Dried blood spots as a source of anti-malarial antibodies for epidemiological studies

BACKGROUND: Blood spots collected onto filter paper are an established and convenient source of antibodies for serological diagnosis and epidemiological surveys. Although recommendations for the storage and analysis of small molecule analytes in blood spots exist, there are no published systematic studies of the stability of antibodies under different storage conditions. METHODS: Blood spots, on filter paper or glass fibre mats and containing malaria-endemic plasma, were desiccated and stored at various temperatures for different times. Eluates of these spots were assayed for antibodies against two Plasmodium falciparum antigens, MSP-119 and MSP2, and calculated titres used to fit an exponential (first order kinetic) decay model. The first order rate constants (k) for each spot storage temperature were used to fit an Arrhenius equation, in order to estimate the thermal and temporal stability of antibodies in dried blood spots. The utility of blood spots for serological assays was confirmed by comparing antibodies eluted from blood spots with the equivalent plasma values in a series of samples from North Eastern Tanzania and by using blood spot-derived antibodies to estimate malaria transmission intensity in this site and for two localities in Uganda. RESULTS: Antibodies in spots on filter paper and glass fibre paper had similar stabilities but blood was more easily absorbed onto filter papers than glass fibre, spots were more regular and spot size was more closely correlated with blood volume for filter paper spots. Desiccated spots could be stored at or below 4 degrees C for extended periods, but were stable for only very limited periods at ambient temperature. When desiccated, recoveries of antibodies that are predominantly of IgG1 or IgG3 subclasses were similar. Recoveries of antibodies from paired samples of serum and of blood spots from Tanzania which had been suitably stored showed similar recoveries of antibodies, but spots which had been stored for extended periods at ambient humidity and temperature showed severe loss of recoveries. Estimates of malaria transmission intensity obtained from serum and from blood spots were similar, and values obtained using blood spots agreed well with entomologically determined values. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated the suitability of filter paper blood spots paper for collection of serum antibodies, and provided clear guidelines for the treatment and storage of filter papers which emphasize the importance of desiccation and minimisation of time spent at ambient temperatures. A recommended protocol for collecting, storing and assaying blood spots is provided

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Identification of genetic variants associated with Huntington's disease progression: a genome-wide association study

Background Huntington's disease is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the huntingtin gene, HTT. Age at onset has been used as a quantitative phenotype in genetic analysis looking for Huntington's disease modifiers, but is hard to define and not always available. Therefore, we aimed to generate a novel measure of disease progression and to identify genetic markers associated with this progression measure. Methods We generated a progression score on the basis of principal component analysis of prospectively acquired longitudinal changes in motor, cognitive, and imaging measures in the 218 indivduals in the TRACK-HD cohort of Huntington's disease gene mutation carriers (data collected 2008–11). We generated a parallel progression score using data from 1773 previously genotyped participants from the European Huntington's Disease Network REGISTRY study of Huntington's disease mutation carriers (data collected 2003–13). We did a genome-wide association analyses in terms of progression for 216 TRACK-HD participants and 1773 REGISTRY participants, then a meta-analysis of these results was undertaken. Findings Longitudinal motor, cognitive, and imaging scores were correlated with each other in TRACK-HD participants, justifying use of a single, cross-domain measure of disease progression in both studies. The TRACK-HD and REGISTRY progression measures were correlated with each other (r=0·674), and with age at onset (TRACK-HD, r=0·315; REGISTRY, r=0·234). The meta-analysis of progression in TRACK-HD and REGISTRY gave a genome-wide significant signal (p=1·12 × 10−10) on chromosome 5 spanning three genes: MSH3, DHFR, and MTRNR2L2. The genes in this locus were associated with progression in TRACK-HD (MSH3 p=2·94 × 10−8 DHFR p=8·37 × 10−7 MTRNR2L2 p=2·15 × 10−9) and to a lesser extent in REGISTRY (MSH3 p=9·36 × 10−4 DHFR p=8·45 × 10−4 MTRNR2L2 p=1·20 × 10−3). The lead single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in TRACK-HD (rs557874766) was genome-wide significant in the meta-analysis (p=1·58 × 10−8), and encodes an aminoacid change (Pro67Ala) in MSH3. In TRACK-HD, each copy of the minor allele at this SNP was associated with a 0·4 units per year (95% CI 0·16–0·66) reduction in the rate of change of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) Total Motor Score, and a reduction of 0·12 units per year (95% CI 0·06–0·18) in the rate of change of UHDRS Total Functional Capacity score. These associations remained significant after adjusting for age of onset. Interpretation The multidomain progression measure in TRACK-HD was associated with a functional variant that was genome-wide significant in our meta-analysis. The association in only 216 participants implies that the progression measure is a sensitive reflection of disease burden, that the effect size at this locus is large, or both. Knockout of Msh3 reduces somatic expansion in Huntington's disease mouse models, suggesting this mechanism as an area for future therapeutic investigation

Conocimiento adquirido y adherencia en un diplomado sobre la salud mental para docentes orientadores

Objetivo Evaluar el desempeño académico y la adherencia después de una intervención educativa centrada en la promoción, prevención, identificación e intervención temprana de diferentes problemas y patologías mentales que se presentan en niños y adolescentes. Materiales y Métodos Estudio de intervención antes después de un diplomado, en el que a la población de docentes orientadores de Boyacá y Cundinamarca se les impartió una intervención educativa sobre salud mental y se realizó la evaluación de conocimientos antes y después de haberla recibido.Resultados Hubo un buen desempeño en la prueba académica donde el 48,5 % de la población tuvo una calificación mayor a 4,0/5,0 antes de la intervención, aunque después de esta el 61,2 % alcanzaron esta misma nota, por lo que consideramos que la intervención educativa funcionó como una herramienta para mejorar el conocimiento sobre promoción, prevención, reconocimiento e intervención temprana de salud mental en las instituciones educativas. La adherencia fue del 90,6 % para el diplomado de 120 horas.Conclusión El diplomado parece impactar en el conocimiento adquirido sobre salud mental y presenta una buena adherencia

The knowledge acquired during and adherence to a postgraduate course concerned with mental health aimed at school counselors

Objetivo Evaluar el desempeño académico y la adherencia después de una intervención educativa centrada en la promoción, prevención, identificación e intervención temprana de diferentes problemas y patologías mentales que se presentan en niños y adolescentes. Materiales y Métodos Estudio de intervención antes después de un diplomado, en el que a la población de docentes orientadores de Boyacá y Cundinamarca se les impartió una intervención educativa sobre salud mental y se realizó la evaluación de conocimientos antes y después de haberla recibido. Resultados Hubo un buen desempeño en la prueba académica donde el 48,5 % de la población tuvo una calificación mayor a 4,0/5,0 antes de la intervención, aunque después de esta el 61,2 % alcanzaron esta misma nota, por lo que consideramos que la intervención educativa funcionó como una herramienta para mejorar el conocimiento sobre promoción, prevención, reconocimiento e intervención temprana de salud mental en las instituciones educativas. La adherencia fue del 90,6 % para el diplomado de 120 horas. Conclusión El diplomado parece impactar en el conocimiento adquirido sobre salud mental y presenta una buena adherencia.Objective To evaluate the academic performance in, and adherence to, a postgraduate course focused on promotion, prevention, identification, and early intervention with regard to the different mental problems and pathologies affecting children and adolescents. Materials and Methods This was a before-and-after intervention study involving a postgraduate course. The population of school counselors from the Colombian regions of Boyacá and Cundinamarca were invited to participate in a postgraduate course that addressed mental health. Their knowledge was evaluated before and after having received it. Results The school counselors performed well on the academic test, with 48.5 % of the population obtaining a score of 4.0/5.0 before the intervention. After the course, 61.2 % achieved the same score. It was thus considered that the course functioned as a tool for improving knowledge about promotion, prevention, recognition, and early intervention with regard to mental health in educational institutions. There was a 90.6 % adherence to the 120-hour-long postgraduate course. Conclusion The postgraduate course seemed to have a positive impact in terms of the knowledge acquired about mental health, and there was good adherence to the course

The knowledge acquired during and adherence to a postgraduate course concerned with mental health aimed at school counselors

Objetivo Evaluar el desempeño académico y la adherencia después de una intervención educativa centrada en la promoción, prevención, identificación e intervención temprana de diferentes problemas y patologías mentales que se presentan en niños y adolescentes. Materiales y Métodos Estudio de intervención antes después de un diplomado, en el que a la población de docentes orientadores de Boyacá y Cundinamarca se les impartió una intervención educativa sobre salud mental y se realizó la evaluación de conocimientos antes y después de haberla recibido. Resultados Hubo un buen desempeño en la prueba académica donde el 48,5 % de la población tuvo una calificación mayor a 4,0/5,0 antes de la intervención, aunque después de esta el 61,2 % alcanzaron esta misma nota, por lo que consideramos que la intervención educativa funcionó como una herramienta para mejorar el conocimiento sobre promoción, prevención, reconocimiento e intervención temprana de salud mental en las instituciones educativas. La adherencia fue del 90,6 % para el diplomado de 120 horas. Conclusión El diplomado parece impactar en el conocimiento adquirido sobre salud mental y presenta una buena adherencia.Objective To evaluate the academic performance in, and adherence to, a postgraduate course focused on promotion, prevention, identification, and early intervention with regard to the different mental problems and pathologies affecting children and adolescents. Materials and Methods This was a before-and-after intervention study involving a postgraduate course. The population of school counselors from the Colombian regions of Boyacá and Cundinamarca were invited to participate in a postgraduate course that addressed mental health. Their knowledge was evaluated before and after having received it. Results The school counselors performed well on the academic test, with 48.5 % of the population obtaining a score of 4.0/5.0 before the intervention. After the course, 61.2 % achieved the same score. It was thus considered that the course functioned as a tool for improving knowledge about promotion, prevention, recognition, and early intervention with regard to mental health in educational institutions. There was a 90.6 % adherence to the 120-hour-long postgraduate course. Conclusion The postgraduate course seemed to have a positive impact in terms of the knowledge acquired about mental health, and there was good adherence to the course