Inflammatory Airway Disease of Horses - Revised Consensus Statement

The purpose of this manuscript is to revise and update the previous consensus statement on inflammatory airway disease (IAD) in horses. Since 2007, a large number of scientific articles have been published on the topic and these new findings have led to a significant evolution of our understanding of IAD

Diatomées périphytiques comme indicateurs de stress combinés liés à l'historique minier et à la pression urbaine dans le bassin versant de Junction Creek (Ontario, Canada)

International audienceSudbury (Ontario, Canada) has a long mining history that has left the region with a distinctive legacy of environmental impacts. Several actions have been undertaken since the 1970s to rehabilitate this deteriorated environment, in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Despite a marked increase in environmental health, we show that the Junction Creek system remains under multiple stressors from present and past mining operations, and from urban-related pressures such as municipal wastewater treatment plants, golf courses and stormwater runoff. Water samples have elevated metal concentrations, with values reaching up to 1 mg·

Effet du débit sur la dynamique temporelle des algues périphytiques dans une rivière influencée par les activités agricoles

Le périphyton de la rivière Boyer Nord, une rivière affectée par les activités agricoles dans le sud du Québec (Canada), a été échantillonné toutes les deux semaines de la mi-mai à la fin septembre 1999 afin d'évaluer son évolution temporelle et d'identifier les variables potentielles qui le contrôlent. Les résultats montrent la grande variabilité temporelle de la biomasse périphytique (poids sec organique et chlorophylle a) et de la structure de la communauté de diatomées. La communauté d'algues benthiques dans la rivière Boyer était principalement composée de diatomées (Nitzschia, Cocconeis, Cymbella, Cyclotella), d'algues vertes (Scenedesmus, Pediastrum, Cosmarium, Closterium) et de cyanobactéries (Phormidium, Oscillatoria, Merismopedia). La pointe de débit observée durant la semaine précédant l'échantillonnage était fortement corrélée à plusieurs variables physico-chimiques (N-total, NH3-N, NO3-N, P-total, turbidité) et était le plus fortement corrélée aux changements temporels de la biomasse. La biomasse (chlorophylle a et poids sec organique) était négativement corrélée au phosphore total, ce qui reflète la relation avec le débit. Les changements temporels dans la composition spécifique des diatomées étaient régis par différentes variables physico-chimiques, selon les limites de tolérances et la valence écologique des espèces. Les algues périphytiques de cette communauté ont réagi aux variations de l'environnement à l'intérieur d'une période de 2 semaines puisque des changements majeurs dans la structure de l'assemblage de diatomées ont été observés lors de chaque échantillonnage. Ces observations montrent la forte variabilité de la biomasse et de la structure de la communauté périphytique dans les rivières enrichies par les éléments nutritifs et souligne l'influence majeure du débit dans ce type d'environnement.Periphyton in an agriculturally enriched river (Boyer River, Québec, Canada) was sampled from mid-May to the end of September 1999 to evaluate the temporal succession of periphyton and to identify potential controlling variables. The river is located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River and discharges into it approximately 30 kilometres downstream (east) of Québec City. Land-use in the Boyer River watershed is 60% farmland and 40% forests. The site was chosen for its intense farming, accessibility and proximity to an automatic sampling station for water quality operated by the Québec Ministry of the Environment that continuously recorded pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen and discharge. Event water samples were collected for nutrients, turbidity, conductivity and suspended solids according to discharge. Periphyton growth was scraped every two weeks from rocks over a 10 meter reach, between mid-May and the end of September using a template, blade and toothbrush. Samples for chlorophyll a (Chl a) and ash-free-dry-weight (AFDW) were filtered on to Whatman GF/C glass fiber filters the same day and additional samples were preserved with paraformaldehyde-glutaraldehyde for taxonomic analysis. Chl a was extracted in 95% ethanol and quantified by spectrophotometry. AFDW was determined by drying the samples for 24 hours at 80ºC followed by combustion in a muffle furnace at 500ºC for 2 hours. Samples for diatom analysis were cleaned using a mixture of 1:1 sulphuric and nitric acid at 60°C and mounted on slides with Naphrax mounting medium. Diatoms were then identified and counted with a Zeiss Axiovert 10 inverted microscope at 1000X magnification. A minimum of 400 valves were enumerated for each sample. The presence of other algal constituents was also determined. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlations, stepwise regression analysis and analysis of variance.The chemical and physical properties of the river fluctuated substantially during the sampling season. Nutrient levels were consistently high with total N in the range of 1,2-7,2 mg/l and total P in the range of 0,07-0,37 mg/l, confirming the strong agricultural enrichment of the Boyer River. All measured nitrogen components (total-N, NH3-N, NO3-N) showed a decreasing trend during the sampling season while soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), total dissolved P, conductivity, pH and temperature showed a general increase over the season. Oxygen levels were often well above or below saturation (29-176% of air equilibrium) indicating a strong biological influence on oxygen dynamics.Periphytic biomass (Chl a and AFDW) and diatom community structure showed major fluctuations over time. The temporal changes in biomass were most strongly correlated (negatively) with peak discharge during the preceding week (AFDW : r=-0,748, p < 0,05; and Chl a : r=-0,649, p < 0,05). This discharge variable was strongly correlated (positively) with several physico-chemical variables (total-N, NH3-N, NO3-N, total-P, turbidity). The negative correlation between biomass and total phosphorus suggested that algae in the Boyer River were not nutrient-limited. However, stepwise regressions showed that variations in diatom-specific composition over time were regulated by various physico-chemical variables linked to environmental preferences and tolerance of each species. Navicula seminulum, Navicula cf. subminusculus and Navicula saprophila were strongly influenced by the peak discharge during the week preceding the sampling (R2 =0,76, F(1,8) =25,7, p 0,001; R2 =0,66, F(1,8) =15,82, p < 0,05 and R2=0,55, F(1,8) =9,85, p < 0,05, respectively). Cymbella silesiaca, Cocconeis placentula, Cyclotella meneghiniana and Navicula saprophila were strongly correlated with temperature (R2 =0,58, F(1,8) =11,08, p < 0,05; R2 =0,61, F(1,8) =28,15, p 0,001; R2 =0,41, F(1,8) =5,65, p < 0,05 and R2 =0,59, F(1,8) =11,38, p < 0,005, respectively). Diatoma vulgaris was mostly influenced by suspended solids plus discharge (R2 =0,4, F(1,8) =5,38, p < 0,05; and R2 =0,86, F(1,7) =20,72, p < 0,005, respectively). The abundance of Navicula lanceolata was strongly correlated with conductivity (R2 =45, F(1,8) =6,55, p < 0,05) while that of Nitzschia spp. correlated with total dissolved phosphorus (R2 =49, F(1,8) =7,63, p < 0,05). No significant influence of the physico-chemical environment was observed on Navicula cryptocephala or Surirella brebissonii. Benthic algae in this nutrient-rich ecosystem responded to environmental variations within 2 weeks since major changes in community composition were observed between all sampling dates. Although diatom community structure changed markedly during the sampling season, most of the observed species are indicative of nutrient-enriched rivers and streams.The results of this study show the dynamic nature of periphyton communities in nutrient-enriched rivers and streams and underscore the importance of discharge as a regulator of biomass. The rapid shifts in community structure also imply that benthic algae can be used as a sensitive measure of environmental conditions in agriculturally impacted ecosystems

HCO3 dependent impact of Na+,K+, 2Cl cotransport in vascular smooth muscle excitation-contraction coupling

In smooth muscles, inhibition of Na(+),K(+),2Cl(-) cotransport (NKCC) by bumetanide decreased intracellular Cl(-) content ([Cl(-)](i)) and suppressed the contractions triggered by diverse stimuli. This study examines whether or not bicarbonate, a regulator of several Cl(-) transporters, affects the impact of NKCC in excitation-contraction coupling. Addition of 25 mM NaHCO(3) attenuated the inhibitory action of bumetanide on mesenteric artery contractions evoked by 30 mM KCl and phenylephrine (PE) by 5 and 3-fold, respectively. In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, NaHCO(3) almost completely abolished inhibitory actions of bumetanide on transient depolarization and [Ca(2+)](i) elevation triggered by PE. In bicarbonate-free medium, bumetanide decreased [Cl(-)](i) by approximately 15%; this effect was almost totally abrogated by NaHCO(3). The addition of NaHCO(3) resulted in 2-fold inhibition of NKCC activity and 3-fold attenuation of [Cl(-)](i). These data strongly suggest that extracellular HCO(3)(-) diminishes the NKCC-sensitive component of excitation-contraction coupling via suppression of this carrier

Broadband quadrature-squeezed vacuum and nonclassical photon number correlations from a nanophotonic device

We report the first demonstrations of both quadrature squeezed vacuum and photon number difference squeezing generated in an integrated nanophotonic device. Squeezed light is generated via strongly driven spontaneous four-wave mixing below threshold in silicon nitride microring resonators. The generated light is characterized with both homodyne detection and direct measurements of photon statistics using photon number-resolving transition edge sensors. We measure $1.0(1)$~dB of broadband quadrature squeezing (${\sim}4$~dB inferred on-chip) and $1.5(3)$~dB of photon number difference squeezing (${\sim}7$~dB inferred on-chip). Nearly-single temporal mode operation is achieved, with raw unheralded second-order correlations $g^{(2)}$ as high as $1.87(1)$ measured (${\sim}1.9$~when corrected for noise). Multi-photon events of over 10 photons are directly detected with rates exceeding any previous quantum optical demonstration using integrated nanophotonics. These results will have an enabling impact on scaling continuous variable quantum technology.Comment: Significant improvements and updates to photon number squeezing results and discussions, including results on single temporal mode operatio

The XXL Survey VII: A supercluster of galaxies at z=0.43

The XXL Survey is the largest homogeneous and contiguous survey carried out with XMM-Newton. Covering an area of 50 square degrees distributed over two fields, it primarily investigates the large-scale structures of the Universe using the distribution of galaxy clusters and active galactic nuclei as tracers of the matter distribution. Given its depth and sky coverage, XXL is particularly suited to systematically unveiling the clustering of X-ray clusters and to identifying superstructures in a homogeneous X-ray sample down to the typical mass scale of a local massive cluster. A friends-of-friends algorithm in three-dimensional physical space was run to identify large-scale structures. In this paper we report the discovery of the highest redshift supercluster of galaxies found in the XXL Survey. We describe the X-ray properties of the clusters members of the structure and the optical follow-up. The newly discovered supercluster is composed of six clusters of galaxies at a median redshift z around 0.43 and distributed across approximately 30 by 15 arc minutes (10 by 5 Mpc on sky) on the sky. This structure is very compact with all the clusters residing in one XMM pointing; for this reason this is the first supercluster discovered with the XXL Survey. Spectroscopic follow-up with WHT (William Herschel Telescope) and NTT (New Technology Telescope) confirmed a median redshift of z = 0.43. An estimate of the X-ray mass and luminosity of this supercluster and of its total gas mass put XLSSC-e at the average mass range of superclusters; its appearance, with two members of equal size, is quite unusual with respect to other superclusters and provides a unique view of the formation process of a massive structure.Comment: A&A, accepted; special XXL issu

Autonomic pain responses during sleep: a study of heart rate variability

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) reacts to nociceptive stimulation during sleep, but whether this reaction is contingent to cortical arousal, and whether one of the autonomic arms (sympathetic/parasympathetic) predominates over the other remains unknown. We assessed ANS reactivity to nociceptive stimulation during all sleep stages through heart rate variability, and correlated the results with the presence of cortical arousal measured in concomitant 32-channel EEG. Fourteen healthy volunteers underwent whole-night polysomnography during which nociceptive laser stimuli were applied over the hand. RR intervals (RR) and spectral analysis by wavelet transform were performed to assess parasympathetic (HF(WV)) and sympathetic (LF(WV) and LF(WV)/HF(WV) ratio) reactivity. During all sleep stages, RR significantly decreased in reaction to nociceptive stimulations, reaching a level similar to that of wakefulness, at the 3rd beat post-stimulus and returning to baseline after seven beats. This RR decrease was associated with an increase in sympathetic LF(WV) and LF(WV)/HF(WV) ratio without any parasympathetic HF(WV) change. Albeit RR decrease existed even in the absence of arousals, it was significantly higher when an arousal followed the noxious stimulus. These results suggest that the sympathetic-dependent cardiac activation induced by nociceptive stimuli is modulated by a sleep dependent phenomenon related to cortical activation and not by sleep itself, since it reaches a same intensity whatever the state of vigilance

Impact of biological sex and gender-related factors on public engagement in protective health behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional analyses from a global survey

Objective Given the role of sociocultural gender in shaping human behaviours, the main objective of this study was to examine whether sex and gender-related factors were associated with the public’s adherence to COVID-19-recommended protective health behaviours. Design This was a retrospective analysis of the survey that captured data on people’s awareness, attitudes and behaviours as they relate to the COVID-19 policies. Setting Data from the International COVID-19 Awareness and Responses Evaluation survey collected between March 2020 and February 2021 from 175 countries. Participants Convenience sample around the world. Main outcome measures We examined the role of sex and gender-related factors in relation to non-adherence of protective health behaviours including: (1) hand washing; (2) mask wearing; and (3) physical distancing. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine the factors associated with non-adherence to behaviours. Results Among 48 668 respondents (mean age: 43 years; 71% female), 98.3% adopted hand washing, 68.5% mask wearing and 76.9% physical distancing. Compared with males, females were more likely to adopt hand washing (OR=1.97, 95% CI: 1.71 to 2.28) and maintain physical distancing (OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.22 to 1.34). However, in multivariable sex-stratified models, females in countries with higher Gender Inequality Indexes (GII) were less likely to report hand washing (adjusted OR (aOR)=0.47, 95% CI: 0.21 to 1.05). Females who reported being employed (aOR=0.22, 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.48) and in countries with low/medium GIIs (aOR=0.18, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.51) were less likely to report mask wearing. Females who reported being employed were less likely to report physical distancing (aOR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.32 to 0.49). Conclusion While females showed greater adherence to COVID-19 protective health behaviours, gender-related factors, including employment status and high country-wide gender inequality, were independently associated with non-adherence. These findings may inform public health and vaccination policies in current as well as future pandemics

Quantum-inspired interferometry with chirped laser pulses

We introduce and implement an interferometric technique based on chirped femtosecond laser pulses and nonlinear optics. The interference manifests as a high-visibility (> 85%) phase-insensitive dip in the intensity of an optical beam when the two interferometer arms are equal to within the coherence length of the light. This signature is unique in classical interferometry, but is a direct analogue to Hong-Ou-Mandel quantum interference. Our technique exhibits all the metrological advantages of the quantum interferometer, but with signals at least 10^7 times greater. In particular we demonstrate enhanced resolution, robustness against loss, and automatic dispersion cancellation. Our interferometer offers significant advantages over previous technologies, both quantum and classical, in precision time delay measurements and biomedical imaging.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Stress in nurses : stress-related affect and its determinants examined over the nursing day

Peer reviewedPostprin