Epidemiology of bacteria and viruses in the respiratory tract of humans and domestic pigs

Bacteria and viruses were analysed in the upper respiratory tract of symptomatic pig farmers and their domestic pigs. Eighty six human nasal and 495 (50 pools) porcine snout swabs were collected in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (62.8%, 54/86), human rhino- and coronaviruses (HRV, 29.1%, 25/86; HCoV, 16.3%, 14/86) were frequently detected in humans, while Haemophilus parasuis (90.0%, 45/50), Mycoplasma hyorhinis (78.6%, 11/14), Enterovirus G (EV-G, 56.0%, 28/50) and S. aureus (36.0%, 18/50), respectively, were highly prevalent in pigs. The detection of S. aureus in human follow-up samples indicates a carrier status. The methicillin-resistant phenotype (MRSA) was identified in 33.3% (18/54) of nasal swabs and in one of 18 (5.6%) pooled snout swabs that were tested positive for S. aureus. Strains were indicative of the livestock-associated clonal complex CC398, with t011 being the most common staphylococcal protein A type. Enterobacterales and non-fermenters were frequently isolated from swabs. Their detection in follow-up samples suggests a carrier status. All were classified as being non-multiresistant. There was no example for cross-species transmission of viruses. In contrast, transmission of S. aureus through occupational contact to pigs seems possible. The study contributes to the ‘One Health’ approach.     

Effectiveness of niacinamide used on hyperphosphatemia patients undergoing hemodialysis

Objective To study the effectiveness of niacinamide in treating maintenance hemodialysis patients with hyperphosphatemia. Methods It was a prospective and randomized controlled trial. Patients with hyperphosphatemia (serum phosphate＞1.45 mmol/L) were randomly assigned into two groups: control group (continue their original phosphate binder and rocaltrol treatment) and niacinamide therapy group (additionally received niacinamide, titrated from 600 mg/d to 1200 mg/d). The treatment lasted for 8 weeks. Serum phosphate and calcium were tested every 2 weeks and normalized protein catabolic rate and other relevant indexes were tested monthly. Results 100 patients were recruited and 93 of them completed the trial, including 44 from the therapy group and 49 from the control group. By the repeated measures analysis of variance, changes of serum phosphate in two groups displayed a statistical significant difference, but the levels of serum calcium in both remained steady. At the end of trial, compared to control group, therapy group appeared decreased serum phosphate levels [(1.59±0.36) mmol/L vs (1.94±0.25) mmol/L, P＜0.001] and increased serum HDL levels [(1.32±0.54) mmol/L vs (1.09±0.41) mmol/L, P=0.02]. Meanwhile, two groups showed no significant difference in intact parathyoid hormone and alkaline phosphatase. Adverse reactions including thrombocytopenia andgastrointestinal dysfunction were observed in niacinamide therapy group. Conclusions Niacinamide is effective on controlling hyperphosphatemia along with phosphate binder in maintenance hemodialysis patients. It also increases the serum HDL levels. Nonetheless, it is important to monitor the number of platelet.     

The efficacy and acceptability of the combination of acebutolol and hydrochlorothiazide in the treatment of essential hypertension

The efficacy and acceptability of a single half-tablet daily of a fixed combination of 400 mg acebutolol and 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide was assessed in a study of 35 patients suffering from mild to moderate essential hypertension. The results of the 22 patients who completed the 3-month active drug period showed that treatment produced a significant reduction in supine systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This effect was apparent from the first week and was maintained throughout the trial. Pulse rate was also lowered by therapy. No clinically significant changes from normal were observed in mean serum potassium and uric acid levels, and no side-effects of treatment were reported.     

Umbilical endometriosis

A 40‐year‐old woman with a history of a growing erythematous nodule in the umbilicus was diagnosed histopathologically with endometriosis. This umbilical endometriosis occurred spontaneously without any previous surgical procedures. The lesion was partially removed surgically; she then entered menopause with a spontaneous involution of the residuum during the following months so that further invention was not required. Umbilical endometriosis is very rare with an estimated incidence of 0.5 to 1% of all patients with endometrial ectopia. As the clinical appearance of umbilical endometriosis may share features with a variety of other disorders, we discuss the clinical picture and differential diagnostic considerations in detail.     

Marine spongean polybrominated diphenyl ethers,selective growth inhibitors against the cancer cells adapted to glucose starvation,inhibits mitochondrial complex II

In the course of search for selective growth inhibitors against the cancer cells adapted to nutrient starvation, two polybrominated diphenyl ethers, 3,4,5-tribromo-2-(2′,4′-dibromophenoxy)-phenol (1) and 3,5-dibromo-2-(2′,4′-dibromophenoxy)-phenol (2) were isolated from an Indonesian marine sponge of Dysidea sp. Compounds 1 and 2 showed the anti-proliferative activity against PANC-1 cells under glucose-starved conditions with IC₅₀ values of 2.1 and 3.8 µM, respectively, whereas no growth inhibition was observed up to 30 µM in the general culture conditions. The further mechanistic analysis indicated that compound 1 might act mainly by inhibiting complex II in the mitochondrial electron transport chain.     

Correction to: Selective cytotoxicity of epidithiodiketopiperazine DC1149B,produced by marine-derived Trichoderma lixii on the cancer cells adapted to glucose starvation

Journal of Natural Medicines - A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-021-01499-w     

A study on QT interval in patients affected with inflammatory bowel disease without cardiac involvement

Cardiac involvement has been studied quite extensively in patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease but, as of now, there is no data regarding QT alterations which are well known to be linked to the risk of dangerous arrhythmias. In this study, QT parameters were digitally measured on standard 12-lead ECG in a population of 20 patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with no prior (recent or old) history of cardiac disease and no evidence of electrolyte imbalance. Eighteen healthy subjects formed the control group. The results obtained using non-parametric statistics (Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test) showed that heart rate corrected QT interval (QTc) and QTc dispersion (QTc d) values were both significantly higher in IBD patients than in the control group. QTc rank sum values in patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease were 469 versus 311 in healthy subjects (Z = 1.939, p = 0.0263). QTc d rank sum values were 460 in IBD patients versus 320 in controls (Z = 1.686 with p = 0.0459). Regardless of the cause of these QT alterations, it appears evident that accurate monitoring of QT parameters is required in these patients who often experience electrolyte disturbances and who may, in some cases, be undergoing treatment with potentially cardiotoxic drugs such as infliximab.     

Designing for a Healthier Makassar,Indonesia: Participatory Systems Mapping

In Makassar, Indonesia, the USAID-funded Building Healthy Cities (BHC) project engaged 240 multi-sector stakeholders to gather qualitative data across three workshops and two citizen town halls from 2019 to 2021. These data were synthesized with results from BHC’s nine other Makassar activities to build maps of the current system and identify high-impact areas for engagement. Contextual findings showed that Makassar leadership has actively innovated and used new technology to improve the city, resulting in improved connectivity and responsiveness. However, this drive toward innovation has strained existing infrastructure and workforce capacity. When this strain fails to meet promised results, citizens are less likely to engage and support the innovations. This is central to the systems map that BHC developed, and is expanded upon through additional patterns that fall within four main areas: (1) leadership, governance, and financing; (2) infrastructure and workforce; (3) collaboration and data; and (4) community cohesion and awareness. Stakeholders found three key leverage points within this context that, if included in every action, could help overcome barriers. These leverage opportunities are: (1) increasing data-driven decision-making; (2) ensuring equitable policy and leadership; and (3) increasing community participation. By combining key patterns discovered in the Context Map with the leverage opportunities, BHC was able to co-create with stakeholders six “coherent actions” that can move Makassar to a healthier, “Sombere (kind-hearted and hospitable) and Smart City.” BHC has been working with the city planning office to incorporate the map findings into its bottom-up planning processes and the 5-year mid-term plan for Makassar.     

用户健康信息学学科建设与发展设想

介绍用户健康信息学发展背景、起源及发展机遇,阐述学科发展历程和应用技术体系,提出学科教育建设设想,包括课程设置、教学方式及人才培养方向几方面,为加快推进用户健康信息学学科建设提供有益参考。