Search results for: acute respiratory diseases

Authors: Kwok W. Mui, Ling T. Wong, Nai K. K. Fong

Abstract:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fifth leading cause of death in Hong Kong. Investigators are eager to explore the environmental risk factors for COPD such as air pollution and occupational exposure. Through a cross-sectional survey, this study investigates the impact of air quality to the quality of life of patients with the COPD in terms of the scores of the (Chinese) chronic respiratory questionnaire (CCRQ) and the measurements of indoor air quality (IAQ) and Moser’s activities of daily living (ADL). Strong relationships between a number of indoor/outdoor environmental parameters were found and CRQ sub-scores for patients of COPD and thus indoor air pollutants must be monitored for future studies related to QOL for patients with COPD.

Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), indoor air pollutants, quality of life, chronic respiratory questionnaire (CRQ)

Procedia PDF Downloads 399

Authors: Achiron Anat, Mathilda Mandel, Mayust Sue, Achiron Reuven, Gurevich Michael

Abstract:

Introduction: As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is currently spreading around the world, it is of importance to assess the ability of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients to mount an appropriate immune response to the vaccine in the context of disease-modifying treatments (DMT’s). Objectives: Evaluate immunity generated following COVID-19 vaccination in MS patients, and assess factors contributing to protective humoral and cellular immune responses in MS patients vaccinated against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) virus infection. Methods: Review our recent data related to (1) the safety of PfizerBNT162b2 COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in adult MS patients; (2) the humoral post-vaccination SARS-CoV2 IgG response in MS vaccinees using anti-spike protein-based serology; and (3) the cellular immune response of memory B-cells specific for SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) and memory T-cells secreting IFN-g and/or IL-2 in response to SARS-CoV2 peptides using ELISpot/Fluorospot assays in MS patients either untreated or under treatment with fingolimod, cladribine, or ocrelizumab; (4) covariate parameters related to mounting protective immune responses. Results: COVID-19 vaccine proved safe in MS patients, and the adverse event profile was mainly characterised by pain at the injection site, fatigue, and headache. Not any increased risk of relapse activity was noted and the rate of patients with acute relapse was comparable to the relapse rate in non-vaccinated patients during the corresponding follow-up period. A mild increase in the rate of adverse events was noted in younger MS patients, among patients with lower disability, and in patients treated with DMTs. Following COVID-19 vaccination protective humoral immune response was significantly decreased in fingolimod- and ocrelizumab- treated MS patients. SARS-CoV2 specific B-cell and T-cell cellular responses were respectively decreased. Untreated MS patients and patients treated with cladribine demonstrated protective humoral and cellular immune responses, similar to healthy vaccinated subjects. Conclusions: COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccine proved as safe for MS patients. No increased risk of relapse activity was noted post-vaccination. Although COVID-19 vaccination is new, accumulated data demonstrate differences in immune responses under various DMT’s. This knowledge can help to construct appropriate COVID-19 vaccine guidelines to ensure proper immune responses for MS patients.

Keywords: covid-19, vaccination, multiple sclerosis, IgG

Procedia PDF Downloads 120

Authors: Chick Loveline Ayoh Epse Ndi

Abstract:

Our cultural stance has deep implications for the psychological and physical well-being of the old. Cameroon is still rooted on the traditional belief that stipulates that; the aged are best catered for in the family setting where the children and grandchildren are supposed to give in return for services invested on them by the former. This is why up till date, there are no “Rest Homes” or “Convalescent hospitals” despite the rising challenges faced by the aged in this context. Beside the special measure set aside to cater for the aged, such as “Rest Homes” for the healthy, “Convalescent hospitals” are created set to cater for the health of the aged in the Western context with other facilities such as geriatric units. The health care practitioners are aware of aging diseases and have trained human resources like Gerontologists to cater for the aged and aging diseases. Meanwhile, in Africa and Cameroon in particular, such infrastructural and human resources are still to be considered in the health care system. It can be assumed that the aged and aging diseases are still to be considered in the health care system in this context. This is why we talk of therapeutic nihilism, where the aged are mixed up with other categories of patients with no special attention given to them. This qualitative study carried out in the Yaounde, the capital city of Cameroon, with their best referent hospitals, reveal that; the aged and aging diseases are still a myth in this context. Data collected in both private and public health institutions show that there is only one public institution in Cameroon that has a geriatric unit with no specialists. Patients who aretreated in this unit are considered as aged with terminal diseases that need palliative care and not intensive care. Cameroon is still lacking in terms of health care to the aged and ageing diseases. Like other patients, the aged are treated with a lot of laxity and no value. There is an emergency to create special health care units for geriatrics and and train gerontologist. Mentally or physically ill aged faced medical rational with psychodynamic treatment considered as waste of time. The aged are less likely to be regarded salvageable when they enter a hospital in serious conditions due to the lack of specialists and geriatric units for them. The implication of this study is to sensitization the stake holders for an urgent need to extend special care units for the aged and aging diseases in this context.

Keywords: challeng, therapy, agtng, diseases cameroon

Procedia PDF Downloads 72

Authors: Husham Bayazed

Abstract:

Purpose of Presentation: The eye is one of a few sites in the body with immune privilege (IP). However, this IP is relatively easily bypassed in the face of sufficient strong local or systemic immunological responses. As immune responses are crucial elements of the repair response, the eye has developed distinct mechanisms to deliver immune responses to injury in the avascular regions of the eye. This presentation may cover and provide an overview of the mechanisms that dictate immune cell trafficking to the local ocular microenvironment in response to different autoimmune and inflammatory-mediated diseases. Recent Findings: Literature reviews declare that immune responses and inflammation play a key role in a diverse range of eye diseases. In recent years, our understanding of ocular immune responses has widely spread in ocular surface inflammation, uveitis, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, transplantation rejection, and other ocular diseases. It is becoming increasingly clear that multiple seemingly unrelated diseases involve immune responses with common themes in their ocular pathogenesis. Recent studies are focusing on elucidating the pathogenesis of ocular inflammatory disease to identify new targets for immunotherapy that will not only improve efficacy but also minimize adverse effects from traditional therapy. Summary: While IP was believed to protect the eye from day-to-day inflammatory insults, however, it is relatively easily breached in the face of different strong local or systemic immunological and inflammatory responses. Therefore, the ocular immune response encapsulates the full range of classical and non-classical immune responses and demonstrates many features which are reflected in other tissues, but eye tissues, by modifying these responses, may reveal unexpected and novel findings which are relevant to immune responses generally. This may have therapeutic potential for new targeting immunotherapy, restoring immune tolerance in ocular autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and preventing rejection such as stem cells, currently being considered for treatment of worldwide blinding diseases such as AMD.

Keywords: ocular diseases, immunology, immune privilege, immunotherapy

Procedia PDF Downloads 56

Authors: Xu Yifei, Le Yining, Yang Qingluan, Tu Yanjie

Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to investigate the distribution features of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndromes and syndrome elements in Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases and then explores the relations between TCM syndromes or syndrome elements and laboratory indicators of Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 70 patients with EBV infection was described. We assessed the diagnostic information and laboratory indicators of these patients from Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University between November 2017 and July 2019. The disease diagnosis and syndrome differentiation were based on the diagnostic criteria of EBV-associated diseases and the theory of TCM respectively. Confidence correlation analysis, logistic regression analysis, cluster analysis, and the Sankey diagram were used to analyze the correlation between the data. Results: The differentiation of the 4 primary TCM syndromes in the collected patients was correlated with the indexes of immune function, liver function, inflammation, and anemia, especially the relationship between Qifen syndrome and high lactic acid dehydrogenase level. The common 11 TCM syndrome elements were associated with the increased CD3+ T cell rate, low hemoglobin level, high procalcitonin level, high lactic acid dehydrogenase level, and low albumin level. Conclusion: The changes in immune function indexes, procalcitonin, and liver function-related indexes in patients with EBV-associated diseases were consistent with the evolution law of TCM syndromes. This study provides a reference for judging the pathological stages of these kinds of diseases, predicting their prognosis, and guiding subsequent treatment strategies based on TCM syndrome type.

Keywords: EBV-associated diseases, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome, syndrome element, diagnostics

Procedia PDF Downloads 55

Authors: Rachel Matar, Maxime Merheb

Abstract:

Chemical drugs have been used for many centuries as the only way to cure diseases until the novel gene therapy has been created in 1960. Gene therapy is based on the insertion, correction, or inactivation of genes to treat people with genetic illness (1). Gene therapy has made wonders in Parkison’s, Alzheimer and multiple sclerosis. In addition to great promises in the healing of deadly diseases like many types of cancer and autoimmune diseases (2). This method implies the use of recombinant DNA technology with the help of different viral and non-viral vectors (3). It is nowadays used in somatic cells as well as embryos and gametes. Beside all the benefits of gene therapy, this technique is deemed by some opponents as an ethically unacceptable treatment as it implies playing with the genes of living organisms.

Keywords: gene therapy, genetic disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis

Procedia PDF Downloads 512

Authors: Naser Shagerdi Esmaeli, Mohsen Hamidpour, Parisa Hasankhani Tehrani

Abstract:

Background And Objective: Haematopoietic stem cell transplant is a potentially curative treatment option in various benign and malignant haematological diseases. Patients undergoing stem cell transplant procedure require blood transfusion on a daily basis. Currently, there is paucity of data from developing countries on transfusion practices. This audit was undertaken to determine the consumption of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) transfusion in the bone marrow transplant unit of the Shahid Ghazi Tabatabaei Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Subjects And Methods: A retrospective audit was conducted for packed red cell transfusion ordering practice over a period from March 2017 to march 2018. All consecutive patients admitted for stem cell transplant procedure for various underlying diseases were included. Outcome measures used in this study were (i) cross match to transfusion (C: T) ratio and (ii) transfusion trigger. Results: During the study period, n=13 patients underwent a haematopoietic stem cell transplant. There were n=10 males and n=3 females. One patient was less than 15 years of age, while rests were adults. Median age±SD was 26.5±14.5 years (12∼54 years). The underlying diagnosis included Aplastic anemia (n=4), Thalassemia major (n=1), Multiple Myeloma (n=3), Acute leukemia (n=3), Hodgkin's lymphoma (n=1), PRCA (n=1). Grand total consumption of PRBCs during the study period was 204, while 258 products were crossmatch. The C:T ratio was 1.26. The transfusion trigger was Hb level of less than 8 gr/dl. Conclusion: The results of our BMT unit indicate that the C:T ratio and transfusion trigger is comparable to the international criteria and pioneer country in BMT transplantation. Also, we hope that our blood consumption become less than it is now.

Keywords: blood consumption, C: T ratio, PRBCs, stem cell transplant, tabriz, Iran

Procedia PDF Downloads 96

Authors: Maryam Borjali

Abstract:

Introduction. Mortality due to noncommunicable diseases has increased in the world today with the advent of demographic shifts, growing age, and lifestyle patterns in the world, which have been affected by economic and social crises. Congenital heart defects are one of the forms of diseases that have raised infant mortality worldwide. e objective of present study was to identify nonmedical determinants related to this abnormality from the mother’s perspectives. Methods. is research was a qualitative study and the data collection method was a semistructured interview with mothers who had children with congenital heart diseases referring to the Shahid Rajaei Heart Hospital in Tehran, Iran. A thematic analysis approach was employed to analyze transcribed documents assisted by MAXQDA Plus version 12. Results. Four general themes and ten subthemes including social contexts (social harms, social interactions, and social necessities), psychological contexts (mood disorders and mental well-being), cultural contexts (unhealthy lifestyle, family culture, and poor parental health behaviors), and environmental contexts (living area and polluted air) were extracted from interviews with mothers of children with congenital heart diseases. Conclusions. Results suggest that factors such as childhood poverty, lack of parental awareness of congenital diseases, lack of proper nutrition and health facilities, education, and lack of medical supervision during pregnancy were most related with the birth of children with congenital heart disease from mothers’ prospective. In this regard, targeted and intersectorial collaborations are proposed to address nonmedical determinants related to the incidence of congenital heart diseases.

Keywords: congenital_cou, cultural, social, platform

Procedia PDF Downloads 77

Authors: Gurbanova J., Majidova N., Ali-Zade S., Hasanova A., Mikailzade P.

Abstract:

Currently, the problem of oncogynecological diseases is widespread and remains relevant in terms of quantitative growth. It is known that due to the increase in the number of benign diseases of the cervix, the development of precancerous conditions occurs. Benign diseases of the cervix represent the most common gynecological problem, which are often precursors of malignant neoplasms, especially cervical cancer. According to statistics, benign diseases of the cervix cover 25-45% of all gynecological diseases. Among women's oncogynecological diseases, cervical cancer ranks second in the world after breast cancer and ranks first in the mortality rate among oncological diseases in economically underdeveloped countries. We performed a comprehensive clinical and laboratory examination of 130 women aged 18 to 73 with benign cervical diseases. 59 (38.5%) women of reproductive age, as well as 39 (30%) premenopausal and 41 (31.5%) menopausal patients, participated in the study. Detailed anamnesis was collected from all patients, objective and gynecological examination was performed, laboratory and instrumental examinations (USM, IPV DNA, smear microscopy, and PCR bacteriological examination of sexually transmitted infections), simple and extended colposcopy, liquid-based РАР-smear smear and РАР-classic smear examinations were conducted. As a result of the research, the following nosological forms were found in women with benign diseases of the cervix: non-specific vaginitis in 10 (7.7%) cases; ectopia, endocervicitis - 60(46.2%); cervical ectropion - 7(5.4%); cervical polyp - 9(6.9%); cervical leukoplakia - 15(11.5%); atrophic vaginitis - 7(5.4%); condyloma - 12(9.2%); cervical stenosis - 2(1.5%); endometriosis of the cervix - was noted in 8 (6.2%) cases (p<0.001), respectively. Characteristics of the menstrual cycle among the examined women: normal cycle in 97 (74.6%) cases; oligomenorrhea – 23 (17.7%); polymenorrhea – 4(3.1%); algomenorrhea – noted in 6 (4.6%) cases (p<0.001). Cytological examination showed that: the specificity of liquid-based cytology was 76.2%, and the traditional PAP test was set at 70.6%. The overall diagnostic value was calculated to be 86% in liquid-based cytology and 78.5% in conventional PAP tests. Treatment of women with benign diseases of the cervix was carried out by diathermocoagulation method and "FOTEK EA 141M" device. It should be noted that 6 months after the treatment, after treatment with the "FOTEK EA 141M" device, there was no relapse in any patient. Recurrence was found in 23.7% of patients after diathermoelectrocoagulation. Thus, it is clear from the above that the study of cervical pathologies, the determination of optimal examinations, and effective treatment methods is one of the urgent problems facing obstetrics and gynecology.

Keywords: cervical cancer, cytological examination, PAP-smear, non-specific vaginitis

Procedia PDF Downloads 71

Authors: Jinhee Kang, Kwangman Park, Ruhee Song, Suhee Kim, Do-Hyeon Yu, Kyoungseong Choi, Jinho Park

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Animal blood components maintain homeostasis when animals are healthy, and changes in chemical composition of the blood and body fluids can be observed if animals have a disease. In particular, newborn calves are susceptible to disease and therefore hematologic tests and serum chemistry tests could become an important guideline to the diagnosis and the treatment of diseases. Diarrhea in newborn calves is the most damaging to cattle ranch, whether dairy or cattle fattening, and is a large part of calf atrophy and death. However, since the study on calf electrophoresis was not carried out, a survey analysis was conducted on it. Methodology and Theoretical Orientation: The calves were divided into healthy calves and disease (diarrhea) calves, and calves were classified by 1-14d, 15-28d, and more than 28d, respectively. The fecal state was classified by solid (0-value), semi-solid (1-value), loose (2-value) and watery (3-value). In the solid (0-value) and semi-solid (1-value) feces valuable pathogen was not detected, but loose (2-value) and watery (3-value) feces were detected. Findings: ALB, α-1, α-2, α-SUM, β and γ (Gamma) were examined by electrophoresis analysis of healthy calves and diarrhea calves. Test results showed that there were age differences between healthy calves and diarrheic calves. When we look at the γ-globulin at 1-14 days of age, we can see that the average calf of healthy calves is 16.8% and the average of diarrheal calves is 7.7%, when we look at the figures for the α-2 at 1-14 days, we found that healthy calves average 5.2% and diarrheal calves 8.7% higher than healthy cows. On α-1, 15-28 days, and after 28 days, healthy calves average 10.4% and diarrheal calves average 7.5% diarrhea calves were 12.6% and 12.4% higher than healthy calves. In the α-SUM, the healthy calves were 21.6%, 16.8%, and 14.5%, respectively, after 1-14 days, 15-28 days and 28 days. diarrheal calves were 23.1%, 19.5%, and 19.8%. Conclusion and Significance: In this study, we examined the electrophoresis results of healthy calves and diseased (diarrhea) calves, gamma globulin at 1-14 days of age were lower than those of healthy calves (diarrhea), indicating that the calf was unable to consume colostrum from the mother when it was a new calf. α-1, α-2, α-SUM may be associated with an acute inflammatory response as a result of increased levels of calves with diarrhea (diarrhea). Further research is needed to investigate the effects of acute inflammatory responses on additional calf-forming proteins. Information on the results of the electrophoresis test will be provided where necessary according to the item.

Keywords: alpha, electrophoretogram, serum protein, γ, gamma

Procedia PDF Downloads 117

Authors: Mahdokht Sadeghvishkaei, Azizah Abdul-Hamid, Amin Ismail, Nazamid Saari

Abstract:

Hypertension is a common and serious chronic health problem and known as the most important risk factor for development of many diseases such as stroke. Since angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) is the key enzyme involved in blood pressure, one of the well accepted mechanisms to control hypertension is through ACE inhibition. The ACE inhibitory effect of Actinopyga lecanora (stone fish) proteolysate in vitro had been reported. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the ACE inhibitory potential of Actinopyga lecanora proteolysate in vivo in normotensive rats. Therefore the ACE inhibitory capability of the proteolysate to prevent increasing systolic blood pressure, after inducing hypertension by angiotensin I was examined. The pre-fed rats with the proteolysates at various doses (200, 400, 800 mg/kg body weight) revealed the significant (p ≤ 0.05) suppression effect compared with control groups. Furthermore, different doses of the proteolysate (200, 400, 800 mg/kg body weight) were examined to find its optimum effective dose. Results depicted that 800 mg proteolysate/kg body weight significantly reduced systolic blood pressure without negative effect on normal blood pressure (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, Sub-acute toxicity study based on OECD guideline demonstrated the safety of the proteolysate in vivo. The present study indicated that the proteolysate at a dose of 1000 mg/kg daily for 14 days did not cause toxicity signs such as death, changes in activity, or piloerection. Since there are no significant differences between treated groups and control groups, hematological and biochemical analysis confirmed safety of the proteolysate (p > 0.05). In addition, there were no significant differences between organs weights of the treated groups and the control groups. Morphologically, neither histopathological changes, nor gross abnormalities were observed. However, the proteolysate caused significant decrease in body weight in relation to the control groups (p ≤ 0.05) probably due to appetite stimulation by the proteolysate, leading to decreased food consumption in sub-acute group. It is concluded that the proteolysate generated from Actinopyga lecanora possess a significant anti-hypertensive effect and would be potentially used as natural alternative of ACE inhibitors.

Keywords: ACE inhibition, Actinopyga lecanora, anti-hypertensive activity, bioactive peptides, normotensive rats

Procedia PDF Downloads 410

Authors: Balakumar Pitchai, Xiang Llan Ang, Sunil Prajapati, Varatharajan Rajavel, Sundram Karupiah, Mohd Baidi Bahari

Abstract:

The study examined the pretreatment and post-treatment effects of low-doses of fenofibrate and rosuvastatin in gentamicin-induced acute nephrotoxicity in rats. Gentamicin (100 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was administered to rats for 8 days. In the pretreatment protocol, low-dose fenofibrate (30 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or low-dose rosuvastatin (2 mg/kg/day, p.o.) treatments were started a day before the administration of gentamicin and continued for 8 days. In the post-treatment protocol, rats administered gentamicin were treated with low-dose fenofibrate (30 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or low-dose rosuvastatin (2 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 6 days after the completion of 8 days protocol of gentamicin administration. Gentamicin-associated acute nephrotoxicity in rats was assessed in terms of biochemical analysis and renal histopathological studies. Gentamicin-administered rats showed marked renal functional changes as assessed in terms of a significant increase in serum creatinine and urea levels as compared to normal rats. The renal dysfunction noted in gentamicin administered rats was accompanied with elevated serum uric acid level as compared to normal rats while there was no significant change in lipid profile. Low-dose fenofibrate pretreatment in gentamicin-administered rats afforded a significant renal functional improvements and renoprotection while its post-treatment showed no significant renoprotection. On the other hand, pretreatment with low-dose rosuvastatin partially reduced gentamicin-induced increase in serum creatinine level, but its post-treatment did not afford renal functional improvements in gentamicin-administered rats. However, all pre and post-treatments with low-doses of fenofibrate or rosuvastatin significantly reduced the elevated serum uric acid concentration in gentamicin-administered rats. Renal histopathological analysis showed a discernible incidence of acute tubular necrosis in gentamicin-administered rats which were markedly reduced by low-dose fenofibrate or low-dose rosuvastatin pretreatments; but, not by their post-treatments. In conclusion, low-dose fenofibrate pretreatment considerably prevented gentamicin-induced acute tubular necrosis and renal functional abnormalities in rats while its post-treatment resulted in no significant renoprotective action. In spite of effective prevention of gentamicin-induced acute tubular necrosis, the pretreatment with low-dose rosuvastatin had only a partial and fractional protection on renal functional abnormalities. The post-treatment with low-dose rosuvastatin was ineffective in affording a renoprotection in gentamicin-administered rats.

Keywords: gentamicin-nephrotoxicity, low-dose fenofibrate, low-dose rosuvastatin, renoprotection

Procedia PDF Downloads 180

Authors: Rodrigo De A. Ferrazza, Henry D. M. Garcia, Viviana H. V. Aristizabal, Camilla De S. Nogueira, Cecilia J. Verissimo, Jose Roberto Sartori, Roberto Sartori, Joao Carlos P. Ferreira

Abstract:

Environmental factors adversely influence sustainability in livestock production system. Dairy herds are the most affected by heat stress among livestock industries. This clearly implies in development of new strategies for mitigating heat, which should be based on physiological and metabolic adaptations of the animal. In this study, we incorporated the effect of climate variables and heat exposure time on the thermoregulatory responses in order to clarify the adaptive mechanisms for bovine heat dissipation under intense thermal stress induced experimentally in climate chamber. Non-lactating Holstein cows were contemporaneously and randomly assigned to thermoneutral (TN; n=12) or heat stress (HS; n=12) treatments during 16 days. Vaginal temperature (VT) was measured every 15 min with a microprocessor-controlled data logger (HOBO®, Onset Computer Corporation, Bourne, MA, USA) attached to a modified vaginal controlled internal drug release insert (Sincrogest®, Ourofino, Brazil). Rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) were measured twice a day (0700 and 1500h) and dry matter intake (DMI) was estimated daily. The ambient temperature and air relative humidity were 25.9±0.2°C and 73.0±0.8%, respectively for TN, and 36.3± 0.3°C and 60.9±0.9%, respectively for HS. Respiratory rate of HS cows increased immediately after exposure to heat and was higher (76.02±1.70bpm; P<0.001) than TN (39.70±0.71bpm), followed by rising of RT (39.87°C±0.07 for HS versus 38.56±0.03°C for TN; P<0.001) and VT (39.82±0.10°C for HS versus 38.26±0.03°C for TN; P<0.001). A diurnal pattern was detected, with higher (P<0.01) afternoon temperatures than morning and this effect was aggravated for HS cows. There was decrease (P<0.05) of HR for HS cows (62.13±0.99bpm) compared to TN (66.23±0.79bpm), but the magnitude of the differences was not the same over time. From the third day, there was a decrease of DMI for HS in attempt to maintain homeothermy, while TN cows increased DMI (8.27kg±0.33kg d-1 for HS versus 14.03±0.29kg d-1 for TN; P<0.001). By regression analysis, RT and RR better reflected the response of cows to changes in the Temperature Humidity Index and the effect of climate variables from the previous day to influence the physiological parameters and DMI was more important than the current day, with ambient temperature the most important factor. Comparison between acute (0 to 3 days) and chronic (13 to 16 days) exposure to heat stress showed decreasing of the slope of the regression equations for RR and DMI, suggesting an adaptive adjustment, however with no change for RT. In conclusion, intense heat stress exerted strong influence on the thermoregulatory mechanisms, but the acclimation process was only partial.

Keywords: acclimation, bovine, climate chamber, hyperthermia, thermoregulation

Procedia PDF Downloads 198

Authors: Chariya Laohavich

Abstract:

Background: Some limitations and complications have been found associated with commercial mouthpiece in bronchoscopic procedure. Therefore, we invented the Rama-chest mouthpiece from plastic normal saline bottle. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare user satisfaction in Rama-chest mouthpiece with the commercial mouthpiece. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial between commercial mouthpiece and Rama-chest mouthpiece was conducted on patients who were underwent bronchoscopy and required mouthpiece insertion from May to June 2014. The questionnaire about satisfaction was completed by the bronchoscopists, assistant nurses, and patients. Results: Thirty procedures in both groups were investigated. Mean satisfaction scores filled by the bronchoscopists and assistant nurses were not different between both groups. However, higher satisfaction score filled by the patients was found in Rama-chest mouthpiece than the comparator (p=0.011). Complications such as abrasion, pain, and itching were observed in commercial mouthpiece but not found in Rama-chest mouthpiece. Conclusion: We have introduced Rama-chest mouthpiece and proved its usefulness comparable to the commercial mouthpiece.

Keywords: mouthpiece, bronchoscopist, bronchology, pulmonology and respiratory diseases

Procedia PDF Downloads 345

Authors: Le Nguyen Binh, Luong Xuan Binh, Le Van Tuan, Tran Binh Duong, Truong Nguyen Khanh Hung, Do Le Hoang Son, Pham Quang Vinh, Hoang Quoc Huy, Nguyen Bach, Nguyen Quoc Khanh Le, Jiunn Horng Kang

Abstract:

Introduction: Traumatic hip dislocation is an emergency in young adult which can cause avascular necrosis of femoral head or osteoarthritis of hip joint. The reasons for these may be the loose body of bony or chondral fragments, which are difficult to be detected on CT scan or MRI. In those cases, Hip arthroscopy may be the method of choice for diagnosis and treatment of loose bodies in hip joint after traumatic dislocation. Methods: A case report is performed. A 55-year-old male patient was under hip arthroscopy to retrieve the loose body in the right hip joint. Results: The patient’s hip was reduced under anesthesia in the opeation room. Xray and CT scan post-reduction showed that his right hip was wide and a small fragment of femoral head (< 5mm) locking inside the joint. A hip arthroscopy was done to take the fragment out. Post-operation, the patient went under rehabilition. After 6 months, he can walk with full-weight bearing; no further dislocaion was noted, and the Harris score was 84 points. Conclusions: Although acute traumatic injury of hip joint is usually treated with open surgeries, these methods have many drawbacks, such as soft tissue destruction, blood-loss,….Despite its technical requirement, hip arthroscopy is less invasive and effective treatment. Therefore, it may be an alternative treatment for a traumatic hip injury and can be applied frequently in the near future.

Keywords: hip dislocation, hip arthroscopy, hip osteoarthritis, acute hip trauma

Procedia PDF Downloads 52

Authors: Carlos Tarmeño Noriega, Igor Aguilar Alonso

Abstract:

Fungal diseases are common in vineyards; they cause a decrease in the quality of the products that can be sold, generating distrust of the customer towards the seller when buying fruit. Currently, technology allows the classification of fruits according to their characteristics thanks to artificial intelligence. This study proposes the implementation of a control system that allows the identification of the main fungal diseases present in the Italia grape, making use of a convolutional neural network (CNN), OpenCV, and TensorFlow. The methodology used was based on a collection of 20 articles referring to the proposed research on quality control, classification, and recognition of fruits through artificial vision techniques.

Keywords: computer vision, convolutional neural networks, quality control, fruit market, OpenCV, TensorFlow

Procedia PDF Downloads 52

Authors: Christine Y. Yeh, Brian D. Piening, Sarah M. Totten, Kimberly Kukurba, Wenyu Zhou, Kevin P. F. Contrepois, Gucci J. Gu, Sharon Pitteri, Michael Snyder

Abstract:

Three million deaths worldwide are attributed to obesity. However, the biomolecular mechanisms that describe the link between adiposity and subsequent disease states are poorly understood. Insulin resistance characterizes approximately half of obese individuals and is a major cause of obesity-mediated diseases such as Type II diabetes, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. This study makes use of longitudinal quantitative and high-throughput multi-omics (genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, glycoproteomics etc.) methodologies on blood samples to develop multigenic and multi-analyte signatures associated with weight gain and insulin resistance. Participants of this study underwent a 30-day period of weight gain via excessive caloric intake followed by a 60-day period of restricted dieting and return to baseline weight. Blood samples were taken at three different time points per patient: baseline, peak-weight and post weight loss. Patients were characterized as either insulin resistant (IR) or insulin sensitive (IS) before having their samples processed via longitudinal multi-omic technologies. This comparative study revealed a wealth of biomolecular changes associated with weight gain after using methods in machine learning, clustering, network analysis etc. Pathways of interest included those involved in lipid remodeling, acute inflammatory response and glucose metabolism. Some of these biomolecules returned to baseline levels as the patient returned to normal weight whilst some remained elevated. IR patients exhibited key differences in inflammatory response regulation in comparison to IS patients at all time points. These signatures suggest differential metabolism and inflammatory pathways between IR and IS patients. Biomolecular differences associated with weight gain and insulin resistance were identified on various levels: in gene expression, epigenetic change, transcriptional regulation and glycosylation. This study was not only able to contribute to new biology that could be of use in preventing or predicting obesity-mediated diseases, but also matured novel biomedical informatics technologies to produce and process data on many comprehensive omics levels.

Keywords: insulin resistance, multi-omics, next generation sequencing, proteogenomics, type ii diabetes

Procedia PDF Downloads 403

Authors: Ampe Mohottige Sachinthi Sandaruwani Amarasiri, Anoja Priyadarshani Attanayake, Kamani Ayoma Perera Wijewardana Jayatilaka, Lakmini Kumari Boralugoda Mudduwa

Abstract:

The search for alternative pharmacological therapies based on natural extracts for renal failure has become an urgent need, due to paucity of effective pharmacotherapy. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the acute nephroprotective effect of aqueous leaf extract of Plectranthus amboinicus (Roxb.) (Family: Lamiaceae), a medicinal plant used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for the management of renal diseases in Sri Lanka. The study was performed in adriamycin (ADR) induced nephrotoxic in Wistar rats. Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups each with six rats. A single dose of ADR (20 mg/kg body wt., ip) was used for the induction of nephrotoxicity in all groups of rats except group one. The treatments were started 24 hours after induction of nephrotoxicity and continued for three days. Group one and two served as healthy and nephrotoxic control rats and were administered equivalent volumes of normal saline (0.9% NaCl) orally. Group three and four nephrotoxic rats were administered the lyophilized powder of the aqueous extract of P. amboinicus (400 mg/ kg body wt.; equivalent human therapeutic dose) and the standard drug, fosinopril sodium (0.09 mg/ kg body wt.) respectively. Urine and blood samples were collected from rats in each group at the end of the period of intervention for the estimation of selected renal parameters. H and E stained sections of the kidney tissues were examined for histopathological changes. Rats treated with the plant extract showed significant improvement in biochemical parameters and histopathological changes compared to ADR induced nephrotoxic group. The elevation of serum concentrations of creatinine and β2-microglobulin were decreased by 38%, and 66% in plant extract treated nephrotoxic rats respectively (p < 0.05). In addition, serum concentrations of total protein and albumin were significantly increased by 25% and 14% in rats treated with P. amboinicus respectively (p < 0.05). The results of β2 –microglobulin and serum total protein demonstrated a significant reduction in the elevated values in rats administered with the plant extract (400 mg/kg) compared to that of fosinopril (0.09 mg/kg). Urinary protein loss in 24hr urine samples was significantly decreased in rats treated with both fosinopril (86%) and P. ambonicus (56%) at the end of the intervention (p < 0.01). Accordingly, an attenuation of morphological destruction was observed in the H and E stained sections of the kidney with the treatments of plant extract and fosinopril. The results of the present study revealed that the aqueous leaf extract of P. amboinicus possesses significant nephroprotective activity at the equivalent therapeutic dose of 400 mg/ kg against adriamycin induced acute nephrotoxicity.

Keywords: biochemical assessment, histopathological assessment, nephroprotective activity, Plectranthus amboinicus

Procedia PDF Downloads 117

Authors: A. Gharaei, R. Karami

Abstract:

Rutilus frisii Kutum was exposed to various concentrations of mercuric chloride in water to determine its acute toxicity and bioaccumulation. We carried out ten treatments with three replicates and one control for each of the chemicals using the static O. E. C. D. method in 55-liter-tanks each containing 14 fingerlings. During the experiments, the average pH was recorded as 7.8, total hardness was measured to be 255 mg/l, the average water temperature was 27±1 degrees centigrade and dissolved oxygen was 7.2 mg/l. Mean LC50 values of Hgcl2 for juvenile R. frisii kutum with mean weight 1±0.2 gr were 0.102 and 0.86 mgHg/l at 24h and 96h, respectively. The bioaccumulation values during 24h in tissue, kidney, and gill were 1.55, 16.1, and 22.7 mgHg/l, respectively. So, these values during 96h were 2.8, 16.8, and 26.65 mgHg/l, respectively. The bioconcentration factors in tissue, kidney, and gill during 24h were 14.75, 153.39, and 216.11 and so during 96h were 33.8, 198.1, and 313.5 times. These results show that bioaccumulation was highest in the gill and then kidney and tissue, respectively. This study suggested that between mercury concentrations of water with bioaccumulation in tissue more than kidney and gill.

Keywords: HgCl2, LC5096h, bioaccumulation, Rutilus frisii Kutum, Caspian Sea

Procedia PDF Downloads 541

Authors: Destin Kurniawati

Abstract:

Asthma is one of the deadly diseases in the world. According to the World Health Organization in 2012, 300 million people suffer from asthma of different races and classes. An estimated 250,000 people die because of asthma annually.As well as more than 57% of children and 51% of adults with asthma. There two risk factors for asthma. That risk factors are the host and environmental. One of the environmental factors that can bring asthma is allergens. When an allergen enters the body, the allergen binds to IgE and cause cell granulat- issued several mediators such as histamine, leukotrienes, bradykinin or something like that. This will cause localized edema effect on bronchial walls of small, thick mucous secretions in the bronchioles, and bronchial smooth muscle spasm. Then there will be inflammation of the airways. Methodology this research is by literature. Therefore, to anticipate and cope with asthma is to control environmental factors that serve to minimize allergens and controlling one's intake in the form of antioxidant-rich foods. Foods rich in antioxidants serve to improve lung function and decrease symptoms of the disease of the respiratory tract.

Keywords: asthma, deadly disease, allergen, environmental and food control

Procedia PDF Downloads 240

Authors: Gudakesh Yadav

Abstract:

Uttar Pradesh is one of the poorest performing states of India in terms of child health. Using data from the three round of NFHS and two rounds of DLHS, this paper attempts to examine tempo-spatial change in child health and care practices in Uttar Pradesh and its regions. Rate-ratio, CI, multivariate, and decomposition analysis has been used for the study. Findings demonstrate that child health care practices have improved over the time in all regions of the state. However; western and southern region registered the lowest progress in child immunization. Nevertheless, there is no decline in prevalence of diarrhea and ARI over the period, and it remains critically high in the western and southern region. These regions also poorly performed in giving ORS, diarrhoea and ARI treatment. Public health services are least preferred for diarrhoea and ARI treatment. Results from decomposition analysis reveal that rural area, mother’s illiteracy and wealth contributed highest to the low utilization of the child health care practices consistently over the period of time. The study calls for targeted intervention for vulnerable children to accelerate child health care service utilization. Poor performing regions should be targeted and routinely monitored on poor child health indicators.

Keywords: Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), decomposition, diarrhea, inequality, immunization

Procedia PDF Downloads 279

Authors: Michael Kvopka, Ezekiel Kingston

Abstract:

A 61-year-old man with no significant past medical history presented to a quaternary ophthalmic referral center with acute right-sided medial canthal pain, periorbital edema, and erythema despite oral antibiotic therapy. CT imaging confirmed the presence of right preseptal cellulitis and lacrimal sac aspiration identified multi-resistant Enterobacter cloacae. A diagnosis of acute right-sided dacryocystitis with preseptal cellulitis was made. He was successfully treated with broadening of antibiotic therapy to intravenous meropenem. The symptomatic resolution was noted on follow-up without evidence of disease recurrence. To the Authors’ best knowledge, this is the first reported case of multi-resistant E. cloacae dacryocystitis and preseptal cellulitis. The management of this patient required a multi-disciplinary approach, so the Authors believe this report is relevant to general ophthalmologists and oculoplastic sub-specialists.

Keywords: enterobacter, dacryocystitis, preseptal cellulitis, antibiotic resistance

Procedia PDF Downloads 197

Authors: P. Serpytis, K. Azukaitis, U. Gargalskaite, R. Navickas, J. Badariene, V. Dzenkeviciute

Abstract:

Purpose: Total longitudinal displacement (tLoD) of the common carotid artery (CCA) wall is a novel ultrasound marker of vascular function that can be evaluated using modified speckle tracking techniques. Decreased CCA tLoD has already been shown to be associated with diabetes and was shown to predict one year cardiovascular outcome in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) . The aim of our study was to evaluate if CCA tLoD differ between patients with moderate or high cardiovascular (CV) risk and patients after recent acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: 49 patients (54±6 years) with moderate or high CV risk and 42 patients (58±7 years) after recent AMI were included. All patients were non-diabetic. CCA tLoD was evaluated using GE EchoPAC speckle tracking software and expressed as mean of both sides. Data on systolic blood pressure, total and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level, smoking status and family history of early CV events was evaluated and assessed for association with CCA tLoD. Results: tLoD of CCA did not differ between patients with moderate or high CV risk and patients with very high CV risk after MI (0.265±0.128 mm vs. 0.237±0.103 mm, p>0.05). Lower tLoD was associated with lower HDL cholesterol levels (r=0.211, p=0.04) and male sex (0.228±0.1 vs. 0.297±0.134, p=0.01). Conclusions: tLoD of CCA did not differ between patients with moderate or high CV risk and patients with very high CV risk after AMI. However, lower CCA tLoD was significantly associated with low HDL cholesterol levels and male sex.

Keywords: total longitudinal displacement, carotid artery, cardiovascular risk, acute myocardial infarction

Procedia PDF Downloads 367

Authors: Hassan Ali Abood Nassrullah, Jabbar Fadeel Mahdi, Mohammed Salih Mahdi Alkurdi, Ali Al Mousawi, Saad Ibrahim Al-Ghabban, Abdul Amir H. Kadhum, Ahmed Al-Amiery

Abstract:

Background: Q fever is a zoonotic disease characterized by its clinical polymorphism and can present acutely as fever, pneumonia, hepatitis, and chronically as infective endocarditis, arthritis, osteomyelitis, or hepatitis. Objective: The aim of this study is To estimate the prevalence of cases of Q fever in hospitalized febrile patients in Imam Al Hussain Teaching Medical City in Karbala. Methods: One hundred patients with pyrexia were admitted to the medical ward from 1st August to 31st December 2019. Serological procedures fortified by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay test. Patients were considered to have acute Q fever when the specific antibodies (IgM and IgG) of phase II of Coxiella burnetii were positive. Results: The mean age of the patients was 35.05±12.93 years; females constituted 60% of them. Eighteen patients (18%) showed positive results for IgM, a lower proportion (13% n=13) had positive IgG levels, and 9% showed equivocal results. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between positive IgM levels of the female gender and in patients consuming unpasteurized milk. One patient (female aged 60 years) died in the hospital, while all other patients were discharged well. Two female patients were pregnant, and one of them had an abortion. Conclusions: Q fever is more common in febrile patients. The study indicates that this disease should not be overlooked in the differential diagnosis of acute fever. Serological testing should be performed in all patients with acute febrile illness with an unsettling diagnosis.

Keywords: antibodies, frequency, immunoglobulin IgM, Q fever

Procedia PDF Downloads 89

Authors: Naim Izet Kajtazi

Abstract:

Context: Increased intracranial pressure and associated symptoms such as headache, papilledema, motor or sensory deficits, seizures, and conscious disturbance are well-known in acute CVT. However, visual loss is not commonly associated with this disease, except in the case of secondary IIH associated with it. Process: We report a case of a 40-year-old male with Behçet’s disease and cerebral venous thrombosis, and other multiple comorbidities admitted with a four-day history of increasing headache and rapidly progressive visual loss bilaterally. The neurological examination was positive for bilateral papilledema of grade 3 with light perception on the left eye and counting fingers on the right eye. Brain imaging showed old findings of cerebral venous thrombosis without any intraparenchymal lesions to suggest a flare-up of Behçet’s disease. The lumbar puncture, followed by the lumbar drain insertion, gave no benefit in headache or vision. However, he completely lost sight. The right optic nerve sheath fenestration did not result in vision improvement. The acute spinal shock complicated the lumbar drain removal due to epidural hematoma. An urgent lumbar laminectomy with hematoma evacuation undertook. Intra-operatively, the neurosurgeon noted suspicious abnormal vessels at conus medullaris with the possibility of an arteriovenous malformation. Outcome: In a few days following the spinal surgery, the patient vision started to improve. Further improvement was achieved after plasma exchange sessions followed by cyclophosphamide. In the recent follow-up in the clinic, he reported better vision, drove, and completed his Ph.D. studies. Relevance: Visual loss in patients with Behçet’s disease should always be anticipated and taken reasonable care of, ensuring that they receive well-combined immunosuppression with anticoagulation and agents to reduce intracranial pressure. This patient’s story is significant for a high disease burden and complicated hospital course by acute spinal shock due to spinal lumbar drain removal with a possible underlying spinal arteriovenous malformation.

Keywords: Behcet disease, optic neuritis, IIH, CVT

Procedia PDF Downloads 50

Authors: Javed Sidiqi, Stephen Baezinger, Stephen Wegulo

Abstract:

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production continues to be challenged by foliar fungal diseases although significant improvement has been made to manage the diseases through developing resistant varieties and the fungicide use to ensure sufficient wheat is produced to meet the growing population’s need. Significant crop losses have been recorded in the history of grain production and yield losses due to fungal diseases, and the trend continues to threat food security in the world and particularly in the less developed countries. The impact of individual fungal diseases on grain yield has been studied extensively to determine crop losses. However, there is limited research available to find out the combined effects of fungal diseases on grain yield and the ways to effectively manage the diseases. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to study the effect of fungal pathogens on grain yield of pre-released winter wheat genotypes in fungicide treated and untreated plots, and to determine whether S7b gene was present in ‘Gage’ wheat as previously hypothesized. Sixty winter wheat genotypes in fungicide treated and untreated plots were studied across four environments. There was a significant effect of fungicide on grain yield consistently across four environments in three years. Fungicide treated wheat lines demonstrated (4,496 kg/ ha-1) grain yield compared to (3,147 kg/ ha-1) grain yield in untreated wheat lines indicating 43% increased grain yield due to severity of foliar fungal diseases. Furthermore, fungicide application also caused an increase in protein concentration from 153 (g kg-1) to 164 (g kg-1) in treated plots in along with test weight from 73 to 77 (kg hL-1) respectively. Gage wheat variety and ISr7b-Ra were crossed to determine presence of Sr7b in Gage. The F2 and F2:3 segregating families were screened and evaluated for stem rust resistance. The segregation of families fell within 15:1 ratio for two separate resistance genes suggesting that Sr7b segregates independently from an unknown resistance gene in Gage that needs to be characterized for its use in the future wheat breeding program to develop resistant wheat varieties.

Keywords: funicide, genetics, foliar diseases, grain

Procedia PDF Downloads 102

Authors: Soumaya Mrabet, Imen Akkari, Amira Atig, Elhem Ben Jazia

Abstract:

Introduction: Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a cholestatic cholangitis of unknown etiology. It is frequently associated with autoimmune diseases, which explains their systematic screening. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence and the type of autoimmune disorders associated with PBC and to assess their impact on the prognosis of the disease. Material and methods: It is a retrospective study over a period of 16 years (2000-2015) including all patients followed for PBC. In all these patients we have systematically researched: dysthyroidism (thyroid balance, antithyroid autoantibodies), type 1 diabetes, dry syndrome (ophthalmologic examination, Schirmer test and lip biopsy in case of Presence of suggestive clinical signs), celiac disease(celiac disease serology and duodenal biopsies) and dermatological involvement (clinical examination). Results: Fifty-one patients (50 women and one men) followed for PBC were collected. The Mean age was 54 years (37-77 years). Among these patients, 30 patients(58.8%) had at least one autoimmune disease associated with PBC. The discovery of these autoimmune diseases preceded the diagnosis of PBC in 8 cases (26.6%) and was concomitant, through systematic screening, in the remaining cases. Autoimmune hepatitis was found in 12 patients (40%), defining thus an overlap syndrome. Other diseases were Hashimoto's thyroiditis (n = 10), dry syndrome (n = 7), Gougerot Sjogren syndrome (n=6), celiac disease (n = 3), insulin-dependent diabetes (n = 1), scleroderma (n = 1), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 1), Biermer Anemia (n=1) and Systemic erythematosus lupus (n=1). The two groups of patients with PBC with or without associated autoimmune disorders were comparable for bilirubin levels, Child-Pugh score, and response to treatment. Conclusion: In our series, the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in PBC was 58.8%. These diseases were dominated by autoimmune hepatitis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Even if their association does not seem to alter the prognosis, screening should be systematic in order to institute an early and adequate management.

Keywords: autoimmune diseases, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, prognosis

Procedia PDF Downloads 258

Authors: Nazish Badar

Abstract:

In early 2009, Pandemic type A (H1N1) Influenza virus emerged globally. Since then, it has continued circulation causing considerable morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the evolutionary changes in Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 viruses from 2009-15 and their relevance with the current vaccine viruses. Methods: Respiratory specimens were collected with influenza-like illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness. Samples were processed according to CDC protocol. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of Haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes was carried out comparing representative isolates from Pakistan viruses. Results: Between Jan2009 - Feb 2016, 1870 (13.2%) samples were positive for influenza A out of 14086. During the pandemic period (2009–10), Influenza A/ H1N1pdm 09 was the dominant strain with 366 (45%) of total influenza positives. In the post-pandemic period (2011–2016), a total of 1066 (59.6%) cases were positive Influenza A/ H1N1pdm 09 with co-circulation of different Influenza A subtypes. Overall, the Pakistan A(H1N1) pdm09 viruses grouped in two genetic clades. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses only ascribed to Clade 7 during the pandemic period whereas viruses belong to clade 7 (2011) and clade 6B (2015) during the post-pandemic years. Amino acid analysis of the HA gene revealed mutations at positions S220T, I338V and P100S specially associated with outbreaks in all the analyzed strains. Sequence analyses of post-pandemic A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses showed additional substitutions at antigenic sites; S179N,K180Q (SA), D185N, D239G (CA), S202A (SB) and at receptor binding sites; A13T, S200P when compared with pandemic period. Substitution at Genetic markers; A273T (69%), S200P/T (15%) and D239G (7.6%) associated with severity and E391K (69%) associated with virulence was identified in viruses isolated during 2015. Analysis of NA gene revealed outbreak markers; V106I (23%) among pandemic and N248D (100%) during post-pandemic Pakistan viruses. Additional N-Glycosylation site; HA S179N (23%), NA I23T(7.6%) and N44S (77%) in place of N386K(77%) were only found in post-pandemic viruses. All isolates showed histidine (H) at position 275 in NA indicating sensitivity to neuraminidase inhibitors. Conclusion: This study shows that the Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses from Pakistan clustered into two genetic clades, with co-circulation of some variants. Certain key substitutions in the receptor binding site and few changes indicative of virulence were also detected in post-pandemic strains. Therefore, it is imperative to continue monitoring of the viruses for early identification of potential variants of high virulence or emergence of drug-resistant variants.

Keywords: Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09, evolutionary analysis, post pandemic period, Pakistan

Procedia PDF Downloads 181

Authors: Pavel V. Balabanov, Daria A. Liubimova, Aleksandr P. Savenkov

Abstract:

The increase of technogenic and natural accidents, accompanied by air pollution, for example, by combustion products, leads to the necessity of respiratory protection. This work is devoted to the development of a calorimetric method and a device which allow investigating quickly the kinetics of carbon dioxide sorption by chemo-sorbents on the base of potassium superoxide in order to assess the protective properties of respiratory protective closed-circuit apparatus. The features of the traditional approach for determining the sorption properties in a thin layer of chemo-sorbent are described, as well as methods and devices, which can be used for the sorption kinetics study. The authors of the paper developed an approach (as opposed to the traditional approach) based on the power measurement of internal heat sources in the chemo-sorbent layer. The emergence of the heat sources is a result of the exothermic reaction of carbon dioxide sorption. This approach eliminates the necessity of chemical analysis of samples and can significantly reduce the time and material expenses during chemo-sorbents testing. The error of determining the volume fraction of adsorbed carbon dioxide by the developed method does not exceed 12%. Taking into account the efficiency of the method, we consider that it is a good alternative to traditional methods of chemical analysis under the assessment of the protection sorbents quality.

Keywords: carbon dioxide chemisorption, exothermic reaction, internal heat sources, respiratory protective apparatus

Procedia PDF Downloads 383

Authors: Mohammad Javad Mehrabanpour, Mohammad Hosein Hosseini, Ali Shirazi, Dorsa Mehrabanpour

Abstract:

Respiratory infections are the most important diseases that affect poultry. Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale is a bacterium that causes respiratory infections including alveolar inflation and pneumonia in birds. The aim of this study was to evaluated antibody titer against Ornitobacterium rhinotracheal in layer chicken sera after vaccination with an experimental ORT vaccine that produced in Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute. Cultured bacteria were inactivated by formalin, and controlled tests were conducted on it. The obtained antigens were formulated using Montanide oil and were homogenized using homogenizer. Eighty SPF chickens were kept until the age of 14 days under existing standards for temperature, humidity, and light. At the age of 14 days, chickens were divided into 3 groups. The first group included 50 chickens injected with prepared ORT vaccine, the second group, as control group, included 15 chickens injected with sterile PBS to get stress of infection and the third group included 15 chickens with no injection performed to them. All 3 groups were kept in separate cages at same room. Blood samples were regularly taken from the chickens every week for serum separation and evaluation of antibody titer. During the fifth week post vaccination, booster vaccine was injected into the chickens of vaccinated group. The chickens were inspected every day in terms of mortality as well as any injection site reactions. Three weeks after the booster injection, blood samples were taken from all chickens of all groups, and sera were isolated. The sera of immunized (vaccinated) SPF chickens with ORT vaccine as well as that of SPF chickens in the control groups were reviewed according to the recommendations of ELISA kit manufacturer to examine the chicken’s humeral immune response to the studied vaccine. Potency, stability and sterility tests were also performed on the above mentioned vaccine. Results obtained indicate high antibody titer in sera of chickens vaccinated with experimental ORT vaccine as compared with the control groups that emphasize the ability of experimentally prepared ORT vaccine to stimulate humoral immune response of chicken. After the second injection, antibody titer increased and remained almost stable up to 9 weeks after the injection. ORT vaccine can cause potency in chickens and can protect them against disease.

Keywords: antibody, layer chicken, Ornithobactrium rhinotracitis, vaccine

Procedia PDF Downloads 395