bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cut‐off points for serum ferritin to identify low iron stores during the first year of life in a cohort of Mexican infants
Authors: Pérez‐Acosta Azucena , Duque Ximena , Trejo‐Valdivia Belem , Flores‐Huerta Samuel , Flores‐Hernández Sergio , Martínez‐Andrade Gloria , González‐Unzaga Marco , Turnbull Bernardo , Escalante‐Izeta Ericka , Klünder‐klünder Miguel , Carranco‐Hernández Tania , Mendoza Eugenia , Sotelo‐Ham Elma Ivonne , Pineda Alicia , Medina‐Escobedo Carolina , Martinez Homero
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study was to identify serum ferritin (SF) cut‐off points (COPs) in a cohort of healthy full‐term normal birth weight infants who had repeated measurements of SF and haemoglobin every 3 months during the first year of life. The study included 746 full‐term infants with birth weight ≥2,500 g, having uncomplicated gestations and births. Participants received prophylactic iron supplementation (1 mg/day of iron element) from the first to the 12th month of life and did not develop anaemia during the first year of life.

Two statistical methods were considered to identify COPs for low iron stores at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age:deviation from meanandcluster analysis. According to theK‐means cluster analysisresults by age and sex, COPs at 3 and 6 months for girls were 39 and 21 μg/L and for boys 23 and 11 μg/L, respectively. A single COP of 10 μg/L was identified, for girls and boys, at both 9 and 12 months. Given the physiological changes in SF concentration during the first year of life, our study identified dynamic COPs, which differed by sex in the first semester. Adequate SF COPs are necessary to identify low iron stores at an early stage of iron deficiency, which represents one of the most widespread public health problems around the world, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries.
A globally ubiquitous symbiont can drive experimental host evolution
Authors: Bates Kieran. A. , Bolton Jai S. , King Kayla C.
Published: May 2021

Organisms harbour myriad microbes which can be parasitic or protective against harm. The costs and benefits resulting from these symbiotic relationships can be context‐dependent, but the evolutionary consequences to hosts of these transitions remain unclear. Here, we mapped the Leucobacter genus across 13,715 microbiome samples (163 studies) to reveal a global distribution as a free‐living microbe or a symbiont of animals and plants. We showed that across geographically distant locations (South Africa, France, Cape Verde), Leucobacter isolates vary substantially in their virulence to an associated animal host, Caenorhabditis nematodes. We further found that multiple Leucobacter sequence variants co‐occur in wild Caenorhabditis spp. which combined with natural variation in virulence provides real‐world potential for Leucobacter community composition to influence host fitness. We examined this by competing C. elegans genotypes that differed in susceptibility to different Leucobacter species in an evolution experiment. One Leucobacter species was found to be host‐protective against another, virulent parasitic species. We tested the impact of host genetic background and Leucobacter community composition on patterns of host‐based defence evolution. We found host genotypes conferring defence against the parasitic species were maintained during infection. However, when hosts were protected during coinfection, host‐based defences were nearly lost from the population. Overall, our results provide insight into the role of community context in shaping host evolution during symbioses.
Effect of glare illusion‐induced perceptual brightness on temporal perception
Authors: Kinzuka Yuya , Sato Fumiaki , Minami Tetsuto , Nakauchi Shigeki
Published: May 2021

Temporal perception and the ability to precisely ascertain time duration are central to essentially all behaviors. Since stimulus magnitude is assumed to be positively related to the perceived duration from the early days of experimental psychology, most studies so far have assessed this effect by presenting stimuli with relatively different intensities in physical quantity. However, it remains unclear how perceptual magnitude itself directly affects temporal perception. In this study (n = 21, n = 20), we conducted a two‐interval duration‐discrimination task adapting a glare illusion (a visual illusion that enhances perceived brightness without changing physical luminance) to investigate whether the temporal perception is also influenced by perceptual magnitude. Based on the mean difference in the point of subjective equality derived from a psychometric function and pupil diameter, we found that temporal perception is influenced by the illusory brightness of glare stimuli. Interestingly, the perceived duration of the apparently brighter stimuli (glare stimuli; larger pupillary light reflex) was shorter than that of control stimuli (halo stimuli; smaller pupillary light reflex) despite the stimuli remaining physically equiluminant, in contrast with the well‐known "magnitude effect." Furthermore, this temporal modulation did not occur when the physical luminance of the stimuli was manipulated to match the illusory‐induced magnitude. These results indicate that temporal processing depends on the confluence of both external and perceived subjective magnitude and even illusory brightness is sufficient to affect the sense of duration; which may be explained by the internal magnitude decrease of the glare stimuli due to pupillary constriction decreasing the light entering the eye.
Inducing ovulation with human chorionic gonadotrophin improves the pregnancy rate in lactating dairy cows receiving an in vitro‐produced embryo
Authors: Garcia‐Ispierto Irina , Llobera‐Balcells Mònica , López‐Gatius Fernando
Published: May 2021

While the global use of in vitro‐produced embryos in dairy cattle is on the rise, several technical aspects of embryo transfer procedures have not yet been optimized. This study compares the effects of inducing ovulation using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) versus gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) at the end of a 5‐day progesterone(P4)‐based protocol for oestrous synchronization on the pregnancy rate of lactating dairy cow recipients of in vitro‐produced embryos. Fresh embryos were transferred on Day‐seven post‐oestrus to ovulating cows receiving GnRH or hCG (groups GnRH and hCG, n = 60 each). Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasound on Day 28 post‐oestrus. Forty‐nine cows became pregnant: 16 in GnRH (26.7%) and 33 in hCG (55%). Taking GnRH‐treated cows as reference, the odds ratio for pregnancy of hCG‐treated cows was 3.3 (p = .002). In conclusion, hCG treatment given at the end of a 5‐day P4‐based protocol for oestrous synchronization improved the pregnancy rate in lactating dairy cows receiving an in vitro‐produced embryo.
Comparison of antimicrobial resistance patterns in dogs with bacterial keratitis presented to a veterinary teaching hospital over two multi‐year time periods (1993–2003 and 2013–2019) in the Southeastern United States
Authors: McKeever Jeremy M. , Ward Daniel A. , Hendrix Diane V. H.
Published: May 2021

Objective

To report clinical characteristics of dogs with bacterial keratitis, identify the most common bacterial isolates within this population, characterize the bacterial isolates’ antimicrobial resistance patterns, and compare those resistance patterns to previously reported resistance patterns.

Animal studied

Dogs diagnosed with bacterial keratitis between 2013 and 2019.

Procedures

Data pertaining to breed; Schirmer tear test I results; use of cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or corticosteroids at time of ulcer diagnosis; bacterial genus or species isolated; and resistance to selected antimicrobials as measured by Kirby‐Bauer disk diffusion were collected. Resistance patterns were compared to those reported by Tolar et al. (2006).

Results

One hundred seventy bacterial isolates were cultured from 138 eyes from 130 dogs. Of these dogs, 45% were brachycephalic, 62% had STT <15 mm/min, and 28% were receiving a corticosteroid at the time of examination. The most common isolates were Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (31%), β‐hemolytic Streptococcus spp. (28%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18%). Compared to the 1993–2003 study period, there were significant increases in resistance to cephalothin and polymyxin B among S. pseudintermedius isolates. β‐hemolytic Streptococcus spp. and P. aeruginosa isolates had no significant changes in resistance to the tested antimicrobials.

Conclusion

Isolates of S. pseudintermedius, β‐hemolytic Streptococcus spp., and P. aeruginosa had minimal changes in resistance between the two study periods. In this population, monotherapy with ciprofloxacin or combination therapy of tobramycin and a first‐generation cephalosporin continue to be appropriate for use in cases of suspected bacterial keratitis while awaiting results of susceptibility testing.
Endocytic adaptation to functional demand by the kidney proximal tubule
Authors: Weisz Ora A.
Published: May 2021

The kidney proximal tubule (PT) efficiently recovers the low level of albumin and other proteins that normally escape the glomerular filtration barrier. Two large receptors, megalin and cubilin/amnionless (CUBAM), bind to and efficiently retrieve these predominantly low molecular‐weight proteins via clathrin‐mediated endocytosis. Studies in cell culture models suggest that PT cells may sense changes in shear stress to modulate recovery of filtered proteins in response to normal variations in filtration rate. Impairments in PT endocytic function lead to the excretion of filtered proteins into the urine (tubular proteinuria). Remarkably, when the glomerular filtration barrier is breached, the PT is able to recover excess albumin with a capacity that is orders of magnitude higher than normal. What mediates this excess capacity for albumin uptake under nephrotic conditions, and why doesn't it compensate to prevent tubular proteinuria? Here we propose an integrated new working model to describe the PT recovery of filtered proteins under normal and nephrotic states. We hypothesize that uptake via the fluid phase provides excess capacity to recover high concentrations of filtered proteins under nephrotic conditions. Further, concentration of tubular fluid along the tubule axis will enhance the efficiency of uptake in more distal regions of the PT. By contrast to cells where fluid phase and receptor‐mediated uptake are independent pathways, expression of megalin is required to maintain apical endocytic pathway integrity and is essential for both uptake mechanisms. This model accounts for both the high‐affinity and the high‐capacity responses to filtration load in physiological and pathological states.

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Season-Long Heart-Rate Variability Tracking Reveals Autonomic Imbalance in American College Football Players
Authors: Flatt Andrew A. , Allen Jeff R. , Keith Clay M. , Martinez Matthew W. , Esco Michael R.
Published: May 2021

Purpose: To track cardiac-autonomic functioning, indexed by heart-rate variability, in American college football players throughout a competitive period. Methods: Resting heart rate (RHR) and the natural logarithm root mean square of successive differences (LnRMSSD) were obtained throughout preseason and ∼3 times weekly leading up to the national championship among 8 linemen and 12 nonlinemen. Seated 1-minute recordings were performed via mobile device and standardized for time of day and proximity to training. Results: Relative to preseason, linemen exhibited suppressed LnRMSSD during camp-style preparation for the playoffs (P = .041, effect size [ES] = −1.01), the week of the national semifinal (P < .001, ES = −1.27), and the week of the national championship (P = .005, ES = −1.16). As a combined group, increases in RHR (P < .001) were observed at the same time points (nonlinemen ES = 0.48–0.59, linemen ES = 1.03–1.10). For all linemen, RHR trended upward (positive slopes, R2 = .02–.77) while LnRMSSD trended downward (negative slopes, R2 = .02–.62) throughout the season. Preseason to postseason changes in RHR (r = .50, P = .025) and LnRMSSD (r = −.68, P < .001) were associated with body mass. Conclusions: Heart-rate variability tracking revealed progressive autonomic imbalance in the lineman position group, with individual players showing suppressed values by midseason. Attenuated parasympathetic activation is a hallmark of impaired recovery and may contribute to cardiovascular maladaptations reported to occur in linemen following a competitive season. Thus, a descending pattern may serve as an easily identifiable red flag requiring attention from performance and medical staff.
The 24-Hour Movement Guidelines and Body Composition Among Youth Receiving Special Education Services in the United States
Authors: Haegele Justin A. , Zhu Xihe , Healy Sean , Patterson Freda
Published: May 2021

Background: The purposes of this study were to examine the proportions of youth receiving special education services in the United States who individually and jointly met physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration guidelines, and to examine the impact of meeting none, one, two, and three of the guidelines on overweight and obesity. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis utilized data from the 2016 to 2017 National Survey for Children’s Health data set on 3582 youth aged 10–17 years who received special education services. The frequency of the participants’ compliance with the 24-hour movement guidelines and body weight status (based on the age- and sex-specific percentile cutoffs) were estimated. Meeting guidelines was defined as: 9–11 hours/night (5–13 y) or 8–10 hours/night (14–17 y) of sleep, ≤120 minutes per day of screen time, and ≥60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate the impact of meeting none, one, two, or three guidelines on body weight status, adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Overall, 8.1% of youth met all three guidelines, 42.0% met two guidelines, 38.0% met one guideline, and 11.9% did not meet any guideline. Meeting all three guidelines was associated with an approximately 50% decreased likelihood of overweight than meeting no guideline, or sleep or screen time guidelines independently. Conclusions: This study extends the 24-hour movement framework to children receiving special education services and should prompt the continued study of its utility for understanding health disparities experienced by this population.
Associations Between Motor Competence, Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity, and Body Mass Index Among Preschoolers Over 1 Year
Authors: Silva-Santos Sandra , Santos Amanda , Martins Clarice , Duncan Michael , Lagoa Maria João , Vale Susana , Mota Jorge
Published: May 2021

Background: To examine the associations between motor competence (MC), moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and body mass index (BMI) changes over 1 year in preschoolers. Methods: Fifty-four preschoolers (24 girls; 42.4%) aged 4–5 years old from the metropolitan area of Porto, Portugal comprised the sample. Height, body mass, and BMI were calculated. MC was assessed according to the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2. MVPA was measured by accelerometry. For each participant, changes in MVPA, MC, and BMI over a year were computed. Different levels of MC were calculated; and then data were analyzed. Results: The MVPA increased over time in all levels of MC in the follow-up. The BMI decreased over time for all levels in follow-up (P = .001). The preschoolers classified as at a high level of MC were more likely to spend more time in MVPA (in minutes) than their counterparts with low MC in follow-up. Multiple linear regression analyses, adjusted by sex and age, were fit to predict Δ% MC by Δ% MVPA and Δ% BMI. The Δ% MC was positively associated with Δ% MVPA. Conclusion: Increases in MC were positively associated with MVPA. Higher performance in MC increases due to time spent in MVPA. Improvement of MC in young children has potentially relevant policy implications related to MVPA and public health.
Dissecting the microenvironment around biosynthetic scaffolds in murine skin wound healing
Authors: Hu Chen , Chu Chenyu , Liu Li , Wang Chenbing , Jin Shue , Yang Renli , Rung Shengan , Li Jidong , Qu Yili , Man Yi
Published: May 2021

Scaffolds with aligned fibers promoted a T cell-dominant adaptive immune response in murine skin wound healing.
Adaptation to mitochondrial stress requires CHOP-directed tuning of ISR
Authors: Kaspar Sophie , Oertlin Christian , Szczepanowska Karolina , Kukat Alexandra , Senft Katharina , Lucas Christina , Brodesser Susanne , Hatzoglou Maria , Larsson Ola , Topisirovic Ivan , Trifunovic Aleksandra
Published: May 2021

Upon mitochondrial dysfunction, CHOP acts as a rheostat that attenuates prolonged stress and delays the onset of cardiomyopathy.
Hydrogen-bond donor and acceptor cooperative catalysis strategy for cyclic dehydration of diols to access O-heterocycles
Authors: Wang Huan , Zhao Yanfei , Zhang Fengtao , Ke Zhengang , Han Buxing , Xiang Junfeng , Wang Zhenpeng , Liu Zhimin
Published: May 2021

Hydrogen-bonding–catalyzed etherification of diols to O-heterocycles is realized over ionic liquid catalyst.
Self-consistent dielectric functions of materials: Toward accurate computation of Casimir–van der Waals forces
Authors: Moazzami Gudarzi Mohsen , Aboutalebi Seyed Hamed
Published: May 2021

Accurate determination of dielectric function in the vacuum UV range enables the precise computation of Casimir-vdW forces.
Iron-sulfur cluster deficiency can be sensed by IRP2 and regulates iron homeostasis and sensitivity to ferroptosis independent of IRP1 and FBXL5
Authors: Terzi Erdem M. , Sviderskiy Vladislav O. , Alvarez Samantha W. , Whiten Gabrielle C. , Possemato Richard
Published: May 2021

Iron-sulfur clusters enable cells to sense that they have the right amount of iron, and protect them from self-destruction.
PAC1 receptor–mediated clearance of tau in postsynaptic compartments attenuates tau pathology in mouse brain
Authors: Schaler Ari W. , Runyan Avery M. , Clelland Catherine L. , Sydney Eric J. , Fowler Stephanie L. , Figueroa Helen Y. , Shioda Seiji , Santa-Maria Ismael , Duff Karen E. , Myeku Natura
Published: May 2021

PAC1 receptor activation enhances proteasome-mediated clearance of tau from postsynaptic compartments in the tau transgenic mouse brain.
Transient receptor potential canonical 5 mediates inflammatory mechanical and spontaneous pain in mice
Authors: Sadler Katelyn E. , Moehring Francie , Shiers Stephanie I. , Laskowski Lauren J. , Mikesell Alexander R. , Plautz Zakary R. , Brezinski Allison N. , Mecca Christina M. , Dussor Gregory , Price Theodore J. , McCorvy John D. , Stucky Cheryl L.
Published: May 2021

Lipid activation or sensitization of TRPC5 channels induces spontaneous and tactile pain in mice after injury.
Influenza Virus Infection Impairs the Gut’s Barrier Properties and Favors Secondary Enteric Bacterial Infection through Reduced Production of Short-Chain Fatty Acids
Authors: Sencio Valentin , Gallerand Alexandre , Gomes Machado Marina , Deruyter Lucie , Heumel Séverine , Soulard Daphnée , Barthelemy Johanna , Cuinat Céline , Vieira Angelica T. , Barthelemy Adeline , Tavares Luciana P. , Guinamard Rodolphe , Ivanov Stoyan , Grangette Corinne , Teixeira Mauro M. , Foligné Benoit , Wolowczuk Isabelle , Le Goffic Ronan , Thomas Muriel , Trottein François
Published: May 2021

Along with respiratory tract disease
per se
, viral respiratory infections can also cause extrapulmonary complications with a potentially critical impact on health. In the present study, we used an experimental model of influenza A virus (IAV) infection to investigate the nature and outcome of the associated gut disorders.
Development of a lysis-filtration blood culture technique
Authors: Zierdt C H , Kagan R L , MacLowry J D
Published: May 2021

A lysed-blood culture system that quickly lyses patients' blood near neutrality and is relatively noninjurious to more delicate pathogens such as Haemophilus influenzae and Bacteroides fragilis is reported. The lysing solution includes culture medium, 0.004 M sodium carbonate and bicarbonate, 0.04% Triton X-100,and 0.6% Rhozyme (a mixture of proteases). Most of the pathogens tested multiplied in the lysing solution. The lysed blood normally is immediately filtered. The membrane is transferred to culture broth. The greatest advantage realized from this blood culture technique is separation of pathogens from antibiotics, bactericidal antibodies, complement, opsonins, and phagocytic systems. Another advantage is the concentration of organisms into a small volume of clear medium for faster growth and visualization of growth. It was observed that both gram-negative and -positive organisms were attracted during filtration to the filter material and were not removed from it by backwashing with buffer. Thus, filter membranes with porosities much larger than would nominally be expected to retain bacteria retained all or part of light and heavy Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus suspensions. Advantage may be taken of this phenomenon to use filters with larger pore sizes and avoid filter clogging by poorly lysed specimens. Porr lysis may result from addition of too much blood to the lysing solution, blood with elevated numbers of erythrocytes or leukocytes, or blood from some people whose blood is naturally more resistant to lysis.
Rapid automated disgnosis of bacteremia by impedance detection
Authors: Kagan R L , Schuette W H , Zierdt C H , MacLowry J D
Published: May 2021

Lysis and filtration of blood culture specimens were combined with impedance detection of bacterial growth to facilitate the diagnosis of bacteremia. A blood lysis-filtration technique (Zierdt et al., 1976) was coupled to a simple, inexpensive automated detection system. The practical and technical aspects of the impedance detection system are discussed. This new blood culturing system was compared to a conventional system for 264 aerobic blood cultures. A 30-ml sample of the blood-broth mixture was withdrawn from the conventional aerobic blood culture bottle and processed in parallel. Excluding the isolation of the commonly recognized contaminants, the detection efficiency was 36% greater in the new system. A total of 53 blood cultures from 107 patients were positive by one or both methods. The new system detected 92% of the total number of positive cultures, compared with 56% detected by the routine method. The explanation of the differences is discussed.
Effect of N-acetylcysteine on antibiotic activity and bacterial growth in vitro
Authors: Parry M F , Neu H C
Published: May 2021

The antibiotic bacerial inactivity of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and its interaction with penicillin and aminocyclitol antibiotics was evaluated. NAC inhibited growth of both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were more susceptible than other microorgainsms tested. P. aeruginosa strains were inhibited synergistically by NAC and carbenicillin or ticarcillin. However, NAC antagonized the activity of gentamicin and tobramycin. These findings have implications for the combined clinical use of NAC and aerosolized antibiotics and are also important for the processing of sputum specimens in the microbiology laboratory.
Multiple biotypes of Klebsiella pneumoniae in single clinical specimens
Authors: de Silva M I , Rubin S J
Published: May 2021

The occurence of multiple biotypes of Klebsiella pneumoniae within single specimens was determined in 59 clinical specimens. Biotyping was performed on five colonies of K. pneumoniae from each specimen, using the API 20E system (Analytab, Inc., New York) for identification of Enterobacteriaceae with strict adherence to the manufacturer's instructions. Multiple biotypes of K. pneumoniae were present in 31% (18) of the clinical specimens. Twenty-eight colonies representative of specimens with single and multiple biotypes were tested further for biotype reproducibility. Whereas genus and species identification was 100% reproducible, variation of one or more biochemical tests on serial transfers resulted in biotype reproducibility of only 64%. The greatest variation in biochemical tests occurred with urease (14%), indole production (10%) and citrate utilization (9%). Multiple biotypes in single specimens appear to be due to both inherent differences among the colonies in the specimen and variability in the system used to determine biochemical reactions. The presence of multiple biotypes limits the usefulness of biochemical typing for epidemiological surveilance of K. pneumoniae.
Effect of storage conditions of the performance of bismuth sulfite agar
Authors: D'aoust J Y
Published: May 2021

Refrigerated storage of bismuth sulfite agar plates for up to 4 days did not adversely affect growth and colonial characteristics of selected Salmonella strains. Incubation of inoculated plates for 48 h favored the development of more salmonellae with typical morphology. Inoculated plates of freshly poured medium incubated for 48 h gave recoveries similar to those on refrigerated plates and showed a high selectivity against Citrobacter freundii and Proteus vulgaris, organisms which mimic the colonial characteristics of Salmonella on this medium. The use of bismuth sulfite plates stored at room temperature for more than 2 days should be avoided.
Rapid speciation of Haemophilus with the porphyrin production test versus the satellite test for X
Authors: Lund M E , Blazevic D J
Published: May 2021

The detection of porphyrins produced from omega-aminolevulinic acid was evaluated for use in speciation of the Haemophilus. Two hundred and forty-eight clinical isolates of nonhemolytic Haemophilus were tested concurrently for porphyrin production and for X and V requirements. The porphyrin production test was more rapid (4 h) and more accurate than the satellite test.
Changes in occurrence of capsular serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae at Boston City Hospital during selected years between 1935 and 1974
Authors: Finland M , Barnes M W
Published: May 2021

The number of patients with pneumococcal bacteremia, empyema, and meningitis at Boston City Hospital during selected years between 1935 and 1974 is reported. The distribution of specific types in the bacteremic patients during each of the selected years and in the various focal infections in all the years is also detailed. The numbers and rates per 1,000 admissions of bacteremic pneumococcal infections and the numbers of cases of pneumococcal meningitis and empyema varied independently over these years and differed from those previously reported for 1929 to 1936. The types most frequent in pneumococcal bacteremias varied over the years, and the distribution of types among them differed markedly from that among the patients with focal infections. Variations in the distribution of pneumococcal types at different times in the same place, in different places, and in various sites of infection may be important in selecting types to include in pneumococcal vaccines for different populations.
Demonstration of dual rhinovirus infection in humans by isolation of different serotypes in human heteroploid (HeLa) and human diploid fibroblast cell cultures
Authors: Cooney M K , Kenny G E
Published: May 2021

The ability to isolate rhinoviruses in human heteroploid cell cultures was investigated by inoculating HeLa cells (HeLa M) with specimens previously shown to be positive in human diploid cell cultures. The 135 positive specimens selected were representative of 22 different rhinovirus types, and 4 to 9 specimens were available for each serotype. Specimens were inoculated into human diploid fetal tonsil fibroblasts (FT), HeLa cells with 30 mM Mg2+, and HeLa cells without increased Mg2+. One hundred twelve rhinovirus strains (83%) were reisolated in FT cells, whereas 76 rhinovirus strains (56%) were recovered in HeLa cells with 30 mM Mg2+. All strains recovered in FT were the same serotype as that originally recovered in diploid cells, but five of the HeLa cell isolates (3.7% of total specimens) were different serotypes, indicating dual rhinovirus infections. Four rhinovirus serotypes, (3, 42, 48, and 70) were recovered in HeLa but not in diploid cells; these serotypes were rare in our previous studies. Isolation of rhinovirus in FT cells was usually accomplished at first passage, whereas rhinovirus cytopathic effects in HeLa cells were not observed at first passage, but required one, two, or (rarely) three blind passages. Only 28 rhinoviruses (21%) were recovered in HeLa cells without increased Mg2+; however, three serotypes, types 16, 36, and 58, were recovered as effectively in HeLa cells, with or without added Mg2+, as they were in FT cells. In general, rhinoviruses were less efficiently recovered in HeLa cells; however, certain serotypes may be detected better by HeLa cells.
Isolation and characterization of a rough colony type of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Jacobs N F , Kraus S J , Thornsberry C , Bullard J
Published: May 2021

A new colony type of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was detected in the primary cultures from 8 of 180 men with gonococcal urethritis. This colony type contrasts with those previously described by having a rough and irregular surface. In six of the eight cases, the rough form predominated. The distinctive morphology of the rough colony variant could be maintained indefinitely by selective subculture. By electron microscopy, organisms taken from rough colonies of each of the eight isolates were piliated. Antimicrobial susceptibilities of type 1 and rough clones derived from the same patients were identical for ampicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, and spectinomycin. After inoculation of rough colonies into subcutaneous chambers in mice and guinea pigs, type 1 colonies predominated in cultures of material obtained from the chambers. This new piliated colony type of N. gonorrhoeae may provide an opportunity to investigate factors other than pili that contribute to gonococcal virulence.
Detection of pneumococci in respiratory secretions: clinical evaluation of gentamicin blood agar
Authors: Sondag J E , Morgens R K , Hoppe J E , Marr J J
Published: May 2021

The use of sheep blood agar containing 5 microng of gentamicin per ml has been suggested as a means of selectively isolating Streptococcus pneumoniae from respiratory secretions. We have tested this method, in parallel with standard methods, on 844 respiratory specimens in a clinical laboratory and have confirmed that the yield of pneumococci can be increased approximately 40% by using agar containing gentamicin. However, since the antibiotic suppresses the growth of staphylococci, group A streptococci, and gram-negative bacilli, gentamicin agar cannot be used as a replacement for the standard method. The requirement for duplicate plating raises the cost per additional pneumococcal isolate to prohibitive amounts. Although the method is useful in studies designed to isolate only pneumococci, it cannot be recommended for the routine clinical laboratory. An unanticipated observation from our study is that the yield of pneumococci in respiratory secretions can be increased 10-fold simply by screening sputum for the presence of leukocytes using the Gram stain. This is in agreement with results reported from other laboratories.
Rapid identification of Bacteroides fragilis with bile and antibiotic disks
Authors: Draper D L , Barry A L
Published: May 2021

A simple screening test is described for separating Bacteroides fragilis from other anaerobic gram-negative bacilli. The test utilizes filter paper disks impregnated with 25 mg of oxgall (Difco), tested in conjunction with antibiotic identification disks. The bile disks and antibiotic disks are placed on a supplemented brucella blood agar plate which has been inoculated by swabbing with a standardized cell suspension. After 24 h at 35 degrees C in a GasPak jar, resistance to kanamycin and bile is taken as a presumptive identification of B. fragilis. Susceptibility to one or both disks indicates the need for further identification and additional biochemical tests are required. Those strains that produce insufficient growth within 24 h are not likely to be B. fragilis. The reliability of the bile disk method was tested by comparing results with 100 clinical isolates versus results with bile in thioglycolate broth, peptone-yeast extract-glucose broth, and tryptic soy agar. All four bile test methods gave equilvalent results, but the broth media required much longer periods of incubation.
Sucrose-negative variants of Candida tropicalis
Authors: Ahearn D G , Meyer S A , Mitchell G , Nicholson M A , Ibrahim A I
Published: May 2021

Four cultures of a Candida sp. that lacked alpha-glucosidase activity were isolated from clinical specimens. Physiological, morphological, and serological characterizations of the yeasts and deoxyribonucleic acid reassociation studies supported their classification as a variant of C. tropicalis.
Antigenic similarity of heat-labile enterotoxins from diverse strains of Escherichia coli
Authors: Sack R B , Froehlich J L
Published: May 2021

With use of the rabbit intestinal loop model, heat-labile enterotoxins from 21 Escherichia coli strains isolated from a wide spectrum of patients with diarrheal diseases were all neutralized to high titer by two antisera prepared against enterotoxins of either E. coli or Vibrio cholerae. These findings suggest marked immunological similarity among heat-labile enterotoxins from a heterogenous group of E. coli.
Modified Staphylococcal Absorption Method Used for Detecting Rubella-Specific Immunoglobulin M Antibodies During a Rubella Epidemic
Authors: Handsher R. , Fogel A.
Published: May 2021

A recently described method for detecting rubella-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody based on absorption of IgG by
Staphylococcus aureus
strain Cowan I has been applied to 198 sera collected during a recent rubella epidemic in Israel. Modification of the original method introduced for the present study includes treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol of antibody remaining after absorption by staphylococci. This treatment confirms that the residual antibody is IgM (sensitive to 2-mercaptoethanol) rather than IgG (2-mercaptoethanol resistant). None of the 67 control patients (seropositive for rubella but without history of recent illness or contact) had specific IgM when tested by this method, though 15 showed some residual antibody after staphylococcal absorption. A total of 125 of 131 rubella convalescents (95%) were positive 4 to 49 days after onset of the clinical symptoms. Six patients had no IgM antibodies when tested by the method described, and all were convalescents tested late in relation to onset of clinical symptoms (beyond 3 weeks). When density gradient centrifugation was applied to clarify some results, 2 of 3 convalescents classified as IgM negative by the staphylococcal absorption method did in fact possess IgM antibody. None of 10 controls tested by density gradient centrifugation was IgM positive. This combination of staphylococcal absorption and 2-mercaptoethanol treatment is recommended as a screening test for selection of IgM positives, in addition to the use of a more sensitive method (such as density gradient centrifugation) on at least some samples classified as IgM negative.
Supplemental Material: Subduction initiation-induced rapid emplacement of garnet-bearing peridotites at a nascent forearc: Petrological and Os-Li isotopic evidence from the Purang ophiolite, Tibet
Authors: Gong Xiao-Han , Xu Ji-Feng , al. et
Published: May 2021

Figures A1–A5 and Tables A1–A7.
Pregnancy outcome in Takayasu arteritis
Authors: Dasari Papa , Gummadi Hima Swetha
Published: May 2021

A young pregnant woman, G2P1L1, was admitted for safe confinement at 40 weeks of gestation with Takayasu arteritis. She was diagnosed with Takayasu arteritis in 2016 when she had polyarthritis, hypertension and asymmetrical peripheral pulses. Her CT angiogram showed involvement of branches of aortic arch and coeliac trunk. She had mild pulmonary hypertension and was classified as type V disease (P)+. She was started on immunosuppressant medication and achieved a fair control of symptoms and disease activity. She gave history of treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis for 6 months in 2016 after which she developed polyarthralgia. She is currently asymptomatic and had mild hypertension that was controlled. She was evaluated for evidence of aneurysms/thrombus/aortic insufficiency and taken up for elective caesarean in view of type V disease. Maternal and perinatal outcome was good and she was discharged on her regular medication as per immunology opinion.
Bilateral facial nerve palsies due to leptomeningeal progression of lung adenocarcinoma and response to osimertinib
Authors: Durie Matthew , Faragher Mark
Published: May 2021

A 39-year-old female Chinese non-smoker was diagnosed with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma with cerebral metastases and commenced erlotinib. After 5 weeks, she presented with a 3-day history of severe bilateral facial weakness (House-Brackmann grade V/VI) and hypogeusia consistent with bilateral facial nerve palsies. MRI demonstrated new, symmetrical contrast-enhancing foci at the expected location of the facial nerves, consistent with leptomeningeal progression. Erlotinib was ceased and osimertinib was commenced. Facial nerve motor and sensory function began to improve within 1 week and by 2 weeks had returned to near normal. Review at 2 and 6 months demonstrated normal facial nerve function and progressive resolution of the facial nerve lesions on MRI. While rare, leptomeningeal malignancy may present as simultaneous bilateral facial nerve palsies. Osimertinib has superior central nervous system penetration and in this case was associated with rapid and sustained clinical and radiographical resolution of the facial nerve lesions.
Acute HSV and anti-NMDA encephalitis occurring as a neurosurgical complication
Authors: Toro Jaime , Rivera Juan Sebastian , Moutran-Barroso Habib , Valencia-Enciso Natalia
Published: May 2021

We present a 24-year-old man with a 2-year history of progressive right-sided monocular vision loss with no other symptoms. An MRI showed a meningioma compressing the right optic nerve and the cavernous sinus. The tumour was partially resected. Eight days after discharge the patient was admitted with fever, a severe stabbing headache, insomnia, nausea and vomiting. A FilmArray panel and a cerebral biopsy were performed which were positive for herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). An MRI of the brain showed asymmetric bilateral lesions in the frontobasal region with predominance of the right side. Acyclovir was started and continued until completing 21 days. A month after discharge, he started experiencing insomnia, trichotillomania, limb tremor, persistence of abulia, apathy and emotional lability. An HSV-1 encephalitis relapse was suspected, acyclovir and foscarnet were started. Due to the poor response to antiviral therapy CSF was tested, which was positive for anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. A treatment course of intravenous immunoglobulin was started with a favourable outcome.
Nutritional neuropathy postoesophagogastrectomy
Authors: Ryan Paul , Kinirons Peter
Published: May 2021

We report a case of a patient who presented complaining of a 1-week history of progressive lower limb weakness and decreased sensation bilaterally suggestive of a peripheral neuropathy, with vague associated symptoms of fluctuating concentration. Clinically, we suspected a Guillain-Barré variant. However, her functioning continued to decline despite intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, and she had normal spinal imaging studies and CSF analysis. Of note, she had a subtotal oesophagectomy and proximal gastrectomy 20 months previously for oesophageal cancer. We found her to be deficient in vitamin D, vitamin E and copper. She was treated with nutritional supplementation of these vitamins and infusion of trace elements, resulting in a gradual improvement in lower limb power, sensation and coordination, as well as improved cognition and mentation. Monthly outpatient neurology follow-up shows continued improvement in symptoms and return towards baseline functioning with regular infusions of nutritional elements and monitoring of blood levels.
Pilot randomised controlled trial of a patient navigation intervention to enhance engagement in the PrEP continuum among young Latino MSM: a protocol paper
Authors: Blashill Aaron J , Gordon Janna R , Rojas Sarah A , Ramers Christian B , Lin Chii-Dean , Carrizosa Claudia M , Nogg Kelsey A , Lamb Kalina M , Lucido Nicholas C , Jones Isaiah J , Rivera David , Cobian Aguilar Rosa A , Brady John P , Fuentes Martin , Wells Kristen J
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are one of the most at-risk group for contracting HIV in the USA. However, the HIV epidemic impacts some groups of MSM disproportionately. Latino MSM comprise 25.1% of new HIV infections among MSM between the ages of 13 and 29 years. The daily medication tenofovir/emtricitabine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in 2012 and has demonstrated strong efficacy in reducing HIV acquisition.

Methods and analysis

Through extensive formative research, this study uses a pilot randomised controlled trial design and will examine the feasibility and acceptability of a patient navigation intervention designed to address multiple barriers to improve engagement in the PrEP continuum among 60 Latino MSM between the ages of 18 and 29 years. The patient navigation intervention will be compared with usual care plus written information to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and study methods and the intervention’s potential in improving PrEP continuum behaviours. The results will be reviewed for preparation for a future full-scale efficacy trial.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the institutional review board at San Diego State University and is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. The intervention development process, plan and the results of this study will be shared through peer-reviewed journal publications, conference presentations and healthcare system and community presentations.

Registration details

Registered under the National Institutes of Health’s ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04048382) on 7 August 2019 and approved by the San Diego State University (HS-2017–0187) institutional review board. This study began on 5 August 2019 and is estimated to continue through 31 March 2021. The clinical trial is in the pre-results stage.
Scanxiety: a scoping review about scan-associated anxiety
Authors: Bui Kim Tam , Liang Roger , Kiely Belinda E , Brown Chris , Dhillon Haryana M , Blinman Prunella
Published: May 2021

Objectives

To identify available literature on prevalence, severity and contributing factors of scan-associated anxiety (‘scanxiety’) and interventions to reduce it.

Design

Systematic scoping review.

Data sources

Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid PsycINFO, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, EBSCO CINAHL and PubMed up to July 2020.

Study selection

Eligible studies recruited people having cancer-related non-invasive scans (including screening) and contained a quantitative assessment of scanxiety.

Data extraction

Demographics and scanxiety outcomes were recorded, and data were summarised by descriptive statistics.

Results

Of 26 693 citations, 57 studies were included across a range of scan types (mammogram: 26/57, 46%; positron-emission tomography: 14/57, 25%; CT: 14/57, 25%) and designs (observation: 47/57, 82%; intervention: 10/57, 18%). Eighty-one measurement tools were used to quantify prevalence and/or severity of scanxiety, including purpose-designed Likert scales (17/81, 21%); the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (14/81, 17%) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (9/81, 11%). Scanxiety prevalence ranged from 0% to 64% (above prespecified thresholds) or from 13% to 83% (‘any’ anxiety, if no threshold). Mean severity scores appeared low in almost all measures that quantitatively measured scanxiety (54/62, 87%), regardless of whether anxiety thresholds were prespecified. Moderate to severe scanxiety occurred in 4%–28% of people in studies using descriptive measures. Nine of 20 studies assessing scanxiety prescan and postscan reported significant postscan reduction in scanxiety. Lower education, smoking, higher levels of pain, higher perceived risk of cancer and diagnostic scans (vs screening scans) consistently correlated with higher scanxiety severity but not age, gender, ethnicity or marital status. Interventions included relaxation, distraction, education and psychological support. Six of 10 interventions showed a reduction in scanxiety.

Conclusions

Prevalence and severity of scanxiety varied widely likely due to heterogeneous methods of measurement. A uniform approach to evaluating scanxiety will improve understanding of the phenomenon and help guide interventions.
Casting in finger trap traction without reduction versus closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation of dorsally displaced, over-riding distal metaphyseal radius fractures in children under 11 years old: a study protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Laaksonen Topi , Stenroos Antti , Puhakka Jani , Kosola Jussi , Kautiainen Hannu , Rämö Lasse , Nietosvaara Yrjänä
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Distal radius is the most common site of fracture in children, comprising 23%–31% of all paediatric fractures. Approximately one-fifth of these fractures are displaced. Completely displaced distal metaphyseal radius fractures in children have traditionally been treated with closed reduction. Recent evidence suggests that correcting the shortening in over-riding distal metaphyseal radius fractures is not necessary in prepubertal children. To date, no published randomised controlled trial (RCT) has compared treatment of these fractures in children by casting the fracture in bayonet position to reduction and pin fixation.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct an RCT to compare the outcomes of casting the fracture in bayonet position in children under 11 years of age to reduction and percutaneous pin fixation. 60 patients will be randomly assigned to casting or surgery groups. We have two primary outcomes. The first is ratio (injured side/non-injured side) in the total active forearm rotation and the second is ratio (injured side/non-injured side) in total active range of motion of the wrist in the flexion–extension plane at 6 months. The secondary outcomes will include axial radiographic alignment, passive extension of the wrists, grip strength and length of forearms and hands, patient-reported outcome QuickDASH and pain questionnaire PedsQL. Patients not willing to participate in the RCT will be asked to participate in a prospective cohort. Patients not eligible for randomisation will be asked to participate in a non-eligible cohort. These cohorts are included to enhance the external validity of the results of the RCT. Our null hypothesis is that the results of the primary outcome measures in the casting group are non-inferior to surgery group.

Ethics and dissemination

The institutional review board of the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District has approved the protocol. We will disseminate the findings through peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration number

NCT04323410.

Protocol

V.1.1, 29 September 2020.