A phase 1 randomized controlled trial of a peptide-based group A streptococcal vaccine in healthy volunteers.

Background: Group A streptococci (Strep A) orStreptococcus pyogenes is a major human pathogen causing an estimated 500,000 deaths worldwide each year. Disease can range from mild pharyngitis to more severe infections, such as necrotizing fasciitis, septicemia, and toxic shock syndrome. Untreated, Strep A infection can lead to the serious post streptococcal pathologies of rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

Accuracy of point-of-care SARS-CoV-2 detection using buccal swabs in pediatric emergency departments.

To optimize the identification of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected children, specimen collection and testing method are crucial considerations. Ideally, specimen collection is easy and causes minimal discomfort, and the laboratory approach is simple, accurate, and rapid. In this prospective cohort study we evaluated the accuracy of a point-of care nucleic acid device using caregiver/patient self-collected buccal swabs.

What is measured matters: A scoping review of analysis methods used for qualitative patient reported experience measure data.

Introduction: Hospitals are increasingly turning to patients for valuable feedback regarding their care experience. A common method to collect this information is patient reported experience measures (PREMs) surveys. Health care workers report qualitative PREMs as more interesting, relevant, and informative than quantitative survey responses.

Modular and divergent synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted 4-quinazolinones facilitated by regioselective -alkylation.

The synthesis of a biologically relevant 2-amino-3-alkylamido 4-quinazolinone has been accomplished in four steps from commercially available materials using design principles from both modular and divergent synthesis. 3-Alkylation of 2-chloro-4(3)-quinazolinone using methyl bromoacetate, followed by C2-amination produced a suitable scaffold for introducing molecular diversity. Optimization of alkylation conditions afforded full regioselectivity, enabling exclusive access to the -alkylated isomer.

Social isolation recruits amygdala-cortical circuitry to escalate alcohol drinking.

How do social factors impact the brain and contribute to increased alcohol drinking? We found that social rank predicts alcohol drinking, where subordinates drink more than dominants. Furthermore, social isolation escalates alcohol drinking, particularly impacting subordinates who display a greater increase in alcohol drinking compared to dominants. Using cellular resolution calcium imaging, we show that the basolateral amygdala-medial prefrontal cortex (BLA-mPFC) circuit predicts alcohol drinking in a rank-dependent manner, unlike non-specific BLA activity.

Frequency of Leaks from Conical Centrifuge Tubes.

Introduction: Threaded conical centrifuge tubes are ubiquitous in biological laboratories and are frequently used for the storage/transport of potentially biohazardous samples. However, limited data are available on how frequently and from where these tubes leak. These data are valuable for laboratory biorisk management and to inform future studies on risks arising from the routine use of laboratory consumables.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on the Association Between Laboratory Tests and Severe Outcomes Among Hospitalized Children.

Background: To assist clinicians with identifying children at risk of severe outcomes, we assessed the association between laboratory findings and severe outcomes among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected children and determined if SARS-CoV-2 test result status modified the associations.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of participants tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection in 41 pediatric emergency departments in 10 countries. Participants were hospitalized, had laboratory testing performed, and completed 14-day follow-up.

Subcortical infarcts in patients with nonstenotic cervical atherosclerotic disease.

Background: Prior studies have elucidated a relationship between nonstenotic plaque in patients with cryptogenic embolic infarcts with a largely cortical topology, however, it is unclear if nonstenotic cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) plaque is relevant in subcortical cryptogenic infarct patterns.

Methods: A nested cohort of consecutive patients with anterior, unilateral, and subcortical infarcts without an identifiable embolic source were identified from a prospective stroke registry (September 2019 - June 2021). Patients with extracranial stenosis >50% or cardiac sources of embolism were excluded.

Lipid bilayer strengthens the cooperative network of membrane proteins.

Although membrane proteins fold and function in a lipid bilayer constituting cell membranes, their structure and functionality can be recapitulated in diverse amphiphilic assemblies whose compositions deviate from native membranes. It remains unclear how various hydrophobic environments can stabilize membrane proteins and whether lipids play any role therein. Here, using the evolutionary unrelated α-helical and β-barrel membrane proteins of , we find that the hydrophobic thickness and the strength of amphiphile- amphiphile packing are critical environmental determinants of membrane protein stability.

Electrochemical Detection of Using a Biomimetic Flow Cell System.

Lyme disease, caused by infection with pathogenic bacteria, has emerged as a pervasive illness throughout North America and many other regions of the world in recent years, owing in part to climate-mediated habitat expansion of the tick vectors. Standard diagnostic testing has remained largely unchanged over the past several decades and is indirect, relying on detection of antibodies against the pathogen, rather than detection of the pathogen itself. The development of new rapid, point-of-care tests for Lyme disease that directly detects the pathogen could drastically improve patient health by enabling faster and more frequent testing that could better inform patient treatment.

Rate of Splashes When Opening Microfuge Tubes with Various Methods.

Introduction: Snap-cap microcentrifuge tubes are ubiquitous in biological laboratories. However, limited data are available on how frequently splashes occur when opening them. These data would be valuable for biorisk management in the laboratory.

The process and outcomes of chronic low back pain treatment provided by osteopathic and allopathic physicians: a retrospective cohort study.

Context: Osteopathic physicians are trained to treat patients with musculoskeletal symptoms, to treat somatic dysfunction with osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), and to avoid unnecessarily prescribing drugs such as opioids. It is also generally believed that osteopathic physicians provide a unique patient-centered approach to medical care that involves effective communication and empathy. Such training and characteristics of osteopathic medical care (OMC) may enhance clinical outcomes among patients with chronic pain.

Lessons Learned from the Design, Construction, and Commissioning of a Retrofitted Arthropod Containment Level 3 Insectary.

Arthropods are vectors for many pathogens that significantly harm human and animal health globally, and research into vector-borne diseases is of critical public health importance. Arthropods present unique risks for containment, and therefore insectary facilities are essential to the safe handling of arthropod-borne hazards. In 2018, the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University (ASU) began the process to build a level 3 arthropod containment (ACL-3) facility.

Comparison of a Rapid Multiplex Gastrointestinal Panel with Standard Laboratory Testing in the Management of Children with Hematochezia in a Pediatric Emergency Department: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Advances in diagnostic microbiology allow for the rapid identification of a broad range of enteropathogens; such knowledge can inform care and reduce testing. We conducted a randomized, unblinded trial in a tertiary-care pediatric emergency department. Participants had stool (and rectal swabs if stool was not immediately available) tested using routine microbiologic approaches or by use of a device (BioFire FilmArray gastrointestinal panel), which identifies 22 pathogens with a 1-h instrument turnaround time.

Screening -Phenylenediamine Antioxidants, Their Transformation Products, and Industrial Chemical Additives in Crumb Rubber and Elastomeric Consumer Products.

Recently, roadway releases of ,'-substituted -phenylenediamine (PPD) antioxidants and their transformation products (TPs) received significant attention due to the highly toxic 6PPD-quinone. However, the occurrence of PPDs and TPs in recycled tire rubber products remains uncharacterized. Here, we analyzed tire wear particles (TWPs), recycled rubber doormats, and turf-field crumb rubbers for seven PPD antioxidants, five PPD-quinones (PPDQs), and five other 6PPD TPs using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

What is a Cross-Coupling? An Argument for a Universal Definition.

Despite amazing advances in cross-coupling technologies over the past several decades, there is not a consistent definition of what a cross-coupling reaction is. Often, definitions rely on comparison to "traditional" palladium-catalyzed cross-couplings pioneered in the 1970s by chemists such as Suzuki, Negishi, and Heck. While these reactions provide a basis for a cross-coupling definition, they do not define this type of transformation, originally described by Linstead almost 20 years prior.

Corticosteroids and Other Treatments Administered to Children Tested for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Emergency Departments.

Objective: We sought to determine if corticosteroid administration is associated with a SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test-positive result and to describe therapies administered to SARS-CoV-2 infected children.

Methods: We collected cross-sectional data from participants recruited in 41 pediatric emergency departments (ED) in 10 countries between March 2020 and June 2021. Participants were <18 years old, had signs or symptoms of, or risk factors for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, and had nucleic acid testing performed.

SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load Quantification, Clinical Findings and Outcomes in Children Seeking Emergency Department Care: Prospective Cohort Study.

We compared the perfomance of SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). 95% and 40% of positive and negative RT-PCR specimens, respectively, were positive on ddPCR yielding sensitivities of 84% (95% CI: 74, 91) and 97% (95% CI: 89, 99), for RT-PCR and ddPCR, respectively. We found that SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing in children has a concerning false-negative rate at lower nucleocapsid gene copy numbers.

Clinical Leader Series: A Virtual Mental Well-being Initiative for Nurse Leaders During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond.

Objective: A virtual mental well-being initiative was developed for nurse leaders to provide education about mental health and to teach self-care skills.

Background: Because of substantial demand placed on nurse leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations must address stress and burnout by providing a continuum of care to include education, support, and intervention.

Methods: All levels of nurse leaders at a multicampus healthcare system were invited to attend.

Implicit and Explicit Stigma of Chronotype in Emerging Adults.

Background: Individuals with poor sleep (e.g., insomnia) and mental health (e.

EXOGEN Mitigates Risk of Fifth Metatarsal Fracture Nonunion: Results of a Novel Real-World Clinical Study.

Category:: Midfoot/Forefoot

Introduction/purpose:: Fifth metatarsal fractures are the most commonly fractured metatarsal in adults and are associated with high rates of nonunion. This study compared the 9-month incidence of nonunion in fifth metatarsal fracture patients using EXOGEN (Bioventus LLC), low-intensity pulsed ultrasound, versus a control cohort of patients receiving standard of care.

Methods:: Adults (21-80 years) prescribed EXOGEN for any acute or delayed fifth metatarsal fracture and initiated treatment within 91 days of the fracture were enrolled via prescription record abstraction and direct-to-patient outreach.

Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2-Positive Youths Tested in Emergency Departments: The Global PERN-COVID-19 Study.

Importance: Severe outcomes among youths with SARS-CoV-2 infections are poorly characterized.

Objective: To estimate the proportion of children with severe outcomes within 14 days of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in an emergency department (ED).

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prospective cohort study with 14-day follow-up enrolled participants between March 2020 and June 2021.