Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of .

Unlabelled: a short gram-positive rod, is a part of the human skin flora, but can also cause infections (e.g., skin and soft tissue infections, bone and joint infections, abscesses, peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis, and bacteremia).

Scavenger receptor class B type I is required for efficient glucose uptake and metabolic homeostasis in adipocytes.

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic and places individuals at a higher risk for developing comorbidities that include cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Adipose tissue contains adipocytes that are responsible for lipid metabolism and reducing misdirected lipid storage. Adipocytes facilitate this process through insulin-mediated uptake of glucose and its subsequent metabolism into triglycerides for storage.

Contribution of adipocyte Na/K-ATPase α1/CD36 signaling induced exosome secretion in response to oxidized LDL.

Introduction: Adipose tissue constantly secretes adipokines and extracellular vesicles including exosomes to crosstalk with distinct tissues and organs for whole-body homeostasis. However, dysfunctional adipose tissue under chronic inflammatory conditions such as obesity, atherosclerosis, and diabetes shows pro-inflammatory phenotypes accompanied by oxidative stress and abnormal secretion. Nevertheless, molecular mechanisms of how adipocytes are stimulated to secrete exosomes under those conditions remain poorly understood.

Design and validation of a FHIR-based EHR-driven phenotyping toolbox.

Objectives: To develop and validate a standards-based phenotyping tool to author electronic health record (EHR)-based phenotype definitions and demonstrate execution of the definitions against heterogeneous clinical research data platforms.

Materials And Methods: We developed an open-source, standards-compliant phenotyping tool known as the PhEMA Workbench that enables a phenotype representation using the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) and Clinical Quality Language (CQL) standards. We then demonstrated how this tool can be used to conduct EHR-based phenotyping, including phenotype authoring, execution, and validation.

Knowledge about Hand Hygiene and Related Infectious Disease Awareness among Primary School Children in Germany.

Hand hygiene is a cornerstone of infection prevention. However, few data are available for school children on their knowledge of infectious diseases and their prevention. The aim of the study was to develop and apply a standardized questionnaire for children when visiting primary schools to survey their knowledge about infectious diseases, pathogen transmission and prevention measures.

Developing an ETL tool for converting the PCORnet CDM into the OMOP CDM to facilitate the COVID-19 data integration.

Objective: The large-scale collection of observational data and digital technologies could help curb the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the coexistence of multiple Common Data Models (CDMs) and the lack of data extract, transform, and load (ETL) tool between different CDMs causes potential interoperability issue between different data systems. The objective of this study is to design, develop, and evaluate an ETL tool that transforms the PCORnet CDM format data into the OMOP CDM.

Pcpe2, a Novel Extracellular Matrix Protein, Regulates Adipocyte SR-BI-Mediated High-Density Lipoprotein Uptake.

Objective: To investigate the role of adipocyte Pcpe2 (procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer 2) in SR-BI (scavenger receptor class BI)-mediated HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) uptake and contributions to adipose lipid storage.

Approach And Results: Pcpe2, a glycoprotein devoid of intrinsic proteolytic activity, is believed to participate in extracellular protein-protein interactions, supporting SR-BI- mediated HDL-C uptake. In published studies, Pcpe2 deficiency increased the development of atherosclerosis by reducing SR-BI-mediated HDL-C catabolism, but the biological impact of this deficiency on adipocyte SR-BI-mediated HDL-C uptake is unknown.

Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Suppresses the Endogenous Cholesterol Synthesis Pathway To Oppose Gammaherpesvirus Replication in Primary Macrophages.

Gammaherpesviruses are ubiquitous pathogens that establish lifelong infections in >95% of adults worldwide and are associated with several cancers. We have shown that endogenous cholesterol synthesis supports gammaherpesvirus replication. However, the role of exogenous cholesterol exchange and signaling during infection remains poorly understood.

[Toxic shock syndrome due to in a small child, a (clinical or laboratory chemical) visual diagnosis?].

It is reported about the case of a 3-year-old girl who was admitted to hospital with high fever, vomiting, skin rash, dehydration, suspected staphyloderma and for exclusion of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2-infection (SARS-CoV‑2 infection). The suspicion of a toxic shock syndrome, among other inflammatory diseases as differential diagnoses, was based on profound erythroderma and arterial hypotension. The diagnostic pathway, treatment and clinical course of this rare disease are described.

Comparative in vitro activity of bacteriophage endolysin HY-133 against Staphylococcus aureus attached to vascular graft surface.

Novel strategies are needed for combating Staphylococcus aureus biofilm in vascular graft infections. We investigated the in vitro activity of bacteriophage endolysin HY-133, daptomycin and rifampin against S. aureus attached to vascular graft surface.

Variations in preterm stabilisation practices and caffeine therapy between two European tertiary level neonatal units.

Aim: To investigate interinstitutional differences in preterm infant stabilisation between two European tertiary neonatal centres with particular focus on intubation timing, surfactant administration, caffeine therapy and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Methods: Retrospective (2012-2014) study of very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants admitted to John Radcliffe Hospital (UK centre) and Charité Medical Centre (German centre). Timing of intubation, surfactant and caffeine administration and respiratory outcomes were examined.

Modification of HDL by reactive aldehydes alters select cardioprotective functions of HDL in macrophages.

While increased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol correlate with protection against cardiovascular disease, recent findings demonstrate that HDL function, rather than HDL-cholesterol levels, may be a better indicator of cardiovascular risk. One mechanism by which HDL function can be compromised is through modification by reactive aldehydes such as acrolein (Acro), 4-hydroxynonenal, and malondialdehyde (MDA). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that modification of HDL with reactive aldehydes would impair HDL's athero-protective functions in macrophages.

In Vitro Activity of the Bacteriophage Endolysin HY-133 against Small-Colony Variants and Their Corresponding Wild Types.

Nasal carriage of methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA) represents both a source and a risk factor for subsequent infections. However, existing MRSA decolonization strategies and antibiotic treatment options are hampered by the duration of administration and particularly by the emergence of resistance. Moreover, beyond classical resistance mechanisms, functional resistance as the formation of the small-colony variant (SCV) phenotype may also impair the course and treatment of .

Bactericidal activity of bacteriophage endolysin HY-133 against Staphylococcus aureus in comparison to other antibiotics as determined by minimum bactericidal concentrations and time-kill analysis.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) decolonization is expensive and time consuming, and new agents are necessary due to increasing resistance rates. The administration of bacteriophages or particularly their endolysins may offer an alternative treatment strategy and could provide a solution to overcome the selection pressure due to classical antibiotics. Here, the bactericidal activity was characterized for the recombinant chimeric bacteriophage endolysin HY-133 in comparison to other antimicrobials.

Whole genome sequencing reveals a prolonged and spatially spread nosocomial outbreak of Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (USA300).

Background: Whole genome sequencing (WGS) helps to better investigate the transmission and characterization of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains.

Aim: We describe the detection and unfolding of a prolonged and spatially distributed nosocomial outbreak of Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL)-positive MRSA ST8 (USA300).

Methods: The outbreak was detected by the combination of whole genome sequence (WGS)-based typing, which is implemented for routine surveillance of multidrug-resistant bacteria in our institution, and in-depth epidemiological investigation.

Hospital acquired vancomycin resistant enterococci in surgical intensive care patients - a prospective longitudinal study.

Background: Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) occur with enhanced frequency in hospitalised patients. This study elucidates the prevalence of VRE on admission among surgical intensive care unit (SICU) patients, whether these patients are at special risk for VRE acquisition and which risk factors support this process.

Methods: Patients admitted to SICUs of the University Hospital Münster were examined during August-October 2017.

Modulation of S. epidermidis-induced innate immune responses in neonatal whole blood.

Background: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) such as Staphylococcus epidermidis are highly prevalent pathogens for sepsis in neonates. The interaction between host, environment and pathogenic factors of S. epidermidis are still poorly understood.

Evaluation of a novel optical assay for rapid detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in liquid culture.

Valid detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a precondition for MRSA prevention measures. Most of the available MRSA screening tests are based either on the identification of colony material grown on solid agar media or on direct molecular approaches. The HB&L MRSA KIT (Alifax, Polverara, Italy) is designed to screen for MRSA in liquid cultures applying the light scattering technology.

Rapid Quantification of Biofilms on Vascular Graft Surfaces.

Increasing resistance of microorganisms and particularly tolerance of bacterial biofilms against antibiotics require the need for alternative antimicrobial substances. is the most frequent pathogen causing vascular graft infections. In order to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy, quantification of the bacterial biofilms is necessary.

Multicenter Evaluation of the Xpert MRSA NxG Assay for Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Nasal Swabs.

Health care-associated methicillin-resistant (MRSA) infections are a burden on the health care system. Clinical laboratories play a key role in reducing this burden, as the timely identification of MRSA colonization or infection facilitates infection control practices that are effective at limiting invasive MRSA infections. The Xpert MRSA NxG assay recently received FDA clearance for the direct detection of MRSA from nasal swabs.

Direct determination of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from positive blood cultures using laser scattering technology.

Delays in appropriate antimicrobial treatment contribute to increased mortality of septic patients. We aimed to develop a methodology for detection of carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria directly from positive blood cultures (BCs). Initially, meropenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (n = 13) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 32) isolates as well as the same numbers of meropenem-susceptible isolates were used to establish the detection of carbapenem resistance from agar cultures.

Rapid Phenotypic Detection of Microbial Resistance in Gram-Positive Bacteria by a Real-Time Laser Scattering Method.

We developed a methodology for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) based on the BacterioScan216R laser scattering technology, using methicillin resistance in and vancomycin resistance in enterococci as exemplar for important resistance phenotypes. Fifty methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and 50 methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) , as well as 50 vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and 50 vancomycin-susceptible enterococci (VSE) isolates were used for the study. Optimal test conditions were derived by investigating the effects of inoculum size, medium, incubation temperature and broth filtration.

Weekly screening supports terminating nosocomial transmissions of vancomycin-resistant enterococci on an oncologic ward - a retrospective analysis.

Background: To investigate the impact of weekly screening within the bundle of infection control measures to terminate vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) transmissions on an oncologic ward.

Methods: A cluster of 12 VRE colonisation and five infections was detected on an oncologic ward between January and April 2015. Subsequently, the VRE point prevalence was detected and, as part of a the bundle of infection control strategies to terminate the VRE cluster, we isolated affected patients, performed hand hygiene training among staff on ward, increased observations by infection control specialists, intensified surface disinfection, used personal protective equipment and initiated an admission screening in May 2015.