Effect of risedronate on joint structure and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis: results of the BRISK randomized, controlled trial [ISRCTN01928173]

To determine the efficacy and safety of risedronate in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), the British study of risedronate in structure and symptoms of knee OA (BRISK), a 1-year prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, enrolled patients (40–80 years of age) with mild to moderate OA of the medial compartment of the knee. The primary aims were to detect differences in symptoms and function. Patients were randomized to once-daily risedronate (5 mg or 15 mg) or placebo. Radiographs were taken at baseline and 1 year for assessment of joint-space width using a standardized radiographic method with fluoroscopic positioning of the joint. Pain, function, and stiffness were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) OA index. The patient global assessment and use of walking aids were measured and bone and cartilage markers were assessed. The intention-to-treat population consisted of 284 patients. Those receiving risedronate at 15 mg showed improvement of the WOMAC index, particularly of physical function, significant improvement of the patient global assessment (P < 0.001), and decreased use of walking aids relative to patients receiving the placebo (P = 0.009). A trend towards attenuation of joint-space narrowing was observed in the group receiving 15 mg risedronate. Eight percent (n = 7) of patients receiving placebo and 4% (n = 4) of patients receiving 5 mg risedronate exhibited detectable progression of disease (joint-space width ≥ 25% or ≥ 0.75 mm) versus 1% (n = 1) of patients receiving 15 mg risedronate (P = 0.067). Risedronate (15 mg) significantly reduced markers of cartilage degradation and bone resorption. Both doses of risedronate were well tolerated. In this study, clear trends towards improvement were observed in both joint structure and symptoms in patients with primary knee OA treated with risedronate

Comparing Pfizer GeneSTAR and Igenity PROFILE DNA tests in Crossbred Cattle

Our objective was to compare the performance of Pfizer’s GeneSTAR and Igenity’s PROFILE DNA tests in crossbred beef cattle. Hair follicles were collected from 394 crossbred steers that were part of the South Dakota State University Calf Value Discovery project (n = 145) and calves that were fed at the SDSU Southeast Research Farm (n = 249) in 2011. Hair follicles were sent to Pfizer Animal Genetics and Igenity for testing with their GeneSTAR and PROFILE DNA tests, respectively. Marbling score (100-999 scale), ribeye area, fat thickness, carcass weight, yield grade, quality grade, and % kidney, pelvic, and heart fat was collected post-harvest on all steers. Using this dataset, we first asked whether each DNA test was associated with marbling scores. If the DNA tests were not associated with marbling, then the tests may not be useful for predicting genetic merit for marbling in crossbred cattle. The GeneSTAR and PROFILE DNA tests were associated with marbling scores, but this association was not high. Second, we asked whether GeneSTAR and PROFILE DNA test results were associated with each other. If test results were not correlated, then using both DNA test results together may improve genetic predictions. GeneSTAR and PROFILE tests for tenderness were highly correlated, suggesting that DNA markers for tenderness are similar for both tests. GeneSTAR and PROFILE DNA tests for marbling and feed efficiency were not highly correlated, raising the possibility that both tests could be used jointly to improve genetic predictions for these traits. However, using both GeneSTAR and PROFILE DNA tests jointly did not appreciably improve predictions for marbling score in our dataset. We conclude that, although both GeneSTAR and PROFILE DNA tests were associated with marbling score, the correlation between these tests and marbling was low in our sample of crossbred cattle. Further, using GeneSTAR and PROFILE DNA tests for marbling and feed efficiency may improve genetic predictions for these traits, but we did not find evidence that using both tests jointly improves predictions for marbling

Laboratory capture, isolation and analysis of microparticles in aerogel: Preparation for the return of Stardust

We present observations from the laboratory capture of particles in aerogel. The paper focuses on a possible extraction technique and the bulk mineral characterization of the captured material using non-destructive analytical techniques

Studying nitrate-N leaching with a bromide tracer in an irrigated silt loam soil

Most of the irrigated land in southern Idaho is Portneuf silt loam varying in depth from 3 to 30 ft over fractured basalt. Leaching of ag-chemicals through this soil is of potential concern though major problems have not yet been generally encountered. We evaluated downward movement of water and the bromide (Br) anion at a sprinkler irrigated field site over a 3-year period to determine the potential for NO,-N leaching losses. Potassium bromide as a conservative tracer was incorporated into the top 8 in. of soil at the start of the study. Soil solution samples obtained from soil solution suction tubes at six depths above bedrock were used to monitor the downward movement of Br. Soil water drainage was determined by a soil water balance utilizing neutron meter data and evapotranspiration computed from meteorological data and crop coefficients. Depth of sampling varied among eight subplots from 12 to 16 ft. Preferential water flow was evident in the initial downward movement of Br. However, drainage of water sufficient to completely replace the initial soil water (44 in) was necessary to completely flush Br from the profile. With recommended irrigation practices, about seven years would have been required to leach Br and presumably, NO3-N as well, below 12 ft

Function and central projections of gustatory receptor neurons on the antenna of the noctuid moth Spodoptera littoralis

Chemosensory information is crucial for most insects to feed and reproduce. Olfactory signals are mainly used at a distance, whereas gustatory stimuli play an important role when insects directly contact chemical substrates. In noctuid moths, although the antennae are the main olfactory organ, they also bear taste sensilla. These taste sensilla detect sugars and hence are involved in appetitive learning but could also play an important role in food evaluation by detecting salts and bitter substances. To investigate this, we measured the responses of individual taste sensilla on the antennae of Spodoptera littoralis to sugars and salts using tip recordings. We also traced the projections of their neuronal axons into the brain. In each sensillum, we found one or two neurons responding to sugars: one NaCl-responsive and one water-sensitive neuron. Responses of these neurons were dose-dependent and similar across different locations on the antenna. Responses were dependent on the sex for sucrose and on both sex and location for glucose and fructose. We did not observe a spatial map for the projections from specific regions of the antennae to the deutocerebrum or the tritocerebrum/suboesophageal ganglion complex. In accordance with physiological recordings, back-fills from individual sensilla revealed up to four axons, in most cases targeting different projection zones

Property A and CAT(0) cube complexes

Property A is a non-equivariant analogue of amenability defined for metric spaces. Euclidean spaces and trees are examples of spaces with Property A. Simultaneously generalising these facts, we show that finite-dimensional CAT(0) cube complexes have Property A. We do not assume that the complex is locally finite. We also prove that given a discrete group acting properly on a finite-dimensional CAT(0) cube complex the stabilisers of vertices at infinity are amenable

ISO Spectroscopy of Young Stellar Objects

Observations of gas-phase and solid-state species toward young stellar objects (YSOs) with the spectrometers on board the Infrared Space Observatory are reviewed. The excitation and abundances of the atoms and molecules are sensitive to the changing physical conditions during star-formation. In the cold outer envelopes around YSOs, interstellar ices contain a significant fraction of the heavy element abundances, in particular oxygen. Different ice phases can be distinguished, and evidence is found for heating and segregation of the ices in more evolved objects. The inner warm envelopes around YSOs are probed through absorption and emission of gas-phase molecules, including CO, CO_2, CH_4 and H_2O. An overview of the wealth of observations on gas-phase H_2O in star-forming regions is presented. Gas/solid ratios are determined, which provide information on the importance of gas-grain chemistry and high temperature gas-phase reactions. The line ratios of molecules such as H_2, CO and H_2O are powerful probes to constrain the physical parameters of the gas. Together with atomic and ionic lines such as [0 I] 63 µm, [S I] 25 µm and (Si II] 35 µm, they can also be used to distinguish between photon- and shock-heated gas. Finally, spectroscopic data on circumstellar disks around young stars are mentioned. The results are discussed in the context of the physical and chemical evolution of YSOs

Post-weaning Nutritional Programming of Ovarian Developmentin Beef Heifers

The nutritional management of replacement females from weaning to breeding is critical to lifetime productivity. Traditionally, cereal grains have been used to develop replacement heifers to attain puberty and enter the breeding system at a younger age. However, overfeeding heifers decreases number of calves weaned, while peri-pubertal caloric restriction increased primordial follicle numbers in the developing ovary. The number of primordial follicles a female has can determine her overall fertility; females with a greater amount of follicles have greater reproductive lifespans. In this study, two groups of heifers were developed to prebreeding status. One group received a control diet (228 kcal ME/BW kg0.75) while the other received a restricted diet (157 kcal ME/BW kg0.75) for 84 days, and were then stepped up to receive a diet containing 277 kcal ME/BW kg0.75. Both groups were evaluated at three different time points for number of primordial follicles. Heifers on the restricted diet had more primordial follicles than control heifers at 13 mo of age. In summary, heifer input costs could be decreased without negatively effecting overall fertility and perhaps improve fertility