Genomic sequencing of a national emm66 group A streptococci (GAS) outbreak among people who inject drugs and the homeless community in England and Wales, January 2016-May 2017.

An outbreak of an uncommon emm type (emm66.0) of group A streptococcus (GAS) occurred in England and Wales between January 2016 and May 2017, involving 52 individuals who were homeless or injecting drugs users. In order to investigate the outbreak, epidemiological and network analysis were performed; moreover 55 isolates (32 outbreak, 5 non-outbreak and 13 historical - 2005-2015) were tested with whole genome sequencing (WGS), antimicrobial resistance determination, Bayesian evolutionary analysis (BEAST).

Evaluation of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for the Identification of Group B Streptococcus.

Objective: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal meningitis and sepsis worldwide. Intrapartum antibiotics given to women carrying GBS are an effective means of reducing disease in the first week of life. Rapid and reliable tests are needed to accurately identify GBS from these women for timely intrapartum antibiotic administration to prevent neonatal disease.

Genome analysis following a national increase in Scarlet Fever in England 2014.

Background: During a substantial elevation in scarlet fever (SF) notifications in 2014 a national genomic study was undertaken of Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococci, GAS) isolates from patients with SF with comparison to isolates from patients with invasive disease (iGAS) to test the hypotheses that the increase in SF was due to either the introduction of one or more new/emerging strains in the population in England or the transmission of a known genetic element through the population of GAS by horizontal gene transfer (HGT) resulting in infections with an increased likelihood of causing SF. Isolates were collected to provide geographical representation, for approximately 5% SF isolates from each region from 1 April 2014 to 18 June 2014. Contemporaneous iGAS isolates for which genomic data were available were included for comparison.

Integration of Genomic and Other Epidemiologic Data to Investigate and Control a Cross-Institutional Outbreak of Streptococcus pyogenes.

Single-strain outbreaks of Streptococcus pyogenes infections are common and often go undetected. In 2013, two clusters of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infection were identified in independent but closely located care homes in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. Investigation included visits to each home, chart review, staff survey, microbiologic sampling, and genome sequencing.

The expression of lipopolysaccharide by strains of Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri and Shigella boydii and their cross-reacting strains of Escherichia coli.

Strains of Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneri and Shigella boydii express lipopolysaccharides, that enable the serotyping of strains based on their antigenic structures. Certain strains of S. dysenteriae, S.

Cystic pancreatic neoplasms: observe or operate.

Objective: The objectives of this analysis were to define the incidence, natural history, and predictors of neoplasia in pancreatic cysts to determine which patients can safely be observed and which should undergo an operation.

Summary Background Data: With advancements in imaging technology, cystic lesions of the pancreas are being detected with increased frequency. Many of these lesions are small and asymptomatic, but they may be associated with pancreatitis or have malignant potential.

Activation of a subpopulation of orexin/hypocretin-containing hypothalamic neurons by GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition of the nucleus accumbens shell, but not by exposure to a novel environment.

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)A receptor stimulation in the nucleus accumbens shell produces intense hyperphagia in rats and increases Fos expression in the lateral hypothalamus. To explore the involvement of hypothalamic orexin/hypocretin- or melanin concentrating hormone-immunoreactive neurons in this effect, the GABAA agonist, muscimol (0, 50 ng), was infused directly into the nucleus accumbens shell of rats; 90 min later, their brains were collected and subsequently processed for immunohistochemistry. A group exposed to a novel environment was included to evaluate the specificity of Fos expression changes with regard to general arousal.

Overlapping distributions of orexin/hypocretin- and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunoreactive fibers in rat brain regions mediating arousal, motivation, and stress.

A double-label immunohistochemical study was carried out to investigate overlap between dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DbetaH) -immunopositive projections and the projections of hypothalamic neurons containing the arousal- and feeding-related peptide, orexin/hypocretin (HCRT), in rat brain. Numerous intermingled HCRT-immunopositive and DbetaH-immunopositive fibers were seen in a ventrally situated corridor extending from the hypothalamus to deep layers of the infralimbic cortex. Both fiber types avoided the nucleus accumbens core, caudate putamen, and the globus pallidus.