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Mucormycosis outbreaks have been linked to contaminated linen. We performed fungal cultures on freshly-laundered linens at 15 transplant and cancer hospitals. At 33% of hospitals, the linens were visibly unclean. At 20%, Mucorales were recovered from >10% of linens. Studies are needed to understand the clinical significance of our findings.

A 58-year-old woman with a history of Bentall aortic graft and bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement 3 months prior to admission, presented with headache and fever. Imaging yielded a large obstructive filling defect in the ascending aorta, a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and a mycotic aneurysm. Intraoperative specimens grew Aspergillus fumigatus, and despite aggressive measures the patient died. Aspergillus infections of prosthetic vascular grafts are rare surgical complications and are difficult to diagnose given the low incidence of positive microbiology cultures and the long median time between surgery and diagnosis. Treatment has consisted of antifungal and surgical treatment, although mortality remains high.

The syntheses, characterization, redox properties of new selenium coronands and of copper(I) and copper(II) complexes of selenium coronands are reported. Molecular structures in the solid state have been determined by X-ray crystallography.

This research article examines how to motivate the doctors to stay in rural locations. The study observed the impact of ERG needs on CHC doctors’ intent to stay in rural Tamilnadu. A connection was made between ERG needs and intent to stay. It is a cross-sectional analytical approach to collect primary data from 318 doctors using a standardized questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. ‘Growth needs’ was shown to be the most important predictor of rural CHC doctors’ intent to stay. Researchers and practitioners of public health can utilize this validated ERG instrument to investigate doctors’ motivation for rural posting in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heteroanalogues of methyl alpha-D-maltoside containing heteroatoms in the nonreducing ring and the interglycosidic linkages have been synthesized. Oligosaccharides with sulfur in the interglycosidic linkage are found to be resistant to hydrolysis by glycosidases. In this, the sulfur-in-the-ring analogue of a glycoside of N-acetyllactosamine is 200 times stable to hydrolysis by a galactosidase. 5-thio-alpha-L-fucose shows good inhibitory activity against alpha-L-fucosidase.

A study was made on the use of phenyl selenoglycosides as glycosyl donors and acceptors in glycosidation reactions. These versatile compounds can give the desired selectivity in glycosidation reactions. The compounds' capacity for selective activation and their inertness are valuable properties that can be employed in the field of synthetic oligosaccharide chemistry. The results indicated the viability of selective activation of glycosyl bromide donors over phenyl selenoglycoside acceptors through silver trifluoromethanesulfonate promotion.

Research has been conducted on D-glucosamine. The authors describe the convertion of this compound into peracetylated building blocks via the use of synthetic strategy based on chemoenzymatic oligosaccharide synthesis.

Background Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is a known complication in patients with high-grade gliomas (HGGs) who are treated with radiation and chemotherapy. PJP prophylaxis is commonly recommended, but there are currently no clear guidelines regarding duration of treatment and choice of drugs. This study aimed to assess current practice patterns of PJP prophylaxis among neuro-oncologists. Methods An online survey of 14 multiple choice questions was sent to 207 neuro-oncologists and medical oncologists treating brain cancers at all National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers in the United States. Recipients were identified via a search of the cancer centers' websites. Results Sixty-one invited experts completed the survey (response rate 29%; of these, 72% were neuro-oncologists, 18% were medical oncologists, and 10% were pediatric neuro- or medical oncologists). Seventy percent of respondents stated that they routinely prescribe PJP prophylaxis, while 7% do not provide prophylaxis. Eighty-one percent of respondents use absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) to assess lymphopenia and 13% also monitor CD4 lymphocyte counts during prophylaxis. The most commonly used first-line agent is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (88% of respondents), followed by pentamidine (6%). Discontinuation of PJP prophylaxis is determined by the following: count recovery (33% by ALC; 18% by CD4 lymphocyte counts), radiation completion (23%), and chemotherapy completion (7%). Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase levels were routinely checked by only 13% of respondents. Conclusions PJP prophylaxis is commonly used in HGG patients, but there are large variations in practice patterns, including the duration of prophylaxis. As consideration for PJP prophylaxis affects all patients with HGG, standardization of prophylaxis should be formally addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]