Listeriosis is a foodborne disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes species and is known to cause severe complications, particularly in pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and ...immunocompromised individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Listeria species in food and water using both biochemical and species-specific PCR analysis. L. monocytogenes isolates were further screened for the presence of various antibiotic resistance, virulence, and biofilm-forming determinants profiles using phenotypic and genotypic assays. A total of 207 samples (composed of meat, milk, vegetables, and water) were collected and analyzed for presence of L. monocytogenes using species specific PCR analysis. Out of 267 presumptive isolates, 53 (19.85%) were confirmed as the Listeria species, and these comprised 26 L. monocytogenes, 3 L. innocua, 2 L. welshimeri, and 1 L. thailandensis. The remaining 21 Listeria species were classified as uncultured Listeria, based on 16SrRNA sequence analysis results. A large proportion (76% to 100%) of the L. monocytogenes were resistant to erythromycin (76%), clindamycin (100%), gentamicin (100%), tetracycline (100%), novobiocin (100%), oxacillin (100%), nalidixic acid (100%), and kanamycin (100%). The isolates revealed various multi-drug resistant (MDR) phenotypes, with E-DA-GM-T-NO-OX-NA-K being the most predominant MDR phenotypes observed in the L. monocytogenes isolates. The virulence genes prfA, hlyA, actA, and plcB were detected in 100%, 68%, 56%, and 20% of the isolates, respectively. In addition, L. monocytogenes isolates were capable of forming strong biofilm at 4 °C (%) after 24 to 72 h incubation periods, moderate for 8% isolates at 48 h and 20% at 72 h (p < 0.05). Moreover, at 25 °C and 37 °C, small proportions of the isolates displayed moderate (8−20%) biofilm formation after 48 and 72 h incubation periods. Biofilm formation genes flaA and luxS were detected in 72% and 56% of the isolates, respectively. These findings suggest that proper hygiene measures must be enforced along the food chain to ensure food safety.
Abstract
Severe COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) are characterized by hyperinflammation. Severe COVID in adults is associated with development of afucosylated ...SARS-CoV-2 IgG that induce monocytes to secrete inflammatory cytokines. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between spike IgG Fc glycosylation and inflammatory markers during acute pediatric COVID or MIS-C or following COVID vaccination in adults.
We assessed cross-sectional and longitudinal samples from 195 participants: Adult vaccinees, acute COVID patients, and healthy controls, as well as pediatric acute COVID patients, MIS-C patients, and healthy controls. We developed capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods to analyze bulk and spike IgG Fc glycans and measured ten relevant cytokines/chemokines by multiplexed assay.
Analysis of healthy control bulk IgG by CE found 95.3–99.6% fucosylated, 2.7–6.9% bisected, 55.8–66.8% galactosylated, and 4.6–15.6% sialylated Fc glycans, compared to 99.8%, 6.7%, 45.4%, and 8.2% by mass spectrometry, respectively. IFN-γ, IL-10, CXCL10, and CCL3 were significantly increased in MIS-C compared to pediatric healthy controls; IL-10, CCL2, and TNF were only increased in severe adult COVID compared to healthy controls or less severe COVID. Initial results confirmed significantly more afucosylated spike IgG in adult severe COVID than afucosylated bulk IgG in controls.
Our high-throughput methods for IgG Fc glycan profiling generated comparable results to mass spectrometry. Continued assessment will determine if COVID- or vaccine-induced spike IgG glycoforms correlate with inflammatory markers. Future mechanistic work will examine how modified glycosylation induces inflammatory cytokines.
Supported by an IDCRC New Investigator Pilot Award to E.M.S. (NIH UM1AI148684), by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through a cooperative agreement with the Georgia Emerging Infection Program (grant no. U50CK000485), and by grant from NIH to P.A. (R24GM137782).
On December 31, 2019, Chinese health officials reported a cluster of cases of acute respiratory illness in persons associated with the Hunan seafood and animal market in the city of Wuhan, Hubei ...Province, in central China. On January 7, 2020, Chinese health officials confirmed that a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was associated with this initial cluster (1). As of February 4, 2020, a total of 20,471 confirmed cases, including 2,788 (13.6%) with severe illness,* and 425 deaths (2.1%) had been reported by the National Health Commission of China (2). Cases have also been reported in 26 locations outside of mainland China, including documentation of some person-to-person transmission and one death (2). As of February 4, 11 cases had been reported in the United States. On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General declared that the 2019-nCoV outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
On January 31, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary declared a U.S. public health emergency to respond to 2019-nCoV.
Also on January 31, the president of the United States signed a "Proclamation on Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus," which limits entry into the United States of persons who traveled to mainland China to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents and their families (3). CDC, multiple other federal agencies, state and local health departments, and other partners are implementing aggressive measures to slow transmission of 2019-nCoV in the United States (4,5). These measures require the identification of cases and their contacts in the United States and the appropriate assessment and care of travelers arriving from mainland China to the United States. These measures are being implemented in anticipation of additional 2019-nCoV cases in the United States. Although these measures might not prevent the eventual establishment of ongoing, widespread transmission of the virus in the United States, they are being implemented to 1) slow the spread of illness; 2) provide time to better prepare health care systems and the general public to be ready if widespread transmission with substantial associated illness occurs; and 3) better characterize 2019-nCoV infection to guide public health recommendations and the development of medical countermeasures including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Public health authorities are monitoring the situation closely. As more is learned about this novel virus and this outbreak, CDC will rapidly incorporate new knowledge into guidance for action by CDC and state and local health departments.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NMLJ, NUK, ODKLJ, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
Abstract only Introduction: Most clinical research stopped during COVID due to possible impact on data quality and personnel safety. We aimed to assess the impact of COVID on study conduct at sites ...that continued to enroll patients during the pandemic. Methods: BEST-MSU is an ongoing study of Mobile Stroke Units (MSU) vs standard management of tPA eligible acute stroke patients in the pre-hospital setting. MSU personnel include a vascular neurologist via telemedicine, and a nurse, CT tech, and medics on board using appropriate PPE. During COVID, consent, 90 d mRS and EQ5D could be obtained by phone instead of in person, otherwise management was the same. We compared patient demographics, study metrics, and infection of study personnel during intra- vs pre-COVID eras. Results: Four of 6 BEST-MSU sites continued to enroll during COVID. There was no difference in intra- (n= 41) vs pre- (n= 763) COVID enrolled tPA eligible patients’ age, sex, race (45% vs 41% Black), ethnicity (23% vs 19% Hispanic), or NIHSS (12 vs 12). MSU alert frequency did not change, but percent of screened patients enrolled and treated with tPA declined to 12% from 23% (p<.001); enrollment correlated with local stay at home and reopening (fig). There was no difference in alert to MSU arrival or arrival to tPA times, but on-scene time was 2 min longer (p=.04). There was no difference in ED door to CT, tPA, or EVT times, hospital LOS, discharge disposition, or 90d mRS or EQ5D accuracy. One MSU nurse tested positive but did not require medical care. Conclusion: Clinical research in the pre-hospital setting can be carried out accurately and safely during a pandemic. Study enrollment and tPA treatment rates declined, but otherwise there was no difference in patient demographics, deterioration of study processes, or serious infection of study staff.
The negative correlation between BPH-size and incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) is well-documented in the literature, however the exact mechanism is not well-understood. The present study uses ...histo-anatomical imaging to study prostate volume in correlation to prostate capsule thickness, and glandular epithelial cell density within the peripheral zone (PZ).
Specimens were selected from radical prostatectomies ranging from 20 to 160 mL based on ease of anatomical reconstruction by the slides. A total of 60 patients were selected and underwent quantitative measurements of prostate capsule thickness and glandular epithelial density within the PZ using computer-based imaging software. Pearson's correlation and a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between these measured parameters and the clinical characteristic of these patients.
Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a strongly significant, negative correlation between prostate volume and glandular epithelial cell density (r(58)=-0.554, p<0.001), and a strongly significant, positive correlation between prostate volume and average capsule thickness (r(58)=0.462, p<0.001). Results of multiple regression analysis showed that average glandular epithelial cell density added statistically to this prediction (p<0.05).
The results suggest that growth of the transition zone in BPH causes increased fibrosis of the PZ, leading to atrophy and fibrosis of glandular cells. As 80% of PCa originates from the glandular epithelium within the PZ, this observed phenomenon may explain the inverse correlation between BPH and PCa that is well-documented in the literature.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The chapter authors argue there is a distinct relationship between socially just leadership education and civic engagement, which transforms inequitable work to interrupt and reconstruct unjust ...systems and organizations through curricular learning and engagement. To cultivate advocacy, activism, and engaged citizenry, higher education administrators, faculty, and staff have a responsibility to engage practices for socially just leadership learning and development of college students through curricular and co‐curricular experiences.
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DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
West Africa experienced the first epidemic of Ebola virus infection, with by far the greatest number of cases in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. The unprecedented epidemic triggered an ...unparalleled response, including the deployment of multiple Ebola treatment units and mobile/field diagnostic laboratories. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention deployed a joint laboratory to Monrovia, Liberia, in August 2014 to support the newly founded Ebola treatment unit at the Eternal Love Winning Africa (ELWA) campus. The laboratory operated initially out of a tent structure but quickly moved into a fixed-wall building owing to severe weather conditions, the need for increased security, and the high sample volume. Until May 2015, when the laboratory closed, the site handled close to 6000 clinical specimens for Ebola virus diagnosis and supported the medical staff in case patient management. Laboratory operation and safety, as well as Ebola virus diagnostic assays, are described and discussed; in addition, lessons learned for future deployments are reviewed.
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BFBNIB, NMLJ, NUK, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Summary
To develop consensus on improving the management of patients, we convened an international workshop involving patients, clinicians, and researchers. Key findings included the diagnostic delay ...and variability in subsequent management with agreement to develop an international natural history study. We now invite other stakeholders to join the partnership.
Purpose
The aim of this study was develop a consensus on how to improve the management of patients with fibrous dysplasia and prioritize areas for research
Methods
An international workshop was held over 3 days involving patients, clinicians, and researchers. Each day had a combination of formal presentations and facilitated discussions that focused on clinical pathways and research.
Results
The patient workshop day highlighted the variability of patients’ experience in getting a diagnosis, the knowledge of general clinical staff, and understanding long-term outcomes. The research workshop prioritized collaborations that improved understanding of the contemporary natural history of fibrous dysplasia/McCune-Albright syndrome (FD/MAS). The clinical workshop outlined the key issues around diagnostics, assessment of severity, treatment and monitoring of patients.
Conclusions
In spite of advances in understanding the genetic and molecular underpinnings of fibrous dysplasia/McCune-Albright syndrome, clinical management remains a challenge. From the workshop, a consensus was reached to create an international, multi-stakeholder partnership to advance research and clinical care in FD/MAS. We invite other stakeholders to join the partnership.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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