scholarly journals De novo genome and transcriptome analyses provide insights into the biology of the trematode human parasite Fasciolopsis buski

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devendra K. Biswal ◽  
Tanmoy Roychowdhury ◽  
Priyatama Pandey ◽  
Veena Tandon

AbstractMany trematode parasites cause infection in humans and are thought to be a major public health problem. Their ecological diversity in different regions provides challenging questions on evolution of these organisms. In this report, we perform transcriptome analysis of the giant intestinal fluke, Fasciolopsis buski, using next generation sequencing technology. Short read sequences derived from polyA containing RNA of this organism were assembled into 30677 unigenes that led to the annotation of 12380 genes. Annotation of the assembled transcripts enabled insight into processes and pathways in the intestinal fluke, such as RNAi pathway and energy metabolism. The expressed kinome of the organism was characterized by identifying all protein kinases. We have also carried out whole genome sequencing and used the sequences to confirm absence of some of the genes, not observed in transcriptome data, such as genes involved in fatty acid biosynthetic pathway. Transcriptome data also helped us to identify some of the expressed transposable elements. Though many Long Interspersed elements (LINEs) were identified, only two Short Interspersed Elements (SINEs) were visible. Overall transcriptome and draft genome analysis of F. buski helped us to characterize some its important biological characteristics and provided enormous resources for development of a suitable diagnostic system and anti-parasitic therapeutic molecules.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail Rayko ◽  
Aleksey Komissarov ◽  
Jason C. Kwan ◽  
Grace Lim-Fong ◽  
Adelaide C. Rhodes ◽  
...  

Abstract Many animal phyla have no representatives within the catalog of whole metazoan genome sequences. This dataset fills in one gap in the genome knowledge of animal phyla with a draft genome of Bugula neritina (phylum Bryozoa). Interest in this species spans ecology and biomedical sciences because B. neritina is the natural source of bioactive compounds called bryostatins. Here we present a draft assembly of the B. neritina genome obtained from PacBio and Illumina HiSeq data, as well as genes and proteins predicted de novo and verified using transcriptome data, along with the functional annotation. These sequences will permit a better understanding of host-symbiont interactions at the genomic level, and also contribute additional phylogenomic markers to evaluate Lophophorate or Lophotrochozoa phylogenetic relationships. The effort also fits well with plans to ultimately sequence all orders of the Metazoa.



2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Broussier ◽  
E Berthelot ◽  
M Kharoubi ◽  
G Barnabas ◽  
L Bonnefous ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Heart Failure (HF) is a major public health problem resulting in high rates of hospitalization and mortality. Frequency of HF increase due to the aging of population and improvement of treatments. Therefore, we hypothetized that elderly is a factor that might limit access to appropriate HF Care. Purpose and methods Our aim was to analyzed the optimization therapy and participation in rehabilitation and education programs depending according to classes of age (<40 years, 40–50; 50–60; 60–70; 70–80 and >80) in a large French HF population (out and in-patients, de novo/chronique/acute; consultation/hospitalization/rehabilitation; all LVEF classes and any type of cardiologist practice). Data were analized according to age groups Results A total of 2729 HF patients from 79 French departments were included of whom 36% were out patients, 53% were in-patients and 11% were in rehabilitation center. 16% were de novo Chronic HF and 31% were in Acute HF. Elderly patients were more frequently included in acute HF. Main data according on classes of age are presented in the table. Ischemic etiology and valvular diseases increased with age (p<0.0001). Cardiovascular risk factors (HTA, hypercholesterolemia) and atrial fibrillation were more frequent with ageing (p<0.0001). Beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and anti-aldosterone, were less prescribed after 60 years old (p<0.0001) as therapeutic education or rehabilitation programs (p<0.0001). Modern means of communication (e-mail, smartphone and internet) were less used by elderly patients.(p<0.0001). Main data according on classes of age Characteristics All (n=2729) <40 (n=91) 40–50 (n=197) 50–60 (n=447) 60–70 (n=706) 70–80 (n=715) >80 (n=573) p SBP 120±21 107±15 117±21 117±21 118±21 122±20 126±22 <0.0001 NYHA Class <0.0001   I 339 (13.8) 16 (19.3) 42 (23.5) 87 (21.4) 103 (16.1) 57 (8.8) 34 (6.7)   II 1187 (48.2) 45 (54.2) 95 (53.1) 213 (52.3) 311 (48.5) 314 (48.4) 209 (41.3)   III 763 (31.0) 20 (24.1) 34 (19.0) 97 (23.8) 199 (31.0) 206 (31.7) 207 (40.9)   IV 176 (7.1) 2 (2.4) 8 (4.5) 10 (2.5) 28 (4.4) 72 (11.1) 56 (11.1) LVEF 36 (29–50) 33 (26–44) 35 (25–45) 35 (25–42) 35 (25–45) 40 (30–50) 44 (32–55) <0.0001 NTproBNP 1808 (690–4323) 1176 (569–2434) 737 (294–1945) 1072 (346–2611) 1480 (619–3597) 2287 (1015–5689) 3275 (1500–6240) <0.0001 Plus-minus values are means ± SD, n (%) median (IQR). Origin of patients according on classes Conclusion Elderly patients receive less Chronic HF treatment, and are less included in patient education and rehabilitation program despite having more comorbidities and cardiovascular risk factors. Thus, to improve outcome, the health care system needs to be adapt to the patients'age. Acknowledgement/Funding SFC, CNCF, CNCH, FFC, Alliance du coeur, GERS, SNSMCV



PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0241864
Author(s):  
Olugbenga Oluseun Oluwagbemi ◽  
Folakemi Etseoghena Oluwagbemi ◽  
Abdulwahab Jatto ◽  
Cang Hui

HIV still constitutes a major public health problem in Africa, where the highest incidence and prevalence of the disease can be found in many rural areas, with multiple indigenous languages being used for communication by locals. In many rural areas of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in South Africa, for instance, the most widely used languages include Zulu and Xhosa, with only limited comprehension in English and Afrikaans. Health care practitioners for HIV diagnosis and treatment, often, cannot communicate efficiently with their indigenous ethnic patients. An informatics tool is urgently needed to facilitate these health care professionals for better communication with their patients during HIV diagnosis. Here, we apply fuzzy logic and speech technology and develop a fuzzy logic HIV diagnostic system with indigenous multi-lingual interfaces, named Multi-linguAl HIV indigenouS fuzzy logiC-based diagnOstic sysTem (MAVSCOT). This HIV multilingual informatics software can facilitate the diagnosis in underprivileged rural African communities. We provide examples on how MAVSCOT can be applied towards HIV diagnosis by using existing data from the literature. Compared to other similar tools, MAVSCOT can perform better due to its implementation of the fuzzy logic. We hope MAVSCOT would help health care practitioners working in indigenous communities of many African countries, to efficiently diagnose HIV and ultimately control its transmission.



2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Magri ◽  
Alexander A. Ozerov ◽  
Vera L. Tunitskaya ◽  
Vladimir T. Valuev-Elliston ◽  
Ahmed Wahid ◽  
...  

Abstract Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a major public health problem worldwide. While highly efficacious directly-acting antiviral agents have been developed in recent years, their high costs and relative inaccessibility make their use limited. Here, we describe new 1-(ω-phenoxyalkyl)uracils bearing acetanilide fragment in 3 position of pyrimidine ring as potential antiviral drugs against HCV. Using a combination of various biochemical assays and in vitro virus infection and replication models, we show that our compounds are able to significantly reduce viral genomic replication, independently of virus genotype, with their IC50 values in the nanomolar range. We also demonstrate that our compounds can block de novo RNA synthesis and that effect is dependent on a chemical structure of the compounds. A detailed structure-activity relationship revealed that the most active compounds were the N3-substituted uracil derivatives containing 6-(4-bromophenoxy)hexyl or 8-(4-bromophenoxy)octyl fragment at N1 position.



Crisis ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Mino ◽  
Arnaud Bousquet ◽  
Barbara Broers

The high mortality rate among drug users, which is partly due to the HIV epidemic and partly due to drug-related accidental deaths and suicides, presents a major public health problem. Knowing more about prevalence, incidence, and risk factors is important for the development of rational preventive and therapeutic programs. This article attempts to give an overview of studies of the relations between substance abuse, suicidal ideation, suicide, and drug-related death. Research in this field is hampered by the absence of clear definitions, and results of studies are rarely comparable. There is, however, consensus about suicidal ideation being a risk factor for suicide attempts and suicide. Suicidal ideation is also a predictor of suicide, especially among drug users. It is correlated with an absence of family support, with the severity of the psychosocial dysfunctioning, and with multi-drug abuse, but also with requests for treatment. Every clinical examination of a drug user, not only of those who are depressed, should address the possible presence of suicidal ideation, as well as its intensity and duration.



2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-201
Author(s):  
Mir M Hassan Bullo ◽  
Mirza Amir Baig ◽  
Jawad Faisal Malik ◽  
Ejaz Ahmad Khan ◽  
Muazam Abbas Ranjha ◽  
...  

Background: Measles is highly contagious vaccine preventable disease (VPD), and a major public health problem considered as leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries like Pakistan. An outbreak of measles was reported in Sharifabad Islamabad on 15th of April 2017, and an investigation was launched to assess the magnitude of outbreak, evaluate risk factors and recommend control measures. Methods: A comprehensive house to house active case search along with vaccine coverage survey was conducted from April 19-22, 2017. A case was defined as "onset of maculopapular rash with fever in a resident of Sharifabad with at least one of the following signs/ symptoms, Coryza, Conjunctivitis, Cough, Otitis media or Pneumonia present in between 19 March to 22nd April 2017". Four age & sex matched controls were selected from the neighborhood. Data was collected through interview method using structured questionnaire and vaccination coverage was determined by using Epi survey form. Blood samples were sent for laboratory confirmation. Results: A total of eight cases were identified through active case finding while three were reported by local practitioner. Mean age of cases were 20 months (range 8-36 months). Severely affected age-group was 1-2 years with attack rate of 46%. Around two-third (64%) of cases and a few (16%) of controls were unvaccinated against measles. Contact with measles patient [OR 25.2, CI 3.9-160.1, P=0.00], unvaccinated children [OR 9.2 CI 2.12-40.4, P=0.000], social misconception regarding vaccination [OR 7.8 CI 1.42-42.6, P=0.00], and distance from healthcare facility [OR 5.7 CI 1.15-28.35, P=0.02] were significant risk factors. Vaccine efficacy was 90%. Conclusion: Main reasons of the outbreak were contact with the cases, and low vaccination status. We recommended comprehensive measles vaccination and community awareness sessions. On our recommendations district health authority Islamabad carried out mop up of whole area.



2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 513
Author(s):  
Rakhshan .

Mosquitoes are vectors of many pathogens which causes serious human diseases like Malaria, Filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, Dengue fever, Chikungunya, Yellow fever and Zika virus which constitute a major public health problem globally. Mosquito borne diseases cause high level of economic impact all over the world and result in millions of death every year. They infect around 700,000,000 people annually worldwide and 40,000,000 only in India. The continuous use of synthetic pesticides to control vector mosquitoes has caused physiological resistance, toxic effect on human health, environmental pollution and addition to these, its adverse effects can be observed on non-target organisms. Synthetic chemical pesticides have been proved to be effective, but overall in last 5 decades indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides against vector borne disease control have originated several ecological issues due to their residual accumulation and development of resistance in target vectors and their chronic effects.



2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-91
Author(s):  
Z Rahman ◽  
KK Karmaker ◽  
M Ahmed ◽  
M Aziz ◽  
S Chowdhury ◽  
...  

Hypertension is a major public health problem. Despite the increasing awareness of hypertension and its implications among patients and treating physicians, the prevalence of resistant hypertension    remains high.Resistant hypertension define as blood pressure that remains elevated above treatment goals despite administration of an optimal three drug regimen that include a diuretic1 The prevalence of resistant    hypertension is projected to increase, owing to the aging population and increasing trends in obesity, sleep apnea, and chronic kidney disease. It is estimated that at least 10% of all patients with hypertension are resistant to existing drugs. Management of resistant hypertension must begin with  a careful evaluation of the patient to confirm the diagnosis and exclude factors associated with “pseudo-resistance,” such as improper BP measurement technique, the white-coat effect, and poor patient adherence to life-style and/or antihypertensive medications. Despite the use of the appropriate dose and type of diuretic to overcome the management of resistant hypertension, we can’t achieve our goal. But there is at least two devices namely Baroreflex Activation Therapy and Catheter-based  renal sympathetic denervation make the new hope for the patient with resistant hypertension DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cardio.v5i1.12278 Cardiovasc. j. 2012; 5(1): 81-91



2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-149
Author(s):  
Md Golam Mustafa ◽  
Md Shahinul Alam ◽  
Md Golam Azam ◽  
Md Mahabubul Alam ◽  
Md Saiful Islam ◽  
...  

Worldwide, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still a major public health problem. Bangladesh having a large burden of HBV infection, should be a major contributor towards it’s elimination by 2030. The country has been making progress in reducing incidence of HBV infection during the past decades. The progresses are mainly due to large vaccination coverage among children and large coverage of timely birthdose vaccine for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HBV. However, Bangladesh still faces challenges in achieving target of reduction in mortality from HBV. On the basis of targets of the WHO’s Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis 2016–2021, we highlight priorities for action towards HBV elimination. To attain the target of reduced mortality we propose that, the service coverage targets of diagnosis and treatment should be prioritized along with vaccination. Firstly, improvements are needed in the diagnostic and treatment abilities of medical institutions and health workers. Secondly, the government needs to reduce the costs of health care. Thirdly, better coordination is needed across existing national program and resources to establish an integrated system for prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of HBV infection. In this way, we can make progress towards achieving the target of eliminating HBV from Bangladesh by 2030 J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2020; 38(3): 145-149



2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 967-971
Author(s):  
Poonam Thakre ◽  
Waqar M. Naqvi ◽  
Trupti Deshmukh ◽  
Nikhil Ingole ◽  
Sourabh Deshmukh

The emergence in China of 2019 of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2) previously provisionally names 2019-nCoV disease (COVID19) caused major global outbreak and is a major public health problem. On 30 January 2020, the WHO declared COVID19 to be the sixth international public health emergency. This present pandemic has engrossed the globe with a high rate of mortality. As a front line practitioner, physiotherapists are expected to be getting in direct contact with patients infected with the virus. That’s why it is necessary for understanding the many aspects of their role in the identification, contains, reduces and treats the symptoms of this disease. The main presentation is the involvement of respiratory system with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, sneezing and characteristics of pneumonia leads to ARDS(Acute respiratory distress syndrome) also land up in multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. This text describes and suggests physiotherapy management of acute COVID-19 patients. It also includes recommendations and guidelines for physiotherapy planning and management. It also covers the guidelines regarding personal care and equipment used for treatment which can be used in the treatment of acute adult patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.



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