Human Milk Oligosaccharide 3′-GL Improves Influenza-Specific Vaccination Responsiveness and Immunity after Deoxynivalenol Exposure in Preclinical Models

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a highly prevalent mycotoxin food contaminant, is known to have immunotoxic effects. In the current study, the potential of dietary interventions with specific mixtures of trans-galactosyl-oligosaccharides (TOS) to alleviate these effects were assessed in a murine influenza vaccination model. Vaccine-specific immune responses were measured in C57Bl/6JOlaHsd mice fed diets containing DON, TOS or a combination, starting 2 weeks before the first vaccination. The direct effects of TOS and its main oligosaccharide, 3′-galactosyl-lactose (3′-GL), on DON-induced damage were studied in Caco-2 cells, as an in vitro model of the intestinal epithelial barrier. Exposure to DON significantly reduced vaccine-specific immune responses and the percentages of Tbet⁺ Th1 cells and B cells in the spleen. DON significantly altered epithelial structure and integrity in the ileum and reduced the SCFA levels in the cecum. Adding TOS into DON-containing diets significantly improved vaccine-specific immune responses, restored the immune cell balance in the spleen and increased SCFA concentrations in the cecum. Incubating Caco-2 cells with TOS and 3′-GL in vitro further confirmed their protective effects against DON-induced barrier disruption, supporting immune modulation. Overall, dietary intervention with TOS can attenuate the adverse effects of DON on Th1-mediated immune responses and gut homeostasis. These beneficial properties might be linked to the high levels of 3′-GL in TOS.     

A preliminary study of the fine structure of in vitro fertilized human embryos

The fine structure of rejected human in vitro fertilized embryos was studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. Apart from normal cytoplasmic features, changes suggestive of degeneration are discussed. Cytoplasmic blebs and cellular debris as well as primitive interblastomeric junctions are also described.     

Differences in resting cardiovascular parameters in 10- to 15-year-old children of different ethnicity: The contribution of physiological and psychological factors

Background: The health status of children in the North West Province of South Africa was examined using the Transition and Health during Urbanization in South Africa in Children study. This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional study for which 1,244 children between 10 and 15 years of age were recruited from 44 schools.Purpose: Our objective was to investigate whether differences exist between resting cardiovascular parameters of Black, White, colored, and Indian children and evaluate the contribution of physiological and psychological factors.Methods: Blood pressure was monitored with the Finapres apparatus. By means of the Fast Modelflo software program, the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure, heart rate, cardiac output (CO), total peripheral resistance (TPR), and “Windkessel” compliance (Cw) of the arterial system were obtained. The psychological data were obtained by validated questionnaires.Results: After correction for body mass index, the SBP of the White children was significantly higher (p > .05) than the SBP of the other ethnic groups. The DBP showed no significant differences. The TPR measurements of the Black and colored children were significantly higher (p > .05) than the TPR of the White children, and the Cw measurements of the Black and colored children were significantly lower than the Cw of the White children. Significant correlations (p > .05) were found between the SV, CO, TPR, Cw, and the total score on violence in the Black and colored children.Conclusions: There are differences in the resting cardiovascular parameters in the different ethnic groups studied. The higher levels of violence to which the Black and colored children are exposed could alter vascular sensitivity to sympathetic stimulation. This may contribute via the higher αadrenergic sensitivity to the pathogenesis of hypertension in their later lives. We thank the whole THUSA BANA research team and Professor H. S. Steyn of the Statistical Consultation Service of the Potchefstroom University for CHE. We also thank those who have funded this study: The SA Sugar Association, the Medical Research Council of South Africa, the Potchefstroom University for CHE, Hypertension Society of SA, and Department of Trade and Industry through the THRIP system.     

Increased trunk movements in people with hereditary spastic paraplegia: do these involve balance correcting strategies?

Journal of Neurology - Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is characterized by a bilaterally spastic gait pattern. During gait, increased trunk movements are often observed. People with HSP likely...     

A systematic review of the application of spatial analysis in pharmacoepidemiologic research

PurposeAlthough current reviews of the use of spatial analysis in general epidemiologic research illustrate an important and well-established role in exploring and predicting health, its application has not been reviewed in the subspecialty field of pharmacoepidemiology.MethodsWe systematically reviewed the scientific literature to assess to what extent spatial analysis has been applied in pharmacoepidemiologic research and explored its potential added value.ResultsA systematic search in PubMed and Embase/MEDLINE yielded 823 potentially relevant articles; 45 articles met our criteria for review. The studies were reviewed on study objective, applied spatial methods and units of analysis, and author-reported added value of the geographic approach used. Of the 45 included studies, 34 (76%) reported a geographic research objective. Comparative spatial methods were most often used (n = 25; 56%). Eleven studies used spatial statistics (32%); cluster analysis (n = 5) and aggregate data analysis (n = 4) being most common. Mapping was done in 15 studies (33%). The most common added value reported was to aid the planning of health policies and interventions (n = 24; 53%). A minority of pharmacoepidemiologic studies used a geographic approach and the applied methods were less advanced compared with the broader field of epidemiology.ConclusionsFurther advancements are needed to incorporate currently available spatial techniques to impact health care planning.     

Psychological Distress and the Development of Hypertension Over 5 Years in Black South Africans

Alarming increases in the incidence of hypertension in many low‐ and middle‐income countries are related to alcohol overuse. It is unclear whether alcohol overuse is a symptom of psychological distress. The authors assessed psychological distress in Africans and its relationship with a 5‐year change in blood pressure (BP), independent of alcohol intake. The authors followed 107 Africans with optimal BP (≤120/80 mm Hg) (aged 35–75 years) over 5 years. Alcohol intake (self‐report and serum γ‐glutamyl transferase) and nonspecific psychological distress (Kessler Screening Scale for Psychological Distress [K6]) were assessed. The K6 predicted hypertension development (P=.019), and its individual component “nervous” increased a participant's risk two‐fold to become hypertensive (hazard ratio, 2.00 [1.23–3.26]). By entering K6 and γ‐glutamyl transferase into multivariable‐adjusted regression models for change in systolic BP, both were independently associated with change in systolic BP. Psychological distress and scoring high on being nervous predicted the development of hypertension over 5 years, independent of alcohol intake.     

Mn substituted MnxZn1−xCo2O4 oxides synthesized by co-precipitation; effect of doping on the structural,electronic and magnetic properties

Mn substituted Mn_xZn_1−xCo₂O₄ (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1) oxides were synthesized by a facile co-precipitation method followed by calcination at 600 °C. The presence of manganese ions causes appreciable changes in the structural and magnetic properties of the Mn-substituted ZnCo₂O₄. The morphologies, structures, and electronic properties of Mn–Zn–Co oxide microspheres were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed the formation of spinel Mn_xZn_1−xCo₂O₄. It was shown that the Mn–Zn–Co oxide microspheres increase in size and become regular in shape with increasing Mn concentration with the crystal size lying in the range from 19.1 nm to 51.3 nm. Magnetization measurements were carried out using a vibrating sample magnetometer at room temperature and 10 K. The saturation magnetization is observed to increase with increasing Mn concentration from x = 0 to x = 1.

Mn substituted Mn_xZn_1−xCo₂O₄ (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1) oxides were synthesized by a facile co-precipitation method followed by calcination at 600 °C.