Dietary fatty acids and mortality risk from heart disease in US adults: an analysis based on NHANES

We investigated the association of dietary intake of major types of fatty acids with heart disease mortality in a general adult cohort with or without a prior diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). This cohort study included US adults who attended the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 1988 to 2014. Heart disease mortality was ascertained by linkage to the National Death Index records through 31 December 2015. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of fatty acid intake for heart disease mortality. This cohort included 45,820 adults among which 1,541 had a prior diagnosis of MI. Participants were followed up for 532,722 person-years (mean follow-up, 11.6 years), with 2,313 deaths recorded from heart disease being recorded. Intake of saturated (SFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) was associated with heart disease mortality after adjustment for all the tested confounders. In contrast, a 5% higher calorie intake from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was associated with a 9% (HR, 0.91; 95% CI 0.83–1.00; P = 0.048) lower multivariate-adjusted risk of heart disease mortality. Sub-analyses showed that this inverse association was present in those without a prior diagnosis of MI (HR,0.89; 95% CI 0.80–0.99) but not in those with the condition (HR, 0.94; 95% CI 0.75–1.16). The lack of association in the MI group could be due to a small sample size or severity and procedural complications (e.g., stenting and medication adherence) of the disease. Higher PUFA intake was associated with a favourable lipid profile. However, further adjustment for plasma lipids did not materially change the inverse association between PUFAs and heart disease mortality. Higher intake of PUFAs, but not SFAs and MUFAs, was associated with a lower adjusted risk of heart disease mortality in a large population of US adults supporting the need to increase dietary PUFA intake in the general public

Scattering analysis of LOFAR pulsar observations

We measure the effects of interstellar scattering on average pulse profiles from 13 radio pulsars with simple pulse shapes. We use data from the LOFAR High Band Antennas, at frequencies between 110 and 190~MHz. We apply a forward fitting technique, and simultaneously determine the intrinsic pulse shape, assuming single Gaussian component profiles. We find that the constant $\tau$, associated with scattering by a single thin screen, has a power-law dependence on frequency $\tau \propto \nu^{-\alpha}$, with indices ranging from $\alpha = 1.50$ to $4.0$, despite simplest theoretical models predicting $\alpha = 4.0$ or $4.4$. Modelling the screen as an isotropic or extremely anisotropic scatterer, we find anisotropic scattering fits lead to larger power-law indices, often in better agreement with theoretically expected values. We compare the scattering models based on the inferred, frequency dependent parameters of the intrinsic pulse, and the resulting correction to the dispersion measure (DM). We highlight the cases in which fits of extreme anisotropic scattering are appealing, while stressing that the data do not strictly favour either model for any of the 13 pulsars. The pulsars show anomalous scattering properties that are consistent with finite scattering screens and/or anisotropy, but these data alone do not provide the means for an unambiguous characterization of the screens. We revisit the empirical $\tau$ versus DM relation and consider how our results support a frequency dependence of $\alpha$. Very long baseline interferometry, and observations of the scattering and scintillation properties of these sources at higher frequencies, will provide further evidence.Comment: 24 pages, 23 figures, supplementary appendi

Osteogenesis imperfecta: Ultrastructural and histological findings on examination of skin revealing novel insights into genotype-phenotype correlation

© 2016 Taylor & Francis. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders of bone formation, resulting in low bone mass and an increased propensity to fracture. Over 90% of patients with OI have a mutation in COL1A1/COL1A2, which shows an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. In-depth phenotyping and in particular, studies involving manifestations in the skin connective tissue have not previously been undertaken in OI. The aims of the study were to perform histological and ultrastructural examination of skin biopsies in a cohort of patients with OI; to identify common and distinguishing features in order to inform genotype-phenotype correlation; and to identify common and distinguishing features between the different subtypes of OI. As part of the RUDY (Rare Diseases in Bone, Joints and/or Blood Vessels) study, in collaboration with the NIHR Rare Diseases Translational Research Collaboration, we undertook a national study of skin biopsies in patients with OI. We studied the manifestations in the skin connective tissue and undertook in-depth clinical and molecular phenotyping of 16 patients with OI. We recruited 16 patients: analyses have shown that in type 1 collagen mutation positive patients (COL1A1/ COL1A2) (n-4/16) consistent findings included: variable collagen fibril diameter (CFD) and presence of collagen flowers. Histological examination in these patients showed an increase in elastic fibers that are frequently fragmented and clumped. These observations provide evidence that collagen flowers and CFD variability are consistent features in OI due to type 1 collagen defects and reinforce the need for accurate phenotyping in conjunction with genomic analyses

Untersuchungen zur Stabilisierung der frühen postnatalen Adaptationsvorgänge bei Kälbern in Mutterkuhhaltung - ein Beitrag zur Charakterisierung postnataler Anpassungsreaktionen

Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, die sensible Phase der ersten und frühen zweiten Adaptationsphase, von der Geburt bis zur 72. Lebensstunde, bei Kälbern fleischbetonter Rassen in einem geschlossenen Mutterkuhbestand zu untersuchen, um daraus folgend einen Beitrag zur Erstellung von nicht parametrischen Referenzbereichen für klinische und labordiagnostische Parameter für diese Zeitspanne zu leisten. Korrelationen zwischen klinischen und labordiagnostischen Parametern sollten aufgedeckt werden, um so klinisch relevante Beziehungen herstellen zu können Eine Einschätzung der Vitalität anhand leicht zu erhebender ethologischer Befunde, wie erstes Kopfheben post natum, erstes sicheres Stehen und erste Kolostrumaufnahme wurde durchgeführt. Als Probanden standen insgesamt 115 mature Kälber verschiedener Rassen aus einem geschlossenen Mutterkuhbestand zur Verfügung. Die Untersuchung erstreckte sich von der Geburt bis zu 72 Stunden p. n.. Folgende 20 Parameter kamen dabei zur Auswertung: pH, Base Excess, Kohlendioxidpartialdruck, Hä­¡tokrit, Gesamtprotein, Glukose, Triglyzeride, Cholesterin, Harnstoff, Kreatinin, Natrium, Kalium, Chlorid, Magnesium, AST, ALT, AP, GGT, GLDH und CK. Die statistische Auswertung der Ergebnisse wurde unter Berücksichtigung der Faktoren Alter, Rasse, Geschlecht und Geburtsart der Kälber sowie Geburtsziffer des Muttertieres vorgenommen. Die einzelnen Messgrössen bis auf das Plasmachlorid wurden über den Untersuchungszeitraum hochsignifikant (p < 0,001) durch das Alter beeinflusst. Einflí²í³¥ der Rasse zeigten sich im Verlauf des Blut-pH-Wertes (p <= 0,01), des Base Excess (p <= 0,05) sowie der Enzyme ALT (p <= 0,05) und GLDH (p <= 0,05). Das erste sichere Stehen post natum wurde schwach signifikant durch das Geschlecht (p <= 0,05) beeinflusst. Die Parameter pH-Wert (p <= 0,05) und Kohlendioxidpartialdruck (p <= 0,01) im venösen Blut sowie die Blutglukose (p <= 0,01) zeigten bis zum dritten Lebenstag ebenfalls Einflüsse durch das Geschlecht der Kälber. Die Geburtsart übte einen signifikanten Einfluss auf die ethologischen Parameter des ersten Stehens (p <= 0,01) und des ersten Saugens post natum (p <= 0,01) aus, die Einstufung nach APGAR wurde sogar hoch signifikant (p <= 0,001) durch die Geburtsart beeinflusst. Labordiagnostisch konnte ein signifikanter Einfluss auf die CK-Aktivität (p <= 0,01) ermittelt werden. pH-Wert, Kaliumkonzentration und AST-Aktivität erfuhren schwach signifikante (p <= 0,05) Beeinflussungen durch die Art der Geburt. Die Parität der Muttertiere, beeinflusste die Geburtsart signifikant (p <= 0,01). Ebenso wiesen die Serumspiegel des Gesamtproteins (p <= 0,05), von Harnstoff (p <= 0,01), Kalium (p <= 0,05), ALT (p <= 0,05) und GLDH (p <= 0,05) Einflüsse der die Geburtsziffer auf. Im Verlauf der AP-Aktivitäten zeigten sich hoch signifikante Wechselwirkungen (p <= 0,001) mit den verschiedenen Rassen. Das Geschlecht der Kälber wies ebenso hoch signifikante Wechselwirkungen (p <= 0,001) zur GLDH-Aktivität auf. Wechselwirkungen der Geburtsart und der Zeit waren bei den Messgrössen pH-Wert (p <= 0,001), Kohlendioxidpartialdruck (p <= 0,01), Base Excess (p <= 0,001), Hämatokrit (p <= 0,001), Harnstoff (p <= 0,05) und AST-Aktivität (p <= 0,05) statistisch nachweisbar. Auf die Parameter Harnstoff (p <= 0,001), Natrium (p <= 0,05), Kalium (p <= 0,05), Chlorid (p <= 0,05) und ALT-Aktivität (p <= 0,05) waren Wechselwirkungen der Geburtsziffer der Muttertiere von der Geburt bis zur 72. Lebensstunde darstellbar. Die Körpertemperatur der Kälber korrelierte unmittelbar nach der Geburt signifikant (p <= 0,01) mit dem Blut-pH-Wert (r = -0,283) und dem Kohlendioxidpartialdruck (r = +0,284). Zum Base Excess bestand postnatal eine schwach signifikante (p <= 0,05) Korrelation (r = -0,193). Die Blutglukosewerte korrelierten unmittelbar post natum schwach signifikant (p <= 0,05) mit dem Blut-pH (r = -0,207), dem Kohlendioxidpartialdruck (r = +0,089) und dem Base Excess (r = 0,210). Das erste Kopfheben post natum stand in hoch signifikantem (p <= 0,001) Zusammenhang mit der Vitalitätseinschätzung nach APGAR. Das erste Stehen zeigte einen signifikante (p <= 0,01) und der Zeitpunkt der ersten Kolostrumaufnahme noch einen schwach signifikanten (p <= 0,05) Zusammenhang. Zur exakten Einschätzung der labordiagnostisch ermittelten Blutwerte bei neugeborenen Kälbern ist eine vom genauen Alter abhängige Erstellung von Referenzbereichen unter Berücksichtigung nicht parametrischer Referenzbereiche notwendig.The aim of the present study was to illustrate the sensitive time of the first and the early second adaptation period from birth to the 72. hour of life in different races of beef cattle in one herd. Furthermore non parametric reference values for clinical and laboratory diagnostic parameters for this period of adaptation were described. Another aim was to find correlations between clinical and laboratory parameters to show relations of clinical relevance. Ethological findings such as: first raising of the head post natum, first firm standing and colostrum intake were evaluated. For tests, a total of 115 mature calves of different races out of a close suckler cow management system herd was available. The evaluation was made from immediately after birth to 72 hours p. n.. The following 20 parameters were evaluated: pH, base excess, carbondioxide partial pressure, hematocrit, total protein, glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, uric acid, creatinin, sodium, calium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, AST, ALT, AP, GGT, GLDH and CK. When doing the statistical evaluation of the results factors such as: age, race, sex, kind of birth of the calves as well as the number of births given by the mother cow were considered. The development of the single values over the time period of the research was highly influenced by the age (p <= 0.001). Influence of the race was found during the course of the blood-pH-value (p <= 0.01), of the base excess (p <= 0.05) and also of the enzymes ALT (p <= 0.05) and GLDH (p <= 0.05). The time of first firm standing post natum as a qualifying factor was only weak significantly (p <= 0.05) influenced by the sex. The parameter blood-pH (p <= 0.05), blood glycose (p <= 0.01) and carbondioxide partial pressure (p <= 0.01) also proved influence of the sex of the calves during the first 3 days after birth. The kind of birth had a significant influence on the ethological parameter of the first standing (p <= 0.01) and the first suckling post natum (p <= 0.01). When judging according to APGAR the correlation was even highly significant (p <= 0.001). In the laboratory diagnostics a significant influence on the CK-activity (p <= 0.01) could be found. pH-value, potassium concentration and AST-activity were weak significantly influenced (p <= 0.05) by the kind of birth. The kind of birth was significantly influenced (p <= 0.01) by the fact how often a mother cow already had given birth to calves. The serum level of the total protein (p <= 0.05), of the uric acid (p <= 0.01), potassium (p <=0.05), ALT (p <= 0.05) and GLDH (p <= 0.05) also showed their correlation to the number of birth. During the course of the AP activities of the different races significant interactions became obvious (p <= 0.001). The sex of the calves also showed highly significant interactions (p <= 0.001) towards the GLDH activity. Interactions of the kind and time of birth could also statistically be proven for the parameters: pH value (p <= 0.001), carbondioxide partial pressure (p <= 0.01), base excess (p <= 0.001), hematocrit (p <= 0.001), uric acid (p <= 0.05) and AST activity (p <= 0.05). For the parameters uric acid (p <= 0.001), sodium (p <= 0.05), potassium (p <= 0.05), chloride (p <= 0.05) and AST activity (p <= 0.05), an interaction could be found to the number of births given by the mother cow from the date of birth till the 72nd hour after birth. Correlation was discovered between body temprature and blood glycose to pH, carbondioxide partial pressure and base excess. The body temperature of the calves correlated after birth directly and significantly (p <= 0.01) with the blood-pH-value (r = -0.283) and the carbondioxide partial pressure (r = +0.284). There existed a slightly significant (p <= 0.05) correlation (r = -0.193) to the base excess. The blood glycose values correlated directly post natum slightly significantly (p <= 0.05) with the blood-pH (r = -0.207) with the carbondioxide partial pressure (r = +0.089) and with the base excess (r = 0.210). The first raising of the head post natum was in a highly significant connection (p <= 0.001) with the judgement of the vitality by APGAR. The first standing up showed a significant (p <= 0.01) and the time of first intake of cholostrum still a weak significant (p <=0.05) correlation. For the exact evaluation of the blood values derived from laboratory diagnostics for newly born calves, a table with values referring to the exact age and also considering the non-parameter values must be created

Anakinra reduces blood pressure and renal fibrosis in one kidney/DOCA/salt-induced hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a clinically-utilised IL-1 receptor antagonist, anakinra, reduces renal inflammation, structural damage and blood pressure (BP) in mice with established hypertension. METHODS: Hypertension was induced in male mice by uninephrectomy, deoxycorticosterone acetate (2.4mg/d,s.c.) and replacement of drinking water with saline (1K/DOCA/salt). Control mice received uninephrectomy, a placebo pellet and normal drinking water. 10days post-surgery, mice commenced treatment with anakinra (75mg/kg/d, i.p.) or vehicle (0.9% saline, i.p.) for 11 days. Systolic BP was measured by tail cuff while qPCR, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry were used to measure inflammatory markers, collagen and immune cell infiltration in the kidneys. RESULTS: By 10 days post-surgery, 1K/DOCA/salt-treated mice displayed elevated systolic BP (148.3+/-2.4mmHg) compared to control mice (121.7+/-2.7mmHg; n=18, P\u3c0.0001). The intervention with anakinra reduced BP in 1K/DOCA/salt-treated mice by approximately 20mmHg (n=16, P\u3c0.05), but had no effect in controls. In 1K/DOCA/salt-treated mice, anakinra modestly reduced ( approximately 30%) renal expression of some (CCL5, CCL2; n=7-8; P\u3c0.05) but not all (ICAM-1, IL-6) inflammatory markers, and had no effect on immune cell infiltration (n=7-8, P \u3e 0.05). Anakinra reduced renal collagen content (n=6, P\u3c0.01) but paradoxically appeared to exacerbate the renal and glomerular hypertrophy (n=8-9, P\u3c0.001) that accompanied 1K/DOCA/salt-induced hypertension. CONCLUSION: Despite its anti-hypertensive and renal anti-fibrotic actions, anakinra had minimal effects on inflammation and leukocyte infiltration in mice with 1K/DOCA/salt-induced hypertension. Future studies will assess whether the anti-hypertensive actions of anakinra are mediated by protective actions in other BP-regulating or salt-handling organs such as the arteries, skin and brain

Simulations of extensional flow in microrheometric devices

We present a detailed numerical study of the flow of a Newtonian fluid through microrheometric devices featuring a sudden contraction–expansion. This flow configuration is typically used to generate extensional deformations and high strain rates. The excess pressure drop resulting from the converging and diverging flow is an important dynamic measure to quantify if the device is intended to be used as a microfluidic extensional rheometer. To explore this idea, we examine the effect of the contraction length, aspect ratio and Reynolds number on the flow kinematics and resulting pressure field. Analysis of the computed velocity and pressure fields show that, for typical experimental conditions used in microfluidic devices, the steady flow is highly three-dimensional with open spiraling vortical structures in the stagnant corner regions. The numerical simulations of the local kinematics and global pressure drop are in good agreement with experimental results. The device aspect ratio is shown to have a strong impact on the flow and consequently on the excess pressure drop, which is quantified in terms of the dimensionless Couette and Bagley correction factors. We suggest an approach for calculating the Bagley correction which may be especially appropriate for planar microchannels

LOFAR Deep Fields : Probing a broader population of polarized radio galaxies in ELAIS-N1

This paper is part of the 1st data release of the LoTSS Deep Fields. © 2020 The European Southern Observatory (ESO).We present deep polarimetric observations of the European Large Area ISO Survey-North 1 (ELAIS-N1) field using the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) at 114.9-177.4 MHz. The ELAIS-N1 field is part of the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey deep fields data release I. For six eight-hour observing epochs, we align the polarization angles and stack the 20"-resolution Stokes $Q$, $U$-parameter data cubes. This produces a 16 deg$^2$ image with 1$\sigma_{\rm QU}$ sensitivity of 26 $\mu$Jy/beam in the central area. In this paper, we demonstrate the feasibility of the stacking technique, and we generate a catalog of polarized sources in ELAIS-N1 and their associated Faraday rotation measures (RMs). While in a single-epoch observation we detect three polarized sources, this number increases by a factor of about three when we consider the stacked data, with a total of ten sources. This yields a surface density of polarized sources of one per 1.6 deg$^2$. The Stokes $I$ images of three of the ten detected polarized sources have morphologies resembling those of FR I radio galaxies. This represents a greater fraction of this type of source than previously found, which suggests that more sensitive observations may help with their detection.Peer reviewe

Vascular relaxation of canine visceral arteries after ischemia by means of supraceliac aortic cross-clamping followed by reperfusion

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The supraceliac aortic cross-clamping can be an option to save patients with hipovolemic shock due to abdominal trauma. However, this maneuver is associated with ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury strongly related to oxidative stress and reduction of nitric oxide bioavailability. Moreover, several studies demonstrated impairment in relaxation after I/R, but the time course of I/R necessary to induce vascular dysfunction is still controversial. We investigated whether 60 minutes of ischemia followed by 30 minutes of reperfusion do not change the relaxation of visceral arteries nor the plasma and renal levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite plus nitrate (NOx).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Male mongrel dogs (n = 27) were randomly allocated in one of the three groups: sham (no clamping, n = 9), ischemia (supraceliac aortic cross-clamping for 60 minutes, n = 9), and I/R (60 minutes of ischemia followed by reperfusion for 30 minutes, n = 9). Relaxation of visceral arteries (celiac trunk, renal and superior mesenteric arteries) was studied in organ chambers. MDA and NOx concentrations were determined using a commercially available kit and an ozone-based chemiluminescence assay, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Both acetylcholine and calcium ionophore caused relaxation in endothelium-intact rings and no statistical differences were observed among the three groups. Sodium nitroprusside promoted relaxation in endothelium-denuded rings, and there were no inter-group statistical differences. Both plasma and renal concentrations of MDA and NOx showed no significant difference among the groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Supraceliac aortic cross-clamping for 60 minutes alone and followed by 30 minutes of reperfusion did not impair relaxation of canine visceral arteries nor evoke biochemical alterations in plasma or renal tissue.</p