Prevalence of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in diarrheal patients in Faisalabad region of Pakistan as determined by multiplex PCR

Background: Strains of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) have been associated with outbreaks of diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in humans around the world. In this study we investigated the prevalence of STEC in hospitalized diarrhea patients (children) in Faisalabad region of Pakistan.Methodology: We used a multiplex polymerase chain reaction to characterize local isolates of STEC from stool samples of 200 children during the summer season of 2005. The targeted genes were stx1, stx2, hly, and eae, representing Shiga toxin 1, Shiga toxin 2, enterohemolysin and intimin respectively. Presence of stx1 and stx2 was confirmed by PCR followed by restriction analysis with Tail and HaeIII respectively. Serological examination was carried out by using polyvalent antisera followed by monovalent antisera for O26 and O157.Results: Multiplex PCR results showed that 22 (11%) of the patients were positive for stx genes. Among other virulence factors, plasmid borne hly and eae genes were detected in 13 (6.5 %) and 16 (8.0 %) patients respectively. However, only 14 STEC isolates were obtained. Among these 11(78.5%), 11(78.5%), 3(21.4%) and 6 (42.8%) were positive for stx1, stx2, hly and eae genes respectively. Only 3 of these isolates belonged to serotype O157.Conclusions: Our results show that the prevalence of STEC is significant in this area and has potential to become a major health problem in the future. It was also observed that serotype O157 was not the major pathogen

Investigation of Surface Deformation in Lower Jehlum Valley and Eastern Potwar using SRTM DEM

This study describes the surface deformation in lower Jehlum and eastern Potwar using remotely sensed Shutter Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to identify regional uplift rates. Mapping of active surface deformations help to predict seismic hazards. DEMs are the fundamental input factors that identify the surface geometry and its belongings. These belongings include stream offset, elevation, and slope breaks within a contributing area. This study provides an evidence of tectonic activity and its impact on regional drainage network using SRTM DEM. Various indices including concavity and steepness were computed using power law in steady state conditions. We prepared the drainage network map of the study site showing uplift rates in mm/year. The deflection in stream network proves the existence of active fault in this region which controls the local drainage network. The results prove the relative uplift along Main Boundary Thurst (MBT) and the impact of active tectonic on evolving young organs.  Full Tex

ISARIC-COVID-19 dataset: A Prospective, Standardized, Global Dataset of Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19

The International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC) COVID-19 dataset is one of the largest international databases of prospectively collected clinical data on people hospitalized with COVID-19. This dataset was compiled during the COVID-19 pandemic by a network of hospitals that collect data using the ISARIC-World Health Organization Clinical Characterization Protocol and data tools. The database includes data from more than 705,000 patients, collected in more than 60 countries and 1,500 centres worldwide. Patient data are available from acute hospital admissions with COVID-19 and outpatient follow-ups. The data include signs and symptoms, pre-existing comorbidities, vital signs, chronic and acute treatments, complications, dates of hospitalization and discharge, mortality, viral strains, vaccination status, and other data. Here, we present the dataset characteristics, explain its architecture and how to gain access, and provide tools to facilitate its use