Naïve rainforest frogs on Cape York, Australia, are at risk of the introduction of amphibian chytridiomycosis disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Conrad J. Hoskin ◽  
Harry B. Hines ◽  
Rebecca J. Webb ◽  
Lee F. Skerratt ◽  
Lee Berger

Amphibian chytridiomycosis disease has caused widespread declines and extinctions of frogs in cool, wet habitats in eastern Australia. Screening suggests that the disease does not yet occupy all areas modelled to be environmentally suitable, including rainforests on Cape York Peninsula. Cape Melville is an area of rainforest with several endemic frogs, including the stream-associated Melville Range treefrog (Litoria andiirrmalin), which is deemed at particular risk of disease impacts. We tested 40 L. andiirrmalin for chytrid infection by PCR and found them all to be negative. In conjunction with previous testing at another high-risk location, McIlwraith Range, this suggests that endemic rainforest frogs on Cape York have been spared the introduction of chytridiomycosis. We discuss how the disease could get to these areas, what can be done to reduce the risk, and suggest an emergency procedure should it be introduced.

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 2098-2098
Author(s):  
J. Klosterkötter

Revision 5 of the diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders (DSM-V) has stimulated a debate about the inclusion of a risk for psychosis syndrome in order to facilitate the prevention of psychosis.The presentation critically outlines the course of this debate, focusing particularly on the question of how the inclusion of such a syndrome could be justified in DSM-V and ICD-11.Most participants in the debate have initially opposed the inclusion of a risk for a psychosis syndrome. They justified this dismissive attitude with scientific, clinical and ethical arguments. The predictive power of eligible criteria for first psychotic episodes appeared to be too low. Their use as diagnostic criteria would involve the danger of hastily treating many falsely diagnosed individuals at risk for psychosis with antipsychotics and unjustifiably putting them at risk for side effects. In general, diagnoses should be based on grounds of manifest illnesses and not include at risk states for later diseases.Meanwhile, the understanding, that the risk of disease symptoms already has a pathological significance and therefore requires treatment has by now begun to be accepted. This applies both to the risk symptoms in the early initial prodrome, as well as to the high risk symptoms in the late initial prodrome. It would therefore be reasonable to use these two sets of criteria for the definitional operationalisation of the new diagnostic category in the classification systems. This would allow the continuation of preventive efforts but also the development of evidence-based treatment within standard care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 661.1-661
Author(s):  
C. Adamichou ◽  
D. Nikolopoulos ◽  
M. Nikoloudaki ◽  
Z. Rahme ◽  
M. Fredi ◽  
...  

Background:SLE onset is preceded by a preclinical phase evidenced by the presence of anti-nuclear and other autoantibodies (autoAbs), which however, have low predictive value for development of clinical SLE.Objectives:To define the subgroup of autoAbs-positive individuals who are at high risk for progression into SLE by integrating environmental, clinical/serological, genetic and transcriptome data.Methods:A multicenter, across five European countries, inception cohort of autoAbs-positive individuals or first-degree relatives (FDRs) of SLE patients who are monitored prospectively over five years for possible transition to SLE according to the classification criteria. Structured data collection on demographics, family and medical history, clinical (criteria and selected non-criteria manifestations) and serological parameters, use of medications, hydroxyvitamin D levels and lifestyle (tobacco, alcohol use, physical activity, adherence to Mediterranean diet). Blood samples are stored for RNA-sequencing and genotyping.Results:A total 254 at-risk individuals (93% women, 99% Caucasians, aged [mean ± standard deviation] 36 ± 12 years) have been included and enrolment/monitoring is still ongoing. Forty individuals (16%) have FDR with SLE and 88 individuals (35%) have FDR with another autoimmune disorder. The frequency of active and past use of tobacco was 28% and 20%, respectively. Sedentary lifestyle (moving only for necessary chores or outdoor activity 1-2 times/week) was reported by 54% and adherence to the Mediterranean diet was low (3.4 ± 2.3, maximum score: 9). At enrolment, individuals had 1.9 ± 1.1 ACR-1997 classification criteria, with anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) being the most frequent (88%), followed by synovitis (39%), photosensitivity (33%) and immunologic disorder (30%) (Table 1). During follow-up of 15.2 ± 7.2 months, a total 15 individuals (5.9%) have progressed into classified SLE, including cases with severe hematological and neurological disease.Table 1.Baseline characteristics of the at-risk for SLE cohortN (%) or mean ± SDACR 1997 classification criteria1.9 ± 1.1 Malar rash68 (27%) Discoid rash29 (11%) Photosensitivity83 (33%) Mucosal ulcers49 (19%) Synovitis100 (39%) Serositis30 (12%) Renal disorder28 (11%) Neurologic disorder31 (12%) Hematologic disorder58 (23%) Immunologic disorder77 (30%) ANA222 (88%)SLICC 2012 classification criteria Clinical criteria1.0 ± 0.9 Immunological criteria1.3 ± 0.9Conclusion:Among individuals with positive autoAbs or FDRs with SLE, the short-term risk for transition into clinical SLE is low. Following the study completion, clinical and lifestyle data will be combined with blood transcriptome to define a high-risk subgroup of individuals for progression into SLE.Acknowledgments:The study is supported by the Foundation for Research in Rheumatology (FOREUM; preclin016)Disclosure of Interests:Christina Adamichou: None declared, Dionysis Nikolopoulos: None declared, Myrto Nikoloudaki: None declared, Zahra Rahme: None declared, Micaela Fredi: None declared, Antigoni Pieta: None declared, ARGYRO REPA: None declared, Alice Parma: None declared, Eleni Kalogiannaki: None declared, Nestor Avgustidis: None declared, Nikolaos Kougkas: None declared, Aggelos Banos: None declared, Anastasios Eskitzis: None declared, Alessandra Bortoluzzi: None declared, Søren Jacobsen: None declared, Prodromos Sidiropoulos: None declared, Emmanouil Dermitzakis: None declared, Marta Mosca: None declared, Luís Inês: None declared, Laura Andreoli: None declared, Angela Tincani: None declared, Antonis Fanouriakis Paid instructor for: Paid instructor for Enorasis, Amgen, Speakers bureau: Paid speaker for Roche, Genesis Pharma, Mylan, George Bertsias Grant/research support from: GSK, Consultant of: Novartis


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (03) ◽  
pp. 333-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maiara Zeni-Graiff ◽  
Adiel C. Rios ◽  
Pawan K. Maurya ◽  
Lucas B. Rizzo ◽  
Sumit Sethi ◽  
...  

IntroductionOxidative stress has been documented in chronic schizophrenia and in the first episode of psychosis, but there are very little data on oxidative stress prior to the disease onset.ObjectiveThis work aimed to compare serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in young individuals at ultra-high risk (UHR) of developing psychosis with a comparison healthy control group (HC).MethodsThirteen UHR subjects and 29 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study. Clinical assessment included the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS), the Semi-Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-I (SCID-I) or the Kiddie-SADS-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL), and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. Activities of SOD and GPx were measured in serum by the spectrophotometric method using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.ResultsAfter adjusting for age and years of education, there was a significant lower activity of SOD and lower GPX activity in the UHR group compared to the healthy control group (rate ratio [RR]=0.330, 95% CI 0.187; 0.584, p<0.001 and RR=0.509, 95% CI 0.323; 0.803, p=0.004, respectively). There were also positive correlations between GAF functioning scores and GPx and SOD activities.ConclusionOur results suggest that oxidative imbalances could be present prior to the onset of full-blown psychosis, including in at-risk stages. Future studies should replicate and expand these results.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 111 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1131-1135
Author(s):  

Objectives. To test the feasibility and impact of a motivational intervention in reducing drinking and/or increasing effective contraception in women who are at risk for an alcohol-exposed pregnancy. Methods. A multisite single-arm pilot study was conducted in 6 community settings in 3 large cities. A total of 2384 women were screened for eligibility; 230 were eligible on the basis of their alcohol use and lack of contraception. Of the eligible women, 190 consented and were enrolled, and 143 (75.3%) completed the 6-month follow-up. The intervention consisted of 4 manual-guided motivational counseling sessions delivered by mental health clinicians and 1 contraceptive counseling session delivered by a family planning clinician. Outcome measures include intervention completion rates, alcohol use (frequency, quantity, and bingeing), contraceptive use and effectiveness, and risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancy. Results. Among women who completed the 6-month follow-up, 68.5% were no longer at risk of having an alcohol-exposed pregnancy; 12.6% of women who completed the program reduced drinking only; 23.1% used effective contraception only; and 32.9% reported both. Results were consistent across the 6 diverse high-risk settings. Conclusions. This study provides evidence that providing 4 sessions of motivational interviewing plus a contraception counseling session is feasible and strongly suggests that this intervention can decrease the risk of alcohol-exposed pregnancy in women in high-risk settings. Additional investigation in a randomized controlled trial is warranted.


EDIS ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 2006 (23) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Romero

Revised! FCS2227-Span, a 1-page quiz by Sergio Romero, is a Spanish language version of "Fall Prevention: Who's at Risk?" Readers can take this yes-or-no quiz to determine if they are at high risk of falling. Published as part of the Elder Nutrition and Food Safety (ENAFS) program by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, May 2006. FCS2227-Sp/FY857: Prevención de Caídas: ¿Quién está a riesgo? (ufl.edu)


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 294-297
Author(s):  
Aimee N. Jensen ◽  
Candace M. Beam ◽  
Amber R. Douglass ◽  
Jennifer E. Brabson ◽  
Michelle Colvard ◽  
...  

Abstract To achieve the nationwide goal of reducing opioid-related deaths, a clinical pharmacy specialist–led clinical video telehealth (CVT) clinic was created at a Veterans Affairs medical center (VAMC) to deliver opioid overdose prevention and naloxone education to at-risk patients. The purpose of this innovative practice was to improve access to this potentially life-saving intervention to patients across urban and rural areas. This study is a single-center, descriptive analysis of adult patients across 2 VAMC campuses and 4 community-based outpatient clinics from July 11, 2016, through December 31, 2016. The purpose of this innovative practice was to increase access to overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) to at-risk patients across urban and rural areas. Patient-specific factors were also examined among those receiving naloxone through the CVT clinic compared to other prescribers. During the first 6 months from the initiation of the clinic, 1 pharmacist prescribed 21% of the health care system's naloxone. These patients identified by the pharmacist-led CVT clinic were more likely to be considered high-risk due to concomitant use of opioids and benzodiazepines. In conclusion, the pharmacist-led CVT group clinic has been an efficient strategy to extend OEND services to high-risk patients beyond central, urban areas.


Author(s):  
V. Kaminskyy ◽  
L. Kovalchuk

Introduction. Finding of biological markers of genetic predisposition to the formation of glomerulonephritis (GN) will promote prediction the probability of its development still at an early stage and provide the growth of preventive direction of medicine. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the risk of GN development by antigens of AB0 and rhesus (Rh) blood groups. Materials and methods. The study included 434patients with GN(242M, 192F, aged 37.56 ± 13.01y). 1428 healthy persons was surveyed to determine the distribution of phenotypes of AB0 and Rh blood groups in the population. Results. The total value of the relative risk of GN development in all Rh–negative carriers ABprevailed by 2.34 times in the same Rh–positive. The total value of the relative risk of disease appearance in Rh–negative individuals prevailed in the same Rh–positive according to gender: in men with A and AB – 6.43 and 4.16 times, respectively, in women with B and AB – 9.34 and 2.15 times, respectively. In all patients, the common feature was a high chance of getting sick by GN in carriers phenotype AB Rh– versus 0 Rh–. Conclusions. The sex dimorphism of hereditary predisposition markers for GN is proved: men with phenotypes A Rh– and AB Rh–, women with B Rh–, AB Rh– and AB Rh+ have high risk to be ill. The persons of both sexes with phenotype 0 Rh–, as well as men with B Rh– and women with A Rh– and B Rh+ may be resistant to disease.


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