Use of multiepitope polyproteins in serodiagnosis of active tuberculosis

Screening of genomic expression libraries from Mycobacterium tuberculosis with sera from tuberculosis (TB) patients or rabbit antiserum to M. tuberculosis led to the identification of novel antigens capable of detecting specific antibodies to M. tuberculosis. Three antigens, Mtb11 (also known as CFP-10), Mtb8, and Mtb48, were tested together with the previously reported 38-kDa protein, in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies in TB patients. These four proteins were also produced as a genetically fused polyprotein, which was tested with two additional antigens, DPEP (also known as MPT32) and Mtb81. Sera from individuals with pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-TB coinfections, and purified protein derivative (PPD)-positive and PPD-negative status with no evidence of disease were tested. In samples from HIV-negative individuals, the ELISA detected antibodies in >80% of smear-positive individuals and >60% smear-negative individuals, with a specificity of approximately 98%. For this group, smears detected 81.6% but a combination of smear and ELISA had a sensitivity of approximately 93%. The antigen combination detected a significant number of HIV-TB coinfections as well as antibodies in patients with extrapulmonary infections. Improved reactivity in the HIV-TB group was observed by including the antigen Mtb81 that was identified by proteomics. The data indicate that the use of multiple antigens, some of which are in a single polyprotein, can be used to facilitate the development of a highly sensitive test for M. tuberculosis antibody detection.     

Postural muscle responses to multidirectional translations in patients with Parkinson's disease

The postural adaptation impairments of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) suggest that the basal ganglia may be important for quickly modifying muscle activation patterns when the direction of perturbation or stance conditions suddenly change. It is unknown whether their particular instability to backward postural perturbations is due to specific abnormalities of parkinsonian postural muscle synergies in that direction and not present in other directions. In the present study, we test this hypothesis by comparing the patterns of leg and trunk muscle activation in 13 subjects with PD and 13 control subjects in response to eight randomly presented directions of horizontal surface translations while standing with either narrow or wide stance. The direction of maximum activation for each muscle was similar for PD and control subjects, suggesting that the basal ganglia is not critical for programming externally triggered postural synergies. However, antagonist muscle activation was earlier and larger in PD than in control subjects, resulting in coactivation. PD subjects also did not increase the magnitude of muscle activation as much as did control subjects when changing from wide to narrow stance. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that PD results in an inability to shape the pattern and magnitude of postural muscle responses for changes in perturbation direction and in stance position.     

The modification by ketotifen of respiratory responses to histamine and antigen in guinea-pigs

Aerosolized solutions of histamine or ovalbumin were administered to control or ovalbumin-sensitized guinea-pigs. The time to onset of respiratory distress (preconvulsion time) during challenge with these agents was measured using a force-displacement transducer on the animal's back. The preconvulsion time for each guinea-pig was compared with and without ketotifen pretreatment. Ketotifen administered both by aerosol and intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) significantly protected (p<0.001) each guinea-pig from the effects of aerosol challenge with histamine. Ovalbumin-sensitized animals were also protected from the effects of antigen aerosol challenge by ketotifen pretreatment. Sodium cromoglycate (DSCG), administered as an aerosol, did not protect sensitized animals from ovalbumin challenge. The Konzett-Rössler technique was used to measure the response to the intravenous injection (i.v.) of histamine in anaesthetized artificially ventilated guinea-pigs. Ketotifen was three times more potent than mepyramine in inhibiting the histamine-induced increase in air overflow volume.     

Ultrastructural Changes Suggestive of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in Atypical Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome

In an attempt to recognize early stages of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in patients with a clinical course suggesting a diagnosis other than minimal change disease (MCD) and normal histology, or minor, nondiagnostic changes on light microscopy (LM), we used a protocol for systematic and extensive electron microscopy (EM) examination of kidney biopsies obtained from such patients. By this method ultrastructural pathology was found in 8 patients. These changes were localized, involving only portions of single glomerular segments. The findings included mild to moderate increase of the mesangial matrix, focal wrinkling of the capillary basement membrane, and early obliteration of the normal architecture of individual capillary loops, as well as electron-dense deposits in a mesangial and subendothelial distribution. Of these 8 patients, 2 are at present in remission without therapy (in 1, following therapy with cyclophosphamide); 3 are in remission on steroid therapy; 1 developed massive proteinuria during pregnancy, after a spontaneous remission lasting almost 2 years; 1 patient advanced to terminal renal failure 3 1/2 years after biopsy; and 1 died of sepsis 1 month after biopsy. We believe that the ultrastructural changes found may represent early or mild FSGS and that the protocol described can add valuable information in clinically worrisome patients in whom renal histology appears normal.     

Evaluation of the effect of a school garden as an educational didactic tool in vegetable and fruit consumption in teenagers

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESIncreasing the consumption of vegetables and fruits in Mexico remains a challenge. Promoting sustainable food production systems through schools may be an effective way to educate young people about food and nutrition issues. A study of nutritional education in adolescents, based on the school garden, is necessary in order to evaluate its effects on the consumption of fruits and vegetables among middle- and upper-income segments of the population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention, accompanied by a school garden as an educational teaching tool, to improve vegetable and fruit consumption by Mexican teenagers attending a private middle/high school.SUBJECTS/METHODSTeenagers between 12 and 18 years of age (n = 126) attending a private middle/high school in Queretaro, Mexico participated in a 3-arm, controlled, comparative impact study using a vegetable and fruit consumption frequency questionnaire, food consumption diaries, a psychosocial factor assessment questionnaire of vegetable and fruit consumption, and structured interviews. The participants were randomized into 3 experimental groups: 1) food education + school garden (FE + SG), 2) FE only, and 3) control group (CG).RESULTSThe FE + SG and FE groups significantly increased the frequency and daily intake of vegetables and fruits compared to the CG. The FE + SG group showed greater understanding of, reflection upon, and analysis of the information they received about vegetable and fruit consumption, as well as a greater willingness to include these in their daily diet.CONCLUSIONSFE accompanied by a SG as a teaching tool is more effective at promoting vegetable and fruit consumption than either education alone or control in teenagers in middle-upper income segments of the population.     

Gründe für die Ablehnung behördlicher Empfehlungen und Maßnahmen zum Schutz vor SARS-CoV-2 – eine qualitative Studie auf Basis von Beiträgen in sozialen Medien

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz - Um die Ausbreitung von SARS-CoV‑2 (schweres akutes Atemwegssyndrom-Coronavirus-Typ&nbsp;2) zu verlangsamen, haben Bund...     

„Klar bleiben“ – ein Wettbewerb für Schulklassen zur Reduktion des Alkoholkonsums

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz - Alkohol ist in Deutschland im Jugendalter die populärste Droge. Alkoholpräventionsprogramme, die im Setting Schule...     

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Factors Among Somali Immigrants and Refugees

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks are of concern among immigrants and refugees settling in affluent host countries. The prevalence of CVD and risk factors among Somali African immigrants to the U.S. has not been systematically studied.

Methods

In 2015–2016, we surveyed 1156 adult Somalis in a Midwestern metropolitan area using respondent-driven sampling to obtain anthropometric, interview, and laboratory data about CVD and associated risk factors, demographics, and social factors.

Results

The prevalence of diabetes and low physical activity among men and women was high. Overweight, obesity, and dyslipidemia were also particularly prevalent. Levels of calculated CVD risk across the community were greater for men than women.

Conclusion

Though CVD risk is lower among Somalis than the general U.S. population, our results suggest significant prevalence of risk factors among Somali immigrants. Comparison with prior research suggests that CVD risks may be increasing, necessitating thoughtful intervention to prevent adverse population outcomes.

     

Development and Validation of the Sexual and Reproductive Empowerment Scale for Adolescents and Young Adults

PurposeWe developed and validated a measure that assesses the latent construct of sexual and reproductive empowerment among adolescents and young adults. A specific measure for this group is critical because of their unique life stage and circumstances, which often includes frequent changes in sexual partners and involvement from parents in decision-making.MethodsAfter formative qualitative research, a review of the literature, and cognitive interviews, we developed 95 items representing nine dimensions of sexual and reproductive empowerment. Items were then fielded among a national sample of young people aged 15–24 years, and those who identified as sexually active completed a 3-month follow-up survey. We conducted psychometric analysis and scale validation.ResultsExploratory factor analysis on responses from 1,117 participants resulted in the Sexual and Reproductive Empowerment Scale for Adolescents and Young Adults, containing 23 items captured by seven subscales: comfort talking with partner; choice of partners, marriage, and children; parental support; sexual safety; self-love; sense of future; and sexual pleasure. Validation using logistic regression demonstrated that the subscales were consistently associated with sexual and reproductive health information and access to sexual and reproductive health services measured at baseline and moderately associated with the use of desired contraceptive methods at 3-month follow-up.ConclusionsThe Sexual and Reproductive Empowerment Scale for Adolescents and Young Adults is a new measure that assesses young people’s empowerment regarding sexual and reproductive health. It can be used by researchers, public health practitioners, and clinicians to measure sexual and reproductive empowerment among young people.