Disseminated complex infection presenting as intraventricular brain hemorrhage in a German shepherd dog in Australia.

A German Shepherd Dog diagnosed with based on fungal culture and DNA sequencing, is the first documented case in Australia, and the Southern Hemisphere. This species is part of complex, which is an emerging concern in immunocompromised human and veterinary patients. Intraventricular brain hemorrhage, noted on MRI, has not been reported previously in a dog with fungal encephalitis.

Selenium intakes and plasma selenium of New Zealand toddlers: secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial.

Little is known about Se intakes and status in very young New Zealand children. However, Se intakes below recommendations and lower Se status compared with international studies have been reported in New Zealand (particularly South Island) adults. The Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS) randomised controlled trial compared a modified version of baby-led weaning (infants feed themselves rather than being spoon-fed), with traditional spoon-feeding (Control).

Assessment of clinical outcomes associated with mercury concentrations in harbor seal pups (Phoca vitulina richardii) in central California.

Monomethyl mercury (MeHg) from the diet can cause mild to severe neurotoxicosis in fish-eating mammals. Chronic and low-level in utero exposure also can be neurotoxic, as documented in laboratory animal studies and epidemiologic investigations. In free-ranging animals, it is challenging to study low-level exposure related neurotoxicosis, and few studies have investigated the relationship between mercury (Hg) and adverse outcomes in wild populations.

Evaluation of cell-free DNA as a diagnostic marker in cerebrospinal fluid of dogs.

Objective: To determine whether cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was detectable in CSF samples from dogs, whether CSF sample volume impacted CSF cfDNA concentration measurement, and whether CSF cfDNA concentration was associated with CNS disease category or CSF RBC count (RBCC), nucleated cell count (NCC), or protein concentration, which could aid in the diagnosis of neurologic diseases in dogs.

Sample: 80 CSF samples collected from dogs with (n = 60) and without (20) clinical neurologic disease between February 2017 and May 2018.

Procedures: Results for CSF RBCC, NCC, protein concentration, and cfDNA concentration were compared across CSF groups established on the basis of whether they were obtained from dogs with (case groups) or without (control group) clinical signs of neurologic disease In addition, 5 paired CSF samples representing large (3.

A Durable Minimal Intervention Strategy to Reduce Benzodiazepine Use in a Primary Care Population.

Background: Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed drugs with approximately 10% of adults having used them in the past year. These drugs are clearly addictive, yet many patients are prescribed these for years, with long-term side effects. The present study aimed to investigate whether patients on repeat diazepam prescription had their prescription reviewed to reduce and to stop the repeat prescription wherever appropriate, and whether these changes were sustained at 24 months.

Serum Zinc Is a Major Predictor of Anemia and Mediates the Effect of Selenium on Hemoglobin in School-Aged Children in a Nationally Representative Survey in New Zealand.

Background: Zinc, selenium, and vitamin D status of New Zealand (NZ) school-aged children was examined in a national survey in 2002. To our knowledge, however, the role of these micronutrients as predictors of hemoglobin has not been explored despite plausible mechanisms for such relations.

Objective: We examined the relations of iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamin D status with hemoglobin and anemia in children of New Zealand European and other (NZEO) ethnicity enrolled in the 2002 Children's Nutrition Survey and explored whether zinc mediated the relation between selenium and hemoglobin.

Iodine Status of New Zealand Elderly Residents in Long-Term Residential Care.

In response to the re-emergence of iodine deficiency in New Zealand, in 2009 the government mandated that all commercially made breads be fortified with iodized salt. There has been no evaluation of the impact of the program on iodine status of the elderly, despite this population group being vulnerable to iodine deficiency or excess. The aim of this study was to describe the iodine status of elderly New Zealanders in residential aged-care homes following the implementation of the bread fortification program.

Effects of anemia at different stages of gestation on infant outcomes.

Objectives: Maternal anemia is a public health challenge worldwide. The present study aims to explore the effects of maternal anemia at different stages of gestation on postnatal growth and neurobehavioral development in infants.

Methods: A cohort of pregnant Indian women were followed from 13 to 22 wk gestation (i.

Dietary and non-dietary factors associated with serum zinc in Indian women.

Women in low-income settings, common in India, are at risk of inadequate zinc intake due to poor diet quality and low consumption of flesh foods rich in zinc. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of zinc status of non-pregnant rural and tribal women living in central India and to identify dietary and non-dietary factors associated with the biochemical zinc status of these women. Rural and tribal non-pregnant women 18-30 years of age were selected using proportion to population sampling near Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.

Iron status of pregnant Indian women from an area of active iron supplementation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the iron status of pregnant tribal women from Ramtek, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India using a combination of indices.

Methods: A community-based observational study was conducted to assess iron status using a convenience sample of pregnant Indian tribal women from Ramtek. Pregnant women were recruited at 13 to 22 wk gestation (first visit; n = 211) and followed to 29 to 42 wk gestation (second visit; n = 177) of pregnancy.

Influence of the glutathione peroxidase 1 Pro200Leu polymorphism on the response of glutathione peroxidase activity to selenium supplementation: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: A genetic variant at codon 200 (Pro200Leu) of the gene encoding for glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), a selenium-dependent enzyme, is associated with lower enzyme activity; however, the evidence is limited to in vitro and observational studies.

Objective: The objective was to determine whether the GPx1 Pro200Leu genetic variants modify the response of whole-blood glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity to selenium supplementation in patients with coronary artery disease in New Zealand.

Design: The results from 2 parallel-design, double-blind trials were combined.

A comprehensive assessment of urinary iodine concentration and thyroid hormones in New Zealand schoolchildren: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Insufficient iodine in children's diets is of concern because thyroid hormones are needed for normal growth and development, particularly of the brain. This study aimed to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the iodine status of New Zealand schoolchildren using a range of biochemical indices suitable for populations (i.e.

Plasma selenium concentrations in pregnant women in two countries with contrasting soil selenium levels.

Project: Selenium has an important role in antioxidant defense and cell mediated immunity. Plasma selenium is a useful biomarker for comparing selenium status across populations, and influenced by selenium levels of soils and plants.

Procedure: This cross-sectional study compared plasma selenium (by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry) of women at 24 weeks gestation in Malawi (n=152) and the Philippines (n=301), countries with low and high soil selenium levels, respectively.

The effect of maternal iodine status on infant outcomes in an iodine-deficient Indian population.

Background: An adequate intake of iodine during pregnancy is essential for the synthesis of maternal thyroid hormones needed to support normal fetal development. This study aimed to assess the iodine status of pregnant tribal Indian women and their infants and to determine the impact of maternal iodine status on infant growth and behavior.

Methods: A prospective, observational study was undertaken to assess the iodine status of tribal pregnant Indian women living in Ramtek, northeast of Nagpur, India.

Functional duality of astrocytes in myelination.

Astrocytes undergo major phenotypic changes in response to injury and disease that directly influence repair in the CNS, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Previously, we have shown that neurosphere-derived rat astrocytes plated on poly-L-lysine (PLL-astrocytes) support myelination in dissociated rat spinal cord cultures (myelinating cultures). It is hypothesized that astrocyte reactivity can affect myelination, so we have exploited this culture system to ascertain how two distinct astrocyte phenotypes influence myelination.

Minimal impact of excess iodate intake on thyroid hormones and selenium status in older New Zealanders.

Objective: Iodine deficiency has re-emerged in New Zealand, while selenium status has improved. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of excess iodine intake as iodate on thyroid and selenium status.

Methods: In a randomized controlled trial on older people (mean±s.

Are pregnant women in New Zealand iodine deficient? A cross-sectional survey.

Severe iodine deficiency in pregnancy can result in cretinism. There is growing concern that less severe iodine deficiency may also affect fetal growth and development. A handful of prior small New Zealand studies focussed on pregnant women living in Dunedin.

Changes in markers of inflammation, antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress in smokers following consumption of milk, and milk supplemented with fruit and vegetable extracts and vitamin C.

Two milk-based beverages delivering twice the average daily antioxidant intake were formulated, based on synergistic combinations of fruit and vegetable extracts, and containing vitamin C (1.00 mg/ml) for shelf stability. Smokers (n = 42) consumed prototype milk A, B or non-supplemented milk (no extracts or vitamin C; 200 ml) twice daily for 6 weeks.

Consumption of salmon v. salmon oil capsules: effects on n-3 PUFA and selenium status.

Salmon provides long-chain (LC) n-3 PUFA and Se, which are well recognised for their health benefits. The n-3 and Se status of the New Zealand population is marginal. The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of consuming salmon v.

Metabolism of L-selenomethionine and selenite by probiotic bacteria: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Since selenium supplements have been shown to undergo biotransformation in the gut, probiotic treatment in combination with selenium supplements may change selenium disposition. We investigated the metabolism of L-selenomethionine (SeMet) and selenite by probiotic bacteria in vitro and the disposition of selenium after probiotic treatment followed by oral dosing with SeMet and selenite in rats. When SeMet was incubated anaerobically with individual antibiotic-resistant probiotic strains (Streptococcus salivarius K12, Lactobacillus rhamnosus 67B, Lactobacillus acidophilus L10, and Bifidobacterium lactis LAFTI® B94) at 37°C for 24 h, 11-18% was metabolized with 44-80% of SeMet lost being converted to dimethyldiselenide (DMDSe) and dimethylselenide (DMSe).

Concurrent micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in nonpregnant rural and tribal women from central India.

Objective: The existence of concurrent micronutrient deficiencies in Indian women of reproductive age has received little attention. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the micronutrient status of nonpregnant rural and tribal women 18-30 y from central India.

Methods: Participants (n = 109) were randomly selected using a stratified (rural-tribal) proportionate-to-population size cluster sampling method from 12 subcenters in Ramtek block, Nagpur.

Biotransformation of L-selenomethionine and selenite in rat gut contents.

L-selenomethionine (SeMet) and sodium selenite are widely used selenium nutritional supplements with potential benefit in preventing cancer. However, supplementation is not without risks of toxicity if intake is too high. The aim of the present study was to investigate SeMet and selenite metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract with particular focus on the formation of the volatile selenium excretion products, dimethylselenide (DMSe) and dimethyldiselenide (DMDSe).

Selenium and iodine supplementation: effect on thyroid function of older New Zealanders.

Background: The New Zealand population has both marginal selenium status and mild iodine deficiency. Adequate intakes of iodine and selenium are required for optimal thyroid function.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine whether low selenium and iodine status compromises thyroid function in an older New Zealand population.

Differential clustering of Caspr by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells.

Formation of the paranodal axoglial junction (PNJ) requires the presence of three cell adhesion molecules: the 155-kDa isoform of neurofascin (NF155) on the glial membrane and a complex of Caspr and contactin found on the axolemma. Here we report that the clustering of Caspr along myelinated axons during development differs fundamentally between the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous systems. In cultures of Schwann cells (SC) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, membrane accumulation of Caspr was detected only after myelination.