Transmission dynamics and pathogenesis differ between pheasants and partridges infected with clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 and H5N1 high-pathogenicity avian influenza viruses.

During the UK 2020-2021 epizootic of H5Nx clade 2.3.4.

In vivo challenge studies on vaccinated chickens indicate a virus genotype mismatched vaccine still offers significant protection against NDV.

Although commercial vaccines against Newcastle Disease have been available for decades, outbreaks still occur in the face of vaccination Further vaccination may accelerate viral evolution resulting in a further reduction in vaccine efficacy. A key question is whether genotype-matched vaccines can confer better protection against contemporary type 1 Avian Paramyxoviruses. To assess this, an in vivo vaccine-challenge study was undertaken to assess protection afforded by 'genotype-matched' and commercial vaccine formulations.

Surgery and Anesthesia in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension is characterized by right ventricular impairment and a reduced ability to compensate for hemodynamic insults. Consequently, surgery can be challenging but is increasingly considered in view of available specific therapies and improved longer term survival. Optimal management requires a multidisciplinary patient-centered approach involving surgeons, anesthetists, pulmonary hypertension clinicians, and intensivists.

Understanding the disease and economic impact of avirulent avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1) infection in Great Britain.

Newcastle disease (ND) is a notifiable disease affecting chickens and other avian species caused by virulent strains of type 1 (APMV-1). While outbreaks of ND can have devastating consequences, avirulent strains of APMV-1 generally cause subclinical infections or mild disease. However, viruses can cause different levels of disease in different species and virulence can evolve following cross-species transmission events.

Game Birds Can Act as Intermediaries of Virulent Genotype VII Avian Orthoavulavirus-1 between Wild Birds and Domestic Poultry.

Newcastle Disease (ND), caused by virulent forms of Avian orthoavulavirus serotype-1 (AOAV-1) is an economically important avian disease worldwide. The past two incursions of ND into the United Kingdom occurred in game bird populations during 2005 and 2006. The nature of the game bird semi-feral rearing system, which can bring these birds into close contact with both wild birds and commercial or backyard poultry, has been hypothesized to act as a bridge between these two environments.

Comparative pathogenesis of two genotype VI.2 avian paramyxovirus type-1 viruses (APMV-1) in pheasants, partridges and chickens.

Newcastle disease (ND) is caused by virulent forms of -1 (APMV-1) and is an economically important disease of poultry world-wide. Pigeon paramyxovirus 1 (PPMV-1), a sub-group of APMV-1 is endemic in es and can cause infections of poultry. An outbreak of ND in partridges in Scotland, UK, in 2006 (APMV-1/partridge/UK(Scotland)/7575/06) was identified as a class II, genotype VI.

JMM Profile: Avian paramyxovirus type-1 and Newcastle disease: a highly infectious vaccine-preventable viral disease of poultry with low zoonotic potential.

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly contagious disease of poultry caused by virulent avian paramyxovirus-1 (APMV-1) (previously termed avian avulavirus-1 and avian orthoavulavirus-1). APMV-1 is endemic in poultry in many developing countries, whilst outbreaks still occur in developed countries, affecting both commercial and backyard flocks. ND outbreaks can have substantial economic consequences due to high mortality rates and the imposition of trade restrictions.

Reverse-Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Has High Accuracy for Detecting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Saliva and Nasopharyngeal/Oropharyngeal Swabs from Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Individuals.

Previous studies have described reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) for the rapid detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swab and saliva samples. This multisite clinical evaluation describes the validation of an improved sample preparation method for extraction-free RT-LAMP and reports clinical performance of four RT-LAMP assay formats for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Direct RT-LAMP was performed on 559 swabs and 86,760 saliva samples and RNA RT-LAMP on extracted RNA from 12,619 swabs and 12,521 saliva samples from asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals across health care and community settings.

Rapid and sensitive detection of high pathogenicity Eurasian clade 2.3.4.4b avian influenza viruses in wild birds and poultry.

Avian influenza virus (AIV) is classified as high or low pathogenicity AIV (HPAIV/LPAIV) based on intravenous pathogenicity in chickens and/or the presence or absence of multiple basic residues at the heamagglutinin (HA) cleavage site (CS). Since 2014, Europe has experienced waves of incursions of H5Nx HPAIV. Between November 2020 and March 2021, these included HPAIV H5N8, with sporadic of H5N1 and H5N5 (all clade 2.

Comparison of Serological Assays for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies.

SARS-CoV-2 virus was first detected in late 2019 and circulated globally, causing COVID-19, which is characterised by sub-clinical to severe disease in humans. Here, we investigate the serological antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection during acute and convalescent infection using a cohort of (i) COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital, (ii) healthy individuals who had experienced 'COVID-19 like-illness', and (iii) a cohort of healthy individuals prior to the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. We compare SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody detection rates from four different serological methods, virus neutralisation test (VNT), ID Screen SARS-CoV-2-N IgG ELISA, Whole Antigen ELISA, and lentivirus-based SARS-CoV-2 pseudotype virus neutralisation tests (pVNT).

Thapsigargin Is a Broad-Spectrum Inhibitor of Major Human Respiratory Viruses: Coronavirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza A Virus.

The long-term control strategy of SARS-CoV-2 and other major respiratory viruses needs to include antivirals to treat acute infections, in addition to the judicious use of effective vaccines. Whilst COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out for mass vaccination, the modest number of antivirals in use or development for any disease bears testament to the challenges of antiviral development. We recently showed that non-cytotoxic levels of thapsigargin (TG), an inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca ATPase pump, induces a potent host innate immune antiviral response that blocks influenza A virus replication.

Intranasal Infection of Ferrets with SARS-CoV-2 as a Model for Asymptomatic Human Infection.

Ferrets were experimentally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-related coronavirus 2) to assess infection dynamics and host response. During the resulting subclinical infection, viral RNA was monitored between 2 and 21 days post-inoculation (dpi), and reached a peak in the upper respiratory cavity between 4 and 6 dpi. Viral genomic sequence analysis in samples from three animals identified the Y453F nucleotide substitution relative to the inoculum.

Transmission dynamics between infected waterfowl and terrestrial poultry: Differences between the transmission and tropism of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (clade 2.3.4.4a) among ducks, chickens and turkeys.

H5N8 highly-pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs, clade 2.3.4.

Extended Treatment with Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Intraputamenal glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), administered every 4 weeks to patients with moderately advanced Parkinson's disease, did not show significant clinical improvements against placebo at 40 weeks, although it significantly increased [18F]DOPA uptake throughout the entire putamen.

Objective: This open-label extension study explored the effects of continued (prior GDNF patients) or new (prior placebo patients) exposure to GDNF for another 40 weeks.

Methods: Using the infusion protocol of the parent study, all patients received GDNF without disclosing prior treatment allocations (GDNF or placebo).

Randomized trial of intermittent intraputamenal glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in Parkinson's disease.

We investigated the effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in Parkinson's disease, using intermittent intraputamenal convection-enhanced delivery via a skull-mounted transcutaneous port as a novel administration paradigm to potentially afford putamen-wide therapeutic delivery. This was a single-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients were 35-75 years old, had motor symptoms for 5 or more years, and presented with moderate disease severity in the OFF state [Hoehn and Yahr stage 2-3 and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor score (part III) (UPDRS-III) between 25 and 45] and motor fluctuations.

Managing a Colonoscopic Perforation in a Patient with No Abdominal Wall.

We describe the case of a 37-year-old gentleman with Crohn's disease and a complex surgical history including a giant incisional hernia with no abdominal wall. He presented on a Sunday to the general surgical on-call with a four-day history of generalised abdominal pain, nausea, and decreased stoma output following colonoscopy. After CT imaging, he was diagnosed with a large colonic perforation.

Drought will not leave your glass empty: Low risk of hydraulic failure revealed by long-term drought observations in world's top wine regions.

Grapevines are crops of global economic importance that will face increasing drought stress because many varieties are described as highly sensitive to hydraulic failure as frequency and intensity of summer drought increase. We developed and used novel approaches to define water stress thresholds for preventing hydraulic failure, which were compared to the drought stress experienced over a decade in two of the world's top wine regions, Napa and Bordeaux. We identified the physiological thresholds for drought-induced mortality in stems and leaves and found small intervarietal differences.

Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: medial pain and functional outcome in the medium term.

Background: In our experience results of the Oxford unicompartmental knee replacement have not been as good as had been expected. A common post operative complaint is of persistent medial knee discomfort, it is not clear why this phenomenon occurs and we have attempted to address this in our study.

Methods: 48 patients were retrospectively identified at a mean of 4.

Adenocarcinoma of a colostomy following abdominoperineal resection for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal: a case study.

Malignant neoplasms presenting on a stoma, as well as the development of colorectal adenocarcinoma after previous treatment for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anal canal, are rare. The unique case is presented of an 81-year-old woman with parastomal bleeding and ulceration found to have a primary colorectal adenocarcinoma arising de novo on a colostomy, formed after salvage abdominoperineal resection (APR) 3 years earlier for recurrent anal SCC. This is the first reported case of a colonic adenocarcinoma on a colostomy formed after an APR for anal SCC.

Five- to 8-year results of the uncemented Duracon total knee arthroplasty system.

We report prospective clinical and radiographic outcomes of a series of 219 hydroxyapatite-coated Duracon (Stryker Howmedica Osteonics Corporation, Kalamazoo, Mich) total knee arthroplasties with a follow-up of 5 to 8 years. Knee Society Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC), and SF-12 Health Status Questionnaire were used. Analysis of fluoroscopic radiographs was performed with the American Knee Society Score.

Implementing referral guidelines: lessons from a negative outcome cluster randomised factorial trial in general practice.

Background: Few patients with lower bowel symptoms who consult their general practitioner need a specialist opinion. However data from referred patients suggest that those who are referred would benefit from detailed assessment before referral.

Methods: A cluster randomised factorial trial.

Nicorandil and idiopathic anal ulceration.

Purpose: Several reports have implicated nicorandil as a reversible cause of anal ulceration. We have recently commenced a specialist clinic for patients presenting with severe anal ulceration to assess treatment in this difficult group. Recognition of this association may avoid unnecessary surgery.

Smoking-related DNA adducts in anal epithelium.

Several studies have identified tobacco smoking as a risk factor for anal cancer in both women and men. Samples of anal epithelium from haemorrhoidectomy specimens from current smokers (n = 20) and age-matched life-long non-smokers (n = 16) were analysed for DNA adducts by the nuclease P(1) digestion enhancement procedure of 32P-postlabelling analysis. The study included 14 men and 22 women.