Isozyme variation, morphology, and growth response to temperature in Pythium irregulare

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (12) ◽  
pp. 2073-2081 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. S. Barr ◽  
S. I. Warwick ◽  
N. L. Desaulniers

Isozyme-based genetic diversity, morphological characters, and growth rate at different temperatures were compared in a worldwide collection of 125 isolates presumed to be Pythium irregulare Buisman. The isozyme data was analysed with previously published data for Pythium ultimum Trow and Pythium sylvaticum Campbell & Hendrix. UPGMA cluster analysis yielded a dendrogram with four distinct groups: P. ultimum, P. sylvaticum, and two for P. irregulare. Putative P. irregulare isolates were separated into 33 multilocus genotypes defined by 11 isozyme loci: group A contained 116 isolates in 25 genotypes, and group B, 8 isolates in 7 genotypes. One genotype with a single isolate was determined as P. sylvaticum. Based on the isozyme analysis, group B was considered a distinct taxonomic entity from group A, but lacked any unique morphological character. There was a wide range in oogonium and oospore sizes among different isolates of P. irregulare, with those in group B generally being larger. Some isolates in group A had well developed oogonial spines, but others were essentially spineless, whereas all those in group B were spineless. Both groups A and B contained isolates with distinctly aplerotic oospores and others with essentially plerotic oospores. Antheridial number and shape were highly variable both within and among isolates in the two groups. Growth rate over a range of temperatures varied among isolates in both groups and was not a reliable taxonomic criterion. The irregular shape of oogonia and, when present, oogonial spines were the only reliable characters for distinguishing P. irregulare isolates from other taxa. Key words: taxonomy, Oomycetes, Pythiaceae, Pythium ultimum, Pythium sylvaticum.

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Birnbaum

Background: Current disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are of benefit only in people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). Thus, safely stopping DMTs in people with secondary progressive MS may be possible. Methods: Two groups of patients with MS were studied. Group A consisted of 77 patients with secondary progressive MS and no evidence of acute central nervous system inflammation for 2 to 20 years. These patients were advised to stop DMTs. Group B consisted of 17 individuals with RMS who stopped DMTs on their own. Both groups were evaluated at treatment cessation and for a minimum of 1 year thereafter. Multiple variables were assessed to determine those that predicted recurrent acute disease. Results: Nine patients in group A (11.7%) and ten patients in group B (58.8%) had recurrent acute disease, almost always within 1 to 2 years of stopping treatment. The only variable of significance in group A distinguishing stable and relapsing patients was age (P = .0003), with relapsing patients being younger. Group B patients were younger and had significantly lower Expanded Disability Status Scale scores than group A, with no significant differences in age between relapsed and stable patients. Conclusions: The DMTs can be stopped safely in older patients with MS (≥7 decades) with no evidence of acute disease for 2 years or longer, with an almost 90% probability of remaining free of acute recurrence. The high proportion of untreated patients with RMS experiencing recurrent acute disease is consistent with published data.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 249-256
Author(s):  
Pradeep Krishna Reddy ◽  
Jayashree Dey ◽  
Yashodhara S Joshi

Background and Objective: In supraspinatus tendinitis there is inflammatory and or degenerative changes of tendon. This study was done to assess the effectiveness of ultrasound and cryokinetics versus ultrasound and soft tissue massage (deep friction massage) in patients with acute supraspinatus tendinitis. Method: All subjects were clinically diagnosed by orthopaedician and were screened as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. 60 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups with n= 30 each group, Group A- received ultrasound therapy and cryokinetics, whereas Group B- received ultrasound therapy and soft tissue massage. The treatment was given 1 session/day, 6 days/week. The total treatment duration was for 2 weeks. Outcome Measures: Patients were evaluated on day 1, day 7 and day 14. All the patients were assessed for pain and shoulder functional scale by taking VAS and SPADI. Results: Both the groups showed statistically significant changes in pre and post values. However, Group B showed greater improvement from baseline to week 1 on VAS and SPADI. After analysis group B showed significance with P<0.001*. Conclusion: Ultrasound therapy with cryokinetics, and ultrasound therapy with soft tissue massage both were effective in reducing pain intensity and increasing the shoulder functional scale but ultrasound therapy with soft tissue massage showed superior hand over ultrasound therapy with cryokinetics. Key words: Acute Supraspinatus Tendinitis, Ultrasound Therapy, Cryokinetics, Soft Tissue Massage, Visual Analogue Scale, Shoulder Pain And Disability Index.


2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (06) ◽  
pp. 434-439
Author(s):  
Matteo Ornelli ◽  
Giovanni Ruocco ◽  
Juste Kaciulyte ◽  
Lara Lazzaro ◽  
Nicola Felici

Abstract Background After loss of a thumb, the big toe is a possible donor site for reconstruction with wrap-around free flap and trimmed-toe transfer techniques. Early reconstructions seem to reduce the risk of post-operative infections, despite several studies that show different infection rates of the recipient site in immediate toe-to-hand transfer. The authors carried out a retrospective analysis of their experience in thumb reconstruction with big toe transfer and evaluated the results achieved with both immediate and delayed reconstructions in terms of infection occurrence. Patients and Methods From 2000 to 2017, patients who presented cut, crush and avulsion injuries in the thumb were selected and 33 toe-to-thumb transfers were performed. Patients were divided into two groups: in group A, patients underwent immediate reconstruction, while in group B delayed reconstructions were performed. The two groups received identical antimicrobial prophylaxis. Reliability of the immediate or delayed reconstruction was compared in terms of flap survival, requirement for a secondary intention healing and, in particular, rate of infection. Results 29 male and 4 female patients were treated. Toe-to-thumb transfers were performed in both groups: in group A, 8 wrap-around free flaps and 4 trimmed toe transfers; in group B, 11 wrap-around and 10 trimmed toe transfers. No flap loss occurred in either groups. No cases of infection were detected in the transferred toes. Conclusion For toe-to-thumb transfer, there are published reports of a wide range of infection rates of the recipient sites. The authors compared their results in terms of infection rate between immediate reconstruction, group A, and delayed reconstruction, group B. Immediate toe-to-thumb transfer showed equal success rates to delayed transfer. No statistically significant difference in risk of infection between the two groups was found. Results showed that the immediate reconstruction was as safe and reliable as the delayed one.


2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (17) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashidah Ghazali ◽  
Herlina Abdul Rahim ◽  
Mashitah Shikh Maidin ◽  
Shafishuhaza Sahlan

Previous research about the exposure of Mozart music and noise and the effects towards the feeding, growth rate and the stress level of the broilers were explored.Music has the ability to have a relaxing and antidepressant effect on humans, mammals and birds. Reports that music calms animals and improves productivity appear in commercial journals. The present study investigated the growth rate comparisons between the experimented broilers (Group A: water supply modification group; Group B: sound exposure group) and the control broilers (Group C: control group) in terms of weight and raw meat texture measured by shear force. The water supply modification group was given 12 litres of Yasin water twice per day while the sound exposure group were broadcasted with sound of Quran verses. Twenty-seven broilers were randomly selected from each group on Day 24 and weight measurement was carried out every week until the harvest day (Day 39). Group B showed a higher mean weight on Day 24 (1.441 ± 0.013 kg) than Group A and C. Significant difference in the weight on Day 39 existed for both Group A and B compared to Group C (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference of shear force in the same muscles (breast and drumstick raw meat) of the three groups but the shear force of the breast meat for Group A, B and C broilers was lower (p < 0.05) than that of their drumstick meat. Broadcasting the sound of the Quran verses in the coop and adding Yasin water to the broilers’ drink can be applied to improve the growth rate of broilers for producing better quality poultry.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 3609-3609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meletios Athanasios Dimopoulos ◽  
Efstathios Kastritis ◽  
Christina Bamia ◽  
Ioannis Melakopoulos ◽  
Dimitra Gika ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. Bisphosphonates are widely used in the treatment of MM. ONJ can occur during treatment with bisphosphonates. We have shown that use of ZA and longer exposure are associated with higher frequency of ONJ in a series of patients with both MM and solid tumors. Dental problems or interventions are precipitating factors of ONJ. For this reason, since 2003, we have implemented assessment (and management if necessary) of all patients who are candidates for ZA or who are on treatment with ZA and have dental problems by specialists with particular experience on ONJ. In addition, we recommend improved oral hygiene and we avoid dental procedures during treatment with ZA. We have investigated whether the occurrence of ONJ decreased after the implementation of these measures. Patients and Methods. According to the policy of our center, all patients with MM who demonstrate lytic lesions or osteopenia receive ZA 4 mg i.v. every 4 weeks indefinitely. In our current analysis we included patients who received only ZA wheras patients who initially received pamidronate and were later switched to ZA were excluded. Patients were stratified into two groups depending on the date of initiation of treatment in relation to the start of implementation of the preventive measures (Group A: 26/8/1998–31/12/2002, Group B: 1/1/2003–1/12/2006). Occurrence of ONJ was studied as row percentages as well as incidence rate rates (IR: number of cases of osteonecrosis /person-months). The proportions of patients with ONJ between the two groups were compared with the Fisher’s exact test whereas the respective incidence rates were compared with the score test. The 95% confidence interval of the incidence rate ratio was also estimated. Results. One hundred twenty-eight patients with MM were included in the analysis (Group A: 35, Group B: 93; M/F: 66/62). Overall there were 10 cases of ONJ (8%): 8 cases in Group A (23%) and 2 cases in Group B (2%) (p&lt;0.001). The IR was 0.560/100 person-month for Group A and 0.118/100 person-month for Group B. The IRR was Group A/Group B: 4.76 (p=0.029, 95% CI: 1.01–22.40). Median time of exposure among patients with ONJ was 31 months for Group A and 8 months for Group B (p=0.044). Conclusions. The implementation of detailed assessment by experienced specialists of patients with MM and dental problems and the avoidance of dental procedures during treatment with ZA results in a significant 5-fold reduction of ONJ. Our data provide a basis for a safer use of ZA in MM.


1986 ◽  
Vol 113 (4_Suppl) ◽  
pp. S396-S402
Author(s):  
W. SWOBODA ◽  
K. HERKNER

ABSTRACT The androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) was studied with consideration of the complexity of mechanisms involved on the intracellular level: testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) receptors and the androgen-5α-reductase (A5R). Five children with "normal" female external genitalia (group A) and three patients with variable forms of ambiguity (group B), ages 1 to 18 years, were studied. Tissue specimens from genital skin were analysed for the Kd- and Nmaxvalues of the cytosolic and nuclear T- and DHT-receptors, as well as for the Km- and Vmax-data of the tissue specific A5R. The enzyme analyses were performed with a kinetic method. Results show that patients from group A mainly lack action of the nuclear DHT receptor, combined with reduces binding capacity in the cytosol. T binding was poor in both, cytosolic and nuclear fractions, respectively. Results of group B proved to be more inhomogenous, ranging from total absence of a DHT receptor to normal binding capacities in the nuclear fractions, accompanied by decreased cytosolic Nmax values for that ligand. T binding was poor in all patients of group B in the cytosolic and nuclear fractions, respectively. A5R was qualitatively normal in all patients examined, except one, but decreased enzyme activities could be observed in a wide range. In summary, the study confirms the complex mechanisms, presenting as AIS clinically. Moreover a close relationship between abnormalities of androgen receptor function and changes in A5R activity could be evaluated, thus confirming the recent theories about intracellular androgen action.


1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 753-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. S. Barr ◽  
S. I. Warwick ◽  
N. L. Désaulniers

A worldwide collection of 60 isolates of Pythium ultimum and 37 asexual (sexually sterile) isolates presumed to be P. ultimum were compared by isozyme analysis, morphological characters, and their growth rate at different temperatures. Isolates were separated into 10 multilocus genotypes as defined by nine isozyme loci. Five genotypes (U1–U5) comprising 85 isolates differed from each other merely by homo- or hetero-zygous states at one and (or) two loci. Four isolates in genotype U6 produced zoospores and were presumed to be var. sporangiiferum. They differed at one locus from genotypes U1–U5. Genotypes U7, U8, U9, and U10 differed from U1–U5 at one, two, three, and five loci, respectively. Sexual isolates occurred in genotypes U1–U3 and U6–U10, and asexual isolates in genotypes U2–U6. Only minor differences were detected in morphology in six isolates (genotypes U8–U10). A single isolate (genotype U10) differed in growth rate from all others. Isozyme analysis is an effective means of distinguishing P. ultimum from nine other species included for comparative purposes and for identifying asexual isolates that cannot be positively identified by morphology. Keywords: Pythium ultimum var. ultimum, Pythium ultimum var. sporangiiferum, isozymes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_G) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vito Maurizio Parato ◽  
Maria Chiara Galieni ◽  
Stefano Marcelli ◽  
Salvatore La Carruba

Abstract Aims Acute pericarditis is considered one of the cardiovascular complications of COVID-19. The published data suggest that the diagnosis of acute pericarditis in patients with COVID-19 infection may be more frequent than usually diagnosed and as a consequence, undertreated. The proposed investigation is a retrospective observational study in which 170 patients, admitted to an Intensive Care Unit because of a COVID-19 diagnosis, were analysed. All patients underwent cardiological evaluation including a bedside echocardiogram. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and clinical implications of acute pericarditis diagnosed through the presence of pericardial effusion. Methods and results The proposed investigation is a retrospective observational study enrolling patients admitted to Intensive Care Unit of Madonna del Soccorso Hospital (San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy) because of a SARS-CoV-2 induced severe acute respiratory syndrome. No. 170 patients, admitted from 1 April 2020 to 30 April 2021, were enrolled. All patients presented a variable picture of bilateral interstitial pneumonia characterized by ground glass opacifications at HR-Chest CT. Some patients underwent oro-tracheal intubation and invasive ventilation. All patients underwent cardiological consultation including a transthoracic bedside echocardiogram, using ultrasound E9-GE machine (Boston, MA, USA). Demographic, laboratory and clinical data were collected for all enrolled patients (Table 1). The diagnosis of acute pericarditis was defined by: (i) different degree of pericardial effusion; (ii) C-reactive proteine elevation. All patients were divided in two groups: (1) pericarditis group (a); (2) pericarditis-free group (b). Of 170 enrolled patient, 51 were females (30%) and 119 were males (70%). Median age for all patients was 67.6 ± 13.3 [females: 70.5 (±16.2); males: 66.4 (±11.7)]. Of 170, n. 60 patients had a diagnosis of acute pericarditis (32.2%). Group A (patient with acute pericarditis) consisted of 60 patients, age 69.2 (±12.6), 39 (65%) male [age 69.3 (±10.6)], 21 (35%) female [age 69.1 (±16.0)]. Of 60, only 6 had a pericardial effusion &gt;10 mm (10%); the remaining group A-patients (90%) had a mild pericardial effusion (&lt;10 mm). No patient had tamponade picture. Group B (pericarditis-free patients) included 110 patients, age 66.7 (±13.7), 80 (72.7%) males [age 65.0 (±12.1)], 30 (27.3%) females [age 71.4 (±16.6)]. Group A-patients (with pericarditis) had more days of intubation and a prolonged global hospital stay compared with group B (pericarditis-free). Other demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters were similar between the two groups. Conclusions Pericarditis is a frequent cardiovascular complication of COVID-19 (32.2% in our study). It may have clinical and prognostic implications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 468-476
Author(s):  
Anjali Belwal ◽  
◽  
Reena Kumari ◽  
Deepak Nainwal ◽  
◽  
...  

Background: Adolescent is characterised by rapid physical growth and sexual development, accompanied by changes in the percentage of body fat. Obesity and underweight are one of the most prominent problems of the modern society which consists of a wide range of short-term and long-term complications. The rising prevalence of childhood obesity is directly related to the vascular, metabolic condition and risk factor to cognitive decline or dementia. Under-weight is also often associated with acute and chronic medical complications like Anorexia nervosa, low bone density and mass with impaired immune system and increased mortality rate. Therefore purpose of this study is to identify early signs of impaired BMI as a cause of cognitive impairment and prevent the child obesity and underweight to overcome the future health risk factors. The aim of this study is to find a correlation between BMI and MMSE score in Indian adolescent females. Methodology: 31 female subjects with mean age 16±3 years were selected according to random sampling in this study. The Quetlets formula was used to measure body mass index. Group division for Underweight, Normal and Over-weight was done for the BMI score then Score of MMSE, a measure of cognition was taken. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. The Karl Pearsons Coefficient correlation was calculated to see correlation between BMI and MMSE cognitive function. P < 0.05 was considered of statistical significance. Result: The study found correlative change in variables as observed in group A MMSE mean 25.84±3.83 and BMI mean 16.10±1.08 with P<0.05 i.e which was found statically significant. In group B MMSE mean 26.22±1.30 and BMI mean 20.60±1.80 with P>0.05 i.e which was found statically non significnat. In group C MMSE mean 23.00±3.46 and BMI mean 26.06±1.15 with P<0.05 i.e which was found statically significant. And in total number of subject MMSE mean 25.68±3.3 and BMI mean 18.37±3.51with P>0.05. it was found that there was a significant correlation between the body mass index and cognition in group A and group C but there was no significant correlation between body mass index and cognition in group B and total number of subjects(31). Conclusion: The study conclude to state that there exist a significance correlation and of body mass index on cognition.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-124
Author(s):  
Uzzal Chandra Ghosh ◽  
Md Abu Yusuf Fakir ◽  
Husne Qumer Osmany ◽  
Dipankar Lodh ◽  
Md Zahirul Islam ◽  
...  

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic systemic disease characterized by hyperglycemia due to absolute or relative deficiency of insulin and affects several systems including hearing. It was evidenced that hearing loss is twice as common in people with diabetes in comparison to other non-diabetic individuals. Although there is no epidemiological information are available in Bangladesh, but it can assume that the number would not be less. Methods: This study was a hospital based case-control study conducted at department of ENT & department of Endocrinology for 1.5 year following approval of the protocol. Total 110 people (55 cases and 55 controls) were selected and analysed in this study. All the patients were divided into two groups: Group A (all patients with Diabetes) and Group B (persons without diabetes). For analysis group A were considered as case and group B were as control. Written informed consent was taken from all case and control subjects. A detailed history taking including hearing loss, duration, onset, associated symptoms & diabetes duration, treatment were obtained from the subject. A detailed ENT examination including otoscopic examination and tuning fork test were also conducted for each patient. Moreover, audiometric assessment-PTA, blood investigation-RBS, HbA1C, & renal parameters like blood urea & serum creatinine were tested in each cases. Data analysis was done in the statistical program Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16.0. Results: Out of total 55 patients in each group, mean age of Diabetic and non-diabetic were 46.78±8.02 SD and 46.72±8.09 SD (years) with slight female predominance (45.5% vs 54.5% in diabetic group and 49.1% vs 50.9% in non-diabetic group). Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol; October 2019; 25(2): 116-124


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