Effect of the age and sex on growth performance and feather quality of 13 to 25-weeks-old White Roman geese

This study aimed to determine the effect of age and sex in weeks on growth, carcass performances, and feather quality of White Roman geese and analyze the relative effect of age and sex in weeks on feather characteristics in geese. In animal experiments, 120 White Roman geese aged 13 wk were randomly distributed among 12 pens and fed grower diet ad libitum during the growing period, with each pen containing 10 males or 10 females, depending on a completely random design. Ten geese each in their 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, and 25 wk of age were sacrificed. The results showed that the age had no significant effect on the body weight (BW) of geese (P > 0.05). The chest girth was significantly longer in 21 to 25 wk old than in 13- to 19-wk-old geese (P < 0.05). The results reveal no significant change in carcass weight of grower geese among 13- to 25-wk age groups (P > 0.05). The down percentage of the 25-wk-old age group was significantly higher than that of the 13-, 15-, and 17-wk age groups (P < 0.05). The male geese had a higher dry feather weight than the females (P < 0.05). Similarly, the 18-h feed-deprived body weight (18-h FDBW) and 4 to 10 cm feather weight were significantly negatively correlated in grower geese (-0.42). This provides the feather industry an opportunity for the better utilization of grower geese by-products. In conclusion, the age has no influence on BW among 13- to 25-wk-old geese, and a good down percentage and dry weight were observed at 25 wk of age. The 18-h FDBW and down percentage had a significantly negative correlation (-0.55) in grower geese.

Relationship between the abdominal sagging index and the reproductive performance of the Roman goose

OBJECTIVE

This research aimed to explore the changes in the observed abdominal sagging index (ASI) and reproductive performance of Roman male and female geese during the breeding period.

METHODS

The 339 six-month-old breeding geese (109 male; 230 female) were used in this study, in which five male and five female geese were slaughtered on a monthly basis to record the ASI.

RESULTS

The short diameter of the testes of the male goose when the female goose lays eggs and in the second, third, and fourth months was significantly wider than in the fifth months (19.0, 20.8, 21.4, and 19.6 vs 12.7 and 14.0 mm/bird; p = 0.0105). On the other hand, the testicular weight of the male goose in the second and third months after the female goose lays eggs was significantly higher than that in the second and fifth months after laying (0.33% and 0.37% vs 0.11% and 0.19%; p = 0.0212). During the exploring period, the length and weight of the fallopian tube, the weight of the ovary, the number of follicles in 2 to 3 cm, the number of follicles in 3 to 4 cm, the fallopian tube weight in the carcass weight percentage, and the ovary weight in the carcass weight percentage all demonstrated a significant curve response. Further, female ASI was positively correlated with reproductive tract length (r = 0.815; p<0.05) and egg production per female (r = 0.790; p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The ASI classification method is more objective and easy to distinguish. This scoring method has a high correlation with the number of eggs laid by each goose and the length of the reproductive tract, inferring that the goose observation could take advantage of ASI during egg-laying and can predict the reproductive system development during the laying period and determine when the breeding goose begins to lay eggs.

Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8

Background: Transgender healthcare is a rapidly evolving interdisciplinary field. In the last decade, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number and visibility of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people seeking support and gender-affirming medical treatment in parallel with a significant rise in the scientific literature in this area. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is an international, multidisciplinary, professional association whose mission is to promote evidence-based care, education, research, public policy, and respect in transgender health. One of the main functions of WPATH is to promote the highest standards of health care for TGD people through the Standards of Care (SOC). The SOC was initially developed in 1979 and the last version (SOC-7) was published in 2012. In view of the increasing scientific evidence, WPATH commissioned a new version of the Standards of Care, the SOC-8. Aim: The overall goal of SOC-8 is to provide health care professionals (HCPs) with clinical guidance to assist TGD people in accessing safe and effective pathways to achieving lasting personal comfort with their gendered selves with the aim of optimizing their overall physical health, psychological well-being, and self-fulfillment. Methods: The SOC-8 is based on the best available science and expert professional consensus in transgender health. International professionals and stakeholders were selected to serve on the SOC-8 committee. Recommendation statements were developed based on data derived from independent systematic literature reviews, where available, background reviews and expert opinions. Grading of recommendations was based on the available evidence supporting interventions, a discussion of risks and harms, as well as the feasibility and acceptability within different contexts and country settings. Results: A total of 18 chapters were developed as part of the SOC-8. They contain recommendations for health care professionals who provide care and treatment for TGD people. Each of the recommendations is followed by explanatory text with relevant references. General areas related to transgender health are covered in the chapters Terminology, Global Applicability, Population Estimates, and Education. The chapters developed for the diverse population of TGD people include Assessment of Adults, Adolescents, Children, Nonbinary, Eunuchs, and Intersex Individuals, and people living in Institutional Environments. Finally, the chapters related to gender-affirming treatment are Hormone Therapy, Surgery and Postoperative Care, Voice and Communication, Primary Care, Reproductive Health, Sexual Health, and Mental Health. Conclusions: The SOC-8 guidelines are intended to be flexible to meet the diverse health care needs of TGD people globally. While adaptable, they offer standards for promoting optimal health care and guidance for the treatment of people experiencing gender incongruence. As in all previous versions of the SOC, the criteria set forth in this document for gender-affirming medical interventions are clinical guidelines; individual health care professionals and programs may modify these in consultation with the TGD person.

Association between non-vascularised bone graft failure and compartment of the defect in mandibular reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Controversy exists regarding the influence of the graft placement site in the mandible on the success of non-vascularised bone grafts. In this study, we examine the association between the compartment of the mandibular defect and the bone graft failure rate. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was performed using MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Failure rates according to the compartment of mandibular defect were extracted and analysed by meta-analysis. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the studies, and publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots. The search strategy identified 27 publications. After screening, five were selected for review. Based on the result of comparison among these five, we found no significant statistical association between the bone graft failure rate and compartment of mandibular defect, although further investigation of prospective randomised cohort studies is required.

Effects of dietary supplementation with Taiwanese tea byproducts and probiotics on growth performance, lipid metabolism, and the immune response in red feather native chickens

Objective

This study compared the catechin composition of different tea byproducts and investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with green tea byproducts on the accumulation of abdominal fat, the modulation of lipid metabolism, and the inflammatory response in red feather native chickens.

Methods

Bioactive compounds were detected, and in vitro anti-obesity capacity analyzed via 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In animal experiments, 320 one-day-old red feather native chickens were divided into 4 treatment groups: control, basal diet supplemented with 0.5% Jinxuan byproduct (JBP), basal diet supplemented with 1% JBP, or basal diet supplemented with 5×10⁶ colony-forming unit (CFU)/kg Bacillus amyloliquefaciens+5×10⁶ CFU/kg Saccharomyces cerevisiae (BA+SC). Growth performance, serum characteristics, carcass characteristics, and the mRNA expression of selected genes were measured.

Results

This study compared several cultivars of tea, but Jinxuan showed the highest levels of the anti-obesity compound epigallocatechin gallate. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes treated with Jinxuan extract significantly reduced lipid accumulation. There were no significant differences in growth performance, serum characteristics, or carcass characteristics among the groups. However, in the 0.5% JBP group, mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) were significantly decreased. In the 1% JBP group, FAS, ACC and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ levels were significantly decreased. Moreover, inflammation-related mRNA expression levels were decreased by the addition of JBP.

Conclusion

JBP contained abundant catechins and related bioactive compounds, which reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, however there was no significant reduction in abdominal fat. This may be due to a lack of active anti-obesity compounds or because the major changes in fat metabolism were not in the abdomen. Nonetheless, lipogenesis-related and inflammation-related mRNA expression were reduced in the 1% JBP group. In addition, dietary supplementation with tea byproducts could reduce the massive amount of byproducts created during tea production and modulate lipid metabolism and the inflammatory response in chickens.

Effects of mushroom waster medium and stalk residues on the growth performance and oxidative status in broilers

OBJECTIVE

The study developed mushroom stalk residues as feed additives in the broiler diet for improving the growth performance and immunity of broilers as well as to increase the value of mushroom stalk residues.

METHODS

In total, 300 ROSS 308 broilers were randomly allocated into fifteen pens with five dietary treatments: i) control, basal diet; ii) CMWM, supplemented with 1% Cordyceps militaris waster medium (CM); iii) CMPE, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Pleurotus eryngii stalk residue (PE); iv) CMPS, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Pleurotus sajorcaju stalk residue (PS); v) CMFV, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Fammulina velutipes stalk residue (FV).

RESULTS

The chemical analysis results showed that CM extracts, PE extracts, PS extracts, and FV extracts contain functional components such as polysaccharides and phenols and have both 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate scavenging and Ferrous scavenging capacities. The group CMWM saw increased body weight gain and feed conversion rate and the promotion of jejunum villus growth, but there is no significant difference in the intestinal bacteria phase. Antioxidant genes in the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)- antioxidant responsive element pathway among the groups are significantly higher than that of the control group, especially in group CMWM.

CONCLUSION

The mushroom stalk residues have antioxidant functional components, can improve the intestinal health and body weight gain of chickens, and can activate the antioxidant pathway of Nrf2 to increase the heme oxygenase-1 expression. The treatment with 1% CM was the most promising as a feed additive.

Effects of dietary Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product supplementation on antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and lipid metabolism in broiler chickens

Objective

This study was investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product on modulation of antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and lipid metabolism in broilers.

Methods

Functional compounds and in vitro antioxidant capacity were detected in wheat bran (WB) solid-state fermented by Antrodia cinnamomea for 16 days (FAC). In animal experiment, 400 d-old broiler chickens were allotted into 5 groups fed control diet, and control diet replaced with 5% WB, 10% WB, 5% FAC, and 10% FAC respectively. Growth performance, intestinal microflora, serum antioxidant enzymes and fatty acid profiles in pectoral superficial muscle were measured.

Results

Pretreatment with hot water extracted fermented product significantly reduced chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells death induced by lipopolysaccharide and 2,2′-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride. Birds received 5% and 10% FAC had higher weight gain than WB groups. Cecal coliform and lactic acid bacteria were diminished and increased respectively while diet replaced with FAC. For FAC supplemented groups, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased at 35 days only, with catalase elevated at 21 and 35 day. Regarding serum lipid parameters, 10% FAC replacement significantly reduced triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein level in chickens. For fatty acid composition in pectoral superficial muscle of 35-d-old chickens, 5% and 10% FAC inclusion had birds with significantly lower saturated fatty acids as compared with 10% WB group. Birds on the 5% FAC diet had a higher degree of unsaturation, followed by 10% FAC, control, 5% WB, and 10% WB.

Conclusion

In conclusion, desirable intestinal microflora in chickens obtaining FAC may be attributed to the functional metabolites detected in final fermented product. Moreover, antioxidant effects observed in FAC were plausibly exerted in terms of improved antioxidant enzymes activities, increased unsaturated degree of fatty acids in chicken muscle and better weight gain in FAC inclusion groups, indicating that FAC possesses promising favorable mechanisms worthy to be developed.

Effects of dietary Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product supplementation on metabolism pathways of antioxidant, inflammatory, and lipid metabolism pathways-a potential crosstalk

Objective

This study was conducted to fathom the underlying mechanisms of nutrition intervention and redox sensitive transcription factors regulated by Antrodia cinnamomea fermented product (FAC) dietary supplementation in broiler chickens.

Methods

Four hundreds d-old broilers (41±0.5 g/bird) assigned to 5 groups were examined after consuming control diet, or control diet replaced with 5% wheat bran (WB), 10% WB, 5% FAC, and 10% FAC. Liver mRNA expression of antioxidant, inflammatory and lipid metabolism pathways were analyzed. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) concentration in each group were tested in the chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells (cPBMCs) of 35-d old broilers to represent the stress level of the chickens. Furthermore, these cells were stimulated with 2,2′-Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evaluate the cell stress tolerance by measuring cell viability and oxidative species.

Results

Heme oxygenase-1, glutathione S-transferase, glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit, and superoxide dismutase, and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) that regulates the above antioxidant genes were all up-regulated significantly in FAC groups. Reactive oxygen species modulator protein 1 and NADPH oxygenase 1 were both rather down-regulated in 10% FAC group as comparison with two WB groups. Despite expressing higher level than control group, birds receiving diet containing FAC had significantly lower expression level in nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and other genes (inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3, and cyclooxygenase 2) involving in inflammatory pathways. Additionally, except for 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase that showed relatively higher in both groups, the WB, lipoprotein lipase, Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, fatty acid binding protein, fatty acid desaturase 2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha genes were expressed at higher levels in 10% FAC group. In support of above results, promoted Nrf2 and inhibited NF-κB nuclear translocation in chicken liver were found in FAC containing groups. H₂O₂ and NO levels induced by LPS and AAPH in cPBMCs were compromised in FAC containing diet. In 35-d-old birds, PGE₂ production in cPBMCs was also suppressed by the FAC diet.

Conclusion

FAC may promote Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and positively regulate lipid metabolism, both are potential inhibitor of NF-κB inflammatory pathway.

Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium infection after transfer of autologous fat to the face: a rare case

Autologous fat has long been used as a filler in the face, and has recently gained popularity in plastic surgery with a wound infection rate of 1% - 5%. The incidence of mycobacterial infections has increased over recent decades, which is attributed in part to the increased popularity of these procedures.² Infections by non-tuberculosis mycobacteria often cause chronic inflammation and progressive infection that may eventually manifest themselves as severe scars, fistulas, and hollows, and irregular facial contours. However, few cases of mycobacterial infection have been reported to have been caused by plastic surgery. We present a rare case of non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infection after transfer of autologous fat to the face.

Effects of mulberry leaves on production performance and the potential modulation of antioxidative status in laying hens

This study evaluated the antioxidant ability of Taisung No. 3 mulberry leaf extract (MLE) as well as the potential of mulberry leaf (ML)-based dietary supplementation for modulating the antioxidative status of laying hens. The results showed that the MLE had a total phenolic compound content of 7.4 ± 0.15 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight (DW) and a total flavonoid content of 4.4 ± 0.19 mg of quercetin equivalent/g DW. The 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free-radical-scavenging ability was 45.9% when 0.1 mg/mL MLE was added. The lipid oxidation inhibition ability was 43.9% when 50 mg/mL MLE was added. We subjected 96 laying hens (Hendrix Genetics) to 4 treatments, namely diets supplemented with dry ML at 0 (control), 0.5, 1, or 2% for 12 weeks. Each treatment involved 8 replicates with 3 hens each. The results indicated that the 0.5% ML-supplemented group exhibited significantly higher mRNA levels of antioxidant-regulated genes, such as Nrf2, HO-1, and GST, and significantly lower ROMO1 gene expression levels at wk 12. The serum malondialdehyde level was lower and the catalase activity and superoxide dismutase activity were higher in all the ML-supplemented groups than in the control group. The egg mass and feed conversion rate significantly improved in the ML-supplemented groups compared with the control group, and, overall, 1% ML supplementation had the most favorable effects at one to 12 weeks. The egg yolk weight, shell weight, shell strength, shell thickness, yolk color, and Haugh unit were increased among all ML-supplemented groups at one to 12 weeks. On the basis of these observations, we conclude that 0.5% ML can be used as a new feed additive to potentially modulate the antioxidative status of laying hens and improve their production performance and egg quality.

Fatal lactic acidosis associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy in patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection in Taiwan

Lactic acidosis (LA), a rare but life-threatening adverse effect associated with antiretroviral therapy, has been reported with an increasing frequency since the mid1990s. From June 1994 to June 2002, a total of six patients, four males and two females with a median age of 43 years (range, 30 to 74 years), had been diagnosed with LA. The estimated incidence of LA was 5.1 per 1000 patient-years (PYs) on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 4.5-5.5 per 1000 PYs) and 4.4 per 1000 PY on nucleoside analogues (NAs) (95% CI, 3.9-4.7 per 1000 PYs). Their median body mass index at diagnosis of LA was 17.6 kg/m2 (range 16.3 to 22.6 kg/m2). The median CD4+ lymphocyte count at the initial diagnosis of HIV infection and at the onset of LA was 38 cells/µL (range, 4 to 103 cells/µL) and 108 cells/µL (range, 79 to 224 cells/µL), respectively. The most common symptoms were nausea, vomiting, and dyspnoea. All of the patients had findings suggestive of NA-related mitochondrial toxicity, such as myositis, pancreatitis, fatty hepatitis, peripheral neuropathy or lipodystrophy. The prescribed NA related to LA were stavudine in six patients, lamivudine, five, and didanosine, one. Despite treatment, all patients died of persistent circulatory collapse following LA. The median duration from diagnosis to death was eight days (range, 4-17 days). Our report highlights that clinicians caring for patients with AIDS should be alerted to the potentially fatal LA associated with antiretroviral therapy when patients present with low body mass index, lipodystrophy, unexplained abdominal symptoms, dyspnoea, or elevated aminotransferases.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and incidence of toxoplasma encephalitis in non-haemophiliac HIV-1-infected adults in Taiwan

We assessed the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and incidence of toxoplasma encephalitis (TE) in 844 non-haemophiliac HIV-infected patients in Taiwan between June 1994 and April 2003. Approximately 70% (69.3%) of them had a baseline CD4+ lymphocyte count of 200 × 106/L or less, and more than 70% (73.9%) having initiated highly active antiretroviral therapy. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 10.2%, which did not differ with sex, age, route of transmission, birth inside or outside of Taiwan, or CD4+ lymphocyte stratifications. After a median observation duration of 603 days (range, 1–3264 days), 10 (1.2%) patients developed 11 episodes of TE after a median interval of 30 days (range, 1–941 days) between enrolment and diagnosis of TE, with an incidence of 0.59 per 100 person-years (PY) (95% confidence interval, 0.56–0.63 per 100 PY). We concluded that the incidence of TE of HIV-infected patients in Taiwan was lower than that reported in western countries because of a lower seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and use of antimicrobial prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy, although most of the patients were at the late stage of HIV infection.

Effects of dietary garlic scape meal on the growth and meat characteristics of geese

This study evaluated the growth performance and meat characteristics of grower geese whose diets included garlic scape meal (GSM), a by-product of garlic production. Scape is the leaf-less flower stem of garlic. Garlic scape (GS) extracts contained 84.7 ± 3.8 μg/g dry weight (DW), 81.4 ± 8.2 μg/g DW, 0.78 ± 0.05 mg gallic acid equivalent/g DW and 31.67 ± 2.25 μg/g DW of allicin, alliin, total phenolics and flavonoid contents, respectively. In total, 120 White Roman geese aged 5 weeks were randomly distributed among 12 pens and fed on a grower diet ad libitum during the growth period. Employing a completely random design, 5 males and 5 females were placed in each pen. Each treatment was applied to three pens (in total 30 birds) and the treatments comprised the following: 1) control (maize-soybean meal), 2) 5% of maize replaced with 5% of GSM (5% GSM), 3) 10% of maize replaced with 10% of GSM (10% GSM) and 4) 15% of maize replaced with 15% of GSM (15% GSM). Each group of 30 birds was treated for 8 weeks. The results revealed that the 15% GSM group was characterised by a lower feed conversion ratio than the control group; however, these groups did not differ significantly in their body weights (BWs). In addition, the 10% GSM group did not differ in both the feed conversion ratio and consumption. The flavour intensity score of meats in the 10% GSM group was significantly lower than those of meats in the 5% GSM and control groups. The general acceptability scores of meats in the 5% GSM and control groups were higher than those of meat in the 10% GSM group. The study concluded that 5% dietary GSM in the feed did not adversely affect the growth performance, meat characteristics or sensory evaluation of grower geese. Hence, the environment can be protected by including agricultural waste in goose diets.

Factors Affecting the Incidence of Angel Wing in White Roman Geese: Stocking Density and Genetic Selection

The present study investigated stocking density and genetic lines, factors that may alter the severity and incidence of angel wing (AW), in White Roman geese. Geese (n = 384) from two genetically selected lines (normal- winged line, NL, and angel-winged line, AL, respectively) and one commercial line (CL) were raised in four pens. Following common commercial practice, low-stocking-density (LD), medium-stocking-density, and high-stocking-density treatments were respectively administered to 24, 32, and 40 geese per pen at 0 to 3 weeks (1.92 m²/pen) and 4 to 6 weeks (13.2 m²/pen) of age and to 24, 30, and 36 geese at 7 to 14 weeks (20.0 m²/pen) of age. The results revealed that stocking density mainly affected body weight gain in geese younger than 4 weeks, and that geese subjected to LD had a high body weight at 2 weeks of age. However, the effect of stocking density on the severity score of AW (SSAW) and incidence of AW (IAW) did not differ significantly among the treatments. Differences were observed among the genetic stocks; that is, SSAW and IAW were significantly higher in AL than in NL and CL. Genetic selection generally aggravates AW, complicating its elimination. To effectively reduce IAW, stocking density, a suspected causal factor, should be lower than that presently applied commercially.

Use of molecular markers to compare Fusarium verticillioides pathogenic strains isolated from plants and humans

Fusarium verticillioides is a pathogen of agriculturally important crops, especially maize. It is considered one of the most important pathogens responsible for fumonisin contamination of food products, which causes severe, chronic, and acute intoxication in humans and animals. Moreover, it is recognized as a cause of localized infections in immunocompetent patients and disseminated infections among severely immunosuppressed patients. Several molecular tools have been used to analyze the intraspecific variability of fungi. The objective of this study was to use molecular markers to compare pathogenic isolates of F. verticillioides and isolates of the same species obtained from clinical samples of patients with Fusarium mycoses. The molecular markers that we used were inter-simple sequence repeat markers (primers GTG5 and GACA4), intron splice site primer (primer EI1), random amplified polymorphic DNA marker (primer OPW-6), and restriction fragment length polymorphism-internal transcribed spacer (ITS) from rDNA. From the data obtained, clusters were generated based on the UPGMA clustering method. The amplification products obtained using primers ITS4 and ITS5 and loci ITS1-5.8-ITS2 of the rDNA yielded fragments of approximately 600 bp for all the isolates. Digestion of the ITS region fragment using restriction enzymes such as EcoRI, DraI, BshI, AluI, HaeIII, HinfI, MspI, and PstI did not permit differentiation among pathogenic and clinical isolates. The inter-simple sequence repeat, intron splice site primer, and random amplified polymorphic DNA markers presented high genetic homogeneity among clinical isolates in contrast to the high variability found among the phytopathogenic isolates of F. verticillioides.

Probable Blastomyces dermatitidis infection in a young rat

A 21-week-old male untreated control SHR/NCrlNarl rat was found dead during an experiment. Grossly, pulmonary lesions were characterized by multifocal to coalescing firm gray-white nodules randomly scattered on the surface. Microscopically, bronchopneumonia was found with pyogranulomas containing neutrophils, macrophages, and numerous thick-walled yeast cells. Yeast cells, 5 to 25 μm in diameter, with no branching of hyphae were observed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin, Diff-Quik, and periodic acid-Schiff. Furthermore, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using panfungal and nested PCR primers were used for detection of Blastomyces dermatitidis DNA in the lung tissue. After sequencing and matching with DNA sequences in the GenBank, the sample showed a similarity of 94.6% and 97% to Ajellomyces dermatitidis (B. dermatitidis), respectively. On the basis of these results, probable pulmonary blastomycosis was diagnosed. The origin of the infection in the colony rat is undetermined.

Ethylene negatively regulates EXPA5 expression in Arabidopsis thaliana

We examined the effects of ethylene on the expression of Arabidopsis expansins (AtEXPs). Among the AtEXPs tested, transcription of the AtEXPA5 gene was reduced most by exogenous ethylene. 2-Aminoethoxyvinylglycine, an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor, increased AtEXPA5 transcription. Ethylene insensitive (ein7) and constitutive (ctr1) mutants resulted in increased and decreased transcription, respectively, thereby suggesting that ethylene endogenously downregulates AtEXPA5 expression. Hypocotyl elongation followed the same trend as AtEXPA5 expression, implying that changes in hypocotyl elongation reflect changes in AtEXPA5 expression. A transgenic plant line that overexpresses AtEXPA5, 35S-EXPA5, showed a reduced response to exogenous ethylene in terms of hypocotyl lengths when compared to wild-type and expA5-1, a knockout mutant. These results and the dose-dependent effect of aminocyclopropane-1-carboxyl acid on hypocotyl elongation implicate AtEXPA5 overexpression in making tissues more sensitive to high doses of ethylene. In summary, AtEXPA5 appears to respond to ethylene and play a role in ethylene regulating hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The effect of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid on the root gravitropic response in Arabidopsis thaliana

The effects of ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), one of products of the disproportionation of monodehydroascorbate (MDHA) by AA oxidase (AAO, EC 1.10.3.3), on the gravitropic curvature of Arabidopsis roots were characterized by biochemical and genetic approaches. Exogenously applied AA and DHA both stimulated root gravitropic responses in a concentration-dependent fashion. AA also changed the Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) distribution in the roots after gravistimulation. In an effort to determine the relationship between AA and DHA in the gravitropic response, changes in the amount of reduced AA were evaluated in Arabidopsis under a variety of conditions. The expression level of an AAO gene (AAO1) was increased upon gravistimulation. Brassinolide (BL), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and AA also increased the transcript levels of this gene. Root elongation and the gravitropic response were both suppressed in the AA biosynthesis mutant, vtc1, which has a greatly reduced level of total AA. Furthermore, the line of AAO double mutants (aao1-1 X aao3-1, 41-21) showed a reduced gravitropic response and reduced root elongation. Taken together, the results of this study imply that both AA and DHA help to determine the redox environment for the root gravitropic response, but DHA, rather than AA, is a major player in the regulation of the gravitropic response mediated by AA in the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Weight gain and recurrence in idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether weight gain is associated with recurrence in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).

METHODS

Medical records of adult patients with IIH seen between 1993 and 2009 at 2 university hospitals were reviewed to identify those with and without recurrence. Patients with documented height and weight at presentation and at subsequent visits were studied. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare mean body mass index (BMI) and percent weight change between the groups of patients with recurrence and without recurrence. The signed-rank test was used for comparing BMI within groups at the various time points.

RESULTS

Fifty women with IIH were included in the analyses: 26 had IIH recurrence and 24 did not. Patients with recurrence had greater BMI at the time of recurrence compared to BMI at diagnosis (p = 0.02, signed-rank test). They also demonstrated a greater degree of weight gain between initial resolution and recurrence (BMI change +2.0 kg/m(2) [-1.5 to 10.8]) compared to patients without recurrence (-0.75 kg/m(2) [-35 to 3.6], p = 0.0009, Wilcoxon rank sum test). Patients without recurrence demonstrated stable weights (0%[95% CI -9.6 to 10.1%]), while patients with recurrence demonstrated a 6% weight gain ([-3.5 to 40.2%], p = 0.005), with an average rate of BMI gain of 1.3 kg/m(2)/year vs -0.96 kg/m(2)/year in those without recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Patients with IIH recurrence had significant increases in BMI compared to patients without recurrence in this cohort. Patients with resolved IIH should be advised that weight gain may be a risk factor for IIH recurrence.

Lignocellulolytic Enzymes Produced by Volvariella volvacea, the Edible Straw Mushroom

Volvariella volvacea, commonly known as the straw or paddy mushroom, had the following growth characteristics: minimum temperature, 25 degrees C; optimal temperature, 37 degrees C; maximal temperature, 40 degrees C; pH optimum 6.0. Optimal pH for cellulase production was 5.5. The optimal initial pH for cellulase production and mycelial growth was found to be 6.0. The pH and temperature optima for cellulolytic activity were 5.0 and 50 degrees C, respectively. Maximal cellulolytic activity was obtained within 5 days in shake-flask culture. The cellulases were found to be partly cell free and partly cell bound during growth on microcrystalline cellulose. The endoglucanase activity was primarily extracellular, and beta-glucosidase activity was found exclusively extracellularly. Weak cellulase activity was detected when cells were grown on cellobiose and lactose. V. volvacea could not digest the lignin portion of newspaper in shake-flask cultivation. Phenol oxidase, an important enzyme in lignin biodegradation, also was lacking in the cell-free filtrate. However, the organism oxidized phenolic compounds when it was cultured on agar plates containing commercial lignin.