Waist Circumference as a Screening Tool for Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Evaluation of Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC)

To evaluate the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) to determine the cutoffs of waist circumference as a potential population directed screening tool for hypercholesterolaemia (≥6.5 mmol/L), low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (<0.9 mmol/L), and hypertension (treated and/or systolic ≥160 and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥95 mmHg), in 2183 men and 2698 women aged 20 to 59 years selected at random from Dutch civil registries. Main outcome measures: Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, total plasma cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, and blood pressure. Results: ROC curves showed that sensitivity equalled specificity at waist circumferences between 93–95 cm in men and 81–84 cm in women for identifying individual risk factors, and 92 cm in men and 81 cm in women for identifying those with at least one risk factor. Sensitivity and specificity were equal at levels between 61% to 69% for identifying individual risk factors, with positive predictions (56.8% in men and 37.8% in women) within 2% of those using previously defined ‘Action Level 1’ of waist circumference 94 cm in men and 80 cm in women (58.8% in men and 37.4% in women). Risk prediction by anthropometric methods was relatively low: ROC areas for identifying each risk factor by waist varied from 55% to 60%, and reached about 65% for identifying at least one risk factor. Height accounted for less than 03% of variance in waist circumference. Using BMI at 25 kg/m² gave similar prediction to waist, but its combination with waist did not improve predictive values. Conclusions: Measurement of waist circumference ‘Action Level 1’ at 94 cm (37 inches) in men and 80 cm (32 inches) in women could be adopted as a simpler valid alternative to BMI for health promotion, to alert those at risk of cardiovascular disease, and as a guide to risk avoidance by self-weight management     

Long‐term effect of a tidal,hydroelectric propeller turbine on the populations of three anadromous fish species

Tidal hydroelectric power has been proposed as one potential solution for sustainable energy sources. The first tidal turbine in North America began continuous operation in the Annapolis River estuary (44 °45′N; 65° 29′W) in June, 1985. The machine is an axial‐flow, hydraulic‐lift propeller turbine, a type known to cause fish mortality. Anadromous populations of American shad Alosa sapidissima, striped bass Morone saxatilis and Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus utilize the Annapolis River for spawning and other life history phases. After power generation commenced obvious turbine mortalities of these fishes began appearing downstream of the turbine. Assessments of the A. sapidissima adult spawning runs during 1981–1982 (pre‐operation) and 1989–1996 (operational) indicated significant changes in population characteristics after power generation began. Adult length, mass, age and per cent repeat spawners declined and total instantaneous mortality (Z) increased from 0.30 to 0.55. The pre‐turbine spawning runs had older fish with numerous adult cohorts whereas by 12 years after operation began runs consisted of younger fish with fewer adult cohorts. During 1972–1987 numerous studies indicated the Annapolis River had an important angling fishery for M. saxatilis, but detailed annual records kept by a fishing contest during 1983–1987 and an elite angler family during the period 1976–2008 demonstrated a rapid decline in the number of fish >4.0 kg after turbine operation began. Pre‐turbine catch by the angling family of fish >4.0 kg accounted for 84.1% of total catch, but declined significantly to 39.6% of total catch from 1986–1999, and to none from 2000–2008. The existence of an A. oxyrinchus stock in the Annapolis River was unknown before turbine operation, but during 1985–2017, 21 mortalities were recovered by chance seaward of the turbine. Mechanical strike and cavitation mortalities consisted of juveniles, mature males and gravid and spent females of ages 10 to 53 years found during June to October, the period when this anadromous species returns to its natal river to spawn. The results of the long‐term studies at Annapolis indicate managers should realize substantial risks exist for the fish resources of the world's oceans from deployment of instream propeller turbines.     

Peatland vascular plant functional types affect dissolved organic matter chemistry

Aims

The readily available global rock phosphate (P) reserves may be depleted within the next 50–130 years warranting careful use of this finite resource. We develop a model that allows us to assess a range of P fertiliser and soil management strategies for Barley in order to find which one maximises plant P uptake under certain climate conditions.

Methods

Our model describes the development of the P and water profiles within the soil. Current cultivation techniques such as ploughing and reduced till gradient are simulated along with fertiliser options to feed the top soil or the soil right below the seed.

Results

Our model was able to fit data from two barley field trials, achieving a good fit at early growth stages but a poor fit at late growth stages, where the model underestimated plant P uptake. A well-mixed soil (inverted and 25 cm ploughing) is important for optimal plant P uptake and provides the best environment for the root system.

Conclusions

The model is sensitive to the initial state of P and its distribution within the soil profile; experimental parameters which are sparsely measured. The combination of modelling and experimental data provides useful agricultural predictions for site specific locations.

     

The predictive value of transcranial duplex sonography for the clinical diagnosis in undiagnosed parkinsonian syndromes: comparison with SPECT scans

Background  

Transcranial duplex sonography (TCD) of the substantia nigra has emerged as a promising, non-invasive tool to diagnose idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD). However, its diagnostic accuracy in patients with undefined parkinsonism remains to be determined.     

Fertilization effects with P on accumulated leaf area duration,biomass and yield of three cultivars of maize in Toluca,Mexico

The effect of six phosphorus levels (0, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg/ha) on the duration of cumulative leaf area, biomass and agronomic yield was determined in the maize cultivars: Amarillo Almoloya, Cacahuacintle and Condor in 2010 and 2011. Such cultivars were sown in the Cerrillo Piedras Blancas Mexico. A completely randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement was utilized. High phosphorus levels (120, 160 and 200 kg/ha) positively affected the duration of cumulative leaf area; greatest values were obtained in Cacahuacintle. A greater duration of accumulated leaf area contributes to determine high values of biomass accumulation and grain yield in this cultivar. Leaf area duration appeared to be a useful tool for evaluating different genotypes in a given environment.     

Dexamethasone induces gelsolin synthesis and altered morphology in L929 cells

When L929 cells are exposed to 5 μg/ml dexamethasone, synthesis of a 90,000 M(r) polypeptide is induced within 12 h. Flattening of the cells begins at about this time and progresses to become quite prominent after 48 h of exposure. Two-dimensional PAGE and partial proteolytic fingerprints identify the 90,000 M(r) polypeptide as gelsolin, a Ca(++)-dependent inhibitor of actin polymerization. Thus, this system provides evidence that gelsolin may have a role in regulating cell shape in response to physiological agents such as glucocorticoids.     

The canine isolate Lactobacillus acidophilus LAB20 adheres to intestinal epithelium and attenuates LPS-induced IL-8 secretion of enterocytes in vitro

Background

For a good probiotic candidate, the abilities to adhere to intestinal epithelium and to fortify barrier function are considered to be crucial for colonization and functionality of the strain. The strain Lactobacillus acidophilus LAB20 was isolated from the jejunum of a healthy dog, where it was found to be the most pre-dominant lactobacilli. In this study, the adhesion ability of LAB20 to intestinal epithelial cell (IECs) lines, IECs isolated from canine intestinal biopsies, and to canine, porcine and human intestinal mucus was investigated. Further, we studied the ability of LAB20 to fortify the epithelial cell monolayer and to reduce LPS-induced interleukin (IL-8) release from enterocytes.

Results

We found that LAB20 presented higher adhesion to canine colonic mucus as compared to mucus isolated from porcine colon. LAB20 showed adhesion to HT-29 and Caco-2 cell lines, and importantly also to canine IECs isolated from canine intestinal biopsies. In addition, LAB20 increased the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of enterocyte monolayers and thus strengthened the intestinal barrier function. The strain showed also anti-inflammatory capacity in being able to attenuate the LPS-induced IL-8 production of HT-29 cells.

Conclusion

In conclusion, canine indigenous strain LAB20 is a potential probiotic candidate for dogs adhering to the host epithelium and showing intestinal barrier fortifying and anti-inflammatory effects.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12866-014-0337-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Potential for epidemic take-off from the primary outbreak farm via livestock movements

Background

We consider the potential for infection to spread in a farm population from the primary outbreak farm via livestock movements prior to disease detection. We analyse how this depends on the time of the year infection occurs, the species transmitting, the length of infectious period on the primary outbreak farm, location of the primary outbreak, and whether a livestock market becomes involved. We consider short infectious periods of 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks, characteristic of acute contagious livestock diseases. The analysis is based on farms in Scotland from 1 January 2003 to 31 July 2007.

Results

The proportion of primary outbreaks from which an acute contagious disease would spread via movement of livestock is generally low, but exhibits distinct annual cyclicity with peaks in May and August. The distance that livestock are moved varies similarly: at the time of the year when the potential for spread via movements is highest, the geographical spread via movements is largest. The seasonal patterns for cattle differ from those for sheep whilst there is no obvious seasonality for pigs. When spread via movements does occur, there is a high risk of infection reaching a livestock market; infection of markets can amplify disease spread. The proportion of primary outbreaks that would spread infection via livestock movements varies significantly between geographical regions.

Conclusions

In this paper we introduce a set-up for analysis of movement data that allows for a generalized assessment of the risk associated with infection spreading from a primary outbreak farm via livestock movements, applying this to Scotland, we assess how this risk depends upon the time of the year, species transmitting, location of the farm and other factors.     

Annual variability in upstream migration of glass eels in a southern USA coastal watershed

We investigated the environmental factors that affected temporal variability of eel recruitment and upstream migration in a freshwater coastal river along the southeastern US. Glass eels Anguilla rostrata were collected through ichthyoplankton sampling in the lower Roanoke River, North Carolina. Monthly samples were taken from fixed stations from May 2001 through June 2003. There was no evidence of consistent seasonal migration patterns for glass eels in Roanoke River. From May through December in 2001, glass eels were captured only during August. In 2002, glass eels arrived in February and remained in ichthyoplankton samples through October, with the exception of samples from September. Peak catch occurred in March at 4.02 ± 1.2 and declined through June to 0.18 ± 0.07 (#/1,000 m³). By August, the mean density increased to 0.96 ± 0.82 and to 3.59 ± 2.77 by October. In 2003 from January through June, glass eels were captured only during February and March. Glass eels were routinely collected when river discharge rates were <150 m³ s⁻¹. River discharge rates >650 m⁻³ s⁻¹ resulted in no glass eels in our samples. Upstream migration during 2002 was not correlated with water temperature or related to lunar phase. Glass eel freshwater upstream migration was initiated when water temperatures exceeded a threshold range of 10°C to 15°C; however, glass eels continued to migrate when water temperatures approached 30°C. The overall negative effect of river discharge suggests that changes in the water release schedules of upstream hydroelectric facilities during glass eel migration could strongly influence their recruitment success.