New type of filaments for improved accuracy of multiple sulfur isotope analyses by electron-impact gas-source mass spectrometry.

Rationale: The analysis of the three sulfur stable isotope ratios (S/S, S/S, S/S) is routinely performed by gas-source isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) on the SF gaseous molecule, collecting SF ions at m/z ~ 127, 128, 129 and 131. High precision and accuracy are commonly achieved owing to a lack of correction because fluorine has only one isotope and the inert nature of the SF molecule. The analysis of the S/S ratio is, however, complicated by the low abundance of S (~0.

Evaluation of the Performance Characteristics of a New POC Multiplex PCR Assay for the Diagnosis of Viral and Bacterial Neuromeningeal Infections.

Point-of-care syndromic PCR (POC SPCR) assays are useful tools for the rapid detection of the most common causative agents of community-acquired infections responsible for meningitis and encephalitis infections. We evaluated the performance characteristics of the new QIAstat-Dx Meningitis/Encephalitis panel (QS) compared to the laboratory reference methods and the POC SPCR Biofire FilmArray Meningitis Encephalitis Panel (FA). Viral (Enterovirus, Parechovirus, HSV-1, HSV-2, HHV-6, VZV) and bacterial ( K1, , , encapsulated , , , , ) pathogens were suspended at low concentrations and tested with the POC SPCR systems.

In Vitro Activity of 22 Antibiotics against Isolates from People with Cystic Fibrosis. Are There New Therapeutic Options?

Bacteria belonging to the genus are increasingly isolated from respiratory samples of people with cystic fibrosis (PWCF). The management of this multidrug-resistant genus is challenging and characterised by a lack of international recommendations, therapeutic guidelines and data concerning antibiotic susceptibility, especially concerning the newer antibiotics. The objective of this study was to describe the antibiotic susceptibility of isolates from PWCF, including susceptibility to new antibiotics.

Both microbiological surveillance and audit of procedures improve reprocessing of flexible bronchoscopes and patient safety.

Background: Microbiological surveillance of bronchoscopes and automatic endoscope reprocessors (AERs)/washer disinfectors as a quality control measure is controversial. Experts also are divided on the infection risks associated with bronchoscopic procedures.

Objective: We evaluated the impact of routine microbiological surveillance and audits of cleaning/disinfection practices on contamination rates of reprocessed bronchoscopes.

Use of rifampicin and graft removal are associated with better outcomes in prosthetic vascular graft infection.

Objectives: Prosthetic vascular graft infection (PVGI) is a very severe disease. We aimed to determine the factors associated with treatment failure.

Methods: Patients admitted to two University Hospitals with PVGI were included in this retrospective study.

New Test of Lorentz Invariance Using the MICROSCOPE Space Mission.

We use data from the T-SAGE instrument on board the MICROSCOPE space mission to search for Lorentz violation in matter-gravity couplings as described by the Lorentz violating standard model extension (SME) coefficients (a[over ¯]_{eff})_{μ}^{w}, where (μ=T, X, Y, Z) and (w=e, p, n) for the electron, proton, and neutron. One of the phenomenological consequences of a nonzero value of those coefficients is that test bodies of different composition fall differently in an external gravitational field. This is similar to "standard" tests of the universality of free fall, but with a specific signature that depends on the orbital velocity and rotation of Earth.

Evaluation of posaconazole antifungal prophylaxis in reducing the incidence of invasive aspergillosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Purpose Of The Study: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is the most prevalent invasive fungal disease (IFD) in neutropenic patients. Environment is the main source of Aspergillus spores aerosolization especially during building construction. International guidelines recommend mechanical protection during hospital building works; otherwise the use of antifungal prophylaxis is not clearly indicated.

Broad-range 16 s rDNA PCR in synovial fluid does not improve the diagnostic performance of septic arthritis in native joints in adults: cross-sectional single-center study in 95 patients.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of bacterial identification by broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) 16 s (16S rDNA PCR) for the diagnosis of septic arthritis on native joints.

Methods: Patients with acute mono or oligoarthritis who underwent synovial fluid puncture and prospective follow-up allowing definitive diagnosis (septic arthritis, crystal related disease, chronic inflammatory arthritis, undifferentiated arthritis) were recruited in this single-center study. Systematic analysis of synovial fluid included leukocytes count, search for urate and pyrophosphate crystals with polarized light microscopy, direct bacteriological examination (gram staining), bacteriological culture, and 16S rDNA PCR.

Lorentz-symmetry test at Planck-scale suppression with a spin-polarized 133 Cs cold atom clock.

We present the results of a Local Lorentz Invariance (LLI) test performed with the 133Cs cold atom clock FO2 [1], hosted at SYRTE. Such test, relating the frequency shift between 133Cs hyperfine Zeeman substates to the Lorentz violating coefficients of the Standard Model Extension (SME), has already been realized in [2] and led to state-of-the-art constraints on several SME proton coefficients. In this second analysis we used an improved model, based on a second order Lorentz transformation and a SCRMF nuclear model, which enables us to extend the scope of the analysis from purely proton to both proton and neutron coefficients.

A case of tricuspid valve endocarditis due to Cardiobacterium hominis which emphasizes the shift between the poverty of clinical symptoms and the severity of cardiac damages.

Infectious endocarditis due to Cardiobacterium hominis is an uncommon event, accounting for less than 2% of all cases of infectious endocarditis. The infection of the tricuspid valve as it is reported here is extremely rare. We report the case of a tricuspid endocarditis due to Cardiobacterium hominis in a 56 year-old man who was admitted to hospital with pelvic and scapular pain.

Measures to improve microbial quality surveillance of gastrointestinal endoscopes.

Background And Study Aim: Infectious outbreaks associated with the use of gastrointestinal endoscopes have increased in line with the spread of highly resistant bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the measures required to improve microbial quality surveillance of gastrointestinal endoscopes.

Methods: We reviewed the results of all microbiological surveillance testing of gastrointestinal endoscopes and automatic endoscope reprocessors (AERs) performed at Brest Teaching Hospital from 1 January 2008 to 1 June 2015.

[Microbiological evaluation of cystoscope reprocessing at Brest university hospital from January 2007 through December 2014].

Purpose: Flexible cystoscopes are high temperature sensitive devices that must undergo high-level disinfection according to Spaulding classification. The objective of this study is to provide epidemiological data on the monitoring of microbiological quality of cystoscopes used in a teaching hospital, in order to determine the compliance rate of disinfection and to describe the main identified microorganisms.

Material: Prospective study of all the results of microbiological samples taken for 8 years at the Brest teaching hospital.

The Use of Channel-Purge Storage for Gastrointestinal Endoscopes Reduces Microbial Contamination.

Storage cabinets for heat-sensitive endoscopes (SCHEs) are designed to store gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes in a clean, dry and well-ventilated cupboard to prevent microbiological proliferation. The use of SCHEs in a GI endoscopy unit has significally reduced the rate of contaminated endoscopes (13.0% vs 45.