A single heterochronic blood exchange reveals rapid inhibition of multiple tissues by old blood.

Heterochronic parabiosis rejuvenates the performance of old tissue stem cells at some expense to the young, but whether this is through shared circulation or shared organs is unclear. Here we show that heterochronic blood exchange between young and old mice without sharing other organs, affects tissues within a few days, and leads to different outcomes than heterochronic parabiosis. Investigating muscle, liver and brain hippocampus, in the presence or absence of muscle injury, we find that, in many cases, the inhibitory effects of old blood are more pronounced than the benefits of young, and that peripheral tissue injury compounds the negative effects. We also explore mechanistic explanations, including the role of B2M and TGF-beta. We conclude that, compared with heterochronic parabiosis, heterochronic blood exchange in small animals is less invasive and enables better-controlled studies with more immediate translation to therapies for humans

An Evaluation of Max-Flex Fast Fence™ for Reducing Deer Damage to Crops

A 2-year study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of Max-Flex Fast Fence™ electric fencing materials (polytape) for reducing damage to crops. Specifically, our goal was to look at the efficacy of this product for the home gardener. In the first phase of the project, plots of approximately 1/40 acre were established in areas of historically high deer densities. Each plot was planted with soybeans and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 fencing configurations or to the open control group. Within each plot, 6\u27 wide strips were tilled across the length. These tilled areas were checked for the presence of deer tracks. The study design was replicated 3 times to produce 12 treatment plots (3 of each fence configuration) and 3 open controls. Fences were charged via a New Zealand-type high voltage, low-impedance charger. The open controls were fed on heavily by deer and soon were almost void of foliage. Results suggest that under these conditions even a single strand of polytape 2 1/2\u27 high was successful in preventing deer from entering the plots. Phase 2 of the study used a single strand of polytape 2 1/2\u27 feet from the ground to exclude deer from plots ranging in size from 0.025 acres to 1 acre. Each exclosure was planted with soybeans. Three replication areas were selected and plots randomly established within the replicates. The effectiveness of the single strand was much less conclusive than in Phase I, with deer entering all plots at some time during the study. However, there does appear to be a direct relationship between plot size and number of deer tracks observed in the plot. In addition, there were significant differences in fence effectiveness between replicates. We concluded that a single strand of polytape electric fencing, if properly installed, could be a suitable deterrent to deer in a small garden situation

An ecological method for the sampling of nonverbal signalling behaviours of young children with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD)

- Background: Profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) are a complex range of disabilities that affect the general health and wellbeing of the individual and their capacity to interact and learn. - Method: We developed a new methodology to capture the nonsymbolic signalling behaviours of children with PMLD within the context of a face-to-face interaction with a caregiver to provide analysis at a micro-level of descriptive detail incorporating the use of the ELAN digital video software. - Conclusion: The signalling behaviours of participants in a natural, everyday interaction can be better understood with the use of this innovation in methodology, which is predicated on the ecology of communication. Recognition of the developmental ability of the participants is an integral factor within that ecology. The method presented establishes an advanced account of the modalities through which a child affected by PMLD is able to communicate

Erratum: Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 84 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Interpretation: By quantifying levels and trends in exposures to risk factors and the resulting disease burden, this assessment offers insight into where past policy and programme efforts might have been successful and highlights current priorities for public health action. Decreases in behavioural, environmental, and occupational risks have largely offset the effects of population growth and ageing, in relation to trends in absolute burden. Conversely, the combination of increasing metabolic risks and population ageing will probably continue to drive the increasing trends in non-communicable diseases at the global level, which presents both a public health challenge and opportunity. We see considerable spatiotemporal heterogeneity in levels of risk exposure and risk-attributable burden. Although levels of development underlie some of this heterogeneity, O/E ratios show risks for which countries are overperforming or underperforming relative to their level of development. As such, these ratios provide a benchmarking tool to help to focus local decision making. Our findings reinforce the importance of both risk exposure monitoring and epidemiological research to assess causal connections between risks and health outcomes, and they highlight the usefulness of the GBD study in synthesising data to draw comprehensive and robust conclusions that help to inform good policy and strategic health planning

Mineral and geothermal resource potential of the Mount Hood Wilderness, Clackamas and Hood River Counties, Oregon. Summary report and map

The potential for near-surface mineral resources in the Mount Hood Wilderness is low. Geochemical data suggest two areas of weak epithermal mineralization in the Zigzag Mountain part of the wilderness: (1) the Lost Creek-Burnt Lake-Cast Creek-Short Creek area on the north side of Zigzag Mountain where vein-type lead-zinc-silver mineralization occurs; and (2) the Lady Creek-Laurel Hill area on the south side of Zigzag Mountain where the upper part of a quartz diorite pluton has associated propylitic alteration resulting in some porphyry-type copper, gold, silver, lead, and zinc mineralization. Geothermal-resource potential for low- to intermediate-temperature (less than 248/sup 0/F, 120/sup 0/C) hot-water systems in the wilderness is moderate to high. Part of the wilderness is classified as a Known Geothermal Resources Area (KGRA) and two parts have been included in geothermal lease areas. Rock and gravel sources are present within the wilderness; however, quantities of similar and more accessible deposits are available outside the wilderness. Deposits outside the wilderness are large enough to supply local demand in the foreseeable future

Efficacy of Deer Stopper™ Repellent for Reducing White-Tailed Deer Damage to Ornamental Plantings

A 2-year study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of Deer Stopper™ repellent for reducing white-tailed deer damage to ornamental plantings. Efficacy testing was conducted on a captive deer herd at Auburn University’s White-tailed Deer Research Facility and the Stimpson Wildlife Sanctuary, Jackson, AL. Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata), a highly preferred browse species in this area, was used as the test plant at all study sites. Plants were arranged randomly between treatment and control. Treatment plants were sprayed with prescribed applications of Deer Stopper™ and percent defoliation and browsing estimated for each plant. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare effectiveness of treatments. During the first 3 months of the study, deer became acclimated to the plants with little browsing pressure to either treatment or control plants. Once deer began to browse on the shrubs consistently, the mean number of leaves on treatment plants was significantly higher (df=26,1; F=22.11; P=0.000) than the mean number of leaves on control plants. Preliminary analyses of these data suggest that Deer Stopper™ was effective in reducing browsing damage to Japanese Holly