Untreated and Enzyme-Modified Bovine Whey Products Reduce Association of Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Cronobacter malonaticus (formerly Enterobacter sakazakii) to CaCo-2 Cells

Adhesion of a micro-organism to a cell surface is often considered to be the first step in pathogenesis. Inhibiting this process may have therapeutic effects in vivo. This study investigates the inhibitory effects of various bovine whey products on the association of Salm. Typhimurium, E. coli O157:H7 and C. malonaticus (formerly Enterobacter sakazakii) to the human CaCo-2 cell line. Invasion of CaCo-2 cells by Salm. Typhimurium and C. malonaticus was also examined

Networked Geotechnical Near Real-Time Monitoring for Large Urban Excavation Using Multiple Wireless Sensors

A massive urban excavation is required to construct the below-grade rail platforms for the Transbay Transit Center. A performance-based approach was used to design the minimum stiffness of the shoring system to limit excavation-induced ground movements to appropriate magnitudes and minimize impact to adjacent infrastructure. During construction, a fully-automated near real-time digital geotechnical monitoring system that integrates wireless sensor data streams into an integrated database and decision support system called the Global Analyzer is used to track the performance of this excavation. Instrumentation used for monitoring includes inclinometers, deep settlement markers, extensometers, piezometers, and an automated total station network. Some of the advantages of the Global Analyzer system include (a) integration of all project monitoring data and construction history information in a centralized database, (b) the ability to compare measured and estimated or target performance, (c) the use of early indicators to understand problems areas prior to excavation reaching critical stages, (d) the distribution of geotechnical monitoring data to adjacent building owners and other stakeholders through a web-based portal, and (e) the generation of computer generated email alerts when threshold values are exceeded by a given instrument. The Global Analyzer is a key tool in supporting an efficient decision process informed by more complete and timely performance data. It represents a component of the decision support process needed in the observational approach and deformation control. This application is relatively new to such a large scale project in the US and provides an example of a large complex data collection and distribution system. The monitoring process used for this project takes advantage of the latest communications technologies in the monitoring of the construction of the Transbay Transit Center excavation in its complex urban environment

Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies

Retained foreign bodies within the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are common emergency presentations. The majority will pass spontaneously or be removed endoscopically, but a few selected cases may require emergency surgery for removal. This chapter reviews the management of foreign bodies within the GIT including both instances of foreign body ingestions and foreign body insertions. The scope of this chapter is not limited to evidence‐based data on selection of cases for conservative management but also includes data on endoscopic and surgical management

Enhancing career development of postdoctoral trainees: act locally and beyond

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149264/1/tjp13462.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149264/2/tjp13462_am.pd

Convergent evolution of pregnancy-specific glycoproteins in human and horse

Pregnancy-specific glycoproteins (PSGs) are members of the carcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion molecule (CEACAM) family that are secreted by trophoblast cells. PSGs may modulate immune, angiogenic and platelet responses during pregnancy. Until now, PSGs are only found in species that have a highly invasive (hemochorial) placentation including humans, mice and rats. Surprisingly, analyzing the CEACAM gene family of the horse, which has a non-invasive epitheliochorial placenta, with the exception of the transient endometrial cups, we identified equine CEACAM family members that seem to be related to PSGs of rodents and primates. We identified seven genes that encode secreted PSG-like CEACAMs. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that they evolved independently from an equine CEACAM1-like ancestor rather than from a common PSG-like ancestor with rodents and primates. Significantly, expression of PSG-like genes (CEACAM44, CEACAM48, CEACAM49 and CEACAM55) was found in non-invasive as well as invasive trophoblast cells such as purified chorionic girdle cells and endometrial cup cells. Chorionic girdle cells are highly invasive trophoblast cells that invade the endometrium of the mare where they form endometrial cups and are in close contact with maternal immune cells. Therefore, the microenvironment of invasive equine trophoblast cells has striking similarities to the microenvironment of trophoblast cells in hemochorial placentas, suggesting that equine PSG-like CEACAMs and rodent and primate PSGs have undergone convergent evolution. This is supported by our finding that equine PSG-like CEACAM49 exhibits similar activity to certain rodent and human PSGs in a functional assay of platelet–fibrinogen binding. Our results have implications for understanding the evolution of PSGs and their functions in maternal–fetal interactions

The effects of graded levels of concentrate supplementation on colour and lipid stability of beef from pasture finished late-maturing bulls

peer-reviewedFinishing late-maturing bulls on grass may alter the antioxidant/prooxidant balance leading to beef with higher susceptibility to lipid oxidation and a lower colour stability compared to bulls finished on cereal concentrates. In this context, lipid oxidation and colour stability of beef from late-maturing bulls finished on pasture, with or without concentrate supplements, or indoors on concentrate was assessed. Charolais or Limousin sired bulls (n = 48) were assigned to four production systems: (1) pasture only (P), (2) pasture plus 25% dietary DM intake as barley-based concentrate (PC25), (3) pasture plus 50% dietary DM intake as barley-based concentrate (PC50) or (4) a barley-based concentrate ration (C). Following slaughter and postmortem ageing, M. Longissimus thoracis et lumborum was subjected to simulated retail display (4°C, 1000 lux for 12 h out of 24 h) for 3, 7, 10 and 14 days in modified atmosphere packs (O2 : CO2; 80 : 20). Lipid oxidation was determined using the 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances assay; α-tocopherol was determined by HPLC; fatty acid methyl esters were determined using Gas Chromatography. Using a randomised complete block design, treatment means were compared by either ANOVA or repeated measures ANOVA using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations were not affected by treatment, n-3 PUFAs were higher (P < 0.001) and the ratio of n-6 to n-3 PUFAs was lower (P < 0.001) in muscle from P, PC25 and PC50 compared to C. α-Tocopherol concentration was higher in muscle from P compared to PC50 and C bulls (P = 0.001) and decreased (P < 0.001) in all samples by day 14. Lipid oxidation was higher in muscle from C compared to P bulls on day 10 and day 14 of storage (P < 0.01). Finishing on pasture without supplementation did not affect beef colour stability and led to lower lipid oxidation, possibly due to the higher α-tocopherol concentration compared to concentrate finished beef

Investigation of noise suppression, pulse intensity and chirp of an actively mode-locked semiconductor fiber ring laser

An actively mode-locked fiber ring laser that utilizes an EDFA and semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is presented. The SOA enhances noise suppression. Active mode-locking was demonstrated at repetition rates up to 20 GHz. The effects of intra-cavity power and SOA current on noise suppression are studied for two types of commercially available SOA. The frequency resolved optical gating technique is used to characterize the output pulse stream intensity and frequency chirp

Antimicrobial drug usage from birth to 180 days of age in Irish dairy calves and in suckler beef calves

peer-reviewedConcern about the use of antimicrobials in food producing animals is increasing. The study objective was to quantify antimicrobial drug usage in calves using antimicrobial treatment records from Irish suckler beef and dairy farms. Antimicrobial treatment records for calves born between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015 on 79 suckler beef and 44 dairy farms were analyzed. Calves were followed from birth (day 0) until 6 months of age. According to standard farm protocol, calves exhibiting clinical signs of any disease were identified and antimicrobial treatment was administered. Farmers recorded the following information for each treatment administered: calf identification, age at treatment, disease event, drug name, number of treatment days, and amount of drug administered. In total, 3,204 suckler beef calves and 5,358 dairy calves, representing 540,953 and 579,997 calf-days at risk, respectively, were included in the study. A total of 1,770 antimicrobial treatments were administered to suckler beef (n = 841) and dairy calves (n = 929) between birth and 6 months of age. There was large variation in TIDDDvet and TIDCDvet by farm. This study provides new insights into the time periods and indications for which specific antimicrobial substances are used in Irish dairy and beef suckler calves

Electrochemical sensors for worker safety in manufacturing industries

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has attributed most occupational diseases of industrial workers to excessive exposure to dangerous substances. In particular, occupational lung diseases are caused by the inhalation of harmful substances such as dust particles and gases [1]. The use of DPI and periodic health checks for industrial workers certainly reduces risks, but a more effective prevention strategy should include real-time monitoring of physiological parameters [2]. In this context, recent academic and industrial research has focused on the development of smart wearable systems for continuous health monitoring. This has been possible mainly due to significant progress in micro- and nanotechnology and the miniaturization of devices [3]. In such regard, electrochemical sensors represent a promising alternative due to their speed of response, simplicity of operation, and lower cost than traditional methods of diagnosis [4]. This research activity involves the development of a smart mask based on an electrochemical sensor for the non-invasive detection of hydrogen peroxide in exhaled breath. In particular, a higher concentration of this biomarker indicates the onset of oxidative stress, a pathological condition that can lead to more serious diseases, such as asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) [5]. This sensor was fabricated through a sustainable production process, from the CDs at the end of life because their silver layer can be used for its good electrochemical properties. In particular, this layer was peeled off the CD and a three electrodes configuration was given using a laser cutter