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Inappropriately high breakpoints have resulted in systematic false-susceptible AST results to anti-TB drugs. MIC, PK/PD and clinical outcome data should be combined when setting breakpoints to minimise the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. https://bit.ly/3i43wb6

In Mycobacterium tuberculosis, molecular predictions of ethambutol resistance rely primarily on the detection of mutations within embB. However, discordance between embB406 mutations and gold standard phenotypic drug sensitivity testing (DST) questions the significance of embB406 mutations used in molecular DST. This study tabulates embB mutations found in Canadian M. tuberculosis isolates and evaluates the impact of specific mutations on ethambutol resistance. The National Reference Centre for Mycobacteriology culture collection (n = 2796) was screened for isolates with embB mutations. Phenotypic DST was performed on the BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 at ethambutol concentrations of 2–5 μg/mL. Whole genome sequencing was used for drug resistance predictions, phylogenomics and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. Detection of resistance-associated embB mutations corresponded to a positive predictive value of 64.3%, negative predictive value of 99.2%, 98.7% specificity, and 73.3% sensitivity compared to phenotypic DST. Two embB406 mutation subtypes (Gly406Asp, Gly406Ala) were found among 16 isolates, of which 12 were sensitive at 5 µg/mL ethambutol with variable resistance between 2–4 µg/mL. A novel frameshift mutation in regulator embR (Gln258fs) was found in nine isolates. Mutations in embB406 were associated with low-level ethambutol resistance undetectable at the recommended critical concentration (5 μg/mL). These novel mutations may exacerbate variability in ethambutol resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the entire methodology for the development of a scale to measure Attitude towards Open Educational Resources (ATOER). Traditionally, it is observed that some teachers are more willing to share their work than others, indicating the need to understand teachers' psychological and behavioural determinants that influence use of OER. The paper presents the methodological rigour in the development of the 17 items two-factor scale that is valid and reliable to measure attitude towards OER. The psychometric properties of the scale include: Content Validity Ratio = 0.9 and Cronbach a = 0.897 with strong inter-items correlation. The two-factors attitude construct in the scale was also subjected to a good model fit using Structural Equation Modelling, which revealed a mediocre fit with 0.8 Root Mean Square Error Approximation value and the chi-square to degree of freedom ratio below 3. We also discuss the significance of the scale and how to use it with other variables effectively in different contexts to help develop appropriate strategies for promoting the use of OER in educational institutions.

An efficient and affordable NH3 sensor is crucial for accurately monitoring atmospheric pollution and human health. Nanoporous covalent organic polymers (nCOPs) are promising candidates for detecting NH3 due to their abundant functional groups on the surface, excellent electrical properties, and nanoporous structure. This enables precise detection with exceptional selectivity and sensitivity. Herein, we have developed an imine-containing nanoporous COP (nCOPI) and further reduced the imine bonds (CN) to synthesize an amine (C–N)-containing nanoporous COP (nCOPA). We have employed these as sensing materials for detecting NH3 at 25 °C. Interestingly, the nCOPA sensor displays an impressive 18.6 times increased response of 1700% toward 500 ppm of NH3 compared to the nCOPI sensor (91%) with a response/recovery time of 60/70 s. Furthermore, the nCOPA sensor demonstrates exceptional selectivity, complete reversibility, excellent repeatability, and long-term stability, achieving limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values of 0.25 and 0.86 ppb, respectively. The plausible sensing mechanism is attributed to the charge-transfer process and hydrogen bonding between the NH functional group present in nCOPA and NH3 gas molecules, which alters the resistance of the nCOPA sensor. Based on these findings, the nCOPA sensor holds significant potential for NH3 sensing, and its application could provide an efficient method for the real-time monitoring of NH3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate polymorphisms of fat mass and obesity (FTO; rs9939609) and vitamin D receptor (VDR, FokI (rs2228570), BsmI (rs1544410), ApaI (rs7975232), and TaqI (rs731236)] genes on weight loss after lifestyle interventions in Asian Indians. Methods In this 6-month pre-post intervention trial, 110 overweight/obese men and women underwent diet and exercise interventions for 180 days resulting in reduction in body weight, (5.1 kg, p < 0.001), waist circumference, and skinfolds. Results Association of the following genotypes was seen in those with [greater than or equal to]5% weight loss: TT of FTO polymorphism; 35 (81.4%) [OR (95% CI) AT, 2.5 (0.6, 10.9); TT, 6.9 (1.6, 28.2); with reference to AA], tt of VDRTaqI polymorphism, 12 (92.3%) [OR (95% CI); tt, 32.2 (2.4, 436.4); TT, 0.5 (0.08, 3.1); all with reference to Tt], bb of VDRBsmI polymorphism; 27 (65.8%) [OR (95% CI) Bb, 0.2 (0.04, 0.9); bb, 10.6 (0.9, 120.3); all with reference to BB] after adjusting for other genotypes. Further, analysis of combined influence of genotypes conferring maximum weight loss showed that the following had high odds of [greater than or equal to]5% weight loss: (1) TT of FTO gene in combination with BB/Bb of VDRBsmI and TT/Tt of VDRTaqI [OR (95% CI) 5.1 (1.5, 17.4)], (2) bb of BsmI and AA/AT of FTO and tt of TaqI [OR (95% CI) 3.2 (0.3, 31.7)], and (3) bb of BsmI plus TT of FTO and tt of TaqI. Conclusions The above observations suggest a significant and independent role of the genotypes of FTO and VDR in influencing weight loss after lifestyle intervention in Asian Indians., Author(s): Seema Gulati [sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.3] , Anoop Misra [sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.3] [sup.4] , Rajneesh Tiwari [sup.2] , Meenu Sharma [sup.2] , Ravindra M. Pandey [sup.5] , Ashish Datt Upadhyay [...]