Stereophotogrammetric analysis of labial morphology in a young adult Middle-Eastern population

Introduction

The majority of previous research delineating the morphological characteristics of the orolabial region has been on Caucasian populations, with very minor research on Mediterranean populations, and none on the Lebanese population.

A rational approach to prevent recurrences after definitive treatment of oral cancers by surgery

Oral Cancer is a major problem not only in the Indian Subcontinent, but also in large areas of South and South East Asia where tobacco habits (chewing and smoking) are prevalent.     

Functional variants of IL4 and IL6 genes and risk of tobacco-related oral carcinoma in high-risk Asian Indians

Oral Diseases (2011) 17 , 720–726 Background: Tobacco‐related oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common cancers involving Indian males. We assessed the association of IL4 promoter –589 T>C, –33 T>C, and IL6–174 G>C functional genetic polymorphisms with tobacco‐related OSCC in Asian Indians. Patients and Methods: The IL4 and IL6 promoter polymorphisms were assessed in 140 patients with OSCC and 120 normal subjects by PCR–RFLP technique, and significance of the data was determined using chi‐square test. Results: The frequency of TC, CC genotype, and C allele at IL4 promoter sites –589 and –33 were higher in patients when compared with controls. Consequently, TC/CC genotypes and C allele at both sites appeared as susceptible. However, IL6–174 G>C single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) appeared to be protective in patients with OSCC. Of eight haplotypes, five were associated with two‐ to seven‐fold increased risk of tobacco‐related OSCC. These SNPs further showed heterogeneity among different ethnic population, but their distribution in Asian Indians stand closer to other Asian populations. Conclusions: In this study, IL4–589 CC, –33 CC genotype, and *C allele at both sites appeared to be susceptible, while IL6–174 CC genotype and *C allele appeared to be protective in patients with OSCC; hence, these SNPs may be a potential prognostic markers for tobacco‐related OSCC in Asian Indians.     

Multilocus genotyping of Theileria parva isolates associated with a live vaccination trial in Kenya provides evidence for transmission of immunizing parasites into local tick and cattle populations

The live infection and treatment (ITM) vaccination procedure using the trivalent Muguga cocktail is increasingly being used to control East Coast fever, with potential implications for Theileria parva population genetic structure in the field. Transmission of the Kiambu V T. parva component to unvaccinated cattle has previously been described in Uganda. We monitored the T. parva carrier state in vaccinated and control animals on a farm in West Kenya where an ITM stabilate derived from the Kenyan T. parva Marikebuni stock was evaluated for field efficacy. A nested PCR‐based Marikebuni‐specific marker identified a carrier state in nine of ten vaccinated animals, detectable for a period of two years. We used 22 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) markers to determine multilocus genotypes (MLGs) of 19 T. parva schizont‐infected lymphocyte isolates derived from cattle and field ticks. Two isolates from unimmunized cattle were identical to the Marikebuni vaccination stock. Two cattle isolates were identical to a Muguga cocktail component Kiambu V. Seven isolates from ticks exhibited MLGs that were identical to the Serengeti/Muguga vaccine stocks. Six cattle and two tick‐derived stocks exhibited unique MLGs. The data strongly suggest transmission of immunizing genotypes, from Marikebuni vaccine‐induced carrier cattle to unimmunized cattle. It is possible that genotypes similar to those in the Muguga cocktail are present in the field in Western Kenya. An alternative hypothesis is that these parasites may have originated from vaccine trial sites in Eastern Uganda. If correct, this suggests that T. parva stocks used for immunization can potentially be disseminated 125 km beyond the immediate vaccination site. Regardless of their origin, the data provide evidence that genotypes similar to those in the Muguga cocktail are circulating in the field in East Africa, alleviating concerns about dissemination of ‘alien’ T. parva germplasm through live vaccination.     

First detection of Theileria parva in cattle from Cameroon in the absence of the main tick vector Rhipicephalus appendiculatus

A major risk factor for the spread of livestock diseases and their vectors is the uncontrolled transboundary movement of live animals for trade and grazing. Such movements constrain effective control of tick‐transmitted pathogens, including Theileria parva. Only limited studies have been undertaken to identify ticks and tick‐borne diseases (TTBDs) affecting cattle in central African countries, including Cameroon. We hereby report the collection of baseline data on the prevalence of T. parva in Cameroon through a countrywide cross‐sectional survey, conducted in 2016, involving collection of blood samples from cattle from 63 sites across the five agro‐ecological zones (AEZs) of the country. ELISA‐based surveillance of infected cattle was performed on 479 randomly selected samples and revealed specific antibodies to T. parva in 22.7% and T. mutans in 41.1% of cattle. Screening of 1,340 representative DNA samples for the presence of T. parva identified 25 (1.86%) positives using a p104 antigen gene‐based nested PCR assay. The positives were distributed across agro‐ecological zones I, II, III and V. None of the p104 positive cattle exhibited clinical symptoms of East Coast fever (ECF). Using reverse line blot (RLB), 58 (4.3%) and 1,139 (85%) of the samples reacted with the T. parva and T. mutans oligonucleotide probes, respectively. This represents the first report of T. parva from Cameroon. Surprisingly, no Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks, the main vector of T. parva, were identified in a parallel study involving comprehensive morphological and molecular survey of tick species present in the country. Only two of the 25 p104 positive cattle were PCR‐positive for the CD8+ T‐cell target schizont‐expressed antigen gene Tp1. Cloning and sequencing of Tp1 amplicons revealed sequence identity with the reference T. parva Muguga. This new finding raises serious concerns of a potential spread of ECF into the central African region.     

Histopathology of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronovirus (MERS‐CoV) infection – clinicopathological and ultrastructural study

Aims

The pathogenesis, viral localization and histopathological features of Middle East respiratory syndrome – coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) in humans are not described sufficiently. The aims of this study were to explore and define the spectrum of histological and ultrastructural pathological changes affecting various organs in a patient with MERS‐CoV infection and represent a base of MERS‐CoV histopathology.

Methods and results

We analysed the post‐mortem histopathological findings and investigated localisation of viral particles in the pulmonary and extrapulmonary tissue by transmission electron microscopic examination in a 33‐year‐old male patient of T cell lymphoma, who acquired MERS‐CoV infection. Tissue needle biopsies were obtained from brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney and skeletal muscle. All samples were collected within 45 min from death to reduce tissue decomposition and artefact. Histopathological examination showed necrotising pneumonia, pulmonary diffuse alveolar damage, acute kidney injury, portal and lobular hepatitis and myositis with muscle atrophic changes. The brain and heart were histologically unremarkable. Ultrastructurally, viral particles were localised in the pneumocytes, pulmonary macrophages, renal proximal tubular epithelial cells and macrophages infiltrating the skeletal muscles.

Conclusion

The results highlight the pulmonary and extrapulmonary pathological changes of MERS‐CoV infection and provide the first evidence of the viral presence in human renal tissue, which suggests tissue trophism for MERS‐CoV in kidney.

     

Relationship between lower limb coordination and walking speed after stroke: an observational study

BackgroundAlthough lower limb muscle strength is associated with walking performance in people after stroke, even when there is good strength, walking speed may remain slower than normal, perhaps due to incoordination.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to examine the relationship between walking speed and lower limb coordination in people with good strength after stroke.MethodsAn observational study was conducted with 30 people with stroke and 30 age-matched controls. Inclusion criteria for stroke were good lower limb strength (i.e., ≥Grade 4) and walking speed at >0.6 m/s without aids in bare feet (with recruitment stratified so that walking speed was evenly represented across the range). Walking performance was measured as speed during the 10-m Walk Test and distance during the 6-min Walk Test. Coordination was measured using the Lower Extremity Motor Coordination Test and reported in taps/s.ResultsStroke survivors walked at 1.00 (SD 0.26) m/s during the10-m Walk Test (64% of normal), walked 349 (SD 94) m during the 6-min Walk Test (68% of normal), and performed the Lower Extremity Motor Coordination Test at 1.20 (SD 0.34) taps/s with the affected side (64% of normal). Lower Extremity Motor Coordination Test scores for the affected side were statistically significantly correlated with walking performance in the 10-m Walk Test (r = 0.42, p = 0.02) and the 6-min Walk Test (r = 0.50, p = 0.01).ConclusionCoordination was related to walking performance, suggesting that loss of coordination may contribute to slow walking in this group of stroke survivors with good strength.Trial registration: ANZCTR12614000856617 (www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=366827).     

Myofascial pain and treatment: Editorial a critical overview of the current myofascial pain literature – August 2019

This quarter's overview of the myofascial pain literature includes quite a few basic research papers in addition to the usual high quantity of dry needling (DN) papers. Of particular interest are a study by Fischer and colleagues studying the role of mitochondrial functions in chronic trigger points (TrPs) (Fischer et al 2018), a study by Li and associates who conducted a quantitative proteomics analysis to identify biomarkers of chronic myofascial pain and therapeutic targets of dry needling in a rat model of TrPs (Li et al 2019), and a sonography study by Mitchell et al. looking into the distances from the skin to the pleura in the context of DN (Mitchell et al 2019). A total of 33 papers are included in this overview article.We welcome Dr. Jacob Thorp to our team of authors. Dr. Thorp is a US-based physical therapist. He is Professor and Founding Director of the Physical Therapy Program at Charleston Southern University in North Charleston, SC.