Background: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a systemic inflammatory disease resulting from an abnormal immune response to group A β-hemolytic streptococci. ARF is a major public health problem in developing countries, particularly in Senegal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mutation penetrance and genetic diversity of exon 2 of the HLA-DRB1 gene in Senegalese patients with ARF. Results: DNA was extracted from the blood of patients with ARF. Exon 2 of the HLA-DRB1 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced using the Sanger method. Bioinformatics software and databases (polyphen-2, SIFT and ProVean) were used to assess the pathogenicity of missense mutations. The results revealed a high level of polymorphism in exon 2 of the HLA-DRB1 gene, with 73 non-synonymous mutations between codons 21 and 89, which lie in the hypervariable region encoded by exon 2. Of the 73 variants tested, 44% were pathogenic, indicating their potential involvement in ARF onset. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the HLA-DRB1 mutations involvement in the onset of rheumatic fever.
Harish Prabhu*, Venkat Vellanki, Suvarna Dhake and Sathiyan Karunanithi
Published on: 14th November, 2023
Background: The C3 glomerulopathies are a group of rare forms of glomerulonephritis with an incidence of 1-2 cases per million. It is mainly characterized by dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway. It is further classified morphologically based on electron microscopy ultrastructural findings into Dense Deposition Disease (DDD) and C3 glomerulonephritis. DDD is normally characterised by C3 Deposits. Case: We report a rare case of a young Emirati male who presented with sub nephrotic proteinuria and microscopic haematuria on routine evaluation. Renal biopsy showed features of DDD with combined C3 and C4 deposits. The retinal evaluation showed features of Drusen classically seen in DDD. Genomic study showed heterozygous mutation in c.5842G>C (p.Asp1948His) variant of uncertain significance in MYH9 gene. Discussion: C3 Glomerulopathy is a type of immune mediated disease previously classified as membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. DDD is mainly characterised by C3 deposits in the glomerular basement Membrane. Our case has both C3 and C4d deposits, which is a rare entity. It shows the activation of both classical and alternate pathways. Conclusion: Dense deposition disease is a rare complement mediated glomerulopathy. It is characterised by C3 deposits. Dense deposition disease with combined C3 and C4d deposits is a new entity. The treatment and prognosis of such cases will be different and unique compared to the normal cases of DDD.
Ayat Eltigani, Taha Umbeli Ahmed, Awadalla Abdelwahid Suliman*, Abdelsalam SalahEldin, Isra Siralkatim and Hajar Suliman
Published on: 13th November, 2023
Background: Maternal near-miss (MNM) events occur more frequently than maternal deaths; therefore, more detailed and comprehensive studies on maternal morbidity have been conducted and are of value to clinical audits and practices. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the frequency of maternal near misses and the nature of near-missevents. Methodology: This descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study over 12 months duration was conducted at the Alobied Teaching Hospital in 2018. Data were collected from patient notes, partographs, and other relevant documents. Demographic and clinical data concerning personal history, obstetric history, and near-miss events. Results: A total of 15202 women were admitted, 339 cases of maternal near misses, maternal near-missrate (MNMR) of 22.3|1000 live births, 200(59%) had an infection, 80(23.6%) hemorrhage, 20(5.9%) severe pre-eclampsia,12(3.5%) eclampsia, 20(5.9%) anemia, convulsions 5 (1.5%) 17(5%) of the cases were admitted to intensive care unit (ICU), 9(2.7%) had liver dysfunction, 9(2.7%) coagulation dysfunction, 8(2.4%) renal dysfunction, 5(1.5%) cerebral problems, 4(1.2%) cardiac dysfunction, and 2(0.6%) had developed respiratory dysfunction.Conclusion: The maternal near-miss rate was 22.3|1000 live births. Most near-miss cases occurred before the women arrived at the hospital. The major causes of maternal near misses were infection, hemorrhage anemia, pre-eclampsia, and eclampsia.
It has been reported that Japanese people sleep for an average of 7 hours and 22 minutes per night, with those in their 40s and 50s sleeping the least. This is much less than in other developed countries. Aging has also been reported to decrease the total sleep time and sleep latency as well as increase wake after sleep onset (WASO). Crocetin is a carotenoid with antioxidant activity. It has been reported that 14 consecutive days of crocetin intake increases delta power during sleep and decreases WASO. However, the benefits of short-term ingestion have not been clarified. In this double-blind, randomized crossover study, we examined the effects of crocetin-containing edible films consumed for seven consecutive days on the sleep quality of healthy Japanese subjects working in management positions who were aged 45 years or older.The study participants comprised 20 subjects (12 males and 8 females; mean age 50.4 ± 4.8 years; body mass index (BMI) 22.5 ± 2.7). An electroencephalography (EEG) measuring device (InSomnograf®) was used to measure sleep objectively and a questionnaire, OSA Sleep Questionnaire MA version (OSA-MA) was used to assess sleep subjectively upon waking. The crocetin group demonstrated significantly higher values of OSA-MA Factor 3 (frequent dreaming) than the placebo group (placebo: 46.8 ± 6.9; crocetin: 49.5 ± 7.4). No differences were observed for the other four factors. No differences were observed in the sleep parameters determined with InSomnograf®.Our findings suggest a new effect of crocetin on sleep quality of frequent dreaming.
Mohammed Rasool Ahmed* and Taghreed N Jamil and Narimann Neamah Hussein
Published on: 7th November, 2023
A study reports a novel synthesis of pure copper and the effect of laser energy on optical properties and the particle size of colloidal copper nanoparticles prepared by pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL). Different laser energies (600,700,800 mJ) of pulsed laser (Nd: YaG) were used to prepare colloidal copper nanoparticles size of about (40.4 nm - 91.3 nm) which were measured using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The presence of Copper NPs in distilled water, respectively, with nanostructure in the shape of a spherical construction and size of about 50 nm were measured using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The absorption spectrum and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) were measured to study the optical properties of the prepared copper nucleus, and the results showed that the SPR and high optical density were found in the 320 wavelengths at the laser energy of (600 mJ), present at wavelength 333 to the laser energy (700 mJ) and shifted to a lower wavelength (blue shift) with a higher optical density, a wavelength of 341 at the laser energy of (800 mJ).
Carlos Afonso Maestri*, Rodolfo Belz Antoniazzi, Isabela Ceschin Maestri, Rafaela Ceschin Fernandes and Fernanda Villar Fonseca
Published on: 7th November, 2023
Introduction: The skills, the techniques utilized in the conization and the hemostasis directly affect the healing process of the cervix tissue. Excessively large excisions and unnecessary use of electrocautery or hemostatic sutures are examples of procedures that may negatively affect the scar cascade and wound healing. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of honey-based ferric perchloride paste (HBFPP) in reducing bleeding and infection post-conization procedure. Methods: Prospective randomized clinical trial with a sample of 142 patients randomized in two groups: 78 patients who used the HBFPP (intervention) and 64 patients who did not use the HBFPP (control). Statistical analysis was performed utilizing a significance level of 95%. The Chi-Square test and Fisher’s exact test were applied. Results: Results showed that the mean score of the amount of blood lost was lower in the intervention group compared to the control group. The main complaints reported by the two groups in the postoperative period were discomfort in the genitourinary system, heavy bleeding after surgery, and post-operative infection, but not significantly different among both groups. The control group needed further intervention due to excessive bleeding in comparison with the intervention group. Conclusion: The use of HBFPP reduced the amount of blood lost in the postoperative period of conization surgery.
Chayma Ouhibi*, Majd Darwish, Laurent Urban, Mokhtar Lachaal and Jawad Aarrouf
Published on: 6th November, 2023
Background information: Cultural practices play an important role on the development of pathogens (Datnoff, et al. 2007). In this context, several authors have been interested in studying the effects of mineral nutrition on the resistance of vegetables and fruits to fungi during storage, especially nitrogen.The purpose of the study: In this work we tested the effects of three contrasted regimes of nitrogen supply, with nitrate concentrations in the nutrient solutions of 2 mM (low), 10 mM (normal) and 20 mM (high) on the susceptibility of Lactuca sativa L towards Botrytis cinerea (BC87) and Sclerotinia minor (SM) during storage.Once harvested, the outerleaves of the plants derived from the three nitrogen regimes were inoculated with either Botrytis cinerea (BC87) or Sclerotinia minor (SM). Data showed that the resistance to this two pathogens increase when plants were developed under low nitrogen concentration. This resistance observed is correlated with low values in oxidative stress indicators (MDA and H2O2) and high values in total phenols.
Carlos Carmona*, Marlon Castrillón, John Fredy Nieto, Gustavo Zuluaga, Luis Fernando Arias and Cristian Álvarez
Published on: 3rd November, 2023
Kidney transplantation is the therapy of choice for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Nevertheless, the main limitation for long-term graft survival is immune-mediated rejection. Some authors have proposed that differences in immune effector mechanisms are influenced by underlying molecular mechanisms; thereby, the identification of differentially expressed genes in acute or chronic rejection in non-invasive samples such as urine may be essential for the identification of potential biomarkers and biological processes associated with allograft outcomes. Our aim was to explore differences in gene expression and functional categories associated with acute and chronic kidney rejection in blood, biopsy, and urine of kidney transplant patients using RNA-Seq. RNA was isolated and sequenced implementing standard protocols. Analyses were addressed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and Functional Categories of Gene Ontology comparing between samples. Then we focused on immune genes and pathways to identify their association with the allograft. We identified a significant transcriptional similarity between biopsy and urine, in comparison with blood in acute and chronic rejection. Functional analyses suggested an enrichment of immune processes such as antigen processing and presentation, and regulation of B cell receptor signaling pathway in blood of acute and chronic rejection, respectively. Additionally, we observed an increase in expression of chemokines in biopsy and urine of both outcomes along with an increase in chemokine receptors in blood. Our findings suggest that urine is suitable for identifying potential biomarkers and biological processes related to renal allograft rejection, as it shares a significant number of regulated genes with biopsy.
Zahra Zahid Piracha, Haider Ali, Noor ul Huda Rasheed, Umar Saeed*, Syed Shayan Gilani, Umer Ali Abbasi, Qasim Khan, Elyeen Noor and Seneen Noor
Published on: 13th October, 2023
Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic infection originating in the regions of Central and West Africa. The global threat has been arising since monkeypox is spreading outside of the endemic regions. Pakistan has recently exhausted health funds in a quarrel against SARS-CoV-2, by supplying expensive COVID-19 vaccines to the general public, free of cost. Pakistan’s government has remarkably contributed to lowering the suffering of COVID-19-affected patients by granting the Sehat Sahulat Programme and similar health initiatives to restrict viral propagation in the general public. However, despite all efforts the major constraints are a lack of international funds and limitations on the budget of healthcare systems and medical facilities. Newly emerged cases of monkeypox are very threatening to Pakistan’s economy and health. Therefore, it is very necessary that healthcare authorities take effective measures like surveillance, early identification, separation, monitoring of contacts, immunization, and public awareness in order to stop the spread of the virus and control monkeypox outbreaks.
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