Genetic diversity of multiple human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) clades in West Papua

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) genetic variability is classified into types, groups, and subtypes. HIV is divided into 2 types, HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 was divided into groups M (Main), N (New), and O (Outlier). Group M was divided into 9 subtypes and 48 Circulating Recombinant Form (CRF). Understanding HIV-1 subtype distribution and epidemiology can assist preventive measures and clinical decisions. Sequence variation may affect drug resistance, disease progression, and transmission route. This study aimed to determine human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) subtypes which circulate in West Papua based on gene fragments encoding the glycoprotein-41 (gp41) of the HIV envelope. The descriptive-analytic method was attended at the VCT clinic in West Papua. Samples of blood plasma from patients with HIV were amplified using RT-PCR and nested PCR. Genetic variability was analyzed using DNA sequencing. The HIV-1 subtype was determined for 35 samples which 15 were from female patients and 20 were from male patients. 3 subtypes were detected: Circulating Recombinant Form AE (CRF01_AE, n=21), B (n=12), and 52_01B (n=2). Subtypes AE predominated in HIV-1 acquired heterosexually 100 % and clinical stage level III. Subtypes AE strains of group M viruses predominated in West Papua in HIV transmitted by heterosexual contact.

Genome-Wide Metabolic Reconstruction of the Synthesis of Polyhydroxyalkanoates from Sugars and Fatty Acids by Burkholderia Sensu Lato Species

Burkholderia sensu lato (s.l.) species have a versatile metabolism. The aims of this review are the genomic reconstruction of the metabolic pathways involved in the synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) by Burkholderia s.l. genera, and the characterization of the PHA synthases and the pha genes organization. The reports of the PHA synthesis from different substrates by Burkholderia s.l. strains were reviewed. Genome-guided metabolic reconstruction involving the conversion of sugars and fatty acids into PHAs by 37 Burkholderia s.l. species was performed. Sugars are metabolized via the Entner–Doudoroff (ED), pentose-phosphate (PP), and lower Embden–Meyerhoff–Parnas (EMP) pathways, which produce reducing power through NAD(P)H synthesis and PHA precursors. Fatty acid substrates are metabolized via β-oxidation and de novo synthesis of fatty acids into PHAs. The analysis of 194 Burkholderia s.l. genomes revealed that all strains have the phaC, phaA, and phaB genes for PHA synthesis, wherein the phaC gene is generally present in ≥2 copies. PHA synthases were classified into four phylogenetic groups belonging to class I II and III PHA synthases and one outlier group. The reconstruction of PHAs synthesis revealed a high level of gene redundancy probably reflecting complex regulatory layers that provide fine tuning according to diverse substrates and physiological conditions.

TKR after posttraumatic and primary knee osteoarthritis: a comparative study

Background A few literatures reported that the outcomes of total knee replacement (TKR) in posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) were lower compared to TKR in primary osteoarthritis (primary OA). The study’s purpose was to compare the comorbidity and outcome of TKR among fracture PTOA, ligamentous PTOA, and primary OA. The secondary aim was to identify the effect of postoperatively lower limb mechanical axis on an 8-year survivorship after TKR between PTOA and primary OA. Methods Seven hundred sixteen patients with primary OA, 32 patients with PTOA (knee fracture subgroup), and 104 PTOA (knee ligamentous injury subgroup) were recruited. Demography, comorbidities, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), operative parameters, mechanical axis, functional outcome assessed by WOMAC, and complications were compared among the three groups. Results PTOA group was significantly younger (p<0.0001) with a higher proportion of men (p=0.001) while the primary OA group had higher comorbidities than the PTOA group, including anticoagulant usage (p=0.0002), ASA class ≥3 (p<0.0001), number of diseases ≥ 4 (p<0.0001), and CCI (p<0.0001). Both the fracture PTOA group (p<0.0001) and ligamentous PTOA group (p = 0.009) had a significantly longer operative time than the primary OA group. The fracture PTOA group had significantly lower pain components and stiffness components than the primary OA group. There was no significant difference in the rate of an aligned group, outlier group, and an 8-year survivorship in both groups. Conclusion The outcome following TKR in the fracture PTOA was poorer compared to primary knee OA in the midterm follow-up. However, no difference was detected between the ligamentous PTOA and primary knee OA. The mechanical axis alignment within the neutral axis did not affect the 8-year survivorship after TKR in both groups. Level of evidence Level III; retrospective cohort study

Effect of Coronal Alignment on 10-Year Survivorship of a Single Contemporary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Debate remains regarding the utility of mechanical axis alignment as a predictor of durability after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Our study aimed to assess the effects of coronal alignment on implant durability, clinical outcomes, and radiographic results with a single fixed-bearing TKA design. All patients undergoing primary cemented TKA of a single design (Stryker Triathlon) from 2005–2007 with >10 years of follow-up and available pre-operative and post-operative hip–knee–ankle radiographs were included (n = 89). Radiographs were measured to determine coronal alignment and assessed for loosening. Mean preoperative mechanical axis alignment was −6° ± 6.7° (varus, range, −16°–23°), while mean post-operative alignment was −1° ± 2.7° (varus, range, −3°–15°). The aligned group was defined as knees with a post-operative mechanical axis of 0° ± 3° (n = 73) and the outlier group as those outside this range (n = 16). No patients underwent revision. Ten-year survivorship free from any reoperation was 99% and 100% in the aligned and outlier groups, respectively (p = 0.64). Knee Society scores improved significantly in both groups (p < 0.001) and did not differ at final follow-up (p = 0.15). No knees demonstrated radiographic evidence of loosening. Post-operative mechanical axis alignment within 3° of neutral was not associated with improved implant durability, clinical outcomes, or radiographic results at 10 years following primary TKA.

Predictive value and clinical significance of increased SSAT-1 activity in healthy adults

Aim: Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT-1) regulates cell growth, proliferation and death. Amantadine is converted by SSAT-1 to acetylamantadine (AA). In our earlier studies, although SSAT-1 was activated in patients with cancer, a number of ostensibly healthy adult volunteers had higher than expected AA concentration. This study was therefore undertaken to examine the outlier group. Materials & methods: A follow up of urine analysis for AA by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry as well as clinical assessments and additional blood analyses were conducted. Results: In some of the outlier controls, higher than expected AA concentration was linked to increased serum carcinoembryonic antigen. Clinical and radiographic assessments revealed underlying abnormalities in other cases that could represent premalignant conditions. Hematology tests revealed elevations in white blood cells and platelets, which are markers of inflammation. Conclusion: High urine concentration of AA could be used as a simple and useful test for screening of cancer in high-risk populations.

Evidence of BVDV in Pigs from North Eastern Part of India- Genetic Profiling and Characterisation

Introduction: The work has been attempted to detect and genetically characterise the nature of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) isolates from the porcine population of the north east. Methods and Material: The samples have been collected over a two year period and are from areas where there is a mixed and integrated rearing of livestock in close proximity. The isolates were identified, cloned and sequenced using BVD specific genomic primers for two important domains viz., E-2 and 5’ UTR. Results: Porcine BVD Sequences were analysed phylogenetically. Divergence in 3 sequences is noted in the 5’ UTR region that are forming a clear outlier group while E-2 sequences are coming close to BVDV group but forming a separate cluster.

The effect of postoperative mechanical axis alignment on the revision rate of primary total knee arthroplasty after a follow up of 10 years

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of postoperative mechanical alignment on clinical outcomes and revision rate by comparing acceptable mechanical axis group from neutral and an outlier mechanical axis.Between 2000 and 2006, clinical and radiographic data of 334 primary TKAs were retrospectively reviewed. Post-operative mechanical axis was investigated within 1 month after TKA. The first group was an acceptable group of 286 knees (85.6%, with mechanical axis of 0°±3°). The second group was an outlier group of 48 knees (14.4%, with mechanical axis of beyond 0°±3°). Clinical outcomes before surgery and at the final follow up were analyzed using scoring method such as Hospital for Special Surgery, Knee Society Score, and Western Ontario &amp; McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score. Radiologic outcomes including changes of mechanical axis between immediate postop and last follow-up were evaluated. Postoperative complications and revision rates were also evaluated.The mean degrees in change of mechanical axis between immediate postop and last follow-up were greater in the outlier group (1.6°±2.7) than acceptable group (0.8°±2.4). No significance difference in clinical outcome was found between the two groups. The incidence of aseptic loosening, instability, polyethylene wear, polyethylene breakage, and periprosthetic fracture was 2/4/2/2/2 each in the acceptable group and 1/1/2/0/0 each in the outlier group. Six (2.1%) of 286 in the acceptable group and 4 (8.3%) of 48 in the outlier group were revised (p=0.04). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a tendency towards improved survival with restoration of neutral mechanical axis. However, such improvement was not statistically significant (p=0.25).Restoration of neutral limb alignment is a factor of total knee arthroplasty that can result in less revision rate and higher longevity. However, there are no significant differences in clinical outcomes between the two groups.

Using Outliers in Freesurfer Segmentation Statistics to Identify Cortical Reconstruction Errors in Structural Scans

IntroductionQuality assurance (QA) is vital for ensuring the integrity of processed neuroimaging data for use in clinical neurosciences research. Manual QA (visual inspection) of processed brains for cortical surface reconstruction errors is resource-intensive, particularly with large datasets. Several semi-automated QA tools use quantitative detection of subjects for editing based on outlier brain regions. There were two project goals: (1) evaluate the adequacy of a statistical QA method relative to visual inspection, and (2) examine whether error identification and correction significantly impacts estimation of cortical parameters and established brain-behavior relationships.MethodsT1 MPRAGE images (N = 530) of healthy adults were obtained from the NKI-Rockland Sample and reconstructed using Freesurfer 5.3. Visual inspection of T1 images was conducted for: (1) participants (n = 110) with outlier values (z scores ± 3 SD) for subcortical and cortical segmentation volumes (outlier group), and (2) a random sample of remaining participants (n = 110) with segmentation values that did not meet the outlier criterion (nonoutlier group).ResultsThe outlier group had 21% more participants with visual inspection-identified errors than participants in the non-outlier group, with a medium effect size (Φ = 0.22). Nevertheless, a considerable portion of images with errors of cortical extension were found in the non-outlier group (41%). Sex significantly predicted error rate; men were 2.8 times more likely to have errors than women. Although nine brain regions significantly changed size from pre-to postediting (with effect sizes ranging from 0.26 to 0.59), editing did not substantially change the correlations of neurocognitive tasks and brain volumes (ps > 0.05).ConclusionsStatistically-based QA, although less resource intensive, is not accurate enough to supplant visual inspection. We discuss practical implications of our findings to guide resource allocation decisions for image processing.

Transformational leadership in leading young innovators – a subordinate’s perspective

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate what kind of leadership young innovative people prefer and whether their level of innovativeness has an influence on those leadership preferences. It also asks specifically whether some leadership behaviours are preferred over others by young innovators, by comparing that group’s preferences to those of the majority of young people and an outlier group labelled laggards. Leadership preferences are studied in the context of transformational leadership covering transformational leadership, transactional leadership (including passive and active management by exception), rewarding, laissez-faire and authoritative leadership styles. Design/methodology/approach In total, 297 Finnish university students completed a voluntary leadership behaviour questionnaire and an innovativeness scale. A non-parametric independent samples median test was run to determine if there were differences in the leadership preference score between the innovativeness level groups. Findings Results indicate that the level of innovativeness influences leadership preferences. Receiving intellectual stimulation from their leader is more important to young innovators than it is to their peers but the former are also less comfortable with active management by exception. Originality/value Young innovators leadership preferences have not been studied. Harnessing the full power of this important talent pool is central to the future competitiveness of organizations and nations. This study intends to prompt discussion and studies on how to lead young innovators given their preferences.

Classification of mesic grasslands and their transitions of South Transdanubia (Hungary)

Classification of mesic grasslands and their transitions of South Transdanubia (Hungary) Relevés from meadows and pastures of South Transdanubia (Hungary) are evaluated by clustering and ordination methods. The relevé selection focused on the Arrhenatheretalia order but its transitions towards other types were also included. The groups of relevés are delimited and described according to differential, dominant and constant species. Ecological conditions of the groups were compared using indicator values. Nine groups were distinguished, four of them belonging strictly to the order Arrhenatheretalia. Each alliance of Arrhenatheretalia presented in the study area (Cynosurion, Arrhenatherion) was represented by two groups. Groups from these two alliances are separated along a light gradient, while groups of the same alliance differ in nutrient values. Within Cynosurion, the nutrient-poor group cannot be identified unambiguously as any syntaxa previously known from Hungary. The nutrient-rich Cynosurion meadows are similar to Lolio-Cynosuretum, however, they show a stronger relationship with wet meadows. Within Arrhenatherion, Pastinaco-Arrhenatheretum is recognised as a hay meadow of nutrient-rich soils. The other meadow type is similar to Filipendulo-Arrhenatheretum, thus raising syntaxonomical problems. There are transitional groups towards semi-dry andwet meadows, one dynamic phase and one outlier group among the other five clusters.