Heterogeneity of human serum antibody responses to P. gingivalis in periodontitis: Effects of age, race/ethnicity, and sex

Aging humans display an increased prevalence and severity of periodontitis, although the mechanisms underlying these findings remain poorly understood. This report examined antigenic diversity of P. gingivalis related to disease presence and patient demographics. Serum IgG antibody to P. gingivalis strains ATCC33277, FDC381, W50 (ATCC53978), W83, A7A1-28 (ATCC53977) and A7436 was measured in 426 participants [periodontally healthy (n = 61), gingivitis (N = 66) or various levels of periodontitis (N = 299)]. We hypothesized that antigenic diversity in P. gingivalis could contribute to a lack of "immunity" in the chronic infections of periodontal disease. Across the strains, the antibody levels in the oldest age group were lower than in the youngest groups, and severe periodontitis patients did not show higher antibody with aging. While 80 % of the periodontitis patients in any age group showed an elevated response to at least one of the P. gingivalis strains, the patterns of individual responses in the older group were also substantially different than the other age groups. Significantly greater numbers of older patients showed strain-specific antibody profiles to only 1 strain. The findings support that P. gingivalis may demonstrate antigenic diversity/drift within patients and could be one factor to help explain the inefficiency/ineffectiveness of the adaptive immune response in managing the infection.

Predicting the Influence of Streamflow on Migration and Spawning of a Threatened Diadromous Fish, the Australian Grayling Prototroctes Maraena

The development of effective strategies to restore the biological functioning of aquatic ecosystems with altered flow regimes requires a detailed understanding of flow-ecology requirements, which is unfortunately lacking in many cases. By understanding the flow conditions required to initiate critical life history events such as migration and spawning, it is possible to mitigate the threats posed by regulated river flow by providing targeted environmental flow releases from impoundments. In this study, we examined the influence of hydrological variables (e.g., flow magnitude), temporal variables (e.g., day of year) and spatial variables (e.g., longitudinal position of fish) on two key life history events (migration to spawning grounds and spawning activity) for a threatened diadromous fish (Australian grayling Prototroctes maraena) using data collected from 2008 to 2015 in the Bunyip-Tarago river system in Victoria. Our analyses revealed that flow changes act as a cue to downstream migration, but movement responses differed spatially: fish in the upper catchment showed a more specific requirement for rising discharge to initiate migration than fish in the lower catchment. Egg concentrations peaked in May when weekly flows increased relative to the median flow during a given spawning period. This information has recently been incorporated into the development of targeted environmental flows to facilitate migration and spawning by Australian grayling in the Bunyip-Tarago river system and other coastal systems in Victoria.

Influence of streamflow on spawning-related movements of golden perch Macquaria ambigua in south-eastern Australia

In this study, linkages were examined between movement and spawning behaviour for golden perch Macquaria ambigua in a lowland river by integrating acoustic telemetry and egg and larval drift sampling over 4 years. Movement was strongly seasonal, being most prevalent during the spawning season (spring to early summer), and occurred primarily downstream into the lower river reaches during elevated flows. A very strong association was found between the occurrence of spawning and long-distance M. ambigua movement. The results also revealed that targeted environmental water allocation can promote movement and spawning of this species. By integrating multiple analytical approaches and focusing on key life-history events, this study provides an improved picture of the life history and flow requirements of M. ambigua. The findings can help guide the development of effective environmental flow recommendations.

Predicting use of case management support services for adolescents and adults living in community following brain injury: A longitudinal Canadian database study with implications for life care planning

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with case management (CM) service use in people with traumatic brain injury (TBI), using a published model for service use.

DESIGN: A retrospective cohort, with nested case-control design. Correlational and logistic regression analyses of questionnaires from a longitudinal community data base.

STUDY SAMPLE: Questionnaires of 203 users of CM services and 273 non-users, complete for all outcome and predictor variables. Individuals with TBI, 15 years of age and older. Out of a dataset of 1,960 questionnaires, 476 met the inclusion criteria.

METHODOLOGY: Eight predictor variables and one outcome variable (use or non-use of the service). Predictor variables considered the framework of the Behaviour Model of Health Service Use (BMHSU); specifically, pre-disposing, need and enabling factor groups as these relate to health service use and access.

RESULTS: Analyses revealed significant differences between users and non-users of CM services. In particular, users were significantly younger than non-users as the older the person the less likely to use the service. Also, users had less education and more severe activity limitations and lower community integration. Persons living alone are less likely to use case management. Funding groups also significantly impact users.

CONCLUSIONS: This study advances an empirical understanding of equity of access to health services usage in the practice of CM for persons living with TBI as a fairly new area of research, and considers direct relevance to Life Care Planning (LCP). Many life care planers are CM and the genesis of LCP is CM. The findings relate to health service use and access, rather than health outcomes. These findings may assist with development of a modified model for prediction of use to advance future cost of care predictions.

Quantitative molecular viral loads in 7 horses with naturally occurring equine herpesvirus-1 infection

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY

Data associating quantitative viral load with severity, clinical signs and survival in equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy (EHM) have not been reported.

OBJECTIVES

To report the clinical signs, treatment, and temporal progression of viral loads in 7 horses with naturally occurring EHM and to examine the association of these factors with survival.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

The population included 7 horses with EHM presented to the University of California, Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from May to September 2011. Horses were graded using a neurological grading scale. Daily quantitative PCR was performed on nasal secretions and whole blood. Treatment, survival, outcome and histopathology were reported.

RESULTS

At presentation, one horse was neurological grade 5/5, 3 were grade 4/5 and 3 were grade 3/5. All were treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, valacyclovir and management in a sling if necessary. All were infected with equine herpesvirus-1 of DNA polymerase D752 genotype. Peak viral load in nasal secretions and blood of 5 survivors ranged from 6.9 × 10(3) to 2.81 × 10(5) (median 5.11 × 10(4) ) and from 143 to 4340 gB gene copies/million eukaryotic cells (median 3146), respectively. The 2 nonsurvivors presented with grade 3/5 neurological signs and progressed to encephalopathy. Peak viral load was higher in nonsurvivors, with levels in nasal secretions of 1.9 × 10(9) and 2.2 × 10(9) and in blood of 2.05 × 10(4) and 1.02 × 10(5) gB gene copies/million eukaryotic cells. Case fatality was 2/7.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonsurvivors had viral loads 1000-fold higher in nasal secretions and 10-fold higher in blood than survivors. There was no relationship between severity of clinical signs at presentation and survival. Thus, encephalopathy and high viral load were negatively associated with survival in this population. Further research should be performed to determine whether high viral loads are associated with encephalopathy and poor prognosis. The Summary is available in Chinese - see Supporting information.

Spawning season movements of Macquarie perch (Macquaria australasica) in the Yarra River, Victoria

The Macquarie perch (Macquaria australasica) is a threatened fish species that inhabits rivers and impoundments in south-eastern Australia. Previous studies have shown that Macquarie perch in impoundments exhibit synchronised upstream spawning migrations to shallow, fast-flowing habitats in the lower reaches of inflowing streams. There has been little study of movement behaviours of entirely riverine populations of Macquarie perch despite this being the species’ natural habitat. Here, radio-telemetry is used to test the hypothesis that riverine populations exhibit synchronised migrations during the spawning season. Thirty Macquarie perch in the Yarra River, Victoria, a translocated population outside of the species’ natural range, were radio-tagged before the late spring–early summer spawning season and their movements followed over a 10-month period (May 2011 to February 2012). Tagged fish typically occupied restricted reaches of stream (<450 m). Sixteen of the fish undertook occasional upstream or downstream movements (~250–1000 m) away from their usual locations, particularly associated with large flow variations during the spawning season. There was no evidence of synchronised migratory behaviour or movement of multiple fish to specific locations or habitats during the spawning season. Whilst further research over more years is needed to comprehensively document the spawning-related behaviours of riverine Macquarie perch, our study demonstrates that management of riverine populations of this threatened species cannot necessarily be based on the model of spawning behaviour developed for lacustrine populations.

Acute pancreatitis in two five-day-old Appaloosa foals

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in foals is rare and treatment has not been documented. This paper describes the clinical, haematological and ultrasonographic findings as well as attempted treatment of SAP in two 5-day-old Appaloosa fillies. Clinical signs, including colic, diarrhoea and coma, may be mistaken for sepsis or neonatal encephalopathy. Hyperlipaemic serum and peritoneal fluid, and elevated serum and peritoneal fluid amylase and lipase activities aided the diagnosis. Severe acute pancreatitis should be included as a differential in an acutely ill foal with diarrhoea, colic, cerebral cortica dysfunction and hyperlipaemia.

Differential gender effects of a reduced-calorie diet on systemic inflammatory and immune parameters in nonhuman primates

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Dietary manipulation, including caloric restriction, has been shown to impact host response capabilities significantly, particularly in association with aging. This investigation compared systemic inflammatory and immune-response molecules in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Monkeys on continuous long-term calorie-restricted diets and a matched group of animals on a control ad libitum diet, were examined for systemic response profiles including the effects of both gender and aging.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that haptoglobin and alpha1-antiglycoprotein levels were elevated in the serum of male monkeys. Serum IgG responses to Campylobacter rectus, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis were significantly elevated in female monkeys. While only the antibody to Fusobacterium nucleatum was significantly affected by the calorie-restricted diet in female monkeys, antibody levels to Prevotella intermedia, C. rectus and Treponema denticola demonstrated a similar trend.

CONCLUSION

In this investigation, only certain serum antibody levels were influenced by the age of male animals, which was seemingly related to increasing clinical disease in this gender. More generally, analytes were modulated by gender and/or diet in this oral model system of mucosal microbial challenge.

Changes in coping style following traumatic brain injury and their relationship to productivity status

The use of maladaptive coping strategies following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is known to be associated with increased depression and a lower productivity status. What is not known is whether coping behaviours change following TBI and if they do change whether these changes account for significant variance in outcome. Seventy-three significant others of TBI survivors were recruited at the time their friend/family member was injured and followed prospectively. They reported on their friend/family member's pre-injury and 6-month coping behaviours using the Coping with Health Injuries and Problems Scale. The use of emotional pre-occupation coping (p = .02) increased significantly and approached significance for distraction coping(p = .08). These changes in coping also accounted for significant variance (22%, p = .02) in productivity status over and above that accounted for by demographics and injury severity. Whether maladaptive coping changes can be prevented with a view to improving outcomes is a question that now needs to be explored.

Function after motor vehicle accidents: a prospective study of mild head injury and posttraumatic stress

Relationships among mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), posttraumatic stress (PTS), and function were examined in 99 motor vehicle accident (MVA) admissions: 64 in an MTBI group and 35 in a no-MTBI comparison group. Assessments occurred within the first month and at 6 to 9 months. At follow-up, the sample was moderately disabled on the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), 71% satisfied on the Reintegration of Normal Living Index (RNL), and 42% had returned to work. Only the SIP Psychosocial score was significantly different for MTBI groups; 24% of the sample showed definite symptoms of PTS. This group was significantly more disabled on the SIP, less satisfied on the RNL, and less likely to return to work. The proportion of variance in outcome explained in each model ranged from 32% (Physical SIP) to 44% (RNL). Results suggest the need for clinicians to be more aware of the strong influence of PTS on functional outcomes.

Mild traumatic brain injury from motor vehicle accidents: factors associated with return to work

OBJECTIVES

To describe return to work (RTW) for motor vehicle accident (MVA) survivors with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) and to examine relationships between RTW and injury severity, cognitive impairment, social interaction, discharge disposition, and sociodemographics.

DESIGN

Inception cohort assessed within 1 month of injury and at follow-up 6 to 9 months (mean = 7.4) after injury, for comparisons on outcome of RTW.

SETTING

Tertiary care center in Toronto (time 1); at home for follow-up.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty patients with MTBI resulting from MVA who were consecutively admitted during a 20-month period ending April 1994. Thirteen of 63 eligible patients refused consent or were lost to follow-up. Mean age was 31; 62% were men.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

(1) patients had been working; (2) they had no history of head injury, neurologic disease, or psychiatric illness requiring hospitalization; and (3) they had no catastrophic impairment from accident.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Return to work (at premorbid or modified level).

RESULTS

Of the 42% who returned to work, 12% resumed their premorbid level of employment and 30% returned to modified work. There were significant differences (p<.05) between the groups in level of social interaction, premorbid occupation, and discharge disposition. On one test of cognitive functioning the difference was at p = .06.

CONCLUSION

Social interaction, jobs with greater decision-making latitude, and discharge home were positively related to RTW for this population. Cognitive impairment within the first month was not a reliable indicator of RTW potential.

Head injury in young adults: long-term outcome

OBJECTIVE

To describe the long-term outcome 5 years after injury of young adults who were 15 to 19 years old at the time of their head injuries.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort. The health records of 62 consecutive eligible subjects were abstracted for baseline sociodemographic, health, and injury variables. A telephone interview was administered to assess quality of life, impairment, disability, and handicap.

SETTING

Canada's largest trauma center, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Toronto, Canada.

SUBJECTS

Of the 58 subjects (94%) who were traced at follow-up, 51 agreed to participate.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The Medical Outcomes Study SF-36, Head Injury Symptom Checklist, selected disability measures, Community Integration Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Of the 8 summary items of the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36, subjects scored lowest on mental health. There were no significant differences between mild and more severely injured groups in all quality of life measures. Subjects classified with mild head injury overall reported more symptoms from the Head Injury Symptom Checklist. Subjects with more severe injuries had lower community integration scores (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, mental health is an important area of concern at follow-up for all subjects. Adolescents with apparent mild head injury can have disabling symptoms many years after injury.

The disablement experienced by traumatically brain-injured adults living in the community

The disablement that occurs following traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be extensive and severe and consequently has been difficult to report on in a comprehensive and thorough manner. We were able to address this difficulty by analysing a sub group of data from the Canadian Health and Activity Limitation Survey (HALS) using the theoretical framework of disablement developed by the World Health Organization, the International Classification of Impairment, Disability and Handicap (ICIDH). There were 454 survey respondents (representing 12,290 in the Canadian population) with disability resulting from a TBI and a mean time post-injury of 13 years. Three handicaps identified in the ICIDH were the focus of the study: physical independence, work, social integration. The prevalence of long term handicap was very high with 66% of the sample reporting the need for ongoing assistance with some activities of daily living, 75% not working, and 90% reporting some limitations or dissatisfaction with their social integration. Multivariate regression analysis was used to investigate the determinants of the handicaps. The determinants included: age, gender, level of education, living alone, physical environment, and specific disabilities. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to rehabilitation issues, the usefulness of the ICIDH as a model to investigate outcomes, and directions for future research.

The organization and mutability of the forepaw and hindpaw representations in the somatosensory cortex of the neonatal rat

The present study demonstrates that the primary somatosensory cortex of the rat contains a map of the entire body surface that is discernible with a routine anatomical staining technique, the succinic dehydrogenase reaction. The overall proportions of this map are relatively constant from rat to rat and very similar to those reported in previous physiological investigations (Welker: Brain Res. 26:259-275, '71, J. Comp. Neurol. 166:173-190, '76). We found 67% of the map to be related to the head of the rat, 15% to the forelimb, 14% to the trunk, and 4% to the hindlimb. Within the forelimb and hindlimb representations, there is a consistent internal organization that can be related to specific peripheral structures (digits or palm pads). Further, damage to either the periphery or the nerves innervating these regions on the day of birth produces disruptions in the normal pattern, but damage on day 6 or later does not. We interpret these results as indicating that the role of the periphery in organizing central neuronal structures during development previously demonstrated for the trigeminal system extends to the entire rat somatosensory system. Comparison of the present results with physiological studies of adult cortical maps after peripheral damage suggests to us that different substrates underlie the changes reported in the adult.

Distinguishing topography and somatotopy in the thalamocortical projections of the developing rat

We placed discrete injections of HRP into the somatosensory cortex of the rat on the day of birth and found discrete, ordered patterns of retrogradely labelled cells in the ventral posterior nucleus. We interpret these results as suggesting that topographic relations between thalamus and cortex develop independently of the periphery.

Reward learning in normal and mutant Drosophila

Hungry fruit flies can be trained by exposing them to two chemical odorants, one paired with the opportunity to feed on 1 M sucrose. On later testing, when given a choice between odorants the flies migrate specifically toward the sucrose-paired odor. This appetitively reinforced learning by the flies is similar in strength and character to previously demonstrated negatively reinforced learning, but it differs in several properties. Both memory consolidation and memory decay proceed relatively slowly after training with sucrose reward. Consolidation of learned information into anesthesia-resistant long-term memory requires about 100 min after training with sucrose compared to about 30 min after training with electric shock. Memory in wild-type flies persists for 24 hr after training with sucrose compared to 4-6 hr after training with electric shock. Memory in amnesiac mutants appears to be similarly lengthened, from 1 hr to 6 hr, by substituting sucrose reward for shock punishment. Two other mutants, dunce and rutabaga, which were isolated because they failed to learn the shock-avoidance task, learn normally in response to sucrose reward but forget rapidly afterward. One mutant, turnip, does not learn in either paradigm. Reward and punishment can be combined in olfactory discrimination training by pairing one odor to sucrose and the other to electric shock. In this situation, the expression of learning is approximately the sum of that obtained by using either reinforcement alone. After such training, memory decays at two distinct rates, each characteristic of one type of reinforcement.