Virulent Form Research Articles

Influence of Sitophilus oryzae on biological properties of Mycobacterium bovis

The active spread of tuberculosis around the world has been an urgent issue for many decades, but even now, there is no data on all available methods of introducing the pathogen into a previously healthy territory and the mechanisms of mycobacteria activity, and this makes it impossible to eradicate the disease completely. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the rice weevil (lat. Sitophilus oryzae) on the dissociative forms of mycobacterium tuberculosis, their viability, biochemical properties and virulence through passage of the pathogen through the insect’s body. To fulfil this purpose, the following methods were used: biological (experimental infection of laboratory animals), anatomical pathology and determining the viability of mycobacteria by counting colony-forming units. The effect on pathogenic properties of dissociative forms of Mycobacterium bovis (passage 118) after passage through the body of the rice weevil in an experiment on guinea pigs was determined and summarized. The change in the viability of mycobacteria isolated in the dynamics of the experiment in comparison with the original culture was described. The plasticity of the biochemical activity of the pathogen after passing through the body of the beetle was proven, and the influence of the macroorganism on the enzymatic properties of mycobacterium tuberculosis was analysed. The phenomena of the activation of enzymatic systems, which are associated with the adaptation and survival of mycobacteria in the conditions of a changed habitat, were substantiated. The practical value of this study lies in the improved understanding of the processes of the spread of mycobacterium tuberculosis and the established role of insects in the transmission of infection, with the prospect of developing measures to prevent and combat the disease

Pangenome and genomic taxonomy analyses of Leuconostoc gelidum and Leuconostoc gasicomitatum

Leuconostoc gelidum and Leuconostoc gasicomitatum have dual roles in foods. They may spoil cold-stored packaged foods but can also be beneficial in kimchi fermentation. The impact in food science as well as the limited number of publicly available genomes prompted us to create pangenomes and perform genomic taxonomy analyses starting from de novo sequencing of the genomes of 37 L. gelidum/L. gasicomitatum strains from our culture collection. Our aim was also to evaluate the recently proposed change in taxonomy as well as to study the genomes of strains with different lifestyles in foods. We selected as diverse a set of strains as possible in terms of sources, previous genotyping results and geographical distribution, and included also 10 publicly available genomes in our analyses. We studied genomic taxonomy using pairwise average nucleotide identity (ANI) and calculation of digital DNA-DNA hybridisation (dDDH) scores. Phylogeny analyses were done using the core gene set of 1141 single-copy genes and a set of housekeeping genes commonly used for lactic acid bacteria. In addition, the pangenome and core genome sizes as well as some properties, such as acquired antimicrobial resistance (AMR), important due to the growth in foods, were analysed. Genome relatedness indices and phylogenetic analyses supported the recently suggested classification that restores the taxonomic position of L. gelidum subsp. gasicomitatum back to the species level as L. gasicomitatum. Genome properties, such as size and coding potential, revealed limited intraspecies variation and showed no attribution to the source of isolation. The distribution of the unique genes between species and subspecies was not associated with the previously documented lifestyle in foods. None of the strains carried any acquired AMR genes or genes associated with any known form of virulence. Genome-wide examination of strains confirms that the proposition to restore the taxonomic position of L. gasicomitatum is justified. It further confirms that the distribution and lifestyle of L. gelidum and L. gasicomitatum in foods have not been driven by the evolution of functional and phylogenetic diversification detectable at the genome level.

Souls and Bodies by David Lodge

Reviewed by: Souls and Bodies by David Lodge Leslie Woodcock Tentler Souls and Bodies, by David Lodge (New York: Penguin Books USA, 1990), 256 pp. I concede at the outset that mine is an eccentric choice. Souls and Bodies—first published in Great Britain in 1980 as How Far Can You Go?—did not sell widely in the United States, where Lodge is best known for Small World and Changing Places, novels best described as acute comedic takes on academic life. Can an alleged "classic" be "forgotten" if it was not really known in the first place? Then too, Souls and Bodies is set in England, with British protagonists. What possible relevance, it is reasonable to ask, can it have for historians of American Catholicism? I do regard Souls and Bodies as meriting "classic" status, for reasons I discuss below, and will happily label it "neglected" rather than "forgotten"—a distinction that for all practical purposes is largely semantic. The novel's English setting, however, does raise certain difficulties in terms of its immediate utility for the teaching or writing of American Catholic history. The English Catholic experience, after all, has differed in significant ways from that of Catholics in the United States. The relative size of the two populations provides a point of departure. During the years covered by Lodge's novel (1952–1975), the Catholic population of England and Wales grew from roughly 7 percent of the total to just over 8 percent. In the United States in these same years, Catholic numbers swelled to 25 percent of the total population, still an all-time high. Anti-Catholicism was integral to the history and culture of both nations—American anti-Catholicism, indeed, is largely an English import—but it took a far more virulent form in the British Isles and limited Catholic civic freedom for significantly longer. Presumably as a result, English Catholicism was far less assertive both culturally and politically than Catholicism in the United States, even in the decades after 1945. No cardinal-archbishop of Westminster would ever have publicly condemned the political views of a former [End Page 56] Prime Minister's wife as New York's Cardinal Francis Spellman famously did in 1949 with reference to Eleanor Roosevelt and her opposition to public funding for Catholic schools. Not surprisingly, then, the turbulent years that came in the wake of the Second Vatican Council were a good deal quieter in England than in the United States. Perhaps for this reason, the number of priests in the English church did not begin to decline until 1971, five years later than in the United States. Like its American counterpart, the English church grew in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries primarily because of immigration. But while the United States received Catholic immigrants from a wide variety of locales, English Catholic immigration came almost exclusively from Ireland. (During the period of Great Britain's membership in the European Union, a significant stream of Catholics from Eastern Europe provided new and not always welcome diversity.) The English church, in consequence, has had a less fractious internal history in the past two centuries than its American counterpart. At the same time, it was arguably deprived to a significant degree of the institution-building and political energies that ethnic assertiveness often afforded. But the heavy Irish presence in English Catholicism also meant—and here we have a critical point of similarity with Catholicism in the United States—that the English church was heavily influenced by what one of Lodge's characters calls "the Irish Jansenist tradition"—the world- and flesh-denying obsessions so central to Irish Catholicism since the Famine of the 1840s. So too in the United States, where the Catholic clergy and the episcopate have historically been dominated by men of Irish descent. It is precisely this point of similarity—the "Irish Jansenist tradition"—that makes Souls and Bodies so fruitful a source for historians of American Catholicism, especially when it comes to teaching. (This is a book, I can assure you, that students will actually read.) Lodge is a wonderfully economical writer, with a keen eye for the telling detail. He evokes the collective consciousness of preconciliar Catholicism—"that...

Deciphering Conti and the need for effective SOCs

Conti has proven to be one of the most virulent forms of ransomware. It has caused untold damage, and many organisations struggle to combat this kind of threat on their own. This is where a security partner, with an effective and experienced security operations centre (SOC), can play a key role.

Comparative pathogenesis of two genotype VI.2 avian paramyxovirus type-1 viruses (APMV-1) in pheasants, partridges and chickens

ABSTRACT Newcastle disease (ND) is caused by virulent forms of avian paramyxovirus-1 (APMV-1) and is an economically important disease of poultry world-wide. Pigeon paramyxovirus 1 (PPMV-1), a sub-group of APMV-1 is endemic in Columbiformes and can cause infections of poultry. An outbreak of ND in partridges in Scotland, UK, in 2006 (APMV-1/partridge/UK(Scotland)/7575/06) was identified as a class II, genotype VI.2.1.1.2.1, more commonly associated with PPMV-1. It has been hypothesized that game birds may be a route of transmission into commercial poultry settings due to the semi-feral rearing system, which potentially brings them into contact with both wild-birds and poultry species. Therefore, the pathogenesis and transmission of APMV-1/partridge/UK(Scotland)/7575/06 in game birds and chickens was investigated, and compared to a contemporary PPMV-1 isolate, PPMV-1/pigeon/UK/015874/15. Viral shedding and seroconversion profiles demonstrated that pheasants were susceptible to infection with APMV-1/partridge/UK(Scotland)/7575/06 with limited clinical signs observed although they were able to excrete and transmit virus. In contrast, partridges and pheasants showed limited infection with PPMV-1/pigeon/UK/015874/15, causing mild clinical disease. Chickens, however, were productively infected and were able to transmit virus in the absence of clinical signs. From the data, it can be deduced that whilst game birds may play a role in the transmission and epidemiology of genotype VI.2 APMV-1 viruses, the asymptomatic nature of circulation within these species precludes evaluation of natural infection by clinical surveillance. It therefore remains a possibility that genotype VI.2 APMV-1 infection in game birds has the potential for asymptomatic circulation and remains a potential threat to avian production systems. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Demonstration of infection of game birds with Pigeon paramyxovirus-1 (PPMV-1). There are differing dynamics of infection between different game bird species. Differing dynamics of infection between different PPMV-1 isolates and genotypes in game birds and chickens.

Media Coverage and Corona Induced Health Emergency: Understanding Prejudice, Stigma, and Social Inequalities in India

This essay traces the impact of the Corona pandemic during 2020–21 and issues related to stigma, prejudices, marginalization as well as virulent forms of social inequality that arose thereafter. Social distancing fortified boundary maintenance on social, economic and even ethnic lines. The role of media during the spread of the Corona pandemic left a lot to be desired, especially in the portrayal of the marginalised groups. Had it acted responsibly, not only would the world have been able to grasp the do’s and don’ts pertaining to precautions with due diligence, the world would have been more harmonious and many fatalities could perhaps have been avoided.

Recruitment of interictal- and ictal-like discharges in posterior piriform cortex by delta-rate (1–4 Hz) focal bursts in anterior piriform cortex in vivo

The development and propagation of seizure-related activity was studied in piriform cortex (PC) and areas in the medial temporal lobe to which it projects. In the urethane anesthetized adult rat at normal body temperature, tiny injections of convulsants in anterior PC (APC) generate an epileptogenic zone (focus) that can recruit electrographic seizures in untreated posterior PC (PPC) when bursts in the focus are paced at delta frequency (1–4 Hz) by stimulating the lateral olfactory tract. Epileptiform activity initiated by this ‘paced-recruitment’ procedure propagates throughout PPC and into other areas involved in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) at an exceedingly low velocity (< 1 mm/sec) as reported for focal seizures in human cortex. Proconvulsants increased the probability of recruiting electrographic seizures relative to disinhibiting agents that typically recruited interictal discharges. Through methods including realtime recording of current source-density (CSD) with vertical 22-site silicon-based electrodes, and membrane potential with transmembrane microelectrode pairs, insights were gained into mechanisms for epileptogenesis from PC. These findings also may apply to seizure initiation from epileptogenic zones in other areas that project to PPC in addition to APC. Findings from surgical studies indicating that PC plays a critical role in mTLE suggest that the results may be relevant to finding new approaches for blocking seizures from this common, virulent form of epilepsy. Immediate implications for treatment include the optimal placement and patterning of deep brain stimulation to increase its effectiveness for blocking seizures from mTLE while reducing the risk to vasculature from direct stimulation of PC.

Evaluating the Antivirulence Effects of New Thiazolidinedione Compounds Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes several serious health problems and numerous forms of virulence. During the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections, the development of multidrug-resistant isolates creates significant clinical problems. Using antivirulence compounds to disrupt pathogenicity rather than killing the bacterium may be an interesting strategy to overcome this problem, because less harsh conditions will exist for the development of resistance. To reduce pathogenicity and biofilm formation, newly synthesized analogs of imidazolyl (8n) and previously synthesized analogs (8a-8m) with a similar backbone [the 5-(imidazolyl-methyl) thiazolidinediones] were tested against pyoverdine and pyocyanin production, protease activity, and biofilm formation. Compared to the positive control group, the best compounds reduced the production of pyoverdine (8n) by 89.57% and pyocyanin (8i) by 22.68%, and protease activity (8n) by 2.80% for PAO1 strain, at a concentration of 10 μM. Moreover, the biofilm formation assay showed a reduction of 87.94% (8i) for PAO1, as well as 30.53% (8d) and 44.65% (8m) for 1074 and 1707 strains, respectively. The compounds used in this study did not show any toxicity in the human dermal fibroblasts and 4T1 cells (viability higher than 90%). The in silico study of these compounds revealed that their antivirulence activity could be due to their interaction with the PqsR, PqsE, and LasR receptors.

Cerebral Mucormycosis in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report

Mucormycosis is a fungus found in the environment. In an immunocompetent person, it may cause localized infection. Invasive Mucormycosis has a poor prognosis. We describe a case of cerebral mucormycosis in an immune competent patient. A 46-yearold man was admitted with seizures and headaches. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed contrast enhancing lesion at the right frontal region. Excision biopsies showed granulomatous reactions, compatible with mucormycosis. Amphotericin B was begun. The results of testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were negative. Unfortunately the patient died on twenty-fifth postoperative day. Most cases of invasive mucormycosis show that this organism is pathogenic in immuno-compromised patients; however, some case reports show that invasive mucormycosis may not be so rare in immunocompetent patients. In these patients, virulent and drug-resistant forms of mucormycosis may be responsible for the disease, and treatment with antifungal agents are often ineffective, so that surgical excision is required. Bang. J Neurosurgery 2022; 11(2): 141-144

Mouse Models for Cytomegalovirus Infections in Newborns and Adults.

This article describes procedures for infecting adult mice with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and for infecting newborn mice to model congenital CMV infection. Methods are included for propagating MCMV in cell cultures and preparing a more virulent form of MCMV from the salivary glands of infected mice. A plaque assay is provided for determining MCMV titers of infected tissues or virus stocks. Also, methods are described for preparing the murine embryonic fibroblasts used for propagating MCMV, and for the plaque assay. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Host response to successive challenges with lentogenic and velogenic Newcastle disease virus in local chickens of Ghana

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious viral disease that constantly threatens poultry production. The velogenic (highly virulent) form of ND inflicts the most damage and can lead to 100% mortality in unvaccinated village chicken flocks. This study sought to characterize responses of local chickens in Ghana after challenging them with lentogenic and velogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains. At 4 wk of age, chicks were challenged with lentogenic NDV. Traits measured were pre- and post-lentogenic infection growth rates (GR), viral load at 2 and 6 d post-lentogenic infection (DPI), viral clearance rate and antibody levels at 10 DPI. Subsequently, the chickens were naturally exposed to velogenic NDV (vNDV) after anti-NDV antibody titers had waned to levels ≤1:1,700. Body weights and blood samples were again collected for analysis. Finally, chickens were euthanized and lesion scores (LS) across tissues were recorded. Post-velogenic exposure GR; antibody levels at 21 and 34 days post-velogenic exposure (DPE); LS for trachea, proventriculus, intestines, and cecal tonsils; and average LS across tissues were measured. Variance components and heritabilities were estimated for all traits using univariate animal models. Mean pre- and post-lentogenic NDV infection GRs were 6.26 g/day and 7.93 g/day, respectively, but mean post-velogenic NDV exposure GR was −1.96 g/day. Mean lesion scores ranged from 0.52 (trachea) to 1.33 (intestine), with males having significantly higher (P < 0.05) lesion scores compared to females. Heritability estimates for the lentogenic NDV trial traits ranged from moderate (0.23) to high (0.55) whereas those for the vNDV natural exposure trial were very low (≤ 0.08). Therefore, in contrast to the vNDV exposure trial, differences in the traits measured in the lentogenic challenge were more affected by genetics and thus selection for these traits may be more feasible compared to those following vNDV exposure. Our results can form the basis for identifying local chickens with improved resilience in the face of NDV infection for selective breeding to improve productivity.

Exercise-induced myokines downregulates the ACE2 level in bronchial epithelial cells: Implications for SARS-CoV-2 prevention.

BackgroundThe Covid-19 pandemic has emerged as the leading public health challenge of our time (20th century). While vaccinations have finally blunted the death rate, concern has remained about more virulent forms highlighting the need for alternative approaches. Epidemiological studies indicate that physical activity has been shown to decrease the risk of infection of some respiratory viruses. Part of the salutary effects of exercise is believed to be through the elaboration of cytokines by contracting skeletal muscles (termed myokines). The objective of this study was to investigate whether exercise-induced myokines would mitigate the SARS-CoV-2 infectivity of the bronchial epithelium through modulating the SARS-CoV-2 Covid-19 receptor (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 -ACE2) its priming enzyme, transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2).MethodsWe utilized a cell culture model of exercise to generate myokines by differentiating C2C12 cells into myotubules and inducing them to contract via low-frequency electric pulse stimulation. Condition media was concentrated via centrifugation and applied to human immortalized human bronchial epithelium cell line (6HBE14o) along with conditioned media from unstimulated myotubules as controls. Following exposure to myokines, the 16HBE14o cells were harvested and subjected to quantitative RT-PCR and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for assessment of mRNA and protein levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2, respectively. Pilot proteomic data was performed with isotope barcoding and mass spectroscopy.ResultsQuantitative Real-Time PCR of 16HBE14o with 48 h treated unstimulated vs. stimulated myokine treatment revealed a reduction of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA by 32% (p<2.69x10-5) and 41% (p<4.57x10-5), respectively. The high sensitivity of ELISAs showed downregulation of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 protein expression in 16HBE14o cells by 53% (p<0.01) and 32% (p<0.03) respectively with 48 h treated. For rigor, this work was replicated in the human lung cancer cell line A549, which mirrored the downregulation. Proteomic analysis showed dramatic alteration in myokine profile between contracted and uncontracted C2C12 tubules.ConclusionsThe current study explores a novel approach of a modified exercise cell culture system and uses ACE2 and TMPRSS2 as a surrogate marker of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. In conclusion, we demonstrated biological data supporting exercise’s protective effect against Covid-19. These further strengthen myokines’ beneficial role as potential therapeutic targets against SARS-CoV-2 and similar viruses albeit these preliminary cell culture studies will require future validation in animal models.

The Spatial Distribution and Genetic Diversity of the Soybean Cyst Nematode, Heterodera glycines, in China: It Is Time to Take Measures to Control Soybean Cyst Nematode.

The continuous evolution and spread of virulent forms of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) driven by the environment and anthropogenic intervention is a serious threat to the soybean production worldwide, including China. Especially in China, the implemented measures to control SCN are insufficient for sustainable agricultural development yet. We summarized our knowledge about the spread and spatial distribution of SCN in China and the virulence diversity in the main soybean growing areas. To reveal the genetic relatedness and diversity of SCN populations, we re-sequenced 53 SCN genomes from the Huang-Huai Valleys, one of the two main soybean growing areas in China. We identified spreading patterns linked to the local agroecosystems and topographies. Moreover, we disclosed the first evidence for the selection of complex virulence in the field even under low selection pressure in an example from North Shanxi. SCN is present in all soybean growing areas in China but SCN susceptible cultivars are still largely grown indicating that SCN-related damage and financial loss have not received the attention they deserve yet. To prevent increasing yield losses and to improve the acceptance of resistant cultivars by the growers, we emphasized that it is time to accelerate SCN resistance breeding, planting resistant cultivars to a larger extent, and to support farmers to implement a wider crop rotation for sustainable development of the soybean production in China.

A Comparison of Pediatric- and Adult-Onset Aquaporin-4 Immunoglobulin G–Positive Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: A Review of Clinical and Radiographic Characteristics

The identification of immunoglobulin G antibodies against the aquaporin-4 channel (AQP-IgG) in the majority of adult patients differentiates neuromyelitis optica as a distinct disease entity. The high specificity of AQP4-IgG for neuromyelitis optica has allowed the identification of seropositive patients with atypical presentations of this disease. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder has been increasingly recognized in children who demonstrate patterns of clinical involvement beyond the traditional boundaries of the optic pathways and spinal cord. This is a single-center, retrospective review comparing demographic, clinical/paraclinical, and laboratory features of children and adults with a serologically confirmed diagnosis of AQP4-IgG-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Of 151 reviewed patient charts, 12 pediatric-onset and 31 adult-onset patients had AQP4-IgG-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. The mean age of pediatric-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder was 12 ± 3.58 years with a female predilection (3:1). Pediatric patients showed more frequent involvement of the brainstem (6/12 [50%]); P = .008) and diencephalon (3/12 [25%]; P = .018). A preceding infection was identifiable in only 3 of 12 (25%) pediatric-onset patients. Moreover, disability as calculated on the expanded disability status scale was less severe in pediatric-onset cases compared to adult-onset cases in their most recent assessment (0 [0-9]) vs 6.5 [0-10]; P = .005). Pediatric-onset patients were also more likely to respond to treatment of acute episodes with corticosteroids ± intravenous immunoglobulin and/or plasmapheresis (Clinical Global Impression-Change scale: 2.5 [1-4] vs 4 [1-6], P = .009). This retrospective study was able to compare and contrast pediatric- and adult-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Relative to their adult counterparts, pediatric-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients were more likely to respond to treatment and less likely to be disabled from their disease at follow-up. Therefore, pediatric-onset disease may represent a less virulent form of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) by Hypervirulent BI/NAP1/027 Strain: a Comprehensive Review of Toxigenicity, Pathogenesis, Risk Factors, and Preventative Measures

Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic bacil gram-positive bacteria, able to form spores and toxin, that is transmitted among humans through the fecal–oral route. Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), a typical nosocomial infection has been contributed to a signifi cant proportion of morbidity and mortality among in-patients with a case-fatality rate of 14% within 30 days after diagnosis. Profound culture and toxin examination for C. difficile are still minimal in many hospitals in various Asian countries. Consequently, C. difficile reports in Asia remain rare. Highly virulent form of C. difficile caused greater fatality and epidemics severity. Elderly age, hospitalization, exposure to antibiotics e.g., cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, clindamycin, and penicillin contributed as main risk factors. Hypervirulent strain BI/NAP1/027 demonstrated to carry CdtLoc gene locus encodes CD196 ADP-ribosyltransferase (CDT) or known as binary toxin. Virulence factors are TcdA, TcdB, CDTa CDTb in which hypersporulation and mutation of TcD gene by hypervirulent strain led to toxin hyperexpression. Early cases detection, building management team to evaluate patient positive with all C. difficile toxins, hand hygiene improvement, continuation of contact precautions after diarrhea resolution, audit of infection control, and restriction of antimicrobials should be implemented as preventative measures. Focus measures also should emphasize on development of vaccine of C. difficile to boost immune state of elderly people. This review aims to describe severity of disease caused by hypervirulent BI/NAP1/027 C. difficile strain, its mechanism or pathogenesis, risk factors, current treatment options available, along with proposed preventative measures and infection control.

Identifying treponemal disease in early East Asia

ObjectivesHistoric records suggest that a virulent form of treponematosis, sexually transmitted syphilis was introduced to Asia from Europe by the da Gama crew, who landed in India in 1498. Our objective is to assess the gross pathology of human skeletal remains from the Tang dynasty of China to test the presence of treponemal infection in East Asia before 1498. We interpret this paleopathological evidence in the context of site ecology and sociocultural changes during the Tang dynasty.Materials and methodsWe examined the gross pathology of 1598 human skeletons from Xingfulindai (AD 618 to AD 1279) archeological site located on the Central Plain of China. Using the modified diagnostic criteria defined by Hackett's classical work, we classify the pathology as consistent, strongly suggestive, or pathognomonic for treponemal infection.ResultsTwelve adult individuals from Xingfulindai had bone lesions suggestive of systemic pathology. Two of these individuals displayed a combination of lesion patterns pathognomonic of treponemal disease and one had lesions consistent with treponematosis. The radiocarbon dates for the bone samples from these skeletons place them before AD 1200.ConclusionsThe location of Xingfulindai in a continental climatic zone is not typical for yaws and bejel ecology, because these strains occur in the tropics, or in hot, dry environments, respectively. The urban setting, where there is documented evidence for increased interaction between multiple ethnic groups and a developed institution of courtesans during the Tang dynasty, favors sexually transmitted syphilis as the more likely diagnosis. This study supports an earlier spread of syphilis to China than 1498.

Follow up of Medulloblastoma’s Treatment Retrospective Study of 144 Cases

Introduction: Medulloblastoma is the most common childhood primary CNS tumor, and treatment approaches have evolved over the past three decades. Despite recent improvements in cure rates, prediction of disease outcome remains a major challenge and survivors suffer from serious therapy-related side-effects. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study including 144 patients with medulloblastoma were performed at the Neurosurgery Department in Ait IDDIR Health Hospital Establishment between The period of January 2004 and December 2014. In each case, diagnosis was made clinically and confirmed radiologically and histo-pathologically. All patients were operated and received the adjuvant treatment Results and discussion: Out of 144 patients, 63 (44%) patients were females and 81 (56%) were males. We have 59 cases who had age ranged from 05 months to 5 years, however, we had 85 cases who had more than 5 years; we identified 29 (58%) children and 21 (42%) adults. Clinical manifestations of meduloblastoma vary widely according to the location. The vermis is the main location of the child with 95%. The most frequent clinical manifestations found were Intracranial hypertension syndrome and static and kinetic cerebellar syndrome, 98% patients had intracranial hypertension at diagnosis: 1,4% with engagement (2 cases) and 0,7% with coma(01 case). A ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was performed in all patients, 01 case after surgical removal. The most common complications were as follows: Meningitis ( 0,2%),ventriculitis (0,2%), CSF leakage (0,4%), post-surgical hematoma (0,2%), Shunt dysfunction ( 0,6%), aggravation of the cerebellar syndrom (0,4%), affection of mixed nerves ( 0,2%) and cerebellar mutism (0,4%). Tumor architecture was classified as classic (Grade II) and desmoplasic. We had T2M0 in 41(28,47%) cases, T2M2 in 2 (1,38%)cases ,T3aM0 in 98(68%)cases,T3bM3 in 2(1,38%) cases and T3bM4 in 1 (0,7%)case. During follow-up period, recurrence occurred in 15 (10%) cases, sustentorial metastasis in 04 (2,7%) cases, leptomeningeal dissemination in 03 (2%) cases and medullary metastasis in 03 (2%) cases. The five years survival rate was 84%. Conclusion: the surgical treatment of medulloblastoma remains a difficult therapeutic challenge because they have the most virulent form of the disease and are at highest risk for treatment-related sequelae.

Photoclick Reaction Constructs Glutathione-Responsive Theranostic System for Anti-Tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a virulent form of an infectious disease that causes a global burden due to its high infectivity and fatality rate, especially the irrepressible threats of latent infection. Constructing an efficient strategy for the prevention and control of TB is of great significance. Fortunately, we found that granulomas are endowed with higher reducibility levels possibly caused by internal inflammation and a relatively enclosed microenvironment. Therefore, we developed the first targeted glutathione- (GSH-) responsive theranostic system (RIF@Cy5.5-HA-NG) for tuberculosis with a rifampicin- (RIF-) loaded near-infrared emission carrier, which was constructed by photoclick reaction-actuated hydrophobic-hydrophobic interaction, enabling the early diagnosis of tuberculosis through granulomas-tracking. Furthermore, the loaded rifampicin was released through the dissociation of disulfide bond by the localized GSH in granulomas, realizing the targeted tuberculosis therapy and providing an especially accurate treatment mapping for tuberculosis. Thus, this targeted theranostic strategy for tuberculosis exhibits the potential to realize both granulomas-tracking and anti-infection of tuberculosis.

Designing AbhiSCoVac - A single potential vaccine for all ‘corona culprits’: Immunoinformatics and immune simulation approaches

The coronaviridae family has generated highly virulent viruses, including the ones responsible for three major pandemics in last two decades with SARS in 2002, MERS outbreak in 2012 and the current nCOVID19 crisis that has turned the world breadthless. Future outbreaks are also a plausible threat to mankind. As computational biologists, we are committed to address the need for a universal vaccine that can deter all these pathogenic viruses in a single shot. Notably, the spike proteins present in all these viruses function as credible PAMPs that are majorly sensed by human TLR4 receptors. Our study aims to recognize the amino acid sequence(s) of the viral spike proteins that are precisely responsible for interaction with human TLR4 and to screen the immunogenic epitopes present in them to develop a multi-epitope multi-target chimeric vaccine against the coronaviruses. Molecular design of the constructed vaccine peptide is qualified in silico; additionally, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies collectively reveal strong and stable interactions of the vaccine construct with TLRs and MHC receptors. In silico cloning is performed for proficient expression in bacterial systems. In silico immune simulation of the vaccine indicates highly immunogenic nature of the vaccine construct without any allergic response. The present biocomputational study hereby innovates a vaccine candidate - AbhiSCoVac hypothesized as a potent remedy to combat all the virulent forms of coronaviruses.

Geographical Distribution and Genetic Diversity of the Banana Fusarium Wilt Fungus in Laos and Vietnam.

Fusarium wilt, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), poses a major threat to global banana production. The tropical race 4 (TR4) variant of Foc is a highly virulent form with a large host range, and severely affects Cavendish bananas. Foc TR4 was recently observed within the Greater Mekong Subregion, after Chinese private companies expanded Cavendish production to the region. In this study, extensive surveys conducted across Laos and Vietnam show that Foc TR4 is still mainly constricted to the northern regions of these countries and is limited to Cavendish cultivation settings. In Laos, Foc TR4 is associated with large-scale Cavendish plantations owned by or involved with Chinese companies through which infected planting material could have been imported. In Vietnam, mostly small-holder Cavendish farmers and backyard gardens were affected by Foc TR4. In Vietnam, no direct link is found with Chinese growers, and it is expected the pathogen mainly spreads through local and regional movement of infected planting materials. Foc TR4 was not recorded on banana cultivars other than Cavendish. The extensively cultivated ‘Pisang Awak’ cultivar was solely infected by VCGs belonging to Foc race 1 and 2, with a high occurrence of VCG 0123 across Laos, and of VCG 0124/5 in Vietnam. Substantial diversity of Foc VCGs was recorded (VCGs 0123, 0124/5, 01218 and 01221) from northern to southern regions in both countries, suggesting that Fusarium wilt is well established in the region. Interviews with farmers indicated that the local knowledge of Fusarium wilt epidemiology and options for disease management was limited. Clear communication efforts on disease epidemiology and management with emphasis on biosecurity practices need to be improved in order to prevent further spread of Foc TR4 to mixed variety smallholder settings.