[Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) in the canton of Jura: an epidemiological outbreak investigation]

Following an abortion in a beef herd in the summer of 2009, three outbreaks of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) were diagnosed in the cantons of Jura and Neuchatel. An epidemiological outbreak investigation was conducted with the aims to identify the source of introduction of the bovine herpes virus 1 (BoHV-1) into the affected herds and to prevent further spread of the disease. The attack rates in the three outbreak farms were 0.89, 0.28 and 0, respectively. BoHV-1 could be isolated from nasal swabs of two animals originating from one of the affected farms. Comparative restriction enzyme analysis revealed slight differences between the isolates of the two animals, but a high similarity to previous BoHV-1 isolates from the canton of Jura, as well as to a French BoHV-1 isolate. This IBR outbreak has shown the importance of reporting and analyzing abortions. The current disease outbreaks recall the main risk factors for the spread of IBR in Switzerland: purchase and movement of bovines and semen of often unknown IBR status.

Rates Of Obesity And Incidence Of Diabetes In Hispanics In The United States: An Examination Of The Epidemiological Paradox

Using pooled data from the 2008-2011 National Health Interview Survey and employing multinomial and binomial logistic regression methods, this research examines disparities in rates of obesity and incidence of diabetes between individual Hispanic subgroups in comparison to non-Hispanic whites and blacks. Immigration status(including nativity, duration in the United States, and citizenship status) is hypothesized to play a central role in rates and obesity and incidence of diabetes. Unlike Cuban-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Puerto Ricans, and other Hispanics were more likely to be overweight as well as obese when compared to non-Hispanic whites. Mexican-Americans had the only significance in prevalence of type 2 diabetes in comparison to non-Hispanic whites. Both of these health outcomes are strongly associated with the various immigration variables.

The Use Of Amido- And Imido-Functionalized Alpha Hydroxy Acids In The Creation Of Biodegradable Polyesters: An Exploration Of Va

The purpose of this thesis was to synthesize biodegradable polyesters from a wide array of functionalized ¿-hydroxy acids. The initial strategy was to use amido-functionalized ¿-hydroxy acids and 2-bromopropanoyl bromide to form amido-functionalized cyclic diesters. Then, the resulting cyclic diesters would be used in ring opening polymerization to create biodegradable polyesters. However, the spontaneous rapid degradation of the secondary amido-functionalized cyclic diester structure, as seen with 2-benzamido-hydroxyacetic acid, limited ring formation to tertiary amido-functionalized ¿-hydroxy acids. Also, the hydrophilic nature of most ¿-hydroxy acids allowed water into the crystal structure of the ¿-hydroxy acid. Then, when the ¿-hydroxy acid was used in ring forming reactions, the associated water deactivated reactive reagents and limited cyclic diester synthesis. These issues led to the synthesis of hydrophobic and tertiary amido- and imido-functionalized ¿-hydroxy acids, 2-phthalimido-2-hydroxyacetic acid and 2-(1-oxoisoindolin-2-yl) hydroxyacetic acid. The new ¿-hydroxy acids were used in two new polymerization techniques, melt polycondensation and solution polymerization, instead of ring open polymerization. Melt polycondensation and solution polymerization had shown previous success in forming oligomers of amido-functionalized ¿-hydroxy acids. Melt polycondensation was conducted by heating the monomer past its melting temperature under reduced pressure. The uncatalyzed melt polycondensation of 2-(1-oxoisoindolin-2-yl) hydroxyacetic acid created polyesters (¿ 960 g/mol). The scandium(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate enhanced melt polycondensation polymerization created slightly larger oligomers (¿ 1340 g/mol). However, 2-phthalimido-2-hydroxyacetic acid was not compatible with melt polycondensation because thermal degradation occurred. Thus, solution polymerization was conducted via Steglich esterification. Only oligomeric functionalized polyesters were formed (¿ 1060 g/mol). Future work should focus on optimization of the catalyst and the reaction conditions to obtain higher molecular weight polyesters. Also, 2-(1-oxoisoindolin-2-yl) hydroxyacetic acid should be utilized in the cyclic diester synthesis technique.

Impact of the availability of an influenza virus rapid antigen test on diagnostic decision making in a pediatric emergency department

OBJECTIVES: Fever is one of the most commonly seen symptoms in the pediatric emergency department. The objective of this study was to observe how the rapid testing for influenza virus impacts on the management of children with fever. METHODS: We performed a review of our pediatric emergency department records during the 2008/2009 annual influenza season. The BinaxNow Influenza A+B test was performed on patients with the following criteria: age 1.0 to 16.0 years, fever greater than 38.5 °C, fever of less than 96 hours' duration after the onset of clinical illness, clinical signs compatible with acute influenza, and nontoxic appearance. Additional laboratory tests were performed at the treating physician's discretion. RESULTS: The influenza rapid antigen test was performed in 192 children. One hundred nine (57%) were influenza positive, with the largest fraction (101 patients) positive for influenza A. The age distribution did not differ between children with negative and positive test results (mean, 5.3 vs. 5.1 years, not statistically significant). A larger number of diagnostic tests were performed in the group of influenza-negative patients. Twice as many complete blood counts, C-reactive protein determinations, lumbar punctures, and urinalyses were ordered in the latter group. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid diagnosis of influenza in the pediatric emergency department affects the management of febrile children as the confirmation of influenza virus infection decreases additional diagnostic tests ordered.

THE ROLE OF AN EXPLICIT CAUSAL FRAMEWORK IN AFFECTED SIB PAIR DESIGNS WITH COVARIATES

The affected sib/relative pair (ASP/ARP) design is often used with covariates to find genes that can cause a disease in pathways other than through those covariates. However, such "covariates" can themselves have genetic determinants, and the validity of existing methods has so far only been argued under implicit assumptions. We propose an explicit causal formulation of the problem using potential outcomes and principal stratification. The general role of this formulation is to identify and separate the meaning of the different assumptions that can provide valid causal inference in linkage analysis. This separation helps to (a) develop better methods under explicit assumptions, and (b) show the different ways in which these assumptions can fail, which is necessary for developing further specific designs to test these assumptions and confirm or improve the inference. Using this formulation in the specific problem above, we show that, when the "covariate" (e.g., addiction to smoking) also has genetic determinants, then existing methods, including those previously thought as valid, can declare linkage between the disease and marker loci even when no such linkage exists. We also introduce design strategies to address the problem.

Dual in vitro perfusion of an isolated cotyledon as a model to study the implication of changes in the third trimester placenta on preeclampsia

In the current study perfusions of an isolated cotyledon of term placenta using standard medium were compared to medium containing xanthine plus xanthine oxidase (X+XO), which generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). A time-dependant increase in the levels of different cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1ss, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10) was observed between 1 and 7h with more than 90% of the total recovered from the maternal compartment with no significant difference between the 2 groups. For 8-iso-PGF2alpha 90% of the total was found in the fetal compartment and a significantly higher total release was seen in the X+XO group. Microparticles (MPs) isolated from the maternal circuit were identified by flow cytometry as trophoblastic sheddings, whereas MPs from the fetal circuit were predominantly derived from endothelial cells. More than 90% of the total of MPs was found in the maternal circuit. The absolute amount of the total as well as the maternal fraction were significantly higher in the X+XO group. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of the perfused tissue revealed staining for IL-1beta of villous stroma cells, which became clearly more pronounced in experiments with X+XO. Western blot of tissue homogenate revealed 2 isoforms of IL-1beta at 17 and 31kD. In X+XO experiments there was a tendency for increased expression of antioxidant enzymes in the tissue. Western blot of MPs from the maternal circuit showed increased expression of antioxidant enzymes in the X+XO group and for IL-1beta only the 17kD band was detected. In vitro reperfusion of human placental tissue results in mild tissue injury suggestive of oxidative stress. In view of the increased generation of ROS in perfused tissue with further increase under the influence of X+XO, the overall manifestation of oxidative stress remained rather mild. Preservation of antioxidant capacity of human placental tissue could be a sign of integrity of structure and function being maintained in vitro by dual perfusion of an isolated cotyledon. The observed changes resemble findings seen in placentae from preeclampsia.

An essential role for transmembrane TNF in the resolution of the inflammatory lesion induced by Leishmania major infection

TNF is an essential player in infections with Leishmania major, contributing to the control of the inflammatory lesion and, to a lesser degree, to parasite killing. However, the relative contribution of the soluble and transmembrane forms of TNF in these processes is unknown. To investigate the role of transmembrane TNF (mTNF) in the control of L. major infections, mTNF-knock-in (mTNF(Delta/Delta)) mice, which express functional mTNF but do not release soluble TNF, were infected with L. major, and the development of the inflammatory lesion and the immune response was compared to that occurring in L. major-infected TNF(-/-) and wild-type mice. mTNF(Delta/Delta) mice controlled the infection and resolved their inflammatory lesion as well as wild-type mice, a process associated with the early clearance of neutrophils at the site of parasite infection. In contrast, L. major-infected TNF(-/-) mice developed non-healing lesions, characterized by an elevated presence of neutrophils at the site of infection and partial control of parasite number within the lesions. Altogether, the results presented here demonstrate that mTNF, in absence of soluble TNF, is sufficient to control infection due to L. major, enabling the regulation of inflammation, and the optimal killing of Leishmania parasites at the site of infection.