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Science Advances May 2017Nursing behavior is notoriously difficult to study in arboreal primates, particularly when offspring suckle inconspicuously in nests. Orangutans have the most prolonged...
Nursing behavior is notoriously difficult to study in arboreal primates, particularly when offspring suckle inconspicuously in nests. Orangutans have the most prolonged nursing period of any mammal, with the cessation of suckling (weaning) estimated to occur at 6 to 8 years of age in the wild. Milk consumption is hypothesized to be relatively constant over this period, but direct evidence is limited. We previously demonstrated that trace element analysis of bioavailable elements from milk, such as barium, provides accurate estimates of early-life diet transitions and developmental stress when coupled with growth lines in the teeth of humans and nonhuman primates. We provide the first detailed nursing histories of wild, unprovisioned orangutans ( and ) using chemical and histological analyses. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine barium distributions across the teeth of four wild-shot individuals aged from postnatal biological rhythms. Barium levels rose during the first year of life in all individuals and began to decline shortly after, consistent with behavioral observations of intensive nursing followed by solid food supplementation. Subsequent barium levels show large sustained fluctuations on an approximately annual basis. These patterns appear to be due to cycles of varying milk consumption, continuing until death in an 8.8-year-old Sumatran individual. A female Bornean orangutan ceased suckling at 8.1 years of age. These individuals exceed the maximum weaning age reported for any nonhuman primate. Orangutan nursing may reflect cycles of infant demand that relate to fluctuating resource availability.
Topics: Animals; Barium; Female; Male; Pongo abelii; Pongo pygmaeus; Weaning
PubMed: 28560319
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1601517 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Dec 1976We report below on nuclear magnetic resonance investigations of the structure and exchange kinetics for the free acid, anion, sodium complex, and barium complex of the...
We report below on nuclear magnetic resonance investigations of the structure and exchange kinetics for the free acid, anion, sodium complex, and barium complex of the ionophore lasalocid A (X537A) in methanol solution. A comparison between the proton and carbon longitudinal relaxation times of lasalocid in nonpolar and polar solvents demonstrates that the free acid (HX) is a monomer in methanol solution. Parallel proton and carbon relaxation measurements demonstrate that the anion (X-), sodium complex (NaX), and barium complex (BaX+) are also monomeric in methanol solution. These results are in contrast to the Na2X2 dimer and the BaX2-H20 dimer observed in crystals and in nonpolar (cyclohexane and methylene chloride) solutions. Large downfield shifts on complex formation (X- to NaX and BaX+) are detected for protons located on the polar face of the ionophore with their C-H bonds directed towards and proximal to the metal ion. The exchange of lasalocid anion between free (X-) and complexed (BaX+) states in methanol can be monitored from the temperature-dependent line shapes of the proton resonances at superconducting fields. The exchange rates are independent of the reactant concentrations and are characteristic of a rate-determining dissociation of BaX+ in methanol solution with activation parameters delta H++ = 6.5 kcal mol-1 (25 degrees) and delta S++ = -20.0 cal mol-1 degree -1 (1 cal = 4.184 J). The rate constants for dissociation and formation of BaX+ complex in methanol, 25 degrees, are 5.2 X 10(3) sec-1 and 1.5 X 10(10) M-1 sec-1, respectively. These studies were extended to derive the activation parameters for the exchange of lasalocid anion between BaX+ and NaX and between BaX+ and HX in methanol, while the exchange among HX, X-, and NaX is too rapid to be monitored on the time scale of nuclear magnetic resonance.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Barium; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Kinetics; Lasalocid; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Methanol; Molecular Conformation; Sodium; Solvents
PubMed: 1069983
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.73.12.4277 -
Canadian Association of Radiologists... Feb 2022Assess quality metrics of modified barium swallow studies (MBSS) with and without a radiologist present during the procedure. (Observational Study)
Observational Study
PURPOSE
Assess quality metrics of modified barium swallow studies (MBSS) with and without a radiologist present during the procedure.
METHODS
Retrospective review of MBSS performed on adult inpatients at a tertiary care hospital 6-months pre- and post-institutional change from having to not having a radiologist present during the examination.
FACTORS ASSESSED INCLUDED
fluoroscopy time; study duration; number of cine loops; number of images; efficiency of collimation (using a 5-point scoring system); time to final report; radiologist-speech language pathologist report disagreement; and recalls for inadequate studies. Statistical analysis was via Welch's t-test and a test of proportions for continuous and count data under the normal approximation.
RESULTS
106 and 119 MBSS were analyzed from the radiologist present and radiologist absent periods, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found for: average fluoroscopy time (116.1 s vs. 126.9 s; = 0.161); study duration (400.4 s vs. 417.3 s; = 0.453); number of cine loops (9.3 vs. 10.2; = 0.075); number of images (620.5 vs. 581.1; = 0.350); or report disagreement. There was improved performance without the radiologist present for collimation (1.92 vs. 1.43; = 0.003) and fewer non-diagnostic images (6.5 vs. 4.5; = 0.001). Time to final report was longer with the radiologist absent due to more reports with significant delays. There were no repeated studies because of inadequate technique in either group.
CONCLUSION
MBSS performed by technologists without radiologist supervision is not inferior to those performed with radiologist supervision on multiple performance measures. This supports technologist operated MBSS without radiologist supervision, while acknowledging a need to further address radiologist report time delay.
Topics: Aged; Barium; Deglutition; Deglutition Disorders; Female; Fluoroscopy; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Physician's Role; Radiologists; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Time
PubMed: 34159812
DOI: 10.1177/08465371211020630 -
Mechanism of inhibition of mouse Slo3 (KCa 5.1) potassium channels by quinine, quinidine and barium.British Journal of Pharmacology Sep 2015The Slo3 (KCa 5.1) channel is a major component of mammalian KSper (sperm potassium conductance) channels and inhibition of these channels by quinine and barium alters...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The Slo3 (KCa 5.1) channel is a major component of mammalian KSper (sperm potassium conductance) channels and inhibition of these channels by quinine and barium alters sperm motility. The aim of this investigation was to determine the mechanism by which these drugs inhibit Slo3 channels.
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
Mouse (m) Slo3 (KCa 5.1) channels or mutant forms were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and currents recorded with 2-electrode voltage-clamp. Gain-of-function mSlo3 mutations were used to explore the state-dependence of the inhibition. The interaction between quinidine and mSlo3 channels was modelled by in silico docking.
KEY RESULTS
Several drugs known to block KSper also affected mSlo3 channels with similar levels of inhibition. The inhibition induced by extracellular barium was prevented by increasing the extracellular potassium concentration. R196Q and F304Y mutations in the mSlo3 voltage sensor and pore, respectively, both increased channel activity. The F304Y mutation did not alter the effects of barium, but increased the potency of inhibition by both quinine and quinidine approximately 10-fold; this effect was not observed with the R196Q mutation.
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
Block of mSlo3 channels by quinine, quinidine and barium is not state-dependent. Barium inhibits mSlo3 outside the cell by interacting with the selectivity filter, whereas quinine and quinidine act from the inside, by binding in a hydrophobic pocket formed by the S6 segment of each subunit. Furthermore, we propose that the Slo3 channel activation gate lies deep within the pore between F304 in the S6 segment and the selectivity filter.
Topics: Animals; Barium; Female; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; Mice; Potassium Channel Blockers; Protein Structure, Secondary; Quinidine; Quinine; Xenopus laevis
PubMed: 26045093
DOI: 10.1111/bph.13214 -
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan) Oct 2021We experienced a patient who presented with lung abscess one month after aspirating barium during a gastric cancer screening examination. The patient had no subjective...
We experienced a patient who presented with lung abscess one month after aspirating barium during a gastric cancer screening examination. The patient had no subjective symptoms suggesting a swallowing disorder. Rigorous history taking under suspicion of aspiration and a further assessment of the cause of aspiration revealed hypopharyngeal cancer. Lung abscess and hypopharyngeal cancer, both treatable but potentially fatal conditions, were not diagnosed until one month after the aspiration. This highlights the need for guidance for patients and physicians to follow in the event of barium aspiration, as it is the most common complication of a barium examination. A health checkup for one condition (gastric cancer) may also be an opportunity to diagnose another underlying condition.
Topics: Barium; Deglutition Disorders; Humans; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms
PubMed: 33896861
DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.6052-20 -
Effects of Presbyphagia on Oropharyngeal Swallowing Observed during Modified Barium Swallow Studies.The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging 2022Understanding how aging impacts swallowing can help differentiate typical from atypical behaviors. This study aimed to quantify age-related swallowing alterations...
OBJECTIVES
Understanding how aging impacts swallowing can help differentiate typical from atypical behaviors. This study aimed to quantify age-related swallowing alterations observed during a modified barium swallow study.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional study.
SETTING
Adult fluoroscopy suite in a metropolitan hospital at an academic center.
PARTICIPANTS
195 healthy adults distributed across 3 age categories: 21-39; 40-59; 60+ years.
MEASUREMENTS
17 physiologic components of swallowing across three functional domains (oral, pharyngeal, esophageal), including summed composite scores (Oral Total [OT] and Pharyngeal Total [PT]), from the validated and standardized Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile.
RESULTS
Most components (65%) demonstrated no impairment (scores of "0"). The odds of a worse (higher) score increased significantly with age for: Tongue Control during Bolus Hold, Hyolaryngeal Movement, Laryngeal Closure, Pharyngeal Contraction, and Pharyngoesophageal Segment Opening. OT and PT scores for 40-59-year-olds were worse than the youngest group (p=.01 and p <.001, respectively). Adults 60+ years had significantly worse PT scores among all groups (p-values <.01).
CONCLUSION
Oropharyngeal swallowing physiology evolves as healthy adults age and should be considered during clinical decision-making.
Topics: Humans; Deglutition; Barium; Deglutition Disorders; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fluoroscopy
PubMed: 36437764
DOI: 10.1007/s12603-022-1854-0 -
British Medical Journal May 1948
Topics: Animals; Barium; Barium Compounds; Coleoptera; Enema; Humans; Intestines; Intussusception; Radiography, Abdominal
PubMed: 18938483
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.1.4558.955-a -
The Journal of Thoracic and... Aug 2018
Topics: Barium; Esophageal Achalasia; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Myotomy
PubMed: 29754786
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2018.04.021 -
The Journal of Thoracic and... Aug 2018
Topics: Barium; Esophageal Achalasia; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Myotomy
PubMed: 29716731
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2018.04.003 -
PloS One 2012Precipitation of calcium in plants is common. There are abundant studies on the uptake and content of magnesium, strontium and barium, which have similar chemical...
Precipitation of calcium in plants is common. There are abundant studies on the uptake and content of magnesium, strontium and barium, which have similar chemical properties to calcium, in comparison with those of calcium in plants, but studies on co-precipitation of these elements with calcium in plants are rare. In this study, we compared morphologies, distributional patterns, and elemental compositions of crystals in tissues of four Acacia species grown in the field as well as in the glasshouse. A comparison was also made of field-grown plants and glasshouse-grown plants, and of phyllodes of different ages for each species. Crystals of various morphologies and distributional patterns were observed in the four Acacia species studied. Magnesium, strontium and barium were precipitated together with calcium, mainly in phyllodes of the four Acacia species, and sometimes in branchlets and primary roots. These elements were most likely precipitated in forms of oxalate and sulfate in various tissues, including epidermis, mesophyll, parenchyma, sclerenchyma (fibre cells), pith, pith ray and cortex. In most cases, precipitation of calcium, magnesium, strontium and barium was biologically induced, and elements precipitated differed between soil types, plant species, and tissues within an individual plant; the precipitation was also related to tissue age. Formation of crystals containing these elements might play a role in regulating and detoxifying these elements in plants, and protecting the plants against herbivory.
Topics: Acacia; Adaptation, Physiological; Barium; Calcium; Magnesium; Strontium
PubMed: 22848528
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041563