Functional impairment of CMV-reactive cellular immunity during pregnancy

ABSTRACT

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital viral infection. Mother-to-child transmission can cause severe child disability. Intact CMV-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was shown to prevent uncontrolled replication in healthy individuals. This study aimed to determine whether CMV-specific CMI is impaired in pregnant women, thus potentially increasing the overall risk for active CMV replication and transmission. CMV-specific CMI in peripheral blood of 60 pregnant women was determined using T-Track® CMV for detection of IE-1 and pp65-reactive effector cells by IFN-γ ELISpot, and compared to the CMV-IgG and -IgM serostatus. CMV-specific CMI was detected in 65% of CMV-seropositive pregnant women. 5% of CMV-IgG seronegative women showed IE-1- but not pp65-reactive cells. The overall number of CMV-reactive cells in pregnant women was significantly lower compared to a matched non-pregnant control group (p < 0.001). No significant difference in CMV-specific CMI was detected in the course of the three trimesters of pregnancy of CMV-IgG seropositive women. Postpartum (median days postnatal = 123), IE-1- and pp65-specific CMI remained significantly lower than in the non-pregnant control group (p < 0.001 and 0.0032, respectively). Functional analysis of CMV-reactive immune cells using T-Track® CMV therefore suggests a systemic down-regulation of CMV-specific CMI in pregnant women. Further studies are needed to investigate whether this may be indicative of a higher susceptibility to CMV reactivation or transmission. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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Distinct Patterns of Expression of Transcription Factors in Response to Interferonβ and Interferonλ1

Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research , Vol. 0, No. 0.


http://ift.tt/29UsnJx

Polydimethysiloxane Modified Silica Nanochannel Membrane for Hydrophobicity-Based Molecular Filtration and Detection

Analytical Chemistry

DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b01866

http://ift.tt/2a3Tceo

Computed Tomography Manifestations and Excision Cross-Complementation Group 1 Expression of Stage I Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Their Correlation With Prognosis

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the computed tomography (CT) manifestations and expression of the excision cross-complementation group 1 (ERCC1) and their correlation with prognosis in stage I non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: A total of 133 patients with stage I NSCLC with complete 3- and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) data, who underwent thoracic CT and pathological examination, were included. Expression of ERCC1 in tumor samples was evaluated using semiquantitative immunohistochemical analysis. Results: The 3- and 5-year DFS rates for the 133 patients were 72.2% and 60.9%, respectively, and the 3- and 5-year OS rates were 89.5% and 82.0%, respectively. Significant differences in the 3- and 5-year DFS occurred (P = 0.003 and P = 0.001, respectively), whereas no significant differences in the 3- and 5-year OS were found (P = 0.099 and P = 0.062, respectively) between high and low ERCC1 protein expression. Patients with high expression of ERCC1 had a better prognosis. There was a significant correlation between tumors with an irregular edge and signs of spiculation on CT and low expression of ERCC1 evaluated using logistic regression analysis (P

http://ift.tt/29Uqpsj

A Novel Scatter Correction Method for Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Abstract: In this article, a novel scatter correction approach was proposed based on the Klein-Nishina formulation. Through a series of deductions from this formulation, a principle was proposed that the photon intensity distribution was determined by the attenuation coefficient μ and the path length l. This means if 2 pencil beams pass through 2 objects with the same μl, even if the attenuation coefficient μ and the path length l of the objects are different, they will still achieve the same photon intensity distribution, that is, the same point spread function. Subsequently, a novel scatter correction approach was established after a series of deductions based on this principle. The simulations and experiments demonstrated the correctness of our principle and the comparable correction effect of our scatter correction approach compared with the beam stop array method. Furthermore, because of the character of our method, the program has very high parallel computing features, which can dramatically increase the computation speed.

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Computed Tomography Appearance of Renal Hybrid Oncocytic/Chromophobe Tumors

Objective: A series of renal hybrid oncocytic/chromophobe tumors (HOCTs) was retrospectively assessed for morphologic features and enhancement characteristics by computed tomography (CT). Materials (Subjects) and Methods: Nine patients with pathologically proven HOCTs were identified. These patients harbored a total of 12 lesions. All patients had available preoperative contrast-enhanced CT examinations, although a proportion of the studies had been carried out at outside institutions. The morphologic characteristics and enhancement patterns of each tumor were evaluated systematically. Results: Seventy-eight percent of the patients were men, with a mean age of 62 years. None of the patients had evidence of metastatic disease at the time of surgery. Mean tumor diameter was 4.4 cm. All the lesions were solid and well circumscribed. Calcifications were not seen in any of these masses. Thirty-three percent of the tumors demonstrated a central stellate hypodensity pattern, whereas a further 42% of the tumors demonstrated a heterogenous appearance. Mean attenuation values were 25.7 HU (noncontrast), 77.4 HU (arterial), 124.8 HU (venous), and 76.8 HU (delayed). Tumor-to-cortex ratios for the 2 enhanced phases (arterial and venous) were 0.56 and 0.79, respectively. Conclusions: A series of HOCTs were found on CT to have 2 distinct patterns—a heterogenous enhancement pattern and an "oncocytoma-like" pattern with a central stellate hypodensity. Although the prospective diagnosis of HOCTs on the basis of CT findings is unlikely, an awareness of the existence of these lesions is important as new means of characterizing renal masses on imaging arise.

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Intracardiac Embolized Prostate Brachytherapy Seeds: Imaging Features in Patients Undergoing Electrocardiogram-Gated Cardiac Computed Tomography

Objective: This study aims to provide the first description of the computed tomographic (CT) appearances of intracardiac embolized brachytherapy seeds in patients undergoing electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated cardiac CT. Methods: The institutional Picture Archive and Communication System was searched for male patients who underwent enhanced ECG-gated cardiac CT, and reports were searched for the key words "metallic," "prostate," "brachytherapy," "radiation," "embolized," and "radioactive." Each study was identified and examined for an intracardiac metallic object conforming to the size of a prostate seed. Results: Between January 01, 2005, and June 30, 2014, a total of 3206 male patients underwent ECG-gated cardiac CT. Five patients (0.15%) had a history of prostate cancer and an intracardiac metallic object with CT imaging characteristics consistent with an embolized prostate seed. In all 5 patients, the seeds were embedded in the trabeculations of the inferior aspect of the basal right ventricular free wall. Conclusions: Intracardiac embolized brachytherapy seeds appear as small objects with surrounding metallic artifact characteristically embedded in the inferior aspect of the basal right ventricular free wall.

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Active Surveillance of Small Renal Masses: A Review on the Role of Imaging With a Focus on Growth Rate

Objective: This study aimed to systematically summarize the current literature in the field of active surveillance for small renal masses, with the primary focus being the role of imaging in the primary decision-making and subsequent follow-up. Materials: A systematic review of the electronic databases PubMed and Web of Knowledge was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis statement guidelines. Variables were extracted from the data set and included the following: (1) patient demographics, (2) tumor characteristics, and (3) study design. Results: Twenty-one articles studying imaging in active surveillance of small renal masses were selected. Seventy-two percent (15/21) of studies were retrospective; 19% (4/21) were prospective; and 9% (2/21) studies were bidirectional. Mean age of patients was 69 years (range, 57–81 years). A total of 1386 patients were in the study; 59% of patients were men. Mean follow-up was 39 months (range, 18.8–91.5 months). Sixty-seven percent of masses discussed in this review were followed up using more than one imaging modality; 19% consistently used computed tomography for follow-up whereas the remaining 14% did not specify what imaging modality was used. Imaging studies were reviewed by the investigators centrally in 86% (18/21). In 14% of the studies, only imaging report was reviewed. Biopsy was performed in 24% of masses. Mean growth rate for all tumors was 0.27 cm/y (range, 0.06–0.7 cm/y). For studies where growth rate of benign and malignant masses were differentiated, mean growth rate for benign masses was 0.3 cm/y and mean growth rate for malignant masses was 0.35 cm/y. Conclusions: Growth rate is often used as a discriminant in following up a small renal mass in patients undergoing active surveillance. However, there is great variability in growth rate and it alone is not an adequate marker for determining whether the tumor is malignant. Because very few studies specified radiological characteristics of small renal masses, future studies can be done to better characterize masses.

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How Low Can We Go in Radiation Dose for the Data-Completion Scan on a Research Whole-Body Photon-Counting Computed Tomography System

Purpose: A research photon-counting computed tomography (CT) system that consists of an energy-integrating detector (EID) and a photon-counting detector (PCD) was installed in our laboratory. The scanning fields of view of the EID and PCD at the isocenter are 500 and 275 mm, respectively. When objects are larger than the PCD scanning field of view, a data-completion scan (DCS) using the EID subsystem is needed to avoid truncation artifacts in PCD images. The goals of this work were to (1) find the impact of a DCS on noise of PCD images and (2) determine the lowest possible dose for a DCS such that truncation artifacts are negligible in PCD images. Methods: First, 2 semianthropomorphic abdomen phantoms were scanned on the PCD subsystem. For each PCD scan, we acquired 1 DCS with the maximum effective mAs and 5 with lower effective mAs values. The PCD image reconstructed using the maximum effective mAs was considered as the reference image, and those using the lower effective mAs as the test images. The PCD image reconstructed without a DCS was considered the baseline image. Each PCD image was assessed in terms of noise and CT number uniformity; the results were compared among the baseline, test, and reference images. Finally, the impact of a DCS on PCD image quality was qualitatively assessed for other body regions using an anthropomorphic torso phantom. Results: The DCS had a negligible impact on the noise magnitude in the PCD images. The PCD images with the minimum available dose (CTDIvol

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Preoperative Fluorine 18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Prediction of Microvascular Invasion in Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the value of preoperative fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET-CT) for predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) in small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: We retrospectively examined 60 patients who received 18F-FDG PET-CT prior to hepatic resection for small HCC (≤30 mm) with subsequent MVI confirmation by histopathology. The associations between PET-positive status and tumor factors were assessed. Furthermore, independent predictors for MVI and diagnostic utility of each MVI predictor were assessed. Results: Multivariate analysis revealed the presence of MVI as an independent predictor of PET-positive status (P = 0.023). Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 3.2 or greater (P = 0.017) and lens culinaris agglutinin a-reactive α-fetoprotein (AFP-L3) 19% or greater (P = 0.010) were independent predictors of MVI. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for SUVmax of 3.2 or greater, AFP-L3 19% or greater, and both factors combined for predicting MVI were 0.712 (0.493-0.932), 0.755 (0.563-0.947), and 0.856 (0.721-0.991), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for predicting MVI were 77.8% and 74.5% for SUVmax of 3.2 or greater, 66.7% and 84.3% for AFP-L3 19% or greater, and 88.9% and 82.4% for the combination. Conclusions: 18F-FDG PET-CT and AFP-L3 may be useful for predicting MVI in small HCC, and the combination of the 2 factors provided reliable assessment for selection of suitable hepatic resection and liver transplantation candidates.

http://ift.tt/29UqCfe

Inferior Vena Cava Filter Elucidation: How to Identify Specific Inferior Vena Cava Filter Types on Multi–Detector-Row Computed Tomography Imaging

Abstract: The use of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters in the United States has increased substantially over the last 3 decades. In addition, the number of Food and Drug Administration–approved devices has also increased during this time, and there are now more than 24 different IVC filter types that may be encountered in clinical practice. These devices vary substantially with regard to design, retrievability, and risk of potential complications that include fracture, penetration, embolization, migration, recurrent venous thromboembolism, and chronic IVC occlusion. A myriad of devices are now routinely encountered on multi–detector-row computed tomography imaging, but it can be challenging to properly identify a specific IVC filter type. Proper device identification has important clinical consequences because each filter type has associated risks that may otherwise be overlooked. Identifying the specific filter type may allow further radiographic surveillance for known device-specific complications and may identify patients who can benefit from further medical treatment or prompt filter retrieval. Therefore, our purpose was to present a practical method to identify the various IVC filter types that may be encountered on multi–detector-row computed tomography imaging.

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Where Does Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Relapse?

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the anatomic pattern of disease spread at first disease relapse compared with baseline in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Materials and Methods: All patients who were newly diagnosed as having DLBCL between January 2004 and June 2014 who initially achieved complete remission but who eventually developed relapsed disease during follow-up were retrospectively identified. Available histological and imaging data were used to determine which nodal regions and extranodal locations were involved at relapse. Results: A total of 21 patients with relapsed DLBCL were included, of whom 8 (38.1%) presented with disease relapse at previously involved sites only, 7 (33.3%) presented with disease relapse at both previously involved and new sites, and 6 (28.6%) presented with disease relapse at new sites only. A total of 57 nodal stations and 34 extranodal locations were involved in all 21 relapsed DLBCL patients. Of these 57 involved nodal regions, 47 (82.5%) were also involved at baseline, whereas 10 (17.5%) were not involved at baseline. Of the 34 involved extranodal locations, 17 (50.0%) were also involved at baseline, whereas 17 (50.0%) were not involved at baseline. Conclusions: Relapsed DLBCL generally tends to affect previously involved sites, although close to one third of patients seem to have disease recurrence exclusively in previously uninvolved sites. The great majority of involved nodal stations at relapse are also involved at baseline, whereas only one half of involved extranodal locations at relapse are involved at baseline.

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Methodology for Morphometric Analysis of Modern Human Contralateral Premolars

Objective: This study aimed at developing a standard methodology for morphometric analysis and comparison of contralateral human premolar pulp space using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and semiautomated software. The primary objective was to establish a method to compare the complex and minute morphological internal volumes of contralateral premolar pulp spaces and determine their degree of similarity. The secondary aim was to introduce new methodology for selecting contralateral premolars for the study of biomaterials and techniques. Methods: Forty-one intact human premolar pairs (n = 82) extracted from 28 patients were scanned with micro-CT. Quantitative comparative evaluation was performed through geometric morphometric deviation analysis of the pulp spaces after mirroring, automatic alignment, and coregistration with semiautomated software. Geometric parameters compared included volume, surface, and surface over volume. Shape deviation analysis of transformed mean distances and root mean square errors was conducted. Results: The geometric parameters of the contralateral premolar pulp spaces had significantly higher similarity coefficients than random pairs (P

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Correlation Between Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Based Evaluation of Extramural Vascular Invasion and Prognostic Parameters of T3 Stage Rectal Cancer

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging–based extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) and the prognostic clinical and histological parameters of stage T3 rectal cancers. Methods: Eighty-six patients with T3 stage rectal cancer who received surgical resection without neoadjuvant therapy were included. Magnetic resonance imaging–based EMVI scores were determined. Correlations between the scores and pretreatment carcinoembryonic antigen levels, tumor differentiation grade, nodal stage, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression were analyzed using Spearman rank coefficient analysis. Results: Magnetic resonance imaging–based EMVI scores were statistically different (P = 0.001) between histological nodal stages (N0 vs N1 vs N2). Correlations were found between magnetic resonance imaging–based EMVI scores and tumor histological grade (rs = 0.227, P = 0.035), histological nodal stage (rs = 0.524, P

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Periprosthetic Artifact Reduction Using Virtual Monochromatic Imaging Derived From Gemstone Dual-Energy Computed Tomography and Dedicated Software

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the usefulness of combined virtual monochromatic imaging and metal artifact reduction software (MARS) for the evaluation of musculoskeletal periprosthetic tissue. Methods: Measurements were performed in periprosthetic and remote regions in 80 patients using a high-definition scanner. Polychromatic images with and without MARS and virtual monochromatic images were obtained. Results: Periprosthetic polychromatic imaging (PI) showed significant differences compared with remote areas among the 3 tissues explored (P

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Use of a Balloon Rectal Catheter in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Complex Anal Fistula to Improve Detection of Internal Openings

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of a balloon rectal channel catheter (BRCC) in complex anal fistula magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A prospective study was done on 54 patients with clinical diagnosis of complex anal fistula. Eighteen patients had preoperative MRI before and after inserting BRCC. Another 18 underwent MRI with BRCC and the rest without. Fistulas, internal openings, extensions, and abscesses were identified on MRI and compared with surgical findings. Intraindividual and interindividual differences with and without BRCC were analyzed. Results: In intragroup patients, the accuracy of MRI in detecting the number of fistulas, internal openings, extensions, and abscesses before and after using BRCC was 100%/100%, 67%/90%, 95%/95%, and 100%/100%, respectively, with a significant difference on internal openings (P

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Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Distinguishing Between Mucin-Producing and Serous Pancreatic Cysts

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and reproducibility of diffusion-weighted imaging in distinguishing between mucin-producing and serous pancreatic cysts. Methods: Forty-four pancreatic cysts (43 patients, 27 women; mean age, 57 years; 26 mucin-producing cysts, 18 serous cysts) that underwent histological examination or cyst analysis after diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were retrospectively reviewed. Three blinded readers independently evaluated signal intensity and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Intraobserver and interobserver agreements were calculated. Fisher exact test and Welch t test were used to compare signal intensity and ADC values, respectively, with pathological results. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine diagnostic accuracy of various thresholds for ADC. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean ADC values of the mucin-producing cysts were 3.26 × 10−3, 3.27 × 10−3, and 3.35 × 10−3 mm2/s for the 3 readers, respectively. Mean ADC values of the serous cysts were 2.86 × 10−3, 2.85 × 10−3, and 2.85 × 10−3 mm2/s for the 3 readers, respectively. Differences in ADC values between the 2 cyst groups were 12.4%, 12.9%, and 14.8% for the 3 readers, respectively (P

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Usefulness of the Short–Echo Time Cube Sequence at 3-T Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography: Prospective Comparison With the Conventional 3-Dimensional Fast Spin-Echo Sequence

Objectives: We evaluated prospectively the clinical use of the short–echo time (TE) Cube sequence for magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) at 3 T. Methods: Using a 3-T unit, we subjected 41 consecutive patients to short-TE Cube MRCP and conventional 3-dimensional fast spin-echo (3D-FSE) MRCP. Two radiologists independently rated the image quality and the visibility of the right and left hepatic, cystic, common bile, and main pancreatic ducts and the gallbladder on a 4-point scale. The averaged visual scores by 2 readers for the image quality were calculated, and the artifacts were evaluated in cases with relatively lower (

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Detection of RNA-binding Proteins by In Vitro RNA Pull-down in Adipocyte Culture

An RNA pull-down protocol is optimized here for detection of interactions between RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and noncoding as well as coding RNAs. An RNA fragment from androgen receptor (AR) was used as an example to demonstrate how to retrieve its RBP from lystate of primary brown adipocytes.

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Optimal Lentivirus Production and Cell Culture Conditions Necessary to Successfully Transduce Primary Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

Primary human bronchial epithelial cells are difficult to transduce. This protocol describes the production of lentiviruses and their concentration as well as the optimal culture conditions necessary to achieve highly efficient transductions in these cells throughout differentiation to a pseudostratified epithelium.

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Predicting the Presence of Uncommon Elements in Unknown Biomolecules from Isotope Patterns

Analytical Chemistry

DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b01015

http://ift.tt/2a13WJL

Derivatization Strategy for the Comprehensive Characterization of Endogenous Fatty Aldehydes Using HPLC-Multiple Reaction Monitoring

Analytical Chemistry

DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b01756

http://ift.tt/29TRVpW

Raman Spectroscopic Characterization of Melanoma and Benign Melanocytic Lesions Suspected of Melanoma Using High-Wavenumber Raman Spectroscopy

Analytical Chemistry

DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6b01592

http://ift.tt/29TRP1t

Classic plain radiographic signs of monoarticular chronic haemophilic arthropathy

A 50-year-old man with haemophilia A had knee radiographs performed while being worked up for chronic knee pain.

The radiographs showed classic features of monoarticular chronic haemophilic arthropathy of the right knee joint. These features are listed below and labelled in figures 1 and 2:

Widened intercondylar notch. Note the discrepancy in interchondylar notch width between the left and right knee.

Flattening of the condylar surface with bulbous femoral condyles (not labelled).

Squared inferior margin of patella.

Periarticular osteoporosis from hyperaemia. Note the increased lucency of periarticular bone in right knee (not labelled).

Epiphyseal overgrowth from hyperaemia. Note the discrepancy between epiphyseal length when comparing the left and right knees.

Premature fusion of growth plate as the right leg is shorter than the left, hinting that the frequent, recurrent bleeding episodes occurred prior to fusion of growth plates. Note how the joint space in the right knee is proximal compared with the...

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First molecular identification of Dirofilaria spp. ( Onchocercidae ) in mosquitoes from Serbia

Abstract

Dirofilariosis is a common and widespread veterinary health issue in several European countries with notable zoonotic potential. The causative agents are Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens nematoda species which are transmitted by different mosquito vectors. Similar to other mosquito-borne infections, the knowledge about mosquito species involved in disease transmission is crucial for the complex understanding of local transmission cycles. Since there is no available data on mosquito species, potentially involved in disease transmission from Serbia, 6369 female mosquito individuals were retrospectively tested for Dirofilaria nematodes, collected from 13 localities in Vojvodina province, Serbia, in 2013. Altogether, 8.33 % of tested pools showed positivity, composed of five mosquito species, mainly, Culex pipiens and Aedes vexans. D. immitis and D. repens were both detected from multiple localities, during the whole period of mosquito breeding season, which provides the first data on local transmission characteristics regarding mosquitoes from the Balkans.

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Effects of Enterococcus faecalis CECT 7121 on Cryptosporidium parvum infection in mice

Abstract

Cryptosporidium is an opportunistic protozoan parasite of humans and animals worldwide and causes diarrheal disease that is typically self-limiting in immunocompetent hosts but often life threatening to immunocompromised individuals. However, there is a lack of completely efficient therapy available. Probiotics have attracted the attention as potential antiparasite compounds against protozoa involved in intestinal infections. This study investigated the effects of administration of probiotic Enterococcus faecalis CECT 7121 on Cryptosporidium parvum infection in immunosuppressed mice. Effects on C. parvum infection at the intestinal mucosa were studied and scored at each portion of the gut. It was demonstrated that Ef CECT 7121 interfered with C. parvum infection when both probiotic and parasite were present in the same intestinal location suggesting that Ef CECT 7121 supplementation can alleviate the negative effects of C. parvum infection.

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Cholinergic components of nervous system of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium (Digenea: Schistosomatidae)

Abstract

A comparison has been made for the first time between the cholinergic components of the nervous system of important human digeneans namely Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium from infected hamster (Cricentus auratus) in Egypt. In each parasite, the central nervous system consists of two cerebral ganglia and three pairs of nerve cords (ventral, lateral, and dorsal) linked together by some transverse connectives and numerous ring commissures. Peripheral cholinergic innervation was detected in oral and ventral suckers and in some parts of female reproductive system in both species, but there were some differences. The possible functions of some of these nervous components are discussed.

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Multiple infection of amber Succinea putris snails with sporocysts of Leucochloridium spp. (Trematoda)

Abstract

Amber Succinea putris snails were collected in the Leningrad Region (Russia). Some of them were infected with trematodes Leucochloridium paradoxum, Leucochloridium perturbatum and Leucochloridium vogtianum. One snail had triple infection with all these species. Genotyping of sporocysts by ITS1–5.8S–ITS2 nucleotide sequences of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and phylogenetic analysis were performed. The results confirmed the species identification of sporocysts of Leucochloridium based on the shape and colour of mature broodsacs. Sporocyst broodsacs could leave the host snail on their own, remaining viable in the environment for up to an hour. This ability of sporocysts may prevent the excessive infection of the molluscan host.

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Helminth fauna of chiropterans in Amazonia: biological interactions between parasite and host

Abstract

Amazonia, the largest Brazilian biome, is one of the most diverse biomes around the world. Considering the Brazilian chiropteran species, 120 out of known 167 species are registered in Pará state, with 10 endemic species. Despite the high diversity of bats in Amazonia, studies on their parasites, especially on helminths, are scarce. Therefore, the present study aims to study the helminth fauna of different bats from the Pará state, Amazon biome, determine the descriptors of infection, and evaluate the host-parasite interactions, as well as evaluate differences in ecological indexes in accordance with the feeding guilds. The study was developed on 67 bats of 21 species captured in several areas of the Pará state. The animals were identified, divided into feeding guilds, and necropsied. The parasites obtained were identified and quantified. A total of 182 parasites were found in 20.89 % of the studied bats, representing nine species, as follows: Anenterotrema eduardocaballeroi, Anenterotrema liliputianum, Ochoterenatrema caballeroi, Tricholeiperia sp., Parahistiostrongylus octacanthus, Litomosoides guiterasi, Litomosoides brasiliensis, Capillariinae gen. sp., and Hymenolepididae gen. sp. Also, the results indicated that there was no impact of parasitism on host body condition and no relationship between sex and parasite intensity. In relation to the feeding guilds, the omnivores showed higher prevalence and mean intensity. Animals from regions closer to the equator tend to have greater richness in parasite species, but the present study revealed low diversity and richness in species. In conclusion, the ecological pattern observed for other animal groups, in which higher parasitic diversity are registered in lower latitudes, is not applicable to chiropterans from the study area.

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Occurrence and first multilocus microsatellite genotyping of Neospora caninum from naturally infected dogs in dairy farms in Henan, Central China

Abstract

Neospora caninum is one of the important causes of abortion in dairy cattle worldwide. The dog is known as a definitive host of N. caninum and can transmit the parasite to cattle by shedding oocysts. The aim of the present study is to detect the presence of N. caninum in feces of dairy farm dogs and determine the genetic characteristics of N. caninum in Central China. A total of 78 fecal samples were collected from dogs in dairy farms from May to November 2014 and examined by microscopy and nested PCR based on Nc5 gene. Neospora-like oocysts were microscopically detected in two fecal samples, of which only one (Nc-LY1) was confirmed to be N. caninum by nested PCR. Seven out of 78 fecal samples (9.0 %) were N. caninum DNA positive, of which Neospora-like oocysts were simultaneously microscopically detected only in one sample (Nc-LY1). No statistical associations were found between the positive rates and age or sex of dogs (P > 0.05). The N. caninum-positive DNA samples were further analyzed by multilocus microsatellite (MS) genotyping for MS4, MS5, MS6A, MS7, MS8, MS10, MS12, and Cont-14. Only the fecal sample in which oocysts were detected was successfully genotyped at all genetic loci, and a new genotype was identified. To our knowledge, this study is the first report of genetic characterization of N. caninum isolates from naturally infected dogs based on multilocus microsatellites in China.

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Erratum to: Successful overwintering of Aedes albopictus in Germany

http://ift.tt/2a5s5m9

Expression of the Plasmodium berghei actin II gene is controlled by elements in a long genomic region

Abstract

Plasmodium parasites have two actin isoforms. Actin I is ubiquitously expressed, while the second actin isoform is expressed in the sexual stages and ookinetes. Reverse genetic analysis revealed two phenotypes in parasites lacking the protein: a block in male gametogenesis (exflagellation) and a second phenotype in oocyst development, dependent upon the expression of the gene in female gametocytes. Here, we report that the genetic complementation of two independent mutants lacking actin II does not fully restore wild-type function. Constructs were integrated in the c-rrna locus, previously used for expression of transgenes, in order to determine the dependence of expression on actin II flanking genomic regions. Partial restoration of male gametogenesis was achieved when the transgene contained, in addition to the coding region, 1.2 kb upstream of the actin II open reading frame. Another transgene, which comprised 2.7 kb of actin II 5′ flanking regions and the cognate 3′ downstream sequence, fully restored exflagellation. However, in both complemented strains, oocyst development was severely impaired compared to the WT. These data suggest that male gametocyte expression of actin II is dependent upon extensive flanking regions, while female expression requires even longer genomic sequences for correct expression of the gene.

http://ift.tt/2a5sfKk

Successful overwintering of Aedes albopictus in Germany

Abstract

The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is of great concern to public health authorities due to its vector competence and rapid spread across the globe. In 2015, two large local breeding populations of Ae. albopictus were discovered in southwest Germany. In spring 2016, we were able to demonstrate the first evidence of a successful overwintering in Germany of this originally tropical mosquito species in different research projects. Particularly noteworthy is the successful hatching of diapause eggs of an Italian strain (Calabria), which overwintered successfully in the field in St. Georgen im Schwarzwald (Baden-Wuerttemberg) at 820 m above sea level. Furthermore, within the scope of a larvae monitoring, the first larvae that hatched in the field were detected on the April 09, 2016 in a rain barrel within the Heidelberg population. Our first results show that self-extinction due to an unsuccessful overwintering cannot be assumed for populations of the Asian tiger mosquito which settled in Germany in previous years. The evidence of a successful overwintering of a large number of diapause eggs and the hatching of the first larvae in field conditions opens the control year against Ae. albopictus in southwest Germany.

http://ift.tt/29ZTNwX

Barriers and facilitators for goals of care discussions between residents and hospitalised patients

Purpose

To observe how residents are engaging in goals of care discussions with patients and identify thematic patterns that inhibited (barriers) and promoted discussion (facilitators) about goals of care.

Design

Admission encounters between residents and patients admitted to a tertiary care academic hospital were recorded and analysed using a qualitative descriptive method. Patients included in the study were individuals over the age of 65 being admitted to the internal medicine service. Residents were eligible if they were trainees in family medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery or internal medicine who were on call for the inpatient medicine rotation.

Results

A total of 15 resident–patient encounters were recorded and analysed, of which 12 encounters included a goals of care discussion. Barriers to goals of care discussions were due to missed opportunities to clarify patient's preferences for life-sustaining treatment and missed opportunities to engage the patient in further discussion. Facilitators to goals of care discussions were use of simple language and exploration of patient's previous experiences with life-sustaining treatment.

Conclusions

Asking about patients' previous experiences with life support can be an effective strategy to gauge the patient's understanding and goals of care preferences. This knowledge can improve residents' skill in communicating with their patients about goals of care and inform future education initiatives.

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Contemporary occurrence of hydrocephalus and Chiari I malformation in sagittal craniosynostosis. Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) and hydrocephalus are often associated with complex craniosynostosis. On the contrary, their simultaneous occurrence in monosutural synostosis is extremely rare. The pathophysiological hypothesis is that they may alter posterior fossa growth and lead to cerebellar tonsil herniation also without skull base primary involvement. Hydrocephalus is multifactorial and may be secondary to fourth ventricle outlet obstruction. The management of these cases is quite complex and not well defined. Cranial vault remodeling should be the only treatment when CM-I is asymptomatic and not related to syringomyelia. Suboccipital decompression should be reserved only in complicated CM-I, usually as a second surgical step following the correction of the supratentorial deformity. In our opinion, the associated hydrocephalus should be treated first in order to normalize intracranial hypertension before opening the cranial sutures. We report the case of a 26-month-old child that presented with sagittal craniosynostosis, hydrocephalus, and CM-I. He was managed by performing endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) first and cranial vault remodeling thereafter. Clinico-radiological outcome was very satisfying. Concerning literature is reviewed; physiopathology and surgical management are discussed.

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Using “big data” to describe the effect of seasonal variation in thyroid-stimulating hormone

Journal Name: Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)
Issue: Ahead of print


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Intra-individual variation of plasma trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), betaine, and choline over 1 year

Journal Name: Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)
Issue: Ahead of print


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Analytical performance of 17 general chemistry analytes across countries and across manufacturers in the INPUtS project of EQA organizers in Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom and Spain

Journal Name: Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM)
Issue: Ahead of print


http://ift.tt/2aemtp5

Bacterial clinical infectious diseases ontology (BCIDO) dataset

Publication date: September 2016
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 8
Author(s): Claire L. Gordon, Chunhua Weng
This article describes the Bacterial Infectious Diseases Ontology (BCIDO) dataset related to research published in http:dx.doi.org/ 10.1016/j.jbi.2015.07.014 [1], and contains the Protégé OWL files required to run BCIDO in the Protégé environment. BCIDO contains 1719 classes and 39 object properties.



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Data from thermal testing of the Open Source Cryostage

Publication date: September 2016
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 8
Author(s): Johannes Lørup Buch, Hans Ramløv
The data presented here is related to the research article "An open source cryostage and software analysis method for detection of antifreeze activity" (Buch and Ramløv, 2016) [1]. The design of the Open Source Cryostage (OSC) is tested in terms of thermal limits, thermal efficiency and electrical efficiency. This article furthermore includes an overview of the electrical circuitry and a flowchart of the software program controlling the temperature of the OSC. The thermal efficiency data is presented here as degrees per volt and maximum cooling capacity.



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Data in support for the measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) by tandem mass spectrometry

Publication date: September 2016
Source:Data in Brief, Volume 8
Author(s): M.E. Jensen, F.M. Ducharme, Y. Théorêt, A.-S. Bélanger, E. Delvin
This article provides data and a method related to a research paper entitled "Assessing vitamin D nutritional status: is capillary blood adequate?" (Jensen et al., 2016) [1]. Circulating 25OHD, the accepted biomarker of the vitamin D nutritional status, is routinely measured by automated immunoassays, that although may be performed in hospital central laboratories, often suffer from a lack of specificity with regards to the different vitamin D metabolites, "Measurement of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D: a historical review" (Le Goff et al., 2015) [2]. Mass spectrometry offers this specificity. This article describes the performance of an in-house tandem mass spectrometry method for the individual measurement of 25OHD3, 25OHD2 and 3-épi-25OHD3.



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Detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA by qPCR in the feces of a cat that recently ingested infected prey does not necessarily imply oocyst shedding

Authors: Marie-Lazarine Poulle, Marie-Amélie Forin-Wiart, Émilie Josse-Dupuis, Isabelle Villena and Dominique Aubert.<br />Parasite Vol. 23 , page 29<br />Published online: 22/07/2016<br /> Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii ; Domestic cat ; Oocyst ; Coprodiagnosis ; qPCR.<img src="http://ift.tt/2a5O7Wa" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

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Remote Sensing, Vol. 8, Pages 613: Prediction of Common Surface Soil Properties Based on Vis-NIR Airborne and Simulated EnMAP Imaging Spectroscopy Data: Prediction Accuracy and Influence of Spatial Resolution

With the upcoming availability of the next generation of high quality orbiting hyperspectral sensors, a major step toward improved regional soil mapping and monitoring and delivery of quantitative soil maps is expected. This study focuses on the determination of the prediction accuracy of spectral models for the mapping of common soil properties based on upcoming EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Program) satellite data using semi-operational soil models. Iron oxide (Fed), clay, and soil organic carbon (SOC) content are predicted in test areas in Spain and Luxembourg based on a semi-automatic Partial-Least-Square (PLS) regression approach using airborne hyperspectral, simulated EnMAP, and soil chemical datasets. A variance contribution analysis, accounting for errors in the dependent variables, is used alongside classical error measurements. Results show that EnMAP allows predicting iron oxide, clay, and SOC with an R2 between 0.53 and 0.67 compared to Hyperspectral Mapper (HyMap)/Airborne Hyperspectral System (AHS) imagery with an R2 between 0.64 and 0.74. Although a slight decrease in soil prediction accuracy is observed at the spaceborne scale compared to the airborne scale, the decrease in accuracy is still reasonable. Furthermore, spatial distribution is coherent between the HyMap/AHS mapping and simulated EnMAP mapping as shown with a spatial structure analysis with a systematically lower semivariance at the EnMAP scale.

http://ift.tt/2a2z8ZW

Sensors, Vol. 16, Pages 1140: Evaluation of Deployment Challenges of Wireless Sensor Networks at Signalized Intersections

With the growing demand of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) for safer and more efficient transportation, research on and development of such vehicular communication systems have increased considerably in the last years. The use of wireless networks in vehicular environments has grown exponentially. However, it is highly important to analyze radio propagation prior to the deployment of a wireless sensor network in such complex scenarios. In this work, the radio wave characterization for ISM 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) deployed taking advantage of the existence of traffic light infrastructure has been assessed. By means of an in-house developed 3D ray launching algorithm, the impact of topology as well as urban morphology of the environment has been analyzed, emulating the realistic operation in the framework of the scenario. The complexity of the scenario, which is an intersection city area with traffic lights, vehicles, people, buildings, vegetation and urban environment, makes necessary the channel characterization with accurate models before the deployment of wireless networks. A measurement campaign has been conducted emulating the interaction of the system, in the vicinity of pedestrians as well as nearby vehicles. A real time interactive application has been developed and tested in order to visualize and monitor traffic as well as pedestrian user location and behavior. Results show that the use of deterministic tools in WSN deployment can aid in providing optimal layouts in terms of coverage, capacity and energy efficiency of the network.

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Genes, Vol. 7, Pages 35: Transcriptomic Analysis of the Endangered Neritid Species Clithon retropictus: De Novo Assembly, Functional Annotation, and Marker Discovery

An aquatic gastropod belonging to the family Neritidae, Clithon retropictus is listed as an endangered class II species in South Korea. The lack of information on its genomic background limits the ability to obtain functional data resources and inhibits informed conservation planning for this species. In the present study, the transcriptomic sequencing and de novo assembly of C. retropictus generated a total of 241,696,750 high-quality reads. These assembled to 282,838 unigenes with mean and N50 lengths of 736.9 and 1201 base pairs, respectively. Of these, 125,616 unigenes were subjected to annotation analysis with known proteins in Protostome DB, COG, GO, and KEGG protein databases (BLASTX; E ≤ 0.00001) and with known nucleotides in the Unigene database (BLASTN; E ≤ 0.00001). The GO analysis indicated that cellular process, cell, and catalytic activity are the predominant GO terms in the biological process, cellular component, and molecular function categories, respectively. In addition, 2093 unigenes were distributed in 107 different KEGG pathways. Furthermore, 49,280 simple sequence repeats were identified in the unigenes (>1 kilobase sequences). This is the first report on the identification of transcriptomic and microsatellite resources for C. retropictus, which opens up the possibility of exploring traits related to the adaptation and acclimatization of this species.

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The ins and the outs: Foodways, feasts, and social differentiation in the Baekje Kingdom, Korea

Publication date: September 2016
Source:Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, Volume 43
Author(s): Minkoo Kim, Heung-Nam Shin, Jinhee Kim, Kyeong-jung Roh, Ara Ryu, Haesun Won, Juho Kim, Semi Oh, Hyeongsin Noh, Sumin Kim
This article compares pottery assemblages from Pungnap Toseong (PT) and 16 adjacent settlements in order to understand the status-related foodways in the Hanseong phase (18 BCE–CE 475) of the Baekje Kingdom in Korea. PT is an earthen-walled site that may have been the first capital town of Baekje. Its residents were arguably of higher status than those of other settlements and, as with other complex societies, are likely to have used food and food-related activities for reinforcing, maintaining, and transforming social relations. The intersite comparison reveals that PT contains more ceramic wares than any other site, especially more storing and serving vessels; abundant storing vessels suggest surplus production mobilized toward the center, while abundant serving vessels are, along with zooarchaeological remains, indicative of rituals and feasts. Researchers have argued that Baekje's elites differentiated themselves from those of lower rank by consuming luxurious foods. This study adds another dimension to the previous discussion by showing that regardless of food quality, the people of PT had a large amount of stored foods and occasionally consumed foods in commensal contexts in order to maintain their social alliances and reinforce the hierarchy.



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When bigger is not better: The economics of hunting megafauna and its implications for Plio-Pleistocene hunter-gatherers

Publication date: Available online 21 July 2016
Source:Journal of Anthropological Archaeology
Author(s): Karen D. Lupo, Dave N. Schmitt
Big game acquisition is viewed as pivotal in the evolution of early hominins and is often associated with the emergence of features that are hallmarks of Homo. We explore the energetic justification for the preference for big game under the premise that larger-sized prey is always more efficiently exploited than smaller-sized game. Using quantitative cost/benefit data derived from ethnographic, ethnoarchaeological and historic sources, we show that certain large-sized game (megafauna) are often more expensive to acquire than smaller-sized prey. Comparative analysis shows that African elephants (Loxodonta africana), the largest-sized terrestrial animal, are lower ranked and less efficient to acquire than many smaller-sized animals irrespective of their encounter rates. These data challenge the idea that prey body size can be used as a proxy for profitability and rank in zooarchaeological analyses. Prey profitability, especially for large-sized and costly taxa, is strongly influenced by prey characteristics relative to existing dispatch technology and the range of nonconsumptive benefits associated with hunting certain megafauna. Nonconsumptive rewards associated with these opportunities can only be gained by certain individuals and are not broadly available to everyone. We suggest that the idea of 'big game' specialization needs to be reframed in archaeology.



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Are we missing the “sweet spot” between optimality theory and niche construction theory in archaeology?

Publication date: Available online 20 July 2016
Source:Journal of Anthropological Archaeology
Author(s): Mary C. Stiner, Steven L. Kuhn
Proximate decision models, such as those derived from optimal foraging theory (OFT), are important tools for predicting individual behavior and identifying contradictions to our assumptions. The models are effective for exposing anomalies because they play upon basic resource needs and costs in situations where human behavior cannot be observed directly. These decision models are not enough, however, to account for the larger processes by which repeated interactions change the nature of co-evolving species, including humans, and alterations of the conditions of selection across generations. At least two levels of mechanics and their respective temporal domains must be recognized in co-evolutionary studies. These are the primary mechanics of day-to-day decisions and actions, and the compounding mechanics of emergent phenomena that may affect the evolutionary history of populations. Local rules and goals generally govern decisions of individuals or small groups of individuals as they try to balance competing needs. Compounding rules govern emergence of larger phenomena which unfold unpredictably for generations to come. Contra some recent claims, one family of theory cannot replace the function of the other; rather they are complimentary, by speaking to very different scales of phenomena. We develop these points through a consideration of both primary and compounding dynamics in two distinct evolutionary forums: the developmental evolution of the hearth-centered residential camp in the Middle Pleistocene and the "domestic-selective" environment of a formative village at the beginning of the Holocene.



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A Randomized, Double-Blind Phase II Study of Adjuvant Pembrolizumab Versus Placebo in Head and Neck Cancers at High Risk for Recurrence- the PATHWay Study

Conditions:   Head and Neck Cancer;   Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Interventions:   Drug: Pembrolizumab;   Drug: Placebo
Sponsor:   University of Chicago
Not yet recruiting - verified July 2016

http://ift.tt/29YNK1F

Quality of Life Study in Patients With Breakthrough Cancer Pain Treated in Radiation Oncology Services With Palliative Intent

Condition:   Breakthrough Pain
Intervention:   Other: No intervention
Sponsor:   Angelini Farmacéutica
Recruiting - verified July 2016

http://ift.tt/2adPx00