The role of Human Development Index in the epidemiology of asthma in adolescents in Kosovo: A cross-sectional multicentre Global Asthma Network (GAN) study.

BACKGROUND: Very limited information is available on the prevalence and risk factors of asthma in adolescents in Kosovo, and no study has previously addressed the role of Human Development Index (HDI) on asthma in the region. The present study addresses these two issues. METHODS: Following the Global Asthma Network (GAN) methodology, a cross-sectional survey, through standardised self-completed questionnaires, was conducted in the following six centres of Kosovo: Ferizaj, Gjakova, Gjilan, Peja, Prishtina and Prizren. Current asthma symptoms (CAS) and severe current asthma symptoms (sCAS) were defined according to the GAN standards. Environmental questionnaire inquired about gender, exercise, screening time, siblings, truck traffic, use of paracetamol, pet ownership, and smoking habits. Height and weight were also measured. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed in each centre along with meta-analyses to summarise the overall effects of each factor in the centres as a whole. Meta-regression of the prevalence rates was calculated using HDI as a moderator. RESULTS: Participation rate was high (80.0-99.9%). Prevalence of CAS ranged from 4.6% to 11.3%, and sCAS from 1.7% to 4.5%. Factors associated with CAS were exercise, computer time, paracetamol use and dog ownership. sCAS was associated with paracetamol use and physical exercise. HDI explained 46% and 80% of prevalence variability of CAS and sCAS between centres, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of CAS and sCAS in Kosovo varies highly between centres. This variability is explained partly by HDI. Individual risk factors are common, with some determined in other studies conducted in other regions.

The role of Human Development Index in the epidemiology of asthma in adolescents in Kosovo: A cross-sectional multicentre Global Asthma Network (GAN) study

Background: Very limited information is available on the prevalence and risk factors of asthma in adolescents in Kosovo, and no study has previously addressed the role of Human Development Index (HDI) on asthma in the region. The present study addresses these two issues. Methods: Following the Global Asthma Network (GAN) methodology, a cross-sectional survey, through standardised self-completed questionnaires, was conducted in the following six centres of Kosovo: Ferizaj, Gjakova, Gjilan, Peja, Prishtina and Prizren. Current asthma symptoms (CAS) and severe current asthma symptoms (sCAS) were defined according to the GAN standards. Environmental questionnaire inquired about gender, exercise, screening time, siblings, truck traffic, use of paracetamol, pet ownership, and smoking habits. Height and weight were also measured. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed in each centre along with meta-analyses to summarise the overall effects of each factor in the centres as a whole. Meta-regression of the prevalence rates was calculated using HDI as a moderator. Results: Participation rate was high (80.0–99.9%). Prevalence of CAS ranged from 4.6% to 11.3%, and sCAS from 1.7% to 4.5%. Factors associated with CAS were exercise, computer time, paracetamol use and dog ownership. sCAS was associated with paracetamol use and physical exercise. HDI explained 46% and 80% of prevalence variability of CAS and sCAS between centres, respectively. Conclusions: Prevalence of CAS and sCAS in Kosovo varies highly between centres. This variability is explained partly by HDI. Individual risk factors are common, with some determined in other studies conducted in other regions (AU)

Prevalence of Plasmid-Associated Tetracycline Resistance Genes in Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Environmental, Animal and Human Samples in Panama.

Antimicrobial resistance bacteria are nowadays ubiquitous. Its presence has been reported in almost every type of source, from water for agricultural and recreative use, water distribution pipes, and wastewater, to food, fomites, and clinical samples. Enterobacteriaceae, especially Escherichia coli, are not the exception, showing an increased resistance to several antibiotics, causing a global health and economic burden. Therefore, the monitoring of fecal microbiota is important because it is present in numerous reservoirs where gene transfer between commensal and virulent bacteria can take place, representing a potential source of resistant E. coli. In this work, antibiotic resistance profiles of 150 E. coli isolates from environmental, animal, and human samples, collected in three rural areas in Panama, were analyzed. A total of 116 isolates were resistant to at least one of the nine antibiotics tested. Remarkably, almost 100% of these exhibited resistance to tetracycline. Plasmid-associated tetA and tetB genes were detected in 42.86% of the isolates analyzed, tetA being the most prevalent. These results suggest that tetracycline resistance would be used as a convenient indicator of genetic horizontal transfer within a community.

Con la antorcha entre la niebla de la vía aérea única: marcha atópica y otros argumentos en la búsqueda de la evidencia / With the Torch in the Mist of the United Airway Disease: Atopic March and Other Arguments in the Search for Evidence

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[Translated article] With the Torch in the Mist of the United Airway Disease: Atopic March and Other Arguments in the Search for Evidence / Con la antorcha entre la niebla de la vía aérea única: marcha atópica y otros argumentos en la búsqueda de la evidencia

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The burden of asthma, hay fever and eczema in children in 25 countries: GAN Phase I study.

AIMS: There have been no worldwide standardised surveys of prevalence and severity of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in school children for 15 years. The present study aims to provide this information. METHODS: Following the exact International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) methodology (cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey), Global Asthma Network (GAN) Phase I was carried out between 2015 and 2020 in many centres worldwide. RESULTS: The study included 157 784 adolescents (13-14 years of age) in 63 centres in 25 countries and 101 777 children (6-7 years of age) in 44 centres in 16 countries. The current prevalence of symptoms, respectively, was 11.0% and 9.1% for asthma, 13.3% and 7.7% for rhinoconjunctivitis and 6.4% and 5.9% for eczema. The prevalence of asthma ever was 10.5% and 7.6%, hay fever ever was 15.2% and 11.1% and eczema ever was 10.6% and 13.4%, respectively. Centres in low or lower middle gross national income countries (LICs or LMICs) had significantly lower prevalence of the three disease symptoms and diagnoses (except for hay fever). In children, the prevalence of asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms was higher in boys, while the reverse occurred among adolescents. For eczema, while the prevalence among female adolescents was double that of males, there was no sex difference among children. Centre accounted for non-negligible variability in all disease symptoms (10-20%). CONCLUSION: The burdens of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema vary widely among the limited number of countries studied. Although symptom prevalence is lower in LICs and LMICs, it represents a considerable burden everywhere studied.

Isolation of Yeasts from Guajillo Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Fermentation and Study of Some Probiotic Characteristics.

Three yeast strains were isolated from the spontaneous fermentation of guajillo pepper: Hanseniaspora opuntiae, Pichia kudriavzevii, and Wickerhamomyces anomalus, which were identified by amplification of the ITS/5.8S ribosomal DNA. Some probiotic characteristics of these strains were evaluated and compared with one commercial probiotic yeast (Saccharomyces boulardii). The survival percentage of all the yeasts was similar to that of the commercial product. They showed different hydrophobicity characteristics with hydrocarbons, autoaggregation > 90%, and characteristics of co-aggregation with pathogenic microorganisms. The adhesion capacity to mucin of the three yeast samples was similar to the reference yeast. The antioxidant activity of the yeasts varied between 155 and 178 µM Trolox equivalents. All exhibited cholesterol reduction capacity, and W. anomalus was able to decrease up to 83% of cholesterol after 48 h of incubation. The 7.5-fold concentrated H. opuntiae supernatant had antimicrobial activity against Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium ATCC 14028 and Candida albicans ENCBDM2; tests suggest this activity against S. Typhimurium is due to a proteinaceous metabolite with a weight between 10 and 30 kDa. Among the yeasts, P. kudriavzevii exhibited the highest protective effect on the viability of Lactobacillus casei Shirota in gastric and intestinal conditions. These results suggest that yeasts isolated from guajillo pepper may have a probiotic potential.

GABAρ3 expression in lobule X of the cerebellum is reduced in the valproate model of autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disorders characterized by social interaction deficits, communication impairments, and stereotyped and repetitive behaviors. Additionally, impairments in the GABAergic circuitry have been associated with ASD. Several studies have shown that dysfunction of the cerebellum is a hallmark of ASD, and postmortem studies in humans reported a reduced density of Purkinje cells (PCs) together with an abnormal expression of GABAA subunits, among which GABAρ3 is expressed in early postnatal development, forms homomeric receptors with high affinity to the agonist (GABA EC50 ∼ 3 µM) and desensitize very little upon activation. Thus, we tested if the expression of GABAρ3 was modified by prenatal exposure to valproate (VPA), a well-known murine model of autism. The latency to find the nest increased in VPA-treated mice when compared to controls at postnatal day 8 (P8). Immunofluorescence studies showed a reduced expression of GABAρ3 in Purkinje cells (PCs) and ependymal glial cells (EGCs) from lobule X of VPA-treated mice. Finally, the expression of GABAρ3 increases linearly throughout normal development of the cerebellum, but this pattern is disrupted in the VPA model of autism. We conclude that the expression of GABAρ3 is reduced in PCs and EGCs from lobule X of the cerebellum in the VPA model of autism. Thus, GABAρ3 may be a relevant marker for ASD etiology.

Study of permeation and blocker binding in TMEM16A calcium-activated chloride channels.

We studied the effects of mutations of positively charged amino acid residues in the pore of X. tropicalis TMEM16A calcium-activated chloride channels: K613E, K628E, K630E; R646E and R761E. The activation and deactivation kinetics were not affected, and only K613E showed a lower current density. K628E and R761E affect anion selectivity without affecting Na(+) permeation, whereas K613E, R646E and the double mutant K613E + R646E affect anion selectivity and permeability to Na(+). Furthermore, altered blockade by the chloride channel blockers anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (A-9-C), 4, 4'-Diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS) and T16inh-A01 was observed. These results suggest the existence of 2 binding sites for anions within the pore at electrical distances of 0.3 and 0.5. These sites are also relevant for anion permeation and blockade.

TMEM16A alternative splicing isoforms in Xenopus tropicalis: distribution and functional properties.

Oocytes of Xenopus tropicalis elicit a Ca(2+)-dependent outwardly rectifying, low-activating current (ICl,Ca) that is inhibited by Cl(-) channel blockers. When inactivated, ICl,Ca shows an exponentially decaying tail current that is related to currents generated by TMEM16A ion channels. Accordingly, RT-PCR revealed the expression of five alternatively spliced isoforms of TMEM16A in oocytes, which, after expression in HEK-293 cells, gave rise to fully functional Cl(-) channels. Upon hyperpolarization to -80 mV a transient current was observed only in isoforms that carry the exon 1d, coding for two potentially phosphorylatable Threonine residues. The identified isoforms are differentially expressed in several tissues of the frog. Thus, it appears that X. tropicalis oocytes express TMEM16A that gives rise to a Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) current, which is different from the previously reported voltage-dependent outwardly rectifying Cl(-) current.

Anion permeation in calcium-activated chloride channels formed by TMEM16A from Xenopus tropicalis.

Calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCC) formed by anoctamin1/TMEM16A subunits are ubiquitously expressed, and these channels are known to prevent polyspermy in amphibian oocytes. Here, we describe a TMEM16A clone isolated from Xenopus tropicalis oocytes (xtTMEM16A) and how the anion permeation properties are modified in single-site mutants of the ion pore. The anion permeability sequence was SCN(-) > I(-) > Br(-) > Cl(-) > gluconate (relative permeabilities 5.6:3.0:2.1:1:0.2, respectively). Dose-response curves indicated that the voltage-dependent half-maximal concentration for Ca(2+) activation (K d of the Hill equation at +100 mV) was 120 nM in normal external Cl(-), whereas it was displaced leftward to 75 nM Ca(2+), when I(-) replaced Cl(-). The I(-):Cl(-) mole fraction (MF) of the external solution was varied in order to gain insight into the permeation mechanism of the pore. No anomaly in MF behavior was observed for conductance, but it was observed for current reversal potential, which deviated from the prediction of the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation. Mutations of positively charged amino acids in the pore, R646 and R761, to glutamate resulted in reduction of the relative permeability to I(-). Data from the wild type and mutants could be well fitted by a three-barrier, two-site permeation model. This suggests a multi-ion pore with at least two binding sites for anions, with R646 mole fraction closer to the extracellular membrane surface--being important for the stability of both sites--and R761--located deeper within the membrane--mainly affecting the innermost binding site. Considerations of xtTMEM16A putative pore region topology are discussed in the light of two alternative topological models of the protein.

Positive association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -2578 C/A variant and prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene is an important angiogenesis regulator related to cancer development and progression. We evaluated the association between -2578 C/A (rs699947) VEGF polymorphism and PCa in Mexican subjects, to contribute to knowledge of VEGF role in genetic epidemiology of prostate cancer (PCa). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between -2578 C/A VEGF variant and PCa in Mexican population. METHODS: A total of 249 men (77 PCa cases and 172 controls) from the Northwestern region of Mexico were screened for the -2578 C/A VEGF variant. The polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction analysis. RESULTS: Genotype frequencies for C/C, C/A, and A/A, were 0.48, 0.49, 0.03 for cases and 0.41, 0.45, 0.14 for controls respectively. Genotype A/A of -2578 VEGF variant reduces the risk of PCa in an 84% among studied population (Odds Ratio 0.16; 95% CI: 0.04-0.71, P=0.007). C/C carriers showed an increased PCa risk of 6.1 times among the study population. CONCLUSIONS: Inheritance of -2578 A/A genotype of VEGF gene may modify PCa susceptibility risk in Mexican population.

A hyperpolarization-activated ion current of amphibian oocytes.

A comparative analysis of a hyperpolarization-activated ion current present in amphibian oocytes was performed using the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique in Xenopus laevis, Xenopus tropicalis, and Ambystoma mexicanum. This current appears to be driven mainly by Cl(-) ions, is independent of Ca(2+), and is made evident by applying extremely negative voltage pulses; it shows a slow activating phase and little or no desensitization. The pharmacological profile of the current is complex. The different channel blocker used for Cl(-), K(+), Na(+) and Ca(2+) conductances, exhibited various degrees of inhibition depending of the species. The profiles illustrate the intricacy of the components that give rise to this current. During X. laevis oogenesis, the hyperpolarization-activated current is present at all stages of oocytes tested (II-VI), and the amplitude of the current increases from about 50 nA in stage I to more than 1 µA in stage VI; nevertheless, there was no apparent modification of the kinetics. Our results suggest that the hyperpolarization-activated current is present both in order Anura and Urodela oocytes. However, the electrophysiological and pharmacological characteristics are quite perplexing and seem to suggest a mixture of ionic conductances that includes the activation of both anionic and cationic channels, most probably transiently opened due to the extreme hyperpolarizion of the plasma membrane. As a possible mechanism for the generation of the current, a kinetic model which fits the data suggests the opening of pores in the plasma membrane whose ion selectivity is dependent on the extracellular Cl(-) concentration. The extreme voltage conditions could induce the opening of otherwise latent pores in plasma membrane proteins (i.e., carriers), resembling the ´slippage´ events already described for some carriers. These observations should be valuable for other groups trying to express cloned, voltage-dependent ion channels in oocytes of amphibian in which hyperpolarizing voltage pulses are applied to activate the channels.

Novel interpretation of the "θ+ (1540) pentaquark" peak.

We use a theoretical model of the γd→K+ K- np reaction adapted to the experiment done at LEPS where a peak was observed and associated with the Θ+ (1540) pentaquark. The study shows that the method used in the experiment to assign momenta to the undetected proton and neutron, together with the chosen cuts, necessarily creates an artificial broad peak in the assumed K+ n invariant mass in the region of the claimed Θ+ (1540), such that the remaining strength seen for the experimental peak is compatible with a fluctuation of 2σ significance.

Poverty-associated risk factors for wheezing in the first year of life in Honduras and El Salvador.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for wheezing specifically during the first year of life have been studied in well-developed countries, but the information from developing countries is very scarce. There are no such studies focusing on factors derived from poverty. The aim of the present study was to determine if risk factors related to poverty are associated to wheezing during the first year of life in infants from Honduras and El Salvador. METHODS: A survey, using a validated questionnaire, was carried out in the metropolitan area of San Pedro Sula (Honduras) and in La Libertad (El Salvador) in centres where infants attended for a scheduled vaccination shot or a healthy child visit at 12 months of age. Fieldworkers offered questionnaires to parents and helped the illiterate when necessary. The main outcome variable was wheezing during the first year of life, as reported by parents. RESULTS: A total of 1047 infants in El Salvador and 780 in Honduras were included in the analysis. The prevalence of wheeze in the first year was higher in El Salvador (41.2%) than in Honduras (27.7%), as was recurrent wheezing defined as three or more episodes (18.4% vs. 11.7%). Wheezing and recurrent wheezing was associated to unpaved floor in the household (summary odds ratios for both countries 1.55, p=0.036 and 1.72, p=0.054 for any wheeze and recurrent wheezing, respectively); dust entering from streets (1.30, p=0.052 and 1.67, p=0.008); living in a heavily polluted area (1.33, p=0.037 and 1.52, p=0.033); and having mould stains on the household walls (1.36, p=0.072 and 1.76, p=0.007). Furthermore, marginal associations were found for additional person at home and use of kerosene as cooking fuel. University studies in the mother (0.34, p=0.046 and 0.32, p=0.022) and a professional occupation in the father (0.34, p=0.046 and 0.26, p=0.047) were associated to a lower risk. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of wheezing and recurrent wheezing is notoriously high in El Salvador and Honduras. In those populations factors related to poverty are associated to a higher prevalence of wheezing and recurrent wheezing, whereas higher maternal education and paternal professional occupation behave as protective factors.

Phylogenetic analysis of rubella virus strains from an outbreak in Madrid, Spain, from 2004 to 2005.

An outbreak of rubella affected 460 individuals in 2004 and 2005 in the community of Madrid, Spain. Most of the patients were nonvaccinated Latin American immigrants or Spanish males. This study presents the first data on rubella virus genotypes in Spain. Forty selected clinical samples (2 urine, 5 serum, 3 blood, 2 saliva, and 28 pharyngeal exudate samples) from 40 cases were collected. The 739-nucleotide sequence recommended by the World Health Organization obtained from viral RNA in these samples was analyzed by using the MEGA v4.0 software. Seventeen isolates were obtained from 40 clinical samples from the outbreak, including two isolated from congenital rubella syndrome cases. Only viral RNA of genotype 1j was detected in both isolates and clinical specimens. Two variations in amino acids, G253C and T394S, which are involved in neutralization epitopes arose during the outbreak, but apparently there was no positive selection of either of them. The origin of the outbreak remains unknown because of poor virologic surveillance in Latin America and the African countries neighboring Spain. On the other hand, this is the first report of this genotype in Europe. The few published sequences of genotype 1j indicate that it comes from Japan and the Philippines, but there are no epidemiological data supporting this as the origin of the Madrid outbreak.

Modulation of human GABArho1 receptors by taurine.

A study was made of the effects of taurine on GABArho1 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The EC(50) and reversal potentials for GABA, taurine and glycine currents were 2.3+/-0.4 microM (-25+/-0.9 mV), 5+/-0.8mM (-27+/-0.4 mV) and 7+/-0.5mM (-22+/-0.6 mV), respectively. Co-application of GABA and taurine, revealed a taurine concentration-dependent biphasic-modulation of the receptor: at 0.3-30 microM taurine potentiated the GABA-currents, whereas at 0.3-30 mM the GABA-currents were reduced. In contrast glycine potentiated the GABA-currents at all concentrations tested. TPMPA, a GABA(C) specific receptor antagonist, also blocked effectively and reversibly the taurine and glycine currents. Finally, lanthanum and zinc modulated the currents generated by the three amino acids. Taurine is abundant in the retina and our observations suggest that taurine may play an important role modulating the retinal GABAergic transmission.

Validity of parent-reported height and weight for defining obesity among asthmatic and nonasthmatic schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between parent-reported and measured height and weight is not well established in schoolchildren. This relationship has never been studied in asthmatic children. The objective of this study is to test the validity of the parent-reported weight and height for defining obesity by BMI and to know whether the perception of this height and weight changes when the child suffers from asthma. METHODS: All classes of children of the target ages of 6-8 years (n = 1,672, participation rate 70.2%) of all schools in four municipalities of Murcia (Spain) were included. Parents were asked about their children's weight and height using a questionnaire which included the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) core questions on asthma. Parents were not aware that their children were going to be weighed and measured within 1 week's time. Measurements were performed using a rigid stadiometer to the nearest 0.1 cm and a scale to the nearest 0.1 kg. RESULTS: The bias (reported minus real) was, respectively, for nonasthmatics and asthmatics: weight +0.42 kg (95% CI +0.24; +0.59 kg) versus +0.97 kg (+0.50; +1.44 kg), height +2.37 cm (+2.06; +2.68 cm) versus +2.87 cm (+1.87; +3.87 cm); BMI -0.39 kg/m(2) (-0.52; -0.23 kg/m(2)) versus -0.23 kg/m(2) (-0.58; +0.13 kg/m(2)). Diagnostic accuracy of obesity calculated from reported measurements was, respectively, for nonasthmatics and asthmatics: sensitivity 78.0 versus 77.8%, specificity 96.2 versus 94.5%, positive predictive value 77.2 versus 73.7% and negative predictive value 96.4 versus 91.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Reported weights and heights had large biases, comparable between parents of both asthmatic and those of nonasthmatic children. However, this information could be reasonably valid for classifying children as obese or nonobese in large epidemiological studies.