Comparative genomics of host adaptive traits in Xanthomonas translucens pv. graminis

Abstract Background Xanthomonas translucens pathovars differ in their individual host ranges among Poaceae. As the causal agent of bacterial wilt in Italian ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum Lam.), X. translucens pv. graminis ( Xtg ) is one of the most important bacterial pathogens in temperate grassland regions. The genomes of six Xtg strains from Switzerland, Norway, and New Zealand were sequenced in order to gain insight into conserved genomic traits from organisms covering a wide geographical range. Subsequent comparative analysis with previously published genome data of seven non- graminis X. translucens strains including the pathovars arrhenatheri , poae , phlei , cerealis , undulosa , and translucens was conducted to identify candidate genes linked to the host adaptation of Xtg to Italian ryegrass. Results Phylogenetic analysis revealed a tight clustering of Xtg strains, which were found to share a large core genome. Conserved genomic traits included a non-canonical type III secretion system (T3SS) and a type IV pilus (T4P), which both revealed distinct primary structures of the pilins when compared to the non- graminis X. translucens strains. Xtg -specific traits that had no homologues in the other X. translucens strains were further found to comprise several hypothetical proteins, a TonB-dependent receptor, transporters, and effector proteins as well as toxin-antitoxin systems and DNA methyltransferases. While a nearly complete flagellar gene cluster was identified in one of the sequenced Xtg strains, phenotypic analysis pointed to swimming-deficiency as a common trait of the pathovar graminis . Conclusion Our study suggests that host adaptation of X. translucens pv. graminis may be conferred by a combination of pathovar-specific effector proteins, regulatory mechanisms, and adapted nutrient acquisition. Sequence deviations of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), as observed for the pilins of the T4P and T3SS, are moreover likely to impede perception by the plant defense machinery and thus facilitate successful host colonization of Italian ryegrass

Parity and bladder cancer risk: a dose-response meta-analysis

Abstract Background Multiple studies have reported evidence of an inverse association between parity and bladder cancer risk. However, a comprehensive and quantitative assessment of this association has never been conducted. We conducted this study to clarify this issue. Methods Systematic search of PubMed and Embase was performed to identify all the studies. Studies were selected based on strict screening with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Summary relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by using a fixed-effect model, and the generalized least squares trend estimation was employed to compute study-specific RR and 95% CI per live birth increase. Heterogeneity and publication bias were also evaluated. Results Twelve studies (6,214 cases and 2,693,350 non-cases) were eligible in this meta-analysis. The pooled RR of bladder cancer for parous versus nulliparous women was 0.76 (95% CI: 0.70\u20130.82). Results were similar in the studies that adjusted for BMI(RR\u2009=\u20090.66; 95% CI: 0.53\u20130.81), cigarette smoking (RR\u2009=\u20090.67; 95% CI: 0.57\u20130.79), and age (RR\u2009=\u20090.77; 95% CI: 0.71\u20130.84). The dose-response meta-analysis showed a lower bladder cancer risk (RR\u2009=\u20090.95; 95% CI: 0.92\u20130.98) for each live birth increase in parous women. No evidence of publication bias or significant heterogeneity was detected in the above-mentioned analyses. Conclusions The finding from current meta-analysis suggest that parity may be related to decreased risk of bladder cancer

Secondary psychotic features in refugees diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background A substantial amount of refugees (10\u201330%) suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In Denmark there are different facilities specialised in psychiatric treatment of trauma-affected refugees. A previously published case report from such a facility in Denmark shows that some patients suffer from secondary psychotic symptoms alongside their PTSD. The aim of this study was to illustrate the characteristics and estimate the prevalence of psychotic features in a clinical population of trauma-affected refugees with PTSD. Methods Psychiatric records from 220 consecutive patients at Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry (CTP) were examined, and all the PTSD patients were divided into two groups; one group with secondary psychotic features (PTSD-SP group) and one without (PTSD group). A categorisation and description of the secondary psychotic features was undertaken. Results One hundred eighty-one patients were diagnosed with PTSD among which psychotic symptoms were identified in 74 (40.9, 95% CI 33.7\u201348.1%). The majority of symptoms identified were auditory hallucinations (66.2%) and persecutory delusions (50.0%). There were significantly more patients diagnosed with enduring personality change after catastrophic experience in the PTSD-SP group than in the PTSD group ( P \u2009=\u20090.009). Furthermore the PTSD-SP group included significantly more patients exposed to torture ( P \u2009=\u20090.001) and imprisonment ( P \u2009=\u20090.005). Conclusion This study provides an estimation of PTSD-SP prevalence in a clinical refugee population with PTSD. The study points to the difficulties distinguishing psychotic features from flashbacks and the authors call for attention to psychotic features in PTSD patients in order to improve documentation and understanding of the disorder

A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid (ch-OSA) in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods In a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 211 patients with knee OA (Kellgren and Lawrence grade II or III) and moderate to moderately severe pain were randomly allocated to ch-OSA or placebo for 12\ua0weeks. The primary outcome was the change in the WOMAC pain subscale from baseline to week 12. Secondary outcomes were changes from baseline to week 12 in WOMAC total, WOMAC stiffness, WOMAC physical function, Subject Global Assessment and levels of cartilage degradation biomarkers C-terminal telopeptide of collagen type II (CTX-II) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). Pre-specified subgroup analyses included the effect of gender. Results A total of 166 (120 women, 46 men) patients were included in the analysis (87 and 79 in the ch-OSA and placebo group, respectively). In the total study population, no differences were observed between the two treatment groups for the different outcomes but significant treatment x gender interactions were found. In men taking ch-OSA, a significant improvement in WOMAC total, WOMAC stiffness and WOMAC physical function as well as a lower increase in biomarker levels of cartilage degradation was observed, but not in women. The change in WOMAC pain showed a similar positive trend in men taking ch-OSA. Conclusion After 12\ua0weeks of treatment, no effect was found of ch-OSA in the total study population on clinical parameters and biomarkers, but a gender interaction was observed. In men, ch-OSA was found effective in reducing symptoms of knee OA, which was associated with a slight but significant reduction of biomarkers that are related to cartilage degradation. Trial registration The study was registered retrospectively: ISRCTN88583133 . Registration date: 2015-10-07

A case of cranium bifidum with meningocele in Ayrshire calf

Abstract Background Congenital cranial bone defects predispose to herniation of meninges, sometimes with brain tissue involvement, to form a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)\u2013filled cyst in the head. Such defects mainly results from focal failure of neural tube closure during fetal development and has been reported in various species of domestic mammals. Case presentation A one week old Ayrshire calf with a fluctuant swelling on parieto-occipital region of the head was referred to the faculty. The calf was always lying on lateral recumbency and exhibited resistance to deep palpation around the swelling and neck flexion. Embedded to the midline of the dorso-caudal surface of the cyst\u2019s wall was a hard longitudinally oriented structure. The case was diagnosed as meningocele by means of radiographic examination. As the likelihood to full recovery was greatly reduced due to the negative impact already meted on brain tissue by intracranial pressure, the calf was euthanized on grounds of animal welfare and the diagnosis confirmed by anatomopathological findings which also revealed a circular bone defect in parieto-occipital region of the skull vault and a flattened bony structure embedded to the cyst\u2019s wall. Conclusion Anatomopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis as cranial bifidum with meningocele at the parieto-occipital region of the skull vault. The presence of a bony structure embedded to the wall of meningeal sac was rather unusual and could not be sufficiently explained. It was however thought to, most likely, represent a part of interparietal bone that failed to get incorporated into squamous part of occipital bone as a result of the defect. The report also highlights challenges that work against timely delivery of urgent veterinary interventions in rural set ups of Africa and rest of the developing world, often leaving veterinarians with animal welfare consideration as main determinant of intervention measures

Exercise mediated protection of diabetic heart through modulation of microRNA mediated molecular pathways

Abstract Hyperglycaemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance collectively impact on the myocardium of people with diabetes, triggering molecular, structural and myocardial abnormalities. These have been suggested to aggravate oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, myocardial lipotoxicity and impaired myocardial substrate utilization. As a consequence, this leads to the development of a spectrum of cardiovascular diseases, which may include but not limited to coronary endothelial dysfunction, and left ventricular remodelling and dysfunction. Diabetic heart disease (DHD) is the term used to describe the presence of heart disease specifically in diabetic patients. Despite significant advances in medical research and long clinical history of anti-diabetic medications, the risk of heart failure in people with diabetes never declines. Interestingly, sustainable and long-term exercise regimen has emerged as an effective synergistic therapy to combat the cardiovascular complications in people with diabetes, although the precise molecular mechanism(s) underlying this protection remain unclear. This review provides an overview of the underlying mechanisms of hyperglycaemia- and insulin resistance-mediated DHD with a detailed discussion on the role of different intensities of exercise in mitigating these molecular alterations in diabetic heart. In particular, we provide the possible role of exercise on microRNAs, the key molecular regulators of several pathophysiological processes

Quantification of myocardial deformation in children by cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking: determination of reference values for left ventricular strain and strain rate

Abstract Background The objective assessment of global and regional cardiac function in children has shown to be clinically relevant but is challenging to conduct. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has emerged as a valuable diagnostic modality especially in patients with cardiomyopathy or congenital heart disease. However, data on the normal cardiac deformation in children assessed by CMR is lacking at present. Thus, the aim of this study was to provide reference values for cardiac strain and strain rate in children and adolescents derived from CMR feature tracking (FT) measurements. Methods In this binational study, eighty children and adolescents (age 0.4\u201318.0\ua0years, 41 male, 39 female) free from cardiac diseases from two centers underwent CMR in 1.5\ua0T whole-body scanners in supine position. Global peak radial, circumferential and longitudinal systolic strains as well as the corresponding early peak diastolic strain rates were assessed applying FT on short axis as well as 3- and 4-chamber views of standard cine steady-state free precession images. Results The difference between genders yielded no significance for all assessed strains. Yet, all strains showed a significant parabolic relation to age and an even stronger one to body surface area (BSA). Therefore, BSA-specific reference values were determined using a polynomial regression model. The apical cardiac segments featured significant higher peak circumferential but lower peak radial systolic strains than the midventricular and basal segments (all p \u2009<\u20090.001). Conclusions The assessment of cardiac deformation by CMR-FT is feasible in children. This is the first CMR study providing specific reference values for FT-derived strain and strain rate in the pediatric age range

Temperature during pregnancy influences the fetal growth and birth size

Abstract Background Birth weight and length have seasonal fluctuations. However, it is uncertain which meteorological element has an effect on birth outcomes and which timing of pregnancy would explain such effect. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine temperature effects during pregnancy and which timing of pregnancy has effects on size at birth. Methods A large, randomized, controlled trial of food and micronutrient supplementation for pregnant women was conducted in Matlab, Bangladesh (MINIMat Study), where women were enrolled from November 2001 to October 2003. The fetal growth data which included the size at birth and information of their mothers were obtained ( n \u2009=\u20093267). Meteorological data such as temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, and daily sunshine hours during pregnancy were observed at the nearest observatory site of Bangladesh Meteorological Department. Results Infants born in colder months (November\u2013January) were shorter than those born in hot and dry, and monsoon months (mean (SD) of birth length was 47.5\ua0cm (2.2) vs. 47.8\ua0cm (2.1) vs. 47.9\ua0cm (2.1) respectively; P \u2009<\u20090.001). Increased temperature during the last month of pregnancy was significantly related with increased birth length with adjustment for gestational weeks and the season at birth, and remained significant with further adjustments for precipitation, sex of infants, maternal early-pregnancy BMI, parity, and education status of the mother ( P \u2009<\u20090.01). On the other hand, increased temperature at mid-gestation was associated with increased birth weight ( P \u2009<\u20090.05). Conclusions These findings suggest that temperature affects both birth weight and length. The more temperature increased at the last month of pregnancy, birth length became longer. For birth weight, the temperature at mid-pregnancy affected in a positive way