From the 100 Day Mission to 100 lines of software development: how to improve early outbreak analytics.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, considerable advances have been made to improve epidemic preparedness by accelerating diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccine development. However, we argue that it is crucial to make equivalent efforts in the field of outbreak analytics to help ensure reliable, evidence-based decision making. To explore the challenges and key priorities in the field of outbreak analytics, the Epiverse-TRACE initiative brought together a multidisciplinary group of experts, including field epidemiologists, data scientists, academics, and software engineers from public health institutions across multiple countries.

Outbreaks of mumps genotype G viruses in the Netherlands between October 2019 and March 2020: clusters associated with multiple introductions.

Background: From October 2019-March 2020, several clusters of mumps cases were identified in the Netherlands. Our objective was to describe cluster-associated mumps virus transmission using epidemiological and molecular information in order to help future mumps outbreak investigation and control efforts.

Methods: An epidemiological cluster includes ≥ 2 mumps cases with at least an epidemiological-link to a laboratory-confirmed mumps case.

Systems thinking for health emergencies: use of process mapping during outbreak response.

Process mapping is a systems thinking approach used to understand, analyse and optimise processes within complex systems. We aim to demonstrate how this methodology can be applied during disease outbreaks to strengthen response and health systems. Process mapping exercises were conducted during three unique emerging disease outbreak contexts with different: mode of transmission, size, and health system infrastructure.

Bronchial arterial embolisation for massive haemoptysis in cavitary sarcoidosis.

A 48-year-old non-smoking man with a 6-year history of pulmonary cavitary sarcoidosis presented with acute onset of haemoptysis of approximately 600 ml. Prior episodes of haemoptysis had resolved only after serial upper lobe wedge resections bilaterally and steroids. A chest CT identified bilateral upper lobe cavitary lesions with extravasation of contrast from a large right upper lobe cavity.

Eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation is superior to methacholine challenge testing for detecting airway hyperreactivity in nonathletes.

Introduction: Response to eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH) has not been compared with methacholine challenge testing (MCCT) in nonathletes being evaluated for dyspnea on exertion.

Objective: To determine the airway response to EVH and MCCT in a population of nonathletes who exercise regularly but have symptoms with exertion.

Methods: We reviewed records for all patients with exercise symptoms who underwent both EVH and MCCT.

Comparison of adjustable and fixed oral appliances for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Study Objectives: To compare the efficacy of adjustable and fixed oral appliances for the treatment of OSA.

Methods: Retrospective review of consecutive patients with OSA treated with either adjustable or fixed oral appliances. Polysomnography was conducted before and during therapy.

Efficacy of an adjustable oral appliance and comparison with continuous positive airway pressure for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Background: We sought to establish the efficacy of an adjustable oral appliance (aOA) in the largest patient population studied to date, to our knowledge, and to provide a comparison with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients using an aOA. Results of overnight polysomnography with aOA titration were evaluated and compared with CPAP.

Effects of a short course of eszopiclone on continuous positive airway pressure adherence: a randomized trial.

Background: Adherence to short-term continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may predict long-term use. Unfortunately, initial CPAP intolerance may lead to poor adherence or abandonment of therapy.

Objective: To determine whether a short course of eszopiclone at the onset of therapy improves long-term CPAP adherence more than placebo in adults with obstructive sleep apnea.

An intensivist-directed intensive care unit improves clinical outcomes in a combat zone.

Objective: Intensivist-directed intensive care units (ICUs) have been shown to improve clinical outcomes. Numerous barriers exist that limit hospitals adopting this practice. We sought to show this staffing model can be implemented in an austere environment with limited resources resulting in improved outcomes.

Utility of split-night polysomnography in the diagnosis of upper airway resistance syndrome.

Purpose: Split-night polysomnography can both establish the diagnosis and titrate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) during a single study in patients with sleep-disordered breathing. We sought to determine if split-night polysomnography could be effectively used in upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) without diminishing diagnostic accuracy or success of CPAP titration.

Methods: Consecutive patients diagnosed with UARS were included.

Ehrlichiosis: making the diagnosis in the acute setting.

Human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) is a tick-borne disease transmitted during the summer months in the mid-Atlantic, southeastern and south-central United States. A large proportion of patients presenting with ehrlichiosis must be hospitalized because of the severity of their presenting signs, symptoms and lab abnormalities. We report a case of HME presenting with negative serologies and positive DNA PCR for Ehrlichia chaffeensis during the acute illness.

Histopathologic changes related to fibrotic oviduct occlusion after genital tract infection of mice with Chlamydia muridarum.

Objectives: We sought to determine if intraluminal occluding fibrosis of the oviduct occurs after urogenital Chlamydia muridarum infection in mice.

Study: Oviduct occlusion was assessed by infusing dye into the distal uterus and tracking the diffusion of the dye into the oviduct. We also conducted histologic assessment of the affected tissues using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome stains.