Corrigendum to " Adenosine role in brain functions: Pathophysiological influence on Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders "

The authors regret that the 3rd affiliation for author Ahmed A. Moustafa had been inadvertently omitted. The complete affiliations of the authors are presented above. The authors would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused.Scopu

Genetic diversity of Hajar1 and Hajar2 local Saudi chicken lines using mitochondrial DNA D-loop markers

This study was conducted to assess genetic diversity of Hajar1 and Hajar2 local Saudi chicken lines using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop partial sequences. One hundred blood samples were obtained equally from Hajar1 and Hajar2 Saudi chicken lines as 50 samples from each line. The D-loop region was partially amplified from genomic DNA with a conserved primer set, and the fragments were sequenced. Eight published reference mtDNA sequence data from the GenBank were used for comparisons, and multiple alignments were performed. The most common haplotype was assigned as a basic sequence for comparing within each line. Entropy plot and conserved region analysis were performed. Genetic distances and neighbour-joining (NJ) phylogenetic trees were estimated. The results indicated haplotype variations within and between local Saudi chicken lines, which could explain the phenotypic variation reported earlier. A close genetic relationship was shown between the Saudi local chicken lines. Unique conserved regions and nucleotide substitutions were observed between the two lines. Both lines have a close relationship with the reference Asian local chicken population, especially local Chinese and Indian chicken breeds. The current results are considered the first report of mtDNA sequence diversity for Hajar1 and Hajar2 lines. Further detailed molecular genetic studies of both lines are indispensable to genetic conservation and development.Keywords: chicken population, diversity, D-loop, Hajar1, Hajar2, mtDN

Long-Term Benefit-Risk Profiles of Treatments for Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis : A Network Meta-Analysis

Altres ajuts: AbbVie Inc.Introduction: The long-term benefit-risk profiles of licensed and investigational treatments for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis have not been fully characterized. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of licensed and investigational treatments for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis were identified through a systematic literature review through 2 May 2021. Bayesian network meta-analyses (NMAs) were conducted to compare the efficacy (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index [PASI] 75/90/100 [at least a 75/90/100% reduction in PASI score from baseline] response) and safety outcomes (any adverse event [AE], any serious AE [SAE], and AEs leading to treatment discontinuation) of each treatment evaluated between weeks 48 and 56 after baseline. Surfaces under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRAs) were calculated to evaluate the relative ranking of treatments. The benefit-risk profiles of treatments were assessed by bidimensional plots of the NMA-estimated efficacy and safety outcomes. Results: In the efficacy NMA (N = 14 RCTs), the relative rankings for PASI 75/90/100 responses by weeks 48-56 were the highest for risankizumab (SUCRA: 98.5%) and bimekizumab (83.8% for dosing every 4 weeks [Q4W], 72.7% for dosing Q4W then every 8 weeks). The PASI response rates did not differ significantly between risankizumab and the two bimekizumab regimens. Additionally, risankizumab was associated with significantly higher PASI response rates than brodalumab, guselkumab, ixekizumab, secukinumab, ustekinumab, adalimumab, and etanercept. In the safety NMAs (N = 8 RCTs), risankizumab had the highest relative rankings for all three outcomes (SUCRA: 92.1%, 82.0%, and 91.0% for any AE, any SAE, and AEs leading to treatment discontinuation, respectively). Risankizumab had a significantly lower rate of any AE than bimekizumab, ustekinumab, and secukinumab. Conclusions: Risankizumab was associated with the most favorable long-term benefit-risk profile for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Although ixekizumab and bimekizumab had favorable efficacy profiles, both treatments had lower rankings for safety outcomes

Plant growth-promoting microorganisms as biocontrol agents of plant diseases: Mechanisms, challenges and future perspectives

Plant diseases and pests are risk factors that threaten global food security. Excessive chemical pesticide applications are commonly used to reduce the effects of plant diseases caused by bacterial and fungal pathogens. A major concern, as we strive toward more sustainable agriculture, is to increase crop yields for the increasing population. Microbial biological control agents (MBCAs) have proved their efficacy to be a green strategy to manage plant diseases, stimulate plant growth and performance, and increase yield. Besides their role in growth enhancement, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria/fungi (PGPR/PGPF) could suppress plant diseases by producing inhibitory chemicals and inducing immune responses in plants against phytopathogens. As biofertilizers and biopesticides, PGPR and PGPF are considered as feasible, attractive economic approach for sustainable agriculture; thus, resulting in a “win-win” situation. Several PGPR and PGPF strains have been identified as effective BCAs under environmentally controlled conditions. In general, any MBCA must overcome certain challenges before it can be registered or widely utilized to control diseases/pests. Successful MBCAs offer a practical solution to improve greenhouse crop performance with reduced fertilizer inputs and chemical pesticide applications. This current review aims to fill the gap in the current knowledge of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPM), provide attention about the scientific basis for policy development, and recommend further research related to the applications of PGPM used for commercial purposes

Assessment of pulmonary valve and right ventricular outflow tract with real-time three-dimensional echocardiography

Aim: Assessment of pulmonary valve (PV) and right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) using real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE). Methods: Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and RT3DE were performed in 50 patients with congenital heart disease (mean age 32 ± 9.5 years, 60% female). Measurements were obtained at parasternal views: short axis (PSAX) at aortic valve level and long axis (PLAX) with superior tilting. RT3DE visualization was evaluated by 4-point score (1: not visualized, 2: inadequate, 3: sufficient, and 4: excellent). Diameters of PV annulus (PVAD), and RVOT (RVOTD) were measured by both 2DE and RT3DE, while areas (PVAA) and (RVOTA) by RT3DE only. Results: By RT3DE, PV was visualized sufficiently in 68% and RVOTexcellently in 40%. PVAD and PVAA were measured in 88%. RVOTD and PVAD by 2DE at PLAX were significantly higher than PSAX (P < 0.0001) and lower than that by RT3DE (P < 0.001). Conclusion: RT3DE helps inRVOT and PV assessment adding more details supplemental to 2DE

True mitral annulus diameter is underestimated by two-dimensional echocardiography as evidenced by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging

Background: Mitral annulus assessment is of great importance for the diagnosis and treatment of mitral valve disease. The present study sought to assess the value of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography for the assessment of true mitral annulus diameter (MAD). Methods: One hundred and fifty patients (mean age 38 ± 18 years) with adequate two-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic image quality underwent assessment of MAD2Dand MAD3D(with real-time three-dimensional echocardiography). In a subgroup of 30 patients true MAD was validated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: There was a good interobserver agreement for MAD2D(mean difference = -0.25 ± 2.90 mm, agreement: -3.16, 2.66) and MAD3D(mean difference = 0.29 ± 2.03, agreement = -1.74, 2.32). Measurements of MAD2Dand MAD3Dwere well correlated (R = 0.81, P < 0.0001). However, MAD3Dwas significantly larger than MAD2D(3.7 ± 0.9 vs. 3.3 ± 0.8 cm, P < 0.0001). In the subgroup of 30 patients with MRI validation, MAD3Dand MADMRIwere significantly larger than MAD2D(3.3 ± 0.5 and 3.4 ± 0.5 cm vs. 2.9 ± 0.4 cm, both P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between MADMRIand MAD3D. Conclusion: MAD3Dcan be reliably measured and is superior to MAD2Din the assessment of true mitral annular size

Promising prospective effects of Withania somnifera on broiler performance and carcass characteristics: A comprehensive review

Poultry production contributes markedly to bridging the global food gap. Many nations have limited the use of antibiotics as growth promoters due to increasing bacterial antibiotic tolerance/resistance, as well as the presence of antibiotic residues in edible tissues of the birds. Consequently, the world is turning to use natural alternatives to improve birds' productivity and immunity. Withania somnifera, commonly known as ashwagandha or winter cherry, is abundant in many countries of the world and is considered a potent medicinal herb because of its distinct chemical, medicinal, biological, and physiological properties. This plant exhibits antioxidant, cardioprotective, immunomodulatory, anti-aging, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antistress, antitumor, hepatoprotective, and growth-promoting activities. In poultry, dietary inclusion of W. somnifera revealed promising results in improving feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency, and feed conversion ratio, as well as reducing mortality, increasing livability, increasing disease resistance, reducing stress impacts, and maintaining health of the birds. This review sheds light on the distribution, chemical structure, and biological effects of W. somnifera and its impacts on poultry productivity, livability, carcass characteristics, meat quality, blood parameters, immune response, and economic efficiency

Contribution of medications and risk factors to QTc interval lengthening in the atherosclerosis risk in communities (ARIC) study

Rationale, aims, and objectives: Prolongation of the corrected QT (QTc) interval is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The association between QTc interval–prolonging medications (QTPMs) and risk factors with magnitude of QTc interval lengthening is unknown. We examined the contribution of risk factors alone and in combination with QTPMs to QTc interval lengthening. Method: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study assessed 15 792 participants with a resting, standard 12-lead electrocardiogram and ≥1 measure of QTc interval over 4 examinations at 3-year intervals (1987-1998). From 54 638 person-visits, we excluded participants with QRS ≥ 120 milliseconds (n = 2333 person-visits). We corrected the QT interval using the Bazett and Framingham formulas. We examined QTc lengthening using linear regression for 36 602 person-visit observations for 14 160 cohort members controlling for age ≥ 65 years, female sex, left ventricular hypertrophy, QTc > 500 milliseconds at the prior visit, and CredibleMeds categorized QTPMs (Known, Possible, or Conditional risk). We corrected standard errors for repeat observations per person. Results: Eighty percent of person-visits had at least one risk factor for QTc lengthening. Use of QTPMs increased over the 4 visits from 8% to 17%. Among persons not using QTPMs, history of prolonged QTc interval and female sex were associated with the greatest QTc lengthening, 39 and 12 milliseconds, respectively. In the absence of risk factors, Known QTPMs and ≥2 QTPMs were associated with modest but greater QTc lengthening than Possible or Conditional QTPMs. In the presence of risk factors, ≥2 QTPM further increased QTc lengthening. In combination with risk factors, the association of all QTPM categories with QTc lengthening was greater than QTPMs alone. Conclusion: Risk factors, particularly female sex and history of prolonged QTc interval, have stronger associations with QTc interval lengthening than any QTPM category alone. All QTPM categories augmented QTc interval lengthening associated with risk factors