Effects of Acacia mearnsii added to silages differing in nutrient composition and condensed tannins on ruminal and manure-derived methane emissions of dairy cows

This study investigated the effects of acacia (extract of Acacia mearnsii) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) as condensed tannin (CT)-rich sources on ruminal and manure methane (CH4) emissions in comparison with non-CT silages characterized by different contents of the cell wall and water-soluble carbohydrates. In a 3 × 6 incomplete Latin square design, 30 Holstein cows (63 ± 23 d in milk; mean ± SD; 33.8 ± 7.6 kg of milk per day, body weight 642 ± 81 kg) were provided with ad libitum access to 1 of 6 total mixed rations comprising 790 g of silage and 210 g of concentrate per kilogram of dry matter (DM). The silages were either rich in sainfoin [neutral detergent fiber (NDF): 349 g/kg of DM], perennial ryegrass (NDF: 420 g/kg of DM), or red clover (NDF: 357 g/kg of DM). Each silage was supplemented with 20 g/kg (of total diet DM) of acacia or straw meal. Feed intake and milk yield were recorded daily. Milk composition and ruminal fluid characteristics and microbiota were analyzed. The individual ruminal CH4 production was determined using the GreenFeed system, and CH4 emissions from the manure of cows fed the same diets were measured in a parallel experiment over 30 d at 25°C using a dynamic flux chamber. The CT sources did not reduce CH4 yield or emission intensity. Acacia reduced milk production (from 26.3 to 23.2 kg/d) and DM intake (from 19.7 to 16.7 kg/d) when supplemented with ryegrass, and both CT sources reduced the milk protein content and yield. Acacia supplementation and ryegrass silage reduced the ruminal acetate:propionate ratio. Furthermore, during acacia treatment, the abundance of Methanobrevibacter archaea tended to be lower and that of Thermoplasmata was higher. Acacia reduced the CH4 emissions from manure for the ryegrass group by 17% but not for the sainfoin and clover groups. Feeding sainfoin silage resulted in the lowest manure-derived CH4 emissions (-47% compared with ryegrass). In conclusion, acacia reduced ruminal CH4 production by 10%, but not emission intensity, and the mitigation effect of sainfoin depended on the silage to which it was compared. Because mitigation was partially associated with animal productivity losses, careful evaluation is required before the implementation of tanniferous feeds in farm practice.

Antipsychotic drug-induced neutropenia: results from the AMSP drug surveillance program between 1993 and 2016

Neutropenia and agranulocytosis (N&A) are relatively rare, but potentially fatal adverse drug reactions (ADR). This study presents cases of N&A related to one or more antipsychotic drugs (APDs) in psychiatric inpatients. Data on APD utilization and reports of N&A caused by APDs were analyzed by using data from an observational pharmacovigilance program in German-speaking countries-Arzneimittelsicherheit in der Psychiatrie (AMSP)-from 1993 to 2016. 333,175 psychiatric inpatients were treated with APDs for schizophrenia and other indications during the observation period. A total of 124 cases of APD-induced N&A were documented, 48 of which fulfilled the criteria for agranulocytosis, corresponding to a rate of 0.37, respectively, 0.14 in 1000 inpatients treated with APDs. Neutropenia was more often detected in women, whereas there was no difference regarding sex in cases of agranulocytosis. Clozapine had the highest relative risk for inducing N&A and was imputed alone as a probable cause of N&A in 60 cases (1.57‰ of all patients exposed). Perazine showed the second highest relative risk with 8 cases and an incidence 0.52‰, followed by quetiapine (15 cases resp. 0.23‰ of all patients exposed) and olanzapine (7 cases; 0.13‰ of all patients exposed). N&A most often occurred during the first 3 months of treatment. Overall N&A are severe and potentially fatal complications that can occur during treatment with APDs. The results from this study largely agree with the currently available literature, highlighting the positive effects of alertness and established appropriate monitoring.

Spectroscopic characterization of singlet–triplet doorway states of aluminum monofluoride

Aluminum monofluoride (AlF) possesses highly favorable properties for laser cooling, both via the A1Π and a3Π states. Determining efficient pathways between the singlet and the triplet manifold of electronic states will be advantageous for future experiments at ultralow temperatures. The lowest rotational levels of the A1Π, v = 6 and b3Σ+, v = 5 states of AlF are nearly iso-energetic and interact via spin–orbit coupling. These levels thus have a strongly mixed spin-character and provide a singlet–triplet doorway. We here present a hyperfine resolved spectroscopic study of the A1Π, v = 6//b3Σ+, v = 5 perturbed system in a jet-cooled, pulsed molecular beam. From a fit to the observed energies of the hyperfine levels, the fine and hyperfine structure parameters of the coupled states and their relative energies as well as the spin–orbit interaction parameter are determined. The standard deviation of the fit is about 15 MHz. We experimentally determine the radiative lifetimes of selected hyperfine levels by time-delayed ionization, Lamb dip spectroscopy, and accurate measurements of the transition lineshapes. The measured lifetimes range between 2 and 200 ns, determined by the degree of singlet–triplet mixing for each level.

Spectroscopic characterization of the a3 state of aluminum monofluoride

Spectroscopic studies of aluminum monofluoride (AlF) have revealed its highly favorable properties for direct laser cooling. All Q lines of the strong A1Π ← X1Σ+ transition around 227 nm are rotationally closed and thereby suitable for the main cooling cycle. The same holds for the narrow, spin-forbidden a3Π ← X1Σ+ transition around 367 nm, which has a recoil limit in the µK range. We here report on the spectroscopic characterization of the lowest rotational levels in the a3Π state of AlF for v = 0–8 using a jet-cooled, pulsed molecular beam. An accidental AC Stark shift is observed on the a3Π0, v = 4 ← X1Σ+, v = 4 band. By using time-delayed ionization for state-selective detection of the molecules in the metastable a3Π state at different points along the molecular beam, the radiative lifetime of the a3Π1, v = 0, J = 1 level is experimentally determined as τ = 1.89 ± 0.15 ms. A laser/radio frequency multiple resonance ionization scheme is employed to determine the hyperfine splittings in the a3Π1, v = 5 level. The experimentally derived hyperfine parameters are compared to the outcome of quantum chemistry calculations. A spectral line with a width of 1.27 kHz is recorded between hyperfine levels in the a3Π, v = 0 state. These measurements benchmark the electronic potential of the a3Π state and yield accurate values for the photon scattering rate and for the elements of the Franck–Condon matrix of the a3Π–X1Σ+ system.

Incidence of Drug-Induced Delirium During Treatment With Antidepressants or Antipsychotics: A Drug Surveillance Report of German-Speaking Countries Between 1993 and 2016

OBJECTIVES

Successful treatment of delirium depends on the detection of the reversible contributors. Drugs with delirogenic properties are the most prevalent reversible cause of delirium.

METHODS

This observational study is based on data from Arzneimittelsicherheit in der Psychiatrie, a multicenter drug surveillance program in German-speaking countries recording severe adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in psychiatric inpatients. The present study analyzes drug-induced delirium (DID) during treatment with antidepressants and antipsychotics.

RESULTS

A total of 436 565 psychiatric inpatients were treated with antidepressants and/or antipsychotics during the observation period from 1993 to 2016 in the participating 110 hospitals. Overall, 254 cases (0.06% of all patients treated with antidepressants and/or antipsychotics) of DID were detected. Implicated either in combination or alone (multiple drugs were implicated in 70.1% of DID), clomipramine (0.24%), amitriptyline (0.21%), and clozapine (0.18%) showed the highest incidence rates of DID. When implicated alone (98 cases overall), clozapine (0.11%) followed by amitriptyline (0.05%) were most likely causally associated with the occurrence of DID. Drugs with strong antimuscarinic properties generally exhibited higher risk of DID.

CONCLUSIONS

With an incidence rate of <0.1%, the use of antidepressants and antipsychotics was rarely associated with DID within the Arzneimittelsicherheit in der Psychiatrie program. Tricyclic antidepressants and clozapine were the most commonly implicated psychotropic drugs. These data support the specific role of antimuscarinic properties in DID.

Investigation of a potential electrogenic transport-system for myo-inositol in the small intestine of laying hens

1. Myo-inositol (MI) is an essential metabolite for cell function in animals and humans. The aim of this study was to characterise the transport mechanism of MI in the small intestine of laying hens as there is a lack of knowledge about the MI uptake mechanisms. The hypothesised secondary active, cation coupled transport of MI was assessed by electrophysiological measurements with Ussing chambers, and was compared to the electrophysiology of glucose transport.2. Twenty-six laying hens were used. The potential ion-dependent transport was tested in tissue of the small intestine. Barrier function of the tissue was shown by determining the transepithelial resistance. During the experiments, mucosal and serosal buffers were sampled to measure time-dependent changes in MI concentrations. Samples from eight hens were further used for Western blot analyses of the jejunal apical membranes.3. Active MI transport, indicated by changes in the short circuit current after MI addition, could not be demonstrated in the Ussing chambers experiments. MI was further not detectable in the serosal buffer, nor in the lysates of mucosal tissue cytoplasm nor lipids. Thus, there was no evidence for a MI transport or absorption. However, Western blot analyses of the jejunal apical membrane revealed signals indicated the expression of the MI transport proteins SMIT-1 and SMIT-2.4. In conclusion, the MI transport process in the chicken intestine is more complex than it was presumed and is probably influenced by still unknown regulations or metabolic processes.

Water and Carbon Dioxide Adsorption on CaO(001) Studied via Single Crystal Adsorption Calorimetry

A new method to analyze microcalorimetry data was employed to study the adsorption energies and sticking probabilities of D2O and CO2 on CaO(001) at several temperatures. This method deconvolutes the line shapes of the heat detector response into an instrument response function and exponential decay functions, which correspond to the desorption of distinct surface species. This allows for a thorough analysis of the adsorption, dissociation, and desorption processes that occur during our microcalorimetry experiments. Our microcalorimetry results, show that D2O adsorbs initially with an adsorption energy of 85–90 kJ/mol at temperatures ranging from 120 to 300 K, consistent with prior spectroscopic studies that indicate dissociation. This adsorption energy decreases with increasing coverage until either D2O multilayers are formed at low temperatures (120 K) or the surface is saturated (> 150 K). Artificially producing defects on the surface by sputtering prior to dosing D2O sharply increases this adsorption energy, but these defects may be healed after annealing the surface to 1300 K. CO2 adsorbs on CaO(001) with an initial adsorption energy of ~ 125 kJ/mol, and decreases until the saturation coverage is reached, which is a function of surface temperature. The results showed that pre-adsorbed water blocks adsorption sites, lowers the saturation coverage, and lowers the measured adsorption energy of CO2. The calorimetry data further adds to our understanding of D2O and CO2 adsorption on oxide surfaces.

[Psychopharmacotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic]

Im Rahmen der aktuellen coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)-Pandemie müssen sich viele Bereiche der Medizin umstrukturieren. Dies betrifft auch die Versorgung von Patienten mit psychischen Erkrankungen. Die Therapie psychischer Erkrankungen umfasst psychotherapeutische und psychopharmakologische Interventionen. Letztere können mit einer Vielzahl an unerwünschten Arzneimittelwirkungen (UAW) assoziiert sein, stellen aber in der aktuellen Situation mit Kontakt- und Ausgangsbeschränkungen die präferierte Therapieoption dar. Da der direkte Patientenkontakt zugunsten des Telefonats oder der Videokonferenz reduziert ist, müssen angepasste diagnostische und therapeutische Optionen gefunden werden, um eine ausreichende Patientensicherheit zu gewährleisten. Bedeutend sind hierbei die ausführliche Aufklärung der Patienten sowie eine aktive Abfrage von Symptomen zur rechtzeitigen Erkennung von UAW. Unter der Behandlung mit Psychopharmaka sind UAW zu befürchten, die besonders ungünstig sind, wenn sie im Rahmen einer akuten Infektion auftreten oder ein erhöhtes Infektionsrisiko begünstigen. Hierzu gehören Atemdepression, Agranulozytose, Intoxikation durch Hemmung des Arzneistoffmetabolismus und venöse Thromboembolien, die jeweils mit potenziell lebensbedrohlichen Folgen einhergehen. Gleichzeitig sollte auf eine ausreichende Wirksamkeit der Medikation geachtet werden, da die gegenwärtige Krise zu einer Exazerbation vorbestehender psychischer Erkrankungen führen bzw. deren Erstmanifestation begünstigen kann.

SAT0003 ELEVATED BASELINE AND INCREASING AUTOANTIBODY LEVELS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED RISK FOR IMMINENT ONSET OF INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS IN A PROSPECTIVELY STUDIED ANTI-CITRULLINATED PROTEIN ANTIBODY POSITIVE COHORT: THE TIP-RA COLLECTIVE

Background:

The Targeting Immune Responses for Prevention of RA (TIP-RA) Collaborative prospectively studies individuals at high risk for developing RA because of serum ACPA positivity in absence of baseline inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Objectives:

The objective of the analyses presented herein is to evaluate the role of baseline and changing levels of ACPA and rheumatoid factor (RF) in relationship to incident IA/RA.

Methods:

ACPA+ subjects and ACPA- controls were identified who did not have baseline historical or examination evidence of IA. ACPA+ was defined by serum elevation of anti-CCP3 ≥20 units (Inova). Subjects were evaluated annually or sooner if they had changes in joint symptoms. Factors including RFIgM and RFIgA (Inova) were also assessed, and relationships between autoantibody levels at baseline and over time and incident IA/RA were evaluated using t-tests, with paired testing where applicable.

Results:

Baseline characteristics of ACPA+ and ACPA- subjects are in Table 1. Sixteen of the 94 (17%) ACPA+ subjects developed IA/RA a mean of 518 days from the baseline visit; 14 of these met 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria for RA at the time of detection of IA. There was a trend for ACPA+ subjects who later developed IA/RA to have higher baseline levels of anti-CCP3 compared to those who did not develop IA/RA (Table 2). In addition, those who developed IA/RA had significantly higher mean levels of RFIgM and RFIgA compared to those who did not. While not statistically significant, in longitudinal analyses in the ACPA+ subjects with incident IA/RA, anti-CCP3 levels increased from baseline to identification of IA (mean [SD] of 119 [102] to 126 [100], p=0.42). Furthermore, RFIgM levels increased from 36 [49] at baseline to 43 [51] at the time of IA (p=0.31), and RFIgA levels increased from 16 [29] to 21 [31] (p=0.10). In contrast, in ACPA+ subjects who did not develop IA/RA, anti-CCP3 levels increased only slightly over follow-up of a mean of 712 days: 75 [75] to 80 [76], p=0.70 while the levels of RFIgM and RFIgA decreased slightly during the same follow-up: for RFIgM mean [SD] levels went from 9 [22] to 8 [19], p=0.74; for RFIgA, 5 [16] to 3 [12], p=0.67.

Table 1.

Baseline characteristics of ACPA+/- subjects

ACPA-(n=162)ACPA+(n=94)p-valueAge, mean58580.90% Female69680.67% Ever smoker33340.87RF-IgM, mean (SD)3.2 (10.0)13.5 (30.2)<0.01RF-IgA, mean (SD)0.3 (0.6)6.5 (19.1)<0.01Table 2.

Baseline characteristics of 16 ACPA+ subjects who developed incident IA/RA vs. 78 ACPA+ who did not

Did not develop IA/RA (n=78)Developed IA/RA (n=16)p-valueDays from baseline to IA/RA or follow-up, mean (SD)712 (124)518 (295)–% Meeting 2010 criteria at time of IA-88–CCP3, mean (SD)74.5 (75.3)119.1 (102.1)0.05RFIgM, mean (SD)9 (22)36 (49)<0.01RFIgA, mean (SD)4 (16)16 (29)0.03

Conclusion:

In this prospectively followed cohort of ACPA+ subjects, higher levels of RFIgM and RFIgA at baseline were significantly associated with development of IA/RA within the follow-up period. Furthermore, there was a trend for rising levels of anti-CCP3 and RFIgM and A to be associated with development of IA/RA. These finding support the use of higher and/or rising levels of autoantibodies as additional features to predict imminent onset of IA/RA in ACPA+ individuals as well as potentially to use as outcomes of success of preventive interventions. Furthermore, the trend of increasing levels of RFIgM and RFIgA over time in individuals who developed IA/RA suggests that targeting pathways of RF development may lead to preventive interventions in a subset of RA.

References:

None

Disclosure of Interests:

Kevin Deane Grant/research support from: Janssen, Consultant of: Inova, ThermoFisher, Janseen, BMS and Microdrop, Gary Firestein Grant/research support from: Lilly, Janssen, Abbvie, David Boyle: None declared, Jane Buckner Grant/research support from: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen, Eddie A. James Grant/research support from: Janssen, Pfizer, Sanofi, Novartis, Sylvia Posso Grant/research support from: Janssen, William Robinson Grant/research support from: Janssen, Laurie K. Moss Grant/research support from: Janssen, Jennifer Seifert Grant/research support from: Janssen, Roger Gilmore Grant/research support from: Janssen, Saman Barzideh Grant/research support from: Janssen, Navin Rao Shareholder of: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Employee of: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Frederic Baribaud Shareholder of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Sunil Nagpal Shareholder of: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Employee of: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Alyssa Johnsen Employee of: Janssen, V. Michael Holers Grant/research support from: Janssen, Celgene, and BMS

SAT0596 ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN CIRCULATING LIPID MEDIATORS AND INCIDENT INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS IN AN ANTI-CITRULLINATED PROTEIN ANTIBODY POSITIVE POPULATION

Background:

Lipid mediators are endogenously derived from the metabolism of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and have important roles in promoting and resolving inflammation in the body (1). Epidemiological studies have shown higher omega-3 PUFA status to be associated with a lower risk of both autoimmunity and progression to inflammatory arthritis (IA) (2,3).

Objectives:

To determine the association of lipid mediators with progression from rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related autoimmunity to inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Methods:

We conducted a prospective cohort study using data from the Studies of the Etiologies of Rheumatoid Arthritis (SERA). SERA enrolled first-degree relatives (FDRs) of individuals with RA (FDR cohort) and individuals who screened positive for RA-related autoantibodies at health fairs (screened cohort). We followed 133 anti-CCP3.1 positive participants, of which 29 developed IA (22 classified as RA by 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria). We quantified lipid mediators from stored plasma samples via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry methods validated against the collection and storage methods used in the study. A priori, we selected 5S-HETE, 15S-HETE and 17S-HDHA because they are precursors to leukotrienes, Lipoxin A4 and Resolvin D series lipid mediators, respectively. We fit Cox proportional hazard models for each lipid mediator as a time-varying covariate. For lipid mediators significantly associated with progression to IA we then examined IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α (Bio-Plex Pro™ assay) as potential mediators of this relationship.

Results:

Higher plasma 5S-HETE levels were associated with an increased risk of incident IA after adjusting for age at baseline, cohort (FDR or screened), and shared epitope (SE) status (Table 1). The models examining 15S-HETE and 17S-HDHA had the same trend but did not reach statistical significance. We did not find evidence that the association between 5S-HETE and IA risk was mediated by the tested pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a direct role for this lipid mediator in conversion to IA.

Table 1.

Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of lipid mediator concentrations associated with IA, n=29 IA cases

Lipid mediatorCrudeAdjustedb5S-HETE2.10 (1.12, 3.92)2.41 (1.43, 4.07)15S-HETE1.61 (0.88, 2.93)1.52 (0.87, 2.65)17-HDHAa1.59 (0.68, 3.74)1.61 (0.72, 3.56)

adichotomized as <limit of detection (reference) or detected

bAdjusted for SE, age at baseline and cohort

Conclusion:

In a prospective cohort of anti-CCP positive individuals, higher circulating levels of 5S-HETE, an important precursor to pro-inflammatory leukotrienes, was associated with subsequent IA. Our findings highlight the potential pathologic and prognostic significance of these PUFA metabolites in inflammatory processes in pre-RA populations.

References:

[1]Serhan CN. Pro-resolving lipid mediators are leads for resolution physiology. Nature. 2014;510(7503):92-101.

[2]Gan RW, Bemis EA, Demoruelle MK, Striebich CC, Brake S, Feser ML, et al. The association between omega-3 fatty acid biomarkers and inflammatory arthritis in an anti-citrullinated protein antibody positive population. Rheumatology. 2017.

[3]Gan RW, Young KA, Zerbe GO, Demoruelle MK, Weisman MH, Buckner JH, et al. Lower omega-3 fatty acids are associated with the presence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide autoantibodies in a population at risk for future rheumatoid arthritis: a nested case-control study. Rheumatology. 2016;55(2):367-76.

Disclosure of Interests:

Kristen Polinski: None declared, Elizabeth Bemis: None declared, Kristen Demoruelle Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Jennifer Seifert: None declared, Tessa Crume: None declared, Fan Yang: None declared, William Robinson: None declared, Michael Clare-Salzler: None declared, Kevin Deane Grant/research support from: Janssen, Consultant of: Inova, ThermoFisher, Janseen, BMS and Microdrop, Michael Holers Shareholder of: AdMIRx, Grant/research support from: AdMIRx, Pfizer, Janssen R&D, Consultant of: AdMIRx, Janssen R&D, Celgene, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Jill Norris Grant/research support from: Janssen R&D, Pfizer, Consultant of: Celgene, BMS

Obtaining healthy offspring from PRRSV-positive pig breeding herds

In this study, we propose a possible way of obtaining reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) free offspring from genetically valuable lines of Přeštice black-pied boars com- ming from PRRSV-positive pig breeding herds with the use of artificial insemination (AI). The ejaculates were collected from 4 different lines of boars. Samples of fresh semen were not detected with the virus and 12 sows were inseminated. Blood samples of sows and their offspring were repeatedly tested for the virus but the results were negative. We managed in this way to maintain the endangered population of this breed and obtain PRRSV-free offspring.

Porcine intestinal microbiota is shaped by diet composition based on rye or triticale

AIMS

The present study aimed to compare the microbiota composition from pigs fed different cereal grain types, either rye or triticale, as sole energy source.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Ileal digesta and faeces were sampled from eight pigs of each experiment. Illumina amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to analyse the microbiota. Concentrations of short-chain fatty acids and ammonia were determined from faecal samples. The grain type revealed significant alterations in the overall microbiota structure. The rye-based diet was associated with an increased abundance of Lactobacillus in ileal digesta and Streptococcus in faeces and significantly higher concentrations of faecal short-chain fatty acids and ammonia compared to triticale. However, triticale significantly promoted the abundance of Streptococcus in ileal digesta and Clostridium sensu stricto in faeces.

CONCLUSIONS

Diets based on rye or triticale affect varying intestinal microbiota, both of taxonomical and metabolic structure, with rye indicating an enhanced saccharolytic potential and triticale a more cellulolytic potential.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Nutrient composition of rye and triticale are attractive for porcine nutrition. Both cereal grains show varying stimuli on the microbiota composition and microbial products of the ileum and faeces.

Surface structure of alanine on Cu(110) studied by fast atom diffraction

We demonstrate that quantum scattering of fast atoms and molecules under grazing angles of incidence can be exploited to study the structure of organic molecules on metal surfaces. Making use of keV H and He atoms as well as H2 molecules, the surface structures of the chiral amino acid alanine adsorbed on a Cu(110) surface is studied. We present a detailed investigation on the (3×2) phase of a monolayer of enantiopure and racemic alanine on Cu(110), revealing the formation of an elongated surface unit cell of c(n×2) symmetry with n=3.16±0.04 for the sticking out methyl groups of the alanine molecules.

Young-type interference for scattering of fast helium atoms from an oxygen covered Mo(112) surface

In studies on two structures of oxygen adsorbates on Mo(112), we demonstrate the potential of fast atom diffraction to derive the surface unit cell size and its symmetry. Helium atoms with energies of 1-2 keV are scattered from an adsorbate covered Mo(112) surface along low indexed surface directions under grazing angles of incidence. From the observed diffraction patterns, the lateral periodicity of the surface structures is derived. In addition to the periodic lattice, information on the structure within the unit cell can be obtained from double slit type of interference.

No association of vitamin D intake or 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in childhood with risk of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes: the Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY)

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between vitamin D intake and status and the risk of islet autoimmunity (IA) and subsequent type 1 diabetes in children at increased risk of type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

The Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY) in Denver, CO, USA, has been following children at increased risk of diabetes since 1993. As of February 2011, 198 children developed IA during follow-up of 2,644 DAISY children. Vitamin D intake and plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured longitudinally. Proportional hazards regression analyses of time to IA, or type 1 diabetes in IA-positive children, were conducted, with vitamin D intake and 25(OH)D as time-varying covariates. HRs were calculated for a standard deviation difference in exposure, with adjustment for confounders.

RESULTS

Intake of vitamin D was not associated with the risk of IA (adjusted HR 1.13; 95% CI 0.95, 1.35; p = 0.18) nor progression to diabetes in IA-positive children (adjusted HR 1.30; 95% CI 0.91, 1.86; p = 0.15). Moreover, 25(OH)D level was not associated with the risk of IA (adjusted HR 1.12; 95% CI 0.88, 1.43; p = 0.36), nor progression to diabetes in IA-positive children (adjusted HR 0.91; 95% CI 0.68, 1.22; p = 0.54). In the 128 children in whom we measured 25(OH)D at 9 months of age, 25(OH)D was not associated with risk of IA (n = 30 IA-positive children) (adjusted HR 1.02; 95% CI 0.96, 1.07; p = 0.58).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Neither vitamin D intake nor 25(OH)D levels throughout childhood were associated with the risk of IA or progression to type 1 diabetes in our population.

[Accidents, illness and injuries involved in road haulage : consequences for medical care and prevention]

This article reviews basic characteristics of road traffic crashes of heavy vehicles and the current health status of truck drivers. It summarises previous findings from research with a focus on orthopaedic diseases and injuries. These findings comprise a risky health behaviour and high prevalence of associated diseases which can be attributed to both the occupational framework and personal risk-taking behavioural patterns. These are of major importance given the increasing number of drivers and the consequences for acute care and prevention. On the other hand there is a substantial lack of medical care for the drivers on the road. Therefore this article presents the"DocStop Initiative" for medical care on the road, an initiative that runs an international network of care providers (http://www.docstop-online.eu).

Phylogenetic and proteomic analysis of an anaerobic toluene-degrading community

AIMS

This study intended to unravel the physiological interplay in an anaerobic microbial community that degrades toluene under sulfate-reducing conditions combining proteomic and genetic techniques.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An enriched toluene-degrading community (Zz5-7) growing in batch cultures was investigated by DNA- and protein-based analyses. The affiliation and diversity of the community were analysed using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes as a phylogenetic marker as well as bssA and dsrAB genes as functional markers. Metaproteome analysis was carried out by a global protein extraction and a subsequent protein separation by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). About 85% of the proteins in the spots were identified by nano-liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry (nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS) analysis. DNA sequencing of bssA and the most abundant dsrAB amplicons revealed high similarities to a member of the Desulfobulbaceae, which was also predominant according to 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Metaproteome analysis provided 202 unambiguous protein identifications derived from 236 unique protein spots. The proteins involved in anaerobic toluene activation, dissimilatory sulfate reduction, hydrogen production/consumption and autotrophic carbon fixation were mainly affiliated to members of the Desulfobulbaceae and several other Deltaproteobacteria.

CONCLUSION

Phylogenetic and metaproteomic analyses revealed a member of the Desulfobulbaceae as the key player of anaerobic toluene degradation in a sulfate-reducing consortium.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

  This is the first study that combines genetic and proteomic analyses to indicate the interactions in an anaerobic toluene-degrading microbial consortium.

Coherence during scattering of fast H atoms from a LiF(001) surface

The coherence for diffraction effects during grazing scattering of fast hydrogen and helium atoms from a LiF(001) surface with energies up to some keV is investigated via the coincident detection of two-dimensional angular distributions for scattered projectiles with their energy loss. For keV H atoms, we identify electronic excitations of the target surface as the dominant mechanism for decoherence, whereas for He atoms this contribution is small. The suppression of electronic excitations owing to the band gap of insulators plays an essential role for preserving quantum coherence and thus for the application of fast atom diffraction as a surface analytical tool.

[Limits of clinical pathways. Implant-associated infections]

There are at present no valid guidelines for multimodal treatment of implant-associated infections; however, based on many years of experience gathered by specialized septic surgeons and likewise specialized treatment centers, established principles do exist. Treatment planning should always take into consideration the individual comorbidity of the patient, the underlying injury, the implant, the spectrum of germs, and the patient's compliance. The concept for managing implant-associated infections comprises five pillars and can be summarized as follows: first priority is given to rapid and radical surgical eradication of the infection by débridement of all infected and non-vital or underperfused tissue. We cannot propose clinical pathways as such for implant-related infections, i.e., by specifying interdisciplinary activities, control parameters, and responsibilities for a typical patient with clearly defined disease, but we can proffer strategic concepts for diagnostic work-up and treatment as we have already described.

[How to become a trauma surgeon: analysis of the current situation and concepts for career development in the new common field of orthopaedics and trauma surgery--part I]

The lack of clinical residents especially in the surgical domains, including orthopaedics and trauma surgery, is not only omnipresent but also a topic of lively discussions. This lack originates from sociopolitical and healthcare policy issues as well as from a loss of attractiveness of all surgical disciplines. The loss is caused by the high workload and disadvantageous working hours especially in those disciplines with a high rate of emergencies, e.g. trauma surgery. Moreover, it is caused by the poorly structured and unpredictable period of residency. In order to anticipate the bottleneck in supply due to the lack of trainees, a number of structural and contextual measures have to be taken to improve both undergraduate und postgraduate surgical training. Due to the numerous facets of the topic the first part of this analysis refers to the period until the trainee decides on the field of training.A basic insight into the field of orthopaedics and trauma surgery can already be offered far before the period of medical studies itself. During undergraduate medical education the existing structures should be modified, the characteristics of the discipline should be emphasized and the charm of combining theory and practical skills should be highlighted in order to enhance student's perception of the discipline. This might begin during preclinical training and should be continued throughout clinical training and elective courses (basic wound care, TEAM approach, AO course for students and seminars for M.D. candidates). Contextual and structural improvements of the practical year are indispensable to arouse students' interest in our discipline. These options conjoined with the actual offers for students provided by our scientific society, such as guided tours during the annual congress, travelling grants and the recently inaugurated summer school, might provide the basis for clearly structured information and offer a distinct stimulus to apply for residency in our field.

[Road traffic crashes in developing countries]

Road traffic crashes pose a major threat to individuals and national health systems. Developing countries account for 48% of motorized vehicles, but for 91% of the 1.3 million fatalities per annum. While ranked ninth among the causes of disabilities adjusted life years lost in 2004, crash injuries are projected to rise to third position by 2030. This article reviews current prognoses of deaths and disabilities, the characteristics of crashes in low and middle income countries and evidence-based road safety interventions. This article is considered a wake-up call for trauma, orthopaedic, and emergency surgeons in high-income countries to join the global community in fighting the neglected yet potentially curable epidemic named road traffic injuries.

Relationships between biomechanics and physiology in older, recreational alpine skiers

The aims of this applied field study were (1) to provide descriptive data on the biomechanical variables of parallel ski steering, carving in long radii and individual technique skiing modes of older recreational skiers and (2) to determine the relationships between biomechanical and physiological variables during these skiing modes. The mean knee angle (MKA), range of knee angle (RKA), ground reaction forces (GRF), co-loading of the inner leg, mean heart rate (HR(ave)), blood lactate (LA) and mean arterial pressure were determined for 14 older skiers (61.1 ± 5.4 years). The mean GRF did not differ between the skiing modes. Parallel ski steering resulted in a greater MKA, lower RKA and lower peak GRF compared with carving in long radii and individual technique. LA correlated positively to RKA during carving in long radii and individual technique, while HR(ave) correlated negatively to MKA during parallel ski steering and carving in long radii. No significant relationships were found between the physiological and kinetic variables. In conclusion, dynamic skiing styles may result in increased muscle fiber recruitments, hence greater LA levels. Along with potentially greater loading of knee extensor muscles, lower MKAs may reduce perfusion and hinder substrate metabolism, consequently making ski turning more strenuous. Skiing with less knee flexion and a reduced RKAs could be recommended for older recreational skiers.

Evidence for 2D-network structure of monolayer silica film on Mo(112)

The structure of a monolayer silica film on a Mo(112) surface is investigated by grazing scattering of 25 keV H0 atoms. By detection of the number of projectile induced emitted electrons as function of azimuthal angle of rotation of the target surface, the geometrical structure of atoms forming the topmost layer of the silica film is determined via ion beam triangulation. From our data we find evidence for the arrangement of surface atoms in terms of a two-dimensional Si-O-Si network model.

Ion beam triangulation based on electron detection for studies on the structure of 1 ML Mn on Cu(001)

Recent developments in studies on the structure of surfaces based on ion beam triangulation are discussed. We will outline recent experimental progress in the application of this method, which is closely related to the detection of the number of emitted electrons per incident ion during scattering under surface channeling conditions. Key features are the pronounced change of electron emission for the projectile beam aligned along a low index crystallographic direction in the surface plane ('axial surface channeling') and the interpretation of data in terms of classical trajectory computer simulations. As a representative example we will discuss here studies on the structure of the low temperature c(8 × 2) Mn/Cu(001) phase.