Reproductive disorders induced by Chlamydophila spp. infections in an italian mediterranean buffalo (bubalus bubalis) herd

The Italian Mediterranean Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) has low fecundity and high incidence of abortion. Several studies have associated reproductive failure of water buffalo with viral infections but there is limited information on the role of chlamydial infections. To investigate the presence and the role of Chlamydiaceae in water buffalo a retrospective study was performed in a farm where, in the arch of 11 months, the pregnant heifers suffered an abortion rate of 36.8% in the 3rd and 5th month of pregnancy. Antibodies to Chlamydiaceae were detected in 57% of the aborted cows, while the rate of positivity was 0% in overtly healthy cows used as control. By a PCR assay 3 of 14 vaginal swabs from aborted animals tested positive for Chlamydophila agents and, additionally, 3 out of 7 aborted foetuses tested positive for Chlamydophila spp., with two being co-infections by Cp. abortus and Cp. pecorum and one being characterised as Cp. abortus. The presence of anti-Chlamydiaceae antibodies in 57% of the aborted animals and the detection of Chlamydophila agents in foetal organs and in vaginal swabs is consistent with the history of abortions (P<0.002) observed in the herd and may suggest a pathogenic role by Chlamydophila spp. in water buffalo

Precisión de diámetro abdominal sagital como predictor de la grasa abdominal en brasileños adultos: una comparación con la circunferencia de la cintura

Aim: We aim was to compare the sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) with waist circumference (WC) as a predictor of central obesity among adults and to identify the sensitivity and specificity of the best cut-off point for SAD.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 266 Brazilians adults (euthrophic and overweight), aged 31-84 years old, of which 89 men and 177 women, was carried out. Anthropometric measurements such as SAD, weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, waist and hip ratio, body mass index, body fat percentage were performed. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve was used to identify the sensitivity and specificity of the best cut off point for SAD as a predictor of central obesity. Statistical analysis were considered significant with a value of p < 0.05.Results: the SAD measurement was positively correlated with WC for both genders, although stronger among overweight and obesity women (r = 0.71; p < 0.001 and r = 0.79; p < 0.001, respectively) than men. ROC curves identified the best cut-off points for SAD of 23.1 cm and 20.1 cm for men and women (96% and 85% sensitivity, 86% and 84% specificity, respectively).Conclusion: SAD measurement may be used as an anthropometric tool to identify central obesity among women for presenting adequate sensitivity and specificity.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Physiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilSão Paulo State Univ UNESP, Dept Publ Hlth, Ctr Metab Exercise & Nutr CeMENutri, Botucatu, SP, BrazilPUC, Sch Nutr, Campinas, SP, BrazilSão Paulo State Univ UNESP, Dept Stat, Botucatu, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Physiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Metabolic syndrome risk factors in overweight, obese, and extremely obese brazilian adolescents

Background: Obesity in infancy and adolescence has acquired epidemic dimensions worldwide and is considered a risk factor for a number of disorders that can manifest at an early age, such as Metabolic Syndrome (MS). in this study, we evaluated overweight, obese, and extremely obese adolescents for the presence of MS, and studied the prevalence of single factors of the syndrome in this population.Methods: A total of 321 adolescents (174 females and 147 males) aged 10 to 16 years, attending the Adolescent Outpatient Clinic of Botucatu School of Medicine, Brazil, between April 2009 and April 2011 were enrolled in this study. Adolescents underwent anthropometric evaluation (weight, height, and abdominal circumference) and Body Mass Index (BMI) was estimated according to age and gender, following Disease Control and Prevention Centers recommendations (CDC, 2000). Blood pressure was measured and individuals with BMI >= 85th percentile were submitted to laboratory evaluation for Total Cholesterol, HDL and LDL Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Fasting Insulinemia, and Fasting Glycemia to identify MS factors, according to the criteria suggested by the International Diabetes Federation. Insulin resistance was calculated by HOMA-IR, Quicki, and Fasting Glycemia/Fasting Insulinemia (FGI).Results and discussion: of the 321 adolescents, 95 (29.6%) were overweight, 129 (40.2%) were obese, and 97 (30.2%) were extremely obese. Around 18% were diagnosed with MS. the most prevalent risk factors were abdominal circumference >= 90th percentile (55%), HDL = 130/85 mm/Hg (21%), Triglycerides >= 150 mg/dL (18.5%), and Fasting Glycemia >= 100 mg/dL (2%). Insulin resistance was observed in 65% of the adolescents.Conclusion: An increased prevalence of overweight and obesity, together with cardiometabolic risk factors such as dyslipidemia and abnormal blood pressure, were observed in adolescents, contributing to the onset of metabolic syndrome at younger ages. Risk factors for MS were more prevalent in females.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)São Paulo State Univ UNESP, Botucatu Sch Med, Dept Pediat, São Paulo, BrazilSão Paulo State Univ UNESP, Botucatu Sch Med, Adolescent Med Course, Post Grad Program Gynecol Obstet & Mastol,Dept Pe, São Paulo, BrazilUniv North Parana, Dept Phys Educ, Curitiba, Parana, BrazilSão Paulo State Univ UNESP, Botucatu Sch Med, Dept Pediat, Clin & Expt Pediat Res Ctr, São Paulo, BrazilSão Paulo State Univ UNESP, Botucatu Sch Med, São Paulo, BrazilSão Paulo State Univ UNESP, Botucatu Sch Med, Dept Stat, São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2011/05991-0Web of Scienc

Antibiotics or no antibiotics, that is the question: An update on efficient and effective use of antibiotics in dental practice

The antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenomenon is an emerging global problem and is induced by overuse and misuse of antibiotics in medical practice. In total, 10% of antibiotic prescriptions are from dentists, usually to manage oro-dental pains and avoid postsurgical complications. Recent research and clinical evaluations highlight new therapeutical approaches with a reduction in dosages and number of antibiotic prescriptions and recommend focusing on an accurate diagnosis and improvement of oral health before dental treatments and in patients’ daily lives. In this article, the most common clinical and operative situations in dental practice, such as endodontics, management of acute alveolar abscesses, extractive oral surgery, parodontology and implantology, are recognized and summarized, suggesting possible guidelines to reduce antibiotic prescription and consumption, maintaining high success rates and low complications rates. Additionally, the categories of patients requiring antibiotic administration for pre-existing conditions are recapitulated. To reduce AMR threat, it is important to establish protocols for treatment with antibiotics, to be used only in specific situations. Recent reviews demonstrate that, in dentistry, it is possible to minimize the use of antibiotics, thoroughly assessing patient’s conditions and type of intervention, thus improving their efficacy and reducing the adverse effects and enhancing the modern concept of personalized medicine

Control and Monitoring of a Robotic Soccer Team: The Base Station Application

Abstract. In robotic soccer, teams of autonomous robots play soccer according to rules similar to the official FIFA rules. The game is refereed by a human and his orders are communicated to the teams using an appli-cation called “Referee Box”. No human interference is allowed during the games except for removing malfunctioning robots and re-entering robots in the game. The base station, a software application as described in this paper, has a determinant role during the development of a robotic soccer team and also during a game. This application must control the agents interpreting and sending high level instructions, like Start or Stop, and monitor information of the robots, for example the position and velocity, allowing easily to attest the feasibility of the robots behavior. This paper discusses the importance of the control and monitoring of a robotic soc-cer team, presenting the main challenges and the approaches that were used by the CAMBADA team in the conception of the base station ap-plication. As far as we know, no previous work has been published about the study of these important problems and the discussion of an efficient architecture to a base station application. The results obtained by the team confirms the good performance of this software, both during the games and in the development of the team.

Activated phosphoinositide 3-dinase delta syndrome (APDS): An update

Activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta syndrome (APDS) is a recently described form of inborn error of immunity (IEI) caused by heterozygous mutations in PIK3CD or PIK3R1&nbsp;genes, respectively, encoding leukocyte-restricted catalytic p110\u3b4 subunit and the ubiquitously expressed regulatory p85 \u3b1 subunit of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase \u3b4 (PI3K\u3b4). The first described patients with respiratory infections, hypogammaglobulinemia with normal to elevated IgM serum levels, lymphopenia, and lymphoproliferation. Since the original description, it is becoming evident that the onset of disease may be somewhat variable over time, both in terms of age at presentation and in terms of clinical and immunological complications. In many cases, patients are referred to various specialists such as hematologists, rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, and others, before an immunological evaluation is performed, leading to delay in diagnosis, which negatively affects their prognosis. The significant heterogeneity in the clinical and immunological features affecting APDS patients requires awareness among clinicians since good results with p110\u3b4 inhibitors have been reported, certainly ameliorating these patients\u2019 quality of life and prognosis

Primary atopic disorders and chronic skin disease

open13noPrimary atopic disorders (PADs) are monogenic diseases characterized by allergy or atopy-related symptoms as fundamental features. In patients with PADs, primary immune deficiency and immune dysregulation symptoms are usually coexist. Chronic skin disease, manifesting with erythroderma, severe atopic dermatitis or eczema, and urticaria, is one of the main features observed in PADs, such as hyper-IgE syndromes, Omenn syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, IPEX-linked syndrome, skin barrier disorders, as well as some autoinflammatory diseases. The recognition of PADs in the context of an allergic phenotype is crucial to ensure prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This article provides an overview of the main PADs with skin involvement.openCinicola B.L.; Corrente S.; Castagnoli R.; Lougaris V.; Giardino G.; Leonardi L.; Volpi S.; La Torre F.; Federici S.; Soresina A.; Cancrini C.; Marseglia G.L.; Cardinale F.Cinicola, B. L.; Corrente, S.; Castagnoli, R.; Lougaris, V.; Giardino, G.; Leonardi, L.; Volpi, S.; La Torre, F.; Federici, S.; Soresina, A.; Cancrini, C.; Marseglia, G. L.; Cardinale, F

Inherited defects in the complement system

open13noThe complement system plays an essential role in both innate and adaptive immune responses. Any dysregulation in this system can disturb normal host defense and alter inflammatory response leading to both infections and autoimmune diseases. The complement system can be activated through three different pathways. Inherited complement deficiencies have been described for all complement components and their regulators. Despite being rare diseases, complement deficiencies are often severe, with a frequent onset during childhood. We provide an overview of clinical disorders related to these disorders and describe current diagnostic strategies required for their comprehensive characterization and management.openLeonardi L.; La Torre F.; Soresina A.; Federici S.; Cancrini C.; Castagnoli R.; Cinicola B.L.; Corrente S.; Giardino G.; Lougaris V.; Volpi S.; Marseglia G.L.; Cardinale F.Leonardi, L.; La Torre, F.; Soresina, A.; Federici, S.; Cancrini, C.; Castagnoli, R.; Cinicola, B. L.; Corrente, S.; Giardino, G.; Lougaris, V.; Volpi, S.; Marseglia, G. L.; Cardinale, F

Different Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Infection of Asymptomatic, Mild, and Severe Cases

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus, not encountered before by humans. The wide spectrum of clinical expression of SARS-CoV-2 illness suggests that individual immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 play a crucial role in determining the clinical course after first infection. Immunological studies have focused on patients with moderate to severe disease, demonstrating excessive inflammation in tissues and organ damage. In order to understand the basis of the protective immune response in COVID-19, we performed a longitudinal follow-up, flow-cytometric and serological analysis of innate and adaptive immunity in 64 adults with a spectrum of clinical presentations: 28 healthy SARS-CoV-2-negative contacts of COVID-19 cases; 20 asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected cases; eight patients with Mild COVID-19 disease and eight cases of Severe COVID-19 disease. Our data show that high frequency of NK cells and early and transient increase of specific IgA, IgM and, to a lower extent, IgG are associated with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. By contrast, monocyte expansion and high and persistent levels of IgA and IgG, produced relatively late in the course of the infection, characterize severe disease. Modest increase of monocytes and different kinetics of antibodies are detected in mild COVID-19. The importance of innate NK cells and the short-lived antibody response of asymptomatic individuals and patients with mild disease suggest that only severe COVID-19 may result in protective memory established by the adaptive immune response