Annotation of Secretariat and Hydrus, two DJ cluster phages isolated on Gordonia rubripertincta.

Secretariat and Hydrus are phages grouped into the DJ cluster that were isolated on Gordonia rubripertincta NRRL B-16540. The phages have 75% nucleotide identity and share 73% gene content. Secretariat has a genome with 84 predicted genes, while Hydrus has 91 predicted genes and can also infect Gordonia terrae 3612.

Genome Sequences of Akoni, Ashton, and Truong, Podoviridae Bacteriophages Isolated from Microbacterium foliorum.

Cluster EK2 Akoni, Ashton, and Truong are lytic Podoviridae actinobacteriophages that were isolated from soil in Florida using Microbacterium foliorum NRRL B-24224 as the host. The genomes are 54,307 bp, 54,560 bp, and 54,309 bp, respectively, and are 60% GC rich. Each genome contains a novel 13,464-bp gene that encompasses 25% of the genome.

Improved growth and developmental activity post tracheostomy in preterm infants with severe BPD.

OBJECTIVES: To examine growth, sedation needs, and participation in developmental activities before and after tracheostomy among infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of infants born at <32 weeks' gestation or birth weights <1500 g with severe BPD who underwent tracheostomy placement between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2016 in a quaternary referral newborn and infant intensive care unit. Changes in growth parameters and frequency/type of participation in physical therapy sessions performed during the 4-weeks before tracheostomy and 4-weeks after the first tracheostomy tube change were compared. RESULTS: A total of 72 patient were included in the study. Average weekly gain in weight, length, and head circumference were significantly higher during the 4-week period after compared to before tracheostomy. The most significant change occurred for linear growth (0.71 ± 0.40 cm/wk pre vs 0.97 ± 0.48 cm/wk pre, P < 0.001). Median Z score improved for weight (pre -1.42 [-3,10, -0.33] vs post -0.91 [-2.7, 0.27], P < 0.001), length (pre -3.07 [-4.39, -1.31] vs post -1.95 [-3.83, -0.93], P < 0.001) and weight-to-length ratio (pre 1.66 [0.58, 2.55] vs post 1.32 [0.17, 2.2], P = 0.02). Participation in developmental therapies significantly improved post tracheostomy (pre vs post: 5.2 ± 2.9 vs 8.7 ± 4.3 sessions performed over 4 weeks, P < 0.0001). Physical therapy sessions more often promoted developmental skill acquisition after tracheostomy compared to facilitating physiologic stability before tracheostomy. Daily sedation requirements decreased post tracheostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Tracheostomy was associated with improved proportional growth and increased participation in activities promoting developmental skill acquisition and reduced daily sedation requirements in preterm infants with severe BPD.

Child Engagement in Daily Life: a measure of participation for young children with cerebral palsy.

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were to determine the: (1) internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the Child Engagement in Daily Life measure; (2) construct validity of the measure (known groups methods), that is, the ability of the measure to discriminate participation in family and recreational activities and self-care among young children of varying age and motor ability and between children with and without cerebral palsy, and (3) stability and hierarchical ordering of the items for young children with CP to devise an interval-level scoring system. METHODS: 429 children with CP and their parents and 110 parents of children without CP participated in this methodological study. Parents completed the Child Engagement in Daily Life measure and therapists assessed the children's gross motor function. Rasch analysis was used to create an interval-level measure. RESULTS: Children's frequency in and enjoyment of participation in family and recreational activities and self-care varied by age and gross motor ability. Internal consistency of the domains of the measure was high, Cronbach alpha values ranging from 0.86 to 0.91; test-retest for participation in family and recreational activities was acceptable, ICC = 0.70, and in self-care was high, ICC = 0.96. The items in the measure had a good fit and a logical hierarchical ordering. CONCLUSION: Study results support the validity and reliability of the Child Engagement in Daily Life measure as an assessment of participation in family and recreational activities and self-care for young children with CP. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Participation in family and recreational activities and self-care for young children with cerebral palsy can be reliably and validly assessed using the Child Engagement in Daily Life measure. Service providers are encouraged to support young children's participation in family and recreational activities and self-care.

Sharing of lessons learned from multisite research.

PURPOSE: To highlight key considerations for planning and implementing multisite research based on experiences and reflections in conducting a large, international, multisite study. DESCRIPTION: Successes and challenges encountered throughout a multisite study process, and collective recommendations for future researchers are presented. Considerations addressed include creation of the research team and a "community of practice," study preparation and management time, approval by institutional review boards, training of future researchers, recruitment and retention of participants, and dissemination and translation of study materials to consumers. IMPORTANCE TO MEMBERS: Multisite research has the potential to create knowledge for pediatric physical therapy through collaboration among knowledgeable researchers and expert practitioners and by increasing the potential for generalization of findings. Effective planning, including anticipation of challenges, is critical to a successful study. Our collective experiences may assist practitioners and researchers in planning, implementing, and completing future multisite studies.