scholarly journals Sex, Age, and Bodyweight as Determinants of Extracellular DNA in the Plasma of Mice: A Cross-Sectional Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (17) ◽  
pp. 4163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ľubica Janovičová ◽  
Barbora Konečná ◽  
Lenka Vokálová ◽  
Lucia Lauková ◽  
Barbora Vlková ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Extracellular Dna ◽  
Dnase Activity ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Fluorometric Method ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cd1 Mice ◽  
Deoxyribonuclease Activity ◽  
Very High

Extracellular DNA (ecDNA) is studied as a possible biomarker, but also as a trigger of the immune responses important for the pathogenesis of several diseases. Extracellular deoxyribonuclease (DNase) activity cleaves ecDNA. The aim of our study was to describe the interindividual variability of ecDNA and DNase activity in the plasma of healthy mice, and to analyze the potential determinants of the variability, including sex, age, and bodyweight. In this experiment, 58 adult CD1 mice (41 females and 31 males) of a variable age (3 to 16 months old) and bodyweight (females 25.7 to 52.1 g, males 24.6 to 49.6 g) were used. The plasma ecDNA was measured using a fluorometric method. The nuclear ecDNA and mitochondrial ecDNA were quantified using real-time PCR. The deoxyribonuclease activity was assessed using the single radial enzyme diffusion method. The coefficient of variance for plasma ecDNA was 139%, and for DNase 48%. Sex differences were not found in the plasma ecDNA (52.7 ± 73.0 ηg/mL), but in the DNase activity (74.5 ± 33.5 K.u./mL for males, and 47.0 ± 15.4 K.u./mL for females). There were no associations between plasma ecDNA and bodyweight or the age of mice. Our study shows that the variability of plasma ecDNA and DNase in adult healthy mice is very high. Sex, age, and bodyweight seem not to be major determinants of ecDNA variability in healthy mice. As ecDNA gains importance in the research of several diseases, it is of importance to understand its production and cleavage. Further studies should, thus, test other potential determinants, taking into account cleavage mechanisms other than DNase.

HIGH PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITON AND WORM INFECTION AMONG VAN KIEU AND PAKOH CHILDREN AGED 12-36 MONTHS IN DAKRONG DISTRICT, QUANG TRI PROVINCE

2012 ◽  
pp. 129-134
Author(s):  
Thi Lan Tran ◽  
Thi Huong Le ◽  
Xuan Ninh Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Infection Status ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Group Recommendation ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Normal Children ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Very High

Objectives: Assess the nutritional status, worm infection status and some related factors among children aged 12-36 months of Dakrong district, Quang Tri province. Subject and method: A cross sectional study was carried out in 2010, in 680 children aged 12-36 months in 4 communes of Dakrong district, Quang Tri province. Results: The malnutrition rate was 55.0% for underweight, 66.5% for stunting and 16.2% for wasting. The prevalence of malnutrition increases by age group. The prevalence of worm infection was 31.6%, the highest prevalence was belong to Ascaris infection (24.6%), followed by Hookworm and Trichuris (6.5% and 6.2%, respectively). The prevalence of worm infection among children under two is very high (27.0%). The prevalence of worm infection was distributed quite equally between the malnutrition children group and normal children group. Recommendation: Early deworming forchildren from 12 months should be considered as important strategy against the malnutrition of children in Dakrong district, Quang Tri province

scholarly journals Influenza vaccination and the risk of COVID-19 infection and severe illness in older adults in the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Huang ◽  
Shu-Wen Lin ◽  
Wang-Huei Sheng ◽  
Chi-Chuan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Health Database

AbstractThe coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic and led to nearly three million deaths globally. As of April 2021, there are still many countries that do not have COVID-19 vaccines. Before the COVID-19 vaccines were developed, some evidence suggested that an influenza vaccine may stimulate nonspecific immune responses that reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection or the severity of COVID-19 illness after infection. This study evaluated the association between influenza vaccination and the risk of COVID-19 infection. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study with data from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020 with the Claims data from Symphony Health database. The study population was adults age 65 years old or older who received influenza vaccination between September 1 and December 31 of 2019. The main outcomes and measures were odds of COVID-19 infection and severe COVID-19 illness after January 15, 2020. We found the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of COVID-19 infection risk between the influenza-vaccination group and no-influenza-vaccination group was 0.76 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.75–0.77). Among COVID-19 patients, the aOR of developing severe COVID-19 illness was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.68–0.76) between the influenza-vaccination group and the no-influenza-vaccination group. When the influenza-vaccination group and the other-vaccination group were compared, the aOR of COVID-19 infection was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.93–0.97), and the aOR of developing a severe COVID-19 illness was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.80–1.13). The influenza vaccine may marginally protect people from COVID-19 infection.

Evaluating the Association Between Artificial Sweetener Intake and Indicators of Stress and Anxiety

2021 ◽  
pp. 0272684X2110221
Author(s):  
Benjamin Miller ◽  
Paul Branscum
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Frequency Questionnaire ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Anxiety Reduction ◽  
Artificial Sweetener ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Frequency ◽  
Very High

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between non-nutritive sweetener (NNS) consumption and stress and anxiety, among a sample of college students. Two-hundred and twenty-seven students from a large mid-western university participated in this cross-sectional study. Students completed an online survey that evaluated NNS using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Stress and anxiety were evaluated using previously validated instruments. Most students reported very low/low/average concern for stress (63.9%), and had low/moderate anxiety (82.3%). Participants experiencing high and very high levels of stress had significantly higher NNS consumption compared to those with a very low and low risk, and concern for stress ( p < .046; d = 0.28). There was no difference however for NNS intake and anxiety. Reduction of artificial sweetener intake may be associated with stress levels among college students. However, more research is needed to examine any causal relationship between artificial sweetener intake and stress.

Deoxyribonuclease activity negative correlates with extracellular DNA in uncomplicated singleton pregnancies in the third trimester

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbora Vlková ◽  
Ľubica Janovičová ◽  
Petra Pšenková ◽  
Lívia Melníková ◽  
Barbora Balažovjechová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Complications ◽  
Extracellular Dna ◽  
Dnase Activity ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
The Third ◽  
Healthy Women ◽  
Mitochondrial Origin ◽  
Singleton Pregnancies

Abstract Objectives It is not clear, which factors affect extracellular DNA (ecDNA) concentrations in healthy women with singleton uncomplicated pregnancies, although deoxyribonucleases (DNases) are hypothesized to be responsible for the cleavage of plasma ecDNA. The aim of this study was to analyze potential determinants of total ecDNA including plasma DNase activity. Methods Plasma samples were collected from 48 healthy women with singleton uncomplicated pregnancies in the third trimester (gestation week 37). DNA was isolated and quantified using fluorometry and real time PCR. DNase activity was assessed using the single radial enzyme-diffusion method. Results Neither ecDNA, nor DNase activity were affected by maternal age or BMI. DNase activity negatively correlated with total plasma ecDNA (r=−0.40, p=0.007). Similar associations were found for ecDNA of nuclear and mitochondrial origin, but not with fetal DNA quantified using Y-targeted PCR in male fetus-bearing pregnancies. Conclusions The role of plasma ecDNA of fetal and maternal origin is studied in the pathogenesis of pregnancy-complications. The results indicate that plasma DNase activity could negatively regulate ecDNA concentrations and should, thus, be analyzed in preeclampsia, preterm birth and other ecDNA-related pregnancy complications.

scholarly journals Urinary tract infections and antibiotic susceptibility among the patients attending B & D hospital of Lalitpur, Nepal

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 47-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yadav Prasad Joshi ◽  
Shreejeet Shrestha ◽  
Russell Kabir ◽  
Anita Thapa ◽  
Parbati Upreti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Tract Infection ◽  
Antibiotic Susceptibility ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Disk Diffusion Method ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tract Infections

Background:Urinary tract infection is the most common bacterial infections in humans and serious health problem in many parts of the world. It has become more complicated in treatment due to different pathogens and increasing resistant to antimicrobial agents. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of urinary tract infection and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of pathogens among the patients attending in B & B hospital Nepal.Materials and Methods:A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted in between April 2010 to March 2011. Urine samples were collected from clinically suspected patients and tested bacteriologically using standard procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed for isolated pathogen using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.Results:Out of 1260 examined specimens 25.24 % were positive and majority 61.64% were females.  The most common pathogens isolated were Escherichia coli (66.67%), Enterococcus (7.55%) and Staphylococcus (6.60 %). The drug resistant among the positive cases were reported. The highest resistant of positive cases was found with Cefexime (87.88%) and Enterococcus with Ampicillin (66.67%) and Staphyllococcus with Cloxacillin (66.67%). The highest susceptibility was for Vancomycin and Ampicillin i.e. 33.33% in each.Conclusion:The findings showed that E. coli isolates were the predominant pathogen and the presence of bacterial isolates with very high resistance to the commonly prescribed drugs. As drug resistance among bacterial pathogens is an evolving process and serious issue. Therefore, routine surveillance and monitoring studies should be conducted to provide physicians knowledge on the updated and most effective empirical treatment of UTIs. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 47-51

scholarly journals Association Between Platelet Count and Mucosal Healing in Japanese Patients With Ulcerative Colitis: Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinya Furukawa ◽  
Sen Yagi ◽  
Kana Shiraishi ◽  
Kenichirou Mori ◽  
Tomoyuki Ninomiya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ulcerative Colitis ◽  
Platelet Count ◽  
Japanese Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mucosal Healing ◽  
Confounding Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factor Α ◽  
Very High ◽  
Necrosis Factor

Abstract Background: Mucosal healing (MH) has been indicated as the therapeutic goal for ulcerative colitis (UC). Platelet count is known as an inflammation evaluation. However, the association between platelet count and MH among patients with UC is still scarce. We therefore assessed this issue among Japanese patients with UC.Methods: The study subjects consisted of 345 Japanese patients with UC. Platelet count was divided into quartiles on the basis of the distribution of all study subjects (low, moderate, high, and very high). Several endoscope specialists were responsible for evaluating MH and partial MH, which was defined as a Mayo endoscopic subscore of 0 and 0-1, respectively. Estimations of crude odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for partial MH and MH in relation to platelet count were performed using logistic regression analysis. Age, sex, CRP, steroid use, and anti-Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) preparation were selected a priori as potential confounding factors.Results: The percentage of partial MH and MH were 63.2 and 26.1%, respectively. Moderate and very high was independently inversely associated with partial MH (moderate: OR 0.40 [95%CI: 0.19-0.810], very high: OR 0.37 [95%CI: 0.17-0.77], p for trend= 0.034). Similarly, moderate, high, and very high were independently inversely associated with MH (moderate: OR 0.37 [95% CI: 0.18-0.73], high: OR 0.41 [95% CI: 0.19-0.83], and very high: OR 0.45 [95% CI: 0.21-0.94], p for trend = 0.033) after adjustment for confounding factors.Conclusions: Among patients with UC, platelet count was independently inversely associated with MH.

scholarly journals Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Production in Uropathogens Isolated from Hospitalized Patients with Chronic Pyelonephritis

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga I Chub ◽  
Aleksandr V Bilchenko ◽  
Igor Khalin
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Chronic Pyelonephritis ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Beta Lactamase ◽  
Disk Diffusion Method ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase ◽  
Extended Spectrum ◽  
Tract Infections

Background : Increased multidrug resistance of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) compromises the efficacy of treatment of urinary tract infections. Objective : The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of ESBL-producing uropathogens from hospitalized patients with chronic pyelonephritis and to identify the presence of genes involved in the resistance. Methods : A cross-sectional study of 105 patients with chronic pyelonephritis, treated in Kharkiv City Clinical Emergency Hospital, Ukraine was carried. Bacterial isolates were collected, antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates was determined by the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method and screening for the presence of blaSHV, blaTEM, blaCTX-M ESBL genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction. Results : 84 (80%) patients had positive urine cultures. Eschеrichia coli wаs the most common microorganism isolated. Among them, 29 (25.2%) were found to be ESBL producers. Out of 53 E. coli isolates, 10 (18.9%), 4 (7.5%) and 6 (11.3%) were identified to carry bla(TEM), bla(SHV) and bla(CTX-M) beta-lactamase genes, respectively. The highest resistance was observed against ampicillin (75.9%), ciprofloxacin (48.3%), levofloxacin (41.4%) and gentamicin (41.4%). Beside this, only meropenem (96.6% susceptibility), nitroxolinum (86.2%) and fosfomycin (72.4%) exhibited a good enough activity against ESBLs-producing urinary strains. Conclusion : Isоlation and detеction of ESBL-prоducing strаins are еssential fоr the sеlection оf the mоst effеctive antibiоtic for the empiric trеatment.

scholarly journals Correlation between Internet addiction, depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate medical students in Azad Kashmir

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arslaan Javaeed ◽  
Maria Bint Zafar ◽  
Madiha Iqbal ◽  
Sanniya Khan Ghauri
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Internet Addiction ◽  
Rank Correlation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Undergraduate Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Creative Commons ◽  
Azad Kashmir ◽  
High Level ◽  
Very High

Objective: To find out the correlation between internet addiction and depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate medical students in Azad Kashmir. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 210 undergraduate medical students (first to the fifth year) was done in Poonch Medical College, Azad Kashmir. The data collection tools were DASS21 questionnaire and Young’s internet addiction questionnaire. Spearman rank correlation test was done to see the correlation between internet addiction and depression, anxiety, and stress. Data were analyzed by SPSS v23 at a 95% confidence interval. Results: A very high prevalence (52.4%) of moderate to extremely severe internet addiction was observed among the respondents. The mild positive correlation between internet addiction and depression was identified (p <0.001) and similar type of correlation was observed between internet addiction and stress (p 0.003). However, anxiety and internet addiction were not significantly correlated. The prevalence of anxiety and depression among the males were higher than the females, whilst the stress level was almost the same across gender. Conclusion: Internet addiction has been found to be associated with various psychiatric diseases. In this study, we also observed such correlation. We have also observed a very high level of internet addiction among medical students. The prevalence of internet addiction may further increase in the coming years as the internet will become more cheap, available and include more high quality psychologically addictive contents. How to cite this:Javaeed A, Zafar MB, Iqbal M, Ghauri SK. Correlation between Internet addiction, depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate medical students in Azad Kashmir. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(2):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.2.169 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Isolation of MRSA from Burn Wound Infected Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-17
Author(s):  
Anika Tasnim ◽  
AKM Shamsuzzaman ◽  
Md Shah Alam ◽  
Jannatul Ferdose ◽  
Fazlay Akbar Khan
Keyword(s):  
Culture Media ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Meca Gene ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Burn Wound ◽  
College Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical College

Background: Patients of burn wound are generally more susceptible to infection due to concurrent status of malnutrition and immunosuppression. Among many bacteria, MRSA has appeared as a challenging pathogen irrespective of effective antibiotic therapy. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to detect the prevalence and antibiogram of MRSA in burn wound infected patients. Methodology: The present cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Microbiology in Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. The samples were collected from Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, for a period of one year. Phenotypic detection of MRSA were done by cefoxitin disc diffusion method and genotype (mecA gene) was detected by PCR which was conducted at Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka among all the S. aureus isolates. Result: A total of 212 wound swabs were subjected to bacteriological culture media for isolation of MRSA and other organisms. As a whole 89.62% samples yielded growth in culture of which Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the predominant pathogen (34.18%). Out of 21 S.aureus isolates, 07(33.33%) were detected as MRSA by cefoxitin resistance and presence of mecA gene. Although over 85% MRSA were resistance to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone, but the present study could not detect any vancomycin resistant MRSA. Conclusion: The high prevalence and decreased sensitivity of MRSA to commonly used antibiotics has been observed in Burn Unit of RMCH. Therefore it is necessary to establish an antimicrobial surveillance system in hospital settings to prevent the spread of MRSA. Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases 2020;7(1):12-17

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