Three clinically distinct chronic pediatric airway infections share a common core microbiota

Copyright © 2014 by the American Thoracic Society. Rationale: DNA-based microbiological studies are moving beyond studying healthy human microbiota to investigate diverse infectious diseases, including chronic respiratory infections, such as those in the airways of peoplewith cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis. The species identified in the respiratory secretionmicrobiota fromsuch patients can be classified into those that are common and abundant among similar subjects (core) versus those that are infrequent and rare (satellite). This categorization provides a vital foundation for investigating disease pathogenesis and improving therapy. However, whether the core microbiota of people with different respiratory diseases, which are traditionally associated with specific culturable pathogens, are unique or shared with other chronic infections of the lower airways isnotwell studied. Little is also known about how these chronic infection microbiota change from childhood to adulthood. Objectives: We sought to compare the core microbiota in respiratory specimens from children and adults with different chronic lung infections. Methods: We used bacterial 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and ecological statistical tools to compare the core microbiota in respiratory samples from three cohorts of symptomatic children with clinically distinct airway diseases (protracted bacterial bronchitis, bronchiectasis,CF), and from four healthy children.Wethen compared the core pediatric respiratory microbiota with those in samples from adults with bronchiectasis and CF. Measurements and Main Results: All three pediatric disease cohorts shared strikingly similar core respiratory microbiota that differed from adult CF and bronchiectasis microbiota. The most common species in pediatric disease cohort sampleswere also detected in those from healthy children. The adult CF and bronchiectasis microbiota also differed from each other, suggesting common early infection airwaymicrobiota that diverge by adulthood.The shared core pediatric microbiota included both traditional pathogens and many species not routinely identified by standard culture. Conclusions: Our results indicate that these clinically distinct chronic airway infections share common early core microbiota, which are likely shaped by natural aspiration and impaired clearance of the same airway microbes, but that disease-specific characteristics select for divergent microbiota by adulthood. Longitudinal and interventional studies will be required to define the relationships between microbiota, treatments, and disease progression

Treatment of myofascial trigger points in common shoulder disorders by physical therapy: A randomized controlled trial [ISRCTN75722066]

Contains fulltext : 52454.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access

Seizure prediction : ready for a new era

Acknowledgements: The authors acknowledge colleagues in the international seizure prediction group for valuable discussions. L.K. acknowledges funding support from the National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1130468) and the James S. McDonnell Foundation (220020419) and acknowledges the contribution of Dean R. Freestone at the University of Melbourne, Australia, to the creation of Fig. 3.Peer reviewedPostprin

16S rRNA gene metabarcoding and TEM reveals different ecological strategies within the genus Neogloboquadrina (planktonic foraminifer)

CB was supported on a Daphne Jackson Fellowship sponsored by Natural Environmental Research Council (www.nerc.ac.uk) and the University of Edinburgh via the Daphne Jackson Trust. Field collections were supported by the National Science Foundation (www.nsf.gov) grant number OCE-1261519 to ADR and JSF.Uncovering the complexities of trophic and metabolic interactions among microorganisms is essential for the understanding of marine biogeochemical cycling and modelling climate-driven ecosystem shifts. High-throughput DNA sequencing methods provide valuable tools for examining these complex interactions, although this remains challenging, as many microorganisms are difficult to isolate, identify and culture. We use two species of planktonic foraminifera from the climatically susceptible, palaeoceanographically important genus Neogloboquadrina, as ideal test microorganisms for the application of 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding. Neogloboquadrina dutertrei and Neogloboquadrina incompta were collected from the California Current and subjected to either 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding, fluorescence microscopy, or transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate their species-specific trophic interactions and potential symbiotic associations. 53–99% of 16S rRNA gene sequences recovered from two specimens of N. dutertrei were assigned to a single operational taxonomic unit (OTU) from a chloroplast of the phylum Stramenopile. TEM observations confirmed the presence of numerous intact coccoid algae within the host cell, consistent with algal symbionts. Based on sequence data and observed ultrastructure, we taxonomically assign the putative algal symbionts to Pelagophyceae and not Chrysophyceae, as previously reported in this species. In addition, our data shows that N. dutertrei feeds on protists within particulate organic matter (POM), but not on bacteria as a major food source. In total contrast, of OTUs recovered from three N. incompta specimens, 83–95% were assigned to bacterial classes Alteromonadales and Vibrionales of the order Gammaproteobacteria. TEM demonstrates that these bacteria are a food source, not putative symbionts. Contrary to the current view that non-spinose foraminifera are predominantly herbivorous, neither N. dutertrei nor N. incompta contained significant numbers of phytoplankton OTUs. We present an alternative view of their trophic interactions and discuss these results within the context of modelling global planktonic foraminiferal abundances in response to high-latitude climate change.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Bone density and neuromuscular function in older competitive athletes depend on running distance

Summary Individuals who are involved in explosive sport types, such as 100-m sprints and long jump, have greater bone density, leg muscle size, jumping height and grip strength than individuals involved in long-distance running. Introduction The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between different types of physical activity with bone, lean mass and neuromuscular performance in older individuals. Methods We examined short- (n050), middle- (n019) and long-distance (n0109) athletes at the 15th European Masters Championships in Poznań, Poland. Dual X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and lean tissue mass. Maximal countermovement jump, multiple one-leg hopping and maximal grip force tests were performed. Results Short-distance athletes showed significantly higher aBMD at the legs, hip, lumbar spine and trunk compared to long-distance athletes (p≤0.0012). Countermovement jump performance, hop force, grip force, leg lean mass and arm lean mass were greater in short-distance athletes (p≤0.027). A similar pattern was seen in middle-distance athletes who typically showed higher aBMD and better neuromuscular performance than long-distance athletes, but lower in magnitude than short-distance athletes. In all athletes, aBMD was the same or higher than the expected age-adjusted population mean at the lumbar spine, hip and whole body. This effect was greater in the short- and middle-distance athletes. Conclusions The stepwise relation between short-,middle- and long-distance athletes on bone suggests that the higher-impact loading protocols in short-distance disciplines are more effective in promoting aBMD. The regional effect on bone, with the differences between the groups being most marked at loadbearing regions (legs, hip, spine and trunk) rather than nonload- bearing regions, is further evidence in support of the idea that bone adaptation to exercise is dependent upon the local loading environment, rather than as part of a systemic effect

Cerebral arterial fenestrations : a common phenomenon in unexplained subarachnoid haemorrhage

BACKGROUND Fenestrations of intracranial arteries are variants resulting from incomplete fusion of vessels during development with unknown clinical significance. They are best visualised with 3D rotational angiography (3DRA). OBJECTIVE In a prospective consecutive series of patients with suspected aneurysms, 3DRA was performed to identify not only the potential bleeding source but also to assess the frequency and location of any fenestrations of intracranial arteries. METHODS In 287 consecutive patients with possible intracranial aneurysms (accidental discovery or previous history of SAH), 3DRAs were prospectively performed, and the location of subarachnoid haemorrhage was assessed by CT. RESULTS Of 174 patients presenting with SAH, 153 had saccular aneurysms, and in 21 cases (12.1 %), no source of bleeding was found. In 20 of these 21 patients with "unexplained SAH" (95.2 %) an arterial fenestration was detected in the neighbourhood of the clot. The incidence of fenestration in the 153 aneurysmal SAH patients was 22.9 %, and it was 23.3 % in 266 patients with intracranial aneurysms (113 accidental and 153 ruptured). CONCLUSIONS Arterial fenestration was detected in 22.9 % of ruptured cerebral aneurysms, in contrast with 95.2 % in patients with unexplained SAH, the difference being statisctically significant (p < 0.01). Fenestration is a developmental defect, a structural wall weakness possibly making the vessel prone to rupture. Its incidence of nearly 100 % may suggest a connection with idiopathic SAH. The presented data indicate that arterial fenestrations are generally overlooked, and they can be considered as one of the candidates for the source of idiopathic SAH