Understanding the impact: an investigation into the National Brain Injury Awareness Week and public interest regarding concussion in Australia

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between the occurrence of the National Brain Injury Awareness Week and public interest in the concussion topic in Australia through an analysis of Internet search activity data from Google Trends.

STUDY DESIGN

Online retrospective observational study.

METHODS

For the keyword "concussion", the search interest rate over a period of 10 years between August 2012 and August 2022 within Australia has been analyzed using the Google Trends tool. The rising related topics that contributed to the months with the highest search interest were extracted for each year and a trendline analysis was performed to capture temporal patterns.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in the average search interest between the month of August, when the Brain Injury Awareness Week is annually held, and the rest of the year (d = 0.09, p = 0.017). Also, May and August were the two months with the overall highest search interests (mean ± SD: 73.3 ± 5.16 and mean ± SD: 70.1 ± 5.49, respectively). Trendline analysis showed a positive slope of 0.3081 with R2 = 0.4462 for search interests of concussion over the 10-year period.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that there is a growing interest and potential awareness of concussion in Australia that seems highly limited to the context of sports such as football, rugby, and soccer. Major sports events, news coverage, and media exposure appear to be associated with this trend. The study highlights the importance of more investment in producing engaging media content to educate the public on concussion of different causes and improving strategies for National Brain Injury Awareness Week.

The cross-sectional morphology of median nerve in carpal tunnel of healthy, adult population: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The cross-section area is a crucial parameter to assess peripheral neuropathy. The ultrasonographic evaluation of cross-section area of median nerve is a low-cost and readily available tool for diagnosis and assessment. However, the intra-nerve dimensional variability and its normative reference value in a healthy subject are missing. The current meta-analysis aims to capture the median nerve cross-section area for healthy subjects and generate a comprehensive ultrasonographic reference data set for each population.

METHODS

The full text of manuscripts were collected after short-listing the abstracts collected from search strategy. A quality assurance tool was used to capture the risk of bias of each study after reviewing the included manuscripts. The pooled estimate of cross-section area was stratified according to anatomical landmarks, sex, and ancestry.

RESULTS

A total of 97 observational studies dealt with 6679 wrists of healthy subjects were included. The pooled estimate of the cross-section area of median nerve at carpal tunnel inlet was 8.54mm² [95% CI: 8.34-8.74mm²]. The same pooled estimate at carpal tunnel outlet was 8.03mm² [95% CI: 7.46-8.60mm²]. Both these pooled estimates have significant correlation with mean age of population. Age and sex were two primary predictors of the cross-section of median nerve. The flattening ratio, circularity, and wrist-forearm ratio of median nerve were also computed.

CONCLUSION

These normative data could serve as a reference for assessing median nerve pathologies, including carpal tunnel syndrome. The ethnic variation of pooled estimate and heterogeneity will guide clinician set up the reference value for diagnostic criteria.

An Exceedingly Rare Case of Nodular Fasciitis of Tongue in an Infant

Introduction/Objective

Nodular fasciitis is a rapidly growing but benign self-limited myofibroblastic/fibroblastic tumor of unknown etiology. It was first described in the literature by Konwaler in 1955 and can occur in any location. Nodular fasciitis of the tongue is a rare entity in infancy with only one case reported so far. Accurate diagnosis of this entity is crucial to avoid a possible misdiagnosis of malignancy leading to radical resections.

Methods/Case Report

A 6-month old, previously heathy full term male presented to pediatric otolaryngology clinic with a rapidly growing painless mass on the right tongue. The mass was associated with feeding difficulty. There was no history of trauma to the area, no personal and family history of cancer was noted. Computed tomography scan demonstrated a 1.5 x 1.4 x 1.5 cm mass confined to the right anterior undersurface of tongue. Biopsy of the mass showed ulcerated mucosa with an underlying spindle cell lesion composed of reactive-appearing myofibroblasts arranged in a variably fascicular to "tissue-culture" pattern, intermixed with inflammatory cells and scattered extravasated erythrocytes. These morphologic features in conjunction with immunohistochemistry and demonstration of fusion of SRSF3 [serine and arginine rich splicing factor 3] and USP6 [ubiquitin specific peptidase 6] by Targeted next-generation RNA sequencing confirmed the diagnosis of nodular fasciitis. On follow up, spontaneous regression of the mass occurred in 3 months.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

NA.

Conclusion

Nodular fasciitis of tongue in infancy is an exceedingly rare entity and this case demonstrates the importance of including this unique entity in the differential diagnosis of a rapidly-growing tongue lesion. Because it can simulate malignancy both clinically and histologically, awareness and familiarity with this benign proliferative lesion is crucial in effective management.

AB1456 CLINICAL IMPACT OF THE INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE MULTIDISCIPLINARY SERVICE

Background

Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are a diverse group of pulmonary diseases for which accurate diagnosis is critical for optimal management and outcomes. Diagnosing ILD, both idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and connective-tissue-disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD), has become critically important, as the disease has a devastating prognosis with poor survival.There are also management implications, as patients with ILD can now potentially be treated with new antifibrotic therapies such as pirfenidone and nintedanib, both of which have been approved. Certain types of CTD – ILD may benefit from systemic immunomodulatory therapies. Diagnosis of ILD can be challenging and a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach is recommended in current guidelines. Several studies have reported that MDT diagnosis is associated with higher levels of diagnostic confidence and better interobserver agreement (1-3).

Objectives

We describe the benefits of an ILD multidisciplinary service on the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected ILD.

Methods

We performed a single-centre retrospective review of consecutive patients referred to the ILD clinic with subsequent discussions in ILD MDTs over a 36-month period from 2016 to 2019. We compared changes in ILD diagnosis and management at referral to those following the ILD-MDT. We collected data on the demographics, occupation, age at ILD onset, smoking status, imaging, blood tests including autoimmune serology, MDT recommendations, change in diagnosis after MDT, tertiary referral, serial PFTs, medications and outcomes. Cases of suspected ILD that were not fully characterised and those with complex management issues were presented at our monthly ILD MDT.

Results

A total of 208 patients were referred to the ILD clinic over a 36-month period. Of these, 106 cases were discussed at the ILD MDT and the remaining 102 cases did not require discussion at the MDT as these deemed to be clear cut, which included RA and CTD ILD. The mean age of the total cohort was 74 (min age 32, max age 97) and 120 (58 %) were males. Overall, evaluation by the ILD service (i.e. ILD clinic and MDT) resulted in a change in diagnosis in 106(51%) patients. Of those, 49(46%) didn’t have ILD. In the remaining 57 patients with suspected ILD, the majority of the diagnoses were ILD with an uncertain classification (24, 23%). The other diagnoses included CTD-ILD (4, 3.7%), ILD with autoimmune serology 11(10.4%), IPF 10(9.4%), Drug-induced-ILD 3(2.8%), Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis 5(4.7%), Eosinophilic pneumonitis 1 (0.94%), Cryptogenic Pneumonitis 1(0.94%), PPFE with IPF 1 (0.94%), PPFE 1 (0.94%), CPFE 4 (0.94%), EAA 2 (0.94%), RB-ILD 2 (1.88%), Langerhans Histiocytosis 2 (1.88%).16/57(28%) were referred to a tertiary centre for further management. Serology was positive in 11 patients (ANA 6, CCP 3, and ANCA 2). Of the 57 patients with other diagnoses, the main recommendations included steroids (28), anti-fibrotic therapy (4), immunomodulatory therapy (6) and ambulatory Oxygen (1). Further analysis will be carried out on survival and treatment outcomes of the cohort.

Conclusion

Dedicated ILD-MDT service has an important clinical impact on the care of the ILD patient, with frequent changes in ILD diagnosis and subsequent management and outcomes. Multidisciplinary approach to the management of these patients should be standard of care for these patients.

References

[1]Flaherty KR, King TE Jr, Raghu G, et al. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia: what is the effect of a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis? Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2004; 170:904-10.

[2]Lynch DA, Sverzellati N, Travis WD, et al. Diagnostic criteria for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a Fleischner Society White Paper. Lancet Respir Med 2018; 6:138-53.

[3]Ryerson CJ, Corte TJ, Lee JS, et al. A standardized diagnostic ontology for fibrotic interstitial lung disease. An international working group perspective. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2017; 196:1249-54.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Transfer learning application of a novel frequency shift convolutional neural network method for atrial fibrillation classification

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

There has been a proliferation of machine learning (ML) electrocardiogram (ECG) classification algorithms reaching >85% accuracy for various cardiac pathologies. Despite the high accuracy at individual institutions, challenges remain with cross-institutional algorithm evaluation. Transfer learning (TL) is a technique in which a model trained for a specific task is repurposed for another related task, in this case ECG ML model trained at one institution used to classify ECGs at another institution. Models trained at one institution, however, might not be generalizable for accurate classification when deployed broadly due to differences in type, time, and sampling rate of traditional ECG acquisition. TL would thus require additional ECG signal processing which inherently introduces noise and has high computational costs. Our previous work has shown that frequency domain (FD) convolutional neural networks (CNN) outperform traditional time domain (TD) CNN methods in detecting atrial fibrillation (Afib) and are more robust against noise and sampling variations.

Purpose

In this study, we explore ECG transfer learning by comparing performance of TD and FD CNN ECG classification models. Examine the hypothesis that FD signal analysis can overcome limitations inherent to TD and demonstrate application for Afib classification in three different publicly available datasets.

Methods

PTB-XL ECG dataset was used to train TD and FD CNN models for Afib classification. TL on the two data sets, Lobachevsky University Electrocardiography Database (LUDB) and KURIAS-ECG database (KURIAS), was performed with portions of each dataset added to PTB-XL training data before test runs on the remaining ECGs. The models were also tested directly on the two datasets (cross-testing) for comparison.

Results

Results of TL are summarized in Fig. 1. Panels (a) and (b) show TD and FD performance on PTB-XL dataset, with FD outperforming TD. Panels (c) and (d) show TL of PTB-XL trained TD and FD models applied on LUDB Afib data with FD outperforming TD. Panels (e) and (f) show TL of PTB-XL trained models applied to KURIAS Afib ECGs, with FD again outperforming TD. Table 1 summarizes results of TL and direct cross-testing with TL outperforming cross-testing.

Conclusions

FD models were superior to TD models in Afib classification, both in cross-testing and TL. TL technique, in which a pre-trained model is used as starting point for novel dataset training, outperformed direct cross-testing. TL with FD CNN has the capacity to leverage models trained on a particular set of ECGs to classify ECGs with varying signal acquisition properties. FD CNN may be robust to inter-institutional variability and has potential for widespread application with no compromise to ECG classification power. A potential application of these findings is deployment of ECG classification CNN models trained at institutions with large ECG databases to hospitals with smaller datasets.

Prophylactic effects of dietary ascorbic acid on oxidative stress indices, physiological and behavioural responses of domestic pigeons exposed to road transport stress

Transport disturbs birds' welfare and health status which lead to oxidative stress and dietary ascorbic acid mitigates the adverse effects of transport stress. The present study was aimed to evaluate the impacts of ascorbic acid administration on oxidative stress indices, cortisol, H/L ratio, tonic immobility reaction and rectal temperature of pigeons exposed to road transport. A total of 80 clinically healthy pigeons were selected and randomly divided to eight equal groups as follow: (1) Ctrl- : fed by basal diet and no subjected to transport stress; (2) Ctrl+: fed by the basal diet and subjected to transport stress; (3, 4) 1DBS10 and 1DBS16: received ascorbic acid from 1 day before transport stress at doses of 10 g/100 L and 16 g/100 L of drinking water, respectively; (5, 6) 3DBS10 and 3DBS16: treated with ascorbic acid from 3 consecutive days before transport stress at doses of 10 g/100 L and 16 g/100 L, respectively and (7, 8) 7DBS10 and 7DBS16: received ascorbic acid from 7 consecutive days before the transport at doses 10 g/100 L and 16 g/100 L, respectively. Birds were transported for 3 h over a distance of about 200 km. The total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde and cortisol were measured before transport and at 6, 24 and 72 h post-transportation. The rectal temperature and tunic immobility reactions were recorded. Dietary ascorbic acid led to a decrease in tonic immobility response, hetrophil to lymphocyte ratio, circulating cortisol and total antioxidant capacity, and an increase in circulating malondialdehyde in pigeons exposed to transport stress compare to Ctrl+ group. In conclusion, ascorbic acid administration at dose 16 g/100 L of drinking water from 3 and 7 days before exposure to stress helps attenuate undesirable effects of oxidative stress in pigeons.

Antibacterial and Osteoinductive Implant Surface Using Layer-by-Layer Assembly

Osseointegration of dental, craniofacial, and orthopedic implants is critical for their long-term success. Multifunctional surface treatment of implants was found to significantly improve cell adhesion and induce osteogenic differentiation of dental-derived stem cells in vitro. Moreover, local and sustained release of antibiotics via nanolayers from the surface of implants can present unparalleled therapeutic benefits in implant dentistry. Here, we present a layer-by-layer surface treatment of titanium implants capable of incorporating BMP-2-mimicking short peptides and gentamicin to improve their osseointegration and antibacterial features. Additionally, instead of conventional surface treatments, we employed polydopamine coating before layer-by-layer assembly to initiate the formation of the nanolayers on rough titanium surfaces. Cytocompatibility analysis demonstrated that modifying the titanium implant surface with layer-by-layer assembly did not have adverse effects on cellular viability. The implemented nanoscale coating provided sustained release of osteoinductive peptides with an antibacterial drug. The surface-functionalized implants showed successful osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells and antimicrobial activity in vitro and increased osseointegration in a rodent animal model 4 wk postsurgery as compared with untreated implants. Altogether, our in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that this approach can be extended to other dental and orthopedic implants since this surface functionalization showed improved osseointegration and an enhanced success rate.

Harnessing Dental Stem Cell Immunoregulation Using Cell-Laden Biomaterials

Successful tissue engineering therapies rely on the appropriate selection of the cell source, biomaterial, and regulatory factors. To be applied in a wide range of clinical applications, the ideal cell source needs to be easily accessible and abundant. Human orofacial tissues and teeth harbor several populations of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with self-renewal and multilineage differentiation capabilities. The ease of access, relative abundance, and minimally invasive isolation procedures needed to harvest most types of the dental-derived MSCs render them a promising cell source for tissue engineering applications. A growing body of evidence has reported the profound immunoregulatory potential of dental-derived MSCs as compared with their bone marrow counterparts. Biomaterials can act as a physical barrier protecting the MSCs from the invasion of the immune system by hindering penetration of proinflammatory cells/cytokines, leading to higher viability of the encapsulated MSCs and improved tissue regeneration. Besides their protective capabilities, biomaterials can actively contribute to the immunoregulatory potential of the MSCs through their physical and chemical properties, including porosity and elasticity. However, despite recent advancement, the therapeutic capability of biomaterials to regulate the MSC-host immune system crosstalk and the mechanism underlying this immunoregulation has been poorly understood. It has been reported that biomaterials can regulate the viability and determine the fate of the encapsulated MSCs through modulation of the NF-kB pathway and the caspase-3 and caspase-8 proapoptotic cascades. Additionally, the physiomechanical properties of the encapsulating biomaterial have been shown to modulate clustering of TNF-α receptors on the encapsulated MSCs while regulating the production of anti-inflammatory factors such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) through activation of the P38 MAPK pathway. In the current review, we sought to provide a thorough overview of the immunomodulatory functions of dental-derived MSCs and the role of biomaterials in their interplay with the host immune system.

Competition between Allowed and First-Forbidden β Decay: The Case of ^{208}Hg→^{208}Tl

The β decay of ^{208}Hg into the one-proton hole, one neutron-particle _{81}^{208}Tl_{127} nucleus was investigated at CERN-ISOLDE. Shell-model calculations describe well the level scheme deduced, validating the proton-neutron interactions used, with implications for the whole of the N>126, Z<82 quadrant of neutron-rich nuclei. While both negative and positive parity states with spin 0 and 1 are expected within the Q_{β} window, only three negative parity states are populated directly in the β decay. The data provide a unique test of the competition between allowed Gamow-Teller and Fermi, and first-forbidden β decays, essential for the understanding of the nucleosynthesis of heavy nuclei in the rapid neutron capture process. Furthermore, the observation of the parity changing 0^{+}→0^{-}β decay where the daughter state is core excited is unique, and can provide information on mesonic corrections of effective operators.

A mathematical model for the evaluation of iron transport across the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier in neurodegenerative diseases

Iron plays important roles in healthy brain but altered homeostasis and concentration have been correlated to aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Iron enters the central nervous system by crossing the brain barrier systems: the Blood- Brain Barrier separating blood and brain and the Blood-Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier (BCSFB) between blood and CSF, which is in contact with the brain by far less selective barriers. Herein, we develop a two-compartmental model for the BCSFB, based on first-order ordinary differential equations, performing numerical simulations and sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, as input parameters of the model, experimental data from patients affected by Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, mild cognitive impairment and matched neurological controls were used, with the aim of investigating the differences between physiological and pathological conditions in the regulation of iron passage between blood and CSF which can be possibly targeted by therapy.

84 Folate-methionine cycle and folate transport in developing buffalo embryos

Periconceptional folic acid is known to have a major role in the prevention of neural tube defects, leading to global recommendations for folic acid supplementation before and in early pregnancy. Maternal folate throughout pregnancy may have other roles in offspring health, including neurodevelopment and cognitive performance in childhood. Folate and folic acid (vitamin B9) act as a co-enzyme essential for single carbon metabolism, a network of pathways involved in several biological processes including nucleotide synthesis, DNA repair, and methylation reactions. In general, rapidly growing and multiplying cells require an adequate supply of folate. A primary deficiency of natural folate resulting in an increase of the total homocysteine concentration may be detrimental to the quality of the oocyte, subsequent fertilisation, embryogenesis, implantation, and fetal development. However, to date, folate-methionine metabolism and folate transport have not been studied in developing buffalo embryos. The present study details transcript expression for genes encoding key enzymes in the linked folate-methionine cycles in the ovary tissue, cumulus cells, immature oocytes, IVM oocytes, and pre-implantation embryos and also estimates the folate concentration in follicular fluid (FF) of buffalo. The FF was pooled and collected by aspiration of different sizes of surface follicles (2-8mm diameter). The total number of analysed samples was three, with different dilutions and estimation of folate in FF of buffalo done by chemiluminescence assay. Total RNA was extracted from oocytes, cumulus cells, ovarian tissue, and embryos produced from IVF. RT-PCR was performed to analyse the expression of folate-methionine cycle enzymes and folate transporters. Transcripts for all the enzymes of the folate-methionine cycle (i.e. SHMT, MTR, MTRR, MAT1A, MAT2B, GNMT, AHCY, CBS, and DHFR) and folate transporters (FOLR1, FOLR2) and reduced folate carrier (SLC19A1) were expressed in ovarian tissue, cumulus cells, oocytes, and pre-implantation embryos. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed FOLR2 and SLC19A1 protein expression on the plasma membrane and/or cytoplasm of the oocytes and embryos, and FOLR1 in the nucleus of pre-implantation embryos. The folate concentration in FF was 24ngmL−1. This is the first report to examine the concentration of folate in FF and revealed the identification of transcripts in different samples of buffalo species. The presence of these enzymes could have a profound effect on single-carbon metabolism within the ovary and pre-implantation embryo, therefore indicating that folate from FF is being disseminated through folate receptors within oocytes and embryos to participate in the folate pathway. This study advocates the necessity for examination of the result of folate supplementation throughout invitro embryo production for improving the quality and quantity of transferable blastocysts and subsequently live calf births in buffalo.

220 Exploring the use of mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of mastitis and metritis in cattle

The present study was carried out to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from adipose tissue of cattle (Bos indicus), characterise them, and apply them for the treatment of mastitis and metritis in the cow. Cattle MSCs were isolated from adipose tissue near the loin region of cow. Isolated adipose tissue was subjected to enzymatic digestion using 2% collagenase with agitation at regular intervals. The cells obtained after digestion were resuspended in cell culture flasks containing growth enriched medium and cultured under standard culture conditions. Alkaline phosphatase staining was used as one of the parameters to confirm cultured putative MSCs. Bovine Ad-MSCs were further characterised using real time-PCR by amplification of MSC-specific markers: CD73, CD90, and CD105 as positive markers and CD34, CD45, and CD79a as negative markers. Immunocytochemistry showed the presence of CD73, CD90, and CD105 on the cell surface. Three groups-control (C), local (L), and intravenous (IV)-with 6 cows suffering from mastitis were taken in each group and subjected to MSC transplantation through local and intravenous routes. Control group animals were subjected to antibiotic treatment only. Similarly, another three groups were taken with 6 cows in each group suffering from metritis. Post-transplantation wound healing, tissue repair, and reduction in inflammation were monitored for 26 days, at different time intervals; that is, after Days 1, 3, 7, and 15. Blood samples were also collected from animals at the same time intervals for real time-PCR. A similar examination was also done in metritis groups along with the analysis of the reduction in turbidity of cervical fluid at the abovementioned time intervals. Real time-PCR was performed to determine relative expression of genes for proliferative factors, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and antimicrobial peptides on cells isolated from blood collected at different time intervals. Gene expression in the local group of mastitis subjected to MSC injection was significantly higher than that of the IV and control group. The somatic cell count declined in both local and IV groups compared with the control group. Whereas the expression of the same genes in the IV group of metritis was significantly higher than that of the local and control groups of cows. The turbidity of cervical fluid and mucus was reduced in the IV group compared with the local group. In conclusion, we demonstrated the healing potential of MSCs in a cow model via MSC injection. Promising results were obtained in curing mastitis in both local and IV groups, whereas healing in the case of metritis was significantly higher in the IV group compared with both the control and local groups of cows. The study indicates the potential use of MSc for treatment of mastitis and metritis in cattle through wound healing and decreasing microbial infection.

The first case of fingernail onychomycosis due to Neoscytalidium novaehollandiae, molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility

Onychomycosis is considered a fungal nail infection caused mainly by dermatophytes, yeasts and non-dermatophyte molds including dematiaceous fungi. Onychomycosis caused by non-dermatophyte molds is a health problem in the medical environment as the patients frequently return to outpatient clinics seeking new therapeutic modalities. Here, we report the first case of onychomycosis caused by a black fungus, Neoscytalidium novaehollandiae, in the right hand finger nail of a 52-year-old Iranian female with no history of immunodeficiency and underlying disease. The pattern of nail involvement was recognized as total dystrophic onychomycosis. Examination of nail scrapings with potassium hydroxide revealed brown, septate and branching sub-hyaline to dark-colored hyphae. The black fungus isolated in culture was identified as Neoscytalidium novaehollandiae by molecular analysis. The patient received oral terbinafine plus ciclopirox nail lacquer twice a week and began responding to the treatment three months after initial antifungal therapy. Additional four weeks' use of terbinafine plus ciclopirox nail lacquer completely resolved the clinical manifestations of onychomycosis. After four months, both microscopy and culture were negative.

Molecular identification of non-Cryptococcus yeasts associated with pigeon droppings in Shiraz, Southern Iran

BACKGROUND

Birds are considered as a reservoir for pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi. Pigeon droppings have the potential for spreading these fungi to the environment. Cryptococcus species are important fungi associated with pigeon droppings. In this regard, there are many types of yeast associated with guano that is important for human and animal health.

AIMS

The main objective of this study is the identification of non-Cryptococcus yeasts isolated from pigeon dropping in Shiraz, Southern Iran.

METHODS

A total of 100 unknown yeasts, which were previously screened and identified as non-Cryptococcus from pigeon guano through the conventional methods, were used in this study. Identification of the isolates was performed based on conventional methods and DNA sequence analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA gene region. The sequence results were deposited in NCBI database using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST).

RESULTS

A total of 16 species belonging to 7 genera were identified as Candida spp. 51% (8 species), Rhodotorula sp. 24%, Trichosporon spp. 21% (3 species), Rhodosporidium 2%, Saccharomyces 1%, Rhizoctonia 1%, and Meyerozyma 1%. The predominant isolates were Rhodotorula rubra (24%), Candida famata (20%), and Trichosporon asahii (13%). The other species were Rhodosporidium kratochvilovae 2 (2%), Saccharomyces cerevisiae 1 (1%), Rhizoctonia solani 1 (1%), and Meyerozyma caribbica 1 (1%).

CONCLUSION

Pigeon excreta examined in this study were associated with several kinds of opportunistic yeasts which could cause diseases in prone human and animals.

Molecular epidemiology of environmental Cryptococcus species isolates based on amplified fragment length polymorphism

OBJECTIVE

Cryptococcosis is a major opportunistic fungal infection caused by members of the genus Cryptococcus, mainly those belonging to the Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complexes. Here, we report a comprehensive molecular epidemiological study of the environmental distribution of Cryptococcus isolates in Shiraz, Iran with review of litreature.

METHOD

A total of 406 samples were obtained from Eucalyptus trees and 139 samples from pigeon droppings. Cryptococcus species identification and genotyping were performed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting sequencing and sequencing of the ITS rDNA region.

RESULTS

Majority of the isolates belonged to the Naganishia taxon (n=69) including N. albida (formerly C. albidus, n=62), N. globosa (formerly C. saitoi, n=4), N. adeliensis (formerly C. adeliensis, n=2), N. diffluens (formerly C. diffluens, n=1), and the identified C. neoformans isolates (n=25) belonged to genotype AFLP1/VNI (n=22) and AFLP1B/VNII (n=3).

CONCLUSION

More research efforts should be employed to isolate C. gattii species complex from environmental niches in Iran and provide additional evidence related to novel molecular types.

Lifetime measurement in neutron-rich A~100 nuclei

Lifetimes of excited states of the 98;100;102Zr nuclei were measured by using the Generalized Centroid Difference Method. The nuclei of interest were populated via neutron-induced fission of 241Pu and 235U during the EXILL-FATIMA campaign. The obtained lifetimes were used to calculate the B(E2) transition strengths and β deformation parameters which were then compared with the recent theoretical predictions obtained with Monte Carlo Shell Model.

Physician perceptions about living organ donation in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

OBJECTIVES

Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) have expressed desire to become living organ donors but are unable to do so with current organ donation policies. Our objective is to assess ALS patient's interest in organ donation, and perceived concerns of this practice by ALS neurologists.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

An electronic survey was administered to ALS neurologists across the United States regarding living organ donation in ALS patients prior to respiratory failure.

RESULTS

52 complete responses were received from 121 invites. 67% (35/52) of neurologists expressed no concerns about living organ donation in ALS patients, and 33% had concerns. The concerns related to respiratory failure, anesthesia exposure and renal dysfunction. With their concerns addressed, 71% of neurologists reported that they would endorse living organ donation. 49% of neurologists reported being asked by a patient for information regarding living organ donation. ALS neurologists felt that 22.8% of ALS patients (median 19%) would be interested in learning more about organ donation, while only 6% of neurologists broach this subject with their patients.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that 1 in every 4 ALS patients may be interested in exploring options for living organ donation, and this topic is not routinely addressed by ALS clinics. These results indicate an unexplored area of patient interest. To honor a patient's wishes to donate, the transplant community will have to accommodate living organ donation from terminally ill patients, and address neurologist concerns. Such a practice could benefit two groups of patients.

Erratum to: Antimicrobials: a global alliance for optimizing their rational use in intra-abdominal infections (AGORA)

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13017-016-0089-y.].

Is human Dectin-1 Y238X gene polymorphism related to susceptibility to recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis?

Background and Purpose:

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a frequent disease affecting approximately more than %75 of all childbearing women at least once in their lifetime by overgrowth of opportunistic Candida species. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is common in otherwise healthy individuals. Several risk factors were reported to contribute to RVVC susceptibility. A polymorphism in Dectin-1 (Y238X, rs16910526 ) was identified in patients with RVVC and hypothesized that genetic factors play an important role in susceptibility to RVVC. Herein, we aimed to survey the polymorphisms in the Dectin-1 gene, linked to susceptibility to RVVC.

Materials and Methods:

In the current study, blood samples were obtained from 25 patients who had frequent vulvovaginal candidiasis relapses and were diagnosed as RVVC. In addition, blood cultures were obtained from control group comprising of healthy individuals (n=25) with no history of RVVC, vaginal discharge, or itching on the day of examination. Dectin-1 Y238X gene polymorphism was investigated using Bi-PASA and DNA sequencing.

Results:

The analysis revealed that all of the patients were wild-type homozygous for Dectin-1 Y238X polymorphisms. None of the individuals showed heterozygous or mutant homozygous Dectin-1 polymorphism.

Conclusion:

No significant correlations were observed between the susceptibility to RVVC and Dectin-1 Y238X polymorphism in the Iranian population, which was not previously studied.

Hyperparathyroidism complicating pregnancy: a diagnostic challenge?

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a rare etiology of hypercalcemia-induced pancreatitis, contributing about 0.4% to 1.5% of cases in the general population and up to 13% of cases during pregnancy. PHPT that occurs during pregnancy is a challenging diagnosis as the physiological changes in calcium homeostasis mask the symptoms of hypercalcemia. PHPT during pregnancy often remains undiagnosed and untreated, and may result in serious clinical implications for the mother and fetus. Most clinicians consider surgery within the second trimester of pregnancy as the treatment of choice in this group of patients. This article refers to a case of a 24-year married woman in whom PHPT was diagnosed for the first time in postpartum period. She succumbed to complications on Day 20 postpartum. Pathological findings revealed metastatic calcification in lungs, pancreas and uterine vessels, chronic pancreatitis and renal cortical necrosis.

Should average SNOT 22 scores be calculated regionally?

CONCLUSION

The average SNOT 22 score should be calculated locally and be used as a reference when managing patients with nasal symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

To calculate the average Sino Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT) 22 score across Lanarkshire and to compare it with similar studies.

METHODOLOGY

Prospective data collection in which SNOT 22 forms were filled by the Lanarkshire population who had no history of sinonasal disease. Participants included patient attendants and hospital staff across multiple hospital sites in NHS Lanarkshire. All patients with hay fever, previous nasal surgeries, or any history of use of topical steroid sprays were excluded from the study.

RESULTS

This study included 118 participants, out of which three had to be excluded due to unclear data entry. The total number for SNOT forms included for analysis was 115. This included 85 females and 29 males, while one form remained unanswered. The mean age was 49 (range = 15-81) years. The mean SNOT 22 score was 18 (range = 0-89).

Staphylococcus Aureus: Methicillin Resistance and Small Colony Variants from Pyogenic Infections of Skin, Soft Tissue and Bone

BACKGROUND

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colonizing the nares, is the leading cause of hospital as well as community acquired infections. The aim of this study was to identify the S. aureus from skin, soft tissue and bone related infections and typing them on the basis of antimicrobial susceptibility profile.

METHODS

Clinical samples were collected from patients with skin, soft tissue and bone related infections from January to October 2013 at Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur. The S. aureus, small colony variants and methicillin resistant strains were identified by standard microbiological methods recommended by American Society for Microbiology. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.

RESULTS

Among 333 samples processed, there was positive growth of S. aureus in 66 (19.8%) samples. Among the isolated S. aureus, 10 isolates were small colony variants of S. aureus and all the strains recovered were thymidine independent in this study. Amikacin, vancomycin and teicoplanin were found to be the most effective antibiotics. Methicillin resistance was found in 34.8% isolates of S. aureus.

CONCLUSIONS

It can be concluded that, S. aureus is one of the causative agent of pyogenic infections and the trend of antibiotic resistant is alarmingly high and also the rate of methicillin resistant S. aureus is comparably high in this study.

Red cell alloimmunisation in regularly transfused beta thalassemia patients in Pakistan

BACKGROUND

In Pakistan routine blood group typing of thalassemia patients identifies ABO and Rh(D) antigens only. Therefore, other antigen incompatibilities between blood donor and blood recipient may cause alloimmunisation.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of alloimmunisation and to evaluate the risk factors associated with its development in beta (β)-thalassemia patients receiving regular blood transfusions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total 162 β thalassemia patients were included in this study. An extended red cell antigen panel was performed to detect antibodies. Patients received red cell concentrates, which were matched for ABO and Rh(D) antigens. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and analysed to estimate the frequency of alloantibodies and the factors influencing immunisation in patients on regular blood transfusion.

RESULTS

The median age of patients was 6·7 (range: 0·5-25) years. A total of 14 (8·6%) patients developed alloantibodies against red cell antigens. The most frequently occurring alloantibodies was anti-E (2·5%), anti-K (1·8%), anti-e (1·2%) and anti-D (0·6%). Five (3·1%) patients developed more than one red blood cell (RBC) alloantibody. Age at first transfusion in alloimmunised patients was 1·22 ± 0·87 years. The frequency of blood transfusion in alloimmunised patients was 23 ± 8·81 days and in those without alloimmunisation was 31·8 ± 16 days (p = 0·02). Logistic regression analysis showed no independent risk factor associated with alloimmunisation.

CONCLUSION

The frequency of transfusion was increased in patients who developed alloantibodies. Typing patients and donors to match for Rh and Kell antigens would prevent more than 90% of RBC alloantibodies and reduce the frequency of transfusion in thalassemia patients.