An Investigation of the Acute Effects of Oligofructose-Enriched Inulin on Subjective Wellbeing, Mood and Cognitive Performance

Acknowledgments: The research described here was supported by a grant from Orafti, BelgiumPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Evolution of supermassive black holes : the role of galaxy mergers

In this thesis the connections between galaxy mergers and the growth of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) are investigated. In chapter 2 we investigate the links between galaxy mergers and active galactic nuclei (AGN) as a function of luminosity, using visual classification of galaxy images and a new measure of morphological disturbance to identify mergers, testing the hypothesis that cataclysmic events such as mergers are required to drive the most rapid periods of accretion. We find no correlation between merger fraction and AGN luminosity, nor any difference in the total merger fractions of AGN and matched control galaxies. We also explore the possibility that the role of galaxy mergers evolves through cosmic time over the redshift range 0.5-2.2, finding a modest evolution, with higher redshift AGN more likely to be found in mergers than controls with 99% confidence. In chapter 3 we compare samples of simulated (Illustris) galaxies to real observations, exploring the efficacy of different techniques of merger-identification as a function of merger parameters (mass ratio, time elapsed since the merger, stellar mass, star formation rate etc.). Detailed analysis of the ability of structural parameters and visual classification to identify mergers allows for reinterpretation of observational studies in which AGN merger fractions are measured. We find the intrinsic merger fractions in relevant studies are likely several times higher than reported, with 50 20% of AGN in the local Universe triggered by galaxy mergers. In chapter 4 AGN are selected in the optical, infrared and radio to investigate the role of mergers in triggering AGN in different physical environments. We use structural parameters to estimate merger fractions. It is found that infrared-selected AGN are more likely to be associated with mergers than their controls, optically selected AGN are equivalent to controls and radio-selected AGN show fewer signs of interactions than their controls. Collectively, this is interpreted as evidence that a substantial fraction of SMBH growth is driven by galaxy mergers, but care needs to be taken to control for various observational biases, which can hide or dilute real underlying causal relations

The Medecins Sans Frontieres Intervention in the Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever Epidemic, Uige, Angola, 2005. I. Lessons Learned in the Hospital.

When the epidemic of Marburg hemorrhagic fever occurred in Uige, Angola, during 2005, the international response included systems of case detection and isolation, community education, the burial of the dead, and disinfection. However, despite large investments of staff and money by the organizations involved, only a fraction of the reported number of cases were isolated, and many cases were detected only after death. This article describes the response of Medecins Sans Frontieres Spain within the provincial hospital in Uige, as well as the lessons they learned during the epidemic. Diagnosis, management of patients, and infection control activities in the hospital are discussed. To improve the acceptability of the response to the host community, psychological and cultural factors need to be considered at all stages of planning and implementation in the isolation ward. More interventional medical care may not only improve survival but also improve acceptability

Foreword

Little information exists about the loss of all one’s teeth (edentulism) among older adults in low- and middle-income countries. This study examines the prevalence of edentulism and associated factors among older adults in a cross-sectional study across six such countries. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO’s) Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 1 was used for this study with adults aged 50-plus from China (N = 13,367), Ghana (N = 4724), India (N = 7150), Mexico (N = 2315), Russian Federation (N = 3938) and South Africa (N = 3840). Multivariate regression was used to assess predictors of edentulism. The overall prevalence of edentulism was 11.7% in the six countries, with India, Mexico, and Russia has higher prevalence rates (16.3%–21.7%) than China, Ghana, and South Africa (3.0%–9.0%). In multivariate logistic analysis sociodemographic factors (older age, lower education), chronic conditions (arthritis, asthma), health risk behaviour (former daily tobacco use, inadequate fruits and vegetable consumption) and other health related variables (functional disability and low social cohesion) were associated with edentulism. The national estimates and identified factors associated with edentulism among older adults across the six countries helps to identify areas for further exploration and targets for intervention

A Hybrid Sequencing Approach Completes the Genome Sequence of Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus JW 200

Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus JW 200 has been identified as a potential sustainable biofuel producer due to its ability to readily ferment carbohydrates to ethanol. A hybrid sequencing approach, combining Oxford Nanopore and Illumina DNA sequence reads, was applied to produce a single contiguous genome sequence of 2,911,280 bp

Utility of Repeat Testing for COVID-19: Laboratory Stewardship When the Stakes are High

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to circulate, testing strategies are of the utmost importance. Given national shortages of testing supplies, personal protective equipment, and other hospital resources, diagnostic stewardship is necessary to aid in resource management. We report the low utility of serial testing in a low-prevalence setting

Multiplexed, rapid detection of H5N1 using a PCR-free nanoparticle-based genomic microarray assay

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>For more than a decade there has been increasing interest in the use of nanotechnology and microarray platforms for diagnostic applications. In this report, we describe a rapid and simple gold nanoparticle (NP)-based genomic microarray assay for specific identification of avian influenza virus H5N1 and its discrimination from other major influenza A virus strains (H1N1, H3N2).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Capture and intermediate oligonucleotides were designed based on the consensus sequences of the matrix (M) gene of H1N1, H3N2 and H5N1 viruses, and sequences specific for the hemaglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of the H5N1 virus. Viral RNA was detected within 2.5 hours using capture-target-intermediate oligonucleotide hybridization and gold NP-mediated silver staining in the absence of RNA fragmentation, target amplification, and enzymatic reactions. The lower limit of detection (LOD) of the assay was less than 100 fM for purified PCR fragments and 10³TCID₅₀units for H5N1 viral RNA.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The NP-based microarray assay was able to detect and distinguish H5N1 sequences from those of major influenza A viruses (H1N1, H3N2). The new method described here may be useful for simultaneous detection and subtyping of major influenza A viruses.</p