Identification of Naturally Processed Mumps Virus Epitopes by Mass Spectrometry: Confirmation of Multiple CD8+ T-Cell Responses in Mumps Patients.

Background: The re-emergence of mumps among vaccinated young adults has become a global issue. Besides waning of antibody responses, suboptimal induction of T-cell responses may reduce protection. In a recent study, we observed a dominant polyfunctional CD8+ T-cell response after natural mumps virus (MuV) infection that was not present after vaccination.

Socioeconomic and psychosocial factors are associated with poor treatment outcomes in Australian adults living with HIV: a case-control study.

Unlabelled: Background A substantial minority of patients living with HIV refuse or cease antiretroviral therapy (ART), have virological failure (VF) or develop an AIDS-defining condition (ADC) or serious non-AIDS event (SNAE). It is not understood which socioeconomic and psychosocial factors may be associated with these poor outcomes.

Methods: Thirty-nine patients with poor HIV treatment outcomes, defined as those who refused or ceased ART, had VF or were hospitalised with an ADC or SNAE (cases), were compared with 120 controls on suppressive ART.

Diagnosis, Genetics, and Therapy of Short Stature in Children: A Growth Hormone Research Society International Perspective.

The Growth Hormone Research Society (GRS) convened a Workshop in March 2019 to evaluate the diagnosis and therapy of short stature in children. Forty-six international experts participated at the invitation of GRS including clinicians, basic scientists, and representatives from regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical industry. Following plenary presentations addressing the current diagnosis and therapy of short stature in children, breakout groups discussed questions produced in advance by the planning committee and reconvened to share the group reports.

Relative contribution of vertical, within-farm and between-farm transmission of in layer pullet flocks.

In this study, the relative contribution of vertical transmission, within-farm transmission and between-farm transmission of in layer pullet flocks was quantified using logistic regression analysis. Data from 311 Dutch pullet flocks, of which 172 (55%) were positive for , were included in the study. Also the status of the parent stock of these flocks was included.

Activation of Human NK Cells by Requires Inflammasome Activation in Macrophages.

Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium . Humans are the only known natural reservoir of . In mice, macrophages and NK cells have a key role in confining to the respiratory tract.

The role of social support in moderating the relationship between HIV centrality, internalised stigma and psychological distress for people living with HIV.

Research has documented the negative impact of stigma on health outcomes for people living with HIV (PLHIV). How central HIV is to the identity of the individual may increase the negative effects of stigma, including greater psychological distress, while having strong social supports may play a buffering role. This study aimed to establish whether internalised stigma mediates the relationship between the centrality of HIV identity and psychological distress, while also assessing the role of social support as a moderator.

Reducing health disparities: key factors for successful implementation of social network testing with HIV self-tests among men who have sex with men with a non-western migration background in the Netherlands.

Improving testing uptake among men who have sex with men with a non-western migration background (MSM-NW) is a public health priority, as people who are unaware of their HIV infection are at higher risk of transmitting HIV and are unable to benefit from HIV treatment. Formative semi-structured interviews with 13 MSM-NW assessed key factors for the successful implementation of social network testing with HIV self-tests (SNT-HIVST). Interviews were thematically analysed.

Factors associated with erectile dysfunction among men living with HIV: a systematic review.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is more prevalent among men with HIV than HIV negative men. This study systematically reviewed quantitative studies published since 1997 which sampled men with HIV to examine factors associated with ED. Searches on PsycINFO, Medline, Scopus, Embase and Cinahl databases produced 5552 records, and 14 studies met inclusion criteria.

Molecular clustering of genes related to the atopic syndrome: Towards a more tailored approach and personalized medicine?

Background: The atopic syndrome consists of heterogeneous manifestations, in which multiple associated genetic loci have recently been identified. It is hypothesized that immune dysregulation plays a role in the pathogenesis. In primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs), which are often monogenic immunodysregulation disorders, the atopic syndrome is a frequently occurring comorbidity.

Stigma, Anxiety, and Depression Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Mixed-Orientation Marriages.

The mental health of gay and bisexual men in mixed-orientation marriages is poorly understood. In this article, the authors explore the development of anxiety and depression among gay and bisexual men in heterosexual marriages. Sixteen men, living in the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Tasmania were interviewed throughout 2016 and 2017.

Towards a Rational and Efficient Diagnostic Approach in Children Referred for Tall Stature and/or Accelerated Growth to the General Paediatrician.

Tall stature and/or accelerated growth (TS/AG) in a child can be the result of a primary or secondary growth disorder, but more frequently no cause can be found (idiopathic TS). The conditions with the most important therapeutic implications are Klinefelter syndrome, Marfan syndrome and secondary growth disorders such as precocious puberty, hyperthyroidism and growth hormone excess. We propose a diagnostic flow chart offering a systematic approach to evaluate children referred for TS/AG to the general paediatrician.

Achieving Optimal Short- and Long-term Responses to Paediatric Growth Hormone Therapy.

It is over sixty years since the first administration of human growth hormone (GH) to children with GH deficiency, and over thirty years since recombinant human GH has been available for treatment of GH deficiency and a wider range of non-GH deficiency disorders. From a diagnostic perspective, genetic analysis, using single gene or Sanger sequencing and more recently next generation or whole exome sequencing, has brought advances in the diagnosis of specific causes of short stature, which has enabled therapy to be targeted more accurately. Genetic discoveries have ranged from defects of pituitary development and GH action to abnormalities in intracellular mechanisms, paracrine regulation and cartilage matrix formation.

User perspectives on a psychosocial blended support program for partners of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and progressive muscular atrophy: a qualitative study.

Background: Partners are often the main caregivers in the care for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and progressive muscular atrophy (PMA). Providing care during the progressive and fatal disease course of these patients is challenging and many caregivers experience feelings of distress. A blended psychosocial support program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was developed to support partners of patients with ALS and PMA.

Towards a Rational and Efficient Diagnostic Approach in Children Referred for Growth Failure to the General Paediatrician.

Based on a recent Dutch national guideline, we propose a structured stepwise diagnostic approach for children with growth failure (short stature and/or growth faltering), aiming at high sensitivity for pathologic causes at acceptable specificity. The first step is a detailed clinical assessment, aiming at obtaining relevant clinical clues from the medical history (including family history), physical examination (emphasising head circumference, body proportions and dysmorphic features) and assessment of the growth curve. The second step consists of screening: a radiograph of the hand and wrist (for bone age and assessment of anatomical abnormalities suggestive for a skeletal dysplasia) and laboratory tests aiming at detecting disorders that can present as isolated short stature (anaemia, growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism, coeliac disease, renal failure, metabolic bone diseases, renal tubular acidosis, inflammatory bowel disease, Turner syndrome [TS]).

A Multidimensional Approach to Assessing Infectious Disease Risk: Identifying Risk Classes Based on Psychological Characteristics.

Prevention of infectious diseases depends on health-related behavior, which is often influenced by psychological characteristics. However, few studies assessing health-related behavior have examined psychological characteristics to identify risk groups, and this multidimensional approach might improve disease risk assessment. We aimed to characterize subgroups based on psychological characteristics and examine their influence on behavior and disease risk, using chlamydia as a case study.

Spotlight on avian pathology: infectious bronchitis virus.

Infectious bronchitis is a highly infectious disease of the domestic chicken of all ages and type, affecting the respiratory, renal and reproductive systems. Secondary bacterial infections are common and have a serious economic and welfare impact. Many genotypic and serotypic variants of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) exist worldwide, making diagnosis difficult, and challenging control strategies.

Socio-cultural beliefs about an ideal body size and implications for risk of excess weight gain after immigration: a study of Australian residents of sub-Saharan African ancestry.

Though several studies have focused on risk factors associated with excess weight gain, little is known about the extent to which socio-cultural beliefs about body sizes may contribute to risk of excess weight gain, especially in non-Western migrant communities. Drawing on socio-cultural and attribution theories, this study mainly explored socio-cultural beliefs about an ideal body size among Australian residents who were born in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).  Implications of body size beliefs for risk of excess weight gain after immigration have also been discussed.

Early Measles Vaccination During an Outbreak in the Netherlands: Short-Term and Long-Term Decreases in Antibody Responses Among Children Vaccinated Before 12 Months of Age.

Background: The majority of infants will not be protected by maternal antibodies until their first measles vaccination, between 12 and 15 months of age. This provides incentive to reduce the age at measles vaccination, but immunological consequences are insufficiently understood, and long-term effects are largely unknown.

Methods: A total of 79 infants who received early measles vaccination between 6 and 12 months age and a second dose at 14 months of age were compared to 44 children in a control group who received 1 dose at 14 months of age.

Human B Cells Engage the NCK/PI3K/RAC1 Axis to Internalize Large Particles via the IgM-BCR.

Growing evidence indicate that large antigen-containing particles induce potent T cell-dependent high-affinity antibody responses. These responses require large particle internalization after recognition by the B cell receptor (BCR) on B cells. However, the molecular mechanisms governing BCR-mediated internalization remain unclear.

Sizing Curve, Absorption Coefficient, Surface Chemistry, and Aliphatic Chain Structure of PbTe Nanocrystals.

For colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs), the knowledge of the chemical structure and the size-dependent optical properties is of crucial importance, both from a practical and fundamental perspective. Here, we report the basic properties of PbTe NCs in order to complement the already existing knowledge on PbS and PbSe NCs. The band gap versus NC diameter (sizing) curve was determined by combining transmission electron microscopy with absorption spectroscopy; the energy of the primary optical absorption follows 1/ dependence with the diameter.

Viral Infection of Human Natural Killer Cells.

Natural killer (NK) cells are essential in the early immune response against viral infections, in particular through clearance of virus-infected cells. In return, viruses have evolved multiple mechanisms to evade NK cell-mediated viral clearance. Several unrelated viruses, including influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and human immunodeficiency virus, can directly interfere with NK cell functioning through infection of these cells.

Intrauterine Twin Discordancy and Partial Postnatal Catch-up Growth in a Girl with a Pathogenic Mutation.

Objective: Insulin like growth factors-1 (IGF-1) is essential for normal and postnatal human growth. It mediates its effects through the IGF-1 receptor (IGF1R), a widely expressed cell surface tyrosine kinase receptor. The aim of the study was to analyze pre- and post-natal growth, clinical features and laboratory findings in a small for gestational age (SGA) girl in whom discordant postnatal growth persisted and her appropriate for gestational age (AGA) brother.