Validation of a reference control for an SYBR-Green fluorescence assay-based real-time PCR for detection of bovine herpesvirus 5 in experimentally exposed bovine embryos

The objective of this study was to optimize an internal control to improve SYBR-Green-based qPCR to amplify/detect the BoHV-5 US9 gene in bovine embryos produced in vitro and experimentally exposed to the virus. We designed an SYBR-Green-based binding assay that is quick to perform, reliable, easily optimized and compares well with the published assay. Herein we demonstrated its general applicability to detect BoHV-5 US9 gene in bovine embryos produced in vitro experimentally exposed to BoHV-5. In order to validate the assay, three different reference genes were tested; and the histone 2a gene was shown to be the most adequate for normalizing the qPCR reaction, by considering melting and standard curves (p < 0.05). On the other hand, no differences were found in the development of bovine embryos in vitro whether they were exposed to BoHV-5 reference and field strains comparing to unexposed embryos. The developed qPCR assay may have important field applications as it provides an accurate BoHV-5 US9 gene detection using a proven reference gene and is considerably less expensive than the TaqMan qPCR currently employed in sanitary programs.     

Sexual Desire among Veterans Receiving Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Does Successful PTSD Treatment Also Yield Improvements in Sexual Desire?

Objective: People with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly report difficulties with sexual desire and other aspects of sexual functioning, but it is currently unknown if people who respond to psychotherapy for PTSD also report improvements in sexual desire. Method: One hundred and eighty-seven veterans with PTSD received prolonged exposure (PE) therapy at two outpatient PTSD specialty clinics and completed measures of PTSD symptoms (the PTSD Checklist – Military Version) and sexual desire (item 21 of the Beck Depression Inventory – Second Edition) repeatedly throughout the course of treatment. Results: The results of a conditional generalized mixed ordinal regression model showed a significant interaction between weeks in treatment and PTSD treatment response in predicting change in sexual desire across the course of treatment. Specifically, PTSD treatment responders reported improvement in sexual desire over the course of treatment, whereas nonresponders did not show changes in sexual desire over time. However, the effect of PTSD treatment response was no longer significant when accounting for severity of depression at the start of treatment. Participants reporting more severe depression at the start of treatment reported less improvement in sexual desire, regardless of PTSD symptom response. Conclusions: People with PTSD who respond to PE also report improvements in sexual desire over time, indicating that response to PE is associated with improved sexual desire, but the effect is complicated by the presence of co-occurring depression symptomatology.     

Chronic sleep loss disrupts blood–testis and blood–epididymis barriers,and reduces male fertility

Sleep loss increases blood–brain barrier permeability. As the blood–brain barrier and the blood–tissue barriers in the reproductive tract (blood–testis and blood–epididymis barriers) share common characteristics, we hypothesized that sleep restriction may also modify their barrier function. Previous reports showed that sleep loss decreased sperm viability and progressive fast mobility, which may be a consequence of altered blood–testis and blood–epididymis barrier. Therefore, we quantified changes in blood–testis and blood–epididymis barrier after sleep loss and related them to male fertility. Adult male Wistar rats were sleep restricted using the multiple‐platform technique in a protocol of 20 hr daily sleep deprivation plus 4 hr of sleep recovery in the home‐cage. At the 10th day, barrier permeability assays were performed with Na‐fluorescein, 10 kDa Cascade blue‐dextrans and Evans blue, and the expression of tight junction proteins, actin and androgen receptor was quantified. At the 10th day of sleep restriction and after sleep recovery days 1–7, males were placed with sexually receptive females, sexual behaviour was tested, and the percentage of pregnancies was calculated. Sleep restriction increased the barrier permeability to low‐ and high‐molecular‐weight tracers, and decreased the expression of tight junction proteins, actin and androgen receptor. Concomitantly, sleep restriction reduced the percentage of ejaculating males and the number of pregnancies. Sleep recovery for 2–3 days progressively re‐established fertility, as indicated by a higher percentage of ejaculating males and impregnated females. In conclusion, chronic sleep loss alters fertility concomitantly with the disruption of the blood–tissue barriers at the reproductive tract, the mechanism involves androgen signalling.     

What Ancestry Can Tell Us About the Genetic Origins of Inter-Ethnic Differences in Asthma Expression

Differences in asthma prevalence have been described across different populations, suggesting that genetic ancestry can play an important role in this disease. In fact, several studies have demonstrated an association between African ancestry with increased asthma susceptibility and severity, higher immunoglobulin E levels, and lower lung function. In contrast, Native American ancestry has been shown to have a protective role for this disease. Genome-wide association studies have allowed the identification of population-specific genetic variants with varying allele frequency among populations. Additionally, the correlation of genetic ancestry at the chromosomal level with asthma and related traits by means of admixture mapping has revealed regions of the genome where ancestry is correlated with the disease. In this review, we discuss the evidence supporting the association of genetic ancestry with asthma susceptibility and asthma-related traits, and highlight the regions of the genome harboring ancestry-specific genetic risk factors.     

A rare cause of severe mitral stenosis and reversible pulmonary hypertension

Myxoma is a rare cause of severe mitral stenosis. We describe a challenging case of severe mitral stenosis and reversible pulmonary hypertension produced by a giant left atrial myxoma. The greatest risk is a diagnostic delay due to focus on discarding a pulmonary etiology of dyspnea. Physical examination and early echocardiographic assessment are the keys to avoid overlooking this uncommon pathology.     

Excision and V–Y plasty reconstruction for giant condyloma acuminatum

Abstract. Background Condyloma acuminata is the most common anorectal lesion in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Surgical treatment can be challenging in cases where the size and extension into the anal canal make individual excision impossible. These patients require large resections and reconstruction using grafts or local flaps.Methods Six patients were treated for giant perianal condylomas between 1999 and 2001. Four patients were HIV–positive, and were selected for surgical intervention after achieving a T4 count >350 and low viral replication. In 5 cases, the lesions were circularly resected up to the pectinate line and the defect was reconstructed using a bilateral V–Y plasty. In the remaining case, fulguration was possible on one side and a unilateral V–Y plasty was performed.Results There were no infections or healing delays in this series, and the functional and aesthetic results are satisfactory.Conclusion V–Y plasties are a valid method for perianal reconstruction after resection of giant anal condyloma, with good results in selected patients with HIV infection.     

Gallstones are associated with carotid atherosclerosis

Background/Aims: Gallstone disease (GD) and cardiovascular disease (CD) are common diseases worldwide with considerable economical impact and they are strongly associated. Carotid atherosclerosis is an excellent marker of risk for CD like stroke and myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to assess the association between gallstones and carotid atherosclerosis. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted. We evaluated subjects with ultrasonographical evidence of GD and asymptomatic subjects without such evidence. Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical variables were collected. The Metabolic syndrome was evaluated using adult treatment panel III criteria. Carotid artery intima–media thickness (CIMT) was determined by a standard ultrasound protocol. Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) serum levels were measured in all subjects. Results: We studied 191 subjects: 62 subjects with GD (53.2% males) and 129 asymptomatic subjects without GD (65.9% males). Subjects with GD exhibited a higher body mass index, body fat percent, insulin serum levels and CIMT (P<0.05 for all). The prevalence of GD was higher in subjects with a CIMT>0.75 independently of other factors [odds ratio (OR) 2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–4.34; P=0.039], and for every 0.1 mm increase in CIMT the independent probability to be a case of GD increased by a factor of 1.25 (95% CI 1.02–1.53; P=0.027). IGF‐1 levels did not differ among groups. Conclusions: Subjects with GD exhibit greater carotid atherosclerosis, and therefore have a higher risk for stroke and myocardial infarction.