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This study assessed the hand hygiene performance in French nursing homes using the consumption of alcohol-based hand rubs (AHRs) as a surrogate. Nursing homes from the 17 French regions were contacted to collect their AHR consumption and occupancy in 2018 and 2019. A total of 1290 nursing homes from 15 French regions participated in the survey. The estimated median number of hand hygiene actions per resident-day was 1.48 (interquartile range: 1.04-2.03) in 2018 and 1.60 (1.10-2.26) in 2019. A significantly higher AHR consumption was observed in public nursing homes with an infection control team or link nurse.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of increasing sulfate concentrations on chromium removal, to evaluate the effect of the presence of Cr(VI) on sulfate removal by Streptomyces sp. MC1 and to analyze the differential protein expression profile in the presence of this metal for the identification of proteins repressed or overexpressed. In the presence of Cr(VI) but in the absence of sulfate ions, bacterial growth was negligible, showing the Cr(VI) toxicity for this bacterium. However, the sulfate presence stimulated bacterium growth and Cr(VI) removal, regardless of its concentrations. Streptomyces sp. MC1 showed ability to remove chromium and sulfate simultaneously. Also, the sulfate presence favored the decrease of total chromium concentration from supernatants reaching a decrease of 50% at 48 h. In presence of chromium, seven proteins were down‐expressed and showed homology to proteins involved in protein biosynthesis, energy production and free radicals detoxification while two proteins involved in oxidation‐reduction processes identified as dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase and S‐adenosyl‐l‐methionine synthase were overexpressed.

Pour obtenir un aperçu spécifique des rôles que les micro-organismes pourraient jouer dans la stéatose hépatique non alcoolique (NAFLD), certaines bactéries intestinales et lactiques et une levure (Anaerostipes caccae, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus fecalis, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Weissella confusa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) ont été caractérisées par une chromatographie liquide haute performance pour la production d'éthanol lorsqu'elles sont cultivées sur différents glucides : hexoses (glucose et fructose), pentoses (arabinose et ribose), disaccharides (lactose et lactulose) et inuline. Les quantités les plus élevées d'éthanol ont été produites par S. cerevisiae, L. fermentum et W. confusa sur le glucose et par S. cerevisiae et W. confusa sur le fructose. En raison de la mannitol-déshydrogénase exprimée dans L. fermentum, la production d'éthanol sur le fructose a été significativement réduite (P < 0,05). Le pyruvate et le citrate, deux accepteurs d'électrons potentiels pour la régénération du NAD+/NADP+, ont considérablement réduit la production d'éthanol avec de l'acétate produit à la place dans L. fermentum cultivé sur glucose et W. confusa cultivé sur glucose et fructose, respectivement. Dans les boues fécales préparées à partir des matières fécales de quatre volontaires en surpoids, on a constaté que l'éthanol était produit lors de l'ajout de fructose. L'ajout d'A. caccae, L. acidophilus, L. fermentum, ainsi que de citrate et de pyruvate, respectivement, a aboli la production d'éthanol. Cependant, l'ajout de W. confusa a entraîné une augmentation significative (P < 0,05) de la production d'éthanol. Ces résultats indiquent que des micro-organismes comme W. confusa, une bactérie lactique hétéro-fermentaire, négative à la mannitol-déshydrogénase, peuvent favoriser la NAFLD par l'éthanol produit à partir de la fermentation du sucre, tandis que d'autres bactéries intestinales et des bactéries lactiques homo- et hétéro-fermentaires mais positives à la mannitol-déshydrogénase peuvent ne pas favoriser la NAFLD. En outre, nos études indiquent que les facteurs alimentaires interférant avec le microbiote gastro-intestinal et le métabolisme microbien peuvent être importants dans la prévention ou la promotion de la NAFLD. Para obtener información específica sobre los roles que podrían desempeñar los microorganismos en la enfermedad del hígado graso no alcohólico (NAFLD, por sus siglas en inglés), algunas bacterias intestinales y del ácido láctico y una levadura (Anaerostipes caccae, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus fecalis, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Weissella confusa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) se caracterizaron por cromatografía líquida de alto rendimiento para la producción de etanol cuando se cultivaron en diferentes carbohidratos: hexosas (glucosa y fructosa), pentosas (arabinosa y ribosa), disacáridos (lactosa y lactulosa) e inulina. Las cantidades más altas de etanol fueron producidas por S. cerevisiae, L. fermentum y W. confusa en glucosa y por S. cerevisiae y W. confusa en fructosa. Debido a la manitol-deshidrogenasa expresada en L. fermentum, la producción de etanol en fructosa se redujo significativamente (P < 0.05). El piruvato y el citrato, dos aceptores de electrones potenciales para la regeneración de NAD+/NADP+, redujeron drásticamente la producción de etanol con acetato producido en su lugar en L. fermentum cultivado en glucosa y W. confusa cultivado en glucosa y fructosa, respectivamente. En suspensiones fecales preparadas a partir de heces de cuatro voluntarios con sobrepeso, se encontró que el etanol se producía tras la adición de fructosa. La adición de A. caccae, L. acidophilus, L. fermentum, así como citrato y piruvato, respectivamente, abolió la producción de etanol. Sin embargo, la adición de W. confusa resultó en un aumento significativo (P < 0.05) de la producción de etanol. Estos resultados indican que microorganismos como W. confusa, una bacteria de ácido láctico hetero-fermentativa, negativa para manitol-deshidrogenasa, pueden promover NAFLD a través del etanol producido a partir de la fermentación de azúcar, mientras que otras bacterias intestinales y bacterias de ácido láctico homo- y hetero-fermentativas pero positivas para manitol-deshidrogenasa pueden no promover NAFLD. Además, nuestros estudios indican que los factores dietéticos que interfieren con la microbiota gastrointestinal y el metabolismo microbiano pueden ser importantes para prevenir o promover la EHGNA. To gain some specific insight into the roles microorganisms might play in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), some intestinal and lactic acid bacteria and one yeast (Anaerostipes caccae, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus fecalis, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Weissella confusa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were characterized by high performance liquid chromatography for production of ethanol when grown on different carbohydrates: hexoses (glucose and fructose), pentoses (arabinose and ribose), disaccharides (lactose and lactulose), and inulin. Highest amounts of ethanol were produced by S. cerevisiae, L. fermentum and W. confusa on glucose and by S. cerevisiae and W. confusa on fructose. Due to mannitol-dehydrogenase expressed in L. fermentum, ethanol production on fructose was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced. Pyruvate and citrate, two potential electron acceptors for regeneration of NAD+/NADP+, drastically reduced ethanol production with acetate produced instead in L. fermentum grown on glucose and W. confusa grown on glucose and fructose, respectively. In fecal slurries prepared from feces of four overweight volunteers, ethanol was found to be produced upon addition of fructose. Addition of A. caccae, L. acidophilus, L. fermentum, as well as citrate and pyruvate, respectively, abolished ethanol production. However, addition of W. confusa resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) increased production of ethanol. These results indicate that microorganisms like W. confusa, a hetero-fermentative, mannitol-dehydrogenase negative lactic acid bacterium, may promote NAFLD through ethanol produced from sugar fermentation, while other intestinal bacteria and homo- and hetero-fermentative but mannitol-dehydrogenase positive lactic acid bacteria may not promote NAFLD. Also, our studies indicate that dietary factors interfering with gastrointestinal microbiota and microbial metabolism may be important in preventing or promoting NAFLD. لاكتساب بعض الأفكار المحددة حول الأدوار التي قد تلعبها الكائنات الحية الدقيقة في مرض الكبد الدهني غير الكحولي (NAFLD)، تميزت بعض بكتيريا حمض الأمعاء واللاكتيك وخميرة واحدة (Anaerostipes caccae، Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron، Bifidobacterium longum، Enterococcus fecalis، Escherichia coli، Lactobacillus acidophilus، Lactobacillus fermentum، Lactobacillus plantarum، Weissella confusa، Saccharomyces cerevisiae) بتصوير سائل عالي الأداء لإنتاج الإيثانول عند زراعته على كربوهيدرات مختلفة: hexoses (الجلوكوز والفركتوز)، pentoses (الأرابينوز والريبوز)، disaccharides (اللاكتوز واللاكتولوز)، و inulin. تم إنتاج أعلى كميات من الإيثانول بواسطة S. cerevisiae و L. fermentum و W. confusa على الجلوكوز و S. cerevisiae و W. confusa على الفركتوز. بسبب نازعة هيدروجين المانيتول المعبر عنها في L. fermentum، انخفض إنتاج الإيثانول على الفركتوز بشكل كبير (P < 0.05). قلل البيروفات والسيترات، وهما مستقبلان محتملان للإلكترون لتجديد NAD +/NADP+، بشكل كبير من إنتاج الإيثانول مع الأسيتات المنتجة بدلاً من ذلك في L. fermentum المزروع على الجلوكوز و W. confusa المزروع على الجلوكوز والفركتوز، على التوالي. في الملاط البرازي الذي تم تحضيره من براز أربعة متطوعين يعانون من زيادة الوزن، وجد أن الإيثانول يتم إنتاجه عند إضافة الفركتوز. إضافة A. caccae، L. acidophilus، L. fermentum، وكذلك السترات والبيروفات، على التوالي، ألغت إنتاج الإيثانول. ومع ذلك، أدت إضافة W. confusa إلى زيادة كبيرة في إنتاج الإيثانول (P < 0.05). تشير هذه النتائج إلى أن الكائنات الحية الدقيقة مثل W. confusa، وهي بكتيريا حمض اللاكتيك السلبية غير المتجانسة، قد تعزز NAFLD من خلال الإيثانول المنتج من تخمير السكر، في حين أن البكتيريا المعوية الأخرى وبكتيريا حمض اللاكتيك الإيجابية غير المتجانسة ولكن غير المتجانسة قد لا تعزز NAFLD. أيضًا، تشير دراساتنا إلى أن العوامل الغذائية التي تتداخل مع الكائنات الحية الدقيقة في الجهاز الهضمي والتمثيل الغذائي الميكروبي قد تكون مهمة في منع أو تعزيز NAFLD.

The COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously affected the whole of human society worldwide. Travel patterns have greatly changed due to the increased risk perception and the governmental interventions regarding COVID-19. This study aimed to identify contributing factors to the changes in public and private transportation mode choice behavior in China after COVID-19 based on an online questionnaire survey. In the survey, travel behaviors in three periods were studied: before the outbreak (before 27 December 2019), the peak (from 20 January to 17 March 2020), and after the peak (from 18 March to the date of the survey). A series of random-parameter bivariate Probit models was developed to quantify the relationship between individual characteristics and the changes in travel mode choice. The key findings indicated that individual sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., gender, age, ownership, occupation, residence) have significant effects on the changes in mode choice behavior. Other key findings included (1) a higher propensity to use a taxi after the peak compared to urban public transportation (i.e., bus and subway); (2) a significant impact of age on the switch from public transit to private car and two-wheelers; (3) more obvious changes in private car and public transportation modes in more developed cities. The findings from this study are expected to be useful for establishing partial and resilient policies and ensuring sustainable mobility and travel equality in the post-pandemic era.

Hepatic steatosis is a key initiating event in the pathogenesis of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), the most detrimental organ damage resulting from alcohol use disorder. However, the mechanisms by which alcohol induces steatosis remain incompletely understood. We have previously found that alcohol binging impairs brain insulin action, resulting in increased adipose tissue lipolysis by unrestraining sympathetic nervous system (SNS) outflow. Here, we examined whether an impaired brain-SNS-adipose tissue axis drives hepatic steatosis through unrestrained adipose tissue lipolysis and increased lipid flux to the liver.We examined the role of lipolysis, and the brain-SNS-adipose tissue axis and stress in alcohol induced hepatic triglyceride accumulation in a series of rodent models: pharmacological inhibition of the negative regulator of insulin signaling protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1β (PTP1b) in the rat brain, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) knockout mice as a pharmacogenetic model of sympathectomy, adipocyte specific adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) knockout mice, wildtype (WT) mice treated with β3 adrenergic agonist or undergoing restraint stress.Intracerebral administration of a PTP1b inhibitor, inhibition of adipose tissue lipolysis and reduction of sympathetic outflow ameliorated alcohol induced steatosis. Conversely, induction of adipose tissue lipolysis through β3 adrenergic agonism or by restraint stress worsened alcohol induced steatosis.Brain insulin resistance through upregulation of PTP1b, increased sympathetic activity, and unrestrained adipose tissue lipolysis are key drivers of alcoholic steatosis. Targeting these drivers of steatosis may provide effective therapeutic strategies to ameliorate ALD.

Aims The aim of this study was to determine whether the sequential application of povidone iodine-alcohol (PVI) followed by chlorhexidine gluconate-alcohol (CHG) would reduce surgical wound contamination to a greater extent than PVI applied twice in patients undergoing spinal surgery. Patients and Methods A single-centre, interventional, two arm, parallel group randomised controlled trial was undertaken, involving 407 patients who underwent elective spinal surgery. For 203 patients, the skin was disinfected before surgery using PVI (10% [w/w (1% w/w available iodine)] in 95% industrial denatured alcohol, povidone iodine; Videne Alcoholic Tincture) twice, and for 204 patients using PVI once followed by CHG (2% [w/v] chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% [v/v] isopropyl alcohol; Chloraprep with tint). The primary outcome measure was contamination of the wound determined by aerobic and anaerobic bacterial growth from samples taken after disinfection. Results The detection of viable bacteria in any one of the samples taken after disinfection (culture-positive) was significantly lower in the group treated with both PVI and CHG than in the group treated with PVI alone (59 (29.1%) versus 85 (41.7%), p = 0.009; odds ratio 0.574; 95% confidence interval, 0.380 to 0.866). Conclusions Antisepsis of the skin with the sequential application of PVI and CHG more effectively reduces the contamination of a surgical wound than PVI alone. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1354–65.

ABSTRACTPrenatal ethanol exposure causes a variety of cognitive deficits that have a persistent impact on quality of life, some of which may be explained by ethanol-induced alterations in interneuron function. Studies from several laboratories, including our own, have demonstrated that a single binge-like ethanol exposure during the equivalent to the third trimester of human pregnancy leads to acute apoptosis and long-term loss of interneurons in the rodent retrosplenial cortex (RSC). The RSC is interconnected with the hippocampus, thalamus, and other neocortical regions and plays distinct roles in visuospatial processing and storage, as well as retrieval of hippocampal-dependent episodic memories. Here we used slice electrophysiology to characterize the acute effects of ethanol on GABAergic neurotransmission in the RSC of neonatal mice, as well as the long-term effects of neonatal ethanol exposure on parvalbumin-interneuron mediated neurotransmission in adolescent mice. Mice were exposed to ethanol using vapor inhalation chambers. In postnatal day (P) 7 mouse pups, ethanol unexpectedly failed to potentiate GABAAreceptor-mediated synaptic transmission. Binge-like ethanol exposure of P7 mice expressing channel rhodopsin in parvalbumin-positive interneurons enhanced the peak amplitudes, asynchronous activity and total charge, while decreasing the rise-times of optically-evoked GABAAreceptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents in adolescent animals. These effects could partially explain the learning and memory deficits that have been documented in adolescent and young adult mice exposed to ethanol during the third trimester-equivalent developmental period.