Serum‐free in vitro cultivation of Theileria annulata and Theileria parva schizont‐infected lymphocytes

Theileriosis is a tick‐borne disease caused by intracellular protozoa of the genus Theileria. The most important species in cattle are Theileria annulata and Theileria parva. Both species transform leucocyte host cells, resulting in their uncontrolled proliferation and immortalization. Vaccination with attenuated T. annulata‐infected cell lines is currently the only practical means of inducing immunity in cattle. Culture media for Theileria spp. typically contain 10%–20% foetal bovine serum (FBS). The use of FBS is associated with several disadvantages, such as batch‐to‐batch variation, safety and ethical concerns. In this study, the suitability of serum‐free media for the cultivation of Theileria‐transformed cell lines was examined. Three commercial serum‐free media (HL‐1, ISF‐1 and Hybridomed DIF 1000) were evaluated for their ability to support growth of the T. annulata A288 cell line. The generation doubling times were recorded for each medium and compared with those obtained with conventional FBS‐containing RPMI‐1640 medium. ISF‐1 gave the shortest generation doubling time, averaging 35.4 ± 2.8 hr, significantly shorter than the 52.2 ± 14.9 hr recorded for the conventional medium (p = .0011). ISF‐1 was subsequently tested with additional T. annulata strains. The doubling time of a Moroccan strain was significantly increased (65.4 ± 15.9 hr) compared with the control (47.7 ± 7.5 hr, p = .0004), whereas an Egyptian strain grew significantly faster in ISF‐1 medium (43.4 ± 6.5 hr vs. 89.3 ± 24.8 hr, p = .0001). The latter strain also showed an improved generation doubling time of 73.7 ± 21.9 hr in an animal origin‐free, serum‐free, protein‐free medium (PFHM II) compared with the control. Out of four South African T. parva strains and a Theileria strain isolated from roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus), only one T. parva strain could be propagated in ISF‐1 medium. The use of serum‐free medium may thus be suitable for some Theileria cell cultures and needs to be evaluated on a case‐by‐case basis. The relevance of Theileria cultivation in serum‐free media for applications such as vaccine development requires further examination.     

Alexithymia,impulsivity and sensation seeking in Buprenorphine addiction: A comparative study

Background: Addiction to Subutex® can be conceptualized as a consequence of the interaction between individual, environmental and substance-related risk factors. Impulsivity, alexithymia and sensation seeking form part of the personality traits that have been implicated in the development of addiction.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional comparative study including 50 patients with addiction to Subutex® (PSA) and 50 witnesses. We estimated alexithymia with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale(TAS-20), impulsiveness with the BARRATT Impulsiveness Scale and we assessed seeking sensation with the Brief Seeking Sensation Scale.

Results: Alexithymia (total TAS-20 score superior to 56) was significantly more frequent in the PSA group (54%) compared to the control group (24%) (p < 0.05). A high level of impulsivity, was found in 60% of the PSA group participants. That rate was significantly higher than in the control group.

PSA scored significantly higher in three of the four dimensions of sensation seeking as well as in the BSSS-8 total score, compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Such personality traits may alter the therapeutic course and promote poly-addiction as well as riskier addictive behaviors such as using injections. Therapeutic interventions should include reducing the consequences of alexithymia, impulsivity and sensation seeking.     

Foods Distributed During Federal Disaster Relief Response in Puerto Rico After Hurricane María Did Not Fully Meet Federal Nutrition Recommendations

BackgroundEmergency foods distributed during a federal disaster relief response must follow the federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans according to the 1990 National Nutrition Monitoring Related Research Act. Nutrition information about emergency foods for household distribution is scarce.MethodsAccording to structured observation protocols, foods received daily at a federal distribution center in Puerto Rico after Hurricane María (November 10-25, 2017) were grouped into Dietary Guidelines for Americans ChooseMyPlate food groups. Data about their sodium, saturated fat, added sugar, and fiber content per serving were captured. Registered dietitians designed meal plans with the foods distributed.ResultsOf 107 unique food items, 41% were snacks and sweets; and 13%, 4%, 13%, and 7% were fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains, respectively. Fifty-eight percent of all foods were low in fiber (≤1 g); 46% included high amounts of sodium, saturated fats, or added sugars (≥20% daily value). The registered dietitians were able to design meal plans that complied with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans food group recommendations, but they exceeded upper daily limits for sodium, saturated fat, or added sugars.ConclusionsIn view of projected increases in natural disasters and diet-related chronic diseases, DGA compliance must be improved so that federal emergency foods can support the health of survivors.     

Ethnicity and diabetes complications in Sudanese population: The need for further genetic population testing

BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to assess whether there is an association between ethnicity and the high prevalence of diabetes complications in Sudan.MethodsThis was cross-sectional hospital-based study with 316 individuals with diabetes conducted in Khartoum state, Sudan. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic information. In addition to measurements of blood pressure, lipid profile and HbA1c, weight and height measurement were also performed for calculation of body mass index.ResultsThe study included individuals recruited from 62 tribes across Sudan. The effect of ethnicity on diabetic septic foot (DSF) was not statistically significant across different tribes (X-squared = 2.6098, df = 4, p-value = 0.6251). The effect of ethnicity on Albuminuria was also not statistically significant across different tribes recruited for this study (X-squared = 4.3787, df = 4, p-value = 0.3572). The Northern group carried a significantly higher unadjusted risk for development of retinopathy (OR = 1.8471, p-value = 0.04603). The Southern group was significantly different from the others regarding the effect of ethnicity on neuropathy, compared to the ‘West' group (OR = 0.1905, p-value = 0.0345). The unadjusted effect for the Southern group was also significant (OR = 0.2933, p-value = 0.0320).ConclusionThere was no role of ethnicity in term of DSF and albuminuria complications. However, retinopathy likely to be seen in tribes originally from north of Sudan, while neuropathy is more likely to be found in tribes originally from the south of Sudan. Further focus genetic population testing is needed.