The inhibitory effects of vancomycin on rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell differentiation.

Objective: The use of intrawound vancomycin powder in spine surgery has been shown to decrease the rate of surgical site infections; however, the optimal dose is unknown. High-dose vancomycin inhibits osteoblast proliferation in vitro and may decrease the rate of solid arthrodesis. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are multipotent cells that are a source of osteogenesis in spine fusions.

Effect of prazosin on feline recurrent urethral obstruction.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine if male cats treated with 7 days of prazosin following relief of urethral obstruction (UO) experienced decreased rates of recurrent urethral obstruction (rUO) within 30 days vs those treated with 7 days of placebo.

Methods: All castrated male cats presenting for the first time with UO from May 2014 to August 2017 were eligible for enrollment. Exclusion criteria included the administration of medications or passage of a urinary catheter prior to referral, the presence of heart disease or hypertension requiring medication, prior treatment with glucocorticoids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, prazosin or phenoxybenzamine, or radiographic identification of cystoliths.

COVID-19 outbreak among temporary foreign workers in British Columbia, March to May 2020.

Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, temporary foreign workers (TFWs) provided a critical role to maintaining the food supply in Canada, yet workers faced a number of challenges that made them particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological investigation and public health response to a COVID-19 outbreak among TFWs in an agricultural setting in British Columbia from March to May 2020.

Methods: An outbreak was declared on March 28, 2020 following detection of two cases of COVID-19 among a group of 63 TFWs employed by a nursery and garden centre.

Genomic imbalance determines positive and negative modulation of gene expression in diploid maize.

Genomic imbalance caused by changing the dosage of individual chromosomes (aneuploidy) has a more detrimental effect than varying the dosage of complete sets of chromosomes (ploidy). We examined the impact of both increased and decreased dosage of 15 distal and 1 interstitial chromosomal regions via RNA-seq of maize (Zea mays) mature leaf tissue to reveal new aspects of genomic imbalance. The results indicate that significant changes in gene expression in aneuploids occur both on the varied chromosome (cis) and the remainder of the genome (trans), with a wider spread of modulation compared with the whole-ploidy series of haploid to tetraploid.

Research Letter: PTSD Symptom Severity and Multiple Traumatic Brain Injuries Are Associated With Elevated Memory Complaints in Veterans With Histories of Mild TBI.

Objective: The evaluation of memory complaints in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) remains an important clinical consideration, especially in the context of comorbid psychiatric symptoms such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We compared subjective memory complaints in veterans with and without a history of mTBI, examined ratings between those with single versus multiple mTBIs, and investigated associations between memory complaints and PTSD symptom severity.

Methods: 117 outpatient veterans (mTBI: n = 79 [single mTBI: n = 22, multiple mTBI: n = 57], military controls [MCs]: n = 38) completed a TBI history assessment, the Prospective-Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ), and the PTSD Checklist-Military Version (PCL-M).

SARS-CoV-2 innate effector associations and viral load in early nasopharyngeal infection.

COVID-19 causes severe disease with poor outcomes. We tested the hypothesis that early SARS-CoV-2 viral infection disrupts innate immune responses. These changes may be important for understanding subsequent clinical outcomes.

Enhanced Anti-Amyloid Effect of Combined Leptin and Pioglitazone in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) has challenged single-target therapeutic strategies, raising the possibility that combined therapies may offer a more effective treatment strategy.

Objective: There is substantial evidence for the efficacy of leptin (L) (neuroprotective hormone) and pioglitazone (P) (anti-inflammatory agent) as monotherapies in AD. We have previously shown that combination treatment of L+P in APP/PS1 mice at the onset of pathology significantly improved memory and reduced brain Aβ levels relative to control mice.

Synthesis of multi-substituted pyridines from ylidenemalononitriles and their emission properties.

Numerous methodologies to obtain pyridines from ylidenemalononitriles are described in the literature. Nevertheless, they are limited to the use of microwave or conventional heat and few lead to 2,3,4 or 2,3,4,5-substituted pyridines as multi-proposal molecular scaffolds or even universal pyridines. Herein, we present a mild and facile solvent-free methodology to obtain a scope of multi-substituted pyridines at room temperature.

Community engagement as a foundation for improving neighborhood health.

Objective: Health inequities and disparities are associated with non-White race/ethnicity, immigrant status, income, and geographic location. Community engagement is essential to identify health and social needs and to plan health care and social services programs. To begin a larger community-based participatory study, the purpose of this study was to explore community residents' perceptions of barriers and facilitators to achieving and maintaining health.

Performance Characteristics of BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Card for Screening Asymptomatic Individuals in a University Setting.

We compared the performance of the Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 antigen card to that of a standard reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay (Thermo Fisher TaqPath COVID-19 Combo kit) for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2,645 asymptomatic students presenting for screening at the University of Utah. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 1.7% of the study participants by RT-PCR.

Recognition of Diagnostic Gaps for Laboratory Diagnosis of Fungal Diseases: Expert Opinion from the Fungal Diagnostics Laboratories Consortium (FDLC).

Fungal infections are a rising threat to our immunocompromised patient population, as well as other nonimmunocompromised patients with various medical conditions. However, little progress has been made in the past decade to improve fungal diagnostics. To jointly address this diagnostic challenge, the Fungal Diagnostics Laboratory Consortium (FDLC) was recently created.

The Infectious Diseases Society of America Guidelines on the Diagnosis of COVID-19: Molecular Diagnostic Testing.

Background: Accurate molecular diagnostic tests are necessary for confirming a diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Direct detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleic acids in respiratory tract specimens informs patient, healthcare institution and public health level decision-making. The numbers of available SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection tests are rapidly increasing, as is the COVID-19 diagnostic literature.

Implications of Shortened Quarantine Among Household Contacts of Index Patients with Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection - Tennessee and Wisconsin, April-September 2020.

To prevent further transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), CDC currently recommends that persons who have been in close contact with someone with SARS-CoV-2 infection should quarantine (stay away from other persons) for 14 days after the last known contact.* However, quarantine might be difficult to maintain for a prolonged period. A shorter quarantine might improve compliance, and CDC recommends two options to reduce the duration of quarantine for close contacts without symptoms, based on local circumstances and availability of testing: 1) quarantine can end on day 10 without a test or 2) quarantine can end on day 7 after receiving a negative test result.

The impact of advanced age-related macular degeneration on the National Eye Institute's Visual Function Questionnaire-25.

Purpose: To assess visual function among patients diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by stage of disease and laterality.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional cohort study of 739 AMD patients and their responses to the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) at time of study enrolment. Patients with AMD were categorized into Early/Intermediate AMD and three groups of advanced AMD: (i) neovascular AMD (NV), (ii) geographic atrophy (GA) and (iii) Both Advanced forms.

Examining the influence of bilayer structure on energy transfer and molecular photon upconversion in metal ion linked multilayers.

Metal ion linked multilayers is a unique motif to spatially control and geometrically restrict molecules on a metal oxide surface and is of interest in a number of promising applications. Here we use a bilayer composed of a metal oxide surface, an anthracene annihilator molecule, Zn(II) linking ion, and porphyrin sensitizers to probe the influence of the position of the metal ion binding site on energy transfer, photon upconversion, and photocurrent generation. Despite being energetically similar, varying the position of the carboxy metal ion binding group (i.

Management of bladder tumors in pregnancy: A case of tumor prolapse and avulsion during labor.

Pregnancy presents unique obstacles to diagnosis and management of urologic disease. We present a case of a primigravid female with clot retention requiring evacuation in the operating room due to the avulsion of a bladder mass which prolapsed during labor. Tumor pathology demonstrated a low-grade spindle cell lesion positive for progesterone receptor (PR) and high mobility group A2 (HMGA2), suggestive of deep angiomyxoma versus a benign fibroepithelial polyp or inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor.

Technical Report: A New Method for Determining Image Distance for Stand Magnifiers.

Significance: Low vision rehabilitation clinicians must sometimes evaluate stand magnifiers to determine their true optical properties. A novel method is described for measuring the image distance of stand magnifiers.

Purpose: We describe a new method for determining the image distance of stand magnifiers, which has some advantages over previously described methods.

Utility of Plasma Neurofilament Light in the 1Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC).

Background: Plasma NfL (pNfL) levels are elevated in many neurological disorders. However, the utility of pNfL in a clinical setting has not been established.

Objective: In a cohort of diverse older participants, we examined: 1) the association of pNfL to age, sex, Hispanic ethnicity, diagnosis, and structural and amyloid imaging biomarkers; and 2) its association to baseline and longitudinal cognitive and functional performance.

Diagnostic Tests Can Stem the Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance: Infectious Disease Professionals Can Help.

Uptake of existing diagnostics to identify infections more accurately could minimize unnecessary antibiotic use and decrease the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) agree that, to improve uptake of existing diagnostics, healthcare providers, health systems, and payors all need better clinical and economic outcomes data to support use of diagnostic tests over empiric use of antibiotics, providers need better tools and education about diagnostic tests, and diagnostics developers need federal funding in the absence of a viable diagnostics market. Recommendations from PACCARB and the IDSA are amplified.

Progress in the Management of Paediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis.

Considerable progress has been made in the understanding and treatment of paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS); how this has translated into more effective care is less well understood. Here, we evaluate how recent advances have affected patient management and outcomes with a retrospective review of POMS patients managed at two paediatric neuroimmunology centres. Two cohorts, seen within a decade, were compared to investigate associations between management approaches and outcomes.

SARS-CoV-2 Innate Effector Associations and Viral Load in Early Nasopharyngeal Infection.

To examine innate immune responses in early SARS-CoV-2 infection that may change clinical outcomes, we compared nasopharyngeal swab data from 20 virus-positive and 20 virus-negative individuals. Multiple innate immune-related and transcripts increased with infection and were strongly associated with increasing viral load. We found widespread discrepancies between transcription and translation.

Transmission of SARS-COV-2 Infections in Households - Tennessee and Wisconsin, April-September 2020.

Improved understanding of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), within households could aid control measures. However, few studies have systematically characterized the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in U.S.

Relapse and regression to severe wasting in children under 5 years: A theoretical framework.

Systematic reviews have highlighted that repeated severe wasting after receiving treatment is likely to be common, but standardised measurement is needed urgently. The Council of Research & Technical Advice for Acute Malnutrition (CORTASAM) released recommendations on standard measurement of relapse (wasting within 6 months after exiting treatment as per recommended discharge criteria), regression (wasting within 6 months after exiting treatment before reaching recommended discharge criteria) and reoccurrence (wasting after 6 months of exit from treatment as per recommended discharge criteria). We provide a theoretical framework of post-treatment relapse and regression to severe wasting to guide discussions, risk factor analyses, and development and evaluations of interventions.