Preliminary Survey of Mycotoxins Identified from Florida Bahiagrass Pastures

The beef cattle ranchers in Florida reported some health issues related to cattle grazing on warm-season grass pastures, such as bahiagrass and bermudagrass. The illness was not attributable to nutritional imbalances, or other possible causes. The focus then turned to what the animals were consuming, and forages were implicated. In general, the forages in Florida are just fine; however, sometimes under certain circumstances the fungi live in our forages may produce “secondary metabolites”. All forages harbor fungi. Some fungi are good in that they aid our forages to grow better, helping to mine nutrients from the soil or atmosphere. Sometimes they are not so good, like when high levels of ergotized seed occur in the seed heads of bahiagrass.Fil: Liao, Hui Ling. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Chen, Ko Hsuan. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Marcón, Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Jones, Robert. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Justesen, Brittany. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Walter, Joseph. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Blount, Ann. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Mackowiak, Chery L.. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Mayo, Doug. University of Florida; Estados UnidosFil: Wallau, Marcelo. University of Florida; Estados Unido

Genotoxic Klebsiella pneumoniae in Taiwan

Colibactin is a nonribosomal peptide-polyketide synthesized by multi-enzyme complexes encoded by the pks gene cluster. Colibactin-producing Escherichia coli have been demonstrated to induce host DNA damage and promote colorectal cancer (CRC) development. In Taiwan, the occurrence of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) has been suggested to correlate with an increasing risk of CRC, and Klebsiella pneumoniae is the predominant PLA pathogen in Taiwan

A Single Centre Randomised Control Study to Assess the Impact of Pre-Operative Carbohydrate Loading on Women Undergoing Major Surgery for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Objective Historically, patients have fasted before elective surgery to ensure an empty stomach to avoid aspiration. A fasting-induced catabolic state however may adversely influence recovery after surgery. Our study was designed to test the effect of oral carbohydrate loading on clinical parameters in patients undergoing major surgery for advanced-stage ovarian cancer. Methods A double-blinded single-centre randomised trial was designed to recruit 110 patients with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer undergoing either primary surgery, or neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to debulking surgery. Following written informed consent, the patients were randomised into two groups. Group 1 received the carbohydrate drink (intervention) and group 2 received flavoured water (placebo). The quantity of fluid in both groups was 800ml the night before the surgery and 400ml two hours before the induction of anaesthesia. The primary endpoint of the study was the Length of Hospital Stay (LoHS); the secondary parameters assessed were pain scores, nausea and vomiting scores, bowel function, and postoperative complication rate. Results Between March 2009 and December 2011, 80 patients were randomised and 75 completed the study. A decision was made to close the trial early as a change in routine clinical practice meant that patients were admitted on the day of surgery rather than a day before. Analysis of the data revealed that there were no significant differences between the study groups in terms of LoHS and other clinical parameters. Conclusion In this single-center study, which failed to recruit the planned number of patients, we were unable to demonstrate that oral carbohydrate intake pre-operatively has significant impact on the recovery process or the length of hospitalisation postoperatively. Future studies should examine all aspects of an Enhanced Recovery Program after Surgery as a package as compared to a single element to enhance patient outcome. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2020, Al-Hirmizy et al.

Diversity of Phytophthora species in natural ecosystems of Taiwan and association with disease symptoms

In 2013 a survey of Phytophthora diversity was performed in 25 natural and seminatural forest stands and 25 rivers in temperate montane and subtropical lowland regions of Taiwan. Using baiting assays, 10 described species and 17 previously unknown taxa of Phytophthora were isolated from 71.5% of the 144 rhizosphere soil samples from 33 of 40 tree species sampled in 24 forest stands, and from 19 rivers: P. capensis, P. citrophthora, P. plurivora, P. tropicalis, P. citricola VII, P. sp. x botryosa-like, P. sp. x meadii-like and P. sp. occultans-like from Clade 2; P. palmivora from Clade 4; P. castaneae and P. heveae from Clade 5; P. chlamydospora and P. sp. forestsoil-like from Clade 6; P. cinnamomi (Pc), P. parvispora, P. attenuata nom. prov., P. flexuosa nom. prov., P. formosa nom. prov., P. intricata nom. prov., P. x incrassata nom. prov. and P. x heterohybrida nom. prov. from Clade 7; P. sp. palustris and five new hybrid species from Clade 9. The A1 mating type of Pc was widespread in both montane and lowland forests and rarely associated with disease, whereas the A2 mating type was limited to lowland forests and in some cases causing severe dieback. Most other Phytophthora species were not associated with obvious disease symptoms. It is concluded that (i) Taiwan is within the centre of origin of most Phytophthora taxa found, (ii) Pc A2 is an introduced invasive pathogen, and (iii) interspecific hybridizations play a major role in speciation and species radiations in diverse natural ecosystems.Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT) [EXPL/AGR-FOR/1304/2012]Phytophthora Research and ConsultancyHungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA) [K101914

Alcohol use among university students in Sweden measured by an electronic screening instrument

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Electronic-based alcohol screening and brief interventions for university students with problem drinking behaviours forms an important means by which to identify risky drinkers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study an e-SBI project was implemented to assess drinking patterns, and to provide personalised feedback about alcohol consumption and related health problems, to students in a Swedish university. In this study, third semester university students (n = 2858) from all faculties (colleges) at the University were invited to participate in e-SBI screenings. This study employed a randomised controlled trial, with respondents having a equal chance of being assigned to a limited, or full-feedback response.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The study shows that high risk drinkers tend to underestimate their own consumption compared to others, and that these high risk drinkers experience more negative consequences after alcohol intake, than other respondents. There was a strong belief, for both high- and low-risk drinkers, that alcohol helped celebrations be more festive. This study also confirms findings from other study locations that while males drank more than females in our study population; females reached the same peak alcohol blood concentrations as males.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Obtaining clear and current information on drinking patterns demonstrated by university students can help public health officials, university administration, and local health care providers develop appropriate prevention and treatment strategies.</p

Improving hospital-based opioid substitution therapy (iHOST): protocol for a mixed-methods evaluation

BACKGROUND: Opioid substitution therapy is associated with improved health and social outcomes for people who use heroin and other illicit opioids. It is typically managed in the community and is not always continued when people are admitted to hospital. This causes opioid withdrawal, discharge against medical advice, and increased costs. We are establishing a project called iHOST (improving hospital opioid substitution therapy) to address these problems. This is an applied health research project in which we will develop and evaluate an intervention that aims to improve opioid substitution therapy in three acute hospitals in England. The intervention was developed in collaboration with stakeholders including people who use opioids, hospital staff, and other professionals who work with this group. It includes five components: (1) a card that patients can use to help hospital clinicians confirm their opioid substitution therapy, (2) a helpline for patients and staff, (3) an online training module for staff, (4) a clinical guideline for managing opioid withdrawal in hospital, and (5) ‘champion’ roles at each hospital. METHODS: We will do a mixed-methods study including a quasi-experimental quantitative study and a qualitative process evaluation. The primary outcomes for the quantitative study are discharge against medical advice and emergency readmission within 28 days. We will do a difference-in-difference analysis comparing changes in these outcomes for patients at iHOST sites with changes for patients at control hospitals. The process evaluation will use in-depth interviews, focus groups, and site observations with people who use opioids and staff. We will assess acceptability of the intervention, barriers and facilitators to implementation, and contextual factors impacting outcomes. IMPACT: We anticipate that iHOST will improve care for hospital patients who use illicit opioids and/or are receiving community-based opioid substitution therapy. Depending on the results, we will promote the intervention at hospitals across the UK. Dissemination, including through publication, will inform hospital-based services for people who use drugs both in the UK and other countries

Soil bacterial and fungal communities of six bahiagrass cultivars

Background Cultivars of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé) are widely used for pasture in the Southeastern USA. Soil microbial communities are unexplored in bahiagrass and they may be cultivar-dependent, as previously proven for other grass species. Understanding the influence of cultivar selection on soil microbial communities is crucial as microbiome taxa have repeatedly been shown to be directly linked to plant performance. Objectives This study aimed to determine whether different bahiagrass cultivars interactively influence soil bacterial and fungal communities. Methods Six bahiagrass cultivars (‘Argentine’, ‘Pensacola’, ‘Sand Mountain’, ‘Tifton 9’, ‘TifQuik’, and ‘UF-Riata’) were grown in a randomized complete block design with four replicate plots of 4.6 × 1.8 m per cultivar in a Rhodic Kandiudults soil in Northwest Florida, USA. Three soil subsamples per replicate plot were randomly collected. Soil DNA was extracted and bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA and fungal ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 genes were amplified and sequenced with one Illumina Miseq Nano. Results The soil bacterial and fungal community across bahiagrass cultivars showed similarities with communities recovered from other grassland ecosystems. Few differences in community composition and diversity of soil bacteria among cultivars were detected; none were detected for soil fungi. The relative abundance of sequences assigned to nitrite-oxidizing Nitrospira was greater under ‘Sand Mountain’ than ‘UF-Riata’. Indicator species analysis revealed that several bacterial and fungal indicators associated with either a single cultivar or a combination of cultivars are likely to be plant pathogens or antagonists. Conclusions Our results suggest a low impact of plant cultivar choice on the soil bacterial community composition, whereas the soil fungal community was unaffected. Shifts in the relative abundance of Nitrospira members in response to cultivar choice may have implications for soil N dynamics. The cultivars associated with presumptive plant pathogens or antagonists indicates that the ability of bahiagrass to control plant pathogens may be cultivar-dependent, however, physiological studies on plant-microbe interactions are required to confirm this presumption. We therefore suggest that future studies should explore the potential of different bahiagrass cultivars on plant pathogen control, particularly in sod-based crop rotation

The Personalized Acne Treatment Tool - Recommendations to facilitate a patient-centered approach to acne management from the Personalizing Acne: Consensus of Experts

BACKGROUND: Acne, a commonly treated skin disease, requires patient-centered management due to its varying presentations, chronicity, and impact on health-related quality of life. Despite this, evidence-based clinical guidelines focus primarily on clinical severity of facial acne, omitting important patient- and disease-related factors, including ongoing management. OBJECTIVES: To generate recommendations to support patient-centered acne management, which incorporate priority and prognostic factors beyond conventional clinical severity, traditionally defined by grading the appearance and extent of visible lesions. METHODS: The Personalizing Acne: Consensus of Experts consisted of 17 dermatologists who used a modified Delphi approach to reach consensus on statements regarding patient- and treatment-related factors pertaining to patient-centered acne management. Consensus was defined as ≥75% voting agree or strongly agree. RESULTS: Recommendations based on factors such as acne sequelae, location of acne, high burden of disease, and individual patient features were generated and incorporated into the Personalized Acne Treatment Tool. LIMITATIONS: Recommendations are based on expert opinion, which may differ from patients\u27 perspectives. Regional variations in healthcare systems may not be represented. CONCLUSIONS: The Personalizing Acne: Consensus of Experts panel provided practical recommendations to facilitate individualized management of acne, based on patient features, which can be implemented to improve treatment outcomes, adherence, and patient satisfaction