Using structure prediction of negative sense RNA virus nucleoproteins to assess evolutionary relationships

Negative sense RNA viruses (NSV) include some of the most detrimental human pathogens, including the influenza, Ebola and measles viruses. NSV genomes consist of one or multiple single-stranded RNA molecules that are encapsidated into one or more ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. Current evolutionary relationships within the NSV phylum are based on alignment of conserved RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domain amino acid sequences. However, the RdRp-based phylogeny does not address whether other core proteins in the NSV genome evolved along the same trajectory. Moreover, the current classification of NSVs does not consistently match the segmented and non-segmented nature of negative-sense virus genomes. Viruses belonging to e.g. the Serpentovirales have a segmented genome but are classified among the non-segmented negative-sense RNA viruses. We hypothesized that RNA genome segmentation is not coupled to the RdRp domain, but rather to the nucleocapsid protein (NP) that forms RNP complexes with the viral RNA. Because NP sequences are too short to infer robust phylogenetic relationships, we here used experimentally-obtained and AlphaFold 2.0-predicted NP structures to probe whether evolutionary relationships can be estimated using NSV NP sequences and potentially improve our understanding of the relationships between NSV subphyla and the NSV genome organization. Following flexible structure alignments of modeled structures, we find that the structural homology of the NSV NPs reveals phylogenetic clusters that are consistent with the currently accepted NSV taxonomy based on RdRp sequences with one key difference: the NPs of the segmented Serpentovirales cluster with the other segmented NSV. In addition, we were able to assign viruses for which RdRp sequences are currently missing to phylogenetic clusters. Overall, our results suggest that the NSV RdRp and NP genes largely evolved along similar trajectories, that NP-based clustering is better correlated with the NSV genome structure organization, and that even short pieces of genetic, protein-coding information can be used to infer evolutionary relationships, potentially making metagenomic analyses more valuable.

Perception of family planning and reasons for low acceptance of NSV among married males of urban slums of Lucknow city - A community based study

Background and Aims:

Population explosion has been India's major problem since independence. It is a major obstacle to the overall progress of the nation. Adoption of family planning methods is one of the best solutions to tackle this problem. The roots of the factors influencing family planning issues are entrenched in the socio-cultural milieu of Indian society. Uttar Pradesh is the most populated state of the country having population of 199.581 million and TFR of 3.3 (AHS 2012-2013) with high fertile trajectory. Among the family planning methods currently, male sterilization accounts for only 0.3% of all sterilizations in Uttar Pradesh (AHS 2012-2013). A strategy to promote men's involvement in effective birth control is needed to reduce the population growth. The aim of this study is: i) To access the perception of married males towards family planning. ii) To access knowledge about NSV iii) enumerate the causes for low acceptance of NSV.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was carried out. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used. In the first stage, two urban slums from each Nagar-Nigam zone was selected randomly. In the second stage, from each selected slum, a sample of 24 eligible households was selected at random to achieve the desired sample size.

Results:

Female sterilization technique was considered as the most effective family planning method by the male respondents. Socio-cultural barriers were the most important reason for the low acceptance of NSV. Educational status was found to be the most important predictor for these socio-cultural barriers.

Conclusion:

Measures should be taken to remove misconceptions, to increase uptake of NSV.

No Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV) with Ligation and Excision: A Single Centre Experience

No scalpel vasectomy (NSV) has proved to be a safe and simple procedure for permanent sterilization for men. Ligation and excision of the vas deferens followed by fascial interposition is the procedure of choice. It is believed that vas excision without fascial interposition has a risk of failure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the technique of NSV with ligation and excision only. No scalpel vasectomy performed in an urban centre was taken for this prospective study. Only ligation and excision procedure was applied in its execution. It was demonstrated and performed under the supervision of an expert. Information regarding early and late complications including failure was gathered. A total number of 3,392 NSVs were performed in an urban training centre between Apr' 2009 to Mar' 2013. The procedure applied was only excision and ligation of the vas deferens. The fascial interposition was not included in the procedure. Haematoma (1), bleeding (3), foreign body granuloma (1), scrotal pain (3), epididymitis (1) and sinus formations (1) were encountered. There was only one failure in the whole group of acceptors. NSV with ligation and excision is a simple and easy procedure to learn and perform. Complications and failures are negligible. The additional fascial interposition needs more surgical skill and is time-consuming, hence can be avoided where a large number of acceptors need to undergo NSV in a rural camp.

Oral health perception in veterans with self-identified disabilities: National Survey of Veterans, 2010

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the relationship of self-identified disability and oral health perception in a veteran population.

METHODS

The National Survey of Veterans, 2010, database was used to conduct a cross-sectional study of 8,303 participants. Questionnaires were mailed to the veterans, and the questions were developed to assess sociodemographic information, health perception, and health status, among other areas of interest. The Andersen Behavioral Model was used as the framework for the study. The outcome of interest was perceived oral health, and the main variable of interest was self-identified disability. The data were analyzed for descriptive, and bivariate analyses, and logistic regression.

RESULTS

There were 1,904 participants (21.2 percent) with self-identified disability. There were 2,505 participants (41.0 percent) who indicated negative oral health perception. In logistic regression, individuals with self-identified disability had an unadjusted odds ratio of 1.63 (95 percent CI: 1.44, 1.85) and an adjusted odds ratio of 1.69 (95 percent CI: 1.44, 1.99) for negative oral health perception as compared with participants who did not self-identify disability.

CONCLUSION

Oral health perception in a veteran population is affected by predisposing and enabling factors among which is self-identified disability.

Role of no scalpel vasectomy in male sterilization

No Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV) is a modern method of delivery, ligation and excision of vas deference without use of a knife. It provides a permanent sterilization option for male. It is a safe, effective method of vasectomy with low complication and greater patient compliance. To evaluate effectiveness and its acceptance of the procedure data were collected on men who accepted NSV between Jan'2008 to Mar'09. Demographic information, motivating factors, educational status and surgical complications were recorded. The cases were done in rural hospitals & Primary health centers as camp procedure. A total of 649 vasectomies performed using NSV method from Jan'08 to Mar'09. The mean age of the acceptors was 35 years with 4 numbers of children on average. Complications included bleeding during surgery in 4 cases (0.6%), haematoma in one case (0.2%), and superficial wound infection occurred in two cases (0.3%) and scrotal pain in 4 cases (0.6%). NSV is an effective, minimal access method of vas delivery, ligation and excision. It provides safe and effective contraceptive option to male population with minimal complications. Doctors, health workers along with the simplicity of procedure and early return to work are great motivating factors. It is easily performed as camp procedure in a simple medical setup. Doctors can be effectively trained hands on during the camp procedure.