Diagnostic value of BHI-V4 for heterogeneous and vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus isolates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Brain-heart infusion agar supplemented with 4 µg/mL of vancomycin (BHI-V4) was commonly used for the detection of heterogeneous (hVISA) and vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA). However, its diagnostic value remains unclear. This study aims to compare the diagnostic accuracy of BHI-V4 with population analysis profiling with area under the curve (PAP-AUC) in hVISA/VISA. METHODS: The protocol of this study was registered in INPLASY (INPLASY2023120069). The PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to October 2023. Review Manager 5.4 was used for data visualization in the quality assessment, and STATA17.0 (MP) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In total, eight publications including 2153 strains were incorporated into the meta-analysis. Significant heterogeneity was evident although a threshold effect was not detected across the eight studies. The summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) was 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74-0.81). The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic score and diagnostic odds ratio were 0.59 (95% CI: 0.46-0.71), 0.96 (95%CI: 0.83-0.99), 14.0 (95% CI, 3.4-57.1), 0.43 (95%CI, 0.32-0.57), 3.48(95%CI, 2.12-4.85) and 32.62 (95%CI, 8.31-128.36), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that BHI-V4 had moderate diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing hVISA/VISA. However, more high-quality studies are needed to assess the clinical utility of BHI-V4.

Multifunctional Textiles with Flame Retardant and Antibacterial Properties: A Review.

It is well known that bacterial infections and fire-hazards are potentially injurious in daily life. With the increased security awareness of life and properties as well as the improvement of living standards, there has been an increasing demand for multifunctional textiles with flame retardant and antibacterial properties, especially in the fields of home furnishing and medical protection. So far, various treatment methods, including the spray method, the dip-coating method, and the pad-dry-cure method, have been used to apply functional finishing agents onto fabrics to achieve the functionalization in the past exploration stage. Moreover, in addition to the traditional finishing technology, a number of novel technologies have emerged, such as layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition, the sol-gel process, and chemical grafting modification. In addition, some natural biomasses, including chitin, chitosan (CS), and several synthetic functional compounds that possess both flame-retardant and bacteriostatic properties, have also received extensive attention. Hence, this review focuses on introducing some commonly used finishing technologies and flame retardant/antibacterial agents. At the same time, the advantages and disadvantages of different methods and materials were summarized, which will contribute to future research and promote the development and progress of the industry.

Sex hormones play roles in determining musk composition during the early stages of musk secretion by musk deer (Moschus berezovskii).

Musk is a secreted external hormone or information compound that is stored in musk scent glands of the males of species within the family Moschidae, such as Moschus berezovskii. The secretion of musk changes periodically during the courtship and reproduction periods, with the early stage of secretion occurring from May to July, and the maturation stage occurring from August to April of the following year. In this study, we analyzed the dynamic changes in musk components from June to April of the following year. The result showed that musk morphological character, water content, total ion chromatographic pattern, and composition undergo seasonal change. Luminescence immunoassay and radioimmunoassay analyses were performed to determine corresponding fecal hormone levels. The results showed that testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol levels in feces change on a seasonal basis, and are significantly higher in June than in other months (p < 0.01). Correlation analysis showed that the contents of four examined musk components (muscone, cyclopentadecanone, cholesterol, and cholestenol) from June to August were significantly highly negatively correlated with fecal testosterone and estradiol levels (p < 0.01). In contrast, the correlation coefficients were low or not significant from August to April of the following year. These results indicate that testosterone and estradiol may play a major role in determining musk composition during the early stage of musk secretion but not during the course of musk maturation, which suggests that musk secretion may be promoted by increases in sex hormones in June.

Comparison Between the Fecal Bacterial Microbiota of Healthy and Diarrheic Captive Musk Deer.

Diarrhea constitutes one of the most common diseases affecting the survival of captive musk deer and is usually caused by an imbalance in intestinal microbiota. Currently, research regarding the structure and function of intestinal microbiota in diarrheic musk deer is lacking. Therefore, in the present study, high-throughput 16S-rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the intestinal microbiota in feces of healthy captive musk deer (HMD) (n = 8) and musk deer with mild (MMD) (n = 8), and severe (n = 5) (SMD) diarrhea to compare the difference in intestinal microbiota of musk deer under various physiological conditions. The results showed that the diversity of HMD fecal microbiota was significantly higher than that of the two diarrhea samples. ß Diversity results indicated that there were extremely significant differences in bacterial communities between the HMD sample and the MMD and SMD samples. However, no significant difference was found between the two diarrhea samples. LefSe analysis showed that the degree of intestinal physiological dysfunction in musk deer was correlated with the types of major pathogens. The main pathogen in the MMD group is Escherichia-Shigella, whereas Fusobacterium is the main pathogen in the SMD group. PICRUSt functional profile prediction indicated that the intestinal microbiota disorder could also lead to changes in the abundance of genes in metabolic pathways of the immune system. Altogether, this study provides a theoretical basis for the exploration of treatments for diarrhea in captive musk deer, which is of considerable significance to the implementation of the musk deer release into the wild program.

Comparative Analysis of the Gut Microbiota Composition between Captive and Wild Forest Musk Deer.

The large and complex gut microbiota in animals has profound effects on feed utilization and metabolism. Currently, gastrointestinal diseases due to dysregulated gut microbiota are considered important factors that limit growth of the captive forest musk deer population. Compared with captive forest musk deer, wild forest musk deer have a wider feeding range with no dietary limitations, and their gut microbiota are in a relatively natural state. However, no reports have compared the gut microbiota between wild and captive forest musk deer. To gain insight into the composition of gut microbiota in forest musk deer under different food-source conditions, we employed high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing technology to investigate differences in the gut microbiota occurring between captive and wild forest musk deer. Both captive and wild forest musk deer showed similar microbiota at the phylum level, which consisted mainly of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, although significant differences were found in their relative abundances between both groups. α-Diversity results showed that no significant differences occurred in the microbiota between both groups, while ß-diversity results showed that significant differences did occur in their microbiota compositions. In summary, our results provide important information for improving feed preparation for captive forest musk deer and implementing projects where captive forest musk deer are released into the wild.

Transcriptome analysis of muskrat scented glands degeneration mechanism.

The scented gland, a musk-secreting organ of male muskrats, shows clear seasonal changes. When entering the secreting season in March, scented glands gradually increase in size and active secretion starts. In September, scented glands become gradually smaller and secretion decreases. By November, scented glands are gradually replaced by adipose tissue. In this study, six healthy adult male muskrats were analysed: three from the secreting season (March) and three from the non-secreting season (November). Using RNA-Seq analysis, gene expression profiles of scented glands from both seasons were determined. Using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, we found that genes involved in calcium and TGF-beta signalling pathways were significantly more expressed in the non-secreting than in the secreting season. These changes in gene expression correlated with alterations in scented gland size. Both calcium and TGF-beta signalling pathways are important regulators of cell apoptosis, which may thus be involved in muskrat scented gland degeneration.

Comparative Analysis of the Gut Microbial Communities in Forest and Alpine Musk Deer Using High-Throughput Sequencing.

The gut ecosystem is characterized by dynamic and reciprocal interactions between the host and bacteria. Although characterizing microbiota for herbivores has become recognized as important tool for gauging species health, no study to date has investigated the bacterial communities and evaluated the age-related bacterial dynamics of musk deer. Moreover, gastrointestinal diseases have been hypothesized to be a limiting factor of population growth in captive musk deer. Here, high-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was used to profile the fecal bacterial communities in juvenile and adult alpine and forest musk deer. The two musk deer species harbored similar bacterial communities at the phylum level, whereas the key genera for the two species were distinct. The bacterial communities were dominated by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, with the bacterial diversity being higher in forest musk deer. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio also increased from juvenile to adult, while the bacterial diversity, within-group and between-group similarity, all increased with age. This work serves as the first sequence-based analysis of variation in bacterial communities within and between musk deer species, and demonstrates how the gut microbial community dynamics vary among closely related species and shift with age. As gastrointestinal diseases have been observed in captive populations, this study provides valuable data that might benefit captive management and future reintroduction programs.

Musk gland seasonal development and musk secretion are regulated by the testis in muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus).

BACKGROUND: The muskrat is a seasonal breeder. Males secrete musk to attract females during the breeding season. The testosterone binding to the androgen receptor (AR) in musk glands of muskrat may play an important role conducting the musk secretion process. METHODS: The musk gland, testis and blood samples of musk rats are collected in both breeding and non-breeding seasons. Some part of the samples are kept in liquid nitrogen for transcriptome analysis and Western blotting test. Some part of the samples are kept in 70% alcohol for histology experiment, blood samples are kept at -20 °C for the serum testosterone measurement experiment. RESULTS: This study demonstrates that the quantity of secreted musk, the volume of the musk glands, the diameter of the gland cells and AR expression are all higher during the breeding season than at other times (p < 0.01). StAR, P450scc and 3ß-HSD expression in the Leydig cells of the testis were also higher during this season, as was serum testosterone. AR was also observed in the gland cells of two other musk-secreting animals, the musk deer and small Indian civet, in their musk glands. These results suggest that the testes and musk glands co-develop seasonally. CONCLUSION: The musk glands' seasonal development and musk secretion are regulated by the testes, and testosterone plays an important role in the seasonal development of musk glands.

Comparison of amino acid profiles and metabolic gene expression in muskrat scented glands in secretion and non-secretion season.

The scented gland is an organ responsible for producing musk in muskrats. During musk secretion season, the metabolism of glandular cells increases in the scented glands and a large amount of musk is synthesised. In this study, we collected scented gland arterial blood from six healthy adult male muskrats during non-secretion season (November). We also obtained scented gland arterial blood, venous blood, and musk from six healthy adult males during secretion season (March). Qualitative and quantitative analyses of free amino acids in blood and musk were performed with an automated amino acid analyzer. Additionally, we employed RNA sequencing technology to study the expression patterns of amino acid metabolic pathways in scented glands. Amino acid profile analysis indicates that scented glands can concentrate amino acids during secretion season, and transcriptome analysis suggests that some amino acid metabolism-related genes undergo significant seasonal changes. In summary, scented gland amino acid metabolism displays seasonal differences. Elevated amino acid metabolic activity during secretion season sustains the glands' secretory function.

Musk gland seasonal development and musk secretion are regulated by the testis in muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)

BACKGROUND: The muskrat is a seasonal breeder. Males secrete musk to attract females during the breeding season. The testosterone binding to the androgen receptor (AR) in musk glands of muskrat may play an important role conducting the musk secretion process. METHODS: The musk gland, testis and blood samples of musk rats are collected in both breeding and non-breeding seasons. Some part of the samples are kept in liquid nitrogen for transcriptome analysis and Western blotting test. Some part of the samples are kept in 70% alcohol for histology experiment, blood samples are kept at -20 °C for the serum testosterone measurement experiment. RESULTS: This study demonstrates that the quantity of secreted musk, the volume of the musk glands, the diameter of the gland cells and AR expression are all higher during the breeding season than at other times (p < 0.01). StAR, P450scc and 3ß-HSD expression in the Leydig cells of the testis were also higher during this season, as was serum testosterone. AR was also observed in the gland cells of two other musk-secreting animals, the musk deer and small Indian civet, in their musk glands. These results suggest that the testes and musk glands co-develop seasonally. CONCLUSION: The musk glands' seasonal development and musk secretion are regulated by the testes, and testosterone plays an important role in the seasonal development of musk glands.

Adiponectin plays a role in energy metabolism for musk secretion in scent glands of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus).

Adult male muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) secret musk from their scent glands to attract females for seasonal mating. The goal of the present study was to investigate whether the changes in energy metabolism related to musk secretion during the breeding and non-breeding seasons are mediated by adiponectin. We found that the secretion of musk during the breeding season was markedly greater than that during the non-breeding season. The serum adiponectin concentration measured using an ELISA kit was higher during the breeding season than during the non-breeding season. Glandular cells, interstitial cells, epithelial cells and glandular cavities were detected in scent glands using histological methods. Immunohistochemical methods were used to show that AMP-activated protein kinase-gamma-1 (AMPKG1), and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) were more strongly expressed in glandular cells during the breeding season than the non-breeding season, whereas the immunoreactivity for acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) was stronger during the non-breeding season. Consistent with these qualitative results, RNA-Seq analysis indicated that the expression of AdipoR1 mRNA was not significantly different during the two seasons. However, AMPKG1 and GLUT1 mRNA levels were higher in scent glands during the breeding season than during the non-breeding season, whereas ACC1 mRNA levels notably decreased during the breeding season. These results suggest that greater musk secretion requires additional energy, which may be provided by an adiponectin-mediated increase in ß-oxidation and glucose absorption.

Determination of ovarian cyclicity and pregnancy using fecal progesterone in forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii).

The forest musk deer (FMD, Moschus berezovskii) is a threatened species in China. Although crucial for its artificial breeding management and thus protection, to date, gonadal steroidogenic activity data are unavailable in this species. Thus, the objectives of the present study were to characterize ovarian activity throughout the estrous cycle, non-pregnant luteal phase, and gestation in female FMD. These goals were accomplished using an enzyme immunoassay to measure fecal concentrations of estradiol (E2) and progesterone. Fecal samples were collected from female FMD (aged 3-4 years) for one year, including during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Non-pregnant estrous cycles were recorded in females, based on fecal progesterone concentrations, their overall estrous cycle length was (mean±SEM) 24.3±0.5 days, with 21.6±0.5 days in the luteal phase and 2.7±0.3 days in the inter-luteal phase. Fecal progesterone and E2 concentrations were also measured in females that became pregnant and gave birth after gestating approximately 6 months. Two weeks after becoming pregnant, the average fecal progesterone concentration was significantly greater than that during non-pregnancy. The average fecal progesterone concentrations during pregnancy increased 3.2-fold above non-pregnant concentrations, decreasing to non-pregnant concentrations only after parturition. By contrast, average fecal E2 concentrations during gestation and after parturition were not different from average non-pregnant concentration. In addition, no difference was observed between progesterone concentration in the first month after pregnancy and the value during the luteal phase. However, progesterone concentration during the second month of pregnancy was significantly higher than the value during the luteal phase. In conclusion, monitoring fecal progesterone is an effective method for assessing ovarian function in FMD and will be a useful tool for breeding management and development of assisted reproductive techniques, such as artificial insemination, in this species.