Genetic variations among the isolates of Bipolaris Maydis based on phenotypic and molecular markers

Abstract Maydis leaf blight, caused by Bipolaris maydis, is an important disease of maize crop in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pakistan. Fifteen isolates of the pathogen, collected across KP, were studied for variability based on phenotypic and molecular markers. Significant variability among the isolates was observed when assessed using phenotypic traits such as radial growth, spore concentration, fungicide sensitivity and virulence. The isolates were classified into six culture groups based on colour, texture and margins of the colony. Conidial morphology was also variable. These were either straight or slightly curved and light to dark brown in colour. Fungicide test showed significant variation in the degree of sensitivity against Carbendazim. Isolate Bm8 exhibited maximum radial growth on carbendazim spiked plates. Conversely, isolate Bm15 showed the lowest radial growth. Variations in virulence pattern of the isolates were evident when a susceptible maize variety Azam was inoculated with spores of B. maydis. Genetic variability amongst the isolates was also estimated by RAPD as well as sequencing of ITS region. The RAPD dendrogram grouped all the isolates into two major clusters. Average genetic distance ranged from 0.6% to 100%, indicating a diverse genetic gap among the isolates. Maximum genetic distance was found between isolates Bm9 and Bm10 as well as Bm2 and Bm8. Conversely, isolates Bm13 and Bm15 were at minimum genetic distance. Phylogenetic dendrogram based on sequencing of ITS region grouped all the isolates into a single major cluster. The clusters in both the dendrogram neither correlate to the geographical distribution nor to the morphological characteristics.

Resumo A ferrugem das folhas de maydis, causada por Bipolaris maydis, é uma doença importante da cultura do milho em Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Paquistão. Quinze isolados do patógeno, coletados em KP, foram estudados quanto à variabilidade com base em marcadores fenotípicos e moleculares. Variabilidade significativa entre os isolados foi observada quando avaliada por meio de características fenotípicas, como crescimento radial, concentração de esporos, sensibilidade a fungicida e virulência. Os isolados foram classificados em seis grupos de cultura com base na cor, textura e margens da colônia. A morfologia dos conídios também foi variável. Estes eram retos ou ligeiramente curvos e de cor marrom-claro a escuro. O teste de fungicida mostrou variação significativa no grau de sensibilidade ao carbendazim. O isolado Bm8 exibiu crescimento radial máximo em placas com adição de carbendazim. Por outro lado, o isolado Bm15 apresentou o menor crescimento radial. As variações no padrão de virulência dos isolados foram evidentes quando uma variedade de milho suscetível Azam foi inoculada com esporos de B. maydis. A variabilidade genética entre os isolados também foi estimada por RAPD, bem como sequenciamento da região ITS. O dendrograma RAPD agrupou todos os isolados em dois grupos principais. A distância genética média variou de 0,6% a 100%, indicando uma lacuna genética diversa entre os isolados. A distância genética máxima foi encontrada entre os isolados Bm9 e Bm10 e também entre Bm2 e Bm8. Por outro lado, os isolados Bm13 e Bm15 estavam a uma distância genética mínima. O dendrograma filogenético baseado no sequenciamento da região ITS agrupou todos os isolados em um único aglomerado principal. Os agrupamentos em ambos os dendrogramas não se correlacionam com a distribuição geográfica nem com as características morfológicas.

Environmental surface sampling of SARS-CoV-2 in selected hospitals in Malaysia

@#COVID-19 has spread rapidly worldwide. The role of fomites in facilitating onward transmission is plausible. This study aimed to determine the presence of viable virus and its persistence on the surfaces of fomites in wards treating COVID-19 patients in Malaysia. This study was conducted in two stages. First, environmental sampling was performed on random days in the intensive care unit (ICU) and general wards. Then, in the second stage, samples were collected serially on alternate days for 7 days in two selected general wards. In Stage 1, a total of 104 samples were collected from the surfaces of highly touched and used areas by patients and healthcare workers. Only three samples were tested positive for SARS-COV-2. In Stage 2, three surface samples were detected positive, but no persistence of the virus was observed. However, none of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA was viable through tissue culture. Overall, the environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2 was low in this hospital setting. Hospitals’ strict infection control and the compliance of patients with wearing masks may have played a role in these findings, suggesting adherence to those measures to reduce occupational exposure of COVID-19 in hospital settings.

“ADPKD presenting as congestive cardiac failure secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy” - a case report.

ADPKD presenting as congestive cardiac failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy is rare. ADPKD is an inherited systemic disorder with major renal manifestation and in some cases extrarenal manifestation or combination of both. In this report 45 year male patient presented with complains of dyspnoea, abdominal distension, pain right hypochondriac region. He was hospitalized, examined clinically and advised various bio-chemical and imaging tests. The finding was suggestive of ADPKD with dilated cardiomyopathy with congestive cardiac failure. He was managed with diuretics, ACE inhibitors, digoxin, Moist oxygen inhalation and he responded to the treatment.

Epidemiological profile of cervical lesion on pap smear cytology and histopathological finding in kosi region of Bihar.

With decreasing incidence of cervical pathology in western world due to increasing awareness and screening programme. Contrary to it in India and developing countries cervical lesion, particularly cervical carcinoma is the leading cause of increasing morbidity, mortality and financial burden on society. The present study is an insight into the epidemiological profile of cervical lesion on Pap smear and histopathology finding in Kosi region of Bihar. The study was carried over the period of 2 years 8 months. Total 154 patients were enrolled in this study and were analysed for age, socio-economic status, parity, age at first pregnancy and symptoms using Pap smear with histopathological finding of cervical lesions. Data were analysed of which 79.23% (122) patients were in age groups 21-40 years, 72.08% (111) were from low socio-economic status, and 70.78% (109) were with parity 4 and more. 66.88% (103) patients delivered their first child below 20 years of age. 69.49% (107) patients presented with foul smelling vaginal discharge and pelvic pain. On pap smear and histopathological findings preinvasive (dysplasia, LGSIL, HGSIL) and invasive stage (carcinoma) constituted 26.61% (41) cases. The epidemiological pattern of cervical lesion in kosi region of Bihar is different from other study with presentation in younger age groups, high parity and markedly increased incidence of premalignant and malignant lesion on pap smear and histopathology findings.

Serum Lipid Profile, Serum Magnesium and Fasting Serum Glucose in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Subjects.

Type 2 diabetes is considered as a major health burden due to its rising prevalence and disabling, life threatening complications. Dyslipidemia, often coexisting with T2DM as a feature of insulin resistance, is hypothesized to be linked with altered magnesium homeostasis. This study was designed to evaluate the serum magnesium levels and its influence on serum lipids in type 2 diabetics. Lipid profile, serum magnesium (Mg) and fasting serum glucose (FSG) were measured in 30 newly diagnosed normotensive type 2 diabetic patients chosen as cases (Group II) just before introducing any treatment, and was compared with that of 30 healthy controls (Group I). The serum magnesium was found to be significantly lower (p<0.001) and LDL-c was found to be significantly higher (p<0.01) in cases. The correlation analysis revealed a significant negative association of FSG to serum magnesium (r= -0.720), total cholesterol (r=-0.483) and a positive correlation to HDL-c (r=-0.440). However, serum magnesium showed a significant positive relation only with serum HDL-c (r =0.372, p<0.05). Serum magnesium and lipid fractions showed wide range of variation within the normal reference ranges in the newly diagnosed T2D subjects. Further large scale studies are needed to elucidate the association of serum magnesium with lipid profile changes. Estimation of serum magnesium level may prove useful in T2DM with normal or abnormal lipid levels or in those who are prone to develop dyslipidemia or certain complications associated with dyslipidemia. Key words: Lipid Profile, Type

Efeito hipertensäo e normotensäo do avental branco na liga de hipertensäo do Hospital das Clínicas, FMUSP. Prevalência, características clínicas e demográficas / White-coat hypertension and normotension in the league of hypertension of the Hospital das Clínicas, FMUSP. Prevalence, clinical and demographic characteristics

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of white-coat normortension, white-coat hypertension, and white-coat effect. METHODS: We assessed 670 medical records of patients from the League of Hypertension of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Medical School of the University of Säo Paulo. White-coat hypertension (blood pressure at the medical office: mean of 3 measurements with the oscillometric device ³140 or ³90 mmHg, or both, and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring mean during wakefulness < 135/85) and white-coat normotension (office blood pressure < 140/90 and blood pressure during wakefulness on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring ³ 135/85) were analyzed in 183 patients taking no medication. The white-coat effect (difference between office and ambulatory blood pressure > 20 mmHg for systolic and 10 mmHg for diastolic) was analyzed in 487 patients on treatment, 374 of whom underwent multivariate analysis to identify the variables that better explain the white-coat effect. RESULTS: Prevalence of white-coat normotension was 12 percent, prevalence of white-coat hypertension was 20 percent, and prevalence of the white-coat effect was 27 percent. A significant correlation (p<0.05) was observed between white-coat hypertension and familial history of hypertension, and between the white-coat effect and sex, severity of the office diastolic blood pressure, and thickness of left ventricular posterior wall. CONCLUSION: White-coat hypertension, white-coat normotension, and white-coat effect should be considered in the diagnosis of hypertension