Causal associations between inflammatory bowel disease and anxiety: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety is common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including those with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD); however, the causal relationship between IBD and anxiety remains unknown. AIM: To investigate the causal relationship between IBD and anxiety by using bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis. METHODS: Single nucleotide polymorphisms retrieved from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of the European population were identified as genetic instrument variants. GWAS statistics for individuals with UC (6968 patients and 20464 controls; adults) and CD (5956 patients and 14927 controls; adults) were obtained from the International IBD Genetics Consortium. GWAS statistics for individuals with anxiety were obtained from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (2565 patients and 14745 controls; adults) and FinnGen project (20992 patients and 197800 controls; adults), respectively. Inverse-variance weighted was applied to assess the causal relationship, and the results were strengthened by heterogeneity, pleiotropy and leave-one-out analyses. RESULTS: Genetic susceptibility to UC was associated with an increased risk of anxiety [odds ratio: 1.071 (95% confidence interval: 1.009-1.135), P = 0.023], while genetic susceptibility to CD was not associated with anxiety. Genetic susceptibility to anxiety was not associated with UC or CD. No heterogeneity or pleiotropy was observed, and the leave-one-out analysis excluded the potential influence of a particular variant. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that genetic susceptibility to UC was significantly associated with anxiety and highlighted the importance of early screening for anxiety in patients with UC.

Sputum pathogen spectrum and clinical outcomes of upper respiratory tract infection in bronchiectasis exacerbation: a prospective cohort study.

Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is common in humans. We sought to profile sputum pathogen spectrum and impact of URTI on acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis (AE). Between March 2017 and December 2021, we prospectively collected sputum from adults with bronchiectasis. We stratified AEs into events related (URTI-AE) and unrelated to URTI (non-URTI-AE). We captured URTI without onset of AE (URTI-non-AE). We did bacterial culture and viral detection with polymerase chain reaction, and explored the pathogen spectrum and clinical impacts of URTI-AE via longitudinal follow-up. Finally, we collected 479 non-AE samples (113 collected at URTI-non-AE and 225 collected at clinically stable) and 170 AE samples (89 collected at URTI-AE and 81 collect at non-URTI-AE). The viral detection rate was significantly higher in URTI-AE (46.1%) than in non-URTI-AE (4.9%) and URTI-non-AE (11.5%) (both P < 0.01). Rhinovirus [odds ratio (OR): 5.00, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.06-23.56, P = 0.03] detection was independently associated with URTI-AE compared with non-URTI-AE. URTI-AE tended to yield higher viral load and detection rate of rhinovirus, metapneumovirus and bacterial shifting compared with URTI-non-AE. URTI-AE was associated with higher initial viral loads (esp. rhinovirus, metapneumovirus), greater symptom burden (higher scores of three validated questionnaires) and prolonged recovery compared to those without. Having experienced URTI-AE predicted a greater risk of future URTI-AE (OR: 10.90, 95%CI: 3.60-33.05). In summary, URTI is associated with a distinct pathogen spectrum and aggravates bronchiectasis exacerbation, providing the scientific rationale for the prevention of URTI to hinder bronchiectasis progression.

Network Meta-Analysis of Acupoint Catgut Embedding in Treatment of Simple Obesity.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding in the treatment of simple obesity through network meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and VIP database (VIP) were searched by using computer from 2011 to August 2021, and 35 RCT studies were retrieved. The quality of the literature was evaluated using the modified Jadad scoring table, and Stata 15.0 software was used for traditional meta-analysis and network meta-analysis. Results: Thirty-five RCTs (3040 cases in total) were included. Acupoint embedding, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, TCM, acupoint embedding + acupuncture, acupoint embedding + exercise diet therapy, acupoint embedding + TCM, exercise diet therapy, acupoint embedding + moxibustion, and acupoint embedding + cupping were investigated in the studies. The results of network meta-analysis were as follows: in terms of total effective rate, acupoint catgut embedding was superior to acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and exercise diet therapy (P < 0.05); electroacupuncture, acupoint catgut embedding + acupuncture, acupoint catgut embedding + exercise diet therapy, acupoint catgut + TCM, acupoint catgut + moxibustion, and acupoint catgut + cupping were superior to acupuncture (P < 0.05); acupoint catgut + moxibustion was superior to electroacupuncture (P < 0.05); acupoint catgut + TCM, acupoint catgut + moxibustion, and acupoint catgut + cupping were superior to TCM treatment (P < 0.05); and electroacupuncture, acupoint catgut, acupoint catgut + acupuncture, acupoint catgut + exercise diet therapy, acupoint catgut + TCM, acupoint catgut embedding + moxibustion, and acupoint catgut embedding + cupping were superior to sports diet therapy (P < 0.05). Regarding weight loss, acupuncture treatment was superior to acupoint catgut embedding therapy (P < 0.05); acupoint catgut embedding + exercise diet therapy, acupoint catgut embedding + TCM, acupoint catgut embedding + moxibustion, and acupoint catgut embedding + cupping were superior to acupuncture and electroacupuncture treatment (P < 0.05); acupoint catgut embedding + exercise diet therapy, acupoint catgut embedding + TCM, and acupoint catgut embedding + moxibustion were superior to TCM treatment (P < 0.05); and acupoint catgut embedding, acupoint catgut embedding + acupuncture, catgut embedding + exercise diet therapy, acupoint catgut embedding + TCM, acupoint catgut embedding + moxibustion, and acupoint catgut embedding + cupping were superior to exercise diet therapy (P < 0.05). In terms of BMI reduction, acupoint catgut embedding + moxibustion and acupoint catgut embedding + cupping were more evident than acupuncture treatment (P < 0.05); and acupoint catgut embedding + moxibustion was more evident than electroacupuncture treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Acupoint catgut embedding and its combination with other therapies are the first choice for the treatment of simple obesity.

The association between low calf circumference and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Low calf circumference is an important indicator of malnutrition and has been widely studied, especially among older adults. However, data on the association between low calf circumference and mortality have been inconsistent. This systematic review was aimed to quantify this association. METHODS: The internet databases (PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect and Cochrane Library databases) were systematically searched from inception to November 01, 2021 for studies investigating the association between low calf circumference and mortality. A random effects model was adopted to pool the relevant data. RESULTS: Low calf circumference was associated with a higher risk of mortality than normal calf circumference, with a pooled HR of 2.42 (95% CI 1.97-2.97, I2 = 74.3%). In addition, this association between low calf circumference and morality was still statistically significant in the subgroup analysis across different settings, including hospitals (pooled HR = 2.63, 95% CI 1.93-3.58), nursing homes (pooled HR = 2.49, 95% CI 1.76-3.54), and communities (pooled HR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.60-3.07). Other subgroup analyses based on different cutoffs of calf circumference showed that, compared to individual with normal calf circumference, participants with low calf circumference had an increased risk of mortality (pooled HR = 2.66, 95% CI 2.06-3.43) when using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criterion (≤ 34 cm for males and ≤ 33 cm for females). Similar results were found when the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) criterion (≤ 31 cm) was used, with a pooled HR of 2.11 (95% CI 1.59-2.81). CONCLUSION: Calf circumference, which is simple and convenient to measure, could be used to stratify the high-risk group, as low calf circumference was significantly associated with mortality among patients. Interventions, including exercise and nutrition programs, could be conducted promptly once low calf circumference is detected.

The Role of Epstein-Barr Virus in Adults With Bronchiectasis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is implicated in the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We aimed to determine whether EBV correlates with bronchiectasis severity, exacerbations, and progression. METHODS: We collected induced sputum in healthy controls and spontaneous sputum at 3-6-month intervals and onset of exacerbations in bronchiectasis patients between March 2017 and October 2018. EBV DNA was detected with quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: We collected 442 sputum samples from 108 bronchiectasis patients and 50 induced sputum samples from 50 healthy controls. When stable, bronchiectasis patients yielded higher detection rates of EBV DNA (48.1% vs 20.0%; P = .001), but not viral loads (mean log10 load, 4.45 vs 4.76; P = .266), compared with controls; 64.9% of patients yielded consistent detection status between 2 consecutive stable visits. Neither detection rate (40.8% vs 48.1%; P = .393) nor load (mean log10 load, 4.34 vs 4.45; P = .580) differed between the onset of exacerbations and stable visits, nor between exacerbations and convalescence. Neither detection status nor viral loads correlated with bronchiectasis severity. EBV loads correlated negatively with sputum interleukin-1ß (P = .002), CXC motif chemokine-8 (P = .008), and tumor necrosis factor-α levels (P = .005). Patients initially detected with, or repeatedly detected with, EBV DNA had significantly faster lung function decline and shorter time to next exacerbations (both P < .05) than those without. Detection of EBV DNA was unrelated to influenza virus and opportunistic bacteria (all P > .05). The EBV strains detected in bronchiectasis patients were phylogenetically homologous. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with detection of EBV DNA have a shorter time to bronchiectasis exacerbations. EBV may contribute to bronchiectasis progression.

The Roles of Bacteria and Viruses in Bronchiectasis Exacerbation: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Exacerbations are crucial events during bronchiectasis progression. OBJECTIVES: To explore the associations between bacterial, viral, and bacterial plus viral isolations and bronchiectasis exacerbations. METHODS: In this prospective study, we enrolled 108 patients who were followed up every 3-6 months and at onset of exacerbations between March 2017 and November 2018. Spontaneous sputum was split for detection of bacteria (routine culture) and viruses (quantitative polymerase chain reaction). Symptoms and lung function were assessed during exacerbations. RESULTS: The median exacerbation rate was 2.0 (interquartile range: 1.0-2.5) per patient-year. At any visit, viral isolations (V+) occurred more frequently during onset of exacerbations [odds ratio (OR): 3.28, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.76-6.12], as did isolation of new bacteria (NB+) (OR: 2.52, 95%CI: 1.35-4.71) and bacterial plus viral isolations (OR: 2.24, 95%CI: 1.11-4.55). Whilst coryza appeared more common in exacerbations with V+ than in exacerbations with no pathogen isolations and those with NB+, lower airway symptoms were more severe in exacerbations with NB+ (P<.05). Sputum interleukin-1ß levels were higher in exacerbations with NB+ than in exacerbations with no pathogen isolations and those with V+ (both P<.05). Significantly more coryza symptoms correlated with bacterial plus viral isolations at exacerbations (P=.019). Compared with V+ alone, bacterial with and without viral isolations tended to yield more severe lower airway symptoms, but not sputum cytokine levels at exacerbations. CONCLUSIONS: Viral isolations, isolation of new bacteria and bacterial plus viral isolation are associated with bronchiectasis exacerbations. Symptoms at exacerbations might inform clinicians the possible culprit pathogens.

The Roles of Bacteria and Viruses in Bronchiectasis Exacerbation: A Prospective Study.

Background: Exacerbations are crucial events during bronchiectasis progression. Objectives: To explore the associations between bacterial, viral, and bacterial plus viral isolations and bronchiectasis exacerbations. Methods: In this prospective study, we enrolled 108 patients who were followed up every 3-6 months and at onset of exacerbations between March 2017 and November 2018. Spontaneous sputum was split for detection of bacteria (routine culture) and viruses (quantitative polymerase chain reaction). Symptoms and lung function were assessed during exacerbations. Results: The median exacerbation rate was 2.0 (interquartile range: 1.0-2.5) per patient-year. At any visit, viral isolations (V+) occurred more frequently during onset of exacerbations [odds ratio (OR): 3.28, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.76-6.12], as did isolation of new bacteria (NB+) (OR: 2.52, 95%CI: 1.35-4.71) and bacterial plus viral isolations (OR: 2.24, 95%CI: 1.11-4.55). Whilst coryza appeared more common in exacerbations with V+ than in exacerbations with no pathogen isolations and those with NB+, lower airway symptoms were more severe in exacerbations with NB+ (P < .05). Sputum interleukin-1ß levels were higher in exacerbations with NB+ than in exacerbations with no pathogen isolations and those with V+ (both P < .05). Significantly more coryza symptoms correlated with bacterial plus viral isolations at exacerbations (P = .019). Compared with V+ alone, bacterial with and without viral isolations tended to yield more severe lower airway symptoms, but not sputum cytokine levels at exacerbations. Conclusions: Viral isolations, isolation of new bacteria and bacterial plus viral isolation are associated with bronchiectasis exacerbations. Symptoms at exacerbations might inform clinicians the possible culprit pathogens.

Contexto: Las exacerbaciones son eventos cruciales durante la progresión de la bronquiectasia. Objetivos: Analizar las asociaciones entre el aislamiento de bacterias, virus y virus y bacterias juntas y las exacerbaciones de las bronquiectasias. Métodos: En este estudio prospectivo se incluyó a 108 pacientes a los que se siguió cada 3-6 meses y al comienzo de las exacerbaciones entre marzo de 2017 y noviembre de 2018. La muestra de esputo espontáneo se dividió para la detección de bacterias (cultivo de rutina) y virus (reacción en cadena de la polimerasa cuantitativa). Se evaluaron los síntomas y la función pulmonar durante las exacerbaciones. Resultados: La mediana de la tasa de exacerbación fue de 2,0 (rango intercuartil: 1,0-2,5) por paciente/año. En cualquier visita, los aislamientos de virus (V+) tuvieron lugar con mayor frecuencia durante el inicio de las exacerbaciones (odds ratio [OR]: 3,28; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%]: 1,76-6,12), al igual que el aislamiento de nuevas bacterias (NB+) (OR: 2,52; IC 95%: 1,35-4,71) y los aislamientos de bacterias y virus juntos (OR: 2,24; IC 95%: 1,11-4,55). Mientras que la coriza parecía más común en las exacerbaciones con V+ que en las exacerbaciones sin aislamientos de patógenos y en aquellas con NB+, los síntomas de las vías respiratorias inferiores fueron más graves en las exacerbaciones con NB+ (p < 0,05). Los niveles de interleucina-1ß en el esputo fueron más altos en las exacerbaciones con NB+ que en las exacerbaciones sin aislamiento de patógenos, y aquellas con V+ (ambos p < 0,05). De manera significativa, más síntomas de coriza se correlacionaron con aislamientos de bacterias y virus juntos durante las exacerbaciones (p = 0,019). Comparados con los V+ en solitario, los aislamientos de bacterias con y sin virus tienden a producir síntomas más graves en las vías respiratorias inferiores, pero no alteran los niveles de citocinas en el esputo durante las exacerbaciones. Conclusiones: Los aislamientos de virus, el aislamiento de nuevas bacterias y el aislamiento de bacterias y virus juntos están asociados a las exacerbaciones de las bronquiectasias. Los síntomas de las exacerbaciones pueden proporcionar información a los médicos sobre los posibles patógenos responsables.

Sputum Exosomal microRNAs Profiling Reveals Critical Pathways Modulated By Pseudomonas aeruginosa Colonization In Bronchiectasis.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) colonization confers poor prognosis in bronchiectasis. However, the biomarkers and biological pathways underlying these associations are unclear. Objective: To identify the roles of PA colonization in bronchiectasis by exploring for sputum exosomal microRNA profiles. Methods: We enrolled 98 patients with clinically stable bronchiectasis and 17 healthy subjects. Sputum was split for bacterial culture and exosomal microRNA sequencing, followed by validation with quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Bronchiectasis patients were stratified into PA and non-PA colonization groups based on sputum culture findings. We applied Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome pathway enrichment analysis to explore biological pathways corresponding to the differentially expressed microRNAs (DEMs) associated with PA colonization. Results: Eighty-two bronchiectasis patients and 9 healthy subjects yielded sufficient sputum that passed quality control. We identified 10 overlap DEMs for the comparison between bronchiectasis patients and healthy subjects, and between PA and non-PA colonization group. Both miR-92b-5p and miR-223-3p could discriminate PA colonization (C-statistic >0.60) and independently correlated with PA colonization in multiple linear regression analysis. The differential expression of miR-92b-5p was validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (P<0.05), whereas the differential expression of miR-223 trended towards statistical significance (P=0.06). These DEMs, whose expression levels correlated significantly with sputum inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin-1ß and interleukin-8) level, were implicated in the modulation of the nuclear factor-κB, phosphatidylinositol and longevity regulation pathways. Conclusion: Sputum exosomal microRNAs are implicated in PA colonization in bronchiectasis, highlighting candidate targets for therapeutic interventions to mitigate the adverse impacts conferred by PA colonization.

Health Perception and Behaviors in Adults With Bronchiectasis.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis is a chronic debilitating suppurative disease that significantly impacts quality of life. Clinical outcomes like exacerbations, are usually physician centered; however, the patients' experience, health-related behaviors, and expectations have frequently been neglected. In addition, patients' health perceptions may be influenced by their culture. OBJECTIVE: To determine the health perception and behavior in adults with bronchiectasis. METHODS: We performed semi-directive interviews, which were audiotaped, with 60 adults with bronchiectasis between April 2016 and December 2016. Our interview focused on issues related to symptom perception, access to health-care resources and patient-physician communication, medication adherence, outcomes and expectations, quality of life, and social relationships. RESULTS: The subjects with bronchiectasis developed varying patterns of symptom perception (ranging from highly distressing to barely disturbing) and had conflicting opinions on whether and when they should seek health-care services (ranging from active consultations to being totally passive or resistant to seek health care). We observed certain discrepancies between symptom perception and health-related behaviors. Overall, medication adherence was suboptimal, but the subjects were willing to participate in clinical trials and receive complementary alternative medications despite concerns regarding adverse effects of prolonged treatment. There were concerns about the adverse effects of bronchiectasis on fertility and infectiousness to others, although most subjects disregarded these issues. CONCLUSIONS: The diverse symptom perception and health-related behaviors highlighted the need for evaluation and intervention in bronchiectasis. These findings will provide rationales for refining future health care through comprehensive (particularly psychological) interventions worldwide.

Altered community compositions of Proteobacteria in adults with bronchiectasis.

Background: Bronchiectasis is a debilitating disease with chronic airway infection. Proteobacteria, the dominant phylum, can be detected with high-throughput sequencing. Objective: To stratify Proteobacteria compositions according to culture findings in bronchiectasis. Patients and methods: We sampled sputum, split for culture and 16srRNA sequencing, from 106 patients with stable bronchiectasis and 17 healthy subjects. Paired sputa from 22 bronchiectasis patients were collected during exacerbations and convalescence. Results: Forty-five, 41, and 20 patients with clinically stable bronchiectasis had isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), other potentially pathogenic microorganisms, and commensals at the initial visit, respectively. The PA group (but not other groups) demonstrated significantly greater relative abundance of Proteobacteria, and lower Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index, Simpson Diversity Index, and richness compared with healthy subjects. Pseudomonas was the dominant genus that discriminated bronchiectasis patients (particularly in the PA group) from healthy subjects. Compared with baseline levels, Proteobacteria community compositions in the PA group, but not in other groups, were more resilient during exacerbations and convalescence. Conclusion: Proteobacteria community compositions could be partially reflected by conventional sputum bacterial culture. Significantly altered Proteobacteria community compositions - particularly, the increased relative abundance of Pseudomonas and diminished community diversity - represent critical targets for novel interventions to restore normal airway microen-vironment in patients with bronchiectasis.

Next-generation sequencing for identifying genetic mutations in adults with bronchiectasis.

BACKGROUND: Defective airway host-defense (e.g., altered mucus properties, ciliary defects) contributes to the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis. This study aims to determine whether genetic mutations associated with defective airway host-defense are implicated in the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis. METHODS: Based on the systematic screening of 32 frequently reported bronchiectasis-associated genes, we performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) on peripheral blood samples from 192 bronchiectasis patients and 100 healthy subjects. The variant distribution frequency and pathogenicity of mutations were analyzed. RESULTS: We identified 162 rare variants in 192 bronchiectasis patients, and 85 rare variants among 100 healthy subjects. Among bronchiectasis patients, 25 (15.4%), 117 (72.2%) and 18 (11.1%) rare variants were associated with cystic fibrosis transmembrane receptor (CFTR), epithelial sodium channel, and primary ciliary dyskinesia genes, respectively. Biallelic CFTR variants were detected in four bronchiectasis patients but none of the healthy subjects. Carriers of homozygous p.M470 plus at least one CFTR rare variant were detected in 6.3% of bronchiectasis patients (n=12) and in 1.0% of healthy subjects (n=1, P=0.039). Twenty-six patients (16 with idiopathic and 6 with post-infectious bronchiectasis) harbored biallelic variants. Bronchiectasis patients with biallelic DNAH5 variants, or biallelic CFTR variants plus an epithelial sodium channel variant, tended to have greater disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic mutations leading to impaired host-defense might have implicated in the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis. Genetic screening may be a useful tool for unraveling the underlying causes of bronchiectasis, and offers molecular information which is complementary to conventional etiologic assessment for bronchiectasis.

[Effect of Dicyandiamide on N2O Emission in Fallow Paddy Field and Rape Cropping].

The emissions of greenhouse gas in winter are often neglected, and the latest research results showed that N2O emissions in fallow paddy field and winter oilseed rape are still large, research on mitigating the N2O flux and the mechanism behind them is of significance for mitigating N2O emissions from agricultural soil. By using static chamber techniques and molecular biology techniques, the N2O emission as well as the community composition and abundance of ammonia oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) from fallow paddy field, rape cropping with and without DCD treatment in Taoyuan agricultural ecological experiment station of the Chinese Academy of sciences were measured. The results showed that the addition of DCD significantly inhibited N2O emissions in fallow paddy field and rape cropping by 36.7% and 23.6%, respectively. The application of DCD in fallow paddy field inhibited the abundance of AOA and AOB by 59.3% and 73.7%, respectively, but only changed the community structure of AOA. The addition of DCD in rape cropping only changed the community structure and inhibited the abundance of AOB. This research showed that DCD application could effectively mitigate the N2O emissions in fallow paddy field and winter rape cropping under different mitigation mechanisms.

[N2O flux in winter and its affecting factors under different land use patterns].

Due to the low temperature in winter, the emissions of greenhouse gas are often neglected. And the latest research results showed that there is continuous N2O emission in winter, therefore, research on understanding the No2O flux regulation is important for evaluating agricultural soil N2O emission. By using static chamber techniques, the N2O emission from soils under different land use patterns including fallow paddy field, rape cropping, honey pomelo orchard and abandon land in Taoyuan agricultural ecological experimental station of Chinese Academy of Sciences was measured. The results showed that fallow paddy field and rape cropping N2O emissions were obviously higher than those of the honey pomelo orchard and abandon land, and the total N2O flux in winter decreased in the order of rape cropping > fallow paddy field > honey pomelo orchard > abandon land. Cumulative N2O emission was 0.502, 0.392, 0.162 and 0.075 kg x hm(-2), respectively. Fallow paddy field and rape cropping N2O emissions accounted for large proportions of the annual N2O emissions, while honey pomelo orchard and abandon land had small contribution to the annual N2O emissions. The correlation analysis results showed that for different land use patterns, when the soil temperature > 5 degrees C, N2O emissions in winter and soil temperature had significant positive exponential correlation, and had little to do with moisture. This research showed that: when the soil temperature > 5 degrees C, the soil temperature was the leading factor in N2O emissions in winter under different land patterns; When the soil temperature < 5 degrees C, other environmental factors had comprehensive influences on the N2O emissions.

Body image and its predictors in breast cancer patients receiving surgery.

BACKGROUND: Negative body image may reduce patients' ability to cope with breast cancer after surgery. OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to (1) assess breast cancer patients' perceived level of symptom distress, anxiety, depression, disease impact, and body image and (2) evaluate factors associated with body image in breast cancer patients during the postoperative period. METHODS: A cross-sectional and correlational design was used to collect data for this study, conducted in northern Taiwan. A set of questionnaires was used to measure body image, symptom distress, anxiety, depression, psychological impact of disease, and demographic and disease-related information. Stepwise regression was conducted to determine significant factors related to body image. RESULTS: Surgical procedure and age were found to be important factors related to body image concerns. Patient receipt of mastectomy and younger age were associated with greater body image concerns. CONCLUSION: The average age of breast cancer patients is declining in Taiwan, and body image problems in these patients are growing. Several factors are significantly related to body image distress among these patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: By understanding variables associated with breast cancer patients' body image, health professionals can coordinate interventions to improve these women's body image. Among women with breast cancer, those who have received mastectomy and those who are younger are particularly vulnerable to body image concerns. Nursing assessment of body image indicators and implementation of strategies to increase self-confidence and self-acceptance are needed for high-risk women.

[Effect of long-term application of nitrogen fertilizer on the diversity of nitrifying genes (amoA and hao) in paddy soil].

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of long-term (16 years) application of nitrogen fertilizer on the diversity of nitrifying genes (amoA and hao) in paddy soil on the basis of long-term paddy field experimental station (started in 1990) located in Taoyuan, with the molecular approaches of PCR, constructing libraries and sequencing. The fertilizer was urea and no fertilizer was as control. The Shannon index showed that long-term application of nitrogen fertilizer made the diversity of amoA gene descend while no effect on the diversity of hao gene. The LIBSHUFF statistical analyses demonstrated that both amoA and hao libraries of CK and N treatments were significantly different from each other and the rarefaction curves of libraries failed to meet the plateaus indicating that there were lots kinds of genes haven't been detected. The results of blasting with GenBank and the phylogenetic tree showed that the amoA genes detected in our study had a similarity with the uncultured gene of amoA, which showed some similar to Nitrosospira. Otherwise, the hao genes cloned showed a relationship to the genes of cultured bacteria such as Silicibacteria, Nitrosospira and Methylococcus, and the hao genes found in the N treatment dominated in alpha-Proteobacteria. These results suggest that long-term fertilization of nitrogen had significant impacts on the diversity or community of amoA and hao genes.

[Effects of rice straw on the diversity of nitrifying genes (amoA and hao) in paddy soil].

The effects of long-term (16 years) fertilization on the diversity and community structure of soil ammonia-oxidizing gene (amoA) and hydroxylamine-oxidizing gene (hao) in paddy soil were evaluated using the methods of polymerase chain reaction, cloning and sequencing. The soil samples were collected from the treatments of NPK (CK) and NPK plus rice straw (SR) of the long-term field fertilization experiment in Taoyuan Agro-ecological Experimental Station. The Shannon Indices showed that the diversity of amoA and hao in SR treatment was lower than that in CK, and LUBSHUFF statistical analyses demonstrated that the sequence compositions of both amoA and huo libraries were significantly different between CK and SR. The phylogenetic trees indicated that some clusters appeared in SR treatment but were not detected in CK treatment. As to amoA, only Nitrosospira besides the uncultured amoA sequences were cloned from the two treatments, while no Nitrosomonas species were detected. As to hao, the strains from Silicibacter and Methylococcus were dominant in CK, while in SR the strains from Nitrosospira and Nitrosomonas were dominant. Sum up, the long-term rice straw application has caused a remarkable impact on the diversity and community structure on Nitrosobacteria.

Identification and characterization of a novel xylanase derived from a rice straw degrading enrichment culture.

A metagenomic library containing ca. 3.06 x 10(8) bp insert DNA was constructed from a rice straw degrading enrichment culture. A xylanase gene, umxyn10A, was cloned by screening the library for xylanase activity. The encoded enzyme Umxyn10A showed 58% identity and 73% similarity with a xylanase from Thermobifida fusca YX. Sequence analyses showed that Umxyn10A contained a glycosyl hydrolase family 10 catalytic domain. The gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant enzyme was purified and characterized biochemically. Recombinant Umxyn10A was highly active toward xylan. However, the purified enzyme could slightly hydrolyze beta-1,3/4-glucan and beta-1,3/6-glucan. Umxyn10A displayed maximal activity toward oat spelt xylan at a high temperature (75 degrees C) and weak acidity (pH 6.5). The K( m ) and V (max) of Umxyn10A toward oat spelt xylan were 3.2 mg ml(-1) and 0.22 mmol min(-1) mg(-1) and were 2.7 mg ml(-1) and 1.0 mmol min(-1) mg(-1) against birchwood xylan, respectively. Metal ions did not appear to be required for the catalytic activity of this enzyme. The enzyme Umxyn10A could efficiently hydrolyze birchwood xylan to release xylobiose as the major product and a negligible amount of xylose. The xylanase identified in this work may have potential application in producing xylobiose from xylan.