Annual report on influenza viruses received and tested by the Melbourne WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in 2016.

As part of its role in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza in Melbourne received a total of 4,247 human influenza positive samples during 2016. Viruses were analysed for their antigenic, genetic and antiviral susceptibility properties and also propagated in qualified cells and hens eggs for potential seasonal influenza vaccine virus candidates. In 2016, influenza A(H3) viruses predominated over influenza A(H1)pdm09 and B viruses, accounting for a total of 51% of all viruses analysed.

IVD progenitor cells: a new horizon for understanding disc homeostasis and repair.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is associated with low back pain. In IVDs, a high mechanical load, high osmotic pressure and hypoxic conditions create a hostile microenvironment for resident cells. How IVD homeostasis and function are maintained under stress remains to be understood; however, several research groups have reported isolating native endogenous progenitor-like or otherwise proliferative cells from the IVD.

Cognitive information measurements: A new perspective.

From a traditional point of view, the value of information does not change during transmission. The Shannon information theory considers information transmission as a statistical phenomenon for measuring the communication channel capacity. However, in modern communication systems, information is spontaneously embedded with a cognitive link during the transmission process, which requires a new measurement that can incorporate continuously changing information values.

Measurement of Humoral Immune Competence and the Risk of Sinopulmonary Infection in a Cohort of Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if measurement of B cell protective immunity was associated with susceptibility to sinopulmonary infection in kidney transplant recipients.

Methods And Materials: A prospective cohort of 168 patients with stable graft function (median 4.1 years) underwent assessment of B-lymphocyte antigen CD19 (CD19) cell number, immunoglobulin G concentration, and seroresponses to influenza vaccination upon study entry.

Ready-to-use thermally stable mastermix pills for molecular biology applications.

Rolling circle amplification (RCA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), are powerful tools that can be used for gene manipulation, pathogen detection, and infectious disease diagnostics. However, these techniques require trained personnel, as the pipetting steps involved can lead to contamination and, consequently, erroneous results. Furthermore, many of the reagents used in molecular biology are thermally labile and must be kept within a cold-chain.

Type of Pelvic Disease as a Risk Factor for Surgical Site Infectionin Women Undergoing Hysterectomy.

Study Objective: To quantify the relationship between type of benign pelvic disease and risk of surgical site infection (SSI) after hysterectomy.

Design: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: Hospitals participating in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP).

Clinical trials of intervertebral disc regeneration: current status and future developments.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD) is considered as one of the major causes for low back pain (LBP). However, conventional surgical approaches for treating LBP do not aim to counter the degeneration. Biological interventions have been investigated with an attempt to regenerate the IVD by restoring its matrices and cell activities.

Long-Term Preservation of Bacteriophage Antimicrobials Using Sugar Glasses.

The antimicrobial activity of LISTEX P100, CG4, and AG10 bacteriophages were preserved in pullulan-trehalose mixture as dried films and as coatings on food packaging. The phages encapsulated in pullulan-trehalose films were able to retain infectivity for up to 3 months at ambient storage conditions. Various buffers, disaccharides and disaccharide concentrations were investigated to optimize the long-term stability of the phages in the films.

White matter hyperintensities in young individuals with bipolar disorder or at high genetic risk.

Background: Increased white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) is one of the most consistent imaging findings amongst participants with bipolar disorder (BD). This study investigated WMHs in a young population at high genetic risk for bipolar disorder (HR).

Methods: MRI scans were conducted at baseline in HR individuals (n = 131), patients with BD (n = 47) and controls (CON) (n = 108).

Support surfaces for treating pressure ulcers.

Background: Pressure ulcers are treated by reducing pressure on the areas of damaged skin. Special support surfaces (including beds, mattresses and cushions) designed to redistribute pressure, are widely used as treatments. The relative effects of different support surfaces are unclear.

Clinical heterogeneity of patients with stool samples testing PCR+/Tox- from a two-step Clostridium difficile diagnostic algorithm.

The clinical significance of indeterminate (PCR+/Tox-) results for patients tested with a two-step algorithm for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation and 8-week outcomes of patients with indeterminate test results. Patients with stool samples testing positive by PCR and negative by toxin A/B immunoassay between February 1, 2017, and April 30, 2018, were assessed by antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) clinicians and classified as colonized or infected.

The Influence of Presentation Format of Story on Narrative Production in Chinese Children Learning English-as-a-Second-Language: A Comparison Between Graphic Novel, Illustration Book and Text.

Past studies have shown that multimodal presentation of story can improve story-retelling performance in the first language. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether similar multimedia effects can be observed in second language learning and graphic novel reading. A total of 51 Chinese elementary school children, aged 7-8, who were learning English as a second language were recruited.

Targeted management of influenza A/B outbreaks incorporating the cobas Influenza A/B & RSV into the virology laboratory.

During the 2017/18 influenza season, the authors' virology laboratory implemented the cobas Influenza A/B & RSV (Roche Molecular Diagnostics, Pleasanton, CA, USA) for influenza outbreak management in two scenarios: initial outbreak investigation or at outbreak conclusion to avoid prolonged measures. Twenty-seven investigations were conducted, including declaration of 11 influenza A/B outbreaks. Thirty percent of investigations would have missed the standard batched daily laboratory-developed respiratory polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and delayed outbreak confirmation until the following day.

Orbital Apex Syndrome in Pseudomonas Sinusitis After Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

Sinusitis complicated by orbital apex syndrome is rare. The majority of cases are due to mucormycosis in immunocompromised patients. The authors report a case of orbital apex syndrome secondary to Pseudomonas sinusitis.

Evaluation of the FilmArray Blood Culture Identification Panel compared to direct MALDI-TOF MS identification for rapid identification of pathogens.

To improve time to identification of pathogens and detection of resistance genes, we evaluated the BioFire FilmArray Blood Culture Identification Panel (BCID) as compared to: (1) direct MALDI-TOF MS (DM) and (2) standardized culture-based identification (ID) with antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST). BCID gave an accurate identification in 102/112 (91 %) of cases (102/103 for on-panel organisms). DM gave an accurate identification in 91/112 (81 %) of cases, with 13/91 (14 %) requiring repeat testing from the residual pellet.

Implementation of a whole of hospital sepsis clinical pathway in a cancer hospital: impact on sepsis management, outcomes and costs.

Unlabelled: Infection and sepsis are common problems in cancer management affecting up to 45% of patients and are associated with significant morbidity, mortality and healthcare utilisation.

Objective: To develop and implement a whole of hospital clinical pathway for the management of sepsis (SP) in a specialised cancer hospital and to measure the impact on patient outcomes and healthcare utilisation.

Methods: A multidisciplinary sepsis working party was established.

Interventions for recurrent corneal erosions.

Background: Recurrent corneal erosion is a common cause of disabling ocular symptoms and predisposes the cornea to infection. It may follow corneal trauma. Measures to prevent the development of recurrent corneal erosion following corneal trauma have not been firmly established.

Evaluating Antimicrobial Use and Spectrum of Activity in Ontario Hospitals: Feasibility of a Multicentered Point Prevalence Study.

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship, a key component of an overall strategy to address antimicrobial resistance, has been recognized as a global priority. The ability to track and benchmark antimicrobial use (AMU) is critical to advancing stewardship from an organizational and provincial perspective. As there are few comprehensive systems in Canada that allow for benchmarking, Public Health Ontario conducted a pilot in 2016/2017 to assess the feasibility of using a point prevalence methodology as the basis of a province-wide AMU surveillance program.

Intraocular bleeding in patients managed with novel oral anticoagulation and traditional anticoagulation: a network meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background/aim: To clarify the nature of the relationship between novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and traditional anticoagulation in respect to intraocular bleeding.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search up to October 2017 yielded 12 randomised controlled trials. Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis was employed to investigate the relationship across multiple trials with varying NOACs.

Assessing the impact of antibiotic stewardship program elements on antibiotic use across acute-care hospitals: an observational study.

Objectives: Antibiotic use varies widely between hospitals, but the influence of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) on this variability is not known. We aimed to determine the key structural and strategic aspects of ASPs associated with differences in risk-adjusted antibiotic utilization across facilities.

Design: Observational study of acute-care hospitals in Ontario, Canada METHODS: A survey was sent to hospitals asking about both structural (8 elements) and strategic (32 elements) components of their ASP.

Oral Rehabilitation of Young Adult with Amelogenesis Imperfecta.

Background: Amelogenesis imperfecta is a heterogeneous group of hereditary disorders that affect the enamel formation of the primary and permanent dentitions while the remaining tooth structure is normal. Appropriate patient care is necessary to prevent adverse effects on dental oral health, dental disfigurement, and psychological well-being.

Aim: This clinical report presents a 27-year-old Chinese male with amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) and his restorative management.

ARRIVE has not ARRIVEd: Support for the ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting of in vivo Experiments) guidelines does not improve the reporting quality of papers in animal welfare, analgesia or anesthesia.

Poor research reporting is a major contributing factor to low study reproducibility, financial and animal waste. The ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) guidelines were developed to improve reporting quality and many journals support these guidelines. The influence of this support is unknown.