Significant Population Differences Research Articles

Evaluation of little millet <italic>Paddu</italic> for physico-chemical nutritional, microbiological and sensory attributes

The present study was undertaken to evaluate little millet <italic>paddu</italic> for physico-chemical, nutritional, microbiological and sensory attributes as compared to rice <italic>paddu</italic>. The standardized proportion of ingredients of cereal to mixture of pulse in the ratio of 6:1 (little millet 81.48, black gram dhal 13.58, bengal gram dhal 1.36, red gram dhal 1.36, fenugreek seed 0.82 and flaked rice 1.4g) and 4:1 (rice 74.58, black gram dhal 18.64, bengal gram dhal 1.86, red gram dhal 1.86, fenugreek seed 1.12 and flaked rice 1.94g) was used for little millet and rice <italic>paddu</italic> respectively. Processing treatments like soaking for 6 h and fermentation for 14 hr were used for preparation of <italic>paddu</italic>. Significant differences were observed in the increase in the volume, bulk density, specific gravity, pH and titratable acidity of little millet batter. The changes in physical characteristic of <italic>paddu</italic> with respect to total volume, average volume and bulk density were significant for little millet and rice <italic>paddu</italic>, whereas the total number, total weight of <italic>paddu</italic> and average weight of <italic>paddu</italic> did not show significant changes. Little millet <italic>paddu</italic> was highly nutritious than rice <italic>paddu</italic> and did not show significant difference in the scores of sensory attributes. Significant difference in the microbial population in fermented batter was observed between little millet and rice. <italic>L.mesenteroides, Lactobacillus spp.</italic> and yeast dominated the fermentation process among all the microorganisms. In little millet <italic>paddu</italic>, yeast were observed whereas in rice <italic>paddu</italic> bacteria were present. <italic>E coli</italic> were absent in both the <italic>paddu.</italic>

Glutamine for induction of remission in Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease is a chronic relapsing condition of the alimentary tract with a high morbidity secondary to bowel inflammation. Glutamine plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and has been shown to reduce inflammation and disease activity in experimental models of Crohn's disease. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of glutamine supplementation for induction of remission in Crohn's disease. We searched the following databases from inception to November 15, 2015: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Cochrane IBD Group Specialised Register. Study references were also searched for additional trials. There were no language restrictions. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared glutamine supplementation administered by any route to a placebo, active comparator or no intervention in people with active Crohn's disease were considered for inclusion. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess methodological quality. The primary outcome measure was clinical or endoscopic remission. Secondary outcomes included intestinal permeability, clinical response, quality of life, growth in children and adverse events. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for dichotomous outcomes. The overall quality of the evidence supporting the primary outcome was evaluated using the GRADE criteria. Two small RCTs (total 42 patients) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. One study (18 patients) compared four weeks of treatment with a glutamine-enriched polymeric diet (42% amino acid composition) to a standard polymeric diet (4% amino acid composition) with low glutamine content in paediatric patients (< 18 years of age) with active Crohn's disease. The other study (24 patients) compared glutamine-supplemented total parenteral nutrition to non-supplemented total parenteral nutrition in adult patients (> 18 years of age) with acute exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease. The paediatric study was rated as low risk of bias. The study in adult patients was rated as unclear risk of bias for blinding and low risk of bias for all other items. It was not possible to pool data for meta-analysis because of significant differences in study populations, nature of interventions, and the way outcomes were assessed. Data from one study showed no statistically significant difference in clinical remission rates at four weeks. Forty-four per cent (4/9) of patients who received a glutamine-enriched polymeric diet achieved remission compared to 56% (5/9) of patients who received a standard low-glutamine polymeric diet (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.31 to 2.04). A GRADE analysis indicated that the overall quality of evidence for this outcome was low due to serious imprecision (9 events). In both included studies, no statistically significant changes in intestinal permeability were found between patients who received glutamine supplementation and those who did not. Neither study reported on clinical response, quality of life or growth in children. Adverse event data were not well documented. There were no serious adverse events in the paediatric study. The study in adult patients reported three central catheter infections with positive blood cultures in the glutamine group compared to none in the control group (RR 7.00, 95% CI 0.40 to 122.44). Currently there is insufficient evidence to allow firm conclusions regarding the efficacy and safety of glutamine for induction of remission in Crohn's disease. Data from two small studies suggest that glutamine supplementation may not be beneficial in active Crohn's disease but these results need to be interpreted with caution as they are based on small numbers of patients. This review highlights the need for adequately powered randomised controlled trials to investigate the efficacy and safety of glutamine for induction of remission in Crohn's disease.

Effect of biochar amendment on soil physical, chemical and biological properties and groundnut yield in rainfed Alfisol of semi-arid tropics

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of biochar and organic soil amendments on soil physicochemical and microbial load, carbon sequestration potential, nutrient uptake and yield of groundnut in acidic red soil under rainfed condition. Biochar was prepared from red gram, cotton, maize stalk and mesquite wood using pilot scale slow pyrolysis biochar unit. The above sources of biochar at the rate of 2.5 and 5 t ha−1 and enriched farmyard manure 0.75 t ha−1, composted coir pith 10 t ha−1 and arbuscular mycorrhizae 100 kg ha−1 were applied as basal with required nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium fertilizer. Biochar amendment at the rate of 5 t ha−1 reduced the bulk density from 1.41 to 1.36 g cm−3 and increased the soil moisture 2.5%. With respect to soil chemical changes, it raised soil pH from 5.7 to 6.3; increased the cation exchange capacity 1.4 cmol+ kg−1 and enhanced the carbon buildup 4.4 t ha−1. The significant differences in bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes population were observed between biochar and control. The nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium were better utilized under biochar and composted coir pith, which was 21, 5 and 20 kg ha−1 higher than control. The experimental results suggested that application of biochar to acidic red soil favoured good soil physical, chemical and biological environment, and these positive changes influenced growth and yield attributes and enhanced pod yield 29% over control.

Delays in GABAergic interneuron development and behavioral inhibition after prenatal stress.

Prenatal stress is associated with altered behavioral, cognitive, and psychiatric outcomes in offspring. Due to the importance of GABAergic systems in normal development and in psychiatric disorders, prenatal stress effects on these neurons have been investigated in animal models. Prenatal stress delays GABAergic progenitor migration, but the significance of these early developmental disruptions for the continued development of GABAergic cells in the juvenile brain is unclear. Here, we examined effects of prenatal stress on populations of GABAergic neurons in juvenile and adult medial frontal cortex (mFC) and hippocampus through stereological counting, gene expression, and relevant anxiety-like and social behaviors. Postnatally, the total GABAergic cell number that peaks in adolescence showed altered trajectories in mFC and hippocampus. Parvalbumin neuron proportion in juvenile brain was altered by prenatal stress, but parvalbumin gene expression showed no differences. In adult brain, parvalbumin neuron proportions were altered by prenatal stress with opposite gene expression changes. Adult prenatally stressed offspring showed a lack of social preference on a three-chambered task, increased anxiety-like behavior on the elevated plus maze, and reduced center time in an open field. Despite a lack of significant group differences in adult total GABAergic cell populations, performance of these tasks was correlated with GABAergic populations in mFC and hippocampus. In conclusion, prenatal stress resulted in a delay in GABAergic cell number and maturation of the parvalbumin subtype. Influences of prenatal stress on GABAergic populations during developmentally dynamic periods and during adulthood may be relevant to the anxiety-like behaviors that occur after prenatal stress. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 76: 1078-1091, 2016.

Association between polymorphism of COMT gene (Val158Met) with Alzheimer's disease: An updated analysis

Previous studies have proposed the association between catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism and the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there has been no solid conclusion from those reports because of the limited sample size and/or racial diversity. Here we aimed to give an in-depth and accurate evaluation of this association by performing a comprehensive literature search on websites including PubMed, EMBASE, Alzgene database, Cochrane library and Ovid database. In further meta-analysis we identified 10 case–control studies which contained total 2777 cases and 2829 controls. Summarized odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were assessed to reveal the association. There was no significant association between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and AD susceptibility in all genetic models for the entire population. In the contrast the subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicity revealed significant differences in the Asian population in the dominant (OR=0.66, 95%CI=0.50, 0.87, p=0.004); homozygous (OR=0.66, 95%CI=0.50, 0.89, p=0.006); and heterozygous models (OR=0.65, 95%CI=0.48, 0.87, p=0.004). However, no association was found in the Caucasians population. Similarly to the overall analysis, subgroup analysis of the control population stratified with HWE showed negative results. With the latest comprehensive searching strategy, our updated meta-analysis suggested that COMT Val158Met polymorphism could decrease the risk of AD in the Asian population, but not in the Caucasian or the overall population.

Season-long effectiveness of stocker-calf treatment at turnout with eprinomectin extended-release injection or a combination of injectable doramectin and oral albendazole

On May 22, 2013, 128 stocker calves enrolled in an internal parasite control study were treated according to structured allocations and placed directly onto treatment-specific, randomly allocated, similar pastures (4 animals/2 acres (0.8 hectare) pasture). Treatment groups were saline injection (8 pastures); 0.09 mg/lb (0.2 mg/kg) BW doramectin injection concomitantly with 4.54 mg/lb (10 mg/kg) BW albendazole oral suspension (12 pastures); and 0.45 mg/lb (1 mg/kg) BW eprinomectin extended-release injection (12 pastures). Over the 119-day grazing period, average daily gains ñ SE were 1.21ñ0.07, 1.46ñ0.04, and 1.52ñ0.04 lb (0.55ñ0.03, 0.66ñ0.02, and 0.69ñ0.02 kg)/day for the saline, combination, and extended-release groups, respectively; calves in the combination and extended-release groups outgained the control group (P&lt;0.05). In comparison to the saline-treated group, there were statistically significant (P&lt;0.05) reductions of strongyle fecal egg counts at 14, 30, and 58 days post-treatment (combination group) and at 14 and 30 days post-treatment (extended-release group). No significant differences in adult Haemonchus placei, Ostertagia ostertagi, Cooperia punctata, and Oesophagostomum radiatum populations between treatment groups were seen at necropsy. The combination treatment group had fewer O. ostertagi early fourth-stage larvae than did controls (P&lt;0.05). Based on results of this study, a single treatment of heavily infected and challenged stocker calves in the spring in Arkansas with either extended-release eprinomectin or doramectin+albendazole was not sufficient for adequate parasitic nematode control.

Importance of Human Variation and Scientific Inputs in Designing Furniture

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to collect anthropometric data on Kshatriya and Kurmi populations residing in Uttar Pradesh for designing furniture. The sample comprised of 1008 adult Kshatriya (252 males and 252 females) and Kurmi (252 males and 252 females), belonging to the age group of 18-40 yrs. The data was statistically analyzed and the population and sex differences were evaluated by one – way ANOVA. Various percentile values for different body measurements were also calculated. The population and sex differences among the two groups studied revealed significant population and sex differences in various body measurements. Furniture is an important facility that helps in providing a conducive, comfortable and well-designed environment for people. Thus, while designing furniture, human variability in various body dimensions of the user’s population must be taken into account with a view to reduce drudgery and at the same time increase efficiency, safety and comfort of the users. Hence an attempt was made to illustrate the relevance of these data in the design of furniture.

Multiparametric Analysis of Intra-Tumoral T-Cells in Hodgkin's Lymphoma Using Mass Cytometry (CyTOF)

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is characterized by a rich non-malignant immune infiltrate. T-cells are key components of the antitumoral immune response and studies characterizing subsets in cHL have yielded conflicting results. Initial studies suggested a predominance of TH2-polarized CD4+ T-cells, thought to allow tumor progression due to exhaustion and hypofunctionality. More recent data contest these findings, supporting the theory of tumor progression through evasion from a TH1-rich infiltrate that is potentially functional.The role of tumor evasion in cHL has been highlighted by compelling early clinical data with the use of PD-1 blockade in patients with advanced disease. A similar trial in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) yielded far more modest results. Intrinsic differences in T-cell subpopulations in the tumor microenvironment may correlate to response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.CyTOF or mass cytometry is a platform able to evaluate more than 45 simultaneous parameters on a single-cell level using nonradioactive nonbiological isotopes tagged to monoclonal antibodies. Measurements are made based on mass spectrometry, avoiding the hurdles of interference and spectral overlap experienced with fluorochromes. This constitutes an ideal tool for the study of the tumor microenvironment given its ability to assess a large number of parameters and resolve differences in a heterogeneous population.We hypothesize that the phenotype of intratumoral lymphocytes in cHL identifies T-cells that can effectively eradicate malignant cells. To test this hypothesis, we compared the phenotype of intratumoral T-cells in cHL to that of NHL and nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma (nlpHL). Tonsil and hyperplastic lymph node (LN) tissues were used as normal controls.Single-cell suspensions created from tumor specimens were stained with a metal-tagged antibody panel containing 31 surface markers and acquired on CyTOF. Multiparametric data analysis was performed on Cytobank using spanning-tree progression analysis of density-normalized events (SPADE) and t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (viSNE) algorithms. Inferential statistical analyses were performed with JMP®, Version 10.0.0 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, 1989-2007) using two-tailed tests and a 95% confidence interval. Cell subsets are expressed as percentages of parent population (CD45+CD3+CD19-).A total of 10 samples were studied (4 cHL, 1 nlpHL, 3 NHL, 1 tonsil, 1 LN). The total T-cell population ranged from 30.52 to 67.05% in cHL and 15.36 to 47% in NHL compared to 4.02% and 24.58% in tonsil and LN respectively. The CD4+ T-cell subset ranged from 58.05 to 35.3% in cHL, 50.03 to 82.61% in NHL and corresponded to 82.74% and 87.07% in tonsil and LN respectively. SPADE analysis identified two areas of asymmetric frequency of events amongst samples (figure 1 and 2). The CD4+ Tnaive subset (CD4+CD45RA+CCR7+) ranged from 7.8 to 31.2% of total T-cells in cHL compared to 10.7% in nlpHL, 0.17 to 3.02% in NHL and 6.2 to 6.7% in controls. The pooled mean frequency of CD4+ Tnaive subset was significantly higher in HL (cHL + nlpHL) compared to NHL (14.3% vs. 1.55%; p<0.05; figure 3A). The regulatory T-cell subset (Treg; CD25+CCR4+) ranged from 0.49 to 1.84% of total T-cells in HL compared to 9.3 to 21.04% in NHL, and 4.45 to 8.28% in controls. The pooled mean frequency of the Treg subset was significantly smaller in HL compared to NHL (1.28% vs. 16.23%; p<0.05; figure 3B).Our data supports the use of mass cytometry as a platform to study the tumor microenvironment in B-cell lymphomas. Multiparametric data analysis revealed significant differences in the intratumoral T-cell population between HL and NHL samples, namely in the CD4+ Tnaive and Treg subsets. Further validation in a larger sample is underway and will include panels to evaluate intracellular cytokine production and cell signaling pathways. Correlation between specific intratumoral T-cell phenotypic signatures and clinical outcomes may identify prognostic and predictive characteristics and provide insight to mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy. [Display omitted] [Display omitted] [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Variation in cold tolerance in escaped and farmed non-native green swordtails (Xiphophorus hellerii) revealed by laboratory trials and field introductions

Distributions of non-native fish represent the outcome of a match between the habitat and the traits of a given species. Thermal tolerance, in particular, is highly variable among species and is one of the dominant organismal traits limiting the establishment and persistence of non-native species. Population and individual variation in thermal tolerance has implications for ecological processes such as the establishment of non-native species, especially when non-native species are introduced at the periphery of their thermal niche. Cold tolerance of wild-caught (escaped) and farm-raised (farmed) populations of green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) was determined using field surveys and thermal tolerance methodology to examine whether populations exhibit predictable patterns of cold tolerance distributed across the landscape. The green swordtail, native to tropical Central America, is common in the ornamental trade with some evidence of establishment in subtropical Florida, USA. Seven escaped or farmed populations were examined: one import farmed (Thailand), two Florida farmed, two interior Florida escaped and two coastal Florida escaped. Highly variable chronic lethal minimum temperatures (CLmin) were found for individual fish, ranging from 5.5 to 11.3 °C. Significant population differences were also found where escaped populations (range 6.1–7.1 °C) exhibited lower CLmin than farmed populations (7.9–8.0 °C) and were nearly 50 % lower than those imported from Thailand (8.9 °C). The field exposure experiment revealed similar patterns; escaped populations exhibited greater survival during cold January conditions. Escaped populations were captured throughout the year, suggesting locally persistent populations. Whether of genetic or plastic origins, variation in thermal tolerance shown here has implications for the persistence and predicted range of introduced species.

Population dynamics of sucking insect pests of cotton and its correlation with abiotic factors

The research was conducted during &lt;italic&gt;kharif&lt;/italic&gt; seasons of 2008 and 2009. Nineteen genotypes comprising of seventeen &lt;italic&gt;Bt&lt;/italic&gt; hybrids, one conventional hybrid and one variety were evaluated for their reaction to sucking insect pests, under unsprayed condition. Observations on sucking pests were recorded at weekly intervals. The highest population of leaf hopper was recorded during 28&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; and 32&lt;sup&gt;nd&lt;/sup&gt; standard weeks. The highest mean incidence was recorded in H-1226. Whitefly population remained below economic threshold level (ETL) during 2008 while during 2009 it crossed ETL in RCH 134 BG-II (6.00-6.23 adults/leaf). Mean highest population was recorded in IT-905 &lt;italic&gt;Bt&lt;/italic&gt; and RCH-134 BG-II. Leafhopper and whitefly population were significantly and positively correlated with temperature while negatively correlated with rainfall. Among the genotypes, it was observed that there was no significant difference in population of the sucking pests.

Final overall survival results from a randomised, phase III study of erlotinib versus chemotherapy as first-line treatment of EGFR mutation-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (OPTIMAL, CTONG-0802)

The OPTIMAL study was the first study to compare efficacy and tolerability of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) erlotinib, versus standard chemotherapy in first-line treatment of patients with EGFR mutation-positive advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Findings from final overall survival (OS) analysis and assessment of post-study treatment impact are presented. Of 165 randomised patients, 82 received erlotinib and 72 gemcitabine plus carboplatin. Final OS analyses were conducted when 70% of deaths had occurred in the intent-to-treat population. Subgroup OS was analysed by Cox proportional hazards model and included randomisation stratification factors and post-study treatments. Median OS was similar between the erlotinib (22.8 months) and chemotherapy (27.2 months) arms with no significant between-group differences in the overall population [hazard ratio (HR), 1.19; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83-1.71; P = 0.2663], the exon 19 deletion subpopulation (HR, 1.52; 95% CI 0.91-2.52; P = 0.1037) or the exon 21 L858 mutation subpopulation (HR, 0.92; 95% CI 0.55-1.54; P = 0.7392). More patients in the erlotinib arm versus the chemotherapy arm did not receive any post-study treatment (36.6% versus 22.2%). Patients who received sequential combination of EGFR-TKI and chemotherapy had significantly improved OS compared with those who received EGFR-TKI or chemotherapy only (29.7 versus 20.7 or 11.2 months, respectively; P < 0.0001). OS was significantly shorter in patients who did not receive post-study treatments compared with those who received subsequent treatments in both arms. The significant OS benefit observed in patients treated with EGFR-TKI emphasises its contribution to improving survival of EGFR mutant NSCLC patients, suggesting that erlotinib should be considered standard first-line treatment of EGFR mutant patients and EGFR-TKI treatment following first-line therapy also brings significant benefits to those patients. NCT00874419.

STELLAR POPULATIONS OF BARRED QUIESCENT GALAXIES

Selecting centrally quiescent galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to create high signal-to-noise ratio (≳100 A−1) stacked spectra with minimal emission-line contamination, we accurately and precisely model the central stellar populations of barred and unbarred quiescent disk galaxies. By splitting our sample by redshift, we can use the fixed size of the SDSS fiber to model the stellar populations at different radii within galaxies. At , the SDSS fiber radius corresponds to ≈1 kpc, which is the typical half-light radii of both classical bulges and disky pseudobulges. Assuming that the SDSS fiber primarily covers the bulges at these redshifts, our analysis shows that there are no significant differences in the stellar populations, i.e., stellar age, [Fe/H], [Mg/Fe], and [N/Fe], of the bulges of barred versus unbarred quiescent disk galaxies. Modeling the stellar populations at different redshift intervals from z = 0.020 to z = 0.085 at fixed stellar masses produces an estimate of the stellar population gradients out to about half the typical effective radius of our sample, assuming null evolution over this ≈1 Gyr epoch. We find that there are no noticeable differences in the slopes of the azimuthally averaged gradients of barred versus unbarred quiescent disk galaxies. These results suggest that bars are not a strong influence on the chemical evolution of quiescent disk galaxies.

SU‐E‐J‐226: Efficient Use of Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for Cervical‐Cancer Brachytherapy

Purpose:To investigate image modality selection in an environment with limited access to interventional MRI for image‐guided high‐dose‐rate cervical‐cancer brachytherapy.Methods:Records of all cervical‐cancer patients treated with brachytherapy between 1/2013 and 8/2014 were analyzed. Insertions were performed under CT guidance (CT group) or with &gt;1 fraction under 3T MR guidance (MRI group; subMRI includes only patients who also had a CT‐guided insertion). Differences between groups in clinical target volume (CTV), disease stage (I/II or III/IV), number of patients with or without interstitial needles, and CTV D90 were investigated. Statistical significance was evaluated with the Student T test and Fisher test (p &lt;0.05).Results:46 cervical‐cancer patients were included (16 MRI [3 subMRI], 30 CT). CTV: overall, 55±53 cm3; MRI, 81±61 cm3; CT, 42±44 cm3 (p = 0.017). Stage: overall, 24 I/II and 22 III/IV; MRI, 3 I/II and 13 III/IV; CT, 21 I/II and 9 III/IV (p = 0.002). Use of needles: overall, 26 without and 20 with; MRI, 5 without and 11 with; CT, 21 without and 9 with (p = 0.015). CTV D90: overall, 82±5 Gy; MRI, 81±6 Gy; CT, 82±5 Gy (p = 0.78). SubMRI: CTV and D90 (as % of nominal fraction dose) were 23±6 cm3 and 124±3% for MRI‐guided insertions and 21±5 cm3 (p = 0.83) and 106±12% (p = 0.15) for CT‐guided insertions.Conclusion:Statistically significant differences in patient population indicate preferential use of MRI for patients with high‐stage disease and large residual CTVs requiring the use of interstitial needles. CTV D90 was similar between groups, despite the difference in patient selection. For patients who underwent both CT and MRI insertions, a larger MR CTV D90 and similar CTVs between insertions were observed. While MRI is generally preferable to CT, MRI selection can be optimized in environments without a dedicated MRI brachytherapy suite.This work was partially funded by the NIH R21 CA167800 (PI: Viswanathan; aviswanathan@partners.org)

DNA methylation differences between in vitro- and in vivo-conceived children are associated with ART procedures rather than infertility.

BackgroundWe, and others, have demonstrated previously that there are differences in DNA methylation and transcript levels of a number of genes in cord blood and placenta between children conceived using assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and children conceived in vivo. The source of these differences (the effect of ART versus the underlying infertility) has never been determined in humans. In this study, we have attempted to resolve this issue by comparing placental DNA methylation levels at 37 CpG sites in 16 previously identified candidate genes in independent populations of children conceived in vivo (‘fertile control’ group) with ART children conceived from two groups: either autologous oocytes with infertility in one or both parents (‘infertile ART’ group) or donor oocytes (obtained from young fertile donors) without male infertility (‘donor oocyte ART’ group).ResultsOf the 37 CpG sites analyzed, significant differences between the three groups were found in 11 CpGs (29.73 %), using ANOVA. Tukey’s post hoc test on the significant results indicated that seven (63.63 %) of these differences were significant between the donor oocyte ART and fertile control groups. In addition, 20 of the 37 CpGs analyzed had been identified as differentially methylated between ART and fertile control groups in an independent population in a prior study. Of these 20 CpG sites, 9 also showed significant differences in the present population. An additional 9 CpGs were found to be significantly different between the two groups. Of these 18 candidate CpGs, 12 CpGs (in seven candidate genes) also showed significant differences in placental DNA methylation levels between the donor oocyte ART and fertile control groups.ConclusionsThese data suggest strongly that the DNA methylation differences observed between ART and in vivo conceptions are associated with some aspect of ART protocols, not simply the underlying infertility.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13148-015-0071-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Population Diversity in Infraorbital Foramen Location: One Size Fits All?

Precise location of the infraorbital foramen (IO) is of great utility during IO nerve blocks in order to achieve regional anesthesia of the face as the IO nerve supplies large portions of the face including the lower eyelid, nasal alae, and upper lip. Previous studies have quantified distance between the IO and ipsilateral orbital margin (IF-OM), but few have investigated population differences in this measure. This study used four mixed-sex samples (each with n=15; 9 males, 6 females) of crania representing Northern European (German), Southern European (Greek), West African (Nigerian), and East Asian (Chinese) populations. Average IF-OM was 7.4 millimeters with the Chinese exhibiting higher absolute and scaled (over bi-ectoconchion width) values than German and Greek crania. Nigerians overlapped all other groups in IF-OM. However, Germans and Nigerians exhibited high coefficients of variation for absolute IF-OM (27.4 and 27 mm, respectively) while Greeks and Chinese exhibited lower values (16.6 and 16.5, respectively). There were no significant (P<0.05) population differences in asymmetry of this dimension. The results indicate that population diversity does exist in IOF position, which can range from 2.4-12.2 mm in distance from the orbital rim. Our findings may favor IO nerve block over local tissue infiltration in cases of facial lacerations in which tissue distortion would be undesirable.

Effect of extending processing plant operating time on the microbiological quality and safety of broiler carcasses

In Australia, increased consumer demand for chicken meat and socioeconomic pressures have forced poultry operations to extend plant operating time with delayed spin-chiller emptying and cleaning to maximise water use efficiency. There are concerns that these measures may compromise the microbiological quality and safety of the product. Therefore, the objective of this trial was to determine the microbiological status of broiler carcasses collected hourly during 24 h and 48 h continuous chiller operation within a three week period (total n = 196). Carcass rinses were analysed for total viable count, Escherichia coli and Campylobacter spp. counts, and Salmonella prevalence. Corresponding spin-chiller parameters (pH, oxidation-reduction potential [ORP], core temperature and HOCl concentration) were recorded. There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in bacterial populations and spin-chiller parameters when various sized chickens were processed. Therefore, the microbiological data and consequent quality were shown to be statistically equivalent between carcasses sampled from 24 h to 48 h continuous processing using a fully automated (water temperature, pH and chlorine control) spin-chiller. However, improvements to processing, including rehang and scald hygiene, and weight-specific hypochlorous acid concentrations, should be researched in order to further reduce bacterial contamination.

Social learning and technological evolution during the Clovis colonization of the New World

A long-standing debate in Pleistocene archaeology concerns the sources of variation in the technology of colonizing hunter-gatherers. One prominent example of this debate is Clovis technology (13,350–12,500 calendar years before present), which represents the earliest widespread and currently recognizable remains of hunter-gatherers in North America. Clovis projectile points appear to have been made the same way regardless of region, but several studies have documented differences in shape that appear to be regional. Two processes have been proposed for shape variation: (1) stochastic mechanisms such as copy error (drift) and (2) Clovis groups adapting their hunting equipment to the characteristics of prey and local habitat. We used statistical analysis of Clovis-point flake-scar pattern and geometric morphometrics to examine whether drift alone could cause significant differences in the technology of Stone Age colonizing hunter-gatherers. Importantly, our analysis was intraregional to rule out a priori environmental adaptation. Our analysis confirmed that the production technique was the same across the sample, but we found significant shape differences in Clovis point populations made from distinct stone outcrops. Given that current archaeological evidence suggests stone outcrops were “hubs” of regional Clovis activity, our dichotomous, intraregional results quantitatively confirm that Clovis foragers engaged in two tiers of social learning. The lower, ancestral tier relates to point production and can be tied to conformist transmission of tool-making processes across the Clovis population. The upper, derived tier relates to point shape, which can be tied to drift that resulted from increased forager interaction at different stone-outcrop hubs and decreased forager interaction among groups using different outcrops. Given that Clovis artifacts represent the earliest widespread and currently recognizable remains of hunter-gatherers in North America, our results suggest that we need to alter our theoretical understanding of how quickly drift can occur within a colonizing population and create differences among socially learned technological characters.

Effect of G-CSF and TPO on HIBD in neonatal rats.

To observe effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and restructure human thrombopoietin on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in new born rats. A total of 60 neonatal SD rats were selected and divided into 4 groups, with 15 in each group. Group A served as control group. Rats of Groups B-D were prepared for HIBD model by ligation of left common carotid artery combined with hypoxia method. Rats of Group A were only completed with free left common carotid artery without ligation and hypoxia operation. After HIBD model preparation, Group B was administrated with subcutaneous injection of normal saline for placebo treatment; Group C was administrated with cervical subcutaneous injection of 0.5 μg/10 g granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for 5 d (Once a day); Group D was administrated with intraperitoneal injection of 15 U/10 g recombinant human thromobopoietin (rhTPO) for treatment. After modeling for 7, 14 and 21 d, 5 rats were sacrificed in each group, respectively. Brain quality damage (%) conditions of experimental animals in each group were compared in different time points, and cerebral histopathological changes of each group were observed. Expression of nestin in rats of each group was detected by immunohistochemical method. After modeling for 7, 14 and 21 d, brain quality damages (%) of Groups B, C and D were significant higher than that of in Group A (P<0.05), while brain quality damage (%) degree of Group B was the highest in different time points, followed by Groups D and C, respectively. It was significant different compared among groups (P<0.05). The histopathological observation showed that degrees of brain damages in Groups C and D were significant lower than that of in Group B. After modeling for 7, 14 and 21 d, nestin positive cell populations in Groups B, C, and D were significant higher than Group A (P<0.05). Nestin cell populations of Group C in different time points were significant higher than Groups B and D (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in nestin positive cell populations in the above time points between Groups B and D (P>0.05). Both G-CSF and TPO can protect the nervous system of HIBD neonatal rats. G-CSF can promote the proliferation and differentiation of neural precursor cells to decrease the degeneration and necrosis of nerve cell. TPO can obviously ameliorate morphology index of HIBD rats. Through regulating ratio of TIMP-1 and MMP-9, TPO can maintain the integrity of blood brain barrier to relieve the occurrence of brain damage.

Post-fire regeneration dynamics of tree species in a tropical dry deciduous forest, Western Ghats, India

This study was aimed to understand the effect of repeated fire on tropical dry deciduous forest in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), Western Ghats. Tropical dry deciduous forests are prone to forest fire owing to high fuel load and long dry season. Fire frequency map of the study area was prepared for 15years from 1999 to 2013 using annual burn maps. Study area was stratified as B1 to B6 (one to six times burned) and compared to control (B0 – unburned during 1999–2013). Three plots were randomly laid in each stratum and seedlings; saplings and trees present in each plot were recorded. Species diversity indices showed increase in dominance and decrease in diversity with increasing fire frequency. Results showed that overall stem density (>1cm DBH) ranged from 576 (SD 112.69) (B1) to 236 (SD 20) individual ha−1 (B6). The basal area ranged from 36.8 (SD 2.19) m2ha−1 (B0) to 12.12 (SD 2.69) m2ha−1 (B5). Fire promoted seedling density from B0 to B2 and after that it started decreasing whereas sapling density was poor in all classes and recorded least in B6. Stem density of trees did not vary much up to B3 and started decreasing after that. Number of species decreased linearly with increasing fire frequency. In the analysis of dominant species, Tectona grandis showed a very significant mean difference in seedling, sapling and tree population whereas Terminalia cranulata did not show significant difference in mean densities of seedling, sapling or trees. It is found that fire with long interval can promote seedlings density but species diversity decreases with increasing fire frequency.

Green Manure Crops for Management of Meloidogyne javanica and Pythium aphanidermatum

To determine the potential to suppress root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica, 10 genotypes of seven green manure species were evaluated in a greenhouse study. These species were: black hollyhock (Alcea rosea L.); canola (Brassica napus L.); cabbage (B. oleracea L.); French marigold (Tagetes patula L.), sorghum–sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench nothosubsp. drummondii (Steud.) de Wet ex Davidse]; sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.); and yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.). Plants were inoculated with eggs of M. javanica and after 6 weeks, nematode eggs and reproduction factor (Rf = final egg population density/initial egg population density) were determined. Marigolds were non-hosts to M. javanica; other crop species that were poor hosts to M. javanica included canola cv. Dwarf Essex, sorghum–sudangrass cvs. Piper and Sordan 79, black hollyhock cv. Nigra, and sunn hemp. Based on low Rf, four groups of species were selected for further evaluation in the greenhouse to determine the response to both M. javanica and another crop pathogen, Pythium aphanidermatum. These four groups of green manure crops were: 1) seven marigold genotypes; 2) four Brassicaceae genotypes; 3) seven sorghum–sudangrass hybrids; and 4) four other species [black hollyhock, sunn hemp, elecampane (Inula helenium L.), and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta L.)]. Plants were inoculated with a factorial combination of M. javanica and P. aphanidermatum (none, each alone, and in combination) and repeated four times in a split-plot experimental design (whole plots were factorial treatments and subplots were green manure crop genotypes). Six weeks after inoculation, plants were harvested and measured for fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots and Rf of M. javanica. Adverse effects of P. aphanidermatum were characterized by dead or dying roots and measured by reduced plant biomass. Negative synergistic effects were observed in several marigold and Brassicaceae genotypes, in which the combined effects of M. javanica and P. aphanidermatum reduced shoot and root growth more severely than either treatment alone. Marigold T. erecta cv. Orangeade, sorghum–sudangrass cvs. Graze-All, Piper, and Sordan 79, and sunn hemp appeared to be resistant to M. javanica and P. aphanidermatum, either alone or in combination. Based on results of greenhouse trials, eight green manure crops (yellow mustard cv. Ida Gold, French marigolds cvs. Nema-gone and Golden Guardian, sorghum–sudangrass cvs. Sordan 79 and Tastemaker, sunn hemp, unplanted plot, and a control plot with weed mat) were selected and grown for 3 months in a field trial in Pepeekeo, HI. Each treatment was replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Shoot biomass was sampled at 1, 2, and 3 months after planting. Plant–parasitic nematodes were counted before planting and at 4 months after planting. Dry weight biomass averaged across three sampling dates was greatest for the two sorghum–sudangrass hybrids followed by those of two marigold cultivars that did not differ from them. No significant differences in populations of root-knot nematodes were found. Based on this field trial as well as greenhouse trials, marigold cultivars, sorghum–sudangrass hybrids, and sunn hemp appeared to be non-hosts or poor hosts to reniform (Rotylenchulus reniformis) as well as root-knot nematodes and well adapted to the environmental conditions found along the Hamakua Coast of the Hawaii Island.