Digital PCR to Measure SARS-CoV-2 RNA, Variants, and Outcomes in Youth.

Background: The role of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in predicting contagiousness, disease severity, transmissibility, and clinical decision-making continues to be an area of great interest. However, most studies have been in adults and have evaluated SARS-CoV-2 loads using cycle thresholds (Ct) values, which are not standardized preventing consistent interpretation critical to understanding clinical impact and utility. Here, a quantitative SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcription digital PCR (RT-dPCR) assay normalized to WHO International Units was applied to children at risk of severe disease diagnosed with COVID-19 at St.

A prospective bacterial whole-genome-sequencing-based surveillance programme for comprehensive early detection of healthcare-associated infection transmission in paediatric oncology patients.

Background: Bacterial whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and determination of genetic relatedness is an important tool for investigation of epidemiologically suspected outbreaks.

Aim: This prospective cohort study evaluated a comprehensive, prospective bacterial WGS-based surveillance programme for early detection of transmission of most bacterial pathogens among patients at a paediatric oncology hospital.

Methods: Cultured bacterial isolates from clinical diagnostic specimens collected prospectively from both inpatient and outpatient encounters between January 2019 and December 2021 underwent routine WGS and core genome multi-locus sequence typing to determine isolates' relatedness.

Clinical Correlation of Adenoviral Load in the Respiratory Tract Measured by Digital PCR in Immunocompromised Children.

Immunocompromised patients can have life-threatening adenoviral infection. Viral load in blood and stool is commonly used to guide antiviral therapy. We developed and evaluated a digital polymerase chain reaction assay to quantify human adenovirus in the respiratory tract and showed that higher peak load correlates with disseminated infection, mechanical ventilation, and death.

Prediction of Symptomatic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection by Quantitative Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction Normalized to International Units.

Although numerous studies have evaluated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection using cycle threshold (Ct) values as a surrogate of viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) load, few studies have used standardized, quantitative methods. We validated a quantitative SARS-CoV-2 digital polymerase chain reaction assay normalized to World Health Organization International Units and correlated viral RNA load with symptoms and disease severity.

Molecular Epidemiology and Genetic Relatedness of Clostridioides difficile Isolates in Pediatric Oncology and Transplant Patients Using Whole Genome Sequencing.

Background: The incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) has been rising among hospitalized children, with poor understanding of genomic variability of C. difficile isolates in this population.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of CDI in inpatient and outpatient pediatric oncology and cell transplant patients (POTPs) in 2016 and 2017.

Increased troponin I is associated with fatal outcome in acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has >90% mortality without therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). Despite TPE, approximately 10% of patients still die, presumably from cardiac ischemia. We sought clinical or laboratory parameters associated with death by reviewing the records of all patients hospitalized with acquired TTP in our institution for 10 years, and collect demographics and results for hemoglobin, platelet count, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, transaminases, total bilirubin, creatinine kinase (CK), CK-MB, and troponin I.

Identifying Errors in Forensic Autopsy Reports Using a Novel Web-Based Program.

Introduction: Autopsy reports are often complex, with ample opportunity for errors and inconsistencies. These reports are often scrutinized by both families and attorneys. Identification of errors by proofreading physicians or clerical staff can be improved by utilizing a computer program to examine reports for discrepancies.

Therapy-related B-lymphoblastic leukemia associated with Philadelphia chromosome and MLL rearrangement: Single institution experience and the review of the literature.

Therapy related acute lymphoblastic leukemia (t-ALL) of B cell origin is rare and constitutes approximately 2% of all ALL. Previously compiled data on the complete cytogenetic analysis of 48 t-B-ALL cases suggested that MLL rearrangement at 11q23 gene locus is the most common abnormality. Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) and a normal karyotype were reported as the second and third most common karyotypes, respectively.

PARP1 and phospho-p65 protein expression is increased in human HER2-positive breast cancers.

Previous studies have shown that basal breast cancers, which may have an inherent "BRCAness" phenotype and sensitivity to inhibitors of poly (ADP-Ribose) polymerase (PARP), express elevated levels of PARP1. Our lab recently reported that HER2+ breast cancers also exhibit sensitivity to PARP inhibitors (PARPi) by attenuating the NF-κB pathway. In this study, we assessed PARP1 and phospho-p65, a marker of activated NF-κB levels in human breast cancer tissues.

Over-the-scope clip-assisted method for resection of full-thickness submucosal lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.

Background And Study Aims: The over-the-scope clip (OTSC; Ovesco Endoscopy, Tübingen, Germany) is deployed after suctioning tissue into the cap. The tissue may then be resected endoscopically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the OTSC for the endoscopic resection of gastrointestinal tumors.

Temporomandibular joint arthritis as an initial presentation of acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes: a report of an unusual case.

Purpose: Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often present with fatigue and severe pancytopenia. We report the case of a 68-year-old woman with no significant medical history who presented with 1 year of progressively worsening bilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. She was otherwise asymptomatic.

A coastal cline in sodium accumulation in Arabidopsis thaliana is driven by natural variation of the sodium transporter AtHKT1;1.

The genetic model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, like many plant species, experiences a range of edaphic conditions across its natural habitat. Such heterogeneity may drive local adaptation, though the molecular genetic basis remains elusive. Here, we describe a study in which we used genome-wide association mapping, genetic complementation, and gene expression studies to identify cis-regulatory expression level polymorphisms at the AtHKT1;1 locus, encoding a known sodium (Na(+)) transporter, as being a major factor controlling natural variation in leaf Na(+) accumulation capacity across the global A.

2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol alters plant root development.

Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates containing the phlD gene can protect crops from root pathogens, at least in part through production of the antibiotic 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG). However, the action mechanisms of DAPG are not fully understood, and effects of this antibiotic on host root systems have not been characterized in detail. DAPG inhibited primary root growth and stimulated lateral root production in tomato seedlings.