Research Institute Research Articles

Experience in treating multifocal alopecia areata in a child with Jak kinase inhibitors

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disease characterized by hair loss mediated by CD8 + T cells. There are no proven effective treatments for alopecia. Recent research on the immunology of hair follicles and recent developments in the field of immunopatogenesis, as well as common ways of developing the disease with other autoimmune disorders have led to research on new treatments, targeted at specific immunological pathways. The so-called JAK-STAT pathway is responsible for transmitting signal from different cytokines to the nucleus of the cell, suggesting that blocking this pathway may be effective in the treatment of alopecia.Study purpose. Presentation of Clinical Case of Multi-focal Alopecia Treatment in Child Oral Tofacitinib.Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the basis of the dermatology department with the laser surgery group of the Center for Pediatric Dermatology and Laboratory of Skin Pathology in children FGAU «National Medical Research Center for Children’s Health» of the Ministry of Health of Russia from April 2021 to November 2022. Severity Alopecia Tool (SALT) was used to determine the severity of the disease in participants. The SALT scale takes into account the percentage of affected hair and divides it into 6 subclasses (S 0 %, S1 <25 %, S2 25–49 %, S3 50–74 %, S4 75–99 % and C5100 %).Results. When oral tofacitinib was administered for 6 months in a 9-year-old patient, full recovery of hair growth on the scalp was observed. No significant abnormalities based on clinical and biochemical blood results were found for the period of treatment and for a year after withdrawal. There was no recurrence of hair loss after the withdrawal of the drug for 12 months.Conclusion. JAK inhibitors can be effective new treatments for alopecia in children. Additional data from randomized controlled trials are required for safe use of JAK inhibitors.

Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Outcomes after Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation

BackgroundUmbilical cord blood transplant (UCBT) improves access to transplant for patients lacking a fully matched donor. Previous Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) showed that Black patients had a lower overall survival (OS) than White patients following single UCBT. The current study draws on a larger modern cohort and compares outcomes among White, Latinx, Black, and Asian patients. ObjectiveTo compare outcomes by social determinants of health. Study DesignWe designed a retrospective study using CIBMTR data. US patients were between ages 1 and 80; 983 received single and 1529 double UCBT as reported to CIBMTR, following either a myeloablative (N=1752) or reduced intensity conditioning (N=759) for Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Acute Lymphoid Leukemia, or Myelodysplasia. The primary outcome was 2-year OS. Secondary outcomes included disease free survival, transplant related mortality (TRM), acute and chronic graft vs host disease (GVHD), and GVHD free, relapse free survival (GRFS). ResultsFor 1705 adults, in univariate analysis, 2-year OS was 41.5% (99% CI, 37.6-45.3) for Whites, 36.1% (99% CI, 28.2-44.5) for Latinx, 45.8% (99% CI, 36.7-55.1) for Blacks, and 44.5% (99% CI, 33.6-55.6) for Asians. In multivariate analysis of adults, Latinx patients had inferior OS compared to black patients (p=0.0005, HR 1.45, 99% CI 1.18-1.79). OS improved over time for all racial/ethnic groups. GVHD rates were comparable among the different racial/ethnic groups. In the 807 children, the 2-year OS in univariate analysis was 66.1% (99% CI, 59.7-72.2) for Whites, 57.1% (99%CI, 49-64.9) for Latinx, 46.8% (99%CI, 35.3-58.4) for Blacks, and 53.8% (99%CI, 32.7-74.2) for Asians. In multivariate analysis, no difference in OS was observed among racial/ethnic groups (p = 0.051). Grade III/IV acute GVHD was higher in Blacks compared with Whites (p= 0.0016, HR 2.25, 99% CI 1.36-3.74) and Latinx (p= 0.0016, HR 2.17, 99% CI 1.43-3.30). There was no survival advantage to receiving a UCB unit from a donor of similar race and ethnicity, for any racial/ethnic groups, for both children and adults.Black and Latinx adult patients were more likely to live in areas defined as high poverty. Patients from high poverty level areas had worse OS (p =0.03), due to a higher rate of TRM (p=0.04). Educational level, and type of insurance did not impact overall survival, GVHD, TRM or other transplant outcomes. Children from areas with a higher poverty level had higher TRM, regardless of race and ethnicity (p=0.02). Public health insurance, such as Medicaid, was also associated with a higher TRM (p=0.02). However, poverty did not impact pediatric OS, DFS, or other post-transplant outcomes. ConclusionsOS for UCBT has improved over time. In adults, OS is comparable among Whites, Blacks, and Asians and lower for Latinx patients. In children, OS is comparable among Whites, Blacks, Latinx, and Asians, but Grade III/IV acute GVHD was higher in Black patients. There was no survival benefit to matching UCB unit and patient by race and ethnicity for adults and children.

Effects of depression and stress on oral self-care among perinatal women in Appalachia: A longitudinal study.

Oral health during the perinatal period and beyond affects the health and well-being of women and their offspring. Oral self-care behaviours can maintain or improve oral health; depression or stress during the perinatal period may compromise these behaviours. The aim of the study was to investigate the independent and combined effects of depression and stress on oral self-care behaviours of perinatal women in Appalachia, given the high burden of oral disease in this region. A total of 1172 women in the first or second trimester of pregnancy were enrolled in the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia, cohort 2 (COHRA2) in West Virginia or Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Participants completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale-10, and self-report items about oral self-care behaviours (i.e. toothbrushing and flossing) during pregnancy and five times in the 2+ years following birth. A Generalized Estimating Equation approach was used to analyse the longitudinal data. Maternal depression and stress were independently negatively related to toothbrushing and flossing frequency. These findings for toothbrushing were more pronounced in those with high levels of depression and high levels of stress, so there were both independent and combined effects. Frequency of toothbrushing and flossing stayed constant over time, so time was not associated with outcomes. About three-fourths of the sample reported toothbrushing levels that are consistent with established guidelines (i.e. two times daily), but almost half of the participants had very low levels of flossing (i.e. once or less a week). Interventions targeting stress and depression throughout the perinatal period might be helpful in improving oral self-care behaviours and oral health among women in Appalachia, in addition to the benefit of decreasing emotional distress.

Identification and characterization of the causal agent of powdery mildew on native salmonberry and thimbleberry plants in British Columbia

Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) and thimbleberry (Rubus nutkanus) are important native berry plants for Indigenous communities and restoration sites in the coastal region of British Columbia (BC). Compared to cultivated berry plants, information on the diseases impacting native berry plant species is limited. In late August 2022, powdery mildew symptoms and signs were observed on field plots of salmonberry and thimbleberry plants at the Agassiz Research and Development Centre, BC. The disease symptoms progressed until the end of September. The morphology of conidiophores and conidia when examined under a compound and scanning electron microscope showed they matched with those of Podosphaera aphanis. DNA from diseased foliage was subjected to PCR amplification with primers representing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA followed by sequencing. The corresponding sequences from both hosts showed >99% similarity to P. aphanis in GenBank and grouped with several accessions of P. aphanis following phylogenetic analysis. In artificially inoculated trials conducted in the greenhouse, powdery mildew symptoms developed within 3−4 weeks post-inoculation and P. aphanis isolates from salmonberry and thimbleberry were cross-pathogenic to each host. To our knowledge, this is the first study characterizing the powdery mildew pathogen infecting salmonberry and thimbleberry and demonstrating cross-pathogenicity to both hosts. The outcomes from this study provide insight into the biology of the powdery mildew pathogen infecting native Rubus spp.

Effects of Intranasal Naloxone on Hypoglycemia-Associated Autonomic Failure (HAAF) in Susceptible Individuals.

Hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure (HAAF), defined as blunting of counter-regulatory hormone and symptom responses to recurrent hypoglycemia, remains a therapeutic challenge in diabetes treatment. The opioid system may play a role in HAAF pathogenesis since activation of opioid receptors induces HAAF. Blockade of opioid receptors with intravenous naloxone ameliorates HAAF experimentally, yet is not feasible therapeutically. To investigate the effects of opioid receptor blockade with intranasal naloxone on experimentally-induced HAAF. Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study. Academic research center. Healthy non-diabetic volunteers. Paired two-day studies, 5-10 weeks apart, each consisting of three consecutive hypoglycemic episodes (hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemic clamps, glucose nadir: 54 mg/dL): two on day 1 with administration of intranasal naloxone vs. placebo, followed by the third episode on day 2. Differences in counter-regulatory hormones responses and hypoglycemia symptoms between first and third hypoglycemic episodes in naloxone vs. placebo studies. Out of 17 participants, 9 developed HAAF, confirming variable inter-individual susceptibility. Among participants susceptible to HAAF, naloxone maintained some hormonal and symptomatic responses to hypoglycemia and prevented the associated requirement for increased glucose infusion. Unexpectedly, naloxone reduced plasma epinephrine and growth hormone responses to the first hypoglycemic episode but prevented further reduction with subsequent hypoglycemia. This is the first study to report that intranasal naloxone, a widely used opioid receptor antagonist, may ameliorate some features of HAAF. Further investigation is warranted into mechanisms of variable inter-individual susceptibility to HAAF and the effects of intranasal naloxone in people with diabetes at risk for HAAF.

Assessment of the pelvic pain experienced by infertile women is of prime importance for diagnosing endometriosis

To provide evidence regarding the significance of painful symptoms among women suffering from infertility. An observational retrospective cross-sectional study SETTINGS: University hospital-based research center PATIENTS: Infertile patients aged between 18-42 years surgically explored for benign gynecological conditions between 01-2004 and 12-2020. For each patient, a standardized questionnaire was completed during a face-to-face interview conducted by the surgeon in the month preceding the surgery. Preoperative assessment the pain symptoms was recorded. Pain intensity was assessed with a 10cm visual analog scale (VAS). The pain was considered to be severe when the VAS score was ≥ 7. Surgery was performed in 839 infertile women. 451 women had severe pelvic pain. Infertile patients with severe pain significantly more often had endometriosis (67.4% versus 30.7% respectively; p<0.001) than infertile women without severe pelvic pain, and especially deep infiltrating lesions (43.2% versus 8.5% respectively; p<0.001). Moreover, these women more often had intestinal endometriosis lesions (28.4% versus 1.8%; p<0.001). After multivariable regression analysis, the presence of endometriosis, irrespective of the phenotype (superficial lesions (OR1.84[1.19-2.86] and/or ovarian endometrioma OR 2.79[1.70-4.59] and/or deep infiltrating endometriosis OR 4.49[2.69-7.51]), and the presence of at least one intestine endometriosis lesion (OR6.49[2.69-7.51] were significantly associated with severe pelvic pain. Severe pelvic pain is significantly associated with endometriosis and especially deep infiltrating lesions in a population of infertile women. These results demonstrate the importance of thorough questioning regarding pelvic pain symptoms during the initial management of infertile patients.

Research analytics capabilities (RAC) survey: development, validation and revision using the Rasch model

PurposeThe research enterprise within higher education is becoming more competitive as funding agencies require more collaborative research projects, higher-level of accountability and competition for limited resources. As a result, research analytics has emerged as a field, like many other areas within higher education to act as a data-informed unit to better understand how research institutions can effectively grow their research strategy. This is a new and emerging field within higher education.Design/methodology/approachAs businesses and other industries are embracing recent advances in data technologies such as cloud computing and big data analytic tools to inform decision making, research administration in higher education is seeing a potential in incorporating advanced data analytics to improve day-to-day operations and strategic advancement in institutional research. This paper documents the development of a survey measuring research administrators’ perspectives on how higher education and other research institutions perceive the use of data and analytics within the research administration functions. The survey development process started with composing a literature review on recent developments in data analytics within the research administration in the higher education domain, from which major components of data analytics in research administration were conceptualized and identified. This was followed by an item matrix mapping the evidence from literature with corresponding, newly drafted survey items. After revising the initial survey based on suggestions from a panel of subject matter experts to review, a pilot study was conducted using the revised survey instrument and validated by employing the Rasch measurement analysis.FindingsAfter revising the survey based on suggestions from the subject matter experts, a pilot study was conducted using the revised survey instrument. The resultant survey instrument consists of six dimensions and 36 survey items with an establishment of reasonable item fit, item separation and reliability. This survey protocol is useful for higher educational institutions to gauge research administrators’ perceptions of the culture of data analytics use in the workplace. Suggestions for future revisions and potential use of the survey were made.Originality/valueVery limited scholarly work has been published on this topic. The use of data-informed and data-driven approaches with in research strategy within higher education is an emerging field of study and practice.

Critical consciousness among undocumented immigrant college students: Responding to cultural stress and psychological distress.

Cultural stress is experienced by undocumented students when they encounter discrimination in higher education and society. In response, undocumented students engage in critical consciousness, while simultaneously experiencing psychological distress. A conceptual model is introduced to describe the links between cultural stress, critical consciousness development, and psychological distress. One hundred seventy-one undocumented college students were recruited to participate in this study and completed measures of cultural stress (discrimination). They also completed measures of psychological distress, critical consciousness, and social justice self-efficacy and outcome expectations. The proposed model was tested for global fit and path analysis in structural equation modeling. Indirect effects were probed to assess the mediating role of critical consciousness and psychological distress. The model fit the data excellently. Greater discrimination was associated with higher critical consciousness, which in turn was associated with elevated social justice self-efficacy and outcome expectations. Additionally, higher discrimination was also linked to greater psychological distress. The link between cultural stress and critical consciousness was not explained by psychological distress. This research expands theory by articulating the adaptive ways undocumented students respond to the conditions that cause cultural stress and psychological distress. This aligns with a growing literature documenting the psychology of undocumented immigrants' activism and advocacy. Findings may inform interventions by higher education institutional agents and research to offset cultural stress and psychological distress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Supporting organizations to improve migrants’ access to health services in New York City

PurposeTo survey community-based migrant-serving organizations (MSOs) in New York City (NYC) regarding their early experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and perspectives on academic collaborations. MethodsWe developed and emailed a survey via Qualtrics (12/2020-1/2021) to 122 MSOs in NYC collecting data about the organizations; challenges posed by COVID-19; and interest in potential intersectoral collaboration. Descriptive analysis focused on the pandemic's impact on service provision, type of MSO, and organizational capacity. ResultsThirty-eight MSOs participated (RR=31%). COVID-19-related challenges included limited staff capacity, organizational funding, and technological and resource limitations of communities served. Organizational capacity correlated with types of services offered: smaller organizations offered health and social services, while larger organizations focused on education and employment. MSOs indicated interest in collaboration on migrant policy advocacy and communications, access to interns, and resources regarding best practices and policies. ConclusionsMSOs in NYC have struggled with funding, staffing, and service provision. They specified fruitful areas for collaboration with academic research institutions. ImplicationsDevelopment of an academic-based migrant health resource hub will serve an identified need among MSOs in NYC.

Utilization of Texture Analysis in Differentiating Benign and Malignant Breast Masses: Comparison of Grayscale Ultrasound, Shear Wave Elastography, and Radiomic Features.

This study aims to determine which qualitative and quantitative US features are independently associated with malignancy, including those derived from grayscale imaging morphology, shear wave elastography (SWE), and texture analysis. This single-center retrospective study was approved by the institutional research ethics board. Consecutive breast US studies performed between January and December 2020 were included. Images were acquired using a Canon Aplio i800 US unit (Canon Medical Systems, Inc., CA) and i18LX5 wideband linear matrix transducer. Grayscale US features, SWE mean, and median elasticity were obtained. Single representative grayscale images were analyzed using dedicated software (LIFEx, version 6.30). First-order and gray-level co-occurrence matrix second-order texture features were extracted. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess for predictors of malignancy (STATA v16.1). One hundred forty-seven cases with complete SWE data were selected for analysis (mean age 54.3, range 21-92). The following variables were found to be independently associated with malignancy: age (P <.001), family history (P = .013), irregular mass shape (P = .024), and stiffness on SWE (mean SWE ≥40 kPa; P <.001). Remaining variables (including texture features) were not found to be independently associated with malignancy (P >.05). US texture analysis features were not associated with malignancy independent of other qualitative and quantitative US characteristics currently utilized in clinical practice. This suggests texture analysis may not be warranted when differentiating benign and malignant breast masses on US. In contrast, irregular mass shape on grayscale imaging and increased stiffness on SWE were found to be independent predictors of malignancy.

Neurological outcomes and mortality of hyperoxaemia in patients with acute brain injury: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionOxygen is frequently prescribed in neurocritical care units. Avoiding hypoxaemia is a key objective in patients with acute brain injury (ABI). However, several studies suggest that hyperoxaemia may also be...

Contributions of Prof. P. Venkataramaiah to the research on radiation physics and education in India.

Prof. P. Venkataramaiah (P.V.), born on July 08, 1937, has been active in research for the past five decades in several areas of Nuclear Physics and Environmental Sciences. He has visited several Universities and research institutes in various countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, France, the UK, Canada and the USA. Apart from research work he has also held many administrative positions and made revolutionary improvements in the education sector of India. Even after retirement, Prof. P.V. has actively involved himself inspiring and encouraging the younger generation at secondary level. As an honour for his untiring dedication even in his eighties, his colleagues and students have written articles about his contributions to research and education. This include contributions from Prof. P.V. himself along with Prof. K.S. Mallesh, Prof. N. Nagaiah, Prof. S.A. Bari, Prof. M. Venkateshwaralu, Shri. M. Vasudev, Dr K. Nagaraja, Mrs. Sreemathi Hariprasad and Dr N. Bhagyalakshmi.

Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide-Based Graft-Versus-Host Disease Prophylaxis Attenuates Disparity in Outcomes Between Use of Matched or Mismatched Unrelated Donors.

Access to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains limited among persons of non-European ancestry if human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching is required. We evaluated whether post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy)-based graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis improved HCT outcomes with HLA-matched unrelated donor (MUD) and mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD) HCT when compared with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based prophylaxis. Three-year overall survival (OS) and GVHD-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) were compared between adult recipients undergoing initial MUD or single HLA locus MMUD HCT with either PTCy- or CNI-based prophylaxis who were reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research between 2017 and 2021. Included were 10,025 HCT recipients (7,272 recipients of MUD with CNI, 1,681 MUD with PTCy, 613 MMUD with CNI, and 459 MMUD with PTCy) who underwent HCT for acute leukemia (70.9%) or myelodysplastic syndromes (29.2%). Median patient age was 60.7 years (range, 18.0-82.7) and median follow-up was 36.6 (range, 3.0-77.8) months. When compared with MUD HCT with PTCy, MMUD HCT with PTCy had similar OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.96 [95% CI, 0.823 to 1.11]; P = .60) and GRFS (HR, 0.90 [0.79 to 1.02]; P = .1). When compared with MUD HCT with CNI, OS was improved after MUD HCT with PTCy (HR, 0.88 [0.80 to 0.96]; P = .004) and GRFS was improved with PTCy after either MUD (HR, 0.61 [0.57 to 0.66]; P < .0001) or MMUD (HR, 0.68 [0.60 to 0.76]; P < .0001) HCT. Benefit from PTCy was independent of patient ancestry. Global registry level analysis demonstrated that inclusion of MMUD increased donor availability regardless of recipient ancestry. Use of PTCy results in comparable OS and GRFS using either MUD or MMUD HCT, expanding access to HCT for patients from all racial and ethnic ancestry groups.

Chemical and engineering bases for green H2O2 production and related oxidation and ammoximation of olefins and analogues

Abstract Plastics, fibers, and rubber are three mainstream synthetic materials that are essential to our daily life and contribute significantly to the quality of our life. The production of the monomers of these synthetic polymers usually involves oxidation or ammoximation reactions of olefins and analogues. However, the utilization of the C, O, and N atoms in current industrial processes is less than 80%, which represents the most environmentally polluting processes for the production of basic chemicals. Through innovation and integration of catalytic materials, new reaction pathways, and reaction engineering, Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, Sinopec Co., Ltd. (RIPP) and its collaborators have developed unique H2O2-centered oxidation/ammoximation technologies of olefins and analogues, which has formed a ¥500 billion emerging industry and driven trillions of downstream industries. The chemical and engineering bases of the production technologies mainly involve the integration of slurry-bed reactors and microsphere catalysts to enhance H2O2 production, H2O2 propylene/chloropropylene epoxidation for the production of propylene oxide (PO)/epichlorohydrin (ECH), and integration of H2O2 cyclohexanone ammoximation and membrane separation to innovate the caprolactam production process. This review briefly summarizes the whole process from the acquisition of scientific knowledge to the formation of an industrial production technology by RIPP. Moreover, the scientific frontiers of H2O2 production and related oxidation/ammoximation processes of olefins and analogues are reviewed, and new technological growth points are envisaged, aiming at keeping China as one of the leaders in the development of the science and technologies in H2O2 production and utilization.

A roadmap for affordable genetic medicines.

Nineteen genetic therapies have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to date, a number that now includes the first CRISPR genome editing therapy for sickle cell disease, CASGEVY (exagamglogene autotemcel). This extraordinary milestone is widely celebrated because of the promise for future genome editing treatments of previously intractable genetic disorders and cancers. At the same time, such genetic therapies are the most expensive drugs on the market, with list prices exceeding $4 million per patient. Although all approved cell and gene therapies trace their origins to academic or government research institutions, reliance on for-profit pharmaceutical companies for subsequent development and commercialization results in prices that prioritize recouping investments, paying for candidate product failures, and meeting investor and shareholder expectations. To increase affordability and access, sustainable discovery-to-market alternatives are needed that address system-wide deficiencies. Here, we present recommendations of a multi-disciplinary task force assembled to chart such a path. We describe a pricing structure that, once implemented, could reduce per-patient cost tenfold and propose a business model that distributes responsibilities while leveraging diverse funding sources. We also outline how academic licensing provisions, manufacturing innovation and supportive regulations can reduce cost and enable broader patient treatment.

Role of independent research at AERB for ensuring safety of nuclear facilities in India.

The mission of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) of India is to ensure that the use of ionising radiation and nuclear energy in India does not cause unacceptable impact on the workers, members of the public and to the environment. AERB has the mandate to carry out detailed safety review for the siting, construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of nuclear and radiation facilities established within the country. To deliver and maintain a strong, credible and technically sound regulation, AERB has established the Safety Research Institute (SRI) at Kalpakkam with a robust technical infrastructure and wide knowledge base. This paper highlights the independent safety research activities carried out at SRI and its role to support and facilitate the decision-making process by AERB at various stages of regulatory review for ensuring safety of the nuclear facilities in India.

Metatranscriptomic Sequencing of Sheath Blight-Associated Isolates of Rhizoctonia solani Revealed Multi-Infection by Diverse Groups of RNA Viruses

Rice sheath blight, caused by the soil-borne fungus Rhizoctonia solani (teleomorph: Thanatephorus cucumeris, Basidiomycota), is one of the most devastating phytopathogenic fungal diseases and causes yield loss. Here, we report on a very high prevalence (100%) of potential virus-associated double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) elements for a collection of 39 fungal strains of R. solani from the rice sheath blight samples from at least four major rice-growing areas in the Philippines and a reference isolate from the International Rice Research Institute, showing different colony phenotypes. Their dsRNA profiles suggested the presence of multiple viral infections among these Philippine R. solani populations. Using next-generation sequencing, the viral sequences of the three representative R. solani strains (Ilo-Rs-6, Tar-Rs-3, and Tar-Rs-5) from different rice-growing areas revealed the presence of at least 36 viruses or virus-like agents, with the Tar-Rs-3 strain harboring the largest number of viruses (at least 20 in total). These mycoviruses or their candidates are believed to have single-stranded RNA or dsRNA genomes and they belong to or are associated with the orders Martellivirales, Hepelivirales, Durnavirales, Cryppavirales, Ourlivirales, and Ghabrivirales based on their coding-complete RNA-dependent RNA polymerase sequences. The complete genome sequences of two novel RNA viruses belonging to the proposed family Phlegiviridae and family Mitoviridae were determined.

In vivo Antiplasmodial Assessment of Phyllanthus odontadenius against Plasmodium berghei in NMRI Mice

Aims: Phyllanthus odontadenius is one of the genus Phyllanthus species, used for number diseases treatment including malaria. Malaria today poses a real public health problem for more than hundred countries, afflicted millions people and killed an estimated 405 000 in the World. The chemoresistance of Plasmodium falciparum to modern antimalarials which are either expensive, toxic or ineffective leads to the search for new antimalarials at lower cost, non-toxic and effective within plant biodiversity. Given the interest in various P. odontadenius crude extracts in vitro on P. falciparum, an in vivo study seems necessary in order to judge the extracts effectiveness of this plant. This study therefore aims to find justification for P. odontadenius secondary metabolites antiplasmodial activity which would have been revealed in the three samples from three different province sites. Study Design: Plants P. odontadenius samples from three province harvested and dried separately, plant phytochemistry screening realized, extracts preparation for antiplasmodial test, mice parasitization with P. berghei strain, orally administration drug; Parasiteamia determination using an immersion microscope. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Radiobiology, Applied Microbiology section, General Atomic Energy Commission, Regional Nuclear Studies Center of Kinshasa. MPI and pharmacognosy laboratories in the National Biomedical Research Institute (INRB). This work took place over the period from October 11, 2020 to March 12, 2021. Methodology: Phytochemical screening P. odontadenius samples was previously determined with the chemical reagent reactions and TLC. Then, P. odontadenius methanol extracts from aerial parts harvested in three sites (Kinshasa, Kasangulu and Kwango-bridge) were administered to test mice (12.5 mg/kg and 25 mg//kg bw) after infected mice with the Plasmodium berghei strain. DMSO 10% and quinine 10 mg/kg bw were also used as controls for comparison with the samples of P. odontadenius extracts. After 5 days, parasitemia of each test and controls mice was determined. Percent of parasitemia, parasite density and percent of inhibition were calculated. Finally, the effect dose 50 of each P. odontadenius specimen was finally determined. Results: Parasiteamia rates of negative control (DMSO 10%) was high (69.98±15.03%) comparing to positive control (27.43±11.46%) and tested mice with P. odontadenius extracts (12.5 and 25 mg/kg bw) which percent’s varied from 24.66±15.84% to 59.01±22.44%. Negative control presented high parasite density with 11,342 (±2,436) comparing to the positive control (4,447±1,857) and all P. odontadenius methanol extracts which varied from 3,995±2,343 for 25 mg/kg bw to 9,570±3,319 for 12.5 mg/kg bw. Parasiteamia reduction rates followed inversely parasite density, thus, Po3 25 mg/kg bw had high parasiteamia reduction rate (65.23%) comparing to positive control with 61.32% and to P. odontadenius methanol extracts. Po3 presented 2.44 mg/kg bw as effect dose 50 comparing to Po1 (2.93 mg/kg bw) and Po2 (2.68 mg/kg bw). Males mice were highly affected to P. berghei than the females. Conclusion: This study revealed that all specimens of P. odontadenius had good in vivo antiplasmodial activities on P. berghei. All P. odontadenius extracts showed good parasitaemia inhibition compared to negative control, but P. odontadenius from Kwango-brigde (Po3) presented good behavior concerning in vivo antiplasmodial activity in comparison to P. odontadenius from Kasangulu (Po2) and that from Kinshasa (Po1). However, further studies are necessary on the in vivo toxicity of the plant and on the medicinal form that could be applied.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Reproductive Endocrine Function in Men with ACTH-Dependent Cushing Syndrome.

Hypogonadism may be caused by Cushing syndrome (CS) and may intensify its adverse consequences. To determine the frequency of male hypogonadism before and after curative surgery for CS, and its cause. Post-hoc analyses of prospective cohort studies. Clinical research center. Men with ACTH-dependent CS. Cohort 1 (C1) (n=8, age 32.5±12 y; studied 1985-1989); Cohort 2 (C2) (n=44, 42.7 ± 15.1 y; studied 1989-2021). C1: Every 20-minute blood sampling for 24h before and 1-40 months after surgical cure. Three subjects underwent GnRH stimulation tests pre- and post-surgery. C2: Hormone measurements at baseline and 6 and 12 months (M) post-cure. C1: LH, FSH, LH pulse frequency and LH response to GnRH. C2: LH, FSH, testosterone (T), free T, fT4, T3, TSH and UFC levels and frequency of hypogonadism pre- and post-surgery. C1: mean LH and LH pulse frequency increased after surgery (p < 0.05) without changes in LH pulse amplitude, mean FSH, or peak gonadotropin response to GnRH. C2: 82% had baseline hypogonadism (total T 205 ± 28 ng/dL). Thyroid hormone levels varied inversely with UFC and cortisol. LH, total and free T, and SHBG increased at 6M and 12M post surgery, but hypogonadism persisted in 51% at 6M and in 26% at 12M. Hypogonadism in men with CS is widely prevalent but reversible in ∼75% of patients one year after surgical cure and appears to be mediated through suppression of hypothalamic GnRH secretion, and modulated by thyroid hormones.

A cross-lagged analysis of the relationship between short video overuse behavior and depression among college students

IntroductionWatching short videos on mobile phones is currently a very prevalent phenomenon. It has been found in research that excessive use of short videos is closely related to depression. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between short video overuse behavior and depression among college students as well as the gender differences that are present in such relationship.MethodsA follow-up measurement was conducted on 331 college students using the Short Video Usage Behavior Scale and the Epidemic Research Center Depression Scale with an interval of 2 months.Results(1) Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between short video overuse behavior and depression, whether measured at the same or different time points, repeated measures ANOVA indicates that short video overuse behavior and depression have strong stability within the interval between two measurements. (2) Pre-test short video overuse behavior could significantly and positively predict post-test depression, whereas pre-test depression could not significantly predict post-test short video overuse behavior. (3) The cross-lagged effect between short video overuse behavior and depression showed no gender differences.DiscussionThese findings indicate that, for college students, short video overuse behavior may increase the risk of depression, whereas depression cannot induce short video overuse behavior.