Searching for potential novel Orf virus epitopes using reverse vaccinology

Orf virus is a zoonotic virus that mainly affects sheep and goats and causes skin lesions, which reduce the feeding process among their lambs and kids. An Orf virus vaccine is available, however, the immunity it induces doesn’t last for more than one year, making the reinfection of the virus very common. This research aims to find epitopes that could be a good target for a long-term protein-based vaccine. Using reverse vaccinology, all proteins of the three Orf virus strains (ORFV-SA00, ORFV-NZ2 & ORFV-SY17) were studied by searching for proteins that could have good subcellular localization, antigenicity, as well as being conserved among the three genomes. After selecting proteins with these properties, linear B-cell and T-cell epitopes were detected. The last step was to test the stability of these chosen epitopes by searching for potential proteasomal cleavage sites. This final step in the bioinformatics discovery pipeline left a single stable epitope candidate (DRRPCGVQD). This protein (epitope) is recommended to be tested experimentally to ensure its effectiveness as a vaccine target protein

Association of HLA (Class I & II) and Susceptibility to Hydatid Cyst Disease

Background: Hydatid cyst disease is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by genus Echinococcus. This disease believed to has genetic background in it's aetiopathogenesis course . The aim of this study is to shed light on the possible correlation between HLA-class I (A,B,C) & HLA-class II (DR & DQ) antigens and the susceptibility to this disease. Patients & Methods: Fifty patient with hydatid cyst disease before undergoing surgical operation were investigated for HLA. Class I and class II by using microlymphocytotoxicity test. The results were compared with 115 healthy control. Results: Significant increased trend of HLA-A28 and A-11, -B18 and B-35, -DR3 and DR-11 (P<0.001, P<0.01) in patients with this disease as compared with healthy control. On the other hand, increased trend of HLA-28 (P<0.01) in patients with hydatid disease especially in those with a cyst location in liver. Conclusions: High frequency of HLA-A11 and –A28, B18 and –B35, -DR3 and –DR11 antigens may play major role in susceptibility to hydatid disease. HLA-A28 could be the most related antigen to this disease and acting as genetic marker that could in one way or another play crucial role in susceptibility especially in cases of hydatid disease in liver

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Proving the Resurrection in the Holy Quran By applying indirect logical reasoning, measurement and representation إثبات البعث في القرآن الكريم بتطبيق طريقي الاستدلال المنطقي غير المباشر القياس والتمثيل

ملخص تناول هذا البحث موضوع إثبات البعث بطريقي الاستدلال غير المباشر: القياس، والتمثيل من خلال آيات القرآن الكريم؛ لبيان أهمية الاستدلال العقلي المنطقي في إثبات قضايا العقيدة، خصوصا لمن لا يؤمنون بالنص أصلا، ويأتي هذا البحث لاستنباط هذه الأدلة عبر ضرب الأمثلة من نصوص القرآن الكريم فقط، وقد توصل البحث إلى أن القياس والتمثيل يفيدان اليقين فيما تدل عليه على إثبات العقائد عموما، وعلى إثبات البعث خصوصا، كونه موضوع بحثنا. الكلمات المفتاحية: البعث، العقيدة، القياس، التمثيل. Proving the Resurrection in the Holy Quran By applying indirect logical reasoning, measurement and representation Abstract This research tackles the issues of providing the resurrection according to two ways: the indirect inference: analogy, and comparison of the Holy Quran\u27s verses. In order to demonstrate the importance of logical mental reasoning in providing believes issues. Especially, those who don\u27t believe in the text at all. Besides, the paper inferences these evidences by providing examples from the Holy Quran\u27s texts only. The research concludes that analogy and comparison lead to certainty by indicating the belief\u27s evidence in general. Also it especially confirms the resurrection issues because it is our concern here. Key words: Resurrection, Belief, Analogy, Comparison

Urolithiasis in an Adult with Primary Obstructive Megaureter: A Case Report

This is a rare case of adult primary obstructive megaureter complicated by combined uric acid-oxalate lithiasis of the ureter and renal stones. A 24-year-old male patient presented with frank hematuria on exercise of 4 years duration. The patient had an open surgery in the form of excision of stenotic segment of ureter and left ureteric re-implantation with removal of ureteric and renal stones. Congenital megaureter is a diagnosis that urologists and radiologists need to consider in the setting of isolated distal ureteral dilation, as the diagnosis of adult megaureter may require more involved surgical measures to prevent recurrence of adverse symptoms

Standardization of the Effect of Water Stress on the Yield and Productivity of Corn (Zea maize L.)According to the Stages of Growth

A field experiment was carried out for the purpose of studying the effect of water stress, according to stages of growth of maize where the experiment was carried out at the Agra technology Research Station, University Malaysia Perlis Padang Besar, Perlis, Malaysia in March 2014 to June 2014 to investigate the influence of studying the effect of irrigation dates on maize crop. For the purpose of studying the effect of irrigation dates on maize crop. The results showed the superiority of the plants that were not exposed to water stress along the growing season, compared with plants that were exposed to water stress along the stages of growth. The results also showed the sensitivity of the plant at the flowering stage and the apparent effect of water stress at this stage on the yield and production of corn. This has a great effect on flowering and grain formation. The results also showed the effect of water stress on the deeper roots as the plant when exposed to water stress will lead to increased root deepened, thereby raising the possibility of access to water. Valley water stress at maturity to influence the characteristics of growth, but this effect was not significant since this stage reached the plant to the end of its growth; therefore, no longer water stress had a significant impact. It is concluded that the amount of irrigation water can be reduced in the maturation stage for low impact. The results showed the importance of providing appropriate moisture in the period of flowering.

Determination of Adverse Effect of Water Stress on Corn (Zea maize L.) according to the Stages of Growth

A field experiment was carried out for the purpose of studying the effect of water stress, according to stages of growth of maize where the experiment was carried out at the Agra Technology Research Station, University Malaysia Perlis Padang Besar, Perlis, Malaysia in March 2014 to June 2014 to investigate the influence of studying the effect of irrigation dates on maize crop for the purpose of studying the effect of irrigation dates on maize crop. The results of the research showed the effect of water stress at all stages of plant growth. The results showed that the most sensitive phase of water stress is the flowering phase; also the results showed that water stress had a negative impact on all parameters of the experiment. The highest rate of all study parameters was recorded at the first date (irrigated every seven days) and a significant difference from the second date. While the lowest rate of all qualities was recorded in the second appointment (irrigated every 14 days), no significant difference was recorded between the first date (irrigated every 7 days) when compared with the control treatments where the crop was irrigated whenever the plant needed water. The results showed that irrigating every 7 days of the autumn season is most appropriate and no significant difference was recorded when comparing the control treatment. The results elucidate that irrigated every 14 days gave the lowest rate of all traits but it is used in case of severe water scarcity.

Foliar nano-fertilization enhances fruit growth, maturity and biochemical responses of date palm

The experiment was conducted in the Abi Al-Khaseeb orchard, Basrah, Iraq during the 2019 season, on date palm (Hillawi cv.). The effect of foliar nano-fertilizer on the response of the growth and fruit ripening rate was amid. Adding nano-fertilizer to the annual date palm fertilization program improved growth and increased production. A comparison of foliar NPK (1, 2 g L-1) as nano-fertilizer and traditional fertilizer, and combined, was applied. The results revealed that the treatment of foliar traditional and nano-fertilizers together increased the weight of fruit and bunches, water content, indoleacetic acid, and gibberellic acid relative to other treatments. Nano-fertilizers (1g L -1) led to an increase in fruit ripening rate, dry mass, and total soluble solids, activity of the enzymes peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, and abscisic acid content. The leaflet protein expression shows that the appearance of protein bands 1 to 5 and 6 was up-regulated by control and traditional fertilizer. Whereas the protein bands 6 and 7 were down-controlled under nano-fertilizer. Hierarchical cluster analysis of proteins in the leaf in response to traditional and nano-fertilizer showed two distinct clusters. The use of nano-fertilizer individually leads to the acceleration of fruit ripening. while the production fruit that is increased using foliar nano-fertilizer with traditional fertilizer.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author