Hormonal and uterine changes in pregnant and pseudopregnant gilts treated with hydrocortisone acetate

In the first experiment 11 gilts were injected with 5 mg of estradiol benzoate on d 11-15 of the estrous cycle to induce pseudopregnancy. Twice daily on d 21-30 gilts were administered either 5 mg per kg bodyweight (avg. wgt 120 kg) hydrocortisone acetate (HA) in sesame oil (5 ml) or sesame oil (control) subcutaneously (SQ). Blood samples (20 ml) were collected via jugular puncture on d 11, 21, and 31. Uterine flushings were obtained surgically the day following the last day of treatment (d 31). Twice daily injection of HA on d 21-30 significantly (p\u3c.001) elevated cortisol levels above that of control animals in plasma and uterine flushing on d 31. The percent distribution of cortisol in plasma [% unbound (UB-C), % corticosteroid binding globulin (CB6) bound (CBG—C), and % albumin bound (Alb-C)] was not different between treatments. Plasma CBG binding capacity (CBG-BC) was lower (p\u3c.001) following 10 d of treatment with HA compared to control gilts (7.4 versus 38.7 pmol/ml). Plasma progesterone (P4) levels were significantly (p\u3c.01) lower in HA treated gilts (8.9 ng/ml) compared to control gilts (17.8 ng/ml). Uterine Flush P4 levels were also decreased (p\u3c.001) compared to control gilts. Total plasma protein and albumin concentrations were similar (p\u3e.05) to control gilts. Total proteins in the uterine flush were lower (p\u3c.001) in HA treated gilts. Corpora lutea (CL) number and concentrations were not affected by treatment. Total CL weight was significantly (p\u3c.01) lower in HA treated gilts compared to control animals. In the second experiment 18 crossbred gilts exhibiting 2 normal estrous cycles (18-23 d) were naturally bred to a mature boar and randomly assigned to receive 5 mg/kg bodyweight (BW) HA (Trt 1), 2.5 mg/kg BW HA (Trt 2), or 5 ml sesame oil (control; Trt 3) twice daily on d 9-13 of pregnancy. Blood samples were collected on d 9, 11/ 13, and 20 of pregnancy. On d 46 ± 2 gilts slaughtered and reproductive tracts collected. CL number and CL weights were obtained. Number, weight, crown rump length, placental weight, allantoic and amniotic fluid volume of fetuses were measured and recorded. Plasma cortisol levels were increased (p\u3c.05) due to treatment on day 13. The distribution of cortisol (% UB-C, % CBG-C, and % Alb-C) was not different (p\u3e.05) between treatments. CBG-BC, plasma P4 levels, total proteins, CL number, CL weight, fetal number, fetal length, and placental weight were not affected by treatment. Fetal weights in Trt 2 (2.5 mg/kg HA) were significantly (p\u3c.05) lower compared to Trt 1 (5 mg/kg HA) and control gilts. Allantoic and amniotic fluid volumes were lower in Trt 2 (p\u3c.001 and p\u3c.05, respectively) compared to Trt 1 and control gilts. These results suggest that : a) HA affected P4 production in the ovary by retarding CL development, B) the HA treatment lowered total P4 output, as reflected by lowered P4 concentration in the plasma, and affected protein secretion in the uterus, C) uterine protein secretions were preferentially reduced in the component contributed by P4-induced, locally synthesized proteins but not by serum transudate, D) HA did not affect liver function as measured by total plasma protein concentration, E) HA affected CBG as evident by the decrease in CBG-BC concentrations and F) reduction in uterine secretory protein output may result in lowered fetal weight due to poor nutrition in utero

A micro-volume adaptation of a stopped-flow system; use with μg quantities of muscle proteins

Stopped-flow spectroscopy is a powerful method for measuring very fast biological and chemical reactions. The technique however is often limited by the volumes of reactants needed to load the system. Here we present a simple adaptation of commercial stopped-flow system that reduces the volume needed by a factor of 4 to ≈120 μl. After evaluation the volume requirements of the system we show that many standard myosin based assays can be performed using <100 μg of myosin. This adaptation both reduces the volume and therefore mass of protein required and also produces data of similar quality to that produced using the standard set up. The 100 μg of myosin required for these assays is less than that which can be isolated from 100 mg of muscle tissue. With this reduced quantity of myosin, assays using biopsy samples become possible. This will allow assays to be used to assist diagnoses, to examine the effects of post translational modifications on muscle proteins and to test potential therapeutic drugs using patient derived samples

Procedural and long-term ischemic outcomes of tight subtotal occlusions treated with orbital atherectomy: An ORBIT II subanalysis

Background/purpose Orbital atherectomy is an effective treatment strategy to modify severely calcified coronary lesions prior to stent placement. Traversing a severely calcified subtotal occlusion with the crown may be more challenging compared with a less severely stenotic lesion. The purpose of this ORBIT II subanalysis was to evaluate outcomes post-orbital atherectomy (OA) treatment of lesions with ≥95% stenosis. Methods/materials ORBIT II, a single-arm, prospective, multicenter trial, enrolled 443 subjects with severely calcified coronary lesions. Patients with chronic total occlusions were excluded from the trial. Subjects with the OA device activated were stratified based on pre-procedure percent stenosis: ≥95% stenosis (N = 91) and <95% stenosis (N = 341). Procedural success and 3-year major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rates were compared. Results The severe angiographic complications rates were 6.6% and 6.7% in the ≥95% and <95% stenosis groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in procedural success (94.5% vs. 88.3%, p = 0.120). 3-year MACE rates were similar (27.1% vs. 22.5%, p = 0.548), as were the rates of cardiac death (5.7% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.665) and MI (7.9% vs. 12.1%, p = 0.244). The TVR rate was higher in the ≥95% stenosis group (19.1% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.004). Conclusions In ORBIT II, OA treatment of lesions with ≥95% stenosis resulted in a high rate of procedural success. Although the 3-year revascularization rate was higher in the ≥95% stenosis group, it is not unexpected given the challenge of treating such complex lesions. The results of this analysis suggest that OA may be a reasonable treatment strategy for tight, severely calcified subtotal occlusions. Summary The purpose of this ORBIT II subanalysis was to evaluate outcomes post-orbital atherectomy (OA) treatment of lesions with ≥95% stenosis. In ORBIT II, OA treatment of lesions with ≥95% stenosis resulted in a high rate of procedural success. Although the 3-year revascularization rate was higher in the ≥95% stenosis group, it is not unexpected given the challenge of treating such complex lesions. The results of this analysis suggest that OA may be a reasonable treatment strategy for tight, severely calcified subtotal occlusions

Virtual Reality Exposure to a Healthy Weight Body Is a Promising Adjunct Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa

Introduction/objective: Treatment results of anorexia nervosa (AN) are modest, with fear of weight gain being a strong predictor of treatment outcome and relapse. Here, we present a virtual reality (VR) setup for exposure to healthy weight and evaluate its potential as an adjunct treatment for AN. Methods: In two studies, we investigate VR experience and clinical effects of VR exposure to higher weight in 20 women with high weight concern or shape concern and in 20 women with AN. Results: In study 1, 90% of participants (18/20) reported symptoms of high arousal but verbalized low to medium levels of fear. Study 2 demonstrated that VR exposure to healthy weight induced high arousal in patients with AN and yielded a trend that four sessions of exposure improved fear of weight gain. Explorative analyses revealed three clusters of individual reactions to exposure, which need further exploration. Conclusions: VR exposure is a well-accepted and powerful tool for evoking fear of weight gain in patients with AN. We observed a statistical trend that repeated virtual exposure to healthy weight improved fear of weight gain with large effect sizes. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms and differential effects

Sub-lunar Tap Yielding eXplorer (STYX) & Surface Telemetry Operations and Next-generation Excavation System (STONES)

The NASA RASC-AL Moon to Mars competition challenges student teams to develop a lightweight, durable, and hands-off method for extracting water from Martian/lunar subsurface ice layers while mapping soil density profiles. Future interplanetary expeditions are dependent on the availability of clean water and this project aims to accomplish this task. The challenge description enumerates several criteria to be met for successful designs. For further information, the STYX & STONES team conducted research on Cal Poly’s competition project from last year to consider the areas for redesign. As such, the team has utilized the background research from relevant patents and journal articles to consider brainstorming potentially viable solutions. Based on these solutions for each subsystem, the team converged the ideas using a series of decision matrices into a final design direction. In addition to reviewing the STYX design, several new considerations were made for the scope of this project. Primarily, this year’s team focused on developing a prototype that has the capability of operating in an extraterrestrial environment and thoroughly fulfilling the requirements posed by NASA. To visualize the requirements, the team created a list of customer needs, a House of Quality diagram, and an engineering specifications table. Additionally, the STYX & STONES team discussed the design process it plans to follow including major project milestones. Specifically, the team plans to excel in collecting more than five quarts of water autonomously while successfully identifying the overburden layers – tasks that previous teams have struggled with. The team’s design direction includes two main components: a masonry drill bit and an auger- heater probe hybrid tool. The masonry drill bit will create a hole in the overburden using the force from a rotary hammer. The heater probe tool will then be moved to align with the hole and be driven into the loosened overburden using the force of a small gear motor. The heater probe will then melt ice using a hot waterjet and deliver water via a peristaltic pump and a two-stage filtration system. To verify the design, the team completed a multitude of analyses and tests for each subsystem and the prototype as a whole. Through drilling tests, the team found that the rotary hammer and masonry bit can easily cut through all overburden layers while keeping weight on bit (WOB) below 150N. Similarly, the load cells attached to the drill carriage were tested and proven to be accurate at recording WOB data and providing feedback to the controller to monitor WOB. Furthermore, the load cells proved successful at recording accurate WOB data that can be analyzed to determine overburden composition. The pumping system was also tested and was capable of effectively moving water through all filters and delivering fluid to the waterjet. More tests were completed to verify the heater probe tool; these tests included controlling heater temperature, melting ice, expelling water through the waterjet, and removing loose material from the hole. To verify the design requirements, the team has completed analysis pertaining to each subsystem including the drill, heater probe, frame, and control systems. The team is confident in the drilling design based on testing and vibrations analysis. In the same manner, the team verified that the 12V peristaltic pump will have enough pressure head rise based on analysis and prototype testing. Using the prototype heater probe as a reference, the team fully characterized the heat transfer parameters of the final design and is confident the auger will be effective considering surrounding debris. Finally, the team tested the water jet design using 120oF water which provided optimistic results that the water jet will significantly expand the melt radius per hole. As a next step, the team will be testing the mechanical and controls systems simultaneously using manufactured parts. The following report details the subsystems and relevant information

Continuous decline of hepatitis E virus seroprevalence in southern Germany despite increasing notifications, 2003–2015

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is viewed as an emerging pathogen. Many European countries, including Germany, have observed a steep increase of notified autochthonous hepatitis E cases in recent years. Our study investigated time trends in HEV seroprevalence in southern Germany between 2003 and 2015. A total of 3000 study sera were evenly distributed over sampling years 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, and 2015, two age groups (20-29 and 30-39 years) and genders and were tested for anti-HEV IgG. Positive samples were quantified. The seroprevalence declined from 32.8% in 2003 over 22.5% in 2006 (p < 0.001) and 22.3% in 2009 to 17.7% and 17.8% in 2012 and 2015. A higher prevalence was found for males (p = 0.018) and the older age group (p < 0.001). Anti-HEV IgG concentrations ranged from 0.22 to 1783.19 WU mL(-1). A higher median concentration (2.41 vs. 1.89 WU mL(-1), p < 0.001) was found in the younger age group. The anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence decreased since 2003 and remains constant at similar to 18% since 2012. A rather low anti-HEV prevalence in young adults is indicative of a susceptible population and denotes a higher risk of HEV infections in this age group in the future. Therefore, reduction of HEV infection sources, close monitoring, and vigilance for proper control measures are warranted