Activity of selected plant extracts against honey bee pathogen Paenibacillus larvae

International audienceAbstractThe present study focuses on the antibacterial activity of selected plant extracts against Paenibacillus larvae, the causal agent of American foulbrood disease of honey bees. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was used to analyze six diethyl ether extracts of two white birch species, black poplar and common aspen buds, as well as n-hexane, diethyl ether, and methanol extracts of young twigs from downy and silver birches. Among the identified extract constituents were flavonoids, phenylpropenoids, triterpenoids, and glucosides. In spite of significant differences in qualitative and quantitative composition, all tested in vitro extracts demonstrated high anti-P. larvae activity at minimal inhibitory concentration levels between < 1.0 and 125 μg/mL. To examine the cause of such disparity, the anti-P. larvae activity of some individual constituents naturally present in plant extract compounds was determined. A higher susceptibility of P. larvae (ERIC I) to relatively poorly polar triterpenoid levels compared to polar compounds, flavonoids, and glucosides was demonstrated

Salt and Water Retention Is Associated with Microinflammation and Endothelial Injury in Chronic Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND: Progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) inevitably leads to salt and water retention and disturbances in the macro-and microcirculation. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesize that salt and water dysregulation in advanced CKD may be linked to inflammation and microvascular injury pathways. METHODS: We studied 23 CKD stage 5 patients and 11 healthy controls (HC). Tissue sodium concentration was assessed using 23Sodium magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Hydration status was evaluated using bioimpedance spectroscopy. A panel of inflammatory and endothelial biomarkers was also measured. RESULTS: CKD patients had fluid overload (FO) when compared to HC (overhydration index: CKD = 0.5 ± 1.9 L vs. HC = -0.5 ± 1.0 L; p = 0.03). MR-derived tissue sodium concentrations were predominantly higher in the subcutaneous (SC) compartment (median [interquartile range] CKD = 22.4 mmol/L [19.4-31.3] vs. HC = 18.4 mmol/L [16.6-21.3]; p = 0.03), but not the muscle (CKD = 24.9 ± 5.5 mmol/L vs. HC = 22.8 ± 2.5 mmol/L; p = 0.26). Tissue sodium in both compartments correlated to FO (muscle: r = 0.63, p < 0.01; SC: rs = 0.63, p < 0.01). CKD subjects had elevated levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule (p < 0.05), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (p < 0.01), and interleukin (IL)-6 (p = 0.01) and lower levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (p = 0.04). FO in CKD was linked to higher IL-8 (r = 0.51, p < 0.05) and inversely associated to E-selectin (r = -0.52, p = 0.01). Higher SC sodium was linked to higher intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM; rs = 0.54, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Salt and water accumulation in CKD appears to be linked with inflammation and endothelial activation pathways. Specifically IL-8, E-Selectin (in FO), and ICAM (in salt accumulation) may be implicated in the pathophysiology of FO and merit further investigation

The effect of fear of falling on vestibular feedback control of balance

© 2017 The Authors. Vestibular sensation contributes to cervical-head stabilization and fall prevention. To what extent fear of falling influences the associated vestibular feedback processes is currently undetermined. We used galanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) to induce vestibular reflexes while participants stood at ground level and on a narrow walkway at 3.85 m height to induce fear of falling. Fear was confirmed by questionnaires and elevated skin conductance. Full-body kinematics was measured to differentiate the whole-body centre of mass response (CoM) into component parts (cervical, axial trunk, appendicular short latency, and medium latency). We studied the effect of fear of falling on each component to discern their underlying mechanisms. Statistical parametric mapping analysis provided sensitive discrimination of early GVS and height effects. Kinematic analysis revealed responses at 1 mA stimulation previously believed marginal through EMG and force plate analysis. The GVS response comprised a rapid, anode-directed cervical-head acceleration, a short-latency cathode-directed acceleration (cathodal buckling) of lower extremities and pelvis, an anode-directed upper thorax acceleration, and subsequently a medium-latency anode-directed acceleration of all body parts. At height, head and upper thorax early acceleration were unaltered, however, short-latency lower extremity acceleration was increased. The effect of height on balance was a decreased duration and increased rate of change in the CoM acceleration pattern. These results demonstrate that fear modifies vestibular control of balance, whereas cervical-head stabilization is governed by different mechanisms unaffected by fear of falling. The mechanical pattern of cathodal buckling and its modulation by fear of falling both support the hypothesis that short-latency responses contribute to regulate balance

Frailty phenotype and frailty index are associated with distinct neuromuscular electrophysiological characteristics in men

The purpose of this study was to determine whether neuromuscular electrophysiological characteristics that are known to underlie sarcopenia are also associated with the more complex frailty syndrome. Eighty‐six men [mean (SD) age, 74 (8) years] were classed as non‐frail (robust), prefrail or frail using criteria from the frailty phenotype (FP) and the frailty index (FI). The femoral nerve was stimulated maximally and the resulting compound muscle action potential amplitude (CMAP) measured over the vastus lateralis. Motor unit potential (MUP) size was assessed during voluntary contractions using intramuscular electromyography (iEMG). Logistic and negative binomial regression models determined relationships between FP and FI with CMAP and MUP sizes before and after adjustments for age and body mass index. Larger CMAP size was associated with a lower likelihood of frailty in fully adjusted models: a 1SD higher level in vastus lateralis CMAP size was associated with a 0.4 (95% confidence interval: 0.2, 0.6; P < 0.01) unit lower FI (40% of the FI range) and more than halving of the odds [odds ratio: 0.43 (95% confidence interval: 0.21, 0.90)] of having a frail/prefrail phenotype. Greater MUP size was also related to lower FI values using unadjusted and fully adjusted models. However, MUP size was not significantly related to FP in any model. Smaller MUPs and a smaller CMAP were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of frailty, independent of age and body mass index. These results relate neuromuscular electrophysiological characteristics to the complex frailty syndrome and identify motor unit remodelling as a possible contributing factor

Nonandrogenic Anabolic Hormones Predict Risk of Frailty: European Male Ageing Study Prospective Data

Context: Low levels of nonandrogenic anabolic hormones have been linked with frailty, but evidence is conflicting and prospective data are largely lacking.Objective: To determine associations between nonandrogenic anabolic hormones and prospective changes in frailty status.Design/Setting: A 4.3-year prospective observational study of community-dwelling men participating in the European Male Ageing Study.Participants: Men (n = 3369) aged 40 to 79 years from eight European centers.Main Outcome Measures: Frailty status was determined using frailty phenotype (FP; n = 2114) and frailty index (FI; n = 2444).Analysis: Regression models assessed relationships between baseline levels of insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1), its binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), and parathyroid hormone (PTH), with changes in frailty status (worsening or improving frailty).Results: The risk of worsening FP and FI decreased with 1 standard deviation higher IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and 25OHD in models adjusted for age, body mass index, center, and baseline frailty [IGF-1: odds ratio (OR) for worsening FP, 0.82 (0.73, 0.93), percentage change in FI, -3.7% (-6.0, -1.5); IGFBP-3: 0.84 (0.75, 0.95), -4.2% (-6.4, -2.0); 25OHD: 0.84 (0.75, 0.95); -4.4%, (-6.7, -2.0)]. Relationships between IGF-1 and FI were attenuated after adjusting for IGFBP-3. Higher DHEA-S was associated with a lower risk of worsening FP only in men >70 years old [OR, 0.57 (0.35, 0.92)]. PTH was unrelated to change in frailty status.Conclusions: These longitudinal data confirm the associations between nonandrogenic anabolic hormones and the changes in frailty status. Interventional studies are needed to establish causality and determine therapeutic implications

Supplemental Material JCEM Ms. No. jc.2019-01883R1

Supplemental Material concerning the JCEM manuscript jc.2019-01883R

Supplemental Material JCEM Ms. No. jc.2019-01883R1

Supplemental Material concerning the JCEM manuscript jc.2019-01883R

Problemy związane z nadpobudliwością i złym zachowaniem się psów różnych ras

The aim of the performed investigation was to determine the level of hyperactivity and bad behavior of selected dog breeds. The numbers of the analyzed animals were as follows: in total 471 individuals (items), including 400 pedigree dogs qualified to a particular group according to FCI and 71 crossbreed dogs. The observations were carried out in a dog owner’s house or neutral places (parks, forest glades, veterinary clinics). According to “bad behavior” (category A), the greatest aggression towards humans was observed within the dogs from groups I and II (37.4% and 40.9%, respectively). The dominating breeds were: German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier (medium and large breeds). In category B – the highest hyperactivity was observed in the dogs from group I, group II and group VIII. In category C – the greatest problems according to hyperactivity were spotted for small breeds, for example: Dachshund, which was characterized by intense barking and howling, and defecation in the house. Further breeds to be mentioned for hyperactivity are: Cavalier King Charles spaniel and Yorkshire Terrier. The smallest number of problems was caused by big breeds (within the range of 1.8-2.6% of the investigated population). It was confirmed that the most common disorders in the population of medium and large dogs were in the following order: aggression towards humans, aggression towards other dogs and pulling the leash; however, small dogs showed the greatest hyperactivity.Badania miały na celu określenie stopnia nadpobudliwości i niepożądanych zachowań u wybranych ras psów. Analizą objęto 471 osobników (w tym 400 psów rodowodowych zakwalifikowanych do danej grupy wg FCI oraz 71 mieszańców). Obserwacje przeprowadzono w domu właściciela psa lub na gruncie neutralnym (park, polana, gabinet weterynaryjny). Na tej podstawie dokonano podziału na 3 kategorie: A – złe zachowanie (agresywne wobec ludzi, wobec psów oraz zachowanie nerwowe), B – nadaktywne (nieposłuszeństwo, ciągnięcie na smyczy i skakanie na ludzi), C – problemy związane z nadpobudliwością (niszczenie przedmiotów, brudzenie w domu, szczekanie i wycie). Najliczniejszą populację stanowiły psy rasowe z grupy I (99 szt.), II (88 szt.) i III (85 szt.). Pod względem złego zachowania (kat. A), największa agresja wobec ludzi występowała u psów z grupy I i II (odpowiednio u 37,4% i 40,9%). Dominowały rasy: owczarek niemiecki, rottweiler, staffordshire bull terier (rasy średnie i duże). W kategorii B wykazano największą nadpobudliwość u psów z grupy I, grupy II i grupy VIII. W kategorii C największe problemy z nadpobudliwością wystąpiły u ras małych, takich jak jamnik, którego cechowało intensywne szczekanie i wycie oraz defekacja w domu, w dalszej kolejności wymienić należy rasy Cavalier King Charles spaniela i yorkshire teriera. Najmniej problemów sprawiały rasy duże (1,8-2,6% badanej populacji). Wykazano, że najczęściej występującymi zaburzeniami w badanej populacji psów średnich i dużych były w kolejności: agresja w stosunku do ludzi, agresja wobec innych psów oraz ciągnięcie na smyczy, natomiast psy małe wykazywały największą nadpobudliwość

Mother's attitudes and behaviour towards infant feeding: an exploratory study in Poland

This paper reports on a preliminary and exploratory study on mother's attitudes and behaviour towards infant feeding in Poland. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of demographic and socio-economic factors on mother's choice of breastfeeding and attitude towards baby ready food. Primary cross-sectional data were gathered through a sample survey research. The choice for breastfeeding is found to be associated with lower income, whereas no significant effects of mother age and education are observed. With respect to attitude towards baby ready foods, younger mothers were found to attach significantly more importance to advertising and information on the product label. They also rely more on specialised information from paediatricians with respect to infant feeding. Generally, the findings point towards a greater need for information related to infant feeding among younger and economically less-favoured mothers