scholarly journals Feline Demodicosis Case Report—First Molecular Characterization of Demodex Mites in Romania

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1474
Author(s):  
Marius Stelian Ilie ◽  
Mirela Imre ◽  
Simona Giubega ◽  
Iasmina Luca ◽  
Tiana Florea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Pcr Amplification ◽  
Complete Recovery ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Skin Condition ◽  
Monthly Interval ◽  
Species Determination ◽  
Demodex Mites

Cat demodicosis is uncommon to rare, and is caused by Demodex cati, Demodex gatoi and another unnamed species. The investigated patient was a mix-breed, 10-year-old feline with no dermatological history. Alopecia, erythema, minor erosions and ulcerations and crusts, associated with pruritus and self-trauma, were observed on the head. Dark, agglutinated cerumen was also present in the external ear canal. The agent causing the skin condition in the feline patient was identified as being a Demodex genus mite, based on the specific, morphological characteristics noticed upon the microscopic examination of deep skin scrapes. Biological samples were collected from the patient with to perform a PCR assay for clear species-determination and morphological assessment. PCR amplification of DNA extracted from the Demodex mites produced a single band of ~330 bp, indicating the presence of the D. cati species. The acaricidal treatment consisted of topical treatment using a fluralaner and moxidectin-based spot-on. Upon follow-up appointments, scheduled three times at a monthly interval, the patient failed to provide a positive result upon deep skin scrapes. The negative scrapes were also accompanied by the complete resolution of the existing lesions. In conclusion, this is the first molecular study to highlight the presence of Demodex cati within the feline population of Romania, and the fluralaner-moxidectin spot-on therapy has led to a complete recovery of the feline patient affected by feline demodicosis.

Characterization of a cDNA for Rhesus Monkey Protein C Inhibitor – Evidence for N-Terminal Involvement in Heparin Stimulation

1995 ◽  
Vol 74 (04) ◽  
pp. 1079-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus-P Radtke ◽  
José A Fernández ◽  
Bruno O Villoutreix ◽  
Judith S Greengard ◽  
John H Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Rhesus Monkey ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Pcr Amplification ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Heparin Binding ◽  
Reactive Center ◽  
Protein C Inhibitor ◽  
Polymerase Chain

SummarycDNAs for protein C inhibitor (PCI) were cloned from human and rhesus monkey 1 liver RNAs by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Sequencing showed that rhesus monkey and human PCI cDNAs were 93% identical. Predicted amino acid sequences differed at 26 of 387 residues. Pour of these differences (T352M, N359S, R362K, L3631) were in the reactive center loop that is important for inhibitory specificity, and two were in the N-terminal helix (M8T, E13K) that is implicated in glycosaminoglycan binding. PCI in human or rhesus monkey plasma showed comparable inhibitory activity towards human activated protein C in the presence of 10 U/ml heparin. However, maximal acceleration of the inhibition of activated protein C required 5-fold lower heparin concentration for rhesus monkey than for human plasma, consistent with the interpretation that the additional positive charge (E13K) in a putative-heparin binding region increased the affinity for heparin.

Hybrid Endovascular Repair of Thoracoabdominal Aorta: Early Results

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 146
Author(s):  
Osman Tansel Darcin ◽  
Mehmet Kalender ◽  
Ayse Gul Kunt ◽  
Okay Guven Karaca ◽  
Ata Niyazi Ecevit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endovascular Repair ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Complete Recovery ◽  
Aortic Aneurysms ◽  
Thoracoabdominal Aorta ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Early Results ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Procedural Success

<p><b>Background:</b> Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) present a significant clinical challenge, as they are complex and require invasive surgery. In an attempt to prevent considerably high mortality and morbidity in open repair, hybrid endovascular repair has been developed by many authors. In this study, we evaluated the early-term results obtained from this procedure.</p><p><b>Methods:</b> From November 2010 to February 2013, we performed thoracoabdominal hybrid aortic repair in 18 patients. The mean age was 68 years (12 men, 6 women). All of the patients had significant comorbidities. Follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans were performed at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months, and annually thereafter.</p><p><b>Results:</b> All patients were operated on in a staged procedure and stent graft deployment was achieved. Procedural success was achieved in all cases. All patients were discharged with complete recovery. No endoleaks weres detected in further CT examination.</p><p><b>Conclusion:</b> Our results suggests that hybrid debranching and endovascular repair of extensive thoracoabdominal aneurysms represents a suitable therapeutic option to reduce the morbidity and mortality of TAAA repair, particularly in those typically considered at high risk for standard repair.</p>

scholarly journals A closed-loop optogenetic screen for neurons controlling feeding in Drosophila

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celia K S Lau ◽  
Meghan Jelen ◽  
Michael D Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Expression Pattern ◽  
Sensory Neurons ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Taste Detection ◽  
Proof Of Principle ◽  
Feeding Circuits

Abstract Feeding is an essential part of animal life that is greatly impacted by the sense of taste. Although the characterization of taste-detection at the periphery has been extensive, higher order taste and feeding circuits are still being elucidated. Here, we use an automated closed-loop optogenetic activation screen to detect novel taste and feeding neurons in Drosophila melanogaster. Out of 122 Janelia FlyLight Project GAL4 lines preselected based on expression pattern, we identify six lines that acutely promote feeding and 35 lines that inhibit it. As proof of principle, we follow up on R70C07-GAL4, which labels neurons that strongly inhibit feeding. Using split-GAL4 lines to isolate subsets of the R70C07-GAL4 population, we find both appetitive and aversive neurons. Furthermore, we show that R70C07-GAL4 labels putative second-order taste interneurons that contact both sweet and bitter sensory neurons. These results serve as a resource for further functional dissection of fly feeding circuits.

scholarly journals Proteinuria in COVID-19: prevalence, characterization and prognostic role

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine Huart ◽  
Antoine Bouquegneau ◽  
Laurence Lutteri ◽  
Pauline Erpicum ◽  
Stéphanie Grosch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Catheter ◽  
Single Center ◽  
Tubular Injury ◽  
Tubular Proteinuria ◽  
Prognostic Role ◽  
Urine Creatinine ◽  
Single Center Study ◽  
Center Study

Abstract Background Proteinuria has been commonly reported in patients with COVID-19. However, only dipstick tests have been frequently used thus far. Here, the quantification and characterization of proteinuria were investigated and their association with mortality was assessed. Methods This retrospective, observational, single center study included 153 patients, hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 28th and April 30th, 2020, in whom total proteinuria and urinary α1-microglobulin (a marker of tubular injury) were measured. Association with mortality was evaluated, with a follow-up until May 7th, 2020. Results According to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes staging, 14% (n = 21) of the patients had category 1 proteinuria (< 150 mg/g of urine creatinine), 42% (n = 64) had category 2 (between 150 and 500 mg/g) and 44% (n = 68) had category 3 proteinuria (over 500 mg/g). Urine α1-microglobulin concentration was higher than 15 mg/g in 89% of patients. After a median follow-up of 27 [14;30] days, the mortality rate reached 18%. Total proteinuria and urinary α1-microglobulin were associated with mortality in unadjusted and adjusted models. This association was stronger in subgroups of patients with normal renal function and without a urinary catheter. Conclusions Proteinuria is frequent in patients with COVID-19. Its characterization suggests a tubular origin, with increased urinary α1-microglobulin. Tubular proteinuria was associated with mortality in COVID-19 in our restropective, observational study.

scholarly journals Characterization of a new natural fiber extracted from Corypha taliera fruit

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taslima Ahmed Tamanna ◽  
Shah Alimuzzaman Belal ◽  
Mohammad Abul Hasan Shibly ◽  
Ayub Nabi Khan
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Natural Fiber ◽  
Natural Fibers ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Synthetic Fiber ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Reinforced Composite ◽  
Potential Alternative

AbstractThis study deals with the determination of new natural fibers extracted from the Corypha taliera fruit (CTF) and its characteristics were reported for the potential alternative of harmful synthetic fiber. The physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal, and morphological characteristics were investigated for CTF fibers. X-ray diffraction and chemical composition characterization ensured a higher amount of cellulose (55.1 wt%) content and crystallinity (62.5%) in the CTF fiber. The FTIR analysis ensured the different functional groups of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin present in the fiber. The Scherrer’s equation was used to determine crystallite size 1.45 nm. The mean diameter, specific density, and linear density of the CTF fiber were found (average) 131 μm, 0.86 g/cc, and 43 Tex, respectively. The maximum tensile strength was obtained 53.55 MPa for GL 20 mm and Young’s modulus 572.21 MPa for GL 30 mm. The required energy at break was recorded during the tensile strength experiment from the tensile strength tester and the average values for GL 20 mm and GL 30 mm are 0.05381 J and 0.08968 J, respectively. The thermal analysis ensured the thermal sustainability of CTF fiber up to 230 °C. Entirely the aforementioned outcomes ensured that the new CTF fiber is the expected reinforcement to the fiber-reinforced composite materials.

scholarly journals Screening of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.) Italian Cultivars for Susceptibility to Fusarium Head Blight Incited by Fusarium graminearum

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Gaetano Bentivenga ◽  
Alfio Spina ◽  
Karim Ammar ◽  
Maria Allegra ◽  
Santa Olga Cacciola
Keyword(s):  
Durum Wheat ◽  
Fusarium Head Blight ◽  
Fusarium Graminearum ◽  
Triticum Turgidum ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Pcr Amplification ◽  
Conidial Suspension ◽  
Head Blight ◽  
Italian Origin

In 2009, a set of 35 cultivars of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.) of Italian origin was screened for fusarium head blight (FHB) susceptibility at CIMMYT (Mexico) and in the 2019–20 cropping season, 16 of these cultivars, which had been included in the Italian National Plant Variety Register, were tested again in southern and northern Italy. Wheat cultivars were artificially inoculated during anthesis with a conidial suspension of Fusarium graminearum sensu lato using a standard spray inoculation method. Inoculum was a mixture of mono-conidial isolates sourced in the same areas where the trials were performed. Isolates had been characterized on the basis of morphological characteristics and by DNA PCR amplification using a specific primer set and then selected for their virulence and ability to produce mycotoxins. The susceptibility to FHB was rated on the basis of the disease severity, disease incidence and FHB index. Almost all of the tested cultivars were susceptible or very susceptible to FHB with the only exception of “Duprì”, “Tiziana” and “Dylan” which proved to be moderately susceptible. The susceptibility to FHB was inversely correlated with the plant height and flowering biology, the tall and the late heading cultivars being less susceptible.

scholarly journals First Study of the Prevalence and Characterization of Brachial Plexus Injuries in Guatemala

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (01) ◽  
pp. e46-e50
Author(s):  
Carmen Joanna González Lemus ◽  
Fernando Xavier Romero Prieto
Keyword(s):  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Brachial Plexus Injury ◽  
Main Mode ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Mode Of Transportation ◽  
Surgery Department

Abstract Objective This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of brachial plexus injuries and to characterize clinically and epidemiologically patients with brachial plexus injury. Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 2,923 medical records of patients aged 1 to 64 years who presented at outpatient peripheral nerve unit of the Orthopedic Surgery Department of Hospital Roosevelt, Guatemala, from January 2017 to December 2017, were prospectively analyzed to identify the prevalence and factors associated with brachial plexus injuries. Results The prevalence rate of brachial plexus injuries in patients was 5.74%. This injury is more common in men (90.5%) aged 24 to 64 years. Brachial plexus injuries occurred secondary to motorcycle accident in 72% of the cases, with the majority affecting the dominant upper extremity. In addition, 64.28% of the patients took 1 to 6 months to seek consultation, whereas only 16.07% requested medical assistance <1 month from the onset of symptoms, and this result was associated with early diagnosis and adequate recovery during follow-up. Furthermore, 66.67% presented upper brachial plexus injury with no associated fractures or vascular injury, manifesting distress while performing daily activities that required hand, arm, and elbow movements. Conclusion The risk of suffering BPIs in Guatemala increases in economically active male patients that use motorcycles as main mode of transportation. Patients should consult immediately after injury onset to optimize management results. For this reason, hospitals must develop specialized clinical guidelines to speed up the identification and treatment of BPI injuries.

Post-Operative Dysphagia in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

2021 ◽  
pp. 000348942110155
Author(s):  
Leonard Haller ◽  
Khush Mehul Kharidia ◽  
Caitlin Bertelsen ◽  
Jeffrey Wang ◽  
Karla O’Dell
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Anterior Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Cervical Discectomy ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

Objective: We sought to identify risk factors associated with long-term dysphagia, characterize changes in dysphagia over time, and evaluate the incidence of otolaryngology referrals for patients with long-term dysphagia following anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF). Methods: About 56 patients who underwent ACDF between May 2017 to February 2019 were included in the study. All patients were assessed for dysphagia using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) survey preoperatively and late postoperatively (≥1 year). Additionally, 28 patients were assessed for dysphagia early postoperatively (2 weeks—3 months). Demographic data, medical comorbidities, intraoperative details, and post-operative otolaryngology referral rates were collected from electronic medical records. Results: Of the 56 patients enrolled, 21 patients (38%) had EAT-10 scores of 3 or more at long-term follow-up. None of the demographics, comorbidities, or surgical factors assessed were associated with long-term dysphagia. Patients who reported no long-term dysphagia had a mean EAT-10 score of 6.9 early postoperatively, while patients with long-term symptoms had a mean score of 18.1 ( P = .006). Of the 21 patients who reported persistent dysphagia symptoms, 3 (14%) received dysphagia testing or otolaryngology referrals post-operatively. Conclusion: Dysphagia is a notable side effect of ACDF surgery, but there are no significant demographics, comorbidities, or surgical risk factors that predict long-term dysphagia. Early postoperative characterization of dysphagia using the EAT-10 questionnaire can help predict long-term symptoms. There is inadequate screening and otolaryngology follow-up for patients with post-ACDF dysphagia.

scholarly journals Introduction of the Grayscale Median for Ultrasound Tissue Characterization of the Transplanted Kidney

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 390
Author(s):  
Camilo G. Sotomayor ◽  
Stan Benjamens ◽  
Hildebrand Dijkstra ◽  
Derya Yakar ◽  
Cyril Moers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Transplant ◽  
Tissue Characterization ◽  
Kidney Transplant Recipients ◽  
Systematic Assessment ◽  
Ultrasound Tissue Characterization ◽  
Adult Kidney ◽  
Mersenne Twister ◽  
History Of

Ultrasound examination is advised for early post-kidney transplant assessment. Grayscale median (GSM) quantification is novel in the kidney transplant field, with no systematic assessment previously reported. In this prospective cohort study, we measured the post-operative GSM in a large cohort of adult kidney transplant recipients (KTR) who consecutively underwent Doppler ultrasound directly after transplantation (within 24 h), compared it with GSM in nontransplanted patients, and investigated its association with baseline and follow-up characteristics. B-mode images were used to calculate the GSM in KTR and compared with GSM data in nontransplanted patients, as simulated from summary statistics of the literature using a Mersenne twister algorithm. The association of GSM with baseline and 1-year follow-up characteristics were studied by means of linear regression analyses. In 282 KTR (54 ± 15 years old, 60% male), the median (IQR) GSM was 55 (45–69), ranging from 22 to 124 (coefficient of variation = 7.4%), without differences by type of donation (p = 0.28). GSM in KTR was significantly higher than in nontransplanted patients (p < 0.001), and associated with systolic blood pressure, history of cardiovascular disease, and donor age (std. β = 0.12, −0.20, and 0.13, respectively; p < 0.05 for all). Higher early post-kidney transplant GSM was not associated with 1-year post-kidney transplant function parameters (e.g., measured and estimated glomerular filtration rate). The data provided in this study could be used as first step for further research on the application of early postoperative ultrasound in KTR.

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