Seroprevalence of Canine Norovirus in 14 European Countries

To investigate the prevalence of the recently described genogroup VI canine noroviruses (CNVs) in dogs in Europe, we tested 510 serum samples from dogs in 14 European countries for anti-IgG CNV antibodies. Seropositive dogs were found throughout Europe. Dogs with antibodies against human noroviruses were also found.     

PFA-fixed Hsp6Osp-loaded dendritic cells as a vaccine for the control of mouse experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

We have shown that Hsp6Osp-loaded immature dendritic cells （DC/sp） can protect mice from the induction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis （EAE） by inducing Qa-l-restricted CD8＋ T regulatory （Treg） cells. The binding half-life between Qa-1 and Hsp6Osp is particularly short and leads to an unstable Qa- l/peptide complex that significantly decreases the efficacy of this vaccination. To prevent Qa-l/Hsp6Osp complex dissociation, we utilized paraformaldehyde （PFA） fixation to stabilize the formation of the Qa-l/Hsp6Osp complex and maximize the function of DC/sp as a vaccine to control autoimmune diseases. Compared with the non-fixed DC/sp, the fixed DC/sp （FDC/sp） showed an enhanced ability to activate Qa-l-restricted Hsp6Osp-specific CD8＋T cells in vitro and prevented EAE in vivo. Importantly, the FDC/sp maintained immune activity following cryopreservation for I week or after storage for 72 h at 4 ~C. These results indicate that PFA fixation can sustain or increase the efficacy of DC/sp by improving the stability of the Qa-l/Hsp6Osp complex on the surface of the DC/sp. In addition, PFA fixation creates a time window for DC/sp storage, transport and application. Our d~tn ~u~p__~t ~ nnt~nti~l clinic~l ..~e nf FDCI~n ~ ~ vnccine fnr the nr~v~ntinn and treatment of autnimm.n~_ di_~_~__     

CO2 concentration in day care centres is related to wheezing in attending children

Poor ventilation at day care centres (DCCs) was already reported, although its effects on attending children are not clear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between wheezing in children and indoor CO₂ (a ventilation surrogate marker) in DCC and to identify behaviours and building characteristics potentially related to CO₂. In phase I, 45 DCCs from Lisbon and Oporto (Portugal) were selected through a proportional stratified random sampling. In phase II, 3 months later, 19 DCCs were further reassessed after cluster analysis for the greatest difference comparison. In both phases, children’s respiratory health was assessed by ISAAC-derived questionnaires. Indoor CO₂ concentrations and building characteristics of the DCC were evaluated in both phases, using complementary methods. Mixed effect models were used to analyze the data. In phase I, which included 3,186 children (mean age 3.1?±?1.5 years), indoor CO₂ concentration in the DCC rooms was associated with reported wheezing in the past 12 months (27.5 %) (adjusted odds ratio (OR) for each increase of 200 ppm 1.04, 95 % CI 1:01 to 1:07). In phase II, the association in the subsample of 1,196 children seen in 19 out of the initial 45 DCCs was not significant (adjusted OR 1.02, 95 % CI 0.96 to 1.08). Indoor CO₂ concentration was inversely associated with the practices of opening windows and internal doors and with higher wind velocity. A positive trend was observed between CO₂ and prevalence of reported asthma (4.7 %). Conclusion: Improved ventilation is needed to achieve a healthier indoor environment in DCC.     

Proteomic Analyses of Human Gingival and Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts

Background: Although human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) and human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLFs) exhibit numerous phenotypic similarities, it has been suggested that the secretory and behavioral differences, which exist between these cell types, are a result of the membrane protein composition of these cells. Methods: Four matched pairs of hGFs and hPDLFs were cultured. Before confluence, membrane‐bound and ‐associated proteins from cells of the fourth passage were extracted. The processed protein samples were evaluated using capillary‐liquid chromatography‐nanospray tandem mass spectrometry. Global protein identification was performed on an orbitrap mass spectrometer equipped with a microspray source operated in positive ion mode. Proteome software was used to validate protein identifications derived from tandem mass spectrometry sequencing results. Results: Four hundred fifty proteins were common to both hGFs and hPDLFs. Of the proteins identified, 214 were known membrane‐bound or ‐associated proteins, and 165 proteins were known nuclear‐associated proteins. Twenty‐seven proteins, identified from the 450 proteins, common to both hGFs and hPDLFs, were detected in statistically significant greater quantities in either hGFs or hPDLFs. More specifically, 13 proteins were detected in significantly greater quantities in hGFs, whereas 14 proteins were detected in significantly greater quantities in hPDLFs. Conclusions: Distinct differences in the cellular protein catalog may reflect the dynamic role and high energy requirements of hGFs in extracellular matrix remodeling and response to inflammatory challenge as well as the role of hPDLFs in monitoring mechanical stress and maintaining tissue homeostasis during regeneration and remineralization.     

Presentation and outcome of tuberculous meningitis among children: experiences from a tertiary children's hospital

Background

Diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is complicated and outcome is poor especially in resource limited settings. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are vital in effective treatment. We set out to describe experiences in the management and immediate outcome of TBM a tertiary-level children''s hospital in a high HIV and tuberculosis co-infection setting.

Methods

This retrospective study included children who were diagnosed with TBM in the year 2009. A pre-coded questionnaire was used to extract data on presentation, diagnostics, treatment and outcome at the time of hospital discharge. Data was analyzed using STATA statistical package (StataCorp, Version 11).

Results

Of the 40 children diagnosed with TBM, 6 (15%) had definitive TBM, 17 (42.5%) had probable TBM and 17 (42.5%) had possible TBM. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) chemistry and cells were abnormal in 39/40 (98%). Mantoux test was reactive in 16/29 (55%) and 17/30 (57%) had Chest X-rays suggestive of tuberculosis. Only 3/21 (14%) had positive sputum tuberculosis culture and 89% (32/36) had neuro-imaging abnormalities. Outcome at discharge was; 8% died, 49% improved with neurological sequelae and 43% improved without sequelae. Having TBM stage 3 at admission was associated with mortality (p=0.001).

Conclusions

Most children had early diagnosis of TBM and mortality was lower than in previous studies. We recommend a larger prospective study to further understand the outcome of TBM.     

General anesthesia type does not influence serum levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin during the perioperative period in video laparoscopic bariatric surgery

OBJECTIVES:

Video laparoscopic bariatric surgery is the preferred surgical technique for treating morbid obesity. However, pneumoperitoneum can pose risks to the kidneys by causing a decrease in renal blood flow. Furthermore, as in other surgical procedures, laparoscopic bariatric surgery triggers an acute inflammatory response. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin is an early and accurate biomarker of renal injury, as well as of the inflammatory response. Anesthetic drugs could offer some protection for the kidneys and could attenuate the acute inflammatory response from surgical trauma. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of two types of anesthetics, propofol and sevoflurane, on the serum levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin during the perioperative period in laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

METHODS:

Sixty-four patients scheduled for laparoscopic bariatric surgery were randomized into two anesthesia groups and were administered either total intravenous anesthesia (propofol) or inhalation anesthesia (sevoflurane). In the perioperative period, blood samples were collected at three time points (before anesthesia, 6 hours after pneumoperitoneum and 24 hours after pneumoperitoneum) and urine output was measured for 24 hours. Acute kidney injuries were evaluated by examining both the clinical and laboratory parameters during the postoperative period. The differences between the groups were compared using non-parametric tests. ReBEC (http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/recruiting/): RBR-8wt2fy

RESULTS:

None of the patients developed an acute kidney injury during the study and no significant differences were found between the serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin levels of the groups during the perioperative period.

CONCLUSION:

The choice of anesthetic drug, either propofol or sevoflurane, did not affect the serum levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin during the perioperative period in laparoscopic bariatric surgery.     

Amalgam and ART restorations in children: a controlled clinical trial

Objectives

The aims of this study were to compare 2-year cumulative survival rates of amalgam and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) restorations in primary molars and to investigate the determinants of the survival rate of restorations.

Materials and methods

A controlled clinical trial using a parallel group design was carried out on 258 children aged 6–7 years old, allocated to two treatment groups: conventional restorative treatment using amalgam and ART using high-viscosity glass ionomer. A total of 364 amalgam restorations and 386 ART restorations were placed by three pedodontists in 126 and 158 children, respectively, and were evaluated after 0.5, 1, and 2 years. Restorations were placed in vital primary molars with neither pain nor signs of pulp involvement. The survival analysis was conducted using the proportional hazard rate regression model with frailty correction.

Results

The 2-year cumulative survival rates for all amalgam (77.3 %) and ART (73.5 %) restorations were not statistically significantly different, but there was an effect of “type of surface” (single/multiple) and “cavity filling time” on the survival rates. Both amalgam and ART single-surface restorations had higher survival rates than multiple-surface restorations of the same material. Secondary caries was responsible for 36 and 38 % of failures in amalgam and ART restorations, respectively. Mean time for restoring all type of cavities with amalgam and ART restorations was 13.6 and 13.7 min, respectively.

Conclusions

Amalgam and ART restorations presented similar survival rates over a 2-year period for all, single-surface, and multiple-surface restorations.

Clinical relevance

In the cause of finding alternatives to amalgam, ART restorations using high-viscosity glass ionomer might be a suitable option for managing cavitated dentine carious lesions in vital primary molars.