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Advanced microsamples: Current applications and considerations for mass spectrometry-based metabolic phenotyping pipelines
Get PDFMicrosamples (collections usually less than 50 µL) have been introduced in pre-clinical, clinical, and research settings to overcome obstacles in sampling via traditional venipuncture. However, venipuncture remains the sampling gold standard for metabolic phenotyping of blood. This pre-sents several challenges in metabolic phenotyping workflows: accessibility for individuals in ru-ral and remote underserved areas (due to the need for trained personnel), the unamenable nature to frequent sampling protocols in longitudinal research (for its invasive nature), and sample col-lection difficulty in the young and elderly. Furthermore, venous sample stability may be compro-mised when temperate conditions necessary for cold-chain transport are beyond control. Alter-natively, research utilising microsamples extends phenotyping possibilities to inborn errors of metabolism, therapeutic drug monitoring, nutrition, as well as sport and anti-doping. Although the application of microsamples in metabolic phenotyping exists, it is still in its infancy, with whole blood being overwhelmingly the primary biofluid collected through the collection method of dried blood spots. Research into metabolic phenotyping of microsamples is limited; however, with advances in commercially available microsampling devices, common barriers such as volumetric inaccuracies and the ‘haematocrit effect’ in dried blood spot microsampling can be overcome. In this review, we provide an overview of the common uses and workflows for mi-crosampling in metabolic phenotyping research. We discuss the advancements in technologies, highlighting key considerations and remaining knowledge gaps for employment of microsamples in metabolic phenotyping research. Supporting the translation of research from the ‘bench to the community’
Preliminary taphonomical comparison of the decomposition process in simple burials, traditional tombs and aerated tombs in an urban cemetery in Northern Italy
Get PDFIn densely populated countries like Italy, cremation is promoted for the final disposition of the dead. However, many families still choose inhumation or entombment. In ordinary (traditional) tombs, bodies skeletonize slowly and partially, and often need a second disposal after the exhumation. The aim of this study was to experimentally test the functionality of a new type of tomb, defined as “aerated”. Aerated tombs feature an aerating system, absorbing materials and a purifying filter, which collectively maintain ventilation, process putrefactive fluids and gases and neutralize odors. In an experimental cemetery area with pristine soil, limbs of piglets were wrapped in cotton sheets and were either inhumed, placed in ordinary tombs or placed in aerated tombs. Following exhumation after planned time intervals (1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months), all samples were macro- and microscopically examined. The inhumed samples were completely skeletonized by 9 months after burial, and after 12 months showed initial bioerosion in bone Haversian canals. The traditionally entombed samples developed progressive adipocere formation, whereas the samples disposed in aerated tombs became mummified. Despite this outcome, aerated tombs represent a more energy-effective, environmentally-friendly and economical choice when compared to ordinary tombs. A mummified body is lighter and drier than a body entombed traditionally and, as such, it is easier to exhume and quicker to cremate. Overall, in the absence of alternative burials, aerated tombs are more suitable than ordinary tombs for the final disposition of the dead in cemeteries with limited space. The results of this experiment add to the knowledge of taphonomical processes in temperate climates and urban environments, potentially benefitting the forensic and medico-legal community
Practice readiness in very remote hospitals: Perceptions of early career and later career registered nurses
No full textAim
To understand the practice readiness of the early career registered nurse in their first five years of practice within very remote hospital healthcare provision.
Background
The practice readiness of early career registered nurses is often questioned; this is particularly true of nurses in rural and remote settings where, due to a transitory workforce, adequate support may not be forthcoming.
Method
Qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured interviews involving early career (n = 4) and later career (n = 3) registered nurses in very remote hospitals. Data were analysed using Creswell's six-step approach to thematic analysis.
Findings
Practice readiness includes both professional and personal readiness. Early career registered nurse participants felt not ready for remote area employment. Later career registered nurses suggest that critical care placements in an emergency department or intensive care unit are necessary for preparedness to work in rural and remote areas. Key to supporting and developing practice readiness is organisational support, adequate, consistent staffing, and structured orientation across all departments.
Discussion
Early career registered nurses understand their limitations; however, organisational support through appropriate orientation, supernumerary time, and adequate education is often not available.
Conclusion
To support early career registered nurses to be practice ready, it is the organisation's responsibility to provide the adequate support, information, and preparatory education to ensure an effective transition to practice for future proofing of the rural and remote nurse workforce
Crime won’t stop because of COVID. So how should we protect crime scene investigators?
No full textCOVID may have curtailed travel, hospitality, education and entertainment, but crime scene investigation never stops..
The molecular epidemiology of penicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia in Australia and the reliability of diagnostic phenotypic susceptibility method to detect penicillin susceptibility
Get PDFStaphylococcus was first identified by Sir Alexander Ogston in 1881 when he was investigating the cause of suppurative inflammation in post-operative human patients. Using a light microscope, Ogston observed the spherical nature of the bacterium arranged in clusters in pus collected from an abscess. He was able to demonstrate the bacterium was the cause of the abscess by injecting healthy guinea pigs with pus, which resulted in septicaemia with the presence of the bacterium in blood (1). Conceived by Ogston, the term ‘Staphylococcus’ is from the Greek words “staphyle” (σταφύλια) meaning grapes, and “kokkos” (κόκκος) meaning berry (2). The species name of Staphylococcus aureus, derived from the Latin word “aurum” for gold, was subsequently coined by Friedrich Julius Rosenbach due to the distinct golden yellow pigmented colonies produced by the bacterium (3)
A long tern view: distribution of small terns (Sternula) in Western Australia and implications for their conservation
Get PDFRecent observations confirm the Indo-Pacific Little Tern Sternula albifrons sinensis has been extending its breeding range in Western Australia in recent years, following a pattern documented in other tern and noddy species on the western coast of Australia. Nesting Indo-Pacific Little Terns have been recorded annually as far south as North West Cape since 2016. A similar southward shift in breeding range may have occurred during the last interglacial period and it is hypothesised that Little Terns isolated at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands during the following glacial period gave rise to the Australian Fairy Tern Sternula nereis nereis. The Australian Fairy Tern subsequently colonised the continental shelf from Dampier, Western Australia to the south-eastern states and then New Zealand as sea levels rose again during the Holocene. The two former sibling species are now sympatric between Dampier and North West Cape and interbreeding and hybridisation have the potential to occur in that area. Most jurisdictions require populations to be defined at the species or subspecies level in order to be listed and managed as threatened. However, relying on such taxonomic criteria has the potential to obscure the management of threats faced by each inter-breeding population unit. Approaches that identify and protect the sub-structure of superspecies and meta-populations might be more effective in the longer term
Population genomics and haplotype analysis in bread wheat identify a gene regulating glume pubescence
Get PDFGlume hairiness or pubescence is an important morphological trait with high heritability to distinguish/characterize wheat and is related to the resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Hg1 (formerly named Hg) on chromosome arm 1AS controlled glume hairiness in wheat. Its genetic analysis and mapping have been widely studied, yet more useful and accurate information for fine mapping of Hg1 and identification of its candidate gene is lacking. The cloning of this gene has not yet been reported for the large complex wheat genome. Here, we performed a GWAS between SNP markers and glume pubescence (Gp) in a wheat population with 352 lines and further demonstrated the gene expression and haplotype analysis approach for isolating the Hg1 gene. One gene, TraesCSU02G143200 (TaELD1-1A), encoding glycosyltransferase-like ELD1/KOBITO 1, was identified as the most promising candidate gene of Hg1. The gene annotation, expression pattern, function SNP variation, haplotype analysis, and co-expression analysis in floral organ (spike) development indicated that it is likely to be involved in the regulation of glume pubescence. Our study demonstrates the importance of high-quality reference genomes and annotation information, as well as bioinformatics analysis, for gene cloning in wheat
3D visualization processes for recreating and studying organismal form
Get PDFThe study of biological form is a vital goal of evolutionary biology and functional morphology. We review an emerging set of methods that allow scientists to create and study accurate 3D models of living organisms and animate those models for biomechanical and fluid dynamic analyses. The methods for creating such models include 3D photogrammetry, laser and CT-scanning, and 3D software. New multi-camera devices can be used to create accurate 3D models of living animals in the wild and captivity. New websites and virtual reality/augmented reality devices now enable the visualization and sharing of these data. We provide examples of these approaches for animals ranging from large whales to lizards and show applications for several areas: Natural history collections; body condition/scaling, bioinspired robotics, computational fluids dynamics (CFD), machine learning, and education. We provide two data sets to demonstrate the efficacy of CFD and machine learning approaches and conclude with a prospectus
Machine learning-assisted design of porous carbons for removing paracetamol from aqueous solutions
No full textTo accelerate the design and production of porous carbons targeting desired performance characteristics, we propose to incorporate machine learning (ML) regression into pore size distribution (PSD) analysis. Here, we implemented a ML algorithm for predicting paracetamol adsorption capacity of porous carbons from two pore structure parameters: total surface area and surface area of supermicropores-mesopores. These structural parameters of porous carbons are accessible from the software provided with automatic volumetric gas adsorption analyzers. It was shown that theoretical paracetamol capacities of porous carbons predicted using the ML algorithm lies within the range of experimental uncertainty. Nanoporous carbon beads with a high surface area of supermicropores (997 m2/g) and mesopores (628 m2/g) had the highest adsorption capacity of paracetamol (experiment: 480 ± 24 mg/g, ML predicted: 498 mg/g). The novel strategy for designing of porous carbon adsorbents using ML-PSD approach has a great potential to facilitate production of novel carbon adsorbents optimized for purification of aqueous solutions from non-electrolyte contaminates
Root rot pathogens of Cinnamomum cassia in Vietnam
Get PDFA study was conducted to determine the pathogens causing root rot, wilt and dieback disease of Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cinnamon or cassia) in Vietnam, in nurseries and plantations in the Yen Bai, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa and Quang Nam provinces, and streams in the Yen Bai province. Pathogens were identified using morphology and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analysis. The 204 isolates obtained included 125 Phytophthora isolates and 79 from other oomycete genera. There were 112 isolates of P. cinnamomi, four P. heveae, two P. virginiana, three P. multibullata and four P. × vanyenensis. The pathogenicity and virulence of 16 P. cinnamomi, two P. heveae, two P. multibullata and four P. × vanyenensis isolates were assessed using lesion size after under-bark inoculation of C. cassia stems, and root damage following inoculation of 4-month-old C. cassia seedlings. The most virulent isolate from both assessments was a P. cinnamomi from the Quang Nam plantation. Isolates of P. cinnamomi showed a wide range of virulence, with isolates from healthy trees or seedlings showing the lowest virulence. Isolates of P. × vanyenensis, P. multibullata and P. heveae showed moderate or low pathogenicity. This study showed that although P. cinnamomi is the most common pathogen associated with dieback disease in Vietnamese C. cassia plantations, other Phytophthora species may also cause this disease. Knowledge of the presence of these soil- and waterborne pathogens will encourage improved soil and water hygiene in nurseries and implement measures to prevent the spread of the pathogens in plantations