Genetic characterisation of Cryptosporidium and Giardia from dairy calves: Discovery of species/genotypes consistent with those found in humans

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are important genera of parasitic protists that can cause significant diarrhoeal diseases in humans and other animals. Depending on the species/genotype of parasite, human infection may be acquired via anthroponotic or zoonotic transmission routes. Here, we undertook a molecular epidemiological investigation of these two genera of parasites in pre- and post-weaned calves from eight locations in Canterbury, New Zealand, by PCR-coupled sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of sequence data for regions in the 60 kDa glycoprotein (pgp60) gene of Cryptosporidium and/or the triose-phosphate isomerase (ptpi) gene of Giardia. The pgp60 and ptpi regions were specifically amplified from 15 (8.3%) and 11 (6.1%) of the 180 individual faecal samples, respectively. The sequences derived from all of the amplicons were aligned with homologous reference sequences and subjected to phylogenetic analysis by Bayesian inference. For Cryptosporidium, three samples contained Cryptosporidium parvum genotype IIa, subgenotypes IIaA15G3R1, IIaA19G3R1 and IIaA23G4. Twelve samples contained Cryptosporidium hominis genotype Ib, subgenotype IbA10G2R2. While subgenotypes IIaA15G3R1 and IIaA23G4 are new records, IIaA19G3R1 and IbA10G2R2 are commonly found in humans in various countries. For Giardia, two samples contained Giardia duodenalis assemblage A, also common in humans. In contrast, nine samples contained G. duodenalis assemblage E, which is the first report of this assemblage in cattle in New Zealand. Therefore, the present results indicate that dairy calves on the South Island of New Zealand harbour ‘zoonotic’ genotypes of Cryptosporidium and Giardia, which is likely to have significant public health implications.     

Rise in DPA Following SDA-Rich Dietary Echium Oil Less Effective in Affording Anti-Arrhythmic Actions Compared to High DHA Levels Achieved with Fish Oil in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Stearidonic acid (SDA; C18:4n-3) has been suggested as an alternative to fish oil (FO) for delivering health benefits of C ≥ 20 long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA). Echium oil (EO) represents a non-genetically-modified source of SDA available commercially. This study compared EO and FO in relation to alterations in plasma and tissue fatty acids, and for their ability to afford protection against ischemia-induced cardiac arrhythmia and ventricular fibrillation (VF). Rats were fed (12 weeks) diets supplemented with either EO or FO at three dose levels (1, 3 and 5% w/w; n = 18 per group). EO failed to influence C22:6n-3 (DHA) but increased C22:5n-3 (DPA) in tissues dose-dependently, especially in heart tissue. Conversely, DHA in hearts of FO rats showed dose-related elevation; 14.8%–24.1% of total fatty acids. Kidney showed resistance for incorporation of LC n-3 PUFA. Overall, FO provided greater cardioprotection than EO. At the highest dose level, FO rats displayed lower (p < 0.05) episodes of VF% (29% vs. 73%) and duration (22.7 ± 12.0 vs. 75.8 ± 17.1 s) than the EO group but at 3% EO was comparable to FO. We conclude that there is no endogenous conversion of SDA to DHA, and that DPA may be associated with limited cardiac benefit.     

罗格列酮单用或者与阿伐他汀联合使用对于2型糖尿病患者心血管疾病的非传统标志物的作用

背景和目的:罗格列酮与阿伐他汀联合疗法已经被证实对于2型糖尿病患者的血糖控制以及脂质水平都有益处。本试验将通过检测罗格列酮与阿伐他汀联合疗法对于2型糖尿病患者的生物标记水平的作用来研究该联合疗法对血管炎的作用。方法:30例患有2型糖尿病和高脂血症的患者被纳入治疗。对这些患者给予罗格列酮单一疗法4mg/d,持续3个月,然后在接下来的3个月中给予这些患者阿伐他汀10mg/d作为联合疗法。在研究开始时,罗格列酮单一疗法之后以及罗格列酮与阿伐他汀联合治疗之后测量炎性生物标记物,包括高敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP…     

Age- and hypertension-induced changes in abnormal contractions in rat aorta

The current investigation explored the potential age-dependant modulation of abnormal spontaneous constrictions (thromboxane-like) in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) aorta, observed only after the inhibition of endogenous production of nitric oxide (NO). Aortic rings from SHR and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) control rats of varying ages (4, 8, 12, and 18 months) were mounted in organ baths, and changes in tension were monitored. Inhibition of NO with Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (NOLA) unmasked a slow contraction, which appeared to be age dependent (p < 0.05). This contraction was found in SHRs of all age groups and in older WKY rats. Denuding the endothelium in young SHRs did not influence the constriction, confirming a nonendothelial cell origin, while in the older groups this led to a 30-40% reduction in contraction. Comparable attenuation of the constrictor response was observed after incubation of endothelium intact rings with superoxide dismutase (100 U/ml) or 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole. Of the residual activity that was unaffected by free radical scavengers or de-endothelialization, 60-70% was sensitive to cyclooxygenase inhibition by indomethacin and/or ibuprofen. The thromboxane (TxA ) receptor antagonist SQ29548 induced a complete reversal of the abnormal constriction. In contrast, thromboxane synthetase inhibition had no effect, ruling out any involvement of TxA in mediating this abnormality. Collectively, these observations support the view that as compared with the normotensive setting, contraction induced by NO inhibition in the SHR develops prematurely and deteriorates more rapidly during the aging process. In aged rats, prostaglandin endoperoxide intermediates PGG /H and endothelium-derived free radicals rather than TxA per se appear to contribute to the NOLA-dependent TxA -like vasoconstriction.     

The relationship between hypertension and anxiety or depression in Hong Kong Chinese

BACKGROUND:

Psychosocial stress can be the cause or the consequence of hypertension.

OBJECTIVE:

To study the association between hypertension and anxiety or depression in adults from Hong Kong, China.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

Patients with diagnosed hypertension (n=197) were recruited to complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. The control group comprised 182 normotensive subjects recruited using random telephone numbers.

RESULTS:

The score in the anxiety subscale (HADS-A) of the HADS correlated with age (r= −0.23, P<0.001) and sex (r=0.11, P=0.042), and was found to be higher in women. The score in the depression subscale (HADS-D) correlated with age (r=0.17, P=0.003) and hypertension (r=0.12, P=0.039), but not with sex (r=0.02, P=0.68). When the control subjects were matched for sex and age with the subjects with hypertension, the mean HADS-A score was 5.51±0.41 in 113 hypertensive subjects and 4.38±0.39 in 113 normotensive subjects (P=0.047). The mean HADS-D score was 5.56±0.39 in the hypertensive and 4.76±0.32 in the normotensive subjects (P=0.11). Multiple regression analysis using data from both groups indicated that the HADS-A score was related to the HADS-D score (β=0.49, P<0.001), age (β= −0.25, P<0.001) and sex (β=0.12, P=0.01) (R²=0.28), whereas the HADS-D score was related to the HADS-A score (β=0.48, P<0.001), age (β=0.30, P<0.001), positive smoking status (β=0.13, P=0.004) and lack of exercise habit (β=0.12, P=0.008) (R²=0.31). Hypertension was related to waist circumference, history of parental hypertension and age (R²=0.38, P<0.001). Anxiety and depression scores were rejected as independent variables.

CONCLUSIONS:

Hypertension was associated with anxiety but not depression; however, age, history of parental hypertension and central obesity appeared to have a stronger association with hypertension in adults from Hong Kong.     

Interactive Effects of Dietary Resistant Starch and Fish Oil on Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production and Agonist-Induced Contractility in Ileum of Young Rats

We have shown independently that dietary fiber and n−3 fatty acids can affect gut function. This study investigated the interactive effects of resistant starch (RS) (as high amylose maize starch [HAMS]) and tuna fish oil on ileal contractility. Four-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were fed 4 diets that contained 100 g/kg fat as sunflower oil or tuna fish oil, with 10% fiber supplied as α -cellulose or HAMS for 6 weeks. Fish oil feeding led to higher ileal n-3 fatty acid levels (mainly as DHA) and higher agonist-induced maximal contractility with an RS effect noted for carbachol. HAMS-containing diets resulted in lower colonic pH and higher total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), but not for butyrate with fish oil. Low prostanoid responses in young rats were enhanced by fish oil independent of RS. The order of muscarinic receptor subtype responses were different compared to older rats; fish oil feeding altered the sensitivity of the M₁ receptor subtype. Although little interactive effects were demonstrated, these data suggest developmental changes in ileal receptor systems with independent effects of RS and fish oil on some bowel properties in juvenile rats.     

Comparing sulindac with indomethacin for closure of ductus arteriosus in preterm infants

Objectives: A prospective study comparing the efficiacy and side-effects of oral sulindac with intravenous indomethacin in clinically stable preterm infants (<1750 g) requiring non-invasive closure of haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus.
Methodology: As maturity and birthweight are the two major determinants of ductal closure, infants were matched as closely as possible for these parameters. An eligible patient was first assigned to the sulindac group and a subsequent patient with similar gestational age (± 1 week) and birthweight (±100 g) to the previously recruited infant would automatically receive indomethacin. A total of eight infants were enrolled in each group.
Results: The ductus arteriosus was successfully closed in all eight infants receiving indomethacin, and in seven of eight infants receiving sulindac. No significant differences were found with regards to the ductal size between the two groups at diagnosis or on each of the consecutive days of treatment ( P >0.25). More renal adverse effects were encountered in the indomethacin group. Significant differences in changes from baseline value for urine output, plasma sodium, urea and creatinine concentrations were noted at 24, 48 and 72 h after commencement of treatment between the two groups ( P <0.05). All the parameters returned to normal or pre-treatment levels 48 h after stopping therapy. Unexpectedly, severe gastrointestinal complications were encountered in the sulindac group.
Conclusions: Sulindac is capable of promoting ductal constriction in clinically stable preterm infants without compromising the renal function. The spectrum of gastrointestinal complications observed in sulindac treated infants were similar to those described for indomethacin. The use of sulindac for ductal closure in the preterm infant should remain experimental.     

Prague women's drinking before and after the 'velvet revolution' of 1989: a longitudinal study

Results are presented of a follow-up study in which a representative sample of 608 Prague women aged 20–49 years in 1987 at first interview was re-interviewed in 1992 3 years after the revolution that ended the 41 years of the Communist era in Czechoslovakia. The average yearly consumption of alcohol in the followed-up female sample increased between 1987–92 from a reported 3.6 litres to 4.8 litres. The percentage of heavier drinkers (with average daily consumption of over 20 g alcohol) increased from 7.2% to 14.0%. The women expressed increased tolerance of drunkenness in their attitudes to drinking. The consumption increase was mainly due to increased drinking frequency of spirits and to increased quantity of beer consumed per occasion. The consumption increase was largest in women working as free-lance and the newly emerging self-employed women; economically inactive women did not increase their consumption. Women who reported a positive impact of the socio-political changes on their personal lives and an expansion of social contacts also reported larger than average consumption increases. A coincidence of stressful, possibly self-inflicted, life events and increased alcohol use was observed and interpreted as probably a two-way influence.