bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and antibiotic resistance of bacteria isolated from cerebrospinal fluid among children with bacterial meningitis in China from 2016 to 2018: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Peng Xiaoshan , Zhu Qingxiong , Liu Jing , Zeng Mei , Qiu Yue , Zhu Chunhui , Cheng Yibing , Zhou Yibo , Xu Yi , Chen Minxia , Wen Zhengwang , Chen Yiping , Li Rui , Tong Jianning , Shan Qingwen , Lin Daojiong , Wu Shouye , Zhuo Zhiqiang , Wang Caihong , Zhao Shiyong , Qi Zhenghong , Sun Xiaofeng , Maihebuba Bieerding , Jia Chunmei , Gao Huiling , Li Shuangjie , Zhu Yu , Wan Chaomin
Published: November 2020

Background: Bacterial meningitis (BM) remains a devastating disease in children, and it causes substantial neurological morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, there are few large-scale studies on the pathogens causing pediatric bacterial meningitis (PBM) and their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns in China. The present multicenter survey summarized the features of the etiologies of BM in children and characterized their AMR patterns.Methods: Data from 1193 cerebrospinal ﬂuid bacterial isolates from children with BM who were admitted to 13 children’s hospitals in China from 2016 to 2018 were analyzed retrospectively.Results: Of the 1142 patients with PBM, 65.9% (753) were less than 1 year old, and more than two-fifths (513, 44.9%) were younger than 3 months. The three leading pathogens causing PBM were Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) (16.5%), Escherichia coli (E. coli) (12.4%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) (10.6%). Infants under 3 months of age were at a relatively high risk of infection by E. coli (116/523; 22.2%), Enterococcus faecium (75/523; 14.3%), S. epidermidis (57/523; 10.9%), and Group B Streptococcus (55/523, 10.5%). However, Children more than 3 months of age were at a relatively high risk of infection by S. epidermidis (140/670; 20.9%), S. pneumoniae (117/670; 17.5%), and Staphylococcus hominis (57/670; 8.5%). Greater than 93.0% of E. coli isolates were sensitive to cefoxitin, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefoperazone/sulbactam, amikacin and carbapenems, and the resistance rates to ceftriaxone, cefotaxime and ceftazidime were 49.4%, 49.2% and 26.4%, respectively. From 2016 to 2018, the proportion of methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (MRCoNS) isolates declined from 80.5% to 72.3%, and the frequency of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PRSP) isolates increased from 75.0% to 87.5%. The proportion of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli fluctuated between 44.4% and 49.2%, and the detection rate of ESBL production in Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) ranged from 55.6% to 88.9%. The resistance of E. coli strains to carbapenems was 5.0%, but the overall prevalence of carbapenem-resistant (CR) K. pneumoniae was high (54.5%).Conclusions: The resistance of CoNS to methicillin and the high incidence of ESBL production in Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae pose a critical challenge to infection control. Carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates are a serious issue for the treatment of children with PBM.
What’s the “Secret Sauce”? How Implementation Variation Affects the Success of Colorectal Cancer Screening Outreach
Authors: Coury Jennifer , Miech Edward J. , Styer Patricia , Petrik Amanda F. , Coates Kelly E. , Green Beverly B. , Baldwin Laura-Mae , Shapiro Jean A. , Coronado Gloria D.
Published: November 2020

Background: Mailed fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) programs can improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates, but health systems vary how they implement (i.e., adapt) these programs for their organizations. A health insurance plan implemented a mailed FIT program (named BeneFIT) and participating health systems could adapt the program. This multi-method study explored which program adaptations might have resulted in higher screening rates.Methods: First, we conducted a descriptive analysis of CRC screening rates by key health system characteristics and program adaptations. Second, we generated an overall model by fitting a weighted regression line to our data. Third, we applied Configurational Comparative Methods (CCMs) to determine how combinations of conditions were linked to higher screening rates. The main outcome measure was CRC screening rates.Results: Seventeen health systems took part in at least one year of BeneFIT. The overall screening completion rate was 20% (4%–28%) in Year 1, and 25% (12%–35%) in Year 2 of the program. Health systems that used two or more adaptations had higher screening rates, and no single adaptation clearly led to higher screening rates. In Year 1, small systems, with just one clinic, that used phone reminders (n=2) met the implementation success threshold (≥19% screening rate) while systems with >1 clinic were successful when offering a patient incentive (n=4), scrubbing mailing lists (n=4), or allowing mailed FIT returns with no other adaptations (n=1). In Year 2, larger systems with 2-4 clinics were successful with a phone reminder (n=4) or a patient incentive (n=3). Of the 10 systems that implemented BeneFIT in both years, seven improved their CRC screening rates in Year 2.Conclusions: Health systems can choose among many adaptations and successfully implement a health plan’s mailed FIT program. Different combinations of adaptations led to success with health system size emerging as an important contextual factor.
Proteome-wide and lysine crotonylation profiling reveals the importance of crotonylation in chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiforum) under low-temperature
Authors: Lin Ping , Bai Hui-ru , He Ling , Huang Qiu-xiang , Zeng Qin-han , Pan Yuan-zhi , Jiang Bei-bei , Zhang Fan , Zhang Lei , Liu Qin-lin
Published: November 2020

Background: Low-temperature severely affects the growth and development of chrysanthemum which is one kind of ornamental plant well-known and widely used in the world. Lysine crotonylation is a recently identified post-translational modification (PTM) with multiple cellular functions. However, lysine crotonylation under low-temperature stress has not been studied.Results: Proteome-wide and lysine crotonylation of chrysanthemum at low-temperature was analyzed using TMT (Tandem Mass Tag) labeling, sensitive immuno-precipitation, and high-resolution LC-MS/MS. The results showed that 2017 crotonylation sites were identified in 1199 proteins. Treatment at 4 °C for 24 h and −4 °C for 4 h resulted in 393 upregulated proteins and 500 downregulated proteins (1.2-fold threshold and P < 0.05). Analysis of biological information showed that lysine crotonylation was involved in photosynthesis, ribosomes, and antioxidant systems. The crotonylated proteins and motifs in chrysanthemum were compared with other plants to obtain orthologous proteins and conserved motifs. To further understand how lysine crotonylation at K136 affected APX (ascorbate peroxidase), we performed a site-directed mutation at K136 in APX. Site-directed crotonylation showed that lysine decrotonylation at K136 reduced APX activity, and lysine complete crotonylation at K136 increased APX activity.Conclusion: In summary, our study comparatively analyzed proteome-wide and crotonylation in chrysanthemum under low-temperature stress and provided insights into the mechanisms of crotonylation in positively regulated APX activity to reduce the oxidative damage caused by low-temperature stress. These data provided an important basis for studying crotonylation to regulate antioxidant enzyme activity in response to low-temperature stress and a new research ideas for chilling-tolerance and freezing-tolerance chrysanthemum molecular breeding.
Interaction study of Pasteurella multocida with culturable aerobic bacteria isolated from porcine respiratory tracts using coculture in conditioned media
Authors: Hanchanachai Nonzee , Chumnanpuen Pramote , E-KOBON Teerasak
Published: November 2020

Background: The porcine respiratory tract harbours multiple microorganisms, and the interactions between these organisms could be associated with animal health status. Pasteurella multocida is a culturable facultative anaerobic bacterium isolated from healthy and diseased porcine respiratory tracts. The interaction between P. multocida and other aerobic commensal bacteria in the porcine respiratory tract is not well understood. This study aimed to determine the interactions between porcine P. multocida capsular serotype A and D strains and other culturable aerobic bacteria isolated from porcine respiratory tracts using a coculture assay in conditioned media followed by calculation of the growth rates and interaction parameters.Results: One hundred and sixteen bacterial samples were isolated from five porcine respiratory tracts, and 93 isolates were identified and phylogenetically classified into fourteen genera based on 16S rRNA sequences. Thirteen isolates from Gram-negative bacterial genera and two isolates from the Gram-positive bacterial genus were selected for coculture with P. multocida. From 17x17 (289) interaction pairs, the majority of 220 pairs had negative interactions indicating competition for nutrients and space, while 17 pairs were identified as mild cooperative or positive interactions indicating their coexistence. All conditioned media, except those of Acinetobacter, could inhibit P. multocida growth. Conversely, the conditioned media of P. multocida also inhibited the growth of nine isolates plus themselves. Conclusion: Negative interaction was the major interactions among the coculture of these 15 representative isolates and the coculture with P. multocida. The conditioned media in this study might be further analysed to identify critical molecules and examined by the in vivo experiments. The study proposed the possibility of using these molecules in conditioned media to control P. multocida growth.
A HAWAII-2RG infrared camera operated under fast readout mode for solar polarimetry
Authors: Hanaoka Yoichiro , Katsukawa Yukio , Morita Satoshi , Kamata Yukiko , Ishizuka Noriyoshi
Published: November 2020

Polarimetry is a crucial method to investigate solar magnetic fields. From the viewpoint of space weather, the magnetic field in solar laments, which occasionally erupt and develop into interplanetary flux ropes, is of particular interest. To measure the magnetic field in laments, high-performance polarimetry in the near-infrared wavelengths employing a high-speed, large-format detector is required; however, so far, this has been difficult to be realized. Thus, the development of a new infrared camera for advanced solar polarimetry has been started, employing a HAWAII-2RG (H2RG) array by Teledyne, which has 2048 x 2048 pixels, focusing on the wavelengths in the range of 1.0{1.6 um. We solved the problem of the difficult operation of the H2RGs under "fast readout mode" synchronizing with high-speed polarization modulation by introducing a "MACIE" (Markury ASIC Control and Interface Electronics) interface card and new assembly codes provided by Markury Scientific This enables polarization measurements with high frame-rates, such as 29{117 frames per seconds, using a H2RG. We conducted experimental observations of the Sun and confirmed the high polarimetric performance of the camera.
Measuring capabilities in health and physical activity promotion: a systematic review.
Authors: Till Maike , Abu-Omar Karim , Ferschl Susanne , Reimers Anne Kerstin , Gelius Peter
Published: November 2020

Background: The capability approach by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum has gained increasing attention in the field of public health. As it combines individual, social and structural factors and shifts the focus of attention from the actual behavior towards available options for health behaviors that people can actually choose from, it may help advance our understanding of complex health issues. Objectives: The aim of this article is to identify and describe tools available to measure capabilities within the context of health, with a specific focus on capabilities for health-enhancing physical activity.Method: We conducted a systematic literature review using 11 databases covering scientific journal articles published in English or German between the years 2000 and 2020 with a focus on capabilities for health or physical activity. Results: We found a total of 51 articles meeting our inclusion criteria. Four articles measured capabilities using qualitative methods, one combined qualitative and quantitative methods, while the rest used quantitative methods. We identified a total 11 different capability questionnaires, all showing moderate to good validity/reliability. Only one questionnaire and one interview-based tool specifically dealt with capabilities for health enhancing physical activity.Conclusion: Although we were able to identify measurement tools for capabilities in health, this review has shown that there is no generic tool available for the measurement across all population- and age-groups, and tools focusing on physical activity are scarce. However, our results can be used as guide for future projects that aim at measuring capabilities.
Factors Influencing the Deterioration from Cognitive Decline of Normal Aging to Dementia among Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Hayajneh Audai A. , Rababa Mohammad , Alghwiri Alia A. , Masha'al Dina
Published: November 2020

Background: A dearth of differential research exists regarding the determinants of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and moderate cognitive impairment or dementia among nursing home residents. This study aimed to identify and examine the association between medical factors (number of comorbidities, hospitalization, disability, depression, frailty and quality of life) and moderate cognitive impairment or dementia in nursing homes residents.Methods: A cross-sectional design was used in this study. Convenience sampling of 182 participants was conducted in nursing homes located in the central part of Jordan. Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) was used to screen both MCI and moderate cognitive impairment or dementia. Bivariate analysis, including t-test and ANOVA test, and logistic and linear regression models were used to examine and identify the medical factors associated with moderate cognitive impairment or dementia compared to mild cognitive impairment.Results: Most nursing home residents had MCI (87.4%) compared to a few with moderate cognitive impairment or dementia. Age (t = -2.773), number of comorbidities (t = -4.045), depression (t = -4.809), frailty (t = -4.038), and quality of life physical (t = 3.282) and mental component summaries (t = 2.469) were significantly different between the stages of cognitive impairment. Marital status (t = -4.050, p < 0.001), higher-income (t = 3.755, p < 0.001), recent hospitalization (t = 2.622,p = 0.01), depression (t = -2.737, p = 0.007), and frailty (t = 2.852, p = 0.005) were significantly associated with mental ability scores among nursing home residents.Conclusion: The coexistence of comorbidities and depression among nursing home residents with MCI necessitates prompt management by healthcare providers to combat depressive symptoms in order to delay the dementia trajectory among at-risk residents. Trail registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04589637, October 15,2020, Retrospectively registered.
The sniffing bead system, an olfactory dysfunction screening tool for geriatric subjects: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Min Hyun Jin , Kim Sun Mi , Han Doug Hyun , Kim Kyung Soo
Published: November 2020

Background: This study aimed to develop a simple and one-off olfactory screening test, the sniffing bead system, for general clinical use in older adults. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, geriatric subjects (aged > 50 years) who underwent neurocognitive and olfactory function tests were included. Overall, 137 subjects were enrolled, and the study was conducted at Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea. Olfactory function was measured by obtaining the scores of the sniffing bead system using 2-phenylethyl alcohol, n-butanol, and the YSK olfactory function test. Time taken for each olfactory function test was also measured.Results: The score of the 2-phenylethyl alcohol sniffing bead test was 2.58 ± 1.52, which was significantly associated with the YSK_threshold (2.41 ± 1.79) (p < 0.001, Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.429), YSK_identification (8.93 ± 3.25) (p = 0.014, Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.208) and YSK_threshold-discrimination-identification (17.46 ± 5.49) (p < 0.001, Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.316) test scores. In the normal cognitive function group, YSK_threshold (p < 0.001, Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.479), YSK_identification (p = 0.003, Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.316), and YSK_threshold-discrimination-identification (p < 0.001, Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.429) were significantly correlated with the scores of the 2-phenylethyl alcohol sniffing bead system. In the impaired cognitive function group, the YSK_threshold (p = 0.002, Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.415) and YSK_ threshold-discrimination-identification (p = 0.004, Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.385) were significantly correlated with the scores of the 2-phenylethyl alcohol sniffing bead system. Time taken for the 2-phenylethyl alcohol sniffing bead system was 5.00 ± 1.51 min, which was significantly lower than that for the YSK_threshold-discrimination-identification (20.43 ± 5.29 min) (p < 0.001). The scores of the 2-phenylethyl alcohol sniffing bead system were significantly correlated with those of the n-butanol sniffing bead system (3.50 ± 1.21) (p < 0.001, Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.315). Conclusions: This sniffing bead system was specifically designed for screening olfactory function in older adults, and it may allow for the rapid and accurate assessment of olfactory dysfunction.
Health Care Staff Support for Mothers in NICU: A Focused Ethnography Study
Authors: Negarandeh Reza , Hassankhani Hadi , jabraeili mahnaz , Abbaszadeh mohammaf , Best Amy
Published: November 2020

Background: Mothers of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have complex needs and require a significant amount of support during the NICU admission. However, little is known about mothers support needs in the NICU. The aim of study was to explore mothers and health staff experiences and care practices meeting support needs of the mothers in the NICU. Methods: A focused ethnographic approach was adopted. Observation and interviews with 21 mothers, 18 nurses and 5 physicians were undertaken over a seven month period. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using the Roper and Shapira (2000) five-step framework. Result: Two main themes of “Insufficient attention to mothers’ support needs (Subthemes: inadequate accompany the mother in care, assigning monitoring and care to the mother, inadequate sharing of medical information) and “Supporting the mothers in certain circumstances” (Subthemes: reassuring the mother, supporting mothers with reduced functional capacity, providing information) were obtained. Conclusion: This study showed that, there is a gap exists between the level of expected support and the actual support received by mothers. In this study, Staff support for mothers was selective support that in many cases was inadequate and so support was provided only when the mother greatly needed support. However, most staff considered meeting maternal support as a necessity, they often confirmed inadequate maternal support in NICU and considered workload as a barrier to maternal support.
Transcriptome differences between Cupriavidus necator NH9 grown with 3-chlorobenzoate and that grown with benzoate
Authors: Moriuchi Ryota , Dohra Hideo , Kanesaki Yu , Ogawa Naoto
Published: November 2020

BackgroundAromatic compounds derived from human activities are often released into the environment. Many of them, especially halogenated aromatics, are persistent in nature and pose threats to organisms. Therefore, the microbial degradation of these compounds has been studied intensively. Our laboratory has studied the expression of genes in Cupriavidus necator NH9 involved in the degradation of 3-chlorobenzoate (3-CB), a model compound for studies on bacterial degradation of chlorinated aromatic compounds. In this study aimed at exploring how this bacterium has adapted to the utilization of chlorinated aromatic compounds, we performed RNA-seq analysis of NH9 cells cultured with 3-CB, benzoate (BA), or citric acid (CA). The purpose of these analyses was to identify differentially expressed genes encoding products with various biological functions involved in the degradation of 3-CB and BA.ResultsDifferential expression analysis confirmed strong induction of genes encoding enzymes in degradation pathways of 3-CB and BA, including benABCD (more than 256-fold compared with CA) encoding benzoate 1,2-dioxygenase involved in initial hydroxylation of both 3-CB and BA, and cbnABCD (more than 200-fold compared with BA and CA) encoding enzymes of chlorocatechol ortho-cleavage pathway. Four genes encoding major facilitator superfamily transporters were specifically induced by 3-CB or BA, and one cluster of genes encoding components of the ATP-binding cassette transporter system was significantly induced by 3-CB. Stress response genes encoding chaperones, proteases, the phosphate transporter PstBACS, and superoxide oxidase were upregulated in response to 3-CB and/or BA. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed that genes encoding dioxygenases were upregulated by both 3-CB and BA. Intriguingly, the “cell motility,” “signal transduction,” and “chemotaxis” terms were significantly upregulated by BA compared with 3-CB. Consistent with this, in semi-solid agar plate assays, NH9 cells showed stronger chemotaxis to BA than to 3-CB.ConclusionsOur results showed that the chemotaxis behavior of NH9 differs between 3-CB and BA. We inferred that NH9 has not fully adapted to the utilization of chlorinated benzoate, unlike its analogous aromatic compound BA, in nature.
Mild Hyponatremia Is Associated with Low Skeletal Muscle Mass, Physical Function Impairment, and Depressive Mood in the Elderly
Authors: Fujisawa Chisato , Umegaki Hiroyuki , Sugimoto Taiki , Samizo Satoshi , Huang Chi Hsien , Fujisawa Haruki , Sugimura Yoshihisa , Kuzuya Masafumi , Toba Kenji , Sakurai Takashi
Published: November 2020

Background: Mild hyponatremia (serum sodium 130-135 mEq/L) is a common electrolyte disorder in the elderly. However, its association with both sarcopenia and cognitive function remains to be clarified. Therefore, here we investigated the association of mild hyponatremia with skeletal muscle mass, physical function, and cognitive function in the elderly. Methods: We enrolled 75 participants with mild hyponatremia and 2907 with normonatremia (serum sodium, 136-145 mEq/L) aged ≥ 70 years who visited the Memory Disorder Outpatient Center of Japan’s National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), grip strength (GS), walking speed (WS), one-leg standing (OLS) test times, and neuropsychological test scores were determined. Results: One-way analysis of covariance showed that elderly participants with mild hyponatremia had lower SMI (7.1 ± 0.2, 7.2 ± 0.2 kg/m2, p = 0.04), weaker GS (19.1 ± 1.9 vs 21.4 ± 1.8 kg, p = 0.01), slower WS (0.9 ± 0.1 vs 1.1 ± 0.1 m/s, p = 0.001), and higher GDS- 15 score (6.4 ± 0.9 vs 5.2 ± 0.9, p = 0.002) than those with normonatremia. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that mild hyponatremia was independently associated with sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR]: 2.2, p = 0.02), slower WS (OR: 5.3, p = 0.04) and shorter OLS time (OR: 2.5, p = 0.02) as well as with severe depressive mood (OR: 2.6 p = 0.006) but not with SMI (OR: 1.6, p = 0.2) or GS (OR: 1.9, p = 0.09). Conclusions: Our results suggest that elderly people with even mild hyponatremia had physical function impairment and depressive mood.
Characterization of florfenicol resistance genes in the coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) isolates and genomic features of a multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus lentus strain H29
Authors: Wu Chongyang , Zhang Xueya , Liang Jialei , Li Qiaoling , Lin Hailong , Lin Chaoqing , Liu Hongmao , Zhou Danying , Lu Wei , Sun Zhewei , Lin Xi , Zhang Hailin , Li Keiwei , Xu Teng , Bao Qiyu , Lu Junwan
Published: November 2020

Background: With the wide use of florfenicol to prevent and treat the bacterial infection of domestic animals, the emergence of the florfenicol resistance bacteria is increasingly serious. It is very important to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the bacteria’s resistance to florfenicol.Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) levels were determined by the agar dilution method, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted to analyze the distribution of florfenicol resistance genes in 39 CoNS strains isolated from poultry and livestock animals and seafood. The whole genome sequence of one multidrug resistant strain, Staphylococcus lentus H29, was characterized, and comparative genomics analysis of the resistance gene-related sequences was also performed.Results: As a result, the isolates from the animals showed a higher resistance rate (23/28, 82.1%) and much higher MIC levels to florfenicol than those from seafood. Twenty-seven animal isolates carried 37 florfenicol resistance genes (including 26 fexA, 6 cfr and 5 fexB genes) with one carrying a cfr gene, 16 each harboring a fexA gene, 5 with both a fexA and a fexB genes and the other 5 with both a fexA and a cfr genes. On the other hand, all 11 isolates from seafood were sensitive to florfenicol, and only 3 carried a fexA gene each. The whole genome sequence of S. lentus H29 was composed of a chromosome and two plasmids (pH29-46, pH29-26) and harbored 11 resistance genes, including 6 genes [cfr, fexA, ant(6)-Ia, aacA-aphD, mecA and mph(C)] encoded on the chromosome, 4 genes [cfr, fexA, aacA-aphD and tcaA] on pH29-46 and 1 gene (fosD) on pH29-26. We found that the S. lentus H29 genome carried two identical copies of the gene arrays of radC-tnpABC-hp-fexA (5,671 bp) and IS256-cfr (2,690 bp), of which one copy of the two gene arrays was encoded on plasmid pH29-46, while the other was encoded on the chromosome.Conclusions: The current study revealed the wide distribution of florfenicol resistance genes (cfr, fexA and fexB) in animal bacteria, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that one S. lentus strain carried two identical copies of florfenicol resistance-related gene arrays.
Diversity and plant growth-promoting potential of (un)culturable bacteria in the Hedera helix phylloplane
Authors: Stevens Vincent , Thijs Sofie , Vangronsveld Jaco
Published: November 2020

BackgroundA diverse community of microbes naturally exists on the phylloplane, the surface of leaves. It is one of the most prevalent microbial habitats on earth and bacteria are the most abundant members, living in a community that is highly dynamic. While culture-independent approaches greatly increased our knowledge microbial communities such as the phylloplane, one of the challenges for microbiologists today remains to develop strategies to “culture the uncultured”.ResultsWe isolated bacteria from the phylloplane of Hedera helix (common ivy), a widespread evergreen, using the growth media LB, LB01, YMA, YFlour and YEx. We further included a comparison with the uncultured phylloplane, which contained the highest intra-sample (alpha) diversity. Inter-sample (beta) diversity shifts from LB and LB01 containing the highest amount of resources to YMA and YFlour which are more selective, and YEx which is more limited but also more varied in resources. The H. helix phylloplane is dominated by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes in a distribution also found in other phyllosphere studies which further strengthens the finding that the phyllosphere community composition on higher taxonomic level is similar across various host plant species. All growth media more or less equally favored Actinobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria, whereas Bacteroidetes could only be found on LB01, YEx and YMA. LB and LB01 greatly favored Firmicutes and YFlour was most selective for Betaproteobacteria. At genus level, LB favored the growth of Bacillus and Stenotrophomonas, while YFlour was most selective for Burkholderia and Curtobacterium. The in vitro plant growth promotion (PGP) profile that we obtained by testing 200 isolates constitutes an important first step to find candidates with advantageous traits within microbe-assisted approaches. Our isolation effort also resulted in a significant collection of bacterial strains underrepresented in public databases, mostly from the phylum Actinobacteria.ConclusionsThis study contributes as a case study of bacterial culturability including an evaluation of five different growth media, a comparison with the uncultured H. helix phylloplane community and its relation with functional characteristics such as PGP potential which help us to understand the ecological and functional role of microbial members living in the phylloplane.
Social determinants and other aspects associated with rheumatic diseases in the Brazilian population: a cross-sectional study based on the National Health Survey (PNS2013).
Authors: Souza Clécio Gabriel , Souza Marcelo Cardoso , Silva Hugo Jario , Assis Sanderson , Dantas Diego Sousa
Published: November 2020

Background: Rheumatic diseases are increasingly present in the world population, represented by chronic joint and musculoskeletal pain. Among them, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent. It is considered the third most prevalent chronic non-communicable disease in the Brazilian population, being responsible for a high rate of physical disability and reduced quality of life. Little has been discussed about the social factors associated with this health condition. This study aimed to analyze the social factors associated with arthritis in the Brazilian population.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study based on data from the 2013 National Health Survey in Brazil with arthritis as its main outcome. Sex, age, body weight, usual activities, physical activity, self-perceived health and diagnosis of depression were analyzed as independent variables. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Poisson multiple regression was performed, and the prevalence ratio (PR) and confidence interval (CI) of 95% were calculated using a significance level of 5% (p≤0.05).Results: A total of 60,202 individuals of both sexes took part in this study and the rheumatic diseases or arthrtitis prevalence was 6.4%. The individual factors associated with a higher prevalence of arthritis were female (PR = 2.09; CI = 1.95-2.25), age over 35 years (PR = 2.88; CI = 2.57-3.24) and excess body weight (PR = 1.61; CI = 1.25-2.07). The presence of rhemautic diseases showed an association with lower performance of usual activities (PR = 1.61; CI = 1.50-1.73) and self-perceived health as very poor (PR = 3.96; CI = 3.31-4.72). In addition, it was associated with a higher prevalence of mental illnesses such as depression (PR = 1.77; CI = 1.64-1.90).Conclusion: Social and modifiable factors which are associated with a higher prevalence of arthritis can be controlled through incentive measures such as social participation and physical activity.
mTOR inhibitor INK128 promotes diabetic wound healing by regulating MDSCs
Authors: Li Yi , Xu Yujun , Liu Xinghan , Yan Xin , Lin Yue , Tan Qian , Hou Yayi
Published: November 2020

Background: Skin wounds in diabetic patients are hardly to recover. Accumulating evidence has shown that mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are involved in inflammation-related response. INK128 is a novel mTOR kinase inhibitor in clinical development. However, the exact roles of MDSCs and INK128 in healing wound of diabetic patients are unclear.Methods: Mice models of normal, diabetic, and diabetic+INK128 were constructed. Bone marrow (BM)-derived macrophages and RAW264.7 cell line co-cultured with MDSCs, which were induced at different conditions. Flow cytometry, western blot, quantitative real-time PCR, and immunohistochemical analysis were performed.Results: Diabetic mice (DM) had a slower recovery rate, thinner epidermal and dermal, and less blood vessels than those of normal mice. MDSCs were abnormally accumulated in DM and mTOR was activated in MDSCs from DM or treated with high glucose. Moreover, mTOR signaling inhibitor INK128 could promoted wound healing through reducing the MDSCs. MDSCs function was disordered in DM and high glucose environments, while INK128 could help retrieve their function. Furthermore, high glucose and other factors in DM could promote M-MDSCs differentiation to M1 pro-inflammatory macrophage cells, thus inhibiting wound healing. The differentiation, which was dependent on mTOR signaling, could be reversed by INK128.Conclusion: INK128 is potential to be developed as a clinical strategy to promote wound healing of diabetic patients.
Physicians views on cardiovascular disease risk prevention services by pharmacists and potential for collaboration
Authors: Almansour Hadi A. , Aloudah Nouf M. , Alhawassi Tariq M. , Chaar Betty , Krass Ines , Saini Bandana
Published: November 2020

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Early identification and management of modifiable CVD risk factors is highly effective in preventing disease onset and/or improving outcomes in CVD. Pharmacists as highly accessible primary health professionals can assume a role in screening and risk factor management in collaboration with physicians, however such prevention services are not established practice in Saudi pharmacies. Therefore, the aim was to explore physicians’ perceptions about the utility of a role in CVD risk screening and management for Saudi pharmacists.Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim in Arabic or English. All transcripts were thematically analysed after translation into English if required. Results: A total of 26 physicians recruited from public hospitals and primary healthcare centres were interviewed. Most were unaware of pharmacists’ potential to undertake a role in CVD risk prevention. Although there was broad support for the concept, they recommended physician-pharmacist collaborative models, extensive provider pharmacist training and strict oversight by the Saudi Ministry of Health (MoH)/other official authorities to ensure service quality and sustainability, should implementation occur. Healthcare system reform was considered key to expanding private sector (i.e. community pharmacy) involvement in healthcare as was incentivising providers and ‘marketing’ for patient acceptance.Conclusion: Physicians were positive about setting up a collaborative community pharmacist-physician CVD risk screening and management service model with the help of an authorised body within the Saudi Arabian healthcare system.
A novel device for accurate placement of guide wire in cannulated screw fixation of femoral neck fracture: A pilot study
Authors: ren bu-fang , Ma quan-ping , lv xin
Published: November 2020

Background: Accurate placement of cannulated screws is the key to stable fixation of the femoral neck fracture. A novel device was developed to improve the accuracy of screw placement. Methods: 20 synthetic femoral bones were divided into conventional technique group and the experimental group. Three Kirschner wire were inserted into the femoral neck fracture by conventional technique or by the novel guide device. The operative time, total drilling attempts and fluoroscopic frequency were evaluated.Results: By using the guide device, the fluoroscopy and operation time of the experimental group were shorter that of the conventional method. The total drilling attempts with the novel guide device were significantly lower than the conventional technique group.Conclusion: This device can help trauma surgeons shorten the surgical time and reduce radiation exposure time. The use of this guide device can make screw fixation for femoral neck fracture easier.
Targeting the RHOA pathway improves learning and memory in adult Kctd13 and 16p11.2 deletion mouse models
Authors: Lorenzo Sandra Martin , Nalesso Valérie , Chevalier Claire , Birling Marie-Christine , HERAULT Yann
Published: November 2020

Background: Gene copy number variants play an important role in the occurrence of neurodevelopmental disorders. Particularly, the deletion of the 16p11.2 locus is associated with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and several other features. Earlier studies highlighted the implication of Kctd13 genetic imbalance in 16p11.2 deletion through the regulation of the RHOA pathway. Methods: Here, we generated a new mouse model with a small deletion of two key exons in Kctd13. Then, we targeted the RHOA pathway to rescue the cognitive phenotypes of the Kctd13 and 16p11.2 deletion mouse models in a pure genetic background. We used a chronic administration of fasudil (HA1077), an inhibitor of the Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK), for six weeks in mouse models carrying a heterozygous inactivation of Kctd13, or the deletion of the entire 16p11.2 BP4-BP5 homologous region. Results: We found that the small Kctd13 heterozygous deletion induced a cognitive phenotype similar to the whole deletion of the 16p11.2 homologous region, in the Del/+ mice. We then showed that chronic fasudil treatment can restore object recognition memory in adult heterozygous mutant mice for Kctd13 and for 16p11.2 deletion. In addition, learning and memory improvement occurred in parallel to change in the RHOA pathway. Limitations: The Kcdt13 mutant line does not recapitulate all the phenotypes found in the 16p11.2 Del/+ model. In particular, the locomotor activity was not altered at 12 and 18 weeks of age and the object location memory was not defective in 18-week old mutants. Similarly, the increase in locomotor activity was not modified by the treatment in the 16p11.2 Del/+ mouse model, suggesting that other loci were involved in such defects. Rescue was observed only after four weeks of treatment but no long-term experiment has been carried out so far. Finally, we did not check the social behaviour, which requires working in another hybrid genetic background.Conclusion: These findings confirm KCTD13 as one target gene causing cognitive deficits in 16p11.2 deletion patients, and the relevance of the RHOA pathway as a therapeutic path for 16p11.2 deletion. In addition, they reinforce the contribution of other gene(s) involved in cognitive defects found in the 16p11.2 models in older mice.
Investigation of a Functionalized Self-Assembling Nanopeptide Hydrogel Loaded With Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells To Promote Vascular Regeneration
Authors: Liu Zhanao , Tian Ailing , Yi Xin , Fan Lufeng , Shao Wenchong , Wu Han , Sun Nianfeng
Published: November 2020

Background: To investigate the transplantation of a functionalized self-assembling nanopeptide hydrogel loaded with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) into a rabbit hindlimb ischemia model and to evaluate its effect in promoting vascular regeneration in ischemic tissues.Methods: Functionalized self-assembling nanopeptide hydrogels were synthesized, and the physical and chemical properties of the hydrogels were observed by electron microscopy. Primary AD-MSCs were isolated, cultured, immunophenotyped, induced to differentiate, and verified. The self-assembling nanopeptide hydrogel was combined with mesenchymal stem cells for the three-dimensional culture of AD-MSCs, and the growth characteristics were investigated. Animal models were injected with AD-MSC-loaded self-assembled peptide hydrogel, and the therapeutic effects on arterial ischemia were analyzed.Results: The pore size of the functionalized self-assembling nanopeptide hydrogel was suitable for cell growth. Stem cells had a tendency for migration, differentiation, and angiogenesis in three-dimensional culture. The experimental results of transplantation into the rabbit hindlimb ischemia model showed that the functionalized self-assembling nanopeptide hydrogel loaded with AD-MSCs had better efficacy than AD-MSC transplantation alone.Conclusion: Functionalized self-assembling nanopeptide hydrogels can be used as scaffold materials for three-dimensional culture of AD-MSCs. Functionalized self-assembling peptide hydrogels combined with AD-MSCs have better therapeutic effects than traditional stem cell therapies and can promote vascular regeneration.
“It’s more than milk, it’s mental health”: A case of online human milk sharing
Authors: Wagg Amanda J , Hassett Alex , Callanan Margie
Published: November 2020

Aim: To produce a single case example of an online breastfeeding support group use, through one mother’s experiences of seeking human donor milk online. Background: Milk sharing is not a new concept and occurs today via regulated human milk banks and unregulated online milk sharing groups. Exploring and understanding how, and why, mothers use these peers to peer milk sharing groups, is a vehicle to understanding how breastfeeding mothers can be tangibly supported online, adding to the literature on peer milk sharing, from a recipient’s perspective. Method: This is a qualitative, exploratory study observing the attitudes, thoughts, and feelings of one mother who is seeking human donor milk through online groups. A single key case was identified, and the participant was asked to document thoughts and feelings as she searched for milk online. A telephone interview after two months, and online page activity from www.humanmilk4humanbabies.Facebook.com was captured for the week following the interview. The results were presented in a chronological and linear analytical approach adopting pattern matching.Results: ‘Abbi’ is a mother who has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and subsequent low milk supply and sought donor breast milk online. Online support groups introduced her to donor milk sharing, which not only supported her breastfeeding but supported her own mental health. Abbi talks of the need to build a trusting relationship with her donor, due to the lack of regulation, and the positive impact it had for her and ‘Lucas’, her baby. Conclusion: Considering milk sharing groups simply as tangible online support ignores the complexities around Abbi’s decision to use human donor milk. Peer milk sharing online is an option for mothers, but it is surrounded by stigma amongst other mothers, professionals, and even within pro breastfeeding support groups.“Tweetable abstract”: Milk sharing is not a new concept and occurs today via regulated human milk banks and unregulated online milk sharing groups. How and why do mothers obtain breastmilk online?
Comparative analysis of the use of high-flow and traditional oxygen therapy in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia. An experimental and clinical study
Authors: Grachev Ivan N. , Shatalov V. I. , Klimov A. G. , Blinda I. V. , Kochkin I. A. , Tsygankov K. A. , Shchegolev A. V.
Published: November 2020

Introduction. In patients with spontaneous breathing and respiratory failure, various methods of delivering the gas mixture to the respiratory tract have been developed. The use of high-flow oxygen therapy is alternative standard oxygen therapy. Objectives. Experimental study of the effects of high-flow oxygen therapy and evaluation of its clinical effectiveness in comparison with traditional oxygen therapy in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia. Materials and Methods. During the experimental stage of the study, the level of mean airway pressure was determined depending on the flow of the gas mixture using a lung model with parameters of biomechanics of respiration. During the clinical stage, a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of respiratory support in groups of patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia using high-flow and traditional oxygen therapy was carried out. Results. During experimental study, flow of gas mixture 30 l/min was determined, at which mean airway pressure registered on models of healthy lungs and lungs with modified respiratory biomechanics significantly increases. During the clinical phase of the study, a statistically significant decrease in the frequency of initiation of artificial (invasive and non-invasive) lung ventilation, an increase in oxygenation (saturation hemoglobin with oxygen, partial pressure oxygen in arterial blood) and partial pressure carbon dioxide with simultaneous decrease in respiratory rate. Conclusion. The value of gas flow over 30 l/min has significant effect on the recorded mean airway pressure calculated using models of lungs in experiment. However, clinical significance of this indicator is not clinically significant. The use of high-flow oxygen therapy in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia in comparison with standard method reduces the frequency use of ventilation (invasive and non-invasive) with a significant increase in oxygenation indicators. This reduces hyperventilation, which is confirmed by a significant increase in partial pressure carbon dioxide and a decrease in respiratory rate.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Clonal Myeloproliferative Neoplasms with Eosinophilia
Authors: Nemchenko Irina Semenovna , Tsyba N.N. , Turkina A.G. , Chelysheva E.Yu. , Shukhov O.A. , Kovrigina A.M. , Obukhova T.N.
Published: November 2020

Aim. Based on our own materials to characterize the clinical manifestations of hypereosinophilic states distinguishing between reactive eosinophilia (RE), clonal myeloproliferative neoplasms with eosinophilia (MPN-eo), and myeloproliferative variant of hypereosinophilic syndrome (MP-HES); to evaluate treatment results. Materials & Methods. The trial included 188 patients with primary HES (132 men and 56 women, aged 19-72 years) having been followed-up at the National Research Center for Hematology since 2001. The main entry criteria were blood eosinophilia > 1.5 x 109/L and clinical symptoms resulting sometimes from hypereosinophilia. All patients received complete physical examination, immunomorphological, standard cytogenetic, and molecular genetic testing. Treatment was provided to 73 patients (63 men and 10 women) including those with MPN-eo PDGFRA+ (п = 39), PDGFRB+ (п = 2), FGFR1+ (п = 1), chronic eosinophilic leukemia not otherwise specified (п = 8), systemic mastocytosis (п = 1), and MP-HES (п = 22). Complete hematological response (CHR) was the criterion for treatment efficacy. In the MPN-eo PDGFRA+ and PDGFRB+ groups molecular response (MR) rate was also estimated in cases of imatinib treatment. MR was considered as no expression of the FIP1L1-PDGFRA and ETV6-PDGFRB transcripts in RT-PCR. Results. The trial yielded the cause of eosinophilia in 117 (62.2 %) out of 188 patients. RE was diagnosed in 60 (32 %) out of 117 patients, various types of clonal MPNs were reported in 57 (30 %) patients. In 71 (38 %) out of 188 patients HES was still present at the first trial stages. Later within this group MP-HES was identified in 22 (30.9 %) out of 71 patients. Among imatinib recipients CHR was achieved in 37 (90 %) out of 41 patients within 1-3 months: in 36 patients with MPN-eo FIP1L1-PDGFRA+ and in 1 patient with MPN-eo ETV6-PDGFRB+. MR was achieved in 88 % of cases. In the absence of molecular markers characteristic of MPN-eo CHR was achieved in 26 % of cases. Among the recipients of treatments other than imatinib nobody achieved CHR. Conclusion. The diagnosis approach in patients with HES should be complex and individualized. Development and enhancement of molecular genetic diagnostic techniques are regarded as ones of the highest priority areas in modern hematology. The use of imatinib mesylate in MPN-eo therapy commonly results in long-term hematological and molecular remissions. On achieving CHR to imatinib treatment of patients without molecular markers characteristic of MPN-eo early use of this drug (or other tyrosine kinase inhibitors) can be recommended in acute forms of HES.