Association of sickle cell disease with anthropometric indices among under-five children: evidence from 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey

Background: Malnutrition continues to affect under-five children in Africa to an overwhelming proportion. The situation is further compounded by the burden of sickle cell disease (SCD). However, association of SCD with stunting, wasting, and underweight in a nationally representative sample of under-five children remains unexplored.We aimed to describe prevalence of undernutrition by sickle cell status, to evaluate its association with growthfaltering ascertained by anthropometric indices, and to explore mediating role of hemoglobin. Methods: We availed data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and the sample comprised 11,233 children aged 6–59 months who were successfully genotyped for SCD. The DHS employeda two-stage, stratified sampling strategy. SickleSCAN rapid diagnostic test was used for SCD genotyping. Zscoresof length/height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-height (WHZ), and weight-for-age (WAZ) were computedagainst the 2006 World Health Organization Child Growth Standards. We fitted logistic regression models to evaluate association of SCD with stunting, wasting, and underweight. Mediation analysis was performed tocapture the indirect effect of and proportion of total effect mediated through hemoglobin level in SCD-anthropometric indices association. Results: Prevalences of stunting, wasting, and underweight among children with SCD were 55.4% (54.5–56.4), 9.1% (8.6–9.7), and 38.9% (38.0–39.8), respectively. The odds of stunting were 2.39 times higher (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.39, 95% CI:1.26–4.54) among sickle children than those with normal hemoglobin. SCD was also significantly associated withunderweight (aOR 2.64, 95% CI: 1.25–5.98), but not with wasting (aOR: 1.60, 95% CI 0.85–3.02). Association of SCD with all three anthropometric indices was significantly mediated through hemoglobin level: for SCD-HAZ, the adjusted indirect effect(aIE) was − 0.328 (95% CI: − 0.387, − 0.270); for SCD-WHZ, the aIE was − 0.080 (95% CI: − 0.114, − 0.050); and for SCD-WAZ, the aIE was − 0.245 (95% CI: − 0.291, − 0.200). Conclusion: We presented compelling evidence of the negative impact of SCD on anthropometric indices of nutritional status of under-five children. Integration of a nutrition-oriented approach into a definitive SCD care package and its nationwide implementation could bring promising results by mitigating the nutritional vulnerability of children with SCD

Two prolonged viremic SARS-CoV-2 infections with conserved viral genome for two months.

We document two cases of viremic and prolonged active infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) where the viral genome was conserved for two months, but infection was with little or no symptoms. The first infection persisted for 80 days and the second for 62 days. Clearance of infection occurred 40 and 41 days, respectively, after development of detectable antibodies. Both cases were identified incidentally in an investigation of reinfection in a cohort of 133,266 laboratory-confirmed infected persons

SARS-CoV-2 antibody-positivity protects against reinfection for at least seven months with 95% efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Reinfection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been documented, raising public health concerns. SARS-CoV-2 reinfections were assessed in a cohort of antibody-positive persons in Qatar. METHODS: All SARS-CoV-2 antibody-positive persons from April 16 to December 31, 2020 with a PCR-positive swab ≥14 days after the first-positive antibody test were investigated for evidence of reinfection. Viral genome sequencing was conducted for paired viral specimens to confirm reinfection. Incidence of reinfection was compared to incidence of infection in the complement cohort of those who were antibody-negative. FINDINGS: Among 43,044 antibody-positive persons who were followed for a median of 16.3 weeks (range: 0-34.6), 314 individuals (0.7%) had at least one PCR positive swab ≥14 days after the first-positive antibody test. Of these individuals, 129 (41.1%) had supporting epidemiological evidence for reinfection. Reinfection was next investigated using viral genome sequencing. Applying the viral-genome-sequencing confirmation rate, the incidence rate of reinfection was estimated at 0.66 per 10,000 person-weeks (95% CI: 0.56-0.78). Incidence rate of reinfection versus month of follow-up did not show any evidence of waning of immunity for over seven months of follow-up. Meanwhile, in the complement cohort of 149,923 antibody-negative persons followed for a median of 17.0 weeks (range: 0-45.6), incidence rate of infection was estimated at 13.69 per 10,000 person-weeks (95% CI: 13.22-14.14). Efficacy of natural infection against reinfection was estimated at 95.2% (95% CI: 94.1-96.0%). Reinfections were less severe than primary infections. Only one reinfection was severe, two were moderate, and none were critical or fatal. Most reinfections (66.7%) were diagnosed incidentally through random or routine testing, or through contact tracing. INTERPRETATION: Reinfection is rare in the young and international population of Qatar. Natural infection appears to elicit strong protection against reinfection with an efficacy ~95% for at least seven months. FUNDING: Biomedical Research Program, the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Biomathematics Research Core, and the Genomics Core, all at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, the Ministry of Public Health, Hamad Medical Corporation, and the Qatar Genome Programme

Assessment of the Risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Reinfection in an Intense Reexposure Setting.

BACKGROUND: Risk of reinfection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is unknown. We assessed the risk and incidence rate of documented SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in a cohort of laboratory-confirmed cases in Qatar. METHODS: All SARS-CoV-2 laboratory-confirmed cases with at least 1 polymerase chain reaction-positive swab that was ≥45 days after a first positive swab were individually investigated for evidence of reinfection. Viral genome sequencing of the paired first positive and reinfection viral specimens was conducted to confirm reinfection. RESULTS: Out of 133 266 laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases, 243 persons (0.18%) had at least 1 subsequent positive swab ≥45 days after the first positive swab. Of these, 54 cases (22.2%) had strong or good evidence for reinfection. Median time between the first swab and reinfection swab was 64.5 days (range, 45-129). Twenty-three of the 54 cases (42.6%) were diagnosed at a health facility, suggesting presence of symptoms, while 31 (57.4%) were identified incidentally through random testing campaigns/surveys or contact tracing. Only 1 person was hospitalized at the time of reinfection but was discharged the next day. No deaths were recorded. Viral genome sequencing confirmed 4 reinfections of 12 cases with available genetic evidence. Reinfection risk was estimated at 0.02% (95% confidence interval [CI], .01%-.02%), and reinfection incidence rate was 0.36 (95% CI, .28-.47) per 10 000 person-weeks. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 reinfection can occur but is a rare phenomenon suggestive of protective immunity against reinfection that lasts for at least a few months post primary infection

Association of sickle cell disease with nutritional status among under-five children: a secondary analysis of Nigeria demographic and health survey 2018 data.

Abstract Background Malnutrition in childhood brings lots of difficulties that hinder to lead a healthy life. Nigeria is one of the most populous country in Africa has record of largest number of children suffered from chronic malnutrition under five years age. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common haemoglobinopathy which occurs in Nigerian children. The aim of the present study is towards recognize the nutritional status of children sufferings from SCD and findings association with other socio-economic characteristics. Method A population based cross sectional survey was performed and total 11,243 children were selected for anthropometric measurement, hemoglobin test and genotype test. A two- stage stratified cluster sampling was applied in this study and using biomarker questionnaire support to collect data. Finally, multivariable logistic regression was used to discovery association between SCD children with stunting and wasting combined with other socio-economic characteristics. Result Children with sickle cell disease had significantly higher odds (aOR =1.47;95% confidence interval (CI) : 1.13-1.91)  of stunting compared children with non-sickle cell disease .Conferring to gender, female children had significantly lower odds (aOR = 0.74,95% confidence interval (CI) : 0.68-0-81) of stunting compared with male children. Children from richest group had significantly lower odds (aOR=0.34;95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28-0.41) of stunting compared with the poorest group. There was no significant association observed between wasting and children with sickle cell disease. Conclusion The results indicate that SCD places a nutritional burden on affected under five children in Nigeria. Higher number of SCD affected children were suffering from stunting compare to healthy children. However, there was no significant difference on wasting between SCD and healthy children.   

Association of sickle cell disease with nutritional status among under-five children: a secondary analysis of Nigeria demographic and health survey 2018 data.

Abstract Background Malnutrition in childhood brings lots of difficulties that hinder to lead a healthy life. Nigeria is one of the most populous country in Africa has record of largest number of children suffered from chronic malnutrition under five years age. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common haemoglobinopathy which occurs in Nigerian children. The aim of the present study is towards recognize the nutritional status of children sufferings from SCD and findings association with other socio-economic characteristics. Method A population based cross sectional survey was performed and total 11,243 children were selected for anthropometric measurement, hemoglobin test and genotype test. A two- stage stratified cluster sampling was applied in this study and using biomarker questionnaire support to collect data. Finally, multivariable logistic regression was used to discovery association between SCD children with stunting and wasting combined with other socio-economic characteristics. Result Children with sickle cell disease had significantly higher odds (aOR =1.47;95% confidence interval (CI) : 1.13-1.91)  of stunting compared children with non-sickle cell disease .Conferring to gender, female children had significantly lower odds (aOR = 0.74,95% confidence interval (CI) : 0.68-0-81) of stunting compared with male children. Children from richest group had significantly lower odds (aOR=0.34;95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28-0.41) of stunting compared with the poorest group. There was no significant association observed between wasting and children with sickle cell disease. Conclusion The results indicate that SCD places a nutritional burden on affected under five children in Nigeria. Higher number of SCD affected children were suffering from stunting compare to healthy children. However, there was no significant difference on wasting between SCD and healthy children.   

Characterization Of Genomic Alterations And Tcrβ Repertoire Of Tumor- Infiltrating Lymphocytes In Breast Cancer

Breast cancer still remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among women in Qatar and worldwide. More recent studies indicate that the diversity and the composition of the entire set of antigen receptors within tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is strongly correlated with tumor prognosis and therapeutic response with breast cancer. Unfortunately, the relationship between somatic mutational load and TCR diversity of TILs across breast cancer still limited. For this purpose, first we characterized the somatic mutations of Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded breast cancer samples from 79 patients using NGS of a panel of cancer related genes. Second, we classified and identified the TCRß repertoire for these 11 samples using the ImmunoSEQ platform. Preliminary data demonstrated that the 11 patients had high diversity of TCRß-CDR3 within the tumors. However, there was no statistically significant association between the somatic mutational loads in the gene panels we sequenced and the number of productive TCRß-CDR3 rearrangements

A Frameshift Mutation in KIT is Associated with White Spotting in the Arabian Camel

While the typical Arabian camel is characterized by a single colored coat, there are rare populations with white spotting patterns. White spotting coat patterns are found in virtually all domesticated species, but are rare in wild species. Theories suggest that white spotting is linked to the domestication process, and is occasionally associated with health disorders. Though mutations have been found in a diverse array of species, fewer than 30 genes have been associated with spotting patterns, thus providing a key set of candidate genes for the Arabian camel. We obtained 26 spotted camels and 24 solid controls for candidate gene analysis. One spotted and eight solid camels were whole genome sequenced as part of a separate project. The spotted camel was heterozygous for a frameshift deletion in KIT (c.1842delG, named KITW1 for White spotting 1), whereas all other camels were wild‐type (KIT+/KIT+). No additional mutations unique to the spotted camel were detected in the EDNRB, EDN3, SOX10, KITLG, PDGFRA, MITF, and PAX3 candidate white spotting genes. Sanger sequencing of the study population identified an additional five kITW1/KIT+ spotted camels. The frameshift results in a premature stop codon five amino acids downstream, thus terminating KIT at the tyrosine kinase domain. An additional 13 spotted camels tested KIT+/KIT+, but due to phenotypic differences when compared to the KITW1/KIT+ camels, they likely represent an independent mutation. Our study suggests that there are at least two causes of white spotting in the Arabian camel, the newly described KITW1 allele and an uncharacterized mutation

Bioactivity and molecular docking of lactones isolated from Centaurea pseudosinaica Czerep

Two cytotoxic sesquiterpene lactones, 17-epichlorohyssopifolin A (1) and chlorjanerin (2), and a monoterpene lactone, loliolide (3) were isolated from Centaurea pseudosinaica. The cytotoxicity of the total extract and terpenoids 1–3 were evaluated against three human cancer cells (HepG2, PC-3, and HT-29), along with the human normal primary epidermal keratinocytes (HEKa) cells. With IC50 values ranging between 0.6 ± 0.04 and 5.0 ± 0.61 μg/mL against HepG2; 0.2 ± 0.01 and 11.9 ± 1.31 μg/mL against PC-3, and 0.04 ± 0.013 and 8.9 ± 0.97 μg/mL against HT-29, the total extract, and lactones 1–3 demonstrated cytotoxic effects. Compound 1 displayed the strongest impact on all cancer cells and a slightly safe effect on the normal cells HEKa. Compound 1 caused accumulation of HepG2 and HT-29 cells in G1 phase as displayed cell cycle analysis. On the other hand, the cell distributions were increased in the S phase in PC-3 cells. Furthermore, 1 caused apoptosis in PC-3 and HePG2 cells with 91.50%, and 79.72 %, respectively. A higher fraction of necrotic cells was observed in HT-29 cells amounting to 23.60%. These results suggested that the promising cytotoxicity exhibited by 1 is brought by the apoptosis induction in the cancer cells, which were evaluated. As the compounds showed antiproliferative effect against the HT-29 cells, the docking simulation was performed aiming at determining how they would interact with the EGFR enzyme, whose PDB: 4I23 is considered one of the two distinct wild types of EGFR enzymes. The antibacterial activity results revealed that 3 showed the most remarkable antibacterial effects, especially against the examined Gram-positive bacteria. The total extract exhibited potent activity against all examined bacteria. The total extract showed a potent antifungal effect against two Candida and two Aspergillus pathogens. The antioxidant activity revealed the potency of the total extract and 3 as antioxidant candidates. The obtained results refer to the importance of Centaurea pseudosinaica as a source of potent antiproliferative agents and the whole plant as an antipathogenic and antioxidant agent