Herpetic Pneumonia in Indian Ringneck Parrots (Psittacula krameri): First Report of Novel Psittacid Alphaherpesvirus-5 Infection in Europe

Simple Summary Herpesviridae is a large family of double-stranded DNA viruses that infect many different animal species. Herpesvirus infections are common in avian species and, to date, three different alphaherpesvirus species have been recognized as causative agents of disease in Psittaciformes. However, there are reports of respiratory disease in parrots characterized by the presence of distinctive herpes-related histologic lesions, albeit with no identified etiology. Our study acknowledges the unprecedented presence of the novel Psittacid alphaherpesvirus-5 in Europe. Necropsy was performed on Indian ringneck parrots deceased after severe respiratory distress and diagnosis was achieved through histological examination, visualization of the virions by electron microscopy and genome sequencing. The pathogen has been reported only once in Australia and the present report raises the probability that its distribution is wider and it should be included in the list of pathogens threatening parrot populations. The first two European outbreaks of herpetic pneumonia caused by Psittacid alphaherpesvirus-5 were diagnosed based on gross pathology findings, histological examination, transmission electron microscopy visualization and genome sequencing. The outbreaks, characterized by high morbidity and high mortality rates, involved two parrot species, namely the Indian ringneck parrot (Psittacula krameri) and the Alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria). Clinical signs observed were ruffled feathers, dyspnea, tail bobbing, open wings while breathing, depression and anorexia. Necropsy was performed on Indian ringneck parrots only, and the most evident and serious gross lesion found in all the birds was a diffuse marked consolidation of the lungs associated with parenchyma congestion and oedema. Histological examination confirmed the existence of bronchopneumonia characterized by the presence of syncytial cells with intranuclear inclusion bodies. In one bird, fibrinous airsacculitis was observed as well. Lung tissue inspection through electron microscopy revealed the presence of virus particles resembling herpesviruses. Viral DNA was extracted, amplified using primers for Alloherpesviridae DNA polymerase gene detection, and then sequenced. BLAST analysis showed a 100% identity with the only previously reported sequence of PsHV-5 (MK955929.1)

Fine particulate air pollution, nitrogen dioxide, and systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease in Calgary,

a b s t r a c t Objective: To estimate the association between fine particulate (PM 2.5 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) pollution and systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs). Methods: Associations between ambient air pollution (PM 2.5 and NO 2 ) and SARDs were assessed using land-use regression models for Calgary, Alberta and administrative health data (1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007). SARD case definitions were based on Z 2 physician claims, or Z 1 rheumatology billing code; or Z1 hospitalization code (for systemic lupus, Sjogren's Syndrome, scleroderma, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, or undifferentiated connective tissue disease). Bayesian hierarchical latent class regression models estimated the probability that each resident was a SARD case, based on these case definitions. The sum of individual level probabilities provided the estimated number of cases in each area. The latent class model included terms for age, sex, and an interaction term between age and sex. Bayesian logistic regression models were used to generate adjusted odds ratios (OR) for NO 2 and PM 2.5 . pollutant models, adjusting for neighbourhood income, age, sex, and an interaction between age and sex. We also examined models stratified for First-Nations (FN) and non-FN subgroups. Results: Residents that were female and/or aged 445 had a greater probability of being a SARD case, with the highest OR estimates for older females. Independently, the odds of being a SARDs case increased with PM 2.5 levels, but the results were inconclusive for NO 2 . The results stratified by FN and non-FN groups were not distinctly different. Conclusion: In this urban Canadian sample, adjusting for demographics, exposure to PM 2.5 was associated with an increased risk of SARDs. The results for NO 2 were inconclusive

A multi-element psychosocial intervention for early psychosis (GET UP PIANO TRIAL) conducted in a catchment area of 10 million inhabitants: study protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial

Multi-element interventions for first-episode psychosis (FEP) are promising, but have mostly been conducted in non-epidemiologically representative samples, thereby raising the risk of underestimating the complexities involved in treating FEP in 'real-world' services

ILC Reference Design Report Volume 1 - Executive Summary

The International Linear Collider (ILC) is a 200-500 GeV center-of-mass high-luminosity linear electron-positron collider, based on 1.3 GHz superconducting radio-frequency (SCRF) accelerating cavities. The ILC has a total footprint of about 31 km and is designed for a peak luminosity of 2x10^34 cm^-2s^-1. This report is the Executive Summary (Volume I) of the four volume Reference Design Report. It gives an overview of the physics at the ILC, the accelerator design and value estimate, the detector concepts, and the next steps towards project realization.The International Linear Collider (ILC) is a 200-500 GeV center-of-mass high-luminosity linear electron-positron collider, based on 1.3 GHz superconducting radio-frequency (SCRF) accelerating cavities. The ILC has a total footprint of about 31 km and is designed for a peak luminosity of 2x10^34 cm^-2s^-1. This report is the Executive Summary (Volume I) of the four volume Reference Design Report. It gives an overview of the physics at the ILC, the accelerator design and value estimate, the detector concepts, and the next steps towards project realization