Molecular xenomonitoring and host identification of Leishmania sand fly vectors in a Mediterranean periurban wildlife park

The epidemiological cycle of zoonotic phlebotomine‐borne Leishmania infantum is a complex system in which domestic animals and wildlife interact and participate in its maintenance and transmission. In this study, we combined entomological surveillance, xenomonitoring of L. infantum and identification of host feeding sources of engorged females to investigate the potential contribution of a periurban wildlife park to leishmaniosis in neighbouring residential areas. Overall, 7,309 sand flies were collected in 111 trap‐days during the summers of 2016–2018 in an endemic area in south‐east Spain. Five different sand fly species were captured, with Phlebotomus perniciosus, the main L. infantum vector in this region, representing the most common species. Sand fly distribution was spatially heterogeneous in terms of species, sexes and female physiological stage (unfed, gravid and engorged females) and related to host distribution and management, and environmental features. None of the 602 sand flies analysed for L. infantum infection by kinetoplast real‐time PCR were positive. We used molecular tools to identify the vertebrate hosts of sand flies and identified 17 host species, mainly mammals. Human DNA was not identified in engorged sand flies. This study provides evidence that wildlife parks in south‐east Spain are ideal grounds for sand fly vectors but do not necessarily increase L. infantum infection risk to humans and dogs living in surrounding residential areas. This is probably because vectors feed mostly on non‐L. infantum competent hosts and this should be investigated for a better understanding of the contribution of wildlife parks to the local epidemiology of L. infantum.     

Stakeholder-Generated Implementation Strategies to Promote Evidence-Based ADHD Treatment in Community Mental Health

Community implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is greatly lacking. A recent randomized community-based trial of an EBP for ADHD (Supporting Teens’ Autonomy Daily; STAND) demonstrated suboptimal implementation and effectiveness outcomes. In the present study, we conducted an Innovation Tournament (IT) with agency staff stakeholders (N?=?26) to identify barriers to successful implementation of STAND and implementation strategies for a revised service delivery model. We conducted member-checking of agency staff-generated ideas with parents (N?=?226) and subsequent querying of additional parent (N?=?226) and youth-generated (N?=?205) strategies to improve care. Go-Zone plots were utilized to identify strategies with the highest feasibility and importance. Practical barriers (i.e., transportation, scheduling difficulties) and parent/youth engagement were the most commonly cited obstacles to successful implementation of STAND in community contexts. Eighteen “winning” implementation strategies were identified that survived member checking. These were classified as train and educate stakeholders (n?=?5; e.g., train agency supervisors to deliver supervision, digitize treatment materials and trainings), engage consumers (n?=?9; e.g., begin treatment with rapport building sessions, increase psychoeducation), provide interactive assistance (n?=?2; e.g., add group supervision, increase roleplay in supervision), and use of evaluative/iterative strategies (n?=?2; e.g., perform fidelity checks, supervisor review of session recordings). Parents and youth desired longer duration of treatment and increased focus on maintenance. Strategies will be developed and tested as part of a pilot effectiveness trial designed to refine STAND’s service delivery model.

Trial Registration NCT02694939 www.clinicaltrials.gov

     

Procedimiento de Nishida asociado a toxina botulínica en parálisis completa del sexto par craneal bilateral de larga evolución

In severe cases of abducens or sixth cranial nerve palsy, transpositions of the superior rectus and inferior rectus into the paralytic lateral rectus have been demonstrated to be useful. Numerous techniques have been described over time to carry out these transpositions, such as the Hummelsheim, O’Connor, Jensen, Foster, or Nishida technique. The first 4 techniques mentioned above have an increased risk of anterior segment ischaemia.The case is presented of a long-standing bilateral sixth cranial nerve palsy secondary to a severe cranial injury. Given the risk of ischaemia of the anterior segment, the Nishida technique was chosen in order to reduce the risk of suffering from this complication. This is combined with botulinum toxin in both middle rectus to try to resolve the muscle contracture associated with the long evolution of the case, obtaining good results at 6, and 12 months after the surgical procedure.     

Immunotherapy in Melanoma,Gastrointestinal (GI), and Pulmonary Malignancies

Oncologic immunotherapy involves stimulating the immune system to more effectively identify and eradicate tumor cells that have successfully adapted to survive the body''s natural immune defenses. Immunotherapy has shown great promise thus far by prolonging the lives of patients with a variety of malignancies, and has added a crucial new set of tools to the oncologists'' armamentarium. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of immunotherapy treatment options that are currently available and under active research for melanoma, gastrointestinal (esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, and colorectal), and pulmonary malignancies. Potential biomarkers that may predict favorable responses to immunotherapies are discussed where applicable, as are future avenues of research in this rapidly evolving field.     

Catalase has a key role in protecting cells from the genotoxic effects of monomethylarsonous acid: A highly active metabolite of arsenic

Although it is widely known that arsenic‐contaminated drinking water causes many diseases, arsenic's exact mode of action (MOA) is not fully understood. Induction of oxidative stress has been proposed as an important key event in the toxic MOA of arsenic. The authors' studies are centered on identifying a reactive species involved in the genotoxicity of arsenic using a catalase (CAT) knockout mouse model that is impaired in its ability to breakdown hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The authors assessed the induction of DNA damage using the Comet assay following exposure of mouse Cat^+/+ and Cat^?/? primary splenic lymphocytes to monomethylarsonous acid (MMA^III) to identify the potential role of H₂O₂ in mediating cellular effects of this metalloid. The results showed that the Cat^?/? lymphocytes are more susceptible to MMA^III than the Cat^+/+ lymphocytes by a small (1.5‐fold) but statistically significant difference. CAT activity assays demonstrated that liver tissue has approximately three times more CAT activity than lymphocytes. Therefore, Comet assays were performed on primary Cat^+/+, Cat^+/?, and Cat^?/? hepatocytes to determine if the Cat^?/? cells were more susceptible to MMA^III than lymphocytes. The results showed that the Cat^?/? hepatocytes exhibit higher levels of DNA strand breakage than the Cat^+/+ (approximately fivefold) and Cat^+/? (approximately twofold) hepatocytes exposed to MMA^III. Electron spin resonance using 5,5‐dimethyl‐1‐pyrroline‐N‐oxide as the spin‐trap agent detected the generation of ·OH via MMA^III when H₂O₂ was present. These experiments suggest that CAT is involved in protecting cells against the genotoxic effects of the ·OH generated by MMA^III. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 54:317–326, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.