Reference values of parathyroid hormone and vitamin D Hormone by chemiluminescent automated assay

ABSTRACT Objective. Provide reference data for parathyroid hormone 1-84 (PTH 1-84) and 25OH Vitamin D (25OH D) using a new technique. Materials and methods. The hormones were evaluated, in serum, using a third generation automated chemiluminescent method for PTH in a group of 60 adult dogs, clinically healthy, grouped according to age in years in GA: 1 to 5, GB: 6 to 10 and GC:>10. Results. Data expressed as average ± DS were for PTH (pg/ml): 9.3±2.3; 12±6.3; 12.2±3.7; and for 25OH D (ng/ml): 84.2±27.8; 68.2±16.0; 63.6±23.1, respectively. The PTH value was significantly greater (p<0.05) in groups B and C in comparison with A, but no significant differences were observed between GB and GC. The 25OH D concentration was significantly less in GB (p<0.05) and in GC (p<0.01) in comparison with GA, showing no differences between GB and GC. A negative correlation between 25OH D and PTH was found (r= -0.28; p=0.015). Conclusions. Data contributed by this study provide reference values for PTH 1-84 and 25OH D, evaluated using a third generation automated chemiluminescent method for PTH in local dogs. The results will facilitate monitoring diseases that alter the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in dogs. RESUMEN Objetivo. Aportar datos de referencia, para hormona paratiroidea 1-84 (PTH 1-84) y 25OH Vitamina D (25OH D) con una nueva técnica. Materiales y métodos. Las hormonas fueron valoradas, en suero, por un método quimioluminiscente automatizado, y de tercera generación para la PTH, en una población de 60 perros adultos clínicamente sanos, agrupados según edad en años en GA: 1 a 5, GB: 6 a 10 y GC:>10. Resultados. Los datos expresados como media ± DS fueron para la PTH (pg/ml): 9.3±2.3; 12±6.3; 12.2±3.7; y para la 25OH D (ng/ml): 84.2±27.8; 68.2±16.0; 63.6±23.1, respectivamente. El valor de PTH fue significativamente mayor (p<0.05) en los grupos B y C con respecto al A, pero no se observó diferencia significativa entre GB y GC. La concentración de 25OH D fue significativamente menorORIGINALRev.MVZ Córdoba 20(2):4583-4592, 2015. ISSN: 0122-0268 555 en el GB (p<0.05) y en el GC (p<0.01) con respecto al GA, sin haber diferencias entre los GB y GC.Se encontró una correlación negativa entre 25OH D y PTH (r= -0.28; p=0.015). Conclusiones. Losdatos aportados en este trabajo permiten disponer de valores de referencia de PTH 1-84 y de 25OHD, valorados por un método quimioluminiscente automatizado y de tercera generación para la PTH, enuna población local de perros. Los resultados facilitarán el seguimiento de enfermedades que alteranel metabolismo del calcio y fósforo en perros

Mental health of UK hospitality Workers: Shame, self-criticism and self-reassurance

This study aimed to evaluate shame for mental health problems, and explore relationships between shame, self-criticism, self-reassurance, and mental health among UK hospitality workers, because this group of workers suffer from poor mental health yet report strong shame. An opportunity sample of 114 UK hospitality workers completed measures examining shame for mental health problems, self-criticism, self-reassurance, and mental health problems. A high proportion of workers scored over the midpoint in almost all the shame subscales. Shame, self-criticism, self-reassurance, and mental health were related to one another. External shame and self-criticism were positive predictors, and self-reassurance was a negative predictor for mental health problems. While self-criticism moderated the relationship between shame and mental health problems, self-reassurance did not. Online compassion training was recommended as it can reduce self-criticism and shame, can be undertaken without colleagues knowing and tailored to specific work patterns.N/

Biomass of Scyphozoan Jellyfish, and Its Spatial Association with 0-Group Fish in the Barents Sea

An 0-group fish survey is conducted annually in the Barents Sea in order to estimate fish population abundance. Data on jellyfish by-catch have been recorded since 1980, although this dataset has never been analysed. In recent years, however, the ecological importance of jellyfish medusae has become widely recognized. In this paper the biomass of jellyfish (medusae) in 0–60 m depths is calculated for the period 1980–2010. During this period the climate changed from cold to warm, and changes in zooplankton and fish distribution and abundance were observed. This paper discusses the less well known ecosystem component; jellyfish medusae within the Phylum Cnidaria, and their spatial and temporal variation. The long term average was ca. 9×108 kg, with some years showing biomasses in excess of 5×109 kg. The biomasses were low during 1980s, increased during 1990s, and were highest in early 2000s with a subsequent decline. The bulk of the jellyfish were observed in the central parts of the Barents Sea, which is a core area for most 0-group fishes. Jellyfish were associated with haddock in the western area, with haddock and herring in the central and coastal area, and with capelin in the northern area of the Barents Sea. The jellyfish were present in the temperature interval 1°C<T<10°C, with peak densities at ca. 5.5°C, and the greatest proportion of the jellyfish occurring between 4.0–7.0°C. It seems that the ongoing warming trend may be favourable for Barents Sea jellyfish medusae; however their biomass has showed a recent moderate decline during years with record high temperatures in the Barents Sea. Jellyfish are undoubtedly an important component of the Barents Sea ecosystem, and the data presented here represent the best summary of jellyfish biomass and distribution yet published for the region

Potato virus Y infection hinders potato defence response and renders plants more vulnerable to Colorado potato beetle attack

In the field, plants are challenged by more than one biotic stressor at the same time. In this study, the molecular interactions between potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say; CPB) and Potato virus YNTN (PVYNTN) were investigated through analyses of gene expression in the potato leaves and the gut of the CPB larvae, and of the release of potato volatile compounds. CPB larval growth was enhanced when reared on secondary PVYNTN-infected plants, which was linked to decreased accumulation of transcripts associated with the antinutritional properties of potato. In PVYNTN-infected plants, ethylene signalling pathway induction and induction of auxin response transcription factors were attenuated, while no differences were observed in jasmonic acid (JA) signalling pathway. Similarly to rearing on virus-infected plants, CPB larvae gained more weight when reared on plants silenced in JA receptor gene (coi1). Although herbivore-induced defence mechanism is regulated predominantly by JA, response in coi1-silenced plants only partially corresponded to the one observed in PVYNTN-infected plants, confirming the role of other plant hormones in modulating this response. The release of β-barbatene and benzyl alcohol was different in healthy and PVYNTN-infected plants before CPB larvae infestation, implicating the importance of PVYNTN infection in plant communication with its environment. This was reflected in gene expression profiles of neighbouring plants showing different degree of defence response. This study thus contributes to our understanding of plant responses in agro-ecosystems

Assessment of SNaPshot and single step RT-qPCR methods for discriminating Potato virus Y (PVY) subgroups

Equipe 6International audiencePotato virus Y(PVY) is the most important virus infecting potato (Solanum tuberosum), causing potato tuber necrotic ringspot disease (PTNRD), with a great impact on seed potato production. Numerous PVY strain groups with different pathogenicity and economical impact are distributed worldwide. Tools for accurate and reliable detection and discrimination of PVY strain groups are therefore essential for successful disease management. Two state of the art characterization tools based on detecting molecular markers RT-qPCR (Kogovsek et al., 2008) and SNaPshot (Rolland et al., 2008) were assessed for their ability to assign PVY accurately to the correct group. The results were validated by bioassay, ELISA and in silica sequence analysis. The spectrum of PVY strain groups distinguished by SNaPshot is broader than that by RT-qPCR. However, the latter was more reliable in discriminating the PVYNTN group members, known for their ability to induce PTNRD on selected potato cultivars. The difference in discrimination precision was due to different molecular markers being targeted by RT-qPCR and SNaPshot. Both tools use genotypic markers for detecting PVYNTN strain groups. Future development, however, should be focused on identifying the genomic determinants of the tuber necrosis property. Until then, the RT-qPCR and SNaPshot methods remain the most powerful diagnostic tools for detecting the PVY subgroup isolates found in Europe. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

PVYNTN elicits a diverse gene expression response in different potato genotypes in the first 12 h after inoculation

Host gene expression changes in the early response to potato virus Y-NTN interaction were compared in two differently sensitive potato cultivars: the resistant cultivar SantE and the sensitive cultivar Igor. Hybridization of potato TIGR cDNA microarrays allowed us to monitor the expression of approximately 10 000 genes simultaneously at 0.5 and 12 h post-inoculation (hpi). Microarray data, analysed by statistics and data mining, were complemented by subtraction library construction and sequence analysis to validate the findings. The expression profiles of the two cultivars were similar and faint at 0.5 hpi, but they differed substantially at 12 hpi. Although, at 0.5 hpi, cv. SantE responded by the differential expression of a greater number of genes, at 12 hpi the number was higher in cv. Igor. The majority of genes in this cultivar were down-regulated at 12 hpi, indicating a host gene shut-off. Suites of genes that exhibited altered transcript abundance in response to the virus were identified, and included genes involved in the processes of photosynthesis, perception, signalling and defence responses. The expression of the considerable number of genes associated with photosynthesis was surprisingly up-regulated as early as 0.5 hpi and down-regulated at 12 hpi in both cultivars. The expression of genes involved in perception and signalling was increased in the sensitive cultivar at 12 hpi. By contrast, a simultaneous strong defence response at the transcriptional level was evident in the resistant cultivar, as shown by the up-regulation of genes involved in brassinosteroid, polyamine and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and of genes coding for pathogenesis-related proteins