Containing the diseases in aquaculture

A brief discussion is presented on epizootics and their containment in the aquaculture industry, in the form of a question-and-answer interview. Particular reference is made to activities carried out by the OIE (Office International des Epizooties), whose main activities include the provision of guidelines and standards for health protection applicable to international trade in live animals and their products. It has devised an early warning system to apprise its member countries of the occurence of disease outbreaks that would have serious repercussions on public health or the economics of animal products. URI

Parasitic fish diseases and their impact on potential fish production in East Africa

Protein deficient diets are a standard way of life in many parts of East Africa;this of course tends to result in shorter life expectancy and chronic ill-health. Population increase is sufficiently high to outdistance the economic gains that may be made in various fields. With recurrent shortages of basic commodities not only in East Africa, but in many parts of the world, it is becoming increasingly clear that agricultural production practices must be maximised rapidly in order to meet the world's constantly expanding need for food. Here in East Africa, while our food requirements can be met most of the time, our protein requirements are far from being met. Yields from traditional fishery resources, must therefore be increased. The farming of fish (aquaculture)adds a new dimension to food production in general and high quality protein production in particular, in that it can be incorporated into other agricultural production activities.

Exercise as a polypill for chronic diseases

Exercise may be described as a polypill to prevent and/or treat almost every chronic disease, with obvious benefits such as its low cost and practical lack of adverse effects. Implementing physical activity interventions in public health is therefore a goal at the medical, social, and economic levels. This chapter describes the importance of health promotion through physical activity and discusses the impacts of exercise on the most prevalent chronic diseases, namely metabolic syndrome-related disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. For each of these chronic conditions, we discuss the epidemiological evidence supporting a beneficial role of exercise, provide guidelines for exercise prescription, and describe the biological mechanisms whereby exercise exerts its modulatory effects.

Cobertura de la vacuna del virus del papiloma humano en la zona básica de Barañáin

El cáncer de cuello de útero o cáncer de cérvix es el segundo tumor más frecuente en las mujeres del mundo después del de mama y el quinto de todos los canceres. En España, es el sexto más frecuente, constituyendo el 4,8% de los canceres en la mujer. Este tipo de cáncer es el resultado final de una infección no resuelta por el virus del papiloma humano (VPH). Hoy en día, el VPH representa una de las infecciones de trasmisión sexual más común. El 70-80 % de hombres y mujeres sexualmente activos están o han estado expuestos al VPH. El cambio en la conducta sexual de las mujeres ha llevado a que las infecciones de trasmisión sexual sean ahora más frecuentes que en las generaciones anteriores. Hay un inicio más precoz de las primeras relaciones sexuales y un número más elevado de compañeros sexuales. Estos cambios han hecho aumentar la prevalencia del VPH en los últimos años en las mujeres jóvenes de España. La combinación de estrategias de prevención primaria (vacunación contra el VHP) y secundaria (cribado) permitiría reducir la incidencia y la mortalidad del cáncer de cuello de útero. Existen dos vacunas frente al VPH que son Gardasil ® y Cervarix ®. Al tratarse de dos vacunas nuevas, el éxito de la introducción dependerá de la comprensión apropiada de los riesgos y beneficios de la vacuna para prevenir la infección del VPH. Esto se consigue mediante programas efectivos de educación y formación sobre el VPH.

Human papillomavirus detection in women with and without human immunodeficiency virus infection in Colombia

Background: HIV infection leads to a decreasing immune response, thereby facilitating the appearance of other infections, one of the most important ones being HPV. However, studies are needed for determining associations between immunodeficiency caused by HIV and/or the presence of HPV during the course of cervical lesions and their degree of malignancy. This study describes the cytological findings revealed by the Papanicolaou test, laboratory characteristics and HPV molecular profile in women with and without HIV infection. Methods: A total of 216 HIV-positive and 1,159 HIV-negative women were invited to participate in the study; PCR was used for the molecular detection of HPV in cervical samples. Statistical analysis (such as percentages, Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test when applicable) determined human papillomavirus (HPV) infection frequency (single and multiple) and the distribution of six types of high-risk-HPV in women with and without HIV infection. Likewise, a logistic regression model was run to evaluate the relationship between HIV-HPV infection and different risk factors. Results: An association was found between the frequency of HPV infection and infection involving 2 or more HPV types (also known as multiple HPV infection) in HIV-positive women (69.0% and 54.2%, respectively); such frequency was greater than that found in HIV-negative women (44.3% and 22.7%, respectively). Statistically significant differences were observed between both groups (p = 0.001) regarding HPV presence (both in infection and multiple HPV infection). HPV-16 was the most prevalent type in the population being studied (p = 0.001); other viral types had variable distribution in both groups (HIV-positive and HIV-negative). HPV detection was associated with <500 cell/mm(3) CD4-count (p = 0.004) and higher HIV-viral-load (p = 0.001). HPV-DNA detection, <200 cell/mm(3) CD4-count (p = 0.001), and higher HIV-viral-load (p = 0.001) were associated with abnormal cytological findings. Conclusions: The HIV-1 positive population in this study had high multiple HPV infection prevalence. The results for this population group also suggested a greater association between HPV-DNA presence and cytological findings. HPV detection, together with low CD4 count, could represent useful tools for identifying HIV-positive women at risk of developing cervical lesions.

Molecular analysis of inflammatory mechanisms associated with Escherichia coli and inflammatory bowel diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), encompasses a range of chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disorders that are usually classified under two major relapsing conditions, Crohn’s Disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Extensive studies in the last decades have suggested that the etiology of IBD involves environmental and genetic factors that lead to dysfunction of epithelial barrier with consequent deregulation of the mucosal immune system and inadequate responses to gut microbiota.Over the last decade, the microbial species that has attracted the most attention, with respect to CD etiology, is Eschericia coli. In CD tissue, E. coli antigens have also been identified in macrophages within the lamina propria, granulomas, and in the germinal centres of mesenteric lymph nodes of patients. They have been shown to adhere to and invade intestinal epithelial cells whilst also being able to extensively replicate within macrophages. Through the work of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), there is growing evidence to suggest that the microbial imbalance between commensal and pathogenic bacteria in the gut is aided by a defect in the innate immune system. Autophagy represents a recently investigated pathway that is believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of CD, with studies identified a variant of the autophagy gene, ATG16L1, as a susceptibility gene. The aim of my thesis was to study the cellular and molecular mechanism promoted by E.coli strains in epithelial cells and to assess their contribution to IBD pathology. To achieve this we focused on developing both an in vitro and in vivo model of AIEC infection. This allowed us to further our knowledge on possible mechanisms utilised by AIEC that promoted their survival, as well as developing a better understanding of host reactions. We demonstrate a new survival mechanism promoted by E.coli HM605, whereby it induces the expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-XL and BCL2, all of which is exacerbated in an autophagy deficient system. We have also demonstrated the presence of AIEC-induced inflammasome responses in epithelial cells which are exacerbated in an autophagy deficient system and expression of NOD-like receptors (NLRs) which might mediate inflammasome responses in vivo. Finally, we used the Citrobacter rodentium model of infectious colitis to identify Pellino3 as an important mediator in the NOD2 pathway and regulator of intestinal inflammation. In summary, we have developed robust and versatile models of AIEC infection as well as provide new insights into AIEC mediated survival pathways. The collected data provides a new perception into why AIEC bacteria are able to prosper in conditions associated with Crohn’s disease patients with a defect in autophagy.

The human papillomavirus and cancer: a multiphase study investigating preventative behaviours in young males

Background: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the world’s most common sexually transmitted infections, and a causative factor of oropharyngeal, anal and penile cancers in males. Worldwide, an estimated 39,000 HPV-associated cancers occur each year in men. The highest rates of HPV infection are found in adults aged 18 to 28 years. Clinical evidence indicates that use of a condom in addition to obtaining the HPV vaccine provides the greatest protection from HPV infections. Aim: To explore young men’s attitudes, beliefs, and behavioural intention in relation to receiving the HPV vaccine and using a condom correctly and consistently. Collectively, both behaviours are linked to the prevention of HPV transmission and associated infections with HPV. Method: A multi- phase study, underpinned by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, involving a qualitative belief elicitation, pilot, and quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted. A belief elicitation (n=12) phase was used to generate items to include in a newly developed research instrument. Post pilot the research instrument was utilised in a cross sectional online survey to explore the attitudes, beliefs, and behavioural intention of young men (n= 359) with regard to receiving the HPV vaccine, and using a condom correctly and consistently. Data Collection: Data collection took place over a three month time frame. Male participants were recruited from a university in Southern Ireland via a student email system, as well as posting advertisements on numerous health, social and sports websites. Sample: Three hundred and fifty nine male participants aged 18- 28 years completed the online questionnaire. Data Analysis: Data were analysed using SPSS. Descriptive, correlational, multiple and hierarchical regression analysis were performed on the indirect and direct variables of the Theory of Planned Behaviour i.e. attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, and intention. Status variables were also included in descriptive analysis and hierarchical regressions. Findings are presented through text and graphical representation. Results: Alarming sexual health statistics identified that only 44.3% of participants always used a condom, and 78.6% never used a condom for oral sex. Furthermore, findings reveal that the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behaviour adequately measure male’s attitudes, beliefs and behavioural intention with regard to both behaviours. The Theory of Planned Behaviour has assisted in identifying how social pressures play an influential role in relation to males receiving the HPV vaccine. Attitudes presented as the most significant predictor of male’s intentions to use a condom correctly and consistently. Intention to perform both behaviours was identified as moderate to high. Conclusion: This study has contributed to the field of HPV research, as it is the first piece of research to explore preventative HPV behaviours i.e. receiving the HPV vaccine, and condom use, amongst young males, utilising the Theory of Planned Behaviour. A deeper understanding of young male’s attitudes, beliefs, and behavioural intention on this topic has been achieved. Additionally, a new robust research instrument has been constructed. Findings from this study will undoubtedly help in the implementation of the HPV vaccine in Ireland, as well as influence health promotion campaigns aimed at young males, addressing the topic of condom use.