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Journal of Insect Science (Online) Mar 2023Nitrogen, a limiting growth factor in wood-feeding insects, was hypothesized to play a role in the recently discovered behavior of subterranean termites returning to the...
Nitrogen, a limiting growth factor in wood-feeding insects, was hypothesized to play a role in the recently discovered behavior of subterranean termites returning to the nest to molt. Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) exuviae is approximately 11% N by dry weight, and therefore a potentially rich source of recyclable nitrogen. Exuviae from a C. gestroi colony were marked with immunoglobulin G (IgG) and were fed to two-year-old C. gestroi colonies. IgG-marked exuviae were detected with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The IgG marker was later detected in every caste and life stage except first-instar larvae (L1). The proportion of individuals positive for the marker varied by caste, with the queens always being positive for the marker. The queens and second-or-higher-instar workers (W2+) had significantly higher concentrations of the marker than the eggs and L1. The trophic path of exuviae includes individuals that directly fed on marked exuviae (workers and possibly second-instar larvae) and individuals that secondarily received marked exuviae through trophallaxis (queens, kings, and soldiers). This study described the trophic path of consumed exuviae and demonstrated its role in the recycling of nitrogen in a subterranean termite. Molting at the central nest may be an efficient means to transfer nitrogen from shed exuviae to recipients and may be a nitrogen recycling behavior conserved from a termite ancestor.
Topics: Animals; Cockroaches; Isoptera; Ovum; Larva; Immunoglobulin G
PubMed: 36916276
DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iead007 -
Mycologia 2024A new myxomycete species, , was reported herein. The specimens were found and collected in the field on dead bark from Jingangtai National Geopark in Henan Province of...
A new myxomycete species, , was reported herein. The specimens were found and collected in the field on dead bark from Jingangtai National Geopark in Henan Province of China. This species has distinct and unique morphological characteristics, including dark grayish olive sporothecae that fade to smoke gray with age, shallow saucer-shaped cups with marked reticulations and thick papillae on the inner surface, a netted capillitium with many bulges, uniformly marked with low, dense, and irregular reticulations, and spores (8.0-)9.3-10.1(-10.9) μm in diameter, marked with sparse small warts and grouped prominent warts. Apart from a comprehensive morphological study, partial sequences of the nuclear 18S rDNA and elongation factor-1 alpha () genes were also provided in this study. This new species was described and illustrated morphologically. The specimens are deposited in the Herbarium of Fungi of Nanjing Normal University (HFNNU).
Topics: China; Phylogeny; Myxomycetes; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; Peptide Elongation Factor 1; DNA, Ribosomal; Plant Bark; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Molecular Sequence Data
PubMed: 38442243
DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2024.2312077 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Jan 2021Hypoglycemia is a major barrier to optimal glycemic control in insulin-treated diabetes. Recent guidelines from the American Diabetes Association have subcategorized...
CONTEXT
Hypoglycemia is a major barrier to optimal glycemic control in insulin-treated diabetes. Recent guidelines from the American Diabetes Association have subcategorized "non-severe" hypoglycemia into level 1 (<3.9 mmol/L) and 2 (<3 mmol/L) hypoglycemia. Gastric emptying of carbohydrate is a major determinant of postprandial glycemia but its role in hypoglycemia counter-regulation remains underappreciated. "Marked" hypoglycemia (~2.6 mmol/L) accelerates gastric emptying and increases carbohydrate absorption in health and type 1 diabetes, but the impact of "mild" hypoglycemia (3.0-3.9 mmol/L) is unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of 2 levels of hypoglycemia, 2.6 mmol/L ("marked") and 3.6 mmol/L ("mild"), on gastric emptying in health.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS
Fourteen healthy male participants (mean age: 32.9 ± 8.3 years; body mass index: 24.5 ± 3.4 kg/m2) from the general community underwent measurement of gastric emptying of a radiolabeled solid meal (100 g beef) by scintigraphy over 120 minutes on 3 separate occasions, while blood glucose was maintained at either ~2.6 mmol/L, ~3.6 mmol/L, or ~6 mmol/L in random order from 15 minutes before until 60 minutes after meal ingestion using glucose-insulin clamp. Blood glucose was then maintained at 6 mmol/L from 60 to 120 minutes on all days.
RESULTS
Gastric emptying was accelerated during both mild (P = 0.011) and marked (P = 0.001) hypoglycemia when compared to euglycemia, and was more rapid during marked compared with mild hypoglycemia (P = 0.008). Hypoglycemia-induced gastric emptying acceleration during mild (r = 0.57, P = 0.030) and marked (r = 0.76, P = 0.0014) hypoglycemia was related to gastric emptying during euglycemia.
CONCLUSION
In health, acceleration of gastric emptying by insulin-induced hypoglycemia is dependent on the degree of hypoglycemia and baseline rate of emptying.
Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Blood Glucose; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gastric Emptying; Glycated Hemoglobin; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; Insulin; Male; Prognosis
PubMed: 33230553
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa854 -
Veterinary Sciences Dec 2023Basophilia is a rare hematologic finding in dogs. This research aimed to describe the hematologic and clinical characteristics of dogs with moderate-to-marked...
Basophilia is a rare hematologic finding in dogs. This research aimed to describe the hematologic and clinical characteristics of dogs with moderate-to-marked basophilia. CBC reports with blood smear examinations from dogs presented to the North Carolina State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital were retrospectively reviewed for basophilia (>193 cells/µL). We classified basophilia as moderate when counts were ≥500 cells/µL and marked when they reached ≥1000 cells/µL. We compared the hematologic and clinical profiles of dogs with moderate-to-marked basophilia (the basophilia group) to those without basophilia, serving as our control group. In addition, we investigated differences between dogs with marked basophilia versus those with moderate basophilia, as well as between dogs in the basophilia group with and without concurrent eosinophilia. Diseases associated with moderate-to-marked basophilia included eosinophilic lung disease ( < 0.0001), leukemia/myeloproliferative neoplasms ( = 0.004), parasitic infection ( = 0.004), mast cell tumor ( = 0.005), and inflammatory bowel disease ( = 0.02). Overall, dogs with marked basophilia had a lower frequency of inflammatory diseases (51% vs. 70%, = 0.009) and a higher frequency of neoplastic diseases (48% vs. 26%, = 0.003) compared to those with moderate basophilia. In the basophilia group, concurrent eosinophilia was only seen in 36% of dogs. Dogs with concurrent eosinophilia were more often diagnosed with inflammatory diseases (77% vs. 58%, = 0.006), with fewer diagnoses of neoplasia (19% vs. 40%, = 0.001), compared to dogs without concurrent eosinophilia. The findings of this study offer veterinary clinicians valuable guidance in determining diagnostic priorities for dogs with moderate-to-marked basophilia.
PubMed: 38133251
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10120700 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2023Inflammatory bowel disease is a common condition in cats, characterized by recurring gastrointestinal signs with histologic evidence of intestinal inflammation. A...
Inflammatory bowel disease is a common condition in cats, characterized by recurring gastrointestinal signs with histologic evidence of intestinal inflammation. A 9-month-old neutered male Sphynx cat was presented with a 5-week history of vomiting and hematochezia. Conservative patient management with a therapeutic gastrointestinal formula, antibiotics, and antiemetics resulted in a positive response to treatment, with relapse of signs when the medications were discontinued. A new finding of marked eosinophilia and basophilia was identified 3 months after the initial presentation. Colonoscopy revealed cecal erosions and a surgical biopsy with histopathology confirmed a diagnosis of lymphocytic-plasmacytic and eosinophilic enterocolitis. For this diagnosis, the patient was treated with prednisolone, tylosin, and metronidazole. Antibiotics were gradually tapered as the cat showed clinical improvement. The patient showed resolution of the gastrointestinal signs, and the numbers of eosinophils and basophils returned within the reference range 8 weeks after the treatment began. Basophilia and eosinophilia has been reported in conjunction with feline T-cell lymphoma. However, marked basophilia accompanying eosinophilia is extremely rare in cats with inflammatory bowel disease. We herein provide clinical details, including ultrasonography, endoscopy, histopathology, and disease course of feline lymphocytic-plasmacytic and eosinophilic enterocolitis with marked basophilia and eosinophilia. This case highlights the importance of considering enteritis as potential diagnoses when eosinophilia and basophilia are concurrently observed in cats.
PubMed: 37732139
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1153702 -
BJOG : An International Journal of... Mar 2023To assess the association between marked variability in fetal heart rate (FHR) and neonatal acidosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between marked variability in fetal heart rate (FHR) and neonatal acidosis.
DESIGN
Bicentric prospective cohort study.
SETTING
From January 2019 to December 2019, in two French tertiary care maternity units.
POPULATION
Women in labour at ≥37 weeks of gestation, with continuous FHR monitoring until delivery and with the availability of umbilical arterial pH. Women with intrauterine fetal death or medical termination, multiple pregnancies, non-cephalic presentation or planned caesarean delivery were excluded.
METHODS
The exposure was marked variability in FHR in the 60 minutes before delivery, defined as a variability greater than 25 beats per minute, with a minimum duration of 1 minute. To assess the association between marked variability and neonatal acidosis, we used multivariable modified Poisson regression modelling. We then conducted subgroup analyses according to the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) category of the associated fetal heart rate.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Neonatal acidosis, defined as an umbilical artery pH of ≤7.10.
RESULTS
Among the 4394 women included, 177 (4%) had marked variability in fetal heart rate in the 60 minutes before delivery. Acidosis occurred in 6.0% (265/4394) of the neonates. In the multivariable analysis, marked variability was significantly associated with neonatal acidosis (aRR 2.30, 95% CI 1.53-3.44). In subgroup analyses, the association between marked variability and neonatal acidosis remained significant in NICHD category-I and category-II groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Marked variability was associated with a twofold increased risk of neonatal acidosis.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Child; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Heart Rate, Fetal; Prospective Studies; Labor, Obstetric; Fetal Monitoring; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Acidosis; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
PubMed: 36398385
DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17345 -
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology Dec 2016In 2008, Ninewells Hospital became the first centre in the UK to offer grenz rays as a treatment for inflammatory dermatoses. Since then, 122 courses have been... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
In 2008, Ninewells Hospital became the first centre in the UK to offer grenz rays as a treatment for inflammatory dermatoses. Since then, 122 courses have been administered for the following conditions; scalp psoriasis (n = 36), nail dystrophies (n = 27), hyperkeratotic eczema/psoriasis (n = 22), palmoplantar pustulosis (n = 9), perianal pruritus (n = 9), warts (n = 4) and other conditions (n = 15).
AIM
To review all patients who received grenz rays in order to determine which conditions have been treated successfully and to estimate remission times.
METHOD
Patient notes were reviewed, and follow-up was supplemented by subsequent dermatology clinic letters and telephone consultation.
RESULTS
For scalp psoriasis, clearance was achieved with 13 courses, marked improvement with 19, minimal improvement in 3 and no change with 1. Treatment of palmoplantar psoriasis/hyperkeratotic eczema showed clearance with 7 courses, marked improvement with 9, minimal change with 2 and no change with 4. Of the courses for nail dystrophies (mainly psoriasis), clearance occurred with 1, marked improvement with 7, minimal change with 8 and no change with 11. In addition to immediate outcomes, the remission times were also evaluated. For scalp psoriasis, only 8 of the initial 32 patients still had clearance or marked improvement at the most recent follow-up. For nail dystrophy, 3 of 8 patients remained in remission, while for hyperkeratotic eczema/psoriasis, 7 of the initial 16 patients who had clearance or marked improvement had sustained this improvement, and only 1 patient with palmoplantar pustulosis still had clearance at the most recent follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
Grenz ray therapy is an effective treatment for some chronic inflammatory skin conditions that are resistant to routine therapies. The period of remission for scalp psoriasis was good for some patients but disappointingly short for others. Future studies involving different cumulative doses with subsets of different dose fractionations may help optimize treatment regimens.
Topics: Dermatologic Agents; Eczema; Electromagnetic Radiation; Humans; Pruritus; Psoriasis; Radiotherapy; Skin Diseases
PubMed: 27747909
DOI: 10.1111/ced.12960 -
Folia Phoniatrica Et Logopaedica :... 2022The Voice Handicap Index 10 (VHI-10) has been translated to many languages. There are substantial differences between the translation methods. Translated questionnaires...
INTRODUCTION
The Voice Handicap Index 10 (VHI-10) has been translated to many languages. There are substantial differences between the translation methods. Translated questionnaires without appropriate linguistic validation may not capture cultural differences or be understood by the participants in the manner intended by the original developers. This also holds true between dialects within a language. There are two versions of the VHI-10 in Spanish, both translated in Spain. Considering the cultural and dialectical differences amongst Spanish speakers, it is hypothesized that these translations may not be applicable globally. The purpose of this study was to determine the linguistic relevance and applicability of the currently available versions of the VHI-10 in Spanish amongst Spanish speakers outside of Spain.
METHODS
This study used mixed methods qualitative and quantitative procedures consisting of semi-structured interviews and quantitative analysis of data. Sixty-nine participants met the inclusion criteria. Participants with and without a diagnosis of dysphonia were included. Demographic data collected included age, gender, cultural/dialectical background, level of education, and number of years residing in Southern California. Participants were provided the currently available translated versions of the VHI-10 in Spanish (V1 and V2). After reading both questionnaires, a semi-structured interview was conducted by a bilingual SLP. Semi-structured interview responses were coded to determine patterns of words marked as problematic/not understood or non-representative of the Spanish dialect spoken by the participants.
RESULTS
The majority of participants marked at least one word in both versions as problematic/not understood or non-representative of the Spanish dialect spoken (60/69, 87.0% for V1 and 63/69, 92.3%, for V2). The two words most frequently marked as problematic/not understood or non-representative of the Spanish dialect spoken were "hándicap" (marked by 51/69 participants, 73.9%) and "minusvalía" (marked by 52/69 participants, 75.4%).
CONCLUSIONS
Data analysis demonstrates that the majority of participants marked words as not understood/non-representative of their dialect on either V1 or V2. One question not understood or not answered could have an impact on how we interpret this patient-reported outcome measure in clinical practice. Use of currently available Spanish translations of the VHI-10 may yield unreliable results when used amongst Spanish speakers outside Spain due to dialectal and cultural differences. Future work will include validation of a voice patient-reported outcome measure that is culturally and linguistically appropriate for Spanish speakers outside Spain.
Topics: Disability Evaluation; Dysphonia; Humans; Language; Linguistics; Severity of Illness Index; Spain; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34749357
DOI: 10.1159/000520737 -
Journal of Clinical Virology : the... Aug 2020There is an urgent need for reliable high-throughput serological assays for the management of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Preferably, the performance of serological... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
There is an urgent need for reliable high-throughput serological assays for the management of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Preferably, the performance of serological tests for a novel virus should be determined with clinical specimens against a gold standard, i.e. virus neutralisation. We compared the performance of six commercial immunoassays for the detection of SARS-COV-2 IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies, including four automated assays [Abbott SARS-COV-2 IgG (CE marked), Diasorin Liaison® SARS-COV-2 S1/S2 IgG (research use only, RUO), and Euroimmun SARS-COV-2 IgG and IgA (CE marked)], and two rapid lateral flow (immunocromatographic) tests [Acro Biotech 2019-nCoV IgG/IgM (CE marked) and Xiamen Biotime Biotechnology SARS-COV-2 IgG/IgM (CE marked)] with a microneutralisation test (MNT). Two specimen panels from serum samples sent to Helsinki University Hospital Laboratory (HUSLAB) were compiled: the patient panel (N=70) included sera from PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients, and the negative panel (N=81) included sera sent for screening of autoimmune diseases and respiratory virus antibodies in 2018 and 2019. The MNT was carried out for all COVID-19 samples (70 serum samples, 62 individuals) and for 53 samples from the negative panel. Forty-one out of 62 COVID-19 patients showed neutralising antibodies.The specificity and sensitivity values of the commercial tests against MNT, respectively, were as follows: 95.1 %/80.5 % (Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG), 94.9 %/43.8 % (Diasorin Liaison SARS-CoV-2 IgG; RUO), 68.3 %/87.8 % (Euroimmun SARS-CoV-2 IgA), 86.6 %/70.7 % (Euroimmun SARS-CoV-2 IgG), 74.4 %/56.1 % (Acro 2019-nCoV IgG), 69.5 %/46.3 % (Acro 2019-nCoV IgM), 97.5 %/71.9 % (Xiamen Biotime SARS-CoV-2 IgG), and 88.8 %/81.3 % (Xiamen Biotime SARS-CoV-2 IgM). This study shows variable performance values. Laboratories should carefully consider their testing process, such as a two-tier approach, in order to optimize the overall performance of SARS- CoV-2 serodiagnostics.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies, Viral; Automation, Laboratory; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; COVID-19 Testing; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Coronavirus Infections; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Immunoassay; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Male; Middle Aged; Neutralization Tests; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Sensitivity and Specificity; Serologic Tests; Young Adult
PubMed: 32563180
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2020.104512 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2017Objects from the Middle Paleolithic period colored with ochre and marked with incisions represent the beginning of non-utilitarian object manipulation in different...
Objects from the Middle Paleolithic period colored with ochre and marked with incisions represent the beginning of non-utilitarian object manipulation in different species of the genus. To investigate the visual effects caused by these markings, we compared humans who have different cultural backgrounds (Namibian hunter-gatherers and German city dwellers) to one species of non-human great apes (orangutans) with respect to their perceptions of markings on objects. We used eye-tracking to analyze their fixation patterns and the durations of their fixations on marked and unmarked stones and sticks. In an additional test, humans evaluated the objects regarding their aesthetic preferences. Our hypotheses were that colorful markings help an individual to structure the surrounding world by making certain features of the environment salient, and that aesthetic appreciation should be associated with this structuring. Our results showed that humans fixated on the marked objects longer and used them in the structural processing of the objects and their background, but did not consistently report finding them more beautiful. Orangutans, in contrast, did not distinguish between object and background in their visual processing and did not clearly fixate longer on the markings. Our results suggest that marking behavior is characteristic for humans and evolved as an attention-directing rather than aesthetic benefit.
PubMed: 28167923
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00006