Evolution, epidemiology and diversity of Corynebacterium diphtheriae : new perspectives on an old foe

Diphtheria is a debilitating disease caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains and has been effectively controlled by the toxoid vaccine, yet several recent outbreaks have been reported across the globe. Moreover, non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae strains are emerging as a major global health concern by causing severe pharyngitis and tonsillitis, endocarditis, septic arthritis and osteomyelitis. Molecular epidemiological investigations suggest the existence of outbreak-associated clones with multiple genotypes circulating around the world. Evolution and pathogenesis appears to be driven by recombination as major virulence factors, including the tox gene and pilus gene clusters, are found within genomic islands that appear to be mobile between strains. The number of pilus gene clusters and variation introduced by gain or loss of gene function correlate with the variable adhesive and invasive properties of C. diphtheriae strains. Genomic variation does not support the separation of C. diphtheriae strains into biovars which correlates well with findings of studies based on multilocus sequence typing. Genomic analyses of a relatively small number of strains also revealed a recombination driven diversification of strains within a sequence type and indicate a wider diversity among C. diphtheriae strains than previously appreciated. This suggests that there is a need for increased effort from the scientific community to study C. diphtheriae to help understand the genomic diversity and pathogenicity within the population of this important human pathogen

Факторы финансовой грамотности и их влияние на финансовое благополучие — исследование молодого населения Харьяны, Индия

The purpose of this study —  is to determine how financial knowledge, attitudes and behaviours (determinants of financial literacy) influence an individual’s overall financial well-being.The methodological basis of the study was a survey of 115 respondents, for which a well-structured questionnaire was developed. Smart PLS version 3 software was used to conduct the PLS analysis. The authors applied a multivariate methodology called Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to integrate characteristics that cannot be seen directly.It is concluded that both financial attitudes and financial behaviour affect financial well-being, with financial behaviour having a greater impact on financial well-being, while financial knowledge does not. The ultimate goal of financial literacy is to increase financial well-being among the population. The results of this study can be used by policy makers, government and educational institutions who should pay more attention to improving the very determinants of financial literacy that affect financial well-being.Цель данного исследования —  определить, как финансовые знания, отношение и поведение (факторы финансовой грамотности) влияют на общее финансовое благополучие человека.Методологической основой исследования стал опрос 115 респондентов, для чего была разработана хорошо структурированная анкета. Для проведения PLS– анализа использована программа Smart PLS версии 3. Авторы применили многомерную методологию под названием Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) для интеграции характеристик, которые нельзя увидеть напрямую.Сделан вывод, что финансовое отношение, как и финансовое поведение влияют на финансовое благополучие, при этом финансовое поведение в большей степени оказывает влияние на финансовое благополучие, в то время как финансовые знания не оказывают никакого влияния. Конечная цель финансовой грамотности заключается в повышении уровня финансового благополучия среди населения. Результаты данного исследования могут быть использованы политиками, правительством и образовательными институтами, которые должны уделять больше внимания улучшению именно тех определяющих факторов финансовой грамотности, которые влияют на финансовое благополучие.

Emerg. Infect. Dis

The multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica serotype Newport strain that produces CMY-2 β-lactamase(Newport MDR-AmpC) was the source of sporadic cases and outbreaks in humans in France during 2000–2005. Because this strain was not detected in food animals, it was most likely introduced into France through imported food products

Origin of Quasi-Periodic Pulsation at the Base of Kink Unstable Jet

We study a blowout jet that occurs at the west limb of the Sun on August 29$^{th}$, 2014 using high-resolution imaging/spectroscopic observations provided by SDO/AIA and IRIS. An inverse $\gamma$-shape flux-rope appears before the jet{--} morphological indication of the onset of kink instability. The twisted field lines of kink-unstable flux-rope reconnect at its bright knot and launch the blowout jet at $\approx$06:30:43 UT with an average speed of 234 km s$^{-1}$. Just after the launch, the northern leg of the flux rope erupts completely. The time-distance diagrams show multiple spikes or bright dots, which is the result of periodic fluctuations, i.e., quasi-periodic fluctuations (QPPs). The wavelet analysis confirms that QPPs have a dominant period of $\approx$ 03 minutes. IRIS spectra (Si~{\sc iv}, C~{\sc ii}, and Mg~{\sc ii}) may also indicate the occurrence of magnetic reconnection through existence of broad $\&$ complex profiles and bi-directional flows in the jet. Further, we have found that line broadening is periodic with a period of $\approx$ 03 minutes, and plasma upflow is always occurs when the line width is high, i.e., multiple reconnection may produce periodic line broadening. The EM curves also show the same period of $\approx$ 03 minutes in different temperature bins. The images and EM show that this jets spire is mainly cool (chromospheric/transition region) rather than hot (coronal) material. Further, line broadening, intensity, and EM curves have a period of $\approx$03 minutes, which strongly supports that multiple magnetic reconnection triggers QPPs in the blowout jet.Comment: The Astrophysical Journal (In press), 25 pages, 12 figure

Personalized Palliative and Survivorship Care for Patients With Metastatic Cancer Treated With Radiation Therapy

While the benefits of early palliative care for patients with metastatic cancer are well established, cancer survivorship remains inadequately integrated into the care of patients with distant metastases. Moreover, the optimal model of care delivery is poorly defined. A prognostic model previously developed and validated at Good Samaritan University Hospital identified four groups of patients with metastatic solid tumor malignancy having very favorable, favorable, standard or unfavorable prognoses with median survival of 31, 14, 4 and 1 month, respectively. This framework holds promise for the personalized delivery of supportive, palliative and survivorship care services in the context of radiation therapy. We review the published literature providing the rationale for a novel multidisciplinary care model where the radiation oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist identifies and coordinates interventions to address unmet physical and emotional issues faced by survivors with metastatic cancer with the goal of improving quality of life and overall survival