Prospective Study in a Porcine Model of Sarcoptes scabiei Indicates the Association of Th2 and Th17 Pathways with the Clinical Severity of Scabies

BackgroundUnderstanding of scabies immunopathology has been hampered by the inability to undertake longitudinal studies in humans. Pigs are a useful animal model for scabies, and show clinical and immunologic changes similar to those in humans. Crusted scabies can be readily established in pigs by treatment with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex).Methodology/ Principal FindingsProspective study of 24 pigs in four groups: a) Scabies+/Dex+, b) Scabies+/Dex-, c) Scabies-/Dex+ and d) Scabies-/Dex-. Clinical symptoms were monitored. Histological profiling and transcriptional analysis of skin biopsies was undertaken to compare changes in cell infiltrates and representative cytokines. A range of clinical responses to Sarcoptes scabiei were observed in Dex treated and non-immunosuppressed pigs. An association was confirmed between disease severity and transcription of the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13, and up-regulation of the Th17 cytokines IL-17 and IL-23 in pigs with crusted scabies. Immunohistochemistry revealed marked infiltration of lymphocytes and mast cells, and strong staining for IL-17.Conclusions/ SignificanceWhile an allergic Th2 type response to scabies has been previously described, these results suggest that IL-17 related pathways may also contribute to immunopathology of crusted scabies. This may lead to new strategies to protect vulnerable subjects from contracting recurrent crusted scabies

Violência física intra-familiar entre jovens mexicanos e egípcios

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of experiencing intra-familial violence among Mexican and Egyptian youth and to describe its associated risk factors. METHODS: Data from questionnaires applied to 12,862 Mexican and 5,662 Egyptian youth, aged 10 to 19, who attended public schools were analyzed. Biviarate and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the relationship between socio-demographics, the experience of intra-familial violence and violence perpetration. RESULTS: The prevalence of having experienced intra-familial violence was comparable across the Mexican and Egyptian populations (14% and 17%, respectively). In Mexico, young men were more likely to have experienced such violence (OR=2.36) than women, whereas in Egypt, young women were at slightly greater risk than young men (OR=1.25). Older age, male gender and urban residence were independent correlates of experiencing intra-familial violence among Mexican youth. For Egyptian adolescents, in contrast, younger age, female gender and having non-married parents were independent correlates of victimization. Intra-familial violence victims were also more likely than non-victims to perpetrate violence (Mexico: OR=13.13; Egypt: OR=6.58). CONCLUSIONS: Mexican and Egyptian youth experienced intra-familial violence at a relatively low prevalence when compared with youth of other countries. A strong association was found between experiencing intra-familial violence and perpetrating violence.OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência da violência intra-familiar sofrida por jovens mexicanos e egípcios, e descrever os fatores de risco associados. MÉTODOS: Os dados analisados foram obtidos de questionários aplicados a 12.862 mexicanos e 5.662 egípcios, jovens de 10 a 19 anos, que freqüentam escolas públicas. O relacionamento entre fatores sociodemográficos, a violência sofrida e sua perpetração foram investigados por meio de análise bivariada e regressão logística. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de violência intra-familiar foi comparável entre as populações mexicana e egípcia (14% e 17%, respectivamente). No México, essa violência foi muito mais provável entre os homens jovens do que entre mulheres (OR=2,36), enquanto que no Egito era mais provável entre as mulheres jovens do que homens (OR=1,25). Idade mais elevada, gênero masculino e residência urbana são fatores associados a violência intra-familiar entre jovens mexicanos. Entre jovens egípcios, a idade mais baixa,o gênero feminino e pais não casados foram fatores associados a essa violência. Foi mais provável a repetição da violência pelos jovens que eram vítimas da violência intra-familiar (México: OR=13,13; Egito: OR=6,58). CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de experimentar a violência intra-familiar de jovens mexicanos e egípcios foi baixa em comparação com jovens em outros países. Houve forte associação entre vítimas de violência intra-familiar e a repetição da violência

Rice Breeding Strategies in the Philippines

Rice is a major staple in the Philippines. The major goal of the rice sector in the country is to increase its productivity to meet the ever growing demand for rice. Breeding is one of the potential solutions to achieve rice self-sufficiency in the country. Rice variety development is led by research institutions such as PhilRice, IRRI, UPLB, and private companies and each adapts various breeding strategies. Rice variety normally takes 10-12 years of a journey from breeding to release and more than 300 varieties have been developed and released that were suited for various rice ecosystems. Sufficient varieties were available for production and this led to continuous in rice production for the past decade. However, yield increment has plateaued. To meet the increasing demand for rice, achieve self-sufficiency, and particularly, break the yield barrier (plateau) and achieve a leap in yield potential, breeding institutions particularly PhilRice should embrace new advances and technologies in rice breeding. The introduction of the concept of transforming breeding into a “factory line” type encouraging rapid generation advance, earlier multi-location trials, and increasing selection pressure, and employing genomic selection (GS) in handling a large quantity of materials/populations can improve breeding efficiency and outputs significantly

Combined Analysis of Methylation and Gene Expression Profiles in Separate Compartments of Small Bowel Mucosa Identified Celiac Disease Patients' Signatures

By GWAS studies on celiac disease, gene expression was studied at the level of the whole intestinal mucosa, composed by two different compartments: epithelium and lamina propria. Our aim is to analyse the gene-expression and DNA methylation of candidate genes in each of these compartments. Epithelium was separated from lamina propria in biopsies of CeD patients and CTRs using magnetic beads. Gene-expression was analysed by RT-PC; methylation analysis required bisulfite conversion and NGS. Reverse modulation of gene-expression and methylation in the same cellular compartment was observed for the IL21 and SH2B3 genes in CeD patients relative to CTRs. Bioinformatics analysis highlighted the regulatory elements in the genomic region of SH2B3 that altered methylation levels. The cREL and TNFAIP3 genes showed methylation patterns that were significantly different between CeD patients and CTRs. In CeD, the genes linked to inflammatory processes are up-regulated, whereas the genes involved in the cell adhesion/ integrity of the intestinal barrier are down-regulated. These findings suggest a correlation between gene-expression and methylation profile for the IL21 and SH2B3 genes. We identified a "gene-expression phenotype" of CeD and showed that the abnormal response to dietary antigens in CeD might be related not to abnormalities of gene structure but to the regulation of molecular pathways.This work was funded by the FC-Grant2013. Programma di mobilita nell'ambito delle reti di eccellenza POR Campania FSE 2007-2013 Asse V. The authors thank the European Laboratory for Food-induced Disease (ELFID). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

ECTOPARASITES IN CULTIVATED BUJURQUI (CICHLASOMA AMAZONARUM; PISCES: CICHLIDAE) REARED IN FISH PONDS

Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron identificar y establecer las frecuencias de ectoparásitos en Cichlasoma amazonarum (Pisces: Cichlidae) criados en estanques en la zona de Iquitos, Perú, entre octubre y diciembre de 2004. Se colectaron ectoparásitos de tegumento y branquias en 227 peces. Los parásitos fueron teñidos con Hematoxilina de Delafield. La frecuencia de infecciones por ectoparásitos fue de 78.0 ± 6.1% de monogeneos y 0.9% de maxillopoda (Crustacea: Branchiura). Dentro de los monogeneos, el 88.1% correspondió a parásitos de la familia Dactylogyridae, 6.2% a la familia Gyrodactylidae y 5.7% a infecciones mixtas de ambas familias. Los maxillopoda encontrados fueron de la especie Dolops geayi. El 80.2% de los peces muestreados presentaron de uno a tres parásitos por individuo, lo que indica niveles bajos que no afectan la salud de los peces. No se encontró una correlación significativa entre las medidas biométricas de los peces con la infección de monogeneos. Los resultados del presente estudio indican que la presencia de monogeneos en cíclidos amazónicos peruanos es común.The aim of the present study was to identify ectoparasites and to establish the frequencies of infections in Cichlasoma amazonarum (Pisces: Cichlidae) raised in artificial ponds in Iquitos, Peru from October to December 2004. Ectoparasites collected from the skin and gills in 225 fish were stained using Delafield Hematoxiline. The frequency of ectoparasites was 78.0 ± 6.1% monogeneans and 0.9% maxillopoda (Crustacea: Branchiura). Among monogenean infections, 88.1% corresponded to parasites of Dactylofyridae family and 6.2% of Gyrodactylidae family, whereas 5.7% to mixed infections of both families. All maxillopoda found were Dolops geayi. One to three parasites per individual were found in 80.2% of the sampled fish, indicating of low parasite burden, which may no affect fish health. There was no significant correlation between biometric measurements and monogeneans infection in C. amazonarum. This study could indicate that monogeneans in Peruvian Amazon cichlids are common

Las universidades y el discurso ambientalista: las dos caras de la moneda

La preocupación constante de las universidades e instituciones de educación superior por afrontar los retos de lasnuevas formas de mercados y la cada vez más definida política en relación con la conservación del ambiente y el aprovechamiento de recursos, además de la búsqueda de mejorar las condiciones de vida y el desarrollo de estrategias desostenibilidad ambiental, exigen que la reflexión, evaluación y el análisis en torno a los procesos, técnicas e instrumentosde la gestión ambiental se constituyan en una fase crucial para el entendimiento de los discursos empresariales conrelación a la misma. En este sentido, se hizo relevante un análisis crítico e interdisciplinario de la manera cómo las universidades e instituciones de educación superior han estructurado sus discursos para sensibilizar a la comunidaduniversitaria a reducir el impacto negativo que generan al entorno; es así como el presente artículo, producto deinvestigación, indagó sobre los discursos ambientalistas usados desde lo administrativo, en la Universidad AutónomaLatinoamericana, la Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia y la Corporación Universitaria Remington, todas ellas consede en la comuna 10 de la ciudad de Medellín. Se encontró que la legislación internacional y la nacional en relacióncon el ambiente, han guiado el actuar de las instituciones en la construcción de un pensamiento preocupado por elambiente.Palabras clave: ambiente, educación ambiental, gestión ambiental, pensamiento ambiental

Molecular diagnosis of scabies using a novel probe-based polymerase chain reaction assay targeting high-copy number repetitive sequences in the Sarcoptes scabiei genome

Background The suboptimal sensitivity and specificity of available diagnostic methods for scabies hampers clinical management, trials of new therapies and epidemiologic studies. Additionally, parasitologic diagnosis by microscopic examination of skin scrapings requires sample collection with a sharp scalpel blade, causing discomfort to patients and difficulty in children. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic assays, combined with non-invasive sampling methods, represent an attractive approach. In this study, we aimed to develop a real-time probe-based PCR test for scabies, test a non-invasive sampling method and evaluate its diagnostic performance in two clinical settings. Methodology/Principal findings High copy-number repetitive DNA elements were identified in draft Sarcoptes scabiei genome sequences and used as assay targets for diagnostic PCR. Two suitable repetitive DNA sequences, a 375 base pair microsatellite (SSR5) and a 606 base pair long tandem repeat (SSR6), were identified. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were tested using relevant positive and negative control materials and compared to a published assay targeting the mitochondrial cox1 gene. Both assays were positive at a 1:100 dilution of DNA from a single mite; no amplification was observed in DNA from samples from 19 patients with other skin conditions nor from house dust, sheep or dog mites, head and body lice or from six common skin bacterial and fungal species. Moderate sensitivity of the assays was achieved in a pilot study, detecting 5/7 (71.4% [95% CI: 29.0% - 96.3%]) of clinically diagnosed untreated scabies patients). Greater sensitivity was observed in samples collected by FLOQ swabs compared to skin scrapings. Conclusions/Significance This newly developed qPCR assay, combined with the use of an alternative non-invasive swab sampling technique offers the possibility of enhanced diagnosis of scabies. Further studies will be required to better define the diagnostic performance of these tests