Dietary muramidase improved growth performance, feed efficiency, breast meat yield, and welfare of turkeys from hatch to market

Muramidase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes peptidoglycans of bacterial cell walls and improves performance of broilers in a dose-dependent manner. An experiment was conducted to evaluate muramidase supplementation, at a high or step-down dose, in turkeys from hatch to market. Male, B.U.T. 6 turkey poults were placed in 24 floor pens at 32 birds per pen. Poults were fed 1 of 3 diets from d 1 to 126 of age. There were 8 replicate pens per treatment. The treatments were a control (CTL) diet, the CTL plus muramidase at 45,000 LSU(F)/kg from phase 1 to 6 (BAL45), and the CTL plus muramidase at 45,000 LSU(F)/kg from phase 1 to 3 and decreased to 25,000 LSU(F)/kg from phase 4 to 6 (BAL45-25). Data were analyzed using SAS. The model included treatment and block and means were separated by Fisher LSD test. Birds fed BAL45 were heavier (P < 0.05) and had a greater (P < 0.05) average daily gain compared with birds fed the CTL from hatch to d 126 of age. Birds fed BAL45-25 had a final BW and average daily gain intermediate to or equivalent to birds fed BAL45 at the same phases. Feed conversion ratio was improved (P < 0.05) in birds fed BAL45 compared with birds fed the CTL and intermediate in birds fed BAL45-25. Breast meat yield was greater (P < 0.05) in turkeys fed muramidase, regardless of dose, compared with birds fed the CTL. There was no effect of treatment on muramic acid content in the jejunum digesta or litter scores. The frequency of pododermatitis score 1 was greater (P < 0.05) and score 2 was lower (P < 0.05) in birds fed muramidase, regardless of dose, compared with birds fed the CTL diet. In conclusion, muramidase supplementation improved performance, breast meat yield, feed efficiency and some markers of welfare, proportional to the dose in the diets.

Clinical spectrum, outcome and management of immune thrombocytopenia associated with myelodysplastic syndromes and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) are associated with systemic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases in 10-20 % of cases. Among them, immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) has been reported but large studies assessing this association are missing. Whether such patients have a particular phenotype and require particular management is unclear. This study analyzes the clinical spectrum, outcome and therapeutic management of patients with ITP associated with MDS or CMML, in comparison (i) to patients with primary ITP without MDS/CMML and (ii) to patients with MDS/CMML without ITP. Forty-one MDS/CMML-associated ITP patients were included, with chronic ITP in 26 (63%) patients, low-risk myelodysplasia in 30 (73%) patients and CMML in 24 (59%) patients. An associated autoimmune disease was noted in 10 (24%) patients. In comparison to primary ITP patients, MDS/CMML-associated ITP patients had a higher occurrence of severe bleeding despite similar platelet counts at diagnosis. First-line treatment consisted of glucocorticoids (98%) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (56%). Response achievement with IVIg was more frequent in primary ITP than in MDS/CMML-associated ITP patients. Response rates to second-line therapies were not statistically different between primary ITP and MDS/CMMLassociated ITP patients. Ten percent (n=4) of patients with MDS/CMML-associated ITP had multirefractory ITP versus none in primary ITP controls. After a median follow-up of 60 months, there was no difference in overall survival between MDS/CMML-associated ITP and primary ITP patients. Leukemia-free-survival was significantly better in MDS/CMMLassociated ITP patients than in MDS/CMML without ITP MDS/CMML-associated ITP have a particular outcome with more severe bleeding and multirefractory profile than primary ITP, similar response profile to primary ITP therapy except for IVIg, and less progression toward acute myeloid leukemia than MDS/CMML without ITP.

Non-Reflective Thinkers Are Predisposed to Attribute Supernatural Causation to Uncanny Experiences

For unknown reasons, individuals who are confident in their intuitions are more likely to hold supernatural beliefs. How does an intuitive cognitive style lead one to believe in faith healing, astrology, or extrasensory perception (ESP)? We hypothesize that cognitive style is critically important after one experiences an uncanny event that seems to invite a supernatural explanation. In three studies, we show that irrespective of their prior beliefs in the supernatural, non-reflective thinkers are more likely than reflective thinkers to accept supernatural causation after an uncanny encounter with astrology and ESP. This is the first time that controlled experiments demonstrate the negative dynamics of reflection and supernatural causality attribution. We consider the possible generalization of our findings to religious beliefs and their implications for the social vulnerability of non-reflective individuals.

[French validation of the Revised Paranormal Belief Scale]

INTRODUCTION

For the last decades, many researchers have focused on paranormal beliefs. Beliefs in the existence of paranormal phenomena would be common and studies conducted in westernized countries have highlighted a high prevalence of individuals believing in the existence of such phenomena. Tobacyk and Milford (1984) developed the Revised Paranormal Belief Scale (RPBS) for assessing beliefs in paranormal phenomena. This 26-item self-reported questionnaire, measuring beliefs in phenomena such as witchcraft or superstition, is one of the most widely used questionnaires to assess such beliefs. While studies focusing on paranormal beliefs tend to develop, there is no French self-report instrument to assess this construct. Researchers have tried to identify specific variables that might be linked to such beliefs, and some have focused on personalities of individuals who believe in the paranormal. Schizotypy has been reported to be significantly and positively correlated with paranormal beliefs.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was a) to validate the French version of the RPBS and b) to explore the relationship between Schizotypal Personality Disorder traits and paranormal beliefs.

METHODS

After being recruited using the Internet and social networks (e.g. facebook), a sample of 313 participants (mean [SD] age=31.12 [11.62]; range 18-58years) completed the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ-B), assessing Schizotypal Personality Disorder traits and the Revised Paranormal Belief Scale assessing paranormal beliefs.

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to test the proposed 7-factor structure of the RPB developed by Tobacyk. Several adjustment indices were used to evaluate the model. As the first model did not fit the original one, others models were tested. Our findings indicated that a seven-factor solution, excluding 2 items, best described the item structure: (1) spiritualism, (2) superstition, (3) witchcraft, (4) precognition, (5) traditional religious belief, (6) psi, (7) and extraordinary life forms. Relationships between paranormal beliefs and Schizotypal Personality Disorder traits were also explored. Correlations between some subscales of the SPQ-B and some dimensions of the RPBS were found. The "cognition-perception" subscale was strongly correlated with the "witchcraft", "spirituality", "precognition" and "psi" subscales. Nevertheless, this subscale was lightly correlated with the "traditional religious belief" and "extraordinary life forms" dimensions. No correlation was found between the others dimensions of schizotypy as "disorganized" and "interpersonal" and dimensions of paranormal beliefs.

DISCUSSION

The initial model developed by Tobacyk and Milford did not fit the data from the French population. The low internal consistencies regarding both superstition and extraordinary life forms dimensions highlighted some cultural differences that have to be acknowledged. This result emphasizes that beliefs in some extraordinary life forms as Loch Ness monster are not an important dimension to take into account in a French population. Our findings also indicate that the RPBS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing paranormal beliefs in a French population. Our findings also highlight that such beliefs are associated with Schizotypal Personality Disorder traits. Developing research on the association between Schizotypal Personality Disorder traits and such beliefs appears of prime importance. Future studies focusing on features associated with paranormal beliefs are also warranted.

[Judicial decisions after reporting cases of shaken baby syndrome. Sentences and compensation]

BACKGROUND

Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is defined by the association of intracranial hemorrhage and retinal hemorrhage in infants under 2 years of age, with no obvious external trauma. This syndrome leads to frequent neurological sequelae. Therefore, these infants can claim compensation for damage if sequelae are directly and irrefutably linked to the trauma. Data on the judicial treatment are for the most part inexistent in the medical literature, the reason for which this study was conducted.

POPULATION AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study over a period of 10 years. We included all cases of SBS reported to the High Courts of the Ille-et-Vilaine department (Rennes and St Malo). The cases were listed from the archives of the Department of Medical Information, the Specialized Unit for Abused Children and Forensic Department at the Rennes University Hospital. We were able to look the judicial cases up after receiving agreement from the prosecutors of the two courts.

RESULTS

Of the 34 cases included, 12 could not be used (lost, ongoing, destroyed, transferred to another court), 16 led to an order of dismissal or to no further action because of an unknown perpetrator, insufficiently described offense, or insufficient evidence. Six authors were sentenced. It was the father (n=5) or the childminder (n=1). All perpetrators had confessed to part or all of the charges brought against them. Five children received compensation: three by the civil court and two by the commission of compensation for victims of an offense.

CONCLUSION

Most cases led to no conviction and no compensation. The identification by the physician of the person responsible for the lesions in SBS does not mean that the perpetrator will be convicted because of the strict application of criminal law. The nomination of an administrator representing the infant could resolve the lack of compensation.

[Is the court-ordered treatment indication by the expert based on a medical diagnosis?]

Court-ordered treatment was created in 1998, as part of a law against sexual offense recidivism. The creation of court-ordered treatment is based on the premise that many offenders have psychiatric disorders. If the court-ordered treatment is appraised as an effective way to prevent recidivism by the lawmaker, the preeminent role of psychiatry, in the prevention of recidivism has generated controversy in the psychiatric community. Few studies have been conducted on court-ordered treatment in France, and have concerned epidemiological measures. Court-ordered treatment leads to an extension of the expert's mission. In order to prevent recidivism, the interest of a treatment is a new part of the expert's mission.

PURPOSE

The main purpose of this study was to assess the kind of diagnosis reported by the forensic psychiatrist who considered the court-ordered treatment as appropriate.

METHOD

We led a descriptive and retrospective study among the experts' reports of 68 subjects followed by three psychiatrists. We categorized each diagnosis found in the experts' reports in reference to DSM-IV-TR axis I and axis II. As the expert has no obligation to refer to the DSM-IV-TR, we also considered the "no DSM-IV-TR categorized disorder" as a category. The primary outcome was the proportion of each diagnosis category in experts' reports, in which the forensic psychiatrist agreed with the indication of a court-ordered treatment.

RESULTS

We analysed 123 experts' reports in which the mission was to diagnose a mental disorder and to assess the need for a court-ordered treatment. The expert agreed with the need for a court-ordered treatment in 112 reports. In those reports the diagnosis was "no disorder" in 27% of them, "no DSM-IV-TR categorized disorder" in 26% of them, "axis II disorder" in 24% of them, "axis I disorder" in 19% of them, and "association of an axis I and an axis II disorder" in 4% of them.

DISCUSSION

The diagnoses were heterogeneous. Their associations with the need for a court-ordered treatment seem to be contradictory when considering the association between "no mental disorder" and "need for a court-ordered treatment" found in 27% of the reports. These paradoxical results led us to question the meaning of mental disorder and treatment.

Iron excess limits HHIPL-2 gene expression and decreases osteoblastic activity in human MG-63 cells

In order to understand mechanisms involved in osteoporosis observed during iron overload diseases, we analyzed the impact of iron on a human osteoblast-like cell line. Iron exposure decreases osteoblast phenotype. HHIPL-2 is an iron-modulated gene which could contribute to these alterations. Our results suggest osteoblast impairment in iron-related osteoporosis.

INTRODUCTION

Iron overload may cause osteoporosis. An iron-related decrease in osteoblast activity has been suggested.

METHODS

We investigated the effect of iron exposure on human osteoblast cells (MG-63) by analyzing the impact of ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) and iron citrate (FeCi) on the expression of genes involved in iron metabolism or associated with osteoblast phenotype. A transcriptomic analysis was performed to identify iron-modulated genes.

RESULTS

FAC and FeCi exposure modulated cellular iron status with a decrease in TFRC mRNA level and an increase in intracellular ferritin level. FAC increased ROS level and caspase 3 activity. Ferroportin, HFE and TFR2 mRNAs were expressed in MG-63 cells under basal conditions. The level of ferroportin mRNA was increased by iron, whereas HFE mRNA level was decreased. The level of mRNA alpha 1 collagen type I chain, osteocalcin and the transcriptional factor RUNX2 were decreased by iron. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the mRNA level of HedgeHog Interacting Protein Like-2 (HHIPL-2) gene, encoding an inhibitor of the hedgehog signaling pathway, was decreased in the presence of FAC. Specific inhibition of HHIPL-2 expression decreased osteoblast marker mRNA levels. Purmorphamine, hedgehog pathway activator, increased the mRNA level of GLI1, a target gene for the hedgehog pathway, and decreased osteoblast marker levels. GLI1 mRNA level was increased under iron exposure.

CONCLUSION

We showed that in human MG-63 cells, iron exposure impacts iron metabolism and osteoblast gene expression. HHIPL-2 gene expression modulation may contribute to these alterations. Our results support a role of osteoblast impairment in iron-related osteoporosis.

[Implantation of autologous chondrocytes for cartilagenous lesions in young patients. A study of 24 cases]

STUDY AIM

The aim of this study was to describe the treatment of symptomatic knee cartilage defects on young active patients by autologous chondrocyte implantation and to report preliminary results in 24 patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Since April 1996, 24 selected patients underwent 25 implantations in five military hospitals. There were 19 men and five women (all of them practicing sports); mean age was 27. Lesions were localized on left (n = 13) and right (n = 12) aligned and stabilized knees. There were 12 isolated cartilage defects (eight OCD and four posttraumatic) and 13 associated with ligament lesions (n = 8) or multiple and severe lesions (n = 3 indication of salvage). Mean surface of cartilage defects was 6 cm2. Mean preoperative evolution was 11 months and stage was grade IV (Outerbridge) for all. The first step was arthroscopy for classification and biopsy. The second one was implantation after a 3-week delay (for the ex vivo culture) through arthrotomy, under a periosteal flap taken from tibia and sutured on the edges of the prepared defect. Weight bearing was allowed after the 6th week; MRI was performed at 6, 12, 18, 24 months. The follow up was evaluated with three scales: Lysholm 2, Tegner Activity, Cincinnati Knee Rating System.

RESULTS

Postoperative complications included: algodystrophy (n = 2) and phlebitis (n = 1). Four patients were revised at 6 months, seven between 6 and 12 months, 11 after. The longest follow-up was 26 months. Results were poor in one patient (salvage). For the others, pain and swelling decreased after 6 months and disappeared after 12 months.

CONCLUSION

Autologous chondrocyte implantation used in this senes and in a large international ongoing series seems to be the only procedure allowing a true long-term regeneration of cartilage defects. Some questions remain, on the biological level in relation with the use of some growth factors and the risk of chromosomic abnormalities, and on the economical level because of the high cost of this technique.

Asymptomatic cervical haemangioma treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty

We report a 17-year-old asymptomatic patient with a partially collapsed seventh cervical vertebra due to a haemangioma revealed by conventional radiographs performed for army enrollment. Given radiological evidence of aggressiveness, percutaneous vertebroplasty by injection of methyl methacrylate cement was performed to prevent complications. CT a year later showed no progression of the lesion. The patient remains asymptomatic.

[Osteoblastomas of the coccyx. Apropos of a case. Review of the literature]

A 24-year-old man presented with a painful and invalidating coccyx. Exploration revealed a bony lesion involving parts of 2nd and all of the 3rd coccygeal vertebrae. The pathology examination of the surgical specimen revealed the diagnosis of benign osteoblastoma of the coccyx. This exceptional localization required complete surgical resection going into healthy tissues to allow a full histological study and to ensure the absence of relapse. Post-operative follow-up was uneventful and the functional result was excellent.