Neurotropic Manifestations as a Potential Risk Factor for Schizophrenia Following in utero Exposure to SARS-CoV-2

Background: COVID-19 infection is associated with neurologic and psychiatric morbidity that suggests a direct effect of the virus or secondary effect of an inflammatory process. These neuropsychiatric consequences may increase the likelihood of schizophrenia in the offspring of women who become infected with COVID-19 during their pregnancy. Methods: We performed a directed narrative review of the literature focusing on the proposed pathophysiological processes that lead to schizophrenia and known pathological consequences of COVID-19 infection. Results: Schizophrenia in adult offspring has been associated with maternal infections during pregnancy by a wide range of respiratory and neurotropic pathogens. Spikes in the incidence of schizophrenia approximately 20 years after several influenza pandemics have been documented. There are multiple lines of evidence suggesting that a similar pattern may be seen due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. These include the nonspecific consequences of acute illness and hyperpyrexia, as well as more specific derangements of brain development related to direct effects of the virus or secondary effects of the inflammatory response on the developing brain. There is the potential to prospectively test this hypothesis by following the offspring of women who are known to have developed COVID-19 during their pregnancy. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic is likely associated with a range of future neuropsychiatric consequences in people whose mothers suffered the infection during their fetal development. It is important to try to follow these offspring to determine the full range of consequences of COVID-19 infection

Comparative Analysis of V-Akt Murine Thymoma Viral Oncogene Homolog 3 (AKT3) Gene between Cow and Buffalo Reveals Substantial Differences for Mastitis

AKT3 gene is a constituent of the serine/threonine protein kinase family and plays a crucial role in synthesis of milk fats and cholesterol by regulating activity of the sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP). AKT3 is highly conserved in mammals and its expression levels during the lactation periods of cattle are markedly increased. AKT3 is highly expressed in the intestine followed by mammary gland and it is also expressed in immune cells. It is involved in the TLR pathways as effectively as proinflammatory cytokines. The aims of this study were to investigate the sequences differences between buffalo and cow. Our results showed that there were substantial differences between buffalo and cow in some exons and noteworthy differences of the gene size in different regions. We also identified the important consensus sequence motifs, variation in 2000 upstream of ATG, substantial difference in the “3′UTR” region, and miRNA association in the buffalo sequences compared with the cow. In addition, genetic analyses, such as gene structure, phylogenetic tree, position of different motifs, and functional domains, were performed to establish their correlation with other species. This may indicate that a buffalo breed has potential resistance to disease, environment changes, and airborne microorganisms and some good production and reproductive traits

Domestic Violence and Abuse screening in emergency department: A rapid review of the literature

Aim: The aim of the review was to identify intimate partner violence screening interventions used in emergency departments (ED) and to explore factors affecting intimate partner violence screening in EDs. Background: Intimate partner violence against women is now clearly recognised as a global health and societal issue. Nurses working in emergency and urgent care settings can play a crucial role in identification, prevention and management of intimate partner violence Research exploring optimal methods of IPV screening and factors affecting intimate partner violence screening in EDs is relatively limited. Design: Literature review: Rapid Evidence Synthesis. Methods: Literature published between 2000-2015 was reviewed using the principles of rapid evidence assessment. Six electronic databases: CINAHL Medline, EMBASE, Psych Info, the Cochrane Library and Joanna Briggs Library. Results: Twenty-nine empirical studies meeting the eligibility criteria were independently assessed by two authors using appropriate Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Checklists. IPV screening in EDs is usually performed using electronic, face to face or pen and paper based instruments. Routine or universal screening results in higher identification rates of IPV. Women who screen positive for IPV in EDs are more likely to experience abuse in subsequent months. Factors that facilitate PV screening can be classified as health care professionals related factors, organisational factors and patient related factors. Conclusion: EDs provide a unique opportunity for health care professionals to screen patients for IPV. Competence in assessing the needs of the patients appears to be a very significant factor that may affect rates of IPV disclosure

SB-ATR FTIR Spectroscopic Monitoring of Free Fatty Acids in Commercially Available Nigella sativa

Free fatty acids (FFA) in Nigella sativa (N. sativa) commercial and seed oil were determined using single-bounce attenuated total reflectance (SB-ATR) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Gravimetrical mixing was done by adding 0.1–40% oleic acids in neutralized N. sativa oil containing 0.1% FFA. FTIR spectroscopy technique and partial least square (PLS) calibration were used to detect the absorption region of carbonyl (C=O) which is in the range of 1690–1727 cm−1. The results of PLS calibration model and root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) are 0.999 and 0.449, respectively. Comparing the FFA obtained in N. sativa oil by using FTIR with the FFA obtained using AOCS titrimetric method shows a positive correlation and confirms that the described method is a useful procedure

Beneficial effect of Sparassis crispa on stroke through activation of Akt/eNOS pathway in brain of SHRSP

Sparassis crispa (S. crispa) is a mushroom used as a natural medicine that recently became cultivatable in Japan. In this study, we investigated not only the preventive effects of S. crispa against stroke and hypertension in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) but also the mechanism involved by using studies of the cerebral cortex at a young age. Six-week-old male SHRSP were divided into 2 groups, a control group and an S. crispa group administered 1.5% S. crispa in feed, and we then observed their survival. In addition, rats of the same age were treated with 1.5% S. crispa for 4 weeks and we measured body weight, blood pressure, blood flow from the tail, NOx production, and the levels of expression of several proteins in the cerebral cortex by western blot analysis. Our results showed that the S. crispa group had a delayed incidence of stroke and death and significantly decreased blood pressure and increased blood flow after the administration. Moreover, the quantity of urinary excretion and the nitrate/nitrite concentration in cerebral tissue were higher than those of control SHRSP rats. In the cerebral cortex, phosphor-eNOS (Ser1177) and phosphor-Akt (Ser473) in S. crispa-treated SHRSP were increased compared with those of control SHRSP rats. In conclusion, S. crispa could ameliorate cerebrovascular endothelial dysfunction by promoting recovery of Akt-dependent eNOS phosphorylation and increasing NO production in the cerebral cortex. S. crispa may be useful for preventing stroke and hypertension

The impact of COVID-19 on work, training and well-being experiences of nursing associates in England: A cross-sectional survey

Aim To explore how the COVID-19 pandemic affected nursing associate work, training and well-being experiences. Design Cross-sectional survey. Methods A survey of trainee and newly qualified nursing associates was completed in July 2020. Closed responses were analysed using descriptive statistics with inferential comparisons made between community and secondary care settings. Open questions were analysed thematically. Results Sixty-four participants responded. Over half (53.2%) experienced an increased workload with 24.2% reporting extensions in their role. One third (32.3%) were redeployed, and a quarter (24.2%) did not feel safety concerns were adequately addressed when raised. Those working in the community reported significantly more concerns about staffing (p = .03), working overtime (p = .03), missed care (p = .02) and safety (p = .04). Despite this, many (75.8%) participants felt able to provide the same standards of care. Several spoke about enhanced teamwork, and the majority (96.8%) were not looking to leave their post

Strategic Research Alliance Final Report : Review of Continuing Professional Development in Nursing

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is important in generating and sustaining capability and in ensuring high quality, person-centred, safe and effective nursing care. In the UK, changes to models of funding for nursing CPD have raised concerns about the opportunities available for nurses to meet the requirements for revalidation of registration, their ability to provide adequate supervision of future students in relation to the new NMC standards of proficiency, and the potential impact of reductions in CPD access to nursing recruitment and retention. Contemporary evidence suggests that it is not only the opportunity to access CPD that is important to the provision of quality care, but also the ability to transform knowledge and skills learnt into practice within diverse practice settings. The purpose of CPD therefore is not only transformation of an individual’s practice but also transformation of workplace culture and context. For the purpose of this report, we follow Manley and Jackson (2020) in suggesting that transformation “implies radical ways of doing things to reflect the values aspired to; it is not about quick wins or key performance indicators.” There is then a need to understand the evidence about what factors maximise CPD impact at the individual, team, organisational and system level. Following initial scoping work, the Strategic Research Alliance (SRA) working group, in consultation with Professor Kim Manley and Carolyn Jackson, agreed to complete a rapid review to consider this evidence focusing on the specific question: "What are the factors that enable or optimise CPD impact for learning, development and improvement in the workplace at the individual, team, organisation and system level?

Monitoring and evaluation of irrigation and drainage facilities for pilot distributaries in Sindh Province, Pakistan. Volume 2 - Bareji Distributary, Mirpurkhas District. Interim report

Irrigation management / Monitoring / Evaluation / Irrigation canals / Distributary canals / Drainage / Maintenance / Land use / Irrigation practices / Basin irrigation / Furrow irrigation / Water distribution / Equity / Flow discharge / Watercourses / Water table / Groundwater / Water quality / Pakistan / Sindh Province / Mirpurkhas District / Bareji Distributary

T-regulatory cell modulation: the future of cancer immunotherapy?

T-regulatory cells suppress anti-tumour immunity in cancer patients and in murine tumour models. Furthermore, their activity is likely to have an effect on the effectiveness of immunotherapeutic treatments for cancer. Here we describe the current status of developing clinical strategies for modulating Treg activity in cancer patients