Role of inflammasome activation in tumor immunity triggered by immune checkpoint blockers.

Immune checkpoint blockers improve the overall survival of a limited number of patients among different cancers. Identifying pathways that influence the immunological and clinical response to treatment is critical to improve the therapeutic efficacy and predict clinical responses. Recently, a key role has been assigned to innate immune mechanisms in checkpoint blockade-driven anti-tumor responses. However, inflammatory pathways can both improve and impair anti-tumor immunity. In this review, we discuss how different inflammatory pathways, particularly inflammasome activation, can influence the clinical outcome of immune checkpoint blockers. Inflammasome activation may reinforce anti-tumor immunity by boosting CD8+ T cell priming as well as by enhancing T helper type 17 (Th17) responses. In particular, we focus on the modulation of the cation channel transmembrane protein 176B (TMEM176B) and the ectonucleotidase CD39 as potential targets to unleash inflammasome activation leading to reinforced anti-tumor immunity and improved efficacy of immune checkpoint blockers. Future studies should be aimed at investigating the mechanisms and cell subsets involved in inflammasome-driven anti-tumor responses.

Phylodynamics of vampire bat-transmitted rabies in Argentina.

Common vampire bat populations distributed from Mexico to Argentina are important rabies reservoir hosts in Latin America. The aim of this work was to analyse the population structure of the rabies virus (RABV) variants associated with vampire bats in the Americas and to study their phylodynamic pattern within Argentina. The phylogenetic analysis based on all available vampire bat-related N gene sequences showed both a geographical and a temporal structure. The two largest groups of RABV variants from Argentina were isolated from northwestern Argentina and from the central western zone of northeastern Argentina, corresponding to livestock areas with different climatic, topographic and biogeographical conditions, which determined their dissemination and evolutionary patterns. In addition, multiple introductions of the infection into Argentina, possibly from Brazil, were detected. The phylodynamic analysis suggests that RABV transmission dynamics is characterized by initial epizootic waves followed by local enzootic cycles with variable persistence. Anthropogenic interventions in the ecosystem should be assessed taking into account not only the environmental impact but also the potential risk of disease spreading through dissemination of current RABV lineages or the emergence of novel ones associated with vampire bats.

[Bluetongue: isolation and characterization of the virus and identification of vectors in northeastern Argentina]. / Lengua Azul: Aislamiento y caracterización del virus e identificación de vectores en el noreste argentino.

To establish if BTV was circulating in Argentina, 94 bovines from the Santo Tomé and Ituzaingó Departments of Corrientes Province were sampled every 30-60 days during 14 months. Red blood cells from those animals that showed seroconvertion with a c-ELISA were processed for virus isolation by inoculation in embryonated chicken eggs and cell cultures. Cells with CPE were positive by direct and indirect immunofluorescence with BTV specific reagents. These samples examined by electron microscopy showed virus particles with BTV morphological characteristics. Blood samples and tissue culture supernantants were positive by RT-PCR technique with primers corresponding to the segment 3 of the BTV genome. Haematophagous insects were captured in one farm using light traps and Culicoides insignis Lutz was the predominant species detected. This is the first isolation of BTV in Argentina from northeastern bovines without any disease symptom.

Lengua Azul: Aislamiento y caracterización del virus e identificación de vectores en el noreste argentino / Bluetongue: isolation and characterization of the virus and identification of vectors in northeastern Argentina

To establish if BTV was circulating in Argentina, 94 bovines from the Santo TomU and Ituzaingó Departments of Corrientes Province were sampled every 30-60 days during 14 months. Red blood cells from those animals that showed seroconvertion with a c-ELISA were processed for virus isolation by inoculation in embryonated chicken eggs and cell cultures. Cells with CPE were positive by direct and indirect immunofluorescence with BTV specific reagents. These samples examined by electron microscopy showed virus particles with BTV morphological characteristics. Blood samples and tissue culture supernantants were positive by RT-PCR technique with primers corresponding to the segment 3 of the BTV genome. Haematophagous insects were captured in one farm using light traps and Culicoides insignis Lutz was the predominant species detected. This is the first isolation of BTV in Argentina from northeastern bovines without any disease symptom.(AU)

Lengua Azul: Aislamiento y caracterización del virus e identificación de vectores en el noreste argentino / Bluetongue: isolation and characterization of the virus and identification of vectors in northeastern Argentina

To establish if BTV was circulating in Argentina, 94 bovines from the Santo TomÚ and Ituzaingó Departments of Corrientes Province were sampled every 30-60 days during 14 months. Red blood cells from those animals that showed seroconvertion with a c-ELISA were processed for virus isolation by inoculation in embryonated chicken eggs and cell cultures. Cells with CPE were positive by direct and indirect immunofluorescence with BTV specific reagents. These samples examined by electron microscopy showed virus particles with BTV morphological characteristics. Blood samples and tissue culture supernantants were positive by RT-PCR technique with primers corresponding to the segment 3 of the BTV genome. Haematophagous insects were captured in one farm using light traps and Culicoides insignis Lutz was the predominant species detected. This is the first isolation of BTV in Argentina from northeastern bovines without any disease symptom.

Lengua Azul: Aislamiento y caracterización del virus e identificación de vectores en el noreste argentino. / [Bluetongue: isolation and characterization of the virus and identification of vectors in northeastern Argentina]

To establish if BTV was circulating in Argentina, 94 bovines from the Santo Tomé and Ituzaingó Departments of Corrientes Province were sampled every 30-60 days during 14 months. Red blood cells from those animals that showed seroconvertion with a c-ELISA were processed for virus isolation by inoculation in embryonated chicken eggs and cell cultures. Cells with CPE were positive by direct and indirect immunofluorescence with BTV specific reagents. These samples examined by electron microscopy showed virus particles with BTV morphological characteristics. Blood samples and tissue culture supernantants were positive by RT-PCR technique with primers corresponding to the segment 3 of the BTV genome. Haematophagous insects were captured in one farm using light traps and Culicoides insignis Lutz was the predominant species detected. This is the first isolation of BTV in Argentina from northeastern bovines without any disease symptom.

[Distal renal tubular acidosis with rhabdomyolysis as the presenting form in 4 pregnant women]. / Acidosis tubular renal distal con rabdomiolisis como forma de presentación en 4 mujeres embarazadas.

We describe four pregnant patients with distal renal tubular acidosis (type I) (DRTA) whose initial presentation was rhabdomyolysis (RML) secondary to severe hypokalemia. We draw attention to the unusual presentation of DRTA during pregnancy, the low frequency of DRTA in adult patients and RML as initial manifestation. In one case the DRTA was secondary to Sjögren Syndrome and the etiology was unknown in the rest of the cases. We discuss the potential pathogenic mechanisms to explain hypokalemic RML and the various causes of DRTA in adult patients.

The cross-cultural applications of the KAIT: case studies with three differentially acculturated women.

The Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test (KAIT), introduced in 1993, is a relatively new measure for the assessment of intelligence. Because of the test's theoretical foundation, standardization procedure, test items, and score interpretations, it is assumed to be a culturally sensitive measure. However, there is little supporting clinical or empirical evidence. The present case study examined cross-cultural applications of the KAIT using 3 volunteers from diverse cultural backgrounds with differential levels of American acculturation. In addition to test scores, the participants' impressions of the testing process were measured with the Subjective Units of Distress Scale. Preliminary evidence suggests that the KAIT, like its predecessor, the K-ABC, may be useful when working with culturally diverse people.

[Visual communication in the prevention of cross infection: study performed at the intensive care unit of the Evangélic Hospital on Londrina]. / Comunicação visual na prevenção de infecções hospitalares: estudo realizado no Centro de Terapia Intensiva do Hospital Evangélico de Londrina.

The influence of posters with illustrations, instructions, and appeals for hand-washing was evaluated in terms of their effect on the frequency of occurrence this procedure, before the contact with the patients, in the Intensive Therapy Unit of the Hospital Evangélico, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. The influence of posters was statistically significant on the frequency of hand-washing by physicians, trained-nurses and laboratory technicians, but not in respect to physical-therapists, or blood-bank and X-ray technicians.