Functionally distinct T-helper cell phenotypes predict resistance to different types of parasites in a wild mammal

The adaptive immune system is critical to an effective response to infection in vertebrates, with T-helper (Th) cells pivotal in orchestrating these responses. In natural populations where co-infections are the norm, different Th responses are likely to play an important role in maintaining host health and fitness, a relationship which remains poorly understood in wild animals. In this study, we characterised variation in functionally distinct Th responses in a wild population of Soay sheep by enumerating cells expressing Th-subset specific transcription factors and quantifying Th-associated cytokines. We tested the prediction that raised Th1 and Th2 responses should predict reduced apicomplexan and helminth parasite burdens, respectively. All measures of Th-associated cytokine production increased with age, while Th17- and regulatory Th-associated cytokine production increased more rapidly with age in males than females. Independent of age, sex, and each other, IL-4 and Gata3 negatively predicted gastro-intestinal nematode faecal egg count, while IFN-γ negatively predicted coccidian faecal oocyst count. Our results provide important support from outside the laboratory that Th1 and Th2 responses predict resistance to different kinds of parasites, and illustrate how harnessing specific reagents and tools from laboratory immunology will illuminate our understanding of host-parasite interactions in the wild

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

An Ontology Based Methodology for Satellite Data Semantic Interoperability

Satellites and ocean based observing system consists of various sensors and configurations. These observing systems transmit data in heterogeneous file formats and heterogeneous vocabulary from various data centers. These data centers maintain a centralized data management system that disseminates the observations to various research communities. Currently, different data naming conventions are being used by existing observing systems, thus leading to semantic heterogeneity. In this work, sensor data interoperability and semantics of the data are being addressed through ontologies. The present work provides an effective technical solution to address semantic heterogeneity through semantic technologies. These technologies provide interoperability, capability to build knowledge base, and framework for semantic information retrieval by developing an effective concept vocabulary through domain ontologies. The paper aims at a new methodology to interlink the multidisciplinary and heterogeneous sensor data products. A four phase methodology has been implemented to address satellite data semantic interoperability. The paper concludes with the evaluation of the methodology by linking and interfacing multiple ontologies to arrive at ontology vocabulary for sensor observations. Data from Indian Meteorological satellite INSAT-3D satellite have been used as a typical example to illustrate the concepts. This work on similar lines can also be extended to other sensor observations

Impacts of breed type and vaccination on Teladorsagia circumcincta infection in native sheep in Gran Canaria

Abstract Vaccines and genetic resistance offer potential future alternatives to the exclusive use of anthelmintics to control gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). Here, a Teladorsagia circumcincta prototype vaccine was administered to two sheep breeds which differ in their relative levels of resistance to infection with GIN. Vaccination of the more susceptible Canaria Sheep (CS) breed induced significant reductions in worm length and numbers of worm eggs in utero (EIU) when compared to control CS sheep. In the more resistant Canaria Hair Breed (CHB), although vaccination induced a reduction in all parasitological parameters analysed, differences between vaccinated and control sheep were not statistically significant. Such interactions between sheep breed and vaccination may allow better integrated control of GIN in future

Panorama internacional de la reforma psiquiátrica International overview of psychiatric reform

Los problemas de salud mental aumentan su incidencia en todo el mundo mientras la psiquiatría atraviesa una crisis que afecta a su propia identidad y a la delimitación del objeto de su trabajo. Después de más de medio siglo de una política desinstitucionalizadora y comunitaria, la globalización neoliberal está llevando a cambios que socavan la atención pública en salud mental, en especial de los trastornos que demandan mayor atención social. Cambios en la responsabilidad del Estado y cambios en el tipo de demanda y en la forma de entender la enfermedad y su tratamiento. Al tiempo, frente a la medicalización de la sociedad que mediatiza la expresión de las necesidades en salud, empiezan a surgir movimientos de usuarios que reclaman autonomía, plena ciudadanía, empoderamiento, recuperación y "abogacía".<br>There has been an increased incidence of mental health problems around the world while psychiatry is experiencing a crisis that concerns its own identity and the definition of the scope of its work. After more than half a century of deinstitutionalized community policies, neoliberal globalization is leading to changes that undermine public attention on mental health, particularly of the disorders that require greater social attention. There have been changes in the responsibility of the state and changes in the type of demand and in the way of understanding disease and its treatment. At the time, compared to the medicalization of society that mediates the expression of needs in health, user movements are beginning to emerge demanding autonomy, full citizenship, empowerment, recovery and advocacy