Efficacy of HVT-IBD vector vaccine compared to attenuated live vaccine using in-ovo vaccination against a Korean very virulent IBDV in commercial broiler chickens

The production performance, efficacy, and safety of two types of vaccines for infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) were compared with in-ovo vaccination of Cobb 500 broiler chickens for gross and microscopic examination of the bursa of Fabricius, bursa/body weight (b/B) ratio, flow cytometry, and serologic response to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccination. One vaccine was a recombinant HVT-IBD vector vaccine (HVT as for herpesvirus of turkeys) and the other was an intermediate plus live IBDV vaccine. A significant difference was detected at 21 d. Eight of 10 chickens that received the IBDV live vaccine had severe bursal lesions and a relatively low b/B ratio of 0.95, and an inhibited NDV vaccine response. On the other hand, the HVT-IBD vector vaccine resulted in mild bursal lesions and a b/B ratio of 1.89. Therefore, the live vaccine had lower safety than that of the HVT-IBD vector vaccine. To determine the protective efficacy, chickens were intraocularly challenged at 24 d. Eight of 10 chickens in the IBDV live vaccination group showed gross and histological lesions characterized by hemorrhage, cyst formation, lymphocytic depletion, and a decreased b/B ratio. In contrast, the HVT-IBD vector vaccinated chickens showed mild gross and histological lesions in three of 10 chickens with a b/B ratio of 1.36, which was similar to that of the unchallenged controls. Vaccinated chickens showed a significant increase in IBDV antibody titers, regardless of the type of vaccine used. In addition, significantly better broiler flock performance was observed with the HVT-IBD vector vaccine compared to that of the live vaccine. Our results revealed that the HVT-IBD vector vaccine could be used as an alternative vaccine to increase efficacy, and to have an improved safety profile compared with the IBDV live vaccine using in-ovo vaccination against the Korean very virulent IBDV in commercial broiler chickens.

Safety and Efficacy of Intravenous Tirofiban as Antiplatelet Premedication for Stent-Assisted Coiling in Acutely Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysms requires antiplatelet therapy, typically aspirin and clopidogrel to prevent thromboembolic complications. There is a substantial concern that tirofiban may increase the risk of hemorrhage when used as an antiplatelet premedication in ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous tirofiban administration, instead of oral dual antiplatelet agents, as an antiplatelet premedication for stent-assisted coiling in patients with acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of a data base containing a consecutive series of patients who underwent stent-assisted coiling for acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms between March 2010 and January 2015. Intravenous tirofiban was administered to all patients before stent-assisted coiling, instead of premedication with loading doses of aspirin or clopidogrel.

RESULTS

Forty patients with 41 aneurysms received intravenous tirofiban and underwent stent-assisted coiling. None of the patients had a newly developed intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or intraventricular hemorrhage. Intraprocedural aneurysmal rupture occurred in 2 patients (5%). Cerebral infarction developed in 2 patients (5%). Ventriculostomy-related hemorrhage was seen in 2 of 10 patients in whom ventriculostomy was performed before or after coiling. Thirty-four (85%) patients had a good outcome (Glasgow Outcome Score of 4 or 5) at the time of discharge, but 1 patient died of cardiac arrest. None of the patients developed thrombocytopenia, retroperitoneal, gastrointestinal, or genitourinary bleeding related to tirofiban administration.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, tirofiban showed a low risk of symptomatic hemorrhagic or thromboembolic complications. Tirofiban may offer a safe and effective alternative as an antiplatelet premedication during stent-assisted coiling of acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Development and Evaluation of the Walk for Health Program: A Physical Activity Intervention for Adults with Visual Impairments

Background

Although the pervasive comorbidity documented in adults with visual impairments may be linked to physical inactivity, little is known regarding the extent to which mobility and health status can be improved in this population. The aim of this preliminary study was to develop and implement an adaptive, community-based walking program for adults with visual impairments and to evaluate its impact on daily step activity, cardiovascular health, body composition, and lipid function.

Methods

During an 8-week period, 17 adults (age = 47.3 ± 12.3 years) with visual impairments were prompted at biweekly intervals (weeks 1, 3, 5) to increase their daily step activity by 1,000 steps per day and maintain these gains during weeks 2, 4, and 6. Participants were asked to sustain walking levels achieved by week 6 during the final 2 weeks of the program.

Results

Following the walking intervention, participants displayed a 78% increase in daily step activity (p < .01), but no improvements in cardiovascular health, body composition, or lipid function were observed.

Conclusion

Daily step activity was improved after completion of the walking program, but markers of health-related fitness remained unchanged. Future studies should be conducted to quantify the volume of physical activity required to improve the health status of persons with visual impairments.

Concurrent Associations of Physical Activity and Screen-Based Sedentary Behavior on Obesity Among US Adolescents: A Latent Class Analysis

Background

Independent associations of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) with obesity are well documented. However, little is known about the combined associations of these behaviors with obesity in adolescents. The present study examines the prevalence of concurrent levels of PA and SB, and their associations with obesity among US adolescents.

Methods

Data from a total of 12 081 adolescents who participated in the Youth Risk Behaviors Survey during 2012–2013 were analyzed. A latent class analysis was performed to identify latent subgroups with varying combined levels of subjectively measured PA and screen-based SB. Follow-up analysis examined the changes in the likelihood of being obese as determined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Growth Chart between latent subgroups.

Results

Four latent subgroups with varying combined levels of PA and SB were identified across gender. The likelihood of being obese was significantly greater for the subgroups featuring either or both Low PA or High SB when compared with High PA/Low SB across genders (odds ratio [OR] ranges, 2.1–2.7 for males and 9.6–23.5 for females). Low PA/High SB showed the greater likelihood of being obese compared to subgroups featuring either or both High PA and Low SB (OR ranges, 2.2–23.5) for female adolescents only.

Conclusions

The findings imply that promoting sufficient levels of PA while reducing SB should be encouraged in order to reduce obesity risk among adolescents, particularly for males. The risk of obesity for female adolescents can be reduced by engaging in either high levels of PA or low levels of SB.

Resveratrol could reverse the expression of SIRT1 and MMP-1 in vitro

Intervertebral disc degeneration is the main cause of lumbago disease, in which the extracellular matrix structure and moisture in the nucleus pulposus is lost continuously. In this study, we aimed to detect differential expression of silence mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in human intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells and to explore the effects of SIRT1 and MMP-1 on the development of the intervertebral disc degeneration. Intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus specimens from 41 patients who underwent lumbar protrusion resection at HuiZhou Municipal Central Hospital, during the period from October 2011 to December 2013, were studied in comparison with 23 control cases from patients who underwent fractured lumbar resection. In degenerated human intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells, the expression of SIRT1 is decreased and MMP-1 is increased compared with that of the control cells. Resveratrol could reverse these effects, thereby increasing the expression of SIRT1 (0.87 ± 0.07 vs 0.54 ± 0.04), Coll2α1 (0.90 ± 0.08 vs 0.38 ± 0.01), and aggrecan (0.69 ± 0.07 vs 0.42 ± 0.05) and decreasing the expression of MMP-1 (0.61 ± 0.03 vs 0.93 ± 0.08). These results suggest that resveratrol could possibly reverse the process of intervertebral disc degeneration and thus could be applied as a potential drug for the disease.

Improvement in the Positive Bias Temperature Stability of SnOx-Based Thin Film Transistors by Hf and Zn Doping

We investigated the performance of tin oxide thin film transistors (TFTs) using DC magnetron sputtering. A remarkable improvement in the transfer characteristics was obtained for the Hf-doped tin oxide (HTO) TFT. We also developed amorphous hafnium-zinc-tin oxide (HZTO) thin film transistors and investigated the effects of hafnium doping on the electrical characteristics of the HTO TFTs. Doping with hafnium resulted in a reduced defect density in the tin oxide channel layer related to oxygen vacancies, which may result from increased field effect mobility. Zinc atoms have relatively higher oxidation potential compared to tin atoms, so more oxygen molecules can be absorbed and more electrons are trapped in the HZTO films. The HZTO TFTs exhibited good electrical characteristics with a field effect mobility of 10.98 cm2/Vs, and a high ION/IOFF ratio over 10(8).

The nutrition contribution of dietary supplements on total nutrient intake in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The use of dietary supplements (DSs) by children and adolescents is increasing. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of DS users and examine the nutritional contributions of DSs to total nutrient intakes in children and adolescents, using data obtained from a national survey.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

In total, 3134 subjects aged 9-18 years who participated in the 4th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2009) were selected; the survey included 24-h recall questions on food intake and questions on DS use over the past year. Nutrient intakes from DSs were calculated using the aid of a label-based database on such supplements, and individual total nutrient intakes were derived by combining information on the foods and DSs consumed by each subject.

RESULTS

There were 895 DS users (28.5%), 85.2% of whom (n=577) had complete DS nutrient information and were therefore defined as identified-DS users. Identified-DS users were slightly younger and had a greater household income and better nutritional knowledge than did non-users. The most frequently consumed type of supplement was a 'multivitamin and minerals' complex. For total nutrient intake, identified-DS users had a significantly higher intake of most of the nutrients, except for macronutrient and sodium than non-users. In all identified-DS users, the contribution of vitamins and minerals from DSs to total nutrient intake was higher than energy and macronutrients.

CONCLUSIONS

DS use by children and adolescents can improve micronutrient status, but it also increases the risk of excessive intake of certain vitamins and minerals.

Impact of smoking on neurodegeneration and cerebrovascular disease markers in cognitively normal men

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Smoking is a major risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. However, the exact pathobiology of smoking remains unknown. The effects of smoking on cortical thickness as a biomarker of neurodegeneration or white matter hyperintensities and lacunes as biomarkers of cerebrovascular burden were concurrently evaluated.

METHODS

Our study included 977 cognitively normal men who visited a health promotion centre and underwent medical check-ups, including 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging. Participants were categorized into never smoker, past smoker or current smoker groups and pack-years and the years of smoking cessation were used as continuous variables.

RESULTS

The current smoker group exhibited cortical thinning in frontal and temporo-parietal regions compared with the never smoker group. These effects were particularly prominent in smokers with a high cumulative exposure to smoking in the current smoker group. However, there was no association between smoking and the severity of white matter hyperintensity or number of lacunes.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that smoking might impact on neurodegeneration rather than cerebrovascular burdens in cognitively normal men, suggesting that smoking might be an important modifiable risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Reliably estimating ambulatory activity in youth with arthrogryposis

PURPOSE

Quantification of the physical activity levels using pedometers and accelerometers in children and adolescents with mobility limitations has recently allowed researchers and practitioners to track real-life outcomes of new interventions in this particular population. Questions remain concerning the reliability of ambulatory activity monitoring in functionally challenged youth. The purpose of the analysis, therefore, was to document the minimal number of days required to reliably estimate ambulatory activity levels in children with arthrogryposis.

METHODS

Thirteen boys and girls with arthrogryposis (average age 10.9 years) completed stepping activity monitoring using a two-dimensional accelerometer over a period of up to 15 consecutive days. Generalizability theory was applied to identify sources of variance in daily step counts (generalizability study, G study) and to determine the number of days necessary to obtain a reliable coefficient of ≥0.80 (decision study, D study).

RESULTS

G study results showed that intra-individual variability was larger (58.4% of total variance) than inter-individual variability (28.7% of total variance). D study indicated that 9 days of monitoring was required to reach a stable measure of ambulatory activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to relatively greater variability in step counts across days of the week, a longer monitoring period was required for youth with arthrogryposis. Implication for Rehabilitation Large proportion of variance in daily step counts was attributable to unidentifiable sources of variance, suggesting further exploration of factors that influence on the walking activity in youth with arthrogryposis. Step activity monitoring of youth with arthrogryposis should occur over a 9-day period to reliably capture their habitual level of ambulation. Rehabilitation programs aimed to promote increased stepping in youth with arthrogryposis which can utilize the findings of the present study to appropriately track their effectiveness.

Assessing the accuracy of self-reported self-talk

As with most kinds of inner experience, it is difficult to assess actual self-talk frequency beyond self-reports, given the often hidden and subjective nature of the phenomenon. The Self-Talk Scale (STS; Brinthaupt et al., 2009) is a self-report measure of self-talk frequency that has been shown to possess acceptable reliability and validity. However, no research using the STS has examined the accuracy of respondents’ self-reports. In the present paper, we report a series of studies directly examining the measurement of self-talk frequency and functions using the STS. The studies examine ways to validate self-reported self-talk by (1) comparing STS responses from 6 weeks earlier to recent experiences that might precipitate self-talk, (2) using experience sampling methods to determine whether STS scores are related to recent reports of self-talk over a period of a week, and (3) comparing self-reported STS scores to those provided by a significant other who rated the target on the STS. Results showed that (1) overall self-talk scores, particularly self-critical and self-reinforcing self-talk, were significantly related to reports of context-specific self-talk; (2) high STS scorers reported talking to themselves significantly more often during recent events compared to low STS scorers, and, contrary to expectations, (3) friends reported less agreement than strangers in their self-other self-talk ratings. Implications of the results for the validity of the STS and for measuring self-talk are presented.

Pre-Chemoradiotherapy FDG PET/CT cannot Identify Residual Metabolically-Active Volumes within Individual Esophageal Tumors

Objective

To study whether subvolumes with a high pre-chemoradiotherapy (CRT) FDG uptake could identify residual metabolically-active volumes (MAVs) post-CRT within individual esophageal tumors. Accurate identification will allow simultaneous integrated boost to these subvolumes at higher risk to improve clinical outcomes.

Methods

Twenty patients with esophageal cancer were treated with CRT plus surgery and underwent FDG PET/CT scans before and after CRT. The two scans were rigidly registered. Seven MAVs pre-CRT and four MAVs post-CRT within a tumor were defined with various SUV thresholds. The similarity and proximity between the MAVs pre-CRT and post-CRT were quantified with three metrics: fraction of post-CRT MAV included in pre-CRT MAV, volume overlap and centroid distance.

Results

Eight patients had no residual MAV. Six patients had local residual MAV (SUV ≥2.5 post-CRT) within or adjoining the original MAV (SUV ≥2.5 pre-CRT). On average, less than 65% of any post-CRT MAVs was included in any pre-CRT MAVs, with a low volume overlap <45%, and large centroid distance >8.6 mm. In general, subvolumes with higher FDG-uptake pre-CRT or post-CRT had lower volume overlap and larger centroid distance. Six patients had new distant MAVs that were determined to be inflammation from radiation therapy.

Conclusions

Pre-CRT PET/CT cannot reliably identify the residual MAVs within individual esophageal tumors. Simultaneous integrated boost to subvolumes with high FDG uptake pre-CRT may not be feasible.

Prediction of bone mineral density and content from measures of physical activity and sedentary behavior in younger and older females

BACKGROUND

Little is known regarding the extent to which physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) influence bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in females across the lifespan.

METHODS

Data from 2232 females aged 12 years and older collected as part of the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Categories of PA and SB were used to predict femoral and spinal BMD and BMC in four age groups (G1: 12-17; G2: 18-39; G3: 40-64; G4: ≥ 65 years). Self-reported PA categories included sufficient moderate-to-vigorous recreational PA (S-MVRPA) and insufficient MVRPA (I-MVRPA).

RESULTS

G1 females who accumulated S-MVRPA displayed greater femoral and spinal BMC and BMD compared to G1 females who displayed I-MVRPA. For G4 females, higher levels of SB were associated with lower femoral BMC and BMD.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the importance of engaging in sufficient moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during adolescence and reducing sedentary behavior in older adults to improve bone health in females.