An Early Transcriptional Analysis of Fracture Hematoma in Rat

Among other stressors, age and mechanical constraints significantly influence regeneration cascades in bone healing. Here, our aim was to identify genes and, through their functional annotation, related biological processes that are influenced by an interaction between the effects of mechanical fixation stability and age. Therefore, at day three post-osteotomy, chip-based whole- genome gene expression analyses of fracture hematoma tissue were performed for four groups of Sprague-Dawley rats with a 1.5-mm osteotomy gap in the femora with varying age (12 vs. 52 weeks - biologically challenging) and external fixator stiffness (mechanically challenging). From 31099 analysed genes, 1103 genes were differentially expressed between the six possible combinations of the four groups and from those 144 genes were identified as statistically significantly influenced by the interaction between age and fixation stability. Functional annotation of these differentially expressed genes revealed an association with extracellular space, cell migration or vasculature development. The chip-based whole-genome gene expression data was validated by q-RT-PCR at days three and seven post-osteotomy for MMP-9 and MMP-13, members of the mechanosensitive matrix metalloproteinase family and key players in cell migration and angiogenesis. Furthermore, we observed an interaction of age and mechanical stimuli in vitro on cell migration of mesenchymal stromal cells. These cells are a subpopulation of the fracture hematoma and are known to be key players in bone regeneration. In summary, these data correspond to and might explain our previously described biomechanical healing outcome after six weeks in response to fixation stiffness variation. In conclusion, our data highlight the importance of analysing the influence of risk factors of fracture healing (e.g. advanced age, suboptimal fixator stability) in combination rather than alone

The Effect of Military Load Carriage on Postural Sway, Forward Trunk Lean, and Pelvic Girdle Motion

International Journal of Exercise Science 10(1): 25-36, 2017. Musculoskeletal injuries are a common occurrence in military service members. It is believed that the load carried by the service member impedes stability and alters back and pelvis kinematics, increasing their susceptibility to musculoskeletal injuries, specifically in the lower extremities. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two different loads on postural sway, forward trunk lean, and pelvic girdle motion in United States Army Cadets. Twenty male Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Cadets participated in this study. Each participant performed the Modified Clinical Testing of Sensory Interaction (mCTSIB) Protocol and the Unilateral Stance (ULS) Protocol under three different rucksack load conditions (unloaded, 16.0 kg, and 20.5 kg loads). Mean postural sway velocity was recorded along with 2-D kinematics of the trunk in the sagittal plane and the pelvis in the frontal and sagittal planes. External loads of 16.0 kg (p \u3c 0.001) and 20.5 kg (p ≤ 0.003) significantly increased mean sway velocity by 16% to 52% depending on stance and visual condition, but did not produce significant changes in trunk and pelvic kinematics

Immunization Trials with Recombinant Major Sperm Protein of the Bovine Lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus

The lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus is one of the most economically important bovine parasites in temperate climate regions. Following infection, D. viviparus induces a temporary protective immunity, and a vaccine based on attenuated, infective larvae is commercially available. However, due to several disadvantages of the live vaccine, the development of a recombinant subunit vaccine is highly desirable. Therefore, the major sperm protein (MSP), which is essential for the parasite’s reproduction, was tested as a recombinantly Escherichia coli-expressed glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-fused vaccine antigen in immunization trials with two different adjuvants, Quil A and Al(OH)3. Calves (N = 4 per group) were immunized on study day (SD) 0, 21 and 42 and given a challenge infection on SD 63–65. The two control groups received only the respective adjuvant. Based on geometric means (GM), a 53.64% reduction in larvae per female worm was observed in the rMSP Quil A group vs. its control group (arithmetic means (AM): 54.43%), but this difference was not statistically significant. In the rMSP Al(OH)3 group, the mean number of larvae per female worm was even higher than in the respective control group (GM: 9.24%, AM: 14.14%). Furthermore, male and female worm burdens and the absolute number of larvae did not differ significantly, while the Al(OH)3 control group harbored significantly longer worms than the vaccinated group. Vaccinated animals showed a rise in rMSP-specific antibodies, particularly IgG and its subclass IgG1, and the native protein was detected by immunoblots. Although rMSP alone did not lead to significantly reduced worm fecundity, it might still prove useful as part of a multi-component vaccine

US Cosmic Visions: New Ideas in Dark Matter 2017: Community Report

This white paper summarizes the workshop "U.S. Cosmic Visions: New Ideas in Dark Matter" held at University of Maryland on March 23-25, 2017.Comment: 102 pages + reference

Performance of the CMS Cathode Strip Chambers with Cosmic Rays

The Cathode Strip Chambers (CSCs) constitute the primary muon tracking device in the CMS endcaps. Their performance has been evaluated using data taken during a cosmic ray run in fall 2008. Measured noise levels are low, with the number of noisy channels well below 1%. Coordinate resolution was measured for all types of chambers, and fall in the range 47 microns to 243 microns. The efficiencies for local charged track triggers, for hit and for segments reconstruction were measured, and are above 99%. The timing resolution per layer is approximately 5 ns

Dark sectors 2016 Workshop: community report

This report, based on the Dark Sectors workshop at SLAC in April 2016, summarizes the scientific importance of searches for dark sector dark matter and forces at masses beneath the weak-scale, the status of this broad international field, the important milestones motivating future exploration, and promising experimental opportunities to reach these milestones over the next 5-10 years

An evaluative baseline for geo-semantic relatedness and similarity

In geographic information science and semantics, the computation of semantic similarity is widely recognised as key to supporting a vast number of tasks in information integration and retrieval. By contrast, the role of geo-semantic relatedness has been largely ignored. In natural language processing, semantic relatedness is often confused with the more specific semantic similarity. In this article, we discuss a notion of geo-semantic relatedness based on Lehrer’s semantic fields, and we compare it with geo-semantic similarity. We then describe and validate the Geo Relatedness and Similarity Dataset (GeReSiD), a new open dataset designed to evaluate computational measures of geo-semantic relatedness and similarity. This dataset is larger than existing datasets of this kind, and includes 97 geographic terms combined into 50 term pairs rated by 203 human subjects. GeReSiD is available online and can be used as an evaluation baseline to determine empirically to what degree a given computational model approximates geo-semantic relatedness and similarity

Random forest classification as a tool in epidemiological modelling: Identification of farm-specific characteristics relevant for the occurrence of Fasciola hepatica on German dairy farms

Fasciola hepatica is an internal parasite of both human and veterinary relevance. In order to control fasciolosis, a multitude of attempts to predict the risk of infection such as risk maps or forecasting models have been developed. These attempts mainly focused on the influence of geo-climatic and meteorological features. Predicting bovine fasciolosis on farm level taking into account farm-specific settings yet remains challenging. In the present study, a new methodology for this purpose, a data-driven machine learning approach using a random forest classification algorithm was applied to a cross-sectional data set of farm characteristics, management regimes, and farmer aspects within two structurally different dairying regions in Germany in order to identify factors relevant for the occurrence of F. hepatica that could predict farm-level bulk tank milk positivity. The resulting models identified farm-specific key aspects in regard to the presence of F. hepatica. In study region North, farm-level production parameters (farm-level milk yield, farm-level milk fat, farm-level milk protein), leg hygiene, body condition (prevalence of overconditioned and underconditioned cows, respectively) and pasture access were identified as features relevant in regard to farm-level F. hepatica positivity. In study region South, pasture access together with farm-level lameness prevalence, farm-level prevalence of hock lesions, herd size, parity, and farm-level milk fat appeared to be important covariates. The stratification of the analysis by study region allows for the extrapolation of the results to similar settings of dairy husbandry. The local, region-specific modelling of F. hepatica presence in this work contributes to the understanding of on-farm aspects of F. hepatica appearance. The applied technique represents a novel approach in this context to model epidemiological data on fasciolosis which allows for the identification of farms at risk and together with additional findings in regard to the epidemiology of fasciolosis, can facilitate risk assessment and deepen our understanding of on-farm drivers of the occurrence of F. hepatica

Animal health as a function of farmer personality and attitude: using the HEXACO model of personality structure to predict farm-level seropositivity for Fasciola hepatica and Ostertagia ostertagi in dairy cows

Introduction: Infections with Fasciola hepatica and Ostertagia ostertagi impinge upon dairy cow health and welfare and represent a major economic factor in livestock industry. Control measures largely rely on the use of anthelminthic drugs. However, reports of anthelmintic resistance necessitate sustainable approaches. Farmer characteristics such as attitude and personality are crucial for the implementation of control strategies and on-farm practices.MethodsIn the present study, the HEXACO (Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, eXtraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Openness to experience) model of personality structure, which conceptualizes human personality, was used to evaluate the relationship of farmer aspects with on-farm bulk tank milk seropositivity for F. hepatica and O. ostertagi. Moreover, information on farm structure, housing, management, and farmers’ attitude was collected in a face-to-face interview. Farm-level seropositivity for F. hepatica and O. ostertagi was predicted via elastic net regression.ResultsOut of 193 farms housing 8,774 cows in the German Federal State of Bavaria, 47 farms (24.4%) were seropositive for F. hepatica, 77 farms (39.9%) for O. ostertagi, and 42 farms (21.8%) for both endoparasites. The model for F. hepatica seropositivity selected the covariates pasture access, O. ostertagi seropositivity, higher farmer conscientiousness, and organic farming as relevant predictors. Seropositivity for O. ostertagi was predicted by F. hepatica seropositivity, pasture access, organic farming, and farmers being neutral regarding their satisfaction with animal health on their farm. Higher values for the HEXACO factors extraversion and emotionality were inversely associated with O. ostertagi seropositivity.DiscussionThe present work emphasizes the importance of farmer traits in regard to animal health and parasite occurrence. For the effective acceptance and implementation of sustainable control strategies for livestock helminth infections, it is crucial to consider these aspects to holistically address the challenges of managing parasitic diseases. Moreover, tailored communication strategies can be developed incorporating the understanding of individual stockman characteristics and subsequently ensuring encouragement of stakeholders