Summary Background Outbreaks of urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to contaminated ureteroscopes have been rarely reported. Aim To report such an outbreak at a regional teaching hospital in southern ...Taiwan. Methods From October to December 2010, ertapenem-resistant Enterobacter cloacae were identified from urine cultures of 15 patients who had undergone ureteroscopy prior to the infection. Three batches of surveillance cultures were obtained from the environmental objects and healthcare workers related to the procedures. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used for bacterial typing. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by disc diffusion and E-test methods. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing were used to analyse β-lactamase genes. Findings A total of 70 specimens were obtained during the first surveillance operation. One ertapenem-resistant E. cloacae was isolated from a ureteroscope. Although the disinfection protocols for ureteroscopes were revised and implemented, seven additional UTI cases were identified thereafter. The pathogen was identified from two subsequent surveillance cultures and was not eliminated until ethylene oxide sterilization was added to the disinfection protocol. PFGE revealed that all 15 isolates from the patients and the three isolates from the ureteroscope shared a common pattern with minor variance. Most isolates were resistant to gentamicin, levofloxacin, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, and ertapenem. All isolates were susceptible to amikacin, imipenem, and meropenem. SHV-12 and IMP-8 genes were simultaneously identified in 16 of the 18 isolates. Conclusion The outbreak of ertapenem-resistant E. cloacae was caused by a contaminated ureteroscope and was terminated by the implementation of a revised disinfection protocol for ureteroscopes.
Inner magnetospheric electrons are precipitated in the ionosphere via pitch‐angle (PA) scattering by lower band chorus (LBC), upper band chorus (UBC), and electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic ...(ECH) waves. However, the PA scattering efficiency of low‐energy electrons (0.1–10 keV) has not been investigated via in situ observations because of difficulties in flux measurements within loss cones at the magnetosphere. In this study, we demonstrate that LBC, UBC, and ECH waves contribute to PA scattering of electrons at different energy ranges using the Arase (ERG) satellite observation data and successively detected the moderate loss cone filling, that is, approaching strong diffusion. Approaching strong diffusion by LBC, UBC, and ECH waves occurred at ∼2–20 keV, ∼1–10 keV, and ∼0.1–2 keV, respectively. The occurrence rate of the approaching strong diffusion by high‐amplitude LBC (>50 pT), UBC (>20 pT), and ECH (>10 mV/m) waves, respectively, reached ∼70%, ∼40%, and ∼30% higher than that without simultaneous wave activity. The energy range in which the occurrence rate was high agreed with the range where the PA diffusion rate of each wave exceeded the strong diffusion level based on the quasilinear theory.
Key Points
The pitch‐angle scattering efficiencies by plasma waves are statistically investigated using in situ observations
Lower band chorus waves caused approaching strong diffusion with the highest occurrence rate in the energy range of ∼2–20 keV
Electrostatic electron cyclotron harmonic waves could contribute approaching strong diffusion in the ∼0.1–1 keV energy range
The ERG Science Center Miyoshi, Yoshizumi; Hori, Tomoaki; Shoji, Masafumi ...
Earth, planets and space,
06/2018, Letnik:
70, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace (ERG) Science Center serves as a hub of the ERG project, providing data files in a common format and developing the space physics environment ...data analysis software and plug-ins for data analysis. The Science Center also develops observation plans for the ERG (Arase) satellite according to the science strategy of the project. Conjugate observations with other satellites and ground-based observations are also planned. These tasks contribute to the ERG project by achieving quick analysis and well-organized conjugate ERG satellite and ground-based observations.
Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) observations show that ionospheric flow fluctuations of millihertz or lower‐frequency range with horizontal velocities of a few hundred meters per second ...appeared in the subauroral to midlatitude region during a magnetic storm on 27 March 2017. A set of the radars have provided the first ever observations that the fluctuations propagate azimuthally both westward and eastward simultaneously, showing bifurcated phase propagation associated with substorm expansion. Concurrent observations near the conjugate site in the inner magnetosphere made by the Arase satellite provide evidence that multiple drifting clouds of electrons in the near‐Earth equatorial plane were associated with the electric field fluctuations propagating eastward in the ionosphere. We interpret this event in terms of mesoscale pressure gradients carried by drifting ring current electrons that distort field lines one after another as they drift through the inner magnetosphere, causing eastward propagating ionospheric electric field fluctuations.
Plain Language Summary
Midlatitude ionospheric radars called SuperDARN observed azimuthally propagating fluctuations of ionospheric plasma flow in association with substorm expansion during a magnetic storm on 27 March 2017. The radar observations have shown for the first time that the flow fluctuations bifurcate toward eastward and westward simultaneously. The Arase satellite in the near‐conjugate site of the eastward propagating ionospheric flow fluctuations in the inner magnetosphere saw repeated flux enhancement of energetic electrons. The good satellite‐radar conjunction gives observational evidence that the eastward propagating ionospheric flow fluctuations are driven by eastward drifting pressure bumps of electrons injected into the inner magnetosphere upon substorm expansion.
Key Points
This study shows the first ever comprehensive observation of azimuthal bifurcation of substorm‐associated ionospheric flow fluctuations
The eastward propagating portion of the flow fluctuations can be mapped to electron pressure enhancements in the inner magnetosphere
We propose that multiple pressure bumps of drifting energetic electrons directly cause the observed ionospheric flow fluctuations
High prevalence and strong relationships among suicidal ideation, Internet gaming disorder (IGD), insomnia, and depression have been reported for adolescents worldwide, but the mechanism underlying ...these psychological problems remains unclear. This cross-sectional study explored the mediating effect of insomnia and depression on the association between IGD and suicidal ideation.
Participants were 1066 adolescents (median age = 13.0 years) with Internet games exposure in the previous 12 months from junior high schools in Shanghai, China. Questionnaire measures of suicidal ideation, IGD, insomnia, depressive symptoms, and background characteristics were obtained. Path analysis was conducted to test the multiple mediating roles of insomnia and depression.
Suicidal ideation, IGD, insomnia, and depression prevalence was 27.2, 13.6, 9.2, and 17.0%, respectively. A serial multiple mediation model was generated. The mediation effect of insomnia and depression on the pathway from IGD to suicidal ideation was 45.5% (direct effect: standardized estimate Std. estimate = 0.186; total indirect effect: Std. estimate = 0.155). The association between IGD and depression was partially mediated by insomnia (direct effect: Std. estimate = 0.211; indirect effect: Std. estimate = 0.135). The proposed model fit the data well.
Insomnia and depression may serially mediate the association between IGD and suicidal ideation. IGD was positively associated with insomnia, then with depression, which in turn positively contributed to suicidal ideation. We suggest greater monitoring of Internet use and prevention of insomnia and depression to mitigate the risk of suicidal ideation among Chinese adolescents.
Objectives
Neighborhood walkability has been found to be positively related to physical activity and negatively associated with risks of noncommunicable diseases. However, limited studies have ...examined its association with sarcopenia in older adults. Thus, this study aimed to examine the association between neighborhood walk score and risks of sarcopenia in a sample of older Taiwanese adults.
Design and setting
This study was a cross-sectional investigation using telephone-based survey.
Participants
A nationwide telephone-based survey targeting older adults (≥ 65 years) was conducted in Taiwan.
Measurements
Data on neighborhood walkability (determined by walk score of residential neighborhood), sarcopenia scores (measured by SARC-F), and personal characteristics were obtained. The relationships between walk score and risks of sarcopenia were examined using generalized additive models.
Results
A total of 1,056 older adults participated in the survey. In model 1 (sex and age) and model 2 (full-adjusted model), a nonlinear association between neighborhood walk score and risks of sarcopenia was observed. Results showed that risks of sarcopenia appear to be lower in neighborhoods with a 40-walk score (Car-Dependent; most errands require a car) and an 80-walk score (Very Walkable) and highest in the neighborhood with a 60-walk score (Somewhat Walkable).
Conclusions
The study revealed a nonlinear relationship between neighborhood walkability and risks of sarcopenia in older adults in Asian context. Results provided information to urban designers and public health practitioners that more walkable neighborhood may not necessarily protect older adults from risks of sarcopenia.
Mitochondria are critical to cellular and organismal health. To prevent damage, mitochondria have evolved protein quality control machines to survey and maintain the mitochondrial proteome. SKD3, ...also known as CLPB, is a ring-forming, ATP-fueled protein disaggregase essential for preserving mitochondrial integrity and structure. SKD3 deficiency causes 3-methylglutaconic aciduria type VII (MGCA7) and early death in infants, while mutations in the ATPase domain impair protein disaggregation with the observed loss-of-function correlating with disease severity. How mutations in the non-catalytic N-domain cause disease is unknown. Here, we show that the disease-associated N-domain mutation, Y272C, forms an intramolecular disulfide bond with Cys267 and severely impairs SKD3
function under oxidizing conditions and in living cells. While Cys267 and Tyr272 are found in all SKD3 isoforms, isoform-1 features an additional α-helix that may compete with substrate-binding as suggested by crystal structure analyses and in silico modeling, underscoring the importance of the N-domain to SKD3 function.
Summary
Background HLA‐Cw*06 has a strong influence on the clinical features and the susceptibility to psoriasis in different ethnicities. It is also used as a biomarker to predict the therapeutic ...efficacy of biologics, with inconsistent results. Additionally, most Asian patients with psoriasis do not carry HLA‐Cw*06.
Objectives To determine additional HLA alleles which confer susceptibility or affect the severity of psoriasis in Chinese Han individuals. In addition, the potential of using HLA to predict treatment outcomes was also investigated.
Methods We conducted a case–control association study in 199 Chinese patients with psoriasis and 200 unrelated healthy controls. HLA‐B and HLA‐C genotyping was performed and correlated with the therapeutic efficacy of the biologics, including alefacept, efalizumab, etanercept and ustekinumab. Patients with psoriasis were divided into group A (high‐need patients with moderate to severe psoriasis) and B (general patients with psoriasis).
Results The frequencies of HLA‐B*60, HLA‐B*75, HLA‐Cw*06 and HLA‐Cw*10 were significantly increased in patients with psoriasis compared with the healthy controls. However, the prevalence of HLA‐Cw*06 was lower in group A compared with group B (6% vs. 17%, Pc = 0·04). HLA‐B*46 was found to be strongly associated with group A but not with group B patients with psoriasis. HLA‐Cw*01/HLA‐B*46 was also identified as a risk haplotype for Chinese patients with psoriasis, compatible with the results in Thais. Significant differences in response to biologics were observed between HLA‐Cw*01+ and HLA‐Cw*01− individuals in the alefacept treatment group, and between HLA‐B*37+ and HLA‐B*37−, and HLA‐B*58+ and HLA‐B*58− individuals in the efalizumab treatment group.
Conclusions In addition to HLA‐Cw*06, the HLA‐Cw*01/HLA‐B*46 haplotype was also increased in Chinese patients with psoriasis. High‐need patients with psoriasis had a lower frequency of HLA‐Cw*06 but a higher prevalence of HLA‐B*46 compared with general patients with psoriasis in our population.
Occurrence and methods for the removal of nonylphenolic compounds in drinking water have been gaining increased attention due to their widespread presence in natural water and the potential health ...risks from the consumptions of drinking water. The purpose of this study was to assess the occurrence of nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP), and bisphenol-A (BPA) in water sources and treated water in Taiwan, to evaluate the treatment efficiencies of these compounds in both the conventional (coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and chlorination) and advanced treatment processes. The treatment efficiencies of these chemicals were assessed based on their concentrations in water sources, and the results were verified with laboratory simulated treatment processes. A survey of NP, OP, and BPA in 11 Taiwanese water sources showed that all of them could be identified in most of the sampled sources, and that higher concentrations of NP were found when the raw water was contaminated by domestic wastewater. However, higher treatment efficiency could be observed when the NP concentration in water source is high. Laboratory simulation studies of conventional treatment processes showed that chlorination played an important role in the degradation of NP in raw water. Treatment efficiencies of 60%–90% were achieved for NP removal when sufficient chlorine dosages were applied to satisfy chlorine demands. However, results also showed that conventional coagulation and rapid filtration processes were less effective in the reduction of phenolic compounds in water.
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► NP, OP, and BPA were identified in most of the sampled water sources. ► Efficiencies of NP, OP, and BPA in conventional treatment processes evaluated. ► Higher NP treatment efficiency was obtained when NP in raw water were high. ► Chlorination plays an important role in NP degradation in water.
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