Characterization of a biosurfactant producing electroactive Bacillus sp. for enhanced Microbial Fuel Cell dye decolourisation

A biosurfactant producing Gram positive bacterium isolated from anodic biofilm of textile wastewater fed MFC was identified as Bacillus sp. MFC (Accession number: MT322244). Scanning Electron Microscopy of the bacterium showed appendages, the bacterium forms biofilm on Congo red agar medium. The obtained results showed that the addition of 5 mg/l endogenous biosurfactant to the bacterial cells resulted in 19-fold increase in bacterial surface-bound exopolysaccharides (EPS) and 1.94-fold increase in biofilm. However, when the biosurfactant concentration increased to 20 and 40 mg/l, EPS and biofilm decreased and the cells lost their colony forming ability. The dielectric properties of the bacterial cells showed increase in conductivity and relative permittivity with increasing biosurfactant concentrations. The shape of the voltammogram currents peak, their location and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) suggest the involvement of biofilm as direct electron transfer pathway. The average voltage obtained was 0.65 V as compared to 0.45 V for the control MFC. Decolourization was tested for Congo red in a double chamber Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC), the results showed 2-fold increase in decolourization when biosurfactant is added post biofilm formation. The results confirm that Bacillus sp. MFC possess electrogenic properties and that adding low concentrations of endogenous biosurfactant to 24 h biofilm accelerates electron transfer by inducing perforations in the cell wall and increasing EPS as an electron transfer transient medium. Therefore, MFC performance can be enhanced

Botanical Insecticides and their Potential as Anti-Insect/Pests: Are they Successful against Insects and Pests?

In low-income countries, subsistence and transitional farms frequently use botanical insecticides. The shortage or high cost of industrial pesticides also prompts their use. Botanical insecticides are also prescribed by agricultural and development programs and certain development organizations. However, since insecticidal proof of their effectiveness and protection might not be sufficient or usable, this may be called into question. While insecticidal botanicals have been extensively studied, there has yet to be a fusion that focuses especially on the domestic synthesis of biopesticides that work infield and storage effectively. In this chapter, we look at the effectiveness of botanicals (neem, garlic, and essential oil) that are used as insecticides. In addition, this chapter also focuses on research carried out on the use of these essential oils as insecticides. Processes that use variable amounts of ingredients and concentrations and ratios of active ingredients can have varying impacts on the efficacy of plant-based biological insecticides. Finally, using home-made insecticides would reduce the losses that occur during food production and enable us to use environment-friendly pest management methods

Using Spiritual Connections to Cope With Stress and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, stress and anxiety were pervasive among the masses due to high morbidity and mortality. Besides the fear of coronavirus was also particularly driven by social media. Many people started to look for faith and spiritual connections to gain comfort. The role of spiritual ties and religious beliefs in relation to coping with pandemic stress has acquired the attention of researchers in some parts of the world. This cross-sectional survey aimed at assessing the intensity of stress and anxiety symptoms experienced by people and how much they were alleviated by employing spiritual connections. The study sample comprises 795 respondents with 52% males and 48% females living in Saudi Arabia. The brief online study questionnaire collected data about background variables, anxiety and stress scale from DASS-21, and items from the WHOQOL (SRBP) instrument assessed the use of spiritual beliefs to cope. Multiple regression models were tested to determine the role of spiritual connections after adjusting demographic variables. Results illustrated that after adjusting for gender and age, participants’ anxiety symptoms decreased by (β = −0.27; p = 0.000) units with each unit increase in the use of spiritual connections, and participants’ stress symptoms reduce by (β = −0.36; p = 0.000) units with each unit increase in coping with spirituality. Additionally, females’ risk to experience anxiety and stress symptoms was more than males [(β = 0.88; p = 0.01) and (β = 0.92; p = 0.000)], respectively. An increase in age decreases the likelihood of experiencing anxiety symptoms and stress symptoms by (β = −0.75; p = 0.02) and (β = −0.11; p = 0.000) units, respectively. Findings support the protective role of spiritual connections despite small beta coefficients. The social and cultural context in Saudi Arabia favors deep-rooted connections with spirituality and faith. Our findings support the fact that the reliance on spiritual connections helped older people to deal with exaggerated fear during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and reduces the risk of experiencing anxiety and stress symptoms. Females and younger participants were relatively vulnerable to developing these symptoms. We discussed these findings considering some recent studies that reported similar relationships and made recommendations for future research

Tempol improves optic nerve histopathology and ultrastructures in cisplatin-induced optic neuropathy in rats by targeting oxidative stress—Endoplasmic reticulum stress—Autophagy signaling pathways

IntroductionOptic neuropathy is an affection of the optic neurons, which ends with blindness and occurs either primarily due to direct affection of the optic nerve or secondarily as a complication of chronic diseases and/or adverse effects of their therapy. The search for novel therapeutic tools is crucial in addressing the limited therapeutic approaches for optic neuropathy. Therefore, the present study was developed to investigate the possible ameliorative effect of tempol against cisplatin-induced optic neuropathy and its underlying mechanism.MethodsForty-eight adult male albino Wistar rats were divided into four equal groups—control, tempol (TEM), cisplatin (CIS), and tempol and cisplatin combined (TEM+CIS). Optic nerve oxidative stress (MDA, SOD, and GPx), gene expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ATF-6, XBP-1, BIP, CHOP, and JNK), autophagy 6 (LC3, Beclin-1, and p62) markers, nerve growth factor-1, immunohistochemical expression of (LC3 and p62), histopathological, and electron microscopic examination were performed.ResultsHistopathological and ultrastructure examination validated that cisplatin caused optic neuropathy by inducing oxidative stress, upregulating ER stress markers, and downregulating autophagy markers, and NGF-1 expression. TEM + CIS showed improvement in optic nerve structure and ultrastructure along with oxidative stress, ER stress mRNA, autophagy (immunohistochemical proteins and mRNA) markers, and nerve growth factor mRNA expression.ConclusionsBased on previous findings, tempol represents a valid aid in cisplatin-induced optic neuropathy by implicating new molecular drug targets (ER stress and autophagy) for optic neuropathy therapy

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Isolation and characterization of coliphages from different water sources and their biocontrol application combined with electron beam irradiation for elimination of E. coli in domestic wastewater

Abstract Background Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), are high-risk waterborne pathogens that pose a vital threat to the general public’s health. Therefore, this study aims to develop alternative and affordable treatment approaches. Coliphage treatment is an economically and environmentally sustainable method for eliminating pathogenic bacteria. A significant step toward improving germicidal effectiveness might be to combine coliphage with electron beam treatment. Results Twelve isolated E. coli were used as host bacteria. In addition, eleven coliphages were isolated and characterized to determine their suitable host range and lytic activities. Antibiotic resistance was tested to detect the most antimicrobial-resistant E. coli isolates. Results indicated that E. coli-2 and E. coli-10 were the most resistant bacterial isolates. Both somatic coliphage-3 (S3) and F-specific coliphage-3 (F3) were the most active lytic coliphages. Based on transmission electron microscope analysis, S3 was classified as a member of the Myoviridae family, while F3 belonged to the Leviviridae family. Genome types were detected; the S3 genome was a linear double-stranded DNA virus, while the F3 genome was a single-strand RNA virus. The adjustment of pH to 7 and temperature to 38 °C increased coliphage activity by 32.2% for S3 and 14% for F3. The optimum multiplicity of infection (MOI) for S3 was 1:1 and 2:1 for F3. From the one-step growth curve, both the latent periods of S3 and F3 were estimated to be 30 and 20 min, and the burst sizes showed 5.8 and 4.6 (PFU)/infected cells, respectively. The D10 values of the most two antimicrobial-resistant strains (E. coli-2 and E. coli-10) were calculated, showing nearly identical values (0.37 and 0.38 kGy), respectively. Both coliphages were used, either alone or in combination with electron beam irradiation (EBI), to eradicate the most multidrug-resistant E. coli in domestic wastewater. EBI reduced the counts of E. coli-2 and -10 by 59% and 65%, respectively. While the combination of coliphages and EBI completely eradicated these microbes. Conclusions Combination of each individual coliphage and EBI decreased the growth of E. coli in domestic wastewater to an undetectable level. Graphical Abstrac

Liver elasticity assessment after biliary drainage in patients with extrahepatic cholestasis by shear wave sono-elastography (SWE)

Abstract Background Extrahepatic cholestasis that is caused by benign and malignant diseases has been reported to influence liver elasticity, independent of liver fibrosis. Shear wave sono-elastography is a novel noninvasive ultrasound-based tool to assess liver stiffness that is indirectly measured by the propagation velocity of ultrasound waves within the liver parenchyma. The aim of our study is to explore the impact of extrahepatic cholestasis on liver elasticity assessed by sono-elastography. Methods This is the prospective cohort study of 80 patients with obstructive jaundice. Liver elasticity was measured before biliary drainage (day 0), with measures repeated 2 days (day 2) and seven days (day 7) after biliary drainage. Then, correlation with serum bilirubin and serum liver enzymes values was done. Results The studied patients with extrahepatic cholestasis (38 males and 42 females with mean age ± SD of 45.8 ± 14.6 years) referred to our department for biliary drainage. All underwent liver elasticity measurement by real-time shear wave sono-elastography before biliary drainage with the highest value of mean elasticity (± SD) 8.44 kPa (± 3.02) and then repeated on day 2 with mean elasticity 6.82 kPa (± 2.77), followed by maximum improvement of liver stiffness on day 7 with mean elasticity 4.8 kPa (± 1.80), coincided with improvement of cholestatic laboratory levels. Conclusions This study confirmed improvement of liver stiffness, measured by sono-elastography, after biliary drainage in patients with extrahepatic biliary obstruction

Microbial biopesticides affected age-stage life table of the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera – Gelechiidae)

Abstract The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyric), second instar larvae were exposed for 1 day to LC50 of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) subsp. kurstaki or Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) on treated tomato foliages. Treated larvae had the longest development period while non-treated larvae had the shortest development period. The highest survivorship (l x ) of adults was obtained by the non-treated larvae while the lowest survivorship was obtained by B. thuringiensis-treated larvae. The lowest age-specific fecundity (m x ) of females was obtained by individuals treated as second instar larvae with B. bassiana. The intrinsic rate of increase (r m ) reached its maximum with non-treated individuals while this value decreased to the minimum values with biopesticide-treated individuals. Therefore, development, survival, and reproduction of treated individuals were lower than those of non-treated individuals. The reproduction period and adult longevity were the shortest considering biopesticide-treated individuals. The highest and lowest net reproductive rates (R 0) were recorded for non-treated and treated individuals, respectively. The mean generation time was increased with biopesticide-treated individuals