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Background Salmonella, a foodborne pathogen, possesses a type I-E clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated (Cas) system. We investigated the system's role in regulating Salmonella virulence by deleting the CRISPR arrays and Cas operon. Results Our study demonstrates invasion and proliferation defects of CRISPR-Cas knockout strains in intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages owing to the repression of invasion and virulence genes. However, proliferation defects were not observed in the Gp91.sup.phox-/- macrophages, suggesting the system's role in the pathogens' antioxidant defense. We deduced that the CRISPR-Cas system positively regulates H.sub.2O.sub.2 importer (OmpW), catalase (katG), peroxidase (ahpC), and superoxide dismutase (soda and sodCI), thereby protecting the cells from oxidative radicals. The knockout strains were attenuated in in-vivo infection models (Caenorhabditis elegans and BALB/c mice) due to hypersensitivity against antimicrobial peptides, complement proteins, and oxidative stress. The attenuation in virulence was attributed to the suppression of LPS modifying (pmr) genes, antioxidant genes, master regulators, and effectors of the SPI-1 (invasion) and SPI-2 (proliferation) islands in knockout strains. The regulation could be attributed to the partial complementarity of the CRISPR spacers with these genes. Conclusions Overall, our study extends our understanding of the role of the CRISPR-Cas system in Salmonella pathogenesis and its virulence determinants. Keywords: Salmonella, Type 1-E CRISPR-Cas system, Virulence, SPI-1-T3SS, SPI-2-T3SS, Anti-oxidant genes, Author(s): Nandita Sharma[sup.1], Ankita Das[sup.1], Abhilash Vijay Nair[sup.2], Palash Sethi[sup.1], Vidya Devi Negi[sup.3], Dipshikha Chakravortty[sup.2] and Sandhya Amol Marathe[sup.1] Introduction The bacterial adaptive immune system, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic [...]

We employ polymer integral equation theory to study a simplified model of semiflexible polymerized ionic liquids (PolyILs) that interact via hard core repulsions and short range screened Coulomb interactions. The multi-scale structure in real and Fourier space of PolyILs (ions chosen to mimic Li, Na, K, Br, PF6, and TFSI) are determined as a function of melt density, Coulomb interaction strength, and ion size. Comparisons with a homopolymer melt, a neutral polymer–solvent-like athermal mixture, and an atomic ionic liquid are carried out to elucidate the distinct manner that ions mediate changes of polymer packing, the role of excluded volume effects, and the influence of chain connectivity, respectively. The effect of Coulomb strength depends in a rich manner on ion size and density, reflecting the interplay of steric packing, ion adsorption, and charge layering. Ion-mediated bridging of monomers is found, which intensifies for larger ions. Intermediate range charge layering correlations are characterized by a many-body screening length that grows with PolyIL density, cooling, and Coulomb strength, in disagreement with Debye–Hückel theory, but in accord with experiments. Qualitative differences in the collective structure, including an ion-size-dependent bifurcation of the polymer structure factor peak and pair correlation function, are predicted. The monomer cage order parameter increases significantly, but its collective ion counterpart decreases, as ions become smaller. Such behaviors allow one to categorize PolyILs into two broad classes of small and large ions. Dynamical implications of the predicted structural results are qualitatively discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to understand the demographic representation of patients in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) clinical trials by evaluating the proportions of patients from various demographic categories amongst completed TBI clinical trials in the United States. ClinicalTrials.gov was queried for active TBI clinical trials. One hundred and eight completed trials in the United States were selected based on inclusion criteria, and information regarding intervention, setting, age, sex, race, and ethnicity was extracted. 2002–2006 TBI incidence data was obtained from the CDC. Chi-squared testing was applied to analyze the relationship between distributions of race and sex in the collected clinical trials and the national TBI data, and logistic regression was conducted to identify variables that may predict reporting of race or ethnicity. About 53.7% of selected clinical trials reported racial data and 34.3% reported ethnicity data. Logistic regression identified that clinical trials in defined phases were more likely to report racial data (p = 0.047 [1.015, 9.603]). Current TBI trials do not consistently report race or ethnicity data. Future efforts to ensure equitable representation in clinical trials may involve reform of recruitment processes and accountability measures implemented within the grant application process to ensure proper racial and ethnicity data reporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Patients with type 2 diabetes or prolonged diabetic condition are webbed into cardiac complications. This study aimed to ascertain the utility of chick embryo as an alternative to the mammalian model for type 2 diabetes-induced cardiac complications and chrysin as a protective agent. Methods: Diabetes was activated in ovo model (chick embryo) using glucose along with β-hydroxybutyric acid. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, Alamar, and Kenacid blue assay were used to compare with chrysin-administered group. Blood glucose level, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein were considered as endpoints. Diabetes was induced in Wistar albino rats by administering a high-fat diet and a subdued dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg, b.w). Percentage of glycated hemoglobin, creatinine kinase-MB, tumor necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein were evaluated and compared with chrysin administered group. Key findings: Chrysin treatment improved elevated blood glucose levels and dyslipidemia in a diabetic group of whole embryos. Condensed cellular growth and protein content as well as enhanced cytotoxicity in ovo were shielded by chrysin. Chrysin reduced cardiac and inflammatory markers in diabetic rats and provided cellular protection to damage the heart of diabetic rats. Conclusion: The protective action of chrysin in ovo model induced a secondary complication associated with diabetes, evidenced that the ovo model is an effective alternative in curtailing higher animal use in scientific research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeDesign/methodology/approachFindingsPractical implicationsOriginality/valueThis study aims to identify and prioritize the reasons for social media use among medical practitioners to facilitate the selection of the most appropriate social media platforms for healthcare providers. The findings of this study will help address the challenges posed by the wide variety of available social media platforms and assist healthcare providers in choosing platforms that best meet their professional needs.This cross-sectional study was conducted in the period of two months, i.e., August and September 2021. This study is based on the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) method of the MCDM (Multi-Criteria Decision-Making) approach. In the first phase, a four-hour brainstorming session was held to identify the medical Practitioner’s reasons for social media usage; in the second phase, the identified reasons were linked with the top five social media platforms to determine the prioritized order of preference.The top three reasons driving medical practitioners’ usage of social media platforms include “Getting an update on current affairs,” “Network with industry professionals,” and “Healthy Lifestyle and Wellness Promotion.” In contrast, the bottom three causes include “Advocacy for causes,” “Get Updates about friends and family members,” and “Opinions and ideas sharing.” The prioritized order of social media platforms is LinkedIn, followed by Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter.This study helps solve the medical Practitioner’s dilemma of selecting suitable social media platforms that serve their intended functions. In the future, it is expected that the usage of SM platforms will increase for causes such as Institution Branding and Healthcare Issues related Advocacy as well.Previous research has not adequately identified the reasons driving social media usage by physicians. This study is one of the few studies that has attempted to prioritize reasons for social media usage by physicians and has provided a prioritized list of social media platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients with concurrent sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain are susceptible to worse postoperative outcomes. There is scarce literature on the impact of ASD realignment surgery on SIJ pain. Methods: Patients undergoing ASD realignment surgery were included and stratified by the presence of SIJ pain at the baseline (SIJP+) or SIJ pain absence (SIJP−). Mean comparison tests via ANOVA were used to assess baseline differences between both cohorts. Multivariable regression analyses analyzed factors associated with SIJ pain resolution/persistence, factoring in BMI, frailty, disability, and deformity. Results: A total of 464 patients were included, with 30.8% forming the SIJP+ cohort. At the baseline (BL), SIJP+ had worse disability scores, more severe deformity, higher BMI, higher frailty scores, and an increased magnitude of lower limb compensation. SIJP+ patients had higher mechanical complication (14.7 vs. 8.2%, p = 0.024) and reoperation rates (32.4 vs. 20.2%, p = 0.011) at 2 years. SIJP+ patients who subsequently underwent SI fusion achieved disability score outcomes similar to those of their SIJ− counterparts. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that SIJP+ patients who were aligned in the GAP lordosis distribution index were more likely to report symptom resolution at six weeks (OR 1.56, 95% CI: 1.02–2.37, p = 0.039), 1 year (OR 3.21, 2.49–5.33), and 2 years (OR 3.43, 2.41–7.12). SIJP− patients who did not report symptom resolution by 1 year and 2 years were more likely to demonstrate PI-LL > 5° (OR 1.36, 1.07–2.39, p = 0.045) and SVA > 20 mm (OR 1.62, 1.24–1.71 p = 0.017). Conclusions: SIJ pain in ASD patients may result in worsened pain and disability at presentation. Symptom resolution may be achieved in affected patients by adequate postoperative lumbar lordosis restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Distal junctional kyphosis (DJK) is a concerning complication for surgeons performing cervical deformity (CD) surgery. Patients sustaining such complications may demonstrate worse recovery profiles compared to their unaffected peers. Methods: DJK was defined as a >10° change in kyphosis between LIV and LIV-2, and a >10° index angle. CD patients were grouped according to the development of DJK by 3M vs. no DJK development. Means comparison tests and regression analyses used to analyze differences between groups and arelevant associations. Results: A total of 113 patients were included (17 DJK, 96 non-DJK). DJK patients were more sagittally malaligned preop, and underwent more osteotomies and combined approaches. Postop, DJK patients experienced more dysphagia (17.7% vs. 4.2%; p = 0.034). DJK patients remained more malaligned in cSVA through the 2-year follow-up. DJK patients exhibited worse patient-reported outcomes from 3M to 1Y, but these differences subsided when following patients through to 2Y; they also exhibited worse NDI (65.3 vs. 35.3) and EQ5D (0.68 vs. 0.79) scores at 1Y (both p < 0.05), but these differences had subsided by 2Y. Conclusions: Despite patients exhibiting similar preoperative health-related quality of life metrics, patients who developed early DJK exhibited worse postoperative neck disability following the development of their DJK. These differences subsided by the 2-year follow-up, highlighting the prolonged but eventually successful course of many DJK patients after CD surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both cell migration and osteogenic differentiation are critical for successful bone regeneration. Therefore, understanding the mechanobiological aspects that govern these two processes is essential in designing effective scaffolds that promote faster bone regeneration. Studying these two factors at different locations is necessary to manage bone regeneration in various sections of a scaffold. Hence, a multiscale computational model was used to observe the mechanical responses of osteoblasts placed in different positions of the trabecular bone and gyroid scaffold. Fluid shear stresses in scaffolds at cell seeded locations (representing osteogenic differentiation) and strain energy densities in cells at cell substrate interface (representing cell migration) were observed as mechanical response parameters in this study. Comparison of these responses, as two critical factors for bone regeneration, between the trabecular bone and gyroid scaffold at different locations, is the overall goal of the study. This study reveals that the gyroid scaffold exhibits higher osteogenic differentiation and cell migration potential compared to the trabecular bone. However, the responses in the gyroid only mimic the trabecular bone in two out of nine positions. These findings can guide us in predicting the ideal cell seeded sites within a scaffold for better bone regeneration and in replicating a replaced bone condition by altering the physical parameters of a scaffold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]