IL-6 levels dominate the serum cytokine signature of severe epidermolysis bullosa: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Systemic inflammation is considered a major player in the pathogenesis of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), but its pattern has only been described in small heterogeneous cohorts. There is controversy if and how systemic inflammation should be therapeutically targeted.

METHODS

We examined serum proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and itch related cytokines in a paediatric cohort of 29 patients with junctional and dystrophic EB. The cytokine that emerged as the most relevant was measured in a validation cohort of 42 patients during follow-up visits over 2 years.

RESULTS

IL-6 showed the most consistent and highest aberration dominating systemic inflammation. IL-6 correlated with wound body surface area (BSA) in both, finding and validation cohorts. Patients with less than 3% wound BSA had normal IL-6, while IL-6 levels significantly increased at more than 5% and 10% of wound BSA. TGF-β was only marginally elevated in patients with severe recessive dystrophic EB, while TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-1β varied inconsistently. Patients reporting itch showed elevations in type 2 immunity (IgE, TSLP, IL4 and/or IL-31, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest a dominant skin barrier and wound healing inflammatory pattern in junctional and dystrophic EB that depends on the wound area and not on the EB type. In EB, itch mediators may be similar to other pruritic disorders.

A Simulation Modelling Study of Referral Distribution Policies in a Centralized Intake System for Surgical Consultation

Delays beyond recommended wait times, especially for specialist services, are associated with adverse health outcomes. The Alberta Surgical Initiative aims to improve the referral wait time-the time between a referral is received at the central intake to the time a specialist sees the patient. Using the discrete event simulation modelling approach, we evaluated and compared the impact of four referral distribution policies in a central intake system on three system performance measures (number of consultations, referral wait time and surgeon utilization). The model was co-designed with clinicians and clinic staff to represent the flow of patients through the system. We used data from the Facilitated Access to Surgical Treatment (FAST) centralized intake referral program for General Surgery to parameterize the model. Four distribution policies were evaluated - next-available-surgeon, sequential, "blackjack," and "kanban." A sequential distribution of referrals for surgical consultation among the surgeons resulted in the worst performance in terms of the number of consultations, referral wait time and surgeon utilization. The three other distribution policies are comparable in performance. The "next available surgeon" model provided the most efficient and robust model, with approximately 1,000 more consultations, 100 days shorter referral time and a 14% increase in surgeon utilization. Discrete event simulation (DES) modelling can be an effective tool to illustrate and communicate the impact of the referral distribution policy on system performance in terms of the number of consultations, referral wait time and surgeon utilization.

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale Isolated from Turkeys over a 20-Year Period Harbor Similar Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles and Multidrug Resistance

Infections with Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale are causing respiratory diseases that require antibiotic treatment in poultry worldwide. In the field, this agent is known to often be resistant to many antimicrobials, complicating therapeutic interventions. Therefore, there is a clear need to monitor trends in resistance development. In the present study, antibiotic resistance profiles of 64 O. rhinotracheale strains isolated from diseased turkeys from 2002 to 2021 were investigated against 19 antimicrobial substances by the microdilution method. Susceptibility toward chloramphenicol, carbapenem, and sulfamethozaxole combination was found for all strains. Most isolates were also susceptible to penicillins (98%-100%), with the exception of oxacillin, cephalosporins (84%-100%), tetracycline (89%), and tylosin (88%). In the case of quinolones, 89% of isolates showed intermediate resistance to enrofloxacin, whereas 90% showed full resistance to nalidixic acid. Full resistance to the tested aminoglycosides and colistin was revealed for all strains. Eighteen different AMR profiles were elucidated; more than half of the isolates (53%) shared the same AMR profile. Similar susceptibility profiles of O. rhinotracheale isolates were found on the different farms, proving some stability over the years. All isolates were classified as multidrug resistant. Multiple outbreaks within a flock or in successive flocks within a farm comprised 46 O. rhinotracheale isolates. Here, occasional changes in susceptibility for some antimicrobial substances were observed. In general, most of the changes occurred in quinolones, followed by tetracycline switching mainly from intermediate resistance to full resistance and vice versa. The present surveillance provides actual data on effective antibiotic treatments in case of disease outbreaks and contributes to the One Health concept acknowledging the important link between animal and human health.

Infection dynamics of Salmonella Infantis vary considerably between chicken lines

AbstractSalmonella (S.) Infantis is the most common serovar in broilers and broiler meat in the European Union. In the field, fast-growing broilers are reported to be more affected than slow-growing and layer birds. The present study investigated the infection dynamics and immunological response of four chicken lines in the course of a S. Infantis infection. Two commercial chicken lines, Ross 308 and Hubbard ISA-JA-757, and two experimentally chicken lines, specific pathogen free (SPF) layers and broilers, were infected at 2 days of age. Investigations focused on faecal shedding, bacterial colonisation, humoral and cellular immune response in the blood. Ross and SPF broilers were mainly attributed as high shedders followed by Hubbard. SPF layers showed the least shedding. This is in agreement with the caecal colonisation, SPF layers harboured significant less bacteria. Systemic spread of S. Infantis to liver and spleen was highest in Ross being statistically significant at 7 days of age compared to the other lines. Spread of infection to in-contact birds, was noticed 5 days post infection in every line. Antibody response occurred in every chicken line from day 21 of age onwards. In contrast to the other chicken lines, significant differences in T cell subsets and monocytes/macrophages were found between infected and negative Hubbard birds at 7 days of age. Uninfected SPF birds had significant higher immune cell counts (T cell subsets, B cells and monocytes /macrophages) compared to uninfected commercial birds, a fact important for future experimental settings. The results illustrate that the infection dynamics of S. Infantis is influenced by the chicken line resulting in a higher risk of transmission to humans from fast-growing broilers.

Genotypic characterization of two novel avian orthoreoviruses isolated in Iran from broilers with viral arthritis and malabsorption syndrome

BACKGROUND

Avian reovirus (ARV) is a major poultry pathogen associated with arthritis, malabsorption, and enteric diseases in chickens. In recent years, emerging ARV strains have become a growing concern causing significant economic losses in broiler chickens around the world. This report focuses on the isolation of ARV from the clinical occurrence of ARV-associated diseases in commercial broiler chickens in Iran and the genotypic characterization of the selected isolates.

CASE DESCRIPTION

In 2018, two distinct clinical diseases, suggestive of malabsorption syndrome (MAS) and viral arthritis, were noticed in commercial broiler chickens in the north of Iran. Laboratory investigations were carried out following necropsy, documentation of the gross lesions, and sampling of the affected tissues for histopathology and virology. Molecular diagnosis and characterization of ARV were performed targeting Sigma C (σC) gene sequences of the virus.

FINDINGS/TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

Two variant ARV strains were isolated from tendon and gizzard of broilers with clinical viral arthritis and MAS, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the ARV σC gene sequences revealed that field isolates were clustered in genotypes 2 and 4 (which were distinct from previous Iranian field ARV strains) with relatively low sequence identity (59.2% and 49.1%) to the classical vaccine strains (S1133 and 1733) in genotype 1.

CONCLUSION

This report, for the first time, represents new emerging ARV variants associated with clinical events in Iran, providing insights on the diversity of endemic ARV field isolates, and urges the need for national-wide surveillance of ARV.

Plantar involvement correlates with obesity, pain and impaired mobility in epidermolysis bullosa simplex: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is the most common type of EB, a group of rare genodermatoses. Affected individuals suffer from skin blistering and report a high disease burden. In some EBS subtypes, plantar keratoderma (PK) has been described.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the presence and correlation of PK with body mass index, pain and mobility in EBS.

METHODS

Individuals (n = 157) with genetically characterized EBS were included in this retrospective cohort study, and clinical data were collected over 16 years (referral patients to the largest German EB centre). Descriptive statistics and mixed linear models were used to assess correlations.

RESULTS

PK was found in 75.8% of patients beginning at a mean age of 4.3 years. Both focal and diffuse PK were observed, and 60% of adults with localized and severe EBS were preobese or obese, with ~30% of patients reporting severely reduced mobility. The presence of PK, especially diffuse PK, correlated significantly with local infections, obesity, pain and requirement of a wheelchair.

CONCLUSION

Along with treating skin fragility and blistering, PK should be considered a potential marker of increased morbidity and may represent a target of EBS therapy development.

Outbreaks of Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus in Goslings Characterized by Central Nervous Symptoms

The present report describes outbreaks of Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus in young geese flocks in Austria. The flocks, comprising 160-1450 goslings of 2-3 wk of age, experienced increased mortalities The clinical signs were characterized by severe central nervous symptoms, namely leg paddling and torticollis. The postmortem investigation revealed hepatitis, splenitis, and a low amount of liquid fluid in the coelomic cavity. Livers were of fragile texture, with white necrotic areas. The latter were also found in spleens. No macroscopic lesions were seen in brains. Bacteriologic investigation followed by bacterial identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry and phylogenetic analysis of the partial 16S rRNA region revealed the presence in heart, liver, spleen, and brain of S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus. Histologic investigation revealed multifocal necrosis in liver and spleen samples together with infiltration of mononuclear cells and heterophilic granulocytes. Furthermore, in the lesions, coccoid bacteria could be identified. No histopathologic changes were observed in brain samples from goslings, except in one bird in which accumulation of coccoid bacteria in blood vessels of the brain samples was present. Antibiotic sensitivity tests revealed identical profiles for all strains, which were susceptible to penicillins, cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, imipenem, and tylosin. However, resistance was found against quinolones, aminoglycosides, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which are commonly used to treat infections with gram-positive bacteria.

Union of the European Phoniatricians' position statement on the exit strategy of phoniatric and laryngological services: staying safe and getting back to normal after the peak of coronavirus disease 2019 (issued on 25th May 2020)

BACKGROUND

The following position statement from the Union of the European Phoniatricians, updated on 25th May 2020 (superseding the previous statement issued on 21st April 2020), contains a series of recommendations for phoniatricians and ENT surgeons who provide and/or run voice, swallowing, speech and language, or paediatric audiology services.

OBJECTIVES

This material specifically aims to inform clinical practices in countries where clinics and operating theatres are reopening for elective work. It endeavours to present a current European view in relation to common procedures, many of which fall under the aegis of aerosol generating procedures.

CONCLUSION

As evidence continues to build, some of the recommended practices will undoubtedly evolve, but it is hoped that the updated position statement will offer clinicians precepts on safe clinical practice.

The design of a line velocity interferometer for any reflector for inertial confinement experiments on the Z-machine

A line VISAR (Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector) has been designed and commissioned at the Sandia National Laboratory's Z-machine. The instrument consists of an F/2 collection system, beam transport, and an interferometer table that contains two Mach-Zehnder type interferometers and an eight channel Gated Optical Imaging (GOI) system. The VISAR probe laser operates at the 532 nm wavelength, and the GOI bandpass is 540-600 nm. The output of each interferometer is passed to an optical streak camera with four selectable sweep speeds. The system is designed with three interchangeable optics modules to select a full field of view of 1 mm, 2 mm, or 4 mm. The optical beam transport system connects the target image plane to the interferometers and the gated optical imagers. The target is integrated into a sacrificial final optics assembly that is integral to the transport beamline.

VR Hackfest

We built the future of the web — today! Our four-person eLibrary team designed an afternoon workshop and corresponding network-connected public exhibit centered around two cutting-edge internet technologies: IPFS and A-Frame.

Natural history of growth and anaemia in children with epidermolysis bullosa: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Impaired growth and anaemia are major extracutaneous complications of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), but data on their development are lacking.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the clinical course of growth and anaemia in children with EB and clarify the impact of nutritional compromise, inflammation and genetic factors.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted of 200 children, 157 with recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB) and 43 with junctional EB (JEB)-generalized intermediate, followed at the main referral centre in Germany. Growth charts were calculated using the modified LMS method and were correlated with parameters of anaemia, nutrition, inflammation and the molecular defect in a linear model.

RESULTS

In our cohort of patients with RDEB, weight impairment started at 12-18 months old; by the age of 10 years, 50% showed wasting. The predicted median weight at age 20 years was 35·2 kg for men and 40·1 kg for women. In JEB, growth resembled that of healthy children. Anaemia was present from the second year of life onwards in RDEB and JEB. Low levels of haemoglobin, iron, vitamin D, zinc and albumin, high levels of C-reactive protein, and absence of collagen VII correlated significantly with low weight in RDEB. No correlation was observed in JEB.

CONCLUSIONS

The results highlight that nutritional compromise occurs early in children with RDEB and therefore may require interventions as of the first year or two of life. What's already known about this topic? Children with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) suffer from failure to thrive and anaemia as major extracutaneous complications. The course of growth and the development of anaemia in EB are poorly characterized. What does this study add? A molecularly well characterized cohort of 200 children with EB was followed with regard to anthropometrics, anaemia and inflammation. We demonstrate early onset of growth failure and anaemia, most pronounced in the subset of recessive dystrophic EB. Awareness of early growth delay and nutritional deficiencies will improve EB care in daily practice.

405 nm and 450 nm Photoinactivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Photoinactivation of bacteria with visible light has been reported in numerous studies. Radiation around 405 nm is absorbed by endogenous porphyrins and generates reactive oxygen species that destroy bacteria from within. Blue light in the spectral range of 450-470 nm also exhibits an antibacterial effect, but it is weaker than 405 nm radiation, and the photosensitizers involved have not been clarified yet, even though flavins and porphyrins are possible candidates. There are significantly fewer photoinactivation studies on fungi. To test if visible light can inactivate fungi and to elucidate the mechanisms involved, the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae (DSM no. 70449) was irradiated with violet (405 nm) and blue (450 nm) light. The mean irradiation doses required for a one log reduction of colony forming units for this strain were 182 J/cm² and 526 J/cm² for 405 nm and 450 nm irradiation, respectively. To investigate the cell damaging mechanisms, trypan blue staining was performed. However, even strongly irradiated cultures hardly showed any stained S. cerevisiae cells, indicating an intact cell membrane and thus arguing against the previously suspected mechanism of cell membrane damage during photoinactivation with visible light at least for the investigated strain. The results are compatible with photoinactivated Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells being in a viable but nonculturable state. To identify potential fungal photosensitizers, the absorption and fluorescence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell lysates were determined. The spectral absorption and fluorescence results are in favor of protoporphyrin IX as the most important photosensitizer at 405 nm radiation. For 450 nm irradiation, riboflavin and other flavins may be the main photosensitizer candidates, since porphyrins do not play a prominent role at this wavelength. No evidence of the involvement of other photosensitizers was found in the spectral data of this strain.

"Candidatus Paraporphyromonas polyenzymogenes" encodes multi-modular cellulases linked to the type IX secretion system

BACKGROUND

In nature, obligate herbivorous ruminants have a close symbiotic relationship with their gastrointestinal microbiome, which proficiently deconstructs plant biomass. Despite decades of research, lignocellulose degradation in the rumen has thus far been attributed to a limited number of culturable microorganisms. Here, we combine meta-omics and enzymology to identify and describe a novel Bacteroidetes family ("Candidatus MH11") composed entirely of uncultivated strains that are predominant in ruminants and only distantly related to previously characterized taxa.

RESULTS

The first metabolic reconstruction of Ca. MH11-affiliated genome bins, with a particular focus on the provisionally named "Candidatus Paraporphyromonas polyenzymogenes", illustrated their capacity to degrade various lignocellulosic substrates via comprehensive inventories of singular and multi-modular carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes). Closer examination revealed an absence of archetypical polysaccharide utilization loci found in human gut microbiota. Instead, we identified many multi-modular CAZymes putatively secreted via the Bacteroidetes-specific type IX secretion system (T9SS). This included cellulases with two or more catalytic domains, which are modular arrangements that are unique to Bacteroidetes species studied to date. Core metabolic proteins from Ca. P. polyenzymogenes were detected in metaproteomic data and were enriched in rumen-incubated plant biomass, indicating that active saccharification and fermentation of complex carbohydrates could be assigned to members of this novel family. Biochemical analysis of selected Ca. P. polyenzymogenes CAZymes further iterated the cellulolytic activity of this hitherto uncultured bacterium towards linear polymers, such as amorphous and crystalline cellulose as well as mixed linkage β-glucans.

CONCLUSION

We propose that Ca. P. polyenzymogene genotypes and other Ca. MH11 members actively degrade plant biomass in the rumen of cows, sheep and most likely other ruminants, utilizing singular and multi-domain catalytic CAZymes secreted through the T9SS. The discovery of a prominent role of multi-modular cellulases in the Gram-negative Bacteroidetes, together with similar findings for Gram-positive cellulosomal bacteria (Ruminococcus flavefaciens) and anaerobic fungi (Orpinomyces sp.), suggests that complex enzymes are essential and have evolved within all major cellulolytic dominions inherent to the rumen.

An in vitro attenuated strain of Histomonas meleagridis provides cross-protective immunity in turkeys against heterologous virulent isolates

In the current study, cross-protective immunity induced by a well-defined clonal strain of Histomonas meleagridis, attenuated by prolonged in vitro cultivation against different clonal heterologous isolates of the same parasite was investigated. For this purpose, 86 turkey poults were assigned to groups consisting of 9-10 birds. Birds of four groups were vaccinated on their 1st day of life followed by re-vaccination on their 14th day of life when the remaining turkeys were left untreated. The challenge was performed using four strains of H. meleagridis that were isolated from chickens or turkeys from different outbreaks of histomonosis in Europe and three of them showed diversities in their genome. Hence, every strain used for the challenge was applied to a group of vaccinated and a group of non-vaccinated birds while birds of the negative control group were sham inoculated. Non-vaccinated birds suffered from severe histomonosis due to the challenge with fatalities reaching from 5 to 10 turkeys per group. Vaccinated birds did not contract clinical signs of the disease following challenge and the increase in weight was unaffected compared to birds of the negative control group. A significant difference in lesion scores was recorded between vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups, with very few instances of liver involvement in the former groups. Livers of vaccinated birds that were without recordable macroscopic lesions were also found negative by immunohistochemical investigation. According to the data obtained, the present study demonstrates, for the first time, the cross-protective capability of a tentative vaccine strain of H. meleagridis attenuated in vitro against heterologous virulent isolates of different origin.

Commensal or pathogen - a challenge to fulfil Koch's Postulates

1. Infectious diseases have a large impact on poultry health and economics. Elucidating the pathogenesis of a certain disease is crucial to implement control strategies.

2. Multiplication of a pathogen and its characterisation in vitro are basic requirements to perform experimental studies. However, passaging of the pathogen in vitro can influence the pathogenicity, a process targeted for live vaccine development, but limits the reproduction of clinical signs.

3. Numerous factors can influence the outcome of experimental infections with some importance on the pathogen, application route and host as exemplarily outlined for Histomonas meleagridis, Gallibacterium anatis and fowl aviadenoviruses (FAdVs).

4. In future, more comprehensive and detailed settings are needed to obtain as much information as possible from animal experiments. Processing of samples with modern diagnostic tools provides the option to closely monitor the host–pathogen interaction.

Histomonosis in poultry: previous and current strategies for prevention and therapy

Histomonosis is a parasitic disease of poultry with worldwide prevalence. The disease can cause morbidity and mortality in chicken and turkey flocks entailing severe economic losses. In the first half of the last century, there was a high demand to control histomonosis as the turkey industry was severely affected by the disease. Consequently, numerous chemical compounds were tested for their efficacy against Histomonas meleagridis with varying outcomes, that are summarized and specified in this review. At the same time, preliminary attempts to protect birds with cultured histomonads indicated the possibility of vaccination. Several years ago antihistomonal drugs were banned in countries with tight regulations on pharmaceuticals in order to comply with the demand of consumer protection. As a consequence, outbreaks of histomonosis in poultry flocks increased and the disease became endemic again. New approaches to prevent and treat histomonosis are, therefore, needed and recently performed studies focused on various areas to combat the disease, from alternative chemotherapeutic substances to plant-derived compounds until vaccination, altogether reviewed here. Considering existing regulations and the overall outcome of experimental studies, it can be concluded that vaccination is very promising, despite the fact that various challenges need to be addressed until the first ever developed vaccine based upon live flagellates in human or bird medicine can be marketed.

Observation of B→D(*) π^(+)π^(-)ℓ^(-)ν Decays in e^(+)e^(-) Collisions at the Υ(4S) Resonance

We report on measurements of the decays of B¯ mesons into the semileptonic final states B¯→D^(*)π^(+)π^(-)ℓ^(-)ν¯, where D^(*) represents a D or D^(*) meson and ℓ^(-) is an electron or a muon. These measurements are based on 471×10^(6) BB ¯ pairs recorded with the BABAR detector at the SLAC asymmetric B factory PEP-II. We determine the branching fraction ratios R_{π^{+}π^{-}}^{(*)}=B(B[over ¯]→D^{(*)}π^{+}π^{-}ℓ^{-}ν[over ¯])/B(B[over ¯]→D^{(*)}ℓ^{-}ν[over ¯]) using events in which the second B meson is fully reconstructed. We find R_{π^{+}π^{-}}=0.067±0.010±0.008 and R_{π^{+}π^{-}}^{*}=0.019±0.005±0.004, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. Based on these results and assuming isospin invariance, we estimate that B[over ¯]→D^{(*)}ππℓ^{-}ν[over ¯] decays, where π denotes either a π^{±} and π^{0} meson, account for up to half the difference between the measured inclusive semileptonic branching fraction to charm hadrons and the corresponding sum of previously measured exclusive branching fractions.

First Observation of CP Violation in B[over ¯]^{0}→D_{CP}^{(*)}h^{0} Decays by a Combined Time-Dependent Analysis of BABAR and Belle Data

We report a measurement of the time-dependent CP asymmetry of B[over ¯]^{0}→D_{CP}^{(*)}h^{0} decays, where the light neutral hadron h^{0} is a π^{0}, η, or ω meson, and the neutral D meson is reconstructed in the CP eigenstates K^{+}K^{-}, K_{S}^{0}π^{0}, or K_{S}^{0}ω. The measurement is performed combining the final data samples collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance by the BABAR and Belle experiments at the asymmetric-energy B factories PEP-II at SLAC and KEKB at KEK, respectively. The data samples contain (471±3)×10^{6} BB[over ¯] pairs recorded by the BABAR detector and (772±11)×10^{6} BB[over ¯] pairs recorded by the Belle detector. We measure the CP asymmetry parameters -η_{f}S=+0.66±0.10(stat)±0.06(syst) and C=-0.02±0.07(stat)±0.03(syst). These results correspond to the first observation of CP violation in B[over ¯]^{0}→D_{CP}^{(*)}h^{0} decays. The hypothesis of no mixing-induced CP violation is excluded in these decays at the level of 5.4 standard deviations.

[Glottis injection to improve voice function : Review of more than 500 operations]

BACKGROUND

Hoarseness due to insufficient glottal closure can be treated by injection laryngoplasty (augmentation). Vocal fold injections can be performed as an in-office procedure or under general anesthesia. As injection materials have recently improved and different injection approaches are available, injection laryngoplasties are performed much more frequently.

OBJECTIVES

Advantages and disadvantages of injection materials, laryngeal approaches, and differential indications are described.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature research and experience of more than 500 laryngeal injection procedures are provided.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Sophisticated use of available injection materials can provide a satisfying improvement of voice function with minimal patient discomfort. Adequate indication is mandatory for a favorable outcome. Further improvement regarding biocompatibility and the duration of injection materials is desirable.

Search for Long-Lived Particles in e+ e- Collisions

We present a search for a neutral, long-lived particle L that is produced in e+ e- collisions and decays at a significant distance from the e+ e- interaction point into various flavor combinations of two oppositely charged tracks. The analysis uses an e+ e- data sample with a luminosity of 489.1  fb(-1) collected by the BABAR detector at the ϒ(4S), ϒ(3S), and ϒ(2S) resonances and just below the ϒ(4S). Fitting the two-track mass distribution in search of a signal peak, we do not observe a significant signal, and set 90% confidence level upper limits on the product of the L production cross section, branching fraction, and reconstruction efficiency for six possible two-body L decay modes as a function of the L mass. The efficiency is given for each final state as a function of the mass, lifetime, and transverse momentum of the candidate, allowing application of the upper limits to any production model. In addition, upper limits are provided on the branching fraction B(B→XsL), where Xs is a strange hadronic system.

A single strain of Tetratrichomonas gallinarum causes fatal typhlohepatitis in red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) to be distinguished from histomonosis

Typhlohepatitis was observed in a flock of 2500 red-legged partridges in Great Britain, characterized by the sudden deaths of 15 birds within 2 days. Necropsy of five dead birds revealed severe lesions in the caeca with thickened caecal walls, a reddened lining and bloody contents. The livers contained multiple miliary lesions and similar pathological changes were found in the spleens of some birds. Microscopic examination of intestinal contents showed the occurrence of coccidial oocysts in two partridges. Different methods for the detection of bacteria from liver and intestine samples were conducted without positive results. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of protozoan parasites in the caecum, liver and spleen of the affected birds. In situ hybridization (ISH) for the detection of trichomonads resulted in positive findings and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the presence of Tetratrichomonas gallinarum in the lesions. Additionally, archived tissues of red-legged partridges from different flocks suffering from severe typhlohepatitis in Great Britain in 2008 and 2009 were re-investigated by ISH and PCR. Beside the sporadic occurrence of histomonosis, in most of the cases trichomonads were detected by ISH in the caecum and liver of affected birds. Furthermore, dissemination of the flagellate into the lung and bursa of Fabricius could be demonstrated. Analyses of T. gallinarum DNA obtained from the different cases resulted in homologous nucleotide sequences. Altogether, the results demonstrate the circulation of a virulent strain of T. gallinarum in reared red-legged partridges.

Clinical signs and progression of lesions in the gizzard are not influenced by inclusion of ground oats or whole wheat in the diet following experimental infection with pathogenic fowl adenovirus serotype 1

In the present study the effects of dietary gizzard stimulation on the development and severity of adenoviral gizzard erosion were investigated. For this purpose, specific pathogen-free broilers were divided into six groups, investigating the influence of an oat-containing diet with higher fibre content, a whole wheat-containing diet and a control diet of nearly identical composition, but containing ground wheat. For each feed administered, one group of birds was experimentally infected on the 10th day of age by the oral route with virulent fowl adenovirus serotype 1 (FAdV-1), recently proven to induce gizzard erosions, while the respective negative control groups remained uninfected. Experimental feed was administered from 2 days post-infection onwards. No significant differences on gizzard health or in weight gain could be detected between uninfected control groups or between FAdV-1 infected groups that received different experimental feed. However, independent of the supplied diet, a significantly reduced weight gain was noted from 7 days post-infection onwards in FAdV-1 infected broilers compared to uninfected birds that received the same diet. Macroscopically, discolouration and erosion of the koilin layer and inflammation of the gizzard mucosa were observed in all FAdV-1 infected groups. Histologically, necrosis, degeneration of gizzard epithelial cells and multiple basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed. In summary, after experimental infection with FAdV-1 development of gizzard erosion in chickens was not influenced by the feeding regimes investigated. Therefore, it is unlikely that dietary gizzard stimulation influences the outcome of adenoviral gizzard erosion in vertically infected broilers.

Study of CP asymmetry in B^{0}-B[over ¯]^{0} mixing with inclusive dilepton events

We present a measurement of the asymmetry A_{CP} between same-sign inclusive dilepton samples ℓ^{+}ℓ^{+} and ℓ^{-}ℓ^{-} (ℓ=e, μ) from semileptonic B decays in ϒ(4S)→BB[over ¯] events, using the complete data set recorded by the BABAR experiment near the ϒ(4S) resonance, corresponding to 471×10^{6} BB[over ¯] pairs. The asymmetry A_{CP} allows comparison between the mixing probabilities P(B[over ¯]^{0}→B^{0}) and P(B^{0}→B[over ¯]^{0}), and therefore probes CP and T violation. The result, A_{CP}=[-3.9±3.5(stat)±1.9(syst)]×10^{-3}, is consistent with the standard model expectation.

Observation of two new Ξ(b)(-) baryon resonances

Two structures are observed close to the kinematic threshold in the Ξ(b)(0)π(-) mass spectrum in a sample of proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb(-1), recorded by the LHCb experiment. In the quark model, two baryonic resonances with quark content bds are expected in this mass region: the spin-parity J(P)=(1/2)(+) and J(P)=(3/2)(+) states, denoted Ξ(b)('-) and Ξ(b)(*-). Interpreting the structures as these resonances, we measure the mass differences and the width of the heavier state to be m(Ξ(b)('-))-m(Ξ(b)(0))-m(π(-))=3.653±0.018±0.006  MeV/c(2), m(Ξ(b)(*-))-m(Ξ(b)(0))-m(π(-))=23.96±0.12±0.06  MeV/c(2), Γ(Ξ(b)(*-))=1.65±0.31±0.10  MeV, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The width of the lighter state is consistent with zero, and we place an upper limit of Γ(Ξ(b)('-))<0.08  MeV at 95% confidence level. Relative production rates of these states are also reported.

Composition of diet modifies colonization dynamics of Campylobacter jejuni in broiler chickens

AIMS

To evaluate the impact of diet composition on colonization dynamics of Camp. jejuni and on related physiological parameters in the chicken intestine.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 54 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into three isocaloric and isonitrogenous dietary groups: maize-based (MB), wheat-based (WB) diet and wheat-based diet with NSP-degrading enzyme supplementation (WBES). Chickens were orally infected with 10(8)  CFU Camp. jejuni on day 14, and samples (n = 6) were collected on 7, 14 and 21 days postinfection (DPI), respectively. Colony forming units of Camp. jejuni of caecum and jejunum, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations, pH values of the caecum, jejunal histomorphology and viscosity of jejunal chymus were measured. In case of WBES diet, lower Camp. jejuni colonization 14 DPI, higher jejunal viscosity, higher total SCFA concentrations in the caecum and enhanced jejunal histomorphology were observed compared to those measured in chickens fed MB diet.

CONCLUSIONS

The WBES diet altered Camp. jejuni colonization dynamics in the chicken intestine which resulted by higher SCFA concentrations in the caecum and by the change of gut morphology.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Our study proves that diet composition can modify Camp. jejuni colonization depending on sampling time point postinfection.

Search for a dark photon in e(+)e(-) collisions at BABAR

Dark sectors charged under a new Abelian interaction have recently received much attention in the context of dark matter models. These models introduce a light new mediator, the so-called dark photon (A^{'}), connecting the dark sector to the standard model. We present a search for a dark photon in the reaction e^{+}e^{-}→γA^{'}, A^{'}→e^{+}e^{-}, μ^{+}μ^{-} using 514  fb^{-1} of data collected with the BABAR detector. We observe no statistically significant deviations from the standard model predictions, and we set 90% confidence level upper limits on the mixing strength between the photon and dark photon at the level of 10^{-4}-10^{-3} for dark photon masses in the range 0.02-10.2  GeV. We further constrain the range of the parameter space favored by interpretations of the discrepancy between the calculated and measured anomalous magnetic moment of the muon.

Möglichkeit endolaryngealer morphometrischer Messungen mit einem neuen Laserlichtverfahren

Morphometric measurement of horizontal laryngeal structures is difficult and poses many problems in laryngology. It is difficult to determine the size of vocal fold tissue lesions as well as the range of amplitudes during vocal fold vibration in rigid endoscopy. We present a new method by using two parallel light beams which are projected onto the surface of the vocal folds during examination of the larynx with a rigid 90 degrees-endoscope. Because of the fixed distance of the light points, measurement of the laryngeal structures can be accomplished, e.g., using a video print after the examination. With this new technique morphometric measurement of horizontal laryngeal structures during routine endoscopic examination becomes feasible.

Assessment and introduction of quantitative resistance to Fusarium head blight in elite spring barley

Breeding for resistance is a key task to control Fusarium head blight (FHB), a devastating disease of small cereals leading to economic losses and grain contamination with mycotoxins harmful for humans and animals. In the present work, FHB resistance of the six-rowed spring barley 'Chevron' to FHB in Germany was compared with those of adapted German spring barley cultivars. Both under natural infection conditions and after spray inoculation with conidia of Fusarium culmorum, F. sporotrichioides, and F. avenaceum under field conditions, Chevron showed a high level of quantitative resistance to the infection and contamination of grain with diverse mycotoxins. This indicates that Chevron is not only a little susceptible to deoxynivalenol-producing Fusarium spp. but also to Fusarium spp. producing type A trichothecenes and enniatins. Monitoring the initial infection course of F. culmorum on barley lemma tissue by confocal laser-scanning microscopy provided evidence that FHB resistance of Chevron is partially mediated by a preformed penetration resistance, because direct penetration of floral tissue by F. culmorum was observed rarely on Chevron but was common on susceptible genotypes. Alternatively, F. culmorum penetrated Chevron lemma tissue via stomata, which was unusual for susceptible genotypes. We generated double-haploid barley populations segregating for the major FHB resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) Qrgz-2H-8 of Chevron. Subsequently, we characterized these populations by spray inoculation with conidia of F. culmorum and F. sporotrichioides. This suggested that Qrgz-2H-8 was functional in the genetic background of European elite barley cultivars. However, the degree of achieved resistance was very low when compared with quantitative resistance of the QTL donor Chevron, and the introgression of Qrgz-2H-8 was not sufficient to mediate the cellular resistance phenotype of Chevron in the European backgrounds.

Measurement of form-factor-independent observables in the decay B0→K(*0)μ(+)μ(-)

We present a measurement of form-factor-independent angular observables in the decay B(0)→K*(892)(0)μ(+)μ(-). The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb(-1), collected by the LHCb experiment in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. Four observables are measured in six bins of the dimuon invariant mass squared q² in the range 0.1<q²<19.0 GeV²/c(4). Agreement with recent theoretical predictions of the standard model is found for 23 of the 24 measurements. A local discrepancy, corresponding to 3.7 Gaussian standard deviations is observed in one q² bin for one of the observables. Considering the 24 measurements as independent, the probability to observe such a discrepancy, or larger, in one is 0.5%.

Measurement of the CP asymmetry in B(+)→K(+)μ(+)μ(-) decays

A measurement of the CP asymmetry in B(+)→K(+)μ(+)μ(-) decays is presented using pp collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb(-1), recorded by the LHCb experiment during 2011 at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. The measurement is performed in seven bins of μ(+)μ(-) invariant mass squared in the range 0.05<q2<22.00 GeV2/c4, excluding the J/ψ and ψ(2S) resonance regions. Production and detection asymmetries are corrected for using the B(+)→J/ψK(+) decay as a control mode. Averaged over all the bins, the CP asymmetry is found to be A(CP)=0.000±0.033 (stat)±0.005 (syst)±0.007 (J/ψK), where the third uncertainty is due to the CP asymmetry of the control mode. This is consistent with the standard model prediction.