Genomic characterization of HLA class I and class II genes in ethnically diverse sub-Saharan African populations: A report on novel HLA alleles.

HLA allelic variation has been well studied and documented in many parts of the world. However, African populations have been relatively under-represented in studies of HLA variation. We have characterized HLA variation from 489 individuals belonging to 13 ethnically diverse populations from rural communities from the African countries of Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, known to practice traditional subsistence lifestyles using next generation sequencing (Illumina) and long-reads from Oxford Nanopore Technologies.

Global quieting of high-frequency seismic noise due to COVID-19 pandemic lockdown measures.

Human activity causes vibrations that propagate into the ground as high-frequency seismic waves. Measures to mitigate the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused widespread changes in human activity, leading to a months-long reduction in seismic noise of up to 50%. The 2020 seismic noise quiet period is the longest and most prominent global anthropogenic seismic noise reduction on record.

Outcomes of people with severe hypoglycaemia requiring prehospital emergency medical services management: a prospective study.

Aims/hypothesis: The aim of this work was to investigate clinical outcomes following severe hypoglycaemia requiring prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) management.

Methods: We carried out a prospective, observational study of adults with diabetes attended by prehospital EMS for management of severe hypoglycaemia between April 2016 and July 2017. Information on precipitants, hospitalisation, length of hospital stay and recurrence was collected at 1 and 3 months following the episode of severe hypoglycaemia.

The Influence of Bone Quality on the Biomechanical Behavior of a Tooth-Implant Fixed Partial Denture: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether or not bone quality has an effect on the biomechanical behavior of a tooth connected to an implant, when a rigid and a nonrigid attachment are used.

Materials And Methods: Models of fixed partial dentures supported by a tooth and an implant were developed. These models were then imported into finite element analysis software to study the impact of forces on different types of attachments (rigid vs nonrigid) and bones (types 1 to 4).

Influence of Alveolar Bone Loss and Different Alloys on the Biomechanical Behavior of Internal-and External-Connection Implants: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution during application of occlusal loads to maxillary anterior single external- and internal-connection implant-supported restorations with different amounts of bone loss and with the use of different metal alloys for restorations and fixation screws.

Materials And Methods: Models of external- and internal-connection implants, corresponding abutments/crowns, and fixation screws were developed. These models were then imported into finite element analysis software to study the impact of forces on different implant connections and materials.

Synthesis and first use of pyridine-2,6-diylbis(pyrazine-2-ylmethanone) in metal cluster chemistry: a {Mn(III)3Na2} complex with an ideal trigonal bipyramidal geometry.

The successful organic synthesis of a new dipyrazole/pyridine-dicarbonyl organic molecule, namely pyridine-2,6-diylbis(pyrazine-2-ylmethanone) [(pz)CO(py)CO(pz)], followed by its employment in Mn coordination chemistry has yielded the neutral cluster compound [Mn3Na2O(N3)3(L)3] (1), where L(2-) is the (pz)C(CH2COCH3)(O(-))(py)C(CH2COCH3)(O(-))(pz) dianion. The latter group was formed in situ, presumably by the nucleophilic attack of the carbanion (-)CH2COCH3 to the carbonyl carbon atoms of (pz)CO(py)CO(pz), in the presence of Mn(n+) ions under basic conditions and in solvent Me2CO. Complex 1 possesses an almost ideal trigonal bipyramidal topology, with the two Na(I) ions occupying the apical positions and the three Mn(III) ions residing in the equatorial trigonal plane.

Smoking behavior among nurses in rural Greece.

Evidence suggests that rural health care providers may be at increased risk for tobacco addiction. Few researchers have studied the habitual use of tobacco in rural Greece and no published studies have examined sustained tobacco use by nurses working in these areas or their knowledge and attitudes toward smoking cessation. To explore the above, the authors conducted a questionnaire-based study in 40 health centers in rural mainland and island Greece.

Supramolecular chains of high nuclearity {Mn(III)25} barrel-like single molecule magnets.

The first application of 1-methyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde oxime as a ligand for the coordination of paramagnetic transition metal ions has afforded a new {Mn(III)25} barrel-like cluster linked via Na(+) cations into a 1D polymeric topology that exhibits single-molecule magnetic behaviour.

2-Pyrrolyloximes in high-nuclearity transition-metal cluster chemistry: Fe10 and Fe12.

The employment of 2-pyrrolyloximes in high-nuclearity transition-metal cluster chemistry has provided access to unprecedented decanuclear and dodecanuclear Fe(III) cagelike clusters bearing the anion of pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde oxime (praoH(2)), the simplest member of this new family of ligands; the identity of the products depends on the nature of the counteranion present in the starting materials.

Echocardiographic imaging of tricuspid and pulmonary valve abnormalities in primary ovarian carcinoid tumor.

Carcinoid is a rare malignancy originating from enterochromaffin cells and is clinically characterized by flushing, diarrhea and bronchospasm, due to secretion of vasoactive substances. A dreaded complication is carcinoid heart disease, which mainly affects right cardiac chambers, resulting in thickened, immobile and retracted tricuspid and pulmonary valves. In the current report, a case of a 60-year old female presenting with symptoms of right heart failure is described.

Primary hepatic actinomycosis.

The clinical and imaging findings of primary hepatic actinomycosis are nonspecific and can mimic other diseases. This condition usually needs to be distinguished from other liver-occupying lesions, including malignancy. Review of the English language literature showed 67 cases of hepatic actinomycosis in immunocompetent, predominantly male patients.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor causing small bowel intussusception in a patient with Crohn's disease.

We report a case of jejunoileal intussusception in a 42-year-old patient with Crohn's disease caused by a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The patient complained of vague diffuse abdominal pain for a period of 4 mo. Intussusception was suspected at computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans.

Unusual combination of paraneoplastic manifestations in a patient with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Activating mutations in tyrosine kinase receptors KIT or platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) are the main mechanisms causing the disease. Patients generally present with non-specific symptoms, while a number of tumors are discovered incidentally and may be metastatic at the time of diagnosis.

IPCRG Consensus statement: tackling the smoking epidemic - practical guidance for primary care.

Tobacco use will become the world's foremost cause of premature death and disability within 20 years unless current trends are reversed. Many opportunities to reduce this epidemic are missed in primary care. This Discussion paper from the International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) - which reflects the IPCRG's understanding of primary care practitioners' needs - summarises a new approach based on strong evidence for effective interventions.

Randomised, controlled, cross-over trial of soy protein with isoflavones on blood pressure and arterial function in hypertensive subjects.

Objective: To examine the effects of dietary soy/isoflavones on 24 hr blood pressure profiles and arterial function [systemic arterial compliance (SAC), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and brachial arterial flow mediated vasodilation (FMD)] compared to non legume-based plant protein without isoflavones, in hypertensive subjects.

Design: In a 6 month double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over trial, 41 hypertensive subjects (26 men, 15 postmenopausal women), 30-75 years, received soy cereal (40 g soy protein, 118 mg isoflavones) and gluten placebo cereal, each for 3 months.

Results: Thirty-eight subjects completed protocol with results expressed as mean or mean change (+/-SEM) with each intervention.

Reduced insulin secretion in normoglycaemic patients with beta-thalassaemia major.

Aims: To assess insulin sensitivity and secretion in the fasting state in regularly transfused patients with beta-thalassaemia major with normal glucose response during an oral glucose tolerance test and to estimate its possible relation to iron overload.

Methods: We measured fasting glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels in 24 patients with beta-thalassaemia major and 18 control subjects matched for age and body mass index. Insulin sensitivity and insulin release index were calculated according to the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA).

Quail poisoning in a child.

Context: It has been well known since ancient times that the consumption of quail may be deleterious to health. The European quail sub-species (Coturnix coturnix coturnix), common to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia is indeed potentially poisonous to humans, but only during the autumn migration (not during their return flight in spring). Quail poisoning is an acute dietary-toxicological syndrome.

Tumor histology and stage but not p53, Her2-neu or cathepsin-D expression are independent prognostic factors in breast cancer patients.

Background: Several factors are currently employed for prognosis assessment and treatment determination in breast cancer. An array of molecular parameters, such as p53, Her2-neu (c-erbB 2) and Cathepsin-D, are also examined to improve clinical patient management. We have conducted a statistically powerful study of the prognostic value of conventional factors and of the investigational factors p53, Her2-neu and Cathepsin-D in patients with invasive breast carcinoma, in order to compare their significance.

Can somatostatin prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis? Results of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Acute pancreatitis is the most common complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), occurring in 1-10% of patients. Several substances have been used, with negative results, in an attempt to prevent this complication.

Methods: We performed a double-blind randomized trial in 372 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic ERCP to evaluate the role of somatostatin in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Computed tomography-guided fine needle aspiration of peripheral lung opacities. An initial diagnostic procedure?

Objective: To evaluate the results of computed tomography (CT)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology following negative fiberoptic bronchoscopy and sputum cytology.

Study Design: Retrospective study of 64 patients who underwent CT-guided needle aspiration of lung opacities over one year. Following a review of the CT studies, patients were selected according to image characteristics of a primary neoplasm and pleural effusion in cases with pleural lesions.