Transcriptional dynamics during Rhodococcus erythropolis infection with phage WC1

BACKGROUND

Belonging to the Actinobacteria phylum, members of the Rhodococcus genus thrive in soil, water, and even intracellularly. While most species are non-pathogenic, several cause respiratory disease in animals and, more rarely, in humans. Over 100 phages that infect Rhodococcus species have been isolated but despite their importance for Rhodococcus ecology and biotechnology applications, little is known regarding the molecular genetic interactions between phage and host during infection. To address this need, we report RNA-Seq analysis of a novel Rhodococcus erythopolis phage, WC1, analyzing both the phage and host transcriptome at various stages throughout the infection process.

RESULTS

By five minutes post-infection WC1 showed upregulation of a CAS-4 family exonuclease, putative immunity repressor, an anti-restriction protein, while the host showed strong upregulation of DNA replication, SOS repair, and ribosomal protein genes. By 30 min post-infection, WC1 DNA synthesis genes were strongly upregulated while the host showed increased expression of transcriptional and translational machinery and downregulation of genes involved in carbon, energy, and lipid metabolism pathways. By 60 min WC1 strongly upregulated structural genes while the host showed a dramatic disruption of metal ion homeostasis. There was significant expression of both host and phage non-coding genes at all time points. While host gene expression declined over the course of infection, our results indicate that phage may exert more selective control, preserving the host's regulatory mechanisms to create an environment conducive for virion production.

CONCLUSIONS

The Rhodococcus genus is well recognized for its ability to synthesize valuable compounds, particularly steroids, as well as its capacity to degrade a wide range of harmful environmental pollutants. A detailed understanding of these phage-host interactions and gene expression is not only essential for understanding the ecology of this important genus, but will also facilitate development of phage-mediated strategies for bioremediation as well as biocontrol in industrial processes and biomedical applications. Given the current lack of detailed global gene expression studies on any Rhodococcus species, our study addresses a pressing need to identify tools and genes, such as F6 and rpf, that can enhance the capacity of Rhodococcus species for bioremediation, biosynthesis and pathogen control.

Deciphering the Calcium Code: A Review of Calcium Activity Analysis Methods Employed to Identify Meaningful Activity in Early Neural Development

The intracellular and intercellular flux of calcium ions represents an ancient and universal mode of signaling that regulates an extensive array of cellular processes. Evidence for the central role of calcium signaling includes various techniques that allow the visualization of calcium activity in living cells. While extensively investigated in mature cells, calcium activity is equally important in developing cells, particularly the embryonic nervous system where it has been implicated in a wide variety array of determinative events. However, unlike in mature cells, where the calcium dynamics display regular, predictable patterns, calcium activity in developing systems is far more sporadic, irregular, and diverse. This renders the ability to assess calcium activity in a consistent manner extremely challenging, challenges reflected in the diversity of methods employed to analyze calcium activity in neural development. Here we review the wide array of calcium detection and analysis methods used across studies, limiting the extent to which they can be comparatively analyzed. The goal is to provide investigators not only with an overview of calcium activity analysis techniques currently available, but also to offer suggestions for future work and standardization to enable informative comparative evaluations of this fundamental and important process in neural development.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in rhesus macaques and local residents in the central mid-hills of Nepal

Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) are distributed across Nepal in close association with humans and with a high probability of sharing of soil-transmitted intestinal helminth parasites. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, richness and risk factors of gastrointestinal (GI) helminth parasites among rhesus macaques and humans in the Daunne Forest area, a community managed forest in the central mid-hills of Nepal. A total of 190 fecal samples, including 120 samples from rhesus macaques residing around the Daunne Devi Temple and in the surrounding forest, and 70 from local people, were microscopically examined by direct wet mount, floatation and sedimentation methods. Seasonal and age-sex based variations in helminth parasite prevalence were analyzed. Among the rhesus macaques, the total parasite prevalence was 39.2 %. Strongyloides sp. accounted for the highest prevalence (19.17 %) followed by Ascaris sp. (13.33 %), hookworm (10.83 %) and Trichuris sp. (4.17 %). Among the humans, Ascaris lumbricoides (11.3 %) was the only parasite detected. The Sorenson's coefficient of similarity of GI parasites between the macaques and local people at the generic level was 0.4. Mean parasite richness for the macaques was 1.21 ± 0.41 (SD) per infected sample. Parasite prevalence in the summer season (41.4 %) was higher than in the winter season (36 %). Adult macaques (41.67 %) had higher GI parasite prevalence than the young (30.77 %) and infants (27.27 %). Among the adult macaques, the prevalence rate was significantly higher (P=0.005) in females (52.46 %) than in males (22.86 %). Our results indicate that the temple rhesus macaques have a high prevalence of GI helminth parasites and could pose a potential zoonotic risk. As such, the need for routine monitoring and an effective management strategy is essential.

Barriers and enablers of vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) in physically inactive adults: a focus group study

BACKGROUND

Vigorous Intermittent Lifestyle Physical Activity (VILPA) refers to brief bouts of vigorous intensity physical activity performed as part of daily living. VILPA has been proposed as a novel concept to expand physical activity options among the least active. As a nascent area of research, factors which impede or encourage VILPA in physically inactive adults are yet to be explored. Such information is pertinent in the design of future interventions. We examined the barriers and enablers of VILPA among physically inactive adults using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behavior (COM-B) model as a conceptual framework.

METHODS

We recruited a sample of self-identified physically inactive middle-aged and older adults (N = 78) based in Australia to take part in 19 online focus groups across three age groups: young-middle (age 35-44), middle (age 45-59) and old (age 60-76). We analyzed interviews using a critical realist approach to thematic analysis. Identified barriers and enablers were subsequently mapped onto the COM-B model components.

RESULTS

The data generated 6 barriers and 10 enablers of VILPA that corresponded to COM-B concepts. Barriers included physical limitations (physical capability), perceptions of aging, need for knowledge (psychological capability), environmental constraints (physical opportunity), perceptions of effort and energy, and fear (automatic motivation). Enablers included convenience, reframing physical activity as purposeful movement, use of prompts and reminders (physical opportunity), normalization of taking the active option, gamification (social opportunity), sense of achievement, health improvements, personally salient rewards (reflective motivation), identity fit, and changing from effortful deliberation to habitual action (automatic motivation).

CONCLUSION

The barriers and enablers of VILPA span capability, opportunity, and motivation beliefs. Promoting the time-efficient nature and simplicity of VILPA requiring no equipment or special gym sessions, the use of prompts and reminders at opportune times, and habit formation strategies could capitalize on the enablers. Addressing the suitability of the small bouts, the development of specific guidelines, addressing safety concerns, and explicating the potential benefits of, and opportunities to do, VILPA could ameliorate some of the barriers identified. Future VILPA interventions may require limited age customization, speaking to the potential for such interventions to be delivered at scale.

Comparison of the Mean Cross-sectional Area of the Median Nerve between Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women Using Ultrasonography in a Tertiary Level Hospital, Nepal

Background The median nerve is subjected to compression in the carpal tunnel giving rise to a constellation of symptoms known as carpal tunnel syndrome. It is the most frequent form of peripheral entrapment neuropathies and is most prevalent in the middle age females. The most common cause of this syndrome is idiopathic. One of the known secondary causes is pregnancy. Objective To compare the mean cross sectional area of median nerve using ultrasound in pregnant and non-pregnant females at carpal tunnel inlet and its variations with different trimesters. Method The study was conducted during a period of one year (October 2014 to September 2015). A total of 204 participants were evaluated among which 102 were nonpregnant and 102 were pregnant. Among the 102 pregnant participants, 34 females each were in the first, second, and third trimesters. A convenience sampling technique was used for the selection of the participants. The mean cross-sectional area of the median nerve was calculated in both of these groups in both hands by using the direct method. The mean cross-sectional area of non-pregnant female was used as the reference value to which that of pregnant female were compared. Data obtained were compiled and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 16. Result The overall mean cross-sectional area of the median nerve in non-pregnant females was 6.76 ± 1.05 mm2 and in pregnant females was 6.84 ± 1.09 mm. No statistically significant difference was noted in the mean cross-sectional area of the median nerve in either hand in both pregnant and non-pregnant females. No statistically significant difference was noted in the overall mean cross-sectional area between the non-pregnant and pregnant females. There was no significant difference in the mean cross-sectional area within the different trimesters in both hands on intergroup comparisons. Conclusion Ultrasound examination of the median nerve and measurement of its crosssectional area is a useful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome. Ultrasound has the advantage of easy availability, low cost, quick scan time, able to scan a long segment of nerve and examine the structures in both static and dynamic states. Besides, it also helps in the identification of various anatomic variants and pathologies within or adjacent to carpal tunnel.

Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: Clinical Profile, Autologous Serum Skin Test Positivity and Associated Impairment in Quality of Life in Nepalese Patients

Background Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria is considered to be an autoimmune phenomenon in half of the total cases. Autologous serum skin test is a simple screening test for the presence of auto-antibodies in chronic urticaria. Significant impairment in quality of life have been observed in autologous serum skin test positive cases. There are limited literatures on chronic spontaneous urticaria, autologous serum skin test and associated Dermatology Life Quality Index in Nepal till date. Objective To find the proportion of autologous serum skin test positive cases in chronic urticaria and impairment in quality of life in such patients. Method This was a retrospective review of outpatient records of patients diagnosed with chronic spontaneous urticaria, from January 2018 to December 2019, from a tertiary care hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. Details of the patients, autologous serum skin test and dermatology life quality index scores were analyzed and presented. Result Among the total 114 cases positive autologous serum skin test was seen in 48.2% of cases. The mean total Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 8.06±6.64. A significantly higher quality of life impairment was observed in in patients with positive autologous serum skin test as compared to the negative ones. The odds of finding a positive autologous serum skin test in patients with angioedema was 2.1, however the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion Chronic spontaneous urticaria was more common in females as compared to males. A positive autologous serum skin test was present in half of the patients which was in turn associated with a greater impairment of quality of life.

High Suicide Rates among Nepalese Population: Need for Action

Suicide is a global public health problem and the burden has remained stable for last decades. The age standardized suicide rate was 9.77 per 100,000 in 2019 with males and older population being more affected. Based on age, the highest suicide rate was observed in individuals of age 80 years with suicide rate of 64.9 per 100,000 in male, 18.2 per 100,000 in female and 37.4 per 100,000 in both sexes in this age group. In all age group, the suicide rates are higher among males compared to females. Universal, selective and indicative preventive strategies should be implemented to reduce the burden of suicide in Nepal. Keywords: Nepal; prevention; suicide.

Environmental Determinants of Malaria Prevalence and the Adaptation Strategies in Western Nepal

BACKGROUND

Current literatures seem devoted only on relating climate change with malaria. Overarching all possible environmental determinants of malaria prevalence addressed by scanty literature in Nepal is found apposite research at this moment. This study aims to explore the environmental determinants of malaria prevalence in western Nepal.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data collected from community people were used to identify the environmental determinants of malaria prevalence in western Nepal. Probit and logistic regressions are used for identifying determinants.

RESULTS

The results reveal that environmental variables: winter temperature (aOR: 2.14 [95% CI: 1.00-4.56]), flooding (aOR: 2.45 [CI: 1.28-4.69]), heat waves (aOR: 3.14 [CI: 1.16-8.46]) and decreasing river water level (aOR: 0.25 [CI: 0.13-0.47]) are found major factors to influence malaria prevalence in western Nepal. Besides, pipeline drinking water (aOR: 0.37 [0.17-0.81]), transportation facility (aOR: 1.18 [1.07-1.32]) and awareness programs (aOR: 2.62 [0.03-6.65]) are exigent social issues to influence malaria prevalence in Nepal. To be protected from disease induced by environmental problems, households have used extra season specific clothes, iron nets and mosquito nets, use of insecticide in cleaning toilet and so on.

CONCLUSIONS

Adaptation mechanism against these environmental issues together with promoting pipeline drinking water, transportation facility and awareness programs are the important in malaria control in Nepal. Government initiation with incentivized adaptation mechanism for the protection of environment with caring household attributes possibly help control malaria in western Nepal.

Correlation of Pelvic Parameters with Isthmic Spondylolisthesis

Background Spondylolisthesis is one of the major causes of low back pain. The anterior shift of the vertebra is mostly at L4 and L5 levels. Several types have been described, most common being the isthmic type. Pelvic parameters are said to be associated with development and progression of listhesis, and should be evaluated while treating it. Objective To study the correlation of Pelvic parameters with isthmic spondylolisthesis. Method It was a cross sectional case control study. In 68 cases with Isthmic Spondylolisthesis and of 34 cases with low back pain without listhesis (control), the spinopelvic parameters like lumbar lordosis, pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt and sacral slopes were measured together with degree of slip with lateral radiographs. Findings were analyzed and compared with control group. Result In control group, the pelvic incidence was 50.44±4.78o , the sacral slope was 34.38±6.79o , the pelvic tilt was 15.97±5.31o , and the lumbar lordosis was 46.76±6.78o . In Isthmic Spondylolisthesis group, the pelvic incidence was 60.85±6.79o , the sacral slope was 40.40±6.91o , the pelvic tilt was 20.63±7.51o , and the lumbar lordosis was 57.31±7.11o . The difference in spinopelvic parameters amongst control and Isthmic Spondylolisthesis group was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The degree of slip was directly proportional to the pelvic incidence angle (grade I=52o , II =62o and III 72.5o ). Conclusion Spino-pelvic parameters are higher in isthmic spondylolisthesis group and is significantly associated with severity of the slip.

Ordinance on the Safety and Security of Health Workers and Health Institutions in Nepal: A Critical Analysis

Violence against health workers has been considered a common issue throughout the world. The protection of health workers in low and middle-income countries such as Nepal has not been considered a serious issue by the government. But due to the surge of COVID-19 pandemic and increasing violence against health workers, commendable steps have been taken by the Government of Nepal to protect the safety and security of health workers and health institutions in Nepal. However, the question mark on effective implementation of the ordinance exits suggesting for the appropriate action from concerned authorities and strong collaboration among these sectors. Keywords: Health worker; Nepal; ordinance; safety.

Seasonal Variations and Health Risk Assessment of Trace Elements in Seti River Basin, Gandaki Province, Nepal

To explore the seasonal variability and associated health risks of dissolved trace elements (TEs), a total of 45 water samples (15 samples in each season) were collected from the Seti River Basin during pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons. A total of 15 TEs were analysed and the results revealed that Arsenic (As), Chromium (Cr), and Nickel (Ni) were primarily controlled by lithogenic sources, whereas, Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Cesium (Cs), Cupper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zn) were derived from both anthropic and geogenic sources. Additionally, the concentration of Zn was markedly high, especially during the post-monsoon season nearby the landfill site, indicating the anthropic signatures. The hazard index and cancer index were found to be < 1.00 and 10^-6-10^-4, respectively indicating minimum health impacts. The water quality index was < 50 throughout the sampling periods, with better water quality during the monsoon. This study could help to formulate the necessary policies for the sustainability of the Himalayan River Basins.

Real Time Trans-Rectal Elastography of Prostate Correlation with Histopathology in a Suspected Case of Prostate Cancer

Background Early detection of prostate cancer, the second most common cancer in men worldwide, is the key for its successful treatment. Commonly used clinical criteria and imaging tools for detection of prostate cancer are less sensitive. Objective This study was aimed to find role of real time transrectal elastography of prostate for detection of prostate cancer. Method Study was conducted in 66 patients with clinical suspicion of prostate cancer, who were sent for ultrasound guided prostate biopsy. Transrectal ultrasound with real time elastography was performed in all the patients prior to the biopsy and looked for hard areas within the prostate. Then six-core tru-cut biopsy were taken in six zones of prostate, including the hard areas detected in the elastography. The histopathology report were correlated with the elastography findings. Result Median prostate specific antigen of the patients was 11.5 ng/ml with interquartile range of 8 to 23.5 ng/ml. Digital rectal examination showed hard nodular findings in 35 patients. Transrectal ultrasound showed 81 hypoechoic lesions in 31 patients. Elastography showed 127 hard areas in 31 patients. Histopathology showed 90 positive biopsy cores in 23 patients. Cancer detection rate of elastography was 82.6%. At 95% confidence interval, patients with elastography detected hard lesions had 19.4 times more likelihood to have prostate cancer. Sensitivity of elastography was high as compared to digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasound alone. Conclusion Transrectal elastography had high sensitivity over clinical tools and transrectal ultrasonography for detection of prostate cancer.

Sonographic Quantification of Ovarian Volume in Adults Attending General Health Checkup and General Out Patient Department in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital

Background Ultrasonography is the easily available, cheap and reliable method for evaluation of ovaries. Ovarian volume is the major factor in the diagnosis of various ovarian pathologies and confusing discrepancies are found in the literature. Objective To determine the ovarian volume among individuals attending outpatient department in tertiary level hospital. Method Descriptive cross sectional study design was used; 305 patients of 16-60 years attending general outpatient department in the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal were included. Ovarian volume was calculated by using transabdominal ultrasonography. Data was collected in the predesigned proforma and analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences software. Result The study showed mean total ovarian volume 5.95 ± 2.44 cc (centimeter cube) with mean right ovarian volume 5.94 ± 2.70 cc and mean left ovarian volume 6.05 ± 2.79 cc. Significant decrease in ovarian volume with age was observed. Height and weight did not show significant correlation with ovarian volumes and no significant variation seen in the volumes of right and left ovaries. Periovulatory ovaries show significantly higher volumes on right side than luteal phase. Similarly, significantly higher volume of left ovary seen in mixed ethnic group than mongoloid group. Conclusion Measurement of ovarian volume is important for evaluation and management of ovarian disorders. Ultrasonography which is readily available, simple and cost effective is better suited for our environment than other imaging modality. Values of ovarian volume from this study may provide a baseline of normal ovarian volume in our community.

Xenopus embryos show a compensatory response following perturbation of the Notch signaling pathway

As an essential feature of development, robustness ensures that embryos attain a consistent phenotype despite genetic and environmental variation. The growing number of examples demonstrating that embryos can mount a compensatory response to germline mutations in key developmental genes has heightened interest in the phenomenon of embryonic robustness. While considerable progress has been made in elucidating genetic compensation in response to germline mutations, the diversity, mechanisms, and limitations of embryonic robustness remain unclear. In this work, we have examined whether Xenopus laevis embryos are able to compensate for perturbations of the Notch signaling pathway induced by RNA injection constructs that either upregulate or inhibit this signaling pathway. Consistent with earlier studies, we found that at neurula stages, hyperactivation of the Notch pathway inhibited neural differentiation while inhibition of Notch signaling increases premature differentiation as assayed by neural beta tubulin expression. However, surprisingly, by hatching stages, embryos begin to compensate for these perturbations, and by swimming tadpole stages most embryos exhibited normal neuronal gene expression. Using cell proliferation and TUNEL assays, we show that the compensatory response is, in part, mediated by modulating levels of cell proliferation and apoptosis. This work provides an additional model for addressing the mechanisms of embryonic robustness and of genetic compensation.

Fluorescent Calcium Imaging and Subsequent In Situ Hybridization for Neuronal Precursor Characterization in Xenopus laevis

Spontaneous intracellular calcium activity can be observed in a variety of cell types and is proposed to play critical roles in a variety of physiological processes. In particular, appropriate regulation of calcium activity patterns during embryogenesis is necessary for many aspects of vertebrate neural development, including proper neural tube closure, synaptogenesis, and neurotransmitter phenotype specification. While the observation that calcium activity patterns can differ in both frequency and amplitude suggests a compelling mechanism by which these fluxes might transmit encoded signals to downstream effectors and regulate gene expression, existing population-level approaches have lacked the precision necessary to further explore this possibility. Furthermore, these approaches limit studies of the role of cell-cell interactions by precluding the ability to assay the state of neuronal determination in the absence of cell-cell contact. Therefore, we have established an experimental workflow that pairs time-lapse calcium imaging of dissociated neuronal explants with a fluorescence in situ hybridization assay, allowing the unambiguous correlation of calcium activity pattern with molecular phenotype on a single-cell level. We were successfully able to use this approach to distinguish and characterize specific calcium activity patterns associated with differentiating neural cells and neural progenitor cells, respectively; beyond this, however, the experimental framework described in this article could be readily adapted to investigate correlations between any time-series activity profile and expression of a gene or genes of interest.

Expression of trpv channels during Xenopus laevis embryogenesis

Transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channel genes code for an extensive family of conserved proteins responsible for a variety of physiological processes, including sensory perception, ion homeostasis, and chemical signal transduction. The TRP superfamily consists of seven subgroups, one of which is the transient receptor potential vanilloid (trpv) channel family. While trpv channels are relatively well studied in adult vertebrate organisms given their role in functions such as nociception, thermoregulation, and osmotic regulation in mature tissues and organ systems, relatively little is known regarding their function during embryonic development. Although there are some reports of the expression of specific trpv channels at particular stages in various organisms, there is currently no comprehensive analysis of trpv channels during embryogenesis. Here, performing in situ hybridization, we examined the spatiotemporal expression of trpv channel mRNA during early Xenopus laevis embryogenesis. Trpv channels exhibited unique patterns of embryonic expression at distinct locations including the trigeminal ganglia, spinal cord, cement gland, otic vesicle, optic vesicle, nasal placode, notochord, tailbud, proctodeum, branchial arches, epithelium, somite and the animal pole during early development. We have also observed the colocalization of trpv channels at the animal pole (trpv 2/4), trigeminal ganglia (trpv 1/2), and epithelium (trpv 5/6). These localization patterns suggest that trpv channels may play diverse roles during early embryonic development.

Calcium Signaling in Vertebrate Development and Its Role in Disease

Accumulating evidence over the past three decades suggests that altered calcium signaling during development may be a major driving force for adult pathophysiological events. Well over a hundred human genes encode proteins that are specifically dedicated to calcium homeostasis and calcium signaling, and the majority of these are expressed during embryonic development. Recent advances in molecular techniques have identified impaired calcium signaling during development due to either mutations or dysregulation of these proteins. This impaired signaling has been implicated in various human diseases ranging from cardiac malformations to epilepsy. Although the molecular basis of these and other diseases have been well studied in adult systems, the potential developmental origins of such diseases are less well characterized. In this review, we will discuss the recent evidence that examines different patterns of calcium activity during early development, as well as potential medical conditions associated with its dysregulation. Studies performed using various model organisms, including zebrafish, Xenopus, and mouse, have underscored the critical role of calcium activity in infertility, abortive pregnancy, developmental defects, and a range of diseases which manifest later in life. Understanding the underlying mechanisms by which calcium regulates these diverse developmental processes remains a challenge; however, this knowledge will potentially enable calcium signaling to be used as a therapeutic target in regenerative and personalized medicine.

The genetic insulator RiboJ increases expression of insulated genes

A primary objective of synthetic biology is the construction of genetic circuits with behaviors that can be predicted based on the properties of the constituent genetic parts from which they are built. However a significant issue in the construction of synthetic genetic circuits is a phenomenon known as context dependence in which the behavior of a given part changes depending on the choice of adjacent or nearby parts. Interactions between parts compromise the modularity of the circuit, impeding the implementation of predictable genetic constructs. To address this issue, investigators have devised genetic insulators that prevent these unintended context-dependent interactions between neighboring parts. One of the most commonly used insulators in bacterial systems is the self-cleaving ribozyme RiboJ. Despite its utility as an insulator, there has been no systematic quantitative assessment of the effect of RiboJ on the expression level of downstream genetic parts. Here, we characterized the impact of insulation with RiboJ on expression of a reporter gene driven by a promoter from a library of 24 frequently employed constitutive promoters in an Escherichia coli model system. We show that, depending on the strength of the promoter, insulation with RiboJ increased protein abundance between twofold and tenfold and increased transcript abundance by an average of twofold. This result demonstrates that genetic insulators in E. coli can impact the expression of downstream genes, information that is essential for the design of predictable genetic circuits and constructs.

Modulation of cellular energetics by galactose and pioglitazone

The Warburg effect is ameliorated by culturing transformed cells in the presence of galactose instead of glucose as the primary carbon source. However, metabolic consequences may occur in addition to sensitizing the cells to mitochondrial toxins. The screening of pharmaceutical agents against transformed cells while using galactose must therefore be carefully evaluated. Pioglitazone is employed in clinical applications to treat type-2 diabetes but clearly has other off-target effects. Human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) were cultured in glucose or galactose-containing medium to investigate the role of pioglitazone on cellular bioenergetics by calorimetry and respirometry. Compared with cells cultured in 10 mM glucose, HepG2 cells cultured in the presence of 10 mM galactose showed decreased metabolic activity as measured by cellular heat flow. Interestingly, cellular heat flow increased after the addition of pioglitazone for cells cultured in glucose, but not for cells cultured in galactose. Our calorimetric data indicated that a reduction in cellular capacity for glycolysis was the mechanism responsible for the increase in sensitivity to pioglitazone, and possibly to mitochondrial toxins in general, for cells cultured in galactose. Furthermore, oxygen consumption rates were decreased after the addition of pioglitazone to cells grown in glucose but remained unchanged for cells grown in the presence of galactose. We have demonstrated that pioglitazone induces a reduction in mitochondrial activity that is partially compensated via an increase in glycolysis in the presence of glucose.

Torg’s ratio in normal adult nepalese population

Introduction: Acute cervical trauma occasionally leads to cervical canal stenosis in some individuals in spite of minor trauma. The spinal canal-to-vertebral body ratio (Torg-Pavlov ratio) has been proposed for assessing developmental spinal canal stenosis. It is not affected by magnification, and is measured on lateral plain films of cervical vertebrae. The result of this study may help in better understanding of the Torg’s ratio, which is more reliable than direct measuring of the mid-sagittal diameter of the cervical spinal canal in the diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis or predicting the prognosis of cervical spinal cord injury. If Torg’s ratio is below normal there is risk of cervical cord injury whereas relatively safe in large Torg’s ratio. Torg’s ratio can be accessed even in rural areas where x-rays are easily available and more economical than MRI and CT scan. It can assess the risk of cord injury during sports and outdoor activities and help individuals’ choose safe carrier in sports or others activities.Methods: In order to ascertain the normal values of the Torg’s ratio in adults Nepalese, hundred sets of cervical vertebral columns of hundred adult Nepalese population of age group 20-40 years were examined. Consecutive patients presenting with history of neck pain with normal x-ray findings or history of trauma without cervical spine injury from Orthopaedic OPD (out patients department) and emergency department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu from March 2011 to August 2012 were included in the study.Results: There were 48 males and 52 females with age ranging from 20 yrs to 40 yrs with the mean of 30.34±5.36 years. The normal average canal/body ratio of the cervical spine is 0.99 +/- 0.09 in male and 1.01 +/- 0.07 in female. It was observed that the ratio of the antero-posterior diameters of cervical spinal canal and vertebral bodies showed sexual dimorphism.Conclusion: The Torg’s ratio is the same irrespective of gender and height. The result of this study will help in better understanding of the Torg’s ratio, which is more reliable than direct measuring of the mid-sagittal diameter of the cervical spinal canal in the diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis or predicting the prognosis of cervical spinal cord injury.JSSN 2015; 18 (1), Page: 5-9

Risk factors for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in dialysis patients: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients on dialysis are particularly vulnerable to meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and MRSA colonization is associated with increased risk for severe infections in this population.

AIM

Determination of risk factors for MRSA colonization among dialysis patients.

METHODS

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting risk factors of MRSA colonization. We performed a PubMed and EMBASE literature search to identify all studies on risk factors for MRSA colonization among patients undergoing dialysis treatment. Previous hospitalization, type of dialysis access, comorbid conditions, dialysis vintage, gender, length of time on dialysis, and previous antibiotic use were extracted and assessed for possible association with MRSA colonization in this population.

FINDINGS

Ten out of 8252 articles, presenting data on 2364 dialysis patients, were included. We found that hospitalization within the previous 12 months [odds ratio (OR): 1.93; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-3.58] and the use of temporary dialysis access (relative risk: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.06-2.60) were associated with a significantly higher risk of MRSA colonization. MRSA carriage was associated with lower serum albumin levels compared to non-carriage (OR: 0.8; 95% CI: 0.68-0.95) and was higher among patients with chronic lung disease (OR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.04-4.51). There were no data on patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

CONCLUSION

Active surveillance approaches, including potential decolonization strategies, are suggested to focus on these subgroups of haemodialysis patients with hospitalization within the previous year, temporary dialysis access, lower serum albumin levels, and chronic lung disease comorbidity.

Comparison of serum neutralization and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on sera from porcine epidemic diarrhea virus vaccinated pigs

BACKGROUND

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an economically important pathogen of swine.

OBJECTIVE

Serum neutralization (SN) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test results as well as the utility of spike proteins S1, S2, and S3 and entire nucleocapsid protein were compared.

ANIMALS AND METHODS

Serum samples from 400 pigs vaccinated against PEDV strain SM98P were collected from 78 farms in Korea. SN test and ELISA were performed to confirm the presence of antibodies. For prokaryotic expression of partial fragments of spike protein the size and location of S1, S2, and S3, and full nucleocapsid protein, polymerase chain reaction was performed using specific primers.

RESULTS

Comparison of these results demonstrated that there was a correlation between the SN and ELISA results. Sera with higher neutralizing activity also had higher IgG titer. The antibody profiling data presented the correlation of neutralizing activity with the level of spike protein antibody. In particular, the S3 region may have an important role in neutralizing activity.

CONCLUSIONS

We confirmed that the carboxy-terminal region that includes the endodomain of the S protein induced stronger neutralizing activity than the region that includes the ectodomain.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The region of the S protein may have a stronger neutralizing KPEDV-9 epitope and could be useful for the evaluation of future PEDV vaccine efficacy.

Evaluation of antibody response of killed and live vaccines against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in a field study

BACKGROUND

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an infectious, highly contagious virus, and is an etiological agent of acute entero-pathogenic diarrhea in swine.

OBJECTIVES

Evaluation of the antibody response of two types of PEDV vaccines is to be carried out.

ANIMALS AND METHODS

Sows were vaccinated with either live or killed commercial PEDV SM98 (GenBank: GU937797.1) vaccines. Four different groups of sows with five sows in each group were used in this study: the unvaccinated negative control group, the killed virus vaccination group with killed virus boosting (K/K), the live virus vaccinated group with live virus boosting (L/L), and the combination group vaccinated with live virus and subsequently boosted with killed vaccine (L/K). Sows were vaccinated intramuscularly twice at four and two weeks prior to farrowing with 2ml/head vaccine dose. Antibody titers in sow and piglet serum one week after farrowing and that in colostrum were compared by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and serum neutralization test.

RESULTS

Vaccination with K/K vaccine induced the highest level of IgG and IgA in sow serum, colostrum, and especially in piglet serum, with the lowest levels found in the L/L group. The major neutralizing activity was also found in the K/K group, particularly in colostrum, with piglets bearing higher neutralizing activity compared to sow sera. Among recombinant spike S1, S2, S3, and nucleocapsid N protein of PEDV, S3 protein presented the highest antibody level in the K/K group.

CONCLUSION

Killed PEDV SM98 vaccine induced higher antibody levels.

CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

This study clearly confirms that killed vaccine has induced higher antibody levels and may contribute to the design of future research and vaccine programs.

Reference Values of Fetal Peak Systolic Velocity in the Middle Cerebral Artery at 19–40 Weeks of Gestation in Nepalese Population

Aims: The purpose of this study was to construct new reference range for fetal middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) in uncomplicated pregnancy at 19-40 weeks of gestation. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study involving 400 singleton pregnancies between 19 and 40 weeks of gestation without any known risk factors of adverse pregnancy outcome who were referred for routine obstetric examination. The protocol included the doppler examination of fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) within 2 mm after its origin from the internal carotid artery and data were used to construct the normograms and percentile fitted curves of each doppler parameter for different gestational age. Results: Among 400 singleton uncomplicated pregnancies between 19 and 40 weeks of gestation maximum number of pregnancies (10%) was at 19 weeks of gestation and minimum (2.5%) was at 31 weeks. The fetal peak systolic blood flow in the MCA showed significant correlation with period of gestation. Mean MCA-PSV was 22.35 ± 3.05 at 19 weeks of gestation which increased to 67.73 ± 9.92 at 40 weeks. The MCA-PSV showed continuous increment with increasing gestational age.Conclusions: Continuous increment in the peak systolic volume with advancing gestational age was obtained which was consistent with the previous studies done by various authors. The percentile fitted values and normograms will be valuable for the serial measurement of the peak systolic volume of the middle cerebral artery for complicated pregnancies.Nepal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology / Vol 8 / No. 2 / Issue 16 / July-Dec, 2013 / 42-45 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njog.v8i2.9769  

Common site of urinary calculi in kidney, ureter and bladder region

Urolithiasis is an ancient disease with global distribution. It refers to stones originating anywhere in the urinary system. Urinary calculi or stones are the most common cause of acute urinary system obstruction. The study was aimed with finding out the common site of urinary calculus in kidney ureter bladder (KUB) region. This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted from June 2012 to September 2012 at Tribhuvan University, Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj. A total 240 urolitiasis patients were enrolled for plain KUB examination. Site of urinary calculus was identified by observing KUB film of the subjects under the supervision of radiologist. The data were analyzed prospectively with outcome measures of gender & stone location. Out of 240 patients, 138 were male and 102 were female with male to female ratio of 1.35:1. The age ranged from 9 to 83 years. Out of total 240 patients, 71.9% (187) patients belonged to productive age group (20-60 years). Total number of urinary calculi was 345 in which 208 were found in male patients and 137 were found in female patients. Of total 345 calculi, 237 were renal stones, 47 were ureteric stones, 22 of the stones were found in pelviureteric junction (PUJ), 33 of stones were found in vesicoureteric junction (VUJ), and 6 were in bladder. In conclusion, urinary stone disease is a major public health problem in a developing country like Nepal with male and productive age group predominance. Kidney stones are most common. Distal ureter is the most common site of ureteric stone.

Infant and young child feeding practices in Chepang communities

BACKGROUND

Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices differ in communities due to difference in knowledge, culture, health service utilization, and other socio-economic factors. The objective of this study was to explore the knowledge and practices of Chepang mothers on ICYF and their correlates.

METHODS

Cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in Chepang communities of Makawanpur district. Quantitative methodology was used in which 360 mothers of under children under two were randomly selected. Logistic regression analysis of selected child feeding indicators were done to find their association with socio-economic and health related factors.

RESULTS

Feeding practices of mothers were found better than their knowledge level. About 35% had knowledge about early initiation of breastfeeding. Exclusive breastfeeding and introduction of complementary foods at the age of six months were 81% and 90% respectively. Literate mothers were found initiating breastfeeding early than the illiterate (OR=2.61, 95% CI, 1.59-4.27). Growth monitoring service utilization was found to have significant association with exclusive breastfeeding practices (OR= 2.75; 95% CI, 1.30-5.78). Feeding diverse complementary foods was associated with average monthly family income and duration of food sufficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

Feeding practices in Chepang community were associated with health and socioeconomic determinants. Some of the feeding practices were found good however, meal frequency for the children 9-23 months of age and feeding diverse foods for children 6-23 months were found lower which needs to be improved through health education programs. Qualitative studies are needed to explore cultural factors.