Epidemiology and Clonal Spread Evidence of Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms in the Center of Care and Protection of Orphaned Children, Vietnam

Objective: To determine the prevalence of colonization and transmission of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative organisms in order to develop of an effective infection prevention program. Design: Cross-sectional study with carbapenem-resistant organisms (CRO) colonization detection from the fecal specimens of 20 Health Care Workers (HCWs) and 67 residents and 175 random environment specimens from September 2022 to September 2023. Setting: A Care and Protection Centre of Orphaned Children in South of HCM City. Participants: It included 20 HCWs, 67 residents, and 175 randomly collected environmental specimens. Method: Rectal and environmental swabs were collected from 20 HCWs, 67 residents (most of them were children), and 175 environmental specimens. MELAB Chromogenic CARBA agar plates, Card NID, and NMIC-500 CPO of the BD Phoenix TM Automated Microbiology System and whole genome sequencing (WGS) were the tests to screen, confirm CROs, respectively and determine CRO colonization and transmission between HCWs, residents, and the environment. Result: We detected 36 CRO isolates, including 6, 11 and 19 CROs found in 6 HCWs, 10 residents and 19 environments. The prevalence of detectable CRO was 30% (6/20) in HCWs, 14.92% (10/67) in residents, and 10.86% (19/175) in environmental swabs in our study. WGS demonstrated CRO colonization and transmission with the clonal spread of E. coli and A. nosocomialis, among HCWs and residents (children). Conclusion: Significant CRO colonization and transmission was evident in HCWs, residents, and the center environment. Cleaning and disinfection of the environment and performing regular hand hygiene are priorities to reduce the risk of CRO colonization and transmission.

Epidemiology of animal bite injuries in North of Fars province in Iran

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological situation of animal bites in Rostam city of Fars province.Methods:This is a cross-sectional study.Cases of animal bites registered in health centers of Rostam city of Fars province from the beginning of 2014 to 2020 were analyzed using the census method.The tool for collecting information was the portal of the Ministry of Health and the registration offices of people who were referred to the rabies center.Results:A total of 628 cases of animal bites registered in health centers of Rostam city of Fars province from the beginning of 2014 to 2020.The mean age of the injured was(31.3±20.2)years.Of the total injured cases,414(65.9%)were male,and 491(78.2%)lived in villages.Most of the cases were bitten by dogs(n=420,66.8%)and the upper limb was involved in 280(55.2%)cases.In addition,an increasing trend was observed in the incidence of animal bites from 2015 to 2020.Conclusions:The incidence of animal bites in Rostam City is high,and most of the cases occur in rural areas.Considering the injuries caused by animal bites,the risk of rabies transmission,and the high costs of vaccination and serum therapy,it is necessary to hold control,educational,and vaccination programs.

The burden of depression,anxiety and schizophrenia among the older population in ageing and aged countries:an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Depression,anxiety and schizophrenia among older persons have become global public health challenges.However,the burden of these disorders in ageing and aged countries has not been analysed.Aims To investigate the burden of depression,anxiety and schizophrenia among older adults in ageing and aged countries.Methods Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019,we calculated the estimated annual percentage change(EAPC)in the age-standardised incidence rates(ASiR)and age-standardised disability-adjusted life years(DALYs)rates(ASDR)for depression,anxiety and schizophrenia of older people in ageing countries(China,India,Indonesia)and aged countries(Japan,Italy,Portugal)between 1990 and 2019.Trends in incidence and DALYs were analysed by gender and age.Results In 2019,the highest incidence of depression,anxiety and schizophrenia in the older population in aged countries was in Japan(927271.3(752552.3-1125796.5),51498.2(37625.7-70487.3)and 126.0(61.0-223.2),respectively),while the highest incidence in ageing countries was in China(5797556.9(4599403.4-7133006.5),330256.1(246448.9-445987.4)and 1067.7(556.2-1775.9),respectively).DALYs for these disorders were similar,with the highest in Japan and China.From 1990 to 2019,the ASIR for depressive disorders decreased in aged countries but increased in ageing countries;the ASIR for anxiety disorders and schizophrenia declined in both ageing and aged countries.The ASDR for depressive disorders was consistent with the ASIR but not for anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.The ASIR for depressive disorders was higher in older women,while the opposite was observed in anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.Notably,the conditions of burden of depressive disorders,anxiety disorders and schizophrenia in the 65-70-year-old age group were the most burdensome.Conclusions The incidence and DALYs of these three mental disorders increased while exhibiting differences between ageing and aged countries.Raising awareness about formulating health policies for preventing and treating mental disorders in the older population is necessary to reduce the future burden posed by the ageing challenge.

Activation of endogenous neurogenesis and angiogenesis by basic fibroblast growth factor-chitosan gel in an adult rat model of ischemic stroke

Attempts have been made to use cell transplantation and biomaterials to promote cell proliferation,differentiation,migration,and survival,as well as angiogenesis,in the context of brain injury.However,whether bioactive materials can repair the damage caused by ischemic stroke by activating endogenous neurogenesis and angiogenesis is still unknown.In this study,we applied chitosan gel loaded with basic fibroblast growth factor to the stroke cavity 7 days after ischemic stroke in rats.The gel slowly released basic fibroblast growth factor,which improved the local microenvironment,activated endogenous neural stem/progenitor cells,and recruited these cells to migrate toward the penumbra and stroke cavity and subsequently differentiate into neurons,while enhancing angiogenesis in the penumbra and stroke cavity and ultimately leading to partial functional recovery.This study revealed the mechanism by which bioactive materials repair ischemic strokes,thus providing a new strategy for the clinical application of bioactive materials in the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Applications of time series analysis in epidemiology: Literature review and our experience during COVID-19 pandemic

Time series analysis is a valuable tool in epidemiology that complements the classical epidemiological models in two different ways:Prediction and forecast.Prediction is related to explaining past and current data based on various internal and external influences that may or may not have a causative role.Forecasting is an exploration of the possible future values based on the predictive ability of the model and hypothesized future values of the external and/or internal influences.The time series analysis approach has the advantage of being easier to use(in the cases of more straightforward and linear models such as Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average).Still,it is limited in forecasting time,unlike the classical models such as Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Removed.Its applicability in forecasting comes from its better accuracy for short-term prediction.In its basic form,it does not assume much theoretical knowledge of the mechanisms of spreading and mutating pathogens or the reaction of people and regulatory structures(governments,companies,etc.).Instead,it estimates from the data directly.Its predictive ability allows testing hypotheses for different factors that positively or negatively contribute to the pandemic spread;be it school closures,emerging variants,etc.It can be used in mortality or hospital risk estimation from new cases,seroprevalence studies,assessing properties of emerging variants,and estimating excess mortality and its relationship with a pandemic.

Are EPB41 and alpha-synuclein diagnostic biomarkers of sport-related concussion?Findings from the NCAA and Department of Defense CARE Consortium

Background:Current protein biomarkers are only moderately predictive at identifying individuals with mild traumatic brain injury or concussion.Therefore,more accurate diagnostic markers are needed for sport-related concussion.Methods:This was a multicenter,prospective,case-control study of athletes who provided blood samples and were diagnosed with a concussion or were a matched non-concussed control within the National Collegiate Athletic Association-Department of Defense Concussion Assessment,Research,and Education Consortium conducted between 2015 and 2019.The blood was collected within 48 h of injury to identify protein abnormalities at the acute and subacute timepoints.Athletes with concussion were divided into 6 h post-injury(0-6 h post-injury)and after 6 h postinjury(7-48 h post-injury)groups.We applied a highly multiplexed proteomic technique that used a DNA aptamers assay to target 1305proteins in plasma samples from athletes with and without sport-related concussion.Results:A total of 140 athletes with concussion(79.3%males;aged 18.71±1.10 years,mean±SD)and 21 non-concussed athletes(76.2%males;19.14±1.10 years)were included in this study.We identified 338 plasma proteins that significantly differed in abundance(319 upregulated and 19 downregulated)in concussed athletes compared to non-concussed athletes.The top 20 most differentially abundant proteins discriminated concussed athletes from non-concussed athletes with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.954(95%confidence interval:0.922-0.986).Specifically,after 6 h of injury,the individual AUC of plasma erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1(EPB41)and alpha-synuclein(SNCA)were 0.956 and 0.875,respectively.The combination of EPB41 and SNCA provided the best AUC(1.000),which suggests this combination of candidate plasma biomarkers is the best for diagnosing concussion in athletes after 6 h of injury.Conclusion:Our data suggest that proteomic profiling may provide novel diagnostic protein markers and that a combination of EPB41 and SNCA is the most predictive biomarker of concussion after 6 h of injury.

Effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening integrating non-genetic and genetic risk: a prospective study based on UK Biobank data

Objective: Few studies have evaluated the benefits of colorectal cancer(CRC) screening integrating both non-genetic and genetic risk factors. Here, we aimed to integrate an existing non-genetic risk model(QCancer-10) and a 139-variant polygenic risk score to evaluate the effectiveness of screening on CRC incidence and mortality.Methods: We applied the integrated model to calculate 10-year CRC risk for 430,908 participants in the UK Biobank, and divided the participants into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups. We calculated the screening-associated hazard ratios(HRs) and absolute risk reductions(ARRs) for CRC incidence and mortality according to risk stratification.Results: During a median follow-up of 11.03 years and 12.60 years, we observed 5,158 CRC cases and 1,487 CRC deaths, respectively. CRC incidence and mortality were significantly lower among screened than non-screened participants in both the intermediateand high-risk groups [incidence: HR: 0.87, 95% confidence interval(CI): 0.81±0.94;0.81, 0.73±0.90;mortality: 0.75, 0.64±0.87;0.70, 0.58±0.85], which composed approximately 60% of the study population. The ARRs(95% CI) were 0.17(0.11±0.24) and 0.43(0.24±0.61), respectively, for CRC incidence, and 0.08(0.05±0.11) and 0.24(0.15±0.33), respectively, for mortality. Screening did not significantly reduce the relative or absolute risk of CRC incidence and mortality in the low-risk group. Further analysis revealed that screening was most effective for men and individuals with distal CRC among the intermediate to high-risk groups.Conclusions: After integrating both genetic and non-genetic factors, our findings provided priority evidence of risk-stratified CRC screening and valuable insights for the rational allocation of health resources.

Prevalence of Anemia in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective Anemia is a common public health concern in patients with type 2 diabetes worldwide.This study aimed to identify the prevalence of anemia among patients with diabetes.Methods Electronic databases,including PubMed,Scopus,Web of Sciences,and Google Scholar,were searched systematically for studies published between 2010 and 2021.After removing duplicates and inappropriate reports,the remaining manuscripts were reviewed and appraised using theNewcastleOttawa Scale(NOS)tool.A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled estimates of the extracted data using Stata version 17.Heterogeneity of the studies was assessed using the Q statistic.Results A total of 51 articles containing information on 26,485 patients with diabetes were included in this study.The articles were mainly from Asia(58.82%)and Africa(35.29%).The overall prevalence of anemia was 35.45%(95%CI:30.30–40.76),with no evidence of heterogeneity by sex.Among the two continents with the highest number of studies,the prevalence of anemia in patients with diabetes was significantly higher in Asia[40.02;95%CI:32.72–47.54]compared to Africa[28.46;95%CI:21.90–35.50](P for heterogeneity=0.029).Moreover,there has been an increasing trend in the prevalence of anemia in patients with diabetes over time,from[15.28;95%CI:9.83–22.21]in 2012 to[40.70;95%CI:10.21–75.93]in 2022.Conclusion Globally,approximately 4 in 10 patients with diabetes suffer from anemia.Therefore,routine anemia screening and control programs every 3 months might be useful in improving the quality of life of these patients.

Associations of daily sedentary behavior,physical activity,and sleep with irritable bowel syndrome:A prospective analysis of 362,193 participants

Background:Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)substantially affects quality of life and requires early prevention.This study aimed to elucidate the relationships between IBS and daily behaviors,including sedentary behavior(SB),physical activity(PA),and sleep.In particular,it seeks to identify healthy behaviors to reduce IBS risk,which previous studies have rarely addressed.Methods:Daily behaviors were retrieved from self-reported data of 362,193 eligible UK Biobank participants.Incident cases were determined by self-report or health care data according to RomeⅣcriteria.Results:A total of 345,388 participants were IBS-free at baseline,during a median follow-up of 8.45 years,19,885 incident IBS cases were recorded.When examined individually,SB and shorter(≤7 h/day)or longer(>7 h/day)sleep duration were each positively associated with increased IBS risk,and PA was associated with lower IBS risk.The isotemporal substitution model suggested that replacing SB with other activities could provide further protective effects against IBS risk.Among people sleeping≤7 h/day,replacing 1 h of SB with equivalent light PA,vigorous PA,or sleep was associated with 8.1%(95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.901-0.937),5.8%(95%CI:0.896-0.991),and 9.2%(95%CI:0.885-0.932)reduced IBS risk,respectively.For people sleeping>7 h/day,light and vigorous PA were associated with a 4.8%(95%CI:0.926-0.978)and a 12.0%(95%CI:0.815-0.949)lower IBS risk,respectively.These benefits were mostly independent of genetic risk for IBS.Conclusion:SB and unhealthy sleep duration are risk factors for IBS.A promising way to mitigate IBS risk for individuals sleeping≤7 h/day and for those sleeping>7 h/day appears to be by replacing SB with adequate sleep or vigorous PA,respectively,regardless of the genetic predisposition of IBS.

Prediction of Renal Function by Urinary Lead and Cadmium - Based on Classification Decision Tree and Logistic Regression Model

It is estimated that chronic kidney disease(CKD)will be the fifth leading cause of death in the world by 2040[1].Early recognition and intervention for kidney damage are essential.Estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)can be calculated by measuring blood creatinine to evaluate glomerular function,and urinary N-acetyl-β-δ-glucosaminidase(UNAG)level is generally recognized as a marker of renal tubular injury.Exposure to lead(Pb)and cadmium(Cd)can damage renal function,leading to a decrease in eGFR and an increase in UNAG[2].Both Pb and Cd are easily accumulated in the body and then slowly released by the kidneys and excreted.So,urinary Pb(UPb)and Cd(UCd)levels can be used as biomarkers of exposure[3,4].

Measurement,associations,patterns,and promotion:Unveiling vital areas in physical activity epidemiology

Physical activity(PA)epidemiology first emerged as a new field of study around the 1950s with publication of seminal investigations on London civil servants1 and has continued to evolve as a scientific discipline to present time.This subdiscipline of epidemiology studies the frequencies,distributions,and dynamics of PA and its impact on human health,morbidity,and mortality.Research over the past 75 years has demonstrated numerous health benefits of PA.Based on these research findings,the World Health Organization recommends adults aged 18-64 years engage in at least 150-300 min of moderate-intensity aerobic PA per week,or at least 75-150 min of vigorous-intensity aerobic PA per week,or a combination of both intensities.

Simulation-based assessment for the emergency medicine milestones: a national survey of simulation experts and program directors

The focus of outcome-based education has shifted from the process of training to the end“product”of education.This has necessitated a reframing of the teaching,learning,and assessment.Therefore,in 2013,the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education(ACGME)implemented the educational milestones for all accredited residencies and fellowship programs.[1]The milestones have been described as“developmentally based,specialty-specific achievements that residents are expected to demonstrate at established intervals as they progress through training.”[1]Milestones are based on the six core competencies established by the ACGME and American Board of Medical Specialties(ABMS),which consist of medical knowledge(MK),patient care(PC),interpersonal and communication skills(ICS),practice-based learning and improvement(PBLI),professionalism(PROF),and systems-based practice(SBP).[2,3]ACGME,in conjunction with the American Board of Emergency Medicine(ABEM),drafted 23 detailed subcompetencies relevant to emergency medicine(EM).[4]

Plant-based dietary patterns and risk of esophageal cancer:A prospective cohort study spanning 17 years

Objective: Plant-based diets have multiple health benefits for cancers;however, little is known about the association between plant-based dietary patterns and esophageal cancer(EC).This study presents an investigation of the prospective associations among three predefined indices of plant-based dietary patterns and the risk of EC.Methods: We performed endoscopic screening for 15,709 participants aged 40-69 years from two high-risk areas of China from January 2005 to December 2009 and followed the cohort until December 31, 2022. The overall plant-based diet index(PDI), healthful plant-based diet index(h PDI), and unhealthful plant-based diet index(u PDI), were calculated using survey responses to assess dietary patterns. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression to estimate the multivariable hazard ratios(HRs) and 95% confidence intervals(95% CIs) of EC across 3plant-based diet indices and further stratified the analysis by subgroups.Results: The final study sample included 15,184 participants in the cohort. During a follow-up of 219,365person-years, 176 patients with EC were identified. When the highest quartile was compared with the lowest quartile, the pooled multivariable-adjusted HR of EC was 0.50(95% CI, 0.32-0.77) for h PDI. In addition, the HR per 10-point increase in the h PDI score was 0.42(95% CI, 0.27-0.66) for ECs. Conversely, u PDI was positively associated with the risk of EC, and the HR was 1.80(95% CI, 1.16-2.82). The HR per 10-point increase in the u PDI score was 1.90(95% CI, 1.26-2.88) for ECs. The associations between these scores and the risk of EC were consistent in most subgroups. These results remained robust in sensitivity analyses.Conclusions: A healthy plant-based dietary pattern was associated with a reduced risk of EC. Emphasizing the healthiness and quality of plant-based diets may be important for preventing the development of EC.

Species-level Microbiota of Biting Midges and Ticks from Poyang Lake

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the bacterial communities of biting midges and ticks collected from three sites in the Poyang Lake area,namely,Qunlu Practice Base,Peach Blossom Garden,and Huangtong Animal Husbandry,and whether vectors carry any bacterial pathogens that may cause diseases to humans,to provide scientific basis for prospective pathogen discovery and disease prevention and control.Methods Using a metataxonomics approach in concert with full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing and operational phylogenetic unit(OPU)analysis,we characterized the species-level microbial community structure of two important vector species,biting midges and ticks,including 33 arthropod samples comprising 3,885 individuals,collected around Poyang Lake.Results A total of 662 OPUs were classified in biting midges,including 195 known species and 373 potentially new species,and 618 OPUs were classified in ticks,including 217 known species and 326 potentially new species.Surprisingly,OPUs with potentially pathogenicity were detected in both arthropod vectors,with 66 known species of biting midges reported to carry potential pathogens,including Asaia lannensis and Rickettsia bellii,compared to 50 in ticks,such as Acinetobacter lwoffii and Staphylococcus sciuri.We found that Proteobacteria was the most dominant group in both midges and ticks.Furthermore,the outcomes demonstrated that the microbiota of midges and ticks tend to be governed by a few highly abundant bacteria.Pantoea sp7 was predominant in biting midges,while Coxiella sp1 was enriched in ticks.Meanwhile,Coxiella spp.,which may be essential for the survival of Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann,were detected in all tick samples.The identification of dominant species and pathogens of biting midges and ticks in this study serves to broaden our knowledge associated to microbes of arthropod vectors.Conclusion Biting midges and ticks carry large numbers of known and potentially novel bacteria,and carry a wide range of potentially pathogenic bacteria,which may pose a risk of infection to humans and animals.The microbial communities of midges and ticks tend to be dominated by a few highly abundant bacteria.

Changes in the Non-targeted Metabolomic Profile of Three-year-old Toddlers with Elevated Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Objective To investigate changes in the urinary metabolite profiles of children exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs)during critical brain development and explore their potential link with the intestinal microbiota.Methods Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine ten hydroxyl metabolites of PAHs(OH-PAHs)in 36-month-old children.Subsequently,37 children were categorized into low-and high-exposure groups based on the sum of the ten OH-PAHs.Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to identify non-targeted metabolites in the urine samples.Furthermore,fecal flora abundance was assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using Illumina MiSeq.Results The concentrations of 21 metabolites were significantly higher in the high exposure group than in the low exposure group(variable importance for projection>1,P<0.05).Most of these metabolites were positively correlated with the hydroxyl metabolites of naphthalene,fluorine,and phenanthrene(r=0.336–0.531).The identified differential metabolites primarily belonged to pathways associated with inflammation or proinflammatory states,including amino acid,lipid,and nucleotide metabolism.Additionally,these distinct metabolites were significantly associated with specific intestinal flora abundances(r=0.34–0.55),which were mainly involved in neurodevelopment.Conclusion Higher PAH exposure in young children affected metabolic homeostasis,particularly that of certain gut microbiota-derived metabolites.Further investigation is needed to explore the potential influence of PAHs on the gut microbiota and their possible association with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Intertwined depressive and cognitive trajectories and the risk of dementia and death in older adults:a competing risk analysis

Background Depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment often interact,rendering their associations controversial.To date,their joint trajectories and associations with dementia and death remain underexplored.Aims To explore the interactions between depressive symptoms and cognitive function,their developmental trajectories and the associations with all-cause dementia,Alzheimer’s disease(AD)and all-cause death in older adults.Methods Data were from the Health and Retirement Study.Depressive symptoms and cognitive function were measured using the 8-item Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status,respectively.All-cause dementia and AD were defined by self-reported or proxy-reported physician diagnoses.All-cause death was determined by interviews.The restricted cubic spline,group-based trajectory modelling and subdistribution hazard regression were used.Results Significant interactions between depressive symptoms and cognitive function in 2010 in their association with new-onset all-cause dementia and AD from 2010 to 2020 were found,especially in women(p for interaction<0.05).Independent trajectory analysis showed that emerging or high(vs no)depressive trajectories and poor or rapidly decreased cognitive trajectories(vs very good)from 1996 to 2010 were at significantly higher risk of subsequent all-cause dementia,AD and all-cause death.15 joint trajectories of depressive symptoms and cognitive function from 1996 to 2010 were determined,where rapidly decreased cognitive function was more common in those with no depressive symptoms.Compared with older adults with the trajectory of no depressive symptoms and very good cognitive function,those with the trajectory of no depressive symptoms but rapidly decreased cognitive function were much more likely to develop new-onset all-cause dementia and death,with subdistribution hazard ratios(95%confidence intervals)of 4.47(2.99 to 6.67)and 1.84(1.43 to 2.36),especially in women.Conclusions To effectively mitigate the risk of dementia and death,it is crucial to acknowledge the importance of preventing cognitive decline in older adults without depressive symptoms,particularly in women.

Epidemiology of COVID-19 in patients referred to health centers in the Nahavand city,western Iran

Background:Considering the need and importance of a comprehensive study of the disease of COVID-19,this research investigated the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Nahavand,a western city of Iran,from March 2020 to the end of the 20th.March 2021.Methods:This study is a retrospective study.Information on the epidemiology of COVID-19 was collected by the Infectious Diseases Department of the Nahavand Health Center.A logistic regression model was used to estimate the disease.All data in this study were analyzed using SPSS version 16 software.The presented statistics related to referrals to health centers with the result of a positive RT-PCR test.Results:The RT-PCR test was positive in 3544 patients and the average age of the patients was 47 years,also 49.4%of patients(n=1753)were men.Seventy eight percent of adult deaths occurred in people over 60 years old and 56.29%in men.Out of all the patients,27.12 percent had an underlying disease that 6.7%died.No deaths of children under 12 and pregnant women were reported.The association between travel history,patient contacts,underlying disease and pregnancy for COVID-19 was significant(P<0.001).Conclusion:The most important point to mention in this study is the effect of increasing age,underlying disease and male gender on increasing hospitalization and death due to COVID-19.Approximately 1.77%of Nahavand residents fell ill with COVID-19 in a defined period of time.More than 95%of patients were older than 20 years.

Associations of accelerometry-measured and self-reported physical activity and sedentary behavior with skeletal muscle energetics:The Study of Muscle,Mobility and Aging(SOMMA)

Background:Skeletal muscle energetics decline with age,and physical activity(PA)has been shown to offset these declines in older adults.Yet,many studies reporting these effects were based on self-reported PA or structured exercise interventions.Therefore,we examined the associations of accelerometry-measured and self-reported PA and sedentary behavior(SB)with skeletal muscle energetics and explored the extent to which PA and sedentary behavior would attenuate the associations of age with muscle energetics.Methods:As part of the Study of Muscle,Mobility and Aging,enrolled older adults(n=879),810(age=76.4±5.0 years old,mean±SD;58%women)had maximal muscle oxidative capacity measured ex vivo via high-resolution re spirometry of permeabilized myofibers(maximal oxidative phosphorylation(maxOXPHOS))and in vivo by ^(31)phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy(maximal adenosine triphosphate(ATP_(max))).Accelerometry-measured sedentary behavior,light activity,and moderate-to-vigorous PA(MVPA)were assessed using a wrist-worn ActiGraph GT9X over 7 days.Self-reported sedentary behavior,MVPA,and all PA were assessed with the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors(CHAMPS)questionnaire.Linear regression models with progressive covariate adjustments evaluated the associations of sedentary behavior and PA with muscle energetics,as well as the attenuation of the age/muscle energetics association by MVP A and sedentary behavior.As a sensitivity analysis,we also examined activPAL-measured daily step count and time spent in sedentary behavior and their associations with muscle energetics.Results:Every 30 min/day more of ActiGraph-measured MVPA was associated with 0.65 pmol/(s×mg)higher maxOXPHOS and 0.012 mM/s higher ATP_(max)after adjusting for age,site/technician,and sex(p<0.05).Light activity was not associated with maxOXPHOS or ATP_(max).Meanwhile,every 30 min/day spent in ActiGraph-measured sedentary behavior was associated with 0.39 pmol/s×mg lower maxOXPHOS and0.006 mM/s lower ATP_(max)(p<0.05).Only associations with ATP_(max)held after further adjusting for socioeconomic status,body mass index,lifestyle factors,and multimorbidity.CHAMPS MVPA and all PA yielded similar associations with maxOXPHOS and ATP_(max)(p<0.05),but sedentary behavior did not.Higher activPAL step count was associated with higher maxOXHPOS and AT_(Pmax)(p<0.05),but time spent in sedentary behavior was not.Additionally,age was significantly associated with muscle energetics for men only(p<0.05);adjusting for time spent in ActiGraph-measured MVPA attenuated the age association with ATP_(max)by 58%in men.Conclusion:More time spent in accelerometry-measured or self-reported daily PA,especially MVPA,was associated with higher skeletal muscle energetics.Interventions aimed specifically at increasing higher intensity activity might offer potential therapeutic interventions to slow age-related decline in muscle energetics.Our work also emphasizes the importance of taking PA into consideration when evaluating associations related to skeletal muscle energetics.

Socio-environmental factors associated with small mammal assemblage and Leptospira prevalence in Suburban Areas of Terengganu,Malaysia

Objective:To examine the socio-environmental factors associated with the assemblage of small mammals and the prevalence of Leptospira pathogen in poor suburban communities of Terengganu,Malaysia.Methods:We trapped small mammals from 119 trapping points scattered around three suburban communities of Terengganu using sausage-baited live traps.On the average,we set up five traps for three nights at each sampling point during the trapping period.Kidneys of captured animals were harvested and processed for Leptospira investigation.Additionally,environmental survey was conducted at each trapping point to obtain information about possible variables supporting small mammal assemblage.We used a generalized linear model to evaluate the effect of different socio-environmental variables on small mammals’assemblage.Results:A total of 89 small mammals,specifically,Rattus norvegicus(n=39),Rattus rattus(n=27),Rattus exulans(n=10),Suncus murinus(n=11),and Tupaia glis(n=2)were captured from 1385 trap nights.Fourteen individuals(15.7%)of the captured animals tested positive for Leptospira bacteria using PCR detection.Results of our generalized linear model showed only residences bordering vacant lots as the variable positively associated with small mammal occurrence in the three study sites.Conclusions:Small mammal community,especially the often neglected species,could harbour and potentially contribute towards pathogenic Leptospira maintenance in the study sites.To adequately control small mammals’population and subsequent human zoonoses transmission,it is critical to advocate and promote appropriate infrastructure and suburban services,together with good hygiene practices that can reduce the animals’access to food and harborage.

Molecular Investigation of Theileria in Ixodid Ticks from Changzhi,Shanxi Province,China

Theileria is a tick-borne intracellular protozoan that typically parasitizes erythrocytes,lymphocytes,and macrophages and causes acute clinical symptoms in host animals,including high fever,anemia,jaundice,and swelling of superficial lymph nodes[1].Theileriosis can lead to high mortality rates,and its rising global prevalence has resulted in significant economic losses to livestock husbandry and the national economy[2].