Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection induces upregulation of interleukin-23 (p19) mRNA expression in trigeminal ganglia of BALB/c mice.

We investigated the expression kinetics of several cytokines in trigeminal ganglia (TG) and in brains of BALB/c mice during the course of ocular herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection. All mice recovered from the infection within 2 weeks. The quantitative rapid real-time RT-PCR method was used to analyze interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-12p35, IL-12p40, and the recently described IL-23 (p19) mRNA in TG, brain, and splenocyte samples. In TG, we found elevated expression of mRNA for IL-23 (p19) from early acute infection (day 3) to the beginning of the latent phase (day 14). The increase was not detected in brain or in the spleen. IL-4 expression occurred in both TG and brain from the beginning of the experiment to the latent phase. During the latent phase (days 14 and 31), IL-4 expression was significantly elevated in the brain when compared with the uninfected controls (p < 0.05). Considerable expression of IFN-gamma mRNA was detected in TG of mice during acute HSV-1 infection. The expression of IL-23 was detected also in the brains of the mice, even though no significant changes were found during the acute HSV-1 infection. This is, to our knowledge, the first report to show elevated expression of IL-23 (p19) mRNA (p < 0.05) during viral infection in TG of mice.     

Genetic polymorphisms in dopamine-related genes and smoking cessation in women: a prospective cohort study

Background  

Genes involved in dopaminergic neurotransmission have been suggested as candidates for involvement in smoking behavior. We hypothesized that alleles associated with reduced dopaminergic neurotransmission would be more common in continuing smokers than among women who quit smoking.     

Advanced primary breast cancer: assessment at mammography of response to induction chemotherapy

The response to induction chemotherapy is an important prognostic factor in patients with nonmetastatic, locally advanced breast carcinomas. Assessment at mammography of the response of 60 breast cancers in 59 women was performed between 1974 and 1986. Responses were excellent in 13 tumors, moderate in 34, and poor in 13 (excellent moderate = 78%). Assessment of response of discrete masses in a fatty breast was easiest; assessment of response of tumor areas that were poorly defined-such as a focal area of architectural distortion or mass in dense breast parenchyma-was more difficult. Of 17 patients with excellent pathologic responses-that is, minimal or no residual tumor-15 (88%) had complete responses (no residual tumor) as determined with mammography, physical examination, or both. Mammography provides information complementary to physical examination and is essential in the accurate assessment of the response to chemotherapy of locally advanced breast cancer.     

Evaluation of the clinical, hemodynamic and neurohormonal response to levosimendan administration in decompensated heart failure patients. One-month follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Levosimendan is an inodilatory drug with hemodynamic effects in patients with decompensated chronic heart failure. AIM: Short-term (one month) evaluation of clinical, hemodynamic and neurohormonal changes in patients with decompensated chronic heart failure undergoing levosimendan therapy. METHODS: Twenty-six (21 male) consecutive patients were studied, corresponding to 32 levosimendan administrations (bolus + 24h infusion), aged 56.7+/-13.0 years, with decompensated chronic heart failure, in NYHA functional class III-IV (78.1% in class IV), and cardiac index (CI) <2.5 l/min/m2. Clinical (NYHA class), non-invasive hemodynamic (echocardiography) and neurohormonal (Elecsys ECLIA NT-ProBNP) evaluations were performed before levosimendan administration and on days 1, 4, 10 and 30. RESULTS: 1) Until day 10, there was a progressive decrease in NT-ProBNP values and weight (p<0.001), with an increase in CI (p<0.001); 2) NYHA functional class improved progressively, with 76% of the patients in NYHA class II at day 30; 3) NT-ProBNP values at day 1 correlated inversely (r=-0.414; p=0.024) with CI at day 4; and 4) the absolute decrease in NT-ProBNP values at day 4 (relative to baseline values) correlated with weight loss at day 4 (r=0.495, p=0.005), day 10 (r=0.424, p=0.031) and day 30 (r=0.486, p=0.030). CONCLUSION: Levosimendan therapy in patients with decompensated chronic heart failure contributes to progressive NYHA class improvement. The variations seen in NYHA class and hemodynamics was reflected in changes in NT-ProBNP.     

Acanthamoeba sp. from the Philippines: electron microscopy studies on naturally occurring bacterial symbionts

The isolation of two plasmind-like ciruclar DNAs, measuring 52 and 42 kbp, from anAcanthamoeba sp. from the Philippines has led to the demonstration of a bacterial endosymbiont occurring in this free-living amoeba. The 52-kbp band hybridized with a short sequence of cytochrome b gene and was identified as the mitochondrial DNA, whereas the 42-kbp band was identified as plasmid DNA of the bacterial symbionts on the basis of electron microscopy. The endosymbionts are gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria measuring approximately 1.3×0.43 m and numbering about eight to ten cells per section. They are randomly distributed in both cysts and trophozoites and are surrounded neither by a phagolysosomal membrane nor by a clear or electrontranslucent region. The endosymbiont membrane appears to have a close association with ribosomes, which are seen to be more concentrated within the vicinity of the symbionts than elsewhere within the cytoplasm. Attempts to grow the symbionts and the amoebae separately have failed.     

Developmental distribution of plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase isoforms in chick cerebellum.

The plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA) is highly expressed in the nervous system, but little information is available about its implication in neuronal development. We have analyzed the expression and localization of different isoforms of PMCA in membrane vesicles and sections of chick cerebellum from embryonic day 10 to hatching. We found that the relative amount of each PMCA isoform and their spatiotemporal distribution in the cerebellum are directly linked to precise cellular types during the cerebellar maturation, even in a non-neural tissue as choroid plexus. Purkinje cells contain the highest diversity of PMCA isoforms of the cerebellar cortex since the moment of its morphogenesis. From embryonic day 15, the PMCA2 was highly expressed in the whole Purkinje cell, while PMCAs 1 and 3 had a more restricted distribution in the soma and dendritic branches, and these distributions were evolving according with cell maturation. Other cellular types seem to contain a specific combination of isoforms, but with a well-defined distribution pattern at late moments of development. Thus, PMCAs 1 and 3 were located in the soma of molecular layer interneurons, and only the PMCA2 was observed in granule cells at hatching. Furthermore, PMCA isoforms are also expressed in cellular compartments characterized by a high amount of synapses, suggesting a key role of these proteins in synaptogenesis and in the maturation of neuronal electrophysiological properties.     

Artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilization using donor spermatozoa: a report on 15 years of experience

Donor insemination (DI) using cryopreserved semen commenced at The Royal Women's Hospital in 1976. Over the next 15 years we performed 5953 treatment cycles to achieve 816 pregnancies (13.7% per cycle) and 706 live births. In-vitro fertilization (IVF) using donor spermatozoa commenced in 1986. Over the next 5 years we performed 303 treatment cycles for 185 couples. Including subsequent transfer of cryopreserved embryos, a total of 33% of couples achieved a successful pregnancy by IVF. Statistical analysis indicated that, for DI pregnancies, the most important semen variable was the percentage post-thaw motility, whilst for normal fertilization in IVF it was the pre-freeze motility. These results may be explained by the compensatory effects of post-thaw processing of spermatozoa for IVF, but not for DI in our clinic.      

Machine learning and national health data to improve evidence: Finding segmentation in individuals without private insurance

ObjectiveIndividuals without private health insurance have less access to healthcare, therefore are more prone to experience poor health when compared to those who have. Segmentation is an approach to find homogenous groups of people with the purpose of tailoring services and products. In public policy, segmentation might be used to identify characteristics and needs of specific groups and deliver targeted programs and spare costs. We aim to identify and describe segments within the uninsured population to aid targeted policy actions and improve health.MethodsWe used secondary data collected from a representative, nationwide health survey (n=18,204). For the purpose of our analysis, we included data from individuals who answered “no” to the question: “Do you have private health insurance?” (n=12,134). Variables pertaining information on socio-demographic, health status, access and care were used. A multiple correspondence analysis was performed to find principal components followed by a hierarchical cluster.ResultsWe found three clusters. The first (54.12% of our sample) composed by a group of young, middle aged and professionally active individuals without health problems. The second (36.70%), a cluster of aging individuals composed especially by elderly women, either retired or fulfilling domestic tasks, with a long-term health problem. The last (9.17%) composed by elder people, with long-term health problem and scoring low in mental health related questions.ConclusionOur study found three clusters (profiles of individuals) among the uninsured. Ultimately, our findings aim to support policy makers to deliver customized actions to improve health and provide cost-effective policies.     

Genomic Analysis of Novel Poxvirus Brazilian Porcupinepox Virus,Brazil, 2019

We obtained the complete sequence of a novel poxvirus, tentatively named Brazilian porcupinepox virus, from a wild porcupine (Coendou prehensilis) in Brazil that had skin and internal lesions characteristic of poxvirus infection. The impact of this lethal poxvirus on the survival of this species and its potential zoonotic importance remain to be investigated.