Waterborne Risperidone Decreases Stress Response in Zebrafish

The presence of drugs and their metabolites in surface waters and municipal effluents has been reported in several studies, but its impacts on aquatic organisms are not yet well understood. This study investigated the effects of acute exposure to the antipsychotic risperidone on the stress and behavioral responses in zebrafish. It became clear that intermediate concentration of risperidone inhibited the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis and displayed anxiolytic-like effects in zebrafish. The data presented here suggest that the presence of this antipsychotic in aquatic environments can alter neuroendocrine and behavior profiles in zebrafish.     

Genetic Characterization of H1N1 and H1N2 Influenza A Viruses Circulating in Ontario Pigs in 2012

The objective of this study was to characterize H1N1 and H1N2 influenza A virus isolates detected during outbreaks of respiratory disease in pig herds in Ontario (Canada) in 2012. Six influenza viruses were included in analysis using full genome sequencing based on the 454 platform. In five H1N1 isolates, all eight segments were genetically related to 2009 pandemic virus (A(H1N1)pdm09). One H1N2 isolate had hemagglutinin (HA), polymerase A (PA) and non-structural (NS) genes closely related to A(H1N1)pdm09, and neuraminidase (NA), matrix (M), polymerase B1 (PB1), polymerase B2 (PB2), and nucleoprotein (NP) genes originating from a triple-reassortant H3N2 virus (tr H3N2). The HA gene of five Ontario H1 isolates exhibited high identity of 99% with the human A(H1N1)pdm09 [A/Mexico/InDRE4487/09] from Mexico, while one Ontario H1N1 isolate had only 96.9% identity with this Mexican virus. Each of the five Ontario H1N1 viruses had between one and four amino acid (aa) changes within five antigenic sites, while one Ontario H1N2 virus had two aa changes within two antigenic sites. Such aa changes in antigenic sites could have an effect on antibody recognition and ultimately have implications for immunization practices. According to aa sequence analysis of the M2 protein, Ontario H1N1 and H1N2 viruses can be expected to offer resistance to adamantane derivatives, but not to neuraminidase inhibitors.     

Pain in Parkinson′s Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study of Its Prevalence,Types, and Relationship to Depression and Quality of Life

Pain is an important and distressing symptom in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Our aim was to determine the prevalence of pain, its various types and characteristics, as well as its impact on depression and quality of life (QoL) in patients with PD. How pain differs in early- and advanced-stage PD and male and female PD patients was of special interest. One hundred PD patients on dopaminergic medications had a neurological examination and participated in a structured interview on pain characteristics and completed standardized questionnaires. A total of 76% of the patients had pain. The following types of pain were present: musculoskeletal pain accounted for 41% of the total pain, dystonic pain for 17%, central neuropathic pain for 22%, radicular pain for 27%, and other pains (non-radicular low back pain, arthritic, and visceral pain) made up 24%. One type of pain affected 29% of all the subjects, two types 35%, three types 10%, and four types of pain were reported by 2%. All types of pain were more prevalent in advanced-stage PD subjects than in early-stage PD subjects, except for arthritic pain (subclassified under”other pain”). The frequency and intensity of actual, average, and worst experienced pain were significantly more severe in advanced-stage subjects. PD subjects with general pain and in advanced stages were more depressed and had poorer QoL. Depression correlated with worst pain in the last 24 hours and with pain periodicity (the worst depression score in patients with constant pain). QoL correlated with average pain in the last 7 days. Pain is a frequent problem in PD patients, and it worsens during the course of the disease.     

Current Efavirenz (EFV) or Ritonavir-Boosted Lopinavir (LPV/r) Use Correlates with Elevate Markers of Atherosclerosis in HIV-Infected Subjects in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia

Background

HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy have shown elevated incidence of dyslipidemia, lipodystrophy, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most studies, however, focus on cohorts from developed countries, with less data available for these co-morbidities in Ethiopia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

Adult HIV-negative (n = 36), treatment naïve (n = 51), efavirenz (EFV)-treated (n = 91), nevirapine (NVP)-treated (n = 95), or ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r)-treated (n=44) subjects were recruited from Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Aortic pressure, augmentation pressure, and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured via applanation tonometry and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid arterial stiffness, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were measured via non-invasive ultrasound. Body mass index, waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), skinfold thickness, and self-reported fat redistribution were used to quantify lipodystrophy. CD4+ cell count, plasma HIV RNA levels, fasting glucose, total-, HDL-, and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, hsCRP, sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, leptin and complete blood count were measured.

Results

PWV and normalized cIMT were elevate and FMD impaired in EFV- and LPV/r-treated subjects compared to NVP-treated subjects; normalized cIMT was also elevated and FMD impaired in the EFV- and LPV/r-treated subjects compared to treatment-naïve subjects. cIMT was not statistically different across groups. Treated subjects exhibited elevated markers of dyslipidemia, inflammation, and lipodystrophy. PWV was associated with age, current EFV and LPV/r used, heart rate, blood pressure, triglycerides, LDL, and hsCRP, FMD with age, HIV duration, WHR, and glucose, and cIMT with age, current EFV use, skinfold thickness, and blood pressure.

Conclusions

Current EFV- or LPV/r-treatment, but not NVP-treatment, correlated with elevated markers of atherosclerosis, which may involve mechanisms distinct from traditional risk factors.     

A new methodology combining PCR, cloning, and sequencing of clones discriminated by RFLP for the study of microbial populations: application to an UASB reactor sample

This work describes a methodology combining DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction amplification with primers targeting 16S ribosomal RNA genes, cloning, and sequencing of clones previously analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), which can be applied to study the microbial diversity in a given habitat. The methodology allows the minimization of the sequencing effort, which is particularly relevant when analyzing large numbers of clones. The methodology does not require particularly skilled personnel and can easily be adaptable to the molecular characterization of virtually any particular microbial population, provided that both adequate primers and suitable restriction enzymes for RFLP analysis of the clone library have been chosen. An example of application is presented, in which a sample taken from a continuously operating upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor was analyzed. RFLP analysis of the initial 162 clones with HaeIII allowed the identification of only 28 distinct profiles. As expected, identical RFLP profiles corresponded to identical nucleotide sequences.     

Genetic diversity and structure of the critically endangered tree Dimorphandra wilsonii and of the widespread in the Brazilian Cerrado Dimorphandra mollis: Implications for conservation

We performed a comparative analysis of the genetic diversity and structure of two congeneric tree species, one critically endangered, with only 21 known individuals in the wild, Dimorphandra wilsonii, and the other widely distributed Dimorphandra mollis. Eight populations of D. mollis and all known trees of D. wilsonii, from three areas, were screened for variability with ISSR markers. Percentage of polymorphic bands, Nei's gene diversity and Shannon's index were considerably lower in D. wilsonii (P = 40.0%, h = 0.124 and I = 0.190), as compared to D. mollis (P = 70.4%, h = 0.190 and I = 0.297). Bayesian clustering showed that D. wilsonii individuals are clustered in three populations, which had high differentiation among them. Several measures for their conservation were suggested: protection of all extant populations, ex situ conservation of seeds, production of saplings in nurseries and foundation of new populations in reserve areas.     

Volatile and molecular analysis of Juniperus brevifolia (Seub.) Antoine,an Azorean endemic species

Chemical and molecular analyses were performed for the characterization of Juniperus brevifolia (Seub.) Antoine (Cupressaceae), an Azorean endemic species. Forty-two individual twig samples were collected at seven Azorean islands (S. Miguel, Terceira, S. Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores and Corvo). Volatile compounds were isolated by distillation–extraction and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The volatile oils consisted mainly of monoterpene hydrocarbons (84–96%), limonene (33–87%), α-pinene (1–48%) and β-myrcene (1–5%) being the main components, and cluster analysis showed a high correlation among all samples (S_corr = 0.84). DNA fingerprinting was performed using thirty-seven RAPD and eleven ISSR primers, generating 881 polymorphic bands. Cluster analysis showed a moderate correlation among accessions (S_Dice = 0.43), which grouped according to their geographical origin. Chemical and molecular data did not show superimposable clustering profiles. Although the molecular approaches tested were useful in assessing genetic diversity, no straight correlation could be drawn between chemical and molecular data sets.     

Evaluation of three indices for biofilm accumulation on complete dentures

doi:10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00285.x
Evaluation of three indices for biofilm accumulation on complete dentures Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of three complete denture biofilm indices (Prosthesis Hygiene Index; Jeganathan et al. Index; Budtz‐Jørgensen Index) by means of a computerised comparison method. Background: Clinical studies into denture hygiene have employed a large number of biofilm indices among their outcome variables. However, the knowledge about the validity of these indices is still scarce. Materials and methods: Sixty‐two complete denture wearers were selected. The internal surfaces of the upper complete dentures were stained (5% erythrosine) and photographed. The slides were projected on paper, and the biofilm indices were applied over the photos by means of a scoring method. For the computerised method, the areas (total and biofilm‐covered) were measured by dedicated software (Image Tool). In addition, to compare the results of the computerised method and Prosthetic Hygiene Index, a new scoring scale (including four and five graded) was introduced. For the Jeganathan et al. and Budtz‐Jørgensen indices, the original scales were used. Values for each index were compared with the computerised method by the Friedman test. Their reproducibility was measured by means of weighed κ. Significance for both tests was set at 0.05. Results: The indices tested provided similar mean measures but they tended to overestimate biofilm coverage when compared with the computerised method (p < 0.001). Agreement between the Prosthesis Hygiene Index and the computerised method was not significant, regardless of the scale used. Jeghanathan et al. Index showed weak agreement, and consistent results were found for Budtz‐Jorgensen Index (κ = 0.19 and 0.39 respectively). Conclusion: Assessment of accuracy for the biofilm indices showed instrument bias that was similar among the tested methods. Weak inter‐instrument reproducibility was found for the indices, except for the Budtz‐Jørgensen Index. This should be the method of choice for clinical studies when more sophisticated approaches are not possible.     

Pseudo-peptides derived from isomannide: inhibitors of serine proteases

In this paper, we describe the synthesis of a novel class of pseudo-peptides derived from isomannide and several oxazolones as potential inhibitors of serine proteases as well as preliminary pharmacological assays for hepatitis C. Hepatitis C, dengue and West Nile fever are among the most important flaviviruses that share one important serine protease enzyme. Serine proteases belong to the most studied class of proteolytic enzymes and are a primary target in the drug development field. Several pseudo-peptides were obtained in good yields from the reaction of isomannide and oxazolones, and their anti-HCV potential using the HCV replicon-based assay was shown.