Frequency and genotypic distribution of GB virus C (GBV-C) among Colombian population with Hepatitis B (HBV) or Hepatitis C (HCV) infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>GB virus C (GBV-C) is an enveloped positive-sense ssRNA virus belonging to the <it>Flaviviridae </it>family. Studies on the genetic variability of the GBV-C reveals the existence of six genotypes: genotype 1 predominates in West Africa, genotype 2 in Europe and America, genotype 3 in Asia, genotype 4 in Southwest Asia, genotype 5 in South Africa and genotype 6 in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and genotypic distribution of GBV-C in the Colombian population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two groups were analyzed: i) 408 Colombian blood donors infected with HCV (n = 250) and HBV (n = 158) from Bogotá and ii) 99 indigenous people with HBV infection from Leticia, Amazonas. A fragment of 344 bp from the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) was amplified by nested RT PCR. Viral sequences were genotyped by phylogenetic analysis using reference sequences from each genotype obtained from GenBank (n = 160). Bayesian phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach to obtain the MCC tree using BEAST v.1.5.3.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among blood donors, from 158 HBsAg positive samples, eight 5.06% (n = 8) were positive for GBV-C and from 250 anti-HCV positive samples, 3.2%(n = 8) were positive for GBV-C. Also, 7.7% (n = 7) GBV-C positive samples were found among indigenous people from Leticia. A phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of the following GBV-C genotypes among blood donors: 2a (41.6%), 1 (33.3%), 3 (16.6%) and 2b (8.3%). All genotype 1 sequences were found in co-infection with HBV and 4/5 sequences genotype 2a were found in co-infection with HCV. All sequences from indigenous people from Leticia were classified as genotype 3. The presence of GBV-C infection was not correlated with the sex (p = 0.43), age (p = 0.38) or origin (p = 0.17).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It was found a high frequency of GBV-C genotype 1 and 2 in blood donors. The presence of genotype 3 in indigenous population was previously reported from Santa Marta region in Colombia and in native people from Venezuela and Bolivia. This fact may be correlated to the ancient movements of Asian people to South America a long time ago.</p

Dimethyl fumarate in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) inhibits inflammasome-mediated inflammation and has been proposed as a treatment for patients hospitalised with COVID-19. This randomised, controlled, open-label platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing multiple treatments in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 (NCT04381936, ISRCTN50189673). In this assessment of DMF performed at 27 UK hospitals, adults were randomly allocated (1:1) to either usual standard of care alone or usual standard of care plus DMF. The primary outcome was clinical status on day 5 measured on a seven-point ordinal scale. Secondary outcomes were time to sustained improvement in clinical status, time to discharge, day 5 peripheral blood oxygenation, day 5 C-reactive protein, and improvement in day 10 clinical status. Between 2 March 2021 and 18 November 2021, 713 patients were enroled in the DMF evaluation, of whom 356 were randomly allocated to receive usual care plus DMF, and 357 to usual care alone. 95% of patients received corticosteroids as part of routine care. There was no evidence of a beneficial effect of DMF on clinical status at day 5 (common odds ratio of unfavourable outcome 1.12; 95% CI 0.86-1.47; p = 0.40). There was no significant effect of DMF on any secondary outcome

Dimethyl fumarate in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) inhibits inflammasome-mediated inflammation and has been proposed as a treatment for patients hospitalised with COVID-19. This randomised, controlled, open-label platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing multiple treatments in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 (NCT04381936, ISRCTN50189673). In this assessment of DMF performed at 27 UK hospitals, adults were randomly allocated (1:1) to either usual standard of care alone or usual standard of care plus DMF. The primary outcome was clinical status on day 5 measured on a seven-point ordinal scale. Secondary outcomes were time to sustained improvement in clinical status, time to discharge, day 5 peripheral blood oxygenation, day 5 C-reactive protein, and improvement in day 10 clinical status. Between 2 March 2021 and 18 November 2021, 713 patients were enroled in the DMF evaluation, of whom 356 were randomly allocated to receive usual care plus DMF, and 357 to usual care alone. 95% of patients received corticosteroids as part of routine care. There was no evidence of a beneficial effect of DMF on clinical status at day 5 (common odds ratio of unfavourable outcome 1.12; 95% CI 0.86-1.47; p = 0.40). There was no significant effect of DMF on any secondary outcome

Genetic diversity evaluations in Turkish onion (Allium cepa L.) genotypes: principal component analyses (PCA) for breeding strategies

7th International Symposium on Edible Alliaceae -- MAY 21-25, 2015 -- Nigde, TURKEYWOS: 000392629000033Sustainable plant breeding relies on available germplasm and genetic diversity. Analysis of genetic diversity in germplasm collection aids in classification of genotypes and identification of core collections with possible utility for specific breeding strategies. In the present study, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate resources of variation among some Turkish onion (Allium cepa L.) genotypes. Onion germplasm covering 96 accessions collected from different regions of Turkey were evaluated for 31 quantitative traits through principal component analyses. According to PCA results, eigenvalue was maximum in PC-I (7.74) followed by PC-II (3.25) and PC-III (2.33). Total variance percentage was maximum in PC-I (24.98) followed by PC-II (10.50) and PC-III (7.52). The first nine PCs with Eigen values >1 contributed 71.84% of the variability amongst accessions. The characters contributing more positively with PC1 were the bulb weight (0.33) and diameter of the pseudostem (0.30).Int Soc Hort Sc

Effects of NaCl and CaCl2 on germination performance of some local onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivars in Turkey

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of NaCI and CaCl 2 level on germination of some onion genotypes. Seeds of 'Kantartopu-3', 'Akgün-12', 'Imrali Kirmasi-15', 'Metan-88' and 'Beyaz Bilek' were used. Electrical conductivities (EC) of salt solutions were 1.2, 2.4, 4.8 and 9.6 dS m-1 and distilled water (0 dS m-1) served as control. Germination percentage (%), mean germination time (days), shoot length (mm) and seedling fresh and dry weight (mg) were measured at 12 days after sowing. Genotypes showed different responses to NaCI and CaCl 2. Increased salinity levels resulted in decreased germination, inhibition of seedling growth and increased mean germination time. Varieties showed different responses for different parameters

Effects of salt stress on some physiological parameters and mineral element contents of onion (Allium cepa L.) plants

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of salt stress on proline, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride (Cl) contents of some onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivars. Seeds of 'Akgun-12', 'Besirli-77', 'Beyaz Bilek', 'Imrali Kirmasi', 'Kantartopu-3', 'Metan-88' and 'Texas Early Grano' were germinated in peat material and transferred to plastic pots after 21 days of sowing. The plants have been grown in vermiculite by substrate culture technique. The early plant stage (63 days old plant) was used for screening studies. Three different salinity levels (0-control, 50 mM and 125 mM NaCl) were tested under greenhouse conditions. After six weeks of transferring, leaf parts were isolated and studied for physiological and mineral analyses. Cultivars showed different responses to NaCI. Increased salinity levels resulted in decreased chlorophyll-and carotenoids, increased proline. The sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl-) contents of plants were significantly affected by salinity in all cultivars

Effects of salt stress on some physiological parameters and mineral element contents of onion (AIHum cepa L.) plants

7th International Symposium on Edible Alliaceae -- MAY 21-25, 2015 -- Nigde, TURKEYWOS: 000392629000026This study was conducted to investigate the effects of salt stress on proline, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride (Cl) contents of some onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivars. Seeds of Akgun-12', 'Besirli-77', 'Beyaz Kirmasi, 'Kantartopu-3', 'Metan-88' and 'Texas Early Grano' were germinated in peat material and transferred to plastic pots after 21 days of sowing. The plants have been grown in vermiculite by substrate culture technique. The early plant stage (63 days old plant) was used for screening studies. Three different salinity levels (0-control, 50 mM and 125 mM NaCl) were tested under greenhouse conditions. After six weeks of transferring, leaf parts were isolated and studied for physiological and mineral analyses. Cultivars showed different responses to NaCI. Increased salinity levels resulted in decreased chlorophyll-and carotenoids, increased proline. The sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl-) contents of plants were significantly affected by salinity in all cultivars.Int Soc Hort SciRepublic of Turkey, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and PoliciesThis research was supported by the Republic of Turkey, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Introduction: Metacognitive constructs have shown promise in explaining the symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Few studies have examined the role of metacognitions in symptom dimensions of OCD, despite mounting clinical, neuropsychological and imaging evidence for the distinctiveness of these dimensions.Methods: Metacognitions were assessed using the Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30) in 51 participants with DSM IV OCD and 46 healthy controls. The Maudsley Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) was used to quantify symptom dimensions, along with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) for anxiety, and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) for depression.Results: Individuals with OCD differed from healthy controls on beliefs of uncontrollability and danger when depression and anxiety were controlled for. Correlations between metacognitive beliefs and obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions were largely similar across the OCD and healthy control groups. Hierarchical regression showed that need to control thoughts contributed to checking, cleaning and rumination symptoms; cognitive self-consciousness to symptoms of slowness; uncontrollability and danger to doubt symptoms; positive beliefs to checking symptoms.Conclusions: Specific associations between metacognitive variables and the different symptom dimensions of OCD are evident, however, severity of anxiety and depression also contribute to these associations

Does preincisional injection of levobupivacaine with epinephrine have any benefits for children undergoing tonsillectomy? An intraindividual evaluation

Objective: To evaluate the effects of peritonsillar injection of levobupivacaine with epinephrine in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy, through an intraindividual study. Patients and methods: 20 children (age 6-13 years) undergoing elective tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, intraindividual trial. After entubation and just prior to incision, 3. ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine with epinephrine was injected into one peritonsillar region while 0.9% saline was being used for the contralateral side. Amount of intraoperative blood loss, duration of tonsillectomy, postoperative pain, otalgia and hemorrhage were assessed for each side separately. Visual analog scale was used for postoperative pain assessment. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure during and after operation were also observed. The follow-up period after surgery was 10 days. Results: Median visual analog scale values for the levobupivacaine with epinephrine injected side was significantly lower than the saline injected side, during the first postoperative 16. h (p 0.05). Conclusion: Preincisional injection of levobupivacaine with epinephrine decreases early postoperative pain and intraoperative blood loss as well. © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd