The effect of M. tuberculosis lineage on clinical phenotype

Six lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis sensu stricto (which excludes M. africanum) are described. Single-country or small observational data suggest differences in clinical phenotype between lineages. We present strain lineage and clinical phenotype data from 12,246 patients from 3 low-incidence and 5 high-incidence countries. We used multivariable logistic regression to explore the effect of lineage on site of disease and on cavities on chest radiography, given pulmonary TB; multivariable multinomial logistic regression to investigate types of extra-pulmonary TB, given lineage; and accelerated failure time and Cox proportional-hazards models to explore the effect of lineage on time to smear and culture-conversion. Mediation analyses quantified the direct effects of lineage on outcomes. Pulmonary disease was more likely among patients with lineage(L) 2, L3 or L4, than L1 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.79, (95% confidence interval 1.49–2.15), p<0.001; aOR = 1.40(1.09–1.79), p = 0.007; aOR = 2.04(1.65–2.53), p<0.001, respectively). Among patients with pulmonary TB, those with L1 had greater risk of cavities on chest radiography versus those with L2 (aOR = 0.69(0.57–0.83), p<0.001) and L4 strains (aOR = 0.73(0.59–0.90), p = 0.002). L1 strains were more likely to cause osteomyelitis among patients with extra-pulmonary TB, versus L2-4 (p = 0.033, p = 0.008 and p = 0.049 respectively). Patients with L1 strains showed shorter time-to-sputum smear conversion than for L2. Causal mediation analysis showed the effect of lineage in each case was largely direct. The pattern of clinical phenotypes seen with L1 strains differed from modern lineages (L2-4). This has implications for clinical management and could influence clinical trial selection strategies

The Relationship between Uterine, Fecal, Bedding, and Airborne Dust Microbiota from Dairy Cows and Their Environment: A Pilot Study

Simple Summary After calving, dairy cows face the risk of negative energy balance, inflammation, and immunosuppression, which may result in bacterial infection and disruption of the normal microbiota, thus encouraging the development of metritis and endometritis. This study characterized uterine, fecal, bedding, and airborne dust microbiota from postpartum dairy cows and their environment during summer and winter. The results clarify the importance of microbiota in cowshed environments, i.e., bedding and airborne dust, in understanding the postpartum uterine microbiota of dairy cows. Abstract The aim of this study was to characterize uterine, fecal, bedding, and airborne dust microbiota from postpartum dairy cows and their environment. The cows were managed by the free-stall housing system, and samples for microbiota and serum metabolite assessment were collected during summer and winter when the cows were at one and two months postpartum. Uterine microbiota varied between seasons; the five most prevalent taxa were Enterobacteriaceae, Moraxellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae, and Lactobacillaceae during summer, and Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Bacteroidaceae, Moraxellaceae, and Clostridiaceae during winter. Although Actinomycetaceae and Mycoplasmataceae were detected at high abundance in several uterine samples, the relationship between the uterine microbiota and serum metabolite concentrations was unclear. The fecal microbiota was stable regardless of the season, whereas bedding and airborne dust microbiota varied between summer and winter. With regards to uterine, bedding, and airborne dust microbiota, Enterobacteriaceae, Moraxellaceae, Staphylococcaceae, and Lactobacillaceae were more abundant during summer, and Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Bacteroidaceae, and Clostridiaceae were more abundant during winter. Canonical analysis of principal coordinates confirmed the relationship between uterine and cowshed microbiota. These results indicated that the uterine microbiota may vary when the microbiota in cowshed environments changes

Agroforestry - The Most Resilient Farming System for the Hilly Northwest of Vietnam

Over 94% of the land of northwestern Vietnam is classified as sloping. Population growth has exerted pressure on local natural resources, with agricultural expansion on steep slopes resulting in forest degradation, landscape fragmentation and severe environmental consequences. Efforts to restore forest ecosystems have been made by the government, however, as the livelihoods of 80% of the population depend on agriculture, the reconversion of land to forest has proven to be an inappropriate solution. Agroforestry offers a potentially sustainable land-use solution, which could re-establish forests, restore ecosystem services, and stabilize local livelihoods. In this paper, we assess the potential of agroforestry development in the region based on the results of two interrelated surveys conducted in 21 representative villages in six districts of three northwestern provinces: 1) a farming system diagnosis implemented in 17 representative villages; and 2) an agroforestry adoption survey with 210 households practising agroforestry in 14 villages. The analysis was strengthened by four years’ experience in implementing an extensive agroforestry project in the region. The studies focussed on assessing key benefits and constraints of existing farming systems, including agroforestry practices, adopted by farmers and identifying the potential for agroforestry development in the region. The results showed that the dominant farming system in the north-western provinces was monoculture of staple crops on slopes, which provided relatively low economic returns. Soil erosion, land degradation, and water shortages resultant from intensive farming practices were the most significant environmental issues in the area. Tree-based farming systems were rare and mostly a result of spontaneous adoption by farmers. Given the mountainous landscape and the need for soil stabilization, agroforestry was seen by farmers as a viable approach. Improving the existing and adopting new, integrated agroforestry systems were identified as viable ways toward sustainable livelihoods in Northwestern Vietnam

The Effect of Monetary Instrument of Islamic Banking Financing Channel Towards The Economic Growth in Indonesia

Monetary policy is closely related to activities to achieve economic growth, which eventually gives welfare to the community. This study aims to analyze the description of the transmission flow of financing channels, the effect of monetary policy instruments, and their effectiveness to achieve economic growth. The variables used are Islamic Banking Finance (FIN), return of Sharia Bank Indonesia Certificate (SBIS), return of PUAS, and Industrial Production Index (IPI). This study used Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) to determine short- and long-term relationships using the time series data. First, the result of the study showed that the transmission flow could not be identified clearly, because the flow stopped in FIN, and it could not affect IPI, according to the Granger Causality test. Second, the result of VECM estimation showed that all variables only affected long term period and did not affect the short-term period. Third, monetary policy transmission of Islamic banking financing channel was not effective enough, which was proven with the result of IRF simulation, which showed that the effect of shock on financing channel variable (FIN) towards IPI was subsided and stable in the 10th period later. Meanwhile, the result of the FEVD simulation showed that the financing channel variable (FIN) only gave a contribution of as much as 0.14 percent towards IPI. The contribution and policy implications are also discussed in this study

Correction: Absence of Zika virus among pregnant women in Vietnam in 2008.

International audienc

Discovery of Novel Backusella (Backusellaceae, Mucorales) Isolated from Invertebrates and Toads in Cheongyang, Korea

Three novel fungal species, Backusella chlamydospora sp. nov., B. koreana sp. nov., and B. thermophila sp. nov., as well as two new records, B. oblongielliptica and B. oblongispora, were found in Cheongyang, Korea, during an investigation of fungal species from invertebrates and toads. All species are described here using morphological characters and sequence data from internal transcribed spacer sequences of ribosomal DNA and large subunit of the ribosomal DNA. Backusella chlamydospora is different from other Backusella species by producing chlamydospores. Backusella koreana can be distinguished from other Backusella species by producing abundant yeast-like cells. Backusella thermophila is characterized by a variable (subglobose to oblong, applanate to oval, conical and ellipsoidal to pyriform) columellae and grows well at 37 ◦C. Multigene phylogenetic analyses of the combined ITS and LSU rDNA sequences data generated from maximum likelihood and MrBayes analyses indicate that B. chlamydospora, B. koreana, and B. thermophila form distinct lineages in the family Backusellaceae. Detailed descriptions, illustrations, phylogenetic tree, and taxonomic key to the Backusella species present in Korea are provided

Pre-treatment cerebrospinal fluid bacterial load correlates with inflammatory response and predicts neurological events during tuberculous meningitis treatment.

Background Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) bacillary load in the brain of those with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) may reflect the host ability to control the pathogen and determine disease severity and treatment outcomes. Methods We measured pre-treatment cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Mtb bacterial load by GeneXpert in 692 adults with TBM. We sought to understand the relationship between CSF bacterial load and inflammation, and their respective impact on disease severity and treatment outcomes. Results Ten-fold higher Mtb load was associated with increased disease severity (Odds Ratio=1.59, p=0.001 for grade 1 versus grade 3), and increased CSF neutrophils (r=0.364, p<0.0001) and cytokine concentrations (r=0.438, p<0.0001). High Mtb load predicted new neurological events after starting treatment (Multinomial logistic regression, p=0.005), but not death. Death was previously associated with attenuated inflammatory response at the start of treatment, with reduced cytokine concentrations compared to survivors. In contrast, patients with high pre-treatment CSF bacterial loads, cytokines, and neutrophils were more likely to subsequently suffer neurological events. Conclusions Pre-treatment GeneXpert-derived Mtb load may be a useful predictor of neurological complications occurring during TBM treatment. Therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing neurological complications and deaths from TBM may need reassessment, given the evidence for their divergent pathogenesis

THE IMPACT OF INNOVATION ON ECONOMIC GROWTH: THE SPILLOVER EFFECT OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT

Purpose of the study: Innovation is seen as the key to improving quality and productivity, thereby promoting competition and economic growth. This study analyzes the impact of innovation on economic growth through various measures, such as research and development spending, the number of researchers, number of patents as well as trademark registrations. Research results are evidence to recommend policies for intellectual-based economic growth. Methodology: Literature review and empirical analysis conducted in the study. The empirical method is a two-step System Generalize Methods of Moments (GMM), aiming at reliable results. Accessing the World Bank Database, research data from 64 developed and developing countries are collected from 2006 to 2014. Main Findings: The empirical findings show that innovation plays a crucial contribution in promoting economic growth, similar to national openness and government spending on education. This study also finds a positive impact on foreign investment flows and their spillover role in enhancing the correlation between innovation and economic growth. Applications of this study: The findings of this study focus on the contributions of innovation, foreign direct investment inflows, and other macro factors that can be enforced to improve economic growth by policymakers. Novelty/Originality of this study: The study uses different measures of innovation, including inputs such as the number of researchers, research and development expenditure, and outputs as the number of patents and number of trademark registrations. Empirical findings are found consistently, thus confirming that innovation is very important for economic growth. The study also shows convincing evidence confirming the positive contribution of foreign direct investment as well as its spillover effect on innovation and economic growth

A 3D quantitative method for analyzing bone mineral densities: a case study on skeletal deformities in the gilthead sea bream, <i>Sparus aurata</i> (Linnaeus, 1758)

Skeletal deformities, one of the major threats for aquaculture, have been studied extensively. These include opercular malformations in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), a key fish species for Mediterranean aquaculture. What is causing it and at what morphogenetic level it arises, however, is still unclear. Here we focus on bone formation, at the level of bone mineralization. Several methods have been used to study bone mineralization density (BMD), however, these are frequently limited when targeting a high-resolution, three-dimensional mapping of BMD. We used micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) data to perform such a 3D quantification of BMD levels in gilthead sea bream that showed different levels of opercular bone deformations. This approach has the advantage of not having to rely on calibration phantoms, as long as relative BMD values are needed. The results show an increased BMD in deformed opercles compared to normal ones, especially in a bilaterally-deformed specimen. Furthermore, we show that opercular deformations are not necessarily associated with similar mineralization patterns in other mineralized cranial elements, except for the otoliths. Also, mineralization seems to occur left-right independently, matching earlier observations of such an independency of the opercular phenotype as a whole. This study confirms that a quantitative characterization of BMD patterns in 3D is feasible, even in smaller specimens, and that it has several advantages over other commonly used approaches