Further records of dorylaim species from Botswana (Nematoda: Dorylaimida)

Seven known dorylaim species are recorded from Botswana. Illustrations and brief descriptions are given for Neoactinolaimus thornei Chaturvedi & Khera, 1979; Nygolaimus anneckei Heyns, 1968; Solididens vulgaris (Thorne, 1930) Thorne, 1974; Axodorylaimellus caffrae (Kruger, 1965) Jairajpuri & Ahmad, 1980; Dorylaimellus andrassyi Heyns, 1963; Dorylaimellus directus Heyns, 1963 and Tylencholaìmus dorae Kruger, 1965

Dorylaimida (Nematoda) from Botswana

Thirteen nematode species are recorded from Botswana. Illustrations are given for Ecuménicas monohystera (de Man, 1880) Thome, 1974; Eudorylaimus diadematus (Cobb in Thorne & Swanger, 1936) Andrássy, 1959; Labronema mauritiense Williams, 1959; Disoolaimus brevis Siddiqi, 1964; D. major Thorne, 1939; Aporcelaimellus adriaani Botha & Heyns, 1990; A. micropunctatus Botha & Heyns, 1990; A. papillatus (Bastian, 1965) Baqri & Khera, 1975; A. parapapillatus  Botha & Heyns, 1990 and a specimen belonging to Prodorylaimus or to Laimydorus. Measurements are given for the above-mentioned species as well as for Discolaimium simplex Siddiqi, 1965 and Discolaimoides bulbiferus (Cobb, 1906) Heyns, 1963. A new Mesodorylaimus species viz. M. usitatoides is described. For the first time males are described for A. adriaaniand A. micropunctatus. Discolaimus paramajor Coomans, 1966 is considered a possible synonym of D. major

Heterosubtypic cross-reactivity of HA1 antibodies to influenza A, with emphasis on nonhuman subtypes (H5N1, H7N7, H9N2)

Epidemics of influenza A vary greatly in size and age distribution of cases, and this variation is attributed to varying levels of pre-existing immunity. Recent studies have shown that antibody-mediated immune responses are more cross-reactive than previously believed, and shape patterns of humoral immunity to influenza A viruses over long periods. Here we quantify antibody responses to the hemagglutinin subunit 1 (HA1) across a range of subtypes using protein microarray analysis of cross-sectional serological surveys carried out in the Netherlands before and after the A/2009 (H1N1) pandemic. We find significant associations of responses, both within and between subtypes. Interestingly, substantial overall reactivity is observed to HA1 of avian H7N7 and H9N2 viruses. Seroprevalence of H7N7 correlates with antibody titers to A/1968 (H3N2), and is highest in persons born between 1954 and 1969. Seroprevalence of H9N2 is high across all ages, and correlates strongly with A/1957 (H2N2). This correlation is most pronounced in A/2009 (H1N1) infected persons born after 1968 who have never encountered A/1957 (H2N2)-like viruses. We conclude that heterosubtypic antibody cross-reactivity, both between human subtypes and between human and nonhuman subtypes, is common in the human population

Preoperative fasting protects against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in aged and overweight mice

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is inevitable during kidney transplantation leading to oxidative stress and inflammation. We previously reported that preoperative fasting in young-lean male mice protects against IRI. Since patients are generally of older age with morbidities possibly leading to a different response to fasting, we investigated the effects of preoperative fasting on renal IRI in aged-overweight male and female mice. Male and female F1-FVB/C57BL6-hybrid mice, average age 73 weeks weighing 47.2 grams, were randomized to preoperative ad libitum feeding or 3 days fasting, followed by renal IRI. Body weight, kidney function and survival of the animals were monitored until day 28 postoperatively. Kidney histopathology was scored for all animals and gene expression profiles after fasting were analyzed in kidneys of young and aged male mice. Preoperative fasting significantly improved survival after renal IRI in both sexes compared with normal fed mice. Fasted groups had a better kidney function shown by lower serum urea levels after renal IRI. Histopathology showed less acute tubular necrosis and more regeneration in kidneys from fasted mice. A mRNA analysis indicated the involvement of metabolic processes including fatty acid oxidation and retinol metabolism, and the NRF2-mediated stress response. Similar to young-lean, healthy male mice, preoperative fasting protects against renal IRI in aged-overweight mice of both genders. These findings suggest a general protective response of fasting against renal IRI regardless of age, gender, body weight and genetic background. Therefore, fasting could be a non-invasive intervention inducing increased oxidative stress resistance in older and overweight patients as well

Easing the transition: do Talent Lessons and Talent Talks support students’ self-regulated learning skills in the transition from primary to secondary education?

IntroductionThe transition from primary to secondary school is a period that can affect students negatively, with regular drops in academic achievement observed. Training students’ self-regulated learning skills might help prevent some of the negative outcomes associated with the transition. We investigate Talent Talk and Talent Lesson interventions, which aim to improve students’ metacognitive and affective self-regulation through enhancement of personal significance and strengthening of task-analysis skills.MethodThe present study researched whether Talents Talks and Talent Lessons can be used to improve students’ self-regulated learning skills, motivation, and self-efficacy. We employed a quasi-experimental 2 × 2 design comparing four groups (total N = 233), who received either Talent Talks or Talent Lessons, both, or neither. Students were tested at three separate moments on absolute monitoring accuracy and self-report measures of self-regulated learning, motivation, and self-efficacy, with the interventions being implemented between the first and second moment.ResultsThere were no significant differences between conditions at any of the test moments.DiscussionAs such, there is at present no evidence suggesting that Talent Talks and Talent Lessons positively influence self-regulation, self-efficacy, and motivation. Effectiveness of the intervention might be increased if Talent Talks and Talent Lessons are adapted, so that students’ reflections about talents are tailored to self-regulation of specific tasks

A signature of renal stress resistance induced by short-Term dietary restriction, fasting, and protein restriction

During kidney transplantation, ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) induces oxidative stress. Short-Term preoperative 30% dietary restriction (DR) and 3-day fasting protect against renal IRI. We investigated the contribution of macronutrients to this protection on both phenotypical and transcriptional levels. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed control food ad libitum, underwent two weeks of 30%DR, 3-day fasting, or received a protein-, carbohydrate-or fat-free diet for various periods of time. After completion of each diet, renal gene expression was investigated using microarrays. After induction of renal IRI by clamping the renal pedicles, animals were monitored seven days postoperatively for signs of IRI. In addition to 3-day fasting and two weeks 30%DR, three days of a protein-free diet protected against renal IRI as well, whereas the other diets did not. Gene expression patterns significantly overlapped between all diets except the fat-free diet. Detailed meta-Analysis showed involvement of nuclear receptor signaling via transcription factors, including FOXO3, HNF4A and HMGA1. In conclusion, three days of a protein-free diet is sufficient to induce protection against renal IRI similar to 3-day fasting and two weeks of 30%DR. The elucidated network of common protective pathways and transcription factors further improves our mechanistic insight into the increased stress resistance induced by short-Term DR

Thermocapillary actuation of liquid flow on chemically patterned surfaces

We have investigated the thermocapillary flow of a Newtonian liquid on hydrophilic microstripes which are lithographically defined on a hydrophobic surface. The speed of the microstreams is studied as a function of the stripe width w, the applied thermal gradient |dT/dx| and the liquid volume V deposited on a connecting reservoir pad. Numerical solutions of the flow speed as a function of downstream position show excellent agreement with experiment. The only adjustable parameter is the inlet film height, which is controlled by the ratio of the reservoir pressure to the shear stress applied to the liquid stream. In the limiting cases where this ratio is either much smaller or much larger than unity, the rivulet speed shows a power law dependency on w, |dT/dx| and V. In this study we demonstrate that thermocapillary driven flow on chemically patterned surfaces can provide an elegant and tunable method for the transport of ultrasmall liquid volumes in emerging microfluidic technologies

Flow cytometric assessment of leukocyte kinetics for the monitoring of tissue damage

Leukocyte populations quickly respond to tissue damage, but most leukocyte kinetic studies are not based on multiparameter flow cytometry. We systematically investigated several blood leukocyte populations after controlled tissue damage. 48 patients were assigned to either an anterior or posterolateral total hip arthroplasty. Peripheral blood was collected pre-operatively and at 2 h, 24 h, 48 h, 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively and assessed by flow cytometry for absolute counts of multiple leukocyte populations using standardized EuroFlow protocols. Absolute counts of leukocyte subsets differed significantly between consecutive time points. Neutrophils increased instantly after surgery, while most leukocyte subsets initially decreased, followed by increasing cell counts until 48 h. At two weeks all leukocyte counts were restored to pre-operative counts. Immune cell kinetics upon acute tissue damage exhibit reproducible patterns, which differ between the leukocyte subsets and with “opposite kinetics” among monocyte subsets. Flow cytometric leukocyte monitoring can be used to minimally invasively monitor tissue damage.This was supported by Stichting Anna Fonds/NOREF (Dutch Orthopedic Research and Education Fund) and the Erasmus MC Medical research grant (grant no. DRP337224)

Caloric restriction is associated with preservation of muscle strength in experimental cancer cachexia

Caloric restriction increases lifespan and healthspan, and limits age-associated muscle wasting. In this study, we investigate the impact of 30% caloric restriction (CR) in a murine cancer cachexia model. Forty CD2F1 mice were allocated as C26 tumor-bearing (TB) + ad libitum food intake (dietary reference intake [DRI]), TB CR, non-TB (NTB) CR, or NTB matched intake (MI). TB groups were inoculated subcutaneously with 0.5x106 C26 cells 14 days after initiating CR. Bodyweight, food intake, and grip-strength were recorded periodically. Gastrocnemius (GCM) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were resected and weighed 3 weeks after tumor inoculation. mRNA expression of MuRF1, Atrogin-1, myogenin, and MyoD was determined. At tumor inoculation, the mean body weight of TB CR was 88.6% of initial body weight and remained stable until sacrifice. TB DRI showed wasting befor