Transmission and immunopathology of the avian influenza virus A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9) human isolate in three commonly commercialized avian species.

H7N9 virus infection is a global concern, given that it can cause severe infection and mortality in humans. However, the understanding of H7N9 epidemiology, animal reservoir species and zoonotic risk remains limited. This work evaluates the pathogenicity, transmissibility and local innate immune response of three avian species harbouring different respiratory distribution of α2,6 and α2,3 SA receptors. Muscovy ducks, European quails and SPF chickens were intranasally inoculated with 105 embryo infectious dose (EID)50 of the human H7N9 (A/Anhui/1/2013) influenza isolate. None of the avian species showed clinical signs or macroscopic lesions, and only mild microscopic lesions were observed in the upper respiratory tract of quail and chickens. Quail presented more severe histopathologic lesions and avian influenza virus (AIV) positivity by immunohistochemistry (IHC), which correlated with higher IL-6 responses. In contrast, Muscovy ducks were resistant to disease and presented higher IFNα and TLR7 response. In all species, viral shedding was higher in the respiratory than in the digestive tract. Higher viral shedding was observed in quail, followed by chicken and ducks, which presented similar viral titres. Efficient transmission was observed in all contact quail and half of the Muscovy ducks, while no transmission was observed between chicken. All avian species showed viral shedding in drinking water throughout infection.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus experimental transmission using a pig model.

Dromedary camels are the main reservoir of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), but other livestock species (i.e., alpacas, llamas, and pigs) are also susceptible to infection with MERS-CoV. Animal-to-animal transmission in alpacas was reported, but evidence for transmission in other species has not been proved. This study explored pig-to-pig MERS-CoV transmission experimentally. Virus was present in nasal swabs of infected animals, and limited amounts of viral RNA, but no infectious virus were detected in the direct contact pigs. No virus was detected in the indirect contact group. Furthermore, direct and indirect contact pigs did not develop specific antibodies against MERS-CoV. Therefore, the role of pigs as reservoir is probably negligible, although it deserves further confirmation.

[What to do when there is no evidence]. / Y cuando no hay evidencias, qué?

This article reflects the content presented by the authors in the framework of the VI National Symposium on Bed Sores and Chronic Wounds celebrated in Zaragoza from the 15th to 17th of November, 2005. It includes interesting commentaries about what is understood as evidence, what evidence exists and how evidence is used.

Y cuando no hay evidencias, ¿Qué? / What to do when there is no evidence

Este artículo refleja los contenidos expuestos por el autor en el marco del VI Simposio Nacional de Úlceras por Presión y Heridas Crónicas, celebrado en Zaragoza del 15 al 17 de noviembre de 2006. Interesantes reflexiones acerca de qué se entiende por evidencia, qué evidencia existe y cómo se utiliza

This article reflects the content presented by the authors in the framework of the VI NAtional Symposium on Bed Sores and Chronic Wounds celebrated in Zaragoza from the 15th to 17th of November, 2005. It includes interesting commentaries about what is understood as evidence, what evidence exists and how evidence is used

Sex with children is abuse: Comment on Rind, Tromovitch, and Bauserman (1998).

B. Rind, P. Tromovitch, and R. Bauserman (1998) reported a meta-analysis of the relation between sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence and psychological functioning among college students. Several aspects of their work have proven to be highly controversial, including their assertion that the relation between child sexual abuse and adjustment is quite small and their questioning of whether child sexual abuse should be labeled abuse in scientific inquiry. In this commentary, the authors summarize the controversy that has ensued, place it in a historical context, discuss the limitations of B. Rind et al.'s findings, and critique the manner in which those findings are presented. The authors also argue for the appropriateness of the term abuse and for scientific terminology that reflects rather than contradicts consensual public morality.

Evaluating Spanish protocols for teaching bonding, home safety, and health care skills to a mother reported for child abuse.

A Spanish-speaking mother reported for child abuse of her 6-yr-old son and referred by child protective services received Spanish training protocols in their home provided by Project SafeCare. Treatment consisted of (1) child health care training, (2) planned activities training (PAT), and (3) home safety training. Following training, the mother met criterion in all training components. Although PAT was conducted with the mother and her youngest child only, the mother reported decreases in negative interactions between the oldest (untreated) child and his parents. Follow-up observations indicated that treatment gains were maintained. The mother rated the content and outcome of the training favorably on a social validation questionnaire.

Asthma and climatic conditions: experience from Bermuda, an isolated island community.

A retrospective study of patients attending the emergency department with acute asthma was performed in Bermuda. Climatic data (barometric pressure, rainfall, humidity, and wind strength and direction) were obtained and compared with frequency of exacerbations of asthma. Three factors--namely, relative humidity, average daily temperature, and northeasterly winds--were found to be related to worsening asthma. Owing to Bermuda's lack of pollution and aeroallergens it was thought that these weather parameters had a direct effect on the asthmatic population.