Laboratory investigations into the origin of Mycoplasma synoviae isolated from a lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor).

Background: The role of wild birds in the transmission and spread of mycoplasmas is not clear. Up to now different Mycoplasma species have been isolated from wild birds many of which are not considered pathogens sensu stricto for domestic flocks. This report describes the first isolation of Mycoplasma synoviae in a captive lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) held in a zoo in Italy and the laboratory investigations performed to elucidate its origin.

The relationship of age with the clinical phenotype in multiple sclerosis.

Background: The multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical course and relapses frequency before progression vary widely.

Objective: To investigate the influence of age on the MS phenotype.

Methods: Among 751 primary progressive (PP = 217) and secondary progressive (SP = 534) MS patients from the London Ontario database, we assessed the relationship of age on the relapse frequency and on the progressive phase evolution, and the impact of relapses on the age at onset of progression.

Nutlin-3 treatment spares cisplatin-induced inhibition of bone healing while maintaining osteosarcoma toxicity.

The majority of Osteosarcoma (OS) patients are treated with a combination of chemotherapy, resection, and limb salvage protocols. These protocols include distraction osteogenesis (DO), which is characterized by direct new bone formation. Cisplatin (CDP) is extensively used for OS chemotherapy and recent studies, using a mouse DO model, have demonstrated that CDP has profound negative effects on bone repair.

Hippocampal Neuroinflammation, Functional Connectivity, and Depressive Symptoms in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Depression, a condition commonly comorbid with multiple sclerosis (MS), is associated more generally with elevated inflammatory markers and hippocampal pathology. We hypothesized that neuroinflammation in the hippocampus is responsible for depression associated with MS. We characterized the relationship between depressive symptoms and hippocampal microglial activation in patients with MS using the 18-kDa translocator protein radioligand [(18)F]PBR111.

Outcomes of domestic violence screening at an acute London trust: are there missed opportunities for intervention?

Objectives: Domestic violence screening is advocated in some healthcare settings. Evidence that it increases referral to support agencies or improves health outcomes is limited. This study aimed to (1) investigate the proportion of hospital patients reporting domestic violence, (2) describe characteristics and previous hospital attendances of affected patients and (3) assess referrals to an in-house domestic violence advisor from Camden Safety Net.

RISUS study: Rugby Injury Surveillance in Ulster Schools.

Objective: To examine injury patterns in adolescent rugby players and determine factors associated with injury risk.

Design: Prospective injury surveillance study.

Setting: N=28 Grammar Schools in Ulster, Ireland (2014-2015 playing season).

Unraveling the B. pseudomallei Heptokinase WcbL: From Structure to Drug Discovery.

Gram-negative bacteria utilize heptoses as part of their repertoire of extracellular polysaccharide virulence determinants. Disruption of heptose biosynthesis offers an attractive target for novel antimicrobials. A critical step in the synthesis of heptoses is their 1-O phosphorylation, mediated by kinases such as HldE or WcbL.

Structured Organic-Inorganic Perovskite toward a Distributed Feedback Laser.

A general strategy for the in-plane structuring of organic-inorganic perovskite films is presented. The method is used to fabricate an industrially relevant distributed feedback (DFB) cavity, which is a critical step toward all-electrially pumped injection laser diodes. This approach opens the prospects of perovskite materials for much improved optical control in LEDs, solar cells, and also toward applications as optical devices.

Stratification and monitoring of natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy risk: recommendations from an expert group.

The use of natalizumab for highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) is influenced by the occurrence of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Through measurement of the anti-JCV antibody index, and in combination with the presence or absence of other known risk factors, it may be possible to stratify patients with MS according to their risk of developing PML during treatment with natalizumab and detect early suspected PML using MRI including a diffusion-weighted imaging sequence. This paper describes a practical consensus guideline for treating neurologists, based on current evidence, for the introduction into routine clinical practice of anti-JCV antibody index testing of immunosuppressant-naïve patients with MS, either currently being treated with, or initiating, natalizumab, based on their anti-JCV antibody status.

Anti-JC virus antibody titres increase over time with natalizumab treatment.

Background: Anti-JC virus antibody status is a risk factor for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy after natalizumab treatment in multiple sclerosis. Previous studies have used a cross-sectional approach to conclude that the presence and duration of natalizumab treatment does not influence anti-JCV Ab seropositivity.

Objectives: Using a longitudinal approach, we measured change in anti-JCV Ab results after natalizumab treatment.

Improved patient-reported health impact of multiple sclerosis: The ENABLE study of PR-fampridine.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease that negatively impacts patients' lives.

Objective: ENABLE assessed the effect of long-term prolonged-release (PR) fampridine (dalfampridine extended release in the United States) treatment on patient-perceived health impact in patients with MS with walking impairment.

Methods: ENABLE was a 48-week, open-label, Phase 4 study of PR-fampridine 10 mg twice daily.

Addressing inequities in alcohol consumption and related harms.

Social determinants, or the conditions in which individuals are born, grow, live, work and age, can result in inequities in health and well-being. However, to-date little research has examined alcohol use and alcohol-related problems from an inequities and social determinants perspective. This study reviewed the evidence base regarding inequities in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related health outcomes in Australia and identified promising approaches for promoting health equity.

Complete Genome Sequences of Three Neisseria gonorrhoeae Laboratory Reference Strains, Determined Using PacBio Single-Molecule Real-Time Technology.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the etiological agent that causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea, is a significant public health concern due to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. We report the complete genome sequences of three reference isolates with varied antimicrobial susceptibility that will aid in elucidating the genetic mechanisms that confer resistance.

Changing EDSS Progression in Placebo Cohorts in Relapsing MS: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression.

Background: Recent systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) revealed a decrease in placebo annualized relapse rates (ARR) over the past two decades. Furthermore, regression to the mean effects were observed in ARR and MRI lesion counts. It is unclear whether disease progression measured by the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) exhibits similar features.

Enhanced Hole Extraction in Perovskite Solar Cells Through Carbon Nanotubes.

Here, we report the use of polymer-wrapped carbon nanotubes as a means to enhance charge extraction through undoped spiro-OMeTAD. With this approach a good solar cell performance is achieved without the implementation of conventional doping methods. We demonstrate that a stratified two-layer architecture of sequentially deposited layers of carbon nanotubes and spiro-OMeTAD, outperforms a conventional blend of the hole-conductor and the carbon nanotubes.

Rapid epitaxy-free graphene synthesis on silicidated polycrystalline platinum.

Large-area synthesis of high-quality graphene by chemical vapour deposition on metallic substrates requires polishing or substrate grain enlargement followed by a lengthy growth period. Here we demonstrate a novel substrate processing method for facile synthesis of mm-sized, single-crystal graphene by coating polycrystalline platinum foils with a silicon-containing film. The film reacts with platinum on heating, resulting in the formation of a liquid platinum silicide layer that screens the platinum lattice and fills topographic defects.

Diabetes mellitus and burns. Part II-outcomes from burn injuries and future directions.

Diabetes mellitus is an increasingly prevalent comorbidity in patients presenting to burn facilities. Diabetic patients tend to be older and present in a delayed manner with deeper injuries predominantly affecting the lower limb. Morbidity from burns is higher in this cohort including a longer length of hospital stay, greater need for surgical interventions and increased rate of infective complications.

Diabetes mellitus and burns. Part I-basic science and implications for management.

The number of diabetic patients presenting to burn services is predicted to increase significantly over the next decades. Diabetes mellitus represents an independent risk factor for sustaining burn injuries and mediates alterations to key physiological systems including the vascular, renal, nervous, gastrointestinal and immune system. The effects of the pathophysiological permutations need to be carefully considered during both the acute as well as the long-term rehabilitation phase of injury.

Treatment of Primary Craniofacial Hyperhidrosis: A Systematic Review.

Background: Primary craniofacial hyperhidrosis (CH) can have a profoundly negative impact on quality of life. No comprehensive review of its management exists.

Objective: The objective of this review is to present the best clinical evidence to guide CH management.

Surface-Effect-Induced Optical Bandgap Shrinkage in GaN Nanotubes.

We investigate nontrivial surface effects on the optical properties of self-assembled crystalline GaN nanotubes grown on Si substrates. The excitonic emission is observed to redshift by ∼100 meV with respect to that of bulk GaN. We find that the conduction band edge is mainly dominated by surface atoms, and that a larger number of surface atoms for the tube is likely to increase the bandwidth, thus reducing the optical bandgap.

WITHDRAWN: Anticholinergics for urinary symptoms in multiple sclerosis.

‐ ‐ The editorial group responsible for this previously published document have withdrawn it from publication.

MS in South Asians in England: early disease onset and novel pattern of myelin autoimmunity.

Background: Epidemiological studies describe a latitude gradient for increased MS prevalence and a preponderance of disease in Caucasian individuals. However, individuals from other ethnic backgrounds and low-risk regions can acquire a raised risk through migration. Nearly a fifth of the London population is of Asian/Asian-British origin and a significant proportion of referrals are from this group.

Temporal lobe cortical pathology and inhibitory GABA interneuron cell loss are associated with seizures in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Seizures are recognised in multiple sclerosis (MS), but their true incidence and the mechanism by which they are associated with MS is unclear.

Objective: The objective of this paper is to determine the lifetime frequency of seizures in the United Kingdom MS Tissue Bank (UKMSTB) population and any pathological features associated with seizures.

Methods: We evaluated 255 individuals from the UKMSTB.

Resection of a large carotid paraganglioma in Carney-Stratakis syndrome: a multidisciplinary feat.

A 39-year-old man was referred to the vascular surgeons with a right-sided cervical mass, palpitations, headaches and sweating. He had presented with abdominal discomfort 12 months earlier. Investigations had revealed a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) and left adrenalectomy.