Goats and sheep as sentinels for tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus – Epidemiological studies in areas endemic and non-endemic for TBE virus in Germany

The aim of the study was to examine grazing goats and sheep as specific sentinels for characterization of the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV)-related risk in an area by means of serosurveillance tests in the German federal states Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, Thuringia, North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. A total of 3590 sheep sera and 3793 goat sera was collected in 2003 and 2006–2009 and were examined by ELISA screening and confirmed by serum neutralization test. Considerable differences in seroprevalence were seen between single flocks in districts in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bavaria, and Thuringia with values between 0 and 43% which confirmed the patchy pattern of TBEV foci that can range in size from very small to large. The here described serological screening may be a helpful tool for an early warning system of a potential TBEV risk. Testing of 1700 ticks by real-time RT-PCR in two districts in Baden-Wuerttemberg revealed only one positive tick, thus illustrating the problems of expensive and time-consuming tick collection.     

APOE ��4 allele and CSF APOE on Cognition in HIV-Infected Subjects

The significance of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Apolipoprotein E (APOE) level and whether it might have differential effects on brain function due to the presence of APOE ??4 allele(s) in HIV-infected patients are unknown. However, APOE ??4 allele has been associated with greater incidence of HIV-associated dementia and accelerated progression of HIV infection. Here, we show further evidence for the role of APOE ??4 in promoting cognitive impairment. We measured the APOE levels in the CSF of HIV-infected individuals. HIV+ subjects showed lower CSF APOE proteins than SN controls (?19%, p?=?0.03). While SN subjects with or without ??4 allele showed no difference in CSF APOE levels, ??4+ HIV+ subjects had similar levels to the SN subjects but higher levels than ??4? HIV+ subjects (+34%, p?=?0.01). Furthermore, while HIV+ subjects with ??2 or ??3 allele(s) showed a positive relationship between their CSF APOE levels and cognitive performance on the speed of processing domain (r?=?+0.35, p?=?0.05), ??4+ HIV+ subjects, in contrast, exhibited a negative relationship such that those with higher levels of CSF APOE(4) performed worse on the HIV Dementia Scale (r?=??0.61, p?=?0.02), had lower Global Cognitive Scores (r?=??0.57, p?=?0.03), and had poorer performance on tests involving learning (??4 allele x [APOE] interaction, p?=?0.01). Our findings also suggest that the relatively higher levels of CSF APOE in ??4+ HIV+ (having primarily APOE4 isoforms) may negatively impact the brain and lead to poorer cognitive outcomes, while those individuals without the ??4 allele (with primarily APOE2 or APOE3 isoforms) may show compensatory responses that lead to better cognitive performance.     

A child loses a pet

Abstract

A Tribute to a Founder of Suicidology Reviews of Suicide as Psychache: A Clinical Approach to Self-Destructive Behavior by Edwin Shneidman. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, 1993. 272 pages. ISBN 0-87668-151-8. $22.00; and of Suicidology: Essays in Honor of Edwin Shneidman edited by Antoon A. Leenars. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, 1993, 440 pages. ISBN 0-87668-571-8. $45.00. Reviewed by Judith M. Stillion.     

Localization of Burkholderia cepacia Complex Bacteria in Cystic Fibrosis Lungs and Interactions with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Hypoxic Mucus

The localization of Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) bacteria in cystic fibrosis (CF) lungs, alone or during coinfection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is poorly understood. We performed immunohistochemistry for Bcc and P. aeruginosa bacteria on 21 coinfected or singly infected CF lungs obtained at transplantation or autopsy. Parallel in vitro experiments examined the growth of two Bcc species, Burkholderia cenocepacia and Burkholderia multivorans, in environments similar to those occupied by P. aeruginosa in the CF lung. Bcc bacteria were predominantly identified in the CF lung as single cells or small clusters within phagocytes and mucus but not as “biofilm-like structures.” In contrast, P. aeruginosa was identified in biofilm-like masses, but densities appeared to be reduced during coinfection with Bcc bacteria. Based on chemical analyses of CF and non-CF respiratory secretions, a test medium was defined to study Bcc growth and interactions with P. aeruginosa in an environment mimicking the CF lung. When test medium was supplemented with alternative electron acceptors under anaerobic conditions, B. cenocepacia and B. multivorans used fermentation rather than anaerobic respiration to gain energy, consistent with the identification of fermentation products by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Both Bcc species also expressed mucinases that produced carbon sources from mucins for growth. In the presence of P. aeruginosa in vitro, both Bcc species grew anaerobically but not aerobically. We propose that Bcc bacteria (i) invade a P. aeruginosa-infected CF lung when the airway lumen is anaerobic, (ii) inhibit P. aeruginosa biofilm-like growth, and (iii) expand the host bacterial niche from mucus to also include macrophages.     

Ärztemangel in der hausärztlichen Versorgung auf dem Lande und im Öffentlichen Gesundheitsdienst

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz - Der Mangel an Ärztinnen und Ärzten in der hausärztlichen Versorgung (speziell in ländlichen Regionen) und im...     

Social support,mastery, sleep-related problems and their association with functional status in untreated obstructive sleep apnoea patients

Background

Social support and mastery are important aspects in the treatment of chronic diseases, however their role in connection with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) remains unclear.