Limited bedding and nesting increases ethanol drinking in female rats.

Prenatal opioid exposure (POE) and postnatal adverse experiences are early life adversities (ELA) that often co-occur and increase problematic alcohol (EtOH) drinking during adolescence. We investigated the relationship between POE, postnatal adversity, and adolescent EtOH drinking in rats. We also sought to determine whether ELAs affect alpha-adrenoceptor density in the brain because the noradrenergic system is involved in problematic alcohol drinking and its treatment. We hypothesized that the combination of POE and postnatal adversity will increase alcohol drinking in rats compared to rats with exposure to either adversity alone or to control. We also predicted that POE and postnatal adversity would increase α1-adrenoceptor density and decrease α2-adrenoceptor density in brain to confer a stress-responsive phenotype. Pregnant rats received morphine (15 mg/kg/day) or saline via subcutaneous minipumps from gestational day 9 until birth. Limited bedding and nesting (LBN) procedures were introduced from postnatal day (PD) 3-11 to mimic early life adversity-scarcity. Offspring rats (PD 31-33) were given opportunities to drink EtOH (20 %, v/v) using intermittent-access, two-bottle choice (with water) procedures. Rats given access to EtOH were assigned into sub-groups that were injected with either yohimbine (1 mg/kg, ip) or vehicle (2 % DMSO, ip) 30 min prior to each EtOH access session to determine the effects of α2-adrenoceptor inhibition on alcohol drinking. We harvested cortices, brainstems, and hypothalami from EtOH-naïve littermates on either PD 30 or PD 70 and conducted radioligand receptor binding assays to quantify α1- and α2-adrenoceptor densities. Contrary to our hypothesis, only LBN alone increased EtOH intake in female adolescent rats compared to female rats with POE. Neither POE nor LBN affected α1- or α2-adrenoceptor densities in the cortex, brainstem, or hypothalamus of early- or late-aged adolescent rats. These results suggest a complex interaction between ELA type and sex on alcohol drinking.

Preaponeurotic endoscopic repair (REPA) indication in men could be controversial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of REPA and establish if any differences in complications and evolution are present between males and females. METHODS: A retrospective study including consecutive patients operated by REPA approach between November 2017 and April 2019 was conducted. Demographic data, operative times, postoperative complications, and hospital stay were analyzed. The EuraHS-QoL score was used to assess postoperative pain, daily activity constraints, and aesthetic discomfort. The results were compared between sexes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 19. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were included and 53.7% were male. Patients had a mean age of 50.7 years and a mean BMI of 28.7. The average RAD (Rectus Abdominis Diastasis) size was 2.6 cm (range of 2-5 cm). Seroma was significantly more frequent in males, with an incidence of 55.2 and 24% for females (p = 0.02). Three cases required reintervention (5.5% of total cases), which corresponded to a cystic seroma, an abdominal wall hematoma, and a hernia recurrence. The three cases were males and a p value of 0.04 was obtained when comparing reintervention rates between males and females. No cases of surgical wound infection nor cutaneous necrosis were recorded. No conversions were needed. The mean postoperative pain was 2.25, the mean daily activity constraints score was 2.63, and the degree of aesthetic discomfort was 1.23 with no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSION: The correction of small midline defect associated with minor RAD using REPA seems feasible and reproducible. REPA had achieved good results in females, but in males, the outcomes were poorer.

Near real-time surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic with incomplete data.

Designing public health responses to outbreaks requires close monitoring of population-level health indicators in real-time. Thus, an accurate estimation of the epidemic curve is critical. We propose an approach to reconstruct epidemic curves in near real time. We apply this approach to characterize the early SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in two Spanish regions between March and April 2020. We address two data collection problems that affected the reliability of the available real-time epidemiological data, namely, the frequent missing information documenting when a patient first experienced symptoms, and the frequent retrospective revision of historical information (including right censoring). This is done by using a novel back-calculating procedure based on imputing patients' dates of symptom onset from reported cases, according to a dynamically-estimated "backward" reporting delay conditional distribution, and adjusting for right censoring using an existing package, NobBS , to estimate in real time (nowcast) cases by date of symptom onset. This process allows us to obtain an approximation of the time-varying reproduction number ( R t ) in real-time. At each step, we evaluate how different assumptions affect the recovered epidemiological events and compare the proposed approach to the alternative procedure of merely using curves of case counts, by report day, to characterize the time-evolution of the outbreak. Finally, we assess how these real-time estimates compare with subsequently documented epidemiological information that is considered more reliable and complete that became available later in time. Our approach may help improve accuracy, quantify uncertainty, and evaluate frequently unstated assumptions when recovering the epidemic curves from limited data obtained from public health surveillance systems in other locations.

Lockdown measures and relative changes in the age-specific incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in Spain.

During the first months of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in 2020, Spain implemented an initial lockdown period on 15 March followed by a strengthened lockdown period on 30 March when only essential workers continued to commute to work. However, little is known about the epidemic dynamics in different age groups during these periods.We used the daily number of coronavirus 2019 cases (by date of symptom onset) reported to the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network among individuals aged 15-19 years through 65-69 years. For each age group g, we computed the proportion PrE(g) of individuals in age group g among all reported cases aged 15-69 years during the pre-lockdown period (1-10 March 2020) and the corresponding proportion PrL(g) during two lockdown periods (initial: 25 March-3 April; strengthened: 8-17 April 2020). For each lockdown period, we computed the proportion ratios PR(g) = PrL(g)/PrE(g). For each pair of age groups g1, g2, PR(g1)>PR(g2) implies a relative increase in the incidence of detected SARS-CoV-2 infection in the age group g1 compared with g2 for the lockdown period vs. the pre-lockdown period.For the initial lockdown period, the highest PR values were in age groups 50-54 years (PR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.12,1.30) and 55-59 years (PR = 1.19; 1.11,1.27). For the second lockdown period, the highest PR values were in age groups 15-19 years (PR = 1.26; 0.95,1.68) and 50-54 years (PR = 1.20; 1.09,1.31).Our results suggest that different outbreak control measures led to different changes in the relative incidence by age group. During the initial lockdown period, when non-essential work was allowed, individuals aged 40-64 years, particularly those aged 50-59 years, had a higher relative incidence compared with the pre-lockdown period. Younger adults/older adolescents had an increased relative incidence during the later, strengthened lockdown. The role of different age groups during the epidemic should be considered when implementing future mitigation efforts.

Using predicted imports of 2019-nCoV cases to determine locations that may not be identifying all imported cases.

Cases from the ongoing outbreak of atypical pneumonia caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) exported from mainland China can lead to self-sustained outbreaks in other populations. Internationally imported cases are currently being reported in several different locations. Early detection of imported cases is critical for containment of the virus. Based on air travel volume estimates from Wuhan to international destinations and using a generalized linear regression model we identify locations which may potentially have undetected internationally imported cases.

Efecto de un dispositivo binivel autoajustable sobre los eventos respiratorios en pacientes con Síndrome de Apnea Obstructiva del Sueño / Effect of an auto-bilevel device on respiratory events in patients with obstructive sleep Apnea syndrome

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de un dispositivo binivel autoajustable sobre los eventos respiratorios en pacientes adultos con síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño (SAOS) grave. Se revisaron las polisomnografías (PSG) realizadas con el uso de un dispositivo de binivel autoajustable. La arquitectura de sueño, eventos respiratorios, saturación de O2 (SpO2) y dióxido de carbono exhalado (EtCO2) se compararon entre la PSG basal y la PSG terapéutica. Resultados: Se incluyeron 10 PSG. El dispositivo binivel autoajustable corrigió la arquitectura de sueño; disminuyó el índice de apnea hipopnea (IAH) de 76 (39-137) a 14 (6-13) a expensas de apneas obstructivas y mixtas (p < 0,05), no se observó descenso significativo en las hipopneas. Las apneas centrales incrementaron de 0,5 (0-12,4) a 8,2 (0-20) h−1. La SpO2 y EtCO2 mejoraron. Conclusiones: En pacientes con SAOS grave el dispositivo binivel autoajustable corrige la arquitectura de sueño, mejora la SpO2 y EtCO2 y disminuye el IAH a expensas de apneas obstructivas y mixtas, pero podría no eliminar las hipopneas e incrementar las apneas centrales.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of an auto-bilevel device on respiratory events in adults with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Polysomnographies (PSG) with the use of auto-bilevel device were reviewed. Sleep architecture, respiratory events, O2 saturation (SpO2) and exhaled carbon dioxide (EtCO2) were compared among baseline and therapeutic PSG. Results: We included 10 PSG. Auto-bilevel device corrected the sleep architecture; the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) decreased from 76 (39-137) to 14 (6-13) at the expense of obstructive and mixed apneas (p < 0.05), there was no significant decrease in hypopneas. Central apneas increased from 0.5 (0-12.4) to 8.2 (0-20) h−1. SpO2 and EtCO2 improved. Conclusions: In severe OSAS auto-bilevel device corrects sleep architecture, improves SpO2 and EtCO2 and decreases AHI at the expense of obstructive and mixed apneas, but could not eliminate hypopneas and even could increase central apneas.

Análisis bibliométrico de los artículos originales publicados en la revista Ciencia & Trabajo: 1999-2015 / Bibliometric analysis of the original articles published in the journal Ciencia & Trabajo: 1999-2015

INTRODUCCIÓN: La Revista Ciencia y Trabajo (C&T) es editada por la Fundación Científica y Tecnológica de la Asociación Chilena de Seguridad desde 1999, publica trabajos científicos en temas relaciona dos con la seguridad e higiene industrial, salud ocupacional, calidad de vida laboral y otras disciplinas asociadas al trabajo y medio ambiente. OBJETIVO: Analizar la producción científica de los artículos originales publicados en C&T durante el periodo 1999-2015. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio bibliométrico descriptivo, longitudinal y retrospectivo. Se analizaron las características metodológicas y técnicas específicas en pre vención de riesgos laborales para cada uno de los artículos analizados, asimismo, la visibilidad en SciELO Analytics para los últimos años. RESULTADOS: Se publicaron un total de 430 artículos originales en 52 números con una media de 27 ± 8,8 artículos por año y 8 ± 2,6 artícu los por número. Los años con más artículos fueron 2009, 2010 y 2011. El número de autores por artículo oscila entre 1 a 4 (82%), en su mayo ría de universidades de Latinoamérica, destacando Chile, México y Brasil como los países de mayor contribución. La Psicosociología y Medicina del Trabajo son las temáticas más investigadas respecto a otras técnicas específicas en prevención de riesgos laborales como la Seguridad en el Trabajo y Ergonomía, predominando los estudios trans versales de carácter descriptivo-observacional en el idioma español. CONCLUSIONES: Se evidencia la consolidación de la revista a lo largo del tiempo. Por la antigüedad, publicación regular y demás atributos, la Revista C&T puede plantearse la posibilidad de ser indexada en la base de datos Scopus.

BACKGROUND: The journal Science and Work (C&T) has been pub lished by the Scientific and Technological Foundation of the Chilean Security Association since 1999, it publishes scientific papers on issues related to industrial safety and health, occupational health, quality of work life and other disciplines associated with Work and the environment. Objetive: To analyze the scientific production of the original articles published in C&T during the period 1999-2015. MATERIALS-METHODS: Descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective bibliometric study. We analyzed the specific methodological and technical characteristics in occupational risk prevention for each of the analyzed articles, as well as the visibility in SciELO Analytics for the last years. RESULTS: A total of 430 original articles were published in 52 numbers with an average of 27 ± 8.8 articles per year and 8 ± 2.6 articles per number, the years with the most articles were 2009, 2010 and 2011. The number of authors per article ranges from 1 to 4 (82%), mostly from Latin American universities, Chile, Mexico and Brazil being the countries with the highest contribution. Psychosociology and Occupational Medicine are the most researched topics in relation to other specific techniques in the prevention of occupational hazards such as Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, with cross - sectional descriptive - observational studies predominat ing in the spanish language. CONCLUSIONS: It is evident the consolida tion of the journal over time. Due to seniority, regular publication and other attributes, C&T can consider the possibility of being indexed in the Scopus database.

Cierre de bolsillo subpectoral para la reconstrucción mamaria: descripción de una nueva técnica quirúrgica mediante el uso de celulosa oxidada regenerada NU-KNIT® / Closure of the sub pectoral pocket for breast reconstruction: description of a new surgical technique using oxidized regenerated cellulose NU-KNIT TM

Introducción: El uso de expansor mamario, previo a la reconstrucción definitiva con prótesis, no está exento de complicaciones. Las mismas no solo tienen relación con la presencia de radioterapia perioperatoria, o factores propios de las pacientes, sino que también guardan relación con la cobertura muscular íntegra del expansor mamario. Material y métodos: Revisión retrospectiva de pacientes sometidas a reconstrucción mamaria diferida utilizando una modificación de la técnica del cierre de bolsillo submuscular con celulosa oxidada regenerada NU-KNIT® de expansor mamario. Entre el 1 de enero de 2014 y el 31 de diciembre de 2015 un solo cirujano plástico (J.V.) de la Unidad de Patología Mamaria de la Clínica Alemana de Santiago realizó reconstrucción con dicha técnica en 31 pacientes. Se describe la modificación de la técnica, así como los datos demográficos, histológicos y complicaciones de la fase de expansión de las mismas. Resultados: Se realizaron 40 reconstrucciones mamarias en 31 pacientes. Se presentaron 11 seromas (27,5% del total de los expansores), 2 sufrimientos de colgajo cutáneo con dehiscencia de la herida (5% de los expansores) y una infección de la herida operatoria (2,5% de los expansores). Dos pacientes requirieron aseo quirúrgico por dehiscencia e infección. Una paciente requirió explantación del expansor (2,5% del total de los expansores). Discusión: La modificación de la técnica quirúrgica representa una alternativa segura y reproducible para lograr un cierre total del bolsillo muscular y con ello la cobertura completa del expansor, evitando así algunas de las complicaciones descritas secundarias a una cobertura insuficiente del mismo.

Introduction: The use of breast expander, prior to the final prosthetic reconstruction, is not exempt from complications. They not only relate to the presence of peri-operative radiation therapy, or patient-related issues; but also related to the muscle integrate coverage of the breast expander. Material and methods: Retrospective review of patients undergoing deferred breast reconstruction using a modification of the technique of sub muscular pocket closing with oxidized regenerated cellulose NU-KNIT TM for the breast expander. Between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015 one plastic surgeon (J.V.), from the Breast Pathology Unit at Clínica Alemana de Santiago, performed reconstruction surgeries with this technique in 31 patients. In the present article, the technique modification, demographic data, histological data and the complications which arose during the expansion phase of the same, will be described. Results: 40 breast reconstructions were performed in 31 patients. 11 seromas (27.5% of total expanders), 2 sufferings of skin flap wound dehiscence (5% expanders) and 1 wound infection (2.5% of expanders) were presented. Two patients required surgical debridement due to surgical dehiscence and infection. One patient required explantation of the expander (2.5% of total expanders). Discussion: The modification of the surgical technique represents a safe and reproducible alternative to achieve a complete closure of the muscular pocket and thus a complete coverage of the expander, consequently; avoiding some of the secondary complications drawn from an insufficient coverage of the expander.

Understanding the evolution and spread of chikungunya virus in the Americas using complete genome sequences.

Local transmission of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) was first detected in the Americas in December 2013, after which it spread rapidly throughout the Caribbean islands and American mainland, causing a major chikungunya fever epidemic. Previous phylogenetic analysis of CHIKV from a limited number of countries in the Americas suggests that an Asian genotype strain was responsible, except in Brazil where both Asian and East/Central/South African (ECSA) lineage strains were detected. In this study, we sequenced thirty-three complete CHIKV genomes from viruses isolated in 2014 from fourteen Caribbean islands, the Bahamas and two mainland countries in the Americas. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that they all belonged to the Asian genotype and clustered together with other Caribbean and mainland sequences isolated during the American outbreak, forming an 'Asian/American' lineage defined by two amino acid substitutions, E2 V368A and 6K L20M, and divided into two well-supported clades. This lineage is estimated to be evolving at a mean rate of 5 × 10-4 substitutions per site per year (95% higher probability density, 2.9-7.9 × 10-4) and to have arisen from an ancestor introduced to the Caribbean (most likely from Oceania) in about March 2013, 9 months prior to the first report of CHIKV in the Americas. Estimation of evolutionary rates for individual gene regions and selection analyses indicate that (in contrast to the Indian Ocean Lineage that emerged from the ECSA genotype followed by adaptive evolution and with a significantly higher substitution rate) the evolutionary dynamics of the Asian/American lineage are very similar to the rest of the Asian genotype and natural selection does not appear to have played a major role in its emergence. However, several codon sites with evidence of positive selection were identified within the non-structural regions of Asian genotype sequences outside of the Asian/American lineage.

Evaluación clínica de barniz de flúor en el manejo de la hipersensibilidad dentinaria / Clinical evaluation fluoride varnish in the management of dentin hypersensitivity

La Hipersensibilidad Dentinaria (HD) se define como un corto y fuerte dolor generado por la exposición de dentina, que surge de un estímulo químico, térmico, táctil u osmótico, el cual no puede catalogarse como una patología dental propiamente tal. La teoría hidrodinámica de Brännström es la más aceptada en la actualidad para explicar la etiopatogenia de esta afección. Muchos productos han sido elaborados con el fin de combatir la HD, pero no todos constan de la efectividad deseada para atenuarla. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar la efectividad inmediata y mediata (posterior a 2 semanas), de un barniz de flúor (Flúor Protector®) utilizado en la problemática. El estudio es un ensayo clínico no controlado. La muestra consistió de 30 pacientes, sin distinción de género, de entre 20 a 60 años, atendidos en las clínicas de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad Andrés Bello, cuyo diagnóstico fue HD, en al menos un diente, con recesión gingival de al menos 2 mm, la cual presento dentina expuesta desde la unión amelocementaria, y además que respondieron a 3 o más puntos en la Escala Numérica (EN), cuando fue aplicado el estímulo evaporativo. Los datos fueron recogidos, en una ficha diseñada para el estudio, la cual incluyo datos del paciente y 9 EN, con las cuales se cuantifico la percepción de dolor de los pacientes frente a 3 estímulos: evaporativo, táctil y térmico. Estadísticamente se utilizó análisis de tipo descriptivo y de varianza de Friedman. Se obtuvieron resultados estadísticamente significativos (p<0.05) en la disminución casi completa de la HD frente al tratamiento inmediato (mediana< 3), además de la mantenida reducción de la misma en el control posterior a 2 semanas de aplicada la terapia. En conclusión, la terapia con flúor barniz es efectiva en el tratamiento inmediato y mediato de la HD.

Dentin Hypersensitivity (DH) is defined as a short, sharp pain generated by exposure of dentin, which arises from a chemical stimuli, thermal, tactile or osmotic, which can't be categorized as a dental pathology as such. Brännström hydrodynamic theory is widely accepted today to explain the pathogenesis of this condition. Many products have been developed to combat DH, but not all consist of the desired effectiveness to attenuate. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness immediate and mediate (after two weeks), a fluoride varnish (Fluor Protector), used in the management of patients with this problem. The present study is an uncontrolled clinical trial. The sample consisted of 30 patients, regardless of gender, aged 20 to 60, treated at the clinics of the Faculty of Dentistry at the "Universidad Andres Bello", whose diagnosis was DH, in a least one tooth with gingival recession at least 2 mm, which exposed dentin present from the CEJ, and also responding to three of more points on the Numeric Scale (NS), when the stimulus was applied evaporative. Data were collected after approval and written informed consent, in a form designed for the study, which included data from the patient and 9 NS, which was quantified with pain perception of patients versus 3 stimuli: evaporative, touch and heat. For statistical analysis we used descriptive analysis and variance of Friedman. Regarding the 3 stimuli under study results were statistically significant (p< 0.05) decrease in the almost complete DH versus immediate treatment (median < 3), besides the maintained reduction thereof in the inspection after 2 weeks of therapy applied. In conclusion, treatment with fluoride varnish is effective in treating the immediate and mediate DH.

Canine Nervous System Lymphoma Subtypes Display Characteristic Neuroanatomical Patterns.

Primary and secondary nervous system involvement occurs in 4% and 5%-12%, respectively, of all canine non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The recent new classification of canine malignant lymphomas, based on the human World Health Organization classification, has been endorsed with international acceptance. This histological and immunocytochemical classification provides a unique opportunity to study the histologic anatomic distribution patterns in the central and peripheral nervous system of these defined lymphoma subtypes. In this study, we studied a cohort of 37 dogs with lymphoma, which at necropsy had either primary (n = 1, 2.7%) or secondary (n = 36; 97.3%) neural involvement. These T- (n = 16; 43.2%) or B-cell (n = 21; 56.8%) lymphomas were further classified into 12 lymphoma subtypes, with predominant subtypes including peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), respectively. This systematic study identified 6 different anatomically based histologically defined patterns of lymphoma infiltration in the nervous system of dogs. Different and distinct combinations of anatomical patterns correlated with specific lymphoma subtypes. Lymphoma infiltration within the meningeal, perivascular, and periventricular compartments were characteristic of DLBCL, whereas peripheral nerve involvement was a frequent feature of PTCL. Similarly cell counts above 64 cells/µL in cerebrospinal samples correlated best with marked meningeal and periventricular lymphoma infiltration histologically. Prospective studies are needed in order to confirm the hypothesis that these combinations of histological neuroanatomic patterns reflect targeting of receptors specific for the lymphoma subtypes at these various sites.

CT Perfusion in Acute Lacunar Stroke: Detection Capabilities Based on Infarct Location.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent studies demonstrated superiority of CTP to NCCT/CTA at detecting lacunar infarcts. This study aimed to assess CTP's capability to identify lacunae in different intracranial regions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over 5.5 years, 1085 CTP examinations were retrospectively reviewed in patients with acute stroke symptoms with CTP within 12 hours and MRI within 7 days of symptom onset. Patients had infarcts ≤2 cm or no acute infarct on DWI; patients with concomitant infarcts >2 cm on DWI were excluded. CTP postprocessing was automated by a delay-corrected algorithm. Three blinded reviewers were given patient NIHSS scores and symptoms; infarcts were recorded based on NCCT/CTA, CTP (CBF, CBV, MTT, and TTP), and DWI. RESULTS: One hundred thirteen patients met inclusion criteria (53.1% female). On DWI, lacunar infarcts were present in 37 of 113 (32.7%), and absent in 76 of 113 (67.3%). On CTP, lacunar infarcts typically appeared as abnormalities larger than infarct size on DWI. Interobserver κ for CTP ranged from 0.38 (CBF) (P < .0001) to 0.66 (TTP) (P < .0001); interobserver κ for DWI was 0.88 (P < 0.0001). In all intracranial regions, sensitivity of CTP ranged from 18.9% (CBV) to 48.7% (TTP); specificity ranged from 97.4% (CBF and TTP) to 98.7% (CBV and MTT). CTP's sensitivity was highest in the subcortical white matter with or without cortical involvement (21.7%-65.2%) followed by periventricular white matter (12.5%-37.5%); sensitivity in the thalami or basal ganglia was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: CTP has low sensitivity and high specificity in identifying lacunar infarcts. Sensitivity is highest in the subcortical white matter with or without cortical involvement, but limited in the basal ganglia and thalami.

Evaluation of Commercially Available Chikungunya Virus Immunoglobulin M Detection Assays.

Commercial chikungunya virus (CHIKV)-specific IgM detection kits were evaluated at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Public Health Agency of Canada National Microbiology Laboratory, and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). The Euroimmun Anti-CHIKV IgM ELISA kit had ≥ 95% concordance with all three reference laboratory results. The limit of detection for low CHIK IgM+ samples, as measured by serial dilution of seven sera up to 1:12,800 ranged from 1:800 to 1:3,200. The Euroimmun IIFT kit evaluated at CDC and CARPHA performed well, but required more retesting of equivocal results. The InBios CHIKjj Detect MAC-ELISA had 100% and 98% concordance with CDC and CARPHA results, respectively, and had equal sensitivity to the CDC MAC-ELISA to 1:12,800 dilution in serially diluted samples. The Abcam Anti-CHIKV IgM ELISA had high performance at CARPHA, but at CDC, performance was inconsistent between lots. After replacement of the biotinylated IgM antibody controls with serum containing CHIKV-specific IgM and additional quality assurance/control measures, the Abcam kit was rereleased and reevaluated at CDC. The reformatted Abcam kit had 97% concordance with CDC results and limit of detection of 1:800 to 1:3,200. Two rapid tests and three other CHIKV MAC-ELISAs evaluated at CDC had low sensitivity, as the CDC CHIKV IgM in-house positive controls were below the level of detection. In conclusion, laboratories have options for CHIKV serological diagnosis using validated commercial kits.

On the effects of CP 55-940 and other cannabinoid receptor agonists in C6 and U373 cell lines.

Cannabinoid receptor (CBs) agonists affect the growth of tumor cells via activation of deadly cascades. The spectrum of action of these agents and the precise role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) on oncogenic processes remain elusive. Herein we compared the effects of synthetic (CP 55-940 and WIN 55,212-2) and endogenous (anandamide or AEA) CBs agonists (10-20 µM) on morphological changes, cell viability, and induction of apoptosis in primary astrocytes and in two glioblastoma cell lines (C6 and U373 cells) in order to characterize their possible differential actions on brain tumor cells. None of the CBs agonist tested induced changes in cell viability or morphology in primary astrocytes. In contrast, CP 55-940 significantly decreased cell viability in C6 and U373 cells at 5 days of treatment, whereas AEA and WIN 55,212-2 moderately decreased cell viability in both cell lines. Treatment of U373 and C6 for 3 and 5 days with AEA or WIN 55,212-2 produced discrete morphological changes in cell bodies, whereas the exposure to CP 55-940 induced soma degradation. CP 55-940 also induced apoptosis in both C6 and U373 cell lines. Our results support a more effective action of CP 55-940 to produce cell death of both cell lines through apoptotic mechanisms. Comparative aspects between cannabinoids with different profiles are necessary for the design of potential treatments against glial tumors.

Mapping of neurotrophins and their receptors in the adult mouse brain and their role in the pathogenesis of a transgenic murine model of bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Neurotrophins are a family of growth factors that act on neuronal cells. The neurotrophins include nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin (NT)-3, -4 and -5. The action of neurotrophins depends on two transmembrane-receptor signalling systems: (1) the tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk) family of tyrosine kinase receptors (Trk A, Trk B and Trk C) and (2) the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)). The interaction between neurotrophic factors and their receptors may be involved in the mechanisms that regulate the differential susceptibility of neuronal populations in neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of neurotrophins in the pathogenesis of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) using a transgenic mouse overexpressing bovine prnp (BoTg 110). Histochemistry for Lycopersicum esculentum agglutinin, haematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry for the abnormal isoform of the prion protein (PrP(d)), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), NGF, BDNF, NT-3 and the receptors Trk A, Trk B, Trk C and p75(NTR) was performed. The lesions and the immunolabelling patterns were assessed semiquantitatively in different areas of the brain. No significant differences in the immunolabelling of neurotrophins and their receptors were observed between BSE-inoculated and control animals, except for p75(NTR), which showed increased expression correlating with the distribution of lesions, PrP(d) deposition and gliosis in the BSE-inoculated mice.

Defining acute ischemic stroke tissue pathophysiology with whole brain CT perfusion.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify and validate whole brain perfusion computed tomography (CTP) thresholds for ischemic core and salvageable penumbra in acute stroke patients and develop a probability based model to increase the accuracy of tissue pathophysiology measurements. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-three patients underwent multimodal stroke CT using a 320-slice scanner within 6hours of acute stroke onset, followed by 24hour MRI that included diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic susceptibility weighted perfusion imaging (PWI). Coregistered acute CTP and 24hour DWI was used to identify the optimum single perfusion parameter thresholds to define penumbra (in patients without reperfusion), and ischemic core (in patients with reperfusion), using a pixel based receiver operator curve analysis. Then, these results were used to develop a sigma curve fitted probability based model incorporating multiple perfusion parameter thresholds. RESULTS: For single perfusion thresholds, a time to peak (TTP) of +5seconds best defined the penumbra (area under the curve, AUC 0.79 CI 0.74-0.83) while a cerebral blood flow (CBF) of < 50% best defined the acute ischemic core (AUC 0.73, CI 0.69-0.77). The probability model was more accurate at detecting the ischemic core (AUC 0.80 SD 0.75-0.83) and penumbra (0.85 SD 0.83-0.87) and was significantly closer in volume to the corresponding reference DWI (P=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Whole brain CTP can accurately identify penumbra and ischemic core using similar thresholds to previously validated 16 or 64 slice CTP. Additionally, a novel probability based model was closer to defining the ischemic core and penumbra than single thresholds.

Immunohistochemical study of doublecortin and nucleostemin in canine brain.

Finding a marker of neural stem cells remains a medical research priority. It was reported that the proteins doublecortin and nucleostemin were related with stem/progenitor cells in central nervous system. The aim of the present immunohistochemical study was to evaluate the expression of these proteins and their pattern of distribution in canine brain, including age-related changes, and in non-nervous tissues. We found that doublecortin had a more specific expression pattern, related with neurogenesis and neuronal migration, while nucleostemin was expressed in most cells of almost every tissue studied. The immunolabeling of both proteins decreased with age. We may conclude that nucleostemin is not a specific marker of stem/progenitor cells in the dog. Doublecortin, however, is not an exclusive marker of neural stem cells, but also of neuronal precursors.