Increased rates of hospital-onset Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia in National Health Service acute trusts in England between June 2020 and March 2021: a national surveillance review.

A large increase in hospital-onset and intensive-care-unit-onset Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia rates in English acute trusts was observed between 2020 and 2021, coinciding with reported increases in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases and associated hospitalizations. Many of these S. aureus bacteraemia cases were defined as co-/secondary infections to COVID-19. Over the same period, increases in the percentage of ventilator-associated pneumonia-related bacteraemia were also found. The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have contributed to the increase in hospital-onset S. aureus bacteraemia in England; further studies are needed to better understand the impacts on patient outcomes.

Molecular evidence of hemoplasmas in Malaysian cattle and ticks.

Hemotrophic mycoplasma (hemoplasmas) is a cell wall-less bacterium causing infectious anemia in animals. As data on hemoplasmas infecting cattle in Malaysia is scarce, specific polymerase chain reaction assays were used for detection of hemoplasmas from blood samples of cattle and ticks in this study. Hemoplasma DNA was detected in 69 (69.0%) of 100 cattle blood samples obtained from different breeds. A total of 50.0% of the cattle in this study were infected with only Mycoplasma wenyonii, while 2.0% were infected with only Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos and 17% were infected with both species. Based on sequence analysis of the partial or nearly full length sequences of hemoplasma 16S rRNA gene, the presence of M. wenyonii and Candidatus M. haemobos was confirmed. Hemoplasmapositive cattle of less than three years appeared to have higher infection rate compared to other age groups. M. wenyonii was identified for the first time in approximately 30% of cattle ticks (Rhipicephalus microplus and Haemaphysalis sp.) in this study. This study presents the first molecular evidence of hemoplasmas in Malaysian cattle and ticks.

Molecular evidence of hemoplasmas in Malaysian cattle and ticks

Hemotrophic mycoplasma (hemoplasmas) is a cell wall-less bacterium causing infectious anemia in animals. As data on hemoplasmas infecting cattle in Malaysia is scarce, specific polymerase chain reaction assays were used for detection of hemoplasmas from blood samples of cattle and ticks in this study. Hemoplasma DNA was detected in 69 (69.0%) of 100 cattle blood samples obtained from different breeds. A total of 50.0% of the cattle in this study were infected with only Mycoplasma wenyonii, while 2.0% were infected with only Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos and 17% were infected with both species. Based on sequence analysis of the partial or nearly full length sequences of hemoplasma 16S rRNA gene, the presence of M. wenyonii and Candidatus M. haemobos was confirmed. Hemoplasmapositive cattle of less than three years appeared to have higher infection rate compared to other age groups. M. wenyonii was identified for the first time in approximately 30% of cattle ticks (Rhipicephalus microplus and Haemaphysalis sp.) in this study. This study presents the first molecular evidence of hemoplasmas in Malaysian cattle and ticks.

[Genomic methods for identification of traits and inherited disorders in farm animals]. / Genomik zur Identifikation von Merkmalen und Erbfehlern beim Nutztier.

In this review we demonstrate the interaction of the blueprint of an individual (the genome, genomic DNA), its phenotype and the environment. The phenotype consists of quantitative (e.g. growth, milk yield) or functional characteristics e.g. fitness, longevity, fertility and disease resistance. The latter characteristics influence the welfare of an animal substantially. As only the genetically determined part of a particular characteristic is transferred from one generation to the next, it is important to know what the genetic variants (alleles) of the parents at one or more gene loci are. New methods in molecular biology have made it possible to localize and characterize important genes which help to breed more efficient and healthy animals. The exact characterization of the phenotype is vital in identifying genes with major effects and therefore the cooperation with experts from veterinary medicine, biochemistry, and biology is indispensable. As well as an overview of available genetic tests in farm animals, we show various examples how to identify the molecular basis of a particular phenotype and how to use the results in practical breeding programs. Genetic diagnosis enables the breeder to identify undesired alleles early and hinders therefore its uncontrolled distribution in the population. In the long term this leads to a smaller number of affected animals and depending on the disease it may help to prevent animals from suffering.

The L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase gene (GULO) which is a candidate for vitamin C deficiency in pigs maps to chromosome 14.

Vitamin C deficient pigs, when fed a diet lacking L-ascorbic acid (AscA), manifest deformity of the legs, multiple fractures, osteoporosis, growth retardation and haemorrhagic tendencies. This trait was shown by others to be controlled by a single autosomal recessive allele designated as od (osteogenic disorder). The inability of AscA biosynthesis in primates and guinea pigs that exhibit similar symptoms, when they are not supplemented with AscA in the food, was traced to the lack of L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase, which catalyzes the terminal step in the biosynthesis of AscA. The non-functional GULOP was mapped to human chromosome 8p21 that corresponds to an evolutionarily conserved segment on either porcine chromosome 4 (SSC4) or 14 (SSC14). We investigated linkage between OD and SSC4- and 14-specific microsatellite loci in order to map the OD locus. Twenty-seven informative meioses in families from one sire and three dams revealed linkage of od with microsatellites SW857 and S0089, located in the subcentromeric region of SSC14. We isolated part of the GULO gene of the pig by screening a porcine genomic library using a pig GULO cDNA as a probe, and mapped it to SSC14q14 by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Thus, the porcine GULO gene is both a good physiological and positional candidate gene for vitamin C deficiency in pigs.

IL-13 induces tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C gamma-1 following IRS-2 association in human monocytes: relationship with the inhibitory effect of IL-13 on ROI production.

Here we analysed the involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in the regulation of the initial molecular events induced by IL-13 to modulate TPA-triggered reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) production. Our data indicate that treatment of monocytes with a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor (herbimycin A) prevents IL-13-induced cAMP accumulation and subsequent ROI inhibition. We have previously demonstrated that cAMP accumulation depends on inositol phosphates hydrolysis (InsPs) and intracellular Ca2+ mobilisation. The inhibition of InsPs and intracellular Ca2+ release by herbimycin A suggests a primary role of tyrosine kinases upstream PLC activation. We further specify that IL-13 stimulates PLC-gamma 1 and IRS-2 tyrosine phosphorylation in human monocytes. We demonstrate for the first time that IL-13 induces the association of IRS-2 with PLC-gamma 1. We proposed here that PLC-gamma 1 is a new candidate recruited by IRS-2.

Developing and implementing a bereavement program for a children's hospital.

The grief of parents after the loss of a child is well recognized. However, the concept of grief in children after the loss of a sibling or a parent has been accepted only recently. This paper describes the development and implementation of a bereavement program for staff and families in a children's hospital. The program is unique in that support is provided to both staff and families. Data gathering, goals of the program, the phases of implementation, and the specific components of support for each group are described. Initial efforts in evaluating the program and implications for the future are discussed.