False Health Claims Abound, but Physicians Are Still the Most Trusted Source for Health Information.

This Medical News article discusses a KFF poll about the public's exposure to and beliefs about inaccurate health information, as well as media use and trust in sources.

From OIE standards to responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials: supporting stewardship for the use of antimicrobial agents in animals.

The global action plan (GAP) on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) advocated the development of national action plans on AMR and the implementation of plans aimed at preventing, combating and monitoring AMR. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)'s strategy on AMR and the prudent use of antimicrobials is aligned with the GAP and recognizes the importance of a One Health approach. This paper reviews the goals, tools and strategies that the OIE has in place to support its Members, envisioning an increased awareness of them and ultimately an increased implementation of the OIE standards. The OIE standards are endorsed by vote of all the 182 Members and are recognized by the World Trade Organization (WTO). The OIE List of Antimicrobial Agents of Veterinary Importance, which includes specific recommendations on the use of antimicrobial agents, is also of particular importance for antimicrobial stewardship. OIE's antimicrobial use (AMU) data collection started in 2015 and has been developed in particular to measure trends in AMU. An annual report is published as an output of this data collection. An AMU IT database system is being developed. The OIE provides assistance to its 182 Members to strengthen the implementation of OIE standards via its support of good governance, the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway, PVS Veterinary Legislation Support Program and training of veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals. In parallel, the OIE Observatory is a recent initiative, specifically targeting the monitoring of the implementation of the OIE standards. Cooperation agreements between the OIE and intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations are instrumental for the increase of the dissemination and implementation of the OIE standards and guidelines.

Platelet-activating factor receptor (PAF-R) and acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) are co-expressed in immature bovine trophoblast giant cells throughout gestation, but not at parturition.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) was associated with successful implantation in the cow, trophoblast invasiveness and angiogenesis. Bovine placentation is characterized by the limited invasion of trophoblast giant cells (TGC) into the maternal caruncular epithelium. TGC exhibit both endocrine activity and properties of tumor cells and may thus be targets of and mediators for the action of PAF. We examined PAF-receptor (PAF-R) and PAF-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) gene expression and localized mRNA and corresponding proteins in bovine placentomes throughout gestation and at parturition. PAF-R and PAF-AH protein and mRNA were highly expressed and colocalized in immature TGC from early gestation until near term, while mature TGC were negative. After the onset of parturition both PAF-R and PAF-AH were expressed in the maternal stroma, predominantly endothelial cells. The expression of PAF-R and PAF-AH in immature but not mature TGC during gestation implicates a role for PAF in the differentiation, maturation and function of bovine placentomal TGC. Placentomal angiogenesis could be mediated by binding of PAF to PAF-R present in endothelial cells. The parturition-related "switch" of PAF-R and PAF-AH from TGC to the maternal stroma suggests that PAF may participate in the regulation of parturition and in prepartum tissue programming.