greater at nearshore stations than at offshore stations. Individual genera appeared patchy, with surface and subsurface patches appearing abruptly and persisting for only 1-2 months at a time. The distribution of individual species differed significantly from bulk variables of the assemblage (chlorophyll a ) and total phytoplankton assemblage (cells), which indicates that phytoplankton species may be limited in growth in ways that differ from those of the total assemblage. Our study demonstrated a highly diverse phytoplankton assemblage throughout the year, with opportunistic species dominating during spring and fall in response to seasonal changes in temperature and nutrients in the southern MAB

Introduction to Special Issue of Molecular Plant Pathology - "Extracellular and intracellular perception of plant viruses"

Non peer reviewe

Reasons and risk factors for ninety day re-admission following primary total knee arthroplasty in a high-volume centre

Purpose We aimed to assess the rates, reasons, and risk factors for 90-day re-admissions after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in a European healthcare setting. Methods We identified all primary elective TKA procedures performed in 2015 at a single high-volume centre. Patients with unplanned re-admissions within 90 days of primary discharge were compared to a 1:4 control cohort of patients having no relevant re-admission. We calculated re-admission rates, recorded the reasons for re-admission, and identified independent predictors of re-admission. Results The 30-day and 90-day unplanned re-admission rates were 6.5% and 8.0%, respectively. The most common reason for re-admission within 90 days was infection (29.6%), followed by knee pain (14.1%), gastrointestinal complications (8.5%), and haematoma (8.5%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the following factors were significant independent predictors of re-admission: asthma, psychiatric disease, pre-operative tibiofemoral valgus angle, and pre-operative knee flexion deficit. Conclusions The re-admission rates in our health-care setting were slightly higher than those previously reported. Independent risk factors for re-admissions included pre-operative mechanical axis, range of motion, asthma, and psychiatric disease. Our present results will facilitate the targeting of new subgroups of TKA patients when developing new interventions to further reduce the total re-admission risk after TKA.Peer reviewe

Reasons and Risk Factors for Delayed Discharge After Total Knee Arthroplasty Using an Opioid-Sparing Discharge Protocol

Background: In this study, we aimed to assess the length of hospital stay after total knee arthroplasty in a European healthcare setting. We also aimed to investigate risk factors and reasons for delayed discharge when using an opioid-sparing fast-track protocol. Methods: From our institutional database, we retrospectively identified all primary elective unilateral total knee arthroplasties performed during January to December 2015. Both patient-related and surgery-related variables were collected from our databases. Risk factors were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: The median length of stay (LOS) was 3 days. Independent risk factors for delayed discharge were higher age, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score, general anesthesia, surgery performed toward the end of the week, longer duration of surgery, longer stay in the post-anesthesia care unit, and shorter preoperative walking distance. The main reasons for delayed discharge were delayed functional recovery and pain. Conclusion: This study identified several independent risk factors for an LOS longer than 3 days. These risk factors add to the current knowledge on which patients have an increased risk of prolonged LOS, and which patients should be targeted when striving to further reduce the LOS. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Xylitol Chewing Gums and Caries Rates: A 40-month Cohort Study

Dental caries is a pandemic infectious disease which can affect the quality of life and consumes considerable health care resources. The chewing of xylitol, sorbitol, and even sugar gum has been suggested to reduce caries rates. No clinical study has simultaneously investigated the effectiveness of these gums when compared with a group receiving no chewing gum. A 40-month double-blind cohort study on the relationship between the use of chewing gum and dental caries was performed in 1989-1993 in Belize, Central America. One thousand two hundred and seventy-seven subjects (mean age, 10.2 years) were assigned to nine treatment groups: one control group (no supervised gum use), four xylitol groups (range of supervised xylitol consumption: 4.3 to 9.0 g/day), two xylitol-sorbitol groups (range of supervised consumption of total polyols: 8.0 to 9.7 g/day), one sorbitol group (supervised consumption: 9.0 g/day), and one sucrose group (9.0 g/day). The gum use during school hours was supervised. Four calibrated dentists performed the caries registrations by means of a modified WHO procedure. The primary endpoint was the development of an unequivocal caries lesion on a non-cavitated tooth surface. Compared with the no-gum group, sucrose gum usage resulted in a marginal increase in the caries rate (relative risk, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.96 to 1.49; p = 0.1128). Sorbitol gum significantly reduced caries rates (relative risk, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.6 to 0.92; p = 0.0074). The four xylitol gums were most effective in reducing caries rates, the most effective agent being a 100% xylitol pellet gum (relative risk, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.36; p = 0.0001). This gum was superior to any other gum (p < 0.01). The xylitol-sorbitol mixtures were less effective than xylitol, but they still reduced caries rates significantly compared with the no-gum group. DMFS analyses were consistent with these conclusions. The results suggest that systematic usage of polyol-based chewing gums reduces caries rates in young subjects, with xylitol gums being more effective than sorbitol gums.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68231/2/10.1177_00220345950740121501.pd

The cosmic graph: optimal information extraction from large-scale structure using catalogues

We present an implicit likelihood approach to quantifying cosmological information over discrete catalogue data, assembled as graphs. To do so, we explore cosmological parameter constraints using mock dark matter halo catalogues. We employ Information Maximising Neural Networks (IMNNs) to quantify Fisher information extraction as a function of graph representation. We a) demonstrate the high sensitivity of modular graph structure to the underlying cosmology in the noise-free limit, b) show that graph neural network summaries automatically combine mass and clustering information through comparisons to traditional statistics, c) demonstrate that networks can still extract information when catalogues are subject to noisy survey cuts, and d) illustrate how nonlinear IMNN summaries can be used as asymptotically optimal compressed statistics for Bayesian simulation-based inference. We reduce the area of joint Ωm,σ8 parameter constraints with small (∼100 object) halo catalogues by a factor of 42 over the two-point correlation function, and demonstrate that the networks automatically combine mass and clustering information. This work utilises a new IMNN implementation over graph data in Jax, which can take advantage of either numerical or auto-differentiability. We also show that graph IMNNs successfully compress simulations away from the fiducial model at which the network is fitted, indicating a promising alternative to n-point statistics in catalogue simulation-based analyses

Palmitate and oleate exert differential effects on insulin signalling and glucose uptake in human skeletal muscle cells

Saturated fatty acids are implicated in the development of insulin resistance, whereas unsaturated fatty acids may have a protective effect on metabolism. We tested in primary human myotubes if insulin resistance induced by saturated fatty acid palmitate can be ameliorated by concomitant exposure to unsaturated fatty acid oleate. Primary human myotubes were pretreated with palmitate, oleate or their combination for 12 h. Glucose uptake was determined by intracellular accumulation of [H-3]-2-deoxy-d-glucose, insulin signalling and activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by Western blotting, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by fluorescent dye MitoSOX. Exposure of primary human myotubes to palmitate impaired insulin-stimulated Akt-Ser(473), AS160 and GSK-3 beta phosphorylation, induced ER stress signalling target PERK and stress kinase JNK 54 kDa isoform. These effects were virtually abolished by concomitant exposure of palmitate-treated myotubes to oleate. However, an exposure to palmitate, oleate or their combination reduced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. This was associated with increased mitochondrial ROS production in palmitate-treated myotubes co-incubated with oleate, and was alleviated by antioxidants MitoTempo and Tempol. Thus, metabolic and intracellular signalling events diverge in myotubes treated with palmitate and oleate. Exposure of human myotubes to excess fatty acids increases ROS production and induces insulin resistance.Peer reviewe

Absorption and Attenuation Coefficients Using the WET Labs ac-s in the Mid-Atlantic Bight: Field Measurements and Data Analysis

Ocean color algorithms are based on the parameterization of apparent optical properties as a function of inherent optical properties. WET Labs underwater absorption and attenuation meters (ac-9 and ac-s) measure both the spectral beam attenuation [c (lambda)] and absorption coefficient [a (lambda)]. The ac-s reports in a continuous range of 390-750 nm with a band pass of 4 nm, totaling approximately 83 distinct wavelengths, while the ac-9 reports at 9 wavelengths. We performed the ac-s field measurements at nine stations in the Mid-Atlantic Bight from water calibrations to data analysis. Onboard the ship, the ac-s was calibrated daily using Milli Q-water. Corrections for the in situ temperature and salinity effects on optical properties of water were applied. Corrections for incomplete recovery of the scattered light in the ac-s absorption tube were performed. The fine scale of spectral and vertical distributions of c (lambda) and a (lambda) were described from the ac-s. The significant relationships between a (674) and that of spectrophotometric analysis and chlorophyll a concentration of discrete water samples were observed

Collagenolytic and phosphatase activity in the rat mandible after functional protrusion

The effect of chronic mandibular protrusion on the collagenolytic and phosphatase activity of several mandibular bone sites and the condylar cartilage was evaluated. Ninety-three male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally divided into two experimental and one control group. One experimental group wore a protrusive appliance for 2 weeks, the other for 4 weeks. All animals were killed at 59 days of age. Collagenolytic, alkaline and acid phosphatase activities were determined in the condylar cartilage, the subchondral bone and condylar neck, and in the gonial angle and coronoid process. In the cartilage and subchondral bone, the protrusive appliance caused a reduction in collagenolytic and alkaline phosphatase activity. In the condylar neck, it caused a large increase in collagenolytic activity and a decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity in both experimental groups. In the gonial angle and coronoid process, the appliance increased the collagenolytic activity only in the 2-week group. In the 4-week group, the alkaline phosphatase and collagenolytic activities were not different from the activities in those tissues in the control animals. Thus a protrusive appliance induced quantitative changes in enzyme activities in condylar cartilage and mandibular bone. The increase in collagenolytic activity (representing increased bone resorption) occurred typically in areas of muscle attachment and might have been the result of the neuromuscular changes induced by the protrusive appliance. The recovery to normal values of collagenolytic activity in the coronoid process and gonial angle of the 4-week group suggests that at these sites the muscles (and subperiosteal bone) might have adapted to their new biomechanical environment after the longer period of appliance wear.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/28165/1/0000617.pd

Xylitol gummy bear snacks: a school-based randomized clinical trial

Background: Habitual consumption of xylitol reduces mutans streptococci (MS) levels but the effect on Lactobacillus spp. is less clear. Reduction is dependent on daily dose and frequency of consumption. For xylitol to be successfully used in prevention programs to reduce MS and prevent caries, effective xylitol delivery methods must be identified. This study examines the response of MS, specifically S. mutans/sobrinus and Lactobacillus spp., levels to xylitol delivered via gummy bears at optimal exposures. Methods: Children, first to fifth grade (n = 154), from two elementary schools in rural Washington State, USA, were randomized to xylitol 15.6 g/day (X16, n = 53) or 11.7 g/day (X12, n = 49), or maltitol 44.7 g/ day (M45, n = 52). Gummy bear snacks were pre-packaged in unit-doses, labeled with ID numbers, and distributed three times/day during school hours. No snacks were sent home. Plaque was sampled at baseline and six weeks and cultured on modified Mitis Salivarius agar for S. mutans/sobrinus and Rogosa SL agar for Lactobacillus spp. enumeration. Results: There were no differences in S. mutans/sobrinus and Lactobacillus spp. levels in plaque between the groups at baseline. At six weeks, log10 S. mutans/sobrinus levels showed significant reductions for all groups (p = 0.0001): X16 = 1.13 (SD = 1.65); X12 = 0.89 (SD = 1.11); M45 = 0.91 (SD = 1.46). Reductions were not statistically different between groups. Results for Lactobacillus spp. were mixed. Group X16 and M45 showed 0.31 (SD = 2.35), and 0.52 (SD = 2.41) log10 reductions, respectively, while X12 showed a 0.11 (SD = 2.26) log10 increase. These changes were not significant. Post-study discussions with school staff indicated that it is feasible to implement an in-classroom gummy bear snack program. Parents are accepting and children willing to consume gummy bear snacks daily. Conclusion: Reductions in S. mutans/sobrinus levels were observed after six weeks of gummy bear snack consumption containing xylitol at 11.7 or 15.6 g/day or maltitol at 44.7 g/day divided in three exposures. Lactobacillus spp. levels were essentially unchanged in all groups. These results suggest that a xylitol gummy bear snack may be an alternative to xylitol chewing gum for dental caries prevention. Positive results with high dose maltitol limit the validity of xylitol findings. A larger clinical trial is needed to confirm the xylitol results. Trial registration: [ISRCTN63160504].Supported by Grant No. U54DE14254 from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, and Grant No. 90YD0188 from the Office of Head Start