Four complete genome sequences for Bradyrhizobium sp. strains isolated from an endemic Australian Acacia legume reveal structural variation

Bradyrhizobium sp. strains were isolated from root nodules of the Australian legume, Acacia acuminata (Fabaceae). Here, we report the complete genome sequences of four strains using a hybrid long- and short-read assembly approach. The genome sizes range between;7.1Mbp and;8.1Mbp, each with one single circular chromosome. Whole-genome alignments show extensive structural rearrangement

Missing Diagnosis, Pain, and Loss of Function in Older Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Insufficiency Fractures:A Qualitative Study of the Patient's Perspective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterised by a chronic, progressive inflammation in the joints and leads to substantial pain, disability, and other morbidities. Few studies document the occurrence of insufficiency fractures, but no studies document the patient’s perspective on incurring an insufficiency fracture. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the patients’ perspective on how insufficiency fractures influence their level of activity and to detect their need for rehabilitation. Two focus-group interviews were performed with 10 patients diagnosed with RA and insufficiency fractures. The data from the focus-group interviews were subjected to thematic analysis to provide a sense of the important themes. The 10 patients were all females, aged 57–88 years. Magnetic resonance imaging were performed at a mean of six months and seven days. All patients identified the delayed diagnosis of fracture as a significant burden. They experienced pain but did not receive a diagnosis. When the patients were immobilised, some of them were offered aids such as crutches, which they were unable to use due to their RA. The patients needed a focus on diagnosis and individually customised rehabilitation, taking into account RA and including guidance concerning daily activities, aids, and the regain of physical function

Treatment with 24 h-delayed normo- and hyperbaric oxygenation in severe sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture in rats

Abstract Background Septic shock remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO2) has been shown to alter the inflammatory response during sepsis and to reduce mortality. A therapeutic window of HBO2 treatment has been demonstrated experimentally, but optimal timing remains uncertain. We investigated the effects of 24 h delayed normobaric oxygen (NBO2) and HBO2 treatment on the endogenous production of the inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-10, and on mortality in rats with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) induced sepsis. Method Fifty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent CLP and were randomized to the following groups: 1) HBO2 2.5 bar absolute pressure (pabs); 2) NBO2 1.0 bar pabs; 3) Control (no-treatment), and they were individually monitored for 72 h with intermittent blood sampling. Results IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 were increased 24 h after the procedure, and IL-6 was significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors. The level of IL-10 was significantly higher at hour 48 in the HBO2 group compared to control (p = 0.01), but this was not the case at other time points. No other significant differences in cytokine levels were found for any group comparisons. Delayed NBO2 and HBO2 treatment failed to change the mortality in the animals. Conclusion High levels of IL-6 in non-surviving animals with sepsis suggest that IL-6 is a potential biomarker. We found a significantly higher concentration of IL-10 in the HBO2 group at hour 48 vs. control animals. However, 24 h–delayed treatment with HBO2 did not change the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and survival, suggesting that earlier intervention may be required to obtain an anti-inflammatory effect

Multilocus Sequence Typing of Genital Chlamydia trachomatis in Norway Reveals Multiple New Sequence Types and a Large Genetic Diversity

Background: The Chlamydia trachomatis incidence rate in Finnmark, the most northern and sparsely populated county in Norway, has been twice the national average. This population based cross-sectional study among Finnmark high school students had the following aims: i) to examine distribution of multilocus sequence types (STs) of C. trachomatis in a previously unmapped area, ii) to compare chlamydia genetic diversity in Finnmark with that of two urban regions, and iii) to compare discriminatory capacity of multilocus sequence typing (MLST) with conventional ompA sequencing in a large number of chlamydia specimens. Methodology: ompA sequencing and a high-resolution MLST system based on PCR amplification and DNA sequencing of five highly variable genetic regions were used. Eighty chlamydia specimens from adolescents aged 15-20 years in Finnmark were collected in five high schools (n = 60) and from routine clinical samples in the laboratory (n = 20). These were compared to routine clinical samples from adolescents in Tromso (n = 80) and Trondheim (n = 88), capitals of North and Central Norway, respectively. Principal Findings: ompA sequencing detected 11 genotypes in 248 specimens from all three areas. MLST displayed 50 STs providing a five-fold higher resolution. Two-thirds of all STs were novel. The common ompA E/Bour genotype comprised 46% and resolved into 24 different STs. MLST identified the Swedish new variant of C. trachomatis not discriminated by ompA sequencing. Simpson's discriminatory index (D) was 0.93 for MLST, while a corrected D-c was 0.97. There were no statistically significant differences in ST genetic diversity between geographic areas. Finnmark had an atypical genovar distribution with G being predominant. This was mainly due to expansion of specific STs of which the novel ST161 was unique for Finnmark. Conclusions/Significance: MLST revealed multiple new STs and a larger genetic diversity in comparison to ompA sequencing and proved to be a useful tool in molecular epidemiology of chlamydia infections.Manuscript title: High-resolution Multilocus Sequence Typing of Chlamydia trachomatis reveals multiple new genotypes in North and Central Norwa

Enzyme prodrug therapy achieves site-specific, personalized physiological responses to the locally produced nitric oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) is a highly potent but short-lived endogenous radical with a wide spectrum of physiological activities. In this work, we developed an enzymatic approach to the site-specific synthesis of NO mediated by biocatalytic surface coatings. Multilayered polyelectrolyte films were optimized as host compartments for the immobilized β-galactosidase (β-Gal) enzyme through a screen of eight polycations and eight polyanions. The lead composition was used to achieve localized production of NO through the addition of β-Gal–NONOate, a prodrug that releases NO following enzymatic bioconversion. The resulting coatings afforded physiologically relevant flux of NO matching that of the healthy human endothelium. The antiproliferative effect due to the synthesized NO in cell culture was site-specific: within a multiwell dish with freely shared media and nutrients, a 10-fold inhibition of cell growth was achieved on top of the biocatalytic coatings compared to the immediately adjacent enzyme-free microwells. The physiological effect of NO produced via the enzyme prodrug therapy was validated ex vivo in isolated arteries through the measurement of vasodilation. Biocatalytic coatings were deposited on wires produced using alloys used in clinical practice and successfully mediated a NONOate concentration-dependent vasodilation in the small arteries of rats. The results of this study present an exciting opportunity to manufacture implantable biomaterials with physiological responses controlled to the desired level for personalized treatment

Folkhälsans seniorboende och aktivt åldrande : BoAktiv-studien

Syftet med denna enkät-studien är att utreda samband mellan aktivt åldrande, gemenskap och delaktighet hos åldringar som bor i seniorhus. Utöver detta syftar forskningen till att producera beskrivande information om hälsa och välmående hos åldringar i seniorhus. Målgruppen var självständigt boende i Folkhälsans seniorhus. Största delen av respondenterna var över 80 år gamla, kvinnor, svenskspråkiga och bodde ensamma. De mest aktiva seniorerna hade bättre hälsorelaterad livskvalitet samt mindre symptom av depression, och deltog mer i verksamheten i seniorhuset och hade en högre känsla av samhörighet. Respondenternas känsla av samhörighet korrelerade positivt med psykiskt välmående, högre vitalitet och energinivå. Enligt resultaten kan man konstatera att aktivt åldrande, gemenskap och delaktighet är i samband hos invånarna i seniorhus. Det är viktigt att sträva till att öka möjligheterna till att vara aktiv och delaktig i seniorhus, vilket även kan öka känslan av gemenskap. Seniorhus har utmärkta möjligheter att mångsidigt stöda den äldres välmående.Syftet med denna enkätstudie var att utreda sambanden mellan social gemenskap, socialt deltagande och aktivt åldrande bland äldre personer som bor i seniorhus, samt dessa faktorers möjliga samband med hälsorelaterad livskvalitet och depressionssymptom. Syftet var också att framställa beskrivande information om hälsa och välbefinnande hos invånare i seniorhus. Målgruppen var självständigt boende i Folkhälsans seniorhus. Största delen av respondenterna var över 80 år gamla, kvinnor, svenskspråkiga och bodde ensamma. De mest aktiva seniorerna hade bättre hälsorelaterad livskvalitet samt mindre symptom av depression, och deltog mer i verksamheten i seniorhuset och hade en högre känsla av samhörighet. Respondenternas känsla av samhörighet korrelerade positivt med mental hälsa, vitalitet och energinivå. Socialt deltagande hade ett positivt samband med mental hälsa. På basis av resultaten kan man konstatera att det finns ett samband mellan aktivt åldrande, social gemenskap och socialt deltagande bland invånare i seniorhus. Det är viktigt att sträva till att öka möjligheterna till att vara aktiv och delaktig i seniorhus, vilket även kan öka känslan av samhörighet. Seniorhus har utmärkta möjligheter att mångsidigt stöda den äldres välmåendePeer reviewe