Tag: nevin manimala

Beilstein J Nanotechnol. 2023 Sep 12;14:939-950. doi: 10.3762/bjnano.14.77. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

Nanoparticles with their unique features have attracted researchers over the past decades. Heavy metals, upon release and emission, may interact with different environmental components, which may lead to co-exposure to living organisms. Nanoscale titanium dioxide (nano-TiO₂) can adsorb heavy metals. The current idea is that nanoparticles (NPs) may act as carriers and facilitate the entry of heavy metals into organisms. Thus, the present study reports nanoscale quantitative structure-activity relationship (nano-QSAR) models, which are based on an ensemble learning approach, for predicting the cytotoxicity of heavy metals adsorbed on nano-TiO₂ to human renal cortex proximal tubule epithelial (HK-2) cells. The ensemble learning approach implements gradient boosting and bagging algorithms; that is, random forest, AdaBoost, Gradient Boost, and Extreme Gradient Boost were constructed and utilized to establish statistically significant relationships between the structural properties of NPs and the cause of cytotoxicity. To demonstrate the predictive ability of the developed nano-QSAR models, simple periodic table descriptors requiring low computational resources were utilized. The nano-QSAR models generated good R² values (0.99-0.89), Q² values (0.64-0.77), and Q²F₁ values (0.99-0.71). Thus, the present work manifests that ML in conjunction with periodic table descriptors can be used to explore the features and predict unknown compounds with similar properties.

PMID:37736658 | PMC:PMC10509545 | DOI:10.3762/bjnano.14.77

Chem Sci. 2023 Aug 29;14(36):9827-9837. doi: 10.1039/d3sc02993j. eCollection 2023 Sep 20.

ABSTRACT

Microscale Thermophoresis (MST) is a powerful biophysical technique that measures the mobility of biomolecules in response to a temperature gradient, making it useful for investigating the interactions between biological molecules. This study presents a novel methodology for studying RNA-containing samples using non-covalent nucleic acid-sensitive dyes in MST. This “mix-and-measure” protocol uses non-covalent dyes, such as those from the Syto or Sybr series, which lead to the statistical binding of one fluorophore per RNA oligo showing key advantages over traditional covalent labelling approaches. This new approach has been successfully used to study the binding of ligands to RNA molecules (e.g., SAM- and PreQ₁ riboswitches) and the identification of modifications (e.g., m⁶A) in short RNA oligos which can be written by the RNA methyltransferase METTL3/14.

PMID:37736627 | PMC:PMC10510756 | DOI:10.1039/d3sc02993j

Front Plant Sci. 2023 Sep 6;14:1188627. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1188627. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

Corn-leaf aphid (CLA), Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a serious economic pest of barley worldwide. Breeding for aphid resistance in plants is considered a cost-effective and environmentally safe approach for aphid control, compared to the use of chemical pesticides. One of the challenges in breeding for aphid resistance is the identification of resistant plant genotypes, which can be achieved through the use of molecular markers. In the present study, a set of aphid specific 10 simple-sequence repeats (SSR) markers were used to investigate genetic diversity and population structure analyses in 109 barley genotypes against R. maidis. Three statistical methods viz., multivariate hierarchical clustering based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficient, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and the Bayesian approach were utilized to classify the 109 barley genotypes. The analyses revealed four subpopulations i.e., SubPop1, SubPop2, SubPop3 and SubPop4 with 19, 46, 20 and 24 genotypes including admixtures, respectively and represented 17.43%, 42.2%, 18.34% and 22.01% genotypes of the total population size, respectively. The studied SSR markers produced 67 polymorphic bands, with an average of 6.7 and ranging from 3 to 12 bands. Heterozygosity (H) was found to be highest in SSR28 (0.64) and lowest in SSR27 (0.89). The observed genetic diversity index varied from 0.10 to 0.34 (with an average of 0.19). Major allele frequency varied from 74.08% to 94.80%. On an average, 87.52% of the 109 barley genotypes shared a common major allele at any locus. Based on the Aphid Infestation Index (AII), only 2 genotypes were found to be resistant against CLA. SubPop2 also had lowest mean aphid population (28.83), widest genetic similarity index (0.60-1.00) and highest genetic similarity coefficient (0.82), which highlighted its potential for inclusion in future CLA resistance breeding programs.

PMID:37736612 | PMC:PMC10510198 | DOI:10.3389/fpls.2023.1188627

Curr Med Mycol. 2022 Dec;8(4):9-14. doi: 10.32598/CMM.2023.1364.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Genotyping of pathogenic microorganisms is important for epidemiological studies and the adoption of appropriate strategies to control infectious diseases. In this regard, the present study aimed to genotype Candida albicans strains isolated from vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) patients using combined ABC type (25SrDNA) and repetitive sequence (RPS) typing systems. using combined typing systems of ABC type (25SrDNA) and repetitive sequence (RPS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 140 patients with VVC were investigated. Vaginal discharges were collected on Sabouraud dextrose agar and identified by CHROMagar. After species identification, a polymerase chain reaction system targeting 25S rDNA as well as ALT repeats in the RPS was designed to determine C. albicans genotypes. The dendrogram was constructed by zero-one matrix data based on the combination of ABC and RPS typing systems. Statistical analysis of data was performed in SPSS software (version 23).

RESULTS: In total, 41 (29.3%) Candida isolates were obtained from 140 VVC patients. The most common Candida species that were identified included C. glabrata (56.1%) and C. albicans (39%). Genotype A3 with five isolates (31.25%) had the highest frequency, followed by B2/3 with three isolates (18.3%), A3/4, C3/4, and B3/4 with two isolates (12.5%), and C2/3 and C3 with one isolate (6.25%), respectively. No significant association was found between the genotypes and antifungal resistance (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The results showed that non-albicans Candida species are more prevalent in VVC patients, compared to C. albicans. The results also indicated that ABC and RPS typings are useful for rapid genotyping and differentiation of C. albicans isolates in regional and small-scale studies.

PMID:37736604 | PMC:PMC10509497 | DOI:10.32598/CMM.2023.1364

Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2023 Sep 16;16:1893-1903. doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S412547. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The impact of fiscal decentralization on health outcomes still has not reached a consensus, and studies conducted in the context of the new round of fiscal and taxation system reform are even less available. China’s fiscal decentralization system has its own special characteristics, so it is necessary to analyze the impact of fiscal decentralization on health outcomes before and after the new round of fiscal and taxation system reform in China.

METHODS: Panel data from 2007 to 2019 were obtained through China’s Health Statistics Yearbook and China’s Statistical Yearbook. The effects of fiscal decentralization on health outcomes before and after the reform are explored separately by SYS-GMM, which introduce a dynamical model with a lag period of the explained variables. The Hansen test is used to determine excessive identification. The AR(2) is used to determine whether the residual term of the differential equation has a second-order serial correlation.

RESULTS: Fiscal decentralization consistently had a negative impact on health outcomes, yet government health expenditures did not mediate the impact of fiscal decentralization on health outcomes. Fiscal decentralization had a positive effect on per capita government health expenditure before the new reforms, yet had a negative effect on the percentage of government health expenditures, both before and after the new reform.

CONCLUSION: China’s fiscal decentralization has caused local governments to pay insufficient attention to the construction of people’s livelihoods, and the problem of insufficient government investment in health has not been improved. The new round of fiscal and taxation system reform has not reversed this situation either. It is recommended to adjust the incentive system for local officials, include medical and health in the evaluation indicators of local governments, optimize the structure of government expenditure, and improve the efficiency of the use of government health expenditure.

PMID:37736599 | PMC:PMC10511016 | DOI:10.2147/RMHP.S412547

J Rheum Dis. 2023 Oct 1;30(4):251-259. doi: 10.4078/jrd.2023.0031. Epub 2023 Sep 6.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Renal involvement in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) can lead to severe renal dysfunction requiring dialysis at diagnosis. We aimed to study the clinical and pathologic characteristics of patients with AAV dependent on dialysis at presentation and the long-term renal outcomes of patients who recovered from dialysis.

METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed data of patients diagnosed with AAV who were on dialysis from July 2005 to May 2021 at a single tertiary center in Korea.

RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were included in the study (median age 64.5 years, females 61.8%), of which 13 discontinued and 21 continued dialysis. The proportion of normal glomeruli (p<0.001) and interstitial fibrosis (p=0.024) showed significant differences between both groups. Multivariable analysis showed that the proportion of normal glomeruli was associated with dialysis discontinuation (odds ratio=1.29, 95% confidence interval 0.99~1.68, p=0.063), although without statistical significance. Treatment modalities, including plasmapheresis, did not show significance with dialysis discontinuation. In the follow-up analysis of 13 patients who had discontinued dialysis for a median of 81 months, 12 did not require dialysis, and their glomerular filtration rate values significantly increased at follow-up time compared to when they stopped dialysis (37.5 [28.5~45.5] vs. 24.0 [18.5~30.0] mL/min/1.73 m²; p=0.008).

CONCLUSION: Approximately 38% of AAV patients on dialysis discontinued dialysis, and the recovered patients had improved renal function without dialysis during longer follow-up. Patients with AAV on dialysis should be given the possibility of dialysis discontinuation and renal recovery, especially those with normal glomeruli in kidney pathology.

PMID:37736589 | PMC:PMC10509644 | DOI:10.4078/jrd.2023.0031

Public Health Action. 2023 Sep 21;13(3):70-76. doi: 10.5588/pha.23.0010.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Understanding the geographic distribution and factors associated with delayed TB diagnosis may help target interventions to reduce delays and improve patient outcomes.

METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of adults undergoing TB evaluation within a public health demonstration project in Uganda. Using Global Moran’s I (GMI) and Getis-Ord GI* statistics, we evaluated for residential clustering and hotspots associated with patient-related and health system-related delays. We performed multivariate logistic regression to identify individual predictors of both types of delays.

RESULTS: Of 996 adults undergoing TB evaluation (median age: 37 years, IQR 28-49), 333 (33%) experienced patient delays, and 568 (57%) experienced health system delays. Participants were clustered (GMI 0.47-0.64, P ⩽ 0.001) at the sub-county level, but there were no statistically significant hotspots for patient or health system delays. Married individuals were less likely to experience patient delays (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.48-0.75; P < 0.001). Those aged 38-57 years (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.07-1.38; P = 0.002) were more likely than those aged ⩾58 years to experience patient delays. Knowledge about TB (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.63-0.98; P = 0.03) protected against health system delays.

CONCLUSIONS: We did not identify geographic hotspots for TB diagnostic delays. Instead, delays were associated with individual factors such as age, marital status and TB knowledge.

PMID:37736583 | PMC:PMC10446659 | DOI:10.5588/pha.23.0010

Am J Blood Res. 2023 Aug 15;13(4):110-116. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of coagulopathy in postoperative neurosurgical patients and correlate it with the outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: This longitudinal study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in the Department of Pathology and Neurosurgery. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Ethical Committee – Human Research. Seventy-two (72) participants were recruited within 48 hours of surgery after obtaining consent. Complete clinical and surgical details were recorded. A 6.5 mL venous sample was collected and dispensed in two separate vials. The EDTA sample was run within 2 hours of collection on an automated hematology analyzer to obtain complete blood counts, including platelet count. The citrated sample was run on a fully automated coagulometer to determine PT, APTT, plasma fibrinogen, FVIII assay, and D-dimer levels. Subjects with a DIC-ISTH score of 5 or more were excluded. Coagulopathy was defined as three or more coagulation parameters deranged in a patient. All patients were followed up for the outcome. The outcome was correlated with coagulopathy, and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The study found that the number of hemostatic parameters deranged correlated with outcome (P < 0.001). The proportion of patients with coagulopathy was 32/72 (44.4%), while those without coagulopathy were 40/72 (55.6%). Of patients with coagulopathy, 87.5% (28/32) had an adverse outcome, while 12.5% (4/32) had a favorable outcome. The difference was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Coagulopathy, defined as the derangement of three or more parameters, is a predictor of poor outcomes in postoperative neurosurgical patients. This timely recognition of coagulopathy can help triage patients requiring appropriate blood products, significantly reducing morbidity and mortality associated with postoperative neurosurgical patients.

PMID:37736539 | PMC:PMC10509467

Am J Blood Res. 2023 Aug 15;13(4):117-129. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) infection has spread globally and caused a substantial amount of mortality and morbidity. Early detection of severe infections will improve care and reduce deaths. The use of hematological parameters in predicting COVID-19 disease severity, patient outcomes, and early risk stratification is limited. Therefore, the study was aimed at determining hematological parameters and their predictive value for assessing disease severity in laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients in Northwest Ethiopia.

METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital and Tibebe Ghion comprehensive specialized referral hospital on 253 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted between March 2021 and February 2022. Data were extracted, and entered into Epi-data 4.2.0.0, and analyzed using SPSS version 25 software. Hematological parameters were provided as the median and interquartile range (IQR). Categorical variables were represented by their frequency, and the χ² test was applied to compare observed results with expected results. The receiver-operating curve (ROC) was used to establish the predictive value of hematological parameters for COVID-19 severity. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: On a total of 253 patients, there were 43.87% severe cases, with a mortality rate of 26.9%. The ROC analysis showed the optimal cutoff values for hematological parameters were ANC (3370), lymphocyte (680), NLR (9.34), PLR (290.77), platelets (332,000), and WBCs (4390.65). The area under the curve (AUC) values for NLR (0.679) and ANC (0.631) were high, with the highest sensitivity and specificity, and could potentially be used to predict COVID-19 severity.

CONCLUSION: This study proved that high NLR and high ANC have prognostic value for assessing disease severity in COVID-19. Thus, assessing and considering these hematological parameters when triaging COVID-19 patients may prevent complications and improve the patient’s outcome.

PMID:37736538 | PMC:PMC10509465

R Soc Open Sci. 2023 Sep 20;10(9):230316. doi: 10.1098/rsos.230316. eCollection 2023 Sep.

ABSTRACT

Country reported case counts suggested a slow spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa. Owing to inadequate public awareness, unestablished monitoring practices, limited testing and stigmas, there might exist extensive under-ascertainment of the true number of cases, especially at the beginning of the novel epidemic. We developed a compartmentalized epidemiological model to track the early epidemics in 54 African countries. Data on the reported cumulative number of cases and daily confirmed cases were used to fit the model for the time period with no or little massive national interventions yet in each country. We estimated that the mean basic reproduction number is 2.02 (s.d. 0.7), with a range between 1.12 (Zambia) and 3.64 (Nigeria). The mean overall report rate was estimated to be 5.37% (s.d. 5.71%), with the highest 30.41% in Libya and the lowest 0.02% in São Tomé and Príncipe. An average of 5.46% (s.d. 6.4%) of all infected cases were severe cases and 66.74% (s.d. 17.28%) were asymptomatic ones. The estimated low reporting rates in Africa suggested a clear need for improved reporting and surveillance systems in these countries.

PMID:37736525 | PMC:PMC10509578 | DOI:10.1098/rsos.230316