Expression patterns of immune checkpoint proteins and -induced cytokines in chronic hepatitis B virus-infected and uninfected individuals: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aim: Chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection remains a major public health problem. The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) 2018 Hepatitis B Guidelines provide that CHB individuals not requiring antiviral therapy yet are monitored to determine the need for antiviral therapy in the future; however, these tests do not include measurement of cytokines and immune cell characterization. This case-control study compared the cytokine and immune checkpoint protein expression profiles between CHB individuals not yet on antiviral treatment and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-negative individuals.

High prevalence of impaired glucose metabolism among children and adolescents living with HIV in Ghana.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART)-associated metabolic abnormalities, including impairment of glucose metabolism, are prevalent in adults living with HIV. However, the prevalence and pathogenesis of impaired glucose metabolism in children and adolescents living with HIV, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, are not well characterized. We investigated the prevalence of impaired glucose metabolism among children and adolescents living with perinatally infected HIV in Ghana.

Inflammatory cytokines as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of severe malaria in children in Ghana.

Background: Severe malaria (SM) is a fatal multi-system disease which accounted for an estimated 619,000 deaths in 2021. Less than 30% of children presenting with SM are diagnosed and treated promptly, resulting in increased mortality and neurologic impairments in survivors. Studies have identified cytokine profiles that differentiate the various clinical manifestations of malaria (severe and uncomplicated).

Chemotaxis and Motility of Zoospores in Response to Potato Root Exudate Constituents and pH.

f. sp. is an important pathogen of potato responsible for major losses in most potato growing regions of the world.

Population-based sero-epidemiological investigation of the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic devastated countries worldwide, and resulted in a global shutdown. Not all infections are symptomatic and hence the extent of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community is unknown. The paper presents the dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in the Greater Accra Metropolis, describing the evolution of seroprevalence through time and by age group.

Probing SARS-CoV-2-positive plasma to identify potential factors correlating with mild COVID-19 in Ghana, West Africa.

Background: West Africa has recorded a relatively higher proportion of asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases than the rest of the world, and West Africa-specific host factors could play a role in this discrepancy. Here, we assessed the association between COVID-19 severity among Ghanaians with their immune profiles and ABO blood groups.

Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from Ghanaians PCR-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive individuals.

Cytokines as Potential Biomarkers for Differential Diagnosis of Sepsis and Other Non-Septic Disease Conditions.

Sepsis defined as a dysregulated immune response is a major cause of morbidity in children. In sub-Saharan Africa, the clinical features of sepsis overlap with other frequent infections such as malaria, thus sepsis is usually misdiagnosed in the absence of confirmatory tests. Therefore, it becomes necessary to identify biomarkers that can be used to distinguish sepsis from other infectious diseases.

Subversion of Phytomyxae Cell Communication With Surrounding Environment to Control Soilborne Diseases; A Case Study of Cytosolic Ca Signal Disruption in Zoospores of .

Ca signaling regulates physiological processes including chemotaxis in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Its inhibition has formed the basis for control of human disease but remains largely unexplored for plant disease. This study investigated the role of Ca signaling on motility and chemotaxis of zoospores, responsible for root infections leading to potato root and tuber disease.

Elevated Levels of the Endothelial Molecules ICAM-1, VEGF-A, and VEGFR2 in Microscopic Asymptomatic Malaria.

Background: In malaria, clinical disease has been associated with increased levels of endothelial activation due to the sequestration of infected erythrocytes. However, the levels and impact of endothelial activation and pro-angiogenic molecules such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and its receptor vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in asymptomatic malaria have not been well characterized.

Methods: Blood samples were obtained from community children for malaria diagnosis using microscopy and polymerase chain reaction.

Corrigendum: Asymptomatic Malaria Infection Is Maintained by a Balanced Pro- and Anti-inflammatory Response.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.

Moments of weaknesses - exploiting vulnerabilities between germination and encystment in the Phytomyxea.

Attempts at management of diseases caused by protozoan plant parasitic Phytomyxea have often been ineffective. The dormant life stage is characterised by long-lived highly robust resting spores that are largely impervious to chemical treatment and environmental stress. This review explores some life stage weaknesses and highlights possible control measures associated with resting spore germination and zoospore taxis.

Trends in Acute Myocarditis Related Pediatric Hospitalizations in the United States, 2007-2016.

There has been little exploration of acute myocarditis trends in children despite notable advancements in care over the past decade. We explored trends in pediatric hospitalizations for acute myocarditis from 2007 to 2016 in the United States (US). This was a retrospective, serial cross-sectional study of the National Inpatient Sample database from 2007 to 2016, identifying patients ≤18 years hospitalized with acute myocarditis.

Diagnostic performance of an ultrasensitive HRP2-based malaria rapid diagnostic test kit used in surveys of afebrile people living in Southern Ghana.

Background: The Alere™ Malaria Ag P.f Ultra-sensitive RDT (UsmRDT) kit is an HRP2-based malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) with enhanced sensitivity relative to the SD Bioline Malaria Ag P.f RDT (mRDT) kit.

Asymptomatic Malaria Infection Is Maintained by a Balanced Pro- and Anti-inflammatory Response.

Background: Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are important mediators of immunity and are associated with malaria disease outcomes. However, their role in the establishment of asymptomatic infections, which may precede the development of clinical symptoms, is not as well-understood.

Methods: We determined the association of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines and other immune effector molecules with the development of asymptomatic malaria.

The transcriptome of circulating sexually committed Plasmodium falciparum ring stage parasites forecasts malaria transmission potential.

Malaria is spread by the transmission of sexual stage parasites, called gametocytes. However, with Plasmodium falciparum, gametocytes can only be detected in peripheral blood when they are mature and transmissible to a mosquito, which complicates control efforts. Here, we identify the set of genes overexpressed in patient blood samples with high levels of gametocyte-committed ring stage parasites.

Surgery and Resource Utilization Trends for Pediatric Intussusception From 2005 Through 2014.

Background: Air or barium enema reduction is becoming increasingly common and safer for pediatric intussusception. However, little is known about trends of pediatric intussusception requiring surgical intervention in the United States.  Methods: National Inpatient Sample database was analyzed from 2005-2014 to identify pediatric (≤18 years) intussusceptions along with procedures such as enema and/or surgical intervention.

Asymptomatic carriage of Plasmodium falciparum by individuals with variant blood groups and haemoglobin genotypes in southern Ghana.

Background: The ABO and the Rhesus blood group systems, as well as various abnormal haemoglobin (Hb) variants (haemoglobinopathies) are known to influence malaria parasite carriage and disease severity in individuals living in malaria endemic areas. This study identified the blood group and Hb variant distribution and Plasmodium falciparum infection status of afebrile individuals living in southern Ghana.

Methods: Afebrile participants were recruited from Obom (358) in the Greater Accra Region and Ewim (100) and Simiw (329) in the Central Region of Ghana.

The Antiplasmodial Activities of Aqueous Extracts of Selected Ghanaian Herbal Plants.

Background: are known to respond differently to antimalarial drugs. Herbal products with extended treatment regimens and inadequate dosing information are widely used to treat malaria in Ghana. This study set out to determine the activity of selected herbal extracts on the development of asexual and sexual stage malaria parasites.

Etiologies, trends, and predictors of 30-day pediatric readmissions after hospitalizations for diabetic ketoacidosis in the United States.

Objective: To determine the causes, predictors, and trends of 30-day readmissions following hospitalizations for pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in the United States (US) from 2010 to 2014.

Research Design And Methods: We used International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, Clinical Modification codes to identify children with DKA aged 2 to 18 years from the National Readmission Database in the US. Patients who had readmission within 30 days after an index admission for DKA were included in the study.

Histopathological lesions and exposure to Plasmodium falciparum infections in the placenta increases the risk of preeclampsia among pregnant women.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a placental disorder with different phenotypic presentations. In malaria-endemic regions, high incidence of PE is reported, with debilitating foeto-maternal effects, particularly among primigravid women. However, the relationship between placental pathology and Plasmodium falciparum infection in the placenta with PE is underexplored.

Pyloric Stenosis: National Trends in the Incidence Rate and Resource Use in the United States From 2012 to 2016.

Objectives: Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is the most common reason for abdominal surgery in infants; however, national-level data on incidence rate and resource use are lacking. We aimed to examine the national trends in hospitalizations for IHPS and resource use in its management in the United States from 2012 to 2016.

Methods: We performed a retrospective serial cross-sectional study using data from the National Inpatient Sample, the largest health care database in the United States.

National Trends in the Epidemiology and Resource Use for Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (IgA Vasculitis) Hospitalizations in the United States From 2006 to 2014.

Objectives: We examined the trends in the rate of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) hospitalizations and the associated resource use among children in the United States from 2006 through 2014.

Methods: Pediatric hospitalizations with HSP were identified by using , code 287.0 from the National Inpatient Sample.