miR-199a-3p suppresses neuroinflammation by directly targeting MyD88 in a mouse model of bone cancer pain.

AIMS: Pain is a profoundly debilitating symptom in cancer patients, leading to disability, immobility, and a marked decline in their quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the potential roles of miR-199a-3p in a murine model of bone cancer pain induced by tumor cell implantation in the medullary cavity of the femur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed pain-related behaviors, including the paw withdrawal mechanical threshold (PWMT) and the number of spontaneous flinches (NSF). To investigate miRNA expression and its targets in astrocytes, we employed a combination of RNA-seq analysis, qRT-PCR, Western blotting, EdU, TUNEL, ChIP, ELISA, and luciferase reporter assays in mice (C3H/HeJ) with bone cancer pain and control groups. KEY FINDINGS: On days 10, 14, 21, and 28 post-surgery, we observed significant differences in PWTL, PWMT, and NSF when compared to the sham group (P < 0.001). qRT-PCR assays and miRNA sequencing results confirmed reduced miR-199a-3p expression in astrocytes of mice with bone cancer pain. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments demonstrated that miR-199a-3p suppressed astrocyte activation and the expression of inflammatory cytokines. In vitro investigations revealed that miR-199a-3p mimics reduced the levels of inflammatory factors in astrocytes and MyD88/NF-κB proteins. Furthermore, treatment with a miR-199a-3p agonist resulted in reduced expression of MyD88, TAK1, p-p65, and inflammatory mediators, along with decreased astrocyte activation in the spinal cord. SIGNIFICANCE: Collectively, these findings demonstrate that upregulation of miR-199a-3p may offer a therapeutic avenue for mitigating bone cancer pain in mice by suppressing neuroinflammation and inhibiting the MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Molecular mechanisms of long non-coding RNAs in differentiation of T Helper17 cells.

T helper (Th) 17 cells are one of the most important T cell subsets in a number of autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. During infections, Th17 cells appear to play an important role in the clearance of extracellular pathogens. Th17 cells, on the other hand, are engaged in inflammation and have been linked to the pathophysiology of a number of autoimmune illnesses and human inflammatory disorders. A diverse group of RNA molecules known as lncRNAs serve critical functions in gene expression regulation. They may interact with a wide range of molecules, including DNA, RNA, and proteins, and have a complex structure. LncRNAs, which have restricted or no protein-coding activity, are implicated in a number of illnesses due to their regulatory impact on a variety of biological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Several lncRNAs have been associated with Th7 cell development in the context of immune cell differentiation. In this article, we cover new studies on the involvement of lncRNAs in Th17 cell differentiation in a variety of disorders, including auto-immune diseases, malignancies, asthma, heart disease, and infections.

The protective role of sulforaphane and Homer1a in retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury: Unraveling the neuroprotective interplay.

AIMS: Retinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common pathological basis for various ophthalmic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the potential of sulforaphane (SFN) and Homer1a in regulating cell apoptosis induced by retinal I/R injury and to explore the underlying regulatory mechanism between them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In in vivo experiments, C57BL/6J mice and Homer1flox/-/Homer1a+/-/Nestin-Cre+/- mice were used to construct retinal I/R injury models. In vitro experiments utilized the oxygen-glucose deprivation-reperfusion (OGD/R) injury model with primary retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The effects of Homer1a and SFN on cell apoptosis were observed through pathological analyses, flow cytometry, and visual electrophysiological assessments. KEY FINDINGS: We discovered that after OGD/R injury, apoptosis of RGCs and intracellular Ca2+ activity significantly increased. However, these changes were reversed upon the addition of SFN, and similar observations were reproduced in in vivo studies. Furthermore, both in vivo and in vitro studies confirmed the upregulation of Homer1a after I/R, which could be further enhanced by the administration of SFN. Moreover, upregulation of Homer1a resulted in a reduction in cell apoptosis and pro-apoptotic proteins, while downregulation of Homer1a had the opposite effect. Flash visual evoked potential, oscillatory potentials, and escape latency measurements in mice supported these findings. Furthermore, the addition of SFN strengthened the neuroprotective effects in the OGD/R + H+ group but weakened them in Homer1flox/-/Homer1a+/-/Nestin-Cre+/- mice. SIGNIFICANCE: These results indicate that Homer1a plays a significant role in the therapeutic potential of sulforaphane for retinal I/R injury, thereby providing a theoretical basis for clinical treatment.

The bioengineered and multifunctional nanoparticles in pancreatic cancer therapy: Bioresponisive nanostructures, phototherapy and targeted drug delivery.

The multidisciplinary approaches in treatment of cancer appear to be essential in term of bringing benefits of several disciplines and their coordination in tumor elimination. Because of the biological and malignant features of cancer cells, they have ability of developing resistance to conventional therapies such as chemo- and radio-therapy. Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignant disease of gastrointestinal tract in which chemotherapy and radiotherapy are main tools in its treatment, and recently, nanocarriers have been emerged as promising structures in its therapy. The bioresponsive nanocarriers are able to respond to pH and redox, among others, in targeted delivery of cargo for specific treatment of PC. The loading drugs on the nanoparticles that can be synthetic or natural compounds, can help in more reduction in progression of PC through enhancing their intracellular accumulation in cancer cells. The encapsulation of genes in the nanoparticles can protect against degradation and promotes intracellular accumulation in tumor suppression. A new kind of therapy for cancer is phototherapy in which nanoparticles can stimulate both photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy through hyperthermia and ROS overgeneration to trigger cell death in PC. Therefore, synergistic therapy of phototherapy with chemotherapy is performed in accelerating tumor suppression. One of the important functions of nanotechnology is selective targeting of PC cells in reducing side effects on normal cells. The nanostructures are capable of being surface functionalized with aptamers, proteins and antibodies to specifically target PC cells in suppressing their progression. Therefore, a specific therapy for PC is provided and future implications for diagnosis of PC is suggested.

Exosomal non-coding RNAs' role in immune regulation and potential therapeutic applications.

Exosomes are now significant players in both healthy and unhealthy cell-to-cell communication. Exosomes can mediate immune activation or immunosuppression, which can influence the growth of tumors. Exosomes affect the immune responses to malignancies in various ways by interacting with tumor cells and the environment around them. Exosomes made by immune cells can control the growth, metastasis, and even chemosensitivity of tumor cells. In contrast, exosomes produced by cancer cells can encourage immune responses that support the tumor. Exosomes carry circular RNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and microRNAs (miRNAs), all involved in cell-to-cell communication. In this review, we focus on the most recent findings concerning the role of exosomal miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs in immune modulation and the potential therapeutic implications of these discoveries.

The effects of methotrexate on the immune responses to the COVID-19 vaccines in the patients with immune-mediated inflammatory disease: A systematic review of clinical evidence.

COVID-19 vaccines exhibit high levels of immunogenicity in the overall population. Data on the effects of immunomodulators on the consequences of COVID-19 in patients with Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) remains scarce. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the immune responses to the COVID-19 vaccines in IMID patients receiving methotrexate (MTX) compared to healthy individuals. A comprehensive literature search was carried out using electronic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Embase up to August 2022 to identify eligible RCTs evaluating the effect of MTX on immune responses in patients with COVID-19. The PRISMA checklist protocol was applied for the quality assessment of the selected trials. Our findings demonstrated that MTX lowered the responses of T cells and antibodies in IMID patients compared to healthy controls. We also discovered that young age (<60 years) was the main parameter influencing the antibody response after vaccination, while MTX had little effect. Following vaccination, MTX-hold and age were considered the main factors influencing the antibody response. In patients older than 60 years of age, the time point of 10 days of MTX discontinuation was critical to boosting the humoral response to anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. Because many IMID patients did not have adequate humoral and cellular responses, our findings highlighted the importance of second or booster doses of vaccine and temporary MTX discontinuation. As a result, it implies that individuals with IMIDs should be subjected to more research, particularly humoral and cellular immunity efficiency trials after COVID-19 vaccination, until credible information is achieved.

Influence of dietary pattern on anti-tuberculosis treatment outcomes in persons with dysglycemia: a Peruvian prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Dietary patterns (DPs) are associated with overall nutritional status and may alter the clinical prognosis of tuberculosis. This interaction can be further intricated by dysglycemia (i.e., diabetes or prediabetes). Here, we identified DPs that are more common with tuberculosis-dysglycemia and depicted their association with tuberculosis treatment outcomes. Methods: A prospective cohort study of persons with tuberculosis and their contacts was conducted in Peru. A food frequency questionnaire and a multidimensional systems biology-based analytical approach were employed to identify DPs associated with these clinical groups. Potential independent associations between clinical features and DPs were analyzed. Results: Three major DPs were identified. TB-dysglycemia cases more often had a high intake of carbohydrates (DP1). Furthermore, DP1 was found to be associated with an increased risk of unfavorable TB outcomes independent of other factors, including dysglycemia. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the evaluation of nutritional status through DPs in comorbidities such as dysglycemia is a fundamental action to predict TB treatment outcomes. The mechanisms underlying the association between high intake of carbohydrates, dysglycemia, and unfavorable tuberculosis treatment outcomes warrant further investigation.

Factores de riesgo y parasitosis intestinal en niños menores de 10 años de la olla común / Risk factors and intestinal parasitosis in children under 10 years of age from the common pot

Diversos factores de riesgos pueden condicionar las prevalencias de parasitosis intestinales en niños. Como objetivo se propuso determinar los factores de riesgo y parasitosis intestinal en niños menores de 10 años de la Olla Común ubicada en Villa Mara del Triunfo-Perú durate el año 2022. La investigación fue descriptiva-experimental y correlativa con una muestra de 160 niños <10 años de ambos sexos. Como instrumento de recolección se aplicó un cuestionario con preguntas dicotómicas para conocer las prácticas de higiene de los niños y se efectuó la recolección y procesamiento de muestras con técnicas de Solución Salina S.S.F al 85%, Lugol, Método de Kato y Método de concentración-Flotación de Faust. Para analizar los datos se utilizó Microsoft Excel y el software SPSS, estadística descriptica y hallar tablas de frecuencias y porcentajes y Prueba de correlación entre los elementos de riesgo y la frecuencia de signos de los parásitos. Como resultado, el cálculo estadístico con el método de Spearman mostró una concordancia positiva con el coeficiente de correlación 0,725 y con un valor de 0,001<0,05; donde los niveles de factores de riesgo en los infantes mostraron que el 31,3% se encontraban en riesgo bajo con un nivel bajo de síntomas y sin evidencia de parásitos intestinales, el 18,8% en riesgo medio y el 12,5% en riesgo alto y un nivel alto de síntomas y parasitosis intestinal confirmado; la mayoría de los niños se encuentran en un entorno de bajo riesgo. Se hace necesario e indispensable continuar con invesigaciones en zonas adyacentes(AU)

Various risk factors can condition the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in children. The objective was to determine the risk factors and intestinal parasitosis in children under 10 years of age from the Common Pot located in Villa Mara del Triunfo-Peru during the year 2022. The research was descriptive-experimental and correlative with a sample of 160 children <10 years of both sexes. As a collection instrument, a questionnaire with dichotomous questions was applied to know the hygiene practices of the children and the collection and processing of samples was carried out with techniques of Saline Solution S.S.F at 85%, Lugol's, Kato's Method and Concentration-Flotation Method. of Faust. To analyze the data, Microsoft Excel and the SPSS software were used, descriptive statistics and finding tables of frequencies and percentages and a correlation test between the risk elements and the frequency of signs of the parasites. As a result, the statistical calculation with the Spearman method showed a positive agreement with the correlation coefficient 0.725 and with a p value of 0.001<0.05; where the levels of risk factors in infants showed that 31.3% were at low risk with a low level of symptoms and no evidence of intestinal parasites, 18.8% at medium risk and 12.5% at high risk and a high level of symptoms and confirmed intestinal parasitism; most children are in a low-risk environment. It is necessary and essential to continue with investigations in adjacent areas(AU)

Two-Dimensional Titanium Dioxide-Surfactant Photoactive Supramolecular Networks: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications for the Conversion of Light Energy.

The desire to harness solar energy to address current global environmental problems led us to investigate two-dimensional (2D) core-shell hybrid photocatalysts in the form of a 2D-TiO2-surfactant, mainly composed of fatty acids. The bulk products, prepared by two slightly different methods, consist of stacked host-guest hybrid sheets held together by van der Waals forces between alkyl carboxylate moieties, favoring the synergistic conjugation of the photophysical properties of the core and the hydrophobicity of the self-assembled surfactant monolayer of the shell. X-ray diffraction and the vibrational characteristics of the products revealed the influence of synthesis strategies on two types of supramolecular aggregates that differ in the core chemical structure, guest conformers of alkyl surfactant tails and type, and the bilayer and monolayer of the structure of nanocomposites. The singular ability of the TiO2 core to anchor carboxylate leads to commensurate hybrids, in contrast to both layered clay and layered double-hydroxide-based ion exchangers which have been previously reported, making them potentially interesting for modeling the role of fatty acids and lipids in bio-systems. The optical properties and photocatalytic activity of the products, mainly in composites with smaller bandgap semiconductors, are qualitatively similar to those of nanostructured TiO2 but improve their photoresponse due to bandgap shifts and the extreme aspect-ratio characteristics of two-dimensional TiO2 confinement. These results could be seen as a proof-of-concept of the potential of these materials to create custom-designed 2D-TiO2-surfactant supramolecular photocatalysts.

Persistent dysglycemia is associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis from Peru.

BACKGROUND: Dysglycemia (i.e., prediabetes or diabetes) in patients with tuberculosis (PWTB) is associated with increased odds of mortality and treatment failure. Whether such association holds true when dysglycemia is transient or persistent is unknown. In this study, we tested the association between persistent dysglycemia (PD) during anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatment and unfavorable treatment outcomes in PWTB from Lima, Peru. METHODS: PWTB enrolled between February and November 2017 were followed for 24-months. Dysglycemia was measured through fasting glucose and HbA1c at baseline during the 2nd- and 6th-month of TB treatment. PD was defined as dysglycemia detected in 2 different visits. The association between PD and unfavorable TB treatment outcome was evaluated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 125 PWTB, PD prevalence was 29.6%. PD was associated with more lung lesion types, higher bacillary loads, low hemoglobin (Hb), and high body mass index (BMI). Unfavorable TB treatment outcome was associated with older age, higher BMI, more lung lesion types, and PD. After adjusting for age, Hb levels, smoking, and smear grade, PD was independently associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 6.1; 95% CI: 1.9-19.6). CONCLUSION: PD is significantly associated with higher odds of unfavorable TB treatment outcomes. Dysglycemia control during anti-TB treatment gives the opportunity to introduce appropriate interventions to TB management.

A Feature Extraction Using Probabilistic Neural Network and BTFSC-Net Model with Deep Learning for Brain Tumor Classification.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Brain Tumor Fusion-based Segments and Classification-Non-enhancing tumor (BTFSC-Net) is a hybrid system for classifying brain tumors that combine medical image fusion, segmentation, feature extraction, and classification procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: to reduce noise from medical images, the hybrid probabilistic wiener filter (HPWF) is first applied as a preprocessing step. Then, to combine robust edge analysis (REA) properties in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) medical images, a fusion network based on deep learning convolutional neural networks (DLCNN) is developed. Here, the brain images' slopes and borders are detected using REA. To separate the sick region from the color image, adaptive fuzzy c-means integrated k-means (HFCMIK) clustering is then implemented. To extract hybrid features from the fused image, low-level features based on the redundant discrete wavelet transform (RDWT), empirical color features, and texture characteristics based on the gray-level cooccurrence matrix (GLCM) are also used. Finally, to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors, a deep learning probabilistic neural network (DLPNN) is deployed. RESULTS: according to the findings, the suggested BTFSC-Net model performed better than more traditional preprocessing, fusion, segmentation, and classification techniques. Additionally, 99.21% segmentation accuracy and 99.46% classification accuracy were reached using the proposed BTFSC-Net model. CONCLUSIONS: earlier approaches have not performed as well as our presented method for image fusion, segmentation, feature extraction, classification operations, and brain tumor classification. These results illustrate that the designed approach performed more effectively in terms of enhanced quantitative evaluation with better accuracy as well as visual performance.

Dysglycemia is associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineages in tuberculosis patients of North Lima-Peru.

This study was performed to investigate the role of dysglycemia on the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) among pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients to build scientific evidence about the possible mechanisms of TB transmission. MTB isolates obtained of patients affected by pulmonary tuberculosis from health care facilities of North Lima-Peru, were analyzed using whole genome sequencing and 24-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit -variable-number tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR). Subsequently, clinical and epidemiological characteristics were associated with clustering, lineages and comorbid conditions. The analysis carried out 112 pulmonary TB patients from various health centers in North Lima, 17 (15%) had diabetes mellitus (DM) and 33 (29%) had pre-diabetes (PDM). Latin American-Mediterranean, Haarlem and Beijing were the most frequent MTB lineages found in those patients. Previous TB (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.65; 95%CI: 1.32-17.81), age (aOR = 1.12; 95%CI: 1.03-1.45) and Beijing lineage (aOR = 3.53; 95%CI: 1.08-13.2) were associated with TB-DM comorbidity. Alcoholism (aOR = 2.92; 95%CI: 1.10-8.28), age (aOR = 1.05; 95%CI: 1.03-1.12) and Haarlem lineage (aOR = 2.54; 95%CI: 1.04-6.51) were associated with TB-PDM comorbidity. Beijing and Haarlem lineages were independently associated with TB-DM and TB-PDM comorbidities, respectively. Although these findings may be surprising, we must be cautious to suggest that dysglycemia could be associated with a highly clustering and predisposition of MTB lineages related to a serious impact on the severity of TB disease, which requires further research.

Preparation, Antimicrobial Properties, and Cytotoxicity of Acrylic Resins Containing Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride).

PURPOSE: To design and analyze the biologic properties (antibacterial and antifungal, as well as cytotoxicity) of a dental biomaterial based on incorporation of the biocide poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) into the masses of self- and thermopolymerizable acrylic resins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PDADMAC was diluted into tetrahydrofuran (4 wt%) and incorporated into self- and thermopolymerizable acrylic resins. PDADMAC inclusion was verified by measuring the contact angle with water droplets. Plain resins were used as controls. The antibacterial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), and the antifungal activity was tested against Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) and Aspergillus niger (ATCC 16404). The cytotoxicity of substances leached from these materials was analyzed in human dental pulp stem cells using MTT reduction assay. RESULTS: Reduction of contact angle confirmed the incorporation of PDADMAC in the resins. Both resins containing PDADMAC were more effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria than their controls. The modified resins were also significantly more effective against Candida albicans than controls, but no resin was effective against Aspergillus niger. The cell viability of cultures submitted to substances leached from the PDADMAC resins was similar to that of cells cultured under ideal conditions. CONCLUSION: The incorporation of PDADMAC into the acrylic resins achieved the desired antibacterial effect, with no changes in the biocompatibility properties of the resins. Moreover, the modified resins were effective against Candida albicans, the most common fungus in the oral cavity. Thus, the incorporation of PDADMAC in biomaterials seems to be promising in dentistry.

Molecular detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from buccal swabs among adult in Peru.

Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis relies on a sputum sample, which cannot be easily obtained from all symptomatic patients. Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA can be detected from oral swabs, a noninvasive, safe alternative sample type; however, reported sensitivities have been variable and likely depend on sample collection, processing procedures and host characteristics. We analyzed three buccal swab samples from 123 adults with culture-confirmed TB in Lima, Peru. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of two sample collection devices (OmniSwab and EasiCollect FTA cards) and examined factors associated with detection. DNA was extracted with a commercially available kit and detected via real-time PCR IS6110 amplification. Overall sensitivity for buccal samples was 51% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 42-60%). Specificity from a single sample among healthy controls was 96.7% (95% CI 83-99.9%). Positive sputum smear and cavitary disease, correlates of disease burden, were associated with detection via buccal swab. Although we observed higher sensitivities with the Omniswab samples, this appeared to be due primarily to differences in patient characteristics (e.g., cavitary disease). Overall, our findings support the potential for a buccal sample-based TB assay. Future work should focus on assay optimization and streamlining the assay workflow.

Detection of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis DNA in Buccal Swab Samples from Children in Lima, Peru.

We examined Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA detection from buccal swab samples collected from children in Lima, Peru. DNA was extracted and amplified via real-time polymerase chain reaction. Sensitivity was 21% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7%-42%) in 24 culture-confirmed tuberculosis cases and 4.6% (95% CI: 1%-13%) in 65 clinically diagnosed unconfirmed cases. Sensitivity was highest for smear-positive tuberculosis. Specificity was 99% in the 199 controls (95% CI: 96%-100%).

Severe pulmonary radiological manifestations are associated with a distinct biochemical profile in blood of tuberculosis patients with dysglycemia.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is thought to affect tuberculosis (TB) clinical presentation and treatment response. Whether DM impacts radiological manifestations of pulmonary TB is still not clear. This study investigated the impact of glycemic status on radiological manifestations of pulmonary TB cases and its relationship with concentration of biochemical parameters in peripheral blood. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study used data from 132 microbiologically confirmed pulmonary TB patients from Lima, Peru, evaluated in a previous investigation performed between February and December 2017. Chest radiographs were analyzed by a radiologist and a pulmonologist. Radiographic lesions were identified as cavities, alveolar infiltrates and fibrous tracts. Hyperglycemia in TB patients was identified by use of fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and oral glucose tolerance test. Clinical, biochemical and hematological parameters were also analyzed. RESULTS: TB patients with hyperglycemia presented more frequently with cavities, alveolar infiltrates and fibrous tracts than those with normoglycemia. Hierarchical clustering analysis indicated that patients with more diverse and higher number of lung lesions exhibited a distinct laboratorial profile characterized by heightened white blood cell counts and circulating levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and transaminases and simultaneously low levels of albumin and hemoglobin. Multivariable regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, prior TB, hemoglobin levels and acid-fast bacilli ≥2+ in sputum smears, demonstrated that presence of prediabetes or diabetes in TB patients was associated with increased odds of having 3 pulmonary lesion types (p = 0.003 and p < 0.01 respectively) or ≥ 4 lesions (p = 0.001 and p = 0.01 respectively). CONCLUSION: Hyperglycemia (both DM and prediabetes) significantly affected the presentation of radiographic manifestations and the number of lesions in pulmonary TB patients as well as the biochemical profile in peripheral blood.

Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution over Hydrothermally Synthesized Re-Doped MoS2 Flower-Like Microspheres.

In this research, we report a simple hydrothermal synthesis to prepare rhenium (Re)- doped MoS2 flower-like microspheres and the tuning of their structural, electronic, and electrocatalytic properties by modulating the insertion of Re. The obtained compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Structural, morphological, and chemical analyses confirmed the synthesis of poorly crystalline Re-doped MoS2 flower-like microspheres composed of few stacked layers. They exhibit enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance with low overpotential of 210 mV at current density of 10 mA/cm2, with a small Tafel slope of 78 mV/dec. The enhanced catalytic HER performance can be ascribed to activation of MoS2 basal planes and by reduction in charge transfer resistance during HER upon doping.

Correction to: Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in pediatric stool samples using TruTip technology.

Following publication of the original article [1]. The authors reported that there is a mistake in Fig. 1: the number of patients in the control group its 449 patients, instead of 455.

Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in pediatric stool samples using TruTip technology.

BACKGROUND: Rapid and accurate diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis (TB) is challenging because children are often unable to produce the sputum sample required for conventional tests. Stool is an alternative sample type that is easy to collect from children, and studies investigating the use of stool for molecular detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) have led to promising results. Our objective was to evaluate stool as an alternative specimen to sputum for Mtb detection in children. We did so using the TruTip workstation (Akonni Biosystems), a novel automated lysis and extraction platform. METHODS: We tested stool samples from 259 children aged 0-14 years old, in Lima, Peru who presented with TB symptoms. Following extraction with TruTip, we detected the presence of Mtb DNA by IS6110 real-time PCR. We calculated assay sensitivity in two groups: (1) children with culture confirmed TB (N = 22); and (2) children with clinically-diagnosed unconfirmed TB (N = 84). We calculated specificity among children in whom TB was ruled out (N = 153). Among children who were diagnosed with TB, we examined factors associated with a positive stool test. RESULTS: Assay sensitivity was 59% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 39-80%) and 1.2% (95% CI: 0.0-6.5%) in children with culture-confirmed and clinically-diagnosed unconfirmed TB, respectively, and specificity was 97% (95% CI: 93-99%). The assay detected Mtb in stool of 7/7 children with smear-positive TB (100% sensitivity; 95% CI: 59-100%), and in 6/15 of children with smear-negative, culture-confirmed TB (40% sensitivity; 95% CI: 16-68%). Older age, smear positivity, culture positivity, ability to produce sputum and cavitary disease were associated with a positive stool result. CONCLUSION: Testing of stool samples with the TruTip workstation and IS6110 amplification yielded sensitivity and specificity estimates comparable to other tests such as Xpert. Future work should include detection of resistance using the TruTip closed amplification system and assay optimization to improve sensitivity in children with low bacillary loads.