Intraspecific 16S rRNA gene diversity among clinical isolates of Neisseria species

In the present work, nearly the entire 16S rRNA gene sequences of 46 clinical samples of Neisseria spp. were determined, and the aligned sequences were analyzed to investigate the diversity of 16S rRNA genes in each commensal Neisseria species. Two 16S rRNA types were identified in two Neisseria sicca strains, three 16S rRNA types in five Neisseria macacae strains, fourteen 16S rRNA types in twenty Neisseria flavescens isolates, and fourteen 16S rRNA types in nineteen Neisseria mucosa isolates. The number of nucleotides that were different between 16S rRNA sequences within specie ranged from 1 to 15. We found high intraspecific sequence variation in 16S rRNA genes of Neisseria spp. strains.     

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase genetic variation in North African populations: a comparison with African and European data

Background: Genetic variation in glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) is crucial in drug metabolism and risk of some diseases.

Aim: To examine genetic variation in UGT in North African populations.

Subjects and methods: Allele frequencies of SNPs UGT1A4^24Thr, UGT1A4^48Val, UGT2B15^85Tyr, UGT2B15^523Thr and UGT2B17 CNV deletion from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya were compared to European and Sub-Saharan populations.

Results: North Africans are the group with the highest genetic heterogeneity given by internal differences in the occurrence of UGT2B17 deletion, UGT1A4^48Val and UGT1A4 haplotypes. UGT2B15 SNPs differentiate Sub-Saharans from the rest of the populations.

Conclusion: North African populations show a high frequency of carriers of UGT2B15^523Thr, a variant linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer. High Atlas Moroccans and Algerians show low frequency of UGT2B17^del, a variant associated with high concentrations of testosterone and oestradiol.     

Which dietary diversity indicator is best to assess micronutrient adequacy in children 1 to 9 y?

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the best dietary diversity indicator to measure dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy in children.MethodsA national representative cross-sectional survey of children ages 1 to 9 y (N = 2,200) was undertaken in all ethnic groups in South Africa. A 24-h recall was done with the mother or caregiver of each child. A dietary diversity score (DDS), the number of food groups consumed at least once in a period of 24 h, was calculated for each child in accordance with 6-, 9-, 13-, and 21-food group (G) indicators and compared with a mean adequacy ratio (MAR). The nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) was calculated for 11 micronutrients by comparing the distributions of estimated intakes with the Estimated Average Requirements for that micronutrient. The MAR was the average of all NARs. Correlations were done between MAR and DDS and sensitivity and specificity calculated for each group indicator.ResultsPearson’s correlations between food group indicators and MAR indicate that r values were all highly significant (P < 0.0001). There were no consistent or large differences found between the different group indicators although G13 and G21 appeared to be marginally better. Sensitivity and specificity values in the current study lay between DDS of 3 and 5, suggesting one of these as the best indication of (low) micronutrient adequacy.ConclusionsOverall results seem to indicate that any of the four G indicators can be used in dietary assessment studies on children, with G13 and G21 being marginally better. A cut-off DDS of 4 and 5, respectively, appear best.     

维吾尔族mtDNA及Y-STR遗传多样性研究进展

维吾尔族是新疆主要少数民族,人类历史上诸多民族及部落对现代维吾尔族的生成都有贡献,甚至可以说他们已经融合入现代的维吾尔族人群中。现有的历史记载和考古学资料难于解释历史较近的人群动态,故需要运用其他方法手段。以PCR扩增为基础的分子遗传学方法已成为探讨人群、种族迁演乃至人类的起源和进化的主导技术。本文主要对维吾尔族mtDNA及Y-STR遗传多样性研究进展做一综述。     

Thermotolerant mycobiota of Israeli soils

Composition of thermotolerant mycobiota in the soil of Israeli deserts and northern territories was examined in spatiotemporal dynamics. A total of 165 species from 82 genera were isolated at 37 °C using the soil dilution plate method. Aspergilli (Aspergillus fumigatus and A. niger) and teleomorphic ascomycetes (Canariomyces notabilis, Chaetomium nigricolor, and Ch. strumarium) comprised the basic part of the thermotolerant communities. The desert communities remarkably differed from the northern communities by a much higher abundance of A. fumigatus and teleomorphic species, as well as by a lower abundance of A. niger and Rhizopus arrhyzus. Seasonal dynamics revealed for the southern Negev was expressed mainly in the variations of species richness (substantially lower in the winter), and abundances of A. fumigatus (dominant in the summer) and A. niger (dominant in the winter). The composition of thermotolerant mycobiota was almost entirely different from the composition of mesophilic mycobiota at 25 °C. Melanin‐containing fungi with many‐celled conidia that dominated mesophilic communities in the deserts did not grow at 37 °C, while prevailing aspergilli accompanied by teleomorphic species with perithecial fruit bodies were apparently able not only to survive but also to germinate at this temperature and be active during a long hot period in the desert.     

婴幼儿科学喂养与肠道健康

肠道健康很大程度上有赖于稳定的肠道菌群和成熟的免疫状态。膳食因素在维持肠道健康中的作用越来越受到重视。婴幼儿时期科学喂养,如母乳喂养、适时引入固体食物、增加食物多样性、培养良好的饮食习惯将有利于建立成熟稳定的肠道菌群及免疫功能,促进肠道健康。     

Transcultural skills content in a dental curriculum: a comparative study

Background: Australia has the highest proportion of immigrants in the world (24% of the population is overseas‐born, compared to 22% in New Zealand, 19% in Canada and 12% in the USA). In this context, dental students have become increasingly diverse in a milieu where patients are derived from increasingly diverse backgrounds. Aim: The study aims to analyse the degree to which transcultural and communication skills content is currently embedded in the medical, physiotherapy and dental curricula at a major Australian university. Materials and methods: Undergraduate dental, medical and physiotherapy curricula were compared and critically assessed. Researchers considered the amount of transcultural and communication skills content, the number of formal contact hours for each course and the number of teaching staff involved. In addition, 21 interviews were conducted with staff at the three schools, who were involved in the curriculum development process. Results: The medical and physiotherapy curricula had an explicit focus on transcultural and communication skills as a major and continuing element, delivered by teaching staff from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds. In contrast, the dental course showed an under‐representation of transcultural and communication skills content which was taught by a limited number of staff from the School of Dental Science. Conclusions: In marked contrast to medical and physiotherapy curricula, transcultural and communication skills content had a low formal profile in the dental curriculum. A curriculum review process may be a positive step towards the development of a new training curriculum giving higher priority to transcultural and communication skills to support more effective workforce development.     

Response to breast health screening program at a not‐for‐profit clinic for working poor,uninsured, ethnically diverse women

Aims and objectives. Examine the effect of an ongoing breast health screening program, at a not‐for‐profit, non‐government assisted, volunteer clinic, specifically examining mammography usage and to discover variables to improve the rate of mammography. Background. Detection of breast cancer in women of low socio‐economic status, lacking health insurance, can be improved by increasing annual mammography rates, yet little is known about their screening behaviour. Design. Quantitative, retrospective subject‐controlled study. Methods. Subject‐controlled, longitudinal study of English and Spanish‐speaking women 40 years old and over, working poor, and uninsured, who participated in a comprehensive screening program that included a 7‐minute breast health educational DVD (n = 223). Results. Radiology records, breast health behaviours and beliefs indicated 76% of women invited for a second test completed it over a year after viewing the educational DVD. Chi‐square and t‐test indicated two significant findings for completing annual mammography in the 12th month: receiving a reminder postcard and scoring lower on perceptions of breast cancer susceptibility. Two significant findings for completing annual mammography even if late are knowledgeable about screening recommendations and ethnically identifying as Hispanic. Conclusions. This study shows statistically significant actions that can be undertaken to strengthen programs: reminder postcards, assessing susceptibility score and screening recommendation education. Relevance to clinical practice. Simple, inexpensive interventions encourage working, uninsured, Hispanic women to complete mammography.