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Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is estimated to affect 0.4%–2.5% of the global population. Most cases are unexplained; however, some patients describe an antecedent viral infection or response to antiviral medications. We report here a multicenter study for the presence of viral nucleic acid in blood, feces, and saliva of patients with ME/CFS using polymerase chain reaction and high‐throughput sequencing. We found no consistent group‐specific differences other than a lower prevalence of anelloviruses in cases compared to healthy controls. Our findings suggest that future investigations into viral infections in ME/CFS should focus on adaptive immune responses rather than surveillance for viral gene products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the considerable progress of in vivo neural recording techniques, inferring the biophysical mechanisms underlying large scale coordination of brain activity from neural data remains challenging. One obstacle is the difficulty to link high dimensional functional connectivity measures to mechanistic models of network activity. We address this issue by investigating spike-field coupling (SFC) measurements, which quantify the synchronization between, on the one hand, the action potentials produced by neurons, and on the other hand mesoscopic "field" signals, reflecting subthreshold activities at possibly multiple recording sites. As the number of recording sites gets large, the amount of pairwise SFC measurements becomes overwhelmingly challenging to interpret. We develop Generalized Phase Locking Analysis (GPLA) as an interpretable dimensionality reduction of this multivariate SFC. GPLA describes the dominant coupling between field activity and neural ensembles across space and frequencies. We show that GPLA features are biophysically interpretable when used in conjunction with appropriate network models, such that we can identify the influence of underlying circuit properties on these features. We demonstrate the statistical benefits and interpretability of this approach in various computational models and Utah array recordings. The results suggest that GPLA, used jointly with biophysical modeling, can help uncover the contribution of recurrent microcircuits to the spatio-temporal dynamics observed in multi-channel experimental recordings. Author summary: Modern neural recording techniques give access to increasingly highly multivariate spike data, together with spatio-temporal activities of local field potentials reflecting integrative processes. We introduce GPLA as a generalized coupling measure between these point-process and continuous-time activities to help neuroscientists uncover the distributed organization of neural networks. We develop statistical analysis and modeling methodologies for this measure and demonstrate its interpretability in simulated and experimental multi-electrode recordings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children's vision screening children commonly uses optotype-based visual acuity or instrument-based methods measuring amblyogenic risk factors (ARFs). To compare the performance of the Spot Vision Screener (SVS) (PediaVision, Welch Allyn, NY) and a nurse-administered visual acuity screen (NVAS) in identifying ARFs and decreased visual acuity. A prospective, cross-sectional population-based study of preschool children in South-East Queensland, Australia. Eligible participants had both forms of screening by trained community nurses. All children with an abnormal result by either method as well as a cohort of randomly selected children who passed both assessments were assessed at a tertiary paediatric ophthalmology clinic. Over a 10 month period, 2237 children (mean age; 64.4 ± 4.0 months) were screened from 38 schools. 6.4% of children failed SVS and 8.3% failed NVAS (with 3.8% overlap, failing both). The positive predictive value (PPV) in identifying either ARFs and/or reduced VA for the SVS and NVAS was 70.4% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 61.6%–78.2%) and 60.5% (95% CI: 52.6%–67.9%) respectively. Highest PPV to detect either ARFs and/or reduced VA was achieved by a 'hybrid' method by combining failed NVAS and failed SVS: 91.0% (95% CI: 82.4 to 96.3) but this would risk children with sight impairment being missed in the community. To our knowledge, this is the first population-based study providing detailed comparative measures of diagnostic accuracy for NVAS and SVS in preschool children. One in ten preschool children failed one or both screens. A number of children who required ophthalmic intervention were missed if only one screening method was utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Herpes simplex CNS infection is a rare but important cause of neurological disability. Long term outcomes after HSV CNS infection in Australia have not yet been fully described. We sought to provide a comprehensive review of HSV CNS infection in children using a retrospective 13‐year evaluation of statewide laboratory and clinical records and a parent survey conducted at least one year after the initial infection. Methods: All positive PCR HSV 1 and 2 results from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or brain tissue were obtained from Queensland pathology providers for children aged 0–16 years between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2017. Clinical data were obtained from patient records and longer‐term outcomes via parent survey at least 1 year after initial infection. Results: Forty‐three children were identified over the 13‐year period, 17 (39.5%) neonates and 26 (60.4%) non‐neonates. The annual incidence for HSV CNS infection in Queensland children aged ≤16 years was 0.3/100 000 (95% confidence intervals (CIs): 0.2–0.4) with neonates at highest risk (incidence 2.5/100 000 live births, 95% CI: 1.5–3.9). HSV 1 was the predominant serotype in both neonates and non‐neonates (9/17, 52.9% neonates and 19/26, 73.1% non‐neonates). Seven (16.3%) children died, five (5/17, 29.4% neonates), directly attributable to HSV CNS infection (all neonates). Twenty‐five (58.1%) had neurological morbidity at discharge (9/17 neonates (52.9%) vs. 16/26 (61.5%) non‐neonates) and 20/27 (74.1%) reported long‐term neurological morbidity at follow‐up (5/9 neonates (55.6%) vs. 15/18 non‐neonates (83.3%)). Seven children (two neonates and four non‐neonates) with long‐term neurological sequelae had no neurological morbidity identified at discharge. Conclusion: Significant long‐term neurologic sequelae were seen in children with HSV CNS infection even in children with no neurological disability identified at discharge from hospital. Careful neurodevelopmental follow‐up of all children is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) accounts for a high proportion of paediatric outpatient visits in Australia. Shared care by general practitioners (GPs) would deliver more timely care, closer to home, however GPs indicated the need for interprofessional training support. This study describes the use of Project ECHO®, a guided practice model, to support GPs with ADHD management, by connecting them virtually with an interprofessional team of paediatric specialists using a structured methodology. Methods: A retrospective pre/post-knowledge and self-efficacy survey across twentyseven aspects of ADHD management was administered, using a seven-point Likert scale. Results: Significant improvement (p < 0.001) in provider self-efficacy was demonstrated across all tested domains. Discussion: Use of the ECHO model™ by an interprofessional team of paediatric specialists achieved an increase in GP knowledge and self-efficacy in the local management of children and young people with complex healthcare needs. Learnings indicate viability to expand the application of the ECHO model™ to address fragmentation for other priority populations across the Australian healthcare and human service sector landscape. Conclusion: Use of the ECHO model™ to support and train GPs was successful. Integration of care was achieved through strengthened partnerships between content and context experts, and the ECHO model™'s case-based learning methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major debate about the neural correlates of conscious perception concerns its cortical organization, namely, whether it includes the prefrontal cortex (PFC), which mediates executive functions, or it is constrained within posterior cortices. It has been suggested that PFC activity during paradigms investigating conscious perception is conflated with post-perceptual processes associated with reporting the contents of consciousness or feedforward signals originating from exogenous stimulus manipulations and relayed via posterior cortical areas. We addressed this debate by simultaneously probing neuronal populations in the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) PFC during a no-report paradigm, capable of instigating internally generated transitions in conscious perception, without changes in visual stimulation. We find that feature-selective prefrontal neurons are modulated concomitantly with subjective perception and perceptual suppression of their preferred stimulus during both externally induced and internally generated changes in conscious perception. Importantly, this enables reliable single-trial, population decoding of conscious contents. Control experiments confirm significant decoding of stimulus contents, even when oculomotor responses, used for inferring perception, are suppressed. These findings suggest that internally generated changes in the contents of conscious visual perception are reliably reflected within the activity of prefrontal populations in the absence of volitional reports or changes in sensory input. The role of the prefrontal cortex in conscious perception is debated because of its involvement in task relevant behaviour, such as subjective perceptual reports. Here, the authors show that prefrontal activity in rhesus macaques correlates with subjective perception and the contents of consciousness can be decoded from prefrontal population activity even without reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assay sensitivity can be a limiting factor in the use of PCR as a tool for the detection of tick-borne pathogens in blood. We evaluated the performance of Tick-borne disease Capture Sequencing Assay (TBDCapSeq), a capture sequencing assay targeting tick-borne agents, to test 158 whole blood specimens obtained from the Lyme Disease Biobank. These included samples from 98 individuals with signs and symptoms of acute Lyme disease, 25 healthy individuals residing in Lyme disease endemic areas, and 35 samples collected from patients admitted to the Massachusetts General Hospital or referred to the infectious disease clinic. Compared to PCR, TBDCapSeq had better sensitivity and could identify infections with a wider range of tick-borne agents. TBDCapSeq identified a higher rate of samples positive for Borrelia burgdorferi (8 vs. 1 by PCR) and Babesia microti (26 vs. 15 by PCR). TBDCapSeq also identified previously unknown infections with Borrelia miyamotoi , Ehrlichia , and Rickettsia species. Overall, TBDCapSeq identified a pathogen in 43 samples vs. 23 using PCR, with four co-infections detected versus zero by PCR. We conclude that capture sequencing enables superior detection of tick-borne agents relative to PCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obstetricians and gynaecologists (O&Gs) are at a risk of work‐related musculoskeletal injuries (WRMI) on a daily basis. Aims: To describe the prevalence of WRMI among O&Gs in Australia and New Zealand, explore risk factors for such injuries, and evaluate their impact. Methods: An online survey of Fellows of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists was conducted in July 2016. It comprised questions on personal attributes, type of work, site and cause of WRMI, if any and treatment required. Results: We received responses from 765 O&Gs giving a response rate of 38.3% (765/1997). Four hundred and ten specialists (53.6%) reported suffering a WRMI at some point, including 252 (32.9%) who reported multiple injuries. In multivariable analysis, females had increased risk of WRMI (odds ratio (OR): 2.12; 95% CI: 1.54–2.91) and among generalists and subspecialists, gynaecological oncologists had highest risk for WRMI (OR: 3.13; 95% CI: 1.21–8.14). Commonest sites of injury were back (218/633, 34.4%) and shoulder (131/633, 20.7%). Laparoscopic surgery (117/633, 18.5%) was the commonest cause of injury. Treatment was required for 88.6% of injuries (561/633) including 8.4% (53/633) of cases which required surgery. Ongoing symptoms post‐injury were reported for 52.1% of injuries (330/633) and in 25.8% (163/633) of instances the practitioner needed to modify their scope of work. Conclusion: This survey among a large cohort of O&Gs shows a high prevalence of WRMI with a profound negative impact on the practitioner and profession. There is a pressing need to advocate for improved ergonomics in their workplaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate sensitivity has been the primary limitation for implementing high-throughput sequencing for studies of tick-borne agents. Here we describe the development of TBDCapSeq, a sequencing assay that uses hybridization capture probes that cover the complete genomes of the eleven most common tick-borne agents found in the United States. The probes are used for solution-based capture and enrichment of pathogen nucleic acid followed by high-throughput sequencing. We evaluated the performance of TBDCapSeq to surveil samples that included human whole blood, mouse tissues, and field-collected ticks. For Borrelia burgdorferi and Babesia microti, the sensitivity of TBDCapSeq was comparable and occasionally exceeded the performance of agent-specific quantitative PCR and resulted in 25 to > 10,000-fold increase in pathogen reads when compared to standard unbiased sequencing. TBDCapSeq also enabled genome analyses directly within vertebrate and tick hosts. The implementation of TBDCapSeq could have major impact in studies of tick-borne pathogens by improving detection and facilitating genomic research that was previously unachievable with standard sequencing approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to explore the feasibility of factorial design in designing a novel ethosomal carrier based on Phosphatidyl choline and ethanol for skin application of curcumin in antifungal treatment. In dermal application the curcumin has many applications such as, anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral, antitumoral, and antimicrobial activities. When taken orally curcumin suffers from various problems such as its low bioavailability and less solubility in different mediums. so our research focuses on finding an alternative approach for the better therapeutic response of curcumin. We have decided to formulate ethanol based vesicular systems like ethosome for effectual skin delivery. During the formualation various variables effects the formulation of vesicles. Therefore a 32 factorial design was utilized for selecting the variable levels and for obtaining the desired responses from the experimental trial. During optimization two factors were characterized each at three different levels (low, medium and high) and experimental runs were performed on designed nine combinations using the Design-Expert® software (Version 12.0.0, Stat-Ease Inc., Minneapolis, USA). Cold method is used for preparation of ethosomes and charterized through vesicle size analysis, percent drug entrapment efficiency and zeta potential by experimental design. After optimization formulation of ethosome was carried by using 2 % w/v Phospatidylcholine and 47.97 % Ethanol. The planned drug loaded ethosomes demonstrate a vesicle size of 148.278 nm and entrappment capability of 94.36% Experimental results suggests that the ethosomes could be an competent system for skin delivery of curcumin in the treatment of fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal infections are amongst the most commonly encountered diseases affecting the skin. Treatment approaches include both topical and oral antifungal agents. The topical route is generally preferred due to the possible side effects of oral medication. Advances in the field of formulation may soon render outdated conventional products such as creams, ointments and gels. Several carrier systems loaded with antifungal drugs have demonstrated promising results in the treatment of skin fungal infections. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of transfersomal gel formulations for transdermal delivery of amphotericin B and to evaluate the effect of lipid concentration, ethanol concentration, drug concentration and stirrer time. Characterization of transfersomes was performed by vesicle size, surface charge, entrapment efficiency and stability study. Characterization of transfersomes containing gel performed by the measurement of viscosity, pH measurements, drug content, extrudability study, spreadability and in vitro drug diffusion study. It was found that viscosity of prepared gel TG-12 was 3350cps, % assay was 99.45±0.45, extrudability was 147g and spreadibility (g.cm/sec) was found that 13.25(g.cm/sec) respectively. In vitro drug release from transfersomes gel was carried out using Franz diffusion cell method and found 92.23% in 12 hr. In first 30 min it was 23.36 % drug release which slightly high. It was due to the release of free drug present in bag after leaching from transfersomes. Drug release from transferosomal gel formulation was found in very sustained and controlled manner. The prepared gel containing amphotericin B-loaded transfersomal formulation was optimized and can be use for topical preparation for its antifungal affect. The results were obtained which showed that transfersomal gel was a promising candidate for transdermal delivery with targeted and prolonged release of a drug. It also enhances skin permeation of many drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast dissolving dosage forms are gaining popularity in recent time, as this dosage forms requires no water for administration. Oral films dissolve rapidly along with drug in mouth and majority of the drug is absorbed through buccal/oral mucosa in to systemic circulation avoiding first pass metabolism. Trazodone Hydrochloride (TRZ), an serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant. TRZ undergoes first pass metabolism on oral administration resulting in reduced bioavailability (60%). Thus the objective of the present study was to formulate and evaluate fast dissolving oral films of TRZ to overcome the limitation of bioavailability and increase patient’s compliance. In the present study oral films were prepared by solvent casting method using HPMC K15 as a film formers and PEG 400, glycerine as plasticizers and evaluated for mechanical properties, disintegration and in vitro dissolution. All formulations showed good mechanical properties and in vitro drug release. The optimized (F5) Formulation (HPMC K15, CCS and PEG 400) Exhibited drug release of 92.12% in 15 minutes which was significantly high when compared to other formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lansoprazole belongs to a class of antisecretory compounds, the substituted benzimidazoles, that do not exhibit anticholinergic or histamine H2-receptor antagonist properties, but rather suppress gastric acid secretion by specific inhibition of the (H+,K+)-ATPase enzyme system at the secretary surface of the gastric parietal cell. Because this enzyme system is regarded as the acid (proton) pump within the parietal cell, lansoprazole has been characterized as a gastric acid-pump inhibitor, in that it blocks the final step of acid production. This effect is dose-related and leads to inhibition of both basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion irrespective of the stimulus. The aim of the present study was to develop lansoprazole loaded thiolated chitosan microspheres were prepared by emulsifying method using liquid paraffin light and heavy in ratio of 50:50 as a dispersing medium and glutaraldehyde used as a cross-linking agent. The prepared microspheres were evaluated for mean particle size and particle size distribution, drug content, mucoadhesion measurement and in-vitro drug release. FT-IR spectroscopic analysis was performed to ascertain drug polymer interaction. The release profiles showed first order release behavior up to 12 hours where the highest drug release was 88.89 % of the lansoprazole loaded in the thiolated chitosan microspheres, indicating a strong crosslinking between chitosan and glutaraldehyde. From the results of the present investigation it may be concluded that drug loaded chitosan microspheres can be prepared by a simple technique which avoids the use of complex apparatus and special precautions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microemulsions (MEs) are clear, thermodynamically stable systems. They were used to solubilise drugs and to improve topical drug availability. Salicylic acid (SA) is a keratolytic agent used in topical products with antimicrobial actions. This study aimed to formulate an optimized SA micro emulsion gel for the slow, variable and incomplete oral drug absorption in patient suffering from psoriasis infection. The dispersion solubility of SA was studied in various oils, surfactants and co-surfactants and by constructing pseudo phase ternary diagram, micro emulsion area was identified. The optimized formulations of micro emulsion were subjected to thermodynamic stability tests. After stability study, stable formulation was characterized for droplet size, pH determination, centrifugation, % drug content in micro emulsion, zeta Potential and vesicle size measurement and then micro emulsion gel were prepared and characterized for spreadability, measurement of viscosity, drug content, In-vitro diffusion, in-vitro release data. Labrasol was selected as surfactant, plurol oleique as co surfactant and neem oil as oil component based on solubility study. The optimized formulation contained SA 0.05 (%w/w), labrasol (24%), plurol oleique (8 %) and neem oil (8%). The in vitro drug release from SA micro emulsion gel was found to be considerably higher in comparison to that of the pure drug. The in-vitro diffusion of micro emulsion gel was significantly good. Based on this study, it can be concluded the solubility and permeability of SA can be increased by formulating into micro emulsion gel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bats are implicated as natural reservoirs for a wide range of zoonotic viruses including SARS and MERS coronaviruses, Ebola, Marburg, Nipah, Hendra, Rabies and other lyssaviruses. Accordingly, many One Health surveillance and viral discovery programs have focused on bats. In this report we present viral metagenomic data from bats collected in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. Unbiased high throughput sequencing of fecal samples from 72 bat individuals comprising four species; lesser mouse-tailed bat (Rhinopoma hardwickii), Egyptian tomb bat (Taphozous perforatus), straw-colored fruit bat (Eidolon helvum), and Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) revealed molecular evidence of a diverse set of viral families: Picornaviridae (hepatovirus, teschovirus, parechovirus), Reoviridae (rotavirus), Polyomaviridae (polyomavirus), Papillomaviridae (papillomavirus), Astroviridae (astrovirus), Caliciviridae (sapovirus), Coronaviridae (coronavirus), Adenoviridae (adenovirus), Paramyxoviridae (paramyxovirus), and unassigned mononegavirales (chuvirus). Additionally, we discovered a bastro-like virus (Middle East Hepe-Astrovirus), with a genomic organization similar to Hepeviridae. However, since it shared homology with Hepeviridae and Astroviridae at ORF1 and in ORF2, respectively, the newly discovered Hepe-Astrovirus may represent a phylogenetic bridge between Hepeviridae and Astroviridae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correlated fluctuations of single neuron discharges, on a mesoscopic scale, decrease as a function of lateral distance in early sensory cortices, reflecting a rapid spatial decay of lateral connection probability and excitation. However, spatial periodicities in horizontal connectivity and associational input as well as an enhanced probability of lateral excitatory connections in the association cortex could theoretically result in nonmonotonic correlation structures. Here, we show such a spatially nonmonotonic correlation structure, characterized by significantly positive long-range correlations, in the inferior convexity of the macaque prefrontal cortex. This functional connectivity kernel was more pronounced during wakefulness than anesthesia and could be largely attributed to the spatial pattern of correlated variability between functionally similar neurons during structured visual stimulation. These results suggest that the spatial decay of lateral functional connectivity is not a common organizational principle of neocortical microcircuits. A nonmonotonic correlation structure could reflect a critical topological feature of prefrontal microcircuits, facilitating their role in integrative processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Sacrospinous hysteropexy is a uterine-preserving procedure for treatment of apical prolapse. We present a literature review evaluating the sacrospinous hysteropexy procedure and its current place in the surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse. Additionally, to assess the efficacy of the procedure, we performed a meta-analysis of studies comparing sacrospinous hysteropexy to vaginal hysterectomy and repair in terms of anatomical outcomes, complications, and repeat surgery. Methods: Major literature databases including MEDLINE (1946 to 2 April 2016), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2016, Issue 3), and Embase (1947 to 2 April 2016) were searched for relevant studies. We used Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager software to perform meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies and observational studies. Results: Vaginal sacrospinous hysteropexy was first performed in 1989 and is similar in technique to sacrospinous colpopexy. Two randomized controlled trials and four cohort studies ( n = 651) were included in the meta-analysis. Apical failure rates after sacrospinous hysteropexy versus vaginal hysterectomy were not significantly different, although the trend favored vaginal hysterectomy [odds ratio (OR) 2.08; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76-5.68]. Rates of repeat surgery for prolapse were not significantly different between the two groups (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.41-2.37). The most significant disadvantage of uterine-preservation prolapse surgery when compared with hysterectomy is the lack of prevention and diagnosis of uterine malignancy. Conclusion: Sacrospinous hysteropexy is a safe and effective procedure for pelvic organ prolapse and has comparable outcomes to vaginal hysterectomy with repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, there is lots of information available over the Internet but it's very difficult to filter out the required information from this overload of information. Thus a solution to this problem, came as "Recommender Systems", they can predict outcomes according to user's interests. Although Recommender Systems are very effective and useful for users but the mostly used type of Recommender System i.e. Collaborative Filtering Recommender System suffers from shilling/profile injection attacks in which fake profiles are inserted into the database in order to bias its output. This paper is aimed at discussing various attacks that can affect Recommender Systems and the attributes that are used for the detection of these attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mapputta group comprises antigenically related viruses indigenous to Australia and Papua New Guinea that are included in the family Bunyaviridae but not currently assigned to a specific genus. We determined and analyzed the genome sequences of five Australian viruses isolated from mosquitoes collected during routine arbovirus surveillance in Western Australia (K10441, SW27571, K13190, and K42904) and New South Wales (12005). Based on matching sequences of all three genome segments to prototype MRM3630 of Trubanaman virus (TRUV), NB6057 of Gan Gan virus (GGV), and MK7532 of Maprik virus (MPKV), isolates K13190 and SW27571 were identified as TRUV, 12005 as GGV, and K42904 as a Mapputta group virus from Western Australia linking GGV and MPKV. The results confirmed serum neutralization data that had linked SW27571 to TRUV. The fifth virus, K10441 from Willare, was most closely related to Batai orthobunyavirus, presumably representing an Australian variant of the virus. Phylogenetic analysis also confirmed the close relationship of our TRUV and GGV isolates to two other recently described Australian viruses, Murrumbidgee virus and Salt Ash virus, respectively. Our findings indicate that TRUV has a wide circulation throughout the Australian continent, demonstrating for the first time its presence in Western Australia. Similarly, the presence of a virus related to GGV, which had been linked to human disease and previously known only from the Australian southeast, was demonstrated in Western Australia. Finally, a Batai virus isolate was identified in Western Australia. The expanding availability of genomic sequence for novel Australian bunyavirus variants supports the identification of suitably conserved or diverse primer-binding target regions to establish group-wide as well as virus-specific nucleic acid tests in support of specific diagnostic and surveillance efforts throughout Australasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of electrophysiological recordings with ambiguous visual stimulation made possible the detection of neurons that represent the content of subjective visual perception and perceptual suppression in multiple cortical and subcortical brain regions. These neuronal populations, commonly referred to as the neural correlates of consciousness, are more likely to be found in the temporal and prefrontal cortices as well as the pulvinar, indicating that the content of perceptual awareness is represented with higher fidelity in higher-order association areas of the cortical and thalamic hierarchy, reflecting the outcome of competitive interactions between conflicting sensory information resolved in earlier stages. However, despite the significant insights into conscious perception gained through monitoring the activities of single neurons and small, local populations, the immense functional complexity of the brain arising from correlations in the activity of its constituent parts suggests that local, microscopic activity could only partially reveal the mechanisms involved in perceptual awareness. Rather, the dynamics of functional connectivity patterns on a mesoscopic and macroscopic level could be critical for conscious perception. Understanding these emergent spatio-temporal patterns could be informative not only for the stability of subjective perception but also for spontaneous perceptual transitions suggested to depend either on the dynamics of antagonistic ensembles or on global intrinsic activity fluctuations that may act upon explicit neural representations of sensory stimuli and induce perceptual reorganization. Here, we review the most recent results from local activity recordings and discuss the potential role of effective, correlated interactions during perceptual awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A partial purification and biochemical characterization of the α-amylase from Streptomyces sp. MSC702 were carried out in this study. The optimum operational conditions for enzyme substrate reaction for amylolytic enzyme activity from the strain were evaluated. The optimum pH, temperature, and incubation period for assaying the enzyme were observed to be 5.0, 55°C, and 30 min, respectively. The extracellular extract was concentrated using ammoniumsulfate precipitation. It was stable in the presence of metal ions (5mM) such as K+, Co2+, and Mo2+, whereas Pb2+, Mn2+, Mg2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Ba2+, Ca2+, Hg2+, Sn2+, Cr3+, Al3+, Ag+, and Fe2+ were found to have inhibitory effects. The enzyme activity was also unstable in the presence of 1% Triton X-100, 1% Tween 80, 5mM sodium lauryl sulphate, 1% glycerol, 5mM EDTA, and 5mM denaturant urea. At temperature 60°C and pH 5.0, the enzyme stability wasmaximum. α-amylase retained 100% and 34.18% stability for 1 h and 4 h, respectively, at 60°C (pH 7.0). The enzyme exhibited a half-life of 195 min at 60°C temperature. The analysis of kinetic showed that the enzyme has Km of 2.4mg/mL and Vmax of 21853.0 µmol/min/mg for soluble potato starch. The results indicate that the enzyme reflects their potentiality towards industrial utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The source of human infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus remains unknown. Molecular investigation indicated that bats in Saudi Arabia are infected with several alphacoronaviruses and betacoronaviruses. Virus from 1 bat showed 100% nucleotide identity to virus from the human index case-patient. Bats might play a role in human infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The source of human infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus remains unknown. Molecular investigation indicated that bats in Saudi Arabia are infected with several alphacoronaviruses and betacoronaviruses. Virus from 1 bat showed 100% nucleotide identity to virus from the human index case-patient. Bats might play a role in human infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neural correlates of conscious visual perception are commonly studied in paradigms of perceptual multistability that allow multiple perceptual interpretations during unchanged sensory stimulation. What is the source of this multistability in the content of perception? From a theoretical perspective, a fine balance between deterministic and stochastic forces has been suggested to underlie the spontaneous, intrinsically driven perceptual transitions observed during multistable perception. Deterministic forces are represented by adaptation of feature-selective neuronal populations encoding the competing percepts while stochastic forces are modeled as noise-driven processes. Here, we used a unified neuronal competition model to study the dynamics of adaptation and noise processes in binocular flash suppression (BFS), a form of externally induced perceptual suppression, and compare it with the dynamics of intrinsically driven alternations in binocular rivalry (BR). For the first time, we use electrophysiological, biologically relevant data to constrain a model of perceptual rivalry. Specifically, we show that the mean population discharge pattern of a perceptually modulated neuronal population detected in electrophysiological recordings in the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) during BFS, constrains the dynamical range of externally induced perceptual transitions to a region around the bifurcation separating a noise-driven attractor regime from an adaptation-driven oscillatory regime. Most interestingly, the dynamical range of intrinsically driven perceptual transitions during BR is located in the noise-driven attractor regime, where it overlaps with BFS. Our results suggest that the neurodynamical mechanisms of externally induced and spontaneously generated perceptual alternations overlap in a narrow, noise-driven region just before a bifurcation where the system becomes adaptation-driven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of growth conditions and medium composition on the thermostable, Ca-independent, maltose producing α-amylase production in submerged fermentation (SmF) by Streptomyces sp. MSC702-a strain newly isolated from mushroom compost. Production of α-amylase enzyme by a Streptomyces strain was detected on semi-synthetic media containing rice bran and wheat bran in a 1:2 ratio as the sole carbon source. The effect on α-amylase production of different medium ingredients and additives, such as NaCl, additional carbon sources, nitrogen sources, metal salts, nucleotides, phytohormones, surfactants and other chemicals, was examined. NaCl played no notable role in the biosynthesis of α-amylase, with the strain being able to grow at 14% (w/v) NaCl with ~76% α-amylase activity. Among the different cations tested, Hg showed no inhibitory effect on α-amylase production. The best combination of physical parameters for the maximum production of α-amylase was a temperature of 50°C, pH 7.0 and an incubation period of 48 h. The best combination of chemical parameters with rice bran 1.0% (w/v) and wheat bran 2.0% (w/v) was dipotassium hydrogen phosphate 0.1% (w/v), magnesium sulfate 0.1% (w/v) with d-inositol (as additional carbon source) 1.0% (w/v), peptone (as nitrogen source) 0.1% (w/v), manganese sulphate (as additional metal ion) 0.05% (w/v) and Tween-80 (as surfactant) 1.0% (v/v). With the application of these culture conditions, α-amylase production increased by ~1.42 fold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How the brain maintains perceptual continuity across eye movements that yield discontinuous snapshots of the world is still poorly understood. In this study, we adapted a framework from the dual-task paradigm, well suited to reveal bottlenecks in mental processing, to study how information is processed across sequential saccades. The pattern of RTs allowed us to distinguish among three forms of trans-saccadic processing (no trans-saccadic processing, trans-saccadic visual processing and trans-saccadic visual processing and saccade planning models). Using a cued double-step saccade task, we show that even though saccade execution is a processing bottleneck, limiting access to incoming visual information, partial visual and motor processing that occur prior to saccade execution is used to guide the next eye movement. These results provide insights into how the oculomotor system is designed to process information across multiple fixations that occur during natural scanning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We performed a longitudinal study of viral etiology in samples collected in New York City during May 2009 to May 2010 from outpatients with fever or respiratory disease symptoms in the context of a pilot respiratory virus surveillance system. Methods: Samples were assessed for the presence of 13 viruses, including influenza A virus, by MassTag PCR. Results: At least one virus was detected in 52% of 940 samples analyzed, with 3% showing co-infections. The most frequently detected agents were rhinoviruses and influenza A, all representing the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain. The incidence of influenza H1N1-positive samples was highest in late spring 2009, followed by a decline in summer and early fall, when rhinovirus infections became predominant before H1N1 reemerged in winter. Our study also identified a focal outbreak of enterovirus 68 in the early fall of 2009. Conclusion: MassTag multiplex PCR affords opportunities to track the epidemiology of infectious diseases and may guide clinicians and public health practitioners in influenza-like illness and outbreak management. Nonetheless, a substantial proportion of influenza-like illness remains unexplained underscoring the need for additional platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Initial reports in May 2009 of the novel influenza strain H1N1pdm estimated a case fatality rate (CFR) of 0.6%, similar to that of seasonal influenza. In July 2009, however, Argentina reported 3056 cases with 137 deaths, representing a CFR of 4.5%. Potential explanations for increased CFR included virus reassortment or genetic drift, or infection of a more vulnerable population. Virus genomic sequencing of 26 Argentinian samples representing both severe and mild disease indicated no evidence of reassortment, mutations associated with resistance to antiviral drugs, or genetic drift that might contribute to virulence. Furthermore, no evidence was found for increased frequency of risk factors for H1N1pdm disease. Methods/Principal Findings: We examined nasopharyngeal swab samples (NPS) from 199 cases of H1N1pdm infection from Argentina with MassTag PCR, testing for 33 additional microbial agents. The study population consisted of 199 H1N1pdm-infected subjects sampled between 23 June and 4 July 2009. Thirty-nine had severe disease defined as death (n = 20) or hospitalization (n = 19); 160 had mild disease. At least one additional agent of potential pathogenic importance was identified in 152 samples (76%), including Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 62); Haemophilus influenzae (n = 104); human respiratory syncytial virus A (n = 11) and B (n = 1); human rhinovirus A (n = 1) and B (n = 4); human coronaviruses 229E (n = 1) and OC43 (n = 2); Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 2); Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 2); Serratia marcescens (n = 1); and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 35) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA, n = 6). The presence of S. pneumoniae was strongly correlated with severe disease. S. pneumoniae was present in 56.4% of severe cases versus 25% of mild cases; more than one-third of H1N1pdm NPS with S. pneumoniae were from subjects with severe disease (22 of 62 S. pneumoniaepositive NPS, p = 0.0004). In subjects 6 to 55 years of age, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of severe disease in the presence of S. pneumoniae was 125.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.95, 928.72; p<0.0001). Conclusions/Significance: The association of S. pneumoniae with morbidity and mortality is established in the current and previous influenza pandemics. However, this study is the first to demonstrate the prognostic significance of non-invasive antemortem diagnosis of S. pneumoniae infection and may provide insights into clinical management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global surveillance for a novel rhinovirus genotype indicated its association with community outbreaks and pediatric respiratory disease in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. Molecular dating indicates that these viruses have been circulating for at least 250 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute respiratory infection is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. Accurate identification of causative agents is critical to case management and to prioritization in vaccine development. Sensitive multiplex diagnostics provide us with an opportunity to investigate the relative contributions of individual agents and may also facilitate the discovery of new pathogens. Recently, application of MassTag polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to undiagnosed infuenza-like illness in New York State led to the discovery of a novel rhinovirus genotype. Here we report the investigation, by MassTag PCR, of pediatric respiratory-tract infections in Germany, studying 97 cases for which no pathogen was identified through routine laboratory evaluation. Respiratory viruses were identified in 49 cases (51%); of the 55 identified viruses, 41 (75%) were rhinoviruses. The novelgenotype represented 73% of rhinoviruses and 55% of all identified viruses. Infections with the novel genotype were associated with upper-respiratory-tract symptoms but, more frequently, with bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In New York State during winter 2004, there was a high incidence of influenza-like illness that tested negative both for influenza virus, by molecular methods, and for other respiratory viruses, by virus culture. Concern that a novel pathogen might be implicated led us to implement a new multiplex diagnostic tool. MassTag polymerase chain reaction resolved 26 of 79 previously negative samples, revealing the presence of rhinoviruses in a large proportion of samples, half of which belonged to a previously uncharacterized genetic clade. In some instances, knowledge of the detected viral and/or bacterial (co)infection could have altered clinical management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viral hemorrhagic fevers are associated with high rates of illness and death. Although therapeutic options are limited, early differential diagnosis has implications for containment and may aid in clinical management. We describe a diagnostic system for rapid, multiplex polymerase chain reaction identification of 10 different causes of viral hemorrhagic fevers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: As the HIV infection spreads in India, increasing number of children are affected. We report the clinical manifestations, the laboratory parameters and follow up of these children.Methods: We reviewed case records of all children diagnosed as pediatric HIV infection since 1995 in our department at a tertiary care hospital in north India. Since September 1999, all children with HIV infection registered in our clinic were prospectively followed up. Complete clinical and laboratory evaluation was performed at baseline and thereafter children were followed up. The children were managed according to standard treatment guidelines.Results: 109 children (82 boys, 27 girls) were diagnosed to have HIV infection. The median (range) age at presentation was 48 months (range: 0.75 months-180 months). Eighty one (74.3%) children acquired the infection vertically. Ninety-one (83.5%) children were symptomatic at time of presentation. The common symptoms in the former were failure to thrive (81.3%), recurrent fever (73.6%), diarrhea (50.5%) and recurrent or persistent pneumonia (44%). All children had poor nutritional status at baseline. Of the 67 children who followed up, 36 were receiving antiretroviral drugs (32 received 3 drugs), while families of 31 children did not opt for antiretroviral therapy. Children receiving antiretroviral therapy showed improvement in nutritional parameters.Conclusion: Majority of children with HIV infection presented with various clinical manifestations, poor nutritional status and immunosuppression. Administration of nevirapine based antiretroviral therapy leads to improvement in growth and immune restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: As the HIV infection spreads in India, increasing number of children are affected. We report the clinical manifestations, the laboratory parameters and follow up of these children. Methods: We reviewed case records of all children diagnosed as pediatric HIV infection since 1995 in our department at a tertiary care hospital in north India. Since, September 1999, all children with HIV infection registered in our clinic were prospectively followed up. Complete clinical and laboratory evaluation was performed at baseline and thereafter children were followed up. The children were managed according to standard treatment guidelines. Results: 109 children (82 boys, 27 girls) were diagnosed to have HIV infection. The median (range) age at presentation was 48 months (range: 0.75 months—180 months). Eighty one (74.3%) children acquired the infection vertically, Ninety-one (83.5%) children were symptomatic at time of presentation. The common symptoms in the former were failure to thrive (81.3%), recurrent fever (73.6%), diarrhea (50.5%) and recurrent or persistent pneumonia (44%). All children had poor nutritional status at baseline. Of the 67 children who followed up, 36 were receiving antiretroviral drugs (32 received 3 drugs), while families of 31 children did not opt for antiretroviral therapy. Children receiving antiretroviral therapy showed improvement in nutritional parameters. Conclusion: Majority of children with HIV infection presented with various clinical manifestations, poor nutritional status and immunosuppression. Administration of nevirapine based antiretroviral therapy leads to improvement in growth and immune restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naturally emerging and deliberately released pathogens demand new detection strategies to allow early recognition and containment. We describe a diagnostic system for rapid, sensitive, multiplex discrimination of microbial gene sequences and report its application for detecting 22 respiratory pathogens in clinical samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shock is a syndrome arising from any of several initiating causes, resulting in inadequate tissue perfusion. Untreated shock due to any cause can lead to irreversible cellular damage. Early diagnosis and intervention are, therefore, key to improved outcomes. In children, hypotension is not a sensitive marker for diagnosing peripheral circulatory failure. A detailed evaluation to assess perfusion particularly estimating capillary refill time and end organ perfusion is required. Septic shock is a complex condition with varying contribution of hypovolemia, cardiac dysfunction and distributive shock. Aggressive fluid therapy in the early stages is essential to recovery. Understanding the pathophysiology will help in judicious use of vasoactive drugs. Newer modalities of treatment for severe sepsis and septic shock still need evaluation in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 33 week preterm male baby born to a 39-year-old woman with a history of myotonic dystrophy. The pregnancy was complicated with polyhydramnios and decreased fetal movement. The baby was born presenting features of congenital myotonic dystrophy (CMD) including hypotonia, myotonic facies, and high arched palate. X-ray revealed elevation of the right hemidiaphragm consistent with congenital diaphragmatic eventration.

Staphylococcus aureus can cause a spectrum of exfoliative skin conditions including staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) which can present as a severe and life threatening illness in extremely premature neonates. We describe a case of an extremely premature neonate with SSSS and discuss relevant pathology and issues in clinical management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the rising problem of tongue-tie problem in the Australian children. frenotomyin

The role of lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) in mediating conscious perception has been recently questioned due to potential confounds resulting from the parallel operation of task related processes. We have previously demonstrated encoding of contents of visual consciousness in LPFC neurons during a no-report task involving perceptual suppression. Here, we report a separate LPFC population that exhibits task-phase related activity during the same task. The activity profile of these neurons could be captured as canonical response patterns (CRPs), with their peak amplitudes sequentially distributed across different task phases. Perceptually suppressed visual input had a negligible impact on sequential firing and functional connectivity structure. Importantly, task-phase related neurons were functionally segregated from the neuronal population, which encoded conscious perception. These results suggest that neurons exhibiting task-phase related activity operate in the LPFC concurrently with, but segregated from neurons representing conscious content during a no-report task involving perceptual suppression. Vishal Kapoor et al. identify a population of cells in the lateral prefrontal cortex that exhibits task phase-related activity during a no-report task. This cell population is functionally segregated from the population encoding conscious perception, although the two operate in parallel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]