Disease Severity Parameters Research Articles

Risk and predictors of severity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and COVID-19 in Dubai.

Globally, patients with diabetes suffer from increased disease severity and mortality due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Old age, high body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, and complications of diabetes are recognized as major risk factors for infection severity and mortality. To investigate the risk and predictors of higher severity and mortality among in-hospital patients with COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes (T2D) during the first wave of the pandemic in Dubai (March-September 2020). In this cross-sectional nested case-control study, a total of 1083 patients with COVID-19 were recruited. This study included 890 men and 193 women. Of these, 427 had T2D and 656 were non-diabetic. The clinical, radiographic, and laboratory data of the patients with and without T2D were compared. Independent predictors of mortality in COVID-19 non-survivors were identified in patients with and without T2D. T2D patients with COVID-19 were older and had higher BMI than those without T2D. They had higher rates of comorbidities such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and more life-threatening complications. All laboratory parameters of disease severity were significantly higher than in those without T2D. Therefore, these patients had a longer hospital stay and a significantly higher mortality rate. They died from COVID-19 at a rate three times higher than patients without. Most laboratory and radiographic severity indices in non-survivors were high in patients with and without T2D. In the univariate analysis of the predictors of mortality among all COVID-19 non-survivors, significant associations were identified with old age, increased white blood cell count, lym-phopenia, and elevated serum troponin levels. In multivariate analysis, only lymphopenia was identified as an independent predictor of mortality among T2D non-survivors. Patients with COVID-19 and T2D were older with higher BMI, more comorbidities, higher disease severity indices, more severe proinflammatory state with cardiac involvement, and died from COVID-19 at three times the rate of patients without T2D. The identified mortality predictors will help healthcare workers prioritize the management of patients with COVID-19.

Mortality in individuals with COPD on long-term home non-invasive ventilation

BackgroundReal-world evidence regarding survival of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using chronic non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is scarce. Research questionHow do obesity and other factors relate to mortality in patients with COPD on chronic NIV? Study designand Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from COPD patients enrolled in a home ventilation program between 2014 and 2018. Survival was compared between obese and non-obese groups using the Kaplan-Meier method. Factors associated with mortality were identified using multivariable Cox proportional regression analyses with Least Absolute Selection and Shrinkage Operator (LASSO) regularization. Univariable analyses were also done stratified by obesity. ResultsMedian survival was 80.0 (95% CI: 71.0-NA) months among obese (n = 205) and 30.0 (95%CI: 19.0–42.0) months in non-obese (n = 61) patients. NIV adherence was high in both groups. Mortality was associated with male gender [HR 1.44], chronic opioids or benzodiazepines use [HR 1.07], home oxygen use [HR 1.82], fixed pressure mode of ventilation [HR 1.55], NIV inspiratory pressure [HR 1.05], and thoracic cancer [HR 1.27]; obesity [HR: 0.43], age [HR 0.99] and NIV expiratory pressure [HR 0.94] were associated with decreased mortality. In the obese, univariable analyses revealed that chest wall disease, thoracic cancer, home oxygen use, FEV1% predicted, and ventilation parameters were associated with mortality. In the non-obese, male gender and respiratory comorbidities were related to mortality. InterpretationObesity is associated with improved survival in COPD patients highly adherent to NIV. Other factors associated with mortality reflect disease severity and ventilator parameters, with differences between obese and non-obese patients.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy respiratory profiles from real world registry data.

Understanding real-world profiles from neuromuscular databases is helpful for optimizing clinical care and planning research studies. The Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry (CNDR) has respiratory data from a population of boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). To describe cross-sectional respiratory profiles from a national DMD real-world dataset. To explore the relationship between forced vital capacity percent predicted (FVC%) and disease severity parameters: scoliosis, ambulation and ventilation status. Descriptive statistics summarized the respiratory profiles. The CNDR registry enrolls and collects DMD clinic data from 36 Canadian centers. There were 414 participants enrolled. The age ranged from 2 to 36 years old. Pulmonary function test data were available for 323 participants. The use of ventilatory support was seen in a significant proportion (19.5%) of subjects by age 14-16 years and was used by the majority (69.2%) by age 20-22 years. FVC% declined at a rate of 3.19% per year with every 1-year increase in age. FVC% declined annually by 2.47% in nonambulatory participants versus by 0.96% in ambulatory participants. FVC% did not significantly change over age with the presence of scoliosis or use of ventilatory technology. The data from this large cohort are valuable for understanding real-world patterns of clinical care and disease progression. There is a significant association between the loss of ambulation and the rate of FVC% decline. Further longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the impact of disease parameters on pulmonary function decline and the need for ventilatory support.

Ovarian reserve in women with cystic fibrosis: is this a cause of sub-fertility?

BackgroundOver the past two decades, increasing number of people with cystic fibrosis (CF) survive into adulthood. Compared to the general population, sub-fertility is an obstacle for many women with CF (wwCF). Decreased ovarian reserve has been proposed as a possible cause, but limited data is available to support this. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ovarian reserve in wwCF and to correlate this with patients’ demographic and clinical data.MethodsReproductive-aged wwCF were enrolled during their routine medical appointments. Assessment included Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, routine blood tests and antral follicular count (AFC) evaluation. Additionally, demographic, and clinical information were collected.ResultsA total of wenty-three wwCF were enrolled, with ages ranging from 19 to 40 years (median 27 years). Among the fourteen wwCF who were considering pregnancy, five (35.7%) disclosed undergoing an infertility assessment and receiving fertility treatments. All but one patient had an Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level between the 5th and 95th % for age. Measurement of the antral follicular count (AFC) was possible in 12 of the 23 patients and was ranging 8–40 with a median of 17. The proportion of wwCF presenting below median AMH values was not different in sub-fertile as compared to fertile wwCF (P value 0.54). There were no correlations between AMH levels and disease severity parameters. AMH seemed to be relatively higher in wwCF with mild class mutations, but this was not shown to have statistical significance.ConclusionsOur results, in contrast with the limited available published data, do not support the hypothesis that decreased ovarian reserve plays a major role in infertility in wwCF.

A Three-Year Study of Comparative Effects of Four Organic Amendments on Soil Health Dynamics, Tomato Production, and Rhizosphere Microbial Community

ABSTRACT Tomato is a demanding crop in fertilizers, fungicides, and pesticides. Therefore, producing food with limit use of chemical farm inputs became essential to reduce the harmful effects of these chemicals in agro-ecosystems. Green manures have great potential to limit the dependency on chemical inputs and preserve the soil fertility. Two fodder radish cultivars, used as green manure, were tested, during three consecutive cropping years, for their effects on soil properties and fertility, tomato growth and production, soilborne diseases’ severity, and rhizosphere microbial community. Control treatment consisted of bovine manure and a commercial bio-activator of plant and soil systems i.e. biocat−15Ⓡ. All amended soils showed enhancement in their total nitrogen and available potassium and phosphorus levels. The highest increment in the soil organic matter and the soil carbon biomass noted using radish cv. Defender material. Before tomato planting, the monitoring of the soil microbial community structure revealed that the two green manures had increased the soil richness in actinomycetes communities but only cv. Defender had enhanced the bacterial population. For tomato growth and soilborne disease severity parameters, organic amendments had enhanced tomato growth by 17.8 to 41.7% and decreased disease severity by 46.6 to 97.3% at the second cropping year compared to the first one. The present results indicate that the four organic amendments tested would be an effective approach for improving the soil ecological environment for sustainable tomato cropping with significant enhancements of the majority of tested parameters recorded using fodder radish cv. Defender as green manure.

The Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Evobrutinib Demonstrates Superior Efficacy in Targeting Compartmentalized Neuroinflammation Compared to Anti-CD20 Treatment. (S16.004)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To evaluate the efficacy of evobrutinib, a central nervous system (CNS)-penetrant Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi), versus anti-CD20 treatment, on compartmentalized neuroinflammation and disease outcomes in a novel mouse model recapitulating key features of disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). <h3>Background:</h3> In MS, compartmentalized neuroinflammation often starts early and is characterized by an accumulation of persistent B cell rich aggregates. Compartmentalized neuroinflammation is predictive of both poor clinical outcomes and rapid disability progression. B cells within the CNS may be protected from established MS therapies such as anti-CD20 antibodies. CNS-penetrant small molecules directed against BTK – with its critical role in B cell activation, proliferation, and survival – have emerged to potentially target chronic neuroinflammation. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> Preclinical assessments compared the therapeutic potential of evobrutinib and anti-CD20 antibodies on MS progression using the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse model with features of progression (pEAE). Clinical outcomes and their correlation with CNS immunopathological parameters were assessed in pEAE mice to recapitulate key aspects of MS disease progression. <h3>Results:</h3> Evobrutinib, versus anti-CD20 (clone: SA271G2) treatment, reduced disease severity (65% reduction; P&lt;0.0001) and immunopathological parameters of disease (56% reduction; P&lt;0.01) in pEAE mice. The beneficial effects of BTKi were paralleled by body-weight gain and a decrease in maximum disease score versus anti-CD20 treatment. Evobrutinib lessened neuroinflammation by significantly reducing the number and activation of lymphoid and myeloid cells as well as the extent of submeningeal demyelination both in the brain (44% reduction; P&lt;0.01) and the spinal cord (42% reduction; P&lt;0.01). <h3>Conclusions:</h3> The improvements in clinical, immunological, and neuropathological parameters of disease observed in pEAE mice treated with evobrutinib illustrate the importance of compartmentalized neuroinflammation for disease progression. The limited effect of anti-CD20 treatment confirms the insufficient disease inhibition potential of antibody-based therapies when targeting intrathecal B cells. These findings support the notion that evobrutinib targets persistent neuroinflammation in MS. <b>Disclosure:</b> Ms. Kebir has received research support from Fonds de Recherche du Québec-Santé. Ms. Kebir has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Cen Li has received research support from Chinese Scholarship Council. The institution of Michael May has received research support from NIH. Molly Church has nothing to disclose. Ursula Boschert has nothing to disclose. Jorge Alvarez has nothing to disclose.

P197 Evaluating the safety and factors associated with treatment cessation in Takayasu arteritis

Abstract Background/Aims Immunosuppression in Takayasu arteritis (TA) reduces the risk of arterial disease progression. However, long-term use of glucocorticoids (GC) and other agents carries risk, particularly as patients age. GC tapering practice can vary and there are no guidelines on the safety of treatment cessation due to a lack of data. This study describes the cessation of treatment in a large single-centre cohort and evaluates the baseline, clinical and treatment parameters associated with successful treatment stop. Methods The Imperial College Takayasu Arteritis Cohort (UK) was reviewed retrospectively; 158 patients, median follow-up 8.4 [5-13.6] years. Patients with data available within 1 year of audit (31/03/2021) were analysed. Treatment was defined as &amp;gt; 6 months of GC, csDMARD or biologic medication and cessation as stopping treatment for &amp;gt;1 year. Cessation safety was assessed by serial angiography (whole aorta MRI or CT) and NIH disease activity scoring. Baseline demographic, clinical and treatment parameters as well as initial treatment responses were compared for cessation and non-cessation cases. Data are median [IQR], comparisons are non-parametric for continuous variables. Results Of 129 (82%) cases requiring treatment, 107 (83%) remained in care. 29 (27.1%) cases of cessation were identified, time off-treatment was 3.6 [2.5-8.2] years. For 25 (86%) cessation cases, treatment withdrawal was due to sustained quiescence. Infection, non-adherence and tolerance accelerated cessation in 4 cases. Long-term inactivity was confirmed by disease activity scoring in all cases and by angiography where available (23 cases). No instances of treatment restart were observed. Baseline demographic and disease severity parameters were similar in cessation and non-cessation patients (Table). Cessation cases had lower GC doses after 2 years of treatment and a trend towards lower disease activity, suggesting better responses. Relatedly, biologic administration (reserved for refractory disease) was markedly lower in the cessation group. Finally, cessation cases had earlier treatment start years, were older at audit and had an increased proportion of Numano Type V classification. Conclusion In TA, complete treatment cessation is feasible and safe in a proportion of cases. Initial treatment response, treatment duration and Numano type V arterial involvement are potential predictors of successful treatment cessation and may aid future stratification strategies after validation. Disclosure R.T. Maughan: None. A. Porter: None. C. Dahanayake: None. C. Ianonne: None. R. Alapat: None. C. Pericleous: None. T.A. Youngstein: None. J. Mason: None.

Evaluation of Ethanedinitrile as a Potential Fumigant against Plasmodiophora brassicae, the Clubroot Pathogen

Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin, is one of the most challenging diseases to control in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) and other crucifers globally. Ethanedinitrile (EDN) is a promising fumigant shown to be effective against various pests and soil-borne pathogens. However, its efficacy against P. brassicae is yet to be tested. Therefore, the current study is focused on evaluating the effectiveness of EDN against P. brassicae at different rates, applied for different durations of exposure. Clubroot-susceptible oilseed rape plants, grown in fumigated soil, were evaluated for disease severity and growth parameters in greenhouse conditions. EDN exhibited good efficacy against the pathogen, with 81.39% disease suppression compared to the control. Complete control of the disease was achieved at the rates of 42 g/m3 and 50 g/m3 as well as in the treatment variant of 35 g/m3-48 h. In addition, EDN improved plant health by increasing shoot weight by 58.24%. However, the combination of a prolonged fumigation period and higher rates resulted in a decline in the seedling emergence rate and plant shoot weight, indicating a potential adverse residual effect of higher rates and longer durations of exposure in plants.

The association between Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD) symptoms and disease severity in people with Cystic Fibrosis (pwCF)

BackgroundThe hallmarks of Cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic infection and inflammation, require intensive daily treatment to maintain and improve quality of life and outcome. The incidence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is increased in chronic inflammatory diseases. Previous studies suggested that the prevalence of ADHD in people with CF (pwCF) is higher than in the general population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between ADHD symptoms and parameters of CF disease severity, measured by demographic and clinical data. MethodsBased on our previous study, the results of ADHD questionnaires and the MOXOCPT (continuous performance task) from 143 pwCF (7–68 years old) were analyzed and linked to patient data such as forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)%predicted, body mass index (BMI), number of pulmonary exacerbations, days of antibiotic (Abx) treatment and serum inflammatory markers. ResultsA positive correlation between FEV1 and ADHD questionnaire's score (p = 0.046) was observed in the children's group. Furthermore, BMI, white blood cells (WBC) count, and days of Abx treatment showed a positive correlation with some of the MOXOCPT parameters. ConclusionThere is an association between ADHD symptoms and some parameters of CF disease severity. These results highlight the need for an early diagnosis of ADHD in pwCF, which have the potential to improve their ability to deal with the burden of their disease and consequently their quality of life. Additional research is needed to understand the full spectrum of ADHD pathophysiology and the relationship with chronic inflammatory diseases such as CF.

Host-Based Treatments for Severe COVID-19.

COVID-19 has been a global health problem since 2020. There are different spectrums of manifestation of this disease, ranging from asymptomatic to extremely severe forms requiring admission to intensive care units and life-support therapies, mainly due to severe pneumonia. The progressive understanding of this disease has allowed researchers and clinicians to implement different therapeutic alternatives, depending on both the severity of clinical involvement and the causative molecular mechanism that has been progressively explored. In this review, we analysed the main therapeutic options available to date based on modulating the host inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with severe and critical illness. Although current guidelines are moving toward a personalised treatment approach titrated on the timing of presentation, disease severity, and laboratory parameters, future research is needed to identify additional biomarkers that can anticipate the disease course and guide targeted interventions on an individual basis.

Markers of inflammasome activation in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Egyptian patients: Impact on disease severity

There are conflicting data regarding the relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and Caspase-1 (Casp-1), interleukin-1ß (IL-1β), and IL-18. Our study sought to quantify the levels of IL-18, IL-1ß, and Casp-1 as indicators for inflammasome activation in COVID-19 patients at Assiut University Hospitals and to correlate their levels with parameters of disease severity in COVID-19 patients. Serum levels of Casp-1, IL-1β and IL-18 were measured in 63 COVID-19 patients and 26 normal controls by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Also, arterial blood gas analysis and laboratory parameters including hemoglobin, platelets, lymphocyte count, liver function test, kidney function test, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, ferritin and LDH were estimated. Serum levels of Casp-1, IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly higher in the COVID-19 group as compared to controls (p= 0.04, p=0.001 and p=0.03, respectively). Although the three markers were higher in the severe group, yet only IL-1ß showed a significant difference as compared to the non-severe group (p=0.04). IL-18 had significant positive correlations with CRP and ferritin (p = 0.04 and p = 0.02, respectively). IL-1β was positively correlated with alanine aminotransferase. Casp-1 had significant positive correlations with CRP and lactate dehydrogenase (p=0.045 and p=0.001, respectively). Patients showed weak positive correlations between serum level of Casp-1 and each of IL-1β and IL-18. Also, a strong positive correlation was found between IL-1β and IL-18 (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, inflammasome activation was a hallmark in COVID-19 patients. The markers of activation were positively correlated with many parameters of inflammation, may suggest their important roles in the pathophysiology of the disease and its progression. IL-1β was the only marker to be correlated with disease severity and therefore may be suggested as a potential marker for identifying severe COVID-19 patients.

Will Climate Change Affect the Disease Progression of Septoria Tritici Blotch in Northern Europe?

Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by the fungus Zymoseptoria tritici Desm., is the most important disease affecting wheat in Northern Europe. There is a strong correlation between STB and weather variables; therefore, research on climate change and epidemiology is essential. In a long-term survey across 25 years, we evaluated the epidemiological development of STB at a representative location under maritime climatic conditions. The surveys conducted between 1996 and 2021 showed an increase in disease severity of STB with respect to time. At the survey location, the plants were also evaluated for other diseases, but other foliar diseases were only observed with negligible severities. However, a continuous increase in the severity of STB was observed throughout the survey. During the survey period, there was no significant relationship between disease severity and single weather parameters (e.g., temperature and precipitation). However, seasonal changes in the progression of conducive STB conditions within the season were observed during the survey. Therefore, STB infections occurred at increased temperatures due to infections later during the growth season. In general, the distribution of conducive weather conditions, which supports an infection, determines the epidemiological behaviour of STB during the growing season. Due to these enhanced STB epidemics, a decline in wheat production has been observed, especially in agronomic practices of maritime climates. This is particularly the case if temperature and precipitation during the growing season are affected by climate change.

Analysis of urine Raman spectra differences from patients with diabetes mellitus and renal pathologies.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a major public health burden. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the major causes of CKD. In patients with DM, it can be difficult to differentiate diabetic kidney disease (DKD) from other causes of glomerular damage; it should not be assumed that all DM patients with decreased eGFR and/or proteinuria have DKD. Renal biopsy is the standard for definitive diagnosis, but other less invasive methods may provide clinical benefit. As previously reported, Raman spectroscopy of CKD patient urine with statistical and chemometric modeling may provide a novel, non-invasive methodology for discriminating between renal pathologies. Urine samples were collected from renal biopsied and non-biopsied patients presenting with CKD secondary to DM and non-diabetic kidney disease. Samples were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, baselined with the ISREA algorithm, and subjected to chemometric modeling. Leave-one-out cross-validation was used to assess the predictive capabilities of the model. This proof-of-concept study consisted of 263 samples, including renal biopsied, non-biopsied diabetic and non-diabetic CKD patients, healthy volunteers, and the Surine™ urinalysis control. Urine samples of DKD patients and those with immune-mediated nephropathy (IMN) were distinguished from one another with 82% sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value (PPV), and negative-predictive value (NPV). Among urine samples from all biopsied CKD patients, renal neoplasia was identified in urine with 100% sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV, and membranous nephropathy was identified with 66.7% sensitivity, 96.4% specificity, 80.0% PPV, and 93.1% NPV. Finally, DKD was identified among a population of 150 patient urine samples containing biopsy-confirmed DKD, other biopsy-confirmed glomerular pathologies, un-biopsied non-diabetic CKD patients (no DKD), healthy volunteers, and Surine™ with 36.4% sensitivity, 97.8% specificity, 57.1% PPV, and 95.1% NPV. The model was used to screen un-biopsied diabetic CKD patients and identified DKD in more than 8% of this population. IMN in diabetic patients was identified among a similarly sized and diverse population with 83.3% sensitivity, 97.7% specificity, 62.5% PPV, and 99.2% NPV. Finally, IMN in non-diabetic patients was identified with 50.0% sensitivity, 99.4% specificity, 75.0% PPV, and 98.3% NPV. Raman spectroscopy of urine with chemometric analysis may be able to differentiate between DKD, IMN, and other glomerular diseases. Future work will further characterize CKD stages and glomerular pathology, while assessing and controlling for differences in factors such as comorbidities, disease severity, and other lab parameters.

Monocyte-to-HDL Cholesterol Ratio As A New Parameter of Systemic Inflammation and Disease Severity in Treatment-Resistant Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Background and Purpose: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is characterized by inflammation and increased oxidative stress in its pathogenesis. The study aims to evaluate new inflammatory markers indicating systemic inflammation in resistant CSU and to determine their relationship with disease severity.&#x0D; Methods: The files of CSU patients and matched healthy volunteers were reviewed and compared in terms of demographics, medical history, clinical features, laboratory parameters, and new inflammatory markers [NLR:neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, MLR: monocyte-lymphocyte ratio, MHR:monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)].&#x0D; Results: Sixty-one CSU patients and 50 healthy controls were evaluated (female: male ratio=1.9:1, mean age=43.97 ± 14.88 years). The median erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell, monocyte count, and MHR were higher in the CSU group; in contrast, the mean HDL-C level was lower. The median NLR and MLR were also higher in the CSU group but were not statistically significant. Urticaria activity score 7 (UAS7) was positively correlated with MHR and negatively correlated with HDL-C. MHR was positively correlated with MLR, CRP, and UAS7.&#x0D; Conclusions: MHR might serve as an indicator of inflammation intensity and predisposition to MS in CSU patients. It might also be used as an objective tool for evaluating disease severity and treatment response in CSU.

Effects of Combination of Copper Fungicide and Plant Activator on Late Blight and Quality Criteria of Potato

Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans is one of the most important fungal diseases that cause damage to both the green parts and tuber of the potato plant and limits potato cultivation. Systemic fungicides are mostly preferred by farmers in the control of potato late blight. The fact that systemic fungicides cause health problems in terms of human and environmental health has revealed the need for research on control methods that do not threaten environmental health. In recent years, successful results have been obtained in the control of many diseases with plant activators known as Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR) promoters. This study was carried out in the spring season of 2016-2017 to observe the effect of copper fungicide and plant activator (Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product) combination on the control of potato late blight disease and some quality criteria of potato tubers in the experimental plots of Ege University Ödemiş Vocational School in Ödemiş district of İzmir province. The experiment was planned as two separate experiments with Marabel and Melody potato cultivars. The experiment was established according to a split-plot experimental design with four replications. In this study, the effect of the treatments on potato quality and yield criteria such as tuber number, tuber width, tuber length, single tuber weight, yield per decare, and the effects of the pesticides on potato late blight disease and disease severity parameters were evaluated. When the data obtained as a result of the study were evaluated, it was determined that the combination application had a positive effect on the control of potato late blight disease in both potato cultivars compared to the control plots. When the quality criteria of potato tubers were evaluated, the highest number of tubers was obtained from the plots where copper fungicide and plant activator (Isr-2000) combination was applied. Significant increase was obtained in potato quality and yield criteria such as tuber width, tuber length, average tuber weight and yield per decare when the combination plots were compared with the control plots. In conclusion, the use of contact fungicides and plant activator combinations in the control of late blight in the spring period within the scope of sustainable agriculture is promising as an application alternative in the control of plant diseases in organic agriculture.

The composition and function profile of the gut microbiota of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

This healthy volunteer control-based study was conducted to explore alterations of compositions and function of gut microbiota in Chinese pSS patients. The high-throughput Illumina Miseq sequencing method, targeting the V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, was used to compare the microbiota communities between 30 pSS patients and 30 age-matched healthy volunteers. The intestinal dysbiosis of pSS patients was evaluated and its correlation with some disease phenotypes was analyzed. Furthermore, we performed the amino acid sequence alignment analysis to illustrate the molecular mimicry patterns of new microbial peptides. Compared with that in healthy controls, the composition and function of the gut microbiota significantly differed in pSS patients. Certain genera and species, including genera: Escherichia-Shigella, Sardovia, Veillonella, Insteinimonas, and Lactobacillales; species: Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus phage Sal3, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus gasseri, Streptococcus lutetiensis, Streptococcus mutans, Scardovia wiggsiae, and Fusobacterrium ulcerans were found to be enriched in the feces of pSS patients, while butyrate-producing bacteria were less abundant in pSS patients. Certain genera (including Lactobacillales) and species (including Lactobacillus gasseri) were associated with disease severity and therapy resistance parameters. Autoantigen epitopes of "WPSALPT, NPARSFG, MNPARSFG, and AFGLAIGT" from aquaporin-5 were aligned perfectly with one enriched microbiota of patients with pSS, namely Escherichia coli. The composition and function of the gut microbiota significantly differed in pSS patients compared with that in healthy controls. Our study would facilitate the possible research on the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of pSS.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided coiling and glue is safe and superior to endoscopic glue injection in gastric varices with severe liver disease: a retrospective case control study

Gastric varices (GV) are present in 25% of cirrhotic patients with high rates of rebleeding and mortality. Data on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided treatment in severe liver disease (model for end stage liver disease sodium [MELD-Na] >18 and Child-Turcotte-Pugh [CTP] C with GV) are scarce. Thus, we performed a retrospective comparison of endoscopic glue injection with EUS-guided therapy in cirrhotic patients with large GV. A retrospective study was performed in the tertiary hospitals of India. A total of 80 patients were recruited. The inclusion criteria were gastroesophageal varices type 2, isolated gastric varices type 1, bleeding within 6 weeks, size of GV >10 mm, and a MELD-Na >18. Treatment outcomes and complications of endoscopic glue injection and EUS-guided GV therapy were compared. In this study, the patients' age, sex, liver disease severity (CTP, MELD-Na) and clinical parameters were comparable. The median number of procedures, injected glue volume, complications, and GV obturation were better in the EUS group, respectively. On subgroup analysis of the EUS method (e.g., direct gastric fundus vs. paragastric collateral [PGC] coil placement), PGC coil placement showed decreased coil requirement, less injected glue volume, decreased luminal coil extrusion, and increased successful GV obturation. EUS-guided treatment is more efficient and safer, and requires a smaller number of treatment sessions, as compared to endoscopic treatment in severe liver disease patients with large GV. Furthermore, PGC coil placement increases the complete obliteration of GV.

Síndrome do olho seco em Shih Tzu: aspectos clínicos e morfológicos da superfície ocular nas diferentes fases da ceratoconjuntivite seca

ABSTRACT: This study analyzed clinical and cyto-histomorphological parameters of the ocular surface of Shih Tzu dogs, non-carriers and carriers of quantitative keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) at different stages. Thirty-five eyes from 23 male and female Shih Tzu dogs between two and eight years were evaluated in four groups: control group (CG - without KCS), mild KCS group (KCS1), moderate KCS group (KCS2), and severe KCS group (KCS3). Most clinical variables among KCS carrier groups worsened at the more advanced stages of the disease, with a negative correlation between the Schirmer tear test (STT-1) and tear film break-up time (TBUT). Squamous metaplasia, lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate, and decrease in conjunctival goblet cells on histopathological examination comprised disease severity parameters. Quantitative KCS non-carried Shih Tzu dogs have qualitative and tear film distribution changes. The cytomorphological exam is limited to evaluating the inflammatory infiltrate and quantifying conjunctival goblet cells. However, intermediate epithelial cells were higher in healthy eyes compared to eyes with KCS in Shih Tzu dogs. Also, moderate and severe KCS carrier Shih Tzu dogs have qualitative dysfunction of the tear film. KCS in Shih Tzu dogs is common and chronic and may be responsible for the loss of vision of these animals. Early identification of the disease and routine evaluation can improve these dogs’ quality of life and ocular health.

High Resolution Computed Tomographic Assessment of Airway Wall Thickness in COPD Diseases

Background: The relevance of particular abnormalities to the clinical condition needs to be assessed objectively and, in particular, the relationship of airway wall thickening to other clinical parameters of air way disease severity. However, the reliability of airway wall measurements needs to be studied. On this Descriptive analytic study to assess of airway wall thickness in COPD Diseases. Method: data were collect from CT scan work station about 50 patients male and female on deferent age from 20 years to 80years. We selected five levels from trachea to diaphragm then measured the trachea and bronchial wall thickness Conclusion: The male patients within age from 60years to 80years are high risk to COPD more than female. The mean of trachea wall thickness 3.4660m.over all sections bronchial wall thickness on the right lung are more thickened than bronchial on left lung by 0.8 mm to 1.10mm.

Tensor-Based Multi-Modality Feature Selection and Regression for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis.

The assessment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) associated with brain changes remains a challenging task. Recent studies have demonstrated that combination of multi-modality imaging techniques can better reflect pathological characteristics and contribute to more accurate diagnosis of AD and MCI. In this paper, we propose a novel tensor-based multi-modality feature selection and regression method for diagnosis and biomarker identification of AD and MCI from normal controls. Specifically, we leverage the tensor structure to exploit high-level correlation information inherent in the multi-modality data, and investigate tensor-level sparsity in the multilinear regression model. We present the practical advantages of our method for the analysis of ADNI data using three imaging modalities (VBM-MRI, FDG-PET and AV45-PET) with clinical parameters of disease severity and cognitive scores. The experimental results demonstrate the superior performance of our proposed method against the state-of-the-art for the disease diagnosis and the identification of disease-specific regions and modality-related differences. The code for this work is publicly available at https://github.com/junfish/BIOS22.