Neighborhood disadvantage, race, and clinical outcomes in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to determine the impact of neighborhood disadvantage on time from symptom onset to diagnosis and annualized relapse rate (ARR). METHODS: Neighborhood disadvantage were captured with the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a validated measure of neighborhood-level disadvantage. Negative binomial regression models assessed the impact of ADI on diagnostic delay (⩾3 months between symptom onset and diagnosis) and ARR. RESULTS: A total of 158 NMOSD patients were identified, a majority of whom were White (56.3%) and female (89.9%) with a mean age of 46 years at diagnosis. The ADI did not significantly affect odds of diagnostic delay (odds ratio (OR) = 0.99, p = 0.26). In univariable models, the ADI was not significantly associated with ARR (OR = 1.004, p = 0.29), but non-White race (OR = 1.541, p = 0.02) and time on immunosuppressive therapies (ISTs; OR = 0.994, p = 0.03) were. White patients used IST for an average of 81% of the follow-up period, compared to an average of 65% for non-White patients (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: No significant relationship between neighborhood-level disadvantage and diagnostic delay or ARR in NMOSD patients was observed. Non-White patients had a higher ARR, which may be related to less IST use.

Transurethral ureteric embolization for locally advanced cervical cancer with uretero-vaginal fistula - A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Targeted radiotherapy, surgery, and localised disease progression can all result in fistulous tract formation in patients with a pelvic malignancy, in particular cervical or endometrial cancer. This report discusses a novel technique for palliative management of ureterovaginal fistulas in end-stage disease. PRESENTATION OF CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 37 year old female with metastatic cervical squamous cell carcinoma previously treated with chemoradiation who presented with progressive disease and secondary development of a symptomatic ureterovaginal fistula. DISCUSSION: This case report discusses the causes and sequalae of uretero-vaginal fistula formation, the role of the interventional radiology with regards to palliative intervention, and potential patient factors that can affect performance of such procedures. CONCLUSION: Interventional radiology plays an important role in palliative and symptomatic management of end stage malignant disease. Ureteric embolisation via a retrograde transurethral approach by way of an existing stent is a novel approach to access making the procedure easier for both the patient and radiologist.

An audit of assessment rooms for mental health assessments in Ireland's emergency departments.

OBJECTIVES: To audit compliance of mental health assessment rooms in Irish adult emergency departments (EDs) which are open 24 hours on 7 days a week with standards identified by the Psychiatric Liaison Accreditation Network (PLAN). METHODS: A self-audit tool was sent via email to Clinical Nurse Specialists and Consultant Psychiatrists in Ireland's 26 Adult EDs that are open 24 hours on seven days a week. Results were collated and are presented ensuring anonymity. RESULTS: A response rate of 100% was achieved. Full or substantial compliance with PLAN standards was recorded in 73% of services. In seven services, the rooms used for mental health assessments were unsuitable when measured against the PLAN standards. A number of services identified the presence of ligature points within the rooms. CONCLUSION: The Health Service Executive (HSE) National Clinical Programme for the Assessment and Management of patients presenting to the ED following self-harm is committed to achieving 100% compliance with PLAN standards in all services. Recommendations include introducing formal ligature risk assessments and risk assessments of the use of the assessment rooms. The Chief Executive Officers of all hospital groups were informed of the results of the audits and advised on recommendations for each hospital ED.

The influence of protein concentration on key quality attributes of chickpea-based alternatives to cheese.

In response to consumer demands, plant protein ingredients are increasingly being used in the formulation of plant-based alternatives to cheese. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of protein concentration on key quality attributes of chickpea-based alternatives to cheese. Moreover, the age-induced changes in such attributes were assessed, with samples analysed after 1 month of storage. After characterisation of the ingredients, the chickpea-based formulations were prepared by blending chickpea flour and protein concentrate in different proportions to obtain four samples of increasing protein content (i.e., 8.68-21.5%). Formulations were developed at pH ∼4.5, and a moisture content of 50%, with shea butter used to obtain 15% fat content. The differential scanning calorimetry thermograms of the samples showed a main peak around 30 °C, corresponding to transition of the shea butter, and a smaller peak around 70 °C related to starch gelatinisation. Analysis of microstructure showed formation of a protein matrix with more extensive protein structure at high protein concentration. Furthermore, none of the chickpea-based samples melted under the testing conditions and all samples showed increasing values for adhesiveness, springiness and cohesiveness with increasing protein content. However, hardness was the highest for the sample with the lowest protein content, likely due to starch retrogradation. After storage, hardness increased further for all samples. This work improves our understanding of the role of chickpea protein in developing plant-based alternatives to cheese and the challenges therein.

How to: identify non-tuberculous Mycobacterium species using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: The implementation of MALDI-TOF MS for microorganism identification has changed the routine of the microbiology laboratories as we knew it. Most microorganisms can now be reliably identified within minutes using this inexpensive, user-friendly methodology. However, its application in the identification of mycobacteria isolates has been hampered by the structure of their cell wall. Improvements in the sample processing method and in the available database have proved key factors for the rapid and reliable identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolates using MALDI-TOF MS. AIMS: The main objective is to provide information about the proceedings for the identification of non-tuberculous isolates using MALDI-TOF MS and to review different sample processing methods, available databases, and the interpretation of the results. SOURCES: Results from relevant studies on the use of the available MALDI-TOF MS instruments, the implementation of innovative sample processing methods, or the implementation of improved databases are discussed. CONTENT: Insight about the methodology required for reliable identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria and its implementation in the microbiology laboratory routine is provided. IMPLICATIONS: Microbiology laboratories where MALDI-TOF MS is available can benefit from its capacity to identify most clinically interesting non-tuberculous mycobacteria in a rapid, reliable, and inexpensive manner.

Health-related quality of life as measured by the EQ-5D in the prevention, screening and management of cervical disease: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: Cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) of screening can be highly sensitive to the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) effects of screen tests and subsequent treatment. Accordingly, accurate assessment of HRQoL is essential. We reviewed the literature regarding HRQoL in cervical prevention and management in order to appraise the current evidence regarding this important input to CEA. METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE, Scopus and EconLit databases for studies that estimated HRQoL in cervical cancer prevention and management published January 1995-December 2015. The primary inclusion criterion was for studies that assess HRQoL using the EQ-5D. Data were abstracted from eligible studies on setting, elicitation group, sample size, elicitation instruments, health state valuations, study design and follow-up. We assessed the quality and comparability of the studies with a particular focus on the HRQoL reported across states and groups. RESULTS: Fifteen papers met the inclusion criteria. Most used patient elicitation groups (n = 11), 2 used the general public and 2 used a mix of both. Eight studies were cross-sectional and seven were longitudinal. Six studies used both the EQ-5D-3L and the EQ-VAS together with other measures of overall HRQoL or condition-specific instruments. Extensive heterogeneity was observed across study characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal the challenges of sourcing reliable estimates of HRQoL for use in CEAs of cervical cancer prevention and treatment. The EQ-5D appears insufficiently sensitive for some health states. A more general problem is the paucity of HRQoL estimates for many health states and their change over time.

Investigations and implications of associations between mycobacterial purified protein derivative hypersensitivity and MAP-antibody ELISA in Irish dairy cows.

Intradermal testing, involving administration of purified protein derivative (PPD), to elicit a delayed hypersensitivity (DTH) response, is used as a diagnostic tool for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and to aid in the identification of exposure to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), the causative agent of Johne's disease (JD). Further research is required to increase the diagnostic value of skin testing for MAP. The aim of this study was to investigate if animals showing DTH reactions to PPD had an associated increase in MAP ELISA response, thereby identifying potential cases of sub-clinical JD. A 139-cow dairy herd was recruited to the study. During the mandatory annual bTB test, skin thickness measurements (mm) were recorded at the site of avian and bovine PPD administration. Cows were categorised based on recording no DTH, DTH at both PPD administration sites and DTH at one PPD site only. Blood samples were collected pre and post bTB testing, and ELISA tested. Generalised estimating equations were performed to identify associations between DTH responses and MAP ELISA results. Significant associations were identified between PPD DTH responses and MAP ELISA readings. Animals with DTH at both avian and bovine PPD sites were most likely to test ELISA positive in the post-PPD period relative to other categories. Further research is required to identify whether skin thickness increases post-PPD and associated increase in ELISA response, identifies animals previously exposed to MAP, or if results are due to cross reactivity.

Analysis of Johne's disease ELISA status and associated performance parameters in Irish dairy cows.

BACKGROUND: Infection with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) has been associated with reductions in milk production in dairy cows and sub optimal fertility. The aim of this study was to highlight the production losses associated with testing MAP ELISA positive in Irish dairy cows. Secondary objectives included investigation of risk factors associated with testing MAP ELISA positive. A survey of management practices on study farms was also conducted, with examination of associations between management practices and herd MAP status. Blood samples were collected from 4188 breeding animals on 22 farms. Samples were ELISA tested using the ID Screen Paratuberculosis Indirect Screening Test. Production parameters examined included milk yield, milk fat, milk protein, somatic cell count, and calving interval. The association between MAP ELISA status and production data was investigated using multi-level mixed models. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for testing JD blood ELISA positive at individual cow level and to identify associations between farm management practices and herd MAP status. RESULTS: Data were available for 3528 cows. The apparent prevalence recorded was 7.4%. Mixed model analysis revealed no statistically significant association between testing MAP ELISA positive and dairy cow production parameters. Risk factors associated with testing positive included larger sized herds being over twice more likely to test positive than smaller herds (OR 2.4 P = <0.001). Friesians were less likely to test positive relative to other breeds. A number of study farmers were engaged in management practices that have previously been identified as high risk for MAP transmission e.g., 73.1% pooled colostrum and 84.6% of study farmers used the calving area to house sick animals throughout the year. No significant associations however, were identified between farm management practices and herd MAP status. CONCLUSION: No production losses were identified; however an apparent prevalence of 7.4% was recorded. With the abolition of EU milk quotas herd size in Ireland is expanding, as herds included in this study were larger than the national average, results may be indicative of future JD levels if no JD control programmes are implemented to minimise transmission.

Mycobacterium diagnostics: from the primitive to the promising.

The field of clinical microbiology has been revolutionised by genomic and proteomic methods, which have facilitated more rapid diagnosis and characterisation of infection in many cases. In contrast, mycobacteriological evolution has tended to retain the traditional methods of smear microscopy for detection of acid-fast bacilli to indicate mycobacteria, along with culture, and in synergy with more modern molecular methods. Thus, efforts have been focused on reducing the time to diagnosis of infection, while increasing the amount of diagnostic information available, including more definitive speciation, and more rapid susceptibility test results. Although smear microscopy remains a mainstay for the laboratory-based diagnosis of mycobacterial infection, molecular testing has vastly reduced the time needed for identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in particular, when compared with traditional culture-based techniques. Molecular methods may also yield antimicrobial susceptibility results through testing for the most common resistance-inducing mutations to some of the antimicrobial agents of choice. However, the diversity of resistance mutations already characterised suggests that these currently-available molecular detection systems should be accompanied by culture-based susceptibility testing. This review compares the efficacy of microscopic, phenotypic, proteomic and genotypic methods available for mycobacterial diagnosis. The diversity of methods currently in use reflects the complexity of this area of diagnostic microbiology.

Determination of 20 coccidiostats in milk, duck muscle and non-avian muscle tissue using UHPLC-MS/MS.

In this paper, methods were developed to measure coccidiostats in bovine milk, duck muscle and non-avian species. The methods were validated to the maximum levels and MRLs laid down in European Union legislation. A simple sample preparation procedure was developed for the isolation of coccidiostat residues from bovine, ovine, equine, porcine and duck muscle tissue, based on solvent extraction with acetonitrile and concentration. An alternative method had to be developed for milk samples based on the QuEChERS sample preparation approach because of the high water content in this matrix. Milk samples were adjusted to basic pH with sodium hydroxide and extracted by using a slurry of acetonitrile, MgSO4 and NaCl. Purified sample extracts were subsequently analysed by using UHPLC-MS/MS in a 13.2-min chromatographic run. It was found that the use of rapid polarity switching enabled both negatively and positively charged ions to be analysed from a single injection. By using this approach, solvent usage was reduced significantly and sample throughput improved. The method was validated for the analysis of 20 coccidiostats (arprinocid, clopidol, decoquinate, diclazuril, diaveridine, ethopabate, halofuginone, laidlomycin, lasalocid, maduramicin, monensin, narasin, nequinate, nicarbazin, robenidine, salinomycin, semduramicin, toltrazuril, toltrazuril sulphoxide and toltrazuril sulphone) in muscle and milk. The method is quantitative for toltrazurils, but it cannot be used for confirmation because only the precursor ion is monitored. Accuracy values for muscle ranged from 80% to 125%, while CCα ranged from 2.2 µg kg(-1) for clopidol to 122 µg kg(-1) for toltrazuril sulphoxide. Bovine milk accuracy ranged from 84% to 120% for all analytes except maduramicin, semduramicin and salinomycin, for which the values were higher. CCα values achieved ranged from 1.1 µg kg(-1) for arprinocid, nequinate and lasalocid to 27 µg kg(-1) for toltrazuril.

Investigation into the prevalence, persistence and antibiotic resistance profiles of staphylococci isolated from euro currency.

AIMS: The study set out to sample € 10 banknotes for the presence of coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) in Southern Ireland, to assess the levels of antibiotic resistance among those isolated, and determine the persistence of S. aureus on € 10 banknotes and € 2 coins. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report that 97% of € 10 banknotes screened (n = 155) harboured multiple species of staphylococci. From the generated bank of strains, a total of 150 representative staphylococci isolates were used for further study, 71 were CPS and 79 were CoNS. Of these, we found that 62% of the staphylococci demonstrated resistance to at least one of the first-line antibiotics (52.11% of CPS isolates and 76.71% of the CoNS isolates). Resistance to multiple antibiotics was seen in 31.18% of the resistant isolates. In relation to persistence studies, S. aureus was shown to remain viable on euro banknotes and coins for significant periods (on average, 19.33 days on € 10 banknotes and 16.67 days on € 2 coins) as determined using bioluminescence. CONCLUSIONS: We advocate the expansion of antibiotic surveillance programs, with a view to tracking/monitoring antibiotic resistance dissemination among environmental contaminants. Additionally, we propose that 'cashless transactions' should be encouraged in high-risk environments such as hospitals and healthcare settings, as well as stricter infection controls. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Although it is accepted that circulating currency has the potential to harbour disease-causing pathogens, studies investigating prevalence and persistence of such pathogens on euro currency are virtually nonexistent. In an attempt to rectify this, we examined the prevalence of staphylococci on € 10 banknotes in Ireland and reported relatively high levels of antibiotic resistance among the isolates. Furthermore, we have established the persistence of S. aureus on euro currency for the first time.

How does gender influence immigrant and refugee women's postpartum depression help-seeking experiences?

The number of migrants arriving in Canada from non-European countries has grown significantly over the past three decades. How best to assist these escalating numbers of immigrant and refugee women to adapt to their new environment and to cope with postpartum depression (PPD) is a pressing issue for healthcare providers. Evidence has shown that immigrant and refugee women experience difficulties in accessing care and treatment for PPD. This qualitative study was conducted with 30 immigrant and refugee women using in-depth interviews to obtain information about the women's PPD experiences. The primary aim was to explore how cultural, social, political, historical and economic factors intersect with race, gender and class to influence the ways in which immigrant and refugee women seek help to manage PPD. Results reveal that immigrant and refugee women experience many complex gender-related challenges and facilitators in seeking equitable help for PPD treatment and prevention. We will demonstrate that (a) structural barriers and gender roles hinder women's ability to access necessary mental healthcare services and (b) insecure immigration status coupled with emotional and economic dependence may leave women vulnerable and disadvantaged in protecting themselves against PPD.

Metallization of the potassium overlayer on the ß-SiC(100) c(4 × 2) surface.

We present new data on the potassium-induced semiconducting to metallic transition of the silicon-terminated ß-SiC(100) c(4 × 2) surface, resulting from density functional theory simulations. We have analysed many different SiC(100)-K surface topologies, corresponding to K coverages ranging from 0.08 to 1.25 monolayers (ML), paying special attention to the 2/3 ML and 1 ML cases where a metal-insulator transition has been reported to occur. We find that the SiC(100)-K surface is metallic in all the cases. In spite of that, the potassium layer shows a very low density of states in the semiconductor gap up to potassium coverages of ~1 ML, beyond which the potassium layer undergoes a transition to metallic behaviour, explaining the experimental observation. We propose a new atomic model for the surface reconstruction of the 1 ML case which is lower in total energy than the previously suggested model based on linear potassium chains.