COVID-19 outcomes associated with clinical and demographic characteristics in patients hospitalized with severe and critical disease in Peshawar

BackgroundAs a novel disease, understanding the relationship between the clinical and demographic characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and their outcome is critical. We investigated this relationship in hospitalized patients in a tertiary healthcare setting. Aims/objectivesTo study COVID-19 severity and outcomes in relation to clinical and demographic characteristics of in admitted patients MethodologyIn this cross-sectional study, medical records for 1087 COVID-19 patients were reviewed to extract symptoms, comorbidities, demographic characteristics, and outcomes data. Statistical analyses included the post-stratification chi-square test, independent sample t-test, multivariate logistic regression, and time-to-event analysis. ResultsThe majority of the study participants were >50 years old (67%) and male (59%) and had the following symptoms: fever (96%), cough (95%), shortness of breath (73%), loss of taste (77%), and loss of smell (77%). Regarding worst outcome, multivariate regression analysis showed that these characteristics were statistically significant: shortness of breath (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 31.3; 95% CI, 11.87-82.53; p < 0.001), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (aOR 28.3; 95% CI,9.0-89.6; p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (aOR 5.1; 95% CI;3.2-8.2; p < 0.001), ischemic heart disease (aOR 3.4; 95% CI,1.6-7; p = 0.001), nausea and vomiting (aOR 3.3; 95% CI, 1.7-6.6; p = 0.001), and prolonged hospital stay (aOR 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02-1.08; p = 0.001), while patients with rhinorrhea were significantly protected (aOR 0.3; 95% CI, 0.2-0.5; p < 0.001). A Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the symptoms of shortness of breath, ICU admission, fever, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea increased the risk of mortality. ConclusionIncreasing age, certain comorbidities and symptoms, and direct admission to the ICU increased the risk of worse outcomes. Further research is needed to determine risk factors that may increase disease severity and devise a proper risk-scoring system to initiate timely management.

Sub-Lethal Effects of Partially Purified Protein Extracted from Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) and Its Presumptive Role in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) Defense against Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.).

Plants rely on various physiological and molecular defense mechanisms against biotic stresses such as herbivore insects. Many entomopathogenic fungi synthesize protein molecules that can trigger these plant defenses. This laboratory study characterized the bioactivity of a partially purified protein derived from Beauveria bassiana (ARSEF 2860) against whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), which is an economically important pest of agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide. Different concentrations (i.e., 0.021, 0.042 and 0.063 µM) of fungal protein were bioassayed to determine their sub-lethal effect on the survival percentage and fecundity rate of B. tabaci on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) plants. In addition, the putative role of this partially purified B. bassiana protein in the defense mechanisms of plant was assessed through the expression analyses of important genes related to salicylic acid (SA)-and jasmonic acid (JA)-associated pathways using RT-qPCR. Results revealed a significant suppression of the survival percentage and fecundity rate of B. tabaci by the fungal protein. Lowest survival (41%) was recorded for the highest concentration of protein (0.063 µM), whereas mean survival for the other two protein concentrations (0.042 and 0.021 µM) were 62 and 71%, respectively. Likewise, the highest and lowest mean fecundity rates were observed for the control and the highest protein concentration (i.e., 3.3 and 1.8 eggs day-1 female-1, respectively). Furthermore, the exogenous application of B. bassiana-derived protein on tomato plants strongly up-regulated the SA-related genes (PAL, PR1, BGL2 and EDS1) and slightly up-regulated the JA-related genes (AOC, AOS, OPR3 and LOX) as compared to the control plants. These findings demonstrate the putative role of this partially purified B. bassiana protein fraction in inducing systemic resistance in the tomato plants against B. tabaci, suggesting its further purification and characterization to be used as novel biological pest control tool against B. tabaci and other sap-sucking insect pests.

A Novel Protein Elicitor PeBL2, from Brevibacillus laterosporus A60, Induces Systemic Resistance against Botrytis cinerea in Tobacco Plant.

Here, we reported a novel secreted protein elicitor PeBL2 from Brevibacillus laterosporus A60, which can induce hypersensitive response in tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana). The ion-exchange chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry were performed for identification of protein elicitor. The 471 bp PeBL2 gene produces a 17.22 kDa protein with 156 amino acids containing an 84-residue signal peptide. Consistent with endogenous protein, the recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli induced the typical hypersensitive response (HR) and necrosis in tobacco leaves. Additionally, PeBL2 also triggered early defensive response of generation of reactive oxygen species (H2O2 and O2 -) and systemic resistance against of B. cinerea. Our findings shed new light on a novel strategy for biocontrol using B. laterosporus A60.

FT-IR and XRD analysis of natural Na-bentonite and Cu(II)-loaded Na-bentonite.

Na-bentonite has been studied extensively because of its strong adsorption capacity and complexation ability. In this work, surface area, total pore volume, mean pore diameter, TG, DTA, FT-IR and XRD were carried out in order to reveal the characteristics of natural Na-bentonite. XRD and FT-IR of natural Na-bentonite (China) and Cu-loaded Na-bentonite as a function of Na-bentonite dosage and temperature using batch technique were characterized in detail, respectively.

Radiocontrast nephropathy: is it dose related or not?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety of high dose non-ionic contrast media during a single radiological procedure in patients with pre-existing renal impairment. METHODS: One hundred eighteen patients, with serum Creatinine greater than 1.3 mg/dl who were undergoing coronary angiography or percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography (PTCA) were included in the study. All patients received the nonionic dye ULTRAVIST (lopromide). Serum creatinine were measured before, 48 hours and 1 week after the administration of contrast agent. An acute contrast induced reduction in renal function was defined as an increase in Serum Creatinine concentration of >=0.5 mg/dl, 48 hours after the administration of contrast agent. All patients with end stage renal disease or patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery within a week after coronary angiography or had any concomitant factors that could cause acute renal failure e.g., sepsis, hypotention, etc., were excluded. Patients receiving a dose of upto 100 ml of contrast agent (low dose group) were separated from those who received greater than 100 ml of contrast agent (high dose group). Patients in both groups had similar characteristics in terms of sex, age, weight and underlying disease. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 62.3+/-8.83 (range 40-84 years). There were 93 (78.8%) males and 25 (21.2%) females. The mean pre-contrast creatinine in the low contrast group was 1.97+/-0.92 and high dose group was 2.16+/-1.90 (p=0.48). The post-contrast Creatinine at 48 hours was 2.11+/-1.11 and 2.06+/-1.39 in the groups receiving low and high dose contrast agents respectively (p=0.830), while at 7 days post-contrast it was 2.17+/-1.28 and 1.95+/-1.43 respectively in the two groups (p=0.391). The contrast-induced reduction in renal function (rise in serum Cr >=0.5 mg/dl above base line) occurred in 14% (n=8) of patients in low dose and in 11% (n=7) in high dose contrast group (p=0.830, insignificant). CONCLUSION: The results of our study confirm that high dose non-ionic contrast is not associated with increased risk of contrast-mediated nephrotoxicity in patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency undergoing cardiac angiography (p=0.830, insignificant).