The relationship between frequency and severity of vaso-occlusive crises and health-related quality of life and work productivity in adults with sickle cell disease.

PURPOSE: Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) may experience sickle cell-related pain crises, also referred to as vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), which are a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality. The study explored how VOC frequency and severity impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and work productivity. METHODS: Three hundred and three adults with SCD who completed an online survey were included in the analysis. Patients answered questions regarding their experience with SCD and VOCs, and completed the Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life Measurement Information System (ASCQ-Me) and the Workplace Productivity and Activity Impairment: Specific Health Problem (WPAI:SHP). Differences in ASCQ-Me and WPAI:SHP domains were assessed according to VOC frequency and severity. RESULTS: Nearly half of the patient sample (47.2%) experienced ≥ 4 VOCs in the past 12 months. The most commonly reported barriers to receiving care for SCD included discrimination by or trouble trusting healthcare professionals (39.6%, 33.3%, respectively), limited access to treatment centers (38.9%), and difficulty affording services (29.4%). Patients with more frequent VOCs reported greater impacts on emotion, social functioning, stiffness, sleep and pain, and greater absenteeism, overall productivity loss, and activity impairment than patients with less frequent VOCs (P < 0.05). Significant impacts on HRQoL and work productivity were also observed when stratifying by VOC severity (P < 0.05 for all ASCQ-Me and WPAI domains, except for presenteeism). CONCLUSIONS: Results from the survey indicated that patients with SCD who had more frequent or severe VOCs experienced deficits in multiple domains of HRQoL and work productivity. Future research should examine the longitudinal relationship between these outcomes.

Oral Health-related Knowledge and Assessment of Oral Health Status of Diabetic Patients Attending Dental Clinic at College of Dentistry, Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

AIM: This study was aimed to evaluate the oral health status and knowledge of diabetic and nondiabetic patients attending dental clinic at College of Dentistry, Hail, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was an observational cross-sectional study. Using nonprobability convenient sampling technique, data were collected from 202 respondents. A total of 202 diabetic and nondiabetic patients were screened for the study. Data were collected by interview using the structured, self-administered questionnaire, and assessment of oral health status was done by clinical examination. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software. The data were displayed as numbers and percentages and association among the variable of interests was measured using Pearson Chi-square. RESULTS: Of the 202 patients, 102 (50.6%) were males and 100 (49.4%) were females. Majority of the patients, 71 (35.2%) were in the age-group of 30-40 years. In all, 128 (63.4%) participants knew the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on oral health, 167 (82.7%) knew that diabetic patients needed special healthcare, 152 (75.25%) had never spoken to their doctors about oral health, and 164 (81.19%) had never spoken to their dentists regarding diabetes. CONCLUSION: The complications associated with oral health are more common in diabetic patients when compared to the nondiabetic patients. This is the case in both male and female patients visiting the College of Dentistry in the Hail region. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased susceptibility to oral infections especially periodontal disease. Role of a general dentist in diagnosis and raising patient awareness toward DM and its effects on oral health need to be emphasized.

Patients' Knowledge and Perceived Barriers toward Replacement of Missing Teeth among Respondents of Hail City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

AIM: Teeth maintain the functionality and esthetic of oral cavity, they are also important for psychological and social well-being. This study aims to assess awareness of patients toward replacement of missing teeth. People with unrestored or missing teeth tend to have poor self-esteem and oral health-related quality of life; hence, their knowledge toward restoring and replacing teeth is an important aspect to be measured. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was an observational study having a cross-sectional design. Face- and content-validated questionnaire was used as study tool. Nonprobability, convenient sampling technique was employed that yielded information from 183 respondents residing in various areas of Hail city. Data were collected after written informed consent. The study was approved by the University of Hail ethical committee. RESULTS: Two hundred questionnaires were distributed, out of which 183 were returned. Regarding knowledge of restoring missing teeth, 145 (79.2%) respondents know that function and esthetic can be maintained by replacing missing teeth. Information about the availability of various types of prosthesis was mostly obtained by them through their dentist (70; 48.3%), while books/magazines/Internet was the second source (38; 26.2%) and 37 (25.5%) heard it from someone who has already undergone the replacement of teeth. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that a good number of respondents have the knowledge of teeth replacement, and dentists were the most common source of information to the patients in terms of education about different treatment options. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Evaluate and plan treatment options based on patients' expectations and perceptions.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in South Asian countries.

Toxoplasmosis, a cosmopolitan zoonosis, is caused by an apicomplexan, obligate, intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Nearly all animals, including humans, are at risk owing to its broad geographical distribution. The authors searched published data related to T. gondii in databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct for South Asian countries, and retrieved a total of 113 articles fulfilling the criterion of seroprevalence investigation. Toxoplasma gondii infection in livestock and humans was investigated using various serological tests. In these studies, a total of 14,431 samples from domestic animals and 53,899 samples from humans were screened for anti-T. gondii antibodies in all South Asian countries. Among the animals, cattle (n = 1,981), goats (n = 3,285), buffaloes (n = 1,695), sheep (n = 1,747), cats (n = 1,480), camels (n = 435), elephants (n = 45), pigs (n = 920), dogs (n = 1,604) and poultry (n = 1,206) were tested. This comprehensive review will be useful to biologists, public health workers, physicians and veterinarians and provides a better understanding of the distribution of T. gondii in this region. Furthermore, this knowledge will support efforts to find and apply effective prevention measures to better manage this zoonosis in South Asian countries.

La toxoplasmose est une maladie cosmopolite causée par Toxoplasma gondii, un protozoaire unicellulaire obligatoire appartenant au phylum des Apicomplexa. Du fait de sa distribution géographique, pratiquement toutes les espèces animales sont exposées, ainsi que l'homme. Les auteurs ont fait une recherche dans plusieurs bases de données, dont Google Scholar, PubMed et Science Direct, sur les articles consacrés à T. gondii dans les pays d'Asie du Sud, qui a permis d'extraire un total de 113 articles présentant toutes les caractéristiques d'une enquête sérologique. L'infection par Toxoplasma gondii chez l'homme et chez les animaux d'élevage a fait l'objet de plusieurs enquêtes recourant à divers tests sérologiques. Ces études font état d'un total de 14 431 échantillons prélevés d'animaux domestiques et de 53 899 échantillons prélevés chez l'homme, qui ont été soumis à une épreuve de détection d'anticorps dirigés contre T. gondii dans les pays d'Asie du Sud. Les études ont couvert les espèces suivantes : bovins (n = 1 981), chèvres (n = 3 285), buffles (n = 1 695), moutons (n = 1 747), chats (n = 1 480), chameaux (n = 435), éléphants (n = 45), porcs (n = 920), chiens (n = 1 604) et volailles (n = 1 206). Ce panorama exhaustif sera utile aux biologistes, aux intervenants en santé publique, aux médecins et aux vétérinaires et permettra de mieux appréhender la distribution de T. gondii dans la région. Ces connaissances contribueront à concevoir et à appliquer des mesures de prévention efficaces afin de mieux gérer cette zoonose dans les pays d'Asie du Sud.

La toxoplasmosis es una zoonosis cosmopolita causada por un protozoo, parásito intracelular obligado, del grupo de los apicomplejos: Toxoplasma gondii. Por su amplia distribución geográfica, constituye una amenaza para casi todos los animales, incluido el ser humano. Tras indagar en bases de datos de publicaciones (Google Scholar, PubMed y Science Direct) en busca de información relacionada con la presencia de T. gondii en los países del meridión asiático, los autores encontraron un total de 113 artículos que cumplían el criterio de dar cuenta de investigaciones sobre la seroprevalencia. Para estudiar la infección por Toxoplasma gondii en el ganado y el ser humano se habían empleado diversas pruebas serológicas. En el conjunto de esos estudios, que cubrían todos los países de Asia meridional, se habían analizado un total de 14.431 muestras de animales domésticos y 53.899 muestras humanas para detectar anticuerpos contra T. gondii. Los animales analizados eran: ganado vacuno (n = 1.981), cabras (n = 3.285), búfalos (n = 1.695), ovejas (n = 1.747), gatos (n = 1.480), camellos (n = 435), elefantes (n = 45), cerdos (n = 920), perros (n = 1.604) y aves de corral (n = 1.206). Este repaso general, que resultará útil a biólogos, agentes de salud pública, médicos y veterinarios, permite conocer mejor la distribución de T. gondii en la región, lo que además será de ayuda a la hora de determinar y aplicar medidas eficaces de prevención con objeto de controlar más eficazmente esta zoonosis en los países de Asia meridional.

Genetic characterization of canine parvovirus from dogs in Pakistan.

Canine parvoviruses (CPV) exist as antigenic variants with varying frequencies and genetic variabilities across the globe. Given the endemicity and high prevalence in Pakistan, we characterized the CPVs originating from dogs-population to elucidate viral diversity and evolution. Fecal samples from clinically diseased pups (n = 17) of different breeds and age (2-6 months) were processed for hemagglutination assay (HA), and later for partial amplification of VP2 gene sequence and amino acid analysis. A total of 11 samples (64.71%) were found positive both in hemagglutination and PCR assays. Phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis demonstrated higher genetic heterogeneity in studied strains and constituted seven clusters within the CPV-2a group, however, they shared high level of identity with Chinese strains. Further studies are necessary to elucidate genetic analysis and epidemiology of CPV variants across a wide geographical area of the country.

Alleviation of Herbicide Toxicity in Solanum lycopersicum L.-An Antioxidant Stimulation Approach.

Application of the herbicide glyphosate in crops is a common practice among farmers around the world. Tomato is one of the crops that are treated with glyphosate to fight weed growth and loss of crop. However, tomato plants often show phytotoxic effects from glyphosate. In this study, the ability of pongamia oil derived from Pongamia pinnata (known also as Millettia pinnata) tree to alleviate the herbicide glyphosate toxicity effects in tomato (S.lycopersicum L. cv. Micro-tom) plants was tested. Tomato plants were treated with a mixture of a dose of (GLY) glyphosate (10 mg kg−1) and different doses of pongamia oil (PO) foliar spray (5, 10, 50, and 100 mM) and compared with the herbicide or oil control (glyphosate 10 mg kg−1 or pongamia oil PO 50 mM). Some morphological features, non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants, and gene expression were observed. Glyphosate-treated plants sprayed with PO 50 mM (GLY + PO 50) showed increased root biomass (0.28 g-p ≤ 0.001), shoot biomass (1.2 g-p ≤ 0.01), H2O2 (68 nmol/g), and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD; 40 mg-p ≤ 0.001), catalase (CAT; 81.21 mg-p ≤ 0.05), ascorbate peroxidase (APX; 80 mg-p ≤ 0.01) and glutathione reductase (GR; 53 min/mg-F4,20 = 15.88, p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, these plants showed reduced contents of Malondialdehyde (MDA; 30 nmol/g-F4,20 = 18.55, p ≤ 0.01), O2 (0.6 Abs/g), Prolne (Pro; 345 µg/g), Glutathine (GSH; 341 nmol/mg-p ≤ 0.001), ascorbate (AsA; 1.8 µmol/gm), ascorbic acid (AA; 1.62 mg-p ≤ 0.05) and dehydroascorbate (DHAR; 0.32 mg p ≤ 0.05). The gene expression analysis was conducted for seven oxidative stress related genes besides the house-keeping gene Actin as a reference. The gene CYP1A1450 showed the highest mRNA expression level (6.8 fold ± 0.4) in GLY-treated tomato plants, whereas GLY-treated plants + PO 50 showed 2.9 fold. The study concluded that foliar spray of 50 mM pongamia oil alleviated the toxic effects of glyphosate on tomato plants in the form of increased root and shoot biomass, SOD, CAT, APX, and GR activity, while reduced MDA, O2, Pro, GSH, AsA, AA, DHAR, and gene CYP1A1450 expression.

A multi-locus genome-wide association study reveals the genetics underlying muscadine antioxidant in berry skin.

Muscadine berries display enhanced nutraceutical value due to the accumulation of distinctive phytochemical constituents with great potential antioxidant activity. Such nutritional and health merits are not only restricted to muscadine, but muscadine berries accumulate higher amounts of bioactive polyphenolics compared with other grape species. For the genetic study of the antioxidant trait in muscadine, a multi-locus genome-wide association study (GWAS) with 350 muscadine genotypes and 1,283 RNase H2 enzyme-dependent amplicon sequencing (rhAmpSeq) markers was performed. Phenotyping was conducted with several antioxidant-related traits, including total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, and FRAP antioxidant assay in muscadine berry skin. The correlation coefficient analysis revealed that the TPC, and DPPH/FRAP activities were significantly correlated. Through the GWAS analysis, 12 QTNs were identified from the four traits, of which six were pleiotropic QTNs. Two pleiotropic QTNs, chr2_14464718 and chr4_16491374, were commonly identified from the TPC and DPPH/FRAP activities. Co-located genes with the two pleiotropic QTNs were isolated, and two candidate genes were identified with transcriptome analysis. UDP-glycosyltransferase and 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxoglutarate aldolase were the candidate genes that are positively and negatively correlated to the quantitative property of traits, respectively. These results are the first genetic evidence of the quantitative property of antioxidants in muscadine and provide genetic resources for breeding antioxidant-rich cultivars for both Muscadinia and Euvitis species.

QTRAP LC/MS/MS of Garlic Nanoparticles and Improving Sunflower Oil Stabilization during Accelerated Shelf Life Storage.

The purpose of this research was to assess and utilize the bioactive compounds of garlic nanoparticles (Ga-NPs) as a natural antioxidant in sunflower oil (SFO) stored at 65 ± 1 °C for 24 days. The garlic nanoparticles (Ga-NPs) from the Balady cultivar were prepared, characterized, and added to SFO at three concentrations: 200, 600, and 1000 ppm (w/v), and they were compared with 600 ppm garlic lyophilized powder extract (Ga-LPE), 200 ppm BHT, 200 ppm α-tocopherol, and SFO without Ga-NPs (control). The QTRAP LC/MS/MS profile of Ga-NPs revealed the presence of four organosulfur compounds. Ga-NPs exhibited the highest capacity for phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant compounds. In Ga-NP SFO samples, the values of peroxide, p-anisidine, totox, conjugated dienes, and conjugated trienes were significantly lower than the control. The antioxidant indices of SFO samples containing Ga-NPs were higher than the control. The Ga-NPs enhanced the sensory acceptability of SFO treatments up to day 24 of storage. The shelf life of SFO treated with Ga-NPs was substantially increased (presuming a Q10 amount). The results show that Ga-NPs are a powerful antioxidant that improves SFO stability and extends the shelf life (~384 days at 25 °C).

A massive rock and ice avalanche caused the 2021 disaster at Chamoli, Indian Himalaya.

On 7 February 2021, a catastrophic mass flow descended the Ronti Gad, Rishiganga, and Dhauliganga valleys in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, India, causing widespread devastation and severely damaging two hydropower projects. More than 200 people were killed or are missing. Our analysis of satellite imagery, seismic records, numerical model results, and eyewitness videos reveals that ~27 × 106 cubic meters of rock and glacier ice collapsed from the steep north face of Ronti Peak. The rock and ice avalanche rapidly transformed into an extraordinarily large and mobile debris flow that transported boulders greater than 20 meters in diameter and scoured the valley walls up to 220 meters above the valley floor. The intersection of the hazard cascade with downvalley infrastructure resulted in a disaster, which highlights key questions about adequate monitoring and sustainable development in the Himalaya as well as other remote, high-mountain environments.

Decreasing incidence of gastric MALT lymphomas in the era of anti-Helicobacter pylori interventions: results from a population-based study on extranodal marginal zone lymphomas.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have been carried out to date that have addressed the epidemiology of extranodal marginal zone lymphomas (EN-MZLs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a population-based study to investigate incidence rates (IRs) and time trends of EN-MZL diagnosed in the province of Modena (Italy) from 1997 to 2007. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-five cases were identified from the Modena Cancer Registry that corresponded to an age-standardized IR of 2.3 cases per 100 000. A bimodal distribution of age was shown with the group of young patients mostly represented by males with cutaneous lymphoma. No time trends were observed for the IR; the incidence of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (g-MALT) lymphomas (N = 51) markedly declined during the study period, dropping from 1.4 in 1997 to 0.2 in 2002 and then remaining stable until 2007; the calculated annual percent change for g-MALT was -17.0% (95% confidence interval -26.6% to -6.2%). We also observed a significant decrease in the rate of g-MALT associated with Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection from 61% to 17% of patients diagnosed before and after 2002 (P = 0.007; P for trend = 0.016). CONCLUSION: This population-based study provides new insights into recent changes in the epidemiology of EN-MZL, mainly represented by the sharp reduced incidence of HP-positive g-MALT lymphomas.

Evaluation of the corrosion inhibition efficacy of Cola acuminata extract for low carbon steel in simulated acid pickling environment.

In this study, Kola nut extract (KE) was evaluated for inhibiting ability towards low carbon steel corrosion in 1 M HCl solution using weight loss and electrochemical techniques. The surface of the corroded carbon steel was examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Elemental composition of the corrosion products and/or adsorbed inhibitor film on the carbon steel surface was determined with the aid of an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) experiments were also performed to get information about the interaction of KE with the carbon steel surface. It was found that KE exhibited good corrosion protection property. From weight loss technique, corrosion rate was reduced from 0.387 to 0.054 mm/year by 700 ppm of KE at room temperature after 24 h immersion and this corresponded to inhibition efficiency (IE) of 86%. The IE however depreciated with rise in temperature. FTIR results reveal that KE interacted with the carbon steel surface through the O and N heteroatoms of its phytoconstituents. FTIR spectroscopy, UV-vis, SEM, AFM, and EDX data provided proof of KE adsorption on the steel surface as reason for the corrosion inhibition.

Calcium Carbonate.

Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula CaCO3 formed by three main elements: carbon, oxygen, and calcium. It is a common substance found in rocks in all parts of the world (most notably as limestone), and is the main component of shells of marine organisms, snails, coal balls, pearls, and eggshells. CaCO3 exists in different polymorphs, each with specific stability that depends on a diversity of variables.

Mouse model of male germ cell apoptosis in response to a lack of hormonal stimulation.

As a prerequisite for studies using mutant mice, we established a mouse model for induction of male germ cell apoptosis after deprivation of gonadotropins and intratesticular testosterone (T). We employed a potent long acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-A), acyline, alone or in combination with an antiandrogen, flutamide for effective induction of germ cell apoptosis in mice. Combined treatment with continuous release of acyline (3 mg/kg BW/day) with flutamide (in the form of sc pellets of 25 mg) resulted in almost the same level of suppression of spermatogenesis, as judged by testis weight and by germ cell apoptotic index, in 2 weeks as that reported for rats after treatment with 1.25 mg/kg BW Nal-Glu GnRH-A for the same time period. Within the study paradigm, the maximum suppression of spermatogenesis occurred after a single sc injection of high (20 mg/kg BW) dose of acyline with flutamide. The combined treatment resulted in complete absence of elongated spermatids. Germ cell counts at stages VII-VIII showed a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the number of preleptotene (27.1%) and pachytene spermatocytes (81.9%), and round spermatids (96.6%) in acyline + flutamide group in comparison with controls. In fact, treatment with a single high (20 mg/kg BW) dose of acyline combined with flutamide in mice achieved same or greater level of suppression, measured by germ cell counts at stages VII-VIII, in two weeks when compared with those reported after daily treatment with Nal-Glu GnRH-A for 4 weeks in rats. Both plasma and testicular T levels were markedly suppressed after administration of acyline alone either by miniosmotic pump or by a single sc injection. Addition of flutamide to acyline had no discernible effect on plasma or intratesticular T levels when compared with acyline alone. These results demonstrate that optimum suppression of spermatogenesis through increased germ cell death is only possible in mice if total abolition of androgen action is achieved and further emphasize the usefulness of acyline + flutamide treated mice as a suitable model system to study hormonal regulation of testicular germ cell apoptosis.

Biological studies of indigenous medicinal plants--I: physicochemical and antimicrobial screening of non-alkaloidal constituents of some solanaceous seeds.

The seeds of Atropa belladonna Datura fastuosa D. stramoniurn and Hyoscyamus niger were investigated for the isolation and anti-microbial activity of non-alkaloidal constituents. The compounds were separated by column chromatography and spectral studies i.e. IR and UV were performed to ascertain their chemical nature. The anti-microbial activity of crude extracts and purified compounds was tested against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and a fungus. All the micro-organisms tested were markedly inhibited, however, the crude extracts as well as the purified compounds isolated from the seeds of A. belladonna and D. fastuosa showed little inhibitory activity.