SDN-POA volume, sexual behavior, and partner preference of male rats affected by perinatal treatment with ATD

The present study investigated 1) the importance of the aromatization process during the perinatal period for the development of the sexually dimorphic nucleus in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus (SDN-POA) of male rats, and 2) the relationship between SDN-POA volume and parameters of masculinization in male rats that were treated perinatally with the aromatase-inhibitor ATD. Males were treated with ATD either prenatally or pre- and neonatally, or with the vehicle. Masculine sexual behavior and partner preference were investigated in adulthood. Thereafter, animals were sacrificed and SDN-POA volume was measured. The SDN-POA volume was reduced in both the prenatally and the pre- and neonatally treated group, with a larger reduction in the latter than in the former group. Combined pre- and neonatal ATD treatment resulted in reduced frequency of mounts, intromissions, and ejaculations, as well as a reduced preference for a female over a male. The SDN-POA size was significantly and positively correlated with frequency of masculine sexual behavior, as well as preference for a female over a male

Over het welzijn van in zee gevangen vis

De Stichting Vissenbescherming heeft de hulp van de wetenschapswinkel van Wageningen UR ingeroepen. Zij vraagt haar te ondersteunen met onderzoek dat een stap voorwaarts kan betekenen op weg naar een vissenwelzijnskeurmerk voor in het wild gevangen (zee)vis. In totaal 19 studenten (3 studententeams en 2 masterstudenten) deden voor de wetenschapswinkel (literatuur)onderzoek naar a) welzijn van vissen (met name platvis) in relatie tot de visserij en b) maatschappelijke agendering op het gebied van vissenwelzijn. Op grond van een literatuurstudie wordt geconcludeerd dat steeds meer wetenschappelijke argumenten erop wijzen dat ook vissen pijn lijden en emoties kunnen ervaren. Voor diegenen die deze argumenten in twijfel trekken wordt door Elder bepleit het “voorzorgsprincipe” te hanteren, waarbij ernaar gestreefd wordt het risico op pijn en leed bij vissen zoveel mogelijk te voorkomen

Notice of Retraction and Replacement: Oostdijk et al. Effects of Decontamination of the Oropharynx and Intestinal Tract on Antibiotic Resistance in ICUs: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2014;312(14):1429-1437

Medical Microbiolog

Effects of Decontamination of the Oropharynx and Intestinal Tract on Antibiotic Resistance in ICUs: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE\nSelective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) and selective oropharyngeal decontamination (SOD) are prophylactic antibiotic regimens used in intensive care units (ICUs) and associated with improved patient outcome. Controversy exists regarding the relative effects of both measures on patient outcome and antibiotic resistance.\nOBJECTIVE\nTo compare the effects of SDD and SOD, applied as unit-wide interventions, on antibiotic resistance and patient outcome.\nDESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS\nPragmatic, cluster randomized crossover trial comparing 12 months of SOD with 12 months of SDD in 16 Dutch ICUs between August 1, 2009, and February 1, 2013. Patients with an expected length of ICU stay longer than 48 hours were eligible to receive the regimens, and 5881 and 6116 patients were included in the clinical outcome analysis for SOD and SDD, respectively.\nINTERVENTIONS\nIntensive care units were randomized to administer either SDD or SOD.\nMAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES\nUnit-wide prevalence of antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria. Secondary outcomes were day-28 mortality, ICU-acquired bacteremia, and length of ICU stay.\nRESULTS\nIn point-prevalence surveys, prevalences of antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria in perianal swabs were significantly lower during SDD compared with SOD; for aminoglycoside resistance, average prevalence was 5.6% (95% CI, 4.6%-6.7%) during SDD and 11.8% (95% CI, 10.3%-13.2%) during SOD (P < .001). During both interventions the prevalence of rectal carriage of aminoglycoside-resistant gram-negative bacteria increased 7% per month (95% CI, 1%-13%) during SDD (P = .02) and 4% per month (95% CI, 0%-8%) during SOD (P = .046; P = .40 for difference). Day 28-mortality was 25.4% and 24.1% during SOD and SDD, respectively (adjusted odds ratio, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.88-1.06]; P = .42), and there were no statistically significant differences in other outcome parameters or between surgical and nonsurgical patients. Intensive care unit-acquired bacteremia occurred in 5.9% and 4.6% of the patients during SOD and SDD, respectively (odds ratio, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.65-0.91]; P = .002; number needed to treat, 77).\nCONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE\nUnit-wide application of SDD and SOD was associated with low levels of antibiotic resistance and no differences in day-28 mortality. Compared with SOD, SDD was associated with lower rectal carriage of antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria and ICU-acquired bacteremia but a more pronounced gradual increase in aminoglycoside-resistant gram-negative bacteria.\nTRIAL REGISTRATION\ntrialregister.nlIdentifier: NTR1780.Perioperative Medicine: Efficacy, Safety and Outcom