Deterministic model to evaluate the impact of lactational treatment of subclinical mastitis due to coagulase-negative staphylococci

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are the most frequently isolated bacteria from milk samples in several studies worldwide. Despite their relative frequency, specific measures aiming at their control are not well established. One possible measure to include in a control programme is lactational antimicrobial treatment. The decision to perform such treatment, as well as other actions on farm, should be based on the likelihood of financial return. A deterministic model was used to evaluate whether performing an antimicrobial treatment during the lactation for quarters infected with CNS was financially justifiable. Input variables for the impact of CNS on udder health were based on a previous study by the same authors and on available literature on the subject. Prices included in the model were based on 2009/2010 conditions in Portugal. The average result per antimicrobial treated quarter was a net loss of ?8·74. Performing a sensitivity analysis to evaluate how systematic variation of the input variables of the model would lead to outcome changes showed that variation in input variables nearly always led to a negative outcome, with the greatest variation in losses observed for variation in the length of treatment and milk withdrawal period (-?6·26 to -?8·49). The situations in which a net benefit was to be expected included the bulk tank somatic cell count decreasing to a level corresponding to a premium payment or to penalties being avoided, and the prevention of transmission of CNS in the milking parlour when the possibility of transmission was at its highest level. For most situations, lactational treatment of CNS subclinical mastitis was not financially justifiable.     

Identification of 2-ethyl-4-methyl-3-thiazoline and 2-isopropyl-4-methyl-3-thiazoline for the first time in nature by the comprehensive analysis of sesame seed oil

Toasted sesame seed oil was comprehensively analyzed. It was extracted using the SAFE (Solvent-Assisted Flavor Evaporation) technique. The extract was analyzed by GC and GC-MS on 2 phases and a total of 87 components were identified, confirmed, and are presented in this paper. The major components were methylpyrazine; 2,5-dimethylpyrazine; 2,6-dimethylpyrazine; 2-ethyl-3,6-dimethylpyrazine; furfuryl alcohol; and guaiacol. In addition, as part of this analysis, 2-ethyl-4-methyl-3-thiazoline and 2-isopropyl-4-methyl-3-thiazoline were confirmed as being present in a natural product for the first time. Their identification, confirmation, and sensory evaluation have been documented here.     

Image analysis of microstructural changes in almond cotyledon as a result of processing

Release of oil from nuts due to damaged cellular structures can degrade the quality of products incorporating nuts. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different processing conditions on microstructure of almond tissue and to quantify these changes using image processing. Spinning disk confocal fluorescence microscopy was used for imaging changes in microstructure of almonds as a function of different thermal processing of almonds. Multiple staining of Nile Red and Calcofluor White was applied to differentiate cell wall structures and oil bodies within individual almond cells without chemical fixation. An algorithm for image processing, included image preprocessing, segmentation, and determination of morphological features of segmented objects, was developed. Oil-roasting processes (140 °C and 150 °C) were found to have a significant impact on microstructure of almonds when compared to the hot air-roasting and blanching processes. Oil-roasted almond at 150 °C had a greater cellular damage due to cell wall and membrane rupture. These changes in microstructure of almonds would make them slightly more susceptible to release oil during storage. The image analysis presented allows quantitative evaluation for the effect of different processing on almond microstructure.     

The relationship between compliance with lens replacement and contact lens-related problems in silicone hydrogel wearers

Purpose

To evaluate the relationship between compliance with replacement frequency (RF) and contact lens (CL)-related problems in silicone hydrogel (SiHy) wearers.

Methods

501 SiHy wearers from seven optometry offices completed surveys regarding their lens wear and any CL related problems which they may have experienced in the preceding 12 months. File review was subsequently conducted at their optometry offices to confirm the information provided.

Results

49% of respondents were wearing 2-week replacement (2WR) and 51% 1-month replacement (1MR) SiHy lenses. 67% wore their lenses for longer than the manufacturers’ recommended RF (MRRF) and 60% for longer than their optometrist's recommended RF (ORRF). The mean RF was 2.6× the MRRF for 2WR and 1.5× for 1MR wearers (p < 0.001) with median values of 31 and 37 days, respectively. Twenty-three percent reported signs or symptoms consistent with potential complications relating to CL wear. This rate was significantly higher for wearers who were non-compliant with the ORRF than compliant wearers (26% versus 18%, p = 0.028). It was also higher for those multipurpose solution users who reported never/almost never rubbing and rinsing their lenses when compared with those who did this every night (29% versus 17%, p = 0.007).

Conclusions

Two thirds of the SiHy wearers did not comply with the MRRF and 2WR wearers stretched the replacement interval of their lenses to a greater degree than 1MR wearers. Failing to replace lenses when recommended and failing to rub and rinse lenses were associated with a higher rate of patient-reported CL problems.     

Volunteer Support, Marital Status, and the Survival Times of Terminally Ill Patients.

This study examines the possibility that volunteer support can influence how long terminally ill patients survive. Hospice patient files (N=290) were coded for marital status and volunteer support condition, respectively, the latter on the basis of whether visits from volunteers were requested and received (n=94), requested but not received (n=28), or neither requested nor received (n=168). Baseline health, disease type, and demographic dimensions were comparable across support conditions. Results indicated that when a baseline health status effect was controlled for (p     

The Impact of Being a Support Provider to a Person Living in the Community With a Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: To examine the personal impact of being a support provider (SP) to a community-dwelling person with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Study Design: Quantitative phase (interview-completed questionnaire; n=100), followed by qualitative phase (8 focus groups; n=46). Participants: Convenience sample; self-selected subsample in focus groups. Main Outcome Measures: Productivity status, satisfaction with community integration, quality of life. Results: Supporting a person with SCI brings significant life change. Greater support provision was related to lower productivity and community integration of the SPs. They felt underserved and unprepared emotionally and cognitively for their new, unanticipated role. Conclusions: More attention, understanding, and service directed to SPs are required to reduce trial-and-error learning and emotional and physical burden. Enhanced injury resource materials, peer networks, and knowledge-building opportunities may ameliorate SP difficulties. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Selective ablation of GABA neurons in the ventral tegmental area increases spontaneous locomotor activity.

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) provide innervation to cortical and subcortical regions of the brain. To solidify the importance of these VTA GABA neurons in behavioral function, we employed the neurotoxin dermorphin-saporin (DS) to selectively lesion VTA GABA neurons prior to assessing spontaneous motor activity. Rats were bilaterally microinfused with DS (1.0 or 2.0 pmol/200 nl/side) or blank-saporin control (BS, 200 nl/side) into the VTA. Seven days later, DS-treated rats exhibited significantly elevated motility in comparison with BS-treated rats; this elevated motility normalized by Day 14 following pretreatment with 1.0 pmol of DS but was sustained on Day 14 after pretreatment with 2.0 pmol of DS. A selective loss of VTA GABA neurons on Day 14 was demonstrated through reduced expression of mRNA for glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 and μ-opioid receptor, but not tyrosine hydroxylase (a dopamine neuron marker), in the VTA. Thus, a dose- and time-related selective loss of VTA GABA neurons was accomplished using this novel neurotoxin. This loss of GABA VTA neurons was associated with hypermotility, further supporting their important regulatory role in the generation of behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Synthesis and characterization of antiseptic-based poly(anhydride-esters)

Summary Poly(anhydride-esters) were prepared from catechol, fenticlor and hexachlorophene. The molecular weights (M_w) of the polymers were typically >10,000 Da with glass transition temperatures (T_g) ranging from 23 to 84 °C. The thermal characteristics of the polymers paralleled the melting temperatures of the chemically incorporated antiseptic molecules. The in vitro release of the chemically incorporated antiseptic molecules were monitored over a 12 week period. For comparison, the in vitro release of physically admixed antiseptic molecules were also observed. After 12 weeks, the polymers were not completely degraded with drug release ranging from less than 1 to 55%. Sessile-drop contact angles indicated that the polymers were relatively hydrophobic, contributing to the slow polymer degradation rates.     

Self-affirmation reduces smokers' defensiveness to graphic on-pack cigarette warning labels.

Objective: Little is known about how smokers respond to graphic images depicting the health consequences of smoking. The authors tested whether smokers respond defensively to such images and whether allowing them to self-affirm reduces their defensiveness. Design: Young smokers (N = 87) were randomly allocated to self-affirm or perform a control task prior to viewing 4 images intended for future use on cigarette packs in the European Union. Measures were taken immediately postexposure and after 1 week. Main Outcome Measures: Participants rated each image for threat and personal relevance. Once all 4 images had been viewed, they completed measures of intentions, self-efficacy, and perceived behavioral control for reducing cigarette consumption, negative thoughts and feelings about smoking, personal vulnerability to 6 smoking-related diseases, desire to quit, and plans to quit. At the 1-week follow-up, measures of self-reported smoking and desire to reduce consumption were taken. Results: Relative to controls, self-affirmed participants rated the images as more threatening and personally relevant, and they reported more negative thoughts and feelings and higher levels of control, self-efficacy, and intentions. Risk level moderated the effect of self-affirmation on relevance and intentions: Self-affirmation increased ratings on both measures among those who smoked more. In addition, self-affirmation moderated the threat-intention relationship, which was weaker in the self-affirmed group. At follow-up, motivation to reduce consumption remained higher in self-affirmed participants, but there were no differences in reported consumption. Conclusion: Self-affirmation can promote less defensive responding even to visual material about well-established health risks such as smoking. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)