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The cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) has demonstrated its ability to increase its distribution raising spatially its importance as a vector for zoonotic hemotropic pathogens. In this study, a global ecological niche model of R. microplus was built in different scenarios using Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP), Socio‐Economic Pathway (SSP), and a climatic dataset to determine where the species could establish itself and thus affect the variability in the presentation of the hemotropic diseases they transmit. America, Africa and Oceania showed a higher probability for the presence of R. microplus in contrast to some countries in Europe and Asia in the ecological niche for the current period (1970–2000), but with the climate change, there was an increase in the ratio between the geographic range preserved between the RCP and SSP scenarios obtaining the greatest gain in the interplay of RCP4.5‐SSP245. Our results allow to determine future changes in the distribution of the cattle tick according to the increase in environmental temperature and socio‐economic development influenced by human development activities and trends; this work explores the possibility of designing integral maps between the vector and specific diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In conclusion, we present herein three teaching cases of active TB infection in psoriasis patients under biological therapy, even after correctly following the infection screening protocols and prescription of low-risk biologic drugs. In addition, real-world data on secukinumab showed patients with untreated LTBI who did not develop reactivation either, although isolated cases of I de novo i TB have also been reported.1 Case 3 had been diagnosed and correctly treated with isoniazid for LBTI prior secukinumab initiation but developed a typical TB infection 3 years later. I Dear Editor, i The increased risk of reactivation of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in patients under treatment with anti-TNF-alpha drugs is widely known. [Extracted from the article]

The patient first presented with symptoms of proctitis (rectal bleeding, mucopurulent discharge and tenesmus). First, general symptoms were preceded by a severe proctitis, which seems to be caused directly by monkeypox virus. I Dear Editor i , A 30-year-old male patient visited the Emergency Room (ER) on the 16th May 2022 complaining of a new-onset skin rash associated with systemic symptoms. [Extracted from the article]

Chilblain-like lesions (CLL) were described early on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as red-to-violet macules, plaques or nodules typically appearing at the distal aspects of toes.1 Although increasing evidence suggests they are COVID-19-related,2 it is not supported by analytic controlled studies. Are SARS-CoV-2 IgA antibodies in paediatric patients with chilblain-like lesions indicative of COVID-19 asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic infection? T-cell responses are more common than circulating antibodies in mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives To define clinical subgroups by cluster analysis in patients with unilateral Meniere disease ( MD) and to compare them with the clinical subgroups found in bilateral MD. Design A cross-sectional study with a two-step cluster analysis. Settings A tertiary referral multicenter study. Participants Nine hundred and eighty-eight adult patients with unilateral MD. Main outcome measures: best predictors to define clinical subgroups with potential different aetiologies. Results We established five clusters in unilateral MD. Group 1 is the most frequently found, includes 53% of patients, and it is defined as the sporadic, classic MD without migraine and without autoimmune disorder ( AD). Group 2 is found in 8% of patients, and it is defined by hearing loss, which antedates the vertigo episodes by months or years (delayed MD), without migraine or AD in most of cases. Group 3 involves 13% of patients, and it is considered familial MD, while group 4, which includes 15% of patients, is linked to the presence of migraine in all cases. Group 5 is found in 11% of patients and is defined by a comorbid AD. We found significant differences in the distribution of AD in clusters 3, 4 and 5 between patients with uni- and bilateral MD. Conclusions Cluster analysis defines clinical subgroups in MD, and it extends the phenotype beyond audiovestibular symptoms. This classification will help to improve the phenotyping in MD and facilitate the selection of patients for randomised clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations ( TLESRs) induced by gastric distension are modulated by the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 ( mGluR5) that influences the vagal reflex loop. We therefore aimed to examine the effects of the selective mGluR5 antagonist mavoglurant ( AFQ056) on the number of TLESRs in dogs and reflux episodes in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD). Methods In a dog model, the number of meal-induced TLESRs was determined after intravenous (0.03, 0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg kg−1) and oral (1, 3, and 10 mg kg−1) doses of mavoglurant with reference to vehicle. In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-period crossover study, the incidence of meal-induced reflux episodes was assessed by esophageal impedance monitoring after single, oral doses of mavoglurant (50 and 400 mg) or baclofen (40 mg) in 30 patients with moderate to severe GERD. Key Results In dogs, mavoglurant reduced the number of TLESRs after intravenous and oral administration. In patients with GERD, the incidence of postprandial reflux episodes was significantly lower at a dose of 400 mg mavoglurant (−37.5% ; 90% confidence interval [ CI]: −57.8, −17.2), whereas there was no significant difference at 50 mg of mavoglurant compared to placebo. A significantly lower incidence of reflux episodes was also noted with the active comparator baclofen (−50.3%; 90% CI: −66.2, −34.3), thereby validating this study. Conclusions and Inferences These data suggest a potential clinical benefit of mGluR5 antagonists such as mavoglurant in patients with GERD, particularly in those with persisting symptoms despite treatment with proton pump inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reasons for performing study An analysis of the factors leading to equine disease events was used to support the development of international recommendations for mitigating the risk of disease dissemination through sport horse movements (high health, high performance - ' HHP' horses). Objectives A review was undertaken to identify the factors resulting in equine disease events following international movement of horses to draw lessons in support of the development of international recommendations for the safe movements of a specific subpopulation of horses: the HHP sport horses. Study design Systematic review carried out in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Methods The review covered disease events that occurred from 1995 to 2014, identified from the databases of the World Organisation for Animal Health ( OIE) and international surveillance reports. Results Overall, 54 disease events were identified, of which 7 were contained in post arrival quarantine and the others resulted in the introduction of pathogens into importing countries. For 81% of the introductions, the OIE recommendations applicable to the diseases involved had not been complied with. Subclinical infections are a challenge for international trade: 88% of the regulated movements that resulted in introductions involved infected horses that showed no clinical signs at the time of import. Biosecurity and management practices in resident equine populations were identified as important mitigating factors in preventing disease spread to the local horse population. Conclusions The global increase in international horse movements, if not appropriately regulated and supervised by competent veterinary authorities and respective equine industry partners, could potentially lead to increased global spread of infectious equine diseases. Appropriate mitigation measures and compliance with OIE import recommendations for specific diseases can significantly reduce this risk. The recommendations proposed under the HHP approach take into account the mitigation measures identified by this review as important factors in preventing pathogen introduction and spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility has recently made available to the user community a facility totally dedicated to Time-resolved and Extreme-conditions X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy - TEXAS. Based on an upgrade of the former energy-dispersive XAS beamline ID24, it provides a unique experimental tool combining unprecedented brilliance (up to 1014 photons s−1 on a 4 µm × 4 µm FWHM spot) and detection speed for a full EXAFS spectrum (100 ps per spectrum). The science mission includes studies of processes down to the nanosecond timescale, and investigations of matter at extreme pressure (500 GPa), temperature (10000 K) and magnetic field (30 T). The core activities of the beamline are centered on new experiments dedicated to the investigation of extreme states of matter that can be maintained only for very short periods of time. Here the infrastructure, optical scheme, detection systems and sample environments used to enable the mission-critical performance are described, and examples of first results on the investigation of the electronic and local structure in melts at pressure and temperature conditions relevant to the Earth's interior and in laser-shocked matter are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In France, a national surveillance plan to monitor congenital Schmallenberg virus (SBV) outbreaks was set up in January 2012, and has shown that SBV had become widespread throughout the country since mid-2011. However, the number of SBV-infected farms cannot accurately be estimated through congenital SBV reporting alone. Therefore, GDS France (National Animal Health Farmers' Organization) conducted serological investigations in cattle and sheep holdings in several departments in spring 2012 to assess SBV exposure in 2011. A serological study was also conducted in the department of Saône-et-Loire (southern Burgundy) to establish an accurate local overview of circulation of virus in 2011 among cattle. The study was conducted following guidelines elaborated by the French Platform for animal health surveillance. Results indicated differences in within-herd seroprevalence between cattle herds and sheep herds in departments where outbreaks of congenital SBV were reported in early 2012 and a great heterogeneity in seroprevalence between areas (even between areas geographically close to each other). In departments which had been severely affected in early 2012, the overall impact of SBV infection in cattle herds during the 2012-2013 calving season will probably be low. On the other hand, given the low proportion of immunised ewes in sheep SBV outbreaks, sheep flocks which were already affected in early 2012 may once again face congenital cases of SBV [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schutters SIJ, Dominguez M-d-G, Knappe S, Lieb R, van Os J, Schruers KRJ, Wittchen H-U. The association between social phobia, social anxiety cognitions and paranoid symptoms. Objective: Previous research suggests high levels of comorbidity between social phobia and paranoid symptoms, although the nature of this association remains unclear. Method: Data were derived from the Early Developmental Stages of Psychopathology study, a 10-year longitudinal study in a representative German community sample of 3021 participants aged 14-24 years at baseline. The Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview was used to assess social phobia and paranoid symptoms, along with data on social phobia features. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were conducted. Differential associations with environmental risk factors and temperamental traits were investigated. Results: Lifetime social phobia and paranoid symptoms were associated with each other cross-sectionally (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.31-2.47). Lifetime paranoid symptoms were associated specifically with social anxiety cognitions. Lifetime cognitions of negative evaluation predicted later onset of paranoid symptoms, whereas onset of social phobia was predicted by cognitions of loss of control and fear/avoidance of social situations. Lifetime social phobia and paranoid symptoms shared temperamental traits of behavioural inhibition, but differed in environmental risks. Conclusions: The present study showed that paranoid symptoms and social phobia share similarities in cognitive profile and inhibited temperament. Avoidance appears to be important in the development of social phobia, whereas cannabis use and traumatic experiences may drive paranoid thinking in vulnerable individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study of the physicochemical and mineralogical properties of stainless steel wastes by using granulometry, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, X-ray diffractometer, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Slags, refractory bricks and dust are some of the wastes produced during the manufacture of stainless steel. Results of SEM analyses showed that wastes are not homogeneous in texture and morphology. Some particles rich in metals are seen in slags, while 99% of the dust particles present diameters under 1 micrometer. In terms of chemical composition, stainless steel slags consist of silicium and calcium whereas reduction slag consists of the higher silicon content.

Development and progression of acquired abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) involve proteolytic activity. In the present study, we investigate the distribution of fibrinolytic system components within mural thrombi of human AAAs. 20 mural thrombi and the remaining AAA walls were dissected. The luminal, intermediate and abluminal thrombus layers, and media and adventitia were separately incubated in cell culture medium. Conditioned media were then analysed for plasminogen activators (PAs), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), free-plasmin, plasmin α2-antiplasmin complexes (PAPs) and D-dimers release. In parallel, PA and PAI-1 mRNA expression analysis was performed by RT-PCR. The study was completed by immunohistochemical localization of these components in AAA, ex vivo functional imaging using 99mTc-aprotinin as a ligand and measurement of PAP and D-dimer plasma levels. All fibrinolytic system components were present in each aneurysmal layer. However, the mural thrombus was the main source of active serine-protease release. Interestingly, the luminal layer of the thrombus released greater amounts of PAPs and D-dimers. This paralleled the preferential immunolocalization of plasminogen and PAs, and the 99mTc-aprotinin scintigraphic signal observed in the luminal pole of the thrombus. In contrast, mRNA expression analysis showed an exclusive synthesis of tPA and PAI-1 within the wall, whereas uPA mRNA was also expressed within the thrombus. Taken together, these results suggest that the increased plasma concentrations of PAPs and D-dimers found in AAA patients are related to mural thrombus proteolytic activity, thus explaining their known link with AAA progression. Components of the fibrinolytic system could also represent a target for functional imaging of thrombus activities in AAA. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood samples were taken from the ventral coccygeal vein of 15 El Hierro giant lizards (Gallotia simonyi) (seven females and eight males), six La Gomera giant lizards (Gallotia bravoana) (four males and two females) and four Tenerife giant lizards (Gallotia intermedia) (two males and two females), and 31 blood parameters were measured. Among the haematological parameters there were significant differences between the three species in heterophils, azurophils and lymphocytes, but no significant differences in red blood cell count, white blood cell count, haemoglobin, packed-cell volume, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. In terms of blood chemistry there were significant differences between the three species in cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, sodium, chloride, urea, uric acid, total proteins, prealbumin, albumin and gamma globulins, but no significant differences in calcium, potassium, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, bile acids, alpha-1 and alpha-2 globulins and beta globulins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary human adult lung epithelial cells (ALEC) were established in culture using the most distal parts of the lung to avoid the airways. Immunocytochemical peroxidase staining and semiquantitative flow cytometry were used to characterize the cells in conjunction with a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAb). The cells showed a constitutive expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens, patchy expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) and a weak patchy expression of MHC class II antigens (detected using immunocytochemical staining). Incubation of the primary ALEC with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (250 U/ml) stimulated an upregulation of the expression of these three antigens to varying degrees; expression of MHC class I antigens and ICAM-1 molecules showed an up-regulation at 10 hr after the start of the treatment, reaching a peak at 48 hr, maintaining it for the next 24 hr and then, steadily and progressively, losing it towards the end of the experiment at 96 hr. Expression of HLA-DR showed an up-regulation at 17 hr after the start of the treatment, reaching a peak at 72 hr and maintaining it for the next 24 hr. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of ALEC in culture caused an up-regulation of expression of class I antigens and ICAM-1, but not DR. However, when the infected cells were incubated with IFN-γ, an up-regulation in the expression of DR took place. Therefore, within the micro-environment of the transplanted lung the presence of cytokines (IFN-γ) produced by infiltrating activated mononuclear cells, may render the lung epithelial cells capable of acting as antigen-presenting cells, expressing high levels of class I antigens, ICAM-1 and class II antigens, activating CD8 and CD4 cells thus playing a major part in the process of rejection of the lung allograft; themselves becoming a primary target in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of World Journal of Surgery is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents a study that investigates the impact of Schmallenberg virus (SBV), caused by Orthobunyavirus, on sheep flocks in France. The French local animal health organization Groupements de défense sanitaire (GDS France) conducted a preliminary assessment on sheeps that were positive of SBV. Moreover, GDS found that healthy lambs accounted for 54,939, while 8,395 were dead 12 hours after they were born and 1,214 had deformities.

A letter to the editor is presented regarding the case of a seven-year-old boy who was diagnosed with plexiform schwannoma in the mucosa of the lower lip.

During an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in southern England in 2007, a case-control study was conducted to identify risk factors for infection and to investigate the relative impact of risk factors on transmission between the infected farms. Seven of the eight case farms in the outbreak and 22 control farms participated. Data were collected via questionnaires and subjected to comparative statistical analysis. Case farms were further classified as primary or secondary according to the likely source of infection during the study. On primary case farms, it was plausible that infection had been introduced directly from the original source. On secondary case farms, FMD infection was more likely to have originated from another infected premises. Calving occurred more frequently on case farms than on control farms during the risk period, and the two primary case farms had a larger proportion of youngstock than the other farms. Secondary case farms (n=5) had a higher composite environmental risk score and a lower biosecurity score than control farms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An abstract of the conference paper "Prenatal exposure to Doppler ultrasound waves in mice: results at short and long term exposure," by W. A. Clavelli and colleagues is presented.

Larvae of Rana perezi Seoane were reared under laboratory conditions on three compounded diets, three fresh diets and three mixed diets in an attempt to compare the nutritive use and the relative performance of the feeds. The indices of nutritive use help to evaluate the diets. Best digestibility was observed with the fresh diets, although the animals grew slowly. A diet rich in protein (40%), fats, and carbohydrates improved growth rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In each of the five title compounds, namely 5-benzylidene-1,3-dimethylpyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, C13H12N2O3, (I), 5-(3-methoxybenzylidene)-1,3-dimethylpyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, C14H14N2O4, (II), 5-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-1,3-dimethylpyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, C14H14N2O4, (III), 5-[4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene]-1,3-dimethylpyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, C15H17N3O3, (IV), and 5-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-1,3-dimethylpyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, C21H28N2O4, (V), which crystallizes with Z' = 2 in P-1, there is a very wide C-C-C angle at the methine C atom linking the two rings, ranging from 137.1 (2) degrees in (I) to 139.14 (14) degrees in (III). There is evidence for intramolecular charge separation in (IV) and, to a lesser degree, in (III). The molecules of (I)-(III) are linked by pairs of C-H...O hydrogen bonds into chains of edge-fused rings, with alternating R(2)2(14) and R(2)2(16) rings in (I), alternating R(2)2(14) and R(4)4(20) rings in (II), with two types of R(2)2(16) rings alternating in (III). The molecules in (IV) are linked by a single C-H...O hydrogen bond into simple C(8) chains, but there are no direction-specific intermolecular interactions in (V).

The PII proteins from the cyanobacteria Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 have been crystallized and high-resolution structures have been obtained using X-ray crystallography. The core of these new structures is similar to that of the PII proteins from Escherichia coli, although the structures of the T- and C-loops differ. The T-loop of the Synechococcus protein is ordered, but appears to be stabilized by crystal contacts. The same loop in the Synechocystis protein is disordered. The C-terminus of the Synechocystis protein is stabilized by hydrogen bonding to the same region of a crystallographically related molecule. The same terminus in the Synechococcus protein is stabilized by coordination with a metal ion. These observations are consistent with the idea that both the T-loop and the C-terminus of PII proteins are flexible in solution and that this flexibility may be important for receptor recognition. Sequence comparisons are used to identify regions of the sequence unique to the cyanobacteria.

A reduction in fibrinolysis has been described in association with thrombosis in the primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS). In this study, we measured anti-tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antibodies and anti-fibrin-bound t-PA antibodies as possible causes of hypofibrinolysis in 39 patients with PAPS. We also evaluated the differences in anti t-PA antibodies between patients without previous thrombosis (20 patients) and patients with previous episodes of thrombosis (19 patients: deep vein thrombosis in nine, ischaemic stroke in six, arterial leg thrombosis in one, hepatic vein thrombosis in one, thrombophlebitis in one and cerebral venous thrombosis in one). Anti-t-PA antibodies were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and anti-t-PA fibrin-bound antibodies were measured by a solid-phase fibrin immunoassay (SOFIA) in 39 patients with PAPS and in 39 controls matched for gender and age. High levels of IgG anti-t-PA were found in three out of 39 patients with PAPS, and all three patients had a history of thrombosis; four other patients, one of whom had a history of thrombotic events, had high titres of antibodies directed against fibrin-bound t-PA. In addition, patients with ischaemic stroke had significantly higher levels of IgG anti-t-PA than patients without thrombosis (P = 0.029). In conclusion, our data showed that, in patients with PAPS, the highest levels of anti-t-PA antibodies were present in subjects with previous thrombotic events. The discrepancy in the results obtained with two methods of detection of anti-t-PA antibodies, ELISA and SOFIA, indicates a different interaction of the antibodies with the t-PA molecules, which are directly bound to polystyrene plates in ELISA and bound to fibrin as a bridging molecule in SOFIA.

sHLA are secreted by B and T lymphocytes upon activation. These antigens are present in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The establishment of a sHLA index, IH = (CSF sHLA/serum sHLA)/(CSF albumin/serum albumin) helped us to define that values above 9.7 reflect an intrathecal synthesis of these proteins. IH was significantly increased in a group of patients with intrathecal production of IgG against HIV-1 (HIV) and directly correlated with the synthesis of such antibodies. Therefore, IH seems to be an index of lymphocyte activation in CNS.