Efficacy and safety of nanohybrids comprising silver nanoparticles and silicate clay for controlling Salmonella infection.

Developing effective and safe drugs is imperative for replacing antibiotics and controlling multidrug-resistant microbes. Nanoscale silicate platelet (NSP) and its nanohybrid, silver nanoparticle/NSP (AgNP/NSP), have been developed, and the nanohybrids show a strong and general antibacterial activity in vitro. Here, their efficacy for protecting Salmonella-infected chicks from fatality and septicemia was evaluated. Both orally administrated NSP and AgNP/NSP, but not AgNPs alone, effectively reduced the systemic Salmonella infection and mortality. In addition, quantitative Ag analyses demonstrated that Ag deposition from AgNP/NSP in the intestines was less than that from conventional AgNPs, indicating that the presence of NSP for immobilizing AgNPs reduced Ag accumulation in tissue and improved the safety of AgNPs. These in vivo results illustrated that both NSP and AgNP/NSP nanohybrid represent potential agents for controlling enteric bacterial infections.

A novel nanostructured biosensor for the detection of the dust mite antigen Der p2.

The group 2 allergen, Der p2, has been reported to activate innate toll-like receptors (TLRs) on respiratory epithelial cells and thus aggravate respiratory diseases. In this study, a highly sensitive nanostructured biosensor based on a 3D sensing element with uniformly deposited gold nanoparticles is proposed for the detection of the dust mite antigen Der p2. The barrier layer comprises an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) film which is used as the template in this highly sensitive nanostructured biosensor. Simple electrochemical deposition without reducing agent and stabilizer was enough to uniformly synthesize gold nanoparticles on the surface of the barrier layer. The size and the distribution density of the nanoparticles can be well controlled by the applied potential during electrochemical deposition. Following this procedure, the dust mite monoclonal antibodies (IgG) were then immobilized through the 11-MUA (11-mercaptoundecanoic acid), (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl-aminopropyl)-carbodiimide)/(N-hydroxysuccinimide) self-assembled monolayer approach for the dust mite antigen Der p2 detection. The detection limit of the proposed 3D gold nanoparticle-based nanostructured biosensor was examined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis and found to be 1 pg/mL. The dynamic range was found to be 5 µg/mL. The proposed nanostructured biosensor would be useful for fast detection of rare molecules in a solution.

Análisis mediante curvas ROC de los factores predictivos de respuesta al tratamiento con interferón más ribavirina en pacientes con hepatitis crónica C en recaída tras un tratamiento previo con interferón / ROC curve analysis of factors predictive of response to treatment with interferon plus ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C relapse after previous interferon treatment

El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar, antes de iniciar el tratamiento y durante éste, variables predictivas de respuesta en pacientes con hepatitis crónica C en recaída tras un tratamiento previo con interferón a, retratados con IFN--a más ribavirina con un régimen estándar y un seguimiento de más de 40 meses. Se incluyeron 44 pacientes (40 con genotipo 1 y 4 con genotipo no 1), de los cuales cuatro (con genotipo 1) fueron excluidos por efectos adversos. La tasa de respuesta sostenida fue del 55 por ciento (50 por ciento genotipo 1, 100 por ciento no 1).El estadio de la lesión histológica (>2), la GPT (£26 UI/l) y la asociación de GPT y detección del RNA del VHC al primer y tercer mes de tratamiento fueron las variables con un área bajo la curva ROC e intervalo de confianza >0,5. La probabilidad de predecir la respuesta sostenida (valor predictivo negativo) si el estadio de la lesión histológica era 26 UI/l y la detección de RNA del VHC al primer mes, así como la detección al tercer mes, predicen con fiabilidad la falta de respuesta, pero con una baja sensibilidad (10 por ciento a 12 por ciento). Se concluye que es posible predecir con un grado de fiabilidad aceptable, no inequívocamente, la respuesta al tratamiento combinado. El 90 por ciento de estos pacientes son candidatos a mantener el tratamiento al menos durante 6 o 12 meses, mientras que aproximadamente un 10 por ciento serían subsidiarios de interrumpir el tratamiento precozmente por falta de respuesta (AU)

[ROC curve analysis of factors predictive of response to treatment with interferon plus ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C relapse after previous interferon treatment]. / Análisis mediante curvas ROC de los factores predictivos de respuesta al tratamiento con interferón más ribavirina en pacientes con hepatitis crónica C en recaída tras un tratamiento previo con interferón.

This study aimed to identify the factors predictive of response before the initiation of treatment and throughout the treatment period in patients with chronic hepatitis C relapse after treatment with interferon-a who were retreated with a standard regimen of interferon-a plus ribavirine and followed up for 40 months. Forty-four patients (40 with genotype 1, four without genotype 1) were included in the study. Four patients (genotype 1) were excluded because of adverse effects. The rate of maintained response was 55% (50% genotype 1, 100% non-genotype 1). The stage of histological damage (>2), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) concentration (< or = 26 UI/l) and the association between the GPT concentration and the detection of the RNA-HCV in the first and third treatment months were the variables with an area under the ROC curve and a confidence interval >0.5. The probability of predicting a maintained response (negative predictive value) if the stage of histological lesion was <2 was 62.9%, while the positive predictive value was 100%. During the treatment, the disappearance of the RNA-HCV together with GPT values < or =26 in the first treatment month were the best predictive values. In this case, the negative predictive value was 78.3% and the positive predictive value was 76.5% (OR: 11.7, 2.6-52.2). Furthermore, the GPT value with the best predictive value (<26 UI/l) was a more effective predictor of the response to treatment than the normal value of the GPT. Finally, the GPT values >26 UI/l and the detection of RNA/HCV in the first or third treatment month were certain predictors of the absence of response but with low sensitivity (10-12%). It was concluded that is possible to predict the response to the combined treatment with an acceptable level of confidence, although not unequivocally. Ninety percent of the patients would be candidates for maintaining treatment for at least 6-12 months, while approximately 10% could undergo early interruption of treatment due to the absence of response.

[Comparison of the efficacy of cleaning and disinfection of videoscopes: mechanized versus manual]. / Comparación de la eficacia en la limpieza y desinfección de videoendoscopios: mecanizada frente a manual.

AIM: a) To analyze the effectiveness of the automated cleaning and disinfection of endoscopies (Olympus miniETD, not previously tested) versus the manual method; b) To evaluate the drying and storage procedures used in our unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective 10-day study. The endoscopies were randomized for automated or manual cleaning and disinfection. Endoscopic samples were collected for microbiology studies at three points during the process: a) after endoscopy (after manual cleaning with water), b) after cleaning with enzymatic detergent and disinfection (automated or manual) and c) at the first hour in the morning. RESULTS: Sixty-five samples were collected after endoscopy: 26 from gastroscopy, 26 from colonoscopy and 13 from duodenoscopy (positive cultures were found in 22, 25 and 10, respectively). The 35 samples collected after automated disinfection were negative, as were 29 of the 30 collected after manual disinfection (p = 0.46). Sixty-four of the 65 samples were negative for hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The only sample positive for hepatitis C became negative after manual disinfection. Positive culture was found in 15% of the samples collected before beginning the session. CONCLUSIONS: a) Automated cleaning and disinfection (Olympus miniETD) are as effective as manual cleaning. b) Drying and storage procedures should be improved and/or disinfection should be carried out again before the first endoscopy of each session.

[Morphological, histochemical and immunochemical characteristics of the terminal ileum of patients with ulcerative colitis. Relationship with the development of pouchitis]. / Características morfológicas, histoquímicas e inmunohistoquímicas del íleon terminal de los pacientes con colitis ulcerosa. Relación con el desarrollo de reservoritis.

UNLABELLED: Pouchitis is the most frequent long-term complication of the ileoanal reservoirs. Its etiology is unknown and it is currently believed to be a recurrence of ulcerative colitis in the mucosa of the ileal reservoir. AIM: To evaluate whether the mucosa of the terminal ileum of patients with ulcerative colitis is different from that of patients free of this disease and whether there are morphological and immunological alterations which might predispose to inflammation of the reservoir. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Colectomy samples from the terminal ileum of 20 patients (12 women, 8 men) with ulcerative colitis who had undergone restorative proctocolectomy with ileoanal reservoir and of 10 controls who had undergone right hemicolectomy for other causes were studied. During follow-up (46.9 months) seven patients were diagnosed with pouchitis (Sandborn > 7). In all patients, morphometric histopathologic, histochemical and immunohistochemical studies of the ileal mucosa were performed. RESULTS: Chronic inflammatory infiltrate and the degree of villous atrophy and of global chronic inflammation were significantly higher in the terminal ileum of patients with ulcerative colitis than in the control group. There were no differences in the mucin content between the two groups and IgA, IgG and B lymphocyte expression was significantly higher in the terminal ileum of patients with ulcerative colitis. Chronic inflammatory infiltrate, degree of atrophy, villous atrophy and of global chronic infiltration, macrophage and CD8 lymphocyte expression were higher in the terminal ileum of patients with pouchitis, but differences was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The terminal ileum of patients with ulcerative colitis has histopathologic, morphometric and immunohistochemical characteristics that are different from those of patients without this disease. These results may eventually lead to an association between alterations in the ileum and the subsequent development of pouchitis.

Asian and Pacific Islander American HIV community-based organizations: a nationwide survey.

A national survey was conducted to (a) ascertain the status of HIV prevention among community-based organizations targeting APIs in the United States, (b) define technical assistance needs among these organizations, and (c) determine their involvement in the HIV community planning process. Of the 80 surveys sent out, 49 (61%) completed responses were received. Filipinos, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodians, and multiracials were the subpopulations targeted the most often, and, not surprising, Tagalog, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Korean and Japanese were the Asian languages most widely in use. Gay men, bisexual men, and youth were targeted most frequently by HIV prevention efforts. Of all the largest ethnic subpopulations, Asian Indian is the only group with no community-based organization that exclusively targets them for HIV prevention. More than 95% of respondents reported conducting some type of evaluation; the size of the budget and organization often determined the evaluation strategies used. Program development, staff development, and program evaluation were the most frequently reported areas of technical assistance requested. A majority of the respondents (79%) reported being involved with the HIV prevention community planning process where APIs were represented on state/local community planning groups, they did not rate the performance of the community planning process highly. We recommend providing technical assistance in fund-raising, program evaluation, and participation in the HIV community planning process.

Asians and Pacific Islanders and HIV prevention community planning.

Since 1993, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has required state and local health departments to engage in a community planning process and to develop HIV prevention plans to spend federal HIV prevention funds. This analysis reviews the HIV prevention plans from 29 states, 5 local governments, and 6 Pacific Island jurisdictions (61.5% percent response rate). The plans from these 40 jurisdictions reflect the uneven implementation of HIV prevention community planning efforts and the uneven progress is achieving CDC's core objectives for HIV prevention community planning. Specifically, Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) often are not represented in state and local HIV prevention community planning groups. There also are significant gaps in the manner in which HIV and AIDS surveillance data are collected and reported for APIs. Finally, API populations are rarely included in HIV prevention priorities.