bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacterial biofilm‐based nitrate and phosphate removal from rubber latex wastewater for sustainable water usage
Authors: Dey Sumon , Kumar Himanshu , Sinha Swapan Kumar , Goud Vaibhav V. , Das Surajit 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRubber latex wastewater contains high level of inorganic anions such as nitrate and phosphate which are more prevalent as groundwater contaminant. The applicability of biofilm forming bacterial isolates to treat rubber latex wastewater was investigated. Microscopic analyses (CLSM and SEM) evaluated that the major component of biofilm other than bacterial cell is EPS matrix. EPS was found to contain higher proportion of lipids and polysaccharide which are required for attachment and absorption of nutrients. ATR‐FTIR and 1H NMR revealed the functional groups present in EPS. Rhodococcus rhodochrous CTI‐14 showed robust biofilm followed by Cellulosimicrobium sp. CTB‐10. Out of six bacterial consortia tested, consortium‐D efficiently removed 95%

–N and 75%

. Taguchi method revealed the optimum parameters to remove the nutrients. The consortium‐D optimally reduced nitrate and phosphate at pH 7 at 37°C. Consortium‐D composed of Cellulosimicrobium sp. CTB‐10, Aeromonas veronii OS‐01, Lysinibacillus sphaericus RTA‐01 and Rhodococcus rhodochrous CTI‐14 was found to be the most efficient bacterial consortium to treat rubber latex wastewater.
Contribution of prostaglandins to exercise hyperaemia: workload, ethnicity and sex matter!
Authors: Aiku Abimbola O. , Marshall Janice M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe contribution of prostaglandins (PGs) to exercise hyperaemia is controversial. In this review, we argue this is partly explained by differences in exercise intensity between studies. The effects of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition and PG assays indicate that PGs contribute more at moderate to heavy than at light workloads and are mainly released by low tissue O2. But, the release and actions of PGs also depend on other O2‐dependent dilators including ATP, adenosine and NO. K+ may inhibit the action of PGs and other mediators by causing hyperpolarization, but contributes to the hyperaemia. Thus, at lighter loads, the influence of PGs may be blunted by K+, while COX inhibition leads to compensatory increases in other O2‐dependent dilators. In addition, we show that other sources of variability are sex and ethnicity. Our findings indicate that exercise hyperaemia following rhythmic contractions at 60% maximum voluntary contraction, is smaller in young black African (BA) men and women than in their white European (WE) counterparts, but larger in men than in women of both ethnicities. We propose the larger absolute force in men causes greater vascular occlusion and accumulation of dilators, while blunted hyperaemia in BAs may reflect lower oxidative capacity and O2 requirement. Nevertheless, COX inhibition attenuated peak hyperaemia by ∼30% in WE, BA men and WE women, indicating PGs make a substantial contribution in all three groups. There was no effect in BA women. Lack of PG involvement may provide early evidence of endothelial dysfunction, consistent in BA women with their greater risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Acute Vector-Borne Viral Infection: Zika and MinION Surveillance
Authors: de Jesus Jaqueline Goes , Giovanetti Marta , Rodrigues Faria Nuno , Alcantara Luiz Carlos Junior 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTThe MinION sequencer was launched by the Oxford Nanopore Technologies start-up as a disruptive technology for genome sequencing based on single-molecule synthesis. Its characteristics as a portable device, low cost, and simple library preparation have made it a good candidate for field researchers. MinION has been used to sequence a number of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Based on the experience that characterized the Ebola virus genetic diversity in Guinea during the 2014-2015 outbreak, the ZiBRA (Zika in Brazil Real-time Analysis) project aimed to sequence a large number of Zika virus genomes during a mobile laboratory trip in northeast Brazil to provide important epidemiological information about the spread of this disease in this country. In response to the positive and rapid results obtained by the ZiBRA project, the Brazilian Ministry of Health and many leading institutions, such as the Pan American Health Organization and WHO, have shown interest in expanding the strategy used in this project to other countries dealing with arbovirus infection.*This article is part of a curated collection.
Malaria Molecular Epidemiology: An Evolutionary Genetics Perspective
Authors: Escalante Ananias A. , Pacheco M. Andreína 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT

Malaria is a vector-borne disease that involves multiple parasite species in a variety of ecological settings. However, the parasite species causing the disease, the prevalence of subclinical infections, the emergence of drug resistance, the scale-up of interventions, and the ecological factors affecting malaria transmission, among others, are aspects that vary across areas where malaria is endemic. Such complexities have propelled the study of parasite genetic diversity patterns in the context of epidemiologic investigations. Importantly, molecular studies indicate that the time and spatial distribution of malaria cases reflect epidemiologic processes that cannot be fully understood without characterizing the evolutionary forces shaping parasite population genetic patterns. Although broad in scope, this review in the
Microbiology Spectrum
Curated Collection: Advances in Molecular Epidemiology highlights the need for understanding population genetic concepts when interpreting parasite molecular data. First, we discuss malaria complexity in terms of the parasite species involved. Second, we describe how molecular data are changing our understanding of malaria incidence and infectiousness. Third, we compare different approaches to generate parasite genetic information in the context of epidemiologically relevant questions related to malaria control. Finally, we describe a few
Plasmodium
genomic studies as evidence of how these approaches will provide new insights into the malaria disease dynamics.

*
This article is part of a curated collection.
Protein Export into and across the Atypical Diderm Cell Envelope of Mycobacteria
Authors: van Winden Vincent J. C. , Houben Edith N. G. , Braunstein Miriam 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT

Mycobacteria, including the infamous pathogen
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, are high-GC Gram-positive bacteria with a distinctive cell envelope. Although there is a typical inner membrane, the mycobacterial cell envelope is unusual in having its peptidoglycan layer connected to a polymer of arabinogalactan, which in turn is covalently attached to long-chain mycolic acids that help form a highly impermeable mycobacterial outer membrane. This complex double-membrane, or diderm, cell envelope imparts mycobacteria with unique requirements for protein export into and across the cell envelope for secretion into the extracellular environment. In this article, we review the four protein export pathways known to exist in mycobacteria: two conserved systems that exist in all types of bacteria (the Sec and Tat pathways) and two specialized systems that exist in mycobacteria, corynebacteria, and a subset of low-GC Gram-positive bacteria (the SecA2 and type VII secretion pathways). We describe the progress made over the past 15 years in understanding each of these mycobacterial export pathways, and we highlight the need for research to understand the specific steps of protein export across the mycobacterial outer membrane.
A child in shock: carotid blowout syndrome
Authors: Stilwell Philippa Anna , Robertson Fergus , Bhate Sanjay , Sutcliffe Alastair G 
Published: August 2019

Paediatricians commonly encounter neck lumps during their routine clinical practice; vascular abnormalities, such as (pseudo)aneurysms, are a rare cause of these. Pseudoaneurysms of the carotid artery in children are usually the result of blunt or penetrating trauma, infection or vasculitis/connective tissue disorders. They can present with a variety of symptoms including neck pain, as a pulsatile neck mass or with compressive symptoms (for example, cranial nerve palsies or dyspnoea). Pseudoaneurysms carry a risk of rupture in which case they are fatal, unless immediate treatment is provided.We report a 17-month-old male child with idiopathic carotid artery blowout syndrome presenting with acute oropharyngeal haemorrhage leading to asystolic cardiac arrest. He was successfully resuscitated and emergency embolisation controlled the bleeding. Despite extensive left hemispheric infarct, he has survived.Carotid artery blowout syndrome needs to be recognised as a potential cause of major haemorrhage in childhood. The purpose of this case report is to remind readers of the differential diagnosis and work-up of a child presenting with a neck lump, to highlight important aspects of the acute management of major haemorrhage and massive blood transfusion in paediatrics, to describe the aetiology, presentation and management of carotid artery pseudoaneurysm in children and to discuss long term rehabilitation in patients with consequent neurological sequelae (including the need for input from multiple specialty teams).
Use of paediatric early warning scores in intermediate care units
Authors: Lampin Marie Emilie , Duhamel Alain , Behal Hélène , Recher Morgan , Leclerc Francis , Leteurtre Stéphane 
Published: August 2019

ObjectivePaediatric early warning scores (EWS) were developed to detect deterioration in paediatric wards or emergency departments. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between three paediatric EWS and clinical deterioration detected by the nurse in paediatric intermediate care units (PImCU).MethodsThis was a prospective, observational, multicentre study at seven French regional hospitals that included all children <18 years of age. Clinical parameters included in three EWS (Paediatric Advanced Warning Score, Paediatric Early Warning Score and Bedside Paediatric Early Warning System) were prospectively recorded every 8 hours or in case of deterioration. The outcome was a call to physician by the nurse when a clinical deterioration was observed. The cohort was divided into derivation and validation cohorts. An updated methodology for repeated measures was used and discrimination was estimated by the area under the receiver-operating curve.ResultsA total of 2636 children were included for 14 708 observations to compute a posteriori the EWS. The discrimination of the three EWS for predicting calls to physicians by nurses was good (range: 0.87–0.91) for the derivation cohort and moderate (range: 0.71–0.76) for the validation cohort. Equations for probability thresholds of calls to physicians, taking into account the time t, the score at time t and the score at admission, are available.ConclusionThese three EWS developed for children in paediatric wards or emergency departments can be used in PImCU to detect a clinical deterioration and predict the need for medical intervention.
Cornea verticillata in Fabry disease: a comparative study between slit-lamp examination and in vivo corneal confocal microscopy
Authors: Leonardi Andrea , Carraro Gianni , Modugno Rocco Luigi , Rossomando Valentino , Scalora Tania , Lazzarini Daniela , Calò Lorenzo 
Published: August 2019

PurposeTo compare the diagnostic power of slit-lamp examination with the in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCM) as the gold standard in assessing the presence of corneal epithelial deposits in patients with Fabry disease (FD).MethodsFourteen patients with FD (4 males, 10 females; mean age, 46.8 years) and eight healthy controls (4 males, 4 females; mean age, 36.75 years) were included. All subjects underwent slit-lamp examination and IVCM of both central and peripheral corneal quadrants with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph-III in combination with the Rostock Cornea Module.ResultsIn patients with FD, 9 of 28 eyes (32%) showed the presence of cornea verticillata at the slit-lamp examination and 25 eyes (89%) showed the presence of epithelial hyper-reflective deposits at the IVCM. Of the 19 eyes negative at the slit-lamp examination, 16 eyes showed the presence of epithelial deposits at the IVCM. Compared with controls, patients with FD had a significantly reduced number, density and length of nerve fibres at the level of corneal sub-basal nerve plexus, but a significantly higher grade of fibres tortuosity.ConclusionsThe slit-lamp examination has a limited diagnostic power in the detection of epithelial deposits in patients with FD when compared with the IVCM. In fact, the slit-lamp examination suffers from a high number of false negative results and, consequently, from a low negative predictive value (16%). IVCM allows the detection of corneal microstructural changes in patients with FD and may represent a reliable tool for the early diagnosis and follow-up of the disease.
Acanthamoeba keratitis therapy: time to cure and visual outcome analysis for different antiamoebic therapies in 227 cases
Authors: Papa Vincenzo , Rama Paolo , Radford Cherry , Minassian Darwin C , Dart John K G 
Published: August 2019

AimsTo test the hypothesis that Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) outcomes differ for different topical antiamoebic therapies (AAT) and to provide the detailed patient outcome data.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of 227 patients developing AK between 25 July 1991 and 10 August 2012. Inclusion criteria required a complete record of AAT treatment for both the primary outcome of a medical cure rate at 12 months and the secondary outcome of Snellen visual acuity ≤6/24 and/or surgical intervention. Analysis used multivariable regression to control for differences in baseline disease characteristics for both primary and secondary outcomes with unadjusted analyses for other outcomes. Subjects were categorised for analysis both by the AAT used at baseline and also by mutually exclusive AAT (patients exposed to all the drugs in each group, and no others, for some period). AAT categories were PHMB monotherapy, PHMB+diamidine, PHMB+chlorhexidine+diamidine, diamidine monotherapy and other AAT.ResultsAnalysis by baseline AAT showed no notable difference between treatments for both a medical cure at 12 months in 60.79% (138/227) or for a poor outcome in 49.34% (112/227). When AATs were analysed by mutually exclusive groups, PHMB monotherapy provided the best outcomes. These findings are subject to bias requiring careful interpretation. Overall cure rates for the 214 subjects with resolved outcomes were 94.27% (214/227), median time to cure 5 months (IQR 3.25–9.00 months) and range 1–26.24 months.ConclusionPHMB 0.02% monotherapy for the initial treatment of AK is as effective as biguanide+diamidine combination therapy. Chlorhexidine monotherapy was too infrequent for comparison. The outcome data are the most detailed available.
One-year outcomes of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in peripapillary choroidal neovascularisation
Authors: Singh Sumit Randhir , Fung Adrian T , Fraser-Bell Samantha , Lupidi Marco , Mohan Sashwanthi , Gabrielle Pierre-Henry , Zur Dinah , Iglicki Matias , M López-Corell Paula , Gallego-Pinazo Roberto , Farinha Cláudia , Lima Luiz H , Mansour Ahmad M , Casella Antonio Marcello , Wu Lihteh , Silva Rufino , Uwaydat Sami H , Govindahari Vishal , Arevalo Jose Fernando , Chhablani Jay 
Published: August 2019

PurposeTo report the visual and anatomical outcomes in eyes with peripapillary choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) through 12 months.MethodsThis was a multicentre, retrospective, interventional case series which included treatment-naïve cases of peripapillary choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Multimodal imaging which comprised optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography and/or indocyanine green angiography was performed at baseline and follow-up visits. OCT parameters included central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and retinal and choroidal thickness at site of CNV. Patients were treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) onpro re nataprotocol, photodynamic therapy, laser photocoagulation or a combination. Main outcome measures were change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCT parameters.ResultsA total of 77 eyes (74 patients; mean age: 61.9±21.8 years) with a mean disease duration of 9.2±14.1 months were included. BCVA improved significantly from 0.55±0.54 logMAR (20/70) at baseline to 0.29±0.39 logMAR (20/40) at 12 months (p<0.001) with a mean of 4.9±2.9 anti-VEGF injections. CMT, SFCT and retinal thickness at site of CNVM reduced significantly (p<0.001, <0.001 and 0.02, respectively) through 12 months. The most common disease aetiologies were neovascular age-related macular degeneration, and idiopathic, inflammatory and angioid streaks. Age (p=0.04) and baseline BCVA (p<0.001) were significant predictors of change in BCVA at 12 months.ConclusionPeripapillary CNVM, though uncommon, is associated with diverse aetiologies. Anti-VEGF agents lead to significant visual acuity and anatomical improvement in these eyes over long term irrespective of the aetiology.
Singapore Chinese Eye Study: key findings from baseline examination and the rationale, methodology of the 6-year follow-up series
Authors: Majithia Shivani , Tham Yih Chung , Chee Miao Li , Teo Cong Ling , Chee Miao-Ling , Dai Wei , Kumari Neelam , Lamoureux Ecosse Luc , Sabanayagam Charumathi , Wong Tien Yin , Cheng Ching-Yu 
Published: August 2019

Background/aimsIn order to address the eye care needs of the increasing numbers of elderly Chinese globally, there is a need for comprehensive understanding on the longitudinal trends of age-related eye diseases among Chinese. We herein report the key findings from the baseline Singapore Chinese Eye Study (SCES-1), and describe the rationale and methodology of the 6-year follow-up study (SCES-2).Methods3353 Chinese adults who participated in the baseline SCES-1 (2009–2011) were invited for the 6-year follow-up SCES-2 (2015–2017). Examination procedures for SCES-2 included standardised ocular, systemic examinations and questionnaires identical to SCES-1. SCES-2 further included new examinations such as optical coherence tomography angiography, and questionnaires to evaluate health impact and economic burden of eye diseases.ResultsIn SCES-1, the age-adjusted prevalence of best-corrected low vision (VA<6/12, better-seeing eye) and blindness (VA<6/60, better-seeing eye) were 3.4% and 0.2%, respectively. The prevalence rates for glaucoma, age related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy (among diabetics) were 3.2%, 6.8%, 26.2%, respectively. Of the 3033 eligible individuals from SCES-1, 2661 participated in SCES-2 (response rate=87.7%). Comparing with those who did not attend SCES-2, those attended were younger, had higher SES (all p<0.001), but less likely to be a current smoker, to have diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia (all p≤0.025).ConclusionsBuilding on SCES-1, SCES-2 will be one of the few longitudinal population-based eye studies to report incidence, progression, and risk factors of major age-related eye diseases. Findings from this cohort may offer new insights, and provide useful reference information for other Chinese populations elsewhere.
The roles of community health workers who provide maternal and newborn health services: case studies from Africa and Asia
Authors: Olaniran Abimbola , Madaj Barbara , Bar-Zev Sarah , van den Broek Nynke 
Published: August 2019

IntroductionA variety of community health workers (CHWs) provide maternal and newborn health (MNH) services in low-income and middle-income settings. However, there is a need for a better understanding of the diversity in type of CHW in each setting and responsibility, role, training duration and type of remuneration.MethodsWe identified CHWs providing MNH services in Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Malawi and Nigeria by reviewing 23 policy documents and conducting 36 focus group discussions and 131 key informant interviews. We analysed the data using thematic analysis.ResultsIrrespective of training duration (8 days to 3 years), all CHWs identify pregnant women, provide health education and screen for health conditions that require a referral to a higher level of care. Therapeutic care, antenatal care and skilled birth attendance, and provision of long-acting reversible contraceptives are within the exclusive remit of CHWs with training greater than 3 months. In contrast, community mobilisation and patient tracking are often done by CHWs with training shorter than 3 months. Challenges CHWs face include pressure to provide MNH services beyond their scope of practice during emergencies, and a tendency in some settings to focus CHWs on facility-based roles at the expense of their traditional community-based roles.ConclusionCHWs are well positioned geographically and socially to deliver some aspects of MNH care. However, there is a need to review and revise their scope of practice to reflect the varied duration of training and in-country legislation.
Pathways to optimising antibiotic use in rural China: identifying key determinants in community and clinical settings, a mixed methods study protocol
Authors: Zhao Linhai , Kwiatkowska Rachel Marie , Chai Jing , Cabral Christie , Chen Meixuan , Bowker Karen , Coope Caroline , Shen Jilu , Shen XingRong , Cheng Jing , Feng Rui , Kadetz Paul , MacGowan Alasdair , Oliver Isabel , Hickman Matthew , Wang Debin , Lambert Helen 
Published: August 2019

IntroductionThis study aims to investigate patterns of antibiotic treatment-seeking, describe current levels of and drivers for antibiotic use for common infections (respiratory tract and urinary tract infections) and test the feasibility of determining the prevalence and epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in rural areas of Anhui province, in order to identify potential interventions to promote antibiotic stewardship and reduce the burden of AMR in China.Methods and analysisWe will conduct direct observations, structured and semistructured interviews in retail pharmacies, village clinics and township health centres to investigate treatment-seeking and antibiotic use. Clinical isolates from 1550 sputum, throat swab and urine samples taken from consenting patients at village and township health centres will be analysed to identify bacterial pathogens and ascertain antibiotic susceptibilities. Healthcare records will be surveyed for a subsample of those recruited to the study to assess their completeness and accuracy.Ethics and disseminationThe full research protocol has been reviewed and approved by the Biomedical Ethics Committee of Anhui Medical University (reference number: 20170271). Participation of patients and doctors is voluntary and written informed consent is sought from all participants. Findings from the study will be disseminated through academic routes including peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, via tailored research summaries for health professionals, health service managers and policymakers and through an end of project impact workshop with local and regional stakeholders to identify key messages and priorities for action.