Appearance of reassortant European avian-origin H1 influenza A viruses of swine in Vietnam

Three subtypes-H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2-of influenza A viruses of swine (IAVs-S) are currently endemic in swine worldwide, but there is considerable genotypic diversity among each subtype and limited geographical distribution. Through IAVs-S monitoring in Vietnam, two H1N2 influenza A viruses were isolated from healthy pigs in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Southern Vietnam, on 2 December 2016. BLAST and phylogenetic analyses revealed that their HA and NA genes were derived from those of European avian-like H1N2 IAVs-S that contained avian-origin H1 and human-like N2 genes, and were particularly closely related to those of IAVs-S circulating in the Netherlands, Germany or Denmark. In addition, the internal genes of these Vietnamese isolates were derived from human A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses, suggesting that the Vietnamese H1N2 IAVs-S are reassortants between European H1N2 IAVs-S and human A(H1N1)pdm09v. The appearance of European avian-like H1N2 IAVs-S in Vietnam marks their first transmission outside Europe. Our results and statistical analyses of the number of live pigs imported into Vietnam suggest that the European avian-like H1N2 IAVs-S may have been introduced into Vietnam with their hosts through international trade. These findings highlight the importance of quarantining imported pigs to impede the introduction of new IAVs-S.

System for time-resolved laser absorption spectroscopy and its application to high-power impulse magnetron sputtering

This paper deals with the development and construction of an apparatus for time-resolved tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (LAS) for the diagnostics of pulsed plasma. A detailed description of the extension of a progressive method of laser absorption spectroscopy in continuous regime to a direct triggering method of the time-resolved laser absorption spectroscopy (TR-LAS) is presented. The main advantage of the developed method is its capability to measure the time evolution of the whole absorption profile with a preset time resolution, which can be less than 1 μs. Therefore, the presented method of repetitive sampling applied on LAS in plasma processes is capable of simultaneous measurement of the density and kinetic temperature of selected particles. Its appropriate applications are to periodical processes in technological plasma, namely pulsed plasma discharges. The developed method of TR-LAS was applied to measurements of the temporal evolution of density and kinetic temperature of argon metastable species during high-power impulse magnetron sputtering of titanium and titanium dioxide thin films.

Abstract P3-15-06: No Correlation between Endocrine Symptoms and Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Women Receiving Adjuvant Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy

Background:

The etiology of Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) associated musculoskeletal symptoms remains unclear. It has been proposed that musculoskeletal side effects are related to the estrogen depletion achieved on AI therapy. Estrogen depletion with AI therapy is known to result in endocrine side effects. The 18-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Breast Cancer-Endocrine Subscale (FACTB-ES) is a reliable and well validated quality of life questionnaire shown to be sensitive to changes in endocrine symptoms in breast cancer patients. The objective of this study was to determine whether among women with breast cancer treated with adjuvant AI therapy, self reported musculoskeletal side effects correlate with increased hormonal side effects as measured by the FACTB-ES. Methods:

In this 6 month, single center, prospective cohort study, post-menopausal women with hormone-sensitive, non-metastatic breast cancer prescribed AIs by their treating oncologist were evaluated by a rheumatologist at baseline (before starting the AI) and at 6 months. Women who reported new or worsening musculoskeletal symptoms since starting the AI were classified as symptomatic. The FACTB-ES was administered at each visit.

Changes in scores between baseline and 6 months were compared between

the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups

Results:

Thirty-five subjects completed the 6 month follow up period. Nineteen (54%) were symptomatic and n=2 (5.7%) discontinued the AI due to these musculoskeletal symptoms. Mean time to onset of symptoms was 6 weeks (range 2 to 18 weeks). Baseline characteristics including age, ethnicity and body mass index did not differ between the groups. There was no significant difference in hormonal symptoms between groups. Both groups had equivalent worsening of their endocrine symptoms as seen by the reduction in their FACTB-score. The mean change in FACTB-ES score was -2.52 (range: -31.00, 23.00) in the symptomatic women versus -2.06 (range: -19.00, 22.21) in the asymptomatic women (Wilcoxon rank sum p=0.95). Conclusions:

These data suggest that endocrine symptoms as measured by the FACTB-ES do not correlate with the development of musculoskeletal pain in women treated with adjuvant AI therapy for breast cancer. Though larger studies are necessary to confirm these results, the musculoskeletal symptoms associated with AI use may not be estrogen-dependent.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-15-06.