Further evidence associating IgG1, but not IgG2, with susceptibility to canine visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi-infection.

We present here a cross-sectional study analyzing the IgG1 and IgG2 immune responses to natural canine Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi-infection and their relationships with delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in 50 mongrel dogs with previous positive serodiagnoses (IFAT-IgG) (56% with subclinical status [= apparently healthy] and 44% clinically sick), living in endemic areas for visceral leishmaniasis in the Brazilian Amazon. IgG1 and IgG2 responses were measured using commercial polyclonal antibodies in ELISA, while DTH was elicited by intradermal skin test using cultured promastigotes L.

Migration intentions among Portuguese junior doctors: Results from a survey.

Migration of health personnel during periods of economic crisis represents a challenge for policymakers in origin and destination countries. Portugal is going through a period of economic hardship and much has been speculated about an increase in junior doctors' migration during this period. Using a questionnaire administered to a sample of Portuguese junior doctors who were still in the general residency (1st-year after medical school), we aim at determining the prevalence of migration intentions among Portuguese junior doctors and to identify the most important drivers of career choice for those who are considering emigrating in the near future.

G Protein-Coupled Kinin Receptors and Immunity Against Pathogens.

For decades, immunologists have considered the complement system as a paradigm of a proteolytic cascade that, acting cooperatively with the immune system, enhances host defense against infectious organisms. In recent years, advances made in thrombosis research disclosed a functional link between activated neutrophils, monocytes, and platelet-driven thrombogenesis. Forging a physical barrier, the fibrin scaffolds generated by synergism between the extrinsic and intrinsic (contact) pathways of coagulation entrap microbes within microvessels, limiting the systemic spread of infection while enhancing the clearance of pathogens by activated leukocytes.

Brahman genetics influence muscle fiber properties, protein degradation, and tenderness in an Angus-Brahman multibreed herd.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of Brahman genetics on muscle contractile and metabolic phenotype and postmortem proteolysis. Cattle used in this study represent a continuous spectrum of Angus-Brahman genetic variation. Steers were harvested and Longissimus samples were collected at 1.

Neurotrophic Keratopathy: Therapeutic Approach Using a Novel Matrix Regenerating Agent.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of a new matrix-regenerating agent (RGTA), Cacicol, a polymer that mimics heparan sulfates bound to extracellular matrix proteins, avoiding its proteolysis, to treat neurotrophic keratopathy (NK).

Methods: Uncontrolled prospective clinical study performed between January 2014 and May 2016. Twenty-five patients (25 eyes) with corneal neurotrophic ulcers, nonresponsive to at least 2 weeks of conservative therapy, were treated with Cacicol, instilled once/twice a week.

Building a New Transfusion Service.

Objectives: For over 60 years, Harborview Medical Center (HMC) in Seattle has received its blood components and pretransfusion testing from a centralized transfusion service operated by the regional blood supplier. In 2011, a hospital-based transfusion service (HBTS) was activated.

Methods: After 5 years of operation, we evaluated the effects of the HBTS by reviewing records of hospital blood use, quality system events, blood product delivery times, and costs.

Impact of common genetic determinants of Hemoglobin A1c on type 2 diabetes risk and diagnosis in ancestrally diverse populations: A transethnic genome-wide meta-analysis.

Background: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is used to diagnose type 2 diabetes (T2D) and assess glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified 18 HbA1c-associated genetic variants. These variants proved to be classifiable by their likely biological action as erythrocytic (also associated with erythrocyte traits) or glycemic (associated with other glucose-related traits).

Optimization of high purity chitin and chitosan production from Illex argentinus pens by a combination of enzymatic and chemical processes.

The present report illustrates the optimisation of the experimental conditions for the chemical and enzymatic production of chitin and chitosan from Illex argentinus pen by-products. Optima conditions for chitin isolation were established at 0.82M NaOH/36.

Effectiveness of a parent-training program in Spain: reducing the Southern European evaluation gap.

Objective: We implemented and evaluated the Parenting Skills Program for families in Spain 1) to examine differences in parenting skills, social support, children's behaviours and parental stress pre, immediately post and six months post intervention and 2) to identify mechanisms by which the intervention is related to changes in the four outcomes examined.

Methods: Quasi-experimental study design with pre (T0), post (T1), a follow-up (T2) and no control group, complemented by a qualitative study was used. The outcome variables were social support, parenting skills, parental stress and children's behaviours.

Divergent temperaments are associated with beef tenderness and the inhibitory activity of calpastatin.

Ninety-six feedlot-finished Nellore steers were used to verify the relationship between temperament indicators and meat tenderization. Temperament index (TI), chute score (CS), and average of exit velocity (EV) with CS (AT) presented low positive correlations (P≤0.05) with shear force, either at 2 or 16days postmortem (WBSF-16).

Family history of type 2 diabetes, abdominal adipocyte size and markers of the metabolic syndrome.

Background/objectives: A major risk factor of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a positive family history of diabetes. First degree relatives (FDR) of patients with T2DM are more insulin resistant and are reported to have larger abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes than adults without a family history. Our objectives were to assess whether FDR of T2DM are associated with larger abdominal adipocytes independent of age, sex and abdominal subcutaneous fat and to assess whether a family history of T2DM is also independently related to femoral adipocyte size, as well as visceral fat and fasting plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations.

Transancestral mapping and genetic load in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with marked gender and ethnic disparities. We report a large transancestral association study of SLE using Immunochip genotype data from 27,574 individuals of European (EA), African (AA) and Hispanic Amerindian (HA) ancestry. We identify 58 distinct non-HLA regions in EA, 9 in AA and 16 in HA (∼50% of these regions have multiple independent associations); these include 24 novel SLE regions (P<5 × 10), refined association signals in established regions, extended associations to additional ancestries, and a disentangled complex HLA multigenic effect.

Population Genetics and Natural Selection in Rheumatic Disease.

Human genetic diversity is the result of population genetic forces. This genetic variation influences disease risk and contributes to health disparities. Natural selection is an important influence on human genetic variation.

Ticks infesting captive and free-roaming wild animal species at the São Paulo Zoo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Ticks are ectoparasites of worldwide distribution that affect vertebrates and can transmit pathogens to animals and humans. The Zoological Park Foundation of São Paulo (FPZSP) is located in a Conservation Unit in one of the most important remaining fragments of the Atlantic Rainforest biome in the suburbs of São Paulo, Brazil. The FPZSP houses more than 3,000 wild animals on exhibit, in breeding programs and in environmental education programs, and also attracts migratory birds and free-roaming wildlife.

Identification of pulmonary vein reconnection gaps with high-density mapping in redo atrial fibrillation ablation procedures.

Aims: Maps obtained by means of electroanatomic high-density mapping (HDM) systems have shown their use in the identification of conduction gaps in experimental atrial linear lesion models. The objective of this study was to assess the use of HDM in the recognition of reconnection gaps in pulmonary veins (PV) in redo atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures.

Methods And Results: One hundred and eight patients were included in a non-randomized study that assessed the recognition of reconnection gaps in PV by means of HDM compared to a control group that received conventional non-fluoroscopic guidance with a circular multipolar catheter (CMC).

Production of Chitin from Penaeus vannamei By-Products to Pilot Plant Scale Using a Combination of Enzymatic and Chemical Processes and Subsequent Optimization of the Chemical Production of Chitosan by Response Surface Methodology.

The waste generated from shrimp processing contains valuable materials such as protein, carotenoids, and chitin. The present study describes a process at pilot plant scale to recover chitin from the cephalothorax of using mild conditions. The application of a sequential enzymatic-acid-alkaline treatment yields 30% chitin of comparable purity to commercial sources.

Application of Numerical Analysis of the Shape of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectra for Determination of the Number of Different Groups of Radicals in the Burn Wounds.

The evidence exists that radicals are crucial agents necessary for the wound regeneration helping to enhance the repair process. . The lineshape of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of the burn wounds measured with the low microwave power (2.

The influence of genistein on free radicals in normal dermal fibroblasts and keloid fibroblasts examined by EPR spectroscopy.

Normal and keloid fibroblasts were examined using X-band (9.3 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The effect of genistein on the concentration of free radicals in both normal dermal and keloid fibroblasts after ultraviolet irradiation was investigated.

PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS OF CHANGES IN BOWEL HABITS AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY.

Background:: The incidence of cholecystolithiasis is approximately 15% of the population. It is believed that between 30-40% of cholecystectomy patients have symptoms after surgery, being changes in bowel habits the most common among them.

Aim:: 1) Defining the prevalence, and 2) identifying predictors of changes in bowel habits after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Effects of different radiation doses on the microhardness, superficial morphology, and mineral components of human enamel.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of three different radiotherapy doses (20, 40, and 70Gy) on the microhardness, superficial morphology, and mineral content (based on Ca and P values) of three different depths of human enamel (cervical, middle, and occlusal).

Design: Thirty-four third molars were cut, separated, and prepared. Microhardness samples (n=30) were embedded in acrylic resin and then polished, and depths were delimited.

Nutritional status in patients with phenylketonuria using glycomacropeptide as their major protein source.

Background/objectives: Low phenylalanine (PHE), glycomacropeptide-based protein substitute (GMP) is an alternative to traditional L-amino acid supplements (AA) used in the dietary management of phenylketonuria (PKU). In a retrospective, longitudinal study, we report the nutritional status of PKU patients taking AA and GMP.

Subjects/methods: Eleven PKU patients aged 27±10 years (1 HPA, 4 mild and 6 classical PKU) on dietary treatment were evaluated (anthropometry, body composition, blood pressure measurements, biochemical markers including vitamin, mineral, lipids, carbohydrates and protein status/metabolism, and nutritional intake assessment) at two different annual reviews.

Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Guided by a Novel Nonfluoroscopic Navigation System.

Introduction And Objectives: Rhythmia is a new nonfluoroscopic navigation system that is able to create high-density electroanatomic maps. The aim of this study was to describe the acute outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation guided by this system, to analyze the volume provided by its electroanatomic map, and to describe its ability to locate pulmonary vein (PV) reconnection gaps in redo procedures.

Methods: This observational study included 62 patients who underwent AF ablation with Rhythmia compared with a retrospective cohort who underwent AF ablation with a conventional nonfluoroscopic navigation system (Ensite Velocity).