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Background: Honey bees are the principal commercial pollinators. Along with other arthropods, they are increasingly under threat from anthropogenic factors such as the incursion of invasive honey bee subspecies, pathogens and parasites. Better tools are needed to identify bee subspecies. Genomic data for economic and ecologically important organisms is increasing, but in its basic form its practical application to address ecological problems is limited., Results: We introduce HBeeID a means to identify honey bees. The tool utilizes a knowledge-based network and diagnostic SNPs identified by discriminant analysis of principle components and hierarchical agglomerative clustering. Tests of HBeeID showed that it identifies African, Americas-Africanized, Asian, and European honey bees with a high degree of certainty even when samples lack the full 272 SNPs of HBeeID. Its prediction capacity decreases with highly admixed samples., Conclusion: HBeeID is a high-resolution genomic, SNP based tool, that can be used to identify honey bees and screen species that are invasive. Its flexible design allows for future improvements via sample data additions from other localities., (© 2024. This is a U.S. Government work and not under copyright protection in the US; foreign copyright protection may apply.)

(1) Background: There is a dearth of data on the levels and determinants of testing for drug-related infectious diseases among people who use drugs (PWUD). We assessed the proportions and determinants of testing for drug-related infectious diseases to inform ongoing interventions for PWUD. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 599 PWUD was conducted in Dar es Salaam and Tanga between January and February 2019. Data were collected through a researcher-administered questionnaire using handheld tablets. Logistic regression models were used to identify independent testing determinants for drug-related infectious diseases. (3) Results: A majority (98.0%) of participants were males, with a mean age of 36.8 (SD = 7.8) years. 75.0%, 40.6%, 38.6%, and 8.2% reported having ever tested for HIV, tuberculosis (TB), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and viral hepatitis, respectively. The likelihood of HIV testing was higher among those living with someone (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.09-4.68) compared with those who were homeless and perceived treatment was appropriate (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.05-4.46), but was lower among those who experienced mild to moderate (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.21-0.95) and severe internalized stigma (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.22-0.94) compared with those reporting no internalized stigma, and among those who experienced financial difficulties resulting from spending on health care services (AOR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.40-0.89). Perception of treatment appropriateness (AOR = 2.29, 96% CI: 1.10-5.06) and severe enacted stigma (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.06-3.42) were associated with increased odds of TB testing. The odds of STIs testing increased among those who were married (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.45-3.72) compared with those who were single and those who had experienced mild (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.28-4.53) or severe (AOR = 6.20, 95% CI: 1.99-23.83) sexual violence, compared with those who had not experienced sexual violence. However, the odds decreased among those who had been remanded in the past month (AOR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43-0.95) compared with those who were not remanded and among those who had financial difficulties resulting from spending on health care services (AOR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.47-0.94). The likelihood of testing for viral hepatitis testing increased among those who had heard about the comprehensive HIV intervention package (CHIP) (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.40-4.94); however, it decreased among those who had financial difficulties resulting from spending on health care services (AOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.24-0.92). (4) Conclusions: Except for HIV, PWUD had undergone limited testing for drug-related infectious diseases. The study findings highlight some factors influencing testing for the selected infectious diseases investigated, which should be targeted for tailored interventions to improve diagnosis and treatment.

Specialist dance floors have been promoted to reduce impact forces and reduce lower limb injury for dancers. 18 trained female dancers carried out 70 continuous ballet jumps on 4 different surfaces wearing an XSENS suit. Three specialist dance floors, Floor A (64% force reduction), Floor B (67% force reduction), Floor C (no data) were compared to Floor D (vinyl-covered concrete - control). Dependent variables for each analysed jump (2,3,4, and 67,68,69) were ankle, knee, hip range of movement (ROM); lower and upper leg angular velocities and pelvis vertical acceleration. No main effects were reported for dance floor, first and last jump series. Comparison of the floors against Floor D reported a main effect for the dance floors (p=0.001), first and last jump series (p=0.001). Between-subject effects noted that ankle ROM was significantly greater for trials on floor A (p=0.007) compared to floor D. ROM data significantly decreased between the first and last jump series whilst vertical pelvis accelerations increased except for floor A. Within the current study, a foam backed vinyl floor (C) provided better shock absorption than floors with higher deformation characteristics (A and B) and none of the specialist dance floors performed better than vinyl covered concrete (D)., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

People who use illicit drugs (PWUDs) have been identified as a key at-risk group for tuberculosis (TB). Examination of illicit drug use networks has potential to assess the risk of TB exposure and disease progression. Research also is needed to assess mechanisms for accelerated TB transmission in this population. This study aims to 1) assess the rate of TB exposure, risk of disease progression, and disease burden among PWUD; 2) estimate the proportion of active TB cases resulting from recent transmission within this network; and 3) evaluate whether PWUD with TB disease have physiologic characteristics associated with more efficient TB transmission. Our cross-sectional, observational study aims to assess TB transmission through illicit drug use networks, focusing on methamphetamine and Mandrax (methaqualone) use, in a high TB burden setting and identify mechanisms underlying accelerated transmission. We will recruit and enroll 750 PWUD (living with and without HIV) through respondent driven sampling in Worcester, South Africa. Drug use will be measured through self-report and biological measures, with sputum specimens collected to identify TB disease by Xpert Ultra (Cepheid) and mycobacterial culture. We will co-enroll those with microbiologic evidence of TB disease in Aim 2 for molecular and social network study. Whole genome sequencing of Mycobacteria tuberculosis (Mtb) specimens and social contact surveys will be done for those diagnosed with TB. For Aim 3, aerosolized Mtb will be compared in individuals with newly diagnosed TB who do and do not smoke illicit drug. Knowledge from this study will provide the basis for a strategy to interrupt TB transmission in PWUD and provide insight into how this fuels overall community transmission. Results have potential for informing interventions to reduce TB spread applicable to high TB and HIV burden settings. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov Registration Number: NCT041515602. Date of Registration: 5 November 2019., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Background: Invasive Africanized honey bees potentially compete with cavity-nesting birds in South America. However, the impacts of this competition and its conservation consequences to threatened species are poorly known. We quantified the presence of these bees and assessed their competition for cliff cavities used by nesting Lear's macaws Anodorhynchus leari, a globally endangered parrot endemic to the Caatinga biome of Brazil. We treated beehives with permethrin by shooting them with a crossbow bolt that distributed the compound upon impact. When feasible, we removed the comb and applied an insecticide (fipronil) to deter bee recolonization. We subsequently surveyed the macaw breeding population to verify whether our treatment allowed for nest recruitment in cavities previously occupied by bees., Results: We recorded > 100 beehives in the nesting cliffs. Hives outnumbered macaw nests tenfold in two areas recently recolonized by macaws. Cavities occupied by bees were significantly higher than those occupied by macaws, suggesting that macaws may be forced to breed in lower cavities. None of the untreated cavities (n = 50) were occupied by nesting macaws, whereas 15% of treated cavities (n = 52) were occupied within 2 years post treatment. Treated cavities occupied by macaws were significantly higher than those not occupied. Hive management increased macaw breeding population by 71% of the macaw breeding population increase., Conclusion: Experimental hive treatments were effective in restoring nesting resources lost due to bee infestation. An intensive and continued eradication program is recommended to enhance macaw habitat restoration, facilitating its expansion into historical areas. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Introduction: There are numerous challenges in delivering appropriate treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and the evidence base to guide those practices remains limited. We present the third updated Research Agenda for the programmatic management of drug-resistant TB (PMDT), assembled through a literature review and survey., Methods: Publications citing the 2008 research agenda and normative documents were reviewed for evidence gaps. Gaps were formulated into questions and grouped as in the 2008 research agenda: Laboratory Support, Treatment Strategy, Programmatically Relevant Research, Epidemiology, and Management of Contacts. A survey was distributed through snowball sampling to identify research priorities. Respondent priority rankings were scored and summarized by mean. Sensitivity analyses explored weighting and handling of missing rankings., Results: Thirty normative documents and publications were reviewed for stated research needs; these were collapsed into 56 research questions across 5 categories. Of more than 500 survey recipients, 133 ranked priorities within at least one category. Priorities within categories included new diagnostics and their effect on improving treatment outcomes, improved diagnosis of paucibacillary and extra pulmonary TB, and development of shorter, effective regimens. Interruption of nosocomial transmission and treatment for latent TB infection in contacts of known MDR-TB patients were also top priorities in their respective categories. Results were internally consistent and robust., Discussion: Priorities retained from the 2008 research agenda include shorter MDR-TB regimens and averting transmission. Limitations of recent advances were implied in the continued quest for: shorter regimens containing new drugs, rapid diagnostics that improve treatment outcomes, and improved methods of estimating burden without representative data., Conclusion: There is continuity around the priorities for research in PMDT. Coordinated efforts to address questions regarding shorter treatment regimens, knowledge of disease burden without representative data, and treatment for LTBI in contacts of known DR-TB patients are essential to stem the epidemic of TB, including DR-TB.

The emergence of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a challenge to global tuberculosis (TB) control. Although culture-based methods have been regarded as the gold standard for drug susceptibility testing (DST), molecular methods provide rapid information on mutations in the M. tuberculosis genome associated with resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs. We ascertained consensus on the use of the results of molecular DST for clinical treatment decisions in TB patients. This document has been developed by TBNET and RESIST-TB groups to reach a consensus about reporting standards in the clinical use of molecular DST results. Review of the available literature and the search for evidence included hand-searching journals and searching electronic databases. The panel identified single nucleotide mutations in genomic regions of M. tuberculosis coding for katG, inhA, rpoB, embB, rrs, rpsL and gyrA that are likely related to drug resistance in vivo. Identification of any of these mutations in clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis has implications for the management of TB patients, pending the results of in vitro DST. However, false-positive and false-negative results in detecting resistance-associated mutations in drugs for which there is poor or unproven correlation between phenotypic and clinical drug resistance complicate the interpretation. Reports of molecular DST results should therefore include specific information on the mutations identified and provide guidance for clinicians on interpretation and on the choice of the appropriate initial drug regimen.

Background: Maternal CD4 count predicts child mortality in HIV-uninfected children born to HIV-infected women., Methods: To explore the mediating role of breastfeeding cessation in this relationship, we compared marginal structural models of maternal CD4 count on child death with and without adjustment for breastfeeding., Results: In crude analyses, children of mothers with CD4<200 during pregnancy were 3.2 times more likely to die by 18 months (CI 1.3-8.1) as children whose mothers had CD4>500. Earlier breastfeeding cessation was also associated with low CD4 (HR 1.8; CI 1.2-2.7). After adjusting for breastfeeding and low birth weight using a marginal structural model, the low CD4 count-child mortality association through 18 months was reduced 17%. The change was overestimated using a traditional Cox proportional hazards model (35% reduction in HR from 3.4 to 2.5)., Conclusions: Our analysis suggests that only a small part of the effect of low vs high CD4 count on child mortality through 18 months is mediated through breastfeeding cessation. Our results must be taken into account when deciding whether or not to recommend breastfeeding for infants of HIV-infected mothers.

Objectives: In developing countries, where mother-to-child transmission of HIV through breast-feeding is common, little is known about the impact of postpartum transmission on child survival. This study assessed whether children infected postpartum have longer survival from time of infection versus those infected during gestation or delivery., Design: We used a prospective cohort study to analyze data from 213 HIV-infected children enrolled in a breast-feeding intervention trial in Lusaka, Zambia (2001 to 2004)., Methods: We compared mortality 1 year after HIV infection in children stratified by age of infection: 0 to 3 days (intrauterine [IU] group), 4 to 40 days (intrapartum/early postpartum [IP/EPP] group), and >40 days (postpartum [PP] group)., Results: A total of 61, 71, and 81 children were infected in the IU, IP/EPP, and PP groups, respectively. Children with intrauterine or intrapartum/early postpartum transmission had higher mortality over the first 12 months after infection than children with postpartum transmission (P = 0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively); no differences were detected between children with intrauterine and intrapartum/early postpartum transmission. Nearly 20% of the IU and IP/EPP groups died by 100 days after infection, whereas nearly 10% of the PP group had died by this time. After adjusting for birth weight, maternal CD4 cell count, breast-feeding, and maternal death, children infected postpartum had one quarter the mortality rate (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15 to 0.50) of those infected in utero. Stopping breast-feeding increased mortality in infected children (HR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.8 to 5.3)., Conclusions: This study demonstrates a survival benefit among children infected postpartum versus children infected during pregnancy or delivery and a benefit to increased breast-feeding duration among infected children. Testing children for HIV early may provide a means to allow for earlier intervention.

Persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection are at increased risk for progression to cirrhosis compared with persons with HCV alone, but the reasons for this are unclear. In chronic HCV, the mechanism of liver injury is presumed to be due to HCV-specific T cell destruction of hepatocytes, so it is paradoxical that immunosuppressed hosts have higher rates of fibrosis progression. We examined intrahepatic cellular immune responses to HCV antigens to determine whether there were qualitative or quantitative differences in subjects with and without HIV. Expanded, CD4-enriched, liver-infiltrating lymphocytes from 18 subjects with chronic HCV and 12 subjects with HIV/HCV were cultured in the presence of HCV core protein, nonstructural proteins NS3 and NS5, and recall antigens tetanus toxoid and Candida. Secretion of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin (IL) 10 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay. There were no significant differences in liver biopsy grade or stage for HIV/HCV versus HCV groups. There were no significant differences between groups in the secretion of IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha in response to HCV or recall antigens. However, there was a significant increase in IL-10 secretion in response to NS3 and NS5 in subjects with HCV compared with HIV and HCV coinfection. In conclusion, subjects with coinfection have an alteration of intrahepatic HCV-specific IL-10 cytokine response that may have implications for HCV-related disease progression.

Objectives: To determine the anti-ischaemic effects of a new angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, benazepril, compared with nifedipine, alone and in combination, in chronic stable angina caused by coronary artery disease., Design: Placebo controlled, double blind, latin square design., Setting: Regional cardiology service for a mixed urban and rural population., Subjects: 40 patients with stable exertional angina producing at least 1 mm ST segment depression on exercise test with the Bruce protocol. 34 patients completed all four phases of the trial., Interventions: Each patient was treated with placebo, benazepril (10 mg twice daily), nifedipine retard (20 mg twice daily), and a combination of benazepril and nifedipine in the same doses, in random order for periods of two weeks., Main Outcome Measures and Results: Total duration of exercise was not increased by any treatment. Exercise time to the development of 1 mm ST segment depression was not significantly changed with benazepril alone or in combination with nifedipine but was increased with nifedipine from 4.18 (1.8) min to 4.99 (1.6) min (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.28 to 1.34; p < 0.05). There was a significant relation between increase in duration of exercise and resting renin concentration (r = 0.498; p < 0.01). Myocardial ischaemia during daily activity, as assessed by ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring, was reduced by benazepril and by the benazepril and nifedipine combination. This was significant for total ischaemic burden (451(628) min v 231(408) min; 95% CI -398 to -41 min; p < 0.05) and maximal depth of ST segment depression (-2.47(1.2) mm v -2.16 mm; 95% CI 0.04 to 0.57; p < 0.05) for the combination and for maximal ST segment depth for benazepril monotherapy (-2.47 (1.2) mm v -1.96(1.2) mm; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.91; p < 0.05). Benazepril significantly altered the circadian rhythm of cardiac ischaemia, abolishing the peak ischaemic periods at 0700 to 1200 and 1700 to 2300 (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Benazepril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, had a modest anti-ischaemic effect in effort angina, but this effect was not as pronounced as with nifedipine. The anti-ischaemic action was more noticeable in asymptomatic ischaemia during daily activity, whereas nifedipine had little effect on this aspect of myocardial ischaemia. The combination of benazepril and nifedipine reduced ischaemia of daily activity.

The validity of the urinary urea nitrogen (UUN) estimate of total urinary nitrogen (TUN) was tested in patients who required iv nutrition. UUN and TUN were determined in 120 urine collections from ten preoperative, 13 postoperative, and 11 stressed patients. The relationship between TUN and UUN was examined by linear regression, and analysis of covariance was used on log-transformed data to assess differences between the patient groups. Although there was a close relationship between UUN and TUN for the preoperative patients (r2 = .94, total range of differences = 3.85 g N), this was not as accurate in postoperative and stressed patients (r2 = .69 and .76, respectively, total range of differences = 16.8 and 10.7 g N, respectively). There was no significant difference between the slopes of the regression lines for the relationship between UUN and TUN for three groups (f = 1.1, df = 2114, p less than .3), but the intercepts of the regression lines differed between the preoperative and stressed patient groups (t = 3.47, v = 114, p less than .001). The relationship between TUN and UUN for the whole group was improved by the inclusion of the independent variables of both the patient's clinical state and the urinary creatinine excretion. Arm muscle circumference, which is an estimate of muscle mass, may replace creatinine excretion with little loss in prediction accuracy.

Auckland general practitioners were surveyed to assess their use of computers. Forty-eight practitioners (9.6%) had computers which were primarily used for practice administration. The main benefit offered by the computer was an improvement in quality of work rather than a reduction in quantity. Areas of dissatisfaction revealed by the survey included cost, limited flexibility, and the consequences of computer failure. Although most respondents suggested improvements in specific areas, many felt that the age of computerised general practice had arrived.

The ability of nomifensine to protect the dopaminergic cells of the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental areas against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced destruction was evaluated. Nomifensine at high doses (20 mg/kg, i.p.) protected the cells from the effects of low amounts of 6-hydroxydopamine (2 micrograms) injected intracerebrally. This protective effect was markedly decreased with an increased amount of 6-hydroxydopamine (8 micrograms), or by lower doses of nomifensine (6.7 mg/kg). These doses of nomifensine are higher than those required to protect dopaminergic nerve terminals.

Two experimental paradigms were adopted to compare effects of scopolamine and its quaternary derivative, methylscopolamine, on the behaviour of albino rats in an exploration box comprising novel and familiar halves. Subjects tested with the first paradigm were exposed to one of the halves, injected and then observed 20 min later. Although both drugs reduced preferences for the previously inaccessible novel half, only scopolamine decreased rearing and increased ambulation. With the second paradigm, behaviour was assessed without any current drug influence. On the 2 days prior to testing the rats had been exposed to one half of the apparatus while drugged. Prior treatment with both scopolamine and methylscopolamine reduced novelty preference to the extent that the familiar half of the apparatus was preferred. Both drugs also reduced rearing (for females only) and ambulation. It was concluded that the results with both paradigms provided some support for the view that reductions in novelty preference by anticholinergic drugs arise from their aversive peripheral actions.

Thirty-six male albino rats were injected with either saline or 0.6 mg/kg scopolamine and placed on a metal grid. The grid was wired to a transistor-biased detector which determined, every second, whether the subject's resistance was above or below a preset threshold value. Over test sessions of five minutes, drug subject's resistances were above each of the three threshold values used (5, 10, 15 megohms) for significantly longer than those of control subjects. Scopolamine treated rats would therefore receive lower shock levels than control subjects in a shock experiment.

Antibodies to dopamine beta-hydroxylase (anti-D beta H) were taken up by noradrenergic nerve terminals in the iris following attachment to D beta H, and were transported back to, and accumulated in, the superior cervical ganglion (SCG). Concurrent, or prior destruction of noradrenergic terminals with 6-hydroxydopamine, injected intraocularly, blocked the retrograde transport of anti-D beta H. However, recovery was rapid, reaching 50% of control values within 1 day. Such transport was characterized by a shorter time period before accumulation could be detected in the SCG and by a slower rate of accumulation. These results suggest that noradrenergic neurons recover their ability to turn over synaptic vesicles by exocytosis and transport these back to the ganglion early during the period of axonal regeneration when the axonal length is shorter than normal. The uptake and transport of anti-D beta H was regulated by alpha-adrenergic agents administered locally in the vicinity of noradrenergic nerve terminals. Thus intraocular injection of phentolamine resulted in an increased accumulation of anti-D beta H in the SCG, while amphetamine and the postsynaptic alpha-receptor antagonist, phenylephrine, decreased accumulation. Clonidine and desipramine, which have a predominant presynaptic action, failed to influence the transport of anti-D beta H. These results suggest that in vivo the uptake of anti-D beta H can be increased more by local postsynaptic reflex actions than by a mechanism depending on the inhibition of presynaptic alpha-receptors.