Energy restricted diets improve liver function(1) and habitual nut consumption has been associated with a lower prevalence of fatty liver(2). This study examined the effect of incorporating almonds in an energy restricted diet on liver health biomarkers. One Hundred and forty adults (42M:98F, 47.5 ± 10.8 years, BMI 30.7 ± 2.3 kg/m2) enrolled in a 9-month (9M) dietary intervention comprising 3 months (3M) weight loss (30% energy restriction) followed by 6 months (6M) of weight maintenance. Participants were randomly assigned to consume almonds (n = 68, AED) or isocaloric carbohydrate-rich snacks (n = 72, CRD) which provided 15% of total daily energy. At baseline (BL), 3M and 9M, fatty liver index (FLI) scores (0-100)(3) were calculated using body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and triglyceride (TAG) levels, and other liver health biomarkers were assessed by ultrasound (volume, visual appearance and elastography (a marker of stiffness due to fibrosis)). Intention to treat analyses were conducted using mixed effects modelling (fixed effects group and time, with participants as the random effect). Significant reductions from BL occurred over time (all p<0.001 for 3M and 9M) with no difference between groups (AED vs CRD, P>0.05) in BMI (3M: −2.44 ± 0.20 vs −2.32 ± 0.20, 9M: −2.83 ± 0.19 vs −2.81 ± 0.19 kg/m2), WC (3M: −8.04 ± 0.79 vs −7.00 ± 0.81, 9M: −8.72 ± 0.83 vs −9.14 ± 0.81 cm), TAG (3M: −0.24± 0.08 vs −0.22 ± 0.09, 9M: −0.37 ± 0.09 vs −0.21 ± 0.09 mmol/L), FLI score (3M: −23.8 ± 2.0 vs −17.6 ± 2.1, 9M: −23.8 ± 2.0 vs −17.6 ± 2.1), and liver volume (3M: −134.56 ± 38.30 vs −100.96 ± 37.25, 9M: −113.68 ± 37.42 vs −110.64 ± 35.47cm3). Significantly greater reductions occurred for AED compared to CRD at 3M and 9M in GGT (p = 0.003) (3M: −9.68 ± 1.93 vs −0.01 ± 2.00, 9M: −7.75 ± 2.06 vs −2.78 ± 2.15 IU/L) and liver visual assessment scores (p = 0.03) (3M: −0.58 ± 0.24 vs −0.45 ± 0.23, 9M: −1.33 ± 0.23 vs −0.50 ± 0.22). There were no significant changes in liver elastography over time or between groups. Energy restriction improved body composition and reduced the extent of fatty liver and liver size but did not change liver stiffness. The inclusion of almonds in an energy restricted diet demonstrated additional benefits to some liver health biomarkers providing support for almonds being incorporated into lifestyle interventions to improve liver function.

Basal channels, which are troughs carved into the undersides of ice shelves by buoyant plumes of water, are modulators of ice-shelf basal melt and structural stability. In this study, we track the evolution of 12 large basal channels beneath ice shelves of the Amundsen and Bellingshausen seas region in West Antarctica using the Landsat record since its start in the 1970s through 2020. We observe examples of channel growth, interactions with ice-shelf features, and systematic changes in sinuosity that give insight into the life cycles of basal channels. We use the last two decades of the record, combined with contemporary ice-flow velocity datasets, to separate channel-path evolution into components related to advection by ice flow and those controlled by other forcings, such as ocean melt or surface accumulation. Our results show that ice-flow-independent lateral channel migration is overwhelmingly to the left when viewed down-flow, suggesting that it is dominated by Coriolis-influenced ocean melt. By applying a model of channel-path evolution dominantly controlled by ice flow and ocean melt, we show that the majority of channels surveyed exhibit non-steady behavior that serves as a novel proxy for increased ocean forcing in West Antarctica starting at least in the early 1970s.

X-ray diffraction of four natural samples of ferrihydrite indicates the presence of crystalline domains within the primary particles. The average diameter of the primary particles (determined from low-angle powder patterns) decreases from 4.1 nm to 2.5 nm as the domain size in the xy-plane (determined by applying the Scherrer equation to the broad [110] XRD peak at 0.26–0.27 nm) decreases from 1.0 nm to 0.77 nm. The Si content (measured by acid-oxalate extraction) increases from 4.1% to 6.1% as both the domain and particle sizes decrease; other factors, however, are likely to be important in influencing particle size. For one sample of ferrihydrite, the smallest possible domain (i.e., c = 0.94 nm in the z-direction) contains 36 O atoms and three Si atoms. A model for ferrihydrite is suggested in which silicate bonds to, and bridges, the surfaces of the domains. The model can account for several aspects of the behavior of siliceous ferrihydrites.

The aim of the present paper is to review the effects of non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDO) on immunity, focusing on their microbiota-independent mechanisms of action, as well as to explore their potential beneficial role in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). IBD are chronic, inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Individuals with IBD have an aberrant immune response to commensal microbiota, resulting in extensive mucosal inflammation and increased intestinal permeability. NDO are prebiotic fibres well known for their role in supporting intestinal health through modulation of the gut microbiota. NDO reach the colon intact and are fermented by commensal bacteria, resulting in the production of SCFA with immunomodulatory properties. In disease states characterised by increased gut permeability, prebiotics may also bypass the gut barrier and directly interact with intestinal and systemic immune cells, as demonstrated in patients with IBD and in infants with an immature gut. In vitro models show that fructooligosaccharides, inulin and galactooligosaccharides exert microbiota-independent effects on immunity by binding to toll-like receptors on monocytes, macrophages and intestinal epithelial cells and by modulating cytokine production and immune cell maturation. Moreover, animal models and human supplementation studies demonstrate that some prebiotics, including inulin and lactulose, might reduce intestinal inflammation and IBD symptoms. Although there are convincing preliminary data to support NDO as immunomodulators in the management of IBD, their mechanisms of action are still unclear and larger standardised studies need to be performed using a wider range of prebiotics.

Antimicrobial stewardship (AS) involves the appropriate selection of antimicrobials. Antimicrobial stewardship programs are mandated in hospitals and are expanding to involve outpatient arenas. Multiple articles have been published describing the need for AS education for medical and pharmacy students, beginning early in the students’ career to develop into competent AS practitioners. Additionally, publications have described the role and impact of medical and pharmacy trainees on AS programs. Here, we review the published evidence describing medical and pharmacy trainees’ involvement in AS and call for future research in this area.

A range of allophane samples (atomic AI/Si bulk ratios 1.1-1.9) from Silica Springs, New Zealand, has been characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Binding energies of Si 2s, Si 2p, Al 2p, O 1s, C 1s, and N 1s electrons, together with the kinetic energies of Al KL23L23 Auger electrons, at or near the surface of allophane aggregates, have been derived. The values for Al, Si and O electrons are similar to those for kaolinite but also to those for some framework silicates (feldspars) having 4-coordinate Al. Values for N electrons suggest that N occurs in organic structures. Comparison of XPS and bulk Al/Si ratios shows an enrichment of Al at or near the surface of allophane aggregates. The same is true for C and N. Extraction with citrate-dithionite-bicarbonate (CDB) reagent leaves the surfaces depleted in Al. The CDB extracts have higher Al/Si ratios than the bulk allophanes. Similarly, CDB treatment reduces the degree of surface enrichment of C and N. Small increases in the binding energies of Si electrons following CDB treatment suggest partial dissolution of the bulk structure though a concomitant removal of a separate phase or species cannot be ruled out. The results may be accounted for in terms of the structure previously suggested for the primary spherules of Silica Springs allophane (Childs et al., 1990) though the composition of the spherules at or near the surface of the allophane aggregates is different from those of the bulk.

Urban slums provide suitable conditions for infestation by rats, which harbour and shed a wide diversity of zoonotic pathogens including helminths. We aimed to identify risk factors associated with the probability and intensity of infection of helminths of the digestive tract in an urban slum population of Rattus norvegicus. Among 299 rats, eleven species/groups of helminths were identified, of which Strongyloides sp., Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and, the human pathogen, Angiostrongylus cantonensis were the most frequent (97, 41 and 39%, respectively). Sex interactions highlighted behavioural differences between males and females, as eg males were more likely to be infected with N. brasiliensis where rat signs were present, and males presented more intense infections of Strongyloides sp. Moreover, rats in poor body condition had higher intensities of N. brasiliensis. We describe a high global richness of parasites in R. norvegicus, including five species known to cause disease in humans. Among these, A. cantonensis was found in high prevalence and it was ubiquitous in the study area – knowledge which is of public health importance. A variety of environmental, demographic and body condition variables were associated with helminth species infection of rats, suggesting a comparable variety of risk factors for humans.

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. The disease is globally distributed and a major public health concern. The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) is the main reservoir of the pathogen in urban slums of developing and developed countries. The potential routes of intra-specific leptospire transmission in rats are largely unknown. Herein, we identified pathogenic Leptospira spp. in breast tissue and milk of naturally infected rats. We examined kidney, breast tissue and milk from 24 lactating rats for the presence of leptospires using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and scanning electronic microscopy. All 24 rats had evidence for Leptospira in the kidneys, indicating chronic carriage. The majority of kidney-positive rats had detectable leptospires in milk (18, 75%) and breast tissue (16, 67%), as evidenced by immunofluorescence assay and immunohistochemistry. Four (17%) milk samples and two (8%) breast tissue samples were positive by quantitative real-time PCR. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of leptospires in breast tissue. No major pathological changes in breast tissue were found. This study, for the first time, identified leptospires in the milk and breast tissue of wild Norway rats, suggesting the possibility of milk-borne transmission of leptospirosis to neonates.

Prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics are dietary ingredients with the potential to influence health and mucosal and systemic immune function by altering the composition of the gut microbiota. In the present study, a candidate prebiotic (xylo-oligosaccharide, XOS, 8 g/d), probiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bi-07, 109 colony-forming units (CFU)/d) or synbiotic (8 g XOS+109 CFU Bi-07/d) was given to healthy adults (25–65 years) for 21 d. The aim was to identify the effect of the supplements on bowel habits, self-reported mood, composition of the gut microbiota, blood lipid concentrations and immune function. XOS supplementation increased mean bowel movements per d (P= 0·009), but did not alter the symptoms of bloating, abdominal pain or flatulence or the incidence of any reported adverse events compared with maltodextrin supplementation. XOS supplementation significantly increased participant-reported vitality (P= 0·003) and happiness (P= 0·034). Lowest reported use of analgesics was observed during the XOS+Bi-07 supplementation period (P= 0·004). XOS supplementation significantly increased faecal bifidobacterial counts (P= 0·008) and fasting plasma HDL concentrations (P= 0·005). Bi-07 supplementation significantly increased faecal B. lactis content (P= 0·007), lowered lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IL-4 secretion in whole-blood cultures (P= 0·035) and salivary IgA content (P= 0·040) and increased IL-6 secretion (P= 0·009). XOS supplementation resulted in lower expression of CD16/56 on natural killer T cells (P= 0·027) and lower IL-10 secretion (P= 0·049), while XOS and Bi-07 supplementation reduced the expression of CD19 on B cells (XOS × Bi-07, P= 0·009). The present study demonstrates that XOS induce bifidogenesis, improve aspects of the plasma lipid profile and modulate the markers of immune function in healthy adults. The provision of XOS+Bi-07 as a synbiotic may confer further benefits due to the discrete effects of Bi-07 on the gut microbiota and markers of immune function.

Elderly adults have alterations in their gut microbiota and immune functions that are associated with higher susceptibility to infections and metabolic disorders. Probiotics and prebiotics, and their synbiotic combinations are food supplements that have been shown to improve both gut and immune function. The objective of this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over human clinical trial was to study immune function and the gut microbiota in healthy elderly adults. Volunteers (n 37) consumed prebiotic galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS; 8 g/d), probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 (Bi-07; 109 colony-forming units/d), their combination (Bi-07 + GOS) and maltodextrin control (8 g/d) in four 3-week periods separated by 4-week wash-out periods. Immune function was analysed by determining the phagocytic and oxidative burst activity of monocytes and granulocytes, whole-blood response to lipopolysaccharide, plasma chemokine concentrations and salivary IgA levels. Gut microbiota composition and faecal SCFA content were determined using 16S ribosomal RNA fluorescence in situ hybridisation and HPLC, respectively. Primary statistical analyses indicated the presence of carry-over effects and thus measurements from only the first supplementation period were considered valid. Subsequent statistical analysis showed that consumption of Bi-07 improved the phagocytic activity of monocytes (P < 0·001) and granulocytes (P = 0·02). Other parameters were unchanged. We have for the first time shown that the probiotic Bi-07 may provide health benefits to elderly individuals by improving the phagocytic activity of monocytes and granulocytes. The present results also suggest that in the elderly, the effects of some probiotics and prebiotics may last longer than in adults.

In 1993 New York and Texas each reported a human rabies case traced to a rare variant of rabies virus found in an uncommon species of bat. This study examined the epidemiology of bat rabies in New York State. Demographic, species, and animal-contact information for bats submitted for rabies testing from 1988–92 was analysed.

The prevalence of rabies in 6810 bats was 4·6%. Nearly 90% of the 308 rabid bats identified to species were the common big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), which comprised 62% of all submissions. Only 25 submissions were silver-haired bats (Lasionycterus noctivagans), the species associated with the two 1993 human cases of rabies, and only two of these bats were positive. Rabies was most prevalent in female bats, in bats submitted because of human or animal contact, and in animals tested during September and October.

These results highlight the unusual circumstances surrounding the recent human rabies cases in the United States. A species of bat rarely encountered by humans, and contributing little to the total rabies cases in bats, has been implicated in the majority of the indigenously acquired human rabies cases in the United States. The factors contributing to the transmission of this rare rabies variant remain unclear.

The feeding habits and host specificities of the Pycnogonida are poorly known. These usually small, cryptically coloured animals are difficult to observe alive and are mostly collected fortuitously in gross samples taken from trawls and dredges. Any association between the pycnogonids and their food is disrupted in the trawl. Further, the possibility that some of the pycnogonids may have been captured in the water column rather than on the bottom cannot be ascertained from trawl and dredge samples. King (1973) lists only twelve records of pycnogonids actually seen browsing on food organisms. Most occur on hydroids and other cnidarians, and all are from benthic habitats. In more recent papers, Stock reports a pycnogonid seen on a brittle star in the Seychelles (1979), feeding preferences of pycnogonids on benthic cnidarians (1978), and an association between a pycnogonid and a starfish from the Philippines (1981).