scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 and the Role of Orofecal Transmission: Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Heneghan ◽  
Elizabeth Spencer ◽  
Jon Brassey ◽  
Tom Jefferson
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Human Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Evidence Review ◽  
Small Intestinal

Background How SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted is of key public health importance. SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in the feces of some Covid-19 patients which suggests the possibility that the virus could additionally be transmitted via the orofecal route. Methods This review is part of an Open Evidence Review on Transmission Dynamics of Covid-19. We conduct ongoing searches using LitCovid, medRxiv, Google Scholar and Google for Covid-19; assess study quality based on five criteria and report important findings on an ongoing basis. Where necessary authors are contacted for further details or clarification on the content of their articles. Results We found 59 studies: nine reviews and 51 primary studies or reports (one cohort study also included a review) examining the potential role of orofecal transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Half (n=29) were done in China. Thirty seven studies reported positive fecal samples for SARS-CoV-2 based on RT-PCR results (n=1,034 patients). Six studies reported isolating the virus from fecal samples of nine patients, one study isolated the virus from rectal tissue and one laboratory study found that SARS-CoV-2 productively infected human small intestinal organoids. Eleven studies report on fecal samples found in sewage, and two sampled bathrooms and toilets. Conclusions Various observational and mechanistic evidence support the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 can infect and be shed from the human gastrointestinal tract. Policy should emphasize the importance of strict personal hygiene measures, and chlorine-based disinfection of surfaces in locations where there is presumed or known SARS-CoV-2 activity.

scholarly journals Chest CT texture-based radiomics analysis in differentiating COVID-19 from other interstitial pneumonia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damiano Caruso ◽  
Francesco Pucciarelli ◽  
Marta Zerunian ◽  
Balaji Ganeshan ◽  
Domenico De Santis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interstitial Pneumonia ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Texture Features ◽  
Roc Curves ◽  
Chest Ct ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Mean Intensity ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the potential role of texture-based radiomics analysis in differentiating Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pneumonia from pneumonia of other etiology on Chest CT. Materials and methods One hundred and twenty consecutive patients admitted to Emergency Department, from March 8, 2020, to April 25, 2020, with suspicious of COVID-19 that underwent Chest CT, were retrospectively analyzed. All patients presented CT findings indicative for interstitial pneumonia. Sixty patients with positive COVID-19 real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and 60 patients with negative COVID-19 RT-PCR were enrolled. CT texture analysis (CTTA) was manually performed using dedicated software by two radiologists in consensus and textural features on filtered and unfiltered images were extracted as follows: mean intensity, standard deviation (SD), entropy, mean of positive pixels (MPP), skewness, and kurtosis. Nonparametric Mann–Whitney test assessed CTTA ability to differentiate positive from negative COVID-19 patients. Diagnostic criteria were obtained from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results Unfiltered CTTA showed lower values of mean intensity, MPP, and kurtosis in COVID-19 positive patients compared to negative patients (p = 0.041, 0.004, and 0.002, respectively). On filtered images, fine and medium texture scales were significant differentiators; fine texture scale being most significant where COVID-19 positive patients had lower SD (p = 0.004) and MPP (p = 0.004) compared to COVID-19 negative patients. A combination of the significant texture features could identify the patients with positive COVID-19 from negative COVID-19 with a sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 80% (p = 0.001). Conclusions Preliminary evaluation suggests potential role of CTTA in distinguishing COVID-19 pneumonia from other interstitial pneumonia on Chest CT.

scholarly journals First Report of Hepatitis E Virus in Shellfish in Southeast Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Gianfranco La Bella ◽  
Maria Grazia Basanisi ◽  
Gaia Nobili ◽  
Valentina Terio ◽  
Elisabetta Suffredini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Hepatitis E Virus ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Hepatitis E ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Viral Pathogens ◽  
Apulia Region ◽  
Causative Agents

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) represents one of the principal causative agents of hepatitis globally. Among the five HEV genotypes affecting humans, genotypes 3 and 4 are zoonotic and are the main source of hepatitis E in developed countries. HEV has been detected in several foods. The present work investigated the presence of this virus in shellfish sold at retail in the Apulia region of Italy. The presence of HEV RNA was assessed by real-time RT-PCR in 225 shellfish samples collected during 2018. Overall, two (0.89%) of these samples tested positive for HEV RNA. To our knowledge, this is the first notification of the detection of HEV in mussels sold at retail in the Apulia region. These data highlight the potential role of shellfish as a vehicle for the transmission of viral pathogens.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the potential role of long non-coding RNA LINC00961 in luminal breast cancer: a case–control and systems biology study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sepideh Mehrpour Layeghi ◽  
Maedeh Arabpour ◽  
Rezvan Esmaeili ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Naghizadeh ◽  
Javad Tavakkoly Bazzaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Bioinformatics Analysis ◽  
T Test ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Luminal A ◽  
Ppi Networks

Abstract Background Luminal subtype is the most common subgroup of breast cancer (BC), accounting for more than 70% of this cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of RNAs which play critical roles in diverse cellular processes. It is proved that dysregulation of them can contribute to the development of various cancers, including BC. LINC00961 was reported to be downregulated in several cancers, however, its expression level in BC remains largely unknown. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible role of LINC00961 in luminal A and B subtypes of BC. Methods To obtain novel lncRNAs associated with different cancers and differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) between BC tumor and normal tissues, Lnc2Cancer and GDC databases were used, respectively. After performing literature review, the expression level of the selected lncRNA (LINC00961) was evaluated in 79 luminal A and B BC specimens and adjacent non-cancerous tissues by Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). LINC00961 expression was also evaluated in two luminal A BC cell lines, compared to a normal breast cell line. The comparison of the differences between tumor and adjacent non-tumor samples was performed by paired sample t-test. Moreover, correlation analysis between LINC00961 expression and clinicopathological features was performed using the chi-square, fisher exact, and independent t-test. In order to investigate the possible roles of LINC00961 in luminal A and B BC, different bioinformatics analyses such as functional annotation of the LINC00961 co-expressed genes and protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks construction were also performed. Results LINC00961 was selected as a significant DElncRNA which had not been studied in BC. According to q-RT PCR assay, LINC00961 was downregulated in luminal BC tissues and cell lines. Its expression was correlated with smoking status and the age of menarche in luminal BC patients. Also, the results of the bioinformatics analysis were consistent with the data obtained from q-RT PCR assay. The final results indicated that LINC00961 might be involved in multiple cancer-associated pathways such as chemokine, Ras and PI3K–Akt signaling pathways, GPCR ligand binding, and signal transduction in luminal subtypes of BC. CDH5, GNG11, GNG8, SELL, S1PR1, CCL19, FYN, ACAN, CD3E, ACVRL1, CAV1, and PPARGC1A were identified as the top hub genes of the PPI networks across luminal subgroup. Conclusion Our findings suggested that LINC00961 was significantly downregulated in luminal A and B subtypes of BC. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis provided a basis for better identification of the potential role of LINC00961 in luminal subtype of BC.

A study of genes involved in adipocyte differentiation

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1-2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunming Zhu ◽  
Gong Cheng ◽  
Huolan Zhu ◽  
Gongchang Guan
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Adipocyte Differentiation ◽  
Late Phase ◽  
Redox Status ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Chain Reaction ◽  
Lipid Droplet Formation ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Microarray Technique

AbstractWith the use of the microarray technique, genes expressed in the late phase of adipocyte differentiation were investigated. These genes play an important role in stimulating adipocyte growth and lipid droplet formation. Therefore, they contribute a great deal to the onset of obesity.With the use of SW872 adipocytes and the microarray technique, genes related to adipocyte differentiation were tested and compared with undifferentiated preadipocytes 14 days after induction. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for confirmation.More than 21,329 transcriptors were expressed and determined, of which 1326 increased and 687 decreased undifferentiated adipocytes. Among them, 21 were highly expressed by more than 10-fold. With RT-PCR, 12 were confirmed, including apelin, CIDEC, PID1, LYRM1, ADD1, PPARγ2, ANGPTL4, ADIPOQ, ACOX1, FIP1L1, MAP3K2 and PEX14. Furthermore, genes involved in lipid metabolism, signal transduction, DNA replication, redox status and transcription factors were determined as well. Novel genes involved in adipogenesis (e.g., apelin) were detected.A variety of genes were discovered and validated with RT-PCR at the late phase of adipocyte differentiation. This may help us better understand the onset of obesity and the potential role of adipocytes in other organs.

scholarly journals Differential Expression of CADM1 in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors of Different Sites and with Different Gene Abnormalities

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiayin Yuan ◽  
Takako Kihara ◽  
Neinei Kimura ◽  
Yuka Hashikura ◽  
Mizuka Ohkouchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interstitial Cell ◽  
Human Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Targeting Therapy ◽  
Gastric Gists ◽  
Small Intestinal ◽  
Exon 11 ◽  
Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 ◽  
Common Mesenchymal Tumor ◽  
Worse Prognosis

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), the most common mesenchymal tumor of the human gastrointestinal tract, differentiating toward the interstitial cell of Cajal (ICC), arises predominantly in the stomach and small intestine. Small intestinal GISTs appear to have worse prognosis than gastric GISTs. In a pilot study of a cDNA expression chip using several GISTs, we found that Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (CADM1), which could contribute to tumor growth and infiltration, is expressed more strongly in small intestinal GISTs than gastric GISTs. In the present study, we examined CADM1 expression in GISTs of different sites and with different gene abnormalities using a large number of gastric and small intestinal GISTs. First, immunoblotting confirmed significantly higher CADM1 expression in small intestinal GISTs with exon 11 c-kit mutation than gastric GISTs with exon 11 c-kit mutation. Real-time PCR also revealed that small intestinal GISTs with exon 11 c-kit mutation showed significantly higher CADM1 mRNA than gastric GISTs with exon 11 c-kit mutation. Although most small intestinal GISTs showed high CADM1 mRNA expression regardless of gene abnormality types, different CADM1 expression was detected between gastric GISTs with c-kit mutation and those with PDGFRA mutation. Immunohistochemistry showed that many small intestinal GISTs were CADM1-positive but most gastric GISTs CADM1-negative or -indefinite. In the normal gastric and small intestinal walls, immunoreactivity of CADM1 was detected only in nerves, but neither in gastric ICCs nor small intestinal ICCs, indicating that the high CADM1expression in small intestinal GISTs might be acquired during tumorigenesis. Different CADM1 expression between gastric and small intestinal GISTs might be related to different prognoses between them. Further functional experiments are needed to elucidate the role of CADM1 on GIST biology, and there is a possibility that targeting therapy against CADM1 has a preventive effect for tumor spreading in small intestinal GISTs.

scholarly journals Comprehensive literature review on COVID-19 vaccines and role of SARS-CoV-2 variants in the pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 251513552110597
Author(s):  
Charles Yap ◽  
Abulhassan Ali ◽  
Amogh Prabhakar ◽  
Akul Prabhakar ◽  
Aman Pal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Vaccine Research ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Dosing Strategies

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rapid expansion in vaccine research focusing on exploiting the novel discoveries on the pathophysiology, genomics, and molecular biology of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Although the current preventive measures are primarily socially distancing by maintaining a 1 m distance, it is supplemented using facial masks and other personal hygiene measures. However, the induction of vaccines as primary prevention is crucial to eradicating the disease to attempt restoration to normalcy. This literature review aims to describe the physiology of the vaccines and how the spike protein is used as a target to elicit an antibody-dependent immune response in humans. Furthermore, the overview, dosing strategies, efficacy, and side effects will be discussed for the notable vaccines: BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Gamaleya, and SinoVac. In addition, the development of other prominent COVID-19 vaccines will be highlighted alongside the sustainability of the vaccine-mediated immune response and current contraindications. As the research is rapidly expanding, we have looked at the association between pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccinations, in addition to the current reviews on the mixing of vaccines. Finally, the prominent emerging variants of concern are described, and the efficacy of the notable vaccines toward these variants has been summarized.

Pregnancy exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances, prolactin concentrations and breastfeeding in the Odense Child Cohort

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Amalie Gade Timmermann ◽  
Marianne Skovsager Andersen ◽  
Esben Budtz-Jørgensen ◽  
Henriette Boye ◽  
Flemming Nielsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Phone ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Perfluoroalkyl Substances ◽  
Serum Prolactin ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Duration Of Breastfeeding

Abstract Context Human exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been associated with reduced duration of breastfeeding, though not consistently so, and mechanisms by which PFAS might affect breastfeeding are unknown. Objective To examine the association between early pregnancy serum-PFAS concentrations and breastfeeding termination and elucidate the potential role of serum-prolactin concentrations in pregnancy. Materials and methods Pregnant women from the Odense Child Cohort provided blood samples for analysis of five major PFAS (n=1300) and prolactin concentrations (n=924). They subsequently provided information about the duration of breastfeeding in questionnaires at three and eighteen months postpartum, and a subgroup also provided breastfeeding information via weekly cell phone text messages. Associations between serum-PFAS concentrations and breastfeeding termination were analyzed using Cox regressions, while linear regression was used to assess associations between serum-PFAS and prolactin concentrations. Results Increased serum concentrations of PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and ∑PFAS were associated with a 16% (95% CI: 4-30%), 14% (95% CI: 2-26%), 14% (95% CI: 3-27%), and 20% (95% CI: 6-36%), respectively, increased risk of terminating breastfeeding at any given time after childbirth. Serum-PFAS concentrations were not associated with serum-prolactin concentrations. Conclusions These findings are of public health importance due to the global exposures to PFAS. Because breastfeeding is crucial to promote both child health and maternal health, adverse PFAS effects on the ability to breastfeed may have long-term health consequences.

scholarly journals Expression of mRNA for the LH and FSH receptors in mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos

Reproduction ◽  
2001 ◽  
pp. 455-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Patsoula ◽  
D Loutradis ◽  
P Drakakis ◽  
K Kallianidis ◽  
R Bletsa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leydig Cells ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Preimplantation Embryos ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Mouse Development ◽  
Lh Receptor ◽  
Mouse Oocytes ◽  
Early Mouse

The gonadotrophins LH and FSH are known to regulate gonadal growth, and differentiation, endocrine function and gametogenesis. The LH receptor is expressed in ovarian theca, granulosa and luteal cells, and in testicular Leydig cells. The FSH receptor is expressed only in ovarian granulosa cells and in testicular Sertoli cells. The expression of the FSH and LH receptors was analysed by RT-PCR to study the role of these receptors in early mouse development. After reverse transcription, strategically designed nested primers were used for amplification from cDNA. Transcripts for the receptors were present in mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos. The presence of mRNA for FSH and LH receptors in oocytes, zygotes and preimplantation embryos indicates a potential role for the gonadotrophins in the modulation of meiotic resumption and completion of oocyte maturation, as well as a beneficial effect on early embryonic development in mice.

scholarly journals Rapid detection of bovine coronavirus by a semi-nested RT-PCR

2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 869-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen M. Asano ◽  
Sibele P. Souza ◽  
Sheila O.S. Silva ◽  
Leonardo J. Richtzenhain ◽  
Paulo E. Brandão
Keyword(s):  
Pure Water ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Kappa Statistics ◽  
Analytical Sensitivity ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Bovine Coronavirus ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
Nucleocapsid Gene ◽  
Fecal Suspension

Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is a member of the group 2 of the Coronavirus (Nidovirales: Coronaviridae) and the causative agent of enteritis in both calves and adult bovine, as well as respiratory disease in calves. The present study aimed to develop a semi-nested RT-PCR for the detection of BCoV based on representative up-to-date sequences of the nucleocapsid gene, a conserved region of coronavirus genome. Three primers were designed, the first round with a 463bp and the second (semi-nested) with a 306bp predicted fragment. The analytical sensitivity was determined by 10-fold serial dilutions of the BCoV Kakegawa strain (HA titre: 256) in DEPC treated ultra-pure water, in fetal bovine serum (FBS) and in a BCoV-free fecal suspension, when positive results were found up to the 10-2, 10-3 and 10-7 dilutions, respectively, which suggests that the total amount of RNA in the sample influence the precipitation of pellets by the method of extraction used. When fecal samples was used, a large quantity of total RNA serves as carrier of BCoV RNA, demonstrating a high analytical sensitivity and lack of possible substances inhibiting the PCR. The final semi-nested RT-PCR protocol was applied to 25 fecal samples from adult cows, previously tested by a nested RT-PCR RdRp used as a reference test, resulting in 20 and 17 positives for the first and second tests, respectively, and a substantial agreement was found by kappa statistics (0.694). The high sensitivity and specificity of the new proposed method and the fact that primers were designed based on current BCoV sequences give basis to a more accurate diagnosis of BCoV-caused diseases, as well as to further insights on protocols for the detection of other Coronavirus representatives of both Animal and Public Health importance.

scholarly journals Localization of Thioredoxin-interacting Protein (TXNIP) mRNA in Epithelium of Human Gastrointestinal Tract

2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 973-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuo Takahashi ◽  
Yukimoto Ishii ◽  
Akiko Murata ◽  
Toshihito Nagata ◽  
Satoshi Asai
Keyword(s):  
Mucosal Immunity ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Gi Tract ◽  
Human Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
Thioredoxin Interacting Protein ◽  
Differentiated Cells

Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is a negative regulator of thioredoxin. However, its role in the gastrointestinal (GI) epithelium is as yet unknown. Using in situ hybridization, we demonstrated that mRNA of TXNIP was differentially expressed in the epithelium of the human GI tract. TXNIP transcript was especially prominent in terminal differentiated cells. TXNIP was also highly expressed in lymphocytes in the lymphoid follicles. Our results suggest a new potential role of TXNIP in the differentiation of epithelial cells and in mucosal immunity of the GI tract.

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