DataSheet1.DOCX

<p>Respiratory tract infections are the commonest nosocomial infections, and occur predominantly in frailer, older patients with multiple comorbidities. The oropharyngeal microbiota is the major reservoir of infection. This study explored the relative contributions of time in hospital and patient demographics to the community structure of the oropharyngeal microbiota in older patients with lower limb fracture. We collected 167 throat swabs from 53 patients (mean age 83) over 14 days after hospitalization, and analyzed these using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We calculated frailty/comorbidity indices, undertook dental examinations and collected data on respiratory tract infections. We analyzed microbial community composition using correspondence (CA) and canonical correspondence analysis. Ten patients were treated for respiratory tract infection. Microbial community structure was related to frailty, number of teeth and comorbidity on admission, with comorbidity exerting the largest effect. Time in hospital neither significantly changed alpha (t = −0.910, p = 0.365) nor beta diversity (CA1 t = 0.022, p = 0.982; CA2 t = −0.513, p = 0.609) of microbial communities in patient samples. Incidence of respiratory pathogens were not associated with time in hospital (t = −0.207, p = 0.837), nor with alpha diversity of the oral microbiota (t = −1.599, p = 0.113). Patient characteristics at admission, rather than time in hospital, influenced the community structure of the oral microbiota.</p

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<p>Respiratory tract infections are the commonest nosocomial infections, and occur predominantly in frailer, older patients with multiple comorbidities. The oropharyngeal microbiota is the major reservoir of infection. This study explored the relative contributions of time in hospital and patient demographics to the community structure of the oropharyngeal microbiota in older patients with lower limb fracture. We collected 167 throat swabs from 53 patients (mean age 83) over 14 days after hospitalization, and analyzed these using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We calculated frailty/comorbidity indices, undertook dental examinations and collected data on respiratory tract infections. We analyzed microbial community composition using correspondence (CA) and canonical correspondence analysis. Ten patients were treated for respiratory tract infection. Microbial community structure was related to frailty, number of teeth and comorbidity on admission, with comorbidity exerting the largest effect. Time in hospital neither significantly changed alpha (t = −0.910, p = 0.365) nor beta diversity (CA1 t = 0.022, p = 0.982; CA2 t = −0.513, p = 0.609) of microbial communities in patient samples. Incidence of respiratory pathogens were not associated with time in hospital (t = −0.207, p = 0.837), nor with alpha diversity of the oral microbiota (t = −1.599, p = 0.113). Patient characteristics at admission, rather than time in hospital, influenced the community structure of the oral microbiota.</p

Quantitative 2D analyses for each assemblage type were performed on a comparable vertical face of each upstanding hydrothermal structure.

<p>(A) “Ivory Towers” (B) “Black & White” (C) “Carwash” (D) Comparative bar chart of percentage surface coverage of defined faunal assemblages associated with each edifice.</p

Location of the E2 and E9 hydrothermal vent fields on the East Scotia Ridge (ESR) back-arc basin, Southern Ocean.

<p>Location of the E2 and E9 hydrothermal vent fields on the East Scotia Ridge (ESR) back-arc basin, Southern Ocean.</p

Results of t-tests for between-sites differences in stable isotope values of vent fauna at the East Scotia Ridge.

*<p>Welch’s t-test,</p>Ψ<p>Wilcoxon test.</p

Mean δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N and δ³⁴S values (‰)of hydrothermal vent fauna collected from the E2 and E9 ridge segments of the East Scotia Ridge, Southern Ocean.

<p>Standard deviations are in parentheses and - indicates no data.</p

Minimum and maximum distance of assemblages from varying fluid exits.

<p>(A) Assemblage distances from the vertical high-temperature black smoker exit on the “Black & White” edifice (B) Assemblage distances from the vertical diffuse flow exits on the “Carwash” edifice. (C) Assemblage distances from the horizontal diffuse flow exit indicated by ROV CTD peak temperature measurement on the “Twin Peaks” mosaic (see <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0048348#pone-0048348-g004" target="_blank">Figure 4</a> & <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0048348#pone-0048348-g008" target="_blank">Figure 8</a>). (D) Image illustrating transition from assemblage to assemblage.</p

Surface area coverage of assemblages for each mosaiced chimney structure, including minimum abundances calculations for the dominant taxa of each assemblage type based on a monolayer distribution.

<p>Surface area coverage of assemblages for each mosaiced chimney structure, including minimum abundances calculations for the dominant taxa of each assemblage type based on a monolayer distribution.</p

Horizontal mosaic of an area of low-lying diffuse flow around “Twin Peaks”.

<p>Dive 139, 2401 m depth. ROV heading 358°. Area mosaiced ∼280 m². Laser scale = 10 cm (A) unidentified Octopod (B) cluster of stichasterid seastars (C) pycnogonid genus <i>Colessendeis</i> sp. predating on actinostolid (D) small area of diffuse flow (E) barnacles on ‘y’ – shaped fracture (F) “<i>Kiwa assemblage B</i>” and “<i>gastropod assemblage</i>” (G) “<i>Kiwa assemblage A</i>” associated with peak ROV mounted CTD temperature measurement (6.03°C) (H) small area of diffuse flow in collapsed basalt.</p

Faunal composition of the seven identified assemblages from the E9 vent field, Southern Ocean.

<p>Physico-chemical parameters and locality of assemblages are also identified for a black smoker assemblage (based on “Black & White”). Mega- and macro- fauna were identified using high-definition video and mosaic imagery, and were taxonomically verified from ROV-collected voucher specimens. ++, Abundant; +, present; (+) occasionally present; – absent.</p