scholarly journals A novel point mutation in the N gene of SARS-CoV-2 may affect the detection of the virus by RT-qPCR

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Rubayet Hasan ◽  
Sathyavathi Sundararaju ◽  
Chidambaram Manickam ◽  
Faheem Mirza ◽  
Hamad Al-Hail ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Genome ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Cytidine Deaminase ◽  
World Health ◽  
N Gene ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
E Gene ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Health Organization

Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, laboratory testing to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) has played a central role in mitigating the spread of the virus (1). Soon after the viral genome sequences were available, several RT-qPCR assays were developed and made available by World Health Organization (WHO) for public use (https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/whoinhouseassays.pdf). The primer and probe sequences for these assays were chosen from multiple target genes within the viral genome such as the E gene, RdRp gene, ORF1ab and N gene. Many commercial and laboratory-developed assays were developed for SARS-CoV-2 detection based on these primer and probe sequences. The large-scale sustained person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has led to many mutational events, some of which may affect the sensitivity and specificity of available PCR assays (2). Recently, mutations in the E gene (C26340T) and N gene (C29200T) were reported affecting the detection of target genes by two commercial assays in 8 and 1 patients, respectively. Interestingly, both mutations are of C>T type, a common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that may be associated with strong host cell mRNA editing mechanisms known as APOBEC cytidine deaminase (3, 4). Another study found a G to U substitution in position 29140 that affected the sensitivity of detection of N gene-based assays (5). Here we report a novel N gene mutation (C29200A) seen in 3 patients, which affected the detection of SARS-CoV-2 N gene by a commercial assay.

scholarly journals Avaliação das Variantes Genéticas dos Genes AMELX e ENAM na Cárie Dentária em Adolescentes

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (5-esp.) ◽  
pp. 650-654
Author(s):  
Gabriela Paschoalini Romagni ◽  
Paula Marino Costa ◽  
Sandra Mara Maciel ◽  
Maria Paula Jacobucci ◽  
Regina Célia Poli-Frederico
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Component ◽  
World Health ◽  
Caries Experience ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Health Organization

A doença cárie é considerada, atualmente, como biofilme sacarose dependente, entretanto, estudos recentes apontam que fatores genéticos também podem influenciar seu desenvolvimento. Variantes nos gene amelogenina (AMELX) e enamelina (ENAM), responsáveis pela formação do esmalte, têm sido propostas como potencialmente envolvidos na doença. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se a ocorrência de cárie dentária em adolescentes está relacionado às variantes nos genes AMELX e ENAM. Para a avaliação da prevalência de cárie foi utilizado o índice de dentes cariados, perdidos e obturados (CPO-D), segundo critérios da Organização Mundial de Saúde. As amostras de DNA foram extraídas das células da mucosa oral. Para a análise dos polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNPs) dos genes AMELX (rs17878486) e ENAM (rs7671281) foi utilizada  a técnica de amplificação de fragmentos de DNA pela reação em cadeia da polimerase foi realizada (PCR) em tempo real pelo sistema TaqMan (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, EUA). Para a análise estatística, foi utilizado o teste exato de Fisher e qui-quadrado com nível de significância de 5%. Apenas os fatores socioeconômicos influenciaram a experiência de cárie. Concluiu-se que o componente genético, na população deste estudo, não influenciou o desenvolvimento da cárie.   Palavras-chave: Polimorfismo genético. Adolescentes. Esmalte.   Abstract Caries disease is currently considered a sucrose-dependent biofilm, however recent studies indicate that a genetic component can also influence its development. Variants in the amelogenin (AMELX) and enamelin (ENAM) genes, responsible for the enamel formation, have been proposed as potentially involved in the disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the occurrence of dental caries in adolescents is related to variants in the AMELX and ENAM genes. To assess the caries prevalence, the index of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) were used, according to World Health Organization criteria. DNA samples were extracted from oral mucosa cells. For the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the AMELX (rs17878486) and ENAM (rs7671281) genes, the amplifying DNA fragments technique  by the polymerase chain reaction was performed (PCR) in real time by the TaqMan system (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, USA). For the statistical analysis, Fisher's exact test and chi-square were used with a 5% significance level. Only socioeconomic factors influenced the caries experience. It was concluded that the genetic component in the population of this study, did not influence the development of caries.   Keywords: Genetic polymorphism. Adolescents. Enamel.

Development of Herbal Ayurvedic Formulation as Digestive Tablets, Evaluation of it’s Pharmaceutical, Pharmacognostic Parameters and Screening of its Antioxidant Potential

2021 ◽  
pp. 5849-5855
Author(s):  
Vikas Sharma ◽  
Chandana Majee ◽  
Rahul Kaushik ◽  
Shivani Saxena ◽  
Salahuddin Salahuddin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Volatile Oil ◽  
Antioxidant Potential ◽  
World Health ◽  
Wet Granulation ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Weight Variation ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Average Size

Herbal digestive tablets are meant for treating indigestion problems. The indigestion problem is one of the major problems of all (the) ages of human beings. As trends for eating fast foods is increasing, simultaneously the improper digestion also tends to increase. There are a number of digestive tablets in the market but in attempt to improve their taste the actual motto behind their use is masked. To combat the indigestion problems, in the present study an attempt has been made to formulate, develop and evaluate herbal digestive tablets. The formula of the digestive tablet has been decided after deep review of Ayurvedic formulary of India. The ingredients of this formulation have been procured from authentic sources. The wet granulation method was used to prepare the granules for punching the tablets. After preparation, the herbal digestive tablets were subjected to various pharmaceutical evaluations and quality control evaluations as per the guidelines from World Health Organization (WHO). The formulation was also subjected to antioxidant screening using Phosphomolybdenum method. The digestive tablets are obtained as light brown-colored round tablets with pleasant odour and spicy taste with an average size of 8mm and smooth edges. Maximum extractive value was observed as 34% in methanol with a total ash value of 10.16%. Other parameters reported as bitterness value- 0.69 units, volatile oil content-8%, loss on drying- 12.3%, swelling and foaming index of 0.27 and less than 100 respectively. The tablets showed a total antioxidant potential of 0.51mg/mg as Ascorbic acid equivalent. Tablets also pass various pharmaceutical evaluation parameters like hardness, friability, weight variation, and disintegration test. Herbal digestive tablets have very excellent taste due to less bitter drugs. The tablet formula can be applied to prepare large scale production of digestive tablets.

scholarly journals 2-Methyl-pentanoyl-carnitine (2-MPC): a urine biomarker for patent Ascaris lumbricoides infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ole Lagatie ◽  
Ann Verheyen ◽  
Stijn Van Asten ◽  
Maurice R. Odiere ◽  
Yenny Djuardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ascaris Lumbricoides ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Infection Intensity ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Metabolome Analysis ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Urine Biomarker ◽  
Intestinal Worms ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Infections with intestinal worms, such as Ascaris lumbricoides, affect hundreds of millions of people in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Through large-scale deworming programs, World Health Organization aims to reduce moderate-to-heavy intensity infections below 1%. Current diagnosis and monitoring of these control programs are solely based on the detection of worm eggs in stool. Here we describe how metabolome analysis was used to identify the A. lumbricoides-specific urine biomarker 2-methyl pentanoyl carnitine (2-MPC). This biomarker was found to be 85.7% accurate in determining infection and 90.5% accurate in determining a moderate-to-heavy infection. Our results also demonstrate that there is a correlation between 2-MPC levels in urine and A. lumbricoides DNA detected in stool. Furthermore, the levels of 2-MPC in urine were shown to rapidly and strongly decrease upon administration of a standard treatment (single oral dose of 400 mg albendazole). In an Ascaris suum infection model in pigs, it was found that, although 2-MPC levels were much lower compared to humans, there was a significant association between urinary 2-MPC levels and both worm counts (p = 0.023) and the number of eggs per gram (epg) counts (p < 0.001). This report demonstrates that urinary 2-MPC can be considered an A. lumbricoides-specific biomarker that can be used to monitor infection intensity.

scholarly journals COVID-19, an Opportunity for Developing Countries?

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee Smith ◽  
Nicola Veronese ◽  
Vincenzo Racalbuto ◽  
Damiano Pizzol
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Viral Reservoirs ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Health Organization

The COVID-19 outbreak was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as global pandemic in March 2020. Considering the necessity to implement rapid response to control the pandemic and the fragility and the state of need of low income countries, it will be mandatory to develop a global approach in order to reduce the spread of infection and the creation of community viral reservoirs. So far, we could hypothesize a worst case scenario in which when the COVID-19 outbreak hits a peak in Africa and in low-income countries, the majority of such countries will be unprepared, with low resources allocated for affording the viral emergency and the consequences will be catastrophic with no lesson learnt. In the best case scenario, the COVID-19 will not affect Africa or South America on a large scale and, if the prevention measures will be implemented, we could register a lower incidence of hygiene linked diseases that still represent leading causes of death.

scholarly journals MenAfriNet: A Network Supporting Case-Based Meningitis Surveillance and Vaccine Evaluation in the Meningitis Belt of Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 220 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. S148-S154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaymin C Patel ◽  
Heidi M Soeters ◽  
Alpha Oumar Diallo ◽  
Brice W Bicaba ◽  
Goumbi Kadadé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
World Health ◽  
Surveillance Network ◽  
Sustainable Systems ◽  
Meningitis Belt ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Strategic Implementation ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Special Studies ◽  
Case Based

Abstract Meningococcal meningitis remains a significant public health threat, especially in the African meningitis belt where Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A historically caused large-scale epidemics. With the rollout of a novel meningococcal serogroup A conjugate vaccine (MACV) in the belt, the World Health Organization recommended case-based meningitis surveillance to monitor MACV impact and meningitis epidemiology. In 2014, the MenAfriNet consortium was established to support strategic implementation of case-based meningitis surveillance in 5 key countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger, and Togo. MenAfriNet aimed to develop a high-quality surveillance network using standardized laboratory and data collection protocols, develop sustainable systems for data management and analysis to monitor MACV impact, and leverage the surveillance platform to perform special studies. We describe the MenAfriNet consortium, its history, strategy, implementation, accomplishments, and challenges.

Changes in Gene Expression in PBMCs Profiles of PPARα Target Genes in Obese and Non-Obese Individuals During Fasting

2014 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Felicidade ◽  
Juliana Cristina Marcarini ◽  
Clísia Mara Carreira ◽  
Marla Karine Amarante ◽  
Lydia A. Afman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Human Peripheral Blood ◽  
Obese Group ◽  
World Health ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Health Organization

Background: The prevalence of obesity has risen dramatically and the World Health Organization estimates that 700 million people will be obese worldwide by 2015. Approximately, 50% of the Brazilian population above 20 years of age is overweight, and 16% is obese. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the differences in the expression of PPARα target genes in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and free fatty acids (FFA) in obese and non-obese individuals after 24 h of fasting. We first presented evidence that Brazilian people exhibit expression changes in PPARα target genes in PBMCs under fasting conditions. Methods: Q-PCR was utilized to assess the mRNA expression levels of target genes. Results: In both groups, the FFA concentrations increased significantly after 24 h of fasting. The basal FFA mean concentration was two-fold higher in the obese group compared with the non-obese group. After fasting, all genes evaluated in this study showed increased expression levels compared with basal expression in both groups. Conclusion: However, our results reveal no differences in gene expression between the obese and non-obese, more studies are necessary to precisely delineate the associated mechanisms, particularly those that include groups with different degrees of obesity and patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 because the expression of the main genes that are involved in β-oxidation and glucose level maintenance are affected by these factors. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel

scholarly journals STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY IN THE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION OF THE COVID-19 IN SOUTH KONAWE DISTRICT

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Suryani Suryani ◽  
Loly Subhiaty Idrus ◽  
Ruslin Ruslin ◽  
Rini Hamsidi
Keyword(s):  
Community Service ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Persuasive Communication ◽  
World Health ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Healthy Living ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation ◽  
Service Activity ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Community Movement

Background: Transmission of COVID-19 developed rapidly until the World Health Organization (WHO) established a pandemic status on COVID-19 since March 11, 2020. Various of government efforts in the context of prevention and treatment have been carried out including lockdowns decisision, social distancing and new normal was currently carried out. Objective: This community service activity aims as an effort to increase the knowledge and awareness of South Konawe communities to prevent and fight covid-19 by clean and healthy living behaviors. Method: The implementation of this activity using socialization and persuasive communication online methods via social media instagram and youtube and offline method performed in two categories, small-scale and large-scale at South Konawe. These community service activities are outlined in 4 main programs, GERMAS (Healthy Living Community Movement), GEMAS (Community Movement Using Masks), socialization about TOGA (Family Medicinal Plants), antiseptics and disinfectants. Results: The result of this program is increasing public knowledges about how to improve the immune system, such as consuming nutritious food, consuming herbs which can be processed into an infusion or decocta preparations as well as understand the importance of implementing about prevention of covid-19 in daily life, such wearing masks, antiseptics, and disinfectants and washing hand correctly. Conclusion: This community service activity really helped increase the knowledge and awareness of the community of South Konawe to prevent and fight the corona virus.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Dengue: A potentially emerging healthcare challenge for Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Faiz Ahmed Raza
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Relative Effectiveness ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vector Surveillance ◽  
Community Based Interventions ◽  
Health Organization

Pakistan is facing the third wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and could head towards the fourth one. Although the burden of COVID-19 remained significantly low in the country as compared to its neighboring countries despite similar gene pool, health system, and climatic conditions, still Pakistan has dealt with the disease with relative effectiveness. The pandemic imposed immense pressure on the public health systems due to increased demand for specialized isolation wards and intensive care units and disease-related morbidity and mortality. Many of the tertiary care hospitals in the major pandemic-stricken districts have been transformed into specialized centers dedicated to the treatment of COVID-19. This resulted in diverting major hospital resources and manpower to deal with the pandemic at the cost of other medical and surgical conditions. A recent pulse survey conducted by World Health Organization (WHO) in 135 countries demonstrated that the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic severely affected the global health services, while services for endemic tropical diseases (like dengue) were affected in 44% of countries, especially in resource-limited countries. Moreover, large-scale community-based interventions including vector surveillance and control were disrupted in 60% of the countries.1 Another survey by WHO on malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa demonstrated a >20% increase in malaria cases and a doubling of malaria-associated deaths due to a decline in malaria control activities during the pandemic. It is expected that the future catastrophe due to malaria might be much greater than the COVID-19 in endemic regions. Therefore, WHO recommends continuous monitoring, surveillance, and treatment to control the spread of malaria.2

scholarly journals Influence of Meteorology on Fine Particles Concentration in Vitória Metropolitan Region During Wintertime

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 459-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willian Lemker Andreão ◽  
Bruna Tuão Trindade ◽  
Antônio Paula Nascimento ◽  
Neyval Costa Reis Júnior ◽  
Maria de Fátima Andrade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fine Particles ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
World Health ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Urban Sites ◽  
World Health Organization Guideline ◽  
Number Of Particles

Abstract Fine particles (PM2.5) are harmful to human health especially during periods of limited dispersion when the concentrations build up. This is a common occurrence in Southern Brazil in the dry season when high-pressure stationary systems inhibit vertical dispersion and reduce wind speed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the PM2.5 concentrations in the Region of Greater Vitória during the winter of 2013, and to assess the influence of the large-scale meteorological circulation on its concentration. An experimental campaign was carried out to determine the mass of PM2.5 at six urban sites and particle number concentration. The average PM2.5 concentrations varied from 9.70 μg m-3 to 14.36 μg m-3 with the average daily maximum reaching 29.35 μg m-3, exceeding the World Health Organization guideline (24-h average: 25 μg m-3). The particle size distribution showed a larger number of particles from 18 to 21 h (local time), indicating that the main vehicular emissions are the main sources. During the winter, rainfall associated with cold fronts were responsible for a decrease in the particulate concentrations. In contrast, the occurrence of high-pressure systems led to an increase in particle concentrations, due to stagnant conditions.

scholarly journals Large-Scale Bibliometric Analysis of Coronavirus

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 531-541
Author(s):  
Ali Mustafa Qamar ◽  
Rehan Ullah Khan ◽  
Suliman A. Alsuhibany
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Tract Infections ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Average Citation ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Common ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Different Sources

Coronavirus constitutes a family of RNA viruses causing respiratory tract infections in both humans and birds. A mild disease appears like the common cold, and in other cases, causes Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), or COVID-19. As compared to COVID-19, SARS and MERS were limited to certain countries. On the other hand, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on Mar. 11, 2020. In this research, we perform the bibliometric assessment of Coronavirus research using the Scopus database. We studied 27,824 articles written by 64,903 researchers from 1951 till June 20, 2020, published in 3,858 different sources. More than 65% of research appeared in the form of articles. More than 34% of publications appeared in 2020, coinciding with the appearance of COVID-19. This also resulted in a sharp increase in the average citation from 2.2 observed in 2019 to 14.5 seen in the year 2020. The USA is the most-cited country, followed by China. Nevertheless, Russia appears as the most-cited country per year.

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