Comparison of the Four Proposed Apgar Scoring Systems in the Assessment of Birth Asphyxia and Adverse Early Neurologic Outcomes

Objectives

To compare the Conventional, Specified, Expanded and Combined Apgar scoring systems in predicting birth asphyxia and the adverse early neurologic outcomes.

Methods

This prospective cohort study was conducted on 464 admitted neonates. In the delivery room, after delivery the umbilical cord was double clamped and a blood samples was obtained from the umbilical artery for blood gas analysis, meanwhile on the 1- , 5- and 10- minutes Conventional, Specified, Expanded, and Combined Apgar scores were recorded. Then the neonates were followed and intracranial ultrasound imaging was performed, and the following information were recorded: the occurrence of birth asphyxia, hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and neonatal seizure.

Results

The Combined-Apgar score had the highest sensitivity (97%) and specificity (99%) in predicting birth asphyxia, followed by the Specified-Apgar score that was also highly sensitive (95%) and specific (97%). The Expanded-Apgar score was highly specific (95%) but not sensitive (67%) and the Conventional-Apgar score had the lowest sensitivity (81%) and low specificity (81%) in predicting birth asphyxia. When adjusted for gestational age, only the low 5-minute Combined-Apgar score was independently associated with the occurrence of HIE (B = 1.61, P = 0.02) and IVH (B = 2.8, P = 0.01).

Conclusions

The newly proposed Combined-Apgar score is highly sensitive and specific in predicting birth asphyxia and also is a good predictor of the occurrence of HIE and IVH in asphyxiated neonates.     

Interaction between MbMNPV and the braconid parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Hym., Braconidae) on larvae of beet armyworm,Spodoptera exigua (Lep., Noctuidae)

The survival of a braconid parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor was investigated on nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV)-infected Spodoptera exigua larvae. The second-instar larvae were exposed to 30, 51.4 and 180 PIB/mm² of Mamestra brassicae NPV (MbMNPV) as under-LD₅₀, LD₅₀ and over-LD₅₀ values, respectively. They were accessible to be parasitized by H. hebetor after 24, 48 and 72 h post-treatment. Infection of the larvae with MbNPV was deleterious to the survival and parasitism of H. hebetor. The survival of H. hebetor in MbNPV-infected S. exigua larvae was dependent on the interval between viral infection and parasitization, as well as on the treatment dose of MbMNPV; very few adults of parasitoid emerged from infected hosts when host larvae were exposed to 180 PIB/mm² of MbNPV on 72-h interval treatment. The inoculation dose of MbNPV and the timing of parasitoid release had significant effect on the development of H. hebetor on virus-infected hosts. Field applications of virus for biocontrol of S. exigua may lead to substantial mortality of immature parasitoids.     

Increased expression of recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator in Leishmania tarentolae

Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is one of the most important thrombolytic agents for treating cardiovascular obstructions such as stroke. Glycoprotein rt-PA is a serine protease, consisting of 527 amino acids of which 35 are cysteine residues. A variety of recombinant protein expression systems have been developed for heterologous gene expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts. In recent years, Leishmania tarentolae has been considered because of its safety aspects and special attributes in expression of complex proteins. In this study, two expression cassettes, each one including two copies of t-PA cDNA, were used for integration into the L. tarentolae genome by electroporation. Transformed clones were selected in the presence of appropriate antibiotics. Expression of active rt-PA was confirmed by Western blot and Zymography tests. Real-time PCR analysis was applied to investigate the presence of multiple t-PA gene copies in the parasite genome. Correlation of t-PA gene dosage and production rate was confirmed with real-time PCR. It was shown that the expression level of rt-PA in L. tarentolae is at least 480 IU/mL of culture media. This concentration of rt-PA is seven times higher than what was reported in previous studies in L. tarentolae and some other eukaryotic systems.     

Glucan, water dikinase activity stimulates breakdown of starch granules by plastidial beta-amylases

Glucan phosphorylating enzymes are required for normal mobilization of starch in leaves of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and potato (Solanum tuberosum), but mechanisms underlying this dependency are unknown. Using two different activity assays, we aimed to identify starch degrading enzymes from Arabidopsis, whose activity is affected by glucan phosphorylation. Breakdown of granular starch by a protein fraction purified from leaf extracts increased approximately 2-fold if the granules were simultaneously phosphorylated by recombinant potato glucan, water dikinase (GWD). Using matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization mass spectrometry several putative starch-related enzymes were identified in this fraction, among them beta-AMYLASE1 (BAM1; At3g23920) and ISOAMYLASE3 (ISA3; At4g09020). Experiments using purified recombinant enzymes showed that BAM1 activity with granules similarly increased under conditions of simultaneous starch phosphorylation. Purified recombinant potato ISA3 (StISA3) did not attack the granular starch significantly with or without glucan phosphorylation. However, starch breakdown by a mixture of BAM1 and StISA3 was 2 times higher than that by BAM1 alone and was further enhanced in the presence of GWD and ATP. Similar to BAM1, maltose release from granular starch by purified recombinant BAM3 (At4g17090), another plastid-localized beta-amylase isoform, increased 2- to 3-fold if the granules were simultaneously phosphorylated by GWD. BAM activity in turn strongly stimulated the GWD-catalyzed phosphorylation. The interdependence between the activities of GWD and BAMs offers an explanation for the severe starch excess phenotype of GWD-deficient mutants.     

Homozygosity mapping in consanguineous families reveals extreme heterogeneity of non-syndromic autosomal recessive mental retardation and identifies 8 novel gene loci

Autosomal recessive gene defects are arguably the most important, but least studied genetic causes of severe cognitive dysfunction. Homozygosity mapping in 78 consanguineous Iranian families with nonsyndromic autosomal recessive mental retardation (NS-ARMR) has enabled us to determine the chromosomal localization of at least 8 novel gene loci for this condition. Our data suggest that in the Iranian population NS-ARMR is very heterogeneous, and they argue against the existence of frequent gene defects that account for more than a few percent of the cases. Mohammad Mahdi Motazacker and Masoud Garshasbi have contributed equally to this work.     

DNA patenting: the end of an era?

Debates on patenting DNA must evolve to reflect the global decline in filings and regional disparities in patenting activity.     

Relationship between the Structure and Chaperone Activity of Human αA-Crystallin after Its Modification with Diabetes-Associated Oxidative Agents and Protective Role of Antioxidant Compounds

Biochemistry (Moscow) - The study was aimed to evaluate the impact of peroxynitrite (PON, oxidative stress agent in diabetes), methylglyoxal (MGO, diabetes-associated reactive carbonyl compound),...     

Effects of Stress Modifier Biostimulants on Vegetative Growth,Nutrients, and Antioxidants Contents of Garden Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) Under Water Deficit Conditions

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of stress modulators on vegetative growth, antioxidants, and nutrient content of Thymus vulgaris L. under water deficit stress conditions. A factorial experiment was performed in the form of a randomized complete block design with 10 treatments and 3 replications in the 2019–2020 growing season. The factors were stress modulators at 5 levels (ZN: zinc nano-fertilizer, AA: amino acid, SW: seaweed, HA: humic acid and C: control) and irrigation regime at 2 levels [FIrr: full irrigation (100% field capacity) and DIrr: deficit irrigation (50% field capacity)]. The highest plant height, number of branches, and total dry weight of the garden thyme plant were observed in the foliar application of HA and SW under full irrigation conditions. Relative water content, chlorophyll a and b, and uptake of nutrients (N, P, and K) were reduced under water deficit stress, but the foliar application of stress modulators increased relative water content, chlorophyll content, and nutrient uptake of the garden thyme plant significantly compared with control. The water deficit increased proline content, total flavonoid, and phenol content in the garden thyme plant. So, the highest total flavonoid and phenol content was obtained from plants treated with HA, whereas proline content was higher in the control plants. Soluble sugars and essential oil increased significantly under water deficit stress conditions. The foliar application of HA compared to the control plant increased soluble sugars and essential oil in garden thymes. The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase enzymes were improved in stress modulator treatments such as HA and SW compared to control plants under water deficit stress conditions. The plants of garden thymes showed a good response to stress modulator treatments under water stress conditions, and HA and SW treatments were found to be more effective.

     

2q35-rs13387042 variant and the risk of breast cancer: a case–control study

Molecular Biology Reports - Breast Cancer is the most frequent neoplasm diagnosed among women worldwide. Genetic background and lifestyle/environment play a significant role in the disease...     

Therapeutic Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training Exercise Alone and Its Combination with Ecdysterone Against Amyloid Beta-Induced Rat Model of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Behavioral,Biochemical, and Histological Study

Neurochemical Research - Hippocampal oxidative stress has a vital role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-associated behavioral deficits. Ecdysterone (Ecdy), a natural product...