Effects of supplemental osteopontin on intestinal development and serum antibody responses to rotavirus vaccination in piglets

Milk contains numerous bioactive substances including immunoglobulins, cytokines, growth factors and components that exert antibiotic and prebiotic activity (Field, 2005). Little is known about the biological effects of individual milk bioactives, despite the fact that natural milk improves intestinal development and immune system functions in neonates (Donovan et al., 1994; Field, 2005) relative to milk formula. Characterization of the biological effects of such components is important for optimal production of infant milk formulas to be used when mother’s milk is not available. Milk components with preliminary evidence of positive effects on the intestinal growth and mucosal immunity include osteopontin (OPN). Osteopontin is a phosphorylated acidic glycoprotein expressed by a number of different immune and non-immune cells and tissues (Sodek et al., 2000). It is also present in body fluids including blood, bile and milk (Sodek et al., 2000). Osteopontin is a multifunctional protein that is implicated in a wide number of biological processes including cell survival, bone remodeling, and immune modulatory functions (Sodek et al., 2000). Furthermore, Schack and colleagues (2009) demonstrated that the concentration of OPN in human milk is considerably higher than in bovine milk and infant formulas. Taken together, it is likely that OPN plays a role in the early development of gastrointestinal tract and mucosal immune responses in infants. Since the neonatal pig shares anatomical, physiological, immunological, and metabolic similarities with the human infants (Moughan, et al., 1992), they were selected as the animal model in our studies. Our first aim was to investigate the effects of OPN on piglet intestinal development. Newborn, colostrum-deprived piglets (n=27) were randomized to receive three treatments: formula with bovine OPN (OPN; 140 mg/L); formula alone (FF); or sow reared (SR) for 21 days. Body weight, intestinal weight and length, mucosal protein and DNA content, disaccharidase activity, villus morphology, and crypt cell proliferation were measured. Statistical significance was assigned at P<0.05. No significant effects of OPN were observed for body weight, intestinal weight and length. Mucosal protein content of SR piglets was lower than FF and OPN piglets in the duodenum, but higher than FF and OPN piglets in the ileum. No significant effects of diet in mucosal DNA content were detected for the three regions of the small intestine. Lactase and sucrase activities of SR piglets were higher than the two formula-fed groups in the duodenum, lower in the ileum. No significant effects of diet on lactase and sucrase activities were noted between two formula-fed groups in the duodenum and ileum. Jejunal lactase activity of FF piglets was higher than SR piglets, whereas no significant effect of diet was observed in jejunal sucrase activity among the three groups. Duodenal and ileal villus height and villus area of SR piglets were lower than two formula-fed groups, while OPN piglets did not differ from FF piglets. There was a significant effect of diet (P<0.0001) on jejunal crypt cell proliferation, with proliferation in OPN piglets being intermediate between that of FF and SR. In summary, supplemental OPN increased jejunal crypt cell proliferation, independent of evident morphological growth, and had a minor impact on disaccharidase activity in the small intestine of neonatal piglets. Rotavirus (RV) is the most common viral cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide (Parashar et al., 2006). Maeno et al. (2009) reported that OPN knockout (OPN-KO) suckling mice were more susceptible to RV infection compared to wild-type (WT) suckling mice. To detect the role of OPN in intestinal immune responses of neonates, the goal of the second study was to evaluate whether supplemental OPN influenced the serum antibody responses to RV vaccination in neonatal piglets. Newborn, colostrum-deprived piglets were randomized into two dietary groups: formula with bovine OPN (OPN; 140 mg/L) and formula alone (FF) for 35 days. On d7, piglets in each dietary group were further randomized to receive rotavirus (RV) vaccination (Rotarix®) (FF+RV and OPN+RV) or remained non-vaccinated (FF+NV and OPN+NV). Booster vaccination was provided on d14. Blood samples were collected on d7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. RV-specific serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, IgM and total serum IgG, IgA, IgM were measured by ELISA. Statistical significance was assigned at P<0.05, with trends reported as P<0.10. Body weight gain was unaffected by diet and/or vaccination. No significant effect of oral OPN supplementation was observed for RV-specific antibody responses and total Igs levels. After the combination of dietary groups, RV piglets had significantly higher RV-specific IgM concentrations compared to NV piglets. Although there were higher means of RV-specific IgG and RV-specific IgA concentrations in RV group than their counterparts in NV group, the difference did not reach statistical significance. RV-specific IgM reached a peak at d7 post booster vaccination (PBV), whereas the RV-specific IgG and IgA peaked later at PBV 14 or 21. Total Igs were unaffected by RV vaccination but were significantly increased over time, following similar pattern as RV-specific Igs. In summary, neonatal piglets generated weak antibody responses to RV vaccination. Supplemental OPN did not enhance RV-specific serum antibody responses and total serum Igs levels in neonatal piglets with or without RV vaccination. In conclusion, we observed normal developmental changes in the small intestine and serum Igs levels in neonatal piglets over time. Oral OPN supplementation showed minimal impacts on intestinal development and no effect on serum Igs levels. The role of supplemental OPN on the growth and development of infants is still inconclusive. Future studies should measure other physiological and immunological parameters by using different models of vaccination or infection.

Editorial

En este número del Boletín Bibliotecas se recopilan cuatro artículos de distinguidas colegas que con su aporte enriquecen el quehacer de la Bibliotecología en diferentes ámbitos geográficos. La presentación de varios trabajos finales de graduación por alumnas de la Escuela de Bibliotecología, Documentación e Información para obtener el título de Licenciatura es un hecho que nos llena de mucho orgullo y satisfacción, principalmente por el esfuerzo personal y profesional que implica su culminación exitosa.

‘Breaking good news’: neurologists’ experiences of discussing SUDEP with patients in Scotland

Since the findings of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) in 2010, clinicians working in Scotland have been advised to discuss the risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) with patients immediately or soon after a diagnosis of epilepsy is made. A thematic analysis was used to describe the experiences discussing SUDEP of 10 clinicians (six Consultant Neurologists and four Neurology Registrars) working in Scotland. Five themes were found: Clinicians employ a ‘SUDEP protocol’, suggesting there is a standardised way of discussing SUDEP with patients and all clinicians routinely discuss SUDEP with newly diagnosed epilepsy patients; The FAI has diffused into practice through meetings and discussions with colleagues; ‘Breaking Good News’ refers to the ambivalence clinicians feel about discussing SUDEP; ‘Falsely anticipating anxiety’ refers to clinicians anticipating a distressed response from patients despite this very rarely occurring; Clinicians suggest that ‘pressure hinders effective communication’ to patients – suggesting that the pressure to discuss SUDEP early after diagnosis may have an emotional impact on patients and affect the amount of information they can take in. Implications for guideline development are discussed.

A case study of the English language teachers’ attitudes toward use of information and communication technology (ICT) in Finland

This qualitative study was aimed at investigating foreign language teachers’ attitudes toward use of information and communication technology (ICT) in their instruction. The insight was gained through the reported experience of ICT implementation by teachers, in what way and for which purpose they refer to use of technology, what kind of support and training they are provided with, and what beliefs they express about the influence of ICT implementation. This case study took place in one of the training schools in Finland. Five teachers participated in semi-structured interviews through a face-to-face approach. The findings demonstrated positive attitudes of teachers toward integration of ICT. The teachers shared their opinions about positive influence that ICT implementation has on both teaching and learning processes. However, they also pointed out the negative sides of ICT use: distraction of the students from usage of technology and technical problems causing frustration to the teachers. In addition, the responses revealed that the teachers are provided with adequate training aimed at enhancing their qualification which is provided with well-timed technology support and colleagues’ collaboration facilitating an efficient and smooth pace of the teaching process. According to the teachers’ opinions ICT integration in education appeared to have changed the role of the teacher. Due to different alterations in the field of ICT development teachers are required to upgrade their skills. The paper concludes with the limitations of the study and the recommendations for conducting further research.

Career and work-family relationship among academics : An exploratory study

Despite the increase, in recent years, of women’s participation in the labour market, sex discrimination remains a reality in most work organisations. In this matter, academic organisations are no exception. Evidence of sex inequalities is well documented in the literature. At the individual level, inequalities are partly explained by family responsibilities mainly held by women. Having to spend a considerable amount of time in home and children related activities women are left with less time available for scientific work than their male colleagues. With the purpose of understanding how academics experience the relationship between work and family, 32 in-depth interviews were conducted among Portuguese academics of both sexes in one particular university. The findings confirmed that work-family conflict is stronger among female faculty than among their male counterparts. Additionally, the prejudice against maternity and the way it is compatible with a successful career appears to survive the new gender relations. Difficulties felt by female academics could be minimised by the introduction of «family-friendly» policies and the development of a positive organisational climate towards maternity and family issues.

Chronic low back pain, chronic disability at work, chronic management issues.

International audience

Getting to Know FRED: Introducing workflows for born-digital content

Presentation from the MARAC conference in Roanoke, VA on October 7–10, 2015. S6 - Digital Archives: New Colleagues, New Solutions.

Evolution of psychosocial factors at work in a French region

International audience

Future Selves: Career choices of young disabled people

There is growing recognition that gaining the views of young people is crucial for understanding issues that affect their lives. However, to date, very little is known about the way in which disabled children, make sense of their identities, and create a sense of their past and their imagined futures over time. This three year study, funded by the European Social Fund, and conducted by Dr Sonali Shah and colleagues at the University of Nottingham, used various methods to explore how physically disabled students, in full-time special or mainstream education, make choices concerning their occupational futures. It identified the factors that shape their educational and career related choices and chances, and explored how social relations, social processes, and social policies influenced the extent to which their aspirations were achieved. This study presents disabled children and young people as critical social actors who are telling their own stories of how social structures and processes shape their choices and aspirations for their future selves. It illustrates the importance of consulting children and young people about issues concerning their lives, and not rely solely on adults’ conceptions of childhood. The young disabled people’s experiences and views can be used to develop a new flexible system which offers the benefits of mainstream and special education, and facilitates young disabled people’s self-determination to make choices to participate in and contribute to their independent futures.

Mesa redonda : Futuro del profesional en bibliotecología

Como directora de la Escuela de bibliotecología, Documentación e Información y en representación de mis compañeros y compañeras me es muy grato estar en esta tarde compartiendo con todos ustedes nuestros puntos de vista sobre el quehacer de los bibliotecólogos y documentalistas en los umbrales del Siglo XXI. Ante estos momentos de crisis y de cambios, a corto plazo, muy significativos, somos los universitarios los llamados a proponer soluciones y alternativas para resolver crisis y aceptar los cambios positivamente.En el caso de nuestra profesión de bibliotecólogos sabemos que si de algo carece Costa Rica, aún con el esfuerzo que las dos Escuelas de Bibliotecología existentes en el país han hecho para profesionalizar los recursos humanos en manejo de información, es llenar la gran demanda de profesionales en condiciones de asumir cargos directivos en unidades de información de universidades, empresas, industrias, etc.

A mini maratona de violoncelistas AMVP 2016

Relatório de Estágio para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ensino da Música

Sobre música portuguesa para viola d’arco no séc. XX: a influência de François Broos (1903-2002) na criação musical em Portugal

A presente dissertação procura explorar a figura que foi François Broos. Contactando alguns antigos colegas e alunos, procurou-se retratar de forma fidedigna o seu percurso pessoal e profissional, e de que forma a sua vinda para Portugal terá alterado o panorama nacional violetístico, tanto a nível educacional, como artístico. Procurou-se abordar, também, as relações pessoais e profissionais que estabeleceu, tanto no Porto como em Lisboa, com figuras de referência da música em Portugal. Assim, fez-se um breve itinerário pela produção musical para viola no século XX e, de igual forma, uma lista das obras de compositores portugueses para viola e piano ou viola e orquestra, de 1900 a 2000, de forma a verificar se, de facto, houve algum crescimento na produção nacional na música para viola desde que François Broos se instalou em Portugal, e indicar quantas dessas obras lhe terão sido dedicadas. Na segunda parte desta dissertação, e no seguimento do ponto acima mencionado, foram escolhidas duas obras de grande relevância no repertório português para viola, ambas dedicadas ao professor Broos, para serem analisadas do ponto de vista artístico, valorizando os aspetos técnicos da performance, através das respetivas gravações disponíveis.

Ser Documentalista Hoy

Cuando mis queridas colegas de Bibliotecología me contaron que se había aprobado el Bachillerato en Bibliotecología y Documentación, sentí un gran júbilo y las felicité porque he seguido muy de cerca sus esfuerzos y sé lo que significa este logro. No pude impedir remontarme al año 1977, -hace 14 años- cuando iniciábamos una modestísima carrera de "Técnico" en medio de una protesta general de todo el gremio de Bibliotecarios graduados de ese entonces.Durante esos 14 años esta Escuela ha demostrado no solo la necesidad que tenía el país de personal capacitado -pues el mercado ha absorbido los 406 graduados en forma inmediata y preferencial - sino también la seriedad de los planteamientos filosóficos y metodológicos que nos impulsaron a apostar por esta Universidad y por esta Escuela.

Discurso pronunciado en la inauguración de los cursos del Bachillerato en Bibliotecología y Documentación en la Escuela de Bibliotecología de la Universidad Nacional 4 de marzo de 1991

Estimados compañeros:Reciban en nombre propio y de la Facultad de Filosofía y Letras un afectuoso saludo de inicio de curso lectivo. Por razones fortuitas, he solicitado a la Decana sustituta de esta Facultad, la M.L.S. Alice Miranda, Directora de vuestra Escuela, que represente a la Facultad en este acto de inicio del curso lectivo.No solamente le he pedido que transmita mis saludos, sino que los inste a hacer propósitos de mejoramiento académico durante este período que inicia. La crisis universitaria forma parte de nuestra institucionalidad. La Universidad desde su nacimiento ha vivido constantemente en crisis. No obstante, como toda crisis, éstas pueden resultar fértiles en realizaciones, si las aprovechamos para el mejoramiento. En este momento nos encontramos reflexionando sobre el carácter mismo de nuestra institucionalidad. Estamos en Congreso Universitario, realizaremos próximamente la Segunda Etapa del Segundo Congreso Universitario. Son momentos de reflexión, son momentos de lucidez, de hacer examen de conciencia, de pensar lo que hemos sido para lanzarnos al porvenir.

A case study of the English language teachers’ attitudes toward use of information and communication technology (ICT) in Finland

This qualitative study was aimed at investigating foreign language teachers’ attitudes toward use of information and communication technology (ICT) in their instruction. The insight was gained through the reported experience of ICT implementation by teachers, in what way and for which purpose they refer to use of technology, what kind of support and training they are provided with, and what beliefs they express about the influence of ICT implementation. This case study took place in one of the training schools in Finland. Five teachers participated in semi-structured interviews through a face-to-face approach. The findings demonstrated positive attitudes of teachers toward integration of ICT. The teachers shared their opinions about positive influence that ICT implementation has on both teaching and learning processes. However, they also pointed out the negative sides of ICT use: distraction of the students from usage of technology and technical problems causing frustration to the teachers. In addition, the responses revealed that the teachers are provided with adequate training aimed at enhancing their qualification which is provided with well-timed technology support and colleagues’ collaboration facilitating an efficient and smooth pace of the teaching process. According to the teachers’ opinions ICT integration in education appeared to have changed the role of the teacher. Due to different alterations in the field of ICT development teachers are required to upgrade their skills. The paper concludes with the limitations of the study and the recommendations for conducting further research.