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Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) is a common diarrhoeagenic human pathogen, isolated from patients in both developing and industrialized countries, that is becoming increasingly resistant to many frontline antibiotics. In this study, we screened 50 E. coli strains from children presenting with diarrhea at the outpatients clinic of Assiut University Children’s Hospital, Egypt. We show that all of these isolates were resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics and identified two as being typical EAEC strains. Using whole genome sequencing, we determined that both isolates carried, amongst others, blaCTX-M and blaTEM antibiotic resistance genes, as well as many classical EAEC virulence determinants, including the transcriptional regulator, AggR. We demonstrate that the expression of these virulence determinants is dependent on AggR, including aar, which encodes for a repressor of AggR, Aar. Since biofilm formation is the hallmark of EAEC infection, we examined the effect of Aar overexpression on both biofilm formation and AggR-dependent gene expression. We show that whilst Aar has a minimal effect on AggR-dependent transcription it is able to completely disrupt biofilm formation, suggesting that Aar affects these two processes differently. Taken together, our results suggest a model for the induction of virulence gene expression in EAEC that may explain the ubiquity of EAEC in both sick and healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: The measurement of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been by two commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assays: Diagnostics Systems Laboratory (DSL 10-14400) and Immunotech (A11893 IVD EU only). Beckman Coulter has developed a new assay for AMH (AMH Gen II A79765), which uses the DSL antibodies but is standardized to the Immunotech calibration. As a result, comparative data are urgently required between the old DSL assay and its replacement AMH Gen II. METHODS: An evaluation of the AMH Gen II assay was performed at three sites, each with extensive experience of measuring circulating AMH in the adult female. Results were compared with the original DSL ELISA assay. The analysis was performed on a total of 271 patients' samples, approximately 90 at each site. RESULTS: Performance characteristics were evaluated for the AMHGen II assay. Linearity was acceptable with observed values close to the expected (mean recovery 106.3%). The functional sensitivity (20% coefficient of variation), calculated from precision profile data, was 1.5 pmol/L. Within- and between-batch imprecision, assessed over the concentration range of 5-70 pmol/L, were 5.3-11.4% and 3.8-17.3%, respectively. There was good agreement between assays with a Bablok-Passing regression equation AMH Gen II = 1.40 DSL-0.62 pmol/L, r = 0.96, n = 271. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that similar precision and excellent between-assay agreement should be obtained when laboratories change from the DSL to the AMH Gen II ELISA and they should expect an increase in AMH values of approximately 40%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background eRAPID (electronic patient self-Reporting of Adverse-events: Patient Information and aDvice) is an internet based system for patients to self-report symptoms and side effects (adverse events or AE) of cancer treatments. eRAPID allows AE reporting from home and patient reported data is accessible via Electronic Patient Records (EPR) for use in routine care. The system can generate alerts to clinical teams for severe AE and provides patient advice on managing mild AEs. The overall aims of eRAPID are to improve the safe delivery of cancer treatments, enhance patient care and standardise AE documentation. Methods The trial is a prospective randomised two-arm parallel group design study with repeated measures and mixed methods. Participants (adult patients with breast cancer on neo-adjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy, colorectal and gynaecological cancer receiving chemotherapy) are randomised to receive the eRAPID intervention or usual care over 18 weeks of treatment. Participants in the intervention arm receive training in using the eRAPID system to provide routine weekly adverse event reports from home. Hospital staff can access eRAPID reports via the EPR and use the information during consultations or phone calls with patients. Prior to commencing the full trial an internal pilot phase was conducted (N = 87 participants) to assess recruitment procedures, consent and attrition rates, the integrity of the intervention information technology and establish procedures for collecting outcome data. The overall target sample for the trial is N = 504. The primary outcome of the trial is quality of life (FACT-G) with secondary outcomes including health economics (costs to patients and the NHS), process of care (e.g. contacts with the hospital, number of admissions, clinic appointments and changes to treatment/medications) and patient self-efficacy. Outcome data is collected at baseline, 6, 12, 18 weeks and 12 months. The intervention is also being evaluated via end of study interviews with patient participants and clinical staff. Discussion The pilot phase was completed in February 2016 and recruitment and attrition rates met criteria for continuing to the full trial. Recruitment recommenced in May 2016 and is planned to continue until December 2017. Overall findings will determine the value of the eRAPID intervention for supporting the care of patients receiving systemic cancer treatment. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN88520246 . Registered 11 September 2014.

L'endométriose se définit comme l'implantation de tissu endométrial en dehors de la cavité utérine. Elle touche environ 10% des femmes en âge de procréer. La localisation ombilicale est rare et la physiopathologie mal connue. Nous rapportons le cas d'une patiente de 42 ans, nulligeste, aux antécédents de myomectomie 5 ans auparavant, qui présentait une douleur cyclique avec une masse ombilicale dont le diagnostic était en faveur d'un endométriome ombilical, confirmée par l'étude histologique de la pièce de biopsie de la masse. Le traitement a consisté à une exérèse large de la masse associée à une exploration du pelvis et une plastie ombilicale.

Abstract: We developed a new method for simultaneous determination of 89Sr and 90Sr with an emphasis on detectability. The samples were digested, and Sr was chemically purified followed by a single count on a liquid scintillation counter in three windows overlapping the 90Sr, 89Sr, and 90Y peaks. Gamma spectrometry was used to measure 85Sr, added for chemical recovery. The method was tested on 18 water samples spiked at levels from 9 to 242 Bq of 89Sr and 90Sr, with either single radionuclides or their mixtures. In addition, eight method blanks were measured. The data were analyzed numerically by solving a system of linear equations for 89Sr and 90Sr activities as analytes and 90Y activity as a participating component. The total uncertainties of the results were calculated numerically using variances and covariances. The average bias from the known activities was -0.3% (range from -3.6 to 3.1%) for 90Sr and - 1.5% (range from -10.1 to 5.1%) for 89Sr. The En-scores were within -1.0 and 1.0 at 95% confidence level. The detection capabilities of this method were determined by means of the decision threshold LC and the limit of detection referred to as the minimum detectable activity. All relevant uncertainties were propagated into the LC and minimum detectable activity. In addition, detection limits were calculated for the purpose of Safe Drinking Water Act monitoring. The detection capabilities were compared with the regulatory requirements in the US and EU for food and water. For samples spiked with either pure 89Sr or 90Sr, false positives were observed for the opposite radionuclide exceeding the above LC values. This was attributed to interference by the spiked activity. A new method was developed to calculate decision and detectability curves in the presence of interference., (Copyright © 2023 Health Physics Society.)

Abstract: The performance of several gamma detectors was investigated for emergency urine bioassay screening of two radionuclides of concern: 131 I and 137 Cs. Unspiked artificial urine samples were measured for 10 min each on four different gamma detectors: 80% relative efficiency high-purity Ge detector in standard shielding, 102% low-background high-purity Ge detector equipped with top muon shield, 78% high-purity Ge well detector in standard shielding, and 4″ × 4″ NaI well detector in standard shielding. The measured gamma spectra were analyzed in two ways: (1) for the 364-keV peak region of 131 I and 662-keV peak region of 137 Cs and (2) for the total counts in the full energy spectrum (50-2,048 keV). The results were analyzed using the principles of signal detection theory according to the Currie's formalism extended by a complete uncertainty propagation. This enabled calculation of the detection capability in terms of detection limit (Bq L -1 ) of urine, the latter referred to as minimum detectable activity. The NaI well detector had the lowest minimum detectable activities for total spectra, whereas the high-purity Ge well detector had the lowest peak minimum detectable activity values. Minimum detectable inhalation and ingestion intakes from urine bioassay were calculated from the minimum detectable activity values for urine collection 1 d, 1 wk, and 1 mo past the initial intake. The calculated intakes were compared with annual limits on intake. The results are interpreted with respect to a large-scale radiological emergency response., (Copyright © 2022 Health Physics Society.)

The solid debris collection capability at the National Ignition Facility has been expanded to include a third line-of-sight assembly. The solid radiochemistry nuclear diagnostic measurement of the ratio of gold isotopes is dependent on the efficient collection of neutron-activated hohlraum debris by passive metal disks. The collection of target debris at this new location is more reliable in comparison to the historic locations, and it appears to be independent of collector surface ablation.

A high-purity carrier-free (7)Be was efficiently isolated following proton bombardment of a lithium hydroxide-aluminum target. The separation of beryllium from lithium and aluminum was achieved through a hydrochloric acid elution system utilizing cation exchange chromatography. The beryllium recovery, +99%, was assessed through gamma spectroscopy while the chemical purity was established by mass spectrometry. The decontamination factors of beryllium from lithium and aluminum were determined to be 6900 and 300, respectively., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Systematic evidence of the contribution made by laboratory medicine to patient outcomes and the overall process of healthcare is difficult to find. An understanding of the value of laboratory medicine, how it can be determined, and the various factors that influence it is vital to ensuring that the service is provided and used optimally., Content: This review summarizes existing evidence supporting the impact of laboratory medicine in healthcare and indicates the gaps in our understanding. It also identifies deficiencies in current utilization, suggests potential solutions, and offers a vision of a future in which laboratory medicine is used optimally to support patient care., Summary: To maximize the value of laboratory medicine, work is required in 5 areas: (a) improved utilization of existing and new tests; (b) definition of new roles for laboratory professionals that are focused on optimizing patient outcomes by adding value at all points of the diagnostic brain-to-brain cycle; (c) development of standardized protocols for prospective patient-centered studies of biomarker clinical effectiveness or extraanalytical process effectiveness; (d) benchmarking of existing and new tests in specified situations with commonly accepted measures of effectiveness; (e) agreed definition and validation of effectiveness measures and use of checklists for articles submitted for publication. Progress in these areas is essential if we are to demonstrate and enhance the value of laboratory medicine and prevent valuable information being lost in meaningless data. This requires effective collaboration with clinicians, and a determination to accept patient outcome and patient experience as the primary measure of laboratory effectiveness., (© 2014 American Association for Clinical Chemistry.)