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Emerging Microbes & Infections Jun 2024, a group of multi-drug resistant, Gram-positive, aerobic and partially acid-fast bacteria, are emerging causes of bacterial conjunctivitis and keratitis. However, the...
, a group of multi-drug resistant, Gram-positive, aerobic and partially acid-fast bacteria, are emerging causes of bacterial conjunctivitis and keratitis. However, the pathogenesis of keratitis is largely unknown. To address this, we used New Zealand White rabbits to develop the first eye infection model and conducted tests to study the pathogenesis mechanisms of . There is increasing evidence that biofilms play a significant role in ocular infections, leading us to hypothesize that biofilm formation is crucial for effective infection. In order to look for potential candidate genes which are important in biofilm formation and keratitis. We performed genome sequencing of two ocular isolates, -PW1004 and -PW899, to identify potential virulence factors. Through and studies, we characterized their biological roles in mediating keratitis. Our findings confirmed that is an ocular pathogen by fulfilling the Koch's postulates, and using genome sequence data, we identified encoding a mycolyltransferase, as a crucial gene in biofilm formation and causing keratitis in the rabbit model. This is the first report demonstrating the novel role of mycolyltransferase in causing ocular infections. Overall, our findings contribute to a better understanding of pathogenesis and provide a potential target for treatment. Specific inhibitors targeting TmytC could serve as an effective treatment option for infections.
PubMed: 38934251
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2373317 -
Intervirology Jun 2024This study aimed to investigate the differences between pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and intrafamilial infection and those without...
INTRODUCTION
This study aimed to investigate the differences between pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and intrafamilial infection and those without intrafamilial infection.
METHODS
HBV DNA was extracted from the sera of 16 pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and their family members for gene sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. A total of 74 pregnant women with CHB were followed up from the second trimester to three months postpartum. Viral markers and other laboratory indicators were compared between pregnant women with CHB with and without intrafamilial infection.
RESULTS
The phylogenetic tree showed that HBV lines in the mother-spread pedigree shared a node, whereas there was an unrelated genetic background for HBV lines in individuals without intrafamilial infection. From delivery to three months postpartum, compared with those without intrafamilial infection, pregnant women with intrafamilial infection were related negatively to HBV DNA (β=-0.43, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -0.76 to -0.12, p=0.009), HBeAg (β=-195.15, 95% CI: -366.35 to -23.96, p=0.027), and hemoglobin changes (β=-8.09, 95%CI: -15.54 to -0.64, p=0.035) and positively to changes in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (β=73.9, 95%CI:38.92-108.95, p<0.001) and albumin (β=2.73, 95% CI:0.23-5.23, p=0.033).
CONCLUSION
The mother-spread pedigree spread model differs from that of non-intrafamilial infections. Pregnant women with intra-familial HBV infection have less hepatitis flares and liver damage, but their HBV DNA and HBeAg levels rebound faster after delivery, than those without intra-familial infection by the virus.
PubMed: 38934174
DOI: 10.1159/000539994 -
Haematologica Jun 2024To evaluate the efficacy and safety of flumatinib in the later-line treatment of Chinese patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic-phase chronic myeloid...
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of flumatinib in the later-line treatment of Chinese patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML previously treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Patients with CML-CP were evaluated for the probabilities of responses including complete hematologic response (CHR), cytogenetic response, and molecular response (MR) and adverse events (AEs) after the later-line flumatinib therapy. Of 336 enrolled patients with median age 50 years, median duration of treatment with flumatinib was 11.04 (2-25.23) months. Patients who achieved clinical responses at baseline showed maintenance of CHR, complete cytogenetic response (CCyR)/2-log molecular response (MR2), major molecular response (MMR), and 4-log molecular response or deep molecular response (MR4/DMR) in 100%, 98.9%, 98.6%, and 92.9% patients, respectively. CHR, CCyR/MR2, MMR, and MR4/DMR responses were achieved in 86.4%, 52.7%, 49.6%, and 23.5% patients respectively, which showed the lack of respective clinical responses at baseline. The patients without response at baseline, treated with flumatinib as 2L TKI, having no resistance to prior TKI or only resistance to imatinib, with response to last TKI, and with BCR::ABL ≤10% had higher CCyR/MR2, MMR, or MR4/DMR. The AEs observed during the later-line flumatinib treatment were tolerable and consistent with those reported with the first-line therapy. Flumatinib was effective and safe in patients who are resistant or intolerant to other TKIs. In particular, 2L flumatinib treatment induced high response rates and was more beneficial to patients without previous 2G TKI resistance, thus serving as a probable treatment option for these patients.
PubMed: 38934064
DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2023.284892 -
Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Jun 2024Patients with sensitization and blood type O experience increased waiting times for deceased-donor kidney transplantation (DDKT). While allocation benefits are needed to...
BACKGROUND
Patients with sensitization and blood type O experience increased waiting times for deceased-donor kidney transplantation (DDKT). While allocation benefits are needed to resolve inequity in DDKT opportunity, whether DDKT has comparable outcomes in this disadvantaged population requires further study. This study assessed these outcomes and developed a new allocation system that balances equity and utility.
METHODS
Patients from national and hospital cohorts from two centers in Korea were categorized as B1 to B4 (according to panel reactive antibody [PRA] positivity and ABO blood type) and A1 to A4 (based on the maximal PRA% and blood type), respectively. Competing risk and Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the effects of PRA and blood type on graft failure and mortality, respectively. Based on DDKT opportunities and posttransplant outcomes, a new scoring system for kidney allocation was developed.
RESULTS
The national and hospital cohorts included 3,311 and 819 patients, respectively, who underwent DDKT. Despite the disparities in DDKT opportunities, the graft failure rates and mortality did not differ among the different PRA and blood type groups. Furthermore, posttransplantation outcomes did not differ according to the categories with different DDKT opportunities. A new scoring system to provide additional points to disadvantaged populations was developed based on the hazard ratios for DDKT.
CONCLUSION
A new allocation approach based on PRA and ABO blood types offers benefits to disadvantaged patients with fewer DDKT opportunities and could enhance equity without sacrificing utility in Korea, which has a long waiting time for DDKT.
PubMed: 38934045
DOI: 10.23876/j.krcp.24.033 -
Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Jun 2024Time-restricted feeding (TRF), devoid of calorie restriction, is acknowledged for promoting metabolic health and mitigating various chronic metabolic diseases. While TRF...
BACKGROUND
Time-restricted feeding (TRF), devoid of calorie restriction, is acknowledged for promoting metabolic health and mitigating various chronic metabolic diseases. While TRF exhibits widespread benefits across multiple tissues, there is limited exploration into its impact on kidney function. In this study, our aim was to investigate the potential ameliorative effects of TRF on kidney damage in a mouse model of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI).
METHODS
Cisplatin-induced AKI was induced through intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin into C57BL/6 male mice. Mice undergoing TRF were provided unrestricted access to standard chow daily but were confined to an 8-hour feeding window during the dark cycle for 2 weeks before cisplatin injection. The mice were categorized into four groups: control, TRF, cisplatin, and TRF + cisplatin.
RESULTS
The tubular damage score and serum creatinine levels were significantly lower in the TRF + cisplatin group compared to the cisplatin group. The TRF + cisplatin group exhibited reduced expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B, inflammatory cytokines, and F4/80-positive macrophages compared to the cisplatin group. Furthermore, oxidative stress markers for DNA, protein, and lipid were markedly decreased in the TRF + cisplatin group compared to the cisplatin group. TUNEL-positive tubular cells, cleaved caspase-3 expression, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the TRF + cisplatin group were lower than those in the cisplatin group.
CONCLUSION
TRF, without calorie restriction, effectively mitigated kidney damage by suppressing inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress, and tubular apoptosis in a mouse model of cisplatin-induced AKI. TRF holds promise as a novel dietary intervention for preventing cisplatin-induced AKI.
PubMed: 38934035
DOI: 10.23876/j.krcp.23.351 -
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 2024Amid the backdrop of global aging, the increasing prevalence of cognitive decline among the elderly, particularly within the female demographic, represents a...
BACKGROUND
Amid the backdrop of global aging, the increasing prevalence of cognitive decline among the elderly, particularly within the female demographic, represents a considerable public health concern. Physical activity (PA) is recognized as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for mitigating cognitive decline in older adults. However, the relationship between different PA patterns and cognitive function (CF) in elderly women remains unclear.
METHODS
This study utilized data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 to investigate the relationships between PA, PA patterns [inactive, Weekend Warrior (WW), and Regular Exercise (RE)], and PA intensity with CF in elderly women. Multivariate regression analysis served as the primary analytical method.
RESULTS
There was a significant positive correlation between PA and CF among elderly women (β-PA: 0.003, 95% CI: 0.000-0.006, = 0.03143). Additionally, WW and RE activity patterns were associated with markedly better cognitive performance compared to the inactive group (β-WW: 0.451, 95% CI: 0.216-0.685, = 0.00017; β-RE: 0.153, 95% CI: 0.085-0.221, = 0.00001). Furthermore, our results indicate a progressive increase in CF with increasing PA intensity (β-MPA- dominated: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.02-0.09, = 0.0208; β-VPA-dominated: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.09-0.34, = 0.0011; β-Total VPA: 0.31, 95% CI: -0.01-0.63, = 0.0566).
CONCLUSION
Our study confirms a positive association between PA and CF in elderly women, with even intermittent but intensive PA models like WW being correlated with improved CF. These findings underscore the significant role that varying intensities and patterns of PA play in promoting cognitive health among older age groups, highlighting the need for adaptable PA strategies in public health initiatives targeting this population.
PubMed: 38934018
DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1407423 -
Heliyon Jun 2024The remediation of dye pollutants remains a concern in contemporary water management practices. Hence, the need for efficient and cost-effective techniques for dye...
The remediation of dye pollutants remains a concern in contemporary water management practices. Hence, the need for efficient and cost-effective techniques for dye removal from wastewater. In this study, the epicarp of fruits was treated with orthophosphoric acid for enhanced porosity and efficiency in the uptake of Indigo carmine dye (ICD). Treated fruit waste (RHPW) presented morphologically distributed pores as well as high porosity with Branneur-Emmet-Teller (BET) surface area of 945.43 m/g. RHPW displayed functional groups suitable for adsorption. The maximum ICD uptake was observed at pH 5 while the maximum uptake (q) was 20.41 mg/g in the concentration range of 2-10 mg/L. Freundlich isotherm and Pseudo-second order kinetics well-described equilibrium and kinetics data respectively. This indicated a multilayered adsorption. The Dubinin-Radushkecich model energy value was 40.82 kJ/mol, indicating chemical adsorption. The ridge regression, the Lasso and the Elastic net statistical models were used to establish a positive relationship between the various adsorption operational parameters studied. Lasso provided the best result based on the estimated mean squared error. The RHPW-ICD adsorption system was more favorable at room temperature, as the removal efficiency decreased with temperature rise. The findings established fruit epicarp as an economical and sustainable precursor for the preparation of potent adsorbent for Indigo carmine dye removal. This can find possible application in wastewater treatment.
PubMed: 38933985
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32121 -
Heliyon Jun 2024() is a gram-positive coccus belonging to the Streptococcaceae family. While primarily a pathogen in fish farms causing hemorrhagic sepsis, it can act as a rare...
() is a gram-positive coccus belonging to the Streptococcaceae family. While primarily a pathogen in fish farms causing hemorrhagic sepsis, it can act as a rare opportunistic pathogen in humans. A 2021 case report by Bravo et al. documented less than 30 cases of infective endocarditis caused by worldwide at that time [1]. This case report describes the 27th documented case globally and 7th documented case in the USA of causing infective endocarditis of a prosthetic valve [1]. is found in unpasteurized dairy products, raw fish, and meat (pork, beef, and poultry), but the route of human transmission remains unclear [3]. It seems to have a predilection for individuals with prosthetic valves, immunocompromised states, prior gastrointestinal surgery, gastrointestinal disorders (colon polyps and diverticulosis), and the use of acid-reducing medications [1-3]. Infective endocarditis is the most common systemic disease caused by [1-4]. This report details the case of a 75-year-old male, with multiple comorbidities and risk factors for infection who was admitted for "symptomatic anemia". High clinical suspicion, coupled with an inadequate hemoglobin response to transfusion, a normal anemia workup, and blood cultures positive for , promoted a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). However, the results were negative. Consequently, an F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan (FDG PET/CT) was performed. The scan revealed increased uptake in the aortic valve replacement consistent with prosthetic valve endocarditis in the setting of bacteremia.
PubMed: 38933970
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32383 -
Heliyon Jun 2024The impact of seawater intrusion from coast to inland terrain in the Cauvery River Basin (CRB) and Uppanar River Basin (URB) was evaluated based on major ion groundwater...
The impact of seawater intrusion from coast to inland terrain in the Cauvery River Basin (CRB) and Uppanar River Basin (URB) was evaluated based on major ion groundwater chemistry. TDS ranges from 229 to 2260 mg/l, and 408 to 3732 mg/l; Na range from 67 to 560 mg/l, and 74 to 1600 mg/l, and Cl range from 120 to 906 mg/l, and 110 to 3260 mg/l for CRB and URB respectively. Piper Diagram, Hydrochemical Facies Evolution Diagram (HFE-D), rock-water interaction (Gibbs Plots), various bivariate plots viz., TDS vs. Cl; Na vs. Cl; Ca vs. Cl; Ca vs. SO ; TH vs. TDS and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) (Cluster and Factor analysis) were used to identify the seawater intrusion from coast to inland aquifers and to understand hydrogeochemical characterization and salinization processes. Piper diagram shows that most of the samples are Na-Cl type, HFE-D diagram also shows that most of the samples were saline intrusion type and mixing behavior, while TH TDS plot shows hard fresh to hard brackish type from both the basins. PCA results clearly show the three factors, explaining 84.02 % and 76.67 % variance in URB and CRB. Factor-1 records 53.03 % alteration, with a strong confidence loading of TDS, Na, Cl, Ca, K, SO , Total Alkalinity (TA), and Total Hardness (TH) in URB indicating saline nature. A total variance of 46.23 % in CBR is more positively loaded with TH, Mg, Ca, and SO indicating rock-water interaction. Cluster analyses of these parameters illustrate the cluster distribution in CRB and URB. In URB, TDS, Na, and Cl ions make a cluster with a linkage distance of 5000 m, whereas in CRB, the TDS, Na, Cl, and TA ions make a cluster with a linkage distance of 2800 m. The factor and cluster analysis fetched out an effect of intensive use of fertilizers, aquaculture activities, and excessive groundwater exploitation. This technique gave the relationship between various chemical parameters in groundwater. Factor and cluster analysis have proven highly effective in groundwater quality studies. The study concluded that the study area has the threat of saline water intrusion in shallow aquifers with continuous influences of seawater mixing.
PubMed: 38933963
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32396 -
Heliyon Jun 2024This study investigates the digital technology capacity of women with disabilities and the impact of access to digital business opportunities on their entrepreneurial...
This study investigates the digital technology capacity of women with disabilities and the impact of access to digital business opportunities on their entrepreneurial satisfaction. A sample of 50 women with disabilities in the Red River Delta region of Vietnam provided 35 valid responses, which were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling. The results showed that five key factors, including course relevance, course expectancy, instructor quality, learning outcomes, and course satisfaction, accounted for 78.39 % of the variance in the data. The proposed model explained 61.3 % of the amount of variation and the study's findings supported the predicted relationships among the factors, except for two hypotheses. H1, which postulated a positive relationship between course relevance and instructor quality, and H5, which predicted a positive relationship between learning outcomes and course satisfaction. Possible reasons for these non-significant relationships were discussed, highlighting the need for further research in these areas. The findings contribute to our understanding of the factors that affect the digital technology capacity of women with disabilities and their satisfaction with digital business opportunities.
PubMed: 38933956
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32473