Inhibiting CSF1R alleviates cerebrovascular white matter disease and cognitive impairment.

White matter abnormalities, related to poor cerebral perfusion, are a core feature of small vessel cerebrovascular disease, and critical determinants of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. Despite this importance there is a lack of treatment options. Proliferation of microglia producing an expanded, reactive population and associated neuroinflammatory alterations have been implicated in the onset and progression of cerebrovascular white matter disease, in patients and in animal models, suggesting that targeting microglial proliferation may exert protection.

Nox2 underpins microvascular inflammation and vascular contributions to cognitive decline.

Chronic microvascular inflammation and oxidative stress are inter-related mechanisms underpinning white matter disease and vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). A proposed mediator is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 2 (Nox2), a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain. To assess the role of Nox2 in VCI, we studied a tractable model with white matter pathology and cognitive impairment induced by bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS).

Impaired Glymphatic Function and Pulsation Alterations in a Mouse Model of Vascular Cognitive Impairment.

Large vessel disease and carotid stenosis are key mechanisms contributing to vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and dementia. Our previous work, and that of others, using rodent models, demonstrated that bilateral common carotid stenosis (BCAS) leads to cognitive impairment via gradual deterioration of the neuro-glial-vascular unit and accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) protein. Since brain-wide drainage pathways (glymphatic) for waste clearance, including Aβ removal, have been implicated in the pathophysiology of VCI via glial mechanisms, we hypothesized that glymphatic function would be impaired in a BCAS model and exacerbated in the presence of Aβ.

Feedlot performance and immune function analysis of implanted and non-implanted steers selected for alcohol dehydrogenase 1 C (ADH1C) genotype and fed a low vitamin A diet.

Previous studies have shown that the interaction between limiting vitamin A (VA) and an alcohol dehydrogenase 1 C (ADH1C) variant in beef cattle results in increased intramuscular fat in the longissimus thoracis muscle in one genotype when fed low dietary VA. Although quality grade is important for increased profitability and improving taste characteristics of beef products, limiting VA too drastically can impair animal welfare. The objectives of this study were to determine if this marker-assisted management strategy would be effective, and whether any impairment in immune function would occur in a feedlot setting.

Can digital breast tomosynthesis perform better than standard digital mammography work-up in breast cancer assessment clinic?

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of use of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) with standard digital mammography (DM) workup views in the breast cancer assessment clinic.

Materials And Methods: The Tomosynthesis Assessment Clinic trial (TACT), conducted between 16 October 2014 and 19 April 2016, is an ethics-approved, monocenter, multireader, multicase split-plot reading study. After written informed consent was obtained, 144 females (age > 40 years) who were recalled to the assessment clinic were recruited into TACT.

Small vessels, dementia and chronic diseases - molecular mechanisms and pathophysiology.

Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a major contributor to stroke, cognitive impairment and dementia with limited therapeutic interventions. There is a critical need to provide mechanistic insight and improve translation between pre-clinical research and the clinic. A 2-day workshop was held which brought together experts from several disciplines in cerebrovascular disease, dementia and cardiovascular biology, to highlight current advances in these fields, explore synergies and scope for development.

The factors affecting household transmission dynamics and community compliance with Ebola control measures: a mixed-methods study in a rural village in Sierra Leone.

Background: Little is understood of Ebola virus disease (EVD) transmission dynamics and community compliance with control measures over time. Understanding these interactions is essential if interventions are to be effective in future outbreaks. We conducted a mixed-methods study to explore these factors in a rural village that experienced sustained EVD transmission in Kailahun District, Sierra Leone.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion: a key mechanism leading to vascular cognitive impairment and dementia. Closing the translational gap between rodent models and human vascular cognitive impairment and dementia.

Increasing evidence suggests that vascular risk factors contribute to neurodegeneration, cognitive impairment and dementia. While there is considerable overlap between features of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), it appears that cerebral hypoperfusion is the common underlying pathophysiological mechanism which is a major contributor to cognitive decline and degenerative processes leading to dementia. Sustained cerebral hypoperfusion is suggested to be the cause of white matter attenuation, a key feature common to both AD and dementia associated with cerebral small vessel disease (SVD).

Minocycline reduces microgliosis and improves subcortical white matter function in a model of cerebral vascular disease.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion is a key mechanism associated with white matter disruption in cerebral vascular disease and dementia. In a mouse model relevant to studying cerebral vascular disease, we have previously shown that cerebral hypoperfusion disrupts axon-glial integrity and the distribution of key paranodal and internodal proteins in subcortical myelinated axons. This disruption of myelinated axons is accompanied by increased microglia and cognitive decline.

Long-term cilostazol treatment reduces gliovascular damage and memory impairment in a mouse model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion is a major cause of age-related vascular cognitive impairment. A well-characterised mouse model has shown that hypoperfusion results in gliovascular and white matter damage and impaired spatial working memory. In this study, we assessed whether cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, could protect against these changes.

Ebola management centre proximity associated with reduced delays of healthcare of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) patients, Tonkolili, Sierra Leone, 2014-15.

Between August-December 2014, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) patients from Tonkolili District were referred for care to two Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Ebola Management Centres (EMCs) outside the district (distant EMCs). In December 2014, MSF opened an EMC in Tonkolili District (district EMC). We examined the effect of opening a district-based EMC on time to admission and number of suspect cases dead on arrival (DOA), and identified factors associated with fatality in EVD patients, residents in Tonkolili District.

Ageing causes prominent neurovascular dysfunction associated with loss of astrocytic contacts and gliosis.

Aims: Normal neurovascular coupling, mediated by the fine interplay and communication of cells within the neurovascular unit, is critical for maintaining normal brain activity and cognitive function. This study investigated whether, with advancing age there is disruption of neurovascular coupling and specific cellular components of the neurovascular unit, and whether the effects of increasing amyloid (a key feature of Alzheimer's disease) would exacerbate these changes.

Methods: Wild-type mice, in which amyloid deposition is absent, were compared to transgenic amyloid precursor protein (APP) littermates (TgSwDI) which develop age-dependent increases in amyloid.

Successful Control of Ebola Virus Disease: Analysis of Service Based Data from Rural Sierra Leone.

Introduction: The scale and geographical distribution of the current outbreak in West Africa raised doubts as to the effectiveness of established methods of control. Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) was first detected in Sierra Leone in May 2014 in Kailahun district. Despite high case numbers elsewhere in the country, transmission was eliminated in the district by December 2014.

Spatiotemporal patterns of Aedes aegypti populations in Cairns, Australia: assessing drivers of dengue transmission.

Objectives: To identify the meteorological drivers of dengue vector density and determine high- and low-risk transmission zones for dengue prevention and control in Cairns, Australia.

Methods: Weekly adult female Ae. aegypti data were obtained from 79 double sticky ovitraps (SOs) located in Cairns for the period September 2007-May 2012.

Geographical information systems for dengue surveillance.

This review provides details on the role of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in current dengue surveillance systems and focuses on the application of open access GIS technology to emphasize its importance in developing countries, where the dengue burden is greatest. It also advocates for increased international collaboration in transboundary disease surveillance to confront the emerging global challenge of dengue.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for patients with body mass index of

Background: Many mild-to-moderately obese individuals (body mass index [BMI] 30-35 kg/m(2)) have serious diseases related to their obesity. Nonoperative therapy is ineffective in the long term, yet surgery has never been made widely available to this population.

Methods: Between 1996 and 2004, 93 patients with a BMI of 30-35 kg/m(2) underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding with the LAP-BAND.

Poor weight loss despite biliopancreatic diversion and subsequent revision to a 30-cm common channel after initial laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: an analysis of 8 cases.

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) fails in 5% of patients due to band-related complications or patient intolerance. A subset of patients subsequently managed with biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) have failed to achieve a percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) > 50% or a body mass index (BMI) < 35 kg/m(2) even after a further procedure shortening the common channel to 30 cm.

Method: A computerized obesity database was used to identify the study group and collect preoperative and outcome data.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in severely obese adolescents.

Background: Severely obese adolescents are suffering all the consequences well known in adults. A decision was made to offer laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery to severely obese adolescents.

Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the outcomes of 41 adolescents aged 12-19 years (mean 15.

Clinical and radiological follow-up of laparoscopic adjustable gastric bands, 1998 and 2000: a comparison of two techniques.

Background: Concerns still exist about the long-term effectiveness and rate of retention of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB). Furthermore, esophageal dilatation has been suggested as a long-term complication for LAGB. We therefore sought to objectively analyze our follow-up results in patients with LAGB performed in 1998 by perigastric technique and 2000 by pars flaccida technique.

Laparoscopic adjustable banding in pregnancy: safety, patient tolerance and effect on obesity-related pregnancy outcomes.

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is increasingly recommended to women of reproductive age. For continued use, LAGB needs to be proven to be safe and well-tolerated during pregnancy. Maternal obesity is a well-recognized risk factor for gestational diabetes, maternal hypertension and is more likely to result in instrumental delivery or caesarean section.