Social competence in autism: A structural equation modeling approach.

Autistic individuals present with difficulties in social competence (e.g., navigating social interactions and fostering relationships). Clinical interventions widely target social cognition and social behavior, but there is inconsistent understanding of the underlying components of social competence. The present study used structural equation modeling to examine social cognition and social behavior and explore the relationship between these latent constructs. Autistic youth (ages 10-17; n = 219) and their caregivers participated in this study. Constructs of social cognition and social behavior were captured using caregiver-report and self-report rating scales, as well as observational measures and direct clinical assessments (e.g., NEPSY-II). Measurement models of social cognition and social behavior demonstrated adequate to good fit. Correlational models demonstrated adequate to poor fit, indicating latent constructs of social cognition and social behavior are not closely related in autistic youth. Exploratory examination of a subsample of male youth (n = 157) evidenced improved model fit of social behavior, specifically. Findings tease apart social cognition and social behavior as cohesive and separable constructs; results do not support a structural relationship between social cognition and social behavior. Noted treatment implications include consideration of how targeting social cognition and social behavior together or separately may support autistic youth's progress toward reaching their identified therapeutic goals and supporting their self-directed social development.

Differential and defective transcription of koala retrovirus indicates the complexity of host and virus evolution.

Koala retrovirus (KoRV) is unique amongst endogenous (inherited) retroviruses in that its incorporation to the host genome is still active, providing an opportunity to study what drives this fundamental process in vertebrate genome evolution. Animals in the southern part of the natural range of koalas were previously thought to be either virus-free or to have only exogenous variants of KoRV with low rates of KoRV-induced disease. In contrast, animals in the northern part of their range universally have both endogenous and exogenous KoRV with very high rates of KoRV-induced disease such as lymphoma. In this study we use a combination of sequencing technologies, Illumina RNA sequencing of 'southern' (south Australian) and 'northern' (SE QLD) koalas and CRISPR enrichment and nanopore sequencing of DNA of 'southern' (South Australian and Victorian animals) to retrieve full-length loci and intregration sites of KoRV variants. We demonstrate that koalas that tested negative to the KoRV pol gene qPCR, used to detect replication-competent KoRV, are not in fact KoRV-free but harbour defective, presumably endogenous, 'RecKoRV' variants that are not fixed between animals. This indicates that these populations have historically been exposed to KoRV and raises questions as to whether these variants have arisen by chance or whether they provide a protective effect from the infectious forms of KoRV. This latter explanation would offer the intriguing prospect of being able to monitor and selectively breed for disease resistance to protect the wild koala population from KoRV-induced disease.

Nuclear F-actin Cytology in Oral Epithelial Dysplasia and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Oral cavity cancer has a low 5-y survival rate, but outcomes improve when the disease is detected early. Cytology is a less invasive method to assess oral potentially malignant disorders relative to the gold-standard scalpel biopsy and histopathology. In this report, we aimed to determine the utility of cytological signatures, including nuclear F-actin cell phenotypes, for classifying the entire spectrum of oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma. We enrolled subjects with oral potentially malignant disorders, subjects with previously diagnosed malignant lesions, and healthy volunteers without lesions and obtained brush cytology specimens and matched scalpel biopsies from 486 subjects. Histopathological assessment of the scalpel biopsy specimens classified lesions into 6 categories. Brush cytology specimens were analyzed by machine learning classifiers trained to identify relevant cytological features. Multimodal diagnostic models were developed using cytology results, lesion characteristics, and risk factors. Squamous cells with nuclear F-actin staining were associated with early disease (i.e., lower proportions in benign lesions than in more severe lesions), whereas small round parabasal-like cells and leukocytes were associated with late disease (i.e., higher proportions in severe dysplasia and carcinoma than in less severe lesions). Lesions with the impression of oral lichen planus were unlikely to be either dysplastic or malignant. Cytological features substantially improved upon lesion appearance and risk factors in predicting squamous cell carcinoma. Diagnostic models accurately discriminated early and late disease with AUCs (95% CI) of 0.82 (0.77 to 0.87) and 0.93 (0.88 to 0.97), respectively. The cytological features identified here have the potential to improve screening and surveillance of the entire spectrum of oral potentially malignant disorders in multiple care settings.

Pathological Findings in Koala Retrovirus-positive Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) from Northern and Southern Australia.

Koala retrovirus (KoRV) infection shows differences in prevalence and load between northern and southern Australian koala populations; however, the effect of this on diseases such as lymphoma and chlamydial disease is unclear. This study compared clinicopathological findings, haematology and splenic lymphoid area of KoRV-positive koalas from northern (Queensland [Qld], n = 67) and southern (South Australia [SA], n = 92) populations in order to provide further insight into KoRV pathogenesis. Blood was collected for routine haematology and for measurement of KoRV proviral load by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Plasma samples were assessed for KoRV viral load by reverse transcriptase qPCR and conjunctival and cloacal swabs were collected for measurement of the load of Chlamydia pecorum (qPCR). During necropsy examination, spleen was collected for lymphoid area analysis. Lymphoma was morphologically similar between the populations and occurred in koalas with the highest KoRV proviral and viral loads. Severe ocular chlamydial disease was observed in both populations, but urinary tract disease was more severe in Qld, despite similar C. pecorum loads. No associations between KoRV and chlamydial disease severity or load were observed, except in SA where viral load correlated positively with chlamydial disease severity. In both populations, proviral and viral loads correlated positively with lymphocyte and metarubricyte counts and correlated negatively with erythrocyte and neutrophil counts. Splenic lymphoid area was correlated positively with viral load. This study has shown further evidence for KoRV-induced oncogenesis and highlighted that lymphocytes and splenic lymphoid tissue may be key sites for KoRV replication. However, KoRV infection appears to be highly complex and continued investigation is required to fully understand its pathogenesis.

Characterization of B-cell Responses to Zika Virus (ZIKV)

Objective: Most ZIKV infections occur in regions endemic for the related dengue virus (DENV). Anti-DENV antibodies have been demonstrated to cross-react with ZIKV. Some neutralize ZIKV infection while others mediate antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), exacerbating ZIKV infection and complicating diagnosis of the etiologic agent. We aimed to characterize the humoral immune response in a ZIKV+, DENV- experienced individual in order to explore this anamnestic response and identify antibodies that may be useful in the development of therapeutic agents. Design and Methodology: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from an individual (TT66) who was newly infected with ZIKV but had two previous DENV infections. Plasmablasts were isolated and analyses conducted using Atreca's Immune Repertoire CaptureTM technology. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) derived from TT66 during their acute and convalescent phase of ZIKV infection were screened in vitro for ZIKV and DENV binding and neutralization activity. Epitopes were then mapped using a shotgun mutagenesis approach. Results: We observed clonal expansion of two distinct antibody lineages representing 70% of total immunoglobulin sequences from TT66. We screened 18 mAbs representing two major lineages and five smaller families for neutralization and ADE between DENV and ZIKV. No highly typespecific mAbs were observed but rather a diverse pattern of neutralization, even within an individual lineage. Shotgun mutagenesis epitope mapping demonstrated epitopes for two of these broadly neutralizing mAb lineages lay within domain II ofE, close to the fusion loop. Conclusions: Results suggest that neutralizing antibody responses to ZIKV are extensively shaped by previous DENV exposure.

Anti-Budding Assay: Development of a high throughput screen to identify neutralizing antibodies that block Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) release

Objective: No licensed CHIKV vaccines or effective therapeutic agents are currently available. However, some CHIKV-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are highly effective in animal models, both prophylactically and therapeutically. This is thought to be largely mediated via blocking of CHIKV entry into cells. However, we and others have shown that inhibition of viral release/ budding is also a major mechanism for CHIKV control. We aimed to develop a high throughput in vitro screening assay to efficiently identify "antibudding"mAbs. Design and Methodology: An assay for quantification of viral budding from infected cells was optimised by varying cell line, cell density, multiplicity of infection (MOI), incubation periods, NH4Cl concentration and plate type. The assay utilized our novel, fully replication -competent, attenuated CHIKV nano-luciferase (nluc) reporter virus (CHIKV 181/25 E2nluc). The optimised assay was used to screen CHIKV+, Zika virus (ZIKV)+, CHIKV-/ZIKV- sera, and cloned memory B-cells from a CHIKV+ individual. Results: Optimal conditions involved use of rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells, bulk-infected at MOI 1 for 2hrs, removal of residual virus, resuspension in media containing 20mM NH4Cl, seeding at 2.5x104cells/well into 96-well plates and luminometry after 18hrs. Inter-plate coefficient of variability CV scores and Z' values remained <15% and >0.5 respectively, indicative of a valid assay. Most CHIKV+ sera displayed potent antibudding activity, two displayed no significant activity, and there was no ZIKV cross-reactivity. Of 800 memory B-cell clones, 13 exhibited significant anti-budding antibody activity. Conclusions: We developed a sensitive, reproducible, Biosafety level (BSL-2) safe, high throughput CHIKV antibudding assay useful for screening both polyclonal sera and monoclonal antibodies.

Identification of stable reference genes for quantitative PCR in koalas.

To better understand host and immune response to diseases, gene expression studies require identification of reference genes with stable expression for accurate normalisation. This study describes the identification and testing of reference genes with stable expression profiles in koala lymph node tissues across two genetically distinct koala populations. From the 25 most stable genes identified in transcriptome analysis, 11 genes were selected for verification using reverse transcription quantitative PCR, in addition to the commonly used ACTB and GAPDH genes. The expression data were analysed using stable genes statistical software - geNorm, BestKeeper, NormFinder, the comparative ΔCt method and RefFinder. All 13 genes showed relative stability in expression in koala lymph node tissues, however Tmem97 and Hmg20a were identified as the most stable genes across the two koala populations.

Lymphoma, Koala Retrovirus Infection and Reproductive Chlamydiosis in a Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).

Koala retrovirus (KoRV) infection, thought to be associated with lymphoid neoplasia, and Chlamydia pecorum-related ocular and urogenital disease are both highly prevalent in eastern Australian koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations. However, in South Australian koalas, little is known about KoRV infection and C. pecorum-associated disease. We report the first South Australian case of lymphoma in a KoRV-A-positive female koala also affected by severe reproductive chlamydiosis. The koala was from the Mount Lofty Ranges population and was presented with hindlimb lameness. Clinical examination identified right stifle crepitus, enlarged superficial lymph nodes and paraovarian cysts. Necropsy examination revealed extensive cartilage degeneration and loss over the medial femoral condyle, solid femoral bone marrow, mesenteric and ovarian tumours, paraovarian cysts and purulent metritis. Histopathology confirmed lymphoma in the bone marrow, mesenteric lymph nodes and ovary, with infiltration and parenchymal effacement in the pancreas, adrenal glands and other tissues. Lymphoma, KoRV and chlamydiosis are being investigated further in this population.

A new look at the origins of gibbon ape leukemia virus.

Is the origin of gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV) human after all? When GALV was discovered and found to cause neoplastic disease in gibbons, it stimulated a great deal of research including investigations into the origins of this virus. A number of publications have suggested that the GALV progenitor was a retrovirus present in one of several species of South East Asian rodents that had close contact with captive gibbons. However, there are no published retroviral sequences from any South East Asian species to support this view. Here we present an alternative hypothesis that the origin of GALV is a virus closely related to Melomys burtoni retrovirus, and that this virus infected human patients in Papua New Guinea from whom biological material was obtained or in some way contaminated these samples. This material we propose contained infectious MbRV-related virus that was then unwittingly introduced into gibbons which subsequently developed GALV infections.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of pomegranate extract on rising PSA levels in men following primary therapy for prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to compare the effects of pomegranate juice on PSA doubling times (PSADT) in subjects with rising PSA levels after primary therapy for prostate cancer. METHODS: Double-blind, placebo-controlled multi-institutional study, evaluated the effects of pomegranate liquid extract on serum PSA levels. The primary end point of this study was change in serum PSADT. Additional secondary and exploratory objectives were to evaluate the safety of pomegranate juice and to determine the interaction of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) AA genotype and pomegranate treatment on PSADT. RESULTS: One-hundred eighty-three eligible subjects were randomly assigned to the active and placebo groups with a ratio of 2:1 (extract N=102; placebo N=64; juice N=17). The majority of adverse events were of moderate or mild grade. Median PSADT increased from 11.1 months at baseline to 15.6 months in the placebo group (P<0.001) compared with an increase from 12.9 months at baseline to 14.5 months in the extract group (P=0.13) and an increase from 12.7 at baseline to 20.3 in the juice group (P=0.004). However, none of these changes were statistically significant between the three groups (P>0.05). Placebo AA patients experienced a 1.8 month change in median PSADT from 10.9 months at baseline to 12.7 months (P=0.22), while extract patients experienced a 12 month change in median PSADT from 13.6 at baseline to 25.6 months (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with placebo, pomegranate extract did not significantly prolong PSADT in prostate cancer patients with rising PSA after primary therapy. A significant prolongation in PSADT was observed in both the treatment and placebo arms. Men with the MnSOD AA genotype may represent a group that is more sensitive to the antiproliferative effects of pomegranate on PSADT; however, this finding requires prospective hypothesis testing and validation.

Impaired Coronary Endothelial Vasorelaxation in a Preclinical Model of Peripheral Arterial Insufficiency.

The present study was designed to determine whether adult swine with peripheral artery insufficiency (PAI) would exhibit vascular dysfunction in vessels distinct from the affected distal limbs, the coronary conduit arteries. Moreover, we sought to evaluate the effect of exercise training on coronary vasomotor function in PAI. Eighteen female healthy young Yucatan miniature swine were randomly assigned to either occluded exercise trained (Occl-Ex, n=7), or occluded-sedentary (Occl-Sed, n=5), or non-occluded, non-exercised control (Non-Occl-Con, n=6) groups. Occl-Ex pigs were progressively trained by running on a treadmill (5days/week, 12 weeks). The left descending artery (LAD) and left circumflex (LCX) coronary arteries were harvested. Vasorelaxation to adenosine diphosphate (ADP), bradykinin (BK), and sodium nitro-prusside (SNP) were assessed in LAD's; while constrictor responses to phenylephrine (PE), angiotensin II (Ang II), and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were assessed in LCX's. Vasorelaxation to ADP was reduced in LADs from Occl-Sed and Occl-Ex pigs (P<0.001) as compared to Non-Occl-Con pigs; however, Occl-Ex pigs exhibited partial recovery (P<0.001) intermediate to the other two groups. BK induced relaxation was reduced in LADs from Occl-Ex and Occl-Sed pigs (P<0.001), compared to Non-Occl-Con, and exercise modestly increased responses to BK (P<0.05). In addition, SNP, PE, Ang II, and ET-1 responses were not significantly different among the groups. Our results indicate that 'simple' occlusion of the femoral arteries induces vascular dysfunction in conduit vessels distinct from the affected hindlimbs, as evident in blunted coronary vasorelaxation responses to ADP and BK. These findings imply that PAI, even in the absence of frank atherogenic vascular disease, contributes to vascular dysfunction in the coronary arteries that could exacerbate disease outcome in patients with peripheral artery disease. Further, regular daily physical activity partially recovered the deficit observed in the coronary arteries.

Identifying information needs among children and teens living with haemophilia.

Transitioning from one life stage to the next can be difficult, but for those living with a chronic condition, it can be even more challenging. Children and adolescents with haemophilia need help to manage transitions while dealing with the complications of their disorder. The National Haemophilia Foundation (NHF), headquartered in New York City, has an extensive information centre on bleeding disorders, but it was not clear how much material existed on the topic of transition. The objectives of this project were to (i) assess the availability of literature about transition for children and adolescents living with haemophilia, (ii) determine which transition issues were the most relevant and (iii) develop and test information products that would address those transition issues. An inventory of NHF's resources and an environmental scan over the Internet was performed. Focus groups were conducted to determine messaging. Video prototypes containing messages were created, tested by focus groups and revised. The literature search yielded limited information available on transition for children and adolescents with haemophilia. Results of the formative research indicated that adolescents wanted more information on sports participation and disclosure of their condition (e.g. to peers, teachers, coaches, health care providers). Video was found to be the preferred delivery format. Children and adolescents living with haemophilia need information to help them transition through life. As a result of this study, two educational products were produced, but several more are recommended to guide these individuals in making healthy transitions into adulthood.

Prevalence of koala retrovirus in geographically diverse populations in Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of koala retrovirus (KoRV) in selected koala populations and to estimate proviral copy number in a subset of koalas. METHODS: Blood or tissue samples from 708 koalas in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia were tested for KoRV pol provirus gene using standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nested PCR and real-time PCR (qPCR). RESULTS: Prevalence of KoRV provirus-positive koalas was 100% in four regions of Queensland and New South Wales, 72.2% in mainland Victoria, 26.6% on four Victorian islands and 14.8% on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Estimated proviral copy number per cell in four groups of koalas from Queensland and Victoria showed marked variation, ranging from a mean of 165 copies per cell in the Queensland group to 1.29 × 10(-4) copies per cell in one group of Victorian koalas. CONCLUSIONS: The higher prevalence of KoRV-positive koalas in the north of Australia and high proviral loads in Queensland koalas may indicate KoRV entered and became endogenous in the north and is spreading southwards. It is also possible there are genetic differences between koalas in northern and southern Australia that affect susceptibility to KoRV infection or endogenisation, or that environmental factors affecting transmission in northern states are absent or uncommon in southern regions. Although further studies are required, the finding of proviral copy numbers orders of magnitude lower than what would be expected for the presence of a single copy in every cell for many Victorian animals suggests that KoRV is not endogenous in these animals and likely reflects ongoing exogenous infection.

Advances in dendritic cell-based vaccines for HIV.

HIV remains one of the most important deadly infections today, due to the lack of a preventive vaccine and limited access to medical care in developing countries. In developed countries antiretroviral therapy is available but the regime is unable to eliminate the virus, implying that life-long therapy is necessary. Dendritic cells (DCs) are important mediators of cellular and humoral immune responses and hence offer a promising therapeutic vaccination strategy to attenuate disease progression. The current knowledge in DC subsets and their functional plasticity are prominent determinants in harnessing the full immunostimulatory potential of dendritic cells. Type of antigen, immunogen delivery method, optimal interaction of antigenic peptide and T cells, and avoidance of tolerogenic responses are some of the elements that need to be considered to develop an efficient immunotherapy. Novel strategies that modulate DC functions that eventually trigger a robust cellular response against a broad T cell repertoire are needed. This review focuses on current DC-based vaccine strategies for optimal induction of immune responses.

No effect of systemic isocapnic hypoxia on α-adrenergic vasoconstrictor responsiveness in human skin.

UNLABELLED: Hypoxia impairs body temperature regulation and abolishes the decline in skin temperature associated with cold exposure, suggesting that cutaneous vasoconstriction is impaired. AIM: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that cutaneous vasoconstriction to intradermal tyramine, an index of post-junctional vasoconstrictor responsiveness, is reduced during hypoxia. METHODS: Twelve subjects (six males, six females) had three microdialysis fibres placed in the ventral forearm. Fibres received either lactated ringers, 5 mm yohimbine (α-adrenergic blockade), or 10.5 µm BIBP-3226 (to antagonize neuropeptide Y Y(1) receptors). Skin blood flow was assessed at each site (laser-Doppler flowmetry) and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was calculated (red blood cell flux/mean arterial pressure) and scaled to baseline. Vasoconstrictor responses to tyramine (173 µm) were tested during normoxia and steady-state isocapnic hypoxia (SaO(2) = 80%) in random order. RESULTS: During normoxia, tyramine reduced CVC by 56.0±5.6 and 50.3±8.0% in control and BIBP-3226 sites (both P<0.05 vs. pre-tyramine; P=0.445 between sites) whereas CVC in the yohimbine site did not change (P=0.398 vs. pre-tyramine). During isocapnic hypoxia, tyramine reduced CVC by 55.9±5.1 and 54.2±5.4% in control and BIBP-3226 sites (both P<0.05 vs. pre-tyramine; P=0.814 between sites) whereas CVC was unchanged in the yohimbine site (P=0.732 vs. pre-tyramine). Isocapnic hypoxia did not affect vasoconstrictor responses at any site (all P>0.05 vs. normoxia). CONCLUSION: We conclude that post-junctional α-adrenergic vasoconstrictor responsiveness is not affected by hypoxia in non-acral skin.

Vascular endothelium-specific overexpression of human catalase in cloned pigs.

The objective of this study was to develop transgenic Yucatan minipigs that overexpress human catalase (hCat) in an endothelial-specific manner. Catalase metabolizes hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), an important regulator of vascular tone that contributes to diseases such as atherosclerosis and preeclampsia. A large animal model to study reduced endothelium-derived H(2)O(2) would therefore generate valuable translational data on vascular regulation in health and disease. Yucatan minipig fetal fibroblasts stably co-transfected with human catalase (Tie2-hCat) and eGFP expression constructs were isolated into single-cell populations. The presence of the Tie2-hCat transgene in individual colonies of fibroblasts was determined by PCR. Transgenic fibroblasts were used for nuclear transfer into enucleated oocytes by electrofusion. A minimum of 140 cloned embryos were transferred per surrogate sow (n = 4). All four surrogates maintained pregnancies and piglets were delivered by cesarean section. Nine male piglets from three of the four litters carried the Tie2-hCat transgene. Expression of human catalase mRNA and overall elevated catalase protein in isolated umbilical endothelial cells from transgenic piglets were verified by RT-PCR and western blot, respectively, and endothelial localization was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Increased enzymatic activity of catalase in transgenic versus wild-type endothelial cells was inferred based on significantly reduced levels of H(2)O(2) in culture. The similarities in swine and human cardiovascular anatomy and physiology will make this pig model a valuable source of information on the putative role of endothelium-derived H(2)O(2) in vasodilation and in the mechanisms underlying vascular health and disease.

Novel trypanosome Trypanosoma gilletti sp. (Euglenozoa: Trypanosomatidae) and the extension of the host range of Trypanosoma copemani to include the koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus).

Trypanosoma irwini was previously described from koalas and we now report the finding of a second novel species, T. gilletti, as well as the extension of the host range of Trypanosoma copemani to include koalas. Phylogenetic analysis at the 18S rDNA and gGAPDH loci demonstrated that T. gilletti was genetically distinct with a genetic distance (± s.e.) at the 18S rDNA locus of 2.7 ± 0.5% from T. copemani (wombat). At the gGAPDH locus, the genetic distance (± s.e.) of T. gilletti was 8.7 ± 1.1% from T. copemani (wombat). Trypanosoma gilletti was detected using a nested trypanosome 18S rDNA PCR in 3/139 (∼2%) blood samples and in 2/29 (∼7%) spleen tissue samples from koalas whilst T. irwini was detected in 72/139 (∼52%) blood samples and T. copemani in 4/139 (∼3%) blood samples from koalas. In addition, naturally occurring mixed infections were noted in 2/139 (∼1.5%) of the koalas tested.

piggyBac-like elements in the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella.

A transgenic line of the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella, a key lepidopteran cotton pest, was generated previously using the piggyBac transposon IFP2 from Trichoplusia ni. Here we identified an endogenous piggyBac-like element (PLE), designated as PgPLE1, in the pink bollworm. A putatively intact copy of PgPLE1 (PgPLE1.1) presents the canonical features of PLE: inverted terminal repeats with three C/G residues at the extreme ends, inverted subterminal repeats, TTAA target site and an open reading frame encoding transposase with 68% similarity to IFP2. Vectorette PCR revealed large variation in the insertion sites of PgPLE1 amongst worldwide populations, indicating the potential mobility of PgPLE1. The PgPLE1 was undetectable in the genome of Pectinophora endema, implying the recent invasion of PgPLE1 after the divergence of these two closely related species.