One-Sided Chronic Intervillositis of Unknown Etiology in Dizygotic Twins: A Description of 3 Cases

Chronic intervillositis of unknown etiology (CIUE) is a rare, poorly understood, histopathological diagnosis of the placenta that is frequently accompanied by adverse pregnancy outcomes including miscarriage, fetal growth restriction, and intrauterine fetal death. CIUE is thought to have an immunologically driven pathophysiology and may be related to human leukocyte antigen mismatches between the mother and the fetus. Dizygotic twins with one-sided CIUE provide an interesting context to study the influence of immunogenetic differences in such cases. The main immune-cell subsets were investigated using immunohistochemistry. We identified three dizygotic twin pregnancies in which CIUE was present in only one of the two placentas. Two of the pregnancies ended in term delivery and one ended in preterm delivery. Presence of CIUE was correlated with lower placental weight and lower birthweight. Relative number of CD68, CD56, CD20, and CD3 positive cells were comparable between co-twins. The presence of one-sided CIUE in dizygotic twin pregnancy was associated with selective growth restriction in the affected twin. This suggests a unique fetal immunogenetic contribution to the pathogenesis of CIUE. Further study of dizygotic and monozygotic placentas affected by CIUE could identify new insights into its pathophysiology and into the field of reproductive immunology.     

Combining confinement and NO calcination to arrive at highly dispersed supported nickel and cobalt oxide catalysts with a tunable particle size

Control over the size and size distribution of supported nanoparticles is key to their efficient use in catalysis. In the preparation of nanoparticles by impregnation using nitrate precursors, the support pore diameter can be used to influence the average crystallite size. However, the particle size distributions obtained via this method are generally broad and the dispersions relatively low. Higher dispersions and narrow particle size distributions are obtained via thermal decomposition of the metal nitrate precursor in 1% (v/v) NO in Ar instead of air. Here we will show that by combining the confinement effect of ordered mesoporous silica with a decomposition step of metal nitrates in NO, silica supported nickel and cobalt oxides with a tunable particle size (2–4 nm) can be obtained at high loadings (10–20 wt%).     

Physical properties of mammary secretions in relation to chemical changes during transition from colostrum to milk

We examined the physical and chemical changes in milk during early lactation, and how these changes were affected by leaving one quarter unmilked in either the first or second milking, with the purpose of discriminating between colostrum and normal milk. Milk samples were collected from each quarter of 17 cows during the first 5 d after calving and then after about 7 d and 14d. Samples were analysed for somatic cell count (SCC), fat, protein, casein, lactose, IgG1, colour, plasmin, pH and coagulation properties. Large variations occurred in both chemical and physical properties throughout the study period. Within six milkings, the concentration of casein decreased by 60%, IgG1 by 94%, and lactose increased by 34%. At milking number 6, rennet coagulation time was lowest and curd firmness was highest. The pH increased from 6.4 to 6.7 over the period of the experiment, and the colour changed from yellow (reddish) to white. Coagulation properties and the pH fell within the range of normal milk after five milkings. Measurement of colour and density appeared to be a potential method for detection of milk unsuitable for the dairy factory. Effects of omitting one quarter in one milking differed between milk components, but seemed to be of little importance to the physical properties.     

Can degradation products be used as documentation for natural attenuation of phenoxy acids in groundwater?

In situ indicators of degradation are important tools in the demonstration of natural attenuation. A literature survey on the production history of phenoxy acids and degradation pathways has shown that metabolites of phenoxy acid herbicides also are impurities in the herbicide products, making the bare presence of these compounds useless as in situ indicators. These impurities can make up more than 30% of the herbicides. Degradation of phenoxy acids was demonstrated in microcosm experiments using groundwater and sediment contaminated with MCPP, dichlorprop, and related compounds such as other phenoxypropionic acids and chlorophenols. Field observations at two phenoxy acid-contaminated sites showed the occurrence of several impurities including metabolites in the groundwater. Neither the microcosm experiments nor the field observations verified that metabolites were actually produced or accumulated in situ. However, it was demonstrated that the impurity/parent herbicide ratios can be useful in situ indicators of degradation.     

Association between the bovine milk metabolome and rennet-induced coagulation properties of milk

The milk metabolomes of 407 individual Swedish Red dairy cows were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as part of the Danish-Swedish Milk Genomics Initiative. By relating these metabolite profiles to total milk protein concentration and rheological measurements of rennet-induced milk coagulation together using multivariate data analysis techniques, we were able to identify several different associations of the milk metabolome to technological properties of milk. Several novel correlations of milk metabolites to protein content and rennet-induced coagulation properties were demonstrated. Metabolites associated with the prediction of total protein content included choline, N-acetyl hexosamines, creatinine, glycerophosphocholine, glutamate, glucose 1-phosphate, galactose 1-phosphate, and orotate. In addition, levels of lactate, acetate, glutamate, creatinine, choline, carnitine, galactose 1-phosphate, and glycerophosphocholine were significantly different when comparing noncoagulating and well-coagulating milks. These findings suggest that the mentioned metabolites are associated with milk protein content and rennet-induced coagulation properties and may act as quality markers for cheese milk.     

Fish Oil Supplementation During Lactation: Effects on Cognition and Behavior at 7 Years of Age

Early accumulation of n-3 long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) in the brain may contribute to differences in later cognitive abilities. In this study, our objective was to examine whether fish oil (FO) supplementation during lactation affects processing speed, working memory, inhibitory control, and socioemotional development at 7 years. Danish mothers (n = 122) were randomized to FO [1.5 g/d n-3 LCPUFA] or olive oil (OO) supplementation during the first 4 months of lactation. The trial also included a high-fish intake (HFI) reference group (n = 53). Ninety-eight children were followed-up with an assessment of processing speed, an age-appropriate Stroop task, and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire at 7 year. A group effect of the intervention (FO vs. OO) was found in prosocial behavior scores; this negative effect was carried by the boys. Exploratory analyses including all participants revealed the speed of processing scores were predicted by maternal n-3 LCPUFA intake during the intervention period (negative relation) and maternal education (positive relation). Stroop scores indicative of working memory and inhibitory control were predicted by infant erythrocyte DHA status at 4 months of age (negative relation). Early fish oil supplementation may have a negative effect on later cognitive abilities. Speed of processing and inhibitory control/working memory are differentially affected, with speed of processing showing effects of fish oil intake as a whole, whereas inhibitory control/working memory was related more specifically to DHA status.     

Lack of Neuroprotection with a Single Intravenous Infusion of Human Amnion Epithelial Cells after Severe Hypoxia–Ischemia in Near-Term Fetal Sheep

Background: Hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) around the time of birth results from loss of oxygen (hypoxia) and blood supply (ischemia). Exogenous infusion of multi-potential cells, including human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs), can reduce hypoxic–ischemic (HI) brain injury. However, there are few data on treatment of severe HI in large animal paradigms at term. The aim of the current study was to determine whether infusion of hAECs early after injury may reduce brain damage after ischemia in near-term fetal sheep. Methods: Chronically instrumented fetal sheep (0.85 gestation) received 30 min of global cerebral ischemia followed by intravenous infusion of hAECs from 2 h after the end of ischemia (ischemia-hAEC, n = 6) or saline (ischemia-vehicle, n = 7). Sham control animals received sham ischemia with vehicle infusion (sham control, n = 8). Results: Ischemia was associated with significant suppression of EEG power and spectral edge frequency until the end of the experiment and a secondary rise in cortical impedance from 24 to 72 h, which were not attenuated by hAEC administration. Ischemia was associated with loss of neurons in the cortex, thalamus, striatum and hippocampus, loss of white matter oligodendrocytes and increased microglial numbers in the white matter, which were not affected by hAEC infusion. Conclusions: A single intravenous administration of hAECs did not reduce electrographic or histological brain damage after 30 min of global cerebral ischemia in near-term fetal sheep.     

Alterations to Cerebral Perfusion,Metabolite Profiles,and Neuronal Morphology in the Hippocampus and Cortex of Male and Female Mice during Chronic Exposure to a High-Salt Diet

Excess dietary salt reduces resting cerebral blood flow (CBF) and vascular reactivity, which can limit the fueling of neuronal metabolism. It is hitherto unknown whether metabolic derangements induced by high-salt-diet (HSD) exposure during adulthood are reversed by reducing salt intake. In this study, male and female mice were fed an HSD from 9 to 16 months of age, followed by a normal-salt diet (ND) thereafter until 23 months of age. Controls were continuously fed either ND or HSD. CBF and metabolite profiles were determined longitudinally by arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, respectively. HSD reduced cortical and hippocampal CBF, which recovered after dietary salt normalization, and affected hippocampal but not cortical metabolite profiles. Compared to ND, HSD increased hippocampal glutamine and phosphocreatine levels and decreased creatine and choline levels. Dietary reversal only allowed recovery of glutamine levels. Histology analyses revealed that HSD reduced the dendritic arborization and spine density of cortical and hippocampal neurons, which were not recovered after dietary salt normalization. We conclude that sustained HSD exposure throughout adulthood causes permanent structural and metabolic alterations to the mouse brain that are not fully normalized by lowering dietary salt during aging.     

Precipitation and void-swelling in nickel-manganese austenitic stainless steels

The precipitation and void-swelling characteristics of austenitic stainless steels in which nickel is partially replaced by manganese have been investigated. Alloy compositions were chosen on the basis of manganese being half as effective as nickel in stabilizing austenite, and steels with “nickel equivalent” contents of 25–37% were examined. The steels were irradiated with 46 MeV Ni⁶⁺ ions to 60 dpa at 625°C and also aged for 1000 h at 600°C. The high-Mn alloys (20–30% Mn) were very susceptible to the formation of intermetallic phases during thermal ageing but less so in the shorter-duration irradiation experiment. Irradiation promoted the formation of Ni- and Si-rich phases—the suicide G phase (in which Mn can replace Ti) and in one instance M₆C. The Cr-rich carbide M₂₃C₆ formed in both the aged and irradiated steels. Among the high-Mn alloys, void-swelling decreased with increasing Ni and (Ni+Mn) contents, although a 25Ni-1Mn steel showed no swelling at 625°C.     

A Context-Aware User Interface for Wireless Personal-Area Network Assistive Environments

The daily life of people with severe motor system impairments is challenging and thus often subordinated to extensive external help; increasing their level of self-support is thus highly desirable. Recent advances in wireless communications, in particular in wireless personal-area networks, serve as technological enablers well suited for implementing smart and convenient assistive environments which can increase self-support. This paper presents the design and prototyping of a versatile interface for such wireless assistive environments. We propose a modular framework that can accommodate several wireless personal-area network standards. The interface is built upon this framework and is designed in such a way that it can be controlled by various types of input devices such as a touch screen or a tongue-control unit. The interface can automatically discover consumer appliances (e.g. Zigbee and Bluetooth enabled lights and computers) in the user’s environment and display the services supported by these devices on a user-friendly graphical user interface. A demonstrator is prototyped and experimental results show that the proposed interface is context-aware, i.e. it successfully detects available appliances, adapts itself to the changes that occur in the user’s environment, and automatically informs the user about these changes. The results also show that the proposed interface is versatile and easy to use, i.e. the user can easily control multiple devices by means of a browser menu. Hence, the proposed work illustrates how assistive technology based on wireless personal-area networks can contribute to improving the quality of life of motor system impaired persons.