RESULTS: A set of SREHP gene specific LAMP primers were designed for the specific detection of Entamoeba histolytica. This set of primers recorded 100% specificity when it was evaluated against 3 medically important Entamoeba species and 75 other pathogenic microorganisms. These primers were later modified for conventional PCR, nPCR and qPCR applications. Besides, 3 different post-LAMP analyses including agarose gel electrophoresis, nucleic acid lateral flow immunoassay and calcein-manganese dye techniques were used to compare their limit of detection (LoD). One E. histolytica trophozoite was recorded as the LoD for all the 3 post-LAMP analysis methods when tested with E. histolytica DNA extracted from spiked stool samples. In contrast, none of the PCR method outperformed LAMP as both qPCR and nPCR recorded LoD of 100 trophozoites while the LoD of conventional PCR was 1000 trophozoites.
CONCLUSIONS: The analytical sensitivity comparison among the conventional PCR, nPCR, qPCR and LAMP reveals that the LAMP outperformed the others in terms of LoD and amplification time. Hence, LAMP is a relevant alternative DNA-based amplification platform for sensitive and specific detection of pathogens.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 221 fish samples, of which 108 (Oreochromis spp., n=38; C. gariepinus, n=35; and P. hypophthalmus, n=35) were from Kelantan and 113 (Oreochromis spp., n=38; C. gariepinus, n=35; and P. hypophthalmus, n=40) were from Terengganu, were caught using cast nets. Then, samples from their kidneys were cultured on a Rimler Shott agar to isolate Aeromonas spp. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to confirm this isolation using specific gene primers for species identification. Subsequently, the isolates were tested for their sensitivity to 14 antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer method, after which the PCR was conducted again to detect resistance genes: sul1, strA-strB, aadA, bla TEM, bla SHV, tetA-tetE, and tetM.
Results: From the results, 61 isolates were identified as being from the genus Aeromonas using PCR, of which 28 were Aeromonas jandaei, 19 were Aeromonas veronii, seven were Aeromonas hydrophila, and seven were Aeromonas sobria. Moreover, 8, 12, and 8 of A. jandaei; 4, 3, and 12 of A. veronii; 6, 0, and 1 of A. hydrophila; and 3, 3, and 1 of A. sobria were obtained from Oreochromis spp., C. gariepinus, and P. hypophthalmus, respectively. In addition, the isolates showed the highest level of resistance to ampicillin (100%), followed by streptomycin (59.0%), each kanamycin and nalidixic acid (41.0%), neomycin (36.1%), tetracycline (19.7%), sulfamethoxazole (14.8%), and oxytetracycline (13.1%). Resistance to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin both had the same percentage (9.8%), whereas isolates showed the lowest resistance to norfloxacin (8.2%) and doxycycline (1.6%). Notably, all Aeromonas isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol and nitrofurantoin. Results also revealed that the multiple antibiotic resistances index of the isolates ranged from 0.07 to 0.64, suggesting that the farmed fish in these areas were introduced to the logged antibiotics indiscriminately and constantly during their cultivation stages. Results also revealed that the sul1 gene was detected in 19.7% of the Aeromonas isolates, whereas the tetracycline resistance genes, tetA and tetE, were detected in 27.9% and 4.9% of the isolates, respectively. However, β-lactam resistance genes, bla TEM and bla SHV, were found in 44.3% and 13.1% of Aeromonas isolates, respectively, whereas strA-strB and aadA genes were found in 3.3% and 13.1% of the isolates, respectively.
Conclusion: This study, therefore, calls for continuous surveillance of antibiotic-resistant Aeromonas spp. in cultured freshwater fish to aid disease management and better understand their implications to public health.
Methods: We examined whether (a) PA and (b) selected nsSNPs are associated with adiposity parameters and whether PA interacts with these nsSNPs on these outcomes in adolescents from the Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team study (n = 1,151). Body mass indices, waist-hip ratio, and percentage body fat (% BF) were obtained. PA was assessed using Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Five nsSNPs were included: beta-3 adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) rs4994, FABP2 rs1799883, GHRL rs696217, MC3R rs3827103, and vitamin D receptor rs2228570, individually and as combined genetic risk score (GRS). Associations and interactions between nsSNPs and PAQ-C scores were examined using generalized linear model.
Results: PAQ-C scores were associated with % BF (β = -0.44 [95% confidence interval -0.72, -0.16], p = 0.002). The CC genotype of ADRB3 rs4994 (β = -0.16 [-0.28, -0.05], corrected p = 0.01) and AA genotype of MC3R rs3827103 (β = -0.06 [-0.12, -0.00], p = 0.02) were significantly associated with % BF compared to TT and GG genotypes, respectively. Significant interactions with PA were found between ADRB3 rs4994 (β = -0.05 [-0.10, -0.01], p = 0.02) and combined GRS (β = -0.03 [-0.04, -0.01], p = 0.01) for % BF.
Conclusion: Higher PA score was associated with reduced % BF in Malaysian adolescents. Of the nsSNPs, ADRB3 rs4994 and MC3R rs3827103 were associated with % BF. Significant interactions with PA were found for ADRB3 rs4994 and combined GRS on % BF but not on measurements of weight or circumferences. Targeting body fat represent prospects for molecular studies and lifestyle intervention in this population.
AIM: To review the prevalence and factors associated with sexual abstinence in young (10-24 years) and middle-aged (25-59 years) men.
METHODS: Studies were retrieved from Science Direct, PubMed, and EBSCOhost published from 2008 to 2019. The selection criteria were original population- or community-based articles, published in the English language, on sexual abstinence, and in young and middle-aged men.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: This article reviewed the literature on the proportions of and factors associated with sexual abstinence in young and middle-aged men.
RESULTS: A total of 13,154 studies were retrieved, from which data were extracted for 37 population- or community-based studies. The prevalence of sexual abstinence varied from 0% to 83.6% in men younger than 60 years. The prevalence of primary sexual abstinence was 3.4%-83.3% for young men and 12.5%-15.5% for middle-aged men. The prevalence of secondary abstinence for young men ranged from 1.3% to 83.6%, while for middle-aged men, it was from 1.2% to 67.7%. The prevalence of sexual abstinence decreased with increasing age in young men but increased with increasing age in middle-aged men. The significant factors reported were age, single status, poor relationships, low socioeconomic status, sex education, religious practices, caring and monitoring parents, and not using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs. Although the variations in findings from different studies can be explained by different regions and cultures, the information cannot be generalized worldwide because of a lack of studies in Asian and Australian populations.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The studies on sexual abstinence in the future should use a consistent and standard definition, cover all sexual behaviors, and investigate all related factors.
STRENGTH & LIMITATIONS: The restricted timeframe (2008-2019), English language, availability of full text, and variability in definition and time duration may be the sources of bias.
CONCLUSION: Young men had higher proportions of sexual abstinence than middle-aged men, and age, unavailability of a partner, lower educational levels, low socioeconomic status, conservative and religious conditions, and no or less knowledge about sexually transmitted infections were common predictors of sexual abstinence in most of the men. Although determinants of sexual abstinence were identified, further investigation of biological factors in men younger than 60 years is needed. Irfan M, Hussain NHN, Noor NM, et al. Sexual Abstinence and Associated Factors Among Young and Middle-Aged Men: A Systematic Review. J Sex Med 2020;17:412-430.