Genetic characterization of clinical and environmental Vibrio parahaemolyticus from the Northeast USA reveals emerging resident and non-indigenous pathogen lineages

Gastric infections caused by the environmentally transmitted pathogen, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, have increased over the last two decades, including in many parts of the United States (US). However, until recently, infections linked to shellfish from the cool northeastern US waters were rare. Cases have risen in the Northeast, consistent with changes in local V. parahaemolyticus populations toward greater abundance or a shift in constituent pathogens. We examined 94 clinical isolates from a period of increasing disease in the region and compared them to 200 environmental counterparts to identify resident and non-indigenous lineages and to gain insight into the emergence of pathogenic types. Genotyping and multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) of clinical isolates collected from 2010 to 2013 in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine revealed their polyphyletic nature. Although 80% of the clinical isolates harbored the trh hemolysin either alone or with tdh, and were urease positive, 14% harbored neither hemolysin exposing a limitation for these traits in pathogen detection. Resident sequence type (ST) 631 strains caused seven infections, and show a relatively recent history of recombination with other clinical and environmental lineages present in the region. ST34 and ST674 strains were each linked to a single infection and these strain types were also identified from the environment as isolates harboring hemolysin genes. Forty-two ST36 isolates were identified from the clinical collection, consistent with reports that this strain type caused a rise in regional infections starting in 2012. Whole-genome phylogenies that included three ST36 outbreak isolates traced to at least two local sources demonstrated that the US Atlantic coastal population of this strain type was indeed derived from the Pacific population. This study lays the foundation for understanding dynamics within natural populations associated with emergence and invasion of pathogenic strain types in the region

Use of Whole Genome Phylogeny and Comparisons in the Development of a Multiplex-PCR Assay to Identify Sequence Type 36 Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Vibrio parahaemolyticus sequence type (ST) 36 strains that are native to the Pacific Ocean have recently caused multi-state outbreaks of gastroenteritis linked to shellfish harvested from the Atlantic Ocean. Whole genome comparisons of 295 genomes of V. parahaemolyticus, including several traced to northeastern US sources, were used to identify diagnostic loci: one putatively encoding an endonuclease (prp), and two others potentially conferring O-antigenic properties (cps and flp). The combination of all three loci was present only in one clade of closely-related strains, of ST36, ST59 and one additional unknown sequence type. However, each locus was also identified outside this clade, with prp and flp occurring in only two non-clade isolates, and cps in four. Based on the distribution of these loci in sequenced genomes, prp could identify clade strains with \u3e99% accuracy, but the addition of one more locus would increase accuracy to 100%. Oligonucleotide primers targeting prp and cps were combined in a multiplex PCR method that defines species using the tlh locus, and determines presence of both the tdh and trh hemolysin-encoding genes which are also present in ST36. Application of the method in vitro to a collection of 94 clinical isolates collected over a four year period in three Northeastern US, and 87 environmental isolates, revealed the prp and cps amplicons were only detected in clinical isolates identified as belonging to the ST36-clade, and in no environmental isolates from the region. The assay should improve detection and surveillance, thereby reducing infections

Perception And Attitude Towards COVID-19 Vaccine: A Cross-Sectional Study From Pakistan

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the awareness regarding COVID-19 vaccines and identify the factors underlying refusal. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out amongst the general population from different walk of life regarding awareness and myths about COVID-19 vaccine selected by convenient sampling method. To collect data, we developed an online survey using questionnaires regarding beliefs and myths about vaccination. The study was started in March 2021 after approval from the ethical committee. Survey consisting of several questions was created using google form. The link was shared on different social media applications and participants were requested to fill the questionnaires. Some patients and their attendants who were visiting HIT hospital Taxila for any reason were also included in the study and they were requested to fill the form at the spot. Participants were given a brief summary of the survey and its purpose, as well as the study protocol and a declaration of confidentiality and privacy, before beginning the questionnaire. Data was collected on online server form. Demographic information was noted. They were asked about their registration, vaccination status and their fear regarding vaccine and its complications. They were questioned about myths and misbeliefs about covid 19 vaccine. Post vaccination symptoms, their preference for different types of available vaccine, and need of booster dose were also inquired. Their beliefs regarding effectiveness of vaccine in prevention of covid-19 symptoms and severity and following the SOPs released by health authorities were noted. Results: Total 287 individuals were included in this study. 62% were females and 31% were males. 50% were doctors and 30% were not registered for vaccination. 70% of individuals were vaccinated and 83% were not afraid to get vaccination while 50% of people thought that they will get COVID-19 after vaccination. 35% participants were afraid that they will get allergic reaction post vaccination and 9% thought that COVID-19 is fake i.e., there is no such disease as COVID-19. 82% were aware that they will need vaccine even if they had COVID-19. Only 7% of population thought that COVID-19 will change their DNA. Chi square test was applied to find out statistically significant difference in opinion between three groups i.e., age, gender and academic qualification. Majority of the statistical correlation was found in these questions on the basis of qualification. There was statistically significant difference in opinion depending on academic qualification, health care and  non-health care workers shown by p value less than 0.05. Health care professionals think there is need for new vaccinations for every new variant, there were mild covid symptoms post vaccination and there was need of booster dose every year while others have contrary opinion. Medical students didn’t believe in DNA alteration. Their was also statistically significant difference in opinion between male and female gender. Most female participants believe that there was requirement of new vaccine for every new variant, there were more chances of covid after vaccination and they need booster dose every year to prevent covid while males have opposite opinion. Majority of the post vaccination symptoms were observed in femaleswhile male observed pain on the injection site only Conclusion: Awareness and education of general population regarding safety, efficacy and benefits of covid-19 vaccination is the cornerstone of the path to eradicate this pandemic. Different platform of social, print and electronic media plays a pivotal role in this regard. However, the importance of health authorities, religious scholars, social activists and politicians in creating awareness cannot be denied either. Collectively all these factors attribute towards the COVID free Pakistan. Key Words: COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy, Pakistan, public awareness, myth

A Rare Case of HIV-Induced Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy.

Background:Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) is an uncommon form of neuropathy in HIV-infected patients that can cause pain, sensory disturbance, and motor weakness. Case presentation:A 23-year-old African American male with past medical history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), Lyme disease, and sexually transmitted infections including syphilis and chlamydia presented with acute back pain radiating to bilateral lower extremities with worsening right foot weakness for four days. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies including meningoencephalitis panel were negative as well as blood tests for Lyme disease and HIV antibody testing. Patient was initially treated with penicillin for positive treponemal serology but without improvement in lower extremity weakness. Electromyogram showed evidence of early demyelinating motor polyneuropathy. Four days after presentation, repeat HIV antibody testing returned positive. Recurrent AIDP in this case was suspected to be secondary to acute HIV infection, and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was administered along with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Muscle strength improved with therapy and patient was expected to have continued improvement with intensive rehabilitation after discharge. Conclusion:Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) tends to present early in course of HIV infection. Therefore, HIV testing should be obtained in individuals presenting with new neurological deficits. Our patient received HAART therapy, in addition to the traditional modalities to manage AIDP, which led to a substantial recovery of his sensorimotor function

Spherical Shaped ( A g − F e 3 O 4 / H 2 O ) Hybrid Nanofluid Flow Squeezed between Two Riga Plates with Nonlinear Thermal Radiation and Chemical Reaction Effects

The main concern is to explore an electro-magneto hydrodynamic (EMHD) squeezing flow of ( A g − F e 3 O 4 / H 2 O ) hybrid nanofluid between stretchable parallel Riga plates. The benefits of the use of hybrid nanofluids, and the parameters associated to it, have been analyzed mathematically. This particular problem has a lot of importance in several branches of engineering and industry. Heat and mass transfer along with nonlinear thermal radiation and chemical reaction effects have also been incorporated while carrying out the study. An appropriate selection of dimensionless variables have enabled us to develop a mathematical model for the present flow situation. The resulting mathematical method have been solved by a numerical scheme named as the method of moment. The accuracy of the scheme has been ensured by comparing the present result to some already existing results of the same problem, but for a limited case. To back our results further we have also obtained the solution by anther recipe known as the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg method combined with the shooting technique. The error analysis in a tabulated form have also been presented to validate the acquired results. Furthermore, with the graphical assistance, the variation in the behavior of the velocity, temperature and concentration profile have been inspected under the action of various ingrained parameters. The expressions for skin friction coefficient, local Nusselt number and local Sherwood number, in case of ( A g − F e 3 O 4 / H 2 O ) hybrid nanofluid, have been derived and the influence of various parameters have also been discussed

Recent advances in thermal properties of hybrid cellulosic fiber reinforced polymer composites.

Bio-composites are easy to manufacture and environmentally friendly, could reduce the overall cost and provide lightweight due to the low density of the natural fibers. In a bid to compete with the synthetic fiber reinforced composites, a single natural fiber composite may not be a good choice to obtain optimal properties. Hence, hybrid composites are produced by adding two or more natural fibers together to obtain improved properties, such as mechanical, physical, thermal, water absorption, acoustic and dynamic, among others. Regarding thermal stability, the composites showed a significant change by varying the individual fiber compositions, fiber surface treatments, addition of fillers and coupling agents. The glass transition temperature and melting point obtained from the thermomechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry are not the same values for several hybrid composites, since the volume variation was not always parallel with the enthalpy change. However, the difference between the temperature calculated from the thermomechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry was lower. Significantly, this critical reviewed study has a potential of guiding all composite designers, manufacturers and users on right selection of composite materials for thermal applications, such as engine components (covers), heat shields and brake ducts, among others.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

CCDC 1442212: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures

CCDC 1538787: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures

CCDC 1442354: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination

An entry from the Cambridge Structural Database, the world’s repository for small molecule crystal structures. The entry contains experimental data from a crystal diffraction study. The deposited dataset for this entry is freely available from the CCDC and typically includes 3D coordinates, cell parameters, space group, experimental conditions and quality measures