Effect of Progesterone, Cortisol and Dhea on the ITR of maedivisna virus transcripcional activity

Estudios previos sugieren que, al igual que en otras infecciones por retrovirus, las hormonas esteroideas serían capaces de dirigir la expresión del virus de Maedi-Visna (MVV) mediante la interacción con los Elementos de Respuesta a Hormona (HRE) de la región promotora/reguladora LTR (Repeticiones Largas Terminales) del genoma del provirus. El objetivo de este trabajo fue la evaluación del efecto del cortisol, progesterona y dehidroepiandrosterona (DHEA) sobre la capacidad transcripcional de la región LTR de MVV mediante ensayos de transfección en fibroblastos ovinos con plásmidos pAcGFP (que contiene el gen para la GFP, proteína verde fluorescente) en los que se había clonado la región U3-cap del LTR de distintas cepas de MVV. La actividad transcripcional del LTR se evaluó a través de la cuantificación de la expresión de la GFP por citometría de flujo con las distintas concentraciones de cada hormona tras 48 horas de incubación. En la mayoría de los ensayos se observó un claro efecto inhibitorio de la transcripción del LTR a elevadas concentraciones hormonales, disminuyendo el efecto a medida que se diluía la hormona, llegando incluso en el caso de cortisol y de DHEA a producirse un incremento de la expresión a partir de 10-7M. En general no se pudo asociar una diferente respuesta con el origen de la cepa estudiada lo que sugiere que no está relacionado con los distintos orígenes/tropismos de los virus. Estos datos sugieren la presencia de un sitio HRE capaz de responder a estimulación hormonal en el LTR de MVV.Previous studies suggest that steroid hormones may direct the expression of Maedi-Visna virus (MVV), as has been observed in other retroviral infections. This would be achieved through the promoter/regulator region of the LTR (long terminal repeats) of the proviral genome, which would contain hormone responsive elements (HRE). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cortisol, progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on the transcriptional ability of the MVV LTR region. For this, sheep fibroblasts were transfected with pAcGFP plasmids (containing the gene for green fluorescent protein, GFP) in which the U3-cap region of the LTR of different strains of MVV had been cloned. Different concentrations of each hormone were added to transfected cells and the transcriptional activity of the LTR was evaluated after 48 hours of incubation by quantifying the expression of GFP by flow cytometry. A clear inhibitory effect of the transcriptional ability of the LTR was observed in most of the assays at high hormonal concentrations. This effect decreased with the increasing dilutions of the hormones, to the point that GFP expression was above baseline in cells transfected with several of the plasmids and treated with dilutions above 10-7M of cortisol and DHEA. In general terms, a different response could not be associated to the origin of the strain under study, suggesting that the effect of steroids is not related to the different origins/tropisms of the virus. These data suggest the presence of a hormone responsive element (HRE) in the MVV LTR able to respond to hormonal stimulation

Vinculación con Intel, diseño y validación

ITESO, A.C

Nanocrystalline cathodes for PC-SOFCs based on BCZY

Perovskites based on BaCeO3-δ exhibit the highest proton conductivity among this class of materials, however, they are susceptible to hydration and carbonation in presence of water vapor and CO2 [1]. In contrast, the chemical stability of BaZrO3-based protonic conductors is better, but they require sintering temperatures as high as 1700 ºC and suffer from high intrinsic grain boundary resistance, limiting the final performance. Partial substitution of Zr for Ce in Ba(Ce0.9-xZrx)Y0.2O3-δ allows obtaining electrolytes with both high proton conductivity and good chemical stability. The performance of a PC-SOFC at low temperatures depends significantly on the ohmic resistance of the electrolyte, although it can be lowered by reducing the electrolyte thickness. Another important limiting factor is the increase of the cathode polarization resistance due to the thermally activated nature of the oxygen reduction reaction. For this reason, it is essential to obtain high efficiency cathodes operating at reduced temperatures. In this work, BaCe0.6Zr0.2Y0.2O3-δ (BCZY) powders were prepared by freeze-drying precursor method. These powders were mixed with a Zn-containing solution as sintering additive in order to obtain dense pellets with submicrometric grain size at only 1200 ºC. After that, La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Fe0.2O3 nanocrystalline electrodes were deposited symmetrically onto dense pellets BCZY by conventional spray-pyrolysis [3]. The structure, microstructure and electrochemical properties of these electrodes have been examined by XRD, FE-SEM and impedance spectroscopy. The stability of these electrodes at intermediate temperatures was evaluated as a function of time. These nanocrystalline cathodes exhibit a substantial improvement of the electrode polarization resistance with respect to the same materials prepared by screen-printing method at high sintering temperatures, e.g. 0.7 and 3.2 cm2 at 600 ºC for LSCF cathodes prepared by spray-pyrolysis and screen-printing method respectively (Figure). An anode supported cell with composition LSCF/BCZY/NiO-BCZY was also prepared to test the electrochemical performance.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Assessment of Rights-Related Personal Outcomes in Young People with Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Despite the great importance of the quality of life concept in the intellectual disability (ID) field, literature about its application to youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is scarce, especially for the rights domain, an area that has become particularly important after the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This study focuses on assessing the rights of youth with ASD and ID and comparing their results obtained by people with ID and other associated conditions: Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. The Rights subscale from the field-test version of the KidsLife Scale was administered in a sample composed of 153 participants with ID aged from 4 to 21 years old (ASD = 51; Down syndrome = 51; cerebral palsy = 51). The variables gender, type of schooling, level of ID and level of support needs were significant for the group with ASD. The three groups showed positive outcomes, though youth with Down syndrome obtained statistically significant higher scores than participants with ASD.Aun teniendo gran relevancia el concepto de calidad de vida en el ámbito de la discapacidad intelectual (DI), existe escasa investigación acerca de su aplicación en jóvenes con trastorno del espectro del autismo (TEA), especialmente acerca de la dimensión derechos, área que ha cobrado especial importancia en los últimos años con la ratificación de la Convención de los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad de Naciones Unidas. Este estudio se centra en la evaluación de derechos en jóvenes con TEA y DI, comparando sus resultados con dos grupos de jóvenes que presentan DI y otra condición comórbida: síndrome de Down y parálisis cerebral. Para ello, se utilizó la subescala derechos de la versión piloto de la Escala KidsLife en una muestra de 153 participantes con DI entre 4 y 21 años (TEA = 51; síndrome de Down = 51; parálisis cerebral = 51). En el grupo con TEA, el género, el tipo de escolarización, el nivel de DI y de necesidades de apoyo dieron lugar a diferencias significativas. Los tres grupos obtuvieron resultados positivos, aunque los jóvenes con síndrome de Down obtienen resultados significativamente superiores a los obtenidos por jóvenes con TEA

Variaciones en indicadores geoquímicos (tierras raras e isótopos estables de Carbono) en relación con la paleoprofundidad: ejemplos de depósitos marinos de las Cuencas Neuquina y Austral

Con el objetivo de conocer como varía la composición geoquímica de las aguas con la profundidad y que factores influyen en estos cambios, se realizaron estudios de tierras raras e isótopos estables sobre sucesiones sedimentarias definidas ambientalmente por los métodos tradicionales. A tal fin, se tomaron como casos de estudio secciones sedimentarias de las Formaciones Vaca Muerta, Chachao (Cuenca Neuquina) y Río Mayer (Cuenca Austral), depositadas en forma contemporánea pero a profundidades distintas. Los depósitos de la Cuenca Austral, corresponden a ambientes profundos (plataforma externa) y los indicadores geoquímicos fueron obtenidos a partir de ejemplares de belemnites del género Belemnopsis sp. En la Cuenca Neuquina, los estudios se realizaron en ostras del género Aetostreon sp. acumuladas en ambientes marinos relativamente más someros (rampa externa proximal a rampa media proximal). Estudios petrográficos han permitido confirmar el carácter primario de los valores isotópicos. En la Cuenca Neuquina, las ostras de ambiente marino relativamente más somero muestran un amplio rango de valores de ?13C desde negativos hasta positivos (-4,93 a 2,66‰ VPDB), en tanto que los belemnites de la Cuenca Austral, de ambiente más profundo, poseen menor variabilidad y tenores negativos de ?13C (-1,77 a -0,33‰ VPDB). Asimismo, estos últimos organismos se caracterizan por un enriquecimiento en tierras raras pesadas (valores más elevados de Y/Ho) y de las anomalías de Y, La y Eu, en comparación con los encontrados en las ostras de la Cuenca Neuquina. Se concluye que el contenido de tierras raras e itrio (REY) e isótopos estables en el agua de mar en las cuencas Neuquina y Austral durante el lapso Berriasiano- Valanginiano varió sistemáticamente con la profundidad. En el caso de las REY, este cambio estaría relacionado con la cercanía a las fuentes de aporte de material sedimentario, mientras que la variación en las curvas quimioestratigráficas de carbono se vincularía con la productividad primaria

Sedimentología y estratigrafía del grupo La Providencia (nom. nov.): cubierta superior Neoproterozoica, Sistema de Tandilia, Argentina

La cobertura neoproterozoica del Cratón del Río de La Plata en el área de Sierras Bayas - Olavarría (noroeste del Sistema de Tandilia) constituye el relleno sedimentario más antiguo conocido en Argentina, e incluye al Grupo Sierras Bayas y a la Formación Cerro Negro. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un estudio sedimentológico y estratigráfico de detalle sobre las sedimentitas que hasta el presente trabajo eran conocidas como Formación Cerro Negro, al que se agrega aquí el análisis de un paquete sedimentario de más de 150 metros de espesor, conformado por sedimentitas finas silicoclásticas de color gris oscuro a negro. Esta sucesión, identificada sólo en subsuelo, se ubica estratigráficamente entre la sección basal margosa y la sucesión netamente heterolítica que caracteriza a la sección superior de la Formación Cerro Negro en los afloramientos típicos de la unidad. Para este trabajo se realizó un análisis de datos obtenidos de 17 secciones de subsuelo en dos yacimientos en actividad, más dos perfiles en frentes de canteras que corresponden a localidades típicas de la unidad. La descripción y caracterización de las sedimentitas de la Formación Cerro Negro permitió la definición de diez facies sedimentarias, las cuales fueron agrupadas en tres sucesiones de facies (I: margas y arcilitas rojas, II: lutitas negras, limolitas grises e intervalos heterolíticos grises y III: sucesiones heterolíticas y arenosas), que se interpretaron como depositadas en un ambiente de planicie de marea. Los análisis petrográficos y de difracción de rayos X permitieron caracterizar mineralógicamente a las unidades litológicas presentes. En las facies silicoclásticas finas se reconoce un predominio de cuarzo, acompañado de plagioclasas y arcillas, mientras que en las facies margosas se observan contenidos variables de calcita, variedades de la sílice y arcillas. Con respecto a las margas, la illita es el argilomineral que predomina, acompañada de clorita en proporciones moderadas a escasas. Por otra parte, los niveles de areniscas finas a medianas, señalan una buena selección y escasa a ausente matriz. Las mismas se componen de cuarzo monocristalino, plagioclasas, arcillas (illita y clorita), micas detríticas (muscovita y biotita) y minerales opacos (pirita y hematita). Integrando las relaciones estratigráficas de las sucesiones reconocidas en superficie con la información adicional de subsuelo se elaboró un modelo evolutivo de los diferentes estadios tecto-sedimentarios, el cual contribuye a comprender mejor la evolución de los procesos depositacionales ocurridos en el sector central y austral de las Sierras Bayas. El reconocimiento de una nueva sucesión constituida por sedimentitas finas de coloración gris oscura a negra (sucesión de facies II) conlleva a modificar el esquema estratigráfico existente para el sector noroeste del Sistema de Tandilia. En esta propuesta, a la sucesión de facies I se le asigna el nombre de Formación Avellaneda, la cual queda restringida a las sedimentitas del sector inferior del relleno sedimentario que se encuentra sobre una discontinuidad regional. A la sucesión de facies II, que se ubica por encima de la Formación Avellaneda, se la denomina con el nombre de Formación Alicia. Finalmente, la Formación Cerro Negro sensu stricto queda circunscripta al tope de la sucesión sedimentaria y es equivalente a la sucesión de facies III de este trabajo. En este sentido, y a partir de los resultados obtenidos, se propone redenominar a las unidades que suprayacen al Grupo Sierras Bayas como Grupo La Providencia, el cual está integrado por las formaciones Avellaneda, Alicia y Cerro Negro

Virtual reality exercise intradialysis to improve physical function: A feasibility randomized trial

[EN] Objective The main objective of this investigation was to assess feasibility of conducting a future RCT with an intradialysis non-immersive virtual reality exercise intervention. The secondary aim was to explore the impact of either conventional or VR exercise on physical function. Design Feasibility randomized trial. Participants Eighteen subjects who participated in a 16-week intradialysis combined exercise program. Interventions The program lasted four additional weeks of either combined exercise or virtual reality exercise. Main outcome measures Physical function was measured through several reliable tests (sit-to-stand-to-sit tests 10 and 60, gait speed, one-leg heel-rise tests, and 6-minute walk test) at baseline, after 16 weeks of intradialysis combined exercise and by the end of four additional weeks of exercise. Adherence to the exercise programs was registered. Results There was a significant time effect, so that physical function improved in both groups. By the end of the 20 weeks, function improved as measured through the sit-to-stand-to-sit tests 10 and 60, gait speed, one-leg heel-rise left leg, and the 6-minute walk test. Changes that did not occur due to error in the test were seen after 20 weeks were achieved in the sit-to-stand-to-sit test 60, gait speed, one-leg heel-rise test for the left leg, and 6-minute walking test. Conclusion Virtual reality was a feasible intervention. Both interventions improved physical function. Adherence was not significantly different between groups.Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain, Grant/Award Number: Consolidacion de Indicadores CEU-UCH 2016-2017/ISegura-Orti, E.; Perez-Dominguez, B.; Ortega-Pérez De Villar, L.; Melendez-Oliva, E.; Martínez-Gramaje, J.; García-Maset, R.; Gil-Gómez, J. (2019). Virtual reality exercise intradialysis to improve physical function: A feasibility randomized trial. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. 29(1):89-94. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13304S8994291Segura-Ortí, E., Gordon, P. L., Doyle, J. W., & Johansen, K. L. (2017). Correlates of Physical Functioning and Performance Across the Spectrum of Kidney Function. Clinical Nursing Research, 27(5), 579-596. doi:10.1177/1054773816689282Segura-Orti, E., & Johansen, K. L. (2010). Exercise in End-Stage Renal Disease. Seminars in Dialysis, 23(4), 422-430. doi:10.1111/j.1525-139x.2010.00766.xDelgado, C., & Johansen, K. L. (2011). Barriers to exercise participation among dialysis patients. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 27(3), 1152-1157. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfr404Heiwe, S., & Tollin, H. (2012). Patients’ perspectives on the implementation of intra-dialytic cycling—a phenomenographic study. Implementation Science, 7(1). doi:10.1186/1748-5908-7-68Konstantinidou, E., Koukouvou, G., Kouidi, E., Deligiannis, A., & Tourkantonis, A. (2002). Exercise training in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis: Comparison of three rehabilitation programs. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 34(1), 40-45. doi:10.1080/165019702317242695Corbetta, D., Imeri, F., & Gatti, R. (2015). Rehabilitation that incorporates virtual reality is more effective than standard rehabilitation for improving walking speed, balance and mobility after stroke: a systematic review. Journal of Physiotherapy, 61(3), 117-124. doi:10.1016/j.jphys.2015.05.017Peruzzi, A., Cereatti, A., Della Croce, U., & Mirelman, A. (2016). Effects of a virtual reality and treadmill training on gait of subjects with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 5, 91-96. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2015.11.002Brien, M., & Sveistrup, H. (2011). An Intensive Virtual Reality Program Improves Functional Balance and Mobility of Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 23(3), 258-266. doi:10.1097/pep.0b013e318227ca0fOrtega‐Pérez de VillarL Pérez‐ DomínguezB Segura‐OrtíE et al.Use of virtual reality game as part of exercise program for chronic kidney disease patients undergoing haemodialysis.2015.Cho, H., & Sohng, K.-Y. (2014). The Effect of a Virtual Reality Exercise Program on Physical Fitness, Body Composition, and Fatigue in Hemodialysis Patients. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 26(10), 1661-1665. doi:10.1589/jpts.26.1661OrtegaL.Comparison of two exercise programs for hemodialysis patients intradialysis vs home based program. absolute and relative reliability of physical performance[tesis doctoral]. Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud;2017.Guralnik, J. M., Ferrucci, L., Simonsick, E. M., Salive, M. E., & Wallace, R. B. (1995). Lower-Extremity Function in Persons over the Age of 70 Years as a Predictor of Subsequent Disability. New England Journal of Medicine, 332(9), 556-562. doi:10.1056/nejm199503023320902Segura-Ortí, E., & Martínez-Olmos, F. J. (2011). Test-Retest Reliability and Minimal Detectable Change Scores for Sit-to-Stand-to-Sit Tests, the Six-Minute Walk Test, the One-Leg Heel-Rise Test, and Handgrip Strength in People Undergoing Hemodialysis. Physical Therapy, 91(8), 1244-1252. doi:10.2522/ptj.20100141Segura-Ortí, E. (2017). Fisioterapia sobre ejercicio en pacientes en hemodiálisis. Fisioterapia, 39(4), 137-139. doi:10.1016/j.ft.2017.05.003Bohm, C., Stewart, K., Onyskie-Marcus, J., Esliger, D., Kriellaars, D., & Rigatto, C. (2014). Effects of intradialytic cycling compared with pedometry on physical function in chronic outpatient hemodialysis: a prospective randomized trial. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 29(10), 1947-1955. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfu248KOUFAKI, P., NASH, P. F., & MERCER, T. H. (2002). Assessing the efficacy of exercise training in patients with chronic disease. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 34(8), 1234-1241. doi:10.1097/00005768-200208000-00002Cappy, C. S., Jablonka, J., & Schroeder, E. T. (1999). The effects of exercise during hemodialysis on physical performance and nutrition assessment. Journal of Renal Nutrition, 9(2), 63-70. doi:10.1016/s1051-2276(99)90002-xHeadley, S., Germain, M., Mailloux, P., Mulhern, J., Ashworth, B., Burris, J., … Jones, M. (2002). Resistance training improves strength and functional measures in patients with end-stage renal disease. American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 40(2), 355-364. doi:10.1053/ajkd.2002.34520Painter, P., Carlson, L., Carey, S., Paul, S. M., & Myll, J. (2000). Low-functioning hemodialysis patients improve with exercise training. American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 36(3), 600-608. doi:10.1053/ajkd.2000.16200Segura-Ortí, E., Kouidi, E., & Lisón, J. F. (2009). Effect of resistance exercise during hemodialysis on physical function and quality of life: randomized controlled trial. Clinical Nephrology, 71(05), 527-537. doi:10.5414/cnp71527Esteve Simó, V., Junqué, A., Fulquet, M., Duarte, V., Saurina, A., Pou, M., … Ramírez de Arellano, M. (2014). Complete Low-Intensity Endurance Training Programme in Haemodialysis Patients: Improving the Care of Renal Patients. Nephron Clinical Practice, 128(3-4), 387-393. doi:10.1159/000369253Johansen, K. L., Painter, P. L., Sakkas, G. K., Gordon, P., Doyle, J., & Shubert, T. (2006). Effects of Resistance Exercise Training and Nandrolone Decanoate on Body Composition and Muscle Function among Patients Who Receive Hemodialysis: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 17(8), 2307-2314. doi:10.1681/asn.2006010034Tao, X., Chow, S. K. Y., & Wong, F. K. (2017). The effects of a nurse-supervised home exercise programme on improving patients’ perceptions of the benefits and barriers to exercise: A randomised controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 26(17-18), 2765-2775. doi:10.1111/jocn.13798Rossi, A. P., Burris, D. D., Lucas, F. L., Crocker, G. A., & Wasserman, J. C. (2014). Effects of a Renal Rehabilitation Exercise Program in Patients with CKD: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 9(12), 2052-2058. doi:10.2215/cjn.11791113Boone, A. E., Foreman, M. H., & Engsberg, J. R. (2017). Development of a novel virtual reality gait intervention. Gait & Posture, 52, 202-204. doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2016.11.025Orcy, R. B., Dias, P. S., Seus, T. L., Barcellos, F. C., & Bohlke, M. (2012). Combined Resistance and Aerobic Exercise is Better than Resistance Training Alone to Improve Functional Performance of Haemodialysis Patients - Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Physiotherapy Research International, 17(4), 235-243. doi:10.1002/pri.1526Oliveros R, M. S., Avendaño, M., Bunout, D., Hirsch, S., De La Maza, M. P., Pedreros, C., & Müller, H. (2011). Estudio piloto sobre entrenamiento físico durante hemodiálisis. Revista médica de Chile, 139(8), 1046-1053. doi:10.4067/s0034-98872011000800010Silva, S. F. da, Pereira, A. A., Silva, W. A. H. da, Simôes, R., & Barros Neto, J. de R. (2013). Physical therapy during hemodialyse in patients with chronic kidney disease. Jornal Brasileiro de Nefrologia, 35(3), 170-176. doi:10.5935/0101-2800.20130028Bulckaen, M., Capitanini, A., Lange, S., Caciula, A., Giuntoli, F., & Cupisti, A. (2011). Implementation of exercise training programs in a hemodialysis unit: effects on physical performance. Journal of Nephrology, 24(6), 790-797. doi:10.5301/jn.2011.6386Cook, S. A., MacLaughlin, H., & Macdougall, I. C. (2007). A structured weight management programme can achieve improved functional ability and significant weight loss in obese patients with chronic kidney disease. Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 23(1), 263-268. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfm511PérezDF.Comparación de los efectos de un programa de ejercicio intradiálisis frente a un programa de ejercicio domiciliario[tesis doctoral]. Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud;2017.Wilkinson, T. J., Shur, N. F., & Smith, A. C. (2016). «Exercise as medicine» in chronic kidney disease. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 26(8), 985-988. doi:10.1111/sms.1271

The next Generation of Action Ecology: Novel Approaches towards Global Ecological Research

Advances in the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge over the last decade have dramatically reshaped the way that ecological research is conducted. The advent of large, technology-based resources such as iNaturalist, Genbank, or the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) allow ecologists to work at spatio-temporal scales previously unimaginable. This has generated a new approach in ecological research: one that relies on large datasets and rapid synthesis for theory testing and development, and findings that provide specific recommendations to policymakers and managers. This new approach has been termed action ecology, and here we aim to expand on earlier definitions to delineate its characteristics so as to distinguish it from related subfields in applied ecology and ecological management. Our new, more nuanced definition describes action ecology as ecological research that is (1) explicitly motivated by the need for immediate insights into current, pressing problems, (2) collaborative and transdisciplinary, incorporating sociological in addition to ecological considerations throughout all steps of the research, (3) technology-mediated, innovative, and aggregative (i.e., reliant on ‘big data\u27), and (4) designed and disseminated with the intention to inform policy and management. We provide tangible examples of existing work in the domain of action ecology, and offer suggestions for its implementation and future growth, with explicit recommendations for individuals, research institutions, and ecological societies

Quantifying the patient´s perspective in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: Psychometric properties of the SymptoMScreen questionnaire

Background: The assessment of self-reported outcomes in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is limited by the lack of validated disease-specific measures. The SymptoMScreen (SyMS) is a patient-reported questionnaire for measuring symptom severity in different domains affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), but has not been thoroughly evaluated in NMOSD. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the SyMS in a sample of patients with NMOSD. Methods: A non-interventional, cross-sectional study in adult subjects with NMOSD (Wingerchuk 2015 criteria) was conducted at 13 neuroimmunology clinics applying the SyMS. A non-parametric item response theory procedure, Mokken analysis, was performed to assess the underlying dimensional structure and scalability of items and overall questionnaire. All analyses were performed with R (v4.0.3) using the mokken library. Results: A total of 70 patients were studied (mean age: 47.5 ± 15 years, 80% female, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score: 3.0 [interquartile range 1.5, 4.5]). Symptom severity was low (median SyMS score: 19.0 [interquartile range 10.0, 32.0]). The SyMS showed a robust internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha: 0.90 [95% confidence interval 0.86, 0.93]) and behaved as a unidimensional scale with all items showing scalability coefficients > 0.30. The overall SyMS scalability was 0.45 conforming to a medium scale according to Mokken's criteria. Fatigue and body pain were the domains with the highest scalability coefficients. The SyMS was associated with disability (rho: 0.586), and physical and psychological quality of life (rho: 0.856 and 0.696, respectively). Conclusions: The SyMS shows appropriate psychometric characteristics and may constitute a valuable and easy-to-implement option to measure symptom severity in patients with NMOSD

Interleukin 27 could be useful in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusions

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TBPE) has some limitations. We studied the efficacy of interleukin-27 (IL-27) in the diagnosis of TBPE. METHODS: We measured IL-27, adenosine deaminase (ADA), ADA-2, interferon-gamma (IFNgamma), and the ADA.IL-27 and ADA-2.IL-27 products in all the pleural effusion fluids. The diagnostic yield of IL-27 was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Of 431 pleural effusions, 70 were tuberculous, 146 were neoplastic, 58 were parapneumonic, 28 were empyemas, 88 were transudates, and 41 were other types. With a cutoff point of 0.55 ng/mL, IL-27 had a sensitivity of 91.4% and a specificity of 85.1%, which were significantly less than ADA, ADA-2, IFNgamma, ADA.IL-27, or ADA-2.IL-27. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for IL-27 (0.963) was also significantly lower than that for the other markers, except for IFNgamma. However, IL-27 improved the sensitivity of ADA and ADA-2 through ADA.IL-27 and ADA-2.IL-27 products (100% for both). CONCLUSIONS: IL-27 is less efficient than ADA and ADA-2 in the diagnosis of TBPE. However, ADA.IL-27 and ADA-2.IL-27 improve the diagnostic sensitivity of ADA and ADA-2, and thus could be useful in situations of high clinical suspicion and low ADA level. A value above the cutoff point of the latter is practically diagnostic of TBPE