Evaluating the effect of proposed tariff protection for the South African broiler industry

Following the application in March 2013 by the South African Poultry Association for increased tariffs to insure the sustainability of South African broiler production, this paper critically evaluates the effect of increased tariffs on broiler producers and chicken meat consumers in South Africa. Arguing beyond the level of tariffs, it highlights some of the deeper underlying drivers of competitiveness in the industry. From a self-sufficiency perspective, the need to support broiler producers is clear, yet the cost to consumers as well as the segment of the population that would have to bear the cost of higher tariffs is questioned. The proposed tariffs, as well as two other possible scenarios are simulated within a partial equilibrium framework in order to determine the effect on the fundamentals of the South African broiler industry. Simulations highlight the difference in outcomes when imports originating from the EU are also included in the general tariff increase. Under the basic scenario that simulates the impact of the current tariff application by SAPA, consumer prices for whole frozen chicken will increase by 2.6% while producers will enjoy an increase in producer prices of approximately 5%. On average, local production will increase by 16 000 tons per annum in the long run. Although 5% is a significant margin on the bottom line for broiler producers and a 2% increase in the average consumer price seems to be digestible, one has to take a step back and ask the question why our chicken producers cannot compete against imported chicken.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ragr202016-06-30hb201

Abnormal glycosylation in Joubert syndrome type 10.

BACKGROUND: The discovery of disease pathogenesis requires systematic agnostic screening of multiple homeostatic processes that may become deregulated. We illustrate this principle in the evaluation and diagnosis of a 5-year-old boy with Joubert syndrome type 10 (JBTS10). He carried the OFD1 mutation p.Gln886Lysfs*2 (NM_003611.2: c.2656del) and manifested features of Joubert syndrome. METHODS: We integrated exome sequencing, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analyses of plasma and cultured dermal fibroblasts glycomes, and full clinical evaluation of the proband. Analyses of cilia formation and lectin staining were performed by immunofluorescence. Measurement of cellular nucleotide sugar levels was performed with high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection. Statistical analyses utilized the Student\u27s and Fisher\u27s exact t tests. RESULTS: Glycome analyses of plasma and cultured dermal fibroblasts identified abnormal N- and O-linked glycosylation profiles. These findings replicated in two unrelated males with OFD1 mutations. Cultured fibroblasts from affected individuals had a defect in ciliogenesis. The proband\u27s fibroblasts also had an abnormally elevated nuclear sialylation signature and increased total cellular levels of CMP-sialic acid. Ciliogenesis and each glycosylation anomaly were rescued by expression of wild-type OFD1. CONCLUSIONS: The rescue of ciliogenesis and glycosylation upon reintroduction of WT OFD1 suggests that both contribute to the pathogenesis of JBTS10

Isolasi Dan Identifikasi Bakteri Aerob Yang Berpotensi Menjadi Sumber Penularan Infeksi Nosokomial Di Irina a Rsup Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Manado

: Nosocomial infection or Hospital Acquired Infection (HAI) is an infection caused by bacteria, parasite, or virus in the hospital, infection occur at least 72 hours since hospitalized. This infection occurs due to lack of hygiene of the environment causing microorganism infection from environment to human, infection can also occur due to transmission of microorganism from one patient to other patients. Inpatients potentially have very high risk of nosocomial infection occur due to continuous requiring treatment for more than 24 hours. Purpose: To determine the existence of aerobic bacteria that could potentially be the source of transmission of nosocomial infection in Irina A RSUP Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Manado. Method: This research was descriptive with cross sectional approach. Fourteen samples were taken from the surface of medical equipment, bed, floor, and wall of the treatment room and eight samples were taken from the air. Identification of bacteria was performed by culture on agar medium, staining gram, and biochemical test. Result: Bacillus subtilis found in nine samples (41%), Serratia liquefaciens found in five samples (22,7%), Lactobacillus found in two samples (9,1%), Staphylococcus found in two samples (9,1%), Coccus Gram negative found in two samples (9,1%), Enterobacter aerogenes found in one sample (4,5%), and Enterobacter agglomerans found in one sample (4,5%). Conclusion: Bacillus subtilis is the most bacteria which had been found in this research

Rationale and design of a proof-of-concept trial investigating the effect of uninterrupted perioperative (par)enteral nutrition on amino acid profile, cardiomyocytes structure, and cardiac perfusion and metabolism of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malnutrition is very common in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Malnutrition can change myocardial substrate utilization which can induce adverse effects on myocardial metabolism and function. We aim to investigate the hypothesis that there is a disturbed amino acids profile in the cardiac surgical patient which can be normalized by (par)enteral nutrition before, during and after surgery, subsequently improving cardiomyocyte structure, cardiac perfusion and glucose metabolism.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This randomized controlled intervention study investigates the effect of uninterrupted perioperative (par)enteral nutrition on cardiac function in 48 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Patients are given enteral nutrition (n = 16) or parenteral nutrition (n = 16), at least two days before, during, and two days after coronary artery bypass grafting, or are treated according to the standard guidelines (control) (n = 16). We will illustrate the effect of (par)enteral nutrition on differences in concentrations of amino acids and asymmetric dimethylarginine and in activity of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase and arginase in cardiac tissue and blood plasma. In addition, cardiomyocyte structure by histological, immuno-histochemical and ultrastructural analysis will be compared between the (par)enteral and control group. Furthermore, differences in cardiac perfusion and global left ventricular function and glucose metabolism, and their changes after coronary artery bypass grafting are evaluated by electrocardiography-gated myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography respectively. Finally, fat free mass is measured before and after intervention with bioelectrical impedance spectrometry in order to evaluate nutritional status.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Netherlands Trial Register (NTR): <a href="http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=2183">NTR2183</a></p

Risk factors for Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) death in a population cohort study from the Western Cape province, South Africa

Risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) death in sub-Saharan Africa and the effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis on COVID-19 outcomes are unknown. We conducted a population cohort study using linked data from adults attending public-sector health facilities in the Western Cape, South Africa. We used Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for age, sex, location, and comorbidities, to examine the associations between HIV, tuberculosis, and COVID-19 death from 1 March to 9 June 2020 among (1) public-sector “active patients” (≥1 visit in the 3 years before March 2020); (2) laboratory-diagnosed COVID-19 cases; and (3) hospitalized COVID-19 cases. We calculated the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for COVID-19, comparing adults living with and without HIV using modeled population estimates.Among 3 460 932 patients (16% living with HIV), 22 308 were diagnosed with COVID-19, of whom 625 died. COVID19 death was associated with male sex, increasing age, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. HIV was associated with COVID-19 mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70–2.70), with similar risks across strata of viral loads and immunosuppression. Current and previous diagnoses of tuberculosis were associated with COVID-19 death (aHR, 2.70 [95% CI, 1.81–4.04] and 1.51 [95% CI, 1.18–1.93], respectively). The SMR for COVID-19 death associated with HIV was 2.39 (95% CI, 1.96–2.86); population attributable fraction 8.5% (95% CI, 6.1–11.1)

Glial-cell-mediated re-induction of the blood-brain barrier phenotype in brain capillary endothelial cells: A differential gel electrophoresis study

International audienceIn the neurovascular unit, brain microvascular endothelial cells develop characteristic barrier features that control the molecular exchanges between the blood and the brain. These characteristics are partially or totally lost when the cells are isolated for use in in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) models. Hence, the re-induction of barrier properties is crucial for the relevance of BBB models. Although the role of astrocyte promiscuity is well established, the molecular mechanisms of re-induction remain largely unknown. Here, we used a DIGE-based proteomics approach to study endothelial cellular proteins showing significant quantitative variations after BBB re-induction. We confirm that quantitative changes mainly concern proteins involved in cell structure and motility. Furthermore, we describe the possible involvement of the asymmetric dimethylarginine pathway in the BBB phenotype re-induction process and we discuss asymmetric dimethylarginine's potential role in regulating endothelial function (in addition to its role as a by-product of protein modification). Our results also suggest that the intracellular redox potential is lower in the in vitro brain capillary endothelial cells displaying re-induced BBB functions than in cells with limited BBB functions

Mitotic Intragenic Recombination: A Mechanism of Survival for Several Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation.

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs) are disorders of abnormal protein glycosylation that affect multiple organ systems. Because most CDGs have been described in only a few individuals, our understanding of the associated phenotypes and the mechanisms of individual survival are limited. In the process of studying two siblings, aged 6 and 11 years, with MOGS-CDG and biallelic MOGS (mannosyl-oligosaccharide glucosidase) mutations (GenBank: NM_006302.2; c.[65C>A; 329G>A] p.[Ala22Glu; Arg110His]; c.[370C>T] p.[Gln124∗]), we noted that their survival was much longer than the previous report of MOGS-CDG, in a child who died at 74 days of age. Upon mutation analysis, we detected multiple MOGS genotypes including wild-type alleles in their cultured fibroblast and peripheral blood DNA. Further analysis of DNA from cultured fibroblasts of six individuals with compound heterozygous mutations of PMM2 (PMM2-CDG), MPI (MPI-CDG), ALG3 (ALG3-CDG), ALG12 (ALG12-CDG), DPAGT1 (DPAGT1-CDG), and ALG1 (ALG1-CDG) also identified multiple genotypes including wild-type alleles for each. Droplet digital PCR showed a ratio of nearly 1:1 wild-type to mutant alleles for most, but not all, mutations. This suggests that mitotic recombination contributes to the survival and the variable expressivity of individuals with compound heterozygous CDGs. This also provides an explanation for prior observations of a reduced frequency of homozygous mutations and might contribute to increased levels of residual enzyme activity in cultured fibroblasts of individuals with MPI- and PMM2-CDGs

Nutrition before, during, and after surgery increases the arginine:asymmetric dimethylarginine ratio and relates to improved myocardial glucose metabolism: a randomized controlled trial

Nitric oxide (NO) is essential for the optimal perfusion of the heart and its vasculature. NO may be insufficient in surgical patients because its precursor arginine is decreased, and the inhibitor of NO synthesis asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is increased. Besides arginine, the presence of other amino acids essential for the proper metabolism of cardiac cells may be decreased too. Supplementation of these amino acids with enteral and parenteral nutrition before, during, and after surgery may augment the myocardial and plasma arginine:ADMA ratio and availability of amino acids. Myocardial glucose metabolism and nutritional conditioning may result in a reduction of cardiac injury and support rapid recovery after major surgery. We investigated the effect of nutrition before, during, and after surgery on amino acids and the myocardial arginine:ADMA ratio and its relation to myocardial glucose metabolism. In this trial, 33 patients who were undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were randomly assigned between enteral, parenteral, or no nutrition (control) from 2 d before, during, and until 2 d after surgery. Both enteral and parenteral solutions were prepared with commercially available products and included proteins or amino acids, glucose, vitamins, and minerals. Concentrations of amino acids including ADMA were analyzed in myocardial tissue and plasma samples. ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was performed before and after surgery to assess myocardial glucose metabolism. The myocardial arginine:ADMA ratio increased during surgery and was significantly higher in the enteral and parenteral groups than in the control group [median (IQR): 115.0 (98.0-142.2) (P = 0.012), 116.9 (100.3-135.3) (P = 0.004), and 93.3 (82.7-101.1), respectively]. Furthermore, the change in the preoperative to postoperative plasma arginine:ADMA ratio correlated with the change in myocardial glucose metabolism in positron emission tomography (r = 0.427, P = 0.033). Enteral or parenteral nutrition before, during, and after CABG may positively influence myocardial glucose metabolism by increasing the plasma and myocardial arginine:ADMA rati

Promiscuous activity of arginine:glycine amidinotransferase is responsible for the synthesis of the novel cardiovascular risk factor homoarginine

AbstractLow plasma homoarginine has emerged as a risk marker for cardiovascular disease. We exploited cells of a patient with a rare inborn error of metabolism to explore potential pathways of homoarginine synthesis, using stable isotopes and mass spectrometry. Control lymphoblasts, as opposed to lymphoblasts from an arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (AGAT)-deficient patient, were able to synthesize homoarginine from arginine and lysine. In contrast, in a patient with a deficiency of the urea cycle enzyme argininosuccinate synthase, plasma homoarginine was not decreased. We conclude that promiscuous activity of AGAT, a key enzyme in creatine synthesis, plays a pivotal role in homoarginine synthesis