Correction: A prospective, multi-site, cohort study to estimate incidence of infection and disease due to Lassa fever virus in West African countries (the Enable Lassa research programme)-Study protocol.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Encapsulation of Beauveria bassiana conidia as a new strategy for the biological control of Aedes aegypti larvae.

The virulence of encapsulated fungal conidia against Aedes aegypti larvae was investigated. Molecular studies confirmed that the fungal isolate used here was Beauveria bassiana. Different conidial concentrations were tested.

Loss of neuropeptide signalling alters temporal expression of mouse suprachiasmatic neuronal state and excitability.

Individual neurons of the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) contain an intracellular molecular clock that drives these neurons to exhibit day-night variation in excitability. The neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and its cognate receptor, VPAC, are synthesized by SCN neurons and this intercellular VIP-VPAC receptor signal facilitates coordination of SCN neuronal activity and timekeeping. How the loss of VPAC receptor signalling affects the electrophysiological properties and states of SCN neurons as well as their responses to excitatory inputs is unclear.

Opioid-environment interaction: Contrasting effects of morphine administered in a novel versus familiar environment on acute and repeated morphine induced behavioral effects and on acute morphine ERK activation in reward associated brain areas.

We report that environmental context can have a major impact on morphine locomotor behavior and ERK effects. We manipulated environmental context in terms of an environmental novelty/ familiarity dimension and measured morphine behavioral effects in both acute and chronic morphine treatment protocols. Wistar rats (n=7 per group) were injected with morphine 10 mg/kg or vehicle (s.

Determining Factors and Economic Injury Levels for Sphenophorus levis for Chemical and Biological Control in Irrigated and Non-irrigated Sugarcane Crops.

Globally, people use sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) to produce sugar and ethanol. Rainfed or irrigated sugarcane agricultural systems are available. Among the pests affecting this crop, the weevil Sphenophorus levis, Vaurie 1978 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is increasingly becoming a significant threat in southern South America.

Predictors of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization in group homes for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

Background: More than seven million people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) live in the US and may face an elevated risk for COVID-19.

Objective: To identify correlates of COVID-19 and related hospitalizations among people with ID/DD in group homes in Massachusetts.

Methods: We collected data during March 1, 2020-June 30, 2020 (wave 1) and July 1, 2020-March 31, 2021 (wave 2) from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and six organizations administering 206 group homes for 1035 residents with ID/DD.

Evaluating a novel high-density EEG sensor net structure for improving inclusivity in infants with curly or tightly coiled hair.

Electroencephalography (EEG) is an important tool in the field of developmental cognitive neuroscience for indexing neural activity. However, racial biases persist in EEG research that limit the utility of this tool. One bias comes from the structure of EEG nets/caps that do not facilitate equitable data collection across hair textures and types.

Ebola Virus-Specific Neutralizing Antibody Persists at High Levels in Survivors 2 Years After Resolution of Disease in a Sierra Leonean Cohort.

Ebola virus (EBOV) infection results in Ebola virus disease (EVD), an often severe disease with a nonspecific presentation. Since its recognition, periodic outbreaks of EVD continue to occur in sub-Saharan Africa. The 2013-2016 West African EVD outbreak was the largest recorded, resulting in a substantial cohort of EVD survivors with persistent health complaints and variable immune responses.

Longitudinal effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on visual neurodevelopment over infancy.

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) affects neurodevelopment in over 59 million individuals globally. Prior studies using dichotomous categorization of alcohol use and comorbid substance exposures provide limited knowledge of how prenatal alcohol specifically impacts early human neurodevelopment. In this longitudinal cohort study from Cape Town, South Africa, PAE is measured continuously-characterizing timing, dose, and drinking patterns (i.

Production of Escovopsis conidia and the potential use of this parasitic fungus as a biological control agent of leaf-cutting ant fungus gardens.

This study was carried out to investigate the use of different substrates for the production of Escovopsis conidia and verify the virulence of four different isolates cultured on four types of substrates using a novel bioassay. Escovopsis isolates were molecularly identified, based on Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) nucleotide sequences. To evaluate conidial production, suspensions (1 × 10 conidia mL) of each Escovopsis isolate were inoculated onto four substrates (parboiled rice, white rice, rolled oats, and corn grits).

A partial habituation method to test for anterograde and retrograde amnestic treatment effects: Evidence that antagonism of the NMDA receptor can induce anterograde but not retrograde amnestic effects.

Background: A progressive decrease in spontaneous locomotion with repeated exposure to a novel environment has been assessed using both within and between-session measures. While both are well-established and reliable measurements, neither are useful alone as methods to concurrently assess treatment effects on acquisition and retention of habituation.

New Method: We report a behavioral method that measures habituation by combining the within and between measurements of locomotion.

The stingless bee Trigona spinipes (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is at risk from a range of insecticides via direct ingestion and trophallactic exchanges.

Background: The stingless bee, Trigona spinipes, is an important pollinator of numerous native and cultivated plants. Trigona spinipes populations can be negatively impacted by insecticides commonly used for pest control in crops. However, this species has been neglected in toxicological studies.

COVID-19-Related Outcomes Among Group Home Residents with Serious Mental Illness in Massachusetts in the First Year of the Pandemic.

This study examined COVID-19 infection and hospitalizations among people with serious mental illness who resided in residential care group homes in Massachusetts during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors analyzed data on 2261 group home residents and COVID-19 data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Outcomes included positive COVID-19 tests and COVID-19 hospitalizations March 1, 2020-June 30, 2020 (wave 1) and July 1, 2020-March 31, 2021 (wave 2).

Respiratory virus surveillance in hospitalized children less than two-years of age in Kenema, Sierra Leone during the COVID-19 pandemic (October 2020- October 2021).

Globally, viral pathogens are the leading cause of acute respiratory infection in children under-five years. We aim to describe the epidemiology of viral respiratory pathogens in hospitalized children under-two years of age in Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, during the second year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We conducted a prospective study of children hospitalized with respiratory symptoms between October 2020 and October 2021.

Antibiotic prescribing practices for acute respiratory illness in children less than 24 months of age in Kenema, Sierra Leone: is it time to move beyond algorithm driven decision making?

Background: Lower respiratory tract infections are the leading cause of mortality in young children globally. In many resource-limited settings clinicians rely on guidelines such as IMCI or ETAT + that promote empiric antibiotic utilization for management of acute respiratory illness (ARI). Numerous evaluations of both guidelines have shown an overall positive response however, several challenges have also been reported, including the potential for over-prescribing of unnecessary antibiotics.

The Potential of Blastospores to Control Larvae in the Field.

Entomopathogenic fungi are promising as an environmentally benign alternative to chemical pesticides for mosquito control. The current study investigated the virulence of blastospores against under both laboratory and field conditions. Virulence bioassays of conidia and blastospores were conducted in the laboratory, while field simulation bioassays were conducted under two conditions: totally shaded (TS) or partially shaded (PS).

Predictors of Subspecialty Appointment Scheduling and Completion for Patients Referred From a Pediatric Primary Care Clinic.

Failure to complete subspecialty referrals decreases access to subspecialty care and may endanger patient safety. We conducted a retrospective analysis of new patient referrals made to the 14 most common referral departments at Boston Children's Hospital from January 1 to December 31, 2017. The sample included 2031 patient referrals.

Lassa Fever Natural History and Clinical Management.

Lassa fever is caused by Lassa virus (LASV), an Old World Mammarenavirus that is carried by Mastomys natalensis and other rodents. It is endemic in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and other countries in West Africa. The clinical presentation of LASV infection is heterogenous varying from an inapparent or mild illness to a fatal hemorrhagic fever.

Morphine and dopamine: Low dose apomorphine can prevent both the induction and expression of morphine locomotor sensitization and conditioning.

The disinhibition of dopamine neurons in the VTA by morphine is considered an important contributor to the reward potency of morphine. In this report, three experiments were conducted in which a low dose of apomorphine (0.05 mg/kg) was used as a pretreatment to reduce dopamine activity.

Utilization of Video Otoscopes for Otoscopy Skills Training of Third Year Medical Students.

Purpose: Effective teaching and assessment of otologic examinations are challenging. Current methods of teaching otoscopy using traditional otoscopes have significant limitations. We hypothesized that use of all-in-one video otoscopes provides students with an opportunity for real-time faculty feedback and re-practicing of skills, increasing self-reported confidence.

A prospective, multi-site, cohort study to estimate incidence of infection and disease due to Lassa fever virus in West African countries (the Enable Lassa research programme)-Study protocol.

Background: Lassa fever (LF), a haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa fever virus (LASV), is endemic in West Africa and causes 5000 fatalities every year. The true prevalence and incidence rates of LF are unknown as infections are often asymptomatic, clinical presentations are varied, and surveillance systems are not robust. The aim of the Enable Lassa research programme is to estimate the incidences of LASV infection and LF disease in five West African countries.

Production of (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) Mycelial Pellets and Their Effects on Leaf-Cutting Ant Fungal Gardens.

The maintenance of the symbiosis between leaf-cutting ants and their mutualistic fungus Singer (Moller) is vital for the survival of both species. The specialist fungal parasite Muchovej & Della Lucia is a threat to this symbiosis, causing severe damage to the fungal garden. Mycelial pellets are resistant fungal structures that can be produced under laboratory conditions.

Best practices to reduce COVID-19 in group homes for individuals with serious mental illness and intellectual and developmental disabilities: Protocol for a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized trial.

Background: People with serious mental illness (SMI) and intellectual disabilities and/or developmental disabilities (ID/DD) living in group homes (GHs) and residential staff are at higher risk for COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death compared with the general population.

Methods: We describe a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized trial to assess evidence-based infection prevention practices to prevent COVID-19 for residents with SMI or ID/DD and the staff in GHs. The trial will use a cluster randomized design in 400 state-funded GHs in Massachusetts for adults with SMI or ID/DD to compare effectiveness and implementation of "Tailored Best Practices" (TBP) consisting of evidence-based COVID-19 infection prevention practices adapted for residents with SMI and ID/DD and GH staff; to "General Best Practices" (GBP), consisting of required standard of care reflecting state and federal standard general guidelines for COVID-19 prevention in GHs.

How much did it cost to develop and implement an eHealth intervention for a minority children population that overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic?

Background: eHealth interventions using active video games (AVGs) offer an alternative method to help children exercise, especially during a pandemic where options are limited. There is limited data on costs associated with developing and implementing such interventions.

Objectives: We quantified the costs of delivering an eHealth RCT intervention among minority children during COVID-19.