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Chauhan D, Prabhu A, Cripps S, Misbah S, Griffiths K, Roseman A, Walsh A, Satsangi J. Generalised urticaria and angioedema complicating switch back from subcutaneous to intravenous vedolizumab therapy. Frontline Gastroenterol 2023; 14:432-434. [PMID: 37581188 PMCID: PMC10423614 DOI: 10.1136/flgastro-2023-102380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
We report a unique case of a 34-year-old man with ulcerative colitis, previously in complete remission with intravenous vedolizumab monotherapy, who developed an urticarial injection-site reaction on switching to a subcutaneous preparation and thereafter experienced a new hypersensitivity reaction on switch back to intravenous vedolizumab, necessitating complete discontinuation from this drug. This case highlights the need for vigilance on switching back to intravenous preparations of vedolizumab, in response to injection-site reactions with a subcutaneous preparation, even if the intravenous preparation had been previously well tolerated by the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipesh Chauhan
- Pharmacy Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Anil Prabhu
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Sarah Cripps
- Pharmacy Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Siraj Misbah
- Department of Clinical Immunology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Kate Griffiths
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Alice Roseman
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Alissa Walsh
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Jack Satsangi
- Translational Gastroenterology Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
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Dunning D, Ahmed S, Foulkes L, Griffin C, Griffiths K, Leung JT, Parker J, Piera Pi-Sunyer B, Sakhardande A, Bennett M, Haag C, Montero-Marin J, Packman D, Vainre M, Watson P, Kuyken W, Williams JMG, Ukoumunne OC, Blakemore SJ, Dalgleish T. The impact of mindfulness training in early adolescence on affective executive control, and on later mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a randomised controlled trial. Evid Based Ment Health 2022; 25:ebmental-2022-300460. [PMID: 35820991 PMCID: PMC9340025 DOI: 10.1136/ebmental-2022-300460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research suggests that mindfulness training (MT) appears effective at improving mental health in young people. MT is proposed to work through improving executive control in affectively laden contexts. However, it is unclear whether MT improves such control in young people. MT appears to mitigate mental health difficulties during periods of stress, but any mitigating effects against COVID-related difficulties remain unexamined. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether MT (intervention) versus psychoeducation (Psy-Ed; control), implemented in after-school classes: (1) Improves affective executive control; and/or (2) Mitigates negative mental health impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A parallel randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted (Registration: https://osf.io/d6y9q/; Funding: Wellcome (WT104908/Z/14/Z, WT107496/Z/15/Z)). 460 students aged 11-16 years were recruited and randomised 1:1 to either MT (N=235) or Psy-Ed (N=225) and assessed preintervention and postintervention on experimental tasks and self-report inventories of affective executive control. The RCT was then extended to evaluate protective functions of MT on mental health assessed after the first UK COVID-19 lockdown. FINDINGS Results provided no evidence that the version of MT used here improved affective executive control after training or mitigated negative consequences on mental health of the COVID-19 pandemic relative to Psy-Ed. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence that MT improves affective control or downstream mental health of young people during stressful periods. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS We need to identify interventions that can enhance affective control and thereby young people's mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Dunning
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - S Ahmed
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
| | - L Foulkes
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
| | - C Griffin
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
| | - K Griffiths
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - J T Leung
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
| | - J Parker
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | | | - A Sakhardande
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
| | - M Bennett
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - C Haag
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Jesus Montero-Marin
- Teaching, Research and Innovation Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - D Packman
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Maris Vainre
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - P Watson
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Willem Kuyken
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - J Mark G Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Obioha C Ukoumunne
- NIHR CLAHRC South West Peninsula, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Sarah-Jayne Blakemore
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tim Dalgleish
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK
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Branston CJ, Capilla-Lasheras P, Pollock CJ, Griffiths K, White S, Dominoni DM. Urbanisation weakens selection on the timing of breeding and clutch size in blue tits but not in great tits. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-03096-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Urbanisation is a globally occurring phenomenon and is predicted to continue increasing rapidly. Urban ecosystems present novel environments and challenges which species must acclimate or adapt to. These novel challenges alter existing or create new selection pressures on behaviours which provide an opportunity to investigate eco-evolutionary responses to contemporary environmental change. We used 7 years of breeding data from urban and forest populations of blue and great tits to understand whether selection for timing of breeding or clutch size differed between the two habitats and species. We found that urban great tits laid eggs earlier than their forest counterparts, but there was no evidence of a difference in selection for earlier breeding. Blue tits, however, did not differ in timing of egg laying between the two habitats, but selection for earlier laying was weaker in the urban environment. Both species laid smaller clutches in the urban site and had positive selection for larger clutch sizes which did not differ in strength for the great tits but did for blue tits, with weaker selection in the urban population. Our results suggest that food availability for nestlings may be constraining urban birds, and that the temporal cues females use to time breeding correctly, such as tree budburst and food availability, may be absent or reduced in urban areas due to lower caterpillar availability. These results have implications for our understanding of the adaptation of wild animals to city life.
Significance statement
Urbanisation is expanding rapidly and changing the environment many species live in. A key challenge is to understand how species adapt to the urban environment, why some species can adapt, why others cannot and what we can do to ensure that cities are ecologically sustainable and biodiversity rich. Here we show that the strength of natural selection for early breeding and larger clutch size is weaker in urban than non-urban blue tits, likely due to reduced and irregular availability of natural insect food in urban areas. This effect was not found in great tits. Thus, urbanisation can alter the selection pressures wild animals are exposed to, but this effect may differ between species, even when closely related. This has implications for our understanding of how species adapt to urban life.
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Mulvey L, Wilkie SE, Borland G, Griffiths K, Sinclair A, McGuinness D, Watson DG, Selman C. Strain-specific metabolic responses to long-term caloric restriction in female ILSXISS recombinant inbred mice. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 535:111376. [PMID: 34246728 PMCID: PMC8417819 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The role that genetic background may play in the responsiveness of organisms to interventions such as caloric restriction (CR) is underappreciated but potentially important. We investigated the impact of genetic background on a suite of metabolic parameters in female recombinant inbred ILSXISS mouse strains previously reported to show divergent lifespan responses to 40% CR (TejJ89-lifespan extension; TejJ48-lifespan unaffected; TejJ114-lifespan shortening). Body mass was reduced across all strains following 10 months of 40% CR, although this loss (relative to ad libitum controls) was greater in TejJ114 relative to the other strains. Gonadal white adipose tissue (gWAT) mass was similarly reduced across all strains following 40% CR, but brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass increased only in strains TejJ89 and TejJ48. Surprisingly, glucose tolerance was improved most notably by CR in TejJ114, while both strains TejJ89 and TejJ114 were hyperinsulinemic following CR relative to their AL controls. We subsequently undertook an unbiased metabolomic approach in gWAT and BAT tissue derived from strains TejJ89 and TejJ114 mice under AL and 40% CR. In gWAT from TejJ89 a significant reduction in several long chain unsaturated fatty acids was observed following 40% CR, but gWAT from TejJ114 appeared relatively unresponsive to CR with far fewer metabolites changing. Phosphatidylethanoloamine lipids within the BAT were typically elevated in TejJ89 following CR, while some phosphatidylglycerol lipids were decreased. However, BAT from strain TejJ114 again appeared unresponsive to CR. These data highlight strain-specific metabolic differences exist in ILSXISS mice following 40% CR. We suggest that precisely how different fat depots respond dynamically to CR may be an important factor in the variable longevity under 40% CR reported in these mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorna Mulvey
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Stephen E Wilkie
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Gillian Borland
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Kate Griffiths
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Amy Sinclair
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Dagmara McGuinness
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - David G Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, The John Arbuthnott Building, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Colin Selman
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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Marasco V, Boner W, Griffiths K, Heidinger B, Monaghan P. Repeated exposure to challenging environmental conditions influences telomere dynamics across adult life as predicted by changes in mortality risk. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21743. [PMID: 34192361 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100556r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The effects of stress exposure are likely to vary depending on life-stage and stressor. While it has been postulated that mild stress exposure may have beneficial effects, the duration of such effects and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. While the long-term effects of early-life stress are relatively well studied, we know much less about the effects of exposure in adulthood since the early- and adult-life environments are often similar. We previously reported that repeated experimental exposure to a relatively mild stressor in female zebra finches, first experienced in young adulthood, initially had no effect on mortality risk, reduced mortality in middle age, but the apparently beneficial effects disappeared in old age. We show here that this is underpinned by differences between the control and stress-exposed group in the pattern of telomere change, with stress-exposed birds showing reduced telomere loss in middle adulthood. We thereby provide novel experimental evidence that telomere dynamics play a key role linking stress resilience and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Marasco
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Winnie Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kate Griffiths
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Britt Heidinger
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
- Biological Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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GAMA R, Clery A, Griffiths K, Heraghty N, Peters A, Palmer K, Kibble H, Vincent R, Sharpe C, Cairns H, Bramham K. POS-225 ESTIMATED GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE EQUATIONS: DO WE NEED TO USE THE ETHNICITY CORRECTION FACTOR IN PEOPLE OF AFRICAN ANCESTRY OUTSIDE OF THE USA? Kidney Int Rep 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2021.03.239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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Munday JS, Ridler A, Aberdein D, Thomson NA, Griffiths K. Chronic facial eczema in sheep: description of gross and histological changes in the liver and association with serum gamma-glutamyltransferase activity at the time of sporidesmin intoxication. N Z Vet J 2020; 69:104-112. [PMID: 32981484 DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2020.1823904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To determine the gross and histological changes developing in the liver of sheep 8 months after a single period of exposure to sporidesmin and to examine associations between the severity of gross and histological changes to the liver and the activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) measured in serum in the sheep at the time of intoxication. METHODS A group of 50 Romney ewes grazing a mixed ryegrass/white clover pasture were accidentally exposed to sporidesmin for up to 5 weeks. Seventeen sheep showed photosensitisation and four were subject to euthanasia. The remaining sheep were moved to safer pasture and a blood sample collected and analysed for serum GGT activity. The sheep were slaughtered 8 months later. Livers were classified into grossly normal, moderately affected, or severely affected and histology performed to assess portal fibrosis, biliary hyperplasia, portal inflammation, and hepatocellular necrosis. RESULTS Serum GGT activity ranged from 59 to 1571 IU/L (reference range 32-70 IU/L). Thirteen of the 46 sheep developed clinical signs of facial eczema. However, at slaughter all except four sheep had grossly detectable changes to the shape of the liver including atrophy of the left lobe and the lateral part of the right lobe. Hypertrophy was typically limited to the medial part of the right lobe. In severely affected sheep the liver hypertrophy formed a nodular bulging mass. Changes in the liver shape were classified as severe in 25 and moderate in 17 sheep. Severely affected livers contained significantly more fibrosis than moderately affected livers (p = 0.001, Cliff's delta (d) = 0.68). While there was significantly greater fibrosis and biliary hyperplasia in the left than right lobes, histological changes were present throughout all samples taken of affected livers. Serum GGT activity taken during acute intoxication were correlated to subsequent fibrosis and biliary hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS Hepatic fibrosis develops in sheep after a single episode of sporidesmin intoxication, even in sheep with only mildly elevated GGT activity at the time of intoxication. Furthermore, the severity of the subsequent hepatic fibrosis was predicted by the degree of elevation of serum GGT activity during intoxication. CLINICAL RELEVANCE More research is required to determine how the presence and severity of hepatic fibrosis affect animal production. However, if hepatic fibrosis does decrease production, the consistent development of fibrosis after sporidesmin ingestion reinforces the importance of avoiding exposure of livestock to sporidesmin. ABBREVIATIONS GGT: Gamma-glutamyltransferase; d: Cliff's delta.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Munday
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - A Ridler
- Animal Health and Production, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - D Aberdein
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - N A Thomson
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - K Griffiths
- Animal Health and Production, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Ahmed S, Foulkes L, Leung JT, Griffin C, Sakhardande A, Bennett M, Dunning DL, Griffiths K, Parker J, Kuyken W, Williams JMG, Dalgleish T, Blakemore SJ. Susceptibility to prosocial and antisocial influence in adolescence. J Adolesc 2020; 84:56-68. [PMID: 32858504 PMCID: PMC7674583 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Adolescents are particularly susceptible to social influence and previous studies have shown that this susceptibility decreases with age. The current study used a cross-sectional experimental paradigm to investigate the effect of age and puberty on susceptibility to both prosocial and antisocial influence. Methods Participants (N = 520) aged 11–18 from London and Cambridge (United Kingdom) rated how likely they would be to engage in a prosocial (e.g. “help a classmate with their work”) or antisocial (e.g. “make fun of a classmate”) act. They were then shown the average rating (in fact fictitious) that other adolescents had given to the same question, and were then asked to rate the same behaviour again. Results Both prosocial and antisocial influence decreased linearly with age, with younger adolescents being more socially influenced when other adolescents’ ratings were more prosocial and less antisocial than their own initial rating. Both antisocial and prosocial influence significantly decreased across puberty for boys but not girls (independent of age). Conclusions These findings suggest that social influence declines with increasing maturity across adolescence. However, the exact relationship between social influence and maturity is dependent on the nature of the social influence and gender. Understanding when adolescents are most susceptible to different types of social influence, and how this might influence their social behaviour, has important implications for understanding adolescent social development.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ahmed
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, WC1N 3AR, UK.
| | - L Foulkes
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, WC1N 3AR, UK
| | - J T Leung
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, WC1N 3AR, UK
| | - C Griffin
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, WC1N 3AR, UK
| | - A Sakhardande
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, WC1N 3AR, UK
| | - M Bennett
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University, Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK
| | - D L Dunning
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University, Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK
| | - K Griffiths
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University, Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK
| | - J Parker
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University, Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK
| | - W Kuyken
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - J M G Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - T Dalgleish
- Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge University, Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK
| | - S J Blakemore
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, WC1N 3AR, UK; Department of Psychology, Downing Street, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
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Bond-Smith D, Seth R, de Klerk N, Nedkoff L, Anderson M, Hung J, Cannon J, Griffiths K, Katzenellenbogen JM. Development and Evaluation of a Prediction Model for Ascertaining Rheumatic Heart Disease Status in Administrative Data. Clin Epidemiol 2020; 12:717-730. [PMID: 32753974 PMCID: PMC7358074 DOI: 10.2147/clep.s241588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous research has raised substantial concerns regarding the validity of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) codes (ICD-10 I05-I09) for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) due to likely misclassification of non-rheumatic valvular disease (non-rheumatic VHD) as RHD. There is currently no validated, quantitative approach for reliable case ascertainment of RHD in administrative hospital data. Methods A comprehensive dataset of validated Australian RHD cases was compiled and linked to inpatient hospital records with an RHD ICD code (2000-2018, n=7555). A prediction model was developed based on a generalized linear mixed model structure considering an extensive range of demographic and clinical variables. It was validated internally using randomly selected cross-validation samples and externally. Conditional optimal probability cutpoints were calculated, maximising discrimination separately for high-risk versus low-risk populations. Results The proposed model reduced the false-positive rate (FPR) from acute rheumatic fever (ARF) cases misclassified as RHD from 0.59 to 0.27; similarly for non-rheumatic VHD from 0.77 to 0.22. Overall, the model achieved strong discriminant capacity (AUC: 0.93) and maintained a similar robust performance during external validation (AUC: 0.88). It can also be used when only basic demographic and diagnosis data are available. Conclusion This paper is the first to show that not only misclassification of non-rheumatic VHD but also of ARF as RHD yields substantial FPRs. Both sources of bias can be successfully addressed with the proposed model which provides an effective solution for reliable RHD case ascertainment from hospital data for epidemiological disease monitoring and policy evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Bond-Smith
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - R Seth
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - N de Klerk
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Australia
| | - L Nedkoff
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | | | - J Hung
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - J Cannon
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Australia
| | - K Griffiths
- Centre for Big Data Research, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | - J M Katzenellenbogen
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.,Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Australia
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Marasco V, Boner W, Griffiths K, Heidinger B, Monaghan P. Intergenerational effects on offspring telomere length: interactions among maternal age, stress exposure and offspring sex. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20191845. [PMID: 31575358 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Offspring produced by older parents often have reduced longevity, termed the Lansing effect. Because adults usually have similar-aged mates, it is difficult to separate effects of maternal and paternal age, and environmental circumstances are also likely to influence offspring outcomes. The mechanisms underlying the Lansing effect are poorly understood. Variation in telomere length and loss, particularly in early life, is linked to longevity in many vertebrates, and therefore changes in offspring telomere dynamics could be very important in this context. We examined the effect of maternal age and environment on offspring telomere length in zebra finches. We kept mothers under either control (ad libitum food) or more challenging (unpredictable food) circumstances and experimentally minimized paternal age and mate choice effects. Irrespective of the maternal environment, there was a substantial negative effect of maternal age on offspring telomere length, evident in longitudinal and cross-sectional comparisons (average of 39% shorter). Furthermore, in young mothers, sons reared by challenged mothers had significantly shorter telomere lengths than sons reared by control mothers. This effect disappeared when the mothers were old, and was absent in daughters. These findings highlight the importance of telomere dynamics as inter-generational mediators of the evolutionary processes determining optimal age-specific reproductive effort and sex allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Marasco
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstraβe 1a, 1160 Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Winnie Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Kate Griffiths
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Britt Heidinger
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.,Biological Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, Stevens Hall, Fargo, ND 58108, USA
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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Ridler A, Hickson R, Griffiths K, Pettigrew E, Kenyon P. Effects of Streptococcus dysgalactiae polyarthritis on lamb growth and mortality and risk factors for disease. Small Rumin Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2019.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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12
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Tarantini C, Brouqui P, Wilson R, Griffiths K, Patouraux P, Peretti-Watel P. Healthcare workers' attitudes towards hand-hygiene monitoring technology. J Hosp Infect 2019; 102:413-418. [PMID: 30831187 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2019.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Automated radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based hand-hygiene monitoring technology was implemented in an infectious disease department to study healthcare workers' (HCWs') practices and to improve hand hygiene. AIM To assess HCWs' attitudes towards this innovative monitoring device in order to anticipate resistance to change and facilitate future implementation. METHODS In-depth interviews and an ethnographic approach. FINDINGS From the perspective of HCWs, while they recognize the usefulness of RFID technology to prevent the transmission of infections to patients, they expressed concerns about risks related to RFID electromagnetic waves, as well as control by their superiors. Overall, HCWs' opinions oscillated between positive feelings characterized by enthusiasm for the possibility of changing their practices using technologies and research, and negative feelings marked by strong criticisms of these technologies and research. These criticisms included blaming hand-hygiene monitoring technology for decontextualizing HCWs' practices. They perceived the technologies through the prism of the local and national contexts in which they are embedded. From their point of view, technologies are primarily in the best interests of the project team. Thus, they affirm and maintain the different interests and objectives between themselves and the project team, crystallizing a conflict of professional norms and values between these two groups. The forms of resistance taken by HCWs were practical as well as oral. CONCLUSION Innovative technologies should be developed to address HCWs' attitudes surrounding RFIDs. It is crucial to inform HCWs about the nature of these technologies, although some criticisms about monitoring systems are based on more structural causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Tarantini
- Aix Marseille University, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; EHESS, CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, CNELIAS UMR 8562, Marseille, France
| | - P Brouqui
- Aix Marseille University, IRD, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, MEPHI, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - R Wilson
- Aix Marseille University, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - K Griffiths
- Aix Marseille University, IRD, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, MEPHI, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | | | - P Peretti-Watel
- Aix Marseille University, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
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13
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Emslie KR, H McLaughlin JL, Griffiths K, Forbes-Smith M, Pinheiro LB, Burke DG. Droplet Volume Variability and Impact on Digital PCR Copy Number Concentration Measurements. Anal Chem 2019; 91:4124-4131. [PMID: 30775910 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b05828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) is increasingly being adopted by reference material producers and metrology institutes for value assignment, and for homogeneity and stability studies of nucleic acid reference materials. A reference method procedure should fulfill several requirements, and the uncertainty and biases should be completely understood. A bias in target concentration when inaccurate droplet volume is used in the droplet dPCR measurement equation has previously been documented. In this study, we characterize both intrawell and interwell droplet volume variability using optical microscopy and determine the impact of these two sources of variability on target concentration estimates. A small optical distortion across the image was measured which, without correction, biased droplet volume measurements. Longitudinal monitoring of interwell droplet volume over 39 weeks using several lots of Mastermix demonstrated a mean droplet volume of 0.786 nL and intermediate precision of 1.7%. The frequency distribution of intrawell droplet volumes varied. Some wells displayed a skewed distribution which resulted in a small bias in estimated target concentration for a simulated dPCR with target concentrations of between 62 and 8000 copies μL-1. The size and direction of this bias was influenced by the distribution pattern of the droplet volumes within the well. The proportion of Mastermix in dPCR mix affected droplet volume. A pipetting error of 10% during mixing of the premix and Mastermix resulted in a 2.6% change in droplet volume and, consequently, a bias in concentration measurements highlighting the advantages of gravimetric preparation of dPCR mixes for high accuracy measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry R Emslie
- National Measurement Institute , Lindfield , New South Wales 2070 , Australia
| | | | - Kate Griffiths
- National Measurement Institute , Lindfield , New South Wales 2070 , Australia
| | | | - Leonardo B Pinheiro
- National Measurement Institute , Lindfield , New South Wales 2070 , Australia
| | - Daniel G Burke
- National Measurement Institute , Lindfield , New South Wales 2070 , Australia
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14
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Howell S, Hoeks S, West R, Wheatcroft S, Hoeft A, Leva B, Plichon B, Damster S, Momeni M, Watremez C, Kahn D, Dincq AS, Danila A, Wittmann M, Struck R, Rüddel T, Kessler F, Rasche S, Matsota P, Hasani A, Gudaityte J, Karbonskiene A, Ferreira R, Carvalho S, Tomescu D, Martac C, Grintescu I, Mirea L, Serrano L, Serrano L, Sierra P, Sabaté S, Hernando D, Matute P, Trashorras M, Suñé M, Sarmiento L, Hervias A, González O, Hermina A, González O, Hermina A, Navarro Perez R, Orts M, Fernandez-Garcia R, Sanchez Pérez D, Sepulveda Gil I, Monedero P, Hidalgo F, Mbongo C, Pont A, Reyes H, Bartolo C, Galera S, Valentijn T, Stolker R, Tugrul M, Emre Demirel E, Hough M, Griffiths K, Birch S, Beardow Z, Elliot S, Thompson J, Bowrey S, Northey M, Melson H, Telford R, Nadolski M, Potter A, Fuller D, Rose A, Varma S, Simeson K, Pettit J, Smith N, Martinson V, Sleight L, Naylor C, Watt P, Raymode P, Dunk N, Twohey L, Hollos L, Davies S, Gibson A, Coleman Z, Tamm T, Joscak J, Zsisku L, Zuleika M, Carvalho P, Collyer T, Ryan J, Colling K, Dharmarajah S, Krishnan A, Paddle J, Fouracres A, Arnell K, Muhammad K. Prospective observational cohort study of the association between antiplatelet therapy, bleeding and thrombosis in patients with coronary stents undergoing noncardiac surgery. Br J Anaesth 2019; 122:170-179. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2018.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Revised: 09/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
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15
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Marasco V, Boner W, Griffiths K, Heidinger B, Monaghan P. Environmental conditions shape the temporal pattern of investment in reproduction and survival. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 285:rspb.2017.2442. [PMID: 29298939 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.2442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between environmental stress exposure and ageing is likely to vary with stressor severity, life-history stage and the time scale over which effects are measured. Such factors could influence whether stress exposure accelerates or slows the ageing process, but their interactions have not previously been experimentally investigated. We found that experimental exposure of zebra finches to mildly challenging environmental circumstances from young to old adulthood, which increased exposure to stress hormones, reduced breeding performance during early adulthood, but had positive effects when individuals were bred in old adulthood. This difference was not due to selective mortality, because the effects were evident within individuals, and no evidence of habituation in the response to the stressor was found. The more stressful environment had no effects on survival during young or old adulthood, but substantially improved survival during middle age. Changes in the effects at different ages could be due to the duration and nature of the challenging exposure, or to variation in coping capacity or strategy with age. These results show that living under challenging environmental circumstances can influence ageing trajectories in terms of both reproductive performance and longevity. Our results provide experimental support for the emerging idea that stress exposure needs to be optimized rather than minimized to obtain the best health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Marasco
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Winnie Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Kate Griffiths
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Britt Heidinger
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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16
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Köppel R, Ganeshan A, Weber S, Pietsch K, Graf C, Hochegger R, Griffiths K, Burkhardt S. Duplex digital PCR for the determination of meat proportions of sausages containing meat from chicken, turkey, horse, cow, pig and sheep. Eur Food Res Technol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00217-018-3220-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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17
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Apfelbeck B, Haussmann MF, Boner W, Flinks H, Griffiths K, Illera JC, Mortega KG, Sisson Z, Smiddy P, Helm B. Divergent patterns of telomere shortening in tropical compared to temperate stonechats. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:511-521. [PMID: 30680132 PMCID: PMC6342124 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres have emerged as important biomarkers of health and senescence as they predict chances of survival in various species. Tropical birds live in more benign environments with lower extrinsic mortality and higher juvenile and adult survival than temperate birds. Therefore, telomere biology may play a more important role in tropical compared to temperate birds. We measured mean telomere length of male stonechats (Saxicola spp.) at four age classes from tropical African and temperate European breeding regions. Tropical and temperate stonechats had similarly long telomeres as nestlings. However, while in tropical stonechats pre-breeding first-years had longer telomeres than nestlings, in temperate stonechats pre-breeding first-years had shorter telomeres than nestlings. During their first breeding season, telomere length was again similar between tropical and temperate stonechats. These patterns may indicate differential survival of high-quality juveniles in tropical environments. Alternatively, more favorable environmental conditions, that is, extended parental care, may enable tropical juveniles to minimize telomere shortening. As suggested by previous studies, our results imply that variation in life history and life span may be reflected in different patterns of telomere shortening rather than telomere length. Our data provide first evidence that distinct selective pressures in tropical and temperate environments may be reflected in diverging patterns of telomere loss in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate Apfelbeck
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Terrestrial Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Management, School of Life Sciences WeihenstephanTechnische Universität MünchenFreisingGermany
| | | | - Winnie Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | | | - Kate Griffiths
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Juan Carlos Illera
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO‐CSIC‐PA), Oviedo UniversityMieresSpain
| | - Kim G. Mortega
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Department of Migration and Immunoecology, Max‐Planck‐Institut für OrnithologieRadolfzellGermany
- Museum für Naturkunde—Leibniz‐Institut für Evolutions‐und BiodiversitätsforschungBerlinGermany
| | - Zachary Sisson
- Department of BiologyBucknell UniversityLewisburgPennsylvania
| | - Patrick Smiddy
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
| | - Barbara Helm
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative MedicineUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES)University of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
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18
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Feuvrier F, Jourdan C, Griffiths K, Ascher M, Pavillard F, Chalard K, Bory P, Pellas F, Perrigault P, Laffont I. Early mobilization in intensive care for severe acquired brain injury patients: Current practices and implementation barriers in France. Ann Phys Rehabil Med 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rehab.2018.05.403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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19
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Bourne D, Craig M, Crittall J, Elsheikha H, Griffiths K, Keyte S, Merritt B, Stokes L, Whitfield V, Wilson A. Fleas and flea-borne diseases: biology, control & compliance. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.12968/coan.2018.23.4.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hany Elsheikha
- Associate Professor of Veterinary Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham; Member of ESCCAP UK & Ireland
| | - Kate Griffiths
- Assistant Professor in Veterinary Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham
| | - Sophie Keyte
- Small Animal Internal Medicine Clinical Teaching Fellow, University of Bristol
| | - Bree Merritt
- Teaching Associate, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham
| | - Laura Stokes
- ESCCAP UK & Ireland National Coordinator, ESCCAP UK & Ireland, Malvern
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20
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Benson N, Oliveria Dos Santos R, Griffiths K, Cole N, Doble P, Roux C, Blanes L. Erratum to "The development of a stabbing machine for forensic textile damage analysis" [FSI (2017) 132-139]>. Forensic Sci Int 2018; 285:161. [PMID: 29501052 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Benson
- University of Technology Sydney, Centre for Forensic Science, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Robson Oliveria Dos Santos
- University of Technology Sydney, Centre for Forensic Science, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia; Department of Engineering, Architecture and Agricultural studies, University of Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Cruz do Sul, RS, Brazil
| | - Kate Griffiths
- Specialist Operations, Australian Federal Police, GPO Box 401, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Nerida Cole
- University of Technology Sydney, Centre for Forensic Science, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Philip Doble
- University of Technology Sydney, Centre for Forensic Science, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Claude Roux
- University of Technology Sydney, Centre for Forensic Science, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Lucas Blanes
- University of Technology Sydney, Centre for Forensic Science, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia.
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21
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Griffiths K, Habiel DM, Jaffar J, Binder U, Darby WG, Hosking CG, Skerra A, Westall GP, Hogaboam CM, Foley M. Anti-fibrotic Effects of CXCR4-Targeting i-body AD-114 in Preclinical Models of Pulmonary Fibrosis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3212. [PMID: 29453386 PMCID: PMC5816662 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20811-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic fibrotic lung disease that is prevalent in individuals >50 years of age, with a median survival of 3–5 years and limited therapeutic options. The disease is characterized by collagen deposition and remodeling of the lung parenchyma in a process that is thought to be driven by collagen-expressing immune and structural cells. The G-protein coupled C-X-C chemokine receptor 4, CXCR4, is a candidate therapeutic target for IPF owing to its role in the recruitment of CXCR4+ fibrocytes from the bone marrow to fibrotic lung tissue and its increased expression levels by structural cells in fibrotic lung tissue. We have engineered a novel fully human single domain antibody “i-body” called AD-114 that binds with high affinity to human CXCR4. We demonstrate here that AD-114 inhibits invasive wound healing and collagen 1 secretion by human IPF fibroblasts but not non-diseased control lung fibroblasts. Furthermore, in a murine bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis, AD-114 reduced the accumulation of fibrocytes (CXCR4+/Col1+/CD45+) in fibrotic murine lungs and ameliorated the degree of lung injury. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that AD-114 holds promise as a new biological therapeutic for the treatment of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Griffiths
- AdAlta Limited, La Trobe University, 15/2 Park Drive, Bundoora, 3083, Australia.,The Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, 3086, Australia
| | - D M Habiel
- Cedars-Sinai, Medical Centre, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - J Jaffar
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - U Binder
- XL-protein GmbH, Lise-Meitner-Str. 30, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - W G Darby
- AdAlta Limited, La Trobe University, 15/2 Park Drive, Bundoora, 3083, Australia.,The Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, 3086, Australia
| | - C G Hosking
- AdAlta Limited, La Trobe University, 15/2 Park Drive, Bundoora, 3083, Australia.,The Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, 3086, Australia
| | - A Skerra
- XL-protein GmbH, Lise-Meitner-Str. 30, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - G P Westall
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - C M Hogaboam
- Cedars-Sinai, Medical Centre, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - M Foley
- AdAlta Limited, La Trobe University, 15/2 Park Drive, Bundoora, 3083, Australia. .,The Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne, 3086, Australia.
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22
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Marasco V, Boner W, Griffiths K, Heidinger B, Monaghan P. Environmental conditions shape the temporal pattern of investment in reproduction and survival. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:rspb.2017.2442. [PMID: 29298939 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-60984-5.00062-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between environmental stress exposure and ageing is likely to vary with stressor severity, life-history stage and the time scale over which effects are measured. Such factors could influence whether stress exposure accelerates or slows the ageing process, but their interactions have not previously been experimentally investigated. We found that experimental exposure of zebra finches to mildly challenging environmental circumstances from young to old adulthood, which increased exposure to stress hormones, reduced breeding performance during early adulthood, but had positive effects when individuals were bred in old adulthood. This difference was not due to selective mortality, because the effects were evident within individuals, and no evidence of habituation in the response to the stressor was found. The more stressful environment had no effects on survival during young or old adulthood, but substantially improved survival during middle age. Changes in the effects at different ages could be due to the duration and nature of the challenging exposure, or to variation in coping capacity or strategy with age. These results show that living under challenging environmental circumstances can influence ageing trajectories in terms of both reproductive performance and longevity. Our results provide experimental support for the emerging idea that stress exposure needs to be optimized rather than minimized to obtain the best health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Marasco
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Winnie Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Kate Griffiths
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Britt Heidinger
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Graham Kerr Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
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23
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Pinheiro LB, O'Brien H, Druce J, Do H, Kay P, Daniels M, You J, Burke D, Griffiths K, Emslie KR. Interlaboratory Reproducibility of Droplet Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction Using a New DNA Reference Material Format. Anal Chem 2017; 89:11243-11251. [PMID: 28968098 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b05032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Use of droplet digital PCR technology (ddPCR) is expanding rapidly in the diversity of applications and number of users around the world. Access to relatively simple and affordable commercial ddPCR technology has attracted wide interest in use of this technology as a molecular diagnostic tool. For ddPCR to effectively transition to a molecular diagnostic setting requires processes for method validation and verification and demonstration of reproducible instrument performance. In this study, we describe the development and characterization of a DNA reference material (NMI NA008 High GC reference material) comprising a challenging methylated GC-rich DNA template under a novel 96-well microplate format. A scalable process using high precision acoustic dispensing technology was validated to produce the DNA reference material with a certified reference value expressed in amount of DNA molecules per well. An interlaboratory study, conducted using blinded NA008 High GC reference material to assess reproducibility among seven independent laboratories demonstrated less than 4.5% reproducibility relative standard deviation. With the exclusion of one laboratory, laboratories had appropriate technical competency, fully functional instrumentation, and suitable reagents to perform accurate ddPCR based DNA quantification measurements at the time of the study. The study results confirmed that NA008 High GC reference material is fit for the purpose of being used for quality control of ddPCR systems, consumables, instrumentation, and workflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo B Pinheiro
- National Measurement Institute (NMI) , Lindfield, Sydney, New South Wales 2070, Australia
| | - Helen O'Brien
- Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service , Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Julian Druce
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory , Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
| | - Hongdo Do
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute , Translation Genomics and Epigenomics Laboratory, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Pippa Kay
- Agri-Bio Molecular Genetics, Biosciences Research Division, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia
| | - Marissa Daniels
- The Prince Charles Hospital University of Queensland , Thoracic Research Centre, Chermside, Queensland 4032, Australia
| | - Jingjing You
- Save Sight Institute, Sydney Eye Hospital, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney , Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
| | - Daniel Burke
- National Measurement Institute (NMI) , Lindfield, Sydney, New South Wales 2070, Australia
| | - Kate Griffiths
- National Measurement Institute (NMI) , Lindfield, Sydney, New South Wales 2070, Australia
| | - Kerry R Emslie
- National Measurement Institute (NMI) , Lindfield, Sydney, New South Wales 2070, Australia
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24
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Sasso M, Barrot A, Carles MJ, Griffiths K, Rispail P, Crampette L, Lallemant B, Lachaud L. Direct identification of molds by sequence analysis in fungal chronic rhinosinusitis. J Mycol Med 2017; 27:514-518. [PMID: 28827018 DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2017.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are widely implicated in chronic rhinosinusitis. Direct microscopic examination (DME) is used to confirm the biological diagnosis of fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS). Diagnostic sensitivity of DME is better than culture, however DME does not allow fungal species identification. In this study, we included 54 sinus samples demonstrating hyphae on DME. Direct sequencing was compared to culture for the identification of the fungal species. Sequence analysis identified fungi in 81.5% of cases while culture was positive in only 31.5%. The most common genus was Aspergillus and the identified species belonged to section Fumigati or to section Flavi. Among other fungi identified by sequence analysis, Schizophyllum commune was present in three samples attesting to the importance of this Basidiomycetes in FRS. Our results clearly demonstrate the superiority of sequencing compared to culture when performed on specimens with hyphal elements at DME, and contributes to the epidemiological knowledge of fungi involved in FRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sasso
- Laboratoire de parasitologie-mycologie, CHU de Nîmes, place du Pr-Debré, 30029 Nîmes cedex 9, France; Faculté de médecine de Montpellier-Nîmes, université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - A Barrot
- Laboratoire de parasitologie-mycologie, CHU de Nîmes, place du Pr-Debré, 30029 Nîmes cedex 9, France; Faculté de médecine de Montpellier-Nîmes, université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - M-J Carles
- Laboratoire de virologie, CHU de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - K Griffiths
- Service biostatistique et technologies de l'information et de la communication, AP-HM, hôpital de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - P Rispail
- Département de parasitologie-mycologie, CHU de Montpellier, Marseille, France
| | - L Crampette
- Faculté de médecine de Montpellier-Nîmes, université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Service d'otorhinolaryngologie, CHU de Montpellier, Marseille, France
| | - B Lallemant
- Faculté de médecine de Montpellier-Nîmes, université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Service d'otorhinolaryngologie, CHU de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - L Lachaud
- Laboratoire de parasitologie-mycologie, CHU de Nîmes, place du Pr-Debré, 30029 Nîmes cedex 9, France; Faculté de médecine de Montpellier-Nîmes, université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
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Reichert S, Froy H, Boner W, Burg TM, Daunt F, Gillespie R, Griffiths K, Lewis S, Phillips RA, Nussey DH, Monaghan P. Telomere length measurement by qPCR in birds is affected by storage method of blood samples. Oecologia 2017; 184:341-350. [PMID: 28547179 PMCID: PMC5487852 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-017-3887-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Given the potential role of telomeres as biomarkers of individual health and ageing, there is an increasing interest in studying telomere dynamics in a wider range of taxa in the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology. Measuring telomere length across the lifespan in wild animal systems is essential for testing these hypotheses, and may be aided by archived blood samples collected as part of longitudinal field studies. However, sample collection, storage, and DNA extraction methods may influence telomere length measurement, and it may, therefore, be difficult to balance consistency in sampling protocol with making the most of available samples. We used two complementary approaches to examine the impacts of sample storage method on measurements of relative telomere length (RTL) by qPCR, particularly focusing on FTA (Flinders Technology Associates) cards as a long-term storage solution. We used blood samples from wandering albatrosses collected over 14 years and stored in three different ways (n = 179), and also blood samples from captive zebra finches (n = 30) that were each stored using three different methods. Sample storage method influenced RTL in both studies, and samples on FTA cards had significantly shorter RTL measurements. There was no significant correlation between RTL measured in zebra finch blood on FTA cards and the same samples stored either as frozen whole blood or as extracted DNA. These results highlight the importance of consistency of sampling protocol, particularly in the context of long-term field studies, and suggest that FTA cards should not be used as a long-term storage solution to measure RTL without validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Reichert
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. .,Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Hannah Froy
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. .,British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Winnie Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Theresa M Burg
- Department of Biology, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Canada
| | | | - Robert Gillespie
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kate Griffiths
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sue Lewis
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Dan H Nussey
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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26
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Marasco V, Stier A, Boner W, Griffiths K, Heidinger B, Monaghan P. Environmental conditions can modulate the links among oxidative stress, age, and longevity. Mech Ageing Dev 2017; 164:100-107. [PMID: 28487181 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2017.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the links between environmental conditions and longevity remains a major focus in biological research. We examined within-individual changes between early- and mid-adulthood in the circulating levels of four oxidative stress markers linked to ageing, using zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata): a DNA damage product (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine; 8-OHdG), protein carbonyls (PC), non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (OXY), and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD). We further examined whether such within-individual changes differed among birds living under control (ad lib food) or more challenging environmental conditions (unpredictable food availability), having previously found that the latter increased corticosterone levels when food was absent but improved survival over a three year period. Our key findings were: (i) 8-OHdG and PC increased with age in both environments, with a higher increase in 8-OHdG in the challenging environment; (ii) SOD increased with age in the controls but not in the challenged birds, while the opposite was true for OXY; (iii) control birds with high levels of 8-OHdG died at a younger age, but this was not the case in challenged birds. Our data clearly show that while exposure to the potentially damaging effects of oxidative stress increases with age, environmental conditions can modulate the pace of this age-related change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Marasco
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Antoine Stier
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Winnie Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Kate Griffiths
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Britt Heidinger
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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27
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Benson N, Oliveira Dos Santos R, Griffiths K, Cole N, Doble P, Roux C, Blanes L. The development of a stabbing machine for forensic textile damage analysis. Forensic Sci Int 2017; 273:132-139. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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28
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Mokrysz C, Freeman TP, Korkki S, Griffiths K, Curran HV. Are adolescents more vulnerable to the harmful effects of cannabis than adults? A placebo-controlled study in human males. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e961. [PMID: 27898071 PMCID: PMC5290352 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Preclinical research demonstrates that cannabinoids have differing effects in adolescent and adult animals. Whether these findings translate to humans has not yet been investigated. Here we believe we conducted the first study to compare the acute effects of cannabis in human adolescent (n=20; 16-17 years old) and adult (n=20; 24-28 years old) male cannabis users, in a placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over design. After inhaling vaporized active or placebo cannabis, participants completed tasks assessing spatial working memory, episodic memory and response inhibition, alongside measures of blood pressure and heart rate, psychotomimetic symptoms and subjective drug effects (for example, 'stoned', 'want to have cannabis'). Results showed that on active cannabis, adolescents felt less stoned and reported fewer psychotomimetic symptoms than adults. Further, adults but not adolescents were more anxious and less alert during the active cannabis session (both pre- and post-drug administration). Following cannabis, cognitive impairment (reaction time on spatial working memory and prose recall following a delay) was greater in adults than adolescents. By contrast, cannabis impaired response inhibition accuracy in adolescents but not in adults. Moreover, following drug administration, the adolescents did not show satiety; instead they wanted more cannabis regardless of whether they had taken active or placebo cannabis, while the opposite was seen for adults. These contrasting profiles of adolescent resilience (blunted subjective, memory, physiological and psychotomimetic effects) and vulnerability (lack of satiety, impaired inhibitory processes) show some degree of translation from preclinical findings, and may contribute to escalated cannabis use by human adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Mokrysz
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - T P Freeman
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - S Korkki
- Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - K Griffiths
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - H V Curran
- Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit, Clinical Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
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29
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Karyotaki E, Kleiboer A, Smit F, Turner DT, Pastor AM, Andersson G, Berger T, Botella C, Breton JM, Carlbring P, Christensen H, de Graaf E, Griffiths K, Donker T, Farrer L, Huibers MJH, Lenndin J, Mackinnon A, Meyer B, Moritz S, Riper H, Spek V, Vernmark K, Cuijpers P. Predictors of treatment dropout in self-guided web-based interventions for depression: an 'individual patient data' meta-analysis. Psychol Med 2015; 45:2717-2726. [PMID: 25881626 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291715000665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is well known that web-based interventions can be effective treatments for depression. However, dropout rates in web-based interventions are typically high, especially in self-guided web-based interventions. Rigorous empirical evidence regarding factors influencing dropout in self-guided web-based interventions is lacking due to small study sample sizes. In this paper we examined predictors of dropout in an individual patient data meta-analysis to gain a better understanding of who may benefit from these interventions. METHOD A comprehensive literature search for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of psychotherapy for adults with depression from 2006 to January 2013 was conducted. Next, we approached authors to collect the primary data of the selected studies. Predictors of dropout, such as socio-demographic, clinical, and intervention characteristics were examined. RESULTS Data from 2705 participants across ten RCTs of self-guided web-based interventions for depression were analysed. The multivariate analysis indicated that male gender [relative risk (RR) 1.08], lower educational level (primary education, RR 1.26) and co-morbid anxiety symptoms (RR 1.18) significantly increased the risk of dropping out, while for every additional 4 years of age, the risk of dropping out significantly decreased (RR 0.94). CONCLUSIONS Dropout can be predicted by several variables and is not randomly distributed. This knowledge may inform tailoring of online self-help interventions to prevent dropout in identified groups at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Karyotaki
- Department of Clinical psychology,Vu University Amsterdam,Amsterdam,The Netherlands
| | - A Kleiboer
- Department of Clinical psychology,Vu University Amsterdam,Amsterdam,The Netherlands
| | - F Smit
- Department of Clinical psychology,Vu University Amsterdam,Amsterdam,The Netherlands
| | - D T Turner
- Department of Clinical psychology,Vu University Amsterdam,Amsterdam,The Netherlands
| | - A M Pastor
- Department of Psychology and Technology,Jaume University,Castellon,Spain
| | - G Andersson
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning,Sweden Institute for Disability Research,Linköping; University,Sweden
| | - T Berger
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy,University of Bern,Bern,Switzerland
| | - C Botella
- Department of Psychology and Technology,Jaume University,Castellon,Spain
| | - J M Breton
- Department of Psychology and Technology,Jaume University,Castellon,Spain
| | - P Carlbring
- Department of Psychology,Stockholm University,Stockholm,Sweden
| | - H Christensen
- Black Dog Institute and University of New South Wales,Prince of Wales Hospital,Sydney,Australia
| | - E de Graaf
- Department of Clinical Psychological Science,Faculty of Psychology,Maastricht University,The Netherlands
| | - K Griffiths
- National Institute of Mental Health Research,The Australian National University,Sydney,Australia
| | - T Donker
- Department of Clinical psychology,Vu University Amsterdam,Amsterdam,The Netherlands
| | - L Farrer
- National Institute of Mental Health Research,The Australian National University,Sydney,Australia
| | - M J H Huibers
- Department of Clinical psychology,Vu University Amsterdam,Amsterdam,The Netherlands
| | - J Lenndin
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning,Linkoping University,Linkoping,Sweden
| | - A Mackinnon
- Centre for Youth Mental Health Research,University of Melbourne,Melbourne,Australia
| | - B Meyer
- Research Department,Gaia AG,Hamburg,Germany
| | - S Moritz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy,University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf,Hamburg,Germany
| | - H Riper
- Department of Clinical psychology,Vu University Amsterdam,Amsterdam,The Netherlands
| | - V Spek
- Avans Hogeschool,University of Tilburg,Tilburg,The Netherlands
| | - K Vernmark
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning,Linkoping University,Linkoping,Sweden
| | - P Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical psychology,Vu University Amsterdam,Amsterdam,The Netherlands
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30
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Griffiths K, Hou R, Wang H, Zhang Z, Zhang L, Zhang T, Watson DG, Burchmore RJS, Loeffler IK, Kennedy MW. Prolonged transition time between colostrum and mature milk in a bear, the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleuca. R Soc Open Sci 2015; 2:150395. [PMID: 26587250 PMCID: PMC4632522 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.150395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Bears produce the most altricial neonates of any placental mammal. We hypothesized that the transition from colostrum to mature milk in bears reflects a temporal and biochemical adaptation for altricial development and immune protection. Comparison of bear milks with milks of other eutherians yielded distinctive protein profiles. Proteomic and metabolomic analysis of serial milk samples collected from six giant pandas showed a prolonged transition from colostrum to main-phase lactation over approximately 30 days. Particularly striking are the persistence or sequential appearance of adaptive and innate immune factors. The endurance of immunoglobulin G suggests an unusual duration of trans-intestinal absorption of maternal antibodies, and is potentially relevant to the underdeveloped lymphoid system of giant panda neonates. Levels of certain milk oligosaccharides known to exert anti-microbial activities and/or that are conducive to the development of neonatal gut microbiomes underwent an almost complete changeover around days 20-30 postpartum, coincident with the maturation of the protein profile. A potential metabolic marker of starvation was detected, the prominence of which may reflect the natural postpartum period of anorexia in giant panda mothers. Early lactation in giant pandas, and possibly in other ursids, appears to be adapted for the unique requirements of unusually altricial eutherian neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Griffiths
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Graham err Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Rong Hou
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory for Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, 1375 Panda Road, Northern Suburb, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610081, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hairui Wang
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory for Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, 1375 Panda Road, Northern Suburb, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610081, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhihe Zhang
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory for Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, 1375 Panda Road, Northern Suburb, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610081, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liang Zhang
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory for Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, 1375 Panda Road, Northern Suburb, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610081, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - David G. Watson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Richard J. S. Burchmore
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation and Glasgow Polyomics, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Campus, Glasgow, G12 1QH, UK
| | - I. Kati Loeffler
- The Sichuan Key Laboratory for Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, 1375 Panda Road, Northern Suburb, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610081, People’s Republic of China
| | - Malcolm W. Kennedy
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Graham err Building, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
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31
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Marasco V, Boner W, Heidinger B, Griffiths K, Monaghan P. Repeated exposure to stressful conditions can have beneficial effects on survival. Exp Gerontol 2015; 69:170-5. [PMID: 26093051 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Revised: 06/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Repeated exposure to stressful circumstances is generally thought to be associated with increased pathology and reduced longevity. However, growing lines of evidence suggest that the effects of environmental stressors on survival and longevity depend on a multitude of factors and, under some circumstances, might be positive rather than negative. Here, using the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), we show that repeated exposure to stressful conditions (i.e. unpredictable food availability), which induced no changes in body mass, was associated with a decrease in mortality rate and an increase in the age of death. As expected, the treated birds responded to the unpredictable food supply by increasing baseline glucocorticoid stress hormone secretion and there were no signs of habituation of this hormonal response to the treatment across time. Importantly, and consistent with previous literature, the magnitude of hormone increase induced by the treatment was significant, but relatively mild, since the baseline glucocorticoid concentrations in the treated birds were substantially lower than the peak levels that occur during an acute stress response in this species. Taken together, these data demonstrate that protracted exposure to relatively mild stressful circumstances can have beneficial lifespan effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Marasco
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Winnie Boner
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Britt Heidinger
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Kate Griffiths
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Pat Monaghan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
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32
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Gabrielsen M, Riboldi-Tunnicliffe A, Ibáñez-Shimabukuro M, Griffiths K, Roe AJ, Cooper A, Smith BO, Córsico B, Kennedy MW. Useable diffraction data from a multiple microdomain-containing crystal of Ascaris suum As-p18 fatty-acid-binding protein using a microfocus beamline. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2012; 68:939-41. [PMID: 22869127 PMCID: PMC3412778 DOI: 10.1107/s1744309112026553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
As-p18, an unusual fatty-acid-binding protein from a parasitic nematode, was expressed in bacteria, purified and crystallized. The use of a microfocus beamline was essential for data collection. As-p18 is a fatty-acid-binding protein from the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum. Although it exhibits sequence similarity to mammalian intracellular fatty-acid-binding proteins, it contains features that are unique to nematodes. Crystals were obtained, but initial diffraction data analysis revealed that they were composed of a number of ‘microdomains’. Interpretable data could only be collected using a microfocus beamline with a beam size of 12 × 8 µm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mads Gabrielsen
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland.
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33
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Gabrielsen M, Rey-Burusco MF, Griffiths K, Roe AJ, Cooper A, Smith BO, Kennedy MW, Corsico B. Two crystal forms of a helix-rich fatty acid- and retinol-binding protein, Na-FAR-1, from the parasitic nematode Necator americanus. Acta Crystallogr Sect F Struct Biol Cryst Commun 2012; 68:835-8. [PMID: 22750878 PMCID: PMC3388935 DOI: 10.1107/s1744309112023597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Na-FAR-1 is an unusual α-helix-rich fatty acid- and retinol-binding protein from Necator americanus, a blood-feeding intestinal parasitic nematode of humans. It belongs to the FAR protein family, which is unique to nematodes; no structural information is available to date for FAR proteins from parasites. Crystals were obtained with two different morphologies that corresponded to different space groups. Crystal form 1 exhibited space group P432 (unit-cell parameters a = b = c = 120.80 Å, α = β = γ = 90°) and diffracted to 2.5 Å resolution, whereas crystal form 2 exhibited space group F23 (unit-cell parameters a = b = c = 240.38 Å, α = β = γ = 90°) and diffracted to 3.2 Å resolution. Crystal form 2 showed signs of significant twinning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mads Gabrielsen
- Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland.
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34
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Affiliation(s)
- D Fahmy
- Tenovus Institute for Cancer Research and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Welsh National School of Medicine, Cardiff CF4 4XX
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35
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Harmer J, Keech A, Veillard A, Skilton M, Griffiths K, Marwick T, Watts G, Meredith I, Celermajer D. Fenofibrate and Short-Term Improvement in Endothelial Function in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A FIELD Substudy. Heart Lung Circ 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2010.06.726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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36
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Griffiths K, Camic PM, Hutton JM. Participant experiences of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group for cardiac rehabilitation. J Health Psychol 2009; 14:675-81. [PMID: 19515682 DOI: 10.1177/1359105309104911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently there has been a growth of interest in mindfulness-based psychotherapeutic approaches across a range of medical problems. Cardiac rehabilitation patients often suffer from stress, worry, anxiety and depression, all of which can lead to poor prognosis and worsening of cardiac symptoms. Using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) of participant experiences, this study reports on the first known Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy group adapted for cardiac rehabilitation. Analysis identified the development of awareness, commitment, within group experiences, relating to the material and acceptance as central experiential themes. The use of the approach was supported for this population.
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37
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Neves VC, Griffiths K, Savory FR, Furness RW, Mable BK. Are European starlings breeding in the Azores archipelago genetically distinct from birds breeding in mainland Europe? EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-009-0316-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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38
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Burke DG, Griffiths K, Kassir Z, Emslie K. Accurate Measurement of DNA Methylation That Is Traceable to the International System of Units. Anal Chem 2009; 81:7294-301. [DOI: 10.1021/ac901116f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G. Burke
- National Measurement Institute, Australia, 1 Suakin Street, Pymble, NSW 2073, Australia
| | - Kate Griffiths
- National Measurement Institute, Australia, 1 Suakin Street, Pymble, NSW 2073, Australia
| | - Zena Kassir
- National Measurement Institute, Australia, 1 Suakin Street, Pymble, NSW 2073, Australia
| | - Kerry Emslie
- National Measurement Institute, Australia, 1 Suakin Street, Pymble, NSW 2073, Australia
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Abstract
Although the press claimed there were dramatic increases in the use of tranquillizers in Northern Ireland after the outbreak of civil unrest in 1969, our data, based on the computerised pricing system for drugs prescribed in the province, showed average annual increases of about 20% from 1966 to 1969, and 10% from 1970 to 1975, thereafter tranquillizer prescribing levels reached a plateau and declined between 1979 and 1980. Total psychotropic drug use also reached a peak in 1975, when about 12.5% of the adult population were estimated to have been receiving such a drug, and declined in the following 5 years. Benzodiazepines accounted for three-quarters of all psychotropic drugs and 98% of tranquillizers prescribed in 1980. Benzodiazepine tranquillizer prescribing has consistently been 20-30% higher than the rest of the United Kingdom, in contrast to hypnotic and antidepressant prescribing which has been consistently lower. The rate of increase in benzodiazepine tranquillizer prescribing over the decade from 1966 was greater than in other European countries, overtaking the level in Norway in 1972 and has since remained third to Iceland and Denmark. Some possible demographic and socioeconomic determinants of these trends are discussed. The prescribing of benzodiazepine hypnotics was almost entirely explained by these variables.
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40
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Vandebona H, Mitchell P, Manwaring N, Griffiths K, Gopinath B, Wang JJ, Sue CM. Prevalence of mitochondrial 1555A-->G mutation in adults of European descent. N Engl J Med 2009; 360:642-4. [PMID: 19196685 DOI: 10.1056/nejmc0806397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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41
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Yang I, Kim SK, Burke DG, Griffiths K, Kassir Z, Emslie KR, Gao Y, Wang J, Foy CA, Pardos-Pardos AC, Ellison S, Domann PJ, Fujii SI, Park SR. An international comparability study on quantification of total methyl cytosine content. Anal Biochem 2008; 384:288-95. [PMID: 18929528 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2008.09.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2008] [Revised: 09/19/2008] [Accepted: 09/25/2008] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Various methods have been developed for quantitative analysis of DNA methylation. However, there is currently no reference analysis system regarding DNA methylation with which other analytical approaches can be compared and evaluated. A standard measurement system that includes reference methods and reference materials may improve comparability and credibility of data obtained from different analytical environments. In an effort to establish a standard system for measurement of DNA methylation, the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) coordinated an international comparison study among different national metrology institutes. An initial stage of the study involved an intercomparison regarding quantitative measurement of total methyl cytosine contents in artificially constructed DNA samples. The measurement principle involved measurement of dNMP contents following enzymatic hydrolysis of DNA samples. Results of the study showed good comparability among four of five participants and close agreement with reference values assigned by the coordinating laboratory. Conflicting data from one participant may have resulted from incomplete hydrolysis of samples due to use of insufficient amounts of enzymes. These results indicate that comparable and accurate results can be obtained from different measurement environments if digestion conditions are controlled appropriately and valid calibration systems are employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inchul Yang
- Health Metrology Group, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, 1 Doryong-dong, Yusung-gu, Daejon 305-340, Republic of Korea
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Bartha R, Griffiths K, Altwein J. Der Einfluß nutritiver und non-nutritiver Nahrungsinhaltsstoffe auf die Inzidenz des Prostatakarzinoms. Aktuelle Urol 2008. [DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1055624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Griffiths K, Vandenbona H, Wang JJ, Rochtchina E, Mitchell P, Sue CM. 625: Mitochondrial DNA A1555G point mutation and age-related hearing loss. J Clin Neurosci 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2007.02.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Griffiths K, Nayak S, Park K, Mandelman D, Modrell B, Lee J, Ng B, Gibbs MD, Bergquist PL. New high fidelity polymerases from Thermococcus species. Protein Expr Purif 2006; 52:19-30. [PMID: 16982200 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2006.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2006] [Accepted: 07/30/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Two DNA polymerase genes have been isolated from Thermococcus strains, Thermococcus zilligii from New Zealand, and the other, Thermococcus 'GT', a fast-growing strain isolated from the Galapagos trench. Both genes were isolated by genomic walking PCR, a technique that does not require expression of the gene product. Phylogenetic analysis of SSU rDNA showed that the two strains were not closely related, as confirmed by an examination of the DNA polymerase sequences. Inteinless versions of each gene were generated by overlap-extension PCR and transferred into plasmid expression vectors. The proteins were produced in an Escherichia coli strain with additional copies of tRNAs corresponding to rarely used codons and purified by standard chromatographic procedures. Both enzymes were able to support PCR, but the Thermococcus 'GT' polymerase required higher concentrations of template than the enzyme from T. zilligii. Both enzymes showed 3' to 5' exonuclease activity, which was abolished in the case of T. zilligii by mutating the aspartic acid at position 141 and the glutamic acid at position 143 to alanine. Both enzymes showed a significant increase in fidelity of replication compared to the family A Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase, in agreement with other results reported for family B polymerases with proof-reading ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Griffiths
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
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45
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Bussière G, Musa M, Norton PR, Griffiths K, Brolo AG, Hepburn JW. Dynamics of D2 released from the dissociation of D2O on a zirconium surface. J Chem Phys 2006; 124:124704. [PMID: 16599715 DOI: 10.1063/1.2179798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogen is efficiently released during water dissociation on zirconium (Zr), while even very rapid temperature programmed heating of a hydrogen covered Zr surface predominantly leads to dissolution (approximately 99% dissolution). To help resolve these apparently contradictory observations, we have studied the dynamics of water (D2O) dissociation on a crystalline Zr surface by probing the rotational and vibrational energy distributions of the D2 produced using resonant enhanced multiphoton ionization spectroscopy. The internal-state energy distribution of the D2 product was found to be rotationally cold and vibrationally hot with respect to the temperature of the surface. The rotational distribution shows slight deviations from Boltzmann's law, with a mean rotational temperature of 426 K while the surface is at 800 K. The population of the nu"=1 vibration is at least four times higher than a 800 K temperature would allow, this corresponding to a vibrational temperature of 1100 K. Information on the translational energy of the D2 product have also been obtained by time-of-flight spectroscopy and it is found to be nearly thermally equilibrated with the surface temperature. Similar results were obtained from studies of D2 scattered from a clean Zr surface, and of D2 released by a slow thermal desorption process which involves dissolved hydrogen as the source. The reconciliation of the present results with those for thermal desorption of preadsorbed hydrogen implies a role for both surface and subsurface adsorption sites on the Zr surface and clearly demonstrates that at high temperatures, the release of D2 arises from the recombinative desorption of adsorbed hydrogen formed by the complete dissociation of D2O.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Bussière
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
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46
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Keech AC, Grieve SM, Patel A, Griffiths K, Skilton M, Watts GF, Marwick TH, Groshens M, Celermajer DS. Urinary albumin levels in the normal range determine arterial wall thickness in adults with Type 2 diabetes: a FIELD substudy. Diabet Med 2005; 22:1558-65. [PMID: 16241922 DOI: 10.1111/j.1464-5491.2005.01688.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM Cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates are substantially higher among patients with Type 2 diabetes than in the general population. The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of carotid intima media thickness (IMT) in patients with Type 2 diabetes. METHODS We measured the thickness of the intima media layer of the carotid artery, a strong predictor of the risk of future vascular events, in 397 Type 2 diabetic patients drawn from the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes study, prior to treatment allocation. RESULTS The mean IMT was 0.78 mm [interquartile range (IQR) 0.23 mm], and the maximum IMT was 1.17 mm (IQR 0.36 mm). By multivariate analysis, age, sex, duration of diabetes, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were independently correlated with IMT, as was urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) (P < 0.001). The effect of ACR on IMT was further examined by tertile. Clinically significant differences in IMT were associated with ACR > 0.65 mg/mmol, approximately one-fifth the standard clinical threshold for microalbuminuria (P < 0.01). Long-term diabetes, independent of other parameters, was associated with a 50% increase in age-related thickening. CONCLUSIONS IMT in people with Type 2 diabetes is independently and continuously related to urine albumin levels and to the duration of diabetes. These results support previous data linking urine albumin measurements within the normal range with increased ischaemic cardiac mortality in the setting of Type 2 diabetes, and strongly suggest that urine albumin levels within this range should trigger a formal evaluation for CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Keech
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia.
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MacKenzie FM, Smith SV, Milne KE, Griffiths K, Legge J, Gould IM. Antibiograms of resistant Gram-negative bacteria from Scottish CF patients. J Cyst Fibros 2004; 3:151-7. [PMID: 15463901 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2004.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2003] [Accepted: 03/24/2004] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over a 19-month pilot phase, 93 multiply resistant Gram-negative isolates from Scottish cystic fibrosis patients were sent to a referral laboratory for further investigation. METHODS In common with the referring diagnostic laboratories, disc diffusion testing was carried out. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was also established by MIC methodology. NCCLS methods were used throughout. Twenty antibiotics were tested. RESULTS Comparing disc diffusion results against MIC results, there were 167 (14%) major errors. By MIC, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 59), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n = 16), Burkholderia cepacia (n = 10) and Alcaligenes xylosoxidans (n = 7) were susceptible to 18%, 11%, 4% and 35% of the antibiotics tested, respectively. Colistin and tobramycin were the most active agents against P. aeruginosa with 60% and 49%, respectively, testing susceptible. Minocycline and gentamicin were most active against S. maltophilia with 58% and 18%, respectively, testing susceptible. B. cepacia were most susceptible to co-trimoxazole (10%) and ciprofloxacin (10%). Five and six of the seven A. xylosoxidans isolates were susceptible to piperacillin and imipenem, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Improved methods for susceptibility testing of such clinical isolates need to be employed in routine diagnostic laboratories. Levels of resistance in referred isolates were very high and similar to those described in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M MacKenzie
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, UK
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Shandilya H, Griffiths K, Flynn EK, Astatke M, Shih PJ, Lee JE, Gerard GF, Gibbs MD, Bergquist PL. Thermophilic bacterial DNA polymerases with reverse-transcriptase activity. Extremophiles 2004; 8:243-51. [PMID: 15197605 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-004-0384-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2003] [Accepted: 02/10/2004] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Conserved motifs found in known bacterial polI DNA polymerase sequences were identified, and degenerate PCR primers were designed for PCR amplification of an internal portion of polI genes from all bacterial divisions. We describe here a method that has allowed the rapid identification and isolation of 13 polI genes from a diverse selection of thermophilic bacteria and report on the biochemical characteristics of nine of the purified recombinant enzymes. Several enzymes showed significant reverse-transcriptase activity in the presence of Mg2+, particularly the polymerases from Bacillus caldolyticus EA1, Caldibacillus cellovorans CompA.2, and Clostridium stercorarium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harini Shandilya
- Invitrogen Corporation, 1600 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
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50
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Gray JE, Norton PR, Alnouno R, Marolda CL, Valvano MA, Griffiths K. Biological efficacy of electroless-deposited silver on plasma activated polyurethane. Biomaterials 2003; 24:2759-65. [PMID: 12711522 DOI: 10.1016/s0142-9612(03)00057-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Silver coating of catheters has been shown to have inhibitory effects on bacterial growth and adhesion to catheter surfaces. In this study, plasma-modification was used to enhance the adhesion of an electroless silver coating on polyurethane. Both the antibacterial and antiadhesive properties of these coatings were investigated. Bacterial growth was inhibited in cultures exposed to silver-treated polyurethane compared to unmodified polyurethane. Higher growth inhibition was observed for polyurethane surfaces with lower silver coverage. Bacterial adhesion was completely inhibited on all silver-coated surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Gray
- Department of Chemistry and Interface Science Western, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
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