The effect of fishmeal inclusion and prebiotic supplementation on the hindgut faecal microbiota of farmed Tasmanian Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.).

AIMS: Factors such as seasonal temperature and diet components, for example, fishmeal (FM) inclusion, can influence the composition of the gut microbiota of fish. In this study, we examined changes in the gut bacterial populations, in particular lactic acid bacteria (LAB), of farmed Tasmanian Atlantic salmon in response to different diets, during periods of higher water temperature. METHODS AND RESULTS: Between December 2011 and March 2012 hindgut faecal samples were collected from Atlantic salmon from a commercial fish farm in south of Hobart, Tasmania, fed with one of four trial diets containing either high or low FM inclusion levels with or without prebiotics. Overall there was little difference in the cultivatable bacterial populations in response to varying levels of FM and prebiotic supplementation, with LAB counts decreasing in response to increased water temperatures. However, it was observed that the high FM diet supported the presence of LAB in January, when these were not detected in the low FM diets. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that the inclusion of higher amounts of FM rather than the addition of prebiotics has a greater effect on LAB colonization of the gut in Atlantic salmon. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study highlights the importance of the new fish feeds for promoting salmon health in aquaculture industry.

Isolation and characterization of Enterobacteriaceae species infesting post-harvest strawberries and their biological control using bacteriophages.

Strawberry is a significantly consumed fruit worldwide, mostly without being subjected to disinfection processes. During the harvest and transfer from farm to consumers as well as where organic farming practises have been employed, the surface of the fruit may become contaminated by pathogenic bacteria. Post-harvest strawberry fruits in punnets available for public consumption were thus screened for the presence of enteric bacteria in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, Australia. Some of the tested samples (13 %) were found to carry such bacteria and even in greater numbers if organic amendments were used (69 %). The bacteria were found to belong in the genera of Escherichia, Enterobacter, Raoultella, Klebsiella, Pantoea, Shigella, Citrobacter and Cronobacter within the family Enterobacteriaceae. Some of the isolates were found to adhere to Caco-2 cells representing human gut epithelium as well as carrying virulence and toxin genes. Resistance mostly against sulphafurazole, cefoxitin, ampicillin and nitrofurantoin was found among 14 different antimicrobial agents tested including 100 % resistance to cefoxitin and ampicillin in the genus Pantoea. In the second phase of the study, bacteriophages were isolated against the isolates and were subsequently applied to post-harvest fruits. A significant (P ≤ 0.001) reduction in the number of enteric bacteria was observed when a high-titre polyvalent bacteriophage suspension (×10(12) PFU/mL) was applied to the fruit surface. Bacteriophages also decreased the adhesion of the Escherichia coli isolates to Caco-2 cells. Findings might indicate that biological control using bacteriophages might be of significant value for the industry targeting to reduce pathogenic loads of bacteria on the fruit.

Pyrosequencing-based characterization of gastrointestinal bacteria of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) within a commercial mariculture system.

AIMS: The relationship of Atlantic salmon gastrointestinal (GI) tract bacteria to environmental factors, in particular water temperature within a commercial mariculture system, was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Salmon GI tract bacterial communities commercially farmed in south-eastern Tasmania were analysed, over a 13-month period across a standard commercial production farm cycle, using 454 16S rRNA-based pyrosequencing. Faecal bacterial communities were highly dynamic but largely similar between randomly selected fish. In postsmolt, the faecal bacteria population was dominated by Gram-positive fermentative bacteria; however, by midsummer, members of the family Vibrionaceae predominated. As fish progressed towards harvest, a range of different bacterial genera became more prominent corresponding to a decline in Vibrionaceae. The sampled fish were fed two different commercial diet series with slightly different protein, lipid and digestible energy level; however, the effect of these differences was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: The overall data demonstrated dynamic hind gut communities in salmon that were related to season and fish growth phases but were less influenced by differences in commercial diets used routinely within the farm system studied. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides understanding of farmed salmon GI bacterial communities and describes the relative impact of diet, environmental and farm factors.

Detection of thermoactinomyces species in selected agricultural substrates from Queensland.

Selected overheated substrates commercially available for public use in sub-tropical Queensland, Australia were screened for the presence of Thermoactinomyces species using an air sampler. All substrates with the exception of tea tree mulch were found to contain Thermoactinomyces species. Subsequent 16S rDNA oligonucleotide sequencing of the selected eight isolates indicated that some of these species were closely related to previously reported allergenic Thermoactinomyces vulgaris and Laceyella sacchari. In view of this, the isolates were tested to determine their adhesion ability and cytotoxicity to human lung cells (calu-3 cells). The results indicated that all eight isolates were highly adherent and showed cytotoxicity to this cell line. These findings might indicate that the presence of such species in overheated agricultural materials may constitute a public health risk if storage and handling conditions are not optimal and do not meet criteria defined for sub-tropical climates.

Interaction of Aeromonas strains with lactic acid bacteria via Caco-2 cells.

The genus Aeromonas includes some species that have now been identified as human pathogens of significant medical importance. We investigated the ability of 13 selected Aeromonas strains belonging to nine species isolated from clinical cases (n = 5), environmental waters (n = 5), and fish (n = 3) to adhere to and translocate Caco-2 cells in the absence and presence of two lactic acid bacteria (LAB), i.e., Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium breve. Aeromonas isolates were also assessed for their cytotoxicity, the presence of virulence genes, and hemolysin production. Among the clinical isolates, one strain of Aeromonas veronii biovar veronii and two strains of Aeromonas hydrophila carried cytotoxin (act), heat-labile toxin (alt), hemolysin (hlyA), and aerolysin (aerA) genes, were cytotoxic to Vero cells, produced hemolysin, and showed higher adherence to Caco-2 cells. In contrast, this was seen in only one environmental strain, a strain of A. veronii biovar sobria. When Aeromonas strains were coinoculated with LAB onto Caco-2 cells, their level of adhesion was reduced. However, their rate of translocation in the presence of LAB increased and was significantly (P < 0.05) higher among fish strains. We suggest that either the interaction between Aeromonas and LAB strains could have a detrimental effect on the Caco-2 cells, allowing the Aeromonas to translocate more readily, or the presence of the LAB stimulated the Aeromonas strains to produce more toxins and/or increase their translocation rate.

[Chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) markers in a patient with multiple angiomatosis during treatment with anti-angiogenics: interferon α, thalidomide and lenalidomide]. / Vývoj koagulacních markeru chronické diseminované intravaskulární koagulace (DIK) u pacienta s mnohocetnou angiomatózou v prubehu lécby antiangiogenními léky: interferonem α, thalidomidem a lenalidomidem.

BACKGROUND: Multiple angiomatosis is a rare disease with angiomatous formations in multiple organs and tissues and associated with a risk of fatal bleeding. CASE DESCRIPTION: In this patient, the bones, pleural and peritoneal cavities and digestive tract were involved. The patient had long-term been administered zoledronate that provided relief from bone pain as early as after the second dose. The effect of antiangiogenics was evaluated on CT and MRI. Since angiomatous proliferation is associated with chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and anaemisation, blood count and fibrinogen as well as D-dimer and soluble fibrin monomer concentrations are also used to assess treatment response. RESULTS: Before treatment, D-dimer levels were in excess of 20 µg/mL, fibrinogen 1.4 g/L and soluble fibrin monomers were at measurable levels. During treatment with interferon α at a dose of 6 million units 3 times a week with the dose reduction after 10 month, the median fibrinogen concentration increased to 1.5 (1.2-2.0) g/L, the median D-dimer levels declined to 17.2 (13.4-20.0) µg/mL and fibrin monomers were still detectable. Thalidomide therapy (100 mg/day) provided reduction in the median D-dimer levels to 6.07 (4.71-10.21) µg/ml and increase in median fibrinogen concentration to 1.9 g/L; soluble fibrin monomers were unidentifiable. CT imaging suggested significant reduction of angiomatous mass. Progressing neuropathy required dose reduction of thalidomide to 50 mg/day, leading to D-dimer increase. Lenalidomide 10 mg/day provided an increase in median D-dimer concentration to 10.8 (10.8-17.35) and decline in the level of haemoglobin to a median of 124 (135-117) g/L. Soluble fibrin monomers became detectable again. Therefore, a low dose of lenalidomide 10 mg/day was combined with thalidomide 100 mg and, subsequently, 50 mg/day. Treatment with lenalidomide 10 mg and thalidomide 50 mg provided median D-dimer levels of 9.32 and the disease has remained stable for 9 months. CONCLUSION: Thalidomide 100 mg/day stabilized multiple angiomatosis better than interferon alfa. Thalidomide 50 mg/day was insufficient to maintain disease stability. Lenalidomide at a dose of 10 mg was tolerated really well but this dose was insufficient to maintain low D-dimer levels and normal haemoglobin concentrations. The combination of lenalidomide 10 mg and thalidomide 50 mg daily stabilized the disease for 9 months.

[Six-year follow-up of a patient with multiple angiomatosis involving skeleton, thoracic and abdominal cavities and the gut wall]. / Sestileté sledování pacienta s mnohocetnou angiomatózou postihující skelet, brisní i hrudní dutinu a stenu trávicí trubice.

BACKGROUNDS: Multiple angiomatosis is a rare disease causing angiomatous lesions in multiple organs and tissues with a risk of life-threatening haemorrhage. OBSERVATION: A young man was diagnosed with multiple angiomatosis at the age of 28 after two years of back and abdominal pain. Laparotomy revealed multiple spongy lesions mostly within the retroperitoneal space. Also, an involvement of the gut wall, bones and mediastinum was evident. After 6 years of treatment, the disease has been stabilized. Bone pain ceased with a significant contribution of zoledronate. Using CT and MR imaging, the effectiveness of antiangiogenic drugs was evaluated. Furthermore, treatment response was evaluated using laboratory values for coagulation and blood count, as angiomatous proliferation is known to be associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation and anaemia. RESULTS: Baseline laboratory examination revealed elevated D-dimer (more than 20 µg/mL), low fibrinogen (1.4 g/L), and the presence of fibrin monomers. After treatment with 6 mil. IU of interferon-alpha thrice weekly, there was only partial improvement in D-dimer (17.2 µg/mL) and fibrinogen (1.5 g/L) concentrations but fibrin monomers remained positive. After thalidomide (100 mg daily), D-dimer decreased to 6.1 µg/mL and fibrinogen levels increased to 1.9 g/L with the disappearance of fibrin monomers. CT scanning showed significant regression of angiomatous lesions. Progressive neuropathy was the reason to lower the dose of thalidomide by half and this caused D-dimer to rise again. Switching to lenalidomide 10 mg daily led to an increase in D-dimer to 10.8 µg/mL and decrease in haemoglobin concentration to 124 g/L. Fibrin monomers became positive again. Combined therapy with thalidomide (50 mg/day) and lenalidomide (10 mg days 1-21 in 28-day cycles) has led to stabilisation of the disease. Median concentration of haemoglobin increased to 131 (84-141) g/l. The median of D-dimer decreased to 9.3 (8.0-17) µg/mL. CONCLUSION: Thalidomide in the dose of 100 mg daily led to better stabilisation of the disease than interferon-alpha. However, lowering the dose because of adverse effects failed to be effective sufficiently. Lenalidomide 10 mg daily was well-tolerated but insufficient to improve D-dimer and haemoglobin concentrations. Therefore, for further treatment we have decided to use the combination of lenalidomide and thalidomide in doses of 10 mg and 50 mg, respectively because both drugs have desirable antiangiogenic activities with different adverse effect profiles. On this therapy, the patients disease has been stable for 9 months.

Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness measurements in patients using chloroquine.

PURPOSE: Previous investigations have suggested that initial retinal damage from chloroquine toxicity occurs in ganglion cells, and other ocular tissues are affected only later on. The aim of this study was to evaluate retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness measurements, as assessed by scanning laser polarimetry, in a group of patients under long-term treatment with chloroquine. METHODS: This case-control study included 34 patients using chloroquine diphosphate and 34 age-matched healthy subjects with no previous history of chloroquine intake. All subjects underwent RNFL assessment using the GDx -- Nerve Fibre Analyser (software v.2.0.01). One eye of each patient was randomly selected for statistical analysis. Peripapillary RNFL measurements were compared between the two groups. For patients using chloroquine, the correlation between RNFL measurements and chloroquine dosage was assessed. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD RNFL thickness for patients using chloroquine was 60.6 +/- 11.2 microm, 65.6 +/- 13.2 microm, 74.8 +/- 14.8 microm, 36.2 +/- 9.6 microm and 43.8 +/- 7.9 microm for global, superior, inferior, temporal and nasal regions, respectively. In the control group, the corresponding values were 72.1 +/- 12.7 microm, 79.9 +/- 14.8 microm, 88.3 +/- 14.0 microm, 44.2 +/- 12.8 microm and 49.7 +/- 11.9 microm. Mean RNFL thickness measurements from patients using chloroquine were significantly different from those in the control group in all regions (P < 0.05). Thinner RNFL thickness measurements were associated with higher daily dosages of chloroquine. CONCLUSION: Patients under long-term chloroquine treatment had significantly lower RNFL thickness measurements than healthy subjects, and the RNFL loss was correlated to chloroquine daily dosage.

Dynamic paternity allocation as a function of male plumage color in barn swallows.

Paternity in male animals can be influenced by their phenotypic signals of quality. Accordingly, the behavior underlying patterns of paternity should be flexible as signals of quality change. To evaluate the dynamics of paternity allocation, we analyzed paternity before and after manipulating plumage coloration, a known signal of quality, in male barn swallows Hirundo rustica. We found that, in successive breeding bouts, only males whose plumage color was experimentally enhanced received greater paternity from their social mates, demonstrating evidence for flexible and dynamic paternity allocation and the importance for males of maintaining signals of quality well after pair bond formation.

Análise da camada de fibras nervosas da retina em portadores de enxaqueca com aura / Retinal nerve fiber layer analysis in patients with migraine with aura

Objetivo: Avaliar as possíveis alteraçöes na camada de fibras nervosas da retina (CFNR) em pacientes com enxaqueca com aura, detectada por meio da polarimetria de varredura a laser. Métodos: Vinte pacientes com enxaqueca com aura e vinte indivíduos normais foram estudados. Os critérios de inclusäo para os dois grupos compreenderam: idade de pelo menos 18 anos; ausência de história de doenças oculares, exceto erro refracional ou estrabismo; e ausência de história familiar de hipertensäo ocular ou glaucoma. Foram excluídos pacientes com erro refracional maior que 5 DE e/ou 2 DC; acuidade visual corrigida menor que 20/40; pressäo intra-ocular maior que 21mmHg; discos ópticos anômalos ou com escavaçäo maior que 0,5 ou assimetria de escavaçäo maior que 0,2; ou com presença de doenças retinianas concomitantes. Os pacientes foram submetidos a exame de campo visual (Humphrey 30-2) e análise da CFNR com a polarimetria a laser (GDx - Nerve Fiber Analyzer). Um olho de cada paciente foi randomizado para análise estatística. Resultados: Nenhum dos pacientes do grupo controle apresentou defeitos de campo visual. Nove olhos (45 por cento) dos pacientes com enxaqueca tiveram anormalidades de campo visual além de 95 por cento do intervalo de confiança do normal, como indicado pelos índices MD, CPSD ou GHT. Os valores de retardo no setor superior da CFNR dos pacientes com enxaqueca foram significativamente menor que no grupo controle (p=0,005). Näo houve diferença significativa entre os valores de retardo dos dois grupos nas medidas globais e nos setores inferior, nasal e temporal. Conclusäo: As medidas de retardo obtidas com a polarimetria a laser foram significativamente menores na porçäo superior da CFNR dos pacientes com enxaqueca com aura, sugerindo possível dano isquêmico às fibras nervosas, relacionadas à enxaqueca.

Ethnic differences in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

OBJECTIVES: To see whether the anecdotal statement that gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is less common in blacks than in white Caucasians is true. DESIGN: Study of the racial origin of adult patients who, at endoscopy, have oesophageal damage due to gastro-oesophageal reflux. SETTING: Gastroenterology unit of a teaching hospital in inner city in Birmingham, UK. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Ethnicity and endoscopic grade of oesophageal damage (reflux oesophagitis) were recorded in every patient in whom oesophageal damage due to gastro-oesophageal reflux was diagnosed. RESULTS: Over the eight-year period 1989-1996, 1101 patients with endoscopically diagnosed grades I-V reflux oesophagitis have been seen, of whom 893 (81.9 percent) were white, 156 (14 percent) were Indian and 52 (5 percent) were Afro-Caribbeans. There were fewer patients with reflux oesophagitis from the two non-white ethnic groups than would be expected from their prevalence in the catchment population, and severe reflux oesophagitis was less common than expected in the two non-white groups. In all groups, patients with grades III, IV and V reflux oesophagitis were older than patients with grades I and II disease. Whites tended to be older than Afro-Caribbeans or Indians. CONCLUSION: There were fewer non-whites with reflux oesophagitis than would be expected but the reasons for this are unclear. This study has been useful as a pilot but further studies are needed in ethnically mixed non-migrant populations both in hospital, primary care and the community to clarify racial differences in reflux oesophagitis.(Au)

Importância da valorizaçäo da queixa principal das crianças e adolescentes de famílias de baixa renda da periferia da cidade de Recife-PE / Importance of giving value to the main complaint of children and teenagers of low-income families of the outskirts of the city of Recife-PE-Brazil

Objetivo: correlacionamos os achados oculares encontrados durante projeto de prevençäo da cegueira, realizado em bairro da periferia da cidade do Recife, em 727 paciente carente, de 6 a 18 anos, com queixa referida pela própria criança e adolescente, sem resposta induzida. Método: realizamos um estudo baseado em protocolo elaborado previamente que constava de: anamnese, dando ênfase à queixa principal referida pelo paciente sem resposta induzida, aferiçäo da acuidade visual, inspeçäo, avaliaçäo da motilidade ocular, biomicroscopia e, nos pacientes com acuidade visual inferior a 20/30, realizavamos refraçäo estática e fundoscopia ocular. Resultados: a idade dos pacientes variou de 6 a 18 anos, média de 11 anos. 40,85 por cento dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 59,15 por cento do sexo feminino. 21 por cento haviam sido examinados previamente por oftalmologista. Dos principais

Factorized extended Kalman filter: case study results.

Simulation results for an optical realization of a factorized extended Kalman filter algorithm are presented, minimum word lengths required for accurate tracking are empirically determined, and computation times for an optical realization are quantified.

Vulvar and vaginal hematomas: a retrospective study of conservative versus operative management.

We reviewed 32 cases of vulvar and vaginal hematomas treated at three hospitals in Jacksonville, Florida, from March 1975 to March 1985. Patients ranged in age from 14 to 37 years. In 29 patients the hematomas resulted from obstetric trauma and in three from other causes. We found that patients managed conservatively had more subsequent operative intervention and more complications requiring antibiotics and transfusion, and they required more days of hospitalization than patients managed operatively. We also found an increased risk of complications and increased hospitalization for patients with conservatively managed hematomas when the product of the longitudinal diameter and the transverse diameter was 15 or greater.

Alcohol-related hazardous behavior among college students.

This chapter compares a social learning and deterrence model for DUI among college students. Our assumption is that deviant behavior, or driving under the influence, is a result of social learning that occurs in ongoing interaction with significant others. A deterrence model that is concerned with the threat and fear of death and beliefs about the capacity of the driver to minimize danger when drunk and statutory commands through laws also play a role in such behavior. Using multivariate analysis, specifically discriminant function and multiple regression, we differentiate our sample into those who have "never," only once, and regularly DUI. The major item in the social learning model contributing to DUI is whether the respondent has ever been a passenger with a drunk driver. The deterrence model also has value since the number of "tricks" the respondent feels are useful in counteracting the influence of alcohol contributes to believed risk reduction. Results indicate that alone, the deterrence model fails to explain DUI. The social learning model with its emphasis on the proximate social environment is needed as a supplement to predict DUI among college students. Efforts to modify this hazardous behavior among college students will need to incorporate a social learning model along with the deterrence model.

Drinkers' use of physical availability of alcohol: buying habits and consumption level.

On the aggregate level, physical availability of alcohol is related to per capita consumption, prompting the question whether high availability can increase consumption net of social norms which enhance drinking. This issue is investigated using individual-level data in a high-availability urban environment. Effortless, efficient purchase of alcoholic beverages explains a small but significant amount of the variance in consumption when normative factors are statistically controlled. Qualitative factors of availability are discussed, with particular emphasis on food stores, which account for more than half this sample's purchases.