Seroprevalence of Antibodies against Anisakis simplex Larvae among Health-Examined Residents in Three Hospitals of Southern Parts of Korea

The present study was performed to estimate the seroprevalence of larval Anisakis simplex infection among the residents health-examined in 3 hospitals in southern parts of Korea. A total of 498 serum samples (1 serum per person) were collected in 3 hospitals in Busan Metropolitan city, Masan city, and Geoje city in Gyeongsangnam-do (Province) and were examined by IgE-ELISA and IgE-western blotting with larval A. simplex crude extract and excretory-secretory products (ESP). The prevalence of antibody positivity was 5.0% and 6.6% with ELISA against crude extracts and ESP, respectively. It was also revealed that infection occurred throughout all age groups and higher in females than in males. A specific protein band of 130 kDa was detected from 10 patients with western blot analysis against crude extract and ESP among those who showed positive results by ELISA. Our study showed for the first time the seroprevalence of anisakiasis in Korea. The allergen of 130 kDa can be a candidate for serologic diagnosis of anisakiasis

Real-Time Epidemic Monitoring and Forecasting of H1N1-2009 Using Influenza-Like Illness from General Practice and Family Doctor Clinics in Singapore

10.1371/journal.pone.0010036PLoS ONE54

Global urban environmental change drives adaptation in white clover.

Urbanization transforms environments in ways that alter biological evolution. We examined whether urban environmental change drives parallel evolution by sampling 110,019 white clover plants from 6169 populations in 160 cities globally. Plants were assayed for a Mendelian antiherbivore defense that also affects tolerance to abiotic stressors. Urban-rural gradients were associated with the evolution of clines in defense in 47% of cities throughout the world. Variation in the strength of clines was explained by environmental changes in drought stress and vegetation cover that varied among cities. Sequencing 2074 genomes from 26 cities revealed that the evolution of urban-rural clines was best explained by adaptive evolution, but the degree of parallel adaptation varied among cities. Our results demonstrate that urbanization leads to adaptation at a global scale

Characterization of newborns with nonimmune hydrops fetalis admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit Caracterização dos recém-nascidos com hidropisia fetal não imune admitidos em uma unidade neonatal de terapia intensiva

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and characteristics of nonimmune hydrops fetalis in the newborn population. METHOD: A retrospective study of the period between 1996 and 2000, including all newborns with a prenatal or early neonatal diagnosis of nonimmune hydrops fetalis, based on clinical history, physical examination, and laboratory evaluation. The following were analyzed: prenatal follow-up, delivery type, gender, birth weight, gestational age, presence of perinatal asphyxia, nutritional classification, etiopathic diagnosis, length of hospital stay, mortality, and age at death. RESULTS: A total of 47 newborns with hydrops fetalis (0.42% of live births), 18 (38.3%) with the immune form and 29 (61.7%) with the nonimmune form, were selected for study. The incidence of nonimmune hydrops fetalis was 1 per 414 neonates. Data was obtained from 21 newborns, with the following characteristics: 19 (90.5%) were suspected from prenatal diagnosis, 18 (85.7%) were born by cesarean delivery, 15 (71.4%) were female, and 10 (47.6%) were asphyxiated. The average weight was 2665.9 g, and the average gestational age was 35 3/7 weeks; 14 (66.6%) were preterm; 18 (85.0 %) appropriate delivery time; and 3 (14.3%) were large for gestational age. The etiopathic diagnosis was determined for 62%, which included cardiovascular (19.0%), infectious (9.5%), placental (4.8%), hematologic (4.7%), genitourinary (4.8%), and tumoral causes (4.8%), and there was a combination of causes in 9.5%. The etiology was classified as idiopathic in 38%. The length of hospital stay was 26.6 &plusmn; 23.6 days, and the mortality rate was 52.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The establishment of a suitable etiopathic diagnosis associated with prenatal detection of nonimmune hydrops fetalis can be an important step in reducing the neonatal mortality rate from this condition.<br>OBJETIVOS: Determinar a incidência e caracterizar a população de recém-nascidos com hidropisia fetal não imune. MÉTODO: Estudo retrospectivo, referente ao período de 1996 a 2000, incluindo todos os recém-nascidos com diagnóstico antenatal ou neonatal, com base na história clínica, exame físico e avaliação laboratorial. Foram analisados: seguimento pré-natal, tipo de parto, sexo, peso de nascimento, idade gestacional, presença de asfixia perinatal, classificação nutricional, diagnóstico etiopatogênico, tempo de internação, mortalidade, idade do óbito. RESULTADOS: Foram selecionados 47 recém-nascidos com hidropisia fetal (0,42% dos nascidos vivos), 18 (38,3%) com a forma imune e 29(61,7%) com a não imune. A incidência de hidropisia fetal não imune foi de 1:414 nascidos vivos. Obtiveram-se dados de 21 recém-nascidos destes, 19 (90,5%) apresentavam suspeita diag nostico antenatal, 18 (85,7%) nasceram de parto cesariano; 15 (71,4%) eram do sexo feminino; 10 (47,6%) foram asfixiados. O peso médio foi 2665,9g, e a idade gestacional média de 35 3/7 sem, 14 (66,6%) pré-termo; 18 (85,7%) adequados e 3 (14,3%) grandes para idade gestacional. O diagnóstico etiopatogênico foi realizado em 62% dos recém-nascidos, sendo decorrente de causas cardiovasculares (19%), infecciosas (9,5%), placentária (4,76%), hematológicas (4,76,%), gênito-urinária (4,76%), tumoral (4,76%) e houve associação de causas em 9,5%. A etiologia foi classificada em idiopática em 38%. O tempo de internação foi de 26,6 dias &plusmn; 23,6 e a mortalidade de 52,4%. CONCLUSÕES: O estabelecimento de um correto diagnóstico etiopatogênico, associado à detecção antenatal da hidropisia fetal não imune, constitui elemento importante para uma redução da mortalidade neonatal decorrente desta grave doença