A new Rogue-like Escherichia phage UDF157lw to control Escherichia coli O157:H7.

Introduction: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 is one of the notorious foodborne pathogens causing high mortality through the consumption of contaminated food items. The food safety risk from STEC pathogens could escalate when a group of bacterial cells aggregates to form a biofilm. Bacterial biofilm can diminish the effects of various antimicrobial interventions and enhance the pathogenicity of the pathogens. Therefore, there is an urgent need to have effective control measurements. Bacteriophages can kill the target bacterial cells through lytic infection, and some enzymes produced during the infection have the capability to penetrate the biofilm for mitigation compared to traditional interventions. This study aimed to characterize a new Escherichia phage vB_EcoS-UDF157lw (or UDF157lw) and determine its antimicrobial efficacy against E. coli O157:H7. Methods: Phage characterization included biological approaches, including phage morphology, one-step growth curve, stability tests (pH and temperature), and genomic approaches (whole-genome sequencing). Later, antimicrobial activity tests, including productive infection against susceptible bacterial strains, in vitro antimicrobial activity, and anti-biofilm, were conducted. Results: UDF157lw is a new member of the phages belonging to the Rogunavirus genus, comprising a long and non-contractile tail, isolated from bovine feces and shares close genomic evolutionary similarities with Escherichia phages vB_EcoS-BECP10 and bV_EcoS_AKS96. When used against E. coli O157:H7 (ATCC35150), phage UDF157lw exhibited a latent period of 14 min and a burst size of 110 PFU per infected cell. The phage remained viable in a wide range of pH values (pH 4-11) and temperatures (4-60°C). No virulence genes, such as stx, lysogenic genes, and antibiotic resistance genes, were found. Phage UDF157lw demonstrated high infection efficiencies against different E. coli O157:H7 and generic E. coli strains. In addition, UDF157lw encoded a unique major tail protein (ORF_26) with prominent depolymerase enzyme activity against various E. coli O157:H7 strains, causing large plaque sizes. In contrast to the phage without encoding depolymerase gene, UDF157lw was able to reduce the 24-h and 48-h E. coli O157:H7 biofilm after 1-h phage treatment. Discussion: The findings of this study provide insights into a new member of the Rogunavirus phages and demonstrate its antimicrobial potential against E. coli O157:H7 in vitro.

Using Photovoice in a Mindfulness-Based Program to Understand the Experiences of Caregivers of Young Adults with Psychosis.

Studies have consistently shown that family caregivers experience caregiver burden and depression when they provide care for family members with psychosis. Photovoice is a participatory action research method of fostering dialogues about personal experiences by sharing and discussing photographs that may improve our understanding about how a mindfulness-based family psychoeducation program (MBFPE) can reduce the caregiver burden and improve their caregiving experience. We explored the experiences of the participants in their use of photovoice in a MBFPE. We investigated whether the MBFPE program generated positive changes for caregivers of young adults with psychosis. Using photovoice, we collected qualitative data to help develop a unique contextual understanding of MBFPE program outcomes and generate novel ideas, insights, suggestions, and questions on the basis of participant's perceptions. Participants in our pilot study and randomized controlled study of MBFPE were invited to participate in this photovoice activity. On the basis of a procedure developed for MBFPE, caregivers were invited to use photographs to express how mindfulness contributed to caregivers' management of their caregiving stress and burden. Caregiver's inquiry with the MBFPE instructors were transcribed for analysis together with the photographs. A grounded theory approach was adopted to analyze the photovoice images, participants' reflections, and inquiries of photographs. Six themes were developed in understanding the lived experience of caregivers in participation of MBFPE: (1) I pay attention to the present moment; (2) I care about my family; (3) I trust my children; (4) I appreciate the connection with and support from nature and the universe; (5) I observe my worries and guilt and learn not to be reactive; and (6) I find space in offering care and exercising self-care. The application of photovoice can offer an additional approach to enhance the awareness and insights of participants in a mindfulness-based program. Specific guidelines may be developed to enhance the learning of participants.

Characterization of polyvalent Escherichia phage Sa157lw for the biocontrol potential of Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on contaminated mung bean seeds.

Seeds are one of the primary sources of contamination with foodborne pathogens, such as pathogenic Escherichia coli, and various Salmonella serovars, for produce, particularly sprouts. Due to the susceptibility of sprout growth to chemical-based antimicrobials and the rising issue of antimicrobial resistance, developing innovative antimicrobial interventions is an urgent need. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize Escherichia phage Sa157lw (or Sa157lw) for the biocontrol potential of Salmonella Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 on contaminated mung bean seeds. Phage Sa157lw was subjected to whole-genome sequencing and biological characterization, including morphology, one-step growth curve, and stress stability tests. Later, antimicrobial activity was determined in vitro and upon application on the mung bean seeds artificially contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella Typhimurium. Sa157lw possessed a contractile tail and belonged to the Kuttervirus genus under the Ackermannviridae family, sharing a close evolutionary relationship with E. coli phage ECML-4 and Kuttervirus ViI; however, tail spike genes (ORF_102 and ORF_104) were the primary region of difference. Comparative genomics showed that Sa157lw encoded a cluster of tail spike genes-including ORF_101, ORF_102, and ORF_104-sharing high amino acid similarity with the counterfeits of various Salmonella phages. Additionally, Sa157lw harbored a unique tail fiber (ORF_103), possibly related to the receptors binding of O157 strains. The genomic evidence accounted for the polyvalent effects of Sa157lw against E. coli O157:H7 and various Salmonella serovars (Typhimurium, Enteritidis, Agona, Saintpaul, and Heidelberg). Furthermore, the phage did not contain any virulence, antibiotic-resistant, or lysogenic genes. Sa157lw had a 30-min latent period on both E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium, with an estimated burst size of 130 and 220 PFU/CFU, respectively, and was stable at a wide range of temperatures (4-60°C) and pH (pH4 to pH10). The phage application demonstrated a strong anti-E. coli O157:H7 and anti-Salmonella Typhimurium effects in 1.1 and 1.8 log reduction on the contaminated mung bean seeds after overnight storage at 22°C. These findings provide valuable insights into the polyvalent Sa157lw as a potential biocontrol agent of Salmonella Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 on sprout seeds.

A New Kayfunavirus-like Escherichia Phage vB_EcoP-Ro45lw with Antimicrobial Potential of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O45 Strain.

Lytic bacteriophages are re-considered as a solution to resolve antibiotic-resistant rampage. Despite frequent foodborne outbreaks caused by the top six non-O157 Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), the current interventions are not sufficiently effective against each serogroup, particularly O45. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize a new short-tailed phage, vB_EcoP-Ro45lw (or Ro45lw), as an alternative antimicrobial agent for STEC O45 strains. Phage Ro45lw belongs to the Kayfunavirus genus within the Autographiviridae family and shares no close evolutionary relationship with any reference phages. Ro45lw contains a tail structure composed of a unique tail fiber and tail tubular proteins A and B, likely to produce enzymatic activity against the target bacterial cells besides structural function. Additionally, the phage genome does not contain virulent, antibiotic-resistant, or lysogenic genes. The phage has a latent period of 15 min with an estimated burst size of 55 PFU/CFU and is stable at a wide range of pH (pH4 to pH11) and temperatures (30 °C to 60 °C). Regardless of the MOIs (MOI = 0.1, 1, and 10) used, Ro45lw has a strong antimicrobial activity against both environmental (E. coli O45:H-) and clinical (E. coli O45:H2) strains at 25 °C. These findings indicate that phage Ro45lw has antimicrobial potential in mitigating pathogenic STEC O45 strains.

Implementation of the compulsory universal testing scheme in Hong Kong: Mathematical simulations of a household-based pooling approach.

This study aims to propose a pooling approach to simulate the compulsory universal RT-PCR test in Hong Kong and explore the feasibility of implementing the pooling method on a household basis. The mathematical model is initially verified, and then the simulation is performed under different prevalence rates and pooled sizes. The simulated population is based in Hong Kong. The simulation included 10,000,000 swab samples, with a representative distribution of populations in Hong Kong. The samples were grouped into a batch size of 20. If the entire batch is positive, then the group is further divided into an identical group size of 10 for re-testing. Different combinations of mini-group sizes were also investigated. The proposed pooling method was extended to a household basis. A representative from each household is required to perform the RT-PCR test. Results of the simulation replications, indicate a significant reduction (p < 0.001) of 83.62, 64.18, and 48.46% in the testing volume for prevalence rate 1, 3, and 5%, respectively. Combined with the household-based pooling approach, the total number of RT-PCR is 437,304, 956,133, and 1,375,795 for prevalence rates 1, 3, and 5%, respectively. The household-based pooling strategy showed efficiency when the prevalence rates in the population were low. This pooling strategy can rapidly screen people in high-risk groups for COVID-19 infections and quarantine those who test positive, even when time and resources for testing are limited.

Evaluating the emotion regulation of positive mood states among people with bipolar disorder using hierarchical clustering.

BACKGROUND: People with bipolar disorder (BD) frequently struggle with the recurrence of affective symptoms. However, the interplay between coping mechanism and positive mood state remains under-researched. AIM: To explore the associations among behavioral approach system (BAS) sensitivity level, coping, and positive mood states among people with BD. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study design, 90 participants with BD were presented with four BAS-activating life event scenarios and assessed with regard to their BAS trait sensitivity, coping flexibility, and mood states. A hierarchical clustering method was used to identify different groups with different styles of coping. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine the mediating and moderating roles of different components of coping on mood states. RESULTS: A three-cluster solution was found to best fit the present data set. The findings showed that a low mass of coping combined with low BAS sensitivity level protects people with BD from detrimentally accentuating mood states when they encounter BAS-activating life events. Moreover, coping flexibility is demonstrated to mediate and moderate the relationships between BAS sensitivity level and mood states. Specifically, subduing the perceived controllability and reducing the use of behavioral-activation/emotion-amplifying coping strategies could help buffer the effect of positive affect. CONCLUSION: The judicious use of coping in emotion regulation for people with BD when encountering BAS-activating life events was indicated. Practical applications and theoretical implications are highlighted.

The discovery of orally active triaminotriazine aniline amides as inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase.

A new structural class of triaminotriazine aniline amides possessing potent p38 enzyme activity has been discovered. The initial hit (compound 1a) was identified through screening the Pharmacopeia ECLiPS compound collection. SAR modification led to the identification of a short acting triaminotriazine aniline methoxyamide (compound 1m) possessing in vitro and in vivo oral activity in animal models of acute and chronic inflammatory disease. An X-ray crystal structure of compound 1m in this class, cocrystallized with unactivated p38 alpha protein, indicates that these compounds bind to the ATP binding pocket and possess key H-bonding interactions within a deeper cleft. Hydrogen bonding between one of the triazine nitrogens and the backbone NH of the Met109 residue occurs through a water molecule. The methoxyamide NH and carbonyl oxygen are within H-bonding distance of Glu71 and Asp168.

Utility of the breathing reserve index at the anaerobic threshold in determining ventilatory-limited exercise in adult cystic fibrosis patients.

OBJECTIVES: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is useful to assess functional status and prognosis. Using the current interpretation guidelines, the utility of this testing will be limited in those patients who cannot exercise to a near-maximal level. This study investigates the utility of the breathing reserve index at the anaerobic threshold (BRIAT), which is defined as minute ventilation at the anaerobic threshold (AT)/maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), to distinguish ventilatory-limited (VL) CF patients from nonventilatory-limited (NVL) CF patients. DESIGN: Exercise studies on 53 adult CF patients at baseline clinical status performed from 1993 to 1999 were reviewed, of which 40 met the inclusion criteria. The studies were performed via ramp protocol to the symptom-limited maximum on a cycle ergometer with breath-by-breath expired gas analysis. AT was determined noninvasively via the V-Slope method. The patients were classified as VL if they had abnormal spirometry findings, reduced exercise capacity, and a breathing reserve index at maximum exercise (BRImax) of > or = 0.7. NVL patients had a normal BRImax and met the criteria for a maximal study. RESULTS: VL patients (21 patients) had significantly lower FVC, FEV(1), MVV, and body mass index than NVL patients (19 patients). The BRIAT for the VL group was significantly higher than that for the NVL group (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that BRIAT discriminated VL patients from NVL patients better than a variety of nonexercise variables tested. The BRIAT correlated extremely well with BRImax (r = 0.89; p < 0.01), FVC (r = -0.67; p < 0.001), FEV(1) (r = -0.76; p < 0.001), and FEV(1)/FVC ratio (r = -0.683; p < 0.001). A BRIAT value of 0.29 distinguished VL CF patients from NVL CF patients with 95.2% sensitivity and 84.2% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The BRIAT assessed noninvasively correlates well with commonly used measurements of pulmonary function and accurately distinguishes CF patients with and without a ventilatory limitation to exercise. The BRIAT may have utility in the interpretation of exercise studies in CF patients who are unable to exercise to a maximal level.