Managing medical knowledge flow: Physicians' social media actualisation practices.

Physicians have extensive clinical knowledge and are thus uniquely positioned to offer public health education through social media (SM) platforms. However, it may be challenging for them to effectively communicate complex medical information to lay people with varying levels of related knowledge. There is limited research on how physicians navigate these challenges.

Rifaximin prophylaxis causes resistance to the last-resort antibiotic daptomycin.

Multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens like vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) are a critical threat to human health. Daptomycin is a last-resort antibiotic for VREfm infections with a novel mode of action, but for which resistance has been widely reported but is unexplained. Here we show that rifaximin, an unrelated antibiotic used prophylactically to prevent hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver disease, causes cross-resistance to daptomycin in VREfm.

Optimization of Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for In Situ Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a Micro-Air-Filtration Device Format.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has supercharged innovation in the field of molecular diagnostics and led to the exploration of systems that permit the autonomous identification of airborne infectious agents. Airborne virus detection is an emerging approach for determining exposure risk, although current methods limit intervention timeliness. Here, we explore reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assays for one-pot detection of Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (SCV2) run on membrane filters suitable for micro-air-filtration of airborne viruses.

The two-component system WalKR provides an essential link between cell wall homeostasis and DNA replication in .

The opportunistic human pathogen uses an array of protein sensing systems called two-component systems (TCS) to sense environmental signals and adapt its physiology in response by regulating different genes. This sensory network is key to versatility and success as a pathogen. Here, we reveal for the first time the full extent of the regulatory network of WalKR, the only staphylococcal TCS that is indispensable for survival under laboratory conditions.

Cryptic susceptibility to penicillin/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations in emerging multidrug-resistant, hospital-adapted Staphylococcus epidermidis lineages.

Global spread of multidrug-resistant, hospital-adapted Staphylococcus epidermidis lineages underscores the need for new therapeutic strategies. Here we show that many S. epidermidis isolates belonging to these lineages display cryptic susceptibility to penicillin/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations under in vitro conditions, despite carrying the methicillin resistance gene mecA.

Staphylococcus aureus host interactions and adaptation.

Invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections are common, causing high mortality, compounded by the propensity of the bacterium to develop drug resistance. S. aureus is an excellent case study of the potential for a bacterium to be commensal, colonizing, latent or disease-causing; these states defined by the interplay between S.

Feasibility of a refurbished shipping container as a transportable laboratory for rapid SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics.

Background: Australia's response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic relies on widespread availability of rapid, accurate testing and reporting of results to facilitate contact tracing. The extensive geographical area of Australia presents a logistical challenge, with many of the population located distant from a laboratory capable of robust severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection. A strategy to address this is the deployment of a mobile facility utilizing novel diagnostic platforms.

Accessible Platform for High-Throughput COVID-19 Molecular Diagnostics and Genome Sequencing Using a Repurposed 3D Printer for RNA Extraction.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the dependence of diagnostic laboratories on a handful of large corporations with market monopolies on the worldwide supply of reagents, consumables, and hardware for molecular diagnostics. Global shortages of key consumables for RT-qPCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA have impaired the ability to run essential, routine diagnostic services. Here, we describe a workflow for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in upper respiratory samples including nasal swabs and saliva, utilizing low-cost equipment and readily accessible reagents.

Reducing the thermal deformation of InSb crystal by using double-bounce HHRMs in the TPS tender X-ray absorption spectroscopy beamline.

The Taiwan Photon Source (TPS) with high brightness and energy tunability is suitable for applications in spectroscopy. The tender X-ray absorption beamline will be optimized for X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements using a bending-magnet source in a unique photon energy range (1.7-10 keV) and two crystal pairs [InSb(111) and Si(111)] separated using back-to-back double-crystal monochromators (DCMs).

The new X-ray absorption fine-structure beamline with sub-second time resolution at the Taiwan Photon Source.

The new TPS 44A beamline at the Taiwan Photon Source, located at the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, is presented. This beamline is equipped with a new quick-scanning monochromator (Q-Mono), which can provide both conventional step-by-step scans (s-scans) and on-the-fly scans (q-scans) for X-ray absorption fine-structure (XAFS) spectroscopy experiments, including X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) spectral measurements. Ti and Te K-edge XAFS spectra were used to demonstrate the capability of collecting spectra at the limits of the working energy range.

Genomic Insights Into Last-Line Antimicrobial Resistance in Multidrug-Resistant and Vancomycin-Resistant .

Multidrug-resistant and vancomycin-resistant (VRE) are important human pathogens that are resistant to most clinical antibiotics. Treatment options are limited and often require the use of 'last-line' antimicrobials such as linezolid, daptomycin, and in the case of , also vancomycin. The emergence of resistance to these last-line antimicrobial agents is therefore of considerable clinical concern.

Comparison of Reusable Models in Pericardiocentesis Simulation Training.

Introduction: Pericardiocentesis is a potentially life-saving procedure. We compared two low-cost models-an agar-based model and a novel model, Centesys-in terms of ultrasound image quality and realism, effectiveness of the model, and learners' confidence and satisfaction after training.

Methods: In this pilot randomised 2x2 crossover trial stratified by physician seniority, participants were assigned to undergo pericardiocentesis training either with the agar-based or Centesys model first, followed by the other model.

Photocurable platelet rich plasma bioadhesives.

Closure of wounds with tissue adhesives has many advantages over sutures, but existing synthetic adhesives are toxic and have poor workability. Blood-derived adhesives display complete resorption but have adhesion too weak for reliable wound dressings. We propose a semi-synthetic design that combines the positive attributes of synthetic and blood-derived tissue adhesives.

Validation of a single-step, single-tube reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic of 2020 has resulted in unparalleled requirements for RNA extraction kits and enzymes required for virus detection, leading to global shortages. This has necessitated the exploration of alternative diagnostic options to alleviate supply chain issues. To establish and validate a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT- LAMP) assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 from nasopharyngeal swabs.

Mining the Methylome Reveals Extensive Diversity in Staphylococcus epidermidis Restriction Modification.

is a significant opportunistic pathogen of humans. Molecular studies in this species have been hampered by the presence of restriction-modification (RM) systems that limit introduction of foreign DNA. Here, we establish the complete genomes and methylomes for seven clinically significant, genetically diverse isolates and perform the first systematic genomic analyses of the type I RM systems within both and Our analyses revealed marked differences in the gene arrangement, chromosomal location, and movement of type I RM systems between the two species.

Within-host evolution of bovine Staphylococcus aureus selects for a SigB-deficient pathotype characterized by reduced virulence but enhanced proteolytic activity and biofilm formation.

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of bovine mastitis, commonly leading to long-lasting, persistent and recurrent infections. Thereby, S. aureus constantly refines and permanently adapts to the bovine udder environment.

Zinc-binding to the cytoplasmic PAS domain regulates the essential WalK histidine kinase of Staphylococcus aureus.

WalKR (YycFG) is the only essential two-component regulator in the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. WalKR regulates peptidoglycan synthesis, but this function alone does not explain its essentiality. Here, to further understand WalKR function, we investigate a suppressor mutant that arose when WalKR activity was impaired; a histidine to tyrosine substitution (H271Y) in the cytoplasmic Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain of the histidine kinase WalK.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition of cancer cells using bioengineered hybrid scaffold composed of hydrogel/3D-fibrous framework.

Cancer cells undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) acquire stem cell-like phenotype associated with malignant behaviour, chemoresistance, and relapse. Current two-dimensional (2D) in-vitro culture models of tumorigenesis are inadequate to replicate the complexity of in-vivo microenvironment. Therefore, the generation of functional three-dimensional (3D) constructs is a fundamental prerequisite to form multi-cellular tumour spheroids for studying basic pathological mechanisms.

Migration and Phenotype Control of Human Dermal Fibroblasts by Electrospun Fibrous Substrates.

Electrospun fibrous matrices, mimicking extracellular matrix (ECM) hierarchical structures, are potential scaffolds for wound healing. To design functional scaffolds, it is important to explore the interactions between scaffold topographic features and cellular responses, especially directional migration and phenotypic changes, which are critical functional aspects during wound healing. Here, accelerated and persistent migration of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) is observed on fibers with aligned orientation.