Simple Questionnaires to Improve Pooling Strategies for SARS-CoV-2 Laboratory Testing.

Background: Liberal PCR testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is key to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Combined multi-sample testing in pools instead of single tests might enhance laboratory capacity and reduce costs, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to assess the value of a simple questionnaire to guide and further improve pooling strategies for SARS-CoV-2 laboratory testing.

Human infections caused by Staphylococcus argenteus in Germany: genetic characterisation and clinical implications of novel species designation.

We report a series of Staphylococcus argenteus infections from Saarland, Germany. Travel histories were unremarkable for extra-European sojourns, indicating an autochthonous transmission mode. Multilocus sequence typing revealed that all isolates were members of the clonal complex CC2250.

ClpC affects the intracellular survival capacity of Staphylococcus aureus in non-professional phagocytic cells.

Invasion and persistence of bacteria within host cells requires that they adapt to life in an intracellular environment. This adaptation induces bacterial stress through events such as phagocytosis and enhanced nutrient-restriction. During stress, bacteria synthesize a family of proteins known as heat shock proteins (HSPs) to facilitate adaptation and survival.

Bioinspired Liposomes for Oral Delivery of Colistin to Combat Intracellular Infections by Salmonella enterica.

Bacterial invasion into eukaryotic cells and the establishment of intracellular infection has proven to be an effective means of resisting antibiotic action, as anti-infective agents commonly exhibit a poor permeability across the host cell membrane. Encapsulation of anti-infectives into nanoscaled delivery systems, such as liposomes, is shown to result in an enhancement of intracellular delivery. The aim of the current work is, therefore, to formulate colistin, a poorly permeable anti-infective, into liposomes suitable for oral delivery, and to functionalize these carriers with a bacteria-derived invasive moiety to enhance their intracellular delivery.

The Extracellular Adherence Protein Eap Is a DNA Binding Protein Capable of Blocking Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation.

The extracellular adherence protein (Eap) of is a secreted protein known to exert a number of adhesive and immunomodulatory properties. Here we describe the intrinsic DNA binding activity of this multifunctional secretory factor. By using atomic force microscopy, we provide evidence that Eap can bind and aggregate DNA.

In situ electrochemical manipulation of oxidation-reduction potential in saturated subsurface matrices.

Application of a low-intensity electric field is known to influence oxidation-reduction (redox) potential in a saturated matrix. In this study, such redox manipulation was attempted in at a site with contaminated aquifer. At the experiment field site, electrodes connected to a direct current (DC) source provided an electric field with an intensity of 1.

The extracellular adherence protein (Eap) of Staphylococcus aureus acts as a proliferation and migration repressing factor that alters the cell morphology of keratinocytes.

Staphyloccocus aureus is a major human pathogen and a common cause for superficial and deep seated wound infections. The pathogen is equipped with a large arsenal of virulence factors, which facilitate attachment to various eukaryotic cell structures and modulate the host immune response. One of these factors is the extracellular adherence protein Eap, a member of the "secretable expanded repertoire adhesive molecules" (SERAM) protein family that possesses adhesive and immune modulatory properties.

RpiRc Is a Pleiotropic Effector of Virulence Determinant Synthesis and Attenuates Pathogenicity in Staphylococcus aureus.

In Staphylococcus aureus, metabolism is intimately linked with virulence determinant biosynthesis, and several metabolite-responsive regulators have been reported to mediate this linkage. S. aureus possesses at least three members of the RpiR family of transcriptional regulators.

Botulinum Toxin Dosing Trends in Spasmodic Dysphonia Over a 20-year Period.

Objectives: The study aims to (1) identify the botulinum toxin (BTX) dosing trend in a cohort of patients who received at least 20 injections for the treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD), (2) describe two distinct BTX dosing trends in treating ADSD (a "classic" dosing trend that initially decreases before stabilizing, and a "fluctuating" dosing trend), and (3) determine if patients with the "classic" dosing trend differed in age or in dosing intervals from those with the "fluctuating" dosing trend.

Study Design: This is a retrospective case series.

Methods: Of 149 patients who received a total of 2484 BTX injections for the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia in 1993-2013, 49 patients received at least 20 injections.

The catabolite control protein E (CcpE) affects virulence determinant production and pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus.

Carbon metabolism and virulence determinant production are often linked in pathogenic bacteria, and several regulatory elements have been reported to mediate this linkage in Staphylococcus aureus. Previously, we described a novel protein, catabolite control protein E (CcpE) that functions as a regulator of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Here we demonstrate that CcpE also regulates virulence determinant biosynthesis and pathogenesis.

Staphylococcus aureus secretes a unique class of neutrophil serine protease inhibitors.

Neutrophils are indispensable for clearing infections with the prominent human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus. Here, we report that S. aureus secretes a family of proteins that potently inhibits the activity of neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs): neutrophil elastase (NE), proteinase 3, and cathepsin G.

Adult extracardiac rhabdomyoma of the parapharyngeal space.

Adult extracardiac rhabdomyoma (ER) is a rare, slowly growing, benign tumor of skeletal-muscle origin that has a strong predilection for the head and neck. Complete surgical resection has been proposed as the treatment of choice. We describe a case of adult ER that manifested as a nasopharyngeal mass.

Voice disorders: abuse, misuse and functional problems.

Having a vocal complaint is not uncommon, especially among professional voice users. Medically managing hoarseness is often delayed because the physician or patient fails to understand the vocal behavior that precipitated the voice disorder. Improper breathing and/or abusive vocal patterns are the main predisposing factors to functional voice disorders, the most common category of vocal pathology.

Intracranial complications of pediatric frontal rhinosinusitis.

Background: The aim of this study was to review the presentation and management of children admitted for intracranial complications arising from frontal rhinosinusitis. We performed a retrospective case series review at two academic tertiary care children's hospitals.

Methods: This study consisted of children < 18 years old who presented with intracranial complications from frontal rhinosinusitis between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 2002.

Neck abscess secondary to cat-scratch disease.

A 7-year-old boy was referred to us for evaluation of an enlarging neck mass. The results of his primary care physician's initial clinical examination suggested lymphadenopathy secondary to lymphadenitis, and the patient was treated over a 4-week period with two rounds of antibiotics. However, the mass did not resolve, and it subsequently became fluctuant.

Areolar connective tissue grafts in pediatric tympanoplasty: a pilot study.

Purpose: To compare the surgical and audiologic success rates of areolar connective tissue with temporalis fascia in pediatric tympanoplasty.

Methods: Retrospective case series review of 10 patients younger than 18 years who underwent primary tympanoplasty between December 1997 and December 2000 using areolar connective tissue grafts. Tympanoplasty patients receiving temporalis fascia grafts during this period were used as a control group.

Pediatric sinonasal rhabdomyosarcoma: three cases and a review of the literature.

Objective: To understand the clinical presentation, management, and natural history of paranasal rhabdomyosarcoma.

Design: Retrospective case series review.

Methods: Retrospective medical record review of patients less than 20 years of age who presented to our facility with rhabdomyosarcoma of the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses.

Primary and recurrent early stage laryngeal cancer: preliminary results of 2-[fluorine 18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET imaging.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of 2-[fluorine 18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in the identification of early stage (T1-T2) primary and recurrent laryngeal cancer.

Materials And Methods: Twelve patients with T1 or T2 laryngeal cancer underwent imaging prospectively with PET. Seven patients had new disease, and five had recurrent disease.

Ingestion of caustic hair relaxer: is endoscopy necessary?

Hair relaxer, a commercially available alkaline product, is commonly the offending agent in caustic ingestion. These patients often experience oral cavity and facial burns; however, no clinically significant esophageal injuries have been reported. Therefore, we questioned the therapeutic and economic efficacy of the "standard treatment protocol" that includes hospitalization and endoscopic evaluation.