Pets in Print Advertising - Are We Seeing More of Rover and Fluffy? A Content Analysis of Four Popular Magazines

This content analysis of advertising in four popular magazines investigates whether the role of pets-specifically dogs and cats-has changed as they have grown in popularity and power in American culture. Analysis of print advertisements from 1994 and 2004 suggests that although the frequency with which household pets appear in print advertisements has declined slightly, portrayals of Rover and Fluffy have changed to reflect society\u27s growing fascination with and devotion to our furry family members

Immunogenicity of a Killed Bivalent (O1 and O139) Whole Cell Oral Cholera Vaccine, Shanchol, in Haiti

Background: Studies of the immunogenicity of the killed bivalent whole cell oral cholera vaccine, Shanchol, have been performed in historically cholera-endemic areas of Asia. There is a need to assess the immunogenicity of the vaccine in Haiti and other populations without historical exposure to Vibrio cholerae. Methodology/Principal Findings We measured immune responses after administration of Shanchol, in 25 adults, 51 older children (6–17 years), and 47 younger children (1–5 years) in Haiti, where cholera was introduced in 2010. A≥4-fold increase in vibriocidal antibody titer against V. cholerae O1 Ogawa was observed in 91% of adults, 74% of older children, and 73% of younger children after two doses of Shanchol; similar responses were observed against the Inaba serotype. A≥2-fold increase in serum O-antigen specific polysaccharide IgA antibody levels against V. cholerae O1 Ogawa was observed in 59% of adults, 45% of older children, and 61% of younger children; similar responses were observed against the Inaba serotype. We compared immune responses in Haitian individuals with age- and blood group-matched individuals from Bangladesh, a historically cholera-endemic area. The geometric mean vibriocidal titers after the first dose of vaccine were lower in Haitian than in Bangladeshi vaccinees. However, the mean vibriocidal titers did not differ between the two groups after the second dose of the vaccine. Conclusions/Significance: A killed bivalent whole cell oral cholera vaccine, Shanchol, is highly immunogenic in Haitian adults and children. A two-dose regimen may be important in Haiti, and other populations lacking previous repeated exposures to V. cholerae

Daily Preventive Zinc Supplementation Decreases Lymphocyte and Eosinophil Concentrations in Rural Laotian Children from Communities with a High Prevalence of Zinc Deficiency: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND:Zinc deficiency impairs immune function and is common among children in South-East Asia. OBJECTIVES:The effect of zinc supplementation on immune function in young Laotian children was investigated. METHODS:Children (n = 512) aged 6-23 mo received daily preventive zinc tablets (PZ; 7 mg Zn/d), daily multiple micronutrient powder (MNP; 10 mg Zn/d, 6 mg Fe/d, plus 13 other micronutrients), therapeutic dispersible zinc tablets only in association with diarrhea episodes (TZ; 20 mg Zn/d for 10 d after an episode), or daily placebo powder (control). These interventions continued for 9 mo. Cytokine production from whole blood cultures, the concentrations of T-cell populations, and a complete blood count with differential leukocyte count were measured at baseline and endline. Endline means were compared via ANCOVA, controlling for the baseline value of the outcome, child age and sex, district, month of enrollment, and baseline zinc status (below, or above or equal to, the median plasma zinc concentration). RESULTS:T-cell cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-13, IL-17), LPS-stimulated cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10), and T-cell concentrations at endline did not differ between intervention groups, nor was there an interaction with baseline zinc status. However, mean ± SE endline lymphocyte concentrations were significantly lower in the PZ than in the control group (5018 ± 158 compared with 5640 ± 160 cells/μL, P = 0.032). Interactions with baseline zinc status were seen for eosinophils (Pixn = 0.0036), basophils (Pixn = 0.023), and monocytes (P = 0.086) but a significant subgroup difference was seen only for eosinophils, where concentrations were significantly lower in the PZ than in the control group among children with baseline plasma zinc concentrations below the overall median (524 ± 44 compared with 600 ± 41 cells/μL, P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS:Zinc supplementation of rural Laotian children had no effect on cytokines or T-cell concentrations, although zinc supplementation affected lymphocyte and eosinophil concentrations. These cell subsets may be useful as indicators of response to zinc supplementation.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02428647

Regulation of high-affinity leucine transport in escherichia coli

Leucine is transported into E coli by two osmotic shock-sensitive, high-affinity systems (LIV-I and leucine-specific systems) and one membrane bound, low-affinity system (LIV-II). Expression of the high-affinity transport systems is altered by mutations in liv R and 1st R , genes for negatively acting regulatory elements, and by mutations in rho , the gene for transcription termination. All four genes for high-affinity leucine transport ( livJ, livK, livH , and livG ) are closely linked and have been cloned on a plasmid vector, pOX1. Several subcloned fragments of this plasmid have been prepared and used in complementation and regulation studies. The results of these studies suggest that livJ and livK are separated by approximately one kilobase and give a gene order of livJ–livK–livH. livJ and livK appear to be regulated in an interdependent fashion; livK is expressed maximally when the livJ gene is inactivated by mutation or deletion. The results support the existence of separate promoters for the livJ and livK genes. The effects of mutations in the rho and livR genes are additive on one another and therefore appear to be involved in independent regulatory mechanisms. Mutations in the rho gene affect both the LIV-I and leucinespecific transport systems by increasing the expression of livJ and livK , genes for the LIV-specific and leucine-specific binding proteins, respectively.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/38209/1/400140410_ftp.pd

Physical activity and academic achievement across the curriculum (A + PAAC): rationale and design of a 3-year, cluster-randomized trial

Abstract Background Improving academic achievement and reducing the rates of obesity in elementary school students are both of considerable interest. Increased physical activity during academic instruction time during school offers a potential intervention to address both issues. A program titled “Physical Activity Across the Curriculum” (PAAC) was developed in which classroom teachers in 22 elementary schools were trained to deliver academic instruction using physical activity with a primary aim of preventing increased BMI. A secondary analysis of data assessed the impact of PAAC on academic achievement using the Weschler Individual Achievement Test-II and significant improvements were shown for reading, math and spelling in students who participated in PAAC. Based on the results from PAAC, an adequately powered trial will be conducted to assess differences in academic achievement between intervention and control schools called, “Academic Achievement and Physical Activity Across the Curriculum (A + PAAC).” Methods/design Seventeen elementary schools were cluster randomized to A + PAAC or control for a 3-year trial. Classroom teachers were trained to deliver academic instruction through moderate-to-vigorous physical activity with a target of 100+ minutes of A + PAAC activities per week. The primary outcome measure is academic achievement measured by the Weschler Individual Achievement Test-III, which was administered at baseline (Fall 2011) and will be repeated in the spring of each year by assessors blinded to condition. Potential mediators of any association between A + PAAC and academic achievement will be examined on the same schedule and include changes in cognitive function, cardiovascular fitness, daily physical activity, BMI, and attention-to-task. An extensive process analysis will be conducted to document the fidelity of the intervention. School and student recruitment/randomization, teacher training, and baseline testing for A + PAAC have been completed. Nine schools were randomized to the intervention and 8 to control. A random sample of students in each school, stratified by gender and grade (A + PAAC = 370, Control = 317), was selected for outcome assessments from those who provided parental consent/child assent. Baseline data by intervention group are presented. Discussion If successful, the A + PAAC approach could be easily and inexpensively scaled and disseminated across elementary schools to improve both educational quality and health. Funding source: R01- DK85317. Trial registration: US NIH Clinical Trials, http://NCT01699295.Peer Reviewe

Rapid climate-driven circulation changes threaten conservation of endangered north atlantic right whales

As climate trends accelerate, ecosystems will be pushed rapidly into new states, reducing the potential efficacy of conservation strategies based on historical patterns. In the Gulf of Maine, climate-driven changes have restructured the ecosystem rapidly over the past decade. Changes in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation have altered deepwater dynamics, driving warming rates twice as high as the fastest surface rates. This has had implications for the copepod Calanus finmarchicus, a critical food supply for the endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis). The oceanographic changes have driven a deviation in the seasonal foraging patterns of E. glacialis upon which conservation strategies depend, making the whales more vulnerable to ship strikes and gear entanglements. The effects of rapid climate-driven changes on a species at risk undermine current management approaches.publishedVersio

KEYNOTE-061: Phase 3 study of pembrolizumab vs paclitaxel for previously treated advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer.

n/

Performance/outcomes data and physician process challenges for practical big data efforts in radiation oncology

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146290/1/mp13136.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146290/2/mp13136_am.pd

Open‐label, clinical trial extension:Two‐year safety and efficacy results of seladelpar in patients with primary biliary cholangitis

SummaryBackgroundSeladelpar is a potent and selective peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐δ agonist that targets multiple cell types involved in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), leading to anti‐cholestatic, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐pruritic effects.AimsTo evaluate the long‐term safety and efficacy of seladelpar in patients with PBC.MethodsIn an open‐label, international, long‐term extension study, patients with PBC completing seladelpar lead‐in studies continued treatment. Seladelpar was taken orally once daily at doses of 5 or 10 mg with dose adjustment permitted for safety or tolerability. The primary analysis was for safety and the secondary efficacy analysis examined biochemical markers of cholestasis and liver injury. The study was terminated early due to the unexpected histological findings in a concurrent study for non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis, which were subsequently found to predate treatment. Safety and efficacy data were analysed through 2 years.ResultsThere were no serious treatment‐related adverse events observed among 106 patients treated with seladelpar for up to 2 years. There were four discontinuations for safety, one possibly related to seladelpar. Among 53 patients who completed 2 years of seladelpar, response rates increased from years 1 to 2 for the composite endpoint (alkaline phosphatase [ALP] &lt;1.67 × ULN, ≥15% decrease in ALP, and total bilirubin ≤ULN) and ALP normalisation from 66% to 79% and from 26% to 42%, respectively. In those with elevated bilirubin at baseline, 43% achieved normalisation at year 2.ConclusionsSeladelpar was safe, and markedly improved biochemical markers of cholestasis and liver injury in patients with PBC. These effects were maintained or improved throughout the second year. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03301506; Clinicaltrialsregister.eu: 2017‐003910‐16.</jats:sec