Construction and testing of a novel host-range defective myxoma virus vaccine with the M063 gene inactivated that is non-permissive for replication in rabbit cells

Deletion of the M063 gene from myxoma virus produces a virus that is unable to replicate in rabbit cells in vitro or in live rabbits but can be propagated in non-rabbit cell lines. A targeted M063 deletion mutant was constructed in the attenuated Uriarra strain of myxoma virus and the ability of this virus to act as a safe, non-transmissible vaccine against myxomatosis was tested in outbred laboratory rabbits. Immunization with the M063 deletion vaccine provided good short-term protection against lethal challenge with virulent myxoma virus. Long-term protection was similar to reported results with heterologous live virus, with some rabbits protected but others succumbing to challenge. Replication-deficient poxvirus vaccines, like the Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA) in man and the myxoma virus vaccine described here in rabbits, are very attractive from a safety perspective. Seasonal boosting would be predicted to provide long-term protection. Targeted host-range gene deletions could have potential for rapid development of poxvirus vaccines in general.This study was funded by the Pest Animal Control Cooperative Research Centre. Grant McFadden is an International Scholar of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Field testing a novel high residence positioning system for monitoring the fine‐scale movements of aquatic organisms

1. Acoustic telemetry is an important tool for studying the behaviour of aquatic organisms in the wild. 2. VEMCO high residence (HR) tags and receivers are a recent introduction in the field of acoustic telemetry and can be paired with existing algorithms (e.g. VEMCO positioning system [VPS]) to obtain high‐resolution two‐dimensional positioning data. 3. Here, we present results of the first documented field test of a VPS composed of HR receivers (hereafter, HR‐VPS). We performed a series of stationary and moving trials with HR tags (mean HR transmission period = 1.5 s) to evaluate the precision, accuracy and temporal capabilities of this positioning technology. In addition, we present a sample of data obtained for five European perch Perca fluviatilis implanted with HR tags (mean HR transmission period = 4 s) to illustrate how this technology can estimate the fine‐scale behaviour of aquatic animals. 4. Accuracy and precision estimates (median [5th–95th percentile]) of HR‐VPS positions for all stationary trials were 5.6 m (4.2–10.8 m) and 0.1 m (0.02–0.07 m), respectively, and depended on the location of tags within the receiver array. In moving tests, tracks generated by HR‐VPS closely mimicked those produced by a handheld GPS held over the tag, but these differed in location by an average of ≈9 m. 5. We found that estimates of animal speed and distance travelled for perch declined when positional data for acoustically tagged perch were thinned to mimic longer transmission periods. These data also revealed a trade‐off between capturing real nonlinear animal movements and the inclusion of positioning error. 6. Our results suggested that HR‐VPS can provide more representative estimates of movement metrics and offer an advancement for studying fine‐scale movements of aquatic organisms, but high‐precision survey techniques may be needed to test these systems

Application of CO2 laser evaporation in locally advanced melanoma

Aim: This study aims to investigate the role of CO(2)laser evaporation in the treatment of melanoma patients with satellite or in-transit metastases. Materials & methods: Patients who underwent CO2 laser evaporation were retrospectively included between November 2002 and August 2018. The Sharplan 40C CO2 laser was used with a high pulse wave mode. Data concerning patient and tumor characteristics, CO2 laser evaporation and subsequent therapies were collected. Results:A total of 26patients were included. Median duration of local control was 5.5 months. The median number of lesions evaporated per treatment was three (1-16); patients received a median of three (1-19) treatments. Conclusion: In a selected group of melanoma patients with satellite or in-transit metastases, CO2 laser evaporation should be considered as treatment for local control

The efficacy of anti-inflammatory medication in postoperative cognitive decline: A meta-analysis

Objective: Post-operative cognitive decline is a surgical complication involving chronic impairments in different cognitive domains. Although the exact mechanisms behind postoperative cognitive decline are still unknown, there is increasing evidence for a key role of neuroinflammation. This meta-analysis aims to investigate the efficacy of anti-inflammatory treatment on postoperative cognitive decline. Participants and Methods: An electronic search was performed using PubMed, Psychinfo, EmBase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and clinicaltrial.gov (until November 2019). No year or language restrictions were applied. Only randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled studies that investigated clinical outcome in adult patients who underwent surgery under general anaesthesia (except brain surgery) were included. The search yielded 574 papers, of which nineteen fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Results: The current meta-analysis found a significant effect of different anti-inflammatory agents on the incidence of POCD (OR=0.67, p=0.010). Administration of COX-2 inhibitors (OR=0.31, p<0.0001), ketamine (OR=0.44, p=0.38) and lidocaine (OR=0.79, p=0.33) showed better results than placebo in a meta-analysis of at least two studies. Erythromycin (OR=0.14, p=0.006), erythropoietin (OR=0.15, p=0.07) and dexmedetomidine (OR=0.58, p=0.03) were significant in single studies. No beneficial effects on cognition were found for magnesium, 17βestradiol, dexamethasone and melatonin. Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis provide evidence for a potential efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents on POCD, but further research is necessary to determine which agents are most appropriate for clinical application

Helping Made Easy: Ease of Argument Generation Enhances Intentions to Help

Previous work has shown that self-generating arguments is more persuasive than reading arguments provided by others, particularly if self-generation feels easy. The present study replicates and extends these findings by providing evidence for fluency effects on behavioral intention in the realm of helping. In two studies, participants were instructed to either self-generate or read two versus ten arguments about why it is good to help. Subsequently, a confederate asked them for help. Results show that self-generating few arguments is more effective than generating many arguments. While this pattern reverses for reading arguments, easy self-generation is the most effective strategy compared to all other conditions. These results have important implications for fostering behavioral change in all areas of life

Post-discharge Telemonitoring of Physical Activity, Vital Signs, and Patient-Reported Symptoms in Older Patients Undergoing Cancer Surgery

BACKGROUND: Postoperative home monitoring could potentially detect complications early, but evidence in oncogeriatric surgery is scarce. Therefore, we evaluated whether post-discharge physical activity, vital signs, and patient-reported symptoms are related to post-discharge complications and hospital readmissions in older patients undergoing cancer surgery. METHODS: In this observational cohort study, we monitored older patients (≥65 years of age) undergoing cancer surgery, for 2 weeks post-discharge using tablet-based applications and connected devices. Outcome measures were post-discharge complications and readmissions; physical activity and patient-reported symptoms over time; and threshold violations for physical activity (step count 38°C; blood pressure 150/100 mmHg; heart rate 100 bpm; weight -5% or +5% of weight at discharge); and patient-reported symptoms (pain score greater than the previous day; presence of dyspnea, vomiting, dizziness, fever). RESULTS: Of 58 patients (mean age 72 years), 24 developed a post-discharge complication and 13 were readmitted. Measured parameters indicated 392 threshold violations out of 5379 measurements (7.3%) in 40 patients, mostly because of physical inactivity. Patients with readmissions had lower physical activity at discharge and at day 9 after discharge and violated a physical activity threshold more often. Patients with post-discharge complications had a higher median pain score compared with patients without these adverse events. No differences in threshold violations of other parameters were observed between patients with and without post-discharge complications and readmissions. CONCLUSION: Our results show the potential of telemonitoring older patients after cancer surgery but confirm that detecting post-discharge complications is complex and multifactorial