Effect of kraft pulp inclusion in calf starter on performance, health, and plasma concentration of glucagon-like peptide 2 in calves.

Kraft pulp (KP), an intermediate product obtained when wood chips are converted to paper, contains highly digestible fiber. This study evaluated the effect of KP inclusion in calf starters on growth performance, health, and plasma glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) concentration in calves. Twenty-five Holstein heifer calves were raised on a high plane of nutrition program using milk replacer containing 29% crude protein and 18% fat until 49 d after birth, and were fed calf starters containing KP at 0 (CON; n = 14) or 12% (KPS; n = 11) on a dry matter basis. All calves were fed the treatment calf starters and timothy hay ad libitum. Blood was collected at 4, 14, 21, 35, 49, 70, and 91 d after birth. Dry matter intake (DMI) of milk replacer and hay was not affected by treatment, whereas calf starter DMI was lower for KPS (0.93 kg/d) than for CON (1.03 kg/d). Higher neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content in KPS (31.7%) than in the CON starter (22.1%) resulted in higher NDF intake for KPS (0.55 kg/d) than for CON (0.47 kg/d). However, the consumption of starch was lower for KPS (0.29 kg/d) than for CON (0.33 kg/d). Despite the lower starter intake for KPS, body weight and average daily gain did not differ between treatments. No significant difference was observed in the plasma concentrations of metabolites, except for ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB); BHB concentration was lower for KPS (216 µmol/L) than for CON (257 µmol/L). The area under the curve for plasma GLP-2 concentration was higher for KPS (54.1 ng/mL × d) than for CON (36.0 ng/mL × d). Additionally, the fecal score postweaning (1.19 and 1.48 for KPS and CON, respectively) and the number of days that calves developed diarrhea throughout the experimental period (2.50 d and 8.10 d for KPS and CON, respectively) were lower for KPS than for CON. These results indicate that feeding KP reduces the severity and frequency of diarrhea without adversely affecting growth performance. This could be attributed to the increased plasma GLP-2 concentration induced by higher NDF intake.

Enhancing Removal of Pollutants by Combining Photocatalysis and Photo-Fenton Using Co, Fe-Doped Titanate Nanowires.

Aiming to improve their photocatalytic performance, titanate nanowires (TNW) were modified by Fe and Co (co)-doping, FeTNW, CoTNW and CoFeTNW samples, using a hydrothermal methodology. XRD characterization agrees with the existence of Fe and Co in the lattice structure.and the existence of Co2+ together with the presence of Fe2+ and Fe3+ in the structure was confirmed by XPS. The optical characterization of the modified powders shows the impact of the d-d transitions of both metals in the absorption properties of TNW, mainly in the creation of additional 3d energetic levels within the prohibited zone. The effect of the doping metal(s) in the recombination rate of photo-generated charge carriers suggests a higher impact of Fe presence when compared to Co. The photocatalytic characterization of the prepared samples was evaluated via the removal of acetaminophen. Furthermore, a mixture containing both acetaminophen and caffeine, a well-known commercial combination, was also tested. CoFeTNW sample was the best photocatalyst for the degradation of acetaminophen in both situations. A mechanism for the photo-activation of the modified semiconductor is discussed and a model proposed. It was concluded that both Co and Fe are essential, within the TNW structure, for the successful removal of acetaminophen and caffeine.

Electro-optic Bdot probe measurement of magnetic fluctuations in plasma.

We propose a combined use of a Pockels electro-optic sensor with a pickup loop coil (Bdot probe) for the measurement of magnetic fluctuations in plasmas. In this method, induced fluctuating voltage on the coil loop is converted into an optical signal by a compact electro-optic sensor in the vicinity of the measurement point and is transferred across optical fiber that is unaffected by electric noise or capacitive load issues. Compared with conventional Bdot probes, the electro-optic Bdot probe (1) is electrically isolated and free from noise pickup caused by the metallic transmission line and (2) can be operated at a higher-frequency range because of the smaller capacitance of the operation circuit, both of which are suitable for many plasma experiments. Conversely, the sensitivity of the current electro-optic Bdot probe arrangement is still significantly lower than that of conventional Bdot probes. A preliminary measurement result with the electro-optic Bdot probe showed the detection of a magnetic fluctuation signal around the cyclotron frequency range in the RT-1 magnetospheric plasma experiment.

Electro-optic probe measurements of electric fields in plasmas.

The direct measurements of high-frequency electric fields in a plasma bring about significant advances in the physics and engineering of various waves. We have developed an electro-optic sensor system based on the Pockels effect. Since the signal is transmitted through an optical fiber, the system has high tolerance for electromagnetic noises. To demonstrate its applicability to plasma experiments, we report the first result of measurement of the ion-cyclotron wave excited in the RT-1 magnetosphere device. This study compares the results of experimental field measurements with simulation results of electric fields in plasmas.

Cytomegalovirus infection in patients with sepsis due to bloodstream infections: lower risk and better outcomes in new versus already hospitalised intensive care unit admissions.

Few studies have examined cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation exclusively in immunocompetent patients with sepsis due to bloodstream infections. In a cohort of CMV-seropositive critically ill otherwise non-immunosuppressed patients with sepsis due to bloodstream infection, weekly testing for CMV viraemia was performed. Outcomes were assessed at 30 days or until death/discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU). CMV viraemia developed in 20% (20/100) of the patients. Age (P=0.044) and blood transfusions (P=0.022) were significantly associated with CMV viraemia. There was no difference in the primary endpoint (mortality and/or multi-organ failure) between patients with and without CMV viraemia (P=0.49). However, CMV viraemia was associated with significantly fewer ICU-free days (P=0.023) and fewer ventilator-free days (P=0.031). Patients hospitalised in the ICU for more than 48 hours prior to the onset of bloodstream infection were more likely to develop CMV viraemia (P=0.006), have high-grade viraemia (P=0.010), and fewer ICU-free days (P=0.018) and ventilator-free days (P=0.029) than those admitted within 48 hours of bloodstream infection. Thus, CMV reactivation was associated with fewer ICU- and ventilator-free days, however overall mortality was not affected. Patients already in the ICU at the onset of sepsis had higher risk of CMV reactivation and worse outcomes than new ICU-bound patients suggesting that a targeted approach for interventions for CMV could conceivably be directed towards those with a more protracted course of illness.

Loss of multidrug and toxin extrusion 1 (MATE1) is associated with metformin-induced lactic acidosis.

BACKGROUNDS AND PURPOSE: Lactic acidosis is a fatal adverse effect of metformin, but the risk factor remains unclear. Multidrug and toxin extrusion 1 (MATE1) is expressed in the luminal membrane of the kidney and liver. MATE1 was revealed to be responsible for the tubular and biliary secretion of metformin. Therefore, some MATE polymorphisms, that cause it to function abnormally, are hypothesized to induce lactic acidosis. The purpose of this study is to clarify the association between MATE dysfunction and metformin-induced lactic acidosis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Blood lactate, pH and bicarbonate ion (HCO(3) (-) ) levels were evaluated during continuous administration of 3 mg·mL(-1) metformin in drinking water using Mate1 knockout (-/-), heterozygous (+/-) and wild-type (+/+) mice. To determine the tissue accumulation of metformin, mice were given 400 mg·kg(-1) metformin orally. Furthermore, blood lactate data were obtained from diabetic patients given metformin. KEY RESULTS: Seven days after metformin administration in drinking water, significantly higher blood lactate, lower pH and HCO(3) (-) levels were observed in Mate1(-/-) mice, but not in Mate1(+/-) mice. The blood lactate levels were not affected in patients with the heterozygous MATE variant (MATE1-L125F, MATE1-G64D, MATE2-K-G211V). Sixty minutes after metformin administration (400 mg·kg(-1) , p.o.) the hepatic concentration of metformin was markedly higher in Mate1(-/-) mice than in Mate1(+/+) mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: MATE1 dysfunction caused a marked elevation in the metformin concentration in the liver and led to lactic acidosis, suggesting that the homozygous MATE1 variant could be one of the risk factors for metformin-induced lactic acidosis.

Primary cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large-cell lymphoma with generalized skin involvement and involvement of one peripheral lymph node, successfully treated with low-dose oral etoposide.

Primary cutaneous CD30+ anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (PCALCL) in adults is rare, and the prognosis is generally excellent. Multifocal PCALCL tends to relapse after multiagent chemotherapy and is generally considered more prone to progress to extracutaneous involvement than is the localized disease. We report a 43-year-old woman with PCALCL who had generalized skin involvement accompanied by involvement of one peripheral draining lymph-node region. Although the disease relapsed after multiagent chemotherapy regimens, the disease was successfully treated with low-dose etoposide. We reviewed the previously reported cases of PCALCL treated with low-dose etoposide. We suggest that oral etoposide might be a useful effective treatment for treatment of relapsed multifocal PCALCL.

Virulence factors of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from chickens with colisepticemia in Japan.

The virulence factors of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolated in Japan were investigated. Serogroups O, serotypes K1 and K5, and genes cva C, iss, iutA, papA, tsh, and usp, which have been thought to be related to virulence, were examined for their association with E. coli strains isolated from diseased and healthy chickens. The frequently recognized serogroups O1, O2, and O78 were found in 56 of 125 (44.8%) strains of diseased chickens (APEC) versus 13 of 100 (13.0%) strains of healthy chickens (commensal E. coli), a significant difference at risk ratio < 0.01. Although iss, iutA, and tsh were widely distributed in the APEC irrespective of O serogroup, papA, usp, and the K1 serotype were detected in serogroup O2 of APEC. The kfiD gene related to the K5 capsule and VT, LT, and ST genes related to exotoxins were not detected in any strains examined.

A case of Bockenheimer's syndrome (genuine diffuse phlebectasia): venous involvement inside muscles was detected by magnetic resonance imaging.

We report a 13-year-old girl with an extensive bluish phlebectasia of the upper right arm and right side of the chest, which had been present since birth. There was no difference in length between the right (affected) and left (healthy) limbs, but the involved limb was thicker than the noninvolved limb. Magnetic resonance imaging showed distended veins with slow blood flow under the skin of the right limb. The veins inside the muscles of forearm were also involved. Histological examination of the bluish lesions revealed large phlebectasia showing distended veins without any proliferation of endothelial cells. The amount of elastin in the walls of these veins was decreased. The patient was diagnosed with Bockenheimer's syndrome. The characteristics of this rare syndrome are indicated and discussed.

Rapid detection of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans using a loop-mediated isothermal amplification method.

INTRODUCTION: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans has been implicated in the etiology of aggressive periodontitis. In this study, we applied a novel nucleic acid amplification method, called loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), which amplifies DNA with high specificity, efficiency and rapidity under isothermal conditions, allowing the rapid detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans. METHODS: We designed the primers for detecting A. actinomycetemcomitans and evaluated the specificity and sensitivity of the assay. RESULTS: The LAMP primers used in this study successfully amplified serotypes a-e of A. actinomycetemcomitans, while other oral bacteria were not amplified. By measuring the precipitation of magnesium pyrophosphate, we could quantify the chromosomal DNA of A. actinomycetemcomitans. The detection limits using the real-time turbidimetry analysis were 5.8 x 10(2)-5.8 x 10(7) copies of A. actinomycetemcomitans template DNA per reaction tube. In addition, the LAMP assay was used for the rapid detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans in clinical specimens from eight individuals. The results with the LAMP method were similar to those using conventional polymerase chain reaction. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the LAMP-based assay is very useful for the rapid detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans.

Radiotherapy for extramammary Paget's disease: histopathological findings after radiotherapy.

Several reports have suggested the efficacy of radiotherapy for treating extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD); however, these reports comprised only clinical observations, without in-depth histopathological observations. We report our experience of genital EMPD treated by radiotherapy in two elderly women, and the marked efficacy of radiotherapy, confirmed both by clinical observation and by detailed histopathological investigations. Our cases agree with the notion that radiotherapy is useful as an alternative therapy for EMPD, and should be considered particularly in elderly patients who may not tolerate surgery well.

Bullous pemphigoid associated with dermatomyositis and colon carcinoma.

It has been suggested that both bullous pemphigoid (BP) and dermatomyositis are associated with internal malignancies. However, there are no reports of the coexistence of these three conditions in one patient. We report the first case, to our knowledge. of coexistent BP, dermatomyositis and colon carcinoma. An 81-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with dermatomyositis based on muscular weakness and tenderness of the extremities, increased levels of circulating muscle enzymes and histological inflammatory changes in skeletal muscle and skin. Carcinoma of the sigmoid colon was detected during screening for internal malignancy; she was therefore surgically treated. Ten days after the operation, several large bullous eruptions appeared on her extremities. From the histopathological, immunofluorescence microscopy and BP180 ELISA study findings, we diagnosed the bullous eruptions as BP. Coexistence of BP with dermatomyositis or colon carcinoma is rare. Although the reason why our case exhibited these three disorders is not understood, it is suggested that these conditions may be associated with epitope spreading.