Case definition for clinical and subclinical bacterial kidney disease (BKD) in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) in New Brunswick, Canada

Bacterial kidney disease (BKD) is considered an important cause of loss in salmon aquaculture in Atlantic Canada. Causative agent of BKD is the Gram-positive bacteria Renibacterium salmoninarum. Infected salmon are often asymptomatic (subclinical infection), and the disease is considered chronic. One of the challenges in quantifying information from farm production and health records is the application of a standardized case definition. Case definitions for farm-level and cage-level clinical and subclinical BKD were developed using retrospective longitudinal data from aquaculture practices in New Brunswick, Canada, combining (i) industry records of weekly production data including mortalities, (ii) field observations for BKD using reports of veterinarians and/or fish health technicians, (iii) diagnostic submissions and test results and (iv) treatments used to control BKD. Case definitions were evaluated using veterinarians' expert judgements as reference standard. Eighty-nine and 66% of sites and fish groups, respectively, were associated with BKD at least once. For BKD present (subclinical or clinical), sensitivity and specificity of the case definition were 75-100% varying between event, fish group, site cycle and level (site pen). For clinical BKD, sensitivities were 29-64% and specificities 91-100%. Industry data can be used to develop sensitive case definitions.

Knitted dacron grafts used for abdominal aortic reconstruction: sizing references

This study was undertaken to analyze immediate and mid-term knitted Dacron graft dilation and to establish which parameters should be taken as a reference when aortic graft dilation is evaluated. A Dacron knitted microvel double velour vascular graft (Hemashield Gold) was implanted in 30 patients with aneurysmal (19 cases, 63%) or occlusive (11 cases, 37%) aortic disease. The stems of bifurcated prostheses (27 patients, 90%) and tube grafts (3 patients, 10%) were measured. The package sizing (labelled size) was compared with the external diameter measured intraoperatively with a slide caliper, prior to implantation and after complete clamp release. Additional measurements were obtained by ultrasound 1 and 6 months after implantation, and in 16 cases (53% of the patients) ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) were performed at the end of the first year. The means of the measurements were compared using Student's t test for matched pairs. The statistical significance level was set at p values < 0.05. There was a statistically significant difference between the package sizing (15.3 +/- 1.1 mm) and the external diameter measured prior to implantation (18.7 +/- 1.3 mm); and with the external diameter following implantation (19.6 +/- 1.4 mm), (p < 0.01). External diameters measured prior to grafting and following implantation (after complete clamp release), when compared with the manufacturer's size, showed a mean increase in graft diameter of 3.4 mm (22%) and 4.3 mm (28%), respectively. There were no statistical differences between the external diameter measured after clamp release (19.6 +/- 1.4 mm) and the size determined by ultrasound 4 weeks (19.3 +/- 1.2 mm) and 6 months (19.8 +/- 1.5 mm) following surgery (p values 0.11 and 0.56, respectively). Considering size after clamp release as a reference (19.6 +/- 1.4 mm), an almost significant (p = 0.08) increase in the diameter (0.7 +/- 1.5 mm) was obtained at the end of the first year when the measurement was performed with ultrasound. However, when the measurement was performed by CT at the end of the first year, the differences (0.9 +/- 1.6 mm) revealed statistical relevance (p = 0.04). There was no statistically significant difference between the sizes obtained by ultrasound (20.3 +/- 2.1 mm) and by CT (20.5 +/- 2.2 mm) at the end of the first year (p values 0.07). The package sizing is not a reliable parameter for choosing the size of knitted Dacron grafts. Immediate increase in diameter noted in Dacron grafts is caused by discrepancies between the package sizing and the measured diameter after clamp release during implantation, and by an initial adaptation of the textile structure. This must be taken into account for an accurate investigation of the immediate graft dilation rate, and if further follow-up is contemplated, a measurement to be taken as a reference should be performed by ultrasound or CT in the immediate postoperative period.

Role of extracellular calcium on the regulation of melatonin synthesis in the Syrian hamster pineal gland

The role of extracellular calcium on the induction of cyclic AMP production, N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity and melatonin synthesis, induced by forskolin, was investigated in Syrian hamster pineal glands. Pineals were removed from hamsters killed either in the first half of the normal dark period or late in the dark period. Forskolin immediately increased NAT activity and melatonin levels only when the glands were collected late in the dark period, while in the first half of the dark phase, hamster pineals responded to forskolin with an increase of NAT activity and melatonin production only after 6 hr of incubation. The absence of calcium prevented the induction of melatonin synthesis by forskolin only when glands were collected early in the dark phase and incubated for 6 hr. In the second half of the normal dark period removal of calcium markedly decreased NAT activity and melatonin levels in glands incubated with forskolin for either 4 or 6 hr. However, the absence of extracellular calcium had no significant effect on the induction of cyclic AMP production by forskolin in pineals collected either early in the dark period or late in the dark phase. These data indicate that at least part of the action of extracellular calcium is indirect and that it affects steps in the induction of melatonin synthesis beyond the accumulation of cAMP.

On the regulation of spinach nitrate reductase

A coupled assay has been worked out to study spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) nitrate reductase under low, more physiological concentrations of NADH. In this assay the reduction of nitrate is coupled to the oxidation of malate catalyzed by spinach NAD-malate dehydrogenase. The use of this coupled system allows the assay of nitrate reductase activity at steady-state concentrations of NADH below micromolar. We have used this coupled assay to study the kinetic parameters of spinach nitrate reductase and to reinvestigate the putative regulatory role of adenine nucleotides, inorganic phosphate, amino acids, and calcium and calmodulin.

Knowledge of tuberculosis and vaccine trial preparedness in Lima, Peru

SETTING

A safe, effective vaccine would improve tuberculosis (TB) control worldwide. Extensive community engagement will be essential to ensure the interest and participation of populations at highest risk.

OBJECTIVE/METHOD

To inform the potential implementation of efficacy studies, we assessed TB knowledge, attitudes towards licensed vaccines and willingness to participate in future TB vaccine efficacy trials among 262 household contacts of 79 recently diagnosed pulmonary TB cases in Lima, Peru.

RESULTS

Overall knowledge of TB was low. Only 41.6% of household contacts perceived themselves as being at high risk of acquiring TB. Slightly above half (54.2%) indicated willingness to participate in a TB vaccine trial. After clustered analysis adjusting for homogeneity among families, willingness to enroll was associated with belief that receiving all recommended vaccinations is important (adjusted OR [aOR] 3.28, P = 0.016), desire to know more about TB risk factors and clinical trials (aOR 2.60, P = 0.004), older age (aOR 1.02, P = 0.027) and TB knowledge (aOR 0.05, P = 0.039).

CONCLUSION

Barriers to participation in TB vaccine trials exist among individuals at high risk for TB. Targeted education about TB risk factors, TB transmission and education about the clinical trial process will be critical for laying the groundwork for future vaccine trials.

Everyday Functioning and Entorhinal and Inferior Temporal Tau Burden in Cognitively Normal Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Performance of cognitively complex "instrumental activities of daily living" (IADL) has previously been related to amyloid deposition in preclinical Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the relationship between IADL performance and cerebral tau accumulation in cognitively normal older adults.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Data was collected in the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer's (A4) and Longitudinal Evaluation of Amyloid Risk and Neurodegeneration (LEARN) studies.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants (n = 447, age 71.9±4.9 years, 57.5% female) who underwent tau positron emission tomography were selected from the A4 and LEARN studies.

MEASUREMENTS

IADL performance was measured using the self- and study partner-reported versions of the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living - Prevention Instrument (ADCS ADL-PI). We also investigated discordance between participants and their study partners. Cross-sectional associations between entorhinal and inferior temporal tau (independent variables) and ADCS ADL-PI total scores, item-level scores and discordance (dependent variables) were investigated in linear and logistic regressions. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex and education and a tau by amyloid interaction was also included.

RESULTS

Participants and their study partners reported high levels of IADL performance. Entorhinal and inferior temporal tau were related to study partner but not to self-reported total ADCS ADL-PI scores. The association was not retained after adjustment for global cerebral amyloid burden. At the item level, greater entorhinal tau was associated with study partner-reported difficulties remembering important dates (odds ratio (OR) = 1.24, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = [1.06, 1.45], p = 0.008) and difficulties remembering the details of TV programs and movies (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = [1.08, 1.61], p = 0.007). Greater inferior temporal tau was associated with self-reported difficulties managing to find personal belongings (OR = 1.23, 95%CI = [1.04, 1.46], p = 0.018) and study partner-reported difficulties remembering the details of TV programs and movies (OR = 1.39, 95%CI = [1.11, 1.75], p = 0.005). Discordance between participant and study partner-report was more likely with greater entorhinal (OR = 1.18, 95%CI = [1.05, 1.33], p = 0.005) and inferior temporal tau burden (OR = 1.29, 95%CI = [1.10, 1.51], p = 0.002).

DISCUSSION

We found a cross-sectional relationship between study partner-reported everyday functioning and tau in cognitively normal older adults. Participants were more likely to self-report difficulties differently from their study partners when tau burden was higher. This may hint at an altered early-disease awareness of functional changes and underscores the importance of self-report of IADL functioning in addition to collateral report by a study partner.

Single-step PCR amplification and enzyme restriction analysis of the entire Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin vacA gene for genetic variability studies

To monitor changes along the entire Helicobacter pylori vac A gene we carried out full-length single-step PCR amplification in 21 gastritis and gastric cancer isolates. HindIII restriction analysis led us to detect a > 400-bp internal insertion in vacA subsequently shown to be a direct 451-bp gene duplication. We found HindIII profiles for 16 genes that allowed their grouping into two restriction patterns that were related to theoretical profiles for previously sequenced Western genes. Comparisons with theoretical HindIII patterns for Japanese isolates appear suggestive of geographical H. pylori clonality. Full-length single-step PCR amplification seems suitable for quick restriction pattern assignment and detection of gene size changes.

Thermal decoupling of deuterium and tritium during the inertial confinement fusion shock-convergence phase

A series of thin glass-shell shock-driven DT gas-filled capsule implosions was conducted at the OMEGA laser facility. These experiments generate conditions relevant to the central plasma during the shock-convergence phase of ablatively driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions. The spectral temperatures inferred from the DTn and DDn spectra are most consistent with a two-ion-temperature plasma, where the initial apparent temperature ratio, T_{T}/T_{D}, is 1.5. This is an experimental confirmation of the long-standing conjecture that plasma shocks couple energy directly proportional to the species mass in multi-ion plasmas. The apparent temperature ratio trend with equilibration time matches expected thermal equilibration described by hydrodynamic theory. This indicates that deuterium and tritium ions have different energy distributions for the time period surrounding shock convergence in ignition-relevant ICF implosions.

Profile structures of TJ-II stellarator plasmas

Fine structures are found in the TJ-II stellarator electron temperature and density profiles, when they are measured using a high spatial resolution Thomson scattering system. These structures consist of peaks and valleys superimposed to a smooth average. Some irregularities remain in an ensemble average of discharges with similar macroscopic parameters such as line density, central temperature, and plasma current. They are found in all the magnetic configurations explored in plasmas heated by electron cyclotron waves. Their characteristics are shown and their possible origin is discussed.

Sexual and postural differences in cardioventilatory responses during and after breath holding at rest

Twelve subjects (six men, six women) were studied in resting conditions for simple breath holding (BH) in either the supine or upright position. Ventilation (VT, V, fr) heart rate (fc) and arterial blood pressure (ABP) were recorded or measured in steady state and then transiently during BH and its recovery. Each subject performed seven HB in the supine position and two in the upright position. Several criteria were used for fc data analysis. During BH, in either the supine or upright position, no change in heart rate was observed, but subjects taken individually may exhibit some significant cardiac responses (tachycardia or bradycardia) for all the tests. In contrast, an increase in mean ABP is always observed, with different patterns in males and females. The upright position allows the responses to be greater, more rapid and significant. As a general rule, males have larger and slower responses than females. After BH, there is a ventilatory cost of apnea which is more important in males. However the delay in repayment of the ventilatory deficit observed during BH is very short (about 40 s): ventilatory and cardiac recovery are complete within 120 s. The results support the ideas that, (1) cardiac responses during BH are dependent on pulmonary physical conditions and metabolic levels before BH, (2) cardiac changes during recovery are, at least in great part, due to the concomitant hyperventilation.

First Report of Globisporangium ultimum Causing Pythium Damping-Off on Aleppo Pine in Algeria, Africa, and the Mediterranean Region

Globisporangium ultimum (Trow) Uzuhashi, Tojo & Kakish. (syn. Pythium ultimum Trow, syn. P. ultimum Trow var. ultimum) is a known oomycetal species from Pythium s.l. causing damping-off and/or root rot on a great variety of plants throughout the world, including some pine species (Pinus L.) and conifers (2,3). Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) is a common native forest tree in the Mediterranean region. Pre- and post-emergence damping-off disease symptoms were observed during 2008 and 2009 in four forest nurseries from northwestern Algeria (Relizane, Sidi Belabes, and Tlemcen departments). This disease occurred under cool conditions, and Aleppo pines were significantly affected, reducing seedling emergence. Disinfected segments, about 5 mm in length, from decayed root and collar, were cultured on CMA at 25°C. This oomycetal species was identified based on the species description in Pythium keys (3,4). For the molecular identification, PCR was used to amplify the ITS region of Pythium isolates. It was amplified with the flanking primers ITS1 and ITS4, and these products were directly sequenced. Sequence data were compared to known sequences deposited in the NCBI non redundant database to confirm morphological identification. A BLAST search identified U3CR, U7CR, U1RT, U2CR, U4CR, U14CR, U7RT, and U17RT isolates (GenBank Accession Nos. JX191921, 22, 27, 29, 31, and 33 to 35, respectively) as G. ultimum based on 100% similarity with corresponding sequence of the reference isolate no. UZ056 MAFF240024 (AB468781) (3). Phytopathogenicity testing was conducted in a petri dish and pot experiment. In the petri dish experiment, a 3 mm diameter plug was transferred from a 7-day-old CMA colony to the center of a CMA petri dish, with three replicates per isolate, and three control plates were inoculated with sterile agar plugs. After 72 h, 10 Aleppo pine seeds were placed equally spaced to 1 cm from the edge of each plug. After 7 days at 22°C in the dark, germination inhibition (46.1 to 87.6%) and root growth inhibition (62.3 to 92.2%) were calculated. In the control plates, germination failure (13.4%) and root length (27.7 cm) were observed. For the pot experiment, inocula were produced by adding a 5 mm diameter plug from a 7-day-old CMA culture to a previously sterilized 500 ml flask containing 237.5 g sand, 12.5 g cornmeal, and 80 ml SDW. Nine-day-old inoculum was mixed with sterile soil at a rate of 1:3 (v:v). Inoculum was transferred to 500 ml pot, and 10 Aleppo pine seeds were planted, with three replicates per isolate, and three control pots were used. After 2 weeks, all of the isolates tested caused typical symptoms of Aleppo pine Pythium damping-off, the percentage of inoculated plants that became infected was 36.6 to 83.3%. In the control pots, no infected plants were observed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of G. ultimum causing damping-off on Aleppo pine in Algeria, Africa, and the Mediterranean Region. Before, Aleppo pine damping-off caused by G. ultimum was reported in Australia (1). References: (1) R. P. Cook and A. J. Dubé. Host-pathogen index of plant diseases in South Australia. SADA, Melbourne, Australia, 1989. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases, Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory. ARS, USDA, Bestville, MD. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , June 24, 2012. (3) S. Uzuhashi et al. Mycoscience 51:337, 2010. (4) A. J. van der Plaats-Niterink. Stud. Mycol. 21:1, 1981.

Cytological, immunocytochemical and ultrastructural study of GH cells of pars distalis adenohipophysaria of kids (Capra hircus)

Staining and histochemical methods, immunocytochemical and electron microscopy were used to individualize the somatotropic or GH cells in the adenohypophyseal pars distalis of the kid. They are found in a sagittal section throughout the pars distalis constituting 34% of the hypophyseal cell population. They are 12.37 micron in size and have as an ultrastructural characteristic secretory spherical granules of a large size (males, 391 nm and females, 427 nm) which are very electrodense.

Fleas associated with non-flying small mammal communities from northern and central Chile: with new host and locality records

Fleas associated with small mammals from seven localities from northern and central Chile were assessed. We captured 352 small mammals belonging to 12 species from which we obtained 675 fleas belonging to 15 different species. The most frequently captured flea species were Neotyphloceras crassispina crassispina (n = 198) and N. chilensis (n = 175). High values of flea species richness and diversity were found in Fray Jorge National Park (NP), a north-central Chilean site, whereas the highest values of mean abundance (MA) and prevalence were found in three diverse sites that include Los Molles River, a high altitude site located in north-central Chile, Fray Jorge NP and Dichato, in south-central Chile. On the other hand, high values of flea richness and diversity were found on two rodent species, Abrothrix olivacea and A. longipilis, whereas the highest values of MA and prevalence were found on Oligoryzomys longicaudatus, A. longipilis and Phyllotis xanthopygus. A total of three new host recordings, nine new localities and nine new host species and locality recordings are reported. Also, this study represents the first known record of Tetrapsyllus (Tetrapsyllus) comis in Chile and the first ecological analysis of Neotyphloceras chilensis.

High-frequency FSH and LH pulses in obese menopausal women

We studied the pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretory patterns, at early or intermediate years of menopause in seven normal women with different degrees of obesity, taking blood samples every minute for 40 min to 2 h. The hormones were assayed with an immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) system, analyzing with the cluster pulse algorithm. All women showed hormone pulses every 8-10 min. In five of them were found periods of discrete pulses with oscillations of high amplitude alternating with periods of pulses of low amplitude. In two cases, the high-frequency oscillatory pattern with low amplitude was found around low mean levels of 22.8 and 25.7 IU/L. The LH oscillatory pattern also had a high frequency, but at a lower level, giving a high FSH/LH ratio. The coincidence index of FSH with LH peaks was 76.6%. We concluded that at menopause, the frequency of FSH and LH secretion increases with a high FSH/LH ratio. Obese menopausal women may have the same high-frequency oscillatory patterns, but at low levels.

Congenital pelvic arteriovenous malformation: an unusual cause of rectal pain. Report of a case

The differential diagnosis of rectal pain is extensive, and etiologies range from common anorectal disorders to more complex pelvic floor dysfunctional syndromes. The authors present a case of a man with rectal pain secondary to a congenital pelvic arteriovenous malformation. These malformations are rare and, to the authors' knowledge, have not been reported in association with rectal pain.

Population-based surveillance for bacterial meningitis in the Dominican Republic: implications for control by vaccination

Quantifying the local burden of disease is an important step towards the introduction of new vaccines, such as Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine. We adapted a generic protocol developed by the World Health Organization for population-based surveillance of bacterial meningitis. All hospitals that admit paediatric patients with meningitis in the National District, Dominican Republic were included in the system and standard laboratory methods were used. The system identified 111 cases of confirmed bacterial meningitis. Hib was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis, followed by group B streptococcus, S. pneumoniae, and N. meningitidis. Unlike hospital-based case series, this population-based system was able to calculate incidence rates. The incidence of Hib meningitis was 13 cases per 100,000 children < 5 years old. The data from this study were used by the Ministry of Health to support the introduction of routine Hib vaccination and will be used to monitor its effectiveness.

A Streptomyces glaucescens endodeoxyribonuclease which shows a strong preference for CC dinucleotide

We have characterized a deoxyribonuclease from Streptomyces glaucescens that cleaves double-stranded DNA preferably between the dinucleotide 5'-CC-3'. The cleavage specificity was demonstrated by both analysis of the terminal nucleotides of the generated fragments and DNA sequencing of partially digested DNA. Digestion of lambda DNA with this enzyme resulted in the production of double-stranded fragments with 5' and/or 3'-protruding single-stranded tails. DNase I footprinting experiments indicated that the nuclease specifically binds to its cleavage sites on the DNA under non-catalytic conditions. The enzyme is not affected by cytosine methylation in hemimethylated DNA.

Risk perception, future land use and stewardship: comparison of attitudes about Hanford Site and Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory

With the ending of the Cold War, the Department of Energy (DOE) is evaluating mission, future land use and stewardship of departmental facilities. This paper compares the environmental concerns and future use preferences of 351 people interviewed at Lewiston, Idaho, about the Hanford Site and Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL), two of DOE's largest sites. Although most subjects lived closer to Hanford than INEEL, most resided in the same state as INEEL. Therefore their economic interests might be more closely allied with INEEL, while their health concerns might be more related to Hanford. Few lived close enough to either site to be directly affected economically. We test the null hypotheses that there are no differences in environmental concerns and future land-use preferences as a function of DOE site, sex, age and education. When asked to list their major concerns about the sites, more people listed human health and safety, and environmental concerns about Hanford compared to INEEL. When asked to list their preferred future land uses, 49% of subjects did not have any for INEEL, whereas only 35% did not know for Hanford. The highest preferred land uses for both sites were as a National Environmental Research Park (NERP), and for camping, hunting, hiking, and fishing. Except for returning the land to the tribes and increased nuclear storage, subjects rated all future uses as more preferred at INEEL than Hanford. Taken together, these data suggest that the people interviewed know more about Hanford, are more concerned about Hanford, rate recreational uses and NERP as their highest preferred land use, and feel that INEEL is more suited for most land uses than Handford. Overall rankings for future land uses were remarkably similar between the sites, indicating that for these stakeholders, DOE lands should be preserved for research and recreation. These preferences should be taken into account when planning for long-term stewardship at these two DOE sites.