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Spilarctia obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) is a polyphagous insect pest damaging pulses, oil seeds, cereals, vegetables and medicinal and aromatic plants in India. The pest also infests turmeric and ginger sporadically in Kerala. We observed an epizootic caused by a nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) in field populations of the insects in December 2013. The NPV was purified and characterized. The isolate was tetrahedral in shape and belonged to multicapsid NPV. The REN profile of the SpobNPV genome with Pst I, Xho I and HindIII enzymes showed a genome size of 99.1±3.9 kbp. Partialpolh, lef-8 and lef-9 gene sequences of the isolate showed a close relationship with HycuNPV and SpphNPV. Phylogram and K-2-P distances between similar isolates suggested inclusion of the present SpobNPV isolate to group I NPV. The biological activity of the isolate was tested under laboratory conditions against third instar larvae of S. obliqua and the LC50 was 4.37×10(3)OBs/ml occlusion bodies (OBs) per ml. The median survival time (ST50) was 181 h at a dose of 1×10(6)OBs/ml and 167 h at a dose of 1×10(8)OBs/ml. SpobNPV merits further field evaluation as a potential biological control agent of S. obliqua, a serious pest of many agriculturally important crops in the Oriental region.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) hold great promise for improving information delivery and preserving user attention, but this promise has not yet translated to practical use. A prototype BCI that optimizes email notifications in noisy, complex environments, CARSON combines multiple measures from the brain to predict both cognitive workload and message relevancy to determine the optimum time to interrupt the user.

Purpose When faced with the diagnosis of PMDS, the question still remains as to what is the best approach to Mullerian structures. The aim of this study was to describe a novel operative approach considering the vascular anatomy and malignant potential of these structures. Methods Two boys with PMDS underwent orchidopexy by means of en-masse descent of Mullerian-gonad complex onto the scrotum. The gonads were biopsied and fixed in the scrota and the Mullerian structures occupied the region of the median raphe. Results The operating time was the same as that taken for orchidopexy. The children were discharged on the day after surgery and were well at 6-month follow-up. Conclusion The preservation of Mullerian structures and placement in the scrotum allow for easy palpation and recognition of changes in size and consistency heralding malignancy. The risk of operative injury to the vas and vessels is minimized. Keywords : laparoscopic orchidopexy, persistent Mu¨ llerian duct syndrome, undescended testis

TKA and THA are associated with blood transfusion and risk for postoperative venothromboembolism (VTE). Reports show that tranexamic acid (TA) may be safe to use in high-risk orthopedic patients, but further data are needed to substantiate its use. All patients who underwent primary or revision TKA or THA in a five year period were retrospectively identified. In 13,262 elective TKA or THA procedures, neither the odds of VTE (OR=0.98; 95% CI 0.67-1.45; P=0.939) or adjusted odds of death (OR=0.26; 95% CI 0.04-1.80; P=0.171) were significant with TA administration. The major findings of this large, single center, retrospective cohort study show the odds of postoperative VTE and 30-day mortality were unchanged with TA administration.

With improvements in management and rehabilitation, more women with spinal cord injury are conceiving children. Physiologic manifestations of spinal cord injury can complicate anesthetic management during labor and delivery. Patients who delivered at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota between January 1, 2001 and May 31, 2012 with a history of traumatic spinal cord injury were identified via electronic record search of all parturients. Eight patients undergoing nine deliveries were identified. Six deliveries (67%) among five patients (63%) involved a trial of labor. Among these deliveries, three (50%) occurred vaginally, all with successful epidural analgesia. Trial of labor failed in the remaining three patients, and required cesarean delivery facilitated via epidural (n=1), spinal (n=1) and general anesthesia (n=1). Three patients (33%) underwent scheduled cesarean delivery via epidural (n=1), spinal (n=1), and general anesthesia (n=1). Four patients having five deliveries had a history of autonomic hyperreflexia before pregnancy. One patient had symptoms during pregnancy, two patients had episodes during labor and delivery, and three patients described symptoms in the immediate postpartum period. These symptoms were not reported by any patient without a history of autonomic hyperreflexia. Neuraxial labor analgesia may have a higher failure rate in patients with spinal cord injury, possibly related to the presence of Harrington rods. Postpartum exacerbations of autonomic hyperreflexia are common in patients with a history of the disorder.

Physiological data in its different dimensions—bioelectrical, biomechanical, biochemical, or biophysical—and collected through existing sensors or specialized biomedical devices, image capture, or other sources is pushing the boundaries of physiological computing for human-computer interaction (HCI). Although physiological computing shows the potential to enhance the way in which people interact with digital content, systems remain challenging to design and build. The aim of this special issue is to present outstanding work related to use of physiological data in HCI, setting additional bases for next-generation computer interfaces and interaction experiences. Topics covered in this issue include methods and methodologies, human factors, the use of devices, and applications for supporting the development of emerging interfaces.

A growing body of recent work has shown the feasibility of brain and body sensors as input to interactive systems. However, the interaction techniques and design decisions for their effective use are not well defined. We present a conceptual framework for considering implicit input from the brain, along with design principles and patterns we have developed from our work. We also describe a series of controlled, offline studies that lay the foundation for our work with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) neuroimaging, as well as our real-time platform that serves as a testbed for exploring brain-based adaptive interaction techniques. Finally, we present case studies illustrating the principles and patterns for effective use of brain data in human--computer interaction. We focus on signals coming from the brain, but these principles apply broadly to other sensor data and in domains such as aviation, education, medicine, driving, and anything involving multitasking or varying cognitive workload.

The goal of this paper is to examine the relative validity of a set of psychophysiological measures as psychological correlates of attention and arousal when watching moving audio/visual messages. To do this, participants watched film clips selected to vary on three media variables known to influence both attention and arousal: structural pacing (slow or fast), valence of emotion (pleasant, unpleasant), and level of arousing content (calm, arousing). Heart rate and skin conductance were measured time-locked to the presentation of each film clip. A variety of analysis techniques for each of these measures, some dynamic and some static, were compared with one another on their ability to perform in a manner suggested by general theoretical predictions. Strengths and weaknesses of each measure are identified based on these comparisons and recommendations about best practices are made.

Background: Enteric duplications (EDs) are rare aberrations of the embryonic gut. This study was undertaken to define the clinical characteristics and management challenges of this unusual entity in the Indian population. Materials and Methods: Hospital records of 35 children with 38 ED operated between 2003 and 2014 were analyzed and followed up. Results: The median age at presentation was 285 days (range 1-day to 16 years) with male preponderance (71%). Small bowel duplications were the most common (44%), and thoracoabdominal duplications were seen in 8% children compared to 2% in the literature. The median duration of symptoms was 18 days (interquartile range [IQR] 3-210 days). Associated anomalies were seen in 49% children with vertebral and spinal anomalies being the most common. Ultrasonogram (US) was done in 83% children and had a sensitivity of 55%. In the presence of a gastrointestinal bleed, Technetium 99m pertechnetate scintigraphy scan had a positive predictive value of 80%. Thirty-five lesions were completely removed. Mucosectomy was done in two children, and one total colonic duplication was left in situ after providing adequate internal drainage. There was no postoperative mortality. The follow-up was possible in 66% children. Conclusions: EDs are uncommon and have varied, nonspecific symptoms. Thoracoabdominal duplications are more common in the Indian population. The US is a good screening tool but requires a high index of suspicion where complete excision is not possible; the provision of adequate internal drainage is an acceptable alternative. The long-term prognosis of children with ED depends on the extent of physiological disturbance due to associated anomalies.

Adefovir dipivoxil, an oral prodrug of adefovir, is used in the treatment of lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Nephrotoxicity manifesting as proximal renal tubular dysfunction and acute tubular necrosis (ATN) were commonly reported in the past, when higher doses were used for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection. However, nephrotoxicity is rare at lower doses that are currently recommended for the treatment of HBV infection. A 31-year-old female was detected to be hepatitis B surface antigen positive months after a kidney transplant. The patient was initiated on lamivudine, but developed resistance after 1 year of treatment, at which time low-dose adefovir was added. The patient developed renal allograft dysfunction after 10 months of starting adefovir. Serum creatinine increased from 1.1 mg/dl to 1.9 mg/dl, along with progressively increasing sub-nephrotic proteinuria. Renal allograft biopsy revealed features of ATN. After discontinuation of adefovir, proteinuria resolved and renal dysfunction improved slowly over the next 2 years. Adefovir-induced nephrotoxicity, although uncommon at lower doses, needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of renal dysfunction and sub-nephrotic proteinuria occurring in patients receiving adefovir for prolonged periods.

This short essay provides an introduction to the short-lived but influential magazine Women & Film, published in California between 1972 and 1975. Two graduate students, Siew-Hwa Beh (b. 1945) and Saundra Salyer (b. 1946), from the University of California, Los Angeles, and San Francisco State, respectively, were the founders of this pioneering publication devoted entirely to providing a feminist perspective on film. They set up the magazine in response to a collision between their radical leftist and feminist politics and their cinephilia. This essay contextualizes some examples, which are reproduced here, of the first issue's contents. It also sheds light on the eclectic and impassioned approach adopted by the magazine's editors and contributors, bolstered by accompanying excerpts and images.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 453 (3), ISSN:0035-8711, ISSN:1365-2966, ISSN:1365-8711

Radiation nephropathy is one of the common late effects in cancer survivors who received radiotherapy as well as in victims of radiation accidents. The clinical manifestations of radiation nephropathy occur months after exposure. To date, there are no known early biomarkers to predict the future development of radiation nephropathy. This study focuses on the development of urinary biomarkers providing readout of acute responses in renal tubular epithelial cells. An amplification-free hybridization-based nCounter assay was used to detect changes in mouse urinary miRNAs after irradiation. After a single LD50 of total-body irradiation (TBI) or clinically relevant fractionated doses (2 Gy twice daily for 3 days), changes in urinary levels of microRNAs followed either an early pattern, peaking at 6–8 h postirradiation and gradually declining, or later pattern, peaking from 24 h to 7 days. Of 600 miRNAs compared, 12 urinary miRNAs showed the acute response and seven showed the late response, common to both irradiation protocols. miR-1224 and miR-21 were of particular interest, since they were the most robust acute and late responders, respectively. The early responding miR-1224 also exhibited good dose response after 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy TBI, indicating its potential use as a biomarker for radiation exposure. In situ hybridization of irradiated mouse kidney sections and cultured mouse primary renal tubular cells confirmed the tubular origin of miR-1224. A significant upregulation in hsa-miR-1224–3p expression was also observed in human proximal renal tubular cells after irradiation. Consistent with mouse urine data, a similar expression pattern of hsa-miR-1224–3p and hsa-miR-21 were observed in urine samples collected from human leukemia patients preconditioned with TBI. This proof-of-concept study shows the potential translational utility of urinary miRNA biomarkers for radiation damage in renal tubules with possible prediction of late effects.

Emergency nodes, i.e, nodes with priority 7 as per 802.15.6 standard play a very important role in facilitating the immediate transfer of information during life threatening situations. These nodes should relay critical information with utmost reliability and in the shortest possible time. IEEE 802.15.6 provides the necessary functionality to these nodes by adapting the contention window sizes as well as the time duration over which it can transmit in a superframe. Although these methods solve problems when emergency nodes are few in number, simultaneous occurrence of emergency events in multiple nodes can create a situation where frames may not be transmitted within the stipulated response time or may be lost due to repeated collisions. This paper proposes two techniques using polling that can overcome such eventualities for emergency nodes. We evaluate the performance of the proposed schemes via analysis and simulation.

BACKGROUND Pyrazole is one of the excellent structural motifs in medicinal chemistry. Various physiological and therapeutic possibilities have been exploited by incorporating different pharmacophoric groups in the pyrazole moiety. OBJECTIVE This has opened a new arena of pyrazole analogs that can be developed into medicinal agents such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, anticonvulsant, hypoglycemic, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, mono amino oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, etc. Though, pyrazole analogs have proven their clinical efficacy as different pharmacological agents, a few of them have been withdrawn from the market due to their side effects. Thus, research on potential new drug candidates bearing the pyrazole moiety with lesser side effects has fairly increased over the last few years. CONCLUSION This review explores diverse pharmacological activities exhibited by pyrazole analogs reported recently, which may be of great help for researchers in the area of drug discovery to understand the current scenario of pyrazole based compounds and to design and develop newer drug candidates with improved efficacy.

The effects of elevated CO2 on the short-term temperature response of leaf dark respiration (R) remain uncertain for many forest tree species. Likewise, variation in leaf R among populations within tree species and potential interactive effects of elevated CO2 are poorly understood. We addressed these uncertainties by measuring the short-term temperature response of leaf R in 15 provenances of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden from contrasting thermal environments grown under ambient [CO2] (aCO2; 400µmolmol-1) and elevated [CO2] (640µmolmol-1; eCO2). Leaf R per unit area (Rarea) measured across a range of temperatures was higher in trees grown in eCO2 and varied up to 104% among provenances. However, eCO2 increased leaf dry mass per unit area (LMA) by 21%, and when R was expressed on a mass basis (i.e. Rmass), it did not differ between CO2 treatments. Likewise, accounting for differences in LMA among provenances, Rmass did not differ among provenances. The temperature sensitivity of R (i.e. Q10) did not differ between CO2 treatments or among provenances. We conclude that eCO2 had no direct effect on the temperature response of R in E. grandis, and respiratory physiology was similar among provenances of E. grandis regardless of home-climate temperature conditions.

This chapter on obstetric pain reviews the complex pathophysiologic processes of pain transmission and perception experienced by women throughout pregnancy, management of pain in the peripartum period, and how preexisting chronic pain or opioid use affects the care of parturients. It discusses mechanisms of pain; common pain pathways; and factors influencing the perception of pain during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. It compares the benefits and adverse effects of current strategies for managing maternal pain during labor and after delivery. Finally, it reviews maternal and fetal effects of peripartum pain management in opiate- and non-opiate-dependent mothers.

Melanoma remains the leading cause of skin cancer–related deaths. Surgical resection and adjuvant therapies can result in disease-free intervals for stage III and stage IV disease; however, recurrence is common. Understanding microRNA (miR) dynamics following surgical resection of melanomas is critical to accurately interpret miR changes suggestive of melanoma recurrence. Plasma of 6 patients with stage III (n = 2) and stage IV (n = 4) melanoma was evaluated using the NanoString platform to determine pre- and postsurgical miR expression profiles, enabling analysis of more than 800 miRs simultaneously in 12 samples. Principal component analysis detected underlying patterns of miR expression between pre- vs postsurgical patients. Group A contained 3 of 4 patients with stage IV disease (pre- and postsurgical samples) and 2 patients with stage III disease (postsurgical samples only). The corresponding preoperative samples to both individuals with stage III disease were contained in group B along with 1 individual with stage IV disease (pre- and postsurgical samples). Group A was distinguished from group B by statistically significant analysis of variance changes in miR expression ( P < .0001). This analysis revealed that group A vs group B had downregulation of let-7b-5p, miR-520f, miR-720, miR-4454, miR-21-5p, miR-22-3p, miR-151a-3p, miR-378e, and miR-1283 and upregulation of miR-126-3p, miR-223-3p, miR-451a, let-7a-5p, let-7g-5p, miR-15b-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-20b-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-26a-5p, miR-106a-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-130a-3p, miR-142-3p, miR-150-5p, miR-191-5p, miR-199a-3p, miR-199b-3p, and miR-1976. Changes in miR expression were not readily evident in individuals with distant metastatic disease (stage IV) as these individuals may have prolonged inflammatory responses. Thus, inflammatory-driven miRs coinciding with tumor-derived miRs can blunt anticipated changes in expression profiles following surgical resection.

Introduction Fissure-in-Ano is one of the common and most painful anorectal conditions encountered in surgical practice. Inspite of several conservative treatment options, surgical treatment in the form of Lateral Anal Spincterotomy (LAS) remains the gold standard of treatment for Chronic Anal Fissures (CAF). However, LAS is often done under spinal or general anaesthesia incurring huge treatment costs and hospital stay. Aim To study if LAS can be treated with Local Anaesthesia (LA) thereby, reducing the costs and the anaesthetic risk to patients with no significant change in the surgical ease or clinical outcome. Materials and methods A total of 79 patients with chronic fissure underwent randomized allocation to two treatment arms - The first to undergo LAS under LA and the second under Spinal Anaesthesia (SA). The primary outcome variables studied were complications like post-operative pain, infections, healing rate of fissure and incontinence rates. Secondary outcome variables studied were cost, hospital stay and need for additional anaesthetic. Results A total of 79 patients underwent LAS procedure. A total of 42 patients had LA and 39 patients had SA. There was no statistically significant difference in the healing rate, pain, infection and incontinence rates between the two groups. Moreover, the LA group incurred lower cost, reduced hospital stay and reduced risk of anaesthesia. Conclusions LAS can be satisfactorily performed under local anaesthesia with no increased risk of pain or complications, and is best suited for resource-poor surgical settings.

Human Brucella canis infection incidence is unknown. Most identified cases are associated with pet dogs. Laboratory-acquired infections can occur following contact with Brucella spp. We identified a paediatric B. canis case, the source and other exposed persons. A 3-year-old New York City child with fever and dyspnoea was hospitalized for 48 h for bronchiolitis. After her admission, blood culture grew B. canis, she was prescribed anti-microbials and recovered. B. canis was also isolated from blood of the child's pet dog; these isolates were genetically similar. The dog originated from an Iowa breeding facility which was quarantined after identification of the dog's infection. Additionally, 31 laboratory workers were exposed and subsequently monitored for symptoms; 15 completed post-exposure prophylaxis. To our knowledge, this is the first report strongly suggesting B. canis zoonotic transmission to a child in the United States, and highlights the need for coordinated control policies to minimize human illness.

The presence of Wolbachia in cardamom thrips (Sciothrips cardamomi), a major insect pest of cardamom (Eletteria cardamomum) was detected by amplification of the fast evolving outer membrane protein coding gene wsp of the bacterium. Studies on the identity of Wolbachia showed infection with only subgroup Con belonging to supergroup B, and both male and female thrips were infected with the same Wolbachia subgroup. The incidence of Wolbachia infection varied from 15.0 to 87.8% in thrips collected from seven cardamom growing districts of different States in India. The overall infection rate was 53.5% with 57.1% male and 50.6% female populations infected with the bacterium. DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that all the Wolbachia isolates from thrips clustered together indicating that all thrips were infected by the same Wolbachia strain. This is the first ever report of Wolbachia infection in cardamom thrips and the possibility of using the bacterium as a tool in biological control of this imp...

Background Past research has explored patients' expectations about the informed consent process. However, it is currently unknown if the complexity of the surgical procedure influences the type of anesthesia-related risks that patients wish disclosed. This study explored fears of anesthesia-related complications and whether these changed based on severity of surgery classification. Methods Patients presenting to our pre-operative evaluation clinic from February 2013 to May 2013 were asked to participate in a survey-based study meant to evaluate their perception of five possible anesthetic risks (peripheral nerve injury, death, nausea and vomiting, heart attack and stroke) when confronted with differing levels of surgical severity. Results One thousand surveys were administered, and 894 were returned for an overall response rate of 89%. Fear of death was the greatest concern as compared to the other risk factors independent of the severity of surgery. The level of fear for all risk factors, with the exception of stroke and heart attack, were dependent on the severity of surgery. Fear of death decreased as the severity of surgery decreased (major 46%, moderate 38%, minor 25%). For major surgery, the fear of perioperative death differed significantly with age (P

The variation of the proximate composition and mineral content of nine seaweeds available in the Lakshadweep group of islands were studied to evaluate their nutritional quality. The proximate composition and the mineral contents were determined as per standard methodologies. The nutritional quality was found to be comparable with common vegetables and fruits. Hansen’s nutritional quality index has shown the seaweeds U. lactuca, H. valentea, and H. muciformis, in particular, to be safe for their versatile use and that they can contribute to a healthy balanced diet.

Cell survival after DNA damage relies on DNA repair, the abrogation of which causes genomic instability and development of cancer. However, defective DNA repair in cancer cells can be exploited for cancer therapy using DNA-damaging agents. DNA double-strand breaks are the major lethal lesions induced by ionizing radiation (IR) and can be efficiently repaired by DNA homologous recombination, a system that requires numerous factors including the recombinase RAD51 (RAD51). Therapies combined with adjuvant radiotherapy have been demonstrated to improve the survival of triple-negative breast cancer patients; however, such therapy is challenged by the emergence of resistance in tumor cells. It is, therefore, essential to develop novel therapeutic strategies to overcome radioresistance and improve radiosensitivity. In this study we show that overexpression of microRNA 155 (miR-155) in human breast cancer cells reduces the levels of RAD51 and affects the cellular response to IR. miR-155 directly targets the 3′-untranslated region of RAD51. Overexpression of miR-155 decreased the efficiency of homologous recombination repair and enhanced sensitivity to IR in vitro and in vivo. High miR-155 levels were associated with lower RAD51 expression and with better overall survival of patients in a large series of triple-negative breast cancers. Taken together, our findings indicate that miR-155 regulates DNA repair activity and sensitivity to IR by repressing RAD51 in breast cancer. Testing for expression levels of miR-155 may be useful in the identification of breast cancer patients who will benefit from an IR-based therapeutic approach.

Background The use of hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) transplant has risen over the past two decades. A variety of adverse events (AEs) of varying severity have been noted during HPC infusions. These AEs have been associated with several factors such as the amount of dimethyl sulfoxide and white blood cells in the HPC product. We performed a single-institution retrospective analysis to determine the effect of two different HPC infusion techniques, manual push with syringes versus infusion from bags with the aid of gravity, on the occurrence of infusion-related AEs. Study Design and Methods Infusions between December 2008 and November 2010 involving peripheral blood HPCs were reviewed. Pertinent clinical and HPC product–related information was recorded. Data were analyzed to determine the incidence of infusion-related AEs and its association with patient and product-related variables. Results We found 461 AEs in 645 patients during the study period. A total of 325 (50%) experienced at least one AE. Flushing was the most common type of AE followed by nausea and hypertension. The use of syringe infusion was more commonly associated with AEs (odds ratio, 1.82 [95% confidence interval, 1.32-2.50]; p = 0.002). Other independent risk factors were cryopreserved products and the amount of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the product. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the effect of two different infusion techniques on infusion-related AEs. Our findings suggest that the use of bags for infusion protected the patients from AEs.

Limited research assessing risks of continued clopidogrel perioperatively in patients undergoing elective orthopedic procedures exists. Patients that underwent elective primary or revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) from 2007 to 2012 while taking clopidogrel at the time of surgical evaluation were retrospectively identified. Patient demographics, last dose of clopidogrel, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion, and presence of 30-day adverse cardiac events (ACE) were collected. Of 142 patients meeting criteria, 24 (16.9%) patients remained on clopidogrel perioperatively. Patients that continued clopidogrel were more likely to receive a blood transfusion within 24 hours of surgery (31.8% vs. 7.7%; P=0.004) and during hospitalization (37.5% vs. 15.3%; P=0.02), but the incidence of 30-day ACE was not significantly different. Continuation of clopidogrel perioperatively for elective THA or TKA should be carefully considered.

Cloud computing describes highly scalable computing resources provided as an external service via the internet. Economically, the main feature of cloud computing is that customers only use what they need, and only pay for what they actually use. Resources are available to be accessed from the cloud at any time, and from any location via the internet. There’s no need to worry about how things are being maintained behind the scenes—you simply purchase the IT service you require. This new, web-based generation of computing utilizes remote servers for data storage and management. One of the challenging issues tackled in the cloud computing is the security of data stored in the service providers’ site. In this paper, we propose a new architecture for secure data storage in such a way that users’ data are encrypted and split into various cipher blocks and distributed among different service providers site rather than solely depend on single provider for data storage. This architecture ensures better reliability, availability, scalability and security.

Strains were isolated from urines clinical samples from patients from various service units of University Hospital complex Paediatric Charles De Gaulle (CHUP-CDG) in Burkina Faso. These strains were resistant to at least one oxyimino-cephalosporin. They were identified as producer of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) by double-disk synergy test between amoxicillin?clavulanate and cefotaxime, ceftriaxone or ceftazidime and by kinetic methods. Crude extract from these isolates showed a broad-substrate profile by hydrolyzing cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone and with a lower degree to cetazidime and cefepime but not imipinem. Sequencing of PCR products amplified with primers designed for blaSHV genes showed that these genes coded for SHV-11, SHV-12, SHV-28, SHV-32, SHV-38, SHV-76 and SHV-99. This is the first description of these enzymes in Burkina Faso.

Objective To evaluate the association of blood type (non-O vs O) with venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk after radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer. Methods From 1980 to 2005, we identified 2076 consecutive patients with RC for whom blood type was available in 2008 (96.7%). We evaluated the association of blood type with postoperative VTE using logistic regression, controlling for patient age, tumor, and nodal stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, body-mass index (BMI), and number of lymph nodes removed at surgery. Results A total of 865 of 2076 patients (41.7%) had O blood type, 1143 (55.0%) were non-O, and 68 (3.3%) were missing. Median follow-up was 11.1 years, during which time VTE developed in 216 patients (10.4%). No significant differences were noted between those with O vs non-O blood type regarding patient age (median 69 years vs 69, P = .87), ECOG ( P = .69), BMI (median 27.5 vs 28.1, P = .12), tumor stage ( P = .97), pN+ status (15.6% vs 15.2%, P = .79), or number of nodes removed (median 9 vs 8, P = .43). On multivariate analysis, non-O blood type was associated with a nearly two-fold increased risk of VTE (odds ratio [OR] = 1.85, P = .007). Conclusion Non-O blood type was independently associated with an increased risk of VTE after RC. These patients should be counseled accordingly, and may benefit from increased perioperative prophylaxis.

Background: Molecular genetic testing is increasingly utilized in clinical care, typically with peripheral blood as the preferred specimen. Despite the prevalence of therapeutic blood transfusions, whether donor DNA is present in a sufficient quantity to interfere with recipient genetic testing has not been systematically studied. Microchimerism secondary to transfusion of blood products with donor leukocytes has been well-documented in trauma patients receiving whole blood; however, most medical centers currently transfuse leukoreduced (LR) red blood cell products for non-trauma patients. The degree of leukoreduction varies among centers, but to meet AABB standards must be Methods: We performed an in vitro spiking study utilizing four whole blood units collected from different anonymous donors. Three were leukoreduced at varying levels in order to establish a LR (per our institutional guidelines and standards), a partially leukoreduced (PLR) and a NLR unit, which were then considered "donors". The 4th unit was divided to generate two separate "recipients". The first half was left untreated simulating an immunocompetent recipient while the other was leukoreduced to mimic a leukopenic recipient. Based on a 70 kg patient, we calculated the volume of blood from each "donor" to mix with aliquots of each "recipient" to represent a transfusion of 2, 5, or 16 units, with 2 units corresponding to a double apheresis red blood cell (RBC) transfusion and 16 units corresponding to a near total volume transfusion. DNA was extracted from each individual unit as well as all "transfused" combinations within 24 hours of mixing. Chimerism analysis was then performed by STR analysis using the GlobalFiler PCR amplification kit followed by ChimerMarker analysis software. Results: None of the LR units, despite volume transfused, revealed any level of microchimerism in either the immunocompetent or leukopenic "recipients". The PLR transfused combinations displayed levels ranging from 0.14% to 1.52% of donor chimerism for the immunocompetent "recipient", which is below the limit of detection for most clinical assays evaluating germline genetic variation, and 6.3% to 27.78% of donor chimerism for the leukopenic "recipient", which would be expected to impact a subset of clinical genetic assays. The NLR transfused combinations displayed levels ranging from 13.28% to 95.66% of donor chimerism. Discussion:In vitro "transfusion" of LR RBCs into simulated immunocompetent or leukopenic samples does not lead to detectable donor DNA. However, "transfusion" of PLR and NLR units in an in vitro model reveals significant levels of microchimerism dependent on volume transfused and immune status of the "recipient" which implies possible risk for impact on clinical genetic tests. The minimum time required for clearance of donor leukocytes in the recipient is unknown; we were unable to fully evaluate this and other variables in our in vitro system, but follow-up in vivo studies addressing this question are planned. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Nitric oxide (NO) radicals are ubiquitous chemical intermediates present in the atmosphere and in combustion processes, where laser-induced fluorescence is extensively used on the NO (A2Σ+ ← X2Π) band to report on fuel-burning properties. However, accurate fluorescence quantum yields and NO concentration measurements are impeded by electronic quenching of NO (A2Σ+) to NO (X2Π) with colliding atomic and molecular species. To improve predictive combustion models and develop a molecular-level understanding of NO (A2Σ+) quenching, we report the velocity map ion images and product state distributions of NO (X2Π, v″ = 0, J″, Fn, Λ) following nonreactive collisional quenching of NO (A2Σ+) with molecular oxygen, O2 (X3Σg−). A novel dual-flow pulse valve nozzle is constructed and implemented to carry out the NO (A2Σ+) electronic quenching studies and to limit NO2 formation. The isotropic ion images reveal that the NO–O2 system evolves through a long-lived NO3 collision complex prior to formation of products. Furthermore, the corresponding total kinetic energy release distributions support that O2 collision coproducts are formed primarily in the c1Σu− electronic state with NO (X2Π, v″ = 0, J″, Fn, Λ). The product state distributions also indicate that NO (X2Π) is generated with a propensity to occupy the Π(A″) Λ-doublet state, which is consistent with the NO π* orbital aligned perpendicular to nuclear rotation. The deviations between experimental results and statistical phase space theory simulations illustrate the key role that the conical intersection plays in the quenching dynamics to funnel population to product rovibronic levels.Nitric oxide (NO) radicals are ubiquitous chemical intermediates present in the atmosphere and in combustion processes, where laser-induced fluorescence is extensively used on the NO (A2Σ+ ← X2Π) band to report on fuel-burning properties. However, accurate fluorescence quantum yields and NO concentration measurements are impeded by electronic quenching of NO (A2Σ+) to NO (X2Π) with colliding atomic and molecular species. To improve predictive combustion models and develop a molecular-level understanding of NO (A2Σ+) quenching, we report the velocity map ion images and product state distributions of NO (X2Π, v″ = 0, J″, Fn, Λ) following nonreactive collisional quenching of NO (A2Σ+) with molecular oxygen, O2 (X3Σg−). A novel dual-flow pulse valve nozzle is constructed and implemented to carry out the NO (A2Σ+) electronic quenching studies and to limit NO2 formation. The isotropic ion images reveal that the NO–O2 system evolves through a long-lived NO3 collision complex prior to formation of products. Furth...