Iron Deficiency in Anemic Children Surviving Critical Illness: Post Hoc Analysis of a Single-Center Prospective Cohort in Canada, 2019-2022.

OBJECTIVES: Many children leave the PICU with anemia. The mechanisms of post-PICU anemia are poorly investigated, and treatment of anemia, other than blood, is rarely started during PICU. We aimed to characterize the contributions of iron depletion (ID) and/or inflammation in the development of post-PICU anemia and to explore the utility of hepcidin (a novel iron marker) at detecting ID during inflammation. DESIGN: Post hoc analysis of a single-center prospective study (November 2019 to September 2022). SETTING: PICU, quaternary center, Canada. PATIENTS: Children admitted to PICU with greater than or equal to 48 hours of invasive or greater than or equal to 96 hours of noninvasive ventilation. We excluded patients with preexisting conditions causing anemia or those admitted after cardiac surgery. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hematological and iron profiles were performed at PICU discharge on 56 participants of which 37 (37/56) were diagnosed with anemia. Thirty-three children (33/56; 59%) were younger than 2 years. Median Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction score was 11 (interquartile range, 6-16). Twenty-four of the 37 anemic patients had repeat bloodwork 2 months post-PICU. Of those, four (4/24; 16%) remained anemic. Hematologic profiles were categorized as: anemia of inflammation (AI), iron deficiency anemia (IDA), IDA with inflammation, and ID (low iron stores without anemia). Seven (7/47; 15%) had AI at discharge, and one had persistent AI post-PICU. Three patients (3/47; 6%) had IDA at discharge; of which one was lost to follow-up and the other two were no longer anemic but had ID post-PICU. Eleven additional patients developed ID post-PICU. In the exploratory analysis, we identified a diagnostic cutoff value for ID during inflammation from the receiver operating characteristic curve for hepcidin of 31.9 pg/mL. This cutoff would increase the detection of ID at discharge from 6% to 34%. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of ID in children post-PICU is high and better management strategies are required. Hepcidin may increase the diagnostic yield of ID in patients with inflammation.

Phyllosphere eukaryotic microalgal communities in rainforests: Drivers and diversity.

Phyllosphere algae are common in tropical rainforests, forming visible biofilms or spots on plant leaf surfaces. However, knowledge of phyllosphere algal diversity and the environmental factors that drive that diversity is limited. The aim of this study is to identify the environmental factors that drive phyllosphere algal community composition and diversity in rainforests. For this purpose, we used single molecule real-time sequencing of full-length 18S rDNA to characterize the composition of phyllosphere microalgal communities growing on four host tree species (Ficus tikoua, Caryota mitis, Arenga pinnata, and Musa acuminata) common to three types of forest over four months at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Yunnan Province, China. Environmental 18S rDNA sequences revealed that the green algae orders Watanabeales and Trentepohliales were dominant in almost all algal communities and that phyllosphere algal species richness and biomass were lower in planted forest than in primeval and reserve rainforest. In addition, algal community composition differed significantly between planted forest and primeval rainforest. We also found that algal communities were affected by soluble reactive phosphorous, total nitrogen, and ammonium contents. Our findings indicate that algal community structure is significantly related to forest type and host tree species. Furthermore, this study is the first to identify environmental factors that affect phyllosphere algal communities, significantly contributing to future taxonomic research, especially for the green algae orders Watanabeales and Trentepohliales. This research also serves as an important reference for molecular diversity analysis of algae in other specific habitats, such as epiphytic algae and soil algae.

Seven newly sequenced chloroplast genomes from the order Watanabeales (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta): Phylogenetic and comparative analysis.

The little-known order Watanabeales currently includes 10 genera with Chlorella-like species that reproduce by unequal-sized autospores and are predominantly solitary or terrestrial. The taxonomic scheme of Watanabeales has only been primarily inferred by short and less informative rDNA phylogenetic analysis. In the present study, seven newly sequenced genomes and one reported chloroplast genome representing the existing major branches of Watanabeales were harvested to phylogenetically reconstruct this order and to further understand its evolution. All chloroplast genomes of Watanabeales ranging from 133 to 274 kb were circular mapping and lacked a quadripartite structure. The chloroplast genome size, GC content, number of introns, and length of intergenic region proportion of the Watanabeales showed consistent trends, with Calidiella yingdensis D201 and Kalinella pachyderma 2601 having the lowest and highest values, respectively, echoing the positive correlation between organismal size and genome size. Phylogenetic analysis of Watanabeales based on 76 protein-coding genes coupled with the establishment of various complex analytical methods determined the unique robust taxonomic scheme which was incongruent with rDNA. Comparative genomic analyses revealed that the chloroplast genomes of Watanabeales accounted for numerous complex rearrangements and inversions which indicated high cryptic diversity. Substitution rate estimation indicated that the chloroplast genomes of Watanabeales were under purifying selection and similar evolutionary pressure and supported the view that genus Symbiochloris should be excluded from Watanabeales. Our results enrich the chloroplast genome resources of Watanabeales, clarify the phylogenetic status of species within this order, and provide more reference information for subsequent taxonomic and phylogenetic study.

Streptococcus strain C17T as a potential probiotic candidate to modulate oral health.

In the microbiome, probiotics modulate oral diseases. In this study, Streptococcus strain C17T was isolated from the oropharynx of a 5-year-old healthy child, and its potential probiotic properties were analysed using human bronchial epithelial cells (16-HBE) used as an in vitro oropharyngeal mucosal model. The results demonstrated that the C17T strain showed tolerance to moderate pH ranges of 4-5 and 0·5-1% bile. However, it was more tolerant to 0·5% bile than 1% bile. It also demonstrated an ability to accommodate maladaptive oropharyngeal conditions (i.e. tolerating lysozyme at 200 µg ml-1 ). It was also resistant to hydrogen peroxide at 0·8 mM. In addition, we found out that the strain possesses inhibitory activities against various common pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, C17T was not cytotoxic to 16-HBE cells at different multiplicities of infection. Scanning electron microscopy disclosed that C17T adhesion to 16-HBE cells. Competition, exclusion and displacement assays showed that it had good anti-adhesive effect against S. aureus. The present study revealed that Streptococcus strain C17T is a potentially efficacious oropharyngeal probiotic.

Genetic analysis of 15 STR loci from a Xibe population in Liaoning, Northeast of China.

BACKGROUND: In view of their high level of variability, autosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) are very useful as markers in the disciplines of forensic and population genetics studies. AIM: To investigate the diversity distributions of allelic frequencies of 15 loci from a sample from the Chinese Xibe ethnic group in Liaoning. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifteen STR loci for 150 unrelated Xibe individuals from Liaoning, China were amplified simultaneously in a fluorescence-based reaction using a 2720 Thermal cycler (ABI). Separation and detection of the amplified product were conducted with the Li-COR 4300 DNA Analyzer. RESULTS: In total, 117 alleles were observed, with the corresponding allele frequencies ranging from 0.001 to 0.507. D18S51 had the highest polymorphism (PIC = 0.840) among all 15 STR loci, whereas TPOX had the lowest (PIC = 0.590). The power of discrimination ranged from 0.801 for TH01 locus to 0.957 for D18S51 locus, whereas the power of exclusion ranged from a minimum 0.316 for TPOX locus to a maximum 0.720 for D21S11 locus. The phylogenetic tree established among worldwide populations showed that the Xibe population is far from other populations. CONCLUSION: Databases for the 15 STR loci will be useful for personal identification and paternity tests in the Xibe population and for the establishment of phylogenetic relationships between populations.

Molecular epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility and carbapenemase resistance determinants among Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Emerging carbapenem resistance among Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates is a worldwide problem. Infections caused by A. baumannii are increasing and demonstrate high mortality rates. This study aimed to establish a nationwide surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility, carbapenemase genes, and clonal relationships of A. baumannii clinical isolates in Taiwan. METHODS: Clinical isolates of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-A. baumannii (ACB) complex collected by the Taiwan Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance-V program between July 2006 and September 2006 were used in this study. Genospecies identification was verified by 16S-23S rRNA intergenic-spacer sequences. Carbapenemase genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was applied for identification of clonal relationships. RESULTS: Among the 151 ACB-complex isolates collected, 134 (88.7%) were A. baumannii, 12 (8.0%) were A. pittii, and five (3.3%) were A. nosocomialis. A. baumannii isolates showed higher resistance rates to ciprofloxacin, amikacin, and ampicillin/sulbactam than A. pittii or A. nosocomialis (all p < 0.001). The most commonly detected carbapenemase genes were bla(OxA-51) (n = 135), followed by bla(OxA-24) (n = 4), bla(OxA-23) (n = 2), and bla(OxA-58) (n = 1). Three major A. baumannii clones were found throughout Taiwan, and showed significantly higher resistance rates to ciprofloxacin, amikacin, and ampicillin/sulbactam than the other A. baumannii isolates (100% vs. 68.7%, p < 0.001; 98.4% vs. 61.5%, p < 0.001; and 66.7% vs. 39.8%, p = 0.004; respectively). MLST showed that these major clones were sequence type 2 and belonged to international clonal complex 2. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate clonal spreading of A. baumannii in Taiwan hospitals and that these clones were more resistant to many antimicrobial agents. Efforts to prevent and control A. baumannii colonization/infections and prudent use of antibiotics to reduce antimicrobial selective pressure should be emphasized.

Allele frequencies of 19 autosomal STR loci in Manchu population of China with phylogenetic structure among worldwide populations.

The aim of this study was to estimate the allelic frequencies of the 19 STR loci with the Goldeneye™ DNA ID system 20A kit in a sample of 150 Manchu individuals from China to be used for forensic purposes and population studies. The observed heterozygosity(HO)values of these 19 STR loci ranged from 0.600 (D3S1358) to 0.914 (D18S51), the expected (HE) ranged from 0.615 (TPOX) to 0.876 (D16S1043). The power of discrimination (PD) values were found to range from 0.793 (TPOX) to 0.950 (D16S1043) and the probability of exclusion (PE) varies between 0.291 (D3S1358) and 0.825 (D18S51 and Penta E). Among all the 19 loci, D16S1043 had the highest polymorphism (PIC=0.860), whereas TPOX had the lowest (PIC=0.550). For the 19 loci, the combined power of discrimination and the combined probability of exclusion are 0.9999999999999999999942 and 0.999999996777, respectively. The phylogenetic tree established among worldwide population shows different populations who say the same language usually have a close genetic relationship with each other across the three language families studied (Sino-Tibetan, Altaic and Arabic).

[The clinical analysis of corneal interface fluid syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To analysis the clinical characteristics of corneal interface fluid syndrome (IFS). METHODS: This is a retrospective study. During Jun. 2007 to Oct. 2011. Eight cases (12 eyes) of IFS were diagnosed at Henan Eye Institute. The history and complete ophthalmic examination that include Slit-lamp examination, Slit-lamp photography, IOP, anterior segment OCT (AS-OCT), confocal microscopic exams were recorded. RESULTS: In total 8 cases (12 eyes), 4 cases were bilateral, 4 cases were unilateral. Six patients were male and 2 were female. The age of the patients ranged from 19 to 35 years. Post-lasik steroid-induced elevated IOP was 4 eyes in 2 patients. Primary open angle glaucoma was 4 eyes in 2 patients. 1 patient (1 eye) was Posner-Shlossman syndrome, 1 patient (1 eye) was pigmented glaucoma, 1 patient (1 eye) was post-lasik traumatic iritis. 1 patient (1 eye) got IFS after repeated flap reposition because of epithelium ingrowth. Slit-lamp exam indicated edematous corneal, lamellar haze, interface fluids accumulation. AS-OCT showed obvious interface dark area. Confocal microscopy exam showed edematous corneal flap, more oval and large keratocytes' nuclei but no inflammatory cells. CONCLUSIONS: IFS is a rare but serious complication after LASIK. The main causes are high intraocular pressure and/or dysfunction of corneal endothelium. Careful exam by slit-lamp may help diagnosis, and further AS-OCT and/or in vivo confocal microscopy exam will confirm it.

Allele frequencies of 6 autosomal STR loci in the Xibo nationality with phylogenetic structure among Chinese populations.

In the present study, we investigated the genetic polymorphisms of 6 autosomal STR loci Hum-CSF1PO, D13S317, D5S818, D16S539, TH01, and TPOX in the Xibo population of Liaoning, northeastern China as well as its genetic relationships with other populations in China. No significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium could be found for all loci. Allele frequencies in the Xibo population ranged from 0.001 to 0.507. Among all the 6 loci, D16S539 had the highest polymorphism (PIC=0.8632), whereas TPOX had the lowest (PIC=0.5179). A phylogenic tree was constructed using Poptree 2 software. In the phylogenic tree, Xibo population has a distant relationship with the other populations.

[Comparison of ultrasound biomicroscopy and CT in diagnosis of anterior segment intraocular foreign body].

OBJECTIVE: To report the appearance of anterior segment intraocular foreign body in ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and CT. To investigate the advantage and disadvantage of these two imaging methods and to evaluate the value of combining application of these methods in the diagnosis of anterior segment intraocular foreign body. METHODS: It was a comparative study. Forty-four cases of suspected anterior segment intraocular foreign body were simultaneously examined by UBM and CT from July 2000 to May 2007, the results were compared with the operation results. RESULTS: In 44 cases examined by CT, foreign bodies in 40 cases showed high density shadows, including iron, copper, stone and other foreign bodies; 2 cases showed slightly high density shadow, which were identified as plastics; in 2 cases, the foreign bodies could not be detected by CT, which were bamboo pick and Chinese chestnut sting. It was difficulty to locate the foreign body exactly and to detect the complications of anterior segment intraocular foreign body by using CT. All 44 cases of anterior segment intraocular foreign body showed strong echo spot with acoustic shadow in the UBM. UBM could provide the exact location of foreign body and could detect all complications. But the examining procedure of UBM was complicated, the examining screen was relatively narrow and the examination was time-consuming. CONCLUSION: In suspected anterior segment intraocular foreign body, CT examination should be performed first to detect the position and the nature of foreign body, then UBM could be used to obtain the exact position of foreign body and to detect the complications.

[Effects of organophosphorus insecticides on G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 mediated phosphorylation of M2 muscarinic receptors].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of organophosphorus insecticides (OPs) on G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 mediated phosphorylation of M2 muscarinic receptors in vitro and to understand an alternative target of the OPs for human and other animals. METHODS: The acetylcholine M2 muscarinic receptors (mAChR2) were purified from rat brain by single step affinity chromatography. In vitro experiments, the purified mAChR2, G-protein coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) and the (gamma-p32) labeled ATP were incubated with paraoxon (PO), chlorpyrifos oxon (CPO) or chlorpyrifos (CPF) of varying concentrations. The proteins were separated by the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The gels were dried and the phosphorylation of mAChR2 was detected with autoradiograms. Bands containing M2 receptor were excised and counted by liquid scintillation. RESULTS: CPO inhibited phosphorylation of M2 muscarinic receptors by GRK2 with a median inhibition concentration (IC(50)) at 70 micromol/L. CPF also inhibited M2 receptors phosphorylation, but was less potent and less efficacious than that of CPO. PO and parathion (PT) had little effect on the receptor phosphorylation under the same conditions. CPO and CPF didn't inhibit the beta2 Adrenalin (beta2-AR) receptor phosphorylation also mediated by GRK2. CONCLUSION: CPO and CPF can selectively inhibit the GRK2 mediated mAChR2 phosphorylation while PO and PT have no this effect.