Systemic analysis of lipid metabolism from individuals to multi-organism systems.

Lipid metabolism is recognised as being central to growth, disease and health. Lipids, therefore, have an important place in current research on globally significant topics such as food security and biodiversity loss. However, answering questions in these important fields of research requires not only identification and measurement of lipids in a wider variety of sample types than ever before, but also hypothesis-driven analysis of the resulting 'big data'. We present a novel pipeline that can collect data from a wide range of biological sample types, taking 1 000 000 lipid measurements per 384 well plate, and analyse the data systemically. We provide evidence of the power of the tool through proof-of-principle studies using edible fish (mackerel, bream, seabass) and colonies of Bombus terrestris. Bee colonies were found to be more like mini-ecosystems and there was evidence for considerable changes in lipid metabolism in bees through key developmental stages. This is the first report of either high throughput LCMS lipidomics or systemic analysis in individuals, colonies and ecosystems. This novel approach provides new opportunities to analyse metabolic systems at different scales at a level of detail not previously feasible, to answer research questions about societally important topics.

Wild fish consumption can balance nutrient retention in farmed fish.

Wild fish used as aquafeeds could be redirected towards human consumption to support sustainable marine resource use. Here we use mass-balance fish-in/fish-out ratio approaches to assess nutrient retention in salmon farming and identify scenarios that provide more nutrient-rich food to people. Using data on Norway's salmon farms, our study revealed that six of nine dietary nutrients had higher yields in wild fish used for feeds, such as anchovies and mackerel, than in farmed salmon production. Reallocating one-third of food-grade wild feed fish towards direct human consumption would increase seafood production, while also retaining by-products for use as aquafeeds, thus maximizing nutrient utilization of marine resources.

Multiple antigen presenting system (MAPS): state of the art and potential applications.

INTRODUCTION: Technological innovations have been instrumental in advancing vaccine design and protective benefit. Improvements in the safety, tolerability, and efficacy/effectiveness profiles have profoundly reduced vaccine-preventable global disease morbidity and mortality. Here we present an original vaccine platform, the Multiple Antigen Presenting System (MAPS), that relies on high-affinity interactions between a biotinylated polysaccharide (PS) and rhizavidin-fused pathogen-specific proteins. MAPS allows for flexible combinations of various PS and protein components. AREAS COVERED: This narrative review summarizes the underlying principles of MAPS and describes its applications for vaccine design against bacterial and viral pathogens in non-clinical and clinical settings. EXPERT OPINION: The utilization of high-affinity non-covalent biotin-rhizavidin interactions in MAPS allows for combining multiple PS and disease-specific protein antigens in a single vaccine. The modular design enables a simplified exchange of vaccine components. Published studies indicate that MAPS technology may support enhanced immunogenic breadth (covering more serotypes, inducing B- and T-cell responses) beyond that which may be elicited via PS- or protein-based conjugate vaccines. Importantly, a more detailed characterization of MAPS-based candidate vaccines is warranted, especially in clinical studies. It is anticipated that MAPS-based vaccines could be adapted and leveraged across numerous diseases of global public health importance.

Existing conjugate vaccines, consisting of pathogen-derived polysaccharides (PSs) and carrier proteins unrelated to the target pathogen, have helped to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality of several bacterial diseases. However, the worldwide burden of infectious diseases targeted by conjugate vaccines is still high. This is mainly due to high pathogen diversity and ongoing evolution, and innovative approaches are needed to respond to these challenges. Multiple Antigen Presenting System (MAPS) is an original vaccine technology that relies on strong molecular interactions between biotin and rhizavidin. MAPS is highly adaptable, as different PS and protein components can be precisely combined and easily exchanged, with limited damage to immunogenic epitopes (PS and protein features recognized by the immune system). Unlike existing conjugate vaccines, MAPS complexes contain pathogen-specific proteins, able to elicit broad immune responses directed against the pathogen. To date, investigational MAPS-based vaccines have been evaluated in several non-clinical studies; one candidate pneumococcal vaccine has been evaluated in early phase clinical studies in healthy children and adults (including older adults). In these clinical studies, the MAPS-based vaccine candidate was well tolerated and induced robust immune responses. If the favorable profile of MAPS-based vaccines is confirmed in further studies, these vaccines could be used against infectious diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Factores sociodemográficos asociados a violencia intrafamiliar en mujeres en el Perú año 2021 / Sociodemographic factors associated with domestic violence in women in Peru, 2021

RESUMEN Introducción: La violencia intrafamiliar se basa en fenómenos con una relación de subordinación, cuyos comportamientos se relacionan con el daño físico, psicológico y sexual, mediante el uso real o simbólico de la fuerza, con el objetivo de dominar la voluntad, mente y cuerpo de la víctima. Objetivo: Determinar los factores sociodemográficos asociados a las mujeres víctimas de violencia intrafamiliar en el Perú durante el año 2021. Material y Métodos: Es estudio observacional, retrospectivo, analítico y transversal, desarrollado mediante las bases secundarias ENDES 2021; se utilizó la información de 21 557 mujeres, la cual fue analizada mediante el software estadístico SPSS versión 27. Se hizo uso de las razones de prevalencia mediante el modelo de regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta. Resultados: Se determinó una prevalencia del 47.7 % de violencia psicológica. El análisis multivariado identificó que las variables asociadas a violencia psicológica fueron el nivel de educación primaria (RPa: 1.10) y la región Lima Metropolitana (RPa: 1.14), respecto a la violencia sexual, el nivel de riqueza pobre (RPa: 2.35) fue la variable asociada, y en cuanto a la violencia física, la edad de 20 a 29 años (RPa: 1.21), nivel de riqueza pobre (RPa: 1.49) y la región costa (RPa: 0.79). Conclusiones: Se identificaron como factores asociados a la violencia psicológica el nivel de instrucción y la región natural, el estado civil fue un factor protector ante la violencia sexual, y las variables de edad y nivel de riqueza fueron asociadas a la violencia física.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Domestic violence is based on phenomena that establish a relationship of subordination, whose behaviors are related to physical, psychological and sexual damage, through the real or symbolic use of force, with the aim of dominating the will, mind and body of the victim. Objective: Determine the sociodemographic factors associated with women victims of domestic violence in Peru during the year 2021. Material and Methods: It is an observational, retrospective, analytical and cross-sectional study, developed through the ENDES 2021 secondary databases, using information from 21,557 women. Said information was analyzed using the SPSS vers.27 statistical software, making use of the prevalence ratios using the Poisson regression model with robust variance. Results: A prevalence of 47.7% of psychological violence was determined. The multivariate analysis identified that the variables associated with psychological violence were the level of primary education (RPa:1.10) and the metropolitan Lima region (RPa:1.14), regarding sexual violence, the level of poor wealth (RPa:2.35) was The associated variable, and with respect to physical violence, were age between 20 and 29 years (RPa:1.21), poor wealth level (RPa:1.495) and the coastal region (RPa:0.79). Conclusions: It was identified that the factors associated with psychological violence were the level of education and the natural region, the marital status was a protective factor against sexual violence, and the variables of age and wealth level were associated with physical violence.

Small-scale octopus fishery operations enable environmentally and socioeconomically sustainable sourcing of nutrients under climate change.

Small-scale octopus fisheries represent an underexplored source of nutrients and socioeconomic benefits for populations in the tropics. Here we analyse data from global seafood databases and published literature, finding that tropical small-scale octopus fisheries produced 88,000 t of catch and processed octopus in 2017, with a landed value of US$ 2.3 billion, contributing towards copper, iron and selenium intakes, with over twice the vitamin B12 content of finfish. Catch methods, primarily consisting of small-scale lines and small-scale pots and traps, produced minimal bycatch, and the fast growth and adaptability of octopus may facilitate environmentally sustainable production under climatic change. Management approaches including periodic fishery closures, size restrictions, licences and knowledge transfer of fishing gears can enable greater blue food supply and economic value to be generated while improving environmental sustainability.

Automedicación en niños con enfermedades de vías respiratorias altas en un centro materno infantil en Perú

Introducción: La automedicación es una práctica común para aliviar síntomas de diversas enfermedades, en la población infantil como la faringoamigdalitis y la rinofaringitis que son comunes en los centros de salud del Perú. Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados a la automedicación en niños con enfermedades de vías respiratorias altas. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional transversal analítico. El tamaño muestral fue de 206 padres de familia que acudieron con sus hijos al servicio de emergencia. Se utilizó un cuestionario aprobado por Valenzuela m. Y el programa SPSS para hallar la frecuencia, análisis bivariado y análisis multivariado regresión logística de Poisson. Resultados: la prevalencia de automedicación en niños fue de 91,3%. Los padres que solo estudiaron primaria y secundaria tuvieron mayor probabilidad de automedicar a sus hijos RPa=1,22 (IC 95%: 1,01-1,40). Los primogénitos estuvieron protegidos ante la automedicación RPa=0,86 (IC 95% :0,76-0,97). Los padres que tenían un rango de edad entre 20 a 29 años obtuvieron RPa=1,04 (IC 95%: 0,96-1,13), los niños menores de 7 años, RPa=0,99 (IC 95%: 0,91-1,07) y los padres de familia que tenían 1 hijo RPa=1,04 (IC 95%:0,90-1,20). Conclusiones: El nivel educativo y el número de orden del hijo como ser el primogénito tuvieron asociación significativa con la automedicación en niños.

Introduction: self-medication is a common practice to alleviate symptoms of various diseases, in the child population such as pharyngitis and rhinopharyngitis that are common in health centers in Peru. Objective: to determine the factors associated with self-medication in children with upper respiratory tract diseases. Material and methods: analytical cross-sectional observational study. The sample size was 206 parents who went with their children to the emergency service. A questionnaire approved by Valenzuela m was used. And the SPSS program to find the frequency, the bivariate analysis and the multivariate analysis of Poisson logistic regression. Results: the prevalence of self-medication in children was 91,3%. Parents who only studied primary and secondary school were more likely to self-medicate their children PRa=1,22 (95% CI: 1,01-1,40). The first-born were protected from self-medication PRa=0,86 (95% CI: 0,76-0,97). Parents who were between 20 and 29 years of age obtained PRa=1,04 (95% CI: 0,96-1,13), children under 7 years old, PRa=0,99 (95% ci: 0,91-1,07) and parents of family that had 1 child PRa=1,04 (95% CI:0,90-1,20). Conclusions: the educational level and the order number of the child, such as being the first-born, had a significant association with self-medication in children.

Safety and efficacy of recombinant and live herpes zoster vaccines for prevention in at-risk adults with chronic diseases and immunocompromising conditions.

Compared with the general population, older adults with immune senescence and individuals who are immunocompromised (IC) due to disease or immunosuppressive therapy are at increased risk for herpes zoster (HZ) and its associated complications, which can be debilitating and life-threatening. Vaccination can be an effective strategy against HZ and studies have shown that HZ vaccination in IC individuals can elicit immune responses and provide protection from infection. Recently, the first approvals have been granted in the United States and the European Union for the recombinant HZ vaccine (RZV) in adults ≥ 18 years of age at risk of HZ due to immunodeficiency or immunosuppression. Existing systematic reviews have highlighted the risks for HZ in limited immunocompromising conditions and have only examined clinical data for RZV. This review details the risks and burden of HZ in a broad range of clinically relevant IC populations and summarizes key efficacy and safety data for RZV and live HZ vaccine in these individuals. Research has shown IC individuals can benefit from HZ vaccination; however, these insights have yet to be fully incorporated into vaccination guidelines and clinical care. Clinicians should consider HZ vaccination in eligible at-risk populations to protect against HZ and its associated complications and thereby, reduce the burden that HZ poses on the healthcare system. Electronic health records and linked personal health records could be used to identify and contact patients eligible for HZ vaccination and provide clinical decision support-generated alerts for missing or delayed vaccinations. This review will help clinicians identify eligible IC individuals who may benefit from HZ vaccination. A video abstract linked to this article is available on Figshare https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.21517605.

Factores asociados al conocimiento y medidas preventivas de mordedura de Loxosceles laeta en la población de la Encuesta Nacional de Programas Presupuestales (ENAPRES) en el Perú 2017-2019 / Factors associated with knowledge and preventive measures of Loxosceles laeta bite in the population of the National Survey of Budgetary Programs (ENAPRES) in Peru 2017-2019

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las enfermedades metaxénicas y zoonóticas, son consideradas prioridades nacionales de investigación en salud en Perú 2019-2023. De estas, los casos reportados por loxoscelismo han ido aumentando progresivamente. OBJETIVO: Determinar los factores asociados al conocimiento y medidas preventivas de mordedura de Loxosceles laeta en la población de la ENAPRES en el Perú 2017-2019. MÉTODOS: Estudio de tipo observacional, transversal, analítico y retrospectivo, basado en la información de la ENAPRES. RESULTADOS: Se analizó una muestra total de 285.354 personas. De estas, aquellos con 60 a más años (RPa=1,48; IC95%: 1,45-1,51), los costeños (RPa=1,37; IC95%: 1,33-1,40), las mujeres (RPa=1,12; IC95%: 1,11-1,13), con primaria o secundaria (RPa=1,12; IC95%: 1,09-1,15), con viviendas inadecuadas [techo (RPa=1,07; IC95%: 1,05-1,10), piso (RPa=1,02; IC95%: 1,00-1,04)], se asociaron con mayor posibilidad de tener más conocimiento sobre mordedura de L. laeta. Por otra parte, los encuestados de 60 a más años (RPa=1,49; IC95%: 1,46-1,52), los costeños (RPa=1,39; IC95%: 1,35-1,43), con estudios superiores no universitarios (RPa=1,19; IC95%: 1,15-1,22), las mujeres (RPa=1,13; IC95%: 1,12-1,14) y con viviendas con techos inadecuados (RPa=1,07; IC95%: 1,05-1,10) se asociaron con mayor posibilidad de realizar adecuadas medidas preventivas. En ambas, se halló asociación con el desechar los residuos orgánicos en calle o vía pública (RPa=0,97; IC95%: 0,96-0,99). CONCLUSIONES: Se encontró aquellos factores asociados a conocimientos y a las medidas preventivas de mordedura de L. laeta.

BACKGROUND: Metaxenic and zoonotic diseases are one of the ten national priorities for health research in Peru 2019-2023. Of these, the cases reported by loxoscelism have been increasing progressively. AIM: To determine the factors associated with the knowledge and preventive measures of Loxosceles laeta bite in the population of the ENAPRES in Peru 2017-2019. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional, analytical and retrospective study, based on information from ENAPRES. RESULTS: A total sample of 285,354 people was analyzed. Of these, those aged 60 or over (PRa=1,48; 95%CI: 1,45-1,51), those from the coast (PRa=1,37; 95%CI: 1,33-1,40), women (PRa=1,12; 95%CI: 1,11-1,13), with primary or secondary education (PRa=1,12; 95%CI: 1,09-1,15), with inadequate housing [ceiling (PRa=1,07; 95%CI: 1,05-1,10), floor (PRa=1,02; 95%CI: 1,00-1,04)], were associated with higher possibility ofhaving more knowledge about L. laeta bite. On the other hand, those aged 60 or over (PRa=1,49; 95%CI: 1,46-1,52), those from the coast (PRa=1,39; 95%CI: 1,35-1,43), with non-university higher education (PRa=1,19; 95%CI: 1,15-1,22), women (PR a=1,13; 95%CI: 1,12-1,14) and with inadequate housing ceilings (PRa=1,07; 95%CI 1,05-1,10) were associated with a greater possibility of taking adequate preventive measures. In both, an association was found between disposing of organic waste on the street or on public roads (RPa=0.97; 95%CI: 0.96-0.99) CONCLUSIONS: It were found factors associated with knowledge and preventive for L. laeta bite.

Immune responses to the adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine in immunocompromised adults: a comprehensive overview.

Immunocompromised (IC) persons are at increased risk for herpes zoster (HZ) and its complications, mainly due to impairment of cell-mediated immunity (CMI). The adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) demonstrated efficacy against HZ in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (auto-HSCT) recipients and hematologic malignancy (HM) patients. We review immune responses to RZV in 5 adult IC populations, 4 of which were receiving multiple, concomitant immunosuppressive medications: auto-HSCT and renal transplant recipients, HM and solid tumor patients, and human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults. Although administered in most cases when immunosuppression was near its maximum, including concomitantly with chemotherapy cycles, RZV induced robust and persistent humoral and, more importantly, CMI responses in all 5 IC populations. Based on the overall clinical data generated in older adults and IC individuals, RZV is expected to provide benefit in a broad adult population at risk for HZ.

Opportunities and challenges for upscaled global bivalve seafood production.

Slow growth in the bivalve mariculture sector results from production inefficiencies, food safety concerns, limited availability of convenience products and low consumer demand. Here we assess whether bivalves could meet mass-market seafood demand across the bivalve value chain. We explore how bivalve production could become more efficient, strategies for increasing edible meat yield and how food safety could be improved through food processing technologies and new depuration innovations. Finally, we examine barriers to consumer uptake, such as food allergen prevalence and bivalve preparation challenges, highlighting that appealing and convenient bivalve food products could provide consumers with nutritious and sustainable seafood options-and contribute positively to global food systems.

Microencapsulated algal feeds as a sustainable replacement diet for broodstock in commercial bivalve aquaculture.

The global bivalve shellfish industry makes up 25% of aquaculture, is worth USD $17.2 billion year-1, and relies upon a supply of juvenile bivalves produced by adult broodstock in hatcheries. Today large quantities of live algae are grown to feed broodstock at $220 kg-1, driving highly unsustainable energy and resource use. New advances in algal and microencapsulation technology provide solutions. We developed microencapsulated Schizochytrium algae diets, which can be produced sustainably at < $2 kg-1 from organic side-streams, and are shelf-stable to minimise waste. Physiological, histological, and cutting-edge metabolomic analyses demonstrate that in commercial settings sustainable microencapsulated diets facilitate improved sexual development and 12 × greater omega-3 levels in oysters relative to conventional live algal diets. Every tonne bivalve protein produced instead of fish spares 9 ha, 67 tonnes CO2, and 40,000 L freshwater. Further research into microencapsulated diets could support bivalve industry expansion, and contribute towards a step-change in sustainable global food production through improved aquaculture practices.

Vitamin Bullets. Microencapsulated Feeds to Fortify Shellfish and Tackle Human Nutrient Deficiencies.

Over two billion people worldwide are micronutrient deficient, with regionally specific deficiencies. Fortification of food with micronutrients has become an industry standard for enhancing public health. Bivalve shellfish (e.g., oysters, clams, and mussels) provide the most sustainable source of animal protein on the planet, and the market is rapidly growing-with production in China increasing 1,000-fold since 1980 to an annual 36 kg capita-1 consumption level. Bivalves are also unique in that micronutrients consumed at their end-life stage will be digested by humans, as humans consume the entire organism including the gut. We have developed a novel microencapsulated vehicle for delivering micronutrients to bivalves, tailored for optimal size, shape, buoyancy, and palatability, demonstrating the potential of fortified bivalves to tackle human nutrient deficiencies. Oysters fed vitamin A and D microcapsules at a 3% initial dosage for just 8 h had elevated tissue vitamin content. A serving of just two such bivalves provides enough vitamin A and D to meet human dietary RDAs. Scale-up of this technology and application to other bivalve species including clams and mussels could provide a low-cost and highly sustainable mechanism to contribute toward tackling nutrient deficiencies globally.

Efficacy of the adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) by sex, geographic region, and geographic ancestry/ethnicity: A post-hoc analysis of the ZOE-50 and ZOE-70 randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster (HZ) risk appears to vary by sex and geographic ancestry/ethnicity. METHODS: In 2 randomized clinical trials, participants received 2 doses of adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) or placebo intramuscularly, 2 months apart. In this post-hoc analysis, we investigate efficacy of RZV against HZ and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) by sex, geographic region, and geographic ancestry/ethnicity in ≥50-year-olds (ZOE-50: NCT01165177) and ≥70-year-olds (pooled data from ZOE-50 and ZOE-70: NCT01165229). RESULTS: Vaccine efficacy against HZ or PHN was similar in women and men. Across geographic regions, efficacy against HZ ranged between 95.7 and 97.2% in ≥50-year-olds, and between 87.3% and 95.1% in ≥70-year-olds; efficacy against PHN ranged between 86.8 and 100% in ≥70-year-olds. Across ancestral/ethnic groups, efficacy ranged between 88.1 and 100% against HZ and between 65.9 and 100% against PHN in ≥70-year-olds. CONCLUSIONS: While the ZOE-50/70 studies were not powered or pre-designed for these post-hoc analyses, RZV appears efficacious against HZ and PHN irrespective of sex, region, or geographic ancestry/ethnicity.

Microencapsulated diets to improve growth and survivorship in juvenile European flat oysters (Ostrea edulis).

Sustainable expansion of aquaculture is critical to global food security, and bivalve shellfish aquaculture represents a sustainable method to provide people with affordable nutritious food. Oysters represent 54% of the global bivalve market by value, with propagation of juveniles within hatcheries critical to allow the industry to grow. Growth and survival of juvenile oysters in hatchery systems is constrained by suboptimal feed. The live algal feed currently used is expensive, of variable quality, contamination prone, and the high level of skill and equipment required limits where hatcheries can be located. We demonstrate how a novel microencapsulated diet can increase the growth and survivorship of Ostrea edulis (European flat oyster) juveniles in both the laboratory and hatchery setting. The microcapsules are easily produced in large quantities, stable for long term storage, and can be customised to have exceptionally high levels of nutrients key for oyster growth. O. edulis larvae fed a combined diet of microcapsules and algae for 8 days had a 46% greater increase in maximum size, 171% greater increase in minimum size, and 5% higher survival than larvae fed algae alone. O. edulis spat of 4 mm fed the combined diet for 7 weeks also had significantly greater survivorship (16% greater in hatchery, 58% greater in laboratory) and growth comparable (hatchery) or better (laboratory experiments) than algae alone. Further tailoring of the nutritional composition of microcapsules to specific bivalve species or growth stages could allow microcapsules to replace a greater proportion of or even completely replace algal diets. There is potential for these diets to revolutionise bivalve shellfish farming globally.

Feasting on terrestrial organic matter: Dining in a dark lake changes microbial decomposition.

Boreal lakes are major components of the global carbon cycle, partly because of sediment-bound heterotrophic microorganisms that decompose within-lake and terrestrially derived organic matter (t-OM). The ability for sediment bacteria to break down and alter t-OM may depend on environmental characteristics and community composition. However, the connection between these two potential drivers of decomposition is poorly understood. We tested how bacterial activity changed along experimental gradients in the quality and quantity of t-OM inputs into littoral sediments of two small boreal lakes, a dark and a clear lake, and measured the abundance of operational taxonomic units and functional genes to identify mechanisms underlying bacterial responses. We found that bacterial production (BP) decreased across lakes with aromatic dissolved organic matter (DOM) in sediment pore water, but the process underlying this pattern differed between lakes. Bacteria in the dark lake invested in the energetically costly production of extracellular enzymes as aromatic DOM increased in availability in the sediments. By contrast, bacteria in the clear lake may have lacked the nutrients and/or genetic potential to degrade aromatic DOM and instead mineralized photo-degraded OM into CO2 . The two lakes differed in community composition, with concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and pH differentiating microbial assemblages. Furthermore, functional genes relating to t-OM degradation were relatively higher in the dark lake. Our results suggest that future changes in t-OM inputs to lake sediments will have different effects on carbon cycling depending on the potential for photo-degradation of OM and composition of resident bacterial communities.

Microencapsulated diets to improve bivalve shellfish aquaculture.

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector and feeds over 3 billion people. Bivalve shellfish aquaculture makes up 25% of global aquaculture production and is worth annually US$19 billion, but continued growth is currently limited by suboptimal diets and limited tools for disease control. New advances in microencapsulation technology could provide an effective way to overcome these biological limitations. This study demonstrated that a new formulation of microencapsulated diet known as BioBullets could be ingested by a commercially farmed bivalve; the blue mussel Mytilus edulis. Microparticles could be captured by mussels with similar efficiency to natural foods. Microparticles too large for ingestion were rejected in pseudofaeces. Microparticles were successfully ingested and broken down by the gut. Further work is needed to assess the impact of BioBullets diets on bivalve growth. There is now an exciting opportunity to tailor the composition of microencapsulated diets for specific applications to improve production output and efficiency in the commercial bivalve shellfish industry.

A novel strain of cynomolgus macaque cytomegalovirus: implications for host-virus co-evolution.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegaloviruses belong to a large, ancient, genus of DNA viruses comprised of a wide array of species-specific strains that occur in diverse array of hosts. METHODS: In this study we sequenced the ~217 Kb genome of a cytomegalovirus isolated from a Mauritius cynomolgus macaque, CyCMV Mauritius, and compared it to previously sequenced cytomegaloviruses from a cynomolgus macaque of Filipino origin (CyCMV Ottawa) and two from Indian rhesus macaques (RhCMV 180.92 and RhCMV 68-1). RESULTS: Though more closely related to CyCMV Ottawa, CyCMV Mauritius is less genetically distant from both RhCMV strains than is CyCMV Ottawa. Several individual genes, including homologues of CMV genes RL11B, UL123, UL83b, UL84 and a homologue of mammalian COX-2, show a closer relationship between homologues of CyCMV Mauritius and the RhCMVs than between homologues of CyCMV Mauritius and CyCMV Ottawa. A broader phylogenetic analysis of 12 CMV strains from eight species recovers evolutionary relationships among viral strains that mirror those amongst the host species, further demonstrating co-evolution of host and virus. CONCLUSIONS: Phylogenetic analyses of rhesus and cynomolgus macaque CMV genome sequences demonstrate co-speciation of the virus and host.

Tiempos de demora para la publicación de artículos en la Revista Médica Panacea / Delay times for the publication of articles in the Panacea Medical Journal

Objetivo: Determinar los tiempos de demora del proceso editorial de la Revista Médica Panacea. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo de 52 artículos publicados en la Revista Médica Panacea de la Universidad Nacional San Luis Gonzaga de Ica durante los años 2012 y 2013. Se excluyeron nueve artículos. Los artículos fueron clasificados en dos grupos: artículos generales y artículos de investigación. Los artículos de investigación se clasificaron en estudios observacionales y estudios experimentales. Se usó el estadístico U de Mann Whitney para determinar la significancia de la diferencia entre los rangos promedio de los tiempos de demora. Resultados:El tiempo promedio desde la recepción hasta la aceptación es de 77,84 ±56,23 días. Los artículos generales tienen un rango promedio de 13,89 días y los artículos de investigación 24,15 (p=0,029). El tiempo promedio desde la aceptación hasta la publicación es de 44,30 ±26,32 días. El tiempo promedio desde la recepción hasta la publicación es de 122,14 ±67,17 días. Los artículos generales tienen un rango promedio de 14,50 días y los artículos de investigación 23,99 (p=0,042). Conclusiones: El tiempo de demora del proceso editorial se ajusta a su periodicidad de publicación pero con alta variabilidad y tiempos de demora atípicos. (AU)

Objective: To determine the delay times of the editorial process in the Panacea Medical Journal. Materials and Methods: An observational, descriptive and retrospective study of 52 articles published in the Medical Journal of Panacea San Luis Gonzaga National University of Ica during the years 2012 and 2013 was conducted. Nine articles were excluded. The articles were classified into two groups: general articles and research papers.Research articles were classified into observational and experimental studies. The Mann Whitney U statistic was used to determine the significance of the difference between the average delay times ranges. Results: The average time from receipt to acceptance is 77.84 ± 56.23 days. General items have an average rank of 13.89 days and 24.15 for research articles (p=0.029). The average time from acceptance to publication is 44.30 ± 26.32 days.The average time from receipt to publication is 122.14 ± 67.17 days. General items have an average rank of 14.50 days and 23.99 for research articles (p = 0.042). Conclusions:The delay time of the editorial process is adjusted to its frequency of publication but with high variability and atypical delay times. (AU)

Examining the species-specificity of rhesus macaque cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) in cynomolgus macaques.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a highly species-specific virus that has co-evolved with its host over millions of years and thus restricting cross-species infection. To examine the extent to which host restriction may prevent cross-species research between closely related non-human primates, we evaluated experimental infection of cynomolgus macaques with a recombinant rhesus macaque-derived CMV (RhCMV-eGFP). Twelve cynomolgus macaques were randomly allocated to three groups: one experimental group (RhCMV-eGFP) and two control groups (UV-inactivated RhCMV-eGFP or media alone). The animals were given two subcutaneous inoculations at week 0 and week 8, and a subset of animals received an intravenous inoculation at week 23. No overt clinical or haematological changes were observed and PBMCs isolated from RhCMV-eGFP inoculated animals had comparable eGFP- and IE-1-specific cellular responses to the control animals. Following inoculation with RhCMV-eGFP, we were unable to detect evidence of infection in any blood or tissue samples up to 4 years post-inoculation, using sensitive viral co-culture, qPCR, and Western blot assays. Co-culture of urine and saliva samples demonstrated the presence of endogenous cynomolgus CMV (CyCMV) cytopathic effect, however no concomitant eGFP expression was observed. The absence of detectable RhCMV-eGFP suggests that the CyCMV-seropositive cynomolgus macaques were not productively infected with RhCMV-eGFP under these inoculation conditions. In a continued effort to develop CMV as a viral vector for an HIV/SIV vaccine, these studies demonstrate that CMV is highly restricted to its host species and can be highly affected by laboratory cell culture. Consideration of the differences between lab-adapted and primary viruses with respect to species range and cell tropism should be a priority in evaluating CMV as vaccine vector for HIV or other pathogens at the preclinical development stage.