bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SYNTHESIS AND STUDY OF Zn COMPLEXES WITH N'-ACYL-SALICYLHYDRAZIDES
Authors: Gondolova Gulnar H.
Published: September 2019

Zn complexes with potentially tridentate (carbonyl and hydroxyl oxygen atoms of the salicylic fragment and nitrogen atom of the amide group) were synthesized by the ligand N'-phthalimido-salicylamide (H2L) and potentially heptadentate (carbonyl and hydroxyl oxygen atoms of the salicylic fragment, two nitrogen atoms of the hydrazide moiety and two oxygen atoms of the carbonyl and carboxyl groups of the maleic fragment) with the ligand N'-maleoal-salicylhydrazide (H4L) with 78% and 86% yield, respectively. The structural features of the N'-phthalimido-salicylamide (H2L) and N'-maleoyl-salicylhydrazide (H4L) obtained were established by IR and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. In the 1H NMR spectra, signals from proton-containing groups are detected in the expected region. Also the structure of the ligands confirms 13C NMR spectroscopy. The yield of ligands is 92% and 95%, respectively. It was found that both ligands, in the conducted synthesis reactions, behave as bidentate, are in the enol form. Ligand-N- (salicylamide) -phthalimide is coordinated with zinc ion through the oxygen atoms of the phenol and nitrogen amide groups. The N’-maleoyl-salicylhydrazide ligand is coordinated with the zinc ion through the oxygen atoms of the salicylic residue and the nitrogen atom of the amide group of the maleic residue. The structures of synthesized Zn coordination compounds with H2L and H4L have been studied by IR and electronic absorption spectrometry, elemental analysis and thermogravimetry. These analyzes helped to establish that the metal ion in complex compounds is bound to two water molecules by a hydrogen bond and forms a distorted octahedral geometry. Coordination with water molecules is also confirmed by the TG curves, in which the first and second stages of weight loss are attributed to the removal of solvent molecules — coordinated water molecules and DMF.
MODIFICATION OF NANOCRYSTALLINE SILICON BY POLYMERS FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
Authors: Sharonova Nina V. , Ischenko Anatoly A. , Yagudaeva Elena Yu. , Sizova Svetlana V. , Smirnova Evgeniya V. , Ermakova Anna Yu. , Sviridov Alexander P. , Zubov Vitaly P.
Published: September 2019

In this paper, it is proposed to use polymer-modified composite materials based on nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si) as an alternative to organic fluorescent quantum dots traditionally used in medicine. A distinctive feature of nc-Si is a high absorption coefficient in the near UV and blue-violet range and the ability to transmit light in the visible region of the spectrum. The main advantage of silicon-based nanoparticles for in vivo use is their biodegradability and the absence of toxic properties. For hydrophilization of silicon nanoparticles, their surface was modified by amphiphilic biocompatible polymers: polyvinylpyrrolidone, a copolymer of maleic anhydride and 1-octadecene, cremophore, which is a polyoxyethylene derivative of hydrogenated castor oil. Silicon nanoparticles (nc-Si) with an average diameter of 4.5 nm, synthesized by annealing of SiO at 1150 °C, and functionalized with 1-octadecene photoluminescent in the red-infrared spectral region were used. The presence of the polymer shell on the surface of the nanoparticles was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. The sedimentation and aggregative stability of the particles in water were analyzed. It is shown that after the nc-Si polymer modification, the photoluminescent properties of nanoparticles are retained although the photoluminesce maxima were shifted to the blue region. Colorimetric MTT-assay of the cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles modified with polymers to monoclonal cells of human erythroleukemia K562 showed no toxicity for cells in culture at a particle concentration of up to 50 μg/ml. Subcellular localization of silicon nanoparticles into the human cervical carcinoma cell line HeLa was shown by means of fluorescence microscopy. The obtained polymer-modified nc-Si particles can be recommended for the purposes of bioimaging in in vitro and in vivo applications.
GEOMETRIC AND ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF HEAVY HIGHLY VISCOUS OIL COMPONENTS
Authors: Poletaeva Olga Yu. , Leontev Alexandr Yu. , Kolchina Galina Yu. , Babayev Elbay R. , Movsumzade Eldar M. , Khasanov Ilnur I.
Published: September 2019

Physical-chemical and structural-rheological properties of the oil disperse system are determined by the structure, size and composition of the complex structures resulting from the association of paraffins and tarry asphaltene components. Therefore, data about hydrocarbon composition, especially the structure of paraffins, tars and asphaltenes, required to choose recovery method in the extraction, field treatment, transportation and processing of heavy oils. In article parameters of the geometric and electronic structure of the tars and asphaltenes model molecules to determine reactivity indexes and, consequently, the possibility of a new oil dispersed system formation were calculated. Based on the density functional method B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p), quantum chemical calculations of the electronic structure and geometry of model tar molecules are given in the work. It was found that the number of benzene rings does not have a significant impact on the geometric and electronic structure of hydrocarbon fragments. The heteroatoms N, S and -OH functional group have a significant influence on the characteristics of model molecules. The nitrogen atom significantly increases the molecule dipole moment, compared to the sulfur and hydroxyl group, and the greatest change in geometric and electronic structure is observed in the presence of a sulfur atom. To choose recovery method in the heavy hydrocarbon crude treatment, the elemental composition is quite important, since it is heteroatoms in multi-core systems with condensed nuclei that affect the reactivity indices and provides generation of a free radical form and creation of a new oil dispersion system.
Pour ramener l’été
Authors: Arbour Chelsee , Ashini Napes , Jenkinson Anthony , Loring Stephen
Published: September 2019

L’histoire des Innus dans la péninsule du Québec-Labrador remonte à au moins 8000 ans, comme en témoignent les « légendes » innues (atanukana) et l’archéologie. Même anémiées par les millénaires, les histoires qu’on nous raconte, comme Kautuasukuaniskuanast (histoire du petit garçon qui a ramené l’été et qui est devenu le Bruant à couronne blanche), sont des paraboles de l’histoire innue qui documentent l’arrivée des ancêtres innus à l’époque périglaciaire dans le Nitassinan. Les institutions coloniales se sont appropriées l’histoire récente. Elles présentent le passé (comme le présent et le futur) comme appartenant aux nouveaux arrivants français (mishtikushuat) et britanniques (akaneshauat). Les Innus sont totalement absents de cette histoire sauf comme figurants d’un tableau héroïque mettant en vedette d’intrépides « explorateurs » et aventuriers français et britanniques. L’archéologie peut contribuer à « ramener l’été » et peut-être permettre de raconter l’histoire innue non écrite en reconnaissant et en corrigeant le déséquilibre du pouvoir entre les versions occidentale et autochtone du passé.
La Nation huronne-wendat et l’archéologie au Québec
Authors: Richard Jean-François , Lesage Louis , Plourde Michel
Published: September 2019

Depuis plusieurs années, le Bureau du Nionwentsïo de la Nation huronne-wendat réalise des recherches dans les archives et dans la tradition orale concernant la présence historique des Hurons-Wendat sur leur territoire ancestral. Les résultats de ces travaux sont notamment utilisés afin de protéger les lieux patrimoniaux et d’identifier les zones de potentiel archéologique requises par les processus d’harmonisation forestière et les consultations provinciales et fédérales. La Nation huronne-wendat s’implique de plus en plus dans l’archéologie au Québec, tout comme en Ontario. Récemment, l’archéologie a été mise en oeuvre afin de supporter le projet d’aire protégée des Hurons-Wendat dans la région de Ya’nienhonhndeh (lac à Moïse), dans la Réserve faunique des Laurentides. En 2016 et 2017, des écoles d’été en archéologie ont eu lieu dans cette région en collaboration avec l’Université Laval et ont mené à des découvertes significatives. L’usage de l’archéologie par la Nation huronne-wendat soulève par ailleurs des questions éthiques importantes, en particulier en ce qui concerne les politiques développées par le ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec et la propriété des artéfacts découverts.
POLÍTICAS DE DESARROLLO ECONÓMICO LOCAL. ¿Y SI REPENSAMOS LO BÁSICO?
Authors: Estela Barnet Oriol
Published: September 2019

Resumen. Las políticas de desarrollo económico local han estado presentes en las agendas de los gobiernos locales españoles durante las tres últimas décadas, período en el cual ha habido que afrontar tres grandes crisis que han supuesto, en cada ocasión, la necesidad de incorporar nuevas perspectivas y nuevos instrumentos para la ejecución de dichas políticas. En particular, la crisis que estalla a finales de la primera década del siglo XXI pone de manifiesto las limitaciones del modelo de desarrollo económico local que se había generalizado hasta el momento: reactivo y dependiente de fondos finalistas de otras administraciones. Es en este momento cuando se hace evidente que el desarrollo económico local, para ser efectivo, sólo puede provenir de un enfoque de abajo arriba fundamentado en el convencimiento y la colaboración de los actores locales y poniendo en el centro las necesidades de las personas y el respeto por el entorno.
 
Palabras clave: Desarrollo económico local, Economía local, Estrategia, Necesidades humanas, Políticas públicas, Resiliencia, Sostenibilidad.
 
Abstract. Local economic development policies have been present in the agendas of the Spanish local governments during the last three decades, a period in which three major crises had taken place and had shown up the need to incorporate new perspectives and new instruments for the execution of these policies. In particular, the crisis that erupts at the end of the first decade of the 21st century highlights the limitations of the local economic development model that had been generalized up to now: reactive and dependent on finalist funds from other administrations. It is at this moment when it becomes clear that local economic development, to be effective, can only come from a bottom-up approach based on the conviction and collaboration of local actors and putting at the center the needs of people and the environment.
 
Key words: Local Economic Development, Local Economy, Strategy, Human Needs, Public Policy, Resilience, Sustainability.
Narrativity and Audiovisual Performance
Authors: Vieira Célia , Carvalho Ana
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we intend to reflect on how audiovisual performance forces us to rethink the concept of narrativity. After a brief review on the fundamentals of narrative theory and audiovisual performance, we will analyse three cases that illustrate different manifestations of narrativity in audiovisual performance.
Making Films in a Brazilian Slum with Children: a Participant Observation Research
Authors: Pacheco Raquel , Juliana Mirna
Published: September 2019

This article stands for innovative learning opportunities to social inclusion by film education. The theoretical model is a combined structure coming from approaches and projects of social inclusion by film education. The aim is to describe and analyze the film education process in a project outside school. This research is based on a participant observation research conducted on children in a Brazilian slum. Cinema, as other art forms, is a political and ideological tool that can be used with different purposes. Film education is a strong mediator to facilitate transformative learning, changing one’s dysfunctional views and beliefs about oneself and the world by revising their frames of reference (Mezirow & Taylor, 2009). Films have a unique ability to promote empathy towards a role model, and promote resilience in situations similar to those the role model goes through. Furthermore, media, such as films, is capable of reaching people that might otherwise be uninterested (Buckingham, 2007; Gonnet, 2007; Silverstone, 2005; UNESCO, 2013).
Electromagnetic physical modeling of a gallium nitride distributed transferred electron based planar waveguide structure THz oscillator
Authors: Dalle C.
Published: September 2019

The potential of a planar waveguide structure terahertz oscillator based on a gallium nitride distributed transferred electron device is theoretically investigated. The circuit numerical physical modeling relies on a two-dimensional time-domain electromagnetism/transport simulator. It is based on the coupled solution of the Maxwell and energy-momentum macroscopic transport equations. The study is focused on the analysis, from the space-time electromagnetic and electron transport quantities, of the complex CW operation of an oscillator, designed and DC biased, to optimally operate at one terahertz. The analysis is performed following a full electromagnetic approach in the time and frequency domain, at the local scale, for the description of the physical phenomena, as well as at the functional scale in order to obtain the quantities interesting the oscillator designer and user.
Plant host and drought shape the root associated fungal microbiota in rice
Authors: Andreo-Jimenez Beatriz , Vandenkoornhuyse Philippe , Lê Van Amandine , Heutinck Arvid , Duhamel Marie , Kadam Niteen , Jagadish Krishna , Ruyter-Spira Carolien , Bouwmeester Harro
Published: September 2019

Background and Aim

Water is an increasingly scarce resource while some crops, such as paddy rice, require large amounts of water to maintain grain production. A better understanding of rice drought adaptation and tolerance mechanisms could help to reduce this problem. There is evidence of a possible role of root-associated fungi in drought adaptation. Here, we analyzed the endospheric fungal microbiota composition in rice and its relation to plant genotype and drought.

Methods

Fifteen rice genotypes (Oryza sativa ssp. indica) were grown in the field, under well-watered conditions or exposed to a drought period during flowering. The effect of genotype and treatment on the root fungal microbiota composition was analyzed by 18S ribosomal DNA high throughput sequencing. Grain yield was determined after plant maturation.

Results

There was a host genotype effect on the fungal community composition. Drought altered the composition of the root-associated fungal community and increased fungal biodiversity. The majority of OTUs identified belonged to the Pezizomycotina subphylum and 37 of these significantly correlated with a higher plant yield under drought, one of them being assigned to Arthrinium phaeospermum.

Conclusion

This study shows that both plant genotype and drought affect the root-associated fungal community in rice and that some fungi correlate with improved drought tolerance. This work opens new opportunities for basic research on the understanding of how the host affects microbiota recruitment as well as the possible use of specific fungi to improve drought tolerance in rice.
Prevalence of generalized joint hypermobility, musculoskeletal injuries, and chronic musculoskeletal pain among American university students
Authors: Reuter Peter R. , Fichthorn Kaylee R.
Published: September 2019

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) in a university-aged population, whether young adults (aged 18–25 years) with GJH are prone to sustain more musculoskeletal injuries, and are more likely to suffer from chronic musculoskeletal pain. The study used an interactive survey to gather data; GJH was assessed using a cut-off Beighton score of ≥5 in accordance with the 2017 International Classification of EDS criteria. The analyzed sample consisted of 482 female and 172 male participants from Florida Gulf Coast University (USA). The prevalence of GJH in a university-aged population can be estimated at 12.5%. Women did not have higher rates of GJH than men. However, female participants showed significantly higher rates of hypermobility of the spine as well as the right knee and elbow joints. The Beighton scores did not differ by ethnicity/race. Female participants had a lower rate of self-reported injuries than male participants, although this difference was not significant. There was no difference in the proportion of all participants classified within different categories (0; 1–4; 5–9) of Beighton scores and whether or not they reported having been injured. Male and female participants reported chronic pain of joints and neck or back at the same rates across the Beighton score categories. Female participants, however, reported higher pain intensity for chronic neck and back pain. This study increases knowledge about a correlation between GJH, musculoskeletal injuries, and chronic pain of joints, neck, and back in a university-aged population.
Evaluation of the Physico-chemical and Antioxidant Activity Properties of Attieke Flour Enriched with Cashew Kernel (Anacardium occidentale L.) and Moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) Powders
Authors: Kone Salimata , Soro Doudjo , Koffi Ernest Kouadio
Published: September 2019

The objective of this study is to produce an infant flour based on attiéké enriched with Moringa oleifera and cashew kernel (Anacardium ¶occidentale L.) powders. For this purpose, Moringa oleifera powder is incorporated in proportions of 10%, 15% and 20% into two types of composite flours (attiéké / unfermented cashew kernel and attiéké / fermented cashew kernel). Mineralogical, physico-chemical and antioxidant activity are performed. The results of the mineralogical analyzes showed potassium is the majority in composite flours. In addition, the calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc contents in the composite flours conformity with the standards. The fortification of attiéké flour with Moringa oleifera and cashew kernel powders resulted in an increase in phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, as well as protein contents which vary from 11.59 ± 0.10 g / 100 g of 16.59 ± 0.26 g / 100 g. Moringa and cashew kernel powders have increased the nutritional quality of attiéké flour.
Fermentation of Feed Ingredients as Potential Strategy to Improve Health Status and Reduce Opportunistic Pathogens in Fish Farming
Authors: Aliyu-A A. , Aliyu-Paiko M. , Abafi J. , Abdul-Malik A. , Adamu K. M. , King M. A.
Published: September 2019

The rapid increase in fish farming has been affected by outbreak of diseases and erratic feed costs. These challenges have stimulated increase in the use of antibiotics to rear fish. Unfortunately, excessive use of antibiotics inhibits or kills beneficial gut microbiota and makes antibiotic residues to accumulate in fish products, which are harmful for human consumption. The use of biological strategies has therefore, been adopted to improve health status, growth performance and reduce predisposition of fish to diseases. This has become necessary in view of the EU ban on most antibiotics used as growth promoters in animal husbandry due to their roles in the production of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Moreover, use of the natural fermentation process, which utilizes functional and safe microbes to transform large and potentially harmful chemical constituents in fish feed to less harmful or safe states have been contemplated in aquaculture. In the present review, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) activity during feed fermentation to mediate positive effects in farmed fish is highlighted, including; modulation of gastrointestinal pH, production of bacteriocins, competitive inhibition and translocation of pathogenic bacteria in the GIT. Other potentials of fermentation to promote feed efficiency and growth performance in fish are also discussed.
Thermodinamical Analyse the Formation of Phosphates Copper, Zinc and Cobalt on the Base Double Superphosphate and Sulphates of Copper, Zinc and Cobalt
Authors: Turaev Z. , Shamshidinov I. T. , Usmanov I. I. , Isakova O. M. , Sultonov B. E.
Published: September 2019

In this article the relationship between the entropies of crystalline calcium compounds and copper, zinc and cobalt compounds were analyzed. Thermal capacity  dependence of temperature for acidic  phosphates of copper, zinc and cobalt, determining value of enthalpy and entropy of copper, zinc and cobalt phosphates have been determined and  the possibility to conduct thermodynamic analysis of reactions for their formation were established. Accordingly the data of thermodynamic analysis of temperature conditions for obtaining double superphosphate, the most formation of monosubstituted phosphates of copper, zinc and cobalt, and possibility of formation disubstituted of copper phosphates.
Effect of Consumption of Aqueous Extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Azadirachta indica during Pregnancy and Lactation on Body Weight Changes in Rats
Authors: Ekanem Ephraim E. , Cordilia Iyare O. , Ezeh Charles, O. , Okeke Pearl A. , Katchy Nkiru A. , Adeniyi Deborah B. , Eghosa Iyare E.
Published: September 2019

Extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) and Azadirachta indica (AI) are widely used in Nigeria for medicinal purposes and have also been shown to affect weight changes anecdotally through mechanisms not yet defined. There are reports of decreased food consumption and weight gain in rats consuming HS extracts as the drinking solutions but there is paucity of data on the effect of these two extracts, administered by gavage, on weight changes during pregnancy and lactation. This study was therefore designed to investigate this in relation to food and fluid intake. 40 pregnant rats weighing 150-200 g were used for this study. They were divided into three groups: control, HS and AI groups. HS and AI groups were subdivided into two subgroups of low and high doses. Extract administration was orally by gavage and commenced on day 1 of pregnancy and ended on postnatal day 21. Food and fluid consumption were monitored throughout pregnancy and lactation. The results showed that the aqueous extract of HS and AI increased consumption of food and fluid during pregnancy and lactation, increased maternal weight gain during pregnancy and lactation. From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that consumption of aqueous extracts of HS and AI during pregnancy and lactation increased fluid and food intake and weight gain of dams with a possible potential to accelerate weight loss or decrease postpartum weight retention during lactation.
Can Histochemical c-mpl Positivity in Bone Marrow be a Predictor for Splenectomy in Immune Thrombocytopenia?
Authors: Yavasoglu Irfan , Gencer Nadide , Cantas Fulden , Doger Firuzan , Bolaman Zahit
Published: September 2019

Purpose: Splenectomy is used as the second line therapy in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, there is no parameter predicting splenectomy decision. Thrombopoietin is the main regulator of platelet count through its receptor c-mpl. The aim of the present study was to evaluate immune histochemical Cloned Myeloid Leukemia Virus (c-mpl) positivity in bone marrow specimens of ITP patients with or without splenectomy indications.

Methods: Pre-splenectomy bone marrow was stained for c-mpl, that was taken from 24 patients with ITP and who had splenectomy as well as bone marrow samples from 30 patients with ITP who did not have splenectomy.

Results: c-mpl negativity was higher in splenectomized patients (n: 23) compared to patients without splenectomy (n:18). A significant difference was found for platelet counts before and after splenectomy. Our study show that, c-mpl positivity was statistically significant in patient group who did not have splenectomy. In the patient group who had the splenectomy, c-mpl was not associated with refractory status. 

Conclusion: The significant level of c-mpl negativity might be the useful parameter for splenectomy indication in patients with immune thrombocytopenia.
Phytoremediation of Industrial Waste Leachates by Planted Filters Composed of Phragmites australis (Cav) Trin ex Steud, Typha latifolia L. and Cyperus papyrus L.
Authors: Mbemba K. M. , Kayath A. C. , Mabika A. B. Madiélé , Mouko G. R. Dielé , Ouamba J. M.
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study is to evaluate the purifying ability of 3 parallel planted filters (PF1, PF2 and PF3) composed of three plants (Phragmites australis (Cav) Trin ex Steud, Typha latifolia L., Cyperus papyrus L.) on leachates from a landfill of industrial waste in Pointe-Noire (Republic of Congo). This landfill site includes a technical landfill for ordinary industrial waste (OIW) and a technical landfill for hazardous and soiled industrial waste (SIW). In order to assess purifying ability, we sampled 14 samples over 8 weeks, with 7 samples of the raw leachates from the technical landfill center, and 7 samples of leachates cleaned after passing through the tryptic vegetable filter. The physico-chemical analyzes made it possible to determine the following parameters: TOC, COD, NO3 -,PO42-, Ni, Cd, CrVI, Zn, Cu and Pb. The results showed a significant decrease in organic pollution with abatement rates in TOC and COD greater than 90%. The average removal efficiency is respectively 45.97% for nitrates and 40.2% for phosphates. The abatement rates for heavy metals range from 41.2% to 60.9% for nickel, from 52.2% to 68.5 % for cadmium, from 49% to 71.7% for chromium VI, from 59% to 74.6% for zinc, from 50.9 % to 65 % for copper and from 61.4% to 75.1% for lead. However, additional analyzes are needed to confirm the hypperaccumulator nature of these plant filters in particular absorption isotherms and kinetics of extraction of heavy metals of Phragmites australis (Cav) Trin ex Steud, Typha latifolia L., Cyperus papyrus L.)
Reservoir Geometry Determination and Volumetric Reserve Estimation of an Offshore, Niger Delta Basin Nigeria
Authors: Ukuedojor K. O. , Maju-Oyovwikowhe G. E.
Published: September 2019

Volumetric reserve estimation had been carried out as well as deducing the reservoir geometry of Idje field. Idje field is an 8.4 km2 area between latitudes 4°31’49”N and 4°33’23” N and longitudes 4°34’43”E and 4°36'17"E offshore Niger Delta in a water depth of approximately 1000 m on the continental slope. Well logs suites from ten wells comprising gamma-ray, resistivity, neutron and density were obtained and analyzed. From the result, it was observed that the reservoir was a sedimentary dome possibly resulting from an underlying shale diaper. The volumetric reserve estimate for the D-3 reservoir shows that it contains 15.8 million barrels of oil and 32 billion cubic feet of gas. If the field is produced at the rate of 10,000 barrels per day, it would yield production for approximately 4 years before subsequent secondary and tertiary recovery measures would be employed.
The Urgent Case for Recommitting to Global HIV/AIDS Goals
Authors: del Rio Carlos , Dzau Victor
Published: December 2024

This Viewpoint discusses the need to recommit to the fight against HIV/AIDS to reach the United Nation’s 2030 goal of ending the epidemic as a public health threat.
Collection, Transport, and Manipulation of Clinical Specimens and Other Preanalytical Concerns
Authors: Linscott Andrea J. , Wang Huanyu
Published: December 2024

The collection, transport, and processing of clinical specimens are preanalytical steps that are key to organism recovery. Quality specimens must be collected in order to provide the most clinically relevant microbiology results for the patients. Collection of a specimen is dependent on the anatomic site of infection or suspected disease. Certain specimens—such as blood specimens for blood cultures; skin, hair, and nails for fungal culture; and CSF samples, unless for viral cultures—for bacterial cultures should never be refrigerated. Common collection devices used for microbiologic specimens include sterile urine cups or urine transport tubes with preservatives, sterile wide‐mouth containers, agar plates that have been directly inoculated, sterile screw‐cap tubes, blood culture bottles or lysis centrifugation tubes, and swabs submitted in a transport medium. Triaging specimens for processing may become necessary when large volumes of specimens are received at the same time.
Taxonomy Updates for Anaerobes
Authors: Shannon Samantha K. , Pence Morgan A.
Published: December 2024

The International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes (ICSP) and the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria (ICNB) are responsible for the naming of prokaryotes, including anaerobes. ICSP and ICNB maintain a strict set of rules for naming and renaming bacteria. Not all proposed taxonomic changes that are published are in compliance with the ICNB. Thus, it is imperative to consult reliable sources to prevent adoption of invalid taxonomy. Taxonomic changes are frequently proposed by evolutionary microbiologists, and new taxonomic name proposals may have detrimental effects for clinical laboratories and hospitals. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute is currently developing a document to address taxonomy changes and guidance for updating organism names for laboratory reporting. Microbiology laboratory leadership should discuss taxonomy changes with infectious diseases and other key clinician groups to determine if changes should be incorporated into laboratory reporting.
Specimen Selection, Collection, and Transport for Anaerobic Culture
Authors: Harriott Melphine M. , Brown Kristen L.
Published: December 2024

Proper collection of specimens, to avoid contamination with organisms of the normal microbiota, and prompt transport to the laboratory for processing are essential. This is especially true for specimens sent to the laboratory for anaerobic culture. The laboratory director and staff must provide health care personnel with guidelines for the optimal type and amount of clinical specimens that are needed for anaerobic culture, including the appropriate methods for specimen collection. Patient care units, clinics, emergency rooms, and satellite facilities should be provided with appropriate collection and transport devices and complete instructions for their use. The ideal transport system should maintain the viability of the anaerobes during transport without allowing the overgrowth of members of the normal microbiota that are not a part of the pathogenic process. Good communication between the clinical microbiology laboratory and the clinical staff will ensure that collection and transport are optimal.
Culture Media for Anaerobes
Authors: Bard Jennifer Dien , Copsey‐Mawer Sarah , Precit Mimi
Published: December 2024

Selection of media is key to the recovery of anaerobic organisms from clinical specimens. Primary culture media are those onto which direct specimens are inoculated and may be enriched, nonselective, selective, or differential to allow for the initial recovery of clinically significant anaerobes and inhibition of facultative anaerobe overgrowth. Subculture of anaerobes from primary media to secondary media that are selective and/or differential aids in further identification of clinically significant anaerobes. Proper selection of the initial media used during specimen processing of anaerobic bacteriology aids in the overall accuracy of the workup and assists in recognition of key phenotypic characteristics including colonial morphology. As some anaerobes can be highly sensitive to oxygen exposure, it is recommended that prereduced, anaerobically sterilized media be used to inoculate clinical specimens. Anaerobes have a wide range of nutritional needs, but most strict anaerobes require hemin and vitamin K
1
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Examination of Primary Culture Plates for Anaerobic Bacteria
Authors: Morris Trefor E.
Published: December 2024

The goal of processing primary culture plates is to isolate significant anaerobic organisms from the original specimen for identification and susceptibility testing when it is indicated. Comparison of culture results with what was seen on the original Gram stain of the specimen is critical. When culture plates are evaluated, all morphotypes observed in the original Gram stain should match the aerobes and anaerobes recovered. It is important to remember that anaerobic culture media permit facultatively anaerobic bacteria to grow. All bacterial isolates must be subjected to aerotolerance testing before being designated as anaerobes. Special precautions must be taken to avoid exposure of culture plates to oxygen during examination. A maximum of 20 min of exposure is recommended, as beyond this, some oxygen‐sensitive anaerobes will be killed. In addition, reduced culture media may become oxidized when exposed to air beyond this period, making the media unsuitable for isolation of fastidious anaerobes.
Rapid Disk, Spot Tests, and Other Rapid or Primary Methods for the Identification of Anaerobes
Authors: Clark Andrew , de Danies Margaret Ordoñez‐Smith
Published: December 2024

This chapter describes rapid disk tests, biochemical spot tests, and other methods that provide a cost‐effective and efficient mechanism for the characterization and identification of anaerobes isolated from clinical specimens. The indole test is helpful in obtaining an identification for certain anaerobic bacteria. Nitrate can be reduced to nitrite and other reduction products by anaerobic organisms possessing the enzyme nitrate reductase. Some anaerobic bacteria produce catalase, an enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide (H
2
O
2
) into oxygen and water. Special‐potency disks can aid in confirming phenotypic characteristics and providing presumptive identification of anaerobic bacteria. Observing the color of fluorescence when anaerobic bacterial growth is exposed to long‐wavelength ultraviolet light can aid in the rapid detection and presumptive identification of certain anaerobic species. Anaerobic bacteria that produce enzymatic lipases can hydrolyze fats contained in egg yolk agar to produce glycerol and free fatty acids.
Use of Matrix‐Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for the Identification of Anaerobic Bacteria
Authors: Paulick Ashley L. , Copsey‐Mawer Sarah
Published: December 2024

Identification of clinically significant anaerobes is gaining in importance. This is due to both better understanding of clinically relevant organisms and the unpredictability of inter‐ and intraspecies variation in antimicrobial susceptibility testing along with increasing antimicrobial resistance. The use of matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) for the identification of clinically relevant bacteria is now part of the routine workflow in many laboratories. This procedure provides guidance regarding the use of MALDI‐TOF MS specifically for the identification of anaerobes. Pure cultures following a plate‐to‐plate passage on anaerobic blood agar or Brucella agar plates should be used for MALDI‐TOF MS, since mixed inocula may lead to inaccurate results or no identification being rendered following MALDI‐TOF MS analysis.
Introduction
Authors: Harrington Amanda T. , McElvania Erin
Published: December 2024

Blood culture remains one of the most critical functions of the clinical microbiology laboratory, aiding in the diagnosis of bloodstream infection and therapy management for patients. Culture of blood specimens is largely accomplished using commercial, continuously monitored blood culture systems, and aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, fungi, and mycobacteria can be recovered using these methods. Postanalytical communication and coordination with clinical care teams, especially those who prescribe antibiotics, result in improved patient care, such as reducing the interval of time to effective treatment. Gram staining remains a cornerstone of clinical microbiology practice and is a useful and rapid tool for preliminary identification of organisms from blood culture specimens. The procedure for quality control and quality assurance for blood culture provides guidance on verification of continuous‐monitoring blood culture systems as well as recommended strategies for monitoring quality of blood culture processes using standard metrics, such as contamination rates.
Lysis Centrifugation
Authors: McElvania Erin
Published: December 2024

The Isolator system consists of Vacutainer tubes for blood collection that contain lysing, antifoaming, and anticoagulating agents. The lysis of red blood cells followed by centrifugation results in concentration of microorganisms from the blood and bone marrow specimen. The lysis centrifugation method can be used to culture routine bacterial pathogens and yeast, but the concentration step makes it particularly suited to detection of slowly growing and fastidious microorganisms, including Bartonella, Malassezia, and Mycobacterium species as well as thermally dimorphic and filamentous fungi. The limitations of lysis centrifugation are the requirement of specialized equipment and the high degree of manual processing. Due to the use of agar plates and manual processing, the lysis centrifugation method is prone to high rates of contamination with environmental and cutaneous microorganisms. The Isolator system can be used for quantitative assessment of microorganisms in the blood or bone marrow.
Blood Cultures: Postanalytical Considerations
Authors: Kamboj Kamal , Balada‐Llasat Joan‐Miquel
Published: December 2024

Blood cultures represent a critical tool for health care professionals as a means of detecting the presence of microbial organisms in the bloodstream of an infected individual. The presence of microorganisms in the bloodstream constitutes a serious situation that warrants timely and accurate identification of the microorganism(s) present. The Gram stain result of a positive blood culture is the important initial information that helps the clinician optimize empiric antimicrobial treatment. Blood culture contaminants are a major source of frustration for the clinician and laboratory personnel alike. The increased use of central venous catheters and other indwelling devices puts patients at elevated risk for bacteremia, often due to contamination or colonization of the line or hardware with cutaneous microbiota or environmental organisms. Interpretation of culture results for patients with indwelling devices in place is challenging. This procedure will address postanalytical processing for blood cultures, including reporting of results, interpretation, limitations, report archiving, consultation, and specimen storage.
Identification of Highly Pathogenic Bacteria by MALDI‐TOF MS
Authors: Tran Anthony
Published: December 2024

The use of matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) for identification of pathogenic bacteria and fungi has become popular in diagnostic microbiology and public health laboratories due to its accuracy and speed of microorganism identification. Based on the presence or absence of organisms in the MALDI‐TOF MS library, testing of select agents may yield no identification or misidentifications. A biological risk assessment should be conducted prior to implementation of MALDI‐TOF MS to mitigate the risks to the laboratorian conducting the test. The biological risk assessment should be reviewed periodically as well as any time changes to the instrument or the MALDI‐TOF MS. This chapter focuses on the specimen collection, reagents and equipment, calibration and quality control, reporting results and limitations of procedure.
MALDI‐TOF MS for Identification of Bacteria and Yeast from Positive Blood Culture Broth
Authors: McElvania Erin
Published: December 2024

Identification of bacteria and yeast from blood culture is one of the most important functions of the microbiology laboratory due to the morbidity and mortality bloodstream infections inflict among patients. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) provides identification of bacteria and yeast in under an hour. MALDI‐TOF MS performed directly from other patient specimens has not been implemented for routine use in clinical microbiology laboratories because the method does not perform well on polymicrobial specimens or those with a low burden of organisms. Blood culture broth is a complex specimen type due to the presence of RBCs and other blood components which must be separated from the bacteria or yeast to achieve high‐quality MALDI‐TOF MS spectra for accurate organism identification.
Screening Tests for Detection of High‐Level Mupirocin Resistance in
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Hemarajata Peera
Published: December 2024

High‐level mupirocin resistance (HLMR) in
Staphylococcus aureus
is defined by a mupirocin MIC of ≥512 μg/ml and is associated with the presence of plasmidencoded
mupA
or, less commonly,
mupB
genes in these isolates. Screening methods for detection of HLMR include assessing growth at a high concentration of mupirocin by broth microdilution or by disk diffusion using a 200‐μg mupirocin disk. Mupirocin ointment use is associated with increased rate of HLMR in
S. aureus
and, in particular, methicillin‐resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA). Failure of attempted MRSA decolonization using mupirocin may result in selection for genetic elements conferring resistance to other classes of antimicrobials.
Screen Tests to Detect High‐Level Aminoglycoside Resistance in
Enterococcus
spp.
Authors: Maris Alexander S. , Tao Lili
Published: December 2024

High‐level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR) in enterococci is most commonly detected by assessing growth at high concentrations of gentamicin and sometimes streptomycin. Strains that show HLAR to gentamicin will not be synergistically killed with combinations of cell wall‐active drugs plus gentamicin. HLAR to gentamicin also means HLAR to tobramycin, netilmicin, amikacin, and kanamycin. This chapter describes the agar screen test in detail, and presents the reference to use of standard disk diffusion and broth microdilution MIC test procedures for detecting HLAR. It covers proper quality control principles for analytical tests. With postanalytical considerations, the chapter provides attention to common test limitations, interpretive challenges, and results reporting.
Agar Screen Test to Detect Vancomycin Resistance in
Enterococcus
spp.
Authors: Maris Alexander S. , Tao Lili
Published: December 2024

This chapter describes agar dilution screen test in detail. The vancomycin agar screen is used to detect vancomycin‐resistant enterococcal colonies that have been isolated from clinical or surveillance cultures. MIC and species identification tests are subsequently required to determine if the isolate is a true vancomycin‐resistant enterococcus (VRE). VRE isolates possess acquired vancomycin resistance determinants that may be horizontally transferred with infection prevention implications; such VRE isolates contrast with isolates possess chromosomally mediated intrinsic low‐level vancomycin resistance, which does not pose infection prevention concerns. The chapter covers proper quality control principles for analytical tests. With postanalytical considerations, it provides attention to common test limitations, interpretive challenges, and results reporting.
Toxins: Botulinum Toxin (
Clostridium botulinum
) and Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (
Staphylococcus aureus
)
Authors: Egan Christina , Perry Michael J.
Published: December 2024

Pathogenic microorganisms can contain genes that allow toxin production. Two toxin‐producing organisms are
Clostridium botulinum
and
Staphylococcus aureus
.
C. botulinum
is a group of anaerobic organisms, commonly found in soil and aquatic habitats throughout the world. Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is one of several exotoxins that may be produced by
S. aureus
. Depending on the strain,
S. aureus
can produce a variety of extracellular proteins that act as virulence factors, including toxic shock syndrome toxin 1, exfoliative toxins A and B, and a family of structurally related proteins classified as enterotoxins. Testing for SEB may be performed by clinical laboratories with appropriate protocols and safety mitigation. The chapter covers safety considerations, specimen collection, and specimen processing, incubation and examination of cultures for preanalytical considerations. For analytical considerations, it provides quality control and identification. With postanalytical considerations, the chapter provides attention to summary/special considerations.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus
Authors: Vetter Sara M.
Published: December 2024

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a member of the Alphavirus group in the family
Togaviridae
. It is an enveloped, positive‐sense RNA virus and is part of a group of other important arthropod‐borne viruses such as chikungunya virus and Ross River virus. EEEV is the etiological agent of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) disease in humans and equines. The main mosquito vector is
Culiseta melanura
, which is found in the southeastern United States, Central America, and northern South America, but other “bridge vectors”, such as
Aedes
,
Culex
, and
Coquillettidia
, which feed on both birds and mammals, are responsible for infections in equines and humans. EEEV has been detected only in the Western Hemisphere, being found in eastern Canada and all U.S. states east of the Mississippi as well as several other states, including Arkansas, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Texas. Clinical manifestations of EEE infection vary from low‐grade fever to severe encephalitis, including death.
Leveraging AI to improve health information access in the World's largest maternal mobile health program
Authors: Verma Shresth , Lalan Arshika , Diaz Paula Rodriguez , Danassis Panayiotis , Mahale Amrita , Sudan Kumar Madhu , Hegde Aparna , Tambe Milind , Taneja Aparna
Published: December 2024

Harnessing the wide‐spread availability of cell phones, many nonprofits have launched mobile health (mHealth) programs to deliver information via voice or text to beneficiaries in underserved communities, with maternal and infant health being a key area of such mHealth programs. Unfortunately, dwindling listenership is a major challenge, requiring targeted interventions using limited resources. This paper focuses on Kilkari, the world's largest mHealth program for maternal and child care – with over 3 million active subscribers at a time – launched by India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and run by the non‐profit ARMMAN. We present a system called CHAHAK that aims to reduce automated dropouts as well as boost engagement with the program through the strategic allocation of interventions to beneficiaries. Past work in a similar domain has focused on a much smaller scale mHealth program and used markovian restless multiarmed bandits to optimize a single limited intervention resource. However, this paper demonstrates the challenges in adopting a markovian approach in Kilkari; therefore, CHAHAK instead relies on non‐markovian time‐series restless bandits and optimizes multiple interventions to improve listenership. We use real Kilkari data from the Odisha state in India to show CHAHAK's effectiveness in harnessing multiple interventions to boost listenership, benefiting marginalized communities. When deployed CHAHAK will assist the largest maternal mHealth program to date.