Comparative analysis of leukemia and risk estimation in working age population between provinces of Ecuador / Análisis comparativo de leucemia y estimación del riesgo en la población en edad laboral entre provincias del Ecuador

Leukemia is associated with exposure to radiation, benzene derivatives, and pesticides. Previous research has documented an increase in work-related leukemia in the Latin American Andean region. To date, there are only few studies in Ecuador on the impact of oil exploitation on adjacent indigenous communities. Our study aims to show the impact of leukemia on the working-age population. For the calculation of morbidity and mortality rates, we used hospital discharge and death records from the National Institute of Statistics of Ecuador. These data were collected and adjusted to the corresponding province's population for further analysis. Large differences were observed between provinces in adjusted rates of leukemia mortality and morbidity in the working-age population. The variations in altitude among different areas in Ecuador give the provinces a distinct geographic identity. Likewise, the provinces with the highest morbidity and mortality rankings, such as Azuay, Loja, Imbabura, and Tungurahua, have an average altitude above 2000 meters. As a result, there are variations in the average temperature, exposure to solar and cosmic radiation, and mining and farming methods. The observed differences warrant the future collection of geolocation data for affected individuals. This could help to better understand how leukemia cases have demogrpahic hotspots in the country, identify possible risk factors associated with the disease in each region, and design more effective prevention and control strategies.

La leucemia es una enfermedad a consecuencia, además de factores genéticos, de la exposición a radiaciones, derivados del benceno y pesticidas. Investigaciones anteriores han documentado un aumento de la leucemia ocupacional en la región andina de América Latina. Hasta la fecha, existen sólo unos pocos estudios en Ecuador sobre el impacto de la explotación petrolera en las comunidades indígenas. Nuestro objetivo es mostrar el impacto de la leucemia en la población en edad de trabajar. Para el cálculo de las tasas de morbimortalidad se utilizaron los registros de altas hospitalarias y defunciones del Instituto Nacional de Estadística del Ecuador. Estos datos fueron recopilados y estimadas las tasas ajustadas. Se observaron grandes diferencias entre provincias en las tasas ajustadas de mortalidad y morbilidad por leucemia en la población en edad de trabajar. Asimismo, las provincias con mayor ranking de morbilidad y mortalidad, como Azuay, Loja, Imbabura y Tungurahua, coinciden en tener una altitud promedio superior a los 2000 metros. Hay provincias de baja altitud en la costa y provincias por encima de los 2000 metros en la sierra, lo que le da a las provincias del Ecuador una identidad geográfica distintiva. Como resultado, existen variaciones en la temperatura promedio, la exposición a la radiación solar y cósmica, y actividades de minería y agricultura. Las diferencias observadas, recomiendan la recopilación futura de datos de geolocalización de las personas afectadas. Esto podría ayudarnos a comprender mejor cómo se distribuyen los casos de leucemia, identificar posibles factores de riesgo asociados a la enfermedad en cada región y diseñar estrategias de prevención y control más efectivas.

Analysis of socio-economic factors influencing caesarean section rates in Maharashtra, India

Background: The aim of the present study is to investigate the socio-demographic and economic determinants of caesarean (C-) section deliveries in Maharashtra. The paper also focuses to estimate inequalities in C-section deliveries in the state.Methods: The fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2019-21 was used to accomplish the objective. Univariate, bivariate and logistic regression were used to ascertain the determinants of C-section.Results: The prevalence of C-section delivery in India rose from 2.9% during 1992-93 to 10.6% in 2005-06 and to 21.5% during 2019-21. The proportion of C-section delivery in Maharashtra during 2019-21 is observed to be 25.4%, with 18.3% of the deliveries occurring at public health facility, while 38.9% of the deliveries takes place in private health care settings. Women residing in urban areas, belonging to richer wealth asset index and having higher educational qualification are found to have greater chance of caesarean deliveries.Conclusions: The study reveals that C-sections have increased dramatically in Maharashtra over the previous three decades. The hospital administration is encouraged to take effective actions to reduce the likelihood of needless C-sections while retaining medical justification for C-section births.

Treatment of Polymorphic Light Eruption Using Resolving Toxins and Tranquilizing Collaterals Method / 中医杂志

Collateral vessels in cutaneous regions are the channel of qi， blood and body fluids transmission among the skin and striae and interstices， and is also the path of pathogens invasion. It is believed that the key pathogenesis of polymorphic light eruption （PLE） was toxins damaging to the skin， in which the cutaneous collaterals fail to nourish， insecurity of the muscle surface as the basis of disease， the pathogens offending qi collaterals and heat constraint to toxins as the driving factors， gradually affecting fluid collaterals and dryness-dampness coexist as the middle link， and latent pathogens in blood level and waiting for the opportunity to onset as the final stage. It is proposed that the basic treatment is to resolve toxins and tranquilize collaterals， and the internal and external treatments are combined together. The internal treatment is to resolve toxins， strengthen collaterals， and assist in unblocking the collaterals， and the modified self-prescribed Wuteng Decoction （五藤饮） plus Yigong Powder （异功散） were selected as the basic formulas， which promotes the discharge of toxin pathogens and strengthens the power of the cutaneous collaterals to protect against pathogens. For external treatment， according to the performance of skin lesions， scraping， tapping with medicinal solution， ointment were selected to drive away pathogens and resolve toxins， and soothe the cutaneous collaterals. In the early stage， the skin temperature rose with itching， tingling and no rash， scraping with the self-prescribed Yinhuangcao Clearing Oil （银黄草清解油） could be used to activate blood and regulate qi， relieve heat and resolve toxins； if the lesions showed erythema， pimples， itching， tapping with the self-prescribed Qian'ai Xunxi Formula （千艾熏洗方） could be used to diffuse qi and fluid， unblock the collaterals and clean toxins； if the skin lesions thickened with scales， the self-prescribed Yufu Ointment （愈肤膏） for external application could be used to resolve toxins and activate collaterals， moisten skin and heal up sore.

Setup error analysis of image registration using various regions of interest after individualized nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy immobilization / 中国医学物理学杂志

Objective To explore the effects of image registration using various regions of interest(ROI)on the setup error for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)patients who were immobilized individually.Methods Forty-three NPC patients who required radiotherapy were enrolled.The patients were immobilized with customized plastic foam and thermoplastic mask,and CBCT verification was performed once a week.In CBCT images,ROI was divided into the whole ROI(ROIPTV)and 7 local ROI containing different cervical structures(ROIsphenoid sinus,ROIatlantoaxial,ROIneck3,ROIneck4,ROIneck5,ROIneck6,and ROIneck7),which were then used for registrations with localized CT image.The setup errors in superior-inferior(SI),left-right(LR),anterior-posterior(AP),Pitch,Roll,and Yaw directions were recorded.Results In SI direction,the setup errors within 0.3 cm accounted for 89.74%for ROIneck7,and more than 90%for the other ROI.The proportion of setup errors within 0.3 cm gradually increased with the neck upward in LR direction,and they were 76.78%,81.70%,85.26%,and above 90%for ROIneck7,ROIneck6,ROIneck5,and the other ROI,respectively.In AP direction,the proportions of setup errors within 0.3 cm were less than 90%,except for ROIatlantoaxial and ROIneck3.The setup errors of ROIsphenoid sinus,ROIatlantoaxial,ROIneck3,and ROIneck4 were significantly positively correlated with ROIPTV in SI direction,and the correlation coefficients(R)were 0.94,0.95,0.90,and 0.83,respectively.In LR direction,there were positive correlations between the setup errors of ROIatlantoaxial and ROIsphenoid sinus(R=0.95),ROIneck3 and ROIsphenoid sinus(R=0.91),ROIPTV and ROIneck3(R=0.91).The setup errors of ROIPTV in AP direction were positively correlated with ROIatlantoaxial vertebrae and ROIneck3(R=0.88,0.90).The margins of all ROIs ranged from 0.38 cm to 1.01 cm.The extension of ROIneck6 and ROIneck7 in AP direction exceeded 0.9 cm,and the extension of ROIneck7 reached 0.95 cm in SI direction.Conclusion ROIPTV and ROIsphenoid sinus,ROIatlantoaxial,ROIneck3 are significantly correlated in SI,LR,and AP directions.The setup error of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients gradually increases with the neck down.The nasopharyngeal and cervical regions need to be expanded in segments when patients are immobilized individually.

Gestão regional no enfrentamento à pandemia da Covid-19: estudo de casos em São Paulo / Regional management in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic: case study in São Paulo

RESUMO Ao final do ano de 2019 o mundo foi surpreendido pela Covid-19, que chegou ao Brasil no início de 2020, fazendo com que o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) adotasse estratégias imediatas para atender as necessidades de saúde da população, colocando em evidência todos os obstáculos que o sistema de saúde vinha enfrentando nos últimos anos. O estado de São Paulo não foi diferente do restante do País em relação ao enfrentamento. Este estudo objetivou identificar as principais estratégias adotadas em 5 regiões de saúde de São Paulo, com foco na gestão regional, analisando os processos e práticas adotados para o enfrentamento à pandemia da Covid-19. Tratou-se de um estudo qualitativo, realizado através de estudo de casos múltiplos, com abordagem exploratória, a partir de pesquisa de campo e realização de oficinas regionais. As regiões de saúde deste estudo puderam comprovar a importância da intersetorialidade nas ações de saúde como um todo. Notou-se o grande papel dos municípios nestas ações e a união destes, fortalecendo o papel da regionalização e ampliando a importância da governança em saúde. Ademais, as regiões de saúde saíram fortalecidas porque exerceram seu papel de liderança e organizaram ações junto aos municípios.

ABSTRACT At the end of 2019 the world was surprised by COVID-19, which arrived in Brazil at the beginning of 2020, causing the Unified Health System (SUS) to adopt immediate strategies to meet health needs, as well as putting in check all the obstacles that the health system has been facing in recent years. In the state of São Paulo it was not different from the rest of the country in relation to the confrontation. This study aimed to identify the main strategies adopted in 5 health regions of São Paulo, focusing on regional management, analyzing the processes and practices adopted to face the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a qualitative study, carried out through a multiple case study, with an exploratory approach, based on field research and regional workshops. In this study, the health regions were able to prove the importance of intersectoral actions in the health system. It was noted the great role of municipalities in these actions and their union, strengthening the role of regionalization and expanding the importance of governance in health. In addition, the health regions were strengthened because they exercised their leadership role and organized actions with the municipalities.

Diferencias e influencia en la Conducta Adaptativa por las regiones colombianas

La presente investigación tuvo por objetivo describir las diferencias e influencia de las regiones colombianas en las Habilidades Adaptativas Específicas y Dominios de la Conducta Adaptativa en niños colombianos entre 0-15 años, sin alteraciones en el neurodesarrollo y sin etiología de daño cerebral. Participaron padres y profesores de 2081 niños, divididos por 4 regiones geográficas: Andina, Caribe, Orinoquía y Pacífico. Se aplicó el cuestionario de conducta adaptativa ABAS-II en sus versiones Infantil padres a los padres de niños de 0 a 1,11 años, y las versiones escolar padres y escolar profesores a los padres y profesores de niños de 2 a 15 años. Los resultados indicaron que existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los menores de las diferentes regiones, siendo los resultados más altos los de la región Pacífico y los más bajos los de la región Orinoquía. Con estos resultados se considera que es importante tener en cuenta los aspectos culturales, sociales, ambientales e históricos de cada región del país para la evaluación de su conducta adaptativa, entendiendo que estas diferencias no marcan o indican mayor susceptibilidad a patología, sino variaciones culturales dentro de los términos considerados como lo esperado.

The present research aimed to describe the differences and influence of Colombia geographic regions on Specific Adaptive Skills and Domains of Adaptive Behavior in Colombian children between 0-15 years of age without neurodevelopmental alterations and without etiology of cerebral disease. 2081 Colombian children´s parents and teachers participated, divided into 4 regions: Andean, Caribbean, Orinoquía and Pacific. The ABAS-II questionnaire was applied the chindren´s parent version to parents of children from 0 to 1,11 years and the school parents`and school teachers` versions to parents and teachers of children from 2 to 15 years of age. The results indicated that there are statistically significance differences between the children of the different regions, the highest results being those of the Pacific region and the lowest those of the Orinoquía region. It is considered with the results that it is important to take into account the cultural, social, environmental and historical aspects of each region of the country for the evaluation of their adaptive behavior; these differences do not mark or indicate greater susceptibility to pathology, but rather cultural variations within of the terms considered as the expected.

A retrospective observational study on changes in macular thickness with age in normal population using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the changes in macular thickness with age, by SD-OCT and to estimate the inner and outer retinal layer thickness of outer and inner macula based on different zones and to assess their relationship with age. Methods: A retrospective observational study of 50 subjects with age ranging from 21 to 60 years was studied with SD-OCT (10 mm scan). The study was done in the month of April 2021 at Department of Ophthalmology, Sree Gokulam Medical College and Research Foundation. Results: Total macular thickness ranged from 180 to 225 micrometer with no significant change with age. It was found that the thickness of inner retinal layer showed a significant decrease with age in 72% of subjects (p<0.05) and changes in outer layer was not significant. The inner retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in all quadrants was more than outer retinal layer thickness. The nerve fibre layer thickness of outer macula was more than the inner macula followed by the fovea. The RNFL was thickest at the inferior quadrant and thinnest at the temporal quadrants, followed by the nasal quadrant and the superior quadrant. Conclusions: The total macular layer thickness didn’t show any significant change with age. It was found that the inner retinal layer thickness showed a significant decrease with age but outer retinal layer didn’t. This information can be used for clinical studies evaluating the association between macular thickness and various retinal diseases.

A retrospective observational study on changes in macular thickness with age in normal population using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the changes in macular thickness with age, by SD-OCT and to estimate the inner and outer retinal layer thickness of outer and inner macula based on different zones and to assess their relationship with age. Methods: A retrospective observational study of 50 subjects with age ranging from 21 to 60 years was studied with SD-OCT (10 mm scan). The study was done in the month of April 2021 at Department of Ophthalmology, Sree Gokulam Medical College and Research Foundation. Results: Total macular thickness ranged from 180 to 225 micrometer with no significant change with age. It was found that the thickness of inner retinal layer showed a significant decrease with age in 72% of subjects (p<0.05) and changes in outer layer was not significant. The inner retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in all quadrants was more than outer retinal layer thickness. The nerve fibre layer thickness of outer macula was more than the inner macula followed by the fovea. The RNFL was thickest at the inferior quadrant and thinnest at the temporal quadrants, followed by the nasal quadrant and the superior quadrant. Conclusions: The total macular layer thickness didn’t show any significant change with age. It was found that the inner retinal layer thickness showed a significant decrease with age but outer retinal layer didn’t. This information can be used for clinical studies evaluating the association between macular thickness and various retinal diseases.

The challenges faced after a major trauma at an expedition ship at a remote area. Report of one Case / Desafíos enfrentados después de un trauma mayor en un barco de expedición en un área remota. Informe de un caso

The challenges of practicing medicine in small ships on remote sites involve limited resources, lack of specialized support, and longer interactions with a patient in an isolated environment. This report describes the successful management of a patient who suffered a major injury after fell from the stairs in an expedition ship in the Southern Ocean in the Antarctic route. The patient was managed by the onboard physician for four days until the medical evacuation was possible.

Los desafíos de practicar la medicina en barcos pequeños en sitios remotos implican recursos limitados, falta de apoyo especializado e interacciones más prolongadas con el paciente en un entorno aislado. Este manuscrito describe el manejo exitoso de un paciente quien sufrió un trauma mayor producto de una caída en un barco de expedición en el Océano Austral en la ruta Antártica. El paciente fue manejado por el médico de a bordo durante cuatro días hasta que fue posible realizar la evacuación médica.

Clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in oral and maxillofacial regions: An analysis of 369 cases / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and factors influencing the prognosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in oral and maxillofacial regions.@*METHODS@#Clinicopathological data of 369 patients with oral and maxillofacial NHL initially diagnosed in Peking University Hospital of Stomatology from 2008 to 2020 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.@*RESULTS@#There were 180 males and 189 females. The median age of the patients was 56 years (3 months to 92 years), and the median duration was three months. Clinically, 283 cases manifested as mass, 38 cases as ulcerative necrotizing lesions, and 48 cases as diffuse soft tissue swelling. The lesions of 90 cases located in face and neck (75 cases neck, 20.3%), 99 cases were of major salivary glands (79 cases parotid glands, 20.9%), 103 cases of oral cavity, 50 cases of maxillofacial bones, 20 cases of Waldeyer's ring, and 7 cases of infratemporal fossa. In the study, 247 of the 369 patients had cervical lymphadenopathy, only 40 cases had B symptoms, and 23 cases had the bulky disease. Of the 369 NHLs, 299 (81%) were B-cell NHL, and 70(19%) were T-cell NHL. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, follicular lymphoma, and extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma nasal type were the most common pathological subtypes. According to Ann Arbor staging, 87, 138, 106, and 38 cases were classified as staged Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, respectively. The me-dian follow-up time was 48 months, 164 patients died during the follow-up period. The overall survival rates for one year, two years, and five years were 90.1%, 82.4%, and 59.9%, respectively, and the median survival was (86.00±7.98) months. Multivariate analysis showed that age (P < 0.001), Ann Arbor staging (P < 0.001), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (P=0.014), and pathological subtype (P=0.049) were the independent factors influencing the overall survival rate of NHL patients.@*CONCLUSION@#Oral and maxillofacial NHL has unique clinical characteristics and distribution patterns of pathological subtypes. Fewer patients had systemic symptoms. Neck and parotid glands were the most common sites invaded by NHL. Advanced age, Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ, B symptoms, and T-cell NHL may predict a poor prognosis in oral and maxillofacial NHL patients.

Analysis on the characteristics of rural blood donation population in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To explore the status and characteristics of voluntary blood donors in rural areas of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (referred as Dali), and to provide basis for scientific and effective voluntary blood donation in rural population in regions inhabited by ethnic groups. 【Methods】 The data of rural blood donors who donated blood in Dali from 2010 to 2019 were collected, including demographic data as nationality, gender, age, educational background, as well as the blood donation frequency and blood infection screening (index) results. The above data of urban blood donors who donated blood in Dali during the same period were selected to investigate the increasing trend of blood donation rate. SPSS26.0 was used for statistical analysis of the collected data of rural and urban blood donation population. 【Results】 From 2010 to 2019,the number of blood donors in Dali increased from 13 949 to 19 479,with an increasing rate of 39.64%. The number of rural blood donors increased from 2 623 to 8 727,among which the number of ethnic minority groups increased from 1 779 to 5 059.The ratio of male to female blood donors was 70.30% (1 844/2 623) vs 29.70% (779/2 623) in 2010,56.37% (4 919/8 727) vs 43.63%(3 808/8 727) in 2019. Those with educational level of junior middle school or below were the most, accounted for 43.97%(38 443/85 836),with ethnic donors of 24.47%(23 583/85 836). The proportion of donors aged between 36 and 45 was the highest[40.73% (30 477/74 827) ], with ethnic donors of [28.56% (21 374/74 827), and the proportion of repeated blood donors was 54.87%(35 279/64 299),with ethnic donors of 49.89%(18 080/36 240) [the proportion of repeated blood donors in urban donors in the same period was 48.13% (55 677/115 675) ] (P0.05). 【Conclusion】 It is of great significance to explore the characteristics of blood donors in rural areas (especially regions inhabited by ethnic groups) and the reasons for disqualification, in order to scientifically carry out the recruitment of voluntary blood donors and further promote blood donation for rural residents

Protective effects of three kinds of borneol on different brain regions in acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model rats / 中国中药杂志

This study compared the ameliorating effects of L-borneol, natural borneol, and synthetic borneol on the injury of different brain regions in the rat model of acute phase of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) for the first time, which provides a reference for guiding the rational application of borneol in the early treatment of ischemic stroke and has important academic and application values. Healthy specific pathogen-free(SPF)-grade SD male rats were randomly assigned into 13 groups: a sham-operation group, a model group, a Tween model group, a positive drug(nimodipine) group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose(0.2, 0.1, and 0.05 g·kg~(-1), respectively) groups of L-borneol, natural borneol, and synthetic borneol according to body weight. After 3 days of pre-administration, the rat model of I/R was established by suture-occluded method and confirmed by laser speckle imaging. The corresponding agents in different groups were then administered for 1 day. The body temperature was monitored regularly before pre-administration, days 1, 2, and 3 of pre-administration, 2 h after model awakening, and 1 d after model establishment. Neurological function was evaluated based on Zea-Longa score and modified neurological severity score(mNSS) 2 h and next day after awakening. The rats were anesthetized 30 min after the last administration, and blood was collected from the abdominal aorta. Enzyme-linked immunoassay assay(ELISA) was employed to determine the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6), IL-4, and transforming growth factor-beta1(TGF-β1). The brain tissues were stained with triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC) for the calculation of cerebral infarction rate, and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used for observing and semi-quantitatively evaluating the pathological damage in different brain regions. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1(IBA1) in microglia. q-PCR was carried out to determine the mRNA levels of iNOS and arginase 1(Arg1), markers of polarization phenotype M1 and M2 in microglia. Compared with the sham-operation group, the model group and the Tween model group showed significantly elevated body temperature, Zea-Longa score, mNSS, and cerebral infarction rate, severely damaged cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, increased serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, and decreased serum levels of IL-4 and TGF-β1. The three borneol products had a tendency to reduce the body temperature of rats 1 day after modeling. Synthetic borneol at the doses of 0.2 and 0.05 g·kg~(-1), as well as L-borneol of 0.1 g·kg~(-1), significantly reduced Zea-Longa score and mNSS. The three borneol products at the dose of 0.2 g·kg~(-1) significantly reduced the cerebral infarction rate. L-borneol at the doses of 0.2 and 0.1 g·kg~(-1) and natural borneol at the dose of 0.1 g·kg~(-1) significantly reduced the pathological damage of the cortex. L-borneol and natural borneol at the dose of 0.1 g·kg~(-1) attenuated the pathological damage of hippocampus, and 0.2 g·kg~(-1) L-borneol attenuated the damage of striatum. The 0.2 g·kg~(-1) L-borneol and the three doses of natural borneol and synthetic borneol significantly reduced the serum level of TNF-α, and the 0.1 g·kg~(-1) synthetic borneol reduced the level of IL-6. L-borneol and synthetic borneol at the dose of 0.2 g·kg~(-1) significantly inhibited the activation of cortical microglia, and 0.2 g·kg~(-1) L-borneol up-regulated the expression of Arg1 and down-regulated the expression level of iNOS. In conclusion, the three borneol products may alleviate inflammation to ameliorate the pathological damage of brain regions of rats in the acute phase of I/R by inhibiting the activation of microglia and promoting the polarization of microglia from M1 type to M2 type. The protective effect on brain followed a trend of L-borneol > synthetic borneol > natural borneol. We suggest L-borneol the first choice for the treatment of I/R in the acute phase.

Analysis of Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region and D1/D2 domain coupled with Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) reveal the inter- and intraspecific relationships of Diutina rugosa and Diutina mesorugosa isolated from Malaysian patients

Aims@#This study was aimed to characterise nine clinical isolates in our culture collection that were categorized as Diutina species based on their molecular genetic profiles. D. rugosa is a species complex comprising four taxa., i.e., D. rugosa sensu stricto, D. pseudorugosa, D. neorugosa and D. mesorugosa. The most commonly used phenotypic identification methods for yeasts often lead to the misidentification of this species complex. @*Methodology and results@#The Diutina isolates were received from two local referral hospitals as pure cultures. Species confirmation was performed using conventional phenotypic methods; CHROMagar and RapID Yeast Plus Kit. To study the inter- and intraspecific relationships among the clinical isolates, ITS region, D1/D2 domain and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses were performed. The results were further validated using the housekeeping gene sequence similarity technique coupled with pairwise sequence alignment. The results from phenotypic methods results were ambiguous and inconclusive. The sequence analyses of ITS regions and D1/D2 domains revealed that the samples consisted of three yeast species; D. rugosa complex: D. rugosa (n=1), D. mesorugosa (n=6), Candida pararugosa (n=1) and Meyerozyma guilliermondii (n=1). The RAPD analysis with random primers, OPG4, OPG11 and OPA18, demonstrated good banding patterns that could distinguish between the Diutina isolates. The pairwise sequence alignment revealed that the Diutina isolates were genetically similar to D. rugosa ATCC 10571.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#The molecular methods, D1/D2 domain, ITS1 and ITS4 region, and RAPD analyses have proven helpful for accurately identifying the yeasts, especially closely related species; D. rugosa and D. mesorugosa.

Preliminary study on the distribution of T cell receptor β chain in patients with Takayasu arteritis / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the diversity of T cell receptor repertoire in patients with Takayasu arteritis and analyze the side chain gene expression and distribution pattern of V、J gene rearrangement of T cell receptors.Methods:The peripheral blood samples of 8 patients with Takayasu arteritis and 4 healthy controls were collected. After constructing the library, high-throughput sequencing was performed with Illumina hiseq X10 sequencer. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to obtain the sequences and compared with the reference sequences. the frequency information of V/D/J genes, and extraction of CDR region sequenceswere compared. The diversity of the TCR repertoire was also evaluated, and the comparative analysis and cluster analysis between groups and within samples were carried out. The data were analyzed by R language statistical software. Comparisons between two groups were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. Results:There was no significant difference in D50 index and Shannon entropy of chain CDR3 between Takayasu arteritis group and healthy control group. There was no significant difference in high-frequency cloning between the two groups. However, a total of 21 gene rearrangement fragments were different between the two groups. The expression of 14 V/J gene rearrangement fragments such as TRBV15-TRBJ2-3 [0.31 (0.27, 0.70) ], TRBV26-TRBJ2-6[0.30 (0.23, 0.57) ], TRBV28-TRBJ1-4[179 (139, 412) ], TRBV28-TRBJ1-6[362 (253, 419) ] in the patient group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( Z score were 2.65, 2.08, 2.27, 2.27, 2.27, 2.08, 2.65, 2.08, 2.27, 2.27, 2.08, 2.08, 2.46 and 2.22 respectively, P<0.05). The expression of seven V/J gene rearrangement fragments such as TRBV10-1-TRBJ1-2 [7.49 (4.9, 12.1) ],TRBV29-1-TRBJ2-2[10.5 (4.0, 12.8) ], TRBV-4-2-TRBJ2-6 [3.31 (1.8, 5.8) ] in the patients with Takayasu arteritis group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( Z score were -2.08, -2.27, -2.08, -2.08, -2.27, -2.08 and -2.29, P<0.05). Conclusion:Although there is no significant decrease in the diversity of peripheral blood TCR repertoire in patients with Takayasu arteritis, there are differences in the expression of chain V and J genes of TCR genes, and there is unique V/J rearrangement clones.

A survey of Stomoxys Geoffroy, 1762 (Diptera: Muscidae) in eight administrative regions of Cameroon

ABSTRACT Stomoxys Geoffroy, 1762 are major livestock pests in the tropics and are common in diverse habitats. This study aims to conduct a survey on the Stomoxys fauna of Cameroon. From 2015 to 2017, entomological studies using standard traps (n=204) were conducted in eight administrative regions found in five agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Cameroon with 606 trap-points over 22,032 traps days. A total of 77,804 Stomoxys specimens were collected, with eight taxa consisting of six species (S. calcitrans (Linnaeus, 1758), S. omega Newstead, Dutton & Todd, 1907, S. xanthomelas Roubaud, 1937, S. inornatus Grunberg, 1906, S. transvittatus Villeneuve, 1916, and S. sitiens (Rondani, 1873)) and two subspecies (Stomoxys niger niger Macquart, 1851 and S. niger bilineatus Grunberg, 1906) identified. Among all the recorded taxa, S. calcitrans and S. n. niger were present in five and seven of the eight regions respectively, but S. sitiens was rare and only found in the North. Furthermore, the highest species number (seven out of eight) was recorded in the Guinee savanna of the Adamawa region. The highest apparent density range of 101 to 200 Stomoxys/ trap/ day (s/t/d) was recorded in the Sudan savanna AEZ of the Far North region. Stomoxys occurred in all the AEZs in eight regions, some of which are major cattle rearing regions. This represents risk for the mechanically transmission of dangerous pathogens in those regions.

Maternal A90V mutation in the PreS1 gene of sub-genotype C2 hepatitis B virus is associated with intrauterine transmission

ABSTRACT PreS/S gene mutations could impact virus secretion, infection and immune evasion. However, the relationship between PreS/S mutations and intrauterine transmission has not yet been clarified. Thus, we aimed to explore the associations between PreS/S gene mutations of HBV isolated from mothers and intrauterine transmission. We analyzed the mutations of PreS/S regions of the HBV genome in mothers with HBV DNA levels ≥ 106 IU/mL whose neonates experienced HBV intrauterine transmission (transmission group, GT) and those whose neonates did not experience intrauterine transmission (control group, GC) analyzed using clone-based sequencing. In total, 206 sequences were successfully amplified, including 98 sequences (from 21 mothers) from GT and 108 sequences (from 20 mothers) from GC of genotype C for mutational analysis. Among the 1203 nucleotides of PreS/S regions, there were 219 (18.20%) base substitutions, of which 103 (47.03%) base mutations caused amino acid changes. F80S, A90V and I68T were mutation hotspots. Mothers in GT had a higher mutation rate of A90V in the PreS1 gene than mothers in GC. The A90V mutation increased the risk of HBV intrauterine transmission after adjusting the maternal age and the mode of delivery (OR = 6.23, 95% CI: 1.18-32.97). Moreover, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for intrauterine transmission due to A90V and a combination of A90V with the mode of delivery were 0.723 (95% CI: 0.575 to 0.891, P = 0.011) and 0.848 (95% CI: 0.723 to 0.972, P < 0.001), respectively. Mothers with the A90V mutation in the PreS1 gene may be a potential risk factor for HBV intrauterine transmission.

Impacto indirecto de COVID-19 en las tasas de incidencia de enfermedades transmitidas por vector en México / Indirect impact of COVID-19 on the incidence rates of vector-borne diseases in Mexico

Resumen Introducción: La distribución espacial y temporal de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 sobrepasa las áreas endémicas de enfermedades transmitidas por vector (ETV), cuya vigilancia en México ha cambiado sustancialmente a partir del primer caso confirmado de COVID-19. Objetivos: Estimar y comparar las tasas de incidencia de las ETV antes y después de la introducción del SARS-CoV-2 en México. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de casos de ETV de 2014 a 2021. Las tasas de incidencia de cada ETV en el periodo previo (2014-2019) y posterior (2020-2021) a la introducción del SARS-CoV-2 en México fueron calculadas y comparadas. Resultados: Antes de la introducción del SARS-CoV-2, las tasas de incidencia de las ETV fueron altas y posterior a la introducción del coronavirus hubo un descenso en los índices epidemiológicos; sin embargo, solo se identificó diferencia estadística significativa en la tasa de incidencia de la malaria (p ≤ 0.05) y otras rickettsias (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusiones: Algunas medidas para reducir los casos de COVID-19, como el distanciamiento social, el confinamiento domiciliario, la reducción en el aforo en el transporte público y el trabajo en casa, probablemente contribuyeron a disminuir temporalmente el número de casos de las ETV; sin embargo, puede haber rebrote de las ETV en el futuro cercano.

Abstract Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection spatial and temporal distribution overlaps with endemic areas of vector-borne diseases (VBD), whose surveillance in Mexico has substantially changed since the first COVID-19 confirmed case. Objectives: To estimate and compare the incidence rates of VBDs before and after the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 in Mexico. Methods: Retrospective study of VBD cases from 2014 to 2021. The incidence rates of each VBD in the period before (2014-2019) and after (2020-2021) the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 in Mexico were calculated and compared. Results: Before the introduction of SARS-CoV-2, the incidence rates of VBDs were high and after the introduction of coronavirus there was a decrease in epidemiological indices; however, there was only statistically significant difference in the incidence rate of malaria (p ≤ 0.05) and other rickettsiae (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Some measures to reduce COVID-19 cases, such as social distancing, home confinement, reductions in public transport and working at home (home office), probably temporarily decreased the number of VBD cases; however, there may be a resurgence of VBDs in the near future.

COVID 19 INFECTION IN A PATIENT NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH HIV/TB COINFECTION – A CASE REPORT

HIV/TB coinfection, COVID 19 with HIV/TB, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), TB lymphadenopathy

Cytogenetic analysis of two species of genus Protosticta from Himachal Pradesh, India

Cytogenetically, out of 262 species, only three species of family Platystictidae has been reported worldwide. Present study has been undertaken to study chromosome complement and its characterization of more species of this family. Cytogenetic analyses of Protosticta sanguinostigma Fraser, 1992 and Protosticta uncata Fraser, 1931 of family Platystictidae, collected from Andretta, Himachal Pradesh, India have been carried out on the basis of conventional staining, C-banding and silver nitrate staining. Both the species possess n=13m as haploid chromosome number and X0-XX sex determining mechanism. One large bivalent is present in all the meiotic stages of P. sanguinostigma which is considered as the species specific character. Chromosome complement of both the species shows variation in distribution of C-bands and Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs). Cytologically, both the species have been described for the first time.

Determination of Vitamin Contents of Maize (Zea mays L) Produced and Stocked from Rural Conditions in Cote D’ivoire

Aims: Maize is prized for its richness in nutrient compounds. Despite its socio-economic importance, maize faces a quality problem that is sometimes very delicate. Indeed, maize during different production, post-harvest processing, storage and transport conditions is exposed to bio-aggressors that can alter the quality of this cereal. With this in mind, this study was conducted to determinate the vitamins contents of maize produced and stored in five maize-producing regions of Côte d’Ivoire. Study Design: A total of 1 500 samples of maize as grains, epis and spathes were collected at rate of 500 samples by region (Gbêkê, Poro, Hambol, Indénié-Djuablin and Gontougo) and sent to the laboratory for analysis of the vitamin contents. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out during March 2016 to January 2017. Then, the analyses of the collected sample took place at the Biotechnology, Agriculture and Valorisation of Biological Ressources Laboratory of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny’s University, Abidjan. Methodology: Vitamins determination was carried by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. A total of twelve vitamins were evaluated namely 9 water-soluble vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, choline, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid and cobalamin) and 3 fat-soluble vitamins (β-carotene, vitamin E and K). Results: Results show a significant difference between vitamins contents of the different maize forms and regions. The mean values ranged from 0.09 ± 0.04 to 557.24 ± 10.97 mg / kg for water-soluble vitamins and from 0.31±0.25 to 4.20±1.00 mg / kg for fat-soluble vitamins. Choline was the most abundant of the water-soluble vitamins while β-carotene and vitamin E were the most abundant of the fat-soluble vitamins. Maize grains and epis had the highest levels of these vitamins all of the regions. Maize spathes samples, especially those from Indénié-Djuablin and Gontougo, showed the lowest concentrations. Conclusion: A significant variability from one region to another can be noticed at level of vitamins regardless the type of maize. Maize vitamin contents seem to be related to maize form (grains, epis, spathes), maize variety, agronomic practices, post-harvest treatments and storage structure.