The representation of authors of color in schizophrenia research articles published in high-impact psychiatric journals.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluate how often scholars of color publish papers on schizophrenia in high-impact psychiatric journals, and whether they are more likely than white authors to prioritize race/ethnicity as a primary variable of interest in analyses. METHODS: Prior work categorized the types of ethnoracial analyses reported in 474 papers about schizophrenia published in high-impact psychiatric journals between 2014 and 2016. In this study, the photographs of the first and last author for each paper were coded as "person of color" (POC) or "white". Additionally, each author was asked to self-report their race and ethnicity. The percentage of papers published by white versus POC authors was calculated. Chi-square analyses tested the hypotheses that (a) white scholars are more likely than POC scholars to conduct any sort of racial analysis; (b) POC scholars are more likely to conduct primary analyses by race/ethnicity; and (c) white scholars are more likely to analyze race/ethnicity as extraneous variables. RESULTS: Eighteen percent of papers were published by POC first authors, and 17% were published by POC last authors. There were minimal differences in the types of analyses conducted by POC and white authors. Self-reported race/ethnicity showed that Asian scholars were the most highly represented within POC authors (9% of respondents), but only 3% of authors identified as Hispanic/Latinx and none identified as Black or Indigenous American. CONCLUSIONS: People of color are underrepresented as authors in US-based schizophrenia research published in high-impact journals. Culturally-informed mentorship as well as prioritization of race/ethnicity in funding structures are important to increase representation of POC authors.

An interesting increase in immediate and residual efficacy of a trade mark of alcoholic 2% chlorhexidine gluconate, with and without dye, has been demonstrated by an in vitro study with ATCC micro-organisms and strains isolated from ICU patients.

AIM: ChloraPrep™ (CHP) is a clear solution of 2% (w/v) chlorhexidine (CHG) in 70% (v/v) isopropyl alcohol (IPA) administered with a specially designed sterile single-use applicator in which a tinting agent can be added to the CHP solution upon activation of applicator immediately prior to patient skin preparation (CHP+T). This study investigated whether the immediate and residual efficacy of CHP vs CHP+T and a stock solution of 2% CHG in 70% IPA varied, and whether CHP was compromised by the addition of the dye. METHODS AND RESULTS: We compared the immediate and residual activity (in 1 min) of 70% IPA with that of 2% CHG in 70% IPA stock solution prepared in the laboratory against CHP+T and CHP, against 22 micro-organisms (5 ATCC and 18 clinical isolates) on germ-carriers. CHP and CHP+T demonstrated superior immediate and residual efficacy compared to the 70% IPA plus 2% CHG in 70% IPA stock solutions. Each antiseptic tested showed greater efficacy against the Gram-positive bacteria than against the Gram-negative bacteria. However, their antimicrobial effect on yeasts was even lower. CONCLUSIONS: CHP and CHP+T have superior immediate and residual efficacy compared to stock 70% IPA and 2% CHG in 70% IPA solutions, and CHP+T is not affected by the tinting agent. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: ChloraPrep is a product which can be stained just before use. We have demonstrated that the immediate and residual efficacy of the antimicrobial solution is not compromised by the dye. The efficacy of CHP is greater against bacteria than against yeasts obtained from ICU patients. Interestingly, CHP is more effective against bacteria than a formula made in the laboratory with the same basic components (2% chlorhexidine and 70% IPA). The intermittent heat sterilization process of the commercial preparation might hypothetically have improved the residual activity of the CHP solutions.

Experimental precipitation of apatite pseudofossils resembling fossil embryos.

Certain phosphatic grains preserved in the rock record are interpreted as microfossils representing a diversity of microorganisms from bacteria to fossil embryos. In addition to bona fide primary biological features, phosphatic microfossils and fossil embryos commonly exhibit features that result from abiotic precipitation or diagenetic alteration. Distinguishing between abiotic and primary biological features can be difficult, and some features thought to represent biological tissue could instead be artifacts that are unrelated to the original morphology of a preserved organism. Here, we present experimentally generated, abiotically produced mineral precipitates that morphologically resemble biologically produced features, some of which may be observed in the rock record or noted in extant organisms, including embryos. These findings extend the diversity of biomorphic features known to result from abiotic precipitation.

Impact of surgical site infection on healthcare costs and patient outcomes: a systematic review in six European countries.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, SSIs constitute a financial burden and negatively impact on patient quality of life (QoL). AIM: To assess, and evaluate the evidence for, the cost and health-related QoL (HRQoL) burden of SSIs across various surgical specialties in six European countries. METHODS: Electronic databases and conference proceedings were systematically searched to identify studies reporting the cost and HRQoL burden of SSIs. Studies published post 2005 in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and the UK were eligible for data extraction. Studies were categorized by surgical specialty, and the primary outcomes were the cost of infection, economic evaluations, and HRQoL. FINDINGS: Twenty-six studies met the eligibility criteria and were included for analysis. There was a paucity of evidence in the countries of interest; however, SSIs were consistently associated with elevated costs, relative to uninfected patients. Several studies reported that SSI patients required prolonged hospitalization, reoperation, readmission, and that SSIs increased mortality rates. Only one study reported QoL evidence, the results of which demonstrated that SSIs reduced HRQoL scores (EQ-5D). Hospitalization reportedly constituted a substantial cost burden, with additional costs arising from medical staff, investigation, and treatment costs. CONCLUSION: Disparate reporting of SSIs makes direct cost comparisons difficult, but this review indicated that SSIs are extremely costly. Thus, rigorous procedures must be implemented to minimize SSIs. More economic and QoL studies are required to make accurate cost estimates and to understand the true burden of SSIs.

Inhibition of the Aurora A kinase augments the anti-tumor efficacy of oncolytic measles virotherapy.

Oncolytic measles virus (MV) strains have demonstrated broad spectrum preclinical anti-tumor efficacy, including breast cancer. Aurora A kinase controls mitotic spindle formation and has a critical role in malignant transformation. We hypothesized that the Aurora A kinase inhibitor MLN8237 (alisertib) can increase MV oncolytic effect and efficacy by causing mitotic arrest. Alisertib enhanced MV oncolysis in vitro and significantly improved outcome in vivo against breast cancer xenografts. In a disseminated MDA-231-lu-P4 lung metastatic model, the MV/alisertib combination treatment markedly increased median survival to 82.5 days with 20% of the animals being long-term survivors versus 48 days median survival for the control animals. Similarly, in a pleural effusion model of advanced breast cancer, the MV/alisertib combination significantly improved outcome with a 74.5 day median survival versus the single agent groups (57 and 40 days, respectively). Increased viral gene expression and IL-24 upregulation were demonstrated, representing possible mechanisms for the observed increase in anti-tumor effect. Inhibiting Aurora A kinase with alisertib represents a novel approach to enhance MV-mediated oncolysis and antitumor effect. Both oncolytic MV strains and alisertib are currently tested in clinical trials, this study therefore provides the basis for translational applications of this combinatorial strategy in the treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer.

Mineral magnetic measurements as a pollution proxy for canal sediments (Birmingham Canal Navigation Main Line).

The use of mineral magnetic measurements (XLF, XARM and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM)) as a potential particle size - pollution proxy for sediment samples collected from the Birmingham Mainline canal (UK) is explored as an alternative means of monitoring pollution. Comparison of sediment-related analytical data by correlation analyses between each magnetic parameter and individual particle size classes (i.e. sand, silt and clay), and more discrete intervals within classes (e.g. fine sand or medium silt) are reported. XLF, XARM and SIRM parameters reveal few significant (p < .05; n = 60), weak (rs = .443), associations with clay content. Specific areas of historic anthropogenic activity are investigated and reveal improved correlations with )XLF vs. clay (r = .739, p < .001; n = 60), silt (r = -.612, p < .001; n = 60), and discrete fractions of sediment (r = .700-.868; p < .001). Comparison of mineral magnetic concentration and geochemistry are also reported with moderate to strong relationships between XLF, XARM, Fe, Pb and Co. Contrary to earlier research findings, the results for the Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line indicate that magnetic measurements cannot always provide a predictable particle size proxy and it is only certain environments and/or specific settings that are appropriate for granulometric normalization by this technique.

Potential linkages between mineral magnetic measurements and urban roadside soil pollution (part 2).

Use of mineral magnetic concentration parameters (χLF, χARM and SIRM) as a potential pollution proxy for soil samples collected from Wolverhampton (UK) is explored. Comparison of soil-related analytical data by correlation analyses between each magnetic parameter and individual geochemical classes (i.e. Fe, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cd), are reported. χLF, χARM and SIRM parameters reveal significant (p < 0.001 n = 60), strong (r = 0.632-0.797), associations with Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb. Inter-geochemical correlations suggest anthropogenic influences, which is supported by low χFD% measurements that infer an influence of multi-domain mineralogy are indicative of anthropogenic combustion processes. Results indicate mineral magnetic measurements could potentially be used as a geochemical indicator for soils in certain environments and/or specific settings that are appropriate for monitoring techniques. The mineral magnetic technique offers a simple, reliable, rapid, sensitive, inexpensive and non-destructive approach that could be a valuable pollution proxy for soil contamination studies.

Mineral magnetic measurements as a particle size proxy for urban roadside soil pollution (part 1).

The use of mineral magnetic concentration parameters (χLF, χARM and SIRM) as a potential particle size proxy for soil samples collected from Wolverhampton (UK) is explored as an alternative means of normalizing particle size effects. Comparison of soil-related analytical data by correlation analyses between each magnetic parameter and individual particle size classes (i.e. sand, silt and clay), more discrete intervals within classes (e.g. fine sand or medium silt) and cumulative size fractions (e.g. clay + fine silt) are reported. χLF, χARM and SIRM parameters reveal significant (p < 0.05; p < 0.001 n = 60), moderate negative (rs = -0.3 to -0.557) associations with clay, silt and sand content. Contrary to earlier research findings which found positive relationships, this indicates that magnetic measurements cannot always provide a predictable particle size proxy and it is only certain environments and/or specific settings that are appropriate for granulometric normalization by this technique. However, if future researchers working in other soil settings can identify a formal predictable relationship, the technique is known to offer a simple, reliable, rapid, sensitive, inexpensive and non-destructive approach that could be a valuable proxy for normalizing particle size effects in soil contamination studies.

Filamentous sulfur bacteria preserved in modern and ancient phosphatic sediments: implications for the role of oxygen and bacteria in phosphogenesis.

Marine phosphate-rich sedimentary deposits (phosphorites) are important geological reservoirs for the biologically essential nutrient phosphorous. Phosphorites first appear in abundance approximately 600 million years ago, but their proliferation at that time is poorly understood. Recent marine phosphorites spatially correlate with the habitats of vacuolated sulfide-oxidizing bacteria that store polyphosphates under oxic conditions to be utilized under sulfidic conditions. Hydrolysis of the stored polyphosphate results in the rapid precipitation of the phosphate-rich mineral apatite-providing a mechanism to explain the association between modern phosphorites and these bacteria. Whether sulfur bacteria were important to the formation of ancient phosphorites has been unresolved. Here, we present the remains of modern sulfide-oxidizing bacteria that are partially encrusted in apatite, providing evidence that bacterially mediated phosphogenesis can rapidly permineralize sulfide-oxidizing bacteria and perhaps other types of organic remains. We also describe filamentous microfossils that resemble modern sulfide-oxidizing bacteria from two major phosphogenic episodes in the geologic record. These microfossils contain sulfur-rich inclusions that may represent relict sulfur globules, a diagnostic feature of modern sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. These findings suggest that sulfur bacteria, which are known to mediate the precipitation of apatite in modern sediments, were also present in certain phosphogenic settings for at least the last 600 million years. If polyphosphate-utilizing sulfide-oxidizing bacteria also played a role in the formation of ancient phosphorites, their requirements for oxygen, or oxygen-requiring metabolites such as nitrate, might explain the temporal correlation between the first appearance of globally distributed marine phosphorites and increasing oxygenation of Neoproterozoic oceans.

IDH mutation analysis in gliomas as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker.

INTRODUCTION: There is a high rate of IDH1/2 mutations in low grade gliomas and in high grade gliomas deriving from them. IDH analysis of gliomas is a novel method of classification and an independent prognostic marker. We compared antibody and sequencing methods for the detection of IDH mutations. METHOD: 88 samples from 74 patients were identified. For immunohistochemistry: sections were stained with anti-IDH1R132H antibody. For sequencing: DNA was extracted from fresh, frozen tissue. RESULTS: 28% (20/71) of cases were positive for the R132H IDH1 mutation by antibody. An IDH1 mutation was detected by molecular genetics in 37% (21/57) of cases and no IDH2 mutations were detected. 24% (5/21) had rare IDH1 mutations not detected by immunohistochemistry. Where sufficient tissue was available, immunohistochemistry and DNA analysis were fully concordant for the p.Arg132His mutation. Both Grade II gliomas and anaplastic astrocytomas showed a statistically different distribution of IDH1 mutation load compared to GBMs (p < 0.0001; p = 0.0021 respectively). CONCLUSION: A rationalised combined approach involving R132H antibody testing and sequencing of negative cases would be ideal for the detection of IDH1 mutations--antibody testing is cheaper than sequencing but sequencing demonstrates rare IDH1 mutations not detected by immunohistochemistry.

Preoperative skin preparation: a historical perspective.

The incidence of health-care-associated infections has reduced since skin antisepsis was introduced in the 19th century. Despite this, health-care-associated infections, including post-surgical sepsis, continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the evidence for the use of preoperative skin preparations.

Community-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an urban HIV clinic.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of skin/soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and to determine risks for MRSA infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in HIV-infected out-patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of SSTIs in HIV-infected out-patients. A questionnaire was used to record MRSA risk factors and treatment. In vitro testing for antibiotic susceptibility, inducible clindamycin resistance, panton-valentine leucocidin (PVL) toxin, and the staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec (SCCmec) type was performed using standardized methods. Treatment outcomes included resolution of primary site of infection, nonresolution of infection and reinfection and were confirmed at clinic visit and/or telephone follow-up. RESULTS: Forty-one of 44 patients had an SSTI caused by MRSA. African-Americans comprised 21 of 41 MRSA patients. The median CD4 count of MRSA patients was 411 cells/microL. Four patients required hospitalization and three patients had secondary bacteraemia. Twenty-one of 41 MRSA patients had healthcare-associated (HCA) MRSA risk factors including a history of prior MRSA infection (n=9) and hospitalization within 6 months (n=11). Other prevalent MRSA risk factors included receipt of systemic antibiotics within 6 months (n=21) and previous incarceration (n=19). Twenty-two patients had a significant non-HIV-related comorbid illness. The majority of isolates were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, and clindamycin. Inducible clindamycin resistance was detected in 0 of 16 erythromycin-resistant, clindamycin-susceptible MRSA isolates. Twenty-one of 24 isolates tested positive for SCCmec type IV. Twenty-four of 24 isolates tested positive for the PVL gene. Antibiotic treatment was discordant (bacteria nonsusceptible to antibiotic used) in eight MRSA patients. The primary SSTI resolved in 37 of 40 MRSA patients. Recurrence of infection at a site other than the primary site was relatively common (11 patients). CONCLUSIONS: We found a high rate of MRSA causing SSTI in community-dwelling patients. The majority of isolates were positive for PVL and SCCmec IV, which is typical of community-associated MRSA isolates causing SSTIs in the general population. Inducible clindamycin resistance was not detected. Most patients had MRSA risk factors. The initial site of infection resolved in most cases but subsequent MRSA infection was relatively common.

Additional evidence for the genomic imprinting model of sex determination in the haplodiploid wasp Nasonia vitripennis: isolation of biparental diploid males after X-ray mutagenesis.

The primary sex-determining signal in the haplodiploid wasp Nasonia vitripennis is not known. In haplodiploid reproduction, unfertilized eggs typically develop into uniparental haploid males and fertilized eggs into biparental diploid females. Although this reproductive strategy is common to all Hymenoptera, sex-determination is not strictly specified by the number of genome copies inherited. Furthermore, primary sex-determining signals differ among haplodiploid species. In the honeybee, for example, the primary signal is the genotype at a single, polymorphic locus: diploid animals that are homozygous develop into males while heterozygotes develop into females. Sex determination in Nasonia cannot be explained by this mechanism. Various lines of evidence show that the inheritance of a paternal genome is required for female sexual development and suggest a genomic imprinting mechanism involving an imprinted gene, expressed only from a paternal copy, that triggers female sexual development. In this model, haploid or diploid uniparental embryos develop into males due to a maternal imprint that silences this locus. The genomic imprinting model predicts that a loss-of-function mutation in the paternal copy of the imprinted gene would result in male sexual development in a biparental diploid embryo. In support of this model, we have identified rare biparental diploid males in the F1 progeny of X-ray mutagenized haploid males. Although uniparental diploid male progeny of virgin triploid females have been previously described, this is the first report of biparental diploid males in Nasonia. Our work provides a new, independent line of evidence for the genomic imprinting model of Nasonia sex determination.

Early protected motion after extensor tendon repair.

Thirty hands with 50 extensor tendon lacerations, excluding mallet finger injuries, were examined. They were treated with surgical repair followed by immediate motion which included a dynamic splinting and tendon mobilization program. The average follow-up period was 7 months (range, 8 weeks to 2 years). Forty-five of the 50 tendons regained full range of motion (average total active motion, 262 degrees) within an average time of 9 weeks; the remaining 5 tendons had extension lags of < or = 10 degrees. All patients regained at least 93% of their predicted normal strength within 9 to 12 weeks and returned to their previous level of activity in an average of 10 weeks. These results, which include complex lacerations, are an improvement from previously published data. This is probably due to the addition of a tendon mobilization program to dynamic splinting following extensor tendon repair.

Diverse stimuli induce calpain overexpression and apoptosis in C6 glioma cells.

Calpain, a Ca2+-activated cysteine protease, has been implicated in apoptosis of immune cells. Since central nervous system (CNS) is abundant in calpain, the possible involvement of calpain in apoptosis of CNS cells needs to be investigated. We studied calpain expression in rat C6 glioma cells exposed to reactive hydroxyl radical (.OH) [formed via the Fenton reaction (Fe2++H2O2+H+-->Fe3++H2O+.OH)], interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and calcium ionophore (A23187). Cell death, cell cycle, calpain expression, and calpain activity were examined. Diverse stimuli induced apoptosis in C6 cells morphologically (chromatin condensation as detected by light microscopy) and biochemically [DNA fragmentation as detected by TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay]. Oxidative stress arrested a population of C6 cells at the G2/M phase of cell cycle. The levels of mRNA expression of six genes were analyzed by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Diverse stimuli did not alter beta-actin (internal control) expression, but increased calpain expression, and the upregulated bax (pro-apoptotic)/bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic) ratio. There was no significant increase in expression of calpastatin (endogenous calpain inhibitor). Western blot analysis showed an increase in calpain content and degradation of myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), a calpain substrate. Pretreatment of C6 cells with calpeptin (a cell-permeable calpain inhibitor) blocked calpain overexpression, MAG degradation, and DNA fragmentation. We conclude that calpain overexpression due to.OH stress, IFN-gamma stimulation, or Ca2+ influx is involved in C6 cell death, which is attenuated by a calpain-specific inhibitor.

Prevalence of Tritrichomonas fetus in a bull population and effect on production in a large cow-calf enterprise.

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of infection with tritrichomonas fetus in a bull population; assess influence of age, breed, and grouping; assess effects on measures of cow performance (pregnancy rate, weaning percentage, weaning weight); and estimate test sensitivity. DESIGN: Epidemiologic study. ANIMALS: 1,383 bulls and records for 28,471 cows bred by these bulls in the immediate past breeding season. PROCEDURE: Bulls in 11 cattle units on a large ranch were tested for T fetus colonization by vigorous preputial scraping and protozoologic culture until no newly infected bulls were identified. Bull infection prevalence within units was calculated and correlated to production measurements reported for each cattle unit. RESULTS: Mean prevalence of T fetus-infected bulls was 11.9% (range, 0 to 35.9%). Significant difference was detected between mean age of infected bulls (5.5 years) and noninfected bulls (3.9 years). Difference in prevalence among breeds was found, although other factors may have influenced this finding. Cow performance measurements (weaning percentage, mean weaning weight, and adjusted mean weaning weight/exposed cow) for cows exposed by breeding to bull groups with the highest prevalence of infection (35.9%) were significantly different from mean values for the entire study population. Test sensitivity for this study (73%) was less than that reported in other studies. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: T fetus infection in a natural service beef herd has an adverse impact on several production measures: Severity of impact is related to prevalence of infection in the bull population, where prevalence is bull age and population dependent.

Music therapy as a nursing intervention.

1. Music, a universal language with many purposes, can be used in the health care setting to aid in stress reduction and anxiety. 2. When used in the psychiatric setting, music can elicit emotion and affect behavior change. 3. Nurses in the psychiatric setting can include music in a group session that evokes thoughts, feelings, and memories for the clients.

Quality of life as an evaluative measure in assessing the impact of community care on people with long-term psychiatric disorders.

BACKGROUND: The impact of community resettlement on the quality of life of people with long-term psychiatric disorders, is evaluated in a longitudinal study. METHOD: A repeated measures design was used to examine the sensitivity of an adapted version of Lehman's Quality of Life Interview in evaluating change. Completed interviews were carried out with 29 of the original cohort at one year post-discharge. The relationship between quality of life and ratings of client functioning is explored. RESULTS: Significant changes in the objective quality of life indices include improved living conditions (F = 40.00, P < 0.001), higher levels of social contact (F = 29.52, P < 0.01) and increased leisure activities (F = 4.57, P < 0.05). Apart from increased satisfaction with living situation (F = 6.94, P < 0.01), there were no significant changes in the subjective indices. Ratings of psychiatric state and social functioning did not significantly correlate with global quality of life at one year post-discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Concerns in relation to the sensitivity of life satisfaction ratings in evaluating programme interventions are raised.

Early motion protocols in hand and wrist rehabilitation.

Early motion programs establish gliding, decrease unwanted adhesions, and enhance the healing process and return to normal function of injuries. This article elaborates on how to best incorporate early motion programs into the rehabilitation process.

Early motion after extensor tendon surgery.

Early motion programs for extensor tendon lacerations and repairs are relatively new and are proving to be extremely beneficial in the rehabilitation process. This article discusses when these programs are indicated and the details of how to provide a good early motion program.