Metagenomic analysis of double-stranded DNA viruses in healthy adults

BackgroundThe Human Microbiome Project (HMP) was undertaken with the goal of defining microbial communities in and on the bodies of healthy individuals using high-throughput, metagenomic sequencing analysis. The viruses present in these microbial communities, the `human virome¿, are an important aspect of the human microbiome that is particularly understudied in the absence of overt disease. We analyzed eukaryotic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses, together with dsDNA replicative intermediates of single-stranded DNA viruses, in metagenomic sequence data generated by the HMP. 706 samples from 102 subjects were studied, with each subject sampled at up to five major body habitats: nose, skin, mouth, vagina, and stool. Fifty-one individuals had samples taken at two or three time points 30 to 359 days apart from at least one of the body habitats.ResultsWe detected an average of 5.5 viral genera in each individual. At least 1 virus was detected in 92% of the individuals sampled. These viruses included herpesviruses, papillomaviruses, polyomaviruses, adenoviruses, anelloviruses, parvoviruses, and circoviruses. Each individual had a distinct viral profile, demonstrating the high interpersonal diversity of the virome. Some components of the virome were stable over time.ConclusionsThis study is the first to use high-throughput DNA sequencing to describe the diversity of eukaryotic dsDNA viruses in a large cohort of normal individuals who were sampled at multiple body sites. Our results show that the human virome is a complex component of the microbial flora. Some viruses establish long-term infections that may be associated with increased risk or possibly with protection from disease. A better understanding of the composition and dynamics of the virome may hold important keys to human health. BMC Biol 2014 Sep 10; 12(1):71

Seal strength evaluation of flexible plastic films by machine testing and human peeling

The seal strength of flexible packaging indicates both functional performance and the ease of opening. This research aims to compare the seal peeling mechanisms evaluated by human participants and standard machine tests. The tests were conducted on flexible films used for typical packaging applications, LDPE, LLDPE and Nylon/LLDPE. Human peeling was simulated through the use of novel force measurement equipment. The results showed that the maximum machine peel force set by standard test methods was generally lower than the human peel force for most sealing temperatures. In all film types no significant difference was shown between genders although for people over 65 years peel force was generally lower than for the younger cohort. The results also indicated that peeling speed of human participants was normally higher than the peeling speed set according to the machine test standard

The effect of dietary resistant starch type 2 on the microbiota and markers of gut inflammation in rural Malawi children

BACKGROUND: Resistant starch (RS) decreases intestinal inflammation in some settings. We tested the hypothesis that gut inflammation will be reduced with dietary supplementation with RS in rural Malawian children. Eighteen stunted 3–5-year-old children were supplemented with 8.5 g/day of RS type 2 for 4 weeks. The fecal samples were analyzed for the microbiota, the microbiome, short chain fatty acids, metabolome, and proteins indicative of inflammation before and after the intervention. Subjects served as their own controls. RESULTS: The consumption of RS changed the composition of the microbiota; at the phylum level Actinobacteria increased, while Firmicutes decreased. Among the most prevalent genera, Lactobacillus was increased and Roseburia, Blautia, and Lachnospiracea incertae sedis were decreased. The Shannon H index at the genus level decreased from 2.02 on the habitual diet and 1.76 after the introduction of RS (P < 0.01). Fecal acetate concentration decreased, and fecal propionate concentration increased after RS administration (−5.2 and 2.0 μmol/g, respectively). Fecal calprotectin increased from 29 ± 69 to 89 ± 49 μg/g (P = 0.003) after RS was given. The lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis pathway was upregulated. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support the hypothesis that RS reduces gut inflammation in rural Malawian children. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40168-015-0102-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Metagenomic approach for identification of the pathogens associated with diarrhea in stool specimens

The potential to rapidly capture the entire microbial community structure and/or gene content makes metagenomic sequencing an attractive tool for pathogen identification and the detection of resistance/virulence genes in clinical settings. Here, we assessed the consistency between PCR from a diagnostic laboratory, quantitative PCR (qPCR) from a research laboratory, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and metagenomic shotgun sequencing (MSS) for Clostridium difficile identification in diarrhea stool samples. Twenty-two C. difficile-positive diarrhea samples identified by PCR and qPCR and five C. difficile-negative diarrhea controls were studied. C. difficile was detected in 90.9% of C. difficile-positive samples using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and C. difficile was detected in 86.3% of C. difficile-positive samples using MSS. CFU inferred from qPCR analysis were positively correlated with the relative abundance of C. difficile from 16S rRNA gene sequencing (r(2) = -0.60) and MSS (r(2) = -0.55). C. difficile was codetected with Clostridium perfringens, norovirus, sapovirus, parechovirus, and anellovirus in 3.7% to 27.3% of the samples. A high load of Candida spp. was found in a symptomatic control sample in which no causative agents for diarrhea were identified in routine clinical testing. Beta-lactamase and tetracycline resistance genes were the most prevalent (25.9%) antibiotic resistance genes in these samples. In summary, the proof-of-concept study demonstrated that next-generation sequencing (NGS) in pathogen detection is moderately correlated with laboratory testing and is advantageous in detecting pathogens without a priori knowledge. J Clin Microbiol 2016 Feb; 54(2):368-75

The Impact of Cryptocurrency Return on the Stock Market Return : Evidence from OMXHPI Index of Stock Exchange in Finland

The relationship between virtual investment and traditional investment is a debatable topic in this context. This study investigated the impact of cryptocurrency returns on the All-Share Index - OMX Helsinki equity market (OMXHPI). The research aims to find the impact of digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether on the returns in the Finnish market. The study is done as a quantitative model that employs correlation analysis and time series regression models. The main independent variable is cryptocurrency returns, and the control variables are cryptocurrency volume, GDP growth, exchange rates, inflation, and interest rate. Data were collected from 2010 to 2024 using secondary sources. Findings are based on Regression analysis, Pearson correlation, and descriptive statistics, which were done by STATA 13 software. The findings display that Bitcoin and Ethereum returns positively affect the OMXHPI, while Tether has no significant impact on OMXHPI. Interest rates showed a consistent negative effect, while GDP had a mild positive influence. The study concludes that major cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin and Ethereum, are increasingly integrated into stock market dynamics, offering new considerations for investors and financial analysts in Finland

Nurses’ Ability to Detect Patient Deterioration in Acute Care : A Descriptive Literature Review

In this descriptive literature review, the article focuses on the assessment of the presence of nurses to recognize patient deterioration in acute care settings. The main objective is to generate new knowledge that will enable the evaluation of patients to be carried out more efficiently, thereby making it possible to record the best methods for treatment. To select relevant items, twelve publications were chosen using the JBI tool. Narrows by the time published between 2013 and 2023 were also acquired from Cinahl and Medline databases to the topic. The information was then analysed paying much attention to the inductive analysis of content. The findings of the research give insight into the need for quick identification of patients who are at risk of getting worse, which avoids unnecessary ICU admissions and mortalities. A nurse can attune to this by regularly checking vital signs and undergoing proper training. It is important to train them on communication, as well as on the appropriate approaches to responding to the calls for the RRT. Not only do nurses need to be encouraged to activate the RRT when they witness it, but also, they need to be trained and educated about the significance of punctual identification and prevention of patient deterioration. Intelligent investigation and funding are the key points in the process of the implementation of the reliable methods of effective recognition and dealing with patient decline

Exploration of bacterial community classes in major human habitats

BACKGROUND: Determining bacterial abundance variation is the first step in understanding bacterial similarity between individuals. Categorization of bacterial communities into groups or community classes is the subsequent step in describing microbial distribution based on abundance patterns. Here, we present an analysis of the groupings of bacterial communities in stool, nasal, skin, vaginal and oral habitats in a healthy cohort of 236 subjects from the Human Microbiome Project. RESULTS: We identify distinct community group patterns in the anterior nares, four skin sites, and vagina at the genus level. We also confirm three enterotypes previously identified in stools. We identify two clusters with low silhouette values in most oral sites, in which bacterial communities are more homogeneous. Subjects sharing a community class in one habitat do not necessarily share a community class in another, except in the three vaginal sites and the symmetric habitats of the left and right retroauricular creases. Demographic factors, including gender, age, and ethnicity, significantly influence community composition in several habitats. Community classes in the vagina, retroauricular crease and stool are stable over approximately 200 days. CONCLUSION: The community composition, association of demographic factors with community classes, and demonstration of community stability deepen our understanding of the variability and dynamics of human microbiomes. This also has significant implications for experimental designs that seek microbial correlations with clinical phenotypes

Mathematical modeling of drying characteristics of chilli in hot air oven and fluidized bed dryers

The thin layer drying kinetics of chilli is experimentally investigated in hot air oven and fluidized bed dryers. &nbsp;Experiments were conducted at inlet air temperatures of 45℃, 50℃, 55℃, 60℃ and 65℃. &nbsp;The power consumption and quality parameters (color and capsaicin content) were measured in each experiment. &nbsp;Thirteen different thin layer mathematical drying models were compared by using their regression coefficient, chi square value and RMSE (root mean square error). &nbsp;The Midilli model was found to be the best mathematical model which could use to satisfactorily predict the moisture ratio of chilli at different drying air temperatures in each type of dryers used. &nbsp;Surface colour chromaticity parameter a* changed from 32.5 at 45℃ to 25.8 at 65℃ temperature in hot air dryer whereas it was changed from 29.3 at 45℃ to 23.8 at 65℃. &nbsp;When temperature increases from 50℃ to 65℃, there is a considerable reduction in the colour of chilli in both dryers. &nbsp;Capsaicin concentration was inversely related with the air temperature and there was a sharp reduction of capsaicin concentration when increasing the temperature from 60℃ to 65℃.&nbsp; The energy consumption was higher in fluidized bed dryer than the hot air oven dryer when moisture content of chilli reduced from 280% to 9% (d.b) during drying process. &nbsp;The retention time of the fluidized bed dryer in all operating temperatures was nearly three times less that of hot-air oven dryer due to higher air flow characteristics. &nbsp;Lowest power consumption occurred at 65℃ temperature setting in both dryers while the fluidized bed dryer consumed nearly 75% more power. &nbsp; Keywords: mathematical modeling, drying kinetics, capsaicin, fluidized bed, regressio

Sequence Analysis of the Human Virome in Febrile and Afebrile Children

Unexplained fever (UF) is a common problem in children under 3 years old. Although virus infection is suspected to be the cause of most of these fevers, a comprehensive analysis of viruses in samples from children with fever and healthy controls is important for establishing a relationship between viruses and UF. We used unbiased, deep sequencing to analyze 176 nasopharyngeal swabs (NP) and plasma samples from children with UF and afebrile controls, generating an average of 4.6 million sequences per sample. An analysis pipeline was developed to detect viral sequences, which resulted in the identification of sequences from 25 viral genera. These genera included expected pathogens, such as adenoviruses, enteroviruses, and roseoloviruses, plus viruses with unknown pathogenicity. Viruses that were unexpected in NP and plasma samples, such as the astrovirus MLB-2, were also detected. Sequencing allowed identification of virus subtype for some viruses, including roseoloviruses. Highly sensitive PCR assays detected low levels of viruses that were not detected in approximately 5 million sequences, but greater sequencing depth improved sensitivity. On average NP and plasma samples from febrile children contained 1.5- to 5-fold more viral sequences, respectively, than samples from afebrile children. Samples from febrile children contained a broader range of viral genera and contained multiple viral genera more frequently than samples from children without fever. Differences between febrile and afebrile groups were most striking in the plasma samples, where detection of viral sequence may be associated with a disseminated infection. These data indicate that virus infection is associated with UF. Further studies are important in order to establish the range of viral pathogens associated with fever and to understand of the role of viral infection in fever. Ultimately these studies may improve the medical treatment of children with UF by helping avoid antibiotic therapy for children with viral infections