Ticks are involved in the transmission of various pathogens and several tick-borne diseases cause significant problems for the health of humans and livestock. The composition of viral communities in ticks and their interactions with pathogens, is poorly understood, particularly in Eastern Europe, an area that represents a major hub for animal-arthropod vectors exchanges (e.g., via bird migrations). The aim of this study was to describe the virome of Dermacentor sp., Rhipicephalus sp. and Haemaphysalis sp. ticks collected from relatively little studied regions of Romania (Iasi and Tulcea counties) located at the intersection of various biotopes, countries and routes of migrations. We also focused the study on viruses that could potentially have relevance for human and animal health. In 2019, more than 500 ticks were collected from the vegetation and from small ruminants and analysed by high-throughput transcriptome sequencing. Among the viral communities infecting Romanian ticks, viruses belonging to the Flaviviridae, Phenuiviridae and Nairoviridae families were identified and full genomes were derived. Phylogenetic analyses placed them in clades where mammalian isolates are found, suggesting that these viruses could constitute novel arboviruses. The characterization of these communities increase the knowledge of the diversity of viruses in Eastern Europe and provides a basis for further studies about the interrelationship between ticks and tick-borne viruses.

To carry out a meta-analysis of prospective literature comparing the clinical efficacy of elective neck dissection (END) vs observation (OBS) in patients with early-stage cT1/T2N0 tongue carcinoma.

We systematically reviewed four databases from inception to 30-October-2020. We considered all studies meeting the following PICOS conditions (a) Patients early-stage cT1/T2N0 tongue carcinoma, (b) Intervention END, (c) Comparator OBS, (d) Outcomes local tongue recurrence, cervical nodal recurrence, disease-specific survival (DSS) rate, and disease-free survival (DFS) rate and (e) Study design prospective reports. We pooled dichotomous data as relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Four studies (one case-control study and three randomised controlled trials) met our inclusion criteria. There were 448 eligible patients (225 and 223 patients were treated with END and OBS, respectively). END significantly correlated with improved DSS rate (RR=1.15, 95% CI 1.04-1.27, P=.007). Nonetheless, there were no significant differences between END and OBS groups regarding the rates of local tongue recurrence (RR=1.23, 95% CI 0.50-3.03, P=.65), cervical nodal recurrence (RR=0.45, 95% CI 0.16-1.27, P=.13) and DFS rate (RR=1.08, 95% CI 0.91-1.27, P=.38). Pooled analysis for cervical nodal recurrence was heterogeneous, and sensitivity analysis revealed a significantly lower cervical nodal recurrence rate in favour of END group (RR=0.30, 95% CI 0.13-0.67, P=.004).

END correlated with a significant decrease in cervical nodal recurrence and improved DSS rate. END might be superior to OBS in patients with early-stage cT1/T2N0 tongue cancer.

END correlated with a significant decrease in cervical nodal recurrence and improved DSS rate. see more END might be superior to OBS in patients with early-stage cT1/T2N0 tongue cancer.

Type A intercalated cells of the renal collecting duct participate in the maintenance of the acid/base balance through their capacity to adapt proton secretion to homeostatic requirements. We previously showed that increased proton secretion stems in part from the enlargement of the population of proton secreting cells in the outer medullary collecting duct through division of fully differentiated cells, and that this response is triggered by growth/differentiation factor 15. This study aimed at deciphering the mechanism of acid load-induced secretion of Gdf15 and its mechanism of action.

We developed an original method to evaluate the proliferation of intercalated cells and applied it to genetically modified or pharmacologically treated mice under basal and acid-loaded conditions.

Gdf15 is secreted by principal cells of the collecting duct in response to the stimulation of vasopressin receptors. Vasopressin-induced production of cAMP triggers activation of AMP-stimulated kinases and of Na,K-ATPase, and induction of p53 and Gdf15. Gdf15 action on intercalated cells is mediated by ErbB2 receptors, the activation of which triggers the expression of cyclin d1, of p53 and anti-proliferative genes, and of Egr1.

Acidosis-induced proliferation of intercalated cells results from a cross talk with principal cells which secrete Gdf15 in response to their stimulation by vasopressin. Thus, vasopressin is a major determinant of the collecting duct cellular homeostasis as it promotes proliferation of intercalated cells under acidosis conditions and of principal cells under normal acid-base status.

Acidosis-induced proliferation of intercalated cells results from a cross talk with principal cells which secrete Gdf15 in response to their stimulation by vasopressin. Thus, vasopressin is a major determinant of the collecting duct cellular homeostasis as it promotes proliferation of intercalated cells under acidosis conditions and of principal cells under normal acid-base status.Vaccine-preventable viral infections are associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality in post-transplant patients on immunosuppression regimens. Therefore, we studied rates of immunity against vaccine-preventable viruses in lung transplantation (LTx) candidates and their associations with underlying lung disease and clinical characteristics. We retrospectively studied 1025 consecutive adult patients who underwent first-time evaluation for LTx at a single center between January 2016 and October 2018. Viruses studied included varicella zoster (VZV), measles, and mumps. Young age (17-48 years old) was negatively associated with immunity for VZV (OR 4.54, p less then .001), measles (OR 15.45, p less then .001) and mumps (OR 3.1, p less then .001), as compared to those 65+. Many LTx candidates with cystic fibrosis (CF) had undetectable virus-specific antibody titers including 13.5% for VZV, 19.1% for measles, and 15.7% for mumps with significant odds of undetectable titers for VZV (OR 4.54, p less then .