Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Michael D. Geschwind
University of California, San Francisco, USA
Keynote: Human prion diseases – sporadic Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease
Biography:
Michael D Geschwind is a Professor of Neurology at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center who specializes in the assessment, treatment and management of rapidly progressive dementias, including prion diseases such as Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease (JCD) and autoimmune encephalopathies, and other cognitive/movement disorder syndromes. He helped to establish a program for the assessment of rapidly progressive dementias at UCSF Medical Center, the first of its kind in the country. He helped to run the first US treatment trial for sporadic disease, at UCSF. He has also helped to establish and co-direct a clinic for patients with autoimmune encephalopathy. He Co-directs the Huntington’s Disease Society of America Center of Excellence (HDSA COE) and Ataxia Clinic at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. His research interests include rapidly progressive dementias, cognitive dysfunction in movement disorders, such as Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, corticobasal degeneration (CBD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and other Parkinsonian dementias.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: In my prior presentation I discussed the clinical spectrum of sporadic human prion disease, but these only account for 85% of human prion disease cases. About 15% of human prion diseases are genetic and about <1% are acquired. This talk will focus more on the genetic and acquired forms.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Our center has evaluated more than 2500 cases of rapidly progressive dementia (RPD), including more than 600 cases of prion disease through our clinical research program. We have also been following about 100 families with genetic prion disease. Most patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation including clinical history, cognitive testing, CSF analysis, research brain MRI protocol and other testing. These data are analyzed to identify measures that might improve our understanding of these different forms of prion disease.
Findings: The clinical spectrum of acquired and genetic prion diseases is vast. For acquired prion disease, of most concern is the variant JCD from exposure to bovine spongiform encephalopathy and in the USA and some other countries there is concern than prion disease of deer, elk, and moose, chronic wasting disease, might spread to humans. These topics are discussed. For genetic prion disease, we have found the spectrum of presentation to be quite varied, from RPD to slowly progressive dementia and movement disorders over years to decades.
Conclusion & Significance: Acquired and genetic prion diseases have some overlap with, but also significant differences from, the more common sporadic disease. Improved understanding of the presentation of these disorders should allow earlier and more accurate diagnosis of these rare conditions.
Keynote Forum
Chris Whiteley
National Taiwan University Science & Technology, Taiwan
Keynote: Docking of HIV aspartic protease to gold nanoparticles: Molecular dynamics simulations
Biography:
Chris Whiteley is an Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa and distinguished Research Professor at National
Taiwan University Science & Technology, Visiting International Professor in Enzymology at School of Bioscience & BioEngineering of South China University
Technology, Guangzhou, PRC. He served as Visiting Research Scientist at the Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
in 2004 and as Visiting Professor of Biochemistry at Institute of Biomedical Technology, Veterans General Hospital, Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. He also
worked as Visiting Professor of Enzymology & Organic Synthesis at Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA and Visiting Professor of Organic Synthesis
at University British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. He is the Executive Member of Royal Chemical Society (London), MRSC (C. Chem), South African Chemical
Institute (SACI). He has published 6 chapters in books and has 110 peer-reviewed papers on Biomedical Enzymology and Nanomaterials.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: There is an increasing need for the development of new drug protocols against human immunedeficiency
virus (HIV) and HIV protease (HIVPR) is identified as a promising biomedical target in this regard.
Methodology: The interaction of gold nanoparticles (AuNP) with HIVPR is modelled using a molecular dynamics simulation
computer programme (Colores) from the Situs suite package.
Findings: The simulation of the ‘docking’, first as a rigid-body docked complex, and eventually through flexible-fit analysis,
creates 36 different complexes from four initial orientations of the nanoparticle strategically positioned around the surface of
the enzyme [Fig A]. The rigid-body docked complex is conformationally flexible to accommodate the AuNP that orientates
itself within the ‘docking’ site until a more stable structure is formed at convergence. Normalization of the data, for these
AuNP-HIVPR complexes, is obtained from changes to interactive binding energy profiles, RMSD, B-factors, dihedral angles
[phi, Δφ; psi, Δψ; chi, Δχ], size, volume occupied by Cα [ΔVcα], secondary structural elements (α-helix, β-strands, random
coil), number of contact residues, their hydrophobicities and surface electrostatic potentials.
Conclusion & Significance: From a molecular dynamic simulation perspective it is possible to provide insights into the ‘best’
most probable AuNP-HIVPR complex formed no matter which biophysical technique is monitored.
Keynote Forum
Stef Stienstra
Keynote: Managing bio-threat information under the WHO international health regulations of biosecurity
Biography:
Stef Stienstra works internationally for several medical and biotech companies as Scientific Advisory Board Member and is also an active Reserve-Officer of the
Royal Dutch Navy in his rank as Commander (OF4). For the Dutch Armed Forces, he is CBRNe Specialist with focus on (micro) biological and chemical threats
and Medical- And Environmental Functional Specialist within the 1st CMI (Civil Military Interaction) Battalion of the Dutch Armed Forces. For Expertise France, he
is now managing an EU CBRN CoE public health project in West Africa. In his civilian position, he is at this moment developing with MT-Derm in Berlin (Germany)
a novel interdermal vaccination technology as well as a new therapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis for which he has won a Canadian Grand Challenge grant. With
Hemanua in Dublin (Ireland), he has developed an innovative blood separation unit, which is also suitable to produce convalescent plasma for Ebola virus disease
therapy. He has finished both his studies in Medicine and in Biochemistry in the Netherlands with a Doctorate and has extensive practical experience in cell biology,
immuno-haematology, infectious diseases, biodefense and transfusion medicine.
Abstract:
Sharing security threat information is a challenge for governments and their agencies. Especially in biotechnology and microbiology the agencies do not know how to classify or to disclose collected information on potential bio-threats. There is vague border between man-made and natural biological threats. An example is the several month delay of the publication of research on the transmissibility of H5N1 avian influenza virus in the leading scientific journal Science by researchers of the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The publication was delayed in 2012 by several months due to the fact that various organizations first wanted to investigate whether the details could be misused by malicious individuals. In the study the researchers show that only a small number of mutations were necessary to change the H5N1 virus so that it can spread through the respiratory system between mammals. This implies that the risk of a H5N1 pandemic cannot be ruled out. On the other hand, this information can be used to develop new therapies and/or vaccines for influenza. It gives also insight into the disease mechanism, which helps in the prevention. The same arguments are valid for therapeutic antibodies, like the antibodies, which are developed to treat anthrax. They have an extreme high affinity for the lethal factors of the bacterium and stop the disease, but the same antibodies could be misused to select the most pathogenic strains. Micro-organisms have from nature itself the capacity to reorganise and change their pathogenicity, which could lead to a pandemic spread of a disease. But if the disease is too infectious and too deadly, like some stains of Ebola Virus are, the lethality will be locally limited. But if the incubation time is longer in a certain strain of an Ebola virus, the risks on epidemics and even a pandemic is much higher. The knowledge of these natural mutation mechanisms could be misused to weaponize micro-organisms. It enables the engineering of the lethality like it is done with some anthrax strains. Are these laboratory techniques considered as public science or should it be classified? Academics want to publish and to share information for the progress of science and to find useful applications. The Rotterdam scientists were really annoyed when their research was blocked for publication and feared that other groups would be first in publishing a part of their obtained experimental results. Biosafety is already common practice in micro-biology, but biosecurity is often still questionable. A ‘Code of Conduct’, like the Dutch Academy of Science has developed, would help; especially for the so-called insider risk. Educational programs for the identification and assessment of risks and threats to security have to be developed to give scientists bio-threat awareness and for government officials to rationalize the real threat, without damaging the progress of science.
- Infectious Diseases|Diagnosis of Infectious DiseasesAntimicrobial | Antibiotic | Antibacterial | ResistanceTuberculosis | Malaria
Location: Sanfrancisco
Chair
Stef Stienstra
Royal Dutch Navy, Netherlands
Co-Chair
Chris Whiteley
Rhodes University, South Africa
Session Introduction
Benjamin Lelouvier
Vaiomer, Labège, France
Title: Analysis of blood microbiome by highly sensitive 16S Metagenomic Sequencing: a new tool for diagnosis.
Time : 12:00-12:25
Biography:
Dr Lelouvier received his Ph.D in Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology from the University Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris VI, France, in 2007. After a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (USA), he joined Vaiomer in 2012. As cellular and molecular biology group leader and head of biomarkers discovery, he developed with his group the molecular tools (16S qPCR and 16S metagenomics sequencing) to study specifically the blood and tissue microbiomes, before becoming Chief Scientific Officer of Vaiomer in 2016. The study of tissue and blood microbiota allows Vaiomer to link intestinal dysbiosis and tissular inflammation for the development of biomarkers and therapeutics in the fields of cardiometabolic diseases, neurodegenerative disorders and chronic infection
Abstract:
Diagnosis and treatment of bloodstream infection (BSI) will greatly benefit from sensitive and exhaustive molecular methods to detect bacterial DNA in blood, such as quantitative PCR (qPCR) and metagenomics sequencing. Such approaches are already studied with the aim of reducing the turnaround time and increasing the sensitivity of the microbiota detection in suspected BSI. However, this type of molecular diagnosis is greatly complicated by the presence of human DNA and PCR inhibitors in blood, as well as bacterial DNA contaminants present in the environment, reagents and consumables, which dramatically hamper the signal to noise ratio of qPCR and sequencing pipelines.
In the course of our investigations into the role of tissue microbiota in cardiometabolic diseases we developed specific optimized pipelines of qPCR and 16S targeted metagenomic sequencing to analyze blood bacterial DNA, despite the technical difficulties associated with this sample type. Using these molecular tools we have demonstrated the existence of a highly diversified blood microbiome in healthy human donors and shown the association between changes in the blood microbiome and liver fibrosis in obese patients. These assays were primarily designed to analyze bacterial DNA in blood and tissue of healthy donors and patients with no infectious disease, and therefore their signal to noise ratios are high and they are also capable of detecting BSI in patients with high sensitivity and at early stages of infection.
Ikuri Alvarez Maya
CIATEJ, Mexico.
Title: Whole Genome Sequencing Analysis from bacterial DNA: an attempt to Mycobacterium tuberculosis complete genome sequencing
Time : 12:25-12:50
Biography:
Dr. Ikuri Alvarez Maya,She is a Researcher at the Center for Research and Assistance in Technology and Design of the State of Jalisco. She holds a postdoctoral degree in Neurobiology Department, NRC. University of Alabama at Birmingham UAB. Alabama, USA. And in Department of Virology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario CHEO, Ottawa, Canada. She has published in several indexed journals, more than 30 national and international congresses, and has contributed to the training of students in different levels of postgraduate. Her research interest is focused mainly in molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem. Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium is known for a high rate of drug resistance, then tuberculosis is considered a worldwide public disease with high health and economic impact. Statistics in Mexico show that the incidence increases 15% every year, being a major problem due to the persistence. We aim to sequence the complete genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and subsequently perform bioinformatics analysis to determine possible molecular changes. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The complete genome of a Laboratory Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv was sequenced using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Genome DNA (gDNA) library was constructed using Nextera XT (Illumina) protocol. DNA was fragmented, tagged and selected by size, then sequenced by Illumina MiSeq-NGS platform. For bioinformatics, all sequences with adaptor contamination, duplicate reads or unknown nucleotides were removed by Trimmomatic. Clean-filtered reads were mapped to the reference genome from GenBank (AL123456.3) by BWA software. Finally SAMTools software was used for SNP calling, since resistance anti-tuberculous drugs has been associated with SNPs in particular genes. Findings: Phred quality score in DNA sequencing was calculate (Q45) then this score was assigned to each nucleotide in the generated sequences. The P value was obtained (3.162e-005) and indicated that the genotype GC is very likely to be the true genotype in the sequenced sample. Preliminary results shown that there is a single nucleotide variant (SNV) from G to C at position 3982 in the strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Conclusion & Significance: Mapping between Laboratory strain H37Rv and GeneBank H37Rv (ID 20829) shown at least one SNP in the position 3982. However, this results must to be confirmed using a higher Depth Reading and a further exhaustive analysis. This study was supported by CONACYT grant PDCPN_2014_247879, Scientific Development Projects to Attention National Problems.
. Harpal S. Mangat
Assistant Professor at Howard College of Medicine, Washington DC,USA
Title: Correlation of Lyme Disease with Immune Dysfunction
Biography:
Harpal S. Mangat, MD is in Practice in Maryland. He is an Assistant Professor at Howard University College of Medicine. He submitted recommendations to his US senator that got incorporated into the 2010 Affordable Health Care Act. He has four issued US patents and additional patents have been filed. He is a graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, trained at Trinity College Dublin, Oxford University and London University in Family Practice and Ophthalmology. In the US, he trained at University of South Florida and Mercy Hospital Philadelphia in Ophthalmology and Internal Medicine. He is the transport physician for difficult cases returning to United Arab Emirates. His clinical interests include innovative new technologies, neuroprotection, diabetes, sleep apnea, Lyme disease, especially its neurological manifestations, as well as long distance air transport of seriously ill patients. He sees patients at his office in Clarksburg, MD (www.clarksburgmed.com) and Fredrick, MD.
Abstract:
Background: Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. CD4/CD8 ratios in healthy adults vary across populations; in the US, a CD4/CD8 ratio ranging from 0.9 to 1.9 is considered to be normal in non-immunocompromised individuals. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (eg. Rash) and the possiblity of exposure to infected ticks. Labratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with validated methods. The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) diagnostic criteria requires the identification of five Western blot IgG bands for a positive diagnosis1, although patients with less than five positive bands have been subsequently diagnosed with Lyme Disease through urine PCR in Nanotrap testing2. Material/methods: 183 patients at two medical centers were evaluated in Lyme endemic communities in Maryland, US. Further investigation of 148 of these patients correlated their CD4/CD8 ratio with their Ig41 band, using one and two tail testing. Results: The mean CD4/CD8 ratio in the 148 patients was 2.41 with a variance of 1.05 and a standard deviation of 1.025. Assuming a normal CD4/CD8 ratio of less than 2, with a 5% confidence interval, the p value on both a one tailed and two tailed test was shown to be 0.00001. Two patients with an initial CD4/CD8 ratio of 2.7 and 2.8 who were IgG 41 positive were subsequently tested with the Nanotrap Urine PCR and found to be positive for Lyme. Conclusions: Increased CD4/CD8 ratio with a positive IgG 41 band appears to be a strong predictor of a subsequent diagnosis of Lyme disease despite current diagnostic guidelines. Further research should not only be directed towards investigating how Borrellia Burgdoferi disrupts immune function, but also towards improving diagnostic guidelines in light of validated diagnostic methods.
Prashant Mule
Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India
Title: In-house Real Time PCR for the diagnosis and prognostication of invasive fungal infections in a tertiary care cancer hospital
Time : 12:50-13:15
Biography:
Prashant Mule has completed his MD in Microbiology from the Department of Microbiology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India in 2016. Presently, he is working as a Senior Resident in the Department of Microbiology. His areas of interests are Mycology, Molecular Microbiology, Virology and prevention of health care associated infections. He has worked on the evaluation of in house real time PCR for the diagnosis and prognostication of invasive fungal infections in a tertiary care cancer institute in Mumbai.
Abstract:
Introduction: Invasive fungal infections (IFI) have emerged as an important cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Aggressive chemotherapeutic protocols for treatment resulting in prolonged and profound neutropenia, are the most important contributory factors. Patients with hematological malignancies and those undergoing bone marrow transplantation
are at high risk of invasive mycoses and an increase in morbidity and mortality. Blood culture lacks the sensitivity but with the availibility of molecular techniques, the diagnosis of systemic fungal infections has signifacantly improved. Objectives: To evaluate an in-house real-time PCR for the diagnosis of IFI. To correlate the results of PCR with the EORTC classification of invasive fungal infections (IFI). Methods: 3 ml of whole blood is collected from patients with suspected invasive fungal infections. Extraction is performed and DNA is detected using SYBR green PCR. The panfungal PCR using primers NL1 and 260R targeting a region of the ribosomal gene followed by species specific hybridization with probes for Candida species as well as Aspergillus species. Results: A total of 80 in patients were included in the study from August 2015 to December 2015 at Tata Memorial Hospital.52 patients had haematological malignancies and 28 patients belonged to the surgical disease management group (DMG). They were classified by the EORTC criteria as proven, possible and probable cases of IFI of the 80 patients, 49 were positive for yeast DNA and 3 were positive for Aspergillus DNA.Discussion: Fungal infections, in neutropenic patients with malignancies do not show characteristic signs and symptoms,making accurate diagnosis difficult. Early recognition is crucial, as the progression of invasive disease from detection to death is typically less than 14 days. Empirical treatment with antifungal agents is initiated in high-risk patients with suspected fungal infection. This is associated with high toxicity and high cost. Conclusions: The SYBR green real time PCR was useful and sensitive indicator for the detection of fungal DNA. The SYBR Green PCR is found to be a reproducile assay and it is validated for patients with Candidemia.
Pavithra Saikumar
University of the Pacific, San Francis, USA
Title: Epidemiology of Hepatitis C virus in Chennai, South India during the year 2014
Time : 14:15-14:40
Biography:
Pavithra S is a Visiting Scholar in Genetics and Stem Cell Laboratory at University of Pacific, San Francisco, where she is currently researching the effect of Folic Acid in ameliorating hypoxia induced stem cell changes, and its correlation to non-syndromic craniofacial cleft lip and palate. She obtained her medical degree from India, at the culmination of which she was awarded the “Best Outgoing Student” for her academic excellence and research interests. She worked in the Department of Internal Medicine where she treated patients and organized medical camps in rural and underserved areas. She plans to continue her research and provide healthcare as a Physician in the US.
Abstract:
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is known to cause serious complications such as chronic liver cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Globally 3% of the population is affected by HCV infection. Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India; accounts for 0.5% of this disease. The present study aims at analyzing the prevalence of HCV infection in different age groups in the population of Tamil Nadu. The samples were received and collected from primary health care, private and government hospitals. A total of 751 HCV susceptible samples were screened for anti-HCV antibodies by ELISA. Among the 751 samples, 41 samples were positive, which was further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Our study revealed that pediatric age groups 1-5 and 6-12 were predominantly affected by HCV, with high incidence among males. The statistical analysis student t-test was performed and the distribution was significant across groups. In addition, other epidemiological parameters were also analyzed as a part of this study.
Valentin Trofimov
Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, France
Title: Dual targeting of the host-pathogen interface: Bacterial release and selective cytotoxicity
Time : 14:40-15:05
Biography:
Valentin Trofimov has his expertise in high-content and high-throughput drug screening. He aims to help eradication of the threat of tuberculosis worldwide.Tuberculosis (TB) results in the death of millions of people every year. There is a growing threat because of the emergence of multidrug resistant strains. In order to achieve that goal, new effective drugs and efficient TB therapies need to be discovered. He focuses his effort on early drug discovery with a close look at hostpathogen interactions, since in vivo activities, such as intracellular host defense mechanisms, are largely overlooked in drug research.
Abstract:
A critical feature of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillus is its ability to survive within macrophages, making these host cells an ideal niche for persisting microbes. Identifying inhibitors of M. tuberculosis intracellular growth from large chemical library has long been hampered by labor-cumbersome techniques. We thus developed a phenotypic cell-based assay relying on automated confocal fluorescence microscopy and adapted it for the high throughput screen of compounds that interfere with the multiplication of M. tuberculosis within macrophages. The current project is an early drug discovery that uses alternative drug screening strategies and targets previously unexplored biological activities during tuberculosis (TB) infection.The aim of the project is to establish a novel approach within the host pathogen interaction paradigm. The approach is based on identification of the drugs and cellular pathways that trigger active bacterial release form its host into the extracellular
space or by specific killing of infected host cells. Both of these strategies can prevent the infection from spreading. Such drugs and pathways might also facilitate the boosting of the immune response and enhance the effect of other conventional antitubercular compounds. To reach our goal we established a high though put assay that uses a host-pathogen system based on human cultivated macrophages and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv to test the activity of the drugs at the single cell level. Screening will be followed by drug synergy studies with the use of known antitubercular compounds. Subsequently,studying the drug mechanisms of action will be performed with cultivated macrophages.
Osadolor Ebhuoma
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Title: Socio-economic determinants of malaria transmission risk in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A Bayesian inference approach
Time : 15:05-15:30
Biography:
Osadolor Ebhuoma is a Doctoral student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and teaches geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing. His research is aimed at developing spatial and temporal malaria transmission models in KZN, South Africa using malaria surveillance data, remote sensing derived climatic/environmental variables and socioeconomic factors. The expected outcome of his research will be the identification of determinants of malaria transmission in KwaZulu-Natal and the development of malaria forecast models and by applying time series and Bayesian models. His research interests include spatial epidemiology, GIS and remote sensing.
Abstract:
Low socio-economic status (SES) has been suggested to sustain malaria transmission which in turn can propel the cycle of poverty. Thus, a deep understanding of the SES that influences malaria risk is vital because it will guide towards creating policy and strategies that will concurrently help combat malaria transmission, improve socio-economic conditions and strengthen the malaria elimination campaign in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa (SA). The main purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between SES and malaria incidence in KZN, SA, using the Bayesian inference approach. Database of demographic/socioeconomic information and clinically confirmed malaria case data aggregated at the local municipality level for 2011 were obtained from statistics SA and the malaria control program of KZN, SA respectively. We used the 2011 dataset (SES and malaria incidence) for this study because it completely covered the study area. The association between SES and malaria incidence was evaluated by employing the Bayesian multiple regression model to obtain the posterior samples via a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methodology. The obtained posterior samples reveal that, significant association existed between malaria disease and low SES such as illiteracy, unemployment, no toilet facilities and no electricity at 95% CI. Lack
of toilet facilities (OR =20.2; 95% CI = -36.82, 76.0) exhibited the strongest association with malaria disease, followed by lack of electricity (OR=5.252; 95% CI = -52.40, 62.32). This study suggests low SES potentially sustains malaria transmission and burden. As an implication, poverty alleviation and malaria intervention resources should be incorporated side by side into the
socioeconomic framework to attain zero malaria transmission. Therefore, the relevant policy makers and departments should stimulate additional sustainable developmental approach that combines both improved malaria intervention resources and socioeconomic conditions, which in turn, will help strengthen the malaria elimination goals in KZN, SA.
Saleh Ahmed Alogla
University of Hail, Saudi Arabia
Title: Prevalence of UMOD gene mutation among Saudi patients with Kidney Failure
Time : 15:30-15:55
Biography:
Saleh Ahmed Alogla present is a student of Medical college in University of Hail, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Background: Mutations in the uromodulin (UMOD) gene lead to a dominant hereditary renal disease, which may ultimately result in kidney failure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the burden of UMOD associated renal among Saudi patients with renal failure (RF).
Methodology: PCR amplification of 10 exons (forward and reverse) enclosed in the UMOD gene is done on the patient's genomic DNA of 103 Saudi patients with RF.
Results: Of the 103 patients, UMOD gene mutation was identified in 10/103 (9.7%). UMOD gene mutation is relatively prevalent among Saudi patients with RF. Further evaluation of different mutations in thisgene is important for overall assessment of its role in RF among Saudi population.
Sun Shin Yi
Soonchunhyang University, Asan31538, Republic of Korea
Title: A suggestion about rapid rational conditions of CNS safety from various vaccine strategy
Biography:
Prof. Dr. Sun Shin Yi has completed his Ph.D. from Seoul National University, Republic of Korea, and postdoctoral studies from Marquette University, USA. Now, He is a professor in the department of biomedical laboratory science, an associate dean of special affiairs for planning, and chair of IACUC in the Soonchunhyang University. He has published more than 60 papers in reputed journals, and a board member of Korea Mouse Phenotype Center(KMPC).
Abstract:
The most realistic way before the recent epidemic that occurred in unexpected times and places in the world is rapid supplying of vaccines related with the infectious diseases within limited times. However, little considerations about rapid supplying a precise manual for the safety assurance of central nervous system(CNS) were established well so far. Thus, this careless in the development of general and/or emergent vaccines should be corrected with a certain secure of safety protocol which can be reduced risks on CNS damages before distribution. Hereby, the present study is undertaken to establish a manual which a certain material can make CNS damaged such as breaking down blood-brain barrier (BBB) protecting brain. Since BBB is critical morphological structure selective permeability between blood vessels and brain, it would be very important to know which conditions (i.e. post-injection, -time) can make BBB vulnerable by pyrogenic inflammatory agent such as Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) systemic injection.
Following IP administration of the LPS to the mice, the mRNA levels of typical markers of the damaged BBB tight junction such as ZO-1 and CLDN 5 were checked out. As conditions in the LPS, IV Evans Blue administration after IP LPS administration according to each concentration (four conditions of concentration) of LPS concentrations. BBB damages were able to be measured by Evans Blue existence checks by fluorescence wavelength ranges from (ex: 620nm /em: 680nm) in the brain tissue. Ultimately, we could observe the mutual relations by comparison with the two methods (mRNA and wavelength levels). According to the results, we set LPS concentration can open BBB and by the mRNA levels of tight junction, we can apply these results to general/emergency vaccine strategy.
Kalyan Das
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management,India
Title: Effect of Noise on Tumor Growth Cancer Model
Biography:
Abstract:
Recently cell-mediated immunity plays an important role in immune responses against cancer. Cancer cell development and survival is a multifactor process, involving genetic mutation of normal cells as well as physiological changes within both cancer cells and also the body's defence mechanisms. In the present study we have considered a tumor growth three dimensional ordinary non-linear differential equation model. We considered the special effect of tumor-immune interaction along with the two immune components – resting (helper) T-cells which stimulate CTLs and convert them into hunting (active) CTL cell which attack, destroy, or ingest the tumor cell. We have also discussed the qualitative behavior of the solution of our system. Critically we have examined the existence of the system with local and global stability analysis at different equilibrium points. We have also developed a theoretical framework to understand the complex behavior of the tumor growth cell under the influence of stochastic fluctuations by adding the effects of additive white noise of the immune system to study real situation of the interaction between these two groups of cells. Using various sensitive parameter values and different initial densities, the numerical simulations show that the dynamical behavior of the tumor cells, together with the resting and hunting cells, lead to a variety of interesting patterns in the evolution of the tumor and immune cell populations.
Biography:
Abstract:
Background: The leading global epidemic Human Immunodeficiency Virus (VIH) infection has been well-documented. It is transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected one by two ways: horizontal and vertical transmission (VT), which is mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) and is acquired at one or more of the following stages: transplacentally in the uterus during pregnancy, perinatally during the process of labor and delivery and postnanatally during breastfeeding. The reason of this study is to demonstrate that adecquate management at each of these three moments reduces the MTCT. Methods: A observational-retrospective study was carried out at Maternidad Matilde Hidalgo de Procel in Guayaquil, Ecuador to detect the prevalence of serorevertors newborns of VIH who received prophylactic antiretroviral treatment at birth, formula milk and whose mothers got administered antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy or partum according to the established schemes. These vertically exposed infants were followed up by an accredited pediatrician by the National Program of HIV-AIDS to receive special care during at least the first 18 months. Results: One hundred (100) pregnant women were enrolled. ART was started between the 14th and 28th pregnancy week in a 41%, after the 28th weeek in 24% and during labor or delivery in 35%. 100% of pregnant women received ART intrapartum. 100% of the newborns received antirretroviral prophylaxis from 6 to 8 hours old for 4-6 weeks according to the applied scheme. In both, mothers and children, the most frequently administered regimen was the C with 48% based on zidovudine. 100% of the newborns was fed by formula milk and 100% was serorevertor of HIV. Conclusions: This study shows that MTCT was 0% due to the seroreversion in children at >=18 months which represents that the treatments and properly applied procedures reduce the MTCT to zero and place Ecuador at the level of developed countries where the VT has been decreased at 1-2%.
Biography:
Yihun is studied in Ethiopia and Germany. He is a lecturer in College of Medicine and Health Science, School of Public Health, Bahir Dar University Ethiopia. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students. He works as global health consultant in collaboration with International Universities. Yihun is actively engaged in research; he modeled TB/HIV co-infection and determinants for TB in lower income settings of different study groups. Currently, he leads three cohort studies in Ethiopia about infectious disease Epidemiology, Immunology and Universal heath converge. Besides academia, he is working on community health services of active TB case detection in high risk group such as people live with HIV/AIDS in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.
Abstract:
Objective:To identify the incidence of and predictors for tuberculosis in children living with HIV in Northern Ethiopia.
Design: Observational, retrospective follow-up study.
Methods: A total of 645 HIV-infected children were observed between September 2009 and September 2014. Cox regression analysis was used to identify predictors for developing TB.
Results: The incidence rate of tuberculosis was 4.2 per 100 child-years. Incidence of tuberculosis was higher for subjects who were not on cotrimoxazole preventive therapy, were not on isoniazid preventive therapy, had delayed motor development, had a CD4 cell count below the threshold, had hemoglobin level less than 10 mg/dl and were assessed as World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stage III or IV.
Conclusion: Incidence of TB in children living with HIV was high. This study reaffirmed that isoniazid preventive therapy is one of the best strategy to reduce incidence of TB in children living with HIV. All children living with HIV should be screened for TB but for children with delayed motor development, advanced WHO clinical stage, anemia or immune suppression, intensified screening is highly recommended.
Bimal Kumar Mishra
Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, India
Title: Spread of Zika virus in human and mosquito population – A mathematical approach
Biography:
Bimal Kumar Mishra is a Professor of Mathematics at Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, India. He is working in the area of Mathematical models on infectious diseases particularly on HIV, Zika, Ebola, Tuberculosis, Avian Influenza and has published around 130 research papers in journals of repute. He has produced 14 Ph.Ds and members of editorial board of several international journals.
Abstract:
Transmission dynamics of the spread of Zika virus is studied in population sizes of human beings and mosquitoes. Transmission of zika virus from pregnant mother to new born child is also considered. We define the threshold number and explore the significance of equilibrium points in this type of epidemic disease. Global stability under different threshold conditions is proved. Numerical simulations are carried out to establish the analytical results. The simulation result will help us to understand the possible transmission rate of the disease in both human and mosquito population and also explore the possibility of eradication of the disease.
Mohammad Al-Tamimi
Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
Title: Incidence and characterization of multi-drug resistance Acinetobacter baumannii
Biography:
Mohammad Al-Tamimi is an MD with master, PhD, and postdoctoral studies in Immunology, from Monash University, Australia, 2007- 2012. From 2012 till now, I am appointed as assistant professor in Immunology and Microbiology with the Faculty of Medicine, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan. Part time assistant Prof with Jordan University. During the last 10 years of my career I have win 6 distinguished international awards, published over 15 publications in international journals, one textbook chapter, and one patent. I have received 5 national and international research grants and presented over 15 oral and poster abstracts in national and international meetings, My current interest is multidrug resistant bacteria with focus on A. bumannii and MRSA.
Abstract:
Objectives: A. baumannii is a common cause of infections associated with high mortality and morbidity. It is an important multi-drug resistant microorganism worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and characterization of A. baumannii in a tertiary Hospital in Jordan.
Methods: Retrospective study using data available on Vitek 2 Compact system and patients files from 2010 to 2016 in Specialty Hospital, Amman. Demographic, clinical, isolates information and antibiotics sensitivity patterns were collected and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests.
Results: 622 A. baumannii isolates were reported during the study period with about 99% having high confidence rate. Most isolates were from male, aged 18-60 years, Jordanian, and from infected wounds in surgery and critical care departments. 76.8% of A. baumannii isolates were MDR. Adults over 60, male, non Jordanians, critical ill patients and infected wounds represented significant risk factors for MDR incidence (P<0.0001), while no statistical significant risk associate with years (P=0.3933). Resistance pattern indicated high resistance for most Cephalosporins, Carbapenems Fluoroquinolones, and Ampicillin, moderate resistance for Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole and Ampicillin/Sulbactam low resistance for Aminoglycosides and Tetracyclines, and the lowest resistance rates were for Colistin and Tigecycline. Most strains had Aminoglycosides resistant phenotype GEN NET AMI TOB, GEN TOB AMI and TOB GEN NET.
Conclusion: Jordan has high rate A. baumannii MDR. Adults, critically ill males with infected wounds had significant high rate of A. baumannii MDR. Continued surveillance and monitoring of this critical microorganism is required.
Shikha Joon
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi,India
Title: A study of the interaction mechanism of GTP with CodY of Bacillus anthracis
Biography:
Shikha Joon is a Ph.D. candidate at Jawaharlal Nehru University, India with a particular interest in studying novel drug targets against infectious diseases mainly anthrax. Prior She received her graduate and post-graduate degrees in Biotechnology at Bangalore University, India. She was a part of a team that worked towards developing therapeutic single chain variable fragment (Scfv) antibody against anthrax, the first of its kind. Her dedicated research on CodY, a pleiotropic transcriptional regulator, led to the revelation of the novel and unique aspects of this multifaceted protein. Further inquiry is being extended out from her to gain an insight into its detailed mechanism of interaction with GTP and further acquiring it as a drug target.
Abstract:
Bacillus anthracis, a prioritized bioterrorism agent, is a gram-positive, sporulating, non-motile, aerobic bacterium which causes the fatal zoonotic disease, anthrax, with humans as contingent victims. CodY, a global transcriptional regulator, controls diverse cellular activities such as metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis and transport systems, nitrogen uptake, motility, sporulation, pellicle, and biofilm formation, and most importantly virulence in almost all low G+C gram-positive bacteria. In B. anthracis, about 500 genes are perceived to be the targets of CodY, including the master regulator AtxA, which is pivotal to the manifestation of toxic constituents; namely a lethal factor, edema factor and protective antigen. GTP and Branched Chain Amino Acids are the metabolic effectors of CodY, which affects its DNA-binding ability. In order to gain an insight into the interaction mechanism of CodY and GTP, of which scarce is known presently, we carried out an in vitro GTP binding assay. We have demonstrated that CodY of B. anthracis binds to GTP. Homology modeling and sequence/structure analysis of CodY of B. anthracis revealed conserved GTP binding residues. Interestingly, we found that the CodY of B. anthracis could undergo autophosphorylation with GTP as a phosphoryl group donor. Furthermore, the phosphorylation site mutant (Ser215 to Ala215) of CodY failed to retain this autophosphorylation activity and hence is the critical residue involved in autophosphorylation. Since the Ser215 lies in the Helix-turn-Helix DNA binding motif of CodY and is conserved amongst its homologs, autophosphorylation may be speculated as a self-regulatory mechanism of CodY activity in the cell. Inquisitively, we proceeded to test the GTPase activity of CodY by thin-layer chromatography and found that the recombinant protein could withal hydrolyze GTP, albeit weakly, as quantified spectrophotometrically. Predicated on these findings, we conclude that in contrast to its homologs in other organisms, CodY of B. anthracis exhibits unique biochemical attributes such as GTP hydrolysis and autophosphorylation, which might be further exploited as a novel drug target.
Daniel A Erku, Bpharm
University of Gondar, Ethiopia
Title: Antimicrobial Stewardship: a cross sectional survey assessing the Perceptions and Practices of Community Pharmacists in Ethiopia
Biography:
Daniel Asfaw has completed his Bpharm at the age of 23 years from University of Gondar. He is a lecturer and research coordinator at school of pharmacy. He is also a chairman of the anti-drug addict movement at university of Gondar. He has conducted more than 15 papers in the area of clinical pharmacy and pharmacology are published and submitted to reputed journals.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: Community pharmacists are key health care professionals for antimicrobial stewardship programs owing to their role in dispensing of antimicrobials. The aim of the present study was to assess the perception and practices of community pharmacists towards antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in Ethiopia. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on facility based census between February-May 2015. Stratified simple random sampling technique was applied to select pharmacy sites. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Findings: Majority of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that AMS program is vital for the improvement of patient care (86.3%, Median=5; IQR=2-5). Almost all of respondents agreed that pharmacists can play a prominent role in AMS and infection prevention (93.2%, Median=5; IQR=2-5). Similarly, majority of respondents always or often communicate with prescribers in case of ambiguity about the correctness of antibiotic prescription (77.9%, Median = 4, IQR = 1-4). However, only 26.5% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that AMS should be practiced at community pharmacy level (Median = 4, IQR = 1-3) and more than half of community pharmacists (59.9%) often/always dispense antimicrobial without a prescription. Qualification and experience of respondents considerably affected their median scores concerning their perceptions and practices towards AMS. Conclusion & Significance: The present study revealed a positive perceptions and practices of community pharmacists toward antimicrobial stewardship. Yet, some weak areas like integration of AMS program in community pharmacies, the significance of inter-professional involvement, and dispensing of antimicrobials without a valid prescription still needs improvement.