Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) prevalence and quantitative detection of DNA proviral load in individuals with indeterminate/positive serological results

BACKGROUND: HTLV-1 infection is currently restricted to endemic areas. To define the prevalence of HTLV-1 infection in patients living in Italy, we first carried out a retrospective serological analysis in a group of people originating from African countries referred to our hospital from January 2003 to February 2005. We subsequently applied a real time PCR on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from subjects with positive or indeterminate serological results. METHODS: All the sera were first analysed by serological methods (ELISA and/or Western Blotting) and then the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from subjects with positive or inconclusive serological results were analyzed for the presence of proviral DNA by a sensitive SYBR Green real time PCR. In addition, twenty HTLV-I ELISA negative samples were assayed by real time PCR approach as negative controls. RESULTS: Serological results disclosed serum reactivity by ELISA (absorbance values equal or greater than the cut-off value) in 9 out of 3408 individuals attending the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic and/or Oncology Department, and 2 out 534 blood donors enrolled as a control population. Irrespective of positive or inconclusive serological results, all these subjects were analyzed for the presence of proviral DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by SYBR real time PCR. A clear-cut positive result for the presence of HTLV-1 DNA was obtained in two subjects from endemic areas. CONCLUSION: SYBR real time PCR cut short inconclusive serological results. This rapid and inexpensive assay showed an excellent linear dynamic range, specificity and reproducibility readily revealing and quantifying the presence of virus in PBMCs. Our results highlight the need to monitor the presence of HTLV-1 in countries which have seen a large influx of immigrants in recent years. Epidemiological surveillance and correct diagnosis are recommended to verify the prevalence and incidence of a new undesirable phenomenon

Cervical cancer screening in women vaccinated against human papillomavirus infection: Recommendations from a consensus conference

In Italy, the cohorts of women who were offered Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in 2007/08 will reach the age (25 years) for cervical cancer (CC) screening from 2017. The simultaneous shift from cytology-based screening to HPV test-based screening gives the opportunity for unprecedented reorganisation of CC prevention. The ONS (National Screening Monitoring Centre) Directive and the GISCi (Italian Group for Cervical Screening) identified the consensus conference as the most suitable method for addressing this topic. A summary of consensus recommendations is reported here. The main objective was to define the best screening methods in girls vaccinated against HPV and the knowledge required for defining evidence-based screening strategies. A Jury made recommendations about questions and proposals formulated by a panel of experts representative of Italian scientific societies involved in CC prevention and based on systematic reviews of literature and evidence. The Jury considered changing the screening protocols for girls vaccinated in their twelfth year as appropriate. Tailored screening protocols based on vaccination status could be replaced by \u201cone size fits all\u201d protocols only when a herd immunity effect has been reached. Vaccinated women should start screening at age 30, instead of 25, with HPV test. Furthermore, there is a strong rationale for applying longer intervals for re-screening HPV negative women than the currently recommended 5 years, but research is needed to determine the optimal screening time points. For non-vaccinated women and for women vaccinated in their fifteenth year or later, the current protocol should be kept

Time to Switch to Second-line Antiretroviral Therapy in Children With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Europe and Thailand.

Background: Data on durability of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are limited. We assessed time to switch to second-line therapy in 16 European countries and Thailand. Methods: Children aged <18 years initiating combination ART (≥2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors [NRTIs] plus nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor [NNRTI] or boosted protease inhibitor [PI]) were included. Switch to second-line was defined as (i) change across drug class (PI to NNRTI or vice versa) or within PI class plus change of ≥1 NRTI; (ii) change from single to dual PI; or (iii) addition of a new drug class. Cumulative incidence of switch was calculated with death and loss to follow-up as competing risks. Results: Of 3668 children included, median age at ART initiation was 6.1 (interquartile range (IQR), 1.7-10.5) years. Initial regimens were 32% PI based, 34% nevirapine (NVP) based, and 33% efavirenz based. Median duration of follow-up was 5.4 (IQR, 2.9-8.3) years. Cumulative incidence of switch at 5 years was 21% (95% confidence interval, 20%-23%), with significant regional variations. Median time to switch was 30 (IQR, 16-58) months; two-thirds of switches were related to treatment failure. In multivariable analysis, older age, severe immunosuppression and higher viral load (VL) at ART start, and NVP-based initial regimens were associated with increased risk of switch. Conclusions: One in 5 children switched to a second-line regimen by 5 years of ART, with two-thirds failure related. Advanced HIV, older age, and NVP-based regimens were associated with increased risk of switch

Aproximación cualitativa a la diversidad conceptual de la comunicación: Desafíos disciplinares para la Fonoaudiología

Communication is a dynamic and complex process influenced by social and contextual factors, extending beyond the mere transmission of information. The field of Speech Therapy studies how these elements impact verbal and non-verbal interaction, as well as the disorders that may arise within this process, aiming to enhance both the quality of individuals’ communication and their overall quality of life. The objective of this research was to analyze the meanings that speech therapists attribute to communication and dialogue. A qualitative approach was employed through semi-structured interviews conducted with speech therapists (n=14). The results indicate that the subjects have varying perceptions of what is understood by communication, revealing the need to unify disciplinary criteria regarding this matter. This research highlights the necessity to update concepts around communication in the field of Speech Therapy. In conclusion, it is essential to establish greater reflective foundations for the concept of communication, the core subject of the discipline, considering that the concept itself has evolved in recent times in light of constant social changes. It is crucial to update and broaden this concept in order to strengthen the professional identity of speech therapists.La comunicación es un proceso dinámico y complejo, influenciado por factores sociales y contextuales, que trasciende de la mera transmisión de información. En el campo de la Fonoaudiología, se estudia cómo estos elementos afectan la interacción verbal y no verbal, así como los trastornos que pueden surgir en este proceso, buscando mejorar la calidad de la comunicación y la calidad de vida de las personas. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar los significados atribuidos por los profesionales de la Fonoaudiología a la comunicación y al diálogo. Método: Se utiliza un enfoque cualitativo a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas a fonoaudiólogos y fonoaudiólogas (n=14). Resultados: Se observan distintas percepciones respecto a lo que se entiende por comunicación, lo que revela la necesidad de aunar criterios disciplinares respecto a las temáticas en estudio. El aporte de la investigación se sitúa en la necesidad de actualizar conceptos en torno a la comunicación dentro la disciplina fonoaudiológica. Se concluye que es necesario otorgar mayores fundamentos reflexivos al concepto de comunicación, objeto de estudio de la disciplina, considerando que el concepto en sí mismo ha sufrido modificaciones en el último tiempo a la luz de los constantes cambios sociales. Es importante la actualización y ampliación del concepto para fortalecer la identidad profesional del fonoaudiólogo

Revista iberoamericana de educación

Título, resumen y palabras clave en español e inglésNúmero especial que acompaña al monográfico "Pedagogía escolar y social (2)"Resumen basado en el de la publicaciónTít. en inglés: Performance of non-conversational discourse in high school studentsSe busca determinar las diferencias en el discurso no conversacional entre los estudiantes de 1º Medio pertenecientes a establecimientos educativos municipales, subvencionados y particulares. Para ello se realiza un estudio de corte transversal en tres establecimientos educativos de la Ciudad de Temuco, Chile. Los resultados muestran una diferencia significativa entre los alumnos pertenecientes a los diferentes establecimientos municipales y particulares. Esto puede tener relación con la clase social y el entorno de convivencia tanto social como escolar, por lo que se plantean nuevas líneas de investigación que vinculen el discurso al desempeño educativo; considerando las competencias docentes, habilidades comunicativas y tipo de discurso que utiliza el docente en el aula.ES

Desempeño del discurso no conversacional en estudiantes de enseñanza media

Objetivo: Determinar las diferencias en el discurso no conversacional entre los estudiantes de 1° Medio pertenecientes a establecimientos educativos municipales, subvencionados y particulares. Materiales y método: Estudio de corte transversal. La población de estudio fueron estudiantes de 1° medio, pertenecientes a tres establecimientos educativos de la Ciudad de Temuco Chile. Muestreo no probabilístico, intencionado de 48 adolescentes. Las variables de estudio fue el discurso no conversacional. El análisis de los datos contempló estadística descriptiva y analítica. Resultados: En el área de habilidades semánticas, los participantes del establecimiento municipal obtuvieron un promedio de 20,19±3,65, los alumnos de establecimiento particular subvencionado 20,25±3,87 y los estudiantes de establecimiento  particular pagado 23,13±4,0. Respecto al método para evaluar el discurso los promedios fueron de 45,93±13,15; 47,31±15,05 y 58,46±12,90 respectivamente. Se obtuvo diferencia estadística significativa en el análisis comparativo p<0.005. Conclusiones: El manejo discursivo difiere significantemente entre los alumnos que pertenecen a establecimiento educativos municipales y Particulares

CyDiv, a conserved and novel filamentous Cyanobacteria cell division protein involved in septum localization.

Cell division in bacteria has been studied mostly in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, model organisms for Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. However, cell division in filamentous cyanobacteria is poorly understood. Here, we identified a novel protein, named CyDiv (Cyanobacterial Division), encoded by the all2320 gene in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. We show that CyDiv plays a key role during cell division. CyDiv has been previously described only as an exclusive and conserved hypothetical protein in filamentous cyanobacteria. Using polyclonal antibodies against CyDiv, we showed that it localizes at different positions depending on cell division timing: poles, septum, in both daughter cells, but also in only one of the daughter cells. The partial deletion of CyDiv gene generates partial defects in cell division, including severe membrane instability and anomalous septum localization during late division. The inability to complete knock out CyDiv strains suggests that it is an essential gene. In silico structural protein analyses and our experimental results suggest that CyDiv is an FtsB/DivIC-like protein, and could therefore, be part of an essential late divisome complex in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120