Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infects several animal species that act as zoonotic reservoirs for viral transmission. Solid and liquid residues from infected animals could lead to HEV contamination of food ...and surface waters. Evidence of human HEV infection through ingestion of seafood (shellfish, mussels) has been reported. Dolphins generally feed on fish and squid but are able to adapt to an environment and consume whatever prey is available. Clinical signs of infected dolphins include lethargy, inappetence, behavioral aberrations and increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The dolphins examined in this study were maintained at the National Aquarium, Havana, Cuba. A total of 31 dolphins were evaluated for HEV markers. Sera were collected and screened for total immunoglobin (Ig) anti-HEV. Sera and liver homogenate were tested for HEV RNA by nested RT-PCR using primers targeting the open reading frame 1. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using partial nucleotide sequences at the amplified RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene. Total anti-HEV Ig was detected in 32.2% (10 of 31), and 16.1% (5 of 31) of these dolphins were positive by both serology and HEV RNA testing. Nucleotide sequence analyses revealed that HEV strains identified in dolphins were genotype 3. This virus may represent an environmental contamination of food or wastewater as a source of HEV exposure and infection. Our findings provide evidence that HEV is associated with liver disorders in cetaceans and that it is advisable to screen for exposure of this virus in captive dolphins, particularly animals with elevated serum ALT or compromised liver function test results of undetermined cause.
Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is related to a poor prognosis in graft survival, with 27% to 40% of patients experiencing graft loss within the first year. The mechanism of damage in AMR is ...mediated by donor-specific antibodies (DSA). No standard treatment for AMR exists, and conventional management includes high doses of steroids, plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin, and either rituximab or bortezomib. Because of the high cost of these medications and the lack of prospective studies to evaluate their efficacy and safety, their routine use is limited. In the following study, we describe the use of bortezomib for the treatment of AMR in 5 renal transplant recipients with a 24-month follow-up and compare this case with the reviewed literature.
Five cases of AMR diagnosed by biopsy are reported, and these patients received bortezomib at a rate of 1.3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8, and 11; plasmapheresis; and 1 patient received 30 g of intravenous immunoglobulin.
All patients received his or her first transplant; 4 were from a cadaveric donor, and 1 patient received thymoglobulin at a standard dose. All patients had maintenance therapy based on cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone, with an average baseline creatinine level of 1.3 mg/dL. The average days until rejection event were 952 days.
AMR treatment with bortezomib was effective, showing stable renal function at 24 months. Patients had adequate tolerance for administration. So far, these results contrast with the literature reviewed, so additional studies and follow-up are required for a new evaluation.
•Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is related to a poor prognosis in graft survival.•There is no standard treatment for AMR.•Because of the high cost of medications and the lack of prospective studies to evaluate their efficacy and safety, their routine use is limited.•Bortezomib is an effective and safe medication in the management of AMR.
The first investigation of the single-particle structure of the bound states of 17C, via the d(16C, p) transfer reaction, has been undertaken. The measured angular distributions confirm the ...spin-parity assignments of 1/2+ and 5/2+ for the excited states located at 217 and 335 keV, respectively. The spectroscopic factors deduced for these states exhibit a marked single-particle character, in agreement with shell model and particle-core model calculations, and combined with their near degeneracy in energy provide clear evidence for the absence of the N = 14 sub-shell closure. The very small spectroscopic factor found for the 3/2+ ground state is consistent with theoretical predictions and indicates that the ν1d3/2 strength is carried by unbound states. With a dominant l = 0 valence neutron configuration and a very low separation energy, the 1/2+ excited state is a one-neutron halo candidate
Gut microbial products are involved in regulation of host metabolism. In human and experimental studies, we explored the potential role of hippurate, a hepatic phase 2 conjugation product of ...microbial benzoate, as a marker and mediator of metabolic health.
In 271 middle-aged non-diabetic Danish individuals, who were stratified on habitual dietary intake, we applied
H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of urine samples and shotgun-sequencing-based metagenomics of the gut microbiome to explore links between the urine level of hippurate, measures of the gut microbiome, dietary fat and markers of metabolic health. In mechanistic experiments with chronic subcutaneous infusion of hippurate to high-fat-diet-fed obese mice, we tested for causality between hippurate and metabolic phenotypes.
In the human study, we showed that urine hippurate positively associates with microbial gene richness and functional modules for microbial benzoate biosynthetic pathways, one of which is less prevalent in the
2 enterotype compared with Ruminococcaceae or
enterotypes. Through dietary stratification, we identify a subset of study participants consuming a diet rich in saturated fat in which urine hippurate concentration, independently of gene richness, accounts for links with metabolic health. In the high-fat-fed mice experiments, we demonstrate causality through chronic infusion of hippurate (20 nmol/day) resulting in improved glucose tolerance and enhanced insulin secretion.
Our human and experimental studies show that a high urine hippurate concentration is a general marker of metabolic health, and in the context of obesity induced by high-fat diets, hippurate contributes to metabolic improvements, highlighting its potential as a mediator of metabolic health.
The first investigation of the single-particle structure of the bound states of 17C, via the d(16C,p) transfer reaction, has been undertaken. The measured angular distributions confirm the ...spin-parity assignments of 1/2+ and 5/2+ for the excited states located at 217 and 335 keV, respectively. The spectroscopic factors deduced for these states exhibit a marked single-particle character, in agreement with shell model and particle-core model calculations, and combined with their near degeneracy in energy provide clear evidence for the absence of the N=14 sub-shell closure. The very small spectroscopic factor found for the 3/2+ ground state is consistent with theoretical predictions and indicates that the ν1d3/2 strength is carried by unbound states. With a dominant ℓ=0 valence neutron configuration and a very low separation energy, the 1/2+ excited state is a one-neutron halo candidate.
The prevalence of peri-implantitis has increased significantly, forcing clinicians to search for ways to prevent it. Laser-microtextured surfaces promote soft tissue attachment and provide a tight ...seal around implants. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the clinical, radiographic, and histologic features of ligature-induced peri-implantitis, as well as the effect of surgical treatment of these induced peri-implantitis lesions on laser-microtextured implants in a controlled animal model.
Six mini-pigs (three males/three females) received 6 implants each (3 resorbable blast textured RBT implants and 3 laser-microtextured LM implants) in mandibular premolar sites, for a total of 36 implants. Two groups were identified based on the time point of sample analysis. After osseointegration was achieved, metal wire ligatures were placed and left for 12 weeks. Group 1 samples were then obtained, and group 2 samples received rescue therapy following a guided bone regeneration (GBR) protocol. Sample collection in group 2 was completed 12 weeks after the samples were submerged and treated. All samples were analyzed histologically and measurements were taken.
Four implants (three RBT, one LM) were lost at early time points because of implant instability. Interimplant distances and soft tissue thicknesses varied subtly between groups. More notable was the mean (± standard error of the mean) crestal bone loss (group 1: 1.860 ± 1.618 mm LM and 2.440 ± 2.691 mm RBT; group 2: 2.04 ± 1.613 mm LM and 3.00 ± 2.196 mm RBT) (P < .05), as demonstrated by a paired t test. Histologic pocket depth was also greater at RBT sites than at LM sites (4.448 ± 2.839 mm and 4.121 ± 2.251 mm, respectively, in group 1; and 3.537 ± 2.719 mm and 2.339 ± 1.852 mm, respectively P < .005 in group 2).
LM implants had less crestal bone loss and shallower histologic pocket depth compared with their RBT counterparts. Also, LM implants had higher bone fill when a rescue therapy (GBR) was performed.
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