Alternanthera yellow vein virus (AYVV); a betasatellite independent begomovirus infecting Sonchus palustris in Pakistan.

Satellites associated begomoviruses are the most diverse group of plant viruses in tropical and subtropical regions. In Pakistan, during field surveys in 2019-2020, Sonchus palustris (a weed plant) was observed showing begomovirus symptoms i.e., vein yellowing and mosaic patterns on leaves. Rolling circle amplification from total isolated DNA of symptomatic leaves was performed to amplify circular viral genomes. Subsequent cloning and sequencing showed that a new strain of Alternanthera yellow vein virus (AlYVV) is associated with vein yellowing disease of S. palustris. The identity percentage analysis through BLAST search and SDT analysis showed that the new strain is 94-98% identical to AlYVV isolates reported from Pakistan, India and China. In phylogenetic tree, it clustered with AlYVV-[PK:E prostrata:15-KX710155], AlYVV-[PK:E prostrata:13]-KX906697] and AlYVV-[PK:E prostrata:11]-KX906694] previously reported from Pakistan. There was no detectable level of betasatellite or any other satellite molecule in the samples studied here. Phylogenetic analysis of Rep and CP genes of AlYVV with corresponding genes of closely related viruses circulating in Southeast Asia showed intra-specific recombination involving both complementary and virion sense region of virus. Relaxed clock and Bayesian Skyline Plot analysis based on CP gene sequences indicated slight higher substitution rates (4.75 x 10-3 substitutions/nucleotide/year). In the Indian subcontinent satellite-associated monopartite begomoviruses predominately infect crops and non-crop plants. But AlYVV is found infecting mostly non-crop plants independent of satellite molecules. We hypothesize here that AlYVV evolved as a true monopartite begomovirus in the Indian sub-continent and could be a great threat to introduced crops under suitable conditions. Such studies are crucial to understand probable future epidemics of begomoviruses in the region.

Molecular detection of carbapenem resistance genes in rectal swabs from patients in Gulf Cooperation Council hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Gram-negative organisms harbouring carbapenem resistance genes (CRGs) are spreading globally, including in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. However, relatively few data are available about carriage of CRGs in hospitalized patients in this region. AIM: To determine prevalence of CRG carriage and risk factors for colonization among patients in GCC hospitals. METHODS: Rectal swabs were obtained from ∼50 intensive care unit (ICU) patients from each of 11 hospitals in five GCC countries between March and November 2019. The swabs were tested for the presence of blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM, blaIMP, and blaOXA-48 CRG using a commercial polymerase chain reaction test. Data on risk factors for colonization were collected and analysed. FINDINGS: Of 529 specimens screened, 138 (26.1%) were positive for one or more CRGs. The positivity rates among the hospitals ranged from 8.0% to 67.3%; ∼20% of the positive specimens harboured ≥2 CRGs. The most common CRG detected was blaOXA-48, which was present in 82 specimens (15.5%). Additional CRGs included blaNDM, blaVIM, blaKPC, and blaIMP either alone or in combination. Overall, 31.1% of patients on antibiotics on admission to the ICU were positive for CRGs compared to 16.5% not on antibiotic therapy (P < 0.001). CRG detection was also more common among patients aged >65 years (P = 0.027) and increased with hospital length of stay (P = 0.025). CONCLUSION: The rate of CRGs detected in hospitalized patients in GCC countries varied considerably. Prior antibiotic exposure, increasing age, and prolonged length of stay were associated with CRG detection.

Long-term treatment with finasteride induces apoptosis and pathological changes in female mice.

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of alopecia, and it affects humans of both genders. Finasteride is a type II selective 5α-reductase inhibitor that is administered orally to treat androgenetic alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia in human males. However, its effect on the vital organs of females is unknown. This study was designed to investigate the effects of finasteride on the vital organs such as liver, kidney, and heart of female mice. To study the prospective effects of finasteride, female mice were orally administered two doses of finasteride (0.5 and 1.5 mg/kg) once daily for 35 days, and serum levels of various biochemical parameters and histopathology of various organs were examined. The results showed that serum levels of alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased by both high- and low-dose finasteride, whereas cholesterol was significantly increased by the high dose only. Creatine kinase was significantly increased by the high and low doses, whereas glucose was significantly decreased by both doses. Histopathological analysis and DNA damage assays showed that finasteride has adverse effects within both the short and the long periods in female mice. In addition, the proapoptotic genes Bax and caspase-3 were significantly increased by high dose finasteride, whereas the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2 was significantly decreased by the low and high doses. In conclusion, finasteride is not currently approved for therapeutic use in females, and the findings in this study suggest caution in any future consideration of such use.

Effect of acute downhill running on bone markers in responders and non-responders.

This study showed that procollagen type 1 amino-terminal pro-peptide and N-MID osteocalcin significantly increased after exercise independent of the form of muscle contraction. Thus, these preliminary results will be useful for future studies that will consider bone turnover characteristics of responders and non-responders to acute and chronic aerobic exercise. INTRODUCTION: The aim of the current study was to compare the effects of acute flat running (FR) and downhill running (DHR) on bone turnover markers in men. METHODS: Fourteen healthy young active men performed three exercise tests in a counterbalanced order, including rest condition, FR, and DHR, at 60% maximal aerobic capacity on a treadmill with 0 and - 12% inclines. Blood samples were taken in the pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 24-h post-exercise periods, and bone markers included total procollagen type 1 amino-terminal pro-peptide (total PINP) and N-MID osteocalcin. RESULTS: Total P1NP significantly increased after exercise independent of the form of muscle contraction (p > 0.05). N-MID osteocalcin increased after DHR by 17% compared to after pre-exercise, but the difference did not reach significance (p = 0.07; partial eta square, 0.21). Biomarker responses to exercise were dependent on the exercise form and independent of hormone type in half of the participants who were classified as responders. Physiological parameters and changes in muscle voluntary contraction did not explain the differences between responders and non-responders. CONCLUSION: The effect of acute DHR on bone turnover is determined by biomarker type and participant characteristics. Future studies should discriminate between the characteristics of responders and those of non-responders.

Access to medicines by child refugees in the East Midlands region of England: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore access to primary healthcare and drug therapy by refugee children in the East Midlands region of England. DESIGN: Interviews with refugees with children and a control group of British parents with children. SETTING: East Midlands region of England. PARTICIPANTS: 50 refugees with children and a control group of 50 parents with children. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of medicines used by children in the last month and the past 6 months. Health of parents and children. Registration with a general practitioner (GP). RESULTS: All families in both groups were registered with a GP. There was no difference in the number of children in the two groups experiencing illnesses .In the last month, 30 refugee children received 60 medicines and 31 control children 63 medicines. In the past 6 months, 48 refugee children received 108 medicines and 43 control children 96 medicines. There was no difference between the two groups of children in relation to the likelihood of receiving any medicines in either the last month (P=0.839) or the past 6 months (p=0.81). Children in the refugee group were more likely to receive prescribed medicines for the last month (p=0.008) and the past 6 months (p<0.001). They were also less likely to receive over the counter (OTC) medicines in the past 6 months (p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The refugee children in this study in the East Midlands had access to primary healthcare, medicines and a family doctor. They were more likely to receive prescribed medicines and less likely to receive OTC medicines, especially paracetamol.