Prevalence of parasite intestinal infections in a rural community of the Caribbean north of Colombia

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of protozoan and helminth infections in a rural town of the Caribbean coast of Colombia and to identify potential risk factors. Methods: The study was conducted in Santa Catalina, a town and municipality located in the Bolívar during 2014. Parasitological analyses were done using 0.85% saline solution and lugol staining. A questionnaire was applied to participants in order to identify possible risk factors for parasite infections. Results: Mean age of sample population (N = 685) was 29.8 SD 622.46 and 68% were females. There is no sewage access in this town. Most of them were infected by any protozoan species (80%) or soil-transmitted helminthes (71%). The most common protozoan found was Entamoeba coli (53%) followed by Giardia duodenalis (13%), Blastocistys hominis (4%) and E. histolytica 82%). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent helminth (63%) followed by Trichuris trichuria (36%), hookworms (2%), Taenia sp (2%) and Hymenolepys nana (2%). Frequency rates of protozoan and helminthic infections were significantly lower in those living in a house build made of bricks (versus wood or "bahereque") or with a floor material distinct from soil/earth. Drinking boiled water was associated only with lower rates of trichuriasis (aOR: 0.59 95%CI: 0.41-0.78), but not ascariasis. Almost half of of subjects (56%) reported to have received deworming treatment in the last year, but this was not associated with having any parasite infection. In a sub-group of 109 with available data, Ascaris infection was associated with lower hemoglobin levels (B=0.75, SE: 0.25, p = 0.003, adjusted by age and gender). Conclusions: The prevalence of protozoan and helminth infections in this town, representative of the rural area of the Caribbean coast of Colombia, is high. Indicators of poverty and lower hygienic conditions are positively associated with parasite infections

MW and sin^2\theta_eff in Split SUSY: present and future expectations

We analyse the precision electroweak observables MW and sin^2\theta_eff and their correlations in the recently proposed Split SUSY model. We compare the results with the Standard Model and Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model predictions, and with present and future experimental accuracies. Present experimental accuracies in (MW, sin^2\theta_eff) do not allow constraints to be placed on the Split SUSY parameter space. We find that the shifts in (MW, sin^2\theta_eff) induced by Split SUSY can be larger than the anticipated accuracy of the GigaZ option of the International Linear Collider, and that the most sensitive observable is sin^2\theta_eff. These large shifts are possible also for large chargino masses in scenarios with small tan(\beta) =~ 1.Comment: LaTeX, 13 pages, 4 figures. Comments adde

Proteomic and functional analyses of the virion transmembrane proteome of cyprinid herpesvirus 3

Virion transmembrane proteins (VTPs) mediate key functions in the herpesvirus infectious cycle. Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) is the archetype of fish alloherpesviruses. The present study was devoted to CyHV-3 VTPs. Using mass spectrometry approaches, we identified 16 VTPs of the CyHV-3 FL strain. Mutagenesis experiments demonstrated that eight of these proteins are essential for viral growth in vitro (ORF32, ORF59, ORF81, ORF83, ORF99, ORF106, ORF115, and ORF131), and eight are non-essential (ORF25, ORF64, ORF65, ORF108, ORF132, ORF136, ORF148, and ORF149). Among the non-essential proteins, deletion of ORF25, ORF132, ORF136, ORF148, or ORF149 affects viral replication in vitro, and deletion of ORF25, ORF64, ORF108, ORF132, or ORF149 impacts plaque size. Lack of ORF148 or ORF25 causes attenuation in vivo to a minor or major extent, respectively. The safety and efficacy of a virus lacking ORF25 were compared to those of a previously described vaccine candidate deleted for ORF56 and ORF57 (Δ56-57). Using quantitative PCR, we demonstrated that the ORF25 deleted virus infects fish through skin infection and then spreads to internal organs as reported previously for the wild-type parental virus and the Δ56-57 virus. However, compared to the parental wild-type virus, the replication of the ORF25 deleted virus was reduced in intensity and duration to levels similar to those observed for the Δ56-57 virus. Vaccination of fish with a virus lacking ORF25 was safe but had low efficacy at the doses tested. This characterization of the virion transmembrane proteome of CyHV-3 provides a firm basis for further research on alloherpesvirus VTPs. IMPORTANCE Virion transmembrane proteins play key roles in the biology of herpesviruses. Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) is the archetype of fish alloherpesviruses and the causative agent of major economic losses in common and koi carp worldwide. In this study of the virion transmembrane proteome of CyHV-3, the major findings were: (i) the FL strain encodes 16 virion transmembrane proteins; (ii) eight of these proteins are essential for viral growth in vitro; (iii) seven of the non-essential proteins affect viral growth in vitro, and two affect virulence in vivo; and (iv) a mutant lacking ORF25 is highly attenuated but induces moderate immune protection. This study represents a major breakthrough in understanding the biology of CyHV-3 and will contribute to the development of prophylactic methods. It also provides a firm basis for the further research on alloherpesvirus virion transmembrane proteins

Self-interactions of the lightest MSSM Higgs boson in the large pseudoscalar-mass limit

We investigate the decoupling properties of the Higgs-sector-induced one-loop corrections in the lightest Higgs-boson self-couplings, in the framework of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). The renormalized n-point vertex functions with external Higgs particles in the MSSM and in the SM are derived to the one-loop level and compared in the MA >> MZ limit. The computation has been done in a general R_{xi} gauge and the on-shell renormalization scheme is chosen. By a comparison of the renormalized lightest Higgs-boson h^0 vertex functions with respect to the corresponding SM ones, we find that the differences between the predictions of both models are summarized in the lightest Higgs-boson mass correction Delta Mh. Consequently, the radiative corrections are absorbed in the Higgs-boson mass, and the trilinear and quartic h^0 self-couplings acquire the same structure as the couplings of the SM Higgs-boson. Therefore, decoupling of the heavy MSSM Higgs bosons occurs and the MSSM h^0 self-interactions converge to the SM ones in the MA >> MZ limit.Comment: LaTeX, 26 pages, 1 figure. Sections 4 and 5 summarized in one section. Some references added. Published version in Phys. Rev.

SUSY-electroweak one-loop contributions to Flavour-Changing Higgs-Boson Decays

The SUSY-EW one-loop quantum contributions to flavour-changing MSSM Higgs-boson decays into $b \bar s$ and $s \bar b$ are computed and discussed. We use the full diagrammatic approach that is valid for all $\tan \beta$ values and do not rely on the mass-insertion approximation for the characteristic flavour-changing parameter. We analyze in full detail the dependence of these flavour-changing partial widths on all the relevant MSSM parameters and also study the non-decoupling behaviour of these widths with the SUSY mass parameters. We find that these contributions are sizable as compared to the SM ones, and together with the SUSY-QCD contributions they can be very efficient as an indirect method in the future search for Supersymmetry.Comment: LaTeX, 25 pages, 12 figures. Text improved and References added. Version to appear in Phys.Rev.

Varespladib and cardiovascular events in patients with an acute coronary syndrome: the VISTA-16 randomized clinical trial

IMPORTANCE: Secretory phospholipase A2(sPLA2) generates bioactive phospholipid products implicated in atherosclerosis. The sPLA2inhibitor varespladib has favorable effects on lipid and inflammatory markers; however, its effect on cardiovascular outcomes is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of sPLA2inhibition with varespladib on cardiovascular outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A double-blind, randomized, multicenter trial at 362 academic and community hospitals in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India, and North America of 5145 patients randomized within 96 hours of presentation of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to either varespladib (n = 2572) or placebo (n = 2573) with enrollment between June 1, 2010, and March 7, 2012 (study termination on March 9, 2012). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized to receive varespladib (500 mg) or placebo daily for 16 weeks, in addition to atorvastatin and other established therapies. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary efficacy measurewas a composite of cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke, or unstable angina with evidence of ischemia requiring hospitalization at 16 weeks. Six-month survival status was also evaluated. RESULTS: At a prespecified interim analysis, including 212 primary end point events, the independent data and safety monitoring board recommended termination of the trial for futility and possible harm. The primary end point occurred in 136 patients (6.1%) treated with varespladib compared with 109 patients (5.1%) treated with placebo (hazard ratio [HR], 1.25; 95%CI, 0.97-1.61; log-rank P = .08). Varespladib was associated with a greater risk of MI (78 [3.4%] vs 47 [2.2%]; HR, 1.66; 95%CI, 1.16-2.39; log-rank P = .005). The composite secondary end point of cardiovascular mortality, MI, and stroke was observed in 107 patients (4.6%) in the varespladib group and 79 patients (3.8%) in the placebo group (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.02-1.82; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In patients with recent ACS, varespladib did not reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events and significantly increased the risk of MI. The sPLA2inhibition with varespladib may be harmful and is not a useful strategy to reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes after ACS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01130246. Copyright 2014 American Medical Association. All rights reserved

Microwave sensor system for continuous monitoring of adhesive curing processes

A microwave sensor system has been developed for monitoring adhesive curing processes. The system provides continuous, real-time information about the curing progress without interfering with the reaction. An open-coaxial resonator is used as the sensor head, and measurements of its resonance frequency and quality factor are performed during cure to follow the reaction progress. Additionally, the system provides other interesting parameters such as reaction rate or cure time. The adhesive dielectric properties can also be computed off-line, which gives additional information about the process. The results given by the system correlate very well with conventional measurement techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry, combining accuracy and rate with simplicity and an affordable cost. © 2012 IOP Publishing Ltd.The authors thank Rut Benavente Martinez for her assistance in the DSC experiments. The contract of BG-B is financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain, through the 'Torres Quevedo' Sub-programme, which is also co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF). This work has been financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain through the project MONIDIEL (TEC2008-04109).García Baños, B.; Catalá Civera, JM.; Penaranda-Foix, FL.; Canós Marín, AJ.; Sahuquillo Navarro, O. (2012). Microwave sensor system for continuous monitoring of adhesive curing processes. Measurement Science and Technology. 23(3). https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-0233/23/3/035101S233Jost, M., & Sernek, M. (2008). Shear strength development of the phenol–formaldehyde adhesive bond during cure. Wood Science and Technology, 43(1-2), 153-166. doi:10.1007/s00226-008-0217-2Costa, M. L., Botelho, E. C., Paiva, J. M. F. de, & Rezende, M. C. (2005). Characterization of cure of carbon/epoxy prepreg used in aerospace field. 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Harnessing Wicked Problems in Multi-stakeholder Partnerships

Despite the burgeoning literature on the governance and impact of cross-sector partnerships in the past two decades, the debate on how and when these collaborative arrangements address globally relevant problems and contribute to systemic change remains open. Building upon the notion of wicked problems and the literature on governing such wicked problems, this paper defines harnessing problems in multi-stakeholder partnerships (MSPs) as the approach of taking into account the nature of the problem and of organizing governance processes accordingly. The paper develops an innovative analytical framework that conceptualizes MSPs in terms of three governance processes (deliberation, decision-making and enforce-ment) harnessing three key dimensions of wicked problems (knowledge uncertainty, value conflict and dynamic complexity). The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil provides an illustrative case study on how this analytical framework describes and explains organizational change in partnerships from a problem-based perspective. The framework can be used to better understand and predict the complex relationships between MSP governance processes, systemic change and societal problems, but also as a guiding tool in (re-)organizing governance processes to continuously re-assess the problems over time and address them accordingly