1,622 research outputs found
Assessment of a Nutritional Rehabilitation Model in Two Modern Broilers and Their Jungle Fowl Ancestor
Inclusion of rye in poultry diets induces a nutritional deficit that leads to increased bacterial translocation, intestinal viscosity, and decreased bone mineralization. However, the effect of diet on developmental stage or genetic strain is unclear. Therefore, the objective of this chapter is to evaluate the effects of a well-established rye model diet during either the early or the late phase of development on performance, bone mineralization, and morphometric analysis. Furthermore, intestinal integrity evaluated by liver bacterial translocation, leakage of FITC-d, and gene expression of tight junctions across three diverse genetic backgrounds Modern 2015 (Cobb 500) broiler chicken, 1995 Cobb broiler chicken, and the Giant Jungle Fowl are also discussed
Ianus: an Adpative FPGA Computer
Dedicated machines designed for specific computational algorithms can
outperform conventional computers by several orders of magnitude. In this note
we describe {\it Ianus}, a new generation FPGA based machine and its basic
features: hardware integration and wide reprogrammability. Our goal is to build
a machine that can fully exploit the performance potential of new generation
FPGA devices. We also plan a software platform which simplifies its
programming, in order to extend its intended range of application to a wide
class of interesting and computationally demanding problems. The decision to
develop a dedicated processor is a complex one, involving careful assessment of
its performance lead, during its expected lifetime, over traditional computers,
taking into account their performance increase, as predicted by Moore's law. We
discuss this point in detail
Hierarchy and the Provision of Order in International Politics
The anarchic international system is actually heavily structured: communities of states join together for common benefit; strong states form hierarchical relationships with weak states to enforce order and achieve preferred outcomes. Breaking from prior research, we conceptualize structures such as community and hierarchy as properties of networks of states’ interactions that can capture unobserved constraints in state behavior, constraints that may reduce conflict. We offer two claims. One, common membership in trade communities pacifies to the extent that breaking trade ties would entail high switching costs: thus, we expect heavy arms trade, more than most types of commercial trade, to reduce intracommunity conflict. Two, this is driven by hierarchical communities in which strong states can use high switching costs as leverage to constrain conflict between weaker states in the community. We find empirical support for these claims using a time-dependent multilayer network model and a new measure of hierarchy based on network centrality
Remodelling of human atrial K+ currents but not ion channel expression by chronic β-blockade
Chronic β-adrenoceptor antagonist (β-blocker) treatment in patients is associated with a potentially anti-arrhythmic prolongation of the atrial action potential duration (APD), which may involve remodelling of repolarising K+ currents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic β-blockade on transient outward, sustained and inward rectifier K+ currents (ITO, IKSUS and IK1) in human atrial myocytes and on the expression of underlying ion channel subunits. Ion currents were recorded from human right atrial isolated myocytes using the whole-cell-patch clamp technique. Tissue mRNA and protein levels were measured using real time RT-PCR and Western blotting. Chronic β-blockade was associated with a 41% reduction in ITO density: 9.3 ± 0.8 (30 myocytes, 15 patients) vs 15.7 ± 1.1 pA/pF (32, 14), p < 0.05; without affecting its voltage-, time- or rate dependence. IK1 was reduced by 34% at −120 mV (p < 0.05). Neither IKSUS, nor its increase by acute β-stimulation with isoprenaline, was affected by chronic β-blockade. Mathematical modelling suggested that the combination of ITO- and IK1-decrease could result in a 28% increase in APD90. Chronic β-blockade did not alter mRNA or protein expression of the ITO pore-forming subunit, Kv4.3, or mRNA expression of the accessory subunits KChIP2, KChAP, Kvβ1, Kvβ2 or frequenin. There was no reduction in mRNA expression of Kir2.1 or TWIK to account for the reduction in IK1. A reduction in atrial ITO and IK1 associated with chronic β-blocker treatment in patients may contribute to the associated action potential prolongation, and this cannot be explained by a reduction in expression of associated ion channel subunits
Gene expression differences during the heterogeneous progression of peripheral atherosclerosis in familial hypercholesterolemic swine
Back to the future: routine morphological assessment of the tumour microenvironment is prognostic in stage II/III colon cancer in a large population-based study
Evaluation of an immunodot blot technique for the detection of antibodies against Taenia solium larval antigens
Immunodiagnostic tests represent an important tool for diagnosis of cysticercosis, the disease caused by cysticerci of Taenia solium. Accurate diagnosis of neurocysticercosis (NCC) requires costly neuroimaging techniques (magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography), which are seldom affordable for people in endemic countries. Hence, new low-cost diagnostic methods offering good sensitivity and specificity are needed. Here, we studied four immunodiagnostic tests immunodot blot Tsol-p27, a commercial ELISA, and Western blot Tsol-p27/TsolHSP36, and compared them with a commercial enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) that we regarded as the gold standard method. The analyzed serum samples were obtained from 160 patients: 94 epileptics suspected of NCC, six individuals confirmed NCC-positive, and 60 with positive (30) or negative (30) serology for Chagas diseases. Of the 100 serum samples from epileptic patients, 13 were positive and 87 negative by EITB. Compared to Western blot Tsol-p27, immunodot blot Tsol-p27 offered similar specificity (97.8% vs. 95.6%) but better sensitivity (86.7% vs. 76.4%). The ELISA was similar to the immunodot blot Tsol-p27 regarding both sensitivity and specificity. Western blot TsolHSP36 provided the lowest sensitivity (61.9%) and specificity (86.1%). None of the antibodies in the serum samples from the Chagas control groups were recognized by immunodot blot Tsol-p27. Our results indicate that the immunodot blot Tsol-p27 provides good sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, considering the simplicity and low cost of this test, it might be preferable as a diagnostic method in poorly equipped laboratories in endemic countries
Selenium and impaired physical function in US and Spanish older adults
Background: Selenium (Se) is a trace element with a narrow safety margin.
Objectives: To evaluate the cross-sectional and longitudinal dose-response association between Se exposure and
measures of impaired physical function and disability in older adults.
Design: NHANES 2011–2014 cross-sectional (US, n = 1733, age ≥60 years) and Seniors-ENRICA-2 2017–2019
cross-sectional and longitudinal (Spain, n = 2548 and 1741, respectively, age ≥65 years) data were analyzed.
Whole blood and serum Se levels were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Lowerextremity
performance was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery, and muscle weakness with
a dynamometer. Incident mobility and agility limitations, and disability in instrumental activities of daily living
(IADL) were ascertained with standardized questionnaires. Analyses were adjusted for relevant confounders,
including physical activity. Results across studies were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis.
Results: Meta-analyzed odds ratios (95% confidence interval) per log2 increase in whole blood Se were 0.54
(0.32; 0.76) for weakness, 0.59 (0.34; 0.83) for impaired lower-extremity performance, 0.48 (0.31; 0.68) for
mobility limitations, 0.71 (0.45; 0.97) for agility limitations, and 0.34 (0.12; 0.56) for disability in at least one
IADL. Analyses for serum Se in NHANES showed similar results. Findings suggest the inverse association with
grip strength is progressive below 140 μg/L (p-value for non-linear trend in the Seniors-ENRICA-2 study = 0.13),
and above 140 μg/L (p-value for non-linear trend in NHANES = 0.11). In the Seniors-ENRICA-2 cohort, with a
2.2 year follow-up period, a doubling in baseline Se levels were associated with a lower incidence of weakness
[odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.45 (0.22; 0.91)], impaired lower-extremity performance [0.63 (0.32;
1.23)], mobility [0.43 (0.21; 0.91)] and agility [0.38 (0.18; 0.78)] limitations.
Discussion: In US and Spanish older adults, Se concentrations were inversely associated with physical function
limitations. Further studies are needed to elucidate underlying mechanisms.Instituto de Salud Carlos III
European Commission
PI18/287
16/609State Secretary of R + D + I
PID2019-108973RB-C21/C22European Social Fund (ESF)
European Commissio
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