Measurements in Flight of the Lateral-Control Characteristics of an Airplane Equipped with Full-Span Zap Flaps and Simple Circular-Arc-Type Ailerons

Flight tests were conducted on the OS2U-2 seaplane with simple circular-arc-type ailerons directly connected to the actuating torque tube. Two aileron test installations were made, differing only in the inclination of the projecting surface with the wing's upper surface. The lateral-control characteristics of the airplane were determined from data obtained in stalls and rudder-fixed aileron rolls. The revised ailerons were deficient in maximum rolling effectiveness, but were capable of controlling the rolling tendencies of the airplane near the stall

Data supporting development and validation of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantitative determination of bile acids in feces

Measuring bile acids in feces has an important role in disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and can be considered a measure of health status. Therefore, the primary aim was to develop a sensitive, robust, and high throughput liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method with minimal sample preparation for quantitative determination of bile acids in human feces applicable to large cohorts. Due to the chemical diversity of bile acids, their wide concentration range in feces, and the complexity of feces itself, developing a sensitive and selective analytical method for bile acids is challenging. A simple extraction method using methanol suitable for subsequent quantification by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry has been reported in, “Extraction and quantitative determination of bile acids in feces” [1]. The data highlight the importance of optimization of the extraction procedure and the stability of the bile acids in feces post-extraction and prior to analysis and after several freeze-thaw cycles

Changes to the Gut Microbiome in Young Children Showing Early Behavioral Signs of Autism

The human gut microbiome has increasingly been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is a neurological developmental disorder, characterized by impairments to social interaction. The ability of the gut microbiota to signal across the gut-brain-microbiota axis with metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, impacts brain health and has been identified to play a role in the gastrointestinal and developmental symptoms affecting autistic children. The fecal microbiome of older children with ASD has repeatedly shown particular shifts in the bacterial and fungal microbial community, which are significantly different from age-matched neurotypical controls, but it is still unclear whether these characteristic shifts are detectable before diagnosis. Early microbial colonization patterns can have long-lasting effects on human health, and pre-emptive intervention may be an important mediator to more severe autism. In this study, we characterized both the microbiome and short-chain fatty acid concentrations of fecal samples from young children between 21 and 40 months who were showing early behavioral signs of ASD. The fungal richness and acetic acid concentrations were observed to be higher with increasing autism severity, and the abundance of several bacterial taxa also changed due to the severity of ASD. Bacterial diversity and SCFA concentrations were also associated with stool form, and some bacterial families were found with differential abundance according to stool firmness. An exploratory analysis of the microbiome associated with pre-emptive treatment also showed significant differences at multiple taxonomic levels. These differences may impact the microbial signaling across the gut-brain-microbiota axis and the neurological development of the children

Changes to the gut microbiome in young children showing early behavioral signs of autism

The human gut microbiome has increasingly been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is a neurological developmental disorder, characterized by impairments to social interaction. The ability of the gut microbiota to signal across the gut-brain-microbiota axis with metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, impacts brain health and has been identified to play a role in the gastrointestinal and developmental symptoms affecting autistic children. The fecal microbiome of older children with ASD has repeatedly shown particular shifts in the bacterial and fungal microbial community, which are significantly different from age-matched neurotypical controls, but it is still unclear whether these characteristic shifts are detectable before diagnosis. Early microbial colonization patterns can have long-lasting effects on human health, and pre-emptive intervention may be an important mediator to more severe autism. In this study, we characterized both the microbiome and short-chain fatty acid concentrations of fecal samples from young children between 21 and 40 months who were showing early behavioral signs of ASD. The fungal richness and acetic acid concentrations were observed to be higher with increasing autism severity, and the abundance of several bacterial taxa also changed due to the severity of ASD. Bacterial diversity and SCFA concentrations were also associated with stool form, and some bacterial families were found with differential abundance according to stool firmness. An exploratory analysis of the microbiome associated with pre-emptive treatment also showed significant differences at multiple taxonomic levels. These differences may impact the microbial signaling across the gut-brain-microbiota axis and the neurological development of the children

Dietary fibre intervention for gut microbiota, sleep, and mental health in adults with irritable bowel syndrome: A scoping review

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting 4–5% of the global population. This disorder is associated with gut microbiota, diet, sleep, and mental health. This scoping review therefore aims to map existing research that has administrated fibre-related dietary intervention to IBS individuals and reported outcomes on at least two of the three following themes: gut microbiota, sleep, and mental health. Five digital databases were searched to identify and select papers as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Five articles were included in the assessment, where none reported on all three themes or the combination of gut microbiota and sleep. Two studies identified alterations in gut microbiota and mental health with fibre supplementation. The other three studies reported on mental health and sleep outcomes using subjective questionnaires. IBS-related research lacks system biology-type studies targeting gut microbiota, sleep, and mental health in patients undergoing diet intervention. Further IBS research is required to explore how human gut microbiota functions (such as short-chain fatty acids) in sleep and mental health, following the implementation of dietary pattern alteration or component supplementation. Additionally, the application of objective sleep assessments is required in order to detect sleep change with more accuracy and less bias

Use of alcohol and drugs by Norwegian employees: a pilot study using questionnaires and analysis of oral fluid

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The use of alcohol and drugs may affect workplace safety and productivity. Little is known about the magnitude of this problem in Norway.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Employee recruitment methods with or without individual follow-up were compared. The employees filled in a questionnaire and provided a sample of oral fluid. Samples were analysed for alcohol, ethyl glucuronide (EtG; a biological marker of recent large alcohol intake), psychoactive medicinal drugs and illegal drugs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Participation rates with and without individual follow-up were 96% and 68%, respectively. Alcohol was negative (≤0.1 mg/ml) in all samples, but 21.0% reported the intake of alcohol during the last 24 h. EtG was positive (>2.2 ng/ml) in 2.1% of the samples. In-efficiency or hangover at work during the past year was reported by 24.3%, while 6.2% had been absent from work due to the use of alcohol. The combination of self-report and analytical testing indicated that medicinal or illegal drugs had been used during the last 48 h by 5.1% and 1.7% of the participants, respectively; while only 4.2% and 0.4% admitted the use in the questionnaire.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Self-reported data suggest that hangover after drinking alcohol appears to be the largest substance abuse problem at Norwegian workplaces, resulting in absence and inefficiency at work. Analysis of oral fluid revealed that the use of illegal drugs was more common than drinking alcohol before working or at the workplace. The analysis of oral fluid may be a valuable tool in obtaining additional information on alcohol and drug use compared to using questionnaires alone.</p

Parenting Intervention and the Prevention of Serious Mental Health Problems in Children

The reduction of coercive or inadequate parenting is essential if the mental health status of Australian children and adolescents is to be improved. Of the available approaches that address parenting practices, behavioural family interventions have the strongest empirical support and are effective in reducing parenting practices that contribute to the development of behavioural and emotional problems in children. However, only a small proportion of parents access such interventions. A comprehensive multilevel, evidence-based parenting and family support strategy needs to be implemented on a wide scale to reduce the prevalence of mental health problems in children and youth. The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is an example of a population-level strategy that can be used to improve the mental health status of children and their parents

Adjunctive dabigatran therapy improves outcome of experimental left-sided <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> endocarditis

<div><p>Background</p><p><i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> is the most frequent and fatal cause of left-sided infective endocarditis (IE). New treatment strategies are needed to improve the outcome. <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> coagulase promotes clot and fibrin formation. We hypothesized that dabigatran, could reduce valve vegetations and inflammation in <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> IE.</p><p>Methods</p><p>We used a rat model of severe aortic valve <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> IE. All infected animals were randomized to receive adjunctive dabigatran (10 mg/kg b.i.d., <i>n</i> = 12) or saline (controls, <i>n</i> = 11) in combination with gentamicin. Valve vegetation size, bacterial load, cytokine, cell integrins expression and peripheral platelets and neutrophils were assessed 3 days post-infection.</p><p>Results</p><p>Adjunctive dabigatran treatment significantly reduced valve vegetation size compared to controls (p< 0.0001). A significant reduction of the bacterial load in aortic valves was seen in dabigatran group compared to controls (p = 0.02), as well as expression of key pro-inflammatory markers keratinocyte-derived chemokine, IL-6, ICAM-1, TIMP-1, L-selectin (p< 0.04). Moreover, the dabigatran group had a 2.5-fold increase of circulating platelets compared to controls and a higher expression of functional and activated platelets (CD62p⁺) unbound to neutrophils.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Adjunctive dabigatran reduced the vegetation size, bacterial load, and inflammation in experimental <i>S</i>. <i>aureus</i> IE.</p></div