Antibody response after RSV infection in children younger than 1 year of age living in a rural area of Mozambique

Serological responses have been studied in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infected children < 1 year of age attending the outpatient department of the Manhiça District Hospital (Mozambique). Molecular characterization of viral RNA in nasopharyngeal aspirates from the infected children indicated a high level of genetic uniformity among the infecting viruses, all of which belonged to a single genotype of RSV group A. A representative virus strain, Moz00, was isolated from one of the infants and was used, together with the group A strain A2 and the group B strain 8/60, as antigens in the quantification of infant antibody responses. In this study, 97.5% (39/40) and 96.4% (27/28) of infected children produced an antibody response against Moz00 detected by the membrane fluorescent antibody test (MFAT) and the neutralization test (NT), respectively. Seroconversion rates decreased when the A2 and 8/60 strains were used as antigen in MFAT (95.4% and 88.2%, respectively) or NT (81.8% and 54.5%, respectively), indicating that antibody responses had both group‐ and strain‐specific components. Antibodies in convalescent sera of infected children were compared with maternally derived antibodies detected in a group of children also < 1 year of age, but with no evidence of RSV infection. The convalescent sera exhibited reduced neutralizing capacity when the 8/60 strain was used as antigen (P = 0.028), suggesting that the infant antibody response lacks neutralizing capacity against strains of the heterologous virus group. Restricted cross‐reactivity and neutralizing capacity of antibodies generated by young children might be expected to induce only moderate protection in subsequent epidemics against genetically distant strains. J. Med. Virol. 69:579–587, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Electron microscopic immunocytochemical study of somatostatin neurons in the periventricular nucleus of the rat hypothalamus with special reference to their relationships with homologous neuronal processes

The neurons containing somatostatin in the rat periventricular nucleus were studied by using a modified electron microscopic immunocytochemical technique that improves both the penetration of immunoreagents into unembedded immunostained tissues and the preservation of ultrastructural morphology. Inside perikarya and dendrites, immunostaining was not only associated with neurosecretory granules but also with ribosomes and saccules of the cis face of the Golgi apparatus. In the axonal profiles found in this region the labeling was observed both on neurosecretory granule cores and on the limiting membrane of small synaptic-like vesicles. Throughout the periventricular nucleus, both non-synaptic and synaptic relationships were shown between labeled neurons. Non-synaptic relationships mainly consisted of direct apposition of the membranes of neighboring neurons by dendrosomatic, somasomatic or dendrodendritic contacts. These labeled perikarya and dendrites were also synaptically contacted by labeled axonal endings containing numerous aggregated synaptic-like vesicles. The physiological significance of the synaptic and non-synaptic relationships between somatostatinergic neurons is discussed in terms of possible synchronization between homologous neurons of the somatostatin neuroendocrine system and control of these neurons by a central ultra-short loop feedback mechanism.     

Identification of 26 new constitutional RB1 gene mutations in Spanish, Colombian, and Cuban retinoblastoma patients

Constitutional mutations in the RB1 gene predispose to retinoblastoma development. Hence genetic screening of retinoblastoma patients and relatives is important for genetic counseling purposes. In addition, RB1 gene mutation studies may help decipher the molecular mechanisms leading to tumors with different degrees of penetrance or expressivity. In the course of genetically screening of 107 hereditary and non-hereditary retinoblastoma patients (11 familiar bilateral, 4 familiar unilateral, 49 sporadic bilateral and 43 sporadic unilateral) and kindred from Spain, Colombia and Cuba, using direct PCR sequencing, we observed 45 distinct mutations and four RB1 deletions in 53 patients (9 familiar bilateral, 2 familiar unilateral, 31 sporadic bilateral and 11 sporadic unilateral). Most of these mutations (26/45, 57%) have not been reported before. In 32 patients, the predisposing mutations correspond to nonsense (mainly CpG transitions) and small insertions or deletions whose expected outcome is a truncated Rb protein that lacks the functional pockets and tail. Five single aminoacid replacements and seventeen mutations affecting splicing sites were also observed in retinoblastoma patients. Two of these sixteen mutations are of unclear pathogenic nature.     

Ultrastructural characterization of the border zone surrounding early experimental myocardial infarcts in dogs.

The existence of a border zone composed of reversibly injured myocardium surrounding an evolving infarct has been the subject of controversy. In experiments designed to search for such a border zone by electron microscopy, 12 mongrel dogs underwent permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Two to 6.5 (average = 4.2) hours later, the hearts were excised, the area at risk (myocardium perfused by the LAD) was outlined by injection of fluorescent microspheres, and the myocardial infarct was demonstrated by the nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) gross histochemical method. Myocardial samples for electron-microscopic study were obtained from the periphery of the infarct (tissues unstained by NBT) and serially from the immediately adjacent myocardium, which was stained deep blue by NBT. Grossly, the infarcts always involved the subendocardial myocardium, extended for a variable distance in the epicardial direction, and closely approximated the lateral margins of the area at risk. When examined by electron microscopy, the infarct periphery showed evidence of irreversible damage, thus confirming the ability of NBT to detect early myocardial necrosis. Multiple samples of the NBT-stained myocardium immediately adjacent to the infarct showed varying degrees of reversible ischemia, thus demonstrating, at the ultrastructural level, the existence of a border zone of intermediate myocardial injury. This border zone was substantial (3--4 mm in width) along the subepicardial aspect of the infarct and very thin (1--2 mm) laterally. In conclusion, a significant border zone was demonstrable by electron microscopy in the subepicardial myocardium of 8 out or 12 canine hearts with recent coronary artery occlusion. In the remaining 4 hearts, the infarcts had already reached the epicardium at the time of study, and only a thin lateral border zone was present.     

Dense osmiophilic material in the surface of the olfactory bulb in the teleost Cyprinus carpio L

A dense osmiophilic structure was found associated to the basal lamina of the outer limiting glial membrane of the carp olfactory bulb. In certain sections this material appears as "beads" composed of small strand-like structures, and in others it seems to form a palisade-like structure. The possible origin and function of this structure is discussed.     

Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Prebiotic Enriched Infant Formula—A Randomized Controlled Trial

The present study aims to evaluate the effects of an infant formula supplemented with a mixture of prebiotic short and long chain inulin-type oligosaccharides on health outcomes, safety and tolerance, as well as on fecal microbiota composition during the first year of life. In a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study, n = 160 healthy term infants under 4 months of age were randomized to receive either an infant formula enriched with 0.8 g/dL of Orafti^®Synergy1 or an unsupplemented control formula until the age of 12 months. Growth, fever (>38 °C) and infections were regularly followed up by a pediatrician. Digestive symptoms, stool consistency as well as crying and sleeping patterns were recorded during one week each study month. Fecal microbiota and immunological biomarkers were determined from a subgroup of infants after 2, 6 and 12 months of life. The intention to treat (ITT) population consisted of n = 149 infants. Both formulae were well tolerated. Mean duration of infections was significantly lower in the prebiotic fed infants (p < 0.05). The prebiotic group showed higher Bifidobacterium counts at month 6 (p = 0.006), and higher proportions of Bifidobacterium in relation to total bacteria at month 2 and 6 (p = 0.042 and p = 0.013, respectively). Stools of infants receiving the prebiotic formula were softer (p < 0.05). Orafti^®Synergy1 tended to beneficially impact total daily amount of crying (p = 0.0594). Supplementation with inulin-type prebiotic oligosaccharides during the first year of life beneficially modulates the infant gut microbiota towards higher Bifidobacterium levels at the first 6 months of life, and is associated with reduced duration of infections.     

Proposals for person‐centred care in the COVID‐19 era. Delphi study

BackgroundIn this COVID‐19 era, we need to rethink the criteria used to measure the results of person‐centred care strategies.ObjectiveTo identify priorities, and criteria that health services can use to pursue actually the goal of achieving person‐centred care.DesignThree‐phase online qualitative study performed during May–July of 2020 using the Delphi technique.Setting and ParticipantsAn online platform was used for a consensus meeting of 114 participants, including health planning experts, health‐care institution managers, clinicians and patients.Main Outcome MeasuresCriteria and indicators for the achievement of person‐centred care.Main ResultsThe first round began with 125 proposals and 11 dimensions. After the second round, 28 ideas reached a high level of consensus among the participants. Ultimately, the workgroup agreed on 20 criteria for goals in the implementation of person‐centred care during the COVID‐19 era and 21 related indicators to measure goal achievement.DiscussionNine dimensions and 28 priorities were identified. These priorities are also in accordance with the quadruple aim approach, which emphasizes the need for care for health‐care professionals, without whom it is impossible to achieve a better quality of care.ConclusionsPerson‐centred care continues to be a key objective. However, new metrics are needed to ensure its continued development during the restoration of public health services beyond the control of COVID‐19.Patient or Public ContributionTwelve professionals and patient representatives participated voluntarily in the construction of the baseline questionnaire and in the selection of the criteria and indicators using an online platform for consensus meetings.     

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide fraction associated with photobiomodulation protects from epithelium thickness and collagen fragmentation in a model of cutaneous photodamage

Lasers in Medical Science - Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the major etiologic agent of cutaneous photoaging, and different strategies are used to prevent and treat this condition. The...