Cross-sectional study and genotyping of rotavirus-A infections in ruminants in Kuwait

Background

Group A rotaviruses (RVA) are zoonotic pathogens responsible for acute enteritis in human and neonatal ruminants. This research aimed to determine the prevalence of RVA in ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats) and investigate the circulating RVA genotypes in these animals in Kuwait. We conducted a cross-sectional study to detect RVA in ruminants, using an immunochromatography test (IC), direct sandwich ELISA test, and real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) assay using fecal samples.

Results

A total of 400 cattle, 334 sheep, and 222 goats were examined. The prevalence of RVA was 5.3, 1.2, and 2.3%, respectively, using IC. The ELISA test detected RVA from 4.3% of cattle, 0.9% of sheep, and 1.8% of goats. There was a significant association between the occurrence of diarrhea and the presence of RVA in bovine fecal samples (p-value = 0.0022), while no statistical association between diarrhea and the presence of RVA in fecal samples of sheep and goats was observed (p-value = 0.7250; p-value = 0.4499, respectively). Twenty-three of the IC-positive samples (17 from cattle, two from sheep, and four from goats) were tested using a RT-qPCR RVA detection assay targeting the NSP3 gene. The results showed that 21 of 23 IC-positive samples tested positive by RT-qPCR. Detection of RVA genotypes revealed that G10P[11] was the predominant strain in cattle (58.8%), followed by G8P[1] (11.7%). One sheep sample was genotyped as G8P[1]. In addition, G6P[1] and G6P[14] were detected in goat samples.

Conclusion

The present study revealed that the IC was more sensitive in detecting RVA antigen in fecal samples than the ELISA test. A higher occurrence of RVA infection was observed in cattle than in sheep and goats. This study suggests that RVA might be a risk factor of diarrhea in bovine calves less than 2 weeks old. This research also demonstrates the circulation of RVA in sheep and goat populations in Kuwait. Finally, the G10P[11] RVA genotype was the most prevalent genotype identified from cattle samples.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-021-02944-4.

Feedback Recommendation System Based on Structured Feedback Acquisition

Users’ feedback are increasingly becoming a vital factor during the software evolution process. Users’ feedback are widely considered to be an indication of how satisfied are the system’s users. It was found that large percentage of feedback represents problems reported by users who face problems in using the system. Users’ feedback are usually communicated in an ad-hoc manner with no defined structure. The ad-hoc nature of the feedback makes it difficult to study and analyse feedback. Also, it usually happens that similar problems are reported by different users, so engineers spend wasted time and effort in duplicate issues. In this paper we propose a recommendation system which recommends to the user reported problems that are similar to his from prevoius feedback threads to reuse existing solutions. We based our work on a structured feedback system to ensure we get better results. Structured feedback ensures minimum level of useful and meanigful information that helps enhance the analysis results. Initial evaluation was conducted and the results are promising.

Serum Th17 cytokines in leprosy: correlation with circulating CD4(+) CD25 (high)FoxP3 (+) T-regs cells, as well as down regulatory cytokines

Leprosy is not only a bacteriological disease but also an immunological disease, in which T helper17 and CD4(+) CD25(high)FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (T-regs), among others, may play a role. We aimed to evaluate serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17, IL-22 (Th17 cytokines), IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β (down regulatory cytokines) in 43 untreated leprosy patients and 40 controls by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and to assess circulating CD4(+) CD25(high)FoxP3(+)T-regs in patients using flow cytometry. Patients were grouped into tuberculoid, pure neural, borderline, lepromatous, type 1 reactional leprosy, and erythema nodosum leprosum. IL-10 and TGF-β were significantly higher in patients as compared to controls (p < 0.001), while IL-17, but not IL-22, was significantly lower (p < 0.001), with no significant difference comparing patients' subgroups. Significantly higher CD4(+) CD25(high)FoxP3(+)T-regs levels was detected in tuberculoid, type 1 reaction and pure neural leprosy, while the lowest levels in erythema nodosum leprosum (p < 0.001). TregsFoxP3 expression% was significantly lower in pure neural leprosy than other patients' subgroups (p < 0.05). T-regs/T-effs was lowest in erythema nodosum leprosum (p < 0.05). TGF-β correlated negatively with TregsFoxP3 expression% and T-effs% (p = 0.009 and 0.018 respectively). Leprosy is associated with defective IL-17 and overproduction of IL-10 and TGF-β. Tuberculoid, type 1 reaction and pure neural leprosy express significantly higher circulating T-regs, consistent with effector immune mechanisms activation, but with lower TregsFoxP3 expression (in pure neural leprosy). Erythema nodosum leprosum is characterized by deficient T-regs and increased TregsFoxP3 expression%. The present study pinpointed a potential role of Th17, CD4(+) CD25(high)FoxP3(+)T-regs, and probably CD4(+) CD25(+)IL-10(+) T regulatory cells 1 (Tr1), and Th3 in leprosy.

Serum YKL-40 in psoriasis with and without arthritis; correlation with disease activity and high-resolution power Doppler ultrasonographic joint findings

BACKGROUND

YKL-40 may be involved in angiogenesis in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). High-resolution power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) can detect angiogenesis of synovium in PsA.

AIM

To assess serum YKL-40 in psoriasis patients with or without PsA, and to correlate its levels with disease activity and high-resolution PDUS findings.

METHODS

In this case-control study, 48 patients with psoriasis (26 of them also had PsA) and 30 controls were assessed by high-resolution PDUS, and assayed for serum levels of YKL-40 by ELISA. Patients were clinically assessed using Composite Psoriatic Disease Activity Index (CPDAI). Total joint score (TJS) was used to assess joint involvement in PsA.

RESULTS

A statistically significant elevation was found in YKL-40 levels in psoriatics with or without PsA compared with controls (P < 0.001), as well as in PsA (group II) compared to patients without arthritis (group I) (P = 0.002). CPDAI, synovial thickness score and colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) score were highly significantly higher in group II vs. group I (P < 0.001). In all patients, CPDAI, synovial thickness and CDUS score were positively correlated to each other, and each of them was positively correlated to serum YKL-40 levels (P < 0.05). In either group I or II, serum YKL-40 levels correlated positively with CPDAI (P < 0.05). In group II, TJS, synovial thickness and CDUS score were positively correlated to each other (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum YKL-40 can be used as a new biological marker for angiogenesis and disease activity in psoriasis with or without PsA. High-resolution PDUS is a non-invasive tool for the evaluation of angiogenesis in PsA patients as well as for the detection of early synovial changes in psoriasis patients without arthritis.

Platelet activation: a link between psoriasis per se and subclinical atherosclerosis--a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Pathomechanisms of both psoriasis and atherosclerosis may involve platelet activation. Activated platelets show increased P-selectin; CD62 expression, and mean platelet volume (MPV). Impaired brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) is related to atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis (without overt cardiovascular complications or traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors), compared with controls.

METHODS

In this case-control study, 25 patients with psoriasis and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals were subjected to assessment of MPV, CD62 expression using flow cytometry, and brachial artery FMD and transthoracic echocardiography by cardiac ultrasound scanner.

RESULTS

A statistically highly significant increased CD62 expression, but not MPV, was found in cases compared with controls, and in patients with moderate/severe psoriasis compared with either mild cases or controls (P < 0.001). CD62 expression was statistically significantly positively correlated with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score (P < 0.001), baseline brachial artery diameter (P = 0.03) but not FMD and aortic root diameter (ARD; P = 0.03). ARD was statistically significantly higher in patients with moderate/severe psoriasis compared with controls (P = 0.017). Stepwise simple linear regression analysis revealed that PASI score was the most important factor affecting CD62 expression (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed increased atherosclerosis risk in patients with psoriasis, particularly those with moderate/severe disease, as evidenced by increased expression of platelet CD62 compared with healthy controls. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between CD62 expression and ARD (another possible marker of atherosclerosis), with positive correlation to the PASI score; the most important factor influencing CD62 expression. However, our data on MPV and FMD do not support the use of either value for diagnosing subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis in further studies.

Association of cyclin D1 A870G polymorphism with two malignancies: acute lymphoblastic leukemia and breast cancer

PURPOSE

To study the association between cyclin D1 (CCND1) polymorphic variants and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and breast cancer cases and the possibility of having different (CCND1) polymorphic variants in the development of ALL and breast cancer. In addition, to study the association between the different CCND1 polymorphic variants and the response to induction chemotherapy in ALL cases and clinicobiological parameters in breast cancer.

METHODS

We evaluated the association of CCND1 G870A polymorphism with ALL risk in 25 ALL patients and 15 healthy controls and with breast cancer risk in 30 newly diagnosed breast cancer female patients and in 25 healthy controls. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for analysis of G870A polymorphism of CCND1 on anticoagulated whole blood of both the ALL and breast cancer cases and control groups.

RESULTS

The frequency of the AA genotype was significantly increased in the ALL cases while GG genotype was significantly increased in the control group. Furthermore, there was a highly statistically significant association between the A allele in the homozygous state AA and the ALL cases. Furthermore, there was a positive risk of developing ALL when having the AA genotype and the results were highly significant for AA genotype compared to GG genotype. For breast cancer, the results revealed that there was a positive risk association for those carrying the CCND1 A allele in the development of breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

Homozygosity for CCND1 A allele was associated with ALL patients and was a risk factor for ALL development, while the presence of the A allele, whether in homozygous or heterozygous state was associated with breast cancer cases and was a risk for breast cancer .Homozygosity for CCND1 G allele was associated with the control group.

Assessment of serum leptin, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in patients with skin tags

BACKGROUND

Skin tags are common cutaneous lesions with an indefinite aetiology.

OBJECTIVES

To assess serum leptin, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in different body mass index (BMI) patients with skin tags.

METHODS

Three equally distributed groups of patients with multiple skin tags: 30 normal BMI, 30 overweight and 30 obese were included. Controls were age-, gender- and BMI-matched healthy subjects. Serum leptin, insulin resistance based on homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and metabolic syndrome were assessed in all groups.

RESULTS

Number and extent of skin tags increase with the increase in BMI. Highest leptin levels were found in obese patients, with significant differences when compared to normal BMI and overweight patients. Similar findings existed in controls. Significantly higher leptin levels were found in obese patients compared to obese controls. HOMA-IR was significantly higher in all groups of patients compared to BMI-counterpart controls. Seventy-one per cent of patients fulfilled criteria of metabolic syndrome. Number of skin tags, leptin and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in patients with metabolic syndrome compared to patients without the syndrome. Positive correlations were found between serum leptin and HOMA-IR in obese patients and obese controls. Positive correlations were also found between number of skin tags and waist circumference in all groups of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum leptin displays an association with obesity and insulin resistance. Assessment of HOMA-IR in patients with skin tags may serve as a useful approach for diagnosis of insulin resistance. Waist circumference is the only criteria of metabolic syndrome that correlates with number of skin tags.

Biological activity resulting from exposure to aquatic environmental genotoxic pollutants in northern Egypt

We estimated pollution in Lake Edku and the Mediterranean Sea, El-Maadiya Region, with 3 aromatic amines (1-naphthylamine, 2-naphthylamine and benzidine) in the muscle tissue of fish. There were marked seasonal variations in the aromatic amine levels. We also determined oxidative stress (blood glutathione, and catalase activity) and genotoxic effects (chromosomal aberrations and urinary metabolites) in fishermen from each area. The fishermen suffered from oxidative stress and had high levels of the urinary metabolite sulfanilamide [mean (microg/mg creatinine): Lake Edku 20.7, Mediterranean 14.5, controls 5.3]. Frequencies for total chromosomal aberrations were significantly raised in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of fishermen in both areas [frequency (per 100 metaphases): Mediterranean 67, Lake Edku 45, controls 14].

Seroprevalence of camel brucellosis (Camelus dromedarius) in Somaliland

The present study was delineated to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of camel brucellosis in Northern Somalia (Somaliland). The study was carried out at three main districts of camel-rearing regions of Somaliland (Awdal, Waqoyi Galbed and Togdheer) in the period from July to November, 2008. A total of 1246 camel blood sera were randomly collected from 42 sporadic small scale camel herds. Two serological tests were used to screen all serum samples, Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and indirect ELISA (I-ELISA). Multivariate logistic regression was constructed to study the risk factors associated with Brucella seropositive cases. The overall prevalence of camel brucellosis in districts under investigation was 3.9% by RBPT and 3.1% by (I-ELISA). Multivariate logistic regression on animal level showed that locality (P < 0.05; OR: 6.254; CI, 1.186-32.976), herd size (P < 0.001; OR: 5.493; CI, 2.956-10-207), rearing with other ruminants (P < 0.001; OR: 12.433; CI, 3.957-39.060), and contact with other camels (P < 0.05; OR: 5.311; CI, 1.093-25.800) were the potential risk factors. However, herd size (P < 0.05; OR: 5.425; CI, 1.181-24.932), and rearing with other ruminants (P < 0.05; OR: 20.466; CI, 1.456-28.638) were recorded as risk factors on the herd level. The results of the present investigation indicate that the Brucella spp. exists within the camel herds in Somaliland. Further studies need to be done on Brucella infection in the other ruminants to determine which measure should be followed for control of brucellosis.

Computer vision approach for ultrasound Doppler angle estimation

Doppler ultrasound is an important noninvasive diagnostic tool for cardiovascular diseases. Modern ultrasound imaging systems utilize spectral Doppler techniques for quantitative evaluation of blood flow velocities, and these measurements play a crucial rule in the diagnosis and grading of arterial stenosis. One drawback of Doppler-based blood flow quantification is that the operator has to manually specify the angle between the Doppler ultrasound beam and the vessel orientation, which is called the Doppler angle, in order to calculate flow velocities. In this paper, we will describe a computer vision approach to automate the Doppler angle estimation. Our approach starts with the segmentation of blood vessels in ultrasound color Doppler images. The segmentation step is followed by an estimation technique for the Doppler angle based on a skeleton representation of the segmented vessel. We conducted preliminary clinical experiments to evaluate the agreement between the expert operator's angle specification and the new automated method. Statistical regression analysis showed strong agreement between the manual and automated methods. We hypothesize that the automation of the Doppler angle will enhance the workflow of the ultrasound Doppler exam and achieve more standardized clinical outcome.

Glutathione S-transferase M1, T1 and P1 polymorphisms and bladder cancer risk in Egyptians

Previous studies suggest that bladder cancer risk may vary with GST genotype but these results are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to explore whether GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP polymorphisms were associated with increased bladder cancer risk in an Egyptian population. GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genotype frequencies were determined in bladder cancer cases (n=72) and healthy controls with no history of malignancies (n=82) using PCR-based techniques. The GSTT1*2 genotype was particularly associated with increased risk (OR 2.71, 95%CI 1.27-5.73) and the GSTM1*2 genotype to a lesser extent (OR 1.63, 95%CI 0.85-3.10). 18.1% of cases but only 7.3% of controls were GSTP1*B*B homozygotes (OR 2.38, 95%CI 0.83-6.87). The presence of two or more a priori at-risk genotypes was associated with increased bladder cancer risk (OR 2.42; 95%CI 1.47-3.97). These results suggest that polymorphisms in the GST genes are associated with increased risk of bladder cancer among Egyptians.

Biochemical effects of vinyl chloride monomer on the liver of occupationally exposed workers

We investigated the effects of vinyl chloride monomer exposure on the liver of 86 workers by measuring beta-glucuronidase, arylsulfatase A, adenosine deaminase, 5'-nucleotidase and routine liver function enzymes in the sera of the workers. In 21 of them, three or more of these parameters were raised, with a significant decrease in the level of blood glutathione and a significant increase in the enzyme activity level of glutathione S-transferase. Of these 21 workers, 14 had fatty liver infiltration, 8 of whom were also suffering from liver enlargement. Also, 4 workers had liver enlargement without fatty infiltration and 3 had enlarged spleens. The study highlights the need for vigilance in environmental monitoring and medical surveillance of workers exposed to this chemical.

The effect of dimethylnitrosamine on the activities of renal prenolsulfotransferase and arylsulfatases A and B in Schistosona mansoni infected mice

The activities of renal phenolsulfotransferase and arylsulfatases A and B were estimated in 400 male Swiss albino mice classified into four groups: Normal controls, Schistosoma mansoni infected group, Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) treated group and infected treated group. The activity levels of the studied enzymes were significantly increased in all groups when compared with the control group, also the statistical analyses showed a high significant increase of the three enzymes levels in the infected treated group; when compared separately with treated or infected groups. It was concluded, therefore, that schistosomal infection is implicated in the development of kidney cancer which may arise from the pattern of hepatic mixed-function oxidase induction characterized for schistosomiasis and its temporal relationship with the procarcinogenic initiating events. Furthermore, the striking significant increase in the enzymatic activity levels of the acid hydrolases arylsulfatases due to the lesion of both cytotoxic effects of dimethylnitrosamine as well as pathological change of schistosomiasis which may play an active role in the initiation of the malignant process by detoxifying endogenous sulfated aromatic metabolites.

Effects of groove placement on retention/resistance of maxillary anterior resin-bonded retainers

Debonding of resin-bonded fixed partial dentures has been partly resolved with modification of tooth preparations. Tooth preparations for resin-bonded retainers were completed on a maxillary central incisor, a lateral incisor, and a canine. Fifteen metal replicas were constructed (five of each tooth morphotype). The three tooth morphotypes were then modified with proximal grooves prepared parallel to the long axes, and another 15 metal replicas were prepared. Cast metal retainers were constructed and cemented to the replicas with a resin cement. Tensile shearing dislodging loads were applied at 20 degrees to the long axes of the teeth with a testing machine. The addition of proximal grooves made statistically significant differences in resistance to debonding forces for all three tooth morphotypes (p < 0.01). An increase of 76.7% was seen in dislodging forces for lateral incisors with proximal grooves compared with incisors without grooves.

Studies on serum beta-glucuronidase activity and urinary tryptophan metabolites in human fascioliasis

In the last few years, human fascioliasis has been reported more frequently from different parts of the world including Egypt. The present work aimed to study the ability of fascioliasis affected patients to metabolize tryptophan and to explore how this disease can affect the activity of the hydrolytic lysosomal enzyme beta-glucuronidase. Liver and kidney functions and complete blood pictures of the studied patients were considered. Eleven tryptophan metabolites together with 4-pyridoxic acid, the major metabolite of vitamin B6, were determined. Fascioliasis showed an abnormal pattern of tryptophan metabolism which resembled that described earlier by Kupke and Knapp and which indicated that those patients were suffering from vitamin B6 deficiency. This conclusion was proved by the decreased levels of 4-pyridoxic acid. Abnormally high levels of beta-glucuronidase were also encountered in the fascioliasis cases which points to the liver damage caused by the fluke.

Malignant childhood neoplasms in the western region of Saudi Arabia

In a sample of 8 cases of solid malignant neoplasms occurring in children resident in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia the most important finding was a remarkable preponderance of lymphomas when compared with Western series. Other notable differences were the prevalence of Hodgkin's disease in the first decade of life, the different proportions of its subtype, and the occurrence of well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma. Included is a case of lympho-epithelioid cellular lymphoma (Lennert's lymphoma) which, as far as we can ascertain, is the youngest reported case. There was a relatively large number of embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas and a paucity of neuroblastomas. Our study, which is concerned with proportional rates (population studies are not yet completed), contributes to the interesting ethnic and geographical differences which exist in the prevalence of childhood lymphomas and other solid malignant neoplasms. The biases that affect studies such as ours are stressed.

Malignant neoplasms in Saudi Arabia

In a sample of 1000 consecutive malignant neoplasms in Saudis resident in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia, malignant lymphoma was the commonest of the life-threatening malignancies. The differences between malignant lymphoma in this sample and Western series include the greater frequency of lymphoma; the tendency for reticulum cell and poorly differentiated lymphomas to present as abdominal lesions; the earlier peak of prevalence of Hodgkin's disease, and the dissimilar proportions of its subtypes. The distribution of cancers in the gastrointestinal tract in our sample is almost the reverse of that encountered in the West in that cancer of the mouth and esophagus were more common than cancer of the lower intestinal tract. Lung cancer was relatively uncommon. The smoking habit is not so prevalent in Saudi Arabia as in the West and there is a need to maintain this situation by discouraging smoking. Cancer of the breast was by far the commonest major malignancy in the female, although most Saudi women have their first child early in their reproductive life. Skin cancers proved to be the most prevalent malignancy, and of these squamous cell carcinoma was the most common. The biases that affect studies such as ours in Saudi Arabia are stressed.