Genetic diversity of PRRSV 1 in Central Eastern Europe in 1994-2014: origin and evolution of the virus in the region

More than 20 years after the first outbreaks, the phylogenetic picture of PRRSV is still incomplete and full of gaps, especially in regards of PRRSV 1. Due to the exceptional diversity observed at the eastern borders of Europe and the low number of available sequences from Central Eastern European countries, the authors collected and analyzed both recent as well as already submitted sequences comparing them to a large backbone set of available ORF5 sequences representing the full spectrum of PRRSV 1 Subtype 1 diversity to conduct a systematic phylogenetic analysis and reclassification elucidating the diversity of the virus in these countries. Moreover, further analyses of the EUROSTAT data regarding the live pig movement trends revealed their influence of virus diversity and evolution. The results indicate that besides the effect of local, isolated divergent evolution and the use of modified live vaccines, the most important factor influencing a given country’s virus diversity is the transboundary movement of live, infected animals

Gender Differences in Sleep Deprivation Effects on Risk and Inequality Aversion: Evidence from an Economic Experiment

Excessive working hours—even at night—are becoming increasingly common in our modern 24/7 society. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is particularly vulnerable to the effects of sleep loss and, consequently, the specific behaviors subserved by the functional integrity of the PFC, such as risk-taking and pro-social behavior, may be affected significantly. This paper seeks to assess the effects of one night of sleep deprivation on subjects’ risk and social preferences, which are probably the most explored behavioral domains in the tradition of Experimental Economics. This novel cross-over study employs thirty-two university students (gender-balanced) participating to 2 counterbalanced laboratory sessions in which they perform standard risk and social preference elicitation protocols. One session was after one night of undisturbed sleep at home, and the other was after one night of sleep deprivation in the laboratory. Sleep deprivation causes increased sleepiness and decreased alertness in all subjects. After sleep loss males make riskier decisions compared to the rested condition, while females do the opposite. Females likewise show decreased inequity aversion after sleep deprivation. As for the relationship between cognitive ability and economic decisions, sleep deprived individuals with higher cognitive reflection show lower risk aversion and more altruistic behavior. These results show that one night of sleep deprivation alters economic behavior in a gender-sensitive way. Females’ reaction to sleep deprivation, characterized by reduced risky choices and increased egoism compared to males, may be related to intrinsic psychological gender differences, such as in the way men and women weigh up probabilities in their decision-making, and/or to the different neurofunctional substrate of their decision-making.The authors acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economic Competititveness (ECO2012-34928), Italian Ministry of University and Research MIUR (PRIN 20103S5RN3_002), Generalitat Valenciana (Research Projects Gruposo3/086), the Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Económicas (IVIE), and the Ministero della Salute (RF-2009-1528677)

Pertussis vaccine-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice

A small dose of the Bordetella pertussis vaccine is used as an adjuvant for the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. The effects of two doses of the Pertussis vaccine on clinical signs, antibody titers, and the expression of CD4 and MHC molecules in brain tissue sections of mice with EAE were examined. EAE was induced by spinal cord homogenate in Complete Freund adjuvant (CFA) in 30 of 40 C57BL/6 mice divided in groups: EAE mice with a small adjuvant dose of the Pertussis vaccine (EAE-1), EAE mice with a human dose of the Pertussis vaccine (EAE-2), EAE mice (EAE-3). None of the mice from the EAE groups progressed to severe EAE. Five mice from the EAE-2 group were found dead on the 13th day post-immunization. A significant increase of anti-MOG (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein) antibodies was detected in mice with EAE compared to non-treated mice. Myelin loss and brain tissue lesions were observed in EAE-1 and EAE-2 mice compared to EAE-3 and non-treated mice. A high expression of MHC-II and a mild expression of MHC-I was detected in the brains of mice with EAE. No expressions were detected in intact brains. Scattered CD4-positive cells were detected in the brains of EAE-1 and EAE-2 mice compared to EAE-3 and non-treated mice. A small dose of the Bordetella pertussis vaccine could maintain the developed clinical signs and histological changes in mice with EAE, while higher doses led to additional adverse effects. The expression of CD4 and MHC class I and II molecules, as well as an increase in anti-MOG antibodies could be used as markers capable of monitoring the development and progression of EAE