Jatobal virus antigenic characterization by ELISA and neutralization test using EIA as indicator, on tissue culture

A virus antigenic characterization methodology using an indirect method of antibody detection ELISA with virus-infected cultured cells as antigen and a micro virus neutralisation test using EIA (NT-EIA) as an aid to reading were used for antigenic characterization of Jatobal (BeAn 423380). Jatobal virus was characterized as a Bunyaviridae, Bunyavirus genus, Simbu serogroup virus. ELISA using infected cultured cells as antigen is a sensitive and reliable method for identification of viruses and has many advantages over conventional antibody capture ELISA's and other tests: it eliminates solid phase coating with virus and laborious antigen preparation; it permits screening of large numbers of virus antisera faster and more easily than by CF, HAI, or plaque reduction NT. ELISA and NT using EIA as an aid to reading can be applicable to viruses which do not produce cytopathogenic effect. Both techniques are applicable to identification of viruses which grow in mosquito cells.

Indirect immunofluorescence test in new world Leishmaniasis: serological and clinical relation-ship

The indirect immunofluorescence test (IF) for anti-Leishmania antibodies (IgC and IgM) was performed with sera form the following groups of individuals: 214 cutaneous leishmaniasis patients, 28 healthy subjects with positive Montenegro's skin test (MST), 29 healthy subjects with negativeMST and 16 visceral leishmaniasis patients. The first four groups came from a suburban area of Rio de Janeiro (Jacarepaguá) where cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis is endemic. It was observed that IF-IgM titers were significantly higher amongst the cutaneous leishmaniasis patients with less than four months of disease as compared to those with longer periods and that IF-IgG titers were significantly higher in patients with multiple lesions as compared to those with single lesions. The visceral leishmaniasis patients had IF-IgG titers significantly higher than those from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients. A group of 28 individuals selected amongst the 214 cutaneous leishmaniasis patients had their IF-titers (IgG and IgM) compared to those of the two control groups of healthy subjects from the endemic area, respectively with positive and negative MST. Significantly higher titers of IF-IgG and IF-IgM were found in the group with active disease. The same group of patients showed IF-IgG titers significantly lower at the end of the antimonial therapy than those observed during this tratment.

Aspergillus fumigatus fungus ball in hospitalized patients with chronic pulmonary disease: usefulness of double immunodiffusion test as a screening procedure

Double immunodiffusion (DID) was used as a screening test for the diagnosis of aspergillosis. Three hundred and fifty patients were tested, all of them referred from a specialized chest disease hospital and without a definitive etiological diagnosis. When DID was positive addtional information such as clinical history and radiographic findings were requested and also surgical specimens were obtained whenever possible. Specific precipitin hamds for Aspergillus fumigatus antigen were found in 29 (8.3%) of 350 patients sera. Nineteen (65.5%) of the 29 patients with positive serology were recognized as having a fungus ball by X-rays signs in 17 or by pathological examination in 2 or by both in 8 patients. This two-year prospective study has shown that pulmonary aspergillos is a considerable problem among patiens admitted to a Chest Diseases Hospital, especially in those with pulmonary cavities or bronchiectasis.

Autofluorescence Findings Of A Novel Maculopathy In Patient With Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1 And Of A Cone - Rod Type Retinal Dysfunction In Three Generation Family With Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7

Purpose: To report a novel maculopathy in a patient with SCA1. To describe autofluorescence findings in family with SCA7 and associated cone-rod retinal dysfunction.Methods: 4 affected patients from two families were assessed to investigate a progressive loss of visual acuity (VA). Examinations included fundus photography, autofluorescence (AF) fundus fluorescein angiogragraphy (FFA) and optical coherence tomography. Electroretinogram (full-field) was performed in 2 affected patients. All patients had color vision testing using Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates. Molecular analysis was performed in family 2.Results: The patient with known diagnosis of SCA1 had a visual acuity of 20/200 bilaterally and dyschromatopsia. He had saccadic pursuit. Fundus examination showed mild retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) changes at the macula. OCT showed bilateral macular serous detachment, which was not obvious at the FFA and explained his VA. AF imaging showed a central hyperfluorescence. The 45 year old proband from family 2 had a visual acuity of 200/20 and dyschromatopsia. ERG testing showed cone type dysfunction of photoreceptors. Her daughter affected at a younger age had the same ERGs findings. Fundus examination showed mild RPE changes in proband, normal findings in her daughter. AF imaging of both patients showed a ring of high density AF around the fovea. The ring was also obvious on near infrared AF. Later onset of gait imbalance led to the diagnosis of SCA7Conclusions: Within the group of spinocerebellar ataxias, only the type 7 is associated with retinal dysfunction. We present the first report of maculopathy associated with SCA1 causing severe vision loss. The ring of high density AF in SCA7 confirmed an early retinal photoreceptor dysfunction in patient with normal fundus.

How reliable is the monitoring of permanent vegetation plots? A test with multiple observers

Questions: A multiple plot design was developed for permanent vegetation plots. How reliable are the different methods used in this design and which changes can we measure? Location: Alpine meadows (2430 m a.s.l.) in the Swiss Alps. Methods: Four inventories were obtained from 40 m(2) plots: four subplots (0.4 m(2)) with a list of species, two 10m transects with the point method (50 points on each), one subplot (4 m2) with a list of species and visual cover estimates as a percentage and the complete plot (40 m(2)) with a list of species and visual estimates in classes. This design was tested by five to seven experienced botanists in three plots. Results: Whatever the sampling size, only 45-63% of the species were seen by all the observers. However, the majority of the overlooked species had cover < 0.1%. Pairs of observers overlooked 10-20% less species than single observers. The point method was the best method for cover estimate, but it took much longer than visual cover estimates, and 100 points allowed for the monitoring of only a very limited number of species. The visual estimate as a percentage was more precise than classes. Working in pairs did not improve the estimates, but one botanist repeating the survey is more reliable than a succession of different observers. Conclusion: Lists of species are insufficient for monitoring. It is necessary to add cover estimates to allow for subsequent interpretations in spite of the overlooked species. The choice of the method depends on the available resources: the point method is time consuming but gives precise data for a limited number of species, while visual estimates are quick but allow for recording only large changes in cover. Constant pairs of observers improve the reliability of the records.

Gent que va alçant-se des del fons des segles

Treball de recerca realitzat per un alumne d’ensenyament secundari i guardonat amb un Premi CIRIT per fomentar l'esperit científic del Jovent l’any 2008. A partir de la reconstrucció d’un arbre genealògic es dona una visió dels costums i les relacions socials a Catalunya des del segle XV fins al segle XIX.

The P450 oxidoreductase genotype is associated with CYP3A activity in vivo as measured by the midazolam phenotyping test.

CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and CYP3A7 are hepatic enzymes that metabolize about 50% of drugs on the market, with a large overlap in their specificities. We investigated the genetic bases that contribute to the variation of CYP3A activity. We phenotyped 251 individuals from two independent studies (182 patients treated with methadone and 69 patients with clozapine) for CYP3A activity using the midazolam phenotyping test and genotyped them for CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP3A7 genetic variants, including the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4646437C>T in intron 7 of CYP3A4. Owing to the fact that CYP enzymes require electron transfer through the P450 oxidoreductase (POR), and functional impairment has been shown for the POR*28 SNP, this polymorphism was also analysed. We show that CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and CYP3A7 genotypes, including the SNP rs4646437C>T, do not reflect the inter-individual variability of CYP3A activity (P>0.1). In contrast, POR*28 TT genotype presents a 1.6-fold increase in CYP3A activity compared with POR*28C carriers (n = 182, P = 0.004). This finding was replicated in the second independent dataset (n = 69, P = 0.04). The SNP POR*28 seems to be a better genetic marker of the variability of total CYP3A activity in vivo than CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and CYP3A7 genetic variants.

Endocrine response and perceived stress test during an experimental challenge task in adult survivors of a childhood cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although long-term implications of cancer in childhood or adolescence with regard to medical conditions are well documented, the impact on mental health and on response to stress, which may be an indicator of psychological vulnerability, is not yet well understood. In this study, psychological and physiological responses to stress were examined.¦PROCEDURE: Fifty-three participants aged 18-39 years (n = 25 survivors of childhood or adolescence cancer, n = 28 controls) underwent an experimental stress test, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Participants were asked to provide repeated evaluations of perceived stress on visual-analogical scales and blood samples were collected before and after the TSST to measure plasma cortisol.¦RESULTS: The psychological perception of stress was not different between the two groups. However, the cancer survivors group showed a higher global plasma cortisol level as well as higher amplitude in the response to the TSST. The global cortisol level in cancer survivors was increased when depression symptoms were present. The subjective perception of stress and the plasma cortisol levels were only marginally correlated in both groups.¦CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the exposure to a life-threatening experience in childhood/adolescence increases the endocrine response to stress, and that the presence of depressive symptoms is associated with an elevation of plasma cortisol levels. A better knowledge of these mechanisms is important given that the dysregulations of the stress responses may cause psychological vulnerability. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 138-143. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A New Test of the Real Interest Rate Parity Hypothesis: Bounds Approach and Structural Breaks

We test the real interest rate parity hypothesis using data for the G7 countries over the period 1970-2008. Our contribution is two-fold. First, we utilize the ARDL bounds approach of Pesaran et al. (2001) which allows us to overcome uncertainty about the order of integration of real interest rates. Second, we test for structural breaks in the underlying relationship using the multiple structural breaks test of Bai and Perron (1998, 2003). Our results indicate significant parameter instability and suggest that, despite the advances in economic and financial integration, real interest rate parity has not fully recovered from a breakdown in the 1980s.

A Bootstrap Neural Network Based Heterogeneous Panel Unit Root Test: Application to Exchange Rates

This paper proposes a bootstrap artificial neural network based panel unit root test in a dynamic heterogeneous panel context. An application to a panel of bilateral real exchange rate series with the US Dollar from the 20 major OECD countries is provided to investigate the Purchase Power Parity (PPP). The combination of neural network and bootstrapping significantly changes the findings of the economic study in favour of PPP.

A Nonlinear Panel Unit Root Test under Cross Section Dependence

We propose a nonlinear heterogeneous panel unit root test for testing the null hypothesis of unit-roots processes against the alternative that allows a proportion of units to be generated by globally stationary ESTAR processes and a remaining non-zero proportion to be generated by unit root processes. The proposed test is simple to implement and accommodates cross sectional dependence. We show that the distribution of the test statistic is free of nuisance parameters as (N, T) −! 1. Monte Carlo simulation shows that our test holds correct size and under the hypothesis that data are generated by globally stationary ESTAR processes has a better power than the recent test proposed in Pesaran [2007]. Various applications are provided.

Autoensamblaje dirigido de nanoestructuras de Ce0,9Gd0,1O2-y crecidas por vía química sobre sustratos nanoindentados

En la presente memoria se expone el trabajo realizado en el marco de partículas nanométricas de óxido de cerio (IV) dopado con gadolinio (Ce0,9Gd0,1O2‐y) crecidas por métodos químicos sobre sustratos de tipo perovskita previamente modificados por nanoindentación. El estudio de la influencia de las deformaciones mecánicas del sustrato en la ordenación espontánea de las nanoestructuras nos permitirá poder prever y diseñar sistemas de autoensamblaje asistido y asomarnos al ansiado control en la fabricación de sistemas en el rango nanométrico.

COLOX: a new blood-based test for colorectal cancer screening

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Detection rates for adenoma and early colorectal cancer (CRC) are insufficient due to low compliance towards invasive screening procedures, like colonoscopy.Available non-invasive screening tests have unfortunately low sensitivity and specificity performances.Therefore, there is a large unmet need calling for a cost-effective, reliable and non-invasive test to screen for early neoplastic and pre-neoplastic lesions AIMS & Methods: The objective is to develop a screening test able to detect early CRCs and adenomas.This test is based on a nucleic acids multi-gene assay performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).A colonoscopy-controlled feasibility study was conducted on 179 subjects.The first 92 subjects was used as training set to generate a statistical significant signature.Colonoscopy revealed 21 subjects with CRC,30 with adenoma bigger than 1 cm and 41 with no neoplastic or inflammatory lesions.The second group of 48 subjects (controls, CRC and polyps) was used as a test set and will be kept blinded for the entire data analysis.To determine the organ and disease specificity 38 subjects were used:24 with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),14 with other cancers than CRC (OC).Blood samples were taken from each patient the day of the colonoscopy and PBMCs were purified. Total RNA was extracted following standard procedures.Multiplex RT-qPCR was applied on 92 different candidate biomarkers.Different univariate and multivariate statistical methods were applied on these candidates and among them 60 biomarkers with significant p-values (<0.01) were selected.These biomarkers are involved in several different biological functions as cellular movement,cell signaling and interaction,tissue and cellular development,cancer and cell growth and proliferation.Two distinct biomarker signatures are used to separate patients without lesion from those with cancer or with adenoma, named COLOX CRC and COLOX POL respectively.COLOX performances were validated using random resampling method, bootstrap. RESULTS: COLOX CRC and POL tests successfully separate patients without lesions from those with CRC (Se 67%,Sp 93%,AUC 0.87) and from those with adenoma bigger than 1cm (Se 63%,Sp 83%,AUC 0.77),respectively. 6/24 patients in the IBD group and 1/14 patients in the OC group have a positive COLOX CRC CONCLUSION: The two COLOX tests demonstrated a high sensitivity and specificity to detect the presence of CRCs and adenomas bigger than 1 cm.A prospective, multicenter, pivotal study is underway in order to confirm these promising results in a larger cohort.

Hàbits alimentaris en nens de 8 a 12 anys de la comarca d'Osona

Introducció: La dieta mediterrània és considerada un dels patrons alimentaris més saludables ja que diversos estudis epidemiològics mostren que protegeix front diverses malalties cròniques com ara les malalties cardiovasculars, la diabetis i alguns càncers. Malauradament al nostre país els patrons alimentaris estan canviant a conseqüència de la modernització de la societat i estan portant a l’allunyament del patró de dieta mediterrània. Això és especialment crític entre la població infantil i juvenil, fet que predisposa a que en un futur augmenti la prevalença de malalties cròniques entre la població adulta. Objectiu: avaluar els hàbits alimentaris i l’estat nutricional d’escolars de 8 a 12 anys de la comarca d’Osona. Mètodes: estudi de disseny observacional i transversal. La mostra estava constituïda per 191 escolars de 4rt i 5è d’ensenyança primària d’escoles de la comarca d’Osona. La informació sobre la dieta es va recollir a través d’una enquesta alimentària, un recordatori de 24 hores, un qüestionari de freqüència de consum alimentari i el test KIDMED. Les determinacions antropomètriques que es van realitzar van ser talla, pes, IMC (Índex de Massa Corporal), plec tricipital, perímetre braquial i perímetre abdominal. L’anàlisi estadística de totes les dades es va portar a terme mitjançant el programa estadístic SPSS per Windows versió 12.0. Resultats: quan es valora la qualitat de l’esmorzar, s’observa que només en el 16.8% dels casos la qualitat era bona, en el 68.6% dels casos la qualitat havia de millorar i en el 12.6% era de qualitat insuficient i en el 2.1% era de mala qualitat. També s’observa que la dieta que segueixen és desequilibrada quantitativament, concretament és baixa en hidrats de carboni, rica en greixos i lleugerament elevada en proteïnes. L’anàlisi qualitativa mostra que hi ha un molt baix consum de verdures i hortalisses i de fruita, mentre que s’arriba a les racions recomanades de carnis i d’olis i greixos. El test KIDMED mostra una puntuació mitjana de 7.21±1.96 punts, el que indica que la dieta de la població és de qualitat millorable. Pel que fa a l’estat nutricional s’observa que un 24,6% presenta valors de baix pes i un 17,8% sobrepès o obesitat, el que indica que un 42,4% de la població estudiada presenta un estat nutricional incorrecte. Conclusions: La dieta del col·lectiu estudiat s’allunya de les recomanacions de la SENC (Sociedad Española de Nutrición Comunitaria). Els resultats del test KIDMED indiquen que només un 44% de la població segueix un patró òptim de Dieta mediterrània i l’anàlisi de l’estat nutricional mostra que un 42,4% presenta un estat nutricional incorrecte, sigui per excés o per defecte de pes. Per tant, es fa necessari dissenyar estratègies d’educació alimentària adequades per millorar els hàbits alimentaris dels escolars i aconseguir en un futur un estat òptim de salut.