Identification of differentially expressed non-coding RNAs in the plasma of women with preterm birth.

This study aimed to identify differentially expressed non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) associated with preterm birth (PTB) and determine biological pathways being influenced in the context of PTB. We processed cell-free RNA sequencing data and identified seventeen differentially expressed (DE) ncRNAs that could be involved in the onset of PTB. Per the validation via customized RT-qPCR, the recorded variations in expressions of eleven ncRNAs were concordant with the analyses.

Host-microbiome determinants of ready-to-use supplemental food efficacy in acute childhood malnutrition.

Ready-to-use supplemental foods (RUSF) are energy-dense meals formulated to prevent and treat moderate and severe childhood acute malnutrition (MAM and SAM) in high-risk settings. Although lifesaving, the degree and durability of weight recovery with RUSF is unpredictable. We examined whether environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) and gut microbiota perturbations are risk factors for RUSF failure in a birth cohort of 416 rural Pakistani children followed for growth, common childhood illnesses, and biomarkers from blood, urine, and stool.

Phylogenetic and phylodynamic analysis of respiratory syncytial virus strains circulating in children less than five years of age in Karachi-Pakistan.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in Pakistan. To date, few studies have explored RSV epidemiology in different areas of Pakistan. However, none have performed comprehensive phylogenetic and phylodynamic analyses of RSV strains.

Pneumococcal carriage and changes in serotype distribution post- PCV13 introduction in children in Matiari, Pakistan.

Background: In early 2021, the 10-valent Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) was replaced with 13-valent (PCV13) by the federal directorate of immunization (FDI), Pakistan. We assessed the impact of a higher valent vaccine, PCV13, on the serotype distribution of nasopharyngeal carriage in rural Pakistan.

Methods: Children <2 years were randomly selected from two rural union councils of Matiari, Sindh in Pakistan between September-October,2022.

BCG activation of trained immunity is associated with induction of cross reactive COVID-19 antibodies in a BCG vaccinated population.

Background: Pakistan is endemic to a diverse set of parasitic, mycobacterial and viral diseases. The recognition of BCG Trained Immunity (TI) led us to postulate that the continued presence of BCG-TI may play a protective role, previously reported for both infectious and noninfectious conditions. Most of the previous studies have addressed the issue of BCG-TI in the paediatric populations.

Predictors of Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Influenza Virus, and Human Metapneumovirus Carriage in Children Under 5 Years With WHO-Defined Fast-Breathing Pneumonia in Pakistan.

Background: Pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children < 5 years. We describe nasopharyngeal carriage of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (hMPV), and influenza virus among children with fast-breathing pneumonia in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of nasopharyngeal swabs from children aged 2-59 months with fast-breathing pneumonia, enrolled in the randomized trial of amoxicillin versus placebo for fast-breathing pneumonia (RETAPP) (NCT02372461) from 2014 to 2016.

Environmental surveillance for COVID-19 using SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration in wastewater - a study in District East, Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Wastewater-based surveillance is used to track the temporal patterns of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in communities. Viral RNA particle detection in wastewater samples can indicate an outbreak within a catchment area. We describe the feasibility of using a sewage network to monitor SARS-CoV-2 trend and use of genomic sequencing to describe the viral variant abundance in an urban district in Karachi, Pakistan.

Building up a genomic surveillance platform for SARS-CoV-2 in the middle of a pandemic: a true North-South collaboration.

Next-generation sequencing technology has revolutionised pathogen surveillance over the last two decades. However, the benefits are not equitably distributed, with developing countries lagging far behind in acquiring the required technology and analytical capacity. Recent declines in the cost associated with sequencing-equipment and running consumables have created an opportunity for broader adoption.

Promoting Science Literacy and Awareness across the Globe: the Role of Scientists as Science Ambassadors.

Science literacy has many personal and societal benefits that allows for better informed decision-making. Although the importance of science literacy is recognized globally, there are many challenges associated with its promotion. Scientists are more frequently engaging with nonscientific audiences through public outreach activities and with increasing support from institutions and professional societies.

Impact of enteropathogens on faltering growth in a resource-limited setting.

Introduction: Environmental enteropathy is an important contributor to childhood malnutrition in the developing world. Chronic exposure to fecal pathogens leads to alteration in intestinal structure and function, resulting in impaired gut immune function, malabsorption, and growth faltering leading to environmental enteropathy.

Methods: A community-based intervention study was carried out on children till 24 months of age in Matiari district, Pakistan.

Ferritin screening and Iron treatment for maternal anemia and fetal growth restriction prevention - A multicenter randomized controlled trial (FAIR Study).

Background: Non-anemic iron deficiency precedes iron deficiency anaemia and has an estimated prevalence of 1-2 billion worldwide. Few studies have comprehensively researched the idea of treating non-anemic iron deficiency (NAID) with iron to improve the outcome of the mother and the offspring.

Methods And Analysis: FAIR will be a multicenter randomized controlled trial that will be conducted in multiple clinical academic obstetrics units in Lahore (including Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore and Fatima Jinnah Medical University).

Effectiveness of international virtual training on biorisk management in the context of COVID-19.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in enormous increases in laboratory activities to keep pace with diagnostic testing and research efforts. However, traditional training, technical assistance, and capacity-building approaches were disrupted by the travel and movement restrictions put in place to control the spread of the disease. To address the needs of laboratorians and managers to conduct laboratory activities safely and securely during the pandemic, a highly interactive virtual training (IVT) workshop on biorisk management during COVID-19 was conducted through active learning strategies that connected speakers with participants.

Detailed stratified GWAS analysis for severe COVID-19 in four European populations.

Given the highly variable clinical phenotype of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a deeper analysis of the host genetic contribution to severe COVID-19 is important to improve our understanding of underlying disease mechanisms. Here, we describe an extended genome-wide association meta-analysis of a well-characterized cohort of 3255 COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure and 12 488 population controls from Italy, Spain, Norway and Germany/Austria, including stratified analyses based on age, sex and disease severity, as well as targeted analyses of chromosome Y haplotypes, the human leukocyte antigen region and the SARS-CoV-2 peptidome. By inversion imputation, we traced a reported association at 17q21.

Synthesis, Characterization, Photocatalysis, and Antibacterial Study of WO, MXene and WO/MXene Nanocomposite.

Tungsten oxide (WO), MXene, and an WO/MXene nanocomposite were synthesized to study their photocatalytic and biological applications. Tungsten oxide was synthesized by an easy and cost-effective hydrothermal method, and its composite with MXene was prepared through the sonication method. The synthesized tungsten oxide, MXene, and its composite were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) for their structural, morphological, spectral, elemental and surface area analysis, respectively.

Tigecycline population pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients with decompensated cirrhosis and severe infections.

Objectives: Physiopathological changes in advanced cirrhosis could alter tigecycline pharmacokinetics (PK), thus affecting serum drug concentrations and compromising target attainment. We aimed to describe tigecycline PK in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and severe bacterial infections, identify the sources of PK variability and assess the performance of different dosing regimens to optimize the PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) target.

Methods: Serum concentrations and covariates were obtained from patients with severe infections under tigecycline treatment.

Rectal colonization by resistant bacteria increases the risk of infection by the colonizing strain in critically ill patients with cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: It remains unclear whether rectal colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is prevalent and predisposes to infections by the same pathogens in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: Two series of critically ill patients were evaluated. In the Barcelona cohort, 486 consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated, 129 with and 357 without cirrhosis (2015-2016).

Changes in the gut microbiota and risk of colonization by multidrug-resistant bacteria, infection, and death in critical care patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whethehr the diversity and composition of the intestinal microbiota determines the risk of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) acquisition, infection, and mortality in patients admitted to a liver intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: This prospective study included patients admitted to a 12-bed ICU between July and December 2018. Rectal swabs to detect MDRO intestinal colonization were obtained at ICU admission and weekly thereafter during the ICU stay.

COVID-19 Deliveries: Maternal Features and Neonatal Outcomes.

Integrated, data-driven criteria are necessary to evaluate delivery outcomes in pregnancies affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzed maternal demographics, clinical characteristics, treatments, and delivery outcomes of 85 ethnically diverse, adult pregnant women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 at the time of delivery. Median maternal and gestational ages were 27 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 23-31) and 39 weeks (IQR: 37.

Gut integrity and duodenal enteropathogen burden in undernourished children with environmental enteric dysfunction.

Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is a subclinical condition of intestinal inflammation, barrier dysfunction and malabsorption associated with growth faltering in children living in poverty. This study explores association of altered duodenal permeability (lactulose, rhamnose and their ratio) with higher burden of enteropathogen in the duodenal aspirate, altered histopathological findings and higher morbidity (diarrhea) that is collectively associated with linear growth faltering in children living in EED endemic setting. In a longitudinal birth cohort, 51 controls (WHZ > 0, HAZ > -1.

The Clinical Presentation of Culture-positive and Culture-negative, Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR)-Attributable Shigellosis in the Global Enteric Multicenter Study and Derivation of a Shigella Severity Score: Implications for Pediatric Shigella Vaccine Trials.

Background: Shigella is a leading cause of childhood diarrhea and target for vaccine development. Microbiologic and clinical case definitions are needed for pediatric field vaccine efficacy trials.

Methods: We compared characteristics of moderate to severe diarrhea (MSD) cases in the Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS) between children with culture positive Shigella to those with culture-negative, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-attributable Shigella (defined by an ipaH gene cycle threshold <27.

Meropenem population pharmacokinetics in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and severe infections.

Objectives: Meropenem pharmacokinetics (PK) may be altered in patients with cirrhosis, hampering target attainment. We aimed to describe meropenem PK in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and severe bacterial infections, identify the sources of PK variability and assess the performance of different dosing regimens to optimize the PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) target.

Methods: Serum concentrations and covariates were obtained from patients with severe infections under meropenem treatment.

Epidemiology of Shigella infections and diarrhea in the first two years of life using culture-independent diagnostics in 8 low-resource settings.

Culture-independent diagnostics have revealed a larger burden of Shigella among children in low-resource settings than previously recognized. We further characterized the epidemiology of Shigella in the first two years of life in a multisite birth cohort. We tested 41,405 diarrheal and monthly non-diarrheal stools from 1,715 children for Shigella by quantitative PCR.

Genomewide Association Study of Severe Covid-19 with Respiratory Failure.

Background: There is considerable variation in disease behavior among patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Genomewide association analysis may allow for the identification of potential genetic factors involved in the development of Covid-19.

Methods: We conducted a genomewide association study involving 1980 patients with Covid-19 and severe disease (defined as respiratory failure) at seven hospitals in the Italian and Spanish epicenters of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Europe.

Plasma levels of circulating DNA are associated with outcome, but not with activation of coagulation in decompensated cirrhosis and ACLF.

Unlabelled: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a recently (re)defined syndrome of acute decompensation of cirrhosis that presents with extrahepatic organ failure(s) and poor outcome. Given the prominent role of inflammation and activation of coagulation in ACLF, we hypothesized that ACLF might be characterized by the generation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), that could drive both activation of coagulation and progression of organ failure.

Methods: We measured markers of circulating DNA, activation of coagulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress in 52 patients with acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis and 57 patients with ACLF on admission, and compared levels with 40 healthy controls.