"Poison" or "protection"? A mixed methods exploration of Australian parents' COVID-19 vaccination intentions.

OBJECTIVE: The success of COVID-19 vaccination programs relies on community attitudes, yet little is known about parents' views. We aimed to explore the reasons behind Australian parents' vaccine intentions for themselves and for their children. METHOD: This mixed methods study relates to Wave 13 (January 2021) of a longitudinal study of Australian parents' experiences during COVID-19 and contained 1094 participants (83% mothers). We used multinomial logistic regression to understand demographic predictors of vaccine intention, and a descriptive template thematic analysis to analyse open-ended questions about parents' reasons for vaccine intentions for themselves and their children. RESULTS: 64% of Australian parents intend on vaccination, 26% are unsure and 9% intend to decline; 48% intend to vaccinate their children, 38% are unsure, and 14% intend to decline. Relative to those intending to vaccinate, parents unsure (OR = -0.63, 95% CI: 0.46, -0.84, p = .002) or not intending (OR = -0.41, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.67 p < .001) to vaccinate were more likely to have lower trust in doctors. Similar predictors emerged for parents who did not intend to vaccinate their children (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.31, 0.70, p < .001). Qualitative data indicated that many parents had not made a firm decision, including a lack of alignment between intentions and reasons. For example, parents who said 'yes' to vaccination, often then expressed hesitance and a focus on risks in their written response. Reasons for hesitancy for themselves included concerns about testing, side effects, and long-term outcomes. Similar themes were present for children, but parents expressed a strong desire to protect their children, and an eagerness for health information. CONCLUSION: Based on prior research and the themes identified here, a multipronged campaign that includes education/promotion, good access to vaccines and role models, is likely to support parents to make informed decisions regarding COVID-19 vaccination.

[Antimicrobial resistance and molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains isolated from dog clinical samples]. / Resistencia antimicrobiana y epidemiología molecular de aislamientos de Staphylococcus pseudintermedius de muestras clínicas de caninos.

Twenty-eight strains isolated from dog clinical samples identified as Staphylococcus pseudintermedius by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) were studied to assess antimicrobial susceptibility by the diffusion method and clonal relationship by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Methicillin resistance (3/28 isolates; 10,7%) was evaluated by mecA PCR. Fifteen strains (53.6%) were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics tested, and eleven of them (39.3%) showed multiple resistance (3 or more antimicrobial families). Eleven isolates (39.3%) were resistant to erythromycin due to the presence of ribosomal methylase ermB, whereas clindamycin inducible resistance was not detected. Twenty-seven (27) clonal types were differentiated by PFGE, suggesting high clonal diversity. We emphasize that the finding of multiresistant S. psedintermedius strains is an emerging problem to be considered in veterinary diagnostic laboratory treatment of canine infections and in public health settings.

Resistencia antimicrobiana y epidemiología molecular de aislamientos de Staphylococcus pseudintermedius de muestras clínicas de caninos / Antimicrobial resistance and molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains isolated from dog clinical samples

Se estudiaron 28 aislamientos obtenidos de muestras clínicas de perros e identificados por espectrometría de masas (MALDI-TOF) como Staphylococcus pseudintermedius; el objetivo fue evaluar la sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos por el método de difusión y establecer la relación clonal entre aislamientos por electroforesis en campo pulsado (PFGE). La resistencia a meticilina se evaluó mediante PCR por amplificación del gen mecA y se observó en 3/28 aislamientos (10,7 %). Quince aislamientos (53,6 %) presentaron resistencia a alguno de los antibióticos ensayados y 11 de ellos (39,3 %) presentaron resistencia múltiple (resistencia a 3 o más familias de antibióticos). Once aislamientos (39,3 %) presentaron resistencia a eritromicina, debido a la presencia de metilasa ribosomal ermB, y no se detectó resistencia inducible a clindamicina. Por PFGE se pudieron diferenciar 27 tipos clonales, lo cual demuestra gran diversidad clonal. Se destaca el hallazgo de aislamientos de S. pseudintermedius multirresistentes como una eventual problemática a considerar en el diagnóstico veterinario de laboratorio, el tratamiento de las infecciones caninas y el ámbito de la salud pública.

Twenty-eight strains isolated from dog clinical samples identified as Staphylococcus pseudintermedius by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) were studied to assess antimicrobial susceptibility by the diffusion method and clonal relationship by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Methicillin resistance (3/28 isolates; 10,7 %) was evaluated by mecA PCR. Fifteen strains (53.6 %) were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics tested, and eleven of them (39.3 %) showed multiple resistance (3 or more antimicrobial families). Eleven isolates (39.3 %) were resistant to erythromycin due to the presence of ribosomal methylase ermB, whereas clindamycin inducible resistance was not detected. Twenty-seven (27) clonal types were differentiated by PFGE, suggesting high clonal diversity. We emphasize that the finding of multiresistant S. psedintermedius strains is an emerging problem to be considered in veterinary diagnostic laboratory treatment of canine infections and in public health settings.

Diagnosis of an outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Adult chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) that had suddenly died in a commercial farm located in La Plata City, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, in July 2012 were macroscopically, histopathologically, and microbiologically examined. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) was isolated from the liver, spleen, heart, lungs, kidneys and intestines from each of the five animals evaluated. The five strains were susceptible to ampicillin, cephalotin, cefotaxime, nalidixic acid, gentamicin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and resistant to tetracycline. Each of the five S. Typhimurium isolates was analyzed by XbaI- pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), showing an identical electrophoretic profile with 15 defined bands, which was found to be identical to pattern ARJPXX01.0220 of the PulseNet Argentine National database of Salmonella PFGE patterns. This is the first work describing the postmortem diagnosis of an outbreak of salmonellosis in chinchillas by using molecular methods such as PFGE.

Diagnóstico de un brote de Salmonella Typhimurium en Chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) mediante la electroforesis en gel de campo pulsado / Diagnosis of an autbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) by pulsed-fiel gel electrophoresis

Empleando estudios anatomopatológicos y microbiológicos se examinó a un grupo de chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) adultas que murieron súbitamente en 2012 en una granja de la ciudad de La Plata (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Se aisló Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) del hígado, el bazo, el corazón, los pulmones, los riñones y los intestinos de los cinco animales evaluados. Los cinco aislamientos estudiados (uno por animal) fueron sensibles a ampicilina, cefalotina, cefotaxima, ácido nalidíxico, gentamicina, estreptomicina, cloranfenicol, fosfomicina, nitrofurantoína y trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol, y resistentes a tetraciclina. El análisis de dichos aislamientos por electroforesis en gel de campo pulsado [pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)] con XbaI mostró un perfil electroforético idéntico con 15 bandas, idéntico a su vez al patrón ARJPXX01.0220 del banco nacional argentino de datos de PulseNet, que cuenta con patrones de PFGE de Salmonella. El presente trabajo describe por primera vez el diagnóstico postmortem de un brote de salmonelosis en chinchillas usando un método molecular, como la electroforesis en gel en campo pulsado

Adult chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) that had suddenly died in a commercial farm located in La Plata City, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, in July 2012 were macroscopically, histopathologically, and microbiologically examined. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) was isolated from the liver, spleen, heart, lungs, kidneys and intestines from each of the five animals evaluated. The five strains were susceptible to ampicillin, cephalotin, cefotaxime, nalidixic acid, gentamicin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole, and resistant to tetracycline. Each of the five S. Typhimurium isolates was analyzed by XbaI- pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), showing an identical electrophoretic profile with 15 defined bands, which was found to be identical to pattern ARJPXX01.0220 of the PulseNet Argentine National database of Salmonella PFGE patterns. This is the first work describing the postmortem diagnosis of an outbreak of salmonellosis in chinchillas by using molecular methods such as PFGE

Wild-type minimal inhibitory concentration distributions in bacteria of animal origin in Argentina.

The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles of indicator bacteria isolated from domestic animal feces. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by agar dilution. Interpretative criteria on the basis of wild-type MIC distributions and epidemiological cutoff values (ECOFF or ECV) were used according to the 'European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing' (EUCAST) data. Results from 237 isolates of Escherichia coli showed reduced susceptibility for ampicillin, streptomycin and tetracycline, the antimicrobials commonly used in intensive breeding of pigs and hens. Regarding all the species of the genus Enterococcus spp., there are only ECOFF or ECV for vancomycin. Of the 173 Enterococcus spp. isolated, only one showed reduced susceptibility to vancomycin and was classified as 'non-wild-type' (NWT) population. This is the first report in Argentina showing data of epidemiological cutoff values in animal bacteria.

3D holographic printer: fast printing approach.

This article describes the general operation principles of devices for synthesized holographic images such as holographic printers. Special emphasis is placed on the printing speed. In addition, various methods to increase the printing process are described and compared.

Distribución de la concentración inhibitoria mínima y puntos de corte "wild-type" en bacterias de origen animal en Argentina / Wild-typeminimal inhibitory concentration distributions in bacteria of animal origin in Argentina

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar los patrones de resistencia antimicrobiana en bacterias indicadoras aisladas de muestras fecales de animales domésticos. La concentración inhibitoria mínima (CIM) fue determinada por el método de dilución en agar. El criterio de interpretación usado se basó en la distribución de la CIM y el punto de corte epidemiológico (ECOFF o ECV) de acuerdo con los datos del European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). Los resultados obtenidos de 237 aislamientos de Escherichia coli mostraron sensibilidad reducida a ampicilina, estreptomicina y tetraciclina, antimicrobianos comúnmente usados en porcinos y aves de explotación intensiva. Con respecto a todas las especies del género Enterococcus spp., solo existe ECOFF o ECV para la vancomicina. De los 173 Enterococcus spp. aislados, sólo uno presentó sensibilidad reducida a dicho agente y fue categorizado como población 'non-wild-type' (NWT). Este es el primer informe en Argentina que presenta datos de puntos de corte epidemiológico en bacterias animales

The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles of indicator bacteria isolated from domestic animal feces. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by agar dilution. Interpretative criteria on the basis of wild-type MIC distributions and epidemiological cutoff values (ECOFF or ECV) were used according to the 'European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing' (EUCAST) data. Results from 237 isolates of Escherichia coli showed reduced susceptibility for ampicillin, streptomycin and tetracycline, the antimicrobials commonly used in intensive breeding of pigs and hens. Regarding all the species of the genus Enterococcus spp., there are only ECOFF or ECV for vancomycin. Of the 173 Enterococcus spp. isolated, only one showed reduced susceptibility to vancomycin and was classifi ed as 'non-wild-type' (NWT) population. This is the fi rst report in Argentina showing data of epidemiological cutoff values in animal bacteria

Wild-type minimal inhibitory concentration distributions in bacteria of animal origin in Argentina. / Wild-type minimal inhibitory concentration distributions in bacteria of animal origin in Argentina.

The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles of indicator bacteria isolated from domestic animal feces. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by agar dilution. Interpretative criteria on the basis of wild-type MIC distributions and epidemiological cutoff values (ECOFF or ECV) were used according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) data. Results from 237 isolates of Escherichia coli showed reduced susceptibility for ampicillin, streptomycin and tetracycline, the antimicrobials commonly used in intensive breeding of pigs and hens. Regarding all the species of the genus Enterococcus spp., there are only ECOFF or ECV for vancomycin. Of the 173 Enterococcus spp. isolated, only one showed reduced susceptibility to vancomycin and was classified as non-wild-type (NWT) population. This is the first report in Argentina showing data of epidemiological cutoff values in animal bacteria.

Diagnosis of an outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. / Diagnosis of an outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Adult chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) that had suddenly died in a commercial farm located in La Plata City, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, in July 2012 were macroscopically, histopathologically, and microbiologically examined. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) was isolated from the liver, spleen, heart, lungs, kidneys and intestines from each of the five animals evaluated. The five strains were susceptible to ampicillin, cephalotin, cefotaxime, nalidixic acid, gentamicin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and resistant to tetracycline. Each of the five S. Typhimurium isolates was analyzed by XbaI- pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), showing an identical electrophoretic profile with 15 defined bands, which was found to be identical to pattern ARJPXX01.0220 of the PulseNet Argentine National database of Salmonella PFGE patterns. This is the first work describing the postmortem diagnosis of an outbreak of salmonellosis in chinchillas by using molecular methods such as PFGE.

Salmonella enterica subclinical infection: bacteriological, serological, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and antimicrobial resistance profiles--longitudinal study in a three-site farrow-to-finish farm.

The aim of this surveillance was to study both Salmonella spp. shedding patterns and the time course of serological response in farrow-to-finish reared pigs from a subclinically infected farm. Antimicrobial resistance profile, molecular subtyping, and the relationship among the isolates were determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). A farrow-to-finish farm of 6000 sows, with a history of Salmonella Typhimurium septicemia, was selected. A longitudinal bacteriological and serological study was conducted in 25 sows before farrowing (M/S1) and in 50 offspring at 21 (M/S2), 35 (M/S3), 65 (M/S4), 86 (M/S5), 128 (M/S6), and 165 (M/S7) days of age. Serum antibodies were tested using Herdcheck((R)) Swine Salmonella antibody test kit (Idexx Laboratories, ME). Bacteria were isolated from pooled fecal samples. Suspected isolates were confirmed by conventional biochemical assays, and those identified as Salmonella spp. were serotyped. A variation between seropositive percentages and positive fecal samples was observed. Serologically positive pigs decreased from S1 to S4, and subsequently increased from S4 to S7. The percentages of fecal positive culture increased from M1 to M3, and then declined in M4, increased in M5, and were negative in M6 and M7. In the study three serovars, Salmonella 3,10:e,h:-, Salmonella Muenster, and Salmonella Bovismorbificans, were identified with low pathogenicity for swine. Three multidrug resistance strains (one belonged to Salmonella 3,10:e,h:- and two belonged to Salmonella Muenster) were found. PFGE results showed three different but closely related patterns among the 13 isolates of Salmonella Bovismorbificans, and two patterns for the three Salmonella Muenster and Salmonella 3,10:e,h:- isolates. This longitudinal study established critical points of Salmonella spp. infection in the farm and the production stages, where appropriate control measures must be taken. PFGE showed clonal relationships in each serovar. Antibiotic resistance profiles should be periodically included due to public health concerns.

Isolation of Salmonella typhimurium from dead blue and gold macaws (Ara ararauna).

Two blue and gold macaw (Ara ararauna) chicks died of fatal salmonellosis in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The birds were histopathologically and microbiologically examined. Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhimurium was isolated from the liver, spleen, heart, lung, kidney, and intestine of both birds. All strains were susceptible to ampicillin, cephalothin, cefotaxime, enrofloxacin, nalidixic acid, gentamicin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, fosfomycin, tetracycline, nitrofurantoin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The XbaI-PFGE profile of the Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from the two animals, which shared the same cage, was identical and showed a unique pattern compared with 301 isolates included in the PulseNet national database of Salmonella pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns. This is the first report that describes fatal cases of salmonellosis from blue and gold macaws.

Removal of fat from cow's milk decreases the vitamin E contents of the resulting dairy products.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether decreases in fat contents result in lower vitamin E contents. Milk samples of varying fat contents (half and half, whole milk, reduced-fat milk, low-fat milk, and nonfat milk) were obtained from a local dairy on six different occasions. alpha-Tocopherol was the major form of vitamin E (>85%); gamma-tocopherol and alpha-tocotrienol were present to a lesser extent. As the fat contents of milk products decreased from 11 to 0.3%, the vitamin E contents decreased. For example, raw milk as compared to nonfat milk had both higher (-tocopherol contents (45.5 +/- 4.6 vs. 4.5 +/- 0.5 microg/100 g; P < or = 0.0001) and higher total lipids (3.46 +/- 0.49 vs. 0.30 +/- 0.07 g/100 g; P < or = 0.0001). Vitamin E, cholesterol, and total lipids increased as cream was added back to nonfat milk during production. For every 1 mg cholesterol increase, there was an increase of approximately 4 microg of alpha-tocopherol; for every 1 g total lipids increase, the alpha-tocopherol content increased by 17 microg. These data demonstrate that removal of milk fat markedly decreases the vitamin E content of various milk products.

Controlled trial of immune response of preterm infants to recombinant hepatitis B and inactivated poliovirus vaccines administered simultaneously shortly after birth.

AIM: The study was conducted to evaluate the immunogenicity of an early, extra dose of enhanced inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) administered simultaneously with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) to preterm infants shortly after birth. METHODS: Three groups were studied. Fifty preterm infants received IPV intramuscularly within 24 hours of birth, in addition to routine recommended childhood immunisations. Fifty two preterm infants and 35 full term infants received routine immunisations only (routine vaccination timing: HBV at birth, 1 and 6 months of age; IPV at 2 and 4 months; oral polio vaccine (OPV) at 4 and 6 months; diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) at 2, 4, and 6 months; and Haemophilus influenzae B vaccine at 2 and 4 months). Blood samples were taken at birth, 3 and 7 months of age from all infants, and at 1 month of age from preterm infants only. RESULTS: At birth, a lower percentage of both study and control preterm infants had antipoliovirus type 3 titres >/= 1:8 than full term infants. At 1 and 3 months of age significantly more early IPV infants had antipoliovirus type 3 titres >/= 1:8 than routinely vaccinated preterm infants (p < 0.05). At 7 months of age there were no significant differences in percentage of antipoliovirus titres >/= 1:8 or geometric mean times (GMTs) between the early IPV group and the routinely vaccinated preterm group. At 3 and 7 months of age, the percentage of positive antihepatitis B titres (>/= 1:10) and the GMT of the early IPV preterm group did not differ significantly from those of preterm controls. There was no significant difference in percentage of positive antihepatitis B titres between the early IPV group and full term controls at any time. GMTs for hepatitis B antibodies were significantly lower in the early IPV preterm group than in full term controls at 3 and 7 months of age. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of an additional dose of IPV simultaneously with routine HBV to preterm infants shortly after birth provides early protection from poliovirus and hepatitis B infection, and does not interfere with poliovirus antibody production at the age of 7 months.

The development of functional foods: lessons from the gut.

Functional foods have resulted from the gradual recognition that healthy diets result from eating nutritious foods and from the identification of the mechanisms by which foods modulate metabolism and health. After initial successes with foods that reduce blood cholesterol level, probiotic bacteria and prebiotic carbohydrates have now also demonstrated added health benefits. As ingredients become more complex, the need to stabilize such ingredients in foods become increasingly important to the success of functional foods. Modern biotechnologies such as genomics, genetic expression and biomarkers of health and performance will be applied to this increasingly visible portion of human diets.

Placental transfer of maternal rubella antibodies to full-term and preterm infants.

Premature infants are vulnerable to infections, partly because of the low transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies. The present study investigated the placental transfer of maternal rubella-specific antibodies to full-term and preterm infants. The study group consisted of 133 healthy, native Israeli mothers and their 159 newborns. Of these, 69 were full-term infants (gestational age > 37 weeks) of 69 mothers, and 90 were preterm infants (gestational age < 35 weeks) of 64 mothers. Antibody titers against rubella were measured in maternal and umbilical cord blood samples by hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization techniques. There was no significant difference in the level of protection and in geometrical mean titers by hemagglutination between the full-term and preterm groups. Conversely, significant differences in geometric mean titers of neutralizing antibodies were found between full-term and preterm infants, e.g., 65.9 and 39.8, respectively (P < 0.001). Very low birth weight preterm infants are at greater risk of rubella infection during the first year of life, due to the diminished transfer of neutralizing maternal antibodies. Therefore, earlier vaccination of this group may be beneficial.

Increased neonatal platelet deposition on subendothelium under flow conditions: the role of plasma von Willebrand factor.

In vitro platelet function of umbilical cord blood and neonatal peripheral vein blood from full-term newborns was compared with that of adults. Citrated whole blood was subjected to shear stress (1300 s(-1)) on subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM)-coated wells in a cone and plate(let) analyzer. Adhered platelets on the ECM were quantitated by image analyzer. Both umbilical cord and neonatal peripheral blood platelets demonstrated more extensive adhesion than adult platelets, and similar aggregate formation on ECM. The ability of neonatal platelets to form aggregates on ECM was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Similar activation of neonatal and adult platelets after subjection to shear stress, in the suspension phase, was established by flow cytometry, which showed an increase in fibrinogen binding and a decrease in glycoprotein Ib expression on platelet membrane. The difference in adhesion rates between neonatal and adult platelets was preserved even when the hematocrit level of the neonatal blood was adjusted to that of adults. Reconstitution of neonatal or adult platelet-rich plasma with autologous or heterologous red packed cells yielded no change in adhesion and aggregation. When von Willebrand factor-covered plates were used to prevent deposition of plasma von Willebrand factor on the surface, no difference in platelet adhesion was seen between neonatal and adult blood. In conventional aggregometry assay, the response to ristocetin of washed platelets of either neonatal or adult source was higher on addition of plasma from neonates than from adults. Our data suggest that the extensive neonatal platelet deposition on ECM is mediated by plasma von Willebrand factor, which is known to be more multimerized and, therefore, more active in neonates than in adults. This mechanism may provide balanced primary hemostasis in neonates despite the platelet hyporeactivity to agonists without application of shear stress.

A simple clinical test for differentiating physiological from pathological head lag in full-term newborn infants.

UNLABELLED: This prospective study was designed to assess the value of a simple clinical test, a "feeding test", on the outcome of head lag among term neonates. Of 5718 infants who were examined before their morning meal, 67 had moderate to severe head lag in the absence of predisposing risk factors for head lag. Fifteen minutes following feeding, 62 infants (92%) showed an improvement in or disappearance of head lag with concomitant rise in serum glucose. All of these infants had normal psychomotor development on follow up. In 4 infants in whom no improvement occurred after feeding, an underlying pathological cause for head lag was subsequently diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Use of the feeding test as a screening procedure in apparently healthy newborns with head lag may rule out pathological conditions in over 90% of the cases.

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids decrease anti-dsDNA and anti-cardiolipin antibodies production in idiotype induced mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of diets with different polyunsaturated fatty acid contents, including linseed oil which contains 70% omega-3 fatty acids, on autoantibody production in idiotype induced mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Five different fats were fed to mice with induced SLE and antibody titers to anti-DNA and anti-cardiolipin were determined and histological examination of kidneys were carried out. RESULTS: SLE mice fed linseed oil showed lower titers of antibodies to DNA and to cardiolipin and less severe kidney damage than mice fed other diets, including fish oil. CONCLUSION: Use of linseed oil may attenuate the severity of SLE and this diet may be recommended for other auto-immune diseases as well.

Iodine and hypothyroidism in neonates with congenital heart disease.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of the intravenous injection of iodine during cardiac catheterisation, and of topical iodine antiseptics during surgical procedures, on thyroid function in full term neonates. METHODS: Twenty one full term infants with major cardiac anomalies who survived for more than a month were studied. Thyroxine and thyrotropin concentrations were measured (by radioimmunoassay) before each procedure, 24 hours after the procedure, and every week thereafter until the age of 1 month or until normal. Thyroxine values less than 64.4 nmol/l were considered low, while thyrotropin values greater than 30 mU/l were considered high. RESULTS: Thyroid function tests before iodine exposure were within normal limits in all infants. Following catheterisation or surgery six infants had raised thyrotropin concentrations; three had low thyroxine concentrations. Two of those infants were treated with L-thyroxine. CONCLUSION: Iodine exposure during cardiac catheterisation or surgery may induce transient hypothyroidism in term infants.