Next-Generation Genome Sequencing of Lactobacilli

The gastrointestinal microbiome plays a critical role in aiding the host in maintaining homeostasis. Probiotic bacteria can aid the microbiota in maintenance of homeostasis by performing a multitude of functions such as modulating the immune system, maintaining the intestinal epithelium, and inhibiting pathogens. A probiotic organism is �-a live microorganism that, when administered in adequate amounts, confers a health benefit to the host.� Several species from the genus of Lactobacillus are known probiotics. Lactobacilli have been used to manufacture fermented food products, have been found to be involved in the decay of plant matter, and are members of the oral, gastrointestinal and vaginal microbiomes. A body of evidence that probiotics, including certain strains of Lactobacillus, may be able to positively influence the gut-brain axis is emerging. Microtus ochrogaster, the prairie vole, is a highly social animal and an excellent model for the studying the effect of environmental factors on behavior. Males that have not pair-bonded exhibit a high degree of interest in unfamiliar voles, but when exposed to mercury a shift in this behavior occurs and the animals develop an aversion to strangers. It is possible that administration of probiotics, such as lactobacilli, may be able to reverse this altered behavior. The probiotic potential of lactobacilli has been shown to be strain specific and there is a need to characterize the molecular mechanisms involved in probiosis. To understand the underlying mechanics by which probiotic strains of Lactobacillus could potentially reverse the effect of mercury exposure on prairie vole behavior, it is necessary to understand the genes involved and their function at a molecular level. To lay the foundation for future studies regarding these mechanisms, the genomes of three Lactobacillus strains previously isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of prairie voles, and tested in vitro for probiotic characteristics, were sequenced using the Ion Torrent PGM�. Potential homologues of genes involved in probiotic action were identified and described in this study.Biochemistry & Molecular Biolog

What barriers delay treatment in patients with hepatitis C?

Q: What barriers delay treatment in patients with hepatitis C? Evidence-based answer: Multiple patient-specific and provider-perceived factors delay initiation of treatment in patients with hepatitis C. Patient-specific barriers to initiation of treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) include age, race, gender, economic status, insurance status, and comorbidities such as HIV coinfection, psychiatric illness, and other psychosocial factors. Provider-perceived patient factors include substance abuse history, older age, psychiatric illness, medical comorbidities, treatment adverse effect risks, and factors that might limit adherence (eg, comprehension level). Study limitations included problems with generalizability of the populations studied and variability in reporting or interpreting data associated with substance or alcohol use disorders (strength of recommendation: B, based on 2 prospective and 5 retrospective cohort studies).Kimberly Crosby, PharmD; Simone Bigelow, DO; Viviane Sachs, MD; Jennifer Weakley, MD; Helga Skaftason, MD, MPH University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Tulsa Toni Hoberecht, MA, MLIS, AHIP University of Oklahoma-- Tulsa, Schusterman LibraryIncludes bibliographical reference

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Does use of continuous or flash glucose monitors decrease hypoglycemia episodes in T2D?

Q: Does use of continuous or flash glucose monitors decrease hypoglycemia episodes in T2D? Evidence-based answer: NO. In adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (T2D), continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and flash glucose monitoring (FGM) do not decrease symptomatic hypoglycemia episodes (strength of recommendation [SOR], B) but do lower time in hypoglycemia (SOR, C; disease-oriented evidence). CGM, in which glucose levels are sent automatically in numeric and graphic format to a patient’s smart device for their potential action, did not change the hypoglycemic event rate (SOR, B; 2 prospective studies). CGM significantly reduced hypoglycemia duration in an 8-month randomized controlled trial (RCT; SOR, C) but not in a 1-year prospective study (SOR, C). FGM, in which glucose levels are sent on demand to a device, did not significantly reduce hypoglycemic episodes (SOR, B; 1 small RCT and 1 prospective study). Hypoglycemia duration was reduced significantly with FGM in a 6-month RCT (SOR, B) but not in a 1-year prospective study (SOR, B).Frances K. Wen, PhD; Simone Bigelow, DO; Kimberly Crosby, PharmD; Raye Reeder, MD, MPH (Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine), Toni Hoberecht, MA, MLIS, AHIP; Emrys Moreau, MFA, MLIS (Schusterman Library, University of Oklahoma–Tulsa). Deputy Editor: Rick Guthmann, MD, MPH (Advocate Health Care Illinois Masonic Medical Center Program)Includes bibliographical reference

The effects of inspecting and constructing part-task-specific visualizations on team and individual learning

<p>This study examined whether inspecting and constructing different part-task-specific visualizations differentially affects learning. To this end, a complex business-economics problem was structured into three phase-related part-tasks: (1) determining core concepts, (2) proposing multiple solutions, and (3) coming to a single solution. Each phase was foreseen with a part-task-specific representational tool facilitating visualization of the domain-content (i.e., a conceptual, causal and simulation tool respectively for the subsequent phases). Whereas all teams of learners (N = 17) were scripted to carry out the part-tasks in the predefined order, teams were instructed to (1) inspect expert visualizations (n = 8) or (2) construct their own domain-specific visualizations (n = 9). Results indicate that constructing visualizations, in comparison to inspecting them, evokes more meaningful discussion of the domain-content beneficially affecting team complex learning-task performance and individual learning gains (i.e., higher post-test score). (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.</p>