Measured Thoracic Gas Volume Versus Two Predictions

Body composition, or one’s fat mass relative to total mass, is important to a person’s health and physical performance. One method to measure body composition is the Bod Pod air displacement plethysmograph. To determine body volume from the Bod Pod, thoracic gas volume (TGV), or the volume of air in the lungs during a normal breath, must be measured or predicted. PURPOSE: The intent of this study was to compare measured TGV to two predictions: one from the Bod Pod (TGVBP) that makes assumptions about functional residual capacity and tidal volume, and one from a recent publication (TGVDucharme) that relies on measures of height and body mass rather than lung volumes. METHODS: Bod Pod data from university club sport athletes participating in a larger study were used. TGV was measured following the Bod Pod manufacturer’s instructions. Comparisons of mean data were made between the measured test and the two predictions with a one-way repeated-measures ANOVA. Individual error scores were evaluated with Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Data from 26 club sport athletes (18 male, 8 female) revealed a statistically significant difference (p = .001) between the three TGV measures. The measured TGV (4.108 ± 0.850 L) and TGVDucharme (4.092 ± 0.655 L) were not significantly different from one another (p = .851), but TGVBP (3.724 ± 0.409 L) significantly underestimated the measured TGV (p = .002) and Ducharme’s prediction (p \u3c .001). A clear bias exists for TGVBP (r = -0.799, p \u3c .001), such that the Bod Pod prediction overestimates athletes with a small TGV (\u3c 3.3 L) and underestimates athletes with a large TGV (\u3e 3.3 L). The bias for TGVDucharme is statistically significant (r = -0.460, p = .018), but much smaller than the bias from the Bod Pod prediction. CONCLUSION: When possible, measure TGV. If TGV must be predicted, use the Ducharme prediction rather than the TGV prediction from the Bod Pod

Compliance to Bleach Disinfection Protocols among Injecting Drug Users in Miami

Bleach cleansing of injection equipment has been recommended to reduce the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission associated with the reuse of injection equipment by injecting drug users (IDUs). We evaluated the recall and performance of the most commonly recommended bleach cleansing procedure of two complete fillings of the syringe with bleach, followed by two complete fillings with rinse water, and not putting used bleach and water back into source containers. IDUs were taught this procedure on enrollment in an HIV prevention demonstration project in Dade County, Florida. During follow-up session 6-12 months after initial training, the knowledge and ability of IDUs to perform bleach cleansing were assessed by trained observers using a standardized method. In 1988-90, we assessed the knowledge and ability of 450 IDUs to perform the bleach cleansing procedure taught at enrollment. More than 90% of IDUs assessed performed the basic steps. However, only 43.1% completely filled the syringe with bleach and only 35.8% completely filled the syringe with bleach at least twice. Substantial proportions of IDUs did not perform all the steps of the previously taught bleach cleansing procedure. Compliance decreased as the number of steps required was increased. This limited compliance may make bleach cleansing less effective and suggests that some IDUs may fail to adequately disinfect injection equipment and therefore sterile needles and syringes are safer than bleach-cleansed ones. Compliance testing can help assess the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs. © 1994 Raven Press, Ltd., New York

Transcription profiling reveals potential mechanisms of dysbiosis in the oral microbiome of rhesus macaques with chronic untreated SIV infection.

A majority of individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have inadequate access to antiretroviral therapy and ultimately develop debilitating oral infections that often correlate with disease progression. Due to the impracticalities of conducting host-microbe systems-based studies in HIV infected patients, we have evaluated the potential of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infected rhesus macaques to serve as a non-human primate model for oral manifestations of HIV disease. We present the first description of the rhesus macaque oral microbiota and show that a mixture of human commensal bacteria and "macaque versions" of human commensals colonize the tongue dorsum and dental plaque. Our findings indicate that SIV infection results in chronic activation of antiviral and inflammatory responses in the tongue mucosa that may collectively lead to repression of epithelial development and impact the microbiome. In addition, we show that dysbiosis of the lingual microbiome in SIV infection is characterized by outgrowth of Gemella morbillorum that may result from impaired macrophage function. Finally, we provide evidence that the increased capacity of opportunistic pathogens (e.g. E. coli) to colonize the microbiome is associated with reduced production of antimicrobial peptides

Chromogenic detection of nerve agent mimics

A new chromogenic protocol for the selective detection of nerve agent mimics is reported.Costero Nieto, Ana Maria, [email protected] ; Gil Grau, Salvador, [email protected] ; Parra Alvarez, Margarita, [email protected]

BODIPY dyes functionalized with 2-(2-dimethylaminophenyl) ethanol moieties as selective OFF-ON fluorescent chemodosimeters for the nerve agent mimics DCNP and DFP

[EN] Two OFF-ON fluorescent chemodosimeters based on a BODIPY core for the detection of nerve agent mimics have been synthesized. Their reactivity towards diethylcyanophosphonate (DCNP) and diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) has been tested in organic and aqueous phase. These chemodosimeters selectively detect the nerve agent mimics with good LODs. The chemodosimeters hold their sensing properties on solid supports, allowing the preparation of a hand held sensing kit. The sensing in solid-liquid phase has been demonstrated. The X-ray structure of compound 2 has been resolved.We thank the Spanish Government and the European FEDER funds (project MAT2012-38429-C04-02 and 01). SCSIE and ICMOL (Universidad de Valencia) are gratefully acknowledged for all the equipment employed. R.G. is grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Education for its FPU grant. Dr Knut Rurack is gratefully acknowledged for instrumental support and fruitful discussion.Gotor Candel, RJ.; Gaviña Costero, P.; Ochando Gómez, LE.; Chulvi, K.; Lorente, A.; Martínez-Máñez, R.; Costero, AM. (2014). BODIPY dyes functionalized with 2-(2-dimethylaminophenyl) ethanol moieties as selective OFF-ON fluorescent chemodosimeters for the nerve agent mimics DCNP and DFP. RSC Advances. 4(31):15975-15982. https://doi.org/10.1039/c4ra00710gS159751598243

Spatial and temporal patterns of locally-acquired dengue transmission in Northern Queensland, Australia, 1993-2012

Background: Dengue has been a major public health concern in Australia since it re-emerged in Queensland in 1992–1993. We explored spatio-temporal characteristics of locally-acquired dengue cases in northern tropical Queensland, Australia during the period 1993–2012.Methods: Locally-acquired notified cases of dengue were collected for northern tropical Queensland from 1993 to 2012. Descriptive spatial and temporal analyses were conducted using geographic information system tools and geostatistical techniques. Results: 2,398 locally-acquired dengue cases were recorded in northern tropical Queensland during the study period. The areas affected by the dengue cases exhibited spatial and temporal variation over the study period. Notified cases of dengue occurred more frequently in autumn. Mapping of dengue by statistical local areas (census units) reveals the presence of substantial spatio-temporal variation over time and place. Statistically significant differences in dengue incidence rates among males and females (with more cases in females) (χ2 = 15.17, d.f. = 1, p<0.01). Differences were observed among age groups, but these were not statistically significant. There was a significant positive spatial autocorrelation of dengue incidence for the four sub-periods, with the Moran's I statistic ranging from 0.011 to 0.463 (p<0.01). Semi-variogram analysis and smoothed maps created from interpolation techniques indicate that the pattern of spatial autocorrelation was not homogeneous across the northern Queensland.Conclusions: Tropical areas are potential high-risk areas for mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue. This study demonstrated that the locally-acquired dengue cases have exhibited a spatial and temporal variation over the past twenty years in northern tropical Queensland, Australia. Therefore, this study provides an impetus for further investigation of clusters and risk factors in these high-risk areas

The state of the Martian climate

60°N was +2.0°C, relative to the 1981–2010 average value (Fig. 5.1). This marks a new high for the record. The average annual surface air temperature (SAT) anomaly for 2016 for land stations north of starting in 1900, and is a significant increase over the previous highest value of +1.2°C, which was observed in 2007, 2011, and 2015. Average global annual temperatures also showed record values in 2015 and 2016. Currently, the Arctic is warming at more than twice the rate of lower latitudes

Clinical outcomes of ED patients with bandemia

BackgroundAlthough an elevated white blood cell count is a widely utilized measure for evidence of infection and an important criterion for evaluation of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, its component band count occupies a more contested position within clinical emergency medicine. Recent studies indicate that bandemia is highly predictive of a serious infection, suggesting that clinicians who do not appreciate the value of band counts may delay diagnosis or overlook severe infections.ObjectivesWhereas previous studies focused on determining the quantitative value of the band count (ie, determining sensitivity, threshold for bandemia, etc.), this study directs attention to patient-centered outcomes, hypothesizing that the degree of bandemia predisposes patients to subsequent negative clinical outcomes associated with underappreciated severe infections.MethodsThis retrospective study of electronic medical records includes patients who initially presented to the emergency department (ED) with bandemia and were subsequently discharged from the ED. These patients were screened for repeat ED visits within 7 days and death within 30 days.ResultsIn patients with severe bandemia who were discharged from the ED, there was a 20.9% revisit rate at 7 days and a 4.9% mortality rate at 30 days, placing severely bandemic patients at 5 times significantly greater mortality compared to nonbandemic patients (P = .032).ConclusionOur review of patient outcomes suggests that the degree of bandemia, especially in the setting of concurrent tachycardia or fever, is associated with greater likelihood of negative clinical outcomes

The life history of 21 breast cancers.

Cancer evolves dynamically as clonal expansions supersede one another driven by shifting selective pressures, mutational processes, and disrupted cancer genes. These processes mark the genome, such that a cancer's life history is encrypted in the somatic mutations present. We developed algorithms to decipher this narrative and applied them to 21 breast cancers. Mutational processes evolve across a cancer's lifespan, with many emerging late but contributing extensive genetic variation. Subclonal diversification is prominent, and most mutations are found in just a fraction of tumor cells. Every tumor has a dominant subclonal lineage, representing more than 50% of tumor cells. Minimal expansion of these subclones occurs until many hundreds to thousands of mutations have accumulated, implying the existence of long-lived, quiescent cell lineages capable of substantial proliferation upon acquisition of enabling genomic changes. Expansion of the dominant subclone to an appreciable mass may therefore represent the final rate-limiting step in a breast cancer's development, triggering diagnosis