Helicobacter pylori infection alters gastric and tongue coating microbial communities

Abstract

Objective

Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H pylori), especially cytotoxin‐associated gene A‐positive (CagA+) strains, has been associated with various gastrointestinal and extragastric diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize H pylori‐induced alterations in the gastric and tongue coating microbiota and evaluate their potential impacts on human health.

Design

The gastric mucosa and tongue coating specimens were collected from 80 patients with chronic gastritis, and microbiota profiles were generated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Samples were grouped as H pylori negative (n = 32), CagA‐negative H pylori infection (n = 13), and CagA‐positive H pylori infection (n=35). The comparison of bacterial relative abundance was made using a generalized linear model. Functional profiling of microbial communities was predicted with PICRUSt and BugBase. Microbial correlation networks were produced by utilizing SparCC method.

Results

Significant alterations of the gastric microbiota were found in the H pylori+/CagA+ samples, represented by a decrease in bacterial diversity, a reduced abundance of Roseburia, and increased abundances of Helicobacter and Haemophilus genera. At the community level, functions involved in biofilm forming, mobile element content, and facultative anaerobiosis were significantly decreased in gastric microbiome of the H pylori+ subjects. The presence of CagA gene was linked to an increased proportion of Gram‐negative bacteria in the stomach, thereby contributing to an upregulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis. The number of bacterial interactions was greatly reduced in networks of both tongue coating and gastric microbiota of the H pylori+/CagA+ subject, and the cooperative bacterial interactions dominated the tongue coating microbiome.

Conclusions

Infection with H pylori strains possessing CagA may increase the risk of various diseases, by upregulating LPS biosynthesis in the stomach and weakening the defense of oral microbiota against microorganisms with pathogenic potential.

http://bit.ly/2GeFpWh

Systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between phthalates exposure and insulin resistance

Abstract

This study aims to provide an overview of human studies on the association of exposure to phthalates and insulin resistance. We systematically searched human studies available until 15 January 2018.We conducted a literature search in Scopus, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Collaboration. We used the following keywords to identify relevant articles: "phthalate", "phthalate ester", "metabolic syndrome", "insulin resistance", "glucose intolerance", and "diabetes". For analyzing data, we conducted meta-analysis using the Stata software. We appraised each study to examine the sources of heterogeneity, including difference in clinical outcomes and exposure measurements. To determine the robustness and whether some of the factors have the highest impact on the results of the present meta-analysis, several sensitivity analyses were conducted. Sensitivity analysis showed that by removing studies with the highest weight and age groups, no change was observed in heterogeneity. Moreover, with excluding the study conducted in Europe, the results remained unchanged and constant. In addition, the funnel plot and Egger's tests were executed to access publication bias. Both the funnel plots and Egger's test did not show any evidence of publication bias (P = 0.31). In the random effects meta-analysis of all studies (n = 8), the pooled correlation coefficient between phthalate exposure and HOMA-IR was 0.10 (95% CI; 0.07–0.12, P < 0.001), with significant heterogeneity (P < 0.001, I² = 85.5%). Our findings revealed positive association between exposure to phthalate metabolites and increased HOMA-IR; this association remained significant even after adjusting the analysis for multiple confounding variables.

http://bit.ly/2SffxA5

Preparation of montmorillonite grafted polyacrylic acid composite and study on its adsorption properties of lanthanum ions from aqueous solution

Abstract

Montmorillonite grafted polyacrylic acid composite (GNM) was prepared by using ultraviolet radiation grafting method in this work. The synthesized materials were characterized by XRF, SEM, FTIR, XRD, TG, and XPS. The experimental equilibrium data indicates that the adsorbent is suitable for the Langmuir model and belongs to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The entire adsorption process is spontaneous, endothermic, and chaotically enhanced by thermodynamic analysis. The maximum adsorption capacity of La(III) by GNM was 280.54 mg/g at 313.15 K. In addition, the regeneration experiment shows that the adsorbent has good reusability and stable desorption efficiency. This study demonstrates that GNM has high adsorption performance and La(III) adsorption and regeneration capabilities to solve the water pollution caused by rare earth ions and regeneration capabilities for La(III).

http://bit.ly/2DhLNIz

Root uptake of atenolol, sulfamethoxazole and carbamazepine, and their transformation in three soils and four plants

Abstract

Soils can be contaminated by pharmaceuticals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of soil conditions (influencing sorption and persistence of pharmaceuticals in soils) and plant type on the root uptake of selected pharmaceuticals and their transformation in plant-soil systems. Four plants (lamb's lettuce, spinach, arugula, radish) planted in 3 soils were irrigated for 20 days (26) with water contaminated by one of 3 pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine, atenolol, sulfamethoxazole) or their mixture. The concentrations of pharmaceuticals and their metabolites in soils and plant tissues were evaluated after the harvest. Sulfamethoxazole and atenolol dissipated rapidly from soils. The larger concentrations of both compounds and an atenolol metabolite were found in roots than in leaves. Sulfamethoxazole metabolites were below the limits of quantifications. Carbamazepine was stable in soils, easily uptaken, accumulated, and metabolized in plant leaves. The efficiency of radish and arugula (both family Brassicaceae) in metabolizing was very low contrary to the high and moderate efficiencies of lamb's lettuce and spinach, respectively. Compounds' transformations mostly masked the soil impact on their accumulation in plant tissues. The negative relationships were found between the carbamazepine sorption coefficients and its concentrations in roots of radish, lamb's lettuce, and spinach.

http://bit.ly/2Sk0CEO

Extensor indicis opponensplasty: a modified evaluation system

Abstract

Background

Extensor indicis opponensplasty is the gold standard treatment for the restoration of opposition in individuals with median nerve injuries, and it has excellent outcomes. Most authors have used the Sundraraj and Mani scoring system, which considered a thumb reaching any fingertip as a good or excellent outcome. To refine the technique for extensor indicis opponensplasty, we propose an informative yet simple system to describe outcomes.

Methods

This study included 13 patients who underwent extensor indicis opponensplasty for median nerve injuries, with four isolated and nine combined. Six patients had triple insertions, and seven had single/double insertions. The patients were evaluated using the Sundraraj and Mani system and our proposed system for the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included return to productivity and complications.

Results

We demonstrated that 92% of the patients achieved excellent results according to the Sundraraj and Mani system. We achieved pulp to little pulp (5A) in seven patients, tip to little pulp (5B) in two patients, pulp to ring pulp (4A) in one patient, tip to ring pulp (4B) in one patient, pulp to middle finger pulp (3A) in one patient, and fair opposition (1) in one patient. A 5A score was achieved in five patients with triple insertion.

Conclusions

The new system proposed in this study better facilitates the comparison of technical variations of opponensplasty.

Level of evidence:Level IV, therapeutic study.

http://bit.ly/2MSZ9iE

Combustion and emission characteristics for a marine low-speed diesel engine with high-pressure SCR system

Abstract

In order to avoid the production of sulfates and nitrates in marine diesel engines that burn sulfur-containing fuels, the operating temperature of their high-pressure selective catalytic reduction (HP-SCR) systems should be higher than 320 °C. For marine low-speed diesel engines, only the pre-turbine exhaust gas temperature can meet this requirement under specific conditions, with the main engine modulation method helping to increase the exhaust gas temperature. However, the main engine modulation method brings down the power output and fuel economy of the main engine and causes the matching problem of the turbine and the other devices with the main engine. The original engine model of the marine low-speed diesel engine and the high-pressure SCR system configuration model have been constructed using one-dimensional simulation software. In addition, the performance of the high-pressure SCR system under the conditions of low-sulfur and high-sulfur exhaust gas was thoroughly analyzed. Moreover, the two main engine modulation schemes of the scavenging bypass and the turbine exhaust bypass of the original engine matching with the high-pressure SCR system were studied. The study found that the weighted average value of the NOx under the condition of low-sulfur exhaust gas met with the requirement of the IMO Tier III regulations when the low-speed diesel engine was matched with the high-pressure SCR system. However, the weighted average value of the NOx under the condition of high-sulfur exhaust gas was slightly higher than that required by the IMO Tier III regulation. In addition, the optimal main engine modulation scheme for this low-speed diesel engine was clarified by comparing the effects of the scavenging bypass and the turbine exhaust bypass modulation on the exhaust performance, and the working performance of the original engine. With an opening of 0.4 of the CBV valve under 25% engine load, the weighted average NOx of the original exhaust gas was 3.38 g/(kW·h), the power had decreased by 0.7%, and the fuel consumption had increased by 1.0%. Furthermore, when the EGB valve opening was 0.3, the weighted average value of NOx was 3.31 g/(kW·h), the power had reduced by 2.4% and the fuel consumption had increased by 2.5%. Both modulation scheme methods made the exhaust performance of the original engine meet the requirements of the IMO Tier III emission regulations, but the scavenging bypass modulation scheme had less impact on the original engine's performance.

http://bit.ly/2TE4UmP

Enhanced performance of alkali-modified Bi 2 WO 6 /Bi 0.15 Ti 0.85 O 2 toward photocatalytic oxidation of HCHO under visible light

Abstract

Photocatalytic oxidation of formaldehyde (HCHO) is considered as one of the promising ways to resolve indoor air HCHO pollution. TiO₂ has been well known as the most extended application in photocatalysis due to its strong oxidizing ability and stability. Owing to high activity under visible light irradiation, TiO₂ and Bi₂O₃ doping mixed with Bi₂WO₆ was analyzed in this study. The formation of two kinds of heterojunction caused efficient charge separation, leading to the effective reduction in the recombination of photo-generated electron and hole. The special structure and enhanced performance of these catalysts were analyzed. For the first time, the loading of alkali salts was researched for photocatalytic oxidation. In order to understand the reaction mechanism of alkali salts enhanced effects, the catalysts were investigated by using BET, XRD, UV–Vis, FT-IR, SEM, and XPS. The results found more than 2 wt% of Na₂SO₄ loading and the mixed methods with different solutions were key factors affecting the performance of catalysts. Nearly 92% HCHO conversion could be completed over Bi₂WO₆/Bi_0.15Ti_0.85O₂ (Na₂SO₄), and the concentration of HCHO was only 0.07 mg/m³ for 24 h, which was below the limit of specification in China. The results also indicated that the solution mixing method was more favorable to increase the HCHO conversion due to decrease the size of Bi_0.15T_i0.85O₂ particles. The catalysts with Na₂SO₄ loading provided more surface-adsorbed oxygen that facilitated the desorption of CO₂ and markedly increased the photocatalytic oxidation of HCHO.

Graphical abstract

Plausible mechanism over W-Bi2WO6/ Bi0.15Ti0.85O2-Na2SO4 (1:4) catalysts

http://bit.ly/2BpZtky

Influence of the residence time of street trees and their soils on trace element contamination in Paris (France)

Abstract

With the actual increasing interest for urban soils, the evaluation of soil contamination by trace elements and the dynamics of this contamination appear mandatory to preserve plant and thereby human health. Street trees and the associated soil placed in pits located nearby roads could represent convenient indicators of urban and vehicle traffic influences on soils and plants. However, data on these soils remain scarce, many studies investigating park soils rather than street tree soils. Furthermore, trace elements could be one of the main factors causing the observed urban tree decline, while practitioners more and more question the possible reuse of these soils after the death of trees as well as tree litter collected in the streets. We evaluated the contamination in anthropogenic trace elements (TE), namely Zn, Pb, and Cd, of street trees (Tilia tomentosa) and their soils distributed all over Paris (France). Street tree soils are imported from rural areas at the plantation of each new tree so that tree age corresponds to the time of residence of the soil within an urban environment allowing the evaluation of temporal trends on TE concentration in soils and trees. The TE concentration revealed an important soil pollution, especially for the older soils (mean age of 80 years old). The consideration of the residence time of trees and soils in an urban environment evidenced an accumulation of Zn and Pb (ca. 4.5 mg kg⁻¹ year⁻¹ and 4 mg kg⁻¹ year⁻¹ for Zn and Pb, respectively). However, leaf concentrations in TE were low and indicate that soil-root transfer was not significant compared to the contamination by atmospheric deposition. These results underlined the necessity to deepen the evaluation of the recycling of urban soils or plants submitted to urban contamination.

http://bit.ly/2TDxJQi

Purification of water contaminated with Hg using horizontal subsurface constructed wetlands

Abstract

As a global pollutant, Hg (Hg) since the turn of the last century has received increased attention. Decreasing the emission of Hg into the food chain and the atmosphere is an effective way to reduce the Hg damage. The current study provided information about pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) constructed wetlands (CWs) to remove different Hg species in polluted water. Synthetic wastewater was fed to two HSSF CWs, one was planted with Acorus calamus L and the other was unplanted as a control. The total Hg (THg), dissolved Hg (DHg), and particulate Hg (PHg) from five sites along the HSSF CWs were analyzed to describe the process of Hg removal. Results show that the CWs have high removal efficiency of Hg which is more than 90%. The removal efficiencies of THg and DHg from the unplanted CW were 92.1 ± 3.6% and 72.4 ± 13.1%, respectively. While, the removal efficiencies of THg and DHg in planted CW were 95.9 ± 7.5% and 94.9 ± 4.9%, which were higher than that in blank CW. The PHg was mainly removed in the first quarter of the CWs, which was also revealed by the partition coefficient K_d. To a certain extent, the effect of plants depends on the hydraulic retention time (HRT). The results in the current study show the potential of the HSSF-CWs for restoration from Hg-contaminated water.

http://bit.ly/2BA6vDx

Control of NO x emissions by air staging in small- and medium-scale biomass pellet boilers

Abstract

The effect of air staging strategies on NO_x control was investigated on a 210-kW small-scale biomass boiler (SBB) and a 1.4-MW medium-scale biomass boiler (MBB). Considering the de-NO_x effect, as well as the convenience and economy for future wide use, the structures of the secondary air duct and the fuel feed tube were innovatively designed to solve the problems of the traditional prototype. The preliminary experiment showed that the lowest NO_x emission was achieved when the air excess (ε) was equal to 2.04. Then, additional operating modes were conducted on the MBB to further optimize the air staging strategies. The optimal air staging strategy of the MBB (the secondary to primary air flow ratio (λ) and the ε were equal to 0.13 and 0.76, respectively) could decrease the NO_x emission from 338.12 to 148.14 mg/m³. Furthermore, the SO₂ emissions and the lowest NO_x emission of the SBB and the MBB could meet most emission standards of China and some developed countries. The thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and combustion characteristics of the wood fuel showed that the air staging was a suitable de-NO_x technology for wood combustion, and the slagging was less likely to occur under the selected condition. Hence, the air staging technology was an effective and low-cost method for the emission reduction of biomass boilers. This study provided a practical basis for future research on the gas emission control of biomass boilers.

http://bit.ly/2TCuPLZ

Study of MoO 3 -γAl 2 O 3 catalysts behavior in selective catalytic reduction of SO 2 toxic gas to sulfur with CH 4

Abstract

In the present study, a detailed investigation was carried out on MoO₃ alumina-supported catalysts behavior in selective catalytic reduction of SO₂ to sulfur with CH₄. At first, four different molybdenum catalysts with weight rates of 0, 5, 10, and 15 were impregnated on γ-alumina to be characterized using XRD, SEM, BET, BJH, and N₂ adsorption. Then, to find the most active catalyst, temperature dependency test was performed on all of the prepared catalysts and the result representing Al2O3-Mo10 as the best catalyst. In next step, the effects of feed gas composition, space velocity, and long-term activity, as an important industrial factor, were tested on Al₂O₃-Mo10. It was revealed instantaneously from the beginning, MoO₃ specie started to convert mainly into MoS₂ and MoO₂, and a minor part into Mo₂C, which is terminated after 750 min achieving a stable condition. Thereafter, SO₂ conversion and sulfur selectivity increased from 85.8 to 89.4% and 99.4 to 99.7%, respectively. XRD graph of the used catalyst and TPO thermogravimetric/mass-spectra proved possible happening of the proposed mechanism in long-term activity. At the end, mean activation energy was determined based on Arrhenius model in temperature range of 550 to 800 °C, with a value of 0.33 eV for Al₂O₃-Mo10.

http://bit.ly/2BoH1sG

Antibiotic prophylaxis: current recommendations in plastic surgery

Abstract

Background

Guidelines for prophylactic antibiotics in surgery have long been established; however, few have focused on recommendations in plastic surgery. Surgical site infection rates remain low, yet the use of prophylactic antibiotics has surged in the past 30 years. This article summarizes current recommendations of prophylactic antibiotic use to produce consensus guidelines in plastic surgery.

Methods

A literature review was conducted in the PubMed, Cochrane, and Ovid databases and studies were included if randomized controlled trials indicated a statistically significant decrease in surgical site infections. Surveys conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons regarding prophylactic antibiotic use from 1975, 1985, 2000, and 2010 were compiled and analyzed.

Results

Of 143 articles found, nine randomized controlled trials showed a reduction in surgical site infections after antibiotic prophylaxis for specific plastic surgery procedures. There are evidence-based recommendations for prophylactic antibiotics in breast surgery, abdominoplasty, contaminated hand or face surgery, prosthetic surgery, rhinoplasty, microsurgery, and acute and burn reconstruction cases. The proportion of plastic surgeons using prophylactic antibiotics has steadily increased from 1975 to 2010 with a significant increase from 2000 to 2010.

Conclusions

Systemic antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for use in breast surgery, abdominoplasty, contaminated hand or face surgery, prosthetic surgery, rhinoplasty, microsurgery, and acute and burn reconstruction cases. Recent surveys indicate that the majority of plastic surgeons continue to use prophylactic antibiotics in clean cases of the hand, face, and body despite recommendations. Additional procedure-specific randomized controlled trials are necessary to provide evidence-based recommendations for antibiotic prophylaxis in plastic surgery.

Level of Evidence: Level IV, risk / prognostic study

http://bit.ly/2BnCPcE

Cadmium level in brain correlates with memory impairment in F1 and F2 generation mice: improvement with quercetin

Abstract

The increased exposure to cadmium (Cd) through environmental pollutants, food and cigarette smoke is a concern worldwide. The association of Cd with impaired learning disabilities led us to hypothesise that cadmium levels in brain tissue could be dose-dependently related to the extent of memory impairment and oxidative stress. In this study, we proposed to study whether cadmium exposure to dams could alter the brain Cd levels, memory parameters, antioxidant enzymes in brain and their gene expression in the F1-F2 generation mice and whether quercetin could modulate this effect. Animals were administered Cd alone and in combination with quercetin for 7 days during their gestation period. Their newborn pups (F1 and F2 mice) were reared until adulthood and were tested for memory using Morris water maze and step-down latency test. The brain tissue of F1 mice was collected. Cd levels were estimated using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. G-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) activity were measured and fold increase in their respective gene expression was observed using the RT-PCR method. Cd levels were significantly increased in the brain tissue of animals exposed to Cd but cotreatment with quercetin showed decreased levels in both generations. Memory impairment was observed in animals of F1 generation exposed to Cd and cotreatment with quercetin (100 mg/kg) reversed this effect. Cd exposure significantly enhanced both activity and expression of GST and CAT in the brain tissue of F1 generation mice and quercetin attenuated this effect. In F2 generation, results were variable. GST activity and expression increased with Cd and decreased with quercetin cotreatment. However, CAT activity showed no significant change despite a decrease in gene expression. Quercetin cotreatment enhanced activity as well gene expression in F2 generation. Our study insinuates that Cd levels could act as a predictor of memory impairment and altered enzyme activity and gene expression in brain tissue. Quercetin helped to reduce Cd levels in brain tissue of F1 and F2 generation and modulated the antioxidant system of the cell by affecting expression of antioxidant enzymes at the transcription level.

http://bit.ly/2MYzUf6

Time for Advance Care Planning Discussions During Transitions in Care in Cancer Clinical Trials

This Viewpoint suggests that advance care planning discussions can be initiated during transitions in care from cancer clinical trials.

http://bit.ly/2DZiNXu

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Patients with HIV Infection and Advanced-Stage Cancer

This systematic review examines the association of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy with immune-related adverse effects, antitumor activity, and viral load in patients with HIV infection and advanced-stage cancer.

http://bit.ly/2Gvrz0V

Questioning Lay Health Worker Influence on Goals-of-Care Documentation and Patient Satisfaction

To the Editor We read with interest the article by Patel et al on evaluating the efficacy of a lay health worker (LHW) program in improving end-of-life care for patients with cancer. The authors reported that incorporating a LHW in cancer care not only improved goals-of-care documentation and increased patient satisfaction, but also led to reduced health care use and costs.

http://bit.ly/2E08Qcx

Prevalence of Germline Variants in Prostate Cancer and Implications for Current Genetic Testing Guidelines

This cross-sectional study assesses the frequency and distribution of positive germline variants in patients with prostate cancer and evaluates the usefulness of current practice guidelines in recognizing individuals with prostate cancer who would benefit from diagnostic genetic testing.

http://bit.ly/2GtbqJv

Questioning Lay Health Worker Influence on Goals-of-Care Documentation and Patient Satisfaction—In Reply

In Reply We would like to thank Mssrs Yew Wei Heng and Anbarasan for their comment. We agree that educational attainment may be correlated with patients' comprehension of their health care preferences and satisfaction. However, educational attainment is unlikely to have confounded our estimates of the effect of the intervention on the study outcomes because participants were randomized between the intervention and the control arm. Like the other covariates we reported in the online supplemental table, we did not find differences in educational attainment across the intervention and control groups in our study. In both arms, approximately 20% of patients had less than a high school degree, 29% were high school graduates, 22% had finished some college, 18% had completed a bachelor's degree, and 11% had completed an advanced degree.

http://bit.ly/2DZiZWI

Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy vs Open Distal Gastrectomy and Survival in Stage I Gastric Cancer

This randomized clinical trial of patients with stage I gastric cancer examines whether long-term survival among patients undergoing laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is noninferior to that among patients undergoing open distal gastrectomy.

http://bit.ly/2GvrdaB

Triassic Cancer—Osteosarcoma in a 240-Million-Year-Old Stem-Turtle

This case study documents osteosarcoma in 240-million-year-old stem-turtle, which suggests that cancer is not a modern physiological defect.

http://bit.ly/2DZ3XAe