bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social progress and corporate culture
Authors: Gorton Gary B , Zentefis Alexander K 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSocial progress through improved treatment of minority groups (e.g., forbidding racial or sexual harassment) may or may not spread to corporate cultures through competition. We provide a theory of corporate culture, and we show that emergent, progressive corporate cultures can displace existing, regressive ones when the prevailing wage gap is large between majority and minority groups. The model provides testable predictions on racial and gender wage gaps across firms.
Characterization of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant Shedding and Predictors of Viral Culture Positivity on Vaccinated Healthcare Workers With Mild Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Luna-Muschi Alessandra , Noguera Saidy Vásconez , Borges Igor C , De Paula Anderson V , Côrtes Marina Farrel , Larocca Carolina , Mari Julia Ferreira , Guimarães Lara Silva Pereira , Torres Pablo Munoz , Scaccia Nazareno , Villas-Boas Lucy S , da Silva Almir Ribeiro , Andrade Pâmela S , Teixeira Juliana C , Escadafal Camille , de Oliveira Vitor Falcão , Tozetto-Mendoza Tania R , Mendes-Correa Maria Cássia , Levin Anna S , Sabino Ester C , Costa Silvia F 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
In this prospective cohort of 30 vaccinated healthcare workers with mild Omicron variant infection, we evaluated viral culture, rapid antigen test (RAT), and real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of respiratory samples at days 5, 7, 10, and 14. Viral culture was positive in 46% (11/24) and 20% (6/30) of samples at days 5 and 7, respectively. RAT and RT-PCR (Ct ≤35) showed 100% negative predictive value (NPV), with positive predictive values (PPVs) of 32% and 17%, respectively, for predicting viral culture positivity. A lower RT-PCR threshold (Ct ≤24) improved culture prediction (PPV = 39%; NPV = 100%). Vaccinated persons with mild Omicron infection are potentially transmissible up to day 7. RAT and RT-PCR might be useful tools for shortening the isolation period.
Soleris® Automated System for the Rapid Detection of Burkholderia cepacia Complex in Cosmetic Products
Authors: Zhang Lei , Tolan Jerry , Lavigne Nicholas , Montei Carolyn , Donofrio Robert , Biswas Preetha 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Background
Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) has emerged as an important opportunistic pathogen with rising concern in pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products. The Bcc supplement (S2-BCC-S) was purposely developed and used with the Pseudomonas vial (PD-109) for the detection of Bcc through the Soleris® Next Generation automated instrument system.

Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Soleris Bcc testing method for cosmetic products.

Method
Inclusivity and exclusivity were assessed with the Soleris Bcc method and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) method in three enrichment broths. Matrix testing was conducted using 28 cosmetic products to compare the equivalency of the Soleris Bcc method to that of the USP reference method. Repeatability of the Soleris Bcc assay, method robustness, product stability, and lot-to-lot consistency of the Soleris reagents were also assessed.

Results
Both the Soleris Bcc and the USP methods supported the growth of all 26 inclusivity strains, except the USP method missed one inclusivity strain in one broth. For exclusivity, 0–6% was presumptive positive with the Soleris Bcc method, and 42–48% was presumptive positive with the reference method. Kappa index was 0.96 for the matrix testing, indicating a good agreement between the Soleris Bcc assay and the reference method for testing Bcc in cosmetics. Repeatability results showed the coefficient of variation was less than 4%. The robustness and ruggedness study yielded detection times within 1 h differences when small variations were introduced. The lot-to-lot study showed consistent results among four lots of the Bcc reagents.

Conclusions
The automated Soleris method was successfully demonstrated to be robust, sensitive, and specific for Bcc detection in cosmetic products.

Highlights
The Soleris Bcc method is user-friendly. It shows the results in real time and generates the report automatically. Implementation of this method for detection of Bcc in cosmetics would save significant time and resources.
Microextraction by Packed Sorbent as a Clean-up Approach for the Determination of Ketamine and Norketamine in Hair by Gas Chromatography--Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Simão A Y , Oliveira P , Rosendo L M , Rosado T , Andraus M , Barroso M , Gallardo E 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe use of new psychoactive substances has been increasing and constitutes a social and public health problem, and hence, toxicological analysis has become of utmost importance for the detection of such substances. In this article, we present the development and full validation of a simple, user and environmentally friendly, cheap and suitable method for the determination of ketamine and its main metabolite norketamine in hair samples. The procedure included using a miniaturized procedure—microextraction by packed sorbent with mixed-mode sorbent—for sample clean-up. Organic solvents use was minimal, and it was possible to obtain a linear method (0.05–10 ng/mg for both analytes). The extraction efficiency ranged from 32 to 61%, which did not impair sensitivity. The method proved to be selective, precise, accurate and suitable for routine analysis for the determination of said compounds in 50-mg hair samples.
P018 Susceptibility profile of Candida albicans causing bloodstream infections against azole antifungals over 5 years: A prospective observational study
Authors: Sharma Megha , Ahmad Raees , Ghosh Anup , Rudramurthy Shivaprakash , Chakrabarti Arunaloke 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Objectives
To study the drug susceptibility profile of Candida albicans isolated from bloodstream infection (BSI) against azole anti-fungal agents (fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole) in a tertiary care hospital over 5 years.

Methods
All blood culture bottles from patients attending our tertiary care hospital between January 2017 to December 2021 and growing Candida albicans were included in the analysis. All blood culture bottles were continuously monitored automatically inside BACTEC 9240 (BD Becton Dickinson, USA). Beep-positive bottles were further processed by preparation of Gram stain smears, sub-culture onto 5% sheep blood agar and MacConkey agar and spot inoculation onto Sabouraud's Dextrose agar (SDA). Isolates were identified as C. albicans using MALDI-TOF MS (Bruker Daltoniks, Bremen, Germany). Broth microdilution (BMD) was performed to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole, in accordance with CLSI document M27-A3 and CLSI M27-S4. Representative isolates were further processed to determine the genetic basis of azole resistance (results will be shared at the conference).

Results
A total of 889 C. albicans were isolated from BSI over 5 years. The rates of resistant were 0.9%, 4.3%, and 1.4%; and that of susceptible dose dependent were 0.8%, 28.5%, and 0.4% for fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole respectively (Fig. 1). The MIC90 of the isolates to fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole were 2 μg/ml, 0.25 μg/ml, 0.5 μg/ml and 0.25 μg/ml, respectively (Fig. 2).

Conclusion
Azole antifungals continue to retain favorable MIC90 against C. albicans BSI isolates. Flucanozole continues to be the favored drug of choice due to low side-effects, cost-effectiveness, and least resistant rates.
P056 Oral Ibrexafungerp outcomes by fungal disease in patients from an interim analysis of a Phase 3 Open-label Study (FURI)
Authors: Prattes Juergen , King Thomas , Azie Nkechi , Angulo David 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Background
There are limited oral treatment options for patients with fungal infections who fail currently available antifungals or have an infection caused by resistant organisms. Ibrexafungerp is an investigational broad-spectrum glucan synthase inhibitor with activity against Candida and Aspergillus species, including azole- and echinocandin-resistant strains. A Phase 3 open-label, single-arm study of ibrexafungerp (FURI; NCT03059992) is ongoing for the treatment of patients intolerant of, or with fungal disease refractory to, standard antifungal therapy. We present an interim analysis of patient outcomes from the FURI study by fungal disease type.

Methods
FURI patients are eligible for enrollment if they have proven or probable: severe mucocutaneous candidiasis, invasive candidiasis, chronic or invasive aspergillosis, with documented evidence of failure, intolerance, or toxicity related to a currently approved standard-of-care antifungal treatment; or patients who cannot receive approved oral antifungal options (e.g., due to susceptibility), and continued IV antifungal therapy is clinically undesirable or unfeasible.

Results
An independent Data Review Committee (DRC) provided an assessment of treatment response for 113 enrolled patients in the FURI study from 27 centers in US, UK, and EU treated with ibrexafungerp for mucocutaneous or invasive fungal infections from 2016-2021. A total of 56 patients (49.5%) had invasive candidiasis/candidemia, 32 (28.3%) had mucocutaneous candidiasis, 14 (12.4%) had vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), and 11 (9.7%) patients had aspergillosis.
Upon DRC review, the percentage of patients with complete or partial response, or for VVC, clinical improvement (defined as vulvovaginal signs and symptoms score ≤ 1) was 58.4%; stable disease was 23.9%; and 11.5% had disease progression (including 2 VVC patients not meeting the criteria for clinical improvement). There was one death due to underlying causes, and six outcomes were indeterminate. Table 1 shows outcomes by disease type.

Conclusions
Analysis of 113 patients from the FURI study indicates that oral ibrexafungerp provides a favorable therapeutic response in patients with challenging fungal disease and limited treatment options.
P060 A preliminary in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the effect and action mechanism of 17-AAG combined with azoles against azole-resistant Candida spp.
Authors: Liu Md Luyao 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Invasive candidiasis is the primary reason for the increasing cases of mortality in a medical environment. The resistance spectra of Candida species to antifungal drugs, among which Candida auris is the most prominent, have gradually expanded.

Objectives
Hsp90 plays a protective role in the stress response of fungi and facilitates their virulence. In contrast, Hsp90 inhibitors can improve the resistance of fungi to antifungal drugs by regulating the heat resistance of Hsp90 and thereby destroying the integrity of the fungal cell walls. Therefore, we used Hsp90 inhibitor in combination with different antifungal drugs to explore its antifungal effect and mechanism.

Methods
The drugs tested for the resistance included itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, fluconazole, and 17-AAG. A total of 20 clinical strains of Candida were investigated. The broth microdilution checkerboard technique, as adapted from the CLSI M27-A4 method, was applied in this study. At the same time, the effect of 17-AAG combined with antifungal drugs on the formation of Candida biofilm was observed, and the animal experiment of C. mellonella was carried out in vivo. Moreover, we determined that with the use of rhodamine 6 G to detect drug efflux and that of dihydrorhodamine-123 to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Results
We found that 17-AAG alone exerted limited antifungal activity against all tested strains. The MIC range of 17-AAG was 8 to &gt;32 μg/ml. The synergy among 17-AAG and itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole was observed against 10 (50%), 7 (35%), and 13 (65%) of all isolates, respectively. Moreover, the synergy between 17-AAG and fluconazole was observed against 5 (50%) stains of azole-resistant Candida. However, no antagonism was recorded. In vivo test, the combination group also significantly prolonged the infection event and improved the survival of larvae. Treatment with 17-AAG combined with azole drugs inhibited the efflux pump of fungi and promoted the accumulation of ROS in the fungal cells.

Conclusion
Our result adequately verifies the influence of 17-AAG on the formation of Candida spp. biofilm. The mechanism of 17-AAG combined with azoles could kill fungi by inhibiting drug efflux and increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species. These results thereby provide a new idea to further explore drugs against drug-resistant Candida spp.
P116 Cutaneous fungal infections in elderly population from Bhopal
Authors: Venkatesan Sevitha , Tadepalli Karuna , Asati Dinesh P. , Maurya Anand K. , Bhadade Arati , Gupta Aditi , Saxena Gaurav , Badal Rahul 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Objectives

Methods
Hospital-based cross-sectional study for 5-year duration January 2017-December 2021. Study location is the department of Microbiology AIIMS, Bhopal. Elderly patients (60 years and above) visiting as Outpatient and Inpatient of dermatology and venereology, General Medicine, and other departments with cutaneous infections suspected to be of fungal etiology and fulfilling the inclusion criteria comprised the study population. Patients already on antifungals topical or systemic were excluded. Data extraction was based on predesigned proforma for a detailed history and clinical examination entries. Necessary ethical approval and patient consent were obtained. Samples of skin, hair, nail, and exudates were processed for direct microscopy, culture isolation in suitable media, and identification phenotypically.

Results
A total of 480 elderly patients clinically suspected of cutaneous fungal infections were included in the study. Majority of the suspected cases were in 60–70 years age group 360/480 (75%). Males were 349/480 (72.71%) and females were 131/480 (27.29%) of the total suspected cases. Male to female ratio in study population was 2.66: 1. Tinea corporis 140/480 cases (29.17%) was most common clinical type followed by onychomycosis 64/480 cases (13.33%), ulcerations 62/480 (12.92%), T. cruris 56/480 (11.67%), T. pedis 35/480 (7.29%), T. mannum 25/480 (5.21%), and T. facei 12/480 (2.50%) in suspected cases of cutaneous fungal infection. Majority of cases were found in non-dependent 253/480 (52.70%) population. Out of 480 clinically suspected cases of cutaneous fungal infection was demonstrated in 193 cases (40.20%) either by direct microscopy and/or culture.
A total of 176/480 cases (36.67%) were KOH positive and 113(23.54%) cases were culture positive.
Taking culture as a gold standard sensitivity and specificity of KOH in diagnosing fungal infection was 84.96% and 78.2% respectively. Among 113 culture isolates dermatophytes 53.10% (60/113) were most common mold isolates followed by non-dermatophyte molds 28.3% (32/113), and yeasts 18.59% (21/113). Trichophyton mentagrophytes most common 21.24% followed by T. tonsurans 9.73%, and T. violaceum 7.96% are the common dermatophyte isolates. Aspergillus species is the most common non-dermatophyte mold isolated.
Diabetes was the most common comorbid condition in culture-confirmed cases followed by hypertension and thyroid disorder.

Conclusion
This study showed the prevalence of cutaneous fungal infection among elderly visiting AIIMS, Bhopal as 23.54% (113/480). With increase in elderly population, changing environmental conditions, and association with non-communicable diseases it becomes important that all elderly patients visiting hospital OPD and those hospitalized for long should be evaluated for fungal infections especially cutaneous.
P118 Pentraxin-3 interacts with Aspergillus fumigatus conidia to regulate pro-inflammatory cytokine production
Authors: Dellière Sarah , Wong Sarah , Chauvin Camille , Bayry Jagadeesh , Carvalho Agostinho , Inforzato Antonio , Aimanianda Vishukumar 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Objectives
Long pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a soluble pattern-recognition receptor secreted by phagocytes and non-immune cells at sites of inflammation. It has been reported to have a nonredundant role in the immune response against Aspergillus fumigatus. Indeed, PTX3 knock-out mice show an increased susceptibility to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) with a higher mortality rate. In humans, PTX3 genetic deficiency or single nucleotide polymorphism has also been associated with an increased risk of IPA. However, the way in which PTX3 interacts with A. fumigatus and its mechanism of action has yet to be elucidated. The aim of the study was to investigate potential A. fumigatus ligands for PTX3 and the impact of A. fumigatus opsonization by PTX3 on modulating the immune response.

Methods
Aspergillus fumigatus conidia, the infective morphotype, were incubated with PTX3 with or without human serum, stained with anti-PTX3 antibody, and studied by immunofluorescence. Identification of potential fungal ligands for PTX3 was performed by ELISA. Fixed conidia and germinated conidia were opsonized with different serum factors and co-incubated with human monocyte-derived macrophages (hMDM) for 24 h at 37°C. Culture supernatants were collected, and pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured by sandwich ELISA.

Results
PTX3 did not bind A. fumigatus conidia directly but in the presence of human serum, purified collectins [surfactant protein D (SP-D) or C1q], and complement products (C3b). Pre-opsonization of conidia with these complement proteins or SP-D stimulated proinflammatory cytokine secretion by hMDM upon interaction (Fig. 1a). In contrast, secondary opsonization of complement proteins or SP-D opsonized conidia with PTX3 significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion from hMDM. PTX3 opsonized PFA-fixed germinating conidia significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines secretion from hMDM (Fig. 1b).

Conclusion
PTX3 is an acute phase protein expressed in response to pro-inflammatory stimuli during infection and that is increased in bronchoalveolar lavage of patients with aspergillosis. Our recent data with A. fumigatus suggest that PTX3 is an immunoregulatory protein that reduces pro-inflammatory response. Although an inflammatory response is necessary to fight against fungal pathogens, the tissue damage associated with enhanced inflammation can be deleterious and facilitate A. fumigatus infection.
P123 Study of naïve and memory T helper cell response in patients of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) after in vitro exposure to Aspergillus flavus
Authors: Das Shukla , Rai Gargi , Ansari Mohammad Ahmad , Singh Praveen Kumar , Dar Sajad Ahmad , Gupta Neelima , Sharma Sonal 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Objectives
To study the CD45RA (naive) and CD45RO (memory) in CD4 + T cell population after in vitro stimulation to Aspergillus flavus antigen in CRSwNP patients and healthy controls.

Methods
The study included 30 cases of CRSwNP (before and after six months of treatment) and 30 healthy controls. Postoperatively biopsies (polyp tissues) were subjected to KOH and culture for mycological investigation. Preoperatively, blood sample (4 ml) was collected from cases and controls for peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) separation. PBMCs were treated in vitro by Aspergillus flavus antigen (20 μg/ml) and Phytohemagglutinin and incubated for 18 h at 37°C in CO2 incubator. Cells were harvested after incubation and stained with different monoclonal antibodies such as CD3, CD4, CD45RA, and CD45RO for flow cytometry analysis. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Data were expressed as mean ± SD and the significance level was considered at probability below 0.05.

Results
The profiles of various CRSwNP patients and healthy controls were studied. The mean age and duration of disease of the patients were recorded as 28.92 years and 9.08 months. A total of 24/30 (80%) cases were found positive for Aspergillus flavus from KOH/culture investigation. The percentage positivity of CD3 + CD4 + T cells was significantly increased after A. flavus stimulation in patients as compared with healthy controls. Decreased levels of CD45RA + CD4 + T cells were analyzed in patients before and after treatment as compared with healthy controls. The percentage of CD45RO + CD4 + T cells was found to be increased upon A. flavus stimulation in patients compared with the healthy control group.

Conclusion
The continuous exposure to fungal spores may induce unusual immune responses to Aspergillus flavus spores, triggering an allergic immunological reaction with increased CD4 + T cell responses. Increased levels of CD4 + CD45RO + T cells may transform the pathogenic reaction and highlight the chances of A. flavus reactive T cells involvement in initiating inflammation in cases of CRSwNP.
P124 Cryptococcus neoformans-and Cryptococcus gattii-specific antibodies vary among children and adults with cryptococcosis and healthy from Colombia
Authors: Becerra-Alvarez Paola , Escandón Patricia , Lizarazo Jairo , Quirós-Gómez Óscar , Firacative Carolina 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Background
Cryptococcus neoformans (Cn), predominantly, and Cryptococcus gattii (Cg) cause cryptococcosis, a life-threatening systemic mycosis of global distribution affecting mainly immunocompromised adults.

Objectives
This study aimed to determine total and specific antibodies against C. neoformans and C. gattii antigens in sera from patients with cryptococcosis and from healthy individuals from Colombia, which will help to elucidate sero-epidemiological variations in the incidence of the disease in the country.

Methods
Sera from child and adult patients with cryptococcosis (n = 109) and sera from healthy children and adults from Colombia (n = 119) were studied. Using ELISA, total and Cn- and Cg-specific levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgA, and IgM were determined in sera.

Results
Total IgG, IgA, and IgM levels were higher in HIV + compared with HIV− patients with cryptococcosis. Specific IgG, IgA, and IgM levels tended to be higher in cryptococcosis patients than in healthy controls and to be higher in adults than in children, with a positive correlation between antibody reactivity and age. All serum immunoglobulins were more reactive against Cn-proteins than Cg-proteins. Including all samples, a positive correlation between total and specific IgG, IgA, and IgM levels was found.

Conclusions
In cryptococcosis patients from Colombia, serum immunoglobulins levels differ depending on HIV status, as reported previously. However, this study shows for the first-time variations in immunoglobulin production among adults and children with cryptococcal disease and between Cn and Cg-protein antigens. The observation of differential antibody reactivity with cryptococcal proteins encourages further studies of the humoral immunity for host defense against cryptococcosis.