bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of biofilm growth age, media, antibiotic concentration and exposure time on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm removal in vitro
Authors: Chen Xiaofeng , Thomsen Trine Rolighed , Winkler Heinz , Xu Yijuan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Biofilm is known to be tolerant towards antibiotics and difficult to eradicate. Numerous studies have reported minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) values of antibiotics for many known biofilm pathogens. However, the experimental parameters applied in these studies differ considerably, and often the rationale behind the experimental design are not well described. This makes it difficult to compare the findings. To demonstrate the importance of experimental parameters, we investigated the influence of biofilm growth age, antibiotic concentration and treatment duration, and growth media on biofilm eradication. Additionally, OSTEOmycinTM, a clinically used antibiotic containing allograft bone product, was tested for antibiofilm efficacy. Results: The commonly used Calgary biofilm device was used to grow 24 h and 72 h biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which were treated with time-dependent vancomycin (up to 3000 mg L-1) and concentration-dependent tobramycin (up to 80 mg L-1), respectively. Two common bacteriological growth media tryptic soy broth (TSB) and cation-adjusted Mueller Hinton broth (CaMHB) were tested. We found for both species that biofilms were more difficult to kill in TSB than in CaMHB. Furthermore, young biofilms (24 h) were easier to eradicate than old biofilms (72 h). In agreement with vancomycin being time-dependent, extension of the vancomycin exposure increased killing of S. aureus biofilms. Tobramycin treatment of 24 h P. aeruginosa biofilms was found concentration-dependent and time-independent, however, increasing killing was indicated for 72 h P. aeruginosa biofilms. Treatment with tobramycin containing OSTEOmycin TTM removed 72 h and 168 h P. aeruginosa biofilms after one day treatment, while few 72h S. aureus biofilms survived after two days treatment with vancomycin containing OSTEOmycin VTM. Conclusions: This study demonstrated biofilm removal efficacy was influenced by media, biofilm age and antibiotic concentration and treatment duration. It is therefore necessary to taking these parameters into consideration when designing experiments. The results of OSTEOmycinTM products indicated that simple in vitro biofilm test could be used for initial screening of antibiofilm products. For clinical application, a more clinically relevant biofilm model for the specific biofilm infection in question should be developed to guide the amount of antibiotics used for local antibiofilm treatment.
H. pylori is related to osteoporosis but only in premenopausal female: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Jingwei Wang , Dong Fengxiao , Su Hui , Zhu Licun , Shao Sujun , Liu Hong 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
BackgroundRecently, an increasing number of studies have focused on the extra-gastrointestinal effects of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) , including metabolic syndrome, fatty liver, and rheumatic and skin diseases. Osteoporosis is an asymptomatic disease that can eventually lead to fractures and has a significant impact on the quality of life of elderly individuals. Sex is an influential factor that plays a crucial role in the development of osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between H. pylori infection and osteoporosis and to identify potential influencing factors.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of individuals older than 50 years old, who had undergone regular physical examinations at the Beijing Shijitan Hospital Health Examination Center from July to October 2018 . We evaluated the associations of osteopenia and osteoporosis with H. pylori infection and related serum markers by using multiple linear regression and logistic regression. Then, we analysed the correlation between sex and potential serum biomarkers.ResultsThere were significant relationships between H. pylori infection status and bone density in premenopausal females but not in males ( P =0.381) according to Fisher's exact test. In females , H. pylori positivity (OR=0.132, P =0.023), Body Mass Index( BMI ) (OR=28.163, P =0.021), and homocysteine (HCY) (OR=17.218, P =0.045) were associated with osteoporosis. Calcium had a trend but no statistically significant (OR=0.060, P=0.076) relationship with osteoporosis. Furthermore, the waist -to- hip ratio (OR=5.783, P =0.029), BMI (OR=0.152, P =0.014) and triglyceride levels (OR=0.201, P =0.036) were significantly different by sex, after adjusting for age as a confounder.ConclusionH. pylori positivity , BMI and HCY are associated with osteoporosis in premenopausal females . Chronic inflammation may be involved in the relationship between H. pylori and osteoporosis.
Effect of functional food ingredients on gut microbiota in a rodent diabetes model
Authors: Surono Ingrid S. , Wardana Ata Aditya , Waspodo Priyo , Saksono Budi , Verhoeven Jessica , Venema Koen 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The gut microbiota has been shown to be involved in the development and severity of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of the present study was to test the effect of 4-week functional food ingredient feeding, alone or in combination, on the gut microbiota composition in diabetic rats.Methods: Streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats were treated for 4 weeks with i) native taro starch, ii) modified taro-starch, iii) beet juice, iv) psicose, v) the probiotic L.plantarum IS-10506, vi) native starch combined with beet juice, vii) native starch to which beet juice was adsorbed, viii) modified starch combined with beet juice or ix) modified starch to which beet juice was adsorbed, to modulate the composition of the gut microbiota. This composition was evaluated by sequencing the PCR amplified V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene.Results: The next-generation sequencing showed beneficial effects particularly of taro-starch feeding. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) related to health (e.g. correlating with low BMI, OTUs producing butyrate) were increased in relative abundance, while OTUs generally correlated with disease (e.g. Proteobacteria) were decreased by feeding taro-starch.Conclusion: The results of study show that a 4-week intervention with functional food ingredients, particularly taro-derived starch, leads to a more healthy gut microbiota in rats that were induced to be diabetic by induction with STZ.
Determinants of deranged thyroid function parameters in children admitted for management of diabetic ketoacidosis/diabetic ketosis
Authors: Shao Peng , Guo Shujuan , Li Guimei , Qin Daogang , Li Sen , Ying Luan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) frequently arises in children admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis/diabetic ketosis (DKA/DK). This study evaluates the interplay of various metabolic factors with occurrence of deranged thyroid function tests in children suffering from DKA/DK.Methods: 98 DKA and 96 DK pediatric patients were selected from hospital records. Those on thyroxine replacement, with overt hypothyroidism, or with positive anti-thyroperoxidase (TPO) antibody were excluded. Tests for liver function, renal function, lipid profile, serum osmolarity, thyroid function, c-peptide levels, and glycosylated hemoglobin were done on all patients. Children were divided into euthyroid (n=88) and ESS groups (n=106).Results: The ESS group had a higher level of white blood cell count (WBC), plasma glucose (PG), beta-hydroxybutyric acid (β-HB), triglyceride (TG), anion gap (AG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and a lower level of HCO3-, prealbumin (PA), and albumin (ALB) compared with the euthyroid group (P<0.05). Free T3 (FT3) levels were significantly correlated to β-HB, HCO3-, AG, PA, and HbA1c (r=-0.642, 0.681, -0.377, 0.581, -0.309, respectively; P<0.01). Free T4 (FT4) levels were significantly correlated to β-HB, HCO3-, and ALB levels (r=-0.489, 0.338, 0.529, respectively; P<0.01). TSH levels were significantly affected by HCO3– only (r=-0.28; P<0.01). HCO3– level was the most important factor deciding euthyroid or ESS on logistic regression analysis (OR=0.844, P=0.004, 95%CI=0.751-0.948).Conclusions: Lower levels of free thyroid hormones and occurrence of ESS were associated with a higher degree of acidosis in children with DKA/DK.
The aceE involves in mycolic acid synthesis and biofilm formation in Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Chen Suting , Teng Tianlu , Wen Shuan , Zhang Tingting , Huang Hairong 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The integrity of cell wall structure is highly significant for the in vivo survival of mycobacteria. We hypothesized that changes in morphology may indicate changes in cell wall metabolism and identified an aceE gene mutant ( aceE -mut) which presented a deficient colony morphology on 7H10 agar by screening transposon mutagenesis in Mycolicibacterium smegmatis , basonym Mycobacterium smegmatis ( M. smegmatis ). This study aimed to identify the functional role of aceE gene in cell wall biosynthesis in M. smegmatis.

Results: We observed that the colony morphology of aceE -mut was quite different, smaller and smoother on the solid culture medium than the wild-type (WT) strain during the transposon library screening of M. smegmatis . Notably, in contrast with the WT, which aggregates and forms biofilm, the aceE -mut lost its ability of growing aggregately and biofilm formation, which are two very important features of mycobacteria. The morphological changes in the aceE -mut strain were further confirmed by electron microscopy which indicated smoother and thinner cell envelope images in contrast with the rough morphology of WT strains. Additionally, the aceE -mut was more fragile to acidic stress and exhibited a pronounced defects in entering the macrophages as compared to the WT. The analysis of mycolic acid (MA) using LC-MS indicated deficiency of alpha-MA and epoxy-MA in aceE -mut strain whereas complementation of the aceE -mut with a wild-type aceE gene restored the composition of MA.

Conclusions: Over all, this study indicates that aceE gene plays a significant role in the mycolic acid synthesis and affects the colony morphology, biofilm formation of M. smegmatis and bacteria invasion of macrophage.
Flexible Fibreoptic Intubation in Swine – Improvement for Resident Training and Animal Safety Alike
Authors: Ruemmler Robert , Ziebart Alexander , Ott Thomas , Dirvonskis Dagmar , Hartmann Erik Kristoffer 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Efficient airway management to facilitate tracheal intubation encompasses essential skills in anaesthesiologic and intensive care. The application of flexible fibreoptic intubation in patients with difficult airways has been identified as the recommended method in various international guidelines. However, providing the opportunity to adequately train residents can be challenging. Using large animals for practice during ongoing studies could help to improve this situation, but there is no recent data on fibreoptic intubation in swine available. Methods: 30 male German landrace pigs were anesthetized, instrumented and randomized into two groups. The animals were either intubated conventionally using direct laryngoscopy or a single-use flexible video-endoscope. The intervention was carried out by providers with 3 months experience in conventional intubation of pigs and a brief introduction into endoscopy. Intubation attempts were supervised and aborted, when SpO2 dropped below 93%. After three failed attempts, an experienced supervisor intervened and performed the intubation. Intubation times and attempts were recorded and analysed.Results: Flexible fibreoptic intubation showed a significantly higher success rate in first attempt endotracheal tube placement (75% vs. 47%) with less attempts overall (1.3±0.6 vs. 2.1±1.3, P=0.043). Conventional intubation was faster (42s±6s vs. 67s±10s, P<0.001), but showed a higher complication rate and more desaturation episodes during the trial.Conclusions: Flexible fibreoptic intubation in swine is feasible and appears to be a safer and more accessible method for inexperienced users to learn. This could not only improve resident training options in hospitals with animal research facilities but might also prevent airway complications and needless animal suffering.
Person-centred care in practice: Perspectives from a short-course regimen for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan
Authors: Horter Shona , Stringer Beverley , Gray Nell , Parpieva Nargiza , Safaev Khasan , Tigay Zinaida , Singh Jatinder , Achar Jay 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Introduction: Person-centred care, an internationally recognised priority, describes the involvement of people in their care and treatment decisions, and the consideration of their needs and priorities within service delivery. Clarity is required regarding how it may be implemented in practice within different contexts. The standard multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) treatment regimen is lengthy, toxic and insufficiently effective. 2019 World Health Organisation guidelines include a shorter (9-11-month) regimen and recommend that people with MDR-TB be involved in the choice of treatment option. We examine the perspectives and experiences of people with MDR-TB and health-care workers (HCW) regarding person-centred care in an MDR-TB programme in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, run by Médecins Sans Frontières and the Ministry of Health.Methods: A qualitative study comprising 48 interviews with 24 people with MDR-TB and 20 HCW was conducted in June-July 2019. Participants were recruited purposively to include a range of treatment-taking experiences and professional positions. Interview data were analysed thematically using coding to identify emerging patterns, concepts, and categories relating to person-centred care, with Nvivo12.Results: People with MDR-TB were unfamiliar with shared decision-making and felt uncomfortable taking responsibility for their treatment choice. HCW were viewed as having greater knowledge and expertise, and patients trusted HCW to act in their best interests, deferring the choice of appropriate treatment course to them. HCW had concerns about involving people in treatment choices, preferring that doctors made decisions. People with MDR-TB wanted to be involved in discussions about their treatment, and have their preference sought, and were comfortable choosing whether treatment was ambulatory or hospital-based. Participants felt it important that people with MDR-TB had knowledge and understanding about their treatment and disease, to foster their sense of preparedness and ownership for treatment, and it appeared important to have evidence of treatment need and effect.Conclusions: There is a preference for doctors choosing the treatment regimen, linked to shared decision-making unfamiliarity and practitioner-patient knowledge imbalance. Involving people in their care, through discussions, information, and preference-seeking could foster ownership and self-responsibility, supporting sustained engagement with treatment.
Gender, reproductive output covariation and their role on gene diversity of Pinus koraiensis seed orchard crops
Authors: Kang Kyu-Suk , Park Ji-Min , Kang Hye-In , Yeom Da-Bin , El-Kassaby Yousry A. , Lee Kyung-Mi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Gender and fertility variation have an impact on mating dynamics in a population because they affect the gene exchange among parental members and the genetic composition of the resultant seed crops. Fertility is the proportional gametic contribution of parents to their progeny. An effective number of parents, derivative of effective population size, is the probability that two alleles randomly chosen from the gamete gene pool originated from the same parent. The effective number of parents is directly related to the fertility variation among parents, which should be monitored for manipulating gene diversity of seed crops. We formulated a fundamental equation of estimating the effective number of parents and applied it to a seed production population.Results: Effective number of parents (Np) was derived from fertility variation (Ψ) considering covariance (correlation coefficient, r) between maternal and paternal fertility. The Ψ was calculated from the coefficient of variation in reproductive outputs and divided into female (ψf ) and male (ψm) fertility variation in the population under study. The Np was estimated from the parental Ψ estimated by the fertility variation of maternal (ψf ) and paternal (ψm) parents. The gene diversity of seed crops was monitored by Ψ and Np in a 1.5 generation Pinus koraiensis seed orchard as a case of monoecious species. A large variation of female and male strobili production was observed among the studied 52 parents for four consecutive years, showing statistically significant across all studied years. Parental balance curve showed greater distortion in paternal than maternal parents. The Ψ ranged from 1.879 to 4.035 with greater ψm than ψf , and the Np varied from 14.8 to 36.8. When pooled, the relative effective number of parents was improved as 80.0% of the census number.Conclusions: We recommend the use of fertility variation (CV, Ψ), Person’s product-moment correlation (r) and effective number of parents (Np) as tools for gauging gene diversity of seed crops in production populations. For increasing Np and gene diversity, additional management options such as mixing seed-lots, equal cone harvest and application of supplemental-mass-pollination are recommended.
Diesel Exhaust Particle Exposure Reduces Expression of the Epithelial Tight Junction Protein Tricellulin
Authors: Smyth Timothy , Veazey Janelle , Eliseeva Sophia , Chalupa David , Elder Alison , Georas Steve 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: While exposure to diesel exhaust particles has been linked to aberrant immune responses in allergic diseases such as asthma, little attention has been paid to their effects on the airway epithelium. In this study, we sought to determine the effect of diesel exhaust exposure on airway epithelial barrier function and composition using in vitro and in vivo model systems.

Methods: 16HBE14o- human bronchial epithelial cells were grown on collagen coated Transwell inserts and exposed to 5 to 50 µg/cm2 SRM 2975 diesel particulate matter (DEP) suspended in cell culture medium or vehicle controls. Changes in barrier function were assessed by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and permeability to 4 kDa FITC Dextran. Neonatal BALB/c mice were exposed to aerosolized DEP (255 ± 89 µg/m3; 2 hours per day for 5 days) and changes in the tight junction protein Tricellulin were assessed two weeks post exposure.

Results: A six-hour incubation of epithelial cells with diesel exhaust particles caused a significant concentration-dependent reduction in epithelial barrier integrity as measured by decreased TEER and increased permeability to 4 kDa FITC-Dextran. This reduction in epithelial barrier integrity corresponded to a significant reduction in expression of the tight junction protein Tricellulin. siRNA mediated knockdown of Tricellulin recapitulated changes in barrier function caused by DEP exposure. Neonatal exposure to aerosolized DEP caused a significant reduction in lung Tricellulin two weeks post exposure at both the protein and mRNA level.

Conclusion: Short term exposure to DEP causes a significant reduction in epithelial barrier integrity through a reduction in the tight junction protein Tricellulin. Neonatal exposure to aerosolized DEP caused a significant and sustained reduction in Tricellulin protein and mRNA in the lung, suggesting that early life exposure to inhaled DEP may cause lasting changes in airway epithelial barrier function.
Can technology optimise the pre-operative pathway for elective hip and knee replacement surgery: A qualitative study.
Authors: Sharif Faraz Salman , Rahman Ammar , Tonner Emma , Ahmed Hanad , Haq Iqraa , Abbass Rami , Asinger Shad , Sbai Magda 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: An ageing population has resulted in a rise in the number of hip and knee replacement surgeries in the UK. The pre-operative pathway is plagued with issues causing long delays and cancellations. Virtual healthcare technologies have a growing evidence base to help solve these issues. One problem of implementing these technologies is the resistance to change mentality from healthcare professionals. By getting their opinions on the place of these technologies within the pre-operative pathway, a united front can be formed to help deliver change. Methods: 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders within the orthopaedic pre-operative pathway at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. General topics included the different technologies that could be used within the pathway, their uses and associated benefits and problems. Interviews were audio-recorded, before being manually transcribed and then analysed to form categories and themes. Results: Various uses, benefits and problems were identified by healthcare professionals for each modality of technology. E-forms were seen as a high reward, low risk intervention. Remote patient monitoring and teleconsultations had their bonuses, but feasibility was a primary concern. Web-based interventions were seen as an intervention of the past, whereas virtual reality was seen as perhaps being ahead of its time. M-health was very positively viewed due to its all-encompassing nature. Digital illiteracy emerged as a consistent problem for most technologies. Conclusions: Current literature, the results from this study and technology trends within society highlight both M-health and E-forms as the 2 most promising virtual healthcare technologies for use in the pre-operative pathway for orthopaedics. Areas such as pre-operative assessment, triaging and prehabilitation are prime candidates for virtual intervention. Future research should also consider including patient opinions on any proposed interventions, as well as taking into account barriers to implementation.
Deep Double-Pilot-Based Hybrid Precoding in UAV-Enabled MmWave Massive MIMO
Authors: Hong Ziyao , Li Ting , Li Fei 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) enabled communication system provides flexibility and reliability compared to conventional ones. Millimeter wave and massive MIMO have widely been researched since recent years, which are promising techniques for the next and even the later generation communication system. Hybrid precoding, as a method to reduce the high cost in hardware and power brought by massive antenna array, develops fiercely and is often combined to deep learning, a kind of popular optimization tool, which brings overwhelming performance. On the other hand, there are not so many attentions about the hybrid precoding in time-varying millimeter wave massive MIMO, which is necessary to be considered in a UAV-enabled communication scenario because the performance will degrade seriously if the channel changed while the transmitter and receiver use the precoding matrix corresponding to the expired channel, yet. In this paper, we propose a double-pilot-based hybrid precoding system, which completes analog precoding and digital precoding separately--predicting the previous one using deep learning structure and updating equivalent channel frequently for the post one by enhancing the frequency of equivalent channel estimation.