Arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias) and Kamchatka flounder (A. evermanni) are closely related flatfish species that co-occur in the eastern Bering Sea. As adults, arrowtooth flounder can be ...distinguished from Kamchatka flounder; however, larvae and early juveniles can only be indentified to the genus level due to morphological similarities. This has precluded studies of ecology for the early life stages of both species in the eastern Bering Sea. In this study, we developed a genetic technique to identify the larvae and early juveniles of the two species using mtDNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). Genetically identified specimens were then examined to determine a visual identification method based on pigment patterns and morphology. Specimens 6.0-12.0mm SL and greater than or equal to 18.0mm SL can be identified to the species level, but species identification of individuals 12.1-17.9mm SL by visual means alone remains elusive. The distribution of larvae (<25.0mm SL) of both arrowtooth flounder and Kamchatka flounder is similar in the eastern Bering Sea; however, juvenile ( greater than or equal to 25.0mm SL) Kamchatka flounder occur closer to the shelf break and in deeper water than juvenile arrowtooth flounder. Condition was determined for larvae and juveniles of each species by analyzing lipid content (%) and energy density (kJ/g dry mass). Kamchatka flounder larvae on average had higher lipid content than arrowtooth flounder larvae, but were also larger on average than arrowtooth flounder larvae in the summer. When corrected for length, both species had similar lipid content in the larval and juvenile stages.
This investigation tested the hypothesis that the dynamics of muscle microvascular O(2) pressure (PO(2)m, which reflects the ratio of O(2) utilization V*O(2) to O(2) delivery Q*O(2)) following the ...onset of contractions would be altered in chronic heart failure (CHF).
Female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a myocardial infarction (MI) or a sham operation (Sham). Six to 10 weeks post Sham (n=6) or MI (n=17), phosphorescence quenching techniques were utilized to determine PO(2)m dynamics at the onset of spinotrapezius muscle contractions (1 Hz).
MI rats were separated into groups with Moderate (n=10) and Severe (n=7) CHF based upon the degree of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction as indicated by structural abnormalities (increased right ventricle weight and lung weight normalized to body weight). LV end-diastolic pressure was elevated significantly in both CHF groups compared with Sham (Sham, 3+/-1; Moderate CHF, 9+/-2; Severe CHF, 27+/-4 mmHg, P<0.05). The PO(2)m response was modeled using time delay and exponential components to fit the PO(2)m response to the steady-state. Compared with Shams, the time constant (tau) of the primary PO(2)m response was significantly speeded in Moderate CHF (tau, Sham, 19.0+/-1.5; Moderate CHF, 13.2+/-1.9 s, P<0.05) and slowed in Severe CHF (tau, 28.2+/-3.4 s, P<0.05). Within the Severe CHF group, tau increased linearly with the product of right ventricular and lung weight (r=0.83, P<0.05).
These results suggest that CHF alters the dynamic matching of muscle V*O(2)-to-Q*O(2) across the transition from rest to contractions and that the nature of that perturbation is dependent upon the severity of cardiac dysfunction.
With the advent of workloads containing explicit requests for multiple cores in a single grid job, grid sites faced a new set of challenges in workload scheduling. The most common batch schedulers ...deployed at HEP computing sites do a poor job at multicore scheduling when using only the native capabilities of those schedulers. This paper describes how efficient multicore scheduling was achieved at the sites the authors represent, by implementing dynamically-sized multicore partitions via a minimalistic addition to the Torque/Maui batch system already in use at those sites. The paper further includes example results from use of the system in production, as well as measurements on the dependence of performance (especially the ramp-up in throughput for multicore jobs) on node size and job size.
Abstract
Introduction
The impact of Vitamin D supplementation on weight loss has been demonstrated in several randomized controlled trials (RCT), but there is still lack of consensus regarding its ...efficacy. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Vitamin D in weight reduction in terms of changes in weight loss, BMI, neck circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, waist circumference, waist-thigh ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, and percent body fat, as well as reported adverse effects.
Methodology
MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar, WHO database, Herdin, Cochrane Database and EMBASE were searched for literature published from 2005–2020. A systematic search was conducted for RCTs on the efficacy of Vitamin D (alone or in combination with Calcium, or with a weight-loss program, or with both) in weight loss among participants 18–75 years old with above-normal BMI, and with a study duration of 4–12 weeks. Sixteen RCTs were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Screening and selection were based on the eligibility criteria, while appraisal included checking for the risk of bias, assessing the validity of the results of the study, and its methodological quality. Outcomes of eligible studies were obtained directly from the studies, if available, or summarized and calculated from the available data. For continuous data, mean differences were compared.
Results
When compared with placebo, Vitamin D supplementation showed a significant reduction in weight loss (mean difference MD = −0.92; 95% confidence interval 95% CI, −1.52 to −0.31; P=0.003), BMI (MD = −0.52; 95% CI: −0.73 to −0.31; P=0.02), waist circumference (MD = −1.35; 95% CI: −2.21 to −0.33 P=0.0006) and percent body fat (MD = −0.82; 95% CI; −1.40 to −0.25; P=0.005) but no significant effect on reduction of waist-to-hip ratio (MD = −0.01, 95% CI; −0.01 to 0.00; P=0.17). None of the studies reported outcomes for neck circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, and waist-thigh ratio. Heterogeneity was addressed using random effects model in analysis. Out of the 16 studies included, only two reported adverse events, which include constipation after intake of Vitamin D and calcium supplements and other multiple non-serious adverse events.
Conclusion and recommendations
Vitamin D as an adjunct showed a significant effect on weight loss, BMI reduction, decrease in waist circumference and percent body fat among adults after a short-term intake of oral Vitamin D, thus Vitamin D supplementation may be recommended as an adjunct treatment for weight loss among adults, but the study results should be used with caution as significant heterogeneity was observed. Further conduction of local RCTs and meta-analysis is recommended for further elucidation of data in order to determine its efficacy among Filipinos.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None. Effect of Vit D on waist circumference
Purpose
Intensive care for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) aims, among other tasks, at avoiding high intracranial pressure (ICP), which is perceived to worsen motor and cognitive deficits ...and increase mortality. International recommendations for threshold values for ICP were increased from 20 to 22 mmHg in 2016 following the findings in a study by Sorrentino et al., which were based on an observational study of patients with TBI of averaged ICP values. We aimed to reproduce their approach and validate the findings in a separate cohort.
Methods
Three hundred thirty-one patients with TBI were included and categorised according to survival/death and favourable/unfavourable outcome at 6 months (based on Glasgow Outcome Score—Extended of 6–8 and 1—5, respectively). Repeated chi-square tests of survival and death (or favourable and unfavourable outcome) vs. high and low ICP were conducted with discrimination between high and low ICP sets at increasing values (integers) between 10 and 35 mmHg, using the average ICP for the entire monitoring period. The ICP limit returning the highest chi-square score was assumed to be the threshold with best discriminative ability. This approach was repeated after stratification by sex, age, and initial Glasgow Coma Score (GCS).
Results
An ICP limit of 18 mmHg was found for both mortality and unfavourable outcome for the entire cohort. The female and the low GCS subgroups both had threshold values of 18 mmHg; for all other subgroups, the threshold varied between 16 and 30 mmHg. According to a multiple logistic regression analysis, age, initial GCS, and average ICP are independently associated with mortality and outcome.
Conclusions
Using identical methods and closely comparable cohorts, the critical thresholds for ICP found in the study by Sorrentino et al. could not be reproduced.
Passiflora, a genus with more than 400 species, exhibits a high diversity of floral and vegetative structures and a complex taxonomy, which includes 23 subgenera and many sections and series. To ...better understand Passiflora's variability and interspecific relationships, the phylogeny of 61 species, classified in 11 of 23 suggested subgenera, was investigated. Three molecular markers were used, the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (nrlTS), the plastid trnL-trnF spacer regions (~1000 bp), and the rps4 plastid gene (~570 bp). Three major clades were highly supported, independent of the marker and phylogenetic method used; one included the subgenera Distephana, Dysosmia, Dysosmioides, Passiflora, and Tacsonioides, a second, the subgenera Adopogyne, Decaloba, Murucuja, and Pseudomurucuja, and a third, the subgenus Astrophea. We call these the Passiflora, Decaloba, and Astrophea clades, respectively. The position of subgenus Deidamioides is undefined. The monophyly of Passiflora could not be statistically corroborated, and the relationships among the major clades and of these clades with the related genera remain unresolved. Our results indicate that a reevaluation of the monophyly of Passiflora and its infrageneric classification is necessary.
Hyperglycemia in children after cardiac surgery can be treated with intensive insulin therapy, but hypoglycemia is a potential serious side effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the ...effects of reducing glucose intake below standard intakes to prevent hyperglycemia, on blood glucose concentrations, glucose kinetics and protein catabolism in children after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).
Subjects received a 4-hour low glucose (LG; 2.5 mg/kg per minute) and a 4-hour standard glucose (SG; 5.0 mg/kg per minute) infusion in a randomized blinded crossover setting. Simultaneously, an 8-hour stable isotope tracer protocol was conducted to determine glucose and leucine kinetics. Data are presented as mean ± SD or median (IQR); comparison was made by paired samples t test.
Eleven subjects (age 5.1 (20.2) months) were studied 9.5 ± 1.9 hours post-cardiac surgery. Blood glucose concentrations were lower during LG than SG (LG 7.3 ± 0.7 vs. SG 9.3 ± 1.8 mmol/L; P < 0.01), although the glycemic target (4.0-6.0 mmol/L) was not achieved. No hypoglycemic events occurred. Endogenous glucose production was higher during LG than SG (LG 2.9 ± 0.8 vs. SG 1.5 ± 1.1 mg/kg per minute; P = 0.02), due to increased glycogenolysis (LG 1.0 ± 0.6 vs. SG 0.0 ± 1.0 mg/kg per minute; P < 0.05). Leucine balance, indicating protein balance, was negative but not affected by glucose intake (LG -54.8 ± 14.6 vs. SG -58.8 ± 16.7 μmol/kg per hour; P = 0.57).
Currently recommended glucose intakes aggravated hyperglycemia in children early after cardiac surgery with CPB. Reduced glucose intake decreased blood glucose concentrations without causing hypoglycemia or affecting protein catabolism, but increased glycogenolysis.
Dutch trial register NTR2079.
Albuminuria and reduced glomerular filtration rate are manifestations of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that predict end-stage renal disease, acute kidney injury, cardiovascular disease and death. We ...hypothesized that SNPs identified in association with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) would also be associated with albuminuria. Within the CKDGen Consortium cohort (n= 31 580, European ancestry), we tested 16 eGFR-associated SNPs for association with the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and albuminuria UACR >25 mg/g (women); 17 mg/g (men). In parallel, within the CARe Renal Consortium (n= 5569, African ancestry), we tested seven eGFR-associated SNPs for association with the UACR. We used a Bonferroni-corrected P-value of 0.003 (0.05/16) in CKDGen and 0.007 (0.05/7) in CARe. We also assessed whether the 16 eGFR SNPs were associated with the UACR in aggregate using a beta-weighted genotype score. In the CKDGen Consortium, the minor A allele of rs17319721 in the SHROOM3 gene, known to be associated with a lower eGFR, was associated with lower ln(UACR) levels (beta = -0.034, P-value = 0.0002). No additional eGFR-associated SNPs met the Bonferroni-corrected P-value threshold of 0.003 for either UACR or albuminuria. In the CARe Renal Consortium, there were no associations between SNPs and UACR with a P< 0.007. Although we found the genotype score to be associated with albuminuria (P= 0.0006), this result was driven almost entirely by the known SHROOM3 variant, rs17319721. Removal of rs17319721 resulted in a P-value 0.03, indicating a weak residual aggregate signal. No alleles, previously demonstrated to be associated with a lower eGFR, were associated with the UACR or albuminuria, suggesting that there may be distinct genetic components for these traits.
To investigate the relationship of glutamate and glutamate transporter expression in human gliomas and surrounding peritumoral brain to the presence of tumor-associated seizures (TAS).
We studied a ...retrospective (group 1: 190 patients) and then a prospective (group 2: 98 patients) cohort of patients who underwent a craniotomy for a supratentorial glioma. Tumor and peritumor tissue specimens were assayed for glutamate concentration and expression of glial glutamate transporters. Differences between the seizure (TAS) and seizure-free (non-TAS) groups were compared.
A total of 42% of patients had TAS, with 95% of seizures first occurring preoperatively. Clinical factors independently associated with risk of TAS were younger age, temporal lobe location, and tumors with oligodendroglial components. Molecular features in tumor specimens associated with TAS were higher glutamate concentrations, reduced EAAT2 expression, and increased system X(c)(-) expression. In group 2, these results were also replicated in the peritumor tissue. Logistic regression analysis identified raised glutamate concentrations in tumor and peritumor tissue, increased expression of peritumor system X(c)(-), younger age, temporal lobe location, and tumors with oligodendroglial components as independently predictive of preoperative seizures.
Relative increased glutamate concentration in gliomas, and altered glutamate transporter expression, are associated with the presence of TAS and may play a mechanistic role in their pathogenesis.
Streptococcus iniae
is a Gram-positive, opportunistically zoonotic bacterium infective to a wide variety of farmed and wild fish species worldwide. Outbreaks in wild fish can have detrimental ...environmental and cultural impacts, and mortality events in aquaculture can result in significant economic losses. As an emerging or re-emerging pathogen of global significance, understanding the coalescing factors contributing to piscine streptococcosis is crucial for developing strategies to control infections. Intraspecific antigenic and genetic variability of
S. iniae
has made development of autogenous vaccines a challenge, particularly where the diversity of locally endemic
S. iniae
strains is unknown. This study genetically and phenotypically characterized 11
S. iniae
isolates from diseased wild and farmed fish from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. A multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) scheme was developed to phylogenetically compare these isolates to 84 other strains of
Streptococcus
spp. relevant to aquaculture. MLSA generated phylogenies comparable to established genotyping methods, and isolates formed distinct clades related to phenotype and host species. The endothelial
Oreochromis mossambicus
bulbus arteriosus cell line and whole blood from rainbow trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
, Nile tilapia
Oreochromis niloticus
, and white sturgeon
Acipenser transmontanus
were used to investigate the persistence and virulence of the 11 isolates using
in vitro
assays.
In vivo
challenges using an
O. niloticus
model were used to evaluate virulence by the intragastric route of infection. Isolates showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in virulence and persistence, with some correlation to genogroup, establishing a basis for further work uncovering genetic factors leading to increased pathogenicity.
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