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Plant Disease Jun 2024The Chinese quince (Chaenomeles sinensis (Thouin) Koehne), belongs to the Rosaceae family, is widely distributed throughout Asia, including Republic of Korea. It is used...
The Chinese quince (Chaenomeles sinensis (Thouin) Koehne), belongs to the Rosaceae family, is widely distributed throughout Asia, including Republic of Korea. It is used as a traditional treatment for asthma, common cold, and dry pharynx. Numerous recent pharmacological studies on antiinfluenza, antioxidant, and antidiabetic properties have confirmed the medicinal properties of the Chinese quince fruit (Chun et al., 2012). In March 2022, leaf spots on Chinese quince, resulting in defoliation, were observed in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk Province, Korea (Fig. 1A). The disease symptoms are dark brown spots on leaves. Later, the chlorophyll is lost, causing the entire leaf to become wilted and fell off (Fig. 1B). To identify the pathogen, symptomatic leaves were brought to the laboratory, cut into small pieces, and surface-disinfected in 70% ethanol for 15 s and rinsed with sterile distilled water (SDW). The specimens were then treated with 1% NaOCl for 15 s, followed by rinsing with SDW. Thus, surface-disinfected tissues were placed onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates and incubated at 25°C for 7 d. A total of four isolates were obtained from the infected leaves. The colonies were transferred onto freshly prepared PDA plates by the single spore method for further purification. GYUN-10746 isolate was selected as the representative strain among the four isolates and deposited in the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC 410367). They initially produced white mycelia, which turned dark brown or pale brown at the center and beige at the periphery after 7 d (Fig. 1C and D). Conidiophores were pyriform, sometimes ovoid, or ellipsoidal and brown, measuring 30.8 ± 0.49 × 12.9 ± 0.26 µm (length × width) (n=100) (Fig. 1E). The morphological characteristics were consistent with those of Alternaria alternata (Woudenberg et al. 2015). For molecular identification, DNA was amplified using the following primers: ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), EF1-728F/EF1-986R (Carbone et al. 1999), Gpd-R/Gpd-F (Berbee et al. 1999), Alt a1-F/Alt a1-R (Hong et al. 2005) and rpb2F/rpb2R (Liu et al. 1999) by PCR. DNA sequences from all 4 isolates (GYUN-10746, GYUN-11193, GYUN-11194 and GYUN-11195) were identical. The ITS (OP594615), TEF1-α (OR327062), GAPDH (OR372157), Alt a 1 (OR327061), and RPB2 (OR352741) sequences from the representative isolate GYUN-10746 were 100% identical to those of previously identified A. alternate isolates. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using sequences of ITS, TEF1-α, GAPDH, Alt a l, and RPB2 to illustrate their relationship with A. alternata and related Alternaria species (Fig. 2). For the pathogenicity test, healthy Chinese quince branch containing leaves were inoculated with 7-day-old mycelial plugs of A. alternata, while leaves on a branch inoculated with PDA plugs alone served as a control group. Thus inoculated branches were incubated at 25°C for 7 d. Disease symptoms were developed on leaves of the branches inoculated with mycelial plugs of the fungal pathogen (Fig. 1F), while no symptoms developed on control group. The resulting leaf spots resembled those on the original infected plants. To confirm Koch's postulates, the pathogen was re-isolated from inoculated leaves with identical morphological and molecular characteristics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot caused by A. alternata in C. sinensis in Korea. The identification of the pathogen may provide pertinent information for the development of disease controlling strategies.
PubMed: 38916907
DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-05-24-0984-PDN -
Emerging Microbes & Infections Dec 2024The evolution of SARS-CoV-2, the agent of COVID-19, has been remarkable for its high mutation potential, leading to the appearance of variants. Some mutations have never...
The evolution of SARS-CoV-2, the agent of COVID-19, has been remarkable for its high mutation potential, leading to the appearance of variants. Some mutations have never appeared in the published genomes, which represent consensus, or genomes. Here we tested the hypothesis that mutations that did not appear in consensus genomes were, in fact, as frequent as the mutations that appeared during the various epidemic episodes, but were not expressed because lethal. To identify these mutations, we analysed the genomes of 90 nasopharyngeal samples and the quasispecies determined by next-generation sequencing. Mutations observed in the quasispecies and not in the consensus genomes were considered to be lethal, what we called "outlaw" mutations. Among these mutations, we analysed the 21 most frequent. Eight of these "outlaws" were in the RNA polymerase and we were able to use a structural biology model and molecular dynamics simulations to demonstrate the functional incapacity of these mutated RNA polymerases. Three other mutations affected the spike, a major protein involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Overall, by analysing the SARS-CoV-2 quasispecies obtained during sequencing, this method made it possible to identify "outlaws," showing areas that could potentially become the target of treatments.
Topics: SARS-CoV-2; Humans; Mutation; COVID-19; Genome, Viral; Virus Replication; Quasispecies; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Nasopharynx; Molecular Dynamics Simulation
PubMed: 38916498
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2368211 -
Journal of Applied Biomedicine Jun 2024In 2020, there were numerous cases in Kazakhstan with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 but negative PCR results in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs. The diagnosis was...
In 2020, there were numerous cases in Kazakhstan with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 but negative PCR results in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs. The diagnosis was confirmed clinically and by CT scans (computed tomography). The problem with such negative PCR results for SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmation still exists and indicates the need to confirm the diagnosis in the bronchoalveolar lavage in such cases. There is also a lack of information about confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in deceased patients. In this study, various tissue materials, including lungs, bronchi, and trachea, were examined from eight patients who died, presumably from SARS-CoV-2 infection, between 2020 and 2022. Naso/oropharyngeal swabs taken from these patients in hospitals tested PCR negative for SARS-CoV-2. This study presents a modified RNA isolation method based on a comparison of the most used methods for RNA isolation in laboratories: QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit and TRIzol-based method. This modified nucleic acid extraction protocol can be used to confirm SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-qPCR in the tissues of deceased patients in disputed cases. RT-qPCR with RNA of SARS-CoV-2 re-extracted with such method from post-mortem tissues that were stored at -80 °C for more than 32 months still demonstrated high-yielding positive results.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; RNA, Viral; Male; Autopsy; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Female; Lung; Middle Aged; Aged; COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing; Trachea; Adult; Nasopharynx
PubMed: 38912867
DOI: 10.32725/jab.2024.013 -
Arquivos de Gastroenterologia 2024Chagas disease causes digestive anatomic and functional changes, including the loss of the myenteric plexus and abnormal esophageal radiologic and manometric findings.
BACKGROUND
Chagas disease causes digestive anatomic and functional changes, including the loss of the myenteric plexus and abnormal esophageal radiologic and manometric findings.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association of abnormal esophageal radiologic findings, cardiac changes, distal esophageal contractions, and complaints of dysphagia and constipation in upper (UES) and lower (LES) esophageal sphincter basal pressure in Chagas disease patients.
METHODS
The study evaluated 99 patients with Chagas disease and 40 asymptomatic normal volunteers. The patients had normal esophageal radiologic examination (n=61) or esophageal retention without an increase in esophageal diameter (n=38). UES and LES pressure was measured with the rapid pull-through method in a 4-channel water-perfused round catheter. Before manometry, the patients were asked about dysphagia and constipation and submitted to electrocardiography and chest radiography.
RESULTS
The amplitude of esophageal distal contraction decreased from controls to chagasic patients with esophageal retention. The proportion of failed and simultaneous contractions increased in patients with abnormal radiologic examination (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in UES and LES pressure between the groups. UES pressure was similar between Chagas disease patients with cardiomegaly (n=27, 126.5±62.7 mmHg) and those without it (n=72, 144.2±51.6 mmHg, P=0.26). Patients with constipation had lower LES pressure (n=23, 34.7±20.3 mmHg) than those without it (n=76, 42.9±20.5 mmHg, P<0.03).
CONCLUSION
Chagas disease patients with absent or mild esophageal radiologic involvement had no significant changes in UES and LES basal pressure. Constipation complaints are associated with decreased LES basal pressure.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Manometry; Middle Aged; Chagas Disease; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower; Case-Control Studies; Esophageal Motility Disorders; Adult; Esophageal Sphincter, Upper; Constipation; Aged; Deglutition Disorders; Pressure
PubMed: 38896574
DOI: 10.1590/S0004-2803.24612023-174 -
Cureus Jun 2024Background Since the larynx and pharynx are vital for respiration, swallowing, and speech, chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has been widely applied for T3 hypopharyngeal cancer...
Background Since the larynx and pharynx are vital for respiration, swallowing, and speech, chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has been widely applied for T3 hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) as an organ-preserving treatment. However, CRT can lead to severe late adverse events such as dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia, especially in patients who have difficulty swallowing and/or aspiration at the time of initial diagnosis. Patients and methods Between 2012 and 2020, 86 patients with T3 HPC treated with curative intent at Kobe University Hospital were included in this study. The average age was 69 years old, ranging from 43 to 89. Diseases were classified as Stage III in 29 patients, Stage IVA in 52 patients, and Stage IVB in five patients. Thirty-five (41%) patients were treated by CRT, and 51 (59%) patients were treated by surgery. Patients were followed up for at least two years, and the follow-up period ranged from four to 128 months (median: 45 months). Results Three-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates of patients treated by CRT and patients treated by surgery were 56.2% and 60.3%, respectively. Three-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates of patients treated by CRT and surgically treated patients were 79.0% vs. 70.8%, respectively. Three-year overall survival (OS) rates of patients treated by CRT and surgically treated patients were 64.5% and 69.0%, respectively. Of note, a significant difference was observed between three-year DSS and three-year PFS (79.0% vs. 56.2%, p = 0.0014) in the patients treated by CRT but not in the patients treated by surgery. Conclusions No significant differences were observed between the PFS, DSS, and OS rates of patients treated by CRT and those of surgically treated patients. Locoregional recurrences after CRT were significantly successfully salvaged by surgical intervention. These results suggest that CRT can be applied as an alternative to surgery without reducing survival, especially for patients without severe clinical symptoms. Meticulous follow-up is mandatory for early detection of recurrence to salvage by surgery and for the management of late adverse events.
PubMed: 38894937
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.62553 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024SARS-CoV-2 is a highly infectious virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is important to assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in...
SARS-CoV-2 is a highly infectious virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is important to assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in persistently positive patients. Rapid discrimination between infectious and non-infectious viruses aids in determining whether prevention, control, and treatment measures are necessary. For this purpose, a method was developed and utilized involving a pre-treatment with 50 µM of propidium monoazide (PMAxx, a DNA intercalant) combined with a digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). The ddPCR method was performed on 40 nasopharyngeal swabs (NPSs) both before and after treatment with PMAxx, revealing a reduction in the viral load at a mean of 0.9 Log copies/mL (SD ± 0.6 Log copies/mL). Furthermore, six samples were stratified based on the Ct values of SARS-CoV-2 RNA (Ct < 20, 20 < Ct < 30, Ct > 30) and analyzed to compare the results obtained via a ddPCR with viral isolation and a negative-chain PCR. Of the five samples found positive via a ddPCR after the PMAxx treatment, two of the samples showed the highest post-treatment SARS-CoV-2 loads. The virus was isolated in vitro from both samples and the negative strand chains were detected. In three NPS samples, SARS CoV-2 was present post-treatment at a low level; it was not isolated in vitro, and, when detected, the strand was negative. Our results indicate that the established method is useful for determining whether the SARS-CoV-2 within positive NPS samples is intact and capable of causing infection.
Topics: Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Azides; Propidium; COVID-19; Viral Load; Nasopharynx; RNA, Viral; COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing; Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 38892344
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116156 -
Journal of Medical Economics Jun 2024Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes several cancers such as cervical cancer and some head and neck (oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx), vulval, vaginal, anal, and penile...
BACKGROUND
Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes several cancers such as cervical cancer and some head and neck (oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx), vulval, vaginal, anal, and penile cancers. As HPV vaccination is available, there is potential to prevent these cancers attributed to HPV and consequently the burden associated with them. The aim of this analysis was to estimate the number of HPV-related cancer deaths and the productivity costs due to years of life lost (YLL) in the United Kingdom (UK).
METHOD
A model was developed utilizing UK 2019 mortality data sourced from country-specific databases for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for the following HPV-related cancers: head and neck (ICD-10 C00-14 and C32), cervix uteri (C53), vaginal (C51), vulval (C52), anal (C21), and penile (C60). The proportion of deaths and years of life lost (YLL) due to HPV were estimated using HPV attributable fractions for each anatomic locations from the published literature. Labor force participation, retirement ages, and mean annual earnings, discounted at 3.5% annually, were applied to YLL to calculate the present value of future lost productivity (PVFLP).
RESULTS
A total of 1,817 deaths due to HPV-related cancers were reported in the UK in 2019 resulting in 31,804 YLL. Restricting to only YLL that occurred prior to retirement age yielded a total YPLL of 11,765 and a total PVFLP of £187,764,978.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a high disease burden in the UK for HPV-related cancers, with a large economic impact on the wider economy due to productivity losses. Implementing and reinforcing public health measures to maintain high HPV vaccination coverage in both males and females may further facilitate reduction of this burden.
PubMed: 38889319
DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2024.2368986 -
PloS One 2024This study aims to explore the applicability of narrow-band imaging (NBI) involving the Ni classification for the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal mucosal lesions in order to...
BACKGROUND
This study aims to explore the applicability of narrow-band imaging (NBI) involving the Ni classification for the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal mucosal lesions in order to distinguish malignant tumours (NPT) from non-malignant lesions.
METHODS
Each patient (n = 53) with a suspected nasopharyngeal lesion underwent a trans-nasal flexible video endoscopy with an optical filter for NBI. We assessed the suspected area using white light imaging (WLI) in terms of location and morphology as well as the vascular pattern (using Ni classification of nasopharyngeal microvessels) and surrounding tissue by using NBI. Based on the results of the NBI and WLI, patients were classified into "positive" or "negative" groups. All lesions of the nasopharynx were biopsied and submitted for final histological evaluation.
RESULTS
NBI showed higher sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy than WLI. There was a significant correlation between the final histological result and the NBI pattern of the NPT: Chi2(1) = 31.34; p = 0.000001 and the WLI assessment of the NPT: Chi2(1) = 14.78; p = 0.00012.
CONCLUSIONS
The assessment of the NPT in NBI using Ni NBI classification proved valuable in suspected mucosa assessment. NBI not only confirms the suspicious areas in WLI, but it also shows microlesions beyond the scope of WLI and allows for proper sampling.
Topics: Humans; Narrow Band Imaging; Female; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Nasopharynx; Adult; Aged; Sensitivity and Specificity; Young Adult; Adolescent; Aged, 80 and over; Endoscopy
PubMed: 38885230
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302043 -
Cureus May 2024Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is an abnormal connection between the pharynx and skin that can occur after laryngectomy surgery. It can have a significant negative...
Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is an abnormal connection between the pharynx and skin that can occur after laryngectomy surgery. It can have a significant negative impact on patient recovery, delaying wound healing, requiring prolonged nil-per-oral (NPO) status, and reducing quality of life. Traditionally, the management of PCF has relied on conservative measures or surgical intervention. However, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) offers a promising alternative approach. This case study involves three patients who underwent laryngectomy and developed postoperative PCF. All patients received NPWT with a modified suction catheter and low negative pressure (20-40 mmHg). With NPWT, all patients achieved complete wound closure, with healing times ranging from two weeks to six weeks. This suggests that NPWT may significantly accelerate PCF healing compared to traditional methods. However, maintaining an airtight dressing on the neck region can be challenging. This study highlights the potential of NPWT for faster PCF closure after laryngectomy. Further research is needed to optimize NPWT application techniques, explore the impact on long-term outcomes, and establish guidelines for broader clinical use.
PubMed: 38883062
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60457 -
EClinicalMedicine Jul 2024The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified opium consumption as carcinogenic to humans. This study aimed to estimate the potential...
BACKGROUND
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified opium consumption as carcinogenic to humans. This study aimed to estimate the potential reduction in incident cancers by 2035 in Iran, which accounts for 42% of global opium consumption, through decreasing opium use prevalence.
METHODS
The population attributable fraction (PAF) of opium-related cancers was projected using national cancer incidence, age- and gender-specific opium use prevalence, relative cancer risks associated with opium use, and annual percentage changes in cancer incidence rates in Iran. Opium-related cancers were defined based on IARC monographs as cancers of lung, larynx, bladder, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and pharynx. The number of preventable cancer cases under different opium prevalence scenarios was determined by subtracting attributable cases in each year based on current prevalence from those in alternative scenarios.
FINDINGS
By 2035, an estimated 3,001,421 new cancer cases are expected in Iran, with 904,013 (30.1%) occurring in opium-related sites. Maintaining the current opium prevalence (5.6%) is projected to cause 111,130 new cancer cases (3.7% of all cancers, 12.3% of opium-related). A 10%, 30%, and 50% reduction in opium prevalence could prevent 9,016, 28,161, and 49,006 total incident cancers by 2035 in Iran, respectively. Reducing opium use prevalence by 10%-50% is projected to have the highest impact on lung cancer (prevention of 2,946-15,831 cases), stomach cancer (prevention of 2,404-12,593 cases), and bladder cancer (prevention of 1,725-9,520 cases).
INTERPRETATION
Our results highlight the significant benefits that can be achieved through effective cancer prevention policies targeting opium use in Iran. Neglecting this risk factor is estimated to pose a significant burden on cancer incidence in the next decade in this population.
FUNDING
None.
PubMed: 38881571
DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102650