Urine Specific Gravity Measurement for Fluid Balance in Neonates on Intravenous Fluids in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: An Open Label Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Urine specific gravity reflects hydration status and correlates well with urine osmolality. OBJECTIVE: To compare intravenous fluid therapy guided with and without inclusion of urine specific gravity to the standard parameters for maintaining postnatal weight loss within permissible limits in neonates admitted to the intensive care unit. METHODS: An open-label randomized controlled trial was conducted, including neonates requiring intravenous fluids for ≥72 hours, randomized into the study (urine specific gravity guided fluids) and control arms. The outcomes of the study were to determine proportion of neonates with weight loss within permissible limits, mean percentage weight loss and number of days to reach maximum weight loss. RESULTS: 80 preterm and term neonates (40 in each arm) were enrolled. A comparable proportion of neonates had weight loss within permissible limits in study arm and in control arms [39 (97.5%) vs 36 (90%); P=0.165]. The (mean (SD) percentage weight loss was significantly less in the study arm compared to control arm [All neonates: 7.2(2.6) vs 9.3(3.5); P=0.004); preterm neonates: 7.7 (2.8) vs 11 (3.9); P=0.008)]. Preterm neonates in the study arm attained nadir weight significantly earlier than in the controls (P=0.03) and attained complete enteral feeding earlier. Urine specific gravity showed a moderate negative correlation with the percentage weight loss. CONCLUSION: Using urine specific gravity to regulate intravenous fluids in neonates resulted in a significant reduction in postnatal weight loss, especially in preterm neonates.

Evidence of Powassan/deer tick virus in adult black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) recovered from hunter-harvested white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Pennsylvania: A public health perspective.

Studies reporting tick infection rates for Powassan virus (POWV), an emerging zoonotic arthropod-borne pathogen responsible for POWV disease in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, are limited. To determine the presence and ascertain a statewide prevalence of POWV, ticks were collected from 9,912 hunter-harvested white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) heads presented to six regional Pennsylvania Game Commission Chronic Wasting Disease sampling stations in early December of 2013, 2014 and 2015. Of the 2,973 ticks recovered, 1,990 (66.9%) were identified as adult Ixodes scapularis (black-legged tick). The 1,990 I. scapularis ticks were PCR-tested for the presence of POWV. The ticks had a statewide Powassan/deer tick virus infection rate of 0.05%, providing evidence of this pathogen in Pennsylvania's adult I. scapularis ticks and supporting the need for more comprehensive pathogen prevalence assessment strategies, as well as increased public health awareness for this emerging zoonotic arthropod-borne pathogen of public health concern.

Retrospective Evaluation of Horses Diagnosed with Neuroborreliosis on Postmortem Examination: 16 Cases (2004-2015).

BACKGROUND: Equine neuroborreliosis (NB), Lyme disease, is difficult to diagnose and has limited description in the literature. OBJECTIVE: Provide a detailed description of clinical signs, diagnostic, and pathologic findings of horses with NB. ANIMALS: Sixteen horses with histologically confirmed NB. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records at the University of Pennsylvania and via an ACVIM listserv query with inclusion criteria requiring possible exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi and histologic findings consistent with previous reports of NB without evidence of other disease. RESULTS: Sixteen horses were identified, 12 of which had additional evidence of NB. Clinical signs were variable including muscle atrophy or weight loss (12), cranial nerve deficits (11), ataxia (10), changes in behavior (9), dysphagia (7), fasciculations (6), neck stiffness (6), episodic respiratory distress (5), uveitis (5), fever (2), joint effusion (2), and cardiac arrhythmias (1). Serologic analysis was positive for B. burgdorferi infection in 6/13 cases tested. CSF abnormalities were present in 8/13 cases tested, including xanthochromia (4/13), increased total protein (5/13; median: 91 mg/dL, range: 25-219 mg/dL), and a neutrophilic (6/13) or lymphocytic (2/13) pleocytosis (median: 25 nucleated cells/µL, range: 0-922 nucleated cells/µL). PCR on CSF for B. burgdorferi was negative in the 7 cases that were tested. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Diagnosis of equine NB is challenging due to variable clinical presentation and lack of sensitive and specific diagnostic tests. Negative serology and normal CSF analysis do not exclude the diagnosis of NB.

Displacement, Deprivation and Development: The Impact of Relocation on Income and Livelihood of Tribes in Similipal Tiger and Biosphere Reserve, India.

A large volume of literature describes adverse consequences of conservation-induced displacement on indigenous communities depended on natural resources of wildlife habitat. Resettlement policies in protected areas the world over are mainly designed and implemented without consideration of social and economic costs of exclusion. This study examined income and poverty profile of tribal residents in Similipal Tiger and Biosphere Reserve in India, relative to the households relocated out of the reserve. The income from different sources and livelihood diversification of displaced reserve dwellers reflected changes resulting from the loss of access to natural and household assets. The results contradicted common perception about impoverishment outcome of relocation. It showed an increase in the per capita income for poorer segments with an overall 8% increase in absolute household income and corresponding improvement in the poverty ratio (head count ratio) and FGT index (0.241) for the relocated community. Contrary to other studies, the finding did not observe social alignment or marginalization; however, on-farm livelihood diversification reduced with increased dependence on off-farm sources. Expulsion of people from forest reserves to support conservation is inadequate in restricting habitat use of locals unless suitable alternative livelihood options are available for forest dependent was proven from the study.

Outbreak of abdominal distension and obstipation in a C57BL/6J experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis study.

Seventy-four 9-week old female C57BL/6J mice housed in a conventional facility were manipulated to induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, among which 26 developed clinical signs including lethargy, absence of defecation, and abdominal distension. By gross necropsy examination, there was distension of the cecum and colon with fecal impaction. By histologic examination, there was severe ulcerative and proliferative typhlocolitis. Fecal ELISA confirmed the presence of toxins A and B of Clostridium difficile. Alteration in immune status of the immunocompetent mice, due to stress caused by experimental manipulation or autoimmune disease, may have led to intestinal dysbiosis, followed by opportunistic infections resulting in C. difficile-associated disease. This report brings to light the occurrence of the disease in immunocompetent laboratory mice during experimental manipulations associated with alteration in immune status, and it discusses potential hazards associated with conventional housing within a hospital-associated research institute.

Fatal pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza A virus infection in a Pennsylvania domestic cat.

We report the earliest recognized fatality associated with laboratory-confirmed pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) influenza in a domestic cat in the United States. The 12-year old, indoor cat died on 6 November 2009 after exposure to multiple family members who had been ill with influenza-like illness during the peak period of the fall wave of pH1N1 in Pennsylvania during late October 2009. The clinical presentation, history, radiographic, laboratory and necropsy findings are presented to assist veterinary care providers in understanding the features of this disease in cats and the potential for transmission of infection to pets from infected humans.

Application of fly ash on the growth performance and translocation of toxic heavy metals within Cajanus cajan L.: implication for safe utilization of fly ash for agricultural production.

The present study was undertaken to examine the influence of the application of fly ash (FA) into garden soil for Cajanus cajan L. cultivation and on accumulation and translocation of hazardous metals from FA to edible part. Numerous studies have been reported on the growth and yield of agricultural crops under FA stress; however, there is a dearth of studies recommending the safe utilization of fly ash for crop production. Pot experiments were conducted on C. cajan L., a widely cultivating legume in India for its highly nutritious seeds. C. cajan L. were grown in garden soil and amended with varying concentrations of FA in a weight/weight ratio (0%, 25%, 50% and 100%; w/w). Incorporation of fly ash from 25% to 100% in garden soil increases the levels of pH, particle density, porosity and water holding capacity from 3.47% to 26.39%, 3.98% to 26.14%, 37.50% to 147.92% and 163.16% to 318.42%, respectively, than the control while bulk density decrease respectively from 8.94% to 48.89%. Pot experiment found that accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in tested plant depends on the concentration of FA. Addition of FA at lower concentration (25%) had shown positive results in most of the studied parameters of growth and yield (14.23% than control). The experimental results confirmed that lower concentration of FA (25%) is safe for C. cajan cultivation, which not only enhanced the yield of C. cajan L. significantly but also ensured the translocation of heavy metals to edible parts within the critical limits.

Bevacizumab demonstrates activity in advanced refractory fallopian tube carcinoma.

The targeting of angiogenesis pathways in the treatment of gynecological cancers is an exciting development in cancer therapy. Bevacizumab has been shown to have activity in ovarian cancer through its inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor. Fallopian tube carcinoma is a rare malignancy and is often treated in a similar manner as ovarian carcinoma. We present a case of a complete response in a woman with refractory metastatic fallopian tube carcinoma treated with bevacizumab. This report demonstrates the significance of anti-angiogenesis therapy in the treatment of these tumors.

Management of disease complex caused by root knot nematode and root wilt fungus on pigeonpea through soil organically enriched with Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza, karanj (Pongamia pinnata) oilseed cake and farmyard manure.

This investigation was undertaken to compare the percentage response of colonization and development of VA-Mycorrhiza (Glomus fasciculatum) on a number of pulse crops viz. cowpea, chickpea, soybean, pigeonpea and lentil under glasshouse conditions. Among the above-mentioned crops, pigeonpea exhibited the best performance and was selected for further studies. In this host the development and colonization percentage of G. fasciculatum was investigated under two separate substrates i. e. soil amended with FYM and karanj oilseed cake keeping a control treatment of field soil. A third treatment amended with karanj oilseed cake and farm yard manure (FYM) was also kept which responded best in terms of colonization percentage. This treatment showing improved plant health as well as integration with G. fasciculatum was selected as an ideal treatment for the management of disease complex caused by root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and root wilt fungus, Fusarium udum on pigeonpea. Thus the treatment constituting FYM, karanj oilseed cake and VA-Mycorrhiza reduced the disease incidence caused by both maladies to a great extent with the most promising improvement in plant growth parameters as compared to all others. The present investigation, in addition to proposing an ideal eco-friendly treatment for the management of this disease complex also proposed an excellent medium for the proliferation of the obligate bio-protectant, G. fasciculatum.

Status of HFE mutation in thalassemia syndromes in north India.

Hereditary hemochromatosis is an autosomal recessive and most commonly inherited single gene disorder among Caucasians, with a prevalence of 5 per 1,000 and a carrier frequency of 1 in 10. Two point mutations were described and are referred as C282Y and H63D. In the present study, we have analyzed 729 north Indian samples for C282Y and H63D mutations. Of these, no allele of the C282Y mutation was seen, while 3 homozygous and 43 heterozygous for the H63D mutation were seen in the patients of thalassemia group. However, 47 cases were found heterozygous for the H63D mutation among the normal groups (11.16%).

Evaluation of IS900-PCR assay for detection of Mycobacterium avium subspecies Paratuberculosis infection in cattle using quarter milk and bulk tank milk samples.

A study was conducted to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of IS900-PCR assay for detection of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in pooled quarter milk and bulk tank milk. Feces, blood and pooled quarter milk from 1493 lactating cattle on 29 herds were analyzed. Bulk tank milk (n = 29 bulk tanks) samples were also examined. Culture analysis revealed that 10.9%, 2.8%, and 20.6% of fecal, pooled quarter milk samples and bulk tanks were positive for M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis, respectively. While 13.5% and 27.5% of pooled quarter milk samples and bulk tanks were positive by IS900 PCR assay, respectively. Moderate to high antibody titers for M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis were detected in 223 of 1493 (14.4%) cows. Cows positive on fecal culture were taken as true positives relative to which the IS900 PCR assay was evaluated. The sensitivity and predictive value of KELA, pooled quarter milk culture, and IS900 PCR assay increased with lactation age. While the specificity of the tests decreased with increase in lactation age. Overall, the IS900 PCR assay using pooled quarter milk samples had a sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of 0.87, 0.95 and 0.71, respectively. The IS900 PCR assay using bulk tank milk had poor sensitivity (0.21), specificity (0.5) and predictive value (0.6). Pooled quarter milk culture analysis had a very low sensitivity (0.17). The kinetics ELISA had lower sensitivity (0.59), specificity (0.90) and predictive value (0.43) as compared to the IS900 PCR assay using pooled quarter milk samples. Results from our study suggest that IS900 PCR assay using bulk tank milk may not be useful for screening herds with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis infected animals. In conclusion, use of IS900 PCR assay for cows in 2(nd) lactation and higher, using aseptically collected pooled quarter milk samples, can be a useful tool for screening and monitoring lactating cattle in herds with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection.

Regulation of IL-1-induced gingival collagenase gene expression by activator protein-1 (c-Fos/c-Jun).

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 is probably involved in the progression of periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to investigate whether IL-1beta stimulates the expression of the activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factor and, consequently, if the AP-1 transcription factor participates in the regulation of collagenase gene expression in human gingival fibroblast cells. In this study, we demonstrate that the concentration of the protein components of AP-1 transcription factor, c-Fos and c-Jun, is enhanced by IL-1beta both at mRNA and protein levels, utilizing Northern blot analysis, electrophoretic mobility gel shift assay and Western blot analysis. The IL-1beta stimulated the collagenase-CAT and AP-1-CAT activities in a dose dependent manner with respect to the amount of DNA used in transfections. Further, overexpression of c-Fos and c-Jun proteins revealed a dose-dependent transcriptional activation of the collagenase promoter. These findings, coupled with the existence of AP-1 consensus DNA binding sites on the collagenase gene promoter, show that regulation of collagenase gene expression by IL-1beta involves the transcription factor AP-1 in gingival fibroblasts.

Clonal analysis of the human B-cell repertoire using a heteromobility assay.

A heteromobility duplex tracking assay was developed to analyze B-cell clonality. The assay was based on the genetic variability of B-cell immunoglobulin (Ig) sequences. Binding of amplified (Ig) sequences to a single-stranded radiolabeled Ig DNA probe resulted in the formation of heteroduplexes. The mobilities of these heteroduplexes helped to distinguish clonal B cells.

Processing, secretion, and anti-HIV-1 activity of IL-16 with or without a signal peptide in CD4+ T cells.

CD4+ T cells transfected with the C-terminal 130 aa of human IL-16 are rendered resistant to HIV infection. Whether the constitutively expressed IL-16 acts intracellularly, extracellularly, or both is not clear. To address this question and to further study the processing of IL-16, new constructs containing either the C-terminal 130 aa or the C-terminal 100 aa (PDZ-like motif) were constructed with and without a signal peptide. Pulse-chase experiments and treatment of cells with brefeldin A and/or tunicamycin showed that IL-16 is secreted despite the absence of a signal peptide, but with a signal peptide IL-16 is processed through the endoplasmic reticulum-golgi pathway and is glycosylated. Cells expressing IL-16 linked to a signal peptide secrete considerably more IL-16 into the supernatant than cells expressing IL-16 without a signal peptide and are considerably more resistant to HIV replication. Resistance extends to almost 25 days for cells expressing IL-16 with signal peptide as compared with only 15 days for cells without signal peptide. Cells expressing the C-terminal 100 aa not linked to a signal peptide are poor secretors of IL-16 and show little if any resistance to HIV. In contrast, cells expressing the C-terminal 100 aa linked to a signal peptide secrete IL-16 and are resistant to HIV replication. It is concluded that the secretion of IL-16 is required for HIV inhibition.

Cloning of a surface membrane glycoprotein specific for the infective form of Trypanosoma cruzi having adhesive properties to laminin.

Trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi express a set of surface glycoproteins known, collectively, as Tc-85. A monoclonal antibody to these proteins, named H1A10, inhibits (50-90%) in vitro parasite interiorization into host cells, thus implicating these glycoproteins in the infection process. Two DNA inserts, a genomic DNA fragment and a full-length cDNA encoding the H1A10 epitope, have now been cloned and characterized. Results show that both have high sequence identity with all reported members of the gp85/trans-sialidase gene family, although the H1A10 epitope exists only in the Tc-85 subset of the family. The epitope has been mapped by competition of antibody binding to a Tc-85 recombinant protein with peptides having sequences predicted by the Tc-85 DNA sequence, which contains also putative N-glycosylation sites and COOH-terminal glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor insertion sites, as expected, since an N-glycan chain and a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor have been characterized previously in the Tc-85 subset. The protein encoded by the full-length cDNA insert binds to cells and in vitro to laminin, but not to gelatin or fibronectin, in a saturable manner. For the first time it was possible to assign a defined ligand to a sequenced glycoprotein belonging to the gp85 family. This fact, together with the reported binding of family members to cell surfaces, reinforces the hypothesis that this family encodes glycoproteins with similar sequences but differing enough as to bind to different ligands and thus forming a family of adhesion glycoproteins enabling the parasite to overcome the barriers interposed by cell membranes, extracellular matrices, and basal laminae.

cDNA encoding a single-chain antibody to HIV p17 with cytoplasmic or nuclear retention signals inhibits HIV-1 replication.

HIV-1 gag p17 protein is an attractive target for molecular intervention, because it is involved in the viral replication cycle at both the pre- and postintegration levels. In the present experiments, we targeted p17 by intracellularly expressing a cDNA encoding an Ab to p17. cDNA from a hybridoma-secreting Ab to p17 was cloned, sequenced, reconstructed as a single-chain Ab fragment (scFv), and expressed in the cytoplasm or nucleus with appropriate retention signals. The expressed scFvs had no effect on T cell growth or CD4 expression and bound specifically to HIV-1 p17. Human CD4+ Jurkat T cells that expressed scFvs and were infected with HIV-1 showed a marked reduction in virus replication compared with cells expressing vector alone. The inhibition of virus replication was more pronounced when scFvs were expressed in the cytoplasm rather than the nucleus. From these studies, we conclude that the intracellular expression of a single-chain Ab to p17 inhibits HIV replication; in addition, the degree of inhibition is related to the intracellular targeting site.

Inhibition of gingival collagenase gene expression by dexamethasone.

Glucocorticoids are potent immunosuppressants shown to be effective in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Reportedly, they work, in part, by inhibiting cytokines and other transcription factors including AP-1. In this study we investigated the mechanisms of efficient repression of collagenase gene expression by dexamethasone in the human gingival fibroblast. Northern analyses showed that IL-1-dependent collagenase mRNA production was significantly decreased in the presence of dexamethasone. The influence of dexamethasone on the transcription factor NF-kappaB, STAT3, and AP-1 was investigated by using the gel mobility shift assay with nuclear extracts prepared from the cells grown in the presence of dexamethasone. We observed that in addition to AP-1, binding of NF-kappaB and STAT3 to DNA was also decreased significantly. Additionally, dexamethasone induced the transcription of the I kappaB-alpha gene suggesting that in the presence of dexamethasone, NF-kappaB quickly reassociates with newly synthesized I kappaB-alpha and markedly reduces the amount of NF-kappaB. CAT transfection studies utilizing collagenase promoter demonstrated a dose-dependent transcriptional inhibition of IL-1-induced gingival collagenase gene expression by dexamethasone. These data reveal that collagenase gene expression can be regulated by the impairment of IL-1-stimulated NF-kappaB, STAT3, and AP-1 activities, and can highlight a possible molecular mechanism for the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids.

The effect of route of delivery on regression of abnormal cervical cytologic findings in the postpartum period.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether pregnant women with abnormal antepartum cervical cytologic findings differ in their postpartum rates of regression with respect to mode of delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Between 1990 and 1997, 446 pregnant women with antepartum abnormal cervical cytologic findings were identified. Complete demographic, clinical, and cytologic reports were available for 138 women. Papanicolaou smear data were collected and separated into three groups by use of the Bethesda classification system (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, low-grade squamous intraepithelial cells, and high-grade intraepithelial cells). Postpartum regression rates of antepartum Papanicolaou smears, with respect to degree of squamous epithelial cell abnormality and mode of delivery, were analyzed by Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. RESULTS: Of the 138 women, 109 (79%) were delivered vaginally and 29 (21%) by cesarean section. No statistically significant difference was found between women delivered vaginally and those delivered by cesarean section with respect to age, parity, and smoking history within the three groups (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, low-grade squamous intraepithelial cells, and high-grade squamous intraepithelial cells). The overall postpartum regression rate for the 59 women with antepartum high-grade squamous intraepithelial cells was 48%. Of the 47 women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial cells who were delivered vaginally, 28 showed regression in the postpartum period versus none of the 12 women delivered by cesarean section (60% vs 0%, p < 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Postpartum spontaneous regression of Papanicolaou smears consistent with high-grade squamous intraepithelial cells occurs with increased frequency among women who are delivered vaginally versus by cesarean section.