Using co-design to develop the Adolescent Health Literacy Questionnaire for adolescents in Ireland.

Health literacy measurement studies are important for the success of health promotion efforts targeting adolescents. However, the majority of health literacy measurement tools were originally developed for adult populations and may not be reflective of health literacy in the context of adolescence. The present study sought to co-design a health literacy questionnaire and vignettes for adolescents in Ireland aged 12-18 years. This article describes the qualitative phase of the study. In 2019-2021, eight adolescents from the Irish Heart Foundation's Youth Advisory Panel participated in two concept mapping workshops during which they defined healthy living. Results of the thematic analysis indicated that adolescents defined 'healthy living' as a life that was balanced, prioritizing mental health and sleep. According to their definition, healthy living was comprised of six main constructs, namely, knowledge; sources of quality health information; facilitators and barriers; influence of others; self-efficacy, self-management and resilience; and citizenship and communication. These constructs were used to develop vignettes and items for the Adolescent Health Literacy Questionnaire (AHLQ). These were tested on a sample of 80 adolescents to check whether the respondents understood the items and vignettes as intended. Results of the nine cognitive interviews indicated that the adolescents understood the content of the 10 vignettes and 41 items. While the vignettes and AHLQ were developed with Irish adolescents, the approaches taken can be generalized to adolescents living in other countries. This will allow for the development of tailored and relevant solutions for health literacy development and health promotion for this sub-population.

Predicting the Safety and Effectiveness of Inferior Vena Cava Filters (PRESERVE): Outcomes at 12 months.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and effectiveness of vena cava filters (VCFs). METHODS: A total of 1429 participants (62.7 ± 14.7 years old; 762 [53.3% male]) consented to enroll in this prospective, nonrandomized study at 54 sites in the United States between October 10, 2015, and March 31, 2019. They were evaluated at baseline and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months following VCF implantation. Participants whose VCFs were removed were followed for 1 month after retrieval. Follow-up was performed at 3, 12, and 24 months. Predetermined composite primary safety (freedom from perioperative serious adverse events [AEs] and from clinically significant perforation, VCF embolization, caval thrombotic occlusion, and/or new deep vein thrombosis [DVT] within 12-months) and effectiveness (composite comprising procedural and technical success and freedom from new symptomatic pulmonary embolism [PE] confirmed by imaging at 12-months in situ or 1 month postretrieval) end points were assessed. RESULTS: VCFs were implanted in 1421 patients. Of these, 1019 (71.7%) had current DVT and/or PE. Anticoagulation therapy was contraindicated or had failed in 1159 (81.6%). One hundred twenty-six (8.9%) VCFs were prophylactic. Mean and median follow-up for the entire population and for those whose VCFs were not removed was 243.5 ± 243.3 days and 138 days and 332.6 ± 290 days and 235 days, respectively. VCFs were removed from 632 (44.5%) patients at a mean of 101.5 ± 72.2 days and median 86.3 days following implantation. The primary safety end point and primary effectiveness end point were both achieved. Procedural AEs were uncommon and usually minor, but one patient died during attempted VCF removal. Excluding strut perforation greater than 5 mm, which was demonstrated on 31 of 201 (15.4%) patients' computed tomography scans available to the core laboratory, and of which only 3 (0.2%) were deemed clinically significant by the site investigators, VCF-related AEs were rare (7 of 1421, 0.5%). Postfilter, venous thromboembolic events (none fatal) occurred in 93 patients (6.5%), including DVT (80 events in 74 patients [5.2%]), PE (23 events in 23 patients [1.6%]), and/or caval thrombotic occlusions (15 events in 15 patients [1.1%]). No PE occurred in patients following prophylactic placement. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of VCFs in patients with venous thromboembolism was associated with few AEs and with a low incidence of clinically significant PEs.

Viral dynamics and immune responses to foot-and-mouth disease virus in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer).

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the most important livestock diseases restricting international trade. While African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) act as the main wildlife reservoir, viral and immune response dynamics during FMD virus acute infection have not been described before in this species. We used experimental needle inoculation and contact infections with three Southern African Territories serotypes to assess clinical, virological and immunological dynamics for thirty days post infection. Clinical FMD in the needle inoculated buffalo was mild and characterised by pyrexia. Despite the absence of generalised vesicles, all contact animals were readily infected with their respective serotypes within the first two to nine days after being mixed with needle challenged buffalo. Irrespective of the route of infection or serotype, there were positive associations between the viral loads in blood and the induction of host innate pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins. Viral loads in blood and tonsil swabs were tightly correlated during the acute phase of the infection, however, viraemia significantly declined after a peak at four days post-infection (dpi), which correlated with the presence of detectable neutralising antibodies. In contrast, infectious virus was isolated in the tonsil swabs until the last sampling point (30 dpi) in most animals. The pattern of virus detection in serum and tonsil swabs was similar for all three serotypes in the direct challenged and contact challenged animals. We have demonstrated for the first time that African buffalo are indeed systemically affected by FMD virus and clinical FMD in buffalo is characterized by a transient pyrexia. Despite the lack of FMD lesions, infection of African buffalo was characterised by high viral loads in blood and oropharynx, rapid and strong host innate and adaptive immune responses and high transmissibility.

A decade of proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) population monitoring in Balikpapan Bay: Confronting predictions with empirical data.

Systematic and well-structured monitoring is essential for taxa with high extinction risk such as primates. Endangered proboscis monkeys Nasalis larvatus are endemic to Borneo, where they are found scattered across lowland habitats of the island, which are under strong anthropogenic pressure. A large population of proboscis monkeys in Balikpapan Bay, Indonesian Borneo, was predicted to decline due to the ongoing habitat loss and degradation, notably because of forest fires. We examined changes in the number and composition of groups of a part of this population from 2007 to 2017, which included a period of forest fires linked to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation events. We conducted a census from a boat; attempting to locate all proboscis monkey groups within the Balikpapan City administrative area in 2007, 2012, and 2017. During the most recent census, we observed a total number of 60 proboscis monkey groups in two subpopulations. The population density was 1.14 group per km2 of suitable habitat. Contrary to previously published predictions, we did not find evidence of a population decline. Contrary to predictions, the 2015 El Niño induced fires impacted mainly forests on ridges and slopes, thus affecting only a small part of the proboscis monkey habitat located close to rivers and mangrove swamps. However, the increasing population density of monkeys, coupled with ongoing habitat degradation and habitat loss in one of the subpopulations, suggests that proboscis monkey population in Balikpapan Bay may be approaching a limit of resilience to habitat changes. In case it proves infeasible to census all individuals in the whole population, we recommend using a group-level census, connected with systematic group counts to obtain a reasonably precise proboscis monkey population size estimate.

Evaluation of genome-wide DNA methylation profile of human embryos with different developmental competences.

STUDY QUESTION: Do embryos with different developmental competence exhibit different DNA methylation profiles at the blastocyst stage? SUMMARY ANSWER: We established genome-wide DNA methylome analysis for embryo trophectoderm (TE) biopsy samples and our findings demonstrated correlation of methylation profile of trophectoderm with euploidy status and with maternal age, indicating that genome-wide methylation level might be negatively correlated with embryo quality. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic regulatory mechanism that affects differentiation of cells into their future lineages during pre-implantation embryo development. Currently there is no established approach available to assess the epigenetic status of the human preimplantation embryo during routine IVF treatment. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: In total, we collected trophectoderm biopsy samples from 30 randomly selected human blastocysts and conducted whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) to evaluate their DNA methylation profile. Nested linear models were used to assess association between DNA methylation level and ploidy status (aneuploidy [n = 20] vs. euploidy [n = 10]), maternal age (29.4-42.5 years old), and time of blastulation (day 5 [n = 16] vs. day 6 [n = 14]), using embryo identity as a covariate. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: TE biopsy samples were obtained and submitted to bisulfite conversion. For WGBS, whole-genome sequencing libraries were then generated from the converted genome. An average of 75 million reads were obtained for each sample, and about 63% of the reads aligned to human reference. An average of 40 million reads used for the final analysis after the unconverted reads were filtered out. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: We revealed an increase of genome-wide DNA methylation level in aneuploid embryo TE biopsies compared to euploid embryos (25.4% ± 3.2% vs. 24.7% ± 3.2%, P < 0.005). We also found genome-wide DNA methylation level to be increased with the maternal age (P < 0.005). On a chromosomal scale, we found monosomic embryos have lower methylation levels on the involved chromosome while no drastic change was observed for the involved chromosome in trisomies. Additionally, we revealed that WGBS data precisely revealed the chromosome copy number variance. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Though our results demonstrated a negative correlation of genome-wide methylation level and embryo quality, further WGBS analysis on a greater number of embryos and specific investigation of its correlation with implantation and live birth are needed before any practical use of this approach for evaluation of embryo competence. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study revealed a change in genome-wide DNA methylation profile among embryos with different developmental potentials, reinforcing the critical role of DNA methylation in early development. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): No external funding was received for this study. Intramural funding was provided by the Foundation for Embryonic Competence (FEC). E.S. is a consultant for and receives research funding from the Foundation for Embryonic Competence; he is also co-founder and a shareholder of ACIS LLC and coholds patent US2019/055906 issued for utilizing electrical resistance measurement for assessing cell viability and cell membrane piercing. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Mucocutaneous nasal histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent dog.

BACKGROUND: Histoplasma (H.) capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus, and infection is typically via inhalation of microconidia. After conversion to the yeast phase within the lung, the organism is subsequently disseminated to other tissues by macrophages. Nasal histoplasmosis appears to be a rare condition in dogs. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the clinical case of a 4.5-year-old male neutered Cocker spaniel/Poodle mix, 7.7 kg, body condition score 6/9, that presented with a 3-month history of sneezing and left-sided mucoid nasal discharge. The history also included a mild swelling (transient) of the right carpus with a lameness (grade II-III/IV), coinciding with the onset of sneezing and nasal discharge. The dog lived primarily indoors in the Texas Gulf Coast area. On physical examination, the dog was febrile, and the left nostril was swollen, ulcerative, deformed, and hypopigmented. Mandibular lymph nodes were firm and mildly enlarged bilaterally. Mild lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and hyperglobulinemia were noted. Thoracic radiographs were unremarkable. Computed tomography and rhinoscopy revealed swelling of the rostral portion of the left and right nasal passages. Cytology and histology of biopsies of the affected nasal tissue showed pyogranulomatous inflammation and yeast organisms consistent with H. capsulatum. Weak antigenuria was detected on the MVista H. capsulatum antigen test. Treatment with oral itraconazole led to a resolution of the nasal signs and normalization of the appearance of the nostril over 13 weeks, and neither antigenuria nor antigenemia was detected on several recheck examinations. The dog remained in good general and physical condition and showed no signs of disease recurrence more than 6 years after the last examination. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of nasal mucocutaneous histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent dog, with an excellent clinical response to oral itraconazole. This case documents that histoplasmosis in dogs can affect primarily the nasal cavity, which responds rapidly to triazole antifungal therapy and has a good prognosis. A similar case has only been reported in human medicine in a young adult.

Persistent Infection of African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) with Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus: Limited Viral Evolution and No Evidence of Antibody Neutralization Escape.

African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) are the principal "carrier" hosts of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). Currently, the epithelia and lymphoid germinal centers of the oropharynx have been identified as sites for FMDV persistence. We carried out studies in FMDV SAT1 persistently infected buffaloes to characterize the diversity of viruses in oropharyngeal epithelia, germinal centers, probang samples (oropharyngeal scrapings), and tonsil swabs to determine if sufficient virus variation is generated during persistence for immune escape. Most sequencing reads of the VP1 coding region of the SAT1 virus inoculum clustered around 2 subpopulations differing by 22 single-nucleotide variants of intermediate frequency. Similarly, most sequences from oropharynx tissue clustered into two subpopulations, albeit with different proportions, depending on the day postinfection (dpi). There was a significant difference between the populations of viruses in the inoculum and in lymphoid tissue taken at 35 dpi. Thereafter, until 400 dpi, no significant variation was detected in the viral populations in samples from individual animals, germinal centers, and epithelial tissues. Deep sequencing of virus from probang or tonsil swab samples harvested prior to postmortem showed less within-sample variability of VP1 than that of tissue sample sequences analyzed at the same time. Importantly, there was no significant difference in the ability of sera collected between 14 and 400 dpi to neutralize the inoculum or viruses isolated at later time points in the study from the same animal. Therefore, based on this study, there is no evidence of escape from antibody neutralization contributing to FMDV persistent infection in African buffalo.IMPORTANCE Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is a highly contagious virus of cloven-hoofed animals and is recognized as the most important constraint to international trade in animals and animal products. African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) are efficient carriers of FMDV, and it has been proposed that new virus variants are produced in buffalo during the prolonged carriage after acute infection, which may spread to cause disease in livestock populations. Here, we show that despite an accumulation of low-frequency sequence variants over time, there is no evidence of significant antigenic variation leading to immune escape. Therefore, carrier buffalo are unlikely to be a major source of new virus variants.

Oral Lesions in Captive Nondomestic Felids With a Focus on Odontogenic Lesions.

Odontogenic lesions are well described in domestic cats, but published literature describing these lesions in nondomestic felids is limited. This study reports oral lesions in 109 captive, non-domestic felids. Ten cases of odontogenic lesions were diagnosed, including 9 with fibromatous epulis of periodontal ligament origin (FEPLO) and one odontogenic cyst in a cougar. FEPLO was common in lions. FEPLO did not recur after surgical removal in any of the 3 cases for which follow-up information was available. Increased occurrences of oral papillomas in snow leopards and eosinophilic granulomas in tigers were identified, which is consistent with the reported literature. With the exception of oral papillomas in snow leopards and FEPLO in lions, the spectrum of oral lesions in nondomestic felids was similar to what is reported in domestic cats, with squamous cell carcinoma being the most common oral malignancy, and stomatitis/gingivitis/glossitis accounting for approximately one third of all cases. Rare diagnoses with one case each included hemangioma, fibrosarcoma, melanoma, cleft palate, and glossal amyloidosis.

Negative Cooperativity in NAD(P)H Quinone Oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1).

NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) is a homodimeric protein that acts as a detoxifying enzyme or as a chaperone protein. Dicourmarol interacts with NQO1 at the NAD(P)H binding site and can both inhibit enzyme activity and modulate the interaction of NQO1 with other proteins. We show that the binding of dicoumarol and related compounds to NQO1 generates negative cooperativity between the monomers. This does not occur in the presence of the reducing cofactor, NAD(P)H, alone. Alteration of Gly150 (but not Gly149 or Gly174) abolished the dicoumarol-induced negative cooperativity. Analysis of the dynamics of NQO1 with the Gaussian network model indicates a high degree of collective motion by monomers and domains within NQO1. Ligand binding is predicted to alter NQO1 dynamics both proximal to the ligand binding site and remotely, close to the second binding site. Thus, drug-induced modulation of protein motion might contribute to the biological effects of putative inhibitors of NQO1.

SAT2 Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Structurally Modified for Increased Thermostability.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), particularly strains of the O and SAT serotypes, is notoriously unstable. Consequently, vaccines derived from heat-labile SAT viruses have been linked to the induction of immunity with a poor duration and hence require more frequent vaccinations to ensure protection. In silico calculations predicted residue substitutions that would increase interactions at the interpentamer interface, supporting increased stability. We assessed the stability of the 18 recombinant mutant viruses in regard to their growth kinetics, antigenicity, plaque morphology, genetic stability, and temperature, ionic, and pH stability by using Thermofluor and inactivation assays in order to evaluate potential SAT2 vaccine candidates with improved stability. The most stable mutant for temperature and pH stability was the S2093Y single mutant, while other promising mutants were the E3198A, L2094V, and S2093H single mutants and the F2062Y-H2087M-H3143V triple mutant. Although the S2093Y mutant had the greatest stability, it exhibited smaller plaques, a reduced growth rate, a change in monoclonal antibody footprint, and poor genetic stability properties compared to those of the wild-type virus. However, these factors affecting production can be overcome. The addition of 1 M NaCl was found to further increase the stability of the SAT2 panel of viruses. The S2093Y and S2093H mutants were selected for future use in stabilizing SAT2 vaccines.IMPORTANCE Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes a highly contagious acute vesicular disease in cloven-hoofed livestock and wildlife. The control of the disease by vaccination is essential, especially at livestock-wildlife interfaces. The instability of some serotypes, such as SAT2, affects the quality of vaccines and therefore the duration of immunity. We have shown that we can improve the stability of SAT2 viruses by mutating residues at the capsid interface through predictive modeling. This is an important finding for the potential use of such mutants in improving the stability of SAT2 vaccines in countries where FMD is endemic, which rely heavily on the maintenance of the cold chain, with potential improvement to the duration of immune responses.

Delayed Methotrexate Clearance Despite Carboxypeptidase-G2 (Glucarpidase) Administration in 2 Patients With Toxic Methotrexate Levels.

High-dose methotrexate has been a treatment for osteosarcoma; however, its nephrotoxic effects are considerable. Carboxypeptidase-G2 (glucarpidase) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2012 for treatment of toxic methotrexate levels. We report our experience using glucarpidase under compassionate use before Food and Drug Administration approval in 2 patients who had delayed methotrexate clearance and prolonged kidney injury despite glucarpidase administration. Our results show that patients with methotrexate toxicity may require repeated doses of glucarpidase in addition to supportive measures, such as dialysis.

Content, Accessibility, and Dissemination of Disaster Information via Social Media During the 2016 Louisiana Floods.

CONTEXT: Social media is becoming increasingly integrated into disaster response communication strategies of public health and emergency response agencies. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the content, accessibility, and dissemination of social media communications made by government agencies during a disaster response. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis of social media posts made by federal, state, and local government, public health and emergency management agencies before, during, and after the 2016 Louisiana floods was conducted to determine their content, accessibility, and dissemination by level of government and time relative to disaster onset. SETTING: Facebook and/or Twitter posts made by public agencies involved in the response to the 2016 Louisiana Flooding events (FEMA Disaster Declaration [DR-4277]) published between August 4 and September 16, 2016, publicly available online between February 21 and March 31, 2017, were included in the analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Content: The text of each post was assessed to determine whether it contained information on provision of situational awareness; addressing misconception, actionable requests; mental, behavioral, and emotional support; and/or recovery and rebuilding resources. Accessibility: A Flesh-Kincaid grade level of each post was calculated, and information on post language, originality, hyperlinks, visuals, videos, or hash tag was recorded. Dissemination: The average number of reacts/likes, shares/retweets, and comments per post was calculated. RESULTS: Most posts contained information related to situational awareness and recovery resources. There was an increase in messages during the first week of the disaster at all levels. Few posts were made in languages other than English. Compared with state and federal posts, local Facebook posts averaged fewer reacts, comments, and shares throughout the analysis period. CONCLUSIONS: Government agencies may maximize the use of social media platforms for disaster communications by establishing their social media network in advance of a disaster and by applying established guidelines on disaster social media use.

Differential Persistence of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus in African Buffalo Is Related to Virus Virulence.

UNLABELLED: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus (FMDV) circulates as multiple serotypes and strains in many regions of endemicity. In particular, the three Southern African Territories (SAT) serotypes are maintained effectively in their wildlife reservoir, the African buffalo, and individuals may harbor multiple SAT serotypes for extended periods in the pharyngeal region. However, the exact site and mechanism for persistence remain unclear. FMD in buffaloes offers a unique opportunity to study FMDV persistence, as transmission from carrier ruminants has convincingly been demonstrated for only this species. Following coinfection of naive African buffaloes with isolates of three SAT serotypes from field buffaloes, palatine tonsil swabs were the sample of choice for recovering infectious FMDV up to 400 days postinfection (dpi). Postmortem examination identified infectious virus for up to 185 dpi and viral genomes for up to 400 dpi in lymphoid tissues of the head and neck, focused mainly in germinal centers. Interestingly, viral persistence in vivo was not homogenous, and the SAT-1 isolate persisted longer than the SAT-2 and SAT-3 isolates. Coinfection and passage of these SAT isolates in goat and buffalo cell lines demonstrated a direct correlation between persistence and cell-killing capacity. These data suggest that FMDV persistence occurs in the germinal centers of lymphoid tissue but that the duration of persistence is related to virus replication and cell-killing capacity. IMPORTANCE: Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes a highly contagious acute vesicular disease in domestic livestock and wildlife species. African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) are the primary carrier hosts of FMDV in African savannah ecosystems, where the disease is endemic. We have shown that the virus persists for up to 400 days in buffaloes and that there is competition between viruses during mixed infections. There was similar competition in cell culture: viruses that killed cells quickly persisted more efficiently in passaged cell cultures. These results may provide a mechanism for the dominance of particular viruses in an ecosystem.

The why, the how and the when of PGS 2.0: current practices and expert opinions of fertility specialists, molecular biologists, and embryologists.

STUDY QUESTION: We wanted to probe the opinions and current practices on preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), and more specifically on PGS in its newest form: PGS 2.0? STUDY FINDING: Consensus is lacking on which patient groups, if any at all, can benefit from PGS 2.0 and, a fortiori, whether all IVF patients should be offered PGS. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: It is clear from all experts that PGS 2.0 can be defined as biopsy at the blastocyst stage followed by comprehensive chromosome screening and possibly combined with vitrification. Most agree that mosaicism is less of an issue at the blastocyst stage than at the cleavage stage but whether mosaicism is no issue at all at the blastocyst stage is currently called into question. STUDY DESIGN, SAMPLES/MATERIALS, METHODS: A questionnaire was developed on the three major aspects of PGS 2.0: the Why, with general questions such as PGS 2.0 indications; the How, specifically on genetic analysis methods; the When, on the ideal method and timing of embryo biopsy. Thirty-five colleagues have been selected to address these questions on the basis of their experience with PGS, and demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications, presentations at meetings and participation in the discussion. The first group of experts who were asked about 'The Why' comprised fertility experts, the second group of molecular biologists were asked about 'The How' and the third group of embryologists were asked about 'The When'. Furthermore, the geographical distribution of the experts has been taken into account. Thirty have filled in the questionnaire as well as actively participated in the redaction of the current paper. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The 30 participants were from Europe (Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK) and the USA. Array comparative genome hybridization is the most widely used method amongst the participants, but it is slowly being replaced by massive parallel sequencing. Most participants offering PGS 2.0 to their patients prefer blastocyst biopsy. The high efficiency of vitrification of blastocysts has added a layer of complexity to the discussion, and it is not clear whether PGS in combination with vitrification, PGS alone, or vitrification alone, followed by serial thawing and eSET will be the favoured approach. The opinions range from in favour of the introduction of PGS 2.0 for all IVF patients, over the proposal to use PGS as a tool to rank embryos according to their implantation potential, to scepticism towards PGS pending a positive outcome of robust, reliable and large-scale RCTs in distinct patient groups. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Care was taken to obtain a wide spectrum of views from carefully chosen experts. However, not all invited experts agreed to participate, which explains a lack of geographical coverage in some areas, for example China. This paper is a collation of current practices and opinions, and it was outside the scope of this study to bring a scientific, once-and-for-all solution to the ongoing debate. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This paper is unique in that it brings together opinions on PGS 2.0 from all different perspectives and gives an overview of currently applied technologies as well as potential future developments. It will be a useful reference for fertility specialists with an expertise outside reproductive genetics. LARGE SCALE DATA: none. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTERESTS: No specific funding was obtained to conduct this questionnaire.

Features and outcome of a glomerulonephropathy associated with ligneous conjunctivitis in a Doberman pinscher dog.

This report describes a 3-year-old female Doberman pinscher dog with ligneous conjunctivitis and a protein-losing nephropathy not associated with underlying plasminogen deficiency. Glomerulonephropathy in this circumstance had a positive outcome.

Caractéristiques et résultats d'une glomérulonéphropathie associée à une conjonctivite ligneuse chez un chien Doberman. Ce rapport décrit une chienne Doberman pinscher âgée de 3 ans souffrant de conjonctivite ligneuse et de néphropathie avec perte de protéines non associée à une carence de plasminogène sous-jacente. Dans cette circonstance, la glomérulonéphropathie a eu une résolution favorable.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Aberrant heartworm migration to the abdominal aorta and systemic arteriolitis in a dog presenting with vomiting and hemorrhagic diarrhea.

A 2-year-old Dachshund was presented for vomiting and diarrhea. Abdominal ultrasound revealed Dirofilaria immitis in the abdominal aorta and an avascular segment of small intestine. The dog was euthanized. Necropsy revealed D. immitis in the abdominal aorta and widespread necrotizing arteriolitis. This is a unique presentation of aberrant migration of D. immitis.

Migration aberrante du ver du cœur vers l'aorte abdominale et artériolite systémique chez un chien présentant des vomissements et une diarrhée hémorragique. Un Dachshund âgé de 2 ans a été présenté pour des vomissements et de la diarrhée. Une échographie de l'abdomen a révélé Dirofilaria immitis dans l'aorte abdominale et un segment avasculaire du petit intestin. Le chien a été euthanasié. La nécropsie a révélé D. immitis dans l'aorte abdominale et une artériolite nécrosante généralisée. Il s'agit d'une présentation unique de la migration aberrante de D. immitis.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Vitamin D levels do not affect IVF outcomes following the transfer of euploid blastocysts.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to characterize the relationship between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH D) levels and implantation and clinical pregnancy rates in women who undergo a euploid blastocyst embryo transfer. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study, conducted in an academic setting, included 529 cycles in which comprehensive chromosome screening was performed as part of routine infertility care with an autologous transfer of 1 or 2 euploid blastocysts. After excluding repeat cycles there were 517 unique cycles representing 517 women for evaluation. Vitamin D levels from serum samples obtained on the day of ovulation trigger in the fresh in vitro fertilization cycle were analyzed. The primary outcome was ongoing pregnancy rate as defined by sonographic presence of fetal heart rate at >8 weeks' gestation. RESULTS: For the population as a whole, serum vitamin D ranges and pregnancy outcomes did not correlate. Furthermore, pregnancy rates did not differ when comparing women in different strata of vitamin D levels (<20, 20-29.9, and ≥30 ng/mL). No meaningful breakpoint for vitamin D levels and ongoing pregnancy rate was identified using receiver operating characteristic analysis with the resultant line possessing an area under the curve of 0.502. Multivariate logistic regression controlling for age, transfer order, race, season, and body mass index did not yield a different result. The study was powered to detect an 18% difference in ongoing pregnancy rates between patients grouped by the 3 vitamin D ranges. CONCLUSION: In women undergoing euploid embryo transfer, vitamin D status was unrelated to pregnancy outcomes. Measuring serum 25-OH vitamin D levels does not predict the likelihood that euploid blastocysts will implant. These results may not apply to women who do not undergo extended embryo culture, blastocyst biopsy for comprehensive chromosome screening, and euploid embryo transfer.

Primary immune-mediated neutropenia in a cat.

An 18-month-old male castrated indoor Himalayan cat was presented for recurrent fever, lethargy, and uveitis. Persistent neutropenia was identified and tests for infectious disease and bone marrow cytology were performed. Primary immune-mediated neutropenia was diagnosed and successfully treated. At the time of writing this report, 24 mo after the initial diagnosis. the patient was clinically normal and not receiving therapy.

Neutropénie primaire à médiation immunitaire chez un chat. Un chat Himalayen mâle castré d'intérieur âgé de 18 mois a été présenté pour une fièvre récurrente, de l'apathie et de l'uvéite. Une neutropénie persistante a été identifiée et des tests pour une maladie infectieuse et une cytologie de la moelle osseuse ont été réalisés. Une neutropénie primaire à médiation immunitaire a été diagnostiquée et a été traitée avec succès. Au moment de la rédaction du présent rapport, 24 mois après le diagnostic initial, le patient était cliniquement normal et ne recevait pas de traitement.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Dendritic cell phenotype can be improved by certain chemotherapies and is associated with alterations to p21(waf1/cip1.).

INTRODUCTION: Dendritic cells (DCs) possess the capacity to elicit immune responses against harmful antigens and have been used in DC-vaccines to stimulate the immune system to engage cancer cells. However, a lack of an appreciation of the quality of the DC that is used and/or the monocyte from which it is derived has limited their successful incorporation into treatment strategies. METHODS: In the current study, we explored the relationship between cytokine receptor expression on the monocytes and its subsequent development into DCs. The significance of p21 expression in DCs during differentiation was also studied, as was the effect that manipulating this with chemotherapy may have on DC quality. RESULTS: DCs separated into two groups based on their ability to respond to a maturation stimulus. This quality correlated with a particular receptor profile of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin 4 expressed on the monocytes from which they were derived. DC quality was also associated with p21 expression, and artificially increasing their levels in DCs by using some chemotherapy improved function. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these studies have highlighted a role for common chemotherapy in activating p21 in DCs, which is a prerequisite for good DC function.

Genotype composition of populations of grapefruit-cross-protecting citrus tristeza virus strain GFMS12 in different host plants and aphid-transmitted sub-isolates.

Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) causes severe losses in grapefruit production in South Africa and requires mild-strain cross-protection to maintain production. Unfortunately, cross-protection breakdown of the pre-immunizing CTV grapefruit mild source GFMS12 is prevalent in grapefruit in South Africa. The CTV genotype composition of the GFMS12 population inoculated onto different hosts was determined by sequencing part of ORF1a and the p23 gene of multiple clones from each plant. Analysis of the GFMS12 population in Mexican lime and Marsh and Star Ruby grapefruit varieties revealed that at least four genotypes occur in the GFMS12 population and that genotype compositions differed amongst the populations in different host plants. Single-aphid-transmitted sub-isolates derived from the GFMS12 mother population on Mexican lime appeared to contain three populations of a mixture of VT-like and recombinant B165/VT-like genotypes; a mixture of recombinant RB/VT- and B165/VT-like genotypes; and a single recombinant B165/VT-like genotype. This study underlines the importance of determining the genotype composition of a potential CTV pre-immunizing source on a range of inoculated host species before utilization.