Apparent Infection Research Articles

Effect of Weather Parameters on Disease Severity and Progression of Fusarium Wilt in Chilli (Capsicum anuum L.)

Fusarium wilt incited by Fusarium oxysporum is an economically damaging disease of chilli (Capsicum anuum L.). Field experiments on epidemiological studies were conducted using susceptible variety (Pusa Jwala) to study the effect of weather parameters on the progression of the disease. The study revealed that transplanting chilli during the first half of July reduced the disease severity compared to earliest transplant dates. The area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) and the apparent infection rate were lowest in the crop transplanted on 15th July, 2022 while they were highest in the crop transplanted on 15th June, 2022. The correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between disease severity and bright sunshine hours, and a negative correlation with the other weather parameters. The R2 value obtained from multiple regression equations revealed that the combined effect of weather parameters could explain the prediction of a disease level of 83-86 per cent at all three transplant dates.

Environmental relationships and anthrax epidemiology: field experiences of host resistance as opposed to dose-dependent experiments

Even though anthrax is a disease of antiquity that has been studied for centuries, serious concerns have been raised about our understanding of its epidemiology. Since the 1960s, we have based the epidemiology of anthrax on the results of dose-dependent experiments, especially those involving cattle at that time. In this species the experiments demonstrated that the severity of infection was dependent upon the numbers of Bacillus anthracis spores ingested. The opinion was that ingesting only a few spores would be insufficient to cause an apparent infection; any infection that resulted would be latent (i.e., unrecognized). Based on the results of these experiments, it was accepted that the ingestion of large numbers of spores was the source of infection for hundreds of anthrax outbreaks. However, many investigations of both human and animal anthrax outbreaks have failed to identify sources of large numbers of spores, suggesting that these outbreaks are only rarely a consequence of ingestion or inhalation of large quantities of spores. This opinion piece builds upon the indirect evidence previously presented in an article focused on the existence of latent infections. Much of the evidence for the existence of latent infections was predicated upon a reduction of host resistance, which revealed how latent infections could be a source of more severe forms of the infection. That is, a latent infection can be the source of a severe infection, but the cause of the severe infection is the reduced host resistance. That first article concentrated on the arguments for latent infections, while this article concentrates on the arguments for host resistance. Host resistance is virtually impossible to measure objectively in the field. To provide a subjective measure of host resistance during anthrax outbreaks, we suggest the use of the opinions of livestock owners and or their veterinary practitioners and or field workers during investigations of anthrax outbreaks. When veterinary personal work in the field they are much like field biologists. In some ways field biologists better appreciate environmental factors, population ecology and other perspectives that are of use to epidemiologists. The more diverse the information the better the epidemiology is understood. To this effect we present our personal anecdotal and theoretical ideas from our experiences as well as a collection of bibliographic observations from others’. Our conclusions are that a combination of latent infections and reduced host resistance based on the host's relationship with its environment would better explain the epidemiology of severe infections in anthrax outbreaks for which large quantities of spores have not been located. This applies especially if the area has a history of the disease and/or if necropsies have shown the presence of latent infections in otherwise normal animals in the area and/or if environmental conditions are considered stressful and include intense insect activity.

Diagnostic considerations in the clinical management of sudden swelling of the knee: a case report and review of the literature

BackgroundReactive arthritis and septic arthritis rarely present concomitantly in the same joint and patient. Reactive arthritis presenting after coronavirus disease 2019 is also exceedingly rare, with less than 30 cases reported thus far. Less common pathogens such as Clostridium difficile have been reported to cause reactive arthritis, especially in patients with a positive human leukocyte antigen B27, and therefore should be considered in diagnostic algorithms. The aim of this case report is to highlight the difficulties and precautions in discerning and diagnosing patients presenting with sudden swelling of the knee.Case presentationWe report the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian male with a recent history of coronavirus disease 2019 upper respiratory infection and diarrhea and negating trauma, who presented with a swollen and painful knee. Pain and swelling worsened and inflammatory parameters increased after an intraarticular corticosteroid injection. The patient was therefore treated with arthroscopic lavage and intravenous antibiotics for suspected septic arthritis. Synovial fluid and synovium samples were taken and sent for microbiological analysis. Synovial fluid cytology showed increased leukocytes at 10,980 × 106/L, while polymerase chain reaction and cultures came back sterile. Clostridium difficile toxin was later detected from a stool sample and the patient was treated with oral vancomycin. The patient was tested for the presence of human leukocyte antigen B27, which was positive. We present a review of the literature about the challenges of distinguishing septic from reactive arthritis, and about the mechanisms that predispose certain patients to this rheumatological disease.ConclusionsIt is still a challenge to differentiate between septic and reactive arthritis of the knee, and it is even more challenging to identify the exact cause of reactive arthritis. This case report of a human leukocyte antigen-B27-positive patient highlights the necessity of contemplating different, less common causes of a swollen knee joint as a differential diagnosis of an apparent septic infection, especially in the coronavirus disease 2019 era. Treating the patient for septic arthritis prevented any possible complications of such a condition, while treating the C. difficile infection contributed to the substantial relief of symptoms.

Clinically apparent Helicobacter pylori infection and the risk of incident Alzheimer's disease: A population-based nested case-control study.

Our population-based study assessed whether clinically apparent Helicobacter pylori infection (CAHPI) is associated with the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We assembled a population-based cohort of all dementia-free subjects in the United Kingdom's Clinical Practice Research Datalink (UK CPRD), aged ≥50 years (1988-2017). Using a nested case-control approach, we matched each newly developed case of AD with 40 controls. Conditional logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of AD associated with CAHPI compared with no CAHPI during ≥2 years before the index date. We also used salmonellosis as a negative control exposure. Among 4,262,092 dementia-free subjects, 40,455 developed AD after a mean 11 years of follow-up. CAHPI was associated with an increased risk of AD (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.21) compared with no CAHPI. Salmonellosis was not associated with the risk of AD (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.82-1.29). CAHPI was associated with a moderately increased risk of AD. CAHPI was associated with an 11% increased risk of AD in subjects aged ≥50 years. The increase in the risk of AD reached a peak of 24% a decade after CAHPI onset. There was no major effect modification by age or sex. Sensitivity analyses addressing several potential biases led to consistent results.

Occult bacteremia in living donor liver transplantation: a prospective observational study of recipients and donors.

To investigate the incidence and clinical impact of occult bacteremia in liver transplantation (LT). This prospective observational study involved a fixed-point observation for up to 2weeks after living donor LT in 20 recipients, with 20 donors as comparison subjects. Bacteria in the blood samples were detected using the ribosomal RNA-targeted reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. To identify the causality with the gut microbiota (GM), fecal samples were collected and analyzed simultaneously. Occult bacteremia was identified in four recipients (20%) and three donors (15%) before the operation, and in seven recipients (35%) and five donors (25%) after the operation. Clostridium leptum subgroup, Prevotella, Colinesella, Enterobacteriaceae, and Streptococcus were the main pathogens responsible. Although it did not negatively affect the donor post-hepatectomy outcomes, the recipients with occult bacteremia had a higher rate of infectious complications post-LT. The GM analyses showed fewer post-LT predominant obligate anaerobes in both the recipients and donors with occult bacteremia. Occult bacteremia is a common condition that occurs in both donors and recipients. While occult bacteremia generally remains subclinical in the healthy population, there is potential risk of the development of an apparent post-LT infection in recipients who are highly immunosuppressed.

Isolation, in vitro, and in vivo pathogenicity test of Tilapia lake virus (TiLV) and development of a prognostic semi-quantitative lesion scoring system for differentiating clinical/subclinical infection in farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

Tilapia lake virus (‘TiLV-MH-2022’) was recently recovered from the naturally infected farmed tilapia. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using segment 1 specific primers, followed by Sanger sequencing, confirmed the infection. The pairwise sequence homology of segment 1 showed its close relationship with the previous isolates. The virus was successfully detected from the mucus, which emphasised the possibility of non-invasive screening of tilapia on a large scale. The virus inoculum prepared from the infected tissues was tested for in vivo and in vitro pathogenicity. Around 100-140 nm-sized electron-dense virus particles were observed in the infected OnlL cells. Based on the onset of symptoms and lesions, all RT-PCR-positive fish were categorised into two groups, ‘clinical’ and ‘subclinical’. A lesion-scoring technique was developed for assessing the pathogenicity of the virus isolate. The external and internal gross lesions and histopathological alterations in the critical organs of the fish, such as the brain, kidney, gills, and liver, were assessed on a scale of 0 (no gross lesion) to 5 (most severe lesions). Overall lesion score was significantly high in the clinical and subclinical groups for gross and histopathology, respectively. This study is the first such attempt to standardise a semi-quantitative lesion scoring technique for TiLV infection, which establishes a clinical relevance and prognostic ability to distinguish between the apparent and inapparent infection.

Blastocystis sp. and Toxocara spp. Coinfection in Patients with Clinically Manifested Skin Allergy

In recent years, more and more publications reflect the relationship between clinically apparent allergy and infection with Blastocystis spp. or Toxocara spp. Our main goal is to examine allergy patients infected with Blastocystis sp. for the presence of anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies, intending to detect co-infection and its influence on the allergic condition of patients. For a period of 3 years (2020 – 2022), 1011 patients hos¬pitalized in the Allergology Clinic at the University Hospital, Pleven, were examined for intestinal protozoa and helminths. Fresh stool samples for microscopic parasitological examination were used. From persons infected with Blastocystis sp. venous blood was obtained for the determination of specific anti-Toxocara antibodies. Of the patients with allergic symptoms examined for intestinal helminths and protozoa, 40 were infected with Blastocystis sp. Out of them, seven (17.5%) were positive for anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies on the ELISA test, and Western blot confirms the diagnosis. All individuals with Blastocystis / Toxocara co-infection were established against the background of chronic urticaria, but no difference was found in the severity of clinical manifestations in comparison with those with only blastocystosis and those without evidence of parasitic infection. The data of our study, give us reason to consider that the establishment of parasitic infections in persons with skin allergic manifestations is not unusual, but in general, it is very difficult to determine whether they are the cause of the allergic condition or are a finding in the course of diagnostic clarification.

Safety and immunogenicity of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine in adults in Kenya: a phase 1/2 single-blind, randomised controlled trial.

There are limited data on the immunogenicity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in African populations. Here we report the immunogenicity and safety of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccine from a phase 1/2 single-blind, randomised, controlled trial among adults in Kenya conducted as part of the early studies assessing vaccine performance in different geographical settings to inform Emergency Use Authorisation. We recruited and randomly assigned (1:1) 400 healthy adults aged ≥18 years in Kenya to receive ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or control rabies vaccine, each as a two-dose schedule with a 3-month interval. The co-primary outcomes were safety, and immunogenicity assessed using total IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein 28 days after the second vaccination. Between 28 th October 2020 and 19 th August 2021, 400 participants were enrolled and assigned to receive ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (n=200) or rabies vaccine (n=200). Local and systemic adverse events were self-limiting and mild or moderate in nature. Three serious adverse events were reported but these were deemed unrelated to vaccination. The geometric mean anti-spike IgG titres 28 days after second dose vaccination were higher in the ChAdOx1 group (2773 ELISA units [EU], 95% CI 2447, 3142) than in the rabies vaccine group (61 EU, 95% CI 45, 81) and persisted over the 12 months follow-up. We did not identify any symptomatic infections or hospital admissions with respiratory illness and so vaccine efficacy against clinically apparent infection could not be measured. Vaccine efficacy against asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was 38.4% (95% CI -26.8%, 70.1%; p=0.188). The safety, immunogenicity and efficacy against asymptomatic infection of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 among Kenyan adults was similar to that observed elsewhere in the world, but efficacy against symptomatic infection or severe disease could not be measured in this cohort. PACTR202005681895696 (11/05/2020).

Evidence for infection influencing survival of the freshwater copepod Salmincola californiensis, a parasite of Pacific salmon and trout.

We explore apparent infection of Salmincola californiensis arising during investigations involving this lernaeopodid copepod parasitic on Pacific salmon and trout Oncorhynchus spp. We noted occasional unusual coloration of adult female copepods collected from the wild. These females were bright blue and pink in contrast to the cream white coloration characteristic of the copepod. We also observed that similar color patterns developed under laboratory settings when copepod eggs were held for hatching. In paired egg cases, we found consistent hatching failure of blue and pink eggs and patterns in apparent disease development that would be consistent with both vertical and horizontal transmission. Attempts to identify the cause of the apparent infection using genetic methods and transmission electron microscopy were inconclusive. Iridovirus infection was initially suspected, but bacterial infection is also plausible. This apparent reduced hatching success of S. californiensis warrants further exploration as it could reduce local abundances. Given the potential importance of a disease impacting this copepod, a parasite that itself affects endangered and commercially important Pacific salmon and trout, future research would benefit from clarification of the apparent infection through additional sequencing, primer development, visualization, and exploration into specificity and transmission.

Nebulised 3% hypertonic saline versus 0.9% saline for treating patients hospitalised with acute bronchiolitis: protocol for a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial

IntroductionBronchiolitis is an acute viral infection of the lower respiratory tract. It is most commonly caused by respiratory syncytial virus. Being a common reason for hospitalisation, it affects 13–17% of...

THU368 A Rare Case Of Glycogenic Hepatopathy With Persistent Lactic Acidosis

Abstract Disclosure: M. Shah: None. S. Challagulla: None. Background: Glycogenic hepatopathy (GH) is an under-recognized complication of poorly controlled diabetes. It is caused by abnormal glycogen accumulation in hepatocytes leading to hepatomegaly and transient elevation of liver transaminases. Diagnosis is often delayed as liver biopsy is needed to distinguish it from other causes of liver injury. Complete resolution can be achieved with intensive glucose control. We present a case of GH diagnosed in a patient who developed increasing liver transaminases and persistent lactic acidosis after resolution of DKA. Clinical Case: We present a 21-year-old female with uncontrolled Type 1 diabetes who presented with fatigue, nausea, and generalized body aches. Patient was hemodynamically stable. Laboratory work up on admission showed a serum glucose of 834 mg/dL, serum bicarbonate less than 5 mEq/L, beta hydroxybutyrate was elevated to 8.7 mmol/L (normal <0.4 mmol/L), lactic acid was also elevated to 7.9 mmol/L (normal <2.0 mmol/L). She was diagnosed with DKA and treated with IV fluids and insulin drip. Over the next five days the patient’s symptoms improved and DKA resolved with beta hydroxybutyrate falling to <0.1 mmol/L. Her lactic acidosis however persisted, she had no apparent infection and no episodes of hypotension to explain this finding. CT scan of the abdomen revealed hepatomegaly not compatible with steatosis. Liver enzymes on admission were mildly elevated AST 57 IU/L and ALT 61 IU/L however values continued to rise and peaked at AST 2372 IU/L and ALT 681 IU/L five days later. Further laboratory studies revealed no evidence of viral hepatitis, no presence of drugs or toxins. Chronic liver disease work up revealed normal ANA, AMA, SPEP, ceruloplasmin, and iron levels. Patient ultimately underwent liver biopsy which revealed glycogenic hepatopathy, mild steatosis, and mild fibrosis. Patient’s lactic acidosis eventually improved with supportive care, and she was discharged. On follow up 3 months later the patient's liver enzymes had returned to normal. Discussion: Glycogenic hepatopathy is a rare diagnosis usually seen in patients with uncontrolled diabetes and elevated liver transaminases. It is hypothesized that pathogenesis of GH involves insulin increasing glycogen synthesis in the liver resulting in congested hepatocytes. Persistent lactic acidosis can also be seen; it has been proposed that increased insulin and dextrose administration prevents gluconeogenesis in the liver, therefore decreased conversion of pyruvate to glucose and increased lactate production. GH is important to understand and differentiate from other causes of liver injury and disease as treatment and prognosis is unique. Prompt liver biopsy should be pursued to elucidate diagnosis of GH. If patients are treated with aggressive glycemic control, hepatopathy can completely resolve. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

Oral microbiome and preterm birth.

The etiology of preterm birth (PTB) is heterogeneous and not yet well known. Maternal periodontal disease has been investigated for decades and is a known risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, no particular bacterial species or higher taxonomic order has been found as causative of PTB, leading to studies of the whole oral microbiome. In order to determine if and how the composition of the oral microbiome is associated with PTB, we performed a large case-control study including women with term (TB) and PTB. We compared oral microbiomes in PTB to TB, to examine differences in the microbial richness, diversity, and differential abundance of specific taxa. We obtained oral swab samples from 152 Caucasian pregnant women who were classified as either PTB (≤36 6/7 weeks, n = 61) or TB (≥38 0/7 weeks, n = 91) in exclusion of any other major medical or obstetric conditions. The oral microbiomes of these women were characterized by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing of the V3-V4 region on the MiSeq platform. The dominant microorganisms at the phylum level in all pregnant women regardless of birth week outcomes as belonging to Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Fusobacteria, and Actinobacteria. The phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were relatively more abundant in women with a PTB than in women with a TB, while Proteobacteria was less prevalent in women with a PTB. At the genus level, Veillonella, Prevotella, and Capnocytophaga were enriched in the PTB, and while many of the members of these genera could not be resolved to the species level, Veillonella massillensis was shown to be increased in the PTB group. We identified the genera Veillonella, Prevotella, and Capnocytophaga in the maternal oral microbiome as being associated with PTB independently of clinically apparent infection, uterine anomalies, and other pregnancy complications, including placenta previa, and placental abruption. The clarification of the role of those taxa in the etiology of PTB merits further research.

Palmitic Acid Modulates Microglial Cell Response to Metabolic Endotoxemia in an In Vitro Study.

Metabolic endotoxemia (ME) is characterized by a 2-3-fold increase in blood endotoxin levels and low-grade systemic inflammation without apparent infection. ME is usually accompanied by metabolic syndrome, characterized by central obesity and hyperlipidemia. According to numerous studies, ME may lead to functional brain disorders, including cognitive decline, depression, and dementia. In the current in vitro study, we aimed to determine the direct and indirect impact of endotoxin (LPS) and palmitic acid (PA), representing saturated fatty acids, on the inflammatory and oxidative stress response in the human microglial HMC3 cells unstimulated and stimulated with IFNγ. The study's results revealed that direct HMC3 cell exposition to endotoxin and PA increased inflammatory response measured as levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 released into the medium and PGE2 levels in cell lysates. Moreover, direct HMC3 cell treatment with PA and LPS induced oxidative stress, i.e., ROS and COX-2 production and lipid peroxidation. On the contrary, an indirect effect of LPS and PA on microglial cells, assessed as the impact of macrophage metabolites, was much lower regarding the inflammatory response, although still associated with oxidative stress. Interestingly, IFNγ had a protective effect on microglial cells, reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress in HMC3 cells treated directly and indirectly with LPS and PA.

Cytokine network imbalance in children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia at diagnosis

Immune imbalance has been proved to be involved in the pathogenesis of hematologic neoplasm. However, little research has been reported altered cytokine network in childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) at diagnosis. Our study aimed to evaluate the cytokine network in peripheral blood of newly diagnosed pediatric patients with B-ALL. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interferon (IFN)-γ, and IL-17A in 45 children with B-ALL and 37 healthy control children were measured by cytometric bead array, while the level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the serum was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients showed a significant increase in IL-6 (p < 0.001), IL-10 (p < 0.001), IFN-γ (p = 0.023) and a significant reduction in TGF-β1 (p = 0.001). The levels of IL-2, IL-4, TNF and IL-17A were similar in the two groups. Higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines were associated with febrile in patients without apparent infection by using unsupervised machine learning algorithms. In conclusion, our results indicated a critical role for aberrant cytokine expression profiles in the progression of childhood B-ALL. Distinct cytokine subgroups with different clinical features and immune response have been identified in patients with B-ALL at the time of diagnosis.

Dynamics and profiles of a degenerated reaction–diffusion host-pathogen model with apparent and inapparent infection period

Inapparent infection plays an important role in the disease spread, which is an infection by a pathogen that causes few or no signs or symptoms of infection in the host. Many pathogens, including HIV, typhoid fever, and coronaviruses such as COVID-19 spread in their host populations through inapparent infection. In this paper, we formulated a degenerated reaction–diffusion host-pathogen model with multiple infection period. We split the infectious individuals into two distinct classes: apparent infectious individuals and inapparent infectious individuals, coming from exposed individuals with a ratio of (1−p) and p, respectively. Some preliminary results and threshold-type results are achieved by detailed mathematical analysis. We also investigate the asymptotic profiles of the positive steady state (PSS) when the diffusion rate of susceptible individuals approaches zero or infinity. When all parameters are all constants, the global attractivity of the constant endemic equilibrium is established. It is verified by numerical simulations that spatial heterogeneity of the transmission rates can enhance the intensity of an epidemic. Especially, the transmission rate of inapparent infectious individuals significantly increases the risk of disease transmission, compared to that of apparent infectious individuals and pathogens in the environment, and we should pay special attentions to how to regulate the inapparent infectious individuals for disease control and prevention, which is consistent with the result on the sensitive analysis to the transmission rates through the normalized forward sensitivity index. We also find that disinfection of the infected environment is an important way to prevent and eliminate the risk of environmental transmission.

EVALUATION OF WHEAT GENOTYPES FOR SPOT BLOTCH (Bipolaris sorokiniana Sacc.) RESISTANCE AT KHAIRAHANI, CHITWAN

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the third most important cereal crop of Nepal in terms of area and production. Spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana Sacc. is one of the major diseases reducing the productivity and quality of wheat in Nepal, which is favored by high temperature and relative humidity. The experiment was conducted at research farm of Rampur Campus, Khairahani, Chitwan from 18th Nov 2021 to 29th Mar 2022, to identify the genotypes resistance against spot blotch. It was laid out in Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with twelve genotypes as treatments and three replications. Double digit scoring method was used to assess the disease five times from 90 DAS at the interval of 7 days and Area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated. Statistically, significant difference was obtained in all the observed traits except for plant height, spike weight, harvest index, and straw yield. The highest AUDPC value was recorded in RR-21 (2074) yielding 4.0 tonha-1 whereas the lowest AUDPC value was recorded in NL 1437 (781) yielding 6.1 tonha-1, suggesting it to be more resistant than other genotypes. NL 1447 was the highest yielder (6.5tonha-1) with a 985.185 mean AUDPC value followed by NL1437 (6.1 tonha-1) while RR-21 was the lowest yielder (4.0 tonha-1). The lowest apparent infection rate was detected for BL 4951 (0.018). Correlation studies indicated that total grains and grain weight per spike as well as the grain yield were negatively and significantly correlated with AUDPC.

EVALUATION OF WHEAT GENOTYPES FOR SPOT BLOTCH (Bipolaris sorokiniana Sacc.) RESISTANCE AT KHAIRAHANI, CHITWAN

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the third most important cereal crop of Nepal in terms of area and production. Spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana Sacc. is one of the major diseases reducing the productivity and quality of wheat in Nepal, which is favored by high temperature and relative humidity. The experiment was conducted at research farm of Rampur Campus, Khairahani, Chitwan from 18th Nov 2021 to 29th Mar 2022, to identify the genotypes resistance against spot blotch. It was laid out in Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with twelve genotypes as treatments and three replications. Double digit scoring method was used to assess the disease five times from 90 DAS at the interval of 7 days and Area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated. Statistically, significant difference was obtained in all the observed traits except for plant height, spike weight, harvest index, and straw yield. The highest AUDPC value was recorded in RR-21 (2074) yielding 4.0 tonha-1 whereas the lowest AUDPC value was recorded in NL 1437 (781) yielding 6.1 tonha-1, suggesting it to be more resistant than other genotypes. NL 1447 was the highest yielder (6.5tonha-1) with a 985.185 mean AUDPC value followed by NL1437 (6.1 tonha-1) while RR-21 was the lowest yielder (4.0 tonha-1). The lowest apparent infection rate was detected for BL 4951 (0.018). Correlation studies indicated that total grains and grain weight per spike as well as the grain yield were negatively and significantly correlated with AUDPC.

High-flow nasal cannula for severe COVID-19 patients in a Japanese single-center, retrospective, observational study: 1 year of clinical experience.

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) can be effective in treating type 1 respiratory failure by reducing the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The purpose of this study was to assess the reduction of disease severity and safety of HFNC treatment in patients with severe COVID-19. We retrospectively observed 513 consecutive patients with COVID-19 admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to January 2021. We included patients with severe COVID-19 who received HFNC for their deteriorating respiratory status. HFNC success was defined as improvement in respiratory status after HFNC and transfer to conventional oxygen therapy, while HFNC failure was defined as transfer to non-invasive positive pressure ventilation or ventilator, or death after HFNC. Predictive factors associated with failure to prevent severe disease were identified. Thirty-eight patients received HFNC. Twenty-five (65.8%) patients were classified in the HFNC success group. In the univariate analysis, age, history of chronic kidney disease (CKD), non-respiratory sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) ≥ 1, oxygen saturation to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (SpO2/FiO2) before HFNC ≤ 169.2, were significant predictors of HFNC failure. Multivariate analysis revealed that SpO2/FiO2 value before HFNC ≤ 169.2 was an independent predictor of HFNC failure. No apparent nosocomial infection occurred during the study period. Appropriate use of HFNC for acute respiratory failure caused by COVID-19 can reduce the severity of severe disease without causing nosocomial infection. Age, history of CKD, non-respiratory SOFA before HFNC ≤ 1, and SpO2/FiO2 before HFNC ≤ 169.2 were associated with HFNC failure.

The analysis of a cluster of koi herpesvirus disease outbreaks in intensive carp aquaculture using molecular and conventional epidemiology.

The analysis of a cluster of koi herpesvirus disease outbreaks in intensive carp aquaculture using molecular and conventional epidemiology.

Investigation of urinary β2 microglobulin; substitute for interferon-γ as a suppressor of pulmonary fibrosis in a preterm with chronic lung disease following intrauterine infection

We experienced a female infant weighing 866 g at birth after 28 weeks 1 day gestation with apparent intrauterine infection. Bi-level-nasal CPAP was selected for respiratory management as a strategy to minimize the severity of chronic lung disease (CLD). As a result, she survived the acute phase without tracheal intubation and improved without requiring home oxygen therapy. Her urinary β2 microglobulin (u-BMG) in the early neonatal period was less than the cutoff value of 100,000 μg/gCr for the onset of CLD. However, her u-BMG then rose to a markedly high value that peaked at 3 weeks after birth. Her serum KL-6 was markedly high early after birth and increased sharply to a peak of 3016 U/mL on day 9. The increase in KL-6 in the early postnatal period indicated that lung tissue had already been injured by intrauterine inflammation, and although postnatal tracheal intubation was avoided, spontaneous breathing inevitably additionally injured the immature lung. It appears that substantial repair had occurred with fibrosis. It should be noted that the peak of u-BMG was delayed by more than 10 days from the peak of KL-6. This may suggest that the inflammatory cytokine interferon-γ, which increases the production of BMG, had not only an inflammatory effect that exacerbates lung damage, but also a biological self-defense effect that mainly suppresses lung fibrosis.