The effect of Mannheimia haemolytica pneumonia on antimicrobial peptide expression in ruminant lung

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of the inflammatory response during Mannheimia haemolytica pneumonia on expression of selected antimicrobial peptides in the ruminant lung. The first study determined the presence of anionic peptide (AP) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of neonatal calves during acute inflammation. Anionic peptide was present at a similar concentration in all infected and uninfected calves and was three times higher in neonates than in adult cattle; however, BALF from neonates had little or no anti-M. haemolytica activity in vitro, compared with adult cattle. As neutrophils have an important role in pulmonary tissue damage associated with M. haemolytica infection, the effect of a selectin inhibitor, TBC1269, used on a group of infected calves, was determined. TBC1269 decreased the amount of pulmonary tissue injury in infected calves; however, it had no effect on BALF AP concentration or antimicrobial activity. The second study used the same calves to examine the presence in the lung during acute inflammation of an inducible beta-defensin, tracheal antimicrobial peptide (TAP). In addition, two molecules vital to neutrophil infiltration, interleukin (IL)-8 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 were examined. Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of TAP and ICAM-1 was found to be rapidly upregulated; however, there was variation between individual animals that could result in suboptimal innate immunity at birth. In addition, it was found that TBC 1269 did not significantly alter TAP expression. Also, within individuals, there was positive correlation between mRNA expression of TAP and IL-8, suggesting common pro inflammatory stimuli for upregulation. In the final study, a suspected inducible ovine beta defensin, sheep beta-defensin-1 (SBD-1), was examined during acute, subacute and chronic inflammation. Surprisingly, it was found that there was no difference in SBD-1 mRNA expression in infected and uninfected sheep, nor did this expression change over time after infection. These results suggest that SBD-1 expression is constitutive in lung and is not altered during acute, subacute or chronic inflammation. The above studies demonstrate that antimicrobial peptide expression is a dynamic process in the ruminant lung during M. haemolytica pneumonia and can be markedly affected by the degree of pulmonary inflammation

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Associations of actigraphy‐assessed sleep variables with adiposity and serum cardiometabolic outcomes in emerging adults

SummaryThis study assessed associations of actigraphy‐assessed sleep with adiposity and serum cardiometabolic outcomes in emerging adults, and whether sex and race modified these associations. Data on 147 emerging adults (age = 19.4 ± 1.3 years; body mass index = 26.4 ± 7.0 kg m$^{−2}$; 59% female; 65% White) from RIGHT Track Health were used. Actigraphy‐based sleep measures included sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep timing midpoint, day‐to‐day sleep duration and sleep timing midpoint variability. Combined sleep duration and sleep timing behaviours were also derived (early‐bed/late‐rise, early‐bed/early‐rise, late‐bed/late‐rise, late‐bed/early‐rise). Outcomes included body mass index and BodPod‐assessed fat mass index, fasting serum leptin, C‐reactive protein, and homeostatic model assessment‐insulin resistance. Sleep duration was 5.4 h per night. We noted an inverse association between sleep duration and homeostatic model assessment‐insulin resistance. The early‐bed/early‐rise group had greater body mass index, C‐reactive protein and homeostatic model assessment‐insulin resistance compared with the early‐bed/late‐rise group (referent). Sex modified associations of sleep efficiency with C‐reactive protein; stratified results revealed positive association between sleep efficiency and C‐reactive protein in males, but not females. Race modified associations of sleep duration with body mass index and leptin, and of sleep duration variability with C‐reactive protein. Stratified analyses revealed inverse associations between sleep duration with body mass index and leptin in Black, multiracial/other race individuals only. Positive association between sleep duration variability and C‐reactive protein was noted in White individuals only. Shorter sleep duration, particularly when combined with earlier sleep timing, is associated with greater adiposity and serum cardiometabolic outcomes. Additional studies are needed to assess individual‐ and contextual‐level factors that may contribute to sex and race differences in sleep health and cardiometabolic risk in emerging adults

Engaging older adults in healthcare research and planning: a realist synthesis

Background The importance of engaging the community in healthcare research and planning has been widely recognized. Currently however, there is a limited focus on older adults, Canada’s fastest growing segment of the population and biggest users of the healthcare system. Objective This project aimed to develop an understanding of engagement of older adults and their caregivers in healthcare research and planning. Method A realist synthesis was conducted of the available knowledge on engagement in healthcare research and planning. The search methodology was informed by a framework for realist syntheses following five phases, including consultations with older adults. The synthesis included theoretical frameworks, and both peer-reviewed and grey literature. Results The search generated 15,683 articles, with 562 focusing on healthcare research and planning. The review lead to the development of a framework to engage older adults and their caregivers in healthcare research and planning. The 5 stages environment, plan, establish, build, and transition are accompanied with example context, mechanism, and outcomes to guide the use of this framework. Conclusion We have identified a framework that promotes meaningful engagement of older adults and their caregivers. We are continuing to collaborate with our community partners to further develop and evaluate engagement strategies that align with the presented framework.This work was supported by a Knowledge Synthesis Grant from the Technology Evaluation for the Elderly Network (TVN), grant # KS2013-08, which is funded by the Government of Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Program

The effects of partial sleep restriction and altered sleep timing on appetite and food reward.

We examined the effects of partial sleep restriction (PSR) with an advanced wake-time or delayed bedtime on measures of appetite, food reward and subsequent energy intake (EI). Twelve men and 6 women (age: 23 ± 4 years, body fat: 18.8 ± 10.1%) participated in 3 randomized crossover sessions: control (habitual bed- and wake-time), 50% PSR with an advanced wake-time and 50% PSR with a delayed bedtime. Outcome variables included sleep architecture (polysomnography), ad libitum EI (validated food menu), appetite sensations (visual analogue scales), the satiety quotient (SQ; mm/100 kcal) and food reward (Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire and the relative-reinforcing value (RRV) of preferred food task). Increased fasting and post-standard breakfast appetite ratings were noted following PSR with an advanced wake-time compared to the control and PSR with a delayed bedtime sessions (Fasting hunger ratings: 77 ± 16 vs. 65 ± 18 and 64 ± 16; P = 0.01; Post-meal hunger AUC: 5982 ± 1781 vs. 4508 ± 2136 and 5198 ± 2201; P = 0.03). Increased explicit wanting and liking for high-relative to low-fat foods were also noted during the advanced wake-time vs. control session (Explicit wanting: -3.5 ± 12.5 vs. -9.3 ± 8.9, P = 0.01; Explicit liking: -1.6 ± 8.5 vs. -7.8 ± 9.6, P = 0.002). No differences in the RRV of preferred food, the SQ and ad libitum lunch intake were noted between sessions. These findings suggest that appetite sensations and food reward are increased following PSR with an advanced wake-time, rather than delayed bedtime, vs. CONTROL: However, this did not translate into increased EI during a test meal. Given the increasing prevalence of shift workers and incidences of sleep disorders, additional studies are needed to evaluate the prolonged effects of voluntary sleep restriction with altered sleep timing on appetite and EI measurements

Host Plant Volatiles and the Sexual Reproduction of the Potato Aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae

Abstract: In late summer, heteroecious aphids, such as the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, move from their secondary summer host plants to primary host plants, where the sexual oviparae mate and lay diapausing eggs. We tested the hypothesis that volatiles of the primary host, Rosa rugosa, would attract the gynoparae, the parthenogenetic alate morph that produce oviparae, as well as the alate males foraging for suitable mates. In wind tunnel assays, both gynoparae and males oriented towards and reached rose cuttings significantly more often than other odour sources, including potato, a major secondary host. The response of males was as high to rose cuttings alone as to potato with a calling virgin oviparous female. These findings are discussed within the seasonal ecology of host alternating aphids

Antiviral, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of selenoesters and selenoanhydrides

Selenoesters and the selenium isostere of phthalic anhydride are bioactive selenium compounds with a reported promising activity in cancer, both due to their cytotoxicity and capacity to reverse multidrug resistance. Herein we evaluate the antiviral, the biofilm inhibitory, the antibacterial and the antifungal activities of these compounds. The selenoanhydride and 7 out of the 10 selenoesters were especially potent antiviral agents in Vero cells infected with herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2). In addition, the tested selenium derivatives showed interesting antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, as well as a moderate antifungal activity in resistant strains of Candida spp. They were inactive against anaerobes, which may indicate that the mechanism of action of these derivatives depends on the presence of oxygen. The capacity to inhibit the bacterial biofilm can be of particular interest in the treatment of nosocomial infections and in the coating of surfaces of prostheses. Finally, the potent antiviral activity observed converts these selenium derivatives into promising antiviral agents with potential medical applications.The study was supported by the project SZTE ÁOK-KKA 2018/270-62-2 of the University of Szeged, Faculty of Medicine. Gabriella Spengler was also supported by the János Bolyai Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The authors of this paper received funding from the Márton Áron Research Programme financed by the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Aairs and Trade. AK was supported by the New National Excellence Program (ÚNKP-18-3) of the Ministry of Human Capacities of Hungary and by the Campus mundi short-study program of the Tempus Public Foundation. EDA was supported by the Spanish “Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas” (201780I027) (CSIC, Spanish National Research Council). CSM wishes to express gratitude to UNED-Pamplona, Fundación Bancaria “La Caixa”, and “Fundación Caja Navarra” for financial support for the project. JMAB and HEM are supported by a BBSRC David Phillips Fellowship to JMAB (BB/M02623X/1)

Short sleep duration is associated with greater alcohol consumption in adults

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between sleep duration and alcohol consumption in adults (301 men and 402 women aged 18–64 years) from the greater Quebec City area. Sleep duration (self-reported), alcohol consumption (3-day food record and questions on drinking habits), and disinhibition eating behavior trait (score =6 on the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire) were assessed. Participants were categorized as short- (=6 h), average- (7–8 h) or long- (=9 h) duration sleepers. Overall, short-duration sleepers consumed significantly more alcohol than the two other sleep-duration groups. After adjusting for relevant covariates, short sleep duration was associated with an increase in the odds of exceeding the recommendations for sensible weekly alcohol intake of 14 drinks for men and 7 drinks for women compared to those sleeping between 7 and 8 h (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.03–3.54, both sexes combined). In both men and women, daily alcohol intake was significantly higher in short-duration sleepers having a high disinhibition eating behavior trait. However, the prevalence of a binge drinking occasion (i.e. =5 drinks on one occasion) was more common in men than women. Men sleeping less than 6 h per night with a disinhibited eating behavior were more likely to report binge drinking (41% of them). In summary, the combination of short sleep duration with disinhibited eating behavior is associated with greater alcohol intake in adults

Possible factors for altered energy balance across the menstrual cycle: a closer look at the severity of PMS, reward driven behaviors and leptin variations

This paper reviews the literature on the variations in energy intake (EI), energy expenditure (EE) and the factors which may affect the fluctuations in EI across the menstrual cycle. While no significant changes in body weight and body fat percentage have been noted across the cycle, increases in EI and EE have been well documented during the luteal phase in lean women. The occurrence and severity of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and food reinforcement are suggested to affect EI. It is not known, however, whether food reinforcement may affect EI across the menstrual cycle. These factors may also affect overweight/obese women differently than normal-weight women at times during which women may be more prone to episodes of overeating during the menstrual cycle. Certain studies have also noted fluctuations in leptin levels across the menstrual cycle, while others have not. It has also been suggested that variations in leptin levels may affect the rewarding value of food in order to maintain proper body weight and adiposity level. We emphasize that future studies should evaluate the variations in energy balance across the cycle in overweight/obese women, as well as the strength of the relationships between food reinforcement and the severity of PMS with energy and macronutrient intakes