Roles of hCG in Advancing Follicular Growth to Ovulation after Concurrent Injections of PGF2α and GnRH in Postpubertal Holstein Heifers Bearing a CL

A study was conducted to test the hypothesis that injecting Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) concurrently with Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α) followed by an injection of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), would advance follicular growth to ovulation in Holstein heifers bearing a corpus luteum (CL). After manual examination of the CL, group 1 (PGF; n = 12) received an injection of PGF2α (25 mg, im). Group 2 (PGF + GnRH; n = 13) received an injection of GnRH (100 μg, im) immediately after an injection of PGF2α. Group 3 (PGF + GnRH + hCG; n = 12) received concurrent injections of PGF2α and GnRH followed with hCG (1500 IU, im) two days later. Follicular size and day of ovulation were monitored by daily ultrasonographic examination from days 1 to 10. Blood was collected on days-7, 0 (PGF2α administration), 2, and 7. Progesterone was not different (P > .05) on days-7, 0, and 2 between the experimental groups. However, it was higher (P < .005) in the PGF + GnRH + hCG group on day 7 compared to PGF + GnRH heifers, but not significantly higher than the PGF. Additionally, heifers in the PGF + GnRH + hCG group ovulated earlier (P < .05) than heifers in the PGF + GnRH and the PGF group. This data indicates that hCG advances follicular growth to ovulation in spite of high levels of progesterone when injected 48 h after concurrent treatments of GnRH and PGF2α on heifers bearing a CL

Converting GLX2-1 into an Active Glyoxalase II

Arabidopsis thaliana glyoxalase 2-1 (GLX2-1) exhibits extensive sequence similarity with GLX2 enzymes but is catalytically inactive with SLG, the GLX2 substrate. In an effort to identify residues essential for GLX2 activity, amino acid residues were altered at positions 219, 246, 248, 325, and 328 in GLX2-1 to be the same as those in catalytically active human GLX2. The resulting enzymes were overexpressed, purified, and characterized using metal analyses, fluorescence spectroscopy, and steady-state kinetics to evaluate how these residues affect metal binding, structure, and catalysis. The R246H/N248Y double mutant exhibited low level S-lactoylglutathione hydrolase activity, while the R246H/N248Y/Q325R/R328K mutant exhibited a 1.5−2-fold increase in kcat and a decrease in Km as compared to the values exhibited by the double mutant. In contrast, the R246H mutant of GLX2-1 did not exhibit glyoxalase 2 activity. Zn(II)-loaded R246H GLX2-1 enzyme bound 2 equiv of Zn(II), and 1H NMR spectra of the Co(II)-substituted analogue of this enzyme strongly suggest that the introduced histidine binds to Co(II). EPR studies indicate the presence of significant amounts a dinuclear metal ion-containing center. Therefore, an active GLX2 enzyme requires both the presence of a properly positioned metal center and significant nonmetal, enzyme−substrate contacts, with tyrosine 255 being particularly important

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake After a Tailored, Online Educational Intervention for Female University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Educational interventions may be a strategy to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among female university students, but studies to date have shown mixed results. This study evaluated the effect of MeFirst, an individually tailored, online educational intervention, on HPV vaccine-related knowledge, vaccination intention, and uptake among previously unvaccinated female university students. Methods: All female students aged 18?26 years who reported being unvaccinated against HPV at a midwestern university were invited via email to enroll. Participants completed an online survey that assessed baseline HPV vaccine-related knowledge, attitudes and vaccination intention. Participants (n?=?661) were then randomized to receive either an educational website automatically tailored to their baseline survey responses (MeFirst intervention) or a standard CDC information factsheet on HPV vaccine (control). Vaccine uptake and repeat knowledge and attitude measures were assessed with online surveys 3 months following the intervention and analyzed using logistic regression models. Results: HPV vaccine uptake was similar in both the MeFirst and control groups at 3 months following the intervention (p?=?0.98). Three months after the intervention, the proportion of participants with high knowledge regarding HPV vaccination increased from baseline (32% to 50%; p?Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140136/1/jwh.2015.5251.pd

Magnitude and Composition of Sinking Particulate Phosphorus Fluxes in Santa Barbara Basin, California

[1] The composition and bioavailability of particulate P influence marine biological community production on both modern and geologic time‐scales, and continental margins play a critical role in the supply, modification, and storage of particulate P. This study examined particulate P cycling in the Santa Barbara Basin (SBB) off the coast of southern California using a ∼520 m deep‐moored sediment trap deployed from 1993–2006 and a sediment core collected in 2005 directly beneath the sediment trap at 590 m. Total particulate P (TPP), particulate inorganic P (PIP), and particulate organic P (POP) were quantified using a 5‐step sequential extraction method (SEDEX) that chemically separates PIP into loosely bound, oxide‐bound, authigenic, and detrital P phases. POP fluxes, while similar in magnitude to other coastal regions (22 ± 10 μmol m−2 d−1) were a small component of the TPP pool (15%). Seasonal trends revealed significant increases in POP fluxes during upwelling due to increased biological production in surface waters by organisms that increased mineral ballast. High particulate organic carbon (POC) to POP ratios (337 ± 18) further indicated rapid and efficient remineralization of POP relative to POC as particles sank through the oxic water column; however, further reduction of POP ceased in the deeper anoxic waters. Loosely bound, oxide‐bound, and authigenic P, dominated the TPP pool, with PIP fluxes substantially higher than those measured in other coastal settings. Strong correlations between oxide‐associated, authigenic, and detrital P fluxes with lithogenic material indicated a terrestrial source associated with riverine discharge. Furthermore, more than 30% of the loosely bound and oxide‐bound P was remineralized prior to burial, with the magnitude of dissolution far exceeding that of POP. These results highlight the dynamic nature of the particulate P pool in coastal ecosystems and how changes in P source can alter the composition and lability of P that enters coastal waters

Associations of Health and Financial Literacy with Mortality in Advanced Age

Background: Health and financial literacy are central to older adults' well-being and financial standing, but the relation of literacy with mortality in advanced age remains unclear. Aims: To determine whether lower literacy, as reflected in measures of total literacy and subscales of health and financial literacy, was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Methods: Participants were 931 community-based older adults from the Rush Memory and Aging Project [age: mean (SD) = 80.9 (7.6), range 58.8-100.8], an ongoing, prospective observational cohort study of aging. Participants were without dementia at the time literacy was assessed. Proportional hazards models were used to determine whether literacy measures were associated with mortality. Results: During up to 8 years of follow-up, 224 (24.1% of 931) participants died. In models that adjusted for age, sex, and education, lower total, health, and financial literacy were each associated with an increased risk of mortality (total literacy: HR = 1.020, 95% CI 1.010-1.031, p < 0.001; health literacy: HR = 1.015, 95% CI 1.008-1.023, p < 0.001; financial literacy: HR = 1.013, 95% CI 1.003-1.023, p = 0.014). These associations persisted after additionally adjusting for income and indices of health status; however, only the association of lower health literacy with mortality persisted after further adjusting for a robust measure of global cognition. Discussion: We suspect that the current associations of lower literacy with mortality reflect the detrimental effect of early pathologic brain aging on literacy. Conclusions: Lower literacy, particularly lower health literacy, is associated with mortality in advanced age

Invasive cutaneous rhizopus infections in an immunocompromised patient population associated with hospital laundry carts

Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection with high morbidity and mortality that most commonly occurs in immunocompromised hosts.1–5 Cutaneous mucormycosis is rare and can be acquired through direct contact of the fungi with non-intact skin or mucous membranes.3,4,7–9 Outbreaks of mucormycosis associated with contaminated adhesive bandages, ostomy supplies, wooden tongue depressors, and linen have been published.1,6–9 This is a report of a cluster of cutaneous mucormycosis with Rhizopus that occurred in 4 immunocompromised inpatients housed primarily in the same intensive care unit (ICU) prior to infection

Physician decision making in selection of second-line treatments in immune thrombocytopenia in children.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune bleeding disorder which presents with isolated thrombocytopenia and risk of hemorrhage. While most children with ITP promptly recover with or without drug therapy, ITP is persistent or chronic in others. When needed, how to select second-line therapies is not clear. ICON1, conducted within the Pediatric ITP Consortium of North America (ICON), is a prospective, observational, longitudinal cohort study of 120 children from 21 centers starting second-line treatments for ITP which examined treatment decisions. Treating physicians reported reasons for selecting therapies, ranking the top three. In a propensity weighted model, the most important factors were patient/parental preference (53%) and treatment-related factors: side effect profile (58%), long-term toxicity (54%), ease of administration (46%), possibility of remission (45%), and perceived efficacy (30%). Physician, health system, and clinical factors rarely influenced decision-making. Patient/parent preferences were selected as reasons more often in chronic ITP (85.7%) than in newly diagnosed (0%) or persistent ITP (14.3%, P = .003). Splenectomy and rituximab were chosen for the possibility of inducing long-term remission (P < .001). Oral agents, such as eltrombopag and immunosuppressants, were chosen for ease of administration and expected adherence (P < .001). Physicians chose rituximab in patients with lower expected adherence (P = .017). Treatment choice showed some physician and treatment center bias. This study illustrates the complexity and many factors involved in decision-making in selecting second-line ITP treatments, given the absence of comparative trials. It highlights shared decision-making and the need for well-conducted, comparative effectiveness studies to allow for informed discussion between patients and clinicians

Associations of decision making abilities with blood pressure values in older adults

Objectives: Decision making, key to successful aging, has implications for financial success, physical health, and well being. While poor decision making has been linked with increased risk of mortality, age-related cognitive decline, and dementia, less is known regarding its associations with chronic disease indicators. We investigated the associations of decision making with blood pressure (BP) values [i.e., SBP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and pulse pressure (PP), separately] in a community-based cohort study of aging. Methods: Participants were 908 nondemented older adults (age ∼81 years; 75% women) from the Rush Memory and Aging Project. Decision making was measured using questions designed to simulate materials used in financial and healthcare settings in the real world and yielded a total score and domain-specific health and financial decision making scores. Two seated and one standing BP measurement were taken with all three contributing to average SBP, MAP that is, [SBP + (2 × DBP)]/3, and PP, that is, SBP − DBP. Participants were queried about hypertension status and antihypertension medications were visually inspected and coded. Participants also underwent medical history and cognitive assessments. Results: In separate multivariable linear regression models, total decision making scores were inversely associated with SBP, MAP, and PP after adjusting for age, sex, education, antihypertension medication use, diabetes, and cumulative cardiovascular disease burden (P values = 0.03). Decision making remained associated with these BP values after additional adjustment for global cognition. Conclusion: Poorer decision making is associated with higher BP values in nondemented older adults

A bronchoscopy-associated pseudo-outbreak of Mycobacterium mucogenicum traced to use of contaminated ice used for bronchoalveolar lavage

Clonal Mycobacterium mucogenicum isolates (determined by molecular typing) were recovered from 19 bronchoscopic specimens from 15 patients. None of these patients had evidence of mycobacterial infection. Laboratory culture materials and bronchoscopes were negative for Mycobacteria. This pseudo-outbreak was caused by contaminated ice used to provide bronchoscopic lavage. Control was achieved by transitioning to sterile ice

Social science for conservation in working landscapes and seascapes

Biodiversity is in precipitous decline globally across both terrestrial and marine environments. Therefore, conservation actions are needed everywhere on Earth, including in the biodiversity rich landscapes and seascapes where people live and work that cover much of the planet. Integrative landscape and seascape approaches to conservation fill this niche. Making evidence-informed conservation decisions within these populated and working landscapes and seascapes requires an in-depth and nuanced understanding of the human dimensions through application of the conservation social sciences. Yet, there has been no comprehensive exploration of potential conservation social science contributions to working landscape and seascape initiatives. We use the Smithsonian Working Land and Seascapes initiative – an established program with a network of 14 sites around the world – as a case study to examine what human dimensions topics are key to improving our understanding and how this knowledge can inform conservation in working landscapes and seascapes. This exploratory study identifies 38 topics and linked questions related to how insights from place-based and problem-focused social science might inform the planning, doing, and learning phases of conservation decision-making and adaptive management. Results also show how conservation social science might yield synthetic and theoretical insights that are more broadly applicable. We contend that incorporating insights regarding the human dimensions into integrated conservation initiatives across working landscapes and seascapes will produce more effective, equitable, appropriate and robust conservation actions. Thus, we encourage governments and organizations working on conservation initiatives in working landscapes and seascapes to increase engagement with and funding of conservation social science