Models to assess the risk of introduction of selected animal viral diseases through the importation of live animals as a key part of risk analysis

Introduction of an animal viral disease, especially a notifiable disease, into an importing country or region free from the disease may lead to serious epidemiological consequences and economic losses. Trade in live animals is historically considered one of the most important risk pathways. To estimate the magnitude of such risk, the likelihood of a virus’ entry into a country and the consequences of this event should be jointly evaluated. Depending on data availability, the urgency of the problem and the detail level of the objectives, a risk assessment may be conducted in a qualitative, semi-quantitative or quantitative way. The purpose of this review was firstly to provide a brief description of each step of the risk analysis process, with particular emphasis on the risk assessment component, and subsequently to supply examples of different approaches to the assessment of the risk of the introduction of selected animal viral diseases. Based on the reviewed models, the overall likelihood of introduction of particular diseases was generally estimated as low. The output risk value was strongly dependent on the duration of the silent phase of the epidemic in the country of origin. Other parameters with some bearing upon the risk derived from the epidemiological situation in the country of origin and the biosecurity or mitigation measures implemented in the country of destination. The investigated models are universal tools for conducting assessment of the risk of introduction of various animal diseases to any country. Their application may lead to timely implementation of appropriate measures for the prevention of the spread of a disease to another country or region.

Altered cleavage of Caspase-1 in hepatocytes limits control of malaria in the liver

Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, is a devastating disease that kills over half a million people each year1. Plasmodium sporozoites inoculated by mosquitoes into mammalian hosts undergo a clinically silent phase of obligatory development and replication in hepatocytes before initiating the life-threatening blood-stage of malaria2. Thus, understanding the immune responses elicited by Plasmodium infection in the liver is key to controlling clinical malaria and transmission3,4. Here, we show that Plasmodium DNA can be detected by AIM2 (absent in melanoma 2) sensors in the infected hepatocytes, resulting in Caspase-1 activation and pyroptotic cell-death. However, Caspase-1 was observed to undergo only partial cleavage in hepatocytes, limiting pyroptosis, and the maturation of pro-inflammatory cytokines classically associated with Caspase-1 activation. We discovered that the extent of Caspase-1 cleavage in cells is determined by the expression of ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD). ASC expression is inherently low in hepatocytes, and transgenically enhancing it in the hepatocytes induced complete processing of Caspase-1, efficient secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, enhanced pyroptotic cell-death, and markedly improved control of malaria infection in the liver. In addition to describing a novel pathway of natural immunity to malaria, our findings uncover a key aspect of liver biology that may have been exploited during evolution by successful hepatotropic pathogens.

Spontaneous Direction-Changing or Reversing Positional Nystagmus without Changing Head Position during Head-Roll/Head-Hanging Maneuvers: Biphasic Positional Nystagmus

Background and Objectives: Conflicting mechanisms have been reported about spontaneous reversal of positional nystagmus during head-roll maneuver in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The objective of this study is to review the reports about the characteristics and possible mechanisms of reversing positional nystagmus and to present seven new cases.Subjects and Methods: Seven cases (5 males, 2 females; 4 left-sided, 3 right-sided) were recruited among 732 patients with BPPV seen outpatient clinic between 2009 and 2019. Diagnosis of lateral canal canalolithiasis was confirmed when transient geotropic nystagmus was documented during head-roll test. Reversing positional nystagmus was analyzed in each case and clinical characteristics of the patients were documented.Results: The age of patients was ranging between 30 to 64 years (46.44±10.91). Duration of symptoms was short (21.34±19.74). Six of them had a story of head trauma. Initial latency was short. First, intense geotropic nystagmus was observed following provocative head-roll position on the affected side. There was short “silent phase”. Then, a longer second-phase of reversed nystagmus was noted. Total duration of nystagmus was 78.40±6.82 seconds. Maximal slow phase velocity was 24.05±6.34 deg/sec. All patients were cured with barbeque maneuver.Conclusions: Ipsilateral reversing positional nystagmus during head-roll maneuver is due to lateral canal canalolithiasis. Mechanism is likely to be due to endolymphatic double flow. Bilateral cases may be due to simultaneous co-existence of canalolithiasis and cupulolithiasis. Longer recording of nystagmus is recommended not to miss the cases with spontaneous direction-changing positional nystagmus.

PROFIL KROMATOGRAFI LAPIS TIPIS MINYAK ATSIRI SEREH (Cymbopogon citratus)

Rhodinol has been isolated from citronella oil. Isolation of lemongrass oil is done by using the distillation method. Samples used were citronella harvested for 6 months and 9 months. Silent phase used TLC plate slika gel F254 with a size of 2 x 10 cm and the mobile phase used was Toluen: Ethyl Acetate (93: 7). Results of Thin Layer Chromatography HRF profile obtained for experiment I (citronella harvesting age 6 months) 32, 77, 87 and Experiment II (lemongrass harvest age 9 months) respectively 25, 73, 81.

Protective Role of UCP2 in Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis during the Silent Phase of an Experimental Model of Epilepsy Induced by Pilocarpine

Neuroprotection is a desirable process in many neurological disorders, yet complex mechanisms involved in this field are not completely understood. The pilocarpine epilepsy model causes potent, seizure-induced excitotoxicity cell death and mitochondria impairment. The present study is aimed at investigating the role of UCP2, a ROS negative regulator, in the neuroprotection after cholinergic insult. Our data demonstrated that UCP2 expression was augmented in the rat hippocampus 3 days after status epilepticus (SE), reaching a peak on the fifth day, then returning to basal levels. Concomitantly, phospho-AKT expression levels were higher in the hippocampus during the early silent phase (5 days after SE). Additionally, it was demonstrated that the blockade of UCP2 by antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) in SE rats successfully diminished both UCP2 mRNA and protein contents. SE ASO rats presented increased mitochondrial proapoptotic factor expression, caspase-3 activity, inflammatory cytokine expression, and ROS formation. Moreover, ASO treatment diminished p-AKT expression and antioxidant enzyme activities after pilocarpine insult. In conclusion, the present results highlight the neuroprotective actions of UCP2, acting in the inhibition of apoptotic factors and oxidative stress, to increase neuron survival after SE onset.

Pulse-Dose Radiofrequency in Athletic Pubalgia: Preliminary Results

Context:Chronic pubalgia affects around 10% of athletes.Objective:To determine the role of pulse-dose radiofrequency (PDRF) in athletes with chronic pubalgia and investigate the causes with imaging.Design:Prospective nonrandomized single-group study.Patients:PDRF was performed on 32 patients with a chronic pain that had been refractory to conservative therapies during the last 3 mo.Intervention:The genital branches of the genitofemoral, ilioinguinal, and iliohypogastric nerves and the obturator nerve were the goals of treatment. A 10-cm, 20-gauge cannula was inserted with a percutaneous access on the upper and lower edges of the iliopubic branch. After the spindle was removed, a radiofrequency needle with a 10-mm “active tip” was inserted. The radiofrequency technique was performed with 1200 pulses at 45 V and 20-ms duration, followed by a 480-ms silent phase.Main Outcome Measures:The follow-up with a clinical examination was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 9 mo after the procedure. During the follow-up visits, the patients were asked to rate their pain on a 0–10 VAS scale.Results:All of the enrolled patients completed the study. Mean VAS score before the treatment was 8.4 ± 0.6. Twenty-four patients had a reduction of pain VAS scores more than 50% during all follow-up visits and started training and physiotherapy in the days after the radiofrequency procedure. Six patients, each treated 2 times, had a reduction more than 50% of VAS scores and could start training and physiotherapy only after the 2nd procedure. One patient had no pain relief with 2 treatments. Pain intensity decreased up to 9 mo in 31 patients (mean VAS scores 3.4 ± 0.5 at 6 mo and 3.8 ± 0.9 at 9 mo). No complications were observed.Conclusions:PDRF is an effective and safe technique in management of chronic pubalgia in athletes.