Design of a multiplex quantitative reverse transcription-PCR system to simultaneously detect 16 pathogens associated with bovine respiratory and enteric diseases

AIM

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and bovine enteric disease (BED) are two major diseases in cattle, resulting in severe economic losses in the dairy and beef industries. The two major diseases are associated with several factors such as viruses, bacteria, the health condition of the host and environmental factors. We aimed to design a new efficient diagnostic method, which rapidly detect causative pathogens, minimizing economic loss due to BRD and BED.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We designed a multiplex quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) system for the simultaneous diagnosis of 16 pathogens, including 12 viruses and 4 bacteria related to BRD and BED, based on single qRT-PCR assays in previous studies. The designed multiplex qRT-PCR was highly sensitive and has minimal detection levels which will be no different from those of single qRT-PCR. Moreover, the multiplex qRT-PCR could more efficiently detect the causative pathogens than conventional RT-PCR in test using a part of BRD and BED clinical samples. Furthermore, our data revealed that the multiplex qRT-PCR had high performance in its specificity and reproducibility tests.

CONCLUSIONS

Our system can effectively detect multiple BRD or BED related pathogens from each animal while testing several clinical samples via the multiplex qRT-PCR. It is more time-, cost- and labour-efficient than other diagnostic methods.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Rapid detection of infected animals from the herd using our system will greatly contribute to infection control and prompt treatment in field.

Temperature dependent local atomic displacements in NaSn2As2 system

NaSn₂As₂ is mechanically exfoliable layered van der Waals (vdW) Zintl phase that is getting interesting due to its low thermal conductivity and recently observed superconductivity. Here, we have investigated the temperature dependent local structure of NaSn₂As₂ by a combined analysis of As K-edge and Sn K-edge extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurements. The system is intrinsically disordered with the interatomic distances largely consistent to those estimated by average structure measurements. The stretching force constants of different bond distances have been determined using temperature dependent mean square relative displacements. The Sn-As distance is the strongest bond in this system, having covalent nature, unlike the weaker interlayer distances which are characterized by vdW type bonding. Among them, As-Na distance is slightly weaker than Sn-Sn(i) below  ∼200 K and tends to get stronger above this temperature. The anomalous behavior of As-Na bond suggests that the mechanical exfoliation in this system is likely to be temperature dependent. The anomaly in the interlayer atomic correlations may be due to a charge density wave-like instability around this temperature, indicated by earlier experiments. The local structure and disorder are discussed in relation to the physical properties of NaSn₂As₂.

Three-dimensional mean CT attenuation value of pure and part-solid ground-glass lung nodules may predict invasiveness in early adenocarcinoma

AIM

This study evaluated the relationship between three-dimensional (3D) mean computed tomography (CT) attenuation values of ground-glass nodules (GGN) and pathological invasiveness in early lung adenocarcinoma. The diagnostic accuracy of 3D CT attenuation values was compared with that of two-dimensional (2D) CT attenuation values and standardised uptake value on positron-emission tomography (PET).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Surgical and radiological data from 96 pure or part-solid GGNs of <20 mm were analysed retrospectively. Mean 2D and 3D CT attenuation values of the tumours were obtained with semi-automated volumetric software. Pathological invasiveness was diagnosed according to the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC))/American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) classification. Pre-invasive lesions and minimally invasive adenocarcinomas were classified as non-invasive adenocarcinoma. Univariate and multivariate analyses determined relationships between pathological invasiveness and clinical/radiological findings. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the optimal cut-off value for detecting invasive adenocarcinoma.

RESULTS

A total of 66 non-invasive and 30 invasive adenocarcinoma cases between 2010 and 2016 were analysed. Univariate analysis revealed four tumour invasiveness-associated predictors: maximum diameter, SUVmax, mean 2D CT attenuation value, and mean 3D CT attenuation value (p<0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the maximum diameter, SUVmax, and mean 3D CT attenuation value were significant predictors of pathological invasiveness (p=0.023, 0.022, 0.004). The area under the ROC curve to predict invasive adenocarcinoma for mean 3D CT attenuation value was 0.838 and the cut-off value was -489 HU.

CONCLUSION

The mean 3D CT attenuation value could distinguish pre-invasive lesions and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma from invasive adenocarcinoma.

P1703Impact of prehospital epinephrine administration and quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation on neurologically intact survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with non-shockable rhythm

Background

The effects of prehospital epinephrine administration in combination with the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on neurological outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients with non-shockable rhythm remains unclear.

Purpose

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of prehospital epinephrine administration in combination with the quality of CPR on neurologically intact survival in OHCA patients with non-shockable rhythm.

Methods

We analysed 118,732 adult OHCA patients with non-shockable rhythm from the All-Japan OHCA registry between 2011 and 2016 (29,989 emergency medical service [EMS]-witnessed arrests with EMS-initiated CPR [high-quality CPR] and 88,743 bystander-witnessed arrests with bystander-initiated CPR continued by EMS providers [low-quality CPR]). Patients who achieved prehospital return of spontaneous circulation without prehospital epinephrine administration were excluded. The primary outcome measure was 1-month neurologically intact survival (cerebral performance category 1 or 2; CPC 1–2). Time from collapse to prehospital epinephrine administration for patients with prehospital epinephrine administration, or to hospital arrival for patients without prehospital epinephrine administration was calculated and adjusted collectively in multivariate logistic regression analysis for 1-month CPC 1–2.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the time from collapse to prehospital epinephrine administration or to hospital arrival was negatively associated with 1-month CPC 1–2 (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.95 per 1-minute increment, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94–0.96). Compared with bystander-witnessed arrests without prehospital epinephrine administration, EMS-witnessed arrests with or without prehospital epinephrine administration were significantly associated with increased chances of 1-month CPC 1–2 (adjusted OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.50–2.75 and adjusted OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.57–2.48, respectively). Prehospital epinephrine administration was significantly associated with an increased chance of 1-month CPC 1–2 among bystander-witnessed arrests (adjusted OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.24–1.98), but not among EMS-witnessed arrests. EMS-witnessed arrests without prehospital epinephrine administration were significantly associated with an increased chance of 1-month CPC 1–2 compared with bystander-witnessed arrests with prehospital epinephrine administration (adjusted OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.01–1.56).

Conclusions

High-quality CPR is crucial for increasing neurologically intact survival in OHCA patients with non-shockable rhythm. The additional beneficial effects of prehospital epinephrine administration were observed only among OHCA patients with low-quality CPR.

5227Effects of witness status and time to cardiopulmonary resuscitation by emergency medical services on neurological outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with non-shockable rhythm

Background

Data on the effects of witness status and time from an emergency call to initiation of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by emergency medical service (EMS) providers on neurological outcome in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients with non-shockable rhythm according to the first documented rhythm are limited.

Purpose

We aimed to determine the effects of witness status and time from an emergency call to CPR initiation by EMS providers on neurologically intact survival in OHCA patients according to the type of non-shockable rhythm (pulseless electrical activity [PEA] and asystole).

Methods

We analysed the records of 583,431 adult OHCA patients with non-shockable rhythm (191,905 bystander-witnessed arrest and 391,526 unwitnessed arrest). Data were derived from the prospectively recorded All-Japan OHCA registry between 2011 and 2016. Call to EMS-CPR interval was defined as the time from an emergency call to CPR initiation by EMS providers. The primary outcome was 1-month neurologically intact survival (cerebral performance category 1 or 2; CPC 1–2) and secondary outcome was presence of PEA.

Results

The rates of 1-month CPC 1–2 were 1.21% (2,326/191,905) for bystander-witnessed arrest and 0.24% (959/391,526) for unwitnessed arrest. When divided into 4 groups based on witness status and initial documented rhythm, these rates were 2.42% (1,869/77,190) for bystander-witnessed arrest with PEA (group A), 0.40% (457/114,715) for bystander-witnessed arrest with asystole (group B), 1.51% (679/44,926) for unwitnessed arrest with PEA (group C) and 0.08% (280/346,600) for unwitnessed arrest with asystole (group D). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed each 1-min delay of Call to EMS-CPR interval to be significantly associated with decreased chances of 1-month CPC 1–2 for groups A, B and D (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.95, 0.91 and 0.96, respectively; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93–0.96, 0.88–0.94 and 0.93–0.99, respectively). However, for group C, there was no significant relationship between these variables (adjusted OR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.98–1.02). The proportion of PEA was 40.2% (77,190/191,905) for bystander-witnessed arrest and 11.5% (44,926/391,526) for unwitnessed arrest. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that, as Call to EMS-CPR interval lengthened (per 1-min delay), the number of OHCA patients with PEA decreased for bystander-witnessed arrest (adjusted OR: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.93–0.94) and for unwitnessed arrest (adjusted OR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.96–0.97).

Conclusions

The 1-month CPC 1–2 rate differed by witness status and initial documented rhythm in OHCA patients with non-shockable rhythm. Shortening of Call to EMS-CPR interval is crucial for improving 1-month CPC 1–2 rate and sustaining PEA, particularly in bystander-witnessed arrest.

Nuclear Dependence of the Transverse Single-Spin Asymmetry in the Production of Charged Hadrons at Forward Rapidity in Polarized p+p, p+Al, and p+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

We report on the nuclear dependence of transverse single-spin asymmetries (TSSAs) in the production of positively charged hadrons in polarized p^{↑}+p, p^{↑}+Al, and p^{↑}+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. The measurements have been performed at forward rapidity (1.4<η<2.4) over the range of transverse momentum (1.8<p_{T}<7.0  GeV/c) and Feynman x (0.1<x_{F}<0.2). We observed positive asymmetries for positively charged hadrons in p^{↑}+p collisions, and significantly reduced asymmetries in p^{↑}+A collisions. These results reveal a nuclear dependence of TSSAs for charged-hadron production in a regime where perturbative techniques are applicable. These results provide new opportunities to use p^{↑}+A collisions as a tool to investigate the rich phenomena behind TSSAs in hadronic collisions and to use TSSAs as a new handle in studying small-system collisions.

Differences Between the East and the West in Managing Advanced-Stage Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a common cancer associated with high mortality rates worldwide. Unfortunately, it usually presents at a late stage, precluding the chance of curative therapy. The discovery of oncogenic driver mutations in patients with non-small cell lung cancer over the past 20 years has led to new molecular targeted therapies that have dramatically improved treatment efficacy and quality of life. New generations of therapy that target the drug-resistant mutations have also quickly evolved, benefiting patients who are refractory or intolerant to first-line targeted therapy. Eastern patients, from Southeast Asia, Japan and China, are known to have a higher incidence of epidermal growth factor receptor mutation. Therefore, compared with the West, more patients would benefit from these recent advances. In contrast, survival of patients without driver mutations has benefited from advances in novel therapeutics, including the immune checkpoint inhibitors. The current review aims to highlight the recent developments in the management of advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer and to compare the differences in clinical practice between Eastern and Western countries.

Beam Energy and Centrality Dependence of Direct-Photon Emission from Ultrarelativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

The PHENIX collaboration presents first measurements of low-momentum (0.4<p_{T}<3  GeV/c) direct-photon yields from Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=39 and 62.4 GeV. For both beam energies the direct-photon yields are substantially enhanced with respect to expectations from prompt processes, similar to the yields observed in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200. Analyzing the photon yield as a function of the experimental observable dN_{ch}/dη reveals that the low-momentum (>1  GeV/c) direct-photon yield dN_{γ}^{dir}/dη is a smooth function of dN_{ch}/dη and can be well described as proportional to (dN_{ch}/dη)^{α} with α≈1.25. This scaling behavior holds for a wide range of beam energies at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and the Large Hadron Collider, for centrality selected samples, as well as for different A+A collision systems. At a given beam energy, the scaling also holds for high p_{T} (>5  GeV/c), but when results from different collision energies are compared, an additional sqrt[s_{NN}]-dependent multiplicative factor is needed to describe the integrated-direct-photon yield.

Development of a LAMP assay for rapid and sensitive detection and differentiation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium and subsp. hominissuis

Mycobacterium avium causes atypical mycobacterial infection in humans and animals worldwide. M. avium comprises the subspecies avium (MAA), hominissuis (MAH), silvaticum (MAS) and paratuberculosis (MAP). The M. avium complex (MAC), comprising M. avium and M. intracellulare, causes opportunistic infections of humans. M. avium subsp. avium (MAA) mainly causes avian tuberculosis while subsp. hominissuis (MAH) mainly infects pig. Distinguishing between these two subspecies is essential to the effective control of these atypical mycobacterial infections and minimization of the resulting economic loss. For this purpose, we developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay that rapidly and sensitively detects and differentiates MAA and MAH. This MAA-LAMP assay targeting IS901 correctly detected four MAA isolates but did not detect 27 MAH and 19 non-MAA/non-MAH mycobacterial isolates. The MAAH-LAMP assay targeting IS1245 detected four MAA and 27 MAH isolates but not the other 19 mycobacterial isolates. We believe that implementation of this LAMP assay will significantly improve public health and safety. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Mycobacterium avium, which is pathogenic for humans and animals, represents a continuing threat to public health and safety and to food production. Therefore, improved methods are urgently required to readily and efficiently identify M. avium subspecies. Compared with conventional PCR methods, the LAMP assay herein developed more rapidly detects and better distinguishes between two major M. avium subspecies that cause disease of pig. Importantly, this highly accurate and sensitive LAMP assay detects mycobacterial DNAs using real-time fluorescence or the unaided eye with a colour-change dye, making it ideal for translation to the clinic and slaughterhouse.

Infection rate of Schistosoma japonicum in the snail Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi in endemic villages in the Philippines: Need for snail surveillance technique

Schistosomiasis japonica is one of seven NTDs endemic in the Philippines that continues to threaten public health in the country. The causative agent, the blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum, uses an amphibious snail Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi which can harbor larval stages that multiply asexually, eventually producing the infective cercariae which are shed into the water. Contamination of freshwater bodies inhabited by the snail intermediate host occurs through release of human and animal feces containing S. japonicum eggs. Miracidia hatching from these eggs subsequently infect the snails that inhabit these water bodies. The degree of fecal contamination can vary across snail sites and influences snail infection rates in these sites. In this study, conventional malacological surveys using intensive manual search for snails were conducted from 2015 to 2016 in seven selected endemic provinces, namely Leyte and Bohol in the Visayas and Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte and Compostela Valley in Mindanao. A total of 6,279 O. hupensis quadrasi snails were collected from 38 snail sites. The municipality of Trento in Agusan del Sur recorded the highest number of snail sites (7) that yielded O. hupensis quadrasi snails while only one snail site was found positive for O. hupensis quadrasi snails in Kapatagan in Lanao del Norte and Talibon in Bohol. Alegria in Surigao del Norte yielded the highest number of snail sites (5) that were found to harbor snails positive for S. japonicum infection. The snail infection rates in this municipality ranged from 0.43% to 14.71%. None of the snails collected from Talibon in Bohol was infected. Bohol is the only province among the 28 schistosomiasis-endemic provinces which has reached near elimination status. Snail infection rates were found to vary considerably across snail sites, which could be due to the degree of fecal contamination of the snail sites and their connectivity to water that can serve as contamination source.

Transverse single spin asymmetry for very forward π0 production in polarized proton-proton collisions at √s = 510 GeV

Transverse single spin asymmetry, AN, of very forward π0 production from polarized p + p collisions provides new information toward an understanding of its production mechanism. AN of forward π0 in the pseudorapidity region of 3 < η < 4 has been described by the partonic structure of the proton in the perturbative QCD framework. However, recent data indicates a potential contribution from not only partonic but also diffractive interactions. In order to provide a new insight on the origin of the AN, we measured the very forward π0 production in the pseudorapidity region of 6 < η from √s = 510 GeV polarized p + p collisions at RHIC in 2017. We report our measurement of the very forward π0 over the transverse momentum range of 0 < pT < 1 GeV/c and the preliminary result.

Recent results from the LHCf and RHICf experiments

The Large Hadron Collider forward and the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider forward experiments measured forward particles produced in high-energy hadron collisions at the LHC and RHIC. Using compact calorimeters neutral particles produced in pseudorapidities η >8.4 and η >6.0 are observed by the respective experiments. Because the collision energies ranging from 0.51 TeV to 13 TeV correspond to the cosmic-ray equivalent energies of 1014 to 1017 eV, the measurements are important to understand the hadronic interaction relevant to extensive air shower measurements. This paper reviews recent results of LHCf and initial performance of RHICf that took data in the 2017 RHIC operation.

Pseudorapidity Dependence of Particle Production and Elliptic Flow in Asymmetric Nuclear Collisions of p+Al, p+Au, d+Au, and ^{3}He+Au at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

Asymmetric nuclear collisions of p+Al, p+Au, d+Au, and ^{3}He+Au at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV provide an excellent laboratory for understanding particle production, as well as exploring interactions among these particles after their initial creation in the collision. We present measurements of charged hadron production dN_{ch}/dη in all such collision systems over a broad pseudorapidity range and as a function of collision multiplicity. A simple wounded quark model is remarkably successful at describing the full data set. We also measure the elliptic flow v_{2} over a similarly broad pseudorapidity range. These measurements provide key constraints on models of particle emission and their translation into flow.

Local extensive granulomatous inflammation of the neck region and lymphangitis caused by Lichtheimia corymbifera infection in a Japanese Black calf

A 7-month-old female Japanese Black calf developed elongated, nodular mass measuring 30 × 16 cm extended from the retropharyngeal region to mid lateral neck region. Histological examination revealed granulomatous lymphangitis with non-septate fungal hyphae recognized throughout the lesions. Fungal culture, DNA sequencing and molecular phylogenetic tree analysis confirmed the sequence of Lichtheimia corymbifera. The lymphogenous route was speculated to be the main route of fungal spread leading to the characteristic nodular appearance of this case.