Structure of fish proteins as modified by salting procedures: A rheological and ultrastructural analysis of hake (Merluccius hubbsi) fillets.

Salting is a technique used for preserving fish meat and allows obtaining added value products. The salting process provokes several structure modifications, which in turns cause changes in the fish texture. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of three salting procedures (dry salting [DS], mixed salting [MS] and brining [BS]) on the rheology and structure of Merluccius hubbsi (Argentine hake). Rheological properties were evaluated using dynamic oscillatory and thermorheology tests, and the structure changes by scanning electron microscopy. DS samples showed the highest values of salt concentration referred to liquid phase (zNaCl ), while BS showed the lowest ones. In all cases, elastic (G') and loss (G″) modulus increased with salting time. G' values exceeded G″ values, indicating a predominant solid behavior. DS samples presented the greatest increase in rheological parameters (G', G″ and η*). Thermomechanical spectra allowed to identify an increase in denaturation temperature (Td) of proteins (myosin and actin) for DS and MS, and to a lesser extent for BS (Td = 46.7 ± 0.4°C, Td = 50.3 ± 0.8°C, Td = 58.8 ± 0.6°C and Td = 58.2 ± 0.9°C for fresh, BS, MS and DS, respectively). Ultrastructural images evidenced conformational changes on the myofibrillar proteins and the connective tissue (collagen). BS caused the least superficial damage to hake tissue. Based on the results, BS could be the method recommended for the industrial production of salted M. hubbsi. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: During salting of hake, variations in water and salt content have a significant effect on the myofibrillar and connective tissue proteins. The study of rheological properties and microstructure allows a better understanding of the conformational changes induced by the salting process. The least surface damage exhibited by brining fillets is consistent with the mass transfer mechanism that leads to the formation of a film on the muscle surface that dilutes the salt; for this reason, compared to dry and mixed salting, brining could be the method recommended for the industrial production of salted (>15% w/w) Merluccius hubbsi.

Co-Creation Approach with Action-Oriented Research Methods to Strengthen "Krachtvoer"; A School-Based Programme to Enhance Healthy Nutrition in Adolescents.

In recent years, the nutritional pattern of the Dutch adolescent has cautiously improved. However, progress can be gained if more Dutch adolescents adhere to the nutritional guidelines. School-based initiatives offer opportunities to deal with the unhealthy eating behaviours of adolescents via nutrition educational interventions. In designing and/or re-designing school-based interventions, it is important to enhance optimal context-oriented implementation adaptation by involving the complex adaptive school system. This paper elaborates on the way of dealing with the dynamic implementation context of the educational programme "Krachtvoer" (ENG: "Power food") for prevocational schools, how the programme can be adapted to each unique implementation context, and how the programme can be progressively kept up to date. Following a co-creation-guided approach with various intersectoral stakeholders within and outside the school setting, action-oriented mixed research methods (i.e., observations, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, programme usage monitoring, and questionnaires) constantly provide input to develop the programme and its implementation strategy via continuous micro-process cycles. Successful co-creation of school-based health promotion seems to be dependent on proper intersectoral cooperation between research and practice communities, a national partner network that can provide project-relevant insights and establish capacity building aimed at improving contextual fit, and a time-investment balance in and between sectors.

Fatal Aspergillus flavus rhinitis with gastrointestinal gaseous distension in a Cape porcupine.

An adult female Cape porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis) was presented because of marked abdominal distension, acute dyspnea, and lethargy. Physical examination and standard radiographs revealed marked and diffuse gaseous dilation of the stomach and intestines of undetermined origin. The porcupine died despite medical therapy and surgical intervention. Postmortem examination revealed chronic fungal (Aspergillus flavus) rhinitis. Given that rodents are obligate nasal breathers, the rhinitis likely resulted in substantial upper airway obstruction leading to aerophagia.

How high energy fluxes may affect Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth in young supernova remnants.

Energy-transport effects can alter the structure that develops as a supernova evolves into a supernova remnant. The Rayleigh-Taylor instability is thought to produce structure at the interface between the stellar ejecta and the circumstellar matter, based on simple models and hydrodynamic simulations. Here we report experimental results from the National Ignition Facility to explore how large energy fluxes, which are present in supernovae, affect this structure. We observed a reduction in Rayleigh-Taylor growth. In analyzing the comparison with supernova SN1993J, a Type II supernova, we found that the energy fluxes produced by heat conduction appear to be larger than the radiative energy fluxes, and large enough to have dramatic consequences. No reported astrophysical simulations have included radiation and heat conduction self-consistently in modeling supernova remnants and these dynamics should be noted in the understanding of young supernova remnants.

Enhanced case management can be delivered for patients with EVD in Africa: Experience from a UK military Ebola treatment centre in Sierra Leone.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist describing supportive care management, laboratory abnormalities and outcomes in patients with Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa. We report data which constitute the first description of the provision of enhanced EVD case management protocols in a West African setting. METHODS: Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected by retrospective review of clinical and laboratory records of patients with confirmed EVD admitted between 5 November 2014 and 30 June 2015. RESULTS: A total of 44 EVD patients were admitted (median age 37 years (range 17-63), 32/44 healthcare workers), and excluding those evacuated, the case fatality rate was 49% (95% CI 33%-65%). No pregnant women were admitted. At admission 9/44 had stage 1 disease (fever and constitutional symptoms only), 12/44 had stage 2 disease (presence of diarrhoea and/or vomiting) and 23/44 had stage 3 disease (presence of diarrhoea and/or vomiting with organ failure), with case fatality rates of 11% (95% CI 1%-58%), 27% (95% CI 6%-61%), and 70% (95% CI 47%-87%) respectively (p = 0.009). Haemorrhage occurred in 17/41 (41%) patients. The majority (21/40) of patients had hypokalaemia with hyperkalaemia occurring in 12/40 patients. Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurred in 20/40 patients, with 14/20 (70%, 95% CI 46%-88%) dying, compared to 5/20 (25%, 95% CI 9%-49%) dying who did not have AKI (p = 0.01). Ebola virus (EBOV) PCR cycle threshold value at baseline was mean 20.3 (SD 4.3) in fatal cases and 24.8 (SD 5.5) in survivors (p = 0.007). Mean national early warning score (NEWS) at admission was 5.5 (SD 4.4) in fatal cases and 3.0 (SD 1.9) in survivors (p = 0.02). Central venous catheters were placed in 37/41 patients and intravenous fluid administered to 40/41 patients (median duration of 5 days). Faecal management systems were inserted in 21/41 patients, urinary catheters placed in 27/41 and blood component therapy administered to 20/41 patients. CONCLUSIONS: EVD is commonly associated life-threatening electrolyte imbalance and organ dysfunction. We believe that the enhanced levels of protocolized care, scale and range of medical interventions we report, offer a blueprint for the future management of EVD in resource-limited settings.

Spatial and Transient Effects during the Amplification of a Picosecond Pulse Beam by a Nanosecond Pump.

Amplification of a picosecond pulse beam by a lower intensity nanosecond pulse beam was experimentally observed in a flowing plasma. Modifications of intensity distributions in beam focal spots due to nonhomogeneous energy transfer and its transient regime were investigated. The mean transferred power reached 57% of the incident power of the nanosecond pulse beam. An imaging diagnostic allowed the intensity profile of the picosecond pulse beam to be determined, bringing to evidence the spatial nonuniformity of energy transfer in the amplified beam. This diagnostic also enabled us to observe the temporal evolution of the speckle intensity distribution because of the transfer. These results are reproduced by numerical simulations of two complementary codes. The method and the observed effects are important for the understanding of experiments with multiple crossing laser beams in plasmas.

Selection of an early biomarker for vascular normalization using dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography to predict outcomes of metastatic patients treated with bevacizumab.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCE-US) has been used for evaluation of tumor response to antiangiogenic treatments. The objective of this study was to assess the link between DCE-US data obtained during the first week of treatment and subsequent tumor progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients treated with antiangiogenic therapies were included in a multicentric prospective study from 2007 to 2010. DCE-US examinations were available at baseline and at day 7. For each examination, a 3 min perfusion curve was recorded just after injection of a contrast agent. Each perfusion curve was modeled with seven parameters. We analyzed the correlation between criteria measured up to day 7 on freedom from progression (FFP). The impact was assessed globally, according to tumor localization and to type of treatment. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 20 months. The mean transit time (MTT) evaluated at day 7 was the only criterion significantly associated with FFP (P = 0.002). The cut-off point maximizing the difference between FFP curves was 12 s. Patients with at least a 12 s MTT had a better FFP. The results according to tumor type were significantly heterogeneous: the impact of MTT on FFP was more marked for breast cancer (P = 0.004) and for colon cancer (P = 0.025) than for other tumor types. Similarly, the differences in FFP according to MTT at day 7 were marked (P = 0.004) in patients receiving bevacizumab. CONCLUSION: The MTT evaluated with DCE-US at day 7 is significantly correlated to FFP of patients treated with bevacizumab. This criterion might be linked to vascular normalization. AFSSAPS NO: 2007-A00399-44.

A case of a chlorine inhalation injury in an Ebola treatment unit.

We present a 26-year-old male British military nurse, deployed to Sierra Leone to treat patients with Ebola virus disease at the military-run Kerry Town Ebola Treatment Unit. Following exposure to chlorine gas during routine maintenance procedures, the patient had an episode of respiratory distress and briefly lost consciousness after exiting the facility. Diagnoses of reactive airways disease, secondary to the chlorine exposure and a hypocapnic syncopal episode were made. The patient was resuscitated with minimal intervention and complete recovery occurred in less than 1 week. This case highlights the issues of using high-strength chlorine solution to disinfect the red zone. Although this patient had a good outcome, this was fortunate. Ensuring Ebola treatment centres are optimally designed and that appropriate management systems are formulated with extraction scenarios rehearsed are important to mitigate the chlorine-associated risk.

A case of an avoidable admission to an Ebola treatment unit with malaria and an associated heat illness.

We present a 27-year old British nurse admitted to the Kerry Town Ebola Treatment Unit, Sierra Leone, with symptoms fitting suspect-Ebola virus disease (EVD) case criteria. A diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria and heat illness was ultimately made, both of which could have been prevented through employing simple measures not utilised in this case. The dual pathology of her presentation was atypical for either disease meaning EVD could not be immediately excluded. She remained isolated in the red zone until 72 h from symptom onset. This case highlights why force protection measures are important to reduce the incidence of both malaria and heat illness in deployed military and civilian populations. These prevention measures are particularly pertinent during the current EVD epidemic where presenting with these pathologies requires clinical assessment in the 'red zone' of an Ebola treatment unit.

Evaluating sub-lethal effects of orchard-applied pyrethroids using video-tracking software to quantify honey bee behaviors.

Managed honey bee, Apis mellifera L., colonies are contracted to pollinate fruit and nut orchards improving crop quality and yield. Colonies placed in orchards are potentially exposed to pyrethroid insecticides used for broad-spectrum pest control. Pyrethroids have been reported to pose minimal risk to bees due to their low application rates in the field and putative repellent properties. This repellency is believed to alter foraging behavior with the benefit of preventing bees from encountering a lethal dose in the field. However, sub-lethal exposure to pyrethroids may adversely impact bee behavior potentially resulting in social dysfunction or disruption of foraging. This study quantified behaviors associated with sub-lethal exposure to orchard-applied pyrethroids including, lambda-cyhalothrin, esfenvalerate, and permethrin, using video tracking software, Ethovision XT (Noldus Information Technologies). Bee locomotion, social interaction, and time spent near a food source were measured over a 24-h period. Bees treated with a pyrethroid traveled 30-71% less than control bees. Social interaction time decreased by 43% for bees treated with a high sub-lethal dose of esfenvalerate. Bees exposed to a high sub-lethal dose of permethrin spent 67% less time in social interaction and spent more than 5 times as long in the food zone compared to control bees.

The future of atrial fibrillation therapy: intervention on heat shock proteins influencing electropathology is the next in line.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common age-related cardiac arrhythmia accounting for one-third of hospitalisations. Treatment of AF is difficult, which is rooted in the progressive nature of electrical and structural remodelling, called electropathology, which makes the atria more vulnerable for AF. Importantly, structural damage of the myocardium is already present when AF is diagnosed for the first time. Currently, no effective therapy is known that can resolve this damage.Previously, we observed that exhaustion of cardioprotective heat shock proteins (HSPs) contributes to structural damage in AF patients. Also, boosting of HSPs, by the heat shock factor-1 activator geranylgeranylacetone, halted AF initiation and progression in experimental cardiomyocyte and dog models for AF. However, it is still unclear whether induction of HSPs also prolongs the arrhythmia-free interval after, for example, cardioversion of AF.In this review, we discuss the role of HSPs in the pathophysiology of AF and give an outline of the HALT&REVERSE project, initiated by the HALT&REVERSE Consortium and the AF Innovation Platform. This project will elucidate whether HSPs (1) reverse cardiomyocyte electropathology and thereby halt AF initiation and progression and (2) represent novel biomarkers that predict the outcome of AF conversion and/or occurrence of post-surgery AF.

Microenvironment involved in FPR1 expression by human glioblastomas.

Formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) activity in U87 glioblastoma (GBM) cells contributes to tumor cell motility. The present study aimed to evaluate the FPR1 expression in human GBM, the possibility to elicit agonist induced FPR1 activation of GBM cells and inhibit this activation with chemotaxis inhibitory protein of Staphylococcus aureus (CHIPS). Immunohistochemistry was used to assess FPR1 expression in GBM patient samples, which was present in all 178 samples. Also FPR1 mRNA levels measured with quantitative PCR, could be detected in all 25 GBM patient samples tested. Activation of FPR1 in U87 cells, as measured by human mitochondrial-derived agonists, increased calcium mobilization, AKT and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and ligand-induced migration. Inhibition of all responses could be achieved with CHIPS. Eight early passage human Groningen Glioma (GG) cell lines, isolated from primary GBM tissue were screened for the presence of FPR1. FPR1 mRNA and protein expression as well as receptor activation could not be detected in any of these early passage GG cell lines. However FPR1 was present in ex vivo tumors formed by the same GG cell lines after being implanted in mouse brains. FPR1 is highly expressed in human GBM specimens, it can be activated by human mitochondrial-derived agonists in U87 and inhibited with CHIPS. FPR1 cannot be detected in early passage GG cell lines in vitro, however when engrafted in the mouse brain these cells show FPR1 expression. These results suggest a role of the brain microenvironment in FPR1 expression in GBM.

Investigating the potential effect of consanguinity on type 2 diabetes susceptibility in a Saudi population.

OBJECTIVE: To examine mechanisms by which consanguinity might increase the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a Saudi population. METHODOLOGY: 362 adult male participants were recruited, 179 were T2D patients and 183 healthy siblings. T2D severity was assessed in patients by recording age at diagnosis. In healthy subjects, diabetes risk was studied by measuring the body mass index, fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, and waist circumference. Extended pedigrees were constructed to calculate inbreeding coefficients. To account for tribal relatedness degrees reported in the constructed pedigrees, assumed inbreeding coefficients for tribal relatedness were added to the calculated inbreeding coefficients. A total of 23 SNPs associated with a higher risk of T2D were genotyped. Results : A significant inverse association was detected between inbreeding coefficients and age at diagnosis (Spearman's coefficient: -0.186, p = 0.013). In 42 families, we were able to recruit 2 healthy siblings. Pearson's correlation coefficient of FBG between siblings was 0.317 (p = 0.04). The correlation between the siblings' FBG increased with an increasing degree of consanguinity. The effect of consanguinity on the FBG level was further assessed by regression line analysis and by controlling for differences in age, caloric intake, and level of physical activity (ß: -0.118, p = 0.024). No significant association between the number of T2D risk alleles and the traits was found. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that consanguinity might increase the risk of T2D by an earlier onset of the disease and by strengthening possible genetic effects on FBG.

Acaricide, fungicide and drug interactions in honey bees (Apis mellifera).

BACKGROUND: Chemical analysis shows that honey bees (Apis mellifera) and hive products contain many pesticides derived from various sources. The most abundant pesticides are acaricides applied by beekeepers to control Varroa destructor. Beekeepers also apply antimicrobial drugs to control bacterial and microsporidial diseases. Fungicides may enter the hive when applied to nearby flowering crops. Acaricides, antimicrobial drugs and fungicides are not highly toxic to bees alone, but in combination there is potential for heightened toxicity due to interactive effects. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Laboratory bioassays based on mortality rates in adult worker bees demonstrated interactive effects among acaricides, as well as between acaricides and antimicrobial drugs and between acaricides and fungicides. Toxicity of the acaricide tau-fluvalinate increased in combination with other acaricides and most other compounds tested (15 of 17) while amitraz toxicity was mostly unchanged (1 of 15). The sterol biosynthesis inhibiting (SBI) fungicide prochloraz elevated the toxicity of the acaricides tau-fluvalinate, coumaphos and fenpyroximate, likely through inhibition of detoxicative cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activity. Four other SBI fungicides increased the toxicity of tau-fluvalinate in a dose-dependent manner, although possible evidence of P450 induction was observed at the lowest fungicide doses. Non-transitive interactions between some acaricides were observed. Sublethal amitraz pre-treatment increased the toxicity of the three P450-detoxified acaricides, but amitraz toxicity was not changed by sublethal treatment with the same three acaricides. A two-fold change in the toxicity of tau-fluvalinate was observed between years, suggesting a possible change in the genetic composition of the bees tested. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Interactions with acaricides in honey bees are similar to drug interactions in other animals in that P450-mediated detoxication appears to play an important role. Evidence of non-transivity, year-to-year variation and induction of detoxication enzymes indicates that pesticide interactions in bees may be as complex as drug interactions in mammals.

Validation of a turbulent Kelvin-Helmholtz shear layer model using a high-energy-density OMEGA laser experiment.

Following the successful demonstration of an OMEGA laser-driven platform for generating and studying nearly two-dimensional unstable plasma shear layers [Hurricane et al., Phys. Plasmas 16, 056305 (2009); Harding et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 045005 (2009)], this Letter reports on the first quantitative measurement of turbulent mixing in a high-energy-density plasma. As a blast wave moves parallel to an unperturbed interface between a low-density foam and a high-density plastic, baroclinic vorticity is deposited at the interface and a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability-driven turbulent mixing layer is created in the postshock flow due to surface roughness. The spatial scale and density profile of the turbulent layer are diagnosed using x-ray radiography with sufficiently small uncertainty so that the data can be used to ~0.17 µm) in the postshock plasma flow are consistent with an "inertial subrange," within which a Kolmogorov turbulent energy cascade can be active. An illustration of comparing the data set with the predictions of a two-equation turbulence model in the ares radiation hydrodynamics code is also presented.

Using video-tracking to assess sublethal effects of pesticides on honey bees (Apis mellifera L.).

Concern about the role of pesticides in honey bee decline has highlighted the need to examine the effects of sublethal exposure on bee behaviors. The video-tracking system EthoVisionXT (Noldus Information Technologies) was used to measure the effects of sublethal exposure to tau-fluvalinate and imidacloprid on honey bee locomotion, interactions, and time spent near a food source over a 24-h observation period. Bees were either treated topically with 0.3, 1.5, and 3 µg tau-fluvalinate or exposed to 0.05, 0.5, 5.0, 50, and 500 ppb imidacloprid in a sugar agar cube. Tau-fluvalinate caused a significant reduction in distance moved at all dose levels (p < 0.05), as did 50 and 500 ppb imidacloprid (p < 0.001). Bees exposed to 50 and 500 ppb spent significantly more time near the food source than control bees (p < 0.05). Interaction time decreased as time in the food zone increased for both chemicals. This study documents that video-tracking of bee behavior can enhance current protocols for measuring the effects of pesticides on honey bees at sublethal levels. It may provide a means of identifying problematic compounds for further testing.

Improved survival in venovenous vs venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for pediatric noncardiac sepsis patients: a study of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: There are few studies comparing venoarterial (VA) and venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in pediatric noncardiac sepsis patients. METHODS: Following approval, we reviewed the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization registry data from 1990 to 2008 for patients 0 to 18 years with a diagnosis of sepsis and without diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Survival to discharge was compared between VA and VV ECMO using χ(2) analysis and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Four thousand three hundred thirty-two ECMO runs were reviewed, 3256 VA (75%) and 1076 VV (25%). A majority of VA modality was noted in each decade studied. Overall survival was 68% and was higher in VV (79%) than in VA ECMO (64%, P < .001). Survival decreased with increasing age (73% in newborns ≤ 1 month, 40% in children 1 month to 12 years, and 32% in adolescents >12 years, P < .001). VA ECMO had increased mortality risk after adjustment for age, use of vasoactive agents, and advanced respiratory support (odds ratio, 2.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.74-2.44; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate improved survival in VV vs. VA ECMO in select pediatric septic patients without congenital heart disease. When technically feasible, physicians should consider VV ECMO as first therapeutic choice in this patient population.