Antibiotikaeinsatz in der Bayerischen Schweinehaltungspraxis ABYS: Antibiotikaeinsatz und Antibiotikaresistenz in ökologischen Betrieben

Between 2012 and 2014, ABYS study recorded antibiotic use, detection and resistance data for 23 organic and 35 conventional pig farms. Antibiotic contents of farm-made fertilizers were assessed by LC/MS-MS. Phenotypic antimicrobial resistance was investigated in Escherichia (E.) coli (indicator bacteria); antimicrobial resistance genes of the total bacterial microbiota (sul(II), tet(A), tet(B), tet(M); marker Measured in nUDD (number of animals treated multiplied by treatment days), colistin was the most frequently used antibiotic, in organic farms followed by tylosin, doxycycline and amoxicillin. Antibiotic residues were rarely detected; however, manure contained up to 10^8 antimicrobial resistance genes per gram; concentrations were higher when the antibiotic had been used on farm. In six farms, antimicrobial resistant E. coli were tracked from the moment when pigs were placed on farm. Some isolates carried a broad variety of resistances from the very beginning that were maintained until slaughter, despite the fact that partly no antibiotics were applied during fattening. Approaches for reducing carry-over of antimicrobial resistant bacteria will be discusse

Magnetic dimers and trimers in the disordered S=3/2 spin system BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3

FAPEMIG - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAISCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOWe report a structural-magnetic investigation by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), neutron diffraction, dc susceptibility (X-dc), and electron spin resonance (ESR) of the 12R-type perovskite BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3. Our structural analysis by neutron diffraction supports the existence of structural trimers with chemically disordered occupancy of Mn4+ and Ti4+ ions, with the valence of the Mn ions confirmed by the XAS measurements. The magnetic properties are explored by combining dc-susceptibility and X-band (9.4 GHz) electron spin resonance, both in the temperature interval of 2 <= T <= 1000 K. A scenario is presented under which the magnetism is explained by considering magnetic dimers and trimers, with exchange constants J(a)/k(B) = 200 (2) K and J(b)/k(B) = 130 (10) K, and orphan spins. Thus, BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3 is proposed as a rare case of an intrinsically disordered S = 3/2 spin gap system with a frustrated ground state.We report a structural-magnetic investigation by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), neutron diffraction, dc susceptibility (X-dc), and electron spin resonance (ESR) of the 12R-type perovskite BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3. Our structural analysis by neutron diffraction supports the existence of structural trimers with chemically disordered occupancy of Mn4+ and Ti4+ ions, with the valence of the Mn ions confirmed by the XAS measurements. The magnetic properties are explored by combining dc-susceptibility and X-band (9.4 GHz) electron spin resonance, both in the temperature interval of 2 <= T <= 1000 K. A scenario is presented under which the magnetism is explained by considering magnetic dimers and trimers, with exchange constants J(a)/k(B) = 200 (2) K and J(b)/k(B) = 130 (10) K, and orphan spins. Thus, BaTi1/2Mn1/2O3 is proposed as a rare case of an intrinsically disordered S = 3/2 spin gap system with a frustrated ground state.912218FAPEMIG - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAISCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOFAPEMIG - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAISCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPq [308355/2009-1, 482549/2010-6]APQ-01577-09APQ-02253-122010-EXA0232012-EXA011308355/2009-1482549/2010-62011/22261-5The work is being financed by FAPEMIG (MG-Brazil) Grants No. APQ-01577-09, APQ-02253-12, 2010-EXA023, and 2012-EXA011, CNPq (Brazil) Grants 308355/2009-1, 482549/2010-6, and PICT 1043. F. A. Garcia would like to acknowledge FAPESP Grant No. 2011/22261-5 for the financial support during the work and Eric Andrade for fruitful discussions on the basics of frustrated systems

Fluid intelligence and brain functional organization in aging yoga and meditation practitioners

Numerous studies have documented the normal age-related decline of neural structure, function, and cognitive performance. Preliminary evidence suggests that meditation may reduce decline in specific cognitive domains and in brain structure. Here we extended this research by investigating the relation between age and fluid intelligence and resting state brain functional network architecture using graph theory, in middle-aged yoga and meditation practitioners, and matched controls. Fluid intelligence declined slower in yoga practitioners and meditators combined than in controls. Resting state functional networks of yoga practitioners and meditators combined were more integrated and more resilient to damage than those of controls. Furthermore, mindfulness was positively correlated with fluid intelligence, resilience, and global network efficiency. These findings reveal the possibility to increase resilience and to slow the decline of fluid intelligence and brain functional architecture and suggest that mindfulness plays a mechanistic role in this preservation

Mindfulness based interventions in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review

&lt;b&gt;Background&lt;/b&gt; Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a stressful condition; depression, anxiety, pain and fatigue are all common problems. Mindfulness based interventions (MBIs) mitigate stress and prevent relapse in depression and are increasingly being used in healthcare. However, there are currently no systematic reviews of MBIs in people with MS. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of MBIs in people with MS.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Methods&lt;/b&gt; Systematic searches were carried out in seven major databases, using both subject headings and key words. Papers were screened, data extracted, quality appraised, and analysed by two reviewers independently, using predefined criteria. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. Perceived stress was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include mental health, physical health, quality of life, and health service utilisation. Statistical meta-analysis was not possible. Disagreements were adjudicated by a third party reviewer.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results&lt;/b&gt; Three studies (n = 183 participants) were included in the final analysis. The studies were undertaken in Wales (n = 16, randomised controlled trial - (RCT)), Switzerland (n = 150, RCT), and the United States (n = 17, controlled trial). 146 (80%) participants were female; mean age (SD) was 48.6 (9.4) years. Relapsing remitting MS was the main diagnostic category (n = 123, 67%); 43 (26%) had secondary progressive disease; and the remainder were unspecified. MBIs lasted 6–8 weeks; attrition rates were variable (5-43%); all employed pre- post- measures; two had longer follow up; one at 3, and one at 6 months. Socio-economic status of participants was not made explicit; health service utilisation and costs were not reported. No study reported on perceived stress. All studies reported quality of life (QOL), mental health (anxiety and depression), physical (fatigue, standing balance, pain), and psychosocial measures. Statistically significant beneficial effects relating to QOL, mental health, and selected physical health measures were sustained at 3- and 6- month follow up.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusion&lt;/b&gt; From the limited data available, MBIs may benefit some MS patients in terms of QOL, mental health, and some physical health measures. Further studies are needed to clarify how MBIs might best serve the MS population.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt

The gray matter volume of the amygdala is correlated with the perception of melodic intervals: a voxel-based morphometry study

Music is not simply a series of organized pitches, rhythms, and timbres, it is capable of evoking emotions. In the present study, voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was employed to explore the neural basis that may link music to emotion. To do this, we identified the neuroanatomical correlates of the ability to extract pitch interval size in a music segment (i.e., interval perception) in a large population of healthy young adults (N = 264). Behaviorally, we found that interval perception was correlated with daily emotional experiences, indicating the intrinsic link between music and emotion. Neurally, and as expected, we found that interval perception was positively correlated with the gray matter volume (GMV) of the bilateral temporal cortex. More important, a larger GMV of the bilateral amygdala was associated with better interval perception, suggesting that the amygdala, which is the neural substrate of emotional processing, is also involved in music processing. In sum, our study provides one of first neuroanatomical evidence on the association between the amygdala and music, which contributes to our understanding of exactly how music evokes emotional responses