Global Phylogenomic Analysis of Nonencapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae Reveals a Deep-Branching Classic Lineage That Is Distinct from Multiple Sporadic Lineages

The surrounding capsule of Streptococcus pneumoniae has been identified as a major virulence factor and is targeted by pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV). However, nonencapsulated S. pneumoniae (non-Ec-Sp) have also been isolated globally, mainly in carriage studies. It is unknown if non-Ec-Sp evolve sporadically, if they have high antibiotic nonsusceptiblity rates and a unique, specific gene content. Here, whole-genome sequencing of 131 non-Ec-Sp isolates sourced from 17 different locations around the world was performed. Results revealed a deep-branching classic lineage that is distinct from multiple sporadic lineages. The sporadic lineages clustered with a previously sequenced, global collection of encapsulated S. pneumoniae (Ec-Sp) isolates while the classic lineage is comprised mainly of the frequently identified multilocus sequences types (STs) ST344 (n = 39) and ST448 (n = 40). All ST344 and nine ST448 isolates had high nonsusceptiblity rates to β-lactams and other antimicrobials. Analysis of the accessory genome reveals that the classic non-Ec-Sp contained an increased number of mobile elements, than Ec-Sp and sporadic non-Ec-Sp. Performing adherence assays to human epithelial cells for selected classic and sporadic non-Ec-Sp revealed that the presence of a integrative conjugative element (ICE) results in increased adherence to human epithelial cells (P = 0.005). In contrast, sporadic non-Ec-Sp lacking the ICE had greater growth in vitro possibly resulting in improved fitness. In conclusion, non-Ec-Sp isolates from the classic lineage have evolved separately. They have spread globally, are well adapted to nasopharyngeal carriage and are able to coexist with Ec-Sp. Due to continued use of PCV, non-Ec-Sp may become more prevalent

A Streptococcus pneumoniae lineage usually associated with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) serotypes is the most common cause of serotype 35B invasive disease in South Africa, following routine use of PCV.

Pneumococcal serotype 35B is an important non-conjugate vaccine (non-PCV) serotype. Its continued emergence, post-PCV7 in the USA, was associated with expansion of a pre-existing 35B clone (clonal complex [CC] 558) along with post-PCV13 emergence of a non-35B clone previously associated with PCV serotypes (CC156). This study describes lineages circulating among 35B isolates in South Africa before and after PCV introduction. We also compared 35B isolates belonging to a predominant 35B lineage in South Africa (GPSC5), with isolates belonging to the same lineage in other parts of the world. Serotype 35B isolates that caused invasive pneumococcal disease in South Africa in 2005-2014 were characterized by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Multi-locus sequence types and global pneumococcal sequence clusters (GPSCs) were derived from WGS data of 63 35B isolates obtained in 2005-2014. A total of 262 isolates that belong to GPSC5 (115 isolates from South Africa and 147 from other countries) that were sequenced as part of the global pneumococcal sequencing (GPS) project were included for comparison. Serotype 35B isolates from South Africa were differentiated into seven GPSCs and GPSC5 was most common (49 %, 31/63). While 35B was the most common serotype among GPSC5/CC172 isolates in South Africa during the PCV13 period (66 %, 29/44), 23F was the most common serotype during both the pre-PCV (80 %, 37/46) and PCV7 period (32 %, 8/25). Serotype 35B represented 15 % (40/262) of GPSC5 isolates within the global GPS database and 75 % (31/40) were from South Africa. The predominance of the GPSC5 lineage within non-vaccine serotype 35B, is possibly unique to South Africa and warrants further molecular surveillance of pneumococci

Determining the teacher candidates’ “effec learning styles” on natural disasters

Bu çalışmanın amacı, öğretmen adaylarının doğal afetler konusunu, etkili öğrenme biçimlerini saptamaktır. Her bireyin bilgiyi öğrenme biçimi farklı olduğu için bilgiye ulaşma, onu kavrama, öğrenme ve aktarma biçimi de farklı olacaktır. Buna göre, “bireysel, grupsal, kinetiksel, işitsel ve görsel” öğrenim biçimleri tercih envanterine uygun olarak “25” maddelik Likert tipi bir ölçek formu hazırlanmış ve örneklem olarak da 281 öğretmen adayının görüşüne başvurulmuştur. Ölçeğin Cronbach's Alpha güvenirlik katsayısı ,791 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Veriler yüzde frekans, tek yönlü varyans analizi ve bağımsız gruplar t-testi ile analiz edilmiştir. İstatistiksel analizlerde anlamlılık düzeyi 0.05 olarak alınmıştır. Analizler sonucunda, öğretmen adaylarının -çeşitli değişkenlere göre - “doğal afetler” konusunu çoğunlukla “görsel öğrenme” biçiminde tercih ettikleri, buna karşın “ bireysel öğrenme” biçiminin ise aday öğretmenler tarafından daha az tercih edilen öğrenme stili olduğu istatistiksel olarak tespit edilmiştir.The purpose of this study is to determine the most effective learning style s for teacher candidates about natural disasters. As there is a different learning style for each individual, there is also a unique way of reaching, digesting, and transferring information for every individual. Hence, a Likert style scale form which is including “25” articles is prepared according to the individual, group, kinetically, auditory, visual learning manners preference inventory; and as a sample; views of 281 teacher candidates’ views are consulted. The scale’s Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficient is calculated as ,791. The data is analyzed with percentage frequency, one way variance analysis and independent group’s t-test. The level of significance in statistical analysis is determined as 0.05. it has been determined that teacher candidates preferred the subject of “ natural disasters ” – according to diverse variables - mostly in as “ visual learning”, but however that the preference as “individual learning ” is a less preferred learning style by teacher candidates

Randomize kontrollü bir çalışma: sağlıklı genç erkeklerde 10 haftalık Nordic Hamstring egzersiz eğitimi ve onu izleyen egzersizi bırakma süreçlerinin etkiler

Purpose: Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) is used to increase hamstring muscle strength, prevent injuries. We aimed to reveal the acute, long-term effects of NHE, followed by detraining on demographic measurements, flexibility, anaerobic power, damage, fatigue, oxidative stress, blood lactate levels. Material and method: A total of 40 sedentary healthy male participated the experiments. 20 of them underwent 10 weeks of progressive NHE followed by detraining. Muscle architecture was determined by ultrasonography, strain ratio by elastography. Anaerobic power was assessed by standing long jump, vertical jump, flexibility by sit reach tests. Creatine kinase activity, oxidant/antioxidant parameters were measured from venous blood by commercial kits. Results: NHE allowed subjects to lose weight, which was reversed by detraining of 5 weeks. Exercise caused an increase in knee angles that wasn't affected by detraining. 10-week NHE caused a partially reversed increase in anaerobic performance upon detraining. NHE resulted in increment of biceps femoris long head area, pennation angle which were reversed by detraining of 10-weeks. Blood lactate, muscle pain, fatigue were increased after each exercise session. NHE didn't change oxidative stress but, 5-week detraining resulted in an increase in total oxidant capacity, oxidative stress index. Detraining of 10 weeks caused a reduction of these parameters. Conclusions: It has been observed that most of the gains obtained with 10-week progressive NHE are reversed with 5-week detraining. These results may guide the selection of the exercise type to increase performance and muscle strength

Efficacy of nasopharyngeal culture in identification of pathogens in middle ear fluid in chronic otitis media with effusion

Purpose: Chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) is the leading cause of hearing loss during childhood. In bacterial etiology of OME, the most frequent pathogens responsible are Haemophilus influenzae followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis . This study aimed at evaluating the accuracy of nasopharyngeal (NP) specimens in the identification of pathogens in the middle ear fluid (MEF) in patients with OME. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional, case-control study, 95 MEFs and 53 NP secretion specimens were obtained from 53 children. As a control group, 102 NP specimens were taken from children having an operation other than an otological disease. Conventional culture methods and multiplex-PCR method have been used to determine the etiology of OME; NP carriage between cases and control groups were compared using conventional culture methods. Pearson Chi-Square and Fishers Exact tests were used in statistical analysis. Results : Bacteria were isolated by culture in 37.9 of MEF specimens, 14.7 of which belonged to the group H. influenzae , S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis. PCR was positive in 30.5 specimens targeting the same pathogens. There was a two-fold increase in carriage rate of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae in patients than controls for each pathogen. Conclusion: PCR is a more reliable method to detect middle ear pathogens in MEF in comparison with the conventional culture methods. The NP colonization wasnt found to be an indicator of the pathogen in MEF although middle ear pathogens colonize more in nasopharynx of diseased children

Levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in cystic fibrosis patients with or without gingivitis

Background: Inflammatory periodontal diseases are caused by interaction between gram negative, anaerobic bacteria and host response. Persistent infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients also cause increased pro-inflammatory response and the imbalance of pro- and anti-inflammatory response in brochoalveolar lavage fluid which leads to destruction of lungs. The aim of this study is to evaluate periodontal status of CF patients, to measure level of cytokines and biochemical molecules in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and to detect presence of P. aeruginosa in dental plaque samples. Materials and methods: GCF samples were collected from 41 CF patients and 39 healthy (non-CF) subjects. Interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-17, IL-10, human neutrophil elastase (HNE), cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) protein, and human β-defensin-1 (HBD1) in GCF were evaluated by ELISA method. Dental plaque samples were collected from 18 CF patients with history of P. aeruginosa colonization and 15 non-CF subjects. Presence of P. aeruginosa was evaluated by using conventional culture methods and molecular methods. Results: Levels of IL-1ß, HNE, and HBD1 in CF patients were significantly higher than non-CF subjects. However, IL-10 level was significantly lower in CF patients. Increased pro-inflammatory (IL-1ß) and decreased anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokine levels were observed in GCF samples from CF patients, irrespective of their periodontal status. P. aeruginosa were detected in four samples of 18 CF patients, and all were negative in non-CF group. Conclusions: As a result of this study, CF coexists increasing pro-inflammatory and decreasing anti-inflammatory response locally. Due to increasing pro-inflammation, CF patients should be followed-up more often than non-CF children

Casting a Vote - Complexities and Strategies among “First-Time Voters” in their Approach to Elections

When asked directly, most young people show a relatively low level of political interest. Despite this, Scandinavian youth exhibit reasonable voter turnout compared to most countries. In this study of young Danish first-time voters, we elaborate the peculiarities of their political reasoning and orientations. We approach our analysis on the basis of rationalistic theories of voting as well as the use of heuristics in voting decisions. We also build on the theory of political socialization and voters’ loyalties to family in their decisions. Methodologically, we use the oral stories of ten students from upper secondary school on how they arrived at a voting decision. The article elaborates the decisions, paradoxes, and ambivalences which these young people display in the process of casting a vote. We claim that the individuals in our study handled this discrepancy by the active use of different strategies. Students particularly tried to simplify their choice of party by focusing on one or two important issues. They used strategic rationalism as well as value rationalism and idealistic approaches to decision-making. Above all, students used cognitive heuristics extensively. Generally, first-time voters often find themself in complex decisions facing an overload of information and sometimes trapped between loyalties, particularly to their families, but rarely to their social class. Based on our findings, we suggest that teachers should sometimes provide meaningful heuristics to guide students’ complex choices as first-time voters