Clinical Utility of Bruch Membrane Opening-Minimum Rim Width for Detecting Early Glaucoma in Myopic Eyes.

Prcis: Bruch membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) is overall a useful parameter for diagnosing early glaucoma in myopic eyes.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of BMO-MRW compared with peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness for detecting early glaucoma in patients with moderate to severe myopia.

Methods: One eye was randomly selected from each of the 253 subjects (127 normal controls, 82 with glaucoma suspect, and 44 with early glaucoma).

Glucose-induced oxidative stress leads to in S-nitrosylation of protein disulfide isomerase in neuroblastoma cells.

Background: Dementia places a significant burden on both patients and caregivers. Since diabetes is a risk factor for dementia, it is imperative to identify the relationship between diabetes and cognitive disorders. Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is an enzyme for oxidative protein folding.

Feasibility and Performance of Self-Collected Nasal Swabs for Detection of Influenza Virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Human Metapneumovirus.

Background: We assessed performance of participant-collected midturbinate nasal swabs compared to study staff-collected midturbinate nasal swabs for the detection of respiratory viruses among pregnant women in Bangkok, Thailand.

Methods: We enrolled pregnant women aged ≥18 years and followed them throughout the 2018 influenza season. Women with acute respiratory illness self-collected midturbinate nasal swabs at home for influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV), and human metapneumoviruses (hMPV) real-time RT-PCR testing and the study nurse collected a second midturbinate nasal swab during home visits.

Exploring nod factor receptors activation process in chickpea by bridging modelling, docking and molecular dynamics simulations.

Plasma membrane-bound receptor proteins play crucial roles in the perception and further transmission of regulatory signals to modulate numerous developmental and metabolic events. Precise functioning and fine-tuning of Nod factor receptor (NFR) mediated signalling is a critical requirement for root nodule symbiosis. Here, we have identified, cloned and phylogenetically characterized chickpea NFR1 and NFR5, which are showing significant homology with other legume NFR receptors.

Efficacy of Switching from Cyclosporine A 0.05% Anionic Emulsion to Cyclosporine A 0.1% Cationic Emulsion in Patients with Dry Eye Associated with Sjögren's Syndrome.

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of switching from cyclosporine A (CsA) 0.05% anionic emulsion (CsA AE) to CsA 0.1% cationic emulsion (CsA CE) in patients with dry eye (DE) associated with Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Improved kala-azar case management through implementation of health facility-based sentinel sites surveillance system in Bihar, India.

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar (KA), is a neglected vector-borne disease, targeted for elimination, but several affected blocks of Bihar are posing challenges with the high incidence of cases, and moreover, the disease is spreading in newer areas. High-quality kala-azar surveillance in India, always pose great concern. The complete and accurate patient level data is critical for the current kala-azar management information system (KMIS).

Acircularity and circularity indexes of the foveal avascular zone in high myopia.

This study explored the association between foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters and high myopia using optical coherence tomography angiography. We divided 106 eyes of 106 patients into quartiles based on the axial length. The upper quartile was then defined as the high myopia group (n = 27), while the lower quartile was the non-high myopia group (n = 26).

Subgroup and subtype-specific outcomes in adult medulloblastoma.

Medulloblastoma, a common pediatric malignant central nervous system tumour, represent a small proportion of brain tumours in adults. Previously it has been shown that in adults, Sonic Hedgehog (SHH)-activated tumours predominate, with Wingless-type (WNT) and Group 4 being less common, but molecular risk stratification remains a challenge. We performed an integrated analysis consisting of genome-wide methylation profiling, copy number profiling, somatic nucleotide variants and correlation of clinical variables across a cohort of 191 adult medulloblastoma cases identified through the Medulloblastoma Advanced Genomics International Consortium.

Knowledge, attitude and practices towards visceral leishmaniasis among HIV patients: A cross-sectional study from Bihar, India.

Background: In the Indian state of Bihar, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a major public health issue that has been aggravated by the rising incidence of new Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. In endemic areas, the risk of VL infections in patients living with HIV (PLHIV) is higher. It is important to investigate the disease-related knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of PLHIV in Bihar in order to monitor HIV/VL co-infection.

Update on and Nontyphoidal Salmonella Antimicrobial Drug Resistance: Implications on Empirical Treatment of Acute Infectious Diarrhea in Cambodia.

Information on causative diarrheal pathogens and their associated antimicrobial susceptibility remains limited for Cambodia. This study describes antimicrobial resistance patterns for and nontyphoidal Salmonella isolates collected in Cambodia over a 5-year period. Multidrug resistance was shown in 98% of isolates, with 70%, 11%, and 29% of isolates being resistant to fluoroquinolones, azithromycin, and cephalosporin, respectively.

Longitudinal Analysis of Dengue Virus-Specific Memory T Cell Responses and Their Association With Clinical Outcome in Subsequent DENV Infection.

Memory T cells resulting from primary dengue virus (DENV) infection are hypothesized to influence the clinical outcome of subsequent DENV infection. However, the few studies involving prospectively collected blood samples have found weak and inconsistent associations with outcome and variable temporal trends in DENV-specific memory T cell responses between subjects. This study used both and cultured ELISPOT assays to further evaluate the associations between DENV serotype-cross-reactive memory T cells and severity of secondary infection.

Abrupt and altered cell-type specific DNA methylation profiles in blood during acute HIV infection persists despite prompt initiation of ART.

HIV-1 disrupts the host epigenetic landscape with consequences for disease pathogenesis, viral persistence, and HIV-associated comorbidities. Here, we examined how soon after infection HIV-associated epigenetic changes may occur in blood and whether early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) impacts epigenetic modifications. We profiled longitudinal genome-wide DNA methylation in monocytes and CD4+ T lymphocytes from 22 participants in the RV254/SEARCH010 acute HIV infection (AHI) cohort that diagnoses infection within weeks after estimated exposure and immediately initiates ART.

Mevalonate kinase of Leishmania donovani protects parasite against oxidative stress by modulating ergosterol biosynthesis.

Leishmaniasis comprises of a wide variety of diseases, caused by protozoan parasite belonging to the genus Leishmania. Leishmania parasites undergo different types of stress during their lifetime and have developed strategies to overcome this damage. Identifying the mechanistic approach used by the parasite in dealing with the stress is of immense importance for unfolding the survival strategy adopted by the parasite.

Seroprevalence of Dengue Infection Using IgG Capture ELISA in India, 2017-2018.

We conducted a nationally representative population-based survey in 60 districts from 15 Indian states covering all five geographic regions during 2017-2018 to estimate the age specific seroprevalence of dengue. Of the 12,300 sera collected, 4,955 were positive for IgG antibodies against dengue virus using IgG Indirect ELISA indicating past dengue infection. We tested 4,948 sera (seven had inadequate volume) positive for IgG antibodies on indirect ELISA using anti-dengue IgG capture ELISA to estimate the proportion of dengue infections with high antibody titers, suggestive of acute or recent secondary infection.

Standardization and Evaluation of an Anti-ZIKV IgM ELISA Assay for the Serological Diagnosis of Zika Virus Infection.

Here, we describe the development of the in-house anti-Zika virus (ZIKV) IgM antibody capture ELISA (in-house ZIKV IgM ELISA) for the detection and diagnosis of acute ZIKV infections. We compared the in-house ZIKV IgM ELISA assay performance against two commercial kits, Euroimmun ZIKV IgM and InBios 2.0 ZIKV IgM ELISA.

Preparedness of primary and secondary health facilities in India to address major noncommunicable diseases: results of a National Noncommunicable Disease Monitoring Survey (NNMS).

Background: The monitoring framework for evaluating health system response to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) include indicators to assess availability of affordable basic technologies and essential medicines to treat them in both public and private primary care facilities. The Government of India launched the National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in 2010 to strengthen health systems. We assessed availability of trained human resources, essential medicines and technologies for diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases as one of the components of the National Noncommunicable Disease Monitoring Survey (NNMS - 2017-18).

Preclinical validation of a live attenuated dermotropic Leishmania vaccine against vector transmitted fatal visceral leishmaniasis.

Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), a potentially fatal disease is caused by Leishmania donovani parasites with no vaccine available. Here we produced a dermotropic live attenuated centrin gene deleted Leishmania major (LmCen) vaccine under Good Laboratory Practices and demonstrated that a single intradermal injection confers robust and durable protection against lethal VL transmitted naturally via bites of L. donovani-infected sand flies and prevents mortality.

Anopheles bionomics in a malaria endemic area of southern Thailand.

Background: Ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA) could accelerate malaria elimination in the Greater Mekong Subregion. This study was performed to characterize the bionomics of Anopheles in Surat Thani province, Thailand.

Methods: Mosquitoes were collected via human landing collections between February and October 2019.

Molecular Detection of Mutations in the Propeller Domain of Kelch 13 and pfmdr1 Copy Number Variation in Plasmodium falciparum Isolates from Thailand Collected from 2002 to 2007.

We determined the prevalence of Kelch 13 mutations and pfmdr1 copy number in samples collected from the Thailand-Myanmar border, the Thailand-Cambodia border, and southern Thailand from 2002 to 2007. C580Y was the most prevalent in Trat (Thailand-Cambodia border) and Ranong (Thailand-Myanmar border) at 42% (24/57) and 13% (6/48), respectively. Less predominant mutations were also identified including R539T (7%, 4/57) and Y493H (2%, 1/57) in Trat, P574L (6%, 3/48) and P553L (2%, 1/48) in Ranong, and N537I and D452E (7%, 1/15) in Sangkhlaburi (Thailand-Myanmar border).

A simple monophasic LGPY medium for routine maintenance of Leishmania donovani promastigotes.

Here, we report a simple, economic and autoclavable monophasic LGPY medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), for routine maintenance of Leishmania donovani promastigotes for laboratory use. In comparison to commercially available M199 and RPMI-1640 media, LGPY has shown approximately seven fold more cell growth. The parasite has been observed to survive in the medium for at least 15 days post-inoculation.

Coding-Complete Genome Sequences of 11 SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 Variants from Metro Manila, Philippines.

Here, we report the complete genome sequences of 11 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants from the Philippines. Lineage analysis showed 3 B.1.

Amplification and Characterization of DDT Metabolizing Delta Class GST in Sand Fly, Phlebotomus argentipes (Diptera: Psychodidae) From Bihar, India.

Phlebotomus argentipes is an established vector for Visceral leishmaniasis prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. Insect Glutathione S-transferases (GST) enzyme plays a pivotal role in the metabolism of xenobiotics and chemical insecticides. We report herein the identification and characterization of a delta class GST from the sandfly, P.

Sero-surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare providers in four hospitals in Thailand one year after the first community outbreak.

Background: Thailand was the first country outside China to report SARS-CoV-2 infected cases. Since the detection of the first imported case on January 12th, 2020 to the time this report was written, Thailand experienced two waves of community outbreaks (March-April 2020 and December 2020-March 2021). We examined prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity among healthcare providers (HCPs) in four hospitals approximately one year after SARS-CoV-2 first detected in Thailand.

Brief Report: Prevalence Trend of Transmitted Drug Resistance in a Prospective Cohort of Thai People With Acute HIV Infection.

Background: The greater availability of different antiretroviral therapy regimens in developing countries may influence the emergence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR). People with acute HIV infection (AHI) represent the best opportunity for real-time monitoring of TDR. This study assessed the TDR prevalence trends over time in a Thai cohort of predominantly men who have sex with men (MSM) with AHI.