Analyzing Beach Recreationists’ Preferences for the Reduction of Jellyfish Blooms: Economic Results from a Stated-Choice Experiment in Catalonia,Spain

Jellyfish outbreaks and their consequences appear to be on the increase around the world, and are becoming particularly relevant in the Mediterranean. No previous studies have quantified tourism losses caused by jellyfish outbreaks. We used a stated-choice questionnaire and a Random Utility Model to estimate the amount of time respondents would be willing to add to their journey, in terms of reported extra travel time, in order to reduce the risk of encountering jellyfish blooms in the Catalan coast. The estimation results indicated that the respondents were willing to spend on average an additional 23.8% of their travel time to enjoy beach recreation in areas with a lower risk of jellyfish blooms. Using as a reference the opportunity cost of time, we found that the subsample of individuals who made a trade-off between the disutility generated by travelling longer in order to lower the risk of jellyfish blooms, and the utility gained from reducing this risk, are willing to pay on average €3.20 per beach visit. This estimate, combined with the respondents’ mean income, yielded annual economic gains associated with reduction of jellyfish blooms on the Catalan coast around €422.57 million, or about 11.95% of the tourism expenditures in 2012. From a policy-making perspective, this study confirms the importance of the economic impacts of jellyfish blooms and the need for mitigation strategies. In particular, providing daily information using social media applications or other technical devices may reduce these social costs. The current lack of knowledge about jellyfish suggests that providing this information to beach recreationists may be a substantially effective policy instrument for minimising the impact of jellyfish blooms.     

Association of IL10 Polymorphisms and Leprosy: A Meta-Analysis

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that depends on the interplay of several factors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in host immune related genes have been consistently suggested as participants in susceptibility towards disease. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a crucial immunomodulatory cytokine in mycobacterial pathogenesis and especially the -819C>T SNP (rs1800871) has been tested in several case-control studies indicating association with leprosy risk, although a recent consensus estimate is still missing. In this study, we evaluated the association of the -819C>T SNP and leprosy in two new Brazilian family-based populations. Then, we performed meta-analysis for this polymorphism summarizing published studies including these Brazilian family-based groups. Finally, we also retrieved published studies for other distal and proximal IL10 polymorphisms: -3575 T>A (rs1800890), -2849 G>A (rs6703630), -2763 C>A (rs6693899), -1082 G>A (rs1800896) and -592 C>A (rs1800872). Results from meta-analysis supported a significant susceptibility association for the -819T allele, with pooled Odds Ratio of 1.22 (CI = 1.11–1.34) and P-value = 3x10^–5 confirming previous data. This result remained unaltered after inclusion of the Brazilian family-based groups (OR = 1.2, CI = 1.10–1.31, P-value = 2x10^–5). Also, meta-analysis confirmed association of -592 A allele and leprosy outcome (OR = 1.24, CI = 1.03–1.50, P-value = 0.02). In support of this, linkage disequilibrium analysis in 1000 genomes AFR, EUR, ASN and AMR populations pointed to r² = 1.0 between the -592C>A and -819C>T SNPs. We found no evidence of association for the other IL10 polymorphisms analyzed for leprosy outcome. Our results reinforce the role of the -819C>T as a tag SNP (rs1800871) and its association with leprosy susceptibility.     

In Vivo Function of PTEX88 in Malaria Parasite Sequestration and Virulence

Malaria pathology is linked to remodeling of red blood cells by eukaryotic Plasmodium parasites. Central to host cell refurbishment is the trafficking of parasite-encoded virulence factors through the Plasmodium translocon of exported proteins (PTEX). Much of our understanding of its function is based on experimental work with cultured Plasmodium falciparum, yet direct consequences of PTEX impairment during an infection remain poorly defined. Using the murine malaria model parasite Plasmodium berghei, it is shown here that efficient sequestration to the pulmonary, adipose, and brain tissue vasculature is dependent on the PTEX components thioredoxin 2 (TRX2) and PTEX88. While TRX2-deficient parasites remain virulent, PTEX88-deficient parasites no longer sequester in the brain, correlating with abolishment of cerebral complications in infected mice. However, an apparent trade-off for virulence attenuation was spleen enlargement, which correlates with a strongly reduced schizont-to-ring-stage transition. Strikingly, general protein export is unaffected in PTEX88-deficient mutants that mature normally in vitro. Thus, PTEX88 is pivotal for tissue sequestration in vivo, parasite virulence, and preventing exacerbation of spleen pathology, but these functions do not correlate with general protein export to the host erythrocyte. The presented data suggest that the protein export machinery of Plasmodium parasites and their underlying mechanistic features are considerably more complex than previously anticipated and indicate challenges for targeted intervention strategies.     

First Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA in Serum of the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in Northern Portugal by Nested-PCR

EcoHealth - Lyme borreliosis is the most common tick-borne zoonosis in the northern hemisphere. Several vertebrates are crucial in the epidemiological cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, but...     

Chronic Microdose Lithium Treatment Prevented Memory Loss and Neurohistopathological Changes in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

The use of lithium is well established in bipolar disorders and the benefits are being demonstrated in neurodegenerative disorders. Recently, our group showed that treatment with microdose lithium stabilized the cognitive deficits observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. In order to verify the lithium microdose potential in preventing the disease development, the aim of this work was to verify the effects of chronic treatment with microdose lithium given before and after the appearance of symptoms in a mouse model of a disease similar to AD. Transgenic mice (Cg-Tg(PDGFB-APPSwInd)20Lms/2J) and their non-transgenic litter mate genetic controls were treated with lithium carbonate (1.2 mg/Kg/day in drinking water) for 16 or 8 months starting at two and ten months of age, respectively. Similar groups were treated with water. At the end of treatments, both lithium treated transgenic groups and non-transgenic mice showed no memory disruption, different from what was observed in the water treated transgenic group. Transgenic mice treated with lithium since two months of age showed decreased number of senile plaques, no neuronal loss in cortex and hippocampus and increased BDNF density in cortex, when compared to non-treated transgenic mice. It is suitable to conclude that these data support the use of microdose lithium in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, once the neurohistopathological characteristics of the disease were modified and the memory of transgenic animals was maintained.     

The TP73 Gene Polymorphism (rs4648551, A>G) Is Associated with Diminished Ovarian Reserve

It’s known that the members of the TP53 family are involved in the regulation of female reproduction. Studies in mice showed that the TP73 gene (member of this family) plays a role in the size of follicular pool, ovulation rate and maintenance of genomic stability. In the present study we analyzed data from 605 patients with ≤ 37 years attending their first intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The association between the TP73 polymorphism (rs4648551, A>G) and the following parameters related to ovarian reserve, like age, antral follicular count (AFC), anti-Mullerian hormone levels (AMH) and ovarian response prediction index (ORPI) was evaluated. Our results showed an association of the AA genotype with diminished ovarian reserve (AMH <1, AFC ≤9). Women presenting the AA genotype had a 2.0-fold increased risk for having AMH <1 and AFC ≤9 (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.23-3.31, P = 0.005). Patients presenting AA genotype had the lowest levels of AMH (P = 0.02), the lowest number of antral follicles (P = 0.01) and the lowest ORPI (P = 0.007). Analyzing the alleles, we can see an enrichment of the A allele in the group of diminished ovarian reserve (OR 1.4, 95%CI 1.02-1.83, P = 0.04). To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to analyze this polymorphism in humans for assessing the numbers of ovarian follicles and AMH levels and, therefore, the ovarian reserve. Our findings can contribute to the use of this polymorphism as a potential marker of diminished ovarian reserve.     

The Immediate Effect of Sildenafil on Right Ventricular Function in Patients with Heart Failure Measured by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance: A Randomized Control Trial

Background

Studies have demonstrated that phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibition is associated with right ventricle (RV) functional improvement in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. This study aims to demonstrate the immediate impact of Sildenafil, a PDE5 inhibitor, on RV function, measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods

We conducted a randomized double-blind controlled trial. Inclusion criteria: diagnosis of HF functional class I-III; left ventricle ejection fraction < 35%. Patients underwent CMR evaluation and were then equally randomly assigned to either 50 mg of Sildenafil or Placebo groups. One hour following drug administration, they were submitted to a second scan examination.

Results

26 patients were recruited from a tertiary reference center in Brazil and 13 were allocated to each study group. The median age was 61.5 years (50–66.5 years). Except for the increase in RV fractional area change following the administration of sildenafil (Sildenafil [before vs. after]: 34.3 [25.2–43.6]% vs. 42.9 [28.5–46.7]%, p = 0.04; Placebo [before vs. after]: 28.1 [9.2–34.8]% vs. 29.2 [22.5–38.8]%, p = 0.86), there was no statistically significant change in parameters. There was no improvement in left ventricular parameters or in the fractional area change of the pulmonary artery.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that a single dose of Sildenafil did not significantly improve RV function as measured by the CMR.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01936350     

Use of Cystatin C and Serum Creatinine for the Diagnosis of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography at an Oncology Centre

ObjectiveOur aim was to assess renal function using as laboratory measurements serum creatinine and cystatin C concentrations before and after administration of low-osmolarity (nonionic) iodinated contrast medium in patients with cancer undergoing computed tomography (CT).MethodsThis prospective study included 400 oncologic outpatients. Serum creatinine and cystatin C concentrations were measured before and 72 h after contrast administration. Glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) were estimated using serum creatinine–based [Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and Cockroft-Gault and cystatin C based (Larsson) equations. Exploratory data analysis was performed. The nonparametric Wilcoxon test was used to compare pre and post contrast of test results and estimated clearance. The confidence interval used in the analysis was 95%.ResultsCompared with the pre-contrast values, the mean serum creatinine concentration was significantly higher and average GFRs estimated using MDRD and Cockcroft-Gault equations were significantly lower after the administration of contrast (p <0.001). It was also observed a significant increase after contrast in the concentration of Cystatin C (p = 0.015). In addition, a decrease in GFR estimated using the average Larsson (p = 0.021) was observed between time points. However, none of the patients presented clinically significant nephropathy.ConclusionsAssessment using serum creatinine and cystatin C concentrations showed changes in renal function among patients with cancer undergoing contrast-enhanced CT examination in this study. No significant renal damage related to the use of low-osmolarity iodinated contrast medium of the type and dosage employed in this study was observed. This contrast medium is thus safe for use in patients with cancer.     

Malnutrition during lactation changes growth hormone mRNA expression in offspring at weaning and in adulthood

Mothers' nutrition during lactation programs growth in their offspring. We studied the contribution of the growth hormone (GH) for this programming, evaluating GH mRNA expression. Lactating dams were grouped as follows: C, control diet with 23% protein; PR, 8% protein-restricted diet; and ER, energy-restricted diet, receiving the control diet in restricted quantities of the PR group's ingestion. Some pups were killed at weaning; the others received the control diet until they were sacrificed as adults. Pituitary GH mRNA was analyzed by Northern blot analysis. At weaning, the ER and PR animals had lower GH mRNA levels (-29% and -18%, respectively) and lower length as well as body weight. Ninety-day-old PR offspring showed a lower body length (-5%), whereas ER offspring showed a higher one (+5%); however, at 180 days, the lengths were not different. Both 90- and 180-day-old animals showed body weight differences against control animals, with PR offspring showing a lower (-10%) and ER offspring showing a higher (+12%) body weight. GH mRNA was higher in ER offspring at 90 and 180 days (+19% and +22%, respectively); it was lower in PR offspring at 90 and 180 days (-19% and -17%, respectively). Thus, we showed a direct relation between GH mRNA expression and length as well as body weight. We suggest that malnutrition during lactation may program GH mRNA expression patterns in adulthood and that these changes could be responsible for differences in growth patterns.     

Effect of high levels of dietary vitamin C on the blood responses of matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus)

Juvenile matrinx? (Brycon amazonicus) were fed with different dietary vitamin C (ascorbic acid or AA) concentrations for 2 months in order to evaluate its effect on the physiological condition of this species. Five treatments were tested: Reference diet-RD (350 mg AA kg(-1) and 45% crude protein commercial feed); C400, C500, C600 and C800 with supplementation of 400, 500, 600 and 800 mg AA kg(-1). Fish fed 800 mg AA kg(-1) supplemented diets presented greater weight gain and survival. Hematocrit, hemoglobin concentrations and erythrocytes showed significant increase (p<0.05) in C600 and C800 relatively to the others. Total leukocyte values were significantly higher in fish fed vitamin C supplemented diets relatively to those fed RD and leukocytes count of C600 and C800 were the highest among the treatments. Monocytes were the only cells of fish defense mechanism that presented variation, and C600 and C800 presented the lowest values (P<0.05). Glucose level was significantly different relatively to RD only in C400 and the plasmatic total protein values for fish fed vitamin C supplemented diets were higher than for fish fed the RD. Fish plasmatic ions (Na(+) and Cl(-)) were significantly lower for C500, C600 and C800 relatively to C400 and RD. The physiological profile and the growth performance of matrinx? suggest that diet supplemented with 800 mg AA kg(-1) can improve its performance and increase the survival rate.