scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 UK, South African and Brazilian Variants in Karachi- Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnan Khan ◽  
Muhammad Hanif ◽  
Sarosh Syed ◽  
Akhtar Ahmed ◽  
Saqib Ghazali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Third Wave ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Group I ◽  
Positivity Ratio ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
The Uk

AbstractCOVID-19 pandemic has been evolving in Pakistan since the UK, South African and Brazilian variants have started surfacing which are known for increase transmissibility and can also be responsible for escape from immune responses. The gold standard to detect these variants of concern is sequencing, however routine genomic surveillance in resource limited countries like Pakistan is not always readily available. With the emergence of variants of concern and a dearth of facilities for genomic scrutiny leaves policy makers and health authorities an inconsistent and twisted image to make decisions. The inadvertent detection of B.1.1.7 by target failure because of a key deletion in spike Δ69-70 in the UK by commercially available COVID-19 PCR assay helps to understand target failures as an alternative approach to detect variants. It was ascertained further that a deletion in the ORF1a gene (ORF1a Δ3675-3677) found common in B.1.1.7, B.135 and P.1 variants of concern. The Real Time Quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay for detection of emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants, by these target failures is used here. The positive samples archived in respective labs were divided in two groups used in the present study. Group I constitutes 261 positive samples out of 16964 (1.53%) collected from August till September 2020. Group II include 3501 positive samples out of 46041 (7.60%) from November 2020 till January 2021. In positive samples of group I, no variant of concern was found. A staggering difference in results was noted in group II where positivity ratio increased exponentially and the variants of concern started appearing in significant numbers (53.64% overall). This is indicative that the third wave in Pakistan is due to the importation of SARS-CoV-2 variants. This calls for measures to increase surveillance by RT-qPCR which would help authorities in decision making.

scholarly journals Protocol for a Mixed-Method Investigation of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Gambling Practices, Experiences and Marketing in the UK: The “Betting and Gaming COVID-19 Impact Study”

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8449
Author(s):  
Kate Hunt ◽  
Nathan Critchlow ◽  
Ashley Brown ◽  
Christopher Bunn ◽  
Fiona Dobbie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Third Wave ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Treatment Providers ◽  
Sports Events ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented restrictions on people’s movements and interactions, as well as the cancellation of major sports events and social activities, directly altering the gambling landscape. There is urgent need to provide regulators, policy makers and treatment providers with evidence on the patterns and context of gambling during COVID-19 and its aftermath. This protocol describes a study addressing the following three questions: (1) How has COVID-19 changed gambling practices and the risk factors for, and experience of, gambling harms? (2) What is the effect of COVID-19 on gambling marketing? (3) How has COVID-19 changed high risk groups’ gambling experiences and practices? This mixed-method study focuses on two groups, namely young adults and sports bettors. In workpackage-1, we will extend an existing longitudinal survey of gambling in young adults (aged 16–24 years) (first wave conducted June–August 2019), adding COVID-19-related questions to the second wave (July–August 2020) and extending to a third wave in 2021; and undertake a survey of sports bettors in the UK (baseline n = 4000, ~July–August 2020), with follow-ups in ~October–November 2020 and ~February-March 2021. In workpackage-2, we will examine changes in expenditure on paid-for gambling advertising from January 2019 to July 2021 and undertake a mixed-method content analysis of a random sample of paid-for gambling advertising (n ~ 200) and social media marketing (n ~ 100) during the initial COVID-19 “lockdown”. Workpackage-3 will involve qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of (a) young adults (aged 18–24 years) and (b) sports bettors.

scholarly journals Grouping of Salmonella enterica serotype Montevideo strains by ribotyping and IS200 profiling

2000 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. OLD ◽  
S. A. CHISHOLM ◽  
P. B. CRICHTON ◽  
A. TAYLOR
Keyword(s):  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Group Iv ◽  
The Other ◽  
Clonal Structure ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
The Uk

One-hundred and twenty-one isolates of Salmonella enterica serotype Montevideo, representing different biotypes and incidents of infection detected in the UK between 1977 and 1995, were analysed by EcoRI ribotyping, PvuII ribotyping and IS200 fingerprinting. Among the isolates examined, 7 EcoRI ribotypes, 5 PvuII ribotypes and 55 IS200 profile types were recognized and 4 arbitrary groups defined. All 33 isolates of biotype 2d belonged to EcoRI/PvuII ribotype 1/1 and IS200 lineage A and comprised Group I. The other 88 isolates of biotype 10di and its variants were assigned to Groups II–IV. All 27 isolates in Group II were of EcoRI/PvuII ribotype 2/2 and IS200 lineage B. Among the 43 isolates in Group III, 42 of which were of EcoRI/PvuII ribotype 3/3, IS200 analysis identified 38 profiles in lineages C–I. Six EcoRI/PvuII ribotypes and 8 IS200 profiles, mostly in lineages C–E, were recognized among the 18 isolates in Group IV. The combined use of biotyping and ribotyping, and to some extent IS200 profiling, has enhanced our understanding of the clonal structure of serotype Montevideo and provides a basis for further study.

Treatment of Severe Pulmonary Embolism by Urokinase and Lysyl-Plasminogen

1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Sors ◽  
A. Venet ◽  
P. Reynaud ◽  
D. Safran ◽  
P. Cornu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial Pressure ◽  
Pulmonary Emboli ◽  
Thrombolytic Treatment ◽  
Mean Pulmonary Arterial Pressure ◽  
Group I ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Vascular Obstruction ◽  
The Uk

The effects of the heparin (H)-Urokinase (UK) treatment on pulmonary emboli (PE) are limited by the rapid disappearance of the plasminogen (Pig) contained in the clots. Two groups of patients with recent PE (less than 8 days) of equal severity (as judged by angiography) have been studied: Group I (15 patients) treated by H(500 IU/kg/24h) and UK (i.v. bolus 15,000 u. CTA/kg/20min) and Group II (15 patients) receiving H and a sequential treatment with a bolus of UK followed by Lysyl-Plg infusion (300 UI/kg/6h), then by a 2nd bolus of UK and finally by a Pig loading. Angiography and catheterization were performed before and 24 hours after the treatment. The vascular obstruction (VO%) was appreciated by the UPET method. In Group II, the values before treatment were : VO 57±11% ; mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) : 30±5 torrs ; cardiac index (CI) ; 2.0±0.6 I/min/m2 ; pulmonary arterial resistances (PAR) 8.4±2.7 torrs/I/min/m2 ; PaO2 : 56±7 tors. The UK + Pig treatment elicited significant changes : 50% decrease in VO and PAR, 33% decrease in PAP and 30% increase in PaO2 and CI in 24 hours. One month later, hemodynamic was normal and the residual VO was less than 15%. In Croup I the initial hemodynamic values were similar but the 24 hours decrease in VO, PAP and FAR were respectively of 30, 22 and 29%, differing significantly of the Group II (F test). After one month, the residual VO was 25%. These observations suggest that Lys-Plg loading increases significantly the efficacy of thrombolytic treatment of massive and recent PE.

Ultrastructural Lesions Produced by Alcohol and Sucrose in the Heart and Liver of C57BL Mice

1970 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 208-209
Author(s):  
K.K. SEKHRI ◽  
C.S. ALEXANDER ◽  
H.T. NAGASAWA
Keyword(s):  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Alcohol Group ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Group I ◽  
C57bl Mice ◽  
Group Ii

C57BL male mice (Jackson Lab., Bar Harbor, Maine) weighing about 18 gms were randomly divided into three groups: group I was fed sweetened liquid alcohol diet (modified Schenkl) in which 36% of the calories were derived from alcohol; group II was maintained on a similar diet but alcohol was isocalorically substituted by sucrose; group III was fed regular mouse chow ad lib for five months. Liver and heart tissues were fixed in 2.5% cacodylate buffered glutaraldehyde, post-fixed in 2% osmium tetroxide and embedded in Epon-araldite.

Heterogeneity and Immunochemical Properties of Anti-β2-glycoprotein I Autoantibodies

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (09) ◽  
pp. 393-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Regnault ◽  
E. Hachulla ◽  
L. Darnige ◽  
B. Roussel ◽  
J. C. Bensa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Phase ◽  
Anticardiolipin Antibodies ◽  
Dual Reactivity ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Important Group ◽  
Epitope Specificity ◽  
Glycoprotein I ◽  
Group I ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Sufficient Concentration

SummaryMost anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are directed against epitopes expressed on β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI). Despite a good correlation between standard ACA assays and those using purified human β2GPI as the sole antigen, some sera from APS patients only react in the latter. This is indicative of heterogeneity in anti-β2GPI antibodies. To characterize their reactivity profiles, human and bovine β2GPI were immobilized on γ-irradiated plates (β2GPI-ELISA), plain polystyrene precoated with increasing cardiolipin concentrations (CL/β2GPI-ELISA), and affinity columns. Fluid-phase inhibition experiments were also carried out with both proteins. Of 56 selected sera, restricted recognition of bovine or human β2GPI occurred respectively in 10/29 IgA-positive and 9/22 IgM-positive samples, and most of the latter (8/9) were missed by the standard ACA assay, as expected from a previous study. Based on species specificity and ACA results, IgG-positive samples (53/56) were categorized into three groups: antibodies reactive to bovine β2GPI only (group I) or to bovine and human β2GPI, group II being ACA-negative, and group III being ACA-positive. The most important group, group III (n = 33) was characterized by (i) binding when β2GPI was immobilized on γ-irradiated polystyrene or cardiolipin at sufficient concentration (regardless of β2GPI density, as assessed using 125I-β2GPI); (ii) and low avidity binding to fluid-phase β2GPI (Kd in the range 10–5 M). In contrast, all six group II samples showed (i) ability to bind human and bovine β2GPI immobilized on non-irradiated plates; (ii) concentration-dependent blockade of binding by cardiolipin, suggesting epitope location in the vicinity of the phospholipid binding site on native β2GPI; (iii) and relative avidities approximately 100-fold higher than in group III. Group I patients were heterogeneous with respect to CL/β2GPI-ELISA and ACA results (6/14 scored negative), possibly reflecting antibody differences in terms of avidity and epitope specificity. Affinity fractionation of 23 sera showed the existence, in individual patients, of various combinations of antibody subsets solely reactive to human or bovine β2GPI, together with cross-species reactive subsets present in all samples with dual reactivity namely groups III and II, although the latter antibodies were poorly purified on either column. Therefore, the mode of presentation of β2GPI greatly influences its recognition by anti-β2GPI antibodies with marked inter-individual heterogeneity, in relation to ACA quantitation and, possibly, disease presentation and pathogenesis.

Treatment of venous leg ulcers with sulodexide

Phlebologie ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 32 (05) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Franek ◽  
H. Koziolek ◽  
M. Kucharzewski
Keyword(s):  
Pharmacological Treatment ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Leg Ulcers ◽  
Venous Ulceration ◽  
Venous Leg Ulcers ◽  
Group I ◽  
Group Ii

SummaryAim: The study of the influence of sulodexide in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. Patients and method: 44 patients with chronic venous ulceration were randomly divided into two groups. Group I: 21 patients (ulceration area: 12.7-18.9 cm2), Group II: 23 patients (ulceration size: 12.1-20.3 cm2). Both groups were treated by using Unna’s boot. This dressing was changed every seven days until the ulcer had healed. Additionally, the patients in group II received the systemic pharmacological treatment with sulodexide. Results: After 7 weeks of treatment ulcers of seven patients (35%) from group I had healed, and 3 weeks later the ulceration of two more patients had healed completely. After further 7 weeks the ulcers of 12 patients had healed completely. Whereas in group II after 7 weeks of treatment ulceration of 16 (70%, p <0.05) patient had healed completely and after further 3 weeks the ulcers of the remaining 7 patients had healed, too. Conclusion: The use of sulodexide in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers accelerates the healing process.

Effects of Rest and Exercise on Cardiac Blood Volume Determinations

1997 ◽  
Vol 36 (08) ◽  
pp. 259-264
Author(s):  
N. Topuzović
Keyword(s):  
Radionuclide Ventriculography ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Peak Exercise ◽  
Volume Determination ◽  
Group I ◽  
Lv Volumes ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Lv Volume

Summary Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in blood activity during rest, exercise and recovery, and to assess its influence on left ventricular (LV) volume determination using the count-based method requiring blood sampling. Methods: Forty-four patients underwent rest-stress radionuclide ventriculography; Tc-99m-human serum albumin was used in 13 patients (Group I), red blood cells was labeled using Tc-99m in 17 patients (Group II) in vivo, and in 14 patients (Group III) by modified in vivo/in vitro method. LV volumes were determined by a count-based method using corrected count rate in blood samples obtained during rest, peak exercise and after recovery. Results: In group I at stress, the blood activity decreased by 12.6 ± 5.4%, p <0.05, as compared to the rest level, and increased by 25.1 ± 6.4%, p <0.001, and 12.8 ± 4.5%, p <0.05, above the resting level in group II and III, respectively. This had profound effects on LV volume determinations if only one rest blood aliquot was used: during exercise, the LV volumes significantly decreased by 22.1 ± 9.6%, p <0.05, in group I, whereas in groups II and III it was significantly overestimated by 32.1 ± 10.3%, p <0.001, and 10.7 ± 6.4%, p <0.05, respectively. The changes in blood activity between stress and recovery were not significantly different for any of the groups. Conclusion: The use of only a single blood sample as volume aliquot at rest in rest-stress studies leads to erroneous estimation of cardiac volumes due to significant changes in blood radioactivity during exercise and recovery.

A P-Selectin/CD62P Monoclonal Antibody (LYP-20), in Tandem with Flow Cytometry, Detects in vivo Activated Circulating Rat Platelets in Severe Vascular Trauma

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (05) ◽  
pp. 745-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elza Chignier ◽  
Maud Parise ◽  
Lilian McGregor ◽  
Caroline Delabre ◽  
Sylvie Faucompret ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Platelet Activation ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Vascular Trauma ◽  
Activated Platelets ◽  
Group I ◽  
Group Ii ◽  
Rat Platelets

SummaryP-selectin, also known as CD62P, GMP140 or PADGEM, is present in platelet a-granules and endothelial cell Weibel-Palade bodies and is very rapidly expressed on the surface of these cells on activation. In this study, an anti P-selectin monoclonal antibody (LYP20) was used, in tandem with flow cytometry, to identify activated platelets at the site of induced vascular trauma or in peripheral blood. Moreover, electron microscopy was performed to characterize sites of vascular trauma and quantify the number of adhering platelets. The same induced vascular trauma was observed to result into animals responding in 2 different ways (Group I, Group II) following the degree of platelet activation. Five rats, out of 14 with induced vascular trauma, had more than half of their circulating platelets expressing P-selectin when drawn at the site of the trauma (67.4% ± 3.44) or in peripheral blood (78.5% ± 2.5) (Group I). In the remaining 9 animals a much smaller proportion of circulating platelets expressed P-selectin when assayed from trauma sites (18% ± 3.34) or in peripheral blood (18.0% ± 4.30) (Group II). Enhanced P-selectin expression by circulating platelets in Group I, compared to Group II, appears to be linked to the degree of activated platelets adhering at sites of trauma (171 ± 15 × 103 platelets versus 48 ± 31 × 103 platelets per mm2). In the 5 control animals, that were not operated on, platelets expressing P-selectin when drawn at the site of a mock trauma (7.0% ± 1.84) or in the peripheral blood (11.2% ± 3.30) showed little activation. In addition, no platelet adhesion was seen on the vascular bed of these animals. Results from this study show that analysis of P-selectin (CD62P) expression, in circulating platelets, is a valuable and rapid marker of platelet activation following severe vascular trauma induced in rats. However, activated platelets were not detected to the same extent in the peripheral blood of all animals having undergone vascular trauma. It is conceivable that platelets, depending on the degree of activation, may be actively sequestered in organs and prevented from circulating. Alternatively, P-selectin may be rapidly endocytosed, or not expressed, by activated circulating platelets depending on the type of agonists implicated in vivo activation.

Assessment of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-43
Author(s):  
ABMM Alam ◽  
M Moniruzzaman ◽  
MB Alam ◽  
N Islam ◽  
F Khatoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serum Creatinine ◽  
Contrast Media ◽  
Creatinine Level ◽  
Ace Inhibitor ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Coronary Intervention ◽  
Group I ◽  
Percutaneous Coronary ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group Ii

Background: CIN has gained increased attention in the clinical setting, particularly during cardiac intervention but also in many other radiological procedures in which iodinated contrast media are used. There is at present good clinical evidence from well-controlled randomized studies that CIN is a common cause of acute renal dysfunction.Methodology: This was a prospective study conducted among the patients who underwent coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention in the Department of Cardiology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital during January 2010 to December 2010. A total of 111 patients age range from 25 to 75 years were included in the study. Serum creatinine level at baseline and at the end of 48 hours was done in all these patients. Study population was divided into two groups according to development of acute kidney injury (AKI). Group-I = AKI, Group II = Not developed AKI. Results: AKI developed 11.7% of the study patient. DM and Preexisting renal insufficiency were significantly higher in group I patients. HTN was (61.5% Vs 44.9%) higher in group I but not significantly. History of ACE inhibitor/ARB, NSAID intake and LVEF <40% were significantly higher in group I patients. The mean±SD volume of CM (Contrast Media) were 156.9±44.8 ml and 115.4±30.0 ml in group I and group II respectively, which was significant. The mean±SD of serum creatinine after 48-72 hours of CAG/PCI was 1.4±0.37 mg/dl and 1.1±0.2 mg/dl in group I and group II respectively. The serum creatinine level increased significantly (p<0.05) after 48-72 hours of CAG/PCI in group I. In group II, S. creatinine level increased but not significant (p>0.05). Impaired renal function was found 76.9% and 2.0% in group I and group II respectively. DM, HTN, preexisting renal insufficiency, ACE inhibitor/ARB, NSAIDs, contrast volume (>150 ml), eGFR (<60 ml/min/ 1.73m2) and LVEF (<40%) are significantly (p0.05) associated for CIN development.Conclusion: CIN is an iatrogenic but preventable disorder results from the administration of contract media. Although rare in the general population, CIN occurs frequently in patients with underlying renal dysfunction and diabetes. In patients with pre angiographic normal renal function, the prevalence is low but in pre-existing renal impairment it may pose a serious threat. Thus risk factors are synergistic in their ability to predispose to the development of CIN. A careful risk-benefit analysis must always be performed prior to the administration of contrast media to patients at risk for CIN. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v5i1.12227 Cardiovasc. j. 2012; 5(1): 37-43

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