Ursolic Acid Induces Beneficial Changes in Skeletal Muscle mRNA Expression and Increases Exercise Participation and Performance in Dogs with Age-Related Muscle Atrophy

Muscle atrophy and weakness are prevalent and debilitating conditions in dogs that cannot be reliably prevented or treated by current approaches. In non-canine species, the natural dietary compound ursolic acid inhibits molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy, leading to improvements in muscle health. To begin to translate ursolic acid to canine health, we developed a novel ursolic acid dietary supplement for dogs and confirmed its safety and tolerability in dogs. We then conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept efficacy study in older beagles with age-related muscle atrophy, also known as sarcopenia. Animals received placebo or ursolic acid dietary supplements once a day for 60 days. To assess the study's primary outcome, we biopsied the quadriceps muscle and quantified atrophy-associated mRNA expression. Additionally, to determine whether the molecular effects of ursolic acid might have functional correlates consistent with improvements in muscle health, we assessed secondary outcomes of exercise participation and T-maze performance. Importantly, in canine skeletal muscle, ursolic acid inhibited numerous mRNA expression changes that are known to promote muscle atrophy and weakness. Furthermore, ursolic acid significantly improved exercise participation and T-maze performance. These findings identify ursolic acid as a natural dietary compound that inhibits molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy and improves functional performance in dogs.

Variation of the frictional anisotropy on ventral scales of snakes caused by nanoscale steps

The ventral scales of most snakes feature micron-sized fibril structures with nanoscale steps oriented towards the snake's tail. We examined these structures by microtribometry as well as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and observed that the nanoscale steps of the micro-fibrils cause a frictional anisotropy, which varies along the snake's body in dependence of the height of the nanoscale steps. A significant frictional behavior is detected when a sharp AFM tip scans the nanoscale steps up or down. Larger friction peaks appear during upward scans (tail to head direction), while considerably lower peaks are observed for downward scans (head to tail direction). This effect causes a frictional anisotropy on the nanoscale, i.e. friction along the head to tail direction is lower than in the opposite direction. The overall effect increases linearly with the step height of the micro-fibrils. Although the step heights are different for each snake, the general step height distribution along the body of the examined snakes follows a common pattern. The frictional anisotropy, induced by the step height distribution, is largest close to the tail, intermediate in the middle, and lower close to the head. This common distribution of frictional anisotropy suggests that snakes even optimized nanoscale features like the height of micro-fibrils through evolution in order to achieve optimal friction performance for locomotion. Finally, ventral snake scales are replicated by imprinting their micro-fibril structures into a polymer. As the natural prototype, the artificial surface exhibits frictional anisotropy in dependence of the respective step height. This feature is of high interest for the design of tribological surfaces with artificial frictional anisotropy.

Comparative efficacy of the Leucofeligen™ FeLV/RCP and Purevax™ RCP FeLV vaccines against infection with circulating feline Calicivirus

Background

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a common virus, found worldwide, mainly responsible for chronic ulceroproliferative faucitis and periodontitis. This virus has a high mutation rate, leading to the presence of numerous FCV strains in the field. The objectives of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of two vaccines (Leucofeligen™ FeLV/RCP and Purevax™ RCP FeLV), which differ by their nature (live vs. inactivated) and the vaccinal strains, against circulating FCV strains. Thirty 9-week-old specific pathogen free (SPF) kittens were thus randomised into 3 groups and were either not vaccinated (control) or vaccinated (2 injections, 3 weeks apart) with one of the vaccines. Four weeks after the second injection of primary vaccination, the cats were inoculated with a pathogenic strain representative of the ones circulating in Europe (FCV-FR4_01) and followed for 2 weeks.

Results

After challenge, significant differences (p < 0.05) between control cats and cats vaccinated with Leucofeligen™ FeLV/RCP or Purevax™ RCP FeLV were observed for body weight variation, rectal temperature rise and maximum clinical scores, reflecting the intensity of the signs (83% and 67% lower in the respective vaccinated groups than in the control group). Significant differences were observed between the vaccinated groups, as cats vaccinated with Leucofeligen™ FeLV/RCP had a lower temperature rise (p < 0.05 at days post-challenge 3 to 5) and lower virus shedding titres (p < 0.05 at days post-challenge 8, 9 and 11) than cats vaccinated with Purevax™ RCP FeLV. Finally, only cats vaccinated with Leucofeligen™ FeLV/RCP had a significantly lower cumulative score, reflecting the intensity and duration of calicivirosis clinical signs, than the control cats (77% lower vs. 62% lower for cats vaccinated with Purevax™ RCP FeLV).

Conclusions

Both vaccines, Leucofeligen™ FeLV/RCP and Purevax™ RCP FeLV, were found to be efficacious in reducing clinical signs induced by FCV-FR4_01, a FCV strain representative of the circulating ones. However, cats vaccinated with Leucofeligen™ FeLV/RCP were able to control the infection more efficiently than those vaccinated with Purevax™ RCP FeLV, as evidenced by the shorter duration of clinical signs and lower viral titre in excretions.

Microoptical array projectors for free-form screen applications

The system design of front-projection systems for free-form screens utilizing conventional single-aperture optical layouts always requires a trade-off between system complexity and achievable luminous output. This article presents novel slide pre-processing algorithms based on array projection technology that are able to resolve the design drawbacks for both free-form as well as strongly-inclined planar screen applications by breaking the common contradiction between system simplicity and flux. Starting from describing common design strategies and their drawbacks, the theoretical basics of the novel concept are investigated and applied to raytracing simulations. Experimental results are shown and evaluated regarding their optical performance.

Cartesian oval representation of freeform optics in illumination systems

The geometrical method for constructing optical surfaces for illumination purpose developed by Oliker and co-workers [Trends in Nonlinear Analysis (Springer, 2003)] is generalized in order to obtain freeform designs in arbitrary optical systems. The freeform is created by a set of primitive surface elements, which are generalized Cartesian ovals adapted to the given optical system. Those primitives are determined by Hamiltonian theory of ray optics. The potential of this approach is demonstrated by some examples, e.g., freeform lenses with collimating front elements.

Neuentwicklung und Validierung eines szenariobasierten Verfahrens zur Erfassung der Neigung zu sexueller Aggression

Zusammenfassung. Die Vergewaltigungsneigung (VN) wird oft mittels szenariobasierter Verfahren (SBV) erfasst, bei denen Befragte angeben, ob sie ebenso gehandelt hätten wie ein Protagonist, der sexuell gewalttätiges Verhalten zeigt. Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt die Weiterentwicklung eines SBV vor, mit dem sich eine generelle Neigung zu sexueller Aggression erfassen lässt. Männliche Studierende (N = 100) bearbeiteten sowohl Gewaltszenarien als auch Fragebogenskalen zur Konstruktvalidierung. Das neue Verfahren korrelierte hypothesengemäß hoch positiv mit einem etablierten SBV, wies jedoch einen höheren Mittelwert und eine weniger schiefe Verteilung auf. Es war unabhängig von sozialer Erwünschtheit und korrelierte positiv mit Vergewaltigungsmythenakzeptanz, feindseligem Sexismus und selbstberichteter sexueller Aggression. Auch die Ergebnisse einer zweiten Studie (N = 60) bestätigen die Konstruktvalidität des neuen SBV.

Prevention of renal infection and urinary shedding in dogs by a Leptospira vaccination

Prevention of urinary shedding of Leptospira interrogans spp. by chronically infected dogs remains a key objective of the vaccination in dogs against leptospirosis which is a zoonotic disease. An inactivated bivalent vaccine composed of Leptospira interrogans serovars icterohaemorrhagiae [L. icterohaemorrhagiae] and canicola [L. canicola] bacterins was tested for its ability to protect puppies against a challenge exposure with L. icterohaemorrhagiae. The vaccine was administered twice at a 3-week interval to six puppies aged from 8 to 9 weeks. Six other puppies were used as unvaccinated controls. All puppies were challenged 2 weeks after the second vaccine injection by intraperitoneal (IP) administration of L. icterohaemorrhagiae (day 0). Clinical signs, haematological and biochemical changes and evidence of Leptospira in blood, urine and kidney were monitored for 4 weeks after the challenge exposure (days 0-28). Puppies were euthanised on day 28 for post-mortem and histological examinations of liver and kidney. Control group presented clinical pictures of severe or subclinical infection. One dog developed severe clinical signs (hypothermia, depression, anorexia, abdominal pain, dehydration, icterus, weight loss) and died on post-infection day (PID) 7 due to an acute renal failure. Gross and microscopic lesions were in accordance with this clinical pattern. In the five remaining control dogs, the challenge exposure induced mainly a systemic infection including leptospiraemia, leptospiruria and renal carriage. The vaccinated group remained healthy throughout the study period. In conclusion, immunisation with a Leptospira vaccine was shown to protect dogs against symptomatology and leptospiraemia, urine shedding and renal infection.

High mortality rate associated with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infection in Belgian white blue calves previously vaccinated with an inactivated BRSV vaccine

In a group of 60 Belgian White Blue calves less than 8 months old still housed in barns, a bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) outbreak was revealed on the basis of a direct diagnosis (immunofluorescence and virus isolation) performed on the lungs of dead animals, and the kinetics of BRSV neutralizing antibodies. Clinical signs, macroscopical and microscopical pulmonary lesions were also compatible with a BRSV infection. This outbreak is peculiar because the 35 oldest calves (204 +/- 29 days old) had been vaccinated 3-4 months before with an inactivated BRSV vaccine and 30% of these animals had died of respiratory distress. While they experienced a mild respiratory symptomatology, no death was recorded among the 25 youngest calves (69 +/- 29 days old) which had been left unvaccinated. Another peculiarity was found at the histological level where a massive infiltration of eosinophils was demonstrated in the pulmonary tissues of the dead animals. Together these data parallel the dramatic story described 30 years ago in children previously vaccinated with a formalin-inactivated human RSV (HRSV) vaccine upon a natural HRSV challenge. This illustrates that an immunopathological phenomenon also takes place after BRSV vaccination in cattle.

Prevalence of bovine virus diarrhoea virus infection in Belgian white blue cattle in southern Belgium

A study was conducted in Southern Belgium to determine the prevalence of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection in Belgian White Blue herds. Blood samples were taken from 9685 cattle, representing all the stock on 61 farms, by local veterinarians to screen for persistently infected animals and to determine their serological status against BVDV. Some of the herds (42.5%) were selected because of a prior positive diagnosis of BVDV or on the grounds of suspicion of BVD. A capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test for antigen. The prevalence of persistently infected animals was 0.75% overall and 1.46% in the 27 herds with at least one persistently infected animal. The prevalence of seropositive animals was determined with a competitive antibody ELISA and was found to be 65.5% for the animals as a whole but 53.8% for the herds without positively infected animals and 76.6% for the herds with at least one such animal. All the herds contained seropositive animals.

On a simple model of low-frequency vibrations in DNA macromolecules

A simple quasi-continuity model of low-frequency dynamics of DNA macromolecules is presented. The model is based on the phenomenological theory by Volkov and Kosevich (J. Biomol. Struct. Dyn. 8, 1069 (1991)). We propose improvements to their theory by correcting the model energy and corresponding equations of motion, recalculating the model DNA parameters, and estimating the effects of hydration and counterion binding on the masses of DNA subunits. Comparing the calculated low-frequency vibration spectrum and the results of classical Raman scattering experiments from the literature, the values for the model force constants are determined. These values differ significantly from the estimations made by Volkov and Kosevich. A good quantitative agreement with experiment can be obtained both for the case when the "25 cm-1 mode" is an external one, and when it is considered as an intrahelical mode. Problems connected with the qualitative assignments of the calculated and experimentally observed modes are discussed.

Malignant bile-duct obstruction: experience with self-expanding metal endoprostheses (Wallstents) in Austria

Fifty-two patients in nine Austrian hospitals were treated with biliary self-expanding metal endoprostheses (Wallstents) for malignant biliary obstruction, and followed up retrospectively using questionnaires, answered by the endoscopists. Stent placement was successful in all patients. The technical failure rate at the first attempt was 7.7%, and stenting-associated mortality was 3.8% due to mispositioning of stents, leading in two cases to death. The 30-day mortality was 13.5%, and early complications occurred in 15.4%. The median survival was 216 days, and the median stent patency was 291 days. During follow-up, stent occlusion was observed in ten patients, acute cholangitis in 12 patients, acute pancreatitis in three patients, acute cholecystitis in one patient, and duodenal ulceration due to stent erosion in one patient. Routine use of biliary self-expanding metal endoprostheses by averagely experienced endoscopists can be recommended. Attention has to be paid to the correct placement of the guidewire and stent.

Changes in perceived finger force produced by muscular contractions under isometric and anisometric conditions

We compared matching of finger forces under isometric conditions with matching of forces produced against a spring load (anisometric conditions) in twenty normal subjects. The instruction was to generate the same force in both hands holding a grip between thumb and index finger in each hand. Visual feedback indicating the target force and the actual force applied were presented for one (reference) hand only. The forces produced in each hand were measured continuously during matching trials. A special device provided the opportunity to change from isometric to anisometric force production. Matching was required under symmetric conditions, in which force was generated in both hands either isometrically or anisometrically, as well as under asymmetric conditions in which isometric force has to be matched to anisometric force or the reverse. Under symmetric conditions matching error was consistently smaller in anisometric than in isometric force production. However, the striking feature was a severe mismatch between hands when forces had to be produced differently. For most subjects, a force generated against the spring load in the reference hand was greatly overestimated by the matching hand working isometrically. For the reverse condition consistent underestimations were observed. This effect cannot be attributed to left/right differences or a simple confusion of subjects in the asymmetric tasks. Some of the factors confounded with the conditions of force production were ruled out as an explanation by additional experimental controls. The mismatch neither depends on signals related to different finger positions associated with target forces nor is it alleviated when differently produced forces are matched sequentially.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Health and handicap profile of patients with cerebrovascular diseases in an inpatient rehabilitation center]

In order to get more precise information on the staffing and structural capacities needed in the care and rehabilitative treatment of patients with cerebrovascular diseases (CVD), the profiles of illness and disability were studied retrospectively on the basis of the medical histories of CVD patients who had been treated at a neurological rehabilitation centre in 1987 and had mostly come from the facility's assigned catchment area. Due to insufficient documentation of certain profile data in the patients histories, the same data were recorded in a complementary study for all patients in this target population admitted in the first half of 1988. The classification of patients into nursing care categories, already practiced in everyday clinical routines, turned out a valid global estimate for the total nursing, medical and therapeutic efforts required in the individual patient. A high correlation exists between the nursing care category assigned and the numbers of necessary care interventions as well as functional disorders requiring rehabilitative attention. The nursing care interventions needed concentrate on certain situations during the day, which has to be taken into account in staff planning. Given the multitude of impairments and disabilities seen, comprehensive management in a neurological rehabilitation unit presupposes a team of diverse diagnostic and therapeutic specialists, which, apart from medical specialists and nursing staff, should at least comprise physio- and Occupational Therapists, neuro-linguistic or logopedic specialists, as well as psychologists. In view of the high incidence of accompanying internal diseases, a stroke rehabilitation unit must have access to an internal medical service at least on a consultancy basis, and available on an extended time scale.

[Comments on specific early rehabilitation of patients with severe craniocerebral trauma]

The considerable advances made in the rescue and intensive care fields have entailed drastically increased numbers of survivors of severe head injury. Because of ethical reasons alone, the call for early rehabilitation of patients with persistent vegetative state post-trauma appears justified. Aside lifesaving intensive medical care in the acute phase, available empirical studies have so far not been able to provide evidence for the superiority of specific early rehabilitation measures. Clinicians lack pragmatic decision-making aids in the question of how long patients should be treated in the acute clinic. Nursing homes currently are no alternative, as they will hardly ever be equipped in a manner enabling them to cope with the considerable nursing requirements posed by these patients.

[Temperature storage ability and radiation ability of rotating anodes in high-performance roentgen tubes]

In long time or serial operation metal anode discs with blackened layer can be loaded much higher than graphite anode discs, because the distance between thermal source and temperature sensitive spot in metal discs is larger than in graphite discs and the maximum permissible temperature for metal discs is much higher than that for graphite discs.

Coexistence of lichen planus and systemic lupus erythematosus

Three cases of the simultaneous occurrence of lichen planus (LP) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are presented. Each patient had clinical, histologic, and immunopathologic LP. Additionally, each patient had clinical SLE that fulfilled the American Rheumatism Association criteria for the diagnosis of SLE. The clinical manifestations of SLE were predominantly cutaneous. The three patients had positive lupus band test and high titers of antinuclear antibodies. One patient had vitiligo in addition to SLE and LP. LP and SLE have common clinical, histologic, and immunopathologic features. It is possible that a common agent (or agents) may cause either disease or the overlap syndrome, depending on the immunogenetic predisposition of the patient.

[Automatic storage for the analysis of audiometric values (author's transl)]

An analysis by means of electronic data-processing is necessary at audiometric surveys because of the great number of audiometric values. To clear off the dates of the audiometric curves is long-winded and therefore expensive. That's the reason why we developed an operating system which allows to store on recording tape the dates of the Hearing Threshold Level and some extra informations about the test person immediately at the survey. The Hearing Threshold has to be appointed in a manner which is usually practiced in the clinic. We have described the setup of the unit and the graphic representation of the audiometric curves by means of a XY-recorder. The system has proved to be a success at the survey of 1,300 employees working in noisy areas. The analysis of the Hearing Threshold Levels could take place immediately after the investigation.