ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Spinal anaesthesia, the most common form of anaesthesia for caesarean section, leads to sympathetic blockade and profound maternal hypotension resulting in adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Hypotension, nausea and vomiting remain common but until the publication of the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2021 guidance, no national guideline existed on how best to manage maternal hypotension following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. A 2017 international consensus statement recommended prophylactic vasopressor administration to maintain a systolic blood pressure of >90% of an accurate pre-spinal value, and to avoid a drop to <80% of this value. This survey aimed to assess regional adherence to these recommendations, the presence of local guidelines for management of hypotension during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia, and the individual clinician's treatment thresholds for maternal hypotension and tachycardia. METHODS: The West Midlands Trainee-led Research in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Network co-ordinated surveys of obstetric anaesthetic departments and consultant obstetric anaesthetists across 11 National Health Service Trusts in the Midlands, England. RESULTS: One-hundred-and-two consultant obstetric anaesthetists returned the survey and 73% of sites had a policy for vasopressor use; 91% used phenylephrine as the first-line drug but a wide range of recommended delivery methods was noted and target blood pressure was only listed in 50% of policies. Significant variation existed in both vasopressor delivery methods and target blood pressures. CONCLUSIONS: Although NICE has since recommended prophylactic phenylephrine infusion and a target blood pressure, the previous international consensus statement was not adhered to routinely.
Subject(s)
Anesthesia, Obstetrical , Anesthesia, Spinal , Cesarean Section , Hypotension , Vasoconstrictor Agents , Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Adult , Hypotension/etiology , Anesthesia, Spinal/adverse effects , Anesthesia, Obstetrical/adverse effects , United Kingdom , Surveys and Questionnaires , Vasoconstrictor Agents/administration & dosage , Vasoconstrictor Agents/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Background Traumatic brain injury on its own results in significant mortality and morbidity but it also contributes to complications that manifest as dysnatremia in the majority of cases. Objective The objective of this study is to assess the association of hyponatremia and hypernatremia with the severity of traumatic brain injury and its impact on mortality. Method This is a retrospective, descriptive, and analytic study conducted during a 1-year period from March 2018 to March 2019. The study population was selected from the patients presenting to the emergency department with TBI in the Upendra Devkota Memorial National Institute of Neurological and Allied Sciences, Bansbari, Kathmandu, Nepal. All the patients that fulfilled the inclusion criteria of age were enrolled in the study. Patients with known renal disease due to the higher incidence of electrolyte disbalance were excluded. Association of outcome with hyponatremia and hypernatremia were sought using chi-square, fisher exact test and independent t test using SPSS ver 20. Result Over a period of 1 year, 367 patients with traumatic brain injuries were treated in our hospital. Hyponatremia was seen among 55 patients (14.9%) and hypernatremia was seen among 22 patients (5.99%). The age range of patients included in the study was 16 to 87 with a mean age of 37.96 ± 16.512 years. The male to female ratio was calculated as 3.2:1. Mild, moderate, and severe head injuries were 286 (77.9%), 37 (10.1%), and 44 (12%) respectively. Surgical intervention was performed among 77(21%) individuals. Our series showed an association between the severity of traumatic brain injury and hyponatremia however didn't show an association between the severity of traumatic brain injury and the development of hypernatremia. Conclusion We concluded that the severity of head injury is associated with severity of hyponatremia but not with severity of hypernatremia. Similarly, a strong association existed between the severity of hypernatremia and outcome of patients. However, such association was not seen with hyponatremia.
Subject(s)
Brain Injuries, Traumatic , Hypernatremia , Hyponatremia , Humans , Male , Female , Young Adult , Adult , Middle Aged , Hypernatremia/complications , Hypernatremia/epidemiology , Hyponatremia/etiology , Hyponatremia/complications , Retrospective Studies , Morbidity , Brain Injuries, Traumatic/complicationsABSTRACT
A successful pregnancy requires a synchronous dialogue between endometrium and embryo within the endometrial milieu. The aim of this study was to assess the role in the implantation of mediators in the endometrial milieu. Total secretome (TS), soluble secretome (SS) and small extracellular vesicles (containing exosomes) were generated from hormonally primed human endometrial epithelial cell culture medium. Human trophectoderm stem cell-derived spheroids were cultured with TS, SS or exosomes (30 µg/ml) on hormonally primed epithelial cells, with exosomes significantly increasing cell adhesion and outgrowth. Furthermore, F1 mouse 2-cell embryos were cultured in groups for 48 h followed by culture with each secretome fraction (30 µg/ml) for 48 h. Blastocyst cell number and hatching were quantified. In addition, blastocysts were further cultured on a fibronectin matrix for 72 h or transferred to recipient mice (with corresponding secretomes) with embryo implantation assessed after 6 days. Exosomes significantly increased total cell number in mouse embryos and complete hatching from zona pellucida, with both exosomes and SS significantly enhancing mouse embryo outgrowth. Importantly, exosomes increased the embryo implantation rate in comparison to other secretome fractions (normalized based on treatment amount) from the endometrial epithelia. These data indicate that endometrial epithelial exosomes support embryo growth, development and implantation while the SS has selective involvement specifically on mouse embryo outgrowth. This finding provides new insights into the molecular differences of endometrial secretome components in implantation and early embryo development and may implicate endometrial exosomes in the pathophysiology of implantation failure in infertility.
Subject(s)
Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism , Endometrium/metabolism , Exosomes/metabolism , Animals , Blastocyst/metabolism , Embryo Culture Techniques , Embryo Implantation , Female , Humans , Mice , PregnancyABSTRACT
The immunomodulatory properties of human endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (eMSC) have not been well characterised. Initial studies showed that eMSC modulated the chronic inflammatory response to a non-degradable polyamide/gelatin mesh in a xenogeneic rat skin wound repair model, but the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effect of eMSC on the macrophage response to polyamide/gelatin composite mesh in an abdominal subcutaneous wound repair model in C57BL6 immunocompetent and NSG (NOD-Scid-IL2Rgamma null ) immunocompromised mice to determine whether responses differed in the absence of an adaptive immune system and NK cells. mCherry lentivirus-labelled eMSC persisted longer in NSG mice, inducing longer term paracrine effects. Inclusion of eMSC in the mesh reduced inflammatory cytokine (Il-1ß, Tnfα) secretion, and in C57BL6 mice reduced CCR7+ M1 macrophages surrounding the mesh on day 3 and increased M2 macrophage marker mRNA (Arg1, Mrc1, Il10) expression at days 3 and 7. In NSG mice, these effects were delayed and only observed at days 7 and 30 in comparison with controls implanted with mesh alone. These results show that the differences in the immune status in the two animals directly affect the survival of xenogeneic eMSC which leads to differences in the short-term and long-term macrophage responses to implanted meshes.
Subject(s)
Cell Communication , Endometrium/cytology , Immunomodulation , Macrophages/immunology , Macrophages/metabolism , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism , Nylons , Animals , Cytokines/genetics , Cytokines/metabolism , Female , Gene Expression , Genes, Reporter , Immunocompromised Host , Inflammation Mediators/metabolism , Macrophage Activation/immunology , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology , Mice , Nylons/adverse effects , Prostheses and Implants/adverse effects , Transduction, GeneticABSTRACT
Background Hepatitis E virus is a significant public health menace in developing countries and is being reported from newer geographical regions. It is enterically transmitted and causes acute hepatitis. Objective The objective of this study is to correlate the patient details from outbreak of Hepatitis E in 2012 with the water culture done during that period. Method Records of the patients with Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in 2012 were analysed. Their serum samples were tested for Immunoglobulin M (IgM) Hepatitis E virus by rapid immunochormatography (ICT) and further confirmed by Immunoglobulin M Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (IgM ELISA) in National Centre for Disease Control, New Delhi. Water was tested by the Multiple Tube test method using double strength Mc Conkey broth with neutral red and H2 S test method. Result Patients with febrile jaundice (n-62) were screened for Hepatitis E virus and 32 were positive by rapid Immunochromatography test and Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The overall attack rate was 0.03%. Drinking water from ten different localities in Gangtok were tested and 83% of the water were found to be unsatisfactory for drinking during that period. Conclusion Regular testing of water quality and public education and awareness is important to curb such outbreaks in future.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Hepatitis E/epidemiology , Adult , Asian People , Female , Hepatitis Antibodies/blood , Hepatitis E/etiology , Hepatitis E/transmission , Hepatitis E virus/immunology , Hepatitis E virus/pathogenicity , Humans , Immunoglobulin M/blood , Jaundice/etiology , Male , SikkimABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Implantation of scleral fixation intraocular lens for the surgical management of aphakia cases without capsular support is a safe procedure. METHODS: Prospective study was carried out at Lumbini Eye Institute, Bhairahawa. A total of 32 patients underwent scleral fixation intraocular lens implantation within a period of two years from February 2014 to February 2016. RESULTS: The age range was from 15 to 79 years; mean age was 47.56 ± 20.16 SD. Among them 14 (43.75%) were male and 18 (56.25%) were female. The follow-up lasted for 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: SFIOL for the surgical management of aphakia in the absence of capsular support is a safe procedure. The long-term follow-up is needed for an accurate evaluation of outcomes.
Subject(s)
Aphakia/surgery , Lens Implantation, Intraocular , Lenses, Intraocular , Postoperative Complications , Adult , Aged , Aphakia/epidemiology , Aphakia/physiopathology , Female , Humans , Intraocular Pressure , Lens Implantation, Intraocular/adverse effects , Lens Implantation, Intraocular/methods , Lens Implantation, Intraocular/statistics & numerical data , Lenses, Intraocular/adverse effects , Lenses, Intraocular/classification , Male , Middle Aged , Nepal/epidemiology , Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care , Postoperative Complications/diagnosis , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Postoperative Complications/prevention & control , Suture Techniques , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Burns are ranked in the top 15 leading causes of the burden of disease globally, with an estimated 265,000 deaths annually and a significant morbidity from non-fatal burns, the majority located in low and middle-income countries. Given that previous estimates are based on hospital data, the purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of burns at a population level in Nepal, a low income South Asian country. METHODS: A cluster randomized, cross sectional countrywide survey was administered in Nepal using the Surgeons OverSeas Assessment of Surgical Need (SOSAS) from May 25th to June 12th, 2014. Fifteen of the 75 districts of Nepal were randomly chosen proportional to population. In each district, three clusters, two rural and one urban, were randomly selected. The SOSAS survey has two portions: the first collects demographic data about the household's access to healthcare and recent deaths in the household; the second is structured anatomically and designed around a representative spectrum of surgical conditions, including burns. RESULTS: In total, 1350 households were surveyed with 2695 individuals with a response rate of 97%. Fifty-five burns were present in 54 individuals (2.0%, 95% CI 1.5-2.6%), mean age 30.6. The largest proportion of burns was in the age group 25-54 (2.22%), with those aged 0-14 having the second largest proportion (2.08%). The upper extremity was the most common anatomic location affected with 36.4% of burns. Causes of burns included 60.4% due to hot liquid and/or hot objects, and 39.6% due to an open fire or explosion. Eleven individuals with a burn had an unmet surgical need (20%, 95% CI 10.43-32.97%). Barriers to care included facility/personnel not available (8), fear/no trust (1) and no money for healthcare (2). CONCLUSION: Burns in Nepal appear to be primarily a disease of adults due to scalds, rather than the previously held belief that burns occur mainly in children (0-14) and women and are due to open flames. This data suggest that the demographics and etiology of burns at a population level vary significantly from hospital level data. To tackle the burden of burns, interventions from all the public health domains including education, prevention, healthcare capacity and access to care, need to be addressed, particularly at a community level. Increased efforts in all spheres would likely lead to a significant reduction of burn-related death and disability.
Subject(s)
Burns/epidemiology , Developing Countries , Health Services Accessibility , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Educational Status , Employment/statistics & numerical data , Female , Health Expenditures , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Literacy/statistics & numerical data , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Nepal/epidemiology , Odds Ratio , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Prevalence , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Sex Distribution , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Young AdultABSTRACT
Verticillium wilt caused by V. dahliae is a devastating disease of lettuce in California (CA). The disease is currently restricted to a small geographic area in central coastal CA, even though cropping patterns in other coastal lettuce production regions in the state are similar. Infested spinach seed has been implicated in the introduction of V. dahliae into lettuce fields but direct evidence linking this inoculum to wilt epidemics in lettuce is lacking. In this study, 100 commercial spinach fields in four coastal CA counties were surveyed to evaluate the frequency of Verticillium species recovered from spinach seedlings and the area under spinach production in each county was assessed. Regardless of the county, V. isaacii was the most frequently isolated species from spinach followed by V. dahliae and, less frequently, V. klebahnii. The frequency of recovery of Verticillium species was unrelated to the occurrence of Verticillium wilt on lettuce in the four counties but was related to the area under spinach production in individual counties. The transmission of V. dahliae from infested spinach seeds to lettuce was investigated in microplots. Verticillium wilt developed on lettuce following two or three plantings of Verticillium-infested spinach, in independent experiments. The pathogen recovered from the infected lettuce from microplots was confirmed as V. dahliae by polymerase chain reaction assays. In a greenhouse study, transmission of a green fluorescence protein-tagged mutant strain of V. dahliae from spinach to lettuce roots was demonstrated, after two cycles of incorporation of infected spinach residue into the soil. This study presents conclusive evidence that V. dahliae introduced via spinach seed can cause Verticillium wilt in lettuce.
Subject(s)
Lactuca/microbiology , Plant Diseases/microbiology , Spinacia oleracea/microbiology , Verticillium/physiology , California , Crops, Agricultural , DNA, Fungal/genetics , Genes, Reporter , Geography , Lactuca/cytology , Plant Roots/microbiology , Seeds/microbiology , Soil , Soil Microbiology , Spinacia oleracea/cytology , Verticillium/genetics , Verticillium/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
STUDY QUESTION: Are the concentrations of factors secreted by decidual natural killer (dNK) cells from pregnancies at high risk of poor spiral artery remodelling different to those secreted from pregnancies at low risk? SUMMARY ANSWER: Expression levels of PLGF, sIL-2R, endostatin and angiogenin were significantly increased by dNK cells from high-risk pregnancies, and angiogenin and endostatin were found to alter trophoblast function. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: During early pregnancy, maternal uterine spiral arteries are remodelled from small diameter, low-flow, high-resistance vessels into larger diameter, higher flow vessels, with low-resistance. This change is essential for the developing fetus to obtain sufficient oxygen and nutrients. dNK cells have been implicated in this process. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: dNK cells were isolated from first trimester terminations of pregnancies (obtained with local ethical approval) screened for normal- or high-resistance index, indicative of cases least (<1%) and most (>21%) likely to have developed pre-eclampsia had the pregnancy not been terminated (n = 18 each group). Secreted factors and the effects of these on the trophoblast cell line, SGHPL-4, were assessed in vitro. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: A multiplex assay was used to assess dNK cell-secreted factors. SGHPL-4 cell functions were assessed using time-lapse microscopy, 3D invasion assays, endothelial-like tube formation ability and western blot analysis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The expression levels of PLGF (P < 0.01), sIL-2R (P < 0.01), endostatin (P < 0.05) and angiogenin (P < 0.05) were significantly increased by dNK cells from high-risk pregnancies. Endostatin significantly decreased SGHPL-4 invasion (P < 0.05), SGHPL-4 tube formation (P < 0.05) and SGHPL-4 Akt(ser473) phosphorylation (P < 0.05). Angiogenin significantly decreased SGHPL-4 invasion (P < 0.05), but increased SGHPL-4 tube formation (P < 0.01) and decreased SGHPL-4 Akt(ser473) phosphorylation (P < 0.05). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The culture of dNK cells and protein concentrations in vitro may not fully represent the in vivo situation. Although SGHPL-4 cells are extravillous trophoblast derived, further studies would be needed to confirm the roles of angiogenin and endostatin in vivo. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The altered expression of secreted factors of dNK cells may contribute to pregnancy disorders associated with poor spiral artery remodelling. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This study was supported by the Wellcome Trust (project reference 091550). R.F. was a recipient of a PhD studentship from the Division of Biomedical Sciences, St. George's, University of London. The authors have no conflict of interests.
Subject(s)
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents/metabolism , Decidua/metabolism , Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism , Trophoblasts/physiology , Uterine Artery/physiology , Adult , Arterial Pressure , Cell Line , Decidua/blood supply , Decidua/cytology , Endostatins/metabolism , Female , Humans , Killer Cells, Natural/cytology , Placenta Growth Factor , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Proteins/metabolism , Pregnancy Trimester, First , Receptors, Interleukin-2/metabolism , Regional Blood Flow , Ribonuclease, Pancreatic/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Ultrasonography , Uterine Artery/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
Few studies in population biology have documented how structure and diversity of pathogens evolve over time at local scales. With the historical samples of Verticillium dahliae available from lettuce, we investigated the structure and diversity of this pathogen in time and space. Three hundred twenty-nine V. dahliae isolates from lettuce fields collected over 18 years were characterized with polymorphic microsatellite markers and polymerase chain reaction tests for race and mating type. Genetic variation within and among commercial lettuce fields in a single season was also investigated using an additional 146 isolates. Sixty-two haplotypes (HTs) were observed among the 329 isolates. A single HT was frequently observed over multiple years and locations (61.40%). Genetic diversity, allelic richness, and private allelic richness suggested a relatively recent clonal expansion. Race 1 (93.63%) and MAT1-2-1 (99.69%) were overwhelmingly represented among the isolates. Linkage disequilibrium was significant (P < 0.001) for all populations, suggesting limited sexual recombination in the sampled populations from lettuce. Populations from 2006, 2009, and 2010 had higher numbers of unique HTs, implying a recent introduction of novel HTs. We conclude that V. dahliae population from lettuce evaluated in this study is expanding clonally, consistent with an asexually reproducing pathogen, and the movement of clonal genotypes locally occurs over time.
Subject(s)
Genetic Variation , Lactuca/microbiology , Plant Diseases/microbiology , Verticillium/genetics , Alleles , DNA Primers/genetics , DNA, Fungal/genetics , Demography , Genes, Mating Type, Fungal/genetics , Genetics, Population , Genotype , Haplotypes , Linkage Disequilibrium , Microsatellite Repeats/genetics , Species Specificity , Verticillium/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: There are various surgical options for treating fracture of femoral shaft in children. Here we compare the results of close with limited open method of Ender's nails fixation of femoral shaft fractures in children. METHODS: We studied 60 children with femoral shaft fractures in age group 5-15 years. Ender's nail fixation was done by close technique in 40 cases and in 20 cases by limited open technique. RESULTS: The mean operative time was significantly high in limited open group being 64 minutes in comparison to 50 minutes in close group. There was no significant difference between close and limited open groups with respect to time for partial weight bearing and time for full weight bearing. Fracture united sooner in close group as compared to open group. Union was achieved in all patients within a mean of 11 weeks in close group in comparison to 12.4 weeks in open group. According to the Flynn criteria in close group 34 patients had excellent results, 6 had satisfactory and none poor. In limited open group outcome was excellent in 14 patients, satisfactory in 4 patients and 2 had poor result. There was no significant difference in outcome based on Flynn criteria between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Though operative time is more and healing is delayed in Ender's nail fixation by limited open technique, there is no statistical difference in final outcome as per Flynn criteria between close and limited open technique of Ender's nail fixation of femoral shaft fractures in children.
Subject(s)
Bone Nails , Femoral Fractures/surgery , Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods , Adolescent , Age Factors , Child , Child, Preschool , Cohort Studies , Female , Femoral Fractures/diagnosis , Femoral Fractures/etiology , Fracture Healing , Humans , Male , Operative Time , Treatment Outcome , Weight-BearingABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Phacotrabeculectomy is a technique in which glaucoma and cataract surgery performed. METHODS: Prospective study was carried out in the department of glaucoma at Lumbini Eye Institute, Bhairahawa.100 patients who underwent phacotrabeculectomy within a period of two years. Patients were divided into two groups those who received 5FU (n=47) and no antifibrotic agent (n= 53) RESULTS: The age range was from 38 to 80 years; mean age of 62.97±9.14 SD. 55% were male and 45% were female.The postoperative IOP reduction in last follow- up group A was mean=13.08±1.57SD and mean=13.23±1.73SD in group B. This was statically significant with P <0.001. Bleb survival was almost similar in two groups 3.17(78.31%) in group A and 3.20 (78.93%) in group B. 85% visual acuity was improved in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Phacotrabeculectomy and phacotrabeculectomy with inj. 5FU, both were equally effective surgical techniques in terms of visual acuity, IOP control and bleb survival.There was no significant statistical difference vis-à-vis the success of Phacotrabeculectomy using of either these two techniques.
Subject(s)
Antimetabolites/administration & dosage , Cataract Extraction , Cataract/therapy , Fluorouracil/administration & dosage , Glaucoma, Open-Angle/surgery , Trabeculectomy , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cataract/complications , Cataract/diagnosis , Cataract Extraction/methods , Female , Glaucoma, Open-Angle/complications , Glaucoma, Open-Angle/diagnosis , Humans , Injections, Intraocular , Intraocular Pressure , Lens Implantation, Intraocular/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Phacoemulsification/methods , Prospective Studies , Trabeculectomy/methods , Treatment Outcome , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness that is known to be endemic in the South East Asian countries and the Western Pacific region. We here report an outbreak in the tiny Himalayan state of Sikkim. Patients with pyrexia of unknown origin were evaluated. They were screened by Weil-Felix test and the rapid immunochromatographic method. Samples that were positive by either Weil-Felix agglutination test or by rapid immunochromatography were confirmed by IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total 204 samples were screened. Sixty-three patients were confirmed positive among which 42 were male and 21 were female. Effective management and early administration of antibiotics will help prevent the complications and mortality associated with scrub typhus.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Scrub Typhus/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Agglutination Tests , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Child , Child, Preschool , Chromatography, Affinity , Clinical Laboratory Techniques , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin M/blood , Male , Orientia tsutsugamushi/immunology , Scrub Typhus/diagnosis , Scrub Typhus/drug therapy , Sikkim/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
The global population structure and migration patterns of foliar wheat pathogen Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (PTR) were determined using 12 microsatellite loci. Analysis of 439 single-spore isolates of PTR from five continents (18 wheat-producing countries) showed high level of genetic diversity, and moderate to high population differentiation between continents. A high level of gene diversity (H(S)=0.31 to 0.56) was observed within each population. Allelic richness indicated the European and the North American population have a high effective population size. Bayesian analyses showed five clusters where the inferred clusters did not represent geographical populations. Corrected standardized fixation index (G(ST)(â³)) estimates ranged from 0.042 to 0.265 between populations, indicating low to high genetic differentiation exists between populations. We found migration (gene flow) between old world (Europe) and new world (Americas) population; however, little migration was observed among other continents. The European population was the major source of immigrants for the North American, South American, Australian and the Asian populations. Significant (P<0.001) linkage disequilibrium (LD) was detected in the Australian and the South American populations. In contrast, non-significant (P<0.001) LD values were observed in the Asian, European and the North American populations. Overall, our findings demonstrate the population differentiation exits among the global populations and strict quarantine measures should be applied to prevent the accelerated global spread of this pathogen.
Subject(s)
Ascomycota/genetics , Genetic Variation , Microsatellite Repeats/genetics , Alleles , Ascomycota/pathogenicity , Australia , Genotype , Linkage Disequilibrium , Plant Diseases/genetics , Triticum/genetics , Triticum/parasitologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pharmacovigilance is the "science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug related problems". Nepal joined the international pharmacovigilance programme as a full member in 2007. KIST Medical College, Lalitpur, Nepal joined the national programme as a regional centre from mid-July 2008. Currently, the pattern and scope of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in Nepal remains unexplored. AIMS: To observe and analyse the pattern of ADRs at KIST Medical College, Lalitpur, Nepal. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of all ADRs reported to the centre from mid July 2008 to July 2011 was performed. Data was analysed for ADR severity, causality, and preventability. RESULTS: A total of 113 ADR reports were obtained from various clinical departments. The maximum number of reactions was due to antimicrobials, followed by anti-hypertensives and NSAIDs. CONCLUSION: Antimicrobials were the commonest group of drugs causing ADRs and the most commonly seen ADR was maculopapular rash followed by diarrhea and vomiting.
ABSTRACT
Parvo B19 is a single stranded DNA virus, which typically has affinity for erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow and produces a severe form of anemia known as pure red cell aplasia. This condition is particularly worse in immunocompromised individuals. We herein report a young Nepali male who developed severe and persistent anaemia after kidney transplantation while being on immunosuppressive therapy. His bone marrow examination revealed morphological changes of pure red cell aplasia, caused by parvovirus B19. The IgM antibody against the virus was positive and the virus was detected by polymerase chain reaction in the blood. He was managed with intravenous immunoglobulin. He responded well to the treatment and has normal hemoglobin levels three months post treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such case report from Nepal.
Subject(s)
Kidney Transplantation , Parvoviridae Infections/complications , Parvovirus B19, Human , Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure/virology , Adolescent , Bone Marrow/pathology , Humans , Immunocompromised Host , Male , Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure/immunology , Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure/pathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Climate change is becoming huge threat to health especially for those from developing countries. Diarrhea as one of the major diseases linked with changing climate. This study has been carried out to assess the relationship between climatic variables, and malaria and to find out the range of non-climatic factors that can confound the relationship of climate change and human health. METHODS: It is a Retrospective study where data of past ten years relating to climate and disease (diarrhea) variable were analyzed. The study conducted trend analysis based on correlation. The climate related data were obtained from Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. Time Series analysis was also being conducted. RESULTS: The trend of number of yearly cases of diarrhea has been increasing from 1998 to 2001 after which the cases remain constant till 2006.The climate types in Jhapa vary from humid to per-humid based on the moisture index and Mega-thermal based on thermal efficiency. The mean annual temperature is increasing at an average of 0.04 °C/year with maximum temperature increasing faster than the minimum temperature. The annual total rainfall of Jhapa is decreasing at an average rate of -7.1 mm/year. Statistically significant correlation between diarrheal cases occurrence and temperature and rainfall has been observed. However, climate variables were not the significant predictors of diarrheal occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The association among climate variables and diarrheal disease occurrence cannot be neglected which has been showed by this study. Further prospective longitudinal study adjusting influence of non-climatic factors is recommended.
Subject(s)
Climate Change , Diarrhea/epidemiology , Diarrhea/etiology , Humans , Incidence , Nepal/epidemiology , Rain , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Modern medical education and the requirement for lifelong learning place increasing emphasis on self-directed learning. Studies have not been done on readiness for self-directed learning (SDL) among medical students in Nepal. The present study was carried out to (1) measure and compare readiness for SDL among medical students, and (2) note differences in readiness for SDL according to students' personal characteristics at the beginning and end of the first year of the MBBS course for medical students at the KIST Medical College in Nepal. METHODS: The study was done using the Self-directed Learning Readiness Scale. Respondents' agreement with each of forty statements pertinent to self-directed learning readiness using a modified Likert-type scale was noted. The mean total and scores on the subcategories 'self-management', 'desire for learning' and 'self-control' were calculated and compared across subgroups of respondents and in January and August 2010 using appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests (p<0.05). RESULTS: All 100 students participated in January while 90 participated in August. The mean scores varied with certain demographic and background characteristics. The mean total score increased from 152.7 to 157.3 while the self-management score increased significantly from 48.6 to 50.2 from January to August. There were small increases in the mean desire for learning scores from 46.9 to 47.7 and in the self-control scores from 58 to 59 from January to August, but not in other scores. CONCLUSIONS: Self-directed learning scores were lower among these Nepalese students than reported elsewhere in the literature. Total scores and self-management scores improved at the end of the first year, but not scores on desire for learning and self-control.
Subject(s)
Learning , Problem-Based Learning , Programmed Instructions as Topic , Schools, Medical , Self Efficacy , Students, Medical/psychology , Education, Medical, Undergraduate , Female , Humans , Male , Nepal , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Tan spot, caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, is a major foliar disease of wheat worldwide. Host plant resistance is the best strategy to manage this disease. Traditionally, bi-parental mapping populations have been used to identify and map quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting tan spot resistance in wheat. The association mapping (AM) could be an alternative approach to identify QTL based on linkage disequilibrium (LD) within a diverse germplasm set. In this study, we assessed resistance to P. tritici-repentis races 1 and 5 in 567 spring wheat landraces from the USDA-ARS National Small Grains Collection (NSGC). Using 832 diversity array technology (DArT) markers, QTL for resistance to P. tritici-repentis races 1 and 5 were identified. A linear model with principal components suggests that at least seven and three DArT markers were significantly associated with resistance to P. tritici-repentis races 1 and 5, respectively. The DArT markers associated with resistance to race 1 were detected on chromosomes 1D, 2A, 2B, 2D, 4A, 5B, and 7D and explained 1.3-3.1% of the phenotypic variance, while markers associated with resistance to race 5 were distributed on 2D, 6A and 7D, and explained 2.2-5.9% of the phenotypic variance. Some of the genomic regions identified in this study correspond to previously identified loci responsible for resistance to P. tritici-repentis, offering validation for our AM approach. Other regions identified were novel and could possess genes useful for resistance breeding. Some DArT markers associated with resistance to race 1 also were localized in the same regions of wheat chromosomes where QTL for resistance to yellow rust, leaf rust and powdery mildew, have been mapped previously. This study demonstrates that AM can be a useful approach to identify and map novel genomic regions involved in resistance to P. tritici-repentis.