bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular Characterization of
Campylobacter jejuni
from Patients with Guillain-Barré and Miller Fisher Syndromes
Authors: Endtz Hubert P. , Ang C. Wim , van den Braak Nicole , Duim Birgitta , Rigter Alan , Price Lawrence J. , Woodward David L. , Rodgers Frank G. , Johnson Wendy M. , Wagenaar Jaap A. , Jacobs Bart C. , Verbrugh Henri A. , van Belkum Alex 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACT

Campylobacter jejuni
has been identified as the predominant cause of antecedent infection in Guillain-Barrésyndrome (GBS) and Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS). The risk of developing GBS or MFS may be higher after infection with specific
C. jejuni
types. To investigate the putative clonality, 18 GBS- or MFS-related
C. jejuni
strains from The Netherlands and Belgium and 17 control strains were analyzed by serotyping (Penner and Lior), restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of PCR products of the
flaA
gene, amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. Serotyping revealed 10 different O serotypes and 7 different Lior serotypes, thereby indicating a lack of serotype clustering. Two new O serotypes, O:35 and O:13/65, not previously associated with GBS or MFS were found. Serotype O:19 was encountered in 2 of 18 strains, and none was of serotype O:41. The results of all genotypic methods also demonstrated substantial heterogeneity. No clustering of GBS- or MFS-related strains occurred and no molecular marker capable of separating pathogenic GBS or MFS from non-GBS- or non-MFS-related enteritis strains could be identified in this study. Sialic-acid-containing lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are thought to be involved in the triggering of GBS or MFS through molecular mimicry with gangliosides in human peripheral nerves. Therefore, further characterization of GBS- or MFS-related
C. jejuni
should target the genes involved in the synthesis of LPS and the incorporation of sialic acid.
Dynamics of Meningococcal Long-Term Carriage among University Students and Their Implications for Mass Vaccination
Authors: Ala'Aldeen D. A. A. , Neal K. R. , Ait-Tahar K. , Nguyen-Van-Tam J. S. , English A. , Falla T. J. , Hawkey P. M. , Slack R. C. B. 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACT
In the 1997-98 academic year, we conducted a longitudinal study of meningococcal carriage and acquisition among first-year students at Nottingham University, Nottingham, United Kingdom. We examined the dynamics of long-term meningococcal carriage with detailed characterization of the isolates. Pharyngeal swabs were obtained from 2,453 first-year students at the start of the academic year (October), later on during the autumn term, and again in March. Swabs were immediately cultured on selective media, and meningococci were identified and serologically characterized. Nongroupable strains were genetically grouped using a PCR-based assay. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was used to determine the link between sequential isolates. Of the carriers initially identified in October, 44.1% (98 of 222) were still positive later on in the autumn (November or December); 57.1% of these remained persistent carriers at 6 months. Of the index carriers who lost carriage during the autumn, 16% were recolonized at 6 months. Of 344 index noncarriers followed up, 22.1% acquired carriage during the autumn term and another 13.7% acquired carriage by March. Overall, 43.9% (397 of 904) of the isolates were noncapsulated (serologically nongroupable); by PCR-based genogrouping, a quarter of these belonged to the capsular groups B and C. The ratio of capsulated to noncapsulated forms for group B and C strains was 2.9 and 0.95, respectively. Sequential isolates of persistent carriers revealed that individuals may carry the same or entirely different organisms at different times. We identified three strains that clearly switched their capsular expression on and off at different times in vivo. One student developed invasive meningococcal disease after carrying the same organism for over 7 weeks. The study revealed a high rate of turnover of meningococcal carriage among students. Noncapsulated organisms are capable of switching their capsular expression on and off (both ways) in the nasopharynx, and group C strains are more likely to be noncapsulated than group B strains. Carriage of a particular meningococcal strain does not necessarily protect against colonization or invasion by a homologous or heterologous strain.
Intervening Transcribed Spacer Region 1 Variability in
Cyclospora cayetanensis
Authors: Adam Rodney D. , Ortega Ynes R. , Gilman Robert H. , Sterling Charles R. 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACT

Cyclospora cayetanensis
is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite which has emerged as an important cause of epidemic and endemic diarrhea. Water-borne as well as food-borne outbreaks have occurred, including a large number of U.S. cases associated with raspberries imported from Guatemala. Molecular markers exist for tracing the epidemiology of many of the bacterial pathogens associated with water-borne or food-borne diarrhea, such as serotyping and pulsed-field electrophoresis. However, there are currently no molecular markers available for
C. cayetanensis
. The intervening transcribed spacer (ITS) regions between the small- and large-subunit rRNA genes demonstrate much greater sequence variability than the small-subunit rRNA sequence itself and have been useful for the molecular typing of other organisms. Thus, ITS1 variability might allow the identification of different genotypes of
C. cayetanensis
. In order to determine the degree of ITS1 variability among
C. cayetanensis
isolates, the ITS1 sequences of
C. cayetanensis
isolates from a variety of sources, including raspberry-associated cases, cases from Guatemala, and pooled and individual isolates from Peru, were obtained. The ITS1 sequences of all five raspberry-associated isolates were identical, consistent with their origin from a single source. In contrast, one of the two Guatemala isolates and two Peruvian isolates contained multiple ITS1 sequences. These multiple sequences could represent multiple clones from a single clinical source or, more likely, variability of the ITS1 region within the genome of a single clone.
New Chromogenic Identification and Detection of
Staphylococcus aureus
and Methicillin-Resistant
S. aureus
Authors: Merlino John , Leroi Marcel , Bradbury Ross , Veal Duncan , Harbour Colin 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACT

This paper describes a new chromogenic plate medium, CHROMagar Staph aureus (CHROMagar, Paris, France), for the identification of
Staphylococcus aureus
on the basis of colony pigmentation. The abilities of CHROMagar Staph aureus, thermostable nuclease (DNase), and mannitol salt agar (MSA) to identify
S. aureus
isolates (
n
= 114) and discriminate between
S. aureus
and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS;
n
= 22) were compared. CHROMagar Staph aureus proved to be more sensitive and specific than DNase and MSA, allowing a reliable, simple, and rapid method for the identification of
S. aureus
isolates. All CoNS encountered in this study with the exception of
S. chromogenes
could be easily differentiated from
S. aureus
on this medium. The supplementation with 4 μg of oxacillin or methicillin per ml allowed simple identification of methicillin resistance in hospital-acquired
S. aureus
strains which show multiple-drug resistance profiles. Community-acquired methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
strains showing non-multi-drug resistance profiles require further evaluation on this new chromogenic medium. Methicillin or oxacillin resistance of all
S. aureus
isolates was confirmed by the detection of penicillin-binding protein 2a, encoded by the
mecA
gene, using the latex slide agglutination MRSA-Screen test (PBP 2′ Test, DR900M; Oxoid).
Direct Evidence by DNA Fingerprinting that Endoscopic Cross-Infection of
Helicobacter pylori
Is a Cause of Postendoscopic Acute Gastritis
Authors: Sugiyama Toshiro , Naka Hiroji , Yachi Akira , Asaka Masahiro 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACT

The DNA fingerprinting of
Helicobacter pylori
strains in two cases of acute gastritis that occurred after endoscopy was examined.
H. pylori
was isolated from the stomachs of two patients with acute gastritis and from the stomachs of the patients in whom the same gastrofiberscope had previously been used. The genomic DNA digested with
Hae
III was subjected to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The corresponding paired electrophoretic patterns were completely identical. These findings provide direct evidence that postendoscopic acute gastritis can be caused by cross-infection with
H. pylori
via endoscopy.
Reproducibility Problems with the Abbott Laboratories LCx Assay for
Chlamydia trachomatis
and
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Gronowski Ann M. , Copper Susan , Baorto David , Murray Patrick R. 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACT

This study demonstrates that significant reproducibility problems can occur during routine use of the Abbott Laboratories LCx assay for
Chlamydia trachomatis
and
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
. These problems can go undetected by the quality control procedures outlined in the manufacturer's package insert. We outline here procedures for detecting and preventing contamination and reproducibility problems.
Culture of
Helicobacter pylori
from a Gastric String May Be an Alternative to Endoscopic Biopsy
Authors: Samuels Amy L. , Windsor Helen M. , Ho Grace Y. , Goodwin Luke D. , Marshall Barry J. 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACT

Helicobacter pylori
was isolated from a swallowed string from 32 of 33 adult subjects (97%) with selective culture media. With this method, antibiotic susceptibility testing and molecular epidemiology studies of
H. pylori
can be carried out without the need for the collection of specimens by endoscopic biopsy.
Initiation of modern-style subduction in the Neoarchean: From plume to subduction with frequent slab break-off
Authors: Li Dapeng , Chen Yuelong , Xue Guoliang , Kang Huan , Yu Yang , Geng Jianzhen , Zhang Yulong , Li Ting 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Fundamental geodynamic changes from vertical tectonics to lateral subduction occurred during the Neoarchean, yet detailed processes related to this transition and initiation of modern-style subduction remain enigmatic. Successive Neoarchean magmatic rocks including both plume-derived komatiites and subduction-related supracrustal and intrusive rocks appeared and preserved key information on the late Archean geodynamic changes in the Western Shandong Province granite-greenstone belt (WSP), North China Craton. In this study, whole-rock geochemical and Sm-Nd isotopic data and zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopes are reported for early Neoarchean supracrustal and intrusive rocks for the WSP. Temporally, the early Neoarchean magmatic movements in the WSP can be subdivided into two stages, including the early stage (2.77–2.69 Ga) and the late stage (2.69–2.60 Ga). Spatially, from southwest to northeast, intrusive rocks with similar ages define three belts (A, B, and C). Early stage tholeiitic and enriched meta-basalts were plume-related, representing oceanic crust opening from a pre-early Neoarchean continent. Slab subduction at least initiated at ca. 2.74 Ga and generated various Neoarchean tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorites, quartz diorites, and arc-related volcanic rocks and mafic intrusions. Episodic emergence of meta-basaltic rocks and/or mafic intrusions with depleted εHf(t) values and low (La/Yb)N ratios indicates frequent slab break-offs during ca. 2.70–2.68 Ga, 2.66–2.64 Ga, and 2.62–2.60 Ga due to a relatively hotter mantle and regional heating by mantle plume. Secular geochemical changes of mafic and felsic rocks in this study outline roles of slab subduction in contributions of cooling the mantle, secular mantle refertilization, and crustal growth.
Use of the Aptima mRNA high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) assay compared to a DNA HR-HPV assay in the English cervical screening programme: a decision tree model based economic evaluation
Authors: Weston Georgie , Dombrowski Caroline , Harvey Michael J , Iftner Thomas , Kyrgiou Maria , Founta Christina , Adams Elisabeth J 
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveTo estimate the impact of using the Aptima messenger RNA (mRNA) high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) assay versus a DNA HR-HPV assay in a primary HPV cervical screening programme.DesignOne hypothetical cohort followed for 3 years through HPV primary cervical screening.SettingEngland.ParticipantsA hypothetical cohort of women aged 25–65 years tested in the National Health Service (NHS) Cervical Screening Programme (CSP) for first call or routine recall testing.MethodsA decision tree parameterised with data from the CSP (2017/18) and the HORIZON study. Uncertainty analyses were conducted using data from the FOCAL and GAST studies, other DNA HPV tests in addition to one-way and probabilistic sensitivity and scenarios analyses, to test the robustness of results.InterventionsAptima mRNA HR-HPV assay and a DNA HR-HPV assay (cobas 4800 HPV assay).Main outcome measuresPrimary: total colposcopies and total costs for the cohort. Secondary: total HPV and cytology tests, number lost to follow-up.ResultsAt baseline for a population of 2.25 million women, an estimated £15.4 million (95% credibility intervals (CI) £6.5 to 24.1 million) could be saved and 28 009 (95% CI 27 499 to 28 527) unnecessary colposcopies averted if Aptima mRNA assays are used instead of a DNA assay, with 90 605 fewer unnecessary HR-HPV and 253 477 cytology tests performed. These savings are due to a lower number of HPV positive samples in the mRNA arm. When data from other primary HPV screening trials were compared, results indicated that using the Aptima mRNA assay generated cost savings and reduced testing in every scenario.ConclusionUsing the Aptima mRNA assay versus a DNA assay would almost certainly yield cost savings and reduce unnecessary testing and procedures, benefiting the NHS and women in the CSP.
Safetxt: a safer sex intervention delivered by mobile phone messaging on sexually transmitted infections (STI) among young people in the UK - protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Free Caroline , McCarthy Ona L , Palmer Melissa J , Knight Rosemary , Edwards Phil , French Rebecca , Baraitser Paula , Hickson Ford Colin Ian , Wellings Kaye , Roberts Ian , Bailey Julia V , Hart Graham , Michie Susan , Clayton Tim , Ploubidis George B , Carpenter James R , Turner Katy M E , Devries Karen , Potter Kimberley 
Published: March 2020

IntroductionYoung people aged 16 to 24 have the highest prevalence of genital chlamydia and gonorrhoea compared with other age groups and re-infection rates following treatment are high. Long-term adverse health effects include subfertility and ectopic pregnancy, particularly among those with repeated infections. We developed the safetxt intervention delivered by text message to reduce sexually transmitted infection (STI) by increasing partner notification, condom use and (STI) testing among young people in the UK.Methods and analysisA single-blind randomised trial to reliably establish the effect of the safetxt intervention on chlamydia and gonorrhoea infection at 1 year. We will recruit 6250 people aged 16 to 24 years who have recently been diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhoea or non-specific urethritis from health services in the UK. Participants will be allocated to receive the safetxt intervention (text messages designed to promote safer sexual health behaviours) or to receive the control text messages (monthly messages asking participants about changes in contact details) by an automated remote online randomisation system. The primary outcome will be the cumulative incidence of chlamydia and gonorrhoea infection at 1 year assessed by nucleic acid amplification tests. Secondary outcomes include partner notification, correct treatment of infection, condom use and STI testing prior to sex with new partners.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from NHS Health Research Authority - London – Riverside Research Ethics Committee (REC reference: 15/LO/1665) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. We will submit the results of the trial for publication in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberInternational Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number:ISRCTN64390461. Registered on 17thMarch 2016.WHO trial registration data setavailable at:http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=ISRCTN64390461.Trial protocol version12, 19thJuly 2018.
Arthroscopic meniscectomy versus non-surgical or sham treatment in patients with MRI confirmed degenerative meniscus lesions: a protocol for an individual participant data meta-analysis
Authors: Wijn Stan R W , Rovers Maroeska M , Rongen Jan J , Østerås Håvard , Risberg May A , Roos Ewa M , Hare Kristoffer B , van de Graaf Victor A , Poolman Rudolf W , Englund Martin , Hannink Gerjon 
Published: March 2020

IntroductionArthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) after degenerative meniscus tears is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in orthopaedics. Although several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have been published that showed no clear benefit compared with sham treatment or non-surgical treatment, the incidence of APM remains high. The common perception by most orthopaedic surgeons is that there are subgroups of patients thatdoneed APM to improve, and they argue that each study sample of the existing trials is not representative for the day-to-day patients in the clinic. Therefore, the objective of this individual participant data meta-analysis (IPDMA) is to assess whether there are subgroups of patients with degenerative meniscus lesions who benefit from APM in comparison with non-surgical or sham treatment.Methods and analysisAn existing systematic review will be updated to identify all RCTs worldwide that evaluated APM compared with sham treatment or non-surgical treatment in patients with knee symptoms and degenerative meniscus tears. Time and effort will be spent in contacting principal investigators of the original trials and encourage them to collaborate in this project by sharing their trial data. All individual participant data will be validated for missing data, internal data consistency, randomisation integrity and censoring patterns. After validation, all datasets will be combined and analysed using a one-staged and two-staged approach. The RCTs’ characteristics will be used for the assessment of clinical homogeneity and generalisability of the findings. The most important outcome will be the difference between APM and control groups in knee pain, function and quality of life 2 years after the intervention. Other outcomes of interest will include the difference in adverse events and mental health.Ethics and disseminationAll trial data will be anonymised before it is shared with the authors. The data will be encrypted and stored on a secure server located in the Netherlands. No major ethical concerns remain. This IPDMA will provide the evidence base to update and tailor diagnostic and treatment protocols as well as (international) guidelines for patients for whom orthopaedic surgeons consider APM. The results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017067240.
Out of sight, out of mind: a prospective observational study to estimate the duration of the Hawthorne effect on hand hygiene events
Authors: Vaisman Alon , Bannerman Grace , Matelski John , Tinckam Kathryn , Hota Susy S 
Published: March 2020

BackgroundHuman auditing has been the gold standard for evaluating hand hygiene (HH) compliance but is subject to the Hawthorne effect (HE), the change in subjects’ behaviour due to their awareness of being observed. For the first time, we used electronic HH monitoring to characterise the duration of the HE on HH events after human auditors have left the ward.MethodsObservations were prospectively conducted on two transplant wards at a tertiary centre between May 2018 and January 2019. HH events were measured using the electronic GOJO Smartlink Activity Monitoring System located throughout the ward. Non-covert human auditing was conducted in 1-hour intervals at random locations on both wards on varying days of the week. Two adjusted negative binomial regression models were fit in order to estimate an overall auditor effect and a graded auditor effect.ResultsIn total, 365 674 HH dispensing events were observed out of a possible 911 791 opportunities. In the adjusted model, the presence of an auditor increased electronic HH events by approximately 2.5-fold in the room closest to where the auditor was standing (9.86 events per hour/3.98 events per hour; p<0.01), an effect sustained across only the partial hour before and after the auditor was present but not beyond the first hour after the auditor left. This effect persisted but was attenuated in areas distal from the auditor (total ward events of 6.91*6.32–7.55, p<0.01). Additionally, there was significant variability in the magnitude of the HE based on temporal and geographic distribution of audits.ConclusionThe HE on HH events appears to last for a limited time on inpatient wards and is highly dynamic across time and auditor location. These findings further challenge the validity and value of human auditing and support the need for alternative and complementary monitoring methods.
Appropriateness of peripherally inserted central catheter use among general medical inpatients: an observational study using routinely collected data
Authors: Verma Amol A , Kumachev Alexander , Shah Sonam , Guo Yishan , Jung Hae Young , Rawal Shail , Lapointe-Shaw Lauren , Kwan Janice L , Weinerman Adina , Tang Terence , Razak Fahad 
Published: March 2020

BackgroundPeripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are among the most commonly used medical devices in hospital. This study sought to determine the appropriateness of inpatient PICC use in general medicine at five academic hospitals in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, based on the Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters (MAGIC).MethodsThis was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of general internal medicine patients discharged between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2015 who received a PICC during hospitalisation. The primary outcomes were the proportions of appropriate and inappropriate inpatient PICC use based on MAGIC recommendations. Hospital administrative data and electronic clinical data were used to determine appropriateness of each PICC placement. Multivariable regression models were fit to explore patient predictors of inappropriate use.ResultsAmong 3479 PICC placements, 1848 (53%, 95% CI 51% to 55%) were appropriate, 573 (16%, 95% CI 15% to 18%) were inappropriate and 1058 (30%, 95% CI 29% to 32%) were of uncertain appropriateness. The proportion of appropriate and inappropriate PICCs ranged from 44% to 61% (p<0.001) and 13% to 21% (p<0.001) across hospitals, respectively. The most common reasons for inappropriate PICC use were placement in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (n=500, 14%) and use for fewer than 15 days in patients who are critically ill (n=53), which represented 14% of all PICC placements in the intensive care unit. Patients who were older, female, had a Charlson Comorbidity Index score greater than 0 and more severe illness based on the Laboratory-based Acute Physiology Score were more likely to receive an inappropriate PICC.ConclusionsClinical practice recommendations can be operationalised into measurable domains to estimate the appropriateness of PICC insertions using routinely collected hospital data. Inappropriate PICC use was common and varied substantially across hospitals in this study, suggesting that there are important opportunities to improve care.