Category: Nevin Manimala

Plant Genome. 2021 Aug 15:e20129. doi: 10.1002/tpg2.20129. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Powdery mildew isa major disease of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for which breeders have traditionally relied on dominant, pathogen race-specific resistance genes for genetic control. Directional selection pressures in extensive monocultures invariably result in such genes being overcome as the pathogen mutates to evade recognition. This has led to a widespread reliance on fungicides and a single broad-spectrum recessive resistance provided by the mlo gene. The range of resistance genes and alleles found in wild crop relatives and landraces has been reduced in agricultural cultivars through an erosion of genetic diversity during domestication and selective breeding. Three novel major-effect adult plant resistance (APR) genes from landraces, designated Resistance to Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Rbgh1 to Rbgh3), were identified in the terminal regions of barley chromosomes 5HL, 7HS, and 1HS, respectively. The phenotype of the new APR genes showed neither pronounced penetration resistance, nor the spontaneous necrosis and mesophyll cell death typical of mlo resistance, nor a whole epidermal cell hypersensitive response, typical of race-specific resistance. Instead, resistance was localized to the site of attempted penetration in an epidermal cell and was associated with cell wall appositions and cytosolic vesicle-like bodies, and lacked strong induction of reactive oxygen species. The APR genes exhibited differences in vesicle-like body sizes, their distribution, and the extent of localized 3,3-diaminobenzidine staining in individual doubled haploid lines. The results revealed a set of unique basal penetration resistance genes that offer opportunities for combining different resistance mechanisms in breeding programs for robust mildew resistance.

PMID:34392613 | DOI:10.1002/tpg2.20129

Isr Med Assoc J. 2021 Aug;23(8):484-489.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Surgery for hip fractures within 48 hours of admission is considered standard. During the lockdown period due to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, our medical staff was reduced.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the demographics, treatment pathways, and outcomes of patients with hip fractures during the COVID-19 epidemic and lockdown with the standard at routine times.

METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of all patients who were treated surgically for hip fracture in a tertiary center during the COVID-19 lockdown period between 01 March and 01 June 2020 and the equivalent period in 2019. Demographic characteristics, time to surgery, surgery type, hospitalization time, discharge destination, postoperative complications, and 30- and 90-day mortality rates were collected for all patients.

RESULTS: During the COVID-19 period, 105 patients were operated due to hip fractures compared to 136 in the equivalent period with no statistical difference in demographics. The rate of surgeries within 48 hours of admission was significantly higher in the COVID-19 period (92% vs. 76%, respectively; P = 0.0006). Mean hospitalization time was significantly shorter (10 vs. 12 days, P = 0.037) with diversion of patient discharge destinations from institutional to home rehabilitation (P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between the COVID-19 period and lower 90-day mortality rates (P = 0.034). No statistically significant differences in postoperative complications or 30-day mortality rates were noted.

CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 epidemic, despite the limited staff and the lack of therapeutic sequence, there was no impairment in the quality of treatment and a decrease in 90-day mortality was noted.

PMID:34392622

Int J Clin Pract. 2021 Aug 15:e14736. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14736. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To observe and describe the stiffness changes of the optic nerve in the patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with or without optic neuritis and healthy adults via shear wave elastography (SWE).

METHODS: Seventy optic nerves from thirty-five patients with MS and sixty optic nerves from thirty healthy subjects were included prospectively in the study. The optic nerve (ON), optic disc (OD), and perineural area were evaluated with SWE and optic nerve sheat diameter (ONSD) was measured by ultrasound.

RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 39.68 ± 9.99 years. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of ONSD, SWE ON, SWE OD, and SWE perineural area levels (p> 0.05). In the MS group; No statistically significant difference was found between patients with and without optic neuritis for the mean age, gender distribution, duration of MS, types of MS, ONSD, SWE ON, SWE OD, SWE perineural area, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores (p> 0.05). No statistically significant difference in terms of ONSD, SWE ON, SWE OD, and SWE perineural area between the MS patients with or without optic neuritis and the control group (p> 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Shear wave elastography measurements of the optic nerve, optic disc, and perineural area do not contribute to the evaluation of optic neuritis in a patient with MS.

PMID:34392588 | DOI:10.1111/ijcp.14736

Vet Comp Oncol. 2021 Aug 15. doi: 10.1111/vco.12761. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Prognosis of canine oral malignant melanoma encompasses clinical, histological and immunohistochemical parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of bone invasion in oral canine melanoma. Sixty-eight dogs bearing oral melanoma staged II and III that underwent surgery and anti-CSPG4 electrovaccination, with available histological data and a minimum follow up of minimum 1 year, were retrospectively selected. Bone invasion was detected on imaging and/or histology. Median survival time of dogs with evidence of bone invasion (group 1) was 397 days and significantly shorter compared with dogs with oral melanomas not invading the bone (group 2, 1063 days). Dogs with tumours localized at the level of the cheek, lip, tongue and soft palate (soft tissue – group 3) lived significantly longer compared with dogs having tumours within the gingiva of the maxilla or mandible (hard tissue – group 4) with a median survival time of 1063 and 470 days, respectively. Within group 4, the subgroup of dogs with tumours not invading the bone (group 5) showed a significant prolonged survival time (972 days) in comparison with dogs of group 1 (bone invasion group). Similar results were obtained for the disease-free intervals among the different groups. Statistical analysis showed that Ki67 and mitotic count were correlated with shorter survival in patients of group 1 (with bone invasion). Bone invasion should always be assessed since it appears to be a negative prognostic factor. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:34392602 | DOI:10.1111/vco.12761

Nurs Open. 2021 Aug 15. doi: 10.1002/nop2.1038. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To analyse medication error data from a hospital’s electronic reporting system and identify the factors affecting error types and harmfulness.

DESIGN: A retrospective study.

METHODS: The 805 near misses and adverse events reported to the hospital’s electronic reporting system between January 2014 and December 2018 were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS: A total of 632 near misses and 173 adverse events were reported. Near misses and adverse events were the most common error type during the dispensing stage and medication administration, respectively. The odds of medication errors reported by nurses with 1-9 years of clinical experience were relatively low. After adjusting for confounders, the odds of medication errors directly observed by nurses were 65% lower than the odds of medication errors not directly detected. In clinical practice, nurses must be educated about errors in reporting depending on their degree of clinical experience.

PMID:34392612 | DOI:10.1002/nop2.1038

Am J Disaster Med. 2021 Spring;16(2):95-104. doi: 10.5055/ajdm.2021.0392.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine if a specific tablet-based training module can be used as an effective tool for independently training novice sonographers in the components of the focused assessment for sonography in trauma (FAST) exam.

DESIGN: Participants attended a 15-minute orientation presentation followed by a 2-hour ultrasound scanning workshop where they used a novel tablet-based training module to learn the components of the FAST exam independently.

SETTING: This study took place at an accredited United States college of osteopathic medicine.

PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two first-year medical student volunteers without any prior ultrasound training in abdominal scanning.

INTERVENTIONS: Training activities included brief didactic training and participation in an independent learning FAST exam workshop.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants filled out subjective pre- and post-training self-confidence questionnaires and were objectively assessed and scored on their scanning skills.

RESULTS: Comparison of the pre- and post-training subjective questionnaires showed a statistically significant (p < 0.001) increase in participant confidence in performing all components of the FAST exam. During skill evaluation, participants collectively demonstrated correct technique in 366 (82 percent) of the 448 total FAST exam scanning tasks they attempted.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, the authors believe that learning to perform the FAST exam with this digital training module is an effective means of independently acquiring ultrasound skill. Digital ultrasound training modules like this one could have several useful applications, such as serving as an educational resource, or functioning as a point-of-care scanning adjunct to medical professionals in underdeveloped and rural areas where formal ultrasound training is not available.

PMID:34392522 | DOI:10.5055/ajdm.2021.0392

Mass Spectrom Rev. 2021 Aug 15. doi: 10.1002/mas.21723. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fragmentation studies of cationized amino acids and small peptides as studied using guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometry (GIBMS) are reviewed. After a brief examination of the key attributes of the GIBMS approach, results for a variety of systems are examined, compared, and contrasted. Cationization of amino acids, diglycine, and triglycine with alkali cations generally leads to dissociations in which the intact biomolecule is lost. Exceptions include most lithiated species as well as a few examples for sodiated and one example for potassiated species. Like the lithiated species, cationization by protons leads to numerous dissociation channels. Results for protonated glycine, cysteine, asparagine, diglycine, and a series of tripeptides are reviewed, along with the thermodynamic consequences that can be gleaned. Finally, the important physiological process of the deamidation of asparagine (Asn) residues is explored by the comparison of five dipeptides in which the C-terminal partner (AsnXxx) is altered. The GIBMS thermochemistry is shown to correlate well with kinetic results from solution phase studies.

PMID:34392555 | DOI:10.1002/mas.21723

Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2021 Summer;32(2):100-108.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Trichotillomania (TTM) and Skin Picking Disorder (SPD) are psychiatric disorders characterized by chronic and compulsive pulling and picking to remove hair and skin. There are very few studies on the clinical and phenomenological differences of TTM and SPD. In this study we aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and comorbidities of patients diagnosed with TTM and SPD.

METHOD: We enrolled 56 TTM and 113 SPD patients who were assessed with SCID-I for DSM-IV. In addition, we evaluated the DSM- 5 criteria for Obsessive and Compulsive Disorder spectrum. We also utilized sociodemographic form, the Clinical Global Impression Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory.

RESULTS: Although patients with TTM and SPD had many common clinical features and comorbidities, statistically significant differences were determined in the number of the pulling/picking sites (Z=- 7.084; p<0.001), the type of the outpatient clinics which they initially consulted (χ2=19.451; p<0.001), reasons for pulling/picking behavior (p<0.05) and comorbidities of depression (χ2=3.878; p=0.049) and onychophagia (χ2=7.173; p=0.007). Disease severity and depression and anxiety scores of patients with TTM and SPD who had comorbid diseases were statistically significantly higher compared to the patients without comorbidities (p<0.005).

CONCLUSION: TTM and SPD often present with common clinical characteristics and a high incidence of psychiatric comorbidities. Finding out the clinical characteristics, the triggering factors and determining the comorbidities are important to gain an understanding of the course and determine the appropriate treatment for these disorders. Hence, phenomenological studies on large patient populations are needed.

PMID:34392506

Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2021 Summer;32(2):129-136.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop a short scale that assesses the progress and recovery in addiction treatment with respect to all relevant areas, and to determine its validity and reliability.

METHOD: After scanning the literature and consulting the experts, a pool of questions was. The pilot form was tested in 10 cases then a final 8-item scale was generated. Clinical sample of the study consisted of 307 alcohol/substance users who applied Turkish Green Crescent Outpatient Counselling Center for psychosocial treatment between March 2016 and March 2017. Non-clinical sample of the study is composed by 102 randomly chosen participants without a history of psychiatric disorder. The reliability of the Addiction Outcome Assessment Index (AOAI) questions was determined by computing the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and the factor structure analysis was determined by varimax rotation. Analysis of the reliability of the change between sessions was conducted via Reliable Change Index-(RCI).

RESULTS: The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the total Outcome Assessment Index (AOAI) was 0.80. Therapists’ total correlation coefficient was 0.75. Explanatory Factor Analysis revealed 2 factors which explains 43.96% of the total variance. The difference between groups’ AOAI-Turkish (BASI) mean score was statistically significant. Cut-off point was determined as 8.63. RCI was 3.5. AOAI’s first session mean score was 14.92±5.63, the mean score decreased at the tenth session to 9.4±4.71.

CONCLUSION: The results showed that AOAI is a valid and reliable questionnaire that can be used to measure the progress of different dimensions of alcohol and substance use.

PMID:34392509

Rheumatol Ther. 2021 Aug 14. doi: 10.1007/s40744-021-00348-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs) may encounter challenges in their family planning journey. Here, we report on the access to family planning and pregnancy (FPP) information and the concerns among patients in Denmark with CIDs.

METHODS: Patients aged 18-50 years with CIDs participated in an online survey. Patients were recruited through patient advocacy groups and were asked to report information on their diagnosis, concerns related to FPP and perceptions of access to FPP information. Descriptive statistics were applied.

RESULTS: Of the eligible respondents, 368 had rheumatological diagnoses (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis; mean age 40 years; 83% women, 17% men) and 95 had dermatological diagnoses (psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis; mean age 38 years; 67% women, 33% men). Approximately 70% of all patients reported seeking FPP information from patient advocacy groups; 57% of both cohorts used the internet as information sources; and 73% and 42% of rheumatological and dermatological cohorts used their hospital and specialist doctor, respectively. Despite this, 58% and 67% of patients with rheumatological and dermatological diagnoses reported limited or no access to FPP information, with > 70% of dermatological patients of early/mid-reproductive age reporting a lack of access to this information. Overall, 68% of patients with rheumatological and 73% with dermatological diagnoses had biological children, amongst whom 24% and 18%, respectively, indicated their disease affected the number of children they ultimately decided to have. The most frequent FPP concerns among patients who did not want any/more biological children were disease worsening, heredity and taking care of the child.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite awareness of available sources of FPP information, patients expressed experiencing a feeling of limited access to information and having concerns that affect key decisions regarding FPP. The results of this survey highlight a need for improved and more standardised FPP information for patients with CIDs in Denmark.

PMID:34392489 | DOI:10.1007/s40744-021-00348-2