Serosurveillance of eastern equine encephalitis virus in amphibians and reptiles from Alabama, USA

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is among the most medically important arboviruses in North America, and studies suggest a role for amphibians and reptiles in its transmission cycle. Serum samples collected from 351 amphibians and reptiles (27 species) from Alabama, USA, were tested for the presence of antibodies against EEEV. Frogs, turtles, and lizards showed little or no seropositivity, and snakes had high seropositivity rates. Most seropositive species were preferred or abundant hosts of Culex spp. mosquitoes at Tuskegee National Forest, that target ectothermic hosts. The cottonmouth, the most abundant ectotherm sampled, displayed a high prevalence of seropositivity, indicating its possible role as an amplification and/or over-wintering reservoir for EEEV.     

Drug resistance and coreceptor usage in HIV type 1 subtype C-infected children initiating or failing highly active antiretroviral therapy in South Africa

HIV-1 drug resistance monitoring in resource-poor settings is crucial due to limited drug alternatives. Recent reports of the increased prevalence of CXCR4 usage in subtype C infections may have implications for CCR5 antagonists in therapy. We investigated the prevalence of drug resistance mutations and CXCR4 coreceptor utilization of viruses from HIV-1 subtype C-infected children. Fifty-one children with virological failure during highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 43 HAART-naive children were recruited. Drug resistance genotyping and coreceptor utilization assessment by phenotypic and genotypic methods were performed. At least one significant drug resistance mutation was present in 85.4% of HAART-failing children. Thymidine analogue mutations (TAMs) were detected in 58.5% of HAART-failing children and 39.0% had ≥3 TAMs. CXCR4 (X4) or dual (R5X4)/mixed (R5, X4) (D/M)-tropic viruses were found in 54.3% of HAART-failing and 9.4% of HAART-naive children (p<0.0001); however, the HAART-failing children were significantly older (p<0.0001). In multivariate logistic regression, significant predictors of CXCR4 usage included antiretroviral treatment, older age, and lower percent CD4(+) T cell counts. The majority of genotypic prediction tools had low sensitivity (≤65.0%) and high specificity (≥87.5%) for predicting CXCR4 usage. Extensive drug resistance, including the high percentage of TAMs found, may compromise future drug choices for children, highlighting the need for improved treatment monitoring and adherence counseling. Additionally, the increased prevalence of X4/D/M viruses in HAART-failing children suggests limited use of CCR5 antagonists in salvage therapy. Enhanced genotypic prediction tools are needed as current tools are not sensitive enough for predicting CXCR4 usage.     

Characterization of proteoglycan 4 and hyaluronan composition and lubrication function of ovine synovial fluid following knee surgery

The objective of this study was to determine changes in (1) proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) and hyaluronan (HA) concentration, (2) HA molecular weight (MW) distribution, and (3) cartilage boundary lubricating ability of synovial fluid (SF) from surgical sham (SHAM), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)/medial collateral ligament (MCL) transection, and lateral meniscectomy (MEN) in a post‐knee surgery ovine model. Ovine SF (oSF) was collected at euthanization 20 weeks after surgery, with the contralateral joint serving as the non‐operative control. PRG4 and HA concentration in oSF was measured by sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and HA MW distribution by agarose gel electrophoresis. Cartilage boundary lubricating ability of oSF was measured by a cartilage–cartilage friction test. PRG4 and HA concentration in SHAM, ACL/MCL, and MEN oSF were similar in comparison to the contralateral control (CTRL) oSF. The HA MW distribution in the operated oSF for all ranges were similar to the respective CTRL oSF. The kinetic coefficients of friction in operated and CTRL oSF were similar in all groups, and were significantly lower than saline. These results indicate oSF lubricant composition and function at 20 weeks post‐knee surgery were similar to contralateral CTRL, and suggest earlier time points post surgery warrant further investigation. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1549–1554, 2013     

Personality,Cognition, and Adaptability to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associations with Loneliness,Distress, and Positive and Negative Mood States

The current research examined personality and individual difference factors associated with the perceived ability to adapt to the significant challenges accompanying the ongoing public health crisis concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study investigated the associations among self-reported adaptability to the pandemic and personality predispositions (dependency, self-criticism, mattering, and self-esteem), cognitive factors (positive, negative, and loneliness automatic thoughts), loneliness, distress, and mood states. A sample of 462 college students from Israel completed an online questionnaire after 10 weeks of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results confirmed that personality vulnerability factors underscored by a negative sense of self (i.e., self-criticism and dependency) and individual difference factors reflecting self-esteem, feelings of mattering, and fear of not mattering are associated in meaningful ways with adaptability to the pandemic, loneliness, distress, negative mood states, and positive mood states. Most notably, higher self-reported adaptability to the pandemic is associated with lower dependency, self-criticism, and fear of not mattering, and higher levels of self-esteem and mattering. The findings attest to the central role of adaptability and related individual difference factors in acclimatizing to the numerous changes and challenges associated with the COVID-19 crisis. The theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed.

     

The prevalence and characteristics of shoulder pain after traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of shoulder pain in people with traumatic brain injury participating in inpatient rehabilitation and to compare the clinical presentation with that of people with stroke. DESIGN: A prospective comparative study. SETTING: Six metropolitan rehabilitation units. SUBJECTS: Eighty-seven people with traumatic brain injury and 52 people with stroke took part in the study. MAIN MEASURES: Assessment of shoulder pain, range of motion, strength and function was conducted on admission and, for the subjects with traumatic brain injury, at discharge if rehabilitation exceeded two weeks. RESULTS: The prevalence of shoulder pain in people with traumatic brain injury was 62%, which was comparable with the 69% of subjects with stroke that experienced shoulder pain (odds ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.34 -1.5). Fracture in the shoulder complex and passive shoulder external rotation range of motion were the best predictors for shoulder pain after traumatic brain injury. This was different from the subjects with stroke for which the best predictors were passive shoulder flexion range of motion and length of acute hospital stay. CONCLUSION: There is a relatively high prevalence of shoulder pain after traumatic brain injury. Trauma to the shoulder complex contributes to shoulder pain after traumatic brain injury, making clinical presentation different from people with stroke. The findings support the need for greater attention in the management of shoulder pain after traumatic brain injury.     

Medicinal plants from the Yanesha (Peru): Evaluation of the leishmanicidal and antimalarial activity of selected extracts

Aim of the study

Ninety-four ethanolic extracts of plants used medicinally by the Yanesha, an Amazonian Peruvian ethnic group, for affections related to leishmaniasis and malaria were screened in vitro against Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes and against a Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistant strain.

Materials and methods

The viability of Leishmania amazonensis amastigote stages was assessed by the reduction of tetrazolium salt (MTT) while the impact on Plasmodium falciparum was determined by measuring the incorporation of radio-labelled hypoxanthine.

Results and conclusions

Six plant species displayed good activity against Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistant strain (IC₅₀ < 10 μg/ml): a Monimiaceae, Siparuna aspera (Ruiz & Pavon), A. DC., two Zingiberaceae, Renealmia thyrsoidea (Ruiz & Pavon) Poepp. & Endl. and Renealmia alpinia (Rottb.), two Piperaceae (Piper aduncum L. and Piper sp.) and the leaves of Jacaranda copaia (Aubl.) D. Don (Bignoniaceae).Eight species displayed interesting leishmanicidal activities (IC₅₀ < 10 μg/ml): Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae), Piper dennisii Trel (Piperaceae), Hedychium coronarium J. König (Zingiberaceae), Cestrum racemosum Ruiz & Pav. (Solanaceae), Renealmia alpinia (Rottb.) Zingiberaceae, Lantana sp. (Verbenaceae), Hyptis lacustris A. St.-Hil. ex Benth. (Lamiaceae) and Calea montana Klat. (Asteraceae). Most of them are used against skin affections by Yanesha people.Results are discussed herein, according to the traditional use of the plants and compared with data obtained from the literature.