title: The greater than twofold cost of integration for retroviruses.

text: Sexual reproduction, typically conceived of as a puzzling feature of eukaryotes, has posed an extraordinary evolutionary challenge in terms of the twofold replicative advantage of asexual over sexual organisms. Here we show mathematically that a greater than twofold cost is paid by retroviruses such as HIV during reverse transcription. For a retrovirus, replication is achieved through RNA reverse transcription and the effectively linear growth processes of DNA transcription during gene expression. Retroviruses are unique among viruses in that they show an alternation of generations between a diploid free living phase and a haploid integrated phase. Retroviruses engage in extensive recombination during the synthesis of the haploid DNA provirus. Whereas reverse transcription generates large amounts of sequence variation, DNA transcription is a high-fidelity process. Retroviruses come under strong selection pressures from immune systems to generate escape mutants, and reverse transcription into the haploid DNA phase serves to generate diversity followed by a phase of transcriptional clonal expansion during the restoration of diploidy from a stable, long lived, DNA encoded provirus.


title: Clinical relapses and disease activity on magnetic resonance imaging associated with viral upper respiratory tract infections in multiple sclerosis.

text: BACKGROUND Although the risk of clinical attacks of multiple sclerosis seems to be significantly increased with viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), serological evidence for the reported association remains controversial. In addition, although MRI is six to 10 times more sensitive than clinical exacerbations in indexing disease activity, any possible association between URTI and MRI activity has yet to be investigated. OBJECTIVES To examine the relation between URTI and disease activity, in multiple sclerosis patients participating in a placebo controlled trial of interferon beta-1a, as indexed both by clinical exacerbation rate and by the number and volume of gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) enhancing lesions on MRI. "At risk" periods were defined around symptomatic URTI, with or without serological confirmation. RESULTS The relative risk of clinical relapse for serologically unconfirmed symptomatic URTI was 2.1 (p=0.004). Raised antiviral antibody titres conferred a relative risk of multiple sclerosis exacerbations that was 3.4 times higher than the "not at risk" periods (annual attack rates of 5.7 v 1.6, respectively, p=0.006). There was no definite relation between the number or the volume of active lesions on MRI and either symptomatic or serologically defined at risk periods. CONCLUSIONS These results confirm the previously reported association between viral infections and multiple sclerosis exacerbations and indicate that the relative risk may be even higher when viral infection is serologically confirmed. However, the results, perhaps because of the confounding effects of interferon beta-1a, do not provide convincing evidence of increased blood-brain barrier breakdown or inflammation during periods of virally induced immune stimulation.


Highs and lows.


title: Further validation of antibody-capture and antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for determining exposure of cattle to bovine coronavirus.

text: OBJECTIVE To further validate an antibody-capture ELISA for measuring bovine coronavirus (BCV) exposure (antibody seroresponse) in cattle and to explain the apparent loss of sensitivity of a BCV antigen-capture ELISA when testing feces from adult versus neonatal cattle. ANIMALS 98 adult cows from herds with and without winter dysentery; 10 gnotobiotic or colostrum-deprived calves. PROCEDURES Results of an antibody-capture ELISA for BCV and a plaque reduction virus neutralization assay performed on paired serum samples from 24 cattle were compared with each other and with results of immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) of feces for BCV. For samples from 98 cattle, results of antibody-capture ELISA were compared with results of IEM. Calves were inoculated with feces ELISA-positive or IEM-positive for BCV and monitored for BCV infection. An ELISA was developed to detect BCV antigen-antibody complexes in feces and results were compared with results of an antigen-capture ELISA and IEM. RESULTS Antibody-capture ELISA results correlated with neutralization assay results, but agreed more closely with results of IEM. Calves became infected with BCV following inoculation with either ELISA-positive or ELISA-negative but IEM-positive feces. Results of the antigen-antibody ELISA correlated with results of IEM and the antigen-capture ELISA. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS In adult cattle, testing of paired serum samples by use of an antibody-capture ELISA may be a better indicator of recent BCV exposure than results of virus neutralization tests. Antigen-antibody binding in feces may interfere with results of antigen-capture ELISA for BCV.


title: Real-time syndrome surveillance in Ontario, Canada: the potential use of emergency departments and Telehealth.

text: OBJECTIVE The purpose of this paper is to review new bioterrorist and emerging infectious threats to public health in Ontario, Canada, and to propose a means of integrating a telephone-based health information service and emergency department triage with a first-line real-time, 24-h a day syndrome surveillance system. This automated system could be beneficial in detecting a bioterrorist threat as well as in detecting and monitoring disease outbreaks such as influenza, Norwalk, West Nile virus, Escherichia coli 0157 or severe acute respiratory syndrome. METHOD The Medline PubMed database was searched for articles relating to bioterrorism and syndromic surveillance from 1997 onwards. The websites of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Ontario Ministry of Public Safety and Security, Centers for Disease Control and Canadian Population and Public Health Branch of Health Canada were searched for articles relating to bioterrorism and syndromic surveillance. Interviews were conducted with key informants from Telehealth staff, the public health services of Ontario and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. RESULTS Real-time syndrome surveillance is a new means of detecting disease outbreaks or possibly acts of bioterrorism at the first contact with the healthcare system. It has been used successfully to detect influenza outbreaks at an early stage. The system that is proposed would be a province-wide integrated early warning system for both bioterrorist events and emerging infections. It would use clusters of symptoms tied to temporal, demographic and spatial data to increase sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION Real-time syndrome surveillance is an evolving science. Emergency departments and Telehealth in Ontario lend themselves as first contacts to the healthcare system as excellent opportunities to perform syndrome surveillance. They offer the opportunity properly to identify at-risk patients for emerging infections by including contact and travel data into the symptom complex. This could identify at-risk patients early and lead to appropriate public health measures. The benefit of using Telehealth in Ontario is the provincial accessibility of Telehealth and the extensive data collected on one computerized system. Emergency departments should also have a uniform computerized triage data collection system to facilitate surveillance.


title: Recurrent wheezy bronchitis and viral respiratory infections.

text: Fifty four patients aged from 1 to 6 years who had had recurrent attacks of wheezy bronchitis were prospectively followed up for three months to find out if there was an association between different viral respiratory infections and episodes of wheezing. Of the 115 episodes of upper or lower respiratory tract symptoms, virus or Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection were diagnosed in 52 (45%). Thirty four of rhinoviruses. The patients had an average of 2.1 episodes of respiratory tract symptoms the total mean (SD) duration of which was 30 (2) days of the 92 days that followed. Wheezing occurred during 76 (66%) of the 115 episodes and during a third of these the patient was admitted to hospital because of severe dyspnoea. Wheezing started a mean (SD) of 43 (7) hours after the first symptoms of respiratory infection and persisted for 3.8 (4.2) days in patients in whom virus infection was diagnosed. The incidence of wheezing was not associated with IgE mediated atopy, with positive virological tests, or with fever during virus infection, but was associated with parental smoking and more than one sibling.


title: Infectious mechanisms of enteropathogenic bovine coronaviruses.

text: The primary disease mechanism in infections of calves with enteropathogenic bovine coronaviruses (BCV) involves cytocidal interaction with differentiated enterocytes. Cytopathic expression of BCV infection of cultured cells depends on the viral strain and the cell type. BCV-induced cell fusion occurred under neutral or alkaline but not acidic conditions. Lysosomotropic bases did not significantly reduce virus yield, suggesting that productive BCV infection was not mediated by endocytosis but rather by direct fusion of the viral envelope with the plasma membrane. Trypsin cleavage of the 185 kDa S glycoprotein into 100 and 110 kDa subunits was required for cell fusion and productive infection of cultured BFS cells with the cell-adapted, avirulent strain BCV-L9. This strain has a wide host cell range in vitro while several wild-type, virulent strains were restricted to HRT-18 cells. Antigenic and genomic comparisons of the avirulent and virulent strains revealed corresponding differences. Some monoclonal antibodies against S reacted with both virulent and avirulent strains, while others reacted only with the avirulent strain BCV-L9. Nucleotide sequences of the S genes indicated that amino acid substitutions in cleavage sites, antigenic regions, and putative fusion domains occurred and differentiated BCV strains.


title: Severe acute respiratory syndrome in a doctor working at the Prince of Wales Hospital.

text: Severe acute respiratory syndrome is a new disease that is highly contagious and is spreading in the local community and worldwide. This report is of a hospital medical officer with severe acute respiratory syndrome. He presented with sudden onset of fever, chills, myalgia, headache, and dizziness in early March 2003. He developed progressive respiratory symptoms and bilateral pulmonary infiltrates during the second week of his illness. Blood tests showed lymphopenia, mild thrombocytopenia, and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time with normal d-dimer level. His chest condition gradually responded to ribavirin and corticosteroids, and serial chest X-ray showed resolving pulmonary infiltrates. The importance of early diagnosis lies in the potential for early treatment, leading to better response.


title: An immunocytochemical search for infectious agents in Crohn's disease.

text: Microorganisms have long been suspected of causing Crohn's disease (CD); however, an etiologic agent has yet to be identified. Few studies have employed immunocytochemistry (ICC) to examine tissue from patients with CD for microbial antigens. We investigated 36 formalin-fixed tissues from 16 patients with CD with ICC. No evidence of adenovirus, Borrelia, Brucella, BVDV, Campylobacter, Campylobacter-like organisms, Chlamydia, coronavirus, CMV, EBV, Legionella, mycobacteria, Pseudomonas, rotavirus, Salmonella, Shigella, staphylococci, Toxoplasma gondii, Treponema, or Yersinia was found. ICC identified E. coli and streptococcal antigens in 11 (69%) and 10 (63%) of the 16 cases studied, respectively. Escherichia coli immunoreactivity was located in ulcers, within the lamina propria, and along fissures. Streptococcal immunolabeling occurred within mucosal epithelial cells, in the lamina propria, in ulcers, along fissures, in granulomatous inflammation including multinucleate giant cells, and in lymph nodes. These results suggest that some of the granulomas in CD may result from immunologic processing of bacterial antigens following their penetration through a compromised mucosa. E. coli and streptococcal antigens may contribute to the pathogenesis of CD.


docid: rsjvrper

title: Use of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: Experience of ablation protocols.

text: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancer types worldwide. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for HCC was introduced in Japan in 1999. It has been established as a major local treatment method worldwide including in Japan. On comparing outcomes between resection and RFA, they were comparable when cases were limited to those with 3 or fewer tumors of size 3 cm or smaller in many reports, based on which RFA has become the main treatment for small HCCs. RFA was introduced into our system at Toho University Medical Center Omori Hospital in 1999, and we treat nearly 200 HCC cases annually with RFA. Although individual medical facilities use their own methods of RFA, we would like to share our experience of RFA treatment protocols.


title: Sequence and expression of the ns2 protein gene of human coronavirus OC43.

text: The complete nucleotide sequence of the ns2 gene of human coronavirus OC43 (HCV-OC43) was determined. Sequence analysis revealed an open reading frame that could encode a protein of 278 amino acids, with an estimated molecular mass of 32.2 kDa. Six potential phosphorylation sites are present but no sites of N-glycosylation were found. The amino acid sequence of the HCV-OC43 ns2 protein shows 92% identity with that of the Mebus strain of bovine coronavirus (BCV). However, a stretch of nine consecutive amino acids near the C terminus is completely different, causing it to be very hydrophilic, which contrasts with the hydrophobic nature of this region in BCV. As shown by immunofluorescence with a monospecific antiserum, the ns2 protein was expressed in the cytoplasm of HCV-OC43-infected HRT-18 cells.


docid: wgydshhj

title: Human coronaviruses: what do they cause?

text: SARS-CoV, human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) and HCoV-HKU1 were first described in 2003, 2004 and 2005 respectively. Nevertheless, discovery of three new human coronaviruses does not necessary represent a sudden increase in emerging infections by new coronaviruses. Only SARS-CoV has recently been introduced to the human population; the other two have been circulating in humans for a long time. HCoV-HKU1 and HCoV-NL63 are respiratory coronaviruses, are frequently found during lower and upper respiratory tract infections, have spread worldwide, and prefer the winter season. These characteristics do not differ greatly from the symptoms described for the 'old' viruses HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43. This report presents an overview of the current knowledge of the four human coronavirus that are now circulating in the human population.


title: Health department use of social media to identify foodborne illness - Chicago, Illinois, 2013-2014.

text: An estimated 55 million to 105 million persons in the United States experience acute gastroenteritis caused by foodborne illness each year, resulting in costs of $2-$4 billion annually. Many persons do not seek treatment, resulting in underreporting of the actual number of cases and cost of the illnesses. To prevent foodborne illness, local health departments nationwide license and inspect restaurants and track and respond to foodborne illness complaints. New technology might allow health departments to engage with the public to improve foodborne illness surveillance. For example, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene examined restaurant reviews from an online review website to identify foodborne illness complaints. On March 23, 2013, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and its civic partners launched FoodBorne Chicago, a website (https://www.foodbornechicago.org) aimed at improving food safety in Chicago by identifying and responding to complaints on Twitter about possible foodborne illnesses. In 10 months, project staff members responded to 270 Twitter messages (tweets) and provided links to the FoodBorne Chicago complaint form. A total of 193 complaints of possible foodborne illness were submitted through FoodBorne Chicago, and 133 restaurants in the city were inspected. Inspection reports indicated 21 (15.8%) restaurants failed inspection, and 33 (24.8%) passed with conditions indicating critical or serious violations. Eight tweets and 19 complaint forms to FoodBorne Chicago described seeking medical treatment. Collaboration between public health professionals and the public via social media might improve foodborne illness surveillance and response. CDPH is working to disseminate FoodBorne Chicago via freely available open source software.


title: Synthesis and evaluation of keto-glutamine analogues as potent inhibitors of severe acute respiratory syndrome 3CLpro.

text: The 3C-like proteinase (3CL(pro)) of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus is a key target for structure-based drug design against this viral infection. The enzyme recognizes peptide substrates with a glutamine residue at the P1 site. A series of keto-glutamine analogues with a phthalhydrazido group at the alpha-position were synthesized and tested as reversible inhibitiors against SARS 3CL(pro). Attachment of tripeptide (Ac-Val-Thr-Leu) to these glutamine-based "warheads" generated significantly better inhibitors (4a-c, 8a-d) with IC(50) values ranging from 0.60 to 70 microM.


title: Curcumin suppression of cytokine release and cytokine storm. A potential therapy for patients with Ebola and other severe viral infections.

text: BACKGROUND The terminal stage of Ebola and other viral diseases is often the onset of a cytokine storm, the massive overproduction of cytokines by the body's immune system. MATERIALS AND METHODS The actions of curcumin in suppressing cytokine release and cytokine storm are discussed. RESULTS Curcumin blocks cytokine release, most importantly the key pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. The suppression of cytokine release by curcumin correlates with clinical improvement in experimental models of disease conditions where a cytokine storm plays a significant role in mortality. CONCLUSION The use of curcumin should be investigated in patients with Ebola and cytokine storm. Intravenous formulations may allow achievement of therapeutic blood levels of curcumin.


title: [Retrospective analysis on clinical features of 35 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome].

text: OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical features of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). METHODS The clinical features of 35 patients with SARS in the past five months were retrospectively studied, and compared with 35 patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Consecutive blood samples from 13 patients with SARS and 10 healthy volunteers were collected. The CD+4 and CD+8 in T cell in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS The most common symptoms included fever (in 100.0 percent of the patients), cough (74.3 percent), headache (45.7 percent), myalgia (45.7 percent) and lymphopenia (20/33). Serial chest radiographs showed progressive multi-infiltration in the lung fields. The CD+4 and CD+8 in T cell in 13 patients with SARS significantly decreased [CD+4: (16.10+/-4.31) percent vs. (38.30+/-8.52) percent, t=8.174,P<0.01; CD+8: (19.90+/-5.40) percent vs. (28.38+/-4.33) percent, t=4.055, P<0.01]. The time of bringing down the fever and the time of absorption of pathological changes in SARS patients were prolonged than those of the pneumonia patients [the time of bringing down the fever (13.92+/-8.35) days vs. (3.86+/-1.42)days, t=16.490,P=0.000;the time of absorption of pathological changes: (11.97+/-4.41) days vs. (9.21+/-4.42) days, t=3.082,P=0.003]. CONCLUSION SARS is a serious respiratory illness, the most common symptoms are fever, cough, headache and myalgia, other common findings are lymphopenia, the CD+4 and CD+8 in T cell in peripheral blood decrease and multi-infiltrate through out the lung fields.


[Ethical decision-making framework for the allocation of scarce mechanical ventilators during the COVID-19 crisis].


title: Effects of different tidal volumes for one-lung ventilation on oxygenation with open chest condition and surgical manipulation: a randomised cross-over trial.

text: BACKGROUND The ideal tidal volume (TV) during one-lung ventilation (OLV) remains controversial. High TVs may increase the incidence of postoperative lung injury after thoracic surgery. There is nonetheless little evidence that the use of low TV during OLV will fail to provide adequate arterial oxygenation. We evaluated the influence of low (5 mL/kg-1) and high (10 mL/kg-1) TV on arterial oxygenation during one-lung ventilation in clinical conditions. METHODS A hundred patients scheduled for lung surgery were studied. Patients were randomly assigned to either 30 minutes of one-lung ventilation with a TV of 10 mL/kg-1 at a rate of 10 breaths/minute (Group 10, N.=50) or a TV of 5 mL/kg-1 with 5 cmH2O PEEP at a rate of 20 breaths/minute (Group 5, N.=50). According to the rules of crossover design during the subsequent 30 minutes, each patient received the alternative management. Arterial blood partial pressures, hemodynamic responses, and ventilatory parameters were recorded. Results are presented as means ± SDs; P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS PaO2 was unaffected by TV (10 mL/kg-1: 218±106 versus 5 mL/kg-1: 211±119 mmHg, P=0.29). Calculated intrapulmonary shunt fraction was also similar with each TV during OLV (5 mL/kg-1: 25±9% versus 10 mL/kg-1: 24±8%, p=0.14). In contrast, low TV significantly increased PaCO2 (10 mL/kg-1: 39±6 versus 5 mL/kg-1: 44±8 mmHg, P<0.001). There were significant differences both in peak (10 mL/kg-1: 27±6 versus 5 mL/kg-1: 21±5 cmH2O, P<0.001) and plateau airway pressure values (10 mL/kg-1: 22±6 versus 5 mL/kg-1: 18±5 cmH2O, P<0.001) during OLV. CONCLUSION Low TV (5 mL/kg-1) accompanied by 5 cmH2O PEEP provides comparable arterial oxygenation and intrapulmonary shunt fraction during one-lung ventilation as higher TV (10 mL/kg-1) without PEEP.


title: COVID-19 infection and mental disorders: a call for action to enhance protection and break down barriers.

text: No abstract available.


title: Endoscopic Duodenal Mucosal Resurfacing for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: 6-Month Interim Analysis From the First-in-Human Proof-of-Concept Study.

text: OBJECTIVE To assess procedural safety and glycemic indices at 6 months in a first-in-human study of duodenal mucosal resurfacing (DMR), a novel, minimally invasive, upper endoscopic procedure involving hydrothermal ablation of the duodenal mucosa, in patients with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c ≥7.5% (58 mmol/mol) on one or more oral antidiabetic agents. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using novel balloon catheters, DMR was conducted on varying lengths of duodenum in anesthetized patients at a single medical center. RESULTS A total of 39 patients with type 2 diabetes (screening HbA1c 9.5% [80 mmol/mol]; BMI 31 kg/m2) were treated and included in the interim efficacy analysis: 28 had a long duodenal segment ablated (LS; ∼9.3 cm treated) and 11 had a short segment ablated (SS; ∼3.4 cm treated). Overall, DMR was well tolerated with minimal gastrointestinal symptoms postprocedure. Three patients experienced duodenal stenosis treated successfully by balloon dilation. HbA1c was reduced by 1.2% at 6 months in the full cohort (P < 0.001). More potent glycemic effects were observed among the LS cohort, who experienced a 2.5% reduction in mean HbA1c at 3 months postprocedure vs. 1.2% in the SS group (P < 0.05) and a 1.4% reduction at 6 months vs. 0.7% in the SS group (P = 0.3). This occurred despite net medication reductions in the LS cohort between 0 and 6 months. Among LS patients with a screening HbA1c of 7.5-10% (58-86 mmol/mol) and on stable antidiabetic medications postprocedure, HbA1c was reduced by 1.8% at 6 months (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Single-procedure DMR elicits a clinically significant improvement in hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes in the short-term, with acceptable safety and tolerability. Long-term safety, efficacy, and durability and possible mechanisms of action require further investigation.


docid: ylrfzhoq

title: The telemedicine and teleconsultation system application in clinical medicine.

text: Telemedicine and teleconsultation are the application and development of the telecommunication networks. Health experts can solve problems by using the electronic and communication technologies without distance limitation. In this study, we try to develop the telemedicine and teleconsultation system between local site and consulting expert site. Two applications of this system in clinical medicine are discussed. The system at each site has a workstation including a cable modem or ADSL connection, a monitor, a web camera, speakers, a microphone for communication, and NetMeeting application software. The first application in this study is to develop a school-based intervention program by using this system for high-risk school-age children in one of the earthquake-struck areas. The preliminary result of this study is that the telemedicine and teleconsultation system is more effective than traditional consultation and supervision. Moreover, we can apply this system in training local volunteers, educators, and welfare workers. Meanwhile, we can save lots of cost and time since we don't need to travel between the local site and the expert site. In the end of this study, the second application of this system in SARS case treatment was also discussed.


title: Emergence of Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus and its variants need better diagnosis, prevention and control strategies: a global perspective.

text: Growth in poultry sector is being challenged due to increased incidence and re-emergence of diseases caused due to evolution of several viral pathogens and use of live vaccines. Piles of economic losses are encountered due to these diseases. Avian Infectious Bronchitis (IB), caused by Corona virus, is OIE-listed disease and characterized by respiratory, renal and urogenital involvements, causing high mortality. Economic losses are encountered due to loss of productive performance of both egg and meat-type chickens. Variant viruses evolve due to spontaneous mutations and recombinations, causing disease in vaccinated flocks of all ages. Serotyping and genotyping are the common methods of classification of IBV strains. The virus has 4 clusters, grouped into 7 serotypes and the most important strains are Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arkansas, Gray, Holte and Florida along with numerous others, distributed round the globe. Several conventional and molecular diagnostic methods have been described for the diagnosis of IB in chickens. 'All-in/all-out' operations of rearing along with good biosafety measures forms the basis of prevention, whereas vaccination forms the backbone of IB control programme. Both live and inactivated (oil emulsified) conventional vaccines are available. The new generation vaccines (recombinant and vector-based) developed against locally prevailing IBV strains may be more helpful and avoid the reversion of virulence in live vaccine viruses. The present review deals with all these perspectives of this important emerging poultry pathogen.


title: Cell cycle perturbations induced by infection with the coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus and their effect on virus replication.

text: In eukaryotic cells, cell growth and division occur in a stepwise, orderly fashion described by a process known as the cell cycle. The relationship between positive-strand RNA viruses and the cell cycle and the concomitant effects on virus replication are not clearly understood. We have shown that infection of asynchronously replicating and synchronized replicating cells with the avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a positive-strand RNA virus, resulted in the accumulation of infected cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Analysis of various cell cycle-regulatory proteins and cellular morphology indicated that there was a down-regulation of cyclins D1 and D2 (G1 regulatory cyclins) and that a proportion of virus-infected cells underwent aberrant cytokinesis, in which the cells underwent nuclear, but not cytoplasmic, division. We assessed the impact of the perturbations on the cell cycle for virus-infected cells and found that IBV-infected G2/M-phase-synchronized cells exhibited increased viral protein production when released from the block when compared to cells synchronized in the G0 phase or asynchronously replicating cells. Our data suggested that IBV induces a G2/M phase arrest in infected cells to promote favorable conditions for viral replication.


Activation-dependent induction of T cell alanyl aminopeptidase and its possible involvement in T cell growth.


title: The role of apoptosis within the retina of coronavirus-infected mice.

text: PURPOSE To evaluate the possible roles of apoptosis in the murine retinopathy induced by coronavirus. METHODS Mice were inoculated with virus intravitreally. Mouse eyes harvested at varying times after inoculation were evaluated for apoptotic and immunologic events by hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining, in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, and electron microscopy. Isolated retinas were analyzed for infectious virus and for expression of apoptosis-associated genes. RESULTS The number of apoptotic events was significantly elevated in infected eyes from BALB/c and CD-1 mouse strains, reaching a maximum at days 6 through 10, and returning to normal levels at day 20. The majority of apoptotic cells were observed in the outer nuclear layer of the infected retina. In contrast, few apoptotic cells were observed in normal or mock-injected mouse eyes. Apoptotic events within the retina were associated with the presence of viral antigen, infiltration of CD8(+) T cells, and clearance of infectious virus. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis identified the upregulation of Fas ligand (FasL) and granzyme B mRNAs within the infected retinas. The development of apoptosis, regulative gene expression, and viral clearance were similar in both retinal degeneration-susceptible (BALB/c) and -resistant (CD-1) mice. CONCLUSIONS Retinal apoptosis was associated with retinal inflammation, a decrease in infectious virus, and upregulation of genes associated with CTL killing. These studies indicate that retinal apoptosis may be one of the host mechanisms that contribute to limiting this retinal infection.


title: Distribution of serum measles-neutralizing antibodies according to age in women of childbearing age in France in 2005-2006: impact of routine immunization.

text: Measles antibody titers were measured in 210 French women. Ninety-four percent had protective values (>120 mIU/mL). Geometric mean titers were significantly different (P < 0.001) between women born before and after 1983, when measles vaccination was recommended (731 and 1358 mIU/mL, respectively). geometric mean titers in 4 age cohorts decreased significantly (P < 0.001) with increasing birth year. These data may help identify the appropriate age for infant vaccination.


title: Influenza and SARS: the impact of viral pandemics on maritime health.

text: Global travel and transport play a critical role in the spread of infections. We see this clearly in the first two pandemics of the 21st century: SARS and influenza H1N1-2009. Although air travel contributed to dissemination in these two pandemics, the travel restrictions, quarantines, and heightened vigilance which resulted had an impact on maritime health. Seasonal, pandemic, and avian influenza have some important differences with regards to exposure risks, infectivity, and severity. Most of the data for maritime influenza outbreaks focus on seasonal influenza on cruise ships, but influenza among crew members occurs due to close working conditions and is potentially preventable with staff vaccination programs. To date, avian influenza has low human-to-human transmission; infection typically requires close contact with poultry, but presents with severe disease and a high fatality rate. Pandemic (swine) influenza was readily transmitted between people, including young adults, and caused severe illness in high-risk groups including pregnant women, children, and those with co-morbidities and obesity. In contrast, SARS had lower infectivity compared to influenza, and a longer incubation period. These characteristics slowed its propagation enough that outbreak control measures, such as isolation of infected cases and quarantine of exposed but well persons, were effective in terminating this pandemic. No effective vaccine exists for SARS at this time, whereas countries were able to deploy millions of doses of pandemic influenza vaccine within 7 months after the outbreak was first recognized in Mexico. The lack of a protective vaccine and the higher case fatality rate in SARS will mean that stringent quarantine measures may still be required for outbreak control if SARS ever occurs again. Compliance with international health regulations, and the ability to adapt these to maritime health needs, will be important in the shipping industry.


title: Emerging and re-emerging arboviral diseases in Southeast Asia.

text: Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) have become significant public health problems, with the emergence and re-emergence of arboviral diseases nearly worldwide. The most populated Southeast Asia region is particularly vulnerable. The arboviral diseases such as dengue (DEN), Japanese encephalitis (JE), West Nile virus (WNV), chikungunya fever (CHIK), hemorrhagic fevers such as Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic (CCHF) fever, Kyasanur forest disease virus (KFDV), etc. are on the rise and have spread unprecedentedly, causing considerable burden of disease. The emergence/re-emergence of these diseases is associated with complex factors, such as viral recombination and mutation, leading to more virulent and adaptive strains, urbanization and human activities creating more permissive environment for vector-host interaction, and increased air travel and commerce. Climate is a major factor in determining the geographic and temporal distribution of arthropods, the characteristics of arthropod life cycles, the consequent dispersal patterns of associated arboviruses, the evolution of arboviruses; and the efficiency with which they are transmitted from arthropods to vertebrate hosts. The present and future arboviral threats must be mitigated by priority actions such as improving surveillance and outbreak response, establishing collaboration and communication intersectorally, and strengthening the prevention and control programmes along with improving biosafety aspects with regards to highly infectious nature of these arboviral diseases. Evidence from research needs to be generated and priority areas for research defined.


title: Preliminary evaluation of a multiplex reverse transcription-PCR assay combined with a new DNA chip hybridization assay for detecting respiratory syncytial virus.

text: DNA chips represent a major advance in microbiology laboratories, enabling the detection of a wide range of possible pathogens using a single test. This study compared a multiplex reverse transcription-PCR combined with DNA chip hybridization (ProDect BCS RV chip; bcs Biotech) with the indirect immunofluorescence test commonly used to detect respiratory viruses. A total of 39 respiratory viruses (38 respiratory syncytial viruses [RSVs] and 1 influenza A virus) were detected in samples from 96 patients using the immunofluorescence test, while 36 viruses (34 RSV, 1 influenza A virus, and 1 influenza B virus) were detected by the DNA chip technique. Results showed a good level of agreement between the two tests for RSV detection; the incidence of other viruses was low, since samples were taken from patients with suspected bronchiolitis. DNA chips displayed high sensitivity (94.6%) and specificity (100%).


title: Usefulness of intraoperative monitoring of visual evoked potentials in transsphenoidal surgery.

text: Postoperative visual outcome is a major concern in transsphenoidal surgery (TSS). Intraoperative visual evoked potential (VEP) monitoring has been reported to have little usefulness in predicting postoperative visual outcome. To re-evaluate its usefulness, we adapted a high-power light-stimulating device with electroretinography (ERG) to ascertain retinal light stimulation. Intraoperative VEP monitoring was conducted in TSSs in 33 consecutive patients with sellar and parasellar tumors under total venous anesthesia. The detectability rates of N75, P100, and N135 were 94.0%, 85.0%, and 79.0%, respectively. The mean latencies and amplitudes of N75, P100, and N135 were 76.8 ± 6.4 msec and 4.6 ± 1.8 μV, 98.0 ± 8.6 msec and 5.0 ± 3.4 μV, and 122.1 ± 16.3 msec and 5.7 ± 2.8 μV, respectively. The amplitude was defined as the voltage difference from N75 to P100 or P100 to N135. The criterion for amplitude changes was defined as a > 50% increase or 50% decrease in amplitude compared to the control level. The surgeon was immediately alerted when the VEP changed beyond these thresholds, and the surgical manipulations were stopped until the VEP recovered. Among the 28 cases with evaluable VEP recordings, the VEP amplitudes were stable in 23 cases and transiently decreased in 4 cases. In these 4 cases, no postoperative vision deterioration was observed. One patient, whose VEP amplitude decreased without subsequent recovery, developed vision deterioration. Intraoperative VEP monitoring with ERG to ascertain retinal light stimulation by the new stimulus device was reliable and feasible in preserving visual function in patients undergoing TSS.


Use of mobile phones in hospitals.


Mapping the epitopes of antibodies.


title: Tocotrienols: the emerging face of natural vitamin E.

text: Natural vitamin E includes eight chemically distinct molecules: alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherols and alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienols. More than 95% of all studies on vitamin E are directed toward the specific study of alpha-tocopherol. The other forms of natural vitamin E remain poorly understood. The abundance of alpha-tocopherol in the human body and the comparable efficiency of all vitamin E molecules as antioxidants led biologists to neglect the non-tocopherol vitamin E molecules as topics for basic and clinical research. Recent developments warrant a serious reconsideration of this conventional wisdom. The tocotrienol subfamily of natural vitamin E possesses powerful neuroprotective, anticancer, and cholesterol-lowering properties that are often not exhibited by tocopherols. Current developments in vitamin E research clearly indicate that members of the vitamin E family are not redundant with respect to their biological functions. alpha-Tocotrienol, gamma-tocopherol, and delta-tocotrienol have emerged as vitamin E molecules with functions in health and disease that are clearly distinct from that of alpha-tocopherol. At nanomolar concentration, alpha-tocotrienol, not alpha-tocopherol, prevents neurodegeneration. On a concentration basis, this finding represents the most potent of all biological functions exhibited by any natural vitamin E molecule. Recently, it has been suggested that the safe dose of various tocotrienols for human consumption is 200-1000/day. A rapidly expanding body of evidence supports that members of the vitamin E family are functionally unique. In recognition of this fact, title claims in publications should be limited to the specific form of vitamin E studied. For example, evidence for toxicity of a specific form of tocopherol in excess may not be used to conclude that high-dosage "vitamin E" supplementation may increase all-cause mortality. Such conclusion incorrectly implies that tocotrienols are toxic as well under conditions where tocotrienols were not even considered. The current state of knowledge warrants strategic investment into the lesser known forms of vitamin E. This will enable prudent selection of the appropriate vitamin E molecule for studies addressing a specific health need.


Response to critique of the Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) trial by Abou-Chebl and Steinmetz.


US soldiers refuse to fall in line with anthrax vaccination scheme.


title: How Clean Are Hotel Rooms? Part II: Examining the Concept of Cleanliness Standards.

text: Hotel room cleanliness is based on observation and not on microbial assessment even though recent reports suggest that infections may be acquired while staying in hotel rooms. Exploratory research in the first part of the authors' study was conducted to determine if contamination of hotel rooms occurs and whether visual assessments are accurate indicators of hotel room cleanliness. Data suggested the presence of microbial contamination that was not reflective of visual assessments. Unfortunately, no standards exist for interpreting microbiological data and other indicators of cleanliness in hotel rooms. The purpose of the second half of the authors' study was to examine cleanliness standards in other industries to see if they might suggest standards in hotels. Results of the authors' study indicate that standards from other related industries do not provide analogous criteria, but do provide suggestions for further research.


title: HIV/AIDS policy and policy evolution in China.

text: The early cases of HIV/AIDS in China were mostly foreign nationals. The Chinese government's response then was to stop and prevent HIV from entering China. However, the policy was not effective. From the middle 1990s, HIV/ AIDS spread all over China and all modes of transmission have been reported. By the end of 2003, China estimated that there were 840,000 cases of HIV/AIDS. China's HIV/AIDS policy has been changing along with its epidemic change. Based on an extensive document and literature review, I depict China's HIV/AIDS epidemic and policy and illustrate the main factors contributing to its policy evolution.


title: Pathogenicity of porcine respiratory coronavirus isolated in Québec.

text: Porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV) is present in many countries, including Canada, but controversy still exists concerning its pathogenicity. Eight-week-old piglets were inoculated intratracheally with a Quebec PRCV isolate (1Q90). Two contact piglets were kept with the inoculated animals. Three animals served as control. Polypnea and dyspnea were the main clinical signs observed. Diffuse bronchioloalveolar damage occurred 24 hours postinoculation. Changes compatible with bronchointerstitial pneumonia were present six days postinoculation. The inoculated virus was recovered from the respiratory tract and mesenteric lymph nodes, but not from the digestive tract, of the inoculated as well as the contact piglets. No virus was isolated from the control piglets. The development of clinical signs and histopathological changes in inoculated as well as in contact piglets and the reisolation of the inoculated virus demonstrated that PRCV can be an important respiratory pathogen.


Healthcare workers baulk at caring for contagious patients.


title: The effects of exercise on the immune system and stress hormones in sportswomen.

text: BACKGROUND Despite the numerous studies controversial results exist in specific immune response to exercise. The aim of this study was to determining the differences in the humoral immune parameters, serum ACTH and cortisol levels existing between sportswomen and sedentary subjects and the effect of acute aerobic and anaerobic exercise on these parameters. MATERIALS/METHODS 40 sportswomen (Groups 1 and 2) and 20 sedentary women (Group 3) were enrolled and Group 1 performed aerobic exercise on a treadmill for 30 minutes while the Group 2 was subjected to the Wingate effort test for 30 seconds. Before exercising (at 8.30 a.m), immediately after the exercise, and 4 hours, days 2 and 5 days after exercising blood samples were obtained and the levels of IgA, IgG, IgM, complement 3 (C3) and complement 4 (C4) were determined turbidometrically. RESULTS Before exercise: the means of IgA and IgG values in the G1 and G2 groups were higher than the Group G3, and the mean cortisol levels in the sedentary group was significantly higher (p<0.05). After Exercise: Whereas the C3 and C4 levels decreased significantly at the end of the exercise in Group 1 and 2 (p<0.05), the IgA, IgG (p<0.05) and IgM levels (p<0.01) at the 4th and 5th determinations were observed to be significantly higher in only the Group 1. The cortisol and ACTH levels were found to have increased significantly (p<0.05) in the Group 1. In Group 2, no changes were observed in the IgA, IgG and IgM levels. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that regular and moderate exercise has favorable effects on the immune system by increasing immunoglobulins which are potent protective factors.


title: [Application of bioactive mutant TNF alpha to a mucosal vaccine adjuvant].

text: A large number of emerging pathogens, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and influenza virus are mucosally transmitted and must cross mucosal barriers to infect the host. Thus, to induce a maximal protective effect, it is desirable to apply vaccines by the mucosal route where virus infections start. Mucosal vaccines administered either orally or nasally have been shown to be effective in inducing antigen-specific immune responses at both systemic and mucosal compartments. However the mucosal antigen-specific immune response is weak because most protein antigens can evoke only a weak immune response when they are applied mucosally. Therefore, one strategy to overcome the weakness of the immune response is a co-administration of mucosal adjuvant with the vaccine antigen. Unfortunately, the development of safe and effective mucosal adjuvant has proved to be challenging. Cytokines are promising adjuvants because they are human-derived safe material and display potent immune-modulating functions. In this regards, we have created a mutant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), mTNF-K90R, that exhibits high bioactivity and resistance to proteases. In this report, we examined the potential of mTNF-K90R as a mucosal adjuvant and evaluated its effectiveness and safety.


title: Macrophage infiltration, but not apoptosis, is correlated with immune-mediated demyelination following murine infection with a neurotropic coronavirus.

text: Mice infected with mouse hepatitis virus strain JHM (MHV-JHM) develop a chronic demyelinating encephalomyelitis that is in large part immune mediated. Potential mechanisms of immune activity were assessed using an adoptive transfer system. Mice deficient in recombinase-activating gene function (RAG1(-/-)), defective in B- and T-cell maturation, become persistently infected with MHV but do not develop demyelination. Adoptive transfer of splenocytes from mice immunized to MHV into RAG1(-/-) mice infected with an attenuated strain of the virus results in the rapid and progressive development of demyelination. Most striking, adoptive transfer resulted, within 5 to 6 days, in extensive recruitment of activated macrophages/microglia to sites of demyelination within the spinal cord. Clearance of virus antigen occurred preferentially from the gray matter of the spinal cord. Apoptotic cells were identified in both the gray and white matter of the central nervous system (CNS) from RAG1(-/-) mice before and after adoptive transfer, with a moderate increase in number, but not distribution, of apoptotic cells following the development of demyelination. These results suggest that apoptosis following MHV-JHM infection of the murine CNS is not sufficient to cause demyelination. These results, showing that macrophage recruitment and myelin destruction occur rapidly after immune reconstitution of RAG(-/-) mice, suggest that this will be a useful system for investigating MHV-induced demyelination.


Electron microscopy of coronavirus-like particles characteristic of turkey bluecomb disease.


title: Nurses, smoking, and immunity: a review.

text: Nurses regularly are exposed to a variety of occupational hazards. In addition to documented occupational hazards, exposure to smoking remains a major concern. This article reviews the prevalence of smoking among nurses working in the United States and discusses their reasons for smoking. Researchers conducted a state-of-the-art review on the effects of cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) on the immune system. Smoking prevalence among nurses working in the United States ranged from 796-12%, and high work stress, poor work environment, shift work, and peer influence were suspected major risk factors influencing smoking behavior. A review of the effects of smoking on immunity revealed that both active smoking and exposure to SHS negatively affects immune function. When rehabilitation nurses stop smoking their health improves and nonsmokers are exposed to less SHS. Rehabilitation nurses are encouraged to share knowledge of the immunological benefits of smoking cessation with patients to facilitate nurse-led rehabilitation programs.


docid: hsxvmmil

title: Human carcinoembryonic antigen and biliary glycoprotein can serve as mouse hepatitis virus receptors.

text: Receptors for murine coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) are members of the murine carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) gene family. Since MHV can also infect primates and cause central nervous system lesions (G. F. Cabirac et al., Microb. Pathog. 16:349-357, 1994; R. S. Murray et al., Virology 188:274-284, 1992), we examined whether human CEA-related molecules can be used by MHV as potential receptors. Transfection of plasmids expressing human carcinoembryonic antigen (hCEA) and human biliary glycoprotein into COS-7 cells, which lack a functional MHV receptor, conferred susceptibility to two MHV strains, A59 and MHV-2. Domain exchange experiments between human and murine CEA-related molecules identified the immunoglobulin-like loop I of hCEA as the region conferring the virus-binding specificity. This finding expands the potential MHV receptors to primate species.


title: Spike glycoprotein cleavage recognition site analysis of infectious bronchitis virus.

text: The spike glycoprotein of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a coronavirus, is translated as a precursor protein (So), then cleaved into two subunits (S1 and S2) by host cell serine proteases. In this study, we compared the cleavage recognition site of 55 IBV isolates to determine if the cleavage recognition site sequence, which consists of five basic amino acid residues, correlates with host cell range, serotype, geographic origin, and pathogenicity as it does in orthomyxoviruses and paramyxoviruses. The most common cleavage recognition site observed (33 of 55 viruses) was Arg-Arg-Ser-Arg-Arg, representing at least 11 different serotypes. Thus, cleavage recognition site does not appear to correlate with serotype. We also determined that cleavage recognition site sequence does not correlate with pathogenicity because attenuated and pathogenic isolates (different passages of the same virus) contain identical cleavage recognition site sequences. In addition, nephropathogenic strains had the same cleavage recognition site sequence as many nonnephropathogenic isolates. Cleavage recognition site sequence does correlate with viruses in different geographic regions, which may be an important characteristic to examine in epidemiologic studies. An IBV monoclonal antibody neutralization-resistant mutant (NR 18) had an unusual substitution of Ile for Arg at the fourth position, giving the sequence Arg-Arg-Ser-Ile-Arg, which likely prevents cleavage and, thus, destroys the conformationally dependent monoclonal antibody binding epitope. Six residues on the amino-terminal side of the cleavage recognition site are conserved in 31% of the isolates and consist of only one or two basic amino acids. Thus, the number of basic residues around the cleavage recognition site does not appear to correlate with increased cleavability, host cell range, and increased virulence as it does with envelope glycoproteins in orthomyxoviruses and paramyxoviruses.


title: Crystal structure of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus spike protein fusion core.

text: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus is a newly emergent virus responsible for a recent outbreak of an atypical pneumonia. The coronavirus spike protein, an enveloped glycoprotein essential for viral entry, belongs to the class I fusion proteins and is characterized by the presence of two heptad repeat (HR) regions, HR1 and HR2. These two regions are understood to form a fusion-active conformation similar to those of other typical viral fusion proteins. This hairpin structure likely juxtaposes the viral and cellular membranes, thus facilitating membrane fusion and subsequent viral entry. The fusion core protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus spike protein was crystallized, and the structure was determined at 2.8 A of resolution. The fusion core is a six-helix bundle with three HR2 helices packed against the hydrophobic grooves on the surface of central coiled coil formed by three parallel HR1 helices in an oblique antiparallel manner. This structure shares significant similarity with the fusion core structure of mouse hepatitis virus spike protein and other viral fusion proteins, suggesting a conserved mechanism of membrane fusion. Drug discovery strategies aimed at inhibiting viral entry by blocking hairpin formation, which have been successfully used in human immunodeficiency virus 1 inhibitor development, may be applicable to the inhibition of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus on the basis of structural information provided here. The relatively deep grooves on the surface of the central coiled coil will be a good target site for the design of viral fusion inhibitors.


title: Comparison of cytopathic and noncytopathic isolates of bovine viral diarrhea virus by oligonucleotide fingerprinting.

text: The molecular technique of RNA fingerprinting was used to characterize the genomes of 5 isolates of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV): 2 viral pairs from the same animal, BVD-ILN/BVD-ILC and BVD-TGAN/BVD-TGAC, and the cytopathic viral prototype, BVD-NADL. Oligonucleotide patterns from the viruses were compared, and unique and overlapping oligonucleotides were identified. A comparison of the fingerprints indicated that the genome of each virus was distinguishable by the T1 RNase oligonucleotide fingerprinting technique. The greatest similarity observed was between oligonucleotides from BVD-ILC and BVD-ILN. Eighteen large oligonucleotides were conserved in all 5 BVDV isolates studied. We found that within a pair of BVDV, the cytopathic fingerprint was different from the noncytopathic fingerprint, indicating that cytopathic and noncytopathic BVDV may be distinct viruses.


title: Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumours: current diagnosis and management.

text: Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are increasing in both incidence and prevalence and, as a group, are more prevalent than either gastric, pancreatic, oesophageal or hepatobiliary adenocarcinomas, or any two of these cancers combined. Clinical awareness of the protean and intermittent symptoms of NETs (eg, sweating, flushing, diarrhoea, and bronchospasm) is critical for timely diagnosis; however, the classical carcinoid syndrome is relatively uncommon. The most useful diagnostic test for gastrointestinal NETs is measurement of plasma chromogranin A (CgA) levels. Disease extent is assessed by both anatomical imaging, and nuclear imaging with radiolabelled somatostatin analogues. Pathological evaluation comprises tumour-node-metastasis classification, a minimum pathological dataset, CgA and synaptophysin immunostaining, as well as mitotic count or Ki-67 index (a marker of cell proliferation) to define grading. Resection of the primary lesion and as much metastatic disease as possible increases the efficacy of medical therapy. Other management strategies include hepatic embolisation and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy. Patients with tumours expressing somatostatin receptors should be treated with somatostatin analogues. Depending on the tumour grade, other effective agents include cytotoxics, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and antiangiogenics. The overarching requirement for best management of patients with NETs is to ensure that they have ready access to experienced multidisciplinary clinician groups located within centres of appropriate subspecialty expertise.


title: Initial sequence and comparative analysis of the cat genome.

text: The genome sequence (1.9-fold coverage) of an inbred Abyssinian domestic cat was assembled, mapped, and annotated with a comparative approach that involved cross-reference to annotated genome assemblies of six mammals (human, chimpanzee, mouse, rat, dog, and cow). The results resolved chromosomal positions for 663,480 contigs, 20,285 putative feline gene orthologs, and 133,499 conserved sequence blocks (CSBs). Additional annotated features include repetitive elements, endogenous retroviral sequences, nuclear mitochondrial (numt) sequences, micro-RNAs, and evolutionary breakpoints that suggest historic balancing of translocation and inversion incidences in distinct mammalian lineages. Large numbers of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), deletion insertion polymorphisms (DIPs), and short tandem repeats (STRs), suitable for linkage or association studies were characterized in the context of long stretches of chromosome homozygosity. In spite of the light coverage capturing approximately 65% of euchromatin sequence from the cat genome, these comparative insights shed new light on the tempo and mode of gene/genome evolution in mammals, promise several research applications for the cat, and also illustrate that a comparative approach using more deeply covered mammals provides an informative, preliminary annotation of a light (1.9-fold) coverage mammal genome sequence.


title: Ii-Key/MHC class II epitope hybrids: a strategy that enhances MHC class II epitope loading to create more potent peptide vaccines.

text: Life-threatening diseases, such as cancer and pandemic influenza, demand new efforts towards effective vaccine design. Peptides represent a simple, safe and adaptable basis for vaccine development; however, the potency of peptide vaccines is insufficient in most cases for significant therapeutic efficacy. Several methods, such as Ligand Epitope Antigen Presentation System and ISCOMATRIX, have been developed to enhance the potency of peptide vaccines. One way of increasing the loading of MHC class II peptides occurs through the use of Ii-Key technology. Ii-Key (LRMK), a portion of the MHC class II-associated invariant chain (Ii), facilitates the direct loading of epitopes to the MHC class II molecule groove. Linking the Ii-Key moiety via a simple polymethylene bridge to an MHC class II epitope, to generate an Ii-Key/MHC class II epitope hybrid, greatly enhances the vaccine potency of the tethered epitope. The combination of such Ii-Key/MHC class II epitope hybrids with MHC class I epitope-containing peptides might generate a potent peptide vaccine for malignancies and infectious diseases. The Ii-Key hybrid technology is compared with other methods that enhance the potency of a peptide vaccine.


title: A comparison of electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system and electrocautery in selective neck dissection.

text: The use of LigaSure™ vessel sealing system in head and neck surgery was reported to be reliable and safe, providing sufficient hemostasis and reducing operating time. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of this technique in patients undergoing selective neck dissections. This study was carried out as a prospective controlled study at an otolaryngology department of a tertiary medical center between July 2013 and July 2015. Twenty-five patients older than 18 years who underwent unilateral selective neck dissection for head and neck cancer were included in the study. In the control group (group 2, 10 patients) only monopolar and bipolar diathermy was used; in the Ligasure group (group 1, 15 patients) Ligasure was used for hemostasis and dissection in addition to the conventional techniques. Cervical lymphadenectomy time, operation time, preoperative hemoglobin levels, preoperative hematocrit levels, postoperative hemoglobin levels, postoperative hematocrit levels, total neck drainage and drain removal time were analyzed and compared between the groups. Median operation time in group 1 and 2 were 95 min (IQR = 35) and 142.5 min (IQR = 63), respectively. Median cervical lymphadenectomy time in group 1 and 2 were 55 min (IQR = 23) and 102.5 min (IQR = 49), respectively. Median operation time and cervical operation time were significantly lower in group 1 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, LigaSure™ vessel sealing system is a safe, efficacious technique and significantly lowers cervical lymphadenectomy and operation time in selective neck dissections compared to controls. Given the superb hemostatic properties, this technique should be in the surgeon's armamentarium when possible.


title: The Lebanese Society for Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (LSIDCM) guidelines for adult community-acquired pneumonia (Cap) in Lebanon.

text: Adult community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality which is managed by different disciplines in a heterogeneous fashion. Development of consensus guidelines to standardize these wide variations in care has become a prime objective. The Lebanese Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (LSIDCM) convened to set Lebanese national guidelines for the management of CAP since it is a major and a prevalent disease affecting the Lebanese population. These guidelines, besides being helpful in direct clinical practice, play a major role in establishing stewardship programs in hospitals in an effort to contain antimicrobial resistance on the national level. These guidelines are intended for primary care practitioners and emergency medicine physicians. They constitute an appropriate starting point for specialists' consultation being based on the available local epidemiological and resistance data. This document includes the following: 1/ Rationale and scope of the guidelines; 2/ Microbiology of CAP based on Lebanese data; 3/ Clinical presentation and diagnostic workup of CAP; 4/ Management and prevention strategies based on the IDSA/ATS Consensus Guidelines, 2007, and the ESCMID Guidelines, 2011, and tailored to the microbiological data in Lebanon; 5/ Comparison to regional guidelines. The recommendations made in this document were graded based on the strength of the evidence as in the 2007 IDSA/ATS Consensus Guidelines. Hopefully, these guidelines will be an important step towards standardization of CAP care in Lebanon and set the agenda for further research in this area.


Chronic diarrhea in dogs.


title: Emergent cardiopulmonary bypass for a 180 kilogram patient: support with a single oxygenator.

text: As obesity increases in prevalence, so will cases in which patients present at the boundaries of care. We report the support of a class III obese man, having a body mass index of 60.8 kg/m2 and in acute renal failure, with a single Trillium-coated Affinity NT Hollow Fiber oxygenator in cardiopulmonary bypass for an emergent aortic valve replacement secondary to infective endocarditis. A maximum oxygen delivery of 807.51 mL of oxygen per minute is reported for this oxygenator in this case report.


docid: dqtnbodk

title: [Hepatitis C].


docid: wvttjysw

title: Preparing for an influenza pandemic in Singapore.

text: The national strategy against pandemic influenza essentially consists of 3 prongs: (i) effective surveillance, (ii) mitigation of the pandemic's impact, and (iii) render the population immune through vaccination. When the pandemic hits Singapore, the response plan aims to achieve the following 3 outcomes: (i) maintenance of essential services to limit social and economic disruption, (ii) reduction of morbidity and mortality through antiviral treatment, and (iii) slow and limit the spread of influenza to reduce the surge on healthcare services. The biggest challenge will come from managing the surge of demand on healthcare services. A high level of preparedness will help healthcare services better cope with the surge.


title: Serologic survey for selected viral pathogens in brown bears from Italy.

text: Blood samples were collected from six captive bears and nine free-ranging Marsican brown bears (Ursus arctos marsicanus) in the Abruzzo National Park, Italy, between 1991 and 1995. Sera were tested for evidence of exposure to canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus type 2, canine coronavirus, and canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2). Serologic evidence of CDV and CPV-2-exposure was found in both captive and free-ranging bears. This may be the first report of CDV exposure in free-ranging bears.


title: [The therapeutic effect of high flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy for the first imported case of Middle East respiratory syndrome to China].

text: OBJECTIVE To investigate the value of high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in treating a patient with Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). METHODS The effect of HFNC applied in the first imported MERS patient with complication of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) to China was observed. The patient was admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine of Huizhou Municipal Central Hospital on May 28th, 2015, and the changes in various clinical parameters and their significance were analyzed. RESULTS A 43-year old male was admitted to negative pressure isolation intensive care unit with the complaint of back ache for 7 days and fever for 2 days. Vital signs and saturation of pulse oximetry (SpO2) were monitored continuously. After admission, ribavirin was given orally for 12 days and α-interferon was administered once on the first day. However, after 2-week anti-virus therapy, the virus test was positive. Ceftriaxone was given on the 4th day, and it was changed to meropenem on the 3rd day for 2 weeks. Immune globulin was given on the 4th day and continued for 1 week. Thymosin-α1 was given on the 8th day and continued for 2 weeks. According to his past history, methimazole had been given continuously for hyperthyroidism and other symptomatic treatment. Oxygen inhalation (6 L/min) was given immediately after admission, but the condition of patient worsened with the following symptoms: frequent cough and obvious shortness of breath. Moreover pleural effusion gradually increased as shown by X-ray. SPO2 was maintained only at about 0.91. Oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) decreased to 144 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa). So oxygen inhalation via nasal cannula was changed to HFNC after 2 days. The parameters were set as follows: temperature 34 degrees C, flow rate 20 L/min, fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) 0.50. The flow was raised 5 L/min every 10 minutes, and was continued till the target value reached 60 L/min. FiO2 was modified according to SpO2 and PaO2/FiO2. FiO2 was set to 0.80 on the 5th day of admission. Shortness of breath of the patient was improved on the 7th day of admission after the application of HFNC. FiO2 was then decreased to 0.58 as PaO2/FiO2 rose. Then the flow was gradually decreased to 30 L/min. HFNC was reduced with continuous improvement in PaO2/FiO2. HFNC was changed to low flow oxygen inhalation nasal cannula (2-3 L/min) on the 20th day. Oxygen treatment was stopped on the 23rd day, and SpO2 was maintained at 0.98-1.00. Activities on bed were gradually increased. The patient was cured and discharged from hospital on June 26th. The patient showed good tolerance and high compliance during the treatment with HFNC. No nosocomial spread occurred during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS HFNC could improve respiratory function of the patient with MERS obviously, and complication ARDS was prevented. HFNC might reduce nosocomial spread.


title: Effects of mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors on tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene expression and apoptosis induction in cultured human fetal membrane chorion cells infected with influenza virus.

text: OBJECTIVES We investigated the involvement of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha gene expression, apoptosis induction and virus replication in cultured human fetal membrane chorion cells infected with influenza virus. METHODS Influenza virus-infected chorion cells were incubated in the absence or presence of inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase, SB203580 and SB202190. TNF-alpha mRNA and hemagglutinin viral RNA (HA vRNA) were amplified with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction techniques. TNF-alpha protein concentrations were determined by enzyme-liked immunosorbent assay. The extent of apoptosis induction was estimated by DNA agarose gel electrophoresis. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) and ribavirin, which have been shown to inhibit apoptosis induction via the inhibition of viral gene replication, were used as positive control reagents. RESULTS PDTC and ribavirin inhibited the accumulation of TNF-alpha mRNA and HA vRNA in the virus-infected chorion cells, resulting in the suppression of TNF-alpha protein secretion. Both SB203580 and SB202190 suppressed TNF-alpha protein secretion, but not the accumulation of TNF-alpha mRNA as well as HA vRNA and the induction of apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that p38 MAP kinase pathway is critical in TNF-alpha gene expression at a post-transcriptional level but not in the apoptosis induction and influenza virus replication in cultured chorion cells.


title: Experimental infection of pigs with a new porcine enteric coronavirus, CV 777.

text: Cesarean-derived colostrum-deprived and conventionally reared pigs were orally inoculated with the coronavirus-like agent, CV 777, isolate from an outbreak of epizootic diarrhea in swine of all ages. Viral particles detected by electron microscopy in the feces and intestinal contents of inoculated pigs had the typical coronavirus morphology. The present studies provided further evidence that this coronavirus-like agent is different from the two known porcine coronaviruses, transmissible gastroenteritis virus and hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus. The experimental infection of pigs with this new agent resulted in vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. This coronavirus-like agent was shown to replicate in the epithelial cells covering the small intestinal villi but, unlike transmissible gastroenteritis virus, it also replicated in the epithelial cells covering the large intestinal villi.


title: Caring for Nephrology Patients and Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences of the Northwest Kidney Centers.

text: The Northwest Kidney Center (NWC) in Seattle, Washington, has been a leader in nephrology care for almost 60 years, opening the first hemodialysis unit in the United States in 1962. In February 2020, one of their patients was the first reported death from COVID-19 in the United States. On April 6, 2020, as a part of NNJ Extra - the Nephrology Nursing Journal's podcast series, Beth Ulrich, EdD, RN, FACHE, FAONL, FAAN, Editor-in-Chief of the Nephrology Nursing Journal, talked with the leaders of the Northwest Kidney Centers - Suzanne Watnick, MD, the Chief Medical Officer, and Liz McNamara, MN, RN, Vice President of Patient Care Services and the Chief Nursing Officer, who discussed dealing with the onset of COVID-19 at NWC, how their team worked together to provide care for their patients and support for their staff members, and the lessons they learned that can benefit others.


title: Enhancing public health response to respiratory epidemics: are family physicians ready and willing to help?

text: OBJECTIVE To describe Ottawa family physicians' perceptions of their preparedness to respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases or other public health emergencies and to assess their capacity and willingness to assist in the event of such emergencies. DESIGN Cross-sectional self-administered survey conducted between February 11 and March 10, 2004. SETTING The City of Ottawa, Ont, and the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa. PARTICIPANTS Ottawa family physicians; respondents can be considered a self-selected sample. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported office preparedness and physicians' capacity and willingness to respond to public health emergencies. RESULTS Response rate was 41%. Of 676 physicians contacted, 274 responded, and of those, 246 completed surveys. About 26% of respondents felt prepared for an outbreak of influenza not well covered by vaccine. About 18% felt prepared for serious respiratory epidemics, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome; about 50% felt unprepared. Most respondents (80%) thought they were not ready to respond to an earthquake. About 77% of physicians were willing to be contacted on an urgent basis in case of a public health emergency. Of these, 94% would assist in immunization clinics, 84% in antibiotic clinics, 58% in assessment centres, 52% in treatment centres, 41% with declaration of death, 26% with home care, and 23% with telephone counseling. CONCLUSION Family physicians appear to be unprepared for, but willing to address, serious public health emergencies. It is essential to set up effective partnerships between primary care and public health services to support family physicians' capacity to respond to emergencies. This type of study, along with the creation of a register of available services and of a virtual network for sharing information, is an initial step in assessing primary care response.


title: Principles of appropriate antibiotic use for treatment of uncomplicated acute bronchitis: background.

text: The following principles of appropriate antibiotic use for adults with acute bronchitis apply to immunocompetent adults without complicating comorbid conditions, such as chronic lung or heart disease.1. The evaluation of adults with an acute cough illness or a presumptive diagnosis of uncomplicated acute bronchitis should focus on ruling out serious illness, particularly pneumonia. In healthy, nonelderly adults, pneumonia is uncommon in the absence of vital sign abnormalities or asymmetrical lung sounds, and chest radiography is usually not indicated. In patients with cough lasting 3 weeks or longer, chest radiography may be warranted in the absence of other known causes.2. Routine antibiotic treatment of uncomplicated acute bronchitis is not recommended, regardless of duration of cough. If pertussis infection is suspected (an unusual circumstance), a diagnostic test should be performed and antimicrobial therapy initiated.3. Patient satisfaction with care for acute bronchitis depends most on physician-patient communication rather than on antibiotic treatment.


title: Preparation of armored RNA as a control for multiplex real-time reverse transcription-PCR detection of influenza virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.

text: The common respiratory viruses, including influenza A, influenza B, and newly emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) viruses, may cause similar clinical symptoms. Therefore, differential diagnosis of these virus pathogens is frequently required for single clinical samples. In addition, there is an urgent need for noninfectious and stable RNA standards and controls for multivirus detection. In this study, reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) targeting of the RNAs of influenza A and influenza B viruses and SARS coronavirus was performed, and the resulting products were spliced into a fragment which was packaged into armored RNA for use as a noninfectious, quantifiable synthetic substitute. Furthermore, in the present study we developed a multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay in which the armored RNA was used as an external positive control and the three RNA viruses could be detected simultaneously in a single reaction mix. The detection limit of the multiplex real-time PCR was 10 copies/microl of armored RNA.


title: Antiviral activity of the green marine alga Ulva fasciata on the replication of human metapneumovirus.

text: We evaluated the antiviral activity of the marine alga, Ulva fasciata, collected from Rasa beach and Forno beach, Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on the replication of human metapneumovirus (HMPV). The algae extracts were prepared using three different methodologies to compare the activity of different groups of chemical composites obtained through these different methodologies. Four out of the six extracts inhibited nearly 100% of viral replication. The results demonstrated that the majority of the extracts (five out of six) possess virucidal activity and therefore have the ability to interact with the extracellular viral particles and prevent the infection. On the other hand, only two extracts (from Forno beach, obtained by maceration and maceration of the decoction) were able to interact with cell receptors, hindering the viral entry. Finally, only the extract of algae collected at Forno beach, obtained by maceration presented intracellular activity. To our knowledge, this is a pioneer study on antiviral activity of marine algae against HMPV. It is also the first on antiviral activity against HMPV ever done in Brazil. The study also shows the effect of different environment factors and different chemical procedures used to obtain the extract on its biological properties.


title: New endotracheal tubes designed to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia: do they make a difference?

text: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a pervasive and expensive nosocomial infection that is largely related to instrumentation of the airway with an endotracheal tube (ETT), followed by microaspiration of contaminated secretions. VAP prevention will probably be most effective via a multifaceted approach, which includes meticulous attention to basic infection-control methods during patient care, proper patient positioning, oral hygiene, and removal of the ETT as soon as indicated. Modification of the ETT to reduce microaspiration and/or biofilm formation may also play an important role in VAP prevention. However, despite numerous studies of various such interventions, there is insufficient evidence upon which to base strong recommendations, and important safety concerns remain regarding the use of some devices. Most importantly, cost-effectiveness data are lacking for modified ETTs designed to prevent VAP. It is critical that future studies of ETTs designed to prevent VAP be adequately powered to demonstrate efficacy on important patient outcomes and safety, in addition to cost-effectiveness.


title: Regulation of mRNA 1 expression by the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of the coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV).

text: In this report, we show that expression of the coronavirus IBV mRNA1 is regulated by its 5'-UTR. Evidence presented demonstrates that the IBV sequence from nucleotide 1 to 1904 directs very inefficient synthesis of a product of approximately 43 kDa. Deletion of either the first 362 bp or the whole part of the 5'-UTR, however, dramatically increased the expression of the 43 kDa protein species. The mechanisms involved were investigated by two different approaches. Firstly, translation of the same construct in the presence of [3H]-leucine ruled out the possibility that initiation of small reading frames from non-AUG codons located in the 5'-UTR may compete with the authentic AUG initiation codon, and therefore inhibit the expression of ORF 1a. Secondly, expression and deletion analyses of a dicistronic construct showed that translation of the 43 kDa protein was initiated by ribosome internal entry mechanism. These studies suggest that a 'weak' ribosome internal entry signal is located in the 5'-UTR and is involved in the regulation of mRNA1 expression.


title: Polysorbates prevent biofilm formation and pathogenesis of Escherichia coli O104:H4.

text: Escherichia coli biotype O104:H4 recently caused the deadliest E. coli outbreak ever reported. Based on prior results, it was hypothesized that compounds inhibiting biofilm formation by O104:H4 would reduce its pathogenesis. The nonionic surfactants polysorbate 80 (PS80) and polysorbate 20 (PS20) were found to reduce biofilms by ≥ 90% at submicromolar concentrations and elicited nearly complete dispersal of preformed biofilms. PS80 did not significantly impact in vivo colonization in a mouse infection model; however, mice treated with PS80 exhibited almost no intestinal inflammation or tissue damage while untreated mice exhibited robust pathology. As PS20 and PS80 are classified as 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS) compounds by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these compounds have clinical potential to treat future O104:H4 outbreaks.


title: A novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and COVID-19.

text: By the end of 2019 the first cases of severe pneumonia of unknown origin were reported in Wuhan, China. The causative agent was identified as a novel b-coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the disease was named COVID-19. Since the beginning of 2020, the infection has spread worldwide, which led the WHO to declare COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern and to characterize the current situation as a pandemic. The transmission occurs mainly via respiratory droplets and the incubation period ranges from 2 to 14 days. Most cases are mild, but some patients develop severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress, septic shock and multi-organ failure. The most common symptoms include fever, dry cough, myalgia and shortness of breath. Characteristic laboratory findings are normal white blood cell count or mild leukopenia, marked lymphopenia, in severe cases elevated CRP, procalcitonin, LDH, and D-dimer are commonly found. Typical imaging findings include multifocal peripherally distributed ground-glass opacities or consolidations, interlobular septal thickening, crazy paving appearance and cystic changes. The overall case fatality rate is estimated to range from 1 to 3 %, however, it is dependent on age and underlying medical comorbidities. Current potential treatment options include hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, lopinavir/ritonavir and convalescent plasma.


title: [Primary analysis of reasons and countermeasures for 19 cases infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in health care workers].

text: OBJECTIVE To analyse the reason and countermeasure for the infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in health care workers, to provide reference for the health care workers to control infection of SARS. METHODS To analyse retrospectively the reason and countermeasure 19 infective cases of SARS among the health care workers in our hospital from 16th March, 2003 to 3rd May, 2003. RESULTS Except for 4 fellow-doctors were infected by close contact in a same dormitory, all others were infected on work-station of close contact with SARS patients, there were no more cross-infection among the health care workers. CONCLUSION It is important to improve the protection even for the health care workers without contact of SARS patients, and it's necessary to wear mask, goggles, and gloves, health care workers with contact with SARS patients must be separated according the extent of contact separately, and draw guideline in advance.


title: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus seroprevalence in domestic livestock in Saudi Arabia, 2010 to 2013.

text: In Saudi Arabia, including regions of Riyadh and Al Ahsa, pseudoparticle neutralisation (ppNT) and microneutralisation (MNT) tests detected no antibodies to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in sheep (n= 100), goats (n= 45), cattle (n= 50) and chickens (n= 240). Dromedary camels however, had a high prevalence of MERS-CoV antibodies. Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) infected sera from cattle had no cross-reactivity in MERS-CoV ppNT or MNT, while many dromedary camels’ sera reacted to both BCoV and MERS-CoV. Some nevertheless displayed specific serologic reaction profiles to MERS-CoV.


COVID-19 Pandemic - Call for National Preparedness.


title: Programmed translational frameshifting.

text: Errors that alter the reading frame occur extremely rarely during translation, yet some genes have evolved sequences that efficiently induce frameshifting. These sequences, termed programmed frameshift sites, manipulate the translational apparatus to promote non-canonical decoding. Frameshifts are mechanistically diverse. Most cause a -1 shift of frames; the first such site was discovered in a metazoan retrovirus, but they are now known to be dispersed quite widely among evolutionarily diverse species. +1 frameshift sites are much less common, but again dispersed widely. The rarest form are the translational hop sites which program the ribosome to bypass a region of several dozen nucleotides. Each of these types of events are stimulated by distinct mechanisms. All of the events share a common phenomenology in which the programmed frameshift site causes the ribosome to pause during elongation so that the kinetically unfavorable alternative decoding event can occur. During this pause most frameshifts occur because one or more ribosome-bound tRNAs slip between cognate or near-cognate codons. However, even this generalization is not entirely consistent, since some frameshifts occur without slippage. Because of their similarity to rarer translational errors, programmed frameshift sites provide a tool with which to probe the mechanism of frame maintenance.


title: Human biliary glycoproteins function as receptors for interspecies transfer of mouse hepatitis virus.

text: A variant Mouse Hepatitis virus (MHV), designated MHV-H2, was isolated by serial passage in mixed cultures of permissive DBT cells and nonpermissive Syrian Hamster Kidney (BHK) cells. MHV-H2 replicated efficiently in hamster, mouse, primate kidney (Vero, Cos 1, Cos 7), and human adenocarcinoma (HRT) cell lines but failed to replicate in porcine testicular (ST), feline kidney (CRFK), and canine kidney (MDCK) cells. To understand the molecular basis for coronavirus cross-species transfer into human cell lines, the replication of MHV-H2 was studied in hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells which expressed high levels of the human homologue of the normal murine receptor, biliary glycoprotein (Bgp). MHV-H2 replicated efficiently in human HepG2 cells, at low levels in breast carcinoma (MCF7) cells, and poorly, if at all, in human colon adenocarcinoma (LS 174T) cell lines which expressed high levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). These data suggested that MHV-H2 may utilize the human Bgp homologue as a receptor for entry into HepG2 cells. To further study MHV-H2 receptor utilization in human cell lines, blockade experiments were performed with a panel of different monoclonal or polyclonal antiserum directed against the human CEA genes. Pretreatment of HepG2 cells with a polyclonal antiserum directed against all CEA family members, or with a monoclonal antibody, Kat4c (cd66abde), directed against Bgp1, CGM6, CGM1a, NCA and CEA, significantly reduced virus replication and the capacity of MHV-H2 to infect HepG2 cells. Using another panel of monoclonals with more restricted cross reactivities among the human CEA's, Col-4 and Col-14, but not B6.2 B1.13, Col-1, Col-6 and Col-12 blocked MHV-H2 infection in HepG2 cells. These antibodies did not block sindbis virus (SB) replication in HepG2 cells, or block SB, MHV-A59 or MHV-H2 replication in DBT cells. Monoclonal antibodies Col-4, Col-14, and Kat4c (cd66abde) all reacted strongly with human Bgp and CEA, but displayed variable binding patterns with other CEA genes. Following expression of human Bgp in normally nonpermissive porcine testicular (ST) and feline kidney (CRFK) cells, the cells became susceptible to MHV-H2 infection. These data suggested that phylogenetic homologues of virus receptors represent natural conduits for virus xenotropism and cross-species transfer.


title: Human metapneumovirus infection in Japanese children.

text: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has been recently discovered as an etiological agent of acute respiratory infections. Our purpose was to asses the virological and clinical features of children with respiratory infections caused by hMPV. We examined 658 nasopharyngeal swab samples obtained from 637 children with respiratory infections for hMPV by using reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). A total of 268 samples from 637 children were inoculated onto tertiary monkey kidney cells. A total of 36 serum samples (26 in the acute phase and 10 in the convalescent phase) from the 26 hMPV-positive children were tested for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies to hMPV by using an indirect immunofluorescence assay. We detected hMPV in 57 (8.9%) of the 637 samples by using RT-PCR and isolated 7 (2.6%) hMPV strains of the 268 samples in cell cultures. A total of 12 (46.2%) of 26 hMPV-positive children were suspected to have primary infection with hMPV as determined by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. The infected children were diagnosed as having wheezy bronchitis (36.8%), upper respiratory tract infection (26.3%), bronchitis (22.8%), and pneumonia (14.0%). We showed that two hMPV groups were circulating in different regions during the same period and that reinfection with hMPV frequently occurs in childhood. The RT-PCR test is the most sensitive test for detection of hMPV, and a serological test may be useful to differentiate between primary infection and reinfection with hMPV.


title: Nocardia otitidiscaviarum (GAM-5) induces parkinsonian-like alterations in mouse.

text: Parkinson's disease, a major neurodegenerative disorder in humans whose etiology is unknown, may be associated with some environmental factors. Nocardia otitidiscaviarum (GAM-5) isolated from a patient with an actinomycetoma produced signs similar to Parkinson's disease following iv injection into NMRI mice. NMRI mice were infected intravenously with a non-lethal dose of 5 x 10(6) colony forming units of N. otitidiscaviarum (GAM-5). Fourteen days after bacterial infection, most of the 60 mice injected exhibited parkinsonian features characterized by vertical head tremor, akinesia/bradykinesia, flexed posture and postural instability. There was a peak of nocardial growth in the brain during the first 24 h followed by a decrease, so that by 14 days nocardiae could no longer be cultured. At 24 h after infection, Gram staining showed nocardiae in neurons in the substantia nigra and occasionally in the brain parenchyma in the frontal and parietal cortex. At 21 days post-infection, tyrosine hydroxylase immunolabeling showed a 58% reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase in the substantia nigra, and a 35% reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase in the ventral tegmental region. Dopamine levels were reduced from 110 +/- 32.5 to 58 +/- 16.5 ng/mg protein (47.2% reduction) in brain from infected mice exhibiting impaired movements, whereas serotonin levels were unchanged (191 +/- 44 protein in control and 175 +/- 39 ng/mg protein in injected mice). At later times, intraneuronal inclusion bodies were observed in the substantia nigra. Our observations emphasize the need for further studies of the potential association between Parkinson's disease or parkinsonism-like disease and exposure to various nocardial species.


On Croup.


title: Viruses in the stools.

text: It has long been possible to isolate viruses from the stools by culture, though the viruses found are rarely implicated in disease of the gut. In contrast, only recently has it been possible to identify viruses in the stools of patients with diarrhoea. Initially, such identifications were made by electron microscopy but the unsuitability of the microscope for large-scale screening has led to the development of other methods. The new methods have concentrated on rotaviruses but other viruses are also implicated and an overall view of the significance of finding a virus in any stool specimen has to take into account the evidence about all viruses, old and new.


title: What is the role of autophagy in HIV-1 infection?

text: HIV-1 infection is characterized by a progressive CD4 T cell depletion. It is now accepted that apoptosis of uninfected bystander CD4 T lymphocytes plays a major role in AIDS development. Viral envelope glycoproteins (Env) are mainly involved in inducing this cell death process, but the mechanisms triggered by HIV-1 leading to immunodeficiency are still poorly understood. Recently, we have demonstrated that autophagy is a prerequisite for Env-mediated apoptosis in uninfected CD4 T cells, underlining its role in HIV-1 infection. However, occurrence of autophagy in HIV-1-infected cells has not yet been described. Several hypotheses are discussed, based on the comparison with data from other viral infections.


title: Isolation and identification of caliciviruses from dogs with enteric infections.

text: Caliciviruses were isolated from 7 dogs and 1 captured coyote with enteritis. There was a high fatality rate in dogs 4 to 16 weeks of age. The occurrence in these dogs of concurrent infection with known enteric pathogens such as Salmonella sp, canine parvovirus, canine coronavirus, and canine rotavirus did not allow making any conclusions regarding the pathogenicity of this newly recognized calicivirus. The caliciviruses were characterized by electron microscopy and were further identified as being closely related to feline calicivirus by immunoelectron microscopy with specific antibody.


title: [Quantitative detection of SARS-CoV RNA in excreta and oropharyngeal washing fluid from convalescence patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome].

text: OBJECTIVE To detect the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) RNA in excreta and oropharyngeal washing fluid (OWF) from the convalescence SARS patients, and to determine whether convalescence patients carry the SARS-CoV, and whether having infectivity. METHODS Totally 531 samples (including urine, stool, and OWF) were collected from 177 convalescence patients with positive SARS antibody which were confirmed by ELISA method. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to detect the RNA of the SARS-CoV, and results were analyzed by SPSS analysis software. RESULTS There were 49 (27.7%) cases of SARS-CoV RNA detection positive in 177 patients, including 31 (17.5%) cases with one sample positive, 14 (7.9%) cases with two samples positive, and 4 (2.3%) cases with three samples positive. The positive rates of urine, stool, and OWF were 14.7% (26/177), 11.9% (21/177), and 13.6% (24/177), respectively. The quantity of SARS-CoV RNA in samples was 100-47 000 copies/ml. No significant difference was found among urine, stool, and OWF on the difference grade quantity of SARS-CoV RNA quantity. CONCLUSIONS About 10% convalescence SARS patients might still carry the SARS-CoV in hospitalization. The detection of SARS-CoV RNA by real-time quantitative PCR may become a laboratory examination warranty for convalescence SARS patients to discharge hospital and relieve separation.


A clinical prediction rule for the severe acute respiratory syndrome.


title: Is partial thickness excision in TAMIS without defect suture safe for benign rectal lesions?

text: BACKGROUND One of the minimally invasive methods used in the surgical treatment of large-based polypoid lesions located in the rectum is transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS). This method, which relieves patients from the severe morbidities of invasive surgical procedures, is performed in both malign (T1-T2) and benign lesions. Difficulty of suturation after TAMIS emerges as the most important factor to prolong the procedure. We aimed to analyse the efficacy of TAMIS procedure with partial thickness resection without suturation. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective study. The study was conducted in a Turkish Education and Research Hospital in 2016. Data of 10 patients who diagnosed with benign rectal masses were included in the study. Patients who were suspected for muscularis propria invasion and lymph node positivity in magnetic resonance imaging preoperatively excluded from the study. All lesions were resected with TAMIS and the mucosal defects were not closed in any patients. Demographic features, lesion's distances to anal verge, excised lesion's size, histopathological report, operation times, duration of hospital stay and complications were recorded RESULTS: Six male and 4 female patients were treated. The mean distance to the anal werge of the lesions was 8.5 (5-12) cm. The longest diameters of the lesions ranged from 1-4 cm in length. All the patients were discharged the day after the surgery. Operation times were found to be 46.1 ± 5 min (30-70). Histopathological examinations of the removed lesions revealed villous adenomas in 3 patients, villous adenoma and Tis adenocarcinoma in 5 patients, villous adenoma and T1 adenocarcinoma in 1 patient and neuroendocrine tumor in 1 patient. There were no early complications such as bleeding, and late complications such as perforation, anal incontinence or anorectal dysfunction in any patient. No evidence of recurrence was found in any of the patients under control rectosigmoidoscopy and pelvic MRI examinations. CONCLUSION Partial thickness resection of rectal benign lesions by TAMIS method is safe. After resection some surgeons suggest to close the defect by suture or stapler. In our study resection without closure of the defect is found safe and feasible with limited patient prejudice. KEY WORDS Rectal benign lesions, Transanal partial thickness excision.