Multiplexing the Identification of Microorganisms via Tandem Mass Tag Labeling Augmented by Interference Removal through a Novel Modification of the Expectation Maximization Algorithm.

Having fast, accurate, and broad spectrum methods for the identification of microorganisms is of paramount importance to public health, research, and safety. Bottom-up mass spectrometer-based proteomics has emerged as an effective tool for the accurate identification of microorganisms from microbial isolates. However, one major hurdle that limits the deployment of this tool for routine clinical diagnosis, and other areas of research such as culturomics, is the instrument time required for the mass spectrometer to analyze a single sample, which can take ∼1 h per sample, when using mass spectrometers that are presently used in most institutes.

Parallel evolution of linezolid-resistant in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Linezolid is an antibiotic used to treat serious infections. Resistance to linezolid is considered rare but could emerge with repeated dosing. We recently reported widespread prescription of linezolid for a cohort of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Parallel Evolution of Linezolid Resistant in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis.

Background: Linezolid is an antibiotic used to treat serious infections. Resistance to linezolid is considered rare but could emerge with repeated dosing. We recently reported widespread prescription of linezolid for a cohort of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).

Urine Trouble: Reducing Midstream Clean Catch Urine Contamination Among Children 3-17 Years Old.

Background: Children, caregivers, and clinicians often prefer midstream clean catch technique to urethral catheterization for obtaining urine cultures. However, contamination is common, potentially resulting in unnecessary medical intervention and cost. With this resident-led initiative, we aimed to reduce pediatric midstream clean catch urine culture contamination over 6 months.

MRSA strains with distinct accessory genes predominate at different ages in cystic fibrosis.

Rationale: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is prevalent and consequential in cystic fibrosis (CF). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) could reveal genomic differences in MRSA associated with poorer outcomes or detect MRSA transmission.

Objectives: To identify MRSA genes associated with low lung function and potential MRSA transmission in CF.

Interstitial duplication of 8q22.1-q23.1- A case report and review of the literature.

This report highlights the clinical features seen in duplication of 8q22.1q23.1 inherited from balanced father.

Pathogen acquisition in patients with cystic fibrosis receiving ivacaftor or lumacaftor/ivacaftor.

Background: The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators ivacaftor and lumacaftor/ivacaftor improve the status of existing infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). It is unknown how well these drugs protect patients against incident infections. We hypothesized that CFTR modulator treatment would decrease new infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus.

The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer consensus statement on immunotherapy for the treatment of prostate carcinoma.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy and second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States. In recent years, several new agents, including cancer immunotherapies, have been approved or are currently being investigated in late-stage clinical trials for the management of advanced prostate cancer. Therefore, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) convened a multidisciplinary panel, including physicians, nurses, and patient advocates, to develop consensus recommendations for the clinical application of immunotherapy for prostate cancer patients.

Pathology Image of the Month: Mitral Stenosis at Autopsy.

A 52-year-old woman decedent was presented to the hospital autopsy service for a coroner authorized complete autopsy following an admit urine toxicology screen that was positive for cannabinoids. Prior to admission, she was found unresponsive at home after a two month history of increasingly progressive shortness of breath. She was transported to the emergency department and resuscitated after prolonged arrest.

The Home-Based Occupational Therapy Intervention in the Alzheimer's Disease Multiple Intervention Trial (ADMIT).

There is no way to prevent functional declines related to Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The use of occupational therapy (OT) has been shown to be successful in managing some aspects of AD. We added home-based OT to evidence-based best practice for AD with the aim of delaying functional decline in people with AD.

The 2S albumin allergens of Arachis hypogaea, Ara h 2 and Ara h 6, are the major elicitors of anaphylaxis and can effectively desensitize peanut-allergic mice.

Background: Ara h 2 and Ara h 6, co-purified together in a 13-25 kD fraction (Ara h 2/6; 20 kD fraction) on gel filtration chromatography, account for the majority of effector activity in a crude peanut extract (CPE) when assayed with RBL SX-38 cells sensitized with IgE from human peanut allergic sera.

Objectives: To determine if Ara h 2/6 are the primary peanut allergens responsible for allergic reactions in vivo and to determine if Ara h 2/6 would be sufficient to prevent allergic reactions to a complete CPE.

Methods: An oral sensitization mouse model of peanut allergy was used to assess the activity of Ara h 2/6 (20 kD) and CPE without the 20 kD fraction (CPE w/o 20 kD) for allergic provocation challenge and immunotherapy.

Effector activity of peanut allergens: a critical role for Ara h 2, Ara h 6, and their variants.

Rationale: An important property of allergens is their ability to cross-link IgE and activate mast cells and basophils. The effector activity of peanut allergens has not been well characterized.

Methods: Crude extracts of fresh peanut flour were fractionated by gel filtration.

Contribution of Ara h 2 to peanut-specific, immunoglobulin E-mediated, cell activation.

Background: Ara h 2 is a potent peanut allergen but its contribution to the ability of a crude peanut extract (CPE) to cross-link IgE and activate mast cells has not been rigorously evaluated.

Objective: To measure the contribution that Ara h 2 makes to the effector function of a CPE.

Methods: Ara h 2 was specifically removed from a CPE as demonstrated by immunoblots, 2D gels, and an inhibitory ELISA.

Comparative potency of Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 in immunochemical and functional assays of allergenicity.

To assess the relative potency of the major peanut allergens, Ara h 1 and Ara h 2, we examined the relative ability of purified proteins to bind IgE on immunoblots, to cross-link allergen specific IgE in an in vitro assay of degranulation based on RBL SX-38 cells, and to bind IgE in the ImmunoCap assay. Sera from 12 highly sensitive, peanut allergic patients were studied in all assays. IgE immunoblots with crude peanut extracts showed binding of IgE to multiple bands including the 63 kDa and 17-19 kDa bands that contain Ara h 1 and Ara h 2, respectively.

American Society of Clinical Oncology recommendations for the initial hormonal management of androgen-sensitive metastatic, recurrent, or progressive prostate cancer.

Purpose: To develop a clinical practice guideline for the management of men with metastatic, recurrent, or progressive carcinoma of the prostate. The focus of this document is on the use, combinations, and timing of various forms of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for the palliation of men with androgen-sensitive disease.

Methods: An expert panel and writing committee were formed.

UsToo PC-SPES surveys: review of studies and update of previous survey results.

In 1997, we resolved to survey UsToo members and other men known at that time to be taking PC-SPES, a Chinese herb combination that contains eight herbs: chrysanthemum, dyers woad, licorice, reishi, san-qi ginseng, rabdosia, saw palmetto, and baikal skullcap. The survey showed positive results, with respondents experiencing a decline in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), most to the undetectable range. Of these patients, 88% maintained a low PSA concentration, whereas 12% had a rise from nadir.

Survey of UsToo Members and Other Prostate Cancer Patients to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of PC-SPES.

Prostate cancer survivors frequently seek natural remedies for elevated or rising PSA concentrations to forestall the necessity for more definitive modalities. PC-SPES is one of the most widely used of the complementary medicines. It consists of eight Chinese herbs, and although it contains no estrogen, it does exhibit some estrogenic effects.

Comparison of perspectives on prostate cancer: analyses of survey data.

Objectives: Prostate cancer will account for 334,500 new cases and 41,800 deaths among men in the United States in 1997. Patients and physicians are faced with many concerns related to benefits and side effects of alternative treatments, educational needs, emotional support, and costs of care. Support groups for prostate cancer patients have been established to help satisfy needs in these areas.

Perspectives on prostate cancer treatment: awareness, attitudes, and relationships.

Objectives: To compare prostate cancer patients' perceptions with those of physicians regarding treatments, awareness, attitudes, and views of the relationships between the two groups.

Methods: One thousand randomly selected members of US TOO International, Inc., and 200 doctors actively involved in the treatment of prostate cancer, were involved in the study.