Effectiveness of rapid SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing in supporting infection control for hospital-onset COVID-19 infection: Multicentre, prospective study.

Background: Viral sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 has been used for outbreak investigation, but there is limited evidence supporting routine use for infection prevention and control (IPC) within hospital settings.

Methods: We conducted a prospective non-randomised trial of sequencing at 14 acute UK hospital trusts. Sites each had a 4-week baseline data collection period, followed by intervention periods comprising 8 weeks of 'rapid' (<48 hr) and 4 weeks of 'longer-turnaround' (5-10 days) sequencing using a sequence reporting tool (SRT).

Antibiotic Susceptibility, Virulome, and Clinical Outcomes in European Infants with Bloodstream Infections Caused by Enterobacterales.

Mortality in neonates with Gram-negative bloodstream infections has remained unacceptably high. Very few data are available on the impact of resistance profiles, virulence factors, appropriateness of empirical treatment and clinical characteristics on patients' mortality. A survival analysis to investigate 28-day mortality probability and predictors was performed including (I) infants <90 days (II) with an available Enterobacterales blood isolate with (III) clinical, treatment and 28-day outcome data.

Rapid detection of Mycobacterium ulcerans with isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification assay.

Background: Access to an accurate diagnostic test for Buruli ulcer (BU) is a research priority according to the World Health Organization. Nucleic acid amplification of insertion sequence IS2404 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most sensitive and specific method to detect Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans), the causative agent of BU.

Identification of Streptococcus suis Meningitis through Population-Based Surveillance, Togo, 2010-2014.

During 2010-2014, we enrolled 511 patients with suspected bacterial meningitis into surveillance in 2 districts of northern Togo. We identified 15 persons with Streptococcus suis infection; 10 had occupational contact with pigs, and 12 suffered neurologic sequelae. S.

Gene expression profile of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture.

To search for novel transcriptional pathways that are activated in abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture, cDNA microarrays were used to compare global mRNA expression at the aneurysm rupture edge to anterior sac, and selected results were confirmed using quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). This study identified apoptosis, angiogenesis, and inflammation as potentially important participants during the process of aneurysm rupture.

Mefloquine resistance in Plasmodium falciparum and increased pfmdr1 gene copy number.

Background: The borders of Thailand harbour the world's most multidrug resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites. In 1984 mefloquine was introduced as treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria, but substantial resistance developed within 6 years. A combination of artesunate with mefloquine now cures more than 95% of acute infections.

Ribosomal protein L22 inhibits regulation of cellular activities by the Epstein-Barr virus small RNA EBER-1.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a potent mitogenic and antiapoptotic agent for B lymphocytes and is associated with several different types of human tumour. The abundantly expressed small viral RNA, EBER-1, binds to the growth inhibitory and pro-apoptotic protein kinase R (PKR) and blocks activation of the latter by double-stranded RNA. Recent evidence has suggested that expression of EBER-1 alone in EBV-negative B cells promotes a tumorigenic phenotype and that this may be related to inhibition of the pro-apoptotic effects of PKR.

Fidelity and reproducibility of antisense RNA amplification for the study of gene expression in human CD34+ haemopoietic stem and progenitor cells.

Microarrays provide a powerful tool for the study of haemopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSC). Because of the low frequency of HSC, it is rarely feasible to obtain enough mRNA for microarray hybridizations, and amplification will be necessary. Antisense RNA (aRNA) amplification is reported to give high-fidelity amplification, but most studies have used only qualitative validation.

In vivo effects of the Epstein-Barr virus small RNA EBER-1 on protein synthesis and cell growth regulation.

Recent studies have suggested a role for the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA EBER-1 in malignant transformation. EBER-1 inhibits the activity of the protein kinase PKR, an inhibitor of protein synthesis with tumour suppressor properties. In human 293 cells and murine embryonic fibroblasts, transient expression of EBER-1 promoted total protein synthesis and enhanced the expression of cotransfected reporter genes.

The mRNA of the translationally controlled tumor protein P23/TCTP is a highly structured RNA, which activates the dsRNA-dependent protein kinase PKR.

The dsRNA-activated protein kinase PKR is involved in signal transduction pathways that mediate cellular processes as diverse as cell growth and differentiation, the stress response, and apoptosis. PKR was originally described as an interferon-inducible elF2alpha kinase involved in the antiviral defense mechanism of the cell. The interaction of the kinase with specific viral RNAs has been studied in much detail, but information about cellular mRNAs, which are able to bind and activate PKR, is scarce.