Genetic glucocorticoid receptor variants differ between ethnic groups but do not explain variation in age of diabetes onset, metabolic and inflammation parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes

AimsThe effect of excess glucocorticoid receptor (GR) stimulation through glucocorticoid medication or cortisol on glucose metabolism is well established. There are genetic GR variants that result in increased or decreased GR stimulation. We aimed to determine the prevalence of genetic GR variants in different ethnic groups in a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes, and we aimed to determine their association with age of diabetes onset and metabolic and inflammation parameters.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis was performed in a multiethnic cohort (n = 602) of patients with established type 2 diabetes. Polymorphisms in the GR gene that have previously been associated with altered glucocorticoid sensitivity (TthIIII, ER22/23EK N363S, BclI and 9β) were determined and combined into 6 haplotypes. Associations with age of diabetes onset, HbA1c, hs-CRP and lipid values were evaluated in multivariate regression models.ResultsThe prevalence of the SNPs of N363S and BclI was higher in Dutch than in non-Dutch patients. We observed a lower prevalence of the SNP 9β in Dutch, South(East) Asian and Black African patients versus Turkish and Moroccan patients. We did not detect an association between SNPs and diabetes age of onset or metabolic parameters. We only found a trend for lower age of onset and higher HbA1c in patients with 1 or 2 copies of haplotype 3 (TthIIII + 9β).ConclusionsThe prevalence of genetic GR variants differs between patients of different ethnic origins. We did not find a clear association between genetic GR variants and age of diabetes onset or metabolic and inflammation parameters. This indicates that the clinical relevance of GR variants in patients with established type 2 diabetes is limited

Genomic delineation and description of species and within-species lineages in the genus Pantoea

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : The datasets presented in this study can be found in online repositories. The names of the repository/repositories and accession number(s) can be found below: https://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/, PRJNA445714.As the name of the genus Pantoea (“of all sorts and sources”) suggests, this genus includes bacteria with a wide range of provenances, including plants, animals, soils, components of the water cycle, and humans. Some members of the genus are pathogenic to plants, and some are suspected to be opportunistic human pathogens; while others are used as microbial pesticides or show promise in biotechnological applications. During its taxonomic history, the genus and its species have seen many revisions. However, evolutionary and comparative genomics studies have started to provide a solid foundation for a more stable taxonomy. To move further toward this goal, we have built a 2,509-gene core genome tree of 437 public genome sequences representing the currently known diversity of the genus Pantoea. Clades were evaluated for being evolutionarily and ecologically significant by determining bootstrap support, gene content differences, and recent recombination events. These results were then integrated with genome metadata, published literature, descriptions of named species with standing in nomenclature, and circumscriptions of yet-unnamed species clusters, 15 of which we assigned names under the nascent SeqCode. Finally, genome-based circumscriptions and descriptions of each species and each significant genetic lineage within species were uploaded to the LINbase Web server so that newly sequenced genomes of isolates belonging to any of these groups could be precisely and accurately identified.The National Science Foundation and the United States Department of Agriculture—National Institute of Food and Agriculture. In part by the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, the Hatch Program of USDA NIFA and the National Institute of Health.http://www.frontiersin.org/Microbiologyam2024BiochemistryForestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)GeneticsMicrobiology and Plant PathologySDG-15:Life on lan

Factors Associated with Revision Surgery after Internal Fixation of Hip Fractures

Background: Femoral neck fractures are associated with high rates of revision surgery after management with internal fixation. Using data from the Fixation using Alternative Implants for the Treatment of Hip fractures (FAITH) trial evaluating methods of internal fixation in patients with femoral neck fractures, we investigated associations between baseline and surgical factors and the need for revision surgery to promote healing, relieve pain, treat infection or improve function over 24 months postsurgery. Additionally, we investigated factors associated with (1) hardware removal and (2) implant exchange from cancellous screws (CS) or sliding hip screw (SHS) to total hip arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, or another internal fixation device. Methods: We identified 15 potential factors a priori that may be associated with revision surgery, 7 with hardware removal, and 14 with implant exchange. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses in our investigation. Results: Factors associated with increased risk of revision surgery included: female sex, [hazard ratio (HR) 1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-2.50; P = 0.001], higher body mass index (fo

Gebruiksgegevens voor een korte vorm van de Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices

Psychometric data are presented for the Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM), shortened to series A and B. The data were derived from a sample of 2791 persons aged 55 to 85 years. Six 5-year age strata were equally represented, as well as both sexes. The distribution of educational attainment was representative for the elderly population. Norms were stratified for age and education; gender differences were too small to necessitate separate norms. Analysis of reliability according to Mokken's IRT-model indicated modest scalability, but high internal consistency. A loss of 2 to 4 points at retest (depending on personal characteristics) is interpretable as a loss of capacity. Ample attention is paid to qualitative aspects of test performance, but it is concluded that error analysis is mainly useful to detect positional preferences

Complete or High-Quality Draft Genome Sequences of Six Xanthomonas hortorum Strains Sequenced with Short- and Long-Read Technologies

We report the genome sequences of six Xanthomonas hortorum species-level clade members, X. hortorum pathovars taraxaci, pelargonii, cynarae, and gardneri (complete genome sequences) and X. hortorum pathovars carotae and vitians (high-quality draft genome sequences). Both short- and long-read sequencing technologies were used.ISSN:2576-098

HEAR-aware: Development and evaluation of an e-health tool for older adults who are not ready for a hearing aid: Presentation of a study design

The primary objectives of the HEAR-aware project are to 1) develop and 2) evaluate a smartphone-based tailored e-health tool (HEAR-aware app prototype with external microphone) that can serve the individualized needs of adults (aged 50+) with hearing impairment who do not want a hearing aid, but who are willing to be supported in an alternative way to establish better self-management of their hearing problems. Methods: In the developmental stage, potential users, VUmc-researchers, two private partners, and an app-development company will collaborate to develop three successive prototypes (I, II, III) of the HEAR-aware tool. The development of the tool will be grounded on behavior change theory of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (Stages of Change and Processes of Change). It is firstly explored which elements of an existing support program for hearing aid users (HoorSupport©) and what other intervention elements could be useful for the new target group, and could be combined with the innovative methodology of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). Secondly, a needs assessment among potential users will beis performed via focus groups (Study 1). Thirdly, the development of the tool's successive prototypes (from I to III) will be performed and described (Study 2). Lastly, Prototype III’s effectiveness will be examined via a randomized controlled trial (Study 3). Outcomes will be measured at baseline, directly post, and 3-months post-intervention and amongst others will include: readiness for hearing action, coping (personal adjustment and use of communication strategies), self-reported disability, and self-efficacymanagement of hearing problems. Cost-effectiveness will also be determined. Results and Discussion: The content of HoorSupport has been reviewed for applicability in the tool, and each element has been linked to particular Stages and Processes of Change. Data collection for Study 1 will occur during summer and fall 2019. Results for Study 2 and 3 are expected in 2020 and 2021

HEAR-aware: Development and evaluation of an e-health tool for older adults who are not ready for a hearing aid: Presentation of a study design

The primary objectives of the HEAR-aware project are to 1) develop and 2) evaluate a smartphone-based tailored e-health tool (HEAR-aware app prototype with external microphone) that can serve the individualized needs of adults (aged 50+) with hearing impairment who do not want a hearing aid, but who are willing to be supported in an alternative way to establish better self-management of their hearing problems. Methods: In the developmental stage, potential users, VUmc-researchers, two private partners, and an app-development company will collaborate to develop three successive prototypes (I, II, III) of the HEAR-aware tool. The development of the tool will be grounded on behavior change theory of the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (Stages of Change and Processes of Change). It is firstly explored which elements of an existing support program for hearing aid users (HoorSupport©) and what other intervention elements could be useful for the new target group, and could be combined with the innovative methodology of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). Secondly, a needs assessment among potential users will beis performed via focus groups (Study 1). Thirdly, the development of the tool's successive prototypes (from I to III) will be performed and described (Study 2). Lastly, Prototype III’s effectiveness will be examined via a randomized controlled trial (Study 3). Outcomes will be measured at baseline, directly post, and 3-months post-intervention and amongst others will include: readiness for hearing action, coping (personal adjustment and use of communication strategies), self-reported disability, and self-efficacymanagement of hearing problems. Cost-effectiveness will also be determined. Results and Discussion: The content of HoorSupport has been reviewed for applicability in the tool, and each element has been linked to particular Stages and Processes of Change. Data collection for Study 1 will occur during summer and fall 2019. Results for Study 2 and 3 are expected in 2020 and 2021

Differentiation of the Xanthomonas hortorum – Xanthomonas hydrangeae Species Complex Using Sensitive and Selective LAMP Assays

The seven pathovars of Xanthomonas hortorum and Xanthomonas hydrangeae, referred to as the X. hortorum – X. hydrangeae species complex, cause disease on a multitude of plants, including crops, ornamental and wild plants. Cross-pathogenicity was proven for some of the strains within this species complex. It is thus important to have highly specific and fast diagnostics methods for members of the X. hortorum – X. hydrangeae species complex. A comparative genomic analysis was conducted for representative members within the complex to identify singletons for use as genomic targets for the assays. Seven loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) diagnostics assays were developed for the detection of six clades within the X. hortorum – X. hydrangeae species complex, in addition to one assay specific for the entire species complex. Primer sets were tested on a set of 62 reference strains. The primer sets amplified their respective targets within 15 minutes. Based on the reference set, all assays had a sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency of 100%. The assays were used on a validation set of 60 strains. According to the LAMP results, out of the 60 strains, 39 strains were assigned to one of the clades within the complex, 9 were assigned to the complex but to yet undefined clades within the complex, and 12 strains were previously misclassified as X. hortorum since their genomic DNA did not yield amplification with any of the assays. The seven genome-based assays are promising for use as diagnostic tools for various members within the X. hortorum – X. hydrangeae species complex, and for assigning new and historical isolates to this complex.ISSN:2673-321

Gecombineerde visus- en gehoorbeperking: naar schatting bij 30.000-35.000 55-plussers in Nederland

Design Combination of studies in the general population and in relevant subpopulations. Method Eight databases derived from recent studies on older persons with vision and hearing data on Dutch subjects aged 55 years or over were selected for further analysis. The measurement methods included self-reports, clinical measurements and observations. The prevalences of DSI were calculated for the general population, the non-institutionalised population, and subgroups such as older people in nursing homes and homes for the elderly. The calculated prevalences were extrapolated to the overall Dutch population. Results For the non-institutionalised population of 55 years and older, the prevalences of acquired DSI in two different data sets were 0.4 (95 CI: 0.2-0.6) and 0.6 (95 CI: 0.3-0.8), respectively. Among the inhabitants of homes for the elderly these percentages were 5.4 (95 CI: 0.9-9.9) and 5.5 (95 CI: 3.8-7.2), and in nursing homes they were 12.7 (95 CI: 9.7-15.7) and 16.7 (95 CI: 14.6-18.8). Acquired DSI was most common in persons 85 years of age and older. It was estimated that the number of people aged 55 years and over with acquired DSI in the Netherlands is 30,000 to 35,000. Conclusion DSI is particularly a problem of the oldest old. An integrated approach to the visual and hearing problems of these subjects is essential