Documented penicillin allergy and beta-lactam antibiotic use in Massachusetts long-term care facilities: opportunities for penicillin allergy delabeling.

In a cross-sectional study of 20 Massachusetts long-term care (LTC) facilities, 19% (n = 449) of residents received antibiotics, with approximately one-third having a documented penicillin allergy. This documented allergy decreased the likelihood of prescribing beta-lactam antibiotics for infections. Improved penicillin allergy assessments and delabeling could optimize antibiotic prescribing in LTC settings.

Clusters of emerging multidrug-resistant organisms in US health care facilities during the initial months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Background: Outbreaks of emerging multidrug-resistant organisms (eMDROs), including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and Candida auris, have been reported among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients. We describe eMDRO clusters in SARS-CoV-2 units and associated infection control (IC) practices early in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective survey of a convenience sample of health departments in 11 states to describe clusters of eMDROs that began before November 1, 2020 and involved SARS-CoV-2 units.

Antibiotic allergy prevalence and documentation quality in Massachusetts long-term care facilities: A cross-sectional survey.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant global health challenge, particularly affecting older adults who are more susceptible to infections and their complications. Accurate diagnosis and documentation of antibiotic allergies are essential for effective antimicrobial stewardship. Despite the recognized overdiagnosis of antibiotic allergies, comprehensive studies on this subject in long-term care (LTC) settings are limited.

How do we use the National Healthcare Safety Network for Hemovigilance in Massachusetts?

Background: Use of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has been essential to the success of the Massachusetts Hemovigilance Program and has allowed for the timely identification of signals and trends over a defined population that correlate with national and international hemovigilance (HV) data. Here, we outline how the NHSN system is used for monitoring HV data in Massachusetts and encourage adoption of NHSN for nationwide HV surveillance.

Study Design And Methods: A collaboration that grew over time between local HV stakeholders and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) resulted in the change from a paper-based method of reporting adverse reactions and monthly transfusion activity for compliance with state requirements to replacement with statewide adoption of reporting via NHSN.

Contact Tracing and Exposure Investigation in Response to the First Case of Monkeypox Virus Infection in the United States During the 2022 Global Monkeypox Outbreak.

Background: In May 2022, the first case of monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection in the United States in the current global outbreak was identified. As part of the public health and health care facility response, a contact tracing and exposure investigation was done.

Objective: To describe the contact tracing, exposure identification, risk stratification, administration of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), and exposure period monitoring for contacts of the index patient, including evaluation of persons who developed symptoms possibly consistent with MPXV infection.

Executive Function in Kindergarten and the Development of Behavior Competence: Moderating Role of Positive Parenting Practices.

The present study used data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort of 2011 ( = 15,827; 51.1% male; 48.4% White, 13.

Expression, purification and characterisation of the recombinant possum lipocalin vulpeculin.

Background: Lipocalins are a large family of proteins, which possess a highly conserved eight-stranded antiparallel beta-barrel structure as distinctive trait. This family includes Major Urinary Proteins (MUPs) from rats and mouse, studied for their role in urinary protein-mediated chemosignalling. Vulpeculin has been identified as the most abundant protein in the urine of the common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula.

Selection and characterization of DNA aptamers for the rat major urinary protein 13 (MUP13) as selective biorecognition elements for sensitive detection of rat pests.

Among invasive mammalian predators, rats represent a major threat, endangering ecosystem functioning worldwide. After rat-control operations, detecting their continued presence or reinvasion requires more sensitive and lower cost detection technologies. Here, we develop a new sensing paradigm by using a specific rat urine biomarker (MUP13) to unambiguously signal the presence of rats.

A new model for a palliative approach to care in Australia.

Introduction: There is an inconsistent provision of palliative and end-of-life (palliative) care across Australia, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas. Systematic solutions can help to address identified gaps and improve access to and quality of care and support for patients, their families and carers at the end of life. The Far West New South Wales (NSW) Palliative and End of Life Model of Care is a systematic solution for a rural and remote palliative approach to care.

A Validation Study of the BRIEF-2 Among Kindergarteners and First Graders At-Risk for Behavior Problems.

Early identification of executive dysfunction and timely school-based intervention efforts are critical for students at risk for problematic behaviors during early elementary school. The original Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning (BRIEF) was designed to measure real-world behavioral manifestations of executive functioning, neurocognitive processes critical for school success. With the updated BRIEF-2, independent validation is needed with kindergarten and first grade students at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders.

Impact of the early coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on blood utilization in the United States: A time-series analysis of data reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network Hemovigilance Module.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted healthcare services worldwide. However, little has been reported regarding the impact on blood utilization. We quantified the impact of COVID-19 on blood utilization and discards among facilities reporting to the National Healthcare Safety Network Hemovigilance Module.

Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) From Asymptomatic and Presymptomatic Individuals in Healthcare Settings Despite Medical Masks and Eye Protection.

We describe 3 instances of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission despite medical masks and eye protection, including transmission despite the source person being masked, transmission despite the exposed person being masked, and transmission despite both parties being masked. Whole genome sequencing confirmed perfect homology between source and exposed persons' viruses in all cases.

Utilization of cumulative antibiograms for public health surveillance: Trends in and susceptibility, Massachusetts, 2008-2018.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is an urgent public health threat. Identifying trends in antimicrobial susceptibility can inform public health policy at the state and local levels.

Objective: To determine the ability of statewide antibiogram aggregation for public health surveillance to identify changes in antimicrobial resistance trends.

Candida auris outbreak involving liver transplant recipients in a surgical intensive care unit.

Candida auris is a yeast that is difficult to eradicate and has caused outbreaks in health care facilities. We report a cluster of 5 patients in 1 intensive care unit who were colonized or infected in 2017. The initial 2 patients were recipients of liver transplants who had cultures that grew C auris within 3 days of each other in June 2017 (days 43 and 30 posttransplant).

Culturally Responsive Approaches for Addressing ADHD Within Multi-tiered Systems of Support.

Purpose Of Review: Limited work has emphasized cultural responsiveness when working with families and children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from diverse backgrounds. We present a primer for psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals on the implementation of culturally responsive practices within a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework when collaborating with schools.

Recent Findings: Individuals with ADHD demonstrate unique behavioral challenges that affect school and home functioning.

Improving palliative and end-of-life care for rural and remote Australians.

Recent reports highlight an inconsistent provision of palliative and end-of-life (palliative) care across Australia, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas. Palliative care improves quality of life and the experience of dying, and all people should have equitable access to quality needs-based care as they approach and reach the end of their lives. A palliative approach to care is crucial in rural and remote Australia where there is a reliance for such care on generalist providers amid the challenges of a limited workforce, poorer access, and vast geography.

Validation of the Anger Expression Scale for Children With Fourth and Fifth Graders: Implications for Identifying Students at Risk for Behavior Problems.

An inability to successfully regulate anger has been linked to adverse outcomes for students, including psychological problems and special education placement due to significant emotional and behavioral difficulties. Early identification, therefore, is critical to provide timely intervention for students before anger-related problems escalate. The Anger Expression Scale for Children was developed to address some of the limitations of previous measurement tools designed to assess anger expression with children and adolescents.

The Direct Access Colonoscopy Clinic: Improving time to colonoscopy for eligible positive faecal occult blood test patients in Broken Hill NSW.

Objective: This pilot project aimed to assess whether the Direct Access Colonoscopy Clinic is an effective and safe model to reduce the time from a positive faecal occult blood test referral to a gastroenterologist-performed colonoscopy, and its effect on meeting the 120-day recommendation.

Design: Before/after clinical practice and patient file audit.

Setting: Broken Hill Health Service.

Sepsis Attributed to Bacterial Contamination of Platelets Associated with a Potential Common Source - Multiple States, 2018.

During May-October 2018, four patients from three states experienced sepsis after transfusion of apheresis platelets contaminated with Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex (ACBC) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus; one patient died. ACBC isolates from patients' blood, transfused platelet residuals, and two environmental samples were closely related by whole genome sequencing. S.

Isolation and Characterisation of Major and Minor Collagens from Hyaline Cartilage of Hoki ().

The composition and properties of collagen in teleost (bony fish) cartilage have never been studied. In this study, we aimed to identify and characterise all collagen species in the nasal cartilage of hoki (). Four native collagen species were extracted using two techniques, and isolated with differential salt precipitation.

A mapping study to guide a palliative approach to care.

Introduction: All healthcare providers can influence the delivery and outcome of a palliative approach to care, ensuring that everyone has 'equitable access to quality care based on assessed need as they approach and reach the end-of-life'. This study mapped the delivery of palliative care in far west New South Wales (NSW), Australia, with objectives to: identify who was involved in providing such care in the Far West Local Health District (FWLHD), how they connect, and any gaps in the network describe what care was provided and identify any challenges to care provision. The mapping process and outcomes can be used to guide the implementation of new models of care by building on the localised knowledge of current networks, provision of care and challenges.

Evaluation of the National Healthcare Safety Network Hemovigilance Module for transfusion-related adverse reactions in the United States.

Introduction: The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Hemovigilance Module (HM) collects data on the frequency, severity, and imputability of transfusion-associated adverse events. These events contribute to significant morbidity and mortality among transfusion patients. We report results from the first systematic assessment of eight attributes of the HM.

Transfusion-transmitted babesiosis: one state's experience.

Background: The risk for tickborne exposure to Babesia microti infection exists statewide in Massachusetts. Broad exposure complicates investigations of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis (TTB). We summarize 8 years of the epidemiology of TTB and highlight the role of public health in prevention and control.

Analyses of nervous system patterning genes in the tardigrade illuminate the evolution of panarthropod brains.

Background: Both euarthropods and vertebrates have tripartite brains. Several orthologous genes are expressed in similar regionalized patterns during brain development in both vertebrates and euarthropods. These similarities have been used to support direct homology of the tripartite brains of vertebrates and euarthropods.

Intra-fibrillar citric acid crosslinking of marine collagen electrospun nanofibres.

The physical strength of the collagen fibre network in the extracellular matrix is due to the covalent crosslinks between the molecules within the fibres (intra-fibrillar crosslinks). Citric acid was investigated as an agent to introduce crosslinks within marine collagen electrospun fibres. We used collagen films to understand the ideal conditions for citric acid crosslinking.