Enhanced lysophospholipase activity in sensitized mice challenged with Trichinella spiralis: a role for cell-cooperation

The relation between lysophospholipase activity and eosinophils was studied using in vivo and in vitro systems. The results support a role for cell cooperation in the eosinophils production of lysophospholipase during a parasitic infection. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the enzyme activity and numbers of tissue eosinophils in immune mice challenged with 200 Trichinella spiralis larvae were not temporally related as previously hypothesized. The data showed that the peak tissue enzyme response occurred well before that of the eosinophil, suggesting increased tissue lysophospholipase activity to be due to more than an increase in numbers of eosinophils infiltrating parasitized tissue. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the eosinophils production of lysophospholipase was influenced by lymphocytes and macrophages after antigen stimulation. We hypothesize that a significant amount of lysophospholipase in parasitized tissue results from each eosinophil synthesizing more of the enzyme after interaction with these cells of the specific immune system.     

Quantification of HIV-1 p24 by a highly improved ELISA: an alternative to HIV-1 RNA based treatment monitoring in patients from Abidjan, C?te d'Ivoire.

BACKGROUND: Quantification of HIV-1 RNA remains difficult to implement in Africa. Simple and inexpensive tests for antiretroviral treatment (ART) monitoring are needed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an HIV-1 p24 ELISA, which combines efficient virus disruption, heat-denaturation and signal amplification, in a West African setting. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-six HIV-1 infected patients from Abidjan, C?te d'Ivoire, were tested for p24, HIV-1 RNA, and CD4+ count at baseline, and twice within 8 months after ART initiation. RESULTS: All patients responded to ART with a minimal HIV-1 RNA drop of 0.5 log(10) at first follow-up. Forty-one (47.7%) then rebounded >0.5 log(10) or persisted above 1000 copies/mL by week 24. The predicted baseline concentration of p24 corresponding to 100,000 copies/mL of HIV-1 RNA, above which ART is recommended, was 4546 fg/mL (95% confidence interval 3148-6566). A prediction model of virologic failure, occurring after an initial response to ART, correctly classified 84% of patients using baseline p24, p24 change on therapy, and achievement of undetectable p24 as explanatory variables. The model and further bootstrap evaluation suggested a good ability to discriminate between sustained or failing virologic response to ART. CONCLUSION: HIV-1 p24 and RNA based-ART monitoring in a low-resource country dominated by HIV-1 CRF02 AG appeared comparable.     

Measuring quality and level of care provided by family caregivers of persons with dementia: protocol for a systematic review of validated instruments

BackgroundChanges in the quality-of-life (QoL) of family caregivers as they care for their loved ones with dementia over time may affect the quality or level of care that these caregivers provide. We do not know if validated instruments exist to directly measure this quality or level of care. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify validated instruments for measuring the quality or level of care provided by family caregivers of persons with dementia.MethodsWe will include articles containing a validated instrument or questionnaire designed to measure quality or level of care provided by the aforementioned group of caregivers. The included articles may utilize the tools in primary or secondary data analyses, or evaluate the tools'' psychometric properties. The following electronic databases will be searched from inception date to the present: Medline, CINAHL Complete, Cochrane Central, and PsycINFO. We will also search the gray literature, the reference lists of included articles, and contact experts in the field to help identify relevant instruments. Included articles will be required to report on an instrument measuring at least one of the following outcomes: quality of care, level of care, appropriateness of care, amount of time spent providing care, and caregiver performance. Two reviewers will independently screen retrieved citations, extract data, and assess the methodological quality of each included article. A narrative synthesis method will be used to describe the findings.DiscussionResults of this systematic review will show whether validated instruments exist to measure the quality or level of care provided by family caregivers of persons living with dementia. This will make it possible to develop initiatives that are targeted towards improving the quality or level of care provided by family caregivers.     

A Healthy Life for African American Women Caregivers: A Concept Mapping Study

ObjectiveAfrican American women experience a higher burden of caregiving, but they are often underrepresented in studies on caregiver health. This study used a participatory process to elucidate how African American women caring for older adults view health and factors that influence health.MethodsWe invited African American women ages 24–64 years old who reported caring for an older adult for group concept mapping, a process consisting of five steps: 1) preparation, 2) idea generation, 3) sorting and rating, 4) creating maps, and 5) interpreting maps. Participants (n = 29) first completed idea generation by responding to the focus prompt “A healthy life for a caregiver includes _____.” Participants then sorted ideas into clusters based on conceptual similarity and rated each idea on desirability and importance. Data were managed via The Concept System Global MAX Software.ResultsIdea generation identified 512 ideas that reduced to 99 unique ideas. Using the 99 ideas, a cluster map with 12 outcome domains best fit the data. Identified clusters included spirituality, maintaining relationships, good character, taking action to cope, preserving oneself, support, personal empowerment, resources, striving for peace, handling emotions, wellness, and taking care of self and place. Forty-three ideas representing 10 of the 12 domains were rated high for desirability and importance.ConclusionA participatory research method was used to integrate the voices of African American women caregivers and provide a rich set of elements necessary for their health and well-being. We also identified potential focus areas for interventions aimed at promoting the health of these caregivers.     

Whole genome sequence to decipher the resistome of Shewanella algae,a multidrug-resistant bacterium responsible for pneumonia,Marseille, France

We characterize and decipher the resistome and the virulence factors of Shewanella algae MARS 14, a multidrug-resistant clinical strain using the whole genome sequencing (WGS) strategy. The bacteria were isolated from the bronchoalveolar lavage of a hospitalized patient in the Timone Hospital in Marseille, France who developed pneumonia after plunging into the Mediterranean Sea. Results: The genome size of S. algae MARS 14 was 5,005,710 bp with 52.8% guanine cytosine content. The resistome includes members of class C and D beta-lactamases and numerous multidrug-efflux pumps. We also found the presence of several hemolysins genes, a complete flagellum system gene cluster and genes responsible for biofilm formation. Moreover, we reported for the first time in a clinical strain of Shewanella spp. the presence of a bacteriocin (marinocin). Conclusion: The WGS analysis of this pathogen provides insight into its virulence factors and resistance to antibiotics.     

Leptospirosis among zebu cattle in farms in Kaduna State,Nigeria

ObjectiveTo assess the occurrence of Leptospira spp serovar Hardjo among Zebu cattle in some livestock producing areas of Kaduna State, Nigeria.MethodsSera samples were obtained from 164 Zebu breed of cattle above one year osf age in seven cattle farms were screened for antibodies to Leptospira spp. serovar Hardjo using Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsAntibodies to Leptospira spp. serovar Hardjo were detected in eighteen (10.98%) out of the 164 animals sampled. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in seropositivity between the different age groups or between different Zebu breeds.ConclusionThe presence of Leptospirosis among the Zebu breeds of cattle may poses a threat to livestock production and has public health implication due to its zoonotic potential.     

The Effect of Tannin Content on the Nutritive Value of Some Leaf Protein Concentrates

The analysis of phytates in extrudates containing rye bran was done by a colorimetric method with the Wade reagent. The changes in profiles of myo-inositol phosphates indicate that, although no isomers with positive physiological functions (such as I(1,4,5)P3, I(1,2,3)P3 or I(1,3,4,5)P4) were formed, the beneficial impact of extrusion is the reduction of phytates, as compared to the raw material. The obtained snacks containing rye bran received acceptable to desirable sensory scores.     

The role of rosetting in the multiplication of Plasmodium falciparum: rosette formation neither enhances nor targets parasite invasion into uninfected red cells

The effect of rosette formation on the multiplication in vitro of Plasmodium falciparum was studied in order to establish whether rosetting acts as a major virulence factor in the pathogenesis of severe malaria by facilitating invasion of uninfected red cells. Invasion rates for rosetting (R⁺) and non-rosetting (R⁻) parasites selected from the same clone, PA1, of P. falciparum were similar over a range of starting parasite concentrations when assayed in both static cultures and conditions of shear stress comparable with microvascular flow. However, incubation of both R⁺ and R⁻ parasites under simulated conditions of flow led to decreased invasion and fewer multiply-infected red cells as we have previously observed. Studies using fluorescently labelled red cells or reticulocytes demonstrated that rosetting did not alter the rates of invasion or target merozoites into the uninfected cells comprising a rosette. Preferential invasion of reticulocytes occurred regardless of rosetting or conditions of flow. Although the role of rosetting in the pathogenesis of malaria might relate to microvascular obstruction or perhaps the restriction of phagocytosis, our data suggest that rosetting does not play a role in the invasion or targeting of parasites into uninfected cells, eliminating this mechanism to explain the association of virulence with the rosetting parasite phenotype.