Microbiota organization is a distinct feature of proximal colorectal cancers

Environmental factors clearly affect colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence, but the mechanisms through which these factors function are unknown. One prime candidate is an altered colonic microbiota. Here we show that the mucosal microbiota organization is a critical factor associated with a subset of CRC. We identified invasive polymicrobial bacterial biofilms (bacterial aggregates), structures previously associated with nonmalignant intestinal pathology, nearly universally (89%) on right-sided tumors (13 of 15 CRCs, 4 of 4 adenomas) but on only 12% of left-sided tumors (2 of 15 CRCs, 0 of 2 adenomas). Surprisingly, patients with biofilm-positive tumors, whether cancers or adenomas, all had biofilms on their tumor-free mucosa far distant from their tumors. Bacterial biofilms were associated with diminished colonic epithelial cell E-cadherin and enhanced epithelial cell IL-6 and Stat3 activation, as well as increased crypt epithelial cell proliferation in normal colon mucosa. High-throughput sequencing revealed no consistent bacterial genus associated with tumors, regardless of biofilm status. However, principal coordinates analysis revealed that biofilm communities on paired normal mucosa, distant from the tumor itself, cluster with tumor microbiomes as opposed to biofilm-negative normal mucosa bacterial communities also from the tumor host. Colon mucosal biofilm detection may predict increased risk for development of sporadic CRC.When healthy, the colon is covered by a mucus layer that segregates the microbiota from direct contact with the host colonic epithelium (1). Breaches of this protective mucus layer with resulting increased contact between mucosal microbiota and the colonic epithelial cells have been proposed as a critical first step in inciting changes in tissue biology and/or inflammation that yield inflammatory bowel disease (2–4). Concomitant with increased access to the mucosal epithelium, microbial community communication (such as quorum sensing) is predicted to change, thereby modifying microbial structure and function and often resulting in biofilm formation (5). Biofilms are defined as aggregations of microbial communities encased in a polymeric matrix that adhere to either biological or nonbiological surfaces. Biofilms that invade the colonic mucus layer and come into direct contact with mucosal epithelial cells indicate a pathologic state (6, 7). Biofilms characterize numerous chronic mucosal disease states in and outside of the colon (including inflammatory bowel diseases, pharyngo-tonsillitis, otitis media, rhinosinusitis, urethritis, and vaginitis), where direct bacterial contact with epithelial cells results in perturbed epithelial function and chronic inflammation (8). However, no association of biofilms with colorectal cancer (CRC) pathologic states has been reported.     

Building an open academic environment – a new approach to empowering students in their learning of anatomy through ‘Shadow Modules’

Teaching and learning in anatomy is undertaken by a variety of methodologies, yet all of these pedagogies benefit from students discussing and reflecting upon their learning activities. An approach of particular potency is peer-mediated learning, through either peer-teaching or collaborative peer-learning. Collaborative, peer-mediated, learning activities help promote deep learning approaches and foster communities of practice in learning. Students generally flourish in collaborative learning settings but there are limitations to the benefits of collaborative learning undertaken solely within the confines of modular curricula. We describe the development of peer-mediated learning through student-focused and student-led study groups we have termed ‘Shadow Modules’. The ‘Shadow Module’ takes place parallel to the formal academically taught module and facilitates collaboration between students to support their learning for that module. In ‘Shadow Module’ activities, students collaborate towards curating existing online open resources as well as developing learning resources of their own to support their study. Through the use of communication technologies and web 2.0 tools these resources are able to be shared with their peers, thus enhancing the learning experience of all students following the module. The Shadow Module activities have the potential to lead to participants feeling a greater sense of engagement with the subject material, as well as improving their study and group-working skills and developing digital literacy. The outputs from Shadow Module collaborative work are open-source and may be utilised by subsequent student cohorts, thus building up a repository of learning resources designed by and for students. Shadow Module activities would benefit all pedagogies in the study of anatomy, and support students moving from being passive consumers to active participants in learning.     

Creation of Medicinal Chemistry Learning Communities Through Enhanced Technology and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Objectives. To build an integrated medicinal chemistry learning community of campus and distance pharmacy students though the use of innovative technology and interdisciplinary teaching.Design. Mechanisms were implemented to bring distance students into campus-based medicinal chemistry classrooms in real time, stimulate interaction between instructors and various student cohorts, and promote group work during class. Also, pharmacy clinician colleagues were recruited to contribute to the teaching of the 3 medicinal chemistry courses.Assessment. Student perceptions on the value of technology to build community and advance learning were gleaned from course evaluations, in class feedback, and conversations with class officers and student groups. Responses on a survey of second-year students confirmed the benefits of interdisciplinary content integration on engagement and awareness of the connection between drug chemistry and pharmacy practice. A survey of clinician colleagues who contributed to teaching the 3 medicinal chemistry courses found their views were similar to those of students.Conclusions. The purposeful use of technology united learners, fostered communication, and advanced content comprehension in 3 medicinal chemistry courses taught to campus and distance students. Teaching collaboration with pharmacy clinicians enhanced learner interest in course content and provided insight into the integrated nature of the profession of pharmacy.     

Effect of Tourism and Trade on Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Guatemala

A survey was performed to determine if infection with gastrointestinal parasites differs between the rural and urban poor inhabitants of Guatemala. A total of 317 stool samples from children in two towns, one rural and one urban, were examined using the formalin–ether concentration method. The overall prevalence of parasites in infected children was 67%, 20%, 30%, and 22%, respectively for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Giardia duodenalis and Entamoeba histolytica in the rural town of La Mano de Leon and 49%, 14%, 15%, and 21%, respectively in the urban town of Santa Maria de Jesus. Two sub-studies were carried out to determine the effects of (1) gender and (2) age on the rate of parasitic infections. Female children in the 1-to 6-year-olds age group in Santa Maria de Jesus had more infections with A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura when compared to La Mano de Leon. A. lumbricoides was most prevalent in Santa Maria de Jesus. These results propose that accessibility to tourism and trade decreases the risk for the establishment of parasitic diseases in children of Guatemala possibly due to improvements in basic nutrition and availability of health care.     

Effects of Prochloraz fungicide on soil enzymatic activities and bacterial communities

We studied in the laboratory the effect of Prochloraz fungicide on the biological properties (soil enzymatic activities and soil bacterial communities) of a Plaggic Anthrosol. Five hundred grams of soil (<2 mm) was mixed with three dosages of Prochloraz (1, 2, and 4 l ha⁻¹) for 83 days. A non-Prochloraz polluted soil was used as control. Following commercial recommendations, fungicide was applied four times during the incubation experiment. For all treatments, the soil ergosterol and levels of dehydrogenase, urease, β-glucosidase, and phosphatase activity were measured at nine different times (0, 1, 21, 22, 41, 42, 62, 63, and 83 days). The 16S rDNA-DGGE profiles in all treatments were determined at the beginning and end of the incubation period. At the end of the experiment, a significant decrease in ergosterol by 72.3%, 80.8%, and 83.1%, compared with control soil, was observed when 1, 2, and 4 l ha⁻¹, respectively, was added. Soil enzymatic activities increased when the Prochloraz applied to the soil increased, possibly because the fungicide is used by bacterial communities as a source of energy and nutrients. The 16S rDNA-DGGE profiles indicated that the fungicide did not negatively affect soil bacterial biodiversity. These results suggested that the fungicide Prochloraz has a very interesting agronomic effect, possibly due to the negative effect on soil fungal population stimulating the growth of soil bacterial activity.     

合肥市新农村建设点饮水卫生状况调查

目的了解合肥市新农村建设点生活饮用水现状,为加快发展农村卫生饮水建设提供科学依据。方法对全市范围内由县区以上政府规划、已建成并有居民入住(包括部分入住)的共计38个新农村建设点进行入户调查。结果集中式供水情况中自来水普及率以村为单位为60.52%,以户为单位为81.60%。在水源类型上,地面水源占52.17%,地下水源(全部为深井)占47.83%;水质理化指标的合格率(94.63%)明显高于微生物指标的合格率(45.39%)。结论合肥市新农村建设点的自来水普及率有待于进一步提高,其饮水污染仍以微生物指标的污染为主,饮水卫生管理有待进一步加强。     

奉贤农村社区恶性肿瘤分布特征

目的了解奉贤农村社区恶性肿瘤分布特征，为开展肿瘤防治工作提供依据。方法依据国际疾病分类ICD10对奉贤某一农村1992年8月至2005年5月期间的恶性肿瘤发病、死亡及就诊情况进行分析。结果本地区恶性肿瘤发病和死亡水平高于上海市平均水平，恶性肿瘤在居民全死因构成中已上升为第一位，消化系统、呼吸系统和泌尿生殖系统的肿瘤成为肿瘤防治的重点。自付医药费占75％，25％的肿瘤患者放弃治疗。结论农村社区的肿瘤防治与患者的就医问题应引起有关部门的重视。     

What makes ‘place’ attractive to overseas‐trained doctors in rural New Zealand?

The present paper investigates what keeps doctors 'in place' in New Zealand rural communities and what prompts their departure from practice. The study is based on in-depth interviews conducted with nine overseas-trained medical practitioners within rural areas in New Zealand during 2004. A thematic analysis was undertaken. The resulting narratives reveal the unintended circumstances under which respondents often arrived in their rural communities, as well as some of the 'pull' factors which a more relaxed rural lifestyle offers. Recurring themes relating to the attractiveness of place include community loyalty and the enjoyment of 'fully practicing medicine'. Themes which corroded the attractiveness of place included 'entrapment', lack of choice in secondary schooling, restricted spousal employment opportunities, the lack of cultural and entertainment activities, and difficulties accessing continuing medical education. The authors conclude that addressing the question of what makes 'place' attractive to overseas-trained general practitioners in rural New Zealand requires an understanding of place as context rather than mere location.     

思想政治教育角度下看高校学生社团建设

大学生社团在高校发展非常迅速,学生社团活动已经成为高校思想政治教育工作的重要载体：通过对目前高校学生社团发展的现状、社团为高校思想政治教育带来的机遇和挑战进行分析,从思想政治教育的角度出发对加强社团建设等方面作了一定探讨。