An investig-ation into the epidemiology of chikungunya virus across neglected regions of Indonesia

BackgroundChikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an important emerging and re-emerging public health problem worldwide. In Indonesia, where the virus is endemic, epidemiological information from outside of the main islands of Java and Bali is limited.Methodology/Principal FindingsFour hundred and seventy nine acutely febrile patients presenting between September 2017–2019 were recruited from three city hospitals situated in Ambon, Maluku; Banjarmasin, Kalimantan; and Batam, Batam Island as part of a multi-site observational study. CHIKV RNA was detected in a single serum sample while a separate sample was IgM positive. IgG seroprevalence was also low across all three sites, ranging from 1.4–3.2%. The single RT-PCR positive sample from this study and 24 archived samples collected during other recent outbreaks throughout Indonesia were subjected to complete coding region sequencing to assess the genetic diversity of Indonesian strains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed all to be of a single clade, which was distinct from CHIKV strains recently reported from neighbouring regions including the Philippines and the Pacific Islands.Conclusions/SignificanceChikungunya virus strains from recent outbreaks across Indonesia all belong to a single clade. However, low-level seroprevalence and molecular detection of CHIKV across the three study sites appears to contrast with the generally high seroprevalences that have been reported for non-outbreak settings in Java and Bali, and may account for the relative lack of CHIKV epidemiological data from other regions of Indonesia.     

A gynecologic oncology group phase II trial of two p53 peptide vaccine approaches: subcutaneous injection and intravenous pulsed dendritic cells in high recurrence risk ovarian cancer patients

Purpose

Peptide antigens have been administered by different approaches as cancer vaccine therapy, including direct injection or pulsed onto dendritic cells; however, the optimal delivery method is still debatable. In this study, we describe the immune response elicited by two vaccine approaches using the wild-type (wt) p53 vaccine.

Experimental design

Twenty-one HLA-A2.1 patients with stage III, IV, or recurrent ovarian cancer overexpressing the p53 protein with no evidence of disease were treated in two cohorts. Arm A received SC wt p53:264-272 peptide admixed with Montanide and GM-CSF. Arm B received wt p53:264-272 peptide-pulsed dendritic cells IV. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) was administered to both cohorts in alternative cycles.

Results

Nine of 13 patients (69%) in arm A and 5 of 6 patients (83%) in arm B developed an immunologic response as determined by ELISPOT and tetramer assays. The vaccine caused no serious systemic side effects. IL-2 administration resulted in grade 3 and 4 toxicities in both arms and directly induced the expansion of T regulatory cells. The median overall survival was 40.8 and 29.6?months for arm A and B, respectively; the median progression-free survival was 4.2 and. 8.7?months, respectively.

Conclusion

We found that using either vaccination approach generates comparable specific immune responses against the p53 peptide with minimal toxicity. Accordingly, our findings suggest that the use of less demanding SC approach may be as effective. Furthermore, the use of low-dose SC IL-2 as an adjuvant might have interfered with the immune response. Therefore, it may not be needed in future trials.     

Short-term response of wild grapevines (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> L<Emphasis Type="Italic">. ssp. sylvestris</Emphasis>) to NaCl salinity exposure: changes of some physiological and molecular characteristics

The physiological and molecular response to salt stress was studied in two wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris or Vitis sylvestris) accessions “Khédhayria” and “Houamdia”, previously identified as salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive pair wise. Plants from both accessions were subjected to a progressive salt stress by the use of a nutritional solution containing up to 150 mM NaCl for 2 weeks. Salt stress adversely affected growth and water potential since the first day of exposure to 150 mM NaCl. However, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were unchanged until 14 days of salt exposure. At that time point the predawn water potential (Ψ_PD), the non-photochemical quenching of fluorescence (NPQ) and the coefficient of photochemical quenching (q_p) were significantly less altered in the tolerant accession. At the molecular level semi-quantitative RT-PCR assays revealed a differential expression of (Vs α-gal/SIP and Vs DHN) genes within these contrasting accessions after exposure to 24 h and 14 days of salt. Comparably, the Vs RD22 gene had increased slightly after only 14 days of treatment in both accessions. These results were the first pieces of information reported on the early and late regulation of salt response genes in wild grapevines. Furthermore, genotype-dependent parameters such as NPQ, q_p, mRNA levels of Vs α-gal/SIP and Vs DHN could be used to screen salt-tolerant wild grapevine genotypes.     

Prevalence of head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) infestation among schools workers in the Eastern Region,Saudi Arabia

In a cross-sectional survey in February-May 2019, the prevalence of Pediculosis capitis with demographic data and the behavioral practices were investigated among 750 participants in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Female participation was highly remarked with a percentage of 94.08% compared to that of male one about 5.91%. A deficiency of knowledge about lice infestation was noted especially among illiterate participants raised from their socio-economic levels (p-value = 0.001). Lice infestation reached higher rates in children aged less than 20 years with itching of the hair scalp. The obtained results revealed that 59.33% of the respondents believed that frequency of personal hygiene and washing of hair were the best methods for preventing the lice infestation. However, the treatment of lice infestation using anti-lice agents (p-value = 0.020) was preferred by 14.26% of participants. Although knowledge about the preventive tools for lice infestation (p-value 0.089) was not significantly associated with the experience of infestation but knowledge about the appropriate treatment to kill lice (p-value 0.020) and the wrong practices in the treatment of a head lice infestation were (p-value 0.005) significantly associated with the experience of infestation. Health programs and campaigns preventions are highly advised to increase the awareness of Pediculosis capitis with an effective strategic plan to control, manage, and prevent this disease.     

Effects of Landscape Segregation on Livelihood Vulnerability: Moving From Extensive Shifting Cultivation to Rotational Agriculture and Natural Forests in Northern Laos

This study investigates four decades of socio-economic and environmental change in a shifting cultivation landscape in the northern uplands of Laos. Historical changes in land cover and land use were analyzed using a chronological series of remote sensing data. Impacts of landscape change on local livelihoods were investigated in seven villages through interviews with various stakeholders. The study reveals that the complex mosaics of agriculture and forest patches observed in the study area have long constituted key assets for the resilience of local livelihood systems in the face of environmental and socio-economic risks. However, over the past 20 years, a process of segregating agricultural and forest spaces has increased the vulnerability of local land users. This process is a direct outcome of policies aimed at increasing national forest cover, eradicating shifting cultivation and fostering the emergence of more intensive and commercial agricultural practices. We argue that agriculture-forest segregation should be buffered in such a way that a diversity of livelihood opportunities and economic development pathways can be maintained.     

Analysis of δ-globin gene alleles in Tunisians: description of three new delta-thalassemia mutations

Molecular Biology Reports - Thalassemia is one of the most prevalent worldwide autosomal recessive disorders characterized by a great molecular and clinical expression heterogeneity. Alpha and...