Two Distinct Pathways of B-Cell Development in Peyer’s Patches

The developmental biology of sheep ileal and jejunal Peyer’s patches (PP) was investigated using corticosteroids to deplete immature B lymphocytes. During a 7-day treatment with dexamethasone, ileal PP follicular (iPf)B-cell proliferation was arrested and most iPfB-cells died. This resulted in follicular involution with the survival of mesenchymal cells. No iPfB-cell proliferation was detected in follicular remnants for 4 weeks postdexamethasone treatment, and during a subsequent 3-month period, there was limited iPfB-cell proliferation that resulted in a partial regeneration of follicles. Ileal PP involution was also associated with a severe B lymphopenia that persisted for over 14 weeks and was characterized by the survival of primarily isotype-switched and CD5+ sIgM+ B-cells in blood. In contrast, the size of jejunal PP follicles was reduced following dexamethasone treatment, but intrafollicular B-cell proliferation was not arrested. Furthermore, within 4 weeks, the jejunal PP follicles had recovered in size and cellularity and there was no disruption in IgA plasma-cell production. Thus, dexamethasone selectively depleted iPfB-cells and revealed that the ileal and jejunal PPs contain functionally distinct B-cell populations. The partial regeneration of the iPfB-cell population indicated that either an intrafollicular, corticosteroid-resistant B-stem cell existed or that ileal PP follicles can be repopulated by circulating B-cells. Finally, the association between ileal PP involution and the absence of circulating, CD5- B-cells confirmed that this lymphoid tissue provides an essential environment for conventional sIgM+ B-cell development

A Population-Based Study of the Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease

Objective: Celiac disease (CD) is associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In the current study, we examined whether CD affects the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DRP) in patients with T1D. Research design and methods: This was a population-based cohort study. Through the Swedish National Patient Register, we identified 41,566 patients diagnosed with diabetes in 1964–2009 and who were ≤30 years of age at diagnosis. CD was defined as having villous atrophy (Marsh stage 3) according to small intestinal biopsies performed between 1969 and 2008, with biopsy reports obtained from Sweden’s 28 pathology departments. During follow-up, 947 T1D patients had a diagnosis of CD. We used Cox regression analysis with CD as a time-dependent covariate to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for DRP in patients with T1D and CD and compared them with patients with T1D but no CD. Results: Duration of CD correlated with the risk of DRP. When results were stratified by time since CD diagnosis, individuals with T1D and CD were at a lower risk of DRP in the first 5 years after CD diagnosis (aHR 0.57 [95% CI 0.36–0.91]), followed by a neutral risk in years 5 to <10 (1.03 [0.68–1.57]). With longer follow-up, coexisting CD was a risk factor for DRP (10 to <15 years of follow-up, aHR 2.83 [95% CI 1.95–4.11]; ≥15 years of follow-up, 3.01 [1.43–6.32]). Conclusions: Having a diagnosis of CD for >10 years is a risk factor for the development of DRP in T1D. Long-standing CD in patients with T1D merits intense monitoring of DRP

The Influence of IS1301 in the Capsule Biosynthesis Locus on Meningococcal Carriage and Disease

Previously we have shown that insertion of IS1301 in the sia/ctr intergenic region (IGR) of serogroup C Neisseria meningitidis (MenC) isolates from Spain confers increased resistance against complement-mediated killing. Here we investigate the significance of IS1301 in the same location in N. meningitidis isolates from the UK. PCR and sequencing was used to screen a collection of more than 1500 meningococcal carriage and disease isolates from the UK for the presence of IS1301 in the IGR. IS1301 was not identified in the IGR among vaccine failure strains but was frequently found in serogroup B isolates (MenB) from clonal complex 269 (cc269). Almost all IS1301 insertions in cc269 were associated with novel polymorphisms, and did not change capsule expression or resistance to human complement. After excluding sequence types (STs) distant from the central genotype within cc269, there was no significant difference for the presence of IS1301 in the IGR of carriage isolates compared to disease isolates. Isolates with insertion of IS1301 in the IGR are not responsible for MenC disease in UK vaccine failures. Novel polymorphisms associated with IS1301 in the IGR of UK MenB isolates do not lead to the resistance phenotype seen for IS1301 in the IGR of MenC isolates

Sense of entitlement to support for the reconciliation of employment and family life

This article explores young European women and men’s expectations of support - from the state and employers - for reconciling paid employment and family life. It is based on a qualitative study employing focus groups with young women and men in Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Ireland and the UK. Drawing on the concept of sense of entitlement, derived from social justice theory, it was expected that the type of welfare state and ‘gender contract’ that young adults have experienced will influence their sense of entitlement to support for work and family life. Findings indicate that participants perceived their entitlement to state and employer support differently across national context. However this is moderated by gender, parental and occupational status, and particularly by awareness of provisions in other countries in the case of state support, while perceived entitlement to employer support varies according to the specific policy considered, gender and perception of benefits to employers. Some implications for public policy makers and employers are discussed

Use of electromyography to detect muscle exhaustion in finishing barrows fed ractopamine HCl

Citation: Noel, J. A., Broxterman, R. M., McCoy, G. M., Craig, J. C., Phelps, K. J., Burnett, D. D., . . . Gonzalez, J. M. (2016). Use of electromyography to detect muscle exhaustion in finishing barrows fed ractopamine HCl. Journal of Animal Science, 94(6), 2344-2356. doi:10.2527/jas2016-0398The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of dietary ractopamine HCl (RAC) on muscle fiber characteristics and electromyography (EMG) measures of finishing barrow exhaustion when barrows were subjected to increased levels of activity. Barrows (n = 34; 92 +/- 2 kg initial BW) were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: a conventional swine finishing diet containing 0 mg/kg ractopamine HCl (CON) or a diet formulated to meet the requirements of finishing barrows fed 10 mg/kg RAC (RAC+). After 32 d on feed, barrows were individually moved around a track at 0.79 m/s until subjectively exhausted. Wireless EMG sensors were affixed to the deltoideus (DT), triceps brachii lateral head (TLH), tensor fasciae latae (TFL), and semitendinosus (ST) muscles to measure median power frequency (MdPF) and root mean square (RMS) as indicators of action potential conduction velocity and muscle fiber recruitment, respectively. After harvest, samples of each muscle were collected for fiber type, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and capillary density analysis. Speed was not different (P = 0.82) between treatments, but RAC+ barrows reached subjective exhaustion earlier and covered less distance than CON barrows (P 0.29). There was a treatment x muscle interaction (P = 0.04) for end-point RMS values. The RAC diet did not change end-point RMS values in the DT or TLH (P > 0.37); however, the diet tended to decrease and increase end-point RMS in the ST and TFL, respectively (P 0.10). Muscles of RAC+ barrows tended to have less type I fibers and more capillaries per fiber (P < 0.07). Type I and IIA fibers of RAC+ barrows were larger (P < 0.07). Compared with all other muscles, the ST had more (P < 0.01) type IIB fibers and larger type I, IIA, and IIX fibers (P < 0.01). Type I, IIA, and IIX fibers of the ST also contained less SDH compared with the other muscles (P < 0.01). Barrows fed a RAC diet had increased time to subjective exhaustion due to loss of active muscle fibers in the ST, possibly due to fibers being larger and less oxidative in metabolism. Size increases in type I and IIA fibers with no change in oxidative capacity could also contribute to early exhaustion of RAC+ barrows. Overall, EMG technology can measure real-time muscle fiber loss to help explain subjective exhaustion in barrows

Antibacterial and dermal toxicological profiles of ethyl acetate extract from Crassocephalum bauchiense (Hutch.) Milne-Redh (Asteraceae)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The emergence in recent years of numerous resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria to a range of formerly efficient antibiotics constitutes a serious threat to public health. <it>Crassocephalum bauchiense</it>, a medicinal herb found in the West Region of Cameroon is used to treat gastrointestinal infections as well as liver disorders. The ethyl acetate extract from the leaves of <it>C. bauchiense </it>was evaluated for its antibacterial activity as well as acute and sub-acute toxicities.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The plant extract was prepared by maceration in ethyl acetate. Its phytochemical screening was done by standard methods. The broth microdilution method was used to evaluate the <it>in vitro </it>antibacterial activity. The <it>in vivo </it>antibacterial activity of a gel formulation (0.05, 1 and 2% w/v) of this extract was evaluated using a <it>Staphylococcus aureus</it>-induced dermatitis in a murine model. Selected haematological and biochemical parameters were used to evaluate the dermal sub-acute toxicity of the extract in rats.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phytochemical screening of the <it>C. bauchiense </it>extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, tannins and sterols. <it>In vitro </it>antibacterial activities were observed against all the tested microorganisms (MIC = 0.04-6.25 mg/ml). Formulated extract-gel (2% w/v) and gentamycin (reference drug) eradicated the microbial infection after five days of treatment. A single dermal dose of this extract up to 32 g/kg body weight (bw) did not produce any visible sign of toxicity. Also, daily dermal application of the <it>C. bauchiense </it>extract gel formulation for 28 days did not show any negative effect, instead some biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT and AST), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides were significantly (p < 0.05) affected positively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results indicate that the <it>C. bauchiense </it>ethyl acetate extract can be used safely for the treatment of some bacterial infections.</p

Differences in energy balance-related behaviours in European preschool children: The ToyBox-study

Background: The aim of the current study was to compare levels of energy balance-related behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and dietary behaviours (more specifically water consumption, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and unhealthy snacking)) in four- to six-year-old preschoolers from six European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland, and Spain) within the ToyBox cross-sectional study. Methods: A sample of 4,045 preschoolers (4.77 ± 0.43 years; 52.2% boys) had valid physical activity data (steps per day), parents of 8,117 preschoolers (4.78 ± 0.46 years; 53.0% boys) completed a parental questionnaire with questions on sedentary behaviours (television viewing, computer use, and quiet play), and parents of 7,244 preschoolers (4.77 ± 0.44 years; 52.0% boys) completed a food frequency questionnaire with questions on water consumption, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and unhealthy snacking. Results: The highest levels of physical activity were found in Spain (12,669 steps/day on weekdays), while the lowest levels were found in Bulgaria and Greece (9,777 and 9,656 steps/day on weekdays, respectively). German preschoolers spent the least amount of time in television viewing (43.3 min/day on weekdays), while Greek preschoolers spent the most time in television viewing (88.5 min/day on weekdays). A considerable amount of time was spent in quiet play in all countries, with the highest levels in Poland (104.9 min/day on weekdays), and the lowest levels in Spain (60.4 min/day on weekdays). Belgian, German, and Polish preschoolers had the lowest intakes of water and the highest intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages. The intake of snacks was the highest in Belgian preschoolers (73.1 g/day) and the lowest in Greek preschoolers (53.3 g/day). Conclusions: Across six European countries, differences in preschoolers'' energy balance-related behaviours were found. Future interventions should target European preschoolers '' energy balance- related behaviours simultaneously, but should apply country-specific adaptations