Molecular based assessment of genetic diversity of xoconostle accessions (Opuntia spp.)

Xoconostle or acidic prickly pear is an important fruit in Mexico; it is produced by a group of Opuntia plants known for their nutritional qualities and adapted to harsh environmental conditions. In this study, we report for the first time the estimation of genetic diversity within a set of 24 xoconostle accessions using inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers. Five ISSR primers were selected to detect DNA polymorphisms in these plants. Broad genetic diversity was detected (0.41-0.82, Dice coefficient) and the unweighted pair group method with the arithmetic averaging (UPGMA) analysis allowed discriminating all genotypes and enabled their clustering into six groups; the ‘Matizado’ accession was significantly divergent from all tested genotypes. In addition, as shown by the clustering analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), the tested genotypes did not group according to their origin, to culture conditions, or to the current species classification. This work, on one hand, demonstrates the high genetic variation among genotypes of xoconostles, and on the other hand, it suggests a taxonomic revision and raises doubts about the number of species reported for these plants.Keywords: Opuntia spp., acidic prickly pear, inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers, taxonomyAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(2), pp. 202-210, 8 January, 201

Investigation of a Relation between Radiogenic Heat Production Rate (RHPR) and Land Surface Heat Temperature (LST) from Thermal Bands of ASTER and Landsat-8 (TIR-Data): Case Study of West Ras Gharib area North Eastern Desert, Egypt

In this paper, an attempt was tried to study the relation between the land surface heat temperature (LST), extracted, from the thermal emission infrared data (ASTER-TIR) and (Landsat-8-TIR) imagery and radiogenic heat production rate (RHPR) that calculated from airborne gamma-ray spectrometric data applied on west Ras Gharib area at Northeastern Desert of Egypt. The area is geologically covered mainly by Precambrian basement rocks, which are unconformably overlain by Phanerozoic sedimentary succession. The method used for extraction land surface heat temperature for both ASTER-TIR and Landsat-8-TIR images is the reference channel emissivity technique and founded as the best method comparing to others. The study results showed a relative higher RHPR threshold value reached 4.8 μW/m3. On the other hand, ASTER-TIR Land Surface Temperature (AST-LST) ranges between 27.64oC to 47.2oC and, the Landsat 8-TIR Land Surface Temperature (LS8-LST) ranges between 30.64oC to 50.68oC. Comparing all results, there were a weak relationship or to some extent parallel relation between RHPR and satellite LST; as when the value of the Y-axis is constant, there are multiple values on X-axis, so it is not possible to deduce the value of one variable in terms of the other. The poor relation is regarded to the very weak RHPR which is not enough to affect the surface heat temperature, emission that could be detected by both thermal sensors of ASTER and Landsat-8 satellite TIR data. Other factors such as: topography, wind, shading and scattering, rock moisture and density, can strongly affect the surface temperature. In conclusion, the output results could be improved in areas of very high radioelement concentrations especially 235U, and through the use of the enhanced spatial resolution of future satellite TIR imaging instruments.

Finite element analysis of stresses on adjacent teeth during the traction of palatally impacted canines

Objective: To evaluate stresses on maxillary teeth during alignment of a palatally impacted canine (PIC) under different loading conditions with forces applied in vertical and buccal directions. Materials and Methods: A three-dimensional finite element model of the maxilla was developed from a cone beam computed tomographic scan of a patient with a left PIC. Traction was simulated under different setups: (1) palatal spring extending from a transpalatal bar (TPB) anchored on the first molars (M1) and alternatively combined with different archwires (0.016 3 0.022-inch; 0.018 3 0.025-inch) with and without engaging second molars and (2) a buccal force against 0.018-inch, 0.016 3 0.022-inch, and 0.018 3 0.025-inch archwires with and without engaging the left lateral incisor (I2). Results: Without fixed appliances, stresses were assumed by M1; with fixed appliances, stresses were distributed on all teeth, decreasing mesially toward the midline. Direct buccal pull exerted most stress on neighboring I2 (19-20% with different wire sizes) and first premolar (12-17%), decreasing distally, along a similar pattern with different archwire sizes. When I2 was bypassed, stresses on adjacent teeth increased only by 3-6%. Higher stresses occurred with the lighter round wire. Conclusions: This first research on stresses on adjacent teeth during PIC traction provided needed quantitative data on the pattern of stress generation, suggesting the following clinical implications: use of distal-vertical pull from posterior anchorage (TPB) as initial movement and when using a buccal force, bypassing the lateral incisor and using heavier wires that would minimize side effects. & copy 2019 by The EH Angle Education and Research Foundation, Inc. © 2019 Allen Press Inc. All rights reserved

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Predicting risk factors for thromboembolic complications in patients with sickle cell anaemia - lessons learned for prophylaxis

Objective: To assess the clinical and laboratory predictors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) and its relationship to morbidity and mortality. Methods: This retrospective case-control study analysed data from patients with SCA that experienced VTE compared with matched control patients with SCA but no VTE (2:1 ratio). Results: A total of 102 patients with SCA were enrolled (68 cases with VTE and 34 controls). Amongst the 68 cases (median age, 29.5 years), 26 (38.2%) presented with isolated pulmonary embolism (PE). A higher prevalence of splenectomy (73.5% versus 35.3%) was observed in the cases compared with the controls. A significantly higher prevalence of central venous catheter (CVC) insertion (42.6% versus 8.8%) was observed in the cases compared with the controls. High white blood cell counts, serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin and C-reactive protein (CRP) and low haemoglobin (Hb) and HbF were significant risk factors for VTE. Forty-two cases (61.8%) developed acute chest syndrome, 10 (14.7%) had a stroke and seven (10.3%) died. Conclusions: VTE in patients with SCA has a high impact on morbidity and mortality. PE was the leading presentation of VTE, with CVC insertion, high LDH, bilirubin, CRP and white blood cell counts along with low Hb and HbF constituting other significant risk factors

Rhus coriaria (Sumac) induces autophagic cell death and inhibits mTOR, p38MAPK and STAT3 pathways in 5fluorouracil-resistant colorectal cancer cells

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer related-death worldwide, and resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5FU, a key component of chemotherapy regimens, is a major clinical concern. We have previously elucidated the effects of Rhus coriaria ethanolic extract (RCE) in triple-negative breast cancer, CRC, and pancreatic cancer cells. Here, we explored the anticancer effects of RCE in parental (HCT-116-WT) and 5FU-resistant HCT-116 (HCT-116-5FU-R) CRC cells. Methods: MTT assay was used to assess cell viability. Muse analyzer was used to assess cell viability, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis. Additionally, colony formation and growth assays and western blots were performed. In vivo effects of RCE were assessed by an in ovo chick embryo tumor growth assay. Results: We found that RCE inhibited the viability and colony formation and growth capacities of HCT-116-WT and HCT-116-5FU-R cells. The antiproliferative effects were attributed to DNA damage-mediated impairment of cell cycle at S phase, and induction of Beclin-1-independent autophagy in both cell lines. Mechanistically, inhibition of the mTOR, STAT3 and p38 MAPK pathways was implicated in the latter. Additionally, RCE induced caspase-7-independent apoptosis in HCT-116-WT cells. However, HCT-116-5FU-R cells were resistant to apoptosis through upregulation of survivin, and downregulation of Bax. Using autophagy and proteasome inhibitors, we clarified that autophagy and the proteasome pathway contributed to RCE-mediated cell death in HCT-116-WT and HCT-116-5FU-R cells. Lastly, we confirmed RCE inhibited the growth of both HCT-116-WT and HCT-116-5FU-R xenografts in a chick embryo model. Discussion: Collectively, our findings highlight that RCE is a source of phytochemicals that can be used as anticancer agents for 5FU-resistant CRC.The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research was partially supported by a grant from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS)/United Arab Emirates University, No. 12M177

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Fruit size homologue gene variation in Mexican <em>Opuntia </em>sp.

351-356The Opuntia genus, an important horticultural crop in Mexico, is essentially a fruit crop. The fruits (“tunas” and “xoconostles”) exhibit a huge range of color and size but the genetic background of this diversity is little known. The aim of this research was to amplify a fruit size gene and to estimate the changes in the gene sequence in 91 genotypes of Mexican Opuntia. To accomplish this, the cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) technique was applied. A fragment of 850 bp was obtained using the primer pair Fruitfull-F131/Fruitfull-R1218 in all Opuntia genotypes studied here. There was no length variation observed among the undigested PCR products from the 91 accessions. The amplified PCR products (FRUITFULL-homologue gene) were digested with seven endonuclease enzymes. The enzymes HinfI and RsaI had no restriction site, while the enzymes AvaII and HhaI generated two monomorphic bands. However, the enzymes AluI, HaeIII and MboI produced several polymorphic fragments. The estimated Dice similarity coefficient ranged between 0.46 and 1.0. However, the most frequent estimated Dice similarity coefficient varied from 0.75 to 1.0. Indeed, 63 out of the 91 genotypes had the same genetic profile. The present results revealed that the FRUITFULL-homologue gene is conserved among Opuntia genotypes

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and Class 1 integrons in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from turkeys

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and implication of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing and Class 1 integrons (int1) gene carriers Escherichia coli isolates that demonstrated multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotypes and was isolated from turkeys that suffered from respiratory manifestation. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 freshly dead turkey poults that suffered from respiratory manifestations, with a history of treatment failure at Hefna, Belbis, Sharqia (Egypt) were sampled. From each bird lung and liver were aseptically collected and transported for laboratory investigations. Results: Examination of samples collected from 120 freshly dead turkey poults revealed the isolation of coagulase-positive staphylococci, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Proteus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp., and E. coli with the prevalence rates of 12/120 (10%), 30/120 (35%), 17/120 (14.2%), 5/120 (4.1%), 17/120 (14.2%), 6/120 (5%), 7/120 (5.8%), and 18/120 (15%), respectively. E. coli isolates were subjected for serotyping and characterization, while the rest of isolates were preserved to be investigated later in further studies. Serogrouping of E. coli isolates revealed the identification of O119, O6, O8, and O169, while 1/18 isolate was untypable. Studying phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility profiles of isolates revealed that 18/18 (100%) of isolates demonstrated resistance against cefuroxime, tetracycline, and trimethoprim, 16/18 (88.9%) of isolates demonstrated resistance to amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid, enrofloxacin, and norfloxacin, 14/18 (77.8%) of isolates demonstrated resistance to doxycycline and ciprofloxacin, and 9/18 (50%) of isolates showed resistance to gentamycin. Double disk synergy test showed that 6/18 (33.3%), 8/18 (44.4%), and 13/18 (72.2%) of isolates demonstrated the phenotypic pattern of ESBL producers with cefepime, cefotaxime, and ceftriaxone, respectively. Genotypic attributes for beta-lactamase TEM gene and int1 gene were studied by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and revealed that 17/18 (94.4%) of isolates were positive for both genes. Embryo lethality test indicated that the 18 studied E. coli isolates were considered primary pathogens. Conclusion: The results revealed that 18/18 (100%) of E. coli isolates demonstrated MDR against three or more antibiotic groups, 9/18 (50%) of isolates showed extensive resistance against the nine tested chemotherapeutic agents from seven antibiotic groups. It is recommended to monitor the circulation of MDR and ESBL-producing pathogens in poultry production in a one health approach, as a preventive measure to mitigate the risk imposed on public health

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and Class 1 integrons in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from turkeys

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and implication of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing and Class 1 integrons (int1) gene carriers Escherichia coli isolates that demonstrated multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotypes and was isolated from turkeys that suffered from respiratory manifestation. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 freshly dead turkey poults that suffered from respiratory manifestations, with a history of treatment failure at Hefna, Belbis, Sharqia (Egypt) were sampled. From each bird lung and liver were aseptically collected and transported for laboratory investigations. Results: Examination of samples collected from 120 freshly dead turkey poults revealed the isolation of coagulase-positive staphylococci, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Proteus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp., and E. coli with the prevalence rates of 12/120 (10%), 30/120 (35%), 17/120 (14.2%), 5/120 (4.1%), 17/120 (14.2%), 6/120 (5%), 7/120 (5.8%), and 18/120 (15%), respectively. E. coli isolates were subjected for serotyping and characterization, while the rest of isolates were preserved to be investigated later in further studies. Serogrouping of E. coli isolates revealed the identification of O119, O6, O8, and O169, while 1/18 isolate was untypable. Studying phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility profiles of isolates revealed that 18/18 (100%) of isolates demonstrated resistance against cefuroxime, tetracycline, and trimethoprim, 16/18 (88.9%) of isolates demonstrated resistance to amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid, enrofloxacin, and norfloxacin, 14/18 (77.8%) of isolates demonstrated resistance to doxycycline and ciprofloxacin, and 9/18 (50%) of isolates showed resistance to gentamycin. Double disk synergy test showed that 6/18 (33.3%), 8/18 (44.4%), and 13/18 (72.2%) of isolates demonstrated the phenotypic pattern of ESBL producers with cefepime, cefotaxime, and ceftriaxone, respectively. Genotypic attributes for beta-lactamase TEM gene and int1 gene were studied by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and revealed that 17/18 (94.4%) of isolates were positive for both genes. Embryo lethality test indicated that the 18 studied E. coli isolates were considered primary pathogens. Conclusion: The results revealed that 18/18 (100%) of E. coli isolates demonstrated MDR against three or more antibiotic groups, 9/18 (50%) of isolates showed extensive resistance against the nine tested chemotherapeutic agents from seven antibiotic groups. It is recommended to monitor the circulation of MDR and ESBL-producing pathogens in poultry production in a one health approach, as a preventive measure to mitigate the risk imposed on public health.</jats:p