Abstract
We designed a highly sensitive reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction targeting the M-segment (NPCR-M) of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus. NPCR-M was ...performed in parallel with three other referenced PCR assays QPCR-S, PCR-M, and NPCR-S to assess their clinical usefulness as routine diagnostic techniques for SFTS. In this multi-centered prospective study, 122 blood samples from 38 laboratory-confirmed SFTS patients and 85 control samples were used. The results demonstrated that QPCR-S and NPCR-S had better sensitivity rate up to 21 days after symptom onset however, the PCR-M showed poor sensitivity after 7 days of symptom onset. Our designed NPCR-M had a higher detection rate up to 40 days from symptom onset and revealed the persistence of SFTSV RNA in the early convalescent phase. No false-positive results were seen for the control samples. Additionally, NPCR-M showed positive results for a sample that initially showed negative results from other PCRs and for many other samples collected in the convalescent phase of SFTS. Our designed nested PCR is suitable for SFTSV detection in patients’ blood collected in the acute and early convalescent phase of SFTS, and shows better sensitivity and high specificity even up to 40 days after symptom onset.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
•Hantaan virus showing geographical clustering in the Republic of Korea.•Geographical variation presenting genetic divergence of Hantaan virus.•Genetic divergence indicates the emergence of new ...Hantavirus strains.•High hantavirus prevalence and seasonal variation in A. agrarius captured from Jeju.
Several studies on hantavirus evolution have shown that genetic reassortment plays an important role in the evolution and epidemiology of this disease. To understand the genetic epidemiology of human hantaviruses, samples from rodent reservoirs were subjected to reverse-transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-N-PCR) targeting the L- and S-segments of the hantavirus genome.
Positive isolates from Gwangju, Boseong-gun (Jeollanam-do Province), and Jeju Island were confirmed as Hantaan virus using DNA sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all isolates grouped together as Hantaan virus but with each region forming a distinct cluster. In addition, these three clusters were distinct from other Hantaan isolates reported in previous studies from Korea and its neighboring countries China and Russia.
This suggests Hantaan viruses exhibit a considerable degree of geographical clustering, and there may be a novel Hantaan genotype in southwestern ROK. This study helps expand our knowledge regarding the emergence of new hantavirus strains and their degree of geographical variation.
Hantaan virus, a pathogenic prototype hantavirus carried by Apodemus agrarius, is found throughout China, Russia, and Korea. Here, we examined the genetic diversity of hantaviruses to expand our knowledge regarding the emergence of new hantavirus strains and their degree of geographical variation. We found that hantaan viruses show a considerable degree of geographical clustering, which may allude to the development of a new genotype variant in the southwestern region of the ROK.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a febrile disorder caused in Korea by the Hantaan and Seoul viruses. Its characteristic clinical manifestations include fever, hemorrhage, and renal ...failure, but a primary presentation with acute infectious diarrhea is rare. Owing to decreased urine output and renal function, a 54-year-old patient was transferred to our hospital from a local clinic, where he had been receiving treatment for diarrhea occurring more than 10 times a day. The patient was treated in the Gastroenterology Department at our hospital for acute renal failure secondary to inflammatory diarrhea based on the findings of stool leukocytes. An immunofluorescent antibody assay showed a 4-fold increase in the acute-phase antibody titer to
during recovery. A nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) assay of plasma yielded negative results, but Hantaan virus positivity was confirmed on an RT-nPCR assay of the buffy coat. Another 60-year-old patient with watery diarrhea was treated conservatively for suspected infectious diarrhea. However, an immunofluorescent antibody assay showed a 4-fold increase in the acute-phase HFRS antibody titer. RT-nPCR using plasma yielded negative results, but Seoul virus was detected on an RT-nPCR buffy coat assay, confirming the diagnosis of HFRS. Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome can present with gastrointestinal symptoms such as acute diarrhea alone. This report highlights the importance of considering HFRS in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute diarrhea and the need for additional research on the usefulness of the buffy coat in the PCR diagnosis of HFRS.
Many pathogens causing hemorrhagic fevers of medical and veterinary importance have been identified and isolated from rodents in the Republic of Korea (ROK). We investigated the occurrence of ...emerging viruses causing hemorrhagic fevers, such as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), and flaviviruses, from wild rodents. Striped field mice,
Apodemus agrarius
(
n
= 39), were captured during 2014–2015 in the south-west of ROK. Using molecular methods, lung samples were evaluated for SFTS virus, hantavirus, and flavivirus, and seropositivity was evaluated in the blood. A high positive rate of hantavirus (46.2%) was detected in
A. agrarius
lungs by reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-N-PCR). The monthly occurrence of hantavirus was 16.7% in October, 86.7% in November, and 25% in August of the following year (
p
< 0.001). Moreover, 17.9% of blood samples were serologically positive for hantavirus antibodies. The most prevalent strain in
A. agrarius
was Hantaan virus. All samples were positive for neither SFTS virus nor flavivirus. Hantaan virus was detected in 86.7% of
A. agrarius
in November (autumn), and thus, virus shedding from
A. agrarius
can increase the risk of humans contracting HFRS. These findings may help to predict and prevent disease outbreaks in ROK.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Lemongrass essential oil (LEO), extracted from high-oil lemongrass, gains prominence as a versatile natural product due to growing demand for safe health solutions. LEO comprises beneficial compounds ...like citral, isoneral, geraniol, and citronellal, offering diverse pharmacological benefits such as antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer effects. LEO finds applications in food preservation, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, enhancing profitability across these sectors. The review focuses on the extraction of LEO, emphasizing the need for cost-effective methods. Ultrasound and supercritical fluid extraction are effective in reducing extraction time, increasing yields, and enhancing oil quality. LEO shows promise as a valuable natural resource across industries, with applications in packaging, coating, and film development. LEO's ability to extend the shelf life of food items and impart natural flavors positions it as a valuable asset. Overall, the review emphasizes LEO's therapeutic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, strengthening its potential in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors.
•Lemongrass Essential Oil (LEO) offers diverse health benefits.•Various cost effective extraction methods have improved efficiency.•LEO finds applications in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals industry.•The natural properties of LEO align with the growing preference for safe and effective health solutions.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Chromium (Cr) pollution in soil has the greatest threat to human beings as it has a potential to enter into the food chain through contaminated soil. Chromium has no defined role in plant biology and ...has detrimental effects on plants. Biochar used as soil amendment has been demonstrated to diminish the bioavailability of trace elements. The current study investigated the effect of poultry litter biochar (PLB) on Cr bioavailability and its accumulation in spinach grown on Cr-contaminated soil. Data showed significant decline in bioavailable Cr concentration (DTPA-extraction) with an increasing biochar concentration, especially at 5% application rate in soil. With the 3% and 5% application of PLB, Cr concentration in shoots significantly (
P <
0.05) decreased by 32% and 49%, respectively, over the control. The results showed that PLB significantly enhanced the plant growth and biomass over the control. Under Cr stress, the PLB addition increased the catalase and superoxide dismutase activities while decreased malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide concentrations as compared to control. Overall, it was concluded that PLB application might be effective in reducing the toxic effects of Cr in spinach and enhancing plant growth.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Soil contamination with cadmium has become major concern all over the world because of its adverse impacts on ecosystem health and agricultural land. Soil amendment with biochar may have varied ...effects on physical and chemical properties of soil. The objective of the study was to explore the impact of sugarcane filter-cake biochar on physiological performance and growth of lettuce in an aged soil. Four different doses (0, 1.5%, 3%, and 5%) of biochar were used in the soil and conditioned for 1 month. After this, lettuce seedlings were grown in the soil. The results showed that the biochar treatment improved the fresh and dry biomass of leaves and roots as well as plant height while diminished the bioavailability of cadmium from the soil. As compared to control, biochar significantly enhanced the chlorophyll content in lettuce leaves. Due to the biochar amendment, the oxidative stress decreased in lettuce shoots over the control. As compared to control, concentration of cadmium in lettuce significantly decreased after the application of biochar. It was concluded that biochar could mitigate the toxicity of cadmium in lettuce by altering the biochemical and physiological processes in cadmium contaminated soil.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Background: The presence of a urinary catheter is the most important risk factor for bacteriuria and Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CA-UTI). The objective of this study was to determine ...the frequency of catheter associated urinary tract infections and most common causative uropathogens due to prolonged catheterization. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences, Muzaffarabad from January to December 2019. Total 270 patients of critical patient care areas and wards with age range 18–70 years were selected. Patients suffering from UTI prior to catheterization, suffering from complicated UTI, and already catheterized at the time of admission were excluded. Urine samples were collected from the distal end of urinary catheters under strict aseptic techniques. Samples were cultured and growing microbes identified on the basis of gram stain, colony morphology, and biochemical reactions. Results: Catheter associated urinary tract infections due to prolonged catheterization of patients for more than 48 hours were found in 143 (52.96%) patients. The frequency of common causative uropathogens was: E. coli in 67 (47.18%), Kleibsella spp in 15 (10.56%), Proteus spp in 10 (7.04%), Pseudomonas spp in 8 (5.63%), Staphylococci in 14 (9.86%), Enterococci in 13 (9.15%) and other organisms in 15 (10.56%) patients. Conclusion: The frequency of catheter associated urinary tract infections with E. coli as the bacterial pathogen causing UTI due to prolonged catheterization is quite high. Pak J Physiol 2021;17(4):19?22
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