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JMIR Infodemiology 2022Internet search volume for medical information, as tracked by Google Trends, has been used to demonstrate unexpected seasonality in the symptom burden of a variety of...
Confounding Effect of Undergraduate Semester-Driven "Academic" Internet Searches on the Ability to Detect True Disease Seasonality in Google Trends Data: Fourier Filter Method Development and Demonstration.
BACKGROUND
Internet search volume for medical information, as tracked by Google Trends, has been used to demonstrate unexpected seasonality in the symptom burden of a variety of medical conditions. However, when more technical medical language is used (eg, diagnoses), we believe that this technique is confounded by the cyclic, school year-driven internet search patterns of health care students.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to (1) demonstrate that artificial "academic cycling" of Google Trends' search volume is present in many health care terms, (2) demonstrate how signal processing techniques can be used to filter academic cycling out of Google Trends data, and (3) apply this filtering technique to some clinically relevant examples.
METHODS
We obtained the Google Trends search volume data for a variety of academic terms demonstrating strong academic cycling and used a Fourier analysis technique to (1) identify the frequency domain fingerprint of this modulating pattern in one particularly strong example, and (2) filter that pattern out of the original data. After this illustrative example, we then applied the same filtering technique to internet searches for information on 3 medical conditions believed to have true seasonal modulation (myocardial infarction, hypertension, and depression), and all bacterial genus terms within a common medical microbiology textbook.
RESULTS
Academic cycling explains much of the seasonal variation in internet search volume for many technically oriented search terms, including the bacterial genus term ["Staphylococcus"], for which academic cycling explained 73.8% of the variability in search volume (using the squared Spearman rank correlation coefficient, <.001). Of the 56 bacterial genus terms examined, 6 displayed sufficiently strong seasonality to warrant further examination post filtering. This included (1) ["Aeromonas" + "Plesiomonas"] (nosocomial infections that were searched for more frequently during the summer), (2) ["Ehrlichia"] (a tick-borne pathogen that was searched for more frequently during late spring), (3) ["Moraxella"] and ["Haemophilus"] (respiratory infections that were searched for more frequently during late winter), (4) ["Legionella"] (searched for more frequently during midsummer), and (5) ["Vibrio"] (which spiked for 2 months during midsummer). The terms ["myocardial infarction"] and ["hypertension"] lacked any obvious seasonal cycling after filtering, whereas ["depression"] maintained an annual cycling pattern.
CONCLUSIONS
Although it is reasonable to search for seasonal modulation of medical conditions using Google Trends' internet search volume and lay-appropriate search terms, the variation in more technical search terms may be driven by health care students whose search frequency varies with the academic school year. When this is the case, using Fourier analysis to filter out academic cycling is a potential means to establish whether additional seasonality is present.
PubMed: 37113451
DOI: 10.2196/34464 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023As a catadromous fish, Asian sea bass () juveniles migrate from seawater (SW) to freshwater (FW) for growth and development. During migration, they undergo physiological...
As a catadromous fish, Asian sea bass () juveniles migrate from seawater (SW) to freshwater (FW) for growth and development. During migration, they undergo physiological changes to acclimate to environmental salinity. Thus, it is crucial to understand how SW-to-FW migration affects the gut microbiota of catadromous fish. To the best of our knowledge, no study has revealed the effects of transfer to hypotonic environments on a catadromous fish microbiota. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of FW transfer on the microbiota and cytokine gene expression in the intestines of juvenile catadromous Asian sea bass. The relationship between the water and the gut microbiota of this euryhaline species was also examined. We found that FW transfer affected both mucosa- and digesta-associated microbiota of Asian sea bass. and were dominant in both the mucosa- and digesta-associated microbiota of FW-acclimated sea bass. The pathogenic genera , s, and were dominant in the SW group. Although dominant fish microbes were present in the water, fish had their own unique microbes. Vitamin B6 metabolism was highly expressed in the FW fish microbiota, whereas arginine, proline, and lipid metabolism were highly expressed in the SW fish microbiota. Additionally, the correlation between cytokine gene expression and microbiota was found to be affected by FW transfer. Taken together, our results demonstrated that FW transfer altered the composition and functions of mucosa- and digesta-associated microbiota of catadromous Asian sea bass intestines, which correlated with cytokine gene expression.
PubMed: 37089546
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1097954 -
PloS One 2023Diarrheal diseases are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, disproportionally affecting persons residing in low and middle-income countries. Accessing...
Diarrheal diseases are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, disproportionally affecting persons residing in low and middle-income countries. Accessing high-resolution surveillance data to understand community-level etiology and risk remains challenging, particularly in remote and resource limited populations. A multi-year prospective cohort study was conducted in two rural and two peri-urban villages in Cambodia from 2012 to 2018 to describe the epidemiology and etiology of acute diarrheal diseases within the population. Suspected diarrheal episodes among participants were self-reported or detected via routine weekly household visits. Fresh stool and fecal swabs were tested, and acute-illness and follow-up participant questionnaires collected. Of 5027 enrolled participants, 1450 (28.8%) reported at least one diarrheal incident. A total of 4266 individual diarrhea case events were recorded. Diarrhea incidence rate was calculated to be 281.5 persons per 1000 population per year, with an event rate of 664.3 individual diarrhea events occurring per 1000 population per year. Pathogenic Escherichia coli, Aeromonas spp., and Plesiomonas shigelloides were the most prevalent bacterial infections identified. Hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis were the predominant helminth species, while Blastocystis hominis and Giardia lamblia were the predominant protozoan species found. Norovirus genotype 2 was the predominant virus identified. Mixed infections of two or more pathogens were detected in 36.2% of positive cases. Risk analyses identified unemployed status increased diarrhea risk by 63% (HR = 1.63 [95% CI 1.46, 1.83]). Individuals without access to protected water sources or sanitation facilities were 59% (HR = 1.59 [95% CI 1.49, 1.69]) and 19% (HR = 1.19 [95% CI 1.12, 1.28]) greater risk of contracting diarrhea, respectively. Patient-level surveillance data captured in this long-term study has generated a unique spatiotemporal profile of diarrheal disease in Cambodia. Understanding etiologies, together with associated epidemiological and community-level risk, provides valuable public health insight to support effective planning and delivery of appropriate local population-targeted interventions.
Topics: Humans; Infant; Urban Population; Cambodia; Prospective Studies; Diarrhea; Risk Factors; Escherichia coli
PubMed: 37000848
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283871 -
Microbiology Spectrum Mar 2023Probiotics are an alternative strategy for antibiotics, but most probiotics are Gram-positive bacteria suitable for terrestrial animals. Therefore, it is imperative to...
Probiotics are an alternative strategy for antibiotics, but most probiotics are Gram-positive bacteria suitable for terrestrial animals. Therefore, it is imperative to develop dedicated probiotics for the common carp industry to be ecologically efficient and environmentally friendly. A novel Enterobacter asburiae named E7 was isolated from the intestine of healthy common carp and displayed an extensive antibacterial spectrum against Aeromonas hydrophila, A. veronii, A. caviae, A. media, A. jandaei, A. enteropelogenes, A. schubertii, A. salmonicida, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Ps. putida, Plesiomonas shigelloides, and . E7 was nonpathogenic to the host and susceptible to the majority of antibiotics used in human clinical practice. E7 could grow between 10 and 45°C and between pH 4 and 7 and was extremely resistant to 4% (wt/vol) bile salts. Diets were supplemented with 1 × 10 CFU/g E7 for 28 days. No significant difference in the growth of fish was observed. Expression of immune-related genes , , and in common carp kidney was significantly upregulated at weeks 1, 2, and 4 ( < 0.01). A significant upregulation of , , and expression was observed after week 4 ( < 0.01). There was a significant increase in mRNA expression of at week 3 ( < 0.01). Following challenge by Aeromonas veronii, the survival rate (91.05%) was significantly higher than observed in the controls (54%; < 0.01). Collectively, E7 is a promising new Gram-negative probiotic that can enhance health and bacterial resistance of aquatic animals and could thus be developed as an exclusive aquatic probiotic. In the present study, we evaluated for the first time the efficiency of Enterobacter asburiae as a prospective probiotic for aquaculture applications. The E7 strain showed extensive resistance to , no pathogenicity to the host, and stronger environmental tolerance. We observed that the resistance of common carp to was enhanced by feeding a diet containing 1 × 10 CFU/g E7 for 28 days, but growth was not improved. Strain E7 can act as an immunostimulant to induce the upregulation of some innate cellular and humoral immune responses, resulting in enhanced resistance to . Hence, the continuous activation of immune cells can be maintained by adding suitable fresh probiotics to the diet. E7 has the potential to act as a probiotic agent for green, sustainable aquaculture and aquatic product safety.
PubMed: 36975994
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04273-22 -
Current Microbiology Mar 2023It is known that probiotic microorganisms play important roles in the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Also, probiotics can affect the paracellular and...
It is known that probiotic microorganisms play important roles in the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Also, probiotics can affect the paracellular and transcellular transport mechanisms performed by intestinal cells. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the potential probiotic Bacillus subtilis KM0 on the profile of the gut microbiota and transcription of genes related to intestinal transport of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zebrafish was exposed by immersion to B. subtilis KM0 for 48 h, and the intestines were collected for metataxonomic analysis and transcription of genes related to transcellular and paracellular transports. Although exposure to B. subtilis changed the intestinal microbiota profile of zebrafish, the diversity indices were not altered. A decrease in the number of genera of potentially pathogenic bacteria (Flavobacterium, Plesiomonas, and Pseudomonas) and downregulation in transcription of transcellular transport genes (cubn and amn) were observed. B. subtilis KM0 strain had the expected probiotic effect, by interfering with the proliferation of potentially pathogenic bacteria and decreasing the transcription of genes codifying for signals involved with a mechanism that can be used for invasion by pathogens. The present study demonstrated that, even with a short-term exposure, a bacterium with probiotic potential such as the KM0 strain of B. subtilis can modify the profile of the host's intestinal microbiota, with an impact on the regulation of intestinal genes related to mechanisms that can be used for invasion by pathogenic bacteria.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Bacillus subtilis; Zebrafish; Intestines; Probiotics
PubMed: 36914801
DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03240-0 -
Frontiers in Bioengineering and... 2023Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthases (PhaCs) are key enzymes in PHA polymerization. PhaCs with broad substrate specificity are attractive for synthesizing structurally...
Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthases (PhaCs) are key enzymes in PHA polymerization. PhaCs with broad substrate specificity are attractive for synthesizing structurally diverse PHAs. In the PHA family, 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB)-based copolymers are industrially produced using Class I PhaCs and can be used as practical biodegradable thermoplastics. However, Class I PhaCs with broad substrate specificities are scarce, prompting our search for novel PhaCs. In this study, four new PhaCs from the bacteria , , , and were selected a homology search against the GenBank database, using the amino acid sequence of PHA synthase (PhaC), a Class I enzyme with a wide range of substrate specificities, as a template. The four PhaCs were characterized in terms of their polymerization ability and substrate specificity, using as a host for PHA production. All the new PhaCs were able to synthesize P(3HB) in with a high molecular weight, surpassing PhaC. The substrate specificity of PhaCs was evaluated by synthesizing 3HB-based copolymers with 3-hydroxyhexanoate, 3-hydroxy-4-methylvalerate, 3-hydroxy-2-methylbutyrate, and 3-hydroxypivalate monomers. Interestingly, PhaC from (PhaC) exhibited relatively broad substrate specificity. PhaC was further engineered through site-directed mutagenesis, and the variant resulted in an enzyme with improved polymerization ability and substrate specificity.
PubMed: 36896015
DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1114946 -
Fish & Shellfish Immunology Apr 2023The dietary effects of walnut leaf extract (WLE) on the growth, immunity, and resistance of Oreochromis niloticus to bacterial infection have been investigated. Five...
The dietary effects of walnut leaf extract (WLE) on the growth, immunity, and resistance of Oreochromis niloticus to bacterial infection have been investigated. Five diets were prepared with various WLE doses of 0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/kg, termed as Con (control), WLE250, WLE500, WLE750, and WLE1000, respectively. Fish (11.67 ± 0.21 g) were fed these diets for 60 days and then challenged with Plesiomonas shigelloides. Before the challenge, it was observed that dietary WLE did not significantly affect the growth, blood proteins (globulin, albumin, and total protein), and liver function enzymes (ALT and AST) activities. The WLE250 group significantly increased serum SOD and CAT activities more than other groups. The serum immunological indices (lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activities) and hematological parameters (phagocytic activity %, phagocytic index, respiratory burst activity, and potential activity) were significantly increased in the WLE groups compared with the Con group. The expression of IgM heavy chain, IL-1β, and IL-8 genes were significantly upregulated in all WLE-supplemented groups in comparison with the Con group. The fish survival rates (SR; %) post challenge in the Con, WLE250, WLE500, WLE750 and WLE1000 groups were 40.0%, 49.3%, 86.7%, 73.3%, and 70.7%, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier survivorship curves illustrated that the highest SR% was found in the WLE500 group (86.7%) amongst the other groups. Accordingly, we can suggest that feeding O. niloticus with a diet supplied with WLE at a dose rate of 500 mg/kg over 60 days could enrich haemato-immune responses and increase the fish survival against the challenge with P. shigelloides. These results recommend using WLE as a herbal dietary supplement to substitute antibiotic use in aquafeed.
Topics: Animals; Disease Resistance; Juglans; Cichlids; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Gene Expression; Plant Extracts; Animal Feed; Fish Diseases
PubMed: 36868534
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108656 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2023Obesity is a health issue worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of PR-1 on the modulating of gut microbiota, inflammation and lipid metabolism...
INTRODUCTION
Obesity is a health issue worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of PR-1 on the modulating of gut microbiota, inflammation and lipid metabolism in high-fat-diet (HFD)-fed zebrafish.
METHODS
Adult zebrafish were fed a commercial (C), high fat (H, 25% fat), probiotic (P, 10 CFU/g), or high fat with probiotic (HP) diets twice daily for 5 weeks. Gut microbiota were analysed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Gene expressions of intestinal cytokine, intestinal TJ protein, and liver lipid metabolism were analysed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Biochemical and histological analysis were also performed.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
PR-1 reduced body weight and BMI, indicating its anti-obesity effect. The 16S rRNA sequencing results showed HFD induced a distinct gut microbiota structure from C group, which was restored by probiotic. PR-1 improved gut health by decreasing the abundance of and which were increased induced by HFD. Moreover, probiotic restored abundance of Fusobacteria, and , which were decreased in HFD-fed zebrafish. The results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed probiotic suppressed HFD-induced inflammation by decreasing the expressions of IL-1b and IL-6. Levels of hepatic TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 were reduced by probiotic in HFD-fed zebrafish. Probiotic also ameliorated gut barrier function by increasing the expressions of occludin, Claudin-1, and ZO-1. Probiotic exerted anti-adipogenic activity through regulating the expressions of SREBP1, FAS and LEPTIN. Levels of hepatic triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein were also reduced by probiotic. Histological analysis showed probiotic alleviated liver steatosis and injury induced by HFD. PR-1 might be useful as a dietary health supplement, especially for reducing obesity.
PubMed: 36819708
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1087703 -
The Journal of Biological Chemistry Apr 2023N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc) is a major component of bacterial cell walls. Many organisms recycle GlcNAc from the cell wall or metabolize environmental GlcNAc. The...
N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc) is a major component of bacterial cell walls. Many organisms recycle GlcNAc from the cell wall or metabolize environmental GlcNAc. The first step in GlcNAc metabolism is phosphorylation to GlcNAc-6-phosphate. In bacteria, the ROK family kinase N-acetylglucosamine kinase (NagK) performs this activity. Although ROK kinases have been studied extensively, no ternary complex showing the two substrates has yet been observed. Here, we solved the structure of NagK from the human pathogen Plesiomonas shigelloides in complex with GlcNAc and the ATP analog AMP-PNP. Surprisingly, PsNagK showed distinct conformational changes associated with the binding of each substrate. Consistent with this, the enzyme showed a sequential random enzyme mechanism. This indicates that the enzyme acts as a coordinated unit responding to each interaction. Our molecular dynamics modeling of catalytic ion binding confirmed the location of the essential catalytic metal. Additionally, site-directed mutagenesis confirmed the catalytic base and that the metal-coordinating residue is essential. Together, this study provides the most comprehensive insight into the activity of a ROK kinase.
Topics: Humans; Acetylglucosamine; Glucosamine; Metals; Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); rho-Associated Kinases; Plesiomonas
PubMed: 36806680
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.103033 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jan 2023A 28 day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the growth performance, immune response and intestinal microbiota of laminarin (LAM) supplemented diets in juvenile...
A 28 day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the growth performance, immune response and intestinal microbiota of laminarin (LAM) supplemented diets in juvenile largemouth bass (). Four hundred and eighty fish (initial average weight: 0.72 ± 0.04 g) were randomly divided into four groups (40 fish per tank with three replicates in each group) Four diets were prepared with LAM supplementation at the doses of 0 (control), 5 g Kg (LL), 10 g Kg (ML) and 15 g Kg (HL), respectively. No significant difference in the specific growth rate (SGR) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) was observed in fish among the four groups, or in the lipid and ash content of fish flesh. In addition, fish in the LL group exhibited much higher antioxidant capacity ( < 0.05), while the diets with the inclusion of 5 and 10 g Kg LAM remarkably decreased the antioxidant capacity of fish ( > 0.05). Dietary LAM at the dose of 5 g Kg inhibited the transcription of interleukin-1β () and tumor necrosis factor-α (), while promoting the expression of transforming growth factor-β () in fish intestine. Moreover, the beneficial intestinal bacteria , and abundance significantly increased in fish from the LL group, while the content of opportunistic pathogens , and in fish of the HL group was substantially higher than the control group. Overall, the appropriate dose of supplemented LAM in the diet was 5 g Kg, while an excessive supplementation of LAM in the diet led to microbial community instability in largemouth bass.
PubMed: 36766348
DOI: 10.3390/ani13030459