Correlation between the number of apoptotic cells and expression of the apoptosis-related antigens Fas, Ley and bcl-2 protein in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas

The relationship between the number of apoptotic cells and the expression of apoptosis-related antigens was examined In 56 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and in 10 cases of reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes (RHL). Apoptosis was visually quantified by the in situ end-labeling (ISEL) method, and the expression of Fas, Le^y antigens and bcl-2 protein was examined by Immunohistochemistry. The expression of Le^y antigen was observed in germinal centers of RHL and 45% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. The apoptotic cell count (AC) in follicular lymphomas was significantly less than that in diffuse lymphomas. The distribution pattern of apoptotic cells In follicular lymphomas was inverse to that in RHL. In follicular lymphomas, AC was lower in follicles than in inter-follicular areas. In contrast, AC was higher in follicles than in Interfollicular areas in RHL. Le^y antigen-positive lymphomas showed a significantly higher AC than the negative cases. The Fas antigen-positive lymphomas showed a higher AC than the negative cases. However, AC in bcl-2 protein-positive and negative cases was not significantly different. These results suggest that Le^y and Fas antigens appear to be involved in the apoptotic tendency of tumor cells in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, whereas bcl-2 does not necessarily.     

A novel frame shift mutation in the HMG box of the SRY gene in a patient with complete 46,XY pure gonadal dysgenesis.

Pure gonadal dysgenesis or Swyer syndrome is a sex-reversal disorder resulting from embryonic testicular regression sequences especially during the first few weeks of fetal life and is induced by mutations in the SRY gene. In the present report, we describe a nonmosaic XY sex-reversed female with pure gonadal dysgenesis. Molecular analysis using sequential PCR to detect Y chromosomal microdeletions showed the presence of SRY, ZFY and AZFa, b and c regions. Automated sequencing of the SRY region revealed a new mutation (deletion of A (adenine) in codon 82 at position +244), leading to a frame shift mutation within the helix I of the HMG-box domain. This mutation generates a truncated protein and is very likely to produce an impairment of SRY DNA binding activity. The present findings further support the functional importance of the putative DNA binding activity of the SRY HMG-box domain.     

Association of obesity with illness severity in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundAlthough recent studies have shown an association between obesity and adverse coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patient outcomes, there is a paucity in large studies focusing on hospitalized patients. We aimed to analyze outcomes associated with obesity in a large cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study at a tertiary care health system of adult patients with COVID-19 who were admitted between March 1 and April 30, 2020. Patients were stratified by body mass index (BMI) into obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2) and non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m 2) cohorts. Primary outcomes were mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, intubation, and 30-day readmission.ResultsA total of 1983 patients were included of whom 1031 (51.9%) had obesity and 952 (48.9%) did not have obesity. Patients with obesity were younger (P < 0.001), more likely to be female (P < 0.001) and African American (P < 0.001) compared to patients without obesity. Multivariable logistic models adjusting for differences in age, sex, race, medical comorbidities, and treatment modalities revealed no difference in 60-day mortality and 30-day readmission between obese and non-obese groups. In these models, patients with obesity had increased odds of ICU admission (adjusted OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.07?1.76; P = 0.012) and intubation (adjusted OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.04?1.80; P = 0.026).ConclusionsObesity in patients with COVID-19 is independently associated with increased risk for ICU admission and intubation. Recognizing that obesity impacts morbidity in this manner is crucial for appropriate management of COVID-19 patients.     

Healthcare Cost Savings Associated with Increased Whole Grain Consumption among Australian Adults

Many dietary guidelines emphasise “mostly” whole grain food choices as part of an overall healthy eating pattern based on evidence for enhancing nutritional status and reducing chronic disease. Still, countries including Australia fall short of their consumption targets. Furthermore, healthcare cost savings associated with increasing the consumption of whole grains in alignment with the Daily Target Intake (DTI) recommendation of 48 g are unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the potential savings in costs of healthcare and lost productivity associated with a reduction in the incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) through meeting the 48 g DTI recommendation for whole grains among the Australian adult population (>20 years). A three-step cost-of-illness analysis was conducted using input parameters from: 1) estimates of proportions of consumers (5%, 15%, 50%, and 100%) who would increase their current intake of whole grains to meet the recommended DTI in Australia; 2) relative reductions in risk of T2DM and CVD associated with specific whole grain consumption, as reported in meta-analysis studies; and 3) data on costs of healthcare and productivity loss based on monetary figures by national healthcare authorities. A very pessimistic (5% of the population) through to universal (100% of the population) adoption of the recommended DTI was shown to potentially yield AUD 37.5 (95% CI 22.3–49.3) to AUD 750.7 (95% CI 445.7–985.2) million, and AUD 35.9 (95% CI 8.3–60.7) to AUD 717.4 (95% CI 165.5–1214.1) million in savings on annual healthcare and lost productivity costs for T2DM and CVD, respectively. Given such economic benefits of the recommended consumption of whole grains, in exchange for refined grains, there is a real opportunity to facilitate relevant socioeconomic cost-savings for Australia and reductions in disease. These results are suggestive of a much greater opportunity to communicate the need for dietary change at all levels, but particularly through food-based dietary guidelines and front-of-pack labelling initiatives.     

Probiotic Supplementation and High-Intensity Interval Training Modify Anxiety-Like Behaviors and Corticosterone in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Mice

Evidence supports the role of exercise training and probiotics on reducing obesity. Considering the relationship between obesity and high-fat diet with anxiety indices, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of probiotic supplementation and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on anxiety-like behaviors, corticosterone and obesity indices in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice. Thirty male adult C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: (1) Control with normal diet (CON), (2) High-fat diet (HFD), (3) HFD + exercise training (HT), (4) HFD + probiotics supplement (HP) and (5) HFD + exercise training +probiotics (HTP). Exercise training consisted of 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs. Probiotics supplement included 0.2 mL Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Anxiety-like behaviors were measured by open field (OF) and Elevated plus maze (EPM). OF and EPM tests, visceral fat mass (VFM) measurement, and blood sampling for corticosterone were performed after the intervention. Bodyweight was measured at different stages during the intervention. HFD regime in C57BL/6 mice increased bodyweight, VFM, and serum corticosterone levels and anxiety-like behaviors (p < 0.05). HIIT, probiotic and their combination, decreased bodyweight, VFM, and serum corticosterone levels and improved anxiety-like behavior in the HFD mice (p < 0.05). The effect of a combination of HIIT and probiotic on most of the anxiety indices was more than each one separately (p < 0.5). HIIT and probiotic supplements separately or above all in combination, may have beneficial effects in reducing obesity and anxiety indices.     

Undiagnosed Depression among Hypertensive Individuals in Gaza: A Cross-sectional Survey from Palestine

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and to determine the associated factors of undiagnosed depression amongst hypertensive patients (HTNP) at primary health care centers (PHCC) in Gaza.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted including 538 HTNP as a recruitment phase of a clustered randomized controlled trial. Data were collected through face-to-face structured interview, and depression status was assessed by Beck''s Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Data were analyzed by STATA version 14 using standard complex survey analyses, accounted for unresponsiveness and clustering approach. Generalized linear regression analysis was performed to assess associations.ResultsThe prevalence of undiagnosed clinical depression was 11.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.1, 16.3). Moreover, prevalence of 15.4% (95% CI: 10.8, 21.6) was found for mild depression symptoms. We found that non-adherence to antihypertensive medications (AHTNM) (β = 0.9, 95% CI: 0.17, 1.7), having more health-care system support (β = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.6, 3.9) and number of AHTNM (β = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.6, 2.5) remain significantly positively associated with BDI-II score. On the other hand, older age (β = -0.1, 95% CI: -0.2, -0.02), having better social support (β = -6.8, 95% CI: -8.9, -4.7) and having stronger patient-doctor relationship (β = -4.1, 95% CI: -6.9, -1.2) kept significantly negative association.ConclusionThe prevalence of undiagnosed depression was about one-quarter of all cases; half of them were moderate to severe. Routine screening of depression status should be a part of the care of HTNP in PHCC.     

Rift Valley Fever and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses in Ruminants,Jordan

The epidemiology of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in Jordan is unknown. Our investigation showed 3% of 989 tested dairy cattle, sheep, and goats were RVFV seropositive and 14% were CCHFV seropositive. Ongoing surveillance is needed to assess risk to humans and protect public health.