Evaluation of the double-zone hemolysis (DZH) test for the detection of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant .

Unlabelled: Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant (LA-MRSA), such as clonal-complex (CC)398, are of clinical relevance due to their multi-drug resistance profiles, adding to the overall burden of MRSA in humans. The objective was to evaluate the double-zone hemolysis (DZH) test as a simple and reliable method for detecting LA-MRSA in the clinical microbiology laboratory. isolates assigned to CC398 ( = 183; 152 MRSA/31 methicillin-susceptible [MSSA]), CC1 ( = 44; MRSA), and other CCs ( = 144; 94 MRSA/50 MSSA) were investigated.

Transcription Factor 21 Regulates Cardiac Myofibroblast Formation and Fibrosis.

Background: TCF21 (transcription factor 21) is a bHLH (basic helix-loop-helix) protein required for the developmental specification of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) from epicardial progenitor cells that surround the embryonic heart. In the adult heart, TCF21 is expressed in tissue-resident fibroblasts and is downregulated in response to injury or stimuli leading to myofibroblast differentiation. These findings led to the hypothesis that TCF21 regulates fibroblast differentiation in the adult mammalian heart to affect fibrosis.

Investigating genomic diversity of associated with pediatric atopic dermatitis in South Africa.

Importance: frequently colonizes the skin and nose of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), a disease associated with skin barrier dysfunction and chronic cutaneous inflammation. Published genomic studies on AD-associated in pediatric populations in sub-Saharan Africa are limited.

Objectives: To investigate the phenotypic and genomic diversity of in children with and without AD during early childhood.

Scar Decompression in Managing Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Is it Needed?

Background:  Mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection, and irradiation for breast cancer commonly result in perivascular and axillary scarring. This scarring is thought to cause functional venous stenosis that leads to downstream venous hypertension in the affected extremity. Standard surgical practice is to decompress perivascular scarring at the time of physiologic lymphedema surgery in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL).

Non-typhoidal in Nigeria: do outcomes of 'multisectoral' surveillance, treatment and control justify the intervention costs?

Non-typhoidal salmonellosis (NTS) is significant and an economic burden in Nigeria. To determine whether investment in NTS control is economically justifiable, Outbreak Costing Tool (OCT) was used to estimate the robust funding of public and animal health systems for epidemio-surveillance and control of multisectoral NTS outbreaks in Nigeria. Health, production, and economic data were collected and used to populate the tool for evaluation.

Field Evaluation of Rice Lines Derived from Suakoko 8 X Bao Thai for Iron Tolerance in the South Saharan African Farming System.

Rice is a major grain crop in numerous countries. In lowland areas, high iron levels in the soil severely hinder its cultivation. The current study explored high-yielding and Fe-toxicity-tolerant irrigated lowland rice (340 lines) among a population derived from a cross between Suakoko 8 and Bao Thai in Edozighi and Ibadan, Nigeria.

"": A qualitative exploration of the experiences of young people with Long COVID.

Young people living with Long COVID are learning to navigate life with a constellation of poorly understood symptoms. Most qualitative studies on experiences living with Long COVID focus on adult populations. This study aimed to understand the experiences of young people living with Long COVID.

The COVID-19 Tracheostomy Experience at a Large Academic Medical Center in New York during the First Year.

New York City was the epicenter of the initial surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Tracheostomy is a critical procedure in the care of patients with COVID-19. We hypothesized that early tracheostomy would decrease the length of time on sedation, time on mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit length of stay, and mortality.

Molecular characterization of non-aureus staphylococci and Mammaliicoccus from Hipposideros bats in Southwest Nigeria.

Bats are not only ecologically valuable mammals but also reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens. Their vast population, ability to fly, and inhabit diverse ecological niches could play some role in the spread of antibiotic resistance. This study investigated non-aureus staphylococci and Mammaliicoccus colonization in the Hipposideros bats at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Cost-effectiveness of One Health intervention to reduce risk of human exposure and infection with non-typhoidal salmonellosis (NTS) in Nigeria.

Background: Non-typhoidal infection (NTS) is an important foodborne zoonosis with underappreciated health and economic burdens, and low case fatality. It has global prevalence, with more burdens in under-resourced countries with poor health infrastructures. Using a cohort study, we determined the cost-effectiveness of NTS in humans in Nigeria for the year 2020.

Virome Data Explorer: A web resource to longitudinally explore respiratory viral infections, their interactions with other pathogens and host transcriptomic changes in over 100 people.

Viral respiratory infections are an important public health concern due to their prevalence, transmissibility, and potential to cause serious disease. Disease severity is the product of several factors beyond the presence of the infectious agent, including specific host immune responses, host genetic makeup, and bacterial coinfections. To understand these interactions within natural infections, we designed a longitudinal cohort study actively surveilling respiratory viruses over the course of 19 months (2016 to 2018) in a diverse cohort in New York City.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICES AMONG WORKERS IN BLOCK/CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES IN GOMBE METROPOLIS, GOMBE STATE, NORTHEAST, NIGERIA.

Introduction: The block/concrete industry is often seen as a driver of economic growth in developing countries. A wide range of people mainly unskilled form the bulk of workers in these industries. According to the International Labor Organization, about 60,000 fatal accidents occur annually on these construction sites.

The effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on environmental and human microorganisms and their potential for bioremediation.

Utilised in a variety of consumer products, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are major environmental contaminants that accumulate in living organisms due to their highly hydrophobic, lipophobic, heat-resistant, and non-biodegradable properties. This review summarizes their effects on microbial populations in soils, aquatic and biogeochemical systems, and the human microbiome. Specific microbes are insensitive to and even thrive with PFAS contamination, such as and the in soil and aquatic environments, while some bacterial species, such as and , are sensitive and drop in population.

Trends in Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Diversity Among Hand Surgery Fellows From 2007 to 2021.

Purpose: There is a paucity of research on the demographic trends of orthopedic and plastic hand surgery fellows. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the current state of racial and gender demographic trends in hand surgery fellowship from 2007 to 2021.

Methods: We analyzed fellowship demographic data from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education public database from 2007-2008 through 2020-2021.

Synchronous Bilateral Breast Cancer With Discordant Receptor Status: Treating One Patient but Two Diseases.

The expression of hormone receptors (estrogen and progesterone) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) has been used for both therapeutic and prognostic purposes in the management of breast cancer. The presence of a discordant receptor status complicates the approach to treatment in patients with synchronous bilateral breast cancer. We describe the case of a 45-year-old female with synchronous bilateral breast cancer with a triple-negative tumor and a contralateral HER2-positive tumor and discussed the impact of this on the approach to therapeutic management.

Epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of staphylococci other than from domestic animals and livestock in Africa: a systematic review.

Introduction: Staphylococci other than Staphylococcus aureus (SOSA) in animals are becoming more pathogenic and antibiotic resistant and can potentially disseminate to humans. However, there is little synthesized information regarding SOSA from animals in Africa. This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of SOSA in companion animals (pets) and livestock in Africa.

Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Do-Not-Resuscitate Order Utilization in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit: An Observational Study.

The use of a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order is a powerful tool in outlining end-of-life care. This study explores sociodemographic factors associated with selection of a DNR order and assigning a healthcare proxy in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU). A retrospective chart review of 312 patients who expired in the SICU over a 7-year period was conducted.

Ectoparasites of dogs (Canis familiaris) from northeastern Nigeria: an epidemiological study.

Ectoparasites of dogs represent an important group of parasites. They often suck blood, cause pruritis, and could serve as vectors of many pathogens of veterinary and public health importance. In northeastern Nigeria, there is a lack of data regarding ectoparasites of dogs.

Neutralization of the Staphylococcus aureus Panton-Valentine leukocidin by African and Caucasian sera.

Background: The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus isolates carrying the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene is higher in Africa (≈50%) compared to Europe (< 5%). The study aimed to measure anti-PVL-antibodies in Africans and Germans in a multi-center study and to test whether detected antibodies can neutralize the cytotoxic effect of PVL on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs).

Methods: Sera from asymptomatic Africans (n = 22, Nigeria, Gabon) and Caucasians (n = 22, Germany) were used to quantify antibody titers against PVL and α-hemolysin (in arbitrary units [AU]) by ELISA.

Prevalence and correlates of undiagnosed hypertension among staff of a Nigerian university community.

Introduction: the prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria is high, with a considerable proportion of it being undiagnosed. Nevertheless, early identification of influencing variables for hypertension in different population groups is important for several reasons. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of undiagnosed hypertension among staff of a university community in Nigeria.

The 50 Most-Cited Articles Regarding Hip Resurfacing.

Background: Hip resurfacing arthroplasty is an accepted treatment option for young patients presenting with osteoarthritis of the hip. The purpose of this review was to evaluate and identify the top 50 most-cited articles pertaining to hip resurfacing, to help clinicians identify influential articles and navigate the literature more effectively.

Material And Methods: Clarivate Analytics Web of Science was used to identify all articles related to hip resurfacing.

Description of Staphylococcal Strains from Straw-Coloured Fruit Bat () and Diamond Firetail () and a Review of their Phylogenetic Relationships to Other Staphylococci.

The phylogenetic tree of the complex consists of several distinct clades and the majority of human and veterinary isolates form one large clade. In addition, two divergent clades have recently been described as separate species. One was named , due to the lack of the "golden" pigment staphyloxanthin.

A 6-Year Update on the Diversity of Methicillin-Resistant Clones in Africa: A Systematic Review.

Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is a leading cause of hospital-associated (HA) and community-associated (CA) infections globally. The multi-drug resistant nature of this pathogen and its capacity to cause outbreaks in hospital and community settings highlight the need for effective interventions, including its surveillance for prevention and control. This study provides an update on the clonal distribution of MRSA in Africa.

Stress Correlates Related to Depressive Symptoms Among Young Black Men in Southern California.

Black men experience higher levels of chronic stress, life stressors, and discrimination due to oppressive social and economic conditions. Black men are at greater risk of depression, but most published research on stress and depression has focused on Black people in general, Black women, or older Black men. We sought to determine whether discrimination, perceived stress, major life stress, daily hassles, and social capital were associated with depressive symptoms in young Black men.

Epidemiological study of gastrointestinal helminths among dogs from Northeastern Nigeria: a potential public health concern.

Understanding the epidemiology of canine parasitic infections, gastrointestinal helminthic infections in particular, is crucial for designing an efficient control programs targeted at minimizing the risks of zoonotic transmission. A total of 470 dogs attending veterinary clinics in Northeastern Nigeria were screened for gastrointestinal helminths using standard parasitological techniques. Epidemiological risk factors associated with the canine parasitic infections were assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis.