Type 2 diabetes progression: A regulatory network approach

In order to elucidate central elements underlying type 2 diabetes, we constructed a regulatory network model involving 37 components (molecules, receptors, processes, etc.) associated to signaling pathways of pancreatic beta-cells. In a first approximation, the network topology was described by Boolean rules whose interacting dynamics predicted stationary patterns broadly classified as health, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes stages. A subsequent approximation based on a continuous logic analysis allowed us to characterize the progression of the disease as transitions between these states associated to alterations of cell homeostasis due to exhaustion or exacerbation of specific regulatory signals. The method allowed the identification of key transcription factors involved in metabolic stress as essential for the progression of the disease. Integration of the present analysis with existent mathematical models designed to yield accurate account of experimental data in human or animal essays leads to reliable predictions for beta-cell mass, insulinemia, glycemia, and glycosylated hemoglobin in diabetic fatty rats.

Laboratorio: Balance hídrico en los anfibios anuros

Los anfibios, y en especial los anuros (sapos y ranas), han sido los animales preferidos para la experimentación desde el comienzo del estudio biológico científico.

Tracking the Origin and Deciphering the Phylogenetic Relationship of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus in Ecuador

In 2010, new Chinese strains of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), clinically more severe than the classical strains, emerged. These strains were spread to United States in 2013 through an intercontinental transmission from China with further spreading across the world, evidencing the emergent nature of these strains. In the present study, an analysis of PEDV field sequences from Ecuador was conducted by comparing all the PEDV S gene sequences available in the GenBank database. Phylogenetic comparisons and Bayesian phylogeographic inference based on complete S gene sequences were also conducted to track the origin and putative route of PEDV. The sequence from the PED-outbreak in Ecuador was grouped into the clade II of PEDV genogroup 2a together with other sequences of isolates from Mexico, Canada, and United States. The phylogeographic study revealed the emergence of the Chinese PEDV strains, followed by spreading to US in 2013, from US to Korea, and later the introduction of PEDV to Canada, Mexico, and Ecuador directly from the US. The sources of imports of live swine in Ecuador in 2014 were mainly from Chile and US. Thus, this movement of pigs is suggested as the main way for introducing PEDV to Ecuador.

External validity and reliability of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) among Canadian parents of children newly diagnosed with cancer

BACKGROUND

The Psychosocial Screening Tool (PAT) was developed and validated with a sample of caregivers of children newly diagnosed with cancer in the United States. This study aimed to assess cultural adaptation (Phase 1) and validity and reliability of the revised PAT (PATrev) with a Canadian sample (Phase 2).

PROCEDURE

In Phase 1, a convenience sample of seven parents of children who were treated for cancer and six pediatric oncology healthcare experts participated. In Phase 2, 67 parents of children newly diagnosed with cancer from 4 Canadian pediatric cancer centers participated. To assess reliability and validity of the PATrev, parents completed behavioral (BASC-2) and quality of life (PedsQL) instruments about the child and an anxiety inventory (STAI) about themselves.

RESULTS

The PAT required minor changes to be culturally adapted for the Canadian population. The PATrev had strong inter-rater (0.77) test-retest (0.75), and internal consistency reliability (0.85), as well as moderate to strong validity comparing PATrev child's problems and PedsQL total (-0.49), PedsQL anxiety (-0.47), BASC-2 internalizing (0.64), behavioral (0.63), and adaptive scores (-0.56). PATrev discriminative validity was confirmed with BASC-2 scores (AUR scores of 0.70-0.74). PATrev parental stressors were strongly correlated to STAI scores (0.53). Finally, agreement between PATrev child's problems and parental anxiety scores was moderate (0.47).

CONCLUSION

This study supports the original PAT, demonstrates PATrev is a reliable and valid psychosocial screening tool, and provides unique evidence regarding early psychosocial risk in the family, which have important implications for guiding psychosocial practice.

Does the use of the revised psychosocial assessment tool (PATrev) result in improved quality of life and reduced psychosocial risk in Canadian families with a child newly diagnosed with cancer?

OBJECTIVES

Early psychosocial screening may guide interventions and ameliorate the adverse psychosocial effects of childhood cancer. The revised psychosocial assessment tool provides risk information - Universal (typical distress), Targeted (additional specific distress), and Clinical (severe distress) - about the child with cancer and his or her family. This pilot study investigated the benefits of providing a summary of family psychosocial risk information to the medical team treating the newly diagnosed child (Experimental Group, EG).

METHOD

We conducted a pilot randomized control trial with a sample of 67 parents, comparing the EG to the control group (CG) on parental perception of family psychosocial difficulties (revised psychosocial assessment tool risk levels), child behavior (behavior assessment scale for children-2), pediatric quality of life (PedsQL), and parental anxiety (state-anxiety scale of the state-trait anxiety inventory ), 2-4 weeks after diagnosis (Time 1) and 6 months later (Time 2).

RESULTS

Compared to the CG, participants in the EG had significantly reduced targeted and clinical risk (p < 0.001), and improved pain related PedsQL at Time 2 (p < 0.05). Scores for PedsQL total and nearly all subscales improved over time in both groups (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). No changes in behavior scores were noted.

CONCLUSION

Preliminary findings suggest that providing a summary of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool to the treating team shortly after diagnosis may help reduce family wide psychosocial risk 6 months later and improve quality of life related to pain for children who are undergoing treatment for cancer.

Trajectory of parental hope when a child has difficult-to-treat cancer: a prospective qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

This prospective and longitudinal study was designed to further our understanding of parental hope when a child is being treated for a malignancy resistant to treatment over three time points during the first year after diagnosis using a qualitative approach to inquiry.

METHODS

We prospectively recruited parents of pediatric cancer patients with a poor prognosis who were treated in the Hematology/Oncology Program at a large children's hospital for this longitudinal grounded theory study. Parents were interviewed at three time points: within 3 months of the initial diagnosis, at 6 months, and at 9 months. Data collection and analysis took place concurrently using line-by-line coding. Constant comparison was used to examine relationships within and across codes and categories.

RESULTS

Two overarching categories defining hope as a positive inner source were found across time, but their frequency varied depending on how well the child was doing and disease progression: future-oriented hope and present-oriented hope. Under future-oriented hope, we identified the following: hope for a cure and treatment success, hope for the child's future, hope for a miracle, and hope for more quality time with child. Under present-oriented hope, we identified hope for day-to-day/moment-to-moment, hope for no pain and suffering, and hope for no complications.

CONCLUSIONS

For parents of children with a diagnosis of cancer with a poor prognosis, hope is an internal resource that can be present and future focused. These views fluctuated over time in response to changes in the child's well-being and disease progression.

Map on predicted deposition of Cs-137 in Spanish soils from geostatistical analyses

The knowledge of the distribution of (137)Cs deposition over Spanish mainland soils along with the geographical, physical and morphological terrain information enable us to know the (137)Cs background content in soil. This could be useful as a tool in a hypothetical situation of an accident involving a radioactive discharge or in soil erosion studies. A Geographic Information System (GIS) would allow the gathering of all the mentioned information. In this work, gamma measurements of (137)Cs on 34 Spanish mainland soils, rainfall data taken from 778 weather stations, soil types and geographical and physical terrain information were input into a GIS. Geostatistical techniques were applied to interpolate values of (137)Cs activity at unsampled places, obtaining prediction maps of (137)Cs deposition. Up to now, geostatistical methods have been used to model spatial continuity of data. Through semivariance and cross-covariance functions the spatial correlation of such data can be studied and described. Ordinary and simple kriging techniques were carried out to map spatial patterns of (137)Cs deposition, and ordinary and simple co-kriging were used to improve the prediction map obtained through a second related variable: namely the rainfall. To choose the best prediction map of (137)Cs deposition, the spatial dependence of the variable, the correlation coefficient and the prediction errors were evaluated using the different models previously mentioned. The best result for (137)Cs deposition map was obtained when applying the co-kriging techniques.

[Development of a nested polymerase chain reaction test for the diagnosis of transmissible gastroenteritis of pigs]

The aim of this study was to develop a nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) for the rapid detection of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) of pigs. The primers were designed on the basis of highly conserved regions of several TGEV sequences included in the analysis. External primers were used to amplify a fragment of the expected size (441 bp) in all the samples evaluated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), but with very low intensity. In the second amplification (nested PCR), internal primers were used to amplify a fragment of the expected size (168 bp), with good concentration. The performance of the test based on virus isolates in tissue culture and in clinical samples was judged good for the virological diagnosis of transmissible gastroenteritis of pigs.

Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of bovine coronavirus based on the spike glycoprotein gene

Bovine coronavirus has been associated with diarrhoea in newborn calves, winter dysentery in adult cattle and respiratory tract infections in calves and feedlot cattle. In Cuba, the presence of BCoV was first reported in 2006. Since then, sporadic outbreaks have continued to occur. This study was aimed at deepening the knowledge of the evolution, molecular markers of virulence and epidemiology of BCoV in Cuba. A total of 30 samples collected between 2009 and 2011 were used for PCR amplification and direct sequencing of partial or full S gene. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic studies were conducted using partial or complete S gene sequences as phylogenetic markers. All Cuban bovine coronavirus sequences were located in a single cluster supported by 100% bootstrap and 1.00 posterior probability values. The Cuban bovine coronavirus sequences were also clustered with the USA BCoV strains corresponding to the GenBank accession numbers EF424621 and EF424623, suggesting a common origin for these viruses. This phylogenetic cluster was also the only group of sequences in which no recombination events were detected. Of the 45 amino acid changes found in the Cuban strains, four were unique.

Effectiveness and use of linezolid in hospitalisation wards

OBJECTIVE

To describe the use and effectiveness of linezolid as an alternative treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

METHOD

Demographic, clinical and safety data were collected from hospitalised patients. The information sources were the clinical records and the pharmacy programme.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were treated with linezolid (median age 69.3, 63% male). The median duration of treatment was 8 days. The most prevalent indication was soft tissues and skin infections (46.7%). The indications were off-label in 40% of cases. Linezolid was used as a targeted therapy in 53%, especially for coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Clinical healing occurred in 83.3%, and microbiological healing in 40%. Three patients (10%) experienced side effects from using linezolid.

CONCLUSION

The effectiveness and safety of linezolid is similar to that described in the trials. Its off-label use and the high number of empirical treatments mean that new strategies must be developed.

Feasibility and effectiveness of laparoscopic incisional hernia repair after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Incisional hernia is a frequent problem after liver transplantation. It is related to immunosuppression, use of steroids, obesity, as well as the type of incision. Laparoscopic repair shows a lower rate of complications in terms of infection and recurrence, as well as reduced postoperative pain and faster recovery.

METHODS

We reviewed our experience with laparoscopic incisional hernia repair (LIHR) in patients after liver transplantation, using the BARD Composix mesh which is composed of two layers of polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and fixed with metal ProTack.

RESULTS

Between March 2002 and April 2010, we performed 20 LIHR in 17 male and three female subjects of overall mean age of 58.3 years, and body mass Index of 31.05 kg/m(2). The mean size of the defects was 215.25 cm(2). All patients had undergone bilateral subcostal incisions with a midline extension, and seven had additional operations after the transplantation for various reasons. There were no differences in immunosuppression. Three patients had needed steroid boluses for acute graft rejection episodes. There was no conversion of therapy. The size of mesh was 18 × 23 cm in seven cases and 20 × 25 in 12 cases. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.1 days. Oral feeding was initiated a few hours after surgery, and routine immunosuppression was not discontinued. There were no major early complications. During follow-up, we identified one patient with a mesh infection (5%) and one with a recurrence (5%).

CONCLUSION

LIHR is safe and feasible even for major hernias after liver transplantation with few complications.

Inventory and vertical migration of ¹³⁷Cs in Spanish mainland soils

In this study the total activity of (137)Cs deposited per unit area over the Spanish peninsular territory was analysed using a 150 × 150 km(2) mesh grid, with samples taken from 29 points. The deposited activities ranged between 251 and 6074 Bq/m(2). A linear relationship was obtained between these values and the mean annual rainfall at each sampling point which allowed a map to be drawn, using GIS software, which shows the distribution of total deposited (137)Cs activity across the Spanish mainland. At twelve of these sampling points the vertical migration profile of (137)Cs was obtained. These profiles are separated into two groups with different behaviour, one of which includes clay and loam soils and the other containing sandy soils. For both groups of profiles the parameters of the convective-diffusive model, which describes the vertical migration of (137)Cs in the soil, v (apparent convection velocity) and D (apparent diffusion coefficient) were calculated.

Human αIFN co-formulated with milk derived E2-CSFV protein induce early full protection in vaccinated pigs

Subunit vaccines are a suitable alternative for the control of classical swine fever. However, such vaccines have as the main drawback the relatively long period of time required to induce a protective response, which hampers their use under outbreak conditions. In this work, type I interferon is used as an immunostimulating molecule in order to increase the immunogenicity of a vaccine candidate based on the E2-CSFV antigen produced in goat milk. Pigs vaccinated with E2-CSFV antigen co-formulated with recombinant human alpha interferon were protected against clinical signs and viremia as early as 7 days post-vaccination. It was also demonstrated that interferon stimulates a response of specific anti-CSFV neutralizing antibodies. The present work constitutes the first report of a subunit vaccine able to confer complete protection by the end of the first week after vaccination. These results suggest that the E2-CSFV antigen combined with type I interferons could be potentially used under outbreak conditions to stop CSFV spread and for eradication programs in CSF enzootic areas.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and liver transplantation: a 12-year experience

BACKGROUND

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for patients with cirrhosis and concomitant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in early stages is the treatment of choice, with an acceptable recurrence rate and excellent survival.

AIM

We sought to evaluate (1) the accuracy of preoperative imaging; (2) the impact of pre-OLT treatments on survival and recurrence; and (3) the influence of beyond Milan criteria selection on global outcomes.

METHODS

We studied a cohort of 65 patients with HCC among 300 consecutive OLTs over a single 12-year experience. We analyzed the overall outcomes of survival and recurrence, the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis and staging the influence of neoadjuvant treatment prior to OLT, and the effect on overall outcomes beyond the Milan criteria in our series.

RESULTS

The 65 transplants were performed for HCC, mostly in association with hepatitis C virus and alcoholic cirrhosis with HTP. At a mean follow-up of 40.32 months, the recurrence rate was 5.7% among the 61 HCC confirmed by histopathology. The overall survival was 30.07. Actuarial survivals at 1, 5, and 10 years were 82%, 77%, and 62%, respectively. Six retransplants occurred among the seven graft losses albeit with poor survival after the second graft. Most explants showed low pTNM stages with favorable microscopic features. Preoperative imaging tests failed to achieve an accurate diagnosis in 15.38% of the series. The role of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and hepatic biopsy was irrelevant. Unfavorable histopathologic factors predicted a greater recurrence rate, but had no influence on survival. Neither recurrence nor survival were modified by pre-OLT therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

In our series, AFP, hepatic biopsy, and pre-OLT treatment had limited roles. Radiological imaging techniques underestimated HCC staging and lead to a misdiagnosis to an expected degree. Despite these findings, this single institution experience with OLT for HCC showed excellent survivals with a low recurrence rate including cases of patients beyond the Milan criteria.

N-glycosylation pattern of E2 glycoprotein from classical swine fever virus

The extracellular domain of E2 glycoprotein outer surface of the classical swine fever virus was expressed in epithelial kidney pig cells. The N-glycosylation determined by combination of Normal Phase-HPLC, Weak Anion Exchange-HPLC, exoglycosidase digestions and Mass Spectrometry revealed a complex mixture of neutral and monosialylated multiantennary N-glycans with variable number of alpha1-3-Gal-Gal antennae terminals. The most abundant neutral N-glycan has a composition of Hex(7)HexNAc(4)dHex(1), Negative ion ESI-MS/MS confirmed the presence of the alpha1-3-Gal-Gal motif on each arm of the fucosylated biantennary N-glycan. The most abundant monosialylated glycan was Hex(6)HexNAc(4)dHex(1)Neu(5)Ac(1), with the sialic acid linked to the terminal beta1-4-Gal-GlcNAc. Sialic acid on the antenna capping position was predominantly of the N-acetyl form.

A group social skills intervention program for survivors of childhood brain tumors

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of a social skills group intervention program for child brain tumor survivors.

METHODS

Participants were 32 survivors (14 females) aged 8-18 years. Medulloblastoma (28%) was the main diagnosis. The intervention consisted of eight 2-hr weekly sessions focused on social skills including friendship making and assertion. Survivors and parents completed measures of social skills, quality of life, behavior and depression, at baseline, pre- and post-intervention, and 6 months later.

RESULTS

Feasibility analyses revealed promising acceptability, retention, recruitment, and treatment fidelity. Significant improvement was found after intervention based on parents' reports of self-control [F(1,27) = 5.97, p <.05], social skills [F(1,28) = 5.70, p <.05], and quality of life [F(1,15) = 17.98, p <.01].

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention is feasible and outcomes based on parental reports provide preliminary support for the efficacy of the program.

Age differences in perceived social support by paediatric haematopoietic progenitor cell transplant patients: a longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES

To describe longitudinally different sources of perceived social support by children and adolescents who undergo haematopoietic progenitor cell transplant (HPCT).

METHODS

Thirty-six (20 males, 16 females) survivors of paediatric HPCT, aged 8-18 years (Mean = 11.73), were assessed pre-HPCT and 6 months, 1 year and 2 years post-HPCT. Survivors were compared with siblings (n = 22) during the last assessment. The Social Support Scale for Children (SSSC), a self-report measure, provided scores on perceived social support from parents, teachers, friends and classmates.

RESULTS

Throughout the 2 years post-HPCT, perceived social support from all sources was generally higher for survivors than for population norms. Over time, both children and adolescents reported higher social support from parents than the normative values. Over time, children perceived higher support from teachers than did adolescents, whereas adolescents' perceived social support from classmates increased but children's decreased. Survivors and siblings did not differ significantly in their perceived social support 2 years post-BMT.

CONCLUSIONS

This exploratory study suggests that perceived parental support is equally important for children and adolescents but classmate and teacher social support varies with age. These developmental differences have important clinical implications for the care of these patients.

Classical swine fever virus E2 glycoprotein antigen produced in adenovirally transduced PK-15 cells confers complete protection in pigs upon viral challenge

E2 is the major envelope glycoprotein present on the outer surface of the classical swine fever virus (CSFV). It is exposed as a homodimer originated by disulfide linkage and represents an important target for the induction of neutralizing immune responses against the viral infection. The E2his glycoprotein nucleotide sequence used in this work contains the CSFV E2 extracellular domain preceded by the tissue plasminogen signal peptide and a hexa-histidine tag in the 3' terminus. The recombinant antigen was produced at a range of 120-150 microg/mL in the culture media of epithelial kidney pig cells, transduced with a replication defective adenoviral vector (Ad-E2his) generated by means of cloning the E2his sequence in the vector genome. The glycoprotein was obtained from clarified culture media as a homodimer of 110 kDa with purity over 95% after a single affinity chromatography step in Ni-NTA Agarose column. The E2his characterization by lectin-specific binding assay showed the presence of N-linked oligosaccharides of both hybrid and complex types. The protective capacity of E2his was demonstrated in two immunization and challenge experiments in pigs using doses of 15 or 30 microg of the glycoprotein, emulsified in Freund's adjuvant. The intramuscular immunization followed by a unique boost three weeks later, elicited high titers of neutralizing antibodies between the second and the fourth week after the primary vaccination. The immunized animals were fully protected from the viral infection after challenge with 10(5) PLD(50) of homologous CSFV "Margarita" strain administered by intramuscular injection. Consequently, no clinical signs of the disease or viral isolation from lymphocytes were detected in the vaccinated pigs. These results suggest that the E2his antigen produced in mammalian cells may be a feasible vaccine candidate for CSF prevention.

The Gap Study (GapS) interview--developing a process to determine the meaning and determinants of quality of life in children with arthritis and rheumatic disease

OBJECTIVE

Quality of Life (QOL) is a ubiquitous yet rarely precisely defined term. QOL may be determined by the differences (gaps) between our current situation and our expectations. Contemporary methods of measuring QOL often do not take these gaps into consideration. We performed this study to develop items and methods for measuring and valuing these gaps in order to better determine individual QOL for children with rheumatic diseases.

METHODS

We generated items from literature review, other QOL measures and interviews with pediatric rheumatology patients and their families. Gap-scales to measure the discrepancy between a child's current state and the expected or desired state were designed and tested iteratively in pilot interviews.

RESULTS

Thirty-one children (mean age=13.5 years, age range=6-17 years) and 22 parents were recruited through pediatric rheumatology clinics. The process of item generation, reduction and preliminary formatting yielded a list of 72 items. We developed a 3-point categorical scale of importance and a vertical visual analog scale (VAS) to determine individual valuation of items. 5 gap-scales were developed to reflect different aspects of the discrepancy between the child's current and expected or desired states for different QOL items.

CONCLUSIONS

We have developed a QOL interview based on theory that we can now test to see if it will enrich our understanding of the determinants of QOL in pediatric rheumatology patients and other chronically ill children.

Origin and evolution of viruses causing classical swine fever in Cuba

We have analyzed the origin and evolution of viruses from the classical swine fever (CSF) epidemic that affects Cuba since 2001 by nucleotide sequencing of regions within the E2 glycoprotein and the NS5B (polymerase) genes. The sequence of 190 nucleotides from E2 gene was determined for 10 CSF viruses isolated at different locations of the island, and used for phylogenetic analyses, including sequences from viruses of the 1993--1997 epizootic, previously determined, as well as those from representatives of the different CSFV genotypes. The phylogenetic tree obtained indicates that viruses circulating at present belong to the subgroup 1.2 and are closely related to those isolated during the 1993--1997 epizootic, including the strain Margarita used for vaccine potency tests in Cuba. However, the pattern of evolution revealed by these analyses was different than that observed previously, in which western isolates were almost identical to Margarita strain, while eastern isolates showed a higher level of genetic diversification. In this case, all the viruses analyzed grouped in an independent, define cluster that is closely related, albeit distinguishable, from that of Margarita-related viruses that previously circulated in the western part of Cuba. In addition, the 2001--2003 viruses showed a branched pattern with a level of sequence diversification similar to that observed in the eastern 1993--1997 viruses. Interestingly, a significant fraction (about 54%) of the mutations found in the E2 sequence led to amino acid replacements. This high rate of non-synonymous mutations was not found in the previous Cuban epizootic and has not been reported for other CSF outbreaks. In spite of these amino acid replacements, no antigenic changes were observed in the reactivity of different isolates with CSFV-specific MAbs and polyclonal sera. The phylogenetic tree derived from 409 nucleotides of NS5B gene of seven isolates and Margarita strain, was consistent with that obtained from E2 sequences. In this region, encoding a non-structural protein, a low level of fixation of non-synonymous mutations was observed. The results obtained suggests that epidemiological factors affecting CSFV spread during the current epizootic in Cuba can favour the fixation of non-synonymous mutation in the E2 gene, which could be associated with a lower severity in the clinical signs developed by most of the affected animals.

A DNA vaccine expressing the E2 protein of classical swine fever virus elicits T cell responses that can prime for rapid antibody production and confer total protection upon viral challenge

Immunization of domestic pigs with a DNA vaccine expressing the complete E2 protein of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) conferred total protection against a severe viral challenge. Immunization with three doses of plasmid pcDNA3.1/E2 elicited a consistent and specific, MHC class II restricted T cell response in the three domestic pigs analyzed, in the absence of detectable anti-CSFV antibodies in serum. Upon challenge specific T cell responses were boosted in the three vaccinated pigs, and a rapid rise in the titers of CSFV neutralizing antibodies was noticed in two of them, which correlated with a total protection. In these two pigs, neither disease symptoms were observed nor was virus detected at any time after CSFV infection. Neutralizing antibody titers were lower in the third vaccine, which developed a mild and transient peak of pyrexia. As expected, similar analyses in three control pigs (injected with the empty vector or PBS) did not reveal the induction of specific T cells or viral antibodies and, upon challenge, animals developed severe symptoms of the disease, including high titers of viremia, hyperthermia and virus spread to different organs. Control pigs developed, also, a marked leucopenia, resulting in SWC3+ (myelomonocytic cells) being the major PBMC population, and a drastic decrease CD3+ T cells. This T cell depletion was prevented in animals immunized with pcDNA3.1/E2. The total protection achieved, in the absence of CSFV antibodies before challenge, supports the relevance in the antiviral response observed of specific T cell responses primed by pcDNA3.1/E2 vaccine, which, upon challenge, led to a rapid induction of neutralizing antibodies. The observation that CSFV antibodies could only be detected in protected animals after viral challenge opens the possibility of exploring the potential of the DNA vaccine approach used to develop marker vaccines against CSF.

Levels of 137Cs in muddy sediments of the seabed of the Bay of Cadiz, Spain. Part I. Vertical and spatial distribution of activities

This is the first of a two-part paper. This first part describes a detailed study conducted of the spatial and vertical distribution of the concentration of the radionuclide (137)Cs, utilising columns of sediment extracted from the seabed of the Bay of Cadiz (Spain) as specimens. The activity concentrations have been measured by means of gamma spectrometry using a HPGe detector and (137)Cs is used as an indicator of the sedimentation and contamination processes in the zone. At the same time the relationship between the levels of activity found and other hydrodynamic and sedimentological variables characteristic of the zone have been studied. The experimental results obtained will also serve to develop a model of the distribution of (137)Cs, which will be presented in the second part of this paper.

Levels of 137Cs in muddy sediments on the seabed in the Bay of Cadiz (Spain). Part II. Model of vertical migration of (137)Cs

This second part of the study reports the development of a model to describe the vertical migration of the artificial radioisotope (137)Cs in the sediment column on the seabed of the Bay of Cadiz. The application of the model provides an overall picture of the process of sedimentation in the Inner Bay of Cadiz. The spatial distribution of the rate of sedimentation enables us to study the sources of sediments and the means by which the sediments have been transported. A method has been derived from the rate of sedimentation to perform the dating of the layers of sediment. The model describes the behaviour of (137)Cs in the area under study, taking into account the time of residence in the zones that are the source of accumulation, the origin of the sedimentary material, together with the diffusion of the radionuclide in the sediment of the seabed.

Effect of telmisartan 80 mg once daily on 24-h blood pressure profile in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension failing to respond to prior antihypertensive therapy

Blood pressure is not adequately controlled in almost 50% of patients with hypertension who are in receipt of antihypertensive therapy. This multicentre, prospective, open-label trial was designed to determine whether or not once-daily telmisartan 80 mg reduced blood pressure during the last 6 h of the 24-h dosing interval in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension who were unresponsive to previous antihypertensive therapy. The study comprised 100 patients (47 males, 53 females) who had failed to respond satisfactorily to prior treatment given for a minimum of 3 months. At screening, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was conducted after the patient had been treated with the currently prescribed antihypertensive medication. Following 5 weeks of telmisartan 80 mg treatment, ABPM was repeated. Telmisartan significantly reduced mean systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and pulse pressure compared with previous antihypertensive therapy over each time interval (24-h, morning, night-time and the last 6 h of the dosing interval [2.00 a.m.-8.00 a.m.]) analysed. In addition, more than 90% of patients responded successfully (clinic DBP <90 mmHg or a >10 mmHg reduction in clinic DBP) at the end of telmisartan treatment. In conclusion, telmisartan provides effective blood pressure control throughout the 24-h dosing interval in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension who were unresponsive to previous antihypertensive medication.

Ileal amino acid digestibility and performance of growing pigs fed wheat-based diets supplemented with xylanase

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of supplementation of xylanase to a wheat-based diet on the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of AA and the performance of growing pigs fed diets limiting in AA. In Exp. 1, eight pigs (average initial BW = 20.5+/-1.2 kg) fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum, were fed four diets according to a repeated 4 x 4 Latin square design. Diet 1 was a basal diet that contained 97.6% wheat. Diets 2, 3, and 4 were the basal diet supplemented with xylanase at rates of 5,500, 11,000, and 16,500 units of xylanase activity (XU), respectively (as-fed basis). There were linear and quadratic effects (0.062 < P < 0.001) of xylanase supplementation on the AID of CP and most of the AA. The largest increases in AID of CP and AA were obtained when xylanase was supplemented at a rate of 11,000 XU; no further increases were observed with xylanase supplementation at a rate of 16,500 XU. In Exp. 2, 30 pigs (average initial BW 21.4+/-1.8 kg) were randomly allotted to six dietary treatments. Diets 1 to 4 were similar to those used in Exp. 1. Diet 5 was the same as Diet 1, but supplemented with 0.53% lysine, 0.12% threonine, and 0.05% methionine. Diet 6 (positive control diet) was a wheat-soybean meal diet that contained 18.2% CP (as-fed basis). The total contents of lysine, threonine, and methionine were similar for Diets 5 and 6. There was a linear effect of xylanase supplementation on ADG (P = 0.093) and feed:gain ratio (P = 0.089), and a quadratic effect on ADG (P = 0.067) and feed:gain ratio (P = 0.074). But, the greatest response was obtained with the supplementation of 11,000 XU. The supplementation of lysine, threonine, and methionine to Diet 1 increased (P = 0.001) ADG and ADFI and improved (P = 0.01) feed:gain ratio. There was no difference (P = 0.508) in the performance of pigs fed the AA-supplemented or control diet. In conclusion, the supplementation of xylanase to a diet in which wheat provided the sole source of protein and energy improved the AID of AA, ADG, and feed:gain ratio; however, this improvement was very small compared with that obtained with the supplementation of synthetic amino acids.

The relationship between social support, depression and treatment for depression in people with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Studies have been fairly consistent in finding a relationship between social support and depression. However, little is known about the relationship between depression and social support in the context of treatment for depression. This study examined the effects of treatment for depression on social support among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHOD

Sixty-three moderately depressed MS patients received 16 weeks of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), supportive expressive group psychotherapy (SEGP) or sertraline. Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory and social support was measured using Arizona Social Support Interview Schedule.

RESULTS

Treatment for depression was associated with significant increases in perceived social support, utilized social support and satisfaction with support, as well as reduction in need for emotional support. There were no significant changes in structural support or need for physical support. There were also no differences in change in social support across treatments. All changes in social support were fully explained by depression. Improvements in utilized social support and satisfaction with social support were fully mediated by improvements in depression. Baseline depression predicted improvements in perceived support and need for emotional support.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that improvements in social support among MS patients during treatment for depression can be explained by depression. However, different domains of social support may be differentially sensitive to changes in depression.

Environmental impact of unleaded gasolines in the bay of Cádiz (Spain)

Given the strategic situation of the José León de Carranza bridge, which spans the Bay of Cádiz (in the SW of Spain) and carries very heavy motor traffic, together with knowledge of the currents and tidal flows in the zone, we have used a technique of radioactive dating of sediments to study the temporal evolution presented by contamination from lead in the sediment column. This has allowed us to observe the environmental impact, in terms of the concentration of Pb in the sea bed sediments, that has been produced in the zone by the introduction of unleaded gasolines as substitutes for traditional automobile fuels that employ organic forms of tetra methyl lead as an antidetonant agent in the fuel.

The role of emotional social support in the psychological adjustment of siblings of children with cancer

BACKGROUND

Siblings of children with cancer are at risk for reduced emotional support. The role of emotional social support in the psychological adjustment of siblings of paediatric cancer patients was examined, in the context of age and gender.

METHODS

The sample consisted of two groups of siblings of children being treated for cancer: siblings referred for behaviour problems (n = 47) and a comparison group of non-referred siblings (n = 25). Forty-two were female, and 30 were male. The mean age was 10.31 years (SD = 2.71). Siblings completed measures of depression, anxiety, behaviour, and emotional social support. One parent of each sibling completed measures of sibling's behaviour and anxiety.

RESULTS

Siblings who reported more social support endorsed significantly fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fewer behaviour problems, and their parents reported less anxiety and fewer behaviour problems than siblings who reported lower social support. Parents of referred siblings reported significantly more behaviour problems than parents of non-referred siblings. Referred adolescent females reported significantly higher depression scores and were perceived as more anxious than referred adolescent males and non-referred adolescent females. Non-referred younger siblings with high social support were perceived by their parents as having the fewest behaviour problems.

CONCLUSIONS

High level of social support appears to play a protective role in psychological adjustment of siblings of paediatric cancer patients, with age and gender as modifying factors. Although not all siblings develop behaviour or emotional problems, it is critical to identify those who do in order to intervene accordingly.

Association between anatomopathologic graft disorders during reperfusion and vena cava sIL-2r in orthotopic liver transplantation

Graft ischemia-reperfusion injury during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is associated with anatomic and pathologic disorders in the graft, which may cause initial dysfunction. The object of this paper was to evaluate sIL-2r as an indicator of liver damage during graft reperfusion.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Blood samples were drawn from 20 consecutive patients who required OLT secondary to chronic end-stage insufficiency various sites (portal vein, vena cava, pulmonary artery) and during different surgical phases. Following centrifugation and storage at -70 degrees C, sIL-2r was quantitated by chemiluminescence (Immulite, EURO/DPC). In addition biopsies were graded from 0 to III according to the anatomic and pathologic findings. Base excess and ammonia were measured to evaluate the function of the new liver.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES

Parameter associations were explored using Spearman's Rho and Kendall's Tau-b methods.

RESULTS

There was a correlation between the degree of graft preservation and sIL-2R both during vena cava reperfusion (r=.0591, P=.05) and for the initial 2 hours after reperfusion (r=0.61, P=.062).

CONCLUSION

sIL-2r levels drawn from the vena cava after graft reperfusion are associated with its degree of injury.

Effect of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta) on hemodynamic performance during orthotopic liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha) released during liver transplantation may affect hemodynamic stability. The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta and systemic vascular resistance during the phases of liver transplantation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha were analyzed in the blood of 20 consecutive patients who underwent transplantation. Blood samples were drawn from the pulmonary artery at serial times during surgery. Hemodynamic parameters were determined using a cardiac output monitor. Correlations between parameters were analyzed using the Spearman's rho and Kendall's tau-b methods.

RESULTS

Both in the vena cava and the pulmonary artery, significant association was observed between basal values of IL-6 during hepatectomy and systemic vascular resistance during the phases of liver transplantation: hepatectomy phase (r=.76, P=.02), anhepatic phase (r=.78, P=.03) and reperfusion phase (r=.87, P=.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Basal values of IL-6 may be considered a prognostic factor for hemodynamic performance during the phases of liver transplantation.