Phenotypic microarrays suggest Escherichia coli ST131 is not a metabolically distinct lineage of extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli

Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) are the major aetiological agent of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in humans. The emergence of the CTX-M producing clone E. coli ST131 represents a major challenge to public health worldwide. A recent study on the metabolic potential of E. coli isolates demonstrated an association between the E. coli ST131 clone and enhanced utilisation of a panel of metabolic substrates. The studies presented here investigated the metabolic potential of ST131 and other major ExPEC ST isolates using 120 API test reagents and found that ST131 isolates demonstrated a lower metabolic activity for 5 of 120 biochemical tests in comparison to non-ST131 ExPEC isolates. Furthermore, comparative phenotypic microarray analysis showed a lack of specific metabolic profile for ST131 isolates countering the suggestion that these bacteria are metabolically fitter and therefore more successful human pathogens

Desglycinamide-(ARG8)-vasopressin in five trials with memory-disturbed patients

A series of five consecutive clinical trials were performed in which the neuropeptide desglycinamide‐(Arg8)‐vasopressin (DGAVP) was administered to human subjects suffering from cognitive and memory complaints. The patients selected for the study were carefully screened with the aid of neuropsychological assessment procedures. The trials were conducted according to a structured design in which the variables ‘dose’, ‘route of administration’, ‘treatment schedule’, ‘diagnostic group’, and ‘severity of deficit’ were varied from trial to trial in order to find optimal conditions for the possible expression of a peptide effect. The results indicate a statistically significant effect of DGAVP on word list learning in patients with mild brain trauma, suggesting that learning performance and memory retrieval are improved after peptide treatment in these patients. Patients with more severe brain trauma did not respond to peptide treatment. Some DGAVP effects, e.g. increased speed of memory search, were observed in patients with age‐associated memory deficits

Health and health-related quality of life among treatment-seeking overweight and obese adults: associations with internalized weight bias

Background: Weight bias is widespread and has numerous harmful consequences. The internalization of weight bias has been associated with significant psychological impairment. Other forms of discrimination, such as racial and anti-gay bias, have been shown to be associated with physical health impairment. However, research has not yet examined whether internalized weight bias is associated with physical as well as psychological impairment in health-related quality of life. Methods: Participants included 120 treatment-seeking overweight and obese adults (mean body mass index = 35.09; mean age = 48.31; 68% female; 59% mixed or Asian ethnicity). Participants were administered measures of internalized weight bias and physical and mental health-related quality of life, and they were assessed for the presence of chronic medical conditions, use of prescription and non-prescription medications, and current exercise. Results: Internalized weight bias was significantly correlated with health impairment in both physical (r = −.25) and mental (r = −.48) domains. In multivariate analyses controlling for body mass index, age, and other physical health indicators, internalized weight bias significantly and independently predicted impairment in both physical (β = −.31) and mental (β = −.47) health. Conclusions: Internalized weight bias was associated with greater impairment in both the physical and mental domains of health-related quality of life. Internalized weight bias also contributed significantly to the variance in physical and mental health impairment over and above the contributions of BMI, age, and medical comorbidity. Consistent with the association between prejudice and physical health in other minority groups, these findings suggest a link between the effects of internalized weight-based discrimination and physical health. Research is needed on strategies to prevent weight bias and its internalization on both a societal and individual level.</p