tuberculosis

Reply to "Tubercular Sarcoidosis: An Intriguing Concoction of Tuberculosis and Sarcoidosis".

Ko JM, Park HJ, Kim CH

Reply to "Tubercular Sarcoidosis: An Intriguing Concoction of Tuberculosis and Sarcoidosis".

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2015 Aug;205(2):W230

Authors: Ko JM, Park HJ, Kim CH

PMID: 26204317 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Tubercular Sarcoidosis: An Intriguing Concoction of Tuberculosis and Sarcoidosis.

Sureka B, Bansal K, Arora A

Tubercular Sarcoidosis: An Intriguing Concoction of Tuberculosis and Sarcoidosis.

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2015 Aug;205(2):W229

Authors: Sureka B, Bansal K, Arora A

PMID: 26204316 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Cost-Effectiveness of Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy at Different Points in TB Treatment in HIV-TB Coinfected Ambulatory Patients in South Africa.

Naidoo K, Grobler AC, Deghaye N, Reddy T, Gengiah S, Gray A, Abdool Karim S

Cost-Effectiveness of Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy at Different Points in TB Treatment in HIV-TB Coinfected Ambulatory Patients in South Africa.

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2015 Aug 15;69(5):576-84

Authors: Naidoo K, Grobler AC, Deghaye N, Reddy T, Gengiah S, Gray A, Abdool Karim S

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) during tuberculosis (TB) treatment improves survival in TB-HIV coinfected patients. In patients with CD4 counts <50 cells per cubic millimeter, there is a substantial clinical and survival benefit of early ART initiation. The purpose of this study was to assess the costs and cost-effectiveness of starting ART at various time points during TB treatment in patients with CD4 counts ≥50 cells per cubic millimeter.
METHODS: In the SAPiT trial, 642 HIV-TB coinfected patients were randomized to 3 arms: receiving ART within 4 weeks of starting TB treatment (early treatment arm; Arm-1), after the intensive phase of TB treatment (late treatment arm; Arm-2), or after completing TB treatment (sequential arm; Arm-3). Direct health care costs were measured from a provider perspective using a micro-costing approach. The incremental cost per death averted was calculated using the trial outcomes.
RESULTS: For patients with CD4 count ≥50 cells per cubic millimeter, median monthly variable costs per patient were US $116, US $113, and US $102 in Arm-1, Arm-2 and Arm-3, respectively. There were 12 deaths in 177 patients in Arm-1, 8 deaths in 180 patients in the Arm-2, and 19 deaths in 172 patients in Arm-3. Although the costs were lower in Arm-3, it had a substantially higher mortality rate. The incremental cost per death averted associated with moving from Arm-3 to Arm-2 was US $4199. There was no difference in mortality between Arm-1 and Arm-2, but Arm-1 was slightly more expensive.
CONCLUSIONS: Initiation of ART after the completion of the intensive phase of TB treatment is cost-effective for patients with CD4 counts ≥50 cells per cubic millimeter.

PMID: 26167618 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Molecular Dissection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Integration Host Factor Reveals Novel Insights into the Mode of DNA Binding and Nucleoid Compaction.

Sharadamma N, Harshavardhana Y, Ravishankar A, Anand P, Chandra N, Muniyappa K

Molecular Dissection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Integration Host Factor Reveals Novel Insights into the Mode of DNA Binding and Nucleoid Compaction.

Biochemistry. 2015 Jul 7;54(26):4142-60

Authors: Sharadamma N, Harshavardhana Y, Ravishankar A, Anand P, Chandra N, Muniyappa K

Abstract
The annotated whole-genome sequence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis indicated that Rv1388 (Mtihf) likely encodes a putative 20 kDa integration host factor (mIHF). However, very little is known about the functional properties of mIHF or organization of mycobacterial nucleoid. Molecular modeling of the mIHF three-dimensional structure, based on the cocrystal structure of Streptomyces coelicolor IHF-duplex DNA, a bona fide relative of mIHF, revealed the presence of Arg170, Arg171, and Arg173, which might be involved in DNA binding, and a conserved proline (P150) in the tight turn. The phenotypic sensitivity of Escherichia coli ΔihfA and ΔihfB strains to UV and methylmethanesulfonate could be complemented with the wild-type Mtihf, but not its alleles bearing mutations in the DNA-binding residues. Protein-DNA interaction assays revealed that wild-type mIHF, but not its DNA-binding variants, bind with high affinity to fragments containing attB and attP sites and curved DNA. Strikingly, the functionally important amino acid residues of mIHF and the mechanism(s) underlying its binding to DNA, DNA bending, and site-specific recombination are fundamentally different from that of E. coli IHFαβ. Furthermore, we reveal novel insights into IHF-mediated DNA compaction depending on the placement of its preferred binding sites; mIHF promotes compaction of DNA into nucleoid-like or higher-order filamentous structures. We hence propose that mIHF is a distinct member of a subfamily of proteins that serve as essential cofactors in site-specific recombination and nucleoid organization and that these findings represent a significant advance in our understanding of the role(s) of nucleoid-associated proteins.

PMID: 26067376 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Primary Capreomycin Resistance Is Common and Associated With Early Mortality in Patients With Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Primary Capreomycin Resistance Is Common and Associated With Early Mortality in Patients With Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2015 Aug 15;69(5):536-43

Authors: OʼDonnell MR, Pillay M, Pillay M, Werner L, Master I, Wolf A, Mathema B, Coovadia YM, Mlisana K, Horsburgh CR, Padayatchi N

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Capreomycin is a key antimycobacterial drug in treatment of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Drug-susceptibility testing (DST) for capreomycin is not routinely performed in newly diagnosed XDR-TB in South Africa. We performed this study to assess the prevalence, clinical significance, and molecular epidemiology of capreomycin resistance in newly diagnosed patients with XDR-TB in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with XDR-TB admitted to a TB referral hospital without previous XDR-TB treatment. A subset of isolates had extended DST (including capreomycin), mutational analysis, and IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism assays.
RESULTS: A total of 216 eligible patients with XDR-TB were identified. The majority were treated with capreomycin (72%), were young (median age: 35.5 years), and were female (56%). One hundred five (76%) were HIV+, and 109 (66%) were on antiretroviral therapy. A subset of 52 patients had full DST. A total of 47/52 (90.4%) patients with XDR-TB were capreomycin resistant. Capreomycin-resistant patients experienced worse mortality and culture conversion than capreomycin susceptible, although this difference was not statistically significant. The A1401G mutation in the rrs gene was associated with capreomycin resistance. The majority of capreomycin-resistant strains were F15/LAM4/KZN lineage (80%), and clustering was common in these isolates (92.5%).
CONCLUSIONS: Capreomycin resistance is common in patients with XDR-TB in KwaZulu-Natal, is predominantly because of ongoing province-wide transmission of a highly resistant strain, and is associated with high mortality. Capreomycin should be included in routine DST in all patients with XDR-TB. New drug regimens that do not include injectable agents should be operationally tested as empiric treatment in XDR-TB.

PMID: 25886924 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Successful Primary Endovascular Repair for Aortoesophageal Fistula due to Ruptured Tuberculous Pseudoaneurysm of the Thoracoabdominal Aorta;Report of a Case].

Sato T, Hioki I, Morimoto T, Adachi K, Tarukawa T, Fujimoto H, Kato N

[Successful Primary Endovascular Repair for Aortoesophageal Fistula due to Ruptured Tuberculous Pseudoaneurysm of the Thoracoabdominal Aorta;Report of a Case].

Kyobu Geka. 2015 Feb;68(2):141-4

Authors: Sato T, Hioki I, Morimoto T, Adachi K, Tarukawa T, Fujimoto H, Kato N

Abstract
We report a successful case of 50-year-old woman with aortoesophageal fistula due to tuberculous pseudoaneurysm of the thoracoabdominal aorta. We underwent endovascular repair with stent graft. Her clinical course improved without additional surgical repair or postoperative complications. The patient remains well at 3-year follow-up.

PMID: 25743360 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Aerosol immunisation for TB: matching route of vaccination to route of infection.

Manjaly Thomas ZR, McShane H

Aerosol immunisation for TB: matching route of vaccination to route of infection.

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2015 Mar;109(3):175-81

Authors: Manjaly Thomas ZR, McShane H

Abstract
TB remains a very significant global health burden. There is an urgent need for better tools for TB control, which include an effective vaccine. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the currently licensed vaccine, confers highly variable protection against pulmonary TB, the main source of TB transmission. Replacing BCG completely or boosting BCG with another vaccine are the two current strategies for TB vaccine development. Delivering a vaccine by aerosol represents a way to match the route of vaccination to the route of infection. This route of immunisation offers not only the scientific advantage of delivering the vaccine directly to the respiratory mucosa, but also practical and logistical advantages. This review summarises the state of current TB vaccine candidates in the pipeline, reviews current progress in aerosol administration of vaccines in general and evaluates the potential for TB vaccine candidates to be administered by the aerosol route.

PMID: 25636950 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Development of an ESI-LC-MS-based assay for kinetic evaluation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis shikimate kinase activity and inhibition.

Simithy J, Gill G, Wang Y, Goodwin DC, Calderón AI

Development of an ESI-LC-MS-based assay for kinetic evaluation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis shikimate kinase activity and inhibition.

Anal Chem. 2015 Feb 17;87(4):2129-36

Authors: Simithy J, Gill G, Wang Y, Goodwin DC, Calderón AI

Abstract
A simple and reliable liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) assay has been developed and validated for the kinetic characterization and evaluation of inhibitors of shikimate kinase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtSK), a potential target for the development of novel antitubercular drugs. This assay is based on the direct determination of the reaction product shikimate-3-phosphate (S3P) using electrospray ionization (ESI) and a quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) detector. A comparative analysis of the kinetic parameters of MtSK obtained by the LC-MS assay with those obtained by a conventional UV-assay was performed. Kinetic parameters determined by LC-MS were in excellent agreement with those obtained from the UV assay, demonstrating the accuracy, and reliability of this method. The validated assay was successfully applied to the kinetic characterization of a known inhibitor of shikimate kinase; inhibition constants and mode of inhibition were accurately delineated with LC-MS.

PMID: 25629762 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Disseminated tuberculosis presenting as febrile seizures with fatal evolution in an infant.

Petrescu IO, Gheonea C, Voican CS, Ciobanu D, Niţu M, Petrescu F

Disseminated tuberculosis presenting as febrile seizures with fatal evolution in an infant.

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2014;55(4):1483-9

Authors: Petrescu IO, Gheonea C, Voican CS, Ciobanu D, Niţu M, Petrescu F

Abstract
Disseminated tuberculosis with the involvement of brain, liver and gut is a rare disease in immunocompetent infant. Early diagnostic and instauration of anti-tuberculosis therapy is capital because the outcome is poor. Here, we report the case of an 11-month-old boy with disseminated tuberculosis of brain, liver abdominal lymph nodes, small bowel and lung, which presented with fever, generalized tonic-clonic seizure, hemodynamic instability and a history of recurrent respiratory tract infections. His father was diagnosed with active pulmonary tuberculosis six month ago and family members completed an anti-tuberculosis chemoprophylaxis regimen.

PMID: 25611286 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Vertical transmission of HIV/TB in newborns: a case report.

Niculescu EC, Dop D, Diaconu R, Stepan AE, Gheonea C, Stănescu GL

Vertical transmission of HIV/TB in newborns: a case report.

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2014;55(4):1473-6

Authors: Niculescu EC, Dop D, Diaconu R, Stepan AE, Gheonea C, Stănescu GL

Abstract
We are presenting the case of a 19-day-old newborn with HIV-seropositive mother, under antiretroviral treatment since birth, who is admitted in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) of the 1st Pediatric Clinic at the Emergency County University Hospital in Craiova, Romania, in critical general condition, with severe respiratory insufficiency. The examination of the tracheal and bronchial secretion revealed positive BK (bacillus of Koch). We considered it was an HIV/TB co-infection, the tuberculostatic treatment was instituted, but the evolution was towards exitus in the 11th day after admission.

PMID: 25611284 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Use of transrenal DNA for the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in children: a case of tubercular otitis media.

Use of transrenal DNA for the diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in children: a case of tubercular otitis media.

J Clin Microbiol. 2015 Jan;53(1):336-8

Authors: Petrucci R, Lombardi G, Corsini I, Visciotti F, Pirodda A, Cazzato S, Landini MP, Dal Monte P

Abstract
The diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) is difficult in children, especially for smear-negative pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB, which are common at this age. We report an 11-year-old girl with TB otitis media with negative smear microscopy and Xpert MTB/RIF but positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific transrenal DNA (Tr-MTB-DNA) test results and culture for M. tuberculosis.

PMID: 25339389 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Shared risk factors for multiple livestock diseases: a case study of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis.

Cowie CE, Marreos N, Gortázar C, Jaroso R, White PC, Balseiro A

Shared risk factors for multiple livestock diseases: a case study of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis.

Res Vet Sci. 2014 Dec;97(3):491-7

Authors: Cowie CE, Marreos N, Gortázar C, Jaroso R, White PC, Balseiro A

Abstract
Livestock diseases can result in reduced farm productivity. The bacterial diseases tuberculosis (TB) and brucellosis may share some transmission characteristics which, if managed in common, would result in more cost-effective management. Here, we identify risk factors shared between these diseases using a case-control approach and information theoretic modelling. One-hundred cattle farmers in Atlantic Spain were interviewed about farm characteristics and management practices. The risk factor shared between both diseases was intra- and inter-herd contact between cattle. Disease-specific risk factors were the presence of wildlife for TB, and cattle movement between farms for brucellosis. An integrated approach to disease management needs to consider cattle movement and farm biosecurity, reinforced by an education campaign to increase farmer awareness. This would be likely to bring benefits in reducing both diseases and improve the efficiency of any interventions.

PMID: 25267287 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Development of starch based mucoadhesive vaginal drug delivery systems for application in veterinary medicine

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 20 January 2016
Source:Carbohydrate Polymers, Volume 136
Author(s): Mehmet Koray Gök, Saadet Özgümüş, Kamber Demir, Ümüt Cirit, Serhat Pabuccuoğlu, Erdal Cevher, Yıldız Özsoy, Süleyman Bacınoğlu
The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate the mucoadhesive, biocompatible and biodegradable progesterone containing vaginal tablets based on modified starch copolymers for the estrus synchronization of ewes. Starch-graft-poly(acrylic acid) copolymers (S-g-PAA) were synthesized and characterized. The vaginal tablets were fabricated with S-g-PAA and their equilibrium swelling degree (Qe) and matrix erosion (ME%) were determined in lactate buffer solution. In vitro , mucoadhesive properties of the tablets were investigated by using ewe vaginal mucosa and i n vivo residence time were also investigated. In vitro and in vivo progesterone release profiles from the tablets were compared with two commercial products. Tablet formulation containing wheat starch based grafted copolymer (WS-g-PAA) gc indicated promising results and might be convenient as an alternative product to the commercial products in veterinary medicine.

Graphical abstract

Quantitative assessment of human and pet exposure to Salmonella associated with dry pet foods

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 4 January 2016
Source:International Journal of Food Microbiology, Volume 216
Author(s): Elisabetta Lambertini, Robert L. Buchanan, Clare Narrod, Randall M. Ford, Robert C. Baker, Abani K. Pradhan
Recent Salmonella outbreaks associated with dry pet foods and treats highlight the importance of these foods as previously overlooked exposure vehicles for both pets and humans. In the last decade efforts have been made to raise the safety of this class of products, for instance by upgrading production equipment, cleaning protocols, and finished product testing. However, no comprehensive or quantitative risk profile is available for pet foods, thus limiting the ability to establish safety standards and assess the effectiveness of current and proposed Salmonella control measures. This study sought to develop an ingredients-to-consumer quantitative microbial exposure assessment model to: 1) estimate pet and human exposure to Salmonella via dry pet food, and 2) assess the impact of industry and household-level mitigation strategies on exposure. Data on prevalence and concentration of Salmonella in pet food ingredients, production process parameters, bacterial ecology, and contact transfer in the household were obtained through literature review, industry data, and targeted research. A probabilistic Monte Carlo modeling framework was developed to simulate the production process and basic household exposure routes. Under the range of assumptions adopted in this model, human exposure due to handling pet food is null to minimal if contamination occurs exclusively before extrusion. Exposure increases considerably if recontamination occurs post-extrusion during coating with fat, although mean ingested doses remain modest even at high fat contamination levels, due to the low percent of fat in the finished product. Exposure is highly variable, with the distribution of doses ingested by adult pet owners spanning 3 Log CFU per exposure event. Child exposure due to ingestion of 1 g of pet food leads to significantly higher doses than adult doses associated with handling the food. Recontamination after extrusion and coating, e.g., via dust or equipment surfaces, may also lead to exposure due to the absence of pathogen reduction steps after extrusion or at consumer households. Exposure is potentially highest when Salmonella is transferred to human food that is left at growth-promoting conditions. This model can be applied to evaluate the impact of alternative Salmonella control measures during production, risk communication to consumers, and regulatory standards.

Risk Assessment of Foods and Chemicals in Foods

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 2016
Source:Encyclopedia of Food and Health
Author(s): S.M. Barlow
The general principles of risk assessment as applied to whole foods, macroingredients, micronutrients, and chemicals that may be present in foods are described. Chemicals in food may be present due to their deliberate addition as technological additives, as residues from treatment of crops or food-producing animals with pesticides and veterinary drugs, as from carryover from their use as processing aids, as migrants from food packaging, or as contaminants due to natural occurrence or their presence as pollutants in the environment.

Animal Attacks and Injuries: Fatal

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 2016
Source:Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Author(s): T. Kanchan
Injuries sustained following human interaction with animals may be fatal or nonfatal. It is not unusual for medicolegal experts to come across cases of fatal animal attacks, hence the need for up-to-date knowledge on the subject. Human–animal conflict arising due to encroachment into wildlife habitats is one of the main reasons for animal attacks on human beings. Injuries sustained in fatal animal attacks may be either virtually pathognomonic of that animal or nonspecific. This chapter deals with fatal animal attacks on humans and their causation, circumstances surrounding them, injuries sustained, and associated medicolegal aspects.

Veterinary Aspects of Forensic Medicine: Wild Animals – Wildlife Forensic Pathology

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 2016
Source:Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Author(s): T.C. Viner
Forensic pathologic changes in animals are closely parallel to those in humans. Electrothermal burns, toxicities, and gunshot wounds cause similar effects to the body, whether that is the body of Homo sapiens or Canis lupus . This chapter describes some common results of human–wildlife and wildlife–wildlife conflict, and describes the techniques used in the forensic pathology investigation of wild animal death.

Chapter 9 Environmental Risks of Biotechnologies

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 2016
Source:Environmental Biotechnology
Author(s): Daniel A. Vallero
This chapter considers the various venues for biotechnologies, addressing potential risks, especially environmental and public health risks, for each. The major sectors addressed are biomedical, food and agriculture, pharmaceutical, and industrial, especially enzymes and fermentation. Risk perception is compared to scientific risk assessment and risk management. Endogenous processes are explained.

Measurement of ketamine and xylazine in rat brain by liquid–liquid extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: January–February 2016
Source:Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods, Volume 77
Author(s): Elodie Bonfanti, Frédéric Cosnier, Ludivine Wathier, Pierre Campo
Introduction: In human and veterinary medicine, the injectable drugs ketamine and xylazine are mainly used in combination to induce, and then maintain general anaesthesia; they also provide pain and stress relief. Some side-effects have been reported on the auditory brainstem response, a method is therefore required to determine their concentrations in the brain. Methods: This paper presents a method to determine nanogramme quantities of ketamine and xylazine in rat brain using liquid–liquid extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in selective ion monitoring mode. The technique requires only 0.5 g of sample, and uses xylazine d6 as an internal standard. Results: The method was linear between 0.86 and 34.4 μg/g of brain. Limits of quantification were 378 and 87 ng (approximately 0.76 and 0.17 μg/g of brain) for ketamine and xylazine, respectively. The reliability of the method in terms of accuracy, within-day and between-day precision was also demonstrated. For xylazine, bias and intra-day precision were good (< 3.0%), as was between-day precision (< 10.5%); the equivalent values for ketamine were 7%, 11.1% and 20.9%, respectively. Stability of the analytes in the matrix at − 80 °C was assessed over five months; both compounds were found to be stable for at least 1 month, even at very low concentrations. The procedure was successfully applied to determine (for the first time) the in vivo brain levels of both drugs in animals following systemic administration. Discussion: The procedure will be useful in future studies of the side-effects of these drugs, and their interactions with other compounds.

Development of a polymer inclusion membrane-based passive sampler for monitoring of sulfamethoxazole in natural waters. Minimizing the effect of the flow pattern of the aquatic system

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: January 2016
Source:Microchemical Journal, Volume 124
Author(s): Aida Garcia-Rodríguez, Clàudia Fontàs, Víctor Matamoros, M. Inês G.S. Almeida, Robert W. Cattrall, Spas D. Kolev
Antibiotics are commonly used pharmaceuticals for both human and veterinary purposes. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are not designed to completely remove these compounds from their influents. Thus, some antibiotics are being continuously discharged in the environment and subsequently found in diverse natural waters. Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is one of the most frequently detected antibiotics in WWTP effluents and environmental waters. It exerts harmful effects on living organisms and therefore, there is a need to monitor its presence in aquatic systems. This study focused on the development of a passive sampler incorporating a polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) with Aliquat 336 as the extracting agent/membrane carrier for the monitoring of SMX in aquatic systems. Different PIM compositions were tested and the PIM composed of 30 wt.% cellulose triacetate (CTA), 26 wt.% Aliquat 336 and 44 wt.% of the plasticizer 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) provided the best SMX permeation from natural waters to a 2 mol L^{− 1} NaCl receiving solution. It was demonstrated that the flow pattern of the source solution influenced significantly the performance of a sampler with traditional design. The flow pattern of aquatic systems cannot be controlled and this potentially endangers the reliability of passive sampling data collected in these systems. A passive sampler with a new design is proposed which has been found to minimize the influence of the flow pattern of the aquatic medium being monitored.

Chapter 49 Management of PSA Recurrences After Radical Prostatectomy

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 2016
Source:Prostate Cancer
Author(s): John B. Eifler, Joseph A. Smith
Despite advances in the care of prostate cancer, a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level remains a common dilemma for men who undergo radical prostatectomy (RP). If caught when the PSA is low, the majority of patients will experience long-term recurrence-free survival with salvage radiotherapy (SRT). However, epidemiologic data demonstrate that not all men with a rising PSA after RP would progress to metastatic disease if left untreated, and population-based studies suggest overtreatment in this population. Herein we review controversies in the definition of biochemical recurrence (BCR), in the role of novel imaging technologies for detection and treatment of BCR after RP, and the treatment options available to men who experience BCR.

A selective and sensitive fluorescent aptasensor for detection of kanamycin based on catalytic recycling activity of exonuclease III and gold nanoparticles

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: January 2016
Source:Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, Volume 222
Author(s): Mohammad Ramezani, Noor Mohammad Danesh, Parirokh Lavaee, Khalil Abnous, Seyed Mohammad Taghdisi
Kanamycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used in human and veterinary medicine. Sensitive and selective methods to detect kanamycin residues for food safety and clinical diagnosis are of great interest. In this study a fluorescent aptasensor was designed to detect kanamycin based on exonuclease III activity (Exo III), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and FAM-Labeled complimentary strand of aptamer (CS). In the absence of kanamycin, aptamer binds to its CS to form a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) with 3′-overhang end at aptamer and 3′-blunt end at CS. The formed dsDNA leaves the surface of AuNPs. Upon addition of Exo III, aptamer is recycled from dsDNA and the cycle goes on, leading to a very strong fluorescence emission. In the presence of kanamycin, aptamer binds to its target and CS remains on the surface of AuNPs, resulting in a weak fluorescence emission. The designed aptasensor showed high selectivity toward aminoglycoside antibiotics, including kanamycin and gentamicin, with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 321 pM for kanamycin. This aptasensor was successfully used to detect kanamycin in milk and serum.

Graphical abstract

Median variants of learning vector quantization for learning of dissimilarity data

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 2 December 2015
Source:Neurocomputing, Volume 169
Author(s): David Nebel, Barbara Hammer, Kathleen Frohberg, Thomas Villmann
Exemplar based techniques such as affinity propagation represent data in terms of typical exemplars. This has two benefits: (i) the resulting models are directly interpretable by humans since representative exemplars can be inspected in the same way as data points, (ii) the model can be applied to any dissimilarity measure including non-Euclidean or non-metric settings. Most exemplar based techniques have been proposed in the unsupervised setting only, such that their performance in supervised learning tasks can be weak depending on the given data. We address the problem of learning exemplar-based models for general dissimilarity data in a discriminative framework in this contribution. For this purpose, we consider variants of Kohonen׳s learning vector quantization model to handle data with only dissimilarities between available. Here the exemplars are the prototypes. The resulting classifiers represent data in terms of sparse models thereby reaching state-of-the art results in benchmarks. For a real world data set in the field of veterinary medicine we report promising results.

Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of obligate anaerobic bacteria from clinical samples of animal origin

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: December 2015
Source:Anaerobe, Volume 36
Author(s): Melissa Mayorga, Evelyn Rodríguez-Cavallini, Diana López-Ureña, Elías Barquero-Calvo, Carlos Quesada-Gómez
The etiology of veterinary infectious diseases has been the focus of considerable research, yet relatively little is known about the causative agents of anaerobic infections. Susceptibility studies have documented the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and indicate distinct differences in resistance patterns related to veterinary hospitals, geographic regions, and antibiotic-prescribing regimens. The aim of the present study was to identify the obligate anaerobic bacteria from veterinary clinical samples and to determinate the in vitro susceptibility to eight antimicrobials and their resistance-associated genes. 81 clinical specimens obtained from food-producing animals, pets and wild animals were examined to determine the relative prevalence of obligate anaerobic bacteria, and the species represented. Bacteroides spp, Prevotella spp and Clostridium spp represented approximately 80% of all anaerobic isolates. Resistance to metronidazole, clindamycin, tetracycline and fluoroquinolones was found in strains isolated from food-producing animals. Ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin and cephalotin showed the highest resistance in all isolates. In 17%, 4% and 14% of tetracycline-resistant isolates, the resistance genes tetL , tetM and tetW were respectively amplified by PCR whereas in 4% of clindamycin-resistant strains the ermG gene was detected. 26% of the isolates were positive for cepA , while only 6% harbored the cfxA (resistance-conferring genes to beta-lactams). In this study, the obligate anaerobic bacteria from Costa Rica showed a high degree of resistance to most antimicrobials tested. Nevertheless, in the majority of cases this resistance was not related to the resistance acquired genes usually described in anaerobes. It is important to address and regulate the use of antimicrobials in the agricultural industry and the empirical therapy in anaerobic bacterial infections in veterinary medicine, especially since antibiotics and resistant bacteria can persist in the environment.

Isolation and characterization of Clostridium difficile from pet dogs in Assam, India

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: December 2015
Source:Anaerobe, Volume 36
Author(s): Isfaqul Hussain, R.K. Sharma, P. Borah, S. Rajkhowa, Iftikar Hussain, L.M. Barkalita, D. Hasin, M. Choudhury, M. Rupnik, N.K. Deka, G.K. Saikia
One hundred and seventeen faecal samples from pet dogs (pup = 21 and adult = 96) brought for treatment to a veterinary clinic were examined for Clostridium difficile . A total of 16 (13.67%) samples were positive. Nine (56.25%) isolates were obtained from 17 adult dogs undergoing antibiotic treatment and this was significantly higher (p < 0.01) as compared to isolates from dogs without antibiotic treatment. Ten isolates (62.5%) were toxigenic (all toxinotype 0) and six were non-toxigenic. None of the isolates were positive for binary toxin genes. PCR ribotyping revealed three different ribotypes (012, 014 and 046) among A⁺B⁺ isolates and five different ribotypes (010, SLO 131, and ACD 001 to ACD 003) among A⁻B⁻ isolates. The PFGE analysis of toxigenic isolates revealed three different pulsotypes corresponding to the PCR ribotypes.

Transparent and flexible conducting hybrid film combined with 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane-coated polymer and graphene

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 1 December 2015
Source:Applied Surface Science, Volume 357, Part A
Author(s): Daesung Jung, Yong-Hun Ko, Jumi Cho, Prashanta Dhoj Adhikari, Su Il Lee, Yooseok Kim, Wooseok Song, Min Wook Jung, Sung Won Jang, Seung Youb Lee, Ki-Seok An, Chong-Yun Park
A simple approach to fabricate graphene hybrid film consisted of Graphene/3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is presented, using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for enhancement of conductivity. The SAMs of APTES was prepared on ultraviolet-ozone (UVO)-irradiated PET films via wet chemical technique. The density of APTES was saturated after UV treatment time of 1 h for PET films; the carrier density and the optical transmittance were 9.3 × 10 ¹²/cm² and 82% for pristine graphene and 1.16 × 10¹³/cm² and 86% for graphene hybrid films, respectively, and experienced at inflection point at 30 min in UV treatment time. This behavior can be explained by surface morphology transition due to coalescence or clustering of mobile and low-molecular-weight oxidized components of PET.

Treatment of poly(ethylene terephthalate) foils by atmospheric pressure air dielectric barrier discharge and its influence on cell growth

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 1 December 2015
Source:Applied Surface Science, Volume 357, Part A
Author(s): Anna Kuzminova, Marta Vandrovcová, Artem Shelemin, Ondřej Kylián, Andrei Choukourov, Jan Hanuš, Lucie Bačáková, Danka Slavínská, Hynek Biederman
In this contribution an effect of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) sustained in air at atmospheric pressure on surface properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) foils is studied. It is found that exposure of PET to DBD plasma leads to rapid changes of surface chemical composition, wettability, surface morphology as well as mechanical properties of PET surface. In addition, based on biological tests that were performed using two cell types (Saos-2 human osteoblast-like cells and HUVEC human umbilical vein endothelial cells), it may be concluded that DBD plasma treatment positively influences cell growth on PET. This effect was found to be connected predominantly with increased surface energy and oxygen content of the surface of treated PET foils.

Recommendations for the inclusion of targeted testing to improve the regulatory environmental risk assessment of veterinary medicines used in aquaculture

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: December 2015
Source:Environment International, Volume 85
Author(s): Adam Lillicrap, Ailbhe Macken, Kevin V. Thomas

Anthelmintic resistance to ivermectin and moxidectin in gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle in Europe

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: December 2015
Source:International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, Volume 5, Issue 3
Author(s): Thomas Geurden, Christophe Chartier, Jane Fanke, Antonio Frangipane di Regalbono, Donato Traversa, Georg von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Janina Demeler, Hima Bindu Vanimisetti, David J. Bartram, Matthew J. Denwood
Anthelmintic resistance has been increasingly reported in cattle worldwide over the last decade, although reports from Europe are more limited. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of injectable formulations of ivermectin and moxidectin at 0.2 mg per kg bodyweight against naturally acquired gastro-intestinal nematodes in cattle. A total of 753 animals on 40 farms were enrolled in Germany (12 farms), the UK (10 farms), Italy (10 farms), and France (8 farms). Animals were selected based on pre-treatment faecal egg counts and were allocated to one of the two treatment groups. Each treatment group consisted of between 7 and 10 animals. A post-treatment faecal egg count was performed 14 days (±2 days) after treatment. The observed percentage reduction was calculated for each treatment group based on the arithmetic mean faecal egg count before and after treatment. The resistance status was evaluated based on the reduction in arithmetic mean faecal egg count and both the lower and upper 95% confidence limits. A decreased efficacy was observed in half or more of the farms in Germany, France and the UK. For moxidectin, resistance was confirmed on 3 farms in France, and on 1 farm in Germany and the UK. For ivermectin, resistance was confirmed on 3 farms in the UK, and on 1 farm in Germany and France. The remaining farms with decreased efficacy were classified as having an inconclusive resistance status based on the available data. After treatment Cooperia spp. larvae were most frequently identified, though Ostertagia ostertagi was also found, in particular within the UK and Germany. The present study reports lower than expected efficacy for ivermectin and moxidectin (based on the reduction in egg excretion after treatment) on European cattle farms, with confirmed anthelmintic resistance on 12.5% of the farms.

Graphical abstract

First report of closantel treatment failure against Fasciola hepatica in cattle

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: December 2015
Source:International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, Volume 5, Issue 3
Author(s): Adam Novobilský, Johan Höglund
Control of Fasciola hepatica infection in livestock is based on annual treatment using flukicides such as triclabendazole, albendazole and closantel. However, triclabendazole resistant F. hepatica populations are emerging worldwide and resistance is emerging to albendazole, whereas it has until now never been described for closantel. In Sweden, a topical formulation containing a combination of closantel and ivermectin (Closamectin Pour On) has been registered for use in cattle only since 2011. This study evaluated the efficacy of closantel against F. hepatica in naturally infected beef cattle using both coproantigen and faecal egg count reduction tests. Faecal egg counts (FEC) and coproantigen ELISA examinations were conducted in February 2014 in three beef cattle herds (A, B, C) in south-western Sweden. On each farm, 10 F. hepatica coproantigen-positive and F. hepatica egg-positive animals were allocated after 12–16 weeks of housing into groups and treated topically with a minimum of 20 mg closantel per kg body weight. Faecal samples were collected from selected animals on 0, 7 and 21 day post-treatment (PT). Based on FEC, closantel efficacy 21 days PT was 72% (95% CI: 65–77%) and 97% (95% CI: 95–98%) on farms A and B, respectively. No FEC reduction at all was observed on farm C. In total, 4, 1 and 6 animals remained coproantigen-positive at 21 days PT on farms A, B and C, respectively. Closantel treatment failure was confirmed on two of the farms. As the animals were housed 12–16 weeks before treatment and thereafter during the entire study, failure due to the presence of juvenile flukes was excluded. Although the cause of closantel failure currently remains unclear, development of resistance or/and absorption failure of topical administration should be considered. To our knowledge, this is the first report of closantel treatment failure against F. hepatica in cattle.

Graphical abstract

A standardised faecal collection protocol for intestinal helminth egg counts in Asian elephants, Elephas maximus

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: December 2015
Source:International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, Volume 4, Issue 3
Author(s): Carly L. Lynsdale, Diogo J. Franco dos Santos, Adam D. Hayward, Khyne U. Mar, Win Htut, Htoo Htoo Aung, Aung Thura Soe, Virpi Lummaa
The quantitative assessment of parasite infection is necessary to measure, manage and reduce infection risk in both wild and captive animal populations. Traditional faecal flotation methods which aim to quantify parasite burden, such as the McMaster egg counting technique, are widely used in veterinary medicine, agricultural management and wildlife parasitology. Although many modifications to the McMaster method exist, few account for systematic variation in parasite egg output which may lead to inaccurate estimations of infection intensity through faecal egg counts (FEC). To adapt the McMaster method for use in sampling Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus ), we tested a number of possible sources of error regarding faecal sampling, focussing on helminth eggs and using a population of over 120 semi-captive elephants distributed across northern Myanmar. These included time of day of defecation, effects of storage in 10% formalin and 10% formol saline and variation in egg distribution between and within faecal boluses. We found no significant difference in the distribution of helminth eggs within faecal matter or for different defecation times, however, storage in formol saline and formalin significantly decreased egg recovery. This is the first study to analyse several collection and storage aspects of a widely-used traditional parasitology method for helminth parasites of E. maximus using known host individuals. We suggest that for the modified McMaster technique, a minimum of one fresh sample per elephant collected from any freshly produced bolus in the total faecal matter and at any point within a 7.5 h time period (7.30am–2.55 pm) will consistently represent parasite load. This study defines a protocol which may be used to test pre-analytic factors and effectively determine infection load in species which produce large quantities of vegetative faeces, such as non-ruminant megaherbivores.

Graphical abstract

Seroprevalence of antibody to TgGRA7 antigen of Toxoplasma gondii in livestock animals from Western Java, Indonesia

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: December 2015
Source:Parasitology International, Volume 64, Issue 6
Author(s): Madoka Ichikawa-Seki, Azirwan Guswanto, Puttik Allamanda, Euis Siti Mariamah, Putut Eko Wibowo, Ikuo Igarashi, Yoshifumi Nishikawa
Toxoplasmosis is a concern in both human and veterinary medicine, and the consumption of undercooked meat infected with Toxoplasma gondii is a major risk factor in human infection. Establishing the prevalence of the parasite in food-producing livestock is essential to reduce the risk of human infection. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. gondii -specific antibodies in cattle and pigs in Western Java, Indonesia. Serum samples from 598 cattle and 205 pigs from 18 locations in Western Java, Indonesia, were tested for antibodies to T. gondii using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The seroprevalence was 14.6% in pigs and 7.4% in cattle, and significantly more pigs were seropositive compared with cattle ( p < 0.01). The results of this study suggest that consumption of undercooked meat should be regarded as an important source of infection in people. This study suggests that the risk factors for T. gondii infection in livestock appeared to be different in each location because geographical variation in seroprevalence was observed. The results of this study will facilitate further research to identify and control risk factors for T. gondii in the surveyed locations.

Graphical abstract

Evaluation of the in vitro activity of flumequine against field isolates of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: December 2015
Source:Research in Veterinary Science, Volume 103
Author(s): Luis Miguel Aller-Morán, Francisco Javier Martínez-Lobo, Pedro Rubio, Ana Carvajal
Flumequine is a quinolone derivative used in veterinary medicine to treat enteric infections, mainly those caused by Gram negative bacteria and also some Gram positive. Some recent reports by field practitioners have suggested that its use in swine dysentery outbreaks can minimize the impact of this disease. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro anti- Brachyspira hyodysenteriae activity of flumequine. Forty eight field isolates of the bacterium were evaluated using a microdilution test. The lack of colon bioavailability studies of flumequine in pigs makes it difficult to establish the true efficacy of this antibiotic for swine dysentery control. Nonetheless, the relatively high values of MIC 50 (50 μg/mL) and MBC 50 (50 μg/mL) obtained suggest poor activity against B. hyodysenteriae. Flumequine activity in swine dysentery outbreaks could be related to its activity against other bacteria, different from B. hyodysenteriae , engaged in swine dysentery pathogenesis.

Trans-tympanic catheter insertion for treatment of patulous eustachian tube

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: November–December 2015
Source:American Journal of Otolaryngology, Volume 36, Issue 6
Author(s): Se-Joon Oh, Il-Woo Lee, Eui-Kyung Goh, Soo-Keun Kong
Objectives To evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of trans-tympanic catheter insertion (TCI) in patients with refractory patulous eustachian tube (PET). Methods TCI was attempted in thirty-six ears of twenty-nine patients with chronic PET refractory to conservative treatment. The catheter was inserted under local anesthesia in an operating room through the bony orifice of the eustachian tube (ET) to occlude the isthmus of the tube via a myringotomy site on the tympanic membrane. Patients were evaluated postoperatively by nasal endoscopy and by interview to document symptoms. Successful treatment was defined as complete relief or significant improvement plus satisfaction with treatment. Patients had no concurrent disease and did not undergo any additional surgical procedure. Results TCI was performed in all except one ear, in which it failed because of an abnormally narrow tympanic ET orifice. Follow-up durations ranged from 6 to 37 months, with an average of 19.3 months. Successful treatment of subjective autophony was achieved in twenty-nine (82.4%) of the thirty-five ears. Ventilation tube (VT) placement was performed in the two ears because of otitis media with effusion (OME) after TCI. In one ear, the inserted catheter was finally removed due to additional unilateral mastoiditis after VT extrusion. Conclusion TCI seems to be a minimally invasive and was used successfully to treat PET. The procedure had a good overall success rate and complications were rare in the long-term.

Plasmid mediated tetracycline resistance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus associated with acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in shrimps

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: November 2015
Source:Aquaculture Reports, Volume 2
Author(s): Jee Eun Han, Leone L. Mohney, Kathy F.J. Tang, Carlos R. Pantoja, Donald V. Lightner
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most important problems in public health, veterinary medicine and aquaculture. Importantly, plasmid mediated antibiotic resistance of pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus from shrimp can potentially be transferred through transposition, conjugation and plasmid uptake to different bacterial species in aquaculture systems. In this study, we evaluated the antibiotic resistance pattern in V. parahaemolyticus strains associated with acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) from penaeid shrimp and identified AHPND strains from Mexico showed a high level of resistance to tetracycline (≥5 μg/mL) and have the tetB gene coding tetracycline resistance. In particular, the tetB gene was carried in a single copy plasmid (named as pTetB-VA1) comprising 5162-bp with 40% G + C content from the strain (13-511/A1). The plasmid pTetB-VA1 consists of 9 ORFs encoding tetracycline resistant and repressor proteins, transcriptional regulatory proteins and transposases and showed a 99% sequence identity to other tet gene plasmids (pIS04_68 and pAQU2).

Neuroblastoma-targeted nanocarriers improve drug delivery and penetration, delay tumor growth and abrogate metastatic diffusion

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: November 2015
Source:Biomaterials, Volume 68
Author(s): Irene Cossu, Gianluca Bottoni, Monica Loi, Laura Emionite, Alice Bartolini, Daniela Di Paolo, Chiara Brignole, Francesca Piaggio, Patrizia Perri, Angelina Sacchi, Flavio Curnis, Maria Cristina Gagliani, Silvia Bruno, Cecilia Marini, Alessandro Gori, Renato Longhi, Daniele Murgia, Angela Rita Sementa, Michele Cilli, Carlo Tacchetti, Angelo Corti, Gianmario Sambuceti, Serena Marchiò, Mirco Ponzoni, Fabio Pastorino
Selective tumor targeting is expected to enhance drug delivery and to decrease toxicity, resulting in an improved therapeutic index. We have recently identified the HSYWLRS peptide sequence as a specific ligand for aggressive neuroblastoma, a childhood tumor mostly refractory to current therapies. Here we validated the specific binding of HSYWLRS to neuroblastoma cell suspensions obtained either from cell lines, animal models, or Schwannian-stroma poor, stage IV neuroblastoma patients. Binding of the biotinylated peptide and of HSYWLRS-functionalized fluorescent quantum dots or liposomal nanoparticles was dose-dependent and inhibited by an excess of free peptide. In animal models obtained by the orthotopic implant of either MYCN-amplified or MYCN single copy human neuroblastoma cell lines, treatment with HSYWLRS-targeted, doxorubicin-loaded Stealth Liposomes increased tumor vascular permeability and perfusion, enhancing tumor penetration of the drug. This formulation proved to exert a potent antitumor efficacy, as evaluated by bioluminescence imaging and micro-PET, leading to (i) delay of tumor growth paralleled by decreased tumor glucose consumption, and (ii) abrogation of metastatic spreading, accompanied by absence of systemic toxicity and significant increase in the animal life span. Our findings are functional to the design of targeted nanocarriers with potentiated therapeutic efficacy towards the clinical translation.

Degradation and dissipation of the veterinary ionophore lasalocid in manure and soil

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: November 2015
Source:Chemosphere, Volume 138
Author(s): Suzana Žižek, Martin Dobeic, Štefan Pintarič, Primož Zidar, Silvestra Kobal, Matej Vidrih
Lasalocid is a veterinary ionophore antibiotic used for prevention and treatment of coccidiosis in poultry. It is excreted from the treated animals mostly in its active form and enters the environment with the use of contaminated manure on agricultural land. To properly assess the risk that lasalocid poses to the environment, it is necessary to know its environmental concentrations as well as the rates of its degradation in manure and dissipation in soil. These values are still largely unknown. A research was undertaken to ascertain the rate of lasalocid degradation in manure under different storage conditions (aging in a pile or composting) and on agricultural soil after using lasalocid-contaminated manure. The results have shown that there is considerable difference in lasalocid degradation between aging manure with no treatment ( t 1/2 = 61.8 ± 1.7 d) and composting ( t 1/2 = 17.5 ± 0.8 d). Half-lives in soil are much shorter (on average 3.1 ± 0.4 d). On the basis of the measured concentrations of lasalocid in soil after manure application, we can conclude that it can potentially be harmful to soil organisms (PEC/PNEC ratio of 1.18), but only in a worst-case scenario of using the maximum permissible amount of manure and immediately after application. To make certain that no harmful effects occur, composting is recommended.

Whole-body diffusion-weighted MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT can discriminate between different lymphoma subtypes

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: November 2015
Source:Clinical Radiology, Volume 70, Issue 11
Author(s): F. Mosavi, C. Wassberg, J. Selling, D. Molin, H. Ahlström
Aim To determine whether combined 2-[¹⁸F]-fluoro-2-deoxy- d -glucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron-emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can be used for characterisation of different lymphoma subtypes, i.e., indolent versus aggressive lymphoma, and also to assess the prognostic value of different quantitative parameters of whole-body (WB) DWI and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT. Materials and methods Pre-therapeutic WB magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including DWI and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were performed in lymphoma patients. Different quantitative DWI and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT parameters were evaluated for characterisation of different lymphoma subtypes. These parameters were also correlated, both separately and in combination, against overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). A lesion-by-lesion analysis was performed for correlation analysis between maximum standardised uptake value (SUV max ), mean standardised uptake value (SUV mean ) and mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Results Fifty patients were included in the study and divided into three groups: Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), n =12; aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), n =29 (including 20 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, DLBCL); and indolent NHL, n =9. Indolent NHL showed significantly lower mean ADC values than the other two lymphoma groups ( p =0.013). Aggressive NHL had a higher SUV max than HL. The OS analysis of all patients showed a relationship ( p =0.006) between increased mean ADC and longer OS. A model with both SUV mean and mean ADC, strengthened the possibility to predict PFS; however, a separate analysis of the DLBCL patients showed that none of the quantitative parameters could predict OS or PFS. Conclusion ADC can discriminate between indolent and aggressive NHL. This finding can be useful in assessing possible transformation from indolent to aggressive NHL. ADC, ADC/SUV, and SUV cannot predict OS/PFS independent of lymphoma subtype.

Anterior mediastinal solid tumours in adults: characterisation using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, diffusion-weighted MRI, and FDG-PET/CT

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: November 2015
Source:Clinical Radiology, Volume 70, Issue 11
Author(s): H. Yabuuchi, Y. Matsuo, K. Abe, S. Baba, S. Sunami, T. Kamitani, M. Yonezawa, Y. Yamasaki, S. Kawanami, M. Nagao, T. Okamoto, K. Nakamura, H. Yamamoto, M. Sasaki, H. Honda
Aim To find significant parameters to characterise anterior mediastinal solid tumours in adults using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI), diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI), and combined 2-[¹⁸F]-fluoro-2-deoxy- d- glucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). Materials and methods Forty-eight histologically confirmed anterior mediastinal solid tumours in 48 patients (24 men, 24 women; age range 21–83 years, mean 50.7 years) were examined. The parameters analysed were maximal diameter, presence of capsule/septa on T2-weighted images, time–signal intensity curves (TICs), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and maximum standardised uptake value (SUV max ). Also examined was whether any differences between histological types could be seen in these parameters. In a validation study, 42 anterior mediastinal solid tumours in 42 patients were examined consecutively. Results The washout pattern on TIC was seen only in thymic epithelial tumours (20/32). SUV max of lymphoma (mean, 17.9), malignant germ cell tumours (14.2), and thymic carcinomas (15.6) were significantly higher than that of thymomas (6.1). The mean maximal diameter of thymic epithelial tumours was significantly smaller than that of lymphomas ( p <0.01) and malignant germ cell tumours ( p <0.05). The validation study also yielded high accuracy (38/42, 91%) in differentiation among the anterior mediastinal solid tumours. Conclusion The SUV max , TIC pattern on DCE-MRI, and maximal diameter might be useful to differentiate anterior mediastinal solid tumours in adults.

Regional Lymph Node Uptake of [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose After Definitive Chemoradiation Therapy Predicts Local-Regional Failure of Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Results of ACRIN 6668/RTOG 0235

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 1 November 2015
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, Volume 93, Issue 3
Author(s): Stephanie Markovina, Fenghai Duan, Bradley S. Snyder, Barry A. Siegel, Mitchell Machtay, Jeffrey D. Bradley
Purpose The American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) 6668/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 0235 study demonstrated that standardized uptake values (SUV) on post-treatment [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) correlated with survival in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This secondary analysis determined whether SUV of regional lymph nodes (RLNs) on post-treatment FDG-PET correlated with patient outcomes. Methods and Materials Included for analysis were patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy, using radiation doses ≥60 Gy, with identifiable FDG-avid RLNs (distinct from primary tumor) on pretreatment FDG-PET, and post-treatment FDG-PET data. ACRIN core laboratory SUV measurements were used. Event time was calculated from the date of post-treatment FDG-PET. Local-regional failure was defined as failure within the treated RT volume and reported by the treating institution. Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon signed rank test, Kaplan-Meier curves (log rank test), and Cox proportional hazards regression modeling. Results Of 234 trial-eligible patients, 139 (59%) had uptake in both primary tumor and RLNs on pretreatment FDG-PET and had SUV data from post-treatment FDG-PET. Maximum SUV was greater for primary tumor than for RLNs before treatment ( P <.001) but not different post-treatment ( P =.320). Post-treatment SUV of RLNs was not associated with overall survival. However, elevated post-treatment SUV of RLNs, both the absolute value and the percentage of residual activity compared to the pretreatment SUV were associated with inferior local-regional control ( P <.001). Conclusions High residual metabolic activity in RLNs on post-treatment FDG-PET is associated with worse local-regional control. Based on these data, future trials evaluating a radiation therapy boost should consider inclusion of both primary tumor and FDG-avid RLNs in the boost volume to maximize local-regional control.

Analysis of cases of forensic veterinary opinions produced in a research and teaching unit

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: November 2015
Source:Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Volume 36
Author(s): Piotr Listos, Magdalena Gryzinska, Marek Kowalczyk
The aim of the study was to present the results of necropsies carried out in the years 2000–2014 in the Department of Pathological Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin. The material used for the analysis consisted of expert opinions prepared on the basis of a decision by a judicial body to admit an expert opinion as evidence. An increase was observed in the demand for the services of veterinary forensic experts, beginning in 2006 and persisting through 2014. The response to the growing popularity of veterinary forensic examinations should be systematization of knowledge and exchange of experience, which would enable the further development of this interdisciplinary science.

Insect pathogens as biological control agents: Back to the future

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: November 2015
Source:Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, Volume 132
Author(s): L.A. Lacey, D. Grzywacz, D.I. Shapiro-Ilan, R. Frutos, M. Brownbridge, M.S. Goettel
The development and use of entomopathogens as classical, conservation and augmentative biological control agents have included a number of successes and some setbacks in the past 15 years. In this forum paper we present current information on development, use and future directions of insect-specific viruses, bacteria, fungi and nematodes as components of integrated pest management strategies for control of arthropod pests of crops, forests, urban habitats, and insects of medical and veterinary importance. Insect pathogenic viruses are a fruitful source of microbial control agents (MCAs), particularly for the control of lepidopteran pests. Most research is focused on the baculoviruses, important pathogens of some globally important pests for which control has become difficult due to either pesticide resistance or pressure to reduce pesticide residues. Baculoviruses are accepted as safe, readily mass produced, highly pathogenic and easily formulated and applied control agents. New baculovirus products are appearing in many countries and gaining an increased market share. However, the absence of a practical in vitro mass production system, generally higher production costs, limited post application persistence, slow rate of kill and high host specificity currently contribute to restricted use in pest control. Overcoming these limitations are key research areas for which progress could open up use of insect viruses to much larger markets. A small number of entomopathogenic bacteria have been commercially developed for control of insect pests. These include several Bacillus thuringiensis sub-species, Lysinibacillus ( Bacillus ) sphaericus , Paenibacillus spp. and Serratia entomophila . B. thuringiensis sub-species kurstaki is the most widely used for control of pest insects of crops and forests, and B. thuringiensis sub-species israelensis and L. sphaericus are the primary pathogens used for control of medically important pests including dipteran vectors. These pathogens combine the advantages of chemical pesticides and MCAs: they are fast acting, easy to produce at a relatively low cost, easy to formulate, have a long shelf life and allow delivery using conventional application equipment and systemics (i.e. in transgenic plants). Unlike broad spectrum chemical pesticides, B. thuringiensis toxins are selective and negative environmental impact is very limited. Of the several commercially produced MCAs, B. thuringiensis ( Bt ) has more than 50% of market share. Extensive research, particularly on the molecular mode of action of Bt toxins, has been conducted over the past two decades. The Bt genes used in insect-resistant transgenic crops belong to the Cry and vegetative insecticidal protein families of toxins. Bt has been highly efficacious in pest management of corn and cotton, drastically reducing the amount of broad spectrum chemical insecticides used while being safe for consumers and non-target organisms. Despite successes, the adoption of Bt crops has not been without controversy. Although there is a lack of scientific evidence regarding their detrimental effects, this controversy has created the widespread perception in some quarters that Bt crops are dangerous for the environment. In addition to discovery of more efficacious isolates and toxins, an increase in the use of Bt products and transgenes will rely on innovations in formulation, better delivery systems and ultimately, wider public acceptance of transgenic plants expressing insect-specific Bt toxins. Fungi are ubiquitous natural entomopathogens that often cause epizootics in host insects and possess many desirable traits that favor their development as MCAs. Presently, commercialized microbial pesticides based on entomopathogenic fungi largely occupy niche markets. A variety of molecular tools and technologies have recently allowed reclassification of numerous species based on phylogeny, as well as matching anamorphs (asexual forms) and teleomorphs (sexual forms) of several entomopathogenic taxa in the Phylum Ascomycota. Although these fungi have been traditionally regarded exclusively as pathogens of arthropods, recent studies have demonstrated that they occupy a great diversity of ecological niches. Entomopathogenic fungi are now known to be plant endophytes, plant disease antagonists, rhizosphere colonizers, and plant growth promoters. These newly understood attributes provide possibilities to use fungi in multiple roles. In addition to arthropod pest control, some fungal species could simultaneously suppress plant pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes as well as promote plant growth. A greater understanding of fungal ecology is needed to define their roles in nature and evaluate their limitations in biological control. More efficient mass production, formulation and delivery systems must be devised to supply an ever increasing market. More testing under field conditions is required to identify effects of biotic and abiotic factors on efficacy and persistence. Lastly, greater attention must be paid to their use within integrated pest management programs; in particular, strategies that incorporate fungi in combination with arthropod predators and parasitoids need to be defined to ensure compatibility and maximize efficacy. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis are potent MCAs. Substantial progress in research and application of EPNs has been made in the past decade. The number of target pests shown to be susceptible to EPNs has continued to increase. Advancements in this regard primarily have been made in soil habitats where EPNs are shielded from environmental extremes, but progress has also been made in use of nematodes in above-ground habitats owing to the development of improved protective formulations. Progress has also resulted from advancements in nematode production technology using both in vivo and in vitro systems; novel application methods such as distribution of infected host cadavers; and nematode strain improvement via enhancement and stabilization of beneficial traits. Innovative research has also yielded insights into the fundamentals of EPN biology including major advances in genomics, nematode-bacterial symbiont interactions, ecological relationships, and foraging behavior. Additional research is needed to leverage these basic findings toward direct improvements in microbial control.

Graphical abstract

Scanning-probe-microscopy of polyethylene terephthalate surface treatment by argon ion beam

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 1 November 2015
Source:Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, Volume 362
Author(s): Francisco Espinoza-Beltran, Isaac C. Sanchez, Beatriz L. España-Sánchez, Josué D. Mota-Morales, Salvador Carrillo, C.I. Enríquez-Flores, Fabienne Poncin-Epaillard, Gabriel Luna-Barcenas
The effect of argon (Ar⁺) ion beam treatment on the surface of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) samples was studied by scanning probe microscopy (SPM) and the changes in surface topography were assessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) sheds light of adhesion force between treated polymer films and a Pt/Cr probe under dry conditions, obtaining the contact potential difference of material. As a result of Ar⁺ ion bombardment, important surface chemical changes were detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements such as chains scission and incorporation of nitrogen species. Ion beam treatment increases the surface roughness from 0.49 ± 0.1 nm to 7.2 ± 0.1 nm and modify the surface potential of PET samples, decreasing the adhesive forces from 12.041 ± 2.1 nN to 5.782 ± 0.06 nN, and producing a slight increase in the electronic work function (Φ e ) from 5.1 V (untreated) to 5.2 V (treated). Ar⁺ ion beam treatment allows to potentially changing the surface properties of PET, modifying surface adhesion, improving surface chemical changes, wetting properties and surface potential of polymers.

Graphical abstract

Behavioural changes in dogs treated with corticosteroids

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 1 November 2015
Source:Physiology & Behavior, Volume 151
Author(s): Lorella Notari, Oliver Burman, Daniel Mills

Surface interactions and degradation of a fluoroquinolone antibiotic in the dark in aqueous TiO2 suspensions

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 1 November 2015
Source:Science of The Total Environment, Volume 532
Author(s): Jonathan W. Peterson, Baohua Gu, Michael D. Seymour
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FQs) are important drugs used in human and veterinary medicine. Their detection in natural waters and waste water treatment plants, along with increased resistance to FQs among some bacteria, have generated an increased interest in the fate of these drugs in the environment. Partitioning of FQs between an aqueous solution and attendant substrates depends, in part, on the surface reactivity of the adsorbent, commonly a function of particle size, surface charge, and functional groups. This study investigated the surface interactions between the FQ drug ofloxacin (OFL) and titanium oxide (TiO 2 ), a common catalyst and widely-observed constituent in many consumer products. Raman and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques, as well as LC/MS, were used to determine the OFL moieties present on TiO 2 surfaces and in attendant solutions. Raman spectra indicate that the C O (ketone) group of the quinolone core, the NH⁺ of the piperazinyl ring, and CH 3 of benzoxazine core are the most active in sorption onto the TiO 2 surface. Raman spectra also show that the sorbed benzoxazine–quinolone core and piperazinyl moieties are readily desorbed from the surface by re-suspending samples in water. Importantly, we found that OFL could be degraded by reacting with TiO 2 even in the dark. Complementary LC/MS analysis of the attendant supernatants indicates the presence of de-piperazinylated and de-carboxylated OFL breakdown products in supernatant solutions. Together, both Raman and LC/MS analyses indicate that TiO 2 breaks the compound into piperazinyl and carboxylate groups which attach to the surface, whereas de-carboxylated and hydroxylated quinolone moieties remain in solution. The present study thus identifies the sorption mechanisms and breakdown products of OFL during dark reactions with TiO 2 , which is critically important for understanding the fate and transport of OFL as it enters the soil and aquatic environment.

Graphical abstract

Propofol protects against opioid-induced hyperresponsiveness of airway smooth muscle in a horse model of target-controlled infusion anaesthesia

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 15 October 2015
Source:European Journal of Pharmacology, Volume 765
Author(s): Luigino Calzetta, Alessio Soggiu, Paola Roncada, Luigi Bonizzi, Elena Pistocchini, Andrea Urbani, Barbara Rinaldi, Maria Gabriella Matera
General anaesthesia in horses is associated with elevated mortality rate in subjects suffering of heaves. Target-controlled infusion (TCI) of sedative–hypnotic medications and opioids represents a total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) method validated in veterinary medicine. Since there are no data concerning the impact of these classes of drugs in inducing bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in horses, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect propofol and remifentanil on the contractile response of equine airway smooth muscle. The influence of propofol and remifentanil on the contractile response of equine isolated bronchi to electrical field stimulation (EFS) was assessed. The role of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and neurokinin 2 (NK 2 ) receptor was also assessed. The interaction analysis was performed by Bliss Independence theory. Experiments were repeated in desensitized and passively sensitized airways. Remifentanil induced BHR in both non-sensitized and passively sensitized bronchi, (+56.33±8.01% and +99.10±14.52%, respectively; P <0.01 vs. control) and propofol significantly prevented this effect ( P >0.05 vs. remifentanil). The inactivation of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves via desensitization and blocking NK 2 receptor inhibited the BHR remifentanil-induced ( P >0.05 vs. controls). The inhibition of iNOS reverted the protective effect of propofol on the BHR induced by remifentanil (non-sensitized: +47.11±7.70%; passively sensitized: +70.51±11.39%; P <0.05 vs. control). Propofol synergistically interacted (overall ≈40%) in preventing the remifentanil-induced BHR. Remifentanil induces BHR via stimulating capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves that facilitate the cholinergic neurotransmission through the activation of NK 2 receptor. The propofol/remifentanil combination may be safely administered in course of TCI–TIVA procedures also in heaves affected horses.

The mitochondrial genome of a Texas outbreak strain of the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, derived from whole genome sequencing Pacific Biosciences and Illumina reads

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 15 October 2015
Source:Gene, Volume 571, Issue 1
Author(s): John K. McCooke, Felix D. Guerrero, Roberto A. Barrero, Michael Black, Adam Hunter, Callum Bell, Faye Schilkey, Robert J. Miller, Matthew I. Bellgard
The cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus ( Boophilus ) microplus is one of the most significant medical veterinary pests in the world, vectoring several serious livestock diseases negatively impacting agricultural economies of tropical and subtropical countries around the world. In our study, we assembled the complete R. microplus mitochondrial genome from Illumina and Pac Bio sequencing reads obtained from the ongoing R. microplus (Deutsch strain from Texas, USA) genome sequencing project. We compared the Deutsch strain mitogenome to the mitogenome from a Brazilian R. microplus and from an Australian cattle tick that has recently been taxonomically designated as Rhipicephalus australis after previously being considered R. microplus . The sequence divergence of the Texas and Australia ticks is much higher than the divergence between the Texas and Brazil ticks. This is consistent with the idea that the Australian ticks are distinct from the R. microplus of the Americas.

Localization of heat shock protein 110 in canine mammary gland tumors

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 15 October 2015
Source:Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, Volume 167, Issues 3–4
Author(s): Satoru Okada, Masaru Furuya, Shigeo Takenaka, Ayano Fukui, Makoto Matsubayashi, Hiroyuki Tani, Kazumi Sasai
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) function as molecular chaperones in the regulation of protein folding, conformation, and assembly; in addition, they also protect cells from protein–protein aggregation resulting from cellular stress. Recently, HSPs were shown to be overexpressed in several human cancer cells compared with normal cells. HSPs are considered to be related to apoptosis-associated proteins, and inhibition of apoptosis promotes tumor growth. Canine mammary gland tumors have received a great deal of attention from researchers due to the many common biological and histological characteristics that they share with human tumors. We previously confirmed that HSP110 is a canine mammary gland tumor antigen and reported that HSP110 mRNA expression significantly increased in tumor tissue. We have now created a functional recombinant canine HSP110 protein and a rabbit anti-HSP110 polyclonal antibody. This recombinant protein can refold heat-denatured firefly luciferase at 42 °C. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that HSP110 was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of epithelial and interstitial cells in canine mammary gland tumors. Extensive genomic research has revealed genetic similarities between humans and dogs; comparative oncological studies between these species have made remarkable progress. The results reported here contribute valuable oncological knowledge for the development of novel therapeutic methods in both veterinary science and human medicine.

Identification through DNA barcoding of Tabanidae (Diptera) vectors of surra disease in India

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: October 2015
Source:Acta Tropica, Volume 150
Author(s): Dhriti Banerjee, Vikas Kumar, Aniruddha Maity, Biswatosh Ghosh, Kaomud Tyagi, Devkant Singha, Shantanu Kundu, Boni Amin Laskar, Atanu Naskar, Shibananda Rath
Horse flies and deer flies are common names applied to members of the family Tabanidae (Diptera). Tabanid flies are pestiferous and of veterinary and medical importance, with about 244 species in India. They are major vectors of Trypanosoma evansi that causes trypanosomiasis (surra disease). Lack of stable morphological characters, and scarcity of taxonomic expertise, is major impediments for accurate species identification of these important pest and disease vectors. Molecular data, especially DNA barcode data, has been widely used in the identification of Diptera of economic importance. We evaluated the utility of DNA barcode data to discriminate the vectors of surra disease (trypanosomiasis) from India. We used barcode gap and reciprocal monophyly (neighbor-joining and Bayesian tree) criteria to analyze barcode data. A total of 46 specimens belonging to 7 species under four genera in two subfamilies were used for this study. DNA barcode data was not available previously for these species. Analysis revealed that all morphologically identifiable species can be discriminated using DNA barcoding data. Further, our study clearly demonstrated the presence of cryptic species in Chrysops dispar . Moreover, we revealed that closely related species without stable taxonomic distinguishing characters in the “ Tabanus striatus species complex” can be discriminated using DNA barcode data.

Graphical abstract

Comparative analysis of extractable proteins from Clostridium perfringens type A and type C strains showing varying degree of virulence

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: October 2015
Source:Anaerobe, Volume 35, Part B
Author(s): Pratistha Dwivedi, Syed Imteyaz Alam, Om Kumar, Ravi Bhushan Kumar
The prevailing scenario of bioterrorism warrants development of medical countermeasures with expanded coverage of select agents. Clostridium perfringens is a pathogen of medical, veterinary and military importance, and has been listed as Validated Biological Agent. We employed 2DE–MS approach to identify a total of 134 unique proteins (529 protein spot features) from the extractable proteome of four type A and type C strains. Proteins showing altered expression under host-simulated conditions from virulent type A strain (ATCC13124) were also elucidated. Significant among the differentially expressed proteins were elongation factor, molecular chaperones, ribosomal proteins, carbamoyl phosphate synthase, clpB protein, choloylglycine hydrolase, phosphopyruvate hydratase, and trigger factor. Predictive elucidation, of putative virulence associated proteins and sequence conservation pattern of selected candidates, was carried out using homologous proteins from other bacterial select agents to screen for the commonality of putative antigenic determinants. Pathogens (17 select agents) were observed to form three discrete clusters; composition of I and II being consistent in most of the phylogenetic reconstructions. This work provides a basis for further validation of putative candidate proteins as prophylactic agents and for their ability to provide protection against clusters of pathogenic select bacterial agents; aimed at mitigating the shadows of biothreat.

Graphical abstract

Elimination patterns of worldwide used sulfonamides and tetracyclines during anaerobic fermentation

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: October 2015
Source:Bioresource Technology, Volume 193
Author(s): Astrid Spielmeyer, Bettina Breier, Kathrin Groißmeier, Gerd Hamscher
Antibiotics such as sulfonamides and tetracyclines are frequently used in veterinary medicine. Due to incomplete absorption in the animal gut and/or unmetabolized excretion, the substances can enter the environment by using manure as soil fertilizer. The anaerobic fermentation process of biogas plants is discussed as potential sink for antibiotic compounds. However, negative impacts of antibiotics on the fermentation process are suspected. The elimination of sulfadiazine, sulfamethazine, tetracycline and chlortetracycline in semi-continuous lab-scale fermenters was investigated. Both biogas production and methane yield were not negatively affected by concentrations up to 38 mg per kg for sulfonamides and 7 mg per kg for tetracyclines. All substances were partly eliminated with elimination rates between 14% and 89%. Both matrix and structure of the target molecule influenced the elimination rate. Chlortetracycline was mainly transformed into iso-chlortetracycline. In all other cases, the elimination pathways remained undiscovered; however, sorption processes seem to have a negligible impact.

Assessment of the influence of daily shadings pattern on human thermal comfort and attendance in Rome during summer period

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: October 2015
Source:Building and Environment, Volume 92
Author(s): Letizia Martinelli, Tzu-Ping Lin, Andreas Matzarakis
Solar access has a critical influence on human thermal comfort. In shaded areas, direct shortwave radiation fluxes decrease and a cooling effect is produced. The percentage and position of shaded areas in an open space depend on sun position and urban morphology, so they change during the day, affecting attendance distribution over time. The study assessed the relationship between daily shading patterns, attendance and thermal comfort during summer at San Silvestro square in Rome, Italy. Field investigations were conducted on 1^st and 2^nd August 2014, including meteorological measurements and unobtrusive observations. The assessment of thermal comfort was based on the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET), calculated using the RayMan model. The majority of visitors at San Silvestro square sought shaded locations when sitting, resulting in a variation of attendance throughout the day. The attendance in unshaded location passed from 0 to 2 people at 11:00 to 2–10 at 12:00, whereas the attendance in shaded locations had a minimum of 0–4 at 12:00 and a maximum of 52–94 at 18:00. This preference was strongly correlated with thermal comfort analysis, as PET values were significantly lower in shaded areas. The minimum difference in the median of PET from shaded and unshaded locations was 2 °C at 18:00 and the maximum difference was 7 °C at 11:00. The main findings of this study highlight the importance of considering daily shading pattern when renovating open spaces in Mediterranean climate and can be used as reference for future renovations.

Nouvelles modalités d’imagerie pour la radiothérapie : imagerie fonctionnelle et moléculaire

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: October 2015
Source:Cancer/Radiothérapie, Volume 19, Issues 6–7
Author(s): P. Vera, S. Thureau
L’imagerie fonctionnelle par tomographie par émission de positons (TEP) apparaît extrêmement intéressante pour optimiser la balistique en radiothérapie et possiblement adapter la dose de radiothérapie en cours de traitement. Toutefois, en 2015, seule la TEP au fluoro-2-désoxyglucose (FDG) est validée pour la planification de la radiothérapie et uniquement dans le bilan préthérapeutique des cancers pulmonaires. L’intérêt du « dose painting », de la TEP dans le planning de traitement des cancers extrapulmonaires, des autres traceurs (dont les traceurs de TEP de l’hypoxie), de l’IRM de diffusion et de la TEP-IRM reste à démontrer par des études prospectives multicentriques. Functional imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) is interesting to optimize radiotherapy planning, and probably to perform dose redistribution in many cancers. However, in 2015, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET is validated only for therapy planning for lung cancer. The interest of dose painting, PET in non-lung cancers, the interest of other tracers (even PET hypoxia tracers), DW-MRI, and PET-MR for radiotherapy needs to be demonstrated in prospective multicentric phase III studies on large series of patients.

Bio-inspired surface modification of PET for cardiovascular applications: Case study of gelatin

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: 1 October 2015
Source:Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, Volume 134
Author(s): E. Diana Giol, David Schaubroeck, Ken Kersemans, Filip De Vos, Sandra Van Vlierberghe, Peter Dubruel
An aqueous-based bio-inspired approach was applied to chemically bind a bio compatible and cell-interactive gelatin layer on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) for cardiovascular applications. The protein layer was immobilized after an initial surface activation via a dopamine coating. The individual and synergetic effect of the dopamine deposition procedure and the substrate nature (pristine versus plasma-treated) was investigated via XPS, AFM, SEM and contact angle measurements. Dependent on the applied parameters, the post dopamine coating presented various surface roughnesses ranging between 96 nm and 210 nm. Subsequent gelatin immobilization mostly induced a smoothening effect, but the synergetic influence of the deposition protocol and plasma treatment resulted in different gelatin conformations. In addition, a comprehensive comparative study between chemically-modified ( via dopamine) and physically-modified (physisorption) PET with gelatin was developed within the present study. All investigated samples were submitted to preliminary haemocompatibility tests, which clearly indicated the direct link between blood platelet behaviour and final protein arrangement.

Graphical abstract

Light microscopic morphometrics, ultrastructure, and molecular phylogeny of the putative pycnotrichid Ciliate, Buxtonella sulcata

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: October 2015
Source:European Journal of Protistology, Volume 51, Issue 5
Author(s): J. Norman Grim, Kateřina Jirků-Pomajbíková, Francisco Ponce-Gordo
The ciliate, Buxtonella sulcata , was isolated from a bull cow near Tišnov, Czech Republic, and fixed for light (LM), scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) study. Presented here are the basic morphometrics from LM study, and the fine-structure of both somatic and vestibular ciliary, and other structures. While many morphological features are similar to ciliates belonging to the order Vestibuliferida, some differences have been discovered, and are presented here. Especially emphasized are the microtubular and fibrilar components of the basic kinetid structures for both somatic and vestibular regions of these protists. Also observed in both TEM and SEM samples were enigmatic membrane bulges at the base of many somatic cilia. These ciliates are seen to have abundant endocytoplasmic bacteria, as seen in LM and TEM. This evaluation of the ultrastructural morphology of B. sulcata from cattle is accompanied by detailed determination of its small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequence and also of internal transcribed spacers (ITS1-5.8rRNA-ITS2). All of these data will contribute to unravel the phylogenetic relationships of medically and veterinary important intestinal ciliates.

Praziquantel efficacy against Brachylaima sp. metacercariae (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae) parasitizing the edible landsnail Cornu aspersum and its HPLC-MS/MS residue determination

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: October 2015
Source:Experimental Parasitology, Volume 157
Author(s): Laia Gállego, Mercedes Gracenea
Cornu aspersum is a terrestrial edible snail, often parasitized by Brachylaima (Trematoda) metacercariae. Ingestion of undercooked snails by humans allows metacercariae to develop to adult in the intestine causing brachylaimiasis (expected mortality rate 5–10%). The cosmopolitan character of the trematode and of its vector, enhanced in a future climate change scenario, and the absence of adequate sanitary controls of the snails in marketplaces clearly increase the risk of human brachylaimiasis. The treatment of farmed snails with praziquatel (PZQ) would be a tool to control this food-borne disease. The objectives of this study were: to report the prevalence of Brachylaima metacercariae parasitizing C. aspersum in marketplaces, to assess the efficacy and tolerance of PZQ in C. aspersum and to develop an HPLC-MS/MS analytical method to quantify PZQ residue in the edible snail (the acceptable daily intake of PZQ is 0.17 mg/kg bw in humans). Prevalence of parasitization of C. aspersum by Brachylaima metacercariae in public marketplaces reached the 80%. PZQ was orally administered to snails, mixed with the usual snail food. In dose determination assays three doses were individually tested (10 days): 1.2 mg PZQ/snail, 1.8 mg PZQ/snail (efficacy 97.3%, p < 0.001) and 2.4 mg PZQ/snail (efficacy 98.7%, p < 0.001). In dose confirmation tests (n = 200) the 2.4 mg PZQ/snail dose was group tested (10 snails/box, 7 days): 2 g of PZQ supplemented snail food were disposed daily in the treatment group boxes and 2 g of snail food (placebo) in the control boxes (efficacy 94.6%, p < 0.001; prevalence dropped from 68.7% in control group to 10.1% in treatment group, p < 0.001). Received dose was 220.2 mg PZQ/kg snail with shell. In the analytical method, linearity, lower limit of quantification (0.05 μg/ml), selectivity, carry over, accuracy, precision, dilution integrity, matrix effect and stability were tested. Sixty snails were treated (11 mg PZQ/g snail food) and analyzed. PZQ was detected and quantified (0.093 mg PZQ/g snail). PZQ treatment of C. aspersum is effective, well tolerated by the snail, affordable and easy to reproduce in snail farms.

Graphical abstract

Unravelling the riddle of Radix: DNA barcoding for species identification of freshwater snail intermediate hosts of zoonotic digeneans and estimating their inter-population evolutionary relationships

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: October 2015
Source:Infection, Genetics and Evolution, Volume 35
Author(s): Scott P. Lawton, Rivka M. Lim, Juliet P. Dukes, Stephen M. Kett, Richard T. Cook, Anthony J. Walker, Ruth S. Kirk
Radix spp. are intermediate host snails for digenean parasites of medical and veterinary importance. Within this genus, species differentiation using shell and internal organ morphology can result in erroneous species identification, causing problems when trying to understand the population biology of Radix . In the present study, DNA barcoding, using cox1 and ITS2 sequences, identified populations of Radix auricularia and Radix balthica from specimens originally morphologically identified as Radix peregra from the UK. Assessment of cox1 and ITS2 as species identification markers showed that, although both markers differentiated species, cox1 possessed greater molecular diversity and higher phylogenetic resolution. Cox1 also proved useful for gaining insights into the evolutionary relationships of Radix species populations. Phylogenetic analysis and haplotype networks of cox1 indicated that R. auricularia appeared to have invaded the UK several times; some haplotypes forming a distinct UK specific clade, whilst others are more akin to those found on mainland Europe. This was in contrast to relationships between R. balthica populations, which had low molecular diversity and no distinct UK specific haplotypes, suggesting recent and multiple invasions from mainland Europe. Molecular techniques therefore appear to be crucial for distinguishing Radix spp., particularly using cox1. This barcoding marker also enables the population biology of Radix spp. to be explored, and is invaluable for monitoring the epidemiology of fluke diseases especially in the light of emerging diseases and food security.

An insight into the sialome of the horse fly, Tabanus bromius

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: October 2015
Source:Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Volume 65
Author(s): José M.C. Ribeiro, Maria Kazimirova, Peter Takac, John F. Andersen, Ivo M.B. Francischetti
Blood feeding animals face their host's defenses against tissue injury and blood loss while attempting to feed. One adaptation to surmount these barriers involves the evolution of a salivary potion that disarms their host's inflammatory and anti-hemostatic processes. The composition of the peptide moiety of this potion, or sialome (from the Greek sialo = saliva), can be deducted in part by proper interpretation of the blood feeder’ sialotranscriptome. In this work we disclose the sialome of the blood feeding adult female Tabanus bromius . Following assembly of over 75 million Illumina reads (101 nt long) 16,683 contigs were obtained from which 4078 coding sequences were extracted. From these, 320 were assigned as coding for putative secreted proteins. These 320 contigs mapped 85% of the reads. The antigen-5 proteins family was studied in detail, indicating three Tabanus specific clades with and without disintegrin domains, as well as with and without leukotriene binding domains. Defensins were also detailed; a clade of salivary tabanid peptides was found lacking the propeptide domain ending in the KR dipeptide signaling furin cleavage. Novel protein families were also disclosed. Viral transcripts were identified closely matching the Kotonkan virus capsid proteins. Full length Mariner transposases were also identified. A total of 3043 coding sequences and their protein products were deposited in Genbank. Hyperlinked excel spreadsheets containing the coding sequences and their annotation are available at http://exon.niaid.nih.gov/transcriptome/T_bromius/Tbromius-web.xlsx (hyperlinked excel spreadsheet, 11 MB) and http://exon.niaid.nih.gov/transcriptome/T_bromius/Tbromius-SA.zip (Standalone excel with all local links, 360 MB). These sequences provide for a platform from which further proteomic studies may be designed to identify salivary proteins from T. bromius that are of pharmacological interest or used as immunological markers of host exposure.

Graphical abstract

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: A Novel Noninvasive, Nonionizing Method for the Detection of Brown Adipose Tissue in Humans

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: October 2015
Source:Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, Volume 28, Issue 10
Author(s): Aidan Flynn, Qian Li, Marcello Panagia, Amr Abdelbaky, Megan MacNabb, Anthony Samir, Aaron M. Cypess, Arthur E. Weyman, Ahmed Tawakol, Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie
Background Brown adipose tissue (BAT) consumes glucose when it is activated by cold exposure, allowing its detection in humans by ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) with computed tomography (CT). The investigators recently described a novel noninvasive and nonionizing imaging method to assess BAT in mice using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Here, they report the application of this method in healthy humans. Methods Thirteen healthy volunteers were recruited. CEUS was performed before and after cold exposure in all subjects using a continuous intravenous infusion of perflutren gas-filled lipid microbubbles and triggered imaging of the supraclavicular space. The first five subjects received microbubbles at a lower infusion rate than the subsequent eight subjects and were analyzed as a separate group. Blood flow was estimated as the product of the plateau ( A ) and the slope (β) of microbubble replenishment curves. All underwent ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT after cold exposure. Results An increase in the acoustic signal was noted in the supraclavicular adipose tissue area with increasing triggering intervals in all subjects, demonstrating the presence of blood flow. The area imaged by CEUS colocalized with BAT, as detected by ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT. In a cohort of eight subjects with an optimized CEUS protocol, CEUS-derived BAT blood flow increased with cold exposure compared with basal BAT blood flow in warm conditions (median A β = 3.3 AU/s [interquartile range, 0.5–5.7 AU/s] vs 1.25 AU/s [interquartile range, 0.5–2.6 AU/s]; P = .02). Of these eight subjects, five had greater than twofold increases in blood flow after cold exposure; these responders had higher BAT activity measured by ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT (median maximal standardized uptake value, 2.25 [interquartile range, 1.53–4.57] vs 0.51 [interquartile range, 0.47–0.73]; P = .02). Conclusions The present study demonstrates the feasibility of using CEUS as a noninvasive, nonionizing imaging modality in estimating BAT blood flow in young, healthy humans. CEUS may be a useful and scalable tool in the assessment of BAT and BAT-targeted therapies.

Characterization of hypoxia in malignant pleural mesothelioma with FMISO PET-CT

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: October 2015
Source:Lung Cancer, Volume 90, Issue 1
Author(s): Roslyn J. Francis, Tatiana Segard, Laurence Morandeau, Y.C. Gary Lee, Michael J. Millward, Amanda Segal, Anna K. Nowak
Objectives Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a chemotherapy resistant tumor with a poor prognosis. Hypoxia is increasingly recognized as an important factor in tumor aggressiveness and cellular resistance to chemotherapy and radiation treatment. This prospective pilot study was performed with [F-18] fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) PET-CT to characterize hypoxia in patients with MPM. Materials and methods Twenty prospectively recruited patients with histologically or cytologically confirmed MPM not currently receiving systemic or local treatment underwent both FMISO and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT scans within 2 weeks. FMISO and FDG PET-CT scans were independently analyzed visually and semi-quantitatively using SUVmax and tumor to background ratio (TBR) in order to assess tumor hypoxia and metabolic activity. Lesion by lesion analysis was performed in sites of measurable pleural masses. Results Visual analysis demonstrated tumor FMISO activity in 17 of 20 patients, and tumor FDG activity in 19 of 20 patients. Focal areas of bulky tumor were most likely to demonstrate hypoxia. In 19 patients suitable for semi-quantitative analysis the median FDG SUVmax was 6.4 (range 1.9–19.1), median FMISO SUVmax was 2.5 (range 1.4–3.7) and median FMISO TBR was 1.8 (1.1–2.5). There was a positive correlation between intensity of metabolic activity and hypoxia ( r = 0.72, p = 0.001). Lesion by lesion analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between tumor thickness and FMISO activity ( r = 0.77, p < 0.001). Conclusion This pilot study confirms that MPM is a tumor with significant areas of hypoxia, particularly in dominant tumor masses. The relationship of tumor hypoxia to effectiveness of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy warrants prospective assessment.

PET imaging of TSPO in a rat model of local neuroinflammation induced by intracerebral injection of lipopolysaccharide

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: October 2015
Source:Nuclear Medicine and Biology, Volume 42, Issue 10
Author(s): Dieter Ory, Anna Planas, Tom Dresselaers, Willy Gsell, Andrey Postnov, Sofie Celen, Cindy Casteels, Uwe Himmelreich, Zeger Debyser, Koen Van Laere, Alfons Verbruggen, Guy Bormans
Objective The goal of this study was to measure functional and structural aspects of local neuroinflammation induced by intracerebral injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats using TSPO microPET imaging with [¹⁸ F]DPA-714, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in vitro autoradiography and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in order to characterize a small animal model for screening of new PET tracers targeting neuroinflammation. Methods Rats were injected stereotactically with LPS (50 μg) in the right striatum and with saline in the left striatum. [¹⁸ F]DPA-714 microPET, MRI, in vitro autoradiography and IHC studies were performed at different time points after LPS injection for 1 month. Results Analysis of the microPET data demonstrated high uptake of the tracer in the LPS injected site with an affected-to-non-affected side-binding potential ratio (BP right-to-left ) of 3.0 at 3 days after LPS injection. This BP ratio decreased gradually over time to 0.9 at 30 days after LPS injection. In vitro autoradiography ([¹⁸ F]DPA-714) and IHC (CD68, GFAP and TSPO) confirmed local neuroinflammation in this model. Dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI demonstrated BBB breakdown near the LPS injection site at day 1, which gradually resolved over time and was absent at 1 month after LPS injection. Conclusion The LPS model is useful for first screening of newly developed tracers because of the easy design and the robust, unilateral inflammatory reaction allowing the use of the contralateral region as control. Additionally, this model can be used to test and follow up the benefits of anti-inflammatory therapies by non-invasive imaging.

Increasing feasibility and utility of 18F-FDOPA PET for the management of glioma

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 19:18:16 +0000

Publication date: October 2015
Source:Nuclear Medicine and Biology, Volume 42, Issue 10
Author(s): Christopher Bell, Nicholas Dowson, Simon Puttick, Yaniv Gal, Paul Thomas, Mike Fay, Jye Smith, Stephen Rose
Introduction Despite radical treatment therapies, glioma continues to carry with it a uniformly poor prognosis. Patients diagnosed with WHO Grade IV glioma (glioblastomas; GBM) generally succumb within two years, even those with WHO Grade III anaplastic gliomas and WHO Grade II gliomas carry prognoses of 2–5 and 2 years, respectively. PET imaging with ¹⁸F-FDOPA allows in vivo assessment of the metabolism of glioma relative to surrounding tissues. The high sensitivity of ¹⁸F-DOPA imaging grants utility for a number of clinical applications. Methods A collection of published work about ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET was made and a critical review was discussed and written. Results A number of research papers have been published demonstrating that in conjunction with MRI, ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET provides greater sensitivity and specificity than these modalities in detection, grading, prognosis and validation of treatment success in both primary and recurrent gliomas. In further comparisons with ¹¹C-MET, ¹⁸F-FLT, ¹⁸F-FET and MRI, ¹⁸F-FDOPA has shown similar or better efficacy. Recently synthesis cassettes have become available, making ¹⁸F-FDOPA more accessible. Conclusions According to the available data, ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET is a viable radiotracer for imaging and treatment planning of gliomas. Advances in knowledge and implication for patient care ¹⁸F-FDOPA PET appears to be a viable radiopharmaceutical for the diagnosis and treatment planning of gliomas cases, improving on that of MRI and ¹⁸F-FDG PET.