Metabolic flexibility as a major predictor of spatial distribution in microbial communities

A better understand the ecology of microbes and their role in the global ecosystem could be achieved if traditional ecological theories can be applied to microbes. In ecology organisms are defined as specialists or generalists according to the breadth of their niche. Spatial distribution is often used as a proxy measure of niche breadth; generalists have broad niches and a wide spatial distribution and specialists a narrow niche and spatial distribution. Previous studies suggest that microbial distribution patterns are contrary to this idea; a microbial generalist genus (Desulfobulbus) has a limited spatial distribution while a specialist genus (Methanosaeta) has a cosmopolitan distribution. Therefore, we hypothesise that this counter-intuitive distribution within generalist and specialist microbial genera is a common microbial characteristic. Using molecular fingerprinting the distribution of four microbial genera, two generalists, Desulfobulbus and the methanogenic archaea Methanosarcina, and two specialists, Methanosaeta and the sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfobacter were analysed in sediment samples from along a UK estuary. Detected genotypes of both generalist genera showed a distinct spatial distribution, significantly correlated with geographic distance between sites. Genotypes of both specialist genera showed no significant differential spatial distribution. These data support the hypothesis that the spatial distribution of specialist and generalist microbes does not match that seen with specialist and generalist large organisms. It may be that generalist microbes, while having a wider potential niche, are constrained, possibly by intrageneric competition, to exploit only a small part of that potential niche while specialists, with far fewer constraints to their niche, are more capable of filling their potential niche more effectively, perhaps by avoiding intrageneric competition. We suggest that these counter-intuitive distribution patterns may be a common feature of microbes in general and represent a distinct microbial principle in ecology, which is a real challenge if we are to develop a truly inclusive ecology

Variations in HIV Prevention Coverage in Subpopulations of Australian Gay and Bisexual Men, 2017–2021: Implications for Reducing Inequities in the Combination Prevention Era

Using repeated behavioural surveillance data collected from gay and bisexual men (GBM) across Australia, we assessed trends in HIV prevention coverage (the level of ‘safe sex’ achieved in the population by the use of effective prevention methods, including condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis [PrEP] and having an undetectable viral load). We stratified these trends by age, country of birth/recency of arrival, sexual identity, and the proportion of gay residents in the participant’s suburb. Among 25,865 participants with casual male partners, HIV prevention coverage increased from 69.8% in 2017 to 75.2% in 2021, lower than the UNAIDS target of 95%. Higher levels of coverage were achieved among older GBM (≥ 45 years), non-recently-arrived migrants, and in suburbs with ≥ 10% gay residents. The lowest levels of prevention coverage (and highest levels of HIV risk) were recorded among younger GBM (< 25 years) and bisexual and other-identified participants. Younger, recently-arrived, and bisexual GBM were the most likely to use condoms, while PrEP use was concentrated among gay men, 25–44-year-olds, and in suburbs with more gay residents. The use of undetectable viral load was most common among participants aged ≥ 45 years. Our analysis shows that high HIV prevention coverage can be achieved through a mixture of condom use, PrEP use, and undetectable viral load, or by emphasising PrEP use. In the Australian context, younger, bisexual and other-identified GBM should be prioritised for enhanced access to effective HIV prevention methods. We encourage other jurisdictions to assess the level of coverage achieved by combination prevention, and variations in uptake

Social goals versus business necessity : the nature and determinants of innovation in financial inclusion

Purpose:This study aims to explore the extent to which social innovation is prioritised among a sample of organisations promoting financial inclusion through the provision of affordable credit, advice and financial education. Additionally, we seek to understand the nature of the adopted innovation process and how this is perceived as influencing social change (if at all).Methodology:This exploratory study uses a combination of qualitative, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with 35 managers in 29 different organisations and three focus groups with 16 practitioners and stakeholders.Findings:Innovation processes are in the main, largely incremental as opposed to radical with organisations focusing on process-led innovations. More notably, most organisations found that they often lacked the required social capital capacity, economic and technological resources and the necessary skills to develop, implement and capitalise on innovations, thus limiting the more radical forms of innovations.Implications:To enhance the capacity of smaller organisations promoting financial inclusion, there is significant potential to engage in more open, co-creational projects/partnerships to deliver greater social impact to vulnerable populations.Contribution:We contribute to the under-researched literature on social innovation by highlighting the extent to which social innovation is given precedence within the sector promoting financial inclusion. Given the contextual and organisational diversity of the sector, highlighting these behavioural practices and circumstances, enable researchers to theoretically advance social innovation theory further and provide more practice-based guidance for organisations to successfully shape social change

Drinking behaviour and alcohol-related harm amongst older adults: analysis of existing UK datasets.

Older adults experience age-related physiological changes that increase sensitivity and decrease tolerance to alcohol and there are a number of age-related harms such as falls, social isolation and elder abuse, which are compounded by alcohol misuse. Despite this unique vulnerability and the fact that the number of older adults is increasing, the literature on drinking behaviour and alcohol-related harm in older adults is sparse. This article describes a secondary analysis of UK data to address this knowledge gap

Institutional Experience with Voriconazole Compared with Liposomal Amphotericin B as Empiric Therapy for Febrile Neutropenia

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90034/1/phco.27.7.970.pd

Diels Alder-mediated release of gemcitabine from hybrid nanoparticles for enhanced pancreatic cancer therapy

Abstract Hybrid nanoparticles (HNPs) have shown huge potential as drug delivery vehicles for pancreatic cancer. Currently, the first line treatment, gemcitabine, is only effective in 23.8% of patients. To improve this, a thermally activated system was developed by introducing a linker between HNPs and gemcitabine. Whereby, heat generation resulting from laser irradiation of the HNPs promoted linker breakdown resulting in prodrug liberation. In vitro evaluation in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, showed the prodrug was 4.3 times less cytotoxic than gemcitabine, but exhibited 11-fold improvement in cellular uptake. Heat activation of the formulation led to a 56% rise in cytotoxicity causing it to outperform gemcitabine by 26%. In vivo the formulation outperformed free gemcitabine with a 62% reduction in tumor weight in pancreatic xenografts. This HNP formulation is the first of its kind and has displayed superior anti-cancer activity as compared to the current first line drug gemcitabine after heat mediated controlled release

Study protocol for the Melbourne Infant Study: BCG for Allergy and Infection Reduction (MIS BAIR), a randomised controlled trial to determine the non-specific effects of neonatal BCG vaccination in a low-mortality setting

Introduction BCG vaccination reduces all-cause infant mortality in high-mortality settings by more than can be attributed to protection against tuberculosis. This is proposed to result from non-specific protection against non-vaccine targeted (‘off-target’) infections. There is also evidence that BCG protects against allergic diseases. Methods and analysis The Melbourne Infant Study: BCG for Allergy and Infection Reduction is a phase III multicentre, single-blinded, randomised controlled trial. A total of 1438 healthy neonates will be randomised to receive either BCG vaccination or no BCG vaccination in the first 10 days of life. Measures of allergy, eczema, infection and asthma will be obtained from parent-completed questionnaires 3 monthly in the first year and 6 monthly from 1 to 5 years of age, and clinical assessments at 1 and 5 years of age. Biological samples will also be collected for future immunological studies. Analysis primary outcome The proportion of participants with measures of allergy and infection (atopic sensitisation, eczema, lower respiratory tract infection) at 1 and 5 years of age, and asthma at 5 years of age. Secondary outcomes: (1) the proportion of participants with additional measures of allergy, eczema, asthma and infections; (2) medication use for eczema and asthma; (3) the severity and age of onset of eczema and asthma; (4) the number of episodes of infection; (5) hospitalisations for infections and (6) laboratory measures of immune responses. Ethics and dissemination This trial has ethical and governance approval from Mercy Health Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC, No. R12-28) and Royal Children’s Hospital HREC (No. 33025) with additional governance approval from Barwon Health and St John of God, Geelong, Victoria. Results of this trial will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific conferences