Molecular Characterization of Mosquito Diversity in the Balearic Islands

Several outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases have taken place in Europe in recent years. In Spain, both active and passive surveillance have demonstrated that dengue and West Nile viruses are currently circulating, and seven autochthonous dengue cases have been reported in the last 2 yr. The effectiveness of vector control programs largely depends on the accuracy of the taxonomic identification of the species. However, in Spain, identification almost completely relies on the use of morphological keys to characterize the mosquito fauna. This study investigates the congruence between molecular and morphological species boundaries in 13 Spanish mosquito taxa. The Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene region was sequenced from 60 adult specimens collected in Mallorca, plus several representatives from other Spanish regions for comparative purposes. Phylogenetic relationships were established using Bayesian and maximum-likelihood approaches. Using three species delimitation algorithms (ABGD, mPTP, and GMYC), we found strong evidence for cryptic speciation within Anopheles algeriensis Theobald, a widespread mosquito in the Mediterranean basin. We also delimited the Mallorcan rock pool mosquito Aedes mariae (Sergent & Sergent), from mainland European populations. Finally, we found difficulties in the use of wing characters in species keys to distinguish Culiseta annulata (Schrk) from Culiseta subochrea (Edwards). Given that these species are vectors of pathogens of medical relevance and have veterinary importance, their accurate taxonomic identification is essential in European vector surveillance programs.

Implementation of an Audience Response System in a Case Conference Curriculum: Results of a Placebo-Controlled Trial

Audience response systems engage learners and facilitate the assimilation of the material. We assessed whether incorporation of one system into a resident case conference would increase retention of information and attentiveness. Pre-tests were administered prior to case conferences. The University Hospital incorporated Poll Everywhere into a conference and the Veterans Administration hospital did not. Participants rated self-perceived attentiveness and completed a post-test following conference. There was an increase in post-test scores compared to pre-tests. There was no significant difference in self-perceived attentiveness or post-test scores between sites. The use of audience response did not increase retention of material or perceived attentiveness when incorporated into the conference.

Viral Resistance and IFN Signaling in STAT2 Knockout Fish Cells

IFN belong to a group of cytokines specialized in the immunity to viruses. Upon viral infection, type I IFN is produced and alters the transcriptome of responding cells through induction of a set of IFN stimulated genes (ISGs) with regulatory or antiviral function, resulting in a cellular antiviral state. Fish genomes have both type I IFN and type II IFN (IFN-γ), but no type III (λ) IFN has been identified. Their receptors are not simple counterparts of the mammalian type I/II IFN receptors, because alternative chains are used in type I IFN receptors. The mechanisms of the downstream signaling remain partly undefined. In mammals, members of the signal transducer and activator of family of transcription factors are responsible for the transmission of the signal from cytokine receptors, and STAT2 is required for type I but not type II IFN signaling. In fish, its role in IFN signaling in fish remains unclear. We isolated a Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) cell line, GS2, with a stat2 gene knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. In this cell line, the induction of ISGs by stimulation with a recombinant type I IFN is completely obliterated as evidenced by comparative RNA-seq analysis of the transcriptome of GS2 and its parental counterpart, EC. Despite a complete absence of ISGs induction, the GS2 cell line has a remarkable ability to resist to viral infections. Therefore, other STAT2-independent pathways may be induced by the viral infection, illustrating the robustness and redundancy of the innate antiviral defenses in fish.

Engineered cell lines for fish health research

As fish farming continues to increase worldwide, the related research areas of fish disease and immunology are also expanding, aided by the revolution in access to genomic information and molecular technology. The genomes of most fish species of economic importance are now available and annotation based on sequence homology with characterised genomes is underway. However, while useful, functional homology is more difficult to determine, there being a lack of widely distributed and well characterised reagents such as monoclonal antibodies, traditionally used in mammalian studies, to help with confirming functions and cellular interactions of fish molecules. In this context, fish cell lines and the possibility of their genetic engineering offer good prospects for studying functional genomics with respect to fish diseases. In this review, we will give an overview of available permanently genetically engineered fish cell lines, as cell-based reporter systems or platforms for expression of endogenous immune or pathogen genes, to investigate interactions and function. The advantages of such systems and the technical challenge for their development will be discussed.

Atlantic salmon cardiac primary cultures: An in vitro model to study viral host pathogen interactions and pathogenesis

Development of Salmon Cardiac Primary Cultures (SCPCs) from Atlantic salmon pre-hatch embryos and their application as in vitro model for cardiotropic viral infection research are described. Producing SCPCs requires plating of trypsin dissociated embryos with subsequent targeted harvest from 24h up to 3 weeks, of relevant tissues after visual identification. SCPCs are then transferred individually to chambered wells for culture in isolation, with incubation at 15-22°. SCPCs production efficiency was not influenced by embryo's origin (0.75/ farmed or wild embryo), but mildly influenced by embryonic developmental stage (0.3 decline between 380 and 445 accumulated thermal units), and strongly influenced by time of harvest post-plating (0.6 decline if harvested after 72 hours). Beating rate was not significantly influenced by temperature (15-22°) or age (2-4 weeks), but was significantly lower on SCPCs originated from farmed embryos with a disease resistant genotype (F = 5.3, p<0.05). Two distinct morphologies suggestive of an ex vivo embryonic heart and a de novo formation were observed sub-grossly, histologically, ultra-structurally and with confocal microscopy. Both types contained cells consistent with cardiomyocytes, endothelium, and fibroblasts. Ageing of SCPCs in culture was observed with increased auto fluorescence in live imaging, and as myelin figures and cellular degeneration ultra-structurally. The SCPCs model was challenged with cardiotropic viruses and both the viral load and the mx gene expression were measurable along time by qPCR. In summary, SCPCs represent a step forward in salmon cardiac disease research as an in vitro model that partially incorporates the functional complexity of the fish heart.

Dual Mutation Events in the Haemagglutinin-Esterase and Fusion Protein from an Infectious Salmon Anaemia Virus HPR0 Genotype Promote Viral Fusion and Activation by an Ubiquitous Host Protease

In Infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV), deletions in the highly polymorphic region (HPR) in the near membrane domain of the haemagglutinin-esterase (HE) stalk, influence viral fusion. It is suspected that selected mutations in the associated Fusion (F) protein may also be important in regulating fusion activity. To better understand the underlying mechanisms involved in ISAV fusion, several mutated F proteins were generated from the Scottish Nevis and Norwegian SK779/06 HPR0. Co-transfection with constructs encoding HE and F were performed, fusion activity assessed by content mixing assay and the degree of proteolytic cleavage by western blot. Substitutions in Nevis F demonstrated that K276 was the most likely cleavage site in the protein. Furthermore, amino acid substitutions at three sites and two insertions, all slightly upstream of K276, increased fusion activity. Co-expression with HE harbouring a full-length HPR produced high fusion activities when trypsin and low pH were applied. In comparison, under normal culture conditions, groups containing a mutated HE with an HPR deletion were able to generate moderate fusion levels, while those with a full length HPR HE could not induce fusion. This suggested that HPR length may influence how the HE primes the F protein and promotes fusion activation by an ubiquitous host protease and/or facilitate subsequent post-cleavage refolding steps. Variations in fusion activity through accumulated mutations on surface glycoproteins have also been reported in other orthomyxoviruses and paramyxoviruses. This may in part contribute to the different virulence and tissue tropism reported for HPR0 and HPR deleted ISAV genotypes.

Deletions in the highly polymorphic region (HPR) of infectious salmon anaemia virus HPR0 haemagglutinin-esterase enhance viral fusion and influence the interaction with the fusion protein

Since the discovery of a non-virulent infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) HPR0 variant, many studies have speculated on the functional role of deletions within the highly polymorphic region (HPR) of genomic segment 6, which codes for the haemagglutinin-esterase (HE) protein. To address this issue, mutant HE proteins with deletions in their HPR were generated from the Scottish HPR0 template (NWM10) and fusion-inducing activity was measured using lipid (octadecyl rhodamine B) and content mixing assays (firefly luciferase). Segment six HPR was found to have a strong influence on ISAV fusion, and deletions in this near-membrane region predominantly increased the fusion-inducing ability of the resulting HE proteins. The position and length of the HPR deletions were not significant factors, suggesting that they may affect fusion non-specifically. In comparison, the amino acid composition of the associated fusion (F) protein was a more crucial criterion. Antibody co-patching and confocal fluorescence demonstrated that the HE and F proteins were highly co-localized, forming defined clusters on the cell surface post-transfection. The binding of erythrocyte ghosts on the attachment protein caused a reduction in the percentage of co-localization, suggesting that ISAV fusion might be triggered through physical separation of the F and HE proteins. In this process, HPR deletion appeared to modulate and reduce the strength of interaction between the two glycoproteins, causing more F protein to be released and activated. This work provides a first insight into the mechanism of virulence acquisition through HPR deletion, with fusion enhancement acting as a major contributing factor.

Zoocin A and lauricidin in combination reduce Streptococcus mutans growth in a multispecies biofilm

Dental caries is the most prevalent human infection. It is a multifactorial disease in which the microbial composition of dental plaque plays a major role in the development of clinical symptoms. The bacteria most often implicated in the development of caries are that group of streptococci referred to as the mutans streptococci, in particular Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. One approach to the prevention of caries is to reduce the numbers of mutans streptococci in plaque to a level insufficient to support demineralization of the tooth. In this study, zoocin A, a peptidoglycan hydrolase, combined with lauricidin, a cell membrane active lipid, was shown over a 72 h period to selectively suppress the growth of S. mutans in a triple species biofilm. Growth of the non-target species Streptococcus oralis and Actinomyces viscosus was not inhibited. In treated systems the amount of extracellular polysaccharide matrix produced was much reduced as determined by use of fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated wheat germ agglutinin. The pH of treated biofilms remained above neutral as opposed to a value of 4.3 in untreated controls. We conclude that use of antimicrobial compounds that specifically target cariogenic bacteria should be further explored.

Establishment of an Atlantic salmon kidney cell line with an inducible gene expression system

A stable recombinant Atlantic Salmon Kidney cell line ASK for use as an inducible expression system was isolated, cloned and characterised. The cells were transfected with the pTet-Off plasmid from the Tet On/Off Clontech system, carrying a G418 resistance gene. Several G418-resistant clones were sub-cultured and characterised by qPCR and by transient transfection. The level of expression of transcriptional activator (tTA) was measured by qPCR in a number of isolated clones. Transient transfection with a pTRE2-hyg-LUC plasmid was used to evaluate the inducibility of these clones. Two clones were chosen for their compromise between cell growth and inducibility. This genetically engineered cell line is a valuable tool for the fish research community especially in research areas investigating the biological function of viral proteins.

Red vent syndrome in wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in Scotland is associated with Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (Nematoda: Anisakidae)

Simultaneous reports were received between June and July 2007 of wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar with red, swollen, bloody vents returning to geographically diverse rivers in Scotland. By the end of September the condition, colloquially known as 'red vent syndrome' (RVS), was reported from >50 rivers across Scotland. Fish were generally in good overall condition but the vent area showed mild to severe lesions. External characteristics of the syndrome included a swollen, raised, haemorrhagic vent and surrounding tissues, with erosion of the skin, scale loss and moderate to severe bleeding in more advanced cases. Predominantly, the fish affected were 1-sea-winter grilse; however, RVS was also recorded in 2-sea-winter salmon and sea trout S. trutta. High numbers of the nematode Anisakis Type I larvae were found infesting the discrete region of the vent, a localisation that is reported as novel for the parasite. The hypothesis that this is a different species than that commonly found in the body cavity and viscera was investigated through molecular studies. These studies failed to show evidence that the parasites infesting the vent were different from those in the body cavity, i.e. all were identified as A. simplex sensu stricto. No other disease agent was found associated with the lesions or was isolated systemically, and no mortality or prevention of spawning was recorded during the 2007 season. Possible causes, including warming environments in the North Atlantic, are hypothesised as playing a role in the development of RVS in Atlantic salmon.

Words matter: increasing the implementation of clinical guidelines

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether writing clinical guideline recommendations in behaviourally specified "plain English" language increases the likelihood of their implementation by service users (patients).

DESIGN

Randomised controlled trial in which participants received either the original text of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) public guidelines for the management of schizophrenia or a behaviourally specified text with the same content.

SETTING

Mental health service user networks and voluntary sector organisations within two inner London boroughs.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty four mental health service users recruited by post or face to face contact at service user meetings.

INTERVENTION

The section of the NICE public guidelines for schizophrenia concerning psychological and pharmacological treatments was rewritten to improve style and behavioural specificity by applying evidence-based and psychologically informed principles of good written communication.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Cognitive predictors of behaviour, as specified by the evidence based theory of planned behaviour, constituted the primary outcome as it was not possible to measure the actual behaviour of guideline implementation. The predictors were behavioural intentions to implement the guidelines, attitudes towards implementation, and perceived behavioural control over implementation. Satisfaction with the guidelines and perceived comprehension were also measured.

RESULTS

Behaviourally specified "plain English" guidelines led to stronger intentions to implement the guidelines, more positive attitudes towards them, and greater perceived behavioural control over using them. There was no difference in satisfaction or perceived comprehension.

CONCLUSIONS

Writing guidelines with high behavioural specificity in conjunction with the use of "plain English" may be a simple and effective method of increasing their implementation. Evaluation with a behavioural outcome is now needed.

Interventions based on the multiple connections model of reading for developmental dyslexia and acquired deep dyslexia

This paper deals with intervention strategies for developmental and acquired dyslexia. In Study 1 two alternative strategies for developmental surface dyslexia (dysfunctional connection between the whole word orthographic code and the phonetic or name code) were compared. In both the initial study and replication study, a modification of the selective reminding technique was superior to a traditional multisensory technique in beginning readers, presumably because it facilitated word finding or prelexical access to a phonetic code. In Study 2 an adolescent with acquired deep dyslexia (dysfunctional connection between letter and phonemic codes) who had had his angular gyrus (site of grapheme-phoneme correspondence) surgically removed, recovered reading function after a four-month phonemic analysis training program. Further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of theory-based intervention strategies in children with developmental reading disorders unrelated to focal lesions and in adults with acquired reading disorders related to focal lesions.

Use of microanalytic laboratory methods to reduce blood loss in dialysis patients

Annual blood losses from diagnostic tests were determined in 10 stable hemodialysis patients and were found to be 1130 +/- 420 ml per patient. The projected losses if microanalytic laboratory methods are utilized were 122 +/- 34 ml per year, representing a remarkable saving of blood (90 percent) in these anemic patients. We, therefore, recommend that microanalytic laboratory methods which have been reliably used in pediatric services for years be adopted by dialysis facilities.