Building a national Infection Intelligence Platform to improve antimicrobial stewardship and drive better patient outcomes: the Scottish experience.

Background: The better use of new and emerging data streams to understand the epidemiology of infectious disease and to inform and evaluate antimicrobial stewardship improvement programmes is paramount in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.

Objectives: To create a national informatics platform that synergizes the wealth of disjointed, infection-related health data, building an intelligence capability that allows rapid enquiry, generation of new knowledge and feedback to clinicians and policy makers.

Methods: A multi-stakeholder community, led by the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group, secured government funding to deliver a national programme of work centred on three key aspects: (i) technical platform development with record linkage capability across multiple datasets; (ii) a proportionate governance approach to enhance responsiveness; and (iii) generation of new evidence to guide clinical practice.

Risk factors for resistance and MDR in community urine isolates: population-level analysis using the NHS Scotland Infection Intelligence Platform.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common. Antibiotic treatment is usually empirical, with the risk of under-treatment of resistant infections.

Objectives: To characterize risk factors for antibiotic-resistant community urine isolates using routine record-linked health data.

Caffeine administration alters the behaviour and development of Galleria mellonella larvae.

The effect of feeding caffeine on the behaviour and neural proteome of Galleria mellonella larvae was assessed. Caffeine was administered to larvae by force feeding and the metabolites theobromine and theophylline were subsequently detected by RP-HPLC analysis. Administration of caffeine to larvae resulted in reduced movement and a reduction in the formation of pupae.

Changes in the prevalence of human papillomavirus following a national bivalent human papillomavirus vaccination programme in Scotland: a 7-year cross-sectional study.

Background: On Sept 1, 2008, Scotland launched routine vaccination for human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, targeted at 12-13-year-old girls, of whom 92·4% were fully vaccinated in 2008-09. In this study, we report on vaccine effectiveness of the bivalent vaccine in these vaccinated women who attended for routine cervical screening at age 20-21 years.

Methods: In this 7-year cross-sectional study (covering birth cohorts 1988-1995), we sampled approximately 1000 samples per year from those attending cervical screening at age 20-21 years and tested each for HPV.

Analysis of the early cellular and humoral responses of Galleria mellonella larvae to infection by Candida albicans.

Galleria mellonella larvae were administered an inoculum of Candida albicans and the response to infection over 24 hours was monitored. The yeast cell density in infected larvae declined initially but replication commenced six hours post-infection. The hemocyte density decreased from 5.

Alfalfa-derived HSP70 administered intranasally improves insulin sensitivity in mice.

Heat shock protein (HSP) 70 is an abundant cytosolic chaperone protein that is deficient in insulin-sensitive tissues in diabetes and unhealthy aging, and is considered a longevity target. It is also protective in neurological disease models. Using HSP70 purified from alfalfa and administered as an intranasal solution, we tested in whether the administration of Hsp70 to diet-induced diabetic mice would improve insulin sensitivity.

Mechanical constraint from growing jaw facilitates mammalian dental diversity.

Much of the basic information about individual organ development comes from studies using model species. Whereas conservation of gene regulatory networks across higher taxa supports generalizations made from a limited number of species, generality of mechanistic inferences remains to be tested in tissue culture systems. Here, using mammalian tooth explants cultured in isolation, we investigate self-regulation of patterning by comparing developing molars of the mouse, the model species of mammalian research, and the bank vole.

The impact of bivalent HPV vaccine on cervical intraepithelial neoplasia by deprivation in Scotland: reducing the gap.

Background: Cervical cancer disproportionately affects women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. A human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme was introduced in Scotland in 2008 with uptake being lower and inequitable in a catch-up cohort run for the first three years of the programme compared with the routine programme. The socioeconomic differences in vaccine uptake have the potential to further increase the inequality gap in regards to cervical disease.

Regrowth mechanism for oxide isolation of GaAs nanowires.

Oxide-isolated GaAs nanowires (NWs) were obtained through a lithography-free method in which axial growth of NWs coated in aluminum oxide (AlO) is restarted using an annealing step. NWs are grown using the vapor-liquid-solid method and coated in nanometer thin oxide films using atomic layer deposition. Continued growth at the oxide-coated nanoparticle (NP) occurs after the thermally-induced fracture of the oxide during annealing.

Interfacial reactions at Fe/topological insulator spin contacts.

The authors study the composition and abruptness of the interfacial layers that form during deposition and patterning of a ferromagnet, Fe on a topological insulator (TI), BiSe, BiTe, and SiO/BiTe. Such structures are potentially useful for spintronics. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, including interfacial elemental mapping, confirms that Fe reacts with BiSe near room temperature, forming an abrupt 5 nm thick FeSe single crystalline binary phase, predominantly (001) oriented, with lattice fringe spacing of 0.

Changes in microvascular density differentiate metabolic health outcomes in monkeys with prior radiation exposure and subsequent skeletal muscle ECM remodeling.

Radiation exposure accelerates the onset of age-related diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neoplasia and, thus, lends insight into in vivo mechanisms common to these disorders. Fibrosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, which occur with aging and overnutrition and following irradiation, are risk factors for development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. We previously demonstrated an increased incidence of skeletal muscle insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus in monkeys that had been exposed to whole body irradiation 5-9 yr prior.

Observations and Conversations: Home Preparation of Infant Formula Among a Sample of Low-Income Mothers in the Southeastern US.

Objective: Explore infant formula preparation attitudes and beliefs among low-income, formula-feeding, Southeastern US mothers.

Design: Cross-sectional study using in-home observations and in-depth interviews.

Setting: Participant homes.

Use of Videoconferencing for Lactation Consultation: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey of Mothers' Acceptance in the United States.

Background: Suboptimal breastfeeding duration and exclusivity rates are a public health concern. Therefore, there is a need for identifying effective tools for use in interventions targeting specific barriers to optimal breastfeeding outcomes. Research aim: This study aimed to assess the relationship between acceptance of remote lactation consultation using videoconferencing and (a) maternal demographic factors, (b) technology acceptance subscales, (c) maternal learning style preferences, and (d) other potentially explanatory maternal factors.

The effect of entomopathogenic fungal culture filtrate on the immune response of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella.

Galleria mellonella is a well-established model species regularly employed in the study of the insect immune response at cellular and humoral levels to investigate fungal pathogenesis and biocontrol agents. A cellular and proteomic analysis of the effect of culture filtrate of three entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) species on the immune system of G. mellonella was performed.

Steroid-Au -NHC Complexes: Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity.

A series of gold(I) pioneer complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbenes and steroid derivatives (ethynylestradiol and ethisterone) with the generic formula [Au(R -imidazol-2-ylidene)(steroid)] (where R=CH or CH CH OCH ) were synthesized, and the X-ray structure of a rare of gold(I)-estradiol derivative is discussed. Toxicity studies reveal notable antibacterial activity of the gold-based compounds, which is significantly increased in vivo by the presence of the estradiol unit. Toxicity profiling was estimated in vitro versus Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, and in vivo on Galleria mellonella larvae against E.

Aligned cuboid iron nanoparticles by epitaxial electrodeposition.

Aligned, individual iron square cuboid nanoparticles have been achieved by taking advantage of epitaxial, three-dimensional-island growth on GaAs(001) during electrodeposition at low deposition rates. The nanoparticles exhibit lateral dimensions between 10 and 80 nm and heights below 40 nm. Surface {100} facets predominate with a thin crystalline oxide shell that protects the nanoparticles during prolonged storage in air.

The incidence of MRSA infections in the United States: is a more comprehensive tracking system needed?

A review of epidemiological studies on the incidence of MRSA infections overtime was performed along with an analysis of data available for download from Hospital Compare (https://data.medicare.gov/data/hospital-compare).

Glycosylated metal chelators as anti-parasitic agents with tunable selectivity.

Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania amazonensis are the causative agents of Chagas' disease and leishmaniasis, respectively. These conditions affect millions of people worldwide, especially in developing countries. As such, there is an urgent need for novel, efficient and cost-effective treatments for these diseases, given the growing resistance and side-effects of current therapies.

Reduced Intestinal Motility, Mucosal Barrier Function, and Inflammation in Aged Monkeys.

Objective: We aimed to examine the general health and intestinal physiology of young and old non-human primates with comparable life histories and dietary environments.

Design: Vervet monkeys (Chlorcebus aethiops sabaeus) in stable and comparable social and nutritional environments were selected for evaluation. Health phenotype, circulating cytokines and biomarkers of microbial translocation (MT) were measured (n=26-44).

Evaluating the effectiveness, impact and safety of live attenuated and seasonal inactivated influenza vaccination: protocol for the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Effectiveness II (SIVE II) study.

Introduction: Seasonal (inactivated) influenza vaccination is recommended for all individuals aged 65+ and in individuals under 65 who are at an increased risk of complications of influenza infection, for example, people with asthma Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) was recommended for children as they are thought to be responsible for much of the transmission of influenza to the populations at risk of serious complications from influenza. A phased roll-out of the LAIV pilot programme began in 2013/2014. There is limited evidence for vaccine effectiveness (VE) in the populations targeted for influenza vaccination.

Regulators of mitochondrial quality control differ in subcutaneous fat of metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese monkeys.

Objective: Obesity exists with and without accompanying cardiometabolic disease, termed metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) and healthy obesity (MHO), respectively. Underlying differences in the ability of subcutaneous (SQ) fat to respond to nutrient excess are emerging as a key pathway. This study aimed to document the first spontaneous animal model of MHO and MUO and differences in SQ adipose tissue.

Analysis of the acute response of Galleria mellonella larvae to potassium nitrate.

Potassium nitrate (E252) is widely used as a food preservative and has applications in the treatment of high blood pressure however high doses are carcinogenic. Larvae of Galleria mellonella were administered potassium nitrate to establish whether the acute effects in larvae correlated with those evident in mammals. Intra-haemocoel injection of potassium nitrate resulted in a significant increase in the density of circulating haemocytes and a small change in the relative proportions of haemocytes but haemocytes showed a reduced fungicidal ability.

Estimating Hospital-Related Deaths Due to Medical Error: A Perspective From Patient Advocates.

The authors present a viewpoint regarding the quality of data used in estimating the number of preventable hospital deaths in the United States. Data derived from countries with a nationalized healthcare system with well-defined and near uniform implementation of standards may not be applicable to the fragmented noncentralized delivery system found in the United States. Although U.

"I Had One Job and That Was To Make Milk".

Background: For very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants, breastfeeding may no longer be an immediate option. Mothers often turn to mechanically expressing their milk with a breast pump to provide their infants human milk. Research aim: This study aimed to describe mothers' experiences expressing milk for their VLBW infants in a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit.

Fatty liver promotes fibrosis in monkeys consuming high fructose.

Objective: Nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) are related to development of liver fibrosis which currently has few therapeutic options. Rodent models of NAFLD inadequately model the fibrotic aspects of the disease and fail to demonstrate the spectrum of cardiometabolic diseases without genetic manipulation. This study aimed to document a monkey model of fatty liver and fibrosis, which naturally develop cardiometabolic disease pathophysiologies.