Orthopoxvirus Zoonoses-Do We Still Remember and Are Ready to Fight?

The eradication of smallpox was an enormous achievement due to the global vaccination program launched by World Health Organization. The cessation of the vaccination program led to steadily declining herd immunity against smallpox, causing a health emergency of global concern. The smallpox vaccines induced strong, humoral, and cell-mediated immune responses, protecting for decades after immunization, not only against smallpox but also against other zoonotic orthopoxviruses that now represent a significant threat to public health.

Impact of an interdisciplinary nutrition support team (NST) on the clinical outcome of critically ill patients. A pre/post NST intervention study.

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are at particular risk for malnutrition with major impact for outcome and prognosis. Nutrition support teams (NST) have been proposed to improve nutrition care in ICU patients.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary NST on anthropometry and clinical outcome of ICU patients.

Ectromelia virus induces tubulin cytoskeletal rearrangement in immune cells accompanied by a loss of the microtubule organizing center and increased α-tubulin acetylation.

Ectromelia virus (ECTV) is an orthopoxvirus that productively replicates in dendritic cells (DCs), but its influence on the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton in DCs is not known. Here, we show that ECTV infection of primary murine granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor-derived bone marrow cells (GM-BM) downregulates numerous genes engaged in MT cytoskeleton organization and dynamics. In infected cells, the MT cytoskeleton undergoes dramatic rearrangement and relaxation, accompanied by disappearance of the microtubule organizing centre (MTOC) and increased acetylation and stabilization of MTs, which are exploited by progeny virions for intracellular transport.

Optimization of Nutrition Therapy with the Use of Calorimetry to Determine and Control Energy Needs in Mechanically Ventilated Critically Ill Patients: The ONCA Study, a Randomized, Prospective Pilot Study.

Background: Adequate nutrition therapy in critically ill patients poses a challenge because of the variable energy and substrate needs. The objective was to investigate whether nutrition therapy involving indirect calorimetry (IC), instead of equations for assessment of energy needs, could improve the nutrition status of critically ill patients.

Methods: Forty mechanically ventilated patients were randomized into a group in which energy needs were controlled by calorimetry (IC group) and a group treated with a formula-based approach reflecting standard care (SC group).

Gastric ghrelin, GOAT, leptin, and leptinR expression as well as peripheral serotonin are dysregulated in humans with obesity.

Background: Gastrointestinal hormone release and the regulation of appetite and body weight are thought to be dysbalanced in obesity. However, human data investigating the expression of gastrointestinal hormones in the obese are rare. We studied the expression of ghrelin, leptin, and the serotonergic system in stomach tissue and serum of obese and non-obese individuals.

Impact of protein supplementation after bariatric surgery: A randomized controlled double-blind pilot study.

Objectives: Bariatric patients are at risk of protein deficiency. The aim of this study was to determine possible benefits of postoperative protein supplementation weight reduction, body composition, and protein status.

Methods: Twenty obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery were randomized either to the protein (PRO) group, which received a daily protein supplement over 6 months postoperatively, or to the control (CON) group, which received an isocaloric placebo in a double-blind fashion.

The generation of CD8+ T-cell population specific for vaccinia virus epitope involved in the antiviral protection against ectromelia virus challenge.

Eradication of smallpox has led to cessation of vaccination programs. This has rendered the human population increasingly susceptible not only to variola virus infection but also to infections with other representatives of Poxviridae family that cause zoonotic variola-like diseases. Thus, new approaches for designing improved vaccine against smallpox are required.

Reference intervals for selected hematological and biochemical variables in Hucul horses.

Background: Hucul horses are the unique, genetically distinct breed of Carpathian Mountains. Even though they are recognized as primitive breed, many morphological differences between them and other primitive horses have been reported. Neither hematological nor blood biochemical studies in this breed have been conducted so far.

[Th17 lymphocytes in bacterial infections].

Th17 cells are a relatively newly discovered subpopulation of helper CD4+ T lymphocytes. It has been shown that these cells may contribute to tissue damage during certain inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and also play an important role in antitumor and antimicrobial, particularly antibacterial, immunity. Bacteria stimulate the Th17 response through several Toll-like (TLR), NOD-like (NLR) and C-type lectin (CLR) receptors.

Effects of surgical and dietary weight loss therapy for obesity on gut microbiota composition and nutrient absorption.

Evidence suggests a correlation between the gut microbiota composition and weight loss caused by caloric restriction. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), a surgical intervention for obesity, is classified as predominantly restrictive procedure. In this study we investigated functional weight loss mechanisms with regard to gut microbial changes and energy harvest induced by LSG and a very low calorie diet in ten obese subjects (n = 5 per group) demonstrating identical weight loss during a follow-up period of six months.

Markers of Bone Metabolism in Obese Individuals Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Background: Besides its advantages, bariatric surgery implicates a risk of nutritional deficiencies, which might result in impaired bone metabolism. We assessed the effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on blood markers of bone metabolism in obese patients during a 3-year observation period.

Methods: In 39 obese patients (29 women, 10 men, mean BMI 51.

Does pregnancy and/or shifting positions create more room in a woman's pelvis?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of different positions on pelvic diameters by comparing pregnant and nonpregnant women who assumed a dorsal supine and kneeling squat position.

Study Design: In this cohort study from a tertiary referral center in Germany, we enrolled 50 pregnant women and 50 nonpregnant women. Pelvic measurements were obtained with obstetric magnetic resonance imaging pelvimetry with the use of a 1.

Blood phagocyte activity after race training sessions in Thoroughbred and Arabian horses.

Intensive exercise and exertion during competition promote many changes that may result in the impairment of immunity and increased susceptibility to infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of "the first line of defense": neutrophils and monocytes in racing Thoroughbred and Arabian horses after routine training sessions. Twenty-three (12 Thoroughbred and 11 Arabian) horses were examined.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) concentration after training sessions in Arabian race and endurance horses.

Background: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is the major acute phase protein in horses. Its concentration increases in various pathologies but also in response to prolonged, strenuous effort. The purpose of this study was to establish whether routine race and endurance training produces changes in the SAA level in Arabian horses.

Acute phase protein concentrations after limited distance and long distance endurance rides in horses.

Acute phase proteins (APP) have been described as useful for assessing health in human and animal patients, as they closely reflect the acute phase reaction (APR). In humans and dogs a reaction analogous to APR has also been described after prolonged or strenuous exercise. The aim of this study was to determine, if similar reactions occur in endurance horses after limited and long distance rides.

[Molecular recognition of viral infections - immune response stimulation].

The mammalian immune system has evolved several mechanisms that allow bacterial and viral infections to be successfully fought. Animal cells are able to recognize viral infection and this recognition is dependent on the presence of intracellular sensors that instantly identify danger signals and initiate signal cascades leading to an effective antiviral response. Several host proteins have been identified as intracellular sensors, namely: Toll-like receptors, RIG-I-like receptors, AIM2-like receptors and DAI, DNA-dependent activator of IFN regulatory factor.

Serum amyloid A level as a potential indicator of the status of endurance horses.

Reasons For Performing Study: Changes in serum levels of acute phase proteins (APPs) reflect the acute phase reaction, a rapid and nonspecific response to any tissue damage. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is the main APP in horses, which increases in various diseases, surgical injuries and after long distance endurance rides; however, this nonspecific parameter has not been investigated as an indicator of subclinical disorders, which may result in elimination during endurance competitions.

Objectives: To evaluate the serum concentration of SAA as a potential indicator for the status of horses prepared for long distance endurance rides (120 and 160 km).

Mannosylated lipoarabinomannan balances apoptosis and inflammatory state in mycobacteria-infected and uninfected bystander macrophages.

To assess the role of mannosylated lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM) in the inflammatory and apoptotic response of mycobacteria-infected and uninfected, bystander cells we applied a mouse macrophage model of infection with avirulent strains--Mycobacterium bovis BCG, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) H37Ra and compared with a virulent MTB H37Rv strain infection. ManLAM contributed to the infection of macrophages by protection from apoptosis with stabilized Bcl-2 expression and down-regulated Bax expression for infected cells (BCG) or with stabilized Bcl-2 expression for uninfected bystander target cells (H37Ra). Additionally, ManLAM up-regulated FasL expression on the infected cells.

The effect of the 162 km endurance ride on equine peripheral blood neutrophil and lymphocyte functions.

Strenuous exercise is recognized as a stress, which may induce functional immunodeficiency and increase individual susceptibility to infection. It has been shown in equine athletes, that alterations in leukocyte functions occur after moderate and submaximal exertion, however, no data deal with the effect of extreme physical exertion. In this study, we evaluated leukocyte functions (neutrophil oxidative burst and lymphocyte proliferation activity in response to mitogens) in horses following the CEI 3* 162 km endurance ride.

Gender differences in exercise--induced intravascular haemolysis during race training in thoroughbred horses.

Exercise-induced intravascular haemolysis and "sport anemia" are widely reported in human sports medicine. It has been recognized also in horses, however, the clinical importance and the onset of this condition seem different than in human. In this study we investigated the episodes of intravascular haemolysis, indicated by the increase in plasma haemoglobin and the decrease in serum haptoglobin levels, after routine training sessions in race horses.

Dendritic epidermal T cells: their role in the early phase of ectromelia virus infection.

Introduction: Dendritic epidermal T cells (DETCs) are bone marrow-derived T lymphocytes that express a canonical gammadelta TCR and form a dense network in the murine skin. Here, we sought to determine their role during the early phase of ectromelia virus (ECTV) infection.

Materials/methods: In vivo and in vitro models were established for this purpose.

[Dendritic epidermal T cells: sentinels of the skin].

Dendritic epidermal T cells (DETCs) are T lymphocytes that express a canonical gammadeltaTCR and form a dense network in murine skin. The major difference between ab and gammadeltaT cells is that the latter do not require antigen presentation in the context of MHC I or II for stimulation. Using their gammadeltaTCR they recognize so far unknown ligands expressed by stressed, infected, or transformed keratinocytes.

Gene expression profiling of lipoarabinomannan-treated mouse macrophage cultures infected with Mycobacterium bovis BCG.

The mannosylated lipoarabinomanan (ManLAM) from mycobacterial species possesses strong anti-apoptotic action. Here we examined the ability of ManLAM isolated from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv to alter expression profiles of apoptosis-related genes in mouse macrophages infected with Mycobacterium bovis BCG Danish strain. ManLAM suppressed BCG-induced apoptosis and activities of caspase-1, -3, -8 and 9.

Lipoarabinomannan as a regulator of the monocyte apoptotic response to Mycobacterium bovis BCG Danish strain 1331 infection.

The mannosylated lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM) from mycobacterial species possesses strong immunomodulatory effects. Here we examined the ability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ManLAM to interfere with the apoptotic response of mouse monocyte cell line, RAW 264.7 infected with Mycobacterium bovis BCG Danish strain.