Claudia Muñoz | Instituto Profesional Libertador de Los Andes (original) (raw)
Papers by Claudia Muñoz
Veterinary Research, 2007
Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association, 2002
To develop models that could be used to predict, for dairy calves, the age at which colostrum-der... more To develop models that could be used to predict, for dairy calves, the age at which colostrum-derived bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) antibodies would no longer offer protection against infection or interfere with vaccination. Prospective observational field study. 466 calves in 2 California dairy herds. Serum BVDV neutralizing antibody titers were measured from birth through 300 days of age. The age by which colostrum-derived BVDV antibodies had decayed sufficiently that calves were considered susceptible to BVDV infection (ie, titer < or = 1:16) or calves became seronegative was modeled with survival analysis methods. Mixed-effects regression analysis was used to model colostrum-derived BVDV antibody titer for any given age. Half the calves in both herds became seronegative for BVDV type I by 141 days of age and for BVDV type II by 114 days of age. Rate of antibody decay was significantly associated with antibody titer at 1 to 3 days of age and with whether calves were congenitally infected with BVDV. Three-month-old calves were predicted to have a mean BVDV type-I antibody titer of 1:32 and a mean BVDV type-II antibody titer of 1:16. Results provide an improved understanding of the decay of BVDV-specific colostrum-derived antibodies in dairy calves raised under typical field conditions. Knowledge of the age when the calf herd becomes susceptible can be useful when designing vaccination programs aimed at minimizing negative effects of colostrum-derived antibodies on vaccine efficacy while maximizing overall calf herd immunity.
American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2002
To develop a method of probability diagnostic assignment (PDA) that uses continuous serologic mea... more To develop a method of probability diagnostic assignment (PDA) that uses continuous serologic measures and infection prevalence to estimate the probability of an animal being infected, using Neospora caninum as an example. 196 N caninum-infected beef and dairy cattle and 553 cattle not infected with N caninum; 50 dairy cows that aborted and 50 herdmates that did not abort. Probability density functions corresponding to distributions of N caninum kinetic ELISA results from infected and uninfected cattle were estimated by maximum likelihood methods. Maximum likelihood methods also were used to estimate N caninum infection prevalence in a herd that had an excessive number of abortions. Density functions and the prevalence estimate were incorporated into Bayes formula to calculate the conditional probability that a cow with a particular ELISA value was infected with N caninum. Probability functions identified for infected and uninfected cattle were Weibull and inverse gamma functions, respectively. Herd prevalence was estimated, and probabilities of N caninum infection were determined for cows with various ELISA values. Use of PDA offers an advantage to clinicians and diagnosticians over traditional seronegative or seropositive classifications used as a proxy for infection status by providing an assessment of the actual probability of infection. The PDA permits use of all diagnostic information inherent in an assay, thereby eliminating a need for estimates of sensitivity and specificity. The PDA also would have general utility in interpreting results of any diagnostic assay measured on a continuous or discrete scale.
Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 1992
The optical properties of four currently ysed and two recently introduced maxillofacial prostheti... more The optical properties of four currently ysed and two recently introduced maxillofacial prosthetic materials were evaluated after the materials were subjected to the following seven environmental variables: natural weathering; normal aging; two types of adhesives; two types of cleaning agents; and cosmetics. Optical density and color changes were evaluated. The currently used silicones Silastic 4-4210 and Silastic 4-4515, Medical Adhesive type A material, and polyurethane all showed more changes in color and optical density than the newly introduced silicone A-102 material. (J PROSTHET DENT 1992;68:820-3.)
Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 1993
Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association, 2001
To estimate transmission of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and crude morbidity and mortality ... more To estimate transmission of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and crude morbidity and mortality ratios in BVDV-vaccinated and unvaccinated dairy heifer calves managed under typical dairy drylot conditions. Randomized clinical trial. 106 female Holstein calves. Seroconversion rates for BVDV types I and II and proportional morbidity and mortality ratios were compared between calves given a killed BVDV type-I vaccine at 15 days of age and a modified-live BVDV type-I vaccine at 40 to 45 days of age (n = 53) and calves given no BVDV vaccines (53). Sera were collected at 45-day intervals as calves moved from individual hutches to corrals holding increasingly larger numbers of calves. Seroconversion was used as evidence of exposure to BVDV. Crude proportional morbidity (0.16) and mortality (0.17) ratios for control calves did not differ significantly from those of vaccinated calves (0.28 and 0.12, respectively). The proportion of control calves that seroconverted to BVDV type I through 9 months of age (0.629) was significantly higher than that of vaccinated calves that seroconverted, unrelated to vaccination, during the same period (0.536). Estimated overall protective effect of vaccination against BVDV type I through 4 to 9 months of age was 48%. The proportion of control calves that seroconverted to BVDV type II (0.356) was not different from that of vaccinated calves (0.470). Findings suggest that calfhood vaccination may be an appropriate strategy to help reduce short-term transmission of some but not necessarily all strains of BVDV.
Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2006
Clinical Nutrition, 2001
The aim of this study is to establish whether serum albumin concentration at the beginning of par... more The aim of this study is to establish whether serum albumin concentration at the beginning of parenteral nutrition is related to morbidity and mortality. In this cohort study spanning four years, a number of patients were classified into twelve groups, depending on their clinical status at the beginning of parenteral nutrition. Their serum albumin concentration and other clinical parameters were then measured and twelve multiple logistic regression models were thus generated in order to model the relationship between initial albumin concentration and risk of morbidity/mortality. 1953 (84%) of the 2321 patients studied were hypoalbuminemic. In six models, this condition was associated with a significant increase in the risk of nosocomial infection. However, no model could be associated to significant risk of renal failure, and only patients with previous hepatopathy were at risk for hepatic failure. In seven models, there was a significant increase in mortality. Serum albumin concentration at the beginning of parenteral nutrition is related to mortality and morbidity associated with nosocomial infection in some groups of the study.
Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 1992
The optical properties of four currently ysed and two recently introduced maxillofacial prostheti... more The optical properties of four currently ysed and two recently introduced maxillofacial prosthetic materials were evaluated after the materials were subjected to the following seven environmental variables: natural weathering; normal aging; two types of adhesives; two types of cleaning agents; and cosmetics. Optical density and color changes were evaluated. The currently used silicones Silastic 4-4210 and Silastic 4-4515, Medical Adhesive type A material, and polyurethane all showed more changes in color and optical density than the newly introduced silicone A-102 material. (J PROSTHET DENT 1992;68:820-3.)
Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 2002
Prebiotics stimulate the growth of bifidogenic bacteria in the gut. The aim of this work was to a... more Prebiotics stimulate the growth of bifidogenic bacteria in the gut. The aim of this work was to assess the effects of a prebiotic mixture on the immune response in healthy elderly people. Healthy free-living elderly people (age, > or = 70 years), receiving a nutritional supplement that provided 1.6 MJ, 15 g of protein, and 50% of vitamin daily reference values per day, were randomly assigned to receive a prebiotic mixture (6 g/d of a 70% raftilose and 30% raftiline mixture) or placebo (6 g of maltodextrin powder) for 28 weeks. At week 2 of the study, all subjects were vaccinated with influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. At weeks 0, 2, and 8 of the study, serum total proteins, albumin, immunoglobulins, saliva secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), and serum titers of influenza A and B and pneumococcal antibodies were measured. At week 8, cultured peripheral monocyte cell secretion of interleukin-4, interferon-gamma, and lymphocyte proliferation, stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and influenza antigen, were measured. Sixty-six subjects were considered eligible for the study, and 43 (20 receiving prebiotics and 23 receiving placebo) were considered for final analyses on a per protocol basis. No changes in serum proteins, albumin, immunoglobulins, and secretory IgA were observed. Antibodies against influenza B and pneumococcus increased significantly from weeks 0 to 8, with no significant differences between groups. Antibodies against influenza A did not increase. No effects of prebiotics on interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma secretion by cultured monocytes were observed. No immunological effects of prebiotics were observed in this study.
Clinical Otolaryngology, 1992
The possible immunoregulatory role of the tonsils was studied by determining immunoglobulins IgG,... more The possible immunoregulatory role of the tonsils was studied by determining immunoglobulins IgG, A, M, E and factors C'3, C'4 and PFB of the complement system before and after tonsillectomy. The synthesis in vitro of IgG and IgM by lymphocytes stimulated with pokeweed mitogen was also measured. There were statistically significant differences between pre and post-operative levels of serum IgG, IgA and IgM, which decreased after surgery. Practically no change in the mean values of IgE and no significant differences in the levels of serum C'3, C'4, and PFB, were found. The in-vitro synthesis of both immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM) by lymphocytes increased significantly after tonsillectomy. Our results suggest that not only does tonsillectomy have no counterproductive effect on the immune system, but that, on the contrary, it seems to improve the immune response, since it appears to unblock the suppression to which the immune system was subject.
American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2003
To estimate risk and identify risk factors for congenital infection with bovine viral diarrhea vi... more To estimate risk and identify risk factors for congenital infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) not resulting in persistent infection and examine effect of congenital infection on health of dairy calves. 466 calves. Calves from 2 intensively managed drylot dairies with different vaccination programs and endemic BVDV infection were sampled before ingesting colostrum and tested with their dams for BVDV and BVDV serum-neutralizing antibodies. Records of treatments and death up to 10 months of age were obtained from calf ranch or dairy personnel. Risk factors for congenital infection, including dam parity and BVDV titer, were examined by use of logistic regression analysis. Effect of congenital infection on morbidity and mortality rates was examined by use of survival analysis methods. Fetal infection was identified in 10.1% of calves, of which 0.5% had persistent infection and 9.6% had congenital infection. Although dependent on herd, congenital infection was associated with high BVDV type 2 titers in dams at calving and with multiparous dams. Calves with congenital infection had 2-fold higher risk of a severe illness, compared with calves without congenital infection. The unexpectedly high proportion of apparently healthy calves found to be congenitally infected provided an estimate of the amount of fetal infection via exposure of dams and thus virus transmission in the herds. Findings indicate that congenital infection with BVDV may have a negative impact on calf health, with subsequent impact on herd health.
Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 2004
Immune response is impaired in the elderly. Our aim was to study the effects of a special nutriti... more Immune response is impaired in the elderly. Our aim was to study the effects of a special nutritional formula on the immune response and response to influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in elderly subjects. Sixty healthy subjects aged > or = 70 years, with a Mini Mental score > or = 22 were studied. Half of the subjects received a special nutritional formula (in addition to the regular diet) providing, among other nutrients, 480 kcal, 31 g proteins, 120 IU vitamin E, 3.8 microg vitamin B12, 400 microg folic acid, 10(9) cfu Lactobacillus paracasei (NCC 2461), and 6 g of fructo-oligosaccharides. At 4 months of follow-up, subjects were vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcus. Lymphokine production by mononuclear cells (PBMC), lymphocyte subpopulations, and natural killer cell (NK) activity were measured at baseline and 4 months of follow-up (before vaccination). Antibodies against influenza and pneumococcal antigens and flu-stimulated production of interferon gamma and interleukin-2 by PBMC were measured at 4 and 6 months. Skin response to 7 recall antigens and body composition were assessed at baseline and at 4 and 12 months. All infections occurring during the study period were recorded. NK activity increased in supplemented subjects and decreased in nonsupplemented individuals. Interleukin-2 production by PBMC and the proportion of T cells with NK activity decreased in controls and did not change in supplemented subjects. Supplemented subjects reported less infections than nonsupplemented individuals (in 13% and 22% of scheduled visits, respectively; p = .02). This nutritional supplement increased innate immunity and protection against infections in elderly people.
Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association, 2001
To evaluate risk of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection between birth and 9 months of ag... more To evaluate risk of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection between birth and 9 months of age for dairy replacement heifers raised under typical dry-lot management conditions. Longitudinal observational study. 446 calves. Calves were randomly selected from 2 dairies that used killed and modified-live BVDV vaccines. Repeated serologic and BVDV polymerase chain reaction assays were used to estimate risk of BVDV infection in calves of various ages (1 to 60 days; 61 to 100 days; 101 days to 9 months) and to estimate overall infection rate by 9 months of age. Risk of BVDV infection increased with age (maximum risk, 150 to 260 days). Proportion of calves infected with BVDV by 9 months of age was higher for dairy A (0.665), compared with dairy B (0.357). Percentage infected with BVDV type I did not differ between dairy A (18.2%) and dairy B (15.2%), whereas percentage infected with BVDV type II for dairy A (50%) was twice that for dairy B (21%). Between 210 and 220 days of age, infection with BVDV regardless of type was > 1.3%/d on dairy A and 0.5%/d on dairy B. Under dry-lot conditions, a considerable amount of BVDV infection may occur before 9 months of age. Risk of infection increases with age. Although dairies may appear to have similar management practices, there can be considerably different risks of BVDV infection among dairies.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2009
Studies comparing the use of basal bolus with insulin analogs vs. split-mixed regimens with human... more Studies comparing the use of basal bolus with insulin analogs vs. split-mixed regimens with human insulins in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes are lacking. In a controlled multicenter trial, we randomized 130 nonsurgical patients with blood glucose (BG) between 140 and 400 mg/dl to receive detemir once daily and aspart before meals (n = 67) or neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) and regular insulin twice daily (n = 63). Insulin dose was started at 0.4 U/kg.d for BG between 140 and 200 mg/dl or 0.5 U/kg.d for BG 201-400 mg/dl. Major study outcomes included differences in mean daily BG levels and frequency of hypoglycemic events between treatment groups. Glycemic control improved similarly in both groups from a mean daily BG of 228 +/- 54 and 223 +/- 58 mg/dl (P = 0.61) to a mean daily BG level after the first day of 160 +/- 38 and 158 +/- 51 mg/dl in the detemir/aspart and NPH/regular insulin groups, respectively (P = 0.80). A BG target below 140 mg/dl before meals was achieved in 45% of patients in the detemir/aspart group and 48% in the NPH/regular group (P = 0.86). During treatment, 22 patients (32.8%) in the detemir/aspart group and 16 patients (25.4%) in the NPH/regular group had at least one episode of hypoglycemia (BG < 60 mg/dl) during the hospital stay (P = 0.34). Treatment with basal/bolus regimen with detemir once daily and aspart before meals results in equivalent glycemic control and no differences in the frequency of hypoglycemia compared to a split-mixed regimen of NPH and regular insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Veterinary Microbiology, 2005
At the most elemental level, the design of effective strategies to control and/or eliminate porci... more At the most elemental level, the design of effective strategies to control and/or eliminate porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus depend on an accurate and comprehensive understanding of virus transmission. As a general rule, transmission is highly dependent on the route of exposure and the dose of virus. The objective of this study was to derive PRRS virus isolate VR-2332 dose-response curves for oral and intranasal routes of exposure, i.e., determine the probability that a specific virus dose would result in infection. Individually housed pigs approximately 21 days of age were exposed to specific doses of PRRS virus isolate VR-2332 by either oral or intranasal routes. Positive controls were intramuscularly inoculated with 10(2.2) 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50) of PRRS virus and negative controls were orally administered 100ml of diluent with no virus. Pigs were monitored for evidence of infection for 21 days following exposure, i.e., serum samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and tested for virus and PRRS virus-specific antibodies. Dose-response curves and 95% confidence intervals for oral and intranasal routes of exposure were derived using logistic models (logit and probit). The infectious dose50 (ID50) for oral exposure was estimated to be 10(5.3) TCID50 (95% CI, 10(4.6) and 10(5.9)); the ID50 for intranasal exposure was estimated to be 10(4.0) TCID50 (95% CI, 10(3.0) and 10(5.0)). Given these estimates, it is worth noting that intramuscular exposure of animals to 10(2.2) TCID50 (positive controls) resulted in infection in all animals. Thus pigs were the most susceptible to infection via parenteral exposure.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2004
Veterinary Research, 2007
Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association, 2002
To develop models that could be used to predict, for dairy calves, the age at which colostrum-der... more To develop models that could be used to predict, for dairy calves, the age at which colostrum-derived bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) antibodies would no longer offer protection against infection or interfere with vaccination. Prospective observational field study. 466 calves in 2 California dairy herds. Serum BVDV neutralizing antibody titers were measured from birth through 300 days of age. The age by which colostrum-derived BVDV antibodies had decayed sufficiently that calves were considered susceptible to BVDV infection (ie, titer < or = 1:16) or calves became seronegative was modeled with survival analysis methods. Mixed-effects regression analysis was used to model colostrum-derived BVDV antibody titer for any given age. Half the calves in both herds became seronegative for BVDV type I by 141 days of age and for BVDV type II by 114 days of age. Rate of antibody decay was significantly associated with antibody titer at 1 to 3 days of age and with whether calves were congenitally infected with BVDV. Three-month-old calves were predicted to have a mean BVDV type-I antibody titer of 1:32 and a mean BVDV type-II antibody titer of 1:16. Results provide an improved understanding of the decay of BVDV-specific colostrum-derived antibodies in dairy calves raised under typical field conditions. Knowledge of the age when the calf herd becomes susceptible can be useful when designing vaccination programs aimed at minimizing negative effects of colostrum-derived antibodies on vaccine efficacy while maximizing overall calf herd immunity.
American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2002
To develop a method of probability diagnostic assignment (PDA) that uses continuous serologic mea... more To develop a method of probability diagnostic assignment (PDA) that uses continuous serologic measures and infection prevalence to estimate the probability of an animal being infected, using Neospora caninum as an example. 196 N caninum-infected beef and dairy cattle and 553 cattle not infected with N caninum; 50 dairy cows that aborted and 50 herdmates that did not abort. Probability density functions corresponding to distributions of N caninum kinetic ELISA results from infected and uninfected cattle were estimated by maximum likelihood methods. Maximum likelihood methods also were used to estimate N caninum infection prevalence in a herd that had an excessive number of abortions. Density functions and the prevalence estimate were incorporated into Bayes formula to calculate the conditional probability that a cow with a particular ELISA value was infected with N caninum. Probability functions identified for infected and uninfected cattle were Weibull and inverse gamma functions, respectively. Herd prevalence was estimated, and probabilities of N caninum infection were determined for cows with various ELISA values. Use of PDA offers an advantage to clinicians and diagnosticians over traditional seronegative or seropositive classifications used as a proxy for infection status by providing an assessment of the actual probability of infection. The PDA permits use of all diagnostic information inherent in an assay, thereby eliminating a need for estimates of sensitivity and specificity. The PDA also would have general utility in interpreting results of any diagnostic assay measured on a continuous or discrete scale.
Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 1992
The optical properties of four currently ysed and two recently introduced maxillofacial prostheti... more The optical properties of four currently ysed and two recently introduced maxillofacial prosthetic materials were evaluated after the materials were subjected to the following seven environmental variables: natural weathering; normal aging; two types of adhesives; two types of cleaning agents; and cosmetics. Optical density and color changes were evaluated. The currently used silicones Silastic 4-4210 and Silastic 4-4515, Medical Adhesive type A material, and polyurethane all showed more changes in color and optical density than the newly introduced silicone A-102 material. (J PROSTHET DENT 1992;68:820-3.)
Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 1993
Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association, 2001
To estimate transmission of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and crude morbidity and mortality ... more To estimate transmission of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and crude morbidity and mortality ratios in BVDV-vaccinated and unvaccinated dairy heifer calves managed under typical dairy drylot conditions. Randomized clinical trial. 106 female Holstein calves. Seroconversion rates for BVDV types I and II and proportional morbidity and mortality ratios were compared between calves given a killed BVDV type-I vaccine at 15 days of age and a modified-live BVDV type-I vaccine at 40 to 45 days of age (n = 53) and calves given no BVDV vaccines (53). Sera were collected at 45-day intervals as calves moved from individual hutches to corrals holding increasingly larger numbers of calves. Seroconversion was used as evidence of exposure to BVDV. Crude proportional morbidity (0.16) and mortality (0.17) ratios for control calves did not differ significantly from those of vaccinated calves (0.28 and 0.12, respectively). The proportion of control calves that seroconverted to BVDV type I through 9 months of age (0.629) was significantly higher than that of vaccinated calves that seroconverted, unrelated to vaccination, during the same period (0.536). Estimated overall protective effect of vaccination against BVDV type I through 4 to 9 months of age was 48%. The proportion of control calves that seroconverted to BVDV type II (0.356) was not different from that of vaccinated calves (0.470). Findings suggest that calfhood vaccination may be an appropriate strategy to help reduce short-term transmission of some but not necessarily all strains of BVDV.
Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2006
Clinical Nutrition, 2001
The aim of this study is to establish whether serum albumin concentration at the beginning of par... more The aim of this study is to establish whether serum albumin concentration at the beginning of parenteral nutrition is related to morbidity and mortality. In this cohort study spanning four years, a number of patients were classified into twelve groups, depending on their clinical status at the beginning of parenteral nutrition. Their serum albumin concentration and other clinical parameters were then measured and twelve multiple logistic regression models were thus generated in order to model the relationship between initial albumin concentration and risk of morbidity/mortality. 1953 (84%) of the 2321 patients studied were hypoalbuminemic. In six models, this condition was associated with a significant increase in the risk of nosocomial infection. However, no model could be associated to significant risk of renal failure, and only patients with previous hepatopathy were at risk for hepatic failure. In seven models, there was a significant increase in mortality. Serum albumin concentration at the beginning of parenteral nutrition is related to mortality and morbidity associated with nosocomial infection in some groups of the study.
Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 1992
The optical properties of four currently ysed and two recently introduced maxillofacial prostheti... more The optical properties of four currently ysed and two recently introduced maxillofacial prosthetic materials were evaluated after the materials were subjected to the following seven environmental variables: natural weathering; normal aging; two types of adhesives; two types of cleaning agents; and cosmetics. Optical density and color changes were evaluated. The currently used silicones Silastic 4-4210 and Silastic 4-4515, Medical Adhesive type A material, and polyurethane all showed more changes in color and optical density than the newly introduced silicone A-102 material. (J PROSTHET DENT 1992;68:820-3.)
Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 2002
Prebiotics stimulate the growth of bifidogenic bacteria in the gut. The aim of this work was to a... more Prebiotics stimulate the growth of bifidogenic bacteria in the gut. The aim of this work was to assess the effects of a prebiotic mixture on the immune response in healthy elderly people. Healthy free-living elderly people (age, > or = 70 years), receiving a nutritional supplement that provided 1.6 MJ, 15 g of protein, and 50% of vitamin daily reference values per day, were randomly assigned to receive a prebiotic mixture (6 g/d of a 70% raftilose and 30% raftiline mixture) or placebo (6 g of maltodextrin powder) for 28 weeks. At week 2 of the study, all subjects were vaccinated with influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. At weeks 0, 2, and 8 of the study, serum total proteins, albumin, immunoglobulins, saliva secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), and serum titers of influenza A and B and pneumococcal antibodies were measured. At week 8, cultured peripheral monocyte cell secretion of interleukin-4, interferon-gamma, and lymphocyte proliferation, stimulated with phytohemagglutinin and influenza antigen, were measured. Sixty-six subjects were considered eligible for the study, and 43 (20 receiving prebiotics and 23 receiving placebo) were considered for final analyses on a per protocol basis. No changes in serum proteins, albumin, immunoglobulins, and secretory IgA were observed. Antibodies against influenza B and pneumococcus increased significantly from weeks 0 to 8, with no significant differences between groups. Antibodies against influenza A did not increase. No effects of prebiotics on interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma secretion by cultured monocytes were observed. No immunological effects of prebiotics were observed in this study.
Clinical Otolaryngology, 1992
The possible immunoregulatory role of the tonsils was studied by determining immunoglobulins IgG,... more The possible immunoregulatory role of the tonsils was studied by determining immunoglobulins IgG, A, M, E and factors C'3, C'4 and PFB of the complement system before and after tonsillectomy. The synthesis in vitro of IgG and IgM by lymphocytes stimulated with pokeweed mitogen was also measured. There were statistically significant differences between pre and post-operative levels of serum IgG, IgA and IgM, which decreased after surgery. Practically no change in the mean values of IgE and no significant differences in the levels of serum C'3, C'4, and PFB, were found. The in-vitro synthesis of both immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM) by lymphocytes increased significantly after tonsillectomy. Our results suggest that not only does tonsillectomy have no counterproductive effect on the immune system, but that, on the contrary, it seems to improve the immune response, since it appears to unblock the suppression to which the immune system was subject.
American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2003
To estimate risk and identify risk factors for congenital infection with bovine viral diarrhea vi... more To estimate risk and identify risk factors for congenital infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) not resulting in persistent infection and examine effect of congenital infection on health of dairy calves. 466 calves. Calves from 2 intensively managed drylot dairies with different vaccination programs and endemic BVDV infection were sampled before ingesting colostrum and tested with their dams for BVDV and BVDV serum-neutralizing antibodies. Records of treatments and death up to 10 months of age were obtained from calf ranch or dairy personnel. Risk factors for congenital infection, including dam parity and BVDV titer, were examined by use of logistic regression analysis. Effect of congenital infection on morbidity and mortality rates was examined by use of survival analysis methods. Fetal infection was identified in 10.1% of calves, of which 0.5% had persistent infection and 9.6% had congenital infection. Although dependent on herd, congenital infection was associated with high BVDV type 2 titers in dams at calving and with multiparous dams. Calves with congenital infection had 2-fold higher risk of a severe illness, compared with calves without congenital infection. The unexpectedly high proportion of apparently healthy calves found to be congenitally infected provided an estimate of the amount of fetal infection via exposure of dams and thus virus transmission in the herds. Findings indicate that congenital infection with BVDV may have a negative impact on calf health, with subsequent impact on herd health.
Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 2004
Immune response is impaired in the elderly. Our aim was to study the effects of a special nutriti... more Immune response is impaired in the elderly. Our aim was to study the effects of a special nutritional formula on the immune response and response to influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in elderly subjects. Sixty healthy subjects aged > or = 70 years, with a Mini Mental score > or = 22 were studied. Half of the subjects received a special nutritional formula (in addition to the regular diet) providing, among other nutrients, 480 kcal, 31 g proteins, 120 IU vitamin E, 3.8 microg vitamin B12, 400 microg folic acid, 10(9) cfu Lactobacillus paracasei (NCC 2461), and 6 g of fructo-oligosaccharides. At 4 months of follow-up, subjects were vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcus. Lymphokine production by mononuclear cells (PBMC), lymphocyte subpopulations, and natural killer cell (NK) activity were measured at baseline and 4 months of follow-up (before vaccination). Antibodies against influenza and pneumococcal antigens and flu-stimulated production of interferon gamma and interleukin-2 by PBMC were measured at 4 and 6 months. Skin response to 7 recall antigens and body composition were assessed at baseline and at 4 and 12 months. All infections occurring during the study period were recorded. NK activity increased in supplemented subjects and decreased in nonsupplemented individuals. Interleukin-2 production by PBMC and the proportion of T cells with NK activity decreased in controls and did not change in supplemented subjects. Supplemented subjects reported less infections than nonsupplemented individuals (in 13% and 22% of scheduled visits, respectively; p = .02). This nutritional supplement increased innate immunity and protection against infections in elderly people.
Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association, 2001
To evaluate risk of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection between birth and 9 months of ag... more To evaluate risk of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection between birth and 9 months of age for dairy replacement heifers raised under typical dry-lot management conditions. Longitudinal observational study. 446 calves. Calves were randomly selected from 2 dairies that used killed and modified-live BVDV vaccines. Repeated serologic and BVDV polymerase chain reaction assays were used to estimate risk of BVDV infection in calves of various ages (1 to 60 days; 61 to 100 days; 101 days to 9 months) and to estimate overall infection rate by 9 months of age. Risk of BVDV infection increased with age (maximum risk, 150 to 260 days). Proportion of calves infected with BVDV by 9 months of age was higher for dairy A (0.665), compared with dairy B (0.357). Percentage infected with BVDV type I did not differ between dairy A (18.2%) and dairy B (15.2%), whereas percentage infected with BVDV type II for dairy A (50%) was twice that for dairy B (21%). Between 210 and 220 days of age, infection with BVDV regardless of type was > 1.3%/d on dairy A and 0.5%/d on dairy B. Under dry-lot conditions, a considerable amount of BVDV infection may occur before 9 months of age. Risk of infection increases with age. Although dairies may appear to have similar management practices, there can be considerably different risks of BVDV infection among dairies.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2009
Studies comparing the use of basal bolus with insulin analogs vs. split-mixed regimens with human... more Studies comparing the use of basal bolus with insulin analogs vs. split-mixed regimens with human insulins in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes are lacking. In a controlled multicenter trial, we randomized 130 nonsurgical patients with blood glucose (BG) between 140 and 400 mg/dl to receive detemir once daily and aspart before meals (n = 67) or neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) and regular insulin twice daily (n = 63). Insulin dose was started at 0.4 U/kg.d for BG between 140 and 200 mg/dl or 0.5 U/kg.d for BG 201-400 mg/dl. Major study outcomes included differences in mean daily BG levels and frequency of hypoglycemic events between treatment groups. Glycemic control improved similarly in both groups from a mean daily BG of 228 +/- 54 and 223 +/- 58 mg/dl (P = 0.61) to a mean daily BG level after the first day of 160 +/- 38 and 158 +/- 51 mg/dl in the detemir/aspart and NPH/regular insulin groups, respectively (P = 0.80). A BG target below 140 mg/dl before meals was achieved in 45% of patients in the detemir/aspart group and 48% in the NPH/regular group (P = 0.86). During treatment, 22 patients (32.8%) in the detemir/aspart group and 16 patients (25.4%) in the NPH/regular group had at least one episode of hypoglycemia (BG < 60 mg/dl) during the hospital stay (P = 0.34). Treatment with basal/bolus regimen with detemir once daily and aspart before meals results in equivalent glycemic control and no differences in the frequency of hypoglycemia compared to a split-mixed regimen of NPH and regular insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Veterinary Microbiology, 2005
At the most elemental level, the design of effective strategies to control and/or eliminate porci... more At the most elemental level, the design of effective strategies to control and/or eliminate porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus depend on an accurate and comprehensive understanding of virus transmission. As a general rule, transmission is highly dependent on the route of exposure and the dose of virus. The objective of this study was to derive PRRS virus isolate VR-2332 dose-response curves for oral and intranasal routes of exposure, i.e., determine the probability that a specific virus dose would result in infection. Individually housed pigs approximately 21 days of age were exposed to specific doses of PRRS virus isolate VR-2332 by either oral or intranasal routes. Positive controls were intramuscularly inoculated with 10(2.2) 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50) of PRRS virus and negative controls were orally administered 100ml of diluent with no virus. Pigs were monitored for evidence of infection for 21 days following exposure, i.e., serum samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and tested for virus and PRRS virus-specific antibodies. Dose-response curves and 95% confidence intervals for oral and intranasal routes of exposure were derived using logistic models (logit and probit). The infectious dose50 (ID50) for oral exposure was estimated to be 10(5.3) TCID50 (95% CI, 10(4.6) and 10(5.9)); the ID50 for intranasal exposure was estimated to be 10(4.0) TCID50 (95% CI, 10(3.0) and 10(5.0)). Given these estimates, it is worth noting that intramuscular exposure of animals to 10(2.2) TCID50 (positive controls) resulted in infection in all animals. Thus pigs were the most susceptible to infection via parenteral exposure.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2004