A comparison of the satiating properties of medium-chain triglycerides and conjugated linoleic acid in participants with healthy weight and overweight or obesity

Purpose Inconsistent evidence exists for greater satiety after medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) compared to long-chain triglycerides (LCT). Furthermore, the mechanisms are poorly understood and effects in people with a healthy weight and those with overweight/obesity have not been compared. This study aimed to compare appetite responses in these groups and examine the mechanisms behind any differences. Methods Fifteen participants with healthy weight (BMI: 22.7 ± 1.9 kg·m−2) and fourteen participants with overweight/obesity (BMI: 30.9 ± 3.9 kg·m−2) consumed a breakfast containing either 23.06 g vegetable oil (CON), 25.00 g MCT oil (MCT), or 6.25 g CLA and 16.80 g vegetable oil (CLA). Appetite, peptide YY (PYY), total ghrelin (TG), β-hydroxybutyrate, and gastric emptying (GE) were measured throughout. Energy intake was assessed at an ad libitum lunch and throughout the following ~ 36 h. Results Neither MCT nor CLA decreased ad libitum intake; however MCT decreased day 1 energy intake (P = 0.031) and the 48-h period (P = 0.005) compared to CON. MCT delayed GE (P ≤ 0.01) compared to CON, whereas CLA did not. PYY and TG concentrations were not different (P = 0.743 and P = 0.188, respectively), but MCT increased β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations compared to CON (P = 0.005) and CLA (P < 0.001). β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were higher in participants with overweight/obesity (P = 0.009). Conclusion Consumption of MCT reduces energy intake in the subsequent 48 h, whereas CLA does not. Delayed gastric emptying or increased β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations may mediate this

The death of Finn mac Cumaill

Finn mac Cumaill (Fionn Mac Cumhaill) has always been a popular figure in Gaelic tradition, coming to full prominence during the Early Modern period, as Fenian stories (tales of Finn and his fían, or fianna, known as fianaigecht in Old Irish and fiannaíocht in Modern Irish) become ever more popular in manuscript form. Despite the popularity that both Finn and the Finn Cycle have enjoyed in Gaelic literature, mentions of Finn's death are scant and tales recounting the event are even rarer. In the extant medieval Irish literature, the pinnacle of the corpus, Acallam na Senórach, not only holds the events in relative obscurity but its presentation of the circumstances of Finn's death may even be said to be conflicting. In looking at other tales in the fíanaigecht corpus, while we find a number of references to the fact than Finn dies, only a few depict his demise, namely Aided Finn and Tesmolta Cormaic ocus Aided Finn. To this short list of narratives detailing Finn's death and the events preceding it, we can add the tale designated 'The Chase of Síd na mBan Finn and the Death of Finn' (henceforth 'The Chase') preserved in a single manuscript, London, British Library, MS Egerton 1782. Although the tale breaks off with Finn still alive, albeit weary and bloodied and standing alone encircled by his adversaries, his death is a logical next element in the narrative, not least because there is repeated mention of a prophecy of his demise throughout the tale. This tale, which spans eight manuscript pages, seems to be the longest engagement with the idea of Finn's death in the medieval and Early Modern Irish corpora, yet has been the subject of very little scholarly investigation to date. This regrettable lacuna in scholarship on Fenian literature is the starting point for this thesis, which presents a three-pronged investigation of 'The Chase'. Following a fuller introduction to the topic in Chapter 1, the history of the manuscript is examined afresh in Chapter 2 as new evidence, particularly from the works of the scribe Muiris Ó Gormáin, has shed new light on the manuscript's history and on the tale of 'The Chase'. This is then employed to examine the section of the manuscript in which 'The Chase' is to be found, a section consisting of four tales thought to be from the now lost manuscript, Cín Dromma Snechtai, and four fíanaigecht tales. It is investigated if the unit may be considered a deliberate anthology and whether thematic and/or other concerns motivated the unit's compilation. Next, the study turns to the tale of 'The Chase' itself, examining its place within a continuum of traditions found in Old, Middle and Early Modern Irish treatments of Finn's death. Based on my own linguistic work on 'The Chase', a semi-diplomatic edition of which is included as an appendix to this thesis, it is demonstrated in Chapter 3 that the author of 'The Chase' seems to have been aware of several accounts of Finn's death, either those which are now extant or sources akin to them, and sought to bring together many of the elements present in other accounts of Finn's death in a single tale, perhaps in what was intended to be a comprehensive death tale for Finn. The various elements of the tale which resonate with the event of or events leading up to Finn's death, however, have not merely been cobbled together. Rather it is illustrated that the composition skilfully treats of the themes of death, prophecy and youth versus age, making regular allusion to the audience's presumed knowledge of other tales of the Fenian corpus, while adhering to the norms of earlier written fíanaigecht literature, a trait not always found in Early Modern tales of the Finn Cycle. The last study which forms part of this thesis, Chapter 4, arose from the recognition that although 'The Chase' appears to be the longest extant engagement with Finn's death, there exists no study that details what material on Finn's death has circulated in the modern period. This section provides a comprehensive overview of modern engagements with Finn's death in post-1650 manuscripts and folklore collections. All the modern accounts that I have found to date in which Finn's death is recounted or in which it is presumed that Finn is dead, which are usually mentions of Finn's grave, are therefore identified, presented, and where applicable, translated. While it becomes clear that no other engagement with Finn's demise across the eleven centuries during which his death excited the Gaelic imagination is as long or as complex as 'The Chase', common or notable motifs in the modern accounts are identified, and similarities between the different treatments of Finn's death in the modern narratives are discussed. It is shown that a small number of the motifs and events treated in the medieval accounts of Finn’s death and in 'The Chase' are also treated in the modern tales of his demise, thus indicating some thematic continuity between medieval and modern approaches to relating how Finn died. With this in mind, some further relationships between the modern accounts of Finn's death and other medieval and modern Fenian literature are explored

Dynamic Characterization of the Doremus Avenue Bridge Substructure

Dynamic properties of the drilled shaft foundations supporting Doremus Avenue Bridge in Newark, New Jersey were determined by forced vibration testing. Doremus Avenue Bridge has been selected for instrumentation, testing and monitoring because it is first bridge in New Jersey designed according to LRFD specification. The main objectives of the substructure testing at Doremus Avenue Bridge were: (a) site evaluation with respect to the dynamic soil properties, and, (b) shaft evaluation for the purpose of definition of their dynamic stiffness. The site characterization entailed crosshole testing for the purpose of evaluation of the shear modulus profile. The drilled shaft impedance evaluation was done through forced excitation using an electromagnetic shaker. The response of the tested shaft, as well as the response of adjacent shafts, was measured for the purpose of evaluation of the shaft interaction. To gain a better insight into the shaft dynamics, one of the shafts was instrumented with five triaxial geophones distributed along the full length of the shaft. The scope and results of the site characterization, shaft impedance and shaft interaction evaluation are presented

Cooperação para o desenvolvimento: Uma relação neocolonial entre Portugal e as ex-colónias em África?

A presente dissertação tem como objetivo analisar a cooperação para o desenvolvimento entre Portugal e os PALOP, respondendo, assim, às seguintes questões orientadoras: “Em que medida as estratégias de cooperação portuguesa para o desenvolvimento reproduzem uma relação neocolonial com as ex-colónias em África? Como é que esta narrativa se traduz nas ONG?”. Neste sentido, foi realizada uma análise bibliográfica qualitativa, com base em artigos científicos, livros publicados e algumas fontes eletrónicas. Adicionalmente, para melhor compreensão sobre os efeitos práticos das estratégias de cooperação, foram incluídos excertos e paráfrases de entrevistas realizadas a duas pessoas experientes na área da cooperação. Através deste processo de investigação, torna-se possível concluir que a cooperação portuguesa para o desenvolvimento segue uma estrutura neocolonial, visto que está, em grande parte, direcionada para as ex-colónias em África, e que existe uma relação de poder entre o país doador e os países recetores de ajuda. Esta relação traduz-se igualmente nas ONG, que não tendo autonomia financeira, estão dependentes de candidaturas a projetos de agências nacionais e internacionais. A pertinência desta dissertação prende-se com uma visão crítica sobre as estratégias de cooperação portuguesa para o desenvolvimento, assim como a sua influência nos projetos elaborados pelas ONG nas ex-colónias em África.This dissertation has the objective of analysing the development cooperation between Portugal and Portuguese-speaking African countries, in order to answer the following questions: “In what way do the Portuguese development cooperation strategies reproduce a neocolonial relationship with the former colonies in Africa? How does this narrative translate into NGO?” Thus, a qualitative bibliographic analysis was conducted, based on scientific articles, published books and electronic sources. Additionally, in order to better understand the practical effects of the cooperation strategies, paraphrases and quotes from interviews to two people experienced in the area of cooperation were included. Through this investigation process, it is possible to conclude that Portuguese development cooperation follows a neocolonial structure, considering that it is mainly directed at its former colonies in Africa, and that exists a power relation between donor country and recipient countries. This relation can also be identified in NGO, which, by not having financial independence, are dependent on project applications of national and international agencies. This dissertation is pertinent because it provides a critical reflection on Portuguese development cooperation strategies, as well as the influence such strategies have on NGO developed projects in former colonies in Africa

Detection and localisation of unilateral hindlimb pathologies in cattle using the cow pedogram.

ISSN:0042-490

Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis in systemic sclerosis: prevalence and prognostic impact

..

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Evaluation of a novel real-time PCR test based on the ssrA gene for the identification of group B streptococci in vaginal swabs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite the implementation of prevention guidelines, early-onset group B streptococci (GBS) disease remains a cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Strategies to identify women who are at risk of transmitting GBS to their infant and the administration of intrapartum antibiotics have greatly reduced the incidence of neonatal GBS disease. However, there is a requirement for a rapid diagnostic test for GBS that can be carried out in a labour ward setting especially for women whose GBS colonisation status is unknown at the time of delivery. We report the design and evaluation of a real-time PCR test (<it>RiboSEQ </it>GBS test) for the identification of GBS in vaginal swabs from pregnant women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The qualitative real-time PCR <it>RiboSEQ </it>GBS test was designed based on the bacterial <it>ssrA </it>gene and incorporates a competitive internal standard control. The analytical sensitivity of the test was established using crude lysate extracted from serial dilutions of overnight GBS culture using the IDI Lysis kit. Specificity studies were performed using DNA prepared from a panel of GBS strains, related streptococci and other species found in the genital tract environment. The <it>RiboSEQ </it>GBS test was evaluated on 159 vaginal swabs from pregnant women and compared with the GeneOhm™ StrepB Assay and culture for the identification of GBS.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The <it>RiboSEQ </it>GBS test is specific and has an analytical sensitivity of 1-10 cell equivalents. The <it>RiboSEQ </it>GBS test was 96.4% sensitive and 95.8% specific compared to "gold standard" culture for the identification of GBS in vaginal swabs from pregnant women. In this study, the <it>RiboSEQ </it>GBS test performed slightly better than the commercial BD GeneOhm™ StrepB Assay which gave a sensitivity of 94.6% and a specificity of 89.6% compared to culture.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The <it>RiboSEQ </it>GBS test is a valuable method for the rapid, sensitive and specific detection of GBS in pregnant women. This study also validates the <it>ssrA </it>gene as a suitable and versatile target for nucleic acid-based diagnostic tests for bacterial pathogens.</p