16S rRNA gene sequencing of DNA extracted from clinically uninfected hip and knee implant samples has revealed polymicrobial populations. However, previous studies assessed 16S rRNA gene sequencing as a technique for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections, leaving the microbiota of presumed aseptic hip and knee implants largely unstudied. These communities of microorganisms might play important roles in aspects of host health, such as aseptic loosening. Therefore, this study sought to characterize the bacterial composition of presumed aseptic joint implant microbiota using next generation 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and it evaluated this method for future investigations. 248 samples were collected from implants of 41 patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty revision for presumed aseptic failure. DNA was extracted using two methodologies—one optimized for high throughput and the other for human samples—and amplicons of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene were sequenced. Sequencing data were analyzed and compared with ancillary specific PCR and microbiological culture. Computational tools (SourceTracker and decontam) were used to detect and compensate for environmental and processing contaminants. Microbial diversity of patient samples was higher than that of open-air controls and differentially abundant taxa were detected between these conditions, possibly reflecting a true microbiota that is present in clinically uninfected joint implants. However, positive control-associated artifacts and DNA extraction methodology significantly affected sequencing results. As well, sequencing failed to identify Cutibacterium acnes in most culture- and PCR-positive samples. These challenges limited characterization of bacteria in presumed aseptic implants, but genera were identified for further investigation. In all, we provide further support for the hypothesis that there is likely a microbiota present in clinically uninfected joint implants, and we show that methods other than 16S rRNA gene sequencing may be ideal for its characterization. This work has illuminated the importance of further study of microbiota of clinically uninfected joint implants with novel molecular and computational tools to further eliminate contaminants and artifacts that arise in low bacterial abundance samples.

In this paper, we as the teachers and researchers of a course titled Global education development informed by theories of decoloniality, report on our analysis of our self-critical and constructive dialogue on the course design, its underlying assumptions, expectations, implementation, success and needs for improvement. We centered decoloniality from the beginning of the course, problematised binary-thinking and encouraged our students to look at issues within the field of development and education in pluriversal ways. Our gestures toward decolonial pedagogy in the course were complicated by our own entanglements with coloniality as well as structural factors such as the context of Finland, where the colonial past is seldom addressed. Despite these contradictions and challenges, we aspire to continue thinking through decoloniality to decenter the dominant liberal frameworks within global education development.

In many developing nations like India, the majority of the labor force comprises farmers. Therefore, there is a raised frequency of farmer suicides using pesticides. Toxin-induced methemoglobinemia is otherwise called toxic methemoglobinemia. It is a hematologic disorder attributed to exposure to toxic oxidizing agents and is most commonly seen in cases of poisoning. Methemoglobinemia is a condition in which there is an altered state of hemoglobin, resulting in reduced oxygen delivery to tissues. This case report represents a case of methemoglobinemia with acute kidney injury and hypoxic brain injury seen in a 23-year-old male patient. He was a farmer by occupation and was admitted due to ingestion of a pesticide named HUNT with suicidal intentions. He has had no previous history of psychiatric or neurologic disorders. The patient initially presented with a pulse rate of 110/min and room air saturation of 98% when he was brought to the casualty out patient department (OPD). Unfortunately, it worsened over the next 24 h, after which there was a sudden drop in SpO2 to 78% with oxygen support. Upon further examination and assessment, he was diagnosed with methemoglobinemia, leading to complications such as acute kidney failure and cerebral edema. He was then treated with hemodialysis, methylene blue, and ascorbic acid with viable improvement. This led to his complete recovery after eight days of treatment and support.

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