Malnutrition among patients admitted to the subacute geriatric ward during the COVID-19 pandemic era: A cross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: Acute illness and hospitalisation detriment the nutritional status of older patients. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of malnutrition, characteristics and in-hospital outcomes associated with malnutrition, and nutritional management among patients who were admitted to the Subacute Geriatric Ward. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of older patients (age ≥ 60) who were admitted to the Subacute Geriatric Ward of Kuala Lumpur Hospital from 1 March 2021 to 31 May 2021. Malnutrition was identified using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF). The in-hospital outcomes evaluated were hospital-associated complications, namely delirium, functional decline, incontinence, inpatient falls, inpatient pressure injuries, hospital-acquired infection, institutionalisation, and inpatient mortality. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were included (mean age 74.7, female 58.9%), of which 28 (38.4%) and 27 (37.0%) were malnourished and at risk of malnutrition, respectively. Poorer nutritional status was associated with increased age, comorbidity burden, frailty, immobility, impaired basic activities of daily living, history of falls, cognitive impairment, incontinence, and arthritis. About 71.2% and 60.3% of patients were offered dietitian review and oral nutritional supplements, respectively. The in-hospital outcome rates were higher among malnourished patients, but the differences were not statistically significant. However, multiple hospital-associated complications were more common with poorer nutritional status (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Hospital malnutrition is prevalent among older patients, and unidentified malnutrition is not justified due to its association with multiple adverse outcomes.

High-level production of human parathyroid hormone in Bombyx mori larvae and BmN cells using recombinant baculovirus.

A full-length cDNA encoding human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) containing the prepro region was cloned into Bombyx mori baculovirus under the control of the polyhedrin promoter and polyadenylation sequences. After transfection and generation of the recombinant baculovirus, hPTH production was examined in silkworm larvae and BmN cell cultures. The larvae synthesized and efficiently secreted the correctly processed and authentic hPTH (9.4 kDa) with no sign of internal degradation. In BmN cells, the major secreted form was the correctly sized protein, but small amounts of degraded hPTH could also be detected in the medium by immunoblotting. Unlike the situation in larvae, prepro-hPTH could also be demonstrated intracellularly in BmN cells. The concentration of hPTH in the larval hemolymph was about 70 mg/l, as compared to approx. 55 micrograms/l in the medium per 7.5 x 10(6) cells. Recombinant hPTH (re-hPTH) from the hemolymph was purified by reverse-phase HPLC and subjected to chemical and biological analyses. The authenticity of the purified re-hPTH was confirmed by N-terminal sequencing, amino acid composition and a mass of 9425 Da, close to the theoretical value. The hormone showed high-affinity receptor binding and full biological potency in increasing cellular cAMP.

Identification, sequence analysis and phylogeny of the lef-2 gene of Helicoverpa armigera single-nucleocapsid baculovirus.

The baculovirus late expression factor 2 (LEF-2) is involved in DNA replication, and most likely function as a primase processivity factor. Lef-2 genes have been found in multinucleocapsid nucleopolyhedroviruses (MNPVs) and in granuloviruses (GVs), but not yet in single-nucleocapsid NPV (SNPV). Here, a lef-2 gene homolog was identified from SNPV of Helicoverpa armigera (HearNPV). The open reading frame of the HearNPV lef-2 gene is 696 nucleotides long, encoding a putative protein of 232 amino acids with an M(r) of about 26 kDa. The 5'-noncoding region contains two early (CAGT) consensus motifs for transcription initiation and three TATA boxes. Lef-2 transcripts started at a C, 29 nucleotides upstream of a putative translational start. A putative polyA signal, AATAAA, was found 76 nucleotides downstream of the translation stop codon. The HearNPV lef-2 gene has a low but significant degree of amino acid sequence identity (30%) to the lef-2 genes of 15 other baculoviruses of which nine were newly determined. The N-terminal half of the LEF-2 proteins contains one (I) and the C-terminal half two (II and III) conserved domains. Sixteen amino acids are absolutely conserved in those LEF-2 investigated and are probably critical for LEF-2 function. A phylogenetic tree of 16 baculovirus LEF-2 proteins was constructed by using maximum parsimony analysis and appeared to be comparable to a tree for ecdysteroid UDP-glucosyl transferases (Chen et al., 1997a). The genomic location of the lef-2 genes relative to polyhedrin/granulin and the clade structure of the gene trees suggest that genome organization and gene phylogeny are useful parameters to study the evolutionary history of baculoviruses. These two independent approaches also give a more complete picture of the ancestral relationship among baculovirus.

Food selection and utilization in a danid butterfly.

Larvae of the danid butterfly Danaus chrysippus, fed on the milkweeds Calotropis gigantea and Asclepias curassavica grew successfully during the 9-day feeding period and pupated. In the presence of these milkweeds, the larvae preferred to feed on C. gigantea. Their preference was more pronounced during the final 2 instars than during the initial 3 instars. They consumed 605 mg, defecated 308 mg, and converted 115 mg of C. gigantea; those receiving A. curassavica consumed 563 mg, defecated 287 mg and converted 85 mg. They assimilated either food with equal efficiency (♀♀: 46%; ♂♂: 50%). But they differed significantly in their efficiency in converting the assimilated food. The presence of a greater amount of latex in C. gigantea than in A. curassavica and/or the nutritional inadequacy of the latter food may perhaps be the reason(s) for the preference of C. gigantea by D. chrysippus larvae over A. curassavica.

Use of larval weight and length as indices of gut content weight in some lepidopterous larvae.

Significant correlation was obtained between body weight or length and the weight of contents of gut in chosen lepidopterous larvae ranging from 50 to 3,300 mg or 13 to 75 mm. The obtained relations can be used in the determination of net weight of a larva (i.e. the weight of the larva excluding its gut contents) and hence may find wide application in ecological studies.

Use of faecal weight as an indicator of food consumption in some lepidopterans.

Correlation coefficients obtained between food consumed and feces defecated are highly significant in the larva of Achaea junta and other lepidopteran larvae tested. Different factors like species, stage of life, temperature, and food quality do not significantly affect the value of the correlation coefficient in the larvae tested. The reference value (i.e. the ratio between dry food consumed and dry feces weight) of 1.5 for the moths and 1.9 for the butterflies is suggested for use in the estimation of total food consumption in phytophagous lepidopterans, and its applicbility is discussed. In all tested cases, the correlation coefficients between food consumed and number of pellets defecated showed no significance, indicating the unreliablity of fecal count as an index of food consumption.

Use of feeding rate as an indicator of caloric value in some lepidopterous larvae.

A significant, positive correlation between feeding rate and caloric value becomes apparent in 6 species of lepidopterous larvae exposed to different rations, food plants and temperatures. There is a possibility of using feeding rate of the final instar larvae as an indicator of its caloric value. Larvae feeding at the rates of 100, 200, 400 and 600 mg dry weight/g live insect/day contained around 5,320, 5,670, 5,800 and 5,900 g cal/g dry weight, respectively.

Molecular cloning of growth hormone encoding cDNA of Indian major carps by a modified rapid amplification of cDNA ends strategy.

A modified rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) strategy has been developed for cloning highly conserved cDNA sequences. Using this modified method, the growth hormone (GH) encoding cDNA sequences of Labeo rohita, Cirrhina mrigala and Catla catla have been cloned, characterized and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. These sequences show 96-98% homology to each other and are about 85% homologous to that of common carp. Besides, an attempt has been made for the first time to describe a 3-D model of the fish GH protein.

Cloning, sequencing and expression of cDNA encoding growth hormone from Indian catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis).

A tissue-specific cDNA library was constructed using polyA+ RNA from pituitary glands of the Indian catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) and a cDNA clone encoding growth hormone (GH) was isolated. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers representing the conserved regions of fish GH sequences the 3' region of catfish GH cDNA (540 bp) was cloned by random amplification of cDNA ends and the clone was used as a probe to isolate recombinant phages carrying the full-length cDNA sequence. The full-length cDNA clone is 1132 bp in length, coding for an open reading frame (ORF) of 603 bp; the reading frame encodes a putative polypeptide of 200 amino acids including the signal sequence of 22 amino acids. The 5' and 3' untranslated regions of the cDNA are 58 bp and 456 bp long, respectively. The predicted amino acid sequence of H. fossils GH shared 98% homology with other catfishes. Mature GH protein was efficiently expressed in bacterial and zebrafish systems using appropriate expression vectors. The successful expression of the cloned GH cDNA of catfish confirms the functional viability of the clone.

Cloning of partial putative gonadotropin hormone receptor sequence from fish.

A search for the presence of mariner-like elements in the Labeo rohita genome by polymerase chain reaction led to the amplification of a partial DNA sequence coding for a putative transmembrane domain of gonadotropin hormone receptor. The amplified DNA sequence shows a high degree of homology to the available turkey and human luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormone receptor coding sequences. This is the first report on cloning such sequences of piscine origin.

Molecular diversity and phylogenetic analysis of mariner-like transposons in the genome of the silkworm Bombyx mori.

Genome-wide screening of mariner-like elements (MLEs) in the silkworm Bombyx mori has revealed the presence of five different types of MLEs (Bmmar1, Bmmar2, Bmmar3, Bmmar4 and Bmmar5). We isolated and characterized sixty copies of the MLEs representing the five Bmmar types. Their nucleotide sequences, nucleotide compositions, deduced transposase sequences, codon preferences, and the copy numbers showed extensive variations. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences revealed that Bmmar1, Bmmar2, and Bmmar3 have been in the B. mori genome for a long time, while Bmmar4 is probably a recent invader of the genome. Because of the long-term association of Bmmar1 and Bmmar2 with the genome, highly mutated miniature Bmmar1 and Bmmar2 are widespread in the genome, and the footprints of these elements are also present in different silkworm genes. However, miniature copies of Bmmar4 were not detected. This recently acquired element has very few mutations. None of the characterized copies had functional transposase open reading frames. They essentially exist as fossils in the genome.

Sperm/DNA interaction: DNA binding proteins in sperm cell of silkworm Bombyx mori.

Plasmid DNA transferred into testes of silkworm larvae following in vivo gene transfer method was taken up by the sperm cells during spermatogenesis and the DNA was transferred to Go and subsequent progeny. RT-PCR analysis confirmed the internalization of the DNA taken up by the sperm. Specific classes of DNA binding proteins present in the sperm act as potential substrates for sperm/DNA interaction and internalization of DNA. Plasmid DNA injected into the testes were rescued from spermatheca, eggs (moths copulated with injected males), and progeny. The rescued plasmid DNA showed CAT activity to the same level as that of control plasmid.

Sperm-mediated gene transfer in the silkworm Bombyx mori.

Plasmid DNA containing the CAT reporter gene was injected into the testis of V instar silkworm larvae. The persistence, expression, and transmission of the injected DNA were monitored in the injected individuals till eclosion as well as in the progeny. The DNA injected into the testis persisted extrachromosomally during the entire period of metamorphosis and was also transferred into the egg via sperm during fertilization. Injected plasmids were rescued from the moths that emerged from the injected larvae and also from the eggs laid by the moths that copulated with injected males. Positive signals for CAT assay in the experimental samples suggested that the injected DNA was internalized in the testicular cells and sperm. The persistence, expression, and transmission of the DNA injected into the testes indicate that sperm-mediated gene transfer is possible in the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Effects of caffeine and theophylline on the fecundity of four lepidopteran species.

Effects of secondary plant metabolites (caffeine and theophylline on reproduction of lepidopteran species were studied using Bombyx mori, Spodoptera litura, Danaus chrysippus and Catopsilia crocale as test organisms. Reproductive potential (ovary length and egg number) was significantly reduced in the lepidopterans receiving caffeine/theophylline treated leaves in comparison to the control. Protein and energy contents in the egg of the moths showed remarkable decrease with increasing concentrations of secondary plant metabolites in the feed. However, fat content remained almost constant in the egg of control and experimental animals.

Sub-toxic effects of Bacillus sphaericus 1593 M on feeding growth and reproduction of Laccotrephes griseus (Hemiptera: Nepidae).

Long-term effects of sub-lethal doses of biocide (25, 50, 100 and 200 micrograms/ml) from B. sphaericus 1593 M on feeding, growth and reproduction of L. griseus were studied. The deleterous effects of the biocide include: reduced feeding, retarded growth, delayed maturity, reduction in fecundity, and decrease in protein content of the ovary. The effects are convincingly dependent on biocide dose and exposure duration. Extensive use of the biocide may bring a population depletion of non-target species even at sub-lethal concentrations. The possible mode of action of biocide is discussed.

Molecular cloning of growth hormone-encoding cDNA of an Indian major carp, Labeo rohita, and its expression in Escherichia coli and zebrafish.

The cDNA clones encoding for growth hormone (GH) of an Indian major carp rohu Labeo rohita were isolated from a cDNA library constructed from the poly(A)(+) RNA extracted from the pituitary glands of rohu. Partial GH cDNA of the rohu (3'-end) was amplified by RT-PCR and used as probe to screen the cDNA library. Full-length GH-specific cDNA clones (1180 bp) were isolated and sequenced. The sequence contains 48-bp 5'-noncoding region followed by an ORF of 621 bp and a 3'-noncoding region of 521 bp. The peptide shares about 90% identity with the GH of Cyprinus carpio (Linn.) and >84% identity with GH sequences of other cyprinids. The GH-encoding cDNA of rohu has been cloned into expression vectors and GH protein has been over expressed in Escherichia coli and purified as a soluble protein. The GH cDNA was cloned into a bicistronic vector with EGFP; injection of in vitro transcribed GH-EGFP mRNA into zebrafish embryo has resulted in EGFP expression confirming the cloned GH cDNA is functional in fish and the IRES element could be effectively used in fish for bicistronic expression of foreign genes.

Identification of white spot syndrome virus latency-related genes in specific-pathogen-free shrimps by use of a microarray.

To investigate whether specific-pathogen-free (SPF) shrimps are asymptomatic carriers of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), we used a WSSV-specific DNA microarray to measure WSSV gene expression in SPF and WSSV-infected shrimps. Three WSSV genes were found to be relatively highly expressed in SPF shrimps. Reverse transcription-PCR using nested primers as well as real-time detection confirmed that these genes have no detectable counterparts in GenBank; structural analysis of the putative proteins revealed helix-loop-helix and leucine zipper motifs. Viral sequences could be PCR amplified from genomic DNA of SPF shrimp, further supporting the suggestion that these shrimps are asymptomatic carriers.