Adult Animal Stem Cell-Derived Organoids in Biomedical Research and the One Health Paradigm

Preclinical biomedical research is limited by the predictiveness of in vivo and in vitro models. While in vivo models offer the most complex system for experimentation, they are also limited by ethical, financial, and experimental constraints. In vitro models are simplified models that do not offer the same complexity as living animals but do offer financial affordability and more experimental freedom; therefore, they are commonly used. Traditional 2D cell lines cannot fully simulate the complexity of the epithelium of healthy organs and limit scientific progress. The One Health Initiative was established to consolidate human, animal, and environmental health while also tackling complex and multifactorial medical problems. Reverse translational research allows for the sharing of knowledge between clinical research in veterinary and human medicine. Recently, organoid technology has been developed to mimic the original organ's epithelial microstructure and function more reliably. While human and murine organoids are available, numerous other organoids have been derived from traditional veterinary animals and exotic species in the last decade. With these additional organoid models, species previously excluded from in vitro research are becoming accessible, therefore unlocking potential translational and reverse translational applications of animals with unique adaptations that overcome common problems in veterinary and human medicine.

Frequency, distribution and determinants of Helicobacter pylori infection in adults and adolescents with gastric symptoms: cross-sectional epidemiological inquiry in district Haripur, Pakistan

Abstract Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a vital element in the etiology of peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. This research aimed to determine the frequency, distribution, and determinants of HP infection in adults and adolescents with gastric symptoms in district Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was performed from June 2018 to June 2020 at the Medical Laboratory Technology Department, The University of Haripur, Pakistan. Presence of HP was a research variable, while sex, age groups, education status, overcrowding, dining habits, milk intake, drinking water source and animal contact were grouping variables. Immuno-chromatographic technique (ICT) was used to for serological detection of HP antibodies. All variables were represented by frequency and percentage with 95%CI. Prevalence of HP and its distribution by eight socio-demographic variables was testified by the chi-square goodness-of-fit test while association was testified by chi-square test of association. Out of total 1160 cases, 557 (48%) were positive for HP. Population prevalence was higher in men, in the age group 20-40 years, illiterate, family size ≤ 10 persons, taking restaurant food, using tetra pack, using municipal water, and having animal contact. The observed prevalence of HP was similar to its expected prevalence in the population. The observed distribution of HP in the sample was different from its expected distribution in population by eight socio-demographic variables. Presence of HP was associated with all eight socio-demographic variables besides age groups.

Role of Rehabilitation Exercise on Myofascial Pain Syndrome Causing Upper Back Pain

Upper back pain is as painful or troublesome as the pain in the lower back or the neck. Myofascial pain syndrome which is most common cause of upper back pain is characterized by localized musculoskeletal pain and tenderness in association with trigger points. The aim of the study was to correlate the improvement of myofascial pain syndrome patients with proper and timely physical therapy. This quasi experimental study was conducted in the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Bangladesh, from 1st January 2008 to 31st August 2008 to see the role of rehabilitation exercise on myofascial pain syndrome causing upper back pain. Sixty (60) patients of myofascial pain syndrome causing upper back pain were randomly assigned for treatment; out of which 23(38.33%) were male and 37(61.66%) were female. The male and female ratio was 1:1.6. The patients selected for the trial were divided into two groups: Group A and Group B. In group A (n=28) the patients were treated with thermotherapy- Microwave diathermy, non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs and activities of daily living instructions and in Group B (n=32) with same interventions in addition to rehabilitation exercises. Treatment duration was 6 weeks. The difference of treatment improvement was statistically significant (p<0.05) from 1st week up to 6th week. After complete course of treatment 67.86% patients in Group A and 78.13% patients in group B reported improvement. So rehabilitation exercises can be a valuable adjunct to other modalities of treatment of myofascial pain syndrome causing upper back pain.

Intra-Areal Visual Topography in Primate Brains Mapped with Probabilistic Tractography of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

Noninvasive diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) can be used to map the neural connectivity between distinct areas in the intact brain, but the standard resolution achieved fundamentally limits the sensitivity of such maps. We investigated the sensitivity and specificity of high-resolution postmortem dMRI and probabilistic tractography in rhesus macaque brains to produce retinotopic maps of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and extrastriate cortical visual area V5/MT based on their topographic connections with the previously established functional retinotopic map of primary visual cortex (V1). We also replicated the differential connectivity of magnocellular and parvocellular LGN compartments with V1 across visual field positions. Predicted topographic maps based on dMRI data largely matched the established retinotopy of both LGN and V5/MT. Furthermore, tractography based on in vivo dMRI data from the same macaque brains acquired at standard field strength (3T) yielded comparable topographic maps in many cases. We conclude that tractography based on dMRI is sensitive enough to reveal the intrinsic organization of ordered connections between topographically organized neural structures and their resultant functional organization.

Evaluation of the solubility of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid and its histological effect on the diabetic mice liver using a novel technique

Background and Aim:

The literature is scant on the effect of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA) on the liver of diabetes-induced mice. This study was designed to develop a rapid, sensitive, accurate, and inexpensive detection technique for evaluating the solubility of KBA obtained from the gum resin of Omani frankincense (Boswellia sacra) in the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) reflectance spectroscopy coupled with principal components analysis (PCA). It also aimed to investigate the effect of KBA on histological changes in the hepatocytes of diabetic mice.

Materials and Methods:

Eighteen mice were assigned to the healthy control group, the diabetic control group, or the KBA-treated diabetic group. Liver tissue samples from all groups were scanned using an FTIR reflectance spectrophotometer in reflection mode. FTIR reflectance spectra were collected in the wavenumber range of 400-4000 cm⁻¹ using an attenuated total reflectance apparatus.

Results:

FTIR reflectance spectra were analyzed using PCA. The PCA score plot, which is an exploratory multivariate data set, revealed complete segregation among the three groups’ liver samples based on changes in the variation of wavenumber position in the FTIR reflectance spectra, which indicated a clear effect of KBA solubility on treatments. Histological analysis showed an improvement in the liver tissues, with normal structures of hepatocytes exhibiting mild vacuolation in their cytoplasm.

Conclusion:

KBA improved the morphology of liver tissues in the diabetic mice and led to complete recovery of the damage observed in the diabetic control group. FTIR reflectance spectroscopy coupled with PCA could be deployed as a rapid, low-cost, and non-destructive detection method for evaluating treatment effects in diseased liver tissue based on the solubility of KBA.

Global epidemiology of Equine Influenza viruses; "A possible emerging zoonotic threat in future" an extensive systematic review with evidence

There are different opinions around the World regarding the zoonotic capability of H3N8 equine influenza viruses. In this report, we have tried to summarize the findings of different research and review articles from Chinese, English, and Mongolian Scientific Literature reporting the evidence for equine influenza virus infections in human beings. Different search engines i.e. CNKI, PubMed, ProQuest, Chongqing Database, Mongol Med, and Web of Knowledge yielded 926 articles, of which 32 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. Analyzing the epidemiological and Phylogenetic data from these articles, we found a considerable experimental and observational evidence of H3N8 equine influenza viruses infecting human being in different parts of the World in the past. Recently published articles from Pakistan and China have highlighted the emerging threat and capability of equine influenza viruses for an epidemic in human beings in future. In this review article we have summarized the salient scientific reports published on the epidemiology of equine influenza viruses and their zoonotic aspect. Additionally, several recent developments in the start of 21st century, including the transmission and establishment of equine influenza viruses in different animal species i.e. camels and dogs, and presumed encephalopathy associated to influenza viruses in horses, have documented the unpredictable nature of equine influenza viruses. In sum up, several reports has highlighted the unpredictable nature of H3N8 EIVs highlighting the need of continuous surveillance for H3N8 in equines and humans in contact with them for novel and threatening mutations.

Food habits of indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) (Kerr 1792), in district Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir

The Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica) is classified as an agricultural pest species. It feeds on plants and crops; hence, it is responsible for massive financial losses worldwide. The current study was conducted to assess the diet composition of Indian Crested Porcupine in District Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K). Thus, fecal samples were collected and examined from different sampling sites. Reference slides of the material collected from the study area were prepared for identification of dietary components in fecal pellets. A total of 80 fecal samples were collected and processed. Percent relative frequencies (P.R.F.) were calculated for each plant species recovered from pellets. Data revealed that Indian Crested Porcupine consumed 31 plant species in its diet, among them Zea mays (34.31±7.76) was the most frequently selected species followed by Rumex obtusifolius (15.32±2.57) and Melia azedarach (12.83±4.79). The study revealed that the greatest diversity of (n=20) plant species were consumed in summer season while minimum (n=13) species were used during winter. Among the parts of plants, stem was highly consumed in spring (57.2%) as compared to seed in fall (36.7%) while spikes and leaf were the least recovered parts from the fecal matter. The Berger-Parker diversity index showed highly diversified food (10.92) in the summer time of the year as compared to the autumn season (2.95). This study provides a baseline for the diet preference of this pest in the study area. Based on current findings, a detailed investigation on damage assessment, exploration, habitat use and management of Indian Crested Porcupine in AJ&K has been recommended.

Prevalence and determinants of stunting among preschool and school-going children in the flood-affected areas of Pakistan

Stunting is a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. This study assessed the prevalence of stunting and associated risk factors of stunting among preschool and school-going children in flood-affected areas of Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted by visiting 656 households through multi-stage sampling. Respondent's anthropometric measurements, socio-demographic information and sanitation facilities were explored. A logistic regression model was used to determine determinants of stunting, controlling for all possible confounders. The overall prevalence of stunting in children was 40.5%, among children 36.1% boys and 46.3% of girls were stunted. The prevalence of stunting in under-five children was 50.7%. Female children (OR=1.35, 95% CI:0.94-2.0), children aged 13-24 months (OR=6.5, 95% CI: 3.0-13.9), mothers aged 15-24 years (OR=4.4, 95% CI: 2.6-7.2), joint family (OR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.4-3.0) did not have access to improved drinking water (OR=3.3, 95% CI: 1.9-5.9), and the toilet facility (OR=2.8, 95% CI, 1.9-4.3), while the children from district Nowshera (OR=1.7, 95% CI: 0.9-3.2) were significantly (P<0.05) associated in univariate analysis. The regression model revealed that child age, maternal age, family type, quality of water, and toilet facility, were the significant (P<0.05) factors contributing to child stunting in the flood-hit areas. Identification of key factors might be helpful for policymakers in designing comprehensive community-based programs for the reduction of stunting in flood-affected areas. In disasters such as flood, the detrimental consequences of the stunting problem could be even more on children. Evidence-based education and care must be provided to the families in the flood-affected regions to reduce the stunting problem. The determinants of stunting should be targeted by making comprehensive policies regarding proper nutrition, livelihood, clean water, and sanitation facilities in flood-hit regions.

Cartilage Ossiculoplasty from Stapes to Tympanic Membrane in One-Stage Intact Canal Wall Tympanoplasty for Cholesteatoma

This prospective study was conducted at Department of ENT, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, a tertiary care center in Bangladesh January 2017 to December 2018 to report hearing results and post operative complications of cartilage interposition ossiculoplasty in one-stage intact canal wall (ICW) tympanoplasty for cholesteatoma where ossicular chain is eroded or has to be removed either partially or totally. Total 42 patients underwent Intact canal wall (ICW) tympanoplasty for cholesteatoma with at least intact stapes footplate and in conjunction, cartilage ossiculoplasty was done during the same procedure. Patients were followed up regularly at 1 week, 1 month, 3 month, 6 month and at 1 year as usual follow up protocol to note complications and hearing status in 1 year follow up. In intact stapes suprastructure group, in the preoperative period, the mean air conduction thresholds (AC), bone conduction threshold (BC) and air-bone gap (ABG) were 48.3db, 9.5db and 38.8db respectively. Postoperatively, with a mean follow-up of 12 months, AC, BC and ABG were 27.6db, 9.7db and 17.9db respectively. In missing stapes supra structuregroup, in the preoperative period, the mean air conduction thresholds (AC), Bone conduction threshold (BC) and air-bone gap (ABG) were 57.4db 13.5db and 43.9db respectively. Postoperatively, with a mean follow-up of 12 months, AC, BC and ABG, were 33.9db, 14.2db and 19.7db respectively. For management of cholesteatoma cases, cartilage ossiculoplasty can be done effectively in conjunction with of intact canal wall tympanoplasty in a single setting. Complications are a few and easily manageable. Hearing results are at least as good as with other prosthesis and helps in avoiding subsequent surgery, discomfort and cost to the patients.

Radiomodifying action, Pharmacokinetic and Biodistribution of Ethyl 3, 4, 5-trihydroxybenzoate-Implication in development of radiomitigator

Ethyl 3, 4, 5-trihydroxybenzoate (GAE) is a major bioactive constituent of Hippophae Rhamnoides L. leaves and extract prepared from H. rhamnoides leaves exhibited radioprotective and pharmacological activity. Radiomodifying properties of polyphenol compounds through free radical neutralizing have been reported earlier. However, to date pharmacokinetic (PK) and biodistribution of polyphenol compounds post 60Co-γ-irradiation (5 Gy) exposure have not been studied yet. The study aims to investigate the radio modifying and inflammatory action, PK and biodistribution of GAE at a radioprotective dose and changes, if any, induced after irradiation. Male C 57 BL/6 mice (28-30 g) were administered GAE (200 mg/kg b.wt) orally 15 minutes post to irradiation. Mice were sacrificed at 15, 30 min, 1,2,4,8 and 24 h. PK and biodistribution of GAE in plasma and tissues were studied. The radiomodifying potential was assessed in terms of mitigating NF-kB activity and SGOT, SGPT, urea and creatinine levels in liver and kidney post irradiation. Our study suggested the potential use of GAE as radiomodifying agent inhibits NF-kB expression and maintains the SGOT 24.10 ± 2.4, SGPT 36.01 ± 6.1 U/l, urea18.16 ± 0.003, and creatinine 1.05 ± 0.04 mg/dL upto 8 h in comparison to irradiated mice. Moreover, in biodistribution studies, showed that GAE crosses the blood-brain barrier and is found in brain tissue. Plasma level of GAE peaked at about 15 min, with Cmax 4390.85 ± 285.20 in GAE and in 3391.78 ± 78.13 ng/mL in radiation + GAE-treated animals, Biodistribution resulted in the highest concentration to be found in liver and kidney. These radiomodifying and pharmacokinetic result may be useful for study of the bioactive mechanism associated with radiation injury and to develop a potent formulation of GAE for clinical application.

Fatty Acids in Some Cooking Oils as Agents of Hormonal Manipulation in a Rat Model of Benign Prostate Cancer

Anti-androgenic substances, mainly prostate 5α-reductase inhibitors, used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have been associated with side effects in man and animals. To reduce these side effects as well as suppress BPH development, the management of the condition has come to include dietary interventions. This study investigated the effect of some cooking oils on testosterone-induced hyperplasia of the prostate in rats. Male Sprague-dawley rats were distributed into eighteen groups (n=6) as A-R. A negative control group was injected subcutaneously with soya oil; while prostatic hyperplasia was induced subcutaneously in groups B-R with 3mg/kg testosterone daily for 14days. Group B was the positive control (BPH group) while groups C-R were also administered orally 800mg/kg of coconut, castor, canola, cottonseed, pomegranate, blackseed, sheabutter, olive oil, codliver, sardine, palm, repeatedly heated palm (RHPO), vegetable, repeatedly-heated vegetable (RHVO), sesame, and groundnut oils respectively, daily, for 14 days. Blood sample was drawn via retro-orbital sinus for the estimation of serum testosterone(T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) level and rats were thereafter euthanized to obtain the prostates for T and DHT determination as well as tissue weights. Data are mean ± SEM, compared by ANOVA. The oils significantly reduced the increase in prostate weight (PW) to body weight (BW) ratio induced by testosterone. Apart from the fact that all the oils reduced the PW:BW ratio, the blackseed, sheabutter, sardine, vegetable and groundnut oils suppressed the DHT level in the serum, while pomegranate, olive, RHPO reduced DHT level in the prostate compared to the BPH rats. This study suggests that blackseed, sheabutter, sardine, vegetable, groundnut, pomegranate, olive, and RHPO oils could inhibit testosterone-induced hyperplasia of the prostate and therefore may be beneficial in the management of BPH.

Automated speech analysis tools for children's speech production: A systematic literature review

PURPOSE

A systematic search and review of published studies was conducted on the use of automated speech analysis (ASA) tools for analysing and modifying speech of typically-developing children learning a foreign language and children with speech sound disorders to determine (i) types, attributes, and purposes of ASA tools being used; (ii) accuracy against human judgment; and (iii) performance as therapeutic tools.

METHOD

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were applied. Across nine databases, 32 articles published between January 2007 and December 2016 met inclusion criteria: (i) focussed on children's speech; (ii) tools used for speech analysis or modification; and (iii) reporting quantitative data on accuracy.

RESULT

Eighteen ASA tools were identified. These met the clinical threshold of 80% agreement with human judgment when used as predictors of intelligibility, impairment severity, or error category. Tool accuracy was typically <80% accuracy for words containing mispronunciations. ASA tools have been used effectively to improve to children's foreign language pronunciation.

CONCLUSION

ASA tools show promise for automated analysis and modification of children's speech production within assessment and therapeutic applications. Further work is needed to train automated systems with larger samples of speech to increase accuracy for assessment and therapeutic feedback.

The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator: development and validation of a tool for identifying African surgical patients at risk of severe postoperative complications

BACKGROUND

The African Surgical Outcomes Study (ASOS) showed that surgical patients in Africa have a mortality twice the global average. Existing risk assessment tools are not valid for use in this population because the pattern of risk for poor outcomes differs from high-income countries. The objective of this study was to derive and validate a simple, preoperative risk stratification tool to identify African surgical patients at risk for in-hospital postoperative mortality and severe complications.

METHODS

ASOS was a 7-day prospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing surgery in Africa. The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator was constructed with a multivariable logistic regression model for the outcome of in-hospital mortality and severe postoperative complications. The following preoperative risk factors were entered into the model; age, sex, smoking status, ASA physical status, preoperative chronic comorbid conditions, indication for surgery, urgency, severity, and type of surgery.

RESULTS

The model was derived from 8799 patients from 168 African hospitals. The composite outcome of severe postoperative complications and death occurred in 423/8799 (4.8%) patients. The ASOS Surgical Risk Calculator includes the following risk factors: age, ASA physical status, indication for surgery, urgency, severity, and type of surgery. The model showed good discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.805 and good calibration with c-statistic corrected for optimism of 0.784.

CONCLUSIONS

This simple preoperative risk calculator could be used to identify high-risk surgical patients in African hospitals and facilitate increased postoperative surveillance.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03044899.

Development of a Chlamydia suis-specific antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on the use of a B-cell epitope of the polymorphic membrane protein C

Chlamydia suis infections lead to economic loss in the pork industry. Chlamydia suis infections could be successfully treated with tetracyclines until the appearance of a tetracycline resistant phenotype, which was acquired via horizontal gene transfer of the tet(C) gene. Given the importance of C. suis as a swine pathogen and as a recently emerged tetracycline resistant pathogen with zoonotic potential, our aim was to develop a sensitive C. suis-specific antibody ELISA based on the polymorphic membrane proteins (Pmps). Chlamydia Pmps are important virulence factors and candidate antigens for serodiagnosis. We identified nine Pmps (PmpA to I) in C. suis strain MD56 using a recently developed Hidden-Markov model. PmpC was the most promising candidate for the development of a C. suis-specific antibody ELISA as the protein was absent in C. abortus, C. pecorum and C. psittaci which also infect pigs and as the protein contained C. suis-specific amino acid regions, absent in C. trachomatis PmpC. We identified an immunodominant B-cell epitope in C. suis PmpC using experimental porcine sera. The sensitivity and specificity of the PmpC ELISA was compared to the complement fixation test (CFT) and to a recombinant MOMP ELISA using experimental sera. The PmpC ELISA detected all positive control sera and was in contrast to CFT and the rMOMP ELISA 100% C. suis specific as positive control sera against other Chlamydia species did not react in the PmpC ELISA. The test was successfully validated using slaughterhouse sera and sera from clinically affected pigs. The PmpC ELISA could assist in diminishing the spread of C. suis infections in the pork industry.

Submucosal Diclofenac for Acute Postoperative Pain in Third Molar Surgery: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

Diclofenac sodium is a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for relief of inflammatory pain. A recent formulation combines this drug with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) to improve its solubility and to enable subcutaneous administration. Previous studies confirmed the efficacy of this combination. This study's aim was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and local tolerability of diclofenac HPβCD administered as a local submucosal injection prior to lower third molar surgery. We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase II single-center study. Seventy-five patients requiring mandibular third molar surgery were randomized into 1 of 5 groups: 5 mg/1 mL diclofenac HPβCD, 12.5 mg/1 mL diclofenac HPβCD, 25 mg/1 mL diclofenac HPβCD, 50 mg/1 mL diclofenac HPβCD, or 1 mL placebo. The respective study drug was injected into the mucosal tissue surrounding the surgical site prior to surgery following achievement of local anesthesia. The primary outcome measure was the area under the curve (AUC) of cumulative pain scores from end of surgery to 6 h postsurgery. This demonstrated a global treatment effect between the active groups and placebo, hence confirming the study drug's efficacy ( P = 0.0126). Secondary outcome measures included the time until onset of pain and the time until patients required rescue medication, both showing statistical significance of the study drug compared to placebo ( P < 0.0161 and P < 0.0001, respectively). The time until rescue medication ranged between 7.8 h (for 25 mg/1 mL diclofenac HPβCD) and 16 h (for 50 mg/1 mL diclofenac HPβCD). Interestingly, the 5-mg/1-mL solution appeared superior to the 12.5-mg/1-mL and 25-mg/1-mL solutions (time until rescue medication = 12.44 h). A total of 14% of patients experienced minor adverse drug reactions (ADRs), of which 2 cases demonstrated flap necrosis. These resolved without further intervention. The study results overall indicate efficacy, safety, and relative tolerability of diclofenac HPβCD used locally as a submucosal injection prior to third molar surgery (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01706588).

Primary headache disorders in the adult general population of Pakistan - a cross sectional nationwide prevalence survey

Background

The large geographical gaps in our knowledge of the prevalence and burden of headache disorders include almost all of Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). We report a nationwide population-based study in Pakistan, an EMR country with the sixth largest population in the world, conducted as a project within the Global Campaign against Headache.

Methods

We surveyed six locations from the four provinces of Pakistan: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan. We randomly selected and visited rural and urban households in each. One adult member (18–65 years) of each household, also randomly selected, was interviewed by a trained non-medical interviewer from the same location using a previously-validated structured questionnaire translated into Urdu, the national language. We estimated 1-year prevalences of the headache disorders of public-health importance and examined their associations with demographic variables using multivariate analysis.

Results

There were 4223 participants (mean age 34.4 ± 11.0 years; male 1957 [46.3%], female 2266 [53.7%]; urban 1443 [34.2%], rural 2780 [65.8%]). Participation proportion was 89.5%. Headache in the previous year was reported by 3233 (76.6% [95% CI: 75.3–77.8%]). The age- and gender-adjusted 1-year prevalence of migraine was 22.5% [21.2–23.8%] (male 18.0% [16.8–19.2%], female 26.9% [25.6–28.2%]), of tension-type headache (TTH) 44.6% [43.1–46.1%] (male 51.2% [49.7–52.7%], female 37.9% [36.4–39.4%]), of probable medication-overuse headache 0.7% [0.5–1.0%] (male 0.7% [0.5–1.0%], female 0.8% [0.5–1.1%]) and of other headache on ≥15 days/month 7.4% [6.6–8.2%] (male 4.4% [3.8–5.0%], female 10.4% [9.5–11.3%]). Migraine was more prevalent in females by a factor of 3:2 although this association barely survived (P = 0.039) after correcting for other factors. TTH was more prevalent in males by about 4:3 (P = 0.026). All headache and migraine were age-related, peaking in the age group 40–49 years; TTH peaked a decade earlier. Higher education (P = 0.004) and income (P = 0.001) were negatively associated with prevalence of migraine.

Conclusion

With three quarters of its population affected, headache disorders must be on the public-health agenda of Pakistan. Worldwide, these disorders are the third leading cause of disability; information from specific enquiry into the burden attributable to headache disorders in this country is needed to inform health policy and priority-setting, and will be reported soon.

Preparedness for use of the rapid result HIV self-test by gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM): a mixed methods exploratory study among MSM and those involved in HIV prevention and care

Objectives

The aim of the study was to explore preparedness for the HIV self‐test among men who have sex with men (MSM) and those involved in HIV prevention and care.

Methods

A mixed methods exploratory research design was employed, detailing awareness and willingness to use the self‐test and the perceived barriers and facilitators to implementation. Quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis were completed in parallel. Descriptive and inferential analysis of cross‐sectional bar‐based survey data collected from MSM through a self‐completed questionnaire and oral fluid specimen collection (n = 999) was combined with qualitative, thematic, analysis of data collected through 12 expert focus groups (n = 55) consisting of gay men, National Health Service (NHS) staff, community organizations, entrepreneurs and activists. Findings were subsequently combined and assessed for synergies.

Results

Among MSM, self‐test awareness was moderate (55%). Greater awareness was associated with increased educational attainment [adjusted odds ratio 1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00–2.30; P = 0.05] and previous history of sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing (adjusted odds ratio 1.63; 95% CI 1.11–2.39; P = 0.01). Willingness to use the test was high (89%) and associated with meeting sexual partners online (unadjusted odds ratio 1.96; 95% CI 1.31–2.94; P < 0.001). Experts highlighted the overall acceptability of self‐testing; it was understood as convenient, discreet, accessible, and with a low burden to services. However, some ambivalence towards self‐testing was reported; it could reduce opportunities to engage with wider services, wider health issues and the determinants of risk.

Conclusions

Self‐testing represents an opportunity to reduce barriers to HIV testing and enhance prevention and access to care. Levels of awareness are moderate but willingness to use is high. Self‐testing may amplify health inequalities.

Effects of Intensive versus Non-Intensive Physical Therapy on Children with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is one of the most common causes of all childhood disorders. There are tone, posture and movements difficulty due to non-progressive damage to the immature brain in CP. The hallmark of CP is a disability in the development of gross motor function (GMF). The influence of gross motor development on fine motor development is more important in early developmental period, specially under three years old and in children with CP. Various therapeutic interventions have been used in the management of GMF development. Among them physical therapy is the most common intervention in CP and is usually a component of mandated programs. Physical therapy means physical stimulations in the form of various therapeutic exercises, touch, massage, limbs and trunk movement, balancing and coordination training, gait and ambulation training, cognitive stimulation as well as speech, language and occupational therapy. Our study focused to see the effect by short term intensive versus non-intensive physical therapy on children GMF development by using gross motor function measure (GMFM) Score sheet, GMFM-88, version 1.0. Study provides the information that physical therapy intervention is effective in GMF development and intensive interventions are more effective in children with spastic CP than non-intensive one. Study also inform that the more early treatment the more effective result.

Individual Differences in the Alignment of Structural and Functional Markers of the V5/MT Complex in Primates

Extrastriate visual area V5/MT in primates is defined both structurally by myeloarchitecture and functionally by distinct responses to visual motion. Myelination is directly identifiable from postmortem histology but also indirectly by image contrast with structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI). First, we compared the identification of V5/MT using both sMRI and histology in Rhesus macaques. A section-by-section comparison of histological slices with in vivo and postmortem sMRI for the same block of cortical tissue showed precise correspondence in localizing heavy myelination for V5/MT and neighboring MST. Thus, sMRI in macaques accurately locates histologically defined myelin within areas known to be motion selective. Second, we investigated the functionally homologous human motion complex (hMT+) using high-resolution in vivo imaging. Humans showed considerable intersubject variability in hMT+ location, when defined with myelin-weighted sMRI signals to reveal structure. When comparing sMRI markers to functional MRI in response to moving stimuli, a region of high myelin signal was generally located within the hMT+ complex. However, there were considerable differences in the alignment of structural and functional markers between individuals. Our results suggest that variation in area identification for hMT+ based on structural and functional markers reflects individual differences in human regional brain architecture.

Etiology and pathology of epidemic outbreaks of avian influenza H5N1 infection in Egyptian chicken farms

Epidemic outbreaks of avian influenza (AI) virus H5N1 have been frequently reported in Egypt during the last nine years. Here we investigate the involvement of AI H5N1 in outbreaks of acute respiratory disease that occurred in several commercial chicken farms in Egypt in 2011, and we describe to the pathology caused by the virus in the course of the outbreak.

Twenty-one chicken farms with history of acute respiratory symptoms and high mortalities were screened for AI H5N1. Virus identification was based on hemagglutination inhibition test, and PCR detection and sequencing of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes. Virus distribution was determined by immunohistochemical staining of AI antigens in organs of infected birds. Standard H&E staining was performed for histological examination of affected organs.

Eighty-one % of the examined birds, representing 100% of the screened farms, were positive for AI H5N1 virus. Phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes of the isolated virus reveals its affiliation to clade 2.2.1. Viral antigens were localized in the endothelial cells of the heart, liver, lungs and skin, where pathological lesions including congestion, hemorrhages, multifocal inflammation and necrosis were concurrently observed. According to the pattern of the viral antigen and lesion distribution in the visceral organs, we suggest cardiovascular and circulatory failures as the probable cause of death during these outbreaks. In conclusion, the present study further confirms the epidemic status of AI H5N1 virus in Egypt and reveals the highly pathogenic nature of the local isolates.

Active and passive case detection strategies for the control of leishmaniasis in Bangladesh

SETTING

Two subdistricts in Bangladesh, Fulbaria and Trishal, which are hyperendemic for leishmaniasis.

OBJECTIVE

To determine 1) the numbers of patients diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post-kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) using an active case detection (ACD) strategy in Fulbaria and a passive case detection (PCD) strategy in Trishal, and 2) the time taken from symptoms to diagnosis in the ACD subdistrict.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional descriptive study of patients diagnosed from May 2010 to December 2011. The ACD strategy involved community education and outreach workers targeting households of index patients using symptom-based screening and rK-39 tests for suspected cases.

RESULTS

In the ACD subdistrict (Fulbaria) and PCD sub-district (Trishal), respectively 1088 and 756 residents were diagnosed with VL and 1145 and 37 with PKDL. In the ACD subdistrict, the median time to diagnosis for patients directly referred by outreach workers or self-referred was similar, at 60 days for VL and respectively 345 and 360 days for PKDL.

CONCLUSION

An ACD strategy at the subdistrict level resulted in an increased yield of VL and a much higher yield of PKDL. As PKDL acts as a reservoir for infection, a strategy of ACD and treatment can contribute to the regional elimination of leishmaniasis in the Indian sub-continent.

Surface Passivation of MoO₃ Nanorods by Atomic Layer Deposition toward High Rate Durable Li Ion Battery Anodes

We demonstrate an effective strategy to overcome the degradation of MoO3 nanorod anodes in lithium (Li) ion batteries at high-rate cycling. This is achieved by conformal nanoscale surface passivation of the MoO3 nanorods by HfO2 using atomic layer deposition (ALD). At high current density such as 1500 mA/g, the specific capacity of HfO2-coated MoO3 electrodes is 68% higher than that of bare MoO3 electrodes after 50 charge/discharge cycles. After 50 charge/discharge cycles, HfO2-coated MoO3 electrodes exhibited specific capacity of 657 mAh/g; on the other hand, bare MoO3 showed only 460 mAh/g. Furthermore, we observed that HfO2-coated MoO3 electrodes tend to stabilize faster than bare MoO3 electrodes because nanoscale HfO2 layer prevents structural degradation of MoO3 nanorods. Additionally, the growth temperature of MoO3 nanorods and the effect of HfO2 layer thickness was studied and found to be important parameters for optimum battery performance. The growth temperature defines the microstructural features and HfO2 layer thickness defines the diffusion coefficient of Li-ions through the passivation layer to the active material. Furthermore, ex situ high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction were carried out to explain the capacity retention mechanism after HfO2 coating.

First Experimental Evidence for the Transmission of Chlamydia psittaci in Poultry through Eggshell Penetration

Eggshell penetration by pathogens is considered a potential route for their transmission in poultry flocks. Additionally, in case of zoonotic pathogens, contact with infected eggs or their consumption can result in human infection. Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic bacterium that causes a respiratory disease in poultry and humans. In this study, we provide an experimental evidence for eggshell penetration by C. psittaci. Additionally, we show that after eggshell penetration, C. psittaci could eventually infect the growing embryo. Our findings portend the potential of horizontal trans-shell transmission as a possible route for the spread of C. psittaci infection in poultry flocks. Considering that horizontal transmission of pathogens via eggs mainly occurs in hatcheries and hatching cabinets, we suggest the latter as critical control points in the transmission of C. psittaci to hatching chicks and broilers, as well as to the hatchery workers and consumers of table eggs.

1,3,4-oxadiazole: a biologically active scaffold

There has been considerable interest in the development of novel compounds with anticonvulsant, antidepressant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antipsychotic, antimicrobial, antimycobecterial, antitumour, antiviral and antitubercular activities. 1,3,4-oxadiazoles constitute an important class of compounds for new drug development. Therefore, many researchers have synthesized these compounds as target structures and evaluated their biological activities. These observations led to the development of new 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives. This review article describes the various biological activities associated with 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring system and is useful in guiding the researchers across the world working on this moiety and consequently have been instrumental in the advancement of 1,3,4-oxadiazole chemistry.