Genotipovi P i G goveđeg rotavirusa i njihova prevalencija u teladi najranije dobi.

To investigate the epidemical characteristics and genotypic distribution of bovine rotavirus in Punjab, 120 fecal samples were collected from calves exhibiting diarrhea and screened for the presence of rotavirus using RNA-PAGE and RT-PCR. Twenty-three samples were positive by RNA-PAGE having electrophoretic patterns that corresponded to mammalian group A rotaviruses. All the samples were (120) screened by RT-PCR for VP7 and VP4 genes and 16 samples were found to be positive for VP7. Out of these 16 samples, 4 samples were also positive for VP4. These were analyzed further by multiplex semi-nested PCR for G and P genotypes, and it was confirmed that 43.75% (7/16) were the G3 type, while 6.25% (1/16) was the G8 type and 50% (8/16) were dual G3G8 types. P genotyping classified all the samples 100% (4/4) as the P[5] genotype. It may be concluded that most prevalent combination of rotavirus infection in bovine was G3G8P[5] in Punjab.Radi istraživanja epizootioloških obilježja i proširenosti genotipova goveđeg rotavirusa u Punjabu, prikupljeno je bilo 120 uzoraka izmeta teladi s proljevom te pretraženo na prisutnost rotavirusa RNApoliakrilamid-gel-elekroforezom (RNA-PAGE) i lančanom reakcijom polimerazom uz prethodnu reverznu transkripciju (RT-PCR). Od toga su 23 uzorka bila pozitivna pretragom RNA-PAGE s elektroforetskim uzorkom koji je odgovarao skupini A rotavirusa sisavaca. Svih 120 uzoraka izmeta bilo je pretraženo RT-PCR-om na prisutnost gena za proteine VP7 i VP4. Ustanovljeno je 16 pozitivnih za VP7. Od tih 16, četiri su bila pozitivna i za VP4. Ti su dodatno bili pretraženi višestrukom poluugniježđenom lančanom reakcijom polimerazom za genotipove G i P. Utvrđeno je da je 43,75% (7/16) pripadalo genotipu G3, dok je 6,25% (1/16) bilo genotipa G8, a 50% (8/16) pripadalo je i G3 i G8 genotipu. Svi su uzorci (4/4) na osnovi P genotipizacije pripadali genotipu P[5]. Može se zaključiti da je infekcija goveda u Punjabu najčešće uzrokovana kombinacijom rotavirusa G3, G8 i P[5]

Genotipovi P i G goveđeg rotavirusa i njihova prevalencija u teladi najranije dobi.

To investigate the epidemical characteristics and genotypic distribution of bovine rotavirus in Punjab, 120 fecal samples were collected from calves exhibiting diarrhea and screened for the presence of rotavirus using RNA-PAGE and RT-PCR. Twenty-three samples were positive by RNA-PAGE having electrophoretic patterns that corresponded to mammalian group A rotaviruses. All the samples were (120) screened by RT-PCR for VP7 and VP4 genes and 16 samples were found to be positive for VP7. Out of these 16 samples, 4 samples were also positive for VP4. These were analyzed further by multiplex semi-nested PCR for G and P genotypes, and it was confirmed that 43.75% (7/16) were the G3 type, while 6.25% (1/16) was the G8 type and 50% (8/16) were dual G3G8 types. P genotyping classified all the samples 100% (4/4) as the P[5] genotype. It may be concluded that most prevalent combination of rotavirus infection in bovine was G3G8P[5] in Punjab.Radi istraživanja epizootioloških obilježja i proširenosti genotipova goveđeg rotavirusa u Punjabu, prikupljeno je bilo 120 uzoraka izmeta teladi s proljevom te pretraženo na prisutnost rotavirusa RNApoliakrilamid-gel-elekroforezom (RNA-PAGE) i lančanom reakcijom polimerazom uz prethodnu reverznu transkripciju (RT-PCR). Od toga su 23 uzorka bila pozitivna pretragom RNA-PAGE s elektroforetskim uzorkom koji je odgovarao skupini A rotavirusa sisavaca. Svih 120 uzoraka izmeta bilo je pretraženo RT-PCR-om na prisutnost gena za proteine VP7 i VP4. Ustanovljeno je 16 pozitivnih za VP7. Od tih 16, četiri su bila pozitivna i za VP4. Ti su dodatno bili pretraženi višestrukom poluugniježđenom lančanom reakcijom polimerazom za genotipove G i P. Utvrđeno je da je 43,75% (7/16) pripadalo genotipu G3, dok je 6,25% (1/16) bilo genotipa G8, a 50% (8/16) pripadalo je i G3 i G8 genotipu. Svi su uzorci (4/4) na osnovi P genotipizacije pripadali genotipu P[5]. Može se zaključiti da je infekcija goveda u Punjabu najčešće uzrokovana kombinacijom rotavirusa G3, G8 i P[5]

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Effect of Circulating Angiogenic Factors on Trophoblast Cell Proliferation

Abstract Preeclampsia is a potentially life threatening disorder of pregnancy which presents with raised blood pressure and proteinuria after twentieth week of gestation. It is one of the leading and mystical causes of maternal and fetal mortality worldwide. Abnormal placentation is suggested to be possibly the key feature of this disorder. Preeclampsia has been attributed to the presence of a circulating &apos;toxin&apos; soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) in maternal blood. sFlt-1 is normally produced and secreted by the placenta, however the presence, nature and effects of this toxin on trophoblast cells are not clearly understood. The binding of sFlt-1 with free Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in maternal circulation and the subsequent effects of this on trophoblast cell proliferation are not fully known. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to estimate the levels of both VEGF and sFlt-1 in preeclamptic sera and also to investigate if the impaired or altered VEGF/sFlt-1 interaction of the two could affect trophoblast cell proliferation/viability. STUDY DESIGN: Methods: The serum levels of VEGF and sFlt-1in forty preeclamptic pregnant women and forty normotensive, nonproteinuric pregnant women (control) were analyzed by ELISA. The effect of preeclamptic sera on trophoblast cell proliferation was studied by treating trophoblast cell lines (JAR cells) with (i) preeclamptic sera, (ii) control sera, (iii) preeclamptic sera with recombinant VEGF and (iv) control sera with recombinant sFlt-1. Cell proliferation was determined by the Cell Titer 96 Aqueous One Solution Cell Proliferation assay. RESULTS: The levels of free VEGF were significantly lower (mean 170.53+36.56 pg/ml Vs 254.61+47.39 pg/ml, p&lt;0.0001) and the levels of sFlt-1 were significantly higher (median 11295.25 pg/ml Vs 2936.2 pg/ml, p&lt;0.0001) in the sera of preeclamptic women compared to the sera of control women respectively. A significant reduction in trophoblast cell proliferation was found in JAR cells treated with preeclamptic sera whereas the cell proliferation was enhanced when cells were treated with preeclamptic sera and recombinant VEGF. In contrast, the cell proliferation was enhanced in control sera treated JAR cells and this effect was reversed by the treatment with control sera and recombinant sFlt-1. CONCLUSIONS: Preeclampsia is associated with low serum levels of pro-angiogenic factor such as VEGF and high levels of anti-angiogenic factor i.e sFlt-1 and the imbalance of the two factors in the preeclamptic sera resulted in increased cytotoxicity of trophoblast cells (JAR cells) whereas cell proliferation was more in control sera treated JAR cells. This effect appears to be related to the changes in trophoblast sensitivity to sFlt-1 suggesting that circulating sFlt-1 may have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease

Impact of COVID-19 on Diagnostic Cardiac Procedural Volume in Oceania: The IAEA Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocol Survey on COVID-19 (INCAPS COVID)

Objectives: The INCAPS COVID Oceania study aimed to assess the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac procedure volume provided in the Oceania region. Methods: A retrospective survey was performed comparing procedure volumes within March 2019 (pre-COVID-19) with April 2020 (during first wave of COVID-19 pandemic). Sixty-three (63) health care facilities within Oceania that perform cardiac diagnostic procedures were surveyed, including a mixture of metropolitan and regional, hospital and outpatient, public and private sites, and 846 facilities outside of Oceania. The percentage change in procedure volume was measured between March 2019 and April 2020, compared by test type and by facility. Results: In Oceania, the total cardiac diagnostic procedure volume was reduced by 52.2% from March 2019 to April 2020, compared to a reduction of 75.9% seen in the rest of the world (p&lt;0.001). Within Oceania sites, this reduction varied significantly between procedure types, but not between types of health care facility. All procedure types (other than stress cardiac magnetic resonance [CMR] and positron emission tomography [PET]) saw significant reductions in volume over this time period (p&lt;0.001). In Oceania, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) decreased by 51.6%, transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) by 74.0%, and stress tests by 65% overall, which was more pronounced for stress electrocardiograph (ECG) (81.8%) and stress echocardiography (76.7%) compared to stress single-photon emission computerised tomography (SPECT) (44.3%). Invasive coronary angiography decreased by 36.7% in Oceania. Conclusion: A significant reduction in cardiac diagnostic procedure volume was seen across all facility types in Oceania and was likely a function of recommendations from cardiac societies and directives from government to minimise spread of COVID-19 amongst patients and staff. Longer term evaluation is important to assess for negative patient outcomes which may relate to deferral of usual models of care within cardiology

Reduction of cardiac imaging tests during the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of Italy. Findings from the IAEA Non-invasive Cardiology Protocol Survey on COVID-19 (INCAPS COVID)

Background: In early 2020, COVID-19 massively hit Italy, earlier and harder than any other European country. This caused a series of strict containment measures, aimed at blocking the spread of the pandemic. Healthcare delivery was also affected when resources were diverted towards care of COVID-19 patients, including intensive care wards. Aim of the study: The aim is assessing the impact of COVID-19 on cardiac imaging in Italy, compare to the Rest of Europe (RoE) and the World (RoW). Methods: A global survey was conducted in May–June 2020 worldwide, through a questionnaire distributed online. The survey covered three periods: March and April 2020, and March 2019. Data from 52 Italian centres, a subset of the 909 participating centres from 108 countries, were analyzed. Results: In Italy, volumes decreased by 67% in March 2020, compared to March 2019, as opposed to a significantly lower decrease (p &lt; 0.001) in RoE and RoW (41% and 40%, respectively). A further decrease from March 2020 to April 2020 summed up to 76% for the North, 77% for the Centre and 86% for the South. When compared to the RoE and RoW, this further decrease from March 2020 to April 2020 in Italy was significantly less (p = 0.005), most likely reflecting the earlier effects of the containment measures in Italy, taken earlier than anywhere else in the West. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic massively hit Italy and caused a disruption of healthcare services, including cardiac imaging studies. This raises concern about the medium- and long-term consequences for the high number of patients who were denied timely diagnoses and the subsequent lifesaving therapies and procedures

International Impact of COVID-19 on the Diagnosis of Heart Disease

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has adversely affected diagnosis and treatment of noncommunicable diseases. Its effects on delivery of diagnostic care for cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death worldwide, have not been quantified. Objectives: The study sought to assess COVID-19's impact on global cardiovascular diagnostic procedural volumes and safety practices. Methods: The International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a worldwide survey assessing alterations in cardiovascular procedure volumes and safety practices resulting from COVID-19. Noninvasive and invasive cardiac testing volumes were obtained from participating sites for March and April 2020 and compared with those from March 2019. Availability of personal protective equipment and pandemic-related testing practice changes were ascertained. Results: Surveys were submitted from 909 inpatient and outpatient centers performing cardiac diagnostic procedures, in 108 countries. Procedure volumes decreased 42% from March 2019 to March 2020, and 64% from March 2019 to April 2020. Transthoracic echocardiography decreased by 59%, transesophageal echocardiography 76%, and stress tests 78%, which varied between stress modalities. Coronary angiography (invasive or computed tomography) decreased 55% (p &lt; 0.001 for each procedure). In multivariable regression, significantly greater reduction in procedures occurred for centers in countries with lower gross domestic product. Location in a low-income and lower–middle-income country was associated with an additional 22% reduction in cardiac procedures and less availability of personal protective equipment and telehealth. Conclusions: COVID-19 was associated with a significant and abrupt reduction in cardiovascular diagnostic testing across the globe, especially affecting the world's economically challenged. Further study of cardiovascular outcomes and COVID-19–related changes in care delivery is warranted