Organization of glomerular territories in the olfactory bulb of post-embryonic wild chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

The post-embryonic odor imprinting paradigm suggests Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) acquire memory to stream-specific amino acid olfactory odors prior to emergence as fry. Because effects of olfactory experience on development can be examined by mapping olfactory sensory neurons extending into distinct territories of glomerular neuropil in the olfactory bulb, glomerular patterning from early yolk-sac larva to fry was documented in wild salmonids, a temporal scale not yet thoroughly explored. Labeling olfactory sensory neurons with anti-keyhole limpet hemocyanin (anti-KLH) revealed seven spatially conserved glomerular territories visible at hatch and well established by the late yolk-sac larva developmental stage. Because of the responsiveness of microvillous olfactory sensory neurons to amino acids, corresponding glomeruli in the lateral bulbar region were mapped using anti-calretinin. The dorsolateral territory, distinct glomeruli of the lateral glomerular territory and the ventromedial glomeruli were immunoreactive to both KLH and calretinin. This study offers a morphological description of glomerular patterning in post-embryonic stages in wild Chinook salmon, a temporal window previously shown to be significant for olfactory imprinting. J. Morphol. 278:464–474, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Personalized web learning by joining OER

We argue that quality issues and didactical concerns of MOOCs may be overcome by relying on small Open Educational Resources, joining them into concise courses by gluing them together along predefined learning pathways with proper semantic annotations. This new approach to adaptive learning does not attempt to model the learner, but rather concentrates on the learning process and established models thereof. Such a new approach does not only require conceptual work and corresponding support tools, but also a new meta data format and an engine which may interpret the semantic annotations as well as measure a learner’s response to these. The EU FP7 project INTUITEL is introduced, which employs these technologies in a novel learning environment

Coordinating sustained coastal and ocean observing efforts in Germany

Germany’s national ocean observing activities are carried out by multiple actors including governmental bodies, research institutions, and universities, and miss central coordination and governance. A particular strategic approach to coordinate and facilitate ocean research has formed in Germany under the umbrella of the German Marine Research Consortium (KDM). KDM aims at bringing together the marine science expertise of its member institutions and collectively presents them to policy makers, research funding organizations, and to the general public. Within KDM, several strategic groups (SGs), composed of national experts, have been established in order to strengthen different scientific and technological aspects of German Marine Research. Here we present the SG for sustained open ocean observing and the SG for sustained coastal observing. The coordination effort of the SG’s include (1) Representing German efforts in ocean observations, providing information about past, ongoing and planned activities and forwarding meta-information to data centers (e.g., JCOMMOPS), (2) Facilitating the integration of national observations into European and international observing programs (e.g. GCOS, GOOS, BluePlanet, GEOSS), (3) Supporting innovation in observing techniques and the development of scientific topics on observing strategies, (4) Developing strategies to expand and optimize national observing systems in consideration of the needs of stakeholders and conventions, (5) Contributing to agenda processes and roadmaps in science strategy and funding, and (6) Compiling recommendations for improved data collection and data handling, to better connect to the global data centers adhering to quality standards

Coordinating sustained coastal and ocean observing systems in Germany

The strategic approach to coordinate coastal and open ocean observations in Germany is introduced. The German Marine Research Consortium (KDM) aims at bringing together the marine science expertise of its member institutions and collectively presents them to policy makers, research funding organizations, and to the general public. Several strategic groups (SGs), composed by national experts, have been established under the KDM umbrella in order to coordinate scientific and technological aspects of German Marine Research. Two of these groups, namely the SG for sustained ocean observing systems and the SG for coastal observing systems aim at coordinating on a national level the variety of marine observing efforts. The activities of the SGs address technological challenges and solutions for observations, the current and future observing needs and the seamless integration of Germanys observing efforts into the European and global observing initiatives. The presented poster will introduce the members of the working group and their observing systems, as well as the goals of KDM

Barriers to linking high-risk jail detainees to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis

Individuals involved in the criminal justice (CJ) system continue to be at disproportionate risk for HIV infection, and often have a greater prevalence of substance use and sexual related risk behaviors relative to their non-CJ involved peers. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a once daily antiretroviral medicine, is an evidence-based approach for reducing the risk of contracting HIV but limited data exist regarding the use of PrEP among CJ populations, especially in the U.S. South. This study was conducted at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility (PCRDF) in Little Rock, Arkansas (AR), the largest county jail in the state. We explored knowledge about PrEP and HIV, perceptions about PrEP feasibility in both the jail and community settings and barriers to PrEP program implementation, through in-depth qualitative interviews with 21 jail detainees. We purposively sampled individuals based on specific self-reported risk behavior, including sexual risk (both heterosexual and same-sex) and drug related risk (e.g. IDU), among all eligible individuals. We identified five primary themes from the interviews: 1) accessing healthcare during community reentry was a low priority; 2) perception of risk and interaction with people with HIV was low; 3) there are many barriers to disclosing HIV risk behaviors in jail settings; 4) knowledge of PrEP is low but willingness to use is high; and 5) multiple barriers exist to PrEP uptake post-release. Our findings are contextually unique and therefore have important implications for future implementation of PrEP access either within jail settings or linkage to PrEP post release

Promoção à saúde para crianças de escola pública sobre alimentação saudável: relato de experiência

É certo que a infância é uma das faixas etárias de grande importância quando o assunto é alimentação, visto que os hábitos alimentares da criança possuem grande influência no desempenho escolar e cognitivo. Além disso, exerce papel importante em modular algumas funções no desenvolvimento através dos nutrientes necessários para o organismo, obtidos pela dieta. Sendo assim, ações de promoção à saúde com foco em melhorar a qualidade alimentar desse grupo, é um ótimo método para conscientizar e guiar as crianças no âmbito escolar, sobre a importância de uma dieta saudável.&nbsp

Defining the robust behaviour of the plant clock gene circuit with absolute RNA timeseries and open infrastructure

Our understanding of the complex, transcriptional feedback loops in the circadian clock mechanism has depended upon quantitative, timeseries data from disparate sources. We measure clock gene RNA profiles in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, grown with or without exogenous sucrose, or in soil-grown plants and in wild-type and mutant backgrounds. The RNA profiles were strikingly robust across the experimental conditions, so current mathematical models are likely to be broadly applicable in leaf tissue. In addition to providing reference data, unexpected behaviours included co-expression of PRR9 and ELF4, and regulation of PRR5 by GI. Absolute RNA quantification revealed low levels of PRR9 transcripts (peak approx. 50 copies cell−1) compared with other clock genes, and threefold higher levels of LHY RNA (more than 1500 copies cell−1) than of its close relative CCA1. The data are disseminated from BioDare, an online repository for focused timeseries data, which is expected to benefit mechanistic modelling. One data subset successfully constrained clock gene expression in a complex model, using publicly available software on parallel computers, without expert tuning or programming. We outline the empirical and mathematical justification for data aggregation in understanding highly interconnected, dynamic networks such as the clock, and the observed design constraints on the resources required to make this approach widely accessible

Second-Generation Antiandrogen Therapy Radiosensitizes Prostate Cancer Regardless of Castration State through Inhibition of DNA Double Strand Break Repair

(1) Background: The combination of the first-generation antiandrogens and radiotherapy (RT) has been studied extensively in the clinical setting of prostate cancer (PCa). Here, we evaluated the potential radiosensitizing effect of the second-generation antiandrogens abiraterone acetate, apalutamide and enzalutamide. (2) Methods: Cell proliferation and agarose-colony forming assay were used to measure the effect on survival. Double strand break repair efficiency was monitored using immunofluorescence staining of γH2AX/53BP1. (3) Results: We report retrospectively a minor benefit for PCa patients received first-generation androgen blockers and RT compared to patients treated with RT alone. Combining either of the second-generation antiandrogens and 2Gy suppressed cell growth and increased doubling time significantly more than 2Gy alone, in both hormone-responsive LNCaP and castration-resistant C4-2B cells. These findings were recapitulated in resistant sub-clones to (i) hormone ablation (LNCaP-abl), (ii) abiraterone acetate (LNCaP-abi), (iii) apalutamide (LNCaP-ARN509), (iv) enzalutamide (C4-2B-ENZA), and in castration-resistant 22-RV1 cells. This radiosensitization effect was not observable using the first-generation antiandrogen bicalutamide. Inhibition of DNA DSB repair was found to contribute to the radiosensitization effect of second-generation antiandrogens, as demonstrated by a significant increase in residual γH2AX and 53BP1 foci numbers at 24h post-IR. DSB repair inhibition was further demonstrated in 22 patient-derived tumor slice cultures treated with abiraterone acetate before ex-vivo irradiation with 2Gy. (4) Conclusion: Together, these data show that second-generation antiandrogens can enhance radiosensitivity in PCa through DSB repair inhibition, regardless of their hormonal status. Translated into clinical practice, our results may help to find additional strategies to improve the effectiveness of RT in localized PCa, paving the way for a clinical trial

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Does the pharmacy expenditure of patients always correspond with their morbidity burden? Exploring new approaches in the interpretation of pharmacy expenditure

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The computerisation of primary health care (PHC) records offers the opportunity to focus on pharmacy expenditure from the perspective of the morbidity of individuals. The objective of the present study was to analyse the behaviour of pharmacy expenditure within different morbidity groups. We paid special attention to the identification of individuals who had higher values of pharmacy expenditure than their morbidity would otherwise suggest (i.e. outliers).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Observational study consisting of 75,574 patients seen at PHC centres in Zaragoza, Spain, at least once in 2005. Demographic and disease variables were analysed (ACG^®8.1), together with a response variable that we termed 'total pharmacy expenditure per patient'. Outlier patients were identified based on boxplot methods, adjusted boxplot for asymmetric distributions, and by analysing standardised residuals of tobit regression models.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The pharmacy expenditure of up to 7% of attendees in the studied PHC centres during one year exceeded expectations given their morbidity burden. This group of patients was responsible for up to 24% of the total annual pharmacy expenditure. There was a significantly higher number of outlier patients within the low-morbidity band which matched up with the higher variation coefficient observed in this group (3.2 vs. 2.0 and 1.3 in the moderate- and high-morbidity bands, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>With appropriate validation, the methodologies of the present study could be incorporated in the routine monitoring of the prescribing profile of general practitioners. This could not only enable evaluation of their performance, but also target groups of outlier patients and foster analyses of the causes of unusually high pharmacy expenditures among them. This interpretation of pharmacy expenditure gives new clues for the efficiency in utilisation of healthcare resources, and could be complementary to management interventions focused on individuals with a high morbidity burden.</p