In Vivo Open-Bore MRI Reveals Region- and Sub-Arc-Specific Lengthening of the Unloaded Human Posterior Cruciate Ligament

Open-bore MRI scanners allow joint soft tissue to be imaged over a large, uninterrupted range of flexion. Using an open-bore scanner, 3D para-sagittal images of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) were collected from seven healthy subjects in unloaded, recumbent knee extension and flexion. PCL length was measured from one 2D MRI slice partition per flexion angle, per subject. The anterior surface of the PCL lengthened significantly between extension and flexion (p<0.001). Conversely, the posterior surface did not. Changes were not due to the PCL moving relative to the 2D slice partition; measurements made from 3D reconstructions, which compensated for PCL movement, did not differ significantly from measurements made from 2D slice partitions. In a second experiment, videos of knee flexion were made by imaging two subjects at several flexion angles. Videos allowed soft tissue tracking; examples are included. In a third experiment, unloaded knees of seven healthy, recumbent subjects were imaged at extension and at 40°, 70°, 90°, 100°, 110° and 120° flexion. The distance between PCL attachments increased between extension and 100°, and then decreased (p<0.001). The anterior surface of the PCL lengthened over the flexion angles measured (p<0.01). The posterior surface of the PCL lengthened between extension and 40° and then shortened (p<0.001). Both attachment separation and anterior surface length increased dramatically between extension and 40°, but varied less afterwards. Results indicate that PCL dynamics differ between terminal extension and active function sub-arcs. Also, attachment separation cannot predict the lengthening of all parts of the PCL, nor can lengthening of one part of the PCL predict the lengthening of another part. A potential connection between lengthening and loading is discussed. We conclude that low-field MRI can assess ligament lengthening during flexion, and that the dynamics of the PCL for any given region and sub-arc should be measured directly.     

Survival of F-Specific RNA Coliphage, Feline Calicivirus, and Escherichia coli in Water: a Comparative Study

The relationship between the survival of enteric viral pathogens and their indicators (coliform bacteria and coliphages) is not well understood. We compared the survival rates of feline calicivirus (FCV), Escherichia coli, and a male-specific RNA coliphage MS2 at 4, 25, and 37°C for up to 28 days in dechlorinated water. The survival rates of E. coli and FCV, a surrogate of noroviruses (NV), had a high degree of correlation at 4 and 25°C, while MS2 phage survived significantly longer (P < 0.05) at these two temperatures. At 37°C, the survival rates for all three organisms were highly correlated. Decimal reduction values indicating the number of days needed for 90% reduction in titer (D values) decreased for all three organisms as storage temperatures increased. FCV had the shortest D value among all three organisms at all temperatures investigated. These findings indicate that F-specific RNA phages may be useful indicators of NV in the environment.     

Angiotensin II Stimulates Thick Ascending Limb Superoxide Production via Protein Kinase Cα-dependent NADPH Oxidase Activation

Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates thick ascending limb (TAL) O production, but the receptor(s) and signaling mechanism(s) involved are unknown. The effect of Ang II on O is generally attributed to the AT₁ receptor. In some cells, Ang II stimulates protein kinase C (PKC), whose α isoform (PKCα) can activate NADPH oxidase. We hypothesized that in TALs, Ang II stimulates O via AT₁ and PKCα-dependent NADPH oxidase activation. In rat TALs, 1 nm Ang II stimulated O from 0.76 ± 0.17 to 1.97 ± 0.21 nmol/min/mg (p < 0.001). An AT₁ antagonist blocked the stimulatory effect of Ang II on O (0.87 ± 0.25 nmol/min/mg; p < 0.006), whereas an AT₂ antagonist had no effect (2.16 ± 0.133 nmol/min/mg; p < 0.05 versus vehicle). Apocynin, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, blocked Ang II-stimulated O by 90% (p < 0.01). Ang II failed to stimulate O in TALs from p47^phox−/− mice (p < 0.02). Monitored by fluorescence resonance energy transfer, Ang II increased PKC activity from 0.02 ± 0.03 to 0.13 ± 0.02 arbitrary units (p < 0.03). A general PKC inhibitor, GF109203X, blocked the effect of Ang II on O (1.47 ± 0.21 versus 2.72 ± 0.47 nmol/min/mg with Ang II alone; p < 0.03). A PKCα- and β-selective inhibitor, Gö6976, also blocked the stimulatory effect of Ang II on O (0.59 ± 0.15 versus 2.05 ± 0.28 nmol/min/mg with Ang II alone; p < 0.001). To distinguish between PKCα and PKCβ, we used tubules expressing dominant-negative PKCα or -β. In control TALs, Ang II stimulated O by 2.17 ± 0.44 nmol/min/mg (p < 0.011). In tubules expressing dominant-negative PKCα, Ang II failed to stimulate O (change: −0.30 ± 0.27 nmol/min/mg). In tubules expressing dominant-negative PKCβ1, Ang II stimulated O by 2.08 ± 0.69 nmol/min/mg (p < 0.002). We conclude that Ang II stimulates TAL O production via activation of AT₁ receptors and PKCα-dependent NADPH oxidase.     

Effects of FADS and ELOVL polymorphisms on indexes of desaturase and elongase activities: results from a pre-post fish oil supplementation

Polymorphisms (SNPs) within the FADS gene cluster and the ELOVL gene family are believed to influence enzyme activities after an omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid (FA) supplementation. The objectives of the study are to test whether an n-3 supplementation is associated with indexes of desaturase and elongase activities in addition to verify whether SNPs in the FADS gene cluster and the ELOVL gene family modulate enzyme activities of desaturases and elongases. A total 208 subjects completed a 6-week supplementation period with 5 g/day of fish oil (1.9–2.2 g/day of EPA + 1.1 g/day of DHA). FA profiles of plasma phospholipids were obtained by gas chromatography (n = 210). Desaturase and elongase indexes were estimated using product-to-precursor ratios. Twenty-eight SNPs from FADS1, FADS2, FADS3, ELOVL2 and ELOVL5 were genotyped using TaqMan technology. Desaturase indexes were significantly different after the 6-week n-3 supplementation. The index of δ-5 desaturase activity increased by 25.7 ± 28.8 % (p < 0.0001), whereas the index of δ-6 desaturase activity decreased by 17.7 ± 18.2 % (p < 0.0001) post-supplementation. Index of elongase activity decreased by 39.5 ± 27.9 % (p < 0.0001). Some gene–diet interactions potentially modulating the enzyme activities of desaturases and elongases involved in the FA metabolism post-supplementation were found. SNPs within the FADS gene cluster and the ELOVL gene family may play an important role in the enzyme activity of desaturases and elongases, suggesting that an n-3 FAs supplementation may affect PUFA metabolism.     

Cardiac Mechanics and Ventricular Twist by Three-Dimensional Strain Analysis in Relation to B-Type Natriuretic Peptide as a Clinical Prognosticator for Heart Failure Patients

BackgroundThree dimensional (3D) echocardiography-derived measurements of myocardial deformation and twist have recently advanced as novel clinical tools. However, with the exception of left ventricular ejection fraction and mass quantifications in hypertension and heart failure populations, the prognostic value of such imaging techniques remains largely unexplored.MethodsWe studied 200 subjects (mean age: 60.2±16 years, 54% female, female n = 107) with known hypertension (n = 51), diastolic heart failure (n = 61), or systolic heart failure (n = 30), recruited from heart failure outpatient clinics. Fifty-eight healthy volunteers were used as a control group. All participants underwent 3D-based myocardial deformation and twist analysis (Artida, Toshiba Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan). We further investigated associations between these measures and brain natriuretic peptide levels and clinical outcomes.ResultsThe global 3D strain measurements of the healthy, hypertension, diastolic heart failure, and systolic heart failure groups were 28.03%, 24.43%, 19.70%, and 11.95%, respectively (all p<0.001). Global twist measurements were estimated to be 9.49°, 9.77°, 8.32°, and 4.56°, respectively. We observed significant differences regarding 3D-derived longitudinal, radial, and global 3D strains between the different disease categories (p<0.05), even when age, gender, BMI and heart rate were matched. In addition, 3D-derived longitudinal, circumferential, and 3D strains were all highly correlated with brain natriuretic peptide levels (p<0.001). At a mean 567.7 days follow-up (25^th–75^th IQR: 197–909 days), poorer 3D-derived longitudinal, radial, and global 3D strain measurements remained independently associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular related death or hospitalization due to heart failure, after adjusting for age, gender, and left ventricular ejection fraction (all p<0.05).Conclusions3D-based strain analysis may be a feasible and useful diagnostic tool for discriminating the extent of myocardial dysfunction. Furthermore, it is able to provide a prognostic value beyond traditional echocardiographic parameters in terms of ejection fraction.     

Sedentary Time and Markers of Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation in a High Risk Population

Background

Sedentary behaviour has been identified as a distinct risk factor for several health outcomes. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted into the underlying mechanisms driving these observations. This study aimed to investigate the association of objectively measured sedentary time and breaks in sedentary time with markers of chronic low-grade inflammation and adiposity in a population at a high risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

This study reports data from an ongoing diabetes prevention programme conducted in Leicestershire, UK. High risk individuals were recruited from 10 primary care practices. Sedentary time (<25counts per 15s) was measured using Actigraph GT3X accelerometers (15s epochs). A break was considered as any interruption in sedentary time (≥25counts per 15s). Biochemical outcomes included interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, adiponectin and leptin:adiponectin ratio (LAR). A sensitivity analysis investigated whether results were affected by removing participants with a CRP level >10 mg/L, as this can be indicative of acute inflammation.

Results

558 participants (age = 63.6±7.7years; male = 64.7%) had complete adipokine and accelerometer data. Following adjustment for various confounders, sedentary time was detrimentally associated with CRP (β = 0.176±0.057, p = 0.002), IL-6 (β = 0.242±0.056, p = <0.001), leptin (β = 0.146±0.043, p = <0.001) and LAR (β = 0.208±0.052, p = <0.001). Associations were attenuated after further adjustment for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with only IL-6 (β = 0.231±0.073, p = 0.002) remaining significant; this result was unaffected after further adjustment for body mass index and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA_1c). Similarly, breaks in sedentary time were significantly inversely associated with IL-6 (β = −0.094±0.047, p = 0.045) and leptin (β = −0.075±0.037, p = 0.039); however, these associations were attenuated after adjustment for accelerometer derived variables. Excluding individuals with a CRP level >10 mg/L consistently attenuated the significant associations across all markers of inflammation.

Conclusion

These novel findings from a high risk population recruited through primary care suggest that sedentary behaviour may influence markers associated with inflammation, independent of MVPA, glycaemia and adiposity.     

Stress response of biomolecules (carbohydrate,protein and lipid profiles) in fish Channa punctatus inhabiting river polluted by Thermal Power Plant effluent

Qualitative and quantitative assessment of heavy metals in the Thermal Power Plant effluent was performed to study the impact of their toxic effects on various biomarkers (carbohydrate, protein and lipid profiles). Heavy metals present in the water were in the order Fe > Cu > Zn > Mn > Ni > Co > Cr. Fe and Ni exceeded and Cr was equal to the USA standards set by UNEPGEMS. Glycogen in liver (p < 0.001) and muscle (p < 0.01) depleted significantly. Insignificant (p < 0.05) decline in blood glucose (−21.0%) and significant (p < 0.05) elevation in both total protein and globulin in serum, liver and muscle was noted. Albumin decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in serum but showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in liver and muscle. Thus A:G ratio fell in serum and rose in liver and muscle. Similarly lipid profile also gets altered where significant elevation in serum total lipid (p < 0.01), total cholesterol (p < 0.01), phospholipid (p < 0.05), triglycerides (p < 0.001), LDL (p < 0.01) was observed but significant (p < 0.05) decline in VLDL was recorded. These biomarkers suggested that fish become hypoglycemic, hyperlipidemic and hypercholesterolemic. Heavy metals also provoked immune response as evident from the rise in globulin. In conclusion the Thermal Power Plant wastewater containing heavy metals induced stress, making fish weak and vulnerable to diseases.     

Increasing skeletal muscle carnitine content in older individuals increases whole‐body fat oxidation during moderate‐intensity exercise

Intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) utilization is impaired in older individuals, and IMCL accumulation is associated with insulin resistance. We hypothesized that increasing muscle total carnitine content in older men would increase fat oxidation and IMCL utilization during exercise, and improve insulin sensitivity. Fourteen healthy older men (69 ± 1 year, BMI 26.5 ± 0.8 kg/m²) performed 1 h of cycling at 50% VO₂max and, on a separate occasion, underwent a 60 mU/m²/min euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp before and after 25 weeks of daily ingestion of a 220 ml insulinogenic beverage (44.4 g carbohydrate, 13.8 g protein) containing 4.5 g placebo (n = 7) or L‐carnitine L‐tartrate (n = 7). During supplementation, participants performed twice‐weekly cycling for 1 h at 50% VO₂max. Placebo ingestion had no effect on muscle carnitine content or total fat oxidation during exercise at 50% VO₂max. L‐carnitine supplementation resulted in a 20% increase in muscle total carnitine content (20.1 ± 1.2 to 23.9 ± 1.7 mmol/kg/dm; p < 0.01) and a 20% increase in total fat oxidation (181.1 ± 15.0 to 220.4 ± 19.6 J/kg lbm/min; p < 0.01), predominantly due to increased IMCL utilization. These changes were associated with increased expression of genes involved in fat metabolism (ACAT1, DGKD & PLIN2; p < 0.05). There was no change in resting insulin‐stimulated whole‐body or skeletal muscle glucose disposal after supplementation. This is the first study to demonstrate that a carnitine‐mediated increase in fat oxidation is achievable in older individuals. This warrants further investigation given reduced lipid turnover is associated with poor metabolic health in older adults.     

Effects of hyperoxia periodic training on free radicals production,biological antioxidants potential and lactate dehydrogenase activity in the lungs of rats,Rattus norvigicus

Oxygen therapy has been widely used in lung injury (Li), adult respiraotory syndrome (ARDS) and inflammatory lung diseases as well as in mechanical ventilation in intensive care units. Exposure to hyperoxia is known to induct the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by mitochondria. Despite decades of research, the role of hyperoxia training in oxidative stress and ROS formation in the lungs is not known. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of periodic-hyperoxia training on biological antioxidants (BAP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and free radicals (FR) production. Thirty adult male rats, matched with age and body weigh, were randomly assigned to three groups. The first group served as control (C) and the second (HP) was exposed to hyperoxia for 48. Animals in the third group (HP-T) were trained on hyperoxia for 1.5 h daily for three weeks. Following the exposure period for each group animals were sacrificed and lungs tissues were homogenized for BAP, LDH and FR determinations. LDH activity was determined by Randox protocol (Randox – UK). BAP and FR were determined using dROM method (H&D – Italy). Results showed that mean (±SD) BAP activity increased significantly (p < 0.05) from the baseline control of 7105.88 ± 2021.49 to 8611.20 ± 1245.26 (U/L) after hyperoxia training; then dropped to 6784.00 ± 1879.50 during hyperoxia exposure for 48 h. Whereas mean (±SD) FR production increased significantly (p < 0.05) from the baseline control of 262.50 ± 67.52 to 339.90 ± 64.84 during HP exposure for 48 h, then dropped to 211.13 ± 52.05 (Carr), during HP training. Similarly, LDH activity increased significantly (p < 0.05) from the baseline control of 210.31 ± 70.93 to 339.90 ± 64.84 during HP exposure for 48 h, then dropped to 159.30 ± 20.61(U/L), following HP-periodic training. Furthermore, the correlation (r = 0.67×) of LDH on FR was significant (p < 0.05), implying that reduction in ROS generation induced by HP-periodic training is related to reduced rate of cell apoptosis caused oxidative stress. Based on the results of the present study HP-periodic training is recommended in order to resist oxidative damage in the lungs.     

Association of CXCL10 and CXCL13 levels with disease activity and cutaneous manifestation in active adult-onset Still’s disease

IntroductionC-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10) is produced in response to interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) triggers the accumulation of activated lymphocytes. CXCL13 is constitutively expressed in secondary lymphoid tissues, and the expression is upregulated by TNF-α, via T cell stimulation. It appears that CXCL10 and CXCL13 could play a potential role in the pathogenesis of adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD), therefore, we investigated the associations between CXCL10 and CXCL13 levels and clinical manifestations in patients with active AOSD.MethodsBlood samples were collected from 39 active AOSD patients, 32 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 40 healthy controls (HC). Of the AOSD patients, follow-up samples were collected from 15 9.6 ± 9.2 months later. Serum levels of CXCL10 and CXCL13 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CXCL10, CXCL13, and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 3 (CXCR3) expression levels in biopsy specimens obtained from 26 AOSD patients with skin rashes were investigated via immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe CXCL10 levels in AOSD patients (1,031.3 ± 2,019.6 pg/mL) were higher than in RA (146.3 ± 91.4 pg/mL, p = 0.008) and HC (104.4 ± 47.9 pg/mL, p = 0.006). Also, the CXCL13 levels of AOSD patients (158.8 ± 151.2 pg/mL) were higher than those of RA (54.4 ± 61.1 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and HC (23.5 ± 18.1 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Serum CXCL10 levels correlated with ferritin and systemic scores. Serum CXCL13 levels correlated with those of hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, ferritin, and albumin, and systemic scores. In follow-up AOSD patients, the levels of CXCL10 and CXCL13 fell significantly (153.7 ± 130.1 pg/mL, p = 0.002, and 89.1 ± 117.4 pg/mL, p = 0.001, respectively). On immunohistochemistry, the percentages of inflammatory cells expressing CXCL10 ranged from 1 to 85 %, CXCL13 from 1 to 72 %, and CXCR3 from 2 to 65 %. The percentage of CXCL10-positive inflammatory cells was higher in skin biopsy samples exhibiting mucin deposition than in those that did not (p = 0.01). CXCL13 levels were correlated with those of CD4 and CD68.ConclusionsSerum CXCL10 and CXCL13 levels may serve as clinical markers for assessment of disease activity in AOSD. CXCL10/CXCR3 and CXCL13 may contribute to the inflammatory response, especially skin manifestations thereof, in AOSD.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-015-0773-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Effect of APOE and a polygenic risk score on incident dementia and cognitive decline in a healthy older population

Few studies have measured the effect of genetic factors on dementia and cognitive decline in healthy older individuals followed prospectively. We studied cumulative incidence of dementia and cognitive decline, stratified by APOE genotypes and polygenic risk score (PRS) tertiles, in 12,978 participants of the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial. At enrolment, participants had no history of diagnosed dementia, cardiovascular disease, physical disability or cognitive impairment. Dementia (adjudicated trial endpoint) and cognitive decline, defined as a >1.5 standard deviation decline in test score for either global cognition, episodic memory, language/executive function or psychomotor speed, versus baseline scores. Cumulative incidence for all‐cause dementia and cognitive decline was calculated with mortality as a competing event, stratified by APOE genotypes and tertiles of a PRS based on 23 common non‐APOE variants. During a median 4.5 years of follow‐up, 324 participants developed dementia, 503 died. Cumulative incidence of dementia to age 85 years was 7.4% in all participants, 12.6% in APOE ε3/ε4 and 26.6% in ε4/ε4. APOE ε4 heterozygosity/homozygosity was associated with a 2.5/6.3‐fold increased dementia risk and 1.4/1.8‐fold cognitive decline risk, versus ε3/ε3 (p < 0.001 for both). High PRS tertile was associated with a 1.4‐fold dementia risk versus low (CI 1.04–1.76, p = 0.02), but was not associated with cognitive decline (CI 0.96–1.22, p = 0.18). Incidence of dementia among healthy older individuals is low across all genotypes; however, APOE ε4 and high PRS increase relative risk. APOE ε4 is associated with cognitive decline, but PRS is not.     

Effect of breeding season and pregnancy status on serum progesterone,sodium, potassium,copper and iron of estrous synchronized Aradi goat does

Eighteen out of 88 estrous synchronized Aradi goat does were randomly chosen to be bled during May–July (Out breeding season, n = 9) and during September–December (Within breeding season, n = 9). Estrous synchronization was applied by using a control internal drug release (CIDR) as a reproductive management regimen throughout the year. Nineteen days after CIDR insertion, a 500 IU eCG was injected (i.m.) and CIDR was removed. Does were subjected to fertile bucks 48-60 h after CIDR removal. Jugular blood samples were collected in non-heparinized Vacutainer tubes at 0 h just before CIDR insertion, every 3 days during CIDR insert, at day of CIDR removal, at incidence of estrus and mating, at day 1, 8 and 30 post mating. Data on pregnancy were recorded and serum levels of progesterone (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) were determined. Progesterone concentration was higher (p < 0.05) within (2.85 ± 0.15 ng/ml) than outside (2.37 ± 0.13 ng/ml) the breeding season. Pregnant does exhibited higher (p < 0.05) levels of progesterone (2.76 ± 0.17 ng/ml) than non-pregnant does (2.37 ± 0.10 ng/ml). No significant interaction was found between season and pregnancy status on progesterone concentration. A typical progesterone profile was found during treatment days, as levels of P increased during CIDR insertion and declined at CIDR removal and thereafter. Neither breeding season nor pregnancy status affected Na⁺ concentration. Contrariwise, mean levels of K⁺ was higher (p < 0.05) outside (148.34 ± 3.91 mg/L) than within (136.27 ± 3.91 mg/L) the breeding season. Pregnancy status did not influence K concentration. Sodium/potassium (Na⁺/K⁺) ratio was significantly (p < 0.01) higher within (30.29 ± 0.44) than outside (27.62 ± 0.44) the breeding season. On the contrary, pregnancy status did not affect this ratio. Iron concentrations neither affected by season nor pregnancy. Likewise, Cu concentrations were not affected by season, however Cu levels were higher (p < 0.05) in pregnant (147.75 ± 7.24 μg/L) than in non-pregnant (127.31 ± 5.03 μg/L) does.     

Divergence in gut bacterial community between females and males in the wolf spider Pardosa astrigera

Sex is one of the important factors affecting gut microbiota. As key predators in agroforestry ecosystem, many spider species show dramatically different activity habits and nutritional requirements between females and males. However, how sex affects gut microbiota of spiders remains unclear. Here, we compared the composition and diversity of gut bacteria between female and male Pardosa astrigera based on bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results showed that the richness of bacterial microbiota in female spiders was significantly lower than in male spiders (p < .05). Besides, β‐diversity showed a significant difference between female and male spiders (p = .0270). The relative abundance of Actinobacteriota and Rhodococcus (belongs to Actinobacteriota) was significantly higher in female than in male spiders (p < .05), whereas the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Acinetobacter (belongs to Proteobacteria) and Ruminococcus and Fusicatenibacter (all belong to Firmicutes) was significantly higher in male than in female spiders (p < .05). The results also showed that amino acid and lipid metabolisms were significantly higher in female than in male spiders (p < .05), whereas glycan biosynthesis and metabolism were significantly higher in male than in female spiders (p < .05). Our results imply that sexual variation is a crucial factor in shaping gut bacterial community in P. astrigera spiders, while the distinct differences of bacterial composition are mainly due to their different nutritional and energy requirements.     

Prognostic significance of incident atrial fibrillation following STEMI depends on the timing of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with short-term mortality after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but there is limited data on the temporal association between AF and mortality after STEMI. A total of 830 patients were included (age: 62 ± 12 years, 76 % male). Patients with new-onset AF < 30 days after STEMI were divided among three subgroups: AF on the day of admission, AF 24–72 h and AF > 72 h after admission. Thirty-day mortality was assessed by telephone and via the municipal population registry. Twenty patients died < 30 days after admission. In 41 patients, AF was detected on the day of admission, in 14 patients 24–72 h after admission and in 18 patients > 72 h after admission. Mortality was higher in patients with AF on the day of admission (7.3 vs 2.2 %, p = 0.036) and 24–72 h after admission (14.3 vs 1.4 %, p < 0.001), but not in patients with AF > 72 h after admission (0 vs 1.1 %, p > 0.999). Age (odds ratio (OR) 1.123, p < 0.001), Killip class (adjusted OR 8.341, p < 0.001), AF on the day of admission (OR 3.585, p = 0.049) and 24–72 h after admission (OR 11.515, p = 0.003) were, amongst other variables, associated with an increased 30-day mortality. In conclusion, only new-onset incident AF during the first 72 h after admission was associated with 30-day mortality in STEMI patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12471-015-0709-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Evaluation of Murine Norovirus, Feline Calicivirus, Poliovirus, and MS2 as Surrogates for Human Norovirus in a Model of Viral Persistence in Surface Water and Groundwater

Human noroviruses (NoVs) are a significant cause of nonbacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, with contaminated drinking water a potential transmission route. The absence of a cell culture infectivity model for NoV necessitates the use of molecular methods and/or viral surrogate models amenable to cell culture to predict NoV inactivation. The NoV surrogates murine NoV (MNV), feline calicivirus (FCV), poliovirus (PV), and male-specific coliphage MS2, in conjunction with Norwalk virus (NV), were spiked into surface water samples (n = 9) and groundwater samples (n = 6). Viral persistence was monitored at 25°C and 4°C by periodically analyzing virus infectivity (for all surrogate viruses) and nucleic acid (NA) for all tested viruses. FCV infectivity reduction rates were significantly higher than those of the other surrogate viruses. Infectivity reduction rates were significantly higher than NA reduction rates at 25°C (0.18 and 0.09 log₁₀/day for FCV, 0.13 and 0.10 log₁₀/day for PV, 0.12 and 0.06 log₁₀/day for MS2, and 0.09 and 0.05 log₁₀/day for MNV) but not significant at 4°C. According to a multiple linear regression model, the NV NA reduction rates (0.04 ± 0.01 log₁₀/day) were not significantly different from the NA reduction rates of MS2 (0.05 ± 0.03 log₁₀/day) and MNV (0.04 ± 0.03 log₁₀/day) and were significantly different from those of FCV (0.08 ± 0.03 log₁₀/day) and PV (0.09 ± 0.03 log₁₀/day) at 25°C. In conclusion, MNV shows great promise as a human NoV surrogate due to its genetic similarity and environmental stability. FCV was much less stable and thus questionable as an adequate surrogate for human NoVs in surface water and groundwater.     

Sleepiness,Long Distance Commuting and Night Work as Predictors of Driving Performance

Few studies have examined the effect of working night shift and long distance commuting. We examined the association between several sleep related and demographic variables, commuting distance, night work and use of mobile phones on driving performance. We used a prospective design to recruit participants and conducted a telephone survey (n = 649). The survey collected demographic and journey details, work and sleep history and driving performance concerning the day the participant was recruited. Participants also completed the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Night workers reported significantly more sleepiness, shorter sleep duration and commuting longer distances. Seven variables were significant predictors of lane crossing. The strongest predictor was acute sleepiness (OR = 5.25, CI, 1.42–19.49, p<0.01) followed by driving ≥150 kms (OR = 3.61, CI, 1.66–7.81, p<0.001), obtaining less than 10 hours sleep in the previous 48 hours (OR = 2.58, CI, 1.03–6.46, p<0.05), driving after night shift (OR = 2.19, CI, 1.24–3.88, p<0.001), being <43 years old (OR = 1.95, CI, 1.11–3.41, p<0.05) and using mobile phones during the journey (OR = 1.90, CI, 1.10–3.27, p<0.05). Sleep related variables, long-distance commuting and night work have a major impact on lane crossing. Several interventions should be considered to reduce the level of sleepiness in night workers.     

Analysis of emergent patterns in crossing flows of pedestrians reveals an invariant of ‘stripe’ formation in human data

When two streams of pedestrians cross at an angle, striped patterns spontaneously emerge as a result of local pedestrian interactions. This clear case of self-organized pattern formation remains to be elucidated. In counterflows, with a crossing angle of 180°, alternating lanes of traffic are commonly observed moving in opposite directions, whereas in crossing flows at an angle of 90°, diagonal stripes have been reported. Naka (1977) hypothesized that stripe orientation is perpendicular to the bisector of the crossing angle. However, studies of crossing flows at acute and obtuse angles remain underdeveloped. We tested the bisector hypothesis in experiments on small groups (18-19 participants each) crossing at seven angles (30° intervals), and analyzed the geometric properties of stripes. We present two novel computational methods for analyzing striped patterns in pedestrian data: (i) an edge-cutting algorithm, which detects the dynamic formation of stripes and allows us to measure local properties of individual stripes; and (ii) a pattern-matching technique, based on the Gabor function, which allows us to estimate global properties (orientation and wavelength) of the striped pattern at a time T. We find an invariant property: stripes in the two groups are parallel and perpendicular to the bisector at all crossing angles. In contrast, other properties depend on the crossing angle: stripe spacing (wavelength), stripe size (number of pedestrians per stripe), and crossing time all decrease as the crossing angle increases from 30° to 180°, whereas the number of stripes increases with crossing angle. We also observe that the width of individual stripes is dynamically squeezed as the two groups cross each other. The findings thus support the bisector hypothesis at a wide range of crossing angles, although the theoretical reasons for this invariant remain unclear. The present results provide empirical constraints on theoretical studies and computational models of crossing flows.