Incomplete effector/memory differentiation of antigen-primed CD8+ T cells in gene gun DNA-vaccinated mice

DNA vaccination is an efficient way to induce CD8+ T cell memory, but it is still unclear to what extent such memory responses afford protection in vivo. To study this, we induced CD8+ memory responses directed towards defined viral epitopes, using DNA vaccines encoding immunodominant MHC class I-restricted epitopes of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus covalently linked to beta2-microglobulin. This vaccine construct primed for a stronger recall response than did a more conventional minigene construct. Despite this, vaccinated mice were only protected against systemic infection whereas protection against the consequences of peripheral challenge was limited. Phenotypic analysis revealed that DNA vaccine-primed CD8+ T cells in uninfected mice differed from virus-primed CD8+ T cells particularly regarding expression of very-late antigen (VLA)-4, an adhesion molecule important for targeting T cells to inflammatory sites. Thus, our DNA vaccine induces a long-lived memory CD8+ T cell population that provides efficient protection against high-dose systemic infection. However, viral replication in solid non-lymphoid organs is not curtailed sufficiently fast to prevent significant virus-induced inflammation. Our results suggest that this is due to qualitative limitations of the primed CD8+ T cells.     

Interference of hydroxocobalamine treatment on commun biochemical determinations

Hydroxocobalamin, antidote of the cyanide poisoning, is a red and water soluble pigment, which colors biological mediums. The interferences caused by this molecule are studied for plasma pools overloaded with hydroxocobalamin for concentrations from 0 to 1,125 mg.L-1. The results of 16 biochemical parameters on Vitros 750 XRC (Ortho-clinical Diagnostics) and of 23 biochemical parameters on Cobas Integra 700 (Roche Diagnostics) are examined. With this analytical system, unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin, creatinin, and CK results are changed as soon as plasma concentration of hydroxocobalamin reachs 124 mg.L-1. For the Vitros 750 XRC, ASAT, iron, creatinin, phosphorus are more sensitive to this interference. But, other results are changed for the two analytical systems for superior hydroxocobalamin concentrations.     

Outline of a typology of men’s use of anabolic androgenic steroids in fitness and strength training environments*

Recent research into the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) in fitness and strength training environments have revealed great variance in users’ approach to AAS use and more specifically their approach to health risks and desired objectives. However, there have only been few attempts to develop theoretical frameworks directed at conceptualising the variance in AAS use. In this paper, we propose a unified framework in the form of a typology, which concerns men’s general approach to AAS use. The typology is based on sociologist Max Weber’s method on the ideal typology. The work comes out of the authors’ own qualitative empirical research on male AAS users in fitness and strength training environments, but is also related to and draws on the international literature on the subject. The suggested typology consists of four ideal types: the Expert type, the Well-being type, the YOLO type and the Athlete type. The four types are developed around two overarching categories, namely users’ approach to risk and effectiveness. The typology outlines distinct and characteristic approaches to AAS use and can, thus, be employed by researchers as well as health professionals as a heuristic tool for investigation and explanation.     

Performances,feasibility and acceptability of nasopharyngeal swab,saliva and oral-self sampling swab for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases - Molecular diagnosis on nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) is the current standard for COVID-19 diagnosis, but saliva may be an...     

Body mass index and 25 hydroxyvitamin D status in patients with and without heart failure

The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentrations, vitamin D intake, and sunlight exposure in patients with heart failure (HF) compared with healthy volunteers. Fourteen healthy volunteers 50 and older were recruited to compare with 14 patients with HF. Healthy volunteers were compared with HF patients by serum 25(OH)D concentrations, dietary vitamin D intake, weekly sunlight exposure, and other covariates. Independent sample t tests and linear regression models were used to compare differences between healthy volunteers and patients with HF. The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was not significantly different between groups (healthy volunteers 25.7 ± 11.1 ng/mL, patients with HF 20.4 ± 10.2 ng/mL; P=.2) and no group effect was found in any multivariable models. Body mass index regardless of group was found to be inversely associated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations (P=.025). There was no difference in the dietary intake of vitamin D or calcium between groups. The healthy volunteers had a significantly greater amount of sunlight exposure but this did not result in higher 25(OH)D when compared with those with HF. Our findings suggest that body mass index has an important relationship with 25(OH)D concentrations regardless of a person being healthy or having HF.     

Diagnosis of adult-onset Still's disease: contribution of biology

We report one case of adult-onset Still's disease. The diagnosis of this disease currently requires application of Yamaguchi's criteria and then exclusion of infectious, haematological, autoimmune and neoplasic disorders. The place of biology is enhanced with the use of new markers like ferritin and glycosylated ferritin. Low percentage of glycosylated ferritin (<20%) in presence of very high level of ferritin, unexplained prolonged fever with leukocytosis can help to diagnosis. However, glycosylated ferritin is not yet of in routine use.     

Part-time and Job-Share Careers Among Pharmacy Practice Faculty Members

Part-time and job-share policies may allow pharmacy practice faculty members to achieve work/life balance while pursuing their professional goals. Precedent for alternative work schedules within the health professions community can be found throughout the literature; however, little is known about part-time roles in academic pharmacy. The design and implementation of 3 different alternative faculty appointments are described and department chair and faculty perspectives are shared. Teaching, service, and scholarship responsibilities, as well as outcomes before and after changes in appointment, are described. Advantages and disadvantages, including advice for other colleges of pharmacy, are presented. Alternate appointments may be a key factor in retaining highly qualified faculty members who continue to bring their expertise to teaching, precepting, and scholarship within a college or school of pharmacy.     

Interrelation of maternal and foetal glucose and free fatty acids

At birth there is a statistically significant correlation between the maternal blood sugar and the umbilical venous and arterial blood glucose. The glucose concentration in the mother is higher than in the umbilical vein, and in the latter higher than in the umbilical artery. The free fatty acids also show a falling gradient from the mother to the umbilical vein and artery. This supports the assumption that glucose and FFA pass the placenta from the mother to the foetus.Insulin concentration is significantly higher in the mother than in the cord blood. There is however no difference between umbilical venous and arterial plasma insulin. A statistically significant correlation between glucose and insulin is only demonstrable in the maternal blood.Glucagon levels are about the same in maternal and umbilical arterial blood, but are significantly higher in umbilical venous blood. These results are consistent with the supposition that insulin and glucagon do not cross the placenta to a significant extent and can be synthesised by the foetus. In the first few hours after birth, a fall of glucose and a rise in FFA occur at the same time. Insulin tends to be lower than at birth and glucagon rises.

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Zusammenfassung Bei Geburt ist der Blutzucker bei der Mutter am höchsten, niedriger in der Nabelvene und am tiefsten in der Nabelarterie. Diese Unterschiede sind statistisch signifikant.Auch die Konzentration der freien Fettsäuren (FFS) weist ein Konzentrationsgefälle von der Mutter über die Nabelvene zur Nabelarterie auf. Diese Resultate unterstützen die Annahme, daß Glucose und FFS von der Mutter via Placenta auf den Fötus übergehen.Im mütterlichen Blut ist die Insulinkonzentration höher als im Nabelschnurblut. Es ist kein eindeutiger Unterschied zwischen Nabelvene und-arterie vorhanden. Nur im mütterlichen Blut ist eine signifikante Korrelation zwischen Glucose und Insulin nachweisbar.Hinsichtlich der Glucagonkonzentration bestehen nur geringe Unterschiede zwischen dem mütterlichen Blut und der Nabelarterie. Sie ist aber in der Nabelvene signifikant höher als bei der Mutter.Das Verhalten von Insulin und Glucagon ist vereinbar mit der Annahme, daß diese Hormone die Placenta nicht in wesentlichem Ausmaß passieren und im Fötus gebildet werden. In den ersten Stunden nach der Geburt sinkt die Glucose, die FFS steigen an, Insulin sinkt ab, und es erfolgt ein wesentlicher Anstieg von Glucagon.

     

Health information exchange: persistent challenges and new strategies

Recent federal policies and actions support the adoption of health information exchange (HIE) in order to improve healthcare by addressing fragmented personal health information. However, concerted efforts at facilitating HIE have existed for over two decades in this country. The lessons of these experiences include a recurrence of barriers and challenges beyond those associated with technology. Without new strategies, the current support and methods of facilitating HIE may not address these barriers.