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The lower respiratory tract microbiota of the horse is different in states of health and disease, but the bacterial and fungal composition of the healthy respiratory tract of the horse has not been studied in detail.The respiratory tract environment contains distinct niche microbiotas, which decrease in species richness at more distal sampling locations.Characterize the bacterial and fungal microbiotas along the upper and lower respiratory tract of the horse.Healthy Argentinian Thoroughbred horses (n = 11) from the same client-owned herd.Prospective cross-sectional study. Eleven upper and lower respiratory tract anatomical locations (bilateral nasal, bilateral deep nasal, nasopharynx, floor of mouth, oropharynx, arytenoids, proximal and distal trachea, guttural pouch) were sampled using a combination of swabs, protected specimen brushes, and saline washes. Total DNA was extracted from each sample and negative control, and the 16S rRNA gene (V4) and ITS2 region were sequenced. Community composition, alpha-diversity, and beta-diversity were compared among sampling locations.Fungal species richness and diversity were highest in the nostrils. More spatial heterogeneity was found in bacterial composition than in fungal communities. The pharyngeal microbiota was most similar to the distal tracheal bacterial and fungal microbiota in healthy horses and therefore may serve as the primary source of bacteria and fungi to the lower respiratory tract.The pharynx is an important location that should be targeted in respiratory microbiota research in horses. Future studies that investigate whether biomarkers of respiratory disease can be reliably detected in nasopharyngeal swab samples are warranted.

Introduction Osler et al. revised the Baux score in 2010 to include inhalation injury, attempting to improve upon the original 1961 model given the significant advances in modern burn care. Other predictive models of burn mortality have similarly been developed using use an assortment of other variables, however there is no consensus on the preferred formula to use. This systematic review aims to investigate the accuracy of the revised Baux (rBaux) score in comparison to other models when determining mortality risk in patients with burn injuries. Methods A systematic review was performed by two independent reviewers using electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus) from March 1, 2010 to May 22, 2022. The majority of studies were classified as “high” quality and no studies were excluded due to risk of bias. Articles were included if they were published in English and assessed risk of mortality from burns using the rBaux model and an alternative model. The PRISMA statement was followed, and all the PROBAST quality appraisal checklist was used during data extraction. Results The search identified 79 non-duplicate citations, of which 33 underwent full-text review, and 21 met inclusion criteria. They assessed the predictive ability of the rBaux score in comparison to the original Baux score, Belgian Outcome for Burn Injury, Abbreviated Burn Severity Index, APACHE II, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, Boston Group/Ryan scores, the FLAMES model, the Prognostic Burn Index, and several other equations that have not been externally validated. The accuracy of mortality prediction (area under ROC curves) for the rBaux score ranged from 0.68 to 0.99 and 14 studies found a value greater than 0.90. These ROC values were found to be lowest in the two studies with subgroupings for age, demonstrating an ROC of 0.01 in children, and 0.68 and 0.92 in the elderly. Eleven studies described sensitivity, specificity, or both, with sensitivity ranging from 12% to 96%, and specificity ranging from 80% to 100%. Conclusions The rBaux score offers a relatively easy method to rapidly assess the mortality risk from burn injury in a broad range of patient populations based on age, percent total body surface area burned, and presence/absence of an inhalation injury. This tool remains valid despite the exclusion of patient comorbidities and other injury-related factors. However, this study also identified the rBaux’s ability to predict mortality risk was limited when applied to patients at the extremes of age, highlighting an important area for future research. At present, given its relative simplicity and generalizability, the rBaux score remains a useful clinical tool for predicting mortality. Applicability of Research to Practice The rBaux score remains a simple yet powerful predictor of mortality in burn patients, which can be applied at the bedside on initial presentation across diverse patient populations.

Management of upland land-use has considerable potential for mitigating flood risk by increasing topsoil storage and slowing overland flow. Recent work has highlighted the potential for vegetation to impact the velocity of saturation-excess overland flow. Woodland creation is widely proposed for Natural Flood Management (NFM), but data on saturation-excess overland flow in woodland habitats is lacking. Here we measure soil properties and overland flow velocities in established broadleaf woodland and wood pasture with an understorey dominated by either grass or bracken. We show that wood pasture dominated by bracken has overland flow velocity 12–20% lower than established broadleaf woodland and 19–27% lower than grass-dominated wood pasture. Established woodland soils exhibited eight times higher saturated hydraulic conductivity than bracken-dominated wood pasture and 80 times higher than grass-dominated wood pasture. We conclude that upland habitats can be managed to reduce flood risk, first by storing storm water in the soil and then by reducing overland flow velocity through rough surface vegetation. These factors combine to reduce floods by delaying the onset of overland flow runoff and slowing its delivery to streams. It is clear than Manning's n is far from constant in these shallow overland flows, the development of overland flow datasets is, therefore, also beneficial for improving the theory and practice of hillslope rainfall-runoff modelling.

Land-use change acts as a potential moderator of flood risk, affecting vegetation and soil properties and thus influencing the storage and flow of water across landscapes. This study, conducted in northwest England, investigated physical soil properties and their hydrological function using overland flow and soil moisture sensors, for five upland grassland habitats each created through management action. Overland flow was common, occurring up to 60% of the time with longer durations in grassland excluded from grazing with higher density vegetation. Soil moisture varied significantly between grassland habitats, but there was no clear soil moisture threshold for overland flow. Surface soil properties to 5-cm depth varied significantly between grassland types, with saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) ranging across several orders of magnitude from 1.3 × 10−3 to 1.5 × 102 m day−1. With shallow soils and a median Ks of 2.4 m day−1, saturation-excess overland flow was determined as the main driver of flood risk. Landscape management was found to be a significant driver of soil physical and hydrological properties in upland grasslands and therefore should be strongly considered as part of flood management.

This study examined intergenerational mobility among former students of The University of Texas System (n = 98,199) by comparing parental household income while the students were in college to stud...

Background This study aimed to identify enteric and sexually acquired rectal pathogens, other than chlamydia and gonorrhea, associated with symptomatic proctitis in men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods Anorectal swab samples were obtained from MSM presenting with rectal symptoms and a clinical diagnosis of proctitis at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between January 2017 and March 2019. Samples that tested positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis were excluded. As a comparison group, anorectal samples were also obtained from MSM not reporting symptoms of proctitis between November 2018 and February 2019. Samples from both groups were tested for 15 viral, bacterial, and protozoal enteric pathogens using polymerase chain reaction. Results Anorectal samples from 499 men with symptomatic proctitis and 506 asymptomatic men were analyzed. Age, HIV status, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use did not differ between men with proctitis and asymptomatic men. Treponema pallidum was more common in men with proctitis (risk difference [RD], 3.6%; 95% CI, 2.0%–5.2%). Most men with anorectal T. pallidum presented with painful anal primary infections. Shigella spp. was more common among men with proctitis compared with asymptomatic men (RD, 1.8%; 95% CI, 0.1%–3.5%). Most men with Shigella did not report diarrhea. Mycoplasma genitalium was more common in men with proctitis (RD, 4.3%; 95% CI, 1.1%–7.5%). Herpes simplex virus (HSV)–1 (RD, 10.1%; 95% CI, 6.8%–13.3%) and HSV-2 (RD, 7.2%; 95% CI, 4.5%–10.0%) were more common with proctitis. Conclusions Testing for T. pallidum, Shigella, and HSV should be considered in MSM presenting with symptomatic proctitis. These data provide support for M. genitalium as a significant cause of proctitis. A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation is required for MSM with proctitis.

Mycoplasma genitalium has emerged over the last 30 years as a sexually transmitted infection (STI). As data have accumulated, our understanding of this pathogen and its role in disease continues to evolve. This in turn creates new challenges and complexities. Questions remain regarding the natural history of M. genitalium, its contribution to disease and long-term sequelae. A decline in cure rates for first-line anti-microbials has been observed. This is likely in part due to high usage of single-dose azithromycin in the sexual health field but also due to the intrinsic ability of M. genitalium to rapidly acquire anti-microbial resistance. Consequently, the term 'the new STI superbug' is not infrequently used by the media to describe this pathogen. Currently available antibiotics have side effects that, though rare, are potentially serious. This leads to inherent questions regarding the benefit of testing for and treating M. genitalium, particularly in asymptomatic individuals or in genital syndromes where the benefit of treatment is not well established. In this review, we summarize the most recent evidence and literature regarding M. genitalium and explore areas of research where disparities exist. We discuss the contribution of M. genitalium to genital syndromes, particularly those where data are conflicting, in order to inform indications for testing and treatment. Avoidance of increasing anti-microbial resistance with astute anti-microbial stewardship is paramount if we are to successfully manage M. genitalium infection. We examine the state of play regarding anti-microbial resistance and how to combat this, including currently available anti-microbials, resistance-guided therapy and novel therapeutic approaches. We aim to provide an overview of the current understanding of M. genitalium and the implications for current clinical practise and suggestions for future research.

Introduction Tangential excision and grafting of burn wounds results in significant intra-operative blood loss. Infiltration of a dilute epinephrine solution is routinely performed to reduce bleeding from both the eschar and donor sites. Tumescence infiltration has been described using both a manual technique or a pump device. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficiency of these two methods in terms of time and economy of motion. Methods Consecutive adult burn patients who required excision and grafting were enrolled in the study. Manual infiltration consisted of an aspirating syringe (10 mL), spinal needle (18 gauge), and three-way stopcock connected to sterile tubing. Pump infiltration consisted of a blunt cannula and infiltration pump (300 mL/minute). Prior to each case, patients were randomized into either the manual or pump tumescent technique. Excisions of < 2% TBSA were excluded, along with specific anatomic regions (head and neck, genitalia, hands and forearms, feet, and legs below the knee). Infiltration with epinephrine-saline solution (1:500,000) was performed to the endpoint of tissue tumescence by a single surgeon for consistency. ImageJ software was used to calculate the surface area to be infiltrated. The infiltration was filmed and later coded for duration, number of maneuvers, and total volume of tumescence injected. Any complications related to the infiltration of tumescence were collected. Results A total of 14 patients were enrolled, and 16 cases were randomized to either manual (N=8) or pump infiltration (N=8). Participants were 71% male, with a mean age of 41.8 years, and mean burn size of 16.9% TBSA. The pump method required less time (2.0 cm2/s vs 1.1 cm2/s, p< 0.001) and fewer maneuvers (37.8 cm2/move vs 1.1 cm2/move, p< 0.001). Use of the infiltration pump also resulted in a reduced volume of fluid required to reach the endpoint of tumescence (1.7 mL/cm2 vs 2.4 mL/cm2, p=0.01). No complications were reported related to the process of tumescence in either group. Conclusions Compared to the manual technique, use an infiltration pump was significantly more efficacious in terms of both time and economy of motion. Additionally, less fluid volume was required to achieve the endpoint of tumescence.

There is considerable interest in how headwater management may influence downstream flood peaks in temperate humid regions. However, there is a dearth of data on flow velocities across headwater hillslopes and limited understanding of whether surface flow velocity is influenced by seasonal changes in roughness through vegetation cycles or management. A portable hillslope flume was used to investigate overland flow velocities for four common headwater grassland habitats in northern England: Low‐density Grazing, Hay Meadow, Rank Grassland and Juncus effusus Rush pasture. Overland flow velocity was measured in replicate plots for each habitat, in response to three applied flow rates, with the experiments repeated during five different periods of the annual grassland cycle. Mean annual overland flow velocity was significantly lower for the Rank Grassland habitat (0.026 m s−1) followed by Low‐density Grazing and Rushes (0.032 and 0.029 m s−1), then Hay Meadows (0.041 m s−1), which had the greatest mean annual velocity (examples from 12 L/min flow rate). Applying our mean overland flow velocities to a theoretical 100 m hillslope suggests overland flow is delayed by >1 hr on Rank Grassland when compared to Hay Meadows in an 18 mm storm. Thus grassland management is important for slowing overland flow and delaying peak flows across upland headwaters. Surface roughness was also strongly controlled by annual cycles of vegetation growth, decay, grazing and cutting. Winter overland flow velocities were significantly higher than in summer, varying between 0.004 m s−1 (Rushes, November) and 0.034 m s−1 (Rushes, June); and velocities significantly increased after cutting varying between 0.006 m s−1 (Hay meadows, July) and 0.054 m s−1 (Hay meadows, September). These results show that seasonal vegetation change should be incorporated into flood modelling, as cycles of surface roughness in grasslands strongly modify overland flow, potentially having a large impact on downstream flood peak and timing. Our data also showed that Darcy‐Weisbach roughness approximations greatly over‐estimated measured flow velocities.

Background Many women with rheumatologic diseases require ongoing treatment with TNFi during pregnancy to maintain remission or low disease activity. Until recently, there has been a paucity of published evidence regarding the safe use of these medications during the ante- and postnatal periods to guide clinical practice. Objectives To observe compliance with current guidelines for TNFi therapy in Australian women with rheumatologic diseases during the ante- and postnatal periods and change over time. Methods All Australian women with rheumatologic diseases, exposed to biologics (bDMARDs) and targeted synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (tsDMARDs) during the preconception, antenatal and/or postpartum periods were eligible to participate in the Pregnancy Exposed to Biological (PEB) study. Commencing in 2015, recruitment was via invitation from patient’s treating rheumatologists, community groups, and social media. Following self-referral to the study, retrospective data was collected, including rheumatologic condition and management recommendations made by health professionals. Results Preliminary data is available for 37 infants born to 29 mothers from Feb 2009-Dec 2018. Of these, 32 women received TNFi. We assessed 3 outcomes – TNFi continuation during pregnancy, TNFi continuation during lactation and vaccination practice in infants exposed to TNFi. Women exposed to non-TNFi bDMARDs and tsDMARDs were excluded from this abstract, as these are not recommended for use during the perinatal period (2). Specialist Society Guidelines from the British Society of Rheumatology and the British Health Professional in Rheumatology were published in 2016 regarding the safety of TNFi during pregnancy (2). Prior to guideline publication, 67% (n=16/24) of the women in PEB ceased their TNFi pre-conception. Of those in PEB who became pregnant subsequent to guideline publication, only 25% (n=2/8) ceased TNFi pre-conception. Overall, 40.6% (n=13/32) women received a TNFi during the antenatal period consistent with guidelines, which improved from 33.3% (n=8/24) pre-publication, to 62.5% (n=5/8) post publication. 84.4% (n=27/32) women exposed to TNFi breastfed their infants. Prior to availability of evidence regarding the safety of TNFi during lactation, 79.2% (n=19/24) of infants were breastfed. After publication, 100% (n=8/8) infants exposed to TNFi were breastfed. In total, 96.9% (n=31/32) of the infants exposed to TNFi in PEB were vaccinated. Rotavirus vaccine should have been delayed in 43.8% (n=14/32) infants, but was not. 9.4% (n=3/32) infants had live vaccines deferred until only 3 months; 3.1% (n=1/32) infants had live vaccines unnecessarily delayed. Only 3.1% (n=1/32) infants had live vaccines appropriately delayed until 7 months. Compliance with vaccination recommendations increased from 43.5% (n=10/24) pre-publication to 62.5% (n=5/8) post publication of guidelines. Conclusion Preliminary data from PEB suggests that there has been a shift in practice following the publication of Specialist Society Guidelines, with increasing numbers of women continuing TNFi therapy during pregnancy and the postpartum period, in keeping with current evidence. Compliance with vaccination recommendations could be improved to be more consistent with published international guidelines. Reference [1] Flint J, et al. BSR and BHPR guideline on prescribing drugs in pregnancy and breastfeeding-Part I: standard and biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and corticosteroids. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2016;55(9):1693-7. Acknowledgement The PEB study is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from UCB Disclosure of Interests Stephanie Bond Grant/research support from: Pregnancy Exposed to Biologicals Study supported by UCB, Laurel Young Grant/research support from: Pregnancy Exposed to Biologicals Study supported by UCB, Katherine Poulsen Grant/research support from: Pregnancy Exposed to Biological Study supported by UCB, Helen L Barrett Grant/research support from: Pfizer Australia Cardiovascular lipid research grant, Andrew L Taylor Grant/research support from: Pregnancy Exposed to Biologicals Study supported by UCB, Claire Barrett Grant/research support from: Pregnancy Exposed to Biologicals Study supported by UCB, Speakers bureau: UCB Breakfast meeting chair Australian Rheumatology Association Annual Scientific Meeting 05/18

Five experiments explored short-term memory and incidental learning for random visual spatio-temporal sequences. In each experiment, human observers saw samples of 8 Hz temporally-modulated 1D or 2D contrast noise sequences whose members were either uncorrelated across an entire 1-s long stimulus sequence, or comprised two frozen noise sequences that repeated identically between a stimulus’ first and second 500 ms halves (“Repeated” noise). Presented with randomly intermixed stimuli of both types, observers judged whether each sequence repeated or not. Additionally, a particular exemplar of Repeated noise (a frozen or “Fixed Repeated” noise) was interspersed multiple times within a block of trials. As previously shown with auditory frozen noise stimuli ( Agus, Thorpe, & Pressnitzer, 2010 ) recognition performance ( d ′) increased with successive presentations of a Fixed Repeated stimulus, and exceeded performance with regular Repeated noise. However, unlike the case with auditory stimuli, learning of random visual stimuli was slow and gradual, rather than fast and abrupt. Reverse correlation revealed that contrasts occupying particular temporal positions within a sequence had disproportionately heavy weight in observers’ judgments. A subsequent experiment suggested that this result arose from observers’ uncertainty about the temporal mid-point of the noise sequences. Additionally, discrimination performance fell dramatically when a sequence of contrast values was repeated, but in reverse (“mirror image”) order. This poor performance with temporal mirror images is strikingly different from vision’s exquisite sensitivity to spatial mirror images.

Aldose reductase (AR) is implicated to play a critical role in diabetes and cardiovascular complications because of the reaction it catalyzes. Our data reveal that peroxisome proliferator WY 14,643, follows a pure non-competitive inhibition pattern in the aldehyde reduction activity as well as in the alcohol oxidation activity of AR. This finding communicates for the first time a novel feature of WY 14,643 in regulating AR activity. In addition, this observation indicates that AR, AR-like proteins and aldo-keto reductase (AKR) members may be involved in the WY 14,643 mechanism of action when it is administered as PPAR agonist.

This chapter reviews existing data mining tools for scraping data from heterogeneous online social networks. It introduces not only the complexities of scraping data from these sources (which include diverse data forms), but also presents currently available tools including their strengths and weaknesses. The chapter introduces our solution to effectively mining online social networks through the development of VoyeurServer, a tool we designed which builds upon the open-source Web-Harvest framework. We have shared details of how VoyeurServer was developed and how it works so that data mining developers can develop their own customized data mining solutions built upon the Web-Harvest framework. We conclude the chapter with future directions of our data mining project so that developers can incorporate relevant features into their data mining applications.