Latitudinal patterns in stabilizing density dependence of forest communities

Numerous studies have shown reduced performance in plants that are surrounded by neighbours of the same species1,2, a phenomenon known as conspecific negative density dependence (CNDD)3. A long-held ecological hypothesis posits that CNDD is more pronounced in tropical than in temperate forests4,5, which increases community stabilization, species coexistence and the diversity of local tree species6,7. Previous analyses supporting such a latitudinal gradient in CNDD8,9 have suffered from methodological limitations related to the use of static data10-12. Here we present a comprehensive assessment of latitudinal CNDD patterns using dynamic mortality data to estimate species-site-specific CNDD across 23 sites. Averaged across species, we found that stabilizing CNDD was present at all except one site, but that average stabilizing CNDD was not stronger toward the tropics. However, in tropical tree communities, rare and intermediate abundant species experienced stronger stabilizing CNDD than did common species. This pattern was absent in temperate forests, which suggests that CNDD influences species abundances more strongly in tropical forests than it does in temperate ones13. We also found that interspecific variation in CNDD, which might attenuate its stabilizing effect on species diversity14,15, was high but not significantly different across latitudes. Although the consequences of these patterns for latitudinal diversity gradients are difficult to evaluate, we speculate that a more effective regulation of population abundances could translate into greater stabilization of tropical tree communities and thus contribute to the high local diversity of tropical forests.

On the gene expression landscape of cancer

Kauffman picture of normal and tumor states as attractors in an abstract state space is used in order to interpret gene expression data for 15 cancer localizations obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. A principal component analysis of this data unveils the following qualitative aspects about tumors: 1) The state of a tissue in gene expression space can be described by a few variables. In particular, there is a single variable describing the progression from a normal tissue to a tumor. 2) Each cancer localization is characterized by a gene expression profile, in which genes have specific weights in the definition of the cancer state. There are no less than 2500 differentially-expressed genes, which lead to power-like tails in the expression distribution functions. 3) Tumors in different localizations share hundreds or even thousands of differentially expressed genes. There are 6 genes common to the 15 studied tumor localizations. 4) The tumor region is a kind of attractor. Tumors in advanced stages converge to this region independently of patient age or genetic characteristics. 5) There is a landscape of cancer in gene expression space with an approximate border separating normal tissues from tumors.

Broadening Participation: 21st Century Opportunities for Amateurs in Biology Research

The modern field of biology has its roots in the curiosity and skill of amateur researchers and has never been purely the domain of professionals. Today, professionals and amateurs contribute to biology research, working both together and independently. Well-targeted and holistic investment in amateur biology research could bring a range of benefits that, in addition to positive societal benefits, may help to address the considerable challenges facing our planet in the 21st century. We highlight how recent advances in amateur biology have been facilitated by innovations in digital infrastructure as well as the development of community biology laboratories, launched over the last decade, and we provide recommendations for how individuals can support the integration of amateurs into biology research. The benefits of investment in amateur biology research could be many-fold, however without a clear consideration of equity, efforts to promote amateur biology could exacerbate structural inequalities around access to and benefits from STEM. The future of the field of biology relies on integrating a diversity of perspectives and approaches-amateur biology researchers have an important role to play.

Epidemiological and virological findings during an outbreak of equine influenza in Uruguay in 2018

Equine influenza is one of the major respiratory infectious diseases in horses. In 2018, equine influenza virus (EIV) was confirmed as the cause of outbreaks of respiratory disease in horses in Chile and Argentina. In the same year, for the first time in Uruguay, EIV infection was confirmed by isolation and molecular analysis to be the cause of respiratory disease among hundreds of clinically affected thoroughbred horses in training and racing facilities. The virus was detected in nasopharyngeal swabs by a pan-reactive influenza type A realtime reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). The partial nucleotide sequence of the haemagglutinin 1 (HA1 ) gene (994 base pairs) was determined and analysed phylogenetically using MEGA X software. Amino acid sequence alignments were constructed, and serum samples were tested by haemagglutination inhibition and single radial haemolysis. The diagnosis of EIV was confirmed by rRT-PCR, virus isolation and serological testing. The phylogenetic analysis of the partial HA1 gene sequence of the isolated virus indicated that it belongs to clade 1 of the Florida sub-lineage of the American lineage and is closely related to viruses isolated in the recent past. Study of the HA1 region (331 amino acids) of the virus identified in horses in racing facilities in Uruguay displayed the highest amino acid sequence identity with viruses detected in Argentina, Chile and the United Kingdom in 2018. The surveillance data reported illustrate the international spread of EIVs and support the recommendation of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Expert Surveillance Panel to include viruses of the Florida sub-lineage in vaccines.

Growing a circular economy with fungal biotechnology: a white paper

Fungi have the ability to transform organic materials into a rich and diverse set of useful products and provide distinct opportunities for tackling the urgent challenges before all humans. Fungal biotechnology can advance the transition from our petroleum-based economy into a bio-based circular economy and has the ability to sustainably produce resilient sources of food, feed, chemicals, fuels, textiles, and materials for construction, automotive and transportation industries, for furniture and beyond. Fungal biotechnology offers solutions for securing, stabilizing and enhancing the food supply for a growing human population, while simultaneously lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Fungal biotechnology has, thus, the potential to make a significant contribution to climate change mitigation and meeting the United Nation’s sustainable development goals through the rational improvement of new and established fungal cell factories. The White Paper presented here is the result of the 2nd Think Tank meeting held by the EUROFUNG consortium in Berlin in October 2019. This paper highlights discussions on current opportunities and research challenges in fungal biotechnology and aims to inform scientists, educators, the general public, industrial stakeholders and policymakers about the current fungal biotech revolution.

Enabling community-based metrology for wood-degrading fungi

BACKGROUND

Lignocellulosic biomass could support a greatly-expanded bioeconomy. Current strategies for using biomass typically rely on single-cell organisms and extensive ancillary equipment to produce precursors for downstream manufacturing processes. Alternative forms of bioproduction based on solid-state fermentation and wood-degrading fungi could enable more direct means of manufacture. However, basic methods for cultivating wood-degrading fungi are often ad hoc and not readily reproducible. Here, we developed standard reference strains, substrates, measurements, and methods sufficient to begin to enable reliable reuse of mycological materials and products in simple laboratory settings.

RESULTS

We show that a widely-available and globally-regularized consumer product (Pringles™) can support the growth of wood-degrading fungi, and that growth on Pringles™-broth can be correlated with growth on media made from a fully-traceable and compositionally characterized substrate (National Institute of Standards and Technology Reference Material 8492 Eastern Cottonwood Whole Biomass Feedstock). We also establish a Relative Extension Unit (REU) framework that is designed to reduce variation in quantification of radial growth measurements. So enabled, we demonstrate that five laboratories were able to compare measurements of wood-fungus performance via a simple radial extension growth rate assay, and that our REU-based approach reduced variation in reported measurements by up to ~ 75%.

CONCLUSIONS

Reliable reuse of materials, measures, and methods is necessary to enable distributed bioproduction processes that can be adopted at all scales, from local to industrial. Our community-based measurement methods incentivize practitioners to coordinate the reuse of standard materials, methods, strains, and to share information supporting work with wood-degrading fungi.

RID: Evaluation of the Possible Inhibiting Effect of the Proinflammatory Signaling Induced by TNF-α through NF-κβ and AP-1 in Two Cell Lines of Breast Cancer

Receptor internalization and degradation (RID), is a transmembrane protein coded within the E3 region expression cassette of adenoviruses. RID downregulates the cell surface expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR), and apoptosis antigen 1 (FAS), causing a reduction of the effects of their respective ligands. In addition, RID inhibits apoptosis by decreasing the secretion of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) by normal tissue cells. In this article, we report that RID inhibited chemokine expression in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 but showed no effect in cell line MCF7. These dissimilar results may be due to the different molecular and functional properties of both cell lines. Therefore, it is necessary to replicate this study in other breast cancer cell models.

A multimodal intervention program to control a long-term Acinetobacter baumannii endemic in a tertiary care hospital

Background

Acinetobacter baumannii causes frequently nosocomial infections worldwide. Its ability to survive on dry surfaces facilitates its spread and the persistence of endemic situations, especially in the intensive care units (ICUs).

The objective of this paper is to describe a multicomponent intervention program designed to control a hyperendemic persistence of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii (MDR-Ab) and to characterize its impact.

Methods

Design: Quasi-experimental intervention study based on open cohorts.

Setting: Public tertiary referral centre. Period: January 2009–August 2017.

Intervention: multifaceted program based on environmental decontamination, hand hygiene, antimicrobial stewardship, contact precautions, active surveillance, weekly reports and regular meetings.

Analysis: joinpoint regression and interrupted time-series analysis.

Results

The intervention was successfully implemented. Through the study period, the compliance with contact precautions changed from 0 to 100% and with hand hygiene, from 41.8 to 82.3%. Between 2012 and 2016, the antibiotic consumption decreased from 165.35 in to 150.44 daily-defined doses/1000 patients-days in the ICU. The incidence density of MDR-Ab in the ICU was 10.9 cases/1000 patients-days at the beginning of the intervention. After this moment, the evolution of the incidence density of MDR-Ab was: between months 0 and 6°, it remained stable; between months 7° and 10°: there was an intense decrease, with an average monthly percentage change (AMPC) = − 30.05%; from 11° month until the end, the decrease was lighter but continuous (AMPC:-2.77%), achieving an incidence density of 0 cases/1000 patients-days on the 18° month, without any new case for 12 months. From the 30° month until the end of the study period, several little outbreaks of MDR-Ab were detected, all of them rapidly controlled. The strains of MDR-Ab isolated during these outbreaks were not clonally related with the previously endemic one, which supports its eradication from the environmental reservoirs.

Conclusion

The multicomponent intervention performed by a multidisciplinary team was effective to eradicate the endemic MDR-Ab.

Determination of Low-Level Pesticide Residues in Soft Drinks and Sports Drinks by Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry: Collaborative Study

A collaborative study was conducted on a method for the measurement of 11 low-level pesticide residues in soft drinks and sports drinks by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The pesticide residues determined in this study were alachlor, atrazine, butachlor, isoproturon, malaoxon, monocrotophos, methyl paraoxon, phorate, phorate sulfone, phorate sulfoxide, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Blind fortification solutions containing 3 different levels of pesticide residues were provided to 9 collaborating laboratories to create test samples at concentrations of 0, 0.1, and 0.5 g/L with a 10-fold concentration for phorate in a total of 6 matrixes (2 colas, 1 diet cola, 1 clear lemon-lime soft drink, 1 orange soft drink, and 1 sports drink). Good qualitative performance of the method was demonstrated for all pesticide residues. Reproducibility relative standard deviation (RSDR) ranged from 7 to 151 for alachlor, atrazine, butachlor, isoproturon, malaoxon, monocrotophos, methyl paraoxon, phorate, phorate sulfone, phorate sulfoxide, and 2,4-D at the 0.1 g/L level (1.0 g/L for phorate). At 0.5 g/L (5.0 g/L for phorate), RSDR ranged from 9 to 57 for alachlor, atrazine, butachlor isoproturon, malaoxon, monocrotophos, methyl paraoxon, phorate, phorate sulfone, phorate sulfoxide, and 2,4-D in all matrixes. Repeatability relative standard deviation (RSDr), applicable to the diet cola and sports drink, ranged from 0 to 124 for the 11 pesticide residues at the 0.1 g/L level (1.0 g/L for phorate). At 0.5 g/L (5.0 g/L for phorate), RSDr ranged from 4 to 26. Recoveries for the 11 pesticide residues in all matrixes ranged from 84 to 300 at the 0.1 g/L level (1.0 g/L for phorate) and from 66 to 127 at the 0.5 g/L (5.0 g/L for phorate) level. Coefficients of determination (r2) of the matrix-matched calibration curves were 0.95. It is recommended that the method be accepted by AOAC as Official First Action with a limit of quantification of 0.5 g/L for alachlor, atrazine, butachlor, isoproturon, malaoxon, methyl paraoxon, monocrotophos, phorate sulfone, phorate sulfoxide, and 2,4-D and 5.0 g/L for phorate.

Determination of Pesticide Residues (>0.5 g/L) in Soft Drinks and Sports Drinks by Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry: Collaborative Study

A collaborative study was conducted on a method for the measurement of 19 low-level pesticide residues in soft drinks and sports drinks by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The pesticide residues determined were 2,4-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (2,4-DDE); 2,4-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (2,4-DDD); 4,4-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (4,4-DDE); 2,4-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (2,4-DDT); 4,4-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (4,4-DDT); 4,4-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (4,4-DDD); -endosulfan; endosulfan-sulfate; dieldrin; aldrin; ethion; chlorpyrifos; -endosulfan; malathion; methyl-parathion; -hexachlorocyclohexane (-HCH); -HCH; -HCH; and -HCH. Blind fortification solutions containing 4 different levels of pesticide residues (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 g/L) were provided to 8 collaborating laboratories who used them to create test samples in 6 matrixes (also provided): 2 colas, a diet cola, a clear lemon-lime soft drink, an orange soft drink, and a sports drink. Reproducibility (RSDR) for all 19 pesticide residues in all matrixes ranged from 7 to 151 at the 0.1 g/L level, 11 to 121 at 0.5 g/L, and 14 to 67 at 1.0 g/L. Repeatability (RSDr), applicable to the diet cola and the sports drink, ranged from 1 to 76 for the 19 pesticide residues at the 0.1 g/L level, 9 to 38 at 0.5 g/L, and 9 to 38 at 1.0 g/L. Recoveries for the 19 pesticide residues in allmatrixes ranged from 77 to 645 at the 0.1 g/L level, 60 to 231 at 0.5 g/L, and 61 to 146 at 1.0 g/L. It is recommended that the method be accepted by AOAC as Official First Action with a limit of quantification (LOQ) equal to 0.5 g/L for 4,4-DDT; 2,4-DDT; 2,4-DDD; 4,4-DDE; 4,4-DDD; 2,4-DDE; aldrin; dieldrin; -endosulfan; endosulfan-sulfate; chlorpyrifos; and ethion, and an LOQ equal to 1.0 g/L for -endosulfan; -HCH; -HCH; -HCH; -HCH; methyl-parathion; and malathion.

Determination of Ephedrine Alkaloids in Botanicals and Dietary Supplements by HPLC-UV: Collaborative Study

An international collaborative study was conducted of a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-UV method for the determination of the major (ephedrine [EP] and pseudoephedrine [PS]) and minor (norephedrine [NE], norpseudoephedrine [NP], methylephedrine [ME], and methylpseudoephedrine [MP]) alkaloids in selected dietary supplements representative of the commercially available products. Ten collaborating laboratories determined the ephedrine-type alkaloid content in 8 blind replicate samples. Five products contained ephedra ground herb or ephedra extract. These 5 products included ground botanical raw material of Ephedra sinica, a common powdered extract of Ephedra sinica, a finished product containing only Ephedra sinica ground botanical raw material, a complex multicomponent dietary supplement containing Ma Huang, and a high-protein chocolate flavored drink mix containing Ma Huang extract. In addition, collaborating laboratories received a negative control and negative control spiked with ephedrine alkaloids at high and low levels for recovery studies. Test extracts were treated to solid-phase extraction using a strong-cation exchange column to help remove interferences. The HPLC analyses were performed on a polar-embedded phenyl column using UV detection at 210 nm. Repeatability relative standard deviations (RSD r) ranged from 0.64–3.0% for EP and 2.0–6.6% for PS, excluding the high protein drink mix. Reproducibility relative standard deviations (RSD R) ranged from 2.1–6.6% for EP and 9.0–11.4% for PS, excluding the high protein drink mix. Recoveries ranged from 84.7–87.2% for EP and 84.6–98.2% for PS. The data developed for the minor alkaloids are more variable with generally unsatisfactory HORRATS (i.e., >2). However, since these alkaloids generally add little to the total alkaloid content of the products, the method gives satisfactory results in measuring total alkaloid content (RSD r 0.85–3.13%; RSDR 2.03–10.97%, HORRAT 0.69–3.23, exclusive of the results from the high protein drink). On the basis of these results, the method is recommended for Official First Action for determination of EP and PS in dietary supplements exclusive of the high protein drinks.

Determination of Ephedrine Alkaloids in Human Urine and Plasma by Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry: Collaborative Study

A collaborative study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy and precision of a method for ephedrine-type alkaloids (i.e., norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, methylephedrine, and methylpseudoephedrine) in human urine and plasma. The amount of ephedrine-type alkaloids present was determined using liquid chromatography (LC) with tandem mass selective detection. The test samples were diluted to reflect a concentration of 5.00–100 ng/mL for each alkaloid. An internal standard was added and the alkaloids were separated using a 5 μm phenyl LC column with an ammonium acetate, glacial acetic acid, acetonitrile, and water mobile phase. Eight blind duplicates of human urine and eight blind duplicates of human plasma were analyzed by 10 collaborators. In addition to negative controls, test portions of urine and plasma were fortified at 3 different levels with each of the 6 ephedrine-type alkaloids at approximately 1, 2, and 5 μg/mL for urine and 100, 200, and 500 ng/mL for plasma. On the basis of the accuracy and precision results for this collaborative study, it is recommended that this method be adopted Official First Action for the determination of 6 different ephedrine-type alkaloids in human urine and plasma.

Determination of Ephedrine Alkaloids in Dietary Supplements and Botanicals by Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry: Collaborative Study

An interlaboratory study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy and precision of a method for ephedrine-type alkaloids [i.e., norephedrine (NE), norpseudoephedrine (NPE), ephedrine (E), pseudoephedrine (PE), methylephedrine (ME), and methylpseudoephedrine (MPE)] in dietary supplements and botanicals. The amount of ephedrine-type alkaloids present was determined using liquid chromatography with tandem mass selective detection. The samples were diluted to reflect a concentration of 0.0200 to 1.00 μg/mL for each alkaloid. An internal standard was added and the alkaloids were separated using a 5 μm phenyl LC column with an ammonium acetate, glacial acetic acid, acetonitrile, and water mobile phase. Eight blind duplicates of dietary supplements or botanicals were analyzed by 10 collaborators. Included was a negative control, ephedra nevadensis, and negative controls fortified at 2 different levels with each of the 6 ephedrine-type alkaloids. The spike levels were approximately 100 and 1000 μg/g for NE, 100 and 600 μg/g for NPE, 6500 and 65 000 μg/g for E, 1000 and 10 000 μg/g for PE, 300 and 3000 μg/g for ME, and 100 and 1000 μg/g for MPE. On the basis of the accuracy and precision results for this interlaboratory study, it is recommended that this method be adopted Official First Action for the determination of 6 different individual ephedrine-type alkaloids in dietary supplements and botanicals.

P6351A point-of-care risk score predicts 30-day readmission in patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF): derivation and validation of the LENT index

Background

Risk prediction models in heart failure (HF) are typically complex, derived retrospectively from administrative databases, and modest in their ability to discriminate between high, medium, and low risk categories. The complexity of these models makes them difficult to use at the point of care.

Purpose

To determine if a simple risk index using Length of hospital stay (L), number of Emergency department visits in the preceding 6 months (E), and either admission or discharge N-Terminal (NT) prohormone of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (pro-BNP) at the point of care can predict 30-day readmissions in patients hospitalized for HF.

Methods

This is a sub-study of the Patient-Centered Care Transitions in HF (PACT-HF) stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial. We included 772 patients hospitalized for HF at 10 Canadian hospitals. We used log-binomial regression models with Length of stay, Emergency department visits in the preceding 6 months, and either admission or discharge N-Terminal prohormone of Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-pro-BNP) as the predictor variables and 30-day all-cause readmission as the outcome. We derived the LENT risk score from the β-coefficients of the regression model (Fig. 1). All the models were adjusted for post-discharge services. We assessed model discrimination with C-statistics and model calibration with the net reclassification index (NRI). We used the bootstrapping approach with 100 runs for internal validation.

Results

The LENT index had a possible score ranging from 1 to 13 (Fig 1). Increments in the LENT risk score were associated with an increased risk of 30-day readmission; a 1-point increase in the LENT index using the admission and discharge NT-pro-BNP predicted a 23% and 19% increase in 30-day readmission risk, respectively. The internal validation produced similar results. Compared to a null model, the LE index had an NRI of 0.35 [95% CI 0.18, 0.53], and admission and discharge NT-pro-BNP further improved calibration of the LE index (NRI 0.15 [95% CI 0, 0.32] and 0.20 [95% CI 0.03, 0.37], respectively). The LENT index offered modest discrimination for 30-day readmission (C-statistic 0.64 [95% CI 0.59, 0.69]), similar to more complex risk models.

Figure 1. The LENT index scoring system

Conclusion

A simple risk index based on Length of stay, Emergent visits, and NT-pro-BNP at the point of care can reliably predict 30-day readmissions. The LENT index offers ease of use over traditional risk prediction models.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Ontario MOHLTC, Roche Diagnostics

Standards for the diagnosis and management of complex regional pain syndrome: Results of a European Pain Federation task force

Background

Complex regional pain syndrome is a painful and disabling post‐traumatic primary pain disorder. Acute and chronic complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) are major clinical challenges. In Europe, progress is hampered by significant heterogeneity in clinical practice. We sought to establish standards for the diagnosis and management of CRPS.

Methods

The European Pain Federation established a pan‐European task force of experts in CRPS who followed a four‐stage consensus challenge process to produce mandatory quality standards worded as grammatically imperative (must‐do) statements.

Results

We developed 17 standards in 8 areas of care. There are 2 standards in diagnosis, 1 in multidisciplinary care, 1 in assessment, 3 for care pathways, 1 in information and education, 4 in pain management, 3 in physical rehabilitation and 2 on distress management. The standards are presented and summarized, and their generation and consequences were discussed. Also presented are domains of practice for which no agreement on a standard could be reached. Areas of research needed to improve the validity and uptake of these standards are discussed.

Conclusion

The European Pain Federation task force present 17 standards of the diagnosis and management of CRPS for use in Europe. These are considered achievable for most countries and aspirational for a minority of countries depending on their healthcare resource and structures.

Significance

This position statement summarizes expert opinion on acceptable standards for CRPS care in Europe.

SEIS: Insight's Seismic Experiment for Internal Structure of Mars

By the end of 2018, 42 years after the landing of the two Viking seismometers on Mars, InSight will deploy onto Mars' surface the SEIS (Seismic Experiment for Internal Structure) instrument; a six-axes seismometer equipped with both a long-period three-axes Very Broad Band (VBB) instrument and a three-axes short-period (SP) instrument. These six sensors will cover a broad range of the seismic bandwidth, from 0.01 Hz to 50 Hz, with possible extension to longer periods. Data will be transmitted in the form of three continuous VBB components at 2 sample per second (sps), an estimation of the short period energy content from the SP at 1 sps and a continuous compound VBB/SP vertical axis at 10 sps. The continuous streams will be augmented by requested event data with sample rates from 20 to 100 sps. SEIS will improve upon the existing resolution of Viking's Mars seismic monitoring by a factor of ∼ 2500 at 1 Hz and ∼ 200 000 at 0.1 Hz. An additional major improvement is that, contrary to Viking, the seismometers will be deployed via a robotic arm directly onto Mars' surface and will be protected against temperature and wind by highly efficient thermal and wind shielding. Based on existing knowledge of Mars, it is reasonable to infer a moment magnitude detection threshold of M w ∼ 3 at 40 ∘ epicentral distance and a potential to detect several tens of quakes and about five impacts per year. In this paper, we first describe the science goals of the experiment and the rationale used to define its requirements. We then provide a detailed description of the hardware, from the sensors to the deployment system and associated performance, including transfer functions of the seismic sensors and temperature sensors. We conclude by describing the experiment ground segment, including data processing services, outreach and education networks and provide a description of the format to be used for future data distribution.

ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

The online version of this article (10.1007/s11214-018-0574-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Preoperative oral antibiotic prophylaxis reduces Pseudomonas aeruginosa surgical site infections after elective colorectal surgery: a multicenter prospective cohort study

Background

Healthcare-associated infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are associated with poor outcomes. However, the role of P. aeruginosa in surgical site infections after colorectal surgery has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive factors and outcomes of surgical site infections caused by P. aeruginosa after colorectal surgery, with special emphasis on the role of preoperative oral antibiotic prophylaxis.

Methods

We conducted an observational, multicenter, prospective cohort study of all patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery at 10 Spanish hospitals (2011–2014). A logistic regression model was used to identify predictive factors for P. aeruginosa surgical site infections.

Results

Out of 3701 patients, 669 (18.1%) developed surgical site infections, and 62 (9.3%) of these were due to P. aeruginosa. The following factors were found to differentiate between P. aeruginosa surgical site infections and those caused by other microorganisms: American Society of Anesthesiologists’ score III–IV (67.7% vs 45.5%, p = 0.001, odds ratio (OR) 2.5, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.44–4.39), National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance risk index 1–2 (74.2% vs 44.2%, p < 0.001, OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.01–6.56), duration of surgery ≥75thpercentile (61.3% vs 41.4%, p = 0.003, OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.31–3.83) and oral antibiotic prophylaxis (17.7% vs 33.6%, p = 0.01, OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.21–0.83). Patients with P. aeruginosa surgical site infections were administered antibiotic treatment for a longer duration (median 17 days [interquartile range (IQR) 10–24] vs 13d [IQR 8–20], p = 0.015, OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.00–1.12), had a higher treatment failure rate (30.6% vs 20.8%, p = 0.07, OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.96–2.99), and longer hospitalization (median 22 days [IQR 15–42] vs 19d [IQR 12–28], p = 0.02, OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.00–1.17) than those with surgical site infections due to other microorganisms. Independent predictive factors associated with P. aeruginosa surgical site infections were the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance risk index 1–2 (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.03–5.40) and the use of oral antibiotic prophylaxis (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.23–0.90).

Conclusions

We observed that surgical site infections due to P. aeruginosa are associated with a higher National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance risk index, poor outcomes, and lack of preoperative oral antibiotic prophylaxis. These findings can aid in establishing specific preventive measures and appropriate empirical antibiotic treatment.

Multistate modelling to estimate excess length of stay and risk of death associated with organ/space infection after elective colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND

Accounting for time-dependency and competing events are strongly recommended to estimate excess length of stay (LOS) and risk of death associated with healthcare-associated infections.

AIM

To assess the effect of organ/space (OS) surgical site infection (SSI) on excess LOS and in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery (ECS).

METHODS

A multicentre prospective adult cohort undergoing ECS, January 2012 to December 2014, at 10 Spanish hospitals was used. SSI was considered the time-varying exposure and defined as incisional (superficial and deep) or OS. Discharge alive and death were the study endpoints. The mean excess LOS was estimated using a multistate model which provided a weighted average based on the states patients passed through. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to assess the effect of OS-SSI on risk of discharge alive or in-hospital mortality.

FINDINGS

Of 2778 patients, 343 (12.3%) developed SSI: 194 (7%) OS-SSI and 149 (5.3%) incisional SSI. Compared to incisional SSI or no infection, OS-SSI prolonged LOS by 4.2 days (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.1-4.3) and 9 days (8.9-9.1), respectively, reduced the risk of discharge alive (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 0.36 (95% CI: 0.28-0.47) and aHR: 0.17 (0.14-0.21), respectively), and increased the risk of in-hospital mortality (aHR: 8.02 (1.03-62.9) and aHR: 10.7 (3.7-30.9), respectively).

CONCLUSION

OS-SSI substantially extended LOS and increased risk of death in patients undergoing ECS. These results reinforce OS-SSI as the SSI with the highest health burden in ECS.

Factors Affecting β2-Microglobulin Plasma Concentration during Hemodialysis

We studied ten patients on hemodialysis (HD) treated in sequence with cuprophan (CU), ethylenevinylalcohol (EVAL), polyacrylonitrile (A-69) and polysulphone (PSP) membrane dialyzers. ß2-microglobulin (ß2m) was measured by radioimmunoassay in plasma and dialysate samples. Plasma concentrations were corrected for changes in extracellular volume (ECV). We also studied adsorption in vitro by incubating the above membranes with I-125-labelled ß2m. There were no changes in ß2m plasma concentration after HD with CU dialyzers, but a significant decrease was observed with the other membranes tested. Filtration of ß2m across the dialyzer was absent with CU and minimal with EVAL. However, large amounts were recovered from dialysate with the high-permeability dialyzers, AN-69 and PSP. In vitro studies showed that maximal adsorption capacity was obtained with AN-69 (73%) compared to 9% with CU, 4% with EVAL and 7% with PSP. In summary, ß2m clearance with PSP is achieved through greater removal of this protein by mass transport across the membrane. The mechanism by which ß2m is removed from blood during AN-69 dialysis seems to include both adsorption to and filtration by the membrane itself.

Predictive factors for early- and late-onset surgical site infections in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. A multicentre, prospective, cohort study

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the leading cause of healthcare-associated infections in acute care hospitals in Europe. However, the risk factors for the development of early-onset (EO) and late-onset (LO) SSI have not been elucidated.

AIM

This study investigated the predictive factors for EO-SSI and LO-SSI in a large cohort of patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

METHODS

We prospectively followed-up adult patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery in 10 hospitals (2011-2014). Patients were divided into three groups: EO-SSI, LO-SSI, or no infection (no-SSI). The cut-off defining EO-SSI and LO-SSI was seven days (median time to SSI development). Different predictive factors for EO-SSI and LO-SSI were analysed, comparing each group with the no-SSI patients.

FINDINGS

Of 3701 patients, 320 (8.6%) and 349 (9.4%) developed EO-SSI and LO-SSI, respectively. The rest had no-SSI. Patients with EO-SSI were mostly males, had colon surgery and developed organ-space SSI whereas LO-SSI patients frequently received chemotherapy or radiotherapy and had incisional SSI. Male sex (odds ratio (OR): 1.92; P < 0.001), American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical status >2 (OR: 1.51; P = 0.01), administration of mechanical bowel preparation (OR: 0.7; P = 0.03) and stoma creation (OR: 1.95; P < 0.001) predicted EO-SSI whereas rectal surgery (OR: 1.43; P = 0.03), prolonged surgery (OR: 1.4; P = 0.03) and previous chemotherapy (OR: 1.8; P = 0.03) predicted LO-SSI.

CONCLUSION

We found distinctive predictive factors for the development of SSI before and after seven days following elective colorectal surgery. These factors could help establish specific preventive measures in each group.

Micro-CT assessment of dentinal micro-cracks after root canal filling procedures

AIM

To evaluate the frequency of dentinal micro-cracks after root canal filling procedures with GuttaCore (GC), cold lateral compaction (CLC) and warm vertical compaction (WVC) techniques in mandibular molars using micro-computed tomographic analysis.

METHODOLOGY

Thirty mesial roots of mandibular molars, with a type II Vertucci's canal configuration, were prepared to working length with a Reciproc R40 instrument and randomly assigned to one of the three experimental groups (n = 10), according to the technique used for root filling: GC, CLC or WVC. The GC group was filled with a size 40 GC obturator, whilst CLC and WVC groups used conventional gutta-percha cones. AH Plus sealer was used in all groups. The specimens were scanned at an isotropic resolution of 14.25 μm before and after root canal preparation and after root filling. Then, all pre- and postoperative cross-sectional images of the roots (n = 41 660) were screened to identify the presence of dentinal defects.

RESULTS

Overall, 30.75% (n = 12 810) of the pre- + post-filling images displayed dentinal defects. In the GC, CLC and WVC groups, dentinal micro-cracks were observed in 18.68% (n = 2510), 15.99% (n = 2389) and 11.34% (n = 1506) of the cross-sectional images, respectively. All micro-cracks identified in the post-filling scans were also observed in the corresponding post-preparation images.

CONCLUSION

Root fillings in all techniques did not induce the development of new dentinal micro-cracks.

Sublethal concentrations of gemcitabine (2′,2′-difluorodeoxycytidine) alter mitochondrial ultrastructure and function without reducing mitochondrial DNA content in BxPC-3 human pancreatic carcinoma cells

2′,2′-Difluorodeoxycytidine (gemcitabine), a pyrimidine nucleoside analog, is used therapeutically in the treatment of pancreatic, non-small cell lung, and breast cancer. The cytotoxic effect of gemcitabine is thought to be due to masked chain termination after the triphosphorylated anabolite of the drug is incorporated into nascent DNA strands. We tested the hypothesis that sublethal concentrations of gemcitabine inhibit DNA polymerase γ and reduce mitochondrial DNA content in BxPC-3 and MOLT-4 cell lines, and we used 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine, a known inhibitor of DNA polymerase γ as a positive control. The 6-day BxPC-3 cell growth IC50 for gemcitabine and 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine was 0.003 μM (SD ± 0.0005) and 14.5 μM (SD ± 4.7), respectively, and in MOLT-4 cells was 0.002 μM (SD ± 0.001) and 0.86 μM (SD ± 0.23), respectively. These drug concentrations were anti-proliferative but non-cytotocidal. Electron photomicrographic studies showed deranged mitochondrial cristae patterns in BxPC-3 cells treated with either gemcitabine or 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine for 6 days. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction was observed as reflected by increased lactate concentration in the media of cells exposed to gemcitabine, but to a much greater extent in cells exposed to 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine. PCR analysis showed that gemcitabine did not reduce mitochondrial DNA content in either BxPC-3 or MOLT-4 cells, but 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine did. The effect of gemcitabine on mitochondrial ultrastructure and function did not concomitantly yield a reduction in mitochondrial DNA content. Therefore, the molecular target(s) by which gemcitabine and 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine produce mitochondrial abnormalities in these cells appear to be different.

Formulation of a flush solution of heparin, vancomycin, and colistin for implantable access systems in oncology

Introduction: Because of the increased use of im plantable access systems, the incidence of blood stream and catheter infections associated with these systems has concomitantly increased. Classically, he parin-lock flush solutions were used to prevent thrombosis; more recently, vancomycin was added to the solution to prevent infections caused by Gram- positive bacteria, particularly coagulase-negative Staphylococci. Disorders due to Gram-negative organ isms have now appeared in oncologic patients. We therefore tested the addition of colistin to heparin- vancomycin solutions. Colistin was chosen for its good activity against Gram-negative bacteria (98% susceptibility in our hospital), its good tolerance due to low systemic passage, and its low cost.

Methods: We developed formulations contain ing heparin (100 IU/mL) and various concentrations of vancomycin (10-500 μg/mL) and colistin (10-100 μg/mL) in 0.9% NaCl. Each sterile solution was tested for physical and chemical compatibility (spectropho tometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and pH mea surements) and its antibacterial activity (against ox acillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibiting broad- spectrum betalactamase (BSBL), imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa) for 2 months at 4°C and at room temperature.

Results: The most suitable combination of drugs is heparin (100 IU/mL), vancomycin (100 μg/mL), and colistin (100 μg/mL). This flush solution main tains activity when stored at 4°C for up to 1 month.

Conclusions: We feel that the combination of heparin, vancomycin, and colistin can be used as a flush solution for indwelling catheters.

High EGFR and low p-Akt expression is associated with better outcome after nimotuzumab-containing treatment in esophageal cancer patients: preliminary clinical result and testable hypothesis

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is widely overexpressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and it results is associated with a poor prognosis. Identifying the subgroup of ESCC patients who are sensitive to EGFR-targeted therapy is a key point to facilitate its medical use.

We retrospectively analyzed 32 ESCC patients treated with the combination of nimotuzumab (h-R3) and radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Expression of EGFR and phosphorylated proteins associated with EGFR signaling pathway, i.e. p-Akt and p-Erk, were assessed with immunohistochemistry (IHC) for all patients. Correlations between these proteins' expression levels and overall survival (OS) were assessed.

High expression of EGFR, p-Akt and p-Erk was detected in 53.1% (17/32), 54.8% (17/31) and 59.4% (19/32) of tumors respectively. No significant differences in OS were found between high EGFR, p-Akt and p-Erk expression groups and their respective counterparts. Of note, significantly better overall survival was observed in patients with coexistence of high EGFR expression and low p-Akt expression (p = 0.030).

Our data allowed us to put forward a hypothesis that high EGFR and low p-Akt expression may predict a clinical benefit of EGFR antagonists such as nimotuzumab combined with RT or CRT. This can be discussed in the terms of oncogene addiction and synthetic lethality concepts. This hypothesis can be further tested in larger groups of patients.

Dissolution, dislocation and dimensional changes of endodontic sealers after a solubility challenge: a micro-CT approach

AIM

To evaluate, using a novel micro-CT approach, the solubility and dimensional changes of an MTA-based sealer inside the root canal system after a solubility challenge. The MTA-based material (MTA Fillapex) was compared to a gold standard epoxy-based endodontic sealer (AH Plus).

METHODOLOGY

Ten human mandibular premolars with a single canal were divided randomly into two groups (n = 5) according to the sealer used. The canals were instrumented using the Reciproc System (VDW) with a R40 file and filled with R40 gutta-percha cones and one of the sealers. The filled canals were immediately scanned in a micro-CT, and after that, the teeth were immersed in 20 mL phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 37 °C for 7 days, when they were removed and rescanned. Final image stacks were registered against the initial stacks and the numerical difference between the initial and final volume of the filling material was obtained. Calculations were performed to identify dimensional changes of the filling material. All image stacks were 3D rendered to disclose areas of dislocation of the filling material inside or outside the root canal. The Shapiro-Wilk's test revealed that data were normally distributed; thus, the Student's t-test was used to detect statistically significant changes, assuming a 5% α-error.

RESULTS

No significant changes were seen for the percentage volume of material lost after the solubility challenge for both AH Plus and MTA Fillapex groups (1.44% and 1.16%, respectively). A significant difference was, however, found for the volume of filling material which revealed dimensional changes after the solubility test (6.68% for MTA Fillapex and 1.09% for AH Plus). In fact, observation of 3D models disclosed that MTA Fillapex was associated with material extrusion through the foramen in all but one sample. In AH Plus filled samples, no material extrusion was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the solubility of both sealers was similar using this novel micro-CT approach, MTA Fillapex was associated with significant dimensional changes related to material extrusion through the apex after PBS storage compared to AH Plus.

Tolerability to dogfish in children with fish allergy

BACKGROUND

Fish is a potent food allergen. The aim of this work is to demonstrate that dogfish, a small shark, has low allergenicity in both its clinical tolerance as well as its molecular structure.

METHODS

We present a study of 34 paediatric patients with IgE-mediated immediate reactions after eating fish. The diagnosis of several fish allergies was demonstrated by skin prick techniques and determination of specific IgE, in all the cases excluding sensitisation to Anisakis simplex. Open oral challenge test was checked with dogfish. Analysis was by SDS-PAGE of dogfish and other fish (megrim, shark, hake, sole, cod, anchovy and tuna) and Western-blot with "pool" of patients polysensitised sera against extracts of dogfish and other fish, and ELISA - inhibition with the "pool" sera.

RESULTS

The prick-prick with raw dogfish was slightly positive in six patients, however cooked was negative in 34 cases. The specific IgE showed in the 34 cases class ≥2 for megrim, hake, sole, cod and anchovy, class 0 for tuna in 26 patients, class 0 for emperor in 18 patients and class 0 to Anisakis simplex in all cases. The IgE binding capacity for proteins of allergenic extracts of tested fish revealed, in immunoblotting, the absence of IgE-mediated recognition abstract dogfish by the "pool" of polysensitised patient sera.

CONCLUSIONS

Testing in vivo and in vitro demonstrated the low allergenicity of dogfish. Dogfish brings an alternative to eating fish in polysensitised patients.

Whole-building decontamination of Bacillus anthracis Sterne spores by methyl bromide fumigation

AIMS

To evaluate the field inactivation of Bacillus anthracis Sterne spores with methyl bromide (MB) using commercial fumigation techniques.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Eighty-seven wood and 87 glass coupons each containing ca. 1 × 10(6) B. anthracis Sterne spores, were placed in 22 locations inside a 1444 m(3) conference building. Four additional 12-coupon sets (six wood, six glass) were removed from the building at 16, 24, 32 and 40 h during fumigation. The building was sealed under two tarpaulins and fumigated with MB at ≥225 g m(-3) mean concentration for 48 h at 28°C and 83% RH. All B. anthracis spores fumigated for more than 16 h were inactivated. A single wood coupon from the 16-h set yielded ca. 2 × 10(3)  CFU. No damage to the building or its contents was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

MB fumigation is a rapid, economical and effective whole-structure decontamination method for B. anthracis spores.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

MB fumigation offers a method of whole-structure B. anthracis decontamination without removal of materials, damage to sensitive electronics, costly indoor retrofitting.