Observation of the Bc+ → J/ψπ+π0 decay

The first observation of the Bc+→J/ψπ+π0 decay is reported with high significance using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb−1, collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. The ratio of its branching fraction relative to the Bc+→J/ψπ+ channel is measured to beBBc+→J/ψπ+π0BBc+→J/ψπ+=2.80±0.15±0.11±0.16, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third related to imprecise knowledge of the branching fractions for B+ → J/ψK*+ and Bc+→J/ψπ+ decays, which are used to determine the π0 detection efficiency. The π+π0 mass spectrum is found to be consistent with the dominance of an intermediate ρ+ contribution in accordance with a model based on QCD factorisation

Study of Bc+ → χcπ+ decays

A study of Bc+→χcπ+ decays is reported using proton-proton collision data, collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb−1. The decay Bc+→χc2π+ is observed for the first time, with a significance exceeding seven standard deviations. The relative branching fraction with respect to the Bc+→J/ψπ+ decay is measured to beBBc+→χc2π+BBc+→J/ψπ+=0.37±0.06±0.02±0.01, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is due to the knowledge of the χc2→ J/ψγ branching fraction. No significant Bc+→χc1π+ signal is observed and an upper limit for the relative branching fraction for the Bc+→χc1π+ and Bc+→χc2π+ decays of BBc+→χc1π+BBc+→χc2π+=<0.49 is set at the 90% confidence level

Does Chlorination Promote Antimicrobial Resistance in Waterborne Pathogens? Mechanistic Insight into Co-Resistance and Its Implication for Public Health

Chemical agents including chlorine and antibiotics are used extensively to control infectious microorganisms. While antibiotics are mainly used to treat bacterial infections, chlorine is widely used for microbial inactivation in the post-secondary disinfection steps of water treatment. The extensive use of these agents has been acknowledged as a driving force for the expansion of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and has prompted discourse on their roles in the evolution and proliferation of resistant pathogens in the aquatic milieus. We live in a possible “post-antibiotic” era when resistant microbes spread at startling levels with dire predictions relating to a potential lack of effective therapeutic antibacterial drugs. There have been reports of enhancement of resistance among some waterborne pathogens due to chlorination. In this context, it is pertinent to investigate the various factors and mechanisms underlying the emergence and spread of resistance and the possible association between chlorination and AMR. We, therefore, reflect on the specifics of bacterial resistance development, the mechanisms of intrinsic and acquired resistance with emphasis on their environmental and public health implications, the co-selection for antibiotic resistance due to chlorination, biofilm microbiology, and multidrug efflux activity. In-depth knowledge of the molecular basis of resistance development in bacteria will significantly contribute to the more rational utilization of these biocidal agents and aid in filling identified knowledge gap toward curbing resistance expansion

Heavy Metals in Wastewater and Sewage Sludge from Selected Municipal Treatment Plants in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

This study assessed the distribution of five heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Fe) across the various stages of treatment in three selected sewage treatment facilities and their receiving waterbodies in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Aqueous and solid (sludge) samples were collected monthly from September 2015 to February 2016. Quantitation was achieved by atomic absorption spectrometry after necessary sample preparations. Concentrations of heavy metal cations in the sludge generally varied from <DL (below detection limit) to 1.17 mg kg−1, <DL to 0.14 mg kg−1, 27.588 to 69.789 mg kg−1, and <DL to 0.099 mg kg−1 for Cu, Cd, Fe and Pb; while Zn was below detection all through. Similarly, the levels of Cu, Cd, and Fe in the influents, effluents, upstream and downstream across the three plants ranged from <DL–6.588 mg L−1, <DL–0.636 mg L−1, <DL–0.878 mg L−1 and <DL–0.711 mg L−1, respectively; Zn and Pb were less than DL in all the matrices and study locations. All the contaminants were below hazardous levels in all the sludge and aqueous samples except Cd which was higher in effluents and surface waters across the board. Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)-A exhibited better removal capacity for Fe (86.6%), compared to WWTP-B (34.7%) and WWTP-C (56.9%). However, the removal of Cu and Zn was very poor in all the treatment facilities studied. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks evaluated were sufficiently low. This suggests that the levels of contamination, even with respect to Cd, was minimal. Nevertheless, efforts should be made to keep the concentrations of these contaminants at levels safe for humans and aquatic organisms. Furthermore, the use of the effluents from these facilities for irrigation should be discouraged to prevent unnecessary build-up of metals in the soil and plants grown with such, as well as subsequent bioaccumulation and biomagnification in the food chain

Isolation and genotypic characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Aeromonas hydrophila from selected freshwater sources in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract The proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antimicrobial resistance is a pressing public health challenge because of their possible transfer to humans via contact with polluted water sources. In this study, three freshwater resources were assessed for important physicochemical characteristics as well as heterotrophic and coliform bacteria and as potential reservoirs for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) strains. The physicochemical characteristics ranged from 7.0 to 8.3; 25 to 30 °C, 0.4 to 93 mg/L, 0.53 to 8.80 mg/L and 53 to 240 mg/L for pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD5) and total dissolved solids, respectively. The physicochemical characteristics mostly align with guidelines except for the DO and BOD5 in some instances. Seventy-six (76) Aeromonas hydrophila and 65 Escherichia coli O157: H7 isolates were identified by preliminary biochemical analysis and PCR from the three sites. Among these, A. hydrophila displayed higher frequencies of antimicrobial resistance, with all 76 (100%) isolates completely resistant to cefuroxime and cefotaxime and with MARI ≥ 0.61. The test isolates showed more than 80% resistance against five of the ten test antimicrobials, with resistance against cefixime, a cephalosporin antibiotic being the highest at 95% (134/141). The frequency of the detection of the resistance genes in the A. hydrophila isolates generally ranged between 0% (bla SHV) and 26.3% (bla CTX-M), while the frequency of detection among the E. coli O157:H7 isolates ranged between 4.6% (bla CTX-M) and 58.4% (bla TEM). Our findings indicate that the distribution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria with diverse ESBL-producing capabilities and virulence genes in freshwater sources potentially threatens public health and the environment

First aid knowledge and application among commercial inter-city drivers in Nigeria

Introduction: Road traffic accidents have been responsible for an increasing number of deaths and disabilities worldwide, with a disproportionate growth in developing countries. While preventative measures are essential, integration of basic medical care in the pre-hospital setting is crucial given the limitations of pre-hospital emergency medical services within most low to middle income countries. Additional opportunities to provide immediate care at the point of injury have been explored but are not uniformly available. The objective of this study was to ascertain the current level of basic first aid knowledge and application of commercial inter-city drivers in Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional cohort study was carried out among commercial inter-city drivers in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria from March - April 2009. Using a simple random sampling technique, 229 participants were uniformly interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire. Results: All participants were males with 102 (44.5%) having a secondary school education. The mean driving experience of participants was 26.1 years. A minority of participants (86; 37.6%) identified basic resuscitation priorities correctly. Most participants (183; 79.9%) believed that they could be trained and would be willing to apply first aid. Discussion: Basic first aid knowledge and application are limited in the studied inter-city driver cohort. However, a majority believe they could be trained and would be willing to participate in patient care. Further efforts should be made to educate commercial drivers on the components of first aid, establish appropriate on-board resources, and measure outcomes