Tag: pubmed

Yi Chuan. 2021 May 20;43(5):487-500. doi: 10.16288/j.yczz.20-409.

ABSTRACT

Low pH with aluminum (Al) toxicity are the main limiting factors affecting crop production in acidic soil. Selection of legume crops with acid tolerance and nitrogen-fixation ability should be one of the effective measures to improve soil quality and promote agricultural production. The role of the rhizosphere microorganisms in this process has raised concerns among the research community. In this study, BX10 (Al-tolerant soybean) and BD2 (Al-sensitive soybean) were selected as plant materials. Acidic soil was used as growth medium. The soil layers from the outside to the inside of the root are bulk soil (BS), rhizosphere soil at two sides (SRH), rhizosphere soil after brushing (BRH) and rhizosphere soil after washing (WRH), respectively. High-throughput sequencing of 16S rDNA amplicons of the V4 region using the Illumina MiSeq platform was performed to compare the differences of structure, function and molecular genetic diversity of rhizosphere bacterial community of different genotypes of soybean. The results showed that there was no significant difference in alpha diversity and beta diversity in rhizosphere bacterial community among the treatments. PCA and PCoA analysis showed that BRH and WRH had similar species composition, while BS and SRH also had similar species composition, which indicated that plant mainly affected the rhizosphere bacterial community on sampling compartments BRH and WRH. The composition and abundance of rhizosphere bacterial community among the treatments were then compared at different taxonomic levels. The ternary diagram of phylum level showed that Cyanobacteria were enriched in WRH. Statistical analysis showed that the roots of Al-tolerant soybean BX10 had an enrichment effect on plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), which included Cyanobacteria, Bacteroides, Proteobacteria and some genera and species related to the function of nitrogen fixation and aluminum tolerance. The rhizosphere bacterial community from different sampling compartments of the same genotype soybean also were selectively enriched in different PGPR. In addition, the functional prediction analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the classification and abundance of COG (clusters of orthologous groups of proteins) function among different treatments. Several COGs might be directly related to nitrogen fixation, including COG0347, COG1348, COG1433, COG2710, COG3870, COG4656, COG5420, COG5456 and COG5554. Al-sensitive soybean BD2 was more likely to be enriched in these COGs than BX10 in BRH and WRH, and the possible reason remains to be further investigated in the future.

PMID:33972218 | DOI:10.16288/j.yczz.20-409

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2021 May 10:AAC.02565-20. doi: 10.1128/AAC.02565-20. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Pharmacokinetics and antifungal activity of the echinocandins anidulafungin (AFG), micafungin (MFG) and caspofungin (CAS) were assessed in ascites fluid and plasma of critically ill adults treated for suspected or proven invasive candidiasis. Ascites fluid was obtained from ascites drains or during paracentesis. The antifungal activity of the echinocandins in ascites fluid was assessed by incubation of Candida (C.) albicans and C. glabrata at concentrations of 0.03 to 16.00 μg/ml. In addition, ascites fluid samples obtained from our study patients were inoculated with the same isolates and evaluated for fungal growth. These patient samples had to be spiked with echinocandins to restore the original concentrations, because echinocandins had been lost during sterile filtration. In ascites fluid specimens of 29 patients, echinocandin concentrations were below the simultaneous plasma levels. Serial sampling in 20 patients revealed a slower rise and decline of echinocandin concentrations in ascites fluid than in plasma. Proliferation of C. albicans in ascites fluid was slower than in culture medium and growth of C. glabrata was lacking, even in the absence of antifungals. In CAS-spiked ascites fluid samples, fungal CFU counts moderately declined, whereas spiking with AFG or MFG, had no relevant effect. In ascites fluid of our study patients, echinocandin concentrations achieved by therapeutic doses did not result in a consistent eradication of C. albicans or C. glabrata Thus, therapeutic doses of AFG, MFG, or CAS may result in ascites fluid concentrations preventing relevant proliferation of C. albicans and C. glabrata, but do not warrant reliable eradication.

PMID:33972242 | DOI:10.1128/AAC.02565-20

Patient Educ Couns. 2021 Apr 27:S0738-3991(21)00283-4. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.04.018. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a self-management program on activation and inner strength in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

METHODS: This study assigned 86 patients with CVDs to an experimental and a comparison group utilizing alternate allocation based on a quasi-experimental design. The experimental group participated in a self-management program based on a theoretical framework in three stages, i.e. orientation-recognition, reinforcing-engaging and monitoring-follow-up; whereas the comparison group received routine care. The supportive program was administered through holding five individual face-to-face sessions, providing educational booklets and performing four phone-call follow-ups during three months after discharge. The outcomes were measured using the patient activation measure (PAM) and the inner strength scale (ISS).

RESULTS: The between group analysis indicated a statistically-significant difference in the mean score of patient activation (P < 0.001) in the two groups. Nevertheless, there was not a statistically-insignificant difference in the mean score of inner strength between the two groups (P < 0.104).

CONCLUSION: Although a three-month nurse-led self-management support program was found to improve patient activation levels, it was ineffective in promoting inner strength.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Psychosocial dynamics should be integrated in providing self-management program by nurses. To promote patient activation, tailored consultations is recommended.

PMID:33972129 | DOI:10.1016/j.pec.2021.04.018

Eur J Intern Med. 2021 May 7:S0953-6205(21)00143-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2021.04.020. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Clinical significance of anti-Ro52 antibodies in connective tissue diseases (CTD) is controversial. Anti-Ro52 antibodies might be associated with a more severe CTD phenotype, especially interstitial lung disease (ILD). The aims of this study were to evaluate ILD prevalence and severity, the prevalence of micro- or macroangiopathy and CTD-associated cancers in CTD with anti-Ro52 antibodies.

METHODS: CTD patients with anti-Ro52 antibody screening by immunoblot at diagnosis were enrolled. Two groups were retrospectively formed according to the presence of anti-Ro52 antibodies with an unbiased 1:1 matching on CTD types. Unsupervised multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis were used to aggregate anti-Ro52 positive patients in subgroups.

RESULTS: 408 CTD patients were included. Anti-Ro52 antibodies were detected in 33 % of CTD patients. Anti-Ro52 antibodies were associated with ILD at CTD diagnosis (47.8% vs. 23.0%, OR 3.3 95% IC 1.4 to 8.0, p = 0.008), even after adjusting for the presence of anti-Ro60 antibodies, especially in patients with antisynthetase syndrome, primary Sjögren syndrome and systemic sclerosis. Micro- or macroangiopathy was more frequent in anti-Ro52 positive CTD patients (18.6% vs. 9.7%, p = 0.02) and CTD patients with anti-Ro52 antibodies experienced more frequent relapses and required more immunosuppressive drugs. Clusters 4 and 5 identified anti-Ro52 positive CTD patients with severe ILD and with clinical features of systemic sclerosis or antisynthetase syndrome respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: We found that anti-Ro52 antibodies were independently associated with ILD in CTD patients irrespective of CTD type. Anti-Ro52 antibodies could be associated with severity and a more relapsing disease course in CTD patients.

PMID:33972152 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejim.2021.04.020

J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Mar 28:S1748-6815(21)00113-3. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.03.023. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with congenital auricular deformities and evaluate the long-term frequency of their self-correction. Ninety newborns were enrolled in the study, and data were collected within 2 weeks after birth and at 1 year. The shape of the auricle was classified into seven categories using a digital image. At 2 weeks after birth, several birth-related factors were evaluated in the auricular deformity and normal groups. At 1 year after birth, the images of auricles were compared with the images at birth, and the changes in the auricle shape were investigated. Congenital auricular deformities were observed in 139 out of 180 ears, and the major type noted was helix rim deformity (47 ears), followed by normal ears (41 ears), and cup ears (33 ears). Male sex was found to have a statistically significant association with the occurrence of auricular deformity. In the longitudinal study, among 43 neonates (86 ears) followed-up 12 months later, the self-correction rate was approximately 50%. The normal auricle and prominent ear increased, helix rim deformity and cup ear decreased significantly. The prognosis of deformity varied depending on the type of deformity. Considering the low self-correction rate in the prominent and cup ears, newborns with these deformities might be recommended to undergo management such as auricle molding technique, as required.

PMID:33972198 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.03.023

Int J Dent Hyg. 2021 May 10. doi: 10.1111/idh.12510. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to establish the efficacy of sodium hypochlorite mouthwash (NaOCl-MW) compared with a control mouthwash on plaque and clinical parameters of periodontal disease.

METHODS: MEDLINE-PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane-CENTRAL databases were searched for clinical trials on patients with gingivitis or periodontitis that assessed the effect of NaOCl-MW in comparison with a negative or positive control on plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and bleeding index (BI) scores and probing pocket depth (PPD). Data were extracted from the eligible studies.

RESULTS: Seven eligible papers were retrieved, which together represented six clinical trials. The studies showed considerable heterogeneity regarding methodological and clinical aspects that did not permit a meta-analysis. Two of the three studies in which NaOCl-MW was compared with a negative control showed that NaOCl-MW significantly reduced PI, GI, and BI, and no effect was found on PPD. In three studies, NaOCl-MW was assessed using chlorhexidine mouthwash (CHX-MW) as a positive control; no difference was found for GI and BI. One of the three comparisons showed a statistically significant PI score favoring NaOCl-MW. One study measured PPD and found it to be significant in favor of NaOCl-MW.

CONCLUSIONS: Studies with a negative control group provided very weak quality evidence for a very small beneficial effect of NaOCl-MW on PI, GI, and BI scores. Studies with a positive control group provided very weak quality evidence that NaOCl-MW had a similar effect as CHX-MW on PI, GI, and BI scores. The outcome for PPD was inconclusive.

PMID:33971082 | DOI:10.1111/idh.12510

Nurs Open. 2021 May 10. doi: 10.1002/nop2.928. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To explore how the COVID-19 pandemic affected nursing associate work, training and well-being experiences.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.

METHODS: A survey of trainee and newly qualified nursing associates was completed in July 2020. Closed responses were analysed using descriptive statistics with inferential comparisons made between community and secondary care settings. Open questions were analysed thematically.

RESULTS: Sixty-four participants responded. Over half (53.2%) experienced an increased workload with 24.2% reporting extensions in their role. One third (32.3%) were redeployed, and a quarter (24.2%) did not feel safety concerns were adequately addressed when raised. Those working in the community reported significantly more concerns about staffing (p = .03), working overtime (p = .03), missed care (p = .02) and safety (p = .04). Despite this, many (75.8%) participants felt able to provide the same standards of care. Several spoke about enhanced teamwork, and the majority (96.8%) were not looking to leave their post.

PMID:33971085 | DOI:10.1002/nop2.928

Clin Infect Dis. 2021 May 10:ciab424. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciab424. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on the impact of maternal Tetanus, Diphtheria, acellular Pertussis (aP) (Tdap) vaccination for preterm born infants. We report its effect at birth and on antibody-mediated immune responses to a DTaP-IPV-HB-PRP~T vaccine in preterm compared to term infants.

METHODS: Women delivering at term or prematurely were either vaccinated with a Tdap vaccine (Boostrix®, GSK) during pregnancy or not vaccinated in the last 5 years. Cord and maternal blood were collected at delivery. Infants were vaccinated with DTaP-IPV-HB-PRP~T vaccine (Hexyon®, Sanofi Pasteur) and bled before and one month after primary (8-12-16 weeks) and before and one month after booster vaccination (13 or 15 months for preterm and term respectively). Immunoglobulin G antibodies against all antigens included in DTaP-IPV-HB-PRP~T vaccine were measured (NCT02511327).

RESULTS: Cord blood Geometric Mean Concentrations (GMCs) in preterm infants from Tdap-vaccinated women were significantly higher than in term and preterm infants from unvaccinated women. A longer time interval between maternal vaccination and delivery resulted in higher cord blood GMCs in preterm infants. Equal GMCs in term and preterm infants from Tdap-vaccinated women were observed after primary vaccination. After boosting, significantly lower GMCs were seen for PT, FHA and TT in preterm compared to term infants from Tdap-vaccinated women, yet still comparable to GMCs in both term and preterm infants from unvaccinated women.

CONCLUSION: Preterm infants profit from maternal Tdap vaccination. Prematurity did not influence primary immune responses in the presence of maternal antibodies, but was associated with a lower booster immune response.

PMID:33971009 | DOI:10.1093/cid/ciab424

Int J Clin Pract. 2021 May 10:e14240. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14240. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The frequency of neck pain increases in adolescents and young adults. Using smart phones and computers for a long time causes posture disorders such as rounded shoulder (RSP) and forward head postures, and these posture disorders cause neck pain. The aim of the study is to analyze the correlation between shoulder and neck angles, and the stiffness of the upper trapezius and pectoralis minor muscles in patients with RSP.

METHOD: Patients with neck pain examined by Shear wave Elastography were screened retrospectively. Patients with RSP were determined. Of these patients, whose had evaluated for shoulder and neck angles with a smart phone based photogrammetric method were assigned. Patients with a history of operation/trauma, connective tissue or neurological disease and were excluded. A total of 39 female patients were included in the study. Age, height, weight, elastography measurements, cervical and shoulder angles were noted. Obtained data were statistically analyzed with SPSS 22.0 program.

RESULTS: Cervical and Shoulder angles of the patients were 52.2 ± 3.8 and 57.91 ± 9.4, respectively. The stiffness of the right and left upper trapezius muscles and right and left pectoralis minor muscles were 42.5 ± 14.1, 47.1 ± 17.1, 20.5 ± 8.0 and 17.9 ± 8.4 respectively. In multiple regression analysis, it was observed that the stiffness of the left upper trapezius muscle was positively correlated with the shoulder angle.

CONCLUSION: The upper trapezius muscle stiffness increased in RSP. It can be reveals the relationship between RSP and neck pain.

PMID:33971068 | DOI:10.1111/ijcp.14240

PLoS One. 2021 May 10;16(5):e0251398. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251398. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

Heritage and space establish reciprocal relations that have been studied for decades. On the one hand, heritage has been described as an inherently spatial phenomenon. On the other hand, places are defined according to the attributes that make up their identity, among which heritage is a fundamental instrument. On the basis of the idea that education plays an important role in the socialization process, transmitted by the inherited culture, to integrate each subject within the specific community, and the notion of scale as the closest to heritage, we defined as general objectives to determine the relationships between geographic scales, heritage perspective and the didactic potential granted to heritage, within the framework of the construction of collective identities, and to contrast the perspectives of students and teachers regarding the geographical scale, heritage and their didactic potential, deducing implications for educational practices. In order to answer to these objectives, we carried out a non-experimental quantitative research, with a relational-predictive objective. Specifically, we used a survey method, being the context the whole of the local scale (Fuente Álamo, Murcia, Spain) and acting as participants all students and teachers of Secondary Education (n = 459) linked to social sciences. They answered the Test on Didactic Potentiality of Heritage according to Scale (TDPHS), and its information was analysed through different procedures (Spearman’s correlations, descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U…), using the statistical programs SPSS. The results show, on the one hand, that the scalar perspective scores are generally low, heritage perspective is consistent with the consideration of the scales, and the perceived didactic potential in relation to heritage is related to the importance given to each of the scales; and, on the other hand, the contrast in the perspectives of students and teachers regarding the geographical scale, heritage and their didactic potential is minimal.

PMID:33970953 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0251398