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Multiple impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and antimicrobial stewardship on antimicrobial resistance in nosocomial infections: an interrupted time series analysis
No full textObjectives: The emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic may disrupt hospital management activities of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aimed to determine the changing AMR trend over the period in China when stringent COVID-19 response measures were implemented. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in a designated hospital for COVID-19 patients in Guangzhou, China from April 2018 to September 2021. The prevalence of 13 antimicrobial-resistant bacteria was compared before and after the COVID-19 responses through Chi-square tests. Interrupted time series (ITS) models on the weekly prevalence of AMR were established to determine the changing trend. Controlled ITS models were performed to compare the differences between subgroups. Results: A total of 10,134 isolates over 1,265 days were collected. And antimicrobial-resistant strains presented in 38.6% of the testing isolates. The weekly AMR prevalence decreased by 0.29 percentage point (95% CI [0.05–0.80]) after antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) policy, despite an increase in the prevalence of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (from 0/43 to 15/43, p < 0.001), carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (from 20/1254 to 41/1184, p = 0.005), and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (from 93/889 to 114/828, p = 0.042). And the changing trend did not vary by gender (male vs. female), age (<65 vs. ≥65 years), service setting (outpatient vs. inpatient), care unit (ICU vs. non-ICU), the primary site of infection (Lung vs. others), and Gram type of bacteria (positive vs. negative). Conclusion: The response to COVID-19 did not lead to an increase in overall AMR; however, it appears that management strategy on the prudent use of antimicrobials likely contributed to a sizable long-term drop. The frequency of several multidrug-resistant bacteria continues to increase after the COVID-19 epidemic. It is crucial to continue to monitor AMR when COVID-19 cases have surged in China after the relaxation of restriction measures
Variability in the dual mycorrhizal associations of tea tree, <i>Melaleuca alternifolia</i>
No full textThis repository contains eight packed data files.The quality-filtered otu tables and taxonomic annotation tables for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and ectomycorrhizal fungi, as well as the sample metadata sheet, can be used to run the reproducible statistical analysis workflow at GitHub.Contents:TheBLAST_best_10.csvfile contains the following information:OTU_ID: OTU identifier abundance: total OTU read abundancereference: UNITE database reference sequence idkingdom: UNITE kingdom annotationphylum: UNITE phylum annotationclass: UNITE class annotationorder: UNITE order annotationfamily: UNITE family annotationgenus: UNITE genus annotationspecies: UNITE species hypothesis annotationpident: per cent sequence similarity to the reference sequencelength: alignment length of the query to the reference sequence (sequence overlap)slen: query sequence lengthmismatches: number of mismatches to the reference sequencegapopen: number of gap openings relative to the reference sequenceqstart: first position of alignment of the query sequence to the reference sequenceqend: last position of alignment of the query sequence to the reference sequencesstart: first position of alignment of the reference sequencesend: last position of alignment of the reference sequenceevalue: e-value of the query sequence to the best-hitting reference sequencebitscore: score of the blast match of the query sequence to the reference sequenceThetaxa_AM.csvandtaxa_ECM.csvfiles contain the following information (consensus similarity is 66.67% across the five best hits; coverage threshold is 90%; similarity thresholds are defined at level genus for AM fungi and ectomycorrhiza lineage for ECM fungi):OTU_ID: OTU identifier kingdom: kingdom annotation based on consensus hit and similarity and coverage thresholdsphylum: phylum annotation based on consensus hit and similarity and coverage thresholdsclass: class annotation based on consensus hit and similarity and coverage thresholdsorder: order annotation based on consensus hit and similarity and coverage thresholdsfamily: family annotation based on consensus hit and similarity and coverage thresholdsgenus: genus annotation based on consensus hit and similarity and coverage thresholdsspecies: genus annotation based on consensus hit and similarity and coverage thresholdstaxa_consensus: per cent consensus of BLAST hit across the five best hitsabundance: total OTU read abundancesimilarity: per cent sequence similarity to the consensus sequencecoverage: per cent sequence coverage to the consensus sequenceevalue: evalue to the consensus sequenceectomycorrhiza_exploration_type: inferred lineage of ectomycorrhizal fungi based on the FungalTraits databaseectomycorrhiza_lineage: inferred ectomycorrhiza exploration type based on the FungalTraits databaseThemetadata.csvfile contains the following information:sample: sample IDecotype: tea tree ecotypesite: site IDcol_AM: number of arbuscular mycorhizal observations per 60 cm of fine rootcol_ECM: number of ectomycorrhizal observations per root tips countedweight: number of total mycorrhizal observations per samplelatitude: latitude in decimal degreeslongitude: longitude in decimal degreesMAP: mean annual precipitation (°C)MAT: mean annual temperatre (mm)soil_moisture: estimate of site level soil moisture content (%)pH: estimate of site level soil pH (1:5 water)C_total: estimate of site level total soil organic carbon (%)N_total: estimate of site level total soil nitrogen (%)P_available: estimate of site level soil plant-avalable phosphorus (mg/kg; Colwell extraction method)ammonium: estimate of site level soil ammonium (mg/kg; KCl extraction)nitrate: estimate of site level soil nitrate (mg/kg; KCl extraction)</p
Electronic Supplementary Materials associated with the PhD Thesis: 'Birds, Mammals and Insects as Pollinators of Banksia Species with Divergent Floral Traits...'
No full textElectronic Supplementary Materials associated with the PhD thesis titled: 'Birds, Mammals and Insects as Pollinators of Banksia Species with Divergent Floral Traits: A Comparative Study in a Biodiversity Hotspot'. The files contain videos of pollinators visiting the flowers of the study species, spreadsheets with pollen loads data, and supplementary figures. </p
Practical Guide to Large Amplitude Fourier-Transformed Alternating Current Voltammetry─What, How, and Why
No full textFourier-transformed alternating current voltammetry (FTacV) is a technique utilizing a combination of a periodic (frequently sinusoidal) oscillation superimposed onto a staircase or linear potential ramp. The advanced utilization of a large amplitude sine wave induces substantial nonlinear current responses. Subsequent filter processing (via Fourier-transformation, band selection, followed by inverse Fourier-transformation) generates a series of harmonics in which rapid electron transfer processes may be separated from non-Faradaic and competing electron transfer processes with slower kinetics. Thus, FTacV enables the isolation of current associated with redox processes under experimental conditions that would not generate meaningful data using direct current voltammetry (dcV). In this study, the enhanced experimental sensitivity and selectivity of FTacV versus dcV are illustrated in measurements that (i) separate the Faradaic current from background current contributions, (ii) use a low (5 μM) concentration of analyte (exemplified with ferrocene), and (iii) enable discrimination of the reversible [Ru(NH3)6]3+/2+ electron-transfer process from the irreversible reduction of oxygen under a standard atmosphere, negating the requirement for inert gas conditions. The simple, homebuilt check-cell described ensures that modern instruments can be checked for their ability to perform valid FTacV experiments. Detailed analysis methods and open-source data sets that accompany this work are intended to facilitate other researchers in the integration of FTacV into their everyday electrochemical methodological toolkit
Consumer attitudes, barriers and facilitators to sharing clinical data for research purposes: Results from a focus group synthesis
No full textCurrent research into the digital healthcare landscape reveals a significant gap in understanding the perspectives of consumers with lived health experiences on sharing their health data for research purposes. Despite the substantial value that such shared information can bring to healthcare research, policy development, and system improvement, insights into the attitudes and willingness of these consumers towards data sharing remain sparse. This study seeks to fill this gap, exploring the unique views of these individuals and assessing the potential benefits their data sharing could contribute to healthcare. Utilising three focus groups, this qualitative study engaged 25 consumers with chronic health conditions to explore their attitudes towards sharing their personal health data for research. Conducted in Western Australia, the sessions were adapted to online and face-to-face settings due to COVID-19 restrictions. Discussions were recorded, transcribed and analysed using a reflexive thematic approach to capture the diverse perspectives and experiences of the participants. The study revealed critical insights into how consumers with lived health experiences perceive the sharing of their health data for research. Key themes identified included data management and privacy concerns, the importance of transparent and patient-centric data governance models, and the varying levels of consumer trust in healthcare data-sharing processes. This research provides valuable contributions towards developing a more inclusive and effective framework for health data sharing in research. By understanding the unique perspectives of consumers with lived health experiences, the study provides an understanding of enhancing consumer trust and participation in data-sharing initiatives. These insights are crucial for improving the quality and relevance of healthcare delivery, research, and policy-making, ultimately benefiting the broader healthcare sector
Does an expanded allied health student training programme in regional New South Wales (Australia) result in a positive social return on investment? A protocol for a single-university education-based economic evaluation
No full textIntroduction: 20 years ago, health professional student placements in rural areas of Australia were identified as an important rural recruitment strategy and funding priority. Since then, there has been a growing body of research investigating the value, impact, barriers and facilitators of student placements in rural areas of Australia. Charles Sturt University, Three Rivers Department of Rural Health, was recently awarded an Australian Government grant to expand their Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) programme, designed to increase multi-disciplinary student placements in rural areas of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The aim of this study is to determine if the expanded RHMT has a positive social return on investment (SROI). Methods and analyses: The RHMT Programme will expand into the Forbes/Parkes/Lachlan local government areas of NSW where there is a population of 21 004 people, including 3743 First Nations peoples. Data collection includes collecting programme outputs, programme costs and conducting surveys and interviews with students, host organisations, supervisors and community members including First Nations peoples. The SROI will quantify the ‘investment’ required to implement the RHMT programme, as well as the ‘social return’ on the RHMT programme from the student, organisational, supervisor and community perspectives. The SROI will compare the combined cost with the combined return, from a societal perspective, including a 3-year time horizon, with cost data presented in $A 2024/25. Discussion: The findings of this SROI study may influence future Australian government investment in RHMT as a mechanism for supporting rural allied health recruitment and for investing in the local rural economy. Ethics and dissemination: This study has been approved by the Charles Sturt University Human Research Ethics Committee (#H23589) and the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of New South Wales (#2130/23). Results will be disseminated via a peer-review journal publication, as well as conference presentations.</p
Developing and validating the nurse-patient relationship scale (NPRS) in China
No full textBackground: Poor nurse-patient relationship poses an obstacle to care delivery, jeopardizing patient experience and patient care outcomes. Measuring nurse-patient relationship is challenging given its multi-dimensional nature and a lack of well-established scales. Purpose: This study aimed to develop a multi-dimensional scale measuring nurse-patient relationship in China. Methods: A preliminary scale was constructed based on the existing literature and Delphi consultations with 12 nursing experts. The face validity of the scale was tested through a survey of 45 clinical nurses. This was followed by a validation study on 620 clinical nurses. Cronbach’s α, content validity and known-group validity of the scale were assessed. The study sample was further divided into two for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), respectively, to assess the construct validity of the scale. Results: The Nurse-Patient Relationship Scale (NPRS) containing 23 items was developed and validated, measuring five dimensions: nursing behavior, nurse understanding and respect for patient, patient misunderstanding and mistrust in nurse, communication with patient, and interaction with patient. The Cronbach’s α of the NPRS ranged from 0.725 to 0.932, indicating high internal consistency. The CFA showed excellent fitness of data into the five-factor structure: χ2/df = 2.431, GFI = 0.933, TLI = 0.923, CFI = 0.939, IFI = 0.923, RMSEA = 0.070. Good content and construct validity are demonstrated through expert consensus and psychometric tests. Conclusion: The NPRS is a valid tool measuring nurse-patient relationship in China.</p
Are Heavier drinkers' Views on Situational Drinking Norms Affected by Recent Experience of Harm from others' Drinking?
No full textObjective: The relation is investigated between situational drinking norms which accept heavier drinking and the experience of harm from others’ drinking. How does the experience of such harm relate to the acceptance of heavier drinking in drinking situations? Methods: Respondents in a 2021 combined sample from random digitally dialed mobile phones and a panel survey of Australian adults (n = 2,574) were asked what level of drinking is acceptable in 11 social situations, including 3 “wet” situations where drinking is generally acceptable. Besides their own drinking patterns, respondents were also asked about their experience of harm from others’ drinking in the last 12 months. Focussing on respondents’ answers concerning the wetter situations, regression analyses were used to examine the relation between experiencing such harm and views on how much drinking was acceptable in the situations. Results: Heavier drinkers were more likely to have experienced harm from others’ drinking. Among heavier drinkers, those who experienced such harm generally did not differ significantly in their normative acceptance of any drinking in “wet” situations but were more accepting of drinking enough to feel the effects. Discussion: From these cross-sectional results, experiencing harm from others’ drinking does not seem to result in less acceptance of drinking to intoxication; rather, experiencing such harm was associated with more acceptance of heavy drinking. However, these findings may be the net result of influences in both directions, with the acceptance of intoxication in wet situations being more common among heavier drinkers, whose drinking exposes them to harm from others’ drinking
Durability Assessment of Eco-Friendly Bricks Containing Lime Kiln Dust and Tire Rubber Waste Using Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry
No full textThe global challenge faced due to the impact of the construction industry on climate change, along with the issues surrounding sustainable waste disposal, has necessitated various research on using waste products as eco-friendly alternatives in construction. In this study, the avoidance of waste disposal through landfills in Australia was encouraged by incorporating lime kiln dust (LKD) and tire rubber waste (TRW) into masonry mixes to manufacture green bricks. Furthermore, the investigations in this article highlight the use of mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) to determine the durability of the LKD-TRW bricks when exposed to freeze–thaw (F-T) cycles by examining the pore size distribution within the bricks. The LKD waste was blended with ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) at a 70:30 blending ratio and combined with the TRW in stepped increments of 5% from 0 to 20% to produce these eco-friendly bricks. The compressive strength (CS), flexural strength (FS), frost resistance (FR), pore size distribution according to mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and the water absorption (WA) properties of the bricks were assessed. The CS and FS values at 28 days of curing were recorded as 6.17, 5.25, and 3.09 MPa and 2.52, 2, and 1.55 MPa for 0, 5, and 10% TRW contents, respectively. Durability assessments using the F-T test showed that the bricks produced with 0% TRW passed as frost-resistant bricks. Furthermore, the results from the MIP test showed a total pore volume of 0.033 mL/g at 3 µm pore size for the 0% TRW content, further confirming its durability. Hence, the 0% LKD-TRW bricks can be utilized in cold regions where temperatures can be as low as −43 °C without deteriorating. Lastly, WA values of 7.25, 11.76, and 14.96% were recorded for the bricks with 0, 5, and 10% TRW, respectively, after the 28-day curing period. From all of the results obtained from the laboratory investigations, the LKD-TRW bricks produced with up to 10% TRW were within the satisfactory engineering requirements for masonry units
Using expression data to fine map QTL associated with fertility in dairy cattle
No full textBackground: Female fertility is an important trait in dairy cattle. Identifying putative causal variants associated with fertility may help to improve the accuracy of genomic prediction of fertility. Combining expression data (eQTL) of genes, exons, gene splicing and allele specific expression is a promising approach to fine map QTL to get closer to the causal mutations. Another approach is to identify genomic differences between cows selected for high and low fertility and a selection experiment in New Zealand has created exactly this resource. Our objective was to combine multiple types of expression data, fertility traits and allele frequency in high- (POS) and low-fertility (NEG) cows with a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on calving interval in Australian cows to fine-map QTL associated with fertility in both Australia and New Zealand dairy cattle populations. Results: Variants that were significantly associated with calving interval (CI) were strongly enriched for variants associated with gene, exon, gene splicing and allele-specific expression, indicating that there is substantial overlap between QTL associated with CI and eQTL. We identified 671 genes with significant differential expression between POS and NEG cows, with the largest fold change detected for the CCDC196 gene on chromosome 10. Our results provide numerous candidate genes associated with female fertility in dairy cattle, including GYS2 and TIGAR on chromosome 5 and SYT3 and HSD17B14 on chromosome 18. Multiple QTL regions were located in regions with large numbers of copy number variants (CNV). To identify the causal mutations for these variants, long read sequencing may be useful. Conclusions: Variants that were significantly associated with CI were highly enriched for eQTL. We detected 671 genes that were differentially expressed between POS and NEG cows. Several QTL detected for CI overlapped with eQTL, providing candidate genes for fertility in dairy cattle