The genus Enterococcus includes some of the most important nosocomial multidrug-resistant organisms, and these pathogens usually affect patients who are debilitated by other, concurrent illnesses and ...undergoing prolonged hospitalization. This Review discusses the factors involved in the changing epidemiology of enterococcal infections, with an emphasis on Enterococcus faecium as an emergent and challenging nosocomial problem. The effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiota and on colonization with vancomycin-resistant enterococci are highlighted, including how enterococci benefit from the antibiotic-mediated eradication of gram-negative members of the gut microbiota. Analyses of enterococcal genomes indicate that there are certain genetic lineages, including an E. faecium clade of ancient origin, with the ability to succeed in the hospital environment, and the possible virulence determinants that are found in these genetic lineages are discussed. Finally, we review the most important mechanisms of resistance to the antibiotics that are used to treat vancomycin-resistant enterococci.
Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Bone Health Murray, Cliodhna E; Coleman, Cynthia M
International journal of molecular sciences,
09/2019, Letnik:
20, Številka:
19
Journal Article
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Long-term exposure to a diabetic environment leads to changes in bone metabolism and impaired bone micro-architecture through a variety of mechanisms on molecular and structural levels. These changes ...predispose the bone to an increased fracture risk and impaired osseus healing. In a clinical practice, adequate control of diabetes mellitus is essential for preventing detrimental effects on bone health. Alternative fracture risk assessment tools may be needed to accurately determine fracture risk in patients living with diabetes mellitus. Currently, there is no conclusive model explaining the mechanism of action of diabetes mellitus on bone health, particularly in view of progenitor cells. In this review, the best available literature on the impact of diabetes mellitus on bone health in vitro and in vivo is summarised with an emphasis on future translational research opportunities in this field.
ABSTRACT
In several exoplanet systems the stellar rotation axis is not aligned with the normal to the orbital plane. For the class of ‘hot Jupiters’, a significant fraction of total angular momentum ...resides in the orbit. Orbit precessional motion has been observed in several such systems. We expect the tides raised by the orbiting exoplanet to induce normal mode oscillations in the host star, with the possibility of normal mode-orbit resonance. Gravity modes possess frequencies in the range of typical orbital Keplerian frequencies and their overtones. These resonances, confined to very narrow ranges of frequency space, would be highly improbable unless ‘resonance locking’ occurs, driven, for example, by structural and spin rate changes of the host star, operating on nuclear evolutionary time-scales. Resonance locking amplifies the amplitude of tidally driven oscillations, possibly by orders of magnitude, compared to the equilibrium tide displacements. We address the problem of precession and nutation in a system with a single exoplanet, with non-aligned spin and orbit axes, coupling the gravitational perturbations of normal mode distortions with orbital motion. Resonant modes are expected to have large amplitudes, contributing significantly to the gravitational perturbation already present due to rotational distortion of the star that gives rise to uniform orbital precession. The relative magnitude of rotational distortion and normal-mode perturbations is estimated. For Kepler-13Ab, estimates of their influence on transit time variations are given, and suggest they may be discernible with modern space telescope missions.
Urbanisation is an important global driver of biodiversity change, negatively impacting some species groups whilst providing opportunities for others. Yet its impact on ecosystem services is poorly ...investigated. Here, using a replicated experimental design, we test how Central European cities impact flying insects and the ecosystem service of pollination. City sites have lower insect species richness, particularly of Diptera and Lepidoptera, than neighbouring rural sites. In contrast, Hymenoptera, especially bees, show higher species richness and flower visitation rates in cities, where our experimentally derived measure of pollination is correspondingly higher. As well as revealing facets of biodiversity (e.g. phylogenetic diversity) that correlate well with pollination, we also find that ecotones in insect-friendly green cover surrounding both urban and rural sites boost pollination. Appropriately managed cities could enhance the conservation of Hymenoptera and thereby act as hotspots for pollination services that bees provide to wild flowers and crops grown in urban settings.
The first national survey of Emerging Organic Contaminants (EOCs) involved sampling 121 wells located throughout New Zealand and analysis for a suite of 29 EOCs. This survey was carried out in ...conjunction with the 2018 national survey of pesticides in groundwater, a survey that is conducted on a four-yearly basis which included the analysis of glyphosate for first time. A total of 227 EOCs were detected in the 85 wells (70%). There were 29 different EOCs in the analytical suite and 25 different EOCs were detected in at least one well. The highest concentration measured was 655 ng/L for sucralose, an artificial sweetener. These results indicate that EOCs, sourced from either animal or human effluents/activities, are making their way into shallow groundwater systems and can be detected at low concentrations. A total of 135 wells were analysed for glyphosate, glufosinate and their principal metabolites. There was only one detection of glyphosate at a concentration of 2.1 μg/L. This well showed evidence of poor wellhead protection and the contamination likely came from containers that were stored near the well. A total of 279 wells were sampled and analysed for pesticides and 68 wells (24.4%) contained detectable residues of pesticides, with 28 of these wells having two or more pesticides detected. The maximum number of pesticides detected in one well was six. None of the sampled wells exceeded the Maximum Acceptable Value (MAV) for drinking water in New Zealand and the concentrations of most of the detected pesticides were equivalent to less than 0.5% of the MAV. Comparisons with earlier National Surveys of pesticides in groundwater in New Zealand indicate the frequencies of pesticide detections have remained similar over the last 16 years, with higher detection frequencies occurring before that time.
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•First national groundwater survey of emerging organic contaminants for New Zealand•EOCs found in 70% of samples at low levels•Glyphosate only detected in one of 135 wells•68 wells (24.4%) out of 279 wells with pesticides detected
Entrepreneurship is a central path to job creation, economic growth, and prosperity. In the earliest stages of start-up business creation, the matching of entrepreneurial ventures to investors is ...critically important. The entrepreneur's business proposition and previous experience are regarded as the main criteria for investment decisions. Our research, however, documents other critical criteria that investors use to make these decisions: the gender and physical attractiveness of the entrepreneurs themselves. Across a field setting (three entrepreneurial pitch competitions in the United States) and two experiments, we identify a profound and consistent gender gap in entrepreneur persuasiveness. Investors prefer pitches presented by male entrepreneurs compared with pitches made by female entrepreneurs, even when the content of the pitch is the same. This effect is moderated by male physical attractiveness: attractive males were particularly persuasive, whereas physical attractiveness did not matter among female entrepreneurs.
Reproducible, skilfully conducted and unbiased laboratory studies provide new knowledge, which can inform clinical research and eventually translate into better patient care. To help researchers ...improve the quality and reproducibility of their research prior to a publication peer‐review, this paper describes the process that was followed during the development of the Preferred Reporting Items for Laboratory studies in Endodontology (PRILE) 2021 guidelines and which used a well‐documented consensus‐based methodology. A steering committee was created with eight individuals (PM, RO, OP, IR, JS, EP, JJ and SP), plus the project leaders (PD, VN). The steering committee prepared an initial checklist by combining and adapting items from the modified Consolidated Statement of Reporting Trials checklist for reporting in vitro studies of dental materials and the Clinical and Laboratory Images in Publications principles as well as adding several new items. The steering committee then formed a PRILE Delphi Group (PDG) and PRILE Online Meeting Group (POMG) to provide expert advice and feedback on the initial draft checklist and flowchart. The members of the PDG participated in an online Delphi process to achieve consensus on the items within the PRILE 2021 checklist and the accompanying flowchart for clarity and suitability. The PRILE checklist and flowchart developed by the online Delphi process were discussed further by the POMG. This online meeting was conducted on 12 February 2021 via the Zoom platform. Following this meeting, the steering committee developed a final version of the PRILE 2021 guidelines and flowchart, which was piloted by several authors when writing up a laboratory study for publication. Authors are encouraged to use the PRILE 2021 guidelines and flowchart to improve the clarity, completeness and quality of reports describing laboratory studies in Endodontology. The PRILE 2021 checklist and flowchart are freely available and downloadable from the Preferred Reporting Items for study Designs in Endodontology website (http://pride‐endodonticguidelines.org/prile/).
Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus (Sg) has long been known to have a strong association with colorectal cancer (CRC). This knowledge has important clinical implications, and yet little ...is known about the role of Sg in the development of CRC. Here we demonstrate that Sg promotes human colon cancer cell proliferation in a manner that depends on cell context, bacterial growth phase and direct contact between bacteria and colon cancer cells. In addition, we observed increased level of β-catenin, c-Myc and PCNA in colon cancer cells following incubation with Sg. Knockdown or inhibition of β-catenin abolished the effect of Sg. Furthermore, mice administered with Sg had significantly more tumors, higher tumor burden and dysplasia grade, and increased cell proliferation and β-catenin staining in colonic crypts compared to mice receiving control bacteria. Finally, we showed that Sg is present in the majority of CRC patients and is preferentially associated with tumor compared to normal tissues obtained from CRC patients. These results taken together establish for the first time a tumor-promoting role of Sg that involves specific bacterial and host factors and have important clinical implications.
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