AAPM Task Group Report 299: Quality control in multi-energy computed tomography.

Multi-energy computed tomography (MECT) offers the opportunity for advanced visualization, detection, and quantification of select elements (e.g., iodine) or materials (e.g., fat) beyond the capability of standard single-energy computed tomography (CT). However, the use of MECT requires careful consideration as substantially different hardware and software approaches have been used by manufacturers, including different sets of user-selected or hidden parameters that affect the performance and radiation dose of MECT. Another important consideration when designing MECT protocols is appreciation of the specific tasks being performed; for instance, differentiating between two different materials or quantifying a specific element. For a given task, it is imperative to consider both the radiation dose and task-specific image quality requirements. Development of a quality control (QC) program is essential to ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of these MECT applications. Although standard QC procedures have been well established for conventional single-energy CT, the substantial differences between single-energy CT and MECT in terms of system implementations, imaging protocols, and clinical tasks warrant QC tests specific to MECT. This task group was therefore charged with developing a systematic QC program designed to meet the needs of MECT applications. In this report, we review the various MECT approaches that are commercially available, including information about hardware implementation, MECT image types, image reconstruction, and postprocessing techniques that are unique to MECT. We address the requirements for MECT phantoms, review representative commercial MECT phantoms, and offer guidance regarding homemade MECT phantoms. We discuss the development of MECT protocols, which must be designed carefully with proper consideration of MECT technology, imaging task, and radiation dose. We then outline specific recommended QC tests in terms of general image quality, radiation dose, differentiation and quantification tasks, and diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

A lytic transglycosylase connects bacterial focal adhesion complexes to the peptidoglycan cell wall.

The Gram-negative bacterium Myxococcus xanthus glides on solid surfaces. Dynamic bacterial focal adhesion complexes (bFACs) convert proton motive force from the inner membrane into mechanical propulsion on the cell surface. It is unclear how the mechanical force transmits across the rigid peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall. Here we show that AgmT, a highly abundant lytic PG transglycosylase homologous to Escherichia coli MltG, couples bFACs to PG. Coprecipitation assay and single-particle microscopy reveal that the gliding motors fail to connect to PG and thus are unable to assemble into bFACs in the absence of an active AgmT. Heterologous expression of E. coli MltG restores the connection between PG and bFACs and thus rescues gliding motility in the M. xanthus cells that lack AgmT. Our results indicate that bFACs anchor to AgmT-modified PG to transmit mechanical force across the PG cell wall.

Immediate Results of the Use of Split-Thickness Skin Autografts With and Without Acellular Dermal Matrix in Patients with Burns: A Comparative Study in a Colombian Population.

Dermal substitutes have become fundamental tools for covering skin defects, most recently with biological subtypes such as glycerolized acellular dermal matrix (GADM). However, literature regarding this matter is scarce in Latin America and Colombia. In this descriptive observational study, we compared the use of partial skin autografts (PSA) combined with GADM and autografts without GADM. Patients were selected from the burn unit of a hospital in northeastern Colombia between 2021 and 2022. Two study groups were defined: one receiving GADM plus PSA and the other control receiving only a partial split-thickness autograft. A total of 29 patients with 68 body areas were included, with an average age of 20 years. Most cases involved third-degree burns caused by flame. Hospitalization time was the same for both groups (41 days). The percentage of grafts taken was similar in both groups; in the GADM with autografts group, it was 94.7% compared with 96% in the control group. The presence of complications was similar in both groups. GADM produced in local tissue banks is a cost-effective alternative. It can be used in a single surgical procedure without increasing complications, providing a postsurgical course similar to autografts alone. Granting the potential long-term benefits that dermal matrices give for healing in these patients, which should be evaluated in subsequent studies.

Tools, strategies and a qualitative approach for revealing the emotions in unemployed men. / Herramientas, estrategias y enfoque cualitativo para develar emociones en varones desempleados.

This work offers an analysis of the quality and consistency of an interview guide created to study the emotions in unemployed men, as well as the method for the implementation of this instrument. Our objective is to reveal how researchers from two research groups at two universities in Mexico and Colombia applied and tested a semistructured interview guide with a biographical approach to reveal the emotions in a group of unemployed men. Their methodology involved the application and evaluation of this tool and was followed in (N = 7 in Colombia + N = 14 in Mexico) interviews with unemployed men in two Latin American cities - Bogotá, Colombia and Guadalajara, Mexico - by two research groups. This application has allowed us to verify the consistency of the tool and its applicability during relevant research. Our results thus demonstrate the suitability and credibility of this methodological proposal and interview guide based on their testing and verification in interdisciplinary and interinstitutional contexts.

Este trabajo se centró en el análisis respecto a la calidad y consistencia de una guía de entrevista, creada para estudiar las emociones en varones sin empleo, así como el método para la implementación de este instrumento. El objetivo fue develar cómo investigadores de dos grupos de investigación de dos universidades de México y Colombia aplicaron y probaron el uso de una entrevista semiestructurada con enfoque biográfico para develar emociones en un grupo de varones desempleados. El método involucró la aplicación y evaluación de la herramienta. La metodología se siguió en (N = 7 en Colombia + N = 14 en México) entrevistas con hombres sin empleo en dos ciudades latinoamericanas: Bogotá, Colombia y Guadalajara, México, por dos grupos de investigación, lo que permitió verificar la consistencia de la herramienta y la aplicabilidad durante el proceso investigativo. Los resultados indican la idoneidad y credibilidad de esta propuesta metodológica y guía de entrevista, probada y constatada en términos interdisciplinarios e interinstitucionales.

Herramientas, estrategias y enfoque cualitativo para develar emociones en varones desempleados / Tools, strategies and a qualitative approach for revealing the emotions in unemployed men

Resumen Este trabajo se centró en el análisis respecto a la calidad y consistencia de una guía de entrevista, creada para estudiar las emociones en varones sin empleo, así como el método para la implementación de este instrumento. El objetivo fue develar cómo investigadores de dos grupos de investigación de dos universidades de México y Colombia aplicaron y probaron el uso de una entrevista semiestructurada con enfoque biográfico para develar emociones en un grupo de varones desempleados. El método involucró la aplicación y evaluación de la herramienta. La metodología se siguió en (N = 7 en Colombia + N = 14 en México) entrevistas con hombres sin empleo en dos ciudades latinoamericanas: Bogotá, Colombia y Guadalajara, México, por dos grupos de investigación, lo que permitió verificar la consistencia de la herramienta y la aplicabilidad durante el proceso investigativo. Los resultados indican la idoneidad y credibilidad de esta propuesta metodológica y guía de entrevista, probada y constatada en términos interdisciplinarios e interinstitucionales.

Abstract This work offers an analysis of the quality and consistency of an interview guide created to study the emotions in unemployed men, as well as the method for the implementation of this instrument. Our objective is to reveal how researchers from two research groups at two universities in Mexico and Colombia applied and tested a semistructured interview guide with a biographical approach to reveal the emotions in a group of unemployed men. Their methodology involved the application and evaluation of this tool and was followed in (N = 7 in Colombia + N = 14 in Mexico) interviews with unemployed men in two Latin American cities - Bogotá, Colombia and Guadalajara, Mexico - by two research groups. This application has allowed us to verify the consistency of the tool and its applicability during relevant research. Our results thus demonstrate the suitability and credibility of this methodological proposal and interview guide based on their testing and verification in interdisciplinary and interinstitutional contexts.

Influence of pH, ionic strength and isoascorbic acid on the gel-forming ability of Jumbo squid muscle (Dosidicus gigas).

The effect of pH and ionic strength (µ) on the extraction capacity of myofibrillar proteins from Jumbo squid mantle muscle along with the addition of isoascorbic acid (IA) in its gel-forming ability (GFA) were evaluated. The results indicate that µ had a greater impact (p < 0.05) than pH on the extraction of muscle myofibrillar proteins. The effectiveness of IA, as the precursor of dehydro-isoascorbic acid (DIA), on the oxidation of sulfhydryl groups (-SH) to disulfide bonds (-SS-) of extracted proteins at 0.6 µ was also evaluated. During the sol-gel transition the -SH groups initially present in the protein system decreased (p < 0.05) due to the combined effect of heat treatment (90 °C/30 min) and the addition of IA; however, the oxidative effect of IA reduced (p < 0.05) the GFA of Jumbo squid muscle proteins. Results also indicated that NaCl at 2.8% rather than at 2.5% during gel preparation significantly (p < 0.05) improves its GFA.

SPINT2 controls SARS-CoV-2 viral infection and is associated to disease severity

COVID-19 outbreak is the biggest threat to human health in recent history. Currently, there are over 1.5 million related deaths and 75 million people infected around the world (as of 22/12/2020). The identification of virulence factors which determine disease susceptibility and severity in different cell types remains an essential challenge. The serine protease TMPRSS2 has been shown to be important for S protein priming and viral entry, however, little is known about its regulation. SPINT2 is a member of the family of Kunitz type serine protease inhibitors and has been shown to inhibit TMPRSS2. Here, we explored the existence of a co-regulation between SPINT2/TMPRSS2 and found a tightly regulated protease/inhibitor expression balance across tissues. We found that SPINT2 negatively correlates with SARS-CoV-2 expression in Calu-3 and Caco-2 cell lines and was down-regulated in secretory cells from COVID-19 patients. We validated our findings using Calu-3 cell lines and observed a strong increase in viral load after SPINT2 knockdown. Additionally, we evaluated the expression of SPINT2 in datasets from comorbid diseases using bulk and scRNA-seq data. We observed its down-regulation in colon, kidney and liver tumors as well as in alpha pancreatic islets cells from diabetes Type 2 patients, which could have implications for the observed comorbidities in COVID-19 patients suffering from chronic diseases.

Single-cell analyses reveal SARS-CoV-2 interference with intrinsic immune response in the human gut

ObjectiveExacerbated pro-inflammatory immune response contributes to COVID-19 pathology. Despite the evidence about SARS-CoV-2 infecting the human gut, little is known about the importance of the enteric phase of SARS-CoV-2 for the viral lifecycle and for the development of COVID-19-associated pathologies. Similarly, it remains unknown whether the innate immune response triggered in this organ to combat viral infection is similar or distinct compared to the one triggered in other organs. DesignWe exploited human ileum- and colon-derived organoids as a non-transformed culture model supporting SARS-CoV-2 infection. We characterized the replication kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 in intestinal epithelial cells and correlated the expression of the viral receptor ACE2 with infection. We performed conventional and targeted single-cell transcriptomics and multiplex single-molecule RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization and used IFN-reporter bioassays to characterize the response of primary human intestinal epithelial cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection. ResultsWe identified a subpopulation of enterocytes as the prime target of SARS-CoV-2. We found the lack of positive correlation between susceptibility to infection and the expression of ACE2 and revealed that SARS-CoV-2 downregulates ACE2 expression upon infection. Infected cells activated strong proinflammatory programs and produced interferon, while expression of interferon-stimulated genes was limited to bystander cells due to SARS-CoV-2 suppressing the autocrine action of interferon in infected cells. ConclusionOur findings reveal that SARS-CoV-2 curtails the immune response in primary human intestinal epithelial cells to promote its replication and spread and this highlights the gut as a proinflammatory reservoir that should be considered to fully understand SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Significance of the studyWhat is already known about this subject? O_LICOVID-19 patients have gastrointestinal symptoms which likely correlates with SARS-CoV-2 infection of the intestinal epithelium C_LIO_LISARS-CoV-2 replicates in human intestinal epithelial cells. C_LIO_LIIntestinal organoids are a good model to study SARS-CoV-2 infection of the gastrointestinal tract C_LIO_LIThere is a limited interferon response in human lung epithelial cells upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. C_LI What are the new findings? O_LIA specific subpopulation of enterocytes are the prime targets of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the human gut. C_LIO_LIThere is a lack of correlation between ACE2 expression and susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 downregulates ACE2 expression upon infection. C_LIO_LIHuman intestinal epithelium cells produce interferon upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. C_LIO_LIInterferon acts in a paracrine manner to induce interferon stimulated genes that control viral infection only in bystander cells. C_LIO_LISARS-CoV-2 actively blocks interferon signaling in infected cells. C_LI How might it impact on clinical practice in the foreseeable future? O_LIThe absence of correlation between ACE2 levels and susceptibility suggest that medications influencing ACE2 levels (e.g. high blood pressure drugs) will not make patients more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. C_LIO_LIThe restricted cell tropism and the distinct immune response mounted by the GI tract, suggests that specific cellular restriction/replication factors and organ specific intrinsic innate immune pathways can represent unique therapeutic targets to treat COVD-19 patients by considering which organ is most infected/impacted by SARS-CoV-2. C_LIO_LIThe strong pro-inflammatory signal mounted by the intestinal epithelium can fuel the systemic inflammation observed in COVID-19 patients and is likely participating in the lung specific pathology. C_LI

Epigenetic reprogramming of primary pancreatic cancer cells counteracts their in vivo tumourigenicity.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) arises through accumulation of multiple genetic alterations. However, cancer cells also acquire and depend on cancer-specific epigenetic changes. To conclusively demonstrate the crucial relevance of the epigenetic programme for the tumourigenicity of the cancer cells, we used cellular reprogramming technology to reverse these epigenetic changes. We reprogrammed human PDAC cultures using three different techniques - (1) lentivirally via induction of Yamanaka Factors (OSKM), (2) the pluripotency-associated gene OCT4 and the microRNA mir-302, or (3) using episomal vectors as a safer alternative without genomic integration. We found that induction with episomal vectors was the most efficient method to reprogram primary human PDAC cultures as well as primary human fibroblasts that served as positive controls. Successful reprogramming was evidenced by immunostaining, alkaline phosphatase staining, and real-time PCR. Intriguingly, reprogramming of primary human PDAC cultures drastically reduced their in vivo tumourigenicity, which appeared to be driven by the cells' enhanced differentiation and loss of stemness upon transplantation. Our study demonstrates that reprogrammed primary PDAC cultures are functionally distinct from parental PDAC cells resulting in drastically reduced tumourigenicity in vitro and in vivo. Thus, epigenetic alterations account at least in part for the tumourigenicity and aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer, supporting the notion that epigenetic modulators could be a suitable approach to improve the dismal outcome of patients with pancreatic cancer.

Transoral ultrasonic total laryngectomy (TOUSS-TL): description of a new endoscopic approach and report of two cases.

The minimally invasive total laryngectomy avoids a wide surgical field and so it has the potential benefit of reducing the local morbidity, especially on radiated patients. This approach has been previously described on a robotic basis, the transoral robotic total laryngectomy (TORS-TL). We have designed a minimally invasive approach for total laryngectomy (TL) using the transoral ultrasonic surgery technique (TOUSS). TOUSS is a transoral, endoscopic, non-robotic approach for laryngeal and pharyngeal tumors, based on the ultrasonic scalpel as a resection tool. Two patients with a laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma with indication for total laryngectomy were surgically treated: one primary TL for a subglottic carcinoma and one salvage TL with partial pharyngectomy for a local relapse after chemoradiotherapy of a glottic carcinoma. The tumors were completely removed with free surgical margin in both patients. The functional recovery was satisfactory in terms of swallowing and speech (a tracheoesophageal puncture and voice prosthesis placement were done in the same procedure). No intraoperative complications were observed. The patient with previous chemoradiotherapy had a pharyngocutaneous fistula which closed spontaneously without additional surgery. We have demonstrated that transoral endoscopic approach to the larynx and pharynx is feasible without a robotic platform. TOUSS-TL can easily spread the transoral endoscopic philosophy as well as the benefits of a minimally invasive way to remove the entire larynx. Further research will show the advantages in terms of complications and functional outcomes.

Freud en los medios: una propuesta de exploración de la concepción cinematográfica del psicoanálisis / Freud in the media: a proposal for exploration of cinematic conception of psychoanalysis

Revisando los encuentros y las divergencias entre el Cine y el Psicoanálisis, para luego desarrollar algunas nociones del análisis audiovisual de los textos cinematográficos, se realiza un breve recorrido del itinerario de los Psicoanalistas y sus prácticas a lo largo de la historia de la industria cinematográfica. Finalmente se plantea una propuesta metodológica y de investigación, destinada a relevar una cierta teoría en los medios de masa de lo qué sería el Psicoanálisis, por medio del estudio de la reconstrucción cinematográfica de éste.

Reviewing the meetings and divergences between the Cinema and Psychoanalysis, then develop some notions of audiovisual analysis of film texts, a brief itinerary of Psychoanalysts and practices performed throughout the history of the film industry. Finally, a methodological and research proposal, designed to relieve some theory on mass media arises what would Psychoanalysis, through the study of film reconstruction of this.

The use of Streptomyces for immunization against mycobacterial infections.

Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of mortality produced by an infectious agent. Different strategies including bioinformatics are currently being tested to identify and improve vaccines against tuberculosis. Comparative genome analysis between Streptomyces coelicolor and Mycobacterium tuberculosis suggest that both descend from a common Actinomycete ancestor. In this work, we suggest the use of Streptomyces as a live vector and explore the capacity of Streptomyces immunization to induce a protective response against mycobacterial infection. First, we compared the theoretical proteomes of S. coelicolor A3(2) with those of M. tuberculosis H37Rv and Mycobacterium bovis AF2122/97. This study showed a high similarity at the level of individual genes sequences with both bacteria sharing several membrane proteins. Then, we administered Streptomyces intraperitoneally to mice and determined its distribution by histopathology and culture; we did not find systemic dissemination. After administration of Streptomyces through different routes, we identified the most immunogenic, inducing strong humoral response, as denoted by the high serum antibody titers against this organism with cross reactivity to mycobacterial antigens. Finally, we evaluated the level of protection elicited by the inoculation of Streptomyces in Balb/c mice challenged with BCG. In these animals, lung bacillary loads were significantly lower than the control non-sensitized group.. These observations, along with Streptomyces' potential for expressing foreign proteins, suggest that Streptomyces could be an advantageous vector in the design of new tuberculosis vaccines.

Proteção dentino-pulpar baseada em evidência / Evidence-based protection of dentin-pulp complex

A utilização racional e correta de materiais odontológicos como protetores do complexo dentino-pulpar desencadeia mecanismos de defesa e reparo na dentina e no tecido pulpar. A importância do entendimento prévio da relação dentina-polpa, associada ao comportamento biológico, mecanismo de ação e propriedades físico-mecânicas dos materiais empregados em odontologia, permitiu ao profissional obter maior taxa de sucesso nos procedimentos clínicos de rotina. O acompanhamento da literatura científica, em associação com a experiência clínica, fornecerá parâmetros para a formação de opinião sobre os materiais e técnicas indicados nos procedimentos adesivos restauradores. A presente revisão de literatura descreve os efeitos da aplicação de materiais odontológicos no complexo dentino-pulpar...

Proper and correct use of dental materials on the dentin-pulp complex triggers different mechanisms of response and repair from dentin, and the pulp as well. It is important to understand the condition of dentin and pulp, along with the biological properties, biocompatibility and mechanisms of action of routinely used dental materials to achieve a successful restorative practice. Scientific sound literature associated to the clinical experience provide parameters for formation of opinion by the clinician on materials and techniques used for restorative procedures. This literature review describes the effects of the application of dental materials on the pulp-dentin complex...

Tratamento de superfície de pinos fibrorresinosos: novas perspectivas / Surface treatment of fiber posts: new perspectives

Desde seu surgimento, os pinos fibrorresinosos têm sido muito utilizados na restauração de dentes tratados endodonticamente. Apesar do desenvolvimento nos últimos anos das técnicas adesivas, vários estudos têm demonstrado haver um importante percentual de falhas adesivas na interface pino-cimento resinoso. Dessa forma, a presente revisão de literatura expõe diferentes protocolos clínicos sugeridos na literatura científica e as novas possibilidades de tratamento de superfície, com o intuito de melhorar o desempenho clínico dos pinos fibrorresinosos...

Since their introduction, fiber posts have been used for restoration of endodontically treated teeth. Despite the development of adhesive techniques in recent years, several studies have shown a significant percentage of adhesive failures at the post/resin cement interface. Thus, the present review addresses different clinical protocols suggested in the literature and new possibilities of surface treatments to improve the clinical performance of fiber posts...

Dual-source dual-energy CT with additional tin filtration: Dose and image quality evaluation in phantoms and in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect on radiation dose and image quality of the use of additional spectral filtration for dual-energy CT using dual-source CT (DSCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A commercial DSCT scanner was modified by adding tin filtration to the high-kV tube, and radiation output and noise were measured in water phantoms. Dose values for equivalent image noise were compared between the dual-energy mode with and without tin filtration and the single-energy mode. To evaluate dual-energy CT material discrimination, the material-specific dual-energy ratio for calcium and that for iodine were determined using images of anthropomorphic phantoms. Data were additionally acquired from imaging a 38-kg pig and an 87-kg pig, and the noise of the linearly mixed images and virtual noncontrast images was compared between dual-energy modes. Finally, abdominal dual-energy CT images of two patients of similar sizes undergoing clinically indicated CT were compared. RESULTS: Adding tin filtration to the high-kV tube improved the dual-energy contrast between iodine and calcium as much as 290%. Data from our animal study showed that tin filtration had no effect on noise in the dual-energy CT mixed images but decreased noise by as much as 30% in the virtual noncontrast images. Virtual noncontrast images of patients acquired using 100 and 140 kV with added tin filtration had improved image quality relative to those generated using 80 and 140 kV without tin filtration. CONCLUSION: Tin filtration of the high-kV tube of a DSCT scanner increases the ability of dual-energy CT to discriminate between calcium and iodine without increasing dose relative to single-energy CT. Furthermore, the use of 100- and 140-kV tube potentials allows improved dual-energy CT imaging of large patients.

Interações fósforo-magnésio em mudas de mamoeiros Tainung nº. 1 e Improved Sunrise Solo 72/12 / Phosphorus-magnesium interactions on Tainung nº 1 and Improved Sunrise Solo 72/12 papaya seedlings

Avaliou-se a influência de doses de fósforo (20, 150, 300, 450 e 600 mg dm-3) e magnésio (0, 15, 30 e 60 mg dm-3) sobre a produção de biomassa seca da parte aérea (BSPA), teores e acúmulos de P e Mg em mudas de mamoeiro cv. Improved Sunrise Solo 72/12 e do híbrido Tainung nº1. Os experimentos foram realizados em delineamento de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições em esquema fatorial. A dose de 600 mg dm-3 proporcionou os maiores ganhos em biomassa seca da parte aérea da cv. ISS 72/12 e do híbrido Tainung nº1. Na cv ISS 72/12, em baixos níveis de P no substrato, a adição de Mg proporcionou aumento nos teores de P na BSPA. Os teores de Mg na BSPA nas duas variedades foram inversamente relacionados ao aumento dos níveis de P no substrato. Os teores de P na BSPA são influenciados por interações entre o P e o Mg do substrato.

The influence of phosphorus (20, 150, 300, 450 , and 600 mg dm-3) and magnesium (0, 15, 30 , and 60 mg dm-3) rates upon the dry aerial biomass yield, and phosphorus and magnesium content and accumulation in cv. Improved Sunrise Solo 72/12 and in the hybrid Tainung nº1 papaya seedlings were evaluated. The experiments were carried out in randomized block design with four replications, in a factorial arrangement. In the ISS 72/12 plants, all phosphorus and magnesium content was influenced by phosphorus-magnesium interactions. Increasing accumulation on dry mass in response to phosphorus and magnesium rates was observed. The greater gain on ISS 72/12 and Tainung nº1 dry aerial biomass was obtained at the 600 mg dm-3 level of phosphorus. In the ISS 72/12 cultivar, under low levels of phosphorus, the magnesium additions increased the phosphorus content on dry aerial biomass yield. The magnesium content in both varieties showed a negative relationship with the phosphorus level of the substrate. The phosphorus content in the dry aerial biomass yield was influenced by phosphorus and magnesium substrate interactions.

Identification of Dengue-specific B-Cell Epitopes by Phage-display Random Peptide Library

Background: Dengue is the most important human viral disease transmitted by arthropod vectors. The availability of random peptide libraries (RPL) displayed on phage has provided a powerful tool for selecting sequences that mimic epitopes from microorganisms that are useful for diagnostic and vaccine development purposes. In this paper, we describe peptides that resemble the antigenic structure of B-cell epitopes of dengue virus identified from a phage-peptide library using human sera containing polyclonal antibodies against dengue virus. Materials and Methods: Eighteen phage clones were isolated from the phage-display peptide library, J404, by affinity selection using human antisera against dengue virus type 3. These clones were tested for reactivity by ELISA with a panel of hyperimmune ascitic fluids (HAFs) containing antibodies either against all four dengue serotypes, West Nile virus (WNV) or Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) with control ascitic fluid (NAF) used as a negative control. Results: Eight clones were recognized by HAFs against the four dengue serotypes, of which four significantly inhibited binding of anti-dengue antibodies to the virus. Two peptides with similar sequences to regions of NS3 and NS4B non-structural dengue virus proteins were identified. Conclusion: Our results suggest that these peptides could be used for the development of diagnostic tools for the detection of dengue virus infection and for a potential vaccine against this pathogen.

[Prevalence of urodynamic anomalies in women with recurrent urinary tract infection]. / Prevalencia de alteraciones urodinámicas en las infecciones urinarias recidivantes de la mujer.

OBJECTIVES: To check the urodynamic data in patients with recurrent urinary tract infection in order to demonstrate a cause justifying them. METHODS: We performed a transverse comparative study in a series of 114 women, with a mean age of 51.9 yr. (typical deviation: 23.5 yr.), divided into groups of 57 women each: group I with recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and group II without recurrent urinary tract infection (no UTI). Patients underwent history, physical examination, and video-urodynamic study. All data were collected in an Access database and subsequently imported to the SPSS statistical analysis software. Fisher's exact test, Pearson's chi-square, and Student's t-test were applied. ROC curve was calculated. A logistic regression multivalue model was elaborated. RESULTS: significant differences were only found in the values of maximum voiding flow (lower in the UTI group), post void residual volume (greater in the UTI group), and pressure of the involuntary detrusor contraction (lower in the UTI group). Nevertheless, post void residual was the only independent variable, becoming the other two dependent variables. The ideal cut point between post void residual and urinary tract infection was 48.5 ml. The determination coefficient for the model was 0.13. No significant relationships were found between urinary tract infection and, among others, presence and degree of cystocele, detrusor hyperactivity, and stress urinary incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Postvoid residual would explain 13% of the recurrent urinary tract infection in women. The remainder would be secondary to other factors not included in the model.