Lower Disease Severity Research Articles

Benefit of early oseltamivir therapy for adults hospitalized with influenza A: an observational study.

clinical guidelines recommend initiation of antiviral therapy as soon as possible for patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected influenza. A multicenter US observational sentinel surveillance network prospectively enrolled adults (aged ≥18 years) hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza at 24 hospitals during October 1, 2022-July 21, 2023. A multivariable proportional odds model was used to compare peak pulmonary disease severity (no oxygen support, standard supplemental oxygen, high-flow oxygen/non-invasive ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation, or death) after the day of hospital admission among patients starting oseltamivir treatment on the day of admission (early) versus those who did not (late or not treated), adjusting for baseline (admission day) severity, age, sex, site, and vaccination status. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the odds of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, acute kidney replacement therapy or vasopressor use, and in-hospital death. A total of 840 influenza-positive patients were analyzed, including 415 (49%) who started oseltamivir treatment on the day of admission, and 425 (51%) who did not. Compared with late or not treated patients, those treated early had lower peak pulmonary disease severity (proportional aOR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.49-0.72), and lower odds of intensive care unit admission (aOR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.13-0.47), acute kidney replacement therapy or vasopressor use (aOR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.22-0.67), and in-hospital death (aOR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.18-0.72). Among adults hospitalized with influenza, treatment with oseltamivir on day of hospital admission was associated reduced risk of disease progression, including pulmonary and extrapulmonary organ failure and death.

Management of Leaf Blight Disease of Medicinal Plants with Bio-agents and Chemical Fungicides

Leaf blight affecting medicinal plants like Piper longum, Tylophora indica, and Hibiscus subdariffa is a major issue in West Bengal, causing significant damage year-round. Effective management of this disease is crucial. Several chemical fungicides and Trichoderma isolates were evaluated against the disease of these plants under field condition. Carbendazim and mancozeb were found to be effective in Piper longum in terms of higher disease control (47.50 & 41.47%) with lower per cent disease incidence (49.87 & 51.47%) and per cent disease index (25.34 & 28.25%) over the control. Although all the Trichoderma isolates were not effective as chemical fungicides but Trichoderma isolate-3 was found to have more efficiency in disease control (35.23%) compared to other two isolates. Mancozeb was treated as the most effective fungicide in T. indica to control the disease (45.07%) with lower disease incidence (54.87%) and disease severity (27.34%) compared to other treatment and control plot. In contrary in H. subdariffa carbendazim was found the most effective fungicide with lowest disease incidence (47.89%) and disease severity (23.37%) resulting higher disease control (47.81%) compared to control. It was followed by cupper oxychloride and mancozeb comparatively with higher disease incidence (49.79 & 51.43%) and disease severity (25.89 & 31.78%). Whether all the Trichoderma isolates did not show significant efficacy as fungicides but Trichoderma isolate-3 showed comparatively good result in disease control (34.32%) over other two isolates and control plot. So, the aforementioned respective fungicides could be used in the control of leaf blight disease of respective medicinal plant. But to control the disease with bio agents more efficient Trichoderma culture need to be investigated.

Soft Red Winter Wheat Elite Germplasm Screening and Evaluation for Stripe Rust in the US Southeast Region

Stripe rust is a severe disease affecting wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in the United States Southeast region, necessitating the identification of resistant sources. The study was conducted at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and utilized a Randomized Block Design over three years. A total of 1130 lines were inoculated annually, and their responses for stripe rust were recorded. The results revealed that 11%, 79%, and 77% of the lines showed resistance in the first, second, and third years, respectively, with an overall 50% of the whole population. Linear Mixed Model and Generalized Estimating Equation analyses highlighted environmental influences, with cooler, humid conditions in 2021 favoring stripe rust, while warmer, variable conditions in 2022 and stable weather in 2023 contributed to lower disease severity. Data analysis of infection rates and disease development indicated that the newer generations of wheat lines tested in 2022 and 2023 exhibited higher resistance lines, lower infection rates, and slower disease progression. The findings support targeted breeding strategies for durable stripe rust resistance, emphasizing the importance of multi-environment testing and selection of lines with adult-plant resistance traits. This research offers valuable insights for breeders, agronomists, and farmers aiming to mitigate stripe rust impact through improved cultivars and informed management practices.

Assessing Broccoli Cultivar Susceptibility to Alternaria brassicicola in Georgia

Alternaria leaf blight and head rot (causal agent: Alternaria brassicicola and other Alternaria species) in broccoli ( Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) can lead to decreased yields, reduced head quality, and postharvest losses. While cultural practices and fungicides can decrease disease severity, further work is needed to determine resistance or susceptibility in commercial cultivars. This study evaluated the susceptibility of 26 cultivars against A. brassicicola in fall 2021 and 2022 at two locations in Georgia (Tifton and Watkinsville). Commonly used cultivars in the eastern United States were selected and grown in a randomized complete block design. Approximately 20 days after transplant, plants were inoculated with a conidial suspension of A. brassicicola and monitored for disease development. Foliar disease severity, foliar area under the disease progression curve (AUDPC), head disease severity, and yield were determined for each cultivar at each location. Significant differences existed among cultivars (year × location) for foliar AUPDC and head disease severity. Foliar AUPDC ranged from 299 to 1,818 for both years and locations, and head disease severity ranged from 1 to 81% across both years and locations. In this study, cultivars ‘Eastern Crown’, ‘Emerald Jewel’, ‘Lieutenant’, and ‘Abrams’ had greater foliar and head disease severity and lower marketable yields in both locations and years. The cultivars ‘Vallejo’, ‘Emerald Pride’, ‘Burney’, ‘Belstar’, ‘Iron Man’, and ‘Marathon’ exhibited low disease severity across both locations and years and maintained greater marketable yields. Proper selection of commercially available cultivars could help growers maintain yields in areas with high A. brassicicola pressure.

COVID-19 infection in children with blood cancer: A systematic review.

Blood cancer is the most common type of cancer and the leading cause of death by disease past infancy among children. Children with blood cancer are vulnerable population to viral infections such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To estimate the incidence of COVID-19 in children with blood cancer and analyse the demographic parameters, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in children with blood cancer with COVID-19 illness. We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline and searched ProQuest, Medline, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, Wiley online library, Scopus and Nature for studies on the development of COVID-19 in children with blood cancer, published from December 1, 2019 to April 30, 2023, with English language restriction. Of the 3077 papers that were identified, 155 articles were included in the systematic review (83 case report, 54 cohort and 18 case-series studies). Studies involving 1289 children with blood cancer with confirmed COVID-19 were analysed. Leukaemias (1141 cases) were the most frequent types of blood cancer observed in children who developed COVID-19, followed by non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (59 cases), Hodgkin's lymphomas (36 cases), Langerhans cell histiocytosis (7 cases), myelodysplastic syndrome (7 cases) and myeloid neoplasm (1 case). Among all 1289 blood cancer paediatric cases who transmitted severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), some children were documented to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) (n = 175, 13.6%), intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation (MV) (n = 111, 8.6%), suffered acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (n = 144, 11.2%) or died (n = 111, 8.6%). Overall, COVID-19 in children with different types of blood cancer resulted in no or low severity of disease in 78.6% of all included cases (COVID-19 severity: asymptomatic = 238, mild = 601, or moderate = 171). Treatment for COVID-19 was not necessary in a small number of children with blood cancer (n = 94, 7.3%). Fatality in children with blood cancer with COVID-19 was reported in any of the included blood cancer categories for leukaemias (n = 99/1141, 8.7%), non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (n = 7/59, 11.9%), Hodgkin's lymphomas (n = 2/36, 5.5%), myelodysplastic syndrome (n = 1/7, 14.3%) or myeloid neoplasm (n = 1/1, 100%). Fatality rate in children with blood cancer infected with SARS-CoV-2 was the highest in patients with Hispanic ethnicity (n = 44/111, 39.6%) and COVID-19-related fatality was highest in male patients (76.5% of deceased patients). Most studies reported to alter the intensity and regimen of anticancer treatment in children with blood cancer during course of SARS-CoV-2 infection, however, many studies have reported to successfully treat COVID-19 without any changes to the anticancer treatment. Globally, leukaemias were the most prevalent and myeloid neoplasms were the least prevalent blood cancer types in children who developed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Children with blood cancer infected with SARS-CoV-2 may experience higher rates of ICU admission and mortality in comparison with the healthy pediatric populations. Mortality in children with blood cancer and infected with SARS-CoV-2 was highest in cases belonging to male gender and Hispanic ethnicity. However, children with blood cancer tend to have milder COVID-19 symptoms and are less likely to be hospitalized and have better prognosis when compared to adults. Continuation of anticancer treatment in individual paediatric blood cancer patients with COVID-19 seems to be possible.

Extracellular DNA as a Strategy to Manage Vascular Wilt Caused by Fusarium oxysporum in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Based on Its Action as a Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern (DAMP) or Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern (PAMP).

Vascular wilt is an important tomato disease that affects culture yields worldwide, with Fusarium oxysporum (F.o) being the causal agent of this infection. Several management strategies have lost effectiveness due to the ability of this pathogen to persist in soil and its progress in vascular tissues. However, nowadays, research has focused on understanding the plant defense mechanisms to cope with plant diseases. One recent and promising approach is the use of extracellular DNA (eDNA) based on the ability of plants to detect their self-eDNA as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and pathogens' (non-self) eDNA as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the eDNA of F.o (as a DAMP for the fungus and a PAMP for tomato plants) applied on soil, and of tomato's eDNA (as a DAMP of tomato plants) sprayed onto tomato plants, to cope with the disease. Our results suggested that applications of the eDNA of F.o (500 ng/µL) as a DAMP for this pathogen in soil offered an alternative for the management of the disease, displaying significantly lower disease severity levels in tomato, increasing the content of some phenylpropanoids, and positively regulating the expression of some defense genes. Thus, the eDNA of F.o applied in soil was shown to be an interesting strategy to be further evaluated as a new element within the integrated management of vascular wilt in tomato.

Influence of Plant Density and Fungicides on Downy Mildew (<i>Peronospora Destructor</i>) and Bulb Yield of Onion in Ethiopia

Onion is a popular vegetable crop, which has been produced for its daily uses and economic benefits. Downey mildew caused by the fungus <i>Peronospora</i> <i>destructor</i> is among the most important yield-reducing factor in onion production. The effect of three different levels of plant population and fungicide frequency with two different fungicides was studied on downy mildew severity and yield of onion. Nineteen treatment of this Experiment included two fungicides mancozeb + metalaxyl and copper hydrox-ide, three different spraying interval with (10 days, 15 days and 21 days) and three level of plant population (0.71, 0.95 and 1.2 million plants/ha). The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications for two year at Fogera and for one year at Dera districts of South Gondar zone Ethiopia. Data on disease severity, bulb yield, bulb number and bulb size were recorded during the time of harvest. The price of bulb yield was assessed from the local market and the total price of the yield obtained from each treatment was computed on hectare basis. Input costs like seed, fungicides and labor were converted into hectare basis according to their frequencies used. Fungicides cost was estimated based on the price of the local market. Cost of the labor was in Birr per man-days; cost of spray and spray equipment to spray per hectare were also calculated. Based on the obtained data from the above mentioned parameters economic analysis was performed. The lowest disease severity was recorded in treatment were lowest level of plant population (0.71 million plant/hectare) spraying with fungicide mancozeb + metalaxyl within 15days interval. In this treatment bulb yield and bulb weight were the highest. The economic evaluation showed that the highest net benefit with acceptable marginal rate of return was obtained from T3 (0.71million plants/ha spraying with fungicide mancozeb + metalaxyl within 15days interval).

Evaluation of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Varieties for Yield and Chocolate Spot (Botrytis fabae) Disease in Western Tigray, Ethiopia

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) has an important pulse crop in Ethiopian. It is consumed in various forms and contributes to soil fertility improvement. However, its production and productivity are challenged by biotic and abiotic constraints. Chocolate spot is known as Botrytis fabae, is a significant biotic constraint that negatively impacts faba bean crops in highland areas of western Tigray. The aim of the study mentioned was to assess faba bean varieties for their grain yield and resistance to chocolate spot disease under field conditions. Field experiment was conducted at Welkayt and Tsegedie district during 2017 cropping season using five released faba bean varieties and one local check. Treatments were evaluated with RCBD and replicated three times. There was significant difference (p<0.01) among tested faba bean varieties and lactation, while, interaction effect of varieties and lactation were non-significant variation (p<0.05). In the analysis conducted on grain yield from different varieties, it was observed that the variety Hachalu achieved the highest grain yield at 632kg/ha, followed closely by Tumsa with a yield of 611.8kg/ha. While, minimum yield was obtained from variety Obse (384.3kg/ha) at Welkayt. Similarly, in Tsegedie maximum yield was calculated from variety Tumsa (339.8kg/ha) and Hachalu (334.4kg/ha), respectively. Minimum yield was obtained from variety Obse (238.8kg/ha). There was significant variation among faba bean varieties in terms of PSI at a significance level of P<0.05, while disease incidence did not show significant differences among the varieties tested. Lowest mean disease severity was recorded from varieties Hachalu (15%) followed by Tumsa (17.7%). However, Highest mean value was recorded from Obse variety (30.02%) at Welkayt. Similarly, in Tsegedie lowest disease severity was recorded from varieties Hachalu (28.7%) and Tumsa (28.8%). Highest mean value recorded from varieties Obse (susceptible) (50.13). There was positively and significant correlation among yield and Agronomic traits. However, there was negatively significant yield with PSI at both locations. Varieties with low disease severity are useful in breeding program aimed at developing with higher resistance of chocolate spot disease.

Assessing Cold Plasma's Impact on Banana Growth and Fusarium Wilt Control.

Bananas (Musa spp.), which serve millions of people worldwide, face a serious threat from Fusarium wilt (FW) disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). Developing disease-resistant varieties particularly through breeding is challenging due to banana's seedless nature (parthenocarpic). As an alternative, cold plasma (CP) technology, has the potential to be used for crop improvement. Our study demonstrates a favourable impact of CP on the growth performance of banana (Berangan cultivar, AAA) in terms of height, leaf number and stem diameter. CP-treated plants also displayed delayed disease progression as well as lower disease severity indicated by slightly lower value of leaf symptoms index and rhizome discoloration index compared to the control plants. Additionally, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed differential expression of several defence (PR1, WRKY22, PAL, and CEBiP) and growth (Cytochrome P450, NAC68, and CAT) related genes in CP-treated plants, particularly in conjunction with Foc infection. These findings shed light on the potential use of CP in managing FW in banana and offer insights into possible mechanism behind improved traits.

Improving Pepper Inbreds for Resistance to Pepper Yellow Leaf Curl Thailand Virus (PepYLCTHV) through Challenged Inoculations

Chili peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) are an economically important crop worldwide. Pepper yellow leaf curl Thailand virus (PepYLCTHV), a Begomovirus causing yellow leaf mosaic disease of chili pepper, has been reported to incur 95% economic loss under epiphytotic conditions. Thirty-one chili genotypes were screened for resistance to PepYLCTHV disease through inoculation using 10–15 viruliferous whiteflies per plant. We purified two resistant lines (PEP6 and PEP12) through four generations of selfing and selection. At 28 days after inoculations, two chili genotypes (PEP6 and PEP12) had low disease severity and percentage of disease incidence (DI) compared to four susceptible checks, viz., Yodsonkeam80, Homsupan, Huareau12, and Pong Charian, which had a disease severity score of 5 with 100% DI. Thirty initial plants of PEP6 showed an average disease severity of 3.64 with 69.33% DI, and PEP12 showed an average disease severity of 3.83 with 77.67% DI. From these populations, we selected nine highly resistant plant of PEP6 and seven plants of PEP12 having a disease severity of 0 through pure-line selection for four selfing generations. The ratio of resistance (R) to susceptibility (S) consequently decreased. In PEP6, the ratio decreased from 1R:2S to 1R:1S, while in PEP12 the ratio decreased from 1R:3S to 1R:1S. These lines have potential for release as resistant lines for improving chili pepper resistance to PepYLCTHV and for developing makers associated with the resistant trait.

Anticoagulant use before COVID-19 diagnosis prevent COVID-19 associated acute venous thromboembolism or not: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Coagulopathy and thromboembolic events are associated with poor outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. There is conflicting evidence on the effects of chronic anticoagulation on mortality and severity of COVID-19 disease. To summarize the body of evidence on the effects of pre-hospital anticoagulation on outcomes in COVID-19 patients. A Literature search was performed on LitCovid PubMed, WHO, and Scopus databases from inception (December 2019) till June 2023 for original studies reporting an association between prior use of anticoagulants and patient outcomes in adults with COVID-19. The primary outcome was the risk of thromboembolic events in COVID-19 patients taking anticoagulants. Secondary outcomes included COVID-19 disease severity, in terms of intensive care unit admission or invasive mechanical ventilation/intubation requirement in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection, and mortality. The random effects models were used to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). Forty-six observational studies met our inclusion criteria. The unadjusted analysis found no association between prior anticoagulation and thromboembolic event risk [n = 43851, 9 studies, odds ratio (OR)= 0.67 (0.22, 2.07); P = 0.49; I 2 = 95%]. The association between prior anticoagulation and disease severity was non-significant [n = 186782; 22 studies, OR = 1.08 (0.78, 1.49); P = 0.64; I 2 = 89%]. However, pre-hospital anticoagulation significantly increased all-cause mortality risk [n = 207292; 35 studies, OR = 1.72 (1.37, 2.17); P < 0.00001; I 2 = 93%]. Pooling adjusted estimates revealed a statistically non-significant association between pre-hospital anticoagulation and thromboembolic event risk [aOR = 0.87 (0.42, 1.80); P = 0.71], mortality [aOR = 0.94 (0.84, 1.05); P = 0.31], and disease severity [aOR = 0.96 (0.72, 1.26); P = 0.76]. Prehospital anticoagulation was not significantly associated with reduced risk of thromboembolic events, improved survival, and lower disease severity in COVID-19 patients.

High abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria in the naso-oropharynx of SARS-CoV-2-infected persons in an African population: implications for low disease severity

BackgroundThe association of the oral microbiome with SARS-CoV-2 infections and disease progression has been documented in European, Asian, and American populations but not in Africa.MethodsWe conducted a study in Ghana to evaluate and compare the naso-oropharyngeal microbiome in SARS-CoV-2-infected and uninfected persons before (pre-vaccine) and after vaccine availability (post-vaccine) in the country. 16S rRNA V3-V4 variable region was sequenced and analysed from DNA extracted from naso-oropharyngeal swabs.ResultsConsidering only the infection status, infected and uninfected groups had no difference in their within-group diversity and was evident in the study population pre- and post-vaccine availability. The introduction of vaccines reduced the diversity of the naso-oropharyngeal microbiome particularly among SARS-CoV-2 positive persons and, vaccinated individuals (both infected and uninfected) had higher microbial diversity compared to their unvaccinated counterparts. SARS-CoV-2-positive and -negative individuals were largely compositionally similar varying by 4–7% but considering vaccination*infection statuses, the genetic distance increased to 12% (P = 0.003) and was mainly influenced by vaccination. Common among the pre- and post-vaccine samples, Atopobium and Finegoldia were abundant in infected and uninfected individuals, respectively. Bacteria belonging to major butyrate-producing phyla, Bacillota (particularly class Clostridia) and Bacteroidota showed increased abundance more strikingly in infected individuals before vaccines were available. They reduced significantly after vaccines were introduced into the country with Fusobacterium and Lachnoanaerobaculum being the only common bacteria between pre-vaccine infected persons and vaccinated individuals, suggesting that natural infection and vaccination correlate with high abundance of short-chain fatty acids.ConclusionOur results show, in an African cohort, the abundance of bacteria taxa known for their protective pathophysiological processes, especially during infection, suggesting that this population is protected against severe COVID-19. The immune-related roles of the members of Bacillota and Bacteroidota that were found associated with infection and vaccination require further studies, and how these may be linked to ethnicity, diet and age. We also recommend expansion of microbiome–disease association studies across Africa to identify possible bacterial-mediated therapeutics for emerging infections.

Correlation analysis of serum Rac1 level with asthma control, airway inflammatory response and lung function in asthmatic children

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between serum Rac1 enzyme (Rac1) level with asthma control, airway inflammatory response and lung function in asthmatic children.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 79 children with asthma who were diagnosed and treated in our hospital from June 2020 to January 2023. According to the severity of the disease, the children were divided into mild group (25 cases), moderate group (30 cases) and severe group (24 cases). 36 healthy children who underwent physical examination at the same period in our hospital were selected as the control group. The state of an illness, control level, serum mRNA Rac1, inflammatory factors, and lung function of the children in two groups were compared between the control group and the observation group.ResultsThe Rac1 mRNA levels, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second/FVC (FEV1/FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) in the observation group were significantly lower than these in the control group (P < 0.05). The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-6, and IL-33 in the observation group were markedly higher than these in the control group (P < 0.05). As the state of an illness worsened, the Rac1 mRNA levels, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, and MMEF gradually reduced (P < 0.05), while the levels of TNF-α, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-33 increased (P < 0.05). As the degree of disease control improved, the Rac1 mRNA levels, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF, and MMEF gradually elevated (P < 0.05), and the levels of TNF- α, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-33 showed the opposite trend (P < 0.05). Rac1 was negatively related to the levels of TNF-α, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-33 (P < 0.05), and positively to the levels of FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF and MMEF (P < 0.001). Rac1 mRNA levels, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEF and MMEF were protective factors, while TNF-α, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-33 were risk factors for the prognosis of children with asthma (P < 0.05).ConclusionChildren with asthma have obviously lower serum Rac1 mRNA levels, higher inflammatory factor levels and lower lung function. Serum Rac1 mRNA level may be associated with better asthma control, lower airway inflammatory response, better lung function and lower disease severity. It has important reference value for the evaluation of the state of an illness, efficacy and prognosis of children with bronchial asthma.

Inpatient Hospitalizations for COVID-19 Among Patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome: a National Inpatient Sample Analysis.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder associated with baseline respiratory impairment caused by multiple contributing etiologies. While this may be expected to increase the risk of severe COVID-19 infections in PWS patients, survey studies have suggested paradoxically low disease severity. To better characterize the course of COVID-19 infection in patients with PWS, this study analyzes the outcomes of hospitalizations for COVID-19 among patients with and without PWS. The National Inpatient Sample, an all-payors administrative claims database of hospitalizations in the United States, was queried for patients with a coded diagnosis COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. Hospitalizations for patients with PWS compared to those for patients without PWS using Augmented Inverse Propensity Weighting (AIPW). There were 295 (95% CI: 228 to 362) COVID-19 hospitalizations for individuals with PWS and 4,112,400 (95% CI: 4,051,497 to 4,173,303) for individuals without PWS. PWS patients had a median age of 33 years compared to 63 for those without PWS. Individuals with PWS had higher baseline rates of obesity (47.5% vs. 28.4%). AIPW models show that PWS diagnosis is associated with increased hospital length of stay by 7.43 days, hospital charges by $80,126, and the odds of mechanical ventilation and in-hospital death (odds ratios of 1.79 and 1.67, respectively). PWS patients hospitalized with COVID-19 experienced longer hospital stays, higher charges, and increased risk of mechanical ventilation and death. PWS should be considered a risk factor for severe COVID-19, warranting continued protective measures and vaccination efforts. Further research is needed to validate coding for PWS and assess the impact of evolving COVID-19 variants and population immunity on this vulnerable population.

Determination of the rate and frequency of Natura 250 EW fungicide for the management of cedar rust from Gesho (Rhamnus prinoides) in the north west Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Rhamnus prinoides (Gesho) is grown in the homesteads of farmers in western Amhara. The leaves, twigs, and stems of Gesho are indispensable ingredients in traditional beverages. Its production has recently suffered from cedar rust caused by the fungus Gymnosporangium. To manage this disease, different fungicides have been recommended. Therefore, this research was designed to determine the rate and frequency of the use of the Natura 250 EW system for managing this disease in Gesho during 2020. Five application rates of Natura 250 EW and three spray frequencies were used as treatments to manage the disease in infected Gesho plants via the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Statistically significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were found between treatments for most parameters. Among these 0.75 litter ha-1 treatments, two spray applications resulted in the lowest severity and greatest relative efficacy, followed by three spray applications of 0.50 litter ha−1 at Bahir Dar Zuria district. However, at Yilmana Densa district, the lowest severity and greatest relative efficacy were found for the 0.75 litter ha−1 spray, followed by the 0.50 litter ha−1 spray, compared with the other treatments. Even though 0.75 litter ha−1 had greater relative efficacy and lower disease severity than the other treatments, there was no statistically significant difference between the three sprays of 0.50 litter ha−1 at both locations. Therefore, three sprays of Natura 250 EW at 0.50 litter ha−1 in 15-day intervals should be recommended and demonstrated for the management of cedar rust disease on Gesho.

Foliar Resistance to a Natural Population of Plasmopara viticola in Some Grapevine Varieties Grown in Türkiye

ABSTRACTIt is critical to use a population of the pathogen that contains different strains to determine the resistance of grapevine varieties to the downy mildew pathogen Plasmopara viticola in a specific region. This study tested six local grape varieties (Çavuş, Kalecik Karası, Müşküle, Papaz Karası, Sultana and Yapıncak), eight Turkish registered varieties (Barış, Bozbey, Güzgülü, Özer Karası, Reçel Üzümü, Tekirdağ Çekirdeksizi, Trakya İlkeren and Yalova İncisi) and seven varieties of foreign origin (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cardinal, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Isabella, Semillon and Gamay) using detached leaf and leaf disc assays with pathogen populations collected from vineyards. There was a significant correlation for disease severity between the two assay methods. No sporulation was observed on the varieties Çavuş and Isabella in both assay methods. The variety Yapıncak had very low disease severity (2.00%) in the leaf disc assay, and the pathogen did not sporulate on this variety in the detached leaf assay. Cluster analysis was performed to determine the resistance level of the varieties against the pathogen, as different disease severities were observed in some varieties depending on the test method used, and the 21 varieties were classified into four clusters. Barış, Bozbey, Cardinal, Çavuş, Isabella, Semillon and Yapıncak in Cluster I exhibited the lowest disease severity mean (2.88%), while those in Cluster 3, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Güzgülü, Papaz Karası and Yalova Incisi, had the highest disease severity mean (56.75%). These varieties in Clusters 1 and 3 were considered highly resistant and highly susceptible, respectively. Leaf hair density, as reported in official variety descriptions, did not associate with reduced disease severity in the two assays. This study assessed the response of grapevine varieties to the P. viticola population in the region for the first time. The highly resistant and resistant varieties identified will provide new material for breeders and contribute to the improvement of organic viticulture in the area.

Association Between Low Serum HDL Levels and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease Among Patients with Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Coronary artery disease is one of the leading causes of non-communicable diseases related deaths worldwide. Decreased serum high-density lipoprotein level are associated with an increased severity of coronary artery disease. Present study aims to evaluate the association between this low HDL level and the severity of coronary artery disease assessed by SYNTAX Score in patients with non-ST elevation Myocardial infarction. Materials &amp; Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in the Department of Cardiology at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from May 2020 to April 2021, on 170 admitted adult patients of non-ST elevated myocardial infarction undergoing coronary angiogram. Study population was divided in two groups; Group-I: Respondents with HDL level ≥ 40 mg/dl, Group-II: Respondents with HDL level &lt; 40 mg/dl. Transthoracic echocardiography was done before coronary angiography. All coronary lesions with diameter stenosis &gt; 50% in vessels &gt; 1.5 mm was scored, using the SYNTAX algorithm. A low score was defined as ≤ 22, an intermediate score as 23 to 32, and a high score as ≥ 33. To determine statistical significance, Chi-square test and independent sample t-test were considered according to applicability. P value of &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Highest proportion of respondents were from age group 51 – 60 years, 48.2% and 43.5% for group-I and group-II respectively. Study population was male predominant, 88.2% among patients from group-I and 83.5% among patients from group-II. Smoking was the most prevalent risk factor for group-I patients at 58.8%. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for group-II patients at 45.9%. Mean total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein were higher among patients from group-I than group-II and these differences were statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). Mean triglycerides was higher among patients from group-II than group-I and this difference was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). Triple vessel was more prevalent (36.5% vs 22.4%) among patients from group-II than group-I and this difference was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). Mean SYNTAX score (SS) was higher among patients from group-II than group-I, 17.4 ± 8.6 and 11.5 ± 8.4 respectively, and this difference was statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05). There was strong negative correlation between HDL level and Syntax score (r = - 0.299, p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Present study demonstrated significant negative correlation between low serum HDL levels with severity of coronary artery disease among patients with non-ST elevated myocardial infarction. Serum HDL levels can be used as a predictor for the severity of coronary artery disease among such patients. Bangladesh Heart Journal 2024; 39(2): 138-143

Happiness across the borders-A cross-sectional study among patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in Europe.

Dermatological research has traditionally concentrated on evaluating mental comorbidities, neglecting positive concepts like happiness. Initial studies indicate that psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) impair the happiness of those affected. Considering global happiness variations, this study aimed to explore the disease- and country-specific differences in disease-related quality of life and happiness, and potential influential factors on heuristic happiness among psoriasis and AD patients in Europe. A cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted in dermatology departments of university-affiliated hospitals in eight European countries (Austria, Germany, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Ukraine) between October 2021 and February 2023. Adult psoriasis and AD patients completed a standardized questionnaire in their native languages, providing data on demographics, disease-related characteristics, disease-related quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index, DLQI), heuristic happiness, positive affect (PA), negative affect (NA) and satisfaction with life (SWL). Descriptive analysis and quantile regression were performed. Between psoriasis (n = 723) and AD (n = 316) patients almost no differences were observed in happiness, SWL and NA, except for DLQI and small differences in PA, with AD patients reporting greater impact than psoriasis patients. Country-wise variation emerged in DLQI, heuristic happiness, PA, NA and SWL with Austrian patients displaying the highest levels of happiness, satisfaction and positivity, coupled with higher treatment care and lower disease severity. Quantile regression revealed varying coefficients for predictor variables across quantiles, indicating, for example positive effects on heuristic happiness associated with current or previous receipt of systemic therapies at different quantiles. This study shows notable happiness differences across European countries and significant disease-related variations, particularly with AD patients being more impaired than psoriasis patients. The findings highlight the need for equality in treatment access and support the development of targeted positive psychological interventions to enhance happiness considering country-specific distinctions in future research and health policies for psoriasis and AD patients.

New and Emerging Therapies: Review the Latest Advancements in Rheumatology Treatments, Including Biologic Therapies, Targeted Therapies, Regenerative Medicine, and Novel Drug Development, Assessing their Potential Benefits and Limitations

This study was contributed to assess clinical outcomes related to the role of biologic therapies, targeted therapies, regenerative medicine, and novel drug development in the treatment of rheumatology patients. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study of 80 rheumatology different hospitals in Iraq analyzed demographic and clinical data from February 2022 to September 2023. The study included 80 cases who underwent modern treatments and methods within the disease management program. The patients were categorized into remission, low, moderate, and high disease severity. Common symptoms included joint pain, swelling, decreased range of motion, fatigue, muscle weakness, fever, numbness, skin rash, weight loss, and difficulty with daily activities. Treatment data included corticoids, cDMARD, bDMARD, and cDMARD combined bDMARD. The study also assessed patients' quality of life, ranging from 0 to 100, based on physical function, psychological function, emotional and social aspects, and daily activity. A multivariate analysis of risk factors affecting patients with rheumatic diseases was performed. Results: Our results shown that males were 16 cases and females were 64 cases, the smoking rate were 30%, obesity was 50%, hypertension was 80%, diabetes was 55%, and cerebrovascular disease was 30%, and the most common symptoms of rheumatic disease which distribute into patients swelling and tenderness in the joints was 80%, joint pain, and stiffness was 85%, and fatigue was 60%, types of treatments used in patients with rheumatology which contain corticoids included 8 cases, cDMARD included 56 cases, bDMARD included 4 cases, and cDMARD combined bDMARD included 12 cases, and we identify activity rheumatic disease which classified into remission got 36 cases, low got 20 cases, moderate got 16 cases, and high got 8 cases. Conclusion: Patients with rheumatic diseases have benefited from biological therapies, targeted therapies, regenerative medicine, and novel drug development.

Taking the Pulse of Resilience in Conserving Seagrass Meadows.

Foundational habitats such as seagrasses and coral reefs are at severe risk globally from climate warming. Infectious disease associated with warming events is both a cause of decline and an indicator of stress in both habitats. Since new approaches are needed to detect refugia and design climate-smart networks of marine protected areas, we test the hypothesis that the health of eelgrass (Zostera marina) in temperate ecosystems can serve as a proxy indicative of higher resilience and help pinpoint refugia. Eelgrass meadows worldwide are at risk from environmental stressors, including climate warming and disease. Disease outbreaks of Labyrinthula zosterae are associated with recent, widespread declines in eelgrass meadows throughout the San Juan Islands, Washington, USA. Machine language learning, drone surveys, and molecular diagnostics reveal climate impacts on seagrass wasting disease prevalence (proportion of infected individuals) and severity (proportion of infected leaf area) from San Diego, California, to Alaska. Given that warmer temperatures favor many pathogens such as L. zosterae, we hypothesize that absent or low disease severity in meadows could indicate eelgrass resilience to climate and pathogenic stressors. Regional surveys showed the San Juan Islands as a hotspot for both high disease prevalence and severity, and surveys throughout the Northeast Pacific indicated higher prevalence and severity in intertidal, rather than subtidal, meadows. Further, among sites with eelgrass declines, losses were more pronounced at sites with shallower eelgrass meadows. We suggest that deeper meadows with the lowest disease severity will be refuges from future warming and pathogenic stressors in the Northeast Pacific. Disease monitoring may be a useful conservation approach for marine foundation species, as low or absent disease severity can pinpoint resilient refugia that should be prioritized for future conservation efforts. Even in declining or at-risk habitats, disease surveys can help identify meadows that may contain especially resilient individuals for future restoration efforts. Our approach of using disease as a pulse point for eelgrass resilience to multiple stressors could be applied to other habitats such as coral reefs to inform conservation and management decisions.