Morphological and Molecular note on the identity of Mylonchulus sigmaturus Cobb, 1917 (Nematoda: Mylonchulidae) from Pakistan.

A species of predatory nematode, Mylonchulus sigmaturus Cobb, 1917, was recovered around the soil and roots of banana plants (Musa paradisiaca) from four different localities of Pakistan. The male of this species represents a new record from Pakistan. Morphological and morphometric data of the species have been contributed along with the molecular study. The phylogenetic analysis using 18S rDNA placed the Pakistani populations of M. sigmaturus with the same species in a clade with 100 posterior probabilities. The first input of 28S rDNA data placed Pakistani M. sigmaturus in a separate clade with 100 posterior probability support, however close with Prionchulus punctatus (Cobb, 1917) Andrássy, 1958 and Clarkus papillatus (Bastian, 1865) Jairajpuri, 1970.

Outcomes in Patients With Poststroke Seizures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Published data about the impact of poststroke seizures (PSSs) on the outcomes of patients with stroke are inconsistent and have not been systematically evaluated, to the authors' knowledge. Objective: To investigate outcomes in people with PSS compared with people without PSS. Data Sources: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, Cochrane, LILACS, LIPECS, and Web of Science, with years searched from 1951 to January 30, 2023. Study Selection: Observational studies that reported PSS outcomes. Data Extraction and Synthesis: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist was used for abstracting data, and the Joanna Briggs Institute tool was used for risk-of-bias assessment. Data were reported as odds ratio (OR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% CI using a random-effects meta-analysis. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and the Egger test. Outlier and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore the source of heterogeneity. Data were analyzed from November 2022 to January 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Measured outcomes were mortality, poor functional outcome (modified Rankin scale [mRS] score 3-6), disability (mean mRS score), recurrent stroke, and dementia at patient follow-up. Results: The search yielded 71 eligible articles, including 20 110 patients with PSS and 1 166 085 patients without PSS. Of the participants with PSS, 1967 (9.8%) had early seizures, and 10 605 (52.7%) had late seizures. The risk of bias was high in 5 studies (7.0%), moderate in 35 (49.3%), and low in 31 (43.7%). PSSs were associated with mortality risk (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.8-2.4), poor functional outcome (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.8-2.8), greater disability (SMD, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-0.7), and increased dementia risk (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3-7.7) compared with patients without PSS. In subgroup analyses, early seizures but not late seizures were associated with mortality (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.9-2.9 vs OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.8-2.0) and both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke subtypes were associated with mortality (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.8-2.7 vs OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0-1.8). In addition, early and late seizures (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.6-3.4 vs OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.8-4.1) and stroke subtypes were associated with poor outcomes (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.9-3.7 vs OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-3.6). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that PSSs were associated with significantly increased mortality and severe disability in patients with history of stroke. Unraveling these associations is a high clinical and research priority. Trials of interventions to prevent seizures may be warranted.

Common Pathways of Epileptogenesis in Patients With Epilepsy Post-Brain Injury: Findings From a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epilepsy may result from various brain injuries, including stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic), traumatic brain injury, and infections. Identifying shared common biological pathways and biomarkers of the epileptogenic process initiated by the different injuries may lead to novel targets for preventing the development of epilepsy. We systematically reviewed biofluid biomarkers to test their association with the risk of post-brain injury epilepsy. METHODS: We searched articles until January 25, 2022, in MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and Cochrane. The primary outcome was the difference in mean biomarker levels in patients with and without post-brain injury epilepsy. We used the modified quality score on prognostic studies for risk of bias assessment. We calculated each biomarker's pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% CI. Molecular interaction network and enrichment analyses were conducted in Cytoscape (PROSPERO CRD42021297110). RESULTS: We included 22 studies with 1,499 cases with post-brain injury epilepsy and 7,929 controls without post-brain injury epilepsy. Forty-five biomarkers in the blood or CSF were investigated with samples collected at disparate time points. Of 22 studies, 21 had a moderate-to-high risk of bias. Most of the biomarkers (28/45) were investigated in single studies; only 9 provided validation data, and studies used variable definitions for early-onset and late-onset seizures. A meta-analysis was possible for 19 biomarkers. Blood glucose levels in 4 studies were significantly higher in patients with poststroke epilepsy (PSE) than those without PSE (SMD 0.44; CI 0.19-0.69). From individual studies, 15 biomarkers in the blood and 7 in the CSF were significantly associated with post-brain injury epilepsy. Enrichment analysis identified that the significant biomarkers (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-1ß]) were predominantly inflammation related. DISCUSSION: We cannot yet recommend using the reported biomarkers for designing antiepileptogenesis trials or use in the clinical setting because of methodological heterogeneity, bias in the included studies, and insufficient validation studies. Although our analyses indicate the plausible role of inflammation in epileptogenesis, this is likely not the only mechanism. For example, an individual's genetic susceptibilities might contribute to his/her risk of epileptogenesis after brain injury. Rigorously designed biomarker studies with methods acceptable to the regulatory bodies should be conducted.

From Kiyoshi Shiga to Present-Day Shigella Vaccines: A Historical Narrative Review.

We are at an exciting moment in time with the advancement of many vaccines, including a shigella vaccine for the world. It is instructive to look at the long road that some vaccines have traveled to recognize the remarkable accomplishments of those who were pioneers, appreciate the evolution of scientific and applied technology, and inform the future history of a vaccine that would have great potential for global health. To achieve this valuable retrospective, a narrative historical literature review was undertaken utilizing PubMed and Embase databases with relevant search terms. Retrieved articles were reviewed and information was organized into historical themes, landmark discoveries, and important vaccine development parallels. The literature reviewed was synthesized into major eras of shigella vaccine development from pathogen discovery and first attempts to empirical approaches of killed whole-cell and live-attenuated approaches, and a modern era that applied recombinant DNA engineering and structural vaccinology. The history of shigella vaccine development has largely followed the evolutionary path of vaccine development over the last 120 years, but with important lessons learned that should be considered as we embark on the future chapters of bringing to the world a safe and effective vaccine for global health.