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Diversity, distribution, and population structure of Escherichia coli in the lower gastrointestinal tract of humans
Several studies report the diversity, and population structure of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the human gut, but most used faecal specimens as the source of E. coli for analysis. In the present study, we collected mucosal biopsies from three different locations: the terminal ileum, transverse colon, and rectum from 46 individuals. To identify unique strains, we fingerprinted about 3300 isolates of E. coli via the multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) technique. An example of each strain per individual then underwent PCR for phylogrouping, and specific phylogrouped strains were further screened to determine whether they belonged to one of four common human-associated sequence types (ST69, ST73, ST95, and ST131), and to identify B2-subtypes. We detected on average 2.5 unique strains per individual. The frequency of unique strain(s) appeared in individuals as follows: 35% (16/46) had only one strain, 22% (10/46) had two strains, 24% (11/46) had three strains and 4% (2/46), 9% (4/46) and 7% (3/46) had 4, 5 and 6 strains, respectively. Strain richness did not depend on gender, age, or disease status. The most abundant phylogroup in all gut locations was B2 followed by A, B1, and D. Strain richness overall and across gut locations was decreased if an individual’s dominant strain belonged to phylogroup B2. ST95, ST131, and ST73 constituted more than half of the total B2 strains. Analysis of B2 sub-types revealed that sub-types IX (STc95) and I (STc131) were more common than other sub-types. The phylogroup and ST of strains at different gut locations did not vary significantly. However, there were multiple examples of individuals who carried strains detected only in one gut location. The present study suggests that particular phylogroups and STs are likely to dominate in different locations in the lower gut of humans.
Leveraging machine learning techniques for image classification and revealing social media insights into human engagement with urban wild spaces
Editorial Note: Hand hygiene practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors among barbers and beauty salon workers in Ethiopia
Biologically-informed excitatory and inhibitory ratio for robust spiking neural network training
Stress and job satisfaction among nursing faculties in academic institutions in Nepal: A cross-sectional comparison between government and private institutions
Background Stress and job dissatisfaction are significant factors leading to reduced efficiency and loss of human resources in all sectors, especially nursing education. This study aimed to compare the levels of stress, and job satisfaction among nursing faculty members in government and private colleges in Nepal. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed and conducted across nursing colleges in both the government and private sectors of Nepal. A total of 576 faculties were conveniently recruited from 13 government colleges and 26 private colleges for this study. The data were summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics, comparing the results between the faculties of the government and the private colleges. Results Among the 576 respondents, 24.7% reported high levels of stress, while the majority (62.7%) were ambivalent about their job and less than one-third were satisfied. The majority of the respondents working in government colleges reported lower stress levels. Regarding job satisfaction, 8.9% of respondents were dissatisfied, and 30.7% were satisfied in government colleges, which was 2% higher than in private colleges. More than half of the respondents were ambivalent about their jobs in both private (63.7%) and government colleges (60.3%). The levels of stress, and job satisfaction did not significantly differ between government and private colleges. Conclusions Stress levels are slightly higher in private colleges, while faculty members in government colleges report greater job satisfaction. Future research could be directed towards the identification of ways to reduce stress and promote satisfaction among nursing faculties, especially in private colleges.
An ODE based neural network approach for PM2.5 forecasting
Using a non-surgical transcutaneous intraglandular injection technique to deliver cell and cell-free therapies to murine submandibular salivary glands
Salivary Glands (SGs) are vital organs that are particularly prone to damage due to head and neck cancer radiation treatment, as well as other autoimmune disorders. SG hypofunction often impairs the production of saliva, which causes a significant loss of functioning for the oral cavity. There are a multitude of treatments for rescuing SG hypofunction; however, they are usually administered systemically, causing adverse effects and requiring higher doses of the agents. More localised approaches have demonstrated adequate potential as alternative treatments but are still in their initial stages of investigation. This study proposes a localised delivery technique termed as the ‘Intraglandular (IG) Non-Surgical Transcutaneous Injection,’ to deliver cell and cell-free therapies into the submandibular salivary glands (SMGs) of mice. First, we used anatomical landmarks, radiography, and tissue dissection to devise a method to localise the center of the SMGs with either a pen marker or a customized plastic stent. Second, we used a dye (trypan blue) to verify the accuracy of the injection technique to the SMGs. Third, we injected Green Fluorescent Protein Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (GFP + ve BM-MSC) and tracked them for 7 days in SMGs to further demonstrate that the cells were embedded into SMG tissue and that our injection technique did not injure the glandular morphology. We therefore hypothesize that this IG technique would provide a less invasive, lower dose and highly accurate administration of cell and cell-free therapies to hypofunctional mice SMGs.
Global health burden and inequality patterns of occupational noise exposure from 1990 to 2019
Promising vaccine against deadly Nipah virus can also treat infection
Increased and synergistic RNAi delivery using MOF polydopamine nanoparticles for biopesticide applications
Effectiveness of implementation strategies for uptake of fall prevention interventions in community care: A systematic review
Introduction Falls among older adults are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in this population and pose a significant economic burden on society. Despite substantial evidence supporting effective interventions to prevent falls, their uptake in practice remains limited. While various strategies could enhance implementation, few have been evaluated for their effectiveness in fall prevention. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of such implementation strategies on implementation and health-related outcomes in community care for fall prevention. Method A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar November 27th 2024. We included studies evaluating an implementation strategy for preventing falls among older adults living in the community. Eligible study designs included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomized trials, controlled before-and-after studies, interrupted time series, and repeated measures studies. The results were narratively synthesized using vote-counting based on the direction of effect. The risk of bias was assessed using RoB2 and ROBINS-I. Results This review identified 8365 distinct references, leading to the inclusion of four articles derived from three unique studies. Our findings suggest that employing a systematic implementation strategy aimed at training and educating stakeholders can enhance the number of fall preventive interventions hosted by counties and communities. However, the results did not indicate a clear direction of effect concerning hospital or emergency department admissions. Conclusion Our review underscores a significant gap in research concerning the effectiveness of implementation strategies for integrating fall prevention interventions into practice. Future research should focus on developing and testing the effectiveness of these strategies in preventing falls among community-dwelling older adults. Registration PROSPERO CDR42022233395.
Complex regional pain syndrome and use of psychotropic drugs as a proxy for psychological health
Abstract We aimed to investigate the association between psychotropic drug use (proxy for psychological health) and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) type 1 and type 2 in upper and lower limbs. We also assessed the impact of demographic and socioeconomic factors. From a national record linkage database [4,706,821 individuals (25–64 years); CRPS type 1 = 809; type 2 = 225], prevalence ratios (PR), absolute risk (AR), and AR difference (ARD) [95% confidence intervals (CI)] were estimated by logistic and Cox regressions with constant time at risk. About 36% of CRPS individuals consumed psychotropic drugs (reference: general population 15%). Unadjusted PRs were two times higher in nerve injuries/disorders without CRPS [PR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.73–1.82] and CRPS type 1 [2.33 (2.07–2.62)] and almost three times higher in CRPS type 2 [2.79 (2.27–3.42)]. Higher ARDs were observed in type 2, independent of level of income, and were higher for the high-income category. In type 2, ARDs were higher for middle-high/high occupational status levels. Higher ARDs were observed in nerve injuries/nerve disorders, CRPS type 1, and type 2 in immigrants, especially high for type 2. Regarding most age intervals, ARDs were higher for individuals with CRPS type 2. Individuals with CRPS, especially type 2, have high risk of impaired psychological health.
Regulating cleavage activity and enabling microRNA detection with split sgRNA in Cas12b
Abstract The CRISPR-Cas12b system has revolutionized molecular diagnostics, yet its reliance on single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) exceeding 100 nt limits precise regulation and applications. We present a split sgRNA strategy for Cas12b, utilizing universal components with customizable Spacer to detect various nucleic acid targets by simply replacing Spacer. Glyoxal labeling of the universal split direct repeat (DR) region represses Cas12b activity, which is restored by elevated temperatures or prolonged incubation, enabling dynamic regulation. Incorporating a photo-cleavable linker into the DR allows UV-mediated modulation, ensuring compatibility with recombinase polymerase amplification. Successful detection of Epstein-Barr virus in clinical plasma samples matched the sensitivity of traditional qPCR. Importantly, microRNAs can replace the Spacer, enabling direct detection without reverse transcription or amplification. Supported by evidence from cultured cells and plasma from healthy individuals and colorectal cancer patients, this method yields consistent results with RT-qPCR while simplifying protocols. This split strategy enhances Cas12b systems, offering a promising approach for clinical nucleic acid analysis.
Emergence of a new me: Experiences of women diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer
Breast cancer subtypes vary in prevalence, prognosis, treatment protocols, and side-effect profiles, that may impact patients’ lived experiences. Despite this, studies often group the experiences of persons with breast cancer together. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of non-metastatic women diagnosed with Herceptin2-positive breast cancer, from diagnosis to the completion of treatment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 women who had undergone treatment for HER2 + breast cancer within the past two years. Their ages ranged between 32–79 years. Data collected were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four experiential themes emerged: ‘My world came crashing down,’ ‘The countdown,’ ‘To do or not to do, that is the question,’ and ‘Nearing the end of my journey.’ These themes correspond to four phases of the participants’ experiences: (i) the diagnostic phase, (ii) the neoadjuvant chemotherapy phase, (iii) the surgical phase, and (iv) the post-surgery adjuvant phase. The diagnosis elicited strong emotional reactions due the particularly aggressive nature of this type of cancer. However, the availability of targeted treatment and having a relatively common subtype of breast cancer provided hope for recovery. Throughout the neoadjuvant phase, participants experienced a range of emotions, including anxiety over missing any treatment, distress about changes in body-image, and concerns for their families. As treatment approached its end, they felt relieved but also anxious about the possibility of a recurrence. Understanding the narratives of women having Herceptin2-positive breast cancer, allows health professionals to better address their unique needs, concerns, and values, leading to the development of personalised care plans that target their lived experiences.
Electroencephalography-based psychological and physiological effects of winter virtual forest trail landscapes on youth
STAT5 and STAT3 balance shapes dendritic cell function and tumour immunity
The mitotic chromosome periphery modulates chromosome mechanics
Abstract In dividing cells, chromosomes are coated in a sheath of proteins and RNA called the mitotic chromosome periphery. This sheath is thought to confer biophysical properties to chromosomes, critical for successful cell division. However, the details of chromosome mechanics, and specifically, if and how the chromosome periphery contributes to them, remain poorly understood. In this study, we present a comprehensive characterisation of single-chromosome mechanics using optical tweezers and an improved broadband microrheology analysis. We extend this analysis to direct measurements of the chromosome periphery by manipulating levels of Ki-67, its chief organiser, and apply a rheological model to isolate its contribution to chromosome mechanics. We report that the chromosome periphery governs dynamic self-reorganisation of chromosomes and acts as a structural constraint, providing force-damping properties. This work provides significant insight into chromosome mechanics and will inform our understanding of the mitotic chromosome periphery’s role in cell division.
Prevalence and risk factors of antimicrobial resistance patterns of Staphylococcus spp. and E. coli in rodents and shrews at human-animal interfaces in Chattogram, Bangladesh
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to human and animal health worldwide. Wild rodents and shrews may serve as bioindicators of environmental health. They may serve as a potential source of the transmission of AMR bacterial infections to humans and domestic animals, despite not directly consuming antibiotics. We conducted a cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with the AMR patterns in Staphylococcus spp. and Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from rodents and shrews. We trapped and collected throat and rectal/urine swab samples from 200 wild rodents (n = 115) and house shrews (n = 85) across different locations in Chattogram, Bangladesh. The collected samples were then evaluated for the isolation of both bacterial organisms using culturing and biochemical properties. We performed culture sensitivity (CS) tests of the isolates using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method for 14 antimicrobials. The overall prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. was 26.5% (95% CI: 0.20–0.33; n = 53), and E. coli was 56% (95% CI: 0.49–0.63; n = 112) in the sampled rodents and Asian house shrews. Staphylococcus spp. isolates were 100% resistant to oxacillin, oxytetracycline, metronidazole, and cefixime. Again, E. coli isolates were 100% resistant to metronidazole followed by ampicillin and cefixime (98.0%), sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim (97.0%), amoxicillin and doxycycline (96.0%), streptomycin (95.0%). Only gentamycin was sensitive against both bacterial isolates. Statistical modeling revealed a higher risk of resistant bacterial infection in rodents from agricultural interfaces compared to other habitats. Rodents and Asian house shrews with poor body condition were more prone to resistant Staphylococcus spp. infection, while rodents were more susceptible to resistant E. coli infection. Our findings indicate a significant prevalence of AMR Staphylococcus spp. and E. coli in urban rodents and house shrews, suggesting their potential role as reservoirs and disseminators of AMR, hence posing a risk to human and animal health.