Anisakis infection in allis shad, Alosa alosa (Linnaeus, 1758), and twaite shad, Alosa fallax (Lacépède, 1803), from Western Iberian Peninsula Rivers: zoonotic and ecological implications

Spawning individuals of allis shad, Alosa alosa (Linnaeus, 1758), and twaite shad, Alosa fallax (Lacépède, 1803), were sampled from three rivers on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula (Ulla, Minho, Mondego) during 2008 to 2013 to assess the presence of the zoonotic marine parasite Anisakis spp. larvae. The results revealed that both shad species were infected by third-larval stage Anisakis simplex s.s. and Anisakis pegreffii. The latter is reported in mixed infections in both shad species of Western Iberian Peninsula for the first time. In A. alosa, the prevalence of Anisakis infection can reach 100%, while in A. fallax, prevalence was up to 83%. Infected individuals of the former species also often contain much higher number of parasites in theirs internal organs and flesh: from 1 to 1138 Anisakis spp. larvae as compared to 1 to 121 larvae, respectively. In general, numbers of A. pegreffii were higher than those of A. simplex s.s. Our results suggest that in the marine environment of the Western Iberian Peninsula, both anadromous shad species act as paratenic hosts for A. simplex s.s. and A. pegreffii, thus widening the distribution of the infective nematode larvae from the marine to the freshwater ecosystem. This finding is of great epidemiological relevance for wildlife managers and consumers, considering the zoonotic and gastroallergic threats posed of these parasites.

Activation of p38 MAPK in the rostral ventromedial medulla by visceral noxious inputs transmitted via the dorsal columns may contribute to pelvic organ cross-sensitization in rats with endometriosis

Whether visceral organ cross-sensitization is involved in endometriosis-associated pain remains elusive. Previous studies have shown that visceral noxious stimuli may trigger a cascade of signal transductions in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) via the spinal dorsal column (DC) pathway and the RVM plays a critical role in the descending control of visceral nociception. In the current study, we hypothesized that the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in the RVM by noxious visceral inputs from ectopic growths via the DC was involved in the development of pelvic organ cross-sensitization in established endometriosis. A rat model of experimental endometriosis was established. To examine ectopic growths-to-colon cross-sensitization, graded colorectal distention (CRD) was performed and abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores were recorded in female rats at 8weeks after the uterine or fat (control) auto-transplantation. Western blot study was carried out to examine the phosphorylated form and the total level of p38 MAPK protein in the RVM. Our results showed that lesions of bilateral DCs immediately following uterine or fat auto-transplantation in female rats significantly attenuated the later development of ectopic growths-to-colon cross-sensitization and the increased p38 MAPK activation in the RVM, as compared to sham DC lesions. Furthermore, intra-RVM microinjection of a p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB 203580), but not vehicle, in female rats with established endometriosis significantly attenuated ectopic growths-to-colon cross-sensitization and the increased activation of p38 MAPK in the RVM. These findings suggest that the noxious inputs from ectopic growths may activate p38 MAPK in the RVM via the DC, which may contribute to the development of ectopic growths-to-colon cross-sensitization in established endometriosis.

Kinetics of serological responses in influenza A(H7N9)-infected patients correlate with clinical outcome in China, 2013

The novel avian influenza A(H7N9) infection has recently emerged to cause severe respiratory illness in China. The objectives of this study were to define the kinetics of the antibody responses in patients with influenza A(H7N9) disease and to correlate these kinetics with clinical outcome. Serial serum samples were obtained at intervals of three to four days from 18 patients with virologically confirmed A(H7N9) disease in Shanghai. We determined the kinetics of the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and A(H7H9) pseudotype neutralisation antibody (Nab) responses and correlated these with clinical outcomes. Most patients had robust serological responses by both HI and Nab tests. Taking into account censoring due to time of testing and death, the median time from onset of illness to Nab titre ≥1:40 was 14 days (95% confidence interval (CI): 11–18 days) in the fatal cases and 10.5 days (95% CI: 7–12) in the survivors (p=0.003). The two groups did not differ in initial Nab titres, but the rate of increase in Nab titres was significantly faster for survivors by approximately 10-fold per 15 days (p=0.007). Early and rapid induction of Nab was correlated significantly with better clinical outcome.

Fatigue and sleep disturbance in HIV-positive women: a qualitative and biomedical approach

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This study explores how sleep and energy levels were affected in Chinese women diagnosed with HIV in China employing the Actiwatch actigraphy system to collect data on the women's sleep characteristics.

BACKGROUND

The worldwide AIDS pandemic, a major impetus behind the recent focus on global aspects of health, is one area in which the behavioural and biomedical expertise of nursing science is sorely needed. In particular, few studies of HIV+ women have examined the association of HIV-related stress with sleep disturbance and fatigue. Especially, fatigue and sleep disturbances are a common complaint among people with HIV.

DESIGN

A qualitative study with actigraphy device used.

METHODS

In-depth interviews were conducted with 19 HIV+ women in Shanghai, China, from December 2009-March 2010 and within this group, nine of the women agreed to wear an Actiwatch actigraphy device for 72 hours.

RESULTS

Two major themes emerged from the in-depth interviews are as follows: sleep disturbance and fatigue. Participants presented varying amounts of sleeplessness, and fatigue resulting from nightmares, worrying about whether to disclose their diagnosis, and whether they might transmit the disease to their partners or children. Among the nine Actiwatch study participants, data shown that those who experienced fragmented sleep also slept more during the daytime.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, Chinese HIV+ women described how stress had caused them to become sleepless. The objective data collected via Actiwatch showed that these women required longer nap times, which indicates they did not have refreshing nocturnal sleep. Designing a culturally acceptable stress management intervention for these women is urgently needed.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Sleep and fatigue level should be evaluated in each visit with HIV care. Nurses need to be trained in evaluating the HIV+ patients' sleep and fatigue status and refer them to psychologist and/or relaxation technique accordingly. Self-management intervention for HIV+ individuals should also include the sleep hygiene into consideration.

Shortening tobacco life cycle accelerates functional gene identification in genomic research

Definitive allocation of function requires the introduction of genetic mutations and analysis of their phenotypic consequences. Novel, rapid and convenient techniques or materials are very important and useful to accelerate gene identification in functional genomics research. Here, over-expression of PmFT (Prunus mume), a novel FT orthologue, and PtFT (Populus tremula) lead to shortening of the tobacco life cycle. A series of novel short life cycle stable tobacco lines (30-50 days) were developed through repeated self-crossing selection breeding. Based on the second transformation via a gusA reporter gene, the promoter from BpFULL1 in silver birch (Betula pendula) and the gene (CPC) from Arabidopsis thaliana were effectively tested using short life cycle tobacco lines. Comparative analysis among wild type, short life cycle tobacco and Arabidopsis transformation system verified that it is optional to accelerate functional gene studies by shortening host plant material life cycle, at least in these short life cycle tobacco lines. The results verified that the novel short life cycle transgenic tobacco lines not only combine the advantages of economic nursery requirements and a simple transformation system, but also provide a robust, effective and stable host system to accelerate gene analysis. Thus, shortening tobacco life cycle strategy is feasible to accelerate heterologous or homologous functional gene identification in genomic research.

The FLOWERING LOCUS T orthologous gene of Platanus acerifolia is expressed as alternatively spliced forms with distinct spatial and temporal patterns

The FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) protein is a likely component of the 'florigen' signal that plays a crucial role in regulating the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth. Here, we report the isolation of full-length cDNAs and the corresponding genomic clones encoding orthologous FT proteins (PaFT) of London plane (Platanus acerifolia Willd). Two genes with high sequence identity were isolated (PaFT1-2), but 34 different transcript products were identified, comprising 21 splice forms produced by alternative splicing of the PaFT pre-mRNAs. Expression of the alternative splicing forms of PaFT varied according to tissue type and developmental stage. PaFT transcripts were detected throughout adult trees, whereas in juvenile trees they were only detected in dormant sub-petiolar buds. In adult trees, levels of the various alternative splicing PaFT forms were related to flower development stage and tree dormancy. Ectopic expression of the archetypal splice form of PaFT-A in tobacco and Arabidopsis developed multiple altered phenotypes, notably early flowering and attenuation of apical dominance. The evidence in this study indicates that complex alternative processing of PaFT transcripts in P. acerifolia may be associated with multiple regulatory roles, including initiation of flowering, flower development, apical dominance, tree dormancy and dormancy release.

Free-base nicotine in tobacco products. Part I. Determination of free-base nicotine in the particulate phase of mainstream cigarette smoke and the relevance of these findings to product design parameters

The free-base nicotine (FBN) content of mainstream cigarette smoke (MSS) has been discussed in the peer-reviewed literature and popular press. It has been alleged that manufacturers adjust product design features to increase the percentage of total nicotine (TN) in the MSS gas-vapor phase that is unprotonated [P(g)(,nic)(%)] and/or the fraction of nicotine in the MSS total particulate matter (TPM) that is unprotonated (FBN/TN). Our research showed the Health Canada Intensive smoking conditions negated the effects of blend and cigarette design features reported to raise the pH of TPM collected under ISO or US FTC conditions. Our research also showed that when additive-free Canadian cigarettes were smoked under ISO conditions, the FBN/TN ratio increased as the tar/nicotine ratio decreased. Our findings are in line with other studies that have questioned allegations of a relationship between use of ammonia and its compounds as tobacco additives and amounts of unprotonated nicotine in MSS. In addition, the experimental work demonstrated how use of solid-phase microextraction to estimate FBN can yield erroneously high results due to improper conditioning and/or smoking of the cigarettes. Our research showed that there is no longer any scientific support for regulators to require smoke pH and FBN determinations on cigarette products.

Pulping cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) with peroxyformic acid (MILOX) in one single stage

In this work, depithed cardoon stalk (Cynara cardunculus) has been used with the objective of obtaining bleachable pulps. The material, once properly prepared, was subjected to one-step peroxyformic acid delignification. In order to study the process, a face-centred second order factorial design was developed which allowed the determination of the influences of four variables: concentrations of formic acid and hydrogen peroxide in the cooking liquor and the time and temperature of the treatment. Empirical mathematical models have been obtained which predict the yield, kappa index, residual lignin content, and viscosity of the pulps. These models demonstrate that in general the delignification was extensive, producing pulps with kappa indexes less than 25 in the majority of cases, with good yields in the range of 45-60%. However, the pulps seem to have been degraded in the reaction media, as can be deduced from the low viscosity values found: 260-520 mL/g.

IGF-I but not insulin inhibits apoptosis at a low concentration in vascular smooth muscle cells

Apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is of importance in the development of diabetic angiopathy. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of insulin and IGF-I on apoptosis in VSMCs. Rat aortic VSMCs were used and apoptosis was induced by serum starvation. As apoptotic markers we measured caspase-3 activity, histone-associated DNA fragments by ELISA and nuclear morphology by DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining. Phosphorylation of IGF-I receptors was evaluated by Western blot. Serum starvation had increased caspase-3 activity even after 3 h. The highest activity was found after 3-12 h. IGF-I 10(-9 )M inhibited serum starvation-induced caspase-3 activity with a maximal effect after 12 h. When studied after starvation for 12 h, significant inhibitory effects on caspase-3 were found at IGF-I concentrations of 10(-8)-10(-7) M (P<0.01) and at an insulin concentration of 10(-6 )M (P<0.01). DNA fragmentation was detected by ELISA after 24 h and chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation by DAPI staining after 24 and 48 h respectively. IGF-I dose-dependently reduced apoptosis evaluated by ELISA, reaching a maximal effect at 10(-9) M. Insulin reduced apoptosis but the effect was weaker and a higher concentration was needed. IGF-I (10(-8 )M) and insulin at a very high concentration (10(-6) M) phosphorylated IGF-I receptors. Taken together, IGF-I and insulin have antiapoptotic effects on VSMCs but the effect of insulin is only found at high unphysiological concentration.