PPH Butterfly: a novel device to treat postpartum haemorrhage through uterine compression.

Objective: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. The most common cause is an inability of the uterus to contract adequately after childbirth. In bimanual compression (BMC), one hand is placed within the vagina and the other hand is on the abdominal wall to compress the uterus.

Genomic Tools for Customized Recovery and Detection of Foodborne Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia coli.

Genomic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prediction tools have the potential to support foodborne illness outbreak investigations through their application in the analysis of bacterial genomes from causative strains. The AMR marker profile of a strain of interest, initially identified in outbreak-associated clinical samples, may serve as the basis for customization of selective enrichment media, facilitating its recovery from samples in a food safety investigation. Different possibilities for AMR analyses include the use of comprehensive AMR gene databases such as the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database, which can be mined with in-house bioinformatics alignment tools (e.

Comparative Evaluation of Genomic and Laboratory Approaches for Determination of Shiga Toxin Subtypes in Escherichia coli.

The determination of Shiga toxin (ST) subtypes can be an important element in the risk characterization of foodborne ST-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolates for making risk management decisions. ST subtyping methods include PCR techniques based on electrophoretic or pyrosequencing analysis of amplicons and in silico techniques based on whole genome sequence analysis using algorithms that can be readily incorporated into bioinformatics analysis pipelines for characterization of isolates by their genetic composition. The choice of technique will depend on the performance characteristics of the method and an individual laboratory's access to specialized equipment or personnel.

Measurement of the b-Quark Production Cross Section in 7 and 13 TeV pp Collisions.

Measurements of the cross section for producing b quarks in the reaction pp→bb[over ¯]X are reported in 7 and 13 TeV collisions at the LHC as a function of the pseudorapidity η in the range 2<η<5 covered by the acceptance of the LHCb experiment. The measurements are done using semileptonic decays of b-flavored hadrons decaying into a ground-state charmed hadron in association with a muon. The cross sections in the covered η range are 72.

Incidence of Fragile X syndrome in Ireland.

Described as the commonest single gene cause of learning disability internationally, the incidence of Fragile X syndrome (FXS) has never previously been determined in Ireland. The aim of this work was to determine the observed incidence of FXS in the island of Ireland; the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland (NI) separately and combined. Ascertainment was achieved for a cross-sectional study by a retrospective, clinical and laboratory database review of positive FXS cases, born in either ROI or NI, between years 2000-2009 inclusive.

First Experimental Study of Photon Polarization in Radiative B_{s}^{0} Decays.

The polarization of photons produced in radiative B_{s}^{0} decays is studied for the first time. The data are recorded by the LHCb experiment in pp collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3  fb^{-1} at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. A time-dependent analysis of the B_{s}^{0}→ϕγ decay rate is conducted to determine the parameter A^{Δ}, which is related to the ratio of right- over left-handed photon polarization amplitudes in b→sγ transitions.

Observation of J/ψϕ Structures Consistent with Exotic States from Amplitude Analysis of B^{+}→J/ψϕK^{+} Decays.

The first full amplitude analysis of B^{+}→J/ψϕK^{+} with J/ψ→μ^{+}μ^{-}, ϕ→K^{+}K^{-} decays is performed with a data sample of 3  fb^{-1} of pp collision data collected at sqrt[s]=7 and 8 TeV with the LHCb detector. The data cannot be described by a model that contains only excited kaon states decaying into ϕK^{+}, and four J/ψϕ structures are observed, each with significance over 5 standard deviations. The quantum numbers of these structures are determined with significance of at least 4 standard deviations.

Baseline Practices for the Application of Genomic Data Supporting Regulatory Food Safety.

The application of new data streams generated from next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been demonstrated for food microbiology, pathogen identification, and illness outbreak detection. The establishment of best practices for data integrity, reproducibility, and traceability will ensure reliable, auditable, and transparent processes underlying food microbiology risk management decisions. We outline general principles to guide the use of NGS data in support of microbiological food safety.

Eggshell palaeogenomics: Palaeognath evolutionary history revealed through ancient nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from Madagascan elephant bird (Aepyornis sp.) eggshell.

Palaeognaths, the sister group of all other living birds (neognaths), were once considered to be vicariant relics from the breakup of the Gondwanan supercontinent. However, recent molecular studies instead argue for dispersal of volant ancestors across marine barriers. Resolving this debate hinges upon accurately reconstructing their evolutionary relationships and dating their divergences, which often relies on phylogenetic information from extinct relatives and nuclear genomes.

Peritoneal Insufflation Facilitates CT-Guided Percutaneous Jejunostomy Replacement.

Objective: The purpose of this report was to examine whether peritoneal insufflation can facilitate CT-guided percutaneous jejunostomy replacement.

Conclusion: Peritoneal insufflation allowed clear differentiation of the adherent jejunum from adjacent bowel, permitting confident direct puncture into the adherent jejunum without the need for jejunopexy anchors.

Measurement of CP Violation in B^{0}→D^{+}D^{-} Decays.

The CP violation observables S and C in the decay channel B^{0}→D^{+}D^{-} are determined from a sample of proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, collected by the LHCb experiment and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3  fb^{-1}. The observable S describes CP violation in the interference between mixing and the decay amplitude, and C parametrizes direct CP violation in the decay. The following values are obtained from a flavor-tagged, decay-time-dependent analysis: S=-0.

Limb patterning genes and heterochronic development of the emu wing bud.

Background: The forelimb of the flightless emu is a vestigial structure, with greatly reduced wing elements and digit loss. To explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with the evolution of vestigial wings and loss of flight in the emu, key limb patterning genes were examined in developing embryos.

Methods: Limb development was compared in emu versus chicken embryos.

Factors Associated with Geophagy and Knowledge About Its Harmful Effects Among Native Sub-Saharan African, Caribbean and French Guiana HIV Patients Living in Northern France.

Geophagy, or the ingestion of earth or clay, is widespread among women of Sub-Saharan African, Caribbean or French Guiana origin. Little is known about this practice among HIV patients native of these countries and who are followed-up in France. The aims of this study were to determine (i) the prevalence and factors associated with geophagy among HIV patients native of these countries, (ii) patients' knowledge about the harmful effects of geophagy, and (iii) the association of geophagy with iron deficiency, or a history of anemia or constipation.

Induction of fibroblast senescence generates a non-fibrogenic myofibroblast phenotype that differentially impacts on cancer prognosis.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) remain a poorly characterized, heterogeneous cell population. Here we characterized two previously described tumor-promoting CAF sub-types, smooth muscle actin (SMA)-positive myofibroblasts and senescent fibroblasts, identifying a novel link between the two. Analysis of CAF cultured , showed that senescent CAF are predominantly SMA-positive; this was confirmed by immunochemistry in head & neck (HNSCC) and esophageal (EAC) cancers.

HOPX functions as a tumour suppressor in head and neck cancer.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is generalized term that encompasses a diverse group of cancers that includes tumours of the oral cavity (OSCC), oropharynx (OPSCC) and nasopharynx (NPC). Genetic alterations that are common to all HNSCC types are likely to be important for squamous carcinogenesis. In this study, we have investigated the role of the homeodomain-only homeobox gene, HOPX, in the pathogenesis of HNSCC.

Pharmacological studies on the NOP and opioid receptor agonist PWT2-[Dmt]N/OFQ(1-13).

An innovative chemical strategy named peptide welding technology (PWT) has been developed for the facile synthesis of tetrabranched peptides. [Dmt]N/OFQ(1-13)-NH acts as a universal agonist for nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and classical opioid receptors. The present study investigated the pharmacological profile of the PWT derivative of [Dmt]N/OFQ(1-13)NH (PWT2-[Dmt]) in several assays in vitro and in vivo after spinal administration in monkeys subjected to the tail withdrawal assay.

Short-term effects of low-volume resuscitation with hypertonic saline and hydroxyethylstarch in an experimental model of lung contusion and haemorrhagic shock.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the short-term respiratory tolerance and haemodynamic efficiency of low-volume resuscitation with hypertonic saline and hydroxyethylstarch (HS/HES) in a pig model of lung contusion and controlled haemorrhagic shock. We hypothesised that a low-volume of HS/HES after haemorrhagic shock did not impact contused lungs in terms of extravascular lung water 3hours after trauma.

Methods: A lung contusion resulting from blunt chest trauma was induced in 28 anaesthetised female pigs with five bolt-shots to the right thoracic cage, followed by haemorrhagic shock and fluid resuscitation.

Search for Structure in the B_{s}^{0}π^{±} Invariant Mass Spectrum.

The B_{s}^{0}π^{±} invariant mass distribution is investigated in order to search for possible exotic meson states. The analysis is based on a data sample recorded with the LHCb detector corresponding to 3  fb^{-1} of pp collision data at sqrt[s]=7 and 8 TeV. No significant excess is found, and upper limits are set on the production rate of the claimed X(5568) state within the LHCb acceptance.

Physiological Fluid Flow Moderates Fibroblast Responses to TGF-β1.

Fibroblasts are the major cellular component of connective tissue and experience mechanical perturbations due to matrix remodelling and interstitial fluid movement. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) can promote differentiation of fibroblasts in vitro to a contractile myofibroblastic phenotype characterised by the presence of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) rich stress fibres. To study the role of mechanical stimulation in this process, we examined the response of primary human fibroblasts to physiological levels of fluid movement and its influence on fibroblast differentiation and responses to TGF-β1.

A genomic history of Aboriginal Australia.

The population history of Aboriginal Australians remains largely uncharacterized. Here we generate high-coverage genomes for 83 Aboriginal Australians (speakers of Pama-Nyungan languages) and 25 Papuans from the New Guinea Highlands. We find that Papuan and Aboriginal Australian ancestors diversified 25-40 thousand years ago (kya), suggesting pre-Holocene population structure in the ancient continent of Sahul (Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania).