Fasciola hepatica infection modifies IgG1 specific immune response to foot-and-mouth disease virus induced by vaccination.

Fasciola hepatica, a worldwide distributed helminth, has a robust immunoregulatory effect in the host, increasing the susceptibility to secondary infections. Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious acute vesicular viral disease effectively controlled by vaccination in endemic regions. Despite the evidence of immunoregulatory effects, the impact of fasciolosis on the immune response induced by FMD vaccination in cattle has never been assessed. Our objective was to evaluate whether the infection by F. hepatica in cattle influences the long-term immunity elicited by the currently used commercial FMD-inactivated vaccines. Aberdeen Angus steers negative for F. hepatica were vaccinated twice against FMD virus (FMDV) during the first 6 months of age using a commercial oil vaccine formulated with A24/Cruzeiro and O1/Campos strains. When maternal antibodies against F. hepatica were weaned (18--20 months of age) animals were divided into groups of 12 and infected or mock-infected with 500 metacercariae/animal. Individual serum samples were collected at 0-, 28-, 59-, 87- and 157-days post-infection (dpi). Indirect ELISAs were used to detect A24/Cruzeiro specific bovine IgG and IgG subtypes. The total IgG antibody levels and avidity against FMDV did not show significant differences between all the groups. The commercial vaccine induced higher IgG2 than IgG1 titers in vaccinated animals. Anti-FMDV IgG1 levels significantly decreased in the infected group at 28 dpi. In addition, the avidity of IgG1 FMDV-specific antibodies at day 28 in the infected group was reduced compared to the control. These results show that F. hepatica infection modified anamnestic responses against FMDV, reducing serum IgG1 titers and avidity. To our knowledge, this is the first report of immune-regulation of F. hepatica altering the immune response of FMD vaccines, one of the most globally used animal vaccines.

A Critical Review on Vasoactive Nutrients for the Management of Endothelial Dysfunction and Arterial Stiffness in Individuals under Cardiovascular Risk.

Pathophysiological conditions such as endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness, characterized by low nitric oxide bioavailability, deficient endothelium-dependent vasodilation and heart effort, predispose individuals to atherosclerotic lesions and cardiac events. Nitrate (NO3-), L-arginine, L-citrulline and potassium (K+) can mitigate arterial dysfunction and stiffness by intensifying NO bioavailability. Dietary compounds such as L-arginine, L-citrulline, NO3- and K+ exert vasoactive effects as demonstrated in clinical interventions by noninvasive flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and pulse-wave velocity (PWV) prognostic techniques. Daily L-arginine intakes ranging from 4.5 to 21 g lead to increased FMD and reduced PWV responses. Isolated L-citrulline intake of at least 5.6 g has a better effect compared to watermelon extract, which is only effective on endothelial function when supplemented for longer than 6 weeks and contains at least 6 g of L-citrulline. NO3- supplementation employing beetroot at doses greater than 370 mg promotes hemodynamic effects through the NO3--NO2-/NO pathway, a well-documented effect. A potassium intake of 1.5 g/day can restore endothelial function and arterial mobility, where decreased vascular tone takes place via ATPase pump/hyperpolarization and natriuresis, leading to muscle relaxation and NO release. These dietary interventions, alone or synergically, can ameliorate endothelial dysfunction and should be considered as adjuvant therapies in cardiovascular diseases.

Association between Femoral Artery Flow-Mediated Dilation and Muscle Oxygen Saturation Parameters in Healthy, Young Individuals.

Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and muscle oxygen saturation (StO2) are measurements utilized to assess macro- and microvascular function, respectively. Macro- and microvascular dysfunction may occur differently depending on the clinical condition. Since microvascular responsiveness can influence upstream conduit artery hemodynamics, the present study aimed to investigate whether a correlation between FMD and muscle StO2 parameters exists. Sixteen healthy, young individuals were enrolled in this study. Femoral artery FMD and tibial anterior muscle StO2 were evaluated by ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The FMD and muscle StO2 parameters were assessed by employing a vascular occlusion test (VOT). The oxygen resaturation rate was determined by calculating the upslope of StO2 immediately after occlusion and the magnitude of reperfusion as the difference between the highest and lowest StO2 value achieved during the reperfusion phase. The oxygen desaturation rate and the magnitude of desaturation during the VOT were also evaluated. A significant correlation between the FMD and oxygen resaturation rate (r = 0.628; p = 0.009), magnitude of reperfusion (r = 0.568; p = 0.022), oxygen desaturation rate (r = -0.509; p = 0.044), and magnitude of desaturation (r = 0.644; p = 0.007) was observed. This study demonstrated a moderate association between the femoral artery FMD and tibial anterior StO2 parameters in young individuals.

Main factors associated with foot-and-mouth disease virus infection during the 2001 FMD epidemic in Uruguay.

Large epidemics provide the opportunity to understand the epidemiology of diseases under the specific conditions of the affected population. Whilst foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) epidemics have been extensively studied in developed countries, epidemics in developing countries have been sparsely studied. Here we address this limitation by systematically studying the 2001 epidemic in Uruguay where a total of 2,057 farms were affected. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors (RF) associated with infection and spread of the virus within the country. The epidemic was divided into four periods: (1) the high-risk period (HRP) which was the period between the FMD virus introduction and detection of the index case; (2) the local control measures period (LCM) which encompassed the first control measures implemented before mass vaccination was adopted; (3) the first mass vaccination, and (4) the second mass vaccination round. A stochastic model was developed to estimate the time of initial infection for each of the affected farms. Our analyses indicated that during the HRP around 242 farms were probably already infected. In this period, a higher probability of infection was associated with: (1) animal movements [OR: 1.57 (95% CI: 1.19-2.06)]; (2) farms that combined livestock with crop production [OR: 1.93 (95% CI: 1.43-2.60)]; (3) large and medium farms compared to small farms (this difference was dependent on regional herd density); (4) the geographical location. Keeping cattle only (vs farms that kept also sheep) was a significant RF during the subsequent epidemic period (LCM), and remained as RF, together with large farms, for the entire epidemic. We further explored the RF associated with FMDV infection in farms that raised cattle by fitting another model to a data subset. We found that dairy farms had a higher probability of FMDV infection than beef farms during the HRP [OR: 1.81 (95% CI: 1.12-2.83)], and remained as RF until the end of the first round of vaccination. The delay in the detection of the index case associated with unrestricted animal movements during the HRP may have contributed to this large epidemic. This study contributes to the knowledge of FMD epidemiology in extensive production systems.

Effect of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine on Pregnancy Failure in Beef Cows.

This study evaluates whether the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination increases pregnancy failures in Bos taurus beef cows. A total of 3,379 cows were assigned to two experimental groups to receive (n = 1,722) or not receive (n = 1,657) a FMD vaccine (commercial preparation containing FMD virus, O1 Campos and A24 Cruzeiro) at different gestational age. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography at vaccination time (Day 0), and the cows were classified by days of pregnancy as follows: (a) <29 days after mating (presumed pregnant cows, n = 778), (b) between 30 and 44 days of pregnancy (n = 1,100), (c) 45 and 59 days of pregnancy (n = 553), and (d) between 60 and 90 days of pregnancy (n = 948). Pregnancy failure was determined 30 days after vaccination by a second ultrasound examination. Cows that were vaccinated within 29 days after mating had a 7.8% greater pregnancy failure rate than non-vaccinated cows (44.1%, 163/370 vs. 36.3%, 148/408, respectively; P <0.05). Cows vaccinated between 30 and 44 days of gestation had a pregnancy failure rate greater than non-vaccinated cows (4.9%, 28/576 vs. 2.5%, 13/524, respectively; P <0.05). When cows received the vaccine between days 45 and 90 of gestation no differences in pregnancy failure were observed (0.8%, 6/776 vs. 1.2%, 9/725, respectively; P = NS). Body temperature and local adverse reactions to vaccine inoculation were recorded in a subset of 152 multiparous cows. Hyperthermia (>39.5°C) was detected on Day 1 or 2 in 28.0% (21/75) of vaccinated vs. 7.8% (6/77) of non-vaccinated cows (P <0.01). Local adverse reaction to the FMD vaccine inoculation increased from 0.0% (0/75) on Day 0, to 15.7% (11/75) on Day 4, and 38.7% (29/75) on Day 10 (P <0.01). On Day 30 local reaction was detected in 10.5% (34/323) and fell to 2.2% on Day 60 (7/323) post vaccination (P <0.01). In conclusion, FMD vaccine increases pregnancy failure when it is administered before 45 days of gestation, an effect that was associated with hyperthermia and local adverse reaction. No effect on pregnancy failure was found when vaccination was performed after 45 days of gestation.

Field Evaluation of Commercial Vaccines against Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (Ibr) Virus Using Different Immunization Protocols.

Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 is ubiquitous in cattle populations and is associated with several clinical syndromes, including respiratory disease, genital disease, infertility and abortions. Control of the virus in many parts of the world is achieved primarily through vaccination with either inactivated or live modified viral vaccines. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of four commercially available BoHV-1 vaccines commonly used in Central and South America. Animals were divided into eight groups and vaccinated on days 0 and 30. Groups 1 to 4 received two doses of four different BoHV-1 commercial vaccines (named A to D). Groups 5 and 6 received vaccine D plus a vaccine for either Clostridial or Food-and-Mouth-Disease (FMD), respectively. Group 7 received one dose of two different brands of reproductive vaccines. Serum samples were collected from all animals on days 0, 30 and 60 to evaluate neutralizing and isotype-specific (IgG1 and IgG2) antibodies. Of the four commercial vaccines evaluated, only vaccine A induced neutralizing antibodies to titers ≥ 1:8 in 13/15 (86%) of the animals 60 days post-vaccination. Levels of IgG2 antibody increased in all groups, except for group 2 after the first dose of vaccine B. These results show that only vaccine A induced significant and detectable levels of BoHV-1-neutralizing antibodies. The combination of vaccine D with Clostridial or FMD vaccines did not affect neutralizing antibody responses to BoHV-1. The antibody responses of three of the four commercial vaccines analyzed here were lower than admissible by vaccine A. These results may be from vaccination failure, but means to identify the immune signatures predictive of clinical protection against BoHV-1 in cattle should also be considered.

An index for multidimensional assessment of swine health.

Pork accounts for almost one-third of the meat consumed worldwide. Infectious diseases have a marked impact on pig production. Epidemiological indicators are considered the most useful criteria in decision-making; however, a health status assessment remains a challenge at the national and regional levels. This study proposes a health index including herd-losses, morbidity, fatality, and type of diseases, to rate the health situation in a region or country; it contributes to assessing the effectiveness of control, damage manifestation, and trends. It is a multidimensional index with a structure of triads and simple quantitative, semi-quantitative, and qualitative expressions that use flexible and dynamics limits. With it, we analyzed twenty-one countries in 2005-2018, focusing on African swine fever, classical swine fever, foot-mouth-disease, and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome, diseases that caused 72% of the morbidity. Our multidimensional approach estimates farm, local, and regional impact from infectious agents and outbreaks, and apprises trends aiming to be useful to control measures, strategic actions, and animal health policies.

Histórico e perspectiva da situação sanitária da febre aftosa no Estado de São Paulo / History and perspective of Sanitary Status of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in São Paulo state

A febre aftosa é uma doença infecciosa aguda, causada por vírus do gênero Aphthovirus, da família Picornaviridae. Apresenta grande impacto sobre a sanidade dos animais e, em função da elevada capacidade de difusão, é considerada a doença com maior interferência no comércio internacional de carnes. Em virtude de suas consequências diretas e indiretas, o combate à febre aftosa é uma das maiores preocupações de todos os envolvidos com a pecuária nacional, desde o início do século passado. Em decorrência dos grandes esforços realizados, o Brasil passou a ser reconhecido como país livre de febre aftosa e, atualmente, busca galgar um novo patamar, com a suspensão da vacinação em todo seu território. A participação dos médicos-veterinários foi fundamental neste processo e continuará sendo essencial nos desafios futuros.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute infectious disease caused by a virus of the genus Aphthovirus, family Picornaviridae. FMD has a great impact on the health of animals and, due to high diffusion capacity, it is considered the disease with the greatest interference in the international meat trade. Due to its direct and indirect consequences, the combat against FMD has been a major concern for all those involved with national livestock since the beginning of the last century. As a result of the great efforts, Brazil started to be recognized as an FMD free country and, currently, it seeks to reach a new level, with the suspension of vaccination throughout its territory. The participation of veterinarians was very important in this process and will continue to be essential in future challenges.

Histórico e perspectiva da situação sanitária da febre aftosa no Estado de São Paulo / History and perspective of Sanitary Status of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in São Paulo state

A febre aftosa é uma doença infecciosa aguda, causada por vírus do gênero Aphthovirus, da família Picornaviridae. Apresenta grande impacto sobre a sanidade dos animais e, em função da elevada capacidade de difusão, é considerada a doença com maior interferência no comércio internacional de carnes. Em virtude de suas consequências diretas e indiretas, o combate à febre aftosa é uma das maiores preocupações de todos os envolvidos com a pecuária nacional, desde o início do século passado. Em decorrência dos grandes esforços realizados, o Brasil passou a ser reconhecido como país livre de febre aftosa e, atualmente, busca galgar um novo patamar, com a suspensão da vacinação em todo seu território. A participação dos médicos-veterinários foi fundamental neste processo e continuará sendo essencial nos desafios futuros.(AU)

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute infectious disease caused by a virus of the genus Aphthovirus, family Picornaviridae. FMD has a great impact on the health of animals and, due to high diffusion capacity, it is considered the disease with the greatest interference in the international meat trade. Due to its direct and indirect consequences, the combat against FMD has been a major concern for all those involved with national livestock since the beginning of the last century. As a result of the great efforts, Brazil started to be recognized as an FMD free country and, currently, it seeks to reach a new level, with the suspension of vaccination throughout its territory. The participation of veterinarians was very important in this process and will continue to be essential in future challenges.(AU)

Flow-Mediated Dilation in Healthy Young Individuals Is Impaired after a Single Resistance Exercise Session.

The current pool of data investigating the effects of a single resistance exercise session on endothelial function is divergent and inconclusive. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a single resistance exercise session on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in trained individuals. Eleven healthy, young, recreationally resistance-trained individuals participated in the study. After determining the resistance exercise workload, the participants performed three sets of 10-12 repetition of leg press and leg extension exercises. By using ultrasound equipment, brachial artery FMD was assessed before (PRE) and 30 min after (POST) the resistance exercise protocol or resting (control) to evaluate endothelial function. A significant reduction in FMD response (PRE: 5.73% ± 1.21% vs. POST: 4.03% ± 1.94%, p < 0.01) after resistance exercise was observed, accompanied by a large effect size (d = 1.05). No significant difference was observed in FMD in the control condition (PRE: 5.82% ± 1.19% vs. POST: 5.66% ± 1.24%, p = 0.704). Additionally, no significant difference in baseline brachial artery diameter between resistance exercise (PRE: 3.30 ± 0.32 vs. POST: 3.40 ± 0.34 mm, p = 0.494) and resting (PRE: 3.64 ± 0.41 vs. POST: 3.67 ± 0.62 mm, p = 0.825) was observed. Our findings showed that a single resistance exercise session induced a reduction in FMD in resistance-trained individuals.

Near-infrared spectroscopy-derived muscle oxygen saturation during exercise recovery and flow-mediated dilation are impaired in HIV-infected patients.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy has been associated with the presence of endothelial dysfunction in HIV-infected patients, which may impair oxygen delivery to muscles during exercise and exercise recovery. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used to assess muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) kinetics during exercise in different clinical populations in order to evaluate the balance between oxygen delivery and utilization by muscles. However, studies assessing SmO2 in HIV-infected patients have not been conducted. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate NIRS-derived SmO2 during rhythmic handgrip exercise and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in HIV-infected patients (HIV) compared to non-HIV-infected controls (N-HIV). Eighteen HIV and 17 N-HIV individuals underwent FMD assessment by ultrasound. The subjects then performed one set of rhythmic handgrip exercise until fatigue at 30% maximal isometric voluntary contraction. SmO2 was measured during entire exercise and 2-min exercise 3recovery. Muscle oxygen resaturation rate (upslope of the SmO2 over 10 s of recovery) was calculated. A significant lower FMD (3.5 ± 1.7 vs 5.9 ± 1.5%, P < 0.001) and slower oxygen resaturation rate (0.78 ± 0.4 vs 1.14 ± 0.4%·s-1, P = 0.020) in HIV as compared to N-HIV group were observed. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that HIV-infected patients had reduced FMD and impaired muscle oxygenation during exercise recovery compared to non-HIV individuals.

Global Reach 2018: reduced flow-mediated dilation stimulated by sustained increases in shear stress in high-altitude excessive erythrocytosis.

Excessive erythrocytosis [EE; hemoglobin concentration (Hb) ≥ 21 g/dL in adult men] is a maladaptive high-altitude pathology associated with increased cardiovascular risk and reduced reactive hyperemia flow-mediated dilation (FMD); however, whether a similar impairment occurs in response to more commonly encountered sustained increases in shear stress [sustained stimulus (SS)-FMD] over a range of overlapping stimuli is unknown. We characterized SS-FMD in response to handgrip exercise in Andeans with and without EE in Cerro de Pasco, Peru (4,330 m). Andean highlanders with EE (n = 17, Hb = 23.2 ± 1.2 g/dL) and without EE (n = 23, Hb = 18.7 ± 1.9 g/dL) performed 3 min of rhythmic handgrip exercise at 20, 35, and 50% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Duplex ultrasound was used to continuously record blood velocity and diameter in the brachial artery, and blood viscosity was measured to accurately calculate shear stress. Although baseline shear stress did not differ, Andeans with EE had 22% lower shear stress than Andeans without at 50% MVC (P = 0.004). At 35 and 50% MVC, SS-FMD was 2.1 ± 2.0 and 2.8 ± 2.7% in Andeans with EE compared with 4.1 ± 3.4 and 7.5 ± 4.5% in those without (P = 0.048 and P < 0.001). The stimulus-response slope (∆shear stress vs. ∆diameter) was lower in Andeans with EE compared with Andeans without (P = 0.028). This slope was inversely related to Hb in Andeans with EE (r2 = 0.396, P = 0.007). A reduced SS-FMD in response to small muscle mass exercise in Andeans with EE indicates a generalized reduction in endothelial sensitivity to shear stress, which may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk in this population.NEW & NOTEWORTHY High-altitude excessive erythrocytosis (EE; hemoglobin concentration ≥ 21 g/dL) is a maladaptation to chronic hypoxia exposure and is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We examined flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in response to sustained elevations in shear stress achieved using progressive handgrip exercise [sustained stimulus (SS)-FMD] in Andean highlanders with and without EE at 4,330 m. Andeans with EE demonstrated lower SS-FMD compared with those without. Heightened hemoglobin concentration was related to lower SS-FMD in Andeans with EE.

The association between near-infrared spectroscopy assessment of microvascular reactivity and flow-mediated dilation is disrupted in individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the NIRS-derived reperfusion slope and %FMD in the arm of healthy and at high risk for CVD individuals. METHODS: Twelve healthy (24 ± 4 years) and twelve at high risk for cardiovascular disease (65 ± 11 years) individuals participated in the study. The individuals were submitted to a conduit artery FMD followed by a NIRS-VOT microvascular function test in the arm. Microvascular responsiveness was calculated as the forearm reperfusion slope, and macrovascular function was assessed as the percent of change in FMD (%FMD) of the brachial artery. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between reperfusion slope and %FMD (R = 0.61, P < 0.05) in the healthy group; however, no significant correlation between FMD and reperfusion slope (R = -0.21, P > 0.05) was found in individuals at high risk for CVD. CONCLUSION: The correlation between NIRS-derived reperfusion slope and %FMD was disrupted in the arm of individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease compared to healthy individuals. The findings of the present study reinforce the importance of examining vascular function at microvasculature and conduit artery level, especially in populations with risk factors for CVD.

A single dose of beetroot juice improves endothelial function but not tissue oxygenation in pregnant women: a randomised clinical trial.

Beetroot juice (BJ) consumption has been associated with improved cardiovascular health owing to an increase in NO bioconversion. This study evaluates the effect of BJ consumption on macrovascular endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation (FMD)) and muscle oxygen saturation (StO2) parameters in pregnant women within a randomised, crossover, double-blind design in which twelve pregnant women consumed a single dose (140 ml) of BJ or placebo (PLA). Urinary nitrate was assessed before (T0) and 150 min after BJ/PLA consumption. FMD was used to evaluate macrovascular endothelial function, and near-IR spectroscopy was used to evaluate muscle StO2 parameters during the occlusion and reperfusion phases, which were taken at baseline (PRE) and 120 and 140 min after BJ/PLA consumption, respectively. A significant increase in urinary nitrate was observed at 150 min after BJ consumption when compared with T0 (BJ: 0·20 (sd 0·13) v. T0: 0·02 (sd 0·00), P=0·000) and PLA intervention (PLA: 0·02 (sd 0·00), P=0·001). FMD improved after BJ consumption when compared with PRE (BJ: 11·00 (sd 1·67) v. PRE: 5·53 (sd 1·17), P=0·000) and PLA (5·34 (sd 1·31), P=0·000). No significant difference between PLA and PRE in FMD (P=1·000) was observed. In StO2 parameters, a difference was not observed after BJ consumption compared with PRE and PLA intervention. The data demonstrate that a single dose of 140 ml of BJ consumption improves macrovascular endothelial function, but not StO2 parameters.

Higher D-lactate levels are associated with higher prevalence of small dense low-density lipoprotein in obese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is associated with insulin resistance (IR), increased levels of small dense low-density lipoprotein (sd-LDL) as well as with augmented hepatic de novo lipogenesis, which implies increased triose phosphate fluxes that may lead to increased methylglyoxal (MG) and its catabolic end product D-lactate. We hypothesized that obese adolescents have increased D-lactate serum levels associated with high incidence of sd-LDL. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study where the anthropometric characteristics, atherogenic dyslipidemia complex, sd-LDL (Lipoprint, Quantimetrix) and D-lactate (kinetic enzymatic analysis) were explored in 30 lean vs. 30 obese adolescents (16 females and 14 males per group) without metabolic syndrome (MetS). Endothelial function by flow-mediated dilation (FMD, by ultrasound) and arterial lesion by carotid intima media thickness (CIMT, by ultrasound) were also measured. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 16.8 ± 1.4 years. Obese adolescents had a body mass index of 32.7 ± 3.8 vs. 21.8 ± 2.1 in lean participants. The obesity group showed higher D-lactate levels: 6.2 ± 3.0 vs. 4.5 ± 2.5 µmol/L, higher levels of insulin: 15 (9.6-23.5) vs. 7.9 (6.5-10.5) µIU/mL; triglyceride (TG): 1.46 (1.1-1.8) vs. 0.84 (0.6-1.2) mmol/L; non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (NON-HDL-C): 2.8 ± 0.9 vs. 2.3 ± 0.7 mmol/L; total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C) index: 2.9 ± 0.7 vs. 2.4 ± 0.5; TG/HDL-C index: 2.2 (1.5-2.8) vs. 1.1 (0.8-1.8); %LDL-3: 4.2 ± 4.07 vs. 1.9 ± 2.7; smaller LDL size: 270.6 ± 3 vs. 272.2 ± 1.1 Å. D-lactate correlated positively with LDL-2: r = 0.44 and LDL-3 (sd-LDL): r = 0.49 and negatively with large LDL-1: r = -0.48 and LDL size: r = -0.46; (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001 and p<0.0001, respectively). Obese adolescents showed higher CIMT: 0.51 ± 0.08 vs. 0.46 ± 0.08 mm and lower FMD: 20.3% ± 6.7% vs. 26.0% ± 9.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Obese adolescents display subclinical signs of IR and endothelial dysfunction. Higher serum sd-LDL levels correlated positively with D-lactate levels. These findings suggest an association between atherogenic dyslipoproteinemia and whole body MG fluxes already detectable in apparently healthy obese adolescents.

Current Status and Future Prospects to Achieve Foot-and-Mouth Disease Eradication in South America.

South America has a favourable position with respect to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) compared with other FMD-affected regions due to the elimination of endemic clinical presentation of the disease. South America has reached the final stage of control and aims to eradicate the disease in the region under the provisions of the Hemispheric Program for the Eradication of FMD 2011-2020 (PHEFA). This programme aims at bringing eradication to completion, thereby eliminating the pool of foot-and-mouth disease genotypes active in South America. This plan includes a regional political agreement that provides strategies and technical guidelines for the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease from South America. It incorporates knowledge and experience regarding the disease's history and its connection with the different production systems, animal movement and trade. The Pan American Foot and Mouth Disease Center has led the control and eradication programmes, providing the framework for designing national and subregional programmes that have led to significant progress in controlling the disease in South America. The current situation is the result of several factors, including the proper implementation of a national control programmes, good veterinary infrastructure in most countries and public-private participation in the process of eradicating the disease. Notwithstanding the favourable health status, there are significant challenges for the goal of eradication. At this stage, South American countries should enhance their surveillance strategies particularly through the use of target or risk-based surveys that contribute to increase the degree of sensitivity in the search for viral circulation in the context of absence of clinical occurrence of FMD.

Evaluation of serological response to foot-and-mouth disease vaccination in BLV infected cows.

BACKGROUND: Bovine Leukemia Virus (BLV) produces disorders on the immune system in naturally infected animals, which may counteract the development of immunity after vaccination. The aim of this study was to investigate whether healthy and BLV infected cattle elicited similar humoral responses after foot and mouth disease (FMD) immunization. In a field study, 35 Holstein heifers were selected based on their BLV serological status and immunized with a single dose of a commercial bivalent oil-based FMD vaccine. Serum samples were collected at 0, 15, 60, 165 and 300 days post vaccination (dpv). RESULTS: Total anti-A24/Cruzeiro antibodies, IgM, IgG1, IgG2 titers and avidity index of specific antibodies were determined by ELISA. Although only marginally significant differences were found between groups in terms of total antibodies, anti-FMD IgM and IgG1 titers were significantly lower in heifers infected with BLV at the 15 dpv (p < 0.01). Animals that became infected during the study did not show differences to the BLV negative group. CONCLUSIONS: Cattle infected with BLV at the time of immunization may elicit a low-magnitude serological response to a commercial Foot-and-mouth disease vaccine.

Evaluation of biochemical and clinical markers of endothelial dysfunction and their correlation with urinary albumin excretion in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT Objective Endothelial dysfunction (ED) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. The purpose of the study was to determine flow mediated endothelial dependent vasodilatation (FMD) measurements and serum soluble (s) endothelin-1 (ET-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) levels in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) with or without increased urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and compare them with the healthy controls. Subjects and methods Seventy three patients with T1DM were enrolled. Patients were divided into two subgroups according to microalbumin measurements in 24-hr urine collections. The diabetic patients without microalbuminuria (41 patients) were defined as Group I and those with microalbuminuria (32 patients) were defined as group II. A hundred age and sex matched healthy subjects participated as the control group (Group III). Serum sET-1, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 levels and FMD measurements were determined in all participants. Results Median FMD measurement was significantly lower in the diabetic groups compared with the control group (6.6, 6.4 and 7.8% in Group I, II and III, respectively) (p < 0.05). FMD was negatively correlated with age (p = 0.042). Median serum sICAM-1 level was higher in the patient groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Median serum sVCAM-1 level was higher in the group of patients with increased albuminuria compared to the normoalbuinuric and the control group (p < 0.05). Serum sVCAM-1 level was found to be positively correlated with degree of urinary albumin excretion (p < 0.001). Conclusion We assume that sVCAM-1 may be used as a predictive marker for risk stratification for nephropathy development and progression.

Anti-foot-and-mouth disease virus effects of Chinese herbal kombucha in vivo

Abstract The foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) is sensitive to acids and can be inactivated by exposure to low pH conditions. Spraying animals at risk of infection with suspensions of acid-forming microorganisms has been identified as a potential strategy for preventing FMD. Kombucha is one of the most strongly acid-forming symbiotic probiotics and could thus be an effective agent with which to implement this strategy. Moreover, certain Chinese herbal extracts are known to have broad-spectrum antiviral effects. Chinese herbal kombucha can be prepared by fermenting Chinese herbal extracts with a kombucha culture. Previous studies demonstrated that Chinese herbal kombucha prepared in this way efficiently inhibits FMDV replication in vitro. To assess the inhibitory effects of Chinese herbal kombucha against FMDV in vitro, swine challenged by intramuscular injection with 1000 SID50 of swine FMDV serotype O strain O/China/99 after treatment with Chinese herbal kombucha were partially protected against infection, as demonstrated by a lack of clinical symptoms and qRT-PCR analysis. In a large scale field trial, spraying cattle in an FMD outbreak zone with kombucha protected against infection. Chinese herbal kombucha may be a useful probiotic agent for managing FMD outbreaks.

Anti-foot-and-mouth disease virus effects of Chinese herbal kombucha in vivo

Abstract The foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) is sensitive to acids and can be inactivated by exposure to low pH conditions. Spraying animals at risk of infection with suspensions of acid-forming microorganisms has been identified as a potential strategy for preventing FMD. Kombucha is one of the most strongly acid-forming symbiotic probiotics and could thus be an effective agent with which to implement this strategy. Moreover, certain Chinese herbal extracts are known to have broad-spectrum antiviral effects. Chinese herbal kombucha can be prepared by fermenting Chinese herbal extracts with a kombucha culture. Previous studies demonstrated that Chinese herbal kombucha prepared in this way efficiently inhibits FMDV replication in vitro. To assess the inhibitory effects of Chinese herbal kombucha against FMDV in vitro, swine challenged by intramuscular injection with 1000 SID50 of swine FMDV serotype O strain O/China/99 after treatment with Chinese herbal kombucha were partially protected against infection, as demonstrated by a lack of clinical symptoms and qRT-PCR analysis. In a large scale field trial, spraying cattle in an FMD outbreak zone with kombucha protected against infection. Chinese herbal kombucha may be a useful probiotic agent for managing FMD outbreaks.(AU)