112 research outputs found
A case of familial isolated hemihyperplasia
BACKGROUND: Hemihyperplasia (hemihypertrophy) is defined as asymmetric body overgrowth of one or more body parts. Hemihyperplasia can be isolated or be part of well-defined syndromes such as in the case of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS). Isolated hemihyperplasia is usually sporadic, but a number of familial occurrences have been described. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a Tunisian family in which three maternal cousins and their maternal grandfather present with isolated hemihyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of isolated hemihyperplasia is unknown although in BWS, genomic imprinting has been shown to play a role in the asymmetric overgrowth. Given the similarity between these two conditions, it is possible that both may share a common pathogenesis. We also discuss the possible genetic mechanisms leading to the production of hemihyperplasia in this family
Animal Perception of Seasonal Thresholds: Changes in Elephant Movement in Relation to Rainfall Patterns
Background: The identification of temporal thresholds or shifts in animal movement informs ecologists of changes in an animal\u2019s behaviour, which contributes to an understanding of species\u2019 responses in different environments.
In African savannas, rainfall, temperature and primary productivity influence the movements of large herbivores
and drive changes at different scales. Here, we developed a novel approach to define seasonal shifts in movement
behaviour by examining the movements of a highly mobile herbivore (elephant; Loxodonta africana), in relation to
local and regional rainfall patterns.
Methodology/Principal Findings: We used speed to determine movement changes of between 8 and 14 GPS-collared
elephant cows, grouped into five spatial clusters, in Kruger National Park, South Africa. To detect broad-scale
patterns of movement, we ran a three-year daily time-series model for each individual (2007\u20132009). Piecewise
regression models provided the best fit for elephant movement, which exhibited a segmented, waveform pattern
over time. Major breakpoints in speed occurred at the end of the dry and wet seasons of each year. During the
dry season, female elephant are constrained by limited forage and thus the distances they cover are shorter and
less variable. Despite the inter-annual variability of rainfall, speed breakpoints were strongly correlated with
both local and regional rainfall breakpoints across all three years. Thus, at a multi-year scale, rainfall
patterns significantly affect the movements of elephant. The variability of both speed and rainfall breakpoints
across different years highlights the need for an objective definition of seasonal boundaries.
Conclusions/Significance: By using objective criteria to determine behavioural shifts, we identified a
biologically meaningful indicator of major changes in animal behaviour in different years. We recommend the use of such criteria, from an animal\u2019s perspective, for delineating seasons or other extrinsic shifts in ecological studies, rather than arbitrarily fixed definitions based on convention or common practice
Living with peripartum cardiomyopathy: A statement from the Heart Failure Association and the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions of the European Society of Cardiology.
This statement focuses on the fact that women with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) have a substantial mortality and morbidity rate. Less than 50% of patients have full recovery of their cardiac function within 6 months of diagnosis. Also, patients with recovered cardiac function often suffer from comorbidities, such as hypertension or arrhythmias, which require long-term treatment. This has major implications which extend beyond the life of the patient, as it may also substantially impact her family. Women with a new diagnosis of PPCM should be involved in the decision-making processes regarding therapies, e.g. the recommendation to abstain from breastfeeding, or the use of cardiac implantable electronic devices. Women living with PPCM face the uncertainty of not knowing for some time whether their cardiac function will recover to allow them a near-to-normal life expectancy. This not only impacts their ability to work, which may have financial implications, but may also affect mental health and quality of life for the extended family. Women living with PPCM must be informed that a future pregnancy always carries a substantial risk and, in case of poor cardiac recovery, is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Patients with PPCM are best managed by an interdisciplinary and multiprofessional approach including e.g. a cardiologist, a gynaecologist, nurses, a psychologist, and social workers. The scope of this document encompasses contemporary challenges and approaches for the management of women diagnosed with PPCM
The Role of Host Traits, Season and Group Size on Parasite Burdens in a Cooperative Mammal
The distribution of parasites among hosts is often characterised by a high degree of heterogeneity with a small number of hosts harbouring the majority of parasites. Such patterns of aggregation have been linked to variation in host exposure and susceptibility as well as parasite traits and environmental factors. Host exposure and susceptibility may differ with sexes, reproductive effort and group size. Furthermore, environmental factors may affect both the host and parasite directly and contribute to temporal heterogeneities in parasite loads. We investigated the contributions of host and parasite traits as well as season on parasite loads in highveld mole-rats (Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae). This cooperative breeder exhibits a reproductive division of labour and animals live in colonies of varying sizes that procreate seasonally. Mole-rats were parasitised by lice, mites, cestodes and nematodes with mites (Androlaelaps sp.) and cestodes (Mathevotaenia sp.) being the dominant ecto- and endoparasites, respectively. Sex and reproductive status contributed little to the observed parasite prevalence and abundances possibly as a result of the shared burrow system. Clear seasonal patterns of parasite prevalence and abundance emerged with peaks in summer for mites and in winter for cestodes. Group size correlated negatively with mite abundance while it had no effect on cestode burdens and group membership affected infestation with both parasites. We propose that the mode of transmission as well as social factors constrain parasite propagation generating parasite patterns deviating from those commonly predicted
AtriplaR/anti-TB combination in TB/HIV patients. Drug in focus
Co-administration of anti-tuberculosis and antiretroviral therapy is often inevitable in high-burden countries where tuberculosis is the most common opportunistic infection associated with HIV/AIDS. Concurrent use of rifampicin and several antiretroviral drugs is complicated by pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction. Pubmed and Google search following the key words tuberculosis, HIV, emtricitabine, tenofovir efavirenz, interaction were used to find relevant information on each drug of the fixed dose combination AtriplaR RESULTS: Information on generic name, trade name, pharmacokinetic parameter, metabolism and the pharmacokinetic interaction with Anti-TB drugs of emtricitabine, tenofovir, and efavirenz was obtained. Fixed dose combination of emtricitabine/tenofovir/efavirenz (ATRIPLAR) which has been approved by Food and Drug Administration shows promising results as far as safety and efficacy is concerned in TB/HIV co-infection patients, hence can be considered effective and safe antiretroviral drug in TB/HIV management for adult and children above 3 years of age
A narrative review on the similarities and dissimilarities between myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (me/cfs) and sickness behavior
It is of importance whether myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a variant of sickness behavior. The latter is induced by acute infections/injury being principally mediated through proinflammatory cytokines. Sickness is a beneficial behavioral response that serves to enhance recovery, conserves energy and plays a role in the resolution of inflammation. There are behavioral/symptomatic similarities (for example, fatigue, malaise, hyperalgesia) and dissimilarities (gastrointestinal symptoms, anorexia and weight loss) between sickness and ME/CFS. While sickness is an adaptive response induced by proinflammatory cytokines, ME/CFS is a chronic, disabling disorder, where the pathophysiology is related to activation of immunoinflammatory and oxidative pathways and autoimmune responses. While sickness behavior is a state of energy conservation, which plays a role in combating pathogens, ME/CFS is a chronic disease underpinned by a state of energy depletion. While sickness is an acute response to infection/injury, the trigger factors in ME/CFS are less well defined and encompass acute and chronic infections, as well as inflammatory or autoimmune diseases. It is concluded that sickness behavior and ME/CFS are two different conditions
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Safety and Efficacy of the NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 Vaccine at Completion of the Placebo-Controlled Phase of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
BACKGROUND: The recombinant protein-based vaccine, NVX-CoV2373, demonstrated 89.7% efficacy against COVID-19 in a phase 3, randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in the United Kingdom. The protocol was amended to include a blinded crossover; data to the end of the placebo-controlled phase are reported. METHODS: Adults aged 18-84 years received two doses of NVX-CoV2373 or placebo (1:1) and were monitored for virologically confirmed mild, moderate, or severe COVID-19 (onset from 7 days after second vaccination). Participants who seroconverted to immunoglobulin G (IgG) against the nucleocapsid protein and did not meet criteria for symptomatic COVID-19 were classified as having asymptomatic disease. Secondary outcomes included anti-spike (S) IgG responses, wild-type virus neutralization, and T-cell responses. RESULTS: Of 15185 participants, 13989 remained in the per-protocol efficacy population (6989 NVX-CoV2373, 7000 placebo). At a maximum of 7.5 months (median, 4.5 months) postvaccination, there were 24 cases of COVID-19 among NVX-CoV2373 recipients and 134 cases among placebo recipients, a vaccine efficacy of 82.7% (95% CI: 73.3-88.8). Vaccine efficacy was 100% (17.9-100.0) against severe disease and 76.3% (57.4-86.8) against asymptomatic disease. High anti-S and neutralization responses to vaccination were evident, together with S-protein-specific induction of interferon-γ secretion in peripheral blood T cells. Incidence of serious adverse events and adverse events of special interest were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: A two-dose regimen of NVX-CoV2373 conferred a high level of ongoing protection against asymptomatic, symptomatic, and severe COVID-19 through >6 months postvaccination. A gradual decrease of protection suggests that a booster dose may be indicated
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