title: Human metapneumovirus in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients: a case series and review of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

text: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a paramyxovirus that causes respiratory tract infections ranging from mild upper airway infection to severe pneumonia. Patients with haematological disease, especially haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients, are more likely to develop more severe infections. We describe three cases of hMPV infection in HSCT patients. The most reliable diagnostic procedure for hMPV is multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) on a nasopharyngeal swab. Sensitivity and specificity of MLPA to detect hMPV is high and time to diagnosis is short. A number of other respiratory pathogens can be tested in one test run. Treatment is mainly supportive and only a few antiviral agents are available for treating paramyxovirus infections. Ribavirin and immunoglobulins were reported to be effective in cases of HSCT patients with hMPV pneumonia but their efficacy has not been studied in randomised trials.


title: Concerns and preparedness for an avian influenza pandemic: a comparison between community hospital and tertiary hospital healthcare workers.

text: Little is known about differences in levels of concerns or preparedness for an avian influenza (AI) pandemic among healthcare workers (HCWs) in different types of hospitals. We compared these concerns and preparedness between 326 HCWs of two community hospitals (CHs) and 908 HCWs from a tertiary hospital (TH) using a self-administered questionnaire between March-June 2006. Response rates were 84.2% and 80.0% from the CHs and TH. Most HCWs (71.6%) felt prepared for an AI outbreak and had significant concerns. They perceive an AI pandemic having adverse impacts on their personal life and work, such as people avoiding them (57.1%). A greater percentage of TH compared to CH HCWs expressed concerns such as feeling their jobs put them at great AI exposure (78.3% vs 67.5%, p=0.012). TH HCWs were more likely to report participating in readiness preparation activities, such as training for infection control (90.0% vs 82.2%, p=0.014) and feel that they (74.1% vs 64.7%, p=0.045) and their hospital (86.8% vs 71.8%, p=0.000) were prepared for an outbreak. Healthcare institutions need to include personal, psychological and family concerns on the agenda and increase participation in readiness preparation activities among HCWs to help prepare for such future crises.


Virus-encoded proteinases of the picornavirus super-group.


Capnography Primer for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Review and Technical Considerations.


title: Health effects of subchronic exposure to diesel-water-methanol emulsion emission.

text: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and particulate matter (PM) require urban non-attainment areas to implement pollution-reduction strategies for anthropogenic source emissions. The type of fuel shown to decrease combustion emissions components versus traditional diesel fuel, is the diesel emulsion. The Lubrizol Corporation, in conjunction with Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute and several subcontracting laboratories, recently conducted a health assessment of the combustion emissions of PuriNOx diesel fuel emulsion (diesel-water-methanol) in rodents. Combustion emissions from either of two, 2002 model Cummins 5.9L ISB engines, were diluted with charcoal-filtered air to exposure concentrations of 125, 250 and 500 microg total PM/m3. The engines were operated on a continuous, repeating, heavy-duty certification cycle (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Chapter I) using Rotella-T 15W-40 engine oil. Nitrogen oxide (NO) and PM were reduced when engines were operated on PuriNOx versus California Air Resources Board diesel fuel under these conditions. Male and female F344 rats were housed in Hazleton H2000 exposure chambers and exposed to exhaust atmospheres 6 h/day, five days/week for the first 11 weeks and seven days/week thereafter. Exposures ranged from 61 to 73 days depending on the treatment group. Indicators of general toxicity (body weight, organ weight, clinical pathology and histopathology), neurotoxicity (glial fibrillary acidic protein assay), genotoxicity (Ames assay, micronucleus, sister chromatid exchange), and reproduction and development were measured. Overall, effects observed were mild. Emulsion combustion emissions were not associated with neurotoxicity, reproductive/developmental toxicity, or in vivo genotoxicity. Small decreases in serum cholesterol in the 500-microg/m3 exposure group were observed. PM accumulation within alveolar macrophages was evident in all exposure groups. The latter findings are consistent with normal physiological responses to particle inhalation. Other statistically significant effects were present in some measured parameters of other exposed groups, but were not clearly attributed to emissions exposure. Positive mutagenic responses in several strains of Salmonella typhimurium were observed subsequent to treatment with emulsion emissions subfractions. Based on the cholesterol results, it can be concluded that the 250-microg/m3 exposure level was the no observed effect level. In general, biological findings in exposed rats and bacteria were consistent with exposure to petroleum diesel exhaust in the F344 rat and Ames assays.


Vomiting and wasting disease, a coronavirus infection of pigs.


title: Early immunity induced by a glycoprotein E-negative vaccine for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis.

text: Four groups of calves were vaccinated with a glycoprotein E-negative vaccine for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis. Two groups of calves were vaccinated intramuscularly and challenged with a wild-type virus 14 and seven days after being vaccinated. The other two groups were vaccinated intranasally and similarly challenged after four and three days; an unvaccinated control group was also challenged. All four vaccination schedules reduced the incidence of clinical signs and the excretion of wild-type virus, and these reductions occurred as early as three days after the intranasal vaccination even in the absence of neutralising antibodies. Because of its marker characteristics, vaccination with this vaccine would not interfere with the detection of infected cattle during an outbreak, and it should therefore provide a useful tool for emergency vaccination campaigns.


title: Heterogeneity of the polyribocytidylic acid tract in aphthovirus: biochemical and biological studies of viruses carrying polyribocytidylic acid tracts of different lengths.

text: In this paper we report a study of a sample of foot-and-mouth disease virus carrying two polyribocytidylic acid [poly(C)] tracts of different lengths. By plaque purification in tissue culture, we isolated two populations of particles, one carrying the long poly(C) tract and the other carrying only the short homopolymer. The fingerprints of both viruses were indistinguishable from each other and from that of the virus present in the original sample, suggesting that the main difference between the two types of particles is limited to the poly(C) tracts of their genomic RNAs, to the flanking sequences of the poly(C) tract, or to both. In addition, some biological properties of these viruses are reported, such as stability upon serial passages in different cell lines, plaque size, and pathogenicity for cattle. The results indicate that the size of the poly(C) tract is not directly related to the virulence of these viruses. However, the size of the homopolymer could play a role in determining their efficiency of replication, and it appears that the particles with the short poly(C) tract might have some replicative advantage over those carrying the long one.


title: Characterization of the nuclear export signal in the coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus nucleocapsid protein.

text: The nucleocapsid (N) protein of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) localizes to the cytoplasm and nucleolus and contains an eight-amino-acid nucleolar retention motif. In this study, a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) (291-LQLDGLHL-298) present in the C-terminal region of the IBV N protein was analyzed by using alanine substitution and deletion mutagenesis to investigate the relative contributions that leucine residues make to nuclear export and where these residues are located on the structure of the IBV N protein. The analysis indicated that Leu296 and Leu298 are required for efficient nuclear export of the protein. Structural information indicated that both of these amino acids are available for interaction with protein complexes involved in this process. However, export of N protein from the nucleus/nucleolus was not inhibited by leptomycin B treatment, indicating that N protein nuclear export is independent of the CRM1-mediated export pathway.


title: Effect of Erythropoietin on Postresuscitation Renal Function in a Swine Model of Ventricular Fibrillation.

text: Purpose. To investigate the effect of EPO administration on postresuscitation renal function. Methods. Twenty-four female Landrace/Large-White piglets aged 10-15 weeks with average weight of 19 ± 2 kg were randomly assigned to 2 different groups of 12 subjects each. After the end of an 8-minute ventricular fibrillation, the control group (Group C) received saline as placebo, whereas the EPO group (Group E) received EPO 5000 U/kg. The animals were resuscitated according to the 2010 European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation. Results. Five animals (41.67%) from Group C and 11 animals (91.67%) from Group E achieved ROSC (p = 0.027). Eight animals (66.67%, 5 surviving and 3 nonsurviving) from Group C suffered severe kidney damage or AKI compared to animals from Group E, in which none of the swine had evidence of severe kidney damage or AKI (p = 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference in all tested biochemical markers between the two groups, as well as a positive correlation of creatinine with NGAL, L-FABP, and IL-18 (summed mean values' p = 0.049, 0.01, and 0.004, resp.). Conclusions. Administration of EPO protected swine from postresuscitation acute kidney injury.


title: Sepsis associated with immunosuppressive medications: an evidence-based review.

text: OBJECTIVE In 2003, critical care and infectious disease experts representing 11 international organizations developed management guidelines for sepsis associated with immunosuppressive medications that would be of practical use for the bedside clinician, under the auspices of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, an international effort to increase awareness and improve outcome in severe sepsis. DESIGN The process included a modified Delphi method, a consensus conference, several subsequent smaller meetings of subgroups and key individuals, teleconferences, and electronic-based discussion among subgroups and among the entire committee. METHODS The modified Delphi methodology used for grading recommendations built on a 2001 publication sponsored by the International Sepsis Forum. We undertook a systematic review of the literature graded along five levels to create recommendation grades from A to E, with A being the highest grade. Pediatric considerations to contrast adult and pediatric management are in the article by Parker et al. on p. S591. CONCLUSION Immunosuppressed patients, by definition, are susceptible to a wider spectrum of infectious agents than immunologically normal patients and, thus, require a broader spectrum antimicrobial regimen when they present with sepsis or septic shock. Special expertise managing immunosuppressed patient populations is needed to predict and establish the correct diagnosis and to choose appropriate empiric and specific agents and maximize the likelihood that patients will survive these microbial challenges.


title: The human/animal interface: emergence and resurgence of zoonotic infectious diseases.

text: Emerging infectious diseases, most of which are considered zoonotic in origin, continue to exact a significant toll on society. The origins of major human infectious diseases are reviewed and the factors underlying disease emergence explored. Anthropogenic changes, largely in land use and agriculture, are implicated in the apparent increased frequency of emergence and re-emergence of zoonoses in recent decades. Special emphasis is placed on the pathogen with likely the greatest zoonotic potential, influenza virus A.


title: Natural pathogens of laboratory mice, rats, and rabbits and their effects on research.

text: Laboratory mice, rats, and rabbits may harbor a variety of viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal agents. Frequently, these organisms cause no overt signs of disease. However, many of the natural pathogens of these laboratory animals may alter host physiology, rendering the host unsuitable for many experimental uses. While the number and prevalence of these pathogens have declined considerably, many still turn up in laboratory animals and represent unwanted variables in research. Investigators using mice, rats, and rabbits in biomedical experimentation should be aware of the profound effects that many of these agents can have on research.


title: Identification and characterization of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus replicase proteins.

text: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) encodes proteins required for RNA transcription and genome replication as large polyproteins that are proteolytically processed by virus-encoded proteinases to produce mature replicase proteins. In this report, we generated antibodies against SARS-CoV predicted replicase protein and used the antibodies to identify and characterize 12 of the 16 predicted mature replicase proteins (nsp1, nsp2, nsp3, nsp4, nsp5, nsp8, nsp9, nsp12, nsp13, nsp14, nsp15, and nsp16) in SARS-CoV-infected Vero cells. Immunoblot analysis of infected-cell lysates identified proteins of the predicted sizes. Immunofluorescence microscopy detected similar patterns of punctate perinuclear and distributed cytoplasmic foci with all replicase antibodies and as early as 6 h postinfection. Dual-labeling studies demonstrated colocalization of replicase protein nsp8 with nsp2 and nsp3 in cytoplasmic complexes and also with LC3, a protein marker for autophagic vacuoles. Antibodies directed against mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) virions and against the putative RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (Pol) detected SARS-CoV nucleocapsid and nsp12 (Pol), respectively, in SARS-CoV-infected Vero cells. These results confirm the predicted protein processing pattern for mature SARS-CoV replicase proteins, demonstrate localization of replicase proteins to cytoplasmic complexes containing markers for autophagosome membranes, and suggest conservation of protein epitopes in the replicase and nucleocapsid of SARS-CoV and the group II coronavirus, MHV. Further, the results demonstrate the ability of replicase antibodies to detect SARS-CoV-infected cells as early as 6 h postinfection and thus represent important tools for studies of SARS-CoV replication, inhibition, and diagnosis.


title: Vertebral Augmentation Involving Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty for Cancer-Related Vertebral Compression Fractures: A Systematic Review.

text: BACKGROUND Cancers that metastasize to the spine and primary cancers such as multiple myeloma can result in vertebral compression fractures or instability. Conservative strategies, including bed rest, bracing, and analgesic use, can be ineffective, resulting in continued pain and progressive functional disability limiting mobility and self-care. Surgery is not usually an option for cancer patients in advanced disease states because of their poor medical health or functional status and limited life expectancy. The objectives of this review were to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous image-guided vertebral augmentation techniques, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, for palliation of cancer-related vertebral compression fractures. METHODS We performed a systematic literature search for studies on vertebral augmentation of cancer-related vertebral compression fractures published from January 1, 2000, to October 2014; abstracts were screened by a single reviewer. For those studies meeting the eligibility criteria, full-text articles were obtained. Owing to the heterogeneity of the clinical reports, we performed a narrative synthesis based on an analytical framework constructed for the type of cancer-related vertebral fractures and the diversity of the vertebral augmentation interventions. RESULTS The evidence review identified 3,391 citations, of which 111 clinical reports (4,235 patients) evaluated the effectiveness of vertebroplasty (78 reports, 2,545 patients) or kyphoplasty (33 reports, 1,690 patients) for patients with mixed primary spinal metastatic cancers, multiple myeloma, or hemangiomas. Overall the mean pain intensity scores often reported within 48 hours of vertebral augmentation (kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty), were significantly reduced. Analgesic use, although variably reported, usually involved parallel decreases, particularly in opioids, and mean pain-related disability scores were also significantly improved. In a randomized controlled trial comparing kyphoplasty with usual care, improvements in pain scores, pain-related disability, and health-related quality of life were significantly better in the kyphoplasty group than in the usual care group. Bone cement leakage, mostly asymptomatic, was commonly reported after vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Major adverse events, however, were uncommon. CONCLUSIONS Both vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty significantly and rapidly reduced pain intensity in cancer patients with vertebral compression fractures. The procedures also significantly decreased the need for opioid pain medication, and functional disabilities related to back and neck pain. Pain palliative improvements and low complication rates were consistent across the various cancer populations and vertebral fractures that were investigated.


The ABCs of bioterrorism for veterinarians, focusing on Category A agents.


title: [Clinical analysis of 45 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome].

text: OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical and radiology features of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). METHODS Analysis the clinical presentations, chest radiographs, courses of disease and the features of severe pneumonia of 45 cases with SARS diagnosed between April 5 and April 20, 2003 in our hospital. RESULTS SARS appears to has high infectivity, and cause of the outbreak. The most common symptom is fever (in 100 percent of the patients). The count of leukocyte is normal or decrease (leukopenia). 80 percent of SARS patients became fever for 24 hours and then have abnormal chest radiographs, serial chest radiographs showed progression of pulmonary infiltrates within 48 hours in 71.1 percent of patients. The percent of severe pneumonia (24.4%) is higher than typical pneumonia. CONCLUSION SARS is a disease with high infectivity, and has its own clinical and radiology features. Early recognition, prompt isolation, and appropriate therapy are the key in combating this infection.


title: PAMP-DAMPs interactions mediates development and progression of multiple sclerosis.

text: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease presumably associated with chronic immune stimulation promoted by either pathogens or autoimmune processes. It has been hypothesized that MS could be the result of previous viral infections rendering a permanent immune stimulation that could be triggered by molecular similarities, or by modulating the antigens expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on target cells, which in turn act as super antigens. During immune stimulation occurs the recruitment of immunological cells, resulting in local tissue damage and leading to the release of damage- associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which also act as inflammation inducers. Recently, it has been proposed that the association between pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) with DAMPs constitutes an additional level of immune regulation. The properties of DAMPs to act as carriers of PAMPs and their role as enhancers or inhibitors of PAMPs could play a role during inflammatory responses triggered by infections. Here, we focused this review in outcomes which support the hypothesis that particular PAMP-DAMPs interactions could regulated the relapse and progressive disability observed in multiple sclerosis.


What life scientists should know about security threats.


title: Development of an immunochromatographic kit for rapid diagnosis of H5 avian influenza virus infection.

text: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) caused by the H5N1 subtype has given rise to serious damage in poultry industries in Asia. The virus has expanded its geographical range to Europe and Africa, posing a great risk to human health as well. For the control of avian influenza, a rapid diagnosis by detecting the causative virus and identifying its subtype is essential. In the present study, a rapid diagnosis kit combining immunochromatography with enzyme immunoassay which detects the H5 HA antigen of influenza A virus was developed using newly established anti-H5 HA monoclonal antibodies. The present kit specifically detected all of the H5 influenza viruses tested, and did not react with the other HA subtypes. H5 HA antigens were detected from swabs and tissue homogenates of chickens infected with HPAI virus strain A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/04 (H5N1) from 2 days post inoculation. The kit showed enough sensitivity and specificity for the rapid diagnosis of HPAI.


title: Establishing enteral feeding in preterm infants with feeding intolerance: a randomized controlled study of low-dose erythromycin.

text: OBJECTIVE A prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of low-dose erythromycin on the time taken to attain full enteral feedings in preterm infants with very low birth weight and feeding intolerance. METHODS Two groups of preterm infants (birth weight </= 1500 g) with feeding intolerance were randomized to either low-dose erythromycin (5 mg/kg every 8 hours) or 5% dextrose placebo, both of which were discontinued 1 week after full enteral feedings were tolerated. The primary outcome variable was the time taken to attain full enteral feedings of at least 130 mL/kg/d. RESULTS The gestational age at birth was similar in the two groups (erythromycin, 27.1 +/- 1.9 weeks; placebo, 27.5 +/- 2.9 weeks). The mean birth weight of the erythromycin group was lower (806.3 +/- 215.6 g) than the placebo group (981.4 +/- 285.4 g; P = 0.18), and included more infants who were small for gestational age (4/13 = 31% versus 1/11 = 9%; P = 0.224). There was no difference between the two groups with regard to the volume of feedings they were receiving at the time of enrollment. Reduction in symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux was similar in the two groups. 3 of 13 in the erythromycin group and 4 of 11 in the placebo group improved during the study (P = 0.565). The mean time to attain full enteral feedings after enrollment was 24.9 + 2.9 days in the erythromycin group and 30.8 +/- 4.1 days in the placebo group, a difference that did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS Low-dose erythromycin did not reduce the time taken to attain full enteral feedings in preterm infants with very low birth weight and feeding intolerance. Gastroesophageal reflux decreased as a consequence of maturation of the gastrointestinal tract and not because of erythromycin. These preliminary results justify verification in larger multicenter trials.


title: Pandemic influenza: imminent threat, preparedness and the divided globe.

text: With generic consensus on certainty of an impending influenza pandemic, concerns are mounting about its devastating global impact. Preparedness and preventive approaches adopted by the nation states are polarised between resource rich and resource challenged countries. India has, rightly, taken a middle path. It seems that the non-pharmaceutical interventions would be the only preventive modality available in large parts of world. Production of any pandemic vaccine would take a minimum of 6 months after isolation of novel virus, and antivirals may not be available where they are required most. Efforts to create a universal pool of resources and stockpiles of antivirals, antibiotics and vaccines for use in first affected countries need to be strengthened with urgency.


title: Suspect Odontogenic Infection Etiology for Canine Lymphoplasmacytic Rhinitis.

text: The role of odontogenic infection as an etiology for lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis in dogs was evaluated. An association between odontogenic infection and inflammatory rhinitis was identified in 55% of cases evaluated. Odontogenic infection was unlikely or undetermined in 10% and 35% of the cases, respectively. Cases of lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis had roentgen signs associated with endodontic disease, periodontal disease, or retained tooth roots in 60%, 45%, and 25% of the cases, respectively. A collaborative team based approach assessing inflammatory nasal disease is recommended. Based on the history and signalment of the individual patient, diagnostic modalities should be chosen wisely. In some cases, oral examination and intraoral radiographs may be a more direct and cost effective approach for diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory rhinitis.


title: Head-up tilt rapidly compromises hemodynamics in healthy anesthetized swine.

text: The aims were to explore the effect of head-up tilt (HUT) to 30 and 60 degrees on hemodynamics and tissue oxygenation in anesthetized healthy swine. The data serve as a reference for a study of resuscitation efficacy at HUT such as during transport. Nine healthy swine (49+/-4 kg) were anesthetized and multiple sensors including myocardial pressure-volume loops catheter, carotid flow probe, blood pressure catheters, near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) tissue oximetry and mixed venous oximetry (SVO2) catheter were introduced and parameters continuously recorded. Experimental protocol consisted of baseline in supine position (15 min), 30 degrees HUT (15 min), recovery at supine position (15 min) and 60 degrees HUT (5 min). Vacuum mattress was used for body fixation during tilts. We found that 30 and 60 degrees inclination led to significant immediate reduction in hemodynamic and oximetry parameters. Mean arterial pressure (mm Hg) decreased from 98 at baseline to 53 and 39, respectively. Carotid blood flow dropped to 47 % and 22 % of baseline values, end diastolic volume to 49 % and 53 % and stroke volume to 47 % and 45 % of baseline. SVO2 and tissue oximetry decreased by 17 and 21 percentage points. The values are means. In conclusions, within minutes, both 30 and 60 degrees head-up tilting is poorly tolerated in anesthetized swine. Significant differences among individual animals exist.


title: Isolation and characterization of Chlamydophila psittaci isolated from laying hens with cystic oviducts.

text: The objective of this study was to isolate and identify a hypothetical Chlamydiaceae pathogen from laying hens with an oviduct cyst, and to characterize its potential causal relation with decreased egg production. Our clinical survey showed that cystic oviducts were prevalent at rates of 10% and 15.1% in breeder and commercial hen flocks, respectively. Chlamydial antigens were detected in 20 of 50 pharyngeal swabs (40%) and in 17 of 20 oviduct tissues (85%) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antigen detection kits. The isolated pathogen was identified as Chlamydophila psittaci via complement fixation test, PCE-ELISA, and immunofluorescence assay. Avian influenza virus, Newcastle disease virus, and infectious bronchitis virus were excluded after oviduct tissues were inoculated onto the chorioallantoic membrane of embryonating eggs. The nucleotide sequence of the omp1 gene (accession no. EF202608) from the isolate was similar to that of C. psittaci avian type C (accession no. L25436). Typical cystic oviducts were observed in specific-pathogen-free hens inoculated intraperitoneally with the isolate. The high presence of chlamydial antigen is consistent with the cystic oviducts and poor egg production. We conclude that the isolated C psittaci is most likely associated with cystic oviducts in laying hens.


title: Nanoparticles and the environment.

text: Nanoparticles are a class of materials with properties distinctively different from their bulk and molecular counterparts. A critical review of the very broad topic of environmental nanoparticles is presented. Because of the vast nature of the topic, the review is focused primarily on gas-borne nanoparticles. The "life history of nanoparticles" is presented, tracking it from its formation to its potential use and eventual fate in the environment. Nanoparticle sources, anthropogenic emissions from industrial and occupational settings, and conversion and formation in the atmosphere are discussed. The ability to characterize and capture these nanoparticles (as would be necessary in a nanoparticle production system), as well as their control (of emissions from an industrial source) is discussed. A description on the use of nanoparticles in environmental technologies and the potential impact on the energy sector is provided. The potential effects on human health and the environment, both adverse and beneficial, are important aspects that need to be considered. As will be evident, the study of "environmental nanoparticles" is a new and fast-growing field. Much work remains to be done before we can fully harness the advantages of nanoparticles and ensure that there are no potential adverse consequences. A set of recommendations for additional work in each area is provided.


title: Simultaneous infection with Borrelia burgdorferi and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis.

text: A 5-year-old child with simultaneous early Lyme disease and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) is described. Because of the shared vector, HGE and Lyme disease are increasingly identified as coinfections in tick-exposed patients. Early recognition of concurrent Lyme disease and HGE is important because amoxicillin, an antibiotic of choice for young children with early Lyme disease, is ineffective for HGE.


title: Nanotechnology in global medicine and human biosecurity: private interests, policy dilemmas, and the calibration of public health law.

text: This paper considers how best to approach dilemmas posed to global health and biosecurity policy by increasing advances in practical applications of nanotechnology. The type of nano-technology policy dilemmas discussed include: (1) expenditure of public funds, (2) public-funded research priorities, (3) public confidence in government and science and, finally, (4) public safety. The article examines the value in this context of a legal obligation that the development of relevant public health law be calibrated against less corporate-influenced norms issuing from bioethics and international human rights.


title: Varying temperature-dependence of post-attachment neutralization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by monoclonal antibodies to gp 120: identification of a very early fusion-independent event as a neutralization target.

text: Neutralization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 by adding antibody after the virus has attached to the host cell (post-attachment neutralization:PAN) was investigated using three rat monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against the outer domain of the membrane protein, gp 120. Two of the MAbs are specific for the CD4-binding site region and one for the V3 loop. MAb ICR39.13g (CD4-binding site region-specific; IgG2b) effected PAN efficiently at temperatures from 4 to 35 degree C. MAb ICR41.1i (V3 loop-specific; IgG2c) effected PAN only at temperatures of 24 degree C and below. This suggests that its V3 epitope is masked by a change in gp 120 which occurs at temperatures > or = 26 degree C, or that the virion function which is inhibited by ICR41.1i and is responsible for neutralization has already operated at > or = 26 degree C. Resistance to neutralization by ICR41.1i occurred within 20 min of shifting the temperature up to 35 degree C. Finally, MAb ICR39.3b (CD4-binding site region-specific; IgG2b) did not give PAN at any temperature, indicating that neutralization can only occur if this MAb binds virus before it attaches to the cell. Thus, these studies identify at least one novel fusion-independent event, the neutralization target of a V3 MAb, which occurs very early in the initial stages of virus-cell interaction.


title: Esthetic evaluation of periimplant soft tissue of immediate single-implant placement and provisionalization in the anterior maxilla.

text: PURPOSE To investigate periimplant soft tissue response following flapless extraction and immediate implant placement and provisionalization (IIPP) associated with bovine hydroxyapatite bone and connective tissue grafting in the anterior maxilla. The study evaluated the effectiveness of this technique in terms of soft tissue contours in esthetic areas with the use of the pink esthetic score (PES). MATERIALS AND METHODS In this retrospective study, 39 consecutive patients were treated and followed by two experienced clinicians for single-tooth implant treatment in the esthetic zone. Treatment consisted of flapless extraction, immediate implant placement, inorganic bovine bone filling of the periimplant gap, and connective tissue grafting. A provisional crown was placed at the time of implant placement. The final crown was positioned 5 to 8 months after surgery. To assess the esthetic outcome of the technique, the soft tissue around the tooth to be extracted was scored according to the PES by seven evaluators before the surgery at visit 1 (v1), and at least 1 year after the final prosthesis placement at visit 2 (v2). RESULTS After a mean follow-up of 4 years, the mean total PES score on a scale from 1 to 10 was 5.64 and 7.07 at v1 and v2, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the PES scores before surgery and at the follow-up examination of the anterior single implants (P = 0.0008). CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, postextraction with immediate implant loading associated with bovine hydroxyapatite and connective tissue grafting is a predictable technique. The esthetic outcome is that soft tissue seems to be maintained or improved significantly according to PES assessment compared with baseline.


title: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: current knowledge and future considerations.

text: A literature review of publically available information was undertaken to summarize current understanding and gaps in knowledge about Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), including its origin, transmission, effective control measures and management. Major databases were searched and relevant published papers and reports during 2012-2015 were reviewed. Of the 2520 publications initially retrieved, 164 were deemed relevant. The collected results suggest that much remains to be discovered about MERS-CoV. Improved surveillance, epidemiological research and development of new therapies and vaccines are important, and the momentum of recent gains in terms of better understanding of disease patterns should be maintained to enable the global community to answer the remaining questions about this disease.


Welcome.


Veterinary medicine and the lifeboat test: a perspective on the social relevance of the veterinary profession in the 21st century.


title: Sequence analysis of the membrane protein gene of human coronavirus OC43 and evidence for O-glycosylation.

text: The gene encoding the membrane (M) protein of the OC43 strain of human coronavirus (HCV-OC43) was amplified by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of viral RNA with HCV-OC43- and bovine coronavirus (BCV)-specific primers. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned 1.5 kb fragment revealed an open reading frame (ORF) of 690 nucleotides which was identified as the M protein gene from its homology to BCV. This ORF encodes a protein of 230 amino acids with an M(r) of 26416. The gene is preceded by the motif UCCAAAC, analogous to the consensus coronavirus transcription initiation sequence. The M protein of HCV-OC43 shows features typical of all coronavirus M proteins studied: a hydrophilic, presumably external N terminus including about 10% of the protein, and a potential N-glycosylation site followed by three major hydrophobic transmembrane domains. The amino acid sequence of the M protein of HCV-OC43 has 94% identity with that of the Mebus strain of BCV, and also contains six potential O-glycosylation sites in the exposed N-terminal domain. Indeed, the glycosylation of the M protein was not inhibited in the presence of tunicamycin, which is indicative of O-glycosylation, as previously reported for BCV and murine hepatitis virus. Virions released from tunicamycin-treated cells contained the M glycoprotein but were devoid of both peplomer (S) and haemagglutinin-esterase (HE) proteins. Thus, inhibition of the N-glycosylation of the S and HE structural proteins prevented their incorporation into progeny virions, an indication that they are dispensable for virion morphogenesis, unlike the M protein.


title: What to think if the results of the National Institutes of Health randomized trial of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus control measures are negative (and other advice to young epidemiologists): a review and an au revoir.

text: The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) infections continues to rise in National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance system hospitals, and these pathogens are reportedly causing more than 100,000 infections and many deaths each year in US healthcare facilities. This has led some to insist that control measures are now urgently needed, but several recent articles have suggested that isolation of patients does not work, is not needed, or is unsafe, or that a single cluster-randomized trial could be used to decide such matters. At least 101 studies have reported controlling MRSA infection and 38 have reported controlling VRE infection by means of active detection by surveillance culture and use of isolation for all colonized patients in healthcare settings where the pathogens are epidemic or endemic, in academic and nonacademic hospitals, and in acute care, intensive care, and long-term care settings. MRSA colonization and infection have been controlled to exceedingly low levels in multiple nations and in the state of Western Australia for decades by use of active detection and isolation. Studies suggesting problems with using such data to control MRSA colonization and infection have their own problems, which are discussed. Randomized trials are epidemiologic tools that can sometimes provide erroneous results, and they have not been considered necessary for studying isolation before it is used to control other important infections, such as tuberculosis, smallpox, and severe acute respiratory syndrome. No single epidemiologic study should be considered definitive. One should always weigh all available evidence. Infection with antibiotic-resistant pathogens such as MRSA and VRE is controllable to a low level by active detection and isolation of colonized and infected patients. Effective measures should be used to minimize the morbidity and mortality attributable to these largely preventable infections.


title: Comparison of the pathogenicity in rats of rat coronaviruses of different neutralization groups.

text: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Rat coronaviruses (RCVs) are common natural pathogens of rats that cause clinical illness, necrosis, and inflammation of respiratory, salivary, and lacrimal organs. The aim of the study was to determine whether antigenically different strains of RCV vary in their pathogenic potential in rats. METHODS Neutralization groups were identified by use of RCV strain-specific antisera. Sprague Dawley rats were inoculated oronasally with RCV-SDA, RCV-BCMM, or RCV-W. Histologic examination, immunohistochemical analysis, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis were performed on tissues from infected rats. RESULTS Clinical illness was not evident in any of the inoculated rats. The RCV-SDA strain caused mild lesions in the exorbital gland of one rat. The RCV-BCMM strain caused severe lesions in the Harderian and parotid glands and mild lesions in the exorbital glands, lungs, and nasal mucosa. The RCV-W strain caused severe lesions in the Harderian, exorbital, and parotid glands and mild lesions in the submandibular glands, lungs, and nasal mucosa. The RNA concentration was highest in the Harderian, parotid, and exorbital glands of RCV-BCMM- and RCV-W-infected rats at postinoculation day 7. CONCLUSIONS Although RCV-SDA, RCV-BCMM, and RCV-W caused different degrees and patterns of lesions, neutralization groups are not useful for predicting the pathogenic potential of a new RCV isolate.


title: Modification of the structure and function of fibrillin-1 by homocysteine suggests a potential pathogenetic mechanism in homocystinuria.

text: Homocystinuria, a disorder originating in defects in the methionine metabolism, is characterized by an elevated plasma concentration of homocysteine. Most patients have a defect in the cystathionine-beta-synthase, the key enzyme in the conversion of homocysteine to cysteine. Many abnormalities in the connective tissue of patients with homocystinuria resemble those seen in Marfan syndrome, caused by mutations in fibrillin-1. These observations led to the hypothesis that the structure and function of fibrillin-1 is compromised in patients with homocystinuria. To test this hypothesis we produced recombinant human fibrillin-1 fragments spanning the central portion of the molecule (8-Cys/transforming growth factor-beta binding domain 3 to calcium binding EGF domain 22) and extensively analyzed the potential of homocysteine to modify structural and functional properties of these proteins. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed moderate changes of their secondary structures after incubation with homocysteine. Equilibrium dialysis demonstrated a number of high affinity calcium binding sites in the tandemly repeated calcium binding epidermal growth factor-like domains 11-22. Calcium binding of homocysteine-modified fragments was completely abolished. Incubation of the recombinant proteins with homocysteine rendered the analyzed calcium binding EGF domains as well as the 8-Cys/transforming growth factor-beta binding domain 3 significantly more susceptible to proteolytic degradation. Furthermore, data were obtained demonstrating that homocysteine can covalently modify fibrillin-1 via disulfide bonds. These data strongly suggest that structural and functional modifications as well as degradation processes of fibrillin-1 in the connective tissues of patients with homocystinuria play a major role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.


title: Understanding wicked problems: a key to advancing environmental health promotion.

text: Complex environmental health problems--like air and water pollution, hazardous waste sites, and lead poisoning--are in reality a constellation of linked problems embedded in the fabric of the communities in which they occur. These kinds of complex problems have been characterized by some as "wicked problems" wherein stakeholders may have conflicting interpretations of the problem and the science behind it, as well as different values, goals, and life experiences. Accordingly, policy makers, public health professionals, and other stakeholders who grapple with these problems cannot expect to effectively resolve them by relying solely on expert-driven approaches to problem solving. Rather, they need to acknowledge that wicked environmental health problems are most likely to yield to (1) the application of effective community health promotion skills, (2) a sustained commitment to sound toxicological and epidemiological science, (3) the application of systems thinking, and (4) transparent communication among all stakeholders.


title: Ribosomal frameshifting during translation of measles virus P protein mRNA is capable of directing synthesis of a unique protein.

text: Members of the Paramyxoviridae family utilize a variety of different strategies to increase coding capacity within their P cistrons. Translation initiation at alternative 5'-proximal AUG codons is used by measles virus (MV) to express the virus-specific P and C proteins from overlapping reading frames on their mRNAs. Additional species of mRNAs are transcribed from the MV P cistron by the insertion of extra nontemplated G residues at a specific site within the P transcript. Addition of only a single nontemplated G residue results in the expression of the V protein, which contains a unique carboxyl terminus. We have used an Escherichia coli system to express MV P cistron-related mRNAs and proteins. We have found that ribosomal frameshifting on the MV P protein mRNA is capable of generating a previously unrecognized P cistron-encoded protein that we have designated R. Some ribosomes which have initiated translation of the P protein mRNA use the sequence TCC CCG AG (24 nucleotides upstream of the V protein stop codon) to slip into the -1 reading frame, thus translating the sequence as TC CCC GAG. The resulting R protein terminates five codons downstream of the frameshift site at the V protein stop codon. We have gone on to use a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter system to demonstrate that this MV-specific sequence is capable of directing frameshifting during in vivo translation in eukaryotic cells. Analysis of immunoprecipitated proteins from MV-infected cells by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis allowed detection of a protein species consistent with R protein in MV-infected cells. Quantitation of this protein species allowed a rough estimation of frameshift frequency of approximately 1.8%. Significant stimulation of ribosomal frameshift frequency at this locus of the MV P mRNA was mediated by a downstream stimulator element which, although not yet fully defined, appeared to be neither a conventional stem-loop nor an RNA pseudoknot structure.


title: Avian influenza: an omnipresent pandemic threat.

text: BACKGROUND Humans have faced 3 major influenza pandemics in the 20th century. In recent years, it has become evident that domestic poultry play an important role in the generation of novel influenza strains with the capacity to cross the species barrier and infect and kill humans at an alarming rate. There is particular concern that avian influenza viruses of the H5N1 subtype could cause a pandemic. METHODS A better understanding of the genetic factors that lead to interspecies transmission is essential to prevent the emergence of influenza pandemics. In addition, the stockpiling of antiviral drugs and development of vaccines against potentially pandemic viruses must be considered under the umbrella of pandemic plans. RESULTS The world is ill-prepared to face an influenza pandemic. Only a handful of countries have developed influenza pandemic plans, and even fewer are developing vaccines or stockpiling antiinfluenza drugs to ameliorate the impact of a potential pandemic. Currently the major undertaking in several at risk nations is to implement effective control measures to stop the spread of the virus at its source, that is, avian species. These measures include the culling of domestic poultry to contain the virus, a practice that could eventually bring these countries to a financial and social breaking point. CONCLUSIONS Avian influenza disease is preventable in humans and birds with the concerted effort of governments and poultry producers, large and small, to improve biosecurity and education programs. Pandemic plans can reduce the impact of the pandemic; however, preventing avian influenza in poultry can avert a pandemic altogether.


title: Replication of enterotropic and polytropic murine coronaviruses in cultured cell lines of mouse origin.

text: To understand the virus-cell interactions that occur during murine coronavirus infection, six murine cell lines (A3-1M, B16, CMT-93, DBT, IC-21 and J774A.1) were inoculated with eight murine coronaviruses, including prototype strains of both polytropic and enterotropic biotypes, and new isolates. All virus strains produced a cytopathic effect (CPE) with cell-to-cell fusion in B16, DBT, IC-21 and J774A.1 cells. The CPE was induced most rapidly in IC-21 cells and was visible microscopically in all cell lines tested. In contrast, the coronaviruses produced little CPE in A3-1M and CMT-93 cells. Although most virus-infected cells, except KQ3E-infected A3-1M, CMT-93 and J774A.1 cells, produced progeny viruses in the supernatants when assayed by plaque formation on DBT cells, the kinetics of viral replication were dependent on both the cell line and virus strain; replication of prototype strains was higher than that of new isolates. There was no significant difference in replication of enterotropic and polytropic strains. B16 cells supported the highest level of viral replication. To determine the sensitivity of the cell lines to murine coronaviruses, the 50% tissue culture infectious dose of the coronaviruses was determined with B16, DBT, IC-21 and J774A.1 cells, and compared to that with DBT cells. The results indicate that IC-21 cells were the most sensitive to murine coronaviruses. These data suggest that B16 and IC-21 cells are suitable for large-scale preparation and isolation of murine coronaviruses, respectively.


Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in Malaysia--the next phase.


title: Factors that make an infectious disease outbreak controllable.

text: The aim of this study is to identify general properties of emerging infectious agents that determine the likely success of two simple public health measures in controlling outbreaks, namely (i) isolating symptomatic individuals and (ii) tracing and quarantining their contacts. Because these measures depend on the recognition of specific disease symptoms, we investigate the relative timing of infectiousness and the appearance of symptoms by using a mathematical model. We show that the success of these control measures is determined as much by the proportion of transmission occurring prior to the onset of overt clinical symptoms (or via asymptomatic infection) as the inherent transmissibility of the etiological agent (measured by the reproductive number R(0)). From published studies, we estimate these quantities for two moderately transmissible viruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and HIV, and for two highly transmissible viruses, smallpox and pandemic influenza. We conclude that severe acute respiratory syndrome and smallpox are easier to control using these simple public health measures. Direct estimation of the proportion of asymptomatic and presymptomatic infections is achievable by contact tracing and should be a priority during an outbreak of a novel infectious agent.


title: Epidemiology of viral respiratory infections.

text: Acute respiratory tract infections are the most common illnesses in all individuals, regardless of age or gender. Epidemiologic surveys and community-based studies conducted since the beginning of the 20th century have determined the rates of illness and the pathogens involved in such infections. These studies have shown that rhinoviruses cause the great majority of these respiratory illnesses, and their findings have examined the means of transmission of respiratory illness. More recently, advances in diagnostic techniques have enabled more complete identification of the viruses involved in respiratory infections, which has aided in the ability to direct specific therapeutic agents at the causative pathogens.


title: Isolation of bovine coronavirus (bcoV) in vero cell line and its confirmation by direct FAT and RT-PCR.

text: Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV) is widespread both in dairy and beef cattle throughout the world. The virus is one of the largest RNA virus and has specific tropism for intestinal and pulmonary epithelial cells. It is responsible for huge economic losses by causing winter dysentery in adult dairy cattle and respiratory and intestinal tract infections leading to pneumo-enteritis in young calves. Isolation of BCoV has been reported to be difficult. Studies regarding epidemiology, virus isolation and molecular detection from India are very few. In the present study Vero cell line was used for isolation of the BCoV from Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) positive samples. Direct florescent antibody technique (dFAT) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to confirm the isolated virus strains at antigenic and genomic levels, respectively. Out of the 15 positive fecal samples, virus from only seven was able to infect vero cell line. Subsequently BCoV got adapted to the vero cell line upto three passages, which was confirmed both at genomic and antigenic levels by dFAT and RT-PCR testing. It can be concluded that vero cell line can be used for isolation of BCoV, however due to the enormous stain diversity of the virus it is possible that many stains can't grow and get adapt in this cell line. Further studies are required for isolation of different viral strains, finding the susceptible cell lines and also to confirm the variations among the BCoV isolates at antigenic/genomic levels.


title: Arterivirus discontinuous mRNA transcription is guided by base pairing between sense and antisense transcription-regulating sequences.

text: To generate an extensive set of subgenomic (sg) mRNAs, nidoviruses (arteriviruses and coronaviruses) use a mechanism of discontinuous transcription. During this process, mRNAs are generated that represent the genomic 5' sequence, the so-called leader RNA, fused at specific positions to different 3' regions of the genome. The fusion of the leader to the mRNA bodies occurs at a short, conserved sequence element, the transcription-regulating sequence (TRS), which precedes every transcription unit in the genome and is also present at the 3' end of the leader sequence. Here, we have used site-directed mutagenesis of the infectious cDNA clone of the arterivirus equine arteritis virus to show that sg mRNA synthesis requires a base-pairing interaction between the leader TRS and the complement of a body TRS in the viral negative strand. Mutagenesis of the body TRS of equine arteritis virus RNA7 reduced sg RNA7 transcription severely or abolished it completely. Mutations in the leader TRS dramatically influenced the synthesis of all sg mRNAs. The construction of double mutants in which a mutant leader TRS was combined with the corresponding mutant RNA7 body TRS resulted in the specific restoration of mRNA7 synthesis. The analysis of the mRNA leader-body junctions of a number of mutants with partial transcriptional activity provided support for a mechanism of discontinuous minus-strand transcription that resembles similarity-assisted, copy-choice RNA recombination.


title: The use of facemasks to prevent respiratory infection: a literature review in the context of the Health Belief Model.

text: INTRODUCTION Acute respiratory infections are prevalent and pose a constant threat to society. While the use of facemasks has proven to be an effective barrier to curb the aerosol spread of such diseases, its use in the local community is uncommon, resulting in doubts being cast on its effectiveness in preventing airborne infections during epidemics. We thus aimed to conduct a literature review to determine the factors that influence the use of facemasks as a primary preventive health measure in the community. METHODS A search for publications relating to facemask usage was performed on Medline, PubMed, Google, World Health Organization and Singapore government agencies' websites, using search terms such as 'facemask', 'mask', 'influenza', 'respiratory infection', 'personal protective equipment', 'disease prevention', 'compliance' and 'adherence'. Findings were framed under five components of the Health Belief Model: perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived severity, perceived barriers and cues to action. RESULTS We found that individuals are more likely to wear facemasks due to the perceived susceptibility and perceived severity of being afflicted with life-threatening diseases. Although perceived susceptibility appeared to be the most significant factor determining compliance, perceived benefits of mask-wearing was found to have significant effects on mask-wearing compliance as well. Perceived barriers include experience or perception of personal discomfort and sense of embarrassment. Media blitz and public health promotion activities supported by government agencies provide cues to increase the public's usage of facemasks. CONCLUSION Complex interventions that use multipronged approaches targeting the five components of the Health Belief Model, especially perceived susceptibility, are needed to increase the use of facemasks in the community. Further studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented interventions.


title: Ageing and psychological response during the post-SARS period.

text: We studied the psychological impact of the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) to understand if age and residential location were risk factors associated with post-traumatic disturbance, namely intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal. One hundred and forty-six volunteers belonging to four groups classified along the dimensions of age (middle-aged versus older-aged) and location (high SARS-prevalent regions versus low SARS-prevalent regions), participated in this study. After controlling for depression, residents in high SARS-prevalent regions, regardless of age, consistently developed more intense post-traumatic disturbance than residents in low SARS-prevalent regions. Furthermore, the prevalence of probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cases was significantly higher in older people and in residents of SARS-prevalent regions. Our findings suggest the importance of mental health aftercare in the post-epidemic period of disease epidemics.


title: A simple and rapid strip test for detection of antibodies to avian infectious bronchitis virus.

text: A simple gold-immunochromatographic assay (GICA) based on indirect reaction format was developed for rapid detection of antibodies against avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). The detection time of IBV IgG by the GICA was less than 10 min, whereas the HI test and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) require 1-2 hr. Reference sera against newcastle disease virus, infectious bursal disease, avian influenza virus H5 and H9 subtypes were all negatives for anti-IBV antibodies using the GICA. Compared with the HI, the sensitivity of the GICA was 92.11% and specificity was 81.71%. The agreement rate between the 2 tests was 85%. Compared with the ELISA, the sensitivity of the GICA was 92.31% and specificity was 97.06%. The agreement rate between the 2 tests was 95%. The GICA test strip is a reliable and useful tool for the on-site surveillance of anti-IBV antibodies.


title: [Management plan for prevention and control of novel coronavirus pneumonia among children in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University].

text: Since December 2019, an epidemic of novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) has occurred in China. How to effectively prevent and control NCP among children with limited resources is an urgent issue to be explored. Under the unified arrangement of the Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, the Department of Pediatrics has formulated an action plan with Xiangya unique model to prevent and control NCP among children according to the current epidemic situation and diagnostic and therapeutic program in China.


title: Presence of particles other than the Australia-SH antigen in a case of chronic active hepatitis with cirrhosis.

text: Examination of serum specimens from a patient with chronic active hepatitis proved negative to the Australia-SH antigen by immunodiffusion and by complement fixation. Because the sera were anticomplementary they were examined with the electron microscope, and virus-like structures similar to members of the coronavirus group were identified. The possible significance of this finding in human serum and its relation to mouse hepatitis virus are discussed.A sample of the serum pool containing the MS-1 agent was found negative when examined by immunodiffusion, complement fixation, and electron microscopy. The possible lack of immunological identity between infectious and serum hepatitis is discussed.


title: Prevalence of antiviral antibodies in workers handling wastewater and sludge.

text: Serological investigations were performed between 1977-1978 with 972 serum samples from 243 subjects having either direct (group A) or sporadic (group B) occupational contact with wastewater or sludge. the control group (C) was represented by 100 persons having no contact with such material. The sera were tested against influenza, parainfluenza, adeno-, herpes, coronavirus, rickettsial and chlamydial antigens, as well as for the presence of HBsAg and anti-HBs. Statistically significant differences between group A and groups B and C were found as regards the prevalence of antibodies to adenovirus and parainfluenza virus type 1 antigens.


title: Variation in rotavirus virulence: a comparison of pathogenesis in calves between two rotaviruses of different virulence.

text: Variation in virulence between two bovine rotaviruses was investigated using ten female and ten male 10-day-old gnotobiotic calves of five breeds or cross breeds that were inoculated with a virulent strain or a strain of low virulence. Similar numbers of infectious viral particles were detected in feces of calves inoculated with either virus, but diarrhea, xylose malabsorption, and reduction of villus height occurred only after inoculation with virulent virus. The mean percentage of the area of the villus epithelium per villus immunostained for rotavirus antigen was eight times greater in calves inoculated with virulent virus, and the mean percentage of villi on which immunostained enterocytes were detected was twice as large in calves inoculated with virulent virus than in calves inoculated with the virus of low virulence. Mean crypt death and mean crypt cell production rates were increased after inoculation with either virus. Virulence was associated with extensive spread of infection through the small intestine, preferential colonization of the proximal small intestine, and marked damage to enterocytes and villi. The virus of low virulence infected the proximal small intestine poorly, and although it infected more enterocytes in the mid and distal small intestine and replicated in them, causing cytopathic effects, it did not damage intestinal structure and affect function.


title: Plaque assay and propagation in rat cell line LBC cells of rat coronavirus and 5 strains of sialodacryoadenitis virus.

text: Various factors influencing the plaque formation of rat coronavirus (RCV) and sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV) in LBC cell monolayers were studied to develop the practical method for plaque assay. By this method, 4 Japanese isolates of SDAV also produced clear plaques. In one-step growth experiments of these viruses, newly formed virus was first recognized within 7.5 h postinfection and showed subsequently a rapid exponential increase. The virus was released rapidly from the infected cells. By indirect immunofluorescence virus specific antigen was detected as perinuclear granules in the cytoplasm of the cells at 5-6 h postinfection, and all the cells revealed fluorescence at 12 h postinfection.


title: Self-directed practice schedule enhances learning of suturing skills.

text: BACKGROUND Most preoperative surgical training programs experience challenges with the availability of expert surgeons to teach trainees. Some research suggests that trainees may benefit from being allowed to actively shape their learning environments, which could alleviate some of the time and resource pressures in surgical training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of self-directed or prescribed practice schedules (random or blocked) on learning suturing skills. METHODS Participants watched an instructional video for simple interrupted, vertical mattress and horizontal mattress suturing then completed a pretest to assess baseline skills. Participants were assigned to 1 of 4 practice groups: self-directed practice schedule, prescribed blocked practice schedule, prescribed random practice schedule or matched to the self-directed group (control). Practice of the skill was followed by a delayed (1 h) posttest. Improvement from pretest to posttest was determined based on differences in performance time and expert-based assessments. RESULTS Analyses revealed a significant effect of group for difference in performance time of the simple interrupted suture. Random practice did not show the expected advantage for skill learning, but there was an advantage of self-directed practice. CONCLUSION Self-directed practice schedules may be desirable for optimal learning of simple technical skills, even when expert instruction is available. Instructors must also take into account the interaction between task difficulty and conditions of practice to develop ideal training environments.


title: The impact of viral respiratory tract infections on long-term morbidity and mortality following lung transplantation: a retrospective cohort study using a multiplex PCR panel.

text: BACKGROUND The major factor affecting morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation (LTX) is bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. Earlier studies have suggested a connection between the presence of viral agents and morbidity in this patient group, but data are somewhat conflicting. The objective of this study was to investigate the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and graft loss after LTX in relation to the presence of respiratory viruses during the first year after LTX. METHOD The study is a retrospective cohort study of 39 LTX recipients 11Y13 years after surgery. Patients were operated between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2000 at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The presence of virus in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids from patients during the first year after surgery was analyzed retrospectively using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction test capable of detecting 15 respiratory agents. The time to BOS or graft loss was analyzed in relation to the positive findings in BAL during the first year after LTX. RESULTS Patients with one or more viruses detected in BAL during the first year after transplantation demonstrated a significantly faster development of BOS (P=0.005) compared with patients with no virus detected. No significant difference in graft survival was found. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the long-term prognosis after LTX may be negatively affected by viral respiratory tract infections during the first year after LTX.


title: Clot Burden Score on Baseline Computerized Tomographic Angiography and Intra-Arterial Treatment Effect in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

text: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A high clot burden score (CBS) is associated with favorable outcome after intravenous treatment for acute ischemic stroke. The added benefit of intra-arterial treatment might be less in these patients. The aim of this exploratory post hoc analysis was to assess the relation of CBS with neurological improvement and endovascular treatment effect. METHODS For 499 of 500 patients in the MR CLEAN study (Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands), the CBS was determined. Ordinal logistic regression models with and without main baseline prognostic variables were used to assess the association between CBS (continuous or dichotomized at CBS of 6) and a shift toward better outcome on the modified Rankin Scale. The model without main baseline prognostic variables only included treatment allocation and CBS. Models with and without a multiplicative interaction term of CBS and treatment were compared using the χ2 test to assess treatment effect modification by CBS. RESULTS Higher CBS was associated with a shift toward better outcome on the modified Rankin Scale; adjusted common odds ratio per point CBS was 1.12 (95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.20]. Dichotomized CBS had an adjusted common odds ratio of 1.67 (95% confidence interval, 1.12-2.51). Both effect estimates were slightly attenuated by adding baseline prognostic variables. The addition of the interaction terms did not significantly improve the fit of the models. There was a small and insignificant increase of intra-arterial treatment efficacy in the high CBS group. CONCLUSIONS A higher CBS is associated with improved outcome and may be used as a prognostic marker. We found no evidence that CBS modifies the effect of intra-arterial treatment. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://www.trialregister.nl. Unique identifier: NTR1804. URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com. Unique identifier: ISRCTN10888758.


title: The sequence of the full spike S1 glycoprotein of infectious bronchitis virus circulating in Egypt reveals evidence of intra-genotypic recombination.

text: Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) continues to circulate worldwide, with a significant impact on the poultry industry and affecting both vaccinated and unvaccinated flocks. Several studies have focused on the hypervariable regions (HVRs) of the spike gene (S1); however, genetic and bioinformatics studies of the whole S1 gene are limited. In this study, the whole S1 gene of five Egyptian IBVs was genetically analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Egyptian IBVs are clustered within two distinct groups: the classic group resembling the GI-1 genotype (vaccine strains) and the variant group (field strains) of the GI-23 genotype. The variant genotype was divided into two distinct subgroups (Egy/var I and Egy/var II) resembling the Israeli variants IS/1494 and IS885 strain, respectively. Significant amino acid sequence differences between the two subgroups, especially in the epitope sites, were identified. A deletion at position 63 and an I69A/S substitution mutation associated with virus tropism were detected in the receptor-binding sites. The deduced amino acid sequence of HVRs of the variant subgroups indicated different genetic features in comparison to the classic vaccine group (H120 lineage). The Egyptian variant IBVs also contained additional N-glycosylation sites compared to the classical viruses. Recombination analysis gave evidence for distinct patterns of origin by recombination throughout the S1 gene, suggesting that the recent virus IBV-EG/1586CV-2015 emerged as a recombinant of two viruses from the variant groups Egy/var I and Egy/var II, providing another example of intra-genotypic recombination among IBVs and the first example of recombination within the GI-23 genotype. Our data suggest that both mutation and recombination may be contributing to the emergence of IBV variants. Moreover, we found that the commercially used vaccines are genotypically distant from the circulating field strains. Hence, continuous follow-up of the current vaccine strategy is highly recommended for better control and prevention of infectious bronchitis virus in the poultry sector in Egypt.


title: Efficacy of an inactivated canine coronavirus vaccine in pups.

text: The efficacy of an inactivated CCoV vaccine (Duramune PC) was evaluated in four pups. Two dogs were maintained non-vaccinated. Ten days after the booster shot all the pups were challenged with a field CCoV strain administered by oro-nasal route. The vaccinated pups did not display clinical signs and shed the challenge-virus for 11.25 days, evaluated by virus isolation, and 13.5 days, evaluated by PCR assay. The two non vaccinated pups displayed mild diarrhoea at day post-challenge 4 and shed the challenge-virus for 14 and 15 days respectively, by virus isolation, and for 22 and 24 days respectively, by PCR assay.


COVID-19: another infectious disease emerging at the animal-human interface.


title: Frontiers in nephrology: heterologous immunity, T cell cross-reactivity, and alloreactivity.

text: Established memory T cell responses to a previously encountered pathogen can have a major impact on the course and outcome of a subsequent infection with an unrelated pathogen. This phenomenon, known as heterologous immunity, is dependent on the sequence of infections and can be either beneficial or detrimental to the host. Examples of heterologous immunity between unrelated viruses and alloantigens are mounting, and the role of cross-reactive T cells both in the pathogenesis of infections and in transplant rejection is now being explored. Memory T cells seem to be part of a continually evolving interactive network in which with each new infection, an alteration in the frequencies, distributions, and activities of memory cells is generated in response to previous infections and alloantigens.


title: Severe acute respiratory syndrome--retrospect and lessons of 2004 outbreak in China.

text: OBJECTIVE To summarize lessons learned from an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in China during the spring of 2004. METHODS Data of SARS cases were officially reported by Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (BCDC) and Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (APCDC) and results of epidemiological investigations were collected and analyzed. RESULTS Three generations of 11 cases of SARS were identified during the outbreak. Initial two cases were most likely to be infected in Diarrhea Virus Laboratory of National Institute of Virology, China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and main mode of transmission was direct contact with SARS patients. Delay in detecting initial case resulted in spread of the illness at hospitals and communities with two generations of secondary cases. CONCLUSIONS SARS outbreak in 2004 has yielded following lessons for public health globally. (1) Lab bio-safety programs should be made and should be strictly abided by. Studies in highly pathogenic viruses such as SARS coronavirus should be utmost cautious. (2) Management systems of occupational exposure to virus and disease surveillance need to be strengthened to take all risk factors into account so as to detect potential patients with infectious disease as early as possible.


title: Comparison of Absorbable Versus Nonabsorbable Tackers in Terms of Long-term Outcomes, Chronic Pain, and Quality of Life After Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair: A Randomized Study.

text: BACKGROUND Laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair (LIVHR) has been associated with a high incidence acute and chronic pain due to use of nonabsorbable tackers. Several absorbable tackers have been introduced to overcome these complications. This randomized study was done to compare 2 techniques of mesh fixation, that is, nonabsorbable versus absorbable tackers for LIVHR. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety patients admitted for LIVHR repair (defect size <15 cm) were randomized into 2 groups: nonabsorbable tacker fixation (NAT group, 45 patients) and absorbable tacker fixation (AT group, 45 patients). Intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS Patients in both the groups were comparable in terms of demographic profile and hernia characteristics. Mesh fixation time and operation time were also comparable. There was no significant difference in the incidence of immediate postoperative and chronic pain over a mean follow-up of 8.8 months. However, cost of the procedure was significantly higher in AT group (P<0.01) and NAT fixation was more cost effective as compared with AT. Postoperative quality of life outcomes and patient satisfaction scores were also comparable. CONCLUSIONS NAT is a cost-effective method of mesh fixation in patients undergoing LIVHR with comparable early and late postoperative outcomes in terms of pain, quality of life, and patient satisfaction scores.


title: Function of a 5'-end genomic RNA mutation that evolves during persistent mouse hepatitis virus infection in vitro.

text: Persistently infected cultures of DBT cells were established with mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 (MHV-A59), and the evolution of the MHV leader RNA and 5' end of the genome was studied through 119 days postinfection. Sequence analysis of independent clones demonstrated an overall mutation frequency approaching 1.2 x 10(-3) to 6.7 x 10(-3). The rate of fixation of mutations was about 1.2 x 10(-5) to 7.6 x 10(-5) per nucleotide (nt) per day. In contrast to finding in bovine coronavirus, the MHV leader RNA sequences were extremely stable and did not evolve significantly during persistent infection. Rather, a 5' untranslated region (UTR) A-to-G mutation at nt 77 in the genomic RNA emerged by day 56 and accumulated until 50 to 80% of the genome-length molecules retained the mutation by 119 days postinfection. Although other 5'-end mutations were noted, only the nt 77 mutation was significantly associated with viral persistence in vitro. Mutations were also found in the 5' end of the p28 coding region, but no specific alterations accumulated in genome-length molecules through 119 days postinfection. The 5' UTR nt 77 mutation resulted in an 18-amino-acid open reading frame (ORF) upstream of the ORF 1a AUG start site. By in vitro translation assays, the small ORF was not translated into detectable product but the mutation significantly enhanced translation of the downstream p28 ORF about 2.5-fold. Variant viruses, containing either the nt 77 A-to-G mutation (V16-ATG+) or wild-type sequences at this locus (V1-ATG-), were isolated at 119 days postinfection. The variant viruses replicated more efficiently than wild-type virus and were extremely cytolytic in DBT cells, suggesting that the A-to-G mutation did not encode a nonlytic or attenuated phenotype. Consistent with the in vitro translation results, a significant increase (approximately 3.5-fold) in p28 expression was also observed with the mutant virus (V16-ATG+) in DBT cells compared with that in wild-type controls. These data indicate that MHV persistence was significantly associated with mutation and evolution in the 5'-end UTR which enhanced the translation of the ORF 1a and potentially ORF 1b polyproteins which function in virus transcription and replication.


Some thoughts on COVID-19.


Cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination for elderly people living in the community.


title: Update: severe acute respiratory syndrome--United States, June 11, 2003.

text: CDC continues to work with state and local health departments, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners to investigate cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). This report updates SARS cases reported worldwide and in the United States, and describes the eighth probable U.S. SARS case with laboratory evidence of SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection.


title: Recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara expressing the spike glycoprotein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus induces protective neutralizing antibodies primarily targeting the receptor binding region.

text: Immunization with a killed or inactivated viral vaccine provides significant protection in animals against challenge with certain corresponding pathogenic coronaviruses (CoVs). However, the promise of this approach in humans is hampered by serious concerns over the risk of leaking live severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) viruses. In this study, we generated a SARS vaccine candidate by using the live-attenuated modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) as a vector. The full-length SARS-CoV envelope Spike (S) glycoprotein gene was introduced into the deletion III region of the MVA genome. The newly generated recombinant MVA, ADS-MVA, is replication incompetent in mammalian cells and highly immunogenic in terms of inducing potent neutralizing antibodies in mice, rabbits, and monkeys. After two intramuscular vaccinations with ADS-MVA alone, the 50% inhibitory concentration in serum was achieved with reciprocal sera dilutions of more than 1,000- to 10,000-fold in these animals. Using fragmented S genes as immunogens, we also mapped a neutralizing epitope in the region of N-terminal 400 to 600 amino acids of the S glycoprotein (S400-600), which overlaps with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor-binding region (RBR; S318-510). Moreover, using a recombinant soluble RBR-Fc protein, we were able to absorb and remove the majority of the neutralizing antibodies despite observing that the full S protein tends to induce a broader spectrum of neutralizing activities in comparison with fragmented S proteins. Our data suggest that a major mechanism for neutralizing SARS-CoV likely occurs through blocking the interaction between virus and the cellular receptor ACE2. In addition, ADS-MVA induced potent immune responses which very likely protected Chinese rhesus monkeys from pathogenic SARS-CoV challenge.


title: Alignment-free comparison of protein sequences based on reduced amino acid alphabets.

text: Protein sequences are treated as stochastic processes on the basis of a reduced amino acid alphabet of 10 types of amino acids. The realization of a stochastic process is described by associated transition probability matrix that corresponds to the process uniquely. Then new distances between transition probability matrices are defined for sequences similarity analysis. Two separate datasets are prepared and tested to identify the validity of the method. The results demonstrate the new method is powerful and efficient.


title: Construction of a eukaryotic expression plasmid encoding partial S gene fragments of the SARS-CoV and its potential utility as a DNA vaccine.

text: The spike (S) protein, a main surface antigen of the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV), is considered to be one of the most important protective antigen candidates for targets for vaccine design against the virus. In this study, a secreted recombinant expression plasmid, pVAX-S1, encoding the partial S protein with a signal peptide, was constructed and used to immunize BALB/c mice through electroporation. It was demonstrated that the eukaryotic expression vector pVAX-S1 was successfully constructed by restriction enzyme and sequence analysis. The expressed protein could be detected specifically by Western blot analysis. The serum IgG level of the vaccine group mice was significantly higher than that of the corresponding control group at day 14 after vaccination (P < 0.05). The vaccine group demonstrated significantly higher S1 protein lymphocyte proliferation index (LPI) than the control groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, in the experimental group, a decrease in the ratio of CD4(+) to CD8(+) T-lymphocytes and an increase level of IFN-gamma in serum were observed. However, interleukin-4 (IL-4) was not detectable in two groups. These results strongly demonstrated that the pVAX-S1 plasmid could induce humoral and cellular immune responses in mice, and may be a potential candidate for a DNA vaccine against the SARS coronavirus.


title: The emergence of porcine circovirus 2b genotype (PCV-2b) in swine in Canada.

text: Since late 2004, the swine industry in the province of Quebec has experienced a significant increase in death rate related to postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). To explain this phenomenon, 2 hypotheses were formulated: 1) the presence of a 2nd pathogen could be exacerbating the porcine circovirus 2 (PCV-2) infection, or 2) a new and more virulent PCV-2 strain could be infecting swine. In 2005, 13 PMWS cases were submitted to the Quebec provincial diagnostic laboratory and PCV-2 was the only virus that could be found consistently by PCR in all 13 samples. The PCR detection results obtained for other viruses revealed the following: 61.5% were positive for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, 30.8% for swine influenza virus, 15.4% for porcine parvovirus, 69.2% for swine torque teno virus (swTTV), 38.5% for swine hepatitis E virus (swHEV) and 84.6% for Mycoplasma hyorhinis; transmissible gastroenteritis virus and porcine respiratory coronavirus (TGEV/PRCV) was not detected. Sequences of the entire genome revealed that these PCV-2 strains belonged to a genotype (named PCV-2b) that has never been reported in Canada. Further sequence analyses on 83 other Canadian PCV-2 positive cases submitted to the provincial diagnostic laboratory during years 2005 and 2006 showed that 79.5% of the viral sequences obtained clustered in the PCV-2b genotype. The appearance of the PCV-2b genotype in Canada may explain the death rate increase related to PMWS, but this relationship has to be confirmed.


title: Viral etiology in infants hospitalized for acute bronchiolitis.

text: Acute bronchiolitis is predominantly a viral disease. Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common agent, but other newly identified viruses have also been considered as causes. The aim of the present study is to determine the respiratory viruses causing acute bronchiolitis in hospitalized infants. Infants younger than 2 years of age who were hospitalized for acute viral bronchiolitis in a children's hospital between November 2011 and May 2012 were evaluated for the presence of viruses as etiologic agents using a realtime polymerase chain reaction method.A total of 55 infants were included in this study. The mean age of the children was 6.98±5.53 months, and 63.6% were male. In the 55 children, 63 viruses were detected. A single viral pathogen was detected in 47 (85.5%) patients, and two viruses were co-detected in 8 (14.6%) patients. Respiratory syncytial virus was the most common virus identified, accounting for 25 (45.5%) cases, followed by rhinovirus (n=9, 16.4%), and human metapneumovirus (n = 8, 14.5%).Although respiratory syncytial virus remains the major viral pathogen in infants hospitalized for acute broncholitis, more than half of bronchiolitis cases are associated with other respiratory viruses.


title: The crystal structures of severe acute respiratory syndrome virus main protease and its complex with an inhibitor.

text: A newly identified severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), is the etiological agent responsible for the outbreak of SARS. The SARS-CoV main protease, which is a 33.8-kDa protease (also called the 3C-like protease), plays a pivotal role in mediating viral replication and transcription functions through extensive proteolytic processing of two replicase polyproteins, pp1a (486 kDa) and pp1ab (790 kDa). Here, we report the crystal structures of the SARS-CoV main protease at different pH values and in complex with a specific inhibitor. The protease structure has a fold that can be described as an augmented serine-protease, but with a Cys-His at the active site. This series of crystal structures, which is the first, to our knowledge, of any protein from the SARS virus, reveal substantial pH-dependent conformational changes, and an unexpected mode of inhibitor binding, providing a structural basis for rational drug design.


title: Involvement of the platelet-activating factor receptor in host defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae during postinfluenza pneumonia.

text: Although influenza infection alone may lead to pneumonia, secondary bacterial infections are a much more common cause of pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequently isolated causative pathogen during postinfluenza pneumonia. Considering that S. pneumoniae utilizes the platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) to invade the respiratory epithelium and that the PAFR is upregulated during viral infection, we here used PAFR gene-deficient (PAFR-/-) mice to determine the role of this receptor during postinfluenza pneumococcal pneumonia. Viral clearance was similar in wild-type and PAFR-/- mice, and influenza virus was completely removed from the lungs at the time mice were inoculated with S. pneumoniae (day 14 after influenza infection). PAFR-/- mice displayed a significantly reduced bacterial outgrowth in their lungs, a diminished dissemination of the infection, and a prolonged survival. Pulmonary levels of IL-10 and KC were significantly lower in PAFR-/- mice, whereas IL-6 and TNF-alpha were only trendwise lower. These data indicate that the pneumococcus uses the PAFR leading to severe pneumonia in a host previously exposed to influenza A.


COVID-19: A global public health disaster.


title: Conservative management of pyothorax in an Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica).

text: Therapy for pyothorax, or pleural empyema, has not been described for large felids. This case describes the successful treatment of pyothorax in a captive, large felid. A 15-yr-old multiparous, female Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) presented with nonspecific clinical signs caused by an insidious onset of pyothorax. Management of pyothorax cases in companion animals often involves thoracostomy tube placement with recurrent drainage of the pleural cavity, intensive supportive care, and monitoring. In this case, conservative management was elected because hospitalization was not a viable option. Thoracocentesis was performed to drain as much fluid from the chest cavity as possible, yielding more than 1.3 L. Corynebacterium sp. and unidentified anaerobic gram-positive cocci were cultured. Treatment included cefovecin subcutaneously, oral antibiotic therapy with clindamycin and marbofloxacin, meloxicam, and restricted exercise by minimizing access to the main exhibit. Significant improvement was noted clinically and radiographically 6 wk later, and no relapses were noted in the following weeks. An examination 11.5 mo later confirmed resolution.


title: Human viral gastroenteritis.

text: During the last 15 years, several different groups of fastidious viruses that are responsible for a large proportion of acute viral gastroenteritis cases have been discovered by the electron microscopic examination of stool specimens. This disease is one of the most prevalent and serious clinical syndromes seen around the world, especially in children. Rotaviruses, in the family Reoviridae, and fastidious fecal adenoviruses account for much of the viral gastroenteritis in infants and young children, whereas the small caliciviruses and unclassified astroviruses, and possibly enteric coronaviruses, are responsible for significantly fewer cases overall. In addition to electron microscopy, enzyme immunoassays and other rapid antigen detection systems have been developed to detect rotaviruses and fastidious fecal adenoviruses in the stool specimens of both nonhospitalized patients and those hospitalized for dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Experimental rotavirus vaccines have also been developed, due to the prevalence and seriousness of rotavirus infection. The small, unclassified Norwalk virus and morphologically similar viruses are responsible for large and small outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in older children, adolescents, and adults. Hospitalization of older patients infected with these viruses is usually not required, and their laboratory diagnoses have been limited primarily to research laboratories.


title: A case study of the evaluation of a public health intervention.

text: Large public health interventions to control infectious disease outbreaks are common, but rigorous evaluation to improve the quality and effectiveness of these is rarely undertaken. Following a large community-based clinic to prevent a hepatitis A outbreak, a multifaceted and multidisciplinary evaluation was conducted involving consumers, health professionals and industry partners. The results of this evaluation were used to produce practical operational guidelines for the planning and conduct of future interventions. These guidelines have been distributed to all public health units in New South Wales and may be included in the next edition of the NSW Health notifiable diseases manual. The evaluation approach can be applied to all public health interventions across NSW and Australia to assist in the development of operational guidelines, in order to increase the quality of public health action in outbreak prevention.


title: Persistent infection of human oligodendrocytic and neuroglial cell lines by human coronavirus 229E.

text: Human coronaviruses (HuCV) cause common colds. Previous reports suggest that these infectious agents may be neurotropic in humans, as they are for some mammals. With the long-term aim of providing experimental evidence for the neurotropism of HuCV and the establishment of persistent infections in the nervous system, we have evaluated the susceptibility of various human neural cell lines to acute and persistent infection by HuCV-229E. Viral antigen, infectious virus progeny and viral RNA were monitored during both acute and persistent infections. The astrocytoma cell lines U-87 MG, U-373 MG, and GL-15, as well as neuroblastoma SK-N-SH, neuroglioma H4, and oligodendrocytic MO3.13 cell lines, were all susceptible to an acute infection by HuCV-229E. The CHME-5 immortalized fetal microglial cell line was not susceptible to infection by this virus. The MO3.13 and H4 cell lines also sustained a persistent viral infection, as monitored by detection of viral antigen and infectious virus progeny. Sequencing of the S1 gene from viral RNA after approximately 130 days of infection showed two point mutations, suggesting amino acid changes during persistent infection of MO3.13 cells but none for H4 cells. Thus, persistent in vitro infection did not generate important changes in the S1 portion of the viral spike protein, which was shown for murine coronaviruses to bear hypervariable domains and to interact with cellular receptor. These results are consistent with the potential persistence of HuCV-229E in cells of the human nervous system, such as oligodendrocytes and possibly neurons, and the virus's apparent genomic stability.


title: Pattern recognition methods for protein functional site prediction.

text: Protein functional site prediction is closely related to drug design, hence to public health. In order to save the cost and the time spent on identifying the functional sites in sequenced proteins in biology laboratory, computer programs have been widely used for decades. Many of them are implemented using the state-of-the-art pattern recognition algorithms, including decision trees, neural networks and support vector machines. Although the success of this effort has been obvious, advanced and new algorithms are still under development for addressing some difficult issues. This review will go through the major stages in developing pattern recognition algorithms for protein functional site prediction and outline the future research directions in this important area.


Regional collaboration in the Middle East to deal with H5N1 avian flu.


title: Single-tube single-enzyme reverse transcriptase PCR assay for detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus in pooled bovine serum.

text: A reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was developed for use as a diagnostic screening test for the detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in pooled bovine serum samples. Individual serum samples from 60 dairy cattle herds located in Pennsylvania were evaluated by the microplate virus isolation method, and pooled sera were analyzed by RT-PCR. RT-PCR was sensitive and specific and detected a single viremic serum sample in up to 100 pooled serum samples. RT-PCR analysis of pooled sera provides a rapid and cost-effective method for the screening of cattle herds for the presence of animals persistently infected with BVDV.


title: New structure model for the packaging signal in the genome of group IIa coronaviruses.

text: A 190-nucleotide (nt) packaging signal (PS) located in the 3' end of open reading frame 1b in the mouse hepatitis virus, a group IIa coronavirus, was previously postulated to direct genome RNA packaging. Based on phylogenetic data and structure probing, we have identified a 95-nt hairpin within the 190-nt PS domain which is conserved in all group IIa coronaviruses but not in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (group IIb), group I coronaviruses, or group III coronaviruses. The hairpin is composed of six copies of a repeating structural subunit that consists of 2-nt bulges and 5-bp stems. We propose that repeating AA bulges are characteristic features of group IIa PSs.


title: Molecular mimicry between S peplomer proteins of coronaviruses (MHV, BCV, TGEV and IBV) and Fc receptor.

text: In previous studies we have demonstrated molecular mimicry between the S peplomer protein of Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV) and Fc gamma Receptor (Fc gamma R) of IgG. Rabbit IgG, but not its F(ab')2 fragments, monoclonal rat and mouse IgG and the rat 2.4G2 anti-mouse Fc gamma R monoclonal antibody (mab) immunoprecipitated natural and recombinant MHV S protein. On the basis of a number of criteria, MHV S peplomer protein exhibits Fc IgG binding ability. We report here a molecular mimicry between the S peplomer protein of Bovine Coronavirus (BCV) and Fc gamma R. BCV S peplomer protein which belongs to the same antigenic subgroup as MHV also binds Fc portion of rabbit IgG and is immunoprecipitated by the 2.4G2 anti-Fc gamma R mab. In contrast, Transmissible Gastroenteritis Coronavirus (TGEV) and Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) S peplomer proteins which represent two distinct antigenic subgroups of Coronaviridae do not bind rabbit IgG and do not react with anti-Fc gamma R mab. However, homologous swine IgG, but not its F(ab')2 fragments, immunoprecipitated from TGEV-infected cells a polypeptide chain with molecular mass of 195 kDa, identical to that immunoprecipitated by the T36 mab anti-TGEV S peplomer protein.