Optimal processing of tongue swab samples for detection by the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay.

Tongue swabs represent a potential alternative to sputum as a sample type for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) with molecular diagnostic tests. The methods used to process tongue swabs for testing in the World Health Organization-recommended Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra) assay vary greatly. Here, we aimed to identify the optimal tongue swab processing for Xpert Ultra testing.

Strong bottom currents in large, deep Lake Geneva generated by higher vertical-mode Poincaré waves.

Although internal seiches are ubiquitous in large, deep lakes, little is known about the effect of higher vertical-mode seiches on deepwater dynamics. Here, by combining entire summer season current and temperature observations and 3D numerical modeling, we demonstrate that previously undetected vertical mode-two and mode-three Poincaré waves in 309-meter deep Lake Geneva (Switzerland/France) generate bottom-boundary layer currents up to 4 cm s. Poincaré wave amphidromic patterns revealed three strong cells excited simultaneously.

Optimal processing of tongue swab samples for Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection by the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay.

Unlabelled: Tongue swabs represent a potential alternative to sputum as a sample type for detecting pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) using molecular diagnostic tests. The methods used to process tongue swabs for testing in the WHO-recommended Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra) assay vary greatly. We aimed to identify the optimal method for processing diagnostic tongue swabs for subsequent testing by Xpert Ultra.

Combined Earth observations reveal the sequence of conditions leading to a large algal bloom in Lake Geneva.

Freshwater algae exhibit complex dynamics, particularly in meso-oligotrophic lakes with sudden and dramatic increases in algal biomass following long periods of low background concentration. While the fundamental prerequisites for algal blooms, namely light and nutrient availability, are well-known, their specific causation involves an intricate chain of conditions. Here we examine a recent massive Uroglena bloom in Lake Geneva (Switzerland/France).

Isoniazid urine spectrophotometry for prediction of serum pharmacokinetics in adults with TB.

Background: Isoniazid (INH) is an important drug in many TB regimens, and unfavorable treatment outcomes can be caused by suboptimal pharmacokinetics. Dose adjustment can be personalized by measuring peak serum concentrations; however, the process involves cold-chain preservation and laboratory techniques such as liquid chromatography (LC)/mass spectrometry (MS), which are unavailable in many high-burden settings. Urine spectrophotometry could provide a low-cost alternative with simple sampling and quantification methods.