Fecal microbiota transplantation reduces mouse mortality from Listeria monocytogenes infection

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a food bacterium with strong pathogenicity which causes infections via the gastrointestinal tract. Mechanisms by which gut microbiota (GM) resist microbial infections have received little attention. Eight-week-old mice were orally inoculated with wild-type Lm EGD-e and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) employed. GM richness and diversity of infected mice changed rapidly within 24h. Firmicutes class decreased and Bacteroidetes, Tenericutes and Ruminococcaceae increased significantly. Coprococcus, Blautia and Eubacterium also increased on the 3rd day post-infection. Moreover, GM transplanted from healthy mice reduced mortality of infected mice by approximately 32%. FMT treatment decreased production of TNFα, IFN-γ, IL-1β and IL-6 relative to PBS treatment. In summary, FMT has potential as a treatment against Lm infection and may be used for bacterial resistance management. Further work is required to elucidate the key GM effector molecules.

Trichomonas vaginalis excretory secretory proteins reduce semen quality and male fertility

Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) infection is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the world. It can cause male reproductive dysfunction and infertility. However, the pathogenic mechanism is not clear. In this study, the excretory secretory proteins of T. vaginalis (TvESPs) were collected, concentrated, and sterilized. After sperm co-cultured with TvESPs, the survival rate and motility of sperms were analyzed by seminal routine examination, and the results showed that the TvESPs could significantly reduce the survival rate and motility of sperms. Fluorescence staining displayed that TvESPs could destroy the integrity of sperm acrosomes. Flow cytometry indicated that TvESPs induced sperm apoptosis. By mouse in vitro fertilization, we confirmed that TvESPs could significantly reduce the fertilization ability of sperms and negatively affect the development of the fertilized ovum. Via semi-quantitative analysis, we found that the apoptosis-related p27, SMAC, p53, BAX, BCL-2, XIAP, and BCL-W molecules were down-regulated in mouse sperm cells after interaction between the sperms and TvESPs, which played an important role in regulating sperm apoptosis. In conclusion, our study showed that T. vaginalis degraded semen quality and negatively affected male fertility by TvESPs. TvESPs may damage sperms by breaking the balance between sperm pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic molecules. This study proves that T. vaginalis infection is a risk factor for infertility.

Identifying changes in e-cigarette use among a longitudinal sample of Canadian youth e-cigarette users in the COMPASS cohort study, 2017/18-2018/19

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Those who use e-cigarettes may increase, decrease, or keep the same frequency of use.

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Half of current youth e-cigarette users increased their frequency of use.

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One third of current youth e-cigarette users decreased their frequency of use.

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E-cigarette use patterns differed by gender and ethnicity.

Objectives

There are few studies describing longitudinal changes in vaping patterns among current youth e-cigarette users. The objective of this study was to identify-one-year changes in e-cigarette use patterns among a longitudinal sample of Canadian youth e-cigarette users between 2017/18 and 2018/19.

Methods

The longitudinal sample included n = 4,071 current (past 30-day) e-cigarette users in grades 9–11 attending schools in four Canadian provinces. Students reported the number of days they used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days in 2017/18 and 2018/19. Based on responses, students could have escalated, reduced, stopped, or maintained their level of vaping. The prevalence of each e-cigarette use pattern was identified across demographic characteristics and regression models identified significant predictors of each use pattern.

Results

Over one year, 49.2% of current youth e-cigarette users escalated, 12.8% reduced, 20.2% stopped, and 17.8% maintained their frequency of e-cigarette use. Baseline e-cigarette use frequencies varied according to use pattern. Current youth e-cigarette users with higher baseline vaping frequencies had lower odds of escalating and stopping e-cigarette use and higher odds of reducing e-cigarette use relative to maintaining the same frequency of use.

Conclusions

While about half of current youth e-cigarette users increased their frequency of e-cigarette use over a 1-year period, a significant number also decreased or stopped vaping at a time when the prevalence of youth e-cigarette use increased rapidly in Canada. There is a need for longitudinal data to monitor and evaluate changes to e-cigarette use patterns that may be in response to changing public health policies.

An exploration of circular water management accountability: A case from Indonesia

Purpose

Palm oil is the leading commodity of the plantation sub-sector in Indonesia, providing a tremendous economic impact for the people and the government. However, the development of oil palm plantations raises the issue of environmental damage because oil palms use large quantities of water. The purpose of this study is to explore circular water management accountability practices through disclosures issued by each company and the effectiveness of water management voluntary disclosure under the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards on increasing stakeholder trust and reducing information asymmetry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used secondary data collected from reports published by plantation sub-sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) and accessible online. Analysis was performed using the method of Miles and Huberman (1992): data reduction, data presentation, conclusion drawing, and verification. Data reduction was conducted by identifying plantation sub-sector companies that reported water management practices consecutively from 2018 to 2020 and seeking all disclosures related to water management and circular water management practices with 3R indicators. Data presentation was carried out by presenting findings from circular water management disclosures and comparing inter-year circular water management accountability practices to examine reporting routines. Finally, conclusions were drawn and verified.

Findings

The results of this study show that only six of the 20 plantation sub-sector companies reported circular water management with 3R indicators for three consecutive years (2018-2020). Two of these six companies attached GRI index references to their reports consisting of GRI 303 (Water and Effluents) and GRI 306 (Waste), while the other four did not. In addition, water management voluntary disclosure under the GRI standards was shown to increase stakeholder trust and reduce information asymmetry.

Originality/value

This study raises the concepts of water accounting and circular water management accountability practices in plantation sub-sector companies listed on Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX).

Robotic Myomectomy: Five Modifications in Our Practice

We discuss five technical modifications made over 8 years in the technique of robotic myomectomy at our institution. Universal preoperative MRI was the first modification. Precise hysterotomy incisions were planned by accurate myoma mapping. The second modification was to reduce the number of ports. We performed surgery with one 12-mm-port for the camera and one 8-mm-port on either side of the patient for scissors and fenestrated bipolar forceps. Third modification was to reduce the number of robotic instruments by using laparoscopic myoma screw instead of robotic tenaculum during enucleation and discard the use of a second needle driver and prograsp forceps. So instead of six instruments in classical technique, we now use only three instruments thus reducing the cost of instruments by 40-50%. The fourth modification was to use a single 30 or 45 cm barbed suture. A single long suture efficiently managed by wristed needle driver of robot was sufficient in most cases for hysterotomy closure. This reduces the time needed for multiple needle pass and cost due to reduced number of sutures used. The fifth modification was to not use the electro mechanical morcellator and commercially available bags. We do cold knife morcellation in indigenous plastic bags. Over a period of eight years, we have made robotic myomectomy efficient and reduced the cost of instruments by 40-50% as compared to the classical technique. This has enabled wider adoption of robotic myomectomy at our institution thus reducing open myomectomy in all types of myomas.

The carbon footprint of cataract surgery in a French University Hospital

PURPOSE

To assess the carbon footprint of cataract surgery in a French university hospital.

SETTING

Operating room of Cochin University Hospital, Paris, France.

DESIGN

Single-center component analysis.

METHODS

One day of surgery was used as a reference. Greenhouse gases (GHG) related to patient and staff transportation were calculated based on the distance travelled and the means of transportation used. The annual consumption of energy (heating and electricity) of our building was converted in kg equivalent of carbon dioxide (CO₂eq), and the principle of proportionality was used to calculate what was used for a single cataract procedure. GHG emissions related to the life cycle assessment (LCA) of the equipment used and the sterilization process were calculated.

RESULTS

The LCA of disposable items accounted for 59.49kg (73.32%) of CO₂eq for each procedure. A single procedure generated 2.83±0.10kg of waste. The average CO₂eq produced by the transportation of the patients to and from our center, adjusted for one procedure, was 7.26±6.90kg (8.95%) of CO₂eq. The CO₂eq produced by the sterilization of the phacoemulsifier handpiece was 2.12kg (2.61%). The energy consumption of the building and staff transportation accounted for the remaining CO₂eq emissions, 0.76kg (0.93%) and 0.08kg (0.10%) respectively. Altogether, the carbon footprint of one cataract procedure in our center was 81.13kg CO₂eq - the equivalent of an average car driving 800km.

CONCLUSION

Our data provide a basis to quantify cataract surgery as a source of GHG and suggests that reductions in emissions can be achieved.

Interventions to reduce low-value imaging - a systematic review of interventions and outcomes

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that 20-50% of all radiological examinations are of low value. Many attempts have been made to reduce the use of low-value imaging. However, the comparative effectiveness of interventions to reduce low-value imaging is unclear. Thus, the objective of this systematic review was to provide an overview and evaluate the outcomes of interventions aimed at reducing low-value imaging.

METHODS

An electronic database search was completed in Medline - Ovid, Embase-Ovid, Scopus, and Cochrane Library for citations between 2010 and 2020. The search was built from medical subject headings for Diagnostic imaging/Radiology, Health service misuse or medical overuse, and Health planning. Keywords were used for the concept of reduction and avoidance. Reference lists of included articles were also hand-searched for relevant citations. Only articles written in English, German, Danish, Norwegian, Dutch, and Swedish were included. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to appraise the quality of the included articles. A narrative synthesis of the final included articles was completed.

RESULTS

The search identified 15,659 records. After abstract and full-text screening, 95 studies of varying quality were included in the final analysis, containing 45 studies found through hand-searching techniques. Both controlled and uncontrolled before-and-after studies, time series, chart reviews, and cohort studies were included. Most interventions were aimed at referring physicians. Clinical practice guidelines (n = 28) and education (n = 28) were most commonly evaluated interventions, either alone or in combination with other components. Multi-component interventions were often more effective than single-component interventions showing a reduction in the use of low-value imaging in 94 and 74% of the studies, respectively. The most addressed types of imaging were musculoskeletal (n = 26), neurological (n = 23) and vascular (n = 16) imaging. Seventy-seven studies reported reduced low-value imaging, while 3 studies reported an increase.

CONCLUSIONS

Multi-component interventions that include education were often more effective than single-component interventions. The contextual and cultural factors in the health care systems seem to be vital for successful reduction of low-value imaging. Further research should focus on assessing the impact of the context in interventions reducing low-value imaging and how interventions can be adapted to different contexts.

Generation of High-Quality Pharmacokinetic Data From Parallel Tail Vein Dosing And Bleeding in Non-cannulated Rats

It is common practice to use cannulated rats for pharmacokinetic (PK) in-life studies as it yields high quality PK parameter estimation. While offering many benefits, cannulation requires surgery, post-surgical care, and cannula maintenance. As an alternative approach, the strategy of dosing and bleeding rats via the tail vein in a single experiment is technically feasible and theoretically offers many benefits. Unfortunately, however, as reported by F Tse et al. in 1984 (J Pharm Sci 73: https://doi.org/10.1002/jps.2600731128), parallel tail dosing and bleeding is scientifically flawed and yields inaccurate estimation of PK parameters following intravenous administration. The underlying causality of poor data quality has not been addressed in over 35 years. To overcome the technical flaws associated with parallel tail dosing and bleeding, we have developed a Tail-Dose-Bleed (TDB) method as a substitute for use of cannulated rats. Specifically, the method introduces a flush procedure after dosing, uses separate tail veins for dosing and bleeding, and adjusts dosing and sampling to the proximal and distal portions of the tail, respectively. To demonstrate the proof of principle for this TDB technique, several cassette dosing studies were conducted. The performance of the TDB technique is compared in both stand alone and animal crossover studies employing conventional jugular/femoral bleeding and dosing. The poor data via tail dosing and bleeding previously described by Tse et al. are also recapitulated using their described approach. To ensure broad applicability of the TDB technique, data were generated utilizing compounds of diverse physical chemical properties manifesting a range of clearance and/or volume of distribution characteristics. These data demonstrate that the TDB approach yields comparable PK profiles and parameters as compared to conventional femoral dosing / jugular bleeding. Using this newly described TDB procedure, we demonstrate the ability to overcome documented data quality issues when dosing and bleeding via the tail. The TDB technique has numerous operational advantages of reduced study turnaround time and improved cost effectiveness, but most importantly, addresses key animal welfare concerns relevant to institutional animal care and use committees (IACUC). The notable advantage here is reduced animal stress and discomfort by eliminating the need for surgery and recovery. And by consequence, allows for animals to be group housed and re-used without concern for loss of cannula patency. The tail dose and bleed method is simple and appears readily transferable to other laboratories.

Animal testing for vaccines. Implementing replacement, reduction and refinement: challenges and priorities

Transition to in vitro alternative methods from in vivo in vaccine release testing and characterization, the implementation of the consistency approach, and a drive towards international harmonization of regulatory requirements are most pressing needs in the field of vaccines. It is critical for global vaccine community to work together to secure effective progress towards animal welfare and to ensure that vaccines of ever higher quality can reach the populations in need in the shortest possible timeframe. Advancements in the field, case studies, and experiences from Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) were the topics discussed by an international gathering of experts during a recent conference titled "Animal Testing for Vaccines - Implementing Replacement, Reduction and Refinement: Challenges and Priorities". This conference was organized by the International Alliance for Biological Standardization (IABS), and held in Bangkok, Thailand on December 3 and 4 2019. Participants comprised stakeholders from many parts of the world, including vaccine developers, manufacturers and regulators from Asia, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. In interactive workshops and vibrant panel discussions, the attendees worked together to identify the remaining barriers to validation, acceptance and implementation of alternative methods, and how harmonization could be promoted, especially for LMICs.

The adsorption behavior and mechanism of Cr(VI) on facile synthesized mesoporous NH-SiO2

An efficient Cr(VI) adsorbent, mesoporous amine-functionalized silica (NH-SiO₂), was successfully synthesized within 2 h by a facile one-step route under room temperature and aqueous solution. The structure properties of the obtained materials were characterized by N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm, XRD, TEM, and FT-IR. The Cr(VI) removal performance was investigated by batch experiment. It was found that Cr(VI) removal performance was dependent on solution pH, and the removal efficiency is above 90% for initial pH in the range of 1.0-4.0. The adsorption process was obeyed by pseudo-second-order model, and the equilibrium adsorption data were fitted well by Langmuir model. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was 205.76 mg/g at pH 2.0, which was larger than that of traditional two-step tri-amine-functionalized MCM-41. Additionally, high selectivity was exhibited in NH-SiO₂ for removal Cr(VI) from co-presence anions Cl^-, NO₃^-, PO₄^3-, SO₄^2-, and SiO₃^2-. Furthermore, the spent NH-SiO₂ could be regenerated by 0.005 M NaOH, and Cr(VI) removal is above 92% after NH-SiO₂ recycled four. From the analyzed results of adsorption energy, FT-IR, and XPS, the electrostatic attraction between protonated amine group and HCrO₄^- was the mainly adsorption mechanism. And then some adsorbed Cr(VI) was reduced to low toxicity Cr(III) on the adsorbent surface by electron transfer from nitrogen in -NBr group to Cr(VI).

The Grouping and Assessment Strategy for Organic Pigments (GRAPE): Scientific evidence to facilitate regulatory decision-making

This article presents the Grouping and Assessment Strategy for Organic Pigments (GRAPE). GRAPE is driven by the hypotheses that low (bio)dissolution and low permeability indicate absence of systemic bioavailability and hence no systemic toxicity potential upon oral exposure, and, for inhalation exposure, that low (bio)dissolution (and absence of surface reactivity, dispersibility and in vitro effects) indicate that the organic pigment is a 'poorly soluble particle without intrinsic toxicity potential'. In GRAPE Tier 1, (bio)solubility and (bio)dissolution are assessed, and in Tier 2, in vitro Caco-2 permeability and in vitro alveolar macrophage activation. Thereafter, organic pigments are grouped by common properties (further considering structural similarity depending on the regulatory requirements). In Tier 3, absence of systemic bioavailability is verified by limited in vivo screening (rat 28-day oral and 5-day inhalation toxicity studies). If Tier 3 confirms no (or only very low) systemic bioavailability, all higher-tier endpoint-specific animal testing is scientifically not-relevant. Application of the GRAPE can serve to reduce animal testing needs for all but few representative organic pigments within a group. GRAPE stands in line with the EU REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). An ongoing research project aims at establishing a proof-of-concept of the GRAPE.

Determination of antioxidant capacity of thiol-containing compounds by electron spin resonance spectroscopy based on Cu2+ ion reduction

Electron spin resonance spectroscopy was applied to determining the antioxidant capacity of eight thiol-containing compounds, including reduced glutathione, N-acetyl-L-cycsteine, methimazole, captopril, and tiopronin with one thiol group, 1,4-dithioerythritol and 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol with two thiol groups, as well as L-cystine with no free thiol group. Cu²⁺ ion gives an electron spin resonance signal and is reduced to Cu⁺ ion with no electron spin resonance signal by the free thiol group in the compounds. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) was used to evaluate the reducing ability of the thiol-containing compounds and the TEAC values were found to be relevant to the number of thiol groups contained in the compounds. For the purpose of comparison, the UV-vis spectrophotometry, cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) method, and Ellman assay were applied to the determination of the antioxidant capacity of the thiol-containing compounds. The TEAC values obtained by the present method were very close to those obtained by UV-vis method. However, compared with CUPRAC method, for methimazole the present method gave a more reasonable TEAC value. The present method was also applied to the quantification of N-acetyl-L-cycsteine, methimazole, captopril, and tiopronin in their pharmaceutical formulations.